470 (Yon cottage shaded by the woody crags) To the profounder stillness of the grave. -Nor was his funeral denied the grace Of many tears, virtuous and thoughtful grief; Heart-sorrow rendered sweet by gratitude. And now that monumental stone preserves His name, and unambitiously relates How long, and by what kindly outward aids, And in what pure contentedness of mind, Was wasted on the good Man's living ear, YARROW VISITED SEPTEMBER 1814 AND is this-Yarrow? 480 This the Stream And, through her depths, Saint Mary's Yon cottage seems a bower of bliss, A covert for protection Of tender thoughts, that nestle there The brood of chaste affection. "SCORN NOT THE SONNET" [Publ. 1827] SCORN not the Sonnet; Critic, you have frowned, Mindless of its just honours; with this key Shakspeare unlocked his heart; the melody Of this small lute gave ease to Petrarch's A thousand times this pipe did Tasso sound; To struggle through dark ways; and, when Fell round the path of Milton, in his hand 10 blew Brisk Youth appeared, the Morn of youth, Past, present, future, all appeared Like guests that meet, and some from far, And if, as Yarrow, through the woods Did meet us with unaltered face, 30 Though we were changed and chang- If, then, some natural shadows spread The soul's deep valley was not slow Eternal blessings on the Muse, And her divine employment! The blameless Muse, who trains her Sons Has o'er their pillow brooded; For thee, O SCOTT! compelled to change 40 Oh! while they minister to thee, Each vying with the other, With Strength, her venturous brother; 60 For Thou, upon a hundred streams, With gladness must requite Thee. A gracious welcome shall be thine, Dreams treasured up from early days, 70 80 90 IF this great world of joy and pain Revolve in one sure track; If freedom, set, will rise again, And virtue, flown, come back; Woe to the purblind crew who fill The heart with each day's care; Nor gain, from past or future, skill To bear, and to forbear! |