Page:The Pleasures of Memory (Rogers).djvu/22

 And all his soul best lov'd—such tears he shed, While each soft scene of summer beauty fled: Long o'er the wave a wistful look he cast, Long watch'd the streaming signal from the mast; Till twilight's dewy tints deceiv'd his eye, And fairy forests fring'd the evening sky.
 * So Scotia's Queen, as slowly dawned the day, e

Rose on her couch, and gaz'd her soul away. Her eyes had bless'd the beacon's glimmering height, That faintly tipt the feathery surge with light; But now the morn with orient hues portray'd Each castled cliff and brown monastic shade; All touch'd the talisman's resistless spring, And lo, what busy tribes were instant on the wing!
 * Thus kindred objects kindred thoughts inspire, f

As summer-clouds flash forth electric fire. And hence this spot gives back the joys of youth, Warm as the life, and with the mirror's truth. Hence home-felt pleasure prompts the Patriot's sigh; g This makes him wish to live, and dare to die. For this young, whose hapless fate h Venice should blush to hear the Muse relate, While exile wore his blooming years away, To sorrow's long soliloquies a prey, When reason, justice, vainly urg'd his cause, For this he rous'd her sanguinary laws; Glad to return, tho' hope could grant no more, And chains and torture hail'd him to the shore.
 * And hence the charm historic scenes impart:

Hence Tiber awes, and Avon melts the heart. Aerial forms in Tempe's classic vale, Glance thro' the gloom, and whisper in the gale; In wild Vaucluse with love and dwell, And watch and weep in cell. i 'Twas ever thus. As now at tomb, k We bless the shade, and bid the verdure bloom: