"No more of this unmeaning rage, "When by the winds of autumn driven "Sweep the long vale. Here hovering lowers "The shadowy cloud; there downwards pours, "Streaming direct, a flood of day, "Which from the view flies swift away; "It flies, while other shades advance, "And other streaks of sunshine glance. "Thus chequer'd is the life below "With gleams of joy, and clouds of wo. "Then hope not, while we journey on, "Still to be basking in the sun: "Nor fear, though now in shades ye mourn, "That sunshine will no more return. "If, by your terrors overcome, "Ye fly before th' approaching gloom, "Who longs to reach the radiant plain "Must onward urge his course amain ; "For doubly swift the shadow flies, "When 'gainst the gale the pilgrim plies. "At least be firm, and undismay'd "Maintain your ground! the fleeting shade "Erelong spontaneous glides away, "And gives you back th' enlivening ray. "Lo, while I speak, our danger past! "No more the shrill horn's angry blast "Howls in our ear; the savage roar "Of war and murder is no more. "Then snatch the moment fate allows, "Nor think of past or future woes." He spoke; and hope revives; the lake That instant one and all forsake, In sweet amusement to employ The present sprightly hour of joy. Now from the western mountain's brow Compass'd with clouds of various glow, And shoots aslope his ruddy rays. The lawn assumes a fresher green, EPITAPH: BEING PART OF AN INSCRIPTION FOR A MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED BY A GENTLEMAN TO THE MEMORY OF HIS LADY. FAREWELL, my best-beloved; whose heavenly mind Genius with virtue, strength with softness join'd; Devotion, undebased by pride or art, With meek simplicity, and joy of heart; Though sprightly, gentle; though polite, sincere ; And only of thyself a judge severe; The tenderest Daughter, Sister, Parent, Wife. In thee their Patroness th' afflicted lost; ODE ON LORD H**'s BIRTH-DAY. A MUSE, unskill'd in venal praise, Who loves simplicity of lays To hail, O H**, thy Natal Morn: But twines with oak the laurel leaves, Thy cradle to adorn. For not on beds of gaudy flowers Thine ancestors reclined, Where Sloth dissolves, and Spleen devours |