Grateful frankness.
'The sound shall raise e'en stooping Age awhile,
'And every Maid shall meet you with a smile;
'Long may you live'—the wish like lightning flew;
By each repeated as the 'Squire withdrew.
'Long may you live,' his feeling heart rejoin'd;
Leaving well-pleas'd such happy Souls behind.
Hope promis'd fair to cheer them to the end;
With Love their guide, and Goody for their friend.
[Illustration]
THE MILLER'S MAID.
A Tale.
Near the high road upon a winding stream
An honest Miller rose to Wealth and Fame:
The noblest Virtues cheer'd his lengthen'd days,
And all the Country echo'd with his praise:
His Wife, the Doctress of the neighb'ring Poor,
[Footnote: This village and the poor of this neighbourhood know what it is
to have possest such a blessing, and feel at this moment what it is to
lose it by death. C.L.
Troston, 13th of September, 1801.]
Drew constant pray'rs and blessings round his door.
The Tempest.
One Summer's night, (the hour of rest was come)
Darkness unusual overspread their home;
A chilling blast was felt; the foremost cloud
Sprinkl'd the bubbling Pool; and thunder loud,
Though distant yet, menac'd the country round,
And fill'd the Heavens with its solemn sound.
Who can retire to rest when tempests lour?
Nor wait the issue of the coming hour?
Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain;
He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain
That batter'd furiously their strong abode,
Roar'd in the Damm, and lash'd the pebbled road:
When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild,
They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming Child:
The voice approach'd; and midst the thunder's roar,
Now loudly begg'd for Mercy at the door.
MERCY was there: the Miller heard the call;
His door he open'd; when a sudden squall
The Young Stranger.