Farewell desire of[300] human aid, Which abject mortals vainly[301] court! By friends deceived, by foes betrayed, Of fears the prey, of hopes the sport; 60 Nought but the world-redeeming Cross Is able to supply my loss, My burthen to support. X Hark! the death-note of the year Sounded by the castle-clock! 65 From her sunk eyes a stagnant tear Stole forth, unsettled by the shock; But oft the woods renewed their green, Ere the tired head of Scotland's Queen Reposed upon the block! 70 Compare the sonnet entitled _Captivity, Mary Queen of Scots_, composed and published in 1819 (p. 191); also the sonnet, composed in 1833, entitled _Mary Queen of Scots (Landing at the mouth of the Derwent, Workington)_.--ED. VARIANTS: [Footnote 289: 1820. Who comes not hither can he know How beautiful the Vale below? Companion of the Brook that leaps And twines adown the rocky steeps, As if impatient for the plain. I utter a repentant strain, And this the burden--cares enthral And troubles crush--but spite of all The weak are tempted to, the wicked dare, Our lot is good, our portion fair. MS. ] [Footnote 290: 1820. But ... MS. ] [Footnote 291: 1820. Meek effluence--that, while I trod With downcast eye in narrow space, Did'st vivify the wintry sod, As if an Angel filled the place With softened light--thou wert a touch Even to my heart of hearts--and such Is every gift of grace. {Oh } {Yet} wherefore did it leave the sky, And wherefore did it seem to speak Of something bordering all too nigh {On what I seldom dare } {Of what full oft I deign} to seek, A happier order for my doom, A favoured era when the gloom At length will cleave and break. MS. ] [Footnote 292: 1820. ... wild ... MS. ] [Footnote 293: 1820. ... opening ... MS. ] [Footnote 294: 1820. ... forced lone watch to keep, MS. ] [Footnote 295: 1820. Yet how--for I--if there be truth In the world's voice was passing fair, And beauty might have led my youth To sorrow, such as can impair The loveliest cheek before its time, And blanch in any state or clime The most resplendent hair. Man's foolish envy is a stream Where wisdom's eye reflected sees The fuel of a painful dream, The incitements of a dire disease. {A pageantry} { Ah what } is life but Powers let loose And revelling in their own abuse. MS. ] [Footnote 296: 1820. All that could crumble into dust or flee MS. ]