Of the fierce wind, while mid-day lightnings prowl Insidiously, untimely thunders growl; 5 While trees, dim-seen, in frenzied numbers, tear The lingering remnant of their yellow hair, And shivering wolves, surprised with darkness, howl As if the sun were not. He raised his eye Soul-smitten; for, that instant did appear Of providential goodness ever nigh! Feb. 1819. XVI. TO A SNOW-DROP. LONE Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they But hardier far, once more I see thee bend Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, way-lay 5 The rising sun, and on the plains descend; Shall soon behold this border thickly set And pensive monitor of fleeting years! 1819. (?) XVII. TO THE LADY MARY LOWTHER. With a selection from the Poems of Anne, Countess of Winchilsea; and extracts of similar character from other Writers; transcribed by a female friend. LADY! I rifled a Parnassian Cave (But seldom trod) of mildly-gleaming ore; And culled, from sundry beds, a lucid store Of genuine crystals, pure as those that pave The azure brooks, where Dian joys to lave Her spotless limbs; and ventured to explore Dim shades-for reliques, upon Lethe's shore, Cast up at random by the sullen wave. To female hands the treasures were resigned; And lo this Work!—a grotto bright and clear 10 From stain or taint; in which thy blameless mind 5 May feed on thoughts though pensive not austere ; Or, if thy deeper spirit be inclined 1820. (?) XVIII. TO LADY BEAUMONT. LADY! the songs of Spring were in the grove While I was shaping beds for winter flowers; While I was planting green unfading bowers, And shrubs-to hang upon the warm alcove, And sheltering wall; and still, as Fancy wove 5 The dream, to time and nature's blended powers I gave this paradise for winter hours, A labyrinth, Lady! which your feet shall rove. Yes! when the sun of life more feebly shines, Becoming thoughts, I trust, of solemn gloom 10 Or of high gladness you shall hither bring And these perennial bowers and murmuring pines Be gracious as the music and the bloom And all the mighty ravishment of spring. XIX. THERE is a pleasure in poetic pains 1807. Which only Poets know ;-'t was rightly said; Whom could the Muses else allure to tread Their smoothest paths, to wear their lightest chains? 10 When happiest Fancy has inspired the strains, 5 XX. THE Shepherd, looking eastward, softly said, Forthwith that little cloud, in ether spread She cast away, and showed her fulgent head 5 Approached this glory of the firmament; Who meekly yields, and is obscured-content With one calm triumph of a modest pride, 1815. (?) XXI. WHEN haughty expectations prostrate lie, 5 Survive, and Fortune's utmost anger try; 10 The Emathian phalanx, nobly obstinate; 1820. (?) XXII. HAIL, Twilight, sovereign of one peaceful hour! 5 To the rude Briton, when, in wolf-skin vest seen The self-same Vision which we now behold, 10 At thy meek bidding, shadowy Power! brought forth; These mighty barriers, and the gulf between ; The flood, the stars,-a spectacle as old As the beginning of the heavens and earth! 1815. (?) XXIII. WITH how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the sky, "How silently, and with how wan a face!" Where art thou? Thou so often seen on high Running among the clouds a Wood-nymph's race! Unhappy Nuns, whose common breath's a sigh 5 Which they would stifle, move at such a pace! The northern Wind, to call thee to the chase, Must blow to-night his bugle horn. Had I The power of Merlin, Goddess! this should be: And all the stars, fast as the clouds were riven, 10 Should sally forth, to keep thee company, Hurrying and sparkling through the clear blue heaven; But, Cynthia! should to thee the palm be given, Queen both for beauty and for majesty. XXIV. 1806. (?) EVEN as a dragon's eye that feels the stress 1 Sullenly glaring through sepulchral damp, 5 1.66 "Sullenly," edd. 1815, 1820, 1838. "Suddenly," edd. 1827-1849 (except 1838).-Ed. |