So fast out of his heart, I thought They never would have done. -I've heard of hearts unkind, kind deeds With coldness still returning; Alas! the gratitude of men Hath oftener left me mourning. 95 1798. VII. WRITTEN IN GERMANY. ON ONE OF THE COLDEST DAYS OF THE CENTURY. The Reader must be apprised that the Stoves in North Germany generally have the impression of a galloping horse upon them, this being part of the Brunswick Arms. A PLAGUE on your languages, German and Norse! Let me have the song of the kettle; And the tongs and the poker, instead of that horse That gallops away with such fury and force 5 See that Fly, a disconsolate creature! perhaps retreat, And he creeps to the edge of my stove. Alas! how he fumbles about the domains 15 Stock-still there he stands like a traveller bemazed: The best of his skill he has tried; His feelers, methinks, I can see him put forth To the east and the west, to the south and the north, But he finds neither guide-post nor guide. 20 His spindles sink under him, foot, leg, and thigh! His eyesight and hearing are lost; Between life and death his blood freezes and thaws; And his two pretty pinions of blue dusky gauze Are glued to his sides by the frost. 25 No brother, no mate has he near him—while I room, And woodbines were hanging above. 30 Yet, God is my witness, thou small helpless Thing! Thy life I would gladly sustain Till summer come up from the south, and with A POET'S EPITAPH. ART thou a Statist in the van A Lawyer art thou?-draw not nigh! Art thou a Man of purple cheer? Or art thou one of gallant pride, Physician art thou?-one, all eyes, Wrapt closely in thy sensual fleece, A Moralist perchance appears; 5 10 15 20 Led, Heaven knows how! to this poor sod: One to whose smooth-rubbed soul can cling An intellectual All-in-all! Shut close the door; press down the latch; Sleep in thy intellectual crust; Nor lose ten tickings of thy watch Near this unprofitable dust. 25 30 35 But who is He, with modest looks, He is retired as noontide dew, The outward shows of sky and earth, In common things that round us lie That broods and sleeps on his own heart. But he is weak; both Man and Boy, Contented if he might enjoy The things which others understand. -Come hither in thy hour of strength; 1799. 40 45 50 55 60 IX. TO THE DAISY. BRIGHT Flower! whose home is everywhere, Bold in maternal Nature's care, And all the long year through the heir Of joy and sorrow. Methinks that there abides in thee Is it that Man is soon deprest ? 5 A thoughtless Thing! who, once unblest, 10 Does little on his memory rest, Or on his reason, And Thou would'st teach him how to find A hope for times that are unkind Thou wander'st the wide world about, Meek, yielding to the occasion's call, Thy function apostolical In peace fulfilling. 15 20 1802. In the School of X. MATTHEW. is a tablet, on which are inscribed, in gilt letters, the Names of the several persons who have been School-masters there since the foundation of the School, with the time at which they entered upon and quitted their office. Opposite to one of those Names the Author wrote the following lines. IF Nature, for a favourite child, |