FIRST LOVE.

A BALLAD.*

Aя me! how hard the task to bear

The weight of ills we know! But harder still to dry the tear,

That mourns a nameless wo.

If by the side of Lucy's wheel
I sit to see her spin,

My head around begins to reel,
My heart to beat within.

• This and the two following ballads were written at a very early age, and have already appeared in some of the Periodical Works of their day.

Or when on harvest holyday

I lead the dance along,

If Lucy chance to cross my way,
So sure she leads me wrong.

If I attempt the pipe to play,
And catch my Lucy's eye,

The trembling musick dies away,
And melts into a sigh.

Where'er I go, where'er I turn,
If Lucy there be found,

I seem to shiver, yet I burn,

My head goes swimming round.

I cannot bear to see her smile,

Unless she smile on me;

And if she frown, I sigh the while, But know not whence it be.

Ah, what have I to Lucy done

To cause me so much stir?

From rising to the setting sun
I sigh, and think of her.

In vain I strive to join the throng In social mirth and ease;

Now lonely woods I stray among, For only woods can please..

Ah, me! this restless heart I fear

Will never be at rest,

'Till Lucy cease to live, or tear

Her image from my breast..

02.

THE COMPLAINT.

"OH, had I Colin's winning ease,”

Said Lindor with a sigh,

"So carelessly ordained to please,

I'd every care defy.

"If Colin but for Daphne's hair
A simple garland weave,
He gives it with so sweet an air
He seems a crown to give.

"But, though I call the fairest flower That decks the breast of spring,

And posies from the woodland bower

For Daphne's bosom bring,

"When I attempt to give the fair, With many a speech in store,

My half-form'd words dissolve in air,

I blush and dare no more.

"And shall I then expect a smile
From Daphne on my love,

When every word and look the while
My clownish weakness prove?

"Oft at the close of summer day,

When Daphne wander'd by,

I've left my little flock astray,
And follow'd with a sigh.

"Yet, fearing to approach too near, I linger'd far behind :

And, lest my step should reach her ear,

I shook at every wind.