Philanthropist

[For the Philanthropist.]

AMUSEMENTS OF A WINTER'S EVENING.

A

While fast descends the fleecy showers,
And winter in his sternest mood
Bids sickening nature feel his power,
And mourn beneath his downy load.

C

While Boreas with his freezing breath
Spreads desolation o'er the plain,
Nor fleet nor flower adorns the heath,
But weeping flies rude winter's reign.

Be mine the evening's cheerful fire,
And social band convened around;
While friendship's joys that never tire,
Soften stern winter's chilling frown.

We then a richer banquet share
Than Epicures can e'er suppose,
And taste a more delicious fare
Than wealth or wanton luxury knows.

Now playful fancy cheers the mind—
We laugh the fleeting hours away,
Or graver converse, more refined,
Invites the hastening band to stay.

In retrospect we trace the scenes
Of childhood's careless unspotted hours,
Ere sadd'ning sorrow intervenes,
And with unhallowed omen lowers.

Or read by turns th' historic page,
Bright with the knowledge-teeming phrase,
Which leads along th' inquiring sage
Thro' the by-paths of other days.

Or the more pleasing Muses lay,
Oft with her fairy dreams beguiles,
Whilst hastening Spring with chaplets gay
In premature description smiles.

We now with Thomson trace the year,
Or mourn with Young Narcissa's bier,
Or smile at Goldsmith's Village cheer,
Or soar with Milton's Muse elate.

These are the charms that Winter yields,
The simple joys that cheer his reign;
Amused by these, gay summer's fields
Scarce one regretting sigh obtain.

JULIET.