No, not in tempests wrapt of midnight gloom, He came, the Father, to our opening minds; In beauty rather of the vernal bloom, Fair flowers, and waving woods, & whispering winds, Each form of milder nature, whose control The yielding breast in willing bondage binds. A calm abstraction of the softened soul Steals o'er each sense, that, mild as dewy eve In leafy June, seems melting into tears; Tears, less of sorrow shed, than tranquil joy, That finds not more in speech its glad employ, Than mute admiring praise; while earth's dark fears, Its cares, its doubts, the burthened bosom leave, For hope's full flow of bliss without alloy. THE SOPHOMORE. Breathe his faults so quaintly, That they may seem the taints of liberty; SHAKSPEARE. The union rare of modesty combined With seemly confidence, that marked the tone Of entering Freshman, is no longer known, His rash impatience only left behind. 'Too wise to learn, too knowing to believe, And all too fond of freedom, to receive Command or counsel, lo! the Sophomore! Ripe for revolt, to rapture quick inflamed, With feelings high, and spirits all untamed, He feels, through every vein, the passions pour Their headlong currents; high his wishes soar, And oft as low descend: nor man, nor boy, He knows not yet, to suffer, or enjoy, Calmly, but each extreme would fain explore. ON HORSEBACK. The noble horse That, in his fiery youth, from his wide nostrils, MASSINGER. Lightly bounds my gallant steed, They too move as light and gay, Soon the plain is hurried o'er ; Toil and care fall fast behind, Sorrow's sigh, and discord's roar, While with swift yet gentle motion, Bounds my steed, like waves of ocean. White as ocean's foam his mane; And his smooth flanks dappled bright Glisten on the dazzled sight, Buoyant spirits, feelings strong, Health's high pulse, youth's boundless treasure Floating on the clear blue sky, Yonder cloud sails swiftly by, With a rapture like mine own ; Lone, yet happy, heavenward tending, Earth's dark shades with bright beams blending. Labour's sons their toil may ply, Delving deep in worthless lore: Delve they deeper! what care I Such dark treasures to explore, While yon sun, high o'er me shining, Sends down wealth worth all their mining – Stores of wealth in generous thought, Truths, by liberal nature taught, Hopes, that long as life endure; Earth-born hopes, yet proudly swelling What though wide renown, and power, Slave to no base lure, or lust, Of vain fortune's frown or favour. THE UNKNOWN BEAUTY. I. The might, the majesty of loveliness. BYRON. How warm and generous the devotion laid By youth at beauty's shrine! As unemployed, One summer morn, my steps afar had strayed, A steed came slowly by, whereon a maid Sat, wrapt in wonder, as her heart enjoyed The lovely scene, unconscious that man's eye, E'en then, was kindling into sympathy With that bright face, in pleasure unalloyed. Ere long, surprised, yet haply not annoyed, Her glance met mine: the blush, that came to die Her glowing cheeks' carnation, made reply To love's warm feelings, in my looks betrayed, As lowly bowing, I prompt homage paid To youthful beauty, hastening quickly by. II. Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight? SHAKSPEARE. She passed me blushing: I have sought in vain, In thronged assemblies since, and in the shade, Where first we met, to meet again that maid; But though oft sought, and never found again, The warm emotions of that hour remain, In memory still of youthful love arrayed. Though all unlikely, yet our flame, methought, Was mutual there; the fond conceit long stayed, Deep on my heart impressed, that she too sought Her absent lover. Oft that dream employed My wayward thought, till fancy could adore This unknown beauty, and desire no more. Vain dream of youthful folly! long enjoyed, Till love, true love, the fancied bliss destroyed, |