And to that period hasten, when the fears
Of love parental gather strength with years:
Point, how momentous in life's narrow span!
That fixes character and stamps the man.
But few, indeed, the days a parent knows
That wake no anxious feeling ere they close.
What passing year that asks not, as it flies,
Some ease foregone, some tender sacrifice!
E'en from that minute, agoniz'd though dear,
When a shrill cry bursts on the startled ear,
And speaks another creature come to share
Life's many blessings, and its weight of care;
Another living being born to die;

Another mortal, heir of Immortality!

Dear Infancy! (Now have I touch'd a theme

Will draw me on; as Mem'ry, in a dream,
Passing her busy fingers o'er the brain,

If chance she reach some link in the long chain
Of past events, did sweet delight inspire,
Wakes her wild music from that thrilling wire.)
Dear Infancy! how melts the bosom while
It clasps a finger with unconscious smile!

But when that smile intelligence betrays,

How pure the pleasure, and how fond the gaze! O! life resembles thee, thou harmless child!

It has, like thee, much care and trouble brought; But some dear moments it has sweetly smil'd,

And what a web of love those smiles have wrought!

CANTO II.

SCARCE had the martin, from her globe of clay, Greeted with short, faint chirp, the dawning day,

When, with light spirits, and elastic tread,
Eugenia left her almost sleepless bed:

For Sleep will fly when Joy approaches near,

As from the pillow wet with Sorrow's tear.

One heart there was to share the whole delight
That fill'd the mother's thoughts that live-long night:

Her little Francis scarcely touch'd the stair

As down he fled, his treasures to prepare.

"Yes, dear Mamma! my Brothers come to-day!
"This I will keep, and that will put away-
"But they're too old with little Frank to play.
"No matter we can read, and talk, and see
"My garden, and my own laburnum tree;
"And cut the cress that Mary bade me sow

"In letters large, that should to Brothers grow."
Unmingled pleasure his; Eugenia felt,

'Mid hopes that thrill, and tender joys that melt, Unwilling fears of filial love decay'd,'

Of faults that ask Affection's pruning aid:

Perhaps cold Pride, with heartless glance, would spurn

The humble roof that welcom'd their return.

The veriest trifle was with art arrang'd;

The flower-jar's destin'd spot so often chang'd!
It now the table, now the chimney grac'd;
Now look'd more tasteful by the window plac'd.
Susan the cloth with nicest care had spread,
And ready set the tongue, the cake, the bread,
The home-brew'd currant sparkled on the board,
And port, small stock, for days of sickness stor❜d.

Hour after hour in expectation past;

It seem'd that morning would for ever last.

How many sounds would cause the hurried start,

The open'd door! - Alas! 'twas but a cartAnd sure that anxious morn the carts were more Than till that day had ever pass'd the door!

They come! they come! this time 'tis no deceit― It stops they run-the happy kindred meet! "Dear boys! how grown! how altered! but I see "The same dear features as ye look at me. "Fred'ric has still his father's mouth and chin

"But are you well, my love? you're very thin! "" My little Frank's round, rosy, cherub face, "When last you left him you will hardly trace; "For he, like you, my Fred'ric, grows so tall! " "Tis a good boy, and that's the best of all."

Arthur spoke long, in polish'd phrase, and free From strong emotions. He was glad to see His Mother and his Brother; had forgot If he remember'd Francis' face or not;