1 68 AI^XANDKR WII.SON .* POET-NATURAUST 



Thro' Life's rough thorny wild we lab'ring go, 



And tho' a thousand disappointments grieve, 



Ev'n from the grave's dark verge we forward throw 



Our straining, wishful eyes on those we leave. 



And with their future fame our sinking hearts relieve. 



But soon, too soon, these fond illusions fled ! 

 In vain they pointed out that pious height; 

 By Nature's strong resistless impulse led. 

 These dull dry doctrines ever would he slight. 

 Wild Fancy form'd him for fantastic flight ; 

 He lov'd the steep's high summit to explore. 

 To watch the splendor of the orient bright. 

 The dark deep forest, and the sea-beat shore. 

 Where thro' resounding rocks the liquid mountains 

 roar. 



When gath'ring clouds the vaults of Heav'n o'er- 



spread, 

 And op'ning streams of livid lightning flew, 

 From some o'erhanging cliff the uproar dread, 

 Transfix'd rapt'rous wonder, he would view. 

 When the red torrent big and bigger grew. 

 Or deep'ning snows for days obscur'd the air. 

 Still with the storm his transports would renew. 

 Roar, pour away ! was still his eager pray'r. 

 While shiv'ring swains around were sinking in de- 

 spair. 



That worldly gift which misers merit call. 



But wise men cunning and the art of vrade, 



That scheming foresight how to scrape up all. 



How pence may groats, and shillings pounds be made, 



As little knew he as the moorland maid 



Who ne'er beheld a cottage but her own : 



