Grave Creature!--whether, while the moon shines bright On thy wings opened wide for smoothest flight, 15 Thou art discovered in a roofless tower, Rising from what may once have been a lady's bower; Or spied where thou sitt'st moping in thy mew At the dim centre of a churchyard yew; Or, from a rifted crag or ivy tod 20 Deep in a forest, thy secure abode, Thou giv'st, for pastime's sake, by shriek or shout, A puzzling notice of thy whereabout-- May the night never come, nor[1001] day be seen, When I shall scorn thy voice or mock thy mien! 25 In classic ages men perceived a soul Of sapience in thy aspect, headless Owl! Thee Athens reverenced in the studious grove;[1002] And, near the golden sceptre grasped by Jove, His Eagle's favourite perch, while round him sate 30 The Gods revolving the decrees of Fate, Thou, too, wert present at Minerva's side: Hark to that second larum!--far and wide The elements have heard, and rock and cave replied. FOOTNOTES: [1000] See also the extract from Dorothy Wordsworth's Journal, in the note to _The Excursion_ (vol. v. p. 189).--ED. [1001] 1837. ... the ... 1835. [1002] The owl became the emblem of Athens--and was associated with Minerva--because the birds abounded there.--ED. THE LABOURER'S NOON-DAY HYMN Composed 1834.--Published 1835 [Bishop Ken's Morning and Evening Hymns are, as they deserve to be, familiarly known. Many other hymns have also been written on the same subject; but, not being aware of any designed for noon-day, I was induced to compose these verses. Often one has occasion to observe cottage children carrying, in their baskets, dinner to their Fathers engaged with their daily labours in the fields and woods. How gratifying would it be to me could I be assured that any portion of these stanzas had been sung by such a domestic concert under such circumstances. A friend of mine has told me that she introduced this Hymn into a village-school which she superintended, and the stanzas in succession furnished her with texts to comment upon in a way which without difficulty was made intelligible to the children, and in which they obviously took delight, and they were taught to sing it to the tune of the old 100th Psalm.--I.F.] One of the "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."--ED. Up to the throne of God is borne The voice of praise at early morn, And he accepts the punctual hymn Sung as the light of day grows dim. Nor will he turn his ear aside 5 From holy offerings at noontide. Then here reposing let us raise A song of gratitude and praise.