That vision of endurance and repose. And though to every draught of vital breath Renewed throughout the bounds of earth or ocean, The melancholy gates of Death Respond with sympathetic motion; Though all that feeds on nether air, Howe'er magnificent or fair, Grows but to perish, and intrust Its ruins to their kindred dust; Yet, by the Almighty's ever-during care, And saves the peopled fields of earth Sweet flowers; what living eye hath viewed Amid your pleasant bowers to sit, And through your sweet vicissitudes to range!" IV. O, nursed at happy distance from the cares Prefer'st a garland culled from purple heath, Of thy contented votary Such melody to hear! Him rather suits it, side by side with thee, While thy tired lute hangs on the hawthorn-tree, And armed with living spear for mortal fight; A cunning forager That spreads no waste; a social builder; one With all fine functions that afford delight - V. And is She brought within the power Her flight, and take its voice away! a tiny van! - Humming Bee! Thy sting was needless then, perchance unknown; The seeds of malice were not sown; All creatures met in peace, from fierceness free, And no pride blended with their dignity. Tears had not broken from their source; Nor Anguish strayed from her Tartarean den; The golden years maintained a course Not undiversified, though smooth and even; We were not mocked with glimpse and shadow then; Bright Seraphs mixed familiarly with men ; And earth and stars composed a universal heaven! 1817. XLVI. DEVOTIONAL INCITEMENTS. "Not to the earth confined, Ascend to heaven." WHERE will they stop, those breathing Powers, From humble violet, modest thyme, Their subtle flight could satisfy: Heaven will not tax our thoughts with pride If like ambition be their guide. Roused by this kindliest of May showers, The spirit-quickener of the flowers, That with moist virtue softly cleaves Mount from the earth; aspire! aspire! While incense from the altar breathes The iterated summons loud, Not wasted on the attendant crowd, |