The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-06
POEMS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

~
No. l25.
Written in a Country Ch|urChydr'
~ JOHN GRAY
"A: sss s s ]
yssE i ii: i x 'as fsssr
sss III sss'
m i oTing serd, nj ds e;e liz
Tho ploighman homewarl plods his weary way
And leaves the world 70 darkness and TO mo-
Now fades tho glimn,'ring landscape on the sight
And MI tho mir n solemn 1stilncss holds,
Saye where the beetle wheels lis droning flight,
And drowsy tinkings lul the distant folds
Save that from yondcr ivy.mantlcd tower,
The moping owl does to the moor. complain lain.
OF such, wandring near her secret how'r,
Modest her ancient solitary reign.
beneath those rugged elms, that yew trees shade
Where hcavcs the turf III many q mouldrng heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid
The rude forcfntlcrs of the hamlet sleeps.
The breezy call Of incense breathing Morn,
The swallow twttrng from the straw-built shed,
Tho cocks shrill clarion or the cchong horn,
No more shall rouse them from their loWly BOG.
For them no more tho blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her cvning cares.
No children run to lisp tlleir. sire's rctir,4
Or climb his knees the envcd kiss to slafc.
OFT did the harvest to their sickle yield ~ i
Their furrow oft the stubborn gebc hds broke ,'
How jocund did they drive their team aicld
How how'd the woods bcea til their sturdy stroke!
Let not ambition mock their useful toll
Their ho,ncy Joys, and destiny obscure, 88
Nor Grandeur hear with Il disdainful smile
The short and simple Rnals of the poor
The boast e erady to pep # Iow j
Await alike tn inevitable hour,
The paths of glory lead but to the grave
Nor yo,, 70 proud mputo to these the fault
If mcmry DER their ton,bs no trophies raise,
Where through tho long drn aisle and frottcd vault
The pealing anthem swels the note OF praise.
Can storied urn, OF animated bust,
Back to its mansion call the heeting BREATH
Can Honolrs voice provoke the silent dust.
Or Flatt'ry soothc the dull cold ear OF Death!
pcrlap in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands, that the rod of empire might have sway'd,
Or wasd to stasy the living Tyre
But knowledge to their eyes her ample page,
Rich with tho spos Of time, did meier unroll;
Gill Perjury rcpressu their noble rage, 4
And froze the genial current Of the soul
Full many gem Of purest ray serene ,
THE dark unfathomd caves Of ocean bear:
H FulLlnany q how'r is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness OH the desert air.
Some village Hampdcn, that with dauntless breast
& The little tyrant Of his fields withstood;
Some mute inglorous Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell guiltless of his corntry's blood.
ri III applause of list'nng senatcs to command
The threats of pain and ruin to despse,
10 scatter plenty DER smiling land,
And read their hst'ry in tons eyes,
Their lot forbade: nor circuuscribd alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confnd;
Forbade to wade through slaughter to n throne
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind;
Tho struggling pangs Of conscious truth to hide,
10 quench the bl,shes Of ingenious Is, shame,
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindlcd at the Muses. flame
Far from the madding crowds ignoblc strife
Their sober wishes never learnd to stray;
Along the cool sequesterd vale OF lie
They keep the noiscless tcnorr OF their way
Yet cv'n these bones from insult to protect
x Some frail memorial still erected nigh,
With uncol,th rhymes and shapelcss sculpture ueckd,
$Imporcs the pleasing tribute OF a sigh,
Their names their years spelt by TIL unletcrd Muse
lhe place of fame and clcgy supply;
@{ And many n holy text around she strews
That teach the rustic moralst to die
For who to dumb forgctfuneas prey,
. This pleasing anxious being Ger resign'd, 5j
Left the warm precincts OF the cheerul oay,
Nor cast one longing lingering look behind!
On some fond breast tho parting soul relics
Some piols drops tho closing eye requires;
lJy'n from the tomb the voice OF Ma tMre cries,
EY'n In olr ashes live their wontcd fires, 81
For thee who, mindful Of TIL unhonord dead,
Dost in these lines their artless tale relate;
NJ If chance, by lonely contemplation lod,
some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate, d
T1aply so,ne hoary.headcd swain may say,
aoft have seen him at the peep Of dawn,
Brushing with hasty steps tho dow away,
To meet the sun upon the upland lawn
0There at the foot Of yonder noddng beech
That wroathos its old fantastic roots oct 50 hgh,
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