 | Poems by Three Friends |  |
135
TO ANNA.
Anna! the scenes of fond delight
That charm while youth's warm pulse is beating,
By fancy cherished, grow more bright,
As Time's maturer course is fleeting.
That charm while youth's warm pulse is beating,
By fancy cherished, grow more bright,
As Time's maturer course is fleeting.
Each lovely scene, which then so well
The careful breast may know to treasure,
Lures back the tender thought to dwell
On former scenes of parted pleasure.
The careful breast may know to treasure,
Lures back the tender thought to dwell
On former scenes of parted pleasure.
Thus, when I crop in vernal bower,
Some dew-bent rose, the air perfuming,
I think upon a lovelier flower,
In northern skies more sweetly blooming.
Some dew-bent rose, the air perfuming,
I think upon a lovelier flower,
In northern skies more sweetly blooming.
136
But should some mournful scene anew
Involve the bosom in dejection,
Its former sorrows rise to view,
And mournful is the retrospection.
Involve the bosom in dejection,
Its former sorrows rise to view,
And mournful is the retrospection.
When Autumn lingers in the vale,
Her fading weeds with tears bedewing,
And seems in parting to bewail
Approaching Winter's course of ruin;
Her fading weeds with tears bedewing,
And seems in parting to bewail
Approaching Winter's course of ruin;
O, need I, Anna, pause the while,
Those hours of faded bliss recalling,
When fancy checked her fairy smile,
And sorrow's pensive dews were falling.
Those hours of faded bliss recalling,
When fancy checked her fairy smile,
And sorrow's pensive dews were falling.
Peace to the thought! I dare not dwell
On all that caused my steps to falter,
As breathing forth a long farewell,
I left the conscious hills of Calder.
On all that caused my steps to falter,
As breathing forth a long farewell,
I left the conscious hills of Calder.
137
To them, as slowly I withdrew,
Some feeling taught my eye to wander,
And whispered at the melting view,
“Fair is the flower that blossoms yonder!”
Some feeling taught my eye to wander,
And whispered at the melting view,
“Fair is the flower that blossoms yonder!”
Thrice has the Spring her annual flower
Awakened from its wintry pillow;
And Autumn, since that mournful hour,
Has thrice put on her robes of yellow.
Awakened from its wintry pillow;
And Autumn, since that mournful hour,
Has thrice put on her robes of yellow.
Adieu the light pursuits of youth!
Advancing manhood claims severer;
These wear the sober dress of truth,
But ah! youth's gay attire is dearer.
Advancing manhood claims severer;
These wear the sober dress of truth,
But ah! youth's gay attire is dearer.
If then for ever I resign
The theme I still should love to cherish,
Yet not at cold oblivion's shrine,
Shall all that charmed my bosom perish.
The theme I still should love to cherish,
Yet not at cold oblivion's shrine,
Shall all that charmed my bosom perish.
138
On thee the musing thought shall rest,
Thy form shall glowing fancy treasure;
In grief 'twill soothe my ruffled breast,
In joy augment the tide of pleasure.
Thy form shall glowing fancy treasure;
In grief 'twill soothe my ruffled breast,
In joy augment the tide of pleasure.
The flowers on which young Hope reposes,
Are oft by thorns of woe surrounded;
O, mayst thou pluck her sweetest roses,
Nor be by Disappointment wounded!
Are oft by thorns of woe surrounded;
O, mayst thou pluck her sweetest roses,
Nor be by Disappointment wounded!
And when thy silent steps have trod
Life's checquered vale, unknowing sorrow,
May thy pure spirit meet its God,
And triumph in a happier morrow!
Life's checquered vale, unknowing sorrow,
May thy pure spirit meet its God,
And triumph in a happier morrow!
| Poems by Three Friends | |