My mother! when I learn'd that thou wast dead, Say, wast thou conscious of the tears I shed ? Hover'd thy spirit o'er thy sorr'wing son, Wretch even then, life's journey just begun? Perhaps thou gav'st me, though unfelt, a kiss ; Perhaps a tear, if souls can weep in bliss Ah that maternal smile! it answers--Yes. I heard the bell tolld on thy burial day, I saw the hearse, that bore thee slow away, And, turning from my nurs'ry window, drew A long, long sigh, and wept a last adieu ! But was it such ?-It was.-Where thou art gone Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown. May I but meet thee on that peaceful shore. The parting word shall pass my lips no more ! Thy maidens, griev'd themselves at my concern, Oft gave me promise of thy quick return. What ardently I wish’d, I long believ'd, And, disappointed still, was still deceiv'd. By expectation ev'ry day beguild, Dupe of to morrow even from a child.' Thus many a sad to morrow came and went, Till, all my stock of infant sorrow spent, I learn'd at last submission to my lot, But, though I less deplor'd thee, ne'er forgot. Where once we dwelt our name is heard no more, Children not thine have trod my nurs'ry floor; And where the gard'ner Robin, day by day, Bb Could Time, his flight revers'd, restore the hours, When, playing with thy vesture's' tissu'd flow'rs, The violet, the pink, and jessamine, I prick'd them into paper with a pin, (And thou wast happier than myself the while, Wouldst softly speak, and strokemyhead, and smile) Could those few pleasant days again appear, Might one wish bring them, would I wish them here? I would not trust my heart-the dear delight Seems so to be desir'd, perhaps I might. But no-what here we call our life is such,, So little to be lov'd, and thou so much, That I should ill requite thee to constrain Thy unbound spirit into bonds again. Thou, as a gallant bark from Albion's coast (The storms all weather'd and the ocean cross ay Shoots into port at some well-haven'd islé, min? Where spices breathe, and brighter seasons smile, There sits quiescent on the floods, that show $447 Her beauteous form reflected clear below, While airs impregnated with incense play Around her, fanning light her streamers gay; So thou, with sails how swift! hast reach'd the shore, Where tempests never beat nor billows roar # Garth. And thy lov'd consort on the dang'rous tide FRIENDSHIP. What virtue, or what mental grace, But men unqualified and base Will boast it their possession ? Profusion apes the noble part Of liberality of heart, And dulness of discretion. If every polish'd gem we find Provoke to imitation; Or rather constellation. No knave but bòldly will pretend A real and a sound one; And dream that he had found one, |