JUVENILITIES,

EPIGRAMS,

&c.

JUVENILITIES.

DOMESTICK HAPPINESS.

WRITTEN 1750.*

I.

THOUGH chill descends the drizzling rain,

And hollow blows the wind:

Of wintry ftorms I'll not complain,
While thus my Lucy's kind.

II.

When, round my cot, the dreary fields,
And fhrubs are clad with fnow,

More joy than fummer's funshine yields

Her cheering smiles bestow.

*The author was afraid to hazard the fimplicity of this ballad, forty years ago; but "domestick happiness" is now the ton-I mean in novels and romances.

III.

I heed not ruthless wars alarms,
That Europe's fons annoy;

While I, fecure of Lucy's charms,
Domeftick peace enjoy.

IV.

For wealth to India's distant shore

Let greedy merchants roam; With Lucy bleft, I ask no more

Than competence at home.

V.

Give epicures their sumptuous fare,
Whilst I, more truly blest;

The neat, though frugal, viands share,

My Lucy's hands have dress'd.

VI.

The flaunting nymphs, that haunt the town,

I, void of envy, fee;

While Lucy, in her linen gown,

Is all the world to me.

ABSENCE.*

WHILE thus I range these fylvan shades,
'Midft murmuring streams and opening glades,
And listen to the thrilling notes

Where warbling linnets pour their throats;
Each care, each paffion lull'd to rest,
What tranquil pleasures fill my breast!

But ah! what means, as I advance, This figh, that wakes me from my trance? The linnet now I joyless hear,

For ah! my Julia is not there.

How fade the beauties of the grove,
When not enjoy'd with her I love.

In vain the nightingale and thrush Their carols chaunt on every bush; Her mate the cooing turtle calls, The filver current tinkling falls; Elyfian scenes infipid prove,

When absent from the nymph I love.

Set to mufick by Mr. Rauzzini.