Yet let us calmly view our present fate,
And make a humbler Eden of our state;
With this advantage, that what now we gain,
Experience gives, and prudence will retain.
What we beheld in Love's perspective glass
Has pass'd away-one sigh! and let it pass-
It was a blissful vision, and it fled,

And we must get some actual good instead :
Of good and evil that we daily find,—

That we must hoard, this banish from the mind;
Then, though we backward look with some regret
On those first joys, we shall be happy yet.
Each on the other must in all depend,
The kind adviser, the unfailing friend;

Through the rough world we must each other aid,
Leading and led, obeying and obey'd.

Nor doubt, my Emma, but in many an hour Fancy, who sleeps, shall wake with all her power; And we shall pass—though not perhaps remain— To fairy-land, and feel its charm again.

THERE

THE SHELLEYS

was a Widow in the village known To our good Squire, and he had favour shown

By frequent bounty. She as usual came,

And Richard saw the worn and weary frame,

Pale cheek, and eye subdued, of her whose mind
Was grateful still, and glad a friend to find,

Though to the world long since and all its hopes resign'd:

Her easy form, in rustic neatness clad,

Was pleasing still! but she for ever sad.

"Deep is her grief!" said Richard, — "truly deep,

"And very still, and therefore seems to sleep;
"To borrow simile, to paint her woes,

"Theirs, like the river's motion, seems repose,
"Making no petty murmuring,-settled slow,
"They never waste, they never overflow.
"Rachel is one of those-for there are some
"Who look for nothing in their days to come,
"No good nor evil, neither hope nor fear,
"Nothing remains or cheerful or severe;

"One day is like the past, the year's sweet prime "Like the sad fall,-for Rachel heeds not time:

"Nothing remains to agitate her breast,

66

Spent is the tempest, and the sky at rest; "But while it raged her peace its ruin met, "And now the sun is on her prospects set;— "Leave her, and let us her distress explore, "She heeds it not-she has been left before."

There were two lads call'd Shelley hither brought,

But whence we know not-it was never sought;
Their wandering mother left them, left her name,
And the boys throve and valiant men became :
Handsome, of more than common size, and tall,
And, no one's kindred, seem'd beloved of all.
One was call'd James, the more sedate and grave,
The other Robert-names their neighbours gave;
They both were brave, but Robert loved to run
And meet his danger-James would rather shun
The dangerous trial, but whenever tried

He all his spirit to the act applied.

Robert would aid on any man bestow,

James would his man and the occasion know;
For that was quick and prompt-this temperate
and slow.

Robert would all things he desired pursue,
James would consider what was best to do;
All spoke of Robert as a man they loved,
And most of James as valued and approved.

Both had some learning: Robert his acquired By quicker parts, and was by praise inspired; James, as he was in his acquirements slow, Would learn the worth of what he tried to know. In fact, this youth was generous-that was just ; The one you loved, the other you would trust.

Such were the brothers-James had found his way To Nether Hall, and there inclined to stay;

He could himself command, and therefore could obey :

He with the keeper took his daily round,
A rival grew, and some unkindness found;
But his superior farm'd! the place was void,
And James guns, dogs, and dignity enjoy'd.

Robert had scorn of service: he would be A slave to no man-happy were the free, And only they;-by such opinions led, Robert to sundry kinds of trade was bred; Nor let us wonder if he sometimes made An active partner in a lawless trade; Fond of adventure, wanton as the wave, He loved the danger and the law to brave; But these were chance adventures, known to few,— Not that the hero cared what people knew.

The brothers met not often-When they met James talk'd of honest gains and scorn of debt, Of virtuous labour, of a sober life,

And what with credit would support a wife.

But Robert answer'd,- "How can men advise "Who to a master let their tongue and eyes?

"Whose words are not their own? whose foot and hand

"Run at a nod, or act upon command ?

"Who cannot eat or drink, discourse or play,
"Without requesting others that they may?
would shun; but what advice to give
"Who owe your service every hour you live!

"Debt you

"Let a bell sound, and from your friends you run,

66

Although the darling of your heart were one;

"But if the bondage fits you, I resign

"You to your lot—I am content with mine!"

Thus would the Lads their sentiments express,
And part in earnest, part in playfulness;
Till Love, controller of all hearts and eyes,
Breaker of bonds, of friendship's holy ties,
Awakener of new wills and slumbering sympathies,
Began his reign,-till Rachel, meek-eyed maid,
That form, those cheeks, that faultless face display'd,
That child of gracious nature, ever neat
And never fine; a flow'ret simply sweet,
Seeming at least unconscious she was fair;
Meek in her spirit, timid in her air,

And shrinking from his glance if one presumed
To come too near the beauty as it bloom'd.

Robert beheld her in her father's cot
Day after day, and bless'd his happy lot;
He look'd indeed, but he could not offend
By gentle looks-he was her father's friend :