Too well we know hope will deceive, And happiest they who prize it most; WRITTEN IN A CHURCHYARD, ON SEEING A NUMBER OF CATTLE GRAZING IN IT. 1766. [This is one of Miss Blamire's earliest poems. It was written in her nineteenth year; and is a remarkable production for so early an age. It may have been suggested by Gray's The Elegy was Elegy, to which it bears some resemblance. Be still my heart, and let this moving sight Let this convince how like the lightning's flight Within this place of consecrated trust The neighbouring herds their daily pasture find; And idly bounding o'er each hallow'd dust, Form a sad prospect to the pensive mind. Whilst o'er the graves thus carelessly they tread, Allur'd by hunger to the deed profane, They crop the verdure rising from the bed Of some fond parent, or some love-sick swain. No more does vengeance to revenge the deed The name or titles which its owner bore; Honour and fame in time of hostile war ;Whose arm the Captive's liberty regain'd, And stamp'd his valour with a glorious scar. Alas! his widow might attend him here, And children, too, the slow procession join, And his fond friends indulge the trickling tear, O'er his last honours at the awful shrine. Perhaps some orphan here might see inurn'd The only guardian of her orphan years; And, on the precipice of errors turn'd, Become reclaim'd by sweet repentant tears. The lover, too, might strain an eager look, Once more attempting to survey the fair Who, for his sake, her early friends forsook, With him her days of joy or grief to share. What beauty or what charms adorn'd the frame? Of this cold image, now to earth consign'd; Or what just praise the heart's high worth might claim The time-worn letters now no more remind. Then, what is honour ?-what is wealth or fame? Since the possessor waits the common doom! As much rever'd we find the peasant's name As the rich lord's, when in the levelling tomb. To both alike this tribute we may send, The heart-swollen sigh, or the lamenting tear; For nought avails the marble o'er each head, Or strike the living with their wonted awe. For soon infirmity shall fix her seat, And dissolution lastly close the scene; Yet think not death awaits the course of years, In every place the potent king appears, To youth, to age, to every scene resorts. But why, my heart, that palpitating beat! Can death's idea cause that pensive gloom? Since in the world such thorny cares we meet, And since 'tis peace within the silent tomb. Yet still the thought of nature's sad decay, And the reception in the world unknown, When earthly prospects fade before my view; Say, in Elysium we shall meet again, Nor there shall error hold the enchanting rod; But freed from earth at once we'll break the chain, And thus releas'd shall ne'er offend our God. Then hence aversion to the body's doom, Nor let this scene a pensive murmur raise, Nor let thought grieve when pondering o'er the tomb, Though on my grave the senseless herd should graze. WRITTEN ON A GLOOMY DAY IN THACKWOOD, 4TH JUNE, 1786. The gloomy lowering of the sky, Are things the cheerful well can spare ; But to the pensive, thoughtful mind, The birds that warble over head, The weary, weary, wasting frame, Through which life's pulses slowly beat, Would fain persuade that nought's the same As when health glow'd with genial heat. Where are the spirits, light as air, That self-amus'd, would carol loud? Would find out pleasure everywhere, And all her paths with garlands strow'd? Nature's the same: the Spring returns, The leaf again adorns the tree; How tasteless this to her who mournsTo her who droops and fades like me! No emblem for myself I find, Save what some dying plant bestowsSave where its drooping head I bind, And mark how strong the likeness grows. No more sweet Eve with drops distill'd Nor bid Aurora's cup be fill'd With balmy dew from yonder leaf. What, though some seasons more had roll'd Their golden suns to glad thine eye! Yet as a flower of mortal mould 'Twas still thy lot-to bloom and die. |