How oft the laughing brow of joy And through the cloister's deep recess In vain through beauty, fortune, wit, It dwells not in the faithless smile Perhaps the joy to these denied, Howe'er our varying notions rove, Yet all agree in one, To place its being in some state O blind to each indulgent aim Vain are alike the joys we seek, And vain what we possess, Unless harmonious Reason tunes The passions into peace. 'To temper'd wishes, just desires, And, deaf to Folly's call, attends WRITTEN AT MIDNIGHT IN A THUNDER STORM. BY THE SAME. LET coward Guilt, with pallid Fear, And justly dread the vengeful fate Protected by that Hand, whose law In the thick cloud's tremendous gloom, It views the same all-gracious Power Through nature's ever-varying scene, The one eternal end of Heav'n With like beneficent effect O'er flaming ether glows, As when it tunes the linnet's voice,. By Reason taught to scorn those fears That vulgar minds molest, Let no fantastic terrors break Thy life may all the tenderest care Of Providence defend; And delegated angels round Their guardian wings extend. When, through creation's vast expanse, And shake the rising soul: Unmov'd mayst thou the final storm Of jarring worlds survey, That ushers in the glad serene Of everlasting day. THE EVENING WALK. BY THE SAME. How sweet the calm of this sequester'd shore, And solitude and silent eve restore The sighing gale, whose murmurs lull to rest Farewell, the objects of diurnal care, Your task be ended with the setting sun; Let all be undisturb'd vacation here, While o'er yon wave ascends the peaceful moon. What beauteous visions o'er the soften'd heart And cheer the soul with more than mortal views! Here faithful Mem'ry wakens all her pow'rs, And quick to every gladden'd thought restores Come,** come, and with me share, The sober pleasures of this solemn scene; While no rude tempest clouds the ruffled air, But all, like thee, is smiling and serene. Come, while the cool, the solitary hours Oft, when the earth detain'd by empty show, Thy voice has taught the trifler how to rise! Taught her to look with scorn on things below, And seek her better portion in the skies. Come, and the sacred eloquence repeat: The world shall vanish at its gentle sound, Angelic forms shall visit this retreat, And opening heaven diffuse its glories round. CONTEMPLATION. BY THE SAME. WHILE Soft through water, earth, and air, The vernal spirits rove, From noisy joys, and giddy crowds, To rural scenes remove. |