Page:The Domestic Affections, and Other Poems.pdf/164



Then love and friendship, whose unceasing pray'r, Implor'd for him, each guardian-spirit's care; Who, for his fate, thro' sorrow's lingering year, Had prov'd each thrilling pulse of hope and fear; In that blest moment, all the past forget, Hours of suspense! and vigils of regret!

And, oh! for him, the child of rude alarms, Rear'd by stern danger, in the school of arms; How sweet to change the war-song's pealing note, For woodland-sounds, in summer-air that float! Thro' vales of peace, o'er mountain-wilds to roam, And breathe his native gales, that whisper—"Home!"

Hail! sweet endearments of domestic ties, Charms of existence! angel-sympathies! Tho' pleasure smile, a soft, Circassian queen! And guide her votaries thro' a fairy scene; Where sylphid forms beguile their vernal hours, With mirth and music, in Arcadian bow'rs;