University of Virginia Library


193

TO MRS. DE ST. CROIX

ON HER RECOVERY

When wintry storms, with envious pow'r,
The glorious orb of day o'ercast;
When black and deep the snow-clouds low'r,
And coldly blows th' ungenial blast;
The feather'd race, no longer gay,
Who joy'd in summer's glowing reign,
Sit drooping on the leafless spray,
And mourn the desolated plain.
But when, at spring's celestial call,
Subsides the elemental strife,
When drifting snows no longer fall,
And nature kindles into life,
Each little tenant of the grove
Makes hill and dale with song resound,
And pleasure, gratitude, and love,
From thousand echoes ring around.
And thus, when thou wast doom'd to pain,
On sickness' cheerless couch reclin'd,
Love, duty, friendship, sigh'd in vain,
And at thy transient loss repin'd.
But grief and pain no more assail,
And all with smiles thy steps attend;
With renovated bliss they hail
Their guide, their parent, and their friend.