Apollo, at his crowded altars, tir'd Of Votaries, who for trite ideas thrown Into loose verse, assume, in lofty tone, The Poet's name, untaught, and uninspir'd, Indignant struck the LYRE.--Straight it acquir'd New powers, and complicate. Then first was known The rigorous Sonnet, to be fram'd alone By duteous Bards, or by just Taste admir'd.-- Go, energetic SONNET, go, he cried, And be the test of skill!--For rhymes that flow Regardless of thy rules, their destin'd guide, Yet take thy name, ah! let the boasters know That with strict sway my jealous laws preside, While I no wreaths on _rebel_ verse bestow.
Ah! why have I indulg'd my dazzled sight With scenes in Hope's delusive mirror shown? Scenes, that too seldom human Life has known In kind accomplishment;--but O! how bright The rays, that gilded them with varied light Alternate! oft swift flashing on the boon That might at FAME's immortal shrine be won; Then shining soft on tender LOVE's delight.-- Now, with stern hand, FATE draws the sable veil O'er the frail glass!--HOPE, as she turns away, The darken'd crystal drops.----Heavy and pale, Rain-pouring clouds quench all the darts of day; Low mourns the wind along the gloomy dale, And tolls the Death-bell in the pausing gale.
AN EVENING IN NOVEMBER, WHICH HAD BEEN STORMY, GRADUALLY CLEARING UP, IN A MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY.
Ceas'd is the rain; but heavy drops yet fall From the drench'd roof;--yet murmurs the sunk wind Round the dim hills; can yet a passage find Whistling thro' yon cleft rock, and ruin'd wall. The swoln and angry torrents heard, appal, Tho' distant.--A few stars, emerging kind, Shed their green, trembling beams.--With lustre small, The moon, her swiftly-passing clouds behind, Glides o'er that shaded hill.--Now blasts remove The shadowing clouds, and on the mountain's brow, Full-orb'd, she shines.--Half sunk within its cove Heaves the lone boat, with gulphing sound;--and lo! Bright rolls the settling lake, and brimming rove The vale's blue rills, and glitter as they flow.
Farewell, false Friend!--our scenes of kindness close! To cordial looks, to sunny smiles farewell! To sweet consolings, that can grief expel, And every joy soft sympathy bestows! For alter'd looks, where truth no longer glows, Thou hast prepar'd my heart;--and it was well To bid thy pen th' unlook'd for story tell, Falsehood avow'd, that shame, nor sorrow knows.-- O! when we meet,--(to meet we're destin'd, try To avoid it as thou may'st) on either brow, Nor in the stealing consciousness of eye, Be seen the slightest trace of what, or how We once were to each other;--nor one sigh Flatter with weak regret a broken vow!