XII. HINTS FOR THE FANCY. ON, loitering Muse-the swift Stream chides us-on! Albeit his deep-worn channel doth im mure Objects immense portrayed in miniature, son ! Laugh with the generous household heartily At all the merry pranks of Donnerdale! XIV. [Comp. before April, 1807 (1806 ?).—Pub. 1807 1.] O MOUNTAIN Stream! the Shepherd and his Cot Are privileged Inmates of deep solitude; Nor would the nicest Anchorite exclude 5 A field or two of brighter green, or plot Of tillage-ground, that seemeth like a spot 5 Of stationary sunshine:-thou hast viewed When the broad oak drops, a leafless These only, Duddon! with their paths Niagaras, Alpine passes, and anon skeleton, And the solidities of mortal pride, Palace and tower, are crumbled into dust! 10 The Bard who walks with Duddon for his guide, Shall find such toys of fancy thickly set: Turn from the sight, enamoured Musewe must; And, if thou canst, leave them without regret ! XIII. OPEN PROSPECT. HAIL to the fields-with Dwellings sprinkled o'er, And one small hamlet, under a green hill Clustering, with barn and byre, and spouting mill! A glance suffices;-should we wish for more, Gay June would scorn us. But when bleak winds roar renewed By fits and starts, yet this contents thee not. Thee hath some awful Spirit impelled to leave, Utterly to desert, the haunts of men, ΙΟ Though simple thy companions were and few; And through this wilderness a passage cleave Attended but by thy own voice, save when The clouds and fowls of the air thy way pursue! XV. FROM this deep chasm, where quivering sunbeams play Upon its loftiest crags, mine eyes behold A gloomy NICHE, capacious, blank, and cold; A concave free from shrubs and mosses grey; 5 In semblance fresh, as if, with dire affray, 5 Some Statue, placed amid these regions old Through the stiff lance-like shoots of pollard ash, Dread swell of sound! loud as the gusts The matted forests of Ontario's shore Reckless of angry Duddon sweeping by, While the warm hearth exalts the mantling ale, Covered the plains, and, wandering where Or cease to please the fickle worshipper; Mother of Love! (that name best suits they chose, Who, 'mid a world of images imprest On the calm depth of his transparent breast, Yet are allowed to steal my path athwart By Duddon's side; once more do we unite, 6 Appears to cherish most that Torrent Once more beneath the kind Earth's. white, Given and received in mutual jeopardy, Dance, like a Bacchanal, from rock to rock, tranquil light; And smothered joys into new being start. From her unworthy seat, the cloudy stall Of Time, breaks forth triumphant Memory; ΙΟ Her glistening tresses bound, yet light and free As golden locks of birch, that rise and fall On gales that breathe too gently to recall Aught of the fading year's inclemency! To prompt the thought?-Upon the steep rock's breast The lonely Primrose yet renews its bloom, Tossing her frantic thyrsus wide and Untouched memento of her hapless doom! high! Checking the stream, make a pool smooth Rough ways my steps have trod ;-too And what if Duddon's spotless flood Languish the flowers; the waters seem to receive waste Unwelcome mixtures as the uncouth Their vocal charm; their sparklings cease Flung from yon cliff a shadow large and Of heroes, fallen, or struggling to advance, cold. Till doubtful combat issued in a trance 5 Of victory, that struck through heart and reins Even to the inmost seat of mortal pains, And lightened o'er the pallid countenance. Yet, to the loyal and the brave, who lie And lasting terror through that ancient In the blank earth, neglected and forHold. lorn, ΙΟ Its line of Warriors fled;-they shrunk The passing Winds memorial tribute pay; when tried The Torrents chant their praise, inspiring Tells that their turf drank purple from Or the Indian tree whose branches, down the veins ward bent, |