Lines written at Shurton Bars
       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspGood verse most good, and bad verse then seems better
       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspReceiv'd from absent friend by way of Letter.
       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspFor what so sweet can labour'd lays impart
       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspAs one rude rhyme warm from a friendly heart?—Anon.

Nor travels my meandering eye
The starry wilderness on high;
       &nbspNor now with curious sight
I mark the glow-worm, as I pass,
Move with 'green radiance'through the grass,
       &nbspAn emerald of light.

O ever present to my view!
My wafted spirit is with you,
       &nbspAnd soothes your boding fears:
I see you all oppressed with gloom
Sit lonely in that cheerless room—
       &nbspAh me! You are in tears!

Belovéd Woman! did you fly
Chill'd Friendship's dark disliking eye,
       &nbspOr Mirth's untimely din?
With cruel weight these trifles press
A temper sore with tenderness,
       &nbspWhen aches the void within.
But why with sable wand unblessed
Should Fancy rouse within my breast
       &nbspDim-visag'd shapes of Dread?
Untenanting its beauteous clay
My Sara's soul has wing'd its way,
       &nbspAnd hovers round my head!

I felt it prompt the tender Dream,
When slowly sank the day's last gleam;
       &nbspYou rous'd each gentler sense,
As sighing o'er the Blossom's bloom
Meek Evening wakes its soft perfume
       &nbspWith viewless influence.

And hark, my Love! The sea-breeze moans
Through yon reft house! O'er rolling stones
       &nbspIn bold ambitious sweep
The onward-surging tides supply
The silence of the cloudless sky
       &nbspWith mimic thunders deep.

Dark reddening from the channell'd Isle
(Where stands one solitary pile
       &nbspUnslated by the blast)
The Watchfire, like a sullen star
Twinkles to many a dozing Tar
       &nbspRude cradled on the mast.
Even there—beneath that light-house tower—
In the tumultuous evil hour
       &nbspEre Peace with Sara came, 45
Time was, I should have thought it sweet
To count the echoings of my feet,
       &nbspAnd watch the storm-vex'd flame.

And there in black soul-jaundic'd fit
A sad gloom-pamper'd Man to sit, 50
       &nbspAnd listen to the roar:
When mountain surges bellowing deep
With an uncouth monster-leap
       &nbspPlung'd foaming on the shore.

Then by the lightning's blaze to mark 55
Some toiling tempest-shatter'd bark;
       &nbspHer vain distress-guns hear;
And when a second sheet of light
Flash'd o'er the blackness of the night—
       &nbspTo see no vessel there!

But Fancy now more gaily sings;
Or if awhile she droop her wings,
       &nbspAs skylarks 'mid the corn,
On summer fields she grounds her breast:
The oblivious poppy o'er her nest
       &nbspNods, till returning morn.
O mark those smiling tears, that swell
The open'd rose! From heaven they fell,
       &nbspAnd with the sun-beam blend.
Blest visitations from above,
Such are the tender woes of Love
       &nbspFostering the heart they bend!

When stormy Midnight howling round
Beats on our roof with clattering sound,
       &nbspTo me your arms you'll stretch:
Great God! you'll say—To us so kind,
O shelter from this loud bleak wind
       &nbspThe houseless, friendless wretch!

The tears that tremble down your cheek,
Shall bathe my kisses chaste and meek
       &nbspIn Pity's dew divine;
And from your heart the sighs that steal
Shall make your rising bosom feel
       &nbspThe answering swell of mine!

How oft, my Love! with shapings sweet
I paint the moment, we shall meet!
       &nbspWith eager speed I dart—
I seize you in the vacant air,
And fancy, with a husband's care
       &nbspI press you to my heart!

'Tis said, in Summer's evening hour
Flashes the golden-colour'd flower
       &nbspA fair electric flame:
And so shall flash my love-charg'd eye
When all the heart's big ecstasy
       &nbspShoots rapid through the frame!