Subdued, composed, and formalized by art, 75 The prayer for them whose hour is past away That best unlock the secrets of St. Bees. 80 86 Conscience, the timid being's inmost light, 90 Yet none so prompt to succour and protect sharp 95 May sometimes greet the strolling minstrel's harp, It is not then when, swept with sportive ease, How did the cliffs and echoing hills rejoice 100 Flaming till thou from Paynim hands release That Tomb, dread centre of all sanctities Nursed in the quiet Abbey of St. Bees. But look we now to them whose minds from far III Follow the fortunes which they may not share. Nor be it e'er forgotten how by skill Of cloistered Architects, free their souls to fill With love of God, throughout the Land were raised 120 Churches, on whose symbolic beauty gazed 125 Yet more; around those Churches, gathered Towns 131 Safe from the feudal Castle's haughty frowns; Who with the ploughshare clove the barren moors. And to green meadows changed the swampy shores? Thinned the rank woods; and for the cheerful grange Made room where wolf and boar were used to range? Who taught, and showed by deeds, that gentler chains 140 Should bind the vassal to his lord's domains? The thoughtful Monks, intent their God to please, For Christ's dear sake, by human sympathies Poured from the bosom of thy Church, St. Bees! But all availed not; by a mandate given 145 Through lawless will the Brotherhood was driven Forth from their cells; their ancient House laid low In Reformation's sweeping overthrow. But now once more the local Heart revives, 150 Oh may that Power who hushed the stormy seas, And cleared a way for the first Votaries, Alas! the Genius of our age, from Schools rules. To Prowess guided by her insight keen 155 She in her own would merge the eternal will: Better, if Reason's triumphs match with these, Her flight before the bold credulities 161 That furthered the first teaching of St. Bees.1 1833. XII. IN THE CHANNEL, BETWEEN THE COAST OF CUMBERLAND AND THE ISLE OF MAN. 5 RANGING the heights of Scawfell or Black-comb, XIII. AT SEA OFF THE ISLE OF MAN. BOLD words affirmed, in days when faith was strong And doubts and scruples seldom teazed the brain, That no adventurer's bark had power to gain These shores if he approached them bent on wrong; For, suddenly up-conjured from the Main, 5 1 See "Excursion," seventh part; and " Ecclesiastical Sketches," second part, near the beginning. Mists rose to hide the Land-that search, though long And eager, might be still pursued in vain. As men believed, the waters were impelled, 10 Of Powers endued with visible form, instinct With will, and to their work by passion linked. XIV. DESIRE we past illusions to recall ? To reinstate wild Fancy, would we hide No,--let this Age, high as she may, instal 6 And conquering Reason, if self-glorified, ΙΟ In progress toward the fount of Love,-the throne Of Power whose ministers the records keep XV. ON ENTERING DOUGLAS BAY, ISLE OF MAN. THE feudal Keep, the bastions of Cohorn, |