Not even masses daily said, Nor all our prayers for heavenly aid, We shall have hope-yes, e'en for thee:— That would the sacred book explore, Read, judge, and search its mysteries o'er, 66 'Oh, urge me not," the mourner said, And to the Abbess turn'd her head, PART SEVENTH. And stemm'd the bitter tear that rose ; And holy ire may work its will Upon the senseless stone That soon will hide the every tear- Yes! I have mark'd the page of truth, And read it in my joyous youth; From it derived my hopes above, Reliance on that Saviour's love, Who bade us search therein, and know, Eternal life its precepts show. Who bade the weary rest in Him, And the o'er-burden'd soul its care: And like the voice of Cherubim, To me those holy precepts were ! They guard my heart from shrinking fear, And, Lady, bid me not confess All my poor heart's sad guiltiness, 45 To one of mortal mould;-alone, I humbly bring it to that throne, Where love Divine, that once for me Will ever pitying mercy show, Faded among dark clouds away!" PART EIGHTH. "Peace to the lovely spirit flown; It was not form'd for earth!" MRS. HEMANS. BRIGHT Summer's flowers are faded all, And the dark leaves of Autumn fall, And driven by the chilly breeze, They rustle from the old oak trees, That round proud Thornton's green domain Their many-colour'd hues display; And threatening Winter once again, Stole beauty from the shortening day. Adjacent to that monastry; The white walls of a church arose, And down the long aisles you might see, Where forms of other days repose, O'er arched columns rising high, The Gothic windows tracery,— The crosses carved on every tomb The sun-light shaded into gloom, And the high altar's place of state. The dusky eve was waxing late, And all the sins that darkest be, Of one whose mortal part might lay, Deep, deep in consecrated clay, But for whose soul must many a prayer, And intercession rise in air, Before its flight could heaven-ward be, From all earth's low defilements free. "They say that sister Agnes pined, And her sad thoughts to death resign'd, E'er since the day a stranger came, Clad as a palmer grey.— Suspicion whispers that his name, Was one she loved for many a day!" "Cease, brother, cease this slander pray, |