B. V: ch. ii).

_The wonders_; See first note to _Grocyn at Oxford_.

_In his large embrace_; More may be said to have represented the highest
aim and effort of the 'new learning' in England. He is the flower of our
Renaissance in genius, wisdom, and beauty of nature. 'When ever,' says
Erasmus in a famous passage, 'did Nature mould a character more gentle,
endearing, and happy, than Thomas More's?'



AT FOUNTAINS


1539-1862

Blest hour, as on green happy slopes I lie,
Gray walls around and high,
While long-ranged arches lessen on the view,
And one high gracious curve
Of shaftless window frames the limpid blue.

--God's altar erst, where wind-set rowan now
Waves its green-finger'd bough,
And the brown tiny creeper mounts the bole
With curious eye alert,
And beak that tries each insect-haunted hole,

And lives her gentle life from nest to nest,