From others' eyes bid artless sorrows flow, Shall deign my love-lorn tale to hear, HAIL, lovely power! whose bosom heaves the sigh, When fancy paints the scene of deep distress, Whose tears spontaneous crystallize the eye, When rigid Fate denies the power to bless. Not all the sweets Arabia's gales convey From flow'ry meads, can with that sigh compare; Not dew-drops glittering in the morning ray Seem near so beauteous as that falling tear. Devoid of fear, the fawns around thee play; Come, lovely nymph, and range the mead with me, And when the air with heat meridian glows, Or turn to nobler, greater tasks, thy care, Teach me to sooth the helpless orphan's grief, And be the sure resource of drooping age. So, when the genial spring of life shall fade, And gild the close of life's eventful day. RECOLLECTIONS IN ADVERSITY. [J. M.] SWEET was my father's kiss to me And when the blushing morning came, O how I lov'd to lisp his name, Then oft I felt my infant heart Oppress'd with boding fears and care, The fairing gay was still for me, His gifted doll I drest with glee, With spangled silk and ribbands bound, My task perform'd-my lesson learn'd, My seat was by him in the bower, An arm to me was welcome still, He bade the strains my soul inspire That charm'd him from th' immortal And kindling with the Muse's fire, He felt the bard's delirious rage. My morn of life unclouded rose; page; Kind parents strew'd my path with flowers; Soft pleasures charm'd me to repose, And careful watch'd my waking hours. But ah! my noon is overcast To me hath dire misfortune come, I shrink before the chilling blast- Yet, oh! forgive him powers above! Who made me slight a father's love, But cold in dust my parents sleep, My piercing woes they cannot see-- ELEGY TO THE MEMORY OF AN UNFORTUNATE LADY. [POPE.] WHAT beck'ning ghost, along the moonlight shade Invites my steps, and points to yonder glade? |