X. All hail, ye tender feelings dear; Long since, this world's thorny ways Fate still has blest me with a friend, And oft a more endearing band, A tie more tender still. It lightens, it brightens To meet with, and greet with XI. O, how that name inspires my style! The ready measure rins as fine, And then he'll hilch, and stilt, and jimp, An' rin an unco fit: But lest then, the beast then, THE LAMENT. OCCASIONED BY THE UNFORTUNATE ISSUE OF A FRIEND'S AMOUR. Alas! how oft does Goodness wound itself, O THOU pale orb, that silent shines, I joyless view thy rays adorn Thou busy pow'r, Remembrance, cease! Ah! must the agonizing thrill For ever bar returning peace! No idly feign'd poetic pains, My sad, love-lorn lamentings claim; Encircled in her clasping arms, How have the raptur'd moments flown! How have I wish'd for fortune's charms, For her dear sake, and hers alone! And must I think it! is she gone, My secret heart's exulting boast? Oh! can she bear so base a heart, The plighted husband of her youth? Ye winged hours that o'er us past, My fondly-treasur'd thoughts employ'd. G The morn that warns th' approaching day, That I must suffer, lingering, slow. And when my nightly couch I try, Sore-harass'd out with care and grief, My toil-beat nerves, and tear-worn eye, Keep watchings with the nightly thief: Or if I slumber, fancy, chief, Reigns haggard-wild, in sore affright: Ev'n day, all-bitter, brings relief, From such a horror-breathing night. O! thou bright queen, who o'er th' expanse Now highest reign'st, with boundless sway! Oft has thy silent-marking glance Observ'd us, fondly-wand'ring, stray! The time, unheeded, sped away, While love's luxurious pulse beat high, Beneath thy silver-gleaming ray, To mark the mutual-kindling eye. Oh! scenes in strong remembrance set! Again I feel, again I burn! From ev'ry joy and pleasure torn, Life's weary vale I'll wander thro'; And hopeless, comfortless, I'll mourn A faithless woman's broken vow. END OF THE FIRST PART. |