For O! I wish my Sara's frowns to flee, Who vow'd to meet her ere the morning light, But broke my plighted word-ah! false and recreant Wight! Last night as I my weary head did pillow With thoughts of my dissevered Fair engross'd, "From some blest couch, young Rapture's bridal boast, Rejected Slumber! hither wing thy way ; But leave me with the matin hour, at most! As night-clos'd flowret to the orient ray, My sad hart will expand, when I the Maid survey." But Love, who "heard the silence of my thought," And whisper'd to himself, with malice fraught- He spake, and ambush'd lay, till on my bed The Morning shot her dewy glances keen, When as I 'gan uplift my drowsy head Now, Bard! I'll work thee woe!" the laughing Elfin said. Sleep, softly-breathing God! his downy wing Was flutt'ring now, as quickly to depart; When twang'd an arrow from Love's mystic string, (No fairer deck'd the Bowers of old Romance) That Sleep enamour'd grew, nor mov'd from his sweet trance! My Sara came, with gentlest look divine; Bright shone her eye, yet tender was its beam : I felt the pressure of her lip to mine! Whisp'ring we went, and Love was all our theme- He sprang from Heaven! Such joys with Sleep did 'bide, Fondly forgot. Too late I woke, and sigh'd- THE COMPOSITION OF A KISS. CUPID, if storying* Legends tell aright, * "Effinxit quondam blandum meditata laborem Ambrosiæ succos occultâ temperat arte, Et spolia æstivis plurima rapta rosis. Carm. Quad. Vol. II. H With these the magic dews, which Evening brings, Each gentler pleasure of th' unspotted mind- The eyeless Chemist heard the process rise, Sweet sounds transpir'd, as when the enamour'd dove TO AN INFANT. Ан cease thy tears and sobs, my little Life! Or rouse thy screams or wake thy young desire: ON THE CHRISTENING OF A FRIEND'S CHILD. 75 To anger rapid, and as soon appeas'd, For trifles mourning and by trifles pleas'd, Break friendship's mirror with a fretful blow Yet snatch what coals of fire on Pleasure's altar glow! O thou that rearest with celestial aim The future Seraph in my mortal frame, Thrice holy Faith! whatever thorns I meet Still let me stretch my arms and cling to thee, ON THE CHRISTENING OF A FRIEND'S CHILD. THIS day among the faithful plac'd And fed with fontal manna; O with maternal title grac'd Dear Anna's dearest Anna! While others wish thee wise and fair, I'll breathe this more compendious prayer- Thy Mother's name, a potent spell, That bids the Virtues hie Meek Quietness without offence; True Love; and True Love's Innocence, 76 ON THE CHRISTENING OF A FRIEND'S CHILD. Associates of thy name, sweet Child! To say, they lodge within. So, when her tale of days all flown, Some hoary-headed friend, perchance, May gaze with stifled breath; Ev'n thus a lovely rose I view'd Nor mark'd the bud, that green and rude, It chanc'd, I pass'd again that way In Autumn's latest hour, And wond'ring saw the self-same spray Ah fond deceit! the rude green bud Had bloom'd, where bloom'd its parent stud, |