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The Legend of St. Loy

With Other Poems. By John Abraham Heraud
  
  

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97

I.

Not to the House of Mirth; — where hidden Woe
The loud laugh mocks, and strives with care in vain,
Like triumph o'er the tomb of dreaded foe,
Which trembles still, lest he may rise again; —
Where study e'er invents new arts to stain,
And, after, sear the page of conscience ill; —
Where Death lurks in the mantled bowl they drain,
By Feud preceded, and fell Mischief still: —
Which Wisdom shuns, aye bent to Virtue's pleasant hill;

98

But to the House of Mourning be my feet
Most constantly inclined! For there the heart
Is bared — compelled the eye of Truth to meet,
That, undeceived, she may scan every part,
Virtues of Nature, peccancies of Art,
Free from the mists of Prejudice and Folly;
And, 'mid her soul-ennobling sorrows, start,
With angel-wing, to things divine and holy —
Ever sacred be my Harp to Love and Melancholy!