For the tear of fervid Pleasure
Like an April dew-drop is,
Brilliant as an Eastern treasure,
Transient as the zephyr's kiss.
But on solid truth relying,

When two hearts are join'd in one,
Reason, ev'ry change defying,
Gives an everlasting sun.

SONNETS

SONNETS

BY

THE REV. ******

I

REGRET that the unnecessary modesty of the Author of the following Sonnets withholds from me the pleasure of prefixing a highly respectable Name to effusions which would by no means disgrace it.

The first Sonnet was written at SEA. "In time of peace," says the Author, in a letter that accompanied the Verses, “I am cheered with the sight of a sail, which gives an idea of security, and shows the origin of society; but in 1794, immediately after the bloody decree of the French to give no quarter, the appearance of a sail was frightful. The second was addressed to a Lady of great beauty and merit, who was alarmed at the evils which were said to be impending on this country."

SONNET,

WRITTEN AT SEA, ON THE PASSAGE TO HOLLAND, IN 1794.

WHILE my sight dwells on seas alone and skies,
And chilling breezes the green surface sweep,
Ye whitening sails, from the horizon rise,
To cheer the lonely silence of the deep!

So Fancy, in the melancholy hour,

Erewhile the social forms of Comfort rear'd;
The sense of danger fled her magic power,
And Terror vanish'd as the sail appear'd.

But now, when blows Despair's destructive breath,
And Gallic murders stain the shrinking flood,
Perchance each sail may waft the stores of death,
And every wave with horror teem and blood!
O may no sail on this still scene intrude!
Silence is bliss, and comfort solitude.

R. V.

TO MRS.

WHEN the black sins of Sodom's faithless band
Arm'd with avenging flames Jehovah's hand,
Mercy still linger'd as the Patriarch spoke,
And ten just men could have delay'd the stroke.

So,

So, when in Britain fiercer crimes abound,
And prophesy'd destruction hovers round,
If ten like thee with active worth appear'd,
For every virtue, every grace endear'd,
Their force th' uplifted bolt of Wrath would stay,
And bring from Heav'n sweet Mercy's melting ray:
Their prayers would seal our pardon from above,
And frowns of Vengeance change to smiles of Love!

R. V.

POEMS