XIV

COMPOSED IN ONE OF THE CATHOLIC CANTONS

1820 1822

DOOMED as we are our native dust

To wet with many a bitter shower,
It ill befits us to disdain

The altar, to deride the fane,

Where simple Sufferers bend, in trust
To win a happier hour.

I love, where spreads the village lawn,
Upon some knee-worn cell to gaze:
Hail to the firm unmoving cross,

Aloft, where pines their branches toss!
And to the chapel far withdrawn,

That lurks by lonely ways!

Where'er we roam

along the brink

Of Rhine

or by the sweeping Po,

Through Alpine vale, or champain wide,

Whate'er we look on, at our side

XV

AFTER-THOUGHT

1820 1822

O LIFE! without thy chequered scene
Of right and wrong, of weal and woe,
Success and failure, could a ground
For magnanimity be found;

For faith, 'mid ruined hopes, serene?
Or whence could virtue flow?

Pain entered through a ghastly breach-
Nor while sin lasts must effort cease;
Heaven upon earth's an empty boast;
But, for the bowers of Eden lost,
Mercy has placed within our reach
A portion of God's peace.

XVI

SCENE ON THE LAKE OF BRIENTZ

1820 1822

"WHAT know we of the Blest above

But that they sing and that they love?"

Yet, if they ever did inspire

A mortal hymn, or shaped the choir,
Now, where those harvest Damsels float
Homeward in their rugged Boat,

(While all the ruffling winds are fled -
Each slumbering on some mountain's head)
Now, surely, hath that gracious aid
Been felt, that influence is displayed.
Pupils of Heaven, in order stand
The rustic Maidens, every hand
Upon a Sister's shoulder laid,
To chant, as glides the boat along,
A simple, but a touching, song;
To chant, as Angels do above,
The melodies of Peace in love!

XVII

ENGELBERG, THE HILL OF ANGELS 17

1820 1822

FOR gentlest uses, oft-times Nature takes
The work of Fancy from her willing hands;
And such a beautiful creation makes

As renders needless speils and magic wands,
And for the boldest tale belief commands.
When first mine eyes beheld that famous Hill,

The sacred ENGELBERG, celestial Bands,

With intermingling motions soft and still,

Hung round its top, on wings that changed their hues at will.

Clouds do not name those Visitants; they were

The very Angels whose authentic lays,

Sung from that heavenly ground in middle air,
Made known the spot where piety should raise
A holy Structure to the Almighty's praise.
Resplendent Apparition! if in vain

My ears did listen, 't was enough to gaze;

And watch the slow departure of the train,

Whose skirts the glowing Mountain thirsted to detain.

XVIII

OUR LADY OF THE SNOW

1820 1822

MEEK Virgin Mother, more benign
Than fairest Star, upon the height
Of thy own mountain, 18 set to keep
Lone vigils through the hours of sleep,
What eye can look upon thy shrine
Untroubled at the sight?

These crowded offerings as they hang

In sign of misery relieved,

Even these, without intent of theirs,
Report of comfortless despairs,

Of many a deep and cureless pang
And confidence deceived.

To Thee, in this aërial cleft,
As to a common centre, tend

All sufferers that no more rely
On mortal succour all who sigh
And pine, of human hope bereft,

Nor wish for earthly friend.