VII A soul so pitiably forlorn, If such do on this earth abide, May season apathy with scorn, May turn indifference to pride; And still be not unblest--compared 65 With him who grovels, self-debarred[354] From all that lies within the scope Of holy faith and christian hope; Or, shipwreck'd, kindles on the coast False fires, that others may be lost.[355] 70 VIII Alas! that such perverted zeal Should spread on Britain's favoured ground![356] That public order, private weal, Should e'er have felt or feared a wound From champions of the desperate law 75 Which from their own blind hearts they draw;[357] Who tempt their reason to deny God, whom their passions dare defy,[358] And boast that they alone are free Who reach this dire extremity! 80 IX But turn we from these "bold bad" men;[359] The way, mild Lady! that hath led Down to their "dark opprobrious den,"[360] Is all too rough for Thee to tread. Softly as morning vapours glide 85 Down Rydal-cove from Fairfield's side,[361] Should move the tenor of _his_ song Who means to charity no wrong; Whose offering gladly would accord With this day's work, in thought and word. 90 X Heaven prosper it! may peace, and love, And hope, and consolation, fall, Through its meek influence, from above, And penetrate the hearts of all; All who, around the hallowed Fane, 95 Shall sojourn in this fair domain; Grateful to Thee, while service pure, And ancient ordinance, shall endure, For opportunity bestowed To kneel together, and adore their God![362] 100 FOOTNOTES: [340] 1840. To the Lady ---- ... 1827. [341] 1840. Of ---- Chapel ... 1827. [342] Rydal Chapel remained in the state mentioned in the Fenwick note till the year 1884.--ED. [343] 1827. Or ... MS. sent to Lady Beaumont. [344] The Fleming family is descended from Sir Michael le Fleming, a relative of Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, brother-in-law to William the Conqueror. This Sir Michael le Fleming, who came over with the Conqueror, was sent into Cumberland against the Scots, and was rewarded for his services by the gift of several manors in _Copeland_, Cumberland.--ED. [345] Bekangs Ghyll--or the dell of Nightshade--in which stands St. Mary's Abbey in Low Furness.--W. W. 1827. [346] In the edition of 1827, stanzas iii. and iv. are numbered iv. and iii. respectively.--ED. [347] 1832.