LOVE'S CAPTIVITY.

Bel piacer di un core amante, &c.

Metastasio

OH sweetest pleasure of a heart that feels
Itself beloved, and loving, thus to sigh!-
"There is my happiness," whilst it reveals
Its chains, and glories in captivity.
And when by reason chastened and refined,
How pure and innocent its blisses prove!
In its soft sighs the spirit breathes, combined,
The sternest duty, with the tenderest love!

THE SAME SUBJECT.

SWEET privilege of a loving soul,
To say, "This is my happiness,"

To own the spell of Love's control,

To boast its chains-nor wish them less. Should Reason's voice the bliss commend, How innocent the fond delight!

The' enraptured spirit joys to blend

The tenderest breathings with the sternest right.

SONNET.

From Tasso.

I WATCH the stars ;- -some walk their gorgeous

maze,

Some shooting tremulous from Heaven's blue

shade

Flash like the bright eyes of a joyful maid, When to her beauty loved ones tune their lays: Those stars, they surely love; and, pitying, gaze On our affections, prone as flowers to fade; And pure young joys life's thorny cares invade; Their love is truth-their truth, eternal praise!

Were I Leander on the midnight sea,

Or tossed adventurer bound to climes unknown, Would ye, bright spirits! grudge your courtesy? May you so shine as ye have ever shone!

Do but befriend my hapless bark and meMy compass, Love hath in the rude waves thrown.

EPITAPH ON A YOUNG LADY.

From the French.

FAREWELL! farewell! like flowers that wither,
Thou'st fled upon the wing of Death,
And Love and Sorrow flew together,
To bear away thy parting breath!

Pain's gentlest tear was Sorrow weeping
That thus thy blossoming promise fled,
Whilst Love his holiest shaft was steeping

In the warm tears that Sorrow shed.