What then if these be drest in robes of power, VENUS: (6 A REPLY TO LONGFELLOW'S POEM ON MARS, IN THOU lover of the blaze of Mars, Thy boast is of the unconquered Mind, VOICES O They call my star by Beauty's name, And look! how fair its tender flame O star of peace, O torch of hope, A diamond on the ebon cope Within my heart there is no light I give the first watch of the night A BEAUTIFUL face, and a form of grace And gold, and gems, and diadems, Right excellent they be: But beauty and gold, tho' both be untold, The wealth that I prize, above ingots or eyes, Is a heart, O face most fair, shall thy beauty compare O riches and pride, how pale ye beside I spurn thee away, as a cold thing of clay, For all that I prize, in its smiles and its sighs, A CONSECRATION. October 29, 1847. LIKE some fair Nun, the pious and the chaste, Shalford, thy new-born temple stands serene, Modestly deck'd in pure old English taste, The village beauty of thy tranquil scene; And we to-day have made religious haste To see thee wedded to thy heavenly Spouse. Kneeling in unison of praise and prayer To help the offering of thy maiden vows: Hark! what a thrilling utterance is there, "Lift up your heads, ye everlasting gates," As God's high-priest with apostolic care Good work! to be remembered for all time, 'Come in, thou King of Glory," yea, come in, As, hither led, from time to time with joy They seek their Father: lo! before mine eyes Visions and promises of good arise, The tender babe baptized, the stripling boy The elder taught in righteousness and truth, THE THANKSGIVING HYMN AND CHANT. FOR THE HARVEST HOME OF 1847. O NATION, Christian nation, Is love in all his ways; Every creature of his hand, And to gladden all the land! Rejoice, ye happy people, And peal the changing chime In symphony sublime: Be thankful, and rejoice, From glen, and plain, and city, Hath heard his creatures' cries; To fill and fatten earth! Gaze round in deep emotion: Becalmed upon the plain; Lest judgment should destroy, O praise the hand that giveth Abundance flowing o'er! With manna from above, The unction of His love. Then gather, Christians, gather, Who biddeth you rejoice: O BLESS the God of harvest, praise him through the land, summer; Praise him for the wheat-sheaves, gathered safely into barn, |