Sonnets.

SONNETS.

WRITTEN ON THE AUTHOR'S BIRTH-DAY,

FEBRUARY 1st, 1800.

WITH joy, how oft I hail'd my natal morn,
When sportive youth enjoy'd his fairy reign;
And long'd to mark each infant year's return,
Eager to launch into life's troublous main.
Ah! happy period, when with heart elate,
And partial eye the busy world I view'd;
Nor dreamt, while pleasure seem'd on me to wait,
My path with sorrow's night-shade would be strew'd!
Henceforth, farewell to pleasure's giddy crowd;
Ye day-dreams vain, delusive hopes, adieu;
By madd'ning passions fir'd, too long I've bow'd
A willing slave to vanity and you:
For while remembrance pauses on the past,
I tremble, lest this day should be my last.

Vol. II.

TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.

ON READING HIS POEM OF "THE TASK.”

FIRST of the deathless few who strike the lyre,
To feast, with pure delight, the reas'ning mind,
Or strive the source of happiness to find,
COWPER, thy verse who reads must needs admire!
Tutor'd by virtue, ev'n in glowing youth,

With pitying eye thou didst the world survey;
Then, saint-like, strove from pleasure's thorny way
To draw mankind by many a moral truth.
While meaner Bards worship at folly's shrine,
And court ambition by each servile verse,
Or black oppression's foulest deeds rehearse,
Boldly disclaiming truth, in pompous line-
Thou with the exil'd victim seem'st to mourn,
And bid'st the woe-worn wand'rer heav'nwards turn.

1798.

TO MARIA OF THE COTTAGE.

DAUGHTER of GENIUS! Sweet it is to me,

Whene'er I fly this vain tumultuous crowd, (Where poorer slaves must bow to wretches proud) Thy cot to seek; and hear thy converse free, In praise of virtuous freedom justly loud; Next argue for thy sex, oft basely bow'd, By tyrant man to keenest misery.

DAUGHTER of TRUTH! this heart-felt wish I send;

May sorrow ne'er with thorns bestrew thy way, But health, and hope, and peace thy steps attend; And long the Muses o'er their fav'rite bend;

Prompting the legend strong, or sprightly lay! Weak flows my verse; yet will I' proud commend A LEARN'D INSTRUCTRESS, and FAIR VIRTUOUS

FRIEND.