ON,

THE DEATH

OF

HENRY HEADLEY.

To every gentle Muse in vain allied,
In youth's full early morning HEADLEY died!
Ah! long had sickness left her pining trace,
Rueful and wan, on each decaying grace:
Untimely sorrow touch'd his thoughtful mien!
Despair upon his languid smile was seen!
Yet Resignation, musing on the grave,

(When now no hope could cheer, no pity save)
And Virtue, that scarce felt its fate severe,

And pale Affection, dropping soft a tear

For friends belov'd, from whom she soon must part,
Breath'd a sad solace on his aching heart.

Nor ceas'd he yet to stray, where, winding wild,
The Muse's path his drooping steps beguil'd,

Intent to rescue some neglected rhyme,
Lone-blooming, from the mournful waste of time;
And cull each scatter'd sweet, that seem'd to smile
Like flow'rs upon some long-forsaken pile.*

Far from the murmuring crowd, unseen, he sought Each charm congenial to his sadden'd thought. When the grey morn illum'd the mountain's side, To hear the sweet birds' earliest song he hied;

When meekest eve to the fold's distant bell

Listen'd, and bade the woods and vales farewell,
Musing in tearful mood, he oft was seen
The last that linger'd o'er the fading green.

The waving wood, high o'er the cliff reclin'd,
The murm'ring water-fall, the winter's wind,
His temper's trembling texture seem'd to suit,
Like airs of sadness the responsive lute.

Yet deem not hence the social spirit dead, Though from the world's hard gaze his feelings fled.

* Allading to Beauties of Ancient Poetry, published by Mr. H.

Firm was his friendship, and his faith sincere,
And warm as Pity's his unheeded tear,

That wept the ruthless deed, the poor man's fate,
By fortune's storms left cold and desolate.

Farewell!-yet be this humble tribute paid To all thy virtues, from that social shade* Where once we sojourn'd.

-I, alas! remain

To mourn the hours of youth (yet mourn in vain)
That fled neglected.Wisely thou hast trod
The better path; and that High Meed, which God
Ordain'd for Virtue, tow'ring from the dust,
Shall bless thy labours, spirit! pure and just.

*Trinity College, Oxford.