THE

POWER

OF

SOLITUD E.

PART FIRST

So oft the finer movements of the soul,
That shun the sphere of pleasure's gay control,
In the still shades of calm SECLUSION rise,
And breathe their sweet, seraphic harmonies.

PLEASURES OF MEMORY..

ON THE HEART.

A 2

MAID OF MY HEART, for whom in happier time
Oft may I twine the muse's modest flowers,
Accept this humble gift of grateful rhyme,

For bliss, affection lends my pensive hours:

Rude is the sketch; yet here thine eye may trace Thro scattered lays some holier thoughts of youth, Which, tho unwreathed with flowers of classic grace, May speak the simple energy of truth.

Blest be thy days! as bright they glide along,
May love and wisdom guide their calm career;

And, when thy minstrel slumbers with his song,
Oh! yield his shade a tributary tear :

The sweet return may sooth some pensive mood
Of one unknown, the muse of SOLITUDE.

ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST PART.

THE poem opens with a description of the pleasures of Solitude, and the final cause of them is resolved into the laws of association and sympathy. Hence is derived the love of classic ruins, and of the retreats of departed genius; hence also the love of sublime, picturesque, and beautiful, scenery; and these associated influences are exemplified in various historic allusions and descriptive pictures-The inefficacy of social scenes to afford consolation to the heart in the unfortunate incidents of life, in disease, despair, disappointment, and sorrow; and the corresponding benign influence of Solitude in awakening kind and benevolent emotions, and alleviating the miseries of life. The influence of Solitude on the various passions is next introduced; and hope, despair, and love, are represented, as deriving peculiar consolation and delight in retired life. The vanity of grandeur is next descanted on, and illustrated by historic details-The influence of Solitude in age, sorrow, and death, is attempted to be shewn in the tale of ST. AUBIN-Some reflections follow on the pleasures derived from the recollection of youthful scenes, particularly in the tranquillity of retired life-The cultivation of the more refined powers of the soul, tho often attended with pain, enlarges the circle of happiness, and elevates the character and sentiments to their highest perfection and dig. nity-The argument thence derived of the immortality of the soul-The poem then concludes with an address to friendship.

ΤΗΣ

POWER OF SOLITUDE.

O'ER the dim glen when autumn's dewy ray

Sheds the mild lustres of retiring day,

While scarce the breeze with whispering murmur flows

To hymn its dirge at evening's placid close:

When awful silence holds her sullen reign,

And moonlight sparkles on the dimpled main ;

Or thro some ancient, solitary tower

Disport loose shadows at the midnight hour :

Whence flows the charm these hallowed scenes impart,

To warm the fancy, and affect the heart?

Why swells the breast, alive at every pore,

With throbs unknown, with pains unfelt before?