Her Many-Pictured Page

 Wanderings
by St. John Henry Newman

Ere yet I left home's youthful shrine,
 My heart and hope were stored
Where first I caught the rays divine,
 And drank the Eternal Word. 

I went afar; the world unroll'd
 Her many-pictured page;
I stored the marvels which she told,
 And trusted to her gage. 

Her pleasures quaff'd, I sought awhile
 The scenes I prized before;
But parent's praise and sister's smile
 Stirr'd my cold heart no more. 

So ever sear, so ever cloy
 Earth's favours as they fade;
Since Adam lost for one fierce joy
 His Eden's sacred shade. 

 Off the Lizard.
December 8, 1832.