poems.
101
THE GROVE.
"Here poesy might awake her heaven-taught lyre,
And look through nature with creative fire;
Here, to the wrongs of fate half reconcil'd,
Misfortune's lighten'd steps might wander wild;
And disappointment in these lonely bounds,
Find balm to soothe her bitter, rankling wounds.
Here heart-struck grief might heavenward stretch her scan,
And injur'd worth forget and pardon man."
Burns.
And look through nature with creative fire;
Here, to the wrongs of fate half reconcil'd,
Misfortune's lighten'd steps might wander wild;
And disappointment in these lonely bounds,
Find balm to soothe her bitter, rankling wounds.
Here heart-struck grief might heavenward stretch her scan,
And injur'd worth forget and pardon man."
Burns.
Sweet grove, once more beneath thy quiet shades
I enter. Ah, I visit thee alone.
Thou art enshrin'd as sacred in my mind,
Thou temple of past joy;—sweet hours of rest,
When far escap'd from every crowding care
T here retired. Let me forget them now.
Oh, foliage fair!
How deep thy shadows, and how bright the boughs
That topmost wave in the soft sunny air!
How smooth the turf where wav'ring sunlight comes
Smiling so sweetly! Thou art all unchang'd.
Thou art the same, sweet grove, as in those hours
When in your stillness I first found repose!
Oh, gentle peace, descend! Far from my mind,
Ye clouds, that o'er the light of memory
Gather in darkness! Here I have been blest,
And, 'mid these scenes of nature that still smile
I enter. Ah, I visit thee alone.
Thou art enshrin'd as sacred in my mind,
Thou temple of past joy;—sweet hours of rest,
When far escap'd from every crowding care
T here retired. Let me forget them now.
Oh, foliage fair!
How deep thy shadows, and how bright the boughs
That topmost wave in the soft sunny air!
How smooth the turf where wav'ring sunlight comes
Smiling so sweetly! Thou art all unchang'd.
Thou art the same, sweet grove, as in those hours
When in your stillness I first found repose!
Oh, gentle peace, descend! Far from my mind,
Ye clouds, that o'er the light of memory
Gather in darkness! Here I have been blest,
And, 'mid these scenes of nature that still smile
