The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Parnassian Spring.

HAPPINESS to be found only in our own
MINDS.

The midnight moon serenely smiles
O'er nature's soft repose.
No low'ring cloud obscures the sky,
Nor rustling tempest blows.
Now every passion sinks to rest,
The throbbing heart lies still,
And varying scenes of life no more
Distract the lab'ring will.
In silence hush'd, to reason's voice
Attends each mental power,
Come dear Emilia and enjoy
Reflection's fav'rite hour.
Come, while the peaceful scene invites,
Let's search this ample round ;
Where shall the lovely fleeting form
Of happiness be found.
Does it amidst the frolick mirth
Of gay assemblies dwell,
Or hide beneath the solemn gloom
That shades the Hermit's cell.
How oft the laughing brow of joy
A sick'ning heart conceals,
And thro' the cloister's deep recess,
Invading sorrow steals.
In vain thro' beauty, fortune, wit,
The fugitive we trace ;
It dwells not in the faithless smile
That brightens Clodio's face.
Perhaps the joy to these deny'd
The heart in friendship finds ;
Ah ! dear delusion, gay conceit
Of visionary minds.
Howe'er our varying notions rove;
Yet all agree in one,
To place its being in some state
At distance from our Own.
O blind to each indulgent aim
Of pow'r supremely wise,
Who fancy happiness in aught
The hand of Heaven denies;
Vain are alike the joys we seek,
And vain what we possess,
Unless harmonious reason tunes
The passions into peace.
To temperate wishes, just desires
Is happiness confin'd ;
And, deaf to folly's call, attends
The music of the mind.