MARY BRUNTON, Born 1778, died 1818. The following is one of three poetical compositions in the posthumous volume of the excellent authoress of SelfControl and Discipline. Hermaiden name was Balfour. Stanzas for Music. WHEN thou at eventide art roaming Along the elm-o'ershaded walk, Where, past, the eddying stream is foaming Beneath its tiny cataract, – Where I with thee was wont to talk, Think thou upon the days gone by, And heave a sigh! When sails the moon above the mountains, And cloudless skies are purely blue, And sparkle in the light the fountains, Then be thou melancholy too, When musing on the hours I prov'd When wakes the dawn upon thy dwelling, And lingering shadows disappear, And soft the woodland songs are swelling A choral anthem on thine ear,- To me, thro' every season, dearest, at sea, Wife of the celebrated John Hunter, and sister of the present Sir Everard Home, published a volume of Poems, some of which are written with much elegance and feeling. Several of her songs had previously been set to music; one or two are embalmed in the eternal melodies of Haydn. She died in her 79th year. SONG. FAR, far from me my love is fled, The promis'd land of varied joys, But young Desires grow old and die, Beneath a dark and stormy sky While I, within my peaceful grot, A Vow to Fortune. Ir e'er the moment should arrive, Fortune, thy suppliant shall strive Bona Fortuna shall be plac'd In golden letters round the dome, The weary pilgrim there shall rest, And wait for happier days to come. A curious lamp of bold design, With emblematic sculpture crown'd, Shall burn before thy sacred shrine, And cast its cheering rays around. It shall be form'd of silent tears, Slow dropping in the cave of care, Thro' the cold gloom of lingering years Congeal'd to crystal by despair. It shall be wrought with tales of woe, Where Fortune turn'd the adverse tide, And taught the stream of chance to flow In channels hope herself denied. There expectation's light shall burn, Bright lambent flame! till death shall endl Thy beams shall consolation lend, O goddess Fortune! from thine eyes And own thyself unjust and blind. |