DISLIKING Crouds, nor apt to roam,
It chanc'd that I was far from home,
'Midst idle mirth, and festal chear,
Yet, far from home, my heart was there.
The time in sportive sallies flew ;

Then, midnight parts the jovial crew,

And all, dispersing, seek repose,

The lights they quench, the doors they close.
While embers shot a glimmering ray,
Upon my couch I musing lay;
And thought on those I left behind,
'Till sleep absorb'd the pow'rs of mind:
Yet, ev'n in slumber, fancy wrought,
And home was present to my thought.-
The winds were hush'd, the night was still,
And silent ev❜n the neighbouring rill,
Forbidden by the season frore,

To pass the bank, or loudly roar.

The birds with head beneath their wing
Await the star*, that bids them sing,
Nor living thing, that shuns the light,
Was heard to prowl or scream that night.
Then suddenly I start from rest—
A pleasing horror fill'd my breast,
A rustling noise I seem'd to hear;
It still resounds on fancy's ear.

No more the hearth, with glimmering ray,
Might object in the room display:
Yet some strange lustre glanc'd around,
And near my couch a boy I found.
Scant was the hair his temples bore;
And tho' a child his head was hoar,
His limbs contracted all by cold,
Limbs, infantine, with features old.
Awhile I gaz'd-with wonder wild—
Then,-"Who art thou, unhappy Child?
"How ill thy nurse hath play'd her part!
"To see thy plight afflicts my heart.
"If sickly manhood thou shalt gain,
"Sure, all thy days are mark'd for pain."
"Dismiss thy sympathy; (he said)
"I grow without the nurse's aid.
"To charm the world, in beauty's pride,
"My cheeks with mantling blushes dyed,
"As frank as love, as nature fair,
"I soon shall wave my fragrant hair;
"And ev'ry painted flow'r combin'd
"Shall with my fragrant hair be twin'd:
"Then birds shall hover round my head,
"And nymphs for me the dances lead.

Lucifer, or the Morning Star,

"My power shall draw the herbage up, "And fill with dew the flowret's cup; "The Zephyrs call, and genial rains, "Diffusing beauty o'er the plains. "With many a bud, and many a flow'r, "I deck the simple rustic bow'r, "And bid the broad meridian glare "Show all is good, and all is fair. "Love reigns triumphant, earth is glad, "In vigour, and in beauty clad. "Then all that life demands I yield; "The yellow harvests crown the field; "The orchards glow with ruddy fruit, "And clusters load the viny shoot. "My task perform'd-by nature's plan, "My beauty fades, contracts my span: "Dejected, chilly, dark, and pale, 66 Approaching fate, in show'rs I wail. "For, when the nights devour the days, "The fun'ral pile for me shall blaze. "The bird of dawning all night long, "Shall sing my loud funereal song."Deceas'd my elder Brother lies, "But, from his sepulchre I rise; "And, when th' allotted hour is come, "I too must fill an early tomb. "Tho' early not untimely call, "What Heav'n ordains the lot of all, "A brother from my tomb shall rise, "To feed our race, with new supplies." "O boy (said I) with anguish keen, "Full many of thy race I've seen, "Oft have they flatter'd me with good, "And left me plung'd in Sorrow's flood.

"Their gifts have ever been at strife, "And chequer'd so my web of life, "That scarce my recollection knows, "If I should call them friends or foes. "Yet, since thou com'st by heav'ns decree, "O boy, thou welcome art to me. "But smile, I pray, with aspect bland, "And bring a blessing in thine hand. "Oh guard the dear domestic train, "From grief and care, disease and pain; "Dearer than being to my mind, "By whom a charm in life I find. "So be thy course perform'd in peace, "While foreign wars, and factions cease; "Nor pestilence nor famine mark "Thy chronicle with letters dark. "May'st thou the gate of Janus close, “And give the harass'd world repose!" With brighten'd aspect, then, the child Turn'd round to me-and turning smil'd.And told me " from thy peaceful home, "With tidings of good-will, I come. "For I have paid my visit there, "To meet content and lively cheer; "And mark'd, unseen, around the fire, "The smiling train in mirth conspire. "Embodied none my form could see, "Yet all a welcome paid to me. "To sing my birth has been thy care. "Speak then :-and I will hear thy pray'r.""I shall propound no mighty task. "A moderate boon from time I ask. "Give riches to the sordid race;

"Give honours to the mean and base; "Power to the false ambitious mind; "Fame to the foes of human kind;