Glad from a world grown old and cold and weary, Oh! we who have known shame, we have found release there, Where there's no ill, no grief, but sleep has mending, Nought broken save this body, lost but breath; Nothing to shake the laughing heart's long peace there But only agony, and that has ending; And the worst friend and enemy is but Death. Brooke. 213 No coward soul is mine, No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere: I see Heaven's glories shine, And faith shines equal, arming me from fear. O God within my breast, Life-that in me has rest, As I undying Life-have power in Thee! Vain are the thousand creeds That move men's hearts, unutterably vain, Or idle froth amid the boundless main, To waken doubt in one Holding so fast by Thine infinity; So surely anchor'd on The steadfast rock of immortality. With wide-embracing love Changes, sustains, dissolves, creates and rears. Though earth and man were gone, Every existence would exist in Thee. There is not room for Death, Nor atom that his might could render void : And what THOU art may never be destroyed. ART thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers? Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplex'd ? Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vex'd Honest labour bears a lovely face; Then hey nonny nonny-hey nonny nonny! Canst drink the waters of the crispèd spring? Swimm'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears? Then he that patiently Want's burden bears O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content! Then hey nonny nonny-hey nonny nonny. 215 The Soul's Pilgrimage GIVE me my scallop-shell of quiet, Dekker. My gown of glory, hope's true gage; Blood must be my body's balmer; Where spring the nectar fountains: The bowl of bliss, And drink mine everlasting fill Upon every milken hill. My soul will be a-dry before; But, after, it will thirst no more. Raleigh. 216* The Character of a Happy Life How happy is he born and taught That serveth not another's will; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill! scallop-shell] see No. 15. balmer] embalmer. scrip] almsbag. palmer] pilgrim, gage] pledge, Whose passions not his masters are ; Of prince's love or vulgar breath. . . . Who hath his life from rumours freed; Who God doth late and early pray With a well-chosen book or friend : This man is free from servile bands Wotton. 217* Constancy WHO is the honest man? He that doth still and strongly good pursue, Whose honesty is not So loose or easy, that a ruffling wind While the world now rides by, now lags behind: Who, when great trials come, Nor seeks, nor shuns them; but doth calmly stay Till he the thing and the example weigh: All being brought into a sum, What place or person calls for, he doth pay : Whom none can work or woo To use in any thing a trick or sleight; His words and works and fashion too Who never melts or thaws At close temptations: when the day is done, Who, when he is to treat With sick folks, women, those whom passions sway, Allows for that, and keeps his constant way: Whom others' faults do not defeat; But though men fail him, yet his part doth play : Whom nothing can procure, When the wide world runs bias, from his will Who still is right, and prays to be so still. Herbert. 218 Character of the Happy Warrior WHO is the happy Warrior? Who is he -It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought |