How sink the mighty low by Fate opprest!- Perhaps O Kettle! thou by scornful toe Rude urg'd t' ignoble place with plaintive din, May'st rust obscure midst heaps of vulgar tin ;— As if no joy had ever seiz'd my breast [fly,- When from thy spout the streams did arching As if infus'd thou ne'er hadst known t' inspire All the warm raptures of poetic fire!
But hark! or do I fancy the glad voice
"What tho' the swain did wondrous charms dis
(Not such did Memnon's sister sable drest) Take these bright arms with royal face imprest, A better Kettle shall thy soul rejoice, And with Oblivion's wings o'erspread thy woes!" Thus Fairy Hope can soothe distress and toil; On empty Trivets she bids fancied Kettles boil!
A. FAREWELL ODE ON QUITTING SCHOOL FOR JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
WHERE graced with many a classic spoil Cam rolls his reverend stream along,
I haste to urge the learned toil
That sternly chides my love-lorn song: Ah me! too mindful of the days Illumed by Passion's orient rays,
When peace, and Cheerfulness, and Health Enriched me with the best of wealth.
Ah fair Delights! that o'er my soul On Memory's wing, like shadows fly! Ah Flowers! which Joy from Eden stole While Innocence stood smiling by!—
But cease, Those Hours on rapid Pinions flown Shall yet return, by Absence crowned, And scatter livelier roses round.
fond Heart! this bootless moan:
The Sun who ne'er remits his fires On heedless eyes may pour the day : The Moon, that oft from Heaven retires, Endears her renovated ray.
What though she leave the sky unblest To mourn awhile in murky vest? When she relumes her lovely Light, We bless the Wanderer of the Night.
FAREWELL parental scenes! a sad farewell! To you my grateful heart still fondly clings, Tho' fluttering round on Fancy's burnish'd wings Her tales of future Joy Hope loves to tell. Adieu, adieu! ye much lov'd cloisters pale!
Ah! would those happy days return again, When 'neath your arches, free from every stain, I heard of guilt and wonder'd at the tale! Dear haunts! where oft my simple lays I sang, Listening meanwhile the echoings of my feet, Lingering I quit you, with as great a pang, As when ere while, my weeping childhood, torn By early sorrow from my native seat,
Mingled its tears with hers-my widow'd Parent lorn.
THO' no bold flights to thee belong; And tho' thy lays with conscious fear, Shrink from Judgment's eye severe, Yet much I thank thee, Spirit of my song! For, lovely Muse! thy sweet employ Exalts my soul, refines my breast, Gives each pure pleasure keener zest, And softens sorrow into pensive Joy. From thee I learn'd the wish to bless, From thee to commune with my heart; From thee, dear Muse! the gayer part, To laugh with Pity at the crowds, that press Where Fashion flaunts her robes by Folly spun, Whose hues gay varying wanton in the sun.
VIRTUES and Woes alike too great for man In the soft tale oft claim the useless sigh; For vain the attempt to realize the plan, On folly's wings must imitation fly. With other aim has Fielding here display'd Each social duty and each social care; With just yet vivid coloring portray'd
What every wife should be, what many are. And sure the Parent of a race so sweet
With double pleasure on the page shall dwell, Each scene with sympathizing breast shall meet, While Reason still with smiles delights to tell Maternal hope, that her lov'd Progeny In all but Sorrows shall Amelias be!
THAT HIS ONLY SISTER'S DEATH WAS INEVITABLE.
THE tear which mourn'd a brother's fate scarce dryPain after pain, and woe succeeding woe
Is my heart destin'd for another blow?
my sweet sister! and must thou too die? Ah! how has Disappointment pour'd the tear O'er infant Hope destroy'd by early frost!
How are ye gone, whom most my soul held dear! Scarce had I lov'd you, ere I mourn'd you lost; Say, is this hollow eye-this heartless pain Fated to rove thro' Life's wide cheerless plain— Nor father, brother, sister meets its ken- My woes, my joys unshar'd! Ah! long ere then On me thy icy dart, stern Death, be prov'd ;- Better to die, than live and not be lov'd!
AFFECTIONATELY WELCOMED BY A SISTER.
I TOO a sister had! too cruel Death! How sad remembrance bids my bosom heave! Tranquil her soul, as sleeping Infant's breath; Meek were her manners as a vernal Eve. Knowledge, that frequent lifts the bloated mind, Gave her the treasure of a lowly breast, And Wit to venom'd Malice oft assign'd, Dwelt in her bosom in a Turtle's nest. Cease, busy Memory! cease to urge the dart; Nor on my soul her love to me impress! For oh I mourn in anguish-and my heart Feels the keen pang, th' unutterable distress. Yet wherefore grieve I that her sorrows cease, For Life was misery, and the Grave is Peace!
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