“WHEN SEVERN’S SWEEPING FLOOD HAD OVERTHROWN”
WHEN Severn’s sweeping flood had overthrown St. Mary’s Church, the preacher then would cry:– “Thus, Christian people, God his might hath shown That ye to him your love may testify; Haste, and rebuild the pile.”–But not a stone Resumed its place. Age after age went by, And Heaven still lacked its due, though piety In secret did, we trust, her loss bemoan. But now her Spirit hath put forth its claim In Power, and Poesy would lend her voice; 10 Let the new Church be worthy of its aim, That in its beauty Cardiff may rejoice! Oh! in the past if cause there was for shame, Let not our times halt in their better choice. RYDAL MOUNT, Jan. 23, 1842.