Open wide the lofty door, In vain you search, she is not there; EDWIN AND ANGELINA. GOLDSMITH. "TURN, gentle hermit of the dale, "For here forlorn and lost I tread, " Forbear, my son," the hermit cries, "To tempt the dangerous gloom; "For yonder faithless phantom flies "To lure thee to thy doom. } "Here to the houseless child of want, My door is open still: "And though my portion is but scant, " I give it with good will. " Then turn to-night, and freely share "Whate'er my cell bestows; "No flocks that range the valley free, "To slaughter I condemn; Taught by that Power that pities me, " I learn to pity them. " But from the mountain's grassy side, "A guiltless feast I bring; " A scrip with herbs and fruits supply'd, " And water from the spring. " Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; "All earth-born cares are wrong: " Man wants but little here below, Soft as the dew from heaven descends, Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely mansion lay; No stores beneath its humble thatch The wicket opening with a latch, And now when busy crowds retire And spread his vegetable store, Around in sympathetic mirth Its tricks the kitten tries; The cricket chirrups in the hearth, The crackling faggot flies. But nothing could a charm impart To soothe the stranger's woe; For grief was heavy at his heart, And tears began to flow. His rising cares the hermit spy'd, " And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, " From better habitations spurn'd, "Reluctant dost thou rove: " Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, " Or unregarded love? "Alas! the joys that fortune brings "Are trifling, and decay; " And those who prize the paltry things, " And what is friendship but a name, "And love is still an emptier sound, For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, But while he spoke, a rising blush Surpris'd, he sees new beauties rise Like colours o'er the morning skies; The bashful look, the rising breast, The lovely stranger stands confest And, "Ah, forgive a stranger rude, "But let a maid thy pity share, " My father liv'd beside the Tyne, "A wealthy lord was he; " And all his wealth was mark'd as mine, "He had but only me. "To win me from his tender arms, "Unnumber'd suitors came; "Who prais'd me for imputed charms, " And felt or feign'd a flame. ! |