PROLOGUE TO A DRAMA, PERFORMED BY A FAMILY PARTY ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. C.'S MARRIAGE "To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart,”- No lines shall rouse the slumbering passions here. Which Youth, on Innocence' pure bosom, knows; Before a wish, a throb, a care, have taught The pangs of feeling or the lines of thought. O happy period! soon to pass away, Soon will the swelling gales assert their sway, And drive the vessel from the sheltered port, O guide it-Heaven !-of winds and waves the sport. With Shakespear's high-wrought scenes and words of flame. A little story, drawn from fairy lore, A nursery tale, this evening we explore: 66 "To mend the heart," indeed, we mean to try, And show what poison lurks in flattery. 'Tis true our hero was a prince-what then! A grain or two of incense, all can bear: All flatter all, and to receive we give. Myself, for instance, am sent here tonight With soothing speech your favour to invite; And when our piece is done, perhaps e'en you, My gentle auditors, may flatter too, And make us boast our talents and our skill, When all the merit is in your good will. But there's a theme which asks a verse this day, Look round, to count them is an easy task; Each tiptoe girl, and each aspiring boy, Date, as they pass, the years of love and joy. O happy state! where blessings number years, And smiles are only quenched in more delicious tears. Here, should my willing lips the theme pursue, And draw the lovely scene in colours due, Paint the well-ordered home, the sacred seat Where social joys and active virtues meet; Where sparkling Fancy weaves her airy dream, And Science sheds around her steady beam, Each answering heart the faithful sketch would own, And glow with feelings raised by truth alone. LINES WRITTEN IN A YOUNG LADY'S ALBUM OF DIFFERENT-COLOURED PAPER. LIFE'S chequered scenes these varied leaves display, Pure white, and tenderest blush, and fading gray :The rosy tints of morning will not last, And youth's gay flattering season soon is past. O may thy gentle breast no changes know, : But such as from time's smoothest current flow; Tint the white page of innocence and youth! And gild with sunniest gleams life's latest hour! |