Here ends Tale: for in a trice my Arrived a neighbour with his horse; Peter went forth with him straightway; And, with due care, ere break of day Together they brought back the Corse. And many years did this poor Ass, And Peter Bell, who, till that night, Had been the wildest of his clan, Forsook his crimes, repressed his folly, And, after ten months' melancholy, Became a good and honest man. SONNETS. I. ΤΟ HAPPY the feeling from the bosom thrown Happy the thought best likened to a stone Of the sea-beach, when, polished with nice care, Veins it discovers exquisite and rare, Which for the loss of that moist gleam atone That tempted first to gather it. O chief Of Friends! such feelings if I here present, Such thoughts, with others mixed less fortunate; Then smile into my heart a fond belief That Thou, if not with partial joy elate, Receiv'st the gift for more than mild content! |