And curling tendrils, gracefully disposed, Follow the nimble finger of the fair;
A wreath, that cannot fade, of flowers that blow With most success when all besides decay.
The poet's or historian's page by one
Made vocal for the amusement of the rest;
The sprightly lyre, whose treasure of sweet sounds The touch for many a trembling chord shakes out; And the clear voice symphonious, yet distinct, And in the charming strife triumphant still, Beguile the night, and set a keener edge On female industry: the threaded steel Flies swiftly, and unfelt the task proceeds. The volume closed, the customary rites Of the last meal commence. A Roman meal; Such as the mistress of the world once found Delicious, when her patriots of high note, Perhaps by moonlight, at their humble doors, And under an old oak's domestic shade, Enjoyed, spare feast! a radish and an egg. Discourse ensues, not trivial, yet not dull, Nor such as with a frown forbids the play Of fancy, or proscribes the sound of mirth: Nor do we madly, like an impious world, Who deem religion frenzy, and the God That made them an intruder on their joys, Start at his awful name, or deem his praise A jarring note. Themes of a graver tone, Exciting oft our gratitude and love,
While we retrace with memory's pointing wand,
That calls the past to our exact review,
The dangers we have 'scaped, the broken snare, The disappointed foe, deliverance found
Unlooked for, life preserved and peace restored, Fruits of omnipotent eternal love.
O evenings worthy of the gods! exclaimed The Sabine bard. O evenings, I reply, More to be prized and coveted than yours! As more illumined, and with nobler truths, That I, and mine, and those we love, enjoy. Just when our drawing-rooms begin to blaze With lights, by clear reflection multiplied From many a mirror, in which he of Gath, Goliah, might have seen his giant bulk Whole without stooping, towering crest and all, My pleasures too begin. But me perhaps The glowing hearth may satisfy a while With faint illumination, that uplifts
The shadows to the ceiling, there by fits Dancing uncouthly to the quivering flame. Not undelightful is an hour to me
So spent in parlour twilight: such a gloom Suits well the thoughtful or unthinking mind, The mind contemplative, with some new theme Pregnant, or indisposed alike to all.
Laugh ye who boast your more mercurial powers, That never felt a stupor, know no pause,
Nor need one; I am conscious, and confess Fearless a soul that does not always think. Me oft has fancy, ludicrous and wild, Soothed with a waking dream of houses, towers, Trees, churches, and strange visages, expressed In the red cinders, while with poring eye
I gazed, myself creating what I saw.
Ill fares the traveller now, and he that stalks
In ponderous boots beside his reeking team. The wain goes heavily, impeded sore
By congregated loads adhering close
To the clogged wheels; and in its sluggish pace Noiseless appears a moving hill of snow.
The toiling steeds expand the nostrils wide, While every breath, by respiration strong Forced downward, is consolidated soon
Upon their jutting chests. He, formed to bear The pelting brunt of the tempestuous night, With half-shut eyes, and puckered cheeks, and teeth Presented bare against the storm, plods on.
One hand secures his hat, save when with both He brandishes his pliant length of whip, Resounding oft, and never heard in vain. O happy-and in my account denied That sensibility of pain with which Refinement is endued-thrice happy thou! Thy frame robust and hardy, feels indeed The piercing cold, but feels it unimpaired. The learned finger never need explore
Thy vigorous pulse; and the unhealthful east, That breathes the spleen, and searches every bone Of the infirm, is wholesome air to thee.
Thy days roll on exempt from household care; Thy wagon is thy wife; and the poor beasts That drag the dull companion to and fro, Thine helpless charge, dependent on thy care. Ah, treat them kindly; rude as thou appearest, Yet show that thou hast mercy! which the great With needless hurry whirled from place to place, Humane as they would seem, not always show.
YE wno beneath the yoke of wedlock bend, With bowed soul, full well ye ken the day Which week, smooth sliding after week, brings on Too soon; for to that day nor peace belongs,
Nor comfort; ere the first grey streak of dawn, The red-armed washers come and chase repose.
Nor pleasant smile, nor quaint device of mirth, E'er visited that day; the very cat,
From the wet kitchen scared, and reeking hearth, Visits the parlour, an unwonted guest. The silent breakfast meal is soon despatched, Uninterrupted, save by anxious looks
Cast at the louring sky, if sky should lour.
From that last evil, oh preserve us, heaven! For should the skies pour down, adieu to all
Remains of quiet; then expect to hear
Hard to efface, and loaded lines at once
Snapped short, and linen horse by dog thrown down,
And all the petty miseries of life.
Saints have been calm while stretched upon the rack, And Montezuma smiled on burning coals;
But never yet did housewife notable
Greet with a smile a rainy washing day.
But grant the welkin fair, require not thou Who call'st thyself, perchance, the master there, Or study swept, or nicely dusted coat,
Or usual 'tendance; ask not, indiscreet, Thy stockings mended, though the yawning rents Gape wide as Erebus; nor hope to find
Some snug recess impervious. Shouldst thou try The 'customed garden walks, thine eye shall rue The budding fragrance of thy tender shrubs, Myrtle or rose, all crushed beneath the weight Of coarse-checked apron, with impatient hand Twitched off when showers impend; or crossing lines Shall mar thy musings, as the wet cold sheet Flaps in thy face abrupt. Woe to the friend Whose evil stars have urged him forth to claim On such a day the hospitable rites; Looks blank at best, and stinted courtesy Shall he receive; vainly he feeds his hopes With dinner of roast chicken, savoury pie, Or tart or pudding; pudding he nor tart
That day shall eat; nor, though the husband try- Mending what can't be helped to kindle mirth From cheer deficient, shall his consort's brow Clear up propitious; the unlucky guest
In silence dines, and early slinks away.
I well remember, when a child, the awe
This day struck into me; for then the maids,
I scarce knew why, looked cross, and drove me from them; Nor soft caress could I obtain, nor hope
Usual indulgences; jelly or creams, Relique of costly suppers, and set by
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