6.
“No flocks that range the valley free,

To slaughter I condemn;
Taught by that Power that pities me,
I learn to pity them :

7.
“But from the mountain's grassy side

A guiltless feast I bring;
A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied,
And water from the spring.

8.
“Then, pilgrim, turn; thy cares forego;

All earth-born cares are wrong: Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long.'

9.
Soft as the dew from Heaven descends,

His gentle accents fell:
The modest stranger lowly bends,
And follows to the cell.

10.
Far in a wilderness obscure

The lonely mansion lay,
A refuge to the neighb'ring poor
And strangers led astray.

11.
No stores beneath its humble thatch

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

12.
And now, when busy crowds retire

To take their evening rest,
The Hermit trimm'd his little fire,
And cheer'd his pensive guest;

13. And spread his vegetable store,

And gayly press'd, and smil'd; And, skill'd in legendary lore, The ling'ring hours beguil'd.

14. Around in sympathetic mirth

Its tricks the kitten tries,
The cricket chirrups in the hearth,
The crackling faggot flies.

15.
But nothing could a charm impart

To soothe the stranger's woe; For grief was heavy at his heart, And tears began to flow.

16. His rising cares the Hermit spy'd,

With answ'ring care opprest: * And whence, unhappy youth,” he cry’d, “The sorrows of thy breast?

17.
“From better habitations spurn'd,

Reluctant dost thou rove?
Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd,
Or unregarded love?

18.
“Alas! the joys that fortune brings

Are trisling, and decay;
And those who prize the trifling things,
More trifling still than they.

19.
“And what is friendship but a name;

A charm that lulls to sleep;
A shade that follows wealth or fame,

But leaves the wretch to weep?

20. "And love is still an emptier sound,

The modern fair one's jest: On earth unseen, or only found To warm the turtle's nest.

21. “For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush,

And spurn the sex,” he said; But while he spoke, a rising blush His love-lorn guest betray'd.

22.
Surpriz’d he sees new beauties rise,

Swift mantling to the view;
Like colours o'er the morning skies,
As bright, as transient too.

23.
The bashful look, the rising breast,

Alternate spread alarms:
The lovely stranger stands confest,
A maid in all her charms.

24.
“And, ah! forgive a stranger rude,

A wretch forlorn,” she cried; "Whose feet unhallow'd thus intrude

Where Heaven and you reside.

27.
“ To wiu me from his tender arms,

Uunumber'd suitors came;
Who prais'd me for imputed charms,
And felt, or feign'd a flame.

28.
“Each hour a mercenary crowd

With richest proffers strove; Amongst the rest young Edwin bow'd,

But never talk'd of love.

29.

“In humble, simplest habit clad,

No wealth nor power had he; Wisdom and worth were all he had,

But these were all to me.

30.

“And when beside me in the dale,

He carold lays of love,
His breath lent fragrance to the gale,
And music to the grove.

31.
“The blossom opening to the day,

The dews of Heaven refin'd, Could nought of purity display To emulate his mind.

32. “The dew, the blossom on the tree,

With charms inconstant shine; Their charms were his, but woe to me! Their constancy was mine.

33. “For still I tried each fickle art,

Importunate and vain; And while his passion touch'd my heart,

I triumph'd in his pain.

34. “Till quite dejected with my scorn,

He left me to my pride; And sought a solitude forlorn, In secret, where he dy'd.

35. “But mine the sorrow, mine the fault,

And well my life shall pay; I'll seek the solitude he suught, And stretch me where he lay.

36. “And there forlorn, despairing, hid,

I'll lay me down and die; 'T was so for me that Edwin did;

And so for him will I.”

37.

“Forbid it Heaven!” the Hermit cry'd,

And clasp'd her to his breast : The wond’ring fair one turn’d to chide, 'T was Edwin's self that prest.

38.
“Turn, Angelina, ever dear,

My charmer, turn to see
Thy own, thy long-lost Edwin here,
Restor'd to love and thee.

39.
“Thus let me hold thee to my heart,

And ev'ry care resigu:
And shall we never, never part,
My life, my all that 's mine?

40.
“No, never, from this hour to part,

We 'll live and love so true; The sigh that rends thy constant heart,

Shall break thy Edwin's too."