Canto II.

piLCRniAcr.

n5

XCYI.

Oil! ever loving, lovely, and beloved!

How selfish Sorrow ponders on the past,

And clings to thoughts now better far removed!But Time shall tear thy shadow from me last.

All thou could’st have of mine, stern Death! thouhast;

The parent, friend, and now the more thanfriend:

Ne’er yet for one thine arrows flew so fast,

And grief with grief continuing still to blend ,Hath snatched the little joy that life had yet to lend.

XCVIL

Then must I plunge again into the crowd,'

And follow all that Peace disdains to seek?"Where Revel calls, and Laughter , vainly loud,False to th* heart, distorts the hollow cheek,

To leave the flagging spirit doubly weak;

Still o’er the features, which perforce they cheer,To feign the pleasure or conceal the pique;

Smiles form the channel of a future tear,

Or raise the writhing lip with iil-dissembled sneer.