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THE

POWER

OF

SOLITUD E.

PART SECOND.

-Then the charm, by fate prepared,
Diffuseth its enchantment; fancy dreams,
Rapt into high discourse with prophets old,
And wandering through Elysium, fancy dreams
Of sacred fountains, of o'ershadowing groves,
Whose walks with godlike harmony resound;
Fountains, which Homer visits, happy groves,
Where Milton dwells. The intellectual power
On the mind's throne suspends his graver cares,
And smiles; the passions to divine repose
Persuaded yield, and love and joy alone
Are waking; love and joy, such as await
An angel's meditation. O! attend,

Whoe'er thou art, whom these delights can touch,
Whom nature's aspect, nature's simple garb,
Can thus command: O! listen to my song,
And I will guide thee to her blissful walks,
And teach thy Solitude her voice to hear,
And point her gracious features to thy view.

PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION.

ON THE MIND.

SONNET.

YE fond companions of my early years,

Whose converse cherished many an hour of bliss,

Whom yet the tie of mutual love endears,

Receive this offering with a welcome kiss.

Warm from the minstrel's heart the tribute springs,
Pure, as the breath of eve; in truth it flows

To yield some solace to your kindred woes;
Well may I know the pangs despondence brings:

O! be the generous care forever mine,

To steal the tear from pity's shivering cheek ;

The tear of love with eloquence can speak,

And friendship's hand the wreath of peace entwine;

And I were blest, should your approving smile

.

Greet my young stranger, and his fears beguile.

ANALYSIS OF THE SECOND PART.

THE poem opens with an invocation to the spirits of the lighter Gothic mythology-The grandeur of Greece and Rome resulted from the incessant study and philosophic lives of their heroes and sages-Hence also the perfection of the arts and sciences-The bold developement of the mind in Seclusion contrasted with its languor in society-Hence the necessity of retirement to the artist, the poet, and the philosopher-The influence of Seclusion in strengthening the mind in adversity, in awakening independence of character, and fostering the love of freedom-The influence of local scenery, in exciting corresponding sentiments and be lief, leads next to the mention of superstition; the doctrine of its origin illustrated in the sublime imagery of the Highlands, and the beautiful fablings of the Lowlands, of Scotland-Hence also the fondness of devo tees to retirement-Digression on the evils of monastic life, and religious frenzy-The influence of local scenery in awakening the poetic powers; and the Celtic bards celebrated-Some reflections on the comparative pleasures of a splendid and rural life, with a description of the native of the Alps-The dangers of Solitude to persons of hypochondriac con stitutions and of predisposition to religious melancholy-The folly of useless repinings against our fate-A tale introduced, illustrative of the influence of Solitude in sorrow and madness-The choice of the Author follows, and the poem concludes with an address to Poetry.

THE

POWER OF SOLITUDE.

AËRIAL ELVES, who fondly hovering round,

On silver sandals print historic ground,

Who oft with witching music charmed his ears,

Danced in his smiles, and ambushed in his tears,
As grief or joy their tints alternate spred,

In floating visions round your DARWIN's head: (1)
AËRIAL ELVES, at OBERON's golden lance,
Who form in mystic rings the fairy dance,
Or, carred on meteors, thro the mazy night
In frolic circles wheel your amorous flight,
O'er the soft lips of artless beauty creep,
And paint strange fancies on the lover's sleep;

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