Then TENDERNESS with CANDOUR join’d, 15 And GAIETY the charming office sought; Nor even DELICACY stay’d behind: But none of those fair Graces brought Wherewith to nurse the child--and still he pined. Some fond hearts to COMPLIANCE seem’d inclined; 20 But she had surely spoil’d the boy: And sad experience forbade a thought On the wild Goddess of VOLUPTUOUS JOY. Long undecided lay th’ important choice, Till of the beauteous court, at length, a voice 25 Pronounced the name of HOPE:--The conscious child Stretch’d forth his little arms, and smiled.[340] ’Tis said ENJOYMENT (who averr’d The charge belong’d to her alone) Jealous that HOPE had been preferr’d 30 Laid snares to make the babe her own. Of INNOCENCE the garb she took, The blushing mien and downcast look; And came her services to proffer: And HOPE (what has not Hope believed!) 35 By that seducing air deceived, Accepted of the offer. It happen’d that, to sleep inclined, Deluded HOPE for one short hour To that false INNOCENCE’S power 40 Her little charge consign’d. The Goddess then her lap with sweetmeats fill’d And gave, in handfuls gave, the treacherous store: A wild delirium first the infant thrill’d; But soon upon her breast he sunk--to wake no more. 45 [340] Compare Gray’s _Progress of Poesy_, iii. I. 87-- The dauntless child Stretch’d forth his little arms, and smiled. ED. THE CONVICT Composed (?).--Published 1798 The glory of evening was spread through the west; --On the slope of a mountain I stood, While the joy that precedes the calm season of rest Rang loud through the meadow and wood. “And must we then part from a dwelling so fair?” 5 In the pain of my spirit I said, And with a deep sadness I turned, to repair To the cell where the convict is laid. The thick-ribbed walls that o’ershadow the gate Resound; and the dungeons unfold: 10 I pause; and at length, through the glimmering grate, That outcast of pity behold. His black matted hair on his shoulder is bent, And deep is the sigh of his breath, And with stedfast dejection his eyes are intent 15 On the fetters that link him to death. ’Tis sorrow enough on that visage to gaze, That body dismiss’d from his care; Yet my fancy has pierced to his heart, and pourtrays More terrible images there. 20