RECOLLECTION OF A SUMMER WALK.
Well I remember, when we first enjoy'd
Those fairy scenes, with pleasure unalloy'd;
Thy guiding hand had op'd the classic gate
To our young minds of Eden's happy state;
Thy guiding hand had led our steps along
Through Spenser's wild and sweetly warbled song.
Oh! then what magic tints, before unknown,
Majestic Blenheim, o'er thy shades were thrown!
Where'er we rov'd, sweet Fancy would impart
Through each, through all, new rapture to the heart.
Hers was the voice that woke on every breeze,
Hers were the forms that glided through the trees;
The warbling birds, the bees among the flowers,
All told of paradise and smiling hours,
And the clear stream, that murmur'd through the
Of bowers of bliss and innocence and love.
How blest those days, to care and pain unknown! Too soon alas! too soon, for ever flown!
O youth and hope, and will ye come no more
The joys of early youth indeed are o'er,
Not those of hope; that still her joys we know,
To you, lov'd Parents, next to Heav'n we owe.
How vain the hope that ardent youth inspires!
The path how dang'rous lit by fancy's fires!
A surer hope you taught, a safer way,
A light that brightens to the perfect day:
That light which cheers the darkest hour of woe,
To your blest nurture next to Heav'n we owe!
To you we owe the peace Religion brings,
The hallow'd peace which from her duties springs:
Nature's sweet pleasures, all untouch'd with blamek,
Books-music-poesy-from you they came.
F'en Fancy's charms, though chasten'd now her
To cheer not enervate the mind, are ours.
In each, in all of these, the while we view
Your early teaching, often we renew
Sweet converse, sweet communion, though awhile
Our paths are separate, and th' endearing smile
Of love parental we may not behold,
Nor those dear hands within our own enfold.
Our paths awhile are separate; yet not vain
The joyful hope that we shall "meet again!"
Oft have we been permitted thus to meet,
While cheerful looks and kindly voices greet
Our coming to the home which saw us stand
In youth's bright hours an undivided band.
Nor are we now divided, though apart,
By love's sweet bonds united still in heart.
In one of Sir W. Pepys' interesting letters, in the Life of Hannah More, he makes this observation on the pure enjoyment of natural scenery: "There is a consciousness which always attends this species of delight, and which adds much to its effect on the mind, namely that it cannot be indulged to excess."
Alluding to a favourite family melody, "Joyful words, we meet again!"
Nor are we separate at that hallow'd hour
When most Devotion claims her soothing power;
When morn and evening sees our prayers arise
To Him who hears, and views with fav'ring eyes
Those families who call upon His name,
Watchful to feed the social altar's flame.
Oh! may His mercy on our households rest!
Oh! may
He bless us, and we shall be blest!
Still to His hand each blessing may we trace,
In woe be still supported by His grace;
And may He bring us to those realms above
Where we shall dwell in undivided love,
Where sorrow's tears are dried, where pain is o'erThere may we meet again, to part no more!
How oft have I rejoic'd in pleasant Spring
To cull the first new violets of the year;
Yet these, which now from Autumn's lap I bring
And offer unto thee, are far more dear;
For now when skies are pale and woods are sere, And e'en September's ling'ring flow'rs are o'er, These few, these cherish'd sweets we prize the
Meet emblems are they of parental love,
Which, when the love of Summer friends is gone,
Still blossoms, selfish feelings far above,
And loving most when we are most alone.
Blest is our lot that we such love have known,
And know it still, though life's sweet May is past,
Bright through her "yellow leafm" and her Au-
Is fall'n into the sere and yellow leaf."
"Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God." Psalm lv. 19; see also Jerem. xlviii. 11.
I saw thee in youth, and thine eyes' bright beams
Spoke of all that was sweet and fair,
Of all that the youthful spirit dreams
In its fields of Elysian air.
Health love and joy around thee play'd,
And Hope cast her halo o'er thee;
While Fancy's aërial music play'd,
Op'ning magic scenes before thee.
I saw thee again, and the charm was gone
Which thy youthful path had lighted;
And thou seem'dst to be walking the earth alone,
With hopes and feelings blighted.
Health love and joy no more were there,
They had smil❜d but to deceive thee;
While in Fancy's charms thou hadst found a snare, And e'en Hope appear'd to leave thee.
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