And from the stirring world up-lifted high, There, while the prospect through the gazing eye Pours all its healthful greenness on the soul, We'll smile at wealth, and learn to smile at fame, Our hopes, our knowledge, and our joys the same, As neighbouring fountains image, each the whole : Then when the mind hath drank its fill of truth, We'll discipline the heart to pure delight, Rekindling sober joy's domestic flame. They whom I love shall love thee. Honor'd youth! Now may Heaven realize this vision bright! LINES To W. L. Esq. while he sang a Song to Purcell's Music. WHILE my young cheek retains its healthful hues, Such melodies as thine, lest I should lose My daily bread in tears and bitterness; With no beloved face at my bed-side, To fix the last glance of my closing eye, Methinks, such strains, breath'd by my angel-guide, Would make me pass the cup of anguish by, Mix with the blest, nor know that I had died! ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG MAN OF FORTUNE Who abandon'd himself to an indolent and causeless Melancholy. HENCE that fantastic wantonness of woe, O Youth to partial Fortune vainly dear! To plunder'd Want's half-shelter'd hovel go, Go, and some hunger-bitten Infant hear Moan haply in a dying Mother's ear: Or when the cold and dismal fog-damps brood O'er the rank church-yard with sear elm-leaves strew'd, Pace round some widow's grave, whose dearer part Was slaughter'd, where o'er his uncoffin'd limbs The flocking flesh-birds scream'd! Then, while thy heart Groans, and thine eye a fiercer sorrow dims, SONNET TO THE RIVER OTTER. DEAR native Brook! wild Streamlet of the West! How many various-fated years have past, What happy, and what mournful hours, since last I skimm❜d the smooth thin stone along thy breast, Numbering its light leaps! yet so deep impresst Sink the sweet scenes of childhood, that mine eyes I never shut amid the sunny ray, But strait with all their tints their waters rise, Thy crossing plank, thy marge with willows grey, And bedded sand that vein'd with various dies Gleam'd through thy bright transparence! On my way, Visions of childhood! oft have ye beguiled Lone manhood's cares, yet waking fondest sighs, Ah! that I were once more a careless child! VOL. II. SONNET. Composed on a journey homeward; the Author having received intelligence of the birth of a Son, September 20, 1796. OFT o'er my brain does that strange fancy roll Thou wert a spirit, to this nether sphere Sentenc'd for some more venial crime to grieve; Did'st scream, then spring to meet Heaven's quick reprieve, While we wept idly o'er thy little bier! * Ην που ημων η ψυχη πριν εν τωδε τω ανθρωπινω ειδεί γενεσθαι. PLAT. in Phædon. |