78 CLIFTON HILL. With all their various berries blush, And the blue sloe abound for thee! Its armed and glossy leaves among, Still may thy nest, with lichen lined, To bear thy callow young away: SMITH. CLIFTON HILL. THOUGH slow and pensive now the moments roll, Successive months shall from our torpid soul Hurry these scenes again; the laughing hours Advancing swift, shall strew spontaneous flowers; ON A SPRIG OF HEATH. The early-peeping snowdrop, crocus mild, Pale primrose, daisy, May-pole decking sweet, All Nature's sweets in joyous circles move, YEARSLEY ON A SPRIG OF HEATH. FLOWER of the waste! the heath-fowl shuns To thy protecting shade she runs, Thy tender buds supply her food; 79 80 ON A SPRIG OF HEATH. Flower of the desert though thou art! The deer that range the mountain free, The graceful doe, the stately hart, Their food and shelter seek from thee; The bee thy earliest blossom greets, And draws from thee her choicest sweets. Gem of the heath! whose modest bloom Flower of the wild! whose purple glow Nor garden's artful varied pride, Flower of his heart! thy fragrance mild Of peace and freedom seem to breathe; THE ANGLER. To pluck thy blossoms in the wild, And deck his bonnet with the wreath, Where dwelt of old his rustic sires, Is all his simple wish requires. Flower of his dear-loved native land! Looks homeward through the blinding tear, How must his aching heart deplore That home and thee he sees no more! THOU that hast loved so long and well The vale's deep quiet streams, Where the pure water-lilies dwell, Shedding forth tender gleams; 11 81 82 THE ANGLER. And o'er the pool the May-fly's wing Oh! lone and lovely haunts are thine, And in the midst, a richer hue, One gliding vein of heaven's own blue. And there but low sweet sounds are heard- The whisper of the reed, The plashing trout, the rustling bird, Yet through the murmuring osiers near, 'Tis not the stag, that comes to lave, Seeking her sedgy nest; The air is filled with summer's breath, The young flowers laugh-yet look! 'tis death! |