 | Sacra Poesis |  |
99
ST. ARVAN'S.
St. Arvan's,—in that happy spot
I spent a happy time,—
So since I would forget thee not,
I'll think of thee in rhyme.
I spent a happy time,—
So since I would forget thee not,
I'll think of thee in rhyme.
Each greenwood walk, each distant scene,
My memory loves to trace—
The sweet views from Defauden Green,
The bold and rocky Chase.
My memory loves to trace—
The sweet views from Defauden Green,
The bold and rocky Chase.
And gratefully remember I
The Wyndcliff's dizzy steep,
Which, far beneath the wandering Wye,
Curv'd round in ample sweep.
The Wyndcliff's dizzy steep,
Which, far beneath the wandering Wye,
Curv'd round in ample sweep.
The pastor with his silver hair,
The truths he lov'd to tell;
The kind, good host—the friend, were there,
That friend, remember'd well.
The truths he lov'd to tell;
The kind, good host—the friend, were there,
That friend, remember'd well.
100
'Tis past, 'tis past, and all now seems
A recollected fable:
O earth, earth, earth, thy joys are dreams,
Unsating, and unstable.
A recollected fable:
O earth, earth, earth, thy joys are dreams,
Unsating, and unstable.
What need then mortal has to know,
Yet, ah! 'tis hard to learn,
From all his hopes of bliss below,
To heav'nward hopes to turn.
Yet, ah! 'tis hard to learn,
From all his hopes of bliss below,
To heav'nward hopes to turn.
O may we set our choicest love
(For earth will have its share)
On everlasting joys above,
And have our treasure there.
(For earth will have its share)
On everlasting joys above,
And have our treasure there.
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