And maids and shepherd-youths were seen, To celebrate the May. Father of many a forest deep, (Whence many a navy thunder-fraught) Erst in their acorn-cells asleep, Soon destined o'er the world to sweep, Wont in the night of woods to dwell, And, planting there the guardian-spell, Sung forth, the dreadful pomp to swell Of human sacrifice! Thy singed top and branches bare Now straggle in the evening sky; And the wan moon wheels round to glare On the long corse that shivers there Of him who came to die! WELL may you sit within, and, fond of grief, Look in each other's face, and melt in tears. Well may you shun all counsel, all relief. Oh she was great in mind, tho' young in years! *On the death of a younger sister. Changed is that lovely countenance, which shed Light when she spoke; and kindled sweet surprise, As o'er her frame each warm emotion spread, Played round her lips, and sparkled in her eyes. Those lips. so pure, that moved but to persuade, Those eyes at once her secret soul conveyed, Yet has she fled the life of bliss below, That youthful Hope in bright perspective drew? False were the tints! false as the feverish glow That o'er her burning cheek Distemper threw! And now in joy she dwells, in glory moves! ON A TEAR. OH! that the Chemist's magic art Could crystallize this sacred treasure! The little brilliant, ere it fell, Its lustre caught from CHLOE's eye; Then, trembling, left its coral cell- Sweet drop of pure and pearly light! More calmly clear, more mildly bright, Benign restorer of the soul! Who ever fly'st to bring relief, When first we feel the rude controul Of Love or Pity, Joy or Grief. The sage's and the poet's theme, Thou charm'st in Fancy's idle dream, In Reason's philosophic page. That very law which moulds a tear, And bids it trickle from its source, That law preserves the earth a sphere, And guides the planets in their course. *The law of gravitation. |