370 CONSOLATIONS OF SOLITUDE
Since first the new-created bow
Spanned with bright arch the storm below,
Men's tongues have hymned thy praise. There, smiUng upon Nature's birth, Thou gavest the rejoicing Earth
Promise of happier days.
��Come, then, unload this weight of care. And from the deep caves of Despair,
Oh, lift my spirit up ! Come, in thy gayest dress appear. And quick, my fainting soul to cheer,
Present thy nectared cup !
��Be present, too, in dying hour !
For thou alone, sweet Hope, hast power
To cheer the parting breath, To make the enshackled soul smile to be free, Rend from the pitiless Grave his victory,
And steal the sting from Death.
��ODE TO FANCY.
Farewell, Enchantress ! Reason hath forbid Me in thy temples more to bend the knee ; Until at last thy countenance is hid,
And, if I sought, thou scarce wouldst smile on me. Thy reign is past ; Thy fires are quenched ; thy golden dreams are o'er ; The days of rapture must return no more, Too bright to last.
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