9.2540 THE DESERTED VILLAGE. SWEET AUBURN! loveliest village of the plain, And parting summer's lingering blooms display'd- Seats of my youth, where every sport could please— Where humble happiness endeared each scene; The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm, The never-failing brook, the busy mill, The decent church that topp'd the neighboring hill, How often nave I bless'd the coming day When toil remitting lent its turn to play, And all the village train, from labor free, The young contending as the old surveyed, And sleights of art and feats of strength went round: Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired |