( 59 ) 

 SONNETS BY SIR EGERTON BRYDGES. 



SONNET 504. 



To wait upon another's will how deep 

 The misery, how frail and sick the hope ! 

 There is no mercy in mankind ; no tear 

 Of sympathy, to which the sad may trust! 



For those, who do not want our tears, we weep ; 

 To those, who safe can swim, we throw the rope ; 

 Give the night-lamp to those who have no fear ; 

 And fondly lift the risen from the dust ! 



Save in our own pure strength there is no peace ; 

 On our own mind and heart we must rely ; 

 Malice to strike the yielding will not cease, 

 And he, who shuns the fight, will soonest die ! 

 Lord of himself may man in safety go, 

 And pass this battle-plain, though drench'd in woe. 



SONNET 506. 



The richest fuel, when the fire is lit, 



Throws out most smoke and vapour ; but it soon 

 Bursts into flame, and burns with brighter blaze, 

 Till in unclouded light it darts on high : 



So work the strongest sparks of human wit, 



Which comes in mightiest gifts from nature's boon r 

 First, dark and clouded wake the struggling rays. 

 Then rise in unstain'd splendor to the sky. 



The more they blaze, the more exhaustless grow 

 The elements of their unyielding fire ; 

 The beamy splendors widen as they glow, 

 And with intenser rapidness aspire : 



So mortal mind may turn to spirit pure. 



And with ethereal essences endure. 



