See yon refulgent lamp of day. What charms display the unfolding flowers, Those brilliant sky shed tears that mourn Arabia wafts from yonder grove Delicious odours in the gale; And with her breeze børn fragrance greets, Each circumjacent hill and dale. An incense may my morning, song, A sweetly smelling savor rise, Perfum'd with Gilead's precious balm, To make it grateful to the skies. And when from death's long sleep I wake, To nature's renovating day. Cloathe me with thy own righteousness, And in thy likeness, Lord array. HYMN to PACE. AIL, sacred Peace, who claim'st thy bright abode Mid circling saints, that grace the throne of God, Before his arm, around this shapeless earth, Stretch'd the wide heavens and gave to nature birth ? Ere morning stars his glowing chambers hung, Or songs of gladness woke an angel's tongue; Veil'd in the brightness of th'Almighty's mind, In blest repose thy placid form reclin'd; Born thro' the Heaven, with his creating voice, Thy presence bade the unfolding world rejoice, From scenes of blood these beauteous shores that stain O'er heroes' wounds, and patriot warriors dead PROLOGUE. AS when some peasant, who to treat his lord, Brings out his little stock and decks his board. So we, with tremor, mix'd with vast delight, ADDITIONAL DIALOGUES. Scene between CECILIA BEVERLY and HENRIETTA BEL FIELD. Gec. MY dear Henrietta, you seem to be overjoyed. May I know the cause? Hen. My dear, dear Miss Beverly, I have such a thing to tell you you would never guess it don't know how to believe it myself Mr. Delvill has written to me! he has indeed! here is the note! [holding out a letter.] Cec. Indeed! I long to know the contents, pray read it. Hen. [reads it.]. "To MISS BELFIELD, Mr. Delvill presents his compliments to Miss Belfield, and begs to be permitted to wait on her for a few minutes at any time in the afternoon she would please to appoint." Only think! it is me, poor simple me, of all people, that he wants to speak with. But what can he want! My dearest Cecilia tell me what you think he can have to say to me. Cec. Indeed it is impossible for me to conjecture. Hen, If you can't, I am sure there is no wonder I can't. I have thought of a million things in a minute. It can't be about business---It can't be about my brother. It can't be about my dear Miss Beverly--l suspect-A servant enters with a message.] Ser. A gentleman in the parlour desires to speak with Miss Belfield. Servant goes out.] Hen. My dear Miss Beverly, what shall i say to him? Pray advise me. I am so confused I can't say a single word. $ Cec. I can't advise you, Miss Belfield, for I don't know what he will say to you? . Hen. But I can guess, I can guess! and I shan't know what in the world to answer. I shall behave like a sim, pleton and disgrace myself. [Cecilia leaves ber and Mr. Delvill enters the room] Delvill. Good morrow Miss Belfield. I hope I have the pleasuse to see you well to day. Is Miss Beverly at home? I have a message for her from my mother. Hen. [Witb a look of disappointment] yes, sir, she is at home. I will call her. [goes out] t [Cecilia enters.] Delv. Good morrow, madam, I have presumed to wait on you, this morning, by permission of my mother. But I am afraid that permission is so late that the infiuenee I hoped from it is past. Cec. I had no means, Sir, of knowing you came from her. Otherwise I should have received her commands without hesitation. Delu. I would thank you for the honour you do her, was it less pointedly exclusive. Yet I have no right to reproach you. Let me ask, Madam, could you, after my solemn promise at our last parting, to renounce all future claim upon you, in obedience to my mother's will, could you think me so dishonorable, as to obtrude myself into your presence, while that promise was in force? Cec. I find I have been too hasty. I did indeed believe Mrs. Delvill would never authorize such a visit: but as I was much surprised, I hope I may be pardoned for a little doubt. Delv. There spoke Miss Beverly! the same, the unaltered Miss Beverly I hoped to find. Yet is she unaltered? Am I not too hasty! And is the story I have heard about Belfield a dream? an error? a falsehood? Cec: If it was not such a quick succession of quarrels would be endless perplexity, I would be affronted that you can ask me such a question. Delv. Had I thought it a question, I should not have asked it. But never for a moment did I credit it, till the rigour of your repulse alarmed me. But as you are good enough to account for that, I am encouraged to make known the design of my present visit. Yet with confidence I cannot speak? bardly with hope. Cee. One thing Sir, let me say before you proceed; if your purpose has not the sanction of Mrs. Delvill, as well as your visit, I would be excused from Hearing it, for I shall most certainly refuse it. Delv. I would mention nothing without her concurrence, she has given it: and my father has also consented to my present application. Cec. (clasping ber bands in joy). Is it possible! |