Classic Poem

To the Memory of Alexis

Here, broader spreads the lowly creeping thyme,
Here, fairer lilies, fresher daisies, grow;
Here, springs the pride of Plora's flow'ry prime,
Blue hare-bells bud, and purple vi'lets blow.

And here, the willows weave a thicker shade,
And here, the hawthorns wear a whiter bloom;
And milder, o'er the many-colour'd mead,
Yon blossom'd furze exhale a fragrant fume.

Hard by the stream, and on this very spot,
Where clearer by, the crystal waters creep;
I've found the seat A LEXIS frequent sought,
Slowly descending from yon upland steep.

Hail, hallow'd seat! so lonely and serene!
Sequester'd stream, and verdant valley, hail!
Still may the willow grace your windings green,
And still the hawthorn whiten o'er your dale.

For oft, on M AIDEN 's blooming banks, the fire
Of vivid fancy has inspir'd his song;
And oft the veh'mence of the living lyre
Has chas'd his cheerless minutes swift along.

Tho' now no poet pierce this green retreat,
Nor hallow'd footstep mark this mazy way;
Sad, I will seek his unfrequented seat,
And waste in pensive thought the close of day.

Tho' fancy on my eye her fairy field,
Fraught with the sweets of song, may not unfold;
Sorrow restrain the muse's rovings wild,
And melt to languor down her ardour bold;

Out-stretch'd, beneath his willow-woven shade,
In flaunting pride unprofitably gay,
Mem'ry will wake the white-wing'd minutes fled,
And point each spot where musing late he lay.

Still, still, unweary'd, wander o'er and o'er
Each haunted walk, and long-frequented scene;
And, true to friendship's never-venal lore,
Pour fondly forth one tributary strain!

For here his foot has now forgot to stray,
In love-lorn mazes winding sweetly wild;
No sedge-crown'd Naiad listens to his lay,
Melodious warbled o'er th' accustom'd field.

While op'ning youth reveal'd each gayer grace,
Flush'd the plump cheek, and spread the vermil hue,
Gave the rapt eye with glowing warmth to trace
Life's fair inchanting prospects full in view:

Uprose Disease, and rose with aspect wan,
Consumption, slow, resistless, and severe!
Swift, as she rose, each flatt'ring prospect ran,
And left him disappointment's bitter tear!

It nought avail'd, that virtue gave him worth,
That genius deign'd her eye-enlight'ning ray;
Or M IRA led his frequent footstep forth,
Where woven willows fringe the wat'ry way!

I saw him sink! I saw him yield his breath,
Stretch'd in yon lone cot's dim-discover'd shade!
And, like the swain who dies a vulgar death,
Low in yon church-yard green I saw him laid!

I saw a mother close his eye to rest!
I saw a sister stretch him on the bier! —
Still the remembrance rushes on my breast,
And widow'd friendship drops another tear!

And sure, when youth is snatch'd from fame's fair meed,
Fond friendship's fire, and love's congenial glow,
And in the narrow grave untimely laid,
A sigh should murmur, and a tear should flow.

Yes, my A LEXIS ! while to me 'tis giv'n
On life's lorn way to wander, and to weep!
Ere, due to fate, descends the hand of heav'n,
To close my lids in everlasting sleep:

Pensive and sad, I'll seek your haunted stream,
What time grey twilight sways the sober hour;
And oft I'll stretch me on the lonesome green,
And oft these melancholy musings pour.

Short is the date to gentle love assign'd;
Swift is the hour to daedal fancy due;
To-day we fold an heart-dividing friend,
To-morrow mourn him ravish'd from our view!

Wit's wayward strain, and Beauty's syren smile,
Mirth's jocund laugh, and Hope's gay-glitt'ring ray,
Disguise delusive youth with pleasing guile,
And tempt the yielding heart from truth astray!

Inclin'd to error, mortals still mistake,
Expecting solid happiness below;
Made drunk at Fancy's feast, we sleep, and wake
From visionary bliss to real woe.