Snug as a child that hides itself in sport
'Mid a green haycock in a sunny field.
We spake he made reply, but would not stir
At our entreaty; less from want of power
Than apprehension and bewildering thoughts.
So was he lifted gently from the ground,
And with their freight the shepherds homeward mi
Through the dull mist, I following-when a step,
A single step, that freed me from the skirts
Of the blind vapour, opened to my view
Glory beyond all glory ever seen

By waking sense, or by the dreaming soul!
Though I am conscious that no power of words
Can body forth, no hues of speech can paint
That gorgeous spectacle-too bright and fair
Even for remembrance; yet the attempt may give
Collateral interest to this homely tale.
The appearance, instantaneously disclosed,
Was of a mighty city-boldly say

A wilderness of building-sinking far
And self-withdrawn into a boundless depth,
Far sinking into splendour-without end!
Fabric it seemed of diamond and of gold,
With alabaster domes and silver spires;
And blazing terrace upon terrace, high
Uplifted here, serene pavilions bright,
In avenues disposed; there, towers begirt
With battlements, that on their restless fronts
Bore stars-illumination of all gems!

By earthly nature had the effect been wrought

Upon the dark materials of the storm

Now pacified; on them, and on the coves.

And mountain-steeps and summits, whereunto

The vapours had receded, taking there

Their station under a cerulean sky.

O, 't was an unimaginable sight!

Clouds, mists, streams, watery rocks, and emerald turk,

Clouds of all tincture, rocks and sapphire sky,
Confused, commingled, mutually inflamed,
Molten together, and composing thus,
Each lost in each, that marvellous array
O temple, palace, citadel, and huge
Fantastic pomp of structure, without name,

In fleecy folds voluminous enwrapped.

Right in the midst, where interspace appeared Of open court, an object like a throne

Under a shining canopy of state

Stood fixed; and fixed resemblances were seen

To implements of ordinary use,

But vast in size, in substance glorified;

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Such as by Hebrew Prophets were beheld
In vision-forms uncouth of mightiest power,
For admiration and mysterious awe.
Below me was the earth; this little vale
Lay low beneath my feet; 't was visible—
I saw not, but I felt, that it was there.
That which I saw was the revealed abode
Of Spirits in beatitude: my heart

Swelled in my breast.

I have been dead,' I cried,
And now I live! Oh! wherefore do I live?'
And with that pang I prayed to be no more!
But I forget our charge-as utterly

I then forgot him-there I stood and gazed;
The apparition faded not away,

And I descended. Having reached the house,
I found its rescued inmate safely lodged,

And in serene possession of himself,
Beside a genial fire that seemed to spread
A gleam of comfort o'er his pallid face.

Great show of joy the Housewife made, and truly
Was glad to find her conscience set at ease;
And not less glad, for sake of her good name,
That the poor sufferer had escaped with life.
But, though he seemed at first to have received
No harm, and uncomplaining as before
Went through his usual tasks, a silent change
Soon showed itself; he lingered three short weeks;
And from the Cottage hath been borne to-day.
"So ends my dolorous tale, and glad I am
That it is ended." At these words he turned-
And, with blithe air of open fellowship,
Brought from the cupboard wine and stouter cheer,
Like one who would be merry. Seeing this,

My grey-haired Friend said courteously-"Nay, nay,
You have regaled us as a hermit ought;

Now let us forth into the sun!" Our Host
Rose, though reluctantly, and forth we went.

THE AFFLICTION OF MARGARET.

WHERE art thou, my beloved Son,
Where art thou, worse to me than dead?
Oh find me, prosperous or undone !
Or, if the grave be now thy bed,
Why am I ignorant of the same,
That I may rest; and neither blame
Nor sorrow may attend thy name?

Seven years, alas! to have received
No tidings of an only Child;

To have despaired, and have believed,
And be for evermore beguil'd;
Sometimes with thoughts of very bliss,
I catch at them, and then I miss;

Was ever darkness like to this?

He was among the prime in worth,

An object beauteous to behold;

Well born, well bred; I sent him forth
Ingenious, innocent, and bold:

If things ensued that wanted grace,
As hath been said, they were not base;

And never blush was on my face.

Ah! little doth the young one dream,
When full of play and childish cares,
What power hath even his wildest scream,
Heard by his mother unawares!
He knows it not, he cannot guess:
Years to a mother bring distress;

But do not make her love the less.

Neglect me! no, I suffered long

From that ill thought, and, being blind,
Said, "Pride shall help me in my wrong:
Kind mother have I been, as kind
As ever breathed:" and that is true;
I've wet my path with tears like dew,
Weeping for him when no one knew.

My Son, if thou be humbled, poor,
Hopeless of honour and of gain,
Oh! do not dread thy Mother's door;
Think not of me with grief and pain:
I now can see with better eyes;
And worldly grandeur I despise,
And Fortune with her gifts and lies.

Alas! the fowls of heaven have wings,
And blasts of heaven will aid their flight;
They mount, how short a voyage brings
The wanderers back to their delight!
Chains tie us down by land and sea;
And wishes, vain as mine, may be
All that is left to comfort thee.

Perhaps some dungeon hears thee groan,
Maimed, mangled by inhuman men;

Or thou upon a desert thrown

Inheritest the lion's den;