Classic Poem

Now the winds are all composure,
But the breath upon the bloom,
Blowing sweet o'er each inclosure,
Grateful off'rings of perfume.

Tansy, calaminth and daisies,
On the river's margin thrive;
And accompany the mazes
Of the stream that leaps alive.

Muse, accordant to the season,
Give the numbers life and air;
When the sounds and objects reason
In behalf of praise and pray'r.

All the scenes of nature quicken,
By the genial spirit fann'd;
And the painted beauties thicken
Colour'd by the master's hand.

Earth her vigour repossessing
As the blasts are held in ward;
Blessing heap'd and press'd on blessing,
Yield the measure of the Lord.

Beeches, without order seemly,
Shade the flow'rs of annual birth,
And the lily smiles supremely
Mention'd by the Lord on earth.

Cowslips seize upon the fallow,
And the cardamine in white,
Where the corn-flow'rs join the mallow,
Joy and health, and thrift unite.

Study sits beneath her arbour,
By the bason's glossy side;
While the boat from out its harbour
Exercise and pleasure guide.

Pray'r and praise be mine employment,
Without grudging or regret;
Lasting life, and long enjoyment,
Are not here, and are not yet.

Hark! aloud, the black-bird whistles,
With surrounding fragrance blest,
And the goldfinch in the thistles
Makes provision for her nest.

Ev'n the hornet hives his honey,
Bluecap builds his stately dome,
And the rocks supply the coney
With a fortress and an home.

But the servants of their Saviour,
Which with gospel peace are shod,
Have no bed but what the paviour
Makes them in the porch of God.

O thou house that hold'st the charter
Of salvation from on high,
Fraught with prophet, saint, and martyr,
Born to weep, to starve and die!

Great today thy song and rapture
In the choir of Christ and WREN
When two prizes were the capture
Of the hand that fish'd for men.

To the man of quick compliance
Jesus call'd, and Philip came;
And began to make alliance
For his master's cause and name.

James, of title most illustrious,
Brother of the Lord, allow'd;
In the vineyard how industrious,
Nor by years nor hardship bow'd!

Each accepted in his trial,
One the CHEERFUL one the JUST;
Both of love and self-denial,
Both of everlasting trust.

Living they dispens'd salvation,
Heav'n endow'd with grace and pow'r;
And they dy'd in imitation
Of their Saviour's final hour,

Who, for cruel traitors pleading,
Triumph'd in his parting breath;
O'er all miracles preceding
His inestimable death.