X. TO THE LADY MARY LOWTHER. With a selection from the Poems of Anne, Countess of Winchilsea; and extracts of similar character from other Writers; transcribed by a female friend. LADY! I rifled a Parnassian Cave (But seldom trod) of mildly-gleaming ore; To female hands the treasures were resigned; To holy musing, it may enter here. XI. TO THE LADY BEAUMONT. LADY! the songs of Spring were in the grove While I was shaping beds for winter flowers; A labyrinth, Lady! which your feet shall rove. And all the mighty ravishment of spring. XII. THERE is a pleasure in poetic pains Which only Poets know ;-'t was rightly said; Their smoothest paths, to wear their lightest chains ? How oft the malice of one luckless word Pursues the Enthusiast to the social board, Yet he repines not, if his thought stand clear, Fresh as the star that crowns the brow of morn ; The moment it has left the virgin's eye, Or rain-drop lingering on the pointed thorn. XIII. THE Shepherd, looking eastward, softly said, Meanwhile that veil, removed or thrown aside, Approached this glory of the firmament ; Who meekly yields, and is obscured-content With one calm triumph of a modest pride. XIV. WHEN haughty expectations prostrate lie, Survive, and Fortune's utmost anger try; And so the bright immortal Theban band, Might overwhelm, but could not separate ! |