Thus night oft see me in thy pale career, Not trickt and frounct as she was wont But kerchieft in a comely cloud, Where the rude axe with heaved stroke And let some strange mysterious dream Softly on my eye-lids laid. And as I wake, sweet music breathe Above, about, or underneath, Sent by some Spirit to mortals good, As may with sweetness, through mine ear, And bring all heaven before mine eyes. MILTON. Ode. Written in the year 1746. How sleep the brave, who sink to rest, By fairy hands their knell is rung, COLLINS. The Swallow. FOOLISH prater! what dost thou Well it had been had Tereus made There his knife had done but well. Thou dost all the winter rest, And dreamest o'er thy summer joys Nothing half so sweet or fair, Nothing half so good canst bring, Though men say thou bringst the Spring. COWLEY. Ode to the Cuckoo. HAIL, beauteous stranger of the grove! What time the daisy decks the green, Delightful visitant! with thee I hail the time of flowers, The school-boy wandering through the wood, What time the pea puts on the bloom An annual guest in other lands, Another Spring to hail. |