No! Memory cannot reach, with all her power, Are keen perceptions of the senses' joy, And their distaste. what then could they impart? That figs were luscious, and that rods had smart. But, though the Memory in that dubious way Alas! and what is earthly good? 't is lent Evil to hide, to soften, to prevent, By scenes and shows that cheat the wandering eye, While the more pompous misery passes by; Shifts and amusements that awhile succeed, And heads are turn'd, that bosoms may not bleed : 'Tis but the slow or rapid flight of Pain. Why does the Lover with such rapture fly To his dear mistress?-He shall show us why: Because her absence is such cause of grief Why, then, that smile is Pleasure:-True, yet still 'Tis but the absence of the former ill: For, married, soon at will he comes and goes; Then pleasures die, and pains become repose, Yes! looking back as early as I can, I see the griefs that seize their subject Man, From school, or schoolboy triumph at some play: But it was Misery stung me in the day Yet was there something in that first-born ill, That my first grief: but, oh! in after-years Sweet was the morning's breath, the inland tide, And our boat gliding, where alone could glide Small craft-and they oft touch'd on either side. It was my first-born joy. I heard them say, "Let the child go; he will enjoy the day." For children ever feel delighted when They take their portion, and enjoy with men. Give him the pastime that the old partake, And he will quickly top and taw forsake. The linnet chirp'd upon the furze as well, To my young sense, as sings the nightingale. Without was paradise — because within Was a keen relish, without taint of sin. A town appear'd, and where an infant went, Could they determine, on themselves intent? (1) [Mr. Crabbe's early religious impressions were strongly influenced by those of his mother; who was a deeply devout woman. Her mildness, humility, patient endurance of afflictions and sufferings, meek habits, and devout spirit, strongly recommended her example to her son. — Life, antè, Vol L p. 106.] I lost my way, and my companions me, Till" civil dudgeon " grew, and peace would smile no more. Now on the colder water faintly shone The sloping light – the cheerful day was gone; When the fierce lightning on the eye-balls play'd. past, And there was peace and quietness at last, It was not Joy that now commenced her reign, So many a day, in life's advance, I knew; So they commenced, and so they ended too. All Promise they all Joy as they began! But Joy grew less, and vanish'd as they ran! Errors and evils came in many a form, The mind's delusion, and the passions' storm. The promised joy, that like this morning rose, Broke on my view, then clouded at its close; E'en Love himself, that promiser of bliss, Made his best days of pleasure end like this: He mix'd his bitters in the cup of joy Nor gave a bliss uninjured by alloy. THE MAGNET. WHY force the backward heart on love, From common flints you may by force But when, approaching by degrees, |