For all the prodigal regards of youth And all the sympathies of gentlest love, And all the sweet simplicity of truth, In silent harmony for ever move

Along the heaven-blest scene ordained for us to

rove.

V.

Brothers and Sisters! friends of infancy! Oh how my heart rejoices when I speak Of all the sweetness of the home-bred tie, Whose gentle charities and graces meek Spread with a fairer hue the youthful cheek Than blushing passions deep and fiery glow; Yes! it beseems that I could never seek, My heart so turns to you, were ye to go, A new or foreign aid to mitigate the blow.

VI.

When morn first wakes me with its cheering smile,

That cheering smile, it seems, my friends, to

wear,

Is friendship's charm transfused, that all the

while

Lives in the silent spirit of the air:

Your voices, looks, and kind inquiries bear Their living incense to each gladdened view;

And all that beams around so gay and fair, Is Love's officious toil, that paints anew Each form that looks like life with no terrestrial

hue.

.VII.

And when meek evening glides athwart the sky And drowsy silence hangs upon the earth, Save that some distant hum which breathes to

die,

May chance from haunts of bacchanalian mirth

To meet his ear who sadly wandering forth Courts every hinting of departed bliss;

Yes, when meek evening glides, there spring to birth

Thousand dear images of happiness,

The Brother's honest grasp, the Sister's holy kiss.

VIII.

And most to you my two beloved friends! My Sister, and my Brother, most to you My heart its cordial gratulation sends;

Olivia, Robert, friends both tried and true!

Chiefly, this moment, would my soul renew To you its pledged affections, latest *met:

(The absent ever it shall keep in view) But oh, Companions of my youth, not yet May I your female care and manly zeal forget.

IX.

Yes, all without was drear, and all within Was dark and hopeless! pale disease had

shed

Her dullest glooms, and fain would I have been A quiet slumberer, number'd with the dead. But you with sweet solicitation led, And tender blandishment, my troubled breast From fears and doubts, and terrors fancy-fed, And lulled my spirit to a heavenly rest With Hope and Peace and Joy, and many a long-lost guest.

* These were the only two of the family whom the author met at home on returning from a journey: soon after which meeting this poem was written.

X.

Then Sister, Brother! friends whom ne'er I hail Without some gentle stirring of the heart; Then Sister, Brother! friends who never fail To hold in absence, with a secret art,

A sweet communion with my better part, Accept my thanks, accept my humble lays!

And for one moment if your features dart That simple welcome which affection pays, Though faultering, weak, and poor, my verse were rich in praise!

LINES

TO ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ.

Written at Barnwell, near Cambridge, and descriptive of the adjacent Country.

March 1st, 1800.

SOUTHEY, once more her interrupted voice
The Muse resumes To tell thee, Honoured

Friend,

Though absent far, in Fancy's airy dream
That oft thy presence my lone hour beguiles,
Were sure a bootless toil. Thou knowest well
Thy station in my heart. What then select

To

grace the humble verse? Perchance 'twould
fill

A vacant hour to learn what scenes surround
The abode of him to whom thy love recurs
With sweet memorial unimpaired by time.