Henceforth to soothe the sullen ear

Of death, in vain shall music try; Nor mirth his gloomy heart shall cheer, Nor beauty charm his wayward eye.

For mirth and beauty both were thine,

And sweetest music from thee flow'd; Yet here the mournful wreath we twine,

That decks thy long and last abode.

EPITAPH,

TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN OF GUARINI.

ASK'ST thou what maiden slumbers here?

Drop on the sod one tender tear;

And soon to thine admiring eyes,

A flow'r of sweetest scent shall rise,

From which, O stranger, thou may'st know

The name of her who rests below.

THE DAISY.

FAIRIES! see, the burning star,

That our nightly sports doth mar,
Passes slow away;

Hous'd beneath his western porch,
Now his beams no longer scorch-
Hasten to your play;

The yellow moon will lend her torch To every gentle fay.

Round about our green grass ring,

Fairy people dance, and sing

Many a quaint conceit;

Nothing wicked enters here,

Ghost or goblin comes not near,

In this cool retreat,

Where we chaunt with carol clear,

"The Daisy is so sweet."

Daisy sweet! thy charms unfold,
Shew thy breast of burnish'd gold,
Set in rays of white;

Fear no peril, tender flow'r,

For, in this enchanted bow'r,

Many a fairy knight

Guards thy stem from influence sour, And every harmful sprite.

Gather'd drops of precious dew,
On thy polish'd leaves we strew;
Then, with nimble feet,

As we wind the magic maze,
Evermore with simple phrase

Our lady flow'r we greet:

Join the chorus, sprightly fays!

"The Daisy is so sweet."

Should some rude and careless tread

Rashly crush thy beauteous head,

Soon, with frolic care,

Elfin ladies round thee walk,

Gently heal thy wounded stalk,
With their kisses rare,

And hum, amidst their merry talk, "The Daisy is so fair."

Daisy! Queen of Fairy courts, Smile upon our moonlight sports; So, whene'er we meet

At the waning hour of day,

We our vows of love will pay,

And for aye repeat,

The selfsame blithesome virelay,

"The Daisy is so sweet."