Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ... ILLUSTRATIONS. or THE OUTLINE OF A SERMON. I 1812, I submitted a Poem entitled " The De. serted-Pillage-School" to the inspection of my friend Sir Walter Scott, who highly approved it as a Poem, and gave the MS. in charge to the liallautines who printed and published it. Tho' anonymous, all the copies were soon disposed of.--As. it falls in with the subject of my Sermon, I shall here reprint it, with some additional annotations THE DESERTED VILLAGE-SCHOOL. JLiGHT o'er the green, and 'midst that woody dell Where tiptoe joyance whilom tripp'd so lair, Here, where the cross-let crowns its sainted well, . What means this damp, to chill the sullen air-Where, loose from school, the tribe without a tare, Sought the broad shade bemath their arching tree Or frolick'd, . heedless of the noon-tide L.lare?--Alas! no more shall pour, in gainesoim glee, From yon' gray cottage porch, the b.oomi.ig progeny! a That aged oak still spreads its giant arms; Hound its huge trunk still gleams the rustic seat: Yet where, dear village! where thy wonted charms? Ah! shall I see no more, from Sinus1 heat Where its brown umbrage lent a cool retreat. Blithe, t. and fro the fairy circles run? And never shall again my bosom beat To mark, when now their daily tasks are done, The little sportive rings dance down the evening sua? Foredoom.d to roin, those deserted walls Shall snoring owls and flitting bats profane? On the dim lattice, where a radiance falls, I see dank ivy muffle every pane. To me, how pert the sparrow's matin strain! How cold, tho' where he twitters, crimson streak The thatch! But sweet, thro' gloomy pattering rain, The redbreast shall anon my sorrow speak, Responsive to my sighs at eve or morning break. Ah, whither, in a store of knowlege rich, Ah, ...
