1832.

TO MRS. F[IELD]

On Her Return from Gibraltar

Jane, you are welcome from the barren Rock,
And Calpe’s sounding shores.  Oh do not mock,
Now you have rais’d, our greetings; nor again
Ever revisit that dry nook of Spain.

Friends have you here, and friendships to command,
In merry England.  Love this hearty land. 
Ease, comfort, competence—­of these possess’d,
Let prodigal adventurers seek the rest: 
Dear England is as you,—­a Field the Lord hath blest.

TO M[ARY] L[AETITIA] F[IELD]

(Expecting to See Her Again after a Long Interval)

How many wasting, many wasted years,
Have run their round, since I beheld your face! 
In Memory’s dim eye it yet appears
Crowned, as it then seemed, with a chearful grace. 
Young prattling Maiden, on the Thames’ fair side,
Enlivening pleasant Sunbury with your smiles,
Time may have changed you:  coy reserve, or pride,
To sullen looks reduced those mirthful wiles. 
I will not ’bate one smile on that clear brow,
But take of Time a rigorous account,
When next I see you; and Maria now
Must be the Thing she was.  To what amount
These verses else?—­all hollow and untrue—­
This was not writ, these lines not meant, for YOU.

TO ESTHER FIELD

Esther, holy name and sweet,
Smoothly runs on even feet,
To the mild Acrostic bending;
Hebrew recollections blending. 
Ever keep that Queen in view—­
Royal namesake—­bold, and true!

Firm she stood in evil times,
In the face of Haman’s crimes.—­
Ev’n as She, do Thou possess
Loftiest virtue in the dress,
Dear F——­, of native loveliness.

[TO MRS. WILLIAMS]

(1830)

Go little Poem, and present
Respectful terms of compliment;
A gentle lady bids thee speak! 
Courteous is she, tho’ thou be weak—­
Evoke from Heaven as thick as manna

Joy after joy on Grace Joanna: 
On Fornham’s Glebe and Pasture land
A blessing pray.  Long, long may stand,
Not touched by Time, the Rectory blithe;
No grudging churl dispute his Tithe;
At Easter be the offerings due

With cheerful spirit paid; each pew
In decent order filled; no noise
Loud intervene to drown the voice,
Learning, or wisdom of the Teacher;
Impressive be the Sacred Preacher,
And strict his notes on holy page;
May young and old from age to age
Salute, and still point out, ‘The good man’s Parsonage!’

TO THE BOOK