SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY. 



at the sight of the genius of the place performing some 

 mystery. () Fortune is justly represented insecurely 

 placed upon a wheel, whose slightest revolution may cause 

 her downfall. It has been said that wailing sounds were 

 heard before the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, 

 and at last the rushing of mighty wings when the angel 

 of the sanctuary departed. Had the poet been a prophet, 

 he would have described the good genius of the mansion, 

 not exulting, but dejected, humbled, and about to depart 

 for ever. 



(a) &quot; Hail, happy genius of this ancient pile ! 

 How comes it all things so about thee smile ? 

 The fire, the wine, the men ? and in the midst 

 Thou stand st, as if some mystery thou didst. 

 Pardon, I read it in thy face ; the day 

 For whose return, and many, all these pray, 

 And so do I. This is the sixtieth year 

 Since Bacon, and thy lord was born, and here : 

 Son to the grave wise Keeper of the Seal, 

 Fame and foundation of the English weal. 

 What then the father was, that since is he, 

 Now with a title more to the degree ; 

 England s High Chancellor, the destin d heir, 

 In his soft cradle, to his father s chair. 

 Whose even thread the fates spin round and full 

 Out of their choicest and their whitest wool. 

 Tis a brave cause of joy, let it be known, 

 For twere a narrow gladness kept thine own. 

 Give me a deep crown d bowl, that I may sing, 

 In raising him, the wisdom of my king.&quot; 



