Poems and other Pieces By Henry Headley |
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To MYRA, after receiving two drawings representing a Violet and a Beggar.
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 | Poems and other Pieces |  |
To MYRA, after receiving two drawings representing a Violet and a Beggar.
From these sad scenes where care and pale dismayDarken with deepest cloud the coming day ,
Where Duty breathes in vain its lengthen'd sigh,
And wipes the stagnant tear from Sorrow's eye,
O'er all its hopes views hovering Death prevail,
And mourns the social comforts as they fail;
Say, can a novice Muse, though you inspire,
In artless thanks awake her sadden'd lyre?
For me, whose eye surveys with vain delight
Pieria's stream and famed Parnassa's height
Let M--- all in tears his story tell
Of widow'd dove, or sorrowing Philomel;
With all the tinsel'd harlotry of art
Win the weak mind or touch the tasteless heart:
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Pert with the pretty cant of servile rhyme;
Unaw'd by power or fame's delusive ray
I value more a violet than a bay.
What though, dear girl, these worthless lays appear
But ill attuned to meet thy nicer ear,
Warm from the heart officious fondness flies,
And fears no frown but that of Myra's eyes.
For her what Gothic soul could e'er repine
To' invoke, those worst of all coquets, the Nine.
In Shandy mood with head on hand reclined
To ev'ry ill of fate and phlegm resigned,
With surly silence, or with cold content,
I hear (on distant scenes my thoughts intent)
The tedious round of chat and compliment;
Perchance the heavy hour in part to kill,
And keep the drowsy mind from standing still,
Comes a dread summons from the fiend quadrille,
With sad civility the tricks I tell,
And gaze without emotion at a belle;
Whilst at my careless play and vacant air,
Gamblers look grave, and tabbies wish to swear;
Till parent Dullness claims her seat again,
Settles their features and assumes her reign.—
At those loved shores where Yare with ceaseless sweep
Joins the dark bosom of the fearful deep,
Full many a truant wish and wayward look
Has absence cast and musing Fancy took,
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Looks round with joy and longs to linger there,
Where frank Good-humour ev'ry care beguiles
With all the social family of smiles;
Charm'd at the thought, I picture Juliet near ,
Her sprightly glance I feel, her voice I hear,
Attentive sit, and meet, with tacit sigh
The softer cast of pensive Myra's eye;
Dwell long enamour'd on each blooming grace,
That lends its 'luring influence to her face;
With fluttering breast I view her nicest skill,
Teach the keen darts of Venus how to kill
And touch with busy hand each lighter dress,
That guards the dimpled cheek and silken tress;
The filmy gauze, the ribband's dazzling dye,
(A mystic spell to catch the rustic eye),
The waving sash, the feather's nodding plume,
With all the powers of cambric and perfume;
Through such let meaner beauties of the day
Spread wide o'er vanquish'd hearts the female sway,
At ev'ry look and random glance lay low
A dangling coxcomb, or a flimsy beau;
To souls like mine no influence they impart
Who bribe the eye to captivate the heart.
Slaves to the laws of taste, let some admire
Paulo's bold stroke, or vivid Titian's fire;
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Poussin's learn'd air, or soft Corregio's grace.
In mute amaze let others trembling stand,
And feel the dark sublime of Rosa's hand;
Be mine the task their varied styles to view,
And mark their blended beauties met in you.
When the lone wretch by age and sickness led,
Bides the chill storm, and begs for bitter bread,
Taught by thy moving hand my tears shall flow
The hasty followers of his helpless woe,
Oft as I strive to chase those griefs away
That cloud the sunless evening of his day.
Meanwhile Affection fondly fix'd on you
(The lovely source from whence its pity grew),
Viewing thy beggar form with joy shall boast,
That she who excites it best must feel it most.
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