The Old Man's Comforts. 33 "In the days of my youth," father William re plied, "I remember'd that youth could not last; I thought of the future whatever I did, That I never might grieve for the past.” "You are old, father William," the young man cried, "And life muft be haft'ning away; You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death: Now tell me the reafon, I pray." "I am cheerful, young man," father William replied, "Let the cause thy attention engage : In the days of my youth I remember'd my God, And he hath not forgotten my age.' ANTHOLOGY. THE 34 The Traveller's Return. THE TRAVELLER'S RETURN. SWEET to the morning traveller And cheering to the traveller The gales that round him play, When faint and wearily he drags Along his noontide way. And when beneath th' unclouded fun Full wearily toils he, The flowing water makes to him Most pleasant melody. And when the evening light decays, And all is calm around, There is fweet mufic to his ear In the diftant fheep-bell's found. And To Fortune. And sweet the neighbouring church's bell That welcomes his return! TO FORTUNE. 35 ANTHOLOGY. I CARE not, Fortune, what you me deny: THOMSON. DAY 36 Day and Night. DAY AND NIGHT. WHEN the gay fun first breaks the shades of night, And grazing flocks their milky fleeces show; We view the traces of th' almighty hand; The The Tame Stag. The filver moon her western couch forfakes, 37 GAY. THE TAME STAG. As a young ftag the thicket pafs'd, The branches held his antlers fast, The flag was brought before his wife: The tender, lady begg'd his life. How fleek's the skin! how fpeck'd like ermine! Sure never creature was so charming! |