3 But fix'd unalterable Care
Foregoes not what she feels within, Shows the same sadness every where, And slights the season and the scene.
4 For all that pleased in wood or lawn, While Peace possess'd these silent bowers, Her animating smile withdrawn, Has lost its beauties and its powers.
5 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!
6 Me fruitful scenes and prospects waste Alike admonish not to roam ; These tell me of enjoyments past, And those of sorrows yet to come.
1 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 sunny shed, Where the flowers have the charms of the spring Though abroad they are frozen and dead.
2 'Tis a bower 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.
3 See how they have safely survived The frowns of a sky so severe ! Such Mary's true love, that has lived Through many a turbulent year. The charms of the late-blowing rose Seem graced with a livelier hue, And the winter of sorrow best shows The truth of a friend such as you.
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, 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,. Engaged myself to be at home, And shall expect him at the door Precisely as the clock strikes four.
You are so deaf, the lady cried (And raised 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 favourite horse Will never look one hair the worse.
Well, I protest 'tis past all bearing!- Child! I am rather hard of hearing- 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 sorest ill of human life, A plague so little to be fear'd, As to be wantonly incurr'd, To gratify a fretful passion, On every trival provocation? The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occcasion to forbear; And something every 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 spared-
Then farewell all that must create The comfort of the wedded state : Instead of harmony, 'tis jar, And tumult, and intestine war.
The love that cheers life's latest stage,
Proof against sickness and old age, Preserved by virtue from declension, Becomes not weary of attention ; But lives, when that exterior grace Which first inspired the flame, decays. 'Tis gentle, delicate and kind, To faults compassionate or blind, And will with sympathy endure Those evils it would gladly cure ; But angry, coarse, and harsh expression Shows love to be a mere profession; Proves that the heart is none of his, Or soon expels him if it is.
AN INVITATION INTO THE COUNTRY.
1 THE swallows in their torpid state Compose their useless wing, And bees in hives as idly wait The call of early Spring.
2 The keenest frost that binds the stream, The wildest wind that blows,
Are neither felt nor fear'd by them, Secure of their repose.
3 But man, all feeling and awake, The gloomy scene surveys; With present ills his heart must ache, And pant for brighter days.
4 Old Winter, halting o'er the mead, Bids me and Mary mourn; But lovely Spring peeps o'er his head, And whispers your return.
5 Then April, with her sister May, Shall chase him from the bowers, And weave fresh garlands every day, To crown the smiling hours.
6 And if a tear, that speaks regret Of happier times, appear, A glimpse of joy, that we have met, Shall shine, and dry the tear.
1 WHEN the British warrior queen, Bleeding from the Roman rods, Sought, with an indignant mien, Counsel of her country's gods-
2 Sage beneath the spreading oak Sat the Druid, hoary chief; Every burning word he spoke Full of rage, and full of grief.
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