THE HERMIT IN OSCOTT. NUMBER VII. Accipite hæc animis, lætasque advertite mentes; VIRGIL. MR. EDITOR, When you first commenced your literary career, amidst the applauding shouts of your eager companions; when emerging, like a newly rigged vessel from the harbour of security, you embarked -fearlessly embarked, on the uncertain, but more frequently tempestuous sea of public opinion, the eye of jealousy was opened on your exertions, and the Argus of Dissention arousing every sleeping energy within him, boldly started up to scrutinize each tittle of your conduct, and whelm, if possible, the whole of your fortunes beneath the waves on which they floated. Simple as should be the language--and unstudied the effusion of an aged and decripid individual, still is it difficult, on some occasions to repress the enthusiasm throbbing within us, and the voice of mataphor will sometimes unavoidably break forth amidst the cheerless efforts of declining years, and the cold, insipid whisperings of hoary age. Such an occasion now presents itself; and if my accents fashion themselves into bolder speech and more animated harangue, it is to present to you, in a more agreeable form, my small token of approval, and slender pittance of warm congratulation. Á twelvemonth, with its smiles, its frowns,-its hopes, its disappointments, has found you, at its close, no less active, vigilant, and energetic, than at the commencement of its progress. May the omen be favourable;—may it promise that continuation of vigour and perseverance, which, whilst it entwines your brows with the verdant laurel of early improvement, may add another illustrious gem to the glittering coronal, which, like a halo of transcendent splendour, enwreathes the temples of Oscott's genius! Such is the anxious wish, and, let me add, the fondest anticipation of Your faithful friend,. THE HERMIT IN OSCOTT. P. S.--In your last number appeared a few lines from the pen of the HERMIT IN OSCOTT; the unmerited kindness with which they were received, induces the author to give publication to a second copy, which was written about fifty years ago, whilst travelling in the north of Britain.. On one of those lovely mornings of hilarity and sunshine, which, in romantic countries, are calculated to impart a feeling of most exquisite delicacy to the poetic mind, the writer of the subjoined trifle found himself amongst the wildest, but most picturesque scenery of the highlands, bereaved of friends, hopeless of comfort, and in a vain search for ideal happiness.. U The charms of renascent verdure, which the surrounding country presented, formed so glaring a contrast to the barrenness and desolation which reigned within his soul, that he could not help giving utterance to the feelings of the moment, by which means, if the pangs of interior convulsion were not entirely smothered, the keenest sufferings of the heart were at least lulled into a temporary and refreshing slumber. The verses now remind him of times that are gone, and afford a pleasing retrospect to a bosom, which, at last, rejoices to find itself in a situation, where all its hopes are realized and all its wants contented. THE sun is laughing in the sky, And dancing o'er the swelling sea, All nature brightens smilingly, But not for me, but not for me. The cuckoo's voice from yonder grove Warbles the lark its tale of love, The playful lamb skips o'er the green, Soft Echo flings its notes between, e-but not for me. But not for me— The rosebud rising on its stem Woos the caresses of the bee, Whilst breezes waft their sweets to them, e-but not for me. But not for me— No! not for me the landscape gleams, And though the earth with joyaunce streams, There is a sadness of the heart When pines the soul in agony, Then minstrels may their strains impart, No! earth may bloom and Heaven may smile, And violets shed their scent the while, But let the streamlet murmur on, DE RESURRECTIONE CHRISTI. Hoc die Christus tumulum reliquit ; Ferreas portas Erebi resolvit, Hoste triumphans. Terruit Regis vigiles, et omne Diruit, victisque dolis regit nunc Christiani nunc lacrymas tepentes O fideles Christicolæ nefandis Præparate in cordibus absque mora O Deus cælos superos repente Scandere, et nos linquere jam cruentis Pectora firmans. Jam globum spissæ tenebræ aculare Da redemptis pellere robur ingens Parvulam plebem tibi nunc reserva Christe benigne. GRANDPIETENSIS EQUES. |