No music warbles through the grove, Through verdant paths now sought in vain. Aloud the driving tempest roars, Congeal'd impetuous showers descend: Haste, close the window, bar the doors; Fate leaves me Stella and a friend. In nature's aid let art supply With light and heat our little sphere; Rouse, rouse the fire, and pile it high, Light up a constellation here. Let Music sound the voice of joy! Yet time life's dreary winter brings, When mirth's gay tale shall please no more; Nor music charm-though Stella sings; Nor love, nor wine, the Spring restore. Catch then, O! catch the transient hour, THE WINTER'S WALK. BY THE SAME. BEHOLD, my fair, where'er we rove, Nor only through the wasted plain, Stern Winter! is thy force confess'd; Still wider spreads thy horrid reign: I feel thy power usurp my breast. Enlivening Hope and fond Desire Resign the heart to Spleen and Care: Scarce frighted Love maintains her fire, And Rapture saddens to despair. In groundless hope, and causeless fear, Unhappy man! behold thy doom; Still changing with the changeful year, The slave of sunshine and of gloom. Tired with vain joys, and false alarms, And screen me from the ills of life. HYMN. IN THE ORATORIO OF ABEL. How cheerful along the gay mead, Shall man, the great master of all, Forbid it, Devotion and Love. The Lord who such wonders could raise, My lips shall incessantly praise, My soul shall be wrapp'd in my God! THE MISER AND PLUTUS. A FABLE. BY GAY. THE wind was high, the window shakes, Looks back and trembles as he walks, Then opes the chest with treasure stored, Had the deep earth her stores confined, This heart had known sweet peace of mind. But virtue's sold. Good Gods! what price Can recompense the pangs of vice! O bane of good! seducing cheat! Can man, weak man, thy power defeat! Gold taught the murderer's sword to kill. "Twas gold instructed coward hearts Whence is this wild ungrateful rant? And power (when lodg'd in their possession) Thus, when the villain crams his chest, Gold is the canker of the breast; 'Tis avarice, insolence, and pride, |