Hence! thou fiend of gloomy sway, That lov'st on withering blast to ride O'er fond Illusion's air-built pride, Sullen Spirit! Hence! Away! Where Avarice lurks in sordid cell, Or mad Ambition builds the dream, Or Pleasure plots th' unholy scheme, There with Guilt and Folly dwell! But oh! when Hope on Wisdom's wing Prophetic whispers pure delight, Be distant far thy cank'rous blight, Daemon of envenom'd sting! Then haste thee, Nymph of balmy gales! Thy poet's prayer, sweet May! attend! Oh! place my Parent and my Friend 'Mid her lovely native vales. Peace, that lists the woodlark's strains, Health, that breathes divinest treasures, Laughing Hours, and social Pleasures, Wait my friend in Cambria's plains. Affection there with mingled ray Shall pour at once the raptures high Of Filial and Maternal Joy -- Haste thee then, Delightful May! And oh! may Spring's fair flowrets fade, May Summer cease her cease her limbs to lave In cooling stream, may Autumn grave Yellow o'er the corn-cloath'd glade, Ere from sweet retirement torn She seek again the crowded mart! Nor thou, my selfish selfish heart, Dare her slow return to mourn! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AMERICAN NAMES by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE KING'S JEWEL by PHOEBE CARY THE DARK ANGEL by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON THE PAUPER'S DEATH-BED by CAROLINE ANNE BOWLES SOUTHEY TO THE DAISY (3) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH HYMN TO SANTA RITA; THE PATRON SAINT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE by ALVEY AUGUSTUS ADEE |