The blackbird has fled to another retreat, Where the hazels afford him a screen from the heat, And the scene where his melody charmed me before Resounds with his sweet-flowing ditty no more. My fugitive years are all hasting away, 9 With a turf on my breast, and a stone at my head, 15 Ere another such grove shall arise in its stead. 'Tis a sight to engage me, if anything can, Though his life be a dream, his enjoyments, I see, 20 THE SHRUBBERY. WRITTEN IN A TIME OF AFFLICTION. O HAPPY shades! to me unblest! This glassy stream, that spreading pine, 5 1 Note to Ed. of 1803.-Mr Cowper afterwards altered this last stanza in the following manner :— The change both my heart and my fancy employs, I reflect on the frailty of man and his joys; But fixed unalterable Care Foregoes not what she feels within, Shows the same sadness everywhere, And slights the season and the scene. For all that pleased in wood or lawn, While peace possessed these silent bowers, Her animating smile withdrawn, Has lost its beauties and its powers. The saint or moralist should tread This moss-grown alley, musing, slow; They seek like me the secret shade, Me fruitful scenes and prospects waste A COMPARISON. ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG LADY. SWEET stream, that winds through yonder glade, Apt emblem of a virtuous maid! Silent and chaste she steals along, Far from the world's gay busy throng, With gentle yet prevailing force, Intent upon her destined course; Graceful and useful all she does, ΙΟ 15 20 5 ΙΟ ODE TO PEACE. COME, peace of mind, delightful guest! Once more in this sad heart: We therefore need not part. Where wilt thou dwell, if not with me, And pleasure's fatal wiles? For whom, alas! dost thou prepare The sweets that I was wont to share, The banquet of thy smiles? The great, the gay, shall they partake For thee I panted, thee I prized, For thee I gladly sacrificed Whate'er I loved before, And shall I see thee start away, And helpless, hopeless, hear thee say, "Farewell! we meet no more"? 5 IO 15 20 3. MISCELLANEOUS. EXTRACTS FROM "CONVERSATION." A. YE powers who rule the tongue, if such there are, The clash of arguments and jar of words, 5 IO 15 A fool must now and then be right by chance. Not that all freedom of dissent I blame; No, there I grant the privilege I claim. A disputable point is no man's ground, 20 25 Set your opinion at whatever pitch, Knots and impediments make something hitch; Your thread of argument is snapped again; A noisy man is always in the right; I twirl my thumbs, fall back into my chair, 30 35 40 He humbly hopes-presumes—it may be so. 45 To swear to some enormity he saw, For want of prominence and just relief, Would hang an honest man, and save a thief. 50 His sole opinion, whatsoe'er befall, ear, He makes one useful point exceeding clear; A sceptic in philosophy may seem, |