Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-07

The Young Poet-I remember well the time
tina, gave birth 10 the first poetical cfrusion Of
my friend Nick was hot and sultry day in
August: when straying to his lodgings, found
him seated in his armchair, his fine eyes roll
ing in still finer frenzy his legs crossed, his
teeth set, and his hair as frightfully disordered,
" as the quilts upon the fret(ul pine"
did not venture TO disturb the charm, but
" waited till the images that hll'd the mirror of
" his mind" were pencll'd of; when was ia
voured with a look-and though years have
since passed by, could reuace the picture read
err, Just as it came fresh, warm and glowing
from his living touch.-but nothing is further
from my thoughts.
have already said, that this was his first es-
say. And as it commonly happens, that poe IL
cal powers are discovered, and put in rrqusi-
ton, in consequence Of some emergency,-so il
was with Nick. The truth is, that, at the peri
cd l am speaking Of, Nick was in love? and
what added 10 the sentirnentality of his predca-
ment, his was an unfortunate attachment. al
least, such was the inference from the fact, that
all familiar intercourse between him and Sophia
had ceased, and the visits with which she now
favoured him, we're few and far belween,"-
as those of other RngeLs are said 10 be. Why
the sunshine Of former hours was thus obscur.
cd was not distinctly known; nor vet had the
most important point Of all been ascertained by
the gossips Of the place namely, whether that
question which in all languages is" gloomy and
peculiar" but in that Of Giles Scroggins is as
precise as any have seen-"If you loves /, and
loves you"-ha6 ever been answered by So
phial-If so, she wisely kept the secret, though
sore beset by single-blessed!" medlers, of
which every country village has one at least,
whose countenance, in this instance, was suffer-
ed to wane on in disappointment, and sharpen
for fresh onset, as new occasions might offer.
saw them together once, long after the cur.
rent had ceased 10 srun smooth. but, with all
my effort, could discover nothing that fixed
conjecture on the firm footing Of certainty. II
was in the hall Of song and meriment, where
'twinklin feet LED on the dance. Sophia laugh.
ed, and seemed the gay, joyous thing that poets
dream of-all light and life-nor was nv friend
a whit behind, he did not act the signing hero
OF his own ballad, bus joined the throng with
brow as open and as free from care, as his who
wraps the drapery Of his couch about him, and
lies down to pleasant Dreams For an instant,
Indeed, cloud passed over it; sudden pause
brought him Sophia together. 1t was quick,
orlei glance-but still 1t told of feelings past,
and 1t may be of suferings yet 10 come. A tear
startled to Sophia's eye--and the next momen.
the dance moved on again: the music rung
swhler still and louder strain and in the
changes OF the shifting and enchanting scene,
'hat tear Tell UNDECIDED, and the sigh, if sigh
there was, escaped unheard.
ne onoyancy OF youth may be termed the
poetry OF lite-and It is said that Nature dis
Penses to all In some measure, the GIFT of song,
winch sooner or later, becomes predominant,