AUBREY DE VERE

Bend down your glittering urns,

Ere yet the dawn returns, And star with dew the lawn her feet shall tread;

Upon the air rain balm,

Bid all the woods be calm, Ambrosial dreams with healthful slumbers wed;

That so the Maiden may

With smiles your care repay, When from her couch she lifts her golden head;

Waking with earliest birds,

Ere yet the misty herds Leave warm 'mid the gray grass their dusky bed.

��735. Sorrow

��each affliction, whether light or grave, -^ God's messenger sent down to thee; do thou

With courtesy receive him ; rise and bow ; And, ere his shadow pass thy threshold, crave Permission first his heavenly feet to lave;

Then lay before him all thou hast ; allow

No cloud of passion to usurp thy brow, Or mar thy hospitality; no wave Of mortal tumult to obliterate

The soul's marmoreal calmness : Grief should be, Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate;

Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free; Strong to consume small troubles ; to commend Great thoughts, grave, thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end.

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