OCCASIONAL POEMS. 595 



IV. 



Give me wisdom so to use 



These brief hours of thoughtful leisure, 

 That I may no instant lose 



In mere meditative pleasure, 



But with strictest justice measure 

 All the ends my life pursues, 



Lies to crush and truths to treasure, 

 Wrong to shun and Eight to choose. 



v. 



Then, when unexpected Sleep, 



O'er my long-closed eyelids stealing, 



Opens up that lower deep 



Where Existence has no feeling, 

 May sweet Calm, my languor healing, 



Lend me strength at dawn to reap 

 All that Shadows, world-concealing, 



For the bold enquirer keep. 



VI. 



Through the creatures Thou hast made 



Show the brightness of Thy glory, 

 Be eternal Truth displayed 



In their substance transitory, 



Till green Earth and Ocean hoary, 

 Massy rock and tender blade 



Tell the same unending story 

 We are Truth in Form arrayed." 



VII. 



When to study I retire, 



And from books of ancient sages 

 Glean fresh sparks of buried fire 



Lurking in their ample pages 



While the task my mind engages 

 Let old words new truths inspire 



Truths that to all after-ages 

 Prompt the Thoughts that never tire. 



