Mother! blest be thy calm ease; 60 Blest the starry promises,-- And the firmament benign Hallowed be it, where they shine! Yes, for them whose souls have scope Ample for a wingèd hope, 65 And can earthward bend an ear For needful listening, pledge is here, That, if thy new-born Charge shall tread In thy footsteps, and be led By that other Guide, whose light 70 Of manly virtues, mildly bright, Gave him first the wished-for part In thy gentle virgin heart; Then, amid the storms of life Presignified by that dread strife 75 Whence ye have escaped together, She may look for serene weather; In all trials sure to find Comfort for a faithful mind; Kindlier issues, holier rest, 80 Than even now await her prest, Conscious Nursling, to thy breast! FOOTNOTES: [768] See _De Rerum Naturae_, lib. v. ll. 222-3.--ED. [769] Compare _The Primrose of the Rock_, ll. 11-12.--ED. THE WARNING A SEQUEL TO THE FOREGOING Composed March 1833.--Published 1835 [These lines were composed during the fever spread through the nation by the Reform Bill. As the motives which led to this measure, and the good or evil which has attended or has risen from it, will be duly appreciated by future historians, there is no call for dwelling on the subject in this place. I will content myself with saying that the then condition of the people's mind is not, in these verses, exaggerated.--I. F.] One of the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."--ED. List, the winds of March are blowing; Her ground-flowers shrink, afraid of showing Their meek heads to the nipping air, Which ye feel not, happy pair! Sunk into a kindly sleep. 5 We, meanwhile, our hope will keep; And if Time leagued with adverse Change (Too busy fear!) shall cross its range, Whatsoever check they bring, Anxious duty hindering, 10 To like hope[770] our prayers will cling. Thus, while the ruminating spirit feeds Upon the events of home[771] as life proceeds, Affections pure and holy in their source Gain a fresh impulse, run a livelier course; 15 Hopes that within the Father's heart prevail, Are in the experienced Grandsire's slow to fail; And if the harp pleased his gay youth, it rings To his grave touch with no unready strings, While thoughts press on, and feelings overflow, 20 And quick words round him fall like flakes of snow.[772]