 | The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq |  |
11
HERMITAGE, A POEM,
INSCRIBED TO Mr. JACOB DUCHÉ, JUN.
I.
Whilst other bards in happier laysThe fair Amanda sing,
Teach the sweet lyre her grateful praise
To waft from ev'ry string:
II.
Whilst you the softer theme prolongOf Seraphina's voice,
And in description make your song
Harmonious as your choice:
III.
My muse delights in humble strainsTo sing of sylvan scenes,
Of rural prospects, flow'ry plains,
And wide extended greens.
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IV.
Sweet Hermitage ! thy happy seat,The muse's choice and mine;
Thy shady silent soft retreat
Shall in description shine.
V.
That secret walk of liveliest green,That breeze inviting shade,
Appears a solemn silent scene
For contemplation made.
VI.
There will I range, and to the museAddress my ardent pray'r;
In such a place she can't refuse,
Nor would be backward there.
VII.
Oft did this happy grove resoundStrains sweeter far than mine;
Here sat the Bard , and here around
Stood the indulgent Nine.
VIII.
Poetic music from his tongueHarmonious roll'd away;
The birds in dumb attention hung
To hear his softer lay.
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IX.
And thou my friend, in later days,Fill'd this resounding grove
With songs of matchless Delia's praise,
Soft as the breath of love.
X.
Dear pensive youth, oft have you soughtAt eve, this pleasing shade;
Your very soul wrapt up in thought,
As lonely here you stray'd.
XI.
Or shall my fancy—restless power!Another scene display,
And paint thee in yon jasmine bow'r,
Joyful, alert, and gay.
XII.
With Delia's sprightly converse blestThe hours unheeded glide,
And Pyllades, friend of thy breast,
Attending at thy side.
XIII.
With joy I tread the flow'ry greenWhich thou hast trode before;
Strive to repeat each happy scene,
And count thy pleasures o'er.
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XIV.
Where'er my wond'ring eyes I bend,New beauties still I find;
Here cooling vistas far extend,
The gardens bloom behind.
XV.
To distant plains I stretch mine eye,And view th' enlarged scene;
Above a vast extended sky,
Below a boundless green .
XVI.
Thence, swiftly borne in airy flight,The breezes of the spring,
To these blest scenes of calm delight
Both health and pleasure bring.
XVII.
At early morn I love to treadThe garden's gravelly walk,
Catch Flora blushing in her bed,
Whilst dew drops bend each stalk.
XVIII.
To see the lovely blooming roseHer choicest sweets display,
And ev'ry radiant charm disclose
To sol's inviting ray.
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XIX.
Her waving foliage glitt'ring bright,With drops of pearly dew;
Like diamonds sparkling to the light,
They strike the distant view.
XX.
The faithful matron thus to meetHer absent lord's return,
Her hair, her neck, her waist, her feet,
Doth with rich gems adorn.
XXI.
And as she lonely spends each dayHis absence to bemoan,
The minutes gliding slow away,
Whilst he her lord is gone.
XXII.
So in the dreary shades of night,The rose her beauty veils,
'Till with returning joy and light,
The sun o'er all prevails.
XXIII.
But when the soft ey'd eve invitesMy steps from yonder glade,
Then, then, my soften'd soul delights
To seek the darksome shade.
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XXIV.
Devotion fills my glowing breast,And all my powers combine
To praise my God, to make me blest,
In transports quite divine.
XXV.
Behold to raise the solemn sceneThe silver moon arise;
With mildest lustre gild the green,
With radiance fill the skies.
XXVI.
Her feeble inoffensive rayScarce glimmers thro' the trees,
Whose leaves with trembling murmurs play,
Shook by the passing breeze.
XXVII.
'Tis silence all—my soul arise,Arise to prayer and praise;
Thy God looks down with friendly eyes,
He listens to thy lays.
XXVIII.
Oh thou, whose goodness knows no end,Whose mercies I enjoy,
In praise to thee my breath I'll spend,
My latest hours employ.
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XXIX.
Let me oft thus thy influence know,Oh! be thus ever kind;
The brightness of thy visage show;
Enlighten thou my mind.
XXX.
So shall my soul to heav'n ascend,And join'd with angels there,
Before thy footstool lowly bend,
In more refined pray'r.
| The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq | |