Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

RICHER than MISER o'er his countless hoards,
Nobler than KINGS, or king-polluted LORDS,
Here dwelt the MAN OF ROSS! O Traveller, hear!
Departed Merit claims a reverent tear.

Friend to the friendless, to the sick man health,
With generous joy he viewed his modest wealth;
He hears the widow's heaven-breathed prayer of praise,
He marks the sheltered orphan's tearful gaze,
Or where the sorrow-shrivelled captive lay,
Pours the bright blaze of Freedom's noon-tide ray.
Beneath this roof if thy cheered moments pass,
Fill to the good man's name one grateful glass:
To higher zest shall MEMORY wake thy soul,
And VIRTUE mingle in the ennobled bowl.
But if, like me,
Lonely and sad thy pilgrimage hath been;

through life's distressful scene

And if, thy breast with heart-sick anguish fraught,
Thou journeyest onward tempest-tossed in thought;
Here cheat thy cares! in generous visions melt,
And dream of Goodness, thou hast never felt!

LINES TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING IN
A VILLAGE.

ONCE more, sweet Stream! with slow foot wander

ing near,

I bless thy milky waters cold and clear.

Escaped the flashing of the noontide hours
With one fresh garland of Pierian flowers
(Ere from thy zephyr-haunted brink I turn)
My languid hand shall wreath thy mossy urn.
For not through pathless grove with murmur rude
Thou soothest the sad wood-nymph, SOLITUDE;
Nor thine unseen in cavern depths to well,
The HERMIT-FOUNTAIN of some dripping cell!
Pride of the Vale! thy useful streams supply
The scattered cots and peaceful hamlet nigh.
The elfin tribe around thy friendly banks
With infant uproar and soul-soothing pranks,
Released from school, their little hearts at rest,
Launch paper navies on thy waveless breast.
The rustic here at eve with pensive look
Whistling lorn ditties leans upon his crook,

Or starting pauses with hope-mingled dread
To list the much-loved maid's accustomed tread:
She, vainly mindful of her dame's command,
Loiters, the long-filled pitcher in her hand.
Unboastful Stream! thy fount with pebbled falls
The faded form of past delight recalls,
What time the morning sun of Hope arose,
And all was joy; save when another's woes
A transient gloom upon my soul imprest,
Like passing clouds impictured on thy breast.
Life's current then ran sparkling to the noon,
Or silvery stole beneath the pensive Moon:
Ah! now it works rude brakes and thorns among,
Or o'er the rough rock bursts and foams along!

LINES ON A FRIEND,

WHO DIED OF A FRENZY FEVER INDUCED BY
CALUMNIOUS REPORTS.

EDMUND! thy grave with aching eye I scan,
And inly groan for Heaven's poor outcast-Man!

'Tis tempest all or gloom: in early youth
If gifted with the Ithuriel lance of Truth
We force to start amid her feigned caress
VICE, Siren-hag! in native ugliness;

A Brother's fate will haply rouse the tear,

And on we go in heaviness and fear!

But if our fond hearts call to PLEASURE'S bower
Some pigmy FOLLY in a careless hour,

The faithless guest shall stamp the enchanted ground
And mingled forms of Misery rise around:
Heart-fretting FEAR, with pallid look aghast,
That courts the future woe to hide the past;
REMORSE, the poisoned arrow in his side,
And loud lewd MIRTH, to Anguish close allied:
Till FRENZY, fierce-eyed child of moping pain,
Darts her hot lightning flash athwart the brain.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »