HARK! FROM YON PALACES OF LIGHT. Ascension Hymn 62 WHAT DOST THOU, O WANDERing Dove? THE HYMN OF UNION. Psalm cxxxiii. PLEAD MY CAUSE, O LORD. SACRED MELODIES, &c. &c. &c. THE SANCTUARY. Thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.-Isaiah lvii. W HEN He who veiled his awful name Unknown to his own temple came, His followers wondering trod, Where courts and columned walks arose, Stretched in magnificent repose, 'Mid the green fold of God.* * The superb colonnade surrounding the outer court of the Temple was six furlongs in circuit. The Corinthian B PREFACE. IN sending forth this little volume to take the place which may be assigned it, the laws of custom demand a preface. If something must then be said about its contents, which they will not say for themselves, the reader may be told that, small as the collection is, it is the gradual accumulation of some years. Of that portion which is of Italian extraction, a part had its birth also in the classic land of song. Others have afforded some delightful recreation in the intervals of more necessary home occupations. Whatever be their fate hereafter, their meed and their aim have been already in part secured, and placed beyond the reach of public opinion. To that opinion, however, it would be as foolish to affect indifference, as it is vain to rebel against it. Neither can the author feel unconcerned how far they may prove of any value to others; which involves much of the question, how far, in the leisure thus enjoyed, he has paid "No moment, but in purchase of its worth." If he were appalled by the apprehension of having to encounter a fastidious public, he might take some encouragement from a glance at the quantity and quality of the aggregate of the sacred poetry at present in circulation. It indicates, at least, that the igneus vigor et cælestis origo sought for by the mass of readers of this class of compositions, have reference to higher objects than those of taste or genius. It will at once be seen, that some of the pieces |