POETRY. 973 



»Tis not for such — with pleasure to descry 

 Th asoemlant lumiu'ry of day : 

 Emblem of 'ts great Creator's piercing eye, 

 What crime dare face the penetrating ray ! 



Hark ! 'tis the rustling of the pine, whose leaf 

 Gathers the rude breath of the coming s.torm ! 

 Mark — how yon cloud doth robe in vest of grief 

 The glorious orb, and all his scenes deform! 



So oft retires the good man's blasted fame 

 From Envy's scowl, or low'ring Fortune's frown, 

 Yet in some happier period to reclaim 

 Its native rank i'th' records of renown. 



The noblest worth of patriots and of kings, 

 Bears ni>tthe palm, till mix'd with common clay: 

 *Tis from the ashes that the Phcenix springs, 

 Which claims our wonder, and the poet's lay. 



List! how the hail doth beat the babbling brook! 

 Mark ! — where the whirlwind bears yon mist of snow J 

 The fir-beam crackling waves — the rock is shook—- 

 Fly trav'ller fly ! nor shelter there below ! 



Full many a deep-fetch'd, heart-broke sigh shall heave! 

 And many a dragging weary step be told ; 

 And torrents stop — and treach'rous snows deceive 

 Thy listless foot, e'er thou thy home behold. 



With fear thou'lt pause to view the nodding clift ; 

 With pain oft shudder on the icy lea ; 

 W^ith sad despondency thy wan look lift 

 From yon high hill, an higher hill to see ! 



Sad emblem of thy days ! thus fair and frail 

 The visionary path of life is seen ! 

 Thus hope doth mock, and danger doth assail, 

 And anguish shadow o'er the motley scene ! 



Each to some distant point a look directs, 

 Whilst Fancy talks of gardens there behind. 

 Speeds fondly to the summit — nor suspects 

 The guest disconsolate, he there shall tind. 



There sad Experience, pond'ring o'er her glass^ 

 Mil ks the taiu pilgrim struggling froui below, 



I Sbftkcs 



