Group winding after group with dream-like ease; Triumphs in sunbright gratitude displayed, -So, pleased with purple clusters to entwine Wide-spreading odours from her flowery wreaths. Borne by the Muse from rills in shepherds' ears Murmuring but one smooth story for all years, Behold how fought the Chief whose conquering sword 29 Stretched far as earth might own a single lord; Memorial Pillar! 'mid the wrecks of Time 35 Preserve thy charge with confidence sublime— The exultations, pomps, and cares of Rome, Whence half the breathing world received its doom; Things that recoil from language; that, if shown By apter pencil, from the light had flown. 40 Of battle meets him in authentic form! 44 Unharnessed, naked, troops of Moorish horse Sweep to the charge; more high, the Dacian force, To hoof and finger mailed;-yet, high or low, Spirit in him pre-eminent, who guides, 50 From honoured Instruments that round him wait; Rise as he may, his grandeur scorns the test 55 60 O weakness of the Great! O folly of the Wise! Where now the haughty Empire that was spread 65 With such fond hope? her very speech is dead; Yet glorious Art the power of Time defies, And Trajan still, through various enterprise, Mounts, in this fine illusion, toward the skies: Still are we present with the imperial Chief, 70 Nor cease to gaze upon the bold Relief Till Rome, to silent marble unconfined, Becomes with all her years a vision of the Mind. 1825. THE EGYPTIAN MAID OR THE ROMANCE OF THE WATER LILY. For the names and persons in the following poem see the "History of the renowned Prince Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table;" for the rest the Author is answerable; only it may be proper to add that the Lotus, with the bust of the Goddess appearing to rise out of the full-blown flower, was suggested by the beautiful work of ancient art, once included among the Townley Marbles, and now in the British Museum. WHILE Merlin paced the Cornish sands, Of a bright Ship that seemed to hang in air, 5 LILY. Soft was the wind, that landward blew ; And, as the Moon, o'er some dark hill ascendant, Grows from a little edge of light To a full orb, this Pinnace bright Became, as nearer to the coast she drew, More glorious, with spread sail and streaming pendant. Upon this wingèd Shape so fair 35 Aught that was ever shown in magic glass; Was ever built with patient care; Or, at a touch, produced by happiest transformation. Now, though a Mechanist, whose skill Shames the degenerate grasp of modern science, Grave Merlin (and belike the more For practising occult and perilous lore) 20 That sapped good thoughts, or scared them with defiance. Provoked to envious spleen, he cast 25 An altered look upon the advancing Stranger And the waves rose, and sky portended danger. 31 With thrilling word, and potent sign urges; The clouds in blacker clouds are lost, Like spiteful Fiends that vanish, crossed 35 And the winds roused the Deep with fiercer Scourges. But worthy of the name she bore Was this Šea-flower, this buoyant Galley; Supreme in loveliness and grace Of motion, whether in the embrace Of trusty anchorage, or scudding o'er 40 The main flood roughened into hill and valley. Behold, how wantonly she laves Her sides, the Wizard's craft confounding; 45 Breasts the sea-flashes, and huge waves Top-gallant high, rebounding and rebounding! But Ocean under magic heaves, And cannot spare the Thing he cherished: Ah! what avails that she was fair, Luminous, blithe, and debonair? 49 The storm has stripped her of her leaves; The Lily floats no longer!—She hath perished. Grieve for her, she deserves no less; 55 59 Nor aught that troubles us, the fools of Nature. Yet is there cause for gushing tears; 65 Of wind or wave—a meek and guileless Maiden. Into a cave had Merlin fled From mischief, caused by spells himself had muttered; And while, repentant all too late, |