Classic Poem

XLI.

Thou Breeze of dawn, a music blent
With hues that are a song of light!
Thou Sky, whose dome, above them bent,
Expands the cloudless God to sight!

XLII.

Thou greenest World, through countless ages
Adorned our bounteous home to be!
So fair beyond the dreams of sages,
Which are but glimmerings caught from thee!

XLIII.

And Thou pervading Soul of All,
In man's large mind most clearly shown,
Receiving at devotion's call
Whate'er of best thy Sire makes known!

XLIV.

Bear witness! ye consenting saw,
And shed from all your seats above,
A strength all evil fears to awe,
In those two hearts kept pure by love.

XLV.

At morning oft, and oft at eve,
They met below the old yew-tree,
For they would not forget to grieve,
Though blest as mortal souls may be.

XLVI.

'Twere worth a thoughtful wish to see
A loving pair so calm, so young,
Mid graves, beside the churchyard tree,
While summer's light around them clung.

XLVII.

He seemed a more than common man,
Whom children passed not heedless by,
With graven brow of shapely span,
And sudden-moving, pensive eye.

XLVIII.

Retired and staid was Henry's look,
And shrank from men's tumultuous ways;
And on the earth, as on a book,
He oft would bend his gaze.

XLIX.

But then at sight of bird or flower,
Or beam that set the clouds in flame,
Or aught that told of joy or power,
Upon the man his genius came.

L.

Most flashed his light when near him shone
That face of youth, those eyes of blue,
Whose looks re-echoing every tone
Paid heartfelt words with smiles as true.