Your strong yet just reproof extorts applause The wise sometimes from Wisdom's ways depart: My lyre, the heart; my muse, the simple truth. thor of several philanthropic plans for the amelioration of the condition of the poor. In this gentleman the youthful poet found not only an honest and judicious critic, but a sincere friend. To his care the superintendence of the second edition of "Hours of Idleness," during its progress through a country press, was intrusted, and at his suggestion several corrections and omissions were made.] The maid whose virgin breast is void of guile, No net to snare her willing heart is spread; November 26, 1806. ELEGY ON NEWSTEAD ABBEY "It is the voice of years that are gone! they roll before me with all their deeds."- Ossian. NEWSTEAD! fast-falling, once-replendent dome! * Henry II. founded Newstead soon after the murder of Thomas à Becket. Of warriors, monks, and dames the cloistered tomb, Whose pensive shades around thy ruins glide, Hail to thy pile! more honored in thy fall Scowling defiance on the blasts of fate. No mail-clad serfs, obedient to their lord, Their chief's retainers, an immortal band: Else might inspiring Fancy's magic eye Retrace their progress through the lapse of time, Marking each ardent youth, ordained to die, A votive pilgrim in Judea's clime. But not from thee, dark pile! departs the chief; Yes! in thy gloomy cells and shades profound A monarch bade thee from that wild arise, * The red cross was the badge of the crusaders. And Superstition's crimes, of various dyes, Where now the grass exhales a murky dew, Nor raised their pious voices but to pray. Where now the bats their wavering wings extend Years roll on years; to ages, ages yield; One holy HENRY reared the gothic walls, And bade the pious inmates rest in peace; Another HENRY ‡ the kind gift recalls, And bids devotion's hallowed echoes cease. Vain is each threat or supplicating prayer; * As "gloaming," the Scottish word for twilight, is far more poetical, and has been recommended by many eminent literary men, particularly by Dr. Moore in his Letters to Burns, I have ventured to use it on account of its harmony. The priory was dedicated to the Virgin. At the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII. bestowed Newstead Abbey on Sir John Byron. To roam a dreary world in deep despair No friend, no home, no refuge, but their God. Hark how the hall, resounding to the strain, Of changing sentinels the distant hum, The mirth of feasts, the clang of burnished arms, The braying trumpet and the hoarser drum, Unite in concert with increased alarms. An abbey once, a regal fortress * now, Encircled by insulting rebel powers, War's dread machines o'erhang thy threatening brow, And dart destruction in sulphureous showers. Ah vain defence! the hostile traitor's siege, Though oft repulsed, by guile o'ercomes the brave; His thronging foes oppress the faithful liege, Rebellion's reeking standards o'er him wave. Not unavenged the raging baron yields; Still in that hour the warrior wished to strew *Newstead sustained a considerable siege in the war between Charles I. and his parliament. |