April Thirteenth
Madame Jeanne Guyon born 1648.
Dr. Thomas Beddoes born 1760.
James Harper born 1795.
If there were dreams to sell,
Merry and sad to tell,
And the crier rang the bell,
What would you buy?
A cottage lone and still
With bowers nigh,
Shadowy, my woes to still,
Until I die.
Such pearl from Life’s fresh crown
Fain would I shake me down,
Were dreams to have at will
This would best heal my ill,
This would I buy.
—Thomas Lovell Beddoes.
I pray you, bear me hence From forth the noise and rumor of the field Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts In peace, and part this body and my soul With contemplation and devout desires.
—William Shakespeare.
Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.
—Mark 6. 31.
Lord God, help me to bear in mind that to step aside and safeguard the mind in contemplation is a safe guard to the soul. Amen.