8 Throned in the sun's descending car, What power unseen diffuseth far This tenderness of mind? What Genius smiles on yonder flood? What God, in whispers from the wood, Bids every thought be kind? 9 O Thou, whate'er thy awful name, Whose wisdom our untoward frame With social love restrains; Thou, who by fair affection's ties Giv'st us to double all our joys, And half disarm our pains; 10 If far from Dyson and from me Suspicion took, by thy decree, Her everlasting flight; If firm on virtue's ample base Thy parent hand has deign'd to raise Our friendship's honour'd height; 11 Let universal candour still, Clear as yon heaven-reflecting rill, Preserve my open mind; Nor this nor that man's crooked ways One sordid doubt within me raise To injure human kind. ODE VI. HYMN TO CHEERFULNESS. How thick the shades of evening close! How pale the sky with weight of snows! Haste, light the tapers, urge the fire, And bid the joyless day retire.-- Alas, in vain I try within To brighten the dejected scene, While, roused by grief, these fiery pains Tear the frail texture of my veins; While Winter's voice, that storms around, And yon deep death-bell's groaning sound 10 Renew my mind's oppressive gloom, Till starting Horror shakes the room. Is there in nature no kind power To soothe affliction's lonely hour? To blunt the edge of dire disease, And teach these wintry shades to please? Come, Cheerfulness, triumphant fair, Shine through the hovering cloud of care: O sweet of language, mild of mien, O Virtue's friend and Pleasure's queen, 20 Assuage the flames that burn my breast, Compose my jarring thoughts to rest; And while thy gracious gifts I feel, My song shall all thy praise reveal. As once ('twas in Astraea's reign) The vernal powers renew'd their train, It happen'd that immortal Love Was ranging through the spheres above, And downward hither cast his eye The year's returning pomp to spy. 30 He saw the radiant god of day Waft in his car the rosy May; The fragrant Airs and genial Hours Were shedding round him dews and flowers; Before his wheels Aurora pass'd, And Hesper's golden lamp was last. But, fairest of the blooming throng, When Health majestic moved along, Delighted to survey below The joys which from her presence flow, 40 While earth enliven'd hears her voice, And swains, and flocks, and fields rejoice; Then mighty Love her charms confess'd, And soon his vows inclined her breast, And, known from that auspicious morn, The pleasing Cheerfulness was born.