Classic Poem

Kind shepherd! if thy hoary locks,
Bespeaking venerable age,
May trust and confidence inspire,
Oh! wilt thou, with thy counsel sage,
Assist a sad perplexed wight,
Who, wretched, weary, and forlorn,
Nor home, nor friend, nor peace can find;
Compell'd to wander and to mourn,
Instruct me, if thou canst, to find
The secret dwelling of a friend,
From whom long time I've sever'd been,
And whither all my wand'rings tend;
Her name is Happiness,—her face,
Like summer's morn, serene and bright—
Her smile, through ev'ry human heart,
Diffuses feelings of delight;
And while she journey'd by my side,
Full many a fresh and fragrant flower,
Springing in lawn and glade, confess'd
The presence of the beauteous power;
Long time, alas! she's absent been
The joy and solace of my mind,
And I have wander'd far and wide,
The lovely fugitive to find;
I've travers'd many a dreary wild,
With briars and with thorns bestrew'd,
And many a barren marshy waste,
And many a pathless mountain rude;
Sometimes the dear enchanting form
Stood beckoning on a distant plain,
Between, a broad deep river roll'd,
And all my toils have prov'd in vain;
And oft beneath the shelt'ring grove
I saw the lovely vision glide,
By fond exulting hope inspir'd,
With eager steps I thither hied,
Then look'd, but vainly look'd around,
Th' illusive shade had left the place,
Nor track nor footstep could be seen,
By which her further could be seen,
Sometimes (along some desart strand
Lost and bewilder'd) as I stray'd,
O'er the drear view, the gloom of night
Approaching, threw a deeper shade,
I heard the howling of the storm,
The wind breath'd sullen on mine ear,
The rising surges of the main,
With dreadful sound, seem'd rushing near,
I saw dark frightful billows roll,
That threat'ned an approaching grave,
Fear seiz'd on all my trembling frame,
No succour nigh, no hand to save,
And yet the worst of all my griefs,
Was man's unkindness and deceit—
When I of passengers enquir'd
Some pathway for my weary feet,
With seeming friendship, cov'ring guile,
Full oft, oh! cruel treach'ry, they,
In mock'ry pointed out a road,
Which only led me more astray.
If kinder feelings fill thy breast,
O lead my doubtful steps aright,
And give me, shepherd, if thou canst,
Some tidings of the wand'rer's flight.
“Fond youth, the fruitless search give o'er—
“She's but a transient guest on earth,
“Short is her longest visits here,
“For Bliss is of celestial birth;
“At intervals she will return,
“To cheer thee with her heav'nly smile,
“And with some fairer views between,
“Adorn thy path of life awhile;
“But far beyond this dusky spot
“Is fix'd her permanent abode—
“There may'st thou share her constant smile,
“When thou this chequer'd vale hast trod.”