Oliver Newman A New-England Tale (Unfinished): With Other Poetical Remains. By the late Robert Southey |
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 | Oliver Newman |  |
Thus had the jeer grown serious, and it drew
Into the young man's cheek a deeper hue.
Moments there are in life,—alas, how few!—
When, casting cold prudential doubts aside,
We take a generous impulse for our guide,
And, following promptly what the heart thinks best,
Commit to Providence the rest,
Sure that no after-reckoning will arise,
Of shame, or sorrow, for the heart is wise.
And happy they who thus in faith obey
Their better nature: err sometimes they may,
And some sad thoughts lie heavy in the breast,
Such as by hope deceived are left behind;
But, like a shadow, these will pass away
From the pure sunshine of the peaceful mind.
Into the young man's cheek a deeper hue.
Moments there are in life,—alas, how few!—
When, casting cold prudential doubts aside,
We take a generous impulse for our guide,
And, following promptly what the heart thinks best,
Commit to Providence the rest,
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Of shame, or sorrow, for the heart is wise.
And happy they who thus in faith obey
Their better nature: err sometimes they may,
And some sad thoughts lie heavy in the breast,
Such as by hope deceived are left behind;
But, like a shadow, these will pass away
From the pure sunshine of the peaceful mind.
Thus feeling, Oliver obey'd
His uncorrupted heart; nor paused, nor weigh'd
What hindrance, what displeasure might ensue;
But from his little store of worldly wealth,
Poor as it was, the ready ransom drew.
Half-earnest, half-sarcastic, Randolph now
Sought him from that rash purpose to dissuade;
While the hard Cape's-man, nothing nice,
Counted the money, glad to get his price.
His uncorrupted heart; nor paused, nor weigh'd
What hindrance, what displeasure might ensue;
But from his little store of worldly wealth,
Poor as it was, the ready ransom drew.
Half-earnest, half-sarcastic, Randolph now
Sought him from that rash purpose to dissuade;
While the hard Cape's-man, nothing nice,
Counted the money, glad to get his price.
| Oliver Newman | |