The Poetical Works of Thomas Pringle With A Sketch of his Life, by Leitch Ritchie |
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TO AN EARLY FRIEND. |
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 | The Poetical Works of Thomas Pringle |  |
I. TO AN EARLY FRIEND.
They called us brother bards: The same blue streamsWitnessed our youthful sports: our tears have sprung
Together, when those ancient tales were sung
That tinged our fancy's first and sweetest dreams—
Two simple boys bewitched with magic themes!
And still as riper years and judgment came,
On mutual couch we planned our mutual schemes,
Our tastes, our friendships, and our joys the same.
But not the same our task: Thy venturous lyre,
Which with the tide of genius swells or falls,
Shall charm tumultuous camps and courtly halls,
And rouse the warrior's arm and patriot's ire—
While I shall chant my simple madrigals
To smiling circles round the cottage fire.
1812.
| The Poetical Works of Thomas Pringle | |