Page:Felicia Hemans in the New Monthly Magazine Volume 8 1823.pdf/16



Fount of the Virgin's ruin'd shrine! A voice that speaks of the past is thine! It mingles the tone of a thoughtful sigh With the notes that ring through the laughing sky; 'Midst the mirthſul song of the summer-bird, And the sound of the breeze, it will yet be heard!— Why is it that thus we may look on thee, To the festal sunshine sparkling free?– 'Tis that all on earth is of Time's domain— He hath made thee Nature's own again!

Fount of the Chapel with ages grey! Thou art springing freshly amidst decay! Thy rites are past, and thy Cross lies low, And the changeful hours breathe o'er thee now! Yet if at thine altar one holy thought In man's deep spirit of old hath wrought, If peace to the mourner hath here been given, Or prayer from a chasten'd heart to Heaven, Be the spot still hallow’d while Time shall reign, Who hath made thee Nature's own again!F. H.