A tiny tenement, forsooth, and frail, as needs must be A thing of such materials framed, by a builder such as he.

The hut stood finished by his pains, nor seemingly lacked aught

That skill or means of his could add, but the architect had wrought

Some limber twigs into a Cross, well shaped with fingers nice,

To be engrafted on the top of his small edifice.

That Cross he now was fastening there, as the surest power and best

For supplying all deficiencies, all wants of the rude

nest

In which, from burning heat, or tempest driving far

and wide,

The innocent Boy, else shelterless, his lonely head must hide.

That Cross belike he also raised as a standard for

the true

And faithful service of the heart in the worst that

might ensue

Of hardship and distressful fear, amid the houseless

waste

Where he, in his poor self so weak, by Providence was placed.

-Here, Lady! might I cease; but nay, let us

before we part

With this dear holy shepherd-boy breathe a prayer

of earnest heart,

That unto him, where'er shall lie his life's appointed

way,

The Cross, fixed in his soul, may prove an allsufficing stay.

THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE.

[The subject of the following poem is from the Orlandus of the author's friend, Kenelm Henry Digby: and the liberty is taken of inscribing it to him as an acknowledgment, however unworthy, of pleasure and instruction derived from his numerous and valuable writings, illustrative of the piety and chivalry of the olden time.]

I.

YOU have heard a Spanish Lady

How she wooed an English man ;' *

Hear now of a fair Armenian,

Daughter of the proud Soldàn:

How she loved a Christian Slave, and told her pain By word, look, deed, with hope that he might love again.

II.

"Pluck that rose, it moves my liking,"

Said she, lifting up her veil;

"Pluck it for me, gentle gardener,

Ere it wither and grow pale."

"Princess fair, I till the ground, but may not take From twig or bed an humbler flower, even for your sake!"

See in Percy's Reliques, that fine old ballad, "The Spanish Lady's Love;" from which Poem the form of stanza, as suitable to dialogue, is adopted.

III.

"Grieved am I, submissive Christian!

To behold thy captive state;
Women, in your land, may pity

(May they not?) the unfortunate."

"Yes, kind Lady! otherwise man could not bear Life, which to every one that breathes is full of care."

IV.

"Worse than idle is compassion
If it end in tears and sighs;
Thee from bondage would I rescue

And from vile indignities;

Nurtured, as thy mien bespeaks, in high degree, Look up-and help a hand that longs to set thee free."

V.

"Lady! dread the wish, nor venture
In such peril to engage;

Think how it would stir against you

Your most loving father's rage:

Sad deliverance would it be, and yoked with shame, Should troubles overflow on her from whom it came."

VI.

"Generous Frank! the just in effort
Are of inward peace secure:
Hardships for the brave encountered,
Even the feeblest may endure:

If almighty grace through me thy chains unbind
My father for slave's work may seek a slave in mind."

VII.

"Princess, at this burst of goodness,
My long-frozen heart grows warm!"
"Yet you make all courage fruitless,
Me to save from chance of harm:

Leading such companion I that gilded dome,
Yon minarets, would gladly leave for his worst
home."

VIII.

"Feeling tunes your voice, fair Princess !

And your brow is free from scorn,
Else these words would come like mockery,
Sharper than the pointed thorn."

"Whence the undeserved mistrust? Too wide apart Our faith hath been,-O would that eyes could see the heart!"

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IX.

Tempt me not, I pray; my doom is
These base implements to wield ;
Rusty lance, I ne'er shall grasp thee

Ne'er assoil my cobwebb'd shield!

Never see my native land, nor castle towers,

Nor Her, who thinking of me there counts widowed

hours."

X.

"Prisoner! pardon youthful fancies;
Wedded? If you can, say no!
Blessed is and be your consort;

Hopes I cherished-let them go!

Handmaid's privilege would leave my purpose free, Without another link to my felicity."

XI.

"Wedded love with loyal Christians,

Lady, is a mystery rare;

Body, heart, and soul in union,

Make one being of a pair."

"Humble love in me would look for no return,

Soft as a guiding star that cheers, but cannot burn."

XII.

"Gracious Allah! by such title
Do I dare to thank the God,
Him who thus exalts thy spirit,

Flower of an unchristian sod!

Or hast thou put off wings which thou in heaven dost wear?

What have I seen, and heard, or dreamt? where am I? where ?"

XIII.

Here broke off the dangerous converse:
Less impassioned words might tell,
How the pair escaped together,

Tears not wanting, nor a knell

Of sorrow in her heart, while through her father's door, And from her narrow world, she passed for ever

more.

XIV.

But affections higher, holier,

Urged her steps; she shrunk from trust
In a sensual creed that trampled

Woman's birth-right into dust.

Little be the wonder then, the blame be none,

If she, a timid Maid, hath put such boldness on.