ODES.

CLASS THE SIXTH.

ODE I.

BY A LADY,

On observing some white Hairs

UPON THE HEAD OF HER HUSBAND.

THOU to whose power reluctantly we bend,
Foe to life's fairy dreams, relentless Time,
Alike the dread of lover, and of friend,

Why stamp thy seal on manhood's rosy prime ? Already twining 'mid my Thyrsis' hair,

The snowy wreaths of age, the monuments of care.

Thro' all her forms, tho' Nature own thy sway,
That boasted sway thou'lt here exert in vain;
To the last beam of life's declining day,

Thyrsis shall view, unmov'd, thy potent reign. Secure to please, whilst goodness knows to charm, Fancy and taste delight, or sense and truth inform Vol. XVI.

B

Tyrant, when from that lip of crimson glow,
Swept by thy chilling wing, the rose shall fly;
When thy rude scythe indents his polish'd brow,
And quench'd is all the lustre of his eye;
When ruthless age disperses ev'ry grace,

Each smile that beams from that enchanting face—

Then thro' her stores shall active memory rove,
Teaching each various charm to bloom anew,
And still the raptur'd eye of faithful love,
Shall bend on Thyrsis its delighted view ;
Still shall he triumph with resistless power,

Still rule the conquer'd heart to life's remotest hour.