Poems, on sacred and other subjects and songs, humorous and sentimental: By the late William Watt. Third edition of the songs only--with additional songs |
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Extemporary Lines
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 | Poems, on sacred and other subjects |  |
255
Extemporary Lines
ADDRESSED TO SEVERAL YOUNG LADIES, WHO HAD, ON A NEW YEAR MORNING, MADE THE AUTHOR A PRESENT OF DR. WATT'S IMPROVEMENT OF THE HUMAN MIND.
Once more the time-dividing sun
His dreary old routine has run;
And haggard Winter, clad in snow,
O'er Scotia's isle drives dreary slow:
No flow'ret gems the russet fields;
No bower the lonely blackbird shields;
But harsh, the night's cold sleety breeze
Roars through the bending leafless trees—
Or howls, with wild discordant sweep,
Across the surging briny deep.
His dreary old routine has run;
And haggard Winter, clad in snow,
O'er Scotia's isle drives dreary slow:
No flow'ret gems the russet fields;
No bower the lonely blackbird shields;
But harsh, the night's cold sleety breeze
Roars through the bending leafless trees—
Or howls, with wild discordant sweep,
Across the surging briny deep.
But him those hardships ne'er assail
Who strays through fortune's trackless vale,
Well guarded by an angel train,
Who steer his course to truest gain—
Even bless'd improvement of the mind,
The truest wealth for man designed.
Who strays through fortune's trackless vale,
Well guarded by an angel train,
Who steer his course to truest gain—
Even bless'd improvement of the mind,
The truest wealth for man designed.
Hail, guardians! sweet, mild, modest, true,
My dearest wishes turn to you:
May never spleen, nor sullen care,
Nor sallow want, nor dark despair,
Your well-deserved bliss destroy,
But may you taste earth's every joy,
Which flows from wealth, peace, competence—
These only earth's true joys dispense:
And when in death you close your eyes,
And bid farewell to earth and skies,
May such an angel guard be given
To bear you up—aloft to heaven.
My dearest wishes turn to you:
May never spleen, nor sullen care,
Nor sallow want, nor dark despair,
Your well-deserved bliss destroy,
But may you taste earth's every joy,
Which flows from wealth, peace, competence—
These only earth's true joys dispense:
And when in death you close your eyes,
And bid farewell to earth and skies,
May such an angel guard be given
To bear you up—aloft to heaven.
An item I had most forgot,
I wish included in your lot—
I mean, you know, a husband true,
Life's rugged path to guard you through,
Which will the case be, I don't doubt it,
Nor shall it be a thing disputed,
But that you all, in proper time,
Will know that marriage is no crime:
And you'll think right in judging thus,
Though that I will not here discuss.
I wish included in your lot—
I mean, you know, a husband true,
Life's rugged path to guard you through,
Which will the case be, I don't doubt it,
Nor shall it be a thing disputed,
But that you all, in proper time,
Will know that marriage is no crime:
256
Though that I will not here discuss.
But one now means to try the road
Which many a one before has trode;
And may she find it smooth and sweet,
With every requisite replete;
For which I do most humbly pray;
And with this wish shall quit my lay:
Her pattern follow, mind you that,
Which is the wish of William Watt.
Which many a one before has trode;
And may she find it smooth and sweet,
With every requisite replete;
For which I do most humbly pray;
And with this wish shall quit my lay:
Her pattern follow, mind you that,
Which is the wish of William Watt.
| Poems, on sacred and other subjects | |