ODE III.

WRITTEN IN THE CLOISTERS OF CHRIST-HOSPITAL, IN LONDON.

I.

Now cease the sad complaining strain,
Now hushed be Pity 's tender sigh,
While M EMORY wakes her fairy train,
And young D ELIGHT sits laughing by;
Return, each hour of rosy hue,
In wreathy smiles, and garlands gay,
As when on playful wing ye flew,
When every month was blithe as M AY :
When young I NVENTION wak'd his mimic powers,
And G ENIUS , wandering wild, sigh'd for enchanted bowers.

II.

Then, too, in antic vestment dress'd,
P ASTIME would blithsome trip along;
Throwing around the gibe; or jest,
Satire enrhymed, or simple song;
And merry M ISCHIEF oft would weave
His wanton tricks for little hearts,
Nor Love his tender votary grieve,
Soft were his hands, nor keen his darts:
While F RIENDSHIP felt th' enthusiast's glow,
Would give her half of bliss, and take her share of woe.

III.

And though around my youthful spring
Many a lowering storm might rise,
H OPE her soul-soothing strain would sing,
And quickly brightened up the skies;
How sweetly pass'd my youth's gay prime!
For not untuneful was my tongue;
And as I tried the classic rhyme,
The critic school-boy praised my song.
Nor did mine eye not catch the splendid ray,
That promised fair to gild Ambition's distant day.

IV.

Ah! pleasing, gloomy cloister shade,
Still, still this wavering breast inspire!
Here lost in rapturous trance I stray'd;
Here viewed with horror visions dire:
For soon as day dark-veil'd his head,
With hollow cheek, and haggard eye,
Pale ghosts would slit from cold death-bed,
And stalk with step terrific by:
Till the young heart would freeze with wild affright,
And store the dismal tale to cheer a winter's night.

V.

Yet, ah! what means the silent tear?
Why e'en 'mid joy this bosom heave?
Ye long-lost scenes, enchantments dear
Lo! now I wander o'er your grave.
— Yet fly ye hours of rosy hue,
And bear away the bloom of years!
And quick succeed ye sickly crew,
Of doubts and pains, of hopes and fears!
Still will I ponder F ATE 's unaltered plan:
Nor, tracing back the C HILD , forget that I am M AN .