BETA

To a Friend

On His Taking Possession of a House He Had Built.

“ O libri, soli liberales et liberi, qui omni petenti tribuitis et omnes
manumittis vobis sedulo servientes !”
—The Philobiblion of Richard de
Bury, A.D. 1345.
Dear Friend, I think of thee and thine1
In that new home where thou dost rest :2
That Peace there be both host and guest3
Is ardent wish and prayer of mine.4
When, weary from the hive of men,5
Thou comest home at close of day,6
May Peace, upon the threshold, stay7
The cares that dare to dog thee then.8
I picture thee with pen and book9
In that still study, where I strayed ;10
Of all the house, this spot is made11
Most homelike by thy genial look.12
Here dwell the friends whose hearts are warm—13
A goodly fellowship in sooth ;14
Not few have been thy friends from youth,15
Ne’er left thy side in calm or storm.16
On Lamb I see thee bend thine eyes ;17
A truer heart ne’er beat on earth ;18
I wonder not his moan and mirth19
Thus move thee—quick to sympathise.20
Here Wordsworth often to thee sings21
Those songs, deep, pure, as Alpine snows ;22
Earth’s joys—nay ! Heaven’s itself he knows,23
Clear sighted, with an eagle’s wings.24
And many more around thee here—25
From Rome, from Hellas, Iran old,26
All these their kingly hearts unfold27
And whisper wisdom in thine ear.28
John Jervis Beresford.