"An aching void where nought can come, But self-reproach, and secret gloom, " Earnest of future woe! Let braggart sinners loudly boast: They dare not face rich Folly's frown; Held fast in Passion's chain They talk of liberty: 'tis prate. They start at every pain. "Lest Death their trembling souls should seize, Their blood with mortal horrors freeze, And all their prospects end. At that inevitable hour, My parent, VIRTUE, proves her power, "In life, in death, I follow her; She, she alone, can joys confer, To fill the human heart: From heav'n together first we came : And never, never part!" SPRING. AN ODE. BY DR. JOHNSON. STERN Winter now, by Spring repress'd, Forbears the long-continued strife; And Nature on her naked breast, Delights to catch the gales of life. Now o'er the rural kingdom roves And Vegetation plants the plain. Unhappy! whom to beds of pain Though Rapture sings and Beauty shines. Yet though my limbs disease invades, And bears me to the peaceful shades Here stop, my soul, thy rapid flight, Here let me through the vales pursue From false caresses, causeless strife, When best enjoy'd-when most improv'd. Teach me, thou venerable bower, When pride by guilt to greatness climbs, But lest I fall by subtler foes, Bright Wisdom! teach me Curio's art, THE MIDSUMMER'S WISH. AN ODE. BY THE SAME. O PHEBUS! down the western sky, Come, gentle Eve, the friend of Care, Come, Cynthia, lovely queen of night; Refresh me with a cooling breeze, And cheer me with a lambent light. Lay me where o'er the verdant ground Improve the peaceful hour with wine, And every strain be tun'd to love. Come, Stella, queen of all my heart! Whilst all my wish and thine complete, Let me, when Nature calls to rest, AUTUM N. AN ODE. BY THE SAME. ALAS! with swift and silent pace Impatient Time rolls on the year; The seasons change, and Nature's face Now sweetly smiles, now frowns severe. |