Π AN ODE TO THE RAIN. Composed before day-light, on the morning appointed for the departure of a very worthy, but not very pleasant Visitor; whom it was feared the rain might detain. I. I KNOW it is dark; and though I have lain I have not once open'd the lids of my eyes, O Rain! that I lie listening to, You're but a doleful sound at best: I owe you little thanks, 'tis true, For breaking thus my needful rest! Yet if, as soon as it is light, O Rain! you will but take your flight, I'll neither rail, nor malice keep, Tho' sick and sore for want of sleep: II. O Rain! with your dull two-fold sound, For days, and months, and almost years, O Rain! you will but take your flight, And bring with you both pain and sorrow; Tho' stomach should sicken, and knees should swell I'll nothing speak of you but well. But only now for this one day, Dear Rain! I ne'er refus'd to say What then? sometimes it must be fair! And if sometimes, why not to day? IV. Dear Rain! if I've been cold and shy, Long months by pain and grief beset- We three, you mark! and not one more! We have so much to talk about, And this I'll swear to you, dear Rain! Whenever you shall come again, (And by the bye 'tis understood, You're not so pleasant, as you're good), Yet, knowing well your worth and place, I'll welcome you with cheerful face; And though you stay'd a week or more, Were ten times duller than before; Yet with kind heart, and right good will, Nor should you go away, dear Rain! But only now, for this one day, Do go, dear Rain! do go away. THE VISIT OF THE GODS. Imitated from Schiller. NEVER, believe me, Appear the Immortals, Never alone: Scarce had I welcom❜d the Sorrow-beguiler, Iacchus! but in came Boy Cupid, the Smiler; Lo! Phoebus, the Glorious, descends from his Throne! Terrestrial Hall! How shall I yield you Due entertainment, Celestial Quire? Me rather, bright guests! with your wings of upbuoyance Bear aloft to your homes, to your banquets of joyance, That the roofs of Olympus may echo my lyre ! Hah! we mount! on their pinions they waft up my Soul! O give me the Nectar! O fill me the Bowl! |