Or gazes on some feat of gramarye.
'When thou canst use it, thine the book!' she cried:
He blush'd, and clasp'd it to his breast with pride:--
'Unkingly task!' his comrades cry; In vain;
All work ennobles nobleness, all art,
He sees; Head governs hand; and in his heart
All knowledge for his province he has ta'en.

2

Few the bright days, and brief the fruitful rest,
As summer-clouds that o'er the valley flit:--
To other tasks his genius he must fit;
The Dane is in the land, uneasy guest!
--O sacred Athelney, from pagan quest
Secure, sole haven for the faithful boy
Waiting God's issue with heroic joy
And unrelaxing purpose in the breast!
The Dragon and the Raven, inch by inch,
For England fight; nor Dane nor Saxon flinch;
Then Alfred strikes his blow; the realm is free:--
He, changing at the font his foe to friend,
Yields for the time, to gain the far-off end,
By moderation doubling victory.

O much-vex'd life, for us too short, too dear!
The laggard body lame behind the soul;
Pain, that ne'er marr'd the mind's serene control;
Breathing on earth heaven's aether atmosphere,
God with thee, and the love that casts out fear!