TWO COUNTRY SONNETS.

But yester e'en the city's streets I trod

And breathed laboriously the fervid air;

Panting and weary both with toil and care,

I sighed for cooling breeze and verdant sod.

This morn I rose from slumbers calm and deep,

And through the casement of a rural inn,

I saw the river with its margins green,

All placid and delicious as my sleep.

Like pencilled lines upon a tinted sheet

The city's spires rose distant on the sky;

Nor sound familiar to the crowded street

Assailed my ear, nor busy scene mine eye;

I saw the hills, the meadows and the river—

I heard cool waters plash and green leaves quiver.

These sights and sounds refreshed me more than wine;

My pulses bounded with a reckless play,

My heart exalted like the rising day.

Now—did my lips exclaim—is pleasure mine;

A sweet delight shall fold me in its thrall;

To day, at least, I'll feel the bliss of life;

Like uncaged bird,—each limb with freedom rife—

I'll sip a thousand sweets—enjoy them all!

The will thus earnest could not be denied;

I beckoned Pleasure and she gladly came:

O'er hill and vale I roamed at her dear side—

And made the sweet air vocal with her name:

She all the way of weariness beguiled,

And I was happy as a very child!

July, 1850.

T. ADDISON RICHARDS