EDWIN AND ANGELINA.

I.

"TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale,
And guide my lonely way,
To where yon taper cheers the vale
With hospitable ray.'

II.

"For here, forlorn and lost, I tread,
With fainting steps and slow-
Where wilds, immeasurably spread,
Seem lengthening as I go."

III.

"Forbear, my son," the Hermit cries,
"To tempt the dangerous gloom;
For yonder faithless phantom flies
To lure thee to thy doom.

IV.

"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.

1 Originally :

"Deign, saint-like tenant of the dale,

To guide my nightly way,

To yonder fire, that cheers the vale
With hospitable ray."

V.

"Then turn, to-night, and freely share
Whate'er my cell bestows;

My rushy couch and frugal fare,
My blessing and repose.

VI.

"No flocks that range the valley free,
To slaughter I condemn;

Taught by that Power that pities me,
I learn to pity them:

VII.

"But from the mountain's grassy side

A guiltless feast I bring;

A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied,
And water from the spring.

VIII.

"Then, pilgrim, turn; thy cares forego;
All earth-born cares are wrong:
'Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long.""

IX.

Soft as the dew from heaven descends,

His gentle accents fell:

The modest stranger lowly bends,

And follows to the cell.

X.

Far, in a wilderness obscure,

The lonely mansion lay,*

A refuge to the neighbouring poor

And strangers led astray.

"Man wants but little, nor that little long."-DR. YOUNG.

"The running brook, the herbs of the field, can amply satisfy nature; man wants but little, nor that little long."-The Citizen of the World, Letter lxvii.

2

"Far shelter'd in a glade obscure

The modest mansion lay."-First edition.

XI.

No stores beneath its humble thatch
Requir'd a master's care;

The wicket, opening with a latch,'
Receiv'd the harmless pair.

XII.

And now, when busy crowds retire
To take their evening rest,'
The Hermit trimm'd his little fire,
And cheer'd his pensive guest;

XIII.

And spread his vegetable store,
And gaily press'd, and smil'd;
And, skill'd in legendary lore,

The lingering hours beguil❜d.

XIV.

Around in sympathetic mirth
Its tricks the kitten tries-
The cricket chirrups in the hearth,
The crackling faggot flies;

XV.

But nothing could a charm impart
To soothe the stranger's woe;
For grief was heavy at his heart,
And tears began to flow.3

"The door just opening with a latch."-First edition.

"And now, when worldly crowds retire

To revels or to rest.”—First edition.

"But nothing mirthful could assuage
The pensive stranger's woe;
For grief had seized his early age,

And tears would often flow."- First edition.

1

XVI.

His rising cares the Hermit spied,
With answering care opprest:
"And whence, unhappy youth," he cried,
"The sorrows of thy breast?

XVII.

"From better habitations spurn'd,
Reluctant dost thou rove?
Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd,
Or unregarded love?

XVIII.

"Alas! the joys that fortune brings
Are trifling, and decay-

And those who prize the trifling things
More trifling still than they.

XIX.

"And what is friendship but a name;
A charm that lulls to sleep;

A shade that follows wealth or fame,
But leaves the wretch to weep?

XX.

"And love is still an emptier sound,
The modern fair-one's jest:

On earth unseen, or only found

To warm the turtle's nest.

XXI.

"For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush,

And spurn the sex," he said;

But while he spoke, a rising blush

His love-lorn guest betray'd:'

"The bashful guest betray'd."-First edition.

XXII.

Surpris'd he sees new beauties rise,
Swift mantling to the view-
Like colours o'er the morning skies,
As bright, as transient too.'

XXIII.

The bashful look, the rising breast,'
Alternate spread alarms :
The lovely stranger stands confest,
A maid in all her charms.

XXIV.

"And, ah! forgive a stranger rude,
A wretch forlorn," she cried;
"Whose feet unhallow'd thus intrude
Where Heaven and you reside.

XXV.

"But let a maid thy pity share,

Whom love has taught to stray:
Who seeks for rest, but finds despair
Companion of her way.'

"He sees unnumber'd beauties rise,

Expanding to the view;

Like clouds that deck the morning skies,

As bright, as transient too."-First edition.

2 "Her looks, her lips, her panting breast," &c.-First edition.

3

"Forgive, and let thy pious care

A heart's distress allay :

That seeks repose, but finds despair
Companion of the way.

"My father liv'd, of high degree,
Remote beside the Tyne;
And as he had but only me,

Whate'er he had was mine.

"To win me from his tender arms,
Unnumber'd suitors came;

Their chief pretence my flatter'd charms,

My wealth perhaps their aim."-First edition.