I love to hear the high winds pipe aloud,
When ’gainst the leafy nations up in arms;
Now screaming in their rage, now shouting, proud—
Then moaning, as in pain at war’s alarms:
Then softly sobbing to unquiet rest,
Then wildly, harshly, breaking forth again
As if in scorn at having been represt,
With marching sweep careering o’er the plain
And, oh! I love to hear the gusty shower
Against my humble casement, pattering fast,
While shakes the portal of my quiet bower;
For then I envy not the noble’s tower,
Nor, while my cot thus braves the storm and blast,
Wish I the tumult of the heavens past.
Yet wherefore joy I in the loud uproar
Does still life cloy? has peace no charms for me?
Pleases calm nook and ancient home no more,
But do I long for wild variety?
Ah! no;—the noise of elements at jar,
That bids the slumbers of the worldling close,
Lone nature’s child does not thy visions mar,
It does but soothe thee to more sure repose!
I sigh not for variety nor power,
My cot, like castled hall, can brave the storm;
Therefore I joy to list the sweepy shower,
And piping winds, at home, secure and warm:
While soft to heaven my orisons are sent,
In grateful thanks for its best boon, Content!
W. T. M.[521]
The Season.
The gloominess of the weather, and its frequently fatal influence on the mind, suggest the expediency of inserting the following:—
Dissuasions from Despondency.
- 1. If you are distressed in mind, live; serenity and joy may yet dawn upon your soul.
- 2. If you have been contented and cheerful, live; and generally diffuse that happiness to others.
- 3. If misfortunes have befallen you by your own misconduct, live; and be wiser for the future.
- 4. If things have befallen you by the faults of others, live; you have nothing wherewith to reproach yourself.
- 5. If you are indigent and helpless, live; the face of things may agreeably change.
- 6. If your are rich and prosperous, live; and enjoy what you possess.
- 7. If another hath injured you, live; his own crime will be his punishment.
- 8. If you have injured another, live; and recompence it by your good offices.
- 9. If your character be attacked unjustly, live; time will remove the aspersion.
- 10. If the reproaches are well founded, live; and deserve them not for the future.
- 11. If you are already eminent and applauded, live; and preserve the honours you have acquired.
- 12. If your success is not equal to your merit, live; in the consciousness of having deserved it.
- 13. If your success hath exceeded your merit, live; and arrogate not too much to yourself.
- 14. If you have been negligent and useless to society, live; and make amends by your future conduct.
- 15. If you have been active and industrious, live; and communicate your improvements to others.
- 16. If you have spiteful enemies, live; and disappoint their malevolence.
- 17. If you have kind and faithful friends, live; to protect them.
- 18. If hitherto you have been impious and wicked, live; and repent of your sins.
- 19. If you have been wise and virtuous, live; for the future benefit of mankind.—And lastly,
- 20. If you hope for immortality, live; and prepare to enjoy it.
These “Dissuasions” are ascribed to the pen of a popular and amiable poet.