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And now she flies on broad-spread wing,

Far down the lonely vale;

Where mists rise o'er the living spring,
And freight the chilly gale,
That bears the tuneless shrieks afar,
Which Superstition's spirits scare.

The nightbird wakes while others sleep,
And speeds on winds away,
O'er dewy mead and rocky steep,

To seek her destin'd prey.

'Tis so supernal nature wills,

And nature's law she thus fulfils.

Shall we then start at each harsh note,
False deem'd a boding sound;
And every time she strains her throat,
Tremble with awe profound?

'Tis harmless as the mellow strain

The woodlark

pours in love's sweet reign.

FURZE BLOSSOMS.

(ULEX EUROPEUS.)

GAY blossoms of the rugged heath,

How brilliantly ye shine!

Like gems of precious substance that
Irradiate the mine;

Not in the cultur'd boundary,
Form'd by the hand of Taste,

Your charms are shown, but generously
Ye beautify the waste.

So in the humble walks of life,
'Mid scenes and prospects drear,
As bright as in the courtly haunts,

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And Worth in native dignity

Seems lovelier far to view,

Than Pride array'd in specious guise,
Who claims that meek one's due.

Gay blossoms! beauteously ye hang
Above the skylark's nest,

Which simply form'd foundation finds
Upon earth's grassy breast;

But, oh! from nests so frail and low,
How vigorously he springs,
And sweetly soars to heaven's gate,
And there triumphant sings.

From dwelling place as lowly, so
Hath native genius sprung,

And rose and soar'd, and shone at last

Fame's brightest stars among.

The mind inspir'd by nature boon,

What limit shall restrain ?
The world's her tributary realm,
And space her boundless reign.

THE KINGFISHER.

(ALCEDO HISPIDA.)

WITH beauteous plumes and flight serene,
The halcyon charms the lonely scene;
Now on the humble willow sitting,
From glade to glade now shyly flitting.

See how the sun's enlivening ray
Delights his glories to display !

From hue to hue, like magic, changing,
As o'er the water's breast he's ranging.

So beauty in the rural shade

Shines with unborrow'd grace array'd, Which charms of sweet attraction lend her, While none but artless airs attend her.

And virtue so in humble state,
Struggling with fortune and with fate,
Shews traits to which such lights are given,
As speak far less of earth than heaven.

THE TRAVELLER RETURNED.

Look Nature through, 'tis revolution all.

'Tis twenty years since I was shown
Thee at thy mother's breast

In guileless youth :-now to thine own
A rosy babe is press'd.

'Tis twenty years since last I saw The cot, my native home;

'Tis chang'd, alas! by Time's stern law, And wears an air of gloom.

The trees that in the garden sprung,
With buds and fruitage gay ;
Some lie the rent scath'd logs among,
And others own decay.

The friends I left, familiar friends, Where are they gone?-Ah! where? I look-the churchyard far extends; Their names are graven there.

All, all are chang'd, or changing seem,
Where'er I turn mine eye,

Except the earth, the flowing stream,
The sun, and azure sky.

And in myself I see, I feel,

The alteration wrought;

My brow and locks the fact reveal,
And pulse to langour brought.

But there's a mansion rais'd above,
A seat not made with hands;
God is its builder, and his love
My presence there demands.

Quick let

Then Time press on, thine office ply,
my last change come;
Thou'rt all unknown above the sky,
The ransom'd sinner's home.

TO THE CRIMSON HEPATICA.

(ANEMONE HEPATICA.)

SWEET gem of Flora's earliest bower!
Uprear thy blushing head;
Though wintry skies upon thee lower,

And snows around are spread;
Still let thy lovely petals glow,
Array'd in all their charms,
And to distrustful mortals shew,

Life buds in death's cold arms.

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