THE ACCUSATION OF LOVE. ADDRESSED TO MRS. L-. A lady having requested the author to write, and being answered that he did not know what subject to choose, told him that she had just lost her glove and assigned him that, if he could find no other subject. He fulfilled his task as follows. MADAM, in vain you seek your glove: 'Twas stolen—and the thief was Love. Swore that at last you should be tricked; And though he could not steal your heart, "And truly," thought the sly deceiver, And in some corner hid his prize. And follow'd close the thief to heaven: 1 Half chok'd with sobs of bitter grief, And offer'd e'en her doves so handsome, They vow'd they'd bring him into court. On earth they have just now alighted, "And t'other day, with subtle art, "He stole a vagrant poet's heart: "And lastly this same prisoner, Love, "Has stolen Mrs. Ll-ds glove."The merits of this cause to try Sole constituted judge am I: The Muses gave me my commission To hear the case and give decision. In order to complete this errand, To you I issue this my warrant, That you forthwith a jury summon this foe to man and woman. And since the ladies all insist To try That none but they shall form the list, But muster of Old Maids a jury, 02 EXTRACTS FROM THE WANDERER. AN UNFINISHED POEM. To relieve the tedium of many a vacant hour while secluded from the world on the coast of Barbary, the author com. menced this poem. The object of it was to exemplify a wild idea which he then entertained, that genius was totally incom. patible with prudence, and that superior abilities were a full excuse for extravagance and irregularity. The fallacy and pernicious tendency of this sentiment have been long evident to him, and on his return to civilized society the poem was not only discontinued but the greater part of it was destroyed. The following extracts comprise almost all of it that is now remaining; two of which will be found of a different metre from the rest, for the recitative of the blank verse was sometimes interrupted by smaller pieces in rhyme.* This innovation however is not without a precedent. I. Character of the Wanderer. FULL early did his infant bosom beat, Did himself venture with unskilful touch * The Autumnal Flower, page 143, is one of these. |