 | The progress of refinement |  |
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MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
EFFORTS OF GENIUS.
See the bold genius, with seraphic views,
Imagination's soaring powers unloose,
With joy the vast of nature to explore,
And in strict limits acquiesce no more!
Now with raised efforts he pervades the skies
Sees worlds revolve, and distant planets rise;
And, wrapped in contemplation's joyous maze,
Feels all the ardour of angelic praise.
Imagination's soaring powers unloose,
With joy the vast of nature to explore,
And in strict limits acquiesce no more!
Now with raised efforts he pervades the skies
Sees worlds revolve, and distant planets rise;
And, wrapped in contemplation's joyous maze,
Feels all the ardour of angelic praise.
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Still where's the genius that can fully scan
Wisdom's all perfect and harmonious plan!
What being less than infinite can trace,
The GREAT FIRST CAUSE, or find an end to space!
Through boundless realms of ether systems roll,
Kept in due order by divine control.
In beauteous order they revolve their spheres;
Where the SUPREME in wonderous light appears.
All nature's works in high perfection shine,
Develope wonders, and bespeak design,
Display consummate power, unrivalled skill,
And prove the glories of the sovereign will.
Wisdom's all perfect and harmonious plan!
What being less than infinite can trace,
The GREAT FIRST CAUSE, or find an end to space!
Through boundless realms of ether systems roll,
Kept in due order by divine control.
In beauteous order they revolve their spheres;
Where the SUPREME in wonderous light appears.
All nature's works in high perfection shine,
Develope wonders, and bespeak design,
Display consummate power, unrivalled skill,
And prove the glories of the sovereign will.
The mind, enkindled at the glowing fire
Of dawing science, waking to inspire
Its infant efforts, warm endeavour opes,
Stretches its genius, brightens into hopes;
And, as its struggling powers enlightened grow,
The more attained, the more it sees to know.
Something still pleasing in the wide expanse,
Ever disclosing, further we advance,
Becomes the object of our next desire;
And though we zealously to that aspire;
Though all we view before us is obtained,
Something is wanting that must still be gained.
Although unbounded knowledge we comprise,
Desires innumerable still arise.
Wishing to satisfy we still pursue;
The more we learn, the further from our view.
Of dawing science, waking to inspire
Its infant efforts, warm endeavour opes,
Stretches its genius, brightens into hopes;
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The more attained, the more it sees to know.
Something still pleasing in the wide expanse,
Ever disclosing, further we advance,
Becomes the object of our next desire;
And though we zealously to that aspire;
Though all we view before us is obtained,
Something is wanting that must still be gained.
Although unbounded knowledge we comprise,
Desires innumerable still arise.
Wishing to satisfy we still pursue;
The more we learn, the further from our view.
How many in the mental field have toiled!
Some have instructed, others have beguiled;
Some taught the beauties of redeeming love,
Others the fantasies of fabled Jove;
Some how gay Iris paints her varied bow,
And how old ocean and the tides o'erflow;
How rivulets in circling eddies run;
How planetary spheres revolve the sun;
How fire electric pierces through our frame,
And how man's actions merit praise or blame.
Many there are who study, some who preach,
Too few who practice; yet they all must teach.
Some take erroneous reason for their guide,
Deceive the head, and store the heart with pride.
Others, with efforts warm, improve the mind,
Acquire discernment, and become refined.
Still, without practice, learning is but vain
When joined with wisdom it is sterling gain.
Some have instructed, others have beguiled;
Some taught the beauties of redeeming love,
Others the fantasies of fabled Jove;
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And how old ocean and the tides o'erflow;
How rivulets in circling eddies run;
How planetary spheres revolve the sun;
How fire electric pierces through our frame,
And how man's actions merit praise or blame.
Many there are who study, some who preach,
Too few who practice; yet they all must teach.
Some take erroneous reason for their guide,
Deceive the head, and store the heart with pride.
Others, with efforts warm, improve the mind,
Acquire discernment, and become refined.
Still, without practice, learning is but vain
When joined with wisdom it is sterling gain.
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DECLINE OF SCIENCE.
Athens, the region once much famed for lore,
Athens, where science flourished, is no more:
And the known land of Nile, on whose proud towers,
The mind to great discoveries bent its powers,
Explored each planet rolling round its sphere,
Is now depraved, and science sheds a tear.
Those lofty pyramids, of cloud topped heights,
Where astronomic genius took its flights,
Are fallen! and vice, with all that poets feign,
Pursues their fall, and science weeps in vain.
Athens, where science flourished, is no more:
And the known land of Nile, on whose proud towers,
The mind to great discoveries bent its powers,
Explored each planet rolling round its sphere,
Is now depraved, and science sheds a tear.
Those lofty pyramids, of cloud topped heights,
Where astronomic genius took its flights,
Are fallen! and vice, with all that poets feign,
Pursues their fall, and science weeps in vain.
Rome once assumed fair independence' crown,
Walked with the graces, and in high renown,
Controled the nations, haughty kings o'ercome,
And gained the epithet, imperial Rome.
That flourishing condition, now no more,
Let all the friends of literature deplore.
Greece, Rome, and Egypt, once in brightened state,
Are fallen in the memory of the great!
But hold! why mourn those realms not now illumed?
Or why the Alexandrian rolls consumed?
For science lives to emblaze the modern times,
And shines peculiar in the western climes.
Walked with the graces, and in high renown,
Controled the nations, haughty kings o'ercome,
And gained the epithet, imperial Rome.
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Let all the friends of literature deplore.
Greece, Rome, and Egypt, once in brightened state,
Are fallen in the memory of the great!
But hold! why mourn those realms not now illumed?
Or why the Alexandrian rolls consumed?
For science lives to emblaze the modern times,
And shines peculiar in the western climes.
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POLITENESS.
Offspring of pure good nature, generous art!To adorn the conduct, to dispose the heart,
To give the action grace, the manner ease,
Conciliate feeling, and mankind to please;
To make the circle social, joys dispense,
Communicate refinement and good sense,
The ruder temper curb, the mild display,
Is thine, politeness, never to betray.
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MORAL PROGRESS OF MAN.
Long ere the sun his beams had shed,
Or ere the vaulted skies were spread,
Dwelt an all sovereign God;
At whose Omnific nod,
Systems emerged from sable void profound,
And in immeasurable spheres rolled round.
Or ere the vaulted skies were spread,
Dwelt an all sovereign God;
At whose Omnific nod,
Systems emerged from sable void profound,
And in immeasurable spheres rolled round.
Adam, placed in bliss refined,
Where creation, amply stored,
Kindly stored, to cheer the mind,
Was the world's primeval lord.
Beneath propitious bowers at rest,
The lovely fair one, in his arms,
Unfolding all her angel charms,
Kindled high raptures in his breast.
Beauty held a pleasing sway,
While Euphrates gently flowed,
Eden bloomed in fair array
And dulcet song enlivened the abode.
Happy, thrice happy state!
Blessed with his MAKER'S smiles,
Crowned with pleasure, free from toils,
Not a pain his bosom soils.
But hear, alas, the sequel of his fate!
From seats of joy, he fell, to realms of wo!
Just so the fall of heaven's audacious foe;
When the Dread-Sovereign on his regal throne,
Swift hurled him with his impious comrades down,
Down to chaotic darkness dire!
Lightnings flashed around their heads,
Thunders forced them to their beds,
Where ceaseless vengeance feeds the raging fire.
Adam, for a selfish pleasure,
Forfeited his blissful treasure.
'Twas a foul fiend seduced him from those scenes,
An evil minded fiend, by subtil means.
Armed with a flaming sword and looks of awe,
The just avengers of a broken law,
Gabriel descended from above,
To drive him from those scenes of love,
Where music enlivened the grove.
Reluctantly and slow he moves along,
Still hears the melody of song,
Which sweetly ravishes his ears;
While fairy prospects, yet in view,
Alarm his guilty mind anew;
And, as he takes his last adieu,
He turns, dejected, with a flood of tears.
Now under pain's severe control,
Grief harrows up his sorrowing soul.
Doomed to laborious cares and toils,
To dire anxiety and wo,
Deprived of blissful Eden's smiles,
He bids adieu to happiness below.
Where creation, amply stored,
Kindly stored, to cheer the mind,
Was the world's primeval lord.
Beneath propitious bowers at rest,
The lovely fair one, in his arms,
Unfolding all her angel charms,
Kindled high raptures in his breast.
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While Euphrates gently flowed,
Eden bloomed in fair array
And dulcet song enlivened the abode.
Happy, thrice happy state!
Blessed with his MAKER'S smiles,
Crowned with pleasure, free from toils,
Not a pain his bosom soils.
But hear, alas, the sequel of his fate!
From seats of joy, he fell, to realms of wo!
Just so the fall of heaven's audacious foe;
When the Dread-Sovereign on his regal throne,
Swift hurled him with his impious comrades down,
Down to chaotic darkness dire!
Lightnings flashed around their heads,
Thunders forced them to their beds,
Where ceaseless vengeance feeds the raging fire.
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Forfeited his blissful treasure.
'Twas a foul fiend seduced him from those scenes,
An evil minded fiend, by subtil means.
Armed with a flaming sword and looks of awe,
The just avengers of a broken law,
Gabriel descended from above,
To drive him from those scenes of love,
Where music enlivened the grove.
Reluctantly and slow he moves along,
Still hears the melody of song,
Which sweetly ravishes his ears;
While fairy prospects, yet in view,
Alarm his guilty mind anew;
And, as he takes his last adieu,
He turns, dejected, with a flood of tears.
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Grief harrows up his sorrowing soul.
Doomed to laborious cares and toils,
To dire anxiety and wo,
Deprived of blissful Eden's smiles,
He bids adieu to happiness below.
But hark, a Saviour's voice!
Mountains and hills rebound,
Let guilty man rejoice!
Woods, rocks, and vallies echo back the sound.
Behold, a God from heaven descends!
A clement God kind audience lends,
Pities the plaint of wo,
Subdues the infernal foe,
Drops a tear on human crimes,
Cheers the heart with gospel sound,
Gladdens creation round,
And makes man heir to happier, happier climes.
Mountains and hills rebound,
Let guilty man rejoice!
Woods, rocks, and vallies echo back the sound.
Behold, a God from heaven descends!
A clement God kind audience lends,
Pities the plaint of wo,
Subdues the infernal foe,
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Cheers the heart with gospel sound,
Gladdens creation round,
And makes man heir to happier, happier climes.
Such was the goodness of redeeming LOVE,
He parted from celestial quires above,
Changed a heavenly throne,
For a thorny crown:
And, as on Calvary's top he stood,
See, see the gushing tears of blood!
In mourning robes the sun was veiled;
Thick darkness brooded round;
The Saviour to the cross was nailed;
And nature trembled from its base profound.
Then from his inmost soul he sighed;
Rocks rent in twain;
The hills were grieved, and grieved was every plain!
He groaned! he died!
He parted from celestial quires above,
Changed a heavenly throne,
For a thorny crown:
And, as on Calvary's top he stood,
See, see the gushing tears of blood!
In mourning robes the sun was veiled;
Thick darkness brooded round;
The Saviour to the cross was nailed;
And nature trembled from its base profound.
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Rocks rent in twain;
The hills were grieved, and grieved was every plain!
He groaned! he died!
Still solemn scenes remain unsung,
Still solemn scenes employ my faltering tongue.
Swifter than a stream,
Delusive as a dream,
Time flies away,
Makes no delay,
Steals us from every stage,
And brings us to old age.
Still solemn scenes employ my faltering tongue.
Swifter than a stream,
Delusive as a dream,
Time flies away,
Makes no delay,
Steals us from every stage,
And brings us to old age.
Hark, whence that woful groan!
Ah, from the sick man's bed!
Trembling to pass through scenes unknown,
He raises his disordered head,
And stares distracted round!
Now blackest horrour and surprise
Seize on his soul, and all his thoughts confound!
See how he gasps for breath,
And struggles on the brink of death!
Ah, faint, and pale, he dies!
Ah, from the sick man's bed!
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He raises his disordered head,
And stares distracted round!
Now blackest horrour and surprise
Seize on his soul, and all his thoughts confound!
See how he gasps for breath,
And struggles on the brink of death!
Ah, faint, and pale, he dies!
Still lend an car to my Pindaric strain,
While the muse tempts another height to gain.
Time having measured off his round of years,
For judgment Christ in majesty appears.
Lo, Gabriel takes the trumpet, swells the sound,
The undulations wave abroad,
Fill all creation's ample round,
And earth and skies rebound,
Nations, attend the Bar of God!
In solemn pomp they all appear
In solemn pomp with awful fear;
In joy or grief their final sentence hear.
While the muse tempts another height to gain.
Time having measured off his round of years,
For judgment Christ in majesty appears.
Lo, Gabriel takes the trumpet, swells the sound,
The undulations wave abroad,
Fill all creation's ample round,
And earth and skies rebound,
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In solemn pomp they all appear
In solemn pomp with awful fear;
In joy or grief their final sentence hear.
Horrour now seizes every guilty heart!
In wild confusion they depart;
With doleful yellings, agonizing groans,
With thousand thousand moans.
Deep plunging to the burning center,
Headlong they enter,
Hells wide yawning doors.
A cataract of molten fire
O'er the devoted subjects pours,
And the huge gates are barred till endless time expire.
Hell rings with jarrings of discordant souls,
And dire infernal rage the will controls.
In wild confusion they depart;
With doleful yellings, agonizing groans,
With thousand thousand moans.
Deep plunging to the burning center,
Headlong they enter,
Hells wide yawning doors.
A cataract of molten fire
O'er the devoted subjects pours,
And the huge gates are barred till endless time expire.
Hell rings with jarrings of discordant souls,
And dire infernal rage the will controls.
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Meanwhile the saints, triumphant, wing their way
To glorious mansions of unclouded day,
Hymning high anthems while they move along;
Sweet is the concord, rapturous is the song.
Messiah leads them to the courts above,
And seals them, cordial, with eternal love.
Thus justice lives, and mercy never dies;
God shall for ever reign blessed REGENT of the skies.
To glorious mansions of unclouded day,
Hymning high anthems while they move along;
Sweet is the concord, rapturous is the song.
Messiah leads them to the courts above,
And seals them, cordial, with eternal love.
Thus justice lives, and mercy never dies;
God shall for ever reign blessed REGENT of the skies.
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MORAL REFLECTION.
When the industrious hand waves o'er the soilUncultered, golden Ceres crowns the field,
And the rough wild waste smiles. Great cause of joy,
Man's honest labour ever meets reward!
For all his arduous pains the autumnal skies,
Auspicious, yield him blessed returns profuse.
But, when with base ingratitude his heart
Is puffed, the prospects change. Destructive frosts
Untimely shed, or blighting mildew's taints,
Or tempests fierce, his expectations blast,
And check his flattering hopes. The promises,
The fairest promises of spring, are oft
Nipped in the blossom. Oft the boasted spoils
Of autumn are, in seeming cruelty,
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Their desolating sport. But man, ingrate,
Be mute. For some good end thy MAKER'S frowns
Are e'er designed, though seemingly unjust.
The ways of PROVIDENCE, although obscure
To human reason, never dare condemn.
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RISE OF AMERICAN GLORY.
America, blessed region! once thy plains,
Whose bosom now is robed in cultered grace,
Were shrouded in a gloom, obscure and sad,
As when o'er wasteful wilds a forest dark
Casts a bewildering shade. Then ruder man
Uncivilized, and ravenous monsters howled,
Terrific, through thy drear abode, and woods,
Mountains, and rocks were vocal with wild noise
Loud-bellowing. But the general reign expired
Of savage horrour in thy wildered clime.
Whose bosom now is robed in cultered grace,
Were shrouded in a gloom, obscure and sad,
As when o'er wasteful wilds a forest dark
Casts a bewildering shade. Then ruder man
Uncivilized, and ravenous monsters howled,
Terrific, through thy drear abode, and woods,
Mountains, and rocks were vocal with wild noise
Loud-bellowing. But the general reign expired
Of savage horrour in thy wildered clime.
Our valiant sires embarked the ruffled main,
O'er mighty billows made their eager way,
Tempests outbraved, controled the shifting gales,
And hope, oft flattering, smiled upon success.
But, having landed on this western shore,
They changed the dangers of the threatening storm,
Not for the expected scenes of quiet life
Domestic; where might pratling infants prompt
The mingling glow of passion; where might reign
The endearing charms of friendship; but for scenes
Of keen anxiety, where husbands, wives,
And children fell obsequious to the shaft.
If haply rescued from the jaws of death,
Perpetual fear distressed the anxious mind
Disconsolate, and stole the wonted rest.
Sometimes, midnight, barbarian fierceness peeped
Into the window of some lonely cot,
With haggard looks, fire-flashing eyes, and mouth,
Wide-yawning, to devour the hapless pair.
An hour then seemed a tedious lingering day.
O'er mighty billows made their eager way,
Tempests outbraved, controled the shifting gales,
And hope, oft flattering, smiled upon success.
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They changed the dangers of the threatening storm,
Not for the expected scenes of quiet life
Domestic; where might pratling infants prompt
The mingling glow of passion; where might reign
The endearing charms of friendship; but for scenes
Of keen anxiety, where husbands, wives,
And children fell obsequious to the shaft.
If haply rescued from the jaws of death,
Perpetual fear distressed the anxious mind
Disconsolate, and stole the wonted rest.
Sometimes, midnight, barbarian fierceness peeped
Into the window of some lonely cot,
With haggard looks, fire-flashing eyes, and mouth,
Wide-yawning, to devour the hapless pair.
An hour then seemed a tedious lingering day.
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Such was the fortune of humanity!
The sufferings such of our adventurous sires!
Hardships in many a ghastly form they braved;
Till heaven, propitious, smiled upon their toils,
And promised triumph, liberty, and fame.
Blessed science then, o'er these benighted shores
Had not diffused her influence; nor the hand
Of culture thrown its mollient richness round.
These fertile climes, where populous cities rise,
In domes superb of proud magnificence,
To please the finer taste, and for the use
Of freeborn and enlightened man, then lay
A desert waste, a solitary wild.
The sufferings such of our adventurous sires!
Hardships in many a ghastly form they braved;
Till heaven, propitious, smiled upon their toils,
And promised triumph, liberty, and fame.
Blessed science then, o'er these benighted shores
Had not diffused her influence; nor the hand
Of culture thrown its mollient richness round.
These fertile climes, where populous cities rise,
In domes superb of proud magnificence,
To please the finer taste, and for the use
Of freeborn and enlightened man, then lay
A desert waste, a solitary wild.
Now happier stars revolve! far happier years
Glide unmolested on; while science, peace,
And pleasure reign combined; save where, sublime,
Ohio rolls his deepening tide; and where
The wild tribes roam, in quest of innocence
And harmless prey, to sate their blood thirst jaws.
But, before many a season has elapsed,
Some happier genius shall assume the song,
And, joyous, thus, the auspicious era hail.
Glide unmolested on; while science, peace,
And pleasure reign combined; save where, sublime,
Ohio rolls his deepening tide; and where
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And harmless prey, to sate their blood thirst jaws.
But, before many a season has elapsed,
Some happier genius shall assume the song,
And, joyous, thus, the auspicious era hail.
No more of sufferings in thy blissful climes,
America, such as our sires endured!
No more of grim barbarians to molest
The lonely cottage; to arrest, with hand
Inhuman, the dear infant from the breast,
And the affrighted captive grind, in jaws
Voracious! Of unbounded woods, no more,
Awful and vast, to wrap in sable gloom,
The glistening fields; or to resound the roar
Horrific, of ensanguined beasts. No more
Of war's grim ensigns; nor of spacious plains,
Drowned in a crimson flood! Hail cherub peace!
The olive flourishes auspicious here,
Unrivalled, ne'er to wither on its stalk.
Of ages rude, when science slept obscure,
Of these no more! for here the graces reign;
Here through the expanding mind refinement steals,
And wins to harmony the jarring powers.
Society is happy, man is blessed.
America, such as our sires endured!
No more of grim barbarians to molest
The lonely cottage; to arrest, with hand
Inhuman, the dear infant from the breast,
And the affrighted captive grind, in jaws
Voracious! Of unbounded woods, no more,
Awful and vast, to wrap in sable gloom,
The glistening fields; or to resound the roar
Horrific, of ensanguined beasts. No more
Of war's grim ensigns; nor of spacious plains,
Drowned in a crimson flood! Hail cherub peace!
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Unrivalled, ne'er to wither on its stalk.
Of ages rude, when science slept obscure,
Of these no more! for here the graces reign;
Here through the expanding mind refinement steals,
And wins to harmony the jarring powers.
Society is happy, man is blessed.
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POETICAL EPISTLE.
Say, generous worth, since moved by noble ends,Since purest joy on sympathy depends,
And since our hearts are warmed with genuine fire,
Say, can the glowing passion soon expire?
Disclose the secret wishes of your heart,
Your bosom open, and your mind impart.
Laurillo's breast its native warmth retains,
And feels the transports that true friendship feigns.
If swoln with grief, diffuse a healing balm,
And soothe his troubled bosom to a calm.
If injured, save, and let his name revive;
Forget his foibles, and true love shall live.
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POWER OF SYMPATHY.
Sweet sympathy diffuses tears
Consoling, when grieved virtue droops;
Smiles when prosperity appears,
With cheering hopes.
Consoling, when grieved virtue droops;
Smiles when prosperity appears,
With cheering hopes.
She pours sweet fragrance o'er the mind,
When worn with care, depressed with grief,
Inspires enlivening joys refined,
Which give relief.
When worn with care, depressed with grief,
Inspires enlivening joys refined,
Which give relief.
Then all is mutual, all is love!
She wipes off, gently, every tear,
By kind endeavour strives to improve
The union dear.
She wipes off, gently, every tear,
By kind endeavour strives to improve
The union dear.
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Ingenuous worth shall never weep,
Where sympathy, blessed power, abides;
She fondly lulls the pain to sleep,
And pleasure glides.
Where sympathy, blessed power, abides;
She fondly lulls the pain to sleep,
And pleasure glides.
Time, swiftly passing, steals away,
While sympathy her joys dissuse;
Just like the flowery days in May,
When things amuse.
While sympathy her joys dissuse;
Just like the flowery days in May,
When things amuse.
Ah, rosy days, why fleetly glide!
Stay hasty moments, stay awhile;
Let youth these pleasing scenes abide,
Nor soon beguile.
Stay hasty moments, stay awhile;
Let youth these pleasing scenes abide,
Nor soon beguile.
But soon, too soon, the vernal flowers,
Blushing in every beauty gay,
Are blasted by autumnal showers
And fall away.
Blushing in every beauty gay,
Are blasted by autumnal showers
And fall away.
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Then surly winter, bleak and drear,
When all enchanting scenes are gone,
And smiling prospects disappear,
Comes rushing on,
When all enchanting scenes are gone,
And smiling prospects disappear,
Comes rushing on,
With pinching frosts, with lowering clouds,
And many a tempest, swiftly borne,
In hoary robes creation shrouds,
And all things mourn.
And many a tempest, swiftly borne,
In hoary robes creation shrouds,
And all things mourn.
But lo, the enlivening spring arrives,
And nature shines in verdure clad!
Just so sweet sympathy revives
The mind when sad.
And nature shines in verdure clad!
Just so sweet sympathy revives
The mind when sad.
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RECIPROCATION.
Come, beauteous fair, with gently winning smiles,
Dwell in my arms, and share my love;
Rolinda's smiles can sweeten all my toils;
And my esteem her joys improve.
Dwell in my arms, and share my love;
Rolinda's smiles can sweeten all my toils;
And my esteem her joys improve.
With cheerful gladness come, enchanting fair;
My bosom is a seat for thee;
Come, thou shalt ever dwell securely there,
From anguish and from discord free.
My bosom is a seat for thee;
Come, thou shalt ever dwell securely there,
From anguish and from discord free.
In friendship shall our cordant hearts unite,
And all the sweets of love employ;
In pleasing parle we'll gather soft delight;
Sexes were formed for mutual joy.
And all the sweets of love employ;
In pleasing parle we'll gather soft delight;
Sexes were formed for mutual joy.
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While in familiar converse we engage,
The hours shall roll serene away;
Nor shall discordant passion ever rage,
Where Rollin and Rolinda stay.
The hours shall roll serene away;
Nor shall discordant passion ever rage,
Where Rollin and Rolinda stay.
But should our bosoms be depressed with grief,
The soothing balm we'll gently ply;
The balm of tenderness shall give relief,
And check the tear in sorrow's eye.
The soothing balm we'll gently ply;
The balm of tenderness shall give relief,
And check the tear in sorrow's eye.
Cursed be the miscreant, who fain would wrong
Sweet innocence and virtue fair!
May he be branded with disgrace as long,
As female censure shall declare.
Sweet innocence and virtue fair!
May he be branded with disgrace as long,
As female censure shall declare.
The wretch, so vile, shall have my lasting hate,
Shall be despised by all the good,
Be stigmatized forever by the great,
And stand contemned, as Cain once stood,
Shall be despised by all the good,
Be stigmatized forever by the great,
And stand contemned, as Cain once stood,
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To guard ingenuous virtue from deceit,
Protect the innocent from harm,
Increase their joys, and make their bliss complete,
Shall with delight their bosom warm.
Protect the innocent from harm,
Increase their joys, and make their bliss complete,
Shall with delight their bosom warm.
Reciprocal enjoyments sweeten toils,
And guileless ravishments impart;
Hence sweet Rolinda blesses me with smiles,
And in return receives my heart.
And guileless ravishments impart;
Hence sweet Rolinda blesses me with smiles,
And in return receives my heart.
The PLUME.
Ye rosy hours,
When vernal flowers
The zephyrs of the morn perfume;
Your charms impart,
To inspire my heart,
While I but cull a favourite plume.
When vernal flowers
The zephyrs of the morn perfume;
Your charms impart,
To inspire my heart,
While I but cull a favourite plume.
173
The rising dawn
Gilds the bright lawn,
Instant makes shadowy forms arise;
Makes Flora smile,
With magic guile,
And spreads fresh crimson round the skies.
Gilds the bright lawn,
Instant makes shadowy forms arise;
Makes Flora smile,
With magic guile,
And spreads fresh crimson round the skies.
All things are green;
Spring decks the scene;
The fragrant blossoms of the trees
Their sweets dispense,
Pleasing to sense,
And give rich flavour to the breeze.
Spring decks the scene;
The fragrant blossoms of the trees
Their sweets dispense,
Pleasing to sense,
And give rich flavour to the breeze.
The shepherd wakes,
His couch forsakes,
And joyous walks the fields around,
Sees his flocks play,
Frolic and gay,
And hears the rivulets tinkling sound.
His couch forsakes,
And joyous walks the fields around,
Sees his flocks play,
Frolic and gay,
And hears the rivulets tinkling sound.
174
The citron groves,
Where warbling loves
Pour forth their wild-thrilled amorous notes,
With playful ease,
Nod to the breeze,
And softly sweet the music floats.
Where warbling loves
Pour forth their wild-thrilled amorous notes,
With playful ease,
Nod to the breeze,
And softly sweet the music floats.
O'ershadowing bowers,
And mingling flowers,
That fringe the banks of haunted rill;
Shagged piles of rocks,
And towering oaks,
That shroud in frowns yon bordering hill;
And mingling flowers,
That fringe the banks of haunted rill;
Shagged piles of rocks,
And towering oaks,
That shroud in frowns yon bordering hill;
Vallies in bloom,
With rich perfume,
And every prospect nature gilds,
Sublime or mild,
Cultured or wild,
Some plumage to gay fancy yields.
With rich perfume,
And every prospect nature gilds,
Sublime or mild,
Cultured or wild,
Some plumage to gay fancy yields.
175
Poets! aspire,
Catch, catch the fire,
And let it flash from soul to soul,
Enchant each breast,
That all be blessed,
And yield to nature's pure control.
Catch, catch the fire,
And let it flash from soul to soul,
Enchant each breast,
That all be blessed,
And yield to nature's pure control.
Full, full of means,
Of various scenes,
To captivate and charm the sight,
She shall e'er gain,
Each genius' strain,
And be the topic of delight.
Of various scenes,
To captivate and charm the sight,
She shall e'er gain,
Each genius' strain,
And be the topic of delight.
Though Venus frown,
And Jove send down
His fabled thunders to affright;
Though Ceres fail,
And Bacchus rail,
And though Apollo owe us spite;
And Jove send down
His fabled thunders to affright;
Though Ceres fail,
And Bacchus rail,
And though Apollo owe us spite;
176
Though all declare,
And vengeful swear,
We ne'er their honours shall assume,
Their scoffs we'll spurn,
And in return,
Answer, that nature is our plume.
And vengeful swear,
We ne'er their honours shall assume,
Their scoffs we'll spurn,
And in return,
Answer, that nature is our plume.
Then shall the mind
Taste sweets refined,
Engage in still more rich employs;
Nor be controled,
By heathen mould,
But feast its powers on higher joys.
Taste sweets refined,
Engage in still more rich employs;
Nor be controled,
By heathen mould,
But feast its powers on higher joys.
END.
| The progress of refinement | |