As the fountain, by the mountain, To the traveller that's worn, As the meeting, and the greeting, After long desir'd return, Is the treasure, shedding pleasure, And the treasure, without measure, Soft from Jesus flows. 'TIS MAY. O'ER fields of green the flocks are spread, The oak extends its sylvan shade, The root puts forth its tender blade The garden smiles with various flowr's, See yonder cloud in waves descending, The vapors each to each are lending, For it is May. This landscape joy delightful raises, Then let our thankful, grateful praises, In Halleluiah's happy mazes, Declare 'tis May. MONSIEUR DE BUFFON, rather than acknowledge the truth of Revelation, supposes a Comet, in its passage through the Heavens to have struck off part of the Sun, which part became the globe we now inhabit. I have merely attempted a paraphrase of his idea. This is done with respect for the talents of Mons. De B. but detestation of his principles. MON'S. DE BUFFON'S COMET "TIR'D of long slumbering, I, this instant, resolution take, "To launch within yon vastly seeming space, "And play awhile-Now ye trivial orbs "That glitter round-be peaceful! "Or I'll give you such a whisk Shall change your motions 'My mighty self will move obey'd, "And not a Sun that beams Shall dare to whisper aye where'er I come!! So mus'd the fiery monster, And uprising, shook his bristling rays, With crackling horrible D This part of ether ere he view'd another. -Distant, the planets bow'd Trembling with terror !! Comparing less with great-it was As if the mass volcanick, in one orb combin'd, Was moving o'er the deep -The ships, affrighted, Bury in the wave-or fly afar For, nor order was among the wandering worlds, Nor thought except for safety Each for himself was shifting While the Comet, like to a king of Goths, pass'd on, Sedate and horrible !! But 'twas ordain'd (by whom no matter) That the monster dire should find one churl, Dar'd vex him.-Soon he felt a force, Which, on himself strong link'd, was dragging fastër: -Rous'd to rage-he flam'd But all in vain-the force still drew hir And increas'd-At length, Gazing intensely round, he saw its cause, Then roar'd-"AUDACIOUS SUN-NOW VENGEANCE Swift he flew, his pow'rs condensing, While he fierce exclaim'd "Too oft hast thou insulted calm forgiving Comets, "I'll repay”—then rush'd with horror -Down part of the forlorn offender fell Blazing to Chaos. The Sun retreated,* but the wily Comet Which, round the discomfited body He set volving -And there, in an unceasing whirl, Must this poor sufferer move, Till times shall clog each others wheels And ruin sweep the whole *Why may not the distance of the Sun's center from that of the system be attributed to this cause. |