There flag-shaped olive-leaves, depending hung,

And fairy fans from glossy pebbles sprung;

Then her terrestrial train the nereids meet,

And lay their spoils saline at Flora's feet.

O! fairest of the fabled forms! that stream,
Dress'd by wild Fancy, thro' the poet's dream,

Still may thy attributes of leaves and flowers,

Thy garden's rich, and shrub-o'ershadow'd bowers,

And yellow meads, with Spring's first honours bright,

The child's gay heart, and frolic step invite;

And, while the careless wanderer explores,

The umbrageous forest, or the rugged shores,

Climbs the green down, or roams the broom-clad waste,

May Truth, and Nature, form his future taste!

Goddess! on youth's bless'd hours thy gifts bestow;

Bind the fair wreath on virgin-beauty's brow,

And still may Fancy's brightest flowers be wove
Round the gold chains of hymeneal love.

But most for those, by Sorrow's hands oppress'd,
May thy beds blossom, and thy wilds be dress'd;
And where by Fortune and the world forgot,
The mourner droops in some sequester'd spot,
("Sad luxury to vulgar minds unknown,”)

O'er blighted happiness for ever gone,

Yet the dear image seeks not to forget,

But woos his grief, and cherishes regret; Loving, with fond and lingering pain, to mourn O'er joys and hopes that never will return ;—

Thou, visionary power! mayst bid him view

Forms not less lovely, and as transient too;

And while they soothe the wearied pilgrim's eyes,

Afford an antepast of Paradise.

STUDIES BY THE SEA.

AH! wherefore do the incurious say,

That this stupendous ocean wide,

No change presents from day to day,
Save only the alternate tide;

Or save when gales of summer glide
Across the lightly crisped wave;

Or, when against the cliff's rough side,

As equinoctial tempests rave,

It wildly bursts; o'erwhelms the deluged strand,

Tears down its bounds, and desolates the land?

Or paler, colder hues of lead,

As lurid vapours float on high,

Along the ruffling billows spread,

While darkly lours the threatening sky;

And the small scatter'd barks with outspread shrouds,

Catch the long gleams, that fall between the clouds.

Then day's bright star with blunted rays

Seems struggling thro' the sea-fog pale,

And doubtful in the heavy haze,

Is dimly seen the nearing sail;

"Till from the land a fresher gale

Disperses the white mist, and clear,

As melts away the gauzy veil,

The sun-reflecting waves appear;