The Poetical Works of Henry Alford, Dean of Canterbury

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ... sight and music stir me: --one short year, How short, how long! since thou, thy hand in mine. Our breath in silence held, stoodst by my side, Summoned from busy task to watch that bird--I see thee now, --thy clear blue eyes lit up With eager light of love, --thy frame, attent And rapt to catch each note of that sweet song: I hear thee whisper, "Oh, how beautiful!" Dear child of memory! on my lonely path Bright are the rays shed from thee; brighter far Than aught I find in men or books beside! III. I search the heavens and earth for news of thee, But find them not. That sunlit continent Hung in mid-air, that with transmitted light Gladdens this peaceful night, is that thy home? Abidest thou where bright and pale by turns Her hills and plains gleam evident? Art thou Among the thousand times ten thousand saints There stationed, till He come, and we arise To meet Him, when He brings ye in the air 1 Nor shrink I from such questioning. His works Who framed the wondrous universe, by rule And due apportionment are fitted all, Each to its separate use. And that pure isle Of treasured light, journeying with this our earth, Wherefore thus waits it on the world of man 1 Say, to give light by night; but wherefore then So scant, and intermitted? Say, to swell The tides salubrious, and to air, sun-dried, Restore its genial moisture. But nor this Seems to suffice. Hath that fair-fashioned world No tributary use for this world's lord 1 Doth it no purpose serve for man? If life, Life various and material, there were fed As here below, then would the varying clouds Dapple her argent surface, and pale belts Of fleecy mist athwart her orb extend, Which are not found. Material life and growth, Nourished as here, is none. If living tribes Are there, then live they by some...