JOHN CODRINGTON BAMFYLDE (1754-96) As when, to one who long hath watched, the Morn Advancing, slow forewarns the approach of day (What time the young and flowery-kirtled May Decks the green hedge and dewy grass unshorn With cowslips pale and many a whitening thorn); And now the Sun comes forth, with level ray Gilding the high wood-top and mountain grey, And, as he climbs, the meadows 'gins adorn; The rivers glisten to the dancing beam, The awakened birds begin their amorous strain, And hill and vale with joy and fragrance teem; Such is the sight of thee, thy wished return, To eyes, like mine, that long have waked to mourn, THOMAS RUSSELL (1762-88) SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN AT LEMNOS On this lone isle, whose rugged rocks affright Of Eta's torrents, or the hoarser tide That parts famed Trachis from the Euboic shore. THOMAS RUSSELL OXFORD, since late I left thy peaceful shore, Nor less thy varying bells, which hourly sound But most those Friends, whose much lov'd converse gave Thy gentle charms a tenfold power to please. THOMAS RUSSELL COULD then the babes from yon unsheltered cot Too thoughtless youth! what tho' thy happier iot What tho' their Maker doom'd them thus forlorn Their evening cheerful, tho' their day distrest, A Faith more fix'd, a Rapture more divine SIR SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES (1762-1837) ON ECHO AND SILENCE 1 In eddying course when leaves began to fly, Two sleeping Nymphs with wonder mute I spy!— And lo, she's gone!-in robe of dark-green hue 'Twas Echo from her sister Silence flew ; For quick the hunter's horn resounded to the sky! In shade affrighted Silence melts away. Not so her sister!-hark, for onward still Ah, mark the merry maid in mockful play, 1 A favourite with Wordsworth, Prose Works, iii., 333. |