Classic Poem

TO R. N. A Family F RIEND .

ON OCCASION OF HIS ABSENCE; AFTER A LONG AND PLEASING VISIT .

C OME gentle Muse! and soothe the mind,
By fond affliction vainly torn;
Come gentle Muse! and teach the lyre,
In more melodious strains to mourn.

The tear that beams in Friendship's eye,
The pang which we at parting feel,
The stifled sob, the rising sigh,
Thy soothing balm alone can heal.

The days that sweetly stole away,
The hours that crown'd with friendship flew,
Time gathers fast; and we must bid
Those days, those smiling hours adieu!

Ah me! the moments wing'd with peace,
When Friendship join'd with Science stray'd,
Like the fair visions of the morn,
In Fancy's roving eye pourtray'd.

All, all, are gone! — and where we rov'd
Pale Solitude and Silence reign;
And Ev'ning sees me trace alone,
With melancholy steps the plain.

But hark! methinks some airy voice,
Breaks in soft sounds upon my ear;
It bids me check the rising sigh,
It bids me wipe the falling tear.

" Fond, selfish wretch"! — methinks it cries,
" Does Friendship teach us to bemoan
" The joys which to another flow,
" If for a while they damp our own?

" Forbear to think, mistaken maid,
" That Friendship seeks her own repose;
" Ah! no, the bliss that others share,
" On her an equal joy bestows."

Thanks for thy precepts, gentle voice,
For Reason whispers they are true;
From this glad hour adieu ye sighs,
Ye hours of sadness all adieu!

Again the verdant mead shall please,
And there I'll string the artless lyre;
There summon Echo from her cell,
There sing of sacred Friendship's fire.

The breeze that gently rustles round,
To Humber's happy banks shall haste,
And whisper to the gen'rous few,
Who sympathetic joys can taste;

That oft with them the kindred soul,
By fond imagination borne;
Does in that happy circle join,
Where Pleasure rises with the morn.

O! there may sorrow never come,
But each new day return in joy;
O! there may ev'ry blessing smile,
Nor adverse Fate one hope destroy.

There may the Muse, tho' all unknown,
A moment's pleasure hope to give;
Ambitious of no other fame,
Than in their memory to live.