William Hayley

Awake my soul! in cheerful mood, Thy matin thanks to pay! The God, who gives thee rest, and food,

Inconcussa tenens dubio vestigia mundo.. 1815. Epistle.

October, 1814. Epistle. Friend of my vernal and autumnal day,

Christmas Day, 1811. Epistle. Thy fav'rite Prelate haste, my verse! to greet

On Her Recent Publication--Practical Piety. June 1811. Epistle

Felpham. Hail Felpham! Hail! in youth my favorite scene! First in my heart of villages marine!

Saviour inspire the voice of earth, To hail the day that gave Thee birth; The Heavens resound in blest accord,

Nor faith, nor hope, whate'er their force, Can aught avail the soul, Should charity not guide its course

Tenderest Herald of the sky, Nature's safeguard from perdition, Friend of sweet, tho' tearful eye,

Of all the Christian virtues chief With modest charms, and mild relief, Most apt to heal the wounds of pride, and spleen,

Source of all kind, all potent thought! Thou God of Goodness, and of Power! In Thee my soul, by trouble taught,

Saviour! pure source of life and zeal intense, Whose words were peace, whose deeds benificence, Around thy servant ever may I see

Lord, who in mercy's tender tone Invitest every child of dust, To seek protection from thy throne,

Where may zeal due succour find, Man, for thy unguarded mind? To shield thee, when temptations reign,

Make us, O God! in whom we breathe, and move, Worthy to love Thee, and to win thy love! Thy word informs us how thy love is won,

Lord whose eyes every heart in existence survey, Who canst regulate all with thy merciful sway, From mine may thy grace, as a guardian, discard

Dear nymph of a feeling, and delicate mind! Whose eye the rash tears of timidity blind, When fancy alarm'd takes a heart-chilling hue,

The Fear Of Death. Thou! whose superior, and aspiring mind Can leave the weakness of thy sex behind;

Let the Nightingale still be renown'd for her song, The Eagle for strength, and for softness the Dove, Higher praise to the Baya of India belongs,

Of all the speechless friends of man The faithful dog I deem Deserving from the human clan

Nature, what heart may here by thee, Most truly brave be styled? The tender mother's it must be,

Say, nature, on whose wond'rous reign Delighted fancy dwells, Of all thy numerous brutal train

Of creatures that to man attend, His pastime, or his wealth; The Horse we cherish as a friend,

"Can mothers of our English isle, The pride of all the earth, From any tribe of tender brutes,

Ingratitude! of earth the shame! Thou monster, at whose hated name, The nerves of kindness ake;

Not only men of stormy minds, The storms of trouble know, All creatures of this earth must find

Of dogs who sav'd a living friend, Most nobly, ye have read: Now to a nobler still attend,

Virtue! thou hast spells divine, Spells, that savage force controul! What's the strongest charm of thine?

Lovely woman! how brave is thy soul, When duty and love are combin'd! Then danger in vain would controul

Maternal love! thou wond'rous power, By no base fears controul'd, Tis truly thine, in danger's hour,

Now blest be Providence divine, Surpassing human skill! That often takes from things malign,

Blest be the boy, by virtue nurst, Who knows not aught of fear's controul, And keeps, in peril's sudden burst,

Who can forget fair freedom's bird, That has her genuine praises heard, Confirm'd by frequent proof?

Kind Heaven will oft a lesson give If mortals are inclined to learn; To shew how simplest things that live,

I. Parent to those, whose infant days No human parent know;