VII. COMPOSED A FEW DAYS AFTER THE FOREGOING. WHEN haughty expectations prostrate lie, Survive, and Fortune's utmost anger try; And so the bright immortal Theban band, Might overwhelm, but could not separate! VIII. THE Stars are mansions built by Nature's hand; For life to occupy in love and rest; Is this a vernal thought? Even so, the Spring IX. TO THE LADY BEAUMONT. powers LADY! the songs of Spring were in the grove And all the mighty ravishment of spring. X. TO THE LADY MARY LOWTHER, WITH A SELECTION FROM THE POEMS OF ANNE, COUNTESS OF WILCHELSEA; AND EXTRACTS OF SIMILAR CHARACTER FROM OTHER WRITERS; TRANSCRIBED BY A FEMALE FRIEND. LADY! I rifled a Parnassian Cave Cast up at random by the sullen wave. To female hands the treasures were resigned; And lo this Work! a grotto bright and clear From stain or taint; in which thy blameless mind May feed on thoughts though pensive not austere; Or, if thy deeper spirit be inclined To holy musing, it may enter here. XI. THERE is a pleasure in poetic pains Which only Poets know; - 'twas rightly said; Their smoothest paths, to wear their lightest chains? How oft the malice of one luckless word Pursues the Enthusiast to the social board, Haunts him belated on the silent plains! Yet he repines not, if his thought stand clear Fresh as the Star that crowns the brow of Morn; Bright, speckless as a softly-moulded tear The moment it has left the Virgin's eye, Or rain-drop lingering on the pointed Thorn. |