The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson including many pieces never before published. In Three Volumes |
 | I. |
 | II. |
STANZAS.
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| III. |
 | The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson |  |
203
STANZAS.
[When fragrant gales and summer show'rs]
When fragrant gales and summer show'rs
Call'd forth the sweetly-scented flow'rs;
When ripen'd sheaves of golden grain
Strew'd their rich treasures o'er the plain;
When the full grape did nectar yield,
In tepid drops of purple hue;
When the thick grove and thirsty field
Drank the soft show'r, and bloom'd anew:
O then my joyful heart did say,
“Sure this is Nature's Holy-day!”
Call'd forth the sweetly-scented flow'rs;
When ripen'd sheaves of golden grain
Strew'd their rich treasures o'er the plain;
When the full grape did nectar yield,
In tepid drops of purple hue;
When the thick grove and thirsty field
Drank the soft show'r, and bloom'd anew:
O then my joyful heart did say,
“Sure this is Nature's Holy-day!”
But when the yellow leaf did fade,
And every gentle flow'r decay'd;
When whistling winds and drenching rain
Swept with rude force the naked plain;
When o'er the desolated scene
I saw the drifted snow descend,
And sadness darken'd all the green,
And Nature's triumphs seem'd to end:
O then my mourning heart did say,
“Thus Youth shall vanish, Life decay!”
And every gentle flow'r decay'd;
When whistling winds and drenching rain
Swept with rude force the naked plain;
When o'er the desolated scene
I saw the drifted snow descend,
And sadness darken'd all the green,
And Nature's triumphs seem'd to end:
O then my mourning heart did say,
“Thus Youth shall vanish, Life decay!”
204
When Beauty blooms, and Fortune smiles,
And Wealth the easy breast beguiles;
When Pleasure from her downy wings
Her soft bewitching incense flings;
Then Friends look kind—and round the heart
The brightest flames of Passion move,
False Flatt'ry's soothing strains impart
The warmest Friendship, fondest Love:
But when capricious Fortune flies,
Then Friendship fades,—and Passion dies.
And Wealth the easy breast beguiles;
When Pleasure from her downy wings
Her soft bewitching incense flings;
Then Friends look kind—and round the heart
The brightest flames of Passion move,
False Flatt'ry's soothing strains impart
The warmest Friendship, fondest Love:
But when capricious Fortune flies,
Then Friendship fades,—and Passion dies.
| The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson | |