AT BEMERTON


1630-1633

Sick with the strife of tongues, the blustering hate
Of frantic Party raving o'er the realm,
Sonorous insincerities of debate,
And jealous factions snatching at the helm,
And Out o'er-bidding In with graceless strife,
Selling the State for votes:--O happy fields,
I cried, where Herbert, by the world misprized,
Found in his day the life
That no unrest or disappointment yields,
Vergilian vision here best realized!

His memory is Peace: and peace is here;--
The eternal lullaby of the level brook,
With bird-like chirpings mingled, glassy-clear;
The narrow pathway to the yew-clipp'd nook;
Trim lawn, familiar to the pensive feet;
The long gray walls he raised:--A household nest
Where Hope and firm-eyed Faith and heavenly Love
Made human love more sweet;
While,--earth's rare visitant from the choirs above,--
Urania's holy steps the cottage blest.