SONNETS, BY CHARLOTTE SMITII. TO THE MOON, Queen of the silver bow!-by thy pale beam, Alone and pensive, I delight to stray, And watch thy shadow trembling in the stream, Or mark the floating clouds that cross thy way. . And while I gaze, thy mild and placid light Sheds a soft calm upon ny troubled breast; And oft I think,— fair planet of the night, That in thy orb the wretched may have rest: The sufferers of the earth perhaps may go, Releas'd by death — to thy benignant sphere; And the sad children of despair and woe Forget, in thee, their cup of sorrow here. Oh! that I soon may reach thy world serene, Poor wearied pilgrim-in this toiling scene! ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE NIGHTINGALE. SWEET poet of the woods- a long adieu! Farewell, soft minstrel of the early year! Ah! 'twill be long ere thou shalt sing anew, And pour thy music on the night's dull ear.' Whether on spring thy wandering flights await, Or whether silent in our groves you dwell, The pensive muse shall own thee for her mate, And still protect the song she loves so well. With cautious step, the love-lorn youth shall glide Through the lone brake that shades thy mossy nest; And shepherd girls from eyes profane shall hide The gentle bird, who sings of pity best : For still thy voice shall soft affections move, And still be dear to sorrow, and to love ! ODE TO INNOCENCE. . BY JOHN OGLVIE, D.D. "Twas when the slow declining ray Had ting'd the cloud with evening gold; No sound disturb’d the sleeping fold; When by a murmuring rill reclin'd, Sat wrapt in thought a wandering swain; And thus be rais'd the flowing strain: “ Hail, Innocence! celestial maid ! What joys thy blushing charms reveal! And milder than the vernal gale. “ On thee attends a radiant quire, Soft smiling Peace, and downy Rest, With Love that prompts the warbling lyre, And Hope that sooths the throbbing breast. O sent from heav'n to haunt the grove, Where squint-ey'd Envy ne'er can come; Nor pines the cheek with luckless love, Nor anguish chills the living bloom; " But spotless Beauty, rob’d in white, Sits on yon moss-green hill reclin'd; Serene as heaven's unsully'd light, · And pure as Delia's gentle mind: « Grant, heav'nly Power! thy peaceful sway May still my ruder thoughts control; Thy hand to point my dubious way, Thy voice to sooth the melting soul! “ Far in the shady sweet retreat Let thought beguile the lingering hour; Let quiet court the mossy seat, And twining olives form the bower. Let dove-ey'd Peace her wreath bestow; And oft sit listening in the dale, While night's sweet warbler from the bough Tells to the grove her plaintive tale. “ Soft as in Delia's snowy breast, Let each consenting passion move, And all its blissful dreams be love." VIRTUE AND ORNAMENT. TO THE LADIES. BY DR. FORDYCE. The diamond's and the suby's rays Shine with a milder, finer flame, And more attract our love and praise Than Beauty's self, if lost to Fame. But the sweet tear in Pity's eye Transcends the diamonds brightest beams; And the soft blush of Modesty More precious than the ruby seems. The glowing gem, the sparkling stone, May strike the sight with quick surprise; But Truth and Innocence alone Can still engage the good and wise. No glitt'ring ornament or show Will aught avail in grief or pain : Only from inward worth can flow Delight that ever shall remain, P Behold, ye fair, your lovely Queen! 'Tis not her jewels, but her mind; A meeker, purer, ne'er was seen; It is her Virtue charms mankind! VIRTUE AND PLEASURE. BY THE SAME. INFORM me, VIRTUE! is it true! The sons of sense say, No. And every joy forego. They say, and openly maintain, rewards are care and pain; And heav'n shall never reach. Or tell me, PLEASURE! what you feel; Speak honestly, nor aught conceal: The matter is of weight. PLEASURE, sweet power, to Nature dear! I never wish to be austere; I seek the happiest state. |