'Again beloved, esteemed, caress'd, Cupid shall in thine arms be press'd, Sport on thy knees, or on thy bosom sleep: My torch thine age-struck heart shall warm; My hand pale winter's rage disarm, And Youth and Spring shall here once more their revels keep.' A feather now of golden hue He smiling from his pinion drew: And round his favour'd head wild inspiration flits. His bosom glows with amorous fire; Swift o'er the tuneful chords his fingers move: Sweeps the too long neglected string, [Love. While soft Anacreon sings the power and praise of Soon as that name was heard, the woods Shook off their snows; the melting floods Broke their cold chains, and winter fled away. Once more the earth was deck'd with flowers; Mild zephyrs breathed through blooming bowers; High tower'd the glorious sun, and poured the blaze of day. Attracted by the' harmonious sound, Sylvans and fauns the cot surround, And curious crowd the minstrel to behold: The woodnymphs haste the spell to prove; Eager they run; they list, they love, [is old. And, while they hear the strain, forget the man Cupid, to nothing constant long, Perch'd on the harp attends the song, Or stifles with a kiss the dulcet notes: Now on the poet's breast reposes, Now twines his hoary locks with roses, Or borne on wings of gold in wanton circle floats. Then thus Anacreon- I no more At other shrines my vows will pour, Since Cupid deigns my numbers to inspire: From Phoebus or the blue-eyed maid Now shall my verse request no aid, For Love alone shall be the patron of my lyre. In lofty strain, of earlier days, I spread the king's or hero's praise, Your deeds my lips no more shall sing, M. G. LEWIS. LOVE AT SALE. COME buy my ware! come buy! come buy! Fond youths and curious maids, draw nigh; I have this lovely wicked boy to sell. Go not, fair girls, his cage too near! Though mild his looks, his arrows fear; Be still, the urchin's faults and merits while I tell. He in this little form unites The pangs of hell and heaven's delights; He reigns the lord of every mortal heart: That e'er excited joy, or bade a bosom smart. Light as the wind, wild as the wave, A fire that freezes and a frost that's hot; His tongue is with persuasion tipp'd; [sight. He binds, and so conceals his faults from his own He has two cheeks of blushing red; He has two wings which still are spread, When most his stay is wish'd, most swift to fly : He joys in wanton tricks and wiles, And mark! that when he sweetest smiles, Then is the rogue most sure those tricks and wiles to try. For well, alas! too well I know, To faith a stranger, 'gainst contrition steel'd; Who had believed deceit in such a form conceal'd! He begged so gently on my breast He seem'd so good, so grateful, and so meek! A resting place-but none had found!'- Who could, unmoved, his accents hear? But since I find his friends most true I'll take dear-bought Conviction's sage advice, He shall no more my trust betray, But be the slave of him who bids the highest price. Observe, whoe'er shall buy this boy, Of fainting Virtue's last pure tears, Of treacherous smiles, and oaths which perjured lovers swore: Of torches, their unsteady fires Of worn out wings; of broken darts, Of fond forsaken maids!-Come buy! come buy! come buy! But see him now for pardon sue! See, how his eye of glossy blue With mingled hope and grief he lifts to me. Convinced by that forgiving kiss, That I can never part from Julia and from thee. M. G. LEWIS. TO MISS SARAH FOWLER. WHEN first Aurora's gorgeous car Springs from night's dreary vault released, And beauty's consecrated star Retires behind the blushing east, Can Titan's orient beams dispense A more propitious influence To animate the' exulting earth Not in the solitary gloom, By the dim taper's sickly ray, Where Poesy erects her seat, The myrtle's fragrant branches twine. Beneath the Pleasures' nimble feet Upstarts the new born columbine. |