With step-dame eye and frown severe And all his vows to thee were due : In opening youth's delightful prime, Thy lonely wastes and frowning skies That wak'd him to sublimer thought; Where wild flowers pour'd their rathe perfume, And with sincere devotion brought To thee the summer's earliest bloom. But, ah! no fond maternal smile His days with early hardships tried; Yet, not by cold neglect depress'd, -Ah! days of bliss, too swiftly fled, When vigorous health from labour springs, And bland contentment smooths the bed, And sleep his ready opiate brings; And hovering round on airy wings Float the light forms of young desire, That of unutterable things The soft and shadowy hope inspire. Now spells of mightier power prepare, Unveil'd her eyes, unclasp'd her zone, He scorn the joys his youth has known. Let friendship pour her brightest blaze, And point them from the sparkling bowl; And lead his steps those bowers among, Then whilst his throbbing veins beat high With every impulse of delight, Dash from his lips the cup of joy, And shroud the scene in shades of night: And let despair, with wizard light, Disclose the yawning gulf below, And pour incessant on his sight, Her spectred ills and shapes of woe: And show beneath a cheerless shed, And let his infants' tender cries A husband and a father's name, 'Tis done, the powerful charm succeeds; -Rear high thy bleak majestic hills, Thy airy heights, thy woodland reign, That ever breath'd the soothing strain. |