Classic Poem

My heart has thanked thee, Bowles! for those soft strains,
That, on the still air floating, tremblingly
Waked in me Fancy, Love, and Sympathy!
For hence, not callous to a Brother's pains
Through Youth's gay prime and thornless paths I went;
And, when the darker day of life began,
And I did roam, a thought-bewildered man!
Thy kindred Lays an healing solace lent,
Each lonely pang with dreamy joys combined,
And stole from vain Regret her scorpion stings;
While shadowy Pleasure, with mysterious wings,
Brooded the wavy and tumultuous mind,
Like that great Spirit, who with plastic sweep
Moved on the darkness of the formless Deep!