Changed is that lovely countenance, which shed Light when she spoke; and kindled sweet surprise, As o'er her frame each warm emotion spread, Played round her lips, and sparkled in her eyes. Those lips so pure, that moved but to persuade, Yet has she fled the life of bliss below, That youthful Hope in bright perspective drew? False were the tints! false as the feverish glow That o'er her burning cheek Distemper threw ! And now in joy she dwells, in glory moves! ON A TEAR. OH! that the Chemist's magic art Could crystallize this sacred treasure! Long should it glitter near my heart, A secret source of pensive pleasure. The little brilliant, ere it fell, Its lustre caught from CHLOE's eye; Then, trembling, left its coral cellThe spring of Sensibility! Sweet drop of pure and pearly light! Than any gem that gilds the mine. Benign restorer of the soul! Who ever fly'st to bring relief, When first we feel the rude controul Of Love or Pity, Joy or Grief. The sage's and the poet's theme, Thou charm'st in Fancy's idle dream, In Reason's philosophic page. That very law which moulds a tear, And bids it trickle from its source, That law preserves the earth a sphere, And guides the planets in their course. ΤΟ A VOICE THAT HAD BEEN LOST.* Vane, quid affectas faciem mihi ponere, pictor? Et, si vis similem pingere, pinge sonum.-AuSONIUS. ONCE more, Enchantress of the soul, * In the winter of 1805. Thy broken murmurs swept along, Or in the wilds of Ether lost. Far happier thou! 'twas thine to soar, Thy triumphs who shall dare explore? Did thee detain. Thy wing of fire And nursed thy infant years with many a strain from Heaven! Mrs. Sheridan's. |