PATHS OF POESY. 13 



as the laity, and very frequently tlie rapacity of the reigning prince 

 made them especially feel the rigorous power of their feudal lord. 

 In imitation of the laity the hierarchy did homage to their 

 prince for their temporalities before they could receive investiture of 

 them, and as upon every accession by descent to lay fiefs in capite, 

 (that is, held immediately from the crown,) the king was entitled to 

 take the primer seisins, or first fruits of the estate for a year, so at 

 the present day upon every appointment of a bishop, the crown is 

 entitled to the perception of the first fruits of his diocese, payable by 

 four annual instalments ; and by the same rule all the inferior clergy 

 are^ bound to tender the first fruits of their benefices also. 



PATHS OF POESY. 

 BY WILLIAM J. BOSOMWORTH. 



I love the bright and smiling earth. 

 The notes of feathered minstrels' mirth, 

 The shady trees, the towering hills. 

 The winding ways of pensive rills ; 

 The biiili of mom, the twilight hour. 

 The wide, wide earth, the quiet bower ; 

 For these were made by God's decree. 

 To be sweet paths of poesy. 



Over the ocean's unfetter'd sweep. 

 Where the great waters never sleep. 

 But troubled, roar their thunders aloft. 

 In bursts of passion, often and oft ; 

 Or like a stream pass gently o'er. 

 To shake their hands with the quiet shore ; 

 Whether a calm or rolling sea, 

 They all are paths of poesy. 



