Open wide the lofty door, } EDIVIN AND ANGELINA. GOLDSMITH. 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 length’ning 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. 66 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. 6 No flocks that range the valley free, " To slaughter I condemn; “ I learn to pity them. 6 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; 66 All earth-born cares are wrong: * Man wants but little here below, “ Nor wants that little long.” Soft as the dew from heaven descends, His gentle accents fell: And follows to the cell. Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely mansion lay; And strangers led astray. No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care, Receiv'd the harmless pair. And now when busy crowds retire To take their ev'ning rest, And cheer'd his pensive guest: And spread his vegetable store, And gayly prest and smil'd; And skill'd in legendary lore, The ling'ring hours beguil'd. Around in sympathetic mirth Its tricks the kitten tries; The cricket chirrups in the hearth, The crackling faggot flies. 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, 6. But leaves the wretch to weep? 5 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 lush, " And spurn the sex,” he said: But while be spoke, a rising blush His love-lorn guest betray'd. Surpris’d, he sees new beauties, rise Swift mantling to the view, As bright, as transient too. The bashful look, the rising breast, Alternate spread alarms; A maid, in all her charms. And, “ Ah, forgive a stranger rude, “ A wretch forlorn,” she cry'd; " 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 liv'd 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 prais'd me for imputed charms, " And felt or feign'd a flame. |