The promis'd feat of empire fhall again • Cover the mountain, and command the plain ; • In dignity and pow'r; fent down from heav'n Thro' Him, foft peace, and plenitude of joy, Be humble, and be juft!' The angel faid; Supreme, all-wife, eternal Potentate! • Sole Author, fole Difpofer of our fate! Since that I live, and that I think, is thine; Benign Creator! let thy plaftick hand Difpofe it's own effect: let thy command 1 Nor let the pride of great ones fcom That fun, who bids their diamond blaze, To paint our lily deigns. Long had the fill'd each youth with love, Each maiden with despair; And tho' by all a wonder own'd, Yet knew not fhe was fair: Till Edwin came, the pride of fwains, A foul devoid of art; And from whofe eye, ferenely mild, Shone forth the feeling heart. A mutual Oft, too, on Stanemore's wint'ry wafte, In fighs to pour his foften'd foul, His cheek, where health with beauty glow'd, A deadly pale o'ercaft: So fades the fresh rofe in it's prime, Before the northern blaft. The parents now, with late remorse, Hung o'er his dying bed; And wearied Heaven with fruitless vows, And fruitless forrow shed. 'Tis paft!' he cry'd ; but if your fouls Let thefe dim eyes once more behold She came; his cold hand foftly touch'd, But, oh! his fifter's jealous care, (A cruel fifter fhe !) Forbade what Emma came to fay; " My Edwin, live for me!' Now homeward as the hopeless wept The church-yard path along, The blaft blew cold, the dark owl scream'd Her lover's funeral fong. |