XII.

Unnumber'd riches I behold,
Glories untasted I survey:
My heart is sick, my bosom cold,
Friends! neighbours! kindred! where are they?
In the sad, last, long, endless day!
When I can neither pray nor weep,
Doom'd o'er the sleeping world to stray,
And not to die, and not to sleep.

XIII.

Beside the summer sea I stand,

Where the slow billows swelling shine:

How beautiful this pearly sand,

That waves, and winds, and years

Be this delicious quiet mine!

refine :

The joy of youth! so sweet before,
When I could thus my frame recline,
And watch th' entangled weeds ashore.

XIV.

Yet, I remember not that sea,

That other shore on yonder side:
Between them narrow bound must be,
If equal rise the' opposing tide
Lo! lo! they rise- and I abide
The peril of the meeting flood:
Away, away, my footsteps slide-
I pant upon the clinging mud!

XV.

Oh let me now possession take

Of this it cannot be a dream.

Yes! now the soul must be awake

These pleasures are

they do not seem.

And is it true? Oh joy extreme!

All whom I loved, and thought them dead, Far down in Lethe's flowing stream,

And, with them, life's best pleasures fled :

XVI.

Yes, many a tear for them I shed-
Tears that relieve the anxious breast;
And now, by heavenly favour led,

We meet and One, the fairest, best, Among them ever-welcome guest! Within the room, that seem'd destroy'dThis room endear'd, and still possess'd, By this dear party still enjoy'd.

XVII.

Speak to me! speak! that I may know
I am thus happy! —dearest, speak!
Those smiles that haunt fond memory show!
Joy makes us doubtful, wavering, weak;
But yet 'tis joy- And all I seek

Is mine! What glorious day is this!
Now let me bear with spirit meek
An hour of pure and perfect bliss.

But do

ye

XVIII.

look indeed as friends?

Is there no change? Are not ye cold?
Oh! I do dread that Fortune lends
Fictitious good! —that I behold,
To lose, these treasures, which of old
Were all my glory, all my pride :
May not these arms that form infold?
Is all affection asks denied?

XIX.

Say, what is this? -How are we tried,
In this sad world! -I know not these-
All strangers, none to me allied

--

Those aspects blood and spirit freeze :
Dear forms, my wandering judgment spare;

And thou, most dear, these fiends disarm,
Resume thy wonted looks and air,
And break this melancholy charm.

XX.

And are they vanish'd? Is she lost?
Shall never day that form restore ?

Oh! I am all by fears engross'd;

Sad truth has broken in once more,

And I the brief delight deplore :

How durst they such resemblance take? Heavens! with what grace the mask they wore! Oh, from what visions I awake!

XXI.

Once more, once more upon the shore!
Now back the rolling ocean flows:
The rocky bed now far before

On the receding water grows
The treasures and the wealth it owes
To human misery - all in view;

Fate all on me at once bestows,

From thousands robb'd and murder'd too.

XXII.

But, lo! whatever I can find

Grows mean and worthless as I view : They promise, but they cheat the mind, As promises are born to do:

How lovely every form and hue,

Till seized and master'd - Then arise,

For all that admiration drew,

All that our senses can despise !

XXIII.

Within the basis of a tower,

I saw a plant-it graced the spot; There was within nor wind nor shower, And this had life that flowers have not. I drew it forth Ah, luckless lot! It was the mandrake; and the sound Of anguish deeply smother'd shot Into my breast with pang profound.

XXIV.

"I would I were a soaring bird,"
Said Folly, “and I then would fly:"
Some mocking Muse or Fairy heard

"You can but fall

suppose you try? And though you may not mount the sky, You will not grovel in the mire." Hail, words of comfort! Now can I Spurn earth, and to the air aspire.

XXV.

And this, before, might I have done
If I had courage that is all:

'Tis easier now to soar than run;

Up! up! we neither tire nor fall. Children of dust, be yours to crawl On the vile earth! — while, happier, I Must listen to an inward call,

That bids me mount, that makes me fly.

XXVI.

I tumble from the loftiest tower,
Yet evil have I never found;
Supported by some favouring power,
I come in safety to the ground.

I rest upon the sea, the sound

Of many waters in mine ear,

Yet have no dread of being drown'd,
But see my way, and cease to fear.