Still on thy solemn steps attend : And Pity dropping soft the sadly-pleasing tear. O, gently on thy suppliant's head Dread Goddess, lay thy chastening hand! Not in thy Gorgon terrors clad, Nor circled with the vengeful band (As by the impious thou art seen) With thundering voice, and threatening mien, With screaming Horror's funeral cry, Despair, and fell Disease, and ghastly Poverty : 30 35 Thy form benign, O Goddess, wear, 41 Thy philosophic train be there To soften, not to wound my heart. The generous spark extinct revive, Teach me to love and to forgive, Exact my own defects to scan, 45 What others are to feel, and know myself a Man. T. GRAY. 160 THE SOLITUDE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute; That sages have seen in thy face? I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, I start at the sound of my own. 5 10 The beasts that roam over the plain Society, friendship, and love How soon would I taste you again! And be cheer'd by the sallies of youth, Ye winds that have made me your sport, Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more: My friends, do they now and then send O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see. How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compared with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift-wingéd arrows of light. When I think of my own native land In a moment I seem to be there; But, alas recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair. But the seafowl is gone to her nest, And reconciles man to his lot. W. CowPER. 161 TO MARY UNWIN Mary! I want a lyre with other strings, Such aid from heaven as some have feign'd they drew, An eloquence scarce given to mortals, new That ere through age or woe I shed my wings 5 But thou hast little need. There is a Book There all thy deeds, my faithful Mary, shine; 162 TO THE SAME W. COWPER. The twentieth year is well-nigh past Thy spirits have a fainter flow, I see thee daily weaker grow 'Twas my distress that brought thee low, Thy needles, once a shining store, For my sake restless heretofore, Now rust disused, and shine no more; For though thou gladly wouldst fulfil But well thou play'dst the housewife's part, Thy indistinct expressions seem Like language utter'd in a dream ; Yet me they charm, whate'er the theme, Thy silver locks, once auburn bright, For could I view nor them nor thee, Partakers of thy sad decline Thy hands their little force resign; Such feebleness of limbs thou prov'st And still to love, though press'd with ill, In wintry age to feel no chill, With me is to be lovely still, My Mary! But ah! by constant heed I know How oft the sadness that I show Transforms thy smiles to looks of woe, And should my future lot be cast W. COWPER. 163 THE DYING MAN IN HIS GARDEN Why, Damon, with the forward day What do thy noonday walks avail, Thou and the worm are brother-kind, 50 5 10 Vain wretch! canst thou expect to see Thy narrow pride, thy fancied green G. SEWELL. 15 20 |