ADVERTISEMENT. DURING the Summer of 1807, the Author visited, for the first time, the beautiful scenery that surrounds Bolton Priory, in Yorkshire; and the Poem of the WHITE DOE, founded upon a Tradition connected with the place, was composed at the close of the same year. 1 IN trellised shed with clustering roses gay, To seek her Knight went wandering o'er the earth. Ah, then, Beloved! pleasing was the smart, Like the brave Lion slain in her defence. Notes could we hear as of a faery shell Attuned to words with sacred wisdom fraught; 56 For us the stream of fiction ceased to flow, -But, as soft gales dissolve the dreary snow, It soothed us — -it beguiled us — then, to hear, All that she suffered for her dear Lord's sake. Then, too, this Song of mine once more could please, Aloft ascending, and descending deep, Even to the inferior Kinds; whom forest trees Of the sharp winds; —fair Creatures!—to whom Heaven This tragic Story cheered us; for it speaks Needful when o'er wide realms the tempest breaks, 57 Hence, not for them unfitted who would bless He serves the Muses erringly and ill, RYDAL MOUNT, WESTMORELAND, "They that deny a God, destroy Man's nobility: for certainly Man is of kinn to the Beasts by his Body; and if he be not of kinn to God by his Spirit, he is a base ignoble Creature. It destroys likewise Magnanimity, and the raising of humane Nature for take an example of a Dogg, and mark what a generosity and courage he will put on, when he finds himself maintained by a Man, who to him is instead of a God, or Melior Natura. Which courage is manifestly such, as that Creature without that confidence of a better Nature than his own could never attain. So Man, when he resteth and assureth himself upon Divine protection and favour, gathereth a force and faith which human Nature in itself could not obtain." LORD BACON. |