Alexis' Complaint

“But now no more amid the peaceful night,
Beneath pale Luna's azure throned light,
We'll leave the noisy town and slowly stray
Where shadowy trees branch on the moon-light way;
There wake the flute, harmonious, soft, and shrill,
While Echo warbles from the distant hill.
Gone are those times, for which, alas! I mourn;
Gone are those times, nor shall they e'er return ;
Gone is my friend, and ev'n forgot his name,
And strangers rude his little mansion claim.
New schemes shall tear those blooming shrubs away,
And that green sod turn down to rugged clay.
Where rich carnations burst the ponderous pod,
Where pinks and daisies fringed the peebly road,
Where glowing roses hung the bended spray,
Where crimson'd tulips rose, neat ranged and gay;
Where all these bloom'd beneath their guardian's eye,
Hogs shall inhabit, and foul dunghills lie.
Then, oh! adieu, ye now unfriendly shores,
Another swain now claims your flowery stores;
A surly swain, puff'd up with pride immense,
And see! he comes, stern to command me hence.
Thou hoary thorn, adieu! ere 'tis too late,
You lifted axe seems to announce thy fate.”
Thus spoke the youth; then rising, ceased his strain,
And wrapt in anguish, wander'd o'er the plain.