Though strong, is, in the main, a joyless tie
Of naked instinct, wound about the heart.

Even now

Happier, far happier is thy lot and ours!
to solemnize thy helpless state,
And to enliven in the mind's regard
Thy passive beauty-parallels have risen,
Resemblances, or contrasts, that connect,
Within the region of a Father's thoughts,
Thee and thy Mate and Sister of the sky,
And first; thy sinless p ogress, through a world
By sorrow darkened and by care disturbed,
Apt likeness bears to hers through gathered clouds
Moving untouched in silver purity,

And cheering oft-times their reluctant gloom.
Fair are ye both, and both are free from stain:
But thou, how leisurely thou fill'st thy horn
With brightness! — leaving her to post along,
And range about disquieted in change,

And still impatient of the shape she wears.
Once up, once down the hill, one journey, Babe,
That will suffice thee; and it seems that now
Thou hast fore-knowledge that such task is thine ;
Thou travell'st so contentedly, and sleep'st
In such a heedless peace. Alas! full soon

Hath this conception, grateful to behold,

Changed countenance, like an object sullied o'er
By breathing mist; and thine appears to be
A mournful labour, while to her is given

Hope and a renovation without end.

That smile forbids the thought; - for on thy face Smiles are beginning, like the beams of dawn,

- smiles have there been

To shoot and circulate ;

seen,

Tranquil assurances that Heaven supports
The feeble motions of thy life, and cheers
Thy loneliness
;. or shall those smiles be called

Feelers of love,

put forth as if to explore This untried world, and to prepare thy way Through a strait passage intricate and dim? Such are they, — and the same are tokens, signs, Which, when the appointed season hath arrived, Joy, as her holiest language, shall adopt; And Reason's godlike Power be proud to own.

POEMS

OF THE IMAGINATION.