The Meeting- or the Husband's Return.

THE MEETING.

I saw them meet-the pangs of absence o'er,
And MEMORY holds a picture of the place :
'Twas at the threshold of her cottage door,
ELIZA met her husband's warm embrace.

How animated shone her eager eye,

Where joy's delicious tear suspended hung! Her bosom heav'd-but pleasure rais'd the sigh; Her voice was mute-but bliss had seal'd her tongue.

Press'd in his arms, the chaste connubial kiss,
Her nectar'd lips by turns received and gave;
Then, as ashamed of the excessive bliss,

Her love-died blush she bids his bosom save.

But recollection whisper'd yet a joy

'Twas hers to give; and from the trance she starts—~ Puts in his arms their little infant boy,

Love's precious pledge, that closer binds their hearts.

While round their sire the elder prattlers cling;
Beg for a kiss; their little tales recite;
Each emulous some trifling boon to bring,

And share their parents' unalloy'd delight.

The Meeting-Fashion.

Forgotten now is separation's smart,

Or but remember'd as the zest of joy ;
Her smiles are sunshine to his gladden'd heart,
And love-created fears no more annoy.

So, wrapp'd in night, the lonely pilgrim views
AURORA, blushing, throw her veil aside;
And, fill'd with joy, his lighted path pursues,
Whence erst bewilder'd he had wander'd wide.

And is it joy that fills my eyes? I cried—·
Ah, no!-regret, that such was not my lot;
But yet to envy 'twas so near allied,

I blush'd-and sighing, left the happy spot.

FASHION.

To tyrant Fashion all must yield,
He rules with sway despotic,
And he who dares contest the field,

Must be indeed Quixotic.

But though, when he appears, we must,
Like courteous slaves, receive him;
The wise will ne'er embrace him first,
Nor be the last to leave him.

Love in Camp- -or the Rat-tat-too.

LOVE IN CAMP.

Sounds of war were swelling wild,
Fearful notes the bugle blew;
Infant Love, a timid child,

Trembled at the rat-tat-too.

But inspired by Valour's breath,
Love with war familiar grew,
Fearless view'd the strife of death,
Smiled to hear the rat-tat-too.

Swift a shaft at Valour's heart,

From the infant's bow-string flew;

Valour heeded not the dart,

List'ning to the rat-tat-too.

Yet that dart was tipp'd with red,
Ella's heart-blood lent the hue;

But in vain had Ella bled,

Valour loved the rat-tat-too.

Through the camp the infant stray'd,
Hope receding now from view;
Secret griefs his sighs betray'd,

Mingling with the rat-tat-too.
Valour will not yield to Love,
Hope to Ella bids adieu;
Sad, desponding, widow'd dove,
Listless to the rat-tat-too.

The

To Catharine-Yes, or No?

TO CATHARINE.

groves their vernal sweets have lost, No blossoms now perfume the gale, The lawns are silver'd o'er with frost,

And autumn lingers in the vale. But do the seasons, as they roll,

Affect the heart with joy and wo?
Can autumn thus depress the soul;
Or spring elate it?-Yes, or no?

The grove again shall yield its shade,
And vernal sweets perfume the gale,
The modest violet deck the glade,

And richest verdure clothe the vale.
But will the flower of hope survive,

And gain from spring a brighter glow? A smile, sweet maid, would bid it thrive, Wilt thou bestow it?-Yes, or no?

A Kiss defined-Variety.

A KISS.

Does Eliza remember, ere fashion had taught her
To lend the heart's impulse hypocrisy's guise,
How oft, in our plays, to my bosom I caught her,
And wonder'd a touch could so brighten the eyes?

Familiar to me is the sweet recollection,

How the warmth of her lips taught my visage to glow, While the flush that responsive illum'd her complexion, Seem'd roses promiscuously scatter'd on snow.

And I ask'd, from what source sprang the feelings which raptured,

And bade through my pulses such ecstacies roll, The charm which reflection bewilder'd and capturedA Kiss was the answer-it melted my soul.

VARIETY.

The noblest talent Love can claim,
Is never to appear the same;
For 'tis Variety alone,

That props the urchin-tyrant's throne.
So do the seasons as they range,
Afford new pleasure when they change;
The sweetest flower would cease to cheer,
Should fragrant spring bloom all the year.