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!