Selma a Tale - in Verse, by A. Ross Author:Alexander Ross General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1839 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million book... more »s for free. Excerpt: 85 SALISBURY. Hail ! sacred flame of heavenly Zeal, That glowest, to guide each wretched soul, Round which the waves of error roll: How lovely their approach, who feel Thy beacon lamp within them burn, To aid the wanderer's return, And beam sweet peace, on them that mourn ! -- When, on the ocean of despair, Toils life's deluded mariner, Chasing, with heedless levity, Each meteor joy, on that dark sea; 'Tis thine, with Pharos' ray, to rise, A lonely light to weary eyes, And bid his restless wanderings cease, With tidings of a land of peace. -- Yes! scornful Indolence may smile, And lightly prize their precious toil, Who, borne as blessed zeal commands, Rude labours tempt, and danger dare, The shout of future hope to bear, A wakening cry, to sleeping lands: -- But, when the Scoffer's brow resigns The fading wreath, which Folly twines, When mute the voice of Levity, And dark the light of Laughter's eye, For them, blest spirits shall prepare (Blest, when they shunn'd the scoffer's wile, Blest, when they scorn'd the worldling's smile; Most blest the zeal, which show'd the snare) A garland, ever fresh and fair. -- Now zeal's pure light good Anselm leads, From cloister'd ease and peaceful bower, To where the wasting battle bleeds, To Egypt's shore and Damiat's tower. -- Lo! moveless there, the Maiden meek Hangs on his words, with varying cheek -- The stealing smile, the starting tear, The sudden flush, the icy pale, Mark the quick movements stirring there: As these the soul assail. -- Why, Lady! fly the roses so ? Why back return in rapid glow...« less