XLVIII.

Nor be thy generous indignation check'd,
Nor check'd the tender tear to Misery given ;
From Guilt's contagious power shall that protect,
This soften and refine the soul for Heaven.

But dreadful is their doom, whom doubt has driven
To censure Fate, and pious Hope forego:

Like yonder blasted boughs by lightning riven,
Perfection, beauty, life, they never know,

But frown on all that pass, a monument of wo.

XLIX.

Shall he, whose birth, maturity, and age,
Scarce fill the circle of one summer day,

Shall the poor gnat with discontent and rage
Exclaim, that Nature hastens to decay,

If but a cloud obstruct the solar ray,

If but a momentary shower descend!

Or shall frail man Heaven's dread decree gainsay,
Which bade the series of events extend

Wide through unnumber'd worlds and ages without end?

L.

One part, one little part, we dimly scan

Through the dark medium of life's feverish dream;
Yet dare arraign the whole stupendous plan,
If but that little part incongruous seem.

Nor is that part perhaps what mortals deem;
Oft from apparent ill our blessings rise.

O then renounce that impious self-esteem,
That aims to trace the secrets of the skies;
For thou art but of dust; be humble, and be wise.

LI.

Thus Heaven enlarged his soul in riper years.
For Nature gave him strength and fire, to soar
On Fancy's wing above this vale of tears;
Where dark cold-hearted sceptics, creeping, pore
Through microscope of metaphysic lore:
And much they grope for truth, but never hit.
For why? their powers, inadequate before,

This idle art makes more and more unfit;

Yet deem they darkness light, and their vain blunders wit.

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LII.

Nor was this ancient dame a foe to mirth.

Her ballad, jest, and riddle's quaint device
Oft cheer'd the shepherds round their social hearth;
Whom levity or spleen could ne'er entice
To purchace chat or laughter, at the price
Of decency. Nor let it faith exceed,

That Nature forms a rustic taste so nice.
Ah! had they been of court or city breed,
Such delicacy were right marvellous indeed.

LIII.

Oft when the winter-storm had ceased to rave, He roam'd the snowy waste at even, to view The cloud stupendous, from th' Atlantic wave High-towering, sail along th' horizon blue: Where 'midst the changeful scenery ever new Fancy a thousand wond'rous forms descries More wildly great than ever pencil drew, Rocks, torrents, gulfs, and shapes of giant size, And glittering cliffs on cliffs, and fiery ramparts rise.

LIV.

Thence musing onward to the sounding shore,
The lone enthusiast oft would take his way,

Listening with pleasing dread to the deep roar
In black array

Of the wide-weltering waves.

When sulphurous clouds roll'd on th' autumnal day... Even then he hasten'd from the haunt of man,

Along the trembling wilderness to stray,

What time the lightning's fierce career began,

And o'er Heaven's rending arch the rattling thunder ran.

LV.

Responsive to the sprightly pipe when all

In sprightly dance the village-youth were join'd,
Edwin, of melody aye held in thrall.

From the rude gambol far remote reclined,

Sooth'd with the soft notes warbling in the wind.

Ah then, all jolity seem'd noise and folly.

To the pure soul by Fancy's fire refined,

Ah what is mirth but turbulence unholy,

When with the charm compared of heavenly melancholy.