To the Rev. W.L. Bowles

  1. 1My heart has thank'd thee, BOWLES! for those soft strains,
  2. 2That, on the still air floating, tremblingly
  3. 3Wak'd in me Fancy, Love, and Sympathy!
  4. 4For hence, not callous to a Brother's pains
  1. 5Thro' Youth's gay prime and thornless paths I went;
  2. 6And, when the darker day of life began,
  3. 7And I did roam, a thought-bewilder'd man!
  4. 8Thy kindred Lays an healing solace lent,
  1. 9Each lonely pang with dreamy joys combin'd,
  2. 10And stole from vain REGRET her scorpion stings;
  3. 11While shadowy PLEASURE, with mysterious wings,
  4. 12Brooded the wavy and tumultuous mind,
  1. 13Like that great Spirit, who with plastic sweep
  2. 14Mov'd on the darkness of the formless Deep!