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And the Lady prayed in heaviness
That looked not for relief!

But slowly did her succour come,
And a patience to her grief.

Oh! there is never sorrow of heart
That shall lack a timely end,

If but to God we turn, and ask
Of Him to be our friend!

1808.

GOLD AND SILVER FISHES,

IN A VASE.

THE soaring lark is blest as proud
When at heaven's gate she sings;
The roving bee proclaims aloud
Her flight by vocal wings;
While Ye, in lasting durance pent,
Your silent lives employ

For something more that dull content,
Though haply less than joy.

Yet might your glassy prison seem
A place where joy is known,
Where golden flash and silver gleam
Have meanings of their own;
While, high and low, and all about,
Your motions, glittering Elves!
Ye weave no danger from without,
And peace among yourselves.

Type of a sunny human breast
Is your transparent cell;

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How beautiful! Yet none knows why
This ever-graceful change,
Renewed-renewed incessantly-
Within your quiet range.
Is it that ye with conscious skill
For mutual pleasure glide;
And sometimes, not without your will,
Are dwarfed, or magnified?

Fays, Genii of gigantic size!
And now, in twilight dim,
Clustering like constellated eyes
In wings of Cherubim,

When the fierce orbs abate their glare ;-
Whate'er your forms express,

Whate'er ye seem, whate'er ye are➡
All leads to gentleness.

Cold though your nature be, 'tis pure ;
Your birthright is a fence

From all that haughtier kinds endure
Through tyranny of sense.

Ah! not alone by colours bright

Are Ye to heaven allied,

When, like essential Forms of light,
Ye mingle, or divide.

For day-dreams soft as e'er beguiled
Day-thoughts while limbs repose;
For moonlight fascinations mild,
Your gift, ere shutters close-

Accept, mute Captives! thanks and praise; And may this tribute prove

'That gentle admirations raise

Delight resembling love.

1829.

LIBERTY.

(SEQUEL TO THE ABOVE.)

Addressed to a friend; the gold and silver Fishes having been removed to a pool in the pleasureground of Rydal Mount.

"The liberty of a people consists in being governed by laws which they have made for themselves, under whatever form it be of government. The liberty of a private man, in being master of his own time and actions, as far as may consist with the laws of God and of his country. Of this latter we are here to discourse."-COWLEY.

THOSE breathing Tokens of your kind regard,
(Suspect not, Anna, that their fate is hard;
Not soon does aught to which mild fancies cling,
In lonely spots, become a slighted thing ;)
Those silent Inmates now no longer share,
Nor do they need, our hospitable care,

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