Yet urged along, and proudly loath to yield, Yet grant them health, 'tis not for us to tell, Whom the smooth stream and smoother sonnet please, A BETROTHED PAIR IN HUMBLE LIFE. Yes, there are real mourners; I have seen A fair sad girl, mild, suffering, and serene; Attention through the day her duties claim'd, And to be useful as resign'd she aim'd; Neatly she dress'd, nor vainly seem'd to expect Pity for grief, or pardon for neglect; But when her wearied parents sunk to sleep, She sought her place to meditate and weep: Then to her mind was all the past display'd, That faithful memory brings to sorrow's aid; For then she thought on one regretted youth, Her tender trust, and his unquestion'd truth; In every place she wander'd where they'd been, And sadly-sacred held the parting scene; Where last for sea he took his leave--that place With double interest would she nightly trace; For long the courtship was, and he would say, Each time he sail'd, "This once, and then the day;" Yet prudence tarried, but when last he went, He drew from pitying love a full consent. Happy he sail'd, and great the care she took His messmates smiled at flushings in his cheek, He call'd his friend, and prefaced with a sigh Still long she nursed him; tender thoughts meantime She took some portion of the dread away; With him she pray'd, to him his Bible read, Soothed the faint heart, and held the aching head; He named his friend, but then his hand she press'd, "I go," he said, but as he spoke she found His hand more cold, and fluttering was the sound; A dying look of love, and all was past. She placed a decent stone his grave above, Neatly engraved, an offering of her love: For that she wrought, for that forsook her bed, Awake alike to duty and the dead. She would have grieved had friends presumed to spare The least assistance-'twas her proper care. Here will she come, and on the grave will sit, SONG OF THE DESERTED AND CRAZED MAIDEN. Let me not have this gloomy view To cool my burning brows instead; Give to my sense their perfumed breath! That is the grave to Lucy shown; The soil, a pure and silver sand; There let my maiden form be laid; Nor for new guest that bed be made. As innocent, but not so gay. I will not have the churchyard ground With ribs and skulls I will not sleep, When those sad marriage rites begin, And boys, without regard or shame, Press the vile mouldering masses in. Say not, it is beneath my care— I cannot these cold truths allow; That man a maiden's grave may trace, Oh! take me from a world I hate, And not a man to meet me there.1 MERCY SOUGHT AND FOUND. Pilgrim, burden'd with thy sin, Knock, and weep, and watch, and wait. Weep-he loves the mourner's tears; Watch-for saving grace is nigh; Wait-till heavenly light appears. Hark! it is the Bridegroom's voice, Safe, and seal'd, and bought, and blest. Seal'd-by signs the chosen know; Holy pilgrim! what for thee In a world like this remain? From thy guarded breast shall flee Fear, and shame, and doubt, and pain. Doubt-in certain rapture die; Pain-in endless bliss expire. "The characters of the two sisters are drawn with infinite skill and minuteness, and their whole story narrated with great feeling and beauty. The wanderings of Jane's reason are represented in a very affecting manner. The concluding stanzas appear to us to be eminently beautiful, and make us regret that Mr. Crabbe should have indulged us so seldom with those higher lyrical effusions."-JEFFREY. HIS LETTER TO EDMUND BURKE.1 SIR-I am sensible that I need even your talents to apologize for the freedom I now take; but I have a plea which, however simply urged, will, with a mind like yours, sir, procure me pardon: I am one of those outcasts on the world who are without a friend, without employment, and without bread. Pardon me a short preface. I had a partial father, who gave me a better education than his broken fortune would have allowed; and a better than was necessary, as he could give me that only. I was designed for the profession of physic; but, not having wherewithal to complete the requisite studies, the design but served to convince me of a parent's affection, and the error it had occasioned. In April last I came to London, with three pounds, and flattered myself this would be sufficient to supply me with the common necessaries of life till my abilities should procure me more; of these I had the highest opinion, and a poetical vanity contributed to my delusion. I knew little of the world, and had read books only. I wrote, and fancied perfection in my compositions; when I wanted bread, they promised me affluence, and soothed me with dreams of reputation, whilst my appearance subjected me to contempt. Time, reflection, and want have showed me my mistake. I see my trifles in that which I think the true light; and, whilst I deem them such, have yet the opinion that holds them superior to the common run of poetical publications. I had some knowledge of the late Mr. Nassau, the brother of Lord Rochford; in consequence of which, I asked his lordship's permission to inscribe my little work to him. Knowing it to be free from all political allusions and personal abuse, it was no very material point to me to whom it was dedicated. His lordship thought it none to him, and obligingly consented to my request. I was told that a subscription would be the more profitable method for me, and therefore endeavored to circulate copies of the enclosed proposals. I am afraid, sir, I disgust you with this very dull believe me punished in the misery that occasions it. narration, but You will con "Mr. Crabbe's journal of his London life, extending over a period of three months, is one of the most affecting documents which ever lent an interest to biography. Arriving in the metropolis in the beginning of 1800, without money, friends, or introductions, he rapidly sank into penury and suffering. His landlord threatened him, and hunger and a jail already stared him in the face. In this emergency, he ventured to solicit the notice of three individuals, eminent for station and influence. He applied to Lord North, Lord Shelburne, and Lord Thurlow, but without success. In a happy moment the name of Burke entered his mind, and he appealed to his sympathy in the following letter. The result is well known. In Burke the happy poet found not only a patron and a friend, but a sagacious adviser and an accomplished critic."-WILLMOTT. "The tears stood in Crabbe's eyes, while he talked of Burke's kindness to him in his distress; and I remember he said-The night after I delivered my letter at his door, I was in such a state of agitation, that I walked Westminster bridge, backward and forward, until daylight.""-LOCKHART. |