To me ye are lost!--but your summits of green As I cleave the dark waves of your rock-rugged shore, From the oak-towering woods on the mountains of home. Miss Bannerman. INSCRIPTION, DESIGNED FOR A VILLAGE SPRING. CALM is the tenor of my way, Which he who drinks shall thirst no more. TO CHEERFULNESS. FAIR as the dawning light! auspicious guest! Source of all comforts to the human breast! Where dost thou deign, say, in what blest retreat, To choose thy mansion, and to fix thy seat? Thy sacred presence how shall we explore? Can Av'rice gain thee with her golden store? Can vain Ambition, with her boasted charms, Tempt thee within her wide-extended arms? No, with content alone canst thou abide, Thy sister ever smiling by thy side. When boon companions, void of ev'ry care, Crown the full bowl, and the rich banquet share, And give a loose to pleasure-art thou there? Or when the eager swains pursue the chase With active limbs, and health in ev'ry face, } Is it the voice that wak'ning up the morn, Whilst beauty spreads its sweetest charm around, } Thy aid, O ever faithful, ever kind, Through life, through death, attends the virtuous mind; Of angry fate wards from us ev'ry blow, Cures ev'ry ill, and softens ev'ry woe. Whatever good our mortal state desires, What wisdom finds, or innocence inspires; From Nature's bounteous hand whatever flows, Whate'er our Maker's providence bestows, By thee mankind enjoys; by thee repays A grateful tribute of perpetual praise. Calcot's Moral Thoughts. THE LADY'S SCULL. BLUSH not, ye fair! to own me-but be wise, Adieu those eyes that made the darkness light: Turn from your mirror, and behold in me Nor here am plac'd but to direct the heart. On beauty's fragile state no more depend; Here youth and pleasure, age and sorrow end: Here drops the mask, here ends the final scene, Nor differs grave three-score from gay fifteen. All press alike to the same goal-the tomb, Where wrinkled Laura smiles at Chloe's bloom. When coxcombs flatter, and when fools adore, Here learn the lesson, to be vain no more: Yet virtue still against decay can arm, And even lend MORTALITY a charm. Calcot's Moral Thoughts. THE GENTLEMAN'S SCULL. WHY start?-the case is yours-or will be soon; And those who longest dream must 'wake in death. Till steep'd in sorrow, and besieg'd with pain, Fame, titles, honours, next I vainly sought, And fools obsequious nurs'd the childish thought; Circled with brib'd applause, and purchas'd praise, I built on endless grandeur, endless days: 'Till death awoke me from my dream of pride, And laid a prouder beggar by my side. |