But Hymen's kinder flames unite, Chaste as cold Cynthia's virgin light, Productive as the sun. SEMICHORUS. Oh source of ev'ry social tye, United wish, and mutual joy! What various joys on one attend, As son, as father, brother, husband, friend? 25 While thousand grateful thoughts arise; Or meets his spouse's fonder eye; 30 Or views his smiling progeny ; What tender passions, take their turns, His heart now melts, now leaps, now burns, 36 CHORUS. Hence guilty joys, distastes, surmises, Fires that scorch, yet dare not shine: 40 Purest love's unwasting treasure, ODE ON SOLITUDE." HAPPY the man, whose wish and care In his own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Blest who can unconcern'dly find Hours, days and years slide soft away, Sound sleep by night; study and ease, Thus let me live, unseen, unknown, Thus unlamented let me die, Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie. a This was a very early production of our Author, written at about twelve years old. THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL.* ODE. I. VITAL spark of heav'nly flame! II. Hark! they whisper; Angels say, Sister Spirit, come away! What is this absorbs me quite ? Steals my senses, shuts my sight, Drowns my spirits, draws my breath? III. The world recedes; it disappears! 5 IO Heav'n opens on my eyes! my ears With This ode was written, at the desire of Steele, in imitation of the famous sonnet of Hadrian to his departing soul. |