LIKE A LAVEROCK IN THE LIFT. Ir's we two, it's we two, it's we two for aye, What's the world, my lass, my love!- what can it do? Like a laverock in the lift, sing, O bonny bride! When the darker days come, and no sun will shine, THE LONG WHITE SEAM. As I came round the harbor buoy, The crags were white as cream; And I marked my love by candlelight Sewing her long white seam. It's aye sewing ashore, my dear, Watch and steer at sea, It's reef and furl, and haul the line, I climbed to reach her cottage door; My soul to meet it springs, Aye longing to list anew, Awake and in my dream, Fair fall the lights, the harbor That brought me in to thee, And peace drop down on that low roof For the sight that I did see, And the voice, my dear, that rang so clear All for the love of me. For oh, for oh, with brows bent low By the candle's flickering gleam, Her wedding-gown it was wrought, Sewing the long white seam. she [From Vanity of Human Wishes.] WISDOM'S PRAYER. WHERE then shall Hope and Fear their objects find? Must dull suspense corrupt the stagnant mind? Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate? Must no dislike alarm, no wishes rise; No cries invoke the mercies of the skies? Inquirer, cease; petitions yet remain, Which Heaven may hear, nor deem religion vain. Still raise for good the supplicating voice, But leave to Heaven the measure and the choice, Safe in His power, whose eyes discern afar The secret ambush of a specious | Yet, when the sense of sacred presence fires, And strong devotion to the skies aspires, Pour forth thy fervors for a healthful mind, Obedient passions, and a will resigned: For love, which scarce collective man can fill; For patience, sovereign o'er transmuted ill; For faith, that, panting for a happier seat, Counts death, kind Nature's signal of retreat: These goods for man the laws of Heaven ordain, These goods He grants, who grants the power to gain; With these celestial Wisdom calms the mind, And makes the happiness she does not find. [From Vanity of Human Wishes.] ON what foundation stands the How just his hopes, let Swedish Charles decide: A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, No dangers fright him, and no labors tire; O'er love, o'er fear, extends his wide domain, Unconquered lord of pleasure and of pain. No joys to him pacific sceptres yield, War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field; Behold surrounding kings their powers combine, And one capitulate, and one resign; Peace courts his hand, but spreads her charms in vain; "Think nothing gained," he cries. "till naught remain, And Winter barricades the realms of frost; He comes, nor want nor cold his course delay; Hide, blushing glory, hide Pultowa's day! The vanquished hero leaves his broken bands, And shows his miseries in distant lands; Condemned a needy suppliant to wait, While ladies interpose and slaves debate. But did not Chance at length her error mend? Did no subverted empire mark his end? Did rival monarchs give the fatal wound, [From London.] THE FATE OF POVERTY. By numbers here from shame or censure free, All crimes are safe but hated poverty, This, only this, the rigid law pursues, This, only this, provokes the snarling muse. BEN JONSON. TO DRINK to me only with thine eyes, Or leave a kiss but in the cup CELIA. I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee As giving it a hope that there It could not withered be; The thirst that from the soul doth But thou thereon didst only breathe rise Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine. And sent'st it back to me; Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, Not of itself but thee! |