il NGEL£j> ^UIBRARY^c ^LIBRARY^ . ^OJnVDJO^ ^MIIVDJ^ •OFCALIFOfy ^ £S !F(% i# ivhjih^ ^\tf UNIVERS//, ^lOSANGEL£j>, \ttl //> v^LOSANGElfj> ^AMAINfl -]Wv wsm^ KRYfl/ %):JIT 4. ^10S«L% ^LIBRARY^ ^-LIBRAR WflHAINfHWV ^%OJnV3JO' ^lOS-ANGEIij; •OFCALIFO% y 0AHVa8IT# Oa, ^HIBRARY^ Mojito- jo \WEUNIVERS// ^ ^ tfuow-sov^" %aiMNn ,OFCAlfFO% % & \WE-UNIVERS^ ^LOS-ANGl ^■Anvaan-iw'' %I3DNVS01^ ^LOS-ANGEIij^ 1 Cc . foflBAINMtW THE THYMBRIAD, (From XENOPHON's CYROPCEDIA.) Bt lady burrell. LONDON : Leigh and Sotheby, York Street, Covent Garden; T. Payne, at the Mews Gate; AND J. Rob son, in Bond Street. 1794. PRE FAC E. X HE Authorefs of this Poem, cannot fuffer it to appear before the Public, without an apology for the many inaccuracies which may be found in a work of this fort, written with a feeble pen, without the advantages of military fcience, os claffical learning. It was the amufement of her leifure hours feveral years ago, (although me has fince revifed, and made fome additions to the Poem.) She hopes the eye of criticifm will be indulgent to its faults, and that thofe of her friends, who may happen to perufe it, will, if there are any merits, fee them through the magnifying glafs of partiality. *~j 64320 [ I ] The THYMBRIAD*. j/lRMSy and the Man I fing, whofe gen'rous foul Refus'd the gift that tempting conqueft gave, Spurn'd from his bofom each ignoble thought, And courted Virtue, to prote£t his Fame. When proud Aflyria {till contemn 'd the power Of mighty Cyrus, his exalted mind, Afpir'd to crufh the pride of Babylon, And gain frefh laurels to adorn his brow ; Thymbria ! to thee, and to thy plains were giv'n The glory, to become the fcene of war ; The theatre, where Cyrus fhone in arms. Thy verdant turf was all o'erftrew'd with blood And mangled corfes — on the Lydian gales The groans of men were wafted. Furious Mars Severe and horrible ! ftalk'd round the field, Sated with death aud victory : whilft Fame Stoop'd to the earth, and crown'd her fav 'rite fon, * The plain whereon the battle was fought, is fpelt differently by various authors: viz: Thybarra, Thymbarra, Thymbraia, by Xenophon ; and Thymbria in a Map of Alia, by D'Anville. B [ * ] Great Cyrus ! with renown. The Mufe to Thee, Immortal hero I bends ; records thy praife, And claims a witnefs in th' hiftorian's page* Beneath thy mandates Perfia's Tons could vie With thofe of Sparta ; Virtuous and auftere, Untir'd of toil, and warm with gen'rous blood. Luxurious Media fent her youth to war From Pleafu re's wanton courts, with hearts grown tame By indolence : but Perfia's prince could boaft A train of heroes ; by his wife decrees, The form of buttle wore a face improv'd ; His piety, his virtue, his difdain Of idlenefs, of luxury, and eafe, Infpir'd his foldiers. Reverential awe, And love, attach'd their ardent fouls to his. They faw in him a father, and a friend, Whofe kind humanity was wont to pour Its bleflings on the wretched ; Juilice fway'd His wife decifions ; Mercy rul'd his deeds, And his attentive foul in peaceful days, Was watchful to improve his country's good. The hopes, the pray'rs, the bleflings of the land, Attended him to Thymbria : round his form Admiring crowds like clufl'ring bees appear'd, And daily in the ftreets of Ifpahan, The bride, the widow, and the orphan, fent To Heav'n their prayers, for the fuccefs of Cyrus. Relate, O Mufe ! the number of the Chiefs Who round the Heir of Perfia's throne, appear V] Like planets near the moon, (whofe filver beam, Superior fhines upon the face of night.) Begin with him, by Cyrus moft rever'd, * Xcnophon's Cyropccdia. [ 3 ] The good Hyftafpes ! whofe enraptur'd eye Views the young hero with a father's joy : Still on his fteps he fondly waits, to fee To hear, and to admire the god-like youth. The virtuous fage, with fecret pride, beholds His Prince, the pattern of a rifing age, Who imitate his fteps, and taught by him, With love and reverence, fpeak Hyftafpes' name. And much his name deferv'd a nation's praife, For he was mild as zephyr, when at eve It gently fans the infant leaf of fpring ; Benign and humble ; with a fteady mind, Unruffled by the martial found of war, Nor yet enervated in times of peace. A child of Nature, ignorant of guile, Among the Magi early he imbib'd Religious precepts. Learning ftor'd his mind, His foul each ufeful fcience had explor'd ; Brave was his arm when fummon'd to the field, And wifdom fway'd the counfels of his tongue. He by Cambyfes' chofen, led the Prince Early to fcenes of knowledge ; he improv'd His growing genius, his defire of fame. Nor did he arrogantly ufe his power ; 'Twas love, not fear, that ftrengthen'd his command. The royal Pupil, with admiring eyes Beheld this fecond fatiier, and rever'd The maxims he inculcated. The fage With fuch perfuafive eloquence was blefs'd, Such gentle manners, and fo kind a foul, As made it happinefs to dwell with him. Gadates ! by the fide of Cyrus (hone, In fplendid arms : — A rich Affyrian Lord B 2 [ 4 ] Gadates was, and in his citadel Near Babylon maintain'd a princely fway. The Sacase and Cadufians, all obey'd Him as their Lord, and wrongs beyond redrefs Induc'd him to rebel againft his king, The proud Balthazar ! Prince of Babylon. To Perfia's banners he triumphant brought Four thoufand horfemen, and three thoufand foot, Befides two thoufand archers. Thefe he led To join their fates with Cyrus, (tho' Balthazar Awhile fufpended their alliance ; try'd What menaces and fudden war could do To fruftrate their defigns :) when firft Gadates Prepar'd his troops for march, a perjur'd (lave, Reveal'd their purpofe to th' AfTyrian king ; Alarm'd, amaz'd, he inftantly conven'd His counfellors, and as the moments prefs'd For fwift determination from the council, By hafty march with his unpractis'd troops, (Difus'd to war, and fuddenly aflembled,) Befieg'd Gadates' citadel ; but ere He gain'd the plains which overlook 'd the town, Gadates heard the news of his approach, And fent a meflenger to Perfia's Prince. Meantime, fince flight was knit with certain fhame, He amply fill'd the hours (that yet were left For his free will, and exercife of thought,) In laying up his ftcres, repairing walls, Strengthening the ramparts, and encouraging His men, to hope for Perfia's fpeedy aid, And to expect, the victory. The king Arrives, — exulting meditates revenge, And fvvcars Gadates (hall be foon his prey. [ 5 J Yet he in vain with arrogance declares His hopes of vengeance, whilft. the faithful troops Vow they will perifh by Gadates' fide 'Ere they will yield to flavery. His voice Commands them in the ramparts to reftrain Their ardour, to avoid unequal fight, And wait for fuccour from the Per flan Chief. Nor wait they long. Cambyfes' valiant fon Appears upon the plain ; Balthazar's troops Prepare for battle, whilft Gadates leads His faithful foldiers to the fcene of war. The fierce Balthazar rufhes to the fight, Fir'd with revenge, and difappointed pride : Awhile the conqueft hangs in doubtful fcale, But Cyrus, and Gadates, win the day. The vanquifh'd monarch leaves th'enfanguin'd plain, And hides in Nineveh his 'frighted head. Ev'n there this challenge aggravates his fears, Demands his thoughts, and courts him to the field. " Since Croefus hath befpoke the future ftrength " Of Perfia's army, (Croefus, who unites " The fate of Lydia with Balthazar's arms !) tl Cyrus reftrains his army, for that day " When Sardis, fhall with Babylon combine " To overmatch the number of his troops ; " Meantime he calls Balthazar to the field, " To prove his valour in a fingle fight." The ftartled king betrays his cowardice, pifmiffing Cyrus' herald with thefe words : B 3 [ 6 ] who enjoy the dream " Of foft fecurity, but fee too late " The dark abyfs> upon whofe brink they (land.) C 53 J Cc No words were wanting in that awful fcene, " When forrow 'rofe above expreffion's power. *« The fight itfelf caus'd univerfal woe ! " The multitude in filent horror gaz'd, " Whilft Ariamne, by her parent's fide, " Contemplating a murder'd brother, flood. " By what we have done. But if ye fuppofe " That Crcefus' army is the mod fecure, " Go there y and meet us upon Thymbria's plain, " When that fame Crcefus who we put to flight, " (Who fled before the Syrians,) will again " Repent the day, when with prepofterous pride, " He deem'd the Perfians fearful of his might." Frowning he fpake, and like a God, infpir'd Ardour and confidence in ev'ry breaft. C v ] Then thus Chryfantes, " Let thy faithful flave " Interpret for thefe men, it is not fear, " But grief that fits on ev'ry face — let him " Who craves his dinner, be defir'd to wait, " And he becomes impatient of delay. " Thus do thy troops who want to reap the fpoil " Of Syria, and of wealthy Lydia, grieve " To find the plenteous harveft of their hopes, " Is ftill fo far remov'd; they thought to meet *' The venturous foe, on a lefs diftant plain, " Than that of Thymbria ; let us h'jften on " To fnatch the glorious conqueft. Tmolu's brow ! " (The mark to which we fleer) fhall foon be ften, " Upon whofe fummit, Fame prepares her wreathes, " To crown the valiant with immortal praife." He faid ; the people catch the martial fire — At firft a murmur thro' the ranks was heard, Which foon augmenting, univerfal fhouts, In choral Peans, echo to the fky. (Thus have I feen fome little purling rill, Creep thro' the bofom of the fertile vale, Till join'd by other dreams, with widening courfe It bolder flows, and foon impetuous grown, With violence adown the rock defcends, And thunders in its fall.) While yet they fhout, An Eagle foaring to the right, was feen. That happy omen ftrengthens all their hopes, Improves their ardour, and confirms their faith. With rapture Cyrus views the fudden change, And leads them from the plain ; in ev'ry eye Bright expectation fits ; with lightfome feet # r 72 ] They prefs the dewy turf, while thoughts of fame And vi&ory, infpire their beating breafts. Their royal leader, like a demi god, March'd with fuch wond'rous dignity and grace, That it appear'd, as tho' the mighty foul Of Perfeus (his renown 'd progenitor,) Was tranfmigrated, to his valiant breaft. Not with more ardour, Danae's gen'rous fon, (To prove himfelf, deferving of a birth Deriv'd from Jove) expos'd his life, to fave The fair Andromeda from threaten'd death ; Nor with a more majeftic air advanc'd, Arm'd with Medufa's fhield, to overthrow The Lapithae, than Cyrus dedicates His fervices for Perfia ; in his eyes A martial fire is feen, his freps appear As if directed by a fecret power, A tutelary being, who foretold To his infpir'd foul, thofe bright events Which mould immortalize his glorious name. Perhaps in fancy, he already faw Lydia, and haughty Babylon fubdued, Balthazar flain, and Croefus doom'd to wear The chains of Perfia, whilft himfelf was crown 'd With honour, victory, applaufe, and fame ; Grac'd with a triumph, due to his deferts, And courted unto Hymen's facred fhrine ; Where the bright daughter of Cyaxares, The fair Candaule, (whom his youthful heart Acknowledg'd beit, and faireft of her kind,) Accepts his hand, and glories in his love. But, from this relaxation of he mind, [ 73 ] This foothing Reverie, he (tarts furpriz'd To fee a cloud of duft, o'erfpread the path, To which their fteps are bent, when lo ! appears A meffenger, who hails the Perfian prince, And thus declares his purpofe. " Royal chief! " By me, the valiant Abradates fends " His offers of affiltance ; when the news " Of fair Panthea's fafety reach'd his ear, " (Accompanied with the abundant praife " Which generofity like thine, muft gain " From gratitude, and juftice,) he refolv'd " To thank thee with his fvvord. How far unlike, " He cry'd, is Cyrus from the Prince I ferve, " (Who once with lawlefs pafhon fir'd, affay'd " To part Panthea from her Abradates ;) " But Cyrus, tho' I was his enemy, " Bound in allegiance to his bitter foe, " Scorn'd an advantage, which his fortune gave, " And fav'd Panthea's virtue. Gratitude " Requires a fwift decifion, I will fly " To meet my Queen; yet honour mull: forbid " That we to Sufiana fhou'd return, " Till our protestor with fuccefs is crown'd ; " Be then, my people, witnefs of my vow, " With him I conquer — or with him I die." " He comes ! by love and gratitude infpir'd, *' He leads his faithful people, to unite " Their voluntary aid to Perfia's caufe. " His warlike chariots, arm'd with glittering fcythes " In terrible array, to thee he brings : " Not far behind I left the ardent chief, " Who chides the hours, till he beholds his Queen." [ 74 ] Thus fpake the meflenger ; with cautious care The Prince commands Hyftafpes, by degrees To let Panthea know the happinefs, That now awaits her. While the good old man Difpofes her to learn without furprize The wifh'd arrival of her royal Lord, The chief attended by his cavalry Appears upon the fummit of a hill : Behind, the chariots arm'd for war are feen, Well calculated for deftrudlive deeds. Soon as the Sufian fees the army near, He leaves his band, and with impatience flies, Swift as his deed cou'd bear him, to the plain. The Perfian leader haftens to receive His valiant gueft. They to the ground defcend, And (land a moment filent ; they behold Each other eagerly, nor find in words Defcription for their feelings. Abradates The awful filence interrupts, he kneels And thanks the powers above, that have decreed He mail be number 'd with the friends of Cyrus. The Prince of Perfia hails the noble chief, Includes him in the lift of his allies, And greets his faithful comrades of the war. Then fair Panthea, like the ftar of morn, (That fhines alone, when all her fifters fade Beneath the influence of approaching day,) Flew to the dear embraces of her Lord. But how can language reprefent the joy Such lovers prove ? While me perus'd his face Where approbation and affection glow'd, Her fmiles (like fun-beams in the midfl: of fhowers,; Were mingled with the tears of happinefs — [ 75 J Meantime, the Prince of Perfia and his friends Gaz'd on the Sufian ; they admir'd his form, His lofty ftature, fymmetry of fhape, And graceful dignity ; his face appear'd The mirror of a wife and noble mind, Where candour, mild benignity, and truth, With valour, virtue, aud affection reign'd. At length, the tumult of furprize and joy Sub fides — the Perfian troops purfue their way ; Whilft in a car exalted, by the fide Of Abradates, rides th' Imperial fair, Whofe beauteous face acquires increafing charms, By the return of long-loft chearfulnefs. Behind, an hundred chariots arm'd with fcythes (Commanded by as many valiant chiefs,) Move in terrific fplendour. From afar The haplefs Ariamne fees the pomp And joy, that on Panthea's hopes attend. Plac'd in a turret, (by a camel borne) With fair Zulmina, (he o'erlooks the fcene, And follows where the Prince of Perfia leads. Awhile ihe gazes on the happy pair, Then to Armenia's Princefs, with a figh Thus fpake the thoughts, that occupied her mind. " Alas, Zulmina ! I have deem'd myfelf " Not fingly mark'd for mifery, whene'er " I've feen Panthea weeping at her fate, " And thought her fever'd from her faithful Lord, " Perhaps for ever : now methinks I ftand " Alone in wretchednefs, for none appear " To match their woes with mine ; Panthea's prayers, " Her virtuous wifhes, rare fidelity, " Tender anxieties, and fears, are paid [ 76 ] . " By even more than her fond heart could hope. " Thy gentle foul, anticipating woe, " Trembles with terror for Tigranes' fate. " Yet happy Princefs ! thou art hourly bleft " With the fweet folace of his company, " And well affur'd of his unfading love. " His care, his tendernefs, his fmiles, revive " Thy drooping fpirits, and his chearful voice " Prefages fafety, victory, and fame. " This fure is comfort ! but my wretched ftate " Admits of no relief; each day to me " Wears the fame mournful afpe£l. I in vain " Look forward for a better change, fince time ' Can ne'er reftore the joys that I regret ; " And ev'ry hour curtails the feeble thread " Which binds my parent unto life, and me. '* I have, alas ! no views. — Can I expe£l " To fee a faithful lover at my feet ? " Or boaft a hufband, watchful of my fame \ tc No, my Zulmina, I mall never prove " The happinefs that waits on wedded love ; " He, who my heart felected, he, who fwore " My happinefs fhou'd conftitute his own, " Made me an alien to felicity. " Oh f fhou'd I meet Balthazar on the field, " Think what the interview will be to me ! " If it were poffible that he cou'd fall " With laurels green upon his youthful brow, " And honour in his heart, I might prepare " With folemn rites, to grace his obfequies, " And there, a mournful confolation find, *' Lamenting one, deferving of my tears ; " But all ! if I for thee, Balthazar ! weep, [ 77 ] " The heavens will frown, at fuch unnatural grief. " His death is fure decreed, (if right my dreams " Inflrucl me,) yet Pharnaces' honour'd (hade, " Forbids I fhou'd deplore his early fate, " (Due unto crimes that have difgrac'd a life, " Too long already, for Aflyria's peace.) " Thrice have I dream 'd, the Perfians won the field, " Drove him with Crcefus from the Thymbrian plain, " And that Gadates, and my Sire, purfu'd *• The fugitive to Babylon, (ordain'd " Simplicity of garb, and placid air, fC Claim'd veneration ; while I gaz'd, he chane'd " To raife his eyes, and with a voice benign " Hail'd me thrice welcome, unto Tmolus' brow. " Befide him on the grafs, I took my feat, " And fomething whifper'd to my aching heart, " Philofophy alone can make thee bled ! " '* His looks ferene, his converfation mild, " His voice diffus'd a calm that footh'd my foul. " With pleafure I partook his homely fare, il And when I faw him rifing to depart, " The thoughts of feparation fill'd my mind " With all thofe horrors, which his company " Till then fufpended : my inquietude " The hermit mark'd, he faw my rifing grief, " And with a fmile of fweet benevolence, *' Invited me his footfteps to purfue ; " I follow'd down the deep defcent, that led " Our fteps towards Padtolus, but impell'd " By the iharp Ctnk of thofe too recent wrongs " For which I fled from Lydia's capita!, *' I thus exclaim 'd, " Oh lead me far away " From hateful Sardis! — to the northern pole, " Where everlafting winter chills the air ; C 94 ] " To Parthian mountains, barren, bleak, and wild, " Or ifle of Ormus, on whofe pearly more, " No blade of grafs from marble quarries fprings, •' Or Larec, on whofe fandy foil, the print " Of Deer alone is feen, conduit my fteps : " The rocks of Tauris, and of Caucafus " To me are better than the haunts of men — " Or if to Libyan deferts thou wilt roam, " There will I follow, and in eager hafte '• Quaff dear forgetfulnefs at Lethe's dream. " The torrid zone, can ne'er affect that breaft, u Which carries flames and torments in itfelf ; " Where'er I turn, the fever of the mind " Waits on me ftill, and poifons ev'ry hope : " The hilling Bafilifk, the deadly Seps, " The Amphifbena, (arm'd at either point,) " The fierce Hcemorrhois, can ne'er inflict " Severer pangs for Nature to fuftain, " Than thofc Phemonoe's treachery has beftow'd. " I faid ; the fympathetic fage replies ; " When Luna mines upon the face of night, " If thou wilt follow, and my lot partake " Trufl me thou fhalt be lodg'd in fecrecy, " Far from the buftling fcenes of public life. *' I dwell within a foreft, vaft and wild, " Beyond the plain of Thymbria, (from whofe verge " It ftretches many a league,) but once a year " I wander unto Tmolus' lofty brow, '• And dedicate a day, to view from thence " The gay variety of Nature's charms. *' The hand of Providence prefents in me •* A friend to guide thee to that place of reft." [ 9S ] He faid, and quell'd the tumult of my breaft ; And as we travel'd tow'rds his calm abode, I told my ftory to the pitying fage. We gain'd the foreft, and the moons clear beam Directed us to his fequefter'd cell ; There I refolv'd to pafs my future days, The fole companion of Alcander's life, My faithful, virtuous, wife, and gen'rous friend 1 Whom in a few fhort years, the voice of fate, Call'd to a happier region — in the grave Beneath yon {tone, that bears his honor'd name I laid his bones, and reconcil'd my thoughts To a perpetual folitude — the books Alcander left, and his inftruclive globes, (Where in idea o'er the earth I roam,) Have well fupply'd the want of company ; Nor would I change my happy mean eftate For all the wealth, the Lydian King can boafr. The peaceful Goatherds when we chance to meet, Speak of the tumults which difturb the eaft ; From them the different events I hear Which fall within their knowledge, nor can learn Their caufe uninterefted — Crcefus' pride, Requires humiliation — daring vice, Like that which brands Balthazar's odious name, (And makes him hateful to the public eye,) Shou'd meet the punilhment, fuch guilt deferves, While Cyrus, by the gen'ral voice approv'd, Bids fair to gain the favor of the gods. " Go then, Arafpes, to the Perfian chief, " And bear a Hermit's bleffing, to his ear. " Tell him, that ev'n in woods uncouth, remote " From men and party, there are hearts who know [ 96 J " His many virtues, pray for his fuccefs, " And venerate his name." — He faid, and paus'd. Arafpcs for his hofpitable care Repeats the thanks, which gratitude infpires ; Receives the cordial bleflings of the fage, And haftens on, to meet his Perfian friend. [ 97 ] BOOK the FIFTH. JVlEANTIME the army round the Perfian chief Their adorations offer to the Sun. A ruftic altar by the Magi form'd And confecrated, in a vale is rais'd, Upon the borders of a copious lake, Clear as the river Cyrnus, (when it fprings From fnowy Caucafus, and bjnds it courfe Thro' Georgian forefts, to the Cafpian fea.) Wild lilies in the verdant valley fried Their fweets profufe, and on a neighb 'ring hill A fruitful vineyard crown'd the cheerful fcene. In this enchanting fpot the Prince ordains The holy rites, the Magi facrifice To Oromazes, and the people join In choral hymns of praifc : the Sufian Queen Around the altar hangs a flow ry wreath In gay feftoons, and prays for the fuccefs Of Abradates, whilil Zulmina comes With Ariamne from the limpid brook, Charg'd with a chryftal vafe, from whence they pour Libations to the powers divine. (So fair Appear'd thefe ornaments of Cyrus' camp, That had mythology been then believ'd, ii C 98 ] Men wou'd have fworn they were the graces, come To fmooth the afpect of tumultuous war.) At length the rites are done, the flame expires, And Cyius rifing from the earth, befpeaks The leader of Hyrcanias trufty band. " Phocius ! thy keen, thy penetrating eye, " Can fee beyond the common ftretch of fight, " Do thou aflift Hyftafpes in a tafk, " That fuits thy vigilance, and well accords '* With his experienc'd judgement : mark yon hill, " Which we by tedious movements mud afcend, " (Unknowing ere our troops can reach the top, " But that fome foes in ambufli hid, may gain " Advantage from our fituation.) Go! " Precede our fleps : a thoufand light-arm'd men " Shall be your guard, from the fame hill obferve " If any fcatter'd parties of the foe " Appear difpos'd to intercept our march. " He faid ; Hyftafpes with impatient zeal, Keeps pace with Phocius ; quickly they afcend The vine-clad hill, and carefully furvey The fcene beneath. Far as the eye cou'd ftretch A fmoke appears near Tmolus' lofty hill, Which indicates that there the Lydian troops Encamp'd, perform'd their ufual exercife. At little diftance, on the road appears A man, who haftens on a panting fteed. Him they fuppofe a fpy, or one ordain'd To give a fignal to fome troops conceal'd Beneath the covert of the circling vines. But foon he hails them in a well-known voice, And with amazement they Arafpes fee, [ 99 ] Who ftraight purfucs his way to Perfia's Prince, And throws himfelf in filence at his feet. Who can exprefs the joy that fill'd the breafts Of Harpagus and Cyrus, to behold A fon, a friend, to their embrace reftor'd ! Meanwhile throughout the army wonder fpread To fee the Mede whom they had deem'd no more, Return'd with honour to the Perfian bands. Tigranes, glowing with the gen'rous joy That fprings when we perceive our friend approv'd, Enfolds Arafpes in his arms — around In eagernefs of expectation, prefs Chryfantes, Aglaitadas, all the chiefs In Perfia's fervice : thefe he gladly hails, Then thus befpeaks Tigranes : " Tell me, friend! " The name of yonder warrior, who precedes " Thofe glitt'ring chariots ? 'tis a noble form, " Which doth demand attention, nor mcthinks " Have I (excepting Cyrus,) feen the man " Who looks more form'd for grandeur and renown. " Whoe'er he be, his countenance has won " My good opinion, and my heart defires " To claim him for a friend." With cautious words Tigranes tells him that the form approv'd, Adorns his happy rival, Abradates. At fuch a name (fo adverfe to his hopes,) His cheek turns pale, but foon his heart refumes Its generofity, and bids him learn To honour virtue in a rival's breaft. He leaves Tigranes, and refumes his place By Cyrus, whofe investigating eye Reads in his countenance the various thoughts H 2 [ ioo J That influence his mind. With joy he fees A ray of chearfulnefs once more illume The face of his Arafpes — far unlike The fu lien gloom of forrow and defpair, Which (when he left the camp,) deform'd his brow. With pleafure he congratulates his friend Upon the happy change, who thus replies : " From better knowledge of myfelf I know, " That I poffefs two fouls ; the bad prevail'd " When I was with Panthea, but by thee " My better genius is again reviv'd " To overbalance love ; while thus beyond " My fanguine hopes, I to my Prince return, " Fraught with intelligence that may aiTift " His councils, while with pious tendernefs " I pay my duty to the beft of Sires, " My heart o'erflows with gratitude and joy, " And bids me caff away all other thoughts " But thofe which tend to happinefs and fame. " Oh! may the tidings I have brought, atone *' For my paft fault, and my offence to thee. «' So fliall a dawn of fweet felicity, *' With fickly beam, fpeak comfort to my foul, " And pay me for the pangs fo long endur'd. ' ' Prince ! I have feen the numbers of the foe, " Their mode of battle, and their difcipline, " Their form, arrangements, and defigns I know, " On Thymbria's plain, the Syrians will appear, '* In form of battle, thirty men in depth. " Whilft the Egyptians in a different way, '* Conceal their real force, detach'd in troops, " Confiding of an hundred men in depth, " The fame in breadth, (tho' Crcefus has oppos'd [ ioi ] " Their plan, fo much unlike his chief defign, " Which was to overfront the Perfian line, " And by his numbers to encompafs thee.) " Of all thofe dangerous allies, who join " Th' Aifyrian army, none are deem'd fo brave, " So obftinately brave, as thofe who come " From the fam'd borders of Egyptian Nile. " Nor yet does Croefus want that warmth of foul, " That noble ardor, and contempt of fear, " Which bravery excites : tho' arrogance, " Pride, and the love of riches, overfhade " His princely virtues, and incline the world '" To think him worfe than what he really is. " Were I to reprefent in terms fcvere " The Lydian fovereign, what mull I relate " Of vile Balthazar, funk in luxury, " Slave to the wine of Schiras, and enthral'd " By his lafcivious women, in his tent " He lives fupine ; in feafts and revelry " Confumes the night, and ilumbers half the day, " Heedlefs of war, and loll to fenfe of lhame. " Among the Chieftains of fuperior worth, " Arfames, (governor of Phrygia,) Hands " Firft in the favour of the Lydian Prince. " And royal Ariboeus is declar'd, " With ftern Maragdus, and Gaba^us, high -" Upon the lifts of fame ; nor far behind " Arfetes, and Moranes, (Lydian chiefs,] " Are deem'd deferving of the royal fmile. " Infatuated with their common hopes, " And more than twice our number in the field, " They hear of thy approach with wanton joy, r 102 ] " And think of conqueft as a fure event. " More for thy private hearing, I referve, " When in thy tent at leifure, thou art pleas'J " To grant admittance to thy faithful flave." He fpake ; the Prince with gracious fmile receives His information ; then to all the chiefs Imparts the tidings, and commands the troops To halt no more, till on the hill arriv'd They view the encampment of their enemy. A noble ardor fills each warrior's breaft, They move with lighter hearts, and up the path Purfue their leader's fteps with fhouts of joy. When on the fummit of the hill they (land, Their eager eyes explore the diftant fcene In fearch of Crcefus, and his mighty bands ; Yet all in vain — they find their valiant friends Phocius and fage Hyftafpes, but a fog, Augmenting as the orb of day declines, Conceals the mount of Tmolus from their fight. Silent they ftand, with difappointed looks — . Their martial energy awhile declines ; Till on the wings of the foft evening air, The martial found of drums are diftant heard To break the filence. Then their fpirits rife, They fcorn delay, and down the hill defcend Towards a plain, where Cyrus gives command To pitch the tents among fome fhady palms, And in his tall pavillion he requires The prefence of his ccunfellors and chiefs. Around the Prince, Hyftafpes, Phocius ftand, Tigranes, and Arafpes ; (with the reft [ I0 3 ] Entitled to fuperior rank.) The damps Drawn from the humid bofom of the earth Were all exhal'd ; the miff, was foon difpell'd : High in her orbit, the majeftic moon Serenely fhone upon the dewy plain, And not a cloud obfeur'd the arch of heav'n. A folemn filence reign 'd, when thus the Prince Addrefs'd his faithful friends : " Behold the hour " Of death, or conqueft, comes on rapid wings, " And only grants a little fpace for thought, " And confultation — with the rifing fun " We fhall furvey Affyria's daring bands, " Supported by their proud allies, and rul'd " By Lydia's potent King — The powers above, <* Can only give fuccefs : if lefs to them, 11 Than to ourfelves we trufted, poor indeed " Wou'd be our profpecls ! fince the enemy, " With double force will meet us on the field. " (Oh ! may 'ft thou Oromazes ! deign to guide " Our fecret councils, to accept our pray'rs, " And by thy facred will, infpire our hearts " To what is right in thy all-judging eye.) " Now fay, my fiiends ! companions of my fate ! " Approv'd mod loyal, and believ'd moft brave, " What are your fentiments ? fhall we remain " In our encampment, till the enemy " Advance towards us ; or repair in hafte " To Thymbria's plain, and call them to the fight ? tc Tho' much my ardent choice inclines to feek " Thefe boafting people, and decide our fates, " Yet wou'd I not expofe my valiant men " To difadvantage on the Thymbrian plain. [ I0 4 ] — — Eolus, — radiant, — — temperence, < — — reclufely, • — was, and, appear d, — beft of treafures, — inglorious, _ — flow, — Hamorrhois, ■ — — hearts, — — receives a cordial •— blejfmg of, 22 — infpire, • — 1 6 — ' unenperiencd, —— 2 2 — wrap'd, — - — IO — hevj'd. 26 — defend, • danger. - Paphlagonia. • honours^ • clad, - JEolus. -fpeaki ng. - temperance. ■ obfcurely. ■ is. ■the. • appears. - dearejl treafure. ■ infidious. - flow. - Hamorrhois. - thofe. - receives a cordial blef- Jingfrom. direcl. ■ inexperienc d. wrapp'd. hewn. ■ defends. TELEMACHUS. By LADY BURRELL. LONDON : Leigh and Sotheby, York Street, Covent Garden T. Payne, at the Mews Gate; AND J. Ro3son, in Bond Street. 1794. TO THE READER, 1 HIS Poem was firft written in the year 1779, though fome additions have iince been made to it. The Authorefs hopes the poetical licenfe fhe has taken in intro- ducing a few paflages different from Fene- Ion, will be excufed. £ R R A T A. T*gp ft* 7 20 nojlop after the ivord grovet. 12 14 for SW/e read Semele". *f 29 for paths; read path. 26 26 for gentle read gentler. J2 i 2 a fall flop after joy. — id no comma after fupprefs. 44 9 afemicolon after Thee. 47 12 for 7"Zw read i/«. /i 3 1 for depair read defpair. — 29 afemicolon after f peak. 76 10 for *fo;v / 4,1 Nor be, as Thetis was, to fliame betray 'd ! 3 " Firft Peleus triumph'd by the means of art, " Then Atlas learnt to fafcinate my heart. " Truft not unto the oaths that men will make, " Their vows of love they fcruple not to break ? " Difdain the fex — in glorious freedom live, 4t And with a grateful heart my gifts receive. " The mother faid, and vanim'd from the land — The cruel daughter follows her command, Till Jove decrees a certain time fhall come. When (he no more may urge a mortal's doom. When her relenting heart, by fate compell'd, To all the bitternefs of love fhall yield ; When for the many deaths (he had decreed, The noble chieftains number'd with the dead, The wife UlyfTes, and his blooming fon, Should make her, by her miferies, atone. Now at Calypfo's grot the guefts arrive, Calypfo's grot, where eafe and plenty thrive ! No mining valves a fpacious dome difclofe, No ftately columns rife in graceful rows, For Nature had fo kindly done her part, That envy ftopp'd the needlefs gifts of art. Embofom'd in the windings of a vale, Shelter 'd from winds, appear'd the humble cell ; Unlike the grots that luxury gives to fame, It only for diftin&ion, bore the name. 'Twas rudely fhap'd, built with unpolifh'd ftone, With mofs and wreathes of ivy overgrown. Within, a vine its ample foliage fpread, And fragrant flowers the verdant turf inlaid ; Cool fountains, and meandering rills were near. And diftant falls of water lull'd the ear j [ II ] Before the grotto trees extend their boughs, Among whofe leaves the golden apple grows, Sprung from Hefperian fruit ; with early lay, There feather 'd fongfters hail the new-born day ; But when the evening's fober (hades prevail, They yield the empire to the nightingale ; Miftreis of fong, the tunes her notes alone, And makes the mufic of the woods her own. A bower, (the work of fair Calypfo's hands,) At diftance from the royal grotto Hands ; There, rofes bloom, and filver lilies ihine, There, fpreads the jafmine, and the eglantine, There, amaranths and violets form a bed, And the green myrtle ever yields a fhade. From thence the eye can o'er the ocean glide : — The inland profpect on the other fide Prefents variety of hills and vales, Of checquer'd paftures, and of flowery dales ; A winding river thro' the valley flows, Upon whofe moffy banks the poplar grows. Rich mantling vines the Hoping hills adorn, And on their fummit waves the yellow corn. None here can ever be with want opprefs'd, For Nature gives an unexhaufted feaft, Her fprings below the purple vintage lie, And moifture to the pebbly foil fupply ; She cloaths the palm trees with her brighle/i green, And with rich fruits diverfifies the fcene, Strews flowers and aromatic plants around, And bids high mountains the horizon bound. The fmiling Goddefs with officious hafte Seated her guefts, and order'd a repair. ; [ 12 J With fruit and herbs the rural board (he fpread, And " crown'd the flrawy cani Iters with bread '" Two lavers, fill'd at the pellucid fpring, Attendant Nymphs, in white apparel, bring ; Whilft others wait, with robes of Tyrian dye The place of fea-beat garments to fupply. Calypfo in her hands a goblet bears, Where the rich grape's ambrofial juice appears j Firft to her lips the beverage (he prefs'd, (As friend and hoftefs of the gen'rous feafl,) I And then refign'd it to each favour'd gueft. ■* The Nymphs attune their lyres ; — in hopes to charm, They chaunt the labours of Alcides' arm, Then change the theme to Semile and Jove, To rofy Bacchus, and to fmiling Love ; And laft their harmonizing powers employ, To praife UlyfTes at the fiege of Troy. Telemachus not long the theme can bear — His bofom heaves, he drops the filial tear ; His (trong emotion interrupts the choir, And thus with ardour, he laments his Sire : " Oh ! would the fates that fent me to this more, " My royal parent to my arms reftore, " Then to oblivion I'd the paft refign, " And own, that perfecl happinefs was mine. " But oh ! perhaps the good Laertes' boaft, -* " The bulwark of the Ithacenfian coaft, C " Stalks thro' the Stygian (hades, a penfive ghoft !" 3 He faid : a Nymph, mod tuneful of the train, (The fvveet Leucothoe) took the lute again, To fprightly founds awak'd the trembling chords, And fang of Love, inftead of Grecian fwords. 1 [ i3 J Her artful numbers could extinguish care, Divert the fad, unbend the brow fcvere, Nay for a moment, interrupt defpair. Soon as the melting lute and banquet ceas'd, Calypfo led the weary guefts to reft ; Then to her couch repair 'd, where Morpheus flied His drowzy poppies o'er her weary head. When bright Aurora dawn'd upon the hill Calypfo iflued from her peaceful cell ; Obedient to her call, the Nymphs attend, And laft the guefts before their hoftefs bend : They all the fmiling deity admire, Whofe charms were aided by her rich attire. A bright tiara dignify 'd her head, And on her neck redundant ringlets play'd, Her robe of Tyrian purple was compos'd, A firing of pearl her taper waift enclos'd, Acrofs her breaft a filken veil was ty'd, (A veil, which Zephyr's breath might waft afide, > And artful, (hew the charms it feign'd to hide.) ^ On violet banks beneath an arbour's fhade, The guefts were feated, and the table fpread ; The bufy nymphs fupply'd the focial board With every fruit the feafon could afford, With various herbs from the adjacent field, And honey, fvveet as Hybla's banks can yield ; Then Thetis' daughter, with a tender look, And flattering tongue, Telemachus befpoke : " O youthful Prince ! defign'd to gain renown, " Whofe ev'ry action fuits a hero's fon, [ 14 J " Whofe air reveals the dignity divine " Annex'd to all the Ulyflean line, " Now to my ear your voyage, your toils, repeat " Recount the various accidents of fate ; " The interefting tale I long to hear, " Tho' painful fympathy may caufe a tear. " She faid ; impatience thro' the circle ran, And with a blufh Telemachus began. His tale was dated from the direful hour When great Ulyfles left his native fhore To join Atrides in the lifts of fame, And vindicate the Spartan monarch's name. He told how fuitors round his mother prefs'd Obnoxious to the forrows of her breaft, How they in feafts confume the day and night, Diflurb her (lumbers, and offend her fight, Whilft horrid imprecations bind their vows, To make the Queen fele£t a fecond fpoufe. How indignation his young bofom warms, And he refolves to fire the brave to arms ; But Mentor there his friendly caution fhews, And wifely warns him of fuperior foes ; By him directed, he a fhip prepares, Embarks, and to the court of Neflor fleers. From fhore to fhore he goes, uncertain yet, (By what he learns) of his brave father's fate ; The Pylian Sage, and Lacedemon's Lord, No tidings of his fafety can afford. In vain he fearches, and in vain inquires, But Mentor ftill with hopes his bofom fires ; Perils on perils rife, and ftorms on ftorms, The virtue of the caufe their purpofe warms : [ i5 ] New difficulties ev'ry day appear, More doubts unfold, but ftill they perfevere, Till vanquifh'd by their deftiny, at laft On the Ogygian rocks the fhip is caft. His ftory told, he takes his feat again — The Nymphs no longer can from praife refrain : " Oh happy youth" they cry'd, " the Gods approve, " Thy early valour, and thy pious love. '* The cloud compeller was inclin'd to fave " A life fo precious from a wat'ry grave ; " His hand conducts thee to Ogygia's ifle, " Where plenty, pleafure, and Calypfo fmile. " The Goddefs yet to fecrecy confin'd Thofe bufy thoughts that influenc'd her mind ; r rhe watchful care of Mentor fhe obferv'd, And thought it prudent to appear referv'd. Fearing to meet his penetrating eyes, Abruptly rifing, from the grot fhe flies ; Her foul with kindling love and trouble burns- Swift as a lapwing to her bower fhe turns, Within whofe lonely fhade difmifling art, She utters thus, the language of her heart : " Gods! muft I fuffer ever -during care, " Becaufe ye make the mortal race fo fair ? *' Better to yield immortal life unbleft, " And live a year with comfort in my breaft, " Then drag a chain of love and grief combin'd, " The foe, and yet the flave of human kind. " Pernicious love ! reflore Calypfo's peace, " Nor let my paffion and my fhame increafe ; C t6 J " This load of anguifli from my heart remove, " Or give me power to charm the youth I love •' I fee, I read, in his.infpired eyes, " The father's foul, too obftinately wife ; " His valour by adverfity untam'd, " Will make him of inglorious life afliam'd. " In vain I wifh him to be captive here, " Tho' he my immortality might fhare, " The bribe would feem too fmall, the facrifice too dear. " Like Ithacus, the ftubborn boy will fly, " And leave me here, without the power to die ; " Leave me deferted, hopelefs and forlorn, " To curfe my fortune, and my weaknefs mourn. " O Thetis ! thy command no more prevails, " Oppos'd by love, my refolution fails, " My pafTion triumphs, and my pride declines, " And reafon, every prudent thought refigns. " Is it that I've a foul too prone to love, '* Thefe endlefs tumults I am doom'd to prove ? " Or is it that the Ulyflean race " Alone are form'd with more than mortal grace ? " Bright Venus ! hear me in thy Paphian ifle, " Accept my homage — on my pafiion fmile ; " Propitious to a wretched Goddefs, lend " Thy power to charm, and be Calypfo's friend : " Or from my fight at once the youth remove, 4< And fave thy fuppliant from difgraceful love^" She faid ; the Queen of beauty hears her pray'r, And calls on Cupid her defigns to (hare ; He, laid on Ida's top, 'mong beds of flowers, In dalliance with the Graces, chid the hours, } [ »7 ] Who would not tarry from their fwift career, Or for a moment paufe, his words to hear ; Behind their matter's car they cluft'ring hung, Smil'd upon Love, but (till purfu'd the Sun. Arife, my boy ! fair Cytherea cries ; Arife, my boy! the vocal hill replies! Lo ! on Ogygia's coaft, by partial heav'n Th' unconquer'd youth, Telemachus, is driv'n : From Neptune's fury faved, in evil hour Again he braves us, on Calypfo's fhore. Oft with prefumptuous, unrepenting pride, Thy power and mine the boafter hath defy'd. On Cyprus' ifle our fnares in vain were laid — The cautious bird from the temptation fled : But now, perhaps the crifis of his fate Depends on thee, and he may find too late, That love and beauty will affert their fwav, And force his heart their mandates to obey. Yet fhall he not the fvveets of love enjoy! Its bitternefs mutt all his hopes dettroy; 'Tis time, for Cupid, abfolute to reign, 'Tis time, to make Telemachus complain : The fweet revenge will heal my wounded pride^ Tho' Pallas may exclaim, or Thetis chide. — Again, my fon, prepare thy keeneft dart, And aim it at his unfufpecting heart." She ends : and harnefTes her flutt'ring doves ; On mifchief bent, forfakes th' Idalian groves. The God of love at her command attends, And on Ogygia's ifle the car defcends. Calypfo fmiling, in the arbour ftands, An incenfe tripod in her lifted hands. c I *8 ] u All hail, -fair Venus ! " fhe delighted cries, Fair Venus makes her head, and thus replies : " No fmile have I, Calypfo ! to return — " Unhappy Goddefs! thou art doom 'd to mourn. " At friendfhip's call, I left my myrtle bow'r, " Warm is my wifli, but feeble is my power — " Unlefs my fon's more fubtle arts prevail, " Soon from thy coaft Telemachus will fail, " Obdurate like his Sire, refufe to ftay, " Launch the light bark, and fteer acrofs the fea ; " His refllefs foul, with greedy third of fame, " Thinks an inactive life is fraught with Ihame. " His youthful bofom for new danger burns, — " Ignoble peace, and luxury, he fcorns. " Nay, thy immortal charms may lofe their fway, " And other objects lead his heart aftray. " 'Tis Fancy, fickle as th' uncertain wind, " That fpreads her influence o'er the human mind, " She makes the lover view, with doating eyes, " The face, another's judgement would defpife. " No fymmetry of features yet could be " An antidote to her inconftancy ; " Oft Ihe difdains with regal charms to live, " And to plebeian beauty, choice will give. " 'Tis thro' her partial optic, lovers fee " The objects of their own idolatry. " Fantaftic fancy makes the form divine, " And, fpight of truth, with borrow 'd charms to mine. '* When Cupid feeks to fafcinate a heart, " 'Tis Fancy's eye that muft diredl the dart ; " The purblind boy is rul'd by her command, " And thro' the world they wander, hand in hand. " Yet may this power invifible attend *' Thy wifh, if Cupid ihou'd remain thy friend. [ *9 ] " Telemachus will yield to Fancy's fway, " And Love can make the Hero's heart thy prey." She, ending, difappears. The God remains To aid Calypfo's love, and to augment her pains* His moulders now no rofy pinions bear, Mild are his looks, and peaceable his air. No painted quiver at his back he wears, But like a fimple harmlefs child, appears. His feeming innocence, and fmiles of joy, Deceiv'd the Goddefs, who carefs'd the boy. Awhile fhe held him on her downy breaft, And footh'd and prais'd her little fportive guefh Artlefs he feems, and gently fmiles around, But meditates th' affafilnating wound. Nor need he for the purpofe want a dart — The touch of poifon can infect the heart. Unthinking fair! the more fhe kifs'd her gueff, The more increafing paffion fill'd her breaft. A Nymph there was, the favourite of the dame, Endow'd with charms, and Eucharis her name j Not fair Brifeis, (brave Achilles' prize,) Had fofter fmiles, or more bewitching eyes, Nor bright Andromache, with charter grace, Won the fam'd hero of the Trojan race. Her gentle manners, with her beauty join'd, Made her the moft engaging of her kind ; The Nymph in ev'ry ufeful fcience fhone, — And by her fov'reign was excell'd alone. With tafte unequal'd, in the weaving loom, Her fingers made Idalian rofes bloom. With fkilful hand fhe touch'd the lyric firing, Like Polyhymnia fhe was wont to fing. c 2 [ 20 j With fprightly grace the fportive dance (he led, And eloquence enforc'd whate'er (he Hud ; Her feet could run the fwifteft in the race, And (he was ever active in the chacc. No other beauty could with her compare, Unlefs th' immortal Queen (he ferv'd was there, Whofe nobler form above the reft appears As the tall tulip o'er the violet rears Her (lately head, and charms fuperior wears. Towards the arbour where Calypfo (laid, With gentle fmiles approach'd the fav'rite maid. " Wherefore, immortal Queen !" (he foftly cry'd, " So long your prefence to your guefts deny'd ? " While mirth and pleafure grace your happy ifle, " Does bright Calypfo yet refufe to fmile ? " Frown upon joy, and cruelly auitere, " Forbid felicity her fruits to bear. " Shall (he decline to lead the focial train, " And here fequefter'd with a child remain ? " To this lad ftranger thofe attentions give, " The (hip-wreck'd Grecians rather mould receive, " And fuffer grief to (hroud her lovely face, " When hofpitality mould rule the place.-r- " O Goddefs, rife ! and to thy grotto move, " Left young Telemachus thy (lay reprove. " She fpake ; the confcious Queen, with blufhing cheek, Starts at his name, and tries in vain to fpeak, Th' imperfect founds in broken murmurs die, And tears of forrow tremble in her eye ; Confus'd with love, and anxious ftill to feign, She wi flies by retreat to hide her pain. (Miftakcn fair ! no change of fcene can be, A cure to the difeafe that preys on thee ; [ 21 ] Fly where thou wilt, thy forrows on thee wait, For love attends thy breaft in each retreat.) She fled. Th' infmuating Nymph purfu'd : — Calypfo, weary of th' uneafy load, I At length to Eucharis confign'd the God ; J Nor thought to pay for momentary eafe, By an augmenting train of miferies. The Nymph admires the boy with wond'ring eyes ; He on her fnowy breaft fupinely lies, While inftantaneous love with raging fmart, Her fancy fills, and rufhes to her heart. Alarm'd at paffions fhe had never known, The virgin drop'd the Queen of beauty's fon, Who haftily forfook the myrtle (hade, And to the grotto of Calypfo fled ; Whilft at a diftance Eucharis was feen, His fteps purfuing with diforder'd mien. To Mentor Cupid ftretch'd his arms, and fmil'd — The Sage with angry eyes repuls'd the child ; Not fo Telemachus — too foon deceiv'd, His open arms the fugitive receiv'd. But Love, aflifted by a Nymph fo fair, Attack'd his heart, and took poflellion there ; The youth to Eucharis enamour'd turns, For Eucharis he fighs, for Eucharis he burns. The anxious Goddefs, in her artful breaft Revolv'd the means to keep her royal gueft ; With pleafure's fweets, to leflen virtue's charms, Retard his voyage, and turns his thoughts from arms, [ 22 ] Prevent the pious purpofe of his mind, Nor let him hope his god-like Sire to find. With gentle voice fhe thus the youth addrefs'd : " Ah ! let not care thy gen'rous foul moleft, ** Be lefs impatient to behold thy Sire, 44 Nor with vain hopes thy filial bofom fire ; f* The more thou fhalt expect from deftiny, " The greater will thy difappointment be. " From me, (a faithful Sibyl,) tidings learn, " Nor to explore unnumber'd dangers turn ; " Left Neptune's anger fhou'd again arife, " And make Telemachus the facrifice. " Thy Sire, (unlefs prefaging fear deceives,) " Among the Stygian (hades for ever grieves. '* Lamenting ftill his own ignoble doom, " And mourning for his wife, his fon, his home. '* Know this illuftrious chief my ifle adorn'd — " Seven years he ftaid, but on the eighth return *d ; " To the inconftant ocean, once again country, friends, " And voluntary here, his profpecl ends. " Oh ! fay, fair Goddefs ! if I rightly guefs, " Does not thy beauty every thought fupprefs, i " In his young mind, but love and tendernefs ? ■* " Yes! thy victorious, thy unrival'd charms, " Detain him from Penelope's fond arms ! " With jealous looks, Calypfo thus reply'd : " Can'ft thou not fee, who are fo prompt to chide ? " Miftaken man ! my eyes the cheat explore, " I find my error, and will dream no more ; " I wear no charms that can his fancy pleafe, " But — there are others, who fucceed with eafe. " The fickle youth thy dictates once purfu'd, •' Yet, now he finds them too fevere and rude; " By the fame wantonnefs of fancy led, " Before the Goddefs, he prefers her maid. " To Eucharis — but why fbou'd I complain ? " Why fpeak my grief, or own my rage in vain ? [ 33 ] " Without fufpicion when he prais'd her air, " I thought it juftice to extol the fair ; " Fool, that I was ! — too partial to my friend, " I let Telemachus her charms commend ; " No jealous fears intruded on my foul, " Nor did I wifh, his praifes to control. " But oh ! a thoufand circumftances, now " Reprove my folly, and create my woe ; " Sufpicion tells me, that the abfent youth, " Offers to Eucharis his love, and truth. " Elfe wherefore (fays (lie from the morning chace ? " She who was 'erft the foremofl in the race ! " But let diilembled eafe my anger fhroud — " Let us return unto the bufy crowd. " Frowning, Calypfo fpake ; her eyes exprefs'd The ftorm of pailion gath'ring in her breaft. Meantime, the wary lovers left the wood, And fep'rately, the flying deer purfu'd ; At diff'rent times, the huntrefs' train they join'd, Whilit far before them fled the panting hind ; At laft the Goddefs, anxious to prevent Another's fame, her bow fuccefsful bent ; The well-aim'd arrow, wing'd wirh inftant death, Arietts the victim, and prevents his breath. " Thus (fhe exulting cries) may fwift fuccefs, •' The utrnoft of Calypfo's wifhes blefs ! " Thus may the (hafts I fend unerring fly, *' And caufe whoe'er refills my power to die ; (l Ye Gods ! I thank ye for an omen fair ! * l Let thofe conteft my lawful prize that dare. " Now flames the fun in his meridian heat, No more foft zephyr breathes on the retreat, D [ 34 ] Beneath whofe fhade, the weary train repair, Preceded by the proud imperial fair. Thirfty and tir'd, the Nymphs attain a glade. In whofe recefs a little fountain play'd. The fources were by Thetis' care fupply'd, Nor ever by the folar heat were dry'd. Fair Eucharis among the menial train, Longs for the cooling draught, nor longs in vain ; Telemachus forgets his cautious fears, From the hard ground a hollow ftone he tears, i And (fill'd with water) to his miftrefs bears. * Calypfo at a watchful diftance flood, And there this proof of his attention view'd ; 111 could her paffion brook the preference paid, (The envy'd preference to the blue-ey'd maid ;) Her rage refus'd to (loop beneath difguife — She meets the Prince, and thus indignant cries : " In evil hour, UlyfTes' fon ! I gave " Thy limbs the chance to have an earthly grave \ " I fav'd thy life from Neptune's greedy jaws, '* In fpight of all Ogygia's rigid laws ; " Thy name, thy youth, my partial pity won, " And for the father's fake, I lov'd the fon. *' Was it for this ? deceitful as thou art I " With gentle form to hide a favage heart, " To pay me, traitor! with ingratitude, " For all the mercy I on thee beftow'd ? " At length behold Calypfo, undeceiv'd, " Thy flatt'ring form will be no more believ'd ; " Think not to pay thy preference unfeen, " Or unobferv'd, infult a wretched Queen ; " Thy fecret arts already are difplay'd — " I know thou haft feduc'd my fav'rite maid. C 35 ] " May the uplifted thunderbolt of Jove, " Impede the progrefs of thy hafty love ! " Yet, wherefore fhall I warn thee to beware ? " Why make thee flill the object of my care ? " Why own a love that is unfortunate ? " Or reprefent the danger of my hate ? " Thy condu6t fhou'd my fwift revenge excite, " To doom thee, wretch! unto the mades of night." Defp'rate (he fpake, and furious with defpair, Rent the bright ornaments that bound her hair ; Diforder'd, thro' the grove (he takes her way, Her looks the violence of rage difplay ; A jealous hate is painted in her eyes, While to the 'frighted Nymphs, aloud fhe cries. The Nymphs amaz'd, and fearing to remain, Exert their flrength, and fpeed along the plain ; (Thus when the foaring kite appears on high, The timid larks her rapid courfe defcry, They fhrieking fpread their wings, and fly with fpeed, To gain the fhelter of fome friendly ihade .) Telemachus, with difcontented mind, And agitated looks, is left behind ; Afham'd to yield his prize, and yet afraid For her own fake to keep the envy'd maid ; To Eucharis he calls — but calls in vain — The trembling Nymph looks back, but feeks the plain. Sage Mentor now befide the youth appears, With pitying looks, and fympathetic tears ; His hoary head he with dejection fhakes, Then heaves a figh, and eloquently fpeaks : d 2 C 36 ] " Oh ! obftinate in ill, Ulyfles' fon ! " Whither, ah ! whither, wou'dft thou madly run ? " Did not thy face confirm the air divine, " Which marks thee of the UlyfTean line, " Thefe mean purfuits wou'd give the lie to fame, " And rob thee of an undeferved name. " Unlike in aflions to thy noble Sire, " Whom hofts have copied, and who gods admire! " Wherefore doft thou his glorious image bear ? " His fon profefs'd, but not his wifdom's heir. " Oh! turn, miftaken, and unhappy youth ! " Turn to the mirror of celeftial truth ; " Think in what glowing colours late you fhone, " And now behold their brilliancy is gone ! " Yet my fond heart relenting from its rage, " Yields to the weaknefs of airlifted age ; " And whilft I thus, Telemachus reprove, " I weep in anguifh o'er the youth I love. " The eve, before thy Sire forfook his home, " He call'd me to him in the regal dome " Where on Penelope's maternal breaft, " You flumber'd fweet, in infant beauty drefs'd. " The penfive Queen with virtuous tears furvey'd " Her parting Lord, then droop 'd her lovely head, " (Like a fair tender flower, furcharg'd with dew,) " And on her offspring bent her mournful view. " The god-like man ! who never fried a tear, " But in a caufe that virtue might revere, " Nor ever acted what he blufh'd to own, 11 Wept for a moment o'er his wife and fon. 11 Then thus addrefs'd me : " ever faithful friend ! " Thefe, to thy zealous care I recommend. } [ 37 ] " Defend my Queen, protedl my helplefs boy, " Nor let a flatt'ring tribe their arts employ, " My wilh to fruftrate, and my hopes deftroy. " The partner of my heart fhall pay thy cares, " With truth, with confidence, and grateful prayers, " Till grown to age mature, UlyiTes' fon, " Repays thy fteady friendlhip with his own. " So fpake the chief — but oh ! the fad reverfe ! " The faithful Mentor is become thy curfe ; " Plain honefl counfel doth thine ear offend, " Altho' 'tis offer 'd by a father's friend ; " And in thy fervice old and feeble grown, " 'Tis time my labours and my life were done. " He ends : the humbled youth with downcaft eye, Already meditates a kind reply, Butlo! a figure darts along the plain, — The wild Calypfo feeks the grove again ; To Mentor with impetuous hafte fhe flies, Takes him afide, and 'thus impatient cries : " Oh ! fince my favor on that fool ! is loft, " Drag him reluctant from Ogygia's coaft ; " Better that I fhould haplefs live alone, " The verieft wretch that breathes beneath the fun, " Than he and Eucharis fuccefsful prove, *' And make a fport of my difaftrous love. " All that remains to mitigate my woe, " Is to divide the pair. — Yes, Mentor, go ! " Cleave my tall oaks, a bark with fpeed prepare, " And from my ifle th' ungrateful monfter bear. " His father with Herculean flrength could wield " The pond'rous mace, or bear the weighty fhield, [ 38 J " He, for his purpofe hew'd the toughefl wood, " And with my (lately trees the champain (Irew'd ; " If age thy vigorous force has not deftroy'd, " Be in this caufe thy utmoft zeal employ'd. " She faid ; and proper implements beftow'd, With which the fage in fecret fought the wood : A wood remote from all obferving eyes, Which on Ogygia's fartheft border lies. Meantime, Calypfo in her citron grove, Addrefs'd her prayers to Eleutherian Jove : But fcarce begun, (he left th' unfiniftVd pray'r, Thought her revengeful wifhes too fevere, And wafti'd away her anger with a tear. The fault'ring founds imperfectly afpir'd, And hate upon her livid lips expir'd. How could her tongue interpret for a heart, Where difappointment claim'd fo large a part ? Her words no jufl expreilion could beflow, And filence bed became a (late of woe ; A doubt left Meritor might too adlive prove, Kxtinguifh'd hate, and waken'd all her love. Thus, while the (lave to Cupid's power (he (tood, Telemachus reclin'd in penfive mood Within a dank, and ivy-circled cave, Where a foft river heav'd its dimpling wave, Where a casrulean Naiad lov'd to dwell, And oft was heard to (hike her vocal (hell. The Nymphs to bathe in the pellucid dream, (Recover 'd from their fright) together came ; Fair Eucharis approaching the retreat, Loofen'd her dufty fandals from her feet, } 1 [ 39 ] Unty'd the zone that o'er her robe was bound, And threw her bow and quiver on the ground. But when her lifter Nymphs the Prince defcry, Afraid to fpeak, they in confufion fly ; Not fo the blufhing Eucharis — in hafte She clafp'd her garments to her lovely breaft, And moving on, Telemachus addrefs'd : " Oh ! let thy faithful Eucharis intrude, " (A fellow fuffrer) on thy folitude. " Can I behold thee with contracted brows, " Nor afk the caufe from whence new forrow flows ? " Shall rankling care and difcontent invade " A foul for fmiling expectations made ? *' Oh royal youth ! that Demon pale defpair, '* Suits women only, not Ulyffes' heir. " Let me alone, the heavy weight fuftain, " Bleft to relieve thee from thy part of pain. — " Arife, my Prince ! in manly fplendour fhine, " Command all hearts as thou haft conquer'd mine, I il But ah ! let Eucharis alone have thine. J " The fierce Calypfo in her citron grove, " Directs her prayers to Eleutherian Jove, " For this, fince accident hath brought me here, " To weep, to fpeak, to counfel thee I dare. " Alas, Telemachus ! it much behoves " Thy Eucharis to warn the youth fhe loves ; " His intereft, his fafety, is her own, " Our hopes, our fears, our miferies are one. '■' Learn for my fake, 'tis right, 'tis wife to feign, " And talk of pleafure whilft we die with pain ; " The honeft heart that always guides the tongue, " Informs the artful, and is foon undone. [ 40 ] " Oh teach thy heart and tongue to difagree, " If thou from punilhment would refcue me j " Divert the rage of the fufpicious Queen, " And greet her with a more refpectful mien, " Left to imprifonment, or racks, fhe doom " My days, and fend thee to a wat 'ry tomb. " In fuch an hour, what will become of me, " Robb'd of Telemachus and liberty ; " My fading cheeks will lofe their rofeate bloom, " My face will wear an everlafting gloom. " The fhadow of myfelf I fhall remain, " And proud Calypfo will augment my pain ; " Make me a lading monument of woe, " With fighs that ever fwell, and tears that ever flow " Ev'n this laft office to my prayers deny'd, " To deck thy obfequies with decent pride ; " Balfamic fpices o'er thy corpfe to fhed, " And weave a funeral garment for the dead ; " To kifs thy pallid cheek, to clofe thine eyes, " And make thefe golden locks thy facrifice. *' Deny'd that bleffing of mortality, " To die (as I fhou'd live,) attach'd to thee, *' And only fond of life, whilft thou an fond of me Weeping, fhe fpake. Telemachus was mov'd, And yielded to the prayer of her he lov'd. The Nymph unto the fitter train return 'd, The youth appear 'd where fad Calypfo mourn"d j Averfe to flatter, yet with fof t'ned air, Telemachus approach 'd the royal fair. She reads the gentle language of his eyes, Interprets for them, and fubmiflive cries: " If I, Telemachus, with words fevere, , " Incautioufly have hurt thy royal ear, ,1 [ 4i ] Kt Ah ! let contrition for the fault atone, " And gain my pardon from Ulyfles' ion. " Ccmpallion, not difdain, thy bread fhoidd move — " 'Tis true I err'd — but all my fault was love. " With rapture I behold thee fmile again, " No more will I fufpedt — no more complain ; " Rcfentment I abjure ; my foul relents, " Ai:d all the fa\ilts of hady rage repents. *' Henceforth forgotten be this hateful morn, " Let peace and happinefs our hours adorn. " A garland fraught with flowers my hands mall weave, " That pledge of amity, dear youth ! receive. " Soon as to-morrow's dawn (hall ftreak the fl Down from the rock, the furgy waves among. •* Himfelf defcending with immortal power Suflain'd the fenfelcfs youth, and o'er him bore [ 70 ] The magic fhield, where fell Medufa frown 'd, And aw'd the fwelling tide that foam'd around. Telemachus reviving, looks on high, And views the rock which feems to meet the fky: Amaz'd he fees, and hardly can believe He fell from fuch a heigth, and cou'd furvive ; His fainting breaft th' immortal ./Egis cheer'd, And fage Minerva by his fide appear 'd : They reach the vefTel, ere the turn of day, And for Phoenicia quickly bear away. Meantime the Nymphs intimidated fly — The iEgis flames on ev'ry aching eye ; Sad Eucharis the firft approach'd the Queen, And thus addrefs'd her with diffracted mien : " If thou haft lov'd ! prepare thyfelf to know " What ill efFe£ts from our endeavours flow. " The Ithacenfians are already gone— " Minerva bears away Ulyfles' fon. " " Curs'd be the wretch," the impetuous Goddefs cries, " Who brings Calypfo fuch malicious lies. 41 It cannot be ! they have not left the fliore, " Their purpofe is delay 'd by Cupid's power — " Yet do thine eyes confirm the cruel tale, " And tell me Cupid's promifes may fail ; " If this be true, then doubly curs'd art thou, " Who came officious to increafe my woe. " Henceforth be filent, mefTenger of ill ! " Nor with prophetic fears my fancy fill. " Speak not again what moft I dread to hear — " Silence alone can fave me from defpair. [ 7i 1 " If he, the idol of my heart is gone ! " Bafe Eucharis ! it is thy fnult alone. " Cupid to thee, unbounded empire gave, " A look, a fign, a word, hud kept thy {Live ; " But fince my paflion interfer'd with thine, " Thou wert refolv'd to make misfortune mine ; " Thy flubborn heart to urge my forrows chofe, " And robb'd thyfelf, to blaff thy Queen's repofe, " Hence from my fight ! I cannot bear thee now - " Back to the beach, ye tardy wretches go! " View your imperfect work, and triumph there, " Leave me the torment of my griefs to bear ; " But let bafe Eucharis my hatred dread, " My vengeance aims at her devoted head. " Telemachus this legacy bequeathes, " This, to alleviate my torture gives, " That ftill I can moled what mod he lov'd, " And perfecute the charms his heart approv'd. " She faid ; and fiercely to a mountain flies, Whence to the ocean fhe directs her eyes, And there, Minerva's horrid fhield defcries. From her wan cheek, the tide of life is driv'n, She raifes her accufing eyes to heav'n ; Her trembling livid lips no more difclofe, The velvet rednefs of the damaik rofe. A fudden coldnefs runs thro' all her veins, Her languid eye reveals her mental pains, Her weary limbs can hardly bear their weight, She trembles at the certainty of fate : No diftant hope remains to cheer her breaft, Silent fhe gazes, with depair opprefs'd. Her eyes refufe to weep, her ihorten'd breath Heaves with the druggies of a mortal death, ] [ 7* ] Till Nature, wearied with the conflict, faints, And to her grief a little refpite grants. (So makes fome temple's antiquated wall, Its country's boaft, but doom'd at laft to fall. A moment paufes, as if loath to be No more the fhade of proud antiquity ; In vain! the bafis is by time decay 'd, It nods, it falls, and in the dud is laid.) Senfelefs the Goddefs lay — till Cupid came, And with his breath reftor'd th' unhappy dame ; Recall'd her to the agony of grief, The fenfe of fhame, and anguifh part relief. To hopelefs love, (the greateft curfe that heav'n To fufceptible hearts has ever given ! — ) Her rage revives — fhe frowns, fhe wildly florins, And direful fury every grace deforms ; Ev'n beauty lofes all the power to charm, And frantic violence diftorts her form. Among the hills her howling voice is heard — It frights the tyger, and the fpotted pard ; With anguHh fhe arraigns the powers above, Upbraiding Venus, and accufing love. Cupid alarm 'd, expands his flutt'ring wings, And like a bird to Cytherea fprings. The tender mother his affliction (hares, And on her bofom dries his pearly tears ; While all th' aflembly of impartial Jove, Laugh at the rage of difappointed love. But fierce Calypfo from the hill dcfcends, And to the Nymphs her hafty footfteps bends ; [ n 1 They hear her voice, which like an herald goes^ Proclaiming punifhment and future woes. (Thus does an angry bull his rival threat, And with a found of hoftile fury greet ; He tears the earth, he bellows from afar, And foaming with difdain, provokes the war.) The timid Eucharis the danger fears — Attempts to fly before the Queen appears ; The Queen her fugitive far diftant views, And like a lionefs the prey purfues ; For midft her grief envenom'd joy fhe prov'd, To know that Eucharis with fear was mov'd, To think fhe alfo bore a load of pain, Like her was left, and fated to remain An endlefs mourner on the lonefome plain ; Tho' rival in her love, yet doom'd to be A partner in her cruel deftiny ; Her difappointment and defpair the fame, As ftrong her forrow, as fincere her flame. To aggravate her torture fhe defigns, And to obdurate hate her foul inclines. Deep in the I fie an holy temple flood, Within a dark inviolated wood : — The hoary oaks all gray with age appear'd, And ev'ry bough the pious Nymphs rever'd. No Druid's prefence was required there, Nor myftic prieft to confecrate the pray'r ; No impious ftep, no found of mirth was known In hallow'd fcenes that Jove had made his own ; No trivial caufe e'er brought to fhades like thefe, A wretch to feek the fhelter of the trees. [ 74 ] Profane the ftep, unlefs it came to crave The God to comfort, to protedl, and fave ; A folemn filence round the temple reign'd, Where folitude her dignity maintain'd. The aw'd creation feem'd from thence to fly, As confcious of the great divinity. The bones of Anchorites were fafely laid, Beneath the fhelter of the facred fhade ; They in pad ages died within the wood, Where the laft office of their fervice flood, The Temple, which their mortal hands had rear'd, Immortaliz'd by Jove, and therefore fear'd. The brazen gates that fcreen'd the holy fhrine, Were ftamp'd with praifes to his name divine ; Whoe'er to thefe, for a protection flew, No wrathful enemy would dare purfue, No impious hand attempted to remove A wretch, who fought the patronage of Jove, Left indignation burfting from his throne, Shou'd fill the grove with terrors not its own. At early dawn of each revolving day, The bufinefs of a Nymph it was, to lay In each expiring lamp the holy oil, And fcatter incenfe round the facred pile. Hither in robes of pureft white array'd, ^ The lovely Eucharis determin'd fled, > A holy fillet bound upon her head. Wary and wife, when fortune turn'd the fcale, When fhe beheld her hopes of comfort fail, When fhe became abandon'd and forlorn, Her Queen revengeful, and her lover gone, Here fhe refolv'd in fafety to retreat, Here at the altar of the God to -wait, And fhun the malice of Calypfo's hate : I [ 75 ] To live fequefter'd in this quiet wood, And be the prieftefs of the bleft abode. Swiftly the haplefs Nymph for refuge flies — Calypfo follows her, with frantic cries, Purfues her even to the brazen gates, And there, for her return, impatient waits. But lo ! the trembling felf-devoted maid, Proftrate before the fhrine, implores the thund'rer's aid, Clings to the altar with an awful fear, And thus, in fault'ring words, begins her pray'r : ' Peace to thefe fhades ! the wretch's laft retreat ! ' The bleft refource of the unfortunate. ' Hail ! to the horrors of this facred grove — ' For ever honour'd be thy name — oh Jove ! ' To thee ! as to a certain good, I fly, ' On thy extenfive mercy I rely. ' Have pity on my woes, my faults forgive, ' And let me here, thy chofen veftal live. ' If I have err'd, oh ! may my griefs atone ' For all my follies — let me live alone, 1 And cherifh memory in this filent fhade, c (For homage, peace, ard contemplation made.) 1 Thy veftal vow'd, I voluntary come, 1 To find a refuge in this facred dome. ' Here would I ftop, but that I farther dare, 1 (Infpir'd by love, extend my ardent pray'r 1 May I once more, without incurring blame, ( Breathe, dear Telemachus ! thy honour'd name ? 1 Yes ! I will fpeak ; — th' impartial powers above 1 Know I am guiltlefs of an impious love. ( No wild impetuous pafllon rul'd my foul, : Or wayward thoughts difdainful of control. [ 76 ] *' Chafte was my love, confident dill with fame, * My a&ions, fuch as Reafon cannot blame. ' Pure as the flame, which in yon lamp is feen * The tenor of my haplefs love hath been ; 1 Yet even now, affection fills my bread — * (The figh of forrow will not be fupprefs'd,) ' It cleaves perverfely to my wounded heart, ' And from its manfion fcruples to depart. ' Compels my eye to drop one tender tear, * And dare to fpeak of Love's dominion here. ' Oh ! wherefoe'er Telemachus is driv'n, ' May he be guarded by propitious heaven, — ' Preferv'd from perils, hardfhips, and diflrefs, * And crown'd at laft with perfect happinefs. ' May valour, wifdom, virtue, rule his mind, * And fame record him bejl> as lovelieft of mankind. 1 If I have err'd by means of love or fate, * May Jove's forgivenefs my confeflion meet. ' My prefent punifhment pad joy exceeds, 1 My innocence for future mercy pleads. ' Deferted by my lover, left to bear ' Calypfo's hatred, and my own defpair, 1 What am I now ? but like a leaflefs tree, ' Stripp'd of the drefs that gave me dignity. ' My verdant ornaments too foon decay 'd, f And all my tranfitory grandeur fled. ' Yet does the tree expeft again to wear ' Her gay apparel with the future year, ' But ah ! my days of joy can ne'er return — : ' Ill-fated Eucharis mud ever mourn. [ 77 ] €l Her adverfe flars have deftin'd her to find " Her lover cruel, and her friends unkind. " Yet unto thee, all-feeing Jove ! I bow — " To thee my life and fervices I vow. " Thy gracious favour may affuage my pain, " And bid me tafle tranquillity again ; f ' Thy powerful will may caufe my woes to ceafe, " Make me forget to love, and be at peace. " She faid ; and forrow ftopp'd her trembling tongue- Still to the altar fhe devoutly clung, And with uplifted ardent eye, implor'd The powers above protection to afford. With awful founds the facred temple fhook, The Gods confent, his folemn thunder fpoke. A fudden light pervaded thro' the gloom, And hollow murmurs founded in the dome ; Whilft o'er the temple was difplay'd in air, Th' aufpicious bird belov'd by Jupiter. Calypfo knew the omen, and retir'd — With envy, paflion, and refentment fir'd. For loft revenge, as much as love (he mourns, Her cheek with fhame and difappointment burns, Slowly returning from the facred grove, Her heart laments the clemency of Jove ; Owns the extent of Cupid's fov'reignty, But wilhes (till, Telemachus ! fcr thee. Anger and love, alternate rule her breaft, And fad remembrance robs her foul of reft. (Thus when the mariner by ftorms is tofs'd Upon fome rude uncultivated coaft, [ 7§ j Far from his plcafing expectations borne, From all his hopes, and dear attachments torn, His retrofpe&ive mind recalls the hours When fmiling pleafure ftrew'd his way with flowers, When love and friendfhip all his wifhes bleft, And calm content was his perpetual gueft. He thinks of all the bleflings he has known — The mirthful days that are for ever gone, And whilft he looks defpairing o'er the fea, Breathes invocations to felicity : With wifliful eye expects relief in vain — Ne'er can he fee his native land again ; Nor friendly fhip, nor diftant fhores appear To footh his anguijh, or prevent defpair.) FINIS Vrmr F7DDNVS01* UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A A 000 076196 5 Y»#-' >1 ■AHGElFj ^ ^ fttliBRARYfl, .x y-. ^UIBRARY-0/- ^HIBRARY^ .^£UN ? 1 f f ^ ^ 1 1 < — ' - ^ — -^ Unl i