Poems; [manuscript] /; by the late Baroness Ferdinand Hompesch.

17

When sad Reflections painful hours arise, And paint each long lost happy scene again, Restless the Mind to Thee, Retirement flies, And courts thy soothing balm for all her pain.

With Thee cool sober Reason finds a home, + + And her who frequent flies the splendid dome. Young, ever smiling heav'n born Liberty.And Resignation mild complacent Pow'r, Which soothes Despair and bids wild passions cease, Science too designs to share thy pensive hour, And their own lovely Sister, gentle Peace.

O'blest Companions! sweet Society! Cou'd Dissipations Votary's prove thy joys, Like me with you They'd seek tranquillity, And quit forever all her glittering Toys.-

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18

Now chill November desolates the plain, Yet fair unheeded, pensive wou'd I rove, To mark how Winter spreads his darksome reign, And hear the North wind whistle thro' the grove.

Silent to watch the oft returning Wave, Dark sadly sounding on my native shore; Dear every spot its sea green waters save, Dear to my heart its melancholy roar.

There muse on these no more returning hours, When Hope with promises my heart beguil'd, When Fancy fondly strew'd my path with flowers, And gay with youth fair Expectation mild.-

While from yon ivy mantled moul'dring Tow'r, The Bird of night her note portentious pours; The floating Clouds collect, darkly they lour, Wild howls the blast, the far off torrent roars.

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19

Now round [this?] chearful fire in [converse?] sweet, The Peasant and his smiling Group are met; The Grand sire haply does some Deeds repeat, Of Ghost, or Fairy well remember'd yet.

While fixed attention sits upon each face, And eager Expectation lights each eye, Fear from their cheek delights the Mood to chase, And mute amazement checks Enquiry.-

Or pious from the Scripture bids them learn, How Heav'n the disobedient Child disowns; Recounts the [?] Prodigals return, And how his deep offences he bemoans;

How he his own unworthiness deplores, And how his pitying Father forgives, Soon to his long lost happiness restores, With gladness welcomes, and with joy [?].