2

I paus'd on the strain, when fond mem'ry, tenacious,

Presented the form I must ever esteem: Retrac'd scenes of pleasure, alas, how fallacious! Evanescent all, all, as the shades of a dream. Yet still, as they rush'd thro' oppress'd recollection,

The silent tear fell, and the pensive reflection Immers'd my sad bosom in deeper dejection, On which cheering Hope scarcely glances a beam.

3

In vain into beauty all Nature is springing, In vain smiling Spring does the blossoms unfold;

In vain round my cot the wing'd choristers singing,

When each soft affection is dormant and cold. E'en sad as the merchant, bereav'd of his

treasure,

So slow beats my heart, and so languid its measure,

So dreary, so lonely, a stranger to pleasure, Around it Affliction her mantle hath roll'd.

4

But meek Resignation supporting the spirit,
Unveils a bright scene to the uplifted eye;

A scene, which the patient and pure shall in

herit,

Where hearts bleed no more, and the tear shall be dry.

There souls, which on earth in each other delighted,

By friendship, by honour, by virtue united, Shall meet, and their pleasures no more shall be blighted,

But perfect and pure as their love be their joy.

VII.

THE WINTER FRIEND.

1

WHEN the vocal cuckoo wings
To southern climes his way;
When the swifts in giddy rings
Their vent'rous flight essay;
When the linnet droops forlorn
Upon the naked spray ;
Mute the blackbird on the thorn,

And lark that hails the day;
Still the robin whistles clear,

And braves the fading year.

The frolic train of spring;
Fearful from the drifting snow
They urge their rapid wing.
Other warblers cease their strain
When storms forbid to roam,
But Robin then forsakes the plain,
And gives us songs at home :
Let the fickle sporters flee,-
The Winter Friend for me.

VIII.

GRATITUDE.

From the Opera of The Royal Merchant,

BY THOMAS HULL.

1

Go traverse the field and the grove, Examine the grain and the flower, How nourish'd and cheer'd by the dew! How beautiful after a shower!

To the Power who gave them to shine, Ah! tell me what seem they to say? "We flourish in duty to you,

That you may approve us are gay."

2

"We teem with increase and delight, To honour the source of our birth ; For this are we rich in the gale,

For this we are gay on the earth.”

Of their treasure, so free, so diffuse,
Sweet emblems! how well they impart
The fulness of pleasure and pride,
When gratitude springs in the heart.

IX.

THE PATRON.

IF e'er a Patron I shall find,

Who

may to serve me prove inclin’d, Be it my lot propitious

To find a man of generous soul,

Who scorns his Client to controul,

Whom none can say is vicious:

2

Who gives his favours from a sense
That he has duties to dispense,

And steward is of Heav'n;

Who, guided by no sordid views,
His sacred trust will ne'er abuse,

Remembering why 'tis giv'n:

3

Who, in his mode of giving, adds
A grace to bounty, and who glads
The very heart he favours;
No burden then his love I'll find,
But be to gratitude inclin❜d,

While all of good-will savours:

4

Who will not in return demand
A mean compliance at my hand,
Or mark extreme each error;
But, rather, who the friend shall prove,
To bind my heart by cords of love,
And not by abject terror.*

5

Sure pain would on the thought attend,
To differ from a generous friend :
"Twould give me grief unfeigned
To think my Patron against me
Had e'en the semblance of a plea,
Or justly he complained.

* There is a sentiment, in the Opera of THE ACCOMPLISHED MAID, which has always struck me as being extremely beautiful, and shewing an admirable heart in the Speaker: Fanny says, "How bountiful has Providence been iu allotting me such humane Benefactors, who, by kindness, convert misfortune into a blessing". She does not repine at her dependent state, but feels grateful for, and rejoices in, the benevolence of her Patrons,

M