During the summer of 1807, the Author visited, for the first time, the beautiful Scenery that surrounds Bolton Priory, in Yorkshire; and the Poem of THE WHITE DOE, founded upon a Tradition connected with the place, was composed at the close of the same year. "They that deny a God, destroy Man's nobility: for certainly Man is of kinn to the Beasts by his Body; and if he be not of kinn to God by his Spirit, he is a base ignoble Creature. It destroys likewise Magnanimity, and the raising of humane Nature: for take an example of a Dogg, and mark what a generosity and courage he will put on, when he finds himself maintained by a Man, who to him is instead of a God, or Melior Natura. Which courage is manifestly such, as that Creature without that confidence of a better Nature than his own, could never attain. So Man, when he resteth and assureth himself upon Divine protection and favour, gathereth a force and faith which human Nature in itself could not obtain." LORD BACON. "Weak is the will of Man, his judgment blind; 'Tis her's to pluck the amaranthine Flower IN trellised shed with clustering roses gay, The gentle Una, born of heavenly birth, Ah, then, Beloved! pleasing was the smart, For Her, who, pierced by sorrow's thrilling dart, Meek as that emblem of her lowly heart The milk-white Lamb which in a line she led, And faithful, loyal in her innocence, Like the brave Lion slain in her defence. Notes could we hear as of a faery shell 'Till, in the bosom of our rustic Cell, For us the stream of fiction ceased to flow, It soothed us-it beguiled us-then, to hear Once more of troubles wrought by magic spell; And griefs whose aery motion comes not near The pangs that tempt the Spirit to rebel ; |