, c< e THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. c; T OEM ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. VIZ. THE NUNNERY, ^ rTHE NUN, THE MAGDALENS,! (.FUGITIVE PIECES. La mufe qui ditfa les rimes, Queje vats offrir a vos yeux, N' eft point de ces mufes fublimes, >ui pour amans veuknt des Dieux. CRESSET. "LONDON: Printed for J. ROBSON, Bookfeller, at the Feathers in NJfr Rrr-,-l O f ~, in New Bond-Street. MDCCLXVJJ. CONTENTS. THE Nunnery Page i; The Magdalens r 10 The Nun < 17 Alifia, a Ballad _ 27 Matilda, a Ballad 23 To the P of W 38 Stanzas to the E. of Chefterfield 41, The Naiad, to Dr. A 44 Lines in Mr. Hume's Hiftory -__ 47 The Lily's Triumph _ 4g The Rookery 5 The Dialogue 5 8 Celia Sleeping . 56 To the D of Q. -y 59 The Strawberries . $ Q On Lady Sarah B 's Cat . 62 Imitated from the French .-, - 838159 THE N U N N E R Y: An ELEGY. i. REtirement's hour proclaims the tolling bell, In due obfervance of it's ftern decree ; Each facred virgin feeks her lonely cell, And leaves the grate to folitude and me. II. Now throws the vveflern fun a fainter glare, And filence fooths the veftal world to reft, Save where fome pale-ey'd novice (wrap'd in pray'r) Heaves a deep groan, and Irnites her guiltlefs bread. B IIL I 1 ] III. Save that in artlefs melancholy ftrains, Some Eloifa whom foft paflion moves, Abforpt in forrow, to the night complains, For ever bar'd the Abelard me loves. IV. Within thefe ancient walls with mofs o'erfpread, Where the relenting Tinner learns to weep, Each in her narrow bed 'till midnight laid, The gentle daughters of devotion ileep. V. Of wantonnefs the pleafure-breathing lay, Or laughter beck'ning from his rofy feat, Or vanity attir'd in colours gay, Shall ne'er allure them from their lonely ftate. VI. For them no more domcftic joys return, Or tender father plies his wonted care, JThe nuptial torch for them muft never burn, Or prattling infants charm the ling'ring year. [ 3 1 VII. Oft do they weave the chaplets pictur'd gay, To deck their altars and the Ihrines around ; How fervent do they chant the pious lay ? How thro' the lengthening ifle the notes refound ? VIII. Let not the gay coquette with jeft profane, Mock their veil'd life and deftiny fevcre ; Nor worldly beauty with a fneer difdain The humble duties of the cloifler'd fair. IX. The glift'ning eye, the half-feen bread of fnow, The coral lip, the bright vermilion bloom, Awaits alike th' inexorable foe ; The paths of pleafure lead but to the tomb. X. Nor you, ye vain, impute to thefe the fault, If flatt'ry to their fame no trophies raife, Where thro* the dome with grandeur's treafures fraught, The num'rous fopplings lift the voice of praife. B 2 XI. [ 4 ] XI. Can artful phrafes or alluring words, Bid the pale cheek aflume a fecond prime ! Can ev'n Apollo's fweetly-founding cords, Arreft the fpeedy fteps of conq'ring time. XII. Perhaps in this drear manfion are confin'd, Some whofe accomplim'd beauty can impart, Each foft emotion to the fterneft mind, And wake to extacy the beating heart. XIII. But pleafure flies them a forbidden gueft, Deck'd with the flow'rs in youth's gay path that bloom, The clay-cold hand of penance chills their breaft, And o'er the rays of fancy throws a gloom. XIV. Full many a riv'let wand'ring to the main, Sequefter'd pours it's folitary wave ; Full many a flower is rooted from the plain, To wafte it's fweetnefs on the defert grave. XV. [ 5 3 i XV. Some veil'd Eliza (like the clouded Sun) May here refide inglorious and unknown ; Some like Augufla might have rear'd a fon. To blefs a nation and adorn a throne. XVI. From flatt'ry's lip to drink the fweets of praife, In rival charms with other belles to vie ; In circles to attract the partial gaze, And view their beauty in th* admirer's eye. XVII. Their lot forbids, nor does alone remove The thirft of praife, but e'en their crimes reftrain ; Forbids thro' folly's labyrinth to rove, And yield to vanity the flacken'd rein : XVJIL To raife 'mid Hymen's joys domeftic ftrife, Or feek that converfe which they ought to (hun j To loofe the facred ties of nuptial life, And give to many what they vow'd to one. XIX. [ 6 ] XIX. Far from the circle of the fplendid throng, They tread obfcurity's fequefter'd vale ; Their lonely hours unvaried creep along, Unfan'd by pleafure's ever fhifting gale. XX. What tho' they're fprihkled with etherial dew ! With blooming wreaths by hands of feraphs crown'd ! Tho' heav'n's unfading fplendors burft to view, And harps celeftial to their ear refound, XXL Still grateful mem'ry paints the diftant friend, Not ev'n the world to their remembrance dies i Their midnight orifons to heav'n afcend, To (lay the bolt defcending from the Ikies, XXII. - For who entfanc'd in vifions from above, The thought of kindred razes from the mind ? Feels in the foul no warm returning love, For fome endear'd companion left behind ? XXIII. [ 7 ] XXIII. Their joy encircled hearth as they forfook, From fome fond bread reluctant they withdrew : As from the deck they fent a farewell look, Fair Albion funk for ever to their view. XXIV. For thee who mindful of th* encloifter'd train, Doftjn thefe lines their mournful tale relate ; If by compaflion guided to this fane, Some kindred fpirit fhall enquire thy fate. XXV. * Haply fome aged veftal may reply, c Oft have we heard him 'ere Aurora's ray * Had painted bright the portal of the iky, At yonder altar join the matin lay. XXVI. * Where haplefs Eloifa fought repofe, * Oft at yon grave wou'd he her fate condole, * And in his bread as fcencs of grief arofe, * Sigh the kind requiem to her gentle foul. XXVII. XXVII. One morn I mifs*d him at the hour divine, 6 Along that Ide and in the facrifty : 4 Another came, nor yet befide the fhrine, e Nor at the font, nor in the porch was he, XXVIII. * The next we heard the bell of death intone, * And in the fearful grave we faw him laid : ' Approach and read on this fepulchral ftone, The lines engrav'd to footh his hov'ring (hade. THE . [ 9 ] THE EPITAPH, XXIX. BY Fate's ftern hand untimely fnatch'd away, Does this deep vaulted cave a youth fnfold He gave to folitude the ftudious day, And pity fram'd his bofom of her mould. XXX. With lyre devoted to companion's ear, Did he bewail the veftal's haplefs doom ; Oft has this marble catch'd his falling tear, And for that gen'rous tear he gain'd a tomt. THE [ io 3 c$&&&&3^^ THE MAGDALEN S. AN ELEGY. i I. AT yonder hallow'd rail what fcenes appear ? A numerous train of fuppliant nymphs I fpy ! Their youthful cheek is pal'd with early care, And forrow dwells in their dcjefted eye. II. Hark ! they awake a folemn plaintive lay, Where grief with harmony delights to meet; Not Philomela from her lonely fpray, Trills her clear note more queruloufly fweet. in. Are thefe the fair who wont with confcious grace, Proud Ranelagh's refplendent round to tread ? Shine in the fludied-luxury of drefs ! And vie in beauty with the high-born maid f TV [ II ] IV. The fmiling fcenes of pleafure they forfake, Obey no more amufement's idle call ; Nor mingling with the fons of mirth partake^ The treat voluptuous, or the feftive ball. V. For fober weeds they change their bright attire, Of the pearl bracelet ftrip the graceful arm ; Veil the white breaft, that lately figh'd defire, And to the wrapt eye heav'd, th' imprifon'd charm. VI. Unbraid the cunning treftes of the hair, And each well-fancied ornament remove ; The glowing gem, the glitt'ring folitaire The coftly fpoils of proftituted love ! VII. Yet beauty lingers on their mournful brow, As loth to leave the cheek bedewM with tears j Which fcarcely bluming with a languid glow, Like morn's faint beam thro* drizzling rain appears. C 2 VIII. [ II ]] VIII. No more compare them to the ftately flow'r, "Whofe painted foliage wantons in the gale : They look the lily drooping from the fhow'r, Or the pale vi'let fick'ning in the vale. Let not the prude with acrimonious taunt, Upbraid the humble tenants of this dome ; That pleafure's rofy bow'r they us'd to haunt, And in the walk of loofe-rob'd dalliance roam. X. If fond of empire and of conqueft vain, They frequent vot'ries to their altars drew ; Yet blaz'd thofe altars to the fair one's bane, The idol they, and they the victim too ! XI. Some in this facred manfion may refide, \Vhofe parent's aflies drank their early tears j And haplefs orphans ! trod without a guide, The maze of life perplext with guileful fnares. XII. [ 13 ] XII. Some that encircled by the great and rich, Were won by wiles, and deep-defigning art ; By fplendid bribes, and foft perfuafive fpeech, Of pow'r to cheat the young unguarded heart. XIII. Some on whom beauty breath'd her radiant bloom, ! Whilfl adverfe ftars all other gifts remov'd ; Who fled from mis'ry and a dungeon's gloom, To fcenes their inborn virtue difapprov'd. XIV. What tho' their youth imbib'd an early (lain, Now gilded by the rays of new-born fame ; A fecond innocence they here obtain, And cloifter'd penance heals their wounded name. | XV. So the young myrtles nipt by treach'rous cold, (While ftill the fummer yields his golden ftore) In fhelt'ring walls their tender leaves unfold, And breathe a fweeter fragrance than before. XVI, [ 14 1 XVI. Tho* white-wing'd peace protect this calm abode, Tho' each illicit paflion be fupprefs'd ; Still recollection wears a fling to goad, Still fang'd remorfe invades their anxious breaft. XVII. The tort'ring hour of mem'ry this may prove, Who wrapt in penfive fecrefy forlorn ; ' Sits mufing on the' pledges of her love, Expos'd to chilly want, and grinning fcorn : XVIII. Forgot, deferted in th* extremeft need, By him who ought to fliield their tender age : * Was this feducer this the promis'd meed !' She cries, then finks beneath affliction's rage. XIX. Another mourns her fall with grief fincere, Whom tranquil reafon tells flic's fhun'd, difdain'd j Repuls'd as vile by thofe who held her dear, 1 "Who call'd her once companion, fitter, friend. XX. [ .5 ] XX. That recollects the day when loft to fhame, She fondly facrific'd her veftal charms : Refign'd the virgin's, for an harlot's name, And left a parent's for a fpoiler's arms. j XXI. Imagination pencils to her mind The father's rage, the mother's fofter woe: Unhappy pair ! to that diflrefs confign'd, A child can give, a parent only know. XXII. The tragic pidure fixes forrow's dart, While filial pafllons in her breaft revive : She feels beak'd anguifh preying at her heart, - To nature's pangs too fenfibly alive ! XXIII. If this or fimilar tormenting thought, Cling to their foul, when penfively alone ; For youth's offence, for Love's alluring fault, Say, do they not fuffrciently atone ! XXVI. XXIV. Oh mock not then their penitential woes, Thou who may'ft deign to mark this humble theme ; Nor feek with foul derifion to expofe, And give to infamy their tainted name. XXV. Nor deem me one of melancholy's train, If anxious for the forrow-wedded fair ; (Tho little fkilful of poetic drain, Whofe pleafmg mufic takes the tuneful ear.) XXVI. I fteal impatient from the idle throng, The roving gay companions of my age ; To temper with their praife my artlefs fong, And foft-ey'd pity in their caule engage. XXVII. 'Tis virtue's talk to foothe afflidion's fmart, To join in fadnefs with the fair diftreft : Wake to another's pain the tender heart, And move to fympathy the feeling breaft. THE [ 17 ] THE N U N: An ELEGY. 1'antum relligio poiuit fuadsre malorum, I. WITH each perfection dawning on her mind, All beauty's treafure opening on her cheek; Each flatt'ring hope fubdued, each wifli refign'd^ Does gay Ophelia this lone manfion feek ! IL Say, gentle maid, what prompts thee to forfake, The paths th'y birth and fortune drew with flow'rs ? Thro' nature's kind endearing ties to break, And wafte in cloifter'd walls thy penfive hours ? III. Let fober thought reftrain thine erring zeal, That guides thy footfteps to the veftal gate ; , Left thy foft heart (this friendfhip bids reveal) Like mine unbleft, mou'd mourn like mine too Jate; D IV. 18 IV. Does fome Angelic lonely-whifp'ring voice, Some facred impulfe, or fome dream divine, Approve the dictates of thy early choice I- Approach with confidence the awful fhrine. V. There kneeling at yon altar's marble bafe, (While tears of rapture from thine eye-lid Heal, And fmiling heav'n illumes thy foul with grace) Pronounce the vow thou never can'ft repeal. VI. But if milled by faife-entitled friends, Who fay * that peace with all her comely train j * From flarry regions to this clime defcends, * Smooths ev'ry frown, and foftens ev'ry pain : VII. * That veftals tread contentment's flow'ry lawn, ' e Approv'd of innocence, by health careft : That rob'd in colours bright by fancy drawn, * Celeftial hope fits fmiling at their breaffo VIII. t 19 ] VIII. , Sulpect their fyren fong and artful flyle, Theirpleafmgfounds fome treach'rous thought conceal^ Full oft does pride with fainted voice beguile, And fordid int'reft wear the mafk of zeal. IX. A tyrant Abbefs here perchance may reign, Who fond of pow'r, affects the imperial nod ; Looks down difdainful on her female train, And rules the cl outer with an iron rod. X. Reflection fickens at the life-long tie, Back-glancing mem'ry acts her bufy part ; Its charms the world, unfolds to fancy's eye, And fheds allurement on the wilhful heart. XL Lo ! difcord enters at the facred porch, Rage in her frown, and terror on her creft : Ev'n at the haliow'd lamps me lights her torch, And holds it flaming to each virgin bread. D 2 XII. XII. But fince the legends of monaftic blifs, By fraud are fabled, and by youth believ'd; Unbought experience learn from my diftrefs, Oh ! mark my lot, and be no more deceiv'd. XIII. Three luftres fcarce with hafty wing were fled, When I was torn from ev'ry weeping friend ; A thoughtlefs victim to the temple led, And (blufh, ye parents) by a father's hand. XIV. Yet then what folemn fcenes deceiv'd my choice ! The pealing organ's animating found ; The choral virgin's captivating voice, The blazing altar, and the priefts around : XV. The train of youth array'd in purefl white, "Who fcatter'd myrtles as I pafs'd along : The thoufand lamps that pour'd a flood of light, The kifs of peace from all the veftal throng. XVI. [ 21 ] XVI. The golden cenfers tofs'd with graceful hand, Whofe fragrant breath Arabian odor fhed ; Of meek-ey'd novices the circling band, With blooming chaplets wove around their head. XVH. My willing foul was caught in rapture's flame, While facred ardor glow'd in ev'ry vein ; Methought applauding Angels fung my name, And heaven's unfullied glories gilt the fane. XVIII. Methought in fun-beams robed the heav'nly fpoufe Indulg'd the longings of my holy love : Not undelighted heard my virgin vows While o'er the altar wav'd the myltic dove. XIX. This temporary tranfport foon expir'd, My drooping heart confefs'd a dreadful void : E'er fince, alas ! abandon'd, uninfpir'd, I tread this dome, to mifery allied. XX [ 22 ] XX. No wakening joy informs my fallen breaft, Thro' opening flues no radiant feraph fmiles ; No faint defcends to foothe my foul to reft ! No dream of blifs the dreary night beguiles. XXI. Here haggard difcontent ftill haunts my view, The fombre genius reigns in ev'ry place ; Arrays each virtue in the darkeft hue, Chills, ev'ry pray'r, and cancels ev'ry grace. XXII. I meet her ever in the chearlefs cell, The gloomy grotto and unfocial wood : I hear her ever in the midnight bell, The hollow gale, and hoarfe-refounding flood. XXIII. This caus'd a mother's tender tears to flow, (The fad remembrance time mall ne'er erafe) When having feal'd th* irrevocable vow, I haften'd to receive her laft embrace. f XXIV. t f3 3 XXIV. Full-well fhe then prefag'd my wretched fate; Th' unhappy moments of each future day : When lock'd within this unrelenting grate. My joy- defer ted foul wou'd pine away. XXV. Yet ne'er did her maternal voice unfold, This cloifter'd fcene in all its horror dreft ; Nor did me then my trembling fteps with-hold, When here I eriter'd a reluctant gueft. XXVI. Ah ! cou'd me view her only child betray'd, And let fubmifllon o'er her love prevail ? Th* unfeeling prieft why did Ihe not upbraid, Forbid the vow, and rend the hov'ring veil ? XXVII. Alas ! me might not her relentlefs lord Had feal'd her iips, and chid her ftreaming tears ; So anguilh in her bread conceal'd its hoard, And all the mother funk in dumb defpair. XXVIIIj - t u J XXVIII. But thou who own'ft a father's facred name, What aft impell'd thee to this ruthlefs deed! What crime had forfeited my filial claim ? And giv'n (Oh ! blafting thought) thy heart to bleed, XXIX. If then thine injur'd child deferve thy care, Oh ! hade and bear her from this lonefome gloom : In vain no words can foothe his rigid ear ; And Gallia's laws have riveted my doom. XXX. Ye cloifter'd fair ! ye cenfure-breathing faints, Supprefs your taunts, and learn at length to fpare j Tho* mid thefe holy walls I vent my plaints, And give to forrow what is due to pray'r. XXXI. I fled not to this manfion's deep recefs, To veil the blumes of a guilty fhame -, The tenor of an ill-fpent life redrefs, And fnatch from infamy a finking name. XXXII. XXXII. Yet let me to my fate fubmiffive bow, From fatal fymptons if I right conceive ; This ftream, Ophelia, has not long to flow, This voice to murmur and this breaft to heave. XXXIII. Ah ! when extended on th' untimely bier, To yonder vault this form fhall be convey'd ; Thou'lt not refufe to filed one grateful tear, And breathe the requiem to my fleeting fliade. XXXIV. With pious footfte-p join the fable, train, As thro' the lengthening ifle they take their way : A glimmering taper let thy hand fuftain, Thy foothing voice attune the funeral lay. XXXV. Behold the Minifter who lately gave, The facred veil, in garb of mournful hue j (More friendly office) bending o'er my grave,' And fprinkling my remains with hallow'd dew : E XXXVI. [ 26 ] XXXVI. As o'er the corfe he flrews the rattling duft, The fterneft heart will raife companion's figh : Ev'n then no longer to his child unjuft, The tears may trickle from a father's eye. ALL I A. A BALLAD. I. TO yon dark grove Alula flew, Juft at th' appointed hour ; To meet the youth whofe bofom true, Confefs'd her beauty's pow'r. II. All that fair beauty cou'd beftow, Or fairer virtue give, Did on his face unrival'd glow, And in his bofom live. III. But not the charm of beauty's fiow'r, Or virtue's fairer charm ; Cou'd in her father's foul the pow'r Of Avarice difaim E 2 IV. [ 23 J IV. He bad the youth his manfion fly, And fcorn'd his ardent vow : And when the tears flow'd from his eye, He bad them fafter' flow. V. Alifia with a bleeding mind. Beheld the injur'd youth : And vow'd, in holy wedlock join'd, To crown at length his truth. VI. As fhe forfook her native feat, ' Farewell ye fields fo fair 5 * May blefllngs ftill my Father meet 1 ' She faid and dropt a tear. VII. Th' oppreffion of a parent's hand, A parent dead to fliame : In her meek bread by virtue fan'd, Ne'er quench'd the filial flame. [' 29 ] VIII. Now fafe fhe reach'd th* appointed ground, Tho J love was all her guide ; But abfent when the youth fhe found, She look'd around and figh'd. IX. Each breeze that ruftled o'er the tree, Sooth'd for a fpace her fmart ; She fondly cried Oh that is he ! While patted faft her heart. X. The pleafing images of hope, Night's terrors now deform : While on her mind drear fceneries ope, And raife the mental ftorm. XL On ibme rude ftone Ihe bow'd her head, All helplefs and forlorn ; Now ftarting from her rugged bed, She wifh'd the ling'ring morn. XI. [ 30 ] With heavy heart I now unfold, What th' abfent youth befell ; Who fierce befet by ruffians bold, Opprcfs'd with numbers fell : XIII. At length the morn'difclos'd its ray And calm'd Alifia's fear ; She reftlefs took her various way, (Diftra&ed) here and there. XIV. Thus as fhe wander'd, wretched maid, To mis'ry doom'd ! fhe found A naked corfe along the fhade, And gafh'd with many a wound. XV. Struck to the foul at this dread icene, All motionlefs (he flood ! To view the raven bird obfcene, Drink up the clotting blood. I 3' ] XVI. What horrors did her breaft invade, When as fhe nearer drew ? The features that the raven fed, Her lover gave to view. XVII. \Vith fhrieks fhe rent th* affrighted air ! To tears had fond recourfe -, With frantic hand now tore her hair, Now funk upon the corfc. XVIII. Then throwing round a troubled glance, With madnefs' ray inflam'd : Beheld fome travellers advance, To whom fhe thus exclaim'd. XIX. ' Ye bafe inhuman train, away ! * What urg'd you to this deed ? * You've turn'd my gentle love to clay, ' And bad me forrow wed. XX. XX. t Hark, hark ! the raven flaps her wings c She drinks his b)ood again * Ah ! now /he feeds on my heart-firings Oh Jefu ! foothe my pain. . : iv b nol rOLLO bids the mules rove, The lonely path the filent grove : ! He bids the graces oft refort, U To feftive fcenes and fplendid court, f . ' Yet will he let the rmife repair, To where Charlotta guards her heir j Unblam'd the royal babe approach, And ftrew frefli flow'rets o'er his couch, As on his cheek buds nature's role, "With virtue's bud hjs bojqm glows -, i Whofe foliage opening into day, Shall each parental ftrcak difplay : And when the coming fpring prevails "With fweets maternal, icent the gales. < Your choiccft wreath, ye fairies bring, To crown the little embrio king : Behold ; L 39 3 Behold that hand with gewgaws play, Which mall Britannia's fcepter fway : Attentive o'er the nurs'ry plain, Behold him range his mimic men : Unconfcious of the future hour, When yelled with imperial pow'r, He, Hero-like, fliall lead his train, To combat on a real plain ; While victory fhall blefs the war, And fcatter laurels from her car : . Illuftrious babe, tho' deaf to praife, For thee I frame thefe humble lays : The day will come (but may kind fate Keep back that day 'till very late) When thou thy much-lov'd father's heir, Like him fhal't grace the regal chair ; Shalt hold, approv'd th* imperial helm, And blefs, like him, a grateful realm. Oh ! then mall praife ring out her peal, And flatt'ry her bright flow'rets deal : Ah, if thine eye in future time Shou'd chance to mark this aakfs rhyme, When [ 40 ] When ftretch'd beneath the fun'ral ground, This frame fhall lay with ofier bound ; Thou'lt find one of the mufe's train, For thee awak'd his gentle flrain : "What time unconfcious of the theme, That did unfold thy future fame ; Thou cou*d'ft not with a (mile reward The numbers of th' unvenal bard : While they who fhall thefe lines perufe, If lines like thefe furvive their mufe ; Shall own, when they look up to you, That he was bard and prophet too. t 4i 1 To the EARL of CHESTERFIELD, A U G U S , T 7th. I. Eclin'd beneath thy made, Blackheath ! From politicks and ftrife apart ; "His temples twin'd with laurel-wreath, And virtue fmiling at his heart : II. Will Chefterfield the mufe allow, To break upon his ftrll retreat ? To view if health ftill fmooths his brow, ' And prints his grove with willing feet ? III. Tho* gratitude- is rarefy found, At court or fpacious drawing-room ; Still {hall {he tread poetic ground, And favors pad lira 11 ne'er intomb. G I t 42 ] IV. Twas this awak'd the prefent theme, And bad it reach thy diftant ear ; Where if no rays of genius beam, Sincerity at leaft is there. V. May pale difeafe fly far aloof, O'er venal domes its flag difplay ; And health beneath thy peaceful roof, Add luftre to thine evening ray. VI. If this my fervent wifh be crown'd, I'll drefs with flow'rs the godhead's fhrine Nor thou with wifdom's chaplet bound, At any abfent gift repine. VII. What tho* thou doft not grace a throne, While fubjecls bend the fupple knee ; Js T o other king the mufes own, And fcience lifts her eye to thee. [ 43 1 vnr. Tho* deafnefs by a doom fevere, Steals from thy ear the murm'ring rill ; Or Philomel's delightful air, Ev'n deem not this a partial ill. IX. Ah, if anew thine ear was ftrung, Awake to ev'ry voice around ? VThy praifes by the many fung, Wou'd ftun thee with the choral found ! * G 2 [ 44 3. N A I A D. To Dr. A K E N S I D E. I. ONCE did this cool and twilight grot, Which babbling : .itwams -furrotmd j : And all this (till umbrageous Ipot, Re-echo to- thy Toil nd! II. Thy tuneful mufc* harmonious found ! My mind retains the day ; When circling Naiads beat the ground, In honor of thy lay. III. How pleafure brighten'd ev'ry face ! How murmur'd foft the ftream ; How flufh'd each flow'r a new-born grace, As confcious of thy theme. VI. [ 45 ] IV. . E'er fince the mazy, tinkling rill, Or Philomela's air ; Refounding clear at evening (till, Are all the notes we hear. V. Rejoin (nor let this pray Y be vain) : Kejom our pebbled haunts : ^ -M- r ' T Once rnore awake the unwilling itram, That our fair troop enchants. VI. Thee now alas occafion d.ear, Calls to this grotto's :gloom : From Naiads gum the heart-fprung tear, And foils their wonted bloom. VII. For Aganippe, lovely maid, To mirth become a foe -, On her white arm reclines her head, A prey to conflant woe. viir. [ 46 ] VIII. This morn at twilight*s grateful hour, The fubject Naiad throng ; Approach'd the virgin's lonely bow'r, And plied a Toothing fong : IX. But mufic's foothing art was vain, To raife her eyelids dim ; .'Till one of the fair choral train, Tun'd thine unrival'd hymn. X. Ah, when that pleafing line was heard, That founds her grateful name -, Her drooping head (he gently rear'd, And own'd the powerful theme. XL Revifit then our wat'ry bow'rs, And bring thy magic lyre : Ah, bring thy wreath of fmiling flow'rs, And lead the tuneful choir : [ 47 ] WRITTEN IN MR. H U M E's HISTORY, I. TT) I G with the tales of other years, ^-^ Here lays the hiftoric tome ; Which to the penfive mind appears, A deep capacious tomb : II. Where long embalm'd by Clio's hand, The patriot and the flave ; Who fav'd, and who betray'd the land, Prefs one extenfive grave : With thofe that grafp'd the imperial helm, And trod the path of pow'r : With thofe who grac'd fair learning's realm, And beauty's fairer bow'r : IV. If thus th* illuflrious clofe their fcene, Oblivion then may laugh ; What flows from Hume's immortal pen, Is but an Epitaph ! THE LILY's TRIUMPH. THE fun unveil'd his briehteft ray, : The birds attun'd their fweeteft lay ; - , As Flora iffued from her bow'r, To fhed perfumes on ev'ry flow'r. As Hie approach'd her painted train, With joy fhe view'd the chcarful fcene ; This flow'r fne kifs'd, and that, fhe rais'd She gather'd one, another prais'd ; Yet ftill of all her gay parterre; The lily feem'd her greateft care ; Meek child, the radiant godelefs cried, . Of gardens now be thou the pride. Know that Lucinda, beauteous fair ! Doth thee to all my train prefer. Ah, ' t 49 ] Ah go beyond thy equals bleft, And breathe thine odor on her breaft ; Yet envy not that iv'ry Ihrine, Whofe whitenefs far furpaffcth thine ; By nature's hand with incenfe fpread, Whofe fweetnefs far doth thine exceed : Enough that thou enjoy'ft the feat, >* JI J\ v Where virtue and the graces meet. - ... JS-,< .'., . ' . . .LV H THE [ 50 3 , . I II L : R O OK E R Y. ' OH thou who dweil'ft upon the bough, Whofe tree does wave its verdant brow ; And fpreading fhades, the diftant brook, Accept thefe lines, dear filler Rook ! A nd when thou'ft read my mournful lay, Extend thy wing and fly away, Left pinion-maim'd by fiery fliot, Thou fhould'ft like me bewail thy lot -, Left in thy rook'ry be renew'd, The tragic fcene which here I view'd. The day declin'd, the -evening breeze Gently rock'd the filent trees, While fpreading o'er my peopled neft, I hufh'd my callow young to reft : When [ 5' ] vVhen fuddenly an hoftile found, Explofion dire ! was heard around : And level'd by the hand of flue, The angry bullets pierc'd my mate ; I faw him fall from fpray to fpray, Till on the diftant ground he lay : With tortur'd wing he beat the plain, And never caw'd to me again. Many a neighbour, many a friend, Deform'd with wounds, invok'd their end : All fcreaming, omen'd notes of woe, 'Gainft man our unrelenting foe : Thefe eyes beheld my pretty brood, Flutt'ring in their guiltlefs blood : While trembling on the matter'd tree, At length the gun in/aded me ; But wayward fate feverely kind, Refus'd the death, I wifli'd to find: Oh ! farewell pleafure, peace, farewell, And with the gory raven dwell. Was it for this I fliun'd retreat, And fix'd near man my focial feat ? H 2 For [ 5* 1 For this deflroy'd the infeft train, That eat unfeen the infant ,grain ! For this with many an honeft note, Mbing from my artlefs throat ; I chear'd my Lady, lift'ning near, Working in her elbow chair ? THE [ 53 ] T HE DIALOGUE. E V A N D E R. OH thou (fo very rarely found) With youth at once, and wifdom crown'd ; If yet no fwain with happy art, E'er fond a pafiage to thy heart : (Stain not thy cheek with crimfon hue, But tell me, fair Belinda, true) Each vain diftinction Fl remove, And take thee for my bridal love ! BELINDA. This guilelefs bread does love awake ? Jt glows for my Evander's fake : No [ 54- ] No daring youth (hall ever Heal The facred flame for thee I feel : Amid the grove, the choiceft tree, Does lov'd Evander feem to me. E V A N D E R. That happy tree mall prove a fcreen, To fhield thee thro' life's various fcene j From ev'ry gale that envy blows, From ev'ry blaft that mis'ry knows : From danger's threat'ning clouds that low'r, Oppreffion's ftorm, and forrow's fhow'r. A flow'r recoiling from the gale, Juft wakening in the lowly valej And waving near the pureft dream, To me does fair Belinda feem. BELINDA. Oh may the fun with pow'rful beam, Revive that flow'r, befide the ft ream ! Paint her all in the gayeft bloom, And call forth ev'ry kind perfume : May [ 55 ] May Flora come in welcome hour, To raife her drooping from the fhow'r : May Zephyr with his cooling breath, Still fan away the fultry death ; Till perfected at length by time, And opening in her brigheft prime ; She may by love and fortune bleft, Breathe all her odors on thy breaft, : , . . . CELIA [ 5 1 GEL I A SLEEPING. ' I. WHERE yonder fhades exclude the Ikies, The faireft of her fex was feen ; "While Morpheus feal'd her radiant eyes, And half eclips'd her lovely mien : II. Th* unerring archer by her fide, In idle (lumbers prefs'd the ground j The feather'd fhafts in crimfon dy'd, Were innocently fpread around. 111. ' 'Twas then the youthful pleafures came, By their tranfparent cincture known ; They danc'd around the beauteous dame, And jocund ftok her facred zone. [ 57 3 IV. The kind occafion cried be boldt ! But Celia thou had'ft nought to fear : The youth is by refpect control'd, "Whofe bofom owns a love fincere.. V. Alarm'd, the little God I fought, And feiz'd his brow-encircling band ; (By Venus* rofy fingers wrought) And veil'd thy charms with trembling hand. VI. The godhead darting from his dream, Straight gather'd every idle dart j And then vindictive took his aim, While many an arrow reach'd my heart. VII. Nor yet content the godhead fwore, If thou woud'ft not the band deliver j He wou'd on me exhauft his (lore, Nor leave a dart within his quiver. I VIII. [ 5S ] VIII. Let then my life, by. thee fecur'd, O'er Cupid's fpight at length prevail ; Ah ! cure the wounds for thee endur'd, And throw away the hateful veil. [ 59 ] To the D of Q^ Y. T T THEN beauteous Q- y reach'd her fiftieth year, * * A period fatal to the blooming fair ! Time fnatch'd his hoftile fcythe, intent to mow The native flow'rs that grace her lovely brow : Vain thought ! the fcythe drop'd harmlefs from his hand, His hour glafs falling, loft the imprifon'd fand ; His agitated bread confefs'd alarms, And the world's victor flood fubdu'd with charms. At length withdrawing he revers'd the doom, And bad her features wear unfading bloom. I 2 THE 60 THE STRAWBERRIES. THE winter left the naked plain, And fpring's gay pencil deck'd the fccne ; And as me wav'd her magic wand, With early fruitage blufli'd the land : 'Twas then Pomona rais'd her head, And joyful view'd a ftrawb"ry bed ! Two filler berries caught her eye, Impurpled with the brigheft die. * Thefe blufhing twins, the goddefs faid, (And pluck'd them from their verdant bed) ' I'll give to fome thrice beauteous fair, * To bloom, conceal'd beneath her care i * 'Till an illuftrious Duke (whofe name 6 Is known to Anceftry and Fame) ' Conducled by fome partial pow'r, * Shall gather them at midnight hour: 1 And [ 6t ] c And love remove the flender veft, To light him to the heav'nly feaft f :- The bluming twins fhc thus addrefs'd, Then fix'd them on Amanda's bread. Oft I 62 ] On LADY SARAH B 's CAT. "T *T TITH fancy's gay fuggeftion fraught, * Venus indulg'd a frolic thought ; ^ Departing from her former plan, New fchemes fhe fram'd to conquer man : Difcharg'd her troop of fmiling loves, Her archer-fon and cooing doves ; Admitting to their vacant place, The gentleft of the purring race. This change of minifterial meafures, fcrovok'd at firft the youthful pleafures - f They fwore they wou'd no more refort / To Faphos, or th* Idalian court : Bur [ 6) 3 But reafon their refenrment cool'd, And bad them be by Laura rul'd ! Ah ! happieft of the feline train. Wilt thou admit this artlefs flrain ? The lover now for Cupid's dart, Shall feel thy talon at his heart : Thy form upon the feal imprefs'd, Where Venus once her birds exprefs'd, Shall (flamp'd upon the crimfon glue) Secure the fecret billet-doux. Echo, amid the darken'd grove, Shall heed no more the murm'ring dove; But in the precincls of White-Ball^ Shall fit attentive to thy call. Ah ! happieft of the purring train ! When Morpheus holds his filent reign ; Thy Queen's love darting radiant eyes, That emulate the ftarry ikies ; 'Tis thine with velvet foot to clofe, And gently purr her to repofe. Ah I [ 64 ] Ah f wou'dft thou purr this heart to reft, And clofe the wounds within this breaft ; How grateful wou'd I wake the firing, And Venus and her Laura fmg , IMI- Imitated from the FRENCH, L STRAYING befide yon wood, fkreen'd river, Dan Cupid met my wond'ring view; His feather'd arrows ftor'd his quiver, Each feather glow'd a different hue : II. * For him who frames the daring deed, * (The little Godhead faid and laugh'd) * To fly with mifs beyond the Tweed, ' An eagle's plume adorns the fliaft. III. The prattler vain of his addrefs, ' The magpye's feathers never fail ; e And for the youth too fond of drefs, i * I rob the gaudy peacock's tail. K IV. [ 66 ] IV. * Whene'er I mean to roufe the care * That lurks within the jealous heart; * The owl that wings the midnight air, 5 Lends his grave plume to load the dart. V. t e But rarely when I wou'd afiail, ' The conftant heart with truth imprefs'd ; * Then for the trembling fhaft I fleal * A feather from the turtle's breaft : VI. * Lo ! one with that foft plumage crown'd, ' Which more than all my arms I prize'- Alas ! I cried, this gave the wound, When late you mot from Julia's eyes. FINIS. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRAR A 000000785 6 MgHHBB|mM0HH^^mMMM^M^^^^^J|