THE SKY LARK, &c, Song

With gloomy clouds of dismal dread, Th' horizon sullenly is bound: The sun, obscur'd, weeps thro' the shade; The zephyrs mourn along the ground. Where darkness reigns, Where woe's sad strains Wind o'er the plains.

Vaulted with terror's sable veil, Fring'd with the sunbeam's glossy hue, Deep lies the solitary vale, Where round the groves a rural crew, In smiling throng, With sweetest song, Charm time along.

Thus seated in the breezy shade, Before them in the winding vale, Appear'd a sweetly pensive maid, Whose silence spoke the melting tale, Of one, who trod From health's abode, Misfortunes road.

From her sad eye the tear of grief, Unknown, gush'd silently along; The swains were mov'd to her relief, And pity wept amid the throng, They thought their eyes, Saw, in disguise, One from the skies.

Lovely, as morn, who weeps in dews; Mild as the fragrant breath of even; Tho' streams of woe her eyes suffuse, She shone the silver queen of heaven. Dian her guide, Fair beauty's pride In sense outvi'd.

While thus the swains in rapture's trance, Her lonely wandering steps survey'd, The seraphs on the wing advance, Contending for the heaven born maid. So great the prize, That e'en the skies View'd with surprize!

One of the seraphs thus began, "My name is FAME on earth I sway, The glory, pride, and boast of man, The world's proud kings my voice obey. From pole to pole, My glories roll; I rule the whole."

"Long have I made yon fair my pride, The brightest gem my crown adorn'd; Her name oblivion's pow'r defi'd, And all his low attempts has scorn'd. Forbear your claim, Ne'er will her name Descend from FAME."

"But say, if you can boast to share Th' affections of yon turtle dove, Why, will the storms of bleak despair Do you afflict her from above? To force is vain; Where'er I reign, No staves complain."

The angel sent from heaven repli'd; "We doom the fair to mercy's road, To wean her love from mortal pride, To bliss supreme in heaven's abode, To heaven restore, A mind too pure For earth's vile shore."

"Angels with envious eyes have seen, Earth in her smiles supremely blest." He spoke, the swains beheld the scene, And admiration swell'd each breast. Sweet queen of worth, Heaven gave to earth Thy angel birth!

Loud echo rent the joyful skies, "Sweet visitant with us remain; Where'er you smile, misfortune slies, And heaven enraptures all the plain. Hail, to thee, FAME, Long may'st thou claim The virtuous dame!"

They sung; the cloudy mists retire; The azure skies in smiles expand; Burst thro' the clouds, the solar fire Flam'd in wide lustre round the land. From sickly fears The fair appears, Hail, golden years!