ADVERTISEMENT. By persons resident in the country and attached to rural objects, many places will be found unnamed or of unknown names, where little Incidents must have occurred, or feelings been experienced, which will have given to such places a private and peculiar interest. From a wish to give some sort of record to such Incidents, or renew the gratification of such Feelings, Names have been given to Places by the Author and some of his Friends, and the following Poems written in consequence. POEMS ON THE NAMING OF PLACES. IT I. was an April morning: fresh and clear The Rivulet, delighting in its strength, Ran with a young man's speed; and yet the voice Was softened down into a vernal tone. And hopes and wishes, from all living things Το Between them and their object: yet, meanwhile, There was such deep contentment in the air, Yet leafless, seemed as though the countenance With which it looked on this delightful day Which, while I listened, seemed like the wild growth That could not cease to be. Green leaves were here; The yew, the holly, and the bright green thorn, Soon did the spot become my other home, My dwelling, and my out-of-doors abode. And, of the Shepherds who have seen me there, To whom I sometimes in our idle talk Have told this fancy, two or three, perhaps, When they have cause to speak of this wild place, II. TO JOANNA. AMID the smoke of cities did you pass The time of early youth; and there you learned, heart Who look upon the hills with tenderness, And make dear friendships with the streams and groves. Yet we, who are transgressors in this kind, Dwelling retired in our simplicity Among the woods and fields, we love you well, Joanna! and I guess, since you have been So distant from us now for two long years, you will gladly listen to discourse That |