TRUTH AND YOUNG ROMANCE.
[_]
(Air composed by Mr. Sinclair.)
I
Young Romance through roses straying
Saw old Truth trudge lamely on;
One in pleasure's light was playing,
The other sigh'd for pleasures gone.
Cries Romance, “Oh, rest a minute,
And discuss our views of earth:—
Yours may have most prudence in it,
But in mine is all the mirth!”
II
“Ah!” says Truth, “this world discloses
Nought but vain delusive wiles.
Thorns are under all your roses,
Sadness follows all your smiles.”
Cries Romance, “Perhaps I often
Colour life with tints too warm;
Yet my warmth a shade may soften,
While your coldness chills a charm.”
III
“What is love?” the sage then asks him—
“Love—in summer hours so sweet?
Wint'ry weather soon unmasks him,
And your idol proves a cheat!”
“Love!” the youth replies, “Oh, sever
Real love from vain deceits:
Constant love brings hours that never
Lose their sunshine, or their sweets.”
IV
“Friendship, too, you call a treasure,
But,” says Truth, “it is a tie
Loosely worn 'mid scenes of pleasure,
And when fortune frowns—thrown by.”
“Friendship,” he replies, “possesses
Worth which no dark change destroys;
Seeking, soothing our distresses,
Sharing, doubling all our joys.”
V
“Go,” says Truth, “'tis plain we never
Can such hostile thoughts combine;
Folly is your guide for ever,
While dull sense must still be mine.”
Cries the Boy—“Frown on, no matter,
Mortals love my merry glance!
E'en in Truth's own path they scatter
Roses snatch'd from young Romance.”
