THE HERMIT; OR, EDWIN AND ANGELINA. A BALLAD. 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, 66 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 "But from the mountain's graffy side "A fcrip with herbs and fruits fupply'd, "And water from the fpring. "Then, Pilgrim, turn-thy cares forego- Soft as the dew from heaven descends, The grateful stranger lowly bends, Far shelter'd in a glade obscure No ftores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care— And now, when bufy crowds retire And spread his vegetable store, The ling'ring hours beguil'd. Around, in fympathetic mirth, But nothing could a charm impart His rifing cares the Hermit fpy'd, "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- "And love is still an emptier found- "For fhame, fond youth-thy forrows hush, Surpris'd he fees new beauties rife, The bashful look, the rifing breast, "And, ah! forgive a ftranger rude, "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. |