IX: To Mr. MacReady,

ON THE BIRTH OF HIS FIRST CHILD; IN RECOLLECTION OF HIS PERFORMANCE OF VIRGINIUS

There is no father, who, with swimming eyes,
Has seen thee present life and passion lend
To scenes by simple-hearted poet penn'd,
Depicting household love in Roman guise,
Which, breathed through ancient forms, in freshness vies
With love of yesterday, who does not send
A greeting to thee as a new-bless'd friend,
Now thy own heart acknowledges the ties
Which skill, forestalling nature, made thee guess
With finest apprehension, and commend
To tearful crowds;--yet while the sweet excess
Of joy that thou hast passion'd forth, shall fill
Thy soul with all it dream'd of happiness,
May grief remain the artist's fiction still!