83.

Thus as Speranza cried, she clasp'd her hands,
And heavenward lifted them in ardent prayer.
Lo! at the act the vaulted roof expands,-
Heaven opens, and in empyreal air
Pouring its splendors through the inferior sky
More bright than noon-day suns the CROSS ap-
pears on high.

84.

A strain of heavenly harmony ensued,

Such as but once to mortal ears was known,— The voice of that Angelic Multitude,

Who, in their Orders, stand around the Throne; PEACE UPON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN! they

sung,

And Heaven and Earth with that prophetic an

them rung.

85.

In holy fear I fell upon the ground, And hid my face, unable to endure

erence?

3.

O Royal Lady, ill they judge the heart
That reverently approaches thee to-day,
And anxious to perform its fitting part,

Prefers the tribute of this duteous lay!
Not with displeasure should his song be read
Who prays for Heaven's best blessings on thy
head.

4.

He prays that many a year may pass away Ere the State call thee from a life of love; Vex'd by no public cares, that day by day

Thy heart the dear domestic joys may prove, And gracious Heaven thy chosen nuptials bless With all a Wife's and all a Mother's happiness.

5.

He prays that, for thine own and England's sake,
The Virtues and the Household Charities
Their favor'd seat beside thy hearth may take;

That when the Nation thither turn their eyes,

Visiting the bridal bower,

Death hath levell'd root and flower.
Windsor, in thy sacred shade,
(This the end of pomp and power!)
Have the rites of death been paid:
Windsor, in thy sacred shade
Is the Flower of Brunswick laid!

Ye whose relics rest around,
Tenants of this funeral ground
Know ye, Spirits, who is come,
By immitigable doom

Summon'd to the untimely tomb?
Late with youth and splendor crown'd,
Late in beauty's vernal bloom,
Late with love and joyance blest;

Never more lamented guest
Was in Windsor laid to rest.

Henry, thou of saintly worth, Thou, to whom thy Windsor gave Nativity, and name, and grave; Thou art in this hallowed earth Cradled for the immortal birth! Heavily upon his head

Ancestral crimes were visited:

He, in spirit like a child,

Meek of heart and undefiled,
Patiently his crown resign'd,

And fix'd on heaven his heavenly mind,
Blessing, while he kiss'd the rod,

His Redeemer and his God.
Now may he in realms of bliss
Greet a soul as pure as his.

Passive as that humble spirit
Lies his bold dethroner too;
A dreadful debt did he inherit
To his injured lineage due;
Ill-starr'd prince, whose martial merit
His own England long might rue!
Mournful was that Edward's fame,
Won in fields contested well,

While he sought his rightful claim:
Witness Aire's unhappy water,
Where the ruthless Clifford fell;

And when Wharfe ran red with slaughter,

On the day of Towton's field,

Gathering, in its guilty flood,

The carnage and the ill-spilt blood
That forty thousand lives could yield.
Cressy was to this but sport,
Poictiers but a pageant vain;

And the victory of Spain

Seem'd a strife for pastime meant,