University of Virginia Library

Fragments

The youth impatient chides the creeping hours,
And prays old Sol to speed his tardy pace,
And bid the western star arise to light
His heart's devotion to its holy shrine;
At length the course is run, and lo!
The star that “lovers love” shines in the golden west.
With kindling eye he hails its dawning beam,
And deems it brighter than the fairest sun;
His cheek blooms ruddier, while his quickened pulse
Trembles with joy's anticipated thrill,
And fancy revels in expected bliss.
[OMITTED]
... but when mild friendship adds
Her purer light to his unsteady flame,
It warms and brightens to a summer sun.
Oh! then 'tis rapture all—and nameless joy
As blest, as brilliant, and as richly fair
As that which fancy gives the poet's god,
When on his visioned eye, in dreams arise
A sweeter, dearer heaven than his own.
'Tis the heart's paradise where pleasure reigns
In perfumed bowers of ravishing delight;
The air is balm, we breathe in sighs of bliss,
Each eye expressive beams enchantment forth;
Each murmured word in melting music falls,
And all around is luxury and love.
[OMITTED]
Oh love, without thee what were mortal life,
A dreary scene where horrid shadows hang
In fixed forbidding gloom; but thou canst change
The darkening clouds to clear blue summer skies,
And gild the murkiest night of human woe
With the mild lustre of a peaceful moon;
Still wave thy wing of joy above my head,
Sweet solacer—and when my hour is near,
Grant in thy rapturous worship I may sink
And soar to Heaven on the wings of love!
[OMITTED]