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reminiscences of oxford.
Yet, ere I turn, while on the mighty Wolsey's fate,
I pause to muse upon the fallen "great,"—
Once the proud favourite of a haughty king,
Sunk midst disgrace—what lessons doth it bring!
He who had ruled with unrelenting sway,
O'er king and peasant in his palmy day;
By man forsaken, of every hope forlorn,
Midst Leicester's noble towers, died, alas! unmourn'd.
How valueless is worldly wealth and great fame!
They die perchance alone—some empty name
Are the sad records of the human soul,
That make this vain world its highest goal.
There is a lamp that too often dimly shines
O'er the wide waste of swiftly-rolling Time.
When true ambition fires the soul of man,
What glorious thoughts and mighty deeds are plan'd!
The noble offspring of a good and generous mind,
With true love-cords our affections to bind,—
Grand in each vast idea, it ever fondly seems
To seize on our brightest hope, the passing gleam,
Moulded and formed to hold its glorious sway,
And with gentle hands it rules too short a day!
Alas! when fled for ever to a heavenly home,
I pause to muse upon the fallen "great,"—
Once the proud favourite of a haughty king,
Sunk midst disgrace—what lessons doth it bring!
He who had ruled with unrelenting sway,
O'er king and peasant in his palmy day;
By man forsaken, of every hope forlorn,
Midst Leicester's noble towers, died, alas! unmourn'd.
How valueless is worldly wealth and great fame!
They die perchance alone—some empty name
Are the sad records of the human soul,
That make this vain world its highest goal.
There is a lamp that too often dimly shines
O'er the wide waste of swiftly-rolling Time.
When true ambition fires the soul of man,
What glorious thoughts and mighty deeds are plan'd!
The noble offspring of a good and generous mind,
With true love-cords our affections to bind,—
Grand in each vast idea, it ever fondly seems
To seize on our brightest hope, the passing gleam,
Moulded and formed to hold its glorious sway,
And with gentle hands it rules too short a day!
Alas! when fled for ever to a heavenly home,
