While yon sky-lark warbles high,
While yon Rustic whistles gay,
On thy banks oh Cam I lie ;
Museful pour the pensive lay.
Willowy Cam thy lingering stream
Suits too well the thoughtful breast,
Languor here might love to dream,
Sorrow here might sigh to rest.
Near yon steeple's tapering height,*
Beauteous Julia,† thou art laid;
* Chesterton Church, near Cambridge.
The young woman, on occasion of whose death was written Elegy the second, in the Author's Poems published in 1792.
I could linger thro' the night,
Still to mourn thee, lovely maid!
In yon garden Fancy reads,
Sophron strays no longer here :"
Then again my bosom bleeds;
Then I drop the silent tea.
Hoary Cam! steal slow along!
Near yon desolated grove
Sleep the partners of my song;
There with them I wont to rove,
He the Youth+ of fairest fame,
Hasten'd to an early tomb;
Friendship shall record his name,
Pity mourn his hapless doom,
* Robert Robinson, author of various ingenious and learned publications, whose memoirs were written by the author, resided in this village.
+ William Taylor, formerly fellow of Emanuel Col. lege; the most intimate and highly esteemed of the author's friends when at College: and if extensive learning, a sound judgment, a modest demeanor, and unblemished morals, have a claim to respectful remembrance, Wil liam Taylor will not be soon forgotten by him,
Hark! I hear the death-bell sound!
There another spirit fled !
Still mine ears the tidings wound;
Philo slumbers with the dead.
Well he knew the Critic's part;
Shakespeare's name to him was dear
Kind and gentle was his heart;
-Now again I drop the tear.
Bending sad beside thy stream,
While I heave the frequent sigh,
Do thy rippling waters gleam,
Sympathetic murmuring by ?
Then Oh! Cam, will I return,
Hail thy soothing stream again,
And as viewing Julia's urn,
Grateful bless thee in my strain.
Still there are who raptured view
Scenes which youthful hopes endear,
Where they science learn to woo;
Still they love to wander here.
Peace they meet in every grove;
Lives again the rapturous song;
Sweetly sportive still they rove,
Cam! thy sedgey banks along,
Stately streams, and glens, and lakes,
They can leave to Scotia's plains;
Mountains hoar, and vales, and brakes,
They resign to Cambrian swains.
But these placid scenes full well
Suit the quiet musing breast:
Here if Fancy may not dwell,
Science shall delight to rest.
Repine not O my friend! if Heaven has sent
Some sorrows on thy youth, nor waste the hours
In idle grief and wailing discontent,
But rouse thy spirit and with all its powers
Wrestle the strife of fortune.
Of evil on the aged head descends,
Heavy it falls, no stirring hope befriends,
No active enterprize alleviates woe,
No busy expectation comes to save,
Death only then the kindly aid extends
And gives deliverance in the peaceful grave.
But youth is strong, and in that vigorous age
Trials are blessings sure if they excite
To wholesome energy. Put forth thy might
And boldly with the adverse world engage!
The bare exertion will beguile distress;
And when thy labours have obtained success,
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