Perhaps they read, while rapture-speaking tears, Like glittering dew-drops, o'er their faces stray, How, freed from all his woes and all his fears, Death's bands he burst upon this hallowed day; And when his friends, desponding by the way, With doubtful hearts deplored him from them torn, .. How he drew near, and kept, till twilight gray, Discoursing how he thus behoved to mourn, While kindling faith and love made all their hearts to

burn.

XXI.

Then, on their knees, with hearts sincere, they pray, His promis'd Spirit still to be their guide, Amidst the snares in life's bewildering way, That, watchful, lurk unseen on every side; And in their lot, whatever may betide, The sunny calm-or tempest howling high, He in the cloudy-skirted storm may ride, And whisper soft, as fainting low they lie, My friends, be not afraid, for see, behold, 'tis I!"

XXII.

The humble meal is now in haste brought forth;
No dainties smile upon their simple board;
One homely dish each morn rewards their worth,
'Tis all they ask, and all they can afford,
Yet still, within their frugal pantry stored,
A savoury cheese remains, to grace the day

Of holy rest, when carking Care abhorr'd,
Wrapt in his cloud of darkness, shrinks away
Before the radiant rise of Hope's high-streaming ray.

XXIII.

Then, forth they go, for now before the door
The short❜ning shadow marks the hour of nine;
And by the broomy hill are coming o'er

Their village neighbours, glittering, clean and fine. Upon the road, with neighbours, neighbours join, And converse sweet beguiles the tedious way;→→→

Some trace, in Nature's works, the hand divine; Some through the flowery fields of Scripture stray, And some, alas! retail the nonsense of the day.

XXIV.

The sun burns bright-wide through the fervid air,"
Of insect wings the hum unceasing flows;
And stretch'd around, beneath th' oppressive glare,
The flowery field with dazzling splendour glows.
Adown the vale, beneath the shady boughs,
The herd seek shelter from the sultry beam;

Or under yon tall rock, that, rising, throws,

All hoary, through the trees a dusky gleam, Their panting sides they lave, deep in the silver stream..

XXV.

The peaceful valley smiles-with wanton glee
The hare leaps, playful, in the broomy shade;
And clear the wild-wood strains of liberty,

All rapt'rous, sweep along the sunny glades
With eyes of jet, and swelling bosom red,
The little Robin, flutt'ring, flits on high;

The russet Wren, beneath the brushwood hid,

Patters unseen, or on the careless eye,

Comes, like a falling leaf, in air light wavering by.

XXVI.

Sweet Nature's children! these your haunts enjoy,
Nor yet, for me, one sportive round decline;
No ruffian, I, your pleasures to destroy;

No, brethren, no! the GOD ye praise is mine.
But ah! what bands approach with fell design!
Their faces dark, with guilty horror brown;
Nor song, nor service is to them divine,

Nor holy times, nor tender ties they own, The base, degenerate dregs of yonder smoky town.

XXVII.

Within their bosoms quench'd the light of Heaven,
In vain would Pity cross their guilty way;
The harmless creatures fly, in terror driven,
As, dark, they sweep along with ruthless sway.
The warbling Linnet drops the unfinished lay,
Frantic, to see her little nestlings torn

For ever from her eyes:-full many a day,
With feathers ragged, drooping, all forlorn,

Her plaintive note shall flow from yonder milk-white thorn.

XXVIII.

Nor there reposed, her woe-fraught strains in peace, Will cruelty allow her time to pour;

Crashes the bush, wide floats its flowery fleece, As, aimed at her, resounds the stony shower:Thus, oft the Bard, in silence, must endure The prideful pelting of the ruffian throng;

Who spurn his holy flame, his feelings pure, And armed in self-adoring maxims, strong, Despise the charms of wit, and energies of song.

XXIX.

O ye, to whom indulgent Providence

Hath parcelled out the earth in portions fair, Exert your power, keep strong the thorny fence, And with the law's long lash, intruders dare. The Blackbird's song shall well reward your care, Amidst the dew-distilling months of Spring;

Through Summer leafy, many a grateful pair Shall cheer your lonely walks with social wing; Yea, there, through Winter wild, the Red-breast sweet shall sing.

E