Sheds on the air its rich perfume, While every bud with deeper bloom And beauty glows. IV. "Tis when fond Nature (genial power!) Weeps o'er each drooping night-clos'd flower, While softly fly Those doubtful mists, that leave to view Each glowing scene of various hue That charms the eye. the approaching return of the sun." The common appearance of most vegetables," says an eminent naturalist," are so changed in the night that it is difficult to recognize the different kinds even by the assistance of light." V. 'Tis when the sea-girt turret's brow Receives the east's first kindling glow, And the dark wave, Swelling to meet the orient gleam, Reflects the warmly strength'ning beam It seems to lave. VI. 'Tis when the restless child of sorrow, Watching the wish'd-for rising morrow, His couch foregoes, And seeks midst scenes so sweet, so mild, To sooth those pangs so keen, so wild, Of hopeless woes. VII. Nor day, nor night, this hour can claim, Nor moon-light ray, nor noon-tide beam, Does it betray; But fresh, reviving, dewy, sweet, It hastes the glowing hours to meet SLEEP. FRAGMENT XXVI. I. COME, Sleep, thou transient, but thou sure relief, Shed o'er my aching eyes thy soothing pow'r, And mingle with their ceaseless tear of grief One drop, extracted from thy opiate flow'r. II. Shroud oh! sweet Sleep! in thy oblivious veil, Each woe that would repel thy balmy reign, And o'er each wearied sense as softly steal The welcome bondage of thy unfelt chain. III. Sooth to forgetfulness my care-worn mind, Dispel awhile each sad prophetic fear, And mem'ry in thy gentle thraldom bind, And steal this sigh, and chase this starting tear; IV. And call the mimic Fancy to thy aid, With all her frolic, illusory train; With rosy visions cheer thy vot'rist maid, With welcome treach'ry steal her bosom's pain. V. Each fond affection in her heart revive, By waking apathy long lull'd to rest; Once to each thrilling tone of joy alive, Though dormant now within her joyless breast. |