STICK 
 ANNEX 
 
 060 
 
 
 H 
 
 y^
 
 HENRY AND ACASTO. 
 
 A 
 
 MORAL TALE. 
 
 By the Rev. BRIAN HILL, A.M. 
 
 Late of Queen's College, Oxford ; 
 And Chaplain to the Right Hon. the Earl of Leven. 
 
 With a PREFACE by Sir RICHARD HILL, Bart. 
 
 Quis talia fando 
 Tempcret a lachrymis ! VIRG. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for JOHN STocKDALE,oppofite Burlingtoa 
 
 Houfe, Piccadilly; 
 
 Sold by J. MATHEWS, Strand j and T. WOOD, 
 Shrewfbury. 
 
 MDCCLXXXVI. 
 [ Price One Shilling, J
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 JLT may perhaps be thought, that par- 
 tiality towards a brother, or want of 
 judgment in myfelf, incline me to 
 think more highly of the following 
 poem than I ought to do, when I de- 
 clare 
 
 20G1S45
 
 li PREFACE, 
 clare that I don't remember ever to have 
 met with any thing more pleafing in 
 the kind. There is fomething fo iri- 
 terefting in the ftory itfelf, fo delicate 
 in the fentiment, and fo affectionate in 
 the narration, that I am perfuaded it will 
 not be read by many without awakening 
 the moft tender and refined fenfations, 
 and, I truft, not without much improve- 
 ment alfo. 
 
 To the religious mind it will be a far- 
 ther recommendation to the poem, that 
 it points out true chriftianity as the only 
 
 thing
 
 PREFACE. iii 
 
 thing worth aiming at in life, and which 
 can afford folid fupport in the hour of 
 death ; and if it tend in any meafure to 
 correft the vitiated tafte of the day for 
 compofitions of a dangerous and licen- 
 tious nature, I Ihall be the more fatisfied 
 with the refolution I came to of making 
 it public. 
 
 If there be fome ftrong expreffions 
 in favor of virtue, they muft be un- 
 derftood of that virtue only which is 
 the fruit of faith, agreeable to the a- 
 poftle's exhortation, add to your faith
 
 iv PREFACE, 
 
 virtue*: for it is fully evident by the 
 ftriking manner in which the author 
 paints the ftruggles between nature and 
 grace in young Henry's mind, that 
 whilft he (the author) acknowledges 
 the intire depravity of all the children 
 of Adam, he is convinced of the ab- 
 folute inefficacy of the united powers 
 of reafon, fcience, and even of the moft 
 refined leflbns on the beauty of virtue 
 and the deformity of vice, to change 
 and convert the heart, independent of 
 the influences of the divine Spirit. 
 
 * 2 Pet. i. 5. 
 
 I now
 
 P R E FAG E. -/ 
 
 I now beg leave to add, that the au- 
 thor of the poem was* totally ignorant of 
 it's being fent abroad into the world. It 
 was by mere accident that I firit got a 
 tranfient fight of it, and not till after re- 
 peated requefts that I obtained a copy of 
 it -, and had I- then intimated the moft 
 diftant wifh of printing it, (particularly 
 with his name annexed,) I- know that his 
 great humility and diffidence would ner- 
 ver have permitted him to let me have it 
 in my poffeflion : but as I feel confciou:?, 
 that, whilft I render a fervice to the pub- 
 lic, I do him no difcredit, I venture ta 
 fend it -out in it's native fimplicity. 
 
 A 3 B r
 
 vi PREFACE. 
 
 By what I have lately heard the author 
 drop on the fubj eft, I have reafon to believe 
 that he meditates a fecond part, or rather 
 another canto, which will bring the poem 
 down to the death of ACASTO, and con- 
 tain the remaining part of the hiftory of 
 HENRY ; but when that will be finiilied, 
 or whether it will ever be compleated at 
 all, I take not upon me to determine. 
 As to the lines which follow, they were 
 chiefly compofed in fome folitary drolls 
 which the author frequently took among 
 fome pleafingly wild fcenes, not unlike 
 thofe with a defcription of which the 
 poem begins ; but it was not till within 
 
 thefe
 
 PREFACE. vii 
 
 diefe few weeks that I faw a fingle word 
 of the performance. 
 
 I had fome intentions of prefixing an 
 introductory argument to the work ; but 
 as the verification is not of that fort as 
 to want continual explanatory notes, in 
 order to come at the author's meaning, 
 (a circumftance not very unfrequent in 
 poetry,) and as a profaic argument would 
 only tend to anticipate what is to follaw> 
 and to prevent it's ftriking the mind with 
 that degree of force which it might do 
 when the ftory is fuffered to unfold itfelf 
 A 4 in
 
 vili PREFACE. 
 
 in the narration, I thought it better not 
 to foreflal the reader's judgment by any- 
 thing of the kind. 
 
 RICHARD HILU 
 
 HARLEY-ST.REET, 
 Junti, 1-86. 
 
 HENRY
 
 HENRY AND ACASTO 
 
 A MORAL TALE. 
 
 VV HERE nature's fcenes in wild confufion iie> 
 And cloud-capt mountains ftrike th' aftoniih'd eye 3 . 
 Where bulging rocks their lofty fummits fhow, 
 Whilft^roaring torrents from their caverns flow,- 
 And fwift defcending in unceafing foam 
 Glide thro' the. dale to reach their briny home j 
 
 Whsrs
 
 to HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Where forefts vaft their varied /hade combine, 
 Here th' aged oak> and there the fpiral pine ; 
 Where the dark yew impends the chafni deep> 
 And gentler birches o'er the fountains weep, 
 Whilft many a mofly fragment, fleep'd in dew, 
 Meets the bright ray, and gliftens to the view : 
 
 Midft fcenes fo grand a lonely vale is found 
 Where fofter beauties deck the turfy ground ; 
 Where banks reclining mow their flow'ry fide, 
 Ajvd peaceful cattle from the tempeft hide. 
 Here good Acafto from the world had fl.d, 
 Wean'd from it's pleafures, to it's follies dead j 
 From error's paths he cautioufly withdrew, 
 And dill more godlike as in years he grew j
 
 A MORAL TALE. 11 
 
 Whilft all his aftions heav'nly wifdom fhow'd, 
 Unnumber'd graces in his bofom 1 glow'd 5 
 There love divine, the firft of all the train, 
 And placid peace, their fix'd abode maintain; 
 There meeknefs, patience, gentlenefs and joy, 
 And faith and hope, and deep humility. 
 No longer now among the youths he fhone, 
 No longer now the prize of glory won ; 
 Nor rais'd as eril by mighty deeds his fame, 
 When manly vigor ftrung his nervous frame. 
 Full oft had Phcebus run his yearly way, 
 Since firft Acafto hail'd the light of day. 
 The mark of time his furrow'd vifage fliow'd, 
 And fnowy locks adown his flioulders flow'd. 
 
 Bui
 
 HENTUY AND' A CAST'S: 
 
 But tho' grave wifdom's characters he bore, 
 No rigid fternnefs on his afpeft wore. 
 Not for himfelf this lone retreat he chofe, 
 Of cares diveft his remnant hours to lofe, 
 To fmk in-leifure's foft lethargic arms, 
 And fill a viflim to her foothing charms. 
 Far nobler motives fway'd his gen'rous brcaftj.- 
 And ftill to al the bufy part he prefs'd. 
 From the vain world he led-a gentle youth^- 
 Here to direft him in the paths of truth *$ . 
 Inftruflive leflbns to his foul impart, 
 Ere fubtle vice had won his eafy heart. 
 
 Faft'by a rock that from the mountain flood, 
 Whofe tuffy fides were fring'd with brufliy wood, 
 
 Which 
 Inter fjlvas Academi qutrere rcrum.
 
 A MORAL T A'L-E. 13 
 
 Which half conceal'd the dewy drop that fell 
 
 With filent trickle to thecryftal well, 
 
 A ruftic cottage, rais'd by artift mean, 
 
 In fweet fimplicity of .ftyle was feen. 
 
 No grand pslafters rofe in flately pridf, 
 
 No labor' d cornice graced it's humble fide ; 
 
 No fculptor's hand had wrought th' upolifli'd ftone, 
 
 Within it's walls no giWsd cielings fhone. 
 
 Clofe at the threfliold fragrant woodbines grew. 
 
 And o'er it's fides luxuriant branches threw, 
 
 Whilft twifted ivy to the door-pofts clung, 
 
 And from the roof in glofly curtains hung. 
 
 Small was the line that o'er th' uneven ground, 
 
 In form unheeded, mark'd it's utmoft bound. 
 
 'Twa
 
 14 HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 'Twas here Acafto and his lovely boy 
 Securely liv'd in innocence and joy. 
 
 Nine times had fpring the face of nature chear'd, 
 As oft had fummer's gaudy train appesr'd, 
 Nine times Autumna fpread her golden /lore, 
 And icy fields (tern winter's garment wore, 
 -Since pious Anna felt a mother's threes, 
 And the firft light on Henry's head arofe ; 
 When heav'n, all wife, th' affliflive mandate fpoke, 
 And friends furviving felt the fatal ftroke; 
 That ftroke which Henry of his (ire bereft, 
 And the fwet child an help'.efs orphan left. 
 Then did Acaflo mark him for his own, 
 Wept o'er the fmiJirg bal;e, nnd cried " My for. t" 
 
 An
 
 AMOHALTALE. 15^ 
 
 An happy lot the tender infant found, 
 Midft friends for worth and piety renown'd ; 
 Friends that might watch his early fteps, and mow 
 Th' unbeaten path in which a child mould go *. 
 Betimes his lifping tongue was taught to frame 
 With rev'rend awe his great Creator's name ; 
 His knees before th' eternal throne to bend, 
 
 And feek the bleffings that a God could fend. 
 
 Well did Acafto all his tempers fpy, 
 
 Trace ev'ry virtue, and each vice defcry ; 
 
 Deep was he fldll'd in learning's facred page, 
 
 His words were weighty, and his counfels fage. 
 
 Young Henry liften'd with attentive ear, 
 
 And, won by love or aw'd by filial fear, 
 
 Felt 
 
 * Prov. xxii, 6,
 
 rf HENRY AND ACA'STOj 
 
 Felt all his leflbns in his inmoft foul, 
 His paflion* foften and his will controul. 
 -Ne'er was the youth to ftudy's drudge confin'd, 
 No tedious precepts pall'd his tender mind ; 
 But charrn'd th' inftruflor's pleafing tale he caught, 
 And while? he learnt ihe more to learn he fought. 
 Soon as Aurora's fmiling face was feen 
 And filver fpangles deck'd the daify'd green; 
 Soon as the larks their early fong begun, 
 And thoufand -cobwebs floated in the fun ; 
 The twain would leave their humble roof and ftray 
 O'er Shepherds tracks their carelefs winding way, 
 To quaff frefli breezes of the pureft air, 
 And the rich bounties of creation fliarej 
 
 Whilft
 
 A MORAL TALE. 17 
 
 "Whilft many a moral wife Acafto drew 
 From each Airrounding object in their view. 
 (As the foul fcul with dunghill vapors gleams, 
 And poifon fips e'en from cceleflial ftreams, 
 The virtuous mind improves from all it meets, 
 And wifdom's honey culls from nature's fweets.) 
 Thus would he mark fome aged tree that floo4 
 The priftine monarch of the mighty wood, 
 It's rugged arms with foliage thinly fpread, 
 And bow'd by wintry ftorms it's batter'd head 5 
 See there, my child, the fage inftruftor cried, 
 How mwt a fpace the firmeft things abide ! 
 That ftem, by time's relentlefs hand defac'd, 
 For many a year it's native foil has grac'd :
 
 iS HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Unnumber'd children round the father rofe, 
 And barren foil extended woodland grows ; 
 They flourifli now, but foon themfelves fhall know 
 That vigorous ftrength muft yield to age's blow. 
 
 'Tis thus with man now health his frame fuftain*, 
 
 WhiJft youthful ardor in hi* bcfom reigns j 
 But time attends, foon bows his hoary head, 
 And lays him proftrate with the conquer' d dead : 
 A race fucceeds, no longer fpace is given, 
 They fall cbtdient to the will of heaven. 
 Then prize not that which foon (hall be decay'-d, 
 Nor court the grandeur which muft quickly fade. 
 Or fee yon' flow'r, which feel* the genial ray, 
 A.nd opes it's bofo-m to the beam of day, 
 
 Lends
 
 A MORAL TALE. 19 
 
 Lends of it's fragrance to the pafling gale, 
 That gently wafts it thro' the balmy vale, 
 Shrinks at the evening blaft, and, ere the night 
 Flies from the arrows of returning light, 
 In flirivel'd form now kifs the humid ground, 
 And fcarce it's traces in the morn are found. 
 
 Such may my Henry be ; he lives to- Jay 
 Young, active, healthy, vigorous, and gay j 
 But ere the car of yon' declining fun 
 Shall from the gilded eaft once more have run, 
 His beating pulfe may ceafe, life's vapor fly, 
 And pallid Henry like that flow'ret lie. 
 
 Say then, my child, fhould foon the fnfiimdiiS come, 
 To call thy foul to it's eternal home , 
 
 B 2 Couldft
 
 . ,o HENRY AND ACASTG: 
 
 . Couldft thou undaunted (land the (hock, nor dread 
 The gloomy manfions of the grave to tread ? 
 Would no fad prefage of a judgment hour 
 In awful terrors.o'er thy confcience low'r? 
 Well doft thou know with what paternal care 
 For that dread day I charg'd thee to prepare ; 
 Show'd thee the chart that leads to Sion's land, 
 Precifely mark'd by Cod's unerring hand. 
 That way purfue by iufpiration's fide, 
 Nor let vain fancy's meteor be thy guide : 
 By fancy led, advem'rous Adam fell, 
 And bow'd fubje&ion to the prince of hell. 
 His race corrupted in his footfteps trod ; 
 
 .They fancied wifdo;r>, and they ftray'd from God. 
 
 "I am
 
 A MORAL TA'LF. ta 
 
 *' / am the ivayS' th' almighty Savior cries *j 
 By thee I go, the faithful foul replies. 
 'Tis thine my guilty foul from fin to fave, 
 And make thy ranfom'd triumph o'er the grave. ' 
 By thee I mount the glorious realms above, 
 To chaunt the praifes of redeeming love. 
 Tell me, my much-lov'd boy. are fuch thy viewr/ 
 Or what the prize thy lab'ring foul purfues ? 
 Prevent Acafto's feats that Henry's mind 
 To earth's vain joys alone mould be confin'd. 
 
 Thus truth in many a pleafing garb array'd ' 
 The good inftruftor to his child convey'd : 
 Hnry attentive heard, and whilft he fpoke, 
 Conviction warm thro' all his foul awoke : 
 
 B 3 Reafoa 
 
 * John XIY, 6,
 
 ,a HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Reafon enthron'd did all her right maintain, 
 And ftubborn felf confefs'd her high domain. 
 Now counfels pad their former weight acquir'd, 
 And ftrong refolves his yielding bofom fir'd. 
 But theft-, alas ! jutl as the meteor's gleam 
 Pours forth its bright but momentary ftream, 
 Strike on th' affe&ions and commotion raife ; 
 But foon extirguiftTd is the crackling blaze, 
 Q^ench'd by the ftrcams which flow from pleafure's fpring, 
 And frothy trifles in their courfes bring. 
 Acaflo patient, ftill to teach intent, 
 O'er happier times with pleafmg forefight bent, 
 Saw heav'n-born virtue, deck'd with native charms,. 
 Receive his Henry with extended arms 3 
 
 Saw
 
 A MORAL TALE. 23. 
 
 Saw vice unmaflc'd, her hideous afpeft fliown, 
 
 Her dev'lifh wiles, her dire enchantments known,. 
 
 Defpis'd, abhorr'd, with all her hellifli train 
 
 Dragg'd to the manfions of eternal pain. 
 
 Still crafty vice in lurking ambufh lay 
 
 To fcize in fatal hour th' unwary prey ; 
 
 Whilft virtue watchful Mood, and gently flrove 
 
 By foft perfuafives to engage his love. 
 
 Vain the contention the degen'rate mind, 
 
 By fad prcpenfity to vice inclined, 
 
 Full oft the brittle cords of fcience broke, 
 
 And fnapp'd the feebler twigs of reason's yoke : 
 
 The feeds of inbred fin, awhile concealed, 
 
 WarrrTd by temptation's fun, began to yield 
 
 B-j. Their
 
 24 HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Their copious fruits, whence baneful cdors (hoi, 
 Fatal contagion all around them fpread. 
 But good Acafto, who at wifdom's gate 
 Would oft in frame devout a fuppliant wait*. 
 And tafte communion fweet, whilft love divine 
 Did o'er his foul with rays icfulgent fliine, 
 Implor'd th* Almighty by his pow'r to break 
 The barren foil of Henry's heart; then fpeak 
 Fertility, and make the fall j^v'd ground f , 
 By fliow'rs of grace, in heav'nly fruits abound. 
 Once as the twain their wonted rambles took. 
 In carelefs rovings by the pebbly brook, 
 The fweetj collefling that of faireft hue 
 In rich profufion on it's margin grew* 
 
 With 
 Prov, \iii, 34. f Jcr. iy, 3. Hof. !*
 
 A MORAL T ALB. , s 
 
 With nice diftin&ion of botanic art 
 Minutely viewing each component part, 
 The fleecy tribe, by blithfcme fhepherds led, 
 Around them fearlefs on the verdure fed : 
 The fportive lambkin, from it's mother ftray'd, 
 It's fellows found, and thoufand gambols play'd i 
 The bleating dam, with tend'relt care opprefs'd, 
 Recall'd her darling to the milky breaft j 
 Her darling heard and friik'd with bounding pa*e 
 To tafte on bended knee the warm folace. 
 
 The pleaiing fcene the youth's attention drewy 
 And ftrong amazement on his features grew : 
 Unmov'd he flood, in deep rtfle6lion loft, 
 With anxious thought his lab'ring bofom toft. 
 
 Tht
 
 t HENRY AND ACAS TO: 
 
 The flow'rs no more his grafping hand adorn, 
 JJut drop neglefhd on the grarty lawn : 
 Some fighs efcap'd j at length lie filence broke, 
 And thus inquiring to Acafto fpoke : 
 
 Whence does it come, my kind prote&or, own, 
 Maternal care was ne'er to Henry known ? 
 Bach lambkin vies with fond delight to prove 
 The foft endearments of a mother's love : 
 Thoughtlefs they feed beneath her watchful ey, 
 Nor fear they danger e'en when danger's nigh. 
 So the fweet thrufh, that fits on yonder fpray, 
 And charms my ears with her melodious lay, 
 Oft have I fien her downy neftlings brood, 
 And wing her way to fcek their diftant fuod j 
 
 But
 
 A MORAL TALE. 27 
 
 fiut quick returning with far nobler (lore 
 
 Than richeft (hip which fails from India's fhcre, 
 
 An infecl p'rhaps or worm, the trophy fpoil 
 
 Of all her warlike feats and bufy toil, 
 
 With beaks all ope her half fledg'd young cnes foon 
 
 Receive with chirps of joy the captive boon. 
 
 So too the boys, that from the village come, 
 And oft in parties thro' cur valley roam, 
 Will fpeak with tranfport of a mother's care,. 
 And haften back htr tend'reft love to fiiare. 
 Ah ! why am I of fuch delights bereft ? 
 To footh my childhood why no mother left ? 
 Could I in infancy negU&ed live, 
 Or would net heav'n the needful bleffing give ? 
 
 Say,
 
 *S HENRY ANI> A-CASTO: 
 
 Say, gen'rous fire, for thou wilt not difchun 
 Such myft'ries great to Henry's mind t' explain, 
 
 Mov'd was Acafto's foul, in deepeft thought* 
 Aghaft he flood ; for painful mem'ry brought 
 Paft for rows back, and forc'd the tear to flart 
 That fpcke the feelings of a wounded heart} 
 Yet foon his force refum'd, he filence broke 
 And thus to eager- looking Henry fpoke : 
 
 Know, my dear child, fmce thou canft wifely glea 
 InftrucYion fweet from yon* expreflive fcene, 
 Know heav'n's myfterious ways, and patient wait 
 Whilit I from times remote my tale relate. 
 
 Bleft was the feafon of my youthful years, 
 By cares unclouded, unappali'd by fears ; 
 
 My
 
 -A MORAL TALE. 2, 
 
 My quiet breaft no piercing forrows tore, 
 
 No keen affli&ion fway defpotic bore. 
 
 All was ferene. Thefe hands by bufy toil 
 
 The fruits cclle&ed of my fertile foil ; 
 
 And tho' no bags o'erflow'd with golden ore, 
 
 Yet was my table grac'd with plenteous ftore. 
 
 Kind heav'n was pleas'd a partner fair to fend, 
 
 A dear companion and a faithful friend j 
 
 In her all virtues met, and tho' in vain 
 
 We feek perfection in this world to gain, 
 
 In her no fpot appeared, but richly giv'n 
 
 Was ev'ry grace, and " in her eye r wat heaven ." 
 
 One lovely babe engag'd our anxious care, 
 
 Whofe weal we daily fought in focial pray'r : 
 
 Beneath
 
 3 HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Beneath a mother's watchful eye (he grew, 
 
 And fliining virtues from her precepts drew. 
 
 As time roll'd on we faw fair Anna rife 
 
 In matchlefs worth to crown our earthly joys. 
 
 Such was our lot, 'mid fweets domeftic fix'd, 
 
 Nor feem'd with human woes our portion mix'J. 
 
 No change I fought 5 when, ah ! my chaft'ning God 
 
 To me direfted his afflifting rod. 
 
 My dear Selina (fcarce that name I fpcak, 
 
 But tears afrefli bedew my aged check) 
 
 My dear Selina droop'd beneath the pow'r 
 
 Of pale difeafe; to her in welccm'd hour 
 
 Death aim'd his blow, and gave the kind releafe 
 
 From fin and pain, and brought eternal peace- 
 
 Ne'er
 
 A MORAL TALE. 3 t 
 
 Ne'er ftiall my foul forget her look ferene, 
 My nobleft folace in that awful fcene : 
 Then with a fmile (lie bid the world adieu, 
 Clos'd her fix'd eyes, and to her Savior flew. 
 Her fate I mourn not, but I mourn her lof*j 
 The firft my comfort, and the laft my crofs. 
 Much did my Anna feel, and vainly tried 
 With ftudy'd care her ftruggling grief to hide ; 
 Loud fpoke the heaving fob, the flifled figh j 
 The tear, that trembled in her cryftal'd eye, 
 Trac'd it's lone fource from quick fenfation's bed, 
 And wid'ning rofe by fpring* of forrow fed, 
 Burft it's fair banks by one o'erflowing fwell, 
 Swt.pt her fweet cheek, and on her bofom fell, 
 
 Till,
 
 3 HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Till, drown'd in floods, around ray neck me flung 
 Her fnowy arms, and on Acafto hung. 
 
 I can no more Time's hand at length afTuagY, 
 
 The troub'Ious florm that in our bofoms rag'd. 
 Compofure mild, frm heav'n infpir'd, arofe 
 In fweet fucceflion to our keener woes. 
 
 Anna her blooming prime had fcarce attained, 
 When thus on me the weighty charge remained. 
 Mov'd by the love which tender parents feel, 
 A thoufand fears my tranquil hours would fteal 5 
 Fears left my child in fin's dark maze mould ftray, 
 Tread pleafure's path, and mifs the narrow way *-. 
 
 Ere long I faw a numerous crowd attend j 
 At Anna's feet fubmiflive fuitors bend. 
 
 The 
 * Mat. vii, 13, 14.
 
 A MO RAX TAI/fe. SJ 
 
 The titled peer, for fplendor only fam'd, 
 In vain the ardor of his love proclaim'd : 
 The fop, of nought but empty found poflefl, 
 Declar'd with fruitlefs -prate his aching breaft ; 
 Of beauteous Venus talk'd, of Cupid's darts, 
 Of fleeplefs, love-Tick, nights, and wounded hearts. 
 At length th' admiring throng Horatio join'd, 
 Of perfon plea fin g, and of parts renVd. 
 From early youth inur'd to war's campaign's, 
 He boldly ventur'd on the martial plains ; 
 Charg'd the dread foe, an<I wide the conqueft fpread, 
 As troops difmay'd his dauntlefs valor fled : 
 Humanely brave, whilft numbers round him fell, 
 His tender bofom would with pity fwell 5 
 
 C The
 
 14. HENRY AND'.ACASTO: 
 
 The trembling captive pwn'd his gen'rous care 
 To cafe his burdens, and his forrows fliare. 
 Such was the youth who duift his love declare, 
 And prov'd fuccefsful with the yielding fair. 
 Their kindred fouls in fvceeteft concord fining, 
 .. On ev'ry theme harmonic numbers rung: 
 The mojften'd eye would grief congenial fliow, 
 As oft they liften'd to the tale of woe : 
 From either's hand the lib'ral bounty fpread, 
 Chac'd deep diflrefs, and famifh'd orphans fed : 
 All virtue's paths with wary fleps they tfod, 
 Gave men the profit, and the praife to God. 
 Whene'er remembrance of Selina's love 
 The finer paflions cf my fottl.would mov?, 
 
 Horatio,
 
 A MORAL TALE. 3S 
 
 Horatio, kind, the heavy hours would chear, 
 And flop by converfe fweet the falling tear. 
 Ere long I hail'd him fon : Indulgent heav'n 
 Sure greater blifs had ne'er to parent giv'n 
 Than when I faw the brave Horatio's hand 
 With Anna's join'd in facred wedlock's band. 
 
 As rapid Time his ceafdefs journey went, 
 In fweets dormfiic were our moments fpent j 
 Care with his comrades from our dwelling fled, 
 And thence his train to fcenes of difcord led ; 
 Whilft peace, tranquillity, and love, 
 To raife our joys in kind contention ftrove. 
 Still heav'n 'frem. bounties gave ; th' exulting pair 
 Expected foon the parent's charge to (hare ; 
 
 C i With
 
 fc HEN-RrY AN'D AC AS TO: 
 
 'With eager arms. their love's fweet pledge embrace, 
 Arc! each their likenefs in the infant trace. 
 
 Thus were we bieft, when noify rumour, fraught 
 With packets huge, the tale of horror brought, 
 Of leagues and fchemes in foreign counfels plann'd, 
 Of pow'rfu! fleets by fturdy Tailors mann'd j 
 Of troops tmbark'd the.glitt'ring fword to wield, 
 And try their valor in the glorious field : 
 Drums beat to arms } our ycuth, inflam'd with zeal, 
 FJock'd to the ftandard for their country's weal. 
 
 Soon on our coafls, by m'ran heroes led, 
 .In ranks arrang'd, a num'rous army fpread, 
 With force oppos'd to meet the hardy fee, 
 And feats of provrefs in the battle fhow. 
 
 There
 
 A' MO It AL T A L'E. 37? 
 
 There honor call'd my fon : fuch fad adieu ' 
 Ne'er love before fuftain'd, or farrow knewi' 
 
 In hideous forms now fkeplefs fancy walk'd, 
 And ghaftly phantoms o'er the moon-beams ftalk'dj 
 Dear Anna's fwollen eye and pallid cheek 
 The inward language of her foul would fpeak; 
 Her waking thoughts on bloody flaughter run,- 
 Her ftarting dreams proclaim'd the fight begun. 
 Struck by the blow of fome barbarian hand,- 
 She paints Horatio breathlefs on the flrand j 
 Believes his bleeding corpfe amidft the ho!t 
 With trampled bodies in confufion lott. 
 Her fears too juft ; for tho' Horatio long' 
 Scar'd with/ vifloriotis arm th' embattled throng,. 
 
 C 3, . Thfo'
 
 $%' HENRY AND AC AS TO: 
 
 Thro' thickeft ranks by wife manoeuvres broke, 
 Nor crav'd a refpite from the frequent ftroke, 
 Too far by valor urg'd, on ev'ry fide 
 The prefiing foe at laft his might defyM. 
 Retreat vras vain ; deform'd by many a wound, 
 . His mangled body 'midil the flain was found. 
 Myfterious fate ! fcarce was his fpirit gone 
 Than fliouting hofts proclaim'd the battle won. 
 Each happy foldier too enrich'd with fpoil, 
 The ample payment of his martial toil, 
 Now homeward plods with eager pace his way, 
 And thro' each village cries, " Wevt gaitid the day" 
 Then might you fee at ev'ry threfhold wait 
 The maiden anxious for hr lovei'* fate j 
 
 The
 
 A MORAL TALE. 39 
 
 The mother her returning fon beholJ, 
 
 And fhrink with horror as his tale he told 3 
 
 The tender wife, " in tears of tranfport drovvn'd," 
 
 Her partner meet, and " weep o'er ev'ry wound." 
 
 And fo my child j for when the orient ray 
 
 Illum'd th' horizon and proclaim'd the day, 
 
 On ev'ry path flie ftretch'd her longing eye, 
 
 If haply there flie might Horatio fpy, 
 
 If on the way fome human form appear'd, 
 
 Bright hope awhile her throbbing bofom chear'd, 
 
 Till nearer feen a ftranger only came, 
 
 And double anguiih fliook her tender frame. 
 
 At length a ruftic, in whofe fteely breaft 
 
 The fofter paffious ne'er were known to reft, 
 
 C 4 Her
 
 40 HENRY AND AO 
 
 Her ear demanded, and at once declar'd 
 
 The dreadful fate her lov'd Horatio mar'd. 
 
 I faw him fall, he cried, and more had fpoke 
 
 If more could Anna hear : the fudden ftroice 
 
 Her tender frame o'erpowVd ; her lips no more 
 
 Their former tint of bright vermilion wore j 
 
 Clos'd were her eyes, her pulfe with languor beat, 
 
 And clammy cold fupprefs'd the vital heat. 
 
 Proftrate flie lay, and ev'ry effort vain, 
 
 Till nature, quieken'd with a (harper pain, 
 
 Grim death, that lately with uplifted hand 
 
 Prepar'd his blow, now check'd by heav'n's commaird, 
 
 A while retir'd, nor durft his viclim claim 
 
 Tjll froaa her womb Horatio'* image came.
 
 A MORAL TALE. 4* 
 
 (In thee, my Henry, now that form I trace, 
 
 And in the child I view the father's face.) 
 
 But Anna, long by anxious cares oppreftj; 
 
 By grief exhaufted, and bereav'd of reft, 
 
 Three nights in pangs of nature's forrow lay, 
 
 Ere on her infant dawn'd the light of day : 
 
 Then frenzy feiz'd her brain" There ! there !" flic cricc?> 
 
 " I fee my love with ftains of purple dy'd. 
 
 " Heav'ns, what a fight ! Let vengeance aft her part, 
 
 " And arm thefe hands to tear the murd'rer's heart. 
 
 " Hark ! hark ! his well-known voice my ear aflails-^- 
 
 He callsbut ah ! fome potent charm prevails-^ 
 
 f* Horatio's fled his wretched Anna left" 
 
 She fcreoin'd and funk again of fenfe bereft. 
 
 Life's
 
 ,+ HENRY AND ACASTO: 
 
 Life's quiv'ring light once more it's force refum'd, 
 And with a tranfitnt blaze her breaft illum'd ; 
 Reafon her feat regainM, while, thus exprcft, 
 She gave with fault'ring voice her laft requsft : 
 
 " Thanks be to Gcd, my forrow's nearly done, 
 " The faith isfinijb'd, andtbe battle iuon *. 
 Soon (hall I reach the beav'uly Canaan's fhore, 
 " My lov'd Horatio meet, and part no mere.. 
 " Father ! protefl my babe with guardian care, 
 " His early fteps direft, bis heart prepare 
 /' To fcek thy face, that, when life's thread fliall ceafit, 
 " Good Simeon like, he may depart in peace f . 
 " I afk no more My Savior, now," flie cried, 
 " Receive my foul I" then fweetly fmil'd, and died. 
 
 Such 
 * * Tim, iv, 7. t Luke, ii, y.
 
 A M O R A L T A L E. 43, 
 
 Such was thy parent's fate ; 'twas God's decree 
 Maternal care fliould ne'er be fliewn to thee. 
 Horatio's part I bear, t* inftruft be mine 
 With love of truth thy heart to learn be thine. 
 
 Acafto ceas'd fufceptive Henry flood 
 In fix'd amazement, whilft a briny flood 
 His vifage bath'd, and well his mind exprefs'd, 
 Tho' paflions flrong the pow'rs of fpeech fupprefc'd, 
 But e'er Acafto clos'd the plaintive tale, 
 A folemn gloom befpread the fertile vale j 
 Blithe day with all her bufy train was fled. 
 And Phoebus haften'd to his weftern bed. 
 Night o'er the land her fable curtain drew, 
 And duflcy tints on all creation threw.
 
 41 HENRY AND ACASTO;&c, 
 
 The meadows, late in brighteft hue array'd, 
 Lofe all their gladnefs in the gen'ral (hide ; 
 And, as with fj-mpathetic feeling* wrung, 
 A tearydrop on ev'ry bloffom hung. 
 The pallid lifTning moon, with quiv'ring light; 
 But half unveils her waning watVy fight j 
 Salutes with filver'd ray the mournful wood,' 
 And meets her image on the trembling flood ; 
 Hears the fad tale, and, ftruck with forrow deep-, 
 Behind fome friendly cloud retires to weep : 
 Whilft the fair ftars, attendant on their queen, 
 The concert join, and twinkle o'er the green. 
 
 FINIS. 
 f 
 
 NEW
 
 lEW'BooK.s printed for J. STOCKDALE. 
 
 A DESCRIPTION OF HAWKSTONE, the Seat of 
 '^*- SIR RICHARD HILL, BART, one of the Knights 
 of the Shire for the County of Salop. By T. Rodert- 
 huriL The Third Edition, with feveral Alterations and 
 Additions. Price is. 
 
 .N.B. The above is a proper companion for thofe who 
 intend taking a fi. miner's tour, to vilit fuch places at 
 ,are moil worthy of obiervation. 
 
 STOCKDALE's Edition of SHAKSPEAR } in- 
 cluding, in One-Volume fcvo. the Whole of his Drama.- 
 tic VVoiks: With explanatory Notes, compiled from va- 
 rious Commentators. To which are prefixed his Life 
 and Will. 
 
 " Nature her pencil to his hand commits, 
 <( And then in all her forms to this great mafter fits." 
 To the PUB L I.C. 
 
 f-j-f" The unrivalled excellence of Shakfpearis univer- 
 fally acknowledged. As a Poet, he abounds in Subli- 
 mities ; and, as a Dramatift, his principal Characters are 
 moft matterly drawn. But the number of Volumes 
 which the vatious Editions of his Works have contained, 
 by enhancing the Price hath prevented this admired Au- 
 thor from being generally read ; the middling clafs of 
 People contenting themfdves wiih a perufal of thofe de- 
 tached Plays to which they have been famili arifed by 
 Theatric Reprefentation. To comprize the whole of 
 Shakfpear's Works in a finale Volume, and to publifh 
 that Volume at a moderate -Price, was confidered as an 
 Undertaking of Utility. In theprefenfEdition of Shak- 
 fpear every thing is included which the numerous Editors 
 of this admirable Author thought it neceiTary to colled. 
 The hft Will of Shakfpear, his Life written byROWE, 
 end fuch Notes as tend to elucidate obfcure PatTages, or 
 explain obfolete Words, are inferted in the Edition now 
 offered to the Public j which is fo calculated for general 
 Accommodation, that, being of a portable Size, it may 
 
 find
 
 BOOKS printed /or JOHN STOCKDALE. 
 
 find a Place in a Carriage on a Journey ; or, confidered 
 as a Subftitute for the various and extravagant Editions of 
 Shakfpear, it will furnifti Readers of every Denomination 
 with the Work* of the fubiireit Genius this Country hath 
 produced, at an eafy, and, comparatively fpeaking, tri- 
 vial Expence. 
 
 The above Valuable Book, Price only 15$. 
 
 The HISTORY of SANDFORD and MERTON-. 
 A Work intended for the Uie of Children. Embellifhed 
 with beautiful Frontifpieces, in 7. Vols. price 6s. 6d. 
 bound. 
 
 Captain COOK's Third and Lad VOYAGE to the 
 PACIFIC OCEAN in the Years , 77 6, i 777 , > 77 8, 
 1779, anc * 1780. Faithfully abridged from the Quarto Edi- 
 tion, publifhed by order of hisMajeftyj illuttiated with 
 copperplates. Price 4.8. bound. 
 
 A COMPLETE GEOGRAPHICAL DICT'IONA- 
 RY, or UNIVERSAL GAZETTEER, of Antient and 
 Modern Geography, containing a full, particular, and 
 accurate Description of the known World, in Europe, 
 Afia, Africa, and America j coniprifing a complete fyftem 
 of geography, illuftrated with correct maps and beautiful 
 views of the principal cities, &c. and chronological tables 
 of the Sovereigns of Europe. The geographical parts by 
 JOHN SEALLY, A. M. member of the Roman academy ; 
 author of the Hiftoire Chronologique, facree et profanej 
 Elements of Geography and Aftronomy, &c. &c. inter- 
 fperfed with extracts from the private tnanufcnpti of one 
 of the officers ' who accompanied Captain COOK in his 
 voyage to the Southern Hemifphere. The altrcnonncal 
 parts from the papers of the late Mr. ISRAEL LYONS, of 
 Cambridge, aftronomer in Lord Mute RAVE'S voyage to 
 the Northern Hemifphere. In two large Volumes 410. 
 elegantly bound in calf, gilt, and lettered. Price i\. zs.
 
 BOOKS pintcd for } O H N S TO C K D A L E- 
 
 The HISTORY of the UNION between ENGLAND 
 and SCOTLAND ; with a Collection of Original Papers 
 relating thereto. By the celebrated DANIEL DE FOE. 
 With an Introduction, in which the Confequences and 
 Probability of a like Union between this Country and 
 Ireland are confidered, by JOHN LEWIS DELOLME, 
 Author of the Woik on the Conftitution of England. To 
 which is prefixed a Life of the Author, and a copious 
 Index. In one large Volume Quarto, with an elegant 
 Engraving of the Author. Price jl. 75. in boards. 
 The U/t'cn between England and Scotland, being an ex- 
 tremely interefting Event, has led the Publi/her to ima- 
 gine, that a New Edition of this Work of De Fie, 
 which is grown very fcarce, would be acceptable to the 
 Public, elpecially at the prefent Time, when the Situ- 
 ation of Affairs in Ireland induces many Perfons to 
 wifh, that a fimilar Union between Great Britain and 
 that Kingdom may take place, as it may caufe fuch an 
 Union, if not to be effected, at leaft to be propofed, and 
 to become, for a Time, the Subject of Debate in both 
 Countries. 
 
 *' I luas," fcyi De Foe himftlf, in bis Appeal to Honour 
 and Jitftice, p. 50, tl jrt.m my firft entering into the 
 Knowledge oj Public Matter}, and have f-ver been to 
 this Daj, a /mcere Lover of the Cenflituticn of my 
 Country; x,eal"its jor Liberty, and the Protejlant I/tte- 
 ref); but a conjiant Foiloiver of moderate Principles, a 
 'vigorous Ofipofer of hot Meafures in ail Parties : I nei>rr 
 once {banged my Opinion, my Principles, or my Party $ 
 and let nvbat will be faid of chan%in% Sides, this I main- 
 tain, that I never ence de r viatedfrom the Re-volution Prin- 
 tiples, nor from tbt Dofirine of Liberty and Property , en 
 ivhich it ivas founded." 
 
 K. B. A few Copies are printed on Royal Paper, Price 
 il. us. 6d. 
 
 J. STOCKDALE, having purchased the remaining 
 
 Copies
 
 ; 
 
 JSOOKS printed for } O If N S T O C K D A L E. 
 
 Copies of the folio-win^ beautiful and ufeful Work, prcpofts 
 to fell them at the reduced Price of 8s. 6d. in Boards. 
 
 FRANCISCI GODWIN! primo Landaverfis dein 
 Herefordenfis Epifcopi de Prajfulibus Anglise Commenta- 
 rius, omnium Epifcopornm necnon & Cardinalium ejuf- 
 dem Gentis Nomina, Tempora, Seriem, aique Aftiones 
 maxime memorabiles, ab ultima Antiquitate repetita corn- 
 plexus. Ad Fidem Monumentorum in Archivis Regiisi, 
 -Lamethanis, &c. &c. recognovir, plurimis in locis (ad- 
 jeftis Annotationibus) ad veritatem reduxit, & perpetua 
 dernum Seriead praefens ufque Sasculum cont-inuavit GUL. 
 RICHARDSON, S.T. P. Coil. Emman. Cant. Magiiter, 
 &Eccl. Lincoln. Canonicus. Cantabiigia;, Typis A- 
 cademicis excudcbat Jofephus Bentham, 1743. 
 
 THE LONDON CALENDAR for the Year i. 7 6, 
 printed on a fine large Paper and Type, bound up with 
 STOCKDALE's Companion to the London Calendar 
 for 1786, with new engraved Arms of the Baronets, and 
 an Almanack, the whole bound together, Price 6s. 6d. 
 %* Be careful to afk for the LONDON CALENDAR, 
 '&c. which may be had feparate, price bound 2$. 
 
 An ESTIMATEoftheCOMP AR ATI VE 
 STRENGTH of GREAT BRITAIN, 
 during the Prefent and Four preceding Reigns ; and of 
 the Lofles of her Trade from every War fince fhe Revo- 
 lution. New modelled and continued to 1785. By George 
 Chalmers. Price 3$. 6d. fewed.
 
 r^i