Or Maro's mufe that in the fairest light

Paints rural prospects and the charms of fight;
These foft amusements bring content along,

And fancy, void of forrow, turns to fong.

Here beauteous Health for all the year remain, When the next comes, I'll charm thee thus again.

EDWIN AND ANGELINA.

"T

A BALLAD.

BY DR. GOLDSMITH.

URN, gentle hermit of the dale,

"And guide my lonely way,

"To where yon taper cheers the vale, "With hofpitable ray.

"For here, forlorn and loft I tread,

"With fainting steps and flow;

"Where wilds immeafurably spread, "Seem lengthening as I go."

"Forbear my fon," the hermit cries,

"To tempt the dangerous gloom; "For yonder faithlefs phantom flies

"To lure thee to thy doom.

"Here to the houfelefs child of want,

"My door is open ftill;

"And though my portion is but fcant,

"I give it with good will.

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

"My rufhy couch, and frugal fare, "My bleffing and repofe.

"No flocks that range the valley free,
"To flaughter I condemn:
"Taught by that power that pities me,
"I learn to pity them.

"But from the mountain's graffy fide, "A guiltless feast I bring; "A fcrip with herbs and fruits fupply'd,. "And water from the fpring.

"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 defcends,
His gentle accents fell:

The modeft ftranger lowly bends,.

And follows to the cell.

Far in a wilderness obfcure

The lonely manfion Ïay,

A refuge to the neighbouring poor, And ftrangers led aftray.

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

And now when bufy crowds retire
To take their evening rest,
The hermit trimm'd, his little fire,
And cheer'd his penfive gueft;

And fpread his vegetable store,
And gayly preft, and smil'd,

And skill'd in legendary lore,
The lingering hours beguil❜d.

Around in fympathetic mirth

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

But nothing could a charm impart To footh the ftranger's woe;

För grief was heavy at his heart,

And tears began to flow.

His rifing cares the hermit fpy'd,

With answering care opprest:

"And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The forrows of thy breast?

"From better habitation fpurn'd,

"Reluctant doft thou rove; "Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, "Or unregarded love?

"Alas! the joys that fortune brings, "Are trifling and decay; "And thofe who prize the paltry things, "More trifling still than they.

"And what is friendship but a name,
"A charm that lulls to fleep;
"A fhade that follows wealth or fame,
"But leaves the wretch to weep?

"And love is ftill an emptier found, "The modern fair one's jeft,

"On earth unfeen, or only found "To warm the turtle's neft.

"For fhame fond youth, thy forrows hush, "And fpurn the fex" he faid:

But, while he spoke, a rifing blush

His love-lorn gueft betray'd.

Surpriz'd he fees new beauties rife

Swift mantling to the view, Like colours o'er the morning skies, As bright, as tranfient too.

The bafhful look, the rifing breast,.
Alternate fpread alarms,
The lovely ftranger ftands confest
A maid in all her charms.

"And, ah! forgive a ftranger rude,
"A wretch forlorn," the cry'd,
"Whofe feet unhallowed thus intrude
"Where Heaven and you refide.

"But let a maid thy pity fhare,

"Whom love has taught to ftray; "Who feeks for reft, but finds despair "Companion of her way.

"My father liv'd befide the Tyne, "A wealthy lord was he;

"And all his wealth was mark'd as mine, "He had but only me :

To win me from his tender arms,
"Unnumber'd fuitors came;

"Who prais'd me for imputed charms,

"And felt or feign'd a flame.