His rising cares the Hermit fpy'd,

With answering care opprefsd: • And whence, unhappy youth,' he cry'd,

• The sorrows of thy breaft?

• From better habitations spurn'd,

* Reluctant dost thou rove? • Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd,

• Or unregarded love?

Alas!

• Alas! the joys that fortune brings

• Are trilling, and decay ; . And those who prize the paultry things

• More trifling still than they.

• And what is Friendship but a name,

• A charm that lulls to sleep; • A shade that follows wealth or fame,

• And leaves the wretch to weep?

And Love is still an emptier sound,

« The modern fair-one's jest ; « On earth unseen, or only found

• To warm the turtle's neft.

For fame, fond youth ! thy sorrows hush,

? And spurn the sex !' he said : But while he spoke, a rising blush

His love-lorn guest betray'd.

Surpriz'd he sees new beauties rise,

Swift mantling to the view,
Like colours o'er the morning skies,

As bright, as transient too.

The bashful look, the rising breast,

Alternate spread alarms;
The lovely stranger stands confess'd

A maid in all her charms.

• And, ah! forgive a stranger rude,

A wretch forlorn,' she cry'd, • Whose feet unhallow'd thus intrude

• Where Heaven and you reside!

• But let a maid thy pity share,

• Whom love has taught to stray ; Who seeks for rest, but finds despair • Companion of her way.

• My father liv'd beside the Tyne,

- A wealthy lord was he ; • And all his wealth was mark'd as mine ;

• He had but only me.

• To win me from his tender arms

• Unnumber'd suitors came ; • Who prais'd me for imputed charms,

: And felt, or feign'd a flame.

• Each hour a mercenary crowd

• With richest proffers strove ; • Among the rest young Edwin bow'd,

• But never talk'd of love.

• In humble, simplest habit clad, . No wealth or power

had he; • Wisdom and worth were all he had,

• But these were all to me.

· The blossom opening to the day,

The dews of heaven refin'd, • Could nought of purity display

• To emulate his mind.

:

• The dew, the blossoms of the tree,

? With charms inconstant shine : • Their charms were his ; but, woe to me!

• Their conftancy was mine.

: For