Your sincere well-wisher, The Author. DAMON AND DAPHNE, AN IDYLL, (Matrimonial,) Attempted from Gessner. DAMON. The gloomy tempest, Daphne, has blown o'er, The thunder's awful voice is heard no more; Tremble not then, my girl, the lightning's blaze Through the dark cloud, no longer darts its rays. Let us this arbour leave, the blue sky greet, For, see, the sheep that sought this safe retreat, Now from their fleeces shake the drops of rain, And spread them o'er the bright'ning mead again, Let us then leave this fav'rite shelt'ring bower, To taste the beauties of this balmy hour; To view the sunbeams gild the moisten'd ground, And throw their rich and radiant glory round. As from the grotto, hand in hand they past, The gentle Daphne on her partner cast Her swimming eyes, pressing his honest hand. DAPHNE. How lovely looks the gay, the smiling land, She said; while through the scattering cloud appears The blue sky, dissipating all our fears. The clouds, as through the air they quickly pass, Hurry their shadows o'er the glist'ning grass. See, Damon, now, o'er yonder hill they throw Their shade o'er herds and cottages, and lo! They're flown, and while o'er flowery meads they run, The hill's again illumin'd by the sun. DAMON. The rainbow view, from hill to hill expand, Its radiant arches o'er the laughing land; 'Midst the grey cloud, a happy omen shows; With peace and safety every colour glows: The quiet valley smiles beneath its beams, And owns its beauties in her gliding streams. Daphne with gentle arm embrac'd her swain; And cried; DAPHNE. See balmy zephyrs breathe again; More cheerful with the flowers they sport and play, Dress'd by the drops of rain and light of day. The butterflies, in richest coats array'd, And fluttering insects joy to leave the shade, Their velvet wings in quick vibrations shake, While on the surface of the neighbouring lake, Of shrubs and willows, wash'd from every stain, The trembling branches glitter once again; Again the peasant in its bosom sees The heaven's blue concave and the spreading trees. DAMON.