The wicket opening with a latch, And now, when busy crowds retire And spread his vegetable store, Around in sympathetic mirth But nothing could a charm impart His rising cares the Hermit spied, ' And whence, unhappy youth,' he cried, The sorrows of thy breast? From better habitations spurn'd, Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, G Alas! the joys that fortune brings And those who prize the paltry things, ' And what is friendship but a name, A shade that follows wealth or fame, And love is still an emptier sound, To warm the turtle's nest. For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, And spurn the sex,' he said: But while he spoke, a rising blush Surpris'd, he sees new beauties rise, The bashful look, the rising breast, The lovely stranger stands confest 'And, ah! forgive a stranger rude, But let a maid thy pity share, Whom love has taught to stray; Who seeks for rest, but finds despair Companion of her way. My father liv'd beside the Tyne, And all his wealth was mark'd as mine, To win me from his tender arms Who prais'd me for imputed charms, Each hour a mercenary crowd In humble, simplest habit clad, • 3 And when beside me in the dale He caroll'd lays of love; His breath lent fragrance to the gale, The blossom opening to the day, The dews of heaven refin'd, Could nought of purity display, To emulate his mind. 'The dew, the blossoms of the tree, • For still I tried each fickle art, And while his passion touch'd my heart, Till quite dejected with my scorn, He left me to my pride; And sought a solitude forlorn In secret where he died. 'But mine the sorrow, mine the fault, 3 And when beside me] This stanza communicated by Richard Archdall, Esq. to whom it was given by Goldsmith. And there forlorn, despairing hid, 'Twas so for me that Edwin did, Forbid it, heaven!' the Hermit cried, The wondering fair one turn'd to chide, 'Turn, Angelina, ever dear, • Thus let me hold thee to my heart, And shall we never, never part, No, never from this hour to part, The sigh that rends thy constant heart From Les deux Habitants de Lozanne.' See Life, p. lxv. |