e glad objects that once charmed my sight
Remember, like soft views of "faerie" past;

I see thee come half-smiling to my bed, 19
With Fortitude more awfully severe,
Whose arm sustaining holds my drooping head,
Who dries with her dark locks the tender tear.

O firmer Spirit! on some craggy height 20
Who, when the tempest sails aloft, dost stand,
And hear'st the ceaseless billows of the night
Rolling upon the solitary strand;

At this sad hour, when no harsh thoughts intrude 21
To mar the melancholy mind's repose,
When I am left to night and solitude,
And languid life seems verging to its close;

Oh, let me thy pervading influence feel; 22
Be every weak and wayward thought repressed;
And hide thou, as with plates of coldest steel,
The faded aspect and the throbbing breast!

Silent the motley pageant may retreat, 23
And vain mortality's brief scenes remove;
Yet let my bosom, whilst with life it beat,
Breathe a last prayer for all on earth I love.

Slow-creeping pain weighs down my heavy eye, 24
A chiller faintness steals upon my breast;
"O gentle Muse, with some sweet lullaby"
Rock me in long forgetfulness to rest!

[43] The fall of the river, heard from the Parade.

[44] The AEolian harp.

ON LEAVING WINCHESTER SCHOOL.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1782.

The spring shall visit thee again,
Itchin! and yonder ancient fane,[45]
That casts its shadow on thy breast,
As if, by many winters beat,
The blooming season it would greet,
With many a straggling wild-flower shall be dressed.

But I, amid the youthful train
That stray at evening by thy side,
No longer shall a guest remain,
To mark the spring's reviving pride.
I go not unrejoicing; but who knows,
When I have shared, O world! thy common woes,
Returning I may drop some natural tears;
As these same fields I look around,
And hear from yonder dome[46] the slow bell sound,
And think upon the joys that crowned my stripling years!

[45] St Croix.

[46] The Cathedral.

HOPE, AN ALLEGORICAL SKETCH.

But thou, O Hope! with eyes so fair,
What was thy delightful measure?
COLLINS