Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

LINES UPON A COUNTRY RESIDENCE.

Fatigued with London, and her noisy streets,
Deserted mansions, and autumnal heats;
Let me, once more, inhale thy fragrant air,
As some poor peasant carols free from care;
Or the pale glow-worm with her tranquil light,
Allures each fairy at approaching night.
And when the sun-beam sheds no genial ray,
Or low'ring skies forbode th' inclement day;
Revive the feelings happy childhood knew,
As daring Sinbad's wild romance we view;
As Gil Blas cavern, or Aladdin's lamp,

Their lasting image on the bosom stamp;
Then as bright Luna cheers th' impervious gloom,

And fabled spectres soar on Hecate's broom,
With taste and feeling ever to preside,

(Friendship's kind nurse, and fancy's playful guide ;)

Call the soft harp melodious strains to breathe,

Or crown some "Album" with the laurel wreath.

'Till fair Aurora at the rising dawn,

Yokes her fleet coursers to the car of Morn;

Life's dull realities" must then appear,

While each fond object claims a parting tear.

VOL. II.

33

34

LINES UPON A COUNTRY RESIDENCE

On hasty wing these visions soon must close,
And in thy shades a younger race repose;

In search of pleasure distant climes explore,
When all we cherish, shall exist no more;

The flowers that shed their fragrance thro' the grove,
Perfum'd thy precincts, and festoon'd alcove,
Now lifeless seem, envelop'd deep in snow,

As northern breezes o'er the valley blow.
Another year will renovate their tomb,
Rich harvests ripen, and fresh roses bloom;
The gen'rous grape-another year matures,
And the fair landscape's brilliant tint allures;
Yet our brief season will no more return,

No Springs will brighten, and no Summers burn;
No Autumns gladden, and no Winters chill,

Nor mirth and friendship long the bosom thrill ;* Each fleeting moment wisely then employ,

In useful duties or convivial joy,

"Soles occidere et redire possunt;

"Nobis quum semel occidit brevis lux;

"Nox est perpetua una dormienda.

Catullus.

AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.

That once elaps'd and slumb'ring in the grave,
No wealth can purchase, and no power can save.
And let our Muse the Sabine Bard recall,

(Since e'en Creation is ordain'd to fall ;)

From vain regrets, and gloomy thoughts abstain,
Like him Minerva join to gay Anacreon's train.

35

LINES FOR A LADY'S ALBUM;

UPON A ROSE, PRESENTED BY HER, WHEN RETURNING FROM

THE CHASE.

FLED are those colours, as the rainbow bright,

Which shone so brilliant at the close of night;
Fled is that fragrance you alone bestow,

Equal to all Arabian valleys grow,

All Eastern Poets or romances feign,

In sultry Persia's aromatic plain.

Tho' trite the maxim-(e'en from childhood known,)

And for th' intrusion, folly must atone;

Your late fair owner's lovely cheek will fade,

And Time's cold hand her tresses must unbraid;

LINES FOR A LADY'S ALBUM.

37

She can but reign the idol of a day,

And bask in Beauty's evanescent ray ;

Swell the gay" cortege" floating with the stream,

'Till age shall dissipate each youthful dream.

Yet may she long with dignity and grace,

On her fleet Arab join the healthful chase;

"Till call'd the reins of future life to guide,
And o'er some castellated hall preside;

Long may she there each winning charm unfold,
Firmly discreet, and temperately bold;

While friendly guests partake the social fare,
Her taste, good humour, and acquirements share;

'Till that great hunter, Death's terrific king,
With his loud bugle makes each valley ring;
The distant wood-nymphs then must all arise,
To join her kindred in their plaintive cries;
Dryads and Fauns will sound the solemn knell,
And chaste Diana-long a mourner dwell;—

To ancient fables now proclaim adieu,
Tho' drawn by fiction in her gayest hue;
And may this Album long thro' life befriend,
In youth or age, her varied scenes attend;

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »