POEMS 
 
 By Mr. JERNINGHAM* 
 
 FIFTH EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY SCOTT 
 
 FOR J. ROBSON, BOOKSELLER, 
 NEW BOND STREET, 
 MDCCLXXIX*
 
 35i9 
 
 advertKement. 
 
 TO THE FORMER EDITION. 
 
 f^M i HE favourable reception thefe Poems met 
 with, as they feparately appeared, has 
 induced me to colleft them into a little volume, and 
 prefent them, with fome emendations, to the Pub- 
 lic. The indulgence that firft attended them, will 
 not, I hope, forfake them in their prefent appear- 
 ance, 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 TO THE PRESENT EDITION. 
 
 'TTl HE fugitive pieces which were publifhed in 
 ^ a feparate coUeftion, are now added to this 
 volume : this edition, with its prefent contents, is 
 the only one I avow, in which feveral alterations 
 have been made, in the hopes of rendering it lefs 
 unworthy of the public notice. 
 
 J >. s r^.7\ ir>r%.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 T^HE Magdalens • x 
 
 Yarico to Inkle 9 
 
 The Nun __ ^— ^ — 27- 
 
 The Nunnery ■ • 37 
 
 The Deferter ■ • 45 
 
 II Latte ■ ■ 5g 
 
 Matilda • 67 
 
 The Swedifh Curate — - 73 
 
 The Funeral of Arabert 87 
 
 Epitaph to Mifs Jerningham — — _ 113 
 
 To Mr. Mafon . u^ 
 
 Written in Mr. Hume's Hiftory — — , j 1 7 
 
 Imitated from the French ■ ■ uq 
 
 Margaret of Anjou - . J2t 
 
 On Dreams > < . jo ^ 
 
 Albina ■ — — . . '* j«g 
 
 The Indian Chief — , ia^ 
 
 To Mrs. Montagu ■ j .g 
 
 Infcription . j.g 
 
 Venetian Marriage ^— > — — .«-^,;«, j^-q 
 
 The Mexican Friends ~— j^- 
 
 To the late Earl of Chefterfield . 165 
 
 On Garrick — -, _ 253
 
 THE 
 
 M A G D A L E N S. 
 
 SEE to yon fane the fuppliant nymphs repair. 
 At Virtue's fhrine to breathe Contrition's figh; 
 Their youthful cheek is pal'd with early care. 
 And forrow dwells in their dejefted eye. 
 
 Hark! they awake a folemn plaintive lay. 
 Where Grief with Harmony delights to meet : 
 Not Philomela from her lonely fpray, 
 Trills her clear note more queruloufly fwcet. 
 
 Arc thefe the fair (late Pleafure's youthful quire) 
 Who .wont the dome of Luxury to tread ? 
 Appear in all the fplendor of attire ? 
 And yie in beauty with the high-born maid ? 
 
 B
 
 [ 2 ] 
 
 The fmiling fcences of Pleafure tliey forfake, 
 Obey no more Amufement's idle call, 
 Nor mingling with the fons of mirth partake. 
 The treat voluptuous, or the feftive ball. 
 
 For fober weeds they change their flowing train. 
 Of the pearl bracelet ftrip the graceful arm, 
 Conceal the breaft that glo\v'd in ev'ry vein. 
 And madden'd into joy at Love's alarm : 
 
 No longer now the diamond's dazzling ray 
 Darts from the cunning treffes of the hair 5 
 Nor do thofe treffes any more difplay 
 The colour'd plumes that fported in the air. 
 
 Yet Beauty lingers on their mournful brow. 
 As loth to leave the cheek fuffus'd with tears. 
 Which fcarcely blufliing with a languid glow, 
 Like Morn's faint beam thro' gath'ring mill appear?.
 
 [ 3 ] 
 
 No more compare them to the gaudy flowV, 
 Whofe painted foliage wantons in the gale : 
 They look the lily drooping from the fliovv'r. 
 Or the pale violet llck'ning in the vale. 
 
 If fond of empire and of conqueft vaia. 
 They frequent votVies to their altars drevy^ 
 Yet Blaz'd thofe fplendid altars to their bane, 
 The idol they, and they the vi£tim too ! 
 
 Once dellltute of counfel, aid, or food. 
 Some helplefs orphans in this dome redde. 
 Who (like the ivand'ring children in the wood) 
 Trod the rude paths of life without a gnide. 
 
 Some who encircled by the great and tick 
 Were won by wiles and deep defigning art. 
 By fplendid bribes, and foft perfuafive fpeech. 
 Of pow'r to cheat the young unguarded heart.
 
 L 4 ] 
 
 Some on whom Beauty breath*d her radiant blooro, 
 While adverfc liars all other gifts removed ; 
 Who huoied from the dungeon's living tomb, 
 To fcenes their inborn virtue difapprov'd. 
 
 What tho' their youth imbib'd an early flain^ 
 A fecond innocence is now their claim ; 
 While in the precin£ls of this blefs'd domain,. 
 They bafk beneath the rays of rifmg Fame. 
 
 So the ycung myrtles in Misfortune's day. 
 Nipt by the blafl that fv^rept their vernal bed, 
 In flidtVing walls their tender leaves difplay, 
 And wak'ning into life new fragrance (bed. 
 
 Tho* white-wing*d Peace prote£l this calm abode, 
 Tho' each tumultuous pafTion be fupprefs*d, 
 Still Recolle£lion wears a lling to goad, 
 Still Confcicncc wakes to rob their foul of reflv
 
 C 5 ] 
 
 Sec one the tort'ring hour of mcmVy prove. 
 Who wrapt in penfive fecrccy forlorn.. 
 Sits mufing on the pledges of her love. 
 Who fell the vi<Eliins of paternal fcorn : 
 
 Forgot, deferted in th' extremefl need, 
 By him who fhou*d have rear'd their tender age : 
 * Was this, Seducer, this the promis'd niecd f * 
 She cries — then finks beneath Affliftion's rage : 
 
 Her bufy mind recalls the fatal plain, 
 Whi^h with flow lab'ring fleps Ihe journcy*d o'er. 
 Half-yielding to the fierce impetuous rain. 
 While in her arms two helplefs babes fhe bore : 
 
 Her mind recalls how at that awful hour 
 The difmal owlet fcream'd her fhiv'ring note. 
 How fhriek'd the fplrit from the haunted towV, 
 While other founds of woe were heard remote :
 
 L 6 ] 
 
 How to the covert of a tott*ring flied. 
 As Night advancVl, fhe fearfully retir'd ; 
 And as around the darkening horror fpread. 
 Her famifh'd infants on her breall expir'd : 
 
 How keeneft Anguifli bad her bofom bleed. 
 As there fhe brooded o'er her haplefs flate ; 
 * Was this, Seducer, this the promised meed ?* 
 She cries— then finks beneath Affliction's weight. 
 
 Another mourns her fall with grief fmcere. 
 Whom tranquil Reafon tells file's fluin'd, difdain'd, 
 Repuls'd as vile, by thofe who held her dear, 
 Who caird her once Companion, Sifter, Friend. 
 
 That recollefts the day when loft to fhame. 
 She fondly facHfic'd her veflalcharms, 
 Refign'd the virgin's for an harlot's name. 
 And left a parent's for a fpoiler's arms,
 
 C 7 ] 
 
 Imagination pi£lures to her mind 
 The father's rac!:e, the mother's foftcr woe : 
 Unhappy pair ! to that diftrefs confign'd, 
 A child can give, a parent only know. 
 
 At this deep fcenc, by Fancy drawn, imprefs'd. 
 The filial paffions, in her heart revive ; 
 Reproach vindi^live, rufhes on her breaft. 
 To Nature's pangs too feelingly alive. 
 
 If this, or fimilar tormenting thought. 
 Cling to their foul, when penfively alone, 
 For youth's offence, for Love's alluring fault, 
 $ay, do they not fafficient{y atoji? ? 
 
 Oh mock not then theiv penitential woes. 
 Thou who may'ft deign to mark this humble tlicmc -, 
 Nor feek with foul derifio^i to expofe. 
 And give to Ii;famy their tainted name.
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
 Nor deem me one of Melancholy's train. 
 If anxious for the forrow-wedded fair, 
 Tho* little fkillful of that heav'nly ftrain, 
 Whofe melting numbers to the heart repair : 
 
 1 Ileal impatient from the idle throng. 
 The roving gay companions of my age, "^ 
 To temper with their praife my artlefs fong, 
 And foft-ey*d Pity in their caufe engage. 
 
 'Tis Virtue's tafk to foothe Affliction's fmart, 
 To join in fadnefs with the f^ir diftreft : 
 Wake to another's pain tlie tender heart. 
 And move to clemency the gen'rous breaft. 
 
 f This poem was firft publifli'd in 176$,
 
 y A R I C O 
 
 T O 
 
 INKLE
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 Inkle Is preparing to fetout for England, after having 
 fold Yarico to a merchant at Barbadoes, ^ notwith- 
 < {landing that the poor girl, (fays the Spedlator) 
 * to incline him to commiferate her condition, told 
 ' him that fhe was with child by him : But he only 
 ^ made ufe of that information to rife in his demands 
 ^ upon the purchafer.'
 
 YARICO TO INKLE. 
 
 X T TITH falfehood lurking in thy fordid breaft, 
 ^ ^ And perjury's feal upon thy heart impreft, 
 Dar'ft thou, Oh Chriilain ! brave the founding wavesj 
 The treacherous whirlwinds, and untrophied graves ? 
 Regardlefs of my woes, fecurely go. 
 No curfe- fraught accents from thefe lips fhall flow : 
 My fondell wifh fhall catch thy flying fail. 
 Attend thy courfe, and urge the favVing gale ; 
 May ev'ry blifs thy God confers be thine. 
 And all thy fhare of woe comprised in mincr
 
 [ 14 ] 
 
 One humble- boon is all I now imjilore, 
 Allow thefe feet to print their kindred fliore : 
 Give me, Oh Albiou*s fon ! again to roam^ 
 For thee^^e^erted) my. delightful home : 
 To view the groves that deck my native fcene, 
 The limped ft ream, that graceful glides between : 
 Retrieve the fame I fpurn'd at Love's decree, 
 Afcend the throne which I forfook for thee ; 
 Approach the bow'r — (why ftarts th* unbidden tear ?) 
 Where once thy Yarico to thee was dear. 
 
 The fccnes^ the hand of Time has thrown behind, 
 Return impetuous to my bufy mind : 
 
 * What hoftile veffel quits the roaring tide 
 
 * To harbour here its tempeft-beaten fide ? 
 
 * Behold the beach receives the fhip-wreck'd crew : 
 
 * Oh mark their ftrange attire and pallid hue ! 
 
 * Are thefe the Chriflains, reftlefs fons of pride, 
 
 * By avarice nurtured, to deceit allied ?
 
 t 15 ] 
 
 * Wlio tread with Gunning (lep tlie maze of art^ 
 
 * And maik with placid looks a canker*d heart i 
 < Yet note, fuperior to the numVous throng, 
 
 ^ (Even as the citron humbler plants among) 
 
 * That youth !---Lo ! beauty on his graceful bro\v^ 
 
 * With namelefs charms bids ev'ry feature glow : 
 
 * Ah ! leave, fair ftranger, this unfocial ground^ 
 
 * Where danger broods, and fury flalks around: 
 
 * Behold thy foes advance— my fleps purfuc 
 
 * To where Til fcreen thee from their fatal view : 
 
 * He comes, he comes ! th' ambrofial feafi prepare^ 
 
 * The fig, the palm -juice, nor th' anana fparc ; 
 
 * In fpacious canifters nor fail to bring 
 
 * The fcented foliage of the blufliing fpring : 
 
 * Ye graceful handmaids, drefs the rofeat bowV, 
 
 * And hail with mufick this aufpicious hour — • 
 
 * An no ! forbear — be ev'ry lyre unftrung^ 
 
 * More pleafmg mufic warbles from his tongue ; 
 
 * Yet utter not to me the lover's vow, 
 
 3 All, all is thine that Fricndfliip can beftow :
 
 [ i6 ] 
 
 * Our lavvsj my ftation^ check the guilty flame— 
 
 * Why was I born, ye powers, a Nubian dame ? 
 
 * Yet fee around, at Love's enchanting call, 
 
 ' Stern lavvs fubmit, and vain diftin£llons fall : 
 
 * And mortals then enjoy life's tranfient day, 
 
 * When fmit with paffion they indulge the fway : 
 
 * Yes ! crown'd with blifs, we'll roam the confclous grove, 
 ^ And drink long draughts of unexhaufted love : 
 
 * Nor joys alone, thy dangers too I'll fhare, 
 
 * With thee the menace of the waves I'll dare : 
 
 * In vain — for fmiles his brow deep frowns involve, 
 
 * The facred ties of Gratitude diflblve, 
 
 * See Faith diftrafled rends her comely hair, 
 
 * His fading vows while tainted zephyrs bear 1* 
 
 Oh thou, before whofe feraph-guarded throne 
 The Chriftians bow, and other Gods difown. 
 If, wrapt in darknefs, thou deny'ft thy ray, 
 x\nd fliroud'fl from NuBiA thy cclellial day !
 
 . [ '7 ] 
 
 Indulge this fervent pray'r, to thee addrefs'd. 
 Indulge, tho' uttered from a fable breafl : 
 May gathering florms eclipfe the chearful fkics. 
 And madVing furies from thy hell arifc : 
 With glaring torches meet his impious brow. 
 And drag him howling to the gulf below ! 
 Ah no ! May Heav'n's bright meflengers defcend^ 
 Obey his call, his ev'ry wifh attend 1 
 Still o*er his form their hov'ring wings difplay ! 
 If he be Heft, thefe pangs admit allay : 
 Me ftill her mark let angry Fortune deem. 
 So thou may'ft walk beneath her cloudlefs beam. 
 Yet oft to ray rapt ear didft thou repeat. 
 That I fuffic'd to frame thy blifs compleat. 
 Deluded fex ! the dupes of man decreed^ 
 We, fplendid vi£lims, at his altar bleed. 
 The grateful accents of thy praifeful tongue. 
 Where artful flatt'ry too perfuafive hung. 
 Like flow'rs adorn'd the path to my difgrace. 
 And bade Deflru^ign wear a fhuling face* 
 C
 
 [ i8 ] 
 
 Yet forrfiM by Nature in her choiceft mould. 
 While on thy cheek her blufliing charms unfold, 
 Who^could oppofe to thee Hern Virtue's fhield I 
 What tender virgin would not wifh to yield ? 
 But pleafure on the wings of Time was born. 
 And I expos'd a prey to tyrant fcorn. 
 Of low-born traders— mark the hand of fate \ 
 Is Yarico reduc'd to grace the flate, 
 Whofe impious parents, an advent'rous band. 
 Imbrued with guiltkfs blood my native land : 
 Ev'n fnatchcd my father from his regal feat, 
 And ftretch'd him breathlefs at their hoftile feet ? 
 Ill-fated prince \ The Chriftians fought thy fhore, 
 Unflieath'd the fvvord and mercy was no more. 
 
 But thou, fair ftranger, cam'ft with gentler mind 
 To (hun the perils of the wrecking wind. 
 Admift thy foes thy fafety ftill I plan'd, 
 And reach'd for galling chains the myrtle band : 
 Nor then unconfcious of the fecret fire, 
 Each heart voluptuous throb'd with warm defirc t
 
 [ 19 ] 
 
 Ah pleafing youth, kind obje£l of my care. 
 
 Companion, Friend, and ev'ry name that's dear 1 
 
 Say, from thy mind can'ft thou fo foon remove 
 
 The records graven by the hand of Love ? 
 
 How as we wanton'd on the flow'ry ground, 
 
 The loofe-rob'd pleafures danc'd unblam'd around : 
 
 Till to the fight the growing burden prov'd 
 
 How thou o*ercam'ft — and how, alas ! I lov*d ! 
 
 Too fatal proof ! fince thou with avarice fraught, 
 
 Didft bafely urge (ah ! fliun the wounding thought [) 
 
 That tender circumflance — reveal it not. 
 
 Left torn with rage I curfe my fated lot : 
 
 Left ftartled Reafon abdicate her reign. 
 
 And Madnefs revel in this heated brain : 
 
 That tender circumftance— inhuman part— 
 
 I will not weep, tho' ferpents gnaw this heart : 
 
 Frail, frail refolve ! while gufhing from mine eye 
 
 The pearly drops thefe boaftful words belie. 
 
 Alas ! can Sorrow in this bofom fleep. 
 
 Where ftrikes Ingratitude her talons deep ?
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 When he whom ftlll I love, to Nature dead. 
 Stabs Pleafure as flie mounts the nuptial bed ? 
 What time his guardian pow'r I moft requir'd^ 
 Againft my fame and liappinefs donfpir'd ! 
 And (do I live to breathe the barbVous tale r) 
 His faithful Yarico expos'd to fale ! 
 Yes, bafely urg'd ( regard lefs of my pray'rs^ 
 Ev'n while I bath'd his venal hand with tears) 
 The tcndVeft cirumflance-^I can no more — 
 My future child — to fwell his impious ftore :— • 
 All, all mankind for this will rife thy foe, 
 • But I, alas ! alone endure the woe : 
 Endure what healing balms can ne'er controul^ 
 The heart- lodged ftings and agony of foul. — 
 Was it for this I left my native plain, 
 And dar'd th* tcmpeft brooding on the main ? 
 For this unlocked (feduc*d by Chriftian art) 
 The chafle affeflions of my virgin heart ^ 
 Within this bofom fan'd the conftant flame. 
 And fondly languifh'd for a Mother's name f
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 Lo ! ev'ry hope is poifon'd In its bloom, 
 And horrors watch arovmd this guilty womb. 
 
 With blood illuftrious circling thro* thefe veins. 
 Which ne'er was chequer'd with plebeian flains. 
 Thro' anceftry's long line ennobled fprings. 
 From fame-crown'd warriors and exalted kino-s, 
 Muft I the ftiafts of Infamy fuftain ? 
 To Slavery's purpofes my infant train ? 
 To catch the glances of his haughty lord ? 
 Attend obedient at the feftive board ? 
 From hands unfcepter'd take the fcornful blow ? 
 Uproot the thoughts of glory as they grow ? 
 Let this pervade at length thy heart of ileal ; 
 Yet, yet return, nor blufh, Oh man ! to feel : 
 Ah ! guide thy fteps from yon expeaing fleet. 
 Thine injured Yarxco relenting meet : 
 Bid her recline, woe-flricken, on thy breafl. 
 And hulh ker raging forrows into reft.
 
 If Pity can't allure thy fleps from Vice, 
 Then from impending perils alk advice : — 
 'Twas night— my folitary couch I prefs'd. 
 Till forrow-worn I wearied into reft : 
 Methought — nor was it childifh Fancy's flight : 
 My country's Genius ftood confefs'd to fight : 
 
 * Let Europe's fons (he faid) enrich their fhore, 
 
 * With ftones of luftre, and barbaric ore : 
 
 * Adorn their country with their fplendid Health, 
 
 * Unnative foppery, and gorgeous wealth j 
 
 * Embellifh ftill her form with foreign fpoils, 
 
 * Till like a gaudy proflitute fhe fmiles : 
 
 * The day, tli' avenging day at length fhall rife, 
 
 * And tears fhall trickle from that harlot's eyes : 
 
 * Her own Gods fhall prepare the fatal doom 
 
 * Lodg'd in Time's pregnant and deflrudive womb : 
 
 * The mifchief-bearing womb, thefe hands fliall rend, 
 
 * And ftraight fhall ifTue forth Confuiion's fiend : 
 
 * Then fhall my children urge the deflin'd way, 
 < Invade the Chriflian coafl, and dare the day :
 
 < Sue, as they rufh upon them as a flood, 
 * Difhonour for diflionour, blood for blood.' 
 
 Say, Albion youth, flow all my words in vain. 
 Like feeds that ftrew the rude ungrateful plain ? 
 Say, fhall I ne'er regain thy wonted grace ? 
 Ne'er ftretch thefe arms to catch the wifh'd embrace ? 
 Enough — with new-awak'd refentment fraught 
 Aflift me, Heav'n ! to tear him from my thought : 
 No longer vainly fuppliant will I bow. 
 And give to love, what I to hatred owe ; 
 Forgetful of the race from whence I came, 
 With woe acquainted, but unknown to fhamc. 
 Hence vile Dejection, with thy plaintive prayV, 
 Thy bended knee, and ftill defcending tear : 
 Rejoin, rejoin the pale-complexioned trairi — • 
 The conflift's pafl — and Tm myfelf again. 
 
 Thou parent Sun I if e*er witli pious lay, 
 I vifher*d in thy world-reviving ray /
 
 [ H ] 
 
 Or as thy fainter beams illumed the weft. 
 With grateful voice I hymn'd thee to thy reft I 
 Beheld, with wond'ring eye, thy radiant feat. 
 Or fought thy facred dome with unclad feet 1 
 If near to thy bright altars as I drew. 
 My votive Iamb, thy holy Flamen, flew f 
 Forgive I that I, irreverent of thy name, 
 Dar'd for thy foe indulge th* unhallow'd flame ; 
 Ev'n on a Chrillian, lavifh'd my efleem. 
 And fcorn'd the fabie children of thy beam. 
 This poinard, by my daring hand impreft. 
 Shall drink the ruddy drops that warm my breail : 
 Nor I alone, by this immortal deed 
 From Slav'ry's laws my infant fhall be freed. 
 And thou, whofe ear is deaf to Pity's call. 
 Behold at length thy deftin'd viftim fall ; 
 Behold thy once lov'd Nubian ftain'd with gore. 
 Unwept, extended on the crimfon floor : 
 Thefe temples clouded with the fhades of death, 
 Thefe lips unconfcious of the ling'ring breath :
 
 L 25 ] 
 
 Thefe eyes uprais'd (ere clos'd by Fate's decree) 
 To catch expiring one faint gUmpfe of thee. 
 Ah ! then thy Y a Rico forbear to dread. 
 My fault'ring voice no longer will upbraid. 
 Demand due vengeance of the pow'rs above. 
 Or, more ofFenfive ftill, implore thy love. 
 
 fS^.^X
 
 [ 27 ] 
 THE 
 
 NUN 
 
 O R 
 
 A D A L E I D A to her FRIEND, 
 
 X TT TITH each perfe6lion dawning on her mind. 
 
 All Beauty's treafure opening on lier clieek 
 Each flatt'ring hope fubdu'd, each wiih refign'd. 
 Does gay Ophelia this lone manfion feek ? 
 
 Say, gentle maid, what prompts thee to forfake 
 The paths thy birth and fortune ftrew with flow'rs ? 
 Thro* Nature's kind endearing ties to break. 
 And wafte in cloifter'd walls thy penfive hours ? 
 
 ' Let fober thought reflrain thine erring zea!. 
 That guides thy footfleps to the veftal gate ; 
 Left thy foft heart (this friendfliip bids reveal) 
 Like mine unbleft, fliould mourn like mine too late.
 
 t 28 ] 
 
 Does fome angelic lonely-wifp'ring voice. 
 Some facred impulfe, or fome dream divine, 
 Applaud the di£tates of thy early choice ? — 
 Approach with confidence the awful flirinc. 
 
 There kneeling at yon altar's marble bafe, 
 (While tears of rapture from thine eye- lid Ileal, 
 And fmiling Heav'n illumes thy foul with grace) 
 Pronounce the vow thou never can'fl repeal. 
 
 But if miiled by falfe- entitled friends. 
 Who fay — * that Peace with all her comely train, 
 ^ From flarry regions to this clime defcends, 
 ^ Smooths ev'iy frown, and foftens ev'ry pain : 
 
 * That veftals tread Contentment's'fiow'ry lawn, 
 ^ Approved of Innocence, by Health careft : 
 f That rob'd in colours bright, by Fancy drawOji 
 i Celeflial Hope fits imiling at their breafl,*
 
 C 29 ] 
 
 Sufpe£t theif fyren fong and artful ftyle, 
 Their plealing founds fome treach'rous thought conceal s 
 Full oft does pride with fainted voice beguile. 
 And fordid int'refl wear the inalk of zeal. 
 
 A tyrant abbefs here perchance may reign. 
 Who, fond of pow'r, afFefts th* imperial nod 5 
 Looks down difdainful on her female train^, 
 And rules the cloifter with an iron rod. 
 
 Reflection fickens at the life-long tie. 
 Back-glancing Mcm'ry a£ls her bufy part ; 
 Its charm the world unfolds to Fancy's eye, 
 And fheds allurement on the youthful heart. 
 
 Lo ! Difeord enters at the facred porch, 
 Rage in her frown, and terror on her creft : 
 Ev'n at the hallow'd lamps (he lights her torch, 
 And holds it flaming to each virgin breaft.
 
 [ 30 ] 
 
 But iincc the legends of monailic bliA, 
 By fraud are fabled, and by youth believ'd ; 
 Unbought experience learn from my diftrefs, 
 Oh I mark my lot, and be no more deceiv'd. 
 
 Three luftres fcarce with hafty wing were fled. 
 When I was torn from ev'ry weeping friend ; 
 A trembling vi£lim to the temple led, 
 And (blufli, ye parents) by a father's hand. 
 
 Yet then what folemn fcenes deceiv'd my choice ? 
 The pealing organ's animating found ; 
 The choral virgins' captivating voice. 
 The blazing altar, and the priefts around : 
 
 The train of youth array 'd in pureft white, 
 Who fcatter'd myrtles as I pafs'd along : 
 The thoufand lamps that pour'd a flood of light. 
 The kifs of Peace from all the vellal throng 5
 
 [ 3' ] 
 
 The golden cenfers tofs'd with graceful hand, 
 Whofe fragrant breath Arabian odor fhed j 
 Of meek-ey'd novices the circling band. 
 With blooming chaplets wove around their head: 
 
 —My willing foul was caught in rapture's flamc^ 
 While facred ardor glow'd in ev'ry vein ; 
 Methought applauding angels fung my name. 
 And HeavVs unfuUied glories gilt the fane* 
 
 Methought in fun -beams rob'd the heav'nly fpoufc 
 Indulged the longings of my holy love : 
 Not undelighted heard my virgin vows- 
 While o'er the altar wav'd the my flic dove. 
 
 This temporary tranfport foon expir'd. 
 My drooping heart confefs'd a dreadful void : 
 Now helpleis, heav*n- abandoned, uninfpir*d, 
 I tread this dome, to Mifcry allied.
 
 f 32 -ri 
 
 No «rakcning joy informs' my fullen brealr. 
 Thro' opening Ikies no radiant feraph fmilesj 
 No faint defcends to foothe my foul to reft ! 
 No dream of blifs the dreary night beguils. 
 
 Here haggard Difcontent ftill haunts my vie\v> 
 The umber'd genius reigns in ev*ry place ; 
 Arrays each virtue in the darkeft hue, 
 Chills ev'ry pray'r and cancels eV'ry gface. 
 
 ^ I meet her ever in the chearlefs cell, 
 The gloomy grotto and the darkfome wood : 
 I hear her evfer in the midnight befl, 
 The chiding gale, and hoarfe-refounding flood. 
 
 This caiisM a mother's tender tears to flow, 
 (The fad remembrance time fiiall ne'er erafe) 
 When having fcalM th' irrevocable vow, 
 I hailen'd to receive her laft embrace.
 
 [ 33 1 
 
 Yet ne'er did her maternal voice unfold. 
 This cloifter'd fcene in all its horror dreft ; 
 Nor did fhe then my trembling fteps with-hold, 
 When here I enter'd a reluftant gueft. 
 
 Ah ! could fhe view her only child betray'd. 
 And let fubmiillon o'er her love prevail ? 
 Th' unfeeling pried why did flie not upbraid. 
 Forbid the vow, and rend the hov'ring veil ? 
 
 Alas ! fhe might not — ^her relentlefs lord 
 Had feal'd her lips, and chid the rifing tear ; 
 So Anguifh in her breaft conceal'd its hoard. 
 And all. the Mother funk in dumb defpair. 
 
 But thou who own'll a Father's facrcd name, 
 What ad impell'd thee to this ruthlefs deed I 
 What crime had forfeited my filial claim ? 
 And giv'n (Oh ! blafting thought) thy heart tP bleed f
 
 [ 34 3 
 
 If then thine injur'd child deferve thy care, ■'-'•"- 
 Oh ! hafte and bear her from this lonefome gloom : ^ 
 In vain — no words can foothe his rigid ear ; 
 And Gallia's laws have riveted my doom. 
 
 Yet let me to my fate fubmiilive bovr, '^''' '"^ ''■' ''^ 
 From fatal fymptoms if I right conceive ; 
 This -ftream, Ophelia, has not long to flow. 
 This voice to murmur, and this breaft to heave. 
 
 Ah ! when extended on th* untimely bier. 
 To yonder vault this form fliall be convey 'd; 
 Thou'lt not refufe to fhed one grateful tear. 
 And breatlie the requiem to my fleeting fhade. 
 
 With pious footfleps join the fable train. 
 As thro' the lengthening ifle they take their way : 
 A glimmering taper let thy hand fuftain. 
 Thy foothing voice attune the funeral lay.
 
 t 35 ] 
 
 Behold the minifter who lately gave 
 The facred veil, in garb of mournful hue i 
 (More friendly office) bending o'er my grave. 
 And fprinkling my remains with hallow'd dew : 
 
 As o'er the corfe he ftrews-the humbling dufl. 
 The flerneft heart will raife Companion's iigh ; 
 Ev*n then no longer to his child unjuft. 
 The tears may trickle from a Father's eye. 
 
 .^S^^i^ 

 
 C 37 1 
 
 THE 
 
 N U N N E R y.* 
 
 TV TOW pants the night-breeze thro* the darkened alr^^ 
 
 And Silence fooths the veftal world to reft. 
 Save where fome pale-ey'd novice (rapt in pray*r) 
 Heaves a deep moan and fmites her guiltlefs bread. 
 
 Within thofe ancient walls with mofs o'erfpread. 
 Where Grief and Innocence. their vigils keep. 
 Each in her humble cell till midnight laid. 
 The gentle daughters of Devotion fleep. 
 
 * This poem, which was placed at the end of the volume in the 
 former edition, comes with greater propriety immediately after 
 the Nun: for as there Adaleida foretels her fate, fo is her 
 death mentioned in the Nunnery, and marked with fome peculiar 
 circumftances, wlilch render the prefent Poem i. fupplement to the 
 preceding one.
 
 i 3^ 1 
 
 Of Wantonnefs the pleafure- breathing lay. 
 Or Laughter beck'ning from his rofy feat. 
 Or Vanity attirM in colours gay, 
 Shall ne'er allure them from their fober ftate. 
 
 Domelllc comforts they Ihall never know. 
 Nor voice of kindred reach their diflant car : 
 Ne'er with a mother's tranfport fliall they glow. 
 While playful children charm tlie ling'ring year. 
 
 The various flow'rs in many a wreath they twlnf , 
 To crown the altar cfi fonte feftive day j .. . 
 
 How fervent do they kifs each holy fhrine ? 
 How thro' the columns flreams the choral lay ^ 
 
 Let not Ambition mock with jefl profane. 
 The life that woos Retreat's obfcureft fhade,, 
 Nor worldly- Beauty with a fneer difdain. 
 The humble duties of tlvc.cloifter'd m^idv
 
 C 39 3 
 
 The glift'ning eye, the half-feen breaft of fnow. 
 The coral lip, the blulh of Nature's bloom, 
 Awaits alike th' inexorable foe, 
 The paths of Pleafure lead but to the tomb. 
 
 Perhaps in this drear manfion arc confin d 
 Some bofom formed to love, ^mfpoil'd by art ; 
 Charms that might foften the fevereft mind, 
 And wake to extacy the coldefl heart. 
 
 Full many a rlv'let wand'rlng to the main, 
 SequefterM poursits folitary ftream : 
 Full many a lamp devoted to the fane, 
 Sheds unreguarded its no£lurnal beam. 
 
 Some veird Eliza (like the clouded fun) 
 May here inglorious and conceiaPd remain : . 
 Some might flike Eoitha *) have reared a fon* 
 To charm the realm with his enchauting ftrairit 
 
 » Mr. Pope's Mother; " ""'* •"•"**^*-
 
 C 40 ] 
 
 From Flattery's Up to drink the fwcets of praifc^ 
 In confcious charms with rivals dill to vie : 
 In circles to attra£l the partial gaze, 
 And view their beauty in th' admirer's eye : 
 
 Their lot forbids : nor does alone remove. 
 The thirft of praife, but ev'n their crimes reflrain : 
 Forbids thro' Folly's labyrinth to rove. 
 And yield to Vanity the flowing rein. 
 
 To rear 'mid Hymen's joys domeftic ilrife. 
 Or feek that convei-fe which they ought to fhun ; 
 To loofe the facred ties of nuptial life. 
 And give to many what they vow'd to one. 
 
 "What thq' they're fprinkled with ctherial dew ! ^ . 
 With blooming wreaths by hands of feraphs crowo'd ! 
 Tho' Heaven's unfading fplendors burft to vicw^ 
 And harps celeflial to their ear refound ! , ..
 
 t V- 5 
 
 Still Recolleftlon prompts the frequent figh. 
 The chearful fcenes of younger days arife ; 
 Still to their native home their wifhes fly, - ^^ v'- 
 AfFe£lion's llream ilill gufhes from their eyes : 
 
 For who entranc'd in vifions from above. 
 The thought of kindred razes from the mind ? 
 Feels in the foul no warm returning love. 
 For fome endear'd companion left behind ? 
 
 Their joy-encircled hearth as they forfook, 
 From fome fond breaft reluftant they vvitlidrevvj 
 As from the deck they fent a farewell look. 
 Fair Albion funk for ever to their view. 
 
 For thee who mindful of th* cncloifter'd train, 
 Dofl in thefe lines their mournfal talc relate, 
 If by Compailion guided to this fane, 
 Some kindred fpirit fliall enquire th v fate :
 
 [ 42 ] 
 
 Haply ixHnc matron- veftal may reply, 
 << Oft have we heard him, when Light's lingering ray, 
 *' Scarce mark'd its paiTage thro' the dark'ning Iky, 
 *' At yonder altar join the vefper-Iay. 
 
 <^ Where haplefs Adaleida fought repofe, 
 ** Oft at yon grave wouM he her fate condole ! 
 " And in his breaft as fcenes of grief arofe, 
 «^ He faw afccnding-flow her fpotlefs foul : 
 
 Peace to my Edward'j heart the viftonfald^ 
 Ah not unfeen thouJ})ed'Jl that grateful tear ; 
 1 wait at night to catch thy wonted tready 
 And thank thy faithful love that Sorrows here. 
 
 ^« One eve I mifs'd him at the hour divine ; 
 *' Along that ille, and in the facrifty : 
 * « Another came, not yet befide the flirine, 
 <^ Not at the font, nor in the church was he :
 
 t 43 3 
 
 « The next we heard the bell af Death Intone, 
 <« And to his grave we mov'd a mournful band. 
 « Approach and read on this fepulchral ftone, ^^-- 
 « Thefe lines engravM by Frlendfhip's holy hand. 
 
 EPITAPH- 
 
 Paufe o'er the youth— nor grudge the Hiort delay- 
 Full foon bis little hiftory is told— 
 He gave to Solitude the penfive day, 
 And Pitv fram'd his bofom of her moulds 
 
 
 u:)iiJib odS fu iwrt thiol 5ii3 2i.
 
 I 45 3 
 
 THE 
 
 DESERTER. 
 
 TJ Y others bleft with genius* rays 
 "^^^ Let noble a£ls be told. 
 While I5 content with humbler pralfc, 
 A limple tale unfold : 
 
 The Spaniard left the hoftlle plain. 
 
 To feek his native land. 
 Beneath the fails that fwept the main, 
 
 Cabeysa join'd the band : 
 
 Who, as he met his country's ^oti^ 
 
 Within the field of Fame, 
 Above his rank obfcure arole 
 
 And graced his humble name :
 
 C 4€ ] 
 
 Yet not the early wreath of Fame T;;napfi> ij «- 
 
 With haughtinefs was twin'd : 
 Nor pride nor ficklenefs could claim 
 
 The empire of his mind : 
 
 The lowly hut, beneath whofe roof '.iz Ft^ll ^'^ 
 
 He figh*d a fad adieu, . 
 Receiv'd him, (time and diilance -proof) 
 
 To Love and Laura true : - 
 
 This hamlet-fair, by Fortune. fcorn'd, 
 
 Seem'd Nature's fav'rite child,. 
 With hand profufe by her adorn'd 
 
 — The flowret of the wild ! 
 
 Her neat but homely garments prefs'd 
 
 The pure, the feeling hearty ^nifhin 
 -Oft fought in Yarn behind the veft ; M ^di bib loM "^-' 
 
 Of decorated art; aafil :^avi^nd ^4? bqiiCI ^^'
 
 [ ^1 3 
 
 '^ If fliarlng all thy cares (llie faid) 
 
 *' Has paled my beauty's rofe, 's^firf ftri'^'" 
 
 *^ Ah know ! for thee the heart that bled,. 
 
 *' With all its pallion glows : 
 
 ^^ Bleft moment to my wifh that gives ^sA vhndX ■ .; P 
 " The long long abfent youth ! s b*ii§fi sH 
 
 <^ He lives — th' endear *dCABEYsA live% 
 *' And Love confirms the truth, 
 
 «^ When thy brave comrades fell aroun<!,-J3imBi 
 ^* What power's benignant care tsVI b'mstjii 
 
 ** Secur'd thee from the fatal wound I ag bnaifi 
 *' And Laura from defpair ? : laiv/ofi 3x11 « 
 
 <« Oft in the troubling dream of night JJ^d JS3a lalt 
 <« I faw the rufliing fpear ; -b:ii ^xiJ f^ixxq 3fiT 
 
 «f Nor did the Morh's aWak'ning light nr irlgoolt fiC 
 ^' Difpel the ling'ring fear* '^^ L^tj:io:?3b "JtQ
 
 I 48 ] 
 
 ^' Thy tender fears (the youth replied j 
 " Ah give them to the air I 
 
 *^ To happinefs we're now allied, 
 ^' And pleafure be our care : 
 
 ^ Let us purfuc the joy begun, 
 
 *' Nor lofe by dull delay : 
 '^ Say, Laura, fliall to-morrow's fun 
 
 ** Illume our nuptial day ?" 
 
 With look declin'd fhe blufh'd confcnt— 
 
 Referve that takes alarm. 
 And Love and Joy their influence lent 
 
 To raife meek Beauty's charm* 
 
 The guefls, to hail the wedded pair. 
 
 Beneath their roof repair'd ; 
 With them the. little feaft to fharc 
 
 Their fcanty purfe pr^par'd :
 
 [ 49 I 
 
 Tho' no delicious wines were pour'd. 
 
 Mirth took his deftin'd place. 
 The hand-maid Neatncfs 'pread the board. 
 
 And fage Content faid grace. 
 
 Scarce thro* one hafly week had Love 
 
 His grateful bleffings fhed. 
 When blifs (as flies the frighted dove) 
 
 Their humble manfion fled : 
 
 'Tvvas at Bellona's voice it flew. 
 
 That call'd to War's alarms : 
 Bad the youth rife to valor true. 
 
 And break from Laura's arms : 
 
 But flie fllll fl:ralned him to her heart. 
 
 To lengthen the adieu ; 
 «« Ah what, (flie faid) fhould'fl: thou depart, 
 
 *^ Shall I and Sorrow do ? 
 E
 
 £ 50 J 
 
 *^ Say, valiant youth, when thou'rt away 
 ** Who'll raife my drooping head ? 
 
 *' How fhall I chace the fears that fay 
 ** Thy lov*d Cabeysa's dead ? 
 
 *^ With thine my fate I now involve, 
 
 ** Intent thy courfe to fteer ; 
 *^ No words fhall- fliake my firm refolve,, 
 
 ** Not ev'n that trickling tear : 
 
 <^ Fram'd for each fcenc of foft delight,, 
 *^ (He faid) thy gentle fonn, 
 
 *^ As fhrinks the lily at the blight,- 
 <^ Will droop beneath the florm : 
 
 *' Blcfl in thy prcfence ! ev*ry pain 
 *^ (She added) brings its charm^ 
 
 ** And L©ve, tho' falls the beating raiii^ 
 ^ Will keep this bofom^ warm.
 
 C 51 ] 
 
 Ev'n as the wall-flowV rears its head, 
 'Mid ruins, wrecks and tombs. 
 
 So 'mid the woes around that fpread. 
 True Love unconquer'd blooms. 
 
 Her zeal f the fupplement of flrength) 
 
 Upheld her many a day, 
 But Nature's pow'rs fubdued at length, 
 
 On SIcknefs' couch fhe lay : 
 
 Three painful days unfeen fhe lay 
 
 Of him fhe held fo dear : 
 ** Ah does he thus my love repay ? 
 
 She faid — and dropt a tear ; 
 
 " Cabeysa, at a league's remove, 
 *' Dwells on the tent-fpread hill: 
 
 " Ah wherefore did he vow true love, 
 ** And not that vow fulfil? 
 £2
 
 [ 52 3 
 
 Yet not deficiency of truth 
 
 Forbad to yield relief. 
 Stern pow'r with-held the tender youtTiy 
 
 And duty to his chief; 
 
 Who wifcIy-counfelM drew a line. 
 
 To check the hand of Stealth, 
 That ravag'd wide th' encircling vinv 
 
 The humble peafant's wealth : 
 
 To pafs the line, it was ordain'd. 
 
 Whoever fhou'd prefume. 
 Should a Deferter be arraigned,. 
 
 And meet the coward's doomv: 
 
 This law by Equity approv'd^ 
 
 And to the peafant dear, 
 Soon to the brave C ABE Ys^A prOY*<i ,j^ ^^^ 
 
 Dcftrudively fevers :
 
 I 53 ] 
 
 Now Laura's image haunts his foul. 
 
 In Woe's dark tints array'd : 
 While to his breall CompafliGn Hole, 
 
 And all her claims difplay'd : 
 
 ** For me her native home, (he faid j 
 '^ For me each weeping friend, 
 
 ^' For me a Father'-s arms Ihe fled-^ 
 And fhall not Love attend ? 
 
 *^ Say for a chofen lover's fake, 
 " What more cou'd woman do ? 
 
 ^^ And now that Health and Peace forfake 
 «« Shall I forfake her too ? 
 
 *^ Now ftretch'd upon the naked ground, 
 *' Opprefs'd with paki and fear, 
 
 ** She calls a languid eye around, 
 ^ Nor fees Cabeyba near:
 
 [ 54 1 
 
 *^ Now, now fhe weeps at my delay, 
 *' Ahd fliall negleft be mine ? 
 
 ** Submit, ye fears, to Pity's fway I 
 He fpoke — and crofs'd the line. 
 
 Soon at his fight the fair refum*d 
 
 Each captivating grace : 
 On her pale cheek the rofe rebloom'd^ 
 
 And fmiles ilium 'd her face. 
 
 Yet to that cheek returned in vain 
 Bright Health's vermilion dye. 
 
 For bitter tears that cheek fhall flain. 
 And dim her brilliant eye : 
 
 The youth returning thro' the gloom. 
 At Midnight's fcret hour, 
 
 Was feiz'd— and to Difhoncurs tomb 
 Doom'd by the martial pow'r.
 
 t 55 ] 
 
 To meet his fate at wake of day 
 
 (Love's vi£lim) he was led. 
 No weaknefs did his cheek betray. 
 
 While to the chief he faid : 
 
 <^ If in the battle death Pve dar'd, 
 
 " In all its horror dreft, 
 ■^^ Think not this fcene, ,by thee prepared, 
 
 *^ Sheds terror on my breafl: : 
 
 *' Yet then at Laura's haplefs fate, 
 
 *' My fortitude impairs, 
 ^' Unmann'd f fink beneath the weight 
 
 ** Of her oppreflive carjes : 
 
 f^ Ah ! when her grief- torn heart fliall bleed, 
 
 *' Some little folace grant, 
 ^ Oh guard her in the hour of need 
 
 ^^ From the rude band of Want,
 
 [ 56 ] 
 
 Now, kneeling on the fatal fpot, 
 
 'He twin'd the darkening band : 
 The twelve, who drew the unwelcome lot^ 
 
 Reludant took their ftand : 
 
 And now the murmVing throng grew dumbj, 
 
 'Twas filence all — fave where. 
 At intervals, the mournful drum 
 
 Struck horror on the ear : 
 
 Now, with their death- fraught tubes up-rear'd^ 
 
 The deftinM twelve were feen— 
 And now the explofion dire was heard 
 
 That clos'd Cabeysa's fcene. 
 
 Another fcene remalnM behind 
 
 For Laura to fupply*— 
 She comes ! mark how her tortur'd mind 
 
 Speaks thro' th' expreflive eye :
 
 [ 57 ] 
 
 *' Forbear— will ye in blood (flie faid) 
 <^ Your cruel hands imbrue ? 
 
 ^* On me, on me your vengeance fhed, 
 *' To me alone 'tis due : 
 
 ^^ Relent — and to thefe arms again 
 
 *' The valiant youth reftore. 
 <^ I rave — already on tl;e plain 
 
 ^' He welters in his gore. 
 
 Advancing now, fhe pierc'd the crowd. 
 
 And reach'd the fatal place. 
 Where, lifting from the corfe the fhrouc). 
 
 No femblance cou'd fhe trace. 
 
 f* Is this — oh bulling view ! (llie cried) 
 ^' The youth who lov*d too well | 
 
 f' His love for me the law defied, 
 ^^ And for that love he fell.
 
 [ 58 ] 
 
 '^ When will tlic grave this form receive ! 
 
 " the grave to which he's fled ? 
 ^^ There, only there. Til ceafe to grieve. 
 
 She fpoke — 
 
 And join'd the dead. 
 
 1*^.^^ 
 
 ^ffjoov
 
 [ 59 1 
 
 I L L A T T E 
 
 Incite, farvepuer^ r'lfu cognofcere matrem» 
 
 XTE fair, for whom the hands of Hymen weave 
 •*• The nuptial wreath to deck your virgin brow. 
 While pleafing pains the confcious bofom heave. 
 And on the kindUng cheek the blufhes glow : 
 
 Whofe fpotlefs foul contains the better dow'r, 
 Whofe life unftain'd full many virtues vouch, 
 For whom now Venus frames the fragrant bow'r^ 
 And fcatters rofes o'er the deftin'd couch : 
 
 To you I ling, — Ah ! ere the raptur'd youth, 
 With trembling hand, removes the jealous veil, 
 Where, long regardiefs of the vows of truth, 
 ynfocial coynefs flamp'd th' ungrateful feal :
 
 [ 6o ] 
 
 Allow the poet round your flowing hair, 
 Cuird from an humble vale, a wreath to twine. 
 To Beauty^s altar with the Loves repair. 
 And wake the lute befide that living flirine : 
 
 That facred fhrine ! where female virtue glows. 
 Where ev'n the Graces all their treafures bring, 
 And where the lily, temper'd with the rofe, 
 Harmonious contrail ! breathes an Eden fpring : 
 
 That flirine ! where Nature with prefaging aim. 
 What time her fiiendly aid Lucina brings, 
 The fnowy ne£lar pours, delightful fl:ream I 
 Where flutt'ring Cupids dip their purple wings : 
 
 For you who bear a Mother's facred name, 
 Whofe cradled offspring, in lamenting fl:rain. 
 With artlefs eloquence aflTerts his claim. 
 The boon of Nature, but alTerts ia vain ;
 
 C ^i ] 
 
 Say why, illuflrlous daughters of the great^ 
 Lives not the nurfling at your tender breaft ? 
 By you prote£ted in his frail eftate ? 
 By you attended, and by you carefs'd ? 
 
 To venal hands, alas ! can you relign 
 The Parent's talk, the Mother's pleafing care ? 
 To venal hands the fmiling babe confign ? 
 While Hymen ftarts, and Nature drops a tear. 
 
 When 'mid the polifh'd circle ye rejoice, 
 Or roving join fantaflic Pleafure's train, 
 Unheard perchance the nurfling lifts his voice. 
 His tears unnotrc'd, and unfooth'd his pain. 
 
 Ah! what avails the coral crown'd with gold ? 
 In heedlefs Infancy the title vain ? 
 The colours gay the purfled fcarfs unfold ? 
 The fplendid nurs'ry, and th' attendant train ?
 
 [ 6t 1 
 
 Far better hadft tliou firfl beheld the liMit, 
 Beneath the rafter of fome roof obfcure ; 
 There in a Mother's eye to read delight. 
 And in her cradling arm repofe fecurc. 
 
 Nor wonder, fhould Hygeia, bUfsful Qiieen ? 
 Her wonted falutary gifts recall, 
 While haggard Pain applies his dagger keen. 
 And o'er the cradle Death unfolds his pall. 
 
 The flow Vet ravifh'd from its native air. 
 And bid to flourifli in a foreign vale. 
 Does it not oft elude the planter's care, 
 And breathe its dying odors on the gale ? 
 
 For you, ye plighted fair, when Hymen crowns 
 With tender offspring your unfhaken love. 
 Behold them not with Rigor's chilling frowns. 
 Nor from your fight unfeelingly remove.
 
 t 63 ] 
 
 Unfway'd by Fafhlon's dull unfeemly jefi:. 
 Still to the bofom let your infant cling, 
 There banquet oft, an ever-welcome gueft, 
 Unblam'd inebriate at that healthful fpring. 
 
 With fond folicitude each pain affuage. 
 Explain the look, awake the ready fmile; 
 Unfeigned attachment fo Ihall you engage. 
 To crown with gratitude maternal toil : 
 
 So fball your daughters in Afflif^ion's day. 
 When o'er your form the gloom of age fhall fpread^ 
 With lenient converfe chafe the hours away, 
 And fmoothe with Duty's hand the widow'd bed : 
 
 Approach, compaflionate, the voice of Grief, 
 And whifper patience to the cloling ear: 
 From Comfort's chalice minifler relief. 
 And in the potion drop a filial tear, -^^^^ r^n . .
 
 [ 64 ] 
 
 So fhall your Sons, when beauty is no more^ 
 When fades the languid luftre in your eye, 
 When FlattVy (huns her dulcet notes to pour. 
 The want of beauty, and of praife, fupply ; 
 
 Ev'n from the wreath that decks the warrior's brow. 
 Some chofen leaves your peaceful walks fhall ftrew : 
 And ev'n the flow'rs on claflic ground that blow. 
 Shall all unfold their choicefl fweets for you. 
 
 When to th* embattled hoil the trumpet blows. 
 While at the call fair Albion's gallant train 
 Dare to the field their triple-number'd foes, 
 And chafe them fpeeding o'er the martial plain : 
 
 The mother kindles at the glorious thought, 
 And to her fon's renown adjoins her name ; 
 For, at the nurt'ring breaft, the Hero caught 
 The love of Virtue, and the love of Fame,
 
 C 65 ] 
 
 Or in the fcnatc when Britannia's caufe. 
 With gen'rous themes, infpires the glowing mind. 
 While lift'ning Freedom grateful looks applaufe. 
 Pale Slav'ry drops her chain, and fculks behind : 
 
 With confcious joy the tender parent fraught. 
 Still to her fon's renown adjoins her name ; 
 For, at the nurt'ring bread, the Patriot caught 
 The love of Virtue, and the love of Fame,
 
 b/ 
 
 MATILDA, 
 
 Ou font les entrailles, les cris, les emotions puilTantea 
 
 dc la Nature ? -C'eft dans I'ame brulante et paf- 
 
 lionnee des Meres. 
 
 Monfaur Thomas^ EJfalfur lesfemmm 
 
 Outrageous did the loud wind blCW 
 
 Acrofs the founding main : 
 The velTel tolling to and fro. 
 Could fcarce the florm fullain, 
 
 Matilda to her fearful breaft. 
 Held clofe her infant dear. 
 
 His prefence all her fears increas'd. 
 And wak'd the tender tear. 
 F2
 
 [ 68 ]■ 
 
 Now nearer to the grateful fliore. 
 
 The fhattefd velTel drew : 
 The daring waves now ceas'd to roar^^ 
 
 Now fhout the exulting crew. 
 
 Matilda with a Mother's joy. 
 Gave thanks to heav'n's pow'r : 
 
 How fervent fhc cmbrac'd her boy I 
 How bleft the faving hour ! 
 
 Oh much deceived and haplefs fair, 
 Tho' ceas'd the waves to roar, 
 
 Thou, from that fatal moment, ne'er 
 Did'ft tafte of pleafure more : 
 
 For fleppi-ng forth from off the deck. 
 To reach the welcome ground, 
 
 The Babe, unclafping from her neck^. 
 Plung'd in the gulph profound.
 
 [ 69 ] 
 
 Amazement- cliain'cl ! her haggard eye 
 
 Gave not a tear to flow, 
 Her bofom heav'd no confcious figh. 
 
 She flood a fculptur'd woe. 
 
 To fnatch the child from inftant death. 
 Some brav'd the thrcat'ning main. 
 
 And to recall his fleeting breath 
 Try'd ev'ry art In vain. 
 
 But when the corfe firfl met her view, 
 Stretch *d on the pebbly flrand, 
 
 Rous'd from her ecflafy flie flew. 
 And pierc'd th' oppoflng band. 
 
 With trcfles difcompos'd and rude. 
 Fell proftrate on the ground , 
 
 To th' infant's lips her lips fhe glcw'd, 
 And Sorrow burfl its bound.
 
 C 70 ] 
 
 Now throwing round a troubled glance. 
 
 With Madnefs' ray inflam'd. 
 And, breaking from her lllent trance. 
 
 She wildly thus exclaim'd : 
 
 * Heard ye the helplefs infant fcream ? 
 
 * Saw ye the mother bold ? 
 
 * How as fhe flung him in the flream, 
 
 * The billows o*er him roU'd. 
 
 * But foft, a while fee there he lies, 
 
 * Embalm'd in infant fleep : 
 
 * Why fall the dew-drops from your eyes^ 
 
 * What caufe is here to weep ? 
 
 * Yes, yes — ^liis little life is fled, 
 
 * His heavelefs breafl: is cold : 
 
 * What tears will not thy Mother fhed, 
 
 * When thy fad tale is told ?
 
 C 7' ] 
 
 ^ Ah me ! that cheek of livid hue 
 
 ' That brow — that auburn hair 
 
 ^ Thofe lips where late the rofes blew, 
 
 * All, all my Son declare, 
 
 f Strange thrilling horrors chill each vein- 
 
 * A voice in accents wild 
 
 * Thunders to this difl:ra£led brain, 
 *' Matilda flew her child." 
 
 She added not — but funk opprefs'd-* 
 
 Death on her eye-lids ftolc : 
 While from her grief-diflraflcd brcaft 
 
 She figh'd her tortur'd foul.
 
 THE 
 
 SWEDISH CURATE, 
 
 A POEM.
 
 A D V E R T I S E M E N If. 
 
 GusTAVUS Vasa, after his efcape from his confinC'- 
 nient in Denmark, was received, as he travelled 
 tlirough Sweden in difguife, by Suverdsio, a 
 country Curate } v^^ho, at the hazard of his life, con- 
 jCcaled him in the parifh church. 
 
 See the Revolutions of Sweden by Veriot^
 
 THE 
 
 SWEDISH CURATE, 
 
 T) En^ath the friendly veil tliat midnight fpreaJ, 
 
 GusTAVUs to the patriot prieft was led. 
 An humble, plain, difintereiled man. 
 Who rear'd his ufeful life on Virtue's plan : 
 Pleas'd to behold, entrufted to his care, 
 The hopes of Sweden, and fair Freedom's lieir ; 
 Left fpies fliould ftill their privacy invade, 
 He to Religion's doom the Chief convey'd : 
 There unreftrain'd he gladly own'd his gueft. 
 And yielded to the zeal that fir'd his breaft. 
 
 *^ Beneath yon hoUow^'d lamp's refplendent light, 
 *^ Which glows a brilliant on the breaft of Night, 
 ^' Let me thy long-loll image now furvey, 
 ^' And grateful homage to Gustavus pay : 
 *' Opprefs'd, o'crthrovvn at Christiern's dire decree, 
 <' Unhappy Sweden flill looks up to thee."
 
 I 76 3 
 
 *^ Do'ft tKou with honcft and indignant zeal, 
 *^ The hero anfvver'd, fpeak of Sweden's weal ? 
 *' Lament the ills the Danifli hands achieve ? 
 *^ Or do'ft thou flatter only to deceive ? 
 *^ Then be it lb — call forth thy murd'ring train, 
 *^ And fummon to my bier the cruel Dane, 
 ^' Thus to Preferment's fummit fhalt thou rife, 
 *^ And catch the hov'rlng mitre for thy prize. 
 
 *^ Misjudging youth, the facred Seer replied, 
 ^^ Supprefs th' injurious doubt, and flill confide; 
 *^ Tho' indigent I ftand ! yet far above 
 *' The hov'ring mitre is my country's love : 
 *' Let others to the gilded crofs afpire^ 
 *' And from the crozier catch Ambition's fire, 
 *' And as they bafk in Leo's foll'ring ray, 
 ^^ Their wealth, their pride, their pageantry difplay 
 '' Let me, by grandeur undifiurb'd, unfeen, 
 f ' Content infpher'd in Duty's humbler fcene, 
 <' Sequefter'd lead my unafpiring days, 
 " And quench at Virtue's fount the tliirfl of praift ;
 
 C 77 ]' 
 
 *^ Be mine to dwell amldft the village Avains, ' 
 *' Survey their pleafures, and partake their pains^ 
 *' Still to their wants unfold my little ftore, 
 *' And place Contentment at the cottage door. 
 ^' Ah, deem me then no longer Falfhood*s fon, 
 *' (By fome difhoneft meed's allurement won) 
 *' Prompt to furprife thee with ignoble art, 
 *' And thro' thy bofom pierce my country's heart. 
 *^ Avert it Heav'n — Shall on this hallow 'd ground, 
 *^ Where all Religion's terrors breathe around, 
 *^ Say, fhall Venality, with artful mien, 
 ^' Dare to profane this venerable fcene ? 
 '' — Yon diftant altar, drefs'd in fimple guife, 
 *^ Which feems from out th' encircling tombs to rife, 
 *' From whofe dread bafe at each returning day, 
 ** While o'er the world ten luftres roll'd away, 
 *' I've fent to Heav'n, upon the wings of pray'r, 
 *' The hamlet's homage and the hamlet's care, 
 " Shall ne'er behold me tott'ring o'er my grave, 
 ** Falfe to my country, trcach'rous to the brave."
 
 t 78 I 
 
 The Chief, convlnc'd, replies — " Oh virtuous Secr^ 
 *« Thy fimi intrepki zeal I now revere : 
 *' That honour-breathing voice, thofe iilver hairs, 
 «^ That candid brow, engrav'd with Wifdom's cares, 
 ** All ftrike my foul with Truth's unclouded ray, 
 *' Before whofe warmth Sufpicion melts aw^y. 
 
 " Thrice happy hour ! th' exulting Paftor fald, 
 '^ Let Injur'd Sweden raife her drooping head, 
 '' For lo her godlike Hero comes to fave 
 *' Her laws, her rights, her freedom from the grave, 
 «' — Urg'd in thy abfence by intruding fears, 
 
 * We thought thee dead, and bath'd that thought in tears/' 
 
 " My death, the Chief returned, the Dane decreed, 
 *f But fear, the tyrant's curfe, forbade the deed : 
 *' Yet then the m.onarch fpread his treach'rous falls, 
 '^ And by the favor of confplring gales, 
 «' Convey'd me on his rapid bark away, 
 « To his intruded faith an helplefs preyi
 
 t 79 1 
 
 *^ Yet fllll fcvcrer fate to me rcmainM ; 
 
 *' Tills arm the unrelenting Christiern chairi'c}. 
 
 " Can'ft thou conceive the pangs that flung my brealcjj 
 
 *' I who to Fame my ardent vows addrefs'd, 
 
 '' When for th' unblemifli'd luilre of renown, 
 
 *' That plays encircling on young Valour's crown^. 
 
 *' Condemn'd by Fortune's inaufpicious doom, 
 
 •' Thefe eyes were blafted with a prifon's gloom 
 
 '' In ev'ry plan, in all my wilhes crofs'd, 
 
 «• Thefe arms, my zeal, my youth to Sweden loft, 
 
 ^^ But Heaven, that watches with paternal care 
 
 *' The blamelefs fufF'rer, rais'd me from defpair, 
 
 ^^ Gave, to my longing hopes, the welcome hour, 
 
 «^ Decreed to fnatch me from the Danifh pow'r i 
 
 "Yet then new Sorrows did my path purfue, 
 
 " In fcenes prefented to my mournful view: 
 
 ^^ Still as I wander'd o'er my native land, 
 
 ^^ I mark'd the ravage of a tyrant's hand : 
 
 '* Rich Induflry had fled the naked plains, 
 
 *' To Slav'ry's banners march'd th' unwilling, fwains:
 
 t So ] 
 
 ^^ Each lofty feat that crovvn'd the mountain's brmv, 
 
 " And frown'd defiance on th' invadinc: foe, 
 
 ^'^ Spoil'd of its honours, defolate, difgrac'd, 
 
 *' Its turrets fallen ! its battlements defac'd ! 
 
 *' Seem'd to the penfive traveller to fay, 
 
 ** Bshold the dire ejfe52 of lawlefs fway ! 
 
 '^ The dreary fcene unequal to fullain, 
 
 *' I figh'd — and languifli'd for my chains again : 
 
 *' Yet other ills, perchance, I've ftill to know, 
 
 *^ Perchance GustaVus feels hut half his woe. 
 
 '' Averfe to walk beneath the eye of day, 
 
 *' Thro* night I urg'd my folitary way ; 
 
 '^ Where'er I went my name I ftill fupprefs'd, 
 
 *' And lock'd each bold enquiry in my breaft." 
 
 The prleil renew VI '^ Heart-wounded I unveil^ 
 *' Replete Vv'ith Sweden's woes, the cover'd tale : 
 " The barb'rous fcene now rip'ning into fate, 
 *' The Danifli King unbarr'd Deflru£lion*s gate* : 
 
 * Alluding to the mafi"acie of the fcnatc at Stockholm.
 
 C 81 ] 
 
 ^« VVlien, for the pomp, th' imperial town furvey'd 
 *' The iplendid fcencry that joy difplay'd, 
 *« (While to the found of flutes and feftive fong 
 *^ The new crown'd Dane triumphant pafs'd along) 
 '' Stern Tyranny thro' trembling Stockholm bore 
 " Her torturing wheel and axes ftaln'd with gore : 
 " While at her lide a captive train appear'd — 
 *< lUuftrious train 1 by Liberty rever'd : 
 " Still as they pafs'd, they heard around them rife 
 ^' The people's loud laments and piercing cries : 
 *' Thefe eyes beheld (and do 1 live to tell) 
 *' How firm to Truth thefc patriot martyrs fell. 
 *' Firfl on the fcaffold, proud to lead the way 
 " To honour'd death from ignominious day, 
 *^' Appea r'd — Ah let me not that fcene difclofe, 
 " And pour upon thy foul a flood of woes : 
 ^' Here will I paufe— yet wherefore thus conceal 
 ** What babbling Fame will foon to thee reveal ? 
 *' Oh lummon all tliy fortitude of heart, 
 " For I mad wound it in the tend'refl part : 
 
 G
 
 C 82 1 
 
 ^^ He on the tragic fcene who firft appeared 
 
 " To meet the bloody axe that Christiern rear'Jy 
 
 *^ Unblam'd through life, a venerable Seer, 
 
 *' For whom now gufhes this unbidden tear, 
 
 *^ Who Virtue's ftcep afccnt unrivall'd won, 
 
 " Rever'd, regretted, call'd Gustavus fon." 
 
 Th' aflonifh'd Hero, at his words opprefs'd. 
 Like Sorrow's image ftands with voice fupprefs'd : 
 The Pricfl', unequal to difpenfe relief. 
 Stood at his fide enwrapp'd in filcnt grief. 
 • — Nov/ breaking from the chains Afili£lion fram'dy 
 And burfling into voice, the youth exclaim'd : 
 '' Oh injur'd fpirit of my father hear, 
 ** By yon dread altar and thefe flirincs I fvvcar, 
 *' The bafe inhumam Dane the day fhall rue 
 *^ He dar'd the fcafFold with thy blood imbrue : 
 " A monitor within, to v;hich I yield, 
 *' Stirs and impels me to th' avenging field."" 
 He faid — a deeper darknefs fecm'd to reign, 
 A hollow wind ranmurm'ring thro' the farac.
 
 C 83 ] 
 
 When lo, afcendlng from the realms of Night, 
 An awe-commanding fpeftre rufii'd to fight: 
 Around his temples feem'd the civic wreath. 
 And thus prophetic fpoke the fon of Deatli : 
 ** Arife to vidlcate the facred laws, 
 *^ Revenge thy father's and thy country's caufe: 
 " Arife ! to Mora's diftant field repair, 
 *' Where Freedom's banners catch the playful air; 
 " Beneath whofe fliade for thee impatient ftand, 
 ** Prepar'd to combat, an intrepid band : 
 " But whether in the bold enfanguin'd ftrife 
 *' Thou flialt or forfeit or prolong thy life — 
 <^ Thy foes fliall fall— This to thy knowledge giv'n, 
 *' The reft lies buried in the breaft of Heav'n : 
 " Still let my wrongs fupport thee in the fight"— 
 He ceas'd — and inftant vanlfh'd into night. 
 
 The Paflor fpoke— «^ Go forth, illuftrious chief, 
 " At Heav'n's commandment, to the realm's relief: 
 *' Yet then indulge me in this bold requeft. 
 
 Say, Is each meaner thought fubdued to reft? 
 G 2
 
 [ 84 1 
 
 *' Say, In this folemn and important hour; 
 
 " Glows not thy bofom with the luft of pow'r ? 
 
 <^ Not all the radiant fun-beams of renown, 
 *^ Nor yet the dazzling luflre of a crown, 
 " Shall' e'er, the youth replies, this heart control : 
 <« — My country's love poffefles all my foul. 
 '^ Ev'n as the bird that from its afnes fprings, 
 «' And foars aloft upon exulting wings, 
 " So doe? my country's love its birth affbrne, 
 '^ And mount triumphant from the pafiions' tomb. 
 
 .-** But fliould I view, unnumber'd with the flaiir^ 
 <' *Tis all I afk, fair Freedom's future reign : 
 *' 'Hien from itiy gratitude thy voice fliall claiirr 
 " All that thy want or fondell: wifli can frame. 
 ** No fplendid gifts, the virtuous man rejoin'd, 
 ** Have pow*r to move the duty- centered mind : 
 <'• Yet would thy gratitude my love fecure, 
 <' Then be, Oh Chief ! a father to the poeri
 
 [ 85 ] 
 
 ^' Farewell — No longer will I now detain 
 ** Thy wanted prefence from th' embattled plain : 
 '^ Xlluftrious offspring of an honour'd race, 
 " Allow m.y warm atta<:hment this embrace." 
 He fpoke — and, with a love devoid of art. 
 He prefs'd Gu-stavus to his feeling heart. 
 Now, breaking from the youth's encircling arms, 
 Refign'd him to his fate and War's alarms; 
 Then to the facred altar he repalr'd, 
 And thus aloud his ardent vows preferr'd: 
 '^^ Oh Thou that llv'ft enfiirin'd from mortal eye, 
 *' Look down indulgent from thy facred ficy, 
 *^ See the bold youth afcend Bellona's car, 
 " And fafely guide him thro' the walks of War. 
 " On Freedom's brow be his the w.reath to twine, 
 «« To fee that happy glorious day be mine." 
 He added not — Heay'n granted half his pray'r^ 
 The reft was fcatter'd to th' abortive alr»" "'•'-" 
 Scarce had the Chief comnienc'd his bold career, . 
 When flept the Curate on his peaceful bier :
 
 [ 86 ] 
 
 There heav'd the village fwain the figh profouncT, 
 There flood the grateful poor lamenting round. 
 Thus mourn'd, thus honour'd fell, the hallow*d fagc, 
 A bright example to each future age ! 
 The hamlet, jealous of her Paftor's fame, 
 .Adorn'd her iimple annals with his name.
 
 THE 
 
 FUNERAL 
 
 OF 
 
 A R A B E R T 
 
 MONK OF La TRAPPE 
 
 A 
 
 o 
 
 M.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 Arabert, a young ecclefiaftic, retired to the convent 
 of La Trappe, in obedience to a vow he had taken 
 during a fit of Illnefs : Leonora, with whom he had 
 lived in the flrideft intunacy, followed her lover, 
 and by the means of a difguife, obtained admiHion 
 into the monaftery, where a few days after Hie aiHfted 
 at her lover's Funeral.
 
 THE 
 
 F U N E R A L, ^c. 
 
 TpAIR Leonora, by Affliaion led. 
 
 Sought the dread dome where fleep the hallow'd dead ; 
 The folemn edifice was wrapt around. 
 In midnight darknefs, and in peace profound : 
 A folitary lamp, with languid light, 
 Serv'd not to chafe, but to difclofe the night ; 
 Serv'd to difclofe (the fource of all her pains) 
 The tomb thatgap'd for Arabert's remains: 
 To this, ihe fent the deep, the frequent figb. 
 And {poke— the warm tear rufliing from her eye. 
 
 * Doom'd to receive all that my foul holds dear^ 
 ♦ Give him that rcfl his heart refused him here .
 
 [ 90 3 
 
 < Oh fcreen him from the pahi the tender know, 
 « The train of forrows that from palTion flow ! 
 ^ And to his happier envied flate adjoin, 
 c (Or all is vain) an ignorance of mine.' 
 
 As thus file moyrn'd, an aged prieft drew near, 
 (Whofe pure life glided as the riv'let clear) 
 The virtuous Anselm.— Tho' in cloifters bred. 
 Still bright-ey'd Wifdom to his cell he led : 
 From paths of fophiflry he lov'd to ftray. 
 To tread the vralk where Nature led the way. 
 The Prior's rank he long had held approv'd, 
 Efleem'd, rever'd, and as a parent lov'd : 
 Unikilful in the jargon of the fchools. 
 He knew Humanity's diviner rules : 
 To others gentle, to himfelf fevere. 
 On Sorrow's wound he dropt the healing tear, 
 Jn all the negligence of grief he found. 
 The fair extended on the naked ground.
 
 C 91 ] 
 
 Touch*d at her woe the facred fatlier fald, 
 ^ Well may'ft thou droop if Happinefs be fled : 
 
 * Sure, if at holy Arabert's deceale, 
 
 * Impetuous forrows rulh upon thy peace, 
 
 ' Some much-lov'd friend in him you muft deplore, 
 
 * Or, dearer Hill, a brother is no more : 
 
 * Yet, as thro* life our weary fleps we bend, 
 
 * Let us not fmk when beating ftorms defcend ; 
 
 * Still let Religion hold unrival'd fway, 
 
 * And Patience walk companion of our way. 
 
 * Ah, lofe not fight of that delightful fhore, 
 
 ^ Whofe blifsful bow'rs fhall friends to friends rcflorc ! 
 ^ Tho' here Misfortune comes to Mail our will, 
 5 The Heav'ns are juft, and God a Father flill.' 
 
 * Bleft be the voice, the riling mourner faid, 
 ^ That bids AfBiftion raife her drooping head : 
 
 * That bids me hope (beyond ev'n Death's domain) 
 
 * Thefe eyes fhall banquet on my love again. 
 
 * Ah, ftart not, Anselm — for to truth alliedj 
 ^ Impiety now throws her malk afide :
 
 [ 9^ ] 
 
 ^ No lioly Monk by Contemplation led, 
 
 * To thefe fequefler'd manlions of the dead ; 
 ' No youth devoted to Religion's pow'r, 
 
 *- Implores thy pity at this awful hour. 
 
 * The guilty fecret — I'll at length unfold — • 
 ^ In me — (forgive) a woman you behold, 
 
 < Ah fly me not, let Mercy now prevail, 
 
 * And deign to mark my fad difafl'rous tale. 
 
 * Known to Misfortune from my tender years, 
 
 * My parents' allies drank my early tears : 
 
 * A barb'rous uncle, to each vice allied, 
 
 * The office of a parent ill fupplied ; 
 
 * Of ray entire inheritance poflefs'd, 
 
 * By lucre prompted, and by fortune blefl, 
 
 * He pafs'd the ocean never to return, 
 
 * And left me weeping o'er my parents' urn : 
 
 * Then Arabert, tlie gen'rous ftranger came, 
 
 * To foothe my forrows, and relieve my fhame : 
 
 * Beneath his tender care, my woes decreas'd, 
 f More than Religion's, he was Pity's priefl ;
 
 [ 93 1 
 
 « To reach his bounty my afFeftlon flrove, 
 ' Till gratitude was hei^hten'd into love : 
 « Nor he at length refus'd the lover's part, 
 ' The pity that adorn'd, betray'd his heart. 
 ' How ardently he wifh'd the nuptial rite, 
 ' In holy wedlock, might our hands unite : 
 ' But ftern Religion at our vows exclaim'd, 
 
 < And tore the bands that Love and Nature fram'd : 
 
 < For then devoted to her hallow'd fhrine, 
 
 * His country's laws forbade him to be mine. 
 
 * Tho' from my mind each flatt'ring thought retir'd, 
 ' And in my bofom, Hope and Peace expir'd j 
 
 ' Yet on their ruins, Love triumphant rofc : 
 ' Enoua:h--^fhame o'er the reft a mantle throws : 
 
 * At length Remorfe effaced the guilty fcene, 
 
 < And to his breaft apply'd her dagger keen ; 
 
 * Reftrain'd in full career the erring youth, 
 
 « And led him back to Innocence and Truth : 
 
 * *Tvvas then he fled from Pleafure's rofy bow'rs, 
 
 * To woo Religion in thefe gloomy tow'rs :
 
 [ 94 ] 
 
 * Yet ere lie fled, my blils he fondly plann'd, 
 
 * And fcattcr'd riches with a lavifli hand : 
 
 ' Ah, what to me avail'd the golden ftore ? 
 
 * The giver gone, the gift cou'd charm no more. 
 
 « While in the gloom his tedious abfence call, 
 
 * My former life in fancy I rcpafs'd, 
 
 * Repentance gain'd admiilion to my breaH, 
 
 * Nor did it enter an unwelcome gueft : 
 
 * For ne'er to Pleafure I difmifs'd the rein 
 
 * Free and unconfcious of Reile«^ion's pairi ; 
 
 * If haplefs Leonora lov'd too well, 
 
 * Content, fair Virtue's friend, with Virtue fell : 
 
 * But not my ftubborn foul cou'd pray'r fubdue, 
 
 * Ev'n grafted on remorfe my paflion grew; 
 ^ Too fatal paflion — by its impulfe led, 
 
 * In man's attire to this retreat I fled : 
 
 * Yet then, ev'n then to bafliful Fear allied, 
 
 * Still o'er my Love did Modefty prefide. 
 
 * In thofe fweet moments that precede the night, 
 ^ When peaceful Nature wears a foften'd light.
 
 [ 9S ] 
 
 * I met the youth within the folemn grove, 
 
 ' (His frequent walk) abforb'd in heav'nly love: 
 ' By warm occafion eagerly impell'd, 
 
 * A fudden fear my ready fteps witheld: 
 
 * While God and he employ the trembling fcene^ 
 ^ 'Twere facrilege, 1 cried, to ruili between : 
 
 ^ Still from that hour my wlflies I reflrain'd, 
 
 * And in my breall th' unwilling fecret chain'd, 
 ' Unknown to him, yet half-content I grew, 
 
 * So that his form might daily cliarm my view. 
 
 * But new Affliftion, with relcntlefs hand, 
 
 ' O'crthrew the projeft that my heart had plan'd : 
 
 ' A.micl the horrors of the lonefome night, 
 
 < A ghaftly fpe£lre rufh'd upon my fight, 
 
 ' And pour'd thefe accents on my trembling ear,* 
 
 * Think not Impiiiy Jhall triufnph here : 
 
 ' Thy hopes are hlafled — Death's tremendous bell 
 
 * Shall found, ere many hours, thy lover'' s knell : 
 
 * I i^arted from my couch, with fright imprefs'J, 
 
 * Flew to the fane to calm my anxious breafli
 
 I 96 ] 
 
 * By love then prompted — yet by love dlfmay'd, 
 
 * The peopled choir I tremblingly furvey'd ; 
 
 * Still mid th' innumcrous monailic train, 
 
 * Thefe eyes folicited his form in vain : 
 
 * Nor in the field or penfive grove retir'd 
 
 * Could I difcover whom my heart requir'd : 
 ^ Then fure (I cried) at this unhappy hour 
 
 ' Does Anguiili o'er his celldifTufe its powV : 
 
 * Shall Leonora not relieve his pain, 
 
 * And with thcfe arms his drooping head fuftain ? 
 
 * Say, at the couch, when Death is ftalking round, 
 
 * Shall not the fpoufe of his fond heart be found ! 
 
 * Ah no — th' aiTeclion that fubdues me ftill, 
 
 < At that dread moment check'd my ardent will, 
 
 * Left rufhing on his fight I fliould controul 
 
 * The holy thoughts that hover'd o'er his foul. 
 
 * This lowering morn difclos'd the fatal truth : 
 
 * Oh early loft— oh lov'd — oh haplefs youth—
 
 [ 97 3 
 
 ^ Flx'd to tKe column of the hallow'd porch— 
 ' 'Twas fcarcely light — fome Fury lent her torch- 
 
 * I read— 
 
 The pious ARABERT'i no more ^ 
 The peace the dead require, for him implore : 
 
 ' Let peace, let joy, (I laid) his fpirit join, 
 
 * Nor joy, nor peace muft e'er encircle mine. 
 
 * Lamented youth ! too tenderly allied, 
 
 ^ In vain you fled me, and in vain you died ; 
 
 * Still to your image, which this breaft inurns, 
 
 * My conllant heart a lamp perpetual burns. 
 
 * But thou, to whom as friend he did impart 
 
 * Each latent wifli, and foible of the heart 5 
 
 * For well I know, where Sorrow drops a tear, 
 
 * Or Mifery complains, thou ftill art near ; 
 
 * Ah fay, by love did my known image drell, 
 
 * Come to his mind thus welcome, thus carefl? 
 
 * Or on his foul come rufhing undelir*d, 
 
 * The fatal fair, by female arts infpir'd, 
 
 H
 
 [ 98 ] 
 
 ^ Who dirom'd the luflrc of his radiant namCy 
 * And from his temples tore the flowV of fame : 
 ^ Who thro' the labyrinth of Pleafure's bovv*r 
 ' AUur'd (for beauty fuch as mine had pow'r) 
 ^ Ev'n to the dang'rous fteep — and call him down 
 ^ From high repute to grov'ling difrenown : 
 
 < Wretch that I am, to my diflrefsful Hate 
 
 < There wanted not th' addition of his hate : 
 
 « For him I plung'd my artlefs youth in fliame^ 
 « Unlock'd referve, and facrific'd my fame : 
 
 < Still, dill I fear (unabk to confide,) 
 
 < Before my Arabert, the lover died; 
 
 » This thought (to thee I'll own) fufpends my grief, 
 
 < While cold Indifference comes to my relief: 
 
 < Say, virtuous. Anselm, if this thought be vain, 
 * And give, Oh give mc all my grief again ! 
 
 
 To her replied the pity -breathing feer, 
 Mark well my words, and lofe thy idle fear : 
 « When on the couch of Death, the vidim lay, 
 *■ Not in that moaient was his friend away :
 
 [ 99 ] 
 
 * As at his fide I took my mournful ftand^ 
 
 * With feeble grafp he feiz'd my offer'd hand, 
 
 * And thus began : — '• The fatal dart is fped, 
 ** Soon, foon fhall Arabert encreafe the dead : 
 *' 'Tis well — for what can added life beflovv, 
 
 *' But days returning ftill with added woe ; 
 ** Say, have I not fecluded from my fight, 
 « The lovely obje£l of my paft delight ? 
 " Ah, had I too dethroned her from my mind, 
 <' When here the holy brotherhood I join'd, 
 <' Remorfe wou'd not, encreafing my difeafe, 
 <c Prey on my foul, and rob it of its eafe : 
 •^ And yet I ft rove, unequal to the part, 
 *^ Weak to perform the facrifice of heart : 
 " And now, ev'n now, too feeble to controul, 
 *« I feel her clinging to my parting foul :" 
 
 * He fpoke — (my fympathetic bofom bled J 
 
 * And to the realms of Death his fpirit fled. 
 
 The fair rejoin'd : * Mifled by foul diftruflr, 
 
 * To him, whofe heart w^s mine, am I unjuft I 
 
 H 2
 
 [ lOO ] 
 
 * Ah, Arabert, th* unwilling fault forgive, 
 
 * Dead to th' alluring world, in thee I live : 
 
 * My thoughts, my deep regret, my forrows own, 
 ^ No view, no objeft ftill but thee alone : 
 
 * At all the vengeance burfting from above, 
 
 * Alarm*d, I weep, I fhudder, yet I love.' 
 
 As thus (lie fpoke, th-e death-bell fmote her ear. 
 While to the porch the fun'ral train drew near : 
 Ah, Leonore, in that tremendous hour, 
 Did'fl thou not feel all Heav'n's avenging powV, 
 When moving thro' the ifle, the choral band. 
 And veiled priefts, with torches in their hand. 
 Gave to thy view, unfortunately dear. 
 Thy lover fleeping on th' untimely bier ? 
 
 Colle£ling now at length her fcatter'd force. 
 With trembling footfteps flie af^roachM the corfc, 
 And while Ihe checked the conflift in her breaft, 
 The wide- encircling throng Ihe thus addrcfs'd :
 
 [ 101 ] 
 
 ^ Well may ye mark me with aftonifh'd eyes, 
 ^ Audacious hypocrite in man's difguife ; 
 « Who urg'd by palTion, dar'd with Heps profane, 
 ' Approach the hallow'd dome of Virtue's train: 
 
 * Lead me, ah lead me, to the dungeon's gloom, 
 
 * The rack prepare— I yield me to your doom : 
 ^ Yet llili fhould Pity in your breaft abide, 
 
 * And Pity fure to Virtue is allied, 
 
 ^ To my dlftrefs benign attention lend, 
 
 Your a6ls of rigor for a while fufpend, 
 ' Till o'er this bier ('tis Nature's kind relief) 
 
 * I've pour'd my plaints, and paid the rites of Grief : 
 
 * Ah, he was dearer to this bleeding heart, 
 ^ P'ar dearer than expreffion can impart. 
 
 * Thou who didfl: place us in this vale of tears : 
 
 * Where Sorrow blafts the plant that Pleafure rears : 
 
 * If, as the tenets of our creed require, 
 
 ^ Thy waken'djuftice breathe immortal ire; 
 
 ' If Love, from whence ev'n here misfortune's flow, 
 
 ^ Beyond the grave you curfe witli endlefs w^oe I
 
 L 102 ] 
 
 * Ah not on Arabert thy vengeance pour f 
 
 * On ine, on me thy ftorm of anger fliow'r ! 
 
 * For I allur'd him far from Virtue's way, 
 
 * And led his youthful innocence allray : 
 
 * Ah, not in punifhment our fate conjoin, 
 
 * He fhar'd the rapture, but the guilt was mine.' 
 
 With trembling hand flie now the veil withdrew,* 
 When lo the well-known features Uruck her view: 
 
 Abforpt in grief fhe caft a fond furvey -> 
 
 At length her thoughts in murmurs broke away : 
 * That eye — which flied on mine voluptuous light, 
 
 < Alas, how funk in everlafling night ? 
 
 < See from thofe lips the living colour fled, 
 
 < Where Love refided, and where Pleafure fed I 
 
 ^ And where bright Eloquence had pour'd her flore 
 * Dumb Horror fits — and Wifdom is no more : 
 
 < Yet ere the worm (fmce this is doom'd its prey) 
 « Shall fteal tlie ling'ring iikenefs quite away, 
 
 * 'TIs ufual to bury the monks of La Tr.appc in th?ir monaftic 
 hiibit extended on a plank.
 
 [ 103 ] 
 
 « On that cold lip fure Leonore may dwell, 
 
 * And, free from guilt, imprint the long farewel :' 
 She added not — but bending low her head, 
 
 Three times the mourner kifs'd th' unconfcious dead. 
 
 Now holy Anselm urg'd her to reft rain 
 Her boundlefs grief, in rev'rence of the fane : 
 She anfvver'd, ftarting from the fable bier, 
 
 * Can I forget that Arabert was dear ! 
 
 * Can I, cold monitor, from hence remove, 
 
 * His worth unrival'd, and his lafting love ! 
 ^ Can I forget, as deftitute I lay, 
 
 < To licknefs, grief, and penury a prey, 
 
 * How eagerly he flew at Pity's call, 
 
 * Put forth his hand, and rais*d me from my fall ! 
 ^ All unfolicited he gave me wealth, 
 
 * He gave me folace, and he gave me health ; 
 
 ' And, dearer than the blifs thofe gifts impart, 
 
 * He ftrAin'd me to his breaft, and gave his heart : 
 
 * And fhall thefe hallow'd walls and awful fane 
 
 ^ Reproach the voice that pours the praifeful ftrain ?
 
 [ 104 ] 
 
 * Say, at the friend's, the guardian's, lover's tomb, 
 
 * Can Sorrow fleep, and Gratitude be dumb ? 
 
 * But I fubmit — and bend thus meekly low, 
 
 * To kifs th' avenging hand that dealt the blow : 
 ^ Refign'd I quit the lofmg path 1 trod, 
 
 * Fall'n is my idol — and I worfhip God/ 
 She ceas'd-T-the choir intones the fun'ral fong, 
 Which holy echoes plaintively prolong ; 
 And now the folemn organ, tun'd to woe, 
 Pour'd the clear notes pathetically flow : 
 Thefe rites perform'd — along th' extending fane. 
 She now attends the flow-proceeding train j 
 Who o'er the mournful cyprefs-fliaded way. 
 To the expefting tomb, the dead convey : 
 
 See now the priefls, the cloflng aft prepare. 
 And to the darkfome vault commit their care : 
 At this dread fcene, too feelingly diftrefs'd. 
 She pour'd the laft effuflons of her breaft. 
 
 * Come guardian feraph from thy throne above, 
 « And watch the tomb of my departed love.
 
 [ 105 ] 
 
 She paus'd — then (o'er the yawning tomb reclln'd) 
 In all the tendernefs of grief rejoin'd : 
 ^ Oh Beauty's flovv'r — Oh plcafure ever new— 
 ' Oh Friendfhipj Love, and Conftancy adieu : 
 
 * Ye virtues that adorn'd th' unhappy youth, 
 
 * Aife^lion, Pity, Confidence, and Truth, 
 
 * The gen'rous thoughts that with the feeling dwell, 
 ^ And fympathy of heart — farewell, farewell ! 
 
 * Not all of Arabert this tomb contains, 
 
 * All is not here while Leonore remains : 
 
 * Methinks a voice ev'n animates the clay, 
 ' And in low accents fummons me away ; 
 
 ' Hajle Leonore — thy other felf rejoin y 
 ^ And kt thy glowing ajhes mix with mine : 
 
 * Ah, truft me Arabert ! to fhare thy doom^ 
 ^ Prepar'd, refolv'd, I'll meet thee in the tomb : 
 
 * Forbear, Oh Heav'n, in pity to thefc tears, 
 5 To curfe my forrov/ with a length of years. 
 
 * And when this drooping form fhall prefs the bier, 
 « Say, virtuous Anselm^ wilt thou not be near ,^
 
 [ io6 ] 
 
 ^ The friendly requiem for my foul to crave, 
 ^ And lay thefe limbs in this lamented grave ? 
 ' Then when this tortur'd heart fhall ceafe to burn, 
 
 * Our blended dufi: fiiall warm the faithful urn : 
 
 * Nor diflant far is that relealins: hour, 
 
 * For Nature now opprefs'd beyond her pow'r, 
 < Refigns at length, my troubled foul to refl, 
 
 * And Grief's laft anguifh ruflies thro' m.y breail:. 
 
 Behold her now extended on the ground, 
 
 And fee the facred brethren kneelinc: round : 
 
 o 
 
 Them flie addreffes in a fault'ring tone, 
 
 « Say, cannot Death my daring crime atone ? 
 
 * Ah, let Companion now your hearts infpire, 
 ^ Amid your pray'rs, I unalarm'd expire. 
 
 * Thou who art ev'n in this dread moment dear^ 
 ^ Ch, fhade of Arabert, ftill hover near ; 
 
 * I come.' — • 
 
 — And now emerging from her woes 
 ('Tv.as Love's lafc efibrt) from, the earth flie rofe ;
 
 [ 107 ] 
 
 And, ftrange to tell, with ftrong afFe£lion fraught, 
 She headlong plung d into the gloomy vault : 
 And there, what her impaffionM wifh required. 
 On the lov'd breail: of Arabert expired.
 
 [ 109 ] 
 
 To » 
 
 Writen in 1765. 
 
 A POLLO bids the Mufes rove. 
 
 The lonely path, the filent grove: 
 He bids the Graces oft refort 
 To feftive fcenes and fplendid court; 
 Yet will he let the Mufe repair 
 To where Charlotta guards her heir} 
 Unblam'd the royal babe approach. 
 And ftrew frefli flow'rets o'er his couch* 
 As on his cheek buds Nature's rofe. 
 With Virtue's bud his bofom glows ; 
 Whofe foliage opening into day. 
 Shall each parental ftreak difplay : 
 And when the coming Spring prevails, 
 With fweets maternaly fcent the gales. 
 
 Your choiceft wreaths, yc fairies, bring, 
 To crown the little embrio King :
 
 [ "o ] 
 
 Behold that hand with gewgaws p!ay. 
 Which fhall Britannia's fceptre fway : 
 Attentive o'er the nurs'ry plain, 
 Behold him range his mimic men : 
 Unconfcious of the future hour, 
 When veiled with imperial pow'r, 
 He, hero-like, fhall lead his train. 
 To combat on a real plain 5 
 While Vii^ory Ihall blefs the war, 
 And fcatter laurels from her car : - 
 
 Illuftrlous babe, tlio' deaf to praife. 
 For thee I frame thefe humble lays : 
 The day will come (but may kind fate 
 Keep back that day 'till very late) 
 When thou, thy much lov'd father's heir. 
 Like him flialt grace the regal chair ; 
 Shalt hold, approv'd, th' imperial helm, 
 And blefs, like him, a grateful realm. 
 Oh ! then fhall Praife ring out her peal. 
 And Flatt'ry her bright flow'rets deal :
 
 [ III ] 
 
 Ah ! if thine eye in future time 
 Should chance to mark this artlefs rhymCj 
 Thou'lt find one of the Mufes' train. 
 For thee awak'd his gentle ftrain : 
 What time unconfcious of the theme. 
 That did unfold thy future fame ; 
 Thou could'ft not with a fmile reward 
 The numbers of th* unvenal bard : 
 While they who fliall thefe lines perule, 
 If lines like thefe furvive their Mufe, 
 Shall own, when they look up to 3^ou, 
 That he was Bard and Prophet too.
 
 [ 113 1; 
 EPITAPH on Mifs JERNINGHAM, 
 
 January 1773. 
 
 A H, venerate this hallow'd ground. 
 
 And mark the infant- virtues round ! 
 See Innocence, celeftial fair. 
 With Childhood, Heav'n*s peculiar care : 
 See Beauty opening into bloom. 
 Bending o'er this youthful tomb : 
 Behold AfFe£lion that endears. 
 And Wit beyond an infant's years, 
 And Conftancy (mid mortal pain. 
 Still, flill refufing to complain) 
 By Sorrow led, a choral band, 
 Fix'd on this facred fpot, they ftand ! 
 And as they view this marble {lone. 
 Their little Miflrefs they bemoan. 
 
 I
 
 [ ^^5 1 
 T O 
 
 Mr. mason 
 
 The Day before he publiflied his English 
 Garden, 
 
 ■yE whom the ray of Genius warms. 
 
 Whom Fancy moves, and Nature charms, 
 Difmifs Amufement's idle toy, 
 Sufpend the joys that know to cloy, 
 To higher pleafure dare afpire. 
 To-morrow Mason wakes his Lyre. 
 
 This Lyre the weeping Mufcs faid. 
 Was as it lay on Mona's head, * 
 Stol'n by an angel in the night 
 And born to Heav'n's etherial height: 
 Not fo— this Lyre was lately found. 
 By Nature in her garden ground, 
 I 2 
 • Alluding to Caraflacus*
 
 r "6 } 
 
 Intcrr'd in flow'rs of rich perfume, 
 While Flora watch'd the fragrant tomb. 
 
 Bright Nature caft a fond furvcy. 
 Then brufh'd the fliading flow'rs away ; 
 With her own wreath the cords entwin'd. 
 Then to her bard the fhell refign'd. 
 And he to favor her delire. 
 To-morrow wakes the founding Lyre.
 
 [ il7 ] 
 
 Writen in Mr. HUME's History. 
 
 T> IG with the tales of other years. 
 
 Here lays th' hiftoric tome; 
 Which to the penfive mind appears 
 A deep capacious tomb : 
 
 Where long embalm'd by Clio's hand. 
 
 The patriot and the Have, 
 Who fav'd, and who betray 'd the land, 
 
 Prefs one extenfive grave : 
 
 With thofe that grafp'd th* imperial helm. 
 
 And trod the path of Pow'r : 
 With thofe who grac'd fair Learning's realm. 
 
 And Beauty's fairer bow'r. 
 
 If thus th' illuftrious clofe their fcene, 
 
 Oblivion then may laugh : 
 What flows from Hume's recording pen 
 Is but an Epitaph !
 
 £ X19 ] 
 
 Imitated from the FRENCH, 
 
 C TRAYING befide yon wood-fkrecn'd river, 
 
 Dan Cupid met my wondering viewj 
 His feather'd arrows ftor'd his quiver. 
 Each feather glow'd a difF'rent hue : 
 
 ^ For him who frames the daring deed, 
 
 * (The little godhead faid and laugh'd) 
 
 * To fly with Mifs beyond the Tweed, 
 ^ An eagle's plume adorns the fhaft. 
 
 * The prattler vain of his addrefs, 
 
 * The magpye's feathers never fail 5 
 ^ And for the youth too fond of drefs, 
 
 * I rob the gaudy peacock's tail, 
 
 ' Whene'er I mean to roufe the care 
 
 * That lurks within the jealous heart, 
 f The owl that wings the midnight air 
 
 ^ Lends his grave plume to load the dart.
 
 [ I20 ] 
 
 ' But rarely when I would alTall 
 
 * The conllant heart with truth imprcft, 
 
 * Then for the trembling fhaft I ileal 
 ■ A feather from the turtle's breaft : 
 
 * Lo ! one with that foft plumage crown'J, 
 ^ Which more than all my arms I prize : 
 
 * Alas ! I cried, this gave the wound, 
 
 * When late you fhot from Julia's eyes.
 
 MARGARET of ANJOU, 
 
 AN 
 
 HISTORICAL INTERLUDE.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT, 
 
 npHIS hiflorical Interlude is form'd upon the 
 fame plan that Rousseau compofed his Py^- 
 fnaliony which is anew fpecies of dramatic Enter- 
 tainment, conMing of a Monologue that is often 
 fufpended by the interpofition of mulic, which 
 muftj fympathife with the pafllons and feelings oF 
 the perfonage who is fuppofed to ipeak. 
 
 The following little drama was performed by 
 Mifs YouNGE on her benefit j^^t, and received 
 from that celebrated a£lrefs all the fpirit and colour- 
 ing that excellence of a£ling can give. The mufic 
 (the compofition of Mr. Hook) was happily 
 adapted to the tendency of the poem. 
 
 The fubjefl is taken from a remarkable incident 
 in the life of Margaret. That unfortunate 
 
 Queen
 
 [ 124 ] 
 
 Queen flying with her fon * into a forefl after the 
 
 * Battle of Hexham^ faw a robber approach with 
 
 * his naked fword, and finding that flie had no 
 
 * means of efcape, fhe fuddenly embrac'd the refolu- 
 
 * tion of truiting entirely for proteftion to his gene- 
 
 * rolity. The man whofe humanity and generous 
 ' fpirit had been obfcured, not entirely loll by his 
 
 * vicious courfe of life, was ftruck with the lingula- 
 
 * rity of the event, and charmed with the confi- 
 
 * dence repofed in him, and he vow'd not only to 
 
 * abftain from all injury againft the Queen^ but to 
 
 * devote himfelf intirely to her fafety and protec- 
 
 * tion.' 
 
 HUME, CHAP.xxii. 
 
 N. B, The Aftericks mark the-paufes that ad- 
 mitted the muflc.
 
 MARGARET of ANJOU 
 
 AN INTERLUDE. 
 
 Enter Margaret with her Sm, 
 
 ^ \^ H E fierce purfuers will not here perchance 
 Difcover us : the thick- inwoven umbrage 
 Of thefe gigantic trees will fpread concealment : 
 Yet as their Iblemn branches wave, ftrange fear 
 PoiTefles me : yet all is ftill as night. 
 No thund'ring tread of horfemen arm'd, no quick 
 Approaching footfteps rufh upon my ear. 
 The /liouts of rebel vidlory are loft 
 
 And fade away, ere they can pierce thefe fliades : 
 Ah what a vi£lory ! He whofe meek fway 
 Solicited his people's grateful love, 
 My Henry ! England's monarch fail'd, and at 
 The dying groan of flern Defeat, that panted 
 Still for conqueft, he too fure expired : 
 While T, a wretched outcaft of the throne^
 
 [ 126 ] 
 
 Rove defolate amid thefe favage walk?, 
 Of evVy comfort, ev'ry hope bereft : 
 
 ( To her Child ) 
 But thou J my Edward, ftill art mine ! ah lay 
 Thy weary limbs on yonder bank, and I 
 Will watch befide thee. 
 
 (Leads him to a Bank') 
 
 He flceps unconfcious of the dire diftrefs 
 That hovers o'er his head, kind Ignorance 
 That drops her veil before his infant eyes : 
 Yet as he blolToms into youth, the hand 
 Of Time vvith-drawing back the veil, fliall for 
 The radiant profpedl he this morn w^as heir to 
 Shall offer to his view a throne o'erturn'd 
 And floating in the blood of all his friends : 
 Ah what a fight ! it urges me to madnefs.
 
 [ 127 ] 
 
 Yet all that Courage cou'd efFedl was done : 
 When wild DiiTenfion her torn banners rear'd. 
 Which infolently wav'd o*er Henry's head 
 While he beneath their fhade a captive flood, 
 I, feeble agent, hurried to the field. 
 And at that moment lofing all the fears 
 That haunt the female breaft, I call'd to Loyalty 
 To fnatch my Henry from Rebellion's arm ; 
 The valiant troops who then encircled me 
 On Wakefield's day perform'd their duty well. 
 And on St. Alban's memorable plain 
 I faw defeated Warwick wing his flight 
 And refcued Henry haflen to thefe arms. 
 
 Yet what avail thefe momentary triumphs ! 
 Ev'n while I fpeak perchance my Henry lies 
 Extended on the plain, deform'd with wounds^
 
 [ 128 ] 
 
 While o'er his facred corfe the hoflUc band 
 Irreverently pafs, and with vile taunts 
 Upbraid his overthrow : nor was I prefent 
 To folace his laft moments, catch the accents 
 Of his departing voice, and clofe his fading eyes. 
 
 Th* illuilrious youth on whofe bright armour gleam'd 
 The morning fun ! of all that valiant train 
 Not one remains to guard yon helplefs innocent. 
 — Darknefs fprcads : cold defcending night-air chills 
 My bofom, while a murm'ring noife that tells 
 The coming ftorm, founds thro' the confcious branches 
 Of this \vood : Ah where fliall I betake me ! 
 (Walking in a dijira£led manner) 
 
 If at fome hamlet-door I knock, will not 
 Thefe robes betray me ! and the fum that's fet 
 Upon that Infant's head, ah will it not 
 Invite the fimple cottager to treachery \ 
 Yet here to brave the ftern inclement Iky,
 
 [ 129 ] 
 
 With all the horrors of dcfccnding niglit, 
 
 My trembling heart refutes — I will lead 
 
 Him hence, vain thought : Ah, to what flranger heart 
 
 Dare I confide my fon ? Shou'd he be torn 
 
 From thefe weak arms, yes, well, too well I know. 
 
 This anxious heart wou'd at that moment burft. 
 
 
 The Pow'r above who fees Into the depth 
 Of my great forrow, knows that not to pride, 
 That not to Exaltation's gaudy honors 
 I e'er entrufted my felicity : 
 Amid the rude misfortunes that encircled me 
 The pulfe of Pleafure throbbM within my breafl 
 When I embrac'd my fon : of him bereft. 
 Calamity's fharp fangs will tear my heart-firings. 
 Ye cruel ruffians give me back my fon : 
 Ah me ! wild fear foreruns my lofs, and joins 
 The future moment to the prefent time. 
 K
 
 [ ^30 ] 
 
 <5. 
 
 (Kyicding) 
 
 Oh thou, all feeing Fiovidence, if e'er 
 The fccnes on earth attia«!l tliy facred notice ! 
 Then, let thy knowiiig clear defccrning eye. 
 Whence radiant Pity beams, o'er my mibfortiinf 
 Paufe — And, thus humbly as T bend rcfign'd. 
 Let not my falling ruinous llate, while it 
 O'erwhelms the mother, crufli the child. 
 
 (Rlfmg) 
 The night encreafes, I muft wake my fon. 
 
 (^Hanging fondly over him) 
 How lleep poffelTes him ! Perhaps this flumber 
 Is doom'd his laft— perhaps— what do 1 fee 
 Stretch'd on a bier, methinks I fee him gafli'd 
 With daggers Ah, 'twas fancy bodied for -o^
 
 [ 131 ] 
 
 This cruel image, ftill my Edward breathes. 
 And thefe fond arms embrace my living child, 
 
 PRINCE. 
 
 Oh mother lead me hence 
 
 Al A R G A R E T. 
 
 Say, whither fhall 
 I lead my Edward ? 
 
 PRINCE. 
 
 Lead me to my Father ! 
 Why do you weep ? Ah wherefore not reply ? 
 Say, is my father flain ? 
 
 MARGARET. 
 I know not that. 
 
 K 2
 
 [ 132 ] 
 
 PRINCE. 
 
 Whence was that noile ? 
 
 MARGARET. 
 
 It was the chiding gale : 
 Ah nOj it is the found of hofiile Heps. 
 (Enter Robber) 
 
 ROBBER. 
 
 Who e'er thou art, I fee thou'rt in diflrefs, 
 I too am well acquainted with Misfortune, 
 And greater Hill than thine, for at my door 
 Pale Famine fits, while llarving children fend 
 A mournful peal : if ought thou haft conceal'd 
 Within this wood, give me the hoarded treafure. 
 
 MARGARET. 
 
 Ah here is all my treafure. 
 
 ( Pointing to her child}
 
 [ 133 ] 
 
 ROBBER. 
 
 Trifle not. 
 Give mc thy treafure, or I'll flay thy child. 
 
 MARGARET. 
 
 Arrefl: that impious arm, He is thy Prince ! 
 Talk not of want ; of Mifcry's fcourging hand 
 Complain no more ; in me, in me behold 
 Diftrefsful Marg'ret, EnglandWanquifh'd Queen ! 
 And all the treafure left her from the field, 
 The cruel havock of this morning's fight, 
 Is centered in this Child. 
 
 ROBBER 
 
 Thanks to my God 
 I'm not fo lofl: in vice, fo deep-ingulph'd 
 In woe, but that my Sovereign's diflrefs 
 Obliterates my own : forgive the bold, 
 
 {Kneeling) 
 The favage mode in which I firfl: accofl:ed thee, 
 And in atonement for my crime accept,
 
 [ 134 ] 
 
 Deign to accept what now my duty offers. 
 
 I'll lead thee thro' fome dark and winding pathway 
 
 Of this wild forell to a neighb'ring river, 
 
 Where rides a Bark, whofe canvafs courts the gales 
 
 That fly to France: where thou, unhappy Queen, 
 
 May'fl find a fafe retreat from the wild dangers 
 
 That furround thee. 
 
 MARGARET. 
 
 Rile, rife, 1 dare confid? 
 Myfelf and my lov'd child to your protection ; 
 Lead on : amid the horrors of this hour, 
 Reft of a Crown, a Hufband, evVy Friend, 
 Amid this mighty ruin, Edward lives, 
 And wretched Margaret flill fliall be a Mother. 
 This godlike deed of thine, thou gen'rous man, 
 From out the wond'rous ftory of this day 
 Shall fhine to lateft time, the mofl illuftrious.
 
 L 125 ] 
 
 FOR THE VASE AT BATH EASTON 
 
 UPON 
 
 DREAMS. 
 
 November 1777* 
 
 1 
 
 A S Echo's voice returns the pleafing lay, 
 So is a Dream the Echo of the day : 
 The bufy thoughts that round fome objc£l teem 
 Oft joHi in lleep to form the nightly theme. 
 Then bright-ey'd Fancy lifts her magic wand 
 While fcenes unreal rife at her command : 
 Then Comedy, with all her laughing train 
 Straight iffues from the porch of Comus' fane. 
 And bringing with her all her plealing wiles. 
 Her pranks, her gambols, and her winning fmiles. 
 She bids her merry troop approach the bed 
 And beat their airy dance round Anstey's head.
 
 [ 135 ] 
 II 
 
 Still when fome chofeii fair commands the heart 
 Gay Fancy a6ls at night her mimic part: 
 With fkillful hand flie decks the living fcene 
 And iifl>ers to the view the bofom's Queeru 
 Yc lovers anfwer to the truth I iing ; 
 Say, does not Fancy to your ilumber bring, 
 Drefs'd by each grace in Beauty's beft array, 
 The welcome fair who charmed you thro' the day ! 
 Does not her form return to glad the fight. 
 Like Cynthia burlling thro' the cloud of night ! 
 How plcas'd each well-known ftjiture we defcry. 
 That look of fenfe — rhat elccpence of eye — 
 She fpeaks — her words beyond vain Mufic's art 
 Steal on our ilumber and enchant the heart. 
 
 IM 
 Sometimes a dream anticipates the date, 
 Comes as a prophet to reveal our fate : 
 And thus, ere Yorick funk into the tomb, 
 The Prieft of fentiment forefavv his doom :
 
 [ ^37 1 
 
 'Twas night — his folitary couch he prefs'd^ 
 
 Till forrow-worn he wearied into reft ; 
 
 Eliza then foft gliding on his view. 
 
 Thus o'er his ilumber breath'd her fad adieu : 
 
 ' Oh thou my guardian, confident, and friend, 
 
 ^ To vrhat thy hand- maid now reveals attend; 
 
 * No longer now the gift of Health implore, 
 
 ^ The curtain drops, and thy fliort fcene is o'er j 
 
 ' Yet ere thy feeling fpirit takes its flight, 
 
 ' Yet ere Tm robb'd (of all ray blifs) thy fight, 
 
 ' Some fond endearment to Eliza, fhew, 
 
 ^ And thy laft blefling on thy Child beftaw/ 
 
 The vifion ceas'd — yet then the fhaul flie fpread * 
 To ralfc companionate his drooping head. 
 And (from her eyes as beads of forrovv fell) 
 Low on her knees receiv'd his laft farewell, 
 
 IV 
 Oft playful Fancy (lieds a brighter beam. 
 And prompts the fplendid allegoric dream: 
 * See die Letters to Eliza.
 
 C 138 1 
 
 Thus late while Sleep my clofing eyelids feal'd 
 This vilionary fcene flie then reveal'd : 
 Methought, encompafs'd by a brilliant train, 
 I reach 'd the fleps of bright Minerva's fane j 
 Full in the midft a myftic vafe I viewed. 
 Round which the Mufes new-blow flow'rets ilrew^'d ; 
 Arm'd w^ith the lyre I faw^ a youthful band 
 "Who wak'd the founding chords, with fkillful hand 
 Unnumber'd beauties filent flood around, 
 Who grac'd as fofter priefls the h allowed ground : 
 There Virtue wore her moft attra£live mein, 
 And in the form of Marlborough was feen. 
 The Graces, fKill'd the cultur'd mind to w^in, 
 Knock'd at the door, and Bamfylde let them In. 
 This vifionary fcene by Fancy bred, 
 Remov'd, and thro the gates of Morning fled. 
 I care not that the vifion fought the ikies 
 "While Miller's dome Minerva's fane fupplies : 
 Ye Youths ! ye Fair ! accept the verfe that's due. 
 The fplendid Dream is realzied in you.
 
 A L B I N A. 
 
 T 7J 7 O U' D genius to my fond demand 
 A4y earnciL bold requefl beftow, 
 A vivid pencil to this hand, 
 
 Dipt in the brilliant vernal bow : 
 
 How eager wou'd I then engage 
 (With faithful and unerring aim) 
 
 To paint on the poetic page 
 Albina's elegance of frame ! 
 
 Her trelTes — dark with auburn hue : 
 
 Her brow ferene— young Candour's throne 
 
 Her timid eye — whofe languid blue 
 Sheds charms peculiarly its own.
 
 [ 14^ 1 
 
 Her cheek — that wears a lively glow : 
 Not after the frefli morning fhowV 
 
 Can Italy's rich ftinnmer fhevT, 
 
 On all her banks fo bright a fiow'r. 
 
 Her cherry lip — inviting blifs, 
 Where Love delicicully repofes, 
 
 Accompained by many a kiis 
 
 On fragrant leaves of breathing lofes. 
 
 Yet who can paint her beauteous mind ! 
 
 There Innocence has fix'd her Icat 5 
 There eafy wit, and tafte refin'd, 
 
 And fentimcnt and knowledge meet. 
 
 Love, who oft whelms the fair in woe. 
 Soon robb'd her guilefs mind of reft : 
 
 AfFe6lion's flame deffolvcd the fnow 
 That lodg'd within her fpotlefs breaft.
 
 [ 141 ] 
 
 As flill the Eafl the morn-beams flreak 
 And gild the portal of the Day, 
 
 So did her morning thought flill break 
 On the fame Youth with Ardour's ray : 
 
 As the laft glimm'rings of the fky 
 Paufe on the lake, ere they expire, 
 
 Each night her thought (as clos'd her eye) 
 Died on the Youth of her deiire. 
 
 The nuptials eager to profane 
 
 The bold unfeeling trcach'rous Youth, 
 Led the chafte Maiden to the fane 
 
 With all the mockery of Truth. 
 
 There a domcilic in difguife 
 The office of a prieft fupplied ; 
 
 While the deceiver, led by Vice, 
 Religion's dread reproach deHed.
 
 [ 142 ] 
 
 Hypocrify with down-caft air, 
 Profanenefs with an atheill eye, 
 
 And Lufl with a malignant leer, 
 Remark'd the mock- connubial tic. 
 
 © fooner had the youth prevail'd, 
 Succefsful in his impious aim. 
 He left the drooping fair aflail'd 
 By Grief, by Infamy, and Shame. 
 
 'Twas then the beauteous mourner wcc'd 
 ii'Ieek Quiet in her lonely feat. 
 
 Where Competency watchful ftrew a 
 Her fober treafures at her feet. 
 
 ril not the little pathway tell 
 
 That winds to thy fequefter'd fcene ; 
 
 Where Virtue loves with thee to dwell. 
 Remote— unfeeing and unfeen.
 
 [ H3 ] 
 
 Where Refignation takes her fland. 
 Prompt to perform her friendly part. 
 
 And gathers with a trembling hand, 
 The Fragments of a Broken Heart. 
 
 •^^^X.
 
 L M5 ] 
 
 An Englifh Officer in the late war being taken prifoncr 
 by the French Indians, became the ilave of an old 
 Indian chief, who treated him with humanity. One 
 day the Indian took the OiHcer up a hill, and ad- 
 drefs'd him as follows. 
 
 See the Anecdotes of Literature, vol. 5th. 
 
 THE 
 
 INDIAN CHIEF. 
 
 *• npWELVE tedious moons haft thou my captlve.been, 
 
 * IVe taught thee how to build the fwift canoe, 
 ^ To chace the boar, prepare the beaver's ikm, 
 ' To fpeed the fliaft, and fcaln the fhrieking foe. 
 
 * Say, does thy Father fleep within his grave ?'— • 
 * Oh Heav'n forbid, the feeling youth replied I— 
 ^ Then do his forrows all my pity crave,' 
 The chief return'd — ' 'Twere better he had died. 
 
 L
 
 [ h6 ] 
 
 * I was a Father once —oh valiant Son f 
 
 ^ Thy lofs each low'ring morn and eve recall. 
 
 * To Ihield my years, to Danger's path he run ; 
 
 * Thefe eyes beheld the gallant warrior fall : 
 
 * And Glory faw him fall with wounds o*erfpready 
 ^ Bold on his bofom ev'ry wound he bore : 
 
 * I rent the forelock from his murderer's head 
 And left him breathlefs on the crimfon fhore. 
 
 * Since that fad day my hours no pleafure fliare*— 
 The Indian chief now paus'd with forrow fraught. 
 Wrapt in the awful Hiencc of defpair ; 
 
 At length in words he cloath'd his mournful thoughts 
 
 ' Behold that fun ! how bright it fliines to you ! 
 
 * Since that fad day to me it looks a cloud : 
 
 * How gay yon blooming rofcs meet your view ! 
 
 * To me Grief drops o'er Nature's breafl a flirouck
 
 [ m 1 
 
 * Go virtuous flranger, to thy Father go^ 
 
 * Wipe from his furrow'd cheek Misfortune's tear; 
 
 * Go, bid the fun to him his Iplendor Ihew, 
 
 * And bid the flow'r in all her bloom appear/ 
 
 ,yi^^^%. 
 
 L %
 
 [ 148 1 
 
 ON SEEING 
 
 Mrs. MONTAGU'S PICTURE. 
 
 TTAD this fair form the mimic artdifplays 
 
 Adorn'd in Roman time the brightefl days^ 
 In ev*ry dome, in ev'ry facred place 
 Her flatue wou'd have breath'd an added grace,, 
 And on its bafis would have been enroll'd 
 This is Aline rva caji in Virtue s mould.
 
 [ 149 3 
 
 INSCRIPTION 
 
 FOR 
 
 A REED-HOUSE.* 
 
 S?ai), if to 061m tj&e ttaifp tiap, 
 Cgc fummev fiat's^ appvtf^iDc rap, 
 Cfiou i^i^ifti €omemplanon'0 (cU, 
 =i[)eve tarrp—^fie'U rcpap tSee fe^eU : 
 jTar ^Se can biti cac5 pafg^iou ttafe 
 anti tootge tfie ttoulJltti fieart u )?eace, 
 Can to t6p fober ^i0fie^ pielti 
 Contentment'0 flotsj'r antJ m(it!om'<J ^fiielii. 
 
 * At Cojy, the Seat of Sir William Jerningham.
 
 C 150 ] 
 
 THE 
 
 VENETIAN MARRIAGE. 
 
 np H E weflern fun's expiring ray- 
 To Venice gave a milder day j 
 Till by degrees the ling'ring light 
 Hung trembling on the verge of night. 
 Camilla then, with fearful foul, 
 To th' Adriatic margin ftole, 
 Where in a bark, at Love's command^, 
 Placentio took his faithful ftand, 
 PolTeffing now his future bride, 
 He bade the bark fecurely glide, 
 Which far unlike that gaily fhow*d 
 That down the filver Cydnus row'd.
 
 f :5i ] 
 
 Beneath whofe purple falls were feen^ 
 Proud Oftentation's gaudy Queen, 
 V/ho fure of conqueft, vain of mind. 
 All langulfliingly lay reclined ! 
 Here Beauty undefiPd by art, 
 Whofe bofom own'd a tender heart, 
 Beneath the fails from home remov'd. 
 And trufled to the man flie lov'd. 
 
 A foothing calmnefs lull'd the deep, 
 And hufh'd each wavy furge to fleep : 
 The air along the fultry day, 
 Scorch'd by the fummer's fervent ray. 
 Was frefhen'd by a recent fliowV, 
 While Silence folemniz'd the hour. 
 
 The ftill folemnlty imprefs'd 
 With awful thoughts Camilla's breaft. 
 For now by prompting Love impell'd. 
 Now by Timidity witheld.
 
 [ 152 ] 
 
 The words which to prcnouncc flic tried, 
 
 Recoil'd, and unaccented died. 
 
 Placento too alike fubdued. 
 
 They fail'd along in iilent mood. 
 
 And ftillnefs reign'd from fliore to flioie, 
 
 Unbroke but by the dailiing oar. 
 
 At length the fair diflblv'd the charm — 
 
 * Ah, wonder not I feel alarm : 
 ^ Confiding in thy love 1 came, 
 
 * And riilc*d for thee my virgin fame : 
 
 * Ah tell me to what place wc fail, 
 
 * For in my bofom fears prevail : 
 ^ Yet anfvvcr not this idle fear, 
 
 * Wheie'er thou art bright Honour's there J 
 
 * The plan I form, the youth replied, 
 ^ To innocence is clofc allied, 
 ' And fearful of thy virgin fame 
 ^ As of her babe the tender dame.
 
 [ 153 ] 
 
 * Thefe waves that wander to the fea 
 « Wafh in their pilgrimage a tree, 
 
 ^ Which fpreads its lowly branches wide, 
 ' And dips them in the pailing tide : 
 
 * There, in a fhed compos'd of reeds, 
 
 * An ao;ed hermit tells his beads : 
 
 ' He, gcn'rous fage will join our hands 
 
 * In wedlock's unremitting bands. 
 Then to Valclusa we'll repair, 
 
 * Where Laura's foul informs the air : 
 
 * Where Petrarch's fpirit hovers round, 
 ' The guardian of the facred ground, 
 
 * forbidding ftill the fiend of art, 
 
 « That fhrewd perverter of the heart, 
 ' The fnake, Inconftancy, to rove 
 ' Within the paradife of Love. 
 
 * As v;hcn chill Winter quits the land, 
 
 * The fnow-drop does her leaves expand, 
 ^ So may chill fears your bread releafe, 
 
 * Till gently it expands to peace,
 
 [ 154 ] 
 
 * Mild as thefe twlllglit breezes blow, 
 
 ^ Soft as the waves on which we flow.' 
 
 * Ye walls where f.rfl I drew" the air, 
 ^ Return'd (affur'd) the beauteous fair; 
 
 * Ye turrets w^hicli but dimly fcen 
 
 * Encreafe the terrour of the fcene ! 
 
 < Ye ftately tow'rs ! and riiing fpircs ! 
 
 * From you Camilla new- retires. 
 
 * Thou tomb whofe pious urn contains 
 
 * My facred Parents' cold remains : 
 
 * Ye partners of my tender years, 
 
 ^ Whom youthful fympathy endears : 
 
 * Ye joys that crown m.y native coaft, 
 f Well for Place NTio ail are loft.' 
 
 She ceas'd — and on her penfive foul 
 Again an awful muiing ftole, 
 Such as the twilight fcene excites. 
 Such as the feeling heart delights ;
 
 [ 155 ] 
 
 For as the coy no£lurnal flow'r "^ 
 No more its Iweets at eve witholds. 
 So the meek heart at th' evenhig hour 
 Its fenfibility unfolds. 
 
 See now they reach the facred cell 
 Where Wilclom, Peace, and Virtue dwell: 
 There, bent beneath the weight of age, 
 They find prepared th' expelling fagc. 
 He hail'd them in a friendly tone, 
 And bade them call his cell their own : 
 Where rofe an altar form'd of mol's, 
 Crown'd with a fimple wooden crofs ! 
 There too a taper, mildly bright, 
 Supplied a pompous glare of light : 
 No holy relick rich-enchas'd 
 This humble low-rooPd temple grac'd. 
 But flow'rets from the ncighb'ring wood, 
 The unambitious altar flrew'd ; 
 
 * The night-finelling Geranium*
 
 C 156 ] 
 
 For incenfe they exhal'd perfume, 
 For ornament they gave their bloom. 
 
 The hermit fpoke — * Hall virtuous pair, 
 
 * May forrow now your bofom fpare : 
 
 * Tho' youth be yours, yet well I know 
 
 * You've tailed deep of human woe ! 
 
 * Control, and Art, and Bafenefs joln'd, 
 
 * To cancel what your hearts deiign'd; 
 ' But now Misfortune's reign is o'er, 
 
 * And Pleafure opens all her fcore.' 
 
 Sec now the youthful pair unite, 
 
 To meet the hymeneal rite : 
 
 Pronouncing as they lowly bow. 
 
 Warm from the heart, the hallow'd vow : 
 
 At length the hermit joins their hands 
 
 ■r 
 In warning and unvenal bands, 
 
 Unfpotted bands ! which mutual Love, 
 And Confidence and Virtue wove.
 
 C ^51 3 
 
 THE 
 
 MEXICAN FRIENDS. 
 
 * 
 
 O E E to the fane Hispan'Ia's troops repair. 
 
 Whole hioli afccnclino; tow'rs are loft in air: 
 From whence the Mexicans with fpcedy ait 
 Show'r on the foe the death- infli£ling dart : 
 Yet then by Cortez led, fiill undlfmay'd. 
 The Spaniard hoft the lofty fane invade. 
 Two valiant youths (whom Frlendfhip's holy hand. 
 Had join'd with her indiiToliible band) 
 
 * The fubllme inftance of heroic filendfliip that forms the f»ib- 
 je(5l of this poem, is recorded by Antomo DE Solis in hi» 
 Uiliory of the Conqucfl: of Mexico. This is an Eplfode of a 
 more extenfivepocm, and being the part that was the moll fuou- 
 rably rcceiv'd, 1 am not unwilhng to facrifice a few pages for the 
 fake of rendering my poetical offerings more accept:ibfe to tii« 
 public.
 
 [ 158 ] 
 
 Beheld indignant, fmlt with patriot grief, 
 The great achievements of the hoftlle chief : 
 And now Janellan thus accofts his friend ; 
 
 * Firm to no purpofe, a£live to no end, 
 
 * See from our gallant men yon hallovv'd tow't 
 
 * Already ravifh'd by the invading pow*r : 
 
 * Muft this, committed to our mutual care, 
 
 * The fame defeat, the fame difhonour fhare ? 
 
 * If fo the vidlor fliall not long furvive— 
 
 * A thought that bids my fading hope revive : 
 
 ^ A thought — that like the thunder-flafh of night 
 
 * Darts on my -darkened mind a radiant light — 
 
 * But ere my veil'd dclignment I unfold, 
 ^ Declare, however rafli, however bold, 
 
 * Thou'lt not o'erfliade with Caution's chill controul, 
 < The warm, the fplendid purpofe of my foul.' 
 
 Venzula to his breaft his hand applied. 
 And thus beyond the pow'r of words replied.
 
 [ 159 ] 
 
 The youth refum'd — ' From this aerial height, 
 
 * Bid thy bold vifion take its deepeil flight, 
 
 ' Down to yon rock, far Hretching o'er the fliore, 
 
 * 'Gainfl which the raging waves incelTant roar, 
 ' Whofe clafliing voices into ftillnefs fade, 
 
 * Ere this tremendous diilance they pervade : 
 
 ' If Fortune blefs what my proud counfels urge ! 
 
 ' Yon waves fliall murmur foon the vigor's dirge ! 
 
 ' My fecret projed I will now unveil: 
 
 * Should CoRTEZ o'er this valiant band prevail, 
 
 * Should thro' controulment, and tliro' flubborn force, 
 ' Pour like a torrent his deftru6live courfe, 
 
 * When on this fummit liril he fliall appear, 
 
 * I will advance, with well-diireinbled fear, 
 
 ' And, fuppliant as I kneel to win his grace, 
 
 * I'll dauntlefs lock him in a ilern embrace, 
 ' Bear him reluftant to yon giddy Hcep, 
 
 ^ Where yawns a dreadful opening to the deep, 
 < And thence— fclf-ruin'd for my country's good, 
 
 * Plunge with her foe into the whelming flood !'
 
 C 160 ] 
 
 ^ Vekzula anfwercd — ^ Yes^ I much admire 
 
 * What PxOw thy matchlefs virtae dares infpirc : 
 
 * But wilt thou, with an avarice of fame, 
 
 * The meed of Glory all excluiive claim ? 
 
 ^ Wilt thou to perils cloie to Death adjoin'd 
 
 * Advance, and leave thy faithful Friend behind ? 
 
 * In infancy we iliar'd the glitt'ring toys, 
 
 ^ And in one circle play'd our harmlefs joys ; 
 
 * And when we quitted Childhood's lowly vale, 
 
 ' Where fpringing flovv'rets fcent the playful gale, 
 
 * Still hand in hand we climb'd youth's arduous height, 
 
 * W^hence greater fcenes expanded on the fight, 
 ^ Still our purfuits confenting to one plan, 
 
 * Like wedded flreams our lives united ran : 
 
 * And wilt thou now oppofe the facred tide, 
 
 ^ And bid the friendly waves difparting glider' 
 
 Janellan fpoke— ' Endearing youth forgive : 
 ' The conq*ror of fomc future CoRTEz live ! 
 ' Nor mark m.y fall with Grief's dejecEled brow, 
 
 * View from mv death the bri2;ht ciFcdls that flow;
 
 [ i6i ] 
 
 ^ Behold the tomb that Gratitude fhall ralfe, 
 
 * Illuftrious fignal of my Country's praifc.' 
 
 To this the brave Venzula made reply. 
 And as he fpoke, tears ftarted from his eye : 
 < What tho' Felicity thy gift fliall ftream 
 ^ Sunlike o'er Mexico with brighteft beam. 
 
 Not all the fplendour that her rays impart, 
 
 * Will e'er illumine my benighted heart, 
 
 * When deftitute of thee, its only ray, 
 
 * Without the hope of kind returning day, 
 
 * Yet then to this great argument adjoin'd 
 
 * Sublimer motives urge my fteady mind : 
 
 * Recall, recall that joy-difFufing hour, 
 
 ^ When gay Profperity adorn'd my bow'r, 
 
 * As thy fair lifter, half- afraid to fpeak, 
 
 ^ With down-caft look, and blufh-embellifli'd cheek 
 
 * At Love's requeft aflented to be mine : 
 
 ^ Of fleeting blifs vain momentary fhine : 
 
 M
 
 t 162 ] 
 
 ^ For fhc, in flow'r of Youth and V^iitue's bloom, 
 
 * Was fvvept untimely to the rav'nous tomb : 
 
 * As for row -wounded o'er her couch I hung, 
 
 * To catch the tones that faded as they fprung, 
 
 * The God, llie faid, now fummons me away^ 
 
 * Far from the confines of th* endearing day : 
 
 * Thou of the life I lofe the deareji part, 
 
 ' T.hou chofen fpoufe ! thou fun- beam of my hearty 
 
 * Say, by Jffe£lioris glowing hand imprefdy 
 
 * Shall 1 not live in thy recording breqfl ? 
 
 * Iffacredhe the fuff'rers laji defires, 
 
 * Revere ivhat now my parting foul requires : 
 
 * I leave a brother, by bright Honour reared, 
 
 * By all approv'dy and fnuch to me endeared : 
 
 * Be, for the /ijier's love, the brother s Friend-, 
 ^ Nor from his fide depart whtnflorms defend', 
 
 * The palm of Glory waving in your fight ^ 
 ^ In council, peril, enterprifi unite* 
 
 * Shall I, when danger calls, confign to air 
 
 * The laft bequeathing wifhes of the fair ?
 
 t 1S3 1 
 
 < Perdition catch the bafe unmanly thought ! 
 
 < By Love's fabUmlng pureft dlftates taught 
 
 < Amid the perils that around thee wait, 
 
 < View me refolv'd to Ihare th' impending fate : 
 « Now to this Ipot the foe impels the war, 
 
 « Difcordance fcrearns, oppofmg lances jar : 
 
 * The fleep afccnt, lo ! Cortez now has galn'd, 
 
 « Ah, mark his fpear with ftreaming gore diftaln d.' 
 
 The illuftrlous youths now a£l their dread dcfign, 
 See at the vigor's knee they low incline ! 
 Now clafp with circling force th' incautious foe, 
 And clofe adhering to his figure grow : 
 Their deadly aim his better fate controU'd, 
 With matchlefs pow'r he burfts their {lubborn hold : 
 The heroes, blalled in their bold intent, 
 Approached (Death hov'rlng near) the dire defcent : 
 Then, in each other's circUng arms comprefs'd, 
 The laft and dear farewell in llghs exprcfs'd : 
 'Twas Friendfliip burning with meridian flame. 
 One caufe — one thought — one ruin — and one fame— 
 M 2
 
 [ i64 ] 
 
 Tremendous moment ! See, they fall from light, 
 And dauntlefs rufh to never ending night ! 
 
 Ye felf-devoted patriot vi6lims, hail ! 
 Oblivion's gulph fhall ne'er entomb your tale : 
 While Hiftory to Time's extremeft goal 
 Her ftrcam majeflic fhall thro' ages roll. 
 Like two fair flow*rets on one ftcm that blow 
 Ye on her margin fhall for ever glow.
 
 [ i65 3 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Earl of CHESTERFIELD. 
 
 AUGUST 7th. 
 
 TJ ECLIN'D beneath thy fhade, Blackheath ! 
 
 From politics and flrife apart ; 
 KIs temples twin'd with laurel-wreath. 
 And virtue fmiiling at his heart ; 
 
 Will Chesterfield the mufe allow 
 
 To break upon his flill retreat ? 
 To view if health flill fmooths his brow. 
 
 And prints his grove with vailing feet ? 
 
 'Twas this awak'd the prefent theme. 
 
 And bade it reach thy diftant ear ; 
 Where if no rays of genius beam, 
 
 Sincerity at leaft is there.
 
 [ 166 ] 
 
 May pale difeafe fly far aloof, 
 0*er venal domes its flag difplay ; 
 
 Andh-eakh beneath thy peaceful roof 
 Add luftre to thy evening ray. 
 
 If this my fervent wifh be crown'd, 
 
 111 drefs with flov^'rs the godhead's fhrine 
 
 Nor thou with Wifdom's chaplet bound. 
 At any abfent gift repine. 
 
 What tho' thou doft not grace a throne. 
 While fubje£^s bend the fupple knee ; 
 
 Kg other king the Mufes own, 
 And fcience lifts her eye to thee. 
 
 Tho' deafnefs by a doom fr vere 
 
 Steals from thy ear the murm'ring rill ; 
 
 Or Philomers delightful air, 
 Ev'n deem not this a partial ill.
 
 [ 16; ] 
 
 Ah ! if anew thine ear was ftrung. 
 
 Awake to ev'ry voice around ? 
 Thy praifes by the many fung, 
 
 Wou'd ftun thee with the choral found I—
 
 C 168 ] 
 
 G A K R I C K 
 
 /^H hallow'd cenfer form'd by magic povvV, 
 
 To waft the incenfe of bright Avon's fiow'r, 
 When from the ftage (great Shakspear's altar) roll 
 Rich clouds of Fragrance that entrance the foul, 
 Thofe clouds of Fragrance now no more are feen, 
 JsJ"o more the votaries throng the facred fcene ; 
 The dumb furprife that folcmnis'd the fane. 
 The o-lowinsf pulfe that throb'd in ev'rv vein. 
 Terror that wildly trod the tragic plain. 
 And bdfnful Love that fliow'd his filken chain, 
 Compaffion too the Drama's hallovv'd prieft, 
 And all the pomp of Shakspear's rites, are ceas'd. 
 
 The forms that liTued from his mind's vail Horc, 
 The treafury of Nature, are no more : 
 Ambition — prompt to felze th' imperial reins, 
 Who Hofpitality's pure rite profanes.
 
 [ 1% ] 
 
 And views (as wllclly his ftrain'd eye-balls glarej 
 The fatal dagger trav'ling thro' the air : 
 
 AfFeftion — ^who half- daring, half-difmay'd, 
 Purfues with anxious fteps a Father's fhade : 
 As th' awful form ftalks fuUenly along 
 Dread Expe£lation chills the circling throng : 
 
 Proud Cruelty — ^beflde a languid lamp, 
 Who 'mid the ftillnefs of the flumb'ring camp. 
 Amid the terrors of the lonefbme night, 
 Sits deeply mufing on the morrow's fight : 
 Till worn with thought, with many a care oppreft. 
 He drops the world, and wearies into reft : 
 In vain — Remorfe now bids her fcorpions roll 
 In horrid volumes round his tortur'd foul. 
 
 Old age — who banifli'd from his native thronCj 
 Forc'd from the door fo lately call'd his own, 
 Stands mutt'ring to the foul and midnight air 
 
 (In beggar'd robes) the accents of Deipair : 
 
 N
 
 [ I70 ] 
 
 Unrevercnc'd, fhun'd, reje£led, and revil'd. 
 Stung at the mockery of an impious child. 
 And while the big tears trickle from his eyes, 
 I gave you all, the generous Father cries, 
 Let the fierce fpirlt of the tempeji Jljed 
 The raging torrent on this hoary head; 
 The worji is paf, let the loud thunder hurfi^ 
 The drooping Sire is by a Daughter curjl. 
 
 Thefe were the fcenes late held to Britain's vievvj 
 On which fhe gaz'd with tranfport ever new : 
 Endearing fcenes ! Ah never to return, 
 While Genius forrows o'er a Garrick's urn. * 
 
 FINIS.
 
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