J. F. Campbell Collection > Popular rhymes of Scotland

334 ORIGINAL POEMS.
Now, after years of absence, passed
In wretchedness and pain,
I come, and find those seas and skies
All calm and bright agam.
The darkness and the stoi-m from both
Have trackless passed away ;
And gentle as in youth, once more
Thou seem'st, my native bay !
Oh that, like thee, when passion's o'er,
And all my griefs are past,
This ravaged bosom might subside
To peace and joy at last !
And while it lay all calm like thee.
In pure unruffled sleep.
Might there a heaven as bright as this
Be miiTored in its deep !
1823.
PARAPHRASE
OF THE FIRST ODE OF THE FOURTH BOOK OP THE ODES OF HORACE.
Intennissa, Venus, diu rursus bella moves ?
Parce, precor, precor
Once more, enchantress, wilt thou try
To wars long ceased my soul to move —
Cease, cease, I pray, nor think that I
Again can e'er be waiTued to love.
What once I was, I am not now,
Alas ! nor e'er shall be again.
Since years have left upon my brow
Then- tracks of passion, gi'ief, and pain.
Go to the youth whose eager prayers
Are hourly breathed before thy shrine,
And leave to its austerer cares
This cold reluctant heart of mine.
I see thee in the mazy dance
To witching measures brightly mov3,
I feel the lightning of thy glance —
But yet I cannot, cannot love.