The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
Nor lacks there aught to soothe the pensive mind,
Its taste on nature form'd, by truth refin'd:
For pure simplicity can touch the heart,
Beyond the glitter and the gloss of art.
Not wanting there the fountain's bubbling tide,
Whence flows the narrow stream and river wide,
With gladsome wave to drench the thirsty dale,
Or waft through wond'ring woods the flitting sail.
Not wanting there the cottage white-wash'd clean,
Nor town with spires that glimmer o'er the green:
Nor rich variety's uncloying charm,
The steeds that prance, the herds that graze the farm;
The flocks that gambol o'er the dark-green hills,
The tumbling brooks that turn the busy mills;
The clover pastures deck'd with dappled flow'rs,
Spontaneous; gardens gay with roseate bow'rs;
The tedded grass in meadows newly shorn,
The pensile wheat-heads and stiff Indian corn;
The grafts with tempting fruit, and thick-leav'd groves,
Where timid birds conceal their airy loves;
Along th' umbrageous walk, enamour'd meet
The artless pairs, in courtship chaste as sweet,
In wedlock soon to join—hail, sacred rite!
Delicious spring! exhaustless of delight!
No poor, for wealth withheld, accuses heav'n,
Nor rich, insulting, spurns the bounties giv'n.
No wretched outcast—happy, till beguil'd—
Pollution's sister, and affliction's child!
Shivering and darkling strays through wintry streets,
And lures (for bread) to brothels all she meets;
Or tir'd and sick, with faint and fearful cry,
At her betrayer's door lies down to die.
No scenes of woe the pleasing prospect blight,
And no disgusting object pains the sight;
For calm content, the sunshine of the soul,
With bright'ning ease, embellishes the whole.
Its taste on nature form'd, by truth refin'd:
109
Beyond the glitter and the gloss of art.
Not wanting there the fountain's bubbling tide,
Whence flows the narrow stream and river wide,
With gladsome wave to drench the thirsty dale,
Or waft through wond'ring woods the flitting sail.
Not wanting there the cottage white-wash'd clean,
Nor town with spires that glimmer o'er the green:
Nor rich variety's uncloying charm,
The steeds that prance, the herds that graze the farm;
The flocks that gambol o'er the dark-green hills,
The tumbling brooks that turn the busy mills;
The clover pastures deck'd with dappled flow'rs,
Spontaneous; gardens gay with roseate bow'rs;
The tedded grass in meadows newly shorn,
The pensile wheat-heads and stiff Indian corn;
The grafts with tempting fruit, and thick-leav'd groves,
Where timid birds conceal their airy loves;
Along th' umbrageous walk, enamour'd meet
The artless pairs, in courtship chaste as sweet,
In wedlock soon to join—hail, sacred rite!
Delicious spring! exhaustless of delight!
No poor, for wealth withheld, accuses heav'n,
Nor rich, insulting, spurns the bounties giv'n.
No wretched outcast—happy, till beguil'd—
Pollution's sister, and affliction's child!
Shivering and darkling strays through wintry streets,
And lures (for bread) to brothels all she meets;
Or tir'd and sick, with faint and fearful cry,
At her betrayer's door lies down to die.
No scenes of woe the pleasing prospect blight,
And no disgusting object pains the sight;
For calm content, the sunshine of the soul,
With bright'ning ease, embellishes the whole.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |