The poetical works of William Nicholson :: :: University of Virginia Library

Alone I walked the wild wood-side,
Where Autumn breathed her airy breeze;
The silver moon-shine, far and wide,
Beamed glimmering through the branching trees.
The birdies now, on leafless bough,
Their carols gay had laid aside;
Grave silence reigns through woods and plains
With me along the wild wood-side.

Far-roaring Dee burst o'er his rocks,
While distance tuned his swelling moans,
O'erhung with oak, and ivied locks,
Where owls screeched out their wailing tones.
The fragrant bean was withering seen,
And flowery hawthorn's bloom decayed;
No heavenly dew shall them renew,
Till Spring revive the wild wood-side.

Now sleep her patent spell hath drawn,
And charmed creation into rest,
Save only thoughtless, hapless man,
Where guilt or love disturbs the breast.
Sweet Peace! descend, be thou my friend,
And white-robed Innocence my guide;
And teach me clear my course to steer,
Poor wanderer by the wild wood-side.

169

Ye twinkling stars, that shine afar,
To me unknown's your distant race—
Ye comets on your fiery car,
That wander through the boundless space—
Can Science scan your voice to man,
As through the concave blue ye glide,
And teach such views to vagrant muse,
That wanders by the wild wood-side?

Where now the distant landscape sweet?
Where now the busy haunts of men?
The chill dews o'er the grey grass creep,
The reapers now have left the plain.
With every blast the leaves fall fast,
As down the stream they mournful ride,
Changed Nature here looks pale and drear,
With me along the wild wood-side.

Again the lamp of day shall burn;
With harmony the woods shall ring;
The annual wheel of time shall turn,
With all the rosy hues of Spring:
But Man, when laid in lonely bed,
His griefs and joys are laid aside;
He ne'er again shall view the plain,
Or beauties of the wild wood-side.