beauty of Hume's fancy, and left him still the high fountain of Hebrew poetry to refresh it. In the following specimen of his poetry, describing the successive appearances of nature during a summer's day, there is a train of images that seem peculiarly pleasing and unborrowed-the pictures of a poetical mind, humble but genuine in its cast. THANKS FOR A SUMMER'S DAY. O PERFECT light which shaid' away And set a ruler o'er the day, Thy glory, when the day forth flies, More vively does appear, Nor at midday unto our eyes The shining sun is clear. The shadow of the earth anon Removes and drawis by, Synes in the east, when it is gone, quainted with Scotland. In extending the classical fame, no less than in establishing the moral reputation of their country, the Scottish clergy have exerted a primary influence; and whatever Presbyterian eloquence might once be, the voice of enlightened priuciples and universal charity is no where to be heard more distinctly than at the present hour from their pulpits. 1 For shaded.-2 Scotticè for than.-3, Then, Whilk' soon perceive the little larks, And tune their song like Nature's clerks, But every bold nocturnal beast No longer may abide, They hie away both maist and least, The golden globe incontinent And o'er the earth and firmament For joy the birds with boulden throats, Take up their kindly music notes In woods and gardens green. 6 Upbraids the careful husbandman, His corn and vines to see, And every timeous artisan In booths works busily. The pastor quits the slothful sleep, And passes forth with speed, 1 Which.- -2 Largest and smallest.-3 Abroad. Emboldened. --5 Shining.-6 Uprises.-7 Early. VOL. I. R The misty reek3, the clouds of rain Begaired is the sapphire pend The ample heaven, of fabric sure, The time so tranquil is and clear, That no where shall ye find, The air of passing wind. 1 Flat-nosed.- Lowing kine.-3 Fog. -4 Pours off.out.-6 Arch.-7 Streaks. -5 Drest All trees and simples, great and small, That balmy leaf do bear, Than they were painted on a wall, No more they move or steir1. The rivers fresh, the callour2 streams, The water clear like crystal beams, 4 The waves, that woltering wont to be, So silent is the cessile air, That every cry and call, The hills and dales, and forest fair, Again repeats them all. The clogged busy humming bees, That never think to drown 5, On flowers and flourishes of trees, The sun most like a speedy post 1 Stir. Cool.3 Run.-4 Tumbling.-5 To drone, or to be idle. The breathless flocks draw to the shade And freschure1 of their fauld; The startling nolt, as they were mad, The herds beneath some leafy trees, Amidst the flow'rs they lie; The stable ships upon the seas Tend up their sails to dry. The hart, the hind, the fallow deer, Are tapish'd at their rest; The fowls and birds that made thee beare1, Prepare their pretty nest. The rayons dure 5 descending down, All kindle in a gleid 6; In city, nor in burrough town, May nane set forth their head. Back from the blue pavemented whun7, 1 Freshness.- Oxen.-3 Carpeted.-4 Beare, I suppose, means music. To beare, in old Scotch, is to recite. Wynton, in his Chronicle, says, "As I have heard men beare on hand."-5 Hard, or keen rays.-6 Fire.-7 Whinstone. |