A A=^ cz A 0^ ^~^ cz 0^ X D3 0^= :c = en o 7^= 3> 1 -n 1 ^^^ 5 7 ^ 7 J p y\^ iTC- THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES r^'- liM > It^ MISCELLANY O F P O EM S, By THE Reverend JOSEPH WISE, Rector of Penhurst, Sussex. LONDON: Printed for the Author, and fold by Meflrs, Duly ifk the Poultry, RoesoM in New Bond Street, Cadeil in the Strand, Flexney in Holborn, and Evans in Pater-nofter-Row. MDCCLXXV* /. W15A17 J715 Al' O F SUBSCRIBERS. *0 Obert Armltage, Efq; Eaft-Barnet, Herts "*-^ Rev. Mr. Atkinfon, 6 copies Mr. William Atkinfon, Southwark B Mrs, Braithwaite Mr. John Bar wife, A. M. Soho Squar^ Mr. Thomas Boak, Haymarket Mrs. Bacon, Bloomfbury Mrs. Brownfworth Rev. Mr. Bifhop Mr. Bowzer, Fair-Street, Southwark John Ballard, Efq-, D^cre-Street, Weftm. Mrs. Ballard Rev. Mr. Thomas Bull, Manuden, Effcx Mr. Rich. Barnes, Supervifor, Waltham-Abby, Ef A2 Mi 1 Mr. Brifcof, Little- Tower-Street, 2 copies Rev. Mr. John Bulman Mr. John Braithwaite, Maryport, Cumberland Mr. Thomas Barwife, Dubmill, Cumberland Rev. Mr. Baxter, Brother of the Collegiate Church df St. Katherrpe, 7 copies C Right Rev. Lord Bifhop o CarliQe Rev. Mr. Clarke, Holbowi, 50 copjes , Mr. Clarke, 2 copies . .. ! Mifs Colleton Mrs. Colleton James Naflau Colleton, fq ; George ^yilliam Carrington, Efq ; Mr. Churchill, Parliament-Street, 50 copies Mr. Corneck Mr. Campbell Mr. Chapman, Strand Mrs. Chapman, Redlion-Street Mrs. Court Clare, Efq*, Mr. Newell Connop, Enfield-Highway, Middx. Mr. Corney, Surgeon, Southwark Rev. Mr. Chambers, Allhallows, Cumberland James Craik, Efq-, Flembye, Cumberland C iii-M i\ /J D Mrs. Dancer, Barnet, Herts MifsE. D. Mifs Frances Davenport Dr. Diicarel^ Commiflary of the GoJkgiacc Cktmi^ of St. Katherine, 2 copies E Mr. Jofeph Earle .) y\ F - ' - Jehfl Forbes, Mlq; John Forbes, Efqj Temple Kcane Fitzgerald, Efq; Inner-Tenipl^ John Faffet, Efqj Fair-Street, Southwarft/ 3 copies ' ' Mrs. Faffet, 3 copifeg ' '' - Rev. Dr. Finch, Guy's Holpital, ^ copies Mr. Jofeph Fell, Mary-port, Cumberland ' ^' Mr. Daniel Fifher, Mary-port, Cumbferland Mrs. Fulham, St. Katherine G Mifs Gore . m. - - Rev. Mr. Brown Grifdale, Ctrlifle '' '' Mr. Simon Grayfon, Mary-port, Cumberffift^ ^- [-iv ]^ kev. Mr. Jofeph Gilbanks, junior, Mary-poft, Cumberland Mr. William Gilby, Southwark H Jonas Hanway, Efq-, 2 copies Mifs Hedbor Harris William Henry Higden, Efq; . Mr. Harris, Surgeon Capt. Haly Rev, Mr. Hazard, B. A. Lincoln College, Oxford, Chaplain to the Right Honourable Lord Lyttleton John Hanway, Efq; Cheapfide Mr. Richard Holiday, Mary-port, Cumberland Mr^ Samuel HoUingfworth, Southwark Mr. William Haddon, Southwark Mr. Thomas Hearne, Southwark Rev. Mr. Hinton, Brother of the Collegiate Church of St. Katherine, 3 copies Mrs, Hayley, 7 copies Mifs Jenkenfon, Hoxton ' Mifs Matilda Jenkenfon, Hoxton Mrf Jofeph Johnfon, St. Paul's-Church-yard Rev, Mr, Nathanael Jennings, Illington ^r-r-. I ^3 # K Mrs. Kccne, Hertford-Street, May-Fair Mifs Keene, ditto Mrs. Knight, St. Katherine L '-' Mr. Lewellin Edmund Lechmore, Efq; Barifter at law. Inner Temple Mr. Lobb, 2 copies Mr. Lyon, Surgeon, ClcrkenvvcU Mr. William Lifter, Southwark Rev. Mr. John Law M Mr. Marriot, Cheapfide' !^' Rev. Dr. Markham, 3 copies Mrs. Mallet Dr. Merrilh, Chelmsford Mr. "William Mafon, Waltham-Abby, EfFex Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Mary-port Cumberland Mr. Thomas Millar, Cowper, Cumberland N Charles Neate, Efq; Whetfton Mifs Ncate, Whetftonc vi j Mr. Thomas Needs, Queen-Street, Liricolri^^ Inn-Fields Mr. John Nelfon^ Mary-port, Cumberland Mr, Philip Nelfonj junior, Mary-port, Cum- berland Mr. Andrew Newland, Southwark P Right Rev. Lord Bifhop of Peterborough Rev. Mr. Pigot, Vicar of Ridge, Herts Mifs Plukenett, Eaft-Barnet Mr. Peate, 2 copies Mr. Thomas Plalkett Mr. Payne, St. James's Mr. John Payne, Gray*s-Inn Rev. Samuel Pickering, A. M. New-Street, Spring-Gardens Rev. Mr. Popham, Strand Mr. Pardon, Blackman-Street, Southwark Mr. Thomas Poftlethwaite, Mary-port, Cum- berland Mrs. Pearce, St. Katherine Cqmmelin Pigou, Efqi R George Randall, Efq; "William Richardfon, Efq-, Mount-pleafant, Herts 'W^' I vii ] ^r. Ritfon, Coliedor of Exdf^ Mr. RightOD^ St. Kathcrine S Jeremy Sneyd, KCqv joTeph Sei^h Efq; Ariui^el-Street, 3tr2^d| Mrs. Sumner, Dock-Head Mrs. Singleton Mf9. Smith, Curfitor-Strecc Mrs. Sh^w Rev. Dr. Sclater, GrcvUle-Strc^ Mr. John Scoit Rev. Mf. Stapylton, Brother of tbe Collegiate Church of St. Katherine Rev. P. Sandiford Mr. John Sturge?, So\rthwark T Mifs Thomlinfon, Hertford-Street, May-Fair Mifs M. Thomlinfon, Hertford-Street, May-Fair Mr. Thornthwaite, St. Paul's Church-yard, 4 cop. Rev. Mr. Temple Mr. Thomas Thornthwaite, 2 copies Mr. Jonathan Thornthwaite, Allonby, Cum- berland Rev. Mr. Thomas [ Viii .] U Rev. Mr. Underwood, Reftor of Barnet, Herts W ^ Mrs. WagftafF, Great Barford, Bedfordfhirc Rev. Mr. Ward, Fellow Queen's College, Cam- bridgcfhire Mr. Watfon, Mincing-Lane, 36 copies Rev. Mr. Winftanley, Prebendary of St. Paul's, 4 copies Mrs. Winftanley, 7 copies Rev. Mr. Waite, Bromfield, Cumberland Mr. William Wood, Mary-port, Cumberland Mr. Benjamin Wife, Apothecary, Mary-port, Cumberland Mr. John Wilfon, Mary-port, Cumberland Mr. John Wife, Hartlaw, Cumberland tdmund Waller, Efqj Mr. Robert Wife. i* 3 ERRATA, Page line 10 15 for npeating r. repeating. 27 17 jr//, r. ^r/. 33 8 Enipcus, r, Eniptusi 44 16 emyloy^ r. employ^ 49 24 fftttidf ufealed. ^$ 5 u with a fenfelcfs joy. / , l MISCELLANY O F POEMS. The INTRODUCTION. SEE the GODDESS Muse defcend ! All ye minftrelfy of fong. At her gentle fide attend ; Ha!low*d virgins come along ! Sober Silence, folemn gueft! Solitude, thou penfive maid ! Calm Conteni, forever bleft ! Tend her thro* the fylvan fhade. Fancy gay, her train adorn In the airy walks of flow'rs! Smile, foft pearly-eyed MGrn\'^~^ Mufic, warble in her bowr's! POEMS. Piety, with flaming wing ; Hope, with afpeft ever fair^ Your celeftial netftar bring, Sureft anodyne of care. Happy raptures, ever warm j Generous ardors, ever glow ; Life without you knows no charm ; Nature is a wafte of woe. PkafutB drop the harlot fmitej Modeft in her train appear : Folly hence ; and odious Guile, Tremble at Ithuriel's fpear *. Welcome in thy native white, Young-ey'd Innocence ; with thee, Blythe in robes of fdver light. Mildly fweet Simplicity. Circled thus, ye FAIR ! behold^ Majejiy poetic tread, Blazing in a cloud of gold, Starry-crown'd her beauteous head.^ Twine your chaplets, drew your rofes ; Rev*rence your aufpicious gueft ! While * SceMliTON'j Pftradlfe Loft, Book IV. line 810.. POEMS. 3 While fhe lludioufly conripofes, Pleafures for each gentle breaft. ODE XIII. BOOK I. Of Horace. ilefimbling the cekhrated Ode of Sa?pho. /^ Liddy^ while you jiraifc tlie charms, ^-^ The rofy neck, the waxen arms Of gentle I'eleph woe my heart ! It fwells and burns with bitter fmart. My reafoil loft, my color gone, , A ftarting tear diftilling ddwn^ Are fymptoms fad of fierce defircj The raging glow of jealous fire. Your lily bofam, foftly finCj Has he befotly ftain*d with win^j Your ruby lip has he imprefs*d, What madding anguiih ftings my breaft I But O my kind fugg^ftion hear ! He will not, cannot, be fincere ; You'll quickly lofe a fop, like thi$. Who rudely fpoils the balmy kifs. Which Venus, wantonly profufe^ Dip'd thrice in rich rieflareous dews. Superlatively P O fi M S. Superlatively bleft, and more. Are they whofe raptures know no fhofe j "Whofe paffion fandlify'd from ftrife, Will only terminate with life. I'he Celebrated ODE -paltry Joy \ inglorious Eafe f Senfe indulge, and Reafon quit f Is it fpirit, is it wit To fink in folly and difeafe ? Do fuch delights befeem the wife f Ah, where is truth ? where focial ties ? Is there no high reverfion in the skies ? 'Tis POEMS. 1| " 'Tis wife to follow naUire's road ; ** For nature is the law of God." Ah, what but God's and reafon's voice Shall mark the path, decide the choice ? Senfe deprav'd, and reafon blind. Wretched is the human mind :] But this by all confefs'd is ftill, Whate'er does mifchief muft be ill : Confequences ever prove The bad of felfifh, good of focial love^ Superlatively bleft are they. Who, nobly paflion'd, fcorn to (lay I As faints mature, fo mortab here Find blifs alone in Virtue's fpherc. Woe to Av'rice, Pride and Luft, When white-rob'd Prieft pronounces-" Z)^ to dufi.^*. HEAVEN. Tp R O M real fcenes, obfcure and dull, -* Softly Hole, my Fancy play 'mong fair ideals, where in full Bloom the lovlieft tints of May. We clafp each dear deceit, that brings Fancy 'd joy, difpelling care j Then, Fancy, wave thy rofy wings ^ Lightly revel, light as air, OWafe ^ F O EM 5. O Waft me from this guilty vale ; Waft me to that happy fhore. Where humble Innocence Ihall dwell. Holy Charities adore^ Zeal, Gratitude and Rev'renCe nieek. See the uncreated Light -, And hear the awful GLORY fpcak, Ravifh'd with blifs infinite. The time approaches, when this world Shall, like us its dwellers, fall j And, all to fecond chaos huri'd,- Conflagration fwallow all. Then, at the voice of God fhall rife. From the ruins of the old, A new bright earth and happy fkies. An eternal age of gold. This heavenly fabric Ihall difplay Scenes tranfcendently fubiime. Which not thro* boundlefs years decay, Beauties never chang'd with time. Here rocks of diamond, meads of rofes, Groves of cedar, myrtle fhades, Where Health ftill wanders and repofes, Pleafure fports with all her maids, Of POEMS. 17 Of herbs and flow'rs, to fight and fmell Rich and rare, the carpet lies ; Ambrofian fragrance thefe exhale, Tlufe delight admiring eyes. ' c Large rivers, clear as chryftal, flow. Murmuring on the pearly bed : Balmy breezes whifpering blow, Ju(t to wave the Pine-tree's head. Here walls of Jafper, tow'rs of Beryl, Heavenly architedture, fhine : High domes of chryfolite and pearl Glitter on the plains divine. Thefe are the bleft hierarchal feats. Where magnificence abounds j Where innocence with pleafure meets, Holy mufic ever founds. Here Mufes with infpired Ikill Sing ; while Mufic tunes her voice j With melody all ether fill : All the bleflTed Choirs rejoice. No fun nor moon with changing light Scatters grofs intemperate rays ; But God's own Glory fhuts out Night, Beaming with unclouded blaze. C Here POEM S. Here fhall the Sa;iiits, from Death reflor'd, Chang'd to Scraph-forms, be bleft More than e'er Eye or Ear explor'd, Sirin'd in everlaftiro- reft. D Here joyful friend with joyful friend Meets, and joins the tender kifs : Endearment grows, no more to end, High-enhanc'd by confcious Blifs. And Parents fond their Children dear, Snatched early to the tomb, But now matui'd to Saints, meet here. Shouting joyful " welcome home !'* Whom Avarice afunder rent. Cruel Chance or Death controuls. Embracing Lovers glowing vent Flames uncheck'd, and mingle Souls. Heroes contend no more, whofe hate Sunk them to untimely Graves. Thrown by the idle farce of State, Tyrants humble to their Slaves. Bittereft foes, met here at kft. Into warmeft friendfhip grown, Their little mean refentments pad Quite forget, or blulh to own. Now POEM S. 19 '. Now feci the fmarting fcourge no more Negroes, balely bought and fold ; No wretched Captive dreads the oar ; Here no Harpies thirft for gold. The Poor's no more for meannefs fcorn'd \ Martyrs here forget the wheel : All inJLir'd Innocents, who mourn*d, Triumph glad on Sion-hill. The Poor in Fortune, rich in Grace, Bearing Sorrow, Toil and Pain, Once righteous in their humble place. Here in glory Princes reign. Acclaiming Subjeds flock around Kings, who rul'd with equal fway, Attefting well, that God has found Faithful Thefe, as faithful They, The Brave, the Liberal, the Juft, Truly great and good, content, A(k no mean honors of a bull, Grateful Souls their Monument. To faithful Minifters of Grace, Praife, peculiar Praife is given ; Saints, whom they fav'd, point as they pafs, " That Man cali'd my Soul to He^iv'n !" The 20 POEMS. The Blifs imperial of thefe plains, * (Want whereof wou'd heav'n deftroy) The Blifs of Love eternal reigns j Love eternal fount of Joy ! One large all-comprehending Love, Noble, happy, conftant flame, Connedls the glorious ranks above, Saints and Angels, ev'ry Name. Millions of rival Ardors glow I Thou adored SOURCE of ALL! From whom all Beings, Comforts, flow ! Millions at thy footftool fall ! For Love and Gratitude and Awe Fix all hearts and thoughts on Thee ; Thy glorious Grace, thy righteous Law, Self-convincing, bend each knee. O infinite tremendous God ! Whom no Being comprehends ! Eternal Something ! at thy Nod, Nature rifes, Nature ends : On me, a Worm, with grace look down, Pardon folly, fuccour toil : I know, 1 perifh at thy frown. Gladden at thy pow'rful fmile : The POEMS. 22 The Scene, advent'rous Fancy fiags. Impotent, imfkill'd, untrue. May I upborn on feraph-wings. Rapt to full enjoyment, view ! An O D E. T E T others tune bewitching lays "*^ To Wine's delights and Beauty's praifc, Abufe the grape, debauch the fair : Me, O Urania ! ftill infpire ! PolTefs my foul with Heav'n's own fire, Virtue my paffion and my care. Let learned Lux'ry cater feafts , 'Till human kind be more than beails Enflav'd to Senfe by foul excefs : Let me be daily more refin'd In all the graces of the mind ; And love all meaner pleafures Icfs. The magic of luxurious Arts A while inchants deluded hearts , And gay deliriums charm the brain : But Death or Sicknefs foils the whole -, And leaves the guilty hoplefs Soul, O'erwhelm'd with horror, fhame and pain. Fix'd 512 P OEMS. Fix'd in my heart this Thought be ftill. Obedience to the fovWeign will Alone can happinefs fecure. Place Man in Paradiie to-day, If, impious. He will not obey. He cannot happy long endure. Vice, be it natural, if you pleaie \ *Tis Nature's cankering fore difeafe, ^ The bitter fource of all our Woe.. ' To heal this Evil^ J E s u s dy*d : O let the thought fink human Pride, And bend the fcabborn Sinner low I " Repent !'* The God of , mercy cries : The Wanton laughs, the Sullen fighs ; But few repent, reform and turn : Sweet notes alluring Sin einploys \ Inflaming to forbidden joys *"^' W^ith philtres flowing frorn her urn. Smile on my fuit, indulgent Skie!; ! " O purge my Reafon's dimmed eyes ! *' Unfold your glories to my view I ** Raife my defires mean joys above j " My bofom fill with holy love, ^* Until I pant alone for you !" An POEMS. 23 Jn O D E, 'U'LY, faithlcfs Vifions ! Dreams of joy ! -" That only charm us to deftroy ! Whofe painted form and harlot fmilc The vicious foolifh heart beo-uile : The bright conceits, ye glitterers raife, Fruition evermore betrays. Honor and Pleafure, Wealth and Fame, Which highly human hearts inflame. Good are ye all, as ye conduce To focial and to civil ufe ; Good, when pofTefs'd by virtuous men : 'Tis Vice perverts you to be vain : But, whom ye deign with fmiles to blefs. Make ye their wants or wiflies lefs ? Ah no ! Like fire each pafTion grows ; The more the fuel, more it glows ; New cares, nev/ fears, new pains arife j Not Art and Nature find fupplies : Vain hearts muft ake beneath a croAn, And agonize on beds of down ! The Paflions, which enflave the bread:, Are foes to nature, foes to reft : Far from their empire let me dwell, Kemov'd as far as heav'n from hell. Give 34 POEMS, Give me enough for Nature*s needs : If Heaven's indulgence that exceeds. As duty.^ fo my heart extends To all the needy, and my friends. Give me a calm and chearful mind, Forever pious, firm and kind : And let me never play the fool. As weakly to forget my rule j Nor place my happinefs in ftate, In fcenes, where love and liquor wait. In molten ores, in human breath. Or ought within the reach of Death. From tke Greek of Alpuevs^ the Mitylenian. T Wifh no large Domain to hold ; -^ Nor value I the charms of gold. Content I love, my friend, you Ice ; Enough is luxury to me. fo JULIUS. In Imitation of the Firjl Epistle of Book. I. Of Horace, 1762. npHOU kind approver of my early ftr.iin ! -* For Thee is nib'd the long negledcd pen. Indulge the \Yhim, and not tfi?dulnefs blame ; 1 never wrote a Candidate for Fame. Some POEMS, 25 Some friendly genius whifpers " 7iever do /" " U'^hen fools enough, whatnend cf Punch and you ?" So hence away with Rhymes, and Pipe and Lyre Truth be my ftudy, Virtue my defire. Sublimeft Views my fearing thoughts employ, Celeftial glory and eternal joy. Not in his hot nineteenth does Mafter John Sigh more for Polly, or for twenty-one ; Not fun -burnt flaves, compel'd with ruthlefs blows. Long more for ev'ning cool, and free repofe ; No dunce at fchool, inur'd to whip and fcorn. More ardent wiilies for a play-day- morn i Than I to know and gain that bcji good Things .. Of equal benefit to Swain and King j The which rejecting or neglecting long Brings equal detriment to old and young. Thcf faired light, thank He^v'n | unveiled ihincs. The guide and iblace of my good defigns. Say, Hiould the blind ophthalmic unguents flicrhtj Becaufe defpairing of an Eagle's Hghc ? What wretch refufes to expel the Gout, Becaufe he cannot be as Sampfcn (tout ? Health's worth his pains. Does Av'rice gnaw the bread. Sure, there's a pill to purge the loathfome guefl. Bewitched ^^ POEMS. Bevvitch'd with glory, there's a charm will eafe The dire enchantment; ufe it when you pleafe. .For fliiggards, drunkards, lovers, there's a balm j And none fo raving, that it cannot calm. Why, ri'/^^'s all !~Sure, that's no grievous tafk : But think with candor : That is all I afk. Virtue isjhunning vice : Wifdom's firft Rule Is nothing more, than, Bo net he a Fool, Refle(5t what toil and coft a man is at, " To gain a Borough or a large Eftate, The Merchant fpreads his fails, to India flies From want, thro' flormy Seas and burning fkies. Pho ! fcorn the Traih ! Be not {o blindly led ! But hear and learn \ and truft a better head. Nay, from the Vulgar karn : Each boxing Blade Would bruife the Nailor *, was he not afraid Of bruifes too ; for Honor's fomething fine In all degrees j and all afpire to fhine. But mark the prudence ! Hobfon underflood To want a Icfler for a greater good. Go thou do likev/ife! Silver yields to Gold j And both to Virtue are but dirty mold. " O Money ! precious Money I That acquire ! " 'Tis honor, pleafure, all you can defire !" Thus * A famous Bruifer. POEM S. 47 Thus rants each Wit, that plods at Gain and Lofs From high St. James's fquare to RadclifFe-Crofs: This hoary Chuffs to cafh-book Youth inftill : This edifits the Shopman o'er the till. Some thoufands more is all Bab's end and pray*r. That he may fill a feat, or ride Lord May'r: Adorn'd with all the gentleman, poor Bob, Without thofe pounds, muft jollie with the mob. But hear what children fay with better fenfe, " Be good, my dear! and you Ihall be a prince 1" Well fpoke, pure Nature ! There the glory lies ! To feel no guilty pangs and blufhes rife ! Does Rofciiis, or the children who aflign'd Crowns to the good, think jufteft in thy mind ? Advifes beft the friend, who bids you get, (And fairly, if you can) a large eltatej (But yet however) 'till you can appear Knight of the Shire, or haply rank a Peer; Or he, who bids you Fortune's flafh deride, And generoufly fcorn her empty pride ? If Britons afk "What makes this mannot fharc The common notions, as tlie common air ?" I tell you, friends ! The ver}' fame reply. Old Reynard made the Lion, that will I. " The prints all pointing in, and not one out, ' Appear fo ftrangely, I beg leave to doubt." Stare ^^ POEMS. Stare not, good people, if I'm not like you : Whom fhou'd I copy ! or whofe end purfue ? Some thrive by trading ; fome to play refort i Some deal in flocks ; and others cringe at Court , All have their turns-, the moft by humor move; And hourly vary in diflike and love. *' No place on earth, fome Great One fays, excels '* Brightelmjlon^s healthy coaft, and Tunhidge- wells;' Smit with the whim, to ^unbridge-'welh he flies j Brighthelmion fees the pleafure-boxcs rife. His fickly tafte to-morrow takes difgufl ; Away packs he to Bath with equal luft. Has Love or Av'rice yok'd him to a wife. How free and pleafant feems a fingle life! If fingle, then he pants to have a mate^ And fwears, net heav'n excels the nuptial ffate. His happinefs where fhall we fix ? where find ? With what new xk the changing Proteus bind J What does the p.cor man ? Laugh ? Yes, well you may ! He changes Taphoufe, Barber, cv'ry day. Like richer folk, his fancy quaintly ftrays ; Diflikes his Lodging, and his hired Chaife. Suppofe POEMS. 1 Suppofe you meet one fhuffling thro* the throng Cap'd like old Monk, with Cue prodigious long. Ruff *d to his ears, like a King Charles's Ihirt, Dutch-coated too, and fprucely hanger-girt : You laugh at all this oddity of Drefs ; But why P-^-Is oddity of Temper Icfs ? It loathes, it likes ; ne'er with itfelf agrees ; Conflifls like winds, and rages like the Teas. The cafe is common : Think ! Don't laugh again; He does not need a do(5tor and a chain. We ftill may laugh or weep, no eafe, no end, if trifles too much tickle or offend. In fhort, good Sir, Omnipotence has given No greater gift tlian Wifdom under Heaven : Wifdom is all in one ! 'Tis freedom, fame. And wealth, and ev*ry good, that you can name. PHYLLIS. IFritten 1751, on the follcwing Thejis, Phyllida amo ante al'ias^ nam me difcedere Jlevity Et longumfcrmofe. Vale, Vale, inquit, lola. Virgil. /^^ F all the girls I ever faw ^-^ I love my Phyllis befl : Her bofom rivals falling fnow, In filken fcarlet drefl. Her $-but, alas ! not a word can my Tongue ! 32 POEMS. I muft flee the dear Prefence, I long to" adore ; L.et me dwell in it ever, or fee her no more. To STELLA, i75r. ODE 7. BOOK III. of Horace. w H Y, Stella, flows that ftealing Tear ? Anon, the firfl aufpicious gale. That wafts the Spring, fliall fpread his fail , And faithful Gyge^ thy belov'd. In fortune rais'd, in honor prov'd. Faithful Gvg^ will be here. By furious ftorms drove o'er the main In flarry Amalthea's reign. He taftes no joy, nor foftly fleeps ; But thinks on Sieila^ fighs and weeps. What tho' fome faithlcfs Friend aflays His noble heart ten thoufand ways j With moftdevoutly-upcall eyes. Swears how lovely Chloe fighs. Panting burns, and fainting dies : Perchance relates how Praius' wif^ By falftly kindling jealous ftrife, Depriv'd the challe Bellerophon of Life. Relates j^iijM.iP n, y vm^i: ' < " - ' tinp* POEMS, 3 Relates what dangers P^/^w run,- The lewd Wppolyte to fhun ; Recounts and artfully applies All ftories, countenancing vice : In vain ! Thy Gyge ftill behaves Firm as rocks, and deaf as waves. But of thyfe'lf, dear Maid, beware ! Thine heart Enipcus may enfnare. Who reins moft gracefully the fteed. And cleaves the flood with nimble fpeed. Bolt fail the door at dewy Eve; I^et not thy tender ear receive Thofe pow'rful notes, which love inlpire,' The foft complainings of his Lyre, To Him, who often cries to Thee, *' Cruel!" always cruel be ! O D E 9 . Book I. of H o R A c E, O EE ail the mountains white with fnow ! ^-^ The burthen bends the labouring woods : The brooks and rills no long-er flow : The north-v/ind conftipates the floods* ' D Shut 34 POEMS. Shut out the cold, and heap the fire j Freely decant the generous wine. Which beft can pleafantry infpire, And warm us, till fair weather fhine. Heav'n care the reft ! who foon can lay The boifterous winds that rowl the Deep i Still ev'ry breeze, that moves a fpray. And let the fliakirg Foreft fleep. Pine not about To-morrow : Take The lot as gain, each day fhall bring : And, ere with palfy'd age you fhake. Ye Youths ! be merry, love and fing. Now is the time for Ball and Play, And whifper'd tales of love by night: And now the Wanton, to betray Her hiding corner, laughs outright j Struggles, the bracelet or the ring. In fondnefs ftolen, to detain ; But, for a Kifs, the wifhed thing, Refigns it to her darling Swain. ODE POEMS. 35 ODE 12. Book II. of Horace imitated. A yT Y Lord, you cannot chufe to hear '*-^-*' The horrors of a tedious War, The rough Commanders, and the flood All red with Carthaginian blood, Tun'd to the foftly- founding Lyre: Neither the favage Party-rage, Nor (laving * Revels of the Age, Nor Mobs, that fhook th' imperial Throne, Until by Champions knocked down. Do you, my Lord, at all admire. Yourfelf in Story bell can write How Roman Troops and C^far fight ; What towns they burn'd, what floods they crofsd' J How well they won, how well they loft j Yes, You, in bold heroic Song, Can blazon warlike Glory's fcenes ; How fullen Kings and weeping Queens, And herds of Wretches, drag'd from home By Heroes, who for mifchief roam. In Pomp of Triumph ftalk" along. Me, humble Me, the Mufe bids praile Your Lyjffs fweet inchanting lays : She * Alluding to the Time of a general Elcdion, ^6 POEMS. She bids me name the Nymph's bright eyes. And bofom, faithful to your joys : The Nymph all virgin-charms adorn : The eafieft Airs, which dancing grace. The keeneft Wit, the fineft Face, The neateft Arm, the beft Attire, Diftinguifh her among the Choir, On great Diana's feftal morn. Come, tell me truly, cou'd you bear To lofe a lock of Lyffys hair, For all the Perfian Monarch's ftore. And all the wealth on Indy's fhore, "When fhe, with all her winning charms, Bends her fine neck to let you fip The neckar'd rofes on her lip ; Or elfe witholds with fweet delay, What more delights, when forc'd away j Or runs herfelf into your arms ? . On SOLITUDE. O Happy Solitude ! I love Thy tranquil filence, penfive gloom : Thought lights her lamp j and from above Unfeen defenders guard the room. Swift POEMS. 37 Swift as aglimpfe of light'ning flies The fire-wing'd Fancy, mental ray ; No fpace for her too diftant lies ', Night's ambient (hade is blazing day. No eye but God's, and Angels bleft, prom heav'n commiflion'd, fee and know Why with extatic joys pofTefl, Or why difTolv'd in tender woe, Ufelefs and vain were mean difguife, "Which fpecious Folly much employs ; An art the Good and Brave defpife, A weapon, which its Lord deftroys. No mirth to make a wife-man fad. No fenflefs converfe palls the ear j No Humorift, delicately bad, No Ruffian, odioufly auftere. A confcience calm and clear is eafe i An underftanding found is joy ; Pleafures, which rationally pleafe. And in fruition never cloy. God's Works and Word,ferene, I fcan ; Admire his Wifdom, Juftice, Grace ; Or view the bufy toil of Man, The fubtil folly of his ways. Nor f POEMS. Nor Cenfurc fpares myfelf , but blamq Ridiculous notions,- fond defires : Conceit degrades, and pride afhames. And fcorn attends what vice admires. O Solitude ! O calm retreat 1 Both from contempt and flattery free ; That hour, how precious and how fweet. With Meditation fpent and thee ! An ODE. 'TpHE Morning, like a lovely Bride, -* Sweetly fobcr, brightly fair, "VVith decent coynefs, modefl pride, Rifing, chears the dewy air. She comes, Creation's cldeft-born, Bluihing Majefly, fhe comes ; But now no rofe, no blooming thorn Breathes upon the wind perfumes. The fweet returning beam alone Gilds this folitary Wild ; While, like a Tyrant from his throne, Winter frowns o'er realms defpoil'd. What POEMS. 39 What fong, when dreary fcenes furround, Can the tender Mufes fmg ? They, foft, with role and lily crown'd, Gratulate the milder fpring. The Mufes then alone arc gay. When the charming Seafon roves, Beftrewing flow'rs along her way. Circled round with Joys and Loves. I'll fing of Thee, dread Tyrant, Death ! Great is thy tremendous pow'r! Each foul, that lives by mortal breath, Aw-ftruck, waits thy folemn hour. Vain Confidence at thee, (Heav'n*s frowa,) May, with ftupid boldnefs, laugh ; But at thine arrow drops the crown. Coronet and crofier-flafF. The Monarch and the Noble fall Prone from Honor's lofty feat : Thy dreadful quiver levels all Empty glories of the Great. " Kings fall, fays Pride, who fit on thrones ? " Monarchs lie in loathfome graves ?" " Yes, Kings ! fays Truth, and royal bones " Rot, difgrac'd like bones of flaves. " Tea, 40 POEMS. " Ye^, royal Souls, with all their pride, " (Death fuch change of Fortune brings) " May beg to grace a Peafant's fide, " Curfing Tyranny in Kings." The haughty Fury, that o-erwhelms. Like the ancient Perfian Ram, Munitions, Mountains, Armies, Realms, Will it fave ? No ! deeply damn ! O Pride ! thy hateful Works behold ! Mourn the hideous ruin ! mourn ! Hear o'er thy head fierce thunders roll'd ! See the flames of Vengeance burn ' What's Glory fought by wicked ways ? Sure a moft ridiculous claim ! Wild meteor, felf confuming blaze ! Dies in darknefs ! finks in fhame ! Pride ! Author dire of human woe ! What from thee, but guilt and pain, Or did, or could, or e'er can flow ? Go, thou objecfl of difdain ! Come, Charity ! ccleftial flame ! Mild as Fleav'n, all charming rife ! Sweet harmony of Nature's frame \ Happinefs of hap.py ikies ! What POEMS. 4t What Pow'r divinely fliews, like thee, Radiant in the human bread ? No other can, befides, agree Both to blefs and to be blefs'd. Inviolate had'ft thou but ftili Reign'd among the fons of men. None had infring*d the fovereign Will ; Death had not appal'd us then. Now fmce, by Nature's fatal law. Scarce thou beam'ft on Mortal born. Let Mercy's claufe thy light beftow. And relume my waned horn. By thy pure light relum'd, I'll fhine, Raifed from the gloomy dull, A Star of righteoufnefs, divine, Spher'd in glory 'mong the Juft. Thy graces, Charity, beftow ! Happinefs thro' thee is given : Thou folely mak'll us bled below. Solely mak'fl us bleft in heav'n. Hirice happy, happy, who with thee Lighted pafs this tearful Vale : Thrice happier, happier, crown'd, who fee GOD, and in his glory dwell. 4 POEMS; An EPITAPH. SOUL immortal ! fhun the fnares. Empty joys and fruitlefs cares : Love, and be belov'd of, God ; Ufe his blefling, ufe his rod : Virtue here alone is wealth i Jefus here alone is health. ANOTHER. Suavitas Vitas \ generofa Virtus ! Nee diem fummum metuit, nee optat : Hic eam cingunt Charites, & inde Gloria Cscli. EPITAPHS On four Children y ivho dfd of a Malignant Fever. I. TH E fiercely-burning flame of Death Confum'd our vitals, chok'd our breath j Yet only did our fouls refine, And fit for endlefs life divine. P Q E M S. 4j 11. God faw o\}v ftate, and thought It beft To take us early into reft. Our lives on Earth were (hort , to b The longer in Felicity. III. Death is the earthly fate of all : The Egrth itfelf at laft (hall fall : But our Redeemer willreftore To life, in Heav*n, for evermore. IV. When the Archangel's trump (hall found. And wake the lleeping duft around, Tranfported We Ihall wake, and fing HoSANNA, to the heavenly King. An ODE. T ^THILE yet the breeze diffufes round Chilling ruin from its wing, See, yonder Snow-drop paints the ground. Beauteous harbinger of fpring ! Open ^4 POEMS. Open-bofom'd to the dawn, Fairer than the faireft lawn, Pleas'd and grateful feems to fay, " Welcome fhine, thou genial Ray !'* Know, pretty Innocent ! how foon All thy early pride may fly -, Crop'd by fome wanton hand ere noon, Thou, for cruel nonce, may'ft die. Little Venturer ! why Ileal forth From the lap of matron Earth, All alone in fuch a Wild, Weak to infults of a Child ? Hark, how the feather'd Rovers too. Taught by nature, utter joy ; The Black-birds whillle, Stock-doves coo : All their tongues does Love emyloy. Infant lifping Love, who reigns Fondled Tyrant o'er the plains, O'er the Swain and o'er the King j Little Love charms all to fing! Ah, deft Thou know, fweet gentle Dove ! His delight in gu'le and ftrife ? The POEMS. 45 The falfe ungrateful Serpent, Love, Stings the breaft which gives him life. Placid Eafe thy bofom fled. Anxious thoughts pofTefs inflead ; Milder tho* his looks than thine. Cruel is his fly defign. The Knave intends Thee with a mate To fit moping in a cage, A wretched prifoner of flate. Till confum'd with fplcen and age, Converfant with homely cares. Dubious hopes and aking fears. Shun, ah fliun his fubtile wiles ! Truft not his fallacious fmiles ! A SONG. /^OME, Muse, the lone minutes beguiling ! ^^ Thy Votary calls, come away ! The Loves and the Graces, flill fmiling, Prevail and awaken the lay. Ye Fair, what's to You more concerning ! Than love, your chief blils or worfl: bane ? 'TIs 46 P d E M Si. 'Tis friendly to offer you warnings How love to indulge arni reftrain. Tho' curious your paffion. Ah never I'oo rafhly experience the Wife j A rilque to be happy forever^ Or chain'd to a gaily for life. Nor, when a fair offer engages. The crifis of Fortune delay : One moment may forfeit, what ages Of anguifh and tears can't repay. For pride of tormenting Implorers Defer not the hour to be bleft : The joy often thoufand Adorers, And more, in one Friend is poffeft. The Rake from his nightly debauches Comes reeking and llaring and pale ; Now lowly, now faucy approaches. To whifper fome fine filly Tale. See fcribbled, each pane and each leaf on. Your name and the boaft of your charms : O pity, dear Lovely !" cries Strephon, And tenderly pants for your arms. Shall POEMS. 47 Shall this be the noon of your glory ? If ye to confent be unwife, Such Fools, who as Gods did adore ye, Will foremoft deride and defpife. Difcretely fele<5ting a Suiter, Forget not the pleafures, that laft : What torment to bear for the future Sad fears, and remorfe for the paft ? The Mifer (fond wretch) coffers money For thanklefs extravagant Heirs ; The pretty brifk Bee gathers honey For murdering Ruftics and Bears : Not fo, ye dear Rofes of Nature ! Your charms Ihould be fquander*d away ! If one muft chufe either, 'twere better With age, unenjoy'd, to decay. Thofe delicate bofoms and faces No forrow ihould ever intrude ; Then give not your loves and your graces To men undifcerning and rude. 'r\Q fpreads a banquet of eternal Good , Her bounteous hand extends immortal food : But vicious hearts refufe her heav'nly fare. Sweet in the lips, an healing bitter there. To harlot Folly their dcfires incline, Whofe gclden cup o'erflows with philter'd wine: Jnchanting mufic fills her myrtle bow'r, Entwin'd widi bayesj and rofes (Irew her fioor. Gay magic Scenes, ideal Splendors, fair To Fancy's view, but empty all as air. Delude 54 POEMS. Delude the guilty Throng with fatal joy. Allure with fmiies, thi.t biandilh to deilroy. O fliun her fnares ! the fnares of Folly fhun 1 vKeep Virtue's path, as Earth around the Sun Undcvious rolls : that holy Will obey. Which blefies all, and beautifies the May. To the SINGING BIRDS. FREE and merry in each bulh Warble Nightingale and Thrufh : Crown'd with chaple'js, blooming May Harks delighted to the lay. Happy, happy, happy Choir I Swceteft, fcftcft Joys inipire ! Say what touch on pleafure's fprings. Tunes the voice, expands the wings. When the fprightly plumy race Such extatic joys exprefs ? Rej^fon's foil'd, and Art difgrac'd : Man may cTiVj^ never tafle : *Tis a purer Senfe, that brings More delicious tafte of things : Simple Nature's beauty v.-arm.s ; Birds are pleas*d v.'ith Nature's charms. Match'd POEMS. 55 Match'd with them, my learned friends Nothing know of Nature's ends. Nothing aft of wife defign, Juft to ordinance divine. Never boaft your learned toil. Thoughtful Locke and curious Boyle ! Birds fagacity can fhew, Locke cou*d not explain nor know. Boyle, behold the fipping Bee Better Ikiird in flow'rs than Thee. Life to you, ye warblers gay. All is pleafure, all is play. Feaft and fong begin with light -, Leafy arbors lodge by night. Knows the little Bird one forrow ? Cares her heart about To-morrow ? Yes, the Reas'ner, prone to wrong,' Robs her of her callow young. Ah, furprized from her neft, Scarce fhe trufts a bough to reft. Spoil'd by man's rapacious race. Moaning, (he forfakes the place. Ah, Misfortune never knows Where Ihe fafely may repofe ! Blufii ^6 POEMS. Blulh, thou Tyrant of the Ball I Reas'ning Savage ! worft of all ! Why diftrefs, in cruel fport, Thefe fweet minftrels of thy court I What infernal joy to make Nature wretched for thy fake ? Wretched for thy cruel pride, Curfe of all the World befide ? Pretty Birds ! your joys purfue 1 Hop and chirp from bough to bough, I, with rapture, when I rove, Hear the mufic of the Grove ! Mufic, fweetly, foftly Ihrill, Flowing from each polifh'd bill j From among the filken trees. Trembling on the vernal breeze. Nothing, Wat blcrs, need ye fear An admirer fo ilncere. Pleas'd am I to tune the Tyre, Grateful to the plumy Choir. When they ceafe their loves and f^ngs. Cold their hearts and mute their tongues. When I too am with the Dead, Let thefe grateful lays be read, O D E POEMS. 57 O D E 30. Of A N A C R E O N. /^ N C E the Mufes, flow'ry-crown'd, ^^ Cupid in their garlands bound j Then to Beauty gave the Boy. Venus fought her little Joy. " Let the pretty Captive go, *' Venus millions will heiloiv.'* Go 1 not He 1 the Boy remains. All delighted with his chains. The K I S S. A Wanton Boy, us*d I to ftray "* "^ In woods and lawns, where Dryads play: Where'er was mirthful dance and fong, I, wildly joyous, join'd the Throng. Then fimple I, jocund within. Saw Paradife in ev'ry fccnc : The country bloom'd, the birds v/ere gay ; The flocks were blitlifome 5 all was May. Among the Dryads, one, moft fair, And moft genteel in drefs and air. Still chofe me Partner, wliile the grace Of fmiles and blulhes fprcad her face : She 5^ POEM S. She fqueez'd my hand ; whereon, I vow, I fqueezed hers and blufhed too. We look, and fmile, and blufli and fiah. And hate to part, we know not why. Sometimes in groves or grots around She hid, on purpofe to be found : In thickeft (hade wou'd I furprizc The beauttious Darling of my eyes ; pr, if \ lorig in vain had fought, She laugh'd aloud, and fo was caught. Sometimes where'er my walking led She watch'd, and, when flie faw me, fled : She, glad to be o'ertaken, flew ; I, glad to overtake, purfUe, One day, my Dry ad, ^ fwcetly meek, Moll tenderly did pat my cheek -, " Come, p'efs your Lips to mim^'' fhe faid ; Her fond conceit 1 foon obey'd : But, O ye happy Gods ! how ftole Inchanting plealure on my foul } No fpicy flow'r on Carmel grows. No honey-oak near Hybla flows, No neftar fprings in your abodes Half fo delicious, O ye Gods ! Again POEMS. S9 Again fhe glu'd her lips to mine : Intoxication how divine ! " My dearejl Charmer T I exclaim'd, " IV as e'er this wondrcus pleafure nam'd, " PVbich from ycur lips^ when mine they meet ^ " Glides thro* my very foul fo fweet ? " f'Fhat call you the inchanting Blifs ? She rofy-fmil*d, and lifp'd " A KISS!" A SONG. T> E L I E V E not too fondly, beware, gentle ^ Maids ! Left turtles prove jays in difguife. A Lover's a rofe in your bofom, that fades; Negkded, that fuddenly dies. Fix pafllon with prudence," where reafon may ftiU To friendlhip and conftancy bind ; Where virtue and fcnfe may determine your will, When raptures remit, to be kind. Eternally Love's happy bondage endures, If Prudence her captives detains : Whatever Charm conquer'd, 'tis Prudence fecures The captive, and rivets his chains. A SONG. ^^>Wli" j'^PW*4 ' *^w!?P ^ 111 ^- ''-'!'!'("*?' b POEMS. A SONG. XT^ E Swains ! never wander from honor an4 -* truth : Earn age no remorfe with the follies of Youth, In loving the Fair, he's the truefl enjoyer. Who guards the foft breaft from each cruel deftroyer. If any Seducer, infernally nurs'd. Betrays with endearment, the wretch be accurs'd ! A dssmon, for blading the glory of Beauty, And tainting affe(flion to violate duty. Wou'd you what is amiable love, and be bleft. Spread Virtue's pavilion for Beauty to reft : Let Prudence Efteem and Affection attend her , And Conn:an,cy comfort, fupport and defend her. Nor think from mere Beauty long joy can accrue . The pluck'd blolTom fades ; admiration palls too. 'Tis goodnefs is ever (who want it may railly) The jewel of principal luftre and value. A Novice, enamor'd of vain Beauty's fmile. In extafy views the line ftatue awhile ; But Conllancy lives on the permanent graces Of mind5 more adorned and charming than faces. A SONG, POEMS. 6i A SONG. SAY^ can Natures difcordant complacency know ? Can the Fox with the Lamb, or the Wolf with the Roe ? ^ Can the Jay with the Linnet, the Hawk with the Dove ? Then may tempers ill-fuited be happy in love^ Then be wife, youthful Lovers, in choofing for life. Both Phebe her hufband, and Colin his wife. Ne'er ciffemble affeclion, delude with afhew; And ihduftnoufly lay the foundation of woe ? All the Mifchievous merit the mlfchief, they meet : No convention is facred with hoftile Deceit. So in love as in life, the old proverb is true. To he honeji and then honeft dealing's your due. Know that Virtue alone can be happy; for ftill,] There's no evil fo fatal, fo pregnant, as Will. Let your principal objed be merit : you'll own, ""Tis a folly to hope for a crop never fown. Let your own cultivation the bleffing refine ; A.nd deferve the affedion of, who defer ves thine. The fz POEM S. r^^ W A L N U T TREE? An elegy. Written at the Requefi of a Lady. X 71 THAT Mufe is deaf to gentle Beauty^ call j Or ftands infenfible at Friend/hip's voice? The Mufe obeys : Tofing the Walnut^ s Fall^ Pleafir g command [ obedience is but choice. Your filver harps, ye fylvan Fairies, bring, Which guide your dances by the filent Moon ; To plaintive fong wake each immortal firing j Themournful Theme demands a mournful Tune. Fair Walnut-tree, ye fairy Choir, there ftood In Garden green, on gently-rifing hill, A little blooming Sifter of the Wood, Where Thrufh and Blackbird, Ihady, fung at will. But late (Alas ! what merit e'er was found To fave, when higher Pow'rs our fall decree) The Owner fancy'd fhe incumber'd ground " Gard'ner ! dig up this ufelefs Walnut-tree.'" The POEMS. H^3 The fentence paft, intreaties all are vain ; Her vital roots difmantled foon appear : Arid Dick and Tom, with fturdy might and main, Mangled and lopp'd ; no enemy, no fear ! The Poet, to complete her overthrow, Climb*d up, and bound with, rope her leafy boughs : Ah, cruel Poet ! juftly to thy woe ! For thou, in climbing, fore thy fhins did'lt bruife. Then from his Tent, in leathern armour, came Stately Bucephalus*, and feiz'd her bound ; He, ftrongly tugging, flretch'd his brawny frame. And brought poor IValnut tumbling to the ground. The forrowing Dryads trembled when fhe fell ! Untimely fell ! her fruits were premature ! Lament, ye Fairies ! Echo, from thy cell, Lament -^oor JValnut^s Walnuth dying hour! What guilt of thine provok'd unpitying Fate? What excellence offended Envy's eye ? Not * J Caach Horfe, luuqp injiipuiHiV 4 POEM S. Not humble innocence protrafts thy date : See ! like the Great and Honor'd, fee her die f Exempt is no condition from decay. No Lord nor Shrub on earth from Death is free: What profit then of all this World have they ? Why Fame ! And Fame's a Walnut-elegy. Your harps, ye Fairiesl this laft boon demands; Her fate untimely folemnly deplore ! That done, your harps unftrung with trembling hands Hang on the Willows Walnut is no more ! ro A YOUNG LADY. A L eiHire hour, an indolent repofe, -^^ No paftime here, but what from Fancy flows ; A mind too dull to think, too brifk to reft. Drive me to plague fome friend-, I choofe a Beft. Strange humor mine 1 I ever f corn to teaze A filly Wretch^ whom I difdain to f.eafe. JVhx ^ O E IVf S. 65 '* M^hy write to me?'* you cry: " What have I done, *' To bear your horiferife ? Friendfhip ! when begun ?' "Naf, own you know me: Surely that's all one I With many folks 'tis friendjhip to be known* Vain I may be : impertineht, *tis true; But then my folly cannot injure you. " Tes ! teaze me /"Well ! but, at fo cheap a rate. Will not your goodnefs eafe a Noodle's pate ? For write I muft ! In fongs my ink may flow ; Songs of my own : Fine Strephon's are not fo. Many prefer the Nightingale's wild note To whit Canary trills thro' artful throat. Perhaps I moralize, not blulh to give Advice, where it becomes mfe to receive : That matters not! for that's our common wayj Archbilhops hear \vhat Curates have to fay. " It ill becomes ye then to make too free : *' X^ow brazen fellows ! prating ! v/hat are ye?' W^hy, Madam! if appearances wo'd pafs. The Lion might be frighten'd at the Afs. Nor can we always judge of right and fit : A licence too is claim'd by Men of Wit, F , " Dd . -'IIPW.'. 66 ? O E M S. " Do you claim that ?" Well, now I own, I blufh : The folid proof is -sranting at the pufli : Nothing to fhew ! However, wh^n you pleafe. Bid me depart I vanifli You're at cafe. Read my impertinence, or burn, or tear; Wrap up your. thread in't, or curl up your hair ; 'Tis good for fomething ! And remember flill, IFe often for the Decdfhou'd take the Will. ^0 the Same. On Reading. CUSTOM with Folly feems in this combined Againft you females To immure the Mind-^ As if much knowledge made the morals worle ; Heav'n's choiceft bldTmgs were the greateft curfe* My vote concurs to cut all flavifh reins ; And bind in Duty's fofter, ftronger, chains. What ! treat the Fair, as popifh Priefts their fxocks t Like injur'd Negroes ! like a muzzled Ox 1 Undue reftraints are brambles of diftrefs In -Virtue's path, provoking to tranfgrtfs. Heav'n leaves us free : To move us to obey. Reveals high grace, delineates the way. This god-like plap the Generous will purfue.. POEMS. 67 All true obedience fprings from knowledge true. Prefamptuous Folly ftill its end defeats : Deceivers perifli by^ their own deceits, They^ who prefume the fenlale foul defign'cj For no great piirpofe of a reasoning mind. Allow thole ftudies, which tiie mind debafe. As if in fpite, to compafs its difgrace. " Tales and Romances for a Lady's ear J" Sublimer ftudies too fublime appear. Ladies muft only learn the loves of Rakes^ 'Till Virtue nods afleep and Vice awakes. Hence infant hearts pant with the pleafing flame,! Which flaflies^ darts and glows through all the [ Frame, j Almoft ere vvords are found to give It name. J Admit Romancers write in Virtue's caufe ; Throuo-h ev'ry page a fubtile poifon flows : The fital fomes kindles curious thought, 'Till alUhe foul is into tumult brought, Paflions to anarchy refiftlefs rife ; And Prudence, vanquifli'd, in the riot dies/ " They learn the world this way !'* Perhaps they do : They learn its vices and its follies too i Without the previous (kill, that tafk requires ; To kno'v inch objeifls, free from fuch defircs. I own. 68 POEMS. I own, fuch reading greatly may conduce, Well-tim'd, well-temper'd, to the Reader's ufe ; Quell in the clofet Paflion's Reafons's ftrife ; And fend her warn'd, prepared, into life : Yet ftill, fuch books demand, whenever read. The cooled heart, or moft experienc'd head : For PafTion, in the violent and young, "Will make the Vice feem right, the Virtue wrong; Or not difcern the Author's good defigns, "Which oft might be compriz'd in two jQiort lines. The grand intent's t'unravel mazy man ; And fet a guard o'er Beauty, if they can ; Shev/ whom you love, are daemons in difguife ; And that in pride and art your fafety lies. O fad refource I O fhameful truth to tell ! O fpoil of hn ! how low is nature fell 1 Your pardon. Madam! 'Tis perhaps too hard To hint, your prudence e'er can need a guard. Indeed I blufli for my officious pen ! You know, you Ihun, you hate bafe-hearted men. Saw you a Fool fmce life's firft pulfe did leap. But that affedled to bejly and deep ? Brand fuch a Wretch for Fool, howe'er he blazc; He really is weak, as well as bafe. Mean POEMS.- 6f Mean Cunning ever is an empty boaft ; Mifchievous Wits outwit themfelvcs the moil: Their triumphs are the doting of an hour, Unlefs upheld a while by wealth and pow'r. Friends muft as Foes the wretches mean defpife. Who, blind to Good, are only damn'dly wife : . Their guile, fo odious fcarce can be forgiven By God or Man; accurs'd by Earth and Heav'n. But poor's the folace to a Maid undone. To think, his doom her fpoiler cannot fliun. Another evil oft bad Reading brings ; It makes nice Critics in ridiculous things ; Taints Folly's bofom with a large fupply Of falfe fenfations Lord knows what, and why ! Mere phantom-objedls all the mind employ ; Give half its pains, fpoil more than half its joy ; Render uneafy, when no harm is near. Except its own weak whim, and filly fear. The Being, thus abas'd appears as frail. And forely tender, as a pappy fnail ; Shrinks with fantaftic peevifhnefs or dread ; Afting the Ideot, to be fure fine bred ! Fit but to languifh in a downy chair, A Fop, a Pug and Parrot all her care. ?<^ P O E M S, The Reading I wcu'd humbly recommend, Nor quite rejed the other in tJie end. Is hiftory, civil, natural, great and fmall , Divinity, the grand concern of all ; Moral produdions , the chafte Mufc's lays j Clnftrudionsj/^^ moll charmingly conveys) Why fhoii'd philofophy be deem'd too high For beings fo hear related to the fky ? All Books, that tend t' ennoble and refine, Ladies may read : Let fuch, my Fair ! be thine, 7'o the fame. On H A P LT. O O U L S after death, as certain Ancients fay, ^^ Inform anew fome organized clay: Brutes tranfmigrate to Men, and Men to Brutes j AiTuming each the kind, which fancy fuits. If this be true (for all's not true, that's faid) This World, ye Fair ! is then a JVIafquerdde. Well, fo be it ! You'll gran: tl^e fages this. The fancy'' s pretty^ and not much amifs. One time, an Fdidt pafs'd, as flory goes. For each to name the fafhion, >;vhich he chofe ; A"d Mrs. hachcfis (fiie, Ma'm, you'll guefs) "Y/aS Taucrn-maker for the mafquing drefs) Produc'^ POEMS. yi Produc*d her patterns of each kind and form, Erom man imperial to the crawling worm. Amid the throng one old T^herfites came, Since Troy*s cataftrophe well known to fame; Known for malicious jibes and fpiteful tricks j A viler ghoft ne'er prefs'd thy waves, O Styx ! When his turn came to choofe an earthly fliape. The queer old Soul with joy felefts an Ape, " His choice feems odd !" At firft perhaps it may j But the fanie fault is a(f]:ed every day. The God of Nature wondroufly aflign'd A Turn peculiar to each human mind : That each an end peculiar may purfue. Men's humors differ more than faces do: If join'd with Virtue, all thefe Turns produce Peculiar afls of private public ufe. That all, made free, fit ufes might maintain, God bade right Reafon his Vicegerent reign. But things, the nobleft in their firft defign. Become the bafeft, tending to decline : The cordial grape, abus'd by wrong degrees. Induces dulnefs, anguifh and difeafe \ Things all, which ufed well moft Iweet impart, Spoil'd by excefs, excite the keeneft fmart : prime Angels, exil'd from celeftial light. Are felleft Dsemons in tartarean night : 1 Thus "jm^ ^'^je^g^r yi POEMS. Thus that peculiar 'Turn^ hy gracious Heaven To ev'ry foul for noble ufes given, JDeprav'd with Vice, with pafTions bafe and blind, Becomes the gres^t dillemper of the mind : Indulg'd to Habit, makes mankind appear Like beafts ; and various as brute fpecies are. If ruling Reafon only reigns a drone , Or weakly yields, and abdicates her throne ; The PalTions deviate to what we condemn , And ev*ry choice is monftrous, made by them. Hence fome emJDrace, with ravenous delight, What Reafon (huns with laughter or affright : Some fink below their kind, below the bead ; Greateft in rii 'chief, as in goodnefs lead : No light, no law diretfls the phrenzy'd foul ; The body is a Bedlam, dark and foul. Thus ail the Paffions into Vice may go; And, if indulg'd, to vicious Habit grow. Habit grows ftubborn foon, fince always join'd. And woven widi the native Turn of mind : Age fo confirms it in th' immortal frame It braves all fortunes, and is (till the fime. Hence 1 POEMS. ji Hence, in all ftations,* under ev'ry fhape, ^herfites* Soul delights to act the Ape. His coarfe example warns us to cohtroul Thofe giant Paflions, that convulfe the Soul ; Left thole, unbridled, brutally deface The Maker's Image and the works of Grace : It bids us fhun ill Habit, as a fear. An hedlic fever, or an hoiden air i All very odious to the gentle Fair -, And for this reafon worfe to be endur'd, Becaufe by time and judgment hardly cur'd. * It may be doubted whether ill Habits, rcfpefllng par- ticular objefls, do remain in a future State, where thofc ob- je(5ls are not found : but ftill fuch Habits are equally per- nicious ; for they deftroy that virtue firmnefs, purity and health of Soul, which alone can render it, in any ftate morally good and perfedly happy. And who knows whether the defire, as well as remembrance, of things part will not in fome fort, revive in a futnre State? Several Heathens and Chriftian Fathers affert, that Souls unbody'd are inverted with certain material vehicles (Ai,70cto\'; or Spe^-es) in which they (or at leaft, the bad fort of them) do retain fome capacity for fenfual Pleafure and Pain. This, among Other ancient Notions, is now commonly exploded ; but we fhall probably greatly err, if we think all that is ex- ploded is comtemptible. See Origett. Contra Ce/fum. Lib. II. alfo the parable of Dives and Lazarus, T4- POEMS. The MIND. /^ O look thro' Art and Nature, you fliall find. The greateft wonder is the human Mind. Its fair imperial excellencies fhevv Man's title to Supremacy below : Yet fo abfurd its Wifdom, mean its jPride, Nothing is fo ridiculous befide. Much boalled wifdom, long and hardly fought, Is only noife, futility, ftark nought. They, who the heights of Metaphyfics foar. Bring down fome truths, but idle guelfes more. They, who thro' Nature's dark abyifes roam. Often return, like other Travellers, home ; Six)il common-fenfe, and impudently fcorn All thofe high ends, for which Mankind are born. Could each infpecl his neighbor, as he fees Thro' crydal walls a factory of Bees -, Then might he view the brilk ideas run. Like Infefts dancing in the ev'ning fun ; Their kinds and numbers ; hov/ they rife and join; What counfels farm ; with what deiires combine. POEMS, 7 1 -*Xis my conjeftnre (and with reafon too) That, while this ftrange phaenomenon were new, Ere we difcern'd Ideas range by rule. The wifeft would appear the greateft fool ; And humbler minds, which fewer fcenes produce, Seem moft confiltent, and composed for ufe. So yonder ft^rs appear to vulgar eyes Strewn very carelefly about the fkies ; Devoid of regular and wife defign j Stamp'd -vyith no fignatures of ikill divine * Your Connoifeurs judicioufly prefer A bronze, a picture, or a poor parterre : The reafon's plain becaufe they comprehend A trivial 3yftem, and the Author's end. Could we the thoughts of bufy mortals view ; Their wifdcmi, happinefs ; their good and true ; Then m^ht we fee on what nice fprings depends The fpite of Foes, the tuneful love of Friends ; Why oft unmeaning founds deceive our ears ; Why Ignorance in Learning's garb appears : Might trace the curious plan of Wifdom's thought^ And Folly's cobwebs in each corner wrought. What pretty fabrics Sophillcrs could Ihevv, Little inferior to a fort of ftraw ? Finite prov'd infinite with dext'rous art ; ^nd that the whole's no bigger than a part ; JVhat y4 POEM s. What foiirce fupplies the Sun's exub*rant fiamc ; What pow'r mechanic moves the Mundane frame ; How Souls commence by Motion's natural rule ; And chief Man's privilege to be a Fool. What engines would the Statefman's foul reveal I Moft like the Prophet's Vifion, wheel in wheel : Stores of ingenious levers, fcrews and fprings. To manage Mobs and Patriots and Kings : Arrangements fuch, that ftill 'tis underftood. The Statefman's private, mufl be public, good. The Poet's brain great wonders would unfold i The art occult, bafe metals turn'd to gold : Each country Village by its magic feem Elyfium ; and each Brook, Pafbolus' ftream. If wanton Love the foft defign infpire. To make fair bofoms heave with fond defire ; Then might you fee compos'd the mellovv fong. That warbles phrenzy thro' the lifl'ning throng. Should Satire fell in venoni dip his pen. In Virtue's caufe to blaft unrighteous men ; With more than hydra-heads, and killing eyes Of Bafilifk, his armed Rage will rife. Should Grace divine her facred warmth impart; To ftir the brifk vibrations of his heart ; Then would he charm you with an holy zeal, Far more than Orpheus teaching rocks to feel. The POEMS. 77 The Beau methinks I have him in my eye ; And fee how all his little toy-things lie. His own dear Image firft at length appears. By Mode, his Valet, trim'd from toes to ears : Next to his quaint fantaftic ftupid Mien Lies baby Speech, and Fondnefs to be feen ; Courtfhip to ev*ry eye-ball to admire ; Hope, that the L/adies will in vain defire. The Hypocrite, fecure in blind applaufe. With lying phiz and fanflimonious faws. Would fhew a fcene (Heav'n fave us !) fhocking fight ! A miniature of Satan rob'd in light. Within the Mifer we (hould fee thofe fears. Which keep unclos'd his eyes, arredl his ears ; Where ne'er a noble fentiment can glow. Nor mild compaflion, anodyne for woe ! His prone poor foul flill poring on the clod. Pining in plenty and blafpheming God. The Libertine what pencil can defcribe ! Whether of brutal or infernal Tribe Let Naturalifts rcfolve : But of the two A mongrel progeny would I allow. To rail on heav'n, to riot on the earth , The fhame of Her, who gave the Moniler birth : ProfefTed ^g f 6 t U . ProfeiTed foe to Nature, Life and Soul No Tears can foften^ as no Ties controul. Gould thought be feen in him, how loath'^d i crew Of foul Ideas would pollute the view ! "What would I fay ? The winged Morrrents fly,- To waft the hour,- when ev*ry fornr muft die. Thoughts all revive, and naked ftand the gaze Of Earth and Heav'n in God's expofing blaze : At that Tribunal even ibis may rife. Or to acquit or to condemn J . WISE. ^0 two LADIES, who pkafantly chid the Authoi^ for an involuntary Disappointment. July 26. 1764. T ADIES, permit confeOlon to atone I -*-^ This feeming error really was none. 1 own myfelf for non-attendance fham'd : Wilful omiflion juftly might be blam'd. Put that the cafe, the argument would bcj Negle^ of yen implies defeat in me ; JVant cf difcernment and a want that's vjorfe ! One fault includes a dozen more, of courfe. But that the cafe was not : The caufe was great 1 To dire necefllty mull all fubmit ! It \ I> O E M S. 73 If ill appearances my plea oppofe. And caft I am by over-rigid Laws ; Forgive him once, who needs it often ; -give Your mild reprieve ; and let your Convift live* Not worth in me, but grace in you, T plead. 'Tis your own caufe ! I'm penitent indeed ! Did Shakefpear^s Nature, Pope's fine Art inlpire Your Poet's numbers with energic fire ; Full in your ears the piercing notes Ihouldroll, To mollify and charm the lift'ning foul. Did Richardfon's moft gentle fpirit breathe, Ordain'd to wear Fame's everlafting wreath, Whofe pathos itrong and language finely free Sieze all the heart (a eonqueft own'd by me !) Oe'r which, while merit charms a Britifh eye, Bri. POEMS gi With different tempers diff"rent treatment fuits: 1 his truth fliall be exemplify'd in brutes. A pamper'd Spaniel^ over dainty grown, Difdains to fetch and carry for a bone ; Sneaks off, and tries his mifcreant head to hide, ConfcioLis of guilt and cowardly in his pride i Bur, if you difcipline his iides with cane, The Culprit's your obfequious Slave again ; Creeps to your feet, and fawns with fo much fenlc As if he'd rather die, than give offence. Submiffion charms us : We are born to rule : But i'n't the Dog a rafcal and a fool ? The Lap-dog^ confcious, not of worth pofTeft-j But of ftrarige fondnefs in his Lady's breaft. Now fooths, now fnarls ; not fearing to offend ; Meanly ungrateful to his too-kind Friend j From bafe ill-humor ne'er is he exempt. Except when fchool'd by hunger and contempt. The favor'd Lion^ of a noble mind, Is graceful without meannefs ; firmly kind. But fervile never : We mufl ftill approve His generous fpirit, in refent or love. Honor will always, and alone can^ draw His noble foul j for Honor is his law. G Thefe 82 POEMS. Thefe ^urns of difF*rent beafts (and more by tcn^ May all be found in our one fpecies men : Nay, Fiend and Angel fcarce more diflant are. Than man from man, in point of Character. A Tale fo plain, 'twere folly to apply : You know the moral better much than I : With nice difcernment to infpe5i the mind^ And treat withjujl diJlin5iion ev*ry kind. So far as it concerns myfelf, I'll fay : Great Nature formed Me of pliant clay : Own your admirer, fet his heart at eafe. He's this or that, whate'er your Graces pleafe. To a LADY. '''J^WAS when this Glohe^ where, deftin'd, we -^ to-day Enjoy the feaft, the labor and the play, 'Jo hate, to love, to forrow and to laugh. To follow feather:, fight for nature's chaff 'Twas when, I fay, iii.-. Globe, this earth and mainy IVirn'd this fide from rhe Sun^ to turn again > As POEMS. ^ As men repent, to fin with keener tafte ; Or change their follies, fated with the paft : The Sun^ remote, juft left Britannia's ejes ; While Evening ftay'd behind to clofe the skies : The Sun's old porter, like a noble, flood; His gaudy livery was a fuit of cloud, Flowing down gracefully in many a fold. Sable and crimfon, edg'd with beamy gold : 'Twas then, when Bd/ks^ who hate the rude-ey*d Sun^ Which broadly flares, and looks their beauties dun. When Be/ks, mofl like gay GoddefTes, at eve. Steal forth to breathe, and votive fighs receive. Guarded with bipeds, vulgarly call'd Beaux, Human in form, but fomething more in cloaths. Larger than lap-dogs, timid yet as thofe 'Twas then, I fay, at that important hour. When Love and Beauty rule in height of pow*r^ That I, from their dominion long ago Condemned an exile, yet efteem'd no foe, Immur'd in folitude, and mufmg o'er The various incidents of life before, Rofe, as did Sampfon from th* infidious bed, Snapping his fetters like a findged thread ; I, from reveries rifing, did divell The bonds of Indolence, my treacherous guell ^ Aim'd to be chearful, tho' too dull to jefl : 'ux, - baths, V 3^4 POEMS. My idle hand fnatch'd up the ready pen, Refolv'd to fcrawl to You, juft there and thert. How happy to augment, the' but a mlte^ The facred treafiiry of your delight 1 Each fool Can injure, and each fop can teaze ; The friendly Mufe afpires to aid and pleafe ; And, to thofe ends, is curious to purfue Some objeft, worthy her, and .worthy you. Faint is the pleafure, and too frail t'endure. Which rhymes, like mine, ignoble, can procure j But (thanks to Heav'n!) you hold the fureft claim To noblefl pleafures, pleafures fcorning fame : Worth is the title, which your claim can raife ; Confcfs'd by all, from whom one values praife: Free adoration meets her glorious beam ; While crowns and kingdoms cannot buy efteem. The Great may flutter in the gorgeous fpoil Of land and fea ; and quaff the fweets of toil ; Stride o'er the world, our envy and our fear ; Seem drunk with joy ; but Worth is joy fmcere \ Serenely fhining, like the fixed pole Immoveable, immortal as the foul. Sometimes a cloud conceals her from our fight ; But feen, we gladly celebrate her light. When POEMS. 5 When Frlendlliip, like a mift-difpeUing gale At fummer's morn, develops once the veil. The veil of modefty, which her confines. We fee tranfported, and exchim She Jhines ! Indeed but few are juft to what they feel : The chains of Form, more ftrong than chains of fteel. Tie mute the friendly tongue ; or foppifh Art, Sounding her praifes, overtops its part. And breeds difguft; or Envy (conftant Ihade) Clouds her with flander, *till fhe fcem to fade. Such is the fate, that Worth muft ever find Among all ranks of Vulgar in mankind. Great God of Heav'n and this terraqueous ball 1 Who giv'ft, rejoiceft in, the good of all j Who feeft the heart, who ev*ry thought doft weigh ! Who honor'ft truth, and them who truth obey ! How dares the heart aiTume perverfe difguife ? Is to diffemble or calumniate wife ? Rather be truth beyond all human reach. Than fo difgrac'd by ill-according fpeech : Nay, man be dumb ! why fhould pet Heav'n refufe What man will either ftifle or abufe?^ My ns POEMS. My voice fliall ever boldly trumpet forth. Wherever due, the juft applaiiie of Worth ! Pope, whom you read, in principle was free ^ His art, not dodrine, is admir'd by me : Too fuperficial on a theme profound ; His maxims falfe, his arguments unfound : Blindly aftray in metaphyfic road, He charges Evil all on Fate and God : But yet, he could not fairly Sin acquit : Let us, where due, lay all the blame, on //. Attach'd to pleafure, and of genius vain. Many forge fyftems in their airy brain ; Nature and God to their ftrange fancies bend. Explaining Both to fuit their fav'rite end ; To fuit licentious appetite and pride -, And fet the rigid Scripture-truths afide : (For, fince the precepts on the faith will ftand. The Creed muft fall, to murder the Command) But furely 'tis a wretched courfc, they take, W^ho ftrivc to be perfwaded to miftake : A falfe perfwafion can but lull their fear A little fpace, to let them riot here : The Fiends of Death will fhortly fieze them prey. And drag to torments, deep-immur'd from day. O why POEMS. ty O why do Sinners hate the Scripture-creed, Where Grace invites ? 'Tis, rLire,what/^/?ymoft need ! On Nature's law prefume they to rely ? They flill choofe bane ! by Nature's law they die. Stern Nature thunders -" Die !" without reprieve: Mild Grace alone calls fweetly " Turn and live ]" Repentance, true, (hard tafk!) fhe claims : fhemuft! SJie can but fave the willing to bejtiji. Sacred thro* ChriJ}, does her commiflion run ; Such honor God decrees himfelf and fon, The Holy Ghqft muft have due homage paid, Chrifl's Vicar fent with Angel-hofts, our aid. Ah ! wou'd we lefs ? Shou'd Majefty divine His moft illuftrious attribute refign. His peerlefs Holinefs ? Nor rife to prove Of Sin his hate, of Righteoufnefs his love ? No ! Truth forbids ! To all he'll have it known None without holinefs approach his throne. In Chrijl he means this leflbn to difplay ; Then bids All him embrace^ All him obey. Whoe'er this facred Name perverfly fpurn, Though crown'd in this World, in the next fliall burn : Whoe'er this facred Name aright revere Shall fhine in Glory there, tho' abjed here. This 8 POEM 5. This World, dear Lady, (Dear let me addrefs ! Word never pen more juflly might exprefs) This World's a jeft : regard the World to come. Our conduit here decides our future doom. A<5t the immortal ! Short, unfure the date. Frail each condition, of this mortal State, Why fliou'd its higheft joys engrofs our care ; Or deepefl woes o'erwhelm us with defpair ? Why Ihou'd they tempt us out of Virtue's road. To rifque our title to the grace of God ? Adhere to truth ; and then your claim is fure. And then alone, to joys, which fhall endure. But, lefl my Friend fhou'd think, I cenfure hard j And with injurious fcorn condemn her Bard j I own his numbers rife with accent true j And fall with cadence foft as morning dew : Good fenfe and wit, to grace an Angel's tongue, Often o'erflow in his melodious fong : Nor am I fure, nor do I mean to f^y, That ill affedions made ^;j judgment ftray. When thofe dread Angels, who appointed are To cite us mortals to the final bar. Shall from the clouds, like flaming light'nings, fpring, Augufl", trcirxndous ^ Ihakc the thundering wing j And POEMS. ' And blow the folemn trump, whofe found (hall fpread The loud alarm, that muft awake the Dead; When Chrijl our L.ord, (hall ifTue, glory-crown'd, \Vith a:wfuj pomp of radiant Angels round, Enrob'd in all the Majedy of G O D, To judge this World, where once he viclim trod, Ana fliall fii: down upon his judgment-throne 1'hsnjh.ill the fecrets cf all hearts, be knoijun^ ^t? /7 L A D Y. w H I L- E proud Ambition meditates throne. The papal mitre, or a realm undone, Difmantled cities, defolated farms, The pomp, the plunder, and the wafte of arms. To trample Linocence with iron fliod, Intoxicate and drench'd with human blood : While Patriot-Brilcns fericuily difpute Which wife- head fliall be in, and which be out : While A'varice grafps, at one voracious view, Tlie golden hills of hdy and Peru ; ^ In fancy bears them to her dark abode. And groans and daggers underneath the load. Like fabled Giants, who the m.ountains hurl'd. To batter Jove from his imperial World : W^hile $ POEMS. While Luxury^ in gold and purple dreR, On velvet fofa languillies to reft ; Indulging indolence and foft defires, Sooth'd with the airs of Eunuchs* wanton lyres, Till pleafure's touches and the fuming bowl Relax the body, ftupify the foul : While Sicknefs tolTes on the wringing bed. Or on her pillow droops her aching head, Defires the light, and yet the light does hate, Prays now for this, now for another, ftate, O'erwhelm'd with anguilh and convuls'd with pain, The furious fever boiling thro' each vein : While brawny Toil each livid limb diftends. And plies his engines to laborious ends. To feed, defend, to pleafure and adorn Our feeble race, to pride and mif 'ry born, Drudging unweary, 'till the ling'ring light Dies in the weft, and leaves the world in night : While filent Stud)\ lonely and intent On latent Things, to learn or to invent. Seems like a ftatue, motionlefs, to pore On volumes, as the Mifer on his ore. Watching for knowledge, 'till the vitals freeze, Yet nothing gains but folly and difeafe : While thro' the flow'ry meads and verdant woods. And by the mofTy banks of filver floods. The genir.i poiur of Love extends her reign, I'ranfporting ev'ry Nymph and ev'ry Swain : While POEM S. ^i "SA^hile amorous Sorrow mourns a lover dead. Or (ftiil more deep diftrefs !) a lover fled ; Wirh v.^eeping pale, and fix'd her down-caft eyes. Grief all litr thought, her language only fighs. Sirs fweetly mournful, like a fmitten flowV, A lily drooping in a flooding (how'r : While blooming ^''J^ ^^^^ vigorous and gay. Derides at care, and frolics life away. Who feafts with Health, and in her charmincy breafl: Sinks to repofe (for Health gives all her zeft, L'ghts up her eyes with ardors, early dips In rofy dews her love-inviting lips) I fay, while blooming Joy parades along With Mrih and ^F/V, with Muftc^ Tyance dindiSon?: While Tou^ with finger elegantly free. Command the needle, pencil or the key. Or take the air, or fome good author find Richly to ftore your amiable mind. Or chearful with your Coufms talk and play. And fpend in gentle eafe the fmilingday : I, here ferene, find nothing elfe to do, But fomething to amufe myfelf and You -, Happy, if it m^ay furnilh fome delight To You to read, what I for paftime write. Like Mifer's bounty, 'till his death unknown. While I enjoy it, it is mine alone. When Fancy's A6t is done, the play is o'er; All vaniihes j my pleafure is no more ; Then 2 POEMS. Then you may take the fcrawl, and read and fcan j And freely make the moft of it. You can. In this unfettled ftate, who does not find The frequent flux and reflux of the mind ? Pafllons and fentiments now fink, now rife : A Fool this moment, fhall the next be wife. One caufe, at different times, yields joy and forrovv : To-day's dear follies fade before To-morrow: We lofe our former felves : 'Tis Wifdom's^ part To knew the rights and there to fix the heart. Without her guiding beam if PaJJion rove. With ev'ry objeft varies hate and love j Still doubtful where to bend, and where adhere; As fome blind Pilgrim knows not how to fleer. Left in a Wild, directed by the wind, Which fometimes blows before, fometimes behind. Yet half mankind (who but for joy and pain, Imprefs'd by twitches, wou'd exift in vain) By fluduating follies ever keep From that perpetual Calm, where they wou'd fleep^ Wou'd eat and drink, and propagate their flock. Like Oyflers crufled on a flimy rock, Abforbed in a dull and dead repofc, Regardlefs of all others' joys and woes. Poem s. ^s All ferife of duty, and all love of truth, Perhaps extinguifh'd in the dawn of youth, Their giddy follies make them aftive ftill. And ufeful to the world, tho' meaning ill. To grafp a clod, and drop it at the grave. In fields of (lauehter to be counted brave. To gain a place, a title or a ftring. To be the fav'rite fpaniel of a King, To gratify mere luxury and pride. While nothing's meant, nay, all difclairh'd befide. What glorious deeds, what graces, thofe impart. Who are the verieft dsempns at the heart I Vice makes Vice ufeful too in other fort (A ferious doftrine! now tho' preach'd in Sport) Ufeful as natural Evil, to chaftife Its Votaries : Fools fcourg'd by fools grow wile. But O how bleft, had Vice been never known! Then, it is plain, there had been need of none. As oft in Nature oppofites produce The fame effects, and prove of equal ufe ; It happens frequently in Morals too. That Vice effe<5ts what Virtue ought to do ; Does Good thro' pride, thro' interefl, or thro' chance j Does God and Man in glory more ad/ance. Yet " ^.. i,uflii . I'-jmfim ^i POEMS. Yet neither God nor Man needs Vice's aid An ugly Monfter, which God never made ; A fin- born curs'd Deformity, the birth Of vile abufe, by godlike Pov/'rs brought forth: it brought diforder into Nature's plan ; And Ihed a fatal peftilence o'er man. Tho' fometimes Vice the path of Virtue prefs, Difguifed too in Virtue's comely drefs, 'Tis harlot-art to make her prey more fure-,, 'Tis Satan's wile the foolifh to allure. If fometirties Vice does good, flie Itiil intends Evil i in evil to herfelf Ihe ends. By Vice the world is ever funk in woe : Virtue alone can o-eneral blifs bellow : 'Tis Virtue only gives, or can poffefs. That all-fought Prize, confummati Uappinefs. Be your's and mine O limit not the blifs ! Let univerfal Nature join in this Virtue's pure joy ! In this let all combine; And all at once be happy and divine ! r# POEMS. f'5' To a h A V Y. I. Ayr ADAM, declare May I, or may I not, IVA Prefume to write to You, were fermons wrote ? Malice wou'd fcowl on the addrefs, if Hiewn : " Neighbors, behold the Tempter in a Gown /'* The Scrpent*s form, you know, the Tempter bore. When he beguil'd our Grandam, Eve, of yore : Yet don't fuppofe him, Ma'am, to fhape confin'd Of limb or coat , he tempts in any kind. In any drefs fo impudent \ 'tis known. He has not blufh'd at fcarlet or at lawn. But I to Villains leave infidious views : I will indulge my folly, to amufe. I've no pretenfions to the Cap of Wit. " Good reafon why !" You mean, it wou'd not fit. Well ! truly humble is my whole defign : I wifh to pleafe i but will not toil to lliine. II. Wits are a fpecies of the human Race, Too often aiming at its lafl difgrace ; Mere Zanies on the ftage of life, in fhort. Who rave, to make the dull Spc(5lators fport. Nay 9^ poems: Nay to the beft and wifeft is decreed A vain, a poor pre-eminence indeed ! ^^0 he hut higher hung to public view : " 'The admiration !" Aye ! the terror too ! Beheld as Spedlres, which, in lonely glades Gliding by moonfliine, trighten rural Maids: Their life the fame; inflead of pehal law. To keep the Weak and Wicked under awe. Pure Wit the Good and Senfible commend :' But Wit is feldoiti chofcn in a Friend : For Wit, tho' honor'd, is repuls'd by Pride, Which never likes a Friend, it cannot guide. The wutty may be virtuous, all admit : But all imao-ine dan:2;er in a Wir. So free republics, jealous tho' fecure. Abhor in patriot Kings the Tyrant's pow'r : So firmers dread, what never yet did ill. Almighty pow'r, which, as it favcs, can kill. III. Why Wits are dreaded Reafons may be {lore; Some in them.felvcs, and in their neighbors more. To thofe, who deem of honor and of fhame (As wits may do) by vulgar praife and blame. Error has charms aftonilliingly ilrong ; And what, but tkis^ tempts erring mortals wrong ? Juaiy P O E M S. ^j j"uftly *tls fear'd, that thofe will greatly err,' ' ' Whofe pow'r is great to Vices, men prefep;-"- ^^ But fince the pelt by them, it plagues, is nurft, (I claim your candor) tell me who is worft ?' Children thro* life, men gape at Noife and Show 5 Count Milchief brave; and Worth defpift*, if flow: ..Benevolence, Utility, look mean. When Pride and glorious Mlfchief take the Ibejtie' Hence Tyrants, Heroes,.. Orators and Wits, .1 Who copy Hell in all, that mortals fits : > <\nviv^ - Hence fchifms^ rebellions and contentions iierce From States to ftalis, throughput the univerfe/d Dreading contempt, all ftart up, to a man^ '1 To be the .mod contemptible^ they can : c-j nl Profefiing honor, all invert its rules : Affc6ling wifdom, all at once turn fools : -, n Madly infringe, that each hi$ claim may^proyCi The perfed bond and blifs of nature, Loveiy.Y God (whofe great end is iiniverfal peace And perfe6t good) commands that crimes may v^ cealej -, r: ,:; 1 Inculcates mercy, mercy moil fublime. And pardon full, where pardon is no crime; ( That is, where pardon prompts not ro oficnd y For elfe muft rigor rife, to guard the End ) But who to peace or mercy will incline, H Ev'n POEM s; Ev'n tho' commanded by the V6iGe diviiie^ "^ When only Mifchief on this Earth can fhine ? , '. ;:*:; . T- li ,'.: ''.sq t):!. .y ,t ;. : '* Have you no fprit^ fenfe^ nor generous hkod? ,,T,.** 'J^is moft ridiculous weaknefs to be. good." So preach the Vulgar, fn^all and great r-^uo merit Is like a choice malignity of fpirit. The maxim grows, that Love^ to befincere, Mujl twine her tender union faji with Fear, Hence firm allegiance Tyrants hope to prove From fear and admiration, nrrore than love; They know, fuch grandeur and applaufe belong. In common vogue, to daring deeds of wrong. But, generous Spirits I Aich u^enerous rules Leave to their Authors, Tyrants^ (laves and fools i Nothing can him to guilty wit entice, Whofe generous foul difdains that fneaking vice. Love of mean fairte, a fond defire to lliare Applaufe, which Virtue lothcs and cannot bear. The trump of God thro' Heav'n's extent Hull tell. Not who mod fhin'd, bnt meant and aded well. Noble Ambition fcorns a paltry prize : It foars at views, to which lov/ minds ne'er rife : It foars at joys and glories grand and true. Worthy of fouls immortal to purfue. But P O E M is. ^^ But grant a Perfon of ingenious mind Upright, and like a guardian Angel kind ; Who both refrains Wit's poignant Ihafts to ufe, And ftrivts his neighbor's foibles to excufe , What does he gain ? ^What oft fond parerils |)f|3ve Frortl worthlefs children, infolence for love. ' O baie rev^^ard ! If thus men will be b.afe, -: What can preferve them from their fate, difgrace? Many fe^iii with that diaughty mfearinefs hovsi^ '. Allow thetti confequcnrc, they pay yoii, fcorn. . Many, thj-D' lull to fhine, their frieiids, infcft 3 . And moft afiail the brigliteft. and the befttfi.-; - A A rancorous erivy in .the heart does fneak;; ,/ Chiefly, ai-rtong the Worthlefs and the W^akiipT Hence, Meii of wit muft oft employ the lanqCi" To teach fuch Fools their infishificance* ' *o' Thus Ma'am, yoil fee, of feafons there b^ ^ote. In Wits themfelves, and in their Neighbor^ inore. To 'make Wits dr&aded. I wou'd riot b^ fo By any, but a fool and villain Foe. ' -Xq ^.ioo p p E .:^I s. - - :''.>:nt>pnrlb'tic'lr.\ .. . ,. ;. is- :%iU7 Ej^:::'. 5^ . y2 .^ L >A D Y. .. .f! ,r,.l ... ..' T ]t T'HAT. trifling PafTions little Life annoy? . Anxieties: for blifs the thing deftroy. See Pkafure This, and Honour That piirfues ; This, boundlefs Riches, which he cannot ufe. Men, pronely bent ill appetites to pleafe. To raviAi Pleafu re often murder Eafe. The fon of Honor in this clafs is ften, A ruffian fpirit, afting, all that's meafl;: .: Withhis own fpecies evermore at (Irife, , He makes a baited. Badger, of his life, - .7,%:;; } The fool, that fcrapes to line bis dirty neft, Robs and is robb'd ; ftill Knave does Knave.infeft : How happy He, who luckily gets mofi; ! Alas ! his All is gotten to be loft 1 Alas ! alas ! can any good betide Such Compounds bafe of av'rice, luft and pride! Thoufands of ways all-gracious Heav*n applies. To caution Folly, and bold Guik chaftife : All Nature's pow'rs of mechanifin and will- Exert their force, repreffing ill with ill : One tatal moment totally defeats The fond importance of all vain conceits -, War, deluge, earthquake, a vuJcijio's rage Crufli in a glance the labors of an age : Ail P O E M S. joi All living join to puniOi or deflroy 'O-^tL..^. The life that brings them peftilent annoy'r "" ' Yet long experience fcarce makes Any find "' ^ The real intcreftof himfc'lf and kind,'- ''''^^ ^^ Charity pure, which beft cou'd aid and heal "^''^ The various wants and v/oe's, we mortals feel ; And which, when tranfient objects are no more, Woii'd make us triumph on the heav'nly fhore. We ftrive for ev*ry thing, but what we ought-, Forever fure to mifs the fubflance fought, Thztfweet Complacency, without allay. The gift of God to them, who God obey ; Sure ftill to mifs th' ineftimable prize, Which in the bofom of Jehovah lies, His beatific Love, exhauftlefs Caufe, Whence Grace on Earth, in Heav'n whence Glory flows : Pious Obedience only can fecure That perfe5l Mifs, eternal to endure. We take fhort viev/s, erroneous counfels frame, Sollicit ruin, glory in ourfhame-, *Tili we, like flow'rs, the beauteous tribes of May, From hurt or age obnoxious to decay. Which rifling hand, or carelefs foot may fpoil. Fade, fall and mingle with our parent foil. Thtn, from the ruin in amazement fiov/n. The trembling Soul Ihoots into depths unknown. Some Some blifsful Paradifc orgulpk qf^sfoffj;;./.;? ;; The manjT^on of the Dead, where fpirits go To wart the grand revival, and the call To final Judgment ; when MeJJiab fnall Av/qrd fhe righteD^s aniaranthine wjeatfis, Wl^re pkafur^s ever ll^w, and joy i.forcvcr bre^tficsi -,-;;: 1 Jpfiiift e.n finners chains' and penal fire. Where Fiends tormented to torment confpire : Trial all pafl, mild Xjr^^e no more finds room i Stern Tuftice Itals the eveflafting doom. ' ' ' .,:./ . Madam, forgive this moralizing vein^ The folenin theme, the eafy humble fbrain. I write wh^te'er einerges into thought; Perhaps yoy'd rather, inothing had- Been wrote. Since youi- amufen^ient fondly I intend - Be pleas'd to pardon, if you can't commend. The precious oi-es pf ^11 Pctc/t's T\\h What cafiia breathes, odorous myrrh difliles The fruitage flavor'd by the torrid breeze. The painted potvvcrk of the vain C^inife^-.'^ . The fineft thread of Indian filkworm^s toii, ' The flax o{ Nubia hy the fource oi Nift^ -^ ' And all with fliill inimitably wrouo-ht, ' That Envy could not grin at finding fault : in fnprr, to fave the trouble of detail, Shdulg'd you Thh ! Jn O B E. To the MV S E S. LIGHTLY touch the quiv'ring firings, Airy as the Linnet fings, Mellow as the pleafing tale, |n filent eve, of Nightingale. Q wh^, O who, p ye Mufcs ! fo gentle, and gay, '". , As biythe as the morning, as blooming as May, Enliv'ning as fun-iliine, refrefhing as- dew , O who, O ye Mufcs! delights us lik,e you ^ You the fpark of Lpve infpire, ' " Breathing up the genial fire : You point all his golden darts ; And wing them fharp to tender hearts. By the flream of a fountain diHii'd from the , rocks, . The margin aU thymy, delight of the flocks. Ye Mufes with Sylvans indulgently play : Go Ihcw me a Monarch fo happy as they. Study, when fhe long explores, ^ Deep defcends or lofty foars, . Sues ye, as ^hc thirfly Have Defires the cpoiing chryllal vyave. Among molTy cloyfers^wliere Learning and Eafe Combine to bcfiow all their fwects and degrees Each Youth importunes you, adoring your ihrinc. To carol the orgies of Beauty and Wine. Courts, in whofc iiiufive blaze, Pleafure's ev'ry phantom plays, Your kind folace eft intreat. Of Fancy's pan^^s the healing fwcet. Jf Envy is wounded by fmile or by bow, Tl;c Courtier in coach or in chair flics to you ; Unkind I? O E M S. 165 Unkind is bright Beauty.-unrjiird awful Pow'r, Ye mild, ye- bright Mufes! your comfort*s ftill On FALSE FRIENDSHIP, yii the Requejl of a Friend. T^AGLES, flopping from above^c-i ^^ Warn, to flight the trembling Dove. Lioos roaring after prey, Chafe thel v/eaker healls away. Lo, the honefl brutes defpife Perfidy and mean difguiie. Open lies the Spider's fnare. Broke with eafe, or fhun'd with care. None allures with friendly fmiles y None with feigned love beguiles : None of brutal race we find E'er to ruin v/ooe their kind. Like old Satan to deceive, Man, is thy prerogative I Gentle fpeech, engaging mien, Hiding enmity within. Bring the very ^ Fiend to fight, Garnifh'd like a fon of light* ,.i..:j3iv" Ah, log, P Q 1 M 4 , ' %1i, MisFortufietlevericnows'-^ ^ ^ Where to flee, or where repofe^b: '-^^^ Dangers ev'ry-vvhere furround :' ''"'' Eager thoufands watch to wound. ^ - few have virtue to be friends i All purfuing fordid ends. ."H i i J. - [ /: M I >i ; : ;'/" SoiTie, with childifh pride elate, . Friends, but only friends for ftatc , Fond to have dependence fhewn ; Like a Monkey on a throne ; By feign'd kindnefs bring you low -, By feign'd kindnefs keep you fo. Some your fervices to (hare, Wondrous kindly fpcak you fair. When the Dupe tneir load has borne. Meanly then they fncer him fcorn : Oft repay him with a boaft, They, forfooth, obliged Knxy moft. Some infidioufly purfue Friendfhip, with the bafefl view: Prompt the open heart to fay What mifconftru'd they betray ' : ' ^ Method certain to obtain '' g-''^^^ GofTip favor, gofilpgain. Fools P P E M S. |o;i Fools, irppel'd by c^ndiflj "wJiij^^^/; Mutable as vapor feem ; r , > Mofl with Int'refl change their Friends, Steady but to Hlfilla ends': Nothing>.r:b.ut a chain of gold. Their abandon'd hearts can hold. When we rife, our Luck the while All congratulate and fmile ; Ever pleas'd, while gratify'd Their expectance or their pride. When we fall, the paltry crew Soon forfake, nor bid adieu. : Soon, if Need follicit aid, Ev'iy fneaking foul is fled : Each from confcious guilt will grow Vileft traitor, fierce^ foe , Foul detradlor will commence ; Feio-nino; lyes in felf-defence ; ' w\ Crin-ie with crime he will defend : W^orks of malice know no end : Malice in mean Souls will live ; They who injure .ne*er forgive. Difficulties ever try ' Where we fafely may rely ; Point out merits, which we may Think upon fome happy day ; ' Point mn P' ' O E' M'^S. Point out mearicfs, which in time. May with bluflies own its crime. Where's the noble foul, that dares Succor wants and foften cares ? Whom Misfortune well may truft To reftorc her from the dud ? Who to aid Misfortune fprings Gladly on Conipaflion'i wings. Guardian Angels ! if ye find Such a great and god- like Mind, Let him fhine to me confefl. Theme of Song and welcome gueft ! Ironical Advice io a FRIEND. "KTO wonder Vice conciliates repute ! * ^ Each Brute alTociates with his brother Brute, Who, finely bred, accomplifh'd well in Vice, Would be without it for a Kingdom's pric^ ? It is the myftery, that makes us free. Like Mafons, of the world's Society. Your Friends will dub yoy gratis, if you pleafe ; Teach you with care, and load you with degrees j Rejoicing o'er you with fi^ncere delight. That Hell, thro' them, has gain'd, one profelyte ; The.boft of Angels not rejoicing more, When cowardly finners fiirink, repent, adore. yirtuq POEMS. (iio^ Virtue unenvy'd thro' this world may pafs.5- ^^ Or furnifh wonder, like our Sovereign's Afs : * But" Ourrs !" cries Brava-i^";I abhor tafefi-^ *' That godly fa tire on the world 2>nd tne \ ' " v^' " It checks oarfreedoiTi, diilhes s^l our,mirih;v^' " A,nd tells fu.ch dreams of Hcav'i-:,as ladden Earth. " Bray ! let it bray in pulpits ! Priefts are paid ; " And talking holy nonfenfe is their trade : *' But 'tis quite iTiocking to.be'feen abroad' ' ' ' " In public, life ! 1 hate it like a Toad !'* "^ ^ 'Virtue no foul of Fafliion caH'^ndufe'i ^'' ^ He that is poor, with Virtue may be poor. Would you be rich ; rife up A man of moder ^o man of fpirit ferves or values God :^ Re%ion quit T Religion. evei-fhun!' ^'^^'^'v/ t>r!T Religion's Dupes arc^ ruined and' iindon^l^^'^ -'-^! *' Such are for all fociety Uft3:Ti^ri'i,^*lr, .iUiow snT 'Mong men of bufinefs or 'mbng men of wif.t^dT Go learn the world ! 1 do not mean, to gaze, Refledl and moralize ; but learn its ways ; Learn and purfue with unrelenting zeal ; And have fuch fenfe as others have to feel : Do not to men as you would have them dc'- ' "" But do to them as you are done unto. If * The Queen's Zebra, which at this time drew numbers to fee it. itob P (5 M ^> ' If foiiie choice Spirit robs you m liieftM^r^-^' Make you reprifals on the tiexE you ihttt. ^ '^^ Right canine fiertenefs labor to attain i When any fcoiindrel bites' you, bitfe ag^in : - " Be not outdone -, but to the laft eonteft . Great Mifchicf 's glory with the boideil crsft. Mark this, my Friend ! - , >, The World has many ways; ,_,.p sjijjp zlf r'fi ''^ For hopeful Youngftsrs to afpire to.prahfe : , ; -* Wealth, honor, pleafure, all, inviting, fhine : Confult thy genius : Which thou lik'ft be thiiie. Thi^. Globe^,,n}y,,fri9nd, la^ii^upj^^jfdiVzorids contains^;^^.>. -.,. ...-,..,,:> :':'^\'\l ; ; ; 'I The worlds of ple^liipes, and the worlds of gaina i The worlds of honQri^^nd the worlds ofdrefsi ' The worlds of gaming and of idlenels. The Wife enjoy their own^ its fartheft hem : While all befide are Antipodes to them. Who, as they ween, like Gifents in the moo'n. Or flies on cielings^ walk heels up, heads dov^^n. Know thy own world : And, left you att amifs, Be fure to know no future (late to This. Adapt your knowledge to your prefent fphere ; For Y/hat is wifdom there is folly here. If s trueO I POEM 0S.^( 'III If you require a comment on fliy ftrairj^ / .1 O The Satirifts will ex''ry world explain. 3x?. iliT* They fpend their breath to rail at Vice/tis true ;' But only teach choice Spirits what to do And from a jakes drag Vice to public view. Many had never known, had they not told. The honorable crimes, at which they fcold. Men foon embrace what they deride or blame : Some court fueli- Urtts, as e'afi^ft ways t(ji /ame. Sublime hiltorians ! They Widi pomp relate The feats of Vice, her pleafure'fe and her flate, Firing ambitious youth to emulate 1 Each Youth afpires, with all his pow'rs unfurPd, Like Alexander to lubdue a-Wrid*. l;::. How much it gtkves H^6,geritk Friend ! to find Remorfe and dread of HMv*h uiinei'vejyciir mind ! So pufillanimous 1 You ne'er muft hope To kill your man, Or bravely ftretch a rope. Virgins fhall wed uninjiir'd. Gaming fail. Watchmen walk fafe,and Wine in calks grow {lale> Luxury ceafe, the Poor iit cOitlfort breathe, Faftion expire, and Worth enjoy a wreath, Vile Honefty fhall profpcr-^And the Sun, Before the Conflagration, fee the world undone ! Nay Heav'n ihall triumph, while the faints rebel ; And grace and peniten<>e unpeople Hell I - Q O tell it not in; Gath 1 Sin boldly like the bravc^ *Till Satan take your Ibulj your rotten bones the f. Grave I*. Lu.J: oi li -.ridiiadiiLnju': v'.i'i I ^biol lor" van:! brd ,"^" - '"^n bsfi vr.j.*-.'; .bloDi (Ai/L^^v^ -O N G^n-ionon 'xlT r J - . ' , I . .rn:fnPHE Mufe ne'er dilTemblejirio', ,;.!:-- r -i^iii^crMy ^le.pI>erders'kHO'WS:'5;fi arr;.*' i . -| /,. My Chloe refembles ' , ~, --a r. ;' (. ThefwcetLblowingro^. -..oi-ijr- .b'i 1:.^.:^ Hi"v7'jq c.,): i. . -. .*;: /iiuoi .... :i She fiHsrwith good-humoiJr.t^v.b^v^ ^v y The light and the air : hno; (v; ' Each Seafcn is Suprimer,^ z'l iloimi well ! Jnim -i:if Chbe JDe thercj { v> 1,?^^?^ b.Tt ^hoi: ^U lyv ;. ',jm i!)'i;a .jd'i ! ^ijcminiiliflrjv; f^-^ .e-TOfThe gay and the tender ...,^ jj;^? . Tihy ypung bofoiTi move, , ^{,^^r. . ;. , , With sentle furrender. To yield unto Love : _ . w_.-^y; ; , 'Tis well, O my Charmer ! Thy Shepherd is true ; . .'^, .^,;v No rudenefs (ball harm her, Nor fallhood undo, *Tis POEMS 113 *Tis time for the pleafure ' ^'^^ * Which Love can beftow : Our moments of leifure. How fwiftly they go ! - Jiow late, you remember, The country look'd gay ; But now comes December ^ All joy is away. Our cot fhall be Ihakcn, Our garlands fhall fade j The Mufe be forfaken. The fpring and the Ihade j All pleafure (hall languilh i Our love laft alone ; 'Till ficknefs and ansiuifh ^ Alas ! We are ?Qne 1 To M A I A. September lotk, 1767. O Beauteous Maia ! jf thy mind A due proportion bear. In worth and pleafing arts refia'd. No Maiden is more fair. I An4 % ^ O E u 4' And who furveys the glittering ftafis^ With heav'nly fplendor Ihine^ But owns the Ruler of the fpheres , ^ In wifdom prov*d divine ? So in thy charming look, ferene, Exprefllon fweetly tells What mild Divinity within Thy fair External dwells. But hold ! No adulation flain The innocent and pure : *Tis That, which Beauty from the vaia Mull, Martyr-like, endure : What nonfenfe muft afitont her ear ? What impudence her eye ? Her fate demands our pity here : Her triumphs move a figh. When Folly pleafingly excels In artifice of tongue, Experienc'd Virtue fcarce repels The kind infidious wrong. May ftill Difcretion fafely fleer ; May flill your fortunes glide. From From hidden rocks and quickfands clear^ O'er Life's uncertain tide. May Heav'n avert tempefluous dorms And from annoyance fpare. Long, long, the workmanlhip, it forms WithTuch exceeding care. That ev'ry bleuing may remain, As ought en earth, unmov'd, For worth prefer fome happy Swainj Your chofen, your belov'd. ; XVI For worth with each advantage mptei "Which, added, you can gain : Let worth be chief J without it, ftore ^nd. titles were jjut vfin^ . . t?n '',.. -Mr . : ": ''n :.ijci Me^n^while^ your jpard^n foftly foiile ./t On this intrufive fcrawl ; The firit perhaps in fuch a ftyle, ^he laft, th^^ e'er may fall. This offering. Madam, to your pfaife ^cans only to divert ; Such tribute as a Poet pays ' . . t To Beauty and Defert.' * , , - J^jiS POEMS, ro the S A U E. ^he preceding^ happening to he fent focn after a little unlucky Incident^ which the Author then knew nothing of, it was fuppcfed to infinuate fomething of Reproof, for which there was indeed no occa- jion J ThefoUqwing was therefore intended as an explanattQTt, TV T ADAM, if happlnefs were mine to give, *-^-*' You not one moment fhould iineafy live : Rifing at will, and flowing to your hand, Eternal plcafiires were at your command ; With perfefl health and virtue to enjoy ; (For without virtue pleafures but deftroy.) But all my efforts little can avail : Things have their colirfe j and mortals muft he frail. O wife Omnipotent ! 'tis juftly thine To deal our portions 'tis a talk divine, Suits Thee alone, of whom is underftood What's moft expedient for our final good^ I can no more, than wifh, advile and aid AYith feeble pow'r, my amiable Maid. Qrry POEMS. 117; Sorry I am, my freedom, kindly meant. Should work fo contrary to my intent. I now repeat Jt, ai your friend* s requefi. To banifii doubt, and eafe your fluttering breaft. My Billet was, whatever it might feem. The pure effeft of kindnefs and eileem. So great a compliment I never pay, Unlefs fome flriking objed: pafs my way. Few Ladies, Madam, can, or e'er Ihall boaft Such high encomiums, furnilh'd at my coft : (I prize my compliments I) of thofe, that do, Yourfelf, the laft, fland fairefl in my view. I faw, your fallen countenance betray'd Imbofom'd harm, which inftantly convcy'd A like effecSt to very confcious me : For v/hb refifts the force of fympathy ^ Ah heart, that could an armed hoft def}% Will faint and tremble at a Lady's eye. But once got wrong, we reel in error flili ; And blunt apologies increafe the ill : Excufmg and corredling faults before Will make one fault beget an hundred more : Perhaps, I'm only adding to my crimes. Forgivenefs, Ma'm ! to me and to my rhimes ! Forgivencfs ttf ^ O t hi %. . ^ , ' -I Forgiven^fs grant ! the time may come at laft^ When we fhall meet, and laugh at fancies pad. When next we meet, referve and form be far j W^ith ev'ry imp of jealoufly and war : Be our companions fuch as we may praife ; And in whofc converfe we could fpend our days j With fenfe combining elegance and eafe j Ready alike to be pleas'd and to pleafc : Above weak arrogance and little guile ; Sincere and chearful as a Cherub's fmile ; Content and conftant > knowing both t'employ Life's fair advantages, and to enjoy ; And, in a word, (where much is underftood) Exploring happincfs by being gocd. Such, might I choofe, my company Hiould be : And would not fuch pleafe you, as well as me ? Pleafures in fuch Saciery o'erliow ! Pleafures, which the virtuous only know ! This world feemis Eden, opening on the fight Of joyous youth its treafures of delight j Looks all inchanting in life's early fpring j Bright Beauty glows j foft Love and Pleasure fmg; Yotith no fenfation entertains^ but joy : PIov/ bland the bofom ! and how brilk the eye ! But age advancing, injury invades, Ir guilt corrupts not : blooming Eden fades : Grief iP O E M S. ^ ti^ Grief dims the eye with many a briny tear j Corrodes the bofom unrelenting Care : Life's changing day with penfive gloom deform The roaring tempeft and the pouring ftorm : Fierce heats and frofts efface the fined frame: Know, thine, Maia ! mult endure the fame. Such thoughts alone infpir'd me, when I drew My too bold pen, to write at firft to you. Charm'd with your Beauty, anxious to reveal What, I believe, no duty bids conceal, I would write fomething j and, among the reft, Infmuate advice : but all in jeft ! In jeft or earneft, Ma*ni, ne'er comes in vain What your reflexions may convert to gain. You,prim.e in youth, confpicuous by your charms," Require the guard of Caution's ftrongeft arms. To ?ive protecflion againft Fortune's frown. Our fex's vice, the envy of your own ; But chiefly, him, who cruelly beguiles, (Concealing ruin under gentle fmiles. Now once again 1 ardently implore Your pardon greatly, but your Friendfhip more i Then bid farewel. All happinefs enfue ! I humbly kifs your hands. Dear Mifs, adieu ! A ;^ P O E M Sa A S G N G. , He. 1\ yr Y charming Amanda^ farewel to the fnow ! '^^'*- The yellow-hair'd -willow and primrofes blow. Each morning more gay than the former. Now, copioufly breathing in flofculous air. We'll wander and wanton delightfully, where Clear fwift-runhing ftf earns gently murmur. She. See, "Damon^ the birds in the frelh-budding fpray, With frolic and melody joyfully gay, Tranfportedly uttering pleafure. Lo, yonder the folemnly-fweet-cooing dove : The fwallow too merrily twittering love : Love ravifhes all beyond meafure. He. More fond than the dove, than the fwallow more gay, Tlr/ Damon the raptures of love fnall obey. Cur fiocks are all wandering whither l"he craggy-brow'd precpice wildly adorn Tile POEMS* ti. Tlie rufiet heath tnfrcd and white ifiow'ring thorn : Come, dearefl Amanda, hafle thither. She. The craggy- brow'd precipice, Damon, I fear: The fcene is romantic, but danger is near : In lonely excurfion, To clever. Some prickle may tear me, or viper afleep Uncoil from a tuft, or 1 fall down the fteep : Alas 1 I were ruin*d forever ! He No danger, Amanda, when t)amon is nigh* - An holy-like influence beams from your eye. Whence generous virtue is given. With life wou'd I guard you in every fcene* Betray ! who can perpetrate folly fo mean ? Not I, dear Amanda, by heaven ! Sfie With honor attended in Damon's gay form, I'd wander a defarr, unfearful of ilonn j And think myfelf hallow'd from thunder. He In love let us join, and thro' life let us go. Thro' flilnefs or temped, thro' funfliine or fnow: No fortune fnall part us afunder. 0i P 6 E M S/^ To LOTHARIO. Tjl O W fares Lolharic?\Whim will haVe its' They oft talk moft, who have the leafl to fay : The ligh'tlieft-baded is the Avifteft beafl : i fcribbls faftefi, when I think the leaft. \Vhy, fo do all, I ween, And flippant ftyle Charms inoft tlie Many j makes ev'n Critics fmilc, Moft people judge alike of men and beer : *' No froth, my boys ! No froth 1 No fpirit here!" If windy froth dellcioiidy o*erflows. Each wife face^ captivated, drops its jaws. " But what. You cry, means all this vulgar ftuff? Net angry hope! What all folks mean a puff, No company, or good or bad, hard by. Nor any living Creature, but a Fly ! To read or walk what mortal can endure ! O idlenefs ! how fpend this wretched hour? I'll v/rite to thee, my pleating Friend Amen ! U'hcre goes the firft wild flourifii of my pen. li like Enthufiafts, who their little ftore . Impart to ocliers, while themfelves need more, Or IP O E U]\ i^ Or rather, like vain Prodigals, profufe Of wealth, ill-given fuch ideots to its ufe, I lavilh counfel well! Suppofe I do. The folly's mine, th^ pfbfit*s all to yoi|. My friend, 1 hear (it founds in ev'ry breeze) Youi: heart is much too tender for yoiir eafe. Indeed no wonder, that the amorotiS Fly Stings it amain when morn-like Flora's by : Its gentle texture, if a Nymph inflils One genial charrn, in ev'ry fibre thrills : There fenfe and beauty cannot fail to pleafe'j And everr make the pleafure a difeate. Where'er gay Love litlfui'ls his purple wings^ Each fimple Swairt his mtlting folly fings ; Rude Hinds groW tame^ the lenlertt PbWr adore. Nor talk obfcene, nor jibe and roifter more : If vulgar minds fuch warm fcnfations know. Thine, O Lolhcirio ! may be thought to glow 1 But, O Lothario ! Jf thou dreadefl care. Toil, want of aiiguilb, guard thy bofom there. Tho' beauteous Flora claims thy paflion well. And love abounds, yet prudence fhou'd excel. Reafons, which juftify thy flame, dilTwade : Shall love deftroy thy all-accomplifh'd Maid ? Can, without Fortune's bounty. Thou and She From all your worth extrad felicity ? No! i2'4. POEMS. No ! Mutual Love, which bleft is blifs fuprcme, Wou'd rve]l diflrefs, and make each pang extremcj The value high, the fentiment refin'd Excite a grief, too mighty for the mind. Ah, leave to bloom, as you regard her good. That fweeteft Rofe, that ever blulh'd in bud: X^ave her to bloom Ibme wealthier lover's bride : Be thine the Lily fair amid the filver tide. Yet, if thine heart, reUnflant to fubmit. Abhors the thought, purine expedients fit. Expedients to f-xure the lovely prize In full fruition of connubial joys. My friend! hut hew? Can either pray'r or force Incline the Stars to liften from their courfe? Defert is known, and finds reward as foon From thofe above, as thofe below the moon. *' Ufemecinsl Ufe means l'^ is the faftidious rule Of ev'ry lucky, felf prefuming Fool : And means avail: But who fnall chalk the plan? "Tis chance exaUs^ occqfton proves the man. Chance gives occafion : but, occafion given. The ufe What's more precarious under heaven? That ufe, which renders one Atrempter great. Will oft another totally defeat. What nice contingencies, which none forefee! How little, Man, thy welfare lies in thee ! Beyond POEMS. 125 Beyond' all fophiftry, our" pow'r to fall Is very great j to rife, is very fmall. In men's affairs,' aiUjufl: obfervers know. There's what no art can ftem, an Ebb and Flow. As curious Newton found his glafs, by fits. The fun-beam now refleds and now tranfiiiits ; So fomething fecret now repels our force ; Now fpeeds, beyond our hope, a gliding courfe. In fhort, purfuing learning, fortune, fame. Great parts and application mifs their aim. Without that due contingency of things, Whofe kind concurrence eafy triumph brings. To mark that moment, if it comes, to guide Before the gale, and voyage with the tide. Includes the art pf fleering to that coall. Thro' life's main ocean, which we covet moil:. Suppofe you compafs (and, by all divine ! I wifh whate'er is valuable thine!) An affluent fortune and your lovely fair. And all that's worthy of a wife man's care ; Enjoyment lies not lolely at your will j There's Chance and Providejice^ remember, ilill. Oft as a gurge, in hollow mountains pent. Opens, by fleam explofive, fudden vent ; Impetuous, furious, roars it down the fteep, ^nd pours in dreadful joyrpey tpw'rd the deep ^ Bears ^4 P 6 E M |i, j^ears vills 9ncJ farms, with all th^Ir flores of grain, ':.....- / And all the flocks and herds upon the plain ; 3weep5 to deftrinStion all, its torrents find ; And leaves broad defplation fpread behind : So fomething fudden, and beyond our powV^ JJlafts all our joys. Then, nfsver be fecure! ^ Think how the carelefs at the deluge far'd, And, like gaod Naab, get an Ark prepared, *Tis pure Religion, which from woe can faye^ pifarm Death's fting, and triumph o'er the Grave, The Praise cf ROME. From the Greek of Erynna Lesbia, T T AIL! Martial Rome I the golden- crowp 'd I "* -* High-top'd Olympus Thou haft found, Which never Ihall decay ; To thee alone did Fate ordain The glory of a iledfaft reign. And univerfal fway. Thy mighty bonds bind Earth and Sea; Remoteft nations bow to thee ; And P O E MS, .|j47 And Time, o'erturning ^11, Still changing; fcenes, and adors new For ever leading into viewj Not Time effeds thy fall. Of all, the folar beams adorn. Thy fons alone are Warriors born, For condud and for toil j In number like the blades, that grpw Where Ceres does her bounty fow Upon a fertile foih The V I S I O y:. A N humble Mufe, unknown to botiftful *^^ Fame, No trump requiring to refound her praife, . Regarding not the glories of a Name, If bleft with eafe to tune her fimple lays, Wrapt in foft (lumbers, late, in Vifion faw Events of years, as Vifion may befeem -, Events which did the World's attention draw, Not undeferving of a Mufe's dream. Lonely reclin'd beneath a broad-fpread Oak, Which old in ages immemorial fprung. She faw, and at; the fcene fad filence broke : yhus flarted plaintive accents from her tongue. " O 128 POEMS. " O this impious unbleft age ! " War, infernal Fury, prowls -, " Slaughters with enormous rage -, " And, pleas'd with bcundkfs carnacye, howls, " O were faculties e'er given " In cruel deeds to be employed ? '' Thus to deftroy and be deftroy'd ? " Impoffibie ! all-facred Heaven ! *' The Peafant delves with honell toil ; " Upturns the furface of his field, " In pleafing hope, the furrow'd foil " Will homely ncceflaries yield j *' In hope with labor hard and care " To feed and clothe his babes and fpoufe j " And reft content and debonair, . " At placid Eve, in ftrav/-built houfe, *' Invain his hope ! invain his toil ! '^ The only fruit dcfpair and fpoil ! ' He fees wild Ravage wafte the field, " Which late in irkfome fwcat he till'd. " By trooping fteeds his harveft fpurn'd j *' By cruel hands his cottage burn'4 * " Before his rueful ftreaming eyes ^' His Infants perifh, his Hfpoufcd dies ! POEMS, 'ii^ " But if the Peafant's fate irhfSifts *^ Na touch to Men's obdurate heartfi^i' ** IF,- thro' imagination Vairi, '"*^'^^ " iThey flight chePoo^ and mock his pain ; " And but to pompous parHperM (JKiefs *' Vouchfafe their fympathetic griefs-,' " Behold the Great and their abodes ; *' And weep, proud Worms, your mortal " Gods ! *' The once gay Palace, the once crowded Town '* Stand lonely ruins, monuments of woe i "\_ *' StG.vn IVar^ dire ilTue of Jiekcvdh's frown," *' O'erwhelming, lays them in deftruflion low.' " The princely Chief, who lately blaz*d *' High in awful grandeur rais'd, " By multitudes ador'd, *' Deferted dies, biting the clayey fward, *' The peerlefs She,whofe form was drefs'd " In all the brilliance of the Eaft, n " Whofe fole difdain'jd the ground to tread, *' Roams wild thro' wafles, wifhing a fqualid Ihcdd. See i^o P . O Ms. '' See where Germamia, with cxcefs of grief " Diftraded, mourns her defart lands : ** Difrob'd and mute, defpairing of relief, . * A weeping ftatue like, fhe ftands t .,j " Her pride of Art, her Nature's ftore, ** Her food and raiment are no more ' ** Her forefts fall ; her plains are fpread, ^_ . , ' Lo, here with camps! lo, there with dead !'" Thus mourn'd the Mufe, Alarm'd, Britannia rofe i Aided Germania, and reprefs'd her foes. Whereat the Mufe rctun'"d her grateful lays. Enraptured, to Britannia's praife. " Glory to great Britannia, who beflows **^ On friends protection, clemency on foes [ " Bounteous and merciful, like Heaven ! ** ^Jk and receive ! Repent and he forgiven I " Glorious fhe role, in pow'r fupreme,, " Fair Paragon of royal fVatcr : ' Meek but awful fhone the beam * Of her bright eyes, whofe look is fate. P 6 EM S. til , ** jCtf forth, my free-'born Sons ! fhe raid ** Invincibk in arms ! *' Forthwith her enfigns broad difplay'd : " Day Was aftonifh*d at the (hade ! ** Her gallant warriors rufh*d amain : " Dreadfully quak'd the founding plain 1- *' Air was confounded with alarms 1 " Her mighty Navies wing'd the deep^ " And pour'd their thunders as they flew, " Falfe GalLia foon was forc'd to weep, " Her fons nomoFCj her iflands few. " Both Indies heard, rjid trembling fav7 *' The terrors of Britannia's wrath* ' Barbarians bow'd^ and own'd her law " Moft juft, tho* terrible as Death. * Iflands and Provinces fubdu*d " She conquered only for their good ! ** This truth their chearful mien reveals : *' Britannia's gentle fway they blefs j " And curfe falfe Gallia, while (he feels " What {he devis'd for them, Diftrefs. " Here, curft Ambition, view thy fate I " O'erthrown, unhelp'd unpity'd lie ! " Nor Man, nor God regrets thy ftatc : ** Ev'n MerQy fmiles to fee thee die." But But whilft the Mufe thus pour'd along The tranfports of triumphant fong; Down from a fable cloud, that fhed Some chilly drops, a Form did glide, ^ Pallid and fad ; it rueful cry'd, f>i i ' Britannia! George is dead ff '-^-a Heart-ftruck and dumb, the pierc'd ]\Sife ftood* .^Till from her eyes outftream'd a gufhing flood, Which eas'd her panging pain. Soon as the pow'r of voice Ihe found. She ihriek'd : the Hills affrighted round Shrunk and fhriek*d again. v./: -..I'v..:;. . ... a ..-- -'-.'^ -.^ Soon as' regained theuTe of tongue^' ' She thus in mourflftil accents fun^ " Immortal be thy glorious fame, " O Geouge! as now immenfe ! Thy nante " Remoteil Nations heard with awe, " Submiffive to Britannia's law : " Thy Name let Times remotefl hear *' With wonder V and with praife revere ! " Story, with thee adorn'd, muft (hine : *' Infpired B^rds with emulous defign " Shall paint thy character, great Sire, !* In living colors of ideal fire ! Each POEMS. 133 ^* Each Mufe^ for love of human race, wlllfliew *' What virtues grac'd thy royal brow ; *' How mad Ambition did thy juftice prove, " The Poor thy providence, the Good thy" lov?, ?' And All thy mercy. Britain, This proclaiip ! *' fT^/j, all ^t Continents^ who fear'd his,Nana&i " T.his all ye JJleSy imbofom'd in phe depp,, , f' Who Ihar*d his. ftrong proteflion ! Praife ^nd " weep ! ^ . *' ^T\% yours to weep ! Attune your harps to flow ^* Sad fongsj and loadcacH founding note with woe! ' " Wnofe Word, fate-bearing, like the Voice of - ^^'- God, ^^--ii^-'-^-^'^-roI.'I'^nT ' . *' Shall now fend fVar invincible 'abroad, ^* To'ftem th' embattled Vallies, fliake the favage Hills, ' And thunder Tyrants from their bloody wheels ? " George is no more ! " Britannia weeps upon her naked Ihore ! ** Ye noble Council, Heroes brave, " How will ye mourn around the royal Grave ' '* Ye Fair, erewhile like blifsful Ikies * " DifFufing joy, what aking fighs *' Shall heave your tender bofoms ! O what .^* gloom ** Of tearful forrow darken Beauty*s bloom ! Anxious 4^ P O E MS. " Anxious Commerce fhall the Changp fprego | " Penurious trade fhall mix the general woe :, * As in black ftate the folemn hearfe appears^ " 3:>(7, fhall. ftaii4 flill %Q fjied fomp lilial ip^irs. " Lament your great |*rote' And joy, new joy, has banifh'd all my grief!" . . } ' ' While charming admiration fiez'd ^^ " The Mufe, and danc*d her bofom pleas'^^ The Yatcht flew o*er to fetch the Bride, To grace the youthful Monarch's fide. Soon as this Theme of joy appeared, -i '" - The Mufe esf ulting thus was heard. -.. ^' Britilh Mufes ! rife prepare *^ l-fofty ftrain and dulcet air ! " Our youthful M&narch*% deftin'd Bride,' Led by Love, aflays the tide ^ " Hafte to hail the Royal Fair ! I i/ ' " Hafte,' and bring your noble fongs, " Fit to honor Britilh tongues ! *' Sacred fongs of bold defign ; *' Songs, that utter flame divine ; " Generous, and becoming Thee, *^ Gmus born of Liberty, Mujc, i^i J O E M IS. . ;-,^*~ Ma/ic:, ^\\ thy po>V'rs empbjS :::'d ftO ' ^^V Breathing' pipe. an4;warblinig lyTVi:oi ^A '' " TPuaMtq'ajQC^ntSjIthat inrpiiri;:w2LIcf-'^I *' ^ Genial lovT..aod f?:ftive joy^i a'-^xhc'i -Jii T " 'M i*^ ,^''^'^i:ainl[ Whofe hearts rejoice to rneetthe foe, - -< 'f zO Whofe hands ftrike home th canquering bJow,. O And make a Iport Qf wars.: ni j^inn:::?' :i^ rb^ n:;i/o Humbled in heart, Britannia's fo^ Conciliating terms propofe, -dj.'-.Y^*;' fr-n?:? ?.A. Then She^ dread Emprefs of the main, ,. ^^,:^\ o? With Victory combined, . -v1 ^^\ Bound on the jaws of /^<2r a chain, ' j Still pleas'd to fpare manl^nd. i ; P vof Tjfl And to her wife and generous Breaft, : > '^'^H Which Firiue*s ardent flame infpires, ^.'>iib lO Embraces glad the heavenly Giieft. What joy foft-hearted. Virgins' proveyrns^ I'^.'-T Infpir'd with Mujic a.nd y/kh Lovs j^. ;h i\xii\j 'T Or Babes in the indulgent fmile > ' ?"!':r*n:! ji.trlW Of Her, who rears them with a teai(fertoiJi| t> odVI Such feels Britannia in fair Peace^s arn^s, U-ai La A Returning after IVar^s alarms. As genial dews the air diftil% , lo',) So Peace with giad'ning vigor fills. Bn'Jih ^Z [i-jdT Peace, fv/eet as groves when bloflbms rife, ' r'f Calm as a fountain, mild as fumnier Ikies, ;jd Her bleffings round as dews diftils. And ALL with glad'iiing vigor fills ! So vernal funs the winter's clouds remove -^ And all is light fecundity and love. The feflive board was richly crown'd 5 Huzzas and bumpers circled round. To Liberty was crown'd the Oak : The Cannons foar'd-*-The Mufe awoke. DAVID'S . P :0 E MS ^^ D A V i )'s Lamentation for SAUL and JONATHAN. ; 'T^ H Y Glory, Ifiael, is Hain ! "*- How are the Mighty fallen ! dead on thv rocky plain 1^'' "' O tell It not in Gath ! nor known Let it be made in AJkdon ! ' * * ^ - Virgin Philiftines will joy \ Virgin Heathens triumph high ! Mountains of Gilboa ! no dew, . Diftilling mild, defcend on You I* ''"^ '^.'cll Nor fhow'r nor offering blefs your foil ! There, there y our great diihonor lay ! '''^"'^l O The Ihield was vilely call away ! There fell the armor of the brave ! The Ihield of Saul^ as of a flave. Anointed He with holy Oil ! ' '^ "^ ^'^ From the mighty Chiefs, that bfec/, | From the blood of numbers flain. The bow of Jonathan ne'er fled ; ' '"'-' '^ Nor turn'd the fword of Saul invain.'^ '-*"'''"- .J The royal Sire, the royal Son, In life were IfraePs joy and pride ; ^, , , (As Eagles fw if t, as Lions ftrong) , . And in their death did not divide. Weep, ^''fv Weep, gentle Hebrew Virgins, weep f Your Monarch lies in everlafting Ileep 1 He dcck'd your beauteous ftirms in trold ; And made you lovely to behold. How are the Mighty fallen amid the war ! Thou, Prince, upon thy lofty rocks waft (lain I To me, my brother, waft thou very dear! For thee, my brother, fwells my heart with pJiint Thy love to me was vali 1 . above The fondelt tender Virgin's lore. How are the Mighty falkn ! liow fet our Glory's ftar! O how have perilh*d all the weapons of the war t ODE i$. Of Book 11. of Horace, 1751. /^ RAND Fabrics rife fo thick upon the ^-^ plain. Few fields for tillage interfpersM remain. Immenfe Canals, extending on each fide. Draw curious ftrangers to admire our pride. Unmarry'd planes their Ihady boughs entwine. Where elms before fuftain'd the leaden vine. Violets and myrtles, and a world of thofe. Which only gratify a dainty Nofe, A P O M S, i42 A barren odor to the breeze afford, i Where teeming olives paid the former Lord. Umbrageous laurels in long ranges run. To fcreen the drunkard from the mid-day fun, AH thefe our Fathers neither faw nor heard : Not rigid Cato^ with his ell-long beard ; Nor mighty Romulus. The private ftate 'A Of each was fmall, and the republic great. No private Portico was icen to rear A front fuperb againft the polar Star. The laws let none an humble cot delplfe ; But bade munitions, ftrong and coftly, rife j And {lately Temples, polifhed and hewn By ableft artifts, out of fineft ftone. ODE I. Of PINDAR'S OLYMPICS. yy A T E R is tne firft of Things : Gold, with rich refplendence bright. Shines in wealth, as fire that flings Radiance thro' the vault of night. High atchievements would'ft thou praiife. My genial Spirit ! haft thou fpy'd A ftar out-lhine the folar blaze, "" ' *'"' Gilding the etherial void ?-'*'-" Nothing can we found to Fame, ' ^ " Nobler than Olympic Game. Thenct Thence to lofty lyric fongsr -jobo aniz^ u\ Attunes each learned Bard melodioiifly his tongue i To mighty Jove each lyre is ftrung, .ond-n F When grand proccflions bend their feet . \ To Hiero's rich and happy Seat* ju :ji-jij i. . '- : bigi-j.iQ.;; Hiero^ holding glorious reign, " ' - Sicilian o'er thy fleecy plain^ Every fweet of Virtue, fips, . And Mufic's fiow'ry beauty taftes, : i ^r\Q-ik L As we enjoy with curious lips ; tr j' Exhilerating feafts. Take and firing the Dorian lyre, _ .^ . . If P//^'s, Pherenicus' Glory Lofty plcafing airs infpirCj Since by Alphem^ farn'd in flory, ' ^ The fiery fteed His Lord J the Syracufan King, t ?' ^- A Lover of the Racer's ring, * - To Vidtory thunder'd with prodigious fpced- His Glory Ihines Upon the peopled fhorc Of Pelops, whom the mighty pow'r, Neptune, who the lands confines. Dearly lov'd, when Clcibo drew His vital Thread, reftor'd anew : His i' O E M S. 14$ His ivory-fKoiilder'd arm. Graceful, caft a matchlefs charm. Many are thofe marvellous tales, To fuperftitious audience fweet : Fable more than Truth prevails. So charming is the painted Cheat. Fancy, drawing heav'nly forms. Alluring, flattering unto view. Magic wonders oft performs, iDifTembling very Falfhood true : But future ages are the tefl : Mature Experience teaches beflr. Of ruling Gods let mortal tongue Speak decently fublime ; Are then our dark Ideas wrong, More venial is the Crime. Son of 1'antalus ! my lays Shall thee beyond thy Fathers praife, ^ Immortal Gods, invited, come To feaft at fplendid Sypulum, When there thy Father once repaid The Banquet, they before for him had made,' L Th? iifi POEM S. The God, who bears the forked mace. Prudence yielding to defire, Snatch'd thee in his golden ehaife High to the dome of Heav'n's all-ruling Sire. - Such fate did Ganymedes prove. In after-times, belov'd of Jove.--^ When thou no more waft found, Nor to thy forrowing Mother brought By thofe, who long had vainly fought ; Slander's affaflin tongue, that kills with lecret wound, Pronounc'd thee boil'd, differed, eat. And mangled in a ftrange inhuman treat. I blulh that Folly fliould conceive So grofly of the ikj. Gluttons the Gods ! could Ignorance believe I Lofs is the wages of a lye. True, if the Gods did ever condefccnd To be a mortal^s Gueft and Friend, 'Tantulus was He : But long" he could not bear His over difproportion'd fliare Of too reftn'd felicity. pain * P O E MS. 147 Pain on fatiery attends. ' k?i,'t Above his aking hca4 Jove a pondercHis ftone fufpends. His conilant toil and endkfs dread. In wretched indigence he breathes, Confum'd with fruitkfs toils ; Beca^ he robb'd the hailow'd Cups Of immortality, where fups The holy Synod, crown'd with gorgeous wreaths 5 And alfo made his Guefts profane the facred fpoils. Whoever thinks his morals hid From fight Divine, miftakes indeed ! Hereon the Gods, in ample grace^ His Son reftored to the mortal race. He, in vivid bloom of life. His chin with early velvet drefl, Amorous fancies in his bread. Fair Hippcdamia fought to wife. Lone- wandering by the foamy flood. In gloomy night, the Lover cry'd, *' O Neptune ! Monarch of the tide !'* Forthwith the God prefenting flood. To whom the Youth" O God of Seas I ] ' *' If ought the joys of Fcms pleafe, |_ Pefraud H8 poems. ** Defraud Oenomaui*s fpear ! * Make me the happy Charioteer ! ** Grant me Victory ! For know, ' After thirteeen Lovers (lain, *' Bright Hippcdamia^ goddcfs of their vowj ' A Virgin, Virgin, does remain. *' True, arduous trials fuit not feeble man 5 ** But fince we all mull die, " Why wifh to lengthen out my fpan " With indigence and infamy ? ** Be mine the grand exploit ! O blels *' My -gallant eflay with fuceefs !" He fpoke ; nor dy'd his words in a:r i I'he God, propitious to his prayV, Prefents a golden chariot, join'd To fteeds impt tuous as the wind. Omomnus, thence overthrown^ His honor and his Virgin loft. She bore fix Champions, Heroes of renown, Valor evermore their boaft. Now Pelcps numbers with the mighty Dcsd ; His tomb, Alpheus, on thy margin ftands ; Clofe by that Altar his Remains are laid^ Revered moft of foreign lands, Olympifi POEMS, 149 Olympic fports their fame around in that of Pelops wide difplay. Where matchlefs fpeed and ftrength are erown*d With glory facred from decay : The Vii^or fpends his future days In honor, calm content and eafe ; With ftill this blefljng to bcfaj, The final moment, which arrives to all. To me, by rule of Chivalry, belongs To crown the Yidor witii Eolic fongs : J^or who, among the modern race, Tho' Wit and Grandeur both combine, Shall, with inimitable grace, The lyric Garland twine ? Heav'n profper my defigns ! O King ! If Heav'n prolong Thee aid. To thy fwift wheels my Mufe Ihall fing Far fweeter ft rain Upon the funny Cronian plain, Where grows no fylvan Ihade. For this the Mufe for me, with care, Poes ev'ry choiceft (haft prepare. Let others fhine in other things : Supremacy belongs to Kings. Indulge ,;L,iU ^10^ $ 6 E' M ^ Indulge no more Ambition's eye ; - -""-p-.^ Be it thine .;.-: ^'"^ ':;iirn^ iJpon a royal Throne to ftiifle : .t -.v-dV^' Be it mine -'^-' ^ '"' Thy royal prefence to enjoy ; [^ ic:,^i / And be thro' native Greece renown'd. As with the palm of wifdom crown'd. O D E 11. Of PINDAR'S Olympics. ...1- "XTE harp infpiring Hymns ! what God or King, "*- "What Hero fhall I choofe to fing .? Pi/a fprung from awful Jove, Emperor o'er the Thrones above. Hercules condignly claims The inftitution of Olympic games, Oblations of his martial fpoils After bng viclorious toil's. But tune my lyre to T'hcrcn glorious, In the Chariot-race viftorious ^ Kindly, hofpitably great ! Pillar of the yjgrigentine ftate I His Country's tutelary Pow'r, Of noble Anceflry the ftow'r, ' '' ' " Who, P O E M a i5t Who, long with laboring counfels filled To make their Country fafe and free, :[^.j if;.- The facred feat of Rivers held, r) -r And were the eye of Sicily, Thence days of liberty and plcafure, Crown'd with honor, deck'd with treafure. Days, which wealth and glory gave, Reward in c^ Virtue in the Brave. O fon of Rhea I Thou fupreirie O'er high Olympus, o'er the Game ! Song-admirer ! I implore Thy bounty to their native fliore, And progeny foreyermore. Not Time, the hoary fire of all Emerging ifTues, can recal "What once is paft, or right or wrong \ Oblivion with fuccefs may rife j For Mifery dies, Subdu'd among A profperous hoft of Joys, When God commiffions from above Sublime Auxiliars, wing'd with love. Inftance, now in bleft abode. The Maids of Cadmus, long opprefs'd : For gloomy Evil quits each breaft, pvercome of ftronger Good. Sec 'I5S POEMS. Sec Smeky who panting fell With trefles flowing, at the wound, Infi;f'd in flaming thunder's found - See Semele in glory dwell. Rejoicing in the joyful love Of mighty Pallas^ Bacchus, Jove^ Ino too, where Nereus reigns. As Rumor tells the tale, obtains Among the daughters of the fea A blefTed immortality. The date of life is not decreed ; Nor do we know when tranquil Day, The fon of Morn, will grant us way From earth 5 and lading joys fucceed. Pains and pleafures, rolling tide, Aflail mankind on ev*ry fide. Fortune, ruling o'er the birth Of Joys, from Peity that flow, Brings too Calamities on earth, Perverfcly blending both below. Hence Oedipus his Father flew j And prov*d the oracle too true. J^rynnis poems; :x^I ^rynnis law the guilty deed : And, vengeful, flew his martial feed. The haplefs Polyn:ces flain, ^hrfander only did remain, Who, great in fports and the embattled plains yViih firm alliance aided thofs Noble fires, whence Theron^s life-blood flows. jEnifJemiis' Son ' to Thee belong Heroic verfe and lyric fong ! Him Olympic glory crown'd : His Brother's name Pytho refounded, the Ifthmus did refound. Who, emulous of hallow'd fame. Twelve-times in race the flowery crov/n. Bore away with high renown. Whoe'er the flowery crown fi^all bear, Thenceforth is free from anxious care. When with Virtue Riches join, ' '' Both improv'd in iuftrc fliine^ Both, lending mutual aid. Support and guide the toils of Care, Our pilot, our eOiilgent fl:ar, pondu<5ling man thro' Nature's fliade. The %P^ POEMS. The Virtuous know a future ftatc j What miferies behind "' J'urfue the guilty mind, "^ "What woes on dying finners wait. Whatever crimes are done In Jove^s wide Empire underneath the fun Arc punifh'd with fevere decree, The fentence of Neceflity. Serened nights, ferenefl days The righteoLls evermore enjoy ; No fearful danger e'er difmays, No grievous tafks annoy : They neither plow, they neither faij, Nor dread to fee their plenty fail. With endlels blifs among the Gods In glory are the juft enrol'd ; While finners groan in dire abodes^ Tremendous to behold ! Whoe*er with vigilance control The devious motions of the foul, To Saturn's happy feat remove. Along the ftarry path of Jove. There ever blows the freflieft breeze Upon that blefied Ifle, Where pleafant odors goMen fiov/ers exhale. Springing in that purer foil, Or P O E M S.1 )^ Or waving on the fhady treis, ^r^i ^ Or in the filver ftreams, that glide along the vale. Rings and Coronets denote their ftate, .; Enfigns righteoufly beftow'd rnir.'^/ . By Rhadamanthus, great Judge- advocate Of Father Sattirtt, Rhea's Lord, .? Throughout the univerfe adprM, ... .. .: ,[ - Awful fovereign God, .^\hviv:-1 " .'''"iT ' < ^ ' >' ' :i inz/1 In that nobility *divine :^\c Cadmus and Peleus right honorable Ihine ; And Jove^ fubdu*d by Thetis* pray'r, ; v:^:).-"/ Achilles too tranflated there, ,,.;_; .^f-,,, r By whom great He^or^ Troy^s firm .Towei:,r r,^4 ,. Trcyy's armed Rampire, overthrown. In duft ino-lorious lav ; Cycnus bow'd down to Death's dread |)ow'r> And ^ihicps, offspring of tlie P^-^/j^ ; ./ /jci-i^'^^f Forgot his parent's genial rayi: . ; '.!;.;< I o- r; >M ;; ch; ): . . . ' ':;-::-:c[" - -^ v "r cI.;o7/ My Qviiver yet has darts in ftore, A volley wing'd to found m Wifdom^s ear j . But Folly underftands no more Without a dull Interprcten Thofe alone I call the Wife, Who, born on wings of native Genius, rife. Learned r^ P O EM S. Learned Plodders, far below. At Genius, high above. Clamor incelTant, like an envious Crow Againft the foaring bird of Jove. Bend the bow, and point the dart ! My Soul ! where mud the arrow fly, Tip*d with benevolence of heart. And wing*d with glory ne'er to die ? To Jgrigentum ! go ! Ye gods atteft, for gods ye know, No City thro' the Grecian land Thefe hundred years Ihall find A hand more firm, a heart more kind, TThan ^heron's heart and hand. But Envy longs to fcale his fame 5 Injurious with her noify throng, Befieging clofe with hand and tongue, Would ftrike the glorious llandard of his name, Go count the fand upon the fliore. Yet thy Arithmetic will fail Tbercn^s noble deeds to tell : His large benevolence is more Than countlefs fand upon the fhore. ODE P O M ^ 1^7 O D E IIL Of PINDAR'S Olympics. tNDULGENT Pow'rs ! attention deign I Tyndarida and Hekn fair^ Lady of the beauteous hair ! Renowned Agragas (hall boaft my drain, A flow'r of elegance and (kill For Theron^s. Heeds invincible. The Mufe attends, while I compofe New lays of Dcrian epic found : With majefly the mufic flows ; Admiring Silence liftens round. The Garlands in their manes entwin*d, Of qie this arduous boon require j The mellow pipe and fong combined. The fweetly- warbling lyre. Joining concert with my lays To noble Thercn\ noble praifc : Pifa requires, to whom belongs Prerogative to claim; Whofe Chiefs divinely utter'd fongs Immortalize in glorious fame : ^^ V :0 E M S. Ev'n thofe, to whom, as Hercules bequeathed; The lawful Arbiter allows, On their diflingifh'd forciieada wreath'd. The glory of the Victor's brows. Green Olive r ; Which He vi<5lorious brought From Ifief^ fhady fpring ; The Hyperboreans firft befought, Adorers of the folar King. Revolving glory in his mind, Jove^s royal foreft fearching round. At length the fpreading plant he found, A common blefTing to mankind, Beft becoming Virtue crown'd. Then Altars to his Father rofe, When did the Moon her globe unfold Full on the dappled evening's clofe. Pompous in her chair of gold. Then He Olympic fports conceiv'd. Whence Olympian Mva came. Upon the rocky banks atchiev'd Of much renown'd Alphean llrcam. But POEMS. 155 But in the parched Cronian vales No foreft fpread The green, the cool^ the pleafant Ihadc j *Twas defart, blown with fultry gales. Open to the glowing blaze Of all the Sun*s inclement rays. Then thought he to remove to where, Returning from Arcadia's mountains, Dianas, hofpitable care Reliev'd him at her filver fountains, A pleafant land, which IJier laves. Of winding vales and hollow eaves, Neccflity, feverely kind. Had then his toils adorn'd, "When Euryjlheus had enjoin'd To fetch th celebrated Hind, Golden-horn'd Which He, devoting to the fhrine Of chafte Diana, made divine Diana^ {hewing him this land, where cold Congealing Boreas never blows : There flood he wondering to behold The {lately arbors , there he chofe, Smit with the pleafures of the fcene. To mark, the future-xourfe, Winding x6o P O E M S. Winding twelve- times the hills between,- For nimble charioteer and flying horfe. His prefence dignifies the feaft:. With Lada^s fens divine. Umpires, when he explores Olympus' hill. Who mark the combatants, that fliine . In vigorous feats^ or lludy bed To guide the flying wheel. Hence, O my foul ! the prize of fame Unto the Emminid^ came ! To T'hercn hence did glory flow. Which the 'Tyndarida befl:ow , 'Caufe they devoutly 'mong the reft Do folemnize the facred feaft. Is v/ater the firft element of gold The brighteft gem in riches feems ? Then ^heron's virtues are extol'd To Hercules' pillars, glory's wide extremes. Beyond whatever lies, Whatevcr's hid in ftore. Impervious is to fool and wife -, Nor ftiall my folly grafp at more. ODE P Q Ei M SI ^S-i ODE IV. Of PINDAR*s..OjLy;MPies;: :.. GLorious God of rolling Thunder I Ruling y^tna, Typhon under j Hundred-headed Giant ftrong. Groaning loudly, groaning longj Loads of flaming rocks above ! Me thy circling hours fent forth- . With various mellow lyrej " To celebrate fuperior worth In all,- who gallantly afpire. Succeed our friends in noble views, tlow fweetly cordial are the news,! Son oi Saturn! kindly deign Acceptance of my choral ft;:ainj ^,, , Of virtue bright , , .'.. The faireft moft enduring light. See Pfaumis come ! Pif^an olive round his hair. See hlnihaften joyful homcj -X) To reap- a crqp oi: glory there ! His rifmg wifhes Heav'n f^liil ! For L his future worth foretejv His generous care of gallant ^Qtds j His chief delight in, liberal deeds j M His i6z POEMS. His ardent love of human kind : Rich harvefl of a noble mind i O let not fidlion ftain my mouth ! Fad is the honeft teft of truth. Thence, Clymenus, thy fon afliames The perfidy of Lemnian dames : When, clad in brazen mail, he won, Advancing to Hypftpyk^ Brifkly he feiz'd the vicftor's crown. Exclaiming " / am. lie /" Ready both in heart and hand ? Fit for action and command \ Thus oft with glad furprife we find The hoary head in youth appears ; A prudent and capacious mind. Beyond the promifing of years. On Pestilence among the Tijrks, and War between tbem and the Russians, 1771. TTNPRISON Pejiilence and ff^arV ^^ The Voice almighty wrathful faid : Forthwith the dark Abyls expanded wide its jaws ; Abhorred POEM S, " i^j Abhorred P^^/^f^ arofe : ., ,. . " , > J, > t)' K" 'A Her foggy wings infed the air -, Her baleful eyes Ihoot keen defpair ; . And fcorpions ilTue from her hideous head.. Where'er fhe bends Her noifom flight, ,, Loud Lamentation howls behind ; Dolorous Care confumes the night . ^ -'{ ' Each day prelents fo dire a fight, ' ^ Beholders wilh extincl the light, '' *' Or that their vifual orbs were blind. " '^" U^ar^ casM in mail of i'olid fire, Seem'd fome portentous Comet's blaze : *' Yoke to my brazen car, he cries, " The Hyperborean Eagle black. 'Tis done : Swift as the wind he flies : His courfe the fons of Earth and Heav'n admire: On Guilt his vengeful thunders graze ; Delufion flirieketh at the crack. -I Where Tyranny and Lujl of late, Impioufly confecrated^ reign'd ; And, rudely arrogant in mighty ftate, Opprefs'd mankind, and God profan'd , There, in their gorgeous domes, Di/may' Blafts all their pride, fpoils all their play ; Tyranny t^^ POEM 1 Tyranny raves with rage and fear ; While pallid Lujl lies fwooning near. **^ Shall Servitude her' goading Irons knap ?^ ** Shall Inntycence go free ? ** Shall C^^//y her virgin lap ** Pure preferve, O Lu^ I from Thee ? *' Poignant ctirfes I" mad lyelufion cry*d, And flung her fpangled turbanton the ground Her fabre fell,- and naked left her fide : Her crefcent turn'dto blood : AppaVd the Paw'n of Darknefs flood ; And Hell^ more gloomy, groan'd all roimd ! Occafton'dhy reading I^t^t^^TLK'& P G E M S,- 1765. T? AIR celeftial, found below \: -* Willing I this tribute give : What Devotion dotli beftow Goodnefs kindly will receive. Tuneful birds, in vernal eves; Sweetly heavy moift and mild, 'Mong the foreft's velvet leaves^- Mellow fing their love-notes wild. 6V < r POEMS. i^^ O'er great Nature's feaft of joy, ' Odors breathing from each tree, - ^ They delightful notes employ, yet they fail tp charm like Thee. Sappho cv'ry fading flow*r Rifled in the Cyprian groves, Fenus her adored Pow'r, Drawn in am'rous pomp with Doves : O unlike her Hymns and thine ! O unequal in their force ! Thine to make the foul divine Strong as hers to make it worfe ! Numbers gay A^acreon ftok' From the beam-encircled Pow*r, Soft and eafy as his Soul ; Thine Eliza I pleafe me more. Tcung may nurfe in nightly cells Holy rage ; or Gay impart, Mildly in his fimple tales. Morals worthy of his heart : ^hompfon his defcription join ; Or in airy Vifions rife Collins^ fancifully fine : Carkr fliall not want a prize. Noble j^^ P O E. M S. Noble Shakefpear, facred Name ! Britons ever fhall adore ; Firft in Merit as in Fame ; Equal to behold no more : Pindar, fierce, in light'ning drefl. Grand Enthufiaft ! raves witli fls-ill , Glowing like his Heroe's bread. Rapid as his flying wheel : Homer, bold in epic Song, Virgil, cool and curious, fings ; Milton, with angelic tongue, Perfonates the KING of Kings : Dryden*?, fire my foul does touch -, Pope's fine art, politely free Glorious Poets IO but fuch Soft enchantment dwells with Thee ! Pious Carter! happy merit ! Fam'd Anacreon^% fweetnefs flows Thro' thy numbers, while thy fpirit Ardently feraphic glows. Angels, glory-crown'd above. Charming Songfter ! heav'nly Fair ! Wife ! divinely wife ! will love Thee, fweet Partner in their care..;' X'hee POEMS. %e'y ' Thee on blefl triumphant wings Bear, who'ft early underftood Well to praife the K I N G of Kings ; \ Endlefs ofEce of the Good ! 'J'o the Reverend Mr. Atkinson, mth Allan Ramsay's POEMS (which he had lent the Author) returned, 1772. TA EAR Atkinfon I the Sangs of Allan ^^ Prove him a fnell and canty Callan. He ftow*d of wit, at leaft a gallon In his brain-pan 5 And eke of vanity, to pal ane, A fcottilh Can. His verfes fcurl wi* mickle eafe, Saft and fonoroiis, flee to pleafe : A fweeter Chiel ane feldom fees 'mang Poets rarefl, Does he the Braved tent to bleeze, or eke the Faireil. Aften he hits (not ay, 'tis true) The lall-won charm, the rythmus due. Wow, Man ! but then his pickland whieu Is faul-inchanting > A wee mair Thought to mind his Cue Is a' that's wanting. Majftly tS^ P O E M Sv Maiftly he tals the wale of fenfe, "With gracefu' native negligence : He only borders on offence X^^o' vain negletfl : Sprrie lines rin la\y and feebler hence, They're incorre^l. Bflt irt a paradife, where fliine Beauties luxuriantly divine, On whate'er fide you caft yoiir eyn. It were no weel. As if thro' envy to repine, I^ike the auld DeeL Thank thee, kind Atkinfon ! but mair. Thank gentle Ram/ay for my fH^ir Of fic refin'd arnbrofian fare. And He nice glee : The like, I trow, is unco' rare, Ee*n God be wi' y'. An Scotch Words explained. ^ ^^"g-^^ fongs. Sel/, firm and acute. Cantj, jovial. Callan, a boy, a wag. Pa/, Pall, anty one. Scurl, Aide, u-i', with, niickle, much. Saft, Soft. Slee, fly, artfuU Chiel, a free expreffion for Perfort. Saldom, feldoin. 'Ahng, among. T^f/f, mind, attempt, bleeze, praife. aftcny often. Wo'^jj, an interjeiflion cf Joy. IVhieUy whiftle. SauJ, Soi>l. Ji^ec, Vxt^e. Mair, more. a\ all. vta'tftly, moflly. tals, tells. IVale, choice, beft-. gr'ii:^f'^\ graceful, rui, run. lav), low. Eyv, Eyes. ?70, not. '>veel, well, aulc!^ old. Deel, Devil. Jkair, (hure. /Jc-, fuch. E F O R E the Sleepers ii| t|>e brake, .>- -^ Before the morning eye-lids wake. In rapture wake my gratefullays ! To Him, for whom my Lyre is ftrung. Each glowing bofom, tuijeful tongue I rr concert join with holy praife ! To Him fupreme, who reigns alone, AJmighty King, eternal Throne ! Ten million Worlds, ten million Suns, Beneath his footftool rolling fhine^ Dircded by his eye divine : Where he commands the Comet runs. Archangels, rob*d in plumy gold. Whom wings of living flame infold. Who guide the globes and poize the fphcres, Adoring to his footftool bend. And, light'ning, haften, if he fend His greeting to this vale of tears. He bids them guard a good Man's way ; His bidding the bleft Hosts obey : AH 'tyd^H P 6' E M S; All nature fpeeding at his call, Ev'n Fires grow Ynild and Tempefts ceafe ; The Saint finds fafety, heakh and peace, "VVhere battles rage and thoufands fall. If wicked Fiends, perverfe as free. If Men, who mock his dread decree, Devife our bane by force or guile ; Fie frowns the guilty Vile away. Sore agonizing with difmay j The Juft reviving at his fmile, O Ruler of eternal Skies ! O Ruler holy, good and wife ! Indulgent Sire, with mercy's rod ! Our fuppliant Souls we pour to thee. Our lalt appeal in ev'ry plea. Our Evidence, our Judge, our God I, XJnequal to the glorious Theme, My Sonnet creeps like feeble ftream. That down the mountain v/eeps, and w^ii> Among the pebbles, as it flows, Until it fink in dead repofe, Abfcrbed in the Ipacious vales. ^^^ P P EM S. ; 121: 'Tq a CLERGYMAN, who complained of his PEOPLE. ^r^ H O' (as your lines complain) yoyr "* audience fcorn The Preacher's council and his Mailer's call, < Thipk not their cafe fo utterly forlorn, That they deferve no pafl'ral care at all. But as the Sun expends his golden rays On objedls of all kinds, from pole to pole ; So Thou, to Good and Bad, let wifdom blaze ; Diffufe the fair ideas o'-er each foiil. Truth, pdwVful Truth, will cv'r)^ bofom pierce . And, like its Patron, who redeem'd mankind. Will melt the obftinate, controul the fierce, Alarm the deaf, illuminate the blind. " What !" you exclaim, " Ihall I withfc^yblc " voice " Labor divine perfwafion to apply " To Him, who only dozes at the noife ; " And, downy-wrapt on earth, difdains the Iky r '. Ah! let him doze ! Awake, he might eilcem Thy feeble voic?, divine perfwafion, cheap : So luird, he hears an Angel in his dream -, And learn? the fong of Mcfcs in his Ileep. Mnqii Vf* POEMS. Jyluch is he charm'd, tho' heedlefs he appears - As is the carelefs Swain, who, on his hill Drooping to flumber, unattentive hears The liquid waitings of the palTing rill. He wakes refrefh'd, as from divine repofe. Thinks ftill he hears, and liftens for the ndte ; Recals the Senfe, acknowledges the caufe. And blelTes the Infpirer and the Thought. 'Tis by degrees infenfibie and flow. The chryfal wornn afTumes gay wings and flies ^ *Tis by the fame, muft torpid Sinners grow Adoring Saints, and holy Seraphs rife. O ceafe not Thou due nutriment to lend. To let the beam of heavenly wifdom fliine I The reft: to H I M, on whom events depend. Submit , aflfur'd, a glorious Crown is thine. Tm ]^ E n Si 17^ The ESTIMATE: or, . Reflexions en TiMf^oiiAL Good ^.nd Evil. 1763. I. T7' AITH and Affeftion juftly God requires -*' Of man, fo form'd with reafon and defires. The Sl^ve in cliains, the Monarch on the throne. The Saint, whom glories amaranthin crown, The blefled Orders of eternal day, Muft Him, who rules the univerfe, obey. Profane Neglect, Concupifcence and Pride Plague both offenders and the World befidc 5 With deep corruption taint created Good, Alone dilutable with fweat and blood. Neglect, Concopifence and Pride profane Made this our fyftem, as we find it, vain. Hence gayefl life is like a funny glade. Where ev*ry floating vapor flings a fhade. But as the VJ^pors, by diftilling fliow'rs, Refrelh the verdures and enrich the flow'rs j Pains, difappointments exercife the mind, And render Virtue noble and refin*d ; Benignly temper Pleafure's fervid breath. Which elfe, like mildew, fheds abortive deatli. Providence ^^4 F d E M s:- Providence kindly mids our welkin fcowl. To wake and awe the dark erroneous foul j Shook- into mortal frailty Nature's frame. Whence all our pains and all our forrows came ; Like thorns and brambles, planted when Man fell. To ouard offenders from the road to Hell : Kindly fcvere to fave, (O noble view !) Sinners and thofe, whom Sinners might undo. For Sin, o*erflowing, deluge-like extends -, Nor know we where the fpreading ruin ends. Thea wherefore mourn a Life not over gay 5 Fly fwift, not giddily, my hours away ! Come, ufeful Sorrows ! They, who fuffer mofl. May reap an harvcft equal to their coft : They, who the Curfe, imposed in mercy, prove. May learn to dread God's anger from his love ; And, rais'd by trial arduous and complete. Become at laft, by kind corredion great. I. Confider thofe, whom God's bleft fpirit warra'd-, In whom divine benevolency charm'd ; Fit, as may feem, alone for holy Heaven ; Yet to the World for its Salvation given -, Apoftles, Martyrs ; they afflidion found ! Their hallow'd blood imbru'd tliis curled ground ! See, p o E Si ^. i;5 See, ihd with thine compare what ills they b6re ; And learn to murmur and blafpheme no more* Again, fee thofej to ev*ry mifchief keen ; '' Who Virtue fiercely injure and malign ; Like fubtil Vipers , lurking in the duft. With deadly venom arm'd to grieve the Jufl ; See thofe, their grandeur vying with their guilt \ But ponder firft ; then envy, if Thou wilt. All's by permifTion of fupreme decree : For due probation Sinners muft be free. In weight and number fhall reward be given: No fraud, no force eludes the Judge of Heaven. Our bleft Redeemer, our adored Guide, Groan'd on a Crofs, and like a felon dy'd. If He fo fuffer'd, when he man became. Let Folly blufli to think affliftion fhamc. Affliction chofen thro' regard to Fily In firm obedience, is divinely great ; At once it ftrengthens and feverely tries Virtue expos'd, and ftript of all difguife. In Life's gymnaftics to deferve renown, And then receive an everlaftins; Crown. o Souls, never try'd, may glory as they can. And raihly judge ; but Trial Ihews the Man. Sav, q^ POEMS. ^y vvhai ia Virtue, ever calm, unproy'dj By pain or pleaiiife fcarce a paffion raov'd ? What thank have They, what merit, being good,- Who have no plea for erriftg if they wou'd ? They fair for Pride or Intefeft may appear. Kind witKoat coft, and without truil fincere. Like wild Romancers^ P^gn^y Soi-i'ls at eafc Monfters create and conquer as they pleale. Fantallic children, among Toy-things bred. Angle for Whales,, chain Lions with a thread : tJntutor'd Fancy all its wHlies, gains. No?: ever dreams of dangers or of pains. Thus flattered of themfelves and others too. No wonder Pigmies think them Giants true. Mature Exj.erience better knowledge brings. Awakes from notions to contemplate Things j True fear, true fortitude at once infpires i And warns to rule averfions and defires< Affliction teaches reafon to command j At once it tries and ftrengthens us to ftand : While in the Champion, whom opprefiions bruife, Victorious Virtue Heav'n delighted views, 2 " But grant, you cry, fomc from afflidion ** gain " More good J than recompenfes all their pain ; POEMS, J77 ** Does not affli<5tion often overflow, " And overwhelm a noble Soul in woe ?" It does, I grant,-^And, while God leaves them free. Mankind will deviate ; crimes will ever be. H Yet is its End, as faft declares, to prove Virtue decay'd, and bid repentance move ; Its toils and dangers give us ftrength and (kill To hate and fhun offences, if we will. Whoe'er fuccumb in agony and fear, In pleafure likely wou'd be infmcere ; Perhaps wou'd fin thro' wanton folly more Than e'er affli<5tion made them fin before. For riches, honors, pleafures let them pray ; God knows their Int'reft better far than they ; To grant their wiflies were to grant a curfe So great,, that Hell could not inflift a worfe. Pleafure or Pain mufi try our Virtue Ji ill : Oft fouls affeded both united feel. Pleafure's more dangerous, deftitute of guard j And its fwcet Trial is its own reward. Pain's more fecure , but if intenfe, 'tis dire ; 'Tis like the Chymift's purifying fire : For truth 'tis borne, or can't be Ihun'd at all ; Whil? Pleafure's woo'd, tho' to its Votary's fall ./ . N So i>8r P O E M S5 So Pain, if virtuous, is chief merit ftill j And Pleafure vicious is the deepeft ill. One muft us try ; Then which in Reafon's view Is beft ? Why ! Pain is fafeft, noblefl: too. Pain may tofs Virtue, rough, on floods of woe ; Yet ftill is Pleafure Virtue's direft foe. By furious ftorms the Veflel oft is drove From Scylla's rocks and Circe's odious love. Pain may wreck Virtue, true ! But Virtue brave Rifes exalted from the whelming wave : Infidious Pleafure might far worfe beguile ; True Circe fhe, with fatal voice and fmilc I 3. *' I ftill aver, that Fortune might adorn *' The charms of Virtue , and exalt her horn." Like other Beauties, doubtlefs. Virtue charms Moft irrefiftibly, when fplendor arms. But too, too many Fortune's Gifts entice To leave the Lady for the Harlot, Vice. What State to pray for underneath the fun I cannot tell I' O God ! thy will be done ! II. Alas ! how futile all, our Fancies frame Of Beauty^ Opulency^ Honor ^ Fame ! Obtaining all, and mxOre than thought conceives, Than Mah'mei feign'd or MufTulman believes, Tiierq POEMS. '17-9 There ftill wants fomething O that fomething ! more Than Vice attains in all Creation's ftore ! Nay, Virtue too, is here too far diftrefs*d To harbor Happinefs, celeftial Gueft ! When pure Perfedion, foil'd by Sin, withdrew. The radiant Goddefs from this region flew. She dwells on high : her beams Life's frailties Ihroud ; She only fhines, by glances, thro' a cloud ; From her celeftial fphere fhe fcorns to bend ; No Earthly charm can tempt her to defcend : Deigns not her prefence on a golden throne. In regal purple, or in facred lawn ; Not in a princely coronet cnftirin'd ; Nor with a martial fhoulder-knot entwin'dj Fills no gold box, nor blazes in a ftar ; Rides not huzza'd in corporation chair \ Exhales not from ftain'd pafte-boardat Quadrille, Soft Beauty's kifles, or the Poet's quill. Not Beauty, Opulency, Empire, Fame, Include the effence of the facred dame. Superb Delufions ! poor vain-glorious boaft 1 By feeking them, what Crowds themfelves have loft I I. Survey with candor joys, which them fupply, Who glow with Beauty, or for Beauty figh. Advancinor o #f POEM S. :\AdvsinciQg, lo, the Charmer, fmiling, young j Gay Strephon lifl'ning to her filver tongue : How fine her fcatores ! g.nd how freflily blows The fweeteft hue of lily blent with role ! Her eyes like morn ; her cherry lips, like fpxing, Breath love and odor on the breeze's wing. See him in extafy perufe her charms ! Fix'd, panting, trembling, fainting for her arms. See her now blulhing, yielding, while he pleads ; Both fill'd with blifs, which utterance exceeds. But, O ! the Change ! When paflions fiercjsly burn, Soon cold fatiety fucceeds in turn. Caft o'er the Soul that dull benumbing chain. How palls the joy ! how grows the union pain ! To all her charms, and ev'n endearments, dead, He foon neglefls her ftale familiar bed ; She (worfe than death !) beholds a Rival rais'd. And love-enthron'd, where late her glory blaz'd ; Her only portion to defpair ; or worfe , To retrofpedl her folly with remorfe. Perhaps the youthful She, as foul in mind As fair in form, proves filly, grows unkind ; Is loud, is ftubborn ; neither knows nor cares For nuptial duties ; but by choice ftill errs : Her coarfe behaviour renders Both the tale, 'JThe fpiteful fport of neighboring Town and Vale. How POEMS. isr How miifl the Hiilband, curft with fuch a mate ! Drag life in b'tternefs, and mourn his fate ! Ah, worfe ! if yet, more dear than felf, his Race Involv*d arc too in ruin and difgrace ! 'f^i Wretched indeed ! The depth of his diftrefs No heart can think, but his ; no tongue exprefs. Befides, an endlefs changing madnefs rules The beauteous and the beauty-loving Fools : The vicious pleafure, foon as gain'd, expires : Their Life's a chace twixt fhadows and defires. Virtue and Senfe, which make Love's paflion pure. Alone exalt the flamiC and feed it to endure. Yet deem not Beauty, altho' frail, invain j Important blefTings, many, fill her train. Lively delight fprings at the charming view ; And fwcctly pleas'd is fhe in pleafmg you. Nothing fo charming in the world we find. Except the Goddefs in her beams enfhrin'd. The heav'nly Soul, endu'd with angel-grace. Divinely beaming thro* the curious cafe : And far indeed o'er Beauty v^^e extol The fair, divinely-amiable Soul. 2. Should you in Opulence with Cra/us vie 5 And each deftroying angel Itill pafs by ; YoQt- i8#n p o E M a Your dwelling pompous as the coftly dome. Where Mary's Idol bends the knees of Rome : - Let views around excel Elyfian fcenes ; . Hills fweetly fmilc with fined blooms and greens j> Vales flioot blell groves, with chryftal ft reams among , Birds, richly plum'd, extol melodious fong : Your fumptuous table load, each day you dine,- "With dainty viands and delicious wine : Let all your moments gently fteal away In quaint amufement, company and play : And, when you chu^e at intervals to ride For rural paftime^ and to blaze your pride. Let ftatelieft fteeds your gorgeous chariot pull j And in retinue rival the Mogul: Alas, if Virtue does not gild thy horn. And manly Wifdom guide thee and adorn. In vain does Fortune lend her golden fhield. Poor is the pleafure all thefe luxuries yield. Yet what can Opulence, l>ut pleafure give ; And eafe diftreffes, partly, while we live ? Abftrad thefe ufes, millions, golden ftore. Are arrant trafli, as pebbles on the Ihore. And, ah, if tempt they to relinquifh God, Abufe his Creatures and defcrve his rod,. To fcorn his gracious overtures, and thea Incur his Vengeance Horror ! fliop my pen! Not POEMS. i3 Not only poor the pleafure, riches gain $ The Owner's folly makes the blelTing bane, When no fair child of wealth the Fool can blefs^ But the bafe-born inchantrefs, lewd Excefsi ..t ^ Exotic-like the puny tendril grows ; The chymic eflence ill betrays the nofe ; At Firft, a fragrant redolence inllils ; But, long continu'd, pangs cortodcs and kills; Pleafure, indeed^ I wou'd not difcomniendi Were Ihe not often a perfidious friend : Nor fpurn at riches, heap'd in due degree, Pernicious neither to the ftate nor me. I grant fair Pleafure*s blandifhments (hould draw. But ever modifi'd by wifdom's law. Propcnfe to err, temerity is fuch,- Some love the Dame too little, fome to much* You need no inftance : If you do, behold The Mifer's tatters and the Fribble's gold. Or note a contrail more affeding yet. The frozen Nun, and all-inflam'd Coquette, Lo, Both, whate'er they fpecioufly pretend. Are vain Contemners of great Nature's end : 'Tis plain, that Nature meant the courfe between \ To mind ends noble, nor forget the mean. All paffions tend, if rightly underftood. To Individual, univerfal Good., " Int'rcft iS4' POEM S. Int'reft combines the univerfal Frame ; For individuals mutual fuccor claim. The truly wife endeavor mutual eafe ; Are always pleas'd,, and always ain> to pleitfe :; Their paflions allj in Charity, obey The Holy Monarch's beatific fway. Virtue, which imder paiii is Icaft diftreft. Can alfo relifh real pleafure belt. Without it, pleafure is not only va;in 5 But fatal too, more dangerous than pain : With it,, does pfeafur'e happily improve ; And grow divine, and foar to holy Lov ** Such his domain ; and fuch a one his Wife," As cordial joy the flory now affords From lips of Clowns as from the lips of Lords. So Glory fets ! The Grave (by lawful claim) The Carcafe fvvallows ; and Oblivion, Fame. But they, who, truly brave, War's front defy Greatly refolv'd to conquer or to die, Who not for Fame alone, but in difdain Of haughty wrongs, tyrannic pride to rein. Obey the trump, when Juflice bids obey ; And but for mercy fternly draw and flay ; Divinely POEMS, l^ Divinely rous'd in Virtue's caufe to deal The keen impreflions of decifive fteel : Such may indulge their paflion for Renown : Their generous pride celeftial wreaths fhall crown. All paflions, which with God's imperial Will Concur devoutly, mud be laudable. As all are impious, and to mis'ry tend, Without defign'd fubfervience to that end. - The tuneful Poet, who fublimely fings Of Beauties, Heroes, Patriots, Nobles, Kings, (If Adulation, with perfwafive tongue. Demurely fervile, patronizes wrong ; Or Satire, fell, Ihall on the worthy pour Opprobrious pafquils with demoniac roar) May reap a harveft to his culture due Offence from Many, but applaufe from Few. Nor mud: the Genius, like a comet-flame. Eccentric foaring, adoration claim : That, like the Sun, which from a conftant fphere Effulgent beams, enliv'ning all the year, Dcferves applaufe ; and there will mortals vow Their beft devotion to the laurell'd brow. Fame's gaudiefl plumes perhaps too often wino- Thofe poifon'd arrows on Jehovah's (Iring", Immoral Poets j while the crowd delpife His choiceft bleffings in the good and wife. Vain '^g6 POEMS. Vain fenfelefs world J how little doft thou know Thy real good 1 O worthy of thy woe ! But fhort's the date of that perverfc applaufe. Which from a local, temporal, folly flows : Succeeding times, unprejudic'd, deteft The poifon ftrong, and fcorn the feeble jeft ; And blame their Fathers, tho' themfelves purfue, "With equal folly, bards as bad, but new. Ye high-foul'd bards ! weigh vulgar praife and blame ; Weigh and contemn the ftupid buzz of Fame ; Contemn her poor erroneous hate and love : Revere the righteous Arbiter above : Next him, the Few of fenfe and candor prize i And only dread the cenfure of the wife : Hence fhall ye win the noblell crown of Fame, A genuine glory, fanftify*d from fhame j Truly immortal ; which, when Earth decays. In Heav'n Ihall rife, and Ihine with ten-fold blaze, 5. Behold in Nature's prefent ufual courfe. Vice leads to meanefs, mis'ry and remorfe. Thofe vicious paflions, violent as blind. Which touch the rights and beings of mankind ; Which rove for pleafiire, ftruggle to look down Qn bending mobs, or call more dirt their own j Such jpwl''ljpi'll I 1 1^^. ^ POEMS. 191 Such muft the eflence of tme blifs deftroy ^ Difquiet felf, fociety annoy. PafTions ridiculous alfo make unbleft 5 Akho' their chief concernment is a jefl. The vain Coquette, when beauty fades, cou'd dici The Dotard trembles, if a Raven cry : The Courtier and the Lover dread a frown : The Poet dreads the Cenfure of the Town : A thronged Smithfield or unwelcome Air Afflidls the Farmer with profound defpair ; Not that he wants, but wiflies (no great harm ) To be, at length, the Landlord of a Farm : Juft as the Landlord, anxious to be great. With reftlefs ardor meditates a Seat. But comfort here I If fuch vain whimfies teazcj New toy or ditty will the Baby pleafe. Call Pyrrha charming : For Canidia^s ail Apply fome flander or prodigious tale : The carelefs fmile, a Wanton flings away. Will ferve to make her dying Lover gay : That pow'rful nod, which golden days portends, Inchants the Courtier to forget his friends : The Farmer bowzes, if the Market's dear j The chofep Patriot is, in hope, a Peer, 6. To ^^ POEMS. 6. To view man's Uttle, , mean, prepofterou? aims And vain importance,- modefty alhamcs. To view this grand, immenfe, fliipendous Frame, And cnufe the pow'r and goodnefs whence it came. Sinks man to nothing ! When thy works I fee, O God ! I wonder thou regarded me ! For men to boaft of Wifdom and of Worth, Yet not adore the Lord of Heav'n and Earth, How tnad ! how vain ! Do not all bleflings fall From that right hand, which opening filleth all ? Who an be io ungenerous to offend So good a Lord, fo bountiful a Friend ? Who dares againft that Majefty rebel, Which frowning kills, which breathing kindles pell? 7. If vile illufions captivate the heart -^ Alas ! they well compenfate the defert ; For baubles if we ftudy, toil and bleed. They all forfake us in our greateft need-. Leave us to learn too late, and long lament, Folly is juftly its own punilhment. Thofe gewgaw trifles, priz'd in health and eafe. In pain and forrow lofe the charm to pleafe. Earth's nobleft Comforts, at the dying hour. Seem names, not natures, Phantoms without pow'r. And POEM S; Ti,^ Arid oft, what vainly we as Virtue boaft. Emerges then but venial fin at moft. The leaft good adion, worthy of a Saint^ . rlVf cA cup of of water to relieve the faint, . ; .-; A. Scoop'd from the furface of a bubbling ipririg^7 Excels the glories of the Prujfian Kingi Say, what the meed, the deepeft villain gainsi By all his guilty artifice and pains ? in vain the wretch for happinefs contends : No happinefs finds He, who God ofFendsi. .^ No ! -When lilufion, vanilhing, is fled, Joy fhuns his dwelling, and repofe his bed i-.v;:'\ He wifhes oft, and feeks^ thro* his own bloo(^i Annihilation, as the only goodi ; : 8. O what is Happinefs? Thou Mufe divine! Declare; for Thou canft tell: The light is th^ntj 9. No Circumftances Happinefs create. Without a Temper fuited to the ftate : No Temper, without Circumftances fit, And foeial Aid, finds happinefs complete: ; Heav*n wifely plac*d what Happinefs we call^ / In Plenty^ Health and >Re^ilude. in AIL . C Plenty and Health on Relitude depends '''' i Becaufe Probation is the fovereign End. O 10. Ah| i^ p" a E M a io Ah, then ! what hope in this depraved ftate, Where vicious Love engenders vicious Hate ; And vicious Hate and Love break Nature's Law, Which juftly dooms Depravity to woe ? What can we hope ? Why, juft the fate we find* Convinc'd of this, my Soul ! be all refign'd ! .. ir. Virtue, fair image of th* Almighty SirCy Confent divine of reafon and defire. Virtue rcfih'ci>, ev*n chriftian light and love,. Sent with the Holy Spirit from above. Virtue alone can happinefs receive ; Virtue ahne true happinefs can give. No demonftration plainer ! All Delight Confifts in Love ; And Virtue, loving Right, (Supremely God, then All, above, below, *In due degree r due Love of All we know) Virtue alone can with delight impel To follow Duty, and hepleafed well: Virtue alone, purfuing Duty's road. Can claim benevolence from Man or God : Virtue alone can fwcet Communion fh are With God and Saints ; and perfect glory hear. This all is. plain : And juft is it as clear. That Via admits no happinefs fmcere. Km . . f> -O E M S* 't$i Vicemufi he wretched: for the leaft degree Of mere Reluctance fmacks of mifery : And. ho\d Rebellion, feizing guilty joys, J . The more it profpers, more itfelf deftroys4 Admit it triumphs on this curfed ball. Remuneration foon will fettle all. If Virtue groans ; with pious patience wait That grand decilion oi 2^ future ft ate : God will in that, whate'er men do in this. Doom Vice to woe, and Virtue crown with hlifs : In endlefs woe fhall wicked Souls be bound ; All plagu'd, all plaguing, funk in // Arid hope eternal light. O Pow'r immenfe ! that ftill fiipplies. At Vifdom^s vaft expence, Glories, exciting, grand furprize : But why recal them hence ? Has Innocence fuch charms with thee ? For her is all this cbft ? When man profan'd thy facred tree, She fled,- The world was loft. Yes ! Innocence my God admiresj Where'er fhe deigns to dwell. His prefence happinefs infpires ; If abfent fhe 'tis hell. Ye lovely vifions ! (for no more Subftantial good I call) * ' Sweet Bleft Innocence difdains our fiior^'! Then perifh muft ye aJL ' :'*: '/ i *Tis but a gleam of Grace beftows This bloom on life decay'd : All tranfient like the Summer rofe. All flourifh, and all fade. Soon Death Ihali force the painful (igh, And load the mournful bier ; To beauty (hut the charmed eye. To melody the ear. Low wrapt in hallow- d mould fhall flcep The fwain, forgot his lay. No bofom heave, no eye-lid weep ! Prepare and come away ! ODE. To Mufic. "TV yf Usic, tune thy filver firings ! Notes melodious, gently roll ! Softly, foftly, wake the Soul, Awake her fympathetic fprings ! Slow ^t^ p o :e m s,^ Slow and tjendcr, fweet and fhriil, I With pleas'd and mild attention fill i Strong and bolder when they grow, We feel the bofom beat and glow j Toy, joy through all the nerves rebounds. Which dance and thrill to charming founds, Pleafure like the virgin's bread, fond and chafte, and foft and gay, Inlpires the pafTions of the bleft. And chafes ruder thoughts away. Virtue lifts her brow ferene : Chearful Peace and raptur'd J^ove f Adorn the bright inchanting fcene, As on a feftive day above, Away ! far hence away ! Prophane I Defile not Mufic's purer breath : Your (kill may gratify the vain. And chear the odious ways of death. Think not joy to you confin*d ; Brutes poflefs a brutal mind : * To fordid natures filth is fweet i So folly goes with fools for wit : Ravens admire the croaking voice ; ^'J'he meaner tafle, the meaner choice. But Bi^ happier nature^, ipoy'd by finet fplfings^ :(Like weaned lambs, that nicely fbcd On f hoiceft herbs, in freflieft mead ; Pr bees, that fip the blooming thyme) Enjoy ^ a relifh more fublimp, ^hich pureft pleafure brings. Away, Auftere ! whofe peevifh pride. Another's pleafure can't abide j With fpite and cenfure like to burft. With bale ill-nature greatly curft ; |fc In my bofom*s humble fhrine ! - Luminary, far excelling All the orbs that brightly fliinc \ Tho** with curious inclination^ ' Human fcience I explore ; Shew me, chief, thy great falvation^ TeacI* me purely to adore. Other knowledge all muft vanifh 5 All its ufes center here : Pious knowledge will replenifh," And adorn our heav'nly fphere. Blind, how blind with all our fcience !- Profit pays not half the toil : Nature yields no brib*d compliance 5 Deep (he hides the precious Ipoil. Truths unufeful or undoing, acre4 Providence does Kids j- . Kindly^ t^l^ !> E M S. Kindly ftays us from our ruin/ ' Mortifies our ft>olifh pride. The' with curious inclination. Human fcience 1 explore ; Shew me, Ihew me, thy falvation I Teach me purely to adore. 'David's Song ^/^ Triumph. XJlRise! Arife, Jehovah ! with thy awful nod Scatter thy trembling enemies abroad ! Like chaff in whirlwinds borne away, The Wicked in thy wrath decay. Him, lo ! the glorious Cherubs bore : On wings of rapid winds He came : Fury and Terror flew before , Earth fhook, and Heav'n's eternal frame ! Horrid darknefs roU'd around , Tumultuous back the roaring Ocean Hed, And naked left his oo '.y bed ; Blue lightnings flam'd along the ground. Our p o MS; wg Our enemies in difarray. Pale and crying, fled away. Jehovah is my ftrength and p6w'?,~ My laMp of unextinguifhable light, My fhield, my rock, my lofty tow'r ; He guards my life, and guides my ways aright; Train'd by his almighty care, invincible I ruili to war ; Swifter than the mountain roe. Stronger than the ftrongeft bow.' I have purfu'd I have deftroy'd I turned not again, Until my flaughter*d enemies lay void Of genial life, in heaps upon the plain.' My vanquifli'd foes no more Ihall rile : Their necks beneath my foot-fleps lie. Omnipotence, which rules the fkies. Shall fet his fervant's glory high. Then thanks, Jehovah ! thanks to Thee* Whofe tender mercy fets me free ! To Earth's remoteft ends I'll fing Thy praifes, great eternal King ! A4 %m ^ # o E M s. An Hymn^ /*^ Rife, my foul 1 and rife, my fong ! '^-^ Infpiririg rapture bear along ! On "brings of heav'nly joy I foar, .; y,' '. . The Throne Almighty to adore I O place me far above the wrongs Of cruel hearts, and bufy tongues j Above the reach of hate and guile, Tliie tyrant's frown, the traitor's fmile ! Then win thy fervant. Lord, prockim Thy awful laws to the remoteft fhore ; And people, ftrangers to thy holy name. Thee, Thee, O God eternal, Ihall adore ' Praife, O my foul ! extol his przik t His faithful promife cannot fail. Illumin*d with his glorious rays^ And ftrengthen'd, I fhall Hill prevail, O ! for his honor zealous be ; He never can be falie to thee. So when thefe ruins of this world Shall be again to Chaos hurl'd. And vengeance flame with Wrath divine^ Peace, joy, and glory, Ihall be thine. POEM S. 209' On the Divine Wifdom in diftributing Pleafure and Pain. B A Fragment. Ehold how wifely pains "and pUafures blend To keep us fteady to the fovereign End! Sec fools of rapture, flaming to purfue Joys, fancy paints in fafcinating view. Scarce fooner fiezing the deluflve charm. Than all their ardor latent bahes difarm. Nay, ev'n the wife, who but indulge as fit In fober joys, which are mofl cxquifite. At frequent intervals find Ibme allay Suggcft, they are but Beings of a day. As in that feafon, when the greens and blooms Clothe Nature gay, and frefhly breathe perfumes. Each bird of mufic amorous carol fings j And Infe6t-lovers frifk on filmy wings ; So gentle youth as carelefly employ Unnumber'd days in fprightly ads of joy : Yet oft the floating cloud and chilling blaft Foretel th' arrival of old ag-e at lafl:. On that delight, which finer fpirits know In fecial union, fricndfliip*s tender glow, P (That (That dear delight, if ought on earth be dear^ , , To make a parting worthy of a tear, To heave the bofom with a longing figh. Or caufe one wifli to linger when we die) On that delight, alas, what ills a:ttend ! '" - \ Thofe fharpeft ills, derived from a friend ! At beft the blefling hangs on chance and breath ; While oft th' aitending woes are worfe than death. Perhaps too few have any foul at all For what, with emphafis, v/e friendjhip call : Dull, or diverted by feme vulgar flame. Few rife to friendfhip's elevated aim. Interefl;*s carefll's, Vanity's pretence And Envy's wiles admit no friendly fenfe. Ev'n ardent fouls, which friendly feem to burn. Oft wafte, and grow more aflies in the urn ; Or, like a wandering meteorous fire. By fudden glances kindle and expire. Geat Alexander^ greatly mad and vain, Stab'd his dear friend, then wept his Clytus flain j. So numbers do ! Alas, it boots to know How more a friend is cruel than a Foe. Beware of friendfhips ! the capricious fhun ! "What ends in pain were better ne'er begun. Friendfhip's Friehdfhip's the rnoft fublime of bleffings giv^n To man, the neareft in approach to Heaven ; But nobleft things, perverted, grow the \|irorft, .;: , To find our Heav'n a Hell is moll accurft:^; i.r- f^ O happy they, who,, worthy friendlhjp's dajDC, United long, are conftstntly the fam? \ '. ; . . : ,7 Like rows of columns, fome fair Itru^ture's bafe. Each lends to each at once fupport and grace : Or liker ftars, whofe mutual pulfes keep Their gyres undevious thro' th' etherial deep. They move harmonious ftiedding genial fire,.> :-, ^Till, as Ihall liars, they glorioufly expire. , ^ j^ Such happy fouls, ev*n when their joys are fpent,: Repofe in union, full of fweet content : Their tranquil tempers feel no ruder woe, Than thofe, which age and frailty mull beflow 5 And pure contentment oft prolongs their flay In life, 'till late, when calm they glide away. Happy are they, if Happinefs e'er deigns To call one beam on earth's devoted plains. But ah, thefe highefl joys can only move To wifh for joys eternal, far above ! They foon pafs by; they juft falute the hearty Awake the warm defire, and then depart. No tii POEMS. No fkill no might exempts the wife and brave From frailty's law, from misery and the grave. Great Mitbridates, wife as well as great. And brave as wife, experienc*d dire defeat : Ev'n poifon's pow*r his fcience cou*d repel ; But by an executioner he fell. Whilft rude Goliath boafts gigantic ftrength, A pebble lays him fhivering at his length. Such are the frailties, rofe in evil hour. To fliew Sin's nature, God's avenging pow*r : Severe but kind monitions, vice to quell ; And virtue try and llrengthen, to excel ; In due fubfervience to the glorious plan Of trying, and at laft redeeming man. FINIS. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. HEG'D LD-URC SEPfJ|3i985 '. \^ ? --: 19*' Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 THE TTr^^ARY IINIVERSITY. G^ ;.' LIFDIiNI4 'f-^' " ffi^'^' .^a. wise - 5310 1775 A miscellany of pnp>Tnq PR 53UO "VV75A17 1775 ^'I****^'! ""'