This she does in obedience to her brother's injunction, as most suitable to a mind and character that, under previous trials, has been proved to accord with his. She achieves this not without aid from the communication with the inferior Creature, which often leads her thoughts to revolve upon the past with a tender and humanising influence that exalts rather than depresses her. The anticipated beatification, if I may so say, of her mind, and the apotheosis of the companion of her solitude, are the points at which the Poem aims, and constitute its legitimate catastrophe, far too spiritual a one for instant or widely-spread sympathy, but not, therefore, the less fitted to make a deep and permanent impression upon that class of minds who think and feel more independently, than the many do, of the surfaces of things and interests transitory, because belonging more to the outward and social forms of life than to its internal spirit. How insignificant a thing, for example, does personal prowess appear compared with the fortitude of patience and heroic martyrdom; in other words, with struggles for the sake of principle, in preference to victory gloried in for its own sake.--I. F.] DEDICATION I In trellised shed with clustering roses gay,[B] And, MARY! oft beside our blazing fire, When years of wedded life were as a day Whose current answers to the heart's desire, Did we together read in Spenser's Lay 5 How Una, sad of soul--in sad attire, The gentle Una, of celestial birth,[1] To seek her Knight went wandering o'er the earth. II Ah, then, Belovèd! pleasing was the smart, And the tear precious in compassion shed 10 For Her, who, pierced by sorrow's thrilling dart, Did meekly bear the pang unmerited; Meek as that emblem of her lowly heart The milk-white Lamb which in a line she led,--[C] And faithful, loyal in her innocence, 15 Like the brave Lion slain in her defence. III Notes could we hear as of a faery shell Attuned to words with sacred wisdom fraught; Free Fancy prized each specious miracle, And all its finer inspiration caught; 20 Till in the bosom of our rustic Cell, We by a lamentable change were taught That "bliss with mortal Man may not abide:"[D] How nearly joy and sorrow are allied! IV For us the stream of fiction ceased to flow, 25 For us the voice of melody was mute. --But, as soft gales dissolve the dreary snow, And give the timid herbage leave to shoot, Heaven's breathing influence failed not to bestow A timely promise of unlooked-for fruit, 30 Fair fruit of pleasure and serene content From blossoms wild of fancies innocent. V