16

 16. Monks  for another small Album

   ( With lines on hinges to fit it. )  WHY dear Cousin,  why Ask for verses, when a poet's fount of song is  dry? Or, if aught be  there, Harsh and chill, it ill may touch the hand of lady  fair. Who can perfumed waters  bring From a convent  spring?  "Monks in the olden  time, "They were rhymesters?" they were rhymesters, but in Latin  rhyme. Monks in the days of  old Lived in secret, in the Church's kindly-sheltering  fold. No bland meditators  they Of a courtly  lay.  "They had visions  bright?" they had visions, yet not sent in slumbers soft and  light. No! a lesson  stern First by vigils, fast, and penance theirs it was to  learn. This their soul-ennobling  gain, Joys wrought out by  pain.  "When from home they  stirr'd, "Sweet their voices?" still, a blessing closed their merriest  word; And their gayest  smile Told of musings solitary, and the hallow'd  aisle. "Songsters?" hark! they answer!  round Plaintive chantings  sound!  Grey his cowlèd  vest, Whose strong heart has pledged his service to the cloister  blest. Duly garb'd is  he, As the frost-work gems the branches of yon stately  tree. 'Tis a danger-thwarting  spell, And it fits me  well!  Oxford .  December, 1829.