Poems; original and translated by Charles Rann Kennedy ... and Two Poems by the Rev. Rann Kennedy. New Edition. By Charles Rann Kennedy |
 |
 | Poems; original and translated |  |
100
CHARITY.
Stern Winter with her iron fingers coldHath fasten'd on the earth; with icy chain
She manacles the waters of the plain,
Pond, lake, and stream, and many a river bold:
Yet Father Thames and Severn, as of old,
Uplift their billows and their course maintain;
Hasting with mighty purpose to the main,
They roll along majestic, uncontroll'd.
And when it pleases Heaven with chastening hand
A nation to afflict, th' ignoble crowd
Shrink in themselves, by selfish terrors cow'd;
A generous few their hearts the more expand;
Their presence pierces thro' the gloomy cloud,
And sheds a ray of blessing on the land.
| Poems; original and translated | |