Calm as the bless'd above the Anchorites dwell Within their peaceful gloomy cell; Their minds with heavenly joys are fill'd; In caves of night, the oracles of old Did all their mysteries unfold: Gave terrors to the God, and reverence to the place, When the Almighty did on Horeb stand, Thy shades inclos'd the hallow'd land; When he appear'd arm'd in his power and might, He veil'd the beatific light; In tempests he gave laws, and clad himself in thee. Ere the foundation of the earth was laid, Or brighter firmament was made; Thou, Monarch, Darkness, sway'dst these spacious realms alone. But now the moon (though gay with borrow'd light) By rebel subjects thou'rt betray'd, The anarchy of stars depose their monarch, Shade. Yet fading Light its empire must resign, And Nature's power submit to thine : And universal ruin shall erect thy throne, And Fate confirm thy kingdom evermore thy own. STANZAS ON WOΜΑΝ. WHEN lovely woman stoops to folly, The only art her guilt to cover, To hide her shame from every eye, 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, Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely mansion lay, No stores beneath its humble thatch The wicket, op'ning with a latch, 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, With answ'ring care opprest: " And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The sorrows of thy breast ? "From better habitations spurn'd, |