Yet fading Light its empire must resign, And Nature's power submit to thine : 10001 STANZAS ON WOMAN WHEN lovely woman stoops to folly, The only art her guilt to cover, To hide her shame from every eye, M EDWIN AND ANGELINA. A BALLAD. "TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale, "And guide my lonely way, "To where yon taper cheers the vale, "With hospitable ray. "For here forlorn and lost I tread, "With fainting steps and slow; "Where wilds immeasurably spread, "Seem length'ning as I go." "Forbear, my son," the Hermit cries, "To tempt the dangerous gloom; "For yonder faithless phantom flies "To lure thee to thy doom. "Here to the houseless child of want "My door is open still; "And though my portion is but scant, "I give it with good will. "Then turn to-night, and freely share "Whate'er my cell bestows; "My rushy couch and frugal fare, "My blessing and repose. "No flocks that range the valley free, "To slaughter I condemn; "Taught by that power that pities me, "I learn to pity them: "But from the mountain's grassy side "A guiltless feast I bring; "A scrip with herbs and fruits supply'd, "And water from the spring. "Then pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; "All earth-born cares are wrong; "Man wants but little here below, "Nor wants that little long." Soft as the dew from Heav'n descends, His gentle accents fell: The modest stranger lowly bends, And follows to the cell. Far in a wilderness obscure No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care; The wicket, op'ning with a latch, Receiv'd the harmless pair. L And now, when busy crowds retire And spread his vegetable store, The ling'ring hours beguil'd. Around in sympathetic mirth But nothing could a charm impart His rising cares the Hermit spy'd, With answ'ring care opprest: "And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The sorrows of thy breast? "From better habitations spurn'd, "Reluctant dost thou rove? "Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, "Or unregarded love? "Alas! the joys that fortune brings, "Are trifling and decay; "And those who prize the paltry things, "More trifling still than they. "And what is friendship but a name, "And love is still an emptier sound, "For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, "And spurn the sex," he said: But while he spoke, a rising blush ་ Surpris'd he sees new beauties rise, The bashful look, the rising breast, The lovely stranger stands confest |