TO TWO SISTERS. * WELL may you sit within, and, fond of grief, Changed is that lovely countenance, which shed 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? And now in joy she dwells, in glory moves! *On the death of a younger sister. 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, Sweet drop of pure and pearly light! 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, 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. * The law of gravitation. Vane, quid affectas faciem mihi ponere, pictor? Et, si vis similem pingere, pinge sonum.-AUSONIUS. ONCE more, Enchantress of the soul, Say, in what distant star to dwell? Far happier thou! 'twas thine to soar, Thy triumphs who shall dare explore? * Mrs. Sheridan's. |