WRITTEN AFTER HAVING SEEN A LOVELY BUT MISERADLE GIRL. Slight was her form, and graceful; as she pass'd; And some fond, timid lover, thrilling shrunk From thine eye's virtuous radiance, thinking still, Himself too poor, to be thy virtue's meed.That beauty thus hath sunk thee, thus hath driv'n Peace, Health, and innocence away, and left The temple of thy God, thy spotless soul, To be a brothel house for want and vice. E’en whilst my tears drop o'er the expressive pairs Which thy soft eyes are shooting, my chill'd heart Shrinks from the wanton step, the asking mien.“ O, would to God! that thou wert once again Such as thou wert, while yet a stainless child! Tho' it should be thy fate to beg thy bread, And steep the hard-earn'd bit in bitter tears : Tho'a poor wretched out-cast, thou should'st stili Hunger all day, and then at night repose Cold on some lonely common; tho' no tongue Should ever on thine ear, or aching heart, Pour the warm tide of pity-still, O! still, It would be better far to wander thus, Than to remain the slave of selfish vice, The victim of the passions. Ah! thy reign Hath been but brief; thy wondrous beauty's power Hath fail'd, perchance, because thy heart retain'd Strong memory of its virtue, and too oft Cast clouds o'er thy spent spirits, and denied The power, to deck with njirth each riot scene. Unhappy girl! a female eye shall shed Those tears for thee, which ought in drops of blood To fall from thy seducer. Shame, O world ! THE DOVES. Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Are rarely known to stray. One silent eve, I wander'd late, And heard the voice of love; And sooth'd the listning dove; Dur mutual bond of faith and truth No time shall disengage, Shall cheer our latest age : While innocence without disguise, And constancy sincere, And mine can read them there; Those ills that wait on all below, Shall ne'er be felt by me, Or gently felt, and only so, As being shared with thee. When lightning's flash among the trees, Or kites are hovering near,. And know no other fear, 'Tis then I feel myself a wife, And press thy wedded side, Resolv'd an union form’d for life Death never shall divide. But oh! if fickle and unchaste, (Forgive a transient thought) Thou could'st become unkind at last, And scorn thy present lot. No need of lightening from on high, Or kites with cruel beak; Denied the endearments of thine eyes This widowed heart would break. Thus sung the sweet sequestered birda Soft as the passing wind, And I recorded what I heard, A lesson for mankind. THE SPARROW AND DIAMOND. I lately saw, what now I sing, Fair Lucia's hand display'd ; This finger grac'd a diamond ring, On that a sparrow play’d. The feather d play-thing she caress'd, Sbe stroak’d its head and wings; And while it nestled on her breast, She lisp'd the dearest things. With chizzled bill a spark ill-set He loosen'd from the rest, The easier to digest. She seiz'd his bill with wild affright, Her diamond to descry. 'Twas gone! she sicken'd at the sight, Moaning her bird would die, The tongue-ty'd knocker none might use, The curtains none undraw, DS |