"There's neither dog nor heifer, horse nor sheep, "Some say that here a murder has been done, "What thoughts must through the Creature's brain have past! Even from the topmost stone, upon the steep, Are but three bounds—and look, Sir, at this last- "For thirteen hours he ran a desperate race; And in my simple mind we cannot tell What cause the Hart might have to love this place, "Here on the grass perhaps asleep he sank, "In April here beneath the scented thorn He heard the birds their morning carols sing; Now, here is neither grass nor pleasant shade; So will it be, as I have often said, Till Trees, and Stones, and Fountain, all are gone." "Gray-headed Shepherd, thou hast spoken well; "The Being, that is in the clouds and air, "She leaves these objects to a slow decay, That what we are, and have been, may be known; But, at the coming of the milder day, These monuments shall all be overgrown. "One lesson, Shepherd, let us two divide, Taught both by what she shows, and what conceals, Never to blend our pleasure or our pride With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels." THE FORCE OF PRAYER; OR, THE FOUNDING OF BOLTON PRIORY. A TRADITION. “What is good for a bootless bene?” With these dark words begins my Tale; And their meaning is, whence can comfort spring " What is good for a bootless bene ?” And she made answer 66 ENDLESS SORROW!" She knew it by the Falconer's words, -Young Romilly through Barden woods And holds a Greyhound in a leash, To let slip upon buck or doe. The Pair have reached that fearful chasm, How tempting to bestride! For lordly Wharf is there pent in With rocks on either side. This Striding-place is called THE STRID, A thousand years hath it borne that name, And hither is young Romilly come, And what may now forbid That he, perhaps for the hundredth time, Shall bound across THE STRID? He sprang in glee,-for what cared he That the river was strong, and the rocks were steep? But the Greyhound in the leash hung back, And checked him in his leap. The Boy is in the arms of Wharf, For never more. was young Romilly seen Now there is stillness in the Vale, If for a lover the Lady wept, From death, and from the passion of death ;- She weeps not for the wedding-day Her hope was a further-looking hope, He was a Tree that stood alone, Long, long in darkness did she sit, The stately Priory was reared; And the Lady prayed in heaviness But slowly did her succour come, Oh! there is never sorrow of heart If but to God we turn, and ask Of Him to be our Friend! THE AFFLICTION OF MARGARET. WHERE art thou, my beloved Son, Seven years, alas! to have received Was ever darkness like to this? He was among the prime in worth, An object beauteous to behold; Well born, well bred; I sent him forth If things ensued that wanted grace, |