He drives His dazzling diligence on high, And cheap as blackberries our sonnets show As common as the Sun to lord and loon, SPOTS IN THE SUN. MY father confessor is strict and holy, And yet how oft I find the pious man And not her charms! he comes to hear her sins! But ah! I fear that they who oft and long WHEN Surface talks of other people's worth He has the weakest memory on earth! And when his own good deeds he deigns to mention, His memory still is no whit better grown ; TO MY CANDLE.—THE FAREWELL GOOD Candle, thou that with thy brother, Fire, AN excellent adage commands that we should But of the great Lord who here lies in lead * The Friend, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809 (where five of the above Epigrams are reprinted). 181 SIBYLLINE LEAVES. LINES TO W. L., ESQ., WHILE HE SANG A SONG TO PURCELL'S MUSIC." * WHILE my young cheek retains its healthful hues, And I have many friends who hold me dear, L -! methinks, I would not often hear Such melodies as thine, lest I should lose All memory of the wrongs and sore distress For which my miserable brethren weep! But should uncomforted misfortunes steep My daily bread in tears and bitterness; And if at death's dread moment I should lie With no beloved face at my bed-side, To fix the last glance of my closing eye, [guide, Methinks such strains, breathed by my angelWould make me pass the cup of anguish by, Mix with the blest, nor know that I had died! TO AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN MAIDEN, that with sullen brow Sitt'st behind those virgins gay, * Printed in the second volume of The Annual Anthology, Bristol, 1800. † Annual Anthology, Bristol, 1800. Sufferer-1800. |