Though strong, is, in the main, a joyless tie
Of naked instinct, wound about the heart.
Happier, far happier is thy lot and ours !
Even now - to solemnize thy helpless state,
And to enliven in the mind's regard
Thy passive beauty – parallels have risen,
Resemblances, or contrasts, that connect,
Within the region of a Father's thoughts,
Thee and thy Mate and Sister of the sky.
And first ; – thy sinless p ogress, through a world
By sorrow darkened and by care disturbed,
Apt likeness bears to hers through gathered clouds
Moving untouched in silver purity,
And cheering oft-times their reluctant gloom.
Fair are ye both, and both are free from stain
But thou, how leisurely thou fill'st thy horn
With brightness ! - leaving her to post along,
And range about - disquieted in change,
And still impatient of the shape she wears.
Once up, once down the hill, one journey, Babe,
That will suffice thee; and it seems that now
Thou hast fore-knowledge that such task is thine ;
Thou travell’st so contentedly, and sleep'st
In such a heedless peace. Alas! full soon

:

Hath this conception, grateful to behold,
Changed countenance, like an object sullied o'er
By breathing mist; and thine appears to be
A mournful labour, while to her is given
Hope - and a renovation without end.

- That smile forbids the thought; -for on thy face Smiles are beginning, like the beams of dawn, To shoot and circulate ; - smiles have there been

seen, Tranquil assurances that Heaven supports The feeble motions of thy life, and cheers Thy loneliness; or shall those smiles be called Feelers of love, put forth as if to explore This untried world, and to prepare thy way Through a strait passage intricate and dim? Such are they, - and the same are tokens, signs, Which, when the appointed season hath arrived, Joy, as her holiest language, shall adopt ; And Reason's godlike Power be proud to own.

POEMS

OF THE IMAGINATION.