See her, when rude the north-wind blows, Warm in some rocky cell remain ; To seek for pleasure, well she knows, Descend," she cries, "thou hated shower, Deform my crystal waves to-day, For I have chose a fairer hour To take my fill of joy and play." TO A HEDGE-SPARROW. LITTLE flutterer! swiftly flying, There is none to harm thee near; Kite, nor hawk, nor school-boy prying; One who would protect thee ever, From the school-boy, kite, and hawk, Musing, now obtrudes, but never Dreamt of plunder in his walk. G He no weasel stealing slyly, May no cuckoo, wandering near thee, Little flutterer! swiftly flying, Here is none to harm thee near ; Kite, nor hawk, nor school-boy prying, Little flutterer! cease to fear. SOOTHED by the murmurs on the sea-beat shore, The bleak, lone sea-beach, or the rocky dale, And shun the orange bower, the myrtle vale, Whose gay luxuriance suits my soul no more. I love the ocean's broad expanse, when drest In limpid clearness, or when tempests blow; When the smooth currents on its placid breast Flow calm as my past moments used to flow; Or when its troubled waves refuse to rest, And seem the symbol of my present woe. THE PEACOCK. Albin. HARK, yon harsh, discordant cry, Uninviting doth it seem; Listening, who would ever deem That such beauty him was nigh? Let us pause-thou stately bird, And on humbler throats conferr'd? None would ever heed thy call Such a scream was never heard. See, outspread thy glories shine, To witness splendour such as thine :- How to Vice doth Virtue's voice All the charms which are her share, Full of discord seems her choice; But, approach'd, how to the heart She doth happiness impart, And, taking hands with joy, rejoice. As on that bird yon glorious orb 'Neath the Sun of Righteousness, Which alone hath power to bless, Doth her call no more disturb. |