With its first bounty. Wandering through the west, And call the Fountain forth by miracle, And with dread signs the nascent Stream invest? Or some of humbler name, to these wild shores III TREPIDATION OF THE DRUIDS CREAMS round the Arch-druid's brow the seamew 2-white Sc As Menai's foam; and toward the mystic ring That, in the lapse of ages, hath crept o'er Haughty the Bard can these meek doctrines blight But all shall be fulfilled;-the Julian spear A way first opened; and, with Roman chains, The tidings come of Jesus crucified; ΤΟ 10 They come they spread-the weak, the suffering, hear; M IV DRUIDICAL EXCOMMUNICATION ERCY and Love have met thee on thy road, Thou wretched Outcast, from the gift of fire And food cut off by sacerdotal ire, From every sympathy that Man bestowed! As to the one sole fount whence wisdom flowed, 1 See Note. This water-fowl was, among the Druids, an emblem of those traditions connected with the Deluge that made an important part of their mysteries. The Cormorant was a bird of bad omen. Justice, and order. Tremblingly escaped, 10 D V UNCERTAINTY ARKNESS surrounds us; seeking, we are lost On Snowdon's wilds, amid Brigantian coves, Or where the solitary shepherd roves Along the plain of Sarum, by the ghost Of Time and shadows of Tradition, crost; Nor characters of Greek or Roman fame, Enough-if eyes, that sought the fountain-head VI PERSECUTION AMENT! for Diocletian's fiery sword L Works busy as the lightning; but instinct 10 Some pierced to the heart through the ineffectual shield England's first Martyr, whom no threats could shake; And for the faith; nor shall his name forsake 1 See Note. II As VII RECOVERY S, when a storm hath ceased, the birds regain To celebrate their great deliverance; May not the less, through Heaven's mild countenance, W VIII TEMPTATIONS FROM ROMAN REFINEMENTS WATCH, and be firm! for soul-subduing vice, Fair houses, baths, and banquets delicate, And temples flashing, bright as polar ice, Their radiance through the woods-may yet suffice Your love of Him upon whose forehead sate ΤΟ The crown of thorns; whose life-blood flowed, the price Of your redemption. Shun the insidious arts That Rome provides, less dreading from her frown Than from her wily praise, her peaceful gown, Language, and letters ;-these, though fondly viewed As humanising graces, are but parts And instruments of deadliest servitude! T IX DISSENSIONS HAT heresies should strike (if truth be scanned Is natural as dreams to feverish sleep. Lo! Discord at the altar dares to stand Uplifting toward high Heaven her fiery brand, X STRUGGLE OF THE BRITONS AGAINST THE BARBARIANS R ISE! they have risen: of brave Aneurin ask 10 How they have scourged old foes, perfidious friends: The Spirit of Caractacus descends Upon the Patriots, animates their task ;— Bards, nursed on blue Plinlimmon's still abode, N° XI SAXON CONQUEST OR wants the cause the panic-striking aid Of hallelujahs1 tost from hill to hill— For instant victory. But Heaven's high will Permits a second and a darker shade Of Pagan night. Afflicted and dismayed, The Relics of the sword flee to the mountains: IO O wretched Land! whose tears have flowed like fountains; Whose arts and honours in the dust are laid By men yet scarcely conscious of a care For other monuments than those of Earth; 1 See Note. ΤΟ Who, as the fields and woods have given them birth, Of long-drawn rampart, witness what they were. THE oppression of the tumult—wrath and scorn— The unarmed Host who by their prayers would turn And Christian monuments, that now must burn ΤΟ A XIII CASUAL INCITEMENT BRIGHT-HAIRED company of youthful slaves, Where Tiber's stream the immortal City laves : 1 See Note. ΤΟ |