And now, with earthly care opprest, AN APRIL DAY. DEAR Emma, on that infant brow O, dry that unavailing tear, The promis'd visit you shall pay ; The sky will soon again be clear, For 'tis, my love, an April Day. And see, the sun's returning light Away the transient clouds hath driv'n; The rainbow's arch, with colours bright, Spreads o'er the blue expanse of heav'n; The storm is hush'd, the winds are still, Those vernal show'rs that from on high Descend, make earth more fresh and green; Those clouds that darken all the air And those sad tears that for a while Down sorrow's faded cheek may roll, Shall sparkle thro' a radiant smile, And speak the sunshine of the soul ! While yet thy mind is young and pure, His chast'ning hand will never break The meanest suppliant at his throne. The world, that with disdainful pride Ah, shun the fawning, flatt'ring crew! And blest with cheerfulness and health And Heav'n's mysterious will be done. With fair Religion, woo content, "Twill bid tempestuous passions cease; And know, my child, the life that's spent In pray'r and praise must end in peace: Its fitful dream is quickly past, A little while we linger here; And tho' the morn be overcast, The ev'ning may be bright and clear. DEATH. CEASE, Fool, to mourn life's little span, And hush that impious cry, For what an abject thing were man, If he were ne'er to die. Yet grant thee all thy soul's desire, A free, immortal state; Soon immortality would tire, And thou would'st curse thy fate: Wealth, honours, all the world can give, And soft, luxurious ease, The charms for which men crave to live, Would lose their pow'r to please. But Death, tho' harsh to worldly ears, To misery and to me, Sounds like the musick of the spheres, Celestial harmony! It mingles in one common clay, Th' oppressor and th' opprest; |