XI.

SUMMER EVENING.

O'ER

SUNSET.

yon blue hills the star of day declines, To close the labours of the rural swain,

Who sees his shadow lengthening o'er the plain; The broadening orb with softened lustre shines, Illumes with glowing light the dusky pines,

And spreading beeches smile in lovelier green; The rich effulgence of his glory bright,

Like blazing fire in distant windows seen: And now, his latest beam of parting light

Has ceased to sparkle in the rippling stream; Though, on the shaggy rock, and brown hill's height, With mellowed softness, smiles his lingering beam; But, while we gaze, the glory fades away,

And woodland warblers sing a requiem to the day.

TWILIGHT.

THE sun has set; but glories manifold,
In ever changing hues, delight the eye;
For purple clouds, with fringe of burnished gold,
Like glowing curtains, veil the western sky:
The splendid robes, in rainbow colours rolled,

On light celestial azure seem to lie

;

Nought breaks the silence but the landrail's cry That clamours in the clover field, unseen;

Amidst the odours of the blossomed bean

The fainting zephyrs have forgot to sigh; They sink asleep the wild-rose leaves between, Or on the lily's spotless bosom die :

Nature is hushed; the woodland songsters sleep;

And flowers, in pearly dew, the day's departure weep.

MIDNIGHT.

NIGHT'S spangled mantle of cerulean blue, Spread o'er the hills, in solemn stillness lies; Although afar, in hyperborean skies,

It shews a tint of softer milky hue :

Sleep bathes the eyelids in soft balmy dew,
And fate, for some, a couch of down supplies;
While others on their pallet beds recline :

Care from the dreaming slumberer's bosom flies,
To hover o'er some sleepless head like mine.
Alas! for him who, through the lingering night,
Is on a restless couch condemned to pine;

Long hours to reckon in their tardy flight; Who, wearied, sighs to see the morning shine,

And lifts his aching eyes to hail returning light.

THE DAWN OF MORNING.

FROM orient climes, on saffron coloured wings, With glowing blushes, beauteous virgin smile, And dewy eyes, young morning comes; and brings A soothing balm, that can, a little while,

The mourner's heart of care and grief beguile : Though earthly hope for him no longer springs, He sees the countless beauties in her train; When, with a matin song, the woodland rings,

He fondly listens, and forgets his pain; He sees that suns but set, again to rise,

Alternate light and darkness reign below;

And turns his thoughts to purer, cloudless skies,
Where shines a Sun in bright meridian glow;

Where care can never come, nor sorrow dim the eyes.

XII.

DEATH.

WHEN sorrowing friends surround my deathful bed,
While floating shadows to my eyes appear,
And dimly seen those long and fondly dear;
When I, though darkness o'er my sight is spread,
From her whose arm supports my sinking head,
Warm on my cheek, feel soft the tender tear-
The parting drop by fond affection shed;

When stagnant pulse, cold limbs, and panting breath,
As harbingers, announce approaching death ;-
In that dread moment, Lord, in mercy, send

The hope that plucks from Death the dreadful sting; The faith that says, "Tho' dust with dust must blend, The spirit shall ascend on viewless wing,

Where sorrow has no place, and life shall never end !"