ORIGINAL PIECES.

ADVERTISEMENT.

IN the former Edition, the greater part of the following article consisted of some pieces, which having since appeared in a publication of Miscellaneous Poems, are now incorporated with the foregoing Collection. The very favourable reception they met with, in common with the other productions of their Author, will, it is hoped, prevent the imputation of fraternal partiality in allotting them a place among pieces of acknowledged poetical merit.

EDWIN AND ETHELINDE.*

ONE

NE parting kiss, my Ethelinde !"
Young Edwin fault'ring cried,
"I hear thy father's hasty tread,
Nor longer must I bide.

To-morrow eve, in yonder wood,

Beneath the well-known tree,
Say, wilt thou meet thy own true love,
Whose only joy's in thee?"

She clasp'd the dear beloved youth,
And sigh'd and dropt a tear;
"Whate'er betide, my only love,
I'll surely meet thee there.”

They kiss, they part; a list'ning page

To malice ever bent,

O'erheard their talk, and to his lord

Reveal'd their fond intent.

* This piece was printed a few years since in the Gentleman's Magazine,

The baron's brow grew dark with frowns,
And rage distain'd his cheek,
"Heavens! shall a vassal shepherd dare
My daughter's love to seek!

But know, rash boy, thy bold attempt
Full sorely shalt thou rue;
Nor e'er again, ignoble maid,
Shalt thou thy lover view."

The dews of evening fast did fall,
And darkness spread apace,
When Ethelinde with beating breast
Flew to th' appointed place.

With eager eye she looks around,
No Edwin there was seen;
"He was not wont to break his faith,
What can his absence mean!"

Her heart beat thick at every noise,
Each rustling thro' the wood;
And now she travers'd quick the ground.
And now she list❜ning stood.

Enlivening hope and chilling fear

By turns her bosom share,
And now she calls upon his name,
Now weeps in sad despair.

1

Mean-time the day's last glimmerings fled,

And blackening all the sky
A hideous tempest dreadful rose,
And thunders roll'd on high.

Poor Ethelinde aghast, dismay'd,
Beholds with wild affright

The threat'ning sky, the lonely wood,
And horrors of the night.

"Where art thou now, my Edwin dear!

Thy friendly aid I want;

Ah me! my boding heart foretels

That aid thou canst not grant."

Thus rack'd with pangs, and beat with storms
Confus'd and lost she roves;

Now looks to heaven with earnest prayer,
Now calls on him she loves.

At length a distant taper's ray
Struck beaming on her sight;

Thro' brakes she guides her fainting steps
Towards the welcome light.

An aged hermit peaceful dwelt
In this sequester'd wild, ́·
Calm goodness sat upon his brow,
His words were soft and mild.