 | Poems Old and New by Charles D. Bell |  |
244
FOX HOW.
I.
Fox How! fair home 'midst Nature's fairest scene,
Encircled here by hills and there by wood!
On many spots of beauty have I stood
Where cloudless skies o'er verdant valleys lean,
And snow-clad mountains pierce the blue serene;
But never felt I in more reverent mood
Than in this dwelling of the great and good,
Whose memory here is still so fresh and green.
Encircled here by hills and there by wood!
On many spots of beauty have I stood
Where cloudless skies o'er verdant valleys lean,
And snow-clad mountains pierce the blue serene;
But never felt I in more reverent mood
Than in this dwelling of the great and good,
Whose memory here is still so fresh and green.
Lying outside the sights and sounds of strife,
Thy very air is full of peace and rest,
Far from the fret and weariness of life.
Here may we truest inspiration take,
From hill and stream, from meadow and from lake,
Also from what in noblest hearts is best.
Thy very air is full of peace and rest,
Far from the fret and weariness of life.
Here may we truest inspiration take,
From hill and stream, from meadow and from lake,
Also from what in noblest hearts is best.
245
II.
Fairer than silver birch or dusky yew,
Sweeter than brilliant flowers that gem thy sward,
Greener than laurel-hedge, thy fence and guard,
Which stands close-leaved and tall against the blue,
Is the remembrance of the good and true,
By which to deeds of worth the heart is stirr'd;
—An odour fragrant as the precious nard,—
A fount of inspiration ever new.—
Sweeter than brilliant flowers that gem thy sward,
Greener than laurel-hedge, thy fence and guard,
Which stands close-leaved and tall against the blue,
Is the remembrance of the good and true,
By which to deeds of worth the heart is stirr'd;
—An odour fragrant as the precious nard,—
A fount of inspiration ever new.—
For Arnold here once nobly toiled and wrought,
Sowed precious seed which bears rich fruitage now,
Here with the false had ever grandly fought,
And at Truth's shrine compelled the knee to bow;
A living power from all he did and taught,
Still lingers round his beautiful Fox How.
Sowed precious seed which bears rich fruitage now,
Here with the false had ever grandly fought,
And at Truth's shrine compelled the knee to bow;
A living power from all he did and taught,
Still lingers round his beautiful Fox How.
246
III.
From many lands on pilgrimage they come,
And reverent steps are often guided here
Where once he dwelt; where they to him most dear
Keep pure his name as heav'n's high stainless dome,
As white and bright and spotless as the foam
That crowns the waters of some wind-swept mere,
And send it down unstained from year to year,
As well becomes the heirs of this sweet home.
And reverent steps are often guided here
Where once he dwelt; where they to him most dear
Keep pure his name as heav'n's high stainless dome,
As white and bright and spotless as the foam
That crowns the waters of some wind-swept mere,
And send it down unstained from year to year,
As well becomes the heirs of this sweet home.
And favoured they who freest entrance find
Into this honoured household's inner shrine,
Where all that's wise, high-thoughted, and refined
May for the hours thou passest there be thine;
Culture with friendly courtesy combined,
All virtues of the heart, all graces of the mind.
Into this honoured household's inner shrine,
Where all that's wise, high-thoughted, and refined
May for the hours thou passest there be thine;
Culture with friendly courtesy combined,
All virtues of the heart, all graces of the mind.
247
IV.
A precious trust this heritage of fame,
To live so that our lives shall ever move
In harmony with greatness that we love,
And honour those from whom we take our name;
True to their memory, and all aflame
By word and deed our high resolve to prove,
To keep it stainless as the skies above,
By shame untainted and untouched of blame.
To live so that our lives shall ever move
In harmony with greatness that we love,
And honour those from whom we take our name;
True to their memory, and all aflame
By word and deed our high resolve to prove,
To keep it stainless as the skies above,
By shame untainted and untouched of blame.
Great the responsibility they bear
Who carry righteous blood within their veins.
Woe if the child unworthily sustains
The great traditions unto which he's heir,
Who, as he turneth o'er life's solemn page,
Fails to transmit them pure from age to age!
Who carry righteous blood within their veins.
Woe if the child unworthily sustains
The great traditions unto which he's heir,
Who, as he turneth o'er life's solemn page,
Fails to transmit them pure from age to age!
| Poems Old and New by Charles D. Bell | |