Satires—Imitations—AND Sonnets.

by Cornwall Bayley

REFLECTIONS AT SEA. 1st Written during a STORM.
1.
AH! what dangers the ocean of life overwhelm, When youth’s giddy bark on it’s surface appears; Should desire be the Pilot that rules at the helm, And the pleasures of Folly the course that she steers!
2.
Whilst perchance the gay morning of Fortune may smile,	5
Too incautious ambition unfurls every sail; And whilst Syrens of ease the frail vessel beguile, She is stranded on shoals where temptations prevail!
3.
Or at length when the storms of adversity low’r And the light’nings of famine and Poverty glare;	10
Too distracted to brave the wild hurricane’s power, She for ever is wreck’d on the rocks of Despair! [Page 24]
2d. On hearing some Canary Birds sing during a Storm.
1.
Sweet birds, that confin’d in yon cages of wire, Thus warble your mutual strain; How unconscious are ye of the pangs of Desire,	15
How regardless of sorrow or pain!
2.
The waves that with fury the vessel surround Disturb not your gentle repose; And still as in concert your voices resound, Ye heed not the wind as it blows!	20
3.
Oh! had but mankind hearts as spotless as you, And as guiltless of envy and strife Misfortune’s rude blasts with disdain they might view And sing ’midst the tempests of life! [Page 25]