ODE.

O NIGHTINGALE, best poet of the grove,
That plaintive strain can ne'er belong to thee,
Bless'd in the full possession of thy love:

Oh, lend that strain, sweet Nightingale, to me!

'Tis mine, alas! to mourn my wretched fate :
I love a maid who all my bosom charms,
Yet lose my days without this lovely mate;
Inhuman Fortune keeps her from my arms.

You, happy birds! by Nature's simple laws
Lead your soft lives, sustain'd by Nature's fare;
You dwell wherever roving Fancy draws,

And love and song is all your pleasing care:

But we, vain slaves of interest and of pride,

Dare not be bless'd, lest envious tongues should blame; And hence in vain I languish for my bride:

Oh, mourn with me, sweet bird, my hapless flame!

THE POETICAL WORKS

OF

HENRY KIRKE WHITE

AND

JAMES GRAHAME.

THE

POETICAL WORKS

OF

HENRY KIRKE WHITE

AND

JAMES GRAHAME.

With Memoirs, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory Notes.

THE TEXT EDITED BY CHARLES COWDEN CLARKE.

CASSELL PETTER & GALPIN:

LONDON, PARIS & NEW YORK.