WRITTEN AT ST. ANDREWS, IN 1798. ALONG the shelves that line Kibriven's shore grow, And listen to the weltering ocean's roar. When o'er the crisping waves the sun-beams gleam, I breathe the name of some dear gentle maid; TO RUIN. WRITTEN IN 1798. DIRE Power! when closing autumn's hoary dews Proud waving woods, and vales expanding green, When yawning gulfs wide peopled realms devour, With ceaseless torment on my spirit preys : While man's vain knowledge in his fleeting hour Serves but to show how fast himself decays. MELANCHOLY. WRITTEN IN 1798. WHERE its blue pallid boughs the poplar rears Bright as the setting sun's last purple gleam, Which streaks the mist that winds along the stream, Bathing the harebell with eve's dewy tears. Ah! blissful days of youth, that ne'er again Revive, with scenes of every fairy hue, And sunny tints which fancy's pencil drew, Are you not false as hope's delusive train? For, as your scenes to memory's view return, You ever point to a lov'd sister's urn. TO THE YEW. WRITTEN IN 1799. WHEN fortune smil'd, and nature's charms were new, Whose still green leaves in solemn silence wave Which oft thou moistenest with the morning dew. They rest in peace beneath thy sacred gloom, No leaves but thine in pity o'er them sigh. Lo! now, to fancy's gaze, thou seem'st to spread ODE, ADDRESSED TO MR. GEO. DYER, ON SCOTTISH SCENERY AND MANNERS. WRITTEN IN 1799. I. DYER! whom late on Lothian's daisied plains, Still rise in fancy to the poet's view? Her moors, that oft have seen the hostile throng Of warriors mingle in encounter dire; Her meads, that oft have heard the shepherd's song Carol of youthful love's enchanting fire; — |