Chorus of Virgins.

Cyrus comes, the world redressing,
Love and pleasure in his train}
Comes to heighten every blessing,
Comes to soften every pain.

Semi-Chorus.

Hail to him with mercy reigning,

Skill'd in every peaceful art;
Who, from bonds our limbs unchaining,
Only binds the willing heart.

Last Chorus.

But chief to Thee, our God, defender, friend,
Let praise be given to all eternity;
O Thou, without beginning, without end,
Let us, and all, begin and end in Thee.

THE HERMIT.

A BALLAD.

"TURN, gentle Hermit of the dale,
And guide my lonely way,
To where yon taper cheers the vale
With hospitable ray.

"For here forlorn and lost I tread, With fainting steps and slow; Where wilds, immeasurably spread, Seem lengthening as I go."

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

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:

His rising cares the Hermit spied,
With answering care opprest:

"And whence, unhappy youth," he cried,
"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 trifling 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 His love-lorn guest betray'd.

Surprised he sees new beauties rise,
Swift mantling to the view;
Like colours o'er the morning skies,
As bright, as transient too.

The bashful look, the rising breast,
Alternate spread alarms:
The lovely stranger stands confest,
A maid in all her charms.

"And, ah! forgive a stranger rude,
A wretch forlorn," she cried;
"Whose feet unhallow'd thus intrude
Where Heaven and you reside.

"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 lived 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 praised me for imputed charms,
And felt, or feign'd a flame.

"Each hour a mercenary crowd

With richest proffers strove ; Amongst the rest young Edwin bow'd, But never talk'd of love.

"In humble, simplest habit clad,
No wealth nor power had he;
Wisdom and worth were all he had,
But these were all to me.

"And, when beside me in the dale
He caroll'd lays of love,

His breath lent fragrance to the gale,
And music to the grove.

"The blossom opening to the day, The dews of heaven refined, Could nought of purity display

To emulate his mind.

"The dew, the blossom on the tree,

With charms inconstant shine;

Their charms were his, but woe to me! Their constancy was mine.

"For still I tried each fickle art,

Importunate and vain:

And while his passion touch'd my heart, I triumph'd in his pain: