THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS Oft in the stilly night Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Of other days around me: The words of love then spoken; Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus in the stilly night Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. When I remember all The friends so link'd together I've seen around me fall Like leaves in wintry weather, I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garlands dead, And all but he departed! Thus in the stilly night Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. Thomas Moore CONTENTMENT I weigh not fortune's frown or smile; I quake not at the thunder's crack; I see ambition never pleased; I see some Tantals starved in store; I feign not friendship where I hate; Neither too lofty nor too low: This, this is all my choice, my cheer, A mind content, a conscience clear. Joshua Sylvester THE SANDS OF DEE "O Mary, go and call the cattle home, And call the cattle home, And call the cattle home, Across the sands o' Dee!" The western wind was wild and dank wi' foam, The western tide crept up along the sand, And round and round the sand, As far as eye could see; The rolling mist came down and hid the land, "Oh is it weed, or fish, or floating hair - A tress o' golden hair, A drowned maiden's hair Above the nets at sea? Was never salmon yet that shone so fair, They row'd her in across the rolling foam The cruel, crawling foam, The cruel, hungry foam, To her grave beside the sea; But still the boatmen hear her call the cattle home Across the sands o' Dee. Charles Kingsley THE HAPPY HEART Art thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers? Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplexèd ? Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vexèd Canst drink the waters of the crispèd spring? Swimm'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears? O punishment! Then he that patiently want's burden bears Thomas Dekker PER PACEM AD LUCEM I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be I do not ask that Thou wouldst take from me I do not ask that flowers should always spring I know too well the poison and the sting For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead, Though strength should falter, and though heart should bleed Through Peace to Light. I do not ask, O Lord, that Thou shouldst shed Give but a ray of peace, that I may tread I do not ask my cross to understand, Better in darkness just to feel Thy hand Joy is like restless day; but peace divine Lead me, O Lord, till perfect Day shall shine, Adelaide Anne Procter |