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In a Perpendicular Church

The slackened arches never lose their beauty of alarm;
The tall lines frown along the wall, like angels, sword in arm;
And where the vaults diverge, a grove with fancied snow o'erspread,
Goes Light among a myriad panes, with dust upon her head.
England of old most innocent, whose flower of skill achieved
Failed quick as Lammas lilies, when thy hand no more believed,
What hast thou here, beloved but dead, held to thy childless heart?
Alas, thy human all of Heaven: thine own and only Art.

Imitation from Dante's Admired Inscription over the Gates of Hell

Mine to the doleful city's curs'd abode,
Mine to immortal anguish is the road;
Mine , to the guilty race for ever lost,
For ever in the raging billows tost.
Me Justice made; and before me were none
But those with whom Eternity begun:
Myself to last for ever. — Entering there ,
Be hopeless! 'tis the portal of Despair .

Benediction

" BLESSINGS be with them, and eternal praise,
Who gave us nobler loves, and nobler cares!
The Poets, who on earth have made us heirs
Of truth, and pure delight, by heavenly lays.
O might my name be numbered among theirs,
Then gladly would I end my mortal days! "

Enigma

Nature my model of beauty afforded, —
Art the bright model in beauty recorded.
I cherish the traits that fond fancy did weave you,
Though the more I am faithful, the more I deceive you.
Time does not wither nor render me colder;
I only grow too young as I become older.
The past I recall but to cause it to vanish,
And soon will my presence all thoughts of me banish.

Montrose on His Own Condition

I would be high, but that the cedar tree
Is blustred down whilst smaller shrubs go free.
I would be low, but that the lowly grass
Is trampled down by each unworthy ass.
For to be high, my means they will not doe;
And to be low, my mind it will not bow.
O Heavens! O Fate! when will you once agree
To reconcile my means, my mind, and me?
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