The Brothers, a Monody

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820 edition. Excerpt: ... WRITTEN IN ABSENCE. When moonbeams fill thy lonely bed, And rest upon thy shaded eyes, Dost thou in slumber's vision tread The rocks that fade to evening skies? Feelst thou again the doubtful kiss That scarce thy lip rebellious met;---Tremblingly prest in murmur'd bliss--The virgin kiss, that none forget? The moment blest that once has been Shall ever haunt the twilight dell; But whom she mingles with the scene That heaving sigh alone may tell. WRITTEN ON A VERNAL DAY, DURINO CONFINEMENT FROM INDISPOSITION. Go happy boys! on whose white foreheads Time Ploughs not the furrowing lines of human care; The season, like yourselves, is in its prime; Pure as your spirits breathes th' elastic air. While langour my reluctant limbs enchains, Race with the bounding lambs, as blithe as they; Listen the rustling hedge-bird's twitter'd strains, And wreathe your hats with primrose and with may. The Father, whom by that endearing name Ye know and worship as Essential Love,10 Stretch'd out yon azure vault, and He, the same, Lighted the sun ye feel and gemm'd the grove. 72 WRITTEN ON A VERNAL DAT. Go, and enjoy the gifts his bounty sends; And while ye sit by rock, or bank, or tree, Think amidst books, those ever constant friends, Time passes not uncheeringly with me. The same kind spirit, felt amidst the wood In the wild violet's breath or ivy's shade, Is present with me in my solitude, Soothing the void your absence else had made. Fancy, his gift, can lead me forth to roam With you the hawthorn lanes and mosses green; Or bring you back to my sequester'd home To tell the pleasant wonders ye have seen. Hope too, his gift, is whispering of the day When animating health shall set me free; When where ye now are straying I shall stray, Climb to your cave or sit...