"Here to the houseless child of want "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; "My rushy couch and frugal fare, "My blessing, and repose. "No flocks that range the valley free, "To slaughter I condemn; "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 heav'n descends, His gentle accents fell: The modest stranger lowly bends, And follows to the cell. Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely mansion lay; A refuge to the neighb'ring poor, And strangers led astray. No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care; The wicket op'ning with a latch, Receiv'd the harmless pair. And now, when busy crowds retire, To take their evening rest, The Hermit trimm'd his little fire, And cheer'd his pensive guest: And spread his vegetable store, And gaily prest, and smil'd; And, skill'd in legendary lore, The ling'ring hours beguil'd Around, in sympathetic mirth, The cricket chirrups in the heart; But nothing could a charm impart To soothe the stranger's woe; For grief was heavy at his heart, And tears began to flow. His rising cares the Hermit spy'd, With answering care opprest: "And whence, unhappy youth," he cry'd, "The sorrows of thy breast? "From better habitations spurn'd, "Reluctant dost thou rove; "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, "More trifling still than they. "And what is friendship but a name, "A charm that lulls to sleep; "A shade that follows wealth or fame, "But leaves the wretch to weep? "And love is still an emptier sound, "The modern fair-one's jest; "On earth unseen, or only found "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, Swift mantling to the view; Like colours o'er the morning skies, The bashful look, the rising breast, Alternate spread alarms: The lovely stranger stands confest A maid in all her charms. |