ODE VI.

TO BENEVOLENCE.

I. 1.

THO loudest of the feather'd choir,
Alauda pour the vocal strain-

To heaven, with boldest wing, aspire,
And (floating thro the ethereal plain)
Call up the radiant East, to raise
The choral song of pious praise:

I. 2.

Tho down the Heliconian stream

The stately Swan, in snowy pride,

Warbling (as ancient poets deem)

With more than mortal music, glideWhile all the groves of Pindus join,

And evěry Muse, the hymn divine :

I. 3.

Yet shall the Stork, whose grateful wing Aloft the feeble parent bears,

And kindly shares,

And soothes his cares

What tho no labour'd strain she sing!
Or she, whose fond maternal breast
To all the younglings of her nest
Pours, nutritive, the vital stream,
(Tho ne'er she sail'd, with stately pride,
Down warbling Pindus' sacred tide,

To join the Muses' hallow'd lays,

And heavenward waft the song of praise ;) More bask in heaven's approving beam.

II. 1.

Then as in the social sphere
Man a wider range enjoys,
Let his hallow'd zeal appear,
Service true, and heart sincere,

In the blessings it supplies.

II. 2.

Vain the Woodlark's hermit strain,
Musing thro the lone retreat;

All the glowing raptures vain,

Floating thro the liquid plain,

Of high-poiz'd minstrel, warbling sweet;

II. 3.

Vain alike the hymn, the pray'r;Pride's full oft, or Sloth's pretence! Would you heaven's best favour share? Make its suffering sons your care ; And be your suit-Benevolence.

ODE VII.

Written at Edinburgh (March 1804) after reading the following Lines in GRAHAM'S MARY STEWART.

"Look down, and see, in circling flight, yon lark
"Reflected in the bosom of the lake;

"It has a home; it is allow'd to stretch
"Its pinions o'er its young."

What nestlings half so sweet as they?

And yet, I pour the joyless song,

And pant and flutter far away.

I have a mate of downy breast,
That throbs to hear the warbled lay;

And yet, I quit the widow'd nest,
To pant and flutter far away.

Oh! gentle mate of anxious breast!

Oh! chirping brood of callow young!

Why must I quit the kindred nest,