CHILDREN of Fancy, whither are ye fled? To these fond arms you led the tyrant, Love, U 'Rest, gentle youth! while on the quivering breeze Slides to thine ear this softly-breathing strain; Sounds that move smoother than the steps of Ease, And pour oblivion in the ear of Pain. 'In this fair vale eternal Spring shall smile, And Time unenvious crown each roseate hour; Eternal joy shall every care beguile, Breathe in each gale, and bloom in every flower. This silver stream, that down its crystal way Frequent has led thy musing steps along, Shall, still the same, in sunny mazes play, And with its murmurs melodize thy song. 'Unfading green shall these fair groves adorn; Those living meads immortal flowers unfold; In rosy smiles shall rise each blushing morn, And every evening close in clouds of gold. The tender loves that watch thy slumbering rest, And round thee flowers and balmy myrtles strew, Shall charm, through all approaching life,thy breast, With joys for ever pure, for ever new. "The genial power that speeds the golden dart, Each charm of tender passion shall inspire; With fond affection fill the mutual heart, And feed the flame of ever-young desire. 'Come, gentle Loves! your myrtle garlands bring; The smiling bower with cluster'd roses spread; Come, gentle airs! with incense-dropping wing The breathing sweets of vernal odour shed. 'Hark, as the strains of swelling music rise, How the notes vibrate on the favouring gale! Auspicious glories beam along the skies, And powers unseen the happy moments hail! "Ecstatic hours! so every distant day Like this serene on downy wings shall move; Rise crown'd with joys that triumph o'er decay, The faithful joys of Fancy and of Love.' ELEGY II. AND were they vain, those soothing lays ye sung?- Of all that Youth and Love and Fancy frame, When painful Anguish speeds the piercing dart, Or Envy blasts the blooming flowers of Fame. Nurse of wild wishes, and of fond desires, The prophetess of Fortune, false and vain, The scenes where Peace in Ruin's arms expires Fallacious Hope deludes her hapless train. Go, Siren, go-thy charms on others try; Come happier hours of sweet unanxious rest, [close. His generous praise shall then delight no more, Nor the sweet magic of his tender lays Shall touch the bosom which it charm'd before. Nor then, thou Malice, with insidious guise Of friendship, ope the unsuspecting breast; Nor then, though Envy broach her blackening lies, Shall these deprive me of a moment's rest. O state to be desir'd! when hostile rage Prevails in human more than savage haunts; When man with man eternal war will wage, And never yield that mercy which he wants. When dark design invades the cheerful hour, And draws the heart with social freedom warm, Its cares, its wishes, and its thoughts to pour, Smiling insidious with the hopes of harm. Vain man, to others' failings still severe, Yet not one foible in himself can find; Another's faults to Folly's eye are clear, But to her own e'en Wisdom's self is blind. O let me still, from these low follies free, And teach my heart to comment on my life. My tutor❜d mind from vulgar meanness save; Bring Peace, bring Quiet to my humble cell, And bid them lay the green turf on my grave. ELEGY III. BRIGHT o'er the green hills rose the morning ray, And thence of life this picture vain design'd: "O born to thoughts, to pleasures more sublime Than beings of inferior nature prove! To triumph in the golden hours of Time, And feel the charms of Fancy and of Love! 'High-favour'd man! for him unfolding fair In orient light this native landscape smiles; For him sweet Hope disarms the hand of Care, Exalts his pleasures, and his grief beguiles. 'Blows not a blossom on the breast of Spring, Breathes not a gale along the bending mead, Trills not a songster of the soaring wing, But fragrance, health, and melody succeed. |