Enough now thy story in annals of glory Spain; leave me, I never will part with my Willie again. HUNTING SONG' Waken, lords and ladies gay, Waken, lords and ladies gay, *[First published in the Edinburgh Annual Register of 1808, --and set to a Welsh air in " THOMSON's Select Melodies," vol. iii. 1817.) Waken, lords and ladies gay, Louder, louder chant the lay, SONG. Oh, say not, my love, with that mortified air, That your spring-time of pleasure is flown, Nor bid me to maids that are younger repair, For those raptures that still are thine own. Though April his temples may wreathe with the vine, Its tendrils in infancy curl'd, 'Tis the ardour of August matures us the wine, Whose life-blood enlivens the world. Though thy form, that was fashion d as light as a fay's, Has assumed a proportion more round, And thy glance, that was bright as a falcon's at gaze, Looks soberly now on the ground, Thy steps still with ecstasy move; For me the kind language of love. THE VIOLET. THE violet in her green-wood bower, Where birchen boughs with hazels mingle, May boast itself the fairest flower In glen, or copse, or forest dingle. Though fair her gems of azure hue, Beneath the dew-drop's weight reclining; I've seen an eye of lovelier blue, More sweet through watry lustre shining. The summer sun that dew shall dry, Ere yet the day be past its morrow; Nor longer in my false love's eye Remain’d the tear of parting sorrow. * This and the following piece appeared in the “ English Minstrelsy." vol. ii. Edinburgh: 1810.] TO A LADY. WITH FLOWERS FROM A ROMAN WALL. TAKE these flowers, which, purple waving, On the ruin'd rampart grew, Where, the sons of freedom braving, Rome's imperial standards flew. Warriors from the breach of danger Pluck no longer laurels there: They but yield the passing stranger Wild-flower wreaths for Beauty's hair. THE RESOLVE. IN IMITATION OF AN OLD ENGLISH POEM.-1809 My wayward fate I needs must plain, Though bootless be the theme; Yet all was but a dream: So it was quickly gone; But coldly dwell alone. '[Published in the Elinburgh Annu'il Register of 1808.7 Not maid more bright than maid was e'er My fancy shall beguile, By gesture, look, or smile: Till it has fairly flown, I'll rather freeze alone. Each ambush'd Cupid I'll defy, In cheek, or chin, or brow, As weak as woman's vow: That is but lightly won; And learn to live alone. The flaunting torch soon blazes out, The diamond's ray abides; The gem its lustre hides ; And glow'd a diamond stone, I'll darkling dwell alone. With dyes so bright and vain, Sball tangle me again: I'll live upon mine own, I'll rather dwell alone. |