[Page 151]

THE HARP, AND DESPAIR, OF COWPER.

1 Sweet bard, whose tones great Milton might approve,
2 And Shakspeare, from high Fancy's sphere,
3 Turning to the sound his ear,
4 Bend down a look of sympathy and love;
5 Oh, swell the lyre again,
6 As if in full accord it poured an angel's strain!
7 But oh! what means that look aghast,
8 Ev'n whilst it seemed in holy trance,
9 On scenes of bliss above to glance!
10 Was it a fiend of darkness passed!
11 Oh, speak
12 Paleness is upon his cheek
13 On his brow the big drops stand,
14 To airy vacancy
15 Points the dread silence of his eye,
16 And the loved lyre it falls, falls from his nerveless hand!
17 Come, peace of mind, delightful guest!
18 Oh, come, and make thy downy nest
19 Once more on his sad heart!
20 Meek Faith, a drop of comfort shed;
21 Sweet Hope, support his aged head;
22 And Charity, avert the burning dart!
23 Fruitless the prayer the night of deeper woes
24 Seems o'er the head even now to close;
25 In vain the path of purity he trod,
26 In vain, in vain,
27 He poured from Fancy's shell his sweetest hermit strain
28 He has no hope on earth: forsake him not, O God! [Page 152]

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Title (in Source Edition): THE HARP, AND DESPAIR, OF COWPER.
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Bowles, William Lisle, 1762-1850. The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. I. With Memoir, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory Notes by George Gilfillan. Edinburgh: James Nichol, 9 North Bank Street..., 1855, pp. 151-152.  (Page images digitized from a copy held at the University of California Libraries.)

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