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LINES WRITTEN AT A FRIEND'S VILLA AFTER A LONG ABSENCE.
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LINES WRITTEN AT A FRIEND'S VILLA AFTER A LONG ABSENCE.

Sweet Scenes! since last thy charms I view'd,
Thy Winter's gone, thy Sping renew'd,
And ev'ry Shrub and ev'ry Flower
Confess'd the ever-changeful Power;
Or to the stormy Winds a prey,
Or Autumn's bright but deep decay.
Yet One Flow'ret still I find,
Beyond the reach of wave or wind!
And though, full oft, that flow'ret fades,
Or in dark Misfortune's shades;
Or, sad Willow! like to Thee—
Weeping plant of Sympathy,
That fragrant Flow'ret, still sublime,
Survives the wreck of Chance or Time!
And though oft, alas! prevail
Sorrow's shocks, and Envy's gale,

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Here the plant, of heav'nly birth,
Its power asserts o'er feeble Earth:—
Immortal Friendship can impart
The Balm that soothes and glads the heart;
That's the flower whose sweets afar
Scatter Perfume through the Air,
The Gilead that, which through all Seasons glows,
Nor scorch'd by Summer's Suns, nor chill'd by Winter Snows.