It was a place all desolate, Nor house nor tree was there, And there a rocky mountain rose Barren, and bleak, and bare. And at its base a cavern yawn'd, No eye its depth might view, For in the moon-beam shining round That darkness darker grew. Cold Horror crept thro' Margaret's blood, Her heart it paus'd with fear, When Rudiger approach'd the cave And cried, "lo I am here!" A deep sepulchral sound the cave Return'd "lo I am here!" And black from out the cavern gloom Two giant arms appear. And Rudiger approach'd and held The little infant nigh; Then Margaret shriek'd, and gather'd then New powers from agony. And round the baby fast and firm Her trembling arms she folds, And with a strong convulsive grasp The little infant holds. "Now help me, Jesus!" loud she cries. And loud on God she calls; Then from the grasp of Rudiger The little infant falls. And now he shriek'd, for now his frame The huge black arms clasp'd round, And dragg'd the wretched Rudiger Adown the dark profound. Hymn TO THE Penates. Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. The words of Agur. The Title of the following Poem will probably remind the Reader of Akenside's Hymn to the Naiads, but the manner in which I have treated the subject fortunately precludes comparison. HYMN to the PENATES. Yet one Song more! one high and solemn strain Ere PAEAN! on thy temple's ruined wall I hang the silent harp: there may its strings, When the rude tempest shakes the aged pile, Make melancholy music. One Song more! PENATES! hear me! for to you I hymn The votive lay. Whether, as sages deem, Ye dwell in the [1]inmost Heaven, the [2]COUNSELLORS Of JOVE; or if, SUPREME OF DEITIES, All things are yours, and in your holy train JOVE proudly ranks, and JUNO, white arm'd Queen. And wisest of Immortals, aweful Maid ATHENIAN PALLAS. Venerable Powers! Hearken your hymn of praise! tho' from your rites Estranged, and exiled from your altars long, I have not ceased to love you, HOUSEHOLD GODS! In many a long and melancholy hour Of solitude and sorrow, has my heart With earnest longings prayed to rest at length Beside your hallowed hearth--for PEACE is there! Yes I have loved you long. I call on you Yourselves to witness with what holy joy, Shunning the polished mob of human kind, I have retired to watch your lonely fires And commune with myself. Delightful hours That gave mysterious pleasure, made me know All the recesses of my wayward heart, Taught me to cherish with devoutest care Its strange unworldly feelings, taught me too The best of lessons--to respect myself!