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Yet softly rests thy weary head,
Where ocean's flowerets bloom;
Beneath the deep, thy coral bed,
Is virtue's hallowed tomb.

And oft, when eve's pale star alone
In sadness dims the wave,

The lonely surge will gently moan

Its requiem o'er thy grave.

Then rest in peace, and when no more

The raging billows sleep,

The LORD JEHOVAH will restore,

And bring thee from the deep.

SOLITUDE.

I LOVE at evening's silent tide,
When busy care hath flown,
In some sequestered dell to hide,
And pensive, muse alone.

'Tis then in solitude refined,

Reflection feels its zest;

'Tis then the contemplative mind

With Reason's charms is blest.

'Tis then the expanding soul ascends,

And roves through fields above; 'Tis then the mystic Essence blends With uncreated love.

O Solitude, thy soothing charm
Can conquer fell despair;

Can sad affliction's sting disarm,

And banish every care.

While folly's votary shuns thy shrine,

And grandeur fears thy power;
Still be thy rich enjoyments mine,

To bless life's fleeting hour.

TO THE COMET,

THAT APPEARED JULY, 1819,

MYSTIC stranger! blaze of light,
Messenger of good or ill;

Portent to the wondering sight,
What behest dost thou fulfil?

Dost thou tell of blight afar,
Or shall health's kind blessings cease?
Dost thou omen direful war,

Or confirm the notes of peace?

Art thou missioned from above,

O, celestial herald, say,

Dost thou bring the dawn of love,

Wakening the millenial day?

Could we thus with rapture meet thee,

Emanation of the skies,

How would songs of triumph greet thee, How would mingling praises rise!

But though Wisdom hath denied,
Finite skill, thy course to tell;
Though thy errand's undescribed,
Yet we know that all is well.

He that speaks in dreadful thunder,
Throned in power above the sky;
He, before whose viewless splendour,
All thy radiant glories die:

He that holds the bolt of heaven,
Systems, which their course fulfil,
He, whose glance all time hath riven,
God, will guard his children still.

Mystic orb, then urge thy flight,
Soon thy meteor-reign is o'er,
While thou burn'st, the gem of night,
We, admiring, God adore.

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