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XXVIII.

He said, "Alas! these shadows soon may fly, "Like the gay landscapes of the element: "Yet do poor mortals still with raptur'd eye

“Behold like thee the pictures they present; “And charm'd by Hope's sweet musick on they fare, "And think they soon shall reach that blissful goal, "Where never more the sullen knell of Care

"Departed friends and sever'd loves shall toll:

"So on they fare; till all their troubles cease, "And on a lap of earth they lay them down in peace,

XXIX.

“But not there ceases their immortal claim, ("From golden clouds I heard a small voice say} "Wisdom rejoiceth in a higher aim,

"Nor heeds the transient shadows of a day. "These earthly sounds may die away, and all "These perishable pictures sink in night,

"But Virtue from the dust her sons shall call,

"And lead them forth to joy, and life, and light, "Though from their languid grasp earth's comforts fly, "And with the silent worm their bury'd bodies lie.

156

HOPE, AN ALLEGORICAL SKETCH.

ΧΧΧ.

"For other scenes there are, and in a clime

"Purer, and other strains to earth unknown, "Where Heaven's high host with symphonies sublime "Sing 'Unto HIM that sitteth on the throne.' "Enough for man, if he the task fulfil

"Which GOD ordain'd, and to his journey's end “Bear him right on, betide him good or ill;

“Then Hope to soothe his death-bed shall descend,

"Nor leave him, till in mansions of the blest

"He gain his destin'd home, his everlasting rest."

NOTES.

SONNET I.

"And now the beam

"Of ev'ning smiles on the grey battlement,
"And yon forsaken tow'r that time has rent."

Tynemouth priory and castle, Northumberland.

The remains of this monastery are situated on a high rocky point, on the north side of the entrance into the river Tyne, about a mile and a half below North-Shields. The exalted rock on which the monastery stood, rendered it visible at sea a long way off, in every direction, whence it presented itself as if exhorting the seamen in danger to make their vows, and promise masses and presents to the Virgin Mary and St. Oswin for their deliverance.

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