Open wide the lofty door, And often, by the murm'ring rill, EDWIN AND ANGELINA. GOLDSMITH. "TURN, gentle hermit of the dale, "For here forlorn and lost I tread, 66 Forbear, my son," the hermit cries, "To tempt the dangerous gloom; "For yonder faithless phantom flies "To lure thee to thy doom. "Here to the houseless child of want, 66 My door is open still: "And though my portion is but scant, "I give it with good will. "Then turn to-night, and freely share "Whate'er my cell bestows; 46 My rushy couch, and frugal fare, "My blessing and repose. "No flocks that range the valley free, "To slaughter I condemn; 66 Taught by that Power that pities me, "I learn to pity them. "But from the mountain's grassy side, "A guiltless feast I bring; "A scrip with herbs and fruits supply'd, "And water from the spring. "Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; "All earth-born cares are wrong: * Man wants but little here below, "Nor wants that little long." Soft as the dew from heaven descends, His gentle accents fell: The modest stranger lowly bends, And follows to the cell. Far in a wilderness obscure No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care, And now when busy crowds retire And spread his vegetable store, Around in sympathetic mirth But nothing could a charm impart To soothe the stranger's woe; For grief was heavy at his heart, His rising cares the hermit spy'd, "From better habitations spurn'd, "Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd, "Or unregarded love? "Alas! the joys that fortune brings "Are trifling, and decay; "And those who prize the paltry things, "And what is friendship but a name, "And love is still an emptier sound, * On earth unseen, or only found 66 To warm the turtle's nest. For shame, fond youth, thy sorrows hush, "And spurn the sex," he said: But while he spoke, a rising blush Surpris'd, he sees new beauties.rise The bashful look, the rising breast, And, "Ah, forgive a stranger rude, "But let a maid thy pity share, "Whom love has taught to stray; "Who seeks for rest, but finds despair "Companion of her way. "My father liv'd beside the Tyne, "A wealthy lord was he; "And all his wealth was mark'd as mine, "He had but only me. "To win me from his tender arms, "Unnumber'd suitors came; "Who prais'd me for imputed charms, "And felt or feign'd a flame. |