TO THE HON. MRS SPENCER.

(Written July 12, 1817, after a Visit to Petersham.)
That new-made Honour doth forget Men’s Names,
Engrossed and happy in itself—is true;
But still my Want of Memory Pardon claims;
For mine is Honour great as well as new—
Honour to know, and to be known by, you.
Wonder not, then, that I should cast away
The common Stores that in the Memory grew;
That, George appearing, I should Richard say
Or tell the Moon’s pale Light, “lo! thine the glorious Day!”
But her best Treasures Memory still retains; 10 
The Power of Beauty I remember yet;
Thy Smile for ever in the Soul remains,
And, though the Sun upon that Joy hath set,
Remembrance lives—it is my Pride, we met.
Oh! could I give that Day its proper Fame,
Not distant Ages should those Hours forget,
When I thy Friend—allow the Word—became;
And Honours new or old shall not efface that Name.

AN INSCRIPTION AT GUY’S CLIFF.

(October 11, 1824.)
Ye who come with hallowed Feet
To this grave, Time-honoured Seat,
Sit [ye] down in Passion’s Rest:
’Tis Peace who bids You here be bless’d!
Here is Silence and a Grove
That the pensive pleasures love:
Here are Meads and limpid Springs,
Where sportive Fancy strays and sings.
In living Rock the mossy Cave,
Silver Avon’s sleeping Wave, 10 
Solitude and Conscience clear,
And Quiet and the Muse, are here.
Then sit ye down, and know my Rest:
’Tis Peace who bids you here be bless’d!
(By——)