Weep not, belovèd Friends! nor let the air For me with sighs be troubled. Not from life Have I been taken; this is genuine life And this alone--the life which now I live In peace eternal; where desire and joy 5 Together move in fellowship without end.-- Francesco Ceni willed that, after death, His tombstone thus should speak for him.[1] And surely Small cause there is for that fond wish of ours Long to continue in this world; a world 10 That keeps not faith, nor yet can point a hope To good, whereof itself is destitute. VARIANTS: [1] 1849. Francesco Ceni after death enjoined That thus his tomb should speak for him ... 1837. II "PERHAPS SOME NEEDFUL SERVICE OF THE STATE" Published 1810[A] Perhaps some needful service of the State Drew TITUS from the depth of studious bowers, And doomed him to contend in faithless courts, Where gold determines between right and wrong. Yet did at length his loyalty of heart, 5 And his pure native genius, lead him back To wait upon the bright and gracious Muses, Whom he had early loved. And not in vain Such course he held! Bologna's learned schools Were gladdened by the Sage's voice, and hung 10 With fondness on those sweet Nestorian strains.[1] There pleasure crowned his days; and all his thoughts A roseate fragrance breathed.[2][B]--O human life, That never art secure from dolorous change! Behold a high injunction suddenly 15 To Arno's side hath brought him,[3] and he charmed A Tuscan audience: but full soon was called To the perpetual silence of the grave. Mourn, Italy, the loss of him who stood A Champion stedfast and invincible, 20 To quell the rage of literary War! VARIANTS: [1] 1815. ... Nestrian 1810. [2] 1815. There did he live content; and all his thoughts Were blithe as vernal flowers.-- 1810. [3] 1837. To Arno's side conducts him, 1810. FOOTNOTES: [A] In _The Friend_, February 22.--ED. [B] Ivi vivea giocondo ei suoi pensieri Erano tutti rose. The Translator had not skill to come nearer to his original.--W. W. 1815. III "O THOU WHO MOVEST ONWARD WITH A MIND" Published 1810[A]