Classic Poem

AN ELEGY.

H ONORA fled, I seek her favourite scene
With hasty step, as I should meet her there;
The hasty step and the disorder'd mien
Fond expectation's anxious semblance wear.

This bowery terrace, where she frequent stray'd,
And frequent cull'd for me the floral wreath,
That tower, that lake, — yon willow's ample shade,
All, all the vale her spirit seems to breathe.

I seize the loved resemblance it displays,
With mixture strange of anguish and delight;
I bend on vacancy an earnest gaze,
Where strong illusion cheats my straining sight.

But ah, it fades! — and no relief I find,
Save that which silence, memory, hope confer;
Too soon the local semblance leaves my mind,
E'en where each object seem'd so full of her.

And Memory, only Memory, can impart
The dear enduring image to my view;
Has she not drawn thee, loveliest, on my heart
In faithful tints, and permanent as true?

Transcending all associate forms disclose
Of evanescent likeness; or each grace
The breathing pencil's happiest effort throws
O'er the bright lines that imitate thy face.

As much too fix'd as theirs too fleeting found,
The pencil but one look, one gesture brings;
But varying charms, each accent's thrilling sound
From Recollection's juster portrait springs.

Be then th' embosom'd image only sought,
Since perfect only can its magic prove!
O! rise with all H ONORA'S sweetness fraught,
Vivid, and perfect, as her A NNA'S love.

Shew me how fair she seems, when on the gale
Her waving locks, in soft luxuriance, play;
As lightly bounding down the dewy vale,
She pours her rival beauties on the day!

How fair, e'en when displeasure's darkening frown,
And scorn itself are lovely on her brow;
Like summer shades, that sweep the vale adown,
Pass o'er the flowers, and heighten all their glow;

Yet fairer, when her brightening spirit spreads,
In blest vicissitude, the cheering ray,
As Sensibility, quick veering, sheds
Its clouds and sun-shine o'er her April-day.

But fairest when her vermeil lips disclose,
In many a magic smile and melting tone,
The varied accent through the pearly rows,
That proves the mental graces all her own.