THELMON AND CARMEL; AN IRREGULAR POEM.

THELMON AND CARMEL ; AN IRREGULAR POEM .

PART THE FIRST . IN THELMON'S breast contending passions rise , While , with resentment stung , he proudly flies ; The harmonist divine , to madness fir'd , Rashly to CARMEL'S youthful charms aspir'd ; But she , with Virtue's awful power possess'd , Taught him to blush , and drove him from her breast . First anger in his heated bosom rose , With pride he burns , for speedy vengeance glows : His instrument , of heaven-inspired sound , Touch'd by dire discord wounds the air around ; Then vengeance dies , and fierce disdain succeeds ; He flies , while CARMEL'S heart with sorrow bleeds ; His agonies are chang'd to bitter scorn , Nor can the lofty spirit stoop to mourn ; Disowning every tie that link'd the heart , He lost in vice the racking sense of smart ; He gave a scope to all his mad desires . ( Perverted genius deepest crimes inspires ) The wanton chords he struck with loose delight , And wit's strong flashes shed luxuriant light ; Till , satiate with the empty joys of sense , And oft disgusted with their impotence , Wearied of follies reap'd without controul , With self-reproach he smarted to the soul ; With shame and scorn from noisy pleasures flew , And to the calms of solitude withdrew ; Nature exploring , and with music fir'd , Lost in research he wander'd as inspir'd .

PART THE SECOND . REMOV'D from man , and summer's tuneful groves , Alone harmonious THELMON strays to muse ; O'er rugged hills , through long rough paths he roves , To where , impell'd by winds , the ocean roars , Heaves its vast surges on the echoing shores , Foams 'mid the rocks , and dashes the thick ooze . Now on the sounding beech , sublime in thought , He view'd the wonders of the horrid deep , Which from the heavens the ponderous torrents caught , While briny mountains brave the darken'd sky , Where lowering clouds replete with waters fly , And stormy winds the heavens and ocean sweep . Nor jarring elements untun'd his soul , Each natural cause still tracing to its source , While driven on winds the waves tremendous roll ; Curious to meditate on Nature's law , The vast Creator in his works he saw , And contemplation guides his wandering course . Humbled by youthful crimes and curb'd desires , Abstracted through life's mazy paths he trod , The love of science damp'd his former fires ; And with a heart form'd to converse with man , A genius rais'd on Nature's noblest plan , He inward drew his powers , and sought his GOD . Pond'ring on man's vain passions as he stood , He heard the transports of the empty wind , The vain contentions of the mighty flood , Till the tir'd storm scowl'd cross the heaving main ; The spray no more flies o'er the distant plain , And the faint sun through filmy vapours shin'd . Calm 'midst advancing shades dissolv'd the day , The silenc'd winds scarce shook the showery leaves , And through the heavens the watery vapours stray ; Then o'er the sea ( tumultuous now no more ) Which beat the rocks , and gently dash'd the shore , A solemn melody his spirit breathes . THELMON , whom passions now no more controul , To science and to music gave his soul ; Fair CARMEL'S charms alone his love had fir'd , Unmark'd the mind which every grace inspir'd , With violence it flam'd , but soon expir'd . His heedless wanderings fate or chance decides , But now again near CARMEL'S dwelling guides ; Of which unmindful , still he rov'd the plains , And to the setting sun pour'd forth sublime his strains .

PART THE THIRD . The grove is hush'd , the saffron-tinged clouds Shoot down their softening colours to the west ; Advancing night the sable mountains shrouds , And with her dewy feet are meads and flowrets press'd . Slowly the solemn moon its full orb rears , And through the skies its lucid influence throws , Each glittering star 'mid fleecy clouds appears , And through th' immeasurable path of heaven The high galaxy glows . The moon-beams glide serene across the lake , Whose glassy bosom gloomy branches shade ; The dying gale the murmuring sedges shake , While sounds melodious , pouring through the grove , The solemn stillness of the night invade . Cool as the eve , mild as the lucid spheres , Fair CARMEL wanders 'mid the nightly dew ; But wondering stood , as through her well-tun'd ears She listening soft harmonious numbers drew . On the chaste moon she fix'd her crystal eyes , Her ear attentive caught the trembling sounds ; Responsive her lone bosom utter'd sighs , While the musician pours his lofty strains , They fill the woods , they echo o'er the plains , The distant air with heavenly notes resounds . SONG OF THELMON . " In the cool bosom of the solemn night " With songs sublime I hail the Power Divine , " As from yon orb the quivering beams of light " Surround the shades , and through the ether bright " Soften the scene , and o'er the trembling waters shine . " 'Mid splendent day oft jarring passions war , " But calm at eve I tread the silent grove , " And feel delight from every brook and star : " Each solemn scene I view with sacred awe , " While from a mental glance of Nature's law " I learn the wonders of almighty love . " Rude were the storms which deep through my sad breast " Have striv'n the germs of virtue to expel ; " Rebellious passions robb'd my soul of rest : " But in despondency's most baleful hour " I felt within a renovating Power " Strengthen my soul , and all at last is well . " My mind , no more in boisterous transports drown'd , " Reflective feels a bosom form'd for love , " Senses which touch the strings of thought profound , " And taste each bliss in Nature's calm retreats ; " While o'er this wilderness of thorny sweets " Wandering , with harmony of soul I move . " He ceas'd , and 'midst the thickets stray'd along . The listening virgin's bosom swell'd with woe , 'Mid silent tears she heard the solemn song — Well did her soul his heavenly accents know . Re-kindled passions warm her heaving breast , While memory teems with proofs of former love ; Deep in her heart each accent is impress'd , Scarce can she quit the lake , or shadowy waving grove . Her fancy hears amidst the murmuring gale Still the faint echoes of his music roll , Homeward she bends at last , fatigu'd and pale , And vainly strives to calm her trembling soul .

PART THE FOURTH . THE moon is sunk , and heaven's resplendent stars Glimmer 'mid nightly shades and morning grey , O'er the low plains a whitish mist appears ; While slivering every eastern cloud , the dawn , Infusing slow the promise of the morn , Faint-ting'd the couch where CARMEL thoughtful lay . From her clear eyes large pearly drops descend , Unusual fires thrill through her trembling veins : As when the potent solar rays extend O'er tracts where long congealing ice and snows Like mountains rise , near polar circles froze , And melting by its heat wild deluge the vast plains . Remembrance pour'd its influence through her soul ; Her aching bosom heav'd with bitter sighs , Her agitated thoughts distracted roll ; And to her fev'rish fancy THELMON rose — Now lofty verse in strains harmonious flows , Now passion speaks in his all-potent eyes . Like an imperfect dream the past appears , His errors fleet like a dissolving cloud ; His virtues shine like uneclipsed stars : No more the sense of wrongs secures her heart , Her bosom burns with unavailing smart , And all within the hopeless flame avow'd . Restless she lay , till o'er the mantling skies The dazzling radiance of the morning rose ; From the broad light she turn'd her weeping eyes , And , spent with passion and the weight of thought , The transient comfort of soft sleep she sought , And listless sunk at length to half repose . Thus a sad prey to misery , CARMEL found No kind resource to mitigate the wound ; Void of pursuits , her heart seeks no relief , No active duty rouses her from grief : Though calm she seem'd , within the poison wrought ; And her affections quite absorb'd each thought ; The light of day her sorrowing mind oppress'd ; Night was alone congenial to her breast ; Each eve she strays to soothe her joyless soul , And pleas'd beholds the lengthening shadows roll .

PART THE FIFTH . IN the mild west dissolv'd the blaze of day ; The rosy heavens rich varying tints o'erspread ; Bright shone the hills beneath the evening ray ; Amid the corn wild crimson poppies blow , All nature wore a universal glow , And joy was echo'd o'er th' illumin'd mead . Untouch'd by every accent of delight , Amid the smiling harvest CARMEL stray'd ; Then climb'd a craggy hill of towering height , Where hanging woods luxuriant foliage spread , And wild blown flowers their spicy odours shed ; Thence she the grand extensive scene survey'd . Night did not yet possess its dark domain , But gradual shades o'erspread the burning sky ; The solemn lake , the flower-enamell'd plain , Catch the last rays of the descending orb , Whose fiery blaze the distant seas absorb , While through the western clouds the crimson glories fly . Nature in glowing plenty smil'd below , Above the clouds incessant varying roll ; As CARMEL view'd the fertile landscape glow , Touch'd by the view , the glorious work she prais'd , And to the Universal Parent rais'd , Fervent in prayer , her energetic soul . The fading landscape lessens on her sight , Amid the ether stars celestial shine ; Some scatter'd clouds still catch the ebbing light , And by the glimmering rays distinct she view'd THELMON , who lost in contemplation stood , As if in converse with the heavenly Nine . She strove to speak , but all her powers were bound : O'er her fair breast fast flow'd a silent flood , While he with musing pace was wandering round The rugged path , and pass'd regardless by ; He saw her not , but drew unconscious nigh , Then mingled in the umbrage of the wood . In vain again to calm her breast she tries , Her livid eyes survey'd the ruthess heaven ; The briny showers she shed , the deep-felt sighs , Which mix'd with prayers her wretched bosom heav'd , Alike amid a friendless void were breath'd , Or by the winds to neighbouring mountains driven . Now when the clouds roll'd heavy o'er the stars , And chilling midnight spread a dreary gloom , She dried the painful sluices of her tears ; Devoid of hope she wish'd not for its light , And , thoughtless of the dangers of the night , Restless return'd in silence to her home .

PART THE SIXTH . THE shades of night and glimmering dawn are fled , The rising sun the parting clouds has fir'd ; The purple hills illumin'd flame with red , While THELMON , fraught with praise , forsakes his bed , With love of Nature and her truths inspir'd . The waving corn , moist with the pearly dew , Glitters beneath the sun's refulgent rays ; Luxuriant o'er each hedge wild roses grew , And ripening fruits prolific greet his view — All Nature smil'd a thousand various ways . Silent this morn was his melodious tongue , And listening to the songsters of the grove , He envied their sweet lays , as blythe they sung ; For with a transient pang his heart was wrung , Reflecting on their pure and artless loves . Bitter remembrance deep pervades his soul , The glistening lake , the high-grown trees he knew ; O'er the sweet plains his eyes rekindling roll , " Here CARMEL'S virtues did his fires controul , " Deeply he blush'd , and quick his eyes withdrew . Touch'd by her wrongs , his soul its guilt confess'd ; His breast , which heav'd with deep remorse and smart , Mourning past crimes , an anxious wish possess'd , A wish which no obtruding pride suppress'd , To own the errors of his alter'd heart .

PART THE SEVENTH . CARMEL he seeks : the wandering maid he found , And with each look inflicts a deeper wound ; She strove to veil her blushes from his sight , And hide her terrors by a sudden flight ; Yet could not fly , nor scarce resolve to stay , Her burning heart contending passions sway . Approaching her , with awe serene he spoke , While from his eyes the light of virtue broke ; With humble dignity his crimes confess'd , No rage against himself his words express'd : Too well he knew , when swell'd by passion's tide , How hard the task the throbbing heart to guide ; And penitence he felt , devoid of pride . He view'd her with surprize , for while he speaks , Delight — not anger , flush'd her modest cheeks ; Th' emotions of her soul her eyes pourtray , Where transient fires in vivid flashes play : Rekindling transports as he gaz'd arise , Which ting'd his lips , and fir'd his rapt'rous eyes ; New sympathies within his bosom sprung , Which warm in hope impel his glowing tongue : Pure and refin'd his passions now appear , His virtues strengthen'd , and his heart sincere ; His voice sublime , his eyes alike inspire , Pervade her soul , and fill her breast with fire : Dubious no more , she seeks not to retreat , Too strongly love did in her bosom beat ; Fast from her eyes the tears of transport flow , Joy takes the language of her former woe ; Amid the shower a smile seraphic broke — She gave her hand , and thus impassion'd spoke : " I seek not to restrain my throbbing heart , " Nor veil its candour with the show of art ; " Forgiveness beams upon thee from mine eyes , " While all thy virtues to my memory rise . " Within I feel such powerful sympathy , " Such strong attraction of my soul to thee , " That no false pride in this important hour " Swerves my pure heart with its tyrannic power . " With agony I saw excess controul " A mind whose grandeur ever aw'd my soul ; " Thy wonderous songs , replete with genuine fire , " The love of nature which those songs inspire , " Were in my heart impress'd with power divine ; " In vain I strove thine image to resign , " And mourn'd the fall of such a soul as thine : " But now thy penitence o'erjoy'd I view , " And yield my heart , as to thy virtue due . " He heard , while joy redoubled in his breast , And strong emotions every look express'd ; Sublime his soul its ardent love pourtray'd , But most his future life his gratitude display'd .