IX.

Is not this lesson taught us day by day, By Reason, Feeling, Nature, Nature's God? Doth love not warble in the songster's lay? Doth love not prank with flowers, the grassy sod? Love sanctifies each scene where man hath trod! It murmurs in each stream that sings unseen, It lifts the snowdrop from the frozen clod, It paints the forest with its varied green, And bends o'er all the earth in yon blue sky serene!

X.

The Spirit of the Universe is Love!
This truth divine, in every scene below,
The soul's fine impulses continual prove:
Yet how doth sad experience ever show
That man to man is still the sternest foe!
Oh! let me tear this guilt from out my breast,
Let social friendship in my bosom glow,

So shall I have improv'd this lesson best,

Which Solitude and Thought have on my heart imprest.

CHRISTMAS EPISTLE.

TO A LADY.

MADAM,

Permit a rambling child of Rhyme,
Though scarce a child of Reason,
To offer you, in this rude chime,
"The Wishes of the Season."

For many a pleasant hour I am

Your grateful, humble debtor;

And more kind smiles than I can cram

Into one little letter.

And smiles to me, from Woman's lips,
By Wife or Maiden given,

My very soul in transport steeps,
And yields a glimpse of Heaven!

Yet not a chilling heartless smile-
A frown to that divine is;

But cheerful, sweet, and free from guile,

Just such a smile-as thine is.

We have not now-alas, the day!

The good old Christmas Carol,
The mask-the mime-the merry lay-
The tales of love or peril—

The cheerful game of "Blind man's buff,”
The racy rich Canary,

Which wont to warm our fathers bluff
In the winter evenings dreary.

We have not now-but what avails
To talk of pleasures perish'd?
Still Christmas, with thy wint❜ry gales,
Thou'rt dearly to be cherish'd!

Thy sacred summons still doth bring
Full many a heart together;
And sever'd Friendships freshly spring,
Which but for thee would wither.

No spreading robe of verdant green,
No perishable blossom

Of flow'ret fair is in thy train,

Nor decks thy matron bosom.

But is not Love the fairest flower

That e'er on earth has flourish'd?
And ever, in thy wint'ry bower,
It has been fondest nourish'd.

Thy flowers are not of lowly birth,
By God to mortals given;
And, cherish'd carefully on earth,
Shall blossom bright in Heaven!

Thus, Christmas! in thy lap we see
Warm Friendship sweetly shining;
And Love and pensive Memory
Around thy neck entwining!

Lady, when I began this strain,
To send my humble duty,
I meant to speak as most of men
Discourse to youth and beauty.-

Yet gallant phrase of warm respect
Was ne'er the surest token;
And what we deeply cherish, still
Should seriously be spoken.

May you, and every one you love,

Young, old, afar or near,

Heaven's dearest, choicest blessings prove,

Through many a coming year!

May many a Christmas roll away,

In heart-felt pleasure past,

And Memory gild Hope's coming ray
Still brighter to the last!

The last! ah! if my prayer could reach
To Heaven, even then, 'twould be,

For thee, for thine, for all, for each,
A bright Eternity!

M

SEA-SIDE FANCIES.

I.

'Tis a blessed thing, when the mind is calm,

To feel each sweet emotion

From the depths of the placid soul arise,
Like a sea fowl to the azure skies,

From the bosom of the Ocean.

II.

O Spring! how beautiful art thou,
By land and sky and sea!
In all that meets the eye around,
What loveliness! in every sound,
What gleesome melody!

III.

But leave the woods and flowers awhile,
And the Thrush on the lofty tree,
And seek the broadly stretching strand,
Where, joyous, on the golden sand
Leaps up the laughing Sea!