Classic Poem

To Alexis.

When rose-lip'd health reveals her vivid bloom,
And youth and genius all their charms impart;
Why wears the face the discontented gloom?
Why, sadly sighing, heaves the pensive heart?

Can weeping Melancholy's frantic train,
The brow deep-sadden'd, and the tear-swoln eye,
Invade the vernal hour with plaint profane,
And pleasure, peace, and industry supply?

Mistaken man! — it cannot, will not do;
Musing and sad, to murmur all alone!
'Tis fearful Fancy guides your trembling view,
And from your bosom bursts th' unmeaning moan.

What tho' you' met with Fortune's frowning form,
Pale Envy's rage, and Passion's stormy pow'r?
See Slander's sons your fairest deeds deform,
And dark Suspicion shade the social hour?

Soft Pity best becomes the human heart,
And weakness claims the mild regarding eye;
And since the vernal day may soon depart,
Why should you strive to lengthen out the sigh?

For think, ah! think, it will not always last,
This motley life you lov'd, and now deplore!
Soon will the swift-wing'd day of youth be past,
Soon fate o'er whelm — and ev'ry joy be o'er.

Twere better far to join the jocund throng,
Wind the wild walk along the summer lawn;
Try with the fair sequester'd bow'rs among,
Or pour the lay at M IRA'S soft command!

What tho' no purpled king, nor titled fire,
Grace the long progress of your humble line;
No gazing crouds your glitt'ring pomp admire,
Or, prostrate low, miscall your pow'r, divine.

What tho' no costly robe, nor shining ore,
Adorn your limbs, or heap th' o'erflowing chest;
Pleasure disdains the splendid pride of pow'r,
And sheds her honours on the low-born breast.

Oft in the rural vale, obscure, unknown,
The Muses deign to bless their fav'rite swains;
Full oft, poetic, thro' the fields they roam,
While nature's charms adorn the flowing strains

The sylvan choirs, that wake the vocal lay;
The crystal streams, that murmur as they flow;
The waving meadows, fragrant, fresh, and gay,
Have sweets the sons of grandeur never know!

Say, then, when nature spreads the pleasing theme,
And willing Muses shed their genial art;
Say, will you quench the heav'n-enlighten'd flame,
And bid lorn sorrow chill the glowing heart?

Forbear, my friend! the shameful sigh forbear;
Too long hath sorrow held her baleful sway! —
See vengeful mirth her prostrate banners rear,
And force the sury from her realms away!

'Tis done — and Pleasure takes her wonted stand;
I see the smile; I hear the sprightly song;
In ruddy circles croud the jocund band,
And hail the numbers as they pour along.

Wide, and more wide, the vengeful victor flies, —
I see the lovers seek their sav'rite grove
In either bosom soft ideas rise; —
In ev'ry accent breathes inspiring love!

'Tis just — indulge the long-forgotten feast,
With eager hand life's fleeting sweets receive!
Soon may disease impair the vig'rous taste,
Dull ev'ry sense, and ev'ry pow'r deprave!

Ah! could thy friend, in wonted ease reclin'd,
When health inspir'd, and pleasure led the day;
Again enjoy the genial feast refin'd,
The mutual rapture, or the melting lay!

He would not restless roll his languid eyes,
With piercing pain exalt the cry of woe;
And cheerless view involving tempests rise,
And vernal roses wither as they blow.

But pale Disease exhausts him fast away;
For him reviving joy will bloom no more;
No muse melodious cheer the ling'ring day,
No lovely C LARA learn her tender lore!

Dark is the dawning morn, that shone so fair;
And sad the night that shed the balmy rest;
And dim their slant sun's refulgent glare;
And bleak the field, in flow'ry fragrance drest!

Cold-handed death, with grimly, ghastly eye,
Forth from the gloom begins his destin'd way —
Soon will my I feless frame forgotten ly,
Resign'd to native earth — a clod of clay!

Haply, with partial tenderness possest,
C LARA may breathe one secret sigh sincere;
And Friendship strike the sorrow-sobbing breast,
And bid remembrance drop one pious tear!

But not, unmindful of the life you love,
Leave each warm wish to cold complaint a prey;
Follow, where Pleasure's soft suggestions move,
And wipe the streamy tribute swift away.