Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

SELECTED.
LINES
Written in the Ruins
of
Oh, stream whose proudly flowing tide,
Through scenes majestic love to glide;
Adorned by terrace, tower, and tree,
That borrowed still a grace from thee!
No more by terrace, and tower now,
Thy placid waves are doomed to flow;
Thy self the sole remaining grace,
Where once unnumbered charms could trace
Their sweet impression on the spot:
These charms are faded, and forgot,
Their splendor sunk, their beauty flown,
Or beauteous in their fall alone.
The lord of many a former day,
Along thy margin loved to stray,
And view reflection in thy flood.
The pride of his parental wood:
The falling of thy silver stream,
Soothed many a listener's waking dream!
All, all waste and silent now,
Unseen, unheard, thy waters flow!
Save where along thy moss grown side,
In mood to mournfulness allied,
Some lonely, pensive wanderer strays,
And gleans a tale of other days:-
Those stately towers, those heights sublime,
That mocked the growing strength of time,
How fair, and firm, they once did seem;
How fleeting, thou inconstant stream!
Yet, time has spared thy changeful tide,
Though ruin wait on all beside:--
So fares it with life's doubtful span.
So nature seems to sport with man;
The mighty droop, the strong decay,
The proud to ruin waste away;
While those in mould more humble cast,
The ruin and the danger past
Secure their peaceful trophies raise
Amidst the wreck of brighter days.

ALCIBIADES.