Affliction shows the same Sadness every where.

IV.

For all that pleas'd in wood or lawn,

While peace possess'd these silent bow'rs,

Her animating smile withdrawn,

Has lost its beauties and its pow'rs.

V.

The saint or moralist should tread

This moss-grown alley, musing, slow;

They seek, like me, 'the secret shade,
But not, like me, to nourish woe!

VI.

Me fruitful scenes and prospects waste
Alike admonish not to roam;

These tell me of enjoyments past,

And those of sorrows yet to come.

The Winter of Sorrow best shows the Truth of a Friend.

THE WINTER NOSEGAY.

I.

WHAT nature, alas! has denied
To the delicate growth of our isle,
Art has in a measure supplied,

And winter is deck'd with a smile.
See, Mary, what beauties I bring

From the shelter of that sunay shed,

Where the flow'rs have the charms of the spring, Though abroad they are frozen and dead.

II.

'Tis a bow'r of Arcadian sweets,

Where Flora is still in her prime,

A fortress, to which she retreats

From the cruel assaults of the clime. While earth wears a mantle of snow,

These pinks are as fresh and as gay As the fairest and sweetest that blow

On the beautiful bosom of May.

Mutual Forbearance necessary to the Happiness of the married State.

III.

See how they have safely surviv'd

The frowns of a sky so severe;
Such Mary's true love, that has liv'd
Through many a turbulent year.

The charms of the late blowing rose
Seem grac'd with a livelier hue,

And the winter of sorrow best shows
The truth of a friend such as you.

MUTUAL FORBEARANCE

NECESSARY TO THE HAPPINESS OF THE MARRIED STATE.

THE lady thus address'd her spouse→→→

What a mere dungeon is this house!
By no means large enough; and, was it,
Yet this dull room, and that dark closet-
Those hangings, with their worn-out graces,
Long beards, long noses, and pale faces-

Mutual Forbearance necessary to the Happiness of the married State.

Are such an antiquated scene,

They overwhelm me with the spleen!

Sir Humphrey, shooting in the dark,
Makes answer quite beside the mark :
No doubt, my dear, I bade him come,
Engag'd myself to be at home,

And shall expect him at the door
Precisely when the clock strikes four.

You are so deaf, the lady cried,

(And rais'd her voice, and frown'd beside) You are so sadly deaf, my dear,

What shall I do to make you hear?

Dismiss poor Harry! he replies;
Some people are more nice than wise-
For one slight trespass all this stir?
What if he did ride whip and spur,
'Twas but a mile your fav'rite horse
Will never look one hair the worse.

Well, I protest 'tis past all bearing-
Child! I am rather hard of hearing-

Mutual Forbearance necessary to the Happiness of the married State.

Yes, truly-one must scream and bawl

I tell you, you can't hear at all!

Then, with a voice exceeding low,
No matter if you hear or no.

Alas! and is domestic strife,

That forest ill of human life,
A plague so little to be fear'd,
As to be wantonly incurr'd,
To gratify a fretful passion,
On ev'ry trivial provocation?
The kindest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear;
And something, ev'ry day they live,
To pity, and, perhaps, forgive.
But if infirmities that fall
In common to the lot of all—

A blemish or a sense impair'd-
Are crimes so little to be spar'd,
Then farewell all that must create
The comfort of the wedded state;