POETRY. 667 



Now grew the Youth resign 'd; he bade adieu 

 To all that Hope, to all that Fancy drew ; 

 His frame was languid, and the hectic heat 

 Flush'd on his pallid face, and countless beat 

 The quick'ning pulse, and faint the limbs that bore 

 The slender form that soon would breathe no more. 



Then hope of holy kind the soul sustain'd. 

 And not a lingering thought of earth remain'd; 

 Now Heaven had all, and he could smile at Love, 

 And the wild sallies of his youth reprove; 

 Then could he dwell upon the tempting days. 

 The proud aspiring thought, the partial praise ; . 

 Victorious now, his worldly views were clos'd. 

 And on the bed of death the Youth repos'd. 



The Father griev'd— but as the Poet's heart 

 Was all unfitted for his earthly part ; 

 As, he conceiv'd, some other haughty Fair 

 Would, had he liv'd, have led him to despair; 

 As, with this fear, the silent grave shut out 

 All feverish hope, and all tormenting doubt ; 

 AVhile the strong faith the pious Youth possessed. 

 His hope enlivening, gave his sorrows rest; 

 Sooth'd by these thoughts, he felt a mournful joy 

 For his aspiring and devoted boy. 



Meantime the news through various channels spread, 

 The youth, once favour'd with such praise, was dead ; 

 ' Emma,' the Lady cried, ' my words attend : 

 Your syren-smiles have killed your humble friend ; 

 The hope you rais'd can now delude no more, 

 Nor charms, that once inspir'd, can now restore.' 



Faint was the flush of anger and of shame, 

 That o'er the cheek of conscious beauty came ; 



* You censure not,' said she, ' the Sun's bright rays. 

 When fools imprudent dare the dangerous o-aze; 

 And should a stripling look till he were blind, ' 

 You would not justly call the light unkind; 



But is he dead ? and am I to suppose 



The power of poison in such looks as those ?' 



She spoke, and pointing to the mirror, cast 



A pleas'd gay glance, and court'sy'd as she pass'd. 



My Lord, to whom the Poet's fate was told, 

 Was much affected, for a man so cold ; 



* Dead!' said his lordship, 'run distracted, mad ! 

 Upon my soul I'm sorry for the lad; 



And 



