Calm as the bless'd above the Anchorites dwell
Within their peaceful gloomy cell;

Their minds with heavenly joys are fill'd;
The pleasures Light deny, thy shades for ever yield.

In caves of night, the oracles of old

Did all their mysteries unfold:
Darkness did first Religion grace,

Gave terrors to the God, and reverence to the place.

When the Almighty did on Horeb stand,

Thy shades enclos'd the hallow'd land; In clouds of night he was array'd, And venerable darkness his pavilion made.

When he appear'd arm'd in his power and might,
He veil'd the beatific light;
When terrible with majesty,

In tempests he gave laws, and clad himself in thee.

Ere the foundation of the earth was laid,

Or brighter firmament was made;

Ere matter, time, or place was known,

Thou, Monarch Darkness, sway'dst these spacious

realms alone.

But now the moon (though gay with borrow'd light) Invades thy scanty lot of Night:

By rebel subjects thou'rt betray'd,

The anarchy of stars depose their monarch, Shade.

Yet fading Light its empire must resign,

And Nature's power submit to thine : And universal ruin shall erect thy throne, And Fate confirm thy kingdom evermore thy own.

-000

STANZAS ON WOMAN.

WHEN lovely woman stoops to folly,
And finds too late that men betray,
What charm can sooth her melancholy,
What art can wash her guilt away?

The only art her guilt to cover,

To hide her shame from every eye,
To give repentance to her lover,
And wring his bosom is to die.

EDWIN AND ANGELINA.

A BALLAD.

"TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale, "And guide my lonely way, "To where yon taper cheers the vale, "With hospitable ray.

"For here forlorn and lost I tread, "With fainting steps and słow; "Where wilds immeasurably spread, "Seem length'ning as I go."

"Forbear, my son," the Hermit cries, "To tempt the dangerous gloom; "For yonder faithless phantom flies "To lure thee to thy doom.

"Here to the houseless child of want "My door is open still; "And though my portion is but scant, "I give it with good will.

"Then turn to-night, and freely share "Whate'er my cell bestows;

"My rushy couch and frugal fare, "My blessing and repose.

"No flocks that range the valley free, "To slaughter I condemn;

"Taught by that power that pities me, "I learn to pity them:

"But from the mountain's grassy side "A guiltless feast I bring; "A scrip with herbs and fruits supply'd, "And water from the spring.

"Then pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; "All earth-born cares are wrong; "Man wants but little here below, "Nor wants that little long."

Soft as the dew from Heav'n descends,
His gentle accents fell :
The modest stranger lowly bends,
And follows to the cell.

Far in a wilderness obscure

The lonely mansion lay,
A refuge to the neighb'ring poor,
And strangers led astray.

No stores beneath its humble thatch
Requir'd a master's care;
The wicket, op'ning with a latch,
Receiv'd the harmless pair.

L

And now, when busy crowds retire
To take their evening rest,
The Hermit trimm'd his little fire,
And cheer'd his pensive guest:

And spread his vegetable store,
And gayly press'd, and smil'd;
And skill'd in legendary lore
The ling'ring hours beguil'd.

Around in sympathetic mirth

Its tricks the kitten tries,
The cricket chirrups in the hearth,
The crackling faggot flies.

But nothing could a charm impart
To sooth the stranger's wo;
For grief was heavy at his heart,
And tears began to flow..

His rising cares the Hermit spy'd, With answ'ring care opprest: "And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The sorrows of thy breast?

"From better habitations spurn'd,
"Reluctant dost thou rove?
"Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd,
"Or unregarded love?