Even now, to solemnize thy helpless state,
And to enliven in the mind's regard
Thy passive beauty, parallels have risen,
Resemblances or contrasts, that connect,
Within the region of a Father's thoughts,
Thee and thy Mate and Sister of the sky.
And first;-thy sinless progress, through a world
By sorrow darkened and by care disturbed,

Apt likeness bears to hers through gathered clouds
Moving untouched in silver purity,

And cheering oft-times their reluctant gloom.
Fair are ye both, and both are free from stain:
But thou, how leisurely thou fill'st thy horn
With brightness!—leaving her to post along,
And range about-disquieted in change,
And still impatient of the shape she wears.
Once up, once down the hill, one journey, Babe,
That will suffice thee; and it seems that now
Thou hast fore-knowledge that such task is thine;
Thou travell'st so contentedly, and sleep'st
In such a heedless peace. Alas! full soon
Hath this conception, grateful to behold,
Changed countenance, like an object sullied o'er
By breathing mist; and thine appears to be

A mournful labour, while to her is given
Hope-and a renovation without end.

-That smile forbids the thought;-for on thy face
Smiles are beginning, like the beams of dawn,
To shoot and circulate;-smiles have there been seen,-
Tranquil assurances that Heaven supports

The feeble motions of thy life, and cheers
Thy loneliness;-or shall those smiles be called
Feelers of love,-put forth as if to explore
This untried world, and to prepare thy way
Through a strait passage intricate and dim?
Such are they, and the same are tokens, signs,
Which, when the appointed season hath arrived,
Joy, as her holiest language, shall adopt;

And Reason's god-like Power be proud to own.

POEMS

OF THE IMAGINATION.