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The Sybil's Tomb

FROM THE GREEK

I was the Sibyl! — In this marble cell
Sleep the pale lips that breathed the oracle.
Death's sceptre stoop'd upon my virgin brow;
Then voice and beauty fled! All's silent now.
Yet still with Hermes and the Nymphs I rove,
Elysian spirit! — I was Phaebus' love.

December 25, 1799

WRITTEN AT THE RECTORY, AT BYFLEST

Witness ye Skies — oh Earth give ear —
Behold a host of Angels near!
They speak a Truth of matchless worth,
The hour that gave a Saviour birth!
The deepest shades of Night, profound,
Shall echo with the glorious sound!

Noble Minds Eyther Conquer, or Cover

As Scipio smylde to cloke his couert smarte,
What tyme he sawe his happy state declyne:
So some alike doe shadowe griefe of harte,
With outwarde myrth, when inwardly they pyne.
And to the worlde yeelde forth such shewes of ioye,
As fewe would deeme, they once did tast annoye.
When they in deede, with S CIPIOS griefe complayne,
Their short regarde, for long employed payne.

Holyrood Palace

( " O palais, sois benie. " )

Palace and ruin, bless thee evermore!
Grateful we bow thy gloomy tow'rs before;
For the old King of France hath found in thee.
That melancholy hospitality
Which in their royal fortune's evil day,
Stuarts and Bourbons to each other pay.