Ovid. The Roman poet understands the use of contrast better, and upon that figure, artfully managed, all strength in the pathetic depends.' It is remarkable,' cried Mr. Burchell, that both the poets you mention have equally contributed to introduce a false taste into their respective countries, by loading all their lines with epithet. Men of little genius found them most easily imitated in their defects, and English poetry, like that in the latter empire of Rome, is nothing at present but a combination of luxuriant images, without plot or connection; a string of epithets that improve the sound without carrying on the sense. But, perhaps, madam, while I thus reprehend others, you'll think it just that I should give them an opportunity to retaliate; and, indeed, I have made this remark only to have an opportunity of introducing to the company a ballad, which, whatever be its other defects, is, I think, at least free from those I have mentioned.' A BALLAD. TURN, gentle hermit of the dale, For here forlorn and lost I tread, Forbear, my son,' the hermit cries, Here to the houseless child of want And though my portion is but scant, Then turn to-night, and freely share No flocks that range the valley free, Taught by that Power that pities nie, But from the mountain's grassy side, A guiltless feast I bring; A scrip with herbs and fruits supply'd, Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; Soft as the dew from heaven descends, The modest stranger lowly bends, Far in a wilderness obscure, No stores beneath its humble thatch And now, when busy crowds retire, And spread his vegetable store, Around in sympathetic mirth Its tricks the kitten tries; But nothing could a charm impart His rising cares the hermit spy'd, From better habitations spurn'd, 'Or grief for friendship unreturn'd, Alas! the joys that fortune brings And those who prize the paltry things, And what is friendship but a name, A shade that follows wealth or fame, And love is still an emptier sound, On earth unseen, or only found For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, But while he spoke, a rising blush Surpris'd he sees new beauties rise, The bashful look, the rising breast, The lovely strauger stands confest And, Ah, forgive a stranger rude, My father liv'd beside the Tyne, A wealthy Lord was he; And all his wealth was mark'd as mine, To win me from his tender arms, Each hour a mercenary crowd With richest proffers strove; Amongst the rest young Edwin bow'd, But never talk'd of love. In humble, simplest habit clad, No wealth nor power had he; The blossom opening to the day, The dew, the blossom on the tree, Their charms were his, but woe to me, For still I tried each fickle art, • Importunate and fain: And while his passion touch'd my heart, Till quite dejected with my scorn, But mine the sorrow, mine the fault, And there forlorn, despairing, hid, Forbid it, heaven!' the hermit cried, Turn, Angelina, ever dear, My charmer, turn to see Thy own, thy long-lost Edwin here, Thus let me hold thee to my heart, And shall we never, never part, No, never from this hour to part, The sigh that rends thy constant heart While this ballad was reading, Sophia seemed to mix an air of tenderness with her approbation. But our tranquillity was soon disturbed by the report of a gun just by us; and, immediately after, a man |