Minor Poems, including Napoleon :: :: University of Virginia Library

Minor Poems, including Napoleon

By Bernard Barton. Second Edition, with Additions

Barton, Bernard (1784-1849)

MINOR POEMS, INCLUDING NAPOLEON.

TO JOHN BOWRING, ESQ. ON HIS TRANSLATION OF THE RUSSIAN ANTHOLOGY.

TO C. B. T.

TO C. H. TOWNSEND, ON HIS VERSES TO THE SETTING SUN, INCLUDED IN THE VOLUME OF HIS POEMS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

STANZAS ON THE APPROACH OF WINTER.

SONNET, WRITTEN ON THE FIRST LEAF OF A VOLUME OF CHARLES LLOYD'S POETRY.

BENHALL.

SONNET.

TO --- ---, ESQ.

TO THE AUTHOR OF “MAY YOU LIKE IT.”

VERSES ON THE GATEWAY

THE CONTRAST.

STANZAS.

THE RECANTATION; TO --- ---.

VERSES TO A CHILD TWO YEARS OLD.

DAYS OF DARKNESS.

THE POOL OF BETHESDA.

TO THE MEMORY OF EMMA FULLER.

EARLY RISING AND PRAYER.

THE TWELVE MONTHS OF HUMAN LIFE.

TO A DILATORY CORRESPONDENT.

LOWESTOFT.

TO A FRIEND, ON HIS DEPARTURE FOR ROME.

THE WALL-FLOWER.

ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

TO THE CLOUDS.

DUNWICH.

TO THE MEMORY OF THE AUTHOR'S FATHER.

A PORTRAIT.

TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM HEY.

WHAT IS LIFE?

ON THE RETURN OF SUMMER BIRDS.

INFANCY.

BOYHOOD.

MANHOOD.

OLD AGE.

ON A PORTRAIT OF BEATRICE CENCI:

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268

OLD AGE.

I

The scath'd and leafless tree may seem
Old Age's mournful sign;
Yet on its bark may sunshine gleam,
And moonlight softly shine.

II

Thus on the cheek of age should rest
The light of years gone by,
Calm as the glories of the west
When night is drawing nigh.

III

As round that scath'd trunk fondly clings
The ivy green and strong,
Repaying, by the grace it brings,
The succour granted long; —

269

IV

So round benevolent Old Age
May objects yet survive,
Whose greenness can the eye engage,
And keep the heart alive.

V

Grant that no ivy-wreaths it know,
But fell'd at last to earth,
Its relics from the hearth may glow, —
Who shall deny its worth?

VI

Not cheerless is the symbol found,
If, while it can supply
Delight to living hearts around,
Its smoke ascends on high!