ENGLISH POEMS. A PARAPHRASE ON PSALM CXIV. This and the following Psalm were done by the Author at fifteen years old. WHEN the blest seed of Terah's faithful son And passed from Pharian fields to Canaan-land, Why fled the ocean? and why skipped the mountains? PSALM CXXXVI. LET us with a gladsome mind ON THE DEATH OF A FAIR INFANT DYING OF A COUGH. Anno ætatis 17. I. O FAIREST flower, no sooner blown but blasted, Summer's chief honour, if thou hadst outlasted That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss, II. For, since grim Aquilo, his charioteer, By boisterous rape the Athenian damsel got, Of long uncoupled bed and childless eld, Which 'mongst the wanton gods a foul reproach was held. III. So, mounting up in icy-pearlèd car, Through middle empire of the freezing air He wandered long, till thee he spied from far; There ended was his quest, there ceased his care: IV. Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate; Young Hyacinth, the pride of Spartan land; But then transformed him to a purple flower: Alack, that so to change thee Winter had no power! IO 20 |