The Harp of Erin Containing the Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Dermody. In Two Volumes |
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CHEERFULNESS. |
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 | The Harp of Erin |  |
CHEERFULNESS.
Euphrosyne, ecstatic guest,What sunny shrine, what favour'd breast,
Wilt thou resume? O! wilt thou deign
To bless the unaspiring swain,
Or, o'er the front of greatness pour
Thy joyous thoughts, a radiant show'r?
Say, wilt thou gild the ev'ning shade,
The artless bow'r of sylvan maid?
Wilt thou her rosy lip perfume,
Her eye's resistless glance illume;
Her purple cheek with livelier hues
Invest, their brightness ne'er to lose?
Or, like the rest of Fortune's train,
For gorgeous court desert the plain,
Glad the proud beauty's smile to grace,
And revel on her foreign face?
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Delightful nymph! full oft I view
Thy vivid influence kindly spread
O'er the low cot and tott'ring shed:
Then come, my bright, my best reward,
And make thy son the happiest bard;
And smiling lead along with thee,
Humour quaint, and Jollity;
And gay Romance, who loves to rove
Fantasy's elysian grove;
And sparkling Wit, and Angel-youth,
His diamond arrows tip'd with truth,
His godlike hair, of braided rays,
His vest, a meteoric blaze;
Come these along, while Envy gaunt,
(Her eyeballs impotent to daunt)
And Malice, snarling, scowl aloof,
Fell tigers! while of temper-proof,
Thy starry target bids retire
Their gall'd shafts, pointed fierce with ire.
How blest my humble cottage then,
A snug retreat from worldly men;
My blooming flow'rs, my cooling trees,
My arbours consecrate to ease;
My fruitage ripe, my meadows fine,
My bowls for ever crown'd with wine;
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And silver-tressed, ancient Mirth;
And frolic Love, unforc'd, and yet
Not quite approaching to coquette;
My servants happy as could be,
What troubles then would frighten me?
| The Harp of Erin | |