illSCELLAXEOirS. 79 



Yet wlien the silent evening sighs, 

 With hallow'd airs and symphonies, 

 My spirit takes another tone, 

 And sighs that it is all alone. 



The autumn leaf is sere and dead, 

 It iloats upon the water's bed ; 

 I would not be a leaf, to die 

 Without recording sorrow's sigh ! 



The woods and winds, with sudden wail, 

 Tell all the same unvaried tale ; 

 I've none to smile when I am free, 

 And when I sigh, to sigh with me. 



Yet in my dreams a form I view, 

 That thinks on me and loves me too; 

 I start, and when the vision's flosvii, 

 I weep that I am all alone. 



If far from me the Fates remove 

 Domestic peace, connubial love ; 

 The prattling ring, the social cheer, 

 Affection's voice, aff'ection's tear ; 

 Y^e sterner powers that bind the heart, 

 To me your iron aid impart ! 



teach me, when the nights are chill, 

 And my fire-side is lone and still ; 

 When to the blaze that crackles near, 



1 turn a tired and pensive ear, 



And nature conquering bids me sigh, 

 For love's soft accents whispering nigh ; 

 O teach me on that heavenly road, 

 That leads to Truth's occult abode. 

 To wrap my soul in dreams sublime. 

 Till earth and care no more be mine. 



