And I have known the slanderer's tongue Tho' mournful, mild was my complaint. To leave the scenes I held most dear : O! 'twas indeed a trying hour! Yet all my language was-A TEAR. And I have known the youth I lov'd And smiling boast that he was free! But I was mute, I only shed No-no!-I COULD not shed A TEAR! Ah! full was then my cup of grief- A beggar now I ask relief, A small, a trifling boon at most. Still can you chide me from your door? Ah, no!—your looks compassion wearSo large a gift!-Oh! words were poor― I thank, I bless you in-A TEAR. O. A. COOL REFLECTIONS DURING A MIDSUMMER WALK. O spare me-spare me, Phœbus! if indeed Drive earthward thy fierce steeds and fiery car; East, West, or North, or South! dear God of day, In pity, gentle Phoebus! What a joy, Oh what a joy to be a Seal and flounder With the white bear, cavern'd in polar snow! In the gift shirt Deianeira sent, Dipt in the blood of Nessus, just to keep Were it midnight, I should walk Till it dissolves in rain. O gentle Jove! Not a cloud nor breeze O you most heathen Deities! if ever My bones reach home (for, for the flesh upon them That hath resolved itself into a dew), I shall have learnt owl-wisdom. Most vile Phœbus, Upon this turnpike road, and I'll convert him But thy own fires. Now woe be to me wretch, Else might some mass for the poor souls that bleach, In that great Purgatory crucible, Help me. O Jupiter! my poor complexion ! My very cellular membrane will be changed— A brook! a brook! Oh what a sweet cool sound! 'Tis very nectar! It runs like life thro' every strengthen'd limb Nymph of the stream, now take a grateful prayer. THEODERIT. To a YOUNG LADY, On her first Appearance AFTER A DANGEROUS ILLNESS. Written in the Spring, 1799. I. Why need I say, OPHELIA dear! Risen from the bed of pain and fear, II. The breezy air, the sun, the sky, Their vernal loves commencing, Will better welcome you than I, With their sweet influencing. |