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 i
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 O F 
 
 POEMS 
 
 B Y 
 
 SEVERAL HANDS.
 
 A 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 O F 
 
 POEMS 
 
 BY 
 
 SEVERAL HANDS. 
 
 Henry and Emma by M. PRIOR. 
 
 A M y N T c R and Theodora by D. MALLET, 
 
 PoRSENNA King of Russia by the Rev, 
 Dr. lisle. 
 
 The Traveller and the Deserted 
 Village by O. GOLDSMiTH. 
 
 The Hermit by Th. PARNELL. 
 
 PARIS: 
 
 Printed by J. G. A. S t o u ? E, 
 
 M, DCC LXXIX.
 
 
 HENRY AND EMMA. 
 
 A POEM. 
 W UPON THE MODEL OF 
 THE NUT-BROWN MAID.
 
 HENRY AND EMMA. 
 
 POEM. 
 
 X HOU , to whofe eyes I bend, at Tvliofe com- 
 mand 
 (Tho' low my voice , tho' artlefs be my hand) 
 I take the fprightly reed , and fing , and play ; 
 Carelefs of what the cens'ring world may fay: 
 Bright Cloe , objed of my conftant vow , 
 Wilt thou a while unbend thy ferious brow ? 
 Wilt thou withpleafure hear thy lover's ftrains , 
 And with one heav'nly fmile o'erpay his pains ? 
 No longer shall the Nut-brown Maid be old ; 
 Tho' fince her youth three hundred years have 
 ^At thy defire , she shall again be rais'd ; ( roU'd. 
 And her reviving charms in lafting verfe be prais'd. 
 
 No longer Man of Woman shall complain , 
 That he may love and not be lov'd again : 
 That we in vain the fickle fex purfue , 
 Who change the conftant lover for the new. 
 Whatever has been writ , whatever faid 
 Of female paffion feign'd , or faith decay'd ; 
 Henceforth shall in my verfe refuted ftand. 
 Be faid to winds, or writ upon the fand.
 
 4 KENRY ANt> EMMA. 
 
 And T7hile my notes to future times proclaim 
 Unconquer'd love , and ever-during flame •, 
 O fairefl of the fex ! be thou ray Mufe : 
 Deign on my work thy influence to diffafe. 
 Let me partake the bleflings I rehearfc. 
 And grant me love , the juft reward of verfe. 
 
 As Beauty's potent Queen, -with ev'ry grace 
 That once was Emma's , has adorn'd thy face ; 
 And as her fon has to my bcfom dealt 
 That confliant flame, which faithful HENRYfeIc 
 O let the ftory with thy life agree ; 
 Let men once m.ore the bright example fee-. 
 What Emma was to him , be thou to me. 
 Nor Csnd me by thy frown from her I love , 
 Diftant and fad , a banish'd man to rove. 
 But ch ! with pity long intreated crown (one -v 
 My pains and hopes •, and when thou fay'ft that f 
 Of all mankind thou lov'ft ; Oh 1 think on me 
 'n-r alone. 
 
 ^^ HCRE beauteous Isis and her husband Tame 
 "With mingl'd waves for ever flow the fame , 
 In times of yore an ancient baron liv'd -, 
 Great gifts beftow'd , and great re{pe<fi receiv'd. 
 
 When dreadful Edward with fuccefsful care 
 Led his hee Britons to the Gallic war ; 
 This lord had headed his appointed bands , 
 In firm allegiance to his King's commands ; 
 And (all due honours faithfully difcharg'd) 
 Had brought back his paternal coat enlarg'4 
 
 } 
 
 5
 
 A P O E M. 
 With a nev/ mark, the ^-itnefs of his toll , 
 And no inglorious part of foreign fpoil. 
 
 From the loud camp retired and noify court , 
 In honourable eafe and rural fport , 
 The remnant of his days he fafely paft *, 
 Nor found they lagg'd too ilo-vr , nor flew too fafl 
 He made his wish with his eftate comply , 
 Joyful to live , yet not afraid to die. 
 
 One child he had , a daughter chafte and fair. 
 His age's comfort , and his fortune's heir. 
 They call'dhev Emma ; for the beauteous dame 
 Who gave the virgin birth , had born the name, 
 The name th' indulgent father doubly lov'd ; 
 For in the child the mother's charms improv'd. 
 Yet as when little , round his knees she play'd ; 
 He caird her oft in fport his Nut-brown Maid : 
 The friends and tenants took the fondling word ; 
 As ftiU they plcafe , who imitate their lord : 
 Ufage confirm'd what fancy had begun : 
 The mutual terms around the lands 
 
 known •, 
 And Emma and the Nut-brown Maid -wite one. 
 
 As with her ftature , ftill her charms encreas'd ; 
 Thro' all the ifls her beauty was confefs'd. 
 Oh ! what perfeftions muft that virgin share , 
 Who faireft is efteem'd , where all are fair ? 
 From diftant shires repair the noble youth , 
 And find , report for once had leffen'd truth. 
 B7 wonder firft , and then by PafHon mov'd , 
 
 Aj 
 
 were f 
 re one. ^
 
 € HENRY AND EMMA. 
 
 They came •, they faw •, they marvel'd i and they 
 By public praifes , and by fecret fighs ( lov'd. 
 Each own'd the general po\F'r of Emma's eyes. 
 In tilts and turnaments the valiant ftrove , 
 By glorious deeds , to purchafe Emma's love. 
 In gentle verfe the vitty told their flame , 
 And grac'd their choiceft fong with Emma's name. 
 3n vain they combated , in vain they "writ : 
 Ufelefs their ftrength , and impotent their wit 
 Great Venus onlymuft dired the dart, 
 Which elfe will never reach the fair one's 
 
 heart, 
 Spight of th' attempts of force , and foft effefts 
 
 of art. 
 Great Venus muft prefer the happy one : 
 In Henry's caufe her favour muft be shown : 
 And Emma , of mankind, mull love but him 
 alone. 
 "While thefe in public to the caftle came , 
 
 And by their grandeur juftify'd their flame ; 
 
 More fecret ways the careful Henry takes ; 
 
 His fquires , his arms , and equipage forfakes : 
 In borrow'd name , and falfe attire array'd , 
 
 Oft he finds means to fee the beauteous maid. 
 When Emma hunts, in huntfman's habit dreft , 
 
 Henry on foot purfues the bounding beaft. 
 
 In his right hand his beachen pole he bears : 
 
 And graceful at his fide his horn he wears. 
 
 Still to the glade , where she has bent her way j 
 
 t. 
 
 ] 
 }
 
 ] 
 
 A POEM. 
 
 With knowing skill he drives the future prey. 
 Bids her decline the hill , and shun the brake ; 
 And shews the path her fteed may fafeft take. 
 Direfts her fpear to fix the glorious wound ; 
 Pleas'd in his toils to have her triumph 
 
 crown'd •, 
 And blows her praifes in no common found. 
 
 A Falc'ner Henry is , when Emma hawks i. 
 "With her oftarfels, and of lures he talks^Sc* 
 Upon his wrift the tow'ring iMcrlin ftands ; 
 Pra61:is'd to rife , and ftoop, at her commands. 
 And when fuperior now the bird has flown ^ 
 And headlong brought the tumbling quarry down j 
 With humble rev'rence he accofls the fair •, 
 And with the honour'd feather decks her hair. 
 Yet ftill , as from the fportive field she goes , 
 His down-caft eye reveals his inward woes. 
 And by his look and forrow is expreft , 
 A nobler game purfu'd than bird or beail. 
 
 A Shepherd now along the plain he roves ; 
 And , with his jolly pipe delights the groves. 
 The neighb'ring fwains around the firanger 
 Gr to admire , or emulate his fong : ( throng , 
 
 While , with foft forrow , he renews his lays , 
 Nor heedful of their envy , nor their praife. 
 But foon as Emma's eyes adorn the plain , 
 His notes he raifes to a nobler ftrain , 
 With dutiful refpeft and ftudious fear j 
 Left any carelefs found offend her ear, 
 
 A4
 
 8 HENRY AND EMMA. 
 
 A frantic Gipfey no-w , the houfe he haunts , 
 And in wild phrafes fpeaks diffembled -wants, 
 "With the fond maids in palmiftry he deals : 
 They tell the fecret firft , which he reveals •, 
 Says who shall wed , and who shall be beguil'd ; 
 What groom shall get , and fquire maintain the 
 
 child. 
 But when bright Emma would her fortune knoW3> 
 A foffet' look unbends his op'ning brow. 
 Y/ith trembling awe he gazes on her eye ; 
 And in foft accents forms the kind reply ; 
 That she shall prove as fortunate as fair ; 
 And Hymen's choiceil gifts are all referv'd for hey« 
 
 Now oft had Henry chang'd his fly difguife , 
 Unmark'd by all , but beauteous Emma's eyes : 
 Oft had found means alone to fee the dame , 
 And at her feet to breathe his am'rous flame 5 
 And oft the pangs of abfence to remove 
 By letters , foft interpreters of love : 
 Till time and induftry { the mighty two 
 That bring our wishes nearer to our view) 
 Made him perceive , that the inclining fair 
 Receiv'd his wows with no reluctant ear ; 
 That Venus had confirm'd her equal reign , (pain. 
 And dealt to Emma's heart a share of Henry's 
 
 While Cupid fmil'd , by kind occafion blefs'd , 
 And , with the fecret kept , the love increas'd ; 
 The am'rous youth frequents the filent groves -, 
 And much he meditates, for much he loves.
 
 A P O E M. 9 
 
 "H-e loves : 'tis true ; and is belov d again : 
 Great are his joys : But will they long remain ? 
 Emma withfniiles receives his prefent flame j 
 But fmillng , \^^ill she ever be the fane ? 
 Beautiful looks are rui'd by fickle mlads •, 
 And fummer feas are turn'd by fuddea Tvinds. 
 Another love may gain her eafy youth : ( truth. 
 Time changes thought ; and flatt'ry conquers 
 
 O impotent eftate of human life ! 
 Where hope and fear maintain eternal ilrife ; 
 Where fleeting joy does lalling doubt infpire ; 
 And moft "we queftioi) , "what we mofl: defire. 
 Amongft thy various^ gifts , great heav'n , beftow 
 Cur cup of love unmix'd •, forbear to tliroTV 
 Birter ingredients in •, nor pall the draught 
 With naufeous grief ; for our ill-judging thought 
 Hardly enjoys the pleafurable tafte ; 
 Cr deems it not lincere •, or fears it cannot laft. 
 
 With TV'ishes rais'd , with jealoufies opprefl , 
 (Alternate tyrants of the hum.an bread) 
 By one great trial he refolves to prove 
 The faith of Woman, and the force of love. 
 If fcanning Emma's virtues , he may find 
 That beauteous frame inclofe a fteadymind. 
 He'll fix his hope, of future joy fecure •, 
 And live a Have to Hymen's happ}^ pow'r. 
 But if the fair one , as he fears , is frail •, *% 
 
 If pois'd aright in reafon's equal fcale , V- 
 
 Light fly her merits , and her faults prevaU -, J 
 
 A5
 
 m 
 
 10 HENRY AND EMMA. 
 Kis mind he vows to free from am'rous care 
 The latent mifchief from his heart to tear , 
 Refume his azure arms , and shine again in war. 
 
 South of the caftle , in a verdant glade, 
 A fpreading beech extends her friendly shade : 
 Here oft the nymph his breathing vows had heard j 
 Here oft h^r filence had her heart declar'd. 
 As a£live fpring awak'd her infant buds , 
 And genial lite inform'd the verdant woods ; 
 Henry, in knots involving Emma's name , 
 Had half exprefs'd, and half conceal'd his flame 
 Upon this tree : and as the tender mark 
 Grew with the year , and widen'd with the bark •, 
 Venus had heard the virgin's foft addrefs , 
 That, as the wound, the pafTion might increafe. 
 As potent Nature shed her kindly show'rs , 
 And deck'd the various meadwith op'ning flow'rs j 
 Upon this tree the nymph's obliging care 
 Hud left a frequent wreath for Henry's hair : 
 Which as with gay delight the lover found ; 
 Pleas'd with his conqueft , with her prefent 
 
 crown'd , 
 Glorious thro'all the plains he oft had gone 
 And to each fwain the myftic honour shown : 
 The gift flill prais'd , the giver ftill unknown. 
 
 His fecret note the troubled Henry writes -y 
 To the known tree the lovely maid invites : 
 Imperfeft words and dubious terms exprefs , 
 That unforefeen mifchance difturb'd his peace ^ 
 
 :}
 
 A P O E M. li 
 
 That he muft fomething to her ear commend , 
 On which her condutS: , and his life depend. 
 
 Soon as the fair one had the note lecciv'd ; 
 The remnant of the day alone she griev'd : 
 For diff'rent this from ev'ry former note , 
 "Vl'hich Venus diftated , and Henry wrote ; 
 Which told her all his future hopes were laid 
 On the dear bofom of his Nut-brown Mnid^ 
 Which always blefs'd her eyes , and ov/n'd her 
 
 pow'r ; 
 And bid her oft adieu , yet added mere. 
 
 Now night advanc'd. The houfe in fleep were laid , 
 The nurfe expcrienc'd , and the prying maid •, 
 And laft that fprite , which does incelTant haunt 
 The lover's fteps , the ancient maiden aunt. 
 To her dear Henry Em?»ia wings her way, 
 "With quicken'd pace repairing forc'd delay. 
 For love , fantartic pow'r , that is afraid 
 To flir abroad 'till watchfulnefs be laid •, 
 Undaunted then , o'er cliffs and vallevs ftrays ; 
 And leads his vot'rics fafe thro' pathlefs ways. 
 Not Argus with his hundred eyes shall find , 
 Where CuriD goes •, tho' he poor guide is blind. 
 
 The Maiden firft arriving » fent her eye 
 To ask , if yet its chief delight were nigh : 
 With fear , and with defire , with joy and paia 
 She fees , and runs to meet him on the plain. 
 But oh ! his fteps proclaim no lover's haile : 
 On the low ground his fix'd regards are cafl ; 
 
 A6
 
 12 H E N R Y A N D E M M A. 
 
 His artful bofom heaves diffembrd iighs ; 
 And tears fuborn'd fall copious from his eyes. 
 With eafe, alas! "vve credit what we love : 
 His painted grief does real forrow move 
 In the affiifted fair •, adown her cheek 
 Trickling the genuine tears their current break. 
 Attentive flood the mournful nymph : the man 
 Broke filence firft : the tale alternate ran. 
 
 MA N. 
 
 uJiNCERE , O tell me » haft thou felt a pam , 
 
 Emma , beyond what woman knows to feign ? 
 
 Has thy uncertain bofom ever ftrove 
 
 With the firil: tumults of a real love ? 
 
 Haft thou now dreaded , and now bleft his fway. 
 
 By turns avetfe , and joyful to obey ? 
 
 Thy virgin foftnefs haft thou e'er bewail'd ; 
 
 As reafon yielded, and as love prevail'd ? 
 
 And wept the potent God's refiftlefs dart; 
 
 His killing plcafure , his ecftatic fmart, 
 
 And heav'nly poifon thrilling thro' thy heart 
 
 If {o , with pity view ray wretched ftatc -, 
 
 At Icaft deplore , and then forget my fate : 
 
 To fome more happy knight referve thy charms j 
 
 By fortune favour'd, and fuccefsful arms : 
 
 And only , as the fun's revolving ray 
 
 Brings back each year this melancholy day , 
 
 Permit one figh , and fet apart one tear , 
 
 To an abandon'd exile's endlefs care. 
 
 .}
 
 I 
 
 A P O E M. 13 
 
 For me, alas ! out-cafl of human race, 
 Love's anger only waits , and dire difgrace ; 
 For lo ! thefe hands in murther are imbru'd ; 
 Thefe tremb:ing feet by jufiiceare piirfi.x'd : 
 Fate calls aloud , and haftens me a^vay ; 
 A shameful death attends my longer itay ; 
 And I this night mufl: fly from thee and love, 
 Condemn'd in lonely woods , a banish'd man to 
 
 rove. 
 
 £ M M A. 
 
 "What is our blifs , that changeth with the moon , 
 
 And day of life , that darkens ere 'tis noon ? 
 
 "What is true paffion , if unbleft it dies ? 
 
 And where is Emma's joy, if Henry flies? 
 
 If love , alas ! be pr.in-, the pain I bear, 
 
 No thongat can figure , and no tongue declare. 
 
 Ne'er faithful woman felt, norfalfe one feign'd 
 The flames , which long have in my bofora 
 
 reign'd : 
 The God of love him.felf inhabits there , 
 With all his rage, and dread, and grief, and care, 
 His comiplement of ftores, and total war. 
 
 O ! ceafe then coldly to fuTpeiSl my love j 
 And let my deed at leafl my faith approve. 
 Alas ! no youth shall my endearments share ; 
 Nor day nor night shall interrupt my care 5 
 No future flory shall with truth upbraid 
 The cold indifTrence of thz Nut-brown M.7ici: 
 Nor to hard banishment shall Kenry run 5 
 
 ■}
 
 14 H E N R Y A N D E M M A. 
 
 While carelefs Emma fleeps on beds of down. 
 View me refolv'd , where-e'er thou lead'ft , to go 
 Friend to thy pain , and partner of thy woe i 
 For I attefl fair Venus , and her fon , 
 That 1 , of all mankind , will love but thee alone, 
 
 HENRY, 
 
 Let prudence yet obftruft thy vent'rous way ; 
 
 And take good heed , what men will think and fay : 
 
 That beauteous Emma vagrant courfes took ; 
 
 Her father's houfe and civil life forfook : 
 
 That full of youthful blood , and fond of man , 
 
 She to the wood-land with an exile ran. 
 
 Refleft, that leffen'd fame is ne'er regain'd ; 
 
 And virgin honour once , is always ftain'd: 
 
 Timely advis'd , the coming evil shun: 
 
 Better not do the deed , than weep it done. 
 
 No penance can abfolve our guilty fame ; 
 
 Nor tears , that wash out fm , can wash out 
 
 shan\e . 
 
 Then fly the fad effeds of defp'rate love ; 
 
 And leave a banish'd man thro' lonely woods to 
 
 rove. 
 
 £ M M A, 
 
 Let Emma's haplefs cafe be fdfly told 
 By the rash young , or the ill-natur'd old : 
 Let cv'ry tongue its various cenfures chufe -, 
 Abfolve With coldnefs , or with fpite accufe : 
 Fiiirriutha: lafl her radiant beams will raae >
 
 k 
 
 A P O E M, 15 
 
 And malice vanquish'd heightens virtue's praife. 
 Let then thy favour but indulge my flight; 
 O ! let my prefence make thy travels light j 
 And potent Venus shall exalt my name , 
 Above the rumours of cenforious fame : 
 Nor from that bufy demon's reftlefs pow'r 
 Will ever Emma other grace implore, 
 Than that this truth should to the world be 
 
 known : 
 That I , of all mankind, havelov'd but thee alone. 
 
 H E N R r. 
 
 But canft thou wield the fword , and bend the 
 With aftive force repel the fturdy foe ? ( bow ? 
 When the loud tumult fpeaksthe battle nigh. 
 And winged deaths in whiftling arrows fiy •, 
 Wilt thou , tho' wounded, yet undaunted ftay, 
 Perform thy part , and share the dangerous d.iy ? 
 Then , as thy ftrcngth decays , thy heart will fail. 
 Thy limbs all trembling , and thy cheeks all 
 
 pale •, 
 With fruitlefs forrow , thou , inglorious maid , 
 Wilt weep thy fafety by thy love betray'd : 
 Then to thy friend , by foes o'er-charg'd , deny 
 Thy little ufelefs aid , and coward fly : 
 Then wilt thou curfe the chance that made thee 
 
 love 
 A banish'd man , condemn'd in lonely woods to 
 rove.
 
 16 H E N R Y A K D E M M A. 
 
 E M M A. 
 
 With fatal certainty Thalestris kne^r 
 To fend the arrow from the fwangtng jQvr : 
 And great in arms , and foremoft in the ■^'•ar , 
 Bc-KDUCA brandish'd high the British fpear. 
 Could thirft of vengeance , and dcfire of fame 
 Excite the female breaft with martial flame ? 
 And shall not love's diviner pow'r infpire 
 More hardy virtue , and more gen'rous fire ? 
 
 Near thee , miftruft not , conflant I'll abide , 
 And fjU , or vanquish, fighting by thy fide. 
 Tho' my inferior ftrength may not allow , 
 That I should bear , or draw the warrior bow ; 
 With ready hand , I will the shaft fupply , 
 And joy to fee thy vidor arrows fly. 
 Touch'd in the battel by the hoflile ^reed , 
 Should'ft thou (but Heaven avert it!) shoul^Ifl 
 
 thou bleed , 
 To flop the wounds my finefl lawn Td tear; (hair: 
 M''ash them with tears , and wipe them with my 
 Blefl,when my dangers and my toils have shown , 
 That I , of all mankind, could love but thee alone. 
 
 7^' E N R r. 
 
 But canft thou, tender maid, canft thou fufiain 
 Aflliftive want , or hunger's prefllng pain ? 
 Thofe limbs , in lawn and foftefl: silk array'd , 
 From fun-beams guarded, and of v/inds afraid j 
 Can they bear angry JovE ? Can they refift
 
 } 
 
 A P O E M. 17" 
 
 The parching dog-ftar , and the bleak nor th-ea{l ? 
 When chill'd by adverfe fnows, and beating rain , 
 "We tread with weary fteps the longfome plain •, 
 When with hard toil we feek our ev'ning food , 
 Berries and acorns , from the neighb'ring wood 5 
 And find among the cliffs no other houfe , 
 But the thin covert of feme gather'd boughs ; 
 Wilt thou not then reluftant fend thine eye 
 Around the dreary wafte ; and weeping try 
 ( Tho' then , alas ! that trial be too late ) 
 To find thy father's hofpitable gate , 
 And feats , where eafe and plenty brooding fate ? 
 Thofe feats , whence long excluded thou muft 
 That gate , for ever barr'd to thy return : ( mourn : 
 Wilt thou not then bewail ill-fated love , (rove ? 
 And hate a banish'd man , condemn'd in woods to 
 
 E M M J. 
 
 Thy rife of fortune did I only wed , 
 From its decline determin'd to recede ? 
 Did I but purpofe to embark with thee , 
 On the fmooth furface of a fummer's fea; 
 While gentle Zephyrs play in profp'rous gales , 
 And fortune's favour fills the fwelling fails : 
 But would forfakc the fhip , and make the shoar. 
 When the winds whiflle , and the tempefts roar } 
 No Henry , no : one facred oath has ty'd -| 
 Our loves ; one dcftiny our life shall guide j > 
 Nor wild, nor deep our common way divide, 3
 
 HEtfET i 
 
 ToheatAe 
 Tbeavc 
 
 ( For CeMcMB « «'d^^ 
 m Cetdi fitkk ftwt 
 
 Ab4 4mr iky wmt' 
 
 Wcarx ^^^ Oo6i to kcrp diee ia ihtk s.ue i 
 
 Ajai joyous aili at r 
 
 If thotthtft hcaJih i v 
 
 EyaJItht:f«f*c- -c HtKBi 
 
 ToEMMAM».t*ji -• '" 
 
 That ihe, of all m. • 
 
 sloce. 
 
 HENRY. 
 
 Vzmly tbou teJJ'i) me « «iijc d»e womait* cm 
 ShjJl ifl cht icUdDefi of the wood prejMrc ; 
 Tbou , ere thou j^oeil , uohappycfi oi thy Icind 
 
 1
 
 A P O E M. 19 
 
 Ko longer shall thy comcy cretle? br-ak 
 la Moving ringiets on thy {jnowy r. :c>i ; 
 Or ue befaixid chy head , an ample r jr-.d , 
 la gcacefijl breeds vidi various r.hbcc ijouad : 
 No longer shall the bodcfice apdy lac'd , 
 From tby full boforn to thy flender -w^Iil , 
 Th.i: air aad harmony of shape expreis , 
 FLie by degrees , and beaQufuUy leis : 
 Nor shall thy lo'arer garments artful pleat , 
 From thy £air fide dependent to thy feet , 
 Arm their chafte beauhes vith a modetl pride , 
 And doable erry charm they feek to hide. 
 Th' ambrofial plenty of thy shining hair 
 Cr opt off and lofl , fcarce lo^w-er than thy ear 
 Shall Hand uncouth : a horl'e-man's coat shall hide 
 Thy taper shape , and comelineLs o{ £de : ( knee 
 The short trunk-hole shall sho^ thy foot and 
 Licentious , and to common eye-fight tree : 
 And vith a bolder ftride , and loofer air, 
 M r.gl'd ^ith men , a man thou mult appesr, 
 Ncr Solirade , nor gentle peace of mind , 
 Miihken maid , shalt thou in forefts tind : 
 TJsIong, fines CV5THIA and her train vere there : 
 Or guardian Gods made innocence their care. 
 Vagrants and out-.'a^s shail offend thy vie-w : 
 For fuch muft be my friends, a hideous crev 
 By adverfe fomme mix'd in focial ill , 
 Traiad to aiTaiilt , and difciplin'd to kill : 
 Their common loves , a lewd ahandoa'd pack ,
 
 io HENRY AND EMMA. 
 
 The beadle's lash ftill flagrant on their back : 
 By floth corrupted , by diforder fed , 
 Made bold by -^'ant , and proftitute for bread ; 
 "With fuch niuft Emma hunt the tedious day , 
 Aflift their violence , and divide their prey : 
 "With fuch she muft return st fetting light , 
 The' not partaker , witnefs of their night. 
 Thy ear , inur'd to charitable founds , 
 And pitying love , muft feel the hateful vounds 
 Of jeft obfcene , and vulgar ribaldry, 
 The ill-bred queftion , and the lewd reply •, 
 Brought by long habitude from bad to worfe -, 
 Muft hear the frequent oath, the direful curfe , 
 That lateft Tfeapon of the wretches war , 
 And blafphcmy , fad comrade of defpair. 
 
 Now, Emma , now the laft reflection make , 
 "What thou would'ftfollow,what thou muftforfake; 
 By our ill-omen'd ftars , and adverfc heav'n, 
 No middle oh)e£t to thy choice is given. 
 Or yield thy virtue , to attain thy love ; ( rove. 
 Or leave a banishd man, condemn'd in woods to 
 
 £ M M A. 
 
 O Grief of heart ! that our unhappy fates 
 Force tfice to fuiTer what thy honour hates : 
 Mix thee amongft the bad ; or make thee run 
 Too near the paths , which virtue bids thee shun. 
 Yet with her Henry flill let Emma go ; 
 "With him abhor the vice , but share the woe :
 
 } 
 
 A P O E M. H 
 
 And fure my little heart can never err 
 Amidil the worft ; if Henry ftill be there. 
 
 Our outward ack is prompted from within ; 
 And from the finner's mind proceeds the fin; 
 By her own choice free virtue is approv'd ; 
 Nor by the force of outward objefts mov'd. 
 Who has affay'd no danger , gains no praife. 
 In a fmall iflo , amidft the wideft feas , 
 Triumphant conftancy has fix'd her feat : 
 In vain the iyrens fi:ig , the tempefts beat : 
 Their flatt'ry she rejeds.nor fears their threat 
 
 For thee alone thefe little charms 1 drefl : 
 Condemn'd them , or abfolv'd th^.m by thy teft« 
 In comely figure rang'd my jewels shone , 
 Or negligently plac'd for thee alone : 
 For thee again they shall be laid afide ; 
 The woman , Henry , shall put off her pride 
 For thee: my cloaths, my fex, exchang'd for rhee, 
 I'll mingle with the people's wretched lee j 
 O line extream of human infamy ! 
 Wanting the fciffors , with thefe hands I'll tear 
 ( If that obftrufts my flight ) this load of hair. 
 Black foot , or yellow walnut shall difgrace 
 This little red and white of Emma's face. 
 Thefe nails with fcratches shall deform my 
 Left by my look , or colour be exprefs'd ( breaft , 
 The mark of ought high-born , or ever better 
 
 drefs'd. 
 Yet in this ^ojnmercs, under this difguife^ 
 
 I 
 
 ]
 
 21 HENRY AND EMMA. 
 Let me be grateful flill to Henri's eyes-, 
 Loft to the world , let me to him be known : y 
 My fate 1 can abfolve , if he shall own , i 
 
 That leaving all mankind, I love but him alone, J 
 
 H E N R r. 
 
 O wildeft thought of an abandon'd mind! 
 Name, habit, parents , woman left behind, 
 Ev'n honour dubious , thou preferr'ft to go 
 Wild to the woods with me : faid Emma fo } 
 Or did I dream what Emma never faid ? 
 O guilty error ! and O vretched maid ! 
 Whofe roving fancy would refolve the fame 
 "With him, who next should tempt her eafy fame ; 
 And blow with empty words the fuicepti 
 
 flame. 
 
 Now why should doubtful terms thy mind per- 
 Confefs thy frailty , and avow the fex : ( plex ? 
 No longer loofe defire for conftant love ( rove. 
 Miftake -, but fay,'tis man witli whom thou long'ft to 
 
 EMM J, 
 
 Are there not poifons, racks, and flames, and 
 fwords -, 
 That Emma thus muft die by Henry's words ? 
 Yet what could fwords or poifon , racks or flame , -\ 
 Butmangleanddisjointthisbrittleframe! (fame. > 
 More fatal HENRY'swordsjthey murder Emma's J 
 
 And fall thefe fayings from that gentle tongue , 
 
 me-, f 
 
 :ibl€ r
 
 A P O E M. 2^ 
 
 Vhere civil fpeech, and foft perfuafion hung -, 
 Whofe artful fweetnefs and harmonious ftrain. 
 Courting my grace , yet courting it in vain , 
 Call'd fighs , and tears , and wishes to its aid ; 
 And,whilft it Henry's glowing flime convey'd , 
 Still blam'd the coldnefs of the Nut-brown Maid ^ 
 
 Let envious jealoufy , and canker'd fpight 
 Produce my aftions to fevered light , 
 And tax my open day , or fecret night. 
 Did e'er my tongue fpeak my unguarded heart 
 The leaft inclin'd to play the wanton's part ? 
 Did e'er my eye one inward thought reveal , 
 "Which angels might not hear , and virgins tell } 
 And haft thou , Henr y , in my condutl known -^ 
 One fault , but that which 1 muft ever own, \ 
 
 ThatI,ofallmankind,havelov'dbuttheealone? 3 
 
 H E N R r. 
 
 Vainly thou talk'ft of loving me alone : 
 Each man is man j and all our fex is one. 
 Falfe are our words •, and fickle is our mind : 
 Nor in love's ritual can we ever find 
 Vows made to lafi , or promifes to bind. 
 
 By nature prompted , and for empire made , 
 Alike by ftrength or cunning we invade : 
 "When arm'd with rage we march againft the foe j 
 "We lift the battel-ax , and draw the bow : 
 "When fir'd with paffion we attack the fair j, 
 Pelufive fighs and brittle vqws we bear j 
 
 }
 
 H HENRY AND EMMA. 
 Our falshood and our arms have equal ufe -, 
 As they our conqueft , or delight produce. 
 
 The foolish heart thou gav'ft , again receive. 
 The only boon departing love can give. 
 To be lefs wretched , be no longer true •, ^v 
 
 "What ftrives to fly thee, why should'ft thou / 
 
 purfue ? £ 
 
 Forget the prefent flame , indulge a new, 3 
 
 Single the lovelieft of the am'rous youth •, 
 Ask for his vow •, but hope not for his truth. 
 The next man (and the next thou shalt believe) 'v 
 "Will pawn his Gods , intendmg to deceive •, f 
 "Will kneel , implore , perfifl , o'ercome , and t 
 
 leave. ^ 
 
 Hence let thy Cupid aim his arrows right; 
 Be wife and falle , shun trouble , feek delight 
 Change thou the firft , nor wait thy lover's 
 
 flight. 
 "Why should'ft thou weep? let nature judge our 
 
 cafe, 
 I faw thee young , and fair •, purfu'd the chafe 
 Of youth , and beauty : I another faw 
 Fairer , and younger : yielding to the law 
 Of our all-ruling mother , I purfu'd 
 More youth , more beauty : bleft viciflitude ! 
 My adive heart ftill keeps its priftine flame ; 
 The objeft alter'd , the defire the fame. 
 
 This younger fairer pleads her rightful charity ; 
 "With prefent pov'r compels me to her arras. 
 
 And 
 
 ]
 
 A P O E M, i^ 
 
 And much I fear , from my fubjefted mind 
 ( If beauty's force to conftant love can bind) 
 That jrears may roll , ere in her turn the maid 
 Shall -weep the fury of my love decay'd •, 
 I And weeping follow me , as thou doil now * 
 "With idle clamours of a broken vow. 
 
 Nor can the wildnefs of thy wishes err 
 So wide , to hope that thou may'ft live with her. 
 1 Love , well thou know'ft, no partnership allows : 
 \ Cupid averfe rejefcs divided vows : 
 f. Then from thy foolish heart , vain maid, remove -v 
 [ An ufelefs forrow , and an ill-flarr'd love i f 
 
 \ And leave me, with the fair, at large in v/oods t 
 to rove. J 
 
 EMMA, 
 
 Are we in life thro' one great error led ? 
 Is each man perjur'd , and each nymph betray'd? 
 Of the fuperior fex art thou the worfl ? 
 Am I of mine the moft compleatly curft ? 
 ^ Yet let me go with thee •, and going prove , 
 From what I will endure , how much I love^ 
 This potent beauty, this triumphant fair. 
 This happy obje6l of our difFrent care , 
 ier let me follow ; her let me attend , 
 I fervant ; (she may fcorn the name of friend). 
 ^hat she demands , inceffant I'll prepare : 
 '11 weave her garlands ; and I'll pleat her hair ; 
 ^Y bufy diligence shall deck her board i 
 
 B
 
 } 
 
 i6 HENRY and E M P*1 A. 
 (For there at leaft I may approach my lord ) 
 And vriiQn her Henry's fofter hours adtrife 
 His fervant's abfence; with dejefled eyes, 
 Far I'll recede , and fighs forbid to rife. 
 
 Yet T^^hen increafing grief brings flow difeafej 
 And ebbing life , on terms fevere as thefe , 
 "Will have its little lamp no longer fed ; 
 When Henry's miftrefs shows him Emma dead j 
 Refcue my poor remains from vile negleft : 
 V^ith virgin honours let my herfe be deckt , 
 And decent emblem ; and at leaft perfuade 
 This happy nymph , that Emma may be laid , 
 Where thou , dear author of my death, where she 
 With frequent eye my fepulchre may fee. 
 The nymph amidft her joys may haply breathe 
 One pious figh , refleding on my death , 
 And the fad fate which she may one day prove , 
 Who hopes from Henry's vows eternal love. 
 And thou forfworn , thou cruel , as thou art , 
 If Emma's image ever touch'd thy heart •, 
 Thou fure muft give one thought , and drop onf 
 To her , whom love abandon'd to defpair ; ( teat 
 To her , who dying, on the wounded ftone 
 Bid it in lading charadcrs be known , 
 That , of mankind , she lov'd but thee alone. 
 
 H E N R r. 
 
 ] 
 
 Hear,folemn Jove -, andconfciotis VENUS.hearf 
 And thou , bright maid , believe me , whilft 1 fwear f
 
 } 
 
 A P O E M. 17 
 
 Ko time , no change , no future flame shall move 
 The U'-ell-plac'd bafis of my lafting love. 
 powerful virtue! O viftorious fair! 
 A.t leaft excufe a tryal too fevere ; 
 Receive the triumph , and forget the w^r, 
 
 No banish'd man , condemn'd in woods to rove , 
 [nrrcats thy pardon , and implores thy love : 
 No purjur'd knight defires to quit thy arms , 
 Faireft coUedlon of thy fexe's charms, 
 Zrown of my love , and honour of my youth : 
 riENRY , thy Henry , with eternal truth , 
 ^<^ thou may'ft wish , shall all his life employ, 
 \nd found his glory in his Emma's joy. 
 
 In me behold the potent Edgar's heir , 
 illuftrious earl : him terrible in war 
 '^et Loyre confefs , for she has felt his fword , 
 
 iim great in peace and wealth fair Deva knows ; 
 for she amidft his fpacious meadows flows ; 
 kiclines her urn upon his fatten'd lands •, 
 Ind fees his num'rous herd imprint her fands. 
 And thou , my fair , my dove , shalt raife thy 
 thought 
 To greatnefs next to empire •, shalt be brought 
 .|5^ith folemn pomp to my paternal feat; 
 i|9[^here peace and plenty on thy word shall wait. 
 ;i klufic and fong shall wake the marriage-day : -j 
 <&\nd while the priefts accufe the bride's delay ; > 
 j Vlyrtles and rofes shall obflruft her way. i 
 
 • B2
 
 as HENRY and EMMA. 
 
 Friendship shall ftill thy evening feafts adorn 
 And blooming peace shall ever blefs thy morn 
 Succeeding years their happy race shall run , 
 And age unheeded by delight come on-, 
 While yet fuperior love shall mock his pow'r : 
 And r/hen old Time shall turn the fated hour 
 Which only can our vell-ty'd knot unfold-, 
 "What refts of both, one fepulchre shall hold. 
 
 Hence then for ever from my Emma's breaft 
 
 ( That heav'n of foftnefs , and that feat of reft ) 
 
 Ye doubts and fears, and all that know to move 
 
 Tprmenting grief, and all that trouble love , 
 
 Scatter'd by winds recede , and wild in forefts 
 
 rove. 
 
 E M M A. 
 
 O day the faireftfure that ever rofe! 
 Period and end of anxious Emma's woes ! 
 Sire of her joy , and fource of her delight ; 
 O ! wing'd with pleafure take thy happy flight , 
 And give each future morn a tindure of thy 
 
 white. 
 Yet tell thy votary , potent Queen of love , 
 Henry , my Henry , v/ill he never rove ? 
 Will he be ever kind, and juft , and good > 
 And is there yet no miftrefs in the wood? 
 None , none there is : the thought was rash a 
 A falfe idea , and a fancy'd pain. ( vai 
 
 Doubt shall for ever quit my ftrengthen'd heart 
 And anxious jealoufy's corroding fmart j
 
 A P O E M. \f 
 
 Kor other inmate shall inhabit there , 
 
 But foft belief, young joy , and pleaiing care. 
 Hence let the tides of plenty ebb and How , 
 
 ^,ad Fortune's various gale unheeded blov. 
 
 V* at my feet , the fuppliant Goddefs ftands , 
 id sheds her treafure v/ith unweary'd hands v 
 T prefent favour cautious I'll embrace , 
 \d not unthankful ufe the proffer'd grace : 
 she reclaims the temporary boon , 
 .d tries her pinions , flutt'ring to be gone ; 
 :ure of mind I'll obviate her intent , 
 d unconcern'd return the goods she lent. 
 r happinefs can I , nor mifery feel , 
 -im any turn of her fantailic wheel ; 
 endship's great laws, and love's fuperior pow'r* 
 iH mark the colour of my future hours, 
 :>m the events which thy commands create , 
 luft my bleffings or my forrows date -, 
 d Henry's will muft dldlate Ep.ima's fat 
 ''et while with clofe delight, and inward pride » 
 'hich from the world my careful foul shall hide ) 
 e thee , lord and end of my defire , 
 ilted high as virtue can require ; 
 ch pow'r inverted, and with pieafure chear'd ; 
 .ght by the good , by the oppreilbr fear'd •, 
 ded and bleft with all the affluent ftore , 
 ich human vows at fmoaking shrines im-plore ; 
 •teful and humble grant me to employ 
 .life fubfervient only to thy joy j 
 
 B3 
 
 }
 
 as H E N R y A N D E M M A. 
 
 Friendship shall (lill thy evening feafts adc 
 And blooming peace shall ever blefs thy in< 
 Succeeding years their happy race shall riu 
 And age unheeded by delight come on; 
 .While yet fuperior love shall mock his po^ 
 And when old Time shall turn the fated h< 
 Which only can our well-ty'd knot unfold ; 
 "What refts of both, one fepulchre shall hold. 
 
 Hence then for ever from my Emma's br< 
 
 ( That heav'n of foftnefs , and that feat of re 
 
 Ye doubts and fears , and all that know to mc 
 
 Tprmenting grief, and all that trouble love . 
 
 Scatter'd by winds recede , and wild in fore 
 
 rove. 
 
 E M M A. 
 
 O day the faireft f ure that ever rofe ! 
 Period and end of anxious Emma's woes ! 
 Sire of her joy , and fource of her delight ; 
 O ! wing'd with pleafure take thy happy flig^ 
 And give each future morn a tindure of t 
 
 white. 
 Yet tell thy votary , potent Queen of love , 
 Henry , my Henry , v/ill he never rove 
 Will he be ever kind, and juft , and good > 
 And is there yet no miftrefs in the wooc 
 None , none there is : the thought was ra- 
 A falfe idea , and a fancy'd pain. ( 
 
 Doubt shall for ever quit my ftrengthen'd b 
 And anxious jealoufy's corroding fmart •,
 
 A P O E M. 5^ 
 
 Nor other inmate shall inhabit there , 
 Bw: foft belief, young joy, and pleaiing care. 
 Hence let the tides of plenty ebb and flow , 
 And Fortune's various gale unheeded blov. 
 If at my feet , the fuppliant Goddefs ftands , 
 And sheds her treafure v/ith unweary'd hands •, 
 Her prefent favour cautious 111 embrace , 
 And not unthankful ufe the proffcr'd grace : 
 If she reclaims the temporary boon , 
 And tries her pinions , flutt'ring to be gone ; 
 Secure of mind I'll obviate her intent , 
 And unconcern'd return the goods she lent. 
 Nor happinefs can I , nor mifery feel , 
 From any turn of her fantailic wheel : 
 Friendship's great laws , and love's fuperior pow'r* 
 Muft mark the colour of my future hours. 
 From the events which thy commands create , 
 L muft my bleflings or my forrows date ; 
 Vnd Henry's will muft dictate E?.ima's fate. 
 Yet while with clofe delight, and inward pride » 
 Which from the world my careful foul shall hide ) 
 fee thee , lord and end of my defire , 
 '.xalted high as virtue can require ; 
 iV'ith pow'r inveft:d, and with pieafure chear'd ; 
 •ought by the good , by the oppreflbr fear'd •, 
 ■oaded and bleft with all the affluent ftore , 
 /hich human vows at fmoaking shrines implore ; 
 Grateful and humble grant me to employ 
 ^y Ufe fubfervient only to thy joy ; 
 
 B3 
 
 ■}
 
 |0 HENRY AND EMMA. 
 And at my death to blefs thy kindnefs shown 
 To her , who of mankind could love but thee alone. 
 
 \w HUE thus the conftant pair alternate faid , 
 Joyful above them and around them play'd 
 Angels and fportive Loyes , a numerous crov/d : 
 Smiling they clapt their -wings , and low they 
 They tumbled all their little quivers o'er , ( bow'd ; 
 To chufe propitious shafts , a precious ftore : 
 That when their God should take his future darts , 
 To {hike ( however rarely ) conftant hearts , 
 His happy skill might proper arms employ , 
 All tlpt with pleafure , and all wing'd with joy : 
 And thofCi they vow'd , whofe lives should imitate 
 Thefe lovers conftancy , should share their fate. 
 
 The Queen of beauty fiop'd her bridled doves; 
 Approv'd the little labour of the Loves •, 
 Was proud and pleas'd the mutual vov/ to hear ; 
 And to the triumph call'd the God of war : 
 Soon as she calls , the God is always near. 
 
 Now Mars » she faid , let Fame exalt her voice i 
 Nor let thy conquefts only be her choice : 
 But when she imgs gre^t Edward from the field 
 Return'd , the hoftile fpear and capti 
 In Concord's temple hung , and Gallia 
 
 to yield : 
 
 And when, as prudent Saturn shall compleat 
 The years defign'd : rfeft Britain's flate , 
 The fwif t-wing'd po f shall take her trump ag ain , 
 
 } 
 
 ei 
 
 romthe field -v 
 rive shield f 
 Pallia taught t
 
 A P O E M. %t 
 
 To fing her favorite Anna's xrondVous reign -, 
 To recollecl: unweary'd Marlero's toils , 
 Old RuFUs' nail vmequal to his fpoils •, 
 The British foldier from his high command 
 Glorious , and Gaul thrice vanquish'd by his hand 2 
 Let her at leaft perform what I deiire •, 
 With fecond breath the vocal brafs infpire ; 
 And tell the nations in no vulgar ftrain , 
 What TT-ars I manage , and what wreaths I gain. 
 And jrhen thy tumults and thy fights are pail ; 
 And when thy laurels at my feet are caft •, 
 Faithful may'il thou , like British Henry proyei 
 And EMMA-like let me return thy love. 
 
 Renown'd for truth , let all thy funs appear j 
 And conilant beauty shall reward their care. 
 
 Mars fmil'd , and bow'd : the Cyprian deity, 
 Turn'd to the glorious ruler of the sky ; 
 And thou , she fmiling faid , great God of days 
 And verfe , behold my deed , and fing my praife , 
 As on the British earth , my fav'rite ifle » 
 Thy gentle rays and kindeft influence fmile , 
 Thro' all her laughing fields and verdant groves , 
 Proclaim with joy thefe memorable loves. 
 From ev'ry annual courfe let one great day , 
 To celebrated fports and floral play 
 Be fet afide -, and in the fofteft lays 
 Of thy poetic fons, be folemn praife. 
 And everlafling marks of honour paid , 
 To the true Lover , and the Nut-brown Maid, 
 
 B4
 
 THE 
 
 NUT-BROWN MAID. 
 
 A Poem writen three hundred years finceZ 
 
 The fentimental beauties of this ancient • ballad have 
 always recommended it to readers of tafie , notwith- 
 fiandlng the rujl of antiquity which ohfcures the 
 ftyle and exprejjlon. Indeed if it had no other merit , 
 than the having afforded the grounds-work to Prior^s 
 JxENRY and Emma , this ought to preferve it from 
 oblivion.
 
 THE 
 
 NUT-BROWN MAID. 
 
 A POEM. 
 
 JDe it ryght Or wronge , thefe men amonge 
 
 On ■wymen do complayne ; 
 Affyrmynge thys , how that it is 
 
 A labour fpent in vayne , 
 To love them -^^ele •, for never a dele 
 
 They love a man agayne : 
 For lete a man do what he can , 
 
 Theyr favour to attayne ♦, 
 Yet , yf a new do them perfue , 
 
 Theyr fyrft true lover than 
 Laboureth for nought •, for from her thought 
 
 He is a banishyd man.
 
 S4 The NUT-BROWN MAID, 
 
 I fay not nay , but that al day 
 
 It is bothe wryt and fa^/d , 
 That woman's fayth is, as vho fayth, 
 
 AH utterly decayd : 
 But nevertheleffe ryght good wytneffe 
 
 In thys cafe myght be layd , 
 That they love trewe , and contynewe , 
 
 Record the Nut-brown Mayd. 
 Whych from her love , (whan her to prove, 
 
 He came to make hys mone ) 
 Wolde not depart ; for in her herte 
 
 She lov'd but hym alone. 
 
 Than betwayne us, \Qt us dyfcufs. 
 
 What was al the manere , 
 Betw'ayne them two ; we wyl alfo 
 
 Telle al the peyne and fere 
 That she was in. Now I begyn , 
 
 So that ye me anfwere. 
 Wherefore alle ye, that prefent be , 
 
 I pray ye gyve an eare. 
 
 MAN, 
 
 I am the Knyght \ I come by nyghtj 
 
 As fecret as I can ; 
 Sayinge, alas ! thus flandeth the cafe , 
 
 I am a banishyd man. 
 
 I
 
 A P O E M. 3J 
 
 WOMAN, 
 
 And I your wyl for to fulfyl 
 
 In this wyl not refufe ; 
 TruAynge tos hewe, ia vordys fewe , 
 
 That men have an ylle ufe , 
 ( To theyr own shame ) wymen to blame , 
 
 And caulelcffe them accufe : 
 Therefore to you I anfwere now , 
 
 Alle wymen to excufe : 
 Myne owne hcrte dere , Tvyth you what chere? 
 
 I pray you , telle anone ; 
 For in my mynde , of al manlcynde, 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 MAN. 
 
 It ftandeth fo \ a dcde is do , 
 
 Wherefore moche harme shal groTTC : 
 My defteny is for to dy 
 
 A shamful dethe , I trowe : 
 Or els to flee : the one muft be : 
 
 None other way 1 knowe , 
 But to wythdvawe,as an outlawe. 
 
 And take me to my bowe, 
 Wherefore adycwe , myne owne hcrte trewe: 
 
 None other rede I can ; 
 For I muft to the grene wode go , 
 
 Alone , a banishyd man, 
 
 B6
 
 3^ The nut-brown MAIO, 
 
 WOMAN, 
 
 Lorde \ T^-hat is thys worldys biyfs , 
 
 That chaungeth as the mone ? 
 JMy fomers day , in lufty may , 
 Is derked before the none, 
 
 1 here you fay , farwdl : nay , nay , 
 
 We departe not foo fone : 
 Why fay ye fo ? -whyder vryl ye go ? 
 
 Alas ! what have ye done ? 
 Alle my welfare to forrow and care 
 
 Sholde chaunge , yf ye were gone 5 
 For in my mynde , of al mankynde , 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 MAN, 
 
 I can beleve , it shafyou greeve , 
 
 And fomwhat you dyftrayne •, 
 But aftyrwarde , your paynes harde , 
 
 Wythyn a day or twayne , 
 Shal fone aflake •, and ye shal take 
 
 Comfort to you agayne. 
 (Why sholde ye nought ? for to make thought, 
 
 Your labur were in vayne. 
 And thus I do , and pray you too , 
 
 As hertely as I can ; 
 For 1 muft to the grene wode go » 
 
 Alone , a banishyd man.
 
 A P O E M. 37 
 
 TT M A N. 
 
 Now, fythe that ye have shew'd to me 
 
 The fecret of your mynde •, 
 I shal be playne to you agayne , 
 
 Lyke as ye shal me fynde, 
 Sythe it is fo that ye wyl go , 
 
 I wolle not leve behynde: 
 Shal never be fayd , the Nut-hrown Mayd 
 
 "Was to her love unlcynde. 
 Make you redy •, for fo am I , 
 
 Although it were anone : 
 For in my mynde , of al mankynde 3 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 MAN. 
 
 Yet I you rede , to take good hede , 
 
 "WTiat men wyl thynke and fay j 
 Of yonge and olde it shal be tolde , 
 
 That ye be gone away , 
 Your wanton wyl , for to fulfyl , 
 
 In grene wode yon to play. 
 And that ye myght from your delyght 
 
 Noo lenger make delay. 
 Rather than ye sholde thus for me. 
 
 Be called an ylie woman ; 
 Yet wolde I to ihe grene wode go 3 
 
 Alone , a banishyd raan.
 
 SS The NUT-BRO^N MAID. 
 
 WOMAN. 
 
 Though it be fonge , of olde and yonge , 
 
 That I sholde be to blame ; 
 Theyrs be the charge , that fpeke To large , 
 
 In hurtynge of my name : 
 For I wyl prove , that faythtui love 
 
 It is devoyd of shame •, 
 In your dyftreffe, and heavyneffe , 
 
 To part TTyth you the fame. 
 And fure alle too , that doo not fo , 
 
 Trewe lovers are they none : 
 But in my mynde, of al mankynde, 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 MAN. 
 
 I counceyle you , remember how. 
 
 It is no miyden'slawe , 
 Nothynge to dout, but to renne out 
 
 To wode Tryth an outlawe : 
 For ye muft there , in your hand here 
 
 A bowe redy to drawe ; 
 And as a thefe , thus ye muft lyve 
 
 Ever in drede and a\7e. 
 "Whereby to you grete harme myght grov : 
 
 Yet I had lever than , 
 That I had to the grene TTode go , 
 
 Alone a banishyd man.
 
 A P O E M. 35 
 
 WOMAN, 
 
 I thynke not , nay , but as ye fay , 
 
 It is noo mayden's lore ; 
 But love may make me for your fake , 
 
 As I have fayd before , 
 To come on fote, to hunte andshote, 
 
 To gete us mete in flore. 
 For fo that I your company 
 
 May have , I ask noo more : 
 For T^hych to parte , It maketh "myne herte 
 
 As colde as any flone. 
 For in my mynde , of al mankynde , 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 M A N. 
 
 For an outlawe , thys is the la\re , 
 
 That men hym take and bynde , 
 "Without pytee , hanged to bee , 
 
 And waver wyth the wynde. 
 yf 1 had neede , as God forbede ! 
 
 What refcous coude ye fynde ? 
 Forfothe , I trov/e , ye and your bowc 
 
 Sholde drave for fere behynde. 
 And no mervayle •, for lytel avajHe 
 
 Were in your counceyle than : 
 ."Wherefore I to the wode wyl go , 
 
 Alone , a banishyd man.
 
 40 The NUT-EROWN MAID, 
 
 JF O M A N. 
 
 Hyght wele knove ye , that wymen be 
 
 But febyl for to fyght : 
 Noo U'omaiihede it is , in deede , 
 
 To be bolde as a knyght. 
 Yet in fuch fere yf that ye were , 
 
 Wyth enemyes day and nyght ; 
 I -woide withftande , wyth bowe in hande , 
 
 To greve them as I myght : 
 And you to fave , as wyraen have 
 
 From dethe men many one : 
 For in ray mynde , of al mankynde , 
 
 1 love but you alone. 
 
 MAN. 
 
 Yet take good hede ! for ever I drede 
 
 That 3^e coude not fuftayne 
 The thorney weyes , the depevaleyes. 
 
 The fnowe , the froft, the rayne , 
 The colde , the hete. For dry , or wete , 
 
 We muft lodge on the pla3Tie ; 
 And us above , noon other rofe , 
 
 But 3 brake , bush , or twayne : 
 Whych fone sholde greve you , I beleve •, 
 
 And ye wolde gladcly than , 
 That 1 had to the grene wode go , 
 
 Alone a baaishyd man,
 
 A P O E M. Ai 
 
 WOMAN. 
 
 ythfe 1 have here been partynere 
 Wyth you of joy and blyfs , 
 I muft alfo , parte of your woo 
 
 Endure , as refon is. 
 fet am I fure of one plefure ; 
 And , shortely , it is thys : 
 That -where ye be , me leemeth , pardy 
 
 I coude not fare amyfs. 
 "Wythout more fpeche , I you befeche , 
 
 That we were foon agone : 
 'or in my mynde i of al raankynde , 
 • I love but you alone. 
 
 MAN, 
 
 Yfye goo thyler, ye mufl confyder , 
 
 "Whan ye have luft to dyne , 
 There shalno mete be for to gete. 
 
 Nor drynke bere , ale , ne wyne; 
 Ne shetys dene , to ly betwene , 
 
 Made of threde and twyne •, 
 Noon other houfe , but levys and bowes 9 
 
 To kever your hede and myne. 
 O myne herte fwete , thys ylle dyete 
 
 Sholde make you pale and wan : 
 ^Wherefore I to the wode wyl go , 
 
 Alone, a banishyd man.
 
 Ai The nut-brown MAID. 
 W O MA ^ 
 
 Amonge the wylde dere , fuch an archiere » 
 
 As men fay that ye be , 
 We may not fayle of good vitay>e , 
 
 Where is fo grete plente. 
 And watyr cleere of the ryvere 
 
 Shal be full fwete to me : 
 Wyth whych in hele , I shal ryght wele 
 
 Endure , as ye shal fee. 
 And er we go , a bedde or two 
 
 I can provyde anone; 
 For in my mynde , of al manlcynde , 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 MAN. 
 
 Loo! yet '^efore , ye muft do more , 
 
 - If ye wyl go T^yth me •, 
 As cutte your here , up by your ere , 
 
 Your kyrtel by the knee. 
 Wyth boT^'e* in hande , for to wythftande 
 
 Your enemyes , yf nede be : 
 And thys fame nyght , before day-lyght , 
 
 To TTode-warde v/yl I flee. 
 And yf ye wy\ al thys fulfyl , 
 
 Do It shortely as ye can •, 
 Els vyl I to the grene wode go. 
 
 Alone , a banishyd man.
 
 A P O E M. 43 
 
 t, 
 
 IF O M A N. 
 
 I shal as noTV do more for you , 
 
 Than longeth to wonianhecie , 
 To shorte my here , a bowe to bere , 
 
 To shote in tyiue of nede. 
 O my fwete mother , before alle other, 
 
 For you have I moft drede : 
 But now adyewe ! I muft enfue , 
 
 Where fortune doth me lede. 
 Al thys make ye, and let us fiee •, 
 
 The day run faft upone : 
 For in my mynde, of almankynde, 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 M A N^ 
 
 Nay , nny » not fo : ye shal not go ; 
 
 And I shal telle ye why : 
 Your appetyght is to be lyght 
 
 Of iove , I wele efpy. 
 For ryght as jc have fayd to me^ 
 
 In lyke wyfe hardeiy 
 Ye wolde anfwere , whofoever it were , 
 
 In way of company. 
 It is fayd of olde ; fone hote » fone colde s 
 
 And fo is a woman : 
 "Wherefore I to the wode wyl go. 
 
 Alone, a banishyd man,
 
 44 The NUT-BRC^N MAID, 
 WOMAN. 
 
 Y£ ye take hede , it is noo nede 
 
 Such wordys to fay by me : 
 For ofte ye pray'd , and longe aiTay'd, 
 
 Er I you lov'd , par-dy. 
 And though that I of aunceftry 
 
 A baron's daughter bee •, 
 Vet have you prov'd , how I you lov'd , 
 
 A fquyere of low degree; 
 And ever shal , what fo befal , 
 
 To dy therefore anone •, 
 For in my mynde , of al mankynde , 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 M A N, 
 
 A baron's chylde to be begylde , 
 
 It were a curfed dede: 
 To be felawe with an outlawe, 
 
 Alm3/ghty God forbede! 
 It bettyr were, the pore fquyere 
 
 Alone to forref. fpede •, 
 Than ye shal fay , another day , 
 
 That by that wycked dede 
 Ye were betray d. Wherefore good mayd t 
 
 The beft rede that I can, 
 1$ that I to the grene wode go , 
 
 Alone , a banishyd man.
 
 A POEM. 4J 
 
 WOMAN, 
 
 ■^'hatfoever befal , I never shal , 
 
 Of thys thyng you upbrayd : 
 But yf ye go , and leve ms fo , 
 
 Than have ye me betrayd. 
 Remember ye vele , how that ye dele j 
 
 For yf ye , as ye layd , 
 Be fo unkynde , to leve behynde > 
 
 Your lovQ^ the Nut-brown Mayd : 
 Truft me truely , that I shal dy 
 
 Sone after ye be gone ; 
 For in my mynde , of al mankyade , 
 
 1 love but you alone, 
 
 MAN. 
 
 Yf that ye went, ye sholde repent ; 
 
 For in the forrefl: now 
 I have pervey'd me of a mayd , 
 
 Whom I love more than you. 
 Another fayrere than e'er ye were j 
 
 I dare it wele avowe: 
 And of you bothe, eche sholde be wrothe 
 
 "Wyth other, as 1 trowe. 
 It were myne efe , to lyve in pefe ; 
 
 So wyl I , yf I can : 
 Wherefore l,to the wode wyl go , 
 
 Alone , a banishyd man.
 
 4(j The NUT-BROWN MAID. 
 Jp-^ M A N, 
 
 Though in the vode , I undyrflode , 
 
 Ye had a paramour ; 
 Al thys may nought remove my thought , 
 
 But that 1 wyl be your. 
 And she shal fynde me foft and kynde , 
 
 And curteys every hour , 
 Glad to fulfyl al that she -^t-I 
 
 Commaunde me to my pow'r. 
 For had ye loo , an hundred moo ; 
 
 Yet wolde I be that one : 
 For in my mynde , of al mankynde * 
 
 1 love but you alone, 
 
 M A N. 
 
 Myne owne dere love , I fee the prove | 
 
 That yc be kynde and trewe ; 
 Of mayde and wyfe , in all my lyfe , 
 
 The bell that ever I kneve. 
 Be merey and glad •, be no more fad ; 
 
 The cafe is chaunged newe •, 
 For it TTere ruthe , that for your truthe 
 
 Ye sholde have caufe to rewe. 
 Be not difmayd •, whatfoever I fayd 
 
 To you whan I began: 
 1 \ryl not to the grene wode go ; 
 
 1 am no banishyd man.
 
 A P O E M. 47 
 
 WOMAN. 
 
 Theys tydyngs be more glad to me. 
 
 Than to be made a quene-, 
 Yf I were fure , they sholde endure : 
 
 But it is often fene , 
 "Whan men v/yl breke promyfe , they fpeko 
 
 The •^'ordys on the fplene. 
 Ye shape fome wyle , me to begyle , 
 
 And ftele fro me , I wene. 
 Than were the cafe worfe than it was ; 
 
 And I more woo begone ; 
 Tor in my mynde , of al mankynde , 
 
 I love but you alone. 
 
 M A N. 
 
 Ye shal not nede further to drede : 
 
 I wyl not difparage 
 You. God defende ! fythe you defcende 
 
 Of fo grete a lynage. 
 Now undyrftande , to Wejimarlande , 
 
 "Whych is myne herytage , 
 I wyl you brynge •, and wyth a rynge , 
 
 By way of maryage 
 I wyl you take , and lady make , 
 
 As shortely as I can. 
 Thus have ye wone an erlye's fonp , 
 
 And not a banishyd man*
 
 43 The NUT-BROWN MAID, 
 AUTHOR, 
 
 Here may ye fee that wymen be 
 
 In love, meke, k^mde , and ftable j 
 Lete never man reprove them than , 
 
 Or cal them varyable: 
 But, rather, pray God that we may 
 
 To them be comfortable •, 
 Whych fometyme proveth fuch, as he loveth, 
 
 yf they be charytable. 
 For fythe men wolde that wymen sholde 
 
 Be meke to them each one ; 
 Moche more ought they to God obey. 
 
 And ferve but hym alone. 
 
 AMYNTOR
 
 A M Y N T O R 
 
 AND 
 
 THEODORA: 
 
 O R, 
 
 THE HERMIT. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO 
 
 IrHE EARL OF CHESTERFIELD;

 
 THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 T„, 
 
 E foUoT^ing poem was originally intended 
 for the ftage, and planned out, feveral years ago , 
 into a regular tragedy. But the author found it 
 neceffary to change his firft defign , and to give 
 his -work the form it now appears in-, for rea- 
 fons with which it might be impertinent to trou- 
 ble the public : tho' , to a man who thinks and 
 feels in a certain manner, thofe . reafons were 
 invincibly flrong. 
 
 As the Scene of the piece is laid in. the moft 
 remote and unfrequented of all the Hebrides , or 
 weftern ifles that furround one part of Great 
 Britain-, it may not be improper to inform the 
 reader , that he will find a particular account of 
 it , in a little treatife published , near half a 
 century ago , under the title of a Voyage to St. 
 KiLDA. The Author , who had himfelf been upon 
 the fpot , defcribes at length the lituation , extent, 
 and produce of that folitary Ifland -, sketches out 
 the natural hiftory of the birds of feafon that 
 transfmigrate thither annually, and relates the 
 fingular cuftoms that ftill prevailed among the 
 
 C2
 
 52 The P R E F A C E. 
 
 inhabitants: a race of people then the mofl un- 
 corruptcd in their manners, and therefore the leafl 
 unhappy in their lives , of any , perhaps , on the 
 face of the vhole earth. To whom might have 
 been applied what an ancient hiltorian fays of 
 certain barbarous nations, when he compares them 
 with their more civilized neighbours : pins valu'u 
 apud Hos ipnorantia vitiorum , qnam apud Graecos 
 omnia philofophorum praecepta. 
 
 They live together , as in the greateit f:mplicity 
 of heart, fo in the moft inviolable harmony and 
 union of fentiments. They have neither filver 
 nor gold •, but barter among themfelves for the 
 few neceffaries they may reciprocally want. To 
 ftrangers they are extremely hofpitable , and no 
 lefs charitable to th:ir own poor •, forwhofe re- 
 lief each family in the ifland contributes its share 
 monthly, and at every feftival fends them befides 
 a portion of mutton or beef. Both iQ:iQS have a 
 genius to poetry , and compofe not only fongs » 
 but pieces of a more elevated turn, in their own 
 language , which is very emphatical. One of thofe 
 Iflanders , having been prevailed with to vifit the 
 greateft trading town in North -Britain, was in- 
 finitely aftonished at the length of the voyage , and 
 at the mighty kingdoms , for fuch he reckoned 
 the larger Ifles , by which they failed. He would 
 not venture himfelf into the ftreets of that city , 
 without being led by the hand. At fight of the
 
 The P R E F A C E. 55 
 
 great church, he owned that it was indeed a 
 lofty rock; but infilled that , in his native coun- 
 try of St. Kilda , there were other ftiU higher. 
 However , the caverns formed in it , fo he nameci 
 the pillars and arches on which it is raifed , were 
 hollowed , he faid, more commodiomly than any 
 he had ever feen there. At the shake occafioneJ 
 in the fteeple, and the horrible din that founded 
 in his ears upon tolling out the great bells, he ap- 
 peared under the utmoft confternation , believing 
 the frame of nature was falling to pieces about 
 him. He thought the perfonswho wore masks, 
 not diftinguishing whether they were men or 
 women , had been guilty of fome ill thing , for 
 which they did not dare to shew their faces. The 
 beauty and ftatelinefs of the trees v/-hichhefaw 
 then for the firft time, as in his own Ifland there 
 grows not a shrub , equally furpriied and delight- 
 ed him : but he obferved , with a kind of ter- 
 ror , that as he paffed among their branches, they 
 pulled him back again. He had been perfuaded ta 
 drink a pretty large dofe of ftrong waters •, and 
 upon finding himfelf drowfy after it , and ready 
 to fall into a flumber which he fancied was to be 
 his laft , he exprelTed to his companions the great 
 fatisfaftion he felt in fo eafy a paffage out of this 
 world : for , faid he , it is attended with no kind 
 of pain. 
 Among fuch fort of men it was that AvRELius
 
 74 The P R E F A C E. 
 
 fought refuge from the violence and cruelty of 
 
 his enemies. 
 
 The time appears to have been to"wards the 
 latter part of the reign of King Charles the fe • 
 cond : when thofe who governed Scotland under 
 him , with no lefs cruelty than impolicy , made 
 the people of that country defperate -, and then 
 plundered, imprifoned, or butchered them for the 
 natural effefts of fuch defpair. The befi and wor- 
 thieft men were often the objefts of their raoft 
 unrelenting fury. Under the title of fanatics, or 
 feditious , they afFeded to herd , and of courfe 
 perfecuted , whoever wished well to his country, 
 or ventured to ftand up in defence of the laws 
 and a legal government. I have now in my hands 
 the copy cf a warrant , figned by King Charles 
 himfelf, for military execution upon them without 
 procefs or conviiSlion : and I know that the ori- 
 ginal is ftill kept in the fecretary's office for that 
 part of the united kingdom. Thus much 1 thought 
 it neceffary to fay , that the reader may not be 
 mifled to look upon the relation given by AU- 
 REtius in the fecond canto, as drawn from the 
 wantonnefs of imagination , when it hardly arifes 
 to flri6l hiftorical truth. 
 
 What reception this poem may meet with, the 
 author cannot forefee: and , in his humble, but 
 happy retirement, he needs not be over-anxious 
 to know. He has endeavoured to make it one
 
 The PREFACE. 55 
 
 regular and confident whole ; to be true to na- 
 ture in his thoughts, and to the genius of the 
 language in his manner of expreffing them. If he 
 has fucceeded in thefe points , but above all , in 
 effedually touching the paflions , which,- as it is 
 the genuine province , fo is it the great triumph 
 of poetry •, the candor of his more difcerning 
 readers will readily overlook miftakes or failures 
 in things of Icfs importance. 
 
 C4
 
 T O 
 
 Mrs. mallet. 
 
 JL HOU faithful Partner of a heart thy own, 
 "Whofe pain, or pleafure, fprings from thine alone j 
 Thou, true as honour , as compaffion kind, 
 That, in fweet union, harmonize thy mind: 
 Here , while thy eyes , for fad Amyntor's woe , 
 And Theodora's wreck , with tears o'erflow , 
 O may thy friend's warm wish to heaven prefer'd 
 Tor thee, for him , by gracious heaven be heard! 
 So her fair hour of fortune shall be thine , 
 Unmix'd •, and all Amyntor's fondnefs mine. 
 So , thro' long vernal life, with blended ray , 
 Shall Love light up , and Friendship clofe our day : 
 Till, fummon'd late this lower heaven to leave, 
 One figh shall end us , and one earth receive.
 
 A M Y N T O R 
 
 AND 
 THEODORA: 
 
 O R, 
 
 THE HERMIT. 
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 A A R in the watry wafte , where his broad wave 
 From world to world the vaft Atlantic rolls , 
 On from the piny shores of Labrador 
 To frozen Thule eaft , her airy height 
 Aloft to heaven remoteft Kilda lifts •, 
 Laftofthe Sea-girt Hebrides, that guard, 
 In filial Train , Britannia's parent-coaft. 
 Thrice happy land ! tho' freezing on the verge 
 Of Artie skies-, yet , blamelefs ftill of arts 
 That polish, to deprave , each fofter clime , 
 ■With fimple nature , fimple virtue bleft ! 
 Beyond Ambition's walk : where never War 
 Uprear'd his fanguine flandard j nor unsheath'd ,
 
 jS AMrKTOR and Theodora: or, 
 
 For wealth or power , the defolating fword. 
 "Where Luxury , foft Syren , who around 
 To thoufand Nations deals her nedlar'd cup 
 Of plealing bane that foothes at once and kills , 
 Is yet a name unknown. But calm Content 
 That lives to Reafon •, ancient Faith that binds 
 The plain community of guilelefs hearts 
 In love and union ; Innocence of ill 
 Their guardian Genius : thefe , the Powers that rule 
 This little world , to all its fons fecure 
 Man's happiefl life •, the foul fereneand found 
 From paffion's rage , the body from difeafe. 
 Red on each cheek behold the rofe of health ; 
 Firm in each finew vigor's plyant fpring, 
 By Temperance brac'd to peril and to pain , 
 Amid the floods they ftem , or on the fteep 
 Of upright rocks their fl:raining fteps furmount, 
 For food or paftime. Thefe light up their morn, 
 And clofe their eve in flumber fweetly deep , 
 Beneath the north » within the circling fwell 
 Of Oceans raging round. But lafl and befl: , 
 What Avarice , what Ambition shall not know , 
 True Liberty is theirs , the heaven-fent gueft , 
 Who in the cave , or on th' uncultur'd wild , 
 With Independence dwells ; and Peace of mind , 
 In youth , in age , their fun that never {ets. 
 
 Daughter of heaven and nature , deign thy aid, 
 Spontaneous Mufe ! O whether from the depth 
 Of evening-foreft , brown with broadeft shade j
 
 The K E R M I T. Canto I. 5:9 
 
 Or from the brow fublime of vernal alp 
 
 As morning dawns •, or from the vale at noon , 
 
 By feme foftftream that Aides Ti'-ith liquid foot 
 
 Thro' bowery groves-, where Inrpiration fits 
 
 And liftens to thy lore , aufpicious come ! 
 
 O'er thefe wild waves , o'er this unharbour'd shore. 
 
 Thy wing high-hovering fpread \ and to the gale. 
 
 The boreal fpirit breathing liberal round 
 
 From echoing hill to hill , thy lyre attune 
 
 With anfwering cadence free , as befl befeeras 
 
 The tragic theme my plaintive verfe unfolds. 
 
 Here , good Aurelius- and a fcene more wild 
 The world around , or deeper folitude , 
 AfHi6lion could not find -Aurelius here , 
 By fate unequal and the crime of war 
 Expell'd his native home, the facredvale 
 That faw him bleft , now wretched and unknown. 
 Wore out the flow remains of fetting life 
 In bitternefs of thought : and with the furge , 
 And with the founding fiorm his murmur'dmoan 
 Would often mix -Oft as remembrance fad 
 Th' unhappy pafi recall'd ; a faithful wife , 
 Whom lovefirft chofe,whom reafon long endear'd. 
 His foul's companion and his fofter friend; 
 With one fair daughter , in her rofy prime , 
 Her dawn of opening charms , defencelefs left 
 Within a tyrant's grafp ! his foe profefs'd , 
 By civil madnefs , by intemperate zeal 
 For differing rites , embitter'd into hate , 
 
 C6
 
 6o Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 And cruelty remorfelefs ! —Thus he Hv'd : 
 If this -R-as life , to load the blaft with fighs ; 
 Kimg o'er its edge , tofwell the flood with tears. 
 At midnight-hour : for midnight frequent heard 
 The lonely mourner, defolate of heart , 
 Pour all the husband , all the father forth 
 In unavailing anguish ; flretch'd along 
 The naked beach; or shivering on the cliff, 
 Smote with the wintry pole in bitter ftorm , 
 Hail, fnow and shower,dark-drifting round his head. 
 SuchwerehishoursitillTime,thewretche's friend 
 Life's great phyfician , skill'd alone to clofe , 
 Where forrow long has wak'd , the weeping eye , 
 And from the brain , with baleful vapours black , 
 Each fullen fpeftre chace , his balm at length » 
 Lenient of pain, thro' every fever'd pulfe 
 "With gentleft hand infus'd. A penfive calm 
 Arofe , but unaffur'd : as after winds 
 Of ruffling wing , the fea fubfiding flow 
 Still trembles from the ftorm. Now Reafon firft , 
 Her throne refuming, bid Devotion raife 
 To heaven his eye •, and thro' the turbid mifls y 
 By fenfe dark- drawn between, adoring own. 
 Sole arbiter of fate , one Cause fupreme , 
 AU-juft, all-wife , who bids whatftill is beft » 
 In cloud or fun-shine •, whofe fevereft hand 
 Wounds but to heal , and chaftens to amend. 
 Thus , in his boforn , every weak excefs , 
 The rage of grief, the felnefs of revenge ,
 
 The HER U I T. Canto I. 6i 
 
 To healthful meafure temper'd and reduc'd 
 By virtue's hand •, and in her brightening beam 
 Each error clear'd avay , as fen-born fogs 
 Before th' afcending fun •, thro' faith he lives 
 Beyond time's bounded continent , the walks 
 Of lin and death. Anticipating heaven 
 In pious hope , he feems already there , 
 Safe on her facred shore •, and fees beyond , 
 In radiant view , the world of light and love , 
 "Where peace delights to dwell-, where one fair morn 
 Still orient fmiles , and one diffulive fpring , 
 That fears no ftorm and shall no winter know , 
 Th' immortal year empurples. If a figh 
 Yet murmurs from his breafl ; 'tis for the pangs 
 Thofe deareft names , a wife , a child , muft feel , 
 Still fuffering in his fate : 'tis for a foe , 
 "Who , deaf himfelf to mercy, may of heaven 
 That mercy , when mofl: wanted , ask in vain. 
 
 The fun , now ftation'd with the lucid Twins , 
 O'er every fouthern clime had pour'd profufe 
 The rofy year •, and in each pleaiing hue , 
 That greens the leaf, or thro' the bloiTom glows 
 With florid light , his faireft Month array'd : 
 While zephire , while the filver-footed dews , 
 Her foft attendants , wide o'er field and grove 
 Fresh fpirit breathe , and shed perfuming balm. 
 Nor here, in this chill region, on the brow 
 Of winter's wafie dominion , is unfelt 
 The ray ethereal , or unhail'd the rifa
 
 Cii Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 Of her mild reign. From -warbling vale and hill , 
 Wii\\ ^ild-thyme fio-vrering, betony and balme , 
 Bine lavender and carmel's fpicy root ^ , 
 Song , fragrance , health , ambroliate every breeze. 
 
 But , high above , the feafon full exerts 
 Its vernant force in yonder peopled rocks , 
 To whofe v/ild folitude , from worlds unknown , 
 The birds of paffage tranfmigrating come , 
 Unnumber'd colonies of foreign wing , 
 At nature's fummons their acreal ftate 
 Annual to found-, and in bold voyage fteer , 
 O'er this wide ocean , thro' yon pathlefs sky , 
 One certain flight to one appointed shore : 
 By heaven's directive fpirit , here to raife 
 Their temporary realm •, and form fecure , 
 Where food awaits them copious from the wave? 
 And shelter from tl-e rock, their nuptial leagues : 
 Each tribe apart , and all on tasks of love , 
 To hatch the pregnant egg , to rear and guard 
 Their helplefs infants , pioufly intent. 
 
 Led by the day abroad , with lonely ftep , 
 And ruminating fweet and bitter thought , 
 AuRELius , from the v/eflern bay , his eye 
 Now rais'd to this amufive fcene in air , 
 "VX'ich wonder mark'd ; now caft with level ray 
 Al^'ide o'er the moving wildernefs of waves, 
 
 » The root of this plant , oilierwife named ar^ctUh 
 fylvaticusy is aromatic; and by the natives reckoned cordial 
 to the Aoniacli. See Manii'i Wejlun If a o/Scotbr.d.p. 1 80.
 
 The HERMIT. Canto I. 65 
 
 Ffom pole to pole thro' boundlefs fpace dlffus'd , 
 Magnificently dreadful ! where , at large , 
 Leviathan , with each inferior name 
 Of fea-born kinds , ten thoufand thoufand tribes 
 Finds endlefs range for pafture and for fport, 
 Amaz'd he gazes , and adoring owns 
 The hand Almighty , who its channel'd bed 
 Immeafurable funk , and pour'd abroad , 
 Fenc'd with eternal mounds , the fluid fphere ; 
 With every wind to waft large commerce on , 
 Join pole to pole , confociate fever'd worlds , 
 And link in bonds of intercourfe and love 
 Earth's univerfal family. Now rofe 
 Sweet evening's folemn hour. The fun declin'd 
 Hung golden o'er this nether firmament •, 
 Whofe broad cerulean mirror , calmly bright , 
 Gave back his beamy vifage to the sky 
 "With fplendor undiminish'd •, and each cloud » 
 White 5 azure , purple , glowing round his throne 
 In fair aereal landfcape. Here , alone 
 On earth's remoteft verge , Aurelius br^ath'd 
 The healthful gale , and felt the fmiling CcetiQ 
 With awe-mix'd pleafure , mufing as he hung 
 In filence o'er the billows hush'd beneath. 
 When lo ! a found, amid the wave- worn rocks. 
 Deaf-murmuring rofe , and plaintive roll'd along 
 From cliff to cavern : as the breath of winds , 
 At twilight-hour , remote and hollow heard 
 Thro' wintry pines , higli-waving o'er the deep
 
 64 A M Y N T o R and T n e o d o r A : or, 
 Of sky-cro"R'n'd Apenine. The Sea-Py ceas'd 
 At once to -w'arble. Screaming , from his neft 
 The Fulmar foar'd , and shot a weftward flight 
 From shore to Tea, On came , before her hour , 
 Invading night -^ , and hung the troubled sky 
 With fearful blacknefs round. Sad ocean's face 
 A curling undulation shivery fwept 
 From wave to -wave : and now impetuous rofe , 
 Thick cloud and ftorm and ruin on his wing , 
 The raging South , and headlong o'er the deep 
 Fell horrible , with broad-defcending blaft. 
 Aloft, and fafe beneath a sheltering cliff, 
 "Whofe mofs -grown fummit on the diftant flood ^ 
 Proie(Si:ed frowns , Aurelius flood apall'd : 
 His flun'd ear fmote with ail the thundering main ! 
 His eye with mountains furging to the ftars! 
 Commotion infinite ! Where yon lafl wave 
 Blends with the sky-its foam , a ship in view 
 Shoots fudden forth , fleep-falling from the clouds: 
 Yet diftant feen and dim ; till , onward borne 
 Before the blaft, each growing fail expands , 
 Each maft afpires , and all th' advancing frame 
 Bounds on his eye diftindl. With sharpen'd ken 
 Its courfe he watches, and in awful thought (hear, 
 That Power invokes , whofe voice the wild winds 
 Whofe nod thefurge reveres, to look from heaven, 
 And fave , who clfe muft perish , wretched men , 
 In this dark hour , amid the dread abyfs , 
 * See Martin's voyage tc St, Kildc , p. jSi
 
 The HERMIT. Canto I. 6f 
 
 "With fears amaz'd , by horrors compafs'd round. 
 But O ill-omen'd , death-devoted heads ! 
 For death beftrides the billow i nor your own , 
 Nor others' ofFer'd vows can ftay the flight 
 Of inftant fate. And lo .•■ his fecret feat , 
 Where never fun-beam glimmer'd , deep amldfk 
 A cavern's jaws voraginous and vaft , 
 The ftormy Genius of the deep forfakes : 
 And o'er the waves , that roar beneath his frown , 
 Afcending baleful , bids the tempeft fpread , 
 Turbid and terrible , with hail and rain , 
 its blackeft pinion , pour its loudening blails 
 In whirlwind forth , and from their loweft depth 
 Upturn the world of waters. Round and round 
 The tortur'd ship , at his imperious call , 
 Iswheel'd in dizzy whirl : her guiding helm 
 Breaks short i her mafts in crashing ruin fall ; 
 And each rent fail flies loofe in diftant air. 
 Now , fearful moment ! o'er the foundering hull , 
 Half ocean heav'd, in one broad billowy curve , 
 Steep from the clouds with horrid shade impends — 
 Ah ! fave them , heaven ! it burfls in deluge down 
 With boundlefs undulation. Shore and sky 
 Rebellow to the roar. At once engulph'd , 
 VefiTel and crew beneath its torrent-fv/eep 
 Are funk , to rife no more. Aurelius wept: 
 The tear unbidden dew'd his hoary cheek. 
 He turn'd his itep ; he fled the fatal fcene , 
 And brooding , in fad filence » o'er the fxght
 
 66 Amyntor and Theodora: or, 
 To him alone difclos'd , his wounded heart 
 Pour'd out to heaven in iighs : thy will be done , 
 Not mine , fupreme Disposer of Events j 
 But death demands a tear , and man muft feel 
 For human woes : the reft fubmiflion checks. 
 
 Not diftant far , where this receding bay- 
 Looks northward on the pole , a rocky arch -K 
 Expands its felf-pois'd concave ; as the gate , 
 Ample and broad and pillar'd mafiy-proof , 
 Of fome unfolding temple. On its height 
 Is heard the tread of daily-climbing flocks , ( food 
 That, o'er the green roof fpred, their fragraat 
 Untended crop. As thro' this cavern'd path , 
 Involv'd in penfive thought Aurelius paft. 
 Struck with fad echoes from the founding vault 
 Remurmur'd shrill , he ftop'd , he rais'd his head ;, 
 And faw th' affembled natives in a ring , 
 "With wonder and with pity bending o'er 
 A shipwreck'd man. All-motionlels on earth 
 He lay. The living luftre from his eye , 
 The vermil hue extinguish'd from his cheek : 
 And in their place , on each chill feature fpred. 
 The shadov/y cloud and ghaftlinefs of death 
 With pale fuffufion far. So looks the moon , 
 So faintly wan , thro' hovering mifts at eve , 
 Grey autumn's train. Faft from his hairs dlftill'd 
 The briny wave : and clofe within his grafp 
 ."Was clench'd a broken oar , as one who long 
 
 * See Martin's voyage to St. Kilda, p. 20.
 
 The HERMIT. Canto I. 67 
 
 Had ftem'd the flood with agonizing breafl , 
 And ftruggled ftrong for life. Of youthful prime 
 He ieem'd , and built by nature's nobleft hand -, 
 Where bold proportion, and where foftening grace 
 Mix'd in each limb , and harmoniz'd his frame. 
 
 AuRELius , from the breathlefs day, his eye 
 To heaven imploring rais'd : then , for he knew 
 That life, within her central cell retir'd , 
 May lurk unfeen , diminish'd but not quench'd , 
 He bid tranfport it fpeedy thro' the vale , 
 To his poor cell that lonely flood and low. 
 Safe from the north beneath a Hoping hill ; 
 An antique frame , orbicular , and rais'd 
 On columns rude •, its roof with reverend mofs 
 Light-shaded o'er •, its front in ivy hid , 
 That mantling crept aloft. "With pious hand 
 They turn'd, they chaf'd his frozen limbs, and fum'd 
 The vapory air with aromatic fmells : 
 Then , drops of fovereign efHcacy , drawn 
 From mountain-plants, within his lips infus'd. 
 Slow, from the mortal tranfe , as men from dreams 
 Of direful vifion , shuddering he awakes : 
 While life , to fcarce-felt motion , faintly lifts 
 His fluttering pulfe ; and gradual o'er his cheek 
 The rofy current wins its refluent way, 
 R.ecovering to new pain , his eyes he turn'd 
 Severe on heaven , on the furrounding hills 
 With twilight dim , and on the croud unknown 
 DilTolv'd in tears around : then clos'd again ,
 
 68 Amyntor and Theodora: or, 
 As loathing light and life. At length , in founds 
 Broktn and eager, from his heaving breaft 
 Diftradion fpoke- Down , down with every fail, 
 Mercy , fweet heaven-Ha ! now whole ocean 
 
 fweeps 
 In tempeft o'er our heads - My foul's laft hope ! 
 We will not part- Help I help! yon wave, behold! 
 Thatfwelis betwixt , has borne her from my light. 
 O for a fun to light this black abyfs ! 
 Gone-loft— for ever loft ! He cea:>'d. Amaze 
 And trembling on the pale aftiftants fell : 
 Vhom now, v/lth greeting and the words of peace, 
 AuRELius bid depart. A paufc enfuM, 
 Mute, mournful , folemn. On the ftranger's face 
 Obfervant , anxious , hung his fix'd regard : 
 "Watchful his ear , each murmur , every breath , 
 Attentive feiz'd-, now eager to begin 
 Confoling fpeech ; now doubtful to invade 
 The facred filence due to grief fupremc. 
 Tiien thus at laft. O from devouring feas 
 By miracle efcap'd ! if, with thy life , 
 Thy fenfe return'd can yet difcern the Hand , 
 All- wonderful , that thro' yon raging fea , 
 Yon whirling wafte of tempeft , led thee fafe ; 
 That Hand divine with grateful awe confefr- , 
 With proftrate thanks adore. When thou , alas ! 
 Waft number'd with the dead , and clos'd within 
 Th' unfathom'd gulph -, when human hope was fied , 
 And human help in vain~th' almighty Voice ,
 
 The HERMIT. Canto I. 69 
 
 Then bade Deflru£l:ion fpare , and bade the Deep 
 Yield up its prey : that by his mercy fav'd , 
 That mercy , thy fair life's remaining race , 
 A monument of wonder as of love , 
 May juftify •, to all the fons of men , 
 Thy brethren , ever prefent in their need, 
 )uch praife delights him moft - 
 
 He hears me not. 
 me fecrct anguish , fome tranfcendent voe 
 us heavy on his heart , and from his eyes ^ 
 'hro' the clos'd lids , now rolls in bitter ftream — 
 Yet , fpeak.thy foul , affliiled as thou art 1 
 or know , by mournful privilege 'tis mine , 
 \ felf moft wretched and in forrow's ways 
 :vcrely train'd, to share in every pang 
 he wretched feel •, to foothe the fad of heart ; 
 o number tear for tear -, and groan for groan, 
 'ith every fon and daugther of diftrefs. 
 )>?ak then , and give thy laboring bofom vent: 
 . .y pity is , my friendship shall be , thine •, 
 To calm thy pain , and guide thy virtue back. 
 Thro' reafon's pathes, to happinefs and heaven, 
 . The Hermit thus : and after fome fad paufe 
 Of muiing wonder , thus the Man unknown. 
 
 "What have I heard ?-On this untravel'd shore , 
 Nature's lafl: limit , hem'd with oceans round 
 Howling and harbourlefs , beyond all faith , 
 A comforter to find ! whofe language wears 
 The garb of civil life j a friend , whofe breaft
 
 70 Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 The gracious meltings of fweet pity move — 
 Amaz'^raent all ! my grief to fiience charm'd 
 Is loft in wonder-But , thou good Unknown, 
 If woes , for ever wedded to defpair, 
 That wish no cure , are thine , behold in me 
 A meet companion •, one whom earth and heaven 
 Combine to curfe •, whom never future morn 
 Shall light to joy , nor evening with repofe 
 Defcending shade— O fon of this wild world! 
 From focial converfe tho' for ever barr'd, 
 The' chill'd with endlefs winter from the pole , 
 Yet warm'd by goodnefs , form'd to tender fenfe 
 Of human woes , beyond what milder climes, 
 By fairer funs attemper'd , courtly boaft •, 
 O fay , did e'er thy breaft , in youthful life , 
 Touch'd by a beam from Beauty all-divine , 
 Did e'er thy bofom her fweet influence own , 
 In pleafing tumult pour'd thro' every vein , 
 And panting at the heart , when iirft our eye 
 Receives impreffion ! Then , as pafiion grew , 
 Did heaven confenting to thy wish indulge 
 That blifs no wealth can bribe , no power beftow , 
 That blifs of angels , love by love repaid ? 
 Heart ftreaming full to heart in mutual flow 
 Of faith and friendship , tendernefs and truth- 
 If thefe thy fate diftinguish'd , thou wilt then, 
 My joys conceiving , image my defpair , 
 How total! how extreme! For this, all this. 
 Late my fair fortune, wreck'd on yonder flood
 
 The HERMIT. Canto I. 71 
 
 Lies loft and bury'd there-O av/ful heaven ! 
 Who to the T/md and to the vhelming wave 
 Her blamelefs head devoted, thou alone 
 Can'ft tell what 1 have loft-O ill-ftarr'd Maid ! 
 O moft undone AMYNTORl-Sighs and tears, 
 And heart-heav'd groans , at this , his voice fup- 
 The reft was agony and dumb defpair. ( prcfs'd : 
 
 Now , o'er their heads damp night her ftormy 
 gloom 
 Spred , ere the glimmering twilight was expir'd , 
 "With huge and heavy horror clofing round 
 In doubling clouds on clouds. The mournfulicene. 
 The moving tale , Aurelius deeply felt : 
 And thus reply'd , as one in nature skill d , 
 With foft affenting forrow in his look , 
 And words to foothe , not combat hopelefs love. 
 
 Amyntor , by that heaven who fees thy tears I 
 By faith and friendship's fympathy divine ! 
 Could I the forrows heal I more than share , 
 This bofom, truft me , should from thine transfer 
 Its sharpeft grief. Such grief, alas ! how juft ? 
 How long in filent anguish to defcend , 
 When Reafon and when Fondaefs o'er the tomb 
 Are fellow-mourners ? He , who can refign , 
 Has never lov'd : and wert thou to the fenfe , 
 The facred feeling of a lofs like thine , 
 Cold and infeafibie , thy breaft were then 
 No manfion for humanity , or thought 
 Of noble aim. Their dwelling is with love ,
 
 71 Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 And tender pity •, whofe kind tear adorns 
 The clouded cheek, and fandlifies the foul 
 They foften , not fubdue. We both vill mix , 
 For her thy virtue lovM , thy truth laments , 
 Our focial fighs : and ftill , as morn unveils 
 The brightening hill, or evening's mifty shade 
 Its brow obfcures , her gracefulnefs of form , 
 Her mmd all-lovely , each enobling each , 
 Shall be our frequent theme. Then shalt thou heir 
 From me , in fad return , a tale of woes , 
 So terrible- Amyntor , thy pain'd heart , 
 Amid its own , will shudder at the ills 
 That mine has bled with-But behold ! the dark , 
 And drowfy hour fteals faft upon our talk. 
 Here break we off: and thou, fad mourner, try 
 Thy weary limbs , thy wounded mind, to bain 
 With timely fleep. Each gracious Wing fro:. 
 Of thofe that minifler to erring man , ( heave ■ 
 Near-hovering , hush thy paflions into calm j 
 Serene thy flumbers with prefen^ fccnes 
 Of brighteft vifion -, whifper to tl^heart 
 That holy peace which goodnefs ever shar.es; 
 And to us both be friendly as we need. 
 
 £nd of the Firji Canto, 
 
 AMYNTOR
 
 A M Y N T O R 
 
 AND 
 THEODORA: 
 
 O R, 
 
 FHE HERMIT. 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 'i o w midnight rofe , and o'er the general fcene , 
 .r , ocean , earth , drew broad her blackeft veil , 
 apor and cloud. Around th' unfleeping Ifle, , 
 :t hovl'd the whirlwind, yet the billow groan'd ; 
 :d, in mix'd horror, to Amyntor's ear 
 )rne thro' the gloom, his shrinking fenfe appall'd. 
 o.iook by each blaft ,'and fwept by every wave , 
 Again pale Memory labors in the ftorm>: 
 Again from her is torn , whom more than life 
 His fondnefs lov'd. And now, another shower 
 Of forrow , o'er the dear unhappy Maid » 
 Effufive flream'd -, till late , thro' every power 
 The foul fubdu'd funk fad to flow repofe : 
 
 D
 
 74 Amyntor and Theodora: or, 
 And all darkening fcenes , by dim degrees , 
 "Were qucnch'd in total night. A paufe from paia 
 Not long to laft : for Fancy , oft awake 
 While Reafon fleeps , from her iilufive ceil 
 Call'd up wild shapes of vilionary fear , 
 Of vifionary blifs , the hour of reft 
 To mock with mimic shews. And lo ! the deeps 
 In airy tumult fwell. Beneath a hill 
 Amyntor heaves of overwhelming feas ; 
 Or rides , with dizzy dread, from cloud to cloud , 
 The billow's back. Anon , the shadovv'y wor.d 
 Shifts to feme boundlefs continent unknown , 
 Where folitary , o'er the ftarlefs void , ( length. 
 Dumb filence broods. Thro* heaths of dreary- 
 Slow on he drags his ftaggering ftep infirm 
 With breathlefs toil •, hears torrent floods afar 
 Roar thro' the wild; and, plung'd in central caves. 
 Falls headlong many a fathom into night. 
 Yet there » at once , in all her living charms , 
 And brightening with their glow the brown abyfs , 
 Rofe Theodora.. SmiUng, in her eye 
 Sat, without cloud , the foft-confenting foul , 
 That , guilt unknowing , had no wish to hide. 
 A fpring of fudden myrtles flowering round 
 Their walk embower'd •, while nightingales be- 
 Sung fpoufals, as along th' enamel'd turf ( neath 
 They feem'd to fly , and interchang'd their fouls , 
 Melting in mutual foftnefs. Thrice his arms 
 The Fair encircled : thrice she iied his grafp »
 
 The HERMIT. Canto 11. 75 
 
 And fading into darknefs mix'd with air— 
 O turn ! O ftay thy flight !-fo loud he cry'd » 
 Sleep and its train of humid vapors fled. 
 Hegroan'd, he gaz'd around: his inward fenfe 
 Yet glowing with the vifion's vivid beam , 
 Still , on his eye , the hovering shadow blaz'd ; 
 Her voice ftill murmur'd in his tinkling ear •, 
 Grateful deception ! till returning thought 
 Left broad awake , amid th' incumbent lour 
 Of mute and mournful night , again he felt 
 His grief inflam'd throb fresh in every vein. 
 To frenzy flung , upftarting from his couch , 
 The vale » the shore with darkling flep he roam'd^ 
 Like fome drear fpeftre from the grave unbound : 
 Then , fcaling yonder cliff, prone o'er its brow 
 He hung , in aft to plunge amid the flood 
 Scarce from that height difcern'd. Nor reafon's 
 
 voice , 
 Nor ow'd fubmiflion to the will of heaven , 
 Reftrains him •, but , as paflion whirls his thought , 
 Fond expectation , that perchance efcap'd , 
 Tho' pafllng all belief, the frailer skiff , 
 To which himfelf had borne th'unhappy Fair , 
 May yet be feen. Around , o'er fea and shore , 
 He roU'd his ardent eye ; but nought around 
 On land or wave within his ken appears , 
 Nor skiff, nor floating corfe , on which to shed 
 The lafl: fad tear , and lay the covering mold ! 
 Tho' now , vide open'd by the wakeful hours 
 D a
 
 76 Amyntor and Tmeodcra •. or. 
 Heaven's orient gate , forth on her progrefs comes 
 Aurora fmiling , and her purple lamp 
 Lifts high o'er earth and fea : while , all-unveil'd , 
 The vaft horizon on Amtntor's eye 
 Pours full its fcenes of wonder , wildly great, 
 Magnificently various. From this fteep , 
 Diffus'd immenfe in rowling profpeft lay 
 The northern deep. Amldll , fromfpace to fpace. 
 Her numerous ides, rich gems of Albion's crown , 
 As flov/ th' afcending mifts difperfe in air , 
 Shoot gradual from her bofom : and beyond , 
 Like diftant clouds blue-floating on the verge 
 Of evening skies , break forth the dawning hills j 
 A thoufand landfcapes ! barren fome and bare , 
 Rock pil'd on rock amazing up to heaven , 
 Of horrid grandeur: fome with founding ash. 
 Or oak broad-shadowing , or the fpiry growth 
 Of waving pine high-plum'd , and all beheld 
 More lovely in the fun's adorning beam ; 
 Who now, fair-rifmg o'er yon eaftern cliff. 
 The vernal verdure tindlures gay with gold. 
 
 Meanwhile AuRELius,wak'd from fweetrepofe, 
 Repofe that Temperance sheds in timely dews 
 On all who live to her , his mournful Gueft 
 Came forth to hail, as hofpitable rights 
 And virtue's rule enjoin: but firft to Him , 
 Spring of all charity , who gave the heart 
 "With kindly fenfe to glow , his matin-fong , 
 Superior duty , thus the fage addreft.
 
 The HER M I T. Canto II. 77 
 
 Fountain of light! from whom yon orient fim 
 Firft drew his fplendor ; Source of life and love 1 
 Whofe fmile now wakes o'er earth's rekindling 
 
 face 
 The boundlefs blush of fpring ; O Firfc and Beft ! 
 Thy elTence , tho' from human fight and fearch » 
 Tho'from the climb of all created thought , 
 Ineffably remov'd-, yet man himfelf, 
 Thy loweft child of reafon , man may read 
 Unbounded power , intelligence fupreme , 
 The maker's hand, on all his works impreft. 
 In charafters coeval with the fun , 
 And with the fun to Inft •, from world to world. 
 From age to age , in every clime , difclos'd , 
 Sole revelation thro* all tim.e the fame. 
 Hail univerfal Goodnefs ! with full ftream 
 For ever flowing from beneath the throne 
 Thro' earth , air , fea , to all things that have life : 
 From all that live on earth , in air and fea , 
 The great community of nature's fons , 
 To thee , firft Father , ceafelefs praife afcend I 
 And in the reverent hymn my grateful voice 
 Be duly heard , among thy works not leaft , 
 Nor loweft •, with intelligence inform'd , 
 To know thee and adore •, with free-will crown'd* 
 "Where virtue leads to follow and be bleft. 
 O whether by thy prime decree ordain'd 
 To days of future life •, or whether now 
 The mortal hour is inftant , ftill vouchfafe, 
 
 D3
 
 7? Amy NT OR and Theodora: or. 
 
 Parent and friend , to guide me blamelefs on 
 Thro' this dark fcene of error and of ill, 
 Thy truth to light me , and thy peace to chear. 
 Ail elfe , of me unask'd , thy will fupreme 
 Wuh-hold or grant : and let that will be done. 
 This from the foul in filence breath'd fmcere , 
 The hill's fteep fide with firm elaftic ftep 
 He lightly fcal'd : fuch health the frugal board , 
 The morn's fresh breath that exercife refpires 
 In mountain-walks,and confcience free from blame, 
 Our life's beft cordial, can thro' age prolong. 
 There , loft in thought, and felf-abandon'd, lay 
 The man unknown; nor heard approach his hoft, 
 Nor rais'd his drooping head. Aurelius mov'd 
 By foft compafTion , v/hich the favage fcene , 
 Shut up and barr'd amid furrounding feas 
 From human commerce, quick en'd into fenfe 
 Of sharper forrow , thus apart began. 
 
 O fight , that from the eye of wealth or pride , 
 Even in their hour of vaineft thought, might draw 
 A feeling tear ! "Whom yefterday beheld 
 By love and fortune crown'd , of all poffeft 
 That Fancy , trans'd in faireft vifion , dreams ; 
 Now loft to all , each hope that foftens life , 
 ■£ach blifs that chears-,there,on the damp earth fpred, 
 Beneath a heaven unknown , behold him nowl 
 And let the gay , the fortunate , the great , 
 The proud be taught, what now the wretched feel. 
 The happy have to fear. O man forlorn ,
 
 The HERMIT. Canto 11, 7^ 
 
 Too plain I read thy heart , by fondnefs drawn 
 To this fad fcene , to fights that but inflame 
 Irs tender anguish- 
 Hear me , heaven ! exclaim'd 
 The frantic Mourner , could that anguish rife 
 To raadnefs and to n»ortal agony 
 I yet vould blefs my fate •, by one kind pang , 
 From what 1 feel, the keener pangs of thought , 
 For ever freed. To me the fun is loft : 
 To me the future flight of days and years 
 Is darknefs , is defpair -But who complains 
 Forgets that he can die. O fainted maid ! 
 For fuch in h2aven thou art , if from thy feat 
 Of holy reft , beyond thefe changeful skies , 
 If names on earth moft facred once and dear , 
 A lover and a friend, if yet thcfe names 
 Can wake thy pity , dart one guiding ray 
 To light me where , in cave or creek , are thrown 
 Thy lifelefs limbs : that I — O grief fupreme! 
 O fate remorfelefs! wa« thy lover fav'd 
 For fuch a task? -that I thofe dear remains. 
 With maiden-rites adorn'd , at laft tmy lodge 
 Beneath the hallow'd vault •, and weeping there , 
 O'er thy cold urn , await the hour to c!ofe 
 Thefe eyes in peace , and mixt this duft with thine I 
 
 Such and fo dire , reply'd the cordial Friend 
 In pity's look and language , fuch, alas! 
 "Were late rry thoughts. Whate'er the human heart 
 Can moft afHidl , grief, agony , defpair , 
 
 D4
 
 fk) Amy NT OR and Theodora: or. 
 Have all been mine , and Tvith alternate war 
 This bofom ravag'd. Hearken then , good Youth •, 
 My ftory mark , and from another's fate , 
 Pre-eminently vretched, learn thy own, 
 Snd as it feems , to ballance and to bear. 
 
 In me , a man hehold , whofe morn ferene , 
 Whofe noon of better life , with honor fpent » 
 In virtuous purpofe or in honeft a(fl , 
 Drew fair diftin£iion on my public name , 
 From thofe among mankind , the nobler few , 
 Whofe praife is fame : but therein that true fource 
 Whence happinefs withpureftftream defcends , 
 In home-found peace and love , fupremely bleft 1 
 Union of hearts , confent of wedded wills , 
 By friendship knit , by mutual faith fecur'd , 
 Our hopes and fe2rs,ourearthandheaven, the fame! 
 At laft , Amyntor , in my failing age. 
 Fallen from fuch height , and with the felon-herd , 
 Robbers and outlaws, number'd-thought that ftill 
 Stings deep the heart and.c;!pathes the cheek with 
 
 shame ! 
 Then doom'd to feel what guilt alone should fear. 
 The hand of public vengeance-, arm'dbyrage. 
 Not juftice •, rais'd to injure , not redrefs •, 
 To rob , not guard •, to ruin , not defend ; 
 And all , O fovereign Reason ! all deriv'd, 
 From Power that claims thy warrant to do wrong! 
 A right divine to violate unblam'd 
 Each law , each rule , that , by Himself obferv'd^
 
 The H E R M I T. Canto 11. Si 
 
 TheGoDprefcribes,whofefan(flion Kings pretend! 
 O Charles ! O monarch ! in Icng exile train'd , 
 Whole hopelefs years, th' oppreffor's hand to know 
 How hateful and how hard •, thyfelf reliev'd , 
 Now hear thy people , groaning under wrongs 
 Of equal load, adjure thee by thofe days 
 Of want andvoe, of danger and defpair. 
 As Heaven has thine, to pity their diilrefs ! 
 
 Yet, from the plain good meaning of my heart » 
 Be far th' unhallow'd licence of abufe •, 
 B-e far the bicternefs of faintly zeal , 
 That impious hid behind the patriot's name 
 Masks hate and malice to the legal throne. 
 In Ju^ice founded , circumfcrib'd by laws , 
 The prince to guard-but guard the people too t 
 Chief, one prime good to guard inviolate , 
 Soul of all worth , and fum of human bli/s, 
 F^iir Freedom , birth-right of all thinking kinds, 
 Reafon's great charter , from no king deriv'd. 
 By none to be reclaim'd , man's right divine , 
 Which God , who gave , indelible pronounc'd. 
 
 But if, difclaiming this his heaven-own'd right , 
 This firft beft tenure by which monarchs rule i 
 If , meant the blefling , he becomes the bane , 
 The wolf . not shepherd, of his fubjed-flock, 
 To grind and tear , not shelter and prote6l , 
 Wide-wafcing where he reigns-to fuch a prince » 
 Allegiance kept were trealbn to mankind j 
 And loyalty , revolt from virtue's law. 
 
 D 5
 
 Si Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 For fay , Amyntor , does juft heaven enjoin 
 That we should homage hell ? or bend the knee 
 To earthquake , or volcano , "vc^hen they rage , 
 Rend earth'sfirm frame, and in one boundlefs grave 
 Engulph their thoufands ? Yet , O grief to tell I 
 Yet fuch, of late , o'er this devoted land , 
 Was public rule. Our fervile firipes and chains , 
 Our fighs and groans refounding from the fteep 
 Of wintry hill , or wafte untravel'd heath , 
 Laft refuge of our v/retchednefs , not guilt, 
 Proclaim'd it loud to heaven: the arm of Power 
 Extended fatal , but to crush the head 
 It ought to fcreen , or with a parent's love 
 Reclaim from error ; not with deadly hate , 
 The tyrant's law, exterminate who err. 
 
 In this wide ruin were my fortunes funk : 
 My felf , as one contagious to his kind , 
 Whom nature , whom the focial life renoune'd , 
 Unfummon'd , unimpleaded , was to death , 
 To shameful death adjudg'd •, againft my head 
 The price of blood proclaim^ , and at my heels 
 Letloofethe murderous cry of human hounds. 
 And this blind fury of commiflion'd rage , 
 Of party-vengeance , to a fatal Foe , 
 Known and abhorr'd for deeds of direft name. 
 Was givenin charge: a Foe,whom blood-ftain'dzeal 
 For what (O hear it not, all-righteous heaven ! 
 Left thy rous'd thunder burft) for what was deem'd 
 Religion's caufe , had favag'd to a brute ,
 
 The HERMIT. Canto II. SB 
 
 More dead'y fell than hunger ever ftung 
 To prowl in wood or wild. His band he arm'd , 
 Sons of perdition , mifcreants v/Ith all guilt 
 Familiar, and in each dire art of death 
 Train'd ruthlefs up. As tygers on their prey , 
 On my defencelefs lands thofe fiercer beafts 
 Devouring; fell : nor that fequefter'd shade. 
 That fweet recefs , where love and virtue long 
 In happy league had dwelt, which wir itfelf 
 Beheld with reverence, could their fury fcape ; 
 DeCpoil'd , defac'd , and wrapt in waftcful flames : 
 For flame and rapine their confuming march , 
 From hill to vale , by daily ruin mark'd. 
 So , borne by winds along , in baleful cloud , 
 Embody'd locufts from the wing defcend 
 Onherb , fruit , flower, andkill the ripening year? 
 "While , wafl:e behind , I>eftrudion on their track 
 And ghaftly Famine wait. My wife and child 
 He drag'd , the ruffian drag'd-O heaven ! dol, 
 A man , furvive to tell it ? at the hour 
 Sacred to reft, amid the flghs and tears 
 Of all who faw and curs'd his coward-rage , 
 He forc'd unpitying from their midnlghr-bed , 
 By menace , or by torture , from their fears 
 My laft recreat to learn ; and ftill detains 
 Beneath his roof accurft. That beft of wives! 
 Emilia ! and our only pledge of love , 
 JMy blooming Theodora ! — Manhood there , 
 And nature bleed- Ah ! let not bufy thought 
 
 D6
 
 $4 Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 Search thither, but avoid the fatal coaft : 
 Difcovery , there , once more my peace of mind 
 Might "w^reck •, once more to defperation fink 
 My hopes in heaven. He faid : but O lad Mufe ! 
 Can all thy moving energy , of power 
 To shake the heart , to freeze th' arrefted blood , 
 "With words that weep , and drains that agonize j 
 Can all this mournful magic of thy voice 
 Tell what Am YNTOR feels? O heaven, artthou- 
 "What have I heard ?-Aurelius ! art thou He ? — 
 Confufion ! horror !-that moft wrong'd of men I 
 And O moft wretched too ! alas , no more , 
 No more a father-On that fatal flood , 
 Thy THEODORA-At thefe words he fell : 
 A deadly cold ran freezing thro' his veins : 
 And life was on the wing her loath'd abode 
 For ever to forfake. As on his way 
 The traveller , from heaven by lightning ftruck. 
 Is fix'd at once immoveable i his eye 
 "With terror glaring wild •, his ftiffening limbs 
 In fudden marble bound : fo flood, fo look'd 
 The heart-fmote parent at this tale of death , 
 Half-utter'd , yet too plain. No figh to rife. 
 No tear had force to flow *, his fenfes all , 
 Thro' all their powers , fufpended , and lubdu'd 
 To chill amazement. Silence for a fpace — 
 Such dilmal filence faddens earth and slcy 
 Ere firft the thunder breaks-on either fide 
 Fill'd up tliis interval fevere. At laft ,
 
 The HERMIT. Canto IT. 85 
 
 As from fomc viiion that to frenzy fires 
 The fleeper's brain , Amyntor waking wild, 
 A ponyard , hid beneath his various robe , 
 Drew furious forth-Me , me , he cry'd , on me 
 Let all thy wrongs be viilted ; and thus 
 My horrors end-then madly would have plung'd 
 The weapon's hoftile point.-His lifted arm , 
 AuRELius , tho' with deep difmay and dread 
 And anguish shook , yet his fuperior foul 
 Colle (fling , and refuming all himfeif , 
 Seiz'd fudden ; then perufmg with flrict eye , 
 And beating heart, Amyntor's blooming form; 
 Nor from his air or fejture gathering aught 
 To wake remembrance , thus at length befpoke, 
 
 O dire attempt ! Whoe'er- thou art , yet ftay 
 Thy hand (elf-violent •, nor thus to guilt , 
 If guilt is thine , accumulating add 
 A crime thit nature shrinks from , and to which 
 Heaven has indulg'd no mercy. Sovereign Judge ] 
 Shall man firft violate the law divine , 
 That plac'd him here dependent on thy nod, 
 Refign'd, unmurmuring , to await his hour 
 Of iair difmiflion hence j shall man do this , 
 Then dare thy prefence , rush into thy fight , 
 Red with the fin , and recent from the ftain , 
 Of unrepentcd blood ? Call home thy fcnfe ; 
 Know what thou art , and own his hand moft jufl , 
 Rewarding or affli^ing-But fay on.
 
 S6 Amvntor and Theodora: or. 
 
 My foul , yet trembling at thy frantic deed, 
 Rccals ihy words , recals their dire in-port : 
 They urge me on •, they bid mc ask no more-* 
 "What would I ask? My Theodora's fate» 
 AK me ! is known too plain. Have I then fai'd , 
 Good heaven ! btyond all grace-But shall 1 blame 
 His rage of grief , and in myfelf admit 
 Its wild excefs ? Heaven gave her to my wish ; 
 That gift Heaven has rcfum'd : righteous in both , 
 For both his Providence be ever blcft ! 
 
 By shame rcprcfs'd , with rifing wonder fill'd , 
 Amvntor, flow-recovering into thought , 
 Suhmiirive on his knee , the good man's hand 
 Grafp'd clofe , and bore with ardor to his lips. 
 His eye , where fear , confufion , reverence fpokc. 
 Thro' fwclling tears , what language cannot ttll , 
 Nowrofc to meet,nov/shiin*dthc Hermit's glance 
 Shot awful at him : till . the various fwell 
 or paflion ebl)ing , thus he f iltcrinc; fpokc : 
 "What h.ilhhou doner why fav'd a wretch unknown? 
 Whom knowing even thy goodnefs muft abhor. 
 Miflttken man ! the honor of thy name , 
 Thy love , truth , duty , all mull be my foes, 
 1 an-Aurihi-iUS ! turn that look afide , 
 7h;t brow of terror , while this wretch can fay , 
 Abhorrent fay , he is-Forgive me , heaven ! 
 Forgive me , virtue ! if I would renounce 
 ■Whcra nature bids mc rcvcrcncc-by her bond
 
 The HERMIT. Canto lU S7 
 
 Rolando's* fon : by your more facred ties. 
 As to his crimes , an alien to his blood -, 
 For crimes like his — 
 
 Rolando's fon ? Juft hc.ivcn! 
 Ha! here ? and in my power ? A war of thonglits, 
 All-terribic arifing , shnkes my frame 
 "With doubtful conflifl. By one ftrok^ to reach 
 The Father's heart , tho' feas arc fpred between , 
 "Were great revenge !-Away : revenge ? on whom? 
 AIjs ! on my own foul •, by r.ige betniy'd 
 Even to the crime my re.ifon moft condemns 
 In him v/ho ruin'd me. Decp-mov'd he fpoke ; 
 And his own ponyard o'er the proftrate youth 
 Sufpcndcd held. But as , the welcome blow, 
 V/ith arms difplay'd, Amyntor fccm'd to court, 
 B'.hoid , in fudden confluence githering round 
 The Natives flood •, whom kindaefs hither drew. 
 The Man uiaknown , with each relieving aid 
 Of love and care , as ancient rites ordain , 
 To fiiccour and to ferve. Before them came 
 MoNTANO , vencrnbic f;ige , whofe head 
 The hand of time with twenty winters' fnow 
 Had shower'd •, and to v/hofe intellectual eye 
 Futurity, behind her cloudy veil, 
 Stands in fjir light difclosM. Him , after paufe, 
 AuKELius drew apart, and in his care 
 Amyntor plat'di to lodge him and fee urc •, 
 To fave him from himfelf , as one , with grief
 
 83 Amyntor and Theodora, &c. 
 Tempeftuous , and with rage , diftemper'd deep. 
 This done , nor waiting for reply , alone 
 He fought the vale , and his calm cottage gain'd. 
 
 The End of the Second Canto,
 
 A M Y N T O R 
 
 AND 
 THEODORA: 
 
 O R, 
 
 THE HERMIT^ 
 
 CANTO III. 
 
 W HERE Kilda's fouthern hills their fummit lift 
 With triple fork to heaven , the mounted fun 
 Full , from the midmoft , shot in dazling ftream 
 His noon-tide ray. And now , in lov/ing train , 
 "Were feen flo-w'-pacing weftward o'er the vale 
 The milky mothers , foot purfuing foot , 
 And nodding as they move , their oozy meal , 
 The bitter healthful herbage of the shore , 
 Around its rocks to graze : for , ftrange to tell * ! 
 
 * The cows cfren feed on the alga marina: and they 
 can diftingulsh exaftly the tide of ebb from the tide of flood ) 
 tho* , at the fame time , they are not within viev/ of the 
 shore. When the tide has ebbed about two hours , then 
 they ftcer their courfe direftly to the neareft shore, in their 
 ufual ordivT, one after another. I had occafion to make this 
 obfervation thirteen times in one week. Martin's Wefiern 
 IJlet 0/ Scotland, p. ij6.
 
 90 Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 The hour of ebb , tho' ever varying found , 
 As yon pale planet -wheels from day to day 
 Her courfe inconftant , their fure inftinft feels , 
 Intelligent of times •, by heaven's own hand. 
 To all its creatures equal in its care , 
 Unerring mov'd. Thefe figns obferv'd, that guide 
 To labor and repofe a fimple race , 
 Thcfe native figns to due repaft at noon , 
 Frugal and plain , had warn'd the temperate ifle : 
 All but AuRELius. Ke, unhappy man, 
 Ey nature's voice folicited in vain , 
 Nor hour obferv'd , nor due repaft partook. 
 The Child no more ! the Mother's fate untold! 
 Both in black profpe£l rifiag to his eye - 
 'Twas anguish there ; 'twas here diftradling doubt! 
 Yet , after long and painful confli£i borne , 
 Where nature , reafon , oft the doubtful fcale 
 Inclin'd alternate , fummoning each aid 
 That virtue lends , and o'er each thought infirm 
 Superior rifing , in the might of Him , 
 Who ftrengthfromveaknefs,as from darknefs light, 
 Omnipotent can drav/ •, again refign'd , 
 Again he facrific'd , to heaven's high "vrill , 
 Each foothing "weaknefs of a parent's bread; 
 The figh foft memory prompts •, the tender tear. 
 That , ftrearoing o'er an objeft lov'd and loft , 
 "With mournful magic tortures and delights , 
 Relieves us , while its f-wcet opprefficn loads, 
 And , by a^lmitting , blunts the ftmg of voe.
 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. 91 
 
 As Reafon thus the mental ftorm feren'd. 
 And thro' the darknefs shot her fun-bright ray- 
 That ftrengthens while it chears ; behold from far 
 Amyntor flow-approaching! On his front. 
 O'er each funk feature forrow had diffus'd 
 Attradlion , fweetly fad. His noble port, 
 Majeftic in diilrefs , Aurelius mark'd ; 
 And , unrelifting , felt his bofom flow 
 "With focial foftnefs. Strait , before the door 
 Of his mofs-filver'd cell , they fat them down 
 In counterview : and thus the Youth began. 
 
 "With patient ear , with calm attention , mark 
 Amyntor's ftory : then , as Juftice fees> 
 On either hand , her equal balance weigh , 
 Abfolve him or condemn - But O ! may I , 
 A father's name , when truth forbids to praife > 
 Unblam'd pronounce ? that name to every Ion 
 By heaven made facred ; and by nature's hand , 
 With honor , duty , love , her triple pale , 
 Fenc'd flrongly round , to bar the rude approach 
 Of each irreverent thought.— Thefe eyes, alas I 
 The curs'd effeds of fanguiaary zeal 
 Too near beheld : its madnefs how extreme % 
 How blind its fury , by the prompting priefl , 
 Each tyrant's ready inftrument of ill , 
 Train'd on to holy mifchief. Scene abhorr'd! 
 Fell cruelty let loofe in mercy's name: 
 Intolerance , while o'er the free-born mind 
 Her heaviell chains were cail , her iron-fcourge
 
 92 Amy N TO P. and Theodora: or, 
 
 Severed hung , yet daring to sppeal 
 
 That Power vhofe law is meeknefs-, and, for deeds 
 
 That outrage heaven , belying heaven's command, 
 
 Flpxile of will , misjudging tho' fmcere , 
 Rolando caught the fpred infedion , plung'd 
 lmplicit;e into guilt, and headlong urg'd 
 His courfe unjuft to violence and rage. 
 Unmanly tage! when nor the charm divine 
 Of Beauty , nor the Matron's facred age, 
 Secure from wrongs , could innocence fecure , 
 Found reverence or dii^ndion. Yet, fuftaln'd 
 By confcicus worth within , the matchlefs Pair 
 Their threatening fate , imprifonment and fcorn 
 And death denounc'd, unshrinking, unfubdu'd 
 To murmur or complaint , fuperior bore , 
 With patient hope , with fortitude refign'd , 
 Not built on pride , not courting vain applaufej 
 But calmly conftant, without effort great, 
 "What reafon didates , and what heaven approves. 
 
 But how proceed , Aurelius ? in what found* 
 Of gracious cadence, ofaffuafive power, 
 My further flory cloathe ? O could I fteal 
 From harmony her fofteft- warbled ftrain 
 Of melting air ! or zephire's vernal voice ! 
 Or Philomela's fong , -vt'hen love diffolves 
 To liquid blandishment his evening-lay , 
 All nature fmiling round ! then might I fpeak ; 
 Then might Amyntor , unoffending, tell. 
 How unperceiv'd and fecret thro' his breail.
 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. 95 
 
 As morniiig rifes o'er the midnight-shade, 
 V/hat firft WZ.S oVd humanity to both , 
 ArfiiHng piety and tender thought , 
 Grew fwift and filent into love for one : 
 My fole ofFence-if love can then offend , 
 When virtue lights and reverence guards its 
 flame. 
 O Theodora! who thy world of charms, 
 That foul of fweetnefs , that foft glow of youth , 
 Warm on thy cheek, and beaming from thine eye, 
 Unmov'd could fee ? that dignity of eafe , 
 That grace of air , by happy nature thine ! 
 For all in thee was native ; from within 
 Spontaneous flowing , as fome equal itrcam 
 From its unfailing fource ! and then too , feen 
 In milder lights •, by forrow's shading hand 
 Touch'd into power more exquifitely foft , 
 By tears adorn'd , intender'd by diftrefs. 
 O fweetnefs without name ! when Love looks oa 
 With Pity's melting eye , that to the foul 
 Endears , ennobles Her , whom fate afHi£ls , 
 Or fortune leaves unhappy ! Pailion then 
 Refines to virtue : then a purer train 
 Of heaven-infpir'd emotions , undebas'd 
 By felf-regard , or thought of due return , 
 The breaft expanding , all its powers exalt 
 To emulate what reafon beft conceives 
 Of love celeftial •, whofe prevenient aid 
 Forbids approaching ill -, or gracious draws ,
 
 94 Amyntor and Theodora: or, 
 
 "N^'^hen the lone heart with anguish inly bleeds , 
 From pain its iling , its bitternefs from woe ! 
 By this plain courtship of the honeft heart 
 To pity mov'd, at length my pleaded vows 
 The gentle Maid with unreluftant ear 
 "Would oft admit •, would oft endearing crown 
 Withfmiles of kind aflent, with looks that fpoke , 
 In blushing foftnefs , her chafte bofom touch'd 
 To mutual love. O fortune's faireft hour ! 
 O feen but not enjoy'd , juft hail'd and lofl 
 Its flattering brightnefs ! Theodora's form. 
 Event unfear'd! had caught Rolando's eye : 
 And love , ( if wild defire , of fancy born , 
 By furious paffions nurs'd , that facred name 
 Profanes not) love his ftubbprn breaft diffolv'd 
 To tranfient goodnefs. But my thought shrinks 
 
 back , 
 Reluftant to proceed : and filial awe , 
 "With pious hand , would o'er a parent's crime 
 The veil of filence and oblivious night 
 Permitted throw. His impious fuit repell'd , 
 Aw'd from her eye , and from her lip fevere 
 Dash'd with indignant fcorn ; each harbour'd 
 
 thought 
 Of foft emotion or of focial fenfe , 
 Love, pity , kindnefs , alien to a foul 
 That bigot-rage embofoms , fled at once : 
 And all the favage reaffum'd his breaft. 
 riis juft , he cry'd : who thus invites difdain >
 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. 95 
 Defer ves repulfe •, he who , by flave-like arts , 
 Would meanly fleal what force may nobler take , 
 And , greatly daring , dignify the deed. 
 When next we meet , our mutual blush to fpare, 
 Thine from diffembling , from bafe flattery mine. 
 Shall be my care. This threat , by brutal fcorn 
 Keen'd and embitter'd, terrible to both , 
 To one prov'd fatal. Silent-wafling grief. 
 The mortal worm that on Emilia's frame 
 Had prey'd unfeen , now deep thro' all her powers 
 Its poifon fpred , and kill'd their vital growth. 
 Sickening , she funk beneath this double weight 
 Of shame and horror.-Dare 1 yet proceed? 
 AuRELius , O moil injur'd of mankind! 
 Shall yet my tale , exafperating , add 
 To woe, new anguish, and to grief, defpair?— 
 She is no more- 
 
 O providence fevere ! 
 AuiRELius fmote his breaft , and groaning cry'd | 
 But curb'd a fecond groan , repell'd the voice 
 Of froward grief : and to the Will fupreme 
 Iji juftice awful , lowly bending his , 
 Nor figh, nor murmur, nor repining plaint. 
 By all the war of nature tho' affaii'd , ( grace 
 
 Efcap'd his lips. What ! shall we from heaven's 
 With life receiving happinefs , our share 
 Of ill refufe ? And are afflidions aught 
 But mercies in difguife ? th' alternate cup , 
 Medicinal tho' bitter , and prepar'd
 
 96 Amtntor and Theodora: or. 
 By love's own hand for falutary ends. 
 But were they ills indeed •, can fond complaint 
 Arreft the wing of time ? Can grief command 
 This noon-day fun to roll his flaming orb 
 Back to yon eaflern coaft , and bring again 
 The hours of yeflerday ? or from the womb 
 Of that unfounded deep the bury'd corfe 
 To light and life reftore ? Bleft pair , farewel I 
 Yet, yet a few short days of erring grief, 
 Of human fondnefs fighing in the breaft, 
 And forrow is no more. Now , gentle youth , 
 And let me call thee fon ( for O that name 
 Thy faith, thy friendship , thy true portion borne 
 Of pains for me , too fadly have deferv'd ) 
 On with thy tale.'Tis mine , when heaven afHidls , 
 To hearken and adore. The patient man 
 Thus fpoke : Amyntor thus his ftory clos'd. 
 
 As dumb with anguish , round the bed of death 
 "Weeping we knelt , to mine she faintly rais'd 
 Her clofing eyes •, then fixing , in cold gaze , 
 On Theodora's face-O Tave my child! 
 She faid: and, shrinking from her pillow, flept 
 Without a groan , a pang. In hallow'd earth 
 I faw her shrouded -, bid eternal peace 
 Her shade receive , and , with the trueft tears 
 Affedlion ever wept, her duft bedew'd. 
 
 What then remain'd for honor or for love? 
 What, but that fcene of violence to fly. 
 With guilt profan'd and terrible with death , 
 
 Rolando's
 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. ^1 
 Rolando's fatal roof. Late at the hour, 
 "When shade and lilence o'er this nether orb 
 With drowfieft influence reign , the vaining moon 
 Afcending mournful in the midnight-fphere ; 
 On that drear fpot , within whofe cavern'd womb 
 Emilia fleeps, and by the turf that veils 
 Her honor'd clay, alone and kneeling there, 
 I found my Theodora! Thrill'd with awe, 
 "With facred terror , which the time , the place 
 Pour'd onus, fadly-folemn, I too bent 
 My trembling knee j and lock'd in her's my hand 
 Acrofs her parent's grave. By this dread fcene ! 
 By night's pale regent ! by yon glorious train. 
 Of ever-moving fires that round her burn! 
 By death's dark empire ! by the sheeted duft 
 That once was man , now mould'ring here below I 
 But chief by her's , at whofe nofturnal tomb. 
 Reverent we kneel ! and by her nobler part, 
 Th' unbody'dfpirit hovering near , perhaps , 
 Aswitnefs to our vows! nor time, nor chance, 
 Nor aught but death's inevitable hand , 
 Shall e'er divide our loves.-I led her thence : 
 To where , fafe-ftation'd in a fecret bay , 
 Rough of defcent , and brown with pendent pines 
 That murmur'd to the gale , our bark was moor'd. 
 We fail'd-But , O my Father j can I fpeak 
 What yet remains .5 yon ocean black withflorni! 
 x& ufelefs fails rent from the groaning pine ! 
 rhe fpeechlefs crew aghaft ! gnd that loft Fair ! 
 
 E
 
 93 Amyntor and Theodora: or. 
 Still , ftill I fee her ! feel her heart pant thick ! 
 And hear her voice , in ardent vov/s to heavei 
 For me alone prefer'd ; as on my arm , 
 Expiring , finking with her fears she hung ! 
 I kifs'd her pale cold cheek : with tears adjur'd , 
 And won at lad , vith fums of profer'd gold , 
 The boldeft mariners , this pretious charge 
 Inftant to fave -, and , in the skiff fecur'd , 
 Their oars acrofs the foamy flood to ply 
 With unremitting arm. I then prepar'd 
 To follow her-That moment , from the deck , 
 A fea fwell'd o'er and plung'd me in the gulph. 
 Nor me alone : its broad and billowing fweep 
 Muft have involv'd her too. Myfterious heaven I 
 My fatal love on her devoted head 
 t)rew down-it muft be {o ! the judgment due 
 To me and mine : or was Am /NT or fav'd 
 For its v/hole quiver of remaining wrath ? 
 For ftorms more fierce ? for pains of sharper ftin ' - 
 And years of death to come ?-Nor further voic^ , 
 Nor flowing tear his high-wrought grief fupply'd : 
 With arras outfpred , with eyes in hopelefs gaze 
 To heaven uplifted , motionlefs and mute 
 He flood , the mournful fembiance of defpair. 
 
 The lamp of day , tho' from raid-noon declin' J , 
 Still flaming with full ardor , shot on earth 
 Oppreflive brightnefs round ; till in foft fleam , 
 From ocean's bofom his light vapors drawn , 
 With grateful imcrveatidfl o*er the sky 

 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. 9$ 
 
 Their veil diffufive fpred ; the fcene abroad 
 Soft-shadowing, vale , and plain , and dazzling hill, 
 AuRELius , with his gueft , the weftern cliff 
 Afcending slow , beneath its marble roof, 
 From whence in double flreara a lucid iburca 
 Rowl'd founding forth, and where with dewy wing 
 Fresh breezes play'd , fought refuge and repofe , 
 Till cooler hours arife. The fubjecl lile 
 Her village-capital , where health and peace 
 Are tutelary Gods ; her fmall domain 
 Of arable and pafture, vein'd with ftreams 
 That branching bear refreshful moifture on 
 To field and mead ; her ftraw-roof d temple rude » 
 Where piety , not pride , adoring kneels , 
 Lay full in view. From fcene to fcene around 
 AuRELius gaz'd; and, fighing , thus began. 
 
 Not we alone •, alas ! in every clime , 
 The human race are fons of forrow born. 
 Heirs of tranfmitted labor and difeafe , 
 Of pain and grief, from fire to Ton deriv'd , 
 All have their mournful portion ; all mufl bear 
 Th'impos'd condition of their mortal ftate , 
 Viciflitudeoffufrering. Caft thine eye 
 Where yonder vale , Amyntor , floping fpreads 
 Full to the noon-tide beam its prirarofe-lap , 
 From hence due eaft, Amyntor look'd and Cslmt , 
 Not without wonder at a fight fo ftrange , 
 ^rt^here thrice three Females, earneft each and arm'd 
 "With rural inftruments , the foil prepar'd
 
 100 Amy NT OR and Theodora: or, 
 
 For future harveft. Thefe the trenchant fpade , 
 To turn the mold and break th' adhefive clods , 
 Employ'd aflxduous. Thofe , with equal pace 
 And arm alternate , ftrew'd its fresh lap white 
 With fruitful Ceres : while , in train behind , 
 Three more th' incumbent harrow heavy on 
 O'erlabour'd drew , and clos'd the toilfome task. 
 
 Behold! Aurelius thus his fpeech renew'd , 
 From that foft fex , too delicately fram'd 
 For toils like thefe, the task of rougher man , 
 "V^'hat yet necefiity dem.ands fevere. 
 Twelve funs have purpled thefe encircling hills 
 With orient beams , as many nights along 
 Their dewy fummits drawn th' alternate veil 
 Of darknefs , fince , in unpropitious hour , 
 The Husbands of thofe v/idow'd Mates , who now 
 For both muft labor , launch'd , in queft of food , 
 Their i{\and-skifF adventurous on the deep. 
 Them,while the fweeping net fecure they plung'-^ 
 The finny race to fnare , whofe foodful shoals 
 Each creek and bay innumerable croud , 
 As annual on from shore to shore they move 
 In watery caravan •, them , thus intent , 
 Dark from thefouth a guft of furious wing, 
 Unfpringing , drove to fea : and left in tears 
 This little wot Id of brothers and of friends ! 
 But when , at evenirg-hour , disjointed planks , 
 Borne on the furging tide , and broken oars , 
 To fight , with fatal certainty, reveal'd
 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. icr 
 
 The wreck before furmiz'd ; one general groan , 
 To heaven afcending , fpoke the general bread 
 With sharpeft anguish pierc'd. Their ceafelefs 
 
 plaint , 
 Thro' thefe hoarfe rocks, on this refounding shore. 
 At morn was heard : at midnight too were feen , 
 Difconfolate on each chill mountain's height , 
 The mourners fpred , exploring land and fea 
 "^i^lth eager gaze-till from yon leiler Ifle , 
 Yon round of mofs-clad hills , Borera nam'd— 
 Full north, behold ! above the foaringlark. 
 Its dizzy cliffs afpire , hung round and white 
 V/ith curling mifts-at laft from yon hoar hills , 
 Inflaming the brown air with fudden blaze , 
 And ruddy undulation, thrice three fires , 
 Like meteors waving in a moonlefs sky. 
 Our eyes , yet unbelieving , faw diflincl, 
 SuccefUve kindled, and from night to night 
 Renew'd continuous. Joy , with wild excefs , 
 Took her gay turn to reign ; and nature now 
 From rapture wept : yet ever and anon 
 By fad conjedure damp'd, and anxious thought 
 How from yon rocky prifon to releafe 
 Whom the deep fea immures (their only boat 
 Deflroy'd ) and whom th' inevitable fiege 
 Of hunger mufl affault. But hope ful^ains 
 The human heart : and now their faithful wives , 
 "With love-taught skill and vigor not their own >' 
 On yonder field th' autumnal year prepare, 
 
 E5
 
 102 Aa^YNTOR and Theodora: or, 
 
 Amyntor , who the tale diftrefsful heard * 
 "With fympathizing fotrow , on himfelf , 
 On his feverer fate , no-w pondering deep y 
 Rapt byfadihought the hill unheeding left; 
 And reach'd , with, fwerving ftep,the diftant ftrand. 
 Above , around , in cloudy circles •w^heel'd , 
 Or failing level on the polar gale 
 That cool with evening rofe , a thoufand wings. 
 The fummer-nations of thefe pregnant cliffs, 
 Play'd fporcive round , and to the fun outfpred 
 Their various plumage ; or in wild notes hail'd 
 His parent-beam that animates and chears 
 All living kinds. He , glorious from amidft 
 A pomp of golden clouds, th' Atlantic flood 
 Beheld oblique , and o'er its azure breaft 
 "Wav'd one unbounded blush : a fcene to flrike 
 Both ear and eye with wonder and delight ! 
 But , loft to outward fenfe , Amyntor pafs'd 
 Regardlefs on, thro' other walk; convey'd 
 Of baleful profpecl: •, which pale Fancy rais'd 
 Inceffant to herfelf , and fabled o'er 
 With darkeft night , meet region for defpair ! 
 Till northward , where the rock its fea-wash'd bafe 
 Projeds athwart and shuts the bounded fcene , 
 Rounding its point, he rais'd his eyes and faw, 
 
 * The author , who relates this ftory , adds , that the 
 produce of grain that feafon was the mofl plentiful they had 
 f^n for many years before. Vide Martin's defcript, of the 
 Wejitrn Jfui cf Scotland , p. 2S0.
 
 , The HERMIT. Canto IIL 105 
 At diflance faw , defcending on the shore , 
 Forth from their anchor'dboat, of men unknowa 
 A double band , who by their geftures Grange 
 Therefix'dhim wondering : for at once they knelt 
 "With hands upheld -, at once ,to heaven , as feera'd. 
 One general hymn pour'd forth of vocal praife. 
 Then , flowly rifing , forward mov'd their fteps : 
 Slow as they mov'd , behold ! amid the train. 
 On either fide fupported , onward came 
 Paje and of piteous look , a peniive Maid ; 
 As one by wafting ficknefs fore affaii'd , 
 Or plung'd in grief profound-Oh all ye powers ! 
 Amyntor fiiartiing cry'd , and shot his foul 
 In rapid glance before him on her face. 
 Illurion ! no-it cannot be. My blood 
 Runs chill: my feet are rooted here— and fee ! 
 To mock my hopes, it wears her gracious form. 
 The Spirits who this ocean walle and wild 
 Sill hover round, or walk thefe ifles unfeen, 
 Prefenting oft in pidur'd vifion flrange 
 The dead or abfent , have yon shape adorn'd , 
 So like my love , of unfubftantial air , 
 Embody'd , featur'd it with all her charms- 
 And lo ! behold I its eyes are fix'd on min^ 
 With gaze tranfported-Ha ! she faints , she falls! 
 He ran , he flew : his clafping arms receiv'd 
 Her finking weight- O earth, and air , and fea ! 
 •Tis she ! 'tis Theodora! Power divine , 
 Vhofe goodnefs knows nobound,thy hand is here, 
 
 E4
 
 104 Amyntor and Theodora: of, 
 Cirinipotent in mercy ! As he fpoice , 
 Ado-wn his cheek , thro' shivering joy and doubt, 
 The tear faft-falling ilream'd. My love ! my life I 
 Soul of my wishes ! fav'd beyond all faith ! 
 Return to life and me. O fly , my friends , 
 Fly, and from yon tranflucent fountain bring 
 The living ftream. Thou dearer to my foul 
 Than all the fumlefs veakh this fea entombs , 
 My Theodora , yet awake : 'tis I , 
 'Tis poor Amyntor calls thee ! At that na.-ne , 
 That potent name , her fpirit from the verge 
 Of death recali'd , she trembling rais'd her eyes ; 
 Trembling, his neck with eager grasp entwin'd , 
 And murmur'd out his name : then funk again j 
 Then fwoon'd upon his bofom , thro* excefs 
 Of blifs unhop'd , too mighty for her frame. 
 The rofe-bud thus , that to the beam ferene 
 Of morning glad unfolds her tender charms , 
 Shrinks and expires beneath the noon-day blaze. 
 Moments of dread fufpenfe— but foon to ceafe I 
 For now , while on her face thefe men unknown 
 The ftream » with cool afperfion , bufy cafl , 
 Kis eyes beheld , with wonder and amaze , 
 Beheld in them- his friends ! th' adventurous few 
 "Who bore her to the skiff ! whofe daring skill 
 Had fav'd her from the deep! As, o'er her cheek , 
 Rekindling life , like morn , its light diffus'd 
 In dawning purple •, from their lips he learn'd , 
 How to yon Ifle , yon round of mofs clad hills ,
 
 The H E R M I T. Canto III, 105 
 
 Borera nam"d , before the tempeft borne , 
 Thefe Iflanders, thrice three, then prlfon'd there p 
 ( So heaven orddin'd ) with utn\oft peril run , 
 With toil invincible , from shelve and rock 
 Their boat preferv'd , and to this happy coaft 
 Its prow direded fafe- He heard no more : 
 The reft already known, his every fenfe. 
 His fuU-colIecced foul , on her alone 
 Was fix d, was hung enraptur'd, while thefe founds, 
 This voice , as of an angel , pierc'd his ear, 
 Amyntor ! O my life's recover'd hope ! 
 My foul's defpair and rapture ! -can this be ? 
 Am I on earth? and do thefe arms indeed 
 Thy real form enfold ? Thou dreadful deep ! 
 Ye shores unknown ! ye wild impending hills ! 
 Dare I yet truft my fenfe ?-0 yes , 'tis he ! 
 'Tis he himfelf ! My eyes , my bounding heart 
 Confefs their living lord ! What shall I fay ? 
 How vent the boundlefs tranfport that expands 
 My laboring thought ? th' unutterable blifs , 
 Joy , wonder , gratitude , that pain to death 
 The breaft they charm-AMYNTOR , O fupport 
 This fwimming brain : I would not now be torn 
 Again from life and thee •, nor caufe thy heart 
 A fecond pang. At this , dilated high 
 The fwell of joy , moft fatal where its force 
 Is felt moft exquifite , a timely vent 
 Now found , and broke in tender dews away 
 Of heart-relieving tears. As o'er its charge , 
 
 E 5
 
 ic6 Amyntor and Theodora: or; 
 With sheltering wing , folicitouily good , 
 The guardian-Genius hovers , fo the youth , 
 On her lov'd face , affiduous and alarm'd , 
 In filent fondnefs dwelt : while all his foul, 
 "With trembling tendernefs of hope and fear 
 Pleafingly pain'd , was all employ'd for her ; 
 The rous'd emotions warring in her breaft , 
 Attempering , to compofe , and gradual fit 
 ,For further joy her foft impreflive frame. 
 
 O happy! tho' as yet thou know'il not half 
 The blifs that waits thee ! but, thou gentleftmind, 
 Whofe figh is pity » and whofe fmile is love , 
 For all who joy or forrow , arm thy breaft 
 With that befttemperance, which from fond cxcefs, 
 "Vtlien rapture Hfts to dangerous height its powers , 
 Refleflive guards. Know then-and let calm thought 
 Or. wonder wait-fafe refug'd in this Ifle, 
 Thy god-like father lives ! and lo-but curb , 
 Reprefs the tranfport that o'erheaves thy heart •, 
 Tis he-look yonder-he , whofe reverend fleps 
 The mountain's fide defcend !-Abrupt from his 
 Her hand she drew •, and , as on wings upborne , 
 Shot o*er the fpace between. He faw , he knew , 
 Aftonish'd knew , before him , on her knee , 
 His Theodora ! To his arms he rais'd 
 The loft lov'd fair , and in his bofom prefs'd. 
 My father !-0 my child ! at once they cry'd ; 
 Nor more. The reft ecftatic filence fpoke , 
 ioid nature from her inmoft feat of fenfe
 
 The HERMIT. Canto III. I07 
 Beyond all utterance mov'd. On this bleft fcene , 
 Where emulous in either bofom ftrove 
 Adoring gratitude , earth , ocean , air , 
 Around with foftening afpet^ feem'd to fraile *, 
 And heaven , approving, look'd delighted downi 
 
 Nor theirs alone this blifsful hour : the joy , 
 "With inftant flow , from shore to shore along 
 DiffuUve ran •, and all th' exulting ifle 
 About the new-arriv'd was pour'd abroad , 
 To hope long loft , by miracle regain'dl 
 In each plain bofom love and nature wept s 
 While each a fire , a husband, or a friend , 
 Embracing held and kifs'd. 
 
 Nov, while the fong. 
 The choral hymn , in wildly-warbled notes , 
 What nature didiates when the full heart prompts^ 
 Beft harmony , their grateful fouls effus'd 
 Aloud to heaven-, Montano , reverend Seer, 
 (Whofe eye prophetic far thro 'time's abyfs 
 Could shoot its beam , and there the births of fate. 
 Yet immature and in their caufes hid , 
 Illumin'd fee ) a fpace abilraded ftood : 
 . His frame with shivery horror ftirr'd , his eyes 
 From outward vifion held , and all the man 
 Entranc'd in wonder at tlV unfolding fcene , 
 On fluid air , as in a mirror , feen , 
 And glowing radiant to his mental iight. 
 
 They fly ! he cry'd , they melt in air away , 
 The clouds that long fair Albion's heaven o'ercaft j 
 
 £6
 
 loS Amyntor and Theodora , &c. 
 With tempeft delug'd , or with flame devour'd 
 Her drooping plains : while dawning rofy round 
 A purer morning lights up all her skies ! 
 He comes , behold ! the great deliverer comes ! 
 Immortal "William , borne triumphant on , 
 From yonder orient , o'er propitious feas , 
 "White with the fails of his unnumber'd fleet , 
 A floating foreft, ftretch'd from shore to shore! 
 See ! with fpred wing Britannia's Genius flies, 
 Before his prow, commands the fpeeding gales 
 To waft him oa •, and , o'er the Hero's head, 
 Inwreath'd with olive bears the lawrel-crown. 
 Blefl: emblem , peace with liberty reftor'd ! 
 And hark ! from either flrand, which nations hide , 
 To welcome in true freedom's day renew'd 
 What thunders of acclaim ! Aurelius , man 
 By heaven belov'd , thou too that facred fun 
 Shalt live to hail •, shalt warm thee in his shine ! 
 I fee thee on the flowery lap difTus'd 
 Oi thy lov d vale , amid a fmiling race 
 Frotn this blefl Pair to fpring : whom equal faith , 
 And equal fondnefs , in foft league shall hold 
 From youth to reverend age •, the calmer hours 
 Of thy laft day to fweeten and adorn ; 
 Thro' life thy comfort, and in death thy crown ! 
 
 THE END.
 
 PORSENNA, 
 
 KING OF RUSSIA, 
 
 IN TWO BOOKS.
 
 PORSENNA, 
 
 KING OF RUSS I A. 
 
 B O O K I. 
 
 J. N Ruflia's frozen clime fome sges fince 
 There dwelt, hiftorians fay , a -worthy princes 
 "Who to his people's good confin'd his care. 
 And fix'd the bafis of his empire there ; 
 Inlarg'd their trade , the lib'ral arts improv'd,' 
 Made nations happy , and himfelf belov'd •, 
 To all the neighb'ring ftates a terror grown; 
 The dear delight, andglory ofhis own. 
 Not like thofe kings , who vainly feek renown * 
 From countries ruin'd , and from battles won ; 
 Thofe mighty Nimrods , who mean laws defpife ^ 
 Call murder but a prmcely exercife. 
 And if one bloodlefs fun should fteal away , 
 Cry out with Titus , they have loft a day ; 
 "Who , to be more than men , themfelves debafe -% 
 Beneath the brute , their Maker's form deface, > 
 Railing their titles by their God's difgrace, J 
 
 Like fame to bold Eroftratus we give , 
 ;Who fcorn'd by lefs than facrilege to live >
 
 112 P O R S E N N A, 
 
 On holy ruins rais'd a Jailing name , 
 
 And in the temple's fire difFus'd his shame. 
 
 Far diff'rent praifes , and a brighter fame , 
 
 The virtues of the young Porfenna claim ; 
 
 For by that name the Rullian king was kno\^''n , 
 
 And fure a nobler ne'er adorn'd the throne. 
 
 In v/ar he knew' the deathiiil fword to wield, 
 
 And fought the thickeft dangers of the field , 
 
 A bold commander •, but , the ftorm o'erblown , 
 
 He feem'd as he v^^ere made for peace alone j 
 
 Then vas the golden age again reftor'd , 
 
 Nor lefs his juftice honour'd than his fword. 
 
 All needlefs pomp , and outward grandeur fpar'd. 
 
 The deeds that grac'd him were his only guard j 
 
 No private views beneath a bcrrow'd name -, 
 
 His and the public intereft were the fame. 
 
 In wealth and pleafure let the fubie(ft live , 
 
 But virtue is the king's prerogative •, 
 
 Porfenna there without a rival flood. 
 
 And would maintain his right of doing good. 
 
 Nor did his perfon lefs attraftion wear , 
 
 Such maiefty and fweetnefs mingled there ; 
 
 Heav'n v/ith uncommon art the clay refin'd , 
 
 A proper manfion for fo fair a mind ; 
 
 Each look , each atiion bore peculiar grace , 
 
 And love itfelf was painted on his face. 
 
 In peaceful time he fufxer'd not his mind 
 
 To i-uft in floth , though much to peace inclin'd j 
 
 Nor wanton In the lap of pleafure lay ,
 
 King of Russia; 113 
 
 *A.nd loft to glory loiter'd life away •, 
 
 But adive riling ere the prime of day , 
 
 Through woods and lonely defarts lov'd to ftray ; 
 
 With hounds and horns to wake the furious bear , 
 
 Or rouze the tawny lion from his laire ; 
 
 To rid the foreft of the favage brood , 
 
 And whet his courage for his country's good. 
 
 One day , as he purfued the dang'rous fport , 
 Attended by the nobles of his court , 
 It chanc'd a beaft of more than common fpeed 
 Sprang from the brake, and through the defart fied. 
 The ardent prince impetuous as the wind 
 Rush'd en , and left his lagging train behind. 
 Fir'd with the chace , and full of youthful blood , 
 O'er plains, and vales, and woodland wilds he rode , 
 Urging his coiirfer's fpeed , nor thought the day 
 How wafted, nor how intricate the way, 
 Nor , 'till the night in dusky clouds came on , 
 Reftrain'd his pace , or found himfelf alone. 
 Miffing his train , he ftrove to meafure back 
 The road he came, but could not find the track y 
 Stiil turning to the place he left before , 
 And only lab'ring to be loft the more. 
 The bugle horn, which o'er his shoulders hung. 
 So loud he winded , that the foreft rung-. 
 In vain , no voice but Echo from the ground , 
 And vocal woods made mock'ry of the found. 
 And now the gath'ring clouds began to fpread 
 . O'er the dun face of night a deeper shade j
 
 ;} 
 
 214 P O R S E N N A, 
 
 And the hoarfe thunder gro-wling from afar , 
 "With herald voice proclaim'd th' approaching -war j 
 Silence a-^hile enfued,-then by degrees 
 A hollow -wind came mutt'ring through the trees. 
 Sudden the full- fraught sky difcharg'd its flcre , 
 Of rain and rattling hail a mingled shoVr j 
 The aftive lightening ran along the ground 
 The fiery bolts by fits v/ere hurl'd around 
 And the wide forefts trembled at the found. 
 Amazement fciz'd the prince i-where could he fiy? 
 No guide to lead, no friendly cottage nigh. 
 Penfive and unrefolv'd awhile he flood, 
 Beneath the fcanty covert of the wood ; 
 But drove from thence foon fallied forth again , 
 As chance diredlcd , on the dreary plain ; 
 Confirain'd his melancholy way to take 
 Through many a loathfome beg , and thorny 
 
 brake, 
 Caught in the thicket , floundVing in the lak 
 WQt with the llorm , and wearied with the way , 
 By hunger pinch'd, himfelf to beafts a prey •» 
 Nor wine to cheer his heart, nov fire to burn. 
 Nor place to reft , nor profpecl to return. 
 Drooping and fpiritlefs , at life's defpair , 
 He bade it pafs , not worth his farther care 
 When fuddenly he fpied a diftant light , (night,' 
 That faintly twinkled through the gloom of 
 And his heart leap'd for joy , and blefs'd the wel- 
 come fight. 
 
 1 
 
 ke. 7 
 
 ']
 
 Kin G o F Russia; uf 
 
 Oft-times he doubted , it appear'd fo far , 
 And hung fo high , 'twas nothing but a ftar , 
 Or kindled vapour wand'ring through the sky , 
 But ftill prefs'd on hisfteed, ftiilkept it in his eye j 
 'Till, much fatigue , and many dangers pafl , 
 At a huge mountain he arriv'd at laft. 
 There, lighting from his horfe , on hands and knees 
 Grop'd out the darkfome road , by flo-w degrees , 
 Crawling or clamb'ring o'er the rugged way •, 
 The thunder rolls above , the flames around him 
 
 play. 
 Joyful at length he gain'd the freepy height , 
 Andfoundthe rift whence fprang the friendly light. 
 And here he ftopp'dto reft his wearied feet. 
 And weigh the perils he had ftill to meet ; 
 Unsheath'd his trufty fword, and dealt his eyes 
 Whh caution round him to prevent furprize j 
 Then fummon'd all the forces of his mind , 
 And ent'ring boldly cail his fears behind : 
 RefolvM to push his way , whate'er withftood , 
 Or perish bravely as a monarch should. 
 
 While he the wonders of the place farvey'd , 
 And through the various cells at random ilray'd , 
 In a dark corner of the cave he view'd 
 Somewhat, that in the shape of woman ftood; 
 But more deform'd than dreams can reprefent 
 The midnight hag, or poet's fancy paint 
 The Lapland v/itch, when she her broom beftride^l 
 And fcatters ftorms and tempeils as she rides.
 
 Ii6 PORSENNA, 
 
 She look'd as nature made her to difgrace 
 Her kind , and cafl a blot on all the race ; 
 Her shrivel'd skin with yellow fpots befmeai'd 
 Like mouldy records feem'd-jhereyes were blear'di 
 Her feeble limbs with age and palfy shook ; 
 Bent was her body , haggard was her look. 
 From the dark nook outcrept the filthy crone , 
 Andpropp'd uponher crutch came tott'ring on. 
 
 The prince in civil guife approach'd the dame , 
 Told her his piteous cafe , and whence he came , 
 And 'till Aurora should the shades expel , 
 Implor'd a lodging in her friendly cell. 
 Mortal , whoe'er thou art , the fiend began, 
 And as she fpake , a deadly horror ran (fook. 
 Through all his frame : his cheeks the blood for- 
 Chatter'd his teeth , his knees together ftruck. 
 "Whoe'er thou art, that with prefumption rude 
 Dar'ft on our facred privacy intrude , 
 And without licence in our court appear , 
 Know , thou'rt the firfc that ever enter'd here. 
 But fince thou plead'fl: excufe , thou'rt hither 
 
 brought 
 More by thy fortune than thy own default , 
 Thy crime , though great , an eafy pardon finds , 
 For mercy ever dwells in rojRl minds ; 
 And would you learn from whofe indulgent hand 
 You live, and in whofe aweful prefcnce ftand, 
 Know farther, through yon wide extended plains 
 Great Eolus the king of tempers reigns ,
 
 King of Russia. 117 
 
 And In this lofty palace makes abode , 
 "Well fulted to his flate , and worthy of tfie God, 
 The various elements his empire own , 
 And pay their humble homage at his throne ; 
 And hither all the ftorms and clouds refort , 
 Proud to increafe the fplendor of his court. 
 His queen ami, from whom the beauteous race 
 Of winds arofe, fweet fruit of our embrace I 
 She fcarce had ended , when , with wild uproar , 
 And horrid din , her fons impetuous pour 
 Around the cave •, came rushing in amain 
 Lybs » Eurus , Boreas , all the boifi'rous train ; 
 And clofe behind them on a whirlwind rode 
 In clouded majefty the bluft'ring God. 
 Their locks a thoufand ways were blown about; 
 Their cheeks like full-blown bladders llrutted out; 
 Their boafling talk was of the feats tlV had done , 
 Of trees uprooted , and of towns overthrown ; 
 And when they kindly turn'd then to accoft 
 The prince, they almoil pierc'd him with their 
 The gaping hag in fix'd attention flood , (froft. 
 And at the clofe of every tale cried-good, 
 Blefiing with outflretch'd arms each darling fon , 
 III due proportion to the mifchief done. 
 And where , faid she , does little Zephyr flray > 
 Know ye , my fons , your brother's rout to-day? 
 In what bold deeds does he his hours employ? 
 Grant heav'n no evil has befaii'n my boy ! 
 Ne'er was he known to linger thus before.
 
 ii8 PORSENNA, 
 
 Scarce had she spoke , -v^hen at the cavern door 
 cCame lightly tripping in a form more fair 
 Than the young poet's fond ideas are , 
 When fir'd with love he tries his utmoft art 
 To paint the beauteous tyrant of his heart. 
 
 A fatin veft his flender shape confin'd , 
 rEmbroider'd o'er -vrithfiow'rs of every kind , 
 Flora's own work , when firft the Goddefs ftrove 
 ■ To win the little wanderer to her love. 
 Of burnish'd filver were his fandals made , 
 Silver his buskins , and with gems o'erlaid •, 
 A'faffron-colour'd robe behind him flow'd , 
 And added grace and grandeur as he trod. 
 His wings than lillies whiter to behold , 
 Sprinkled with azure fpots , and ftreak'd with gold> 
 So thin their form, andoffo light a kind, 
 That they for ever danc'd, and flutier'd in the wind. 
 Around his temples with becoming air , 
 In wanton ringlets curl'd his auburn hair. 
 And o'er his shoulders negligently fpread ; 
 A wreaih cf fragrant rofes crown'd his head. 
 
 Such his attire, but O! no pen can trace i 
 No words can shew the beauties of his face •, 
 So kind-! fo winning ! fo divinely fair ! 
 Eternal youth and pleafure flourish there ; 
 There all the little loves and graces meet , 
 And every thing that's foft , and every thing that's 
 fweet. 
 
 Thou vagrant, cried the dame in angry tone ,
 
 la, -V 
 
 faft. 3 
 
 King of Russia. 119 
 
 "Where could'ft thou loiter thus lo long alone ? 
 Little thou car'ft what anxious thoughts molefl: , 
 What pangs are lab'ring in a mother's breafi. 
 I "Well do you shew your du:y by your haile 
 for thou of all my fons art always lail:: 
 A child lefs fondled would have fled more 
 Sure 'tis a curfe on mothers , doom'd to mourn , 
 V/here beft they love , the leaft and worft return. 
 
 My dear mamma , the gentle youth replied , 
 And made a low obeifance , ceafe to chide , 
 Nor wound me with your words , for well you 
 
 know 
 Your Zephyr bears a part in all your woe -, 
 How great muft be his forrow then to learn 
 That he hirafelfs the caufe of your concern I 
 Nor had I loiter d thus had I been free. 
 But the fair princefs of Felicity 
 Intreated me to make fome short delay ; 
 And ask'd by her who could rcfufe to ftay ? 
 
 . Surrounded by the damfels of her court 
 She fought the shady grove , her lov'd refort ; 
 Iresh role the grafs , the flow'rs were mix'd be- 
 tween , 
 Like rich embroid'ry on a ground of green. 
 And in the midft , proteiled by the shade , 
 A. cryftal ftream in wild meanders play'd ; 
 While in its banks , the trembling leaves among , 
 :V thoufand little birds in concert fung. 
 wlofe by a mount with fragrant shrubs o'ergrown,
 
 110 PORSENNA, 
 
 On a cool mofly couch she laid her down •, 
 Ker air , her pofture , all confpir'd to pleafe •, 
 Vx2r head , upon her fnowy arm at eafe 
 Reclin'd , a ftudied carelefTnefs exprefs'd ; 
 Loofe lay her robe , and naked heav'd her bre« 
 Eager I flew to that delightful place , 
 And pour'd a shoVr of kifTes on her face; 
 Now hover'd o'er her neck , her breaft , her arm 
 Like bees o'ers floVrs , and tafted all her charm 
 And then her lips , and then her cheeks 1 tried 
 And fann'd , and wanton'd round on every fide 
 O Zephyr , cried the fair, thou charming boj 
 Thy prefence only can create me joy j 
 To me thou art beyond expreffion dear , 
 Nor can I quit the place while thou art here. 
 Excufe my weaknefs , madam , when I fwear -j 
 Such gentle words join'd with fo fofc an air , J 
 Pronounc'd fo fweetly from a mouth fo fair, J 
 Quite ravish'd all my fenfe , nor did I know , 
 How long 1 ftaid •, or when , or where to go. 
 
 Mean while the damfels deboniair and g^y , 
 Prattled around , and laugh'd the time away : 
 Thcfe in foft notes addrefs'd the ravish'd ear , 
 And warbled out fo fweet , 'twas heav'n to hear 
 And thofe in rings, beneath the greenwood shade 
 Danc'd to the melody their fellows made. 
 Someftudiousof themfelves , employ'd their car 
 In weaving flow'ry wreaths to deck their hair ; 
 .While others to fome fav'rite plant convey'd 
 
 Refreshin
 
 King OF Russia. hi 
 
 aefreshing shovVs , and cheer'd its drooping head, 
 \. joy fo general fpread through all the place , 
 Such fatisfaftion dwelt on every face , 
 The nymphs Co kind , fo lovely lookM the queen , 
 That never eye beheld a fleeter fcene. 
 
 Porfenna , like a ftatue fix'd appear'd , 
 And wrapp'd in filent wonder , gaz'd and heard ; 
 Much he admir'd the fpeech , the fpeaker more , 
 And dwelt on every word , and griev'd to find it 
 
 o'er. 
 O gentle youth , he cried , proceed to tell , 
 In what fair country does this princefs dwell •, 
 "What regions unexplor'd , what hidden coaft 
 Can fo much goodnefs , fo much beauty boaft? 
 
 To whom the winged god with gracious look , 
 Numberlefs fweets difFufmg while he fpoke , 
 Thus anfwer'd kind — Thefe happy gardens lie 
 Far hence remov'd, beneath a milder sky j 
 Their name - The kingdom of Felicity. 
 Sweet fcenes of endlefs blifs , enchanted ground , 
 A foil for ever fought , but feldom found •, 
 Though in the fearch all human kind in vain 
 Weary their wits , and wafte their lives in pain. 
 !a diff'rent parties , diff'rent paths they tread , 
 
 is reafon guides them , or as follies lead ; 
 
 rhefe wrangling for the place they ne'er shall fee , 
 
 )ebating thofe , if fuch a place there he; 
 
 lut not the wifeft , nor the beft can fay 
 
 7here lies the point , or mark the certain way, 
 
 F
 
 lil P O R S E N N A , 
 
 Some few , by Fortune favour'd for her fport , 
 Kavefail'd in fight of this delightful port-. 
 In thought already feiz'd the biefs'd abodes , 
 And in their fond delirium rank'd with gods. 
 Fruitlefs attempt ! all avenues are kept 
 By dreadful foes , fcntry that never fiept. 
 Here fell Detra£bion darts her pois'nous breath 
 Fraught "wdth a tlioufand ftings, and fcatters death 
 Sharp-fighted Envy there maintains herpoft. 
 And shakes her flaming brand , and ftalks arounc 
 
 the coaft. 
 Thefe on the helplefs bark their fury pour , 
 Plunge in the waves , or dash againft the shore ; 
 Teach wretched mortals they wer;^ doom'd t< 
 
 mourn , 
 And ne'er muftreft but In the filent urn. ( beat- 
 But fay , young monarch » for what name you 
 Your mien , your drefs , your perfon , all declare^ 
 And though 1 feldom fan the frozen north , 
 Yet 1 have heard of brave Porfenna's worth. 
 My brother Boreas through the world has flown, 
 Swelling his breath to fpread forth your renown ; 
 Say , would you choofe to vifit this retreat , 
 And view the world where all thefe wonders meet? 
 ■^'ish you fome friend o'er that tempefluous fea 
 To bear you fate ! behold that friend in me. 
 My adive wings shall all their force employ , 
 And nimbly waft you to the realms of joy j 
 As once, to gratify the god of Love,
 
 KingofRussia. 12^ 
 
 I bore fair Pfyche to the Cyprian grove ; 
 Or as Jove's bird , defcending from on high , 
 Snatch'd the young Trojan trembling to the sky. 
 There perfedl Mifs thou may'rt for ever share , 
 'Scap'd from the bufy "W'orld , and all its care •, 
 There in the lovely princefs thou shalt find 
 A miilrefs ever blooming , ever kind. 
 All ecftacy on air Porfenna trod , 
 And to his bofom ftrain'd the little god-, 
 With grateful fentiments his heart o'erflow'd , 
 And in the warmeft words millions of thanks be- 
 When Eolus in furly humour broke ( fto-w'd. 
 Their ftrifl embrace , and thus abruptly fpoke. 
 Enough of compliment-, I hate the fport 
 Of meanlefs words -, this is no human court ; 
 Where plain and honeft are difcarded quite , 
 For the more modish title of polite ; 
 Where in foft fpeeches hypocrites impart 
 The venom'd ills that lurk beneath the heart j 
 In friendship's holy guife their guilt improve , 
 And kindly kill with fpecious shew of love. 
 For us , - my fubjefts are not us'd to wait , 
 And wafte their hours to hear a mortal prate ; 
 They muft abroad before the riling fun, ( don^. 
 And hie *em to the feas : there's mifchief to be 
 Excufe my plainnefs , Sir , but bufinefs ftands , 
 And we have ftorms and shipwrecks on our hands. 
 
 He ended frowning , and the noify rout , 
 Each to his feveral cell went puffing out.
 
 124 P O R S E N N A, 
 
 But Zephyr, far more courteous than the reft. 
 
 To his ovn bow'r convey'd the royal gueft i 
 
 There on a bed of rofes neatly laid, 
 
 Beneath the fragrance of a myrrle shade, 
 
 His hmbs to needful reft the prince applied , 
 
 His {wpet companion flumb'ring by his Ixde, 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 X^ O fooner in her fJver chariot rofe 
 The ruddy morn, than fated with repofe 
 The prince addrefs'd his hoft ; the God awoke, 
 And leaping from his couch , thus kindly fpoke. 
 This early call , my lord , that chides my flay , 
 Requires my thanks , and I with joy obey. 
 Like you 1 long to reach the blifsful coaft , 
 Hate the flownight , and mourn the moments loft , 
 The bright Rofinda , lovelieft of the fair 
 That crowd the princefs' court, demands my care ; 
 Ev'nnow with fears and jealoufies o'erborn 
 Upbraids , and calls me cruel and forfworn. 
 What fwcet rewards on all my toils attend , 
 Serving at once my miftrefs and my friend! 
 Juft to my love and to my duty too , 
 Well paid in her , well pleas'd in pleafing yoiu 
 This faid , he led him to the cavern gate , 
 And cldCp'd him in his arms , and pois'd his weight *, 
 Then ballancinghis body here and there , 
 Stretch'd forth his agile wings » and launch'd in alrj
 
 King of Russia. taj 
 
 Sv/if: as the fiery meteor from on high 
 Shoots to its goal , and gleams athwart the sky. 
 Here with quick fan his lib'ring pinions play •, 
 There glide at eafe along the liquid way ; 
 Now lightly skim the plain with even flight ; 
 Now proudly foar above the mountain's height. 
 
 Spiteful Dctraftion, whofe envenom'dhate 
 Sports with the fuft 'rings of the good and great. 
 Spares not our prince , but with opprobrious fneer 
 Arraigns hira of the heinous fin of fear •, 
 That he , fo tried in arms , whofe very name * 
 Infus'd a fecret panic where it came , 
 Ev'n he , as high above the clouds he flew , 
 And fpied the mountains lefs'ning to the view , 
 Nought round him but the wide expanded air , 
 Helplefs , abandon'd to a ftripling's care. 
 Struck with the rapid whirl , and dreadful height , 
 Confefs'd fome faint alarm , fome little fright. 
 
 The friendly God , who inftantly divin'd 
 The terrors that poflTefs'd his fellov/'s mind , 
 To calm his troubled thoughts, and cheat the way , 
 Defcrib'd the nations that beneath them lay. 
 The name , the climate , and the foil's increafe , 
 Their arms in war , their government in peace ; 
 Shew'd their domeftic arts, their foreign trade , 
 V/hat inc'reft they purfued , what leagues they 
 
 made. 
 The fweet difcourfe fo charm'd Porfenna's ear , 
 That loft in joy he had no time for fear.
 
 126 PORSENNA, 
 
 From Scandinavia's cold inclement T/afte 
 O'er w\de Germania's various realms they paft , 
 And now on Albion's fields fufpend their toil , 
 And hover for a while, and blefs the foil. 
 O'er the gay fcene the prince delighted hung , 
 And gaz'd in rapture , and forgot his tongue •, 
 'Till bnrfting forth at length , Behold , cried he. 
 The promis d iAe , the land I long'd to fee •, 
 Thofe plains , thofe vales , and fruitfal hills declare 
 My queen , my charmer muft inhabit there. 
 Thus rav'd the monarch , and the gentle guide , 
 Pleas'd with Ills error , thus infmiles replied. 
 
 I muft applaud , my lord , the lucky thought 
 Ev'n I , who know th' original , am caugr 
 Av-d doubt my fenfes , when 1 view the 
 The flow-afcending hill , the lofty wood 
 That mantles o'er its brow, the iilver flood 
 Wand'ring in mazes through the flow'ry mead. 
 The herd that in the plenteous paftures feed , 
 And every objecl, every fcene excites 
 Fresh wonder in my foul , and fills with new 
 
 delights : 
 Dwells cheerful Plenty there , and learned Eafe , 
 And Art with Nature feems at ftrife to pleafe. 
 There Liberty, delightful goddefs, reigns , 
 Gladdens each heart , and gilds the fertile plains; 
 There firmly feated may she ever fmile , 
 And show*r her blefTings o'er her fav'rite ifle ! 
 But fee, the riling fun reproves our ftay. 
 
 thought •, •\ 
 aught , V 
 draught, 3
 
 King of Russia, 117 
 
 He faid , and to the ocean wing'd his vay , 
 Stretching his courfe to chtnares then unkno\{ai j 
 Nations that fweher in the burning zone. 
 There in Peruvian vales a moment ftaid , 
 And fraooth'd his vings beneath the citron shade ; 
 Then fw'ift his oary pinions plied again , ( main *, 
 Crofs'd the nev/ world , and fought the Southern 
 "Where many a wet and weary league o'erpait , 
 The wish'd-for paradife appear'd at laft. 
 
 With force abated now they gently fweep 
 O'er the fmooth fur face of the shining deep ; 
 The Dryads hail'd them from the diilant shore, 
 The Nereids play'd around , the Tritons fwam 
 
 before , 
 While foftFavonius their arrival greets. 
 And breathes his welcome in a thoufand fweets. 
 
 Nor pale difeafe , nor health-confLimlng care , 
 Nor wrath , nor foul revenge can enter there ; 
 No vapour's foggy gloom imbrov/ns the sky •, 
 No tc-mpefts rage , no angry lightnings fly ; 
 But dews , and foft-refreshing airs are found , 
 And pure aetherial azure shines around. 
 Whate'er the fweet Sabsan foil can boaft , 
 Or Mecca's plains , or India's fpicy coali •, 
 What Hybla's hills 3 or rich (Sbalia's fields , 
 Or flow'ry vale of fam'd Hymettus yields •, 
 Or what of old th' Hefperian orchard grac'd; 
 All that was e'er delicious to the tafte , 
 Sweet to the fmell, or lovely to the view, 
 
 F4
 
 128 PORSENNA, 
 
 Collefted there with added beauty grew. 
 High-toVrlng to the heav'ns the trees are feen , 
 Their bulk immenfe , their leaf for ever green •, 
 So clofely intervove , the tell-tale fun 
 Can ne'er defcry the deeds beneath them done , 
 But where by fits the fportive gales divide 
 Their tender tops , and fan the leaves afide. 
 Like a fmooth carpet at their feet lies fpread 
 The matted grafs , by bubbling fountains fed ; 
 And on each bough the feather'd choir employ 
 Their melting notes , and nought is heard but joy. 
 The painted flow'rs exhale a rich perfume , 
 The fruits are mingled with eternal bloom , 
 And Spring and Autumn hand in hand appear , 
 Lead on the merry months , and join to cloath the 
 
 year. 
 Here , o'er the mountain's shaggy fummit pour'd , 
 From rock to rock the tumbling torrent roar'd , 
 While beauteous Iris in the vale below 
 Paints on the riling fumes her radiant bow. 
 Now through the meads the mazy current ftray'd , 
 Now hid its wand'rings in the myrtle shade -, 
 Or in a thcufand veins divides its llore , 
 Vifits each plant , refreshes every flow'r •, 
 O'er gems and golden fands in murmurs flows , 
 And fweetly foothes the foul , and lulls to foft 
 If hunger call , no fooner can the mind ( repofe. 
 Exprefs her will to needful food inclin'd , 
 But ia fiome cool recefs, or op'ning glade ,
 
 KingofRussia, 129 
 
 The feats are placM , the tables neatly laid , 
 And inftantly convey d by magic hand 
 In comely row^s the coftiy dishes ftand ; 
 Meats of all kinds that nature can impart , 
 Prepar'd in all the niceft forms of art. 
 A troop offprightly nymphs array'd in green , 
 With flo-w'ry chaplets crown'd , come fcudding in ; 
 With fragrant bloHoms thefe adorn the feaft , 
 Thofe with officious zeal attend the gueft •, 
 Beneath his feet the filken carpet fpread. 
 Or fprinkle liquid odours o'er his head. 
 Others in ruby cups with rofes bound 
 Delightful! deal the fparkling neftar round; 
 Or weave the dance , or tune the vocal lay ; 
 The lyres refound , the merry minftrels play , 
 Gay health, and youthful joys o'erfpread the place. 
 And fwell each heart , and triumph in each face. 
 So when embolden'd by the vernal air , 
 The bufy bees to blooming fields repair; 
 For various ufe employ their chymic pow'r ; 
 One culls the fnowy pounce , one fucks the flow'r ; 
 Again to different works returning home , 
 Some * fteeve the honey , fome ereft the comb i 
 All for the general good in concert firive , 
 And every foul's in motion , every limb's alive. 
 And now defcending from his flight , the God 
 On the green turf releas'd his precious load ; 
 There, after mutual falutarions p.i^, 
 
 » Or ftiye, ftipand, 
 
 F 5
 
 130 P O R S E N N A , 
 
 And endlefs friendship voVd , they part in hafte ; 
 Zephyr impatient to behold his love , ( ve ; 
 
 The prince in raptures wand'ring through the gro- 
 Now skipping on, and finging as he went, 
 Now ftopping short to give his tranfports vent *, 
 With fudden gufts of happinefs opprefs'd , 
 Or ftands entranc'd, or raves like one poffefs'di 
 His mind afloat , his wand'ring fenfes quite 
 O'ercome with charms , and frantic with delight ; 
 From fcene to fcene by random fteps convey'd. 
 Admires the diftant views , explores the fecret 
 
 shade , 
 Dwells on each fpot , with eager eye devours 
 The woods , the lawns , the buildings , and the 
 
 bowVs •, 
 New fweets , new joys at every glance arife > 
 And every turn creates a fresh furprize, 
 
 Clofe by the borders of a riling wood , 
 In a green vale a cryftal grotto ftood -, 
 And o'er its fide, beneath a beechen shade. 
 In broken falls a lilver fountain play'd. 
 Hither, attra£^ed-by the murm'ring ftream , 
 And coolrecefs, the pleas'd Porfenna came. 
 And on the tender grafs reclining chofe 
 To wave his joys awhile, and take a short repofe. 
 The fcene invites him , and the wanton breeze 
 That whifpers through the vale , the dancing trees, 
 The warbling birds, and rills that gently creep, 
 All join their mulic to prolong his fleep.
 
 KikgofRussia. 131 
 
 The pi-iiicefs for her morning walk prepar'd ; 
 The female troops attend , a beauteous guard, 
 Array'd in all her charms appear'd the fair ; 
 Tall was her ftature , unconfin'dher air ; 
 Proportion deck'd her limbs , and in her face 
 Lay love inshrin'd , lay fweet attraftive grace 
 Temp' ring the awful beams her eyes convey'd, 
 And like a lambent flame around her playM. 
 No foreign aids , by mortal ladies worn , 
 From, shells and rocks her artlefs charms adorn ; 
 For grant that beauty were by gems increas'd , 
 'Tis render'd morefufpefted at theleafl -, 
 And foul defed^s , that would efcape the fight. 
 Start from the piece , and take a ftronger light. 
 Her chefnut hair in carelefs rings around 
 Her temples wav'd , with pinks and jes'mine 
 And , gather'd in a iiiken cord behind, ( crown'd , 
 Curl'd to the waiil: , and floated in the wind i 
 O'er thefe a veil of yellow gaufe she wore, 
 With amaranths and gold embroider'd o'er, 
 Herfnowy neck half naked to the view 
 Gracefully fell ; a robe of purple hue 
 Hung loofely o'er her flender shape , and tried 
 To shade thofe beauties, that it could noc hide. 
 
 The damfeis of her tredn with mirth and fong 
 Frolic behind, and laugh and fport along. 
 The birds proclaim their queen from every tree *, 
 The beafts run frisking through the groves to fee •, 
 The Loves , the Pleafures , and the Greeks meet 
 
 F6
 
 152 PORSENNA, 
 
 In antic rounds , and dance before her feet. 
 By whate'er fancy led , it chanc'd that day 
 They through the fecret valley took their way , 
 And to the cryftal grot advancing rp:ed 
 The prince extended by the fountain's fide. 
 
 He look'd as, byfome skilful hand exprefs'd , 
 Apollo's youthful form retir'd to reft ; 
 "When with the chacc fatigued he quits the wood 
 For Pindus' vale , and Aganippe's flood ; 
 There fleeps fecure , his carelefs limbs difplay'd 
 At eafe , encircled bj^ the laurel shade •, 
 Beneath his head his sheaf of arrows lie , 
 His bow unbent hangs negligently by. 
 The flumb'ring prince might boaft an equal grace. 
 So turn'd his limbs , fo beautiful his face. 
 
 Waking he ftartcd from the ground in hafte, 
 And faw the beauteous choir around him plac'd; 
 Then , fummoning his fenfes , ran to meet 
 The queen , and laid him humbly at her feet : 
 Deign , lovely princefs , to behold , faid he, 
 One , who has travers'd all the world to fee 
 Thofe charms , and worship thy divinity 
 Accept thy flave , and with a gracious fmile 
 Excufe his rashnefs, and reward his toil. 
 Stood motionlefs the fair with mute furprize , 
 And read him over with admiring eyes ; 
 And while she ftedfaft gaz'd , a pleafmg fmart 
 Ran thrilling through her veins , and reach'd he; 
 jieart. 
 
 }
 
 King of Russia. 155 
 
 . Each limb she fcann'd , confider'd every grace , 
 And fagely judg'd him of the phoenix race. 
 An animal Hke this she ne'er liad known , 
 And thence concluded there could be but one ; 
 The creature too had all the phoenix air •, 
 None but the phoenix could appear fo fair. 
 The more she look'd , the more she thought it 
 
 true, 
 And call'd him by that name , to shew she knew. 
 
 O handfome phoenix , for that fuch you are 
 "We know : your beauty does your breed declare ; 
 And I with forrow own through all my coaft 
 No other bird can fuch perfection boaft \ 
 For Nature form'd you fingle and alone : 
 Alas! what pity 'tis there is but one ! 
 "Were there a queen fo fortunate to shew 
 An aviary of charming birds like you , 
 'What envy would her happinefs create 
 In all y who faw the glories of her ftatc ! 
 
 The prince laugh'd inwardly , furpriz'd to find 
 S:> ftrange a fpeech, fo innocent a mind. 
 Tiie compliment indeed did fomc oflfence 
 T J reafon , and a little wrong'd her fenfe ; 
 Hi could not let it pafs , but told his name. 
 And what he was , and whence, and why he came , 
 And hinted other things of high concern 
 I or him to mention , and for her to learn ; 
 id she 'ad a piercing wit , of wond' rous reach 
 comprehend whatever he could teach.
 
 134 PORSENNA» 
 
 Thus hand in hand they to the palace valk, 
 
 Pkas'd and inftrufted with each other's talk. 
 
 Here , should I tell turniture's expence , 
 And all the ftrufture's vad magnificence , 
 Defcribe the walls of shining faphire made , 
 "With emerald and pearl the floors inlaid , 
 And hoTT the vaulted canopies unfold 
 A mimic heav'n , and fiam.e with gems and gold ; 
 Or how Felicity regales her gueft , 
 The wit , the mirth, the mufic, and the feaft; 
 And on each part beftow the praifes due , 
 'Twould tire the "wrif^r, and the reader too. 
 My amorous tale a fofrer path purfues : 
 Love and the happy pair demand my Mufe. 
 O could her art in equal terms exprefs 
 The lives they lead , the pleafures they poiTefs ! 
 Fortune had ne'er fo plenteoufly before 
 BeAow'd her gifts , nor can sh? lavish more. 
 'Tis heav'n itfclf, 'tis ecllacy of blifs , 
 Uninterrupted -oy , untir'd excefs ; 
 Mirth following mirth the moments dance away j 
 Love claims the night, and friendship rules the day. 
 
 Their tender c^re no cold indiff'rence knows j 
 No jealoufies dillurb their fweet repofe ; 
 No ficknefs , no decay, but youthful grace, 
 And conftant beauty shines in either face. 
 Benumming age may mortal charms invade , 
 Flow'rs of a day that do but bloom and fade ; 
 Far diff'rent here , on them it only blows
 
 King OF Russia. 135 
 
 The lilly's white , and fpreads the blushing rofe •, 
 No conquefl o'er thofe radiant eyes can boaft •, 
 They like the ftars shine brighter in its froft ; 
 Nor fear its rigour, nor its rule obey ; 
 Allfeafons -.re the fame, and every month is May. 
 
 Alas ! how vain is happinefs below! 
 Man foon or late muft have his share of woe: 
 Slight are his joys , and fleeting as the wind ; 
 His griefs wound home , and leave a fling behind. 
 His lot diftinguish'd from the brute appears 
 Lefs certain by his laughter than his tears-. 
 For ignorance too oft our pleafure breeds , 
 But forrow from the reas'ning foul proceeds. 
 
 If man on earth in endlefs blifs could be , 
 The boon , young prince , had been beftow'd on 
 
 thee. 
 Bright shone thy fiars, thy fortune flourish'd fair, 
 And feem'd fecure beyond the reach of care , 
 And fo might ftill have been , but anxious thought 
 Hasdash'dthycup, and thou muft taftethe draught. 
 
 Itfobefel, as on a certain day 
 This happy couple toy'd their tune away , 
 He ask'd how many charming hours were flown, 
 Since on her flave her heav'n of beauty shone. 
 Should I confultmy heart , cried he , the rate 
 Were fmall , a week would be the utmoft date : 
 But when my mind reflects on adlions pafl. 
 And counts its joys , time muft have fled more faft. 
 Perhaps 1 might have faid, three months are gone,
 
 136 P O R S E N N A, 
 
 Three months I replied the fair, three months alone! 
 Know that three hundred years have roll'd avay , 
 Since at my feet the lovely phoenix lay. 
 Three hundred years ! re-echo'd back the prince , 
 A whole three hundred years compleated iince 
 1 landed here! O ! whither then are flown 
 My deareft friends, my fubjefts , and my throne? 
 How ftrange , alas I how alter'd shall I find 
 Each earthly thing , each fcene I left behind ! 
 "Who knows me now ? on whom shall I depend 
 To gain my rights I where shall I find a friend! 
 My crown perhaps may grace a foreign line , 
 A race of kings , that know not me nor mine-, 
 Who reigns may wish my death , his fubjefts treat 
 My claim with fcorn , and call their prince a cheat. 
 Oh had my life been ended as begun I 
 My deftin'd ilage , my race of glory run , 
 I should have died well pleas'd •, my honour'd name 
 Had iiv'd , had flourish'd in the lift of fame -, 
 Reflefting now my mind with horror fees 
 The fad furvey , a fcene of shameful eafe , 
 The odious blot , the fcandal of my race , 
 Scarce known , and only mention'd with difgrace. 
 
 The fair beheld him with impatient eye, 
 And red with anger made this warm reply. 
 Ungrateful man ! is this the kind return 
 My love deferves ? and can you thus withfcorn 
 Rejeft what once you priz'd , what once you fwore 
 Surpafs'd all charms , and made ev'n glory poor }
 
 King OF Russia. i$7 
 
 What gifts have I befj:ow'd , what favours shewn ! 
 
 Made j^ou partaker of my h^d and throne ; 
 
 Three centuries prefervM in youthful prime , 
 
 Safe from the rage of death, and injuries of time* 
 
 Weak arguments ! for glory reigns above 
 
 The feeble ties of gratitude and love. 
 
 I urge them not, nor would requeft your day •, 
 
 The phantom glory calls , and I obey. 
 
 All other virtues are regardlefs quhe , 
 
 Sunk and abforb'd in that fuperior light. 
 
 Go , then , barbarian, to thy realms return, 
 
 And shew thyfelf unworthy my concern ; 
 
 Go , tell the world , your tender heart could give 
 
 Death to the princefs , by whofe care you live. 
 
 At this a deadly pale her cheeks o'erfpread. 
 Cold trembling feiz'd her limbs, her fpirits fled ; 
 She funk into his arms : the prince was mov'd , 
 Felt all her griefs , for ftill he greatly lov'd. 
 He figh'd , he wish'd he could forget his throne , 
 Confine his thoughts , and live for her alone -, 
 But glory shot him deep , the venom'd dart 
 Was fix'd within, and rankled at his heart ; 
 He could not hide its wounds, but pin'd away 
 Like a fick flow'r , and languish'd in decay. 
 An age no longer like a month appears , 
 But every month becomes a hundred years. 
 
 Felicity was griev'd, and could not bear 
 A fcene fo chang'd , a fight of fo much care. 
 She told him with a look of cold difdain ,
 
 13^ P O R S E N N A, 
 
 And feeming eafe , as women veil can feign , 
 
 He might depart at T^ill ; a milder air 
 
 Would mend his health-, he vrss no pris'ner there*. 
 
 She kept him not, and wish'd he ne'er might find 
 
 Caufe to regret the place he leftbehind ; 
 
 "Which once he lov'd, andT^'hcreheftill muftown, 
 
 He had at leaft fome little pleafure known. 
 
 if thefe prophetic words awhile deflroy 
 His peace > the former ballance it in Joy. 
 He thank'd her for her kind concern , but chofe 
 To quit the place , the reft letheav'n difpofe. 
 For Fate , on mifchiefs bent, perverts the will, 
 And lirA infatuates whom it means to kill. 
 
 Aurora now, not, as she wont to rife , 
 In gay attire ting'd with a thoufand dies , 
 But fober-fad in folemn ftate appears , 
 Clad in a dusky veil bedew'd with tears. 
 Tliick mantling clouds beneath her chariot fpread, 
 A faded wreath hangs drooping from her head. 
 The fick'ning fun emits a feeble ray. 
 Half drown'd in fogs , and ftruggling into day. 
 Some black event the threat'ning skies foretel, 
 Porfenna rcfe to take his laft farewel, 
 A cunous veft the mournful princefs brought, 
 And aimour by the Lemnian artift wrought-, 
 A shining lance with fecret virtue ftor'd. 
 And of reflftlefs force a magic fword ; 
 Caparifons and gems of wond'rous price , 
 And loaded him with gifts and good advice ;
 
 Kin G OF Ru s s I A. 159 
 
 But chief she gave , and what he moft would nee d, 
 
 The fleeteft of her ftud , a flying ftsed. 
 
 The fwift Grifippo , faid th' afilicled fair , -\ 
 
 (Such was the courfer's name) with fpeed shall V 
 
 And place you fafely in your native air •, (bear, 3 
 
 Aff.ft againft the foe, with matchlefs might 
 
 Ravage the field , and turn the doubtful fight : 
 
 "With care protedl you till the danger ceafe , 
 
 Your truft in war, your ornament in peace. 
 
 But this , I warn , beware •, whate'er shall lay 
 
 To intercept your courfe , or tempt your fiay. 
 
 Quit not your faddle, nor your fpeed abate, 
 
 'Till fafely landed at your palace gate. 
 
 On this alone depends your weal or woe ♦, 
 
 Such is the will of Fate , and fo the Gods foreshew. 
 
 He in the fofteft terms repaid her love , 
 
 And vow'd , nor age , nor abfence should remove 
 
 His confi:ant faith , and fure she could not blame 
 
 A short divorce due to his injur'd fame. 
 
 The debt dikharg'd , then should her foldier come 
 
 Gay from the field , and fiush'd with conque;^ , 
 
 "With equal ardour her affeStion meet , (home ; 
 
 And lay his laurels at his miftref^' feet. 
 
 He ceas'd , and fighing took a kind adieu ; 
 
 Then urg'd his deed •, the fierce Grinppo flev/ ; 
 
 "With rapid force outftripp'd the lagging wind , 
 
 And left the blifsful shores , and weeping fair be- 
 
 ( hind ; 
 Now o'er the feas purfued his airy flight.
 
 140 P O R S E N N A, 
 
 Now fco-wer'd the plains , and clirab'd the moun- 
 tain's height. 
 Thus driving on at fpeed the prince had run 
 Near half his courfe , vhen , with the fetting fun , 
 As through a lonely lane he chanc'd to ride , 
 "With rocks and bushes fenc'd on either fide , 
 He fpied a waggon full of wings , that lay- 
 Broke and o'erturn'd acrofs the narrow way. 
 The helplefs driver on the dirty road 
 Lay ftruggling, crush'd beneath th' incumbent load. 
 Never in human shape was feen before 
 A wight fo pale, fo feeble, and fo poor. 
 Comparifons of age would do him wrong, 
 For Neftor's felf , if plac'd by him , were young. 
 His limbs were naked all , and worn fo thin , 
 The bones feem'd darting through the parchment 
 
 skin , 
 His eyes half drown'd in rheum , his accents weak , 
 Bald was his head , and furrow'd was his cheek. 
 The confcious fteed ftopp'd short in deadly 
 fright , 
 And bick recoiling {Iretch'd his wings for flight, 
 W"hen thus the wretch with fupplicating tone , "\ 
 And rueful face, began his piteous moan, > 
 
 And , as he fpake, the tears ran trickling down. ^ 
 O gentle youth, if pity e'er inclin'd 
 Thy foul to gen'rous deeds , if e'er thy mind 
 Was touch'd with foft diftrefs , extend thy care 
 To fave an old man's life , and eafe the load 1 bear.
 
 K I N G O F R U S S I A. 141 
 
 S J may propitious heav'n your jouraey Tpeed , 
 Prolong your days , and all your vows fucc^ed. 
 
 Mov'd with the pray'r the kind Porfenna (laid , 
 Too nobly-miadedtorefufe his aid, 
 And , prudence yielding to fuperior grief , 
 Leap'd from his fteed, and ran to his relief ; 
 Rcmov'd the weight, and gave the pris'ner breath, 
 Juft choak'd, and gafping on the verge of death. 
 Then reach'd his hand , when lightly with a bound 
 The grizly fpedtre vaulting from the ground , 
 Seiz'd him with fudden gripe , tlV aftonish'd prince 
 Stood iiorror-ftruck , and thoughtlefs of defence, 
 
 O king of Ruilia , with a thund'ring found 
 Bellow'd the ghaftlyfiend, at length thou'rt found. 
 Receive the ruler of mankind . and know. 
 My name is Time , thy ever-dreaded foe. 
 Thefe feet are found er'd , and the wings you fea 
 Worn to the pinions in purfuit of thee ; 
 Through all the world in vain for ages fought , 
 But Fate has doom'd thee now , and thou art caught. 
 Then round his neck his arms he nimbly caft, 
 Andfeiz'd him by the throat , and grafp'd him fafl ; 
 Till forc'd at length the foul forfook its feat , 
 And the pale breathlefs corfe fell bleeding at his £eQt, 
 
 Scarce had the curfed fpoiler left his prey , 
 "When, fo it chanc'd, young Zephyr pafs'd that way j 
 Too late his prefence to affift his friend , 
 A fad , but helplefs witnefs of his end. 
 He chafes , and fans , and ftrives in vain to cure
 
 14* PORSENNA, 
 
 His fireamlngw^ounds-, the work was done too fiire. 
 Now lightly with a foft embrace uprears 
 The lifelefs load ; and bathes it in his tears : 
 Then to the blifsful feats with fpeed conveys. 
 And graceful on the moffy carpet lays 
 With decent care , clofe by the fountain's fide , 
 "M'here firft the princefs had her phoenix fpied. 
 There with fwect flow'rs his lovely limbs he 
 
 ftrew'd , 
 And gave a parting kifs, and fighs and tears be- 
 To that fad folitude the weeping dame , ( ftov'd. 
 "Wild with her lofs, and fwoln with forrow, came. 
 There was she wont to vent her griefs , and mourn 
 Thofe dear delights that muft no more return. 
 Thither that morn with more than ufual care 
 She fpcd, but oh what joy to find him there 1 
 As juft arriv'd , and weary with the way , 
 Retir'd to foft repofe her hero lay. 
 Now near approaching she began to creep 
 With careful fteps , loth to difturb his fleep ; 
 Till quite o'ercome with tendernefs she flew , 
 And round his neck her arms in tranfport threw. 
 But , when she found him dead, no tongue can tell 
 The pangs she felf, she shriek'd , and fwooning fell. 
 Waking, with loud laments she pierc'd the skies , 
 And fiird th' affrighted foreft with her cries. 
 That fatal hour the palace gates she barr'd , 
 And fix'd around the coaft a ftronger guard ; 
 Now rare appearing , and at diftance feen ,
 
 King of Russia. 143 
 
 With crowds of black misfortunes plac'd between ; 
 Mifchiefs of every kind, corroding care , 
 And fears , and Jealoufie* , and dark deipair. 
 And fince that day ( the wretched world mufl own 
 Thcfe mournful truths by fad experience known ) 
 No mortal e'er enjoy'd that happy clime , 
 And every thing on earth fubmits to Time,
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 TRAVELLER; 
 
 OR, A 
 
 PROSPECToF SOCIETY,
 
 T O TH E 
 
 Rev. henry GOLDSMITH. 
 
 D EAR Sir. 
 
 X A M fenfible that the friendship betiireen us can 
 acquire no new force from the ceremonies of a 
 Dedication ; and perhaps it demands anexcufe thus 
 to prefix your name to my attempts , which you 
 decline giving with your own. But as a part of 
 this Poem was formerly written to you from 
 Switzerland , the whole can now , with propriety , 
 be only infcribed to you. It will alfo throw a light 
 upon many parts of it , when the reader under- 
 ftands, that it is addreffed to a man , who, defpifing 
 Fame and Fortune , has retired early to happinefs 
 ' obfcurity , with an income of ferty pounds 
 
 ar. 
 1 now perceive , my dear brother , the wif- 
 lom of your humble choice. You have entered 
 ipon a facred office, where the harveft is great , 
 nd the labourers are but few ; while you have 
 jft the field of Ambition , where the labourers 
 re many , and the harreft not worth carrying
 
 I4« DEDICATION, 
 
 away. But cf all kinds of ambition , what from 
 the refinement of the times, rrom differing fyflems 
 of criticifm , and from the divifions cf party , that 
 which purfues poetical fame is the wildei^. 
 
 Poetry makes a principal amulement among 
 unpolished nations ; but in a country verging to 
 the extremes of refinement , Painting and Mufic 
 come in for a share. As thefe offer the feeble 
 mindalefs laborious entertainment, they at firft 
 rival Poetry, andat length fupplant her •, they en- 
 grofs all that favour once shewn to her, aud' 
 though but younger lifters , feize upon the elder's 
 birth-right. 
 
 Yet , however this art may be neglefted by 
 the powerful , it is ftill in greater danger from 
 the miftaken efforts of the learned to improve >t, 
 What criticifms have we not heard of late in 
 favour of blank verfe , and Pindaric odes , chor- 
 iiffes, anapefts and iambics, alliterative care nd 
 happy negligence ! Every abfurdity has no . ' a 
 champion to defend it, and as he is genet jlly 
 much in the wrong , fo he has always much to 1 jy; 
 for error is ever talkative. 
 
 But th?re is an enemy to this art ftill more dar g'S r« 
 ous , I mean Party. Party entirely diftort.^ t'le 
 judgment , and dcftroys the tafte. When the nurid 
 is once infeded with this difeafe , it can onh find 
 pleafure in what contributes to increafe the dif- 
 temper. Like the tyger that feldom defifts from 
 
 '
 
 DEDICATION. 149 
 
 purfuing man after having once preyed upon hu- 
 man flesh , the reader , -who has once gratified 
 his appetite with calumny , makes , ever after , 
 the moft agreeable feaft upon murdered reputa- 
 tion. Such readers generally admire fome half- 
 witted thing , who wants to be thought a bold 
 man , having loft the character of a wife one. 
 Him they; dignify with the name of poet ; his 
 tawdry lampoons are called fatires , his turbulence 
 is faid to be force , and his phrenzy fire. 
 
 What reception a Poem may find , which has 
 neither abufe, party , nor blank verfe to fupport 
 it, I cannot teJl , nor am I folicitous to knov/. 
 My aims are right. Without efpoufing the caufe 
 of any party , I have attempted to moderate the 
 rage of all. I have endeavoured to shew , that 
 there may be equal happinefs in ftates , that are 
 differently governed from our own •, that every 
 ftate has a particular principle of happinefs , and 
 that this principle in each m^y be carried to a. 
 mifchievous excefs. There are few can judge , 
 better than yourfelf , how far thefe pofitions are 
 illuftrated in this Poem. 
 
 I am , dear Sir , 
 
 Your moft affe£l:ionate Brother , 
 Oliver Goldsmith, 
 
 G3
 
 THE 
 
 TRAVE LLER; 
 
 OR, A 
 
 PROSPECT OF SOCIETY. 
 
 JLVemote , unfriended , melancholy^ flew , 
 Or by the lazy Scheld , or v/andcring Po ; 
 Or onward , vhere the rude Carinthian boor 
 Againft the houfelefs ftranger sh''-:- the door; 
 Or v/here Campania's plain forfakcn lyes , 
 A weary wafte expanding to the skies : 
 "Where'er I roam, v/hatever realms to fee. 
 My heart untraveird fondly turns to thee •, 
 Still to my brother turns , with ceafelefs pain. 
 And drags at each remove a lengthening chain. 
 
 Eternal bleffings crown my earlieft friend , 
 And round his dwelling guardian faints attend; 
 Bleft be thatfpot , where chearful guefts retire 
 To paufe from toil, and trim their ev'ningfire; 
 Bleft that abode , where want and pain repair , 
 And every ftranger finds a ready chair ; 
 
 C4
 
 1^2 The traveller. 
 
 Bleft be thofe feafts -with fimple plenty crown'd , 
 
 Where all the ruddy family around , 
 
 Laugh at the jefts or pranks that never fail , 
 
 Or figh with pity at feme fcournful tale , 
 
 Or prefs the bashful ftranger to his food , 
 
 And learn the luxury of doing good. 
 
 But me , not deftin'd fuch delights to share , 
 My prime of life in vand'ring fpent and care , 
 Impell'd , "with fteps unceafing , to purfue 
 Some fleeting good, that mocks me with the view; 
 That, like the circle bounding earth and skies ; 
 Allures from far , yet , as I follow , flies •, 
 My fortune leads to traverfe realms alone , 
 And find no fpot of all the world my own. 
 
 Even now , where Alpine folitudes afcend , 
 I fit me down a penfive hour to fpend -, 
 And , plac'd on high above the ftorm's career , 
 Look downward where an hundred realms appear i 
 Lakes , forefls , cities , plains extending wide , 
 The pomp of kings, the shepherd's humbler pride, 
 
 When thus Creation's charms around combine , 
 Araidfl the ftorc , should thanklefs pride repine ? 
 Say , should the phiiofophic mind difdain 
 That good,which makes each humbler bofom vain? 
 Let fchool-taught pride diffemble all it can , 
 Thefe little things are great to little man i 
 Andwiferhe, whofe fympathetic mind 
 Exults in all the good of all m.ankind. (crown'd, 
 Ye glitt'ring towns , with wealth and fplendour
 
 The traveller. 1^3 
 
 Ye fields , where fummer fpreads profufion round, 
 Ye lakes , whofe veffels catch the bufy gale , 
 Ye bending iVains , that drefs the flow'ry vale , 
 For me your tributary ftores combine •, 
 Creation's heir , the world , the world is mine. 
 
 - As fome lone mifer vifiting his ftore , 
 Bends at his treafure, counts , recounts it o'er -, 
 Hoards after hoards his rifing raptures fill , 
 Yet ftill he fighs , for hoards are wanting ftill : 
 Thus to my breaft alternate paffions rife , 
 Pleas'd with each good that heaven to man fup- 
 Yet oft a ligh prevails , and forrows fall , ( plies : 
 To fee the hoard of human blifs fo fmall •, 
 And oft I wish, amidfl: the fcene , to find 
 Some fpot to real happinefs confign'd , 
 Where my worn foul, each wand'ring hope at reft. 
 May gather blifs to fee my fellows bleft. 
 
 But where to find that happieft fpot below , 
 "Who can dired , when all pretend to know ? 
 The shudd'ring tenant of the frigid zone 
 Boldly proclaims that happieft fpot his own. 
 Extols the treafures of his ftormy feas , 
 And his long nights of revelry and eafe •, 
 The naked negroe , panting at the line , 
 Boafts of his golden fands and palmy wine. 
 Basks in the glare , or ftems the tepid wave , 
 And thanks his Gods for all the good they gave. 
 Such is the patriot's boaft , where'er we roam , 
 His firft , beft country ever is , at home.
 
 IJ4 The TRAVELLER. 
 
 And yet, perhaps , if countries we compare , 
 And eftimate the bleflings which they share ; 
 Tho' patriots flatter , ftill shall wifdom find 
 An equal portion dealt to all mankind , 
 As different good , by Art or Nature given , 
 To different nations makes their bleffings even. 
 
 Nature, a mother kind alike to all , 
 Still grants her blifs at labour's earneft call •, 
 "With food as well the peafantis fupply'd 
 On Idra's cliffs as Arno's shelvy fide •, } 
 
 And though the rocky crefted fummits frown.', 
 Thefe rocks , by cufiom , turn to beds of do-^n. 
 From Art more various are the bleflings fent •, 
 "Wealth , commerce , honour , liberty, content. 
 Yet thefe each other's power fo ftrong contefi , 
 That either feems deftrudlive of the reft, (fails, 
 "Where wealth and freedom reign contentment 
 And honour finks where commerce long prevails. 
 Hence every ftate to one lov'd blefllng prone , 
 Conforms and models life to that alone. 
 Each to the favourite happinefs attends , 
 And fpurns the plan that aims at other ends j 
 'Till , carried to excefs in each domain , 
 This favourite good begets peculiar pain. 
 
 But let us try thefe truths with clofer eyes , 
 And trace them through the profpeft as it lies : 
 Here for a while my proper cares refign'd , 
 Here let me fit in forrow for mankind , 
 Like yon aegk^ed shrub at random caA ,
 
 The traveller. 155 
 That shades the fteep , and fighs at every blaft. 
 
 Far to the right where Appenine afcends , 
 Bright as the fummer , Italy extends ; 
 Its uplands floping deck the mountain's fide, 
 "Woods over woods in gay theatric pride ; 
 "While of: fome temple's mould'ring tops beiveen, 
 With venerable grandeur mark the fcene. 
 
 Could Nature's bounty fatisfy the breaft , 
 The fons of Italy "W'ere furely bleft. 
 >X''hatever fruits in different climes -were found , 
 That proudly rife , or humbly court the ground -, 
 Whatever blooms in torrid trails appear , 
 Whofe bright fucceflion decks the varied year i 
 "Whatever fweets falute the northern sky 
 "With vernal lives that bloffom but to die ; 
 Thcfe here difporting own the kindred foil , 
 Nor ask luxuriance from the planter's toil : 
 "While fca-born gales their gelid wings expand 
 To winnow fragrance round the fmiling land. 
 
 But fmr.ll the blifs that fenfe alone bellows , 
 And fenfual blifs is all the nation knows. 
 In florid beauty groves and fields appear , 
 Man feems the only growth that dwindles here. 
 Contrafted faults through all his manners reign , 
 Though poor , luxurious , though fubmiflive,vain , 
 Though grave, yet trifling , zealous, yet untrue , 
 And ev'n in penance planning fms anew. 
 All evils here contaminate the mind , 
 That opulence departed leaves behind , 
 
 G6
 
 156 The TRAVELLER. 
 
 For \7ealth was theirs , nor far remov'd the date, 
 "When commerce proudly flourish'd through the 
 At her command the palace learnt to rife , (ftate ; 
 Again the long-fallen column fought the skies; 
 The canvafs gloVd beyond ev'n Nature warm , 
 The pregnant quarry teem'd with human form. 
 Till , more unfteady than the fouthern gale , 
 Commerce on other shores difplay'd her fail ; 
 "While nought remain'd of all that riches gave , 
 But towns unman'd , and lords without a (lave : 
 And late the nation found with fruitlefs skill 
 Its former ftrength was but plethoric ill. 
 
 Yet , ftill the lofs of wealth is here fupplled 
 By arts , the fplendid wrecks of former pride; 
 From thefe the feeble heart and long-fall'n mind 
 An eafy compenfation feemto find. 
 Here may be feen , in bloodlefs pomp array'd , 
 The pafte-board triumph and the cavalcade, 
 Proceffions form'd for piety and love , 
 A miftrefs or a faint in every grove. 
 By fports like thefe are all their cares beguil'd. 
 The fports of children fatisfy the child ; 
 Each nobler aim repreft by long controul , 
 JNow finks at lafi , or feebly mans the foul ; 
 "While low delights , fucceeding fafl: behind , 
 In happier meannefs occupy the mind: 
 As in thofe domes , where Caefars once bore fway, 
 Defac'd by time and tottering in decay , 
 There in the ruin , heedlefs of the dead ,
 
 The traveller. 157 
 The shelter-feeking peafant builds his shed , 
 And , v/ond'ring man could vant the larger pile , 
 Exults , and owns his cottage with a fmile. 
 
 My foul turn from them , turn ve to furvey 
 Vhere rougher climes a nobler race difplay , 
 "Where the bleak Sv.afs their ftormy manfions 
 And force a churlish foil for fcanty bread •, (tread. 
 No produdl here the barren hills afford , 
 But Man and fteel , the foldier and his fword. 
 No vernal blooms their torpid rocks array , 
 But printer ling'ring chills the lap of May ; 
 No Zephyr fondly fues the mountain's breaft , 
 But meteors glare, and ilormy glooms invefi:. 
 
 Yet ftill , even here, content can fpread a charm, 
 Redrefs the clime , and all its rage difarm. 
 Though poor the peafant's hut , his feafts though 
 He fees his little lot the lot of all ; ( fmall , 
 
 Sees no contiguous palace rear its head 
 To shame the meannefs of his humble shed ; 
 So coftly lord the famptuous banquet deal 
 To make him loath his vegetable meal •, 
 5ut calm , and bred in ignorance and toil , 
 Each wish contrafting , iits him to the foil. 
 Chearful at morn he wakes from short repofe , 
 Breafts the keen air , and carrols as he goes i 
 With patient angle trolls the finny deep , 
 Or drives his venturous plow-share to the fleep ; 
 Or feeks the den where fnow-tracks mark the way, 
 ind drags the ftruggling favage into day.
 
 ijS The traveller. 
 
 At night returning , every labour fped , 
 He fits him down the monarch of a shed ; 
 Smiles by his chearful fire , and round furveys 
 His childrens looks, that brighten at the blaze ; 
 "V^^hile his lov'd partner , boaftful of her hoard , 
 Difplays her cleanly platter on the board ; 
 And haply too fome pilgrim , thither led , 
 With many a tale repays the nightly bed. 
 
 Thus every good his native wilds impart, 
 Imprints the patriot paflion on his heart , 
 And even thofe ills , that round his manfion rife, 
 Enhance the blifs his fcanty fund fupplies. 
 Dear is that shed to which his foul conforms , 
 And dear that hill which lifts him to the ftorms •, 
 And as a child, when fearing founds molefl. 
 Clings clofc and clofer to the mother's breaft , 
 So the loud torrent , and the whirlwind's roar , 
 But bind him to his native mountains more. 
 
 Such are the charms to barren flates affign'd; 
 Their wants but few , their wishes all confin'd. 
 Yet let them only share the praifes due , 
 If few their wants , their pleafures are but few ; 
 For every want that ftimulates the bresft , 
 Becomes a fource of pleafure when redreft. 
 "Whence from fuch lands each pleafingfcience flies. 
 That firft excites defire , and then fupplies •, 
 Unknown to them, when fenfual pleafures cloy, 
 To fill the languid paufe with finer joy, 
 Unknown thofe povers that raile the foultofi2iB«»
 
 The traveller. 179 
 Catch every nerve>and vibrate through the frame. 
 Their level life is but a fmould'ring fire , 
 Un^uench'd by want , unfann'd by ftrong deilre ; 
 Unfit for raptures , or, if raptures cheer 
 On fome high feftival of once a year , 
 In wild excefs the vulgar breaft takes fire , 
 Till y buried in debauch , the blifs expire. 
 
 But not their joys alone thus coarfely flow: 
 Their morals , like their pleafures , are but low : 
 For , as refinement flops from fire to fon 
 Unalter'd , unimprov'd the manners run , 
 And love's and friendship's finely pointed dart 
 Fall blunted from each indurated heart. 
 Some fterner virtues o'er the mountain's bread 
 May fit , like falcons cowring on theneft; 
 But all the gentler morals, fuch as play ( the way. 
 Through life's more cultur'd walks , and charm 
 Thefe far difpei-s'd , on timorous pinions fly , 
 To fport and flutter in a kinder sky. 
 
 To kinder skies , where gentler manners reign, 
 I turn •, and France difplays her bright domain. 
 Gay fprightly land of mirth and focial eafe , 
 Pleas'd with thyfelf,whom all the world can pleafe, 
 How often have i led thy fportive choir , 
 With tunelefs pipe , befide the murmuring Loire } 
 Where sliding elms along the margin grew , 
 And freshen'd from the wave the Zephyr fiew ; 
 And haply , though my harsh touch faltering ftill , 
 But mock'd all tune , and marr'd the dancer's skill j
 
 i6o The TRAVELLER. 
 
 Yet would the villagepraife my wonderous pov'r. 
 
 And dance , forgetful of the noon-tide hour. 
 
 Alike all ages. Dames of ancient days 
 
 Have led their children through the mirthful maze, 
 
 And the gay grsndfire , skiil'd in geftic lore , 
 
 Has frisk'd beneath the burthen of threefcore. 
 
 So bleft a life thefe thoughtlefs realms difplay. 
 Thus idly bufy rolls their vorld away : 
 Theirs are thofe arts that mind to mind endear , 
 For honour forms the focial temper here. 
 Honour , that praife v/hich real merit gains , 
 Or even imaginary -worth obtains , 
 Here paffes current ; paid from hand to hand , 
 It shifts in fplendid traffic round the land : 
 From courts , to camps , to cottages it ftrays ; 
 And all are taught an avarice of praife •, 
 They pleafe, are pleas'd, they give to get efteem. 
 Till, feeming bleft , they grow to what they feem. 
 
 But while this fofter art their blifs fupplies , 
 It gives their follies alfo room to rife ; 
 For praife too dearly lov'd, or warmly fought , 
 Enfeebles all internal foength of thought. 
 And the weak foul , within itfelf unblefl , 
 Leans for all pleafure on another's breaft. 
 Hence oflentationhere , with tawdry art , 
 Pants for the vulgar praife which fools impart; 
 Here vanity alTuraes her pert grimace. 
 And trims her robes of frize with copper lace , 
 Here beggar pride defrauds her daily cheer ,
 
 The traveller. 161 
 
 To boaftone fplendid banquet once a year; 
 The mind ftill turns where shifting fashion dra-ws. 
 Nor weighs the folid worth of felf appiaufe. 
 
 To men of other minds my fancy fiies, 
 Embofom'din the deep where Holland lies , 
 Methinks her patient fons before me ftand , 
 "Where the broad ocean leans againft the land , 
 And , fedulous to flop the coming tide , 
 Lift the tall rampire's artificial pride. 
 Onward methinks , and diligently flow 
 The firm connefled bulwark feems to grow. 
 Spreads its long arms amidll the watry roar. 
 Scoops out an empire , and ufurps the shore. 
 While the pent ocean rifing o'er the pile. 
 Sees an amphibious world beneath him fmile j 
 The flow canal, the yellow bloffom'd vale , 
 The willow tufted bank, the gliding fail , 
 The crov/ded mart , the cultivated plain, 
 A new creation refcu'd from his reign. 
 
 Thus , while around the wave-fubjeifled foil 
 Impels the native to repeated toil , 
 Induflrious habits in each bofom reign , 
 And induftry begets a love of gain. 
 Hence all the good from opulence that fprings , 
 "With all thofe ills fuperfluous treafure brings , 
 Are here difplay'd. Their much-lov'd wealth im- 
 Convenience , plenty , elegance , and arts •, (parts 
 But view them clofcr , craft and fraud appear , 
 Even liberty itfelf is barter'd here.
 
 f6i The TRAVELLER. 
 
 At gold's fuperlor charms all freedom flies , 
 The needy fell it , and the rich man buys ; 
 A land of tyrants , and a den of fiaves , 
 Here wretches feek dishonourable graves , 
 And calmly bent, to fervitude conform , 
 Dull as their lakes that Tiuraberin the ftorm. 
 
 Heavens! ho-vr unlike their Belgic fires of old! 
 Rough , poor , content , ungovernably bold •, 
 War in each breaft, and freedom on each brov ; 
 Ho\^'' much unlike the fons of Britain no\r ! 
 
 Fir'd at the found my genius fpreads her ving , 
 And flies where Britain courts the wefternfpring; 
 "NThere lawns extend that fcorn Arcadian pride , 
 And brighter dreams than fam'd Hydafpis glide. 
 There all around the gentleft breezes ftray, - 
 There gentle muflc melts on every fpray i 
 Creation's mildeft charms are there combin'd. 
 Extremes are only in the mafter's mind! 
 Stern o'er each bofom reafon holds her ftate, 
 "With daring aims irregularly great , 
 Pride in their port , defiance in their eye , 
 I fee the lords of human kind pafs by , 
 Intent on high defigns , a thoughtful band , 
 By forms unfashion'd , fresh from Nature's hand; 
 Fierce in their native hardinefs of foul, 
 True to imagin'd right , above controul , 
 "While even the peafant boafts thefe rights to fcan, 
 And learns to venerate himfelf as man. ( here , 
 
 Thine , Freedom , thine the blefilngs pi^ur'd
 
 The traveller. 165 
 
 Thine are thofe charms that dazzle and endear j 
 Too bleft indeed » were fuch without alloy. 
 But fofter'd even by Freedom ills annoy : 
 That independence Britons prize too high , 
 Keeps man from man , and breaks the focial tie j 
 The felf-dependent lordlings ftand alone , 
 Vll claims that bind and fweeten life unknown *, 
 dere by the bonds of nature feebly held , 
 Minds combat minds , repelling and repell'd. 
 Ferments arife , iraprifon'd factions roar , 
 Repreft ambition ftruggles round her shore , 
 Till over -wrought , the general fyftem feels 
 Its motions flopt , or phrenzy fire the wheels. 
 
 Nor this the worft. As nature's ties decay , 
 As duty , love , and honour fail to fway , * 
 Fiftitious bonds , the bonds of wealth and law , 
 Still gather ftrength , and force unwilling awe. 
 Hence all obedience bows to thefe alone , 
 And talent fmks , and merit weeps unknown ; 
 Till time may come, when ftript of all her charms. 
 The land of fcholars , and the nurfe of arms i 
 Where noble ftems tranfmit the patriot flame » 
 Where kings have toil'd , and poets wrote for 
 One fink of level avarice shall lie , (fame ; 
 
 And fcholars , foldiers , kings, unhonour'd die. 
 
 Yet think not , thus when Freedom's ills I ftate, 
 t mean to flatter kings, or court the great •, 
 Ye powers of truth that bid my foul afpire , 
 Far from my bofom drive the low defire j
 
 i64 T H s TRAVELLER. 
 And thou fair Freedom , taught alike to feel 
 The rabble's rage , and tyrant's angry fteel j 
 Thou tranfitory flower , alil-re undone 
 By proud contempt , or favour's foftering fun , 
 Still may thy blooms the changeful clime endure, 
 I only would reprcis them to fecure : 
 For juft experience tells -, in ever}"- foil , 
 That thofe who think rauft govern thofe that toil j 
 And all that freedom's higheli aims can reach , 
 Is but to lay proportion'd loads on each. 
 Hence , should one ordor dapropornon'd grow , 
 Its double weight muft rum all below. 
 
 O then how blind to all that truih requires , 
 "Who think it freedom when a part afpires ! 
 Calm is my foul , nor apt to rife iii arms , 
 Except when faft approaching danger warms : 
 But when contending chiefs blockade the ihra.'ie, 
 Ccnrrading regal power to ftretch their own , 
 When I behold a fad^ious band agree 
 .To call it freedom when themfelves are free •, 
 Each wanton judge new penal flatutcs draw , 
 L"ws grind the poor, and rich m.en rule the law; 
 The wealth of climes, where favage nations roam, 
 Pillag'd from llaves to purchafe flaves at home •, 
 Fear, pity , juftice , indignation ftart. 
 Tear off referve,and bare my fwelling heart •, 
 'Till half a patriot , half a coward grown , 
 1 fly from petty tyrants to the throne. 
 
 Yes , brother , curfe with me that baleful hour
 
 The traveller. 165 
 
 When firft ambition ftfackat regal power ; 
 And thus polluting honour in its fource , 
 Gave v/ealth to fvay the mind with double force. 
 Have we not feen , round Britain's peopled shore. 
 Her ufeful fons exchanged for ufelefs ore ? 
 Seen all her triumphs but deftrudlion hafte , 
 Like flaring tapers brightening as they wafte ; 
 Seen opulence , her grandeur to maintain , 
 Lead ftern depopulation in her train , 
 And over fields where fcatter'd hamlets rofe , 
 In barren folitary pomp repofe ? 
 Have we not feen at pleafure's lordly call , 
 The fmiling long-frequented village fall ; 
 Beheld the duteous fon , the fire decay'd. 
 The modeft matron, and the blushing maid , 
 Forc'd from their homes , a melancholy train , 
 To traverfe climes beyond the wertern main ; 
 Where wild Ofwego fpreads her fwamps around, 
 And Niagara ftuns with thund'ring found ? 
 
 Even now, perhaps, as there fome pilgrim flrays 
 Through tangled forefts , and through dangerous 
 
 ways ; 
 Where beads with man divided empire claim , 
 And the brown Indian marks with murderous aim; 
 There , while above the giddy temoeft flies , 
 And all around diflrefsful yells arife , 
 The penfive exile, bending with his woe , 
 To flop too fearful , and too faint to go , 
 Cafts a long look where England's glories shine,
 
 x65 The TRAVELLER. 
 
 And bids his bofora fyrapathize with mine. 
 
 Vain , very vain , my weary fearch to find 
 That blifs which only centers in the mind: 
 Vhy have I ftray'd , from pleafure and repofe , 
 To feek a good each government beftows ? 
 In every government , though terrors reign , 
 Though tyrant kings , or tyrant laws reftrain , 
 How fmall of all that human hearts endure , 
 That part which laws or kings can caufe or cure* 
 Still to ourfelves in every place confign'd , 
 Our own felicity we make or find : 
 Withfecretcourle , which no loud ftorms annoy. 
 Glides the fmooth current of domeftic joy. 
 The lifted ax , the agonizing wheel , 
 Luke's iron crown , and Damien's bed of fteel , 
 To men remote from power but rarely known , 
 Leave reafon , faith , and confcience, all our owa»
 
 THE 
 
 SERTED VILLAGE,
 
 T O 
 
 SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. 
 
 D E AR S I R, 
 
 1 Can have no expedlatlons in an addrefsof this 
 kind, either to add to your reputation, or to 
 eftabhsh my own. You can gain nothing from 
 my admiration , as I am ignorant of that art in 
 which you are faid to excel ; and I may lofe 
 much by the feverity of your judgment , as few- 
 have a jufter tafte in poetry than you. Setting in- 
 tereft therefore afide , to which I never paid much 
 attention, I muft be indulged at prefent in follow- 
 ing my affedlions. The only dedication I ever 
 made was to my brother , becaufe I loved him 
 'jctter than moft other men. He is iince dead, 
 ermit me to infcribe this Poem to you. 
 How far you maybe pleafed with the verfificatlon 
 id mere mechanical parts of this attempt , I don't 
 retend to enquire •, but I know you will objeSt 
 j md indeed feveral of our beft and wifeft friends 
 )ncurin the opinion) that the depopulation it 
 
 H
 
 170 DEDICATION. 
 
 deplores is no where to be feea , and the difor- 
 ders it laments are only to be found in the poet's 
 own imagination. To this I can fcarce make any 
 other anfwer than that I fincerely believe what 
 I have written •, that I have talcen all poiliblc pains , 
 in my country exciulions , for thefe four or five 
 years paft, to be certain of what I alledge •, and that 
 all my views and enquiries have led me to believe 
 thofe miferies real,which Ihere attempt to difplay. 
 But this is not the place to enter into an enquiry , 
 whether the country be depopulating , or not •, 
 the difcullion would take up much room , and I, 
 should prove myfelf , at beft, an indifferent po» 
 litician , to tire the reader with a long preface p 
 when I want his unfatigued attention to a long 
 poem. 
 
 In regretting the depopulation of the country^ 
 I inveigh againft the encreafe of our luxuries| 
 and here alfo 1 expe£l the shout of modem polW 
 ticians againft me. For twenty or thirty yean 
 paft, it has been the fashion to confider luxury 
 as one of the greateft national advantages •, and 
 all the wifdom of antiquity in that particular , » 
 erroneous. Still ho we ver,I muft remain a profeffd 
 ancient on that head, and continue to thinfc 
 thofe luxuries prejudicial to dates , by which ib 
 many vices are introduced, and fo many kingdoflU 
 have been undone. Indeed fo much has bees 
 poured out of late on the other fide of t^J
 
 DEDICATION, 171 
 
 qiieftion , that , merely for the fake of novelty 
 and variety , one vould fome times "wish to be in 
 the right. 
 
 I am 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your fincere friend, 
 and ardent admirer , 
 Oliver Goldsmith, 
 
 H 2
 
 THE 
 
 DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 
 i3 wEET Auburn , lovelieft village of the plain , 
 ."Where health and plenty cheared the labouring 
 
 fwain , 
 Where fmiling ipring its earliefl vilit paid , 
 And parting fummer's lingering blooms delayed. 
 Dear lovely bowers of innocence and eafe , 
 Seats of my youth , when every fport could pleafe } 
 How often have I loitered o'er thy green , 
 Where humble happinefs endeared each fcene ; 
 How often have 1 paufed on every charm , 
 The sheltered cot , the cultivated farm , 
 The never failing brook , the bufy mill , 
 The decent. church that topt the neighbouring hill. 
 The hawthorn bush , with feats beneath the shade. 
 For talking age and whifpering lovers made j 
 How often have I bleft the coming day , 
 When toil remitting lent its turn to play , 
 And all the village train , from labour free , 
 I Led up their fports beneath the fpreading tree ; 
 1 While many a paftime circled in the shade , 
 |The j^oung contending as the old furveyed ^ 
 
 H3
 
 174 The DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 And many a gambol frolicked o'er the ground , 
 And flights ofart and feafls of ftrength went roundj 
 And ftill as each repeated pleafure tired , 
 Succeeding fports the mirthful band infpired •, 
 The dancing pair that fimply fought renown 
 By holding out to tire each other down •, 
 The fwain miftruftlefs of his fmutted face , 
 While fecrec laughter tittered round the place ; 
 The bashful virgin's fide-long looks of love , 
 The matron's glance that would thofe looks re- 
 prove : 
 Thefe were thy charms , fweet village •, fports like 
 
 thefe , 
 
 "With fweet fucceffion , taught even toil to pleafe ; 
 
 iTheie round thy bowers their chearful influence 
 
 shed, (are fled. 
 
 Thefe were thy charms - But all thefe charms 
 
 Sweet fmiling village, loveliefl of the lawn. 
 Thy fports are fled , and all thy charmswithdrawn •, 
 Amldd thy bowers the tyrant's hand isfecn , 
 And defolation faddens all thy green : 
 One only mader grafps the whole domiin , 
 And half a tillage flints thy fmiling plain •, 
 Nc more thy glafly brook reflefts the day, 
 But choaked with fedges , works its weedy way. 
 Along thy glades , a folitary gueft , 
 The hollow founding bittern guards its neft •, 
 Amidft thy defert walks the lapwing flies , 
 And tires their ecchoes with unvaried cries# 
 
 il
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. 175 
 
 Sunk are thy bov/ers , in shapelefs ruin all , 
 And the long grafs o'ertops the mouldeiing wall. 
 And trembling , shrinking from the fpoiler's hand , 
 Far , far away thy childien leave the land. 
 
 Ill fares the land , to haf^ening ills a prey , 
 ■Where wealth accumulates , and men decay : 
 Princes and lords may flourish , or may fade •, 
 A breath can make- them , as a breath has made ; 
 But a bold peafantry , their country's pride, 
 When once delh-oyed , can never be fupplied. 
 
 A time there was , ere England's griefs began , 
 When every rood of ground maintained its man j 
 For him light labour fpread her wholefome ftore , 
 Juftgave what life required, but gave no more : 
 His bed companions, innocence and health; 
 And his beft riches , ignorance" of wealth. 
 
 But times are altered; trade's unfeeling train 
 Ufurp the land and difpoffefs the fwain ; 
 Along the lawn , where fcartered hsmlets rofe , 
 Unwieldy wealth , and cumbrous pomp repofe ; 
 And every want to opulence allied. 
 And every pang that folly pays to pride. 
 Thefe gentle hours that plenty bade to bloom , 
 Thofe calm defires that asked but little room , 
 Xhofe healthful fports that graced the peaceful 
 
 fcene , 
 Lived in each look , and brightened all the green ; 
 Thefe far departing feek a kinder shore , 
 ^d rural mirth and manners are no more, 
 
 H4
 
 176 The DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 
 Sweet Auburn ! parent of the blifsful houf , 
 Thy glades forlorn confefs the tjTant's power. 
 Here as I take my folitary rounds , 
 Amidft thy tangling walks , and ruined grounds , 
 And , many a year elapfed , return to view 
 "Where once the cottage ftood,the hawthorn grew, 
 Remembrance wakes with all her buiy train , 
 Swells at my breaft , and turns the paft to pain. 
 
 In all my wanderings round this world of care. 
 In all my griefs— and God has given my share- 
 I iliil had hopes my lateft hours to crown , 
 Amidft theie humble bowers to lay me down; 
 To husband out life's taper at the clofe , 
 And keep the flame from wafting by repofe. 
 I flill had hopes, for pride attends us ftill , 
 Amidft the fwains to shew my book-learned skill , 
 Around my ftre an evening groupe to draw , 
 An tell of all I felt , and all I faw •, 
 And , as an hare whom hounds and horns purfue , 
 Pants to the place from whence at firft she flew , 
 I ftill had hopes , my long vexations paft , 
 Here to return-and die at home at laft. 
 
 O bleft retirement , friend to life's decline , 
 Retreats from care that never muft be mine , 
 How happy he who crowns in shades like thefe, 
 A youth of labour with an age of eafe •, 
 "Who quits a world where ftrong temptations try. 
 And , fince 'tis hard to combat , learns to fly. 
 For hjixn no wretches , born to work and weep ,
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. 177 
 Explore the mine , or tempt the dangerous deep -, 
 No furly porter (lands in guilty fiate 
 To fpurn imploring famine from the gate , 
 But on he moves to meet his latter end. 
 Angels around befriending virtue's friend ; 
 Bends to the grave with unperceived decay , 
 While refignation gently flopes the way ; 
 And all his profpefts brightening to the laft , 
 His Heaven commences ere the world be paft f 
 
 Sweet was the found when oft at evening's clofe. 
 Up yonder hill the village murmur rofe •, 
 There as I paft with carelefs fteps and flow , 
 The mingling notes came foftened from below , 
 The fwain refponfive as the milk-maid fung , 
 The fober herd that lowed to meet their young, 
 The noify geefe that gabbled o'er the pool , 
 The playful children jufl: let loofe from fchool , 
 The watch-dog's voice thit bayed the whifper- 
 
 ing wind, 
 And the loud laugh that fpoke the vacant mind , 
 Thefe all in fweet confufion fought the shade , 
 And filled each paufe the nightingale had made. 
 But now the founds of population fail , 
 Ko chearful murmurs fluctuate in the gale. 
 No bufy fleps the grafs-grown foot-way tread , 
 For all the bloomy flush of life is fled. ,^ 
 All but yon widowed , folitary thing 
 That feebly bends befide the plashy fpring; 
 She , Tr'retched matron , forced , in age ^ for bread, 
 
 H5
 
 178 The DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 To {trip the brook with mantling creffes fpread , 
 To pick her wintry faggot from the thorn , 
 To feek her nightly shed , and weep till morn •, 
 She only left of all the harmlefs train , 
 The fad hiftorian of the penfive plain, (fmil'd , 
 Near yonder copfe , where once the garden 
 And ftill where many a garden flower grows wild; 
 There, where a few torn shrubs the place difclofe, 
 The village preacher's modeft manfion rofe. 
 A man he was , to all the country dear , 
 And pafling rich with forty pounds a year •, 
 Remote from towns he ran his godly race , 
 Nor e'er had changed , nor wished to change his 
 
 place ', 
 Unpradifed he to fawn , or feek for power , 
 By dodlrines fashioned to the varying hour -, 
 Far other aims his heart had learned to prize , 
 More skilled to raife the wretched than to rife. 
 His houfe was known to all the vagrant train , 
 He chid their wanderings, but relieved their pain; 
 The long remembered beggar washisgueft, 
 Whofe beard defcending fwept his agedbreaft ; 
 The ruined fpendthrift , now no longer proud , 
 Claimed kindred there , and had his claims allowed 5 
 The broken foldier , kindly bade to ftay , 
 Sate by his fire , and talked the night away ; 
 "Wept o'er his wounds , or tales of forrow done , 
 Shouldered his crutch,and shewed how fields were 
 
 von.
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. 179 
 Pleafed with his guefts , the good nisn learned to 
 
 glow, 
 And quite forgot their vices in their woe ; 
 Carelefs their merits, or their fauhs to fcan , 
 His pity gave ere charity began. 
 
 Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride , 
 And even his failings leaned to virtue's fide -, 
 But in his duty prompt at every call , 
 He watched and wept , he prayed and felt , for all. 
 And, as a bird each fond endearment tries , 
 To tempt its new fledg,ed offspring to the skies ; 
 He tried each art , reproved each dull delay , 
 Allured to brighter worlds , and led the way. 
 
 Befide the bed where parting life was layed , 
 And forrow, guilt, and pain , by turns difinayed. 
 The reverend champion llood. At his control, 
 Defpair and anguish fled the -ftriiggling foul •, 
 Comfort came down the trembling wretch to raife. 
 And his lafl: faultering accents whifpered praife. 
 
 At church , with meek and unaffe6led grace , 
 His looks adorned the venerable place •, 
 Truth from his lips prevailed with double fway , 
 And fools , who came to feoff, remained to pray. 
 The fervice paff , around the pious man , 
 "With fteady zeal each honeft ruftic ran •, 
 Even children followed with endearing wile , 
 And plucked his gown , to share the good man's 
 
 fmile. 
 His ready fmile a parent's warmth ex^reft , 
 
 H 6
 
 iSo The DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 
 Their welfare pleafed him , and their cares diftrcftv 
 To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given. 
 But all his ferious thoughts had reft in Heaven. 
 As fome tall cliff that lifts its awful form , ( ftorm , 
 Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the 
 Tho' round its breaft the rolling clouds are fpread , 
 Eternal funshine fettles on its head. 
 
 Belidc yon ftraggling fence that skirts the vay, 
 With bloffomed furze unprofitably gay , 
 There , in his noify manfion , skill'd to rule , 
 The village mafter taught his little fchool i 
 A man fevere he was, and fternto view, 
 I knew him well , and every truant knew ; 
 "VTell had the boding tremblers learned to trace 
 The day's difafters in his morning face •, 
 Full well they laugh'd with counterfeited glee , 
 At all his jokes , for many a joke had he -, 
 Full well the bufy whifper circling round. 
 Conveyed the difmal tidings when he frowned j 
 Yet he was kind, or if fevere in aught , 
 The love he bore to learning was in fault ; 
 The village all declared how much he knew ; 
 *Twas certain he could write , and cypher too ; 
 Lands he could meafure , terms and tides prefage, 
 And even the ftory ran that he could gauge. 
 In arguing too , the parfon owned his skill , 
 For even tho' vanquished , he could argue ftill ; 
 While words of learned length , and thundering 
 found ,
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. i8i 
 
 Amazed the gazing ruftics ranged around ; 
 
 And flill they gazed , and ftill the ^v'onder grew , 
 
 That one fmall head could carry all he kaev. 
 
 But paft is all his htm. The very foot 
 Where many a time he triumphed, is forgot. 
 Near yonder thorn , that lifts its head on high , 
 Where once the fign-poft caught the paffing eye , 
 Low lies that houfe where nut-brown draughts 
 
 infpired , 
 Where grey-beard mirth and fmiling toil retired. 
 Where village ftatefmen talked with looks pro- 
 found , 
 And news much older than their ale went round. 
 Imagination fondly ftoops to trace 
 The parlour fplendours of that feflive place ; 
 The white-washed wall , the nicely fanded floor. 
 The varnished clock that clicked behind the 
 The cheft contrived a double debt to pay, (doer *, 
 A bed by night , a cheft of drawers by day ; 
 The piftures placed for ornament and ufe , 
 The twelve good rules, the royal game of goofe; 
 The hearth, except when v/inter chill'd the day, 
 With afpen boughs, and flowers , and fennel gay , 
 While broken tea-cups , wifely kept for shew , 
 Ranged o'er the chimney , gliftened in a row. 
 
 Vain tranfitory fplendours ! Could not all 
 Reprieve the tottering manfion from its fall ! 
 Obfcure it fmks ; nor shall it more impart 
 An hour's importance to the poor man's heart i
 
 iSi Tke deserted village. 
 
 Thither no more the peafant shall repair 
 To fweet oblivion of his daily care •, 
 No more the farmer's news , the barber's tale , 
 No more the wood -man's ballad shall prevail •, 
 No more the fmith his dusky brow shall clear , 
 Relax his ponderous ftrength , and lean to hear ; 
 The hoft himfelf no longer shall be found 
 Careful to fee the mantling blifs go round ; 
 Nor the coy maid , half willing to be prelt , 
 Shall kifs the cup to pafs it to the reil. 
 
 Yes ! let the rich deride , the proud difdain , 
 Thefe fimple blefimgs of the lowly train •, 
 To mc more dear , congenial to my heart , 
 One native charm , than all the glofs of art; 
 Spontaneous joys , where Nature has its play , 
 The foul adopts , and owns their firft born fway. 
 Lightly they frolic o'er the vacant mind, 
 Unenvied, unmolefted , unconfined. 
 But the long pomp , the midnight mafquerade » 
 With all the freai:s of wanton wealth arrayed , 
 In thefe , ere triflers half their wLsh obtain , 
 The toiling pleafure fickens into pain •, 
 And , even while fashion's brighteft arts decoy. 
 The heart diftrufting asks , if this be joy. 
 
 Ye friends to truth , yQ ftatefmen , who furvey 
 The rich man s joys encreafe , the poor's decay , 
 ' Tis yours to judge , how wide the limits fland 
 Between a fplendid and an happy land. 
 Proud fwelis the tide with loads of freighted ore,
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. 1S3 
 
 And shouting Folly hails them from her shore ; 
 Hoards , even beyond the mifer's wish abound , 
 And rich men flock from all the world around. 
 Yet count our gains. This wealth is but a name 
 That leaves our ufeful products (lill the fame. 
 Not fo the lofs. The man of wealth and pride , 
 Takes up a fpace that many poor fupplied •, 
 Space for his lake , his park's extended bounds , 
 Space for his horfes , equipage , and hounds ; 
 The robe that wraps his limbs in filken floth , 
 Has robbed the neighbouring fields of half their 
 
 growth ; 
 His feat, where folitary fports are feen, 
 Indignant fpurns the cottage from the green ; 
 Around the world each needful produdl flies. 
 For all the luxuries the world lupplies. 
 "While thus the land adorned for pleafure , all 
 In barren fplendour feebly waits the fall. 
 
 As fome fair female unadorned and plain , 
 Secure to pleafe while youth confirms her reign , 
 Slights every borrowed charm that drefs fupplies , 
 Nor shares with art the triumph of her eyes. 
 Bat when thofe charms are part, for charms are 
 
 frail , 
 "When time advances , and when lovers fail , 
 She then shines forth, folicitous to blefs. 
 In all the glaring impotence of drefs. 
 Thus fares the land , by luxury betrayed i 
 In nature's fimpleil charms at firft arrayed ;
 
 i?4 The deserted VILLAGE. 
 
 But verging to decline, its fplendours rife , 
 
 Its viftas ftrike , its palaces furprize •, 
 
 While fcourged by famine from the fmiling land , 
 
 The mournful peafant leads his humble band •, 
 
 And while he finks without one arm to fave , 
 
 The country blooms-a garden , and a grave. 
 
 Where then , ah where , shall poverty refide , 
 To fcape the prefTure of contiguous pride ? 
 If to fome common's fencelefs limits ftrayed , 
 He drives his flock to pick the fcanty blade , 
 Thofe fencelefs fields the fons of wealth divide , 
 And even the bare-worn common is denied. 
 
 If to the city fped-What waits him there } 
 To fee profufion that he muft not share •, 
 To fee ten thoufand baneful arts combined 
 To pamper luxury , and thin mankind •, 
 To fee thofe joys the fons of pleafure know , 
 Extorted from his fellow-creature's woe. 
 Here , while the courtier glitters in brocade , 
 There the pale artifl plies the lickly trade •, 
 Here , while the proud their long-drawn pomps 
 
 difplay, 
 There the black gibbet glooms befide the way. 
 The dome where Pleafurehoids her midnight reign. 
 Here, richly deckt , admits the gorgeous train-. 
 Tumultuous grandeur crowds the blazing fquare. 
 The rattling chariots clash , the torches glare. 
 Sure fcenes like thefe no troubles e'er annoy I 
 Sure thefe denote one univerfal joy !
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. 185 
 
 Are tliefe thy ferious thoughts ? -Ah , turn thine 
 
 eyes 
 Where the poorhourelefs shivering female lies. 
 She once , perhaps , in village plenty blefl: , 
 Has wept at tales of innocence diftrefl ; 
 Her modeft looks the cottage might adorn , 
 Sv/eet as the primrofe peeps beneatli the thorn j 
 Now loft to all i her friends , her virtue fled , 
 Near her betrayer's door she lays her head , 
 And pinch'd with cold , and shrinking from the 
 
 shower » 
 "With heavy heart deplores that lucklefs hour 
 When, idly firft , ambitious of the town , 
 She left her wheel and robes of country brown. 
 
 Do thine , fweet Auburn , thine , theiovelieft 
 Do thy fair tribes participate her pain ? (train. 
 Even now , perhaps , by cold and hunger led , 
 At proud men's doors they ask a little bread I 
 
 Ah , no. To diftant climes , a dreary fcene , 
 Where half the convex world intrudes between , 
 Through torrid trads with fainting fteps they go, 
 Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe. 
 Far different there from all that charm'd before. 
 The various terrors of that horrid shore ; 
 Thofe blazing funs that dart a downward ray , 
 And fiercely shed intolerable day ; 
 Thofe matted woods where birds forget to fing , 
 But filent bats in drowfy clufters cling , ( ed , 
 Thofe poifonous fields with rank luxuriance crowa-.
 
 i86 The DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 
 Where the dark fcorpion gathers death around ; 
 "Where at each ftep the ftranger fears to v/ake 
 The rattling terrors of the vengeful fnake •, 
 Where crouching tigers wait their haplefs prey , 
 And favage men , more murderous ftill than the; ; 
 While oft in vhirls the mad tornado flies, 
 Mingling the ravaged landfchape with the skiei. 
 Far different thefe from every former fcene , 
 The cooling brook, the graffy vefted green. 
 The breezy covert of the warbling grove, 
 That only sheltered thefts of harmlefs love. 
 Good Heaven! what forrows gloom'd that part- 
 ing day, 
 That called them from their native walks away, 
 When the poor exiles , every pleafure part , 
 Hung round their bowers, and fondly looked 
 
 their laft , 
 And took a long farewell, and wished in vain 
 For Treats like thefe beyond the weftern main •, 
 And shuddering f>ill to face the diftant deep , 
 Returned and wept , and flill returned to weep. 
 The good old f.re , the firft prepared to go 
 To new found worlds , and wept for others woe . 
 But for himfelf , in confcious virtue brave , 
 He only wished for worlds beyond the grave. 
 His lovely daughter , loveHer in her tears , 
 The fond companion of his helplefs years , 
 Silent went next , negledful of her charms , 
 And left a lover's for a father's arras»
 
 The deserted VILLAGE. 1S7 
 
 With louder plaints the mother fpoke her -w-oes , 
 And bleft the cot where every pleafure rofe •, 
 And kirther thoughtlefs babes T/ith man^/ a tear , 
 Apd clafpt them clofe in forrov/ doubly dear j 
 Whilft her fond husband ftrove to knd relief 
 In all the filent maalinefs of grief. 
 
 O luxury ! Thou curft by Heaven's decree , 
 How ill exchanged are things like thefe for thee f 
 How do thy potions , with infidious joy , 
 Diffufe their pleafures only to deftroy ! 
 Kingdoms , by thee , to fickly greatnefs grown , 
 Boail of a florid vigour not their own •, 
 At every draught more large and large they grow, 
 A bloated mafs of rank unwieldy woe ; 
 Till fapped their ftrength, and every part unfound, 
 Down , down they link , and fpread a ruin round. 
 
 Even now the devaftation is begun , 
 And half the bufmefsof defirrufbion done; 
 Even now , methinks , as pontiering here I iland , 
 I fee the rural virtues leave the land : 
 Down where yon anchoring veffelfpreads the fail, 
 Th?t idly waiting flaps with every gale. 
 Downward they move, a melancholy band, 
 Pifs from the shore, and darken all the flrand. 
 Contented toil , and hofpitable care , 
 And kind connubial tendernefs , are there ; 
 And piety , with wishes placed above , 
 And fteady loyalty , and faithful love : 
 And thou , fweet Poetry , thou loveliefl maid ,
 
 iSS The DESERTED VILLAGE. 
 
 Still firft to fly where fenfual joys invade ; 
 Unfit in thefe degenerate times of shame , 
 To catch the heart , or ftrike for honed fame v 
 Dear charming nymph , neglefted and decried , 
 My shame in crowds , my folitary pride ; 
 Thou fource of all my blifs , and all my woe , 
 That found'ft me poor at firft , and keep'ft me fo \ 
 Thou guide by which the nobler arts excell , 
 Thou nurfe of every virtue, fare thee well. 
 Farewell, and O where'er thy voice be tried , 
 On Torno's cliffs , or Pambamarca's fide , 
 Whether where equinodial fervours glow. 
 Or winter wraps the polar world in fnow , 
 Still let thy voice prevailing over time , 
 Redrefs the rigours of the inclement clime; 
 Aid flighted truth , with thy perfuaflve ftrain 
 Teach erring man to fpurn the rage of gain ; 
 Teach him that ftates of native ftrength poffeft , 
 Tho' very poor , may flill be very blefl ; 
 That trade's proud empire hafles to fwift decay 
 As ocean fweeps the labour'd mole away •, 
 While felf-dependent power can time defy , 
 As rocks refxft the billows and the sky.
 
 THE 
 
 HERMIT.
 
 THE 
 
 HERMIT. 
 
 L A R in a wild , unknown to public view , 
 om youth to age a rev'rend Hermit grew-, 
 le mofs his bed , the cave his humble cell , 
 is food the fruits , his drink the chryftal well : 
 zmote from men , with God he pafs'd the days , 
 
 'ray'r all his bus'nefs , all his pleafure praife. 
 
 A life fo facred , fuch ferene repofe , 
 Seem'd Heav'n itfelf , till one fuggeftion rofe ; 
 hat Vice should triumph , Virtue Vice obey, 
 iais fprung fome doubt of Providence's fway : 
 is hopes no more a certain profpedl boaft , 
 ad all the tenour of his foul is loft : 
 ) when a fmooth expanfe receives impreft 
 aim Nature's image on its wat'ry breaft, 
 own bend the banks, the trees depending grow, 
 
 *xnd skies beneath with anfw'ring colours glow : 
 
 3ut if a ftone the gentle fea divide , 
 i^'ift ruffling circles curl on every fide , 
 .nd glimmering fragments of a broken fun , 
 anks , trees and skies , in thick diforder run. 
 To clear this doubt,to know the world by fight , 
 
 To find if books , or fwains , report it right ,.
 
 191 T H E H E R M I T. 
 
 ( For yet by fwains alone the \rorld he knew , 
 "Whofe feet came wandVing o'er the nightly dew "j 
 He quits his cell •, the Pilgrim-ftafF he bore , 
 And fix'd the fcallop in his hat before ; 
 Then with the fun a rifing journey went , 
 Sedate to think , and watching each event. 
 
 The morn was wafted in the pathlefs grafs , 
 And long and lonefome was the wild to pafs *, 
 But when the fouthern fun had warm'd the day , 
 A youth came porting o'er a crofiing way ! 
 His raiment decent , his complexion fair , 
 Aad foft in graceful ringlets wav'd his hair. 
 Then near approaching , Father , hail ! he cry'd. 
 And hail , my Son , the rev'rend Sire reply'd ;, 
 "Words follow'd words, from queftionanfwerfiowM, 
 And talk of various kind deceiv'd the road ; 
 'Till each with other pleasM, and loth to part. 
 While in their age they differ , join in heart. 
 Thus ftands an aged elm in ivy bound , 
 Thus youthful ivy clafps an elm around. 
 
 Now funk the fun •, the clofing hour of day 
 Came onward , mantled o'er with fober grey, 
 Nature in filence bid the world repcfe -, 
 "When near the'road a ftately palace rofe : 
 There by the moon thro' ranks of trees they pafs, 
 "Whofe verdure crown'd their floping fides of grafs. 
 It chanc'd the noble mailer of the dome , 
 Still made his houfe the wand'ring ftranger's home ; 
 Yet ftiil the kindnefs , form a thirit of praife , 
 
 Prov'd 
 
 ifc
 
 T H E H E R M I T. X95 
 
 Pf ov'd the vain flourish of expenfive eafe. 
 The pair arrive •, the liv'ry'd fervants wait : 
 Their lord receives them at the pompous gate* 
 The table groans with coftly piles of food , 
 And all is more than hofpitably good. 
 Then led to reft , the day's long toil they drow« > 
 Deep funk in fleep , and filk , and heaps of do-wn. 
 At length 'tis morn , and at the dawn of day , 
 Along the wide canals the zephyrs play : 
 Fresh o'er the gay parterres the breezes creep , 
 And shake the neighb'ring wood to banish fleep. 
 Up rife the guefts , obedient to the call : 
 And early banquet deck'd the fplendid hall ; 
 Rich lufcious wine a golden goblet grac'd , 
 Which the kind mafter forc'd the guefts to tafte. 
 Then pleas 'd and thankful , from the porch they go 5 
 And, but the landlord , none had caufe of wo j 
 His cup was vanish'd j for in fecret guife 
 The younger gueft purloin'd the glitt'ring prizeii. 
 
 As one who fpies a ferpent in his way , 
 Glift'ning and basking in the fummer ray , 
 Diforder'd ftops to shun the danger near , 
 Then walks v<^ith faintnefs on, and looks with fearj 
 So ieem'd the Sire ; when far upon the road , 
 The shining fpoil his wiley partner shew'd. 
 j He ftopp'd with filence , walk'd with trembling 
 heart , 
 I much he wish'd , but durft not ask to part : 
 rm'ring hQ lifts his eyes , and thinks it hard^ 
 
 i
 
 *"154 The HERMIT. 
 
 That gen'rous adions meet a bafe reward. 
 
 "W'hiie thus they pafs , the fun his glory shrouds. 
 The changing skies hang out their fable clouds i 
 A found in air prefag'd approaching rain , 
 And beafts to covert feud acrofs the plain. 
 Wara'd by the figns , the Trand'ring pair retreat , 
 To feek for shelter at a neighb'ring feat. 
 *Twas built with turrets on a riling ground. 
 And flrong , and large , and unimprov'd around; 
 It's owner's temper tim'rous and fevere , 
 Unkind and griping , caus'd a defert there. 
 
 As near the mifer's heavy doors they drew , 
 Fierce rifing gulls with fudden fury blew ; 
 The nimble light'ning mix'd with, show'rs began , 
 And o'er their heads loud rolling thunders ran. 
 Here long they knock , but knock or call in vain , 
 Driv'n by the wind, and batter'd by the rain. 
 At knght fome pity warm'd the mafter's breaft, 
 ('Twas then his threshold firft receiv'd a gueft) 
 Slow creeking turns the door with jealous care , 
 And half he welcomes in the shiv'ring pair ; 
 One frugal faggot lights the naked walls , 
 And Nature's fervour thro' their limbs recalls: 
 Bread of the coarfeft fort , with eager wine , 
 ( Each hardly granted) ferv'd them both to dine; 
 And when the terapeft firft appear'd to ceafe , 
 A ready warning bid them part in peace. 
 
 With ftiil remark the pond'ring Hermit view'd , 
 In one fo rich a life fo poor and rude ,.
 
 T H E H E R M I T. 19J ■• 
 
 And why should fuch , within himfelf he cry'd ». 
 Lock the loft weahh a thoufand want befide ? 
 But what new marks of wonder foon took place. 
 In ev'ry fettling feature of his face •, 
 When from his veil the 37'oung compsnion bore 
 That cup , the gen'rous landlord own'd before * 
 And paid profufely with the precious bowl 
 The ftinted kindnefs of this churlish foul. 
 
 But now the clouds in airy tumult fly ; 
 The fun emerging opes an azure sky •, 
 A fresher green the fmelling leaves difplay , 
 And glitt'ring as they tremble , chear the day : 
 The weather courts them from the poor retreat , 
 And the glad mafter bolts the wary gite. 
 
 While hence they walk , the Pilgrim's bofom 
 wrought 
 With all the travel of uncertain thought ; 
 His partner's afts without their caufe appear, 
 *Twas there a vice, and feem'd a madnefs here 1 
 Detefting that , and pitying this he goes , 
 Loft and confounded with the various shows. 
 
 Now night's dim shades again involve the sky, -» 
 Again the wand'rers want a place to ly. > 
 
 Again they fearch , and find a lodging nigh. 3 
 
 The foil iraprov'd around , the manfion neat, 
 And neither poorly low , nor idly great : 
 It feem'd to fpeak its mafter's turn of mind , 
 Con-ent , and not to praife , but virtue kind. 
 
 Hither the wallcers turn with weary feet , 
 
 I2
 
 195 The HERMIT. 
 
 Then blefs the manlion , and the mafler greet l 
 Their greeting fair , beftow'd with modeft guife, 
 The courteous mafter hears , and thus replies: 
 
 Without a vain , -without a grudging heart , 
 To him who gives us all I yield a part •, 
 From him you come , for him accept it here , 
 A frank and fober , more than coftly cheer. 
 He fpoke , and bid the welcome table fpread » 
 Then talk'd of virtue till the time of bed , 
 "When the grave houshold round his hall repair, 
 Warn'd by a bell , and clofe the hours with pray'r. 
 
 At length the world renew'd by calm repofe 
 "Was ftrong for toil , the dappled morn arofe •, 
 Before the pilgrim's part , the younger crept 
 J^ear the clos'd cradle where an infant flept , 
 And writh'd his neck : the Landlord's little pride ; 
 O ftrange return ! grew black , and gafp'd and dy*d. 
 Horror of horrors ! what ! his only fon ! 
 How look'd our Hermit when the fa£t was done ; 
 Not hell , tho' hell's black jaws in funder part , 
 And breathe blue fire » cou'd more aiTault his heart, 
 
 Confus'd , and ftruck with filence at the deed. 
 He flies , but trembling fails to fly with fpeed. 
 His fleps the youth purfues : the country lay 
 Perplex'd with roads , a fervant show'd the way : 
 A river crofs'd the path ; the paffage o'er 
 "Was nice to find ; the fervant trod before ; 
 Long arms of oaks an open bridge fupply'd , 
 And deep the waves beneath the bending glide*
 
 The hermit. 397 
 
 The youtli , who feem'd to watch a time to fin , 
 Approach'd the carelefs guide , and thruft him^in ', 
 Plunging he falls , and rifing lifts his head , 
 Then flashing turns , and finks among the dead. 
 
 Wild fparkling rage inflames the father's eyes. 
 He burfts the bands of fear , and madly cries ; 
 Detefted wretch— But fcarce his fpeech began , 
 "When the ftrange partner feem'd no longer man : 
 His youthful face grew more ferenely fweet i 
 His robe turn'd white , and flow'd upon his feet ^ 
 Fair rounds of radiant points inveft his hair ; 
 Celefl:ial odours breathe thro' purpled air ; 
 And wings, whofe colonics glitter'd on the day , 
 Wide at his back their gradual plumes difplay. 
 The form ethereal burft upon his fight , 
 And moves in all the majefty of light, 
 
 Tho' loud at firft the pilgrim's paflion grew. 
 Sudden he gaz'd , and wift not what to do •, 
 Surprize in fecret chains his words fufpends , 
 And in a calm his fettling temper ends. 
 But filence here the beauteous angel broke , 
 { The voice of mulic ravish'd as he fpoke : ) 
 
 Thy pray V, thy praife, thy life to vice unknown, 
 In fweet memorial rife before the throne : 
 Thefe charms , fuccefs in our bright region find , 
 And force an angel down to calm thy mind ; 
 For this , commiflion'd , I forfook the sky , 
 Nay , ceafe to kneel - thy fellow-fervant I. 
 
 Then know the truth of government divine.
 
 198 The H E R M I T. 
 
 And let the fcruples be no longer thine : 
 
 The Maker juftiy claims that world he raadef. 
 In this the right of providence is laid ; ^ 
 
 Its facred majefty thro' all depends 
 On ufing fecond means to woik his ends : 
 'Tis thus , TvithdraT/n in frate from human eye , 
 The Pow'r exerts his attributes on high , 
 Your aftions ufes , nor controuis your will , 
 And bids the doubting fons of men be flill. 
 
 "What flrange events can ftrike with more fur- 
 prize , 
 Than thofe which lately ftruck thy wondVing eyes? 
 Yet taught by thefe , confefs th' Almighty iuft , 
 And where you can't unriddle . learn to trufc ! 
 . The great, vain man, who far'd on cofl^y food, 
 Whofc life was too luxurious to be good •, 
 Who made his iv'ry ftauds with goblets shine , 
 And forc'dh'.s guefts to morning draughts of winCi 
 Has , with the cup , the gracclefs cuftom loft. 
 And ftill he welcomes , but with lefs of coft. 
 
 The mean, fufpicious wretch, whofe bolted dooi. 
 Ne'er mov'd in duty to the wand'ring poor ; 
 With him I left the cup , to teach his mind 
 That Heav'n can blefs, if mortals will be kind. 
 Confcious of wanting worth , he views the bowl, 
 And feels compafiion touch his grateful foul. 
 Thus artifts melt the fullen oar of lead. 
 With heaping coals of fire upon its head •, 
 In the kind varmth the metal learns to glow.
 
 T H E H E R M I T. 199 
 
 And loofe from drofs , the lilver runs below. 
 
 Long had our pious friend in virtue trod , 
 But now the child half-wean'd his heart from Godj 
 ( Child of his age ) foi him he liv'd in pain , 
 And meafur'd back his ileps to earth again. 
 To what excc'ffes had his dotage run } 
 But God , to fave the father , took the fon. 
 To all but thee , in fits he feem'd to go , 
 ( And 'twas my miniftry to deal the blow ) 
 The poor fond parent , humbled in the dufl: « 
 Now owns in tears the punishment was juft. 
 But now had all his fortune felt a wrack , 
 Had that falfe fervant fped in fafety back ; 
 This night his trejfur'd heaps he meant to fceal , 
 And what a fiytd of charity would fail ! 
 Thus Heav'n inftrufts thy mind t this trial o'er. 
 Depart in peace, refign , and fin no more. 
 
 On founding pinions here the youth withdrew^ 
 The fage flood wond'ring as the Seraph flew. 
 Thus look'd Elisha when to mount on high , 
 His mafter took the chariot of the sky ; 
 The fiery pomp afcending left to viev/ -, 
 The prophet gaz'd , and wish'd to foUov/ too. 
 The bending hermit here a pray'r begun, 
 I Isord ! as in Heav'n , on earth thy will he done. 
 Then gladly turning , fought his ancient place 9 
 And pafs'd a life of piet;^ and peacei 
 
 THE END,
 
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