Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOLBAIN, by ANNE BATTEN CRISTALL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOLBAIN, by                    
First Line: Down sunk the sun, nor shed one golden ray
Last Line: And happier scenes unfolded to their view.
Subject(s): Youth


DOWN sunk the sun, nor shed one golden ray,
But rising mists shut in the lowering day:
The tides o'erflown ahd drenched the swampy turf,
And drizzling rains bedewed the dreary earth;
The rising moon a bloody meteor seemed,
And, scarce observed, the muffled planets gleamed;
The winds were hushed in silence most profound,
And night's dim shades hung heavily around.


HOLBAIN, a youth benighted in his course,
Led o'er the marshy plains his fiery horse;
Involving treacherous mists delude his sight,
While lost he wandered through the dreary night.
With speed his blood grew warm, his pulses beat,
The spirits to his panting heart retreat;
Where tyrant fear, with thrilling horror pressed,
Till now a stranger to his daring breast.


An unknown, trackless waste before him lay,
And boggy marshes intercept his way;
His eager pace is checked by dangerous swamps,
Or stopping he is chilled by mizzling damp.
Alone, his active mind conspired with fear,
And fancied forms impregnated the air:
Lightly he stepped, of every sound afraid,
And often startled by the steed he led,
Which as he curbed unruly reared and neighed.
Clearing the clouds, a sudden gust arose,
Sighed through the woods, and shook the wat'ry boughs
Alarmed, his hand his courser's rein forsook,
Which free, impetuous o'er the meadows broke;
In bounding circles strove to heave along,
Clogged 'mid the slimy mud, and fiercely strong;
Snorting with direful rage, he madd'ning flies,
Then plunged, and smothered in a quagmire dies.


Grief pierced the youth, while idle terrors flew,
And gloomy fancies melted from his view.
He looked around;-no spectres haunt his sight,
(For rising winds had swept the misty night)
The moon amid the parting vapours rode,
And o'er the earth a varying light bestowed.
Mourning his generous friend, while sad he stood,
The sound of feet he heard, and turning, viewed
Near him a man, quick passing o'er the plain,
His aspect peaceful, and his vestments plain;
So thin, he looked the image of decay,
And closely wrapped to keep night's chills away.
HOLBAIN salutes him, and enquires what care
Tempts him through damps to trust the midnight air?


"Say rather," he replied, "what cause had led
"Thy daring feet to cross this dangerous mead,
"Where fenny quagmires, shrouded by the night,
"Bury the traveller, and delude the sight?-
"But well I know the pass and I will set thee right."
"Overjoyed, the youth his proffered aid embraced,
Pepeats his wanderings, and his fears retraced;
Tells how 'mid fogs, bewildered in his course,
He amongst the marshes lost his faithful horse;
Then names his destined journey, and the road,
Which he, mistaking, had unwary trod.


"Thou art far, alas! from home," the senior cried,
"The path so intricate I scarce can guide;
"But if you'll be the partner of my way,
"And deign beneath my humble roof to stay;
"Soon as to-morrow shall return to light
"My son shall tend thy steps, and set thee right."


HOLBAIN his ardent gratitude confessed,
And oft-repeated thanks his joy expressed.
Onward together as their course they speed
The youth recounts the virtues of his steed;
The other patient listened, nor reproved,
For 'midst his warmth he traced a mind he loved.


Quitting the plains, they pass where awful stood,
Grown thick with age, a wild majestic wood,
Where lofty trees their solemn branches spread,
And winds loud whistling sung around their head;
The autumnal blight the withered leaves had strowed,
And bright the moon her awful visage showed:
Rugged and long the way, and late the night,
But pleasing converse made the journey light.


Beguiling time, the elder thus begun,
While native sweetness on his accents hung:
"Say, youth, to what profession art thou bred?
"By glory fired, or by the Muses led?
"Or does philosophy thy mind pervade?
"Or seek you riches in the world of trade?"

"Glory," replyed the youth, has spread its charms;
"I caught its rays, and chose to follow arms;
"Impatient grew to signalize my name,
"And took the brightest road that led to fame."


"And what is fame?" the senior calm replies;
"Distinctly speak, that I may prove thee wise."


"Fame," HOLBAIN cried, "like a celestial light,
"Radiates pure truth, and makes e'en virtue bright;
"The soul of mighty deeds, the immortal part,
"Whose glorious beams through length of ages dart."


"Ardent thou speak'st," with smiles rejoined the sire,
"Yet be not dazzled while thou dost aspire;
"Though those whom Fame 'midst her bright glories place
"Shine forth examples to the human race,
"Whose every act the crowd with transports view,
"And indiscriminate their paths pursue,
"Whether their tract a noble end displays,
"Or splendent vices catch fame's dazzling rays:
"But be it thine to check ambition's flame,
"And closely link with justice love of fame;
"Which shining with intrinsic lustre bright,
"With virtue's beams will dart the immortal light.
"Heroes too long, of human glory proud,
"Insatiable have drenched the world with blood;
"Too loud the bards their frantic deeds resound,
"While blinded mortals ravished listen round.
"Detested race! yet oft I feel the fire
"Which urged them on, and mental strength admire;
"Tho, [For,] wanting strength, none e'er can reach the heights
"Where Virtue sits, and Genius wings her flights;
"But monstrous crimes in soils luxuriant grow,
"Strong powers ill governed sink us deep below.
"Civilization, as it taught mankind,
"To individuals different tasks assigned:
"No more the appetites absorb our cares,
"The mind breaks forth, and nobler functions shares;
"The polished arts with active fancy rise,
"And Nature's mazes draw our wondering eyes;
"Genius finds wider scope, and mounting high
"Exploring truth dawns with divinity!
"But shame, deep shame to the inventive mind,
"'Mid heavenly studies still to blood inclined,
"And, hunting not our food, we hunt mankind!
"Nature has countless wonders strowed around,
"Through air, the pregnant earth, and vast profound;
"Where latent truths, evading common view,
"Open pure lessons to the thinking few;
"Who, truly wise, while fiercer passions die,
"Learn the frail state of their mortality.
"The finer arts my admiration claim,
"As inoffensive paths to boundless fame;
"Hence Poesy supreme in glory soars,
"Whose searching eye the heavens and earth explores!
"Its rapid flight nor space nor time can bound,
"The world of spirits, or the powers of sound.
"Nor does the painter vain exert his art,
"Who, tracing Nature through each varying part,
"Arrests the strongest passions in their course,
"And gives us time ot contemplate their force.
"Friend to such arts as Nature's works pourtray,
"No stormy passions cloud my evening ray:
"Sorrow in vain has strove to break a heart
"Whose wishes ne'er for simple truth depart;
"The charm of life, its griefs, its date I know,
"And from these lights my inward comforts flow;
"For, while my reason Narture's ways explores,
"Religion strengthens, and my soul adores!"


They now had reached the confines of the wood,
Where, girt with trees, the stranger's mansion stood,
To which they bend; the shining moon was gone,
And scattered stars beamed through the heavens alone.


Soft at the door his stick the sire applies,
Which opening quick, light glanced against their eyes:
His children ran with eager arms to embrace
Their welcome sire, and kiss his much-loved face;
Anxious to know what cause could him detain,
In a drear night, chilled by autumnal rain.
Answering by turns, in pleasing tones he greets,
While he and HOLBAIN 'midst them take their seats.
His daughters tend him with assiduous care,
And cheerful smiles domestic joys declare;
Artless their forms, with modest plainness dressed,
And education's power their mien confessed.
His eldest son the youthful stranger greets,
While he, with smiles, his happy chance repeats;
Two younger boys obey their sister's word,
And with refereshing viands spread the board.
Now HOLBAIN'S eyes attentively survey
The instructive partner of his rugged way:
Wasted by care, he viewed the placid sire,
His large light eyes still beamed with mental
fire;Submissively serene his pleasing brow,
His lips, though pale, with genial smiles could glow;
His manners simple, but his thoughts refined,
Nor elegance was wanting to his mind.
His guest he welcomes, and with pleasing voice
Prays him to share his board and homely joys:
The artless youth with cheerful smiles partook,
Then round the table threw a happy look.
As he observes the family by turns;
His fine eyes sparkle, and his bosom burns;
The elder youth, more silent than the rest,
Seemed with the recent marks of grief impressed.
One daughter near her father took her place,
Filial affection beaming in her face;
Her features plain, her cheeks no roses die,
No radiance kindles in her modest eye;
But feeling, sense, and purity combine,
A powerful charm, and with expression shine:
Amid her sister's locks the Graces stray,
Softened her eyes, and flushed her cheeks like May.
HOLBAIN delighted shared the sweet repast,
Which filial love, good sense, and beauty graced;
Unwilling he at last retired to rest,
With love for the whole family impressed.


Soon as the beams which chace the glowing dawn
Played o'er the hills, and marked distinct the morn,
He sprung from rest, all eager to survey
The mansion where so many virtues lay:
Delighted he beheld the blessed retreat,
Where useful plainness, taste, and order meet.
Neat was the bounteous garden, paled around,
Which Autumn with her ripening tributes crowned.
As 'mid the thick-grown trees some fruits he sought,
The elder youth he met, absorbed in thought,
Perturbed within, irregular his pace,
And gushing tears streamed o'er his strong-marked face:
Striving to pass unseen, he met his eyes,
Nor could his heaving breast repress deep sighs.
HOLBAIN confused strove quickly to depart
(Sacred he deemed the feelings of the heart.)


The other, following, said, "With shame I glow,
"To be surprised in this unmanly woe:
"Serene my father each affliction bears,
"But larger griefs impel my copious tears:
"Fall'n low from state and envied happiness,
"Deeply does grief this sanguine heart impress;
"Bitter remorse 'mid sad reflections rise,
"And joy in vain would shine to glad these eyes;
"But listen, while my faultering lips impart
"What may excuse this weakness of my heart;
"Just woke from madness, thought astonished turns,
"Feels the dire hand of fate, and inward burns:-


"There stood a fabric, deeply wrapt in woods,
"Where hoarse resounded loud impetuous floods,
"Which from the hills in rapid torrents gushed
"'Mid the dark trees, and down the vallies rushed;
"The ruined walls were round with ivy spread,
"And gloomy shades wild Gothic grandeur shed.
"The aweful ocean's wond'rous space was nigh,
"Whose roarings waked a deep solemnity!-
"Often, with youth's romantic raptures fraught,
"In meditation lost, these scenes I sought;
"Here mused, here read; the Muses courted here,
"And strove to draw them from their tuneful sphere:
"Thus fired, my genius boundless scope employed,
"Glanced o'er all nature, and her works enjoyed.
"My mother (ever honoured be her name!
"Warmed by whose force my spirit burst to flame;
"Whose stronger passions, chastened by our sire,
"Still fill her children's pulses with her fire)
"Listened, whilst I its various beauties told,
"And sought the Gothic structure to behold;
"Her breast maternal in my joys took part,
"My feelings were congenial to her heart;
"At her request we went, nor marked on high
"A threatening storm which gathered o'er the sky.
"I led my mother through the devious wood,
"To where, involved with trees, the fabric stood;
"With equal awe she viewed the solemn place,
"While warmly I romantic dreams re-trace;
"The songs I here had tuned enrapt I read,
"And hours upon their swiftest pinions fled:
"Nature, in her still warm, diffused the fire
"Which in her youth loud woke the harmonic lyre.
"I saw her charmed, and warmly urged her stay,
"To blend her wisdom with my youthful lay,
"Devoting to her son the the instructive day.
"When from her lips a forced consent I drew,
"I caught her words, and for refreshments flew;
"While she within the tottering castle stays,
"And all the grandeur of the scene surveys,
"Stupendous clouds were rolling o'er the heav'n,
"Strong rushed large torrents, by quick eddies driv'n.


"In curious choice of dainty viands bent,
"(O never pardoned folly!) far I went:
"Too far, alas!-a friend partook the way,
"With whom in converse thoughtlessly I stray:
"Pleased with myself, while partial praise I sought,
"The best of mothers vanished from my thought;
"Till rouzed by a tremendous storm, which broke
"Thro' the vast heavens, and my remembrance woke.


"Strong gathered thro' the trees the whirling gale,
"Blew bleak a while, then whistled in the vale;
"Then on it came, and with redoubled force
"Strove 'midst contending trees to wing its course;
"Driv'n back again, loud roaring it complains,
"Or blustering thunders o'er the neighboring plains:
"Wildly I heard the stormy ocean roar,
"Wave dashed on wave flew bellowing to the shore;
"Grief for my mother fills my labouring breast:
"Precipitate I flew, with fears oppressed.
"The storm with tenfold fury stil persists,
"Scarce the strong oak its dreadful power resists;
"Borne by its ravings, tost aloft in air,
"Uprooted, torn, the mangled wood lies bare:
"Trembling and horror-struck, I rapid flew,
"Nor could my friend my hasty steps pursue;
"As I advance the o'erwhelming tide arose,
"Deluged the plains, and round in surges flows;
"So fierce the winds, my feet were scarcely staid,
"While through encroaching waters on I wade;
"My pulses with strong agitation beat,
"While present death with thousand horrors threat.
"And art thou, O my mother! 'mid this storm?
"What from the winds shall guide thy sacred form?
"The ruined fabric totters at each breath,
"Perhaps already has conspired thy death!
"Four times I fell, 'midst gushing waters thrown,
"Borne on by tides, or dashed against huge stones;
"Yet strong necessity had giv'n me force,
"And, spite of obstacles, I speed my course:
"When near advanced I stopped, and dared not go,
"Arrested by foreboding sense of woe.



"I called aloud on her who speaks no more,
"Aloud the angry torrents thundering roar!
"Still nearer on, I trembling called again;
"Still roared the winds, and still my voice was vain!
"Mad with despair, wild towards the spot I rush,
"Where all around the bellowing torrents gush;
"No trace of Gothic arch or roof remains,
"By winds and waters swept along the plains.
"Deep the contending elements resound,
"While, lost to thought, my frantic brain turns round:
"Still seeking what I knew I could not find,
"My dreadful cries concorded with the wind.
"Myself I felt the cause;-grief and dismay
"Rushed on my brain, and snatch my sense away:
"My friend preserved my life, a thankless load,
"And bore me to my father from the wood;
"I knew not how he found me, or where sought,
"For long suspended were the powers of thought.
"I view my father, though worn down by care,
"Sublimely virtuous, keenest sufferings bear;
"His best affections ravished from his breast,
"And sanguine hopes by penury suppressed:
"The day my mother died, on tempests tost,
"Loaded with wealth, his stranded ships were lost;
"Winged with our fate one storm relentless blew,
"Conspired our ruin, and each hope o'erthrew;
"Yet strong within, to every ill resigned,
"Nought shakes the stedfast basis of his mind;
"For pious Faith, and Hope's seraphic eye,
"Unfold the joys of immortality!
"Active in all his duties here below,
"Strong perseverance blunts the edge of woe.
"With industry he heaps our little stores,
"And still great Nature's ample page explores;
"TO instruct the children in his Maker's ways,
"And shew how all by slow degrees decays;
"That tho' on earth GOD'S hand is strong impressed,
"Yet higher hopes should fill the human breast.
"O! blessed example of a pious mind!
"Yet still my stubborn breast pants unresigned;
"Not guiltlessly I draw this wretched breath,
"Nor tranquilly behold the gulf of death."


Thoughtful he paused;-while HOLBAIN silent prayed,
And with strong sympathy the youth surveyed:
"Mysterious do thy ways, O GOD! appear,
"But, born to suffer, man must learn to bear.
"Divinely pour religion through the soul,
"For that alone the passions can controul!"
Each stood absorbed, till summoned to repair
Within the hall, the morn's repast to share;
The obtrusion gave them pain-a while they stay,
Then, walking slow, wiped the hot tears away.


HOLBAIN again the virtuous father meets,
And with the morning's salutation greets;
As pensively around his eyes he throws,
Strong to his mind their loss and patience rose:
Then 'mid the family he took his place,
And charmed beheld the younger daughter's grace:
More sweet she looks by day, the lovely die
Of her fair cheeks with brightest flowrets vie,
Her azure eyes shot forth a lucid ray,
O'er her white neck her amber ringlets stray.
An anxious wish warm kindled in his breast,
Its noble fire his guileless eyes confessed;
A pleased remembrance of his wealth arose,
His breast benevolent with rapture glows.


Lingering he strove to lengthen out his stay,
And tore himself at last by force away;
But first the sire's permission did obtain
To visit this delightful spot again;
When friendship strengthening, into union grew,
And happier scenes unfolded to their view.









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