Classic Poem

FOURTH PART .

B Y distance, absence, Home in view,
Its every charm was heighten'd,
Though Winter, with a silver vest,
Its lordly cliffs had whiten'd.

Now Prudence, who, with precepts blest,
Had Owen's days directed;
To cheer his friends, and gladden home,
Her little hoards collected.

And Memory, too, was all alive,
Her every cell exploring;
Friends, Parents, Play-mates, even his flock,
With magic touch restoring.

They all, on recollection rush'd,
Their temper, form, and feature;
The mental tablet well retains
Th' impressive lines of Nature.

Even little Tegan liv'd anew,
His various freaks and notions;
The faithful cur, whose voice confin'd
The fleecy nation's motions.

And Jane, who fill'd his waking thoughts,
Of Jane he dreamt when sleeping;
With him, her heart had left its home,
And she had his in keeping.

He saw, even now, her greeting arms,
The welcome kiss, caresses;
He top-knots bought, of every hue,
To tie her auburn tresses.

Young Owen's bosom now beat high,
A world of bliss was forming;
'Tis thus, we sometimes paint at night,
The sunshine of the morning.

At length, in sight of home arriv'd,
His eyes on Llangoed feasting;
The bliss which Absence only gives,
Her treasur'd joys was tasting!

In fatal hour, a Fair he met,
And pilgrim-like, enquir'd
What tale employ'd the public voice —
Of what it last grew tir'd.

" On Monday last, a dreadful day,
" (May Heaven avert another)
" At once, in Llangoed, Death entomb'd
" A father and a mother.

" Ye orphans poor! ye faithful pair!
" So Heav'n's high will decided,
" That they who in their lives were one,
" Should, dead, be undivided. "

Unnam'd, in Owen's boding breast,
The truth terrific thunder'd;
And he, who brav'd the red broadside,
By one dread word — was murdered.

Ne'er yet was Sorrow's pointed dart,
With heavier hand inflicted;
That moment, Hope; in happiest hues,
Had joys in view depicted.

Thus fell on Owen's suff'ring soul,
Woe's full o'erwhelming measure;
Thus fell, from Joy's exulting lips,
The sparkling cup of Pleasure.