England and Yesterday — London - VIII. In the Reading-Room of the British Museum

IN THE READING-ROOM OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

Praised be the moon of books!

that doth above A world of men, the sunken Past behold, And colour spaces else too void and cold, To make a very heaven again thereof;

As when the sun is set behind a grove, And faintly unto nether ether rolled, All night, his whiter image and his mould Grows beautiful with looking on her love.

Thou, therefore, moon of so divine a ray, Lend to our steps both fortitude and light!

Feebly along a venerable way They climb the infinite, or perish quite;

Nothing are days and deeds to such as they, While in this liberal house thy face is bright.

IX.