SONNET ON EARLY IMPRESSIONS.
Warm’d with the gen’rous flame that spreads a glow
O’er youth’s gay breast, with boundless joy we view,
The objects to our ravish’d senses new,
And hail the sun, whose glorious rays bestow
Such vary’d beauties on Creation’s form:
So when we wond’ring see a mighty mind,
Sent to delight, instruct, and guide mankind,
Our breasts with rapt’rous praises, kindling warm—
Sudden we see its shade,—and backward start,
Checking the loud applause;—in measur’d pace,
Comes cold Discretion with her doubting face,
And claps her frigid hand upon the heart;
Ah! when shall man his praise unbounded pay?—
When God shall be the theme—and heav’n’s own light the day.