XXIII

REPROOF

1821. 1822

BUT what if One, through grove or flowery mead,

Indulging thus at will the creeping feet
Of a voluptuous indolence, should meet
Thy hovering Shade, O venerable Bede!
The saint, the scholar, from a circle freed
Of toil stupendous, in a hallowed seat
Of learning, where thou heard'st the billows
beat

On a wild coast, rough monitors to feed
Perpetual industry. Sublime Recluse !
The recreant soul, that dares to shun the
debt

Imposed on human kind, must first forget Thy diligence, thy unrelaxing use

Of a long life; and, in the hour of death, The last dear service of thy passing breath!

XXVI
ALFRED

1821. 1822

BEHOLD a pupil of the monkish gown,
The pious ALFRED, King to Justice dear!
Lord of the harp and liberating spear;
Mirror of Princes! Indigent Renown
Might range the starry ether for a crown
Equal to his deserts, who, like the year,
Pours forth his bounty, like the day doth
cheer,

And awes like night with mercy-tempered frown.

Ease from this noble miser of his time
No moment steals; pain narrows not his

cares.

Though small his kingdom as a spark or gem,

Of Alfred boasts remote Jerusalem, And Christian India, through her widespread clime,

In sacred converse gifts with Alfred shares.

XXVII

HIS DESCENDANTS 1821. 1822

WHEN thy great soul was freed from mortal chains,

Darling of England! many a bitter shower Fell on thy tomb; but emulative power Flowed in thy line through undegenerate veins.