I know not what reviving sun Can e'er that spring renew: Then seize the glorious golden days, Oft where the crowded stage invites, Or woo them while they sport around Oft seek the haunts where Health and Joy Or plaintive strains breathe soft desire, Yet ah! where'er you bend your way, From Folly's vain delusive charms, So when the wintry hours shall come, Safe shall you ward th' impending storm, Perpetual charms, unfading Spring, In sweet reflection find; THE MAN OF SORROW. [GREVILLE.] AH! what avails the lengthening mead, By nature's kindest bounty spread Along the vale of flowers! Ah! what avails the dark ning grove, Or Philomel's melodious love, That glads the midnight hours! For me (alas!) the god of day Ne'er glitters on the hawthorn spray, I have no pleasure in the rose: For me no vernal beauty blows, Nor Philomela sings. See, how the sturdy peasants stride, yon hillock's verdant side, Adown In cheerful ignorance blest! Alike to them the rose or thorn, Alike arises every morn, By gay contentment drest. Content, fair daughter of the skies, She visits oft the hamlet-cot, But see-or is it Fancy's dream? Behold, behold, in loose array, More mild than Paphian doves! Welcome, O! welcome, Pleasure's queen! And see, along the velvet green, The jocund train advance: With scatter'd flowers they fill the air, The wood-nymph's dew-bespangled hair Plays in the sportive dance. Ah! baneful grant of angry heaven, Joys fly with every hour away, And see, with visionary haste, Despair has seiz'd my captive soul, Ten thousand beauties round me throng, I see the lawn of hideous dye, Ye gilded roofs, Palladian domes, Ye were for misery made "Twas thus the man of sorrow spoke, His wayward step then pensive took Along th' unhallow'd shade. A PRAYER FOR INDIFFERENCE. [MRS. GREVILLE.] OFT I've implor'd the gods in vain, Sweet airy being, wanton sprite, If e'er thy pitying heart was mov'd, And for th' Athenian maid who lov'd, Oh! deign once more t' exert thy power Sov'reign as juice of western flow'r, Conceals a balm for me. |