Blest is this Isle--our native Land; Where battlement and moated gate Are objects only for the hand Of hoary Time to decorate; Where shady hamlet, town that breathes 5 Its busy smoke in social wreaths, No rampart's stern defence require, Nought but the heaven-directed spire, And[343] steeple tower (with pealing bells Far-heard)--our only citadels. 10 II O Lady! from a noble line Of chieftains sprung,[344] who stoutly bore The spear, yet gave to works divine A bounteous help in days of yore, (As records mouldering in the Dell 15 Of Nightshade[345] haply yet may tell;) Thee kindred aspirations moved To build, within a vale beloved, For Him upon whose high behests All peace depends, all safety rests. 20 III[346] How fondly will the woods embrace This daughter of thy pious care, Lifting her[347] front with modest grace To make a fair recess more fair; And to exalt the passing hour; 25 Or soothe it with a healing power Drawn from the Sacrifice fulfilled, Before this rugged soil was tilled, Or human habitation rose To interrupt the deep repose![348] 30 IV Well may the villagers rejoice! Nor heat, nor cold, nor weary ways, Will be[349] a hindrance to the voice That would unite in prayer and praise; More duly shall wild wandering Youth 35 Receive the curb of sacred truth, Shall tottering Age, bent earthward, hear The Promise, with uplifted ear;[350] And all shall welcome the new ray Imparted to their sabbath-day. 40 V Nor deem the Poet's hope misplaced, His fancy cheated--that can see A shade upon the future cast, Of time's pathetic sanctity; Can hear the monitory clock 45 Sound o'er the lake with gentle shock[351] At evening,[352] when the ground beneath Is ruffled o'er with cells of death; Where happy generations lie, Here tutored for eternity. 50 VI Lives there a man whose sole delights Are trivial pomp and city noise, Hardening a heart that loathes or slights What every natural heart enjoys? Who never caught a noon-tide dream 55 From murmur of a running stream; Could strip, for aught the prospect yields To him, their verdure from the fields; And take the radiance from the clouds In which the sun his setting shrouds.[353] 60