There is in modest worth a charm

All eyes pursue, all hearts approve; A halo, vice views with alarm,

'Tis virtue's shield-the shrine of love.

WATER SPIDER.

(ARANEA AQUATICA.)

WHAT, not the earth and air suffice
With food and lodging to supply
Arachne? but she in a trice

Must to the whelming waters fly.

There forms she such transcendent spells, That not a drop her form can lave, And, like the fabled sea-nymph, dwells In glass and pearly-tissued cave.

What chymic art she thus displays!
What philosophic principles !
Well may'st thou ponder with amaze
On that which human power excels.

Let tempests o'er the surface rage,

Let thunders roll and lightnings play, Secure she dwells in web-form'd cage, And sportive captivates her prey.

THE WOODY NIGHTSHADE.

(SOLANUM DULCAMARA.)

WHERE its rich scent the hawthorn breathes,
Its graceful arms the nightshade wreathes,
And claims support as void of power;
It seems the lady of the bower.

Now glowing Summer smiles around,
And robes superbly all the ground,
Its purple pendents fast unfold,

With emerald dropt, and gemm'd with gold.

But where these cluster'd flow'rets blow,
Ripe glossy berries soon shall glow,
Of oval form, and crimson dye,

To charm the inexperienc'd eye.

But touch them not; though sweet they seem, With deleterious juice they teem,

Which holds with nature such dread strife,

As fires the mind and fetters life.

'Mongst human flow'rs so oft is seen
A graceful form with lovely mien,
Wily concealing in her core
Depravity's empoison'd store.

Her breath like honey may distil,
Like sunshine gleam her witching smile,
But all is false and foul beneath,

Her bloom but veils the shaft of death.

THE DEWS,

WHAT time the fervid sun declines,
And evening's grateful shades advance,
Slow over mead and field,

The gath'ring dews appear,

Spread like an ocean far and wide,
Hoar, noiseless, billowless, and soft:

Through night's still transient reign,
They bathe the earth's warm breast.
And many a parch'd and languid herb,
And many a tender flaccid bud,

On which their lymph distils,
Regain their wonted charms.

But when the bright-ey'd rosy morn
Returning darts her flaming rays,
The misty web dissolves,

In myriad globules bright.

Then beaded thick with liquid pearls,
The freshen'd blade prone bends to earth,
And many a fairy cup

Is charg'd with precious balm.

While crystal pendents deck the rose,
Her bud more lovely still appears;
And many a twinkling gem
Improves the bursting germ.
Thus oft the boon in time assign'd
Revives the drooping, fainting heart,

And the clogg'd spring restores
Of foil'd utility.

And beauty thus, bow'd by neglect,
Or hard unkindness' with'ring scowl,
Mid love's returning reign
Looks up again and smiles.

STANZAS.

'Tis sweet, when

rosy

tints of eve

Come stealing o'er a Summer sky,
The turmoil of the town to leave,

And throw the cares of business by, And wander where the fresh'ning stream Meanders through the peaceful vale, And mark the soften'd solar beam,

And quaff the fragrance of the gale.

'Tis sweet on nature's charms to dwell, Reveal'd in desert, mead, or bower, Which of their Author's goodness tell,

And show his wisdom and his power.

There's not a star that's nightly view'd,

Nor blade that springs the wild thorn under, Nor denizen of air nor flood,

But deeply scann'd awakens wonder.

The great, the little, high and low,
Proclaim their glorious origin,

And to the meek observer show

The impress of a hand divine. Then daily in some calm retreat

Great nature's secrets I'd explore, Nor sigh for scenes with art replete, Nor wish to join the Bacchant roar.

THE FALL OF MAN.

"How happily, how happily,
The flowers die away!

Oh, could we return to earth
As easily as they!"

But we have lost our innocence,

And therefore 'tis our doom,

With pain and care to struggle still,

From birth to darksome tomb.

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