Or Maro's mufe that in the fairest light EDWIN AND ANGELINA. A BALLAD. BY DR. GOLDSMITH. "TURN, gentle hermit of the dale, "For here, forlorn and loft I tread, "With fainting steps and flow; "Where wilds immeafurably fpread, "Seem lengthening as I go." "Forbear, my fon," the hermit cries, "To tempt the dangerous gloom; "For yonder faithless phantom flies "To lure thee to thy doom. "Here to the houseless child of want, "My door is open still; "And though my portion is but scant, "I give it with good will.. "Then turn to-night, and freely share "Whate'er my cell bestows; "My rushy couch, and frugal fare, 66 My bleffing and repose. "No flocks that range the valley free, "To flaughter I condemn: "Taught by that power that pities me, "I learn to pity them. "But from the mountain's graffy fide, "A guiltless feast I bring; "A fcrip with herbs and fruits fupply'd, "And water from the spring. "Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; "All earth-born cares are wrong: "Man wants but little here below, "Nor wants that little long." Soft as the dew from heav'n defcends, The modest stranger lowly bends, And follows to the cell. Far in a wildernefs obfcure The lonely mansion lay, A refuge to the neighbouring poor, And strangers led aftray. No ftores beneath its humble thatch And now when bufy crowds retire To take their evening reft, The hermit trimm'd his little fire, And cheer'd his penfive guest; And spread his vegetable store, And gayly prest, and smil'd, And skill'd in legendary lore, The lingering hours beguil'd. Around in fympathetic mirth But nothing could a charm impart For grief was heavy at his heart, His rifing cares the hermit fpy'd, With answering care oppreft: "And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The forrows of thy breaft? "From better habitation fpurn'd, "Reluctant doft thou rove; "Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, "Or unregarded love? "Alas! the joys that fortune brings, "Are trifling and decay; "And those who prize the paltry things, "More trifling ftill than they. "And what is friendship but a name, "A charm that lulls to fleep; "A fhade that follows wealth or fame, "But leaves the wretch to weep? "And love is ftill an emptier found, "The modern fair one's jeft, "On earth unfeen, or only found "To warm the turtle's neft. "For fhame, fond youth, thy forrows hufh, "And fpurn the fex," he faid: But, while he spoke, a rifing blush His love-lorn guest betray'd. Surpriz'd he fees new beauties rife Swift mantling to the view, Like colours o'er the morning skies, As bright, as tranfient too. The bafhful look, the rifing breast, "And, ah! forgive a stranger rude, "But let a maid thy pity share, "Whom love has taught to stray; "Who feeks for reft, but finds despair "Companion of her way. "My father liv'd befide the Tyne, "A wealthy lord was he; "And all his wealth was mark'd as mine, "He had but only me : "To win me from his tender arms, "Unnumber'd fuitors came; "Who prais'd me for imputed charms, "And felt or feign'd a flame. |