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THE HERMIT;

OR,

EDWIN AND ANGELINA.

A BALLAD.

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TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale, "And guide my lonely way,

"To where yon taper cheers the vale "With hospitable ray;

"For here forlorn and loft I tread, "With fainting steps and flow, "Where wilds, immeafurably spread, "Seem length'ning as I go."

"Forbear, my fon," the Hermit cries, "To tempt the dang'rous gloom; "For yonder phantom only ties

"To lure thee to thy doom.

"Here, to the houseless child of want,

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My door is open still;

"And though my portion is but scant,

"I give it with good will.

"Then turn to-night, and freely share

"Whate'er my cell beftows"My rufhy couch and frugal fare,

"My bleffing and repose.

"No flocks that range the valley free
"To flaughter I condemn―
"Taught by that Power that pities me,
"I learn to pity them:.

"But from the mountain's graffy side
"A guiltlefs feast I bring-

"A fcrip with herbs and fruits fupply'd, "And water from the fpring.

"Then, Pilgrim, turn-thy cares forego-
"All earth-born cares are wrong-
"Man wants but little here below,
"Nor wants that little long."

Soft as the dew from heaven descends,
His gentle accents fell:

The grateful stranger lowly bends,
And follows to the cell.

Far shelter'd in a glade obscure
The modeft manfion lay-
A refuge to the neighb'ring poor
And strangers led astray.

No ftores beneath its humble thatch

Requir'd a master's care—
The wicket opening with a latch,
Receiv'd the harmless pair.

And now, when bufy crowds retire
To take their ev❜ning reft,
The Hermit trimm'd his little fire,
And cheer'd his penfive guest;

And spread his vegetable store,
And gaily preft and smil'd!
And, fkill'd in legendary lore,

The ling'ring hours beguil'd.

Around, in fympathetic mirth,
Its tricks the kitten tries;
The cricket chirrups in the hearth;
The crackling faggot flies.

But nothing could a charm impart
To foothe the stranger's woe;
For grief was heavy at his heart,
. And tears began to flow.

His rifing cares the Hermit fpy'd,
With answering care oppreft:

"And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The forrows of thy breast?

"From better habitation spurn'd,

"Reluctant doft thou rove?

"Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd,

"Or unregarded love?

"Alas! the joys that fortune brings

"Are trifling, and decay!

"And those who prize the paltry things, "More trifling ftill than they.

"And what is friendship but a name-
“A charm that lulls to sleep-
"A fhade that follows wealth or fame,
"And leaves the wretch to weep?

"And love is still an emptier found-
"The modern fair-one's jeft;
"On earth unfeen, or only found
"To warm the turtle's neft.

"For fhame, fond youth-thy forrows hush,
"And spurn the fex," he faid;
But while he spoke, a rifing blush
His love-lorn guest betray'd.

Surpris'd he fees new beauties rife,
Swift mantling to the view—
Like colours o'er the morning fkies,
As bright, as transient too.

The bashful look, the rifing breast,
Alternate spread alarms--
The lovely ftranger ftands confeft
A maid in all her charms!

"And, ah! forgive a ftranger rude,
"A wretch forlorn," he cried;
"Whofe feet unhallow'd thus intrude
"Where heaven and you refide:

"But let a maid thy pity share,

"Whom love has taught to stray; "Who feeks for reft, but finds despair "Companion of her way.

"My father liv'd befide the Tyne,

"A wealthy Lord was he;

"And all his wealth was mark'd as mine→→→→

"He had but only me.

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