While innocence without disguise, And constancy sincere, Shall fill the circles of those eyes, And mine can read them there; Those ills, that wait on all below, Or gently felt, and only so, As being shared with thee. When lightnings flash among the trees, I fear lest thee alone they seize, 'Tis then I feel myself a wife, But oh! if, fickle and unchaste, Thou could become unkind at last, No need of lightning from on high, Or kites with cruel beak; Denied the endearments of thine eye, This widowed heart would break. Thus sang the sweet sequestered bird, Soft as the passing wind, And I recorded what I heard, A lesson for mankind. A FABLE. A RAVEN, While with glossy breast But suddenly a wind as high, Shook the young leaves about her ears, Lest the rude blast should snap the bough, (For ravens, though as birds of omen They teach both conjurors and old women To tell us what is to befall, Can't prophesy themselves at all.). The morning came when neighbour Hodge, MORAL. 'Tis Providence alone secures In every change both mine and yours: From dangers of a frightful shape; A COMPARISON. THE lapse of time and rivers is the same, And a wide ocean swallows both at last. Though each resemble each in every part, A difference strikes at length the musing heart; Streams never flow in vain; where streams abound, How laughs the land with various plenty crowned! But time, that should enrich the nobler mind, Neglected leaves a dreary waste behind. ANOTHER. ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG LADY. Sweet stream, that winds through yonder glade, Apt emblem of a virtuous maid Silent and chaste she steals along, Far from the world's gay busy throng; With gentle yet prevailing force, Intent upon her destined course; Graceful and useful all she does, |