The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

Massachusetts Spy

FAREWELL.

Farewell, my Castles rais'd so high :
Farewell, ye bowers of beauty,
From your enchantment I must fly,
To robèr paths of duty.

O many an hour could I employ,
These lovely bowers adorning,
Till ev'ry airy hall of joy
Should seem a star of morning.

But go, vain dreams, depart,
Though fondly lov'd; I feel it,
That, while you soothe the heart
From better things you steal it.

When rose the storms of grief and care,
Of life's uncertain billow,
I sought my Castles in the Air,
And found a ready pillow.

Here joys to come were always shewn,
The present grief dispelling,
For future woe is all unknown
In my aërial dwelling.

The lesson thus was lost,
For which the storm was given,
To show the tempest-tost
A refuge sure in Heaven.

Here Hope, though cheated o'er and o'er,
I thought would dwell securest,
And deem'd, of all her various store,
Such gift the best and surest.

While Fancy strove with magic glass,
To raise the scene ideal,
Still whisper'd Hope, tho' this may pass,
The next will sure be real.

Thus many a darling theme
Was forming and undoing,
And still some brighter dream
Arose upon their ruin.

Thus, in the fields of wild romance,
I tarried for a season,
But, still, at every change and chance,
I heard the voice of Reason ;

Oh, at some holier, happier shrine
Devote thy thoughts so ranging :
Whose base is truth and love divine
The fabric never changing-

Thy hopes from youth to age,
If thou wilt hither guide them,
Though tempests rise and rage,
Securely may abide them."

I rais'd my eyes from all beneath,
And Hope stood in the portal,
She held an amaranthine wreath,
And promis'd life immortal.

I felt the scene before my view
Was more than idle dreaming,
And wish and strive to bid adieu
To all my days of dreaming.

Then go, vain dreams, depart,
Though fondly lov'd; I feel it,
That, while you soothe the heart,
From better things you steal it.