Yo! 1 THE WORKS I N VERSE AND PROSE, O F WILLIAM SHENSTONE, Efq; Moft of which were never before printed. IN TWO VOLUMES, WITH DECORATIONS. His ego longos Cantando puerum memini me condere foles. VIRG. VOL. I. LONDON: Printed for R. and J. DODSLEV in Pall-malL M DCC LXIV. 3. On Jn VRX (nor ere ft tig) to tte ra ' Vvilliam'Shcnitor.c, ?; is llukf-QxtK ctut By 'Mr. G A R R I C K. Whot'cr thou art, \vi:h rcv'rence tread The facred manfions of the deid Not that the monumental buit . Or fiimptuous tomb H-ER.I; guarclf the. dud Of rich or great ; (let \vdshh, rank, birth* Sleep undiltir.guifii'd in the earth ;) This fimple urn records a name. . That (bines' with moft exalted fame. Reader! if .genius, talte reftr.'d, A native elegance of nirnd ; If virtue, fcience, rr.anly fenfe ; If wit, that never gave offence ; The clearefi. head, -the tccJ.crclt -heart, In th.-y eltccm e'er claim'd a part ; Ah ! finite thy'breall, and drop .a tear; For know, -f'Hy Shenilone's dull lie* hen* - A Great part of the poetical works of Mr. SHENSTONE, particularly his Elegies and Paftorals, are (as he himfelf exprefles it) " The exact tranfcripts of the fituation of his own mind ;" and abound in frequent allufions to his own place, the beautiful fcene of his retirement from the world. Exclufively therefore of our natural curiofity to be acquainted with the hiftory of an author, whofe works we perufe with pleafure, fome mort account of Mr. SHENSTONE'S perfonal character, and fituation in life, may not only be agreeable, but abfolutely necefTary, to the reader ; as it is impolTible he mould enter into the true fpirit of his writings, if he is en- tirely ignorant of thofe circumftances of his life, which fometimes fo greatly influenced his re- fledlions. I could wifh however that this talk had been allotted to fome perfon capable of performing it in that mafterly manner which the fubjecl: fo A well 11 PREFACE. well deferves. To confefs the truth, it was chiefly to prevent his remains from falling into the hands of any one fHll lefs qualified to do him juftice, that I have unwillingly ventured to undertake the publication of them myfelf. Mr. SHENSTONE was the eldeft fon of a plain uneducated country gentleman in SHROP- SHIRE, who farmed his own eftate. The father, fenfible of his fon's extraordinary capacity, re- folved to give him a learned education, and fent him a commoner to PEMBROKE College in OXFORD, defigning him for the church : but tho' he had the moft aweful notions of the wifdom, power, and goodnefs of God, he never could be perfuaded to enter into orders. In his private opinions he adhered to no particular feel;, and hated all religious difputes. But whatever were his own fentiments, he always {hewed great tendernefs to thofe, who differed from him. Tendernefs, indeed, in every fenfe of the word, was his peculiar characterise ; his friends, his domeflics, his poor neighbours, all daily experienced his benevolent turn of mind. Indeed, this virtue in him was often carried to fuch excefs, that it fometimes bordered upon weak- PREFACE. 111 weaknefs : yet if he was convinced that any of thofe ranked amongft the number of his friends, had treated him ungeneroufly, he was not eafily reconciled. He ufed a maxim, however, on fuch occaiions, which is worthy of being obferved and imitated , " I never (faid he) will be a revengeful enemy ; but I cannot, it is not in my nature, to be half a friend." He was in his temper quite unfufpicious j but if fufpicion was once awakened in him, it was not laid afleep again without difficulty. He was no ceconomift ; the generofity of his temper prevented him from paying a proper regard to the ufe of money : he exceeded there- fore the bounds of his paternal fortune, which before he died was confiderably encumbered. But when one recollects the perfect paradife he had raifed around him, the hofpitality with which he lived, his great indulgence to his fervants, his charities to the indigent, and all done with an eftate not more than three hundred pounds a year, one mould rather be led to wonder that he left any thing behind him, than to blame his want of ceconomy. He left however more than fufficient to pay all his debts j and by his A 2 will iv PREFACE. will appropriated his whole eftate for that pur- pofe. It was perhaps from fome confiderations on the narrownefs of his fortune, that he forbore to marry ; for he was no enemy to wedlock, had a high opinion of many among the fair fex, was fond of their fociety, and no ftranger to the tendered impreffions. One, which he received in his youth, was with difficulty furmounted. The lady was the fubject of that fweet paftoral, in four parts, which has been fo univerfally admired ; and which, one would have thought, muft have fubdued the loftieft heart, and fof- tened the moft obdurate. His perfon, as to height, was above the middle flature, but largely and rather inelegant- ly formed : his face feemed plain till you con- verfed with him, and then it grew very pleafmg. In his drefs he was negligent, even to a fault ; though when young, at the univeriity, he was accounted a BEAU. He wore his own hair, which was quite grey very early, in a par- ticular manner ; not from any affeclation of fin- gularity,but from a maxim he had laid down, that without PREFACE. v without too flavim a regard to fafhion, every one mould drefs in a manner moft fuitable to his own perfon and figure. In mort, his faults were only little blemifhes, thrown in by nature, as it were on purpofe to prevent him from fifing too much above that level of imperfection al- lotted to humanity. His character as a writer will be diftinguimed by fimplicity with elegance, and genius with correctnefs. He had a fublimity equal to the higheft: attempts ; yet from the indolence of his temper, he chofe rather to amufe himfelf in culling flowers at the foot of the mount, than to take the trouble of climbing the more arduous fteeps of PARNASSUS. But whenever he was dif- pofed to rife, his fteps, tho' natural, were noble, and always well fupported. In the tendernefs of elegiac poetry he hath not been excelled ; in the fimplicity of paftoral, one may venture to fay he had very few equals. Of great fenfibility himfelf, he never failed to engage the hearts of his readers : and amidft the niceft attention to the harmony of his numbers, he always took care to exprefs with propriety the fentiments of an* elegant mind. In all his writings, his greatnefs VI PREFACE. greateft difficulty was to pleafe himfelf. I re- member a paffage in one of his letters, where, fpeaking of his love fongs, he fays " Some " were written on occafions a good deal ima- " ginary, others not fo -, and the reafon there " are fo many is, that I wanted to write ONE " good fong, and could never pleafe myfelf." It was this diffidence which occafioned him to throw afide many of his pieces before he had beflowed upon them his laft touches. I have fuppreffed feveral on this account; and if among thofe which I have felected, there mould be difcovered fome little want of his rimming polim, I hope it will be attributed to this caufe, and of courfe be excufed : yet I flatter myfelf there will always appear fomething well worthy of having been preferved. And though I was afraid of inferting what might injure the cha- racter of my friend, yet as the {ketches of a great mafter are always valuable, I was un- willing the public mould lofe any thing material of fo accomplished a writer. In this dilemma it will eafily be conceived that the tafk I had to perform would become fomewhat difficult. How I have acquitted myfelf, the public muft judge. Nothing, however, except what he had al- ready PREFACE. vii ready publifhed, has been admitted without the advice of his moft judicious friends, nothing altered, without their particular concurrence. It is impoffible to pleafe every one ; but 'tis hoped that no reader will be fo unreafonable, as to imagine that the author wrote folely for his amufement : his talents were various ; and though it may perhaps be allowed that his ex- cellence chiefly appeared in fubjects of tendernefs and fimplicity, yet he frequently condefcended to trifle with thofe of humour and drollery: thefe, indeed, he himfelf in fome meafure de- graded by the title which he gave them of LE- VITIES: but had they been entirely rejected, the public would have been deprived of fome JEUX D'ESPRITS, excellent in their kind, and Mr. SHENSTONE'S character as a writer would have been but imperfectly exhibited. But the talents of Mr. SHENSTONE were not confined merely to poetry; his character, as a man of clear judgment, and deep penetration, will beft appear from his profe works. It is there we muft fearch for the acutenefs of his underftanding, and his profound knowledge of the human heart. It is to be lamented indeed, 3 that viii PREFACE. that fome things here are unfinifhed, and can be regarded only as fragments : many are left as fmgle thoughts, but which, like the fparks of diamonds, mew the richnefs of the mine to which they belong; or like the foot of a HER- CULES, difcover the uncommon ftrength, and extraordinary dimenlions of that hero. I have no apprehenfion of incurring blame from any one, for preferving thefe valuable remains : they will difcover to every reader, the author's fen- timents on feveral important fubjects. And there can be very few, to whom they will not impart many thoughts, which they would never perhaps have been able to draw from the fource of their own reflections. But I believe little need be faid to recommend the writings of this gentleman to public atten- tion. His character is already fufficiently efta- blimed. And if he be not injured by the in- ability of his editor, there is no doubt but he will ever maintain an eminent ftation among the befl of our Englim writers. R. DODSLEY. ELEGIES, WRITTEN ON Many different OCCASIONS. Tantum inter denfas umbrofa cacumina, fagos AfliJue veniebat ; ibi ha;c incondita, folus, Moutibus et filvis ftudio jaftabat inani ! VIRC. VOL. J. [ 3 O N ELEGY. /7* is obfervable, that difcourfes prefixed to -poetry are contrived very frequently to inculcate fuch tenets as may exhibit the performance to the greateft advantage. The fabric is very commonly raifed in the firft place, and the meafures, by which we are to judge of its merit > are afterwards adjufted. fhere have been few rules given us by the critics concerning the ftruffure of elegiac poetry ; and far B 2 be 4 A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. be it from the author of the following trifles, to dig- nify bis cwn opinions with that denomination. He would only intimate the great variety of fubjedls, and. the different * ftyles in which the writers of elegy have hitherto indulged themfelves, and endeavour to Jhield the following ones by the latitude of their ex- ample. If we confider the etymology of the f word, the epithet which J HORACE gives it, or the confejjion which OVID makes concerning it, / think we may conclude thus much however-, that elegy, in its true and genuine acceptation, includes a tender and que- rulous idea : that it looks upon this as its peculiar char aft eriftic, and fo long as this is thoroughly fuf- tained, admits of a variety of fubjecJs -, which by its manner of treating them, it renders its own. It throws its melancholy flole over pretty different ob- jefts ; which, like the drejjes at a funeral proceffwn, gives them all a kind of folemn and uniform appear- ance. It is probable that elegies were written at firft up- cn the death of intimate friends and near relations ; * This cflay was' written near twenty years ago. t -A>e/f, -particulam dolendi. J Miferabiles elegos. HOR. J Heu nimis ex vcro nunc tibi nomen erit. OVID. deMorte Tibulli. celebrated A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. 5 Celebrated beauties, cr favourite milbefTes ; bene- ficent governors and illuftrious men : one may add perhaps , of all thcfe, who are placed by VIRGIL in the laurel-grove cf his Elyjtitm y (Vide KURD'J Jtijjertation on HORACE'.? Epiftle) Quique fui memores alios fecere merendo, After thcfe fubjeRs were fufficiently exhaujied, and the feverity cf fate displayed in the moft offering in- ftances, the poets fought occafion to 'vary their com- plaints ; and the next tender fpecies of forrow that prefen'ted itfelf, was the grief of abfent or neglefted lovers. And this indulgence might be indeed allowed them ; but with this they were not contented. They had obtained a fmall corner in the province of love, and they took advantage^ from thence^ to over-run the whole territory. 'They fung its fpoils, triumphs, evationSy and rejoicings *, as well as the captivity and exequies that attended it. 'They gave the name of elegy to their pleafantries as well as lamentations ; 'till at laft, through their abundant fondnefs for the myrtle, they f ergot that the cyprefs was their peculiar garland. In this it is probable they deviated from the original dejign of elegy , and it Jhould feem, that any kind of fubjetts, treated in fuch a manner as to diffuse a pleafmg * Dicite lo Pxan, & lo bis dicitc Psan. OVID. B 3 melancholy* & A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. melancholy, might far better deferve the name, than the facetious mirth and libertine feflivity of the fuc- cefsful votaries of love. But not to dwell too long upon an opinion which may feem perhaps introduced to favour the following per- formance^ it may not be improper to examine into the ufe and end of elegy. 'The moft important end of all poetry is to encourage virtue. Epic and tragedy chiefly recommend the public virtues , elegy is of a fpecies which illuftrates and endears the private. There is a truly virtuous pleafure connected with many penfive contemplations, which it is the province and excellency of elegy to enforce. 'This, by prefenting fuitable ideas, has difcovered fweets in melancholy which we could not find in mirth ; and has led us with fuccefs to the dufty urn, when we could draw no pleafure from the fparkling bowl ; as paftcral conveys an idea of finplicity and innocence, it is in particular the tafK and merit of elegy to /hew the innocence and Jimplicity of rural life to ad- vantage ; and that, in a way diftinft from pafloral, as much as the plain but judicious landlord may be imagined to furpafs his tenant both in dignity and understanding. // Jhould alfo tend to elevate the more tranquil virtues of humility, difmtereftednefs, Simplicity, and innocence : but then there is a de- gree of elegance and refinement, no way inconfiftent with thefe rural virtues ; and that raifes elegy above that A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. 7 bat merum rus, float unpolilhed rujlicity, which has given our paftoral writers their higheft refutation. Wealth and fplendor will never want their proper weight : the danger is, left they Jhculd too much pre- ponderate. A kind of poetry therefore which throws its chief influence into the other fcale, that magnifies the fweets of liberty and independence, that endears the honeft delights of love and friendfoip, that cele- brates the glory of a good name after death, that ridi- cules the futile arrogance of birth, that recommends the innocent amufement of letters, and infenjtbly pre- pares the mind for that humanity it inculcates, fuch a kind of poetry may chance to pleafe ; and if it pleafe, Jhould feem to be of fervice. As to the ftyle of elegy, it may be well enough de- termined from what has gone before. It Jhould imi- tate the voice and language of grief ; or if a meta- phor of drefs be more agreeable, it Jhould be fimple and difufe, and flowing as a mourner's veil. A ver- fification therefore is deftreable, which, by indulging a free and unconjlrained expreffion, may admit, of thai; Jimplicity which elegy requires. Heroic metre, with alternate rhime, feems well enough adapted to this fpecies of poetry ; and, how- ever exceptionable upon other occafions, its inconve- niences appear to loft thdr weight in fhorter elegies ; B 4 and 8 A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. and its advantages fcem to acquire an additional im- portance. The world has an admirable example of its beauty in a 'collection of elegies * not long fmce pub- lifhed ; tbe produtl of a gentleman of the moft exaft tajie, end, whofe untimely death merits all the tears that elegy can Jhed. It is not impoffible that fome may think this metre too lax and profaic : others, that even a more diffblute variety of numbers may have fuperior advantages. And, in favour of thcfe laft, might be produced the example of MILTON in his LYCIDAS, together with one or two recent and beautiful imitations of his ver- Jification in that monody. But this kind cf argument^ I am apt to think, muft prove too much ; f,nce the writers I have in view fcem capable enough of recom- mending any metre they fa all chufe , though it mv.ft be cwned alfo, that the choice they make of any, is at the fame time the firongeft preemption in its favour. Perhaps it may be no great difficulty to cqmpromife the difpute. 'There is no one kind of metre that is dijlinguijked by rhimes, but is liable to feme objection or ether. Heroic verfe, where every fecond line is ter- minated by a rhime, (with which the judgment re- quires that the fen&jhould in fome meafure dfo termi- nate) is apt to render the exprejjion either fcanty or * N. B. This preface was written near twenty years ago. conjlrained. A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. p f on/drained. And this is fometimes. cbfervable in tie writings of a poet lately deceafed ; though I believe no tne ever threw fo much fenfe together 'with fo much eafe into a couplet as Mr. POPE. But as an air of conftraint too often accompanies this metre^ it feems by no means proper for a writer of elegy. 'The previous rhime in MILTON'S LYCIDAS is very frequently placed at fuch a dijlance from the follow- ing that it is often dropt by the memory (much better employed in attending to the fentiment) before it be brought to join its partner : and this feems to be the grcateft objection to that kind of verjification. But then the peculiar eafe and variety // admits of, are no doubt fufficient to overbalance the objection^ and to give it the preference to any other, in an elegy of length. The chief exception to which ftanza of all kinds, is liable^ is, that it breaks the fenfe too regularly, when it is continued through a long poem. And this may be perhaps the fault of Mr. WALLER'.? excellent panegyric. But if this fault be lefs difcernible in fmallcr compofitions, as I fuppofe it is, I flatter my- felfi that the advantages I have before mentioned re- fulting from alternate rhime (with which ftanza is, I think) connected] may, at leaft in fhorter elegies, be allied Jo cut -weigh its imperfections. IJhall 10 A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. / Jhall fay but little of tie different kinds of elegy', 'fhe melancholy of a lover is different, no doubt ; from what we feel on other mixed occafions. I'he mind in which love and grief at once predominate, is foftened to an excefs. Love-elegy therefore is more negligent of order and defign, and, being addrejjed chiefly to the ladies, requires little more than tendernefs and perfpi* cuity. Elegies, that are formed upon promifcuous in- cidents^ and addreffed to the world in general, incul- cate fame fort of moral, and admit a different degree tf nafoning, thought, and order. The author of the following elegies entered on his fnbjeRs occafionaliy, as particular incidents in life fuggefted, or difpofitions of mind recommended them to his choice. If he defcribes a rural landjkip, er unfolds the train of fentiments it infpired, he fairly drew his picture from the fpot -, and felt very fenjibly the affeBion he communicates. If he fpeaks of his humble foed, his flocks and his fleeces, he does not coun- terfeit the fcene ; who having (whether through choice cr necejjlty, is not material) retired betimes to country- fclitudes, and fought his happinefs in rural employments, has a right to covflder himfelf as a red feepherd. The flocks, the meadows, and the grottos, are his own, and the embellifhment of his farm his fole amufement. As the fentiments therefore were infpired by nature^ and that in the earlier part of his life, he hopes they retain a natural appearance -, diffufmg at leaft feme A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. ir feme part of that amufement, which he freely acknow- ledges he received from the compofition of them. There will appear perhaps a real inconjiftency in the moral tenour of the feveral elegies ; and the fub- fequent ones may fometimes feem a recantation of the preceding. The reader will fcarcely impute this to overjjght ; but will allow, that men's opinions as well as tempers 'vary ; that neither public nor private, aftive nor fpeculative life, are unexceptionably happy* and confequently that any change of opinion concern- ing them may afford an additional beauty to poetry y as it gives us a morejlriking representation of life. If the author has hazarded, throughout, the ufe of Englijh or modern allujions, he hopes it will not be imputed to an entire ignorance, or to the leaft difefleein of the ancient learning. He has kept the ancient plan and method in his eye, though he builds his edifice with the materials of his own nation. In other words, through a fondnefs for his native country, he has made ufe of the flowers it produced, though, in order to exhibit them to the greater ad- vantage, he has endeavoured to weave his garland by the beft model he could find : with what fuccefs, be- yond his own amufement, muft be left to judges lefs partial to him than either his acquaintance or his friends. If any of thcfe Jhould be fo candid, as to approve the variety cf fubjefts he has chofen, and the 2 tender nefs 12 A PREFATORY ESSAY ON ELEGY. tendernefs of fentiment he has endeavoured to imprefz, be begs the metre alfo may not be too fuddenly con- demned. The public ear, habituated of late to a quicker meafure, may perhaps conjider this as heavy and languid ; but an objection of that kind may gra- dually lofe its force, if this meafure Jhould be allowed to fuit the nature of elegy. If it Jhould happen to be confidered as an objeflicn with others, that there is too much of a moral caft diffufed through the whole -, it is replied, that he en- deavoured to animate the poetry fo far as not to ren- der this objection too obvious ; or to rifque excluding the fajhicnable reader : at the fame time never de- viating from a fxed principle, that poetry without morality is but the blofibm of a fruit-tree. Poetry is indeed like that fpecies of plants, which may bear at once both fruits and bloffbms, and the tree is by no means in perfection without the former, however it may be embettijhed by the flowers which furround it* ELEGY I. He arrives at his retirement in the country^ and takes occafion to expatiate in praife of fimplidty. To a friend. FOR rural virtues, and for native Ikies, I bade AUGUSTA'S venal fons farewel ; Now, mid the trees, I fee my fmoke arife ; Now hear the fountains bubbling round my cell. O may that genius, which fecures my reft, Preferve this villa for a friend that's dear ! Ne'er may my vintage glad the fordid brealt ! Ne'er tinge the lip that dares be unfmcere ! Far from thefe paths, ye faithlefs friends, depart ! Fly my plain board, abhor my hoflile name ! Hence ! the faint verfe that flows not from the heart, But mourns in laboured (trains, the price of fame ! O i 4 E L E G Y I. O lov'd fimplicity ! be thine the prize ! Afiiduous art correct her page in vain ! His be the palm who, guiltlefs of difguife, Contemns the pow'r, the dull refource to feign ! Still may the mourner, lavifh of his tears For lucre's venal meed, invite my fcorn ! Still may the bard diffembling doubts and fears, For praife, for flatt'ry fighing, figh forlorn ! Soft as the line of love-fick HAMMOND flows, 'Twas his fond heart effus'd the melting theme j Ah ! never could AONIA'S hill difclofe So fair a fountain, or fo lov'd a ftream. Ye lovelefs bards ! intent with artful pains To form a figh, or to contrive a tear ! Forgo your Pindus, and on plains Survey CAMILLA'S charms, and grow fmcere. But thou, my friend ! while in thy youthful foul Love's gentle tyrant feats his aweful throne, Write from thy bofom let not art controul The ready pen, that makes his edicts known. Pleafing when youth is long expir'd, to trace The forms our pencil, or our pen defign'd ! " Such was our youthful air and mape and face ! " Such the foft image of our youthful mind ! Soft ELEGY I. whilft we fleep beneath the rural bow'rs, ' The loves and graces fteal unfeen away ; Lnd where the turf diffused its pomp of flow'rs, We wake to wint'ry fcenes of chill decay ! "urfe the fad fortune that detains thy fair ; Praife the foft hours that gave thee to her arms 'aint thy proud fcorn of ev'ry vulgar care, When hope exalts thee, or when doubt alarms. Vhere with CENONE thou haft worn the day, Near fount or ftream, in meditation, rove ; f in the grove QNONE lov'd to ftray, The faithful mufe mall meet thee in the grove, ELEGY [ 16 ] ELEGY II. On poftbumous reputation. To a friend. OG R I E F of griefs ! - that envy's frantic ire Should rob the living virtue of its praife ! O foolifh mufes ! that with zeal afpire To deck the cold infenfate fhrine with bays ! When the free fpirit quits her humble frame, To tread the fkies with radiant garlands crown'd, Say, will me hear the diftant voice of fame ? Or hearing, fancy fweetnefs in the found ? Perhaps ev'n genius pours a flighted lay -, Perhaps ev'n friend fhip fheds a fruitlefs tear ; Ev'n LYTTELTON but vainly trims the bay, And fondly graces HAMMOND'S mournful bier, Tho' weeping virgins haunt his favour'd urn, Renew their chaplets, and repeat their fighs 5 Tho', near his tomb, Sab^ean odours burn, The loit'ring fragrance will it reach the fkies ? No, fliou'd his DELIA votive wreaths prepare, DELIA might place the votive wreaths in vain : Yet the dear hope of DELIA'S future care Once crown'd his pleafures, and difpelPd his pain. Yes r es the fair profpedt of furviving praife Can ev'ry fenfe of prefent joys excel ' For this, great HADRIAN chofe laborious days ; Thro' this, expiring, bade a gay farewel. Shall then our youths, who fame's bright fabric raife, To life-'s precarious date confine their care ? O teach them you, to fpread the facred bafe, To plan a work, thro' lateft ages fair ! Is it fmall tranfport, as with curious eye You trace the ftory of each Attic fage, To think your blooming praife fhall time defy ? Shall waft like odours thro' the pleafing page ? To mark the day, when, thro* the bulky tome, Around your name the varying ftyle refines ? And readers call their loft attention home, Led by that index where true genius mines ? Ah let not BRITONS doubt their focial aim, Whofe ardent bofoms catch this ancient fire ! Cold intereft melts before the vivid flame, And patriot ardours, but with life, expire ! VOL. I. C ELEGY * ELEGY III. On the untimely death of a certain learned acquaintance, IF proud PYGMALION quit his cumbrous frame, Funereal pomp the fcanty tear fupplies ; Whilft heralds loud with venal voice proclaim, Lo ! here the brave and the puiffant lies. When humbler ALCON leaves his drooping friends, Pageant nor plume diflinguim ALCON'S bier \ The faithful mufe with votive fong attends, And blots the mournful numbers with a tear. He little knew the fly penurious art ; That odious art which fortune's fav'rites know ; Form'd to beflow, he felt the warmeft heart, But envious fate forbade him to beftow. He little knew to ward the fecret wound ; He little knew that mortals cou'd enfnare ; Virtue he knew ; the noblefr joy he found, To fing her glories, and to paint her fair ! Ill was he fkill'd to guide his wand'ring fheep ; And unforefeen difafter thin'd his fold ; Yet, at another's lofs, the fwain would weep ; And, for his friend, his very crook were fold. Ye [ '9 1 r e Tons of wealth ! protect the mufe's train ; From winds protect them, and with food fupply ; Ah ! helplefs they, to ward the threaten'd pain ! The meagre famine, and the wint'ry fky ! He lov'd a nymph : amidft his (lender ftore, He dar'd to love , and CYNTHIA was his theme ; He breath'd his plaints along the rocky fhore, They only echo'd o'er the winding ftream. His nymph was fair ; the fweeteft bud that blows, Revives lefs lovely from the recent fhow'r ; So PHILOMEL enamour'd eyes the rofe j Sweet bird ! enamour'd of the fweeteft flow'r ! He lov'd the mufe ; me taught him to complain ; He faw his tim'rous loves on her depend ; He lov'd the mufe, altho' me tauo-ht in vain ; * O * He lov'd the mufe, for me was virtue's friend. She guides the foot that treads on Parian floors , She wins the ear when formal pleas are vain ; She tempts patricians from the fatal doors Of vice's brothel, forth to virtue's fane. He wifh'd for wealth, for much he wifh'd to give ; He griev'd that virtue might not wealth obtain -, Piteous of woes, and hopelels to relieve, The penfive profpecl: fadden'd all his ftrain. 2 I faw [20] I faw him faint ! I faw him fink to reft ! Like one ordain'd to fwell the vulgar throng ; As tho* the virtues had not warm'd his breaft, As tho' the mufes not infpir'd his tongue. I faw his bier ignobly crofs the plain ; Saw peafant hands the pious rite fupply : The generous ruftics mourn'd the friendly fwain, But pow'r and wealth's unvarying cheek was dry ! Such ALCON fell ; in meagre want forlorn ! Where were ye then ye powerful patrons, where ? Wou'd ye the purple fhou'd your limbs adorn, Go wafh the confcious blemifh with a tear. ELEGY ELEGY IV. OPHELIA'^ urn. 1*0 Mr. G . THRO' the dim veil of ev'ning's dufky fhade, Near fome lone fane, or yew's funereal green, What dreary forms lias magic fear furvey'd ! What fhrouded fpectres fuperftition feen ! But you fecure mail pour your fad complaint, Nor dread the meagre phantom's wan array ; What none but fear's officious hand can paint, What none, but fuperftition's eye, furvey. The glim'ring twilight and the doubtful dawn Shall fee your ftep to thefe fad fcenes return : Conftant, as cryftal dews impearl the lawn, Shall STREPHON'S tear bedew OPHELIA'S urn ! Sure nought unhallow'd mall prefume to ftray Where deep the reliques of that virtuous maid : Nor aught unlovely bend its devious way, Where foft OPHELIA'S dear remains are laid. Haply thy mufe, as with unceafing fighs She keeps late vigils on her urn reclin'd, May fee light groups of pleafmg vifions rife ; And phantoms glide, but of celeftial kind. C 3 Then Then fame, her clarion pendent at her fide, Shall feek forgivenefs of OPHELIA'S lhade , " Why has fuch worth, without diftinction, dy'd, Why, like the defert's lilly, bloom'd to fade ?" Then young fimplicity, averfe to feign, Shall immolefted breathe her fofteft figh : And candour with unwonted warmth complain, And innocence indulge a wailful cry. Then elegance with coy judicious hand, Shall cull frefh flow'rets for OPHELIA'S tomb : And beauty chide the fates' fevere command, That fhew'd the frailty of fo fair a bloom ! And fancy then with wild nngovern'd woe, Shall her lov'd pupil's native tafte explain : For mournful fable all her hues forego, And afk fweet folace of the mufe in vain ! Ah gentle forms expect no fond relief; Too much the facred nine their lofs deplore : Vv 7 ell may ye grieve, nor find an end of grief- Your beft, your brighteft fav'rite is no more. ELEGY ELEGY V. flc compares the turbulence of love with ths tranquillity of friend/kip. MELISSA his friend. FROM love, from angry love's inclement reign I pafs awhile to friendfhip's equal fkies ; Thou, gen'rous maid, reliev'ft my partial pain, And chear'ft the victim of another's eyes. 'Tis thou, MELISSA, thou deferv'ft my care : How can my will and reafon difagree ? How can my pafllon live beneath defpair ! How can my bofom figh for aught but thee ? Ah dear MELISSA ! pleas'd with thee to rove, My foul has yet furviv'd its drearieft time ; 111 can I bear the various clime of love \ Love is a pleaflng, but a various clime ! So fmiles immortal MARO'S fav'rite more, PARTHENOPE, with ev'ry verdure crown'd ! When ftrait VESUVIO'S horrid cauldrons roar, And the dry vapour blafts the regions round. Oh blisful regions ! oh unrival'd plains ! When MARO to thefe fragrant haunts retir'd ! Oh fatal realms ! and oh accurft domains ! When PLINY, 'mid fnlphureous clouds, expir'd! C 4 So [ 24] So fmiles the furface of the treacherous main, As o'er its waves the peaceful halcyons play ; When foon rude winds their wonted rule regain, And iky and ocean mingle in the fray. But let or air contend, or ocean rave , Ev'n hope fubfide amid the billows toft ; Hope, ftill emergent, ftill contemns the wave, And not a feature's wonted fmile is loft. ELEGY ELEGY VI. a lady on the language of birds. COME then, DIONE, let us range the grove, The fcience of the feather'd choirs explore ; Hear linnets argue, larks defcant of love, And blame the gloom of folitude no more. My doubt fubfides 'tis no Italian fong, Nor fenfelefs ditty, chears the vernal tree : Ah ! who, that hears DIONE'S tuneful tongue, Shall doubt that mufic may with fenfe agree ? And come, my mufe ! that lov'ft the filvan made ; Evolve the mazes, and the mift difpel : Tranflate the fong , convince my doubting maid, No folemn dervife can explain fo well. Penfive beneath the twilight mades I fate, The flave of hopelefs vows, and cold difdain ! When PHILOMEL addrefs'd his mournful mate, And thus I conftru'd the mellifluent ftrain. " Sing on, my bird the liquid notes prolong, At ev'ry note a lover fheds his tear ; Sing on, my bird 'tis DAMON hears thy fong; Nor doubt to gain applaufe, when lovers hear. He He the fad fource of our complaining knows ; A foe to TEREUS, and to lawlefs love ! He mourns the ftory of our ancient woes ; Ah ! cou'd our mufic his complaints remove ! Yon* plains are govern'd by a peerlefs maid ; And fee, pale CYNTHIA mounts the vaulted fky, A train of lovers court the checquer'd made ; Sing on, my bird, and hear thy mate's reply. Ere while no mephcrd to thefe woods retir'd j No lover bleft the glow-worm's pallid ray ; But ill-ftar'd birds, that lifl'ning not admir'd, Or lifl'ning envy'd our fuperior lay. Chear'd by the fun, the vafials of his pow'r, Let fuch by day unite their jarring ftrains ! But let us chufe the calm, the filent hour, Nor want fit audience while DIONE reigns." ELEGY ELEGY VII. He defcribes his vijion to an acquaintance. r Cetera 'per terras omnes animalia^ &c. VIRG. ON diftant heaths, beneath autumnal fkies, Penfive I faw the circling fliades defcend 5 Weary and faint I heard the ftorm arife, While the fun vanifh'd like a faithlefs friend. No kind companion led my fleps aright ; No friendly planet lent its glim'ring ray ; Ev'n the lone cot refus'd its wonted light, Where toil in peaceful (lumber clos'd the day. Then the dull bell had giv'n a pleafing found ; The village cur 'twere tranfport then to hear ; In dreadful filence all was hufh'd around, While the rude ftorm alone diftrefs'd mine ear. As led by ORWELL'S winding banks I flray'd, Where tow'ring WOLSEY breath'dhis native air; A fudden luftre chas'd the flitting fhade, The founding winds were hufh'd, and all was fair. Inftant a grateful form appeared confeft ; White were his locks with aweful fcarlet crown'd, And livelier far than Tyrian feem'd his veft, That with the glowing purple ting'd the ground. 3 " Stranger [28] Stranger, he faid, amid this pealing rain, Benighted, lonefome, whither wou'dfl thou ftray ? Does wealth or pow'r thy weary flep conftrain ? Reveal thy wifh, and let me point the way. For know I trod the trophy'd paths of pow'r ; Felt ev'ry joy that fair ambition brings ; And left the lonely roof of yonder bow'r, To ftand beneath the canopies of kings. I bade low hinds the tow'ring ardour mare , Nor meanly rofe, to blefs myfelf alone : I fnatch'd the fhepherd from his fleecy care, And bade his wholefome dictate guard the throne. Low at my feet the fuppliant peer I faw ; I faw proud empires my decifion wait -, My will was duty, and my word was law, My fmile was tranfport, and my frown was fate.'* Ah me ! faid I, nor pow'r I feek, nor gain ; Nor urg'd by hope of fame thefe toils endure ; A fimple youth, that feels a lover's pain, And, from his friend's condolance, hopes a cure. He, the dear youth, to whofe abodes I roam, Nor can mine honours, nor my fields extend ; Yet for his fake I leave my diftant home, Which oaks embofom, and which hills defend. Beneath Beneath that home I fcorn the wintry wind , The fpring, to fhade me, robes her faireft tree , And if a friend my grafs-grown threfhold find, O how my lonely cot refounds with glee ! Yet, tho' averfe to gold in heaps amafs'd, I wifh to blefs, I languifli to beftow -, And tho' no friend to fame's obftreperous blaft, Still, to her dulcet murmurs not a foe. Too proud with fervile tone to deign addrefs ; Too mean to think that honours are my due, Yet fhou'd fome patron yield my ftores to blefs, I fure fhou'd deem my boundlefs thanks were few. But tell me, thou ! that, like a meteor's fire, Shot'ft blazing forth ; difdaining dull degrees ; Shou'd I to wealth, to fame, to pow'r afpire, Mufl I not pafs more rugged paths than thefe ? Muft I not groan beneath a guilty load, Praife him I fcorn, and him I love betray ? Does not felonious envy bar the road ? Or falfehood's treach'rous foot befet the way ? Say fiiou'd I pafs thro* favour's crowded gate, Muft not fair truth inglorious wait behind ? \Yhilft I approach the glitt'ring fcenes of ftate, My beft companion no admittance find ? Nurs'd Nurs'd in the Ihades by freedom's lenient care, Shall I the rigid fway of fortune own ? Taught by the voice of pious truth, prepare To fpurn an altar, and adore a throne ? * And when proud fortune's ebbing tide recedes, And when it leaves me no unihaken friend, Shall I not weep that e'er I left the meads, Which oaks embofom, and which hills defend ? Oh ! if thefe ills the price of pow'r advance, Check not my fpeed where focial joys invite ! The troubled vifion caft a mournful glance, And fighing vanifh'd in the Ihades of night. ELEGY ELEGY VIII. He defcribes his early love of poetry ? and its confequences: ?o Mr. G . * 1745. AH me ! what envious magic thins my fold ? What mutter'd fpell retards their late increafe ? Such lefs'ning fleeces muft the fwain behold, That e'er with Doric pipe effays to pleafe. I faw my friends in ev'ning circles meet ; I took my vocal reed, and tun'd my lay ; I heard them fay my vocal reed was fweet ; Ah fool ! to credit what I heard them fay ! Ill-fated bard ! that feeks his fkill to mow, Then courts the judgment of a friendly ear ! Not the poor veteran, that permits his foe To guide his doubtful ftep, has more to fear. Nor cou'd my G miftake the critic's laws, Till pious friendfhip mark'd the pleafmg way ; Welcome fuch error ! ever bleft the caufe ! Ev'n tho* it led me boundlefs leagues aftray ! * N. B. Written after the death of Mr. POPE. Couldft [32] Couldfl thou reprove me, when I nurs'd the flame On lift'ning CHERWELL*S ofier banks reclin'd ? While foe to fortune, unfeduc'd by fame, I footh'd the biafs of a carelefs mind. Youth's gentle kindred, health and love were met ; What tho' in ALMA'S guardian arms I play'd ? How mall the mufe thofe vacant hours forget ? Or deem that blifs by folid cares repaid ? Thou know'ft how tranfport thrills the tender breaft, Where love and fancy fix their op'ning reign ; How nature mines in livelier colours dreft, To blefs their union, and to grace their train. So firft when PHOEBUS met the Cyprian queen, And favour'd RHODES beheld their paffion crown'd, Unufual flow'rs enrich'd the painted green ; And fwift fpontaneous rofes blufh'd around. Now fadly lorn, from TWITNAM'S widow'd bow'r, The drooping mufes take their cafual way ; And where they flop, a flood of tears they pour ; And where they weep, no more the fields are gay] Where is the dappled pink, the fprightly rofe ? The cowflip's golden cup no more I fee : Dark and difcolour'd ev'ry flow'r that blows, To form the garland, Elegy ! for thee ! Enoush E 33 ] Enough of tears has wept the virtuous dead ; Ah might we now the pious rage controul ! Hufh'd be my grief ere ev'ry fmile be fled, Ere the deep fwelling figh lubvert the foul ! If near fome trophy fpring a flripling bay, Pleas'd we behold the graceful umbrage rife ; But foon too deep it works its baneful way, And, low on earth, the proftrate * ruin lies. * Alludes to what is reported of the bay-tree, that if it is planted too near the walls of an edifice, its roots will work their way underneath, till they deftroy the foundation. VOL. I. D ELEGY [34] ELEGY IX. He defcribes his difintereftednefs to a friend* IN E'E R miiil tinge my lip with Celtic wines -, The pomp of INDIA muft I ne'er difplay ; Nor boaft the produce of Peruvian mines, Nor, with Italian founds, deceive the day. Down yonder brook my cryftal bev'rage flows -, My grateful flieep their annual fleeces bring - f Fair in my garden buds the damaik rofe, And, from my grove, I hear the throftle fing. My fellow fwains ! avert your dazled eyes ; In vain allur'd by glitt'ring fpoils they rove ; The fates ne'er meant them for the fhepherd's prize. Yet gave them ample recompence, in love. They gave you vigour from your parent's veins ; They gave you toils ; but toils your fmews brace ; They gave you nymphs, that own their amorous pains, And fhades, the refuge of the gentle race. To carve your loves, to paint your mutual flames, See ! polifh'd fair, the beech's friendly rind ! To fing foft carrols to your lovely dames, See vocal grotts, and echoing vales afllgn'd ! Wou'dfl r * i L .53 J Wou'dft thou, my STREPHON, love's delighted flave 1 Tho' fure the wreaths of chivalry to' mare, Forego the ribbon thy MATILDA gave ? And giving, bade thee in remembrance wear. Ill fare my peace, but ev'ry idle toy, If to my mind my DELIA'S form it brings, Has truer worth, imparts fmcerer joy, Than all that bears the radiant flamp of kings. O my foul weeps, my breafl with anguifh bleeds, When love deplores the tyrant pow'r of gain ! Difdaining riches as the futile weeds, I rife fuperior, and the rich difdain. Oft from the ftream, flow-wandering down the glade, Penfive I hear the nuptial peal rebound ; " Some mifer weds, I cry, the captive maid, " And fome fond lover fickens at the found." Not SOMERVILLE, the mufe's friend of old, Tho' now exalted to yon ambient Iky, So fhun'd a foul diflain'd with earth and gold, So lov'd the pure, the generous breafl, as I. Scorn'd be the wretch that quits his genial bowl, His loves, his friendfhips, ev'n his felf, refigns ; Perverts the facred inflindt of his foul, And to a ducate's dirty fphere confines, D 2 Put t SM But come, my friend, with tafle, with fcience bleft, Ere age impair me, and ere gold allure , Reftore thy dear idea to my breaft, The rich depofit mail the mrine fecure. Let others toil to gain the fordid ore, The charms of independence let us fmg ; Bleft with thy friendfhip, can I wifh for more ? I'll fpurn the boafted wealth of * LYDIA'S -king. Crosfus. ELECT: [37J ELEGY X. fortune, fuggejling his motive fcr repining at her AS K not the caufe, why this rebellious tongue Loads with fre{h curfes thy detefted fway ; Afk not, thus branded in my fofteft fong, Why {lands the flatter'd name, which all obey ? J Tis not, that in my med I lurk forlorn, Nor fee my roof on Parian columns rife ; That, on this breaft, no mimic ftar is borne, Rever'd, ah ! more than thofe that light the fkies. 'Tis not, that on the turf fupinely laid, I fing or pipe, but to the flocks that graze ; And, all inglorious, in the lonefome made, My finger iliffens, and my voice decays. Not, that my fancy mourns thy ftern command, When many an embrio dome is loft in air ; While guardian prudence checks my eager hand, And, ere the turf is broken, cries, " Forbear. " Forbear, vain youth ! be cautious, weigh thy gold ; " Nor let yon rifmg column more afpire ; " Ah ! better dwell in ruins, than behold " Thy fortunes mould'ring, and thy domes entire. D 3 " HONORIO " HONOR 10 built, but dar'd my laws defy ; " He planted, fcornful of my fage commands ; " The peach's vernal bud regal'd his eye ; " The fruitage ripen'd for more frugal hands." See the fmall ftream that pours its murm'ring tide O'er fome rough rock that wou'd its wealth difplay, Difplays it aught but penury and pride ? Ah ! conftrue wifely what fuch murmurs fay. Plow wou'd fome flood, with ampler treafures bleft, Difdainful view the fcantling drops diftil ! How muft * VELINO make his reedy creft ! How ev'ry cygnet mock the boallive rill ! Fortune, I yield ! and fee, I give the fign ; At noon the poor mechanic wanders home ; Collects the fquare, the level, and the line, And, with retorted eye, forfakes the dome. Yes, I can patient view -the Ihadelefs plains ; Can unrepining leave the rifing wall ; Check the fond love of art that fir'd my veins, And my warm hopes, in full purfuit, recall. * A river in ITALY, that falls an hundred yards perpen- dicular. Defcend, [ 39] iDefcend, ye florins ! deftroy my rifmg pile ; Loos'd be the whirlwind's unremitting fway Contented I, altho' the gazer fmile To fee it fcarce furvive a winter's day. Let fome dull dotard bafk in thy gay fhrine. As in the fun regales his wanton herd ; Guiltlefs of envy, why fhou'd I repine, That his rude voice, his grating reed's prefer'd ? Let him exult, with boundlefs wealth fupply'd, Mine and the fv/ain's rekwStant homage mare ; But ah ! his tawdry fhepherdefs's pride, Gods ! muft my DELIA, muft my DELIA bear ? Muft DELIA'S foftnefs, elegance, and eafe Submit to MARIAN'S drefs ? to MARIAN'S gold ? Muft MARIAN'S robe from diftant INDIA pleafe ? The fimple fleece my DELIA'S limbs enfold ? " Yet fure on DELIA feems the ruffet fair ; " Ye glitt'ring daughters of difguife adieu !" So talk the wife, who judge of fhape and aft, But will the rural thane decide fo true ? Ah ! what is native worth efteem'd of clowns ? '1 is thy falfe glare, O fortune ! thine they fee : Tis for my DELIA'S fake I dread thy frowns, ,?\nd my laft gafp mail curfes breathe on thee. D 4 ELEGY ^L ELEGY XI. He complains bow foon the -plea/ing novelty of life is over. 'To Mr. J -- AH me, my friend ! it will not, will not laft ! This fairy-fcene, that cheats our youthful eyes ! The charm diflblves , th' aerial mufic's paft j The banquet ceafes, and the vifion flies. Where are the fplendid forms, the rich perfumes, Where the gay tapers, where the fpacious dome ? Vanim'd the coftly pearls, the crimfon plumes, And we, delightlefs, left to wander home ! Vain now are books, the fage's wifdom vain ! What has the werid to bribe our fteps aftray ? Ere reafon learns by ftudy'd laws to reign, The weaken'd paflions, felf-fubdued, obey. Scarce has the fun fev'n annual courfes roll'd, Scarce {hewn the whole that fortune can iupply ; Since, not the mifer fo carefs'd his gold, As I, for what it gave, was heard to figh. On the world's ftage I wifli'd fome fprightly part ; To deck my native fleece with tawdry lace ; 'Twas life, 'twas tafte, and oh my foolifh heart ! Subftantial joy was fix'd in pow'r and place. -u rA.^ y And you, ye works of art ! allur'd mine eye, The breathing picture, and the living flone : " Tho' gold, tho' fplendour, heav'n and fate deny, " Yet might I call one Titian ftroke my own I" Smit with the charms of fame, whofe lovely fpoil, The wreath, the garland, fire the poet's pride, I trim'd my lamp, confum'd the midnight oil But foon the paths of health and fame divide ! Oft too I pray'd, 'twas nature form'd the pray'r, To grace my native fcenes, my rural home ; To fee my trees exprefs their planter's care, And gay, on Attic models, raife my dome. But now 'tis o'er, the dear delufion's o'er ! A ftagnant breezelefs air becalms my foul : A fond afpiring candidate no more, I fcorn the palm, before I reach the goal, O youth ! enchanting ftage, profufely bled ! Blifs ev'n obtrufive courts the frolic mind j Of health neglectful, yet by health careil j Carelefs of favour, yet fecure to find. Then glows the breaft, as op'ning rofes fair ; More free, more vivid than the linnet's wing ; Honefb as light, tranfparent ev'n as air, Tender as buds, and laviili as the fpring. Not [42] Not all the force of manhood's active might, D ' Not all the craft to fubtle age aflign'd, Not fcience mall extort that dear delight, Which gay delufion gave the tender mind. f Adieu foft raptures ! tranfports void of care ! Parent of raptures, dear deceit, adieu ! And you, her daughters, pining with defpair, Why, why fo foon her fleeting fteps purfue ! Tedious again to curfe the drizling day ! Again to trace the wint'ry tracts of fnow ! Or, footh'd by vernal airs, again furvey The felf-fame hawthorns bud, and cowflips blow \ O life ! how foon of ev'ry blifs forlorn ! We ftart falfe joys, and urge the devious race ; A tender prey j that chears our youthful morn, Then finks untimely, and defrauds the chace, [43] ELEGY XII. His recantation. NO more the mufe obtrudes her thin difguife ; No more with aukward fallacy Complains, How ev'ry fervour from my bofom flies, And reafon in her lonefome palace reigns. i Ere the chill winter of our days arrive, No more me paints the breaft from paflion free 9 I feel, I feel one loitering wifh furvive Ah need I, FLORIO, name that wifh to thee ? The ftar of VENUS umers in the day, The firft, the lovelieft of the train that mine ! The ftar of VENUS lends her brighteft ray, When other ftars their friendly beams refign. Still in my breaft one foft defire remains, Pure as that ftar, from guilt, from int'reft free, Has gentle DELIA trip'd acrofs the plains, And need I, FLORIO, name that wifh to thee ? While, cloy'd to .find the fcenes of life the fame, I tune with careleis hand my languid lays ; Some fecret impulfe wakes my former flame, And fires my ftrain with hope pf brighter days. 3 I flept [44] I flept not long beneath yon rural bow'rs ; And lo ! my crook with flow'rs adorn'd I fee : Has gentle DELIA bound my crook with flow'rs, And need I, FLORIO, name my hopes to thee ? ELEGY [ 45 ) ELEGY 70 a friend, on f owe flight occafion eftranged from him. HEALTH to my friend, and many a chearful day Around his feat may peaceful fhades abide ! Smooth flow the minutes, fraught with fmiles, away, And, 'till they crown our union, gently glide. Ah me ! too fwiftly fleets our vernal bloom ! Loft to our wonted friendlhip, loft to joy ! Soon may thy breaft the cordial wifh refume, Ere wintry doubt its tender warmth deftroy. Say, were it ours, by fortune's wild command, By chance to meet beneath the torrid zone ; Wou'dft thou reject thy DAMON'S plighted hand ? Wou'dft thou with fcorn thy once lov'd friend difown? / Life is that ftranger land, that alien clime : Shall kindred fouls forego their focial claim ? Launch'd in the vaft abyfs of fpace and time, Shall dark fufpicion quench the gen'rous flame ? Myriads of fouls, that knew one parent mold, See fadly fever'd by the laws of chance ! Myriads, in time's perennial lift enroll'd, Forbid by fate to change one tranfient glance ! But [46 ] But we have met where ills of every form, Where paffions rage, and hurricanes defcend : Say, fliall we nurfe the rage, afiift the ftorm ? And guide them to the bofom of a friend ? Yes, we have met thro' rapine, fraud, and wrong Might our joint aid the paths of peace explore ! Why leave thy friend amid the boift'rous throng, Ere death divide us, and we part no more ? For oh ! pale ficknefs warns thy friend away ! For me no more the vernal rofes bloom ! I fee flern fate his ebon wand difplay ; And point the wither'd. regions of the tomb. Then the keen anguim from thine eye mail Hart, Sad as thou follow'ft my untimely bier ; " Fool that I was if friends ib foon muft part, " To let fufpicion intermix a fear." KLEGY [471 ELEGY XIV. y Declining an invitation to lifit foreign countries^ he takes occafion to intimate the advantages of his own. To lord TEMPLE. H I L E others loft to friendship, loft to love, Wafte their beft minutes on a foreign ftrand, Be mine, with Britifh nymph or fwain to rove, And court the genius of my native land. Deluded youth ! that quits thefe verdant plains, To catch the follies of an alien foil ! To win the vice his genuine foul difdains, Return exultant, and import the fpoil ! In vain he boafts of his detefted prize ; No more it blooms to Britiih climes convey'd, Cramp'cl by the impulfe of ungenial fides, See its freih vigour, in a moment, fade ! Th* exotic folly knows its native clime ; An aukward ftranger, if we waft it o'er ; Why then thefe toils, this coiUy wafte of time, To fpread ibft poifon on our happy more ? I covet I covet not the pride of foreign looms ; In fearch of foreign modes I fcorn to rove ; Nor, for the worthlefs bird of brighter plumes, Wou'd change the meaneft warbler of my grove. No diftant clime mall fervile airs impart, Or form thefe limbs with pliant eafe to play , Trembling I view the GAUL'S illufive art, That fteals my lov'd rufticity away. 'Tis long fmce freedom fled th* Hefperian clime ; Her citron groves, her flowV-embroider'd more ; She faw the Britifh oak afpire fublime, And foft CAMPANIA'S olive charms no more. Let partial funs mature the weftern mine, To flied its luftre o'er th' Iberian maid ; Mien, beauty, fhape, O native foil, are thine ; Thy peerlefs daughters afk no foreign aid. Let * CEYLON'S envy'd plant perfume the feas, Till torn to feafon the Batavian bowl ; Ours is the breaft whofe genuine ardours pleafe, Nor need a drug to meliorate the foul. * The cinnamon. Let [49 ] Let the proud Soldan wound th* Arcadian groves, Or with rude lips th' Aonian fount profane -, The mufe no more by flow'ry LADON roves, She feeks her THOMSON, on the Britifh plain. Tell not of realms by ruthlefs war difmay'd ; As haplefs realms that war's oppreffion feel ! [n vain may AUSTRIA boaft her Noric blade, If AUSTRIA bleed beneath her boailed fteel. Beneath her palm IDUME vents her moan ; Raptur'd me once beheld its friendly made I And hoary MEMPHIS bcals her tombs alone, The mournful types of mighty pow'r decay'd !. No crefcent here difplays its baneful horns ; No turban'd hoft the voice of truth reproves j Learning's free fource the fage's breaft adorns, And poets, not inglorious, chaunt their loves. Boaft, favour'd MEDIA, boaft thy flow'ry ftores 5 Thy thoufand hues by chymic funs refin'd ; 'Tis not the drefs or mien my foul adores, 'Tis the rich beauties of BRITANNIA'S mind. While*GR E E N v i L L E 's breaft cou'd virtue's ftores afford, What envy'd flota bore fo fair a freight ? The mine compared in vain its latent hoard, The gem its luftre, and the gold its weight. * Written about the time of captain GREENVILLE'S death. VOL. L E Thee GREENVILLE, theewith calmeft courage fraught, Thee the lov'd image of thy native fhore !* Thee by the virtues arm'd, the graces taught, When fhall we ceafe to boaft, or to deplore ? Prefumptuous war, which could thy life deftroy, What fhall it now in recompence .decree ? While friends that merit every earthly joy, Feel every anguilh -, feel the lofs of thee ! Bid me no more a fervile realm compare, No more the mufe of partial praife arraign j. BRITANNIA fees no foreign breaft fo fair, And if me glory, glories not in vain, ELEGY * ELEGY XV. In memory of a * private family in WORCESTERSHIRE. FROM a lone tow'r with rev'rend ivy crown'd, The pealing bell awak'd a tender figh -, Still, as the village caught the waving found, f CJ C> O * A fwelling tear diftream'd from ev'ry eye. So droop'd, I ween, each BRITON'S breaft of old, When the dull curfew fpoke their freedom fled ; For fighing as the mournful, accent roll'd, Our hope, they cry'd, our kind fupport, is dead ! 'Twas good PALEMON near a Ihaded pool, A groupe of ancient elms umbrageous rofe ; The flocking rooks, by inftincVs native rule, This peaceful fcene, for their afylum, chofe. A few fmall fpires, to Gothic fancy fair, Amid the fhades emerging, {truck the view ; 'Twas here his youth refpir'd its earlieft air ; 'Twas here his age breath'd out its lafl adieu. * The penns of HARBOROUGH ; a place whofe name in the SAXON language, alludes to an arm. And there is a tradition that there was a battle fought, on the Downs adjoining, be- twixt the BRITONS and the J'.OMANS. E 2 One One favour'd Ton engag'd his tendereft care -, One pious youth his whole affection crown'd : In his young breaft the virtues fprung fo fair, Such charms difplay'd, fuch fweets diffus'd arouock But whilfl gay tranfport in his face appears, A noxious vapour clogs the poifon'd fky ; Blafts the fair crop '-the fire is drown'd in tears', And, fcarce furviving, fees his CYNTHIO die ! O'er the pale corfe we faw him gently bend ; Heart -chill'd with grief-my thread, hecry'd, isfpun! ''* " If heav'n had meant I fhou'd my life extend, Heav'n had preferv'd my life's lupport, my fon. Snatch'd in thy prime ! alas the ftroke were mild, Had my frail form obey'd the fates' decree ' Blefl were my lot, O CYNTHIO ! O my child ! Had heav'n fo pleas'd, and I had dy'd for thee." Five fleeplefs nights he ftem'd this tide of woes ; Five irkfome funs he law, thro' tears,, forlorn ! On his pale eorfe the fixth fad morning rofe , From yonder dome the mournful bier was borne. 'Twas on thofe * downs, by Roman holts annoy'd, Fought our bold fathers -, ruftic, unrefin'd ! Freedom's plain fons, in martial cares employ'd ! They ting'd their bodies, but unmafk'd their mind. 'Twas * HAR.BOROUGH Downs. [53 ] *Twas there, m happier timer, this virtuous race, Of milder merit, fix'd their calm retreat ; War's deadly crimfcn had forfook the place, And freedom fondly lov'd the chofen feat. No wild ambition fir'd their tranquil breaft, To fwell with empty founds a fpotlefs name ; If fofl'ring fkies, the fun, the fhow'r were blefh, Their bounty fpread ; their field's extent the fame. Thofe fields, profufe of raiment, food, and fire, They fcorn'd to lefien, carelefs to extend j Bade luxury, to laviih courts afpire, And avarice, to city-breafts defcend. None, to a virgin's mind, prefer'd her dow'r ; To fire wijih vicious hopes a mocleil heir : The fire, in place of titles, wealth, or pow'r, Aflign'd him virtue ; and his lot was fair. They fpoke of fortune, as fome doubtful dame, That f\vay'd the natives of q. diflant Iphere ; From lucre's vagrant foils had learnt her fame, But never wilh'd to place her banners here. Here youth's free fpirit, innocently gay, Enjoy'd the moft that innocence can give ; Thofe wholefome fweets, that border virtue's way ; Thofe cooling fruits, that we may tafte an^ live. E 3 Their t 54 ] Their board no ftrange ambiguous viand bore ; From their own flreams their choicer fare they drew, To lure the fcaly glutton to the Ihore, The fole deceit their 'artlefs bofom knew ! Sincere themfelves, ah too fecure to find The common bofom, like their own, fincere ! *Tis its own guilt alarms the jealous mind ; 'Tis her own poifon bids the viper fear. Sketch'd on the lattice of th' adjacent fane, Their fuppliant bufts implore the reader's pray'r j Ah gentle fouls ! enjoy your blifsful reign, And let frail mortals claim your guardian care. For fure, to blifsful realms the fouls are flown, That never flatter'd, injur'd, cenfur'd, {trove j The friends of fcience ! mufic, all their own ; Mufic, the voice of virtue and of love ! The journeying peafant, thro' the fecret made, Heard their foft lyres engage his lift'ning ear ; And haply deem'd fome courteous angel play'd , No angel play'd but might with tranfport hear. For thefe the founds that chafe unholy ftrife ! Solve envy's charm, ambition's wretch releafe ! Raife him to fpurn the radiant ills of life ; To pity pomp, to be content with peace. Farewel, (553 Farewel, pure fpirits ! vain the praife we give, The praife you fought from lips angelic flows -, Farewel ! the virtues which deferve to live, Deferve an ampler blifs than life beftows. Lad of his race, PAL EM ON, now no more The modeft merit of his line difplay'd ; Then pious HOUGH VIGORNIA'S mitre wore Soft deep the dulr of each deierving made. ELEGY [56] ELEGY XVI. He fuggefts the advantages of birth to a per f on of me- rit^ and the folly of a fupercilioufnefs that is built upon that fole foundation. WHEN genius grac'd with lineal fplendor glows, When title fhines,with ambient virtues crown'd, Like fome fair almond's flow'ry pomp it Ihews ; The pride, the perfume of the regions round. Then learn, ye fair ! to foften fplendor's ray ; Endure the fwain, the youth of low degree ; Let meeknefs join'd its temperate beam difplay ; 'Tis the mild verdure that endeais the tree. Pity the fandal'd fwain, the fhepherd's boy 5 He fighs to brighten a neglected name j Foe to the dull appulfe of vulgar joy, He mourns his lot ; he wifhes, merits fame. In vain to groves and pathlefs vales we fly j Ambition there the bow'ry haunt invades ; Fame's aweful rays fatigue the courtier's eye, But gleam ftill lovely thro' the checquer'd fhades. Vainly, to guard from love's unequal chain, Has fortune rear'd us in the rural grove j Shou'd ****'s eyes illume the defart plain, Ev'n I may wonder, and ev'n I muft love. Nor I 57 1 Nor unregarded fighs the lowly hind ; Tho' you contemn, the gods refpedl his vow j Vindictive rage awaits the fcornful mind, And vengeance, too fevere ! the gods allow. On SARUM'S plain I met a wand'ring fair; The look of forrow, lovely ftill me bore : Loofe flow'd the foft redundance of her hair, And, on her brow, a flow'ry wreath me wore. Oft ftooping as me ftray'd, me cull'd the pride Of ev'ry plain , me pillag'd ev'ry grove 1 The fading chaplet daily me fupply'd, And ftill her hand fome various garland wove. Erroneous fancy map'd her wild attire 5 From BETHLEM'S walls the poor lympatic ftray'd ; Seem'd with her air her accent to confpire, When, as wild fancy taught her, thus me faid. " Hear me, dear youth ! oh hear an haplefs maid, Sprung from the fcepter'd line of ancient kings ! Scorn'd by the world, I afk thy tender aid ; Thy gentle voice mall whifper kinder things. The world is frantic fly the race profane Nor I, nor you, mail its companion move 5 Come friendly let us wander, and complain, And tell me, fhepherd ! haft thou feen my love ? My [58] My love is young but other loves are young.* And other loves are fair, and fo is mine ; An air divine difclofes whence he fprung ; He is my love, who boafts that air divine, No vulgar DAMON robs me of my reft, IANTHE liftens to no vulgar vow ; A prince, from gods defcended, fires her breaft ^ A brilliant crown diftinguimes his brow. What, mall I (lain the glories of my race ? Moreclear, more lovely bright thanHESPER's beam? The porc'lain pure with vulgar dirt debafe ? Or mix with puddle the pellucid ftream ? See thro' thefe veins the faphire current mine ! 'Twas JOVE'S own nectar gave th' etherial hue : Can bafe plebeian forms contend with mine ! Difplay the lovely white, or match the blue ? The painter flrove to trace its azure ray ; He chang'd his colours, and in vain he ftrove ; He frown'd I fmiling view'd the faint efTay ^ Poor youth ! he little knew it flow'd from JOVE. Pitying his toil, the wond'rous truth I told ; How am'rous JOVE trepann'd a mortal fair ; How thro* the race the generous current roll'd, And mocks the poet's art, and painter's care, Yes, [59l Yes, from the gods, from earlieft Saturn, fprung Our facred race ; thro* demigods, convey'd ; And he, ally'd to PHOEBUS, ever young, My god-like boy, muft wed their duteous maid. Oft, when a mortal vow profanes my ear, My fire's dread fury murmurs thro' the fky ; And mou'd I yield his inftant rage appears, He darts th' uplifted vengeance and I die. Have you not heard unwonted thunders roll ! Have you not feen more horrid light'nings glare ! 'Twas then a vulgar love enfnar'd my foul ; 'Twas then I hardly fcap'd the fatal fnare. 'Twas then a peafant pour'd his amorous vow, All as I liilen'd to his vulgar ftrain , Yet fuch his beauty wou'd my birth allow, Dear were the youth, and blifsful were the plain. But oh ! I faint ! why wafles my vernal bloom, In fruitlefs fearches ever doom'd to rove ? My nightly dreams the toilfome path refume, And I ihall die before I find my love. When laft I flept, methought, my ravifh'd eye, On diftant heaths his radiant form furvey'd ; Tho* night's thick clouds encompafs'd all the (ley, The gems that bound his brow, difpell'd the fhade. O how - 1 60 ] O how this bofom kindled at the fight I Led by their beams I urg'd the pleafmg chace j Till, on a fudden, thefe with-held their light All, all things envy the fublime embrace. But now no more behind the diflant grove, Wanders my deftin'd youth, and chides my ftay ; See, fee, he grafps the fteel ^forbear, my love- IANTHE comes -, thy princefs haftes away." Scornful me fpoke, and heedlefs of reply The lovely maniac bounded o'er the plain ; The piteous victim of an angry fky ! Ah me ! the victim of her proud difdain ! ELEGY [61 ELEGY XVIL He indulges tie fuggeftions of Jpleen : an elegy- to the winds. ^ namque tlbi divum -pater atque Joominum rsx Et mulcere dedit mentes & totters venio. O TERN monarch of the winds, admit my pray'r! Awhile thy fury check, thy ilorms confine ! No trivial blaft impells the paflive air, But brews a tempeft in a breaft like mine. What bands of black ideas fpread their wings ! The peaceful regions of content invade ! With deadly poifon taint the cryftal fprings ! With noifome vapour blaft the verdant made ! t know their leader, fpleen -, and dread the fway Of rigid EUR us, his detefted fire ; Thro' one my bloflbms and my fruits decay -, Thro* one my pleafures, and my hopes expire. Like fome pale ftripling, when his icy way Relenting yields beneath the noontide beam, 1 (land aghaft - y and chill'd with fear furvey Plow far I've tempted life's deceitful flream ! Where [ 62] Where by remorfe impell'd, repuls'd by fears, Shall wretch'd fancy a retreat explore ? She flies the fad prefage of coming years, And forr'wing dwells on pleafures now no more ! Again with patrons, and with friends me roves ; But friends and patrons never to return ! She fees the nymphs; the graces, and the loves, But fees them, weeping o'er LUCINDA'S urn. She vifits, Is is ! thy forfaken ftream, Oh ill forfaken for Boeotian air ! She deems no flood reflects fo bright a beam, No reed fb verdant, and no flow'rs fo fair. She dreams beneath thy facred fhades where, peace, Thy bays might ev'n the civil florin repel ; Reviews thy focial blifs, thy learned eafe, And with no chearful accent cries, farewel ! Farewel, with whom to thefe retreats I ftray'd ! By youthful fports, by youthful toils ally'd ! Joyous we fojourn'd in thy circling made, And wept to find the paths of life divide. She paints the progrefs of my rival's vow > Sees ev'ry mufe a partial ear incline ; Binds with luxuriant bays his favour'd brow, Nor yields the refufe of his wreath to mine. She She bids the flatt'ring mirror, form'd to pleafe, Now blaft my hope, now vindicate defpair -, Bids my fond verfe the love-fick parley ceafe ; Accufe my rigid fate, acquit my fair. "Where circling rocks defend fome pathlefs vale, Superfluous mortal, let me ever rove ! Alas ! there echo will repent the tale Where mail I find the filent fcenes I love ? Fain would I mourn my lucklefs fate alone ; Forbid to pleafe, yet fated to admire -, Away my friends I my forrows are my own ; Why mould I breathe around my fick defire ? Bear me ye winds, indulgent to my pains, Near fome fad ruin's ghaflly made to dwell ! There let me fondly eye the rude remains,, And from the mould'ring refufe, build my cell ! Genius of ROME 1 thy proftrate pomp difplay ; Trace ev'ry difmal proof of fortune's power 5 Let me the wreck of theatres furvey, Or penlive fit beneath fome nodding tow'r. Or where fome duel:, by rolling feafons worn, Convey'd pure flreams to ROME'S imperial wall. Near the wide breach in filence let me mourrj , Or tune my dirges to the water's fall. Genius [6 4 ] Genius of CARTHAGE ! paint thy ruin'd pride -, Tow'rs, arches, fanes in wild confufion ftrewn ; Let banim'd * MARIUS, low'ring by thy fide, Compare thy fickle fortunes with his own. Ah no ! thou monarch of the ftorms ! forbear ; My trembling nerves abhor thy rude controul i And fcarce a pleafmg twilight foothes my care, Ere one vaft death like darknefs mocks my foul. Forbear thy rage on no perennial bafe Is built frail fear, or hope's deceitful pile ; My pains are fled my joy refumes its place, Shou'd the fky brighten, or MELISSA fmile. * Inopemque vitam in tugurio ruinarum Carthaginenfiam toleravit, cum Marius infpiciens Carthaginem, ilia intuens Ma- lium, alter alteri poflent efle folatio. nv. I'.LKGY ELEGY XVIII. He repeats the fong of GOLLIN, a difcerring Jhepherd; lamenting the ftate of the woollen manufaftury. JErgo omni ftudio glaciem vehtofque nivales, >uo minus eft illis curah never muft that tow'ring mind To his lov'd haunts, or dearer friend, return ! What art ! what friendfhips ! oh ! what fame refign'd ! In yonder glade I trace his mournful urn. Where -is the breaft can rage or hate retain, And thefe glad ftreams and fmiling lawns behold ? Where is the breaft can hear the woodland ftrain, And think fair freedom well exchang'd for gold ! Thro' thefe foft mades delighted let me ftray, While o'er my head forgotten funs defcend ! Thro' thefe dear valleys bend my cafual way, ' Till fetting life a total made extend ! "o Here far from courts, and void of pompous cares, I'll mufe how much I owe mine humbler fate : Or fhrink to find, how much ambition dares, To mine in anguifh, and to grieve in ftate ! Canft thou, O fun ! that fpotlefs throne difclofe, Where her bold arm has left no fanguine ftain ? Where, mew me where, the lineal fcepter glows, Pure, as the fimple crook that rules the plain ? Tremendous pomp ! where hate, diftruft, and fear, In kindred bofoms folve the focial tie ; There not the parent's fmile is half fmcere ; Nor void of art the confort's melting eye. G 4 There [88] There with the friendly wiih, the kindly flame, No face is brighten'd, and no bofoms beat ; Youth, manhood, age, avow one fordid aim, And ev'n the beardlefs lip eflays deceit. There co\vard rumours walk their murd'rous round ; The glance, that more than rural blame inflills , Whifpers, that ting'd with friendship doubly wound, Pity that injures, and concern that kills. There anger whets, but love can ne*er engage ; Careffing brothers part but to revile , There all men fmile, and prudence warns the wife, To dread the fatal ftroke of all that fmile. There all are rivals ! fitter, fon, and fire, With horrid purpofe hug deftruftive arms ; There foft-ey'd maids in murd'rous plots confpire, And fcorn the gentler mifchief of their charms. Let. fervile minds one encllefs watch endure - t Day, night, nor hour, their anxious gxiard refign j But lay me, fate ! on ftow'ry banks, fecure Tho' my whole foul be, like my limbs,, fnpine. Yes, may my tongue difdain a vafiaTs care i My lyre refound no. proftituted lay ; , More warm to merit, more elate to wear The cap of freedom, than the crown of bays. Sooth'd [8 9 ] Sooth'd by the murmurs of my pebbled flood, I wifh it not o'er golden fands to flow , Chear'd by the verdure of my fpiral wood, J fcorn the quarry, where no fhrub can grow. No midnight pangs the fhepherd's peace purfue ; His tongue, his hand, attempts no fecret wound He fings his DELIA, and if fhe be true, His love" at once, and his ambition's crown'd. ELEGY [ 9 o] ELEGY XXIV. He takes cccafton from the fate of ELEANOR of BRE~ TAGNE *, to fuggeft the imperfeft pleafures of a fo- litary life. WHen beauty mourns, by fate's injurious doom, Hid from the chearful glance of human eye ; When nature's pride inglorious waits the tomb, Hard is that heart which checks the rifing figh. Fair ELEONORA ! wou'd no gallant mind The caufe of love, the caufe of juftice own ? Matchlefs thy charms, and was no life refign'd To fee them fparkle from their native throne ? Or had fair freedom's hand unveil'd thy charms* Well might fuch brows the regal gem refign ; Thy radiant mien might fcorn the guilt of arms, Yet ALBION'S aweful empire yield to thine. O fhame of BRITONS ! in one fullen tow'r She wet with royal tears her daily cell ; She found keen anguifh ev'ry rofe devour ; They fprung, they fhone, they faded, and they fell * ELEANOR of BRETACNE, the lawful heirefs of the Englifh crown, upon the death of ARTHUR, in the reign of king JOHN. She was efteemed the beauty of her time; was im- prifoned forty years (till the time of her deaih) in BriAol cattle. Thro' Thro* one dim lattice fring'd with ivy round, Succeflive funs a languid radiance threw ; To paint how fierce her angry guardian frown'd, To mark how faft her waning beauty flew. This, age might bear , then fated fancy palls, Nor warmly hopes what fplendor can fupply j Fond youth inceffant mourns, if rigid walls Reftrain its lift'ning ear, its curious eye. Believe me * * * * the pretence is vain ! This boafted calm that fmooths our early days, For never yet could youthful mind reftrain Th' alternate pant for pleafure and for praife, Ev'n me, by fhady oak or limpid fpring, Ev'n me, the fcenes of polifh'd life allure ; Some genius whifpers " Life is on the wing, And hard his lot that languifhes obfcure. i What tho' thy riper mind admire no more The mining cincture, and the broider'd fold Can pierce like light'ning thro* the figur'd ore, And melt to drofs the radiant forms of gold. Furs, ermins, rods may well attract thy fcorn -, The futile prefents of capricious povv'r ! But wit, but worth, the public fphere adorn, And who but envies then the focial hour ? Can [9*] Can virtue, carelefs of her pupil's meed, Forget how * * * fuftains the fhepherd's caufe ? Content in fhades to tune a lonely reed, Nor join the founding pasan of applaufe ? For public haunts, impell'd by BRITAIN'S weal* See GRENVILLE quit the mule's fav'rite eafe j And mail not fwains admire his noble zeal ? Admiring praife, admiring ftrive to pleafe ? Life, fays the fage, affords no blifs fmcere ; And courts, and cells in vain our hopes renew : But ah ! where GRENVILLE charms the lift'ning ear x *Tis hard to think the chearlefs maxim true. The groves may fmile , the rivers gently glide ;, Soft thro' the vale refound the lonefome lay -, Ev'n thickets yield delight, if tafte prefide, But can they pleafe. when LYTTELTON'S away ? Pure as the fwain's the breaft of * * * glows, Ah ! were the fhepherd's phrafe, like his, refin'd f But, how improv'd the generous dictate flows Thro' the clear medium of a polifh'd mind I Happy the youths who warm with BRITAIN'S love> Her inmoft wiih in * * * periods hear ! Happy that in the radiant circle move, Attendant orbs, where LONSDALE gilds the fphere ! While t 93] While rural faith, and every polifh'd art, Each friendly charm, in * r * confpire, From public fcenes all penfive muft you part ; All joykfs to the greeneft fields retire ! Go, plaintive youth ! no more by fount or ftream, Like Come lone halcyon, fbcial pleafure fhun j Go dare the light, enjoy its chearful beam, And hail the bright proceflion of the fun. Then cover'd by thy ripen'd fhades, refume The filent walk ; no more by pafllon toft : Then feek thy ruftic haunts j the dreary gloom, Where ev'ry art -that colours life, is loft."- In vain ! the lift'ning mufe attends in vain ! Reftraints in hoftile bands her motions wait Yet will I grieve, and fadden all my ftrain, When injur'd beauty mourns the mufe's fate. ELEGY [94] #. ELEGY XXV. 7*0 DELIA, with fome flowers ; complaining how much his benevolence fuffers on account of his humble fortune. < WHate'er could fculpture's curious art employ, Whate'er the lavifh hand of wealth can fhow'r, Thefe would I give and every gift enjoy That pleas'd my fair but fate denies the pow'r. Bleft were my lot, to feed the focial fires ! To learn the latent wifhes of a friend ! To give the boon his native tafte admires, And, for my tranfport, on his fmile depend ! Bleft too is he, whofe ev'ning ramble ftrays Where droop the fons of indigence and care ! His little gifts their gladden'd eyes amaze, And win, at fmall expence, their fondeft pray'r ! And oh the joy ! to fhun the confcious light, To fpare the modeft blufh ; to give unfeen ! Like Ihow'rs that fall behind the veil of night, Yet deeply tinge the fmiling vales with green. But [ 95 I But happieft they, who drooping realms relieve ! Whofe virtues in our- cultur'd vales appear ! For whofe fad fate a thoufand Ihepherds grieve, And fading fields allow the grief fmcere. To call loft worth from its oppreflive fhade ; To fix its equal fphere, and fee it fhine -, To hear it grateful own the generous aid ; This, this is tranfport but muft ne'er be miner Faint is my bounded blifs ; nor I refufe To range where daizies open, rivers roll ; While profe or fong the languid hours amufe, And foothe the fond impatience of my foul. Awhile I'll weave the roofs of jafmin bow'rs, And urge with trivial cares the loit'ring year ; Awhile I'll prune my grove, protect my flow'rs, Then, unlamented, prefs an early bier ! Of thofe lov'd flow'rs the lifelefs corfe may mare ; Some hireling hand a fading wreath beftow -, The reft will breathe as fweet, will glow as fair, As when their mafter fmil'd to fee them glow. The fequent morn mall wake the filvan quire ; The kid again mall wanton ere 'tis noon ; Nature will fmile, will wear her beft attire ; ' O ! let not gentle DELIA fmile fo foon ! 3 While [96] While the rude hearfe conveys me flow away, And carelefs eyes my vulgar fate proclaim, Let thy kind tear my utmoft worth o'erpay ; And, foftly fighing, vindicate my fame. O DELIA ! chear'd by thy fuperior praife, I blefs the filent path the fates decree ; Pleas'd, from the lift of my inglorious days, To raze the moments crown'd with blifs, and thee. I [,EGY [971 * ELEGY XXVI. Defcribing the farrow of an ingenuous mind, on the melancholy event of a licentious amour. "Y^HY mourns my friend ! why weeps his downcaft eye ? That eye where mirth, where fancy us'd to mine ? Thy chearful meads reprove that fwelling figh ; Spring ne'er enamel'd fairer meads than thine. Art thou not lodg'd in fortune's warm embrace ? Wert thou not form'd by nature's partial care ? Bleft in thy fong, and bleft in ev'ry grace That wins the friend, or that enchants the fair ? DAMON, faid he, thy partial praife reftrain ; Not DAMON'S friendfhip can my peace reftore ; Alas ! his very praife awakes my pain, And my poor wounded bofom bleeds the more. For oh ! that nature on my birth had frown'd ! Or fortune fix'd me to fome lowly cell ! Then had my bofom 'fcap'd this fatal wound, Nor had I bid thefe vernal fweets, farewel. But led by fortune's hand, her darling child, My youth her vain licentious blifs admir'd ; In fortune's train the fyre i fiatt'ry fmil'd, And rafhly hallow'd all her queen infpir'd. VOL. I. H Of [98] Of folly fludious, ev'n of vices vain, Ah vices ! gilded by the rich and gay ! I chas'd the guilelefs daughters of the plain, Nor dropt the chace, till JESSY was my prey. Poor artlefs maid ! to ftain thy fpotlefs name, Expence, and art, and toil, united drove -, To lure a breaft that felt the pureft flame, Suftain'd by virtue, but betray'd by love. School'd in the fcience of love's mazy wiles, I cloath'd each feature with affected fcorn ;. I fpoke of jealous doubts, and fickle fmiles, And, feigning, left her anxious and forlorn. Then, while the fancy'd rage alarm'd her care. Warm to deny, and zealous to difprove , I bade my words the wonted foftnefs wear, And feiz'd the minute of returning love. To thee, my DAMON, dare I paint the reft ? Will yet thy love a candid ear incline ? Afiur'd that virtue, by misfortune preft, Feels not the fharpnefs of a pang like mine. Nine 1 envious moons matur'd her growing mame ^ Ere while to flaunt it in the face of day , When fcorn'd of virtue, ftigmatiz'd by fame, Low at my feet defponding JESSY lay. " HENRY, [99] 1 HENRY, me faid, by thy dear form fubdu*d, See the fad reliques of a nymph undone ! I find, I find this rifing fob renew'd : I figh in fhades, and ficken at the fun. Amid the dreary gloom of night, I cry, When will the morn's once pleafmg fcenes return ? Yet what can morn's returning ray fupply, But foes that triumph, or but friends that mourn I Alas ! no more that joyous morn appears That led the tranquil hours of fpotlefs fame ; For I have fteep'd a father's couch in tears, And ting'd a mother's glowing cheek with mame. The vocal birds that raife their matin flrain, The fportive lambs, increafe my penfive moan -, All feem to chafe me from the chearful plain, And talk of truth and innocence alone. If thro* the garden's flow'ry tribes I flray, Where bloom the jafmins that could once allure, Hope not to find delight in us, they fay, For we are fpotlefs, JESSY ; we are pure. Ye flow'rs ! that well reproach a nymph fo rfrail, Say, could ye with my virgin fame compare ? The brightefb bud that fcents the vernal gale Was not fo fragrant, and was not fo fair. H 2 Now X C-ce-tt' ce-rn.*,*^ ^x-exi* ts>-*-+ .(&+,: 4 .4 Now the grave old alarm the gentler young $ And all my fame's abhorr'd contagion flee ; Trembles each lip, and faulters every tongue, That bids the morn propitious frnile on me. Thus for your fake I fliun each human eye ; I bid the fvveets of blooming youth adieu ; To die I languifh, but 1 dread to die, Left my fad fate fhou'd nourilh pangs for you. Raife me from earth ; the pains of want remove, And let me filent feek fome friendly more ; There only, banifh'cl from the form I love, My weeping virtue mall relapfe no more. - Be but my friend , I afk no dearer name ; Be fuch the meed of fome more artful fair j Nor could it heal my peace, or chafe my fhame y That pity gave, what love refus'd to mare. Force not my tongue to afk its fcanty bread ; Nor hurl thy JESSY to the vulgar crew ; Not fuch the parent's board at which I fed ! Not fuch the precept from his lips I drew ! Haply, when age has filver'd o'er my hair, Malice may learn to fcorn fo mean a fpoil ; Envy may flight a face no longer fair ; And pity, welcome, to my native foil.'* She She fpoke nor was I born of favage race ; Nor could thefe hands a nio-g-ard boon afTign : OO D * Grateful me clafp'd me in a lad embrace, And vow'd to wade her life in pray'rs for mine. I faw her foot the lofty bark afcend ; I faw her breaft with every pafTion heave -, I left her torn from every earthly friend ; Oh ! my hard bofom, which could bear to leave ! Brief let me be ; the fatal ilorm arofe ; The billows rag'd ; the pilot's art was vain ; O'er the tall maft the circling furges clofe ; My JESSY floats upon the wat'ry plain ! And fee my youth's impetuous fires decay ; Seek not to Hop reflection's bitter tear ; But warn the frolic, and inftruc"t the gay, From JESSY floating on her wat'ry bier ! H 3 ODES ODES, SONGS, B A L L A D S, &c. H 4 * y x . .. 1 1 ftsf f a. 'r /ix/ RURAL ELEGANCE: , ^ An ODE to the late Duchefs of SOMERSET. Written 1750. WHILE orient fkies reftore the day, And dew-drops catch the lucid ray ; Amid the fprightly fcenes of morn, Will aught the mufe infpire ? Oh ! peace to yonder clamorous horn That drowns the facred lyre ! Ye rural thanes that o'er the mofly down Some panting, timorous hare purfue ; Does nature mean your joys alone to crown ? Say, does me fmoothe her lawns for you ? For you does echo bid the rocks reply, And urg'd by rude conftraint refound the jovial cry ? See [ io6] See from the neighbouring hill, forlorn The wretched fwain your fport furvey ; He finds his faithful fences torn, He finds his labour'd crops a prey ; He fees his flock no more in circles feed ; Haply beneath your ravage bleed, And with no random curfes loads the deed. . Nor yet, ye fwains, conclude That nature fmiles for you alone ; Your bounded fouls, and your conceptions crude, The proud, the felfifh boaft difown : Yours be the produce of the foil ; O may it dill reward your toil ! Nor ever the defencelefs train Of clinging infants, afk fupport in vain ! But tho' the various harveft gild your plains, * Does the mere landfcape feaft your eye ? Or the warm hope of diftant gains Far other caufe of glee fupply ? Is not the red-ftreak's future juice The fource of your delight profound, Where Ariconium pours her gems profufe, Purpling a whole horizon round ? Athirft ye praife the limpid flream, 'tis true : But tho', the pebbled mores among, It mimic no unpleafing fong, The limpid fountain murmurs not for you. 3 Unpleas'd Unpleas'd ye fee the thickets bloom, Unpleas'd the fpring her flowery robe refume ; Unmov'd the mountain's airy pile, The dappled mead without a fmile. O let a rural confcious mufe, For well me knows, your froward fenfe accufe : Forth to the folemn oak you bring the fquare, And fpan the mafly trunk, before you cry, 'tis fair. Nor yet ye learn'd, nor yet ye courtly train, If haply from your haunts ye ftray To wafte with us a fummer's day, Exclude the tafte of every fwain, Nor our untutor'd fenfe difdain : 'Tis nature only gives exclufive right To relim her fupreme delight ; She, where me pleafes kind or coy, Who furnifhes the fcene, and forms us to enjoy. Then hither bring the fair ingenuous mind, By her aufpicious aid refin'd ; Lo ! not an hedge-row hawthorn blows, Or humble hare-bell paints the plain, Or valley winds, or fountain flows, Or purple heath is ting'd in vain : For fuch the rivers dafh their foaming tides, The mountain fwells, the dale fubfides ; Ev'n thriftlefs furze detains their wandering fight, And the rough barren rock grows pregnant with delight. , OP With tyAAj-r . while nature paints the field. Begin, ye fongfters of the grove ! O warble forth your nobleft lay ; Where SOMERSET vouchfafes to rove Ye leverets freely fport and play. Peace to the ftrepent horn ! Let no harm difTonancc diilurb the mom, No founds inelegant and rude Her facred folitudes profane ! Unlefs her candour not exclude The lowly fhepherd's votive ftrain, Who tunes his reed amidft his rural chear, Fearful, yet not averfe, that SOMERSET mould hear, ODE O D E to MEMORY. 1748. O Memory ! celeftial maid ! Who glean'ft the flow'rets cropt by time ; And, fuffering not a leaf to fade, PrefeiVft the blqfToms of our prime ; Bring, bring thofe moments to my mind When life was new, and LESBIA kind. And bring that garland to my fight, With which my favour'd crook Hie bound j And bring that wreath of rofes bright Which then my feftive temples crown'd. And to my raptur'd ear convey The gentle things me deign'd to fay. And iketch with care the mufe's bow'r, Where Is is rolls her filver tide ; Nor yet omit one reed or flow'r That mines on CHERWELI/S verdant fide ; If fo thou rnay'll thofe hours prolong, When polifh'd LYCON join'd my fong. The fong it 'vails not to recite But fure, to foothe our youthful dreams, Thofe banks and flreams appear'd more bright Than other banks, than other flreams : I 3 Or [n8] Or by thy foftening pencil fliewn, 1 Afiume they beauties not their own ? And paint that fweetly vacant fcene, When, all beneath the poplar boughj My fpirits light, my foul ferene, I breath'd in verfe one cordial vow 5 That nothing Ihould my foul inipire, But friendfhip warm, and love entire. Dull to the fenfe of new delight, On thee the drooping mufe attends j As fome fond lover, robb'd of fight, On thy expreflive pow'r depends ; Nor would" exchange thy glowing lines, To live the lord of all that mines* But let me chafe thofe vows away Which at ambition's mrine I made i Nor ever let thy (kill difplay Thofc anxious moments, ill repaid t Oh ! from my breaft that feafon rafe, And bring my childhood in its place. Bring me the bells, the rattle bring, And bring the hobby I beftrode ; When pleas'd, in many a fportive ring, Around the room I jovial rode : Ev'n let me bid my lyre adieu, ' And bring the whittle that I blew. [ up] Then will I mufe, and penfive fay, Why did not thefe enjoyments laft ? How fweetly wafted I the day; While innocence a w'd to wafle ? Ambition's toils alike are vain, But ah ! for pleafure yield us pain. The The Princefs ELIZABETH: A Ballad alluding to a flory recorded of her, when flie was prifoner at WOODSTOCK, 1554. WILL you hear how once repining Great ELIZA captive lay ? Each ambitious thought refigning, Foe to riches, pomp, and fway ? While the nymphs and fwains delighted Tript around in all their pride ; Envying joys by others flighted, Thus the royal maiden cry'd. " Bred on plains, or born in vallies, Who would bid thofe fcenes adieu ? Stranger to the arts of malice, Who would ever courts purfue ? Malice never taught to treafure, Cenfure never taught to bear : Love is all the fhepherd's pleafure j Love is all the damfel's care. How can they of humble ftation Vainly blame the pow'rs above ? Or accufe the difpenfation W T hich allows them all to love ? Love [ "I ] Love like air is widely given ; Pow'r nor chance can thefe reflrain ; Trueft, nobleft gifts of heaven ! Only pureft on the plain ! Peers can no fuch charms difcover, All in liars and garters dreft, As, on Sundays, does the lover With his nofegay on his breaft. Pinks and rofes in profuflon, Said to fade when CHLOE'S near j Fops may ufe the fame allufionj But the fhepherd is ilncere. Hark to yonder milk-maid finging Chearly o'er the brimming pail ; Cowflips all around her fpringing Sweetly paint the golden vale. Never yet did courtly maiden Move fo fprightly, look fo fair j Never breaft with jewels laden Pour a fong fo void of care. Would indulgent heav'n had granted Me fome rural damfel's part ! All the empire I had wanted Then had been my fhepherd's heart. Then, [ 122 ] Then, with him, o'er hills and mountains, Free from fetters, might I rove : Fearlefs tafte the cryftal fountains ; Peaceful fleep beneath the grove. Ruftics had been more forgiving ; Partial to my virgin bloom : None had envy'd me when living ; None had triumph'd o'er my tomb/ 3 ODE O D E to a Young Lady, Somewhat too follicitous about her manner of expreffion. SU RVE Y, my fair ! that lucid ftream Adown the fmiling valley ftray ; Would art attempt, or fancy dream, To regulate its winding way ? So pleas'd I view thy fhining hair In loofe diihevel'd ringlets flow t Not all thy art, not all thy care Can there one fingle grace beflow* Survey again that verdant hill, With native plants enamel'd o'er j Say, can the painter's utmofl fkill Inflruct one flow'r to pleafe us more ? s As vain it were, with artful dye, To change the bloom thy cheeks difclofe ; And oh may LAURA, ere me try," With frefh vermilion paint' the rofe. Hark, how the wood-lark's tuneful throat Can every ftudy'd grace excel ', Let art conilrain the rambling note, And will me, LAURA, pleafe fo well ? 3 Oh [ I2 4 } Oh ever keep thy native eafe, By no pedantic law confin'd ! For LAURA'S voice is form'd to pleafe, So LAURA'S words be not unkind. NANCY 1 125] NANCY of the. VALE. ABA L ,L A D. Nerine Galatea ! thymo mihi dulcior HyU. Then, from the tow'ring heights they fcale Behold contentment range the vale K 3 Yet t '34 ] Yet why, ASTERIA, tell us why We fcorn the crowd, when you are nigh Why then does reafon feem fo fair, Why learning then, deferve our care ? Who can unpleas'd your melves behold, While you fo fair a proof unfold What force the brighteft genius draws From pol'fh'd wifdom's written laws ? Where are our humbler tenets flown ? What ftrange perfection bids us own That blifs with toilfome fcience dwells^ And happieft he, who moft excels ? U P O N A V I S I T to the fame in Winter, 1748. ON fair ASTERIA'S blifsfiul plains, Where ever-blooming fancy reigns,, How pleas'd we pafs the winter's day ; And charm the dull-ey'd fpleen away ! No linnet, from the leaflefs bough, Pours forth her note melodious now $ But all admire ASTERIA'S tongue, Nor wifh. the linnet's vernal fong. No flow'rs emit their tranfient rays : Yet fure ASTERIA'S wit difplays More various tints x more glowing lines, And with perennial beauty mines, Tho' rifled groves and fetter'd ftreams But ill befriend a poet's dreams : ASTERIA'S prefence wakes the lyre ; And well fupplies poetic fire. The fields have loft their lovely dye , No chearful azure decks the iky -, Yet ftill we blefs the louring day : ASTERIA fmiles and all is gay. K 4 Henct 1 136] Hence let the mufe no more prefurne To blame the winter's dreary gloom ; Accufe his loitering hours no more ; But ah ! their envious hafte deplore ! For foon, from wit and friendmip's reign, The focial hearth, the fprightly vein, I go to meet the coming year, On favage plains, and deferts drear ! 1 go to feed on pleafures flown, Nor find the fpring my lofs atone ! But 'mid the flowery fweets of May 'VVith pride recal this winter's cjay. '37 ] \ A N Irregular ODE after SICKNESS, 1749* ) cum venerit ipfa> OO long a ftranger to repofe, At length from pain's abhorred couch I rofe, And wander'd forth alone j To court once more the balmy breeze, And catch the verdure of the trees, Ere yet their charms were flown. 'Twas from a bank with panftes gay I hail'd once more the chearful day, The fun's forgotten beams : O fun ! how pleafmg were thy rays, Reflected from the polifh'd face Of yon refulgent ftreams ! Rais'd by the fcene my feeble tongue Eflay'd again the fweets of fong : And thus in feeble frrains and flow, The loitering numbers 'gan to flow. ' Come, gentle air ! my languid limbs reftore, $.nd bid me welcome from the Stygian fliore : For. For fure I heard the tender fighs, I feem'd to join the plaintive cries Of haplefs youths, who thro' the myrtle grove Bewail for ever their unfmifh'd love : To that unjoyous clime, Torn from the fight of thefe etherial fkies ; Debarr'd the luftre of their DELIA'S eyes ; And banifh'd in their prime. Come, gentle air ! and, while the thickets bloom, Convey the jafmin's breath divine, Convey the woodbine's rich perfume, Nor fpare the fweet-leaft eglantine. 'And may'ft thou fhun the rugged florm Till health her wonted charms explain, With rural pleafure in her train, To greet me in her fairefl form. While from this lofty mount I view The fons of earth, the vulgar crew, Anxious for futile gains beneath me ftray, And feek with erring ftep contentment's obvious way. Come, gentle air ! and thou celeftial mufe, Thy genial flame infufe ^ Enough to lend a penfive bofom aid, And gild retirement's gloomy fhade ; Enough to rear fuch ruftic lays As foes may flight, but partial friends will praife." The t J 39 1 The gentle air allow'd my claim ; And, more to chear my drooping frame, She mix'd the balm of opening flowers ; Such as the bee, with chymic powers, From HYBLA'S fragrant hills inhales, Or fcents SABEA'S blooming vales. But ah ! the nymphs that heal the penfive mind, By prefcripts more refin'd, Neglect their votary's anxious moan : Oh, how mould they relieve ? the mufes all were flown,' By flowery plain, or woodland mades, I fondly fought the charming maids ; By woodland mades, or flow'ry plain, I fought them, faithlefs maids ! in vain ! When lo ! in happier hour, I leave behind my native mead, To range where zeal and friendfhip lead, ' To vifit L * * * *'s honoured bower. Ah foolifh man ! to feek the tuneful maids On other plains, or near lefs verdant ihades ; Scarce have my footfteps prefs'd the favour'd ground, When founds etherial {hike my ear ; At once celeftial forms appear ; My fugitives are found ! The mufes here attune their lyres, Ah partial ! with unwonted fires j Here, hand in hand, with carelefs mien, The fportive graces trip the green. But whilft I wander'd o'er a fcene fo fair, Too well at one furvey I trace, How every mufe, and every grace, Had long employ'd their care. Lurks not a ftone enrich'4 with lively ftain, Blooms not a flower amid the vernal ftore, Falls not a plume on INDIA'S diftant plain, Glows not a mell on ADRIA'S rocky more, But torn methought from native lands or feas, From their arrangement, gain frefh pow'r to pleafe, And fome had bent the wildering maze, Bedeckt with every fhrub that blows ; And fome entwin'd the willing fprays, To mield th j illuftrious dame's repofe ; Others had grac'd the fprightly dome, And taught the portrait where to glow ; Others arrang'd the curious tome ; Or 'mid the decorated fpace, Aflign'd the laurel'd bu{t a place, And given to learning all the pomp of mow, And now from every tafk withdrawn, They met and frifk'd it o'er the lawn, Ah ! woe is me, faid I ; * * *'s hilly circuit heard my cry, Have Have I for this, with labour ftrove, And laviih'd all my little ftore To fence for you my fliady grove* And fcollop eveiy winding fhore ; And fringe with every purple rofe, The faphire ftream that down my valley flows ? Ah ! lovely treacherous maids ! To quit unfeen my votive lhades, When pale difeafe, and torturing pain Had torn me from the breezy iplain, And to a reftlefs couch confm'd, Who ne'er your wonted tafks declirr'd. She needs not your officious aid To fv/ell the fong, or plan the fhade ; By genuine fancy nYd, Her native genius guides her hand, And while Hie marks the fage command, More lovely fcenes her fkill {hall raife, , . Her lyre refound with nobler lays Than ever you infpii'd. Thus I my rage and grief difplay ; But vainly blame, and vainly mourn, Nor will a grace or muA cairn Till LUXBOROU&H lead the way. Written [ 14* 1 Written in a FLOWER BOOK of my own Colouring, defigned for Lady PLI- MOUTH. 1753-4. Debit* nymphis opifex corona. HOR. BRING, FLORA, bring thy treafures here, The pride of all the blooming year \ And let me, thence, a garland frame, To crown this fair, this peerlefs dame ! But ah ! fmce envious winter lours, And HE WELL meads refign their flow'rs, Let art and friendfhip's joint effay Diffufe their flow'rets, in her way. Not nature can, herfelf, prepare A worthy wreath for LESBIA'S hair, Whofe temper, like her forehead, fmoothe, Whofe thoughts and accents form'd to foothe, Whofe pleafing mien, and make refin'd, Whofe artlefs breaft, and polim'd mind, From all the nymphs of plain or grove, DefervM and won my PLYMOUTH'S love. A N A C R E- [ 1433 ANACREONTIC. 1738. *rr^WAS in a cool Aonian glade, A The wanton CUPID, fpent with toil, Had fought refrefhment from the fhade ; And ftretch'd him on the mofTy foil. A vagrant mufe drew nigh, and found The fubtle traitor fair afleep ; And is it thine to fnore profound, She faid, yet leave the world to weep ? But hufh - from this aufpicious hour, The world, I ween, may reft in peace ; And robb'd of darts, and ftript of pow'r, Thy peevifh petulance decreafe. Sleep on, poor child ! whilft I withdraw, And this thy vile artillery hide When the Caflalian fount me faw, And plung'd his arrows in the tide. That magic fount ill-judging maid ! Shall caufe you foon to curfe the day You dar'd the fhafts of Jove invade , And gave his arms redoubled foray. For t 144 ] in a ftream fo wonderous clear ^ . When angry CUPID fearches round, Will not the radiant points appear ? Will not the furtive fpoils be found ? Too foon they were , and every dart, Dipt in the mufe's myftic fpring, Acquir'd new force to wound the heart ; And taught at once to love and fmg. Then farewel ye Pierian quire ; For who will now your altars throng ? From love we learn to fwell the lyre j And echo afks no fweeter forts:, ODE, ODE. Written 1739. Uritfpes animi credula mutui. HOR. ^fTT^WAS not by beauty's aid alone, A That love ufurp'd his airy throne, His boafted pow'r difplay'd : 'Tis kindnefs that fecures his aim, J Tis hope that feeds the kindling flame, Which beauty firft convey'd. In CLARA'S eyes, the lightnings view; Her lips with all the rofe's hue Have all its fweets combin'd ; Yet vain the blufh, and faint the fire, 'Till lips at once, and eyes confpire To prove the charmer kind - Tho' wit might gild the tempting fnare, With foftefl accent, fweeteft air, By envy's felf admir'd -, If LESBIA'S wit betray'd her fcorn,. In vain might every grace adorn What every mufe infpir'd. VOL. I. L Thus [ '46 ] Thus airy STREPHON tun'd his lyre He fcorn'd the pangs of wild defire, Which love-fick fwains endure : Refolv'd to brave the keeneft dart , Since frowns could never wound his heart, And fmiles mufb ever cure. i But ah ! how falfe thefe maxims prove, How frail fecurity from love, Experience hourly mows ! Love can imagined fmiles fupply, On every charming lip and eye Eternal fweets bellows. In vain we truft the fair-one's eyes ; In vain the fage explores the fkies, To learn from ftars his fate : 'Till led by fancy wide aftray, He finds no planet mark his way ; Convinc'd and wife too late. As partial to their words we prove ; Then boldly join the lifts of love, With towering hopes fupply'd : So heroes, taught by doubtful mrines, Miftook their deity's defigns ; Then took the field 7 and dy'd. The Optima qutfque dies miferis mortalibus Prima fugit Vi R c . A Tear bedews my DELIA'S eye, To think yon playful kid muft die 5 From cryftal fpring, and flowery mead, Muft, in his prime of life, recede ! Erewhile, in fportive circles round She faw him wheel, and frilk, and bound ; From rock to rock purfue his way, And, on the fearful margin, play. Pleas'd on his various freaks to dwell, She faw him climb my ruftic cell ; Thence eye my lawns with verdure bright, And feem all ravifh'd at the fight. u She tells, with what delight he flood, To trace his features in the flood : Then fkip'd aloof with quaint amaze , And then drew near again to gaze. She tells me how with eager fpeed He flew, to hear my vocal reed ; And how, with critic face profound, And ftedfaft ear, devour'd the found. L 2 His His every frolic, light as air, Deferves the gentle DELIA'S care j And tears bedew her tender eye, To think the playful kid muft die. But knows my DELIA, timely wife, How fbofi this blamelefs asra flies ? While violence and craft fucceed ; Unfair defign, and ruthlefs deed ! Soon would the vine his wounds deplore, And yield her purple gifts no more , Ah foon, eras'd from eveiy grove Were DELIA'S name, and STREPHON'S love. No more thofe bow'rs might STREPHON fee, Where firft he fondly gaz'd on thee ; No more thofe beds of flow'rets find, Which for thy charming brows he twin'd. Each wayward pafllon foon would tear His bofom, now fo void of care -, And, when they left his ebbing vein, What, but infipid age, remain ? Then mourn not the decrees of fate, That gave his life fo fhort a date , And I will join thy tendereft fighs, To think that youth fo fwiftly flies ! SONGS, t H9 ] i SONGS, written chiefly between the Year 1737 and 1742. SONG I. I Told my nymph, I told her true, My fields were fmall, my flocks were few j While faultering accents fpoke my fear, That FLAVIA might not prove fmcere. V Of crops deftroy'd by vernal cold, And vagrant fheep that left my fold : Of thefe me heard, yet bore to hear ; And is not FLAVIA then fmcere ? How chang'd by fortune's fickle wind, The friends I lov'd became unkind, She heard, and med a generous tear j And is not FLAVIA then fmcere ? How, if (he deign'd my love to blefs, My FLAVIA muft not hope for drefs ; This too me heard, and fmil'd to hear ; And FLAVIA fure muft be fincere, Go Ihear your flocks, ye jovial fwains, Go reap the plenty of your plains j Defpoil'd of all which you revere, I know my FLAVIA'S love fincere. L a SONG 1 150 ] SONG II. The L A N D s K i P. HO W pleas'd within my native bowers Erewhile I pafs'd the day ! Was ever fcene fo deck'd with flowers ? Were ever flowers fo gay ? How fweetly fmil'd the hill, the vale, And all the landfkip round ! The river gliding down the dale ! The hill with beeches crown'd ! But now, when urg'd by tender woes I fpeed to meet rny dear, t That hill and ftream my zeal oppofe, And check my fond career. No more, fince DAPHNE was my theme. Their wonted charms I fee : That verdant hill, and filver ftream. Divide my love and me. SONG S ON G III. YE gentle nymphs and generous dames. That rule o'er every Britifh mind i Be lure ye foothe their amorous flames, Be fure your laws are not unkind. For hard it is to wear their bloom In unremitting fighs away : To mourn the night's opprefiive gloom, And faintly blefs the riling day* And cruel 'twere a free-born fwain, A Britifh youth mould vainly moan j Who fcornful of a tyrant's chain, Submits to yours, and yours alone. Nor pointed fpear, nor links of fteel, Could e'er thofe gallant minds fubdue, Who beauty's wounds with pleafure feel, And boaft the fetters wrought by you. L4 SONG SONG IV. The SKY-LARK V GO, tuneful bird, that glad'ft the fides, To DAPHNE'S window fpeed thy way And there on quiv'ring pinions rife, Arid there thy vocal art difplay. And if fhe deign thy notes to hear, And if fhe praife thy matin fong, - Tell her the founds that foothe her ear. To DAMON ? S native plains belong. Tell her, in livelier plumes array'd, The bird from Indian groves may mine ; But afk the lovely partial maid, What are his notes compar'd to thine ? Then bid her treat yon witlefs beau, And all his flaunting race with fcorn ; And lend an ear to DAMON'S woe, "\Vho fmgs her praife, and fings forlorn.. 1 153] SONG V, Ah ! ego non aliter trifles evincere morbos Op far em, quam teftc quoque velle put em. ON every tree, in every plain, I trace the jovial fpring in vain ! A fickly languor veils mine eyes, And faft my waning vigor flies. Nor flow'ry plain, nor budding tree, That fmile on others, fmile on me ; Mine eyes from death mall court repofe. Nor fhed a tear before they clofe. What blifs to me can feafons bring ? Or, what the needlefs pride of fpring ? The cyprefs bough, that fuits the bier, Retains its verdure all the year. 'Tis true, my vine fo frefh and fair, Might claim awhile my wonted care ; My rural ftore fome pleafure yield , So white a flock, fo green a field ! [ '54] My friends, that each in kindnefs vie, Might well expect one parting figh j Might well demand one tender tear j For when was DAMON unfmcere? But ere I aik once more to view Yon fetting fun his race renew, Inform me, fwains ; my friends, declare, Will pitying DELIA join the prayer ? SONG SONG VI. The Attribute of VENUS, YE S ; FULVIA is like VENUS fair ; Has all her bloom, and fhape, and air But ftill, to perfect every grace, She wants the fmile upon her face. The crown majeftic JUNO wore ; And CYNTHIA'S brow the crefcent bore, An helmet mark'd MINERVA'S mien, But fmiles diftinguifh'd beauty's queen. Her train was form'd of fmiles and loves, Her chariot drawn by gentlefl doves ; And from her zone, the nymph may find, 'Tis beauty's province to be kind. Then fmile, my fair ; and all whofe aim Afpires to paint the Cyprian dame, Or bid her breathe in living ftone, Shall take their forms from you alone. SONG SONG VII. 1744. THE lovely DELIA fmiles again ! That killing frown has left her brow Can fhe forgive my jealous pain, And give me back my angry vow ? Love is an April's doubtful day : Awhile we fee the tempeft low'r j Anon the radiant heav'n furvey, And quite forget the flitting fhow'r. The fiow'rs, that hung their languid head, Are burniih'd by the tranfient rains j The vines their wonted tendrils fpread, And double verdure gilds the plains. The fprightly birds, that droop'd no lefs Beneath the pow'r of rain and wind, In every raptur'd note, exprefs The joy I feel when thou art kind, SONG [ 157 1 SONG VIII. 1742. WHEN bright ROXANA treads the green, In all the pride of drefs and mien ; Averfe to freedom, love, and play, The dazzling rival of the day : None other beauty ftrikes mine eye, The lilies droop, the rofes die. But when, difclaiming art, the fair Aflumes a foft engaging air ; Mild as the opening morn of May, Familiar, friendly, free and gay : The fcene improves', where'er me goes, More fweetly fmile the pink and rofe. O lovely maid ! propitious hear, Nor deem thy fhepherd infmcere ; Pity a wild illufive flame, That varies objects ftill the fame : And let their very changes prove The never-vary'd force of love. SONG 1 158] SONG IX. 1743. VALENTINE'S DAY. lr~tr\ I S faid that under diftant fkies, JL Nor you the fact deny ; What firft attracts an Indian's eyes Becomes his deity. Perhaps a lily, or a rofe, That fhares the morning's ray, May to the waking fwain difclofe The regent of the day. Perhaps a plant in yonder grove, Enrich'd with fragrant pow'r, May tempt his vagrant eyes to rove, Where blooms the fov'reign flow'r. Perch'd on the cedar's topmofl bough And gay with gilded wings, Perchance, the patron of his vow, Some artlefs linnet fmgs. The fwain furveys her pleas'd, afraid, Then low to earth he bends ; And owns upon her friendly aid, His health, his life depends. Vain 'r Vain futile idols, bird or flow'r, To tempt a votary's pray'r ! How would his humble homage tow* Should he behold my Fair ! Yesmight the pagan's waking eyes, O'er FLAVIA'S beauty range, He there would fix his lafting choice, Nor dare, nor wifh to change. SONG [ i6o] SONG X. TH E fatal hours are wonderous near, That j from thefe fountains, bear my dear A little fpace is giv'n ; in vain ; She robs my fight, and fliuns the plain. A little fpace, for me to prove My boundlefs flame, my endlefs love j And like the train of vulgar hours, Invidious time that fpace devours. Near yonder beech is DELIA'S way, On that I gaze the livelong day , No eailern monarch's dazzling pride Should draw my longing eyes afide. The chief, that knows of fuccours nigh, And fees his mangled legions die, Cafls not a more impatient glance, To fee the loitering aids advance. Not more, the fchool-boy that expires Far from his native home, requires To fee fome friend's familiar face, Or meet a parent's laft embrace She' t She comes but ah ! what crouds of beaux In radiant bands my fair enclofe ; Oh ! better hadft thou fhun'd the green, Oh DELIA ! better far unfeen. Methinks, by all my tender fears, By all my fighs, by all my tears, I might from torture now be free 'Tis more than death to part from thee ! VOL. I, M SONG [ 162] SONG XI. 1744. PERHAPS it is not love, faid I, That melts my foul when FLAVIA'S nigh 3 Where wit and fenfe like her's agree, One may be pleas'd, and yet be free. The beauties of her polifh'd mind, It needs no lover*s eye to find ; The hermit freezing in his cell, Might wifh the gentle FLA VIA well. It is not love averfe to bear The fervile chain that lovers wear ; Let, let me all my fears remove, My doubts difpel it is not love- Oh ! when did wit fo brightly mine In any form lefs fair than thine ? It is it is love's fubtle fire, And under friendfhip lurks defire. SON< SONG XII. 1744, O'ER defert plains, and rulhy meers, And wither'd heaths I rove ; Where tree, nor fpire, nor cot appears, I pafs to meet my love. But tho' my path were damafk'd o'er With beauties e'er fo fine , My bufy thoughts would fly before^' To fix alone on thine. No fir-crown'd hills cou'd give delight, No palace pleafe mine eye: No pyramid's aerial height, Where mouldering monarchs lie. Unmov'd, Ihould Eaftern kings advance ; Could I the pageant fee : Splendour might catch one fcornful glance, Not fteal one thought from thee. M SONG XIII. The SCHOLAR'S RELAPSE. BY the fide of a grove, at the foot of a hill, Where whifper'd the beech, and where murmur'd I vow'd to the mufes my time and my care, L tne nllj Since neither cou'd win me the fmiles of my fair. Free I rang'd like the birds, like the birds free I fung, And D E L i A'S lov'd name fcarce efcap'd from my tongue : But if once a fmooth accent delighted my ear, I fhou'd wifh, unawares, that my DELIA might hear. With faireft ideas my bofom I ftor'd, Allufive to none but the nymph I ador'd ! And the more I with ftudy my fancy refin'd, The deeper impreffion me made on my mind. So long as of nature the charms I purfue, I ftill muft my DELIA'S dear image renew : The graces have yielded with DELIA to rove, And the mufes are all in alliance with love. SONG SONG XIV. The ROSE-BUD, SEE, DAPHNE, fee, FLORELIO cry'd, And learn the fad effects of pride ; Yon fhelter'd rofe, how fafe conceal'd ! How quickly blafted, when reveal'd ! The fun with warm attractive rays Tempts it to wanton in the blaze : A gale fucceeds from Eaftern fkies, And all its bluming radiance dies. So you, my fair, of charms divine ; Will quit the plains too fond to mine Where fame's tranfporting rays allure, Tho' here more happy, more fecure. The breath of fome neglected maid Shall make you figh you left the made : A breath to beauty's bloom unkind, As, to the rofe, an Eaftern wind. The nymph reply'd You firft, my fwain, Confine your fonnets to the plain -, One envious tongue alike difarms, You, of your wit, me, of my charms. M 3 What What is, unknown, the poet's fkill ? Or what, unheard, the tuneful thrill ? What, unadmir'd, a charming mien, Or what the rofe's blufh, unfeen ? SONG XV. WINTER. 1746. NO more, ye warbling birds, rejoice: Of all that chear'd the plain, Echo alone preferves her voice, And fhe repeats my pain. Where'er my lovefick limbs I lay, To fhun the rufhing wind, Its bufy murmur feems to fay, " She never will be kind !" The naiads, o'er their frozen urns, In icy chains repine , And each in fullen filence mourns Her freedom loft, like mine ! Soon will the fun's returning rays The chearlefs froft controul ; When will relenting DELIA chafe The winter of my foul ? 3 SONG [ i6 7 ) SONG XVI. DAPHNE'S Vifit. YE birds ! for whom I rear'd the grove, With melting lay falute my love : My DAPHNE with your notes detain : Or I have rear'd my grove in vain. Ye flow'rs ! before her footfteps rife ; Difplay at once your brighteft dyes ; That fhe your opening charms may fee : Or what were all your charms to me ? Kind Zephyr ! brulh each fragrant flow'r, And fhed its odours round my bow'r : Or never more, O gentle wind, Shall I, from thee, refrefhment find. Ye ftreams I if e'er your banks I lov'd, If e'er your native founds improv'd, May each foft murmur foothe my fair : Or oh ! 'twill deepen my defpair. And thou, my grot ! whofe lonely bounds The melancholy pine furrounds, May DAPHNE praife thy peaceful gloom j Or thou malt prove her DAMON'S tomb. M 4 SONG 168 ] SONG XVII. Written in a Collection of BACCHANALIAN SONGS. ADIEU, ye jovial youths, who join To plunge old care in floods of wine And, as your dazled eye-balls roll, Difcern him ftruggling in the bowl. Not yet is hope 3fo wholly flown, Not yet is thought fo tedious grown,. But luT'pid ft ream and fhady tree Retain, as yet, fome fweets for me. And fee, thro' yonder filent grove, See yonder does my DAPHNE rove : With pride her foot-fteps I purfue, And bid your frantic joys adieu. The fole confufion I admire, Is that my DAPHNE'S eyes infpire : I fcorn the madnefs you approve, And value reafon next to love* SONG SONG XVIII. Imitated from the FRENCH. YES, thefe are the fcenes where with Iris I ftray'd But fhort was her fway for fo lovely a maicl ! In the bloom of her youth to a cloyfter fhe run ; In the bloom of her graces, too fair for a nun ! Ill-grounded, no doubt, a devotion muft prove So fatal to beauty, fo killing to love ! Yes, thefe are the meadows, the fhrubs and the plains ; Once the fcene of my pleafures, the fcene of my pains -, How many foft moments I fpent in this grove ! How fair was my nymph ! and how fervent my love ! Be ftill tho', my heart ! thine emotion give o'er; Remember, the feafon of love is no more. With her how I ftray'd amid fountains and bow'rs, Or loiter'd behind and collected the flow'rs ! Then breathlefs with ardor my fair-one purfu'd, And to think with what kindnefs my garland fhe yiew'd! But be ftill, my fond heart ! this emotion give o'er ; Fain wouldft thou forget thou muft love her no more. The The HALCYON. WHY o'er the verdant banks of ooze Does yonder halcyon fpeed fo fait; 'Tis all becaufe fhe would not lofe Her fav'rite calm that will not laft. The fun with azure paints the fkies, The ftream reflects each flow'ry fpray ; And frugal of her time, me flies To take her fill of love and play. See her, when rugged Boreas blows, Warm in fome rocky cell remain ; To feek for pleafure, well fhe knows, Would only then enhance the pain, j Defcend, me cries, thou hated fhow'r, Deform my limpid waves to-day, For I have chofe a fairer hour To take my fill of love and play. * You too, my SILVIA^ fare will own Life's azure feafons fwiftly roll : And when our youth, or health is flown, To think of love but mocks the foul. Could Could DAMON but deferve thy charms, As thou art DAMON'S only theme -, He'd fly as quick to DELIA'S arms, As yonder halcyon Ikims the ftream. ODE, [ 172 ] ODE. SO dear my Lucio is to me, So well our minds and tempers blend j That feafons may for ever flee, And ne'er divide me from my friend ; But let the favoured boy forbear To tempt with love my only fair. i . / UUCIO O Lv-ooif; born when every mufe, When every grace benignant fmil'd, With all a parent's breaft could chufe To blefs her lov'd, her only child ; Tis thine, fo richly grac'd to prove More noble cares, than cares of love. Together we from early youth Have trod the flowery tracks of time, Together mus'd in fearch of truth, O'er learned fage, or bard fublime ; And well thy cultur'd breaft I know, What wonderous treafure it can mow. Come then, refume thy charming lyre, And ling fome patriot's worth fublime, Whilit I in fields of foft defire, Confume my fair and fruitlefs prime ; Whofe reed afpires but to difplay The flame that burns me night and day." O come ! [ 173 ] O come ! the dryads of the woods Shall daily foothe thy ftudious mind, The blue-ey'd nymphs of yonder floods Shall meet and court thee to be kind And fame fits liflening for thy lays To fwell her trump with Lucio's praife. Like me, the plover fondly tries To lure the fportfman from her neft, And flutt'ring on with anxious cries, Too plainly mews her tortur'd bread O let him, confcious of her care, Pity her pains, and learn to fpare. A PAS- [ '74 1 I A PASTORAL ODE, To the Honourable Sir RICHARD LYTTELTON. TH E morn difpens'd a dubious light, A fallen mift had ftol'n from fight Each pleafing vale and hill ; When DAMON left his humble bowers To guard his flocks, to fence his flowers, Or check his wandering rill. Tho* fchooPd from fortune's paths to fly, The fwain beneath each low'ring fky, Would oft his fate bemoan ; That he, in fylvan fhades, forlorn ! Muft wafte his chearlefs even and morn, Nor prais'd, nor lov'd, nor known. No friend to fame's obftreperous noife, Yet to the whifpers of her voice, Soft murmuring, not a foe : The pleafures he thro' choice declin'd, When gloomy fogs deprefs'd his mind, It griev'd him to forego. Griev't) Griev'd him to lurk the lakes befide, Where coots in ruihy dingles hide, And moorcocks fhun the day ; While caitiff bitterns, undifmay'd, Remark the fwain's familiar made, And fcorn to quit their prey. But fee, the radiant fun once more The brightening face of heaven reftore, And raife the doubtful dawn ; And more to gild, his rural fphere, At once the brighteft train appear, That ever trod the lawn. Amazement chill'd the fhepherd's frame, To think *BRIDGEWATER'S honour'd name ' Should grace his ruftic cell ; That me, on all whofe motions wait Diftinftion, titles, rank and ftate, Should rove where fhepherds dwell. But true it is, the generous mind, By candour fway'd, by tafte refin'd, Will nought but vice difdain ; Nor will the breaft where fancy glows Deem every flower a weed, that blows Amid the defart plain. *The Duchefs of BRIDCEWATER, married to Sir RICHAR* LYTTEITON, Befeem* 1 176 Befeems it fuch, with honour crown'd, To deal its lucid beams around, Nor equal meed receive : At molt fuch garlands from the field, As cowflips, pinks, and panfies yield. And rural hands can weave. Yet Itrive, ye fhepherds, ftrive to find, And weave the faireft of the kind, The prime of all the fpring j If haply thus yon lovely fair May round their temples deign to wear The trivial wreaths you bring. O how the peaceful halcyons play'd, "Where'er the confcious lake betray 'd ATHENIA'S placid mien ! How did the fprightlier linnets throng, Where PAPHIA'S charms requir'd the fong, Mid hazel copfes green ! Lo, DARTMOUTH on thofe banks reeling While bufy fancy calls to mind The glories of his line ; Methinks my cottage rears its head. The ruin'd walls of yonder med, As thro' enchantment, mine. But But who the nymph that guides their way ? Could ever nymph defcend to ftray From HAG LEY'S fam'd retreat ? Elfe by the blooming features fair, The faultlefs make, the matchlefs air, 'Twere CYNTHIA'S form compleat. So would fome tuberofe delight, That ftruck the pilgrim's wondering fight 'Mid lonely defarts drear ; All as at eve, the fovereign flower, Difpenfes round its balmy power, And crowns the fragrant year. Ah, now no more, the mepherd cry'd, Muft I ambition's charms deride, Her fubtle force difown ; No more of fawns or fairies dream, While fancy, near each cryftal ftream, Shall paint thefe forms alone. By low-brow'd rock, or pathlefs mead, I deem'd that fplendour ne'er mould lead My dazled eyes aftray ; But who, alas! will dare contend, If beauty add, or merit blend Its more illuftrious-ray ? VOL. I. N Nor [ '78] Nor is it long O plaintive fwain ! Since GUERNSEY faw, -without difdain, Where, hid in woodlands green, The * partner of his early days, And once the rival of his praife, Had ftol'n thro' life unfeen. Scarce faded is the vernal flower, Since STAMFORD left his hongur'd bower To fmile familiar here : O form'd by nature to difclofe How fair that courtefy which flows From focial warmth fmcere. Nor yet have many moons decay*d, Since POLLIO fought this lonely made, Admir'd this rural maze : The noblefl breaft that virtue fires, The graces love, the mufe infpires, Might pant for POLLIO'S praife. Say THOMSON here was known to reft, For him yon vernal feat I dreft, Ah, never to return ! In place of wit, and melting ftrains, And focial mirth, it now remains To weep befide his urn. * They were fchool-fellow*. Come I 179 ] Come then, my LELIUS, come once more, And fringe the melancholy more With rofes and with bays, While I each wayward fate accufe, That envy'd his impartial mufe To fmg your early praife. While PHILO, to whofe favour'd fight, Antiquity, with full delight, Her inmoft wealth dilplays ; Beneath yon ruin's moulder'd wall Shall mufe, and with his friend recall The pomp of ancient days. Here too mall CON WAY'S name appear, He prais'd the ftream fo lovely clear, That fhone the reeds among ; Yet clearnefs could it not difclofe, To match the rhetoric that flows From CONWAY'S polifh'd tongue. Ev'n PITT, whofe fervent periods roll Refiftlefs, thro' the kindling foul Of fenates, councils, kings ! Tho' form'd for courts, vouchfaf d to rove Inglorious, thro' the mepherd's grove, And ope his bamful fprings. N 2 J But what can courts difcover more, Than thefe rude haunts have feen before, Each fount and fhady tree ? Have not thefe trees and fountains feen The pride of courts, the winning mien Of peerlefs AYLESBURY ? And GRENVILLE, flie whofe radiant eyes Have mark'd by flow gradation rife The princely piles of STOW ; Yet prais'd thefe unembellifh'd woods, And fmil'd to fee the babbling floods Thro' felf-worn mazes flow. Say DARTMOUTH, who your banks admir'd, Again beneath your caves retir'd, Shall grace the penflve fhade ; With all the bloom, with all the truth, With all the fprightlinefs of youth, By cool reflection fway'd ? Brave, yet humane, mail SMITH appear, Ye Jailors, tho' his name be dear, Think him not yours alone : Grant him in other fpheres to charm, The fhepherds breads tho* mild are warm, And ours are all his own. t 181 ] O LYTTELTON ! my honour'd gueft, Could I defcribe thy generous bread, Thy firm, yet polifh'd mind ; How public love adorns thy name, How fortune too confpires with fame ; The fong mould pleafe mankind. VERSES written towards the clofe of the Year 1748, to WILLIAM LYTTELTON, Efq; HOW blithely pafs'd the fummer's day! How bright was every fiow'r ! While friends arriv'd, in circles gay, To vifit DAMON'S bow'r! But now, with filent ftep, I range Along fome lonely more ; And DAMON'S bow'r, alas the change! Is gay with friends no more. Away to crowds and cities borne In queft of joy they fleer ; Whilft I, alas ! am left forlorn, To weep the parting year ! O penfive Autumn ! how J grieve Thy forrowing face to fee ! When languid funs are taking leave Of every drooping tree, N 3 Ah! Ah let me not, with heavy eye, This dying fcene furvey ! Hafte, Winter, hafte , ufurp the fky ; Compleat my bowVs decay. Ill can I bear the motley caft Yon fkkening leaves retain ; That fpeak at once of pleafure paft, And bode approaching pain. At home unbloft, I gaze around, My diftant fcenes require ; Where all in murky vapours drown'd Are hamlet, hill, and fpire. Tho' THOMSON, fweet defcriptive bard I Infpiring Autumn fung ; Yet how mould we the months regard, That ftopp'd his flowing tongue ? Ah lucklefs months, of all the reft, To whofe hard mare it fell ! For fure he was the gentleft breajft That ever fung fo well. And fee, the fwallows now difown The roofs they lov'd before ; Each, like his tuneful genius, flown To glad fome happier more. 1 183 ] The wood-nymph eyes, with pale affright, The fportfman's frantic deed ; While hounds and horns and yells unite To drown the mufe's reed. Ye fields with blighted herbage brown ! Ye fkies no longer blue ! Too much we feel from fortune's frown, To bear thefe frowns from you. Where is the mead's unfullied green ? The zephyr's balmy gale ? And where fweet friendlhip's cordial mien, That brighten'd every vale ? What tho* the vine difclofe her dyes, And boafl her purple flore ; Not all the vineyard's rich fupplies Can foothe our forrows more. He ! he is gone, whofe moral flrain Could wit and mirth refine; He ! he is gone, whofe focial vein Snrpafs'd the pow'r of wine. Faft by the ftreams he deign'd to praife, In yon fequefter'd grove, To him a votive urn I raife ; To him, and friendly love. N 4 Yes [ 184] Yes there, my friend ! forlorn and fad, I grave your THOMSON'S name ; And there, his lyre , which fate forbad To found your growing fame. There mall my plaintive fong recount Dark themes of hopelefs woe ; And, falter than the dropping fount, I'll teach mine eyes to flow. There leaves, in fpite of Autumn, green, Shall made the hallow'd ground -, And Spring will there again be feen, To call forth flowers around. But no kind funs will bid me fhaje, Once more, his focial hour; Ah Spring ! thou never canft repair This lofs, to DAMON'S bow'r. JEMMY 1 '85] JEMMY DAWSON, A BALLAD j written about the Time of his Execution, in the Year 1745. COME liften to my mournful talc, Ye tender hearts and lovers dear; Nor will you fcorn to heave a figh, Nor need you blufh to med a tear. And thou, dear KITTY, peerlefs maid, Do thou a penfive ear incline ; For thou canft weep at every woe ; And pity every plaint but mine. Young DAWSON was a gallant boy, A brighter never trod the plain ; And well he lov'd one charming maid, And dearly was he lov'd again. One tender maid, flie lov'd him dear, Of gentle blood the damfel came ; And faultlefs was her beauteous form, And fpotlefs was her virgin fame. But . [ 186 J But curfe on party's hateful ftrife, That led the favour'd youth aftray ; The day the rebel clans appear'd, O had he never feen that day ! Their colours, and their fafh he wore, And in the fatal drefs was found; And now he muft that death endure, Which gives the brave the keeneft wound. How pale was then his true-love's cheek, When JEMMY'S fentence reach'd her ear! For never yet did Alpine {hows So pale, or yet fo chill appear. With faultering voice, (he weeping faid, Oh DAWSON, monarch of my heart ; Think not thy death fhall end our loves, For thou and I will never part. Yet might fweet mercy find a place, And bring relief to JEMMY'S woes 5 O GEORGE, without a pray'r for thee, My orifons fhould never clofe. The gracious prince that gave him life, Would crown a never-dying flame ; And every tender babe I bore Should learn to lifp the giver's name. But [187] - But tho' he fhould be dragg'd in fcorn To yonder ignominious tree , He fhall not want one conftant friend To Ihare the cruel fates' decree. O then her mourning coach was call'd, The fledge mov'd flowly on before ; Tho' borne in a triumphal car, She had not lov'd her fav'rite more. She follow'd him, prepar'd to view, The terrible behefts of law ; And the laft fcene of JEMMY'S woes, With calm and fledfaft eye me faw. Diftorted was that blooming face, Which (he had fondly lov'd fo long ; And ftifled was that tuneful breath, Which in her praife had fweetly fung' And fever'd was that beauteous neck, Round which her arms had fondly clos'd ; And mangled was that beauteous breaft, On which her lovefick head repos'd : And ravifh'd was that conftant heart, She did to ev'ry heart prefer; For tho' it could its king forget, 'Twas true and loyal ftill to hen 3 Amid Amid thofe unrelenting flames, She bore this conftant heart to fee , But when 'twas moulder'd into duft, Yet, yet, me cry'd, I follow thee. My death, my death alone can mew The pure, the lading love I bore-, Accept, O heav'n ! of woes like ours, And let us, let us weep no more. The difmal fcene was o'er and paft, The lover's mournful hearfe retir'd ; The maid drew back her languid head, And fighing forth his name, expir'd. Tho' juflice ever muft prevail, The tear my KITTY Iheds, is due ; For feldom mall me hear a tale So lad, fo tender, yet fo true. A Paftoral A Paftoral BALLAD, in Four Parts. Written 1743. Arbufta lumilefque myric*. VIRG. I. ABSENCE. YE fliepherds fo chearful and gay, Whofe flocks never carelefsly roam ; Should CORYDON'S happen to ftray, Oh ! call the poor wanderers home. Allow me to mufe and to figh, Nor talk of the change that ye find ; None once was fo watchful as I : I have left my dear PHYLLIS behind. Now I know what it is, to have ftrove With the torture of doubt and defire; What it is, to admire and to love, And to leave her we love and admire. Ah lead forth my flock in the morn, And tne damps of each ev'ning repel; Alas ! I am faint and forlorn : I have bade my dear PHYLLIS farewel. Since [ 190 ] Since PHYLLIS vouchfaf'd me a look, I never once dreamt of my vine ; May I lofe both my pipe and my crook, If I knew of a kid that was mine. I priz'd every hour that went by, ' Beyond all that had pleas'd me before ; But now they are paft, and I figh ; And I grieve that I priz'd them no more. But why do I languifh in vain ? "Why wander thus penfively here ? Oh ! why did I come from the plain, Where I fed on the fmiles of my deaf ? , They tell me, my favourite maid, The pride of that valley, is flown -, Alas'! where with her I have ftray'd, I could wander with pleafure, alone. When forc'd the fair nymph to forego, What anguilh I felt at my heart ! Yet I thought but it might not be fo 'Twas with pain that me faw me depart. She gaz'd, as I Qowly withdrew ; My path I could hardly difcern ; So fvveetly me bade me adieu, I thought that fhe bade me return. The The pilgrim that journeys all day To vifit ibme far-diftant fhrine, If he bear but a relique away, Is happy, nor heard to repine. Thus widely remov'd from the fair, Where my vows, my devotion, I owe, Soft hope is the relique I bear, And my folace wherever I go. II. HOPE. MY banks they are furnim'd with bees, Whofe murmur invites one to fleep j My grottos are fhaded with trees, And my hills are white-over with Iheep. I feldom have met with a lofs, Such health do my fountains bellow ; My fountains all border'd with mofs, Where the hare-bells and violets grow. Not a pine in my grove is there feen, But with tendrils of woodbine is bound : Not a beech's more beautiful green, But a fweet-briar entwines it around. *Not my fields, in the prime of the year, More charms than my cattle unfold : Not a brook that is limpid and clear, But it glitters with fifhes of gold. One [ I 9 2 ] One would think fhe might like to retire To the bow'r I have labour'd to rear ; Not a fhrub that I heard her admire, But I hafted and planted it there. Oh how fudden the jeflamine ftrove With the lilac to render it gay ! Already it calls for my love, To prune the wild branches away. From the plains, from the woodlands and groves, What ftrains of wild melody flow ? How the nightingales warble their loves From thickets of rofes that blow ! And when her bright form mall appear, Each bird mail harmonioufly join In a concert fo foft and fo clear, As me may not be fond to refign. I have found out a gift for my fair ; I have found where the wood-pigeons breed : But let me that plunder forbear, She will fay 'twas a barbarous deed. For he ne'er could be true, me aver'd, Who could rob a poor bird of its young : And I lov'd her the more, when I heard Such tendernefs fall from her tongue. I have I have heard her with fweetnefs unfold How that pity was due to a dove : That it ever attended the bold, And me call'd it the lifter of love. But her words fuch a pleafure convey, So much I her accents adore, Let her fpeak, and whatever fhe fay, Methinks I fhould love her the more, Can a bofom fo gentle remain Unmov'd, when her CORYDON fighs ! Will a nymph that is fond of the plain, Thefe plains and this valley defpife ? Dear regions of filence and made ! Soft fcenes of contentment and eafe ! Where I could have pleafingly flray'd, If aught, in her abfence, could pleafe. But where does my PHYLLIDA ftray ? And where are her grots and her bow'rs ? Are the groves and the valleys as gay, And the fhepherds as gentle as 9urs ? The groves may perhaps be as fair, And the face of the valleys as fine ; The fwains may in manners compare, But their love is not equal to mine. VOL. I. O III. SOL- f '94 1 III. SOLLICITUDE. WHY will you my pafiion reprove ? Why term it a folly to grieve ? Ere I mew you the charms of my love, She is fairer than you can believe. With her mien me enamours the brave ; With her wit me engages the free; With her modefty pleafes the grave ; She is ev'ry way pleating to me. you that have been of her train, Come and join in my amorous lays ; 1 could lay down my life for the fwain, That will fing but a fong in her praife. When he fings, may the nymphs of the town Come trooping, and liften the while ; Nay on him let not PHYLLIDA frown; But I cannot allow her to fmile. For when PA RIDEL tries in the dance Any favour with PHYLLIS to find, O how, with one trivial glance, Might me ruin the peace of my mind ! In ringlets lie drefies his hair, And his crook is be-ftuddecl around ; And his pipe oh may PHYLLIS beware Of a magic there is in the found. 'Tis [195] 'Tis his with mock paflion to glow ; 'Tis his in fmooth tales to unfold, " How her face is as bright as the fnow, And her bofom, be fure, is as cold ? How the nightingales labour the ftrain, With the notes of his charmer to vie ; How they vary their accents in vain, Repine at her triumphs, and die.'* To the grove or the garden he ftrays, And pillages every fweet , Then, fuiting the wreath to his lays He throws it at PHYLLJS'S feet. " O PHYLLIS, he whifpers, more fair, More fweet than the jefiamin's flow'r ! What are pinks, in a morn, to compare ? What is eglantine, after a fhow'r ? Then the lily no longer is white ; Then the rofe is depriv'd of its bloom ; Then the violets die with defpight, And the wood-bines give up their perfume.'* Thus glide the foft numbers along, And he fancies no Ihepherd his peer ; Yet I never mould envy the fong, Were not PHYLLIS to lend it an ear. O 2 Let Let his crook be with hyacinths bound, So PHYLLIS the trophy defpife ; Let his forehead with laurels be crown'd, . So they fhine not in PHYLLIS'S eyes. The language that flows from the heart Is a ftranger to PARIDEL'S tongue ; Yet may me beware of his art, Or fure I muft envy the fong, IV. DISAPPOINTMENT, YE fhepherds give ear to my lay, And take no more heed of my fheep : They have nothing to do, but to flray , I have nothing to do, but to weep. Yet do not my folly reprove ; She was fair and my paffion begun -, She fmil'd and I could not but love ; She is faithlefs and I am undone. Perhaps I was void of all thought ; Perhaps it was plain to forefee, That a nymph fo compleat would be fought By a fwain more engaging than me. Ah! love ev'ry hope can infpire : It banifhes wifdom the while ; And the lip of the nymph we admire Seems for ever adorn'd v/ith a fmile. Sh [ '97] She is faithlefs, and I am undone -, Ye that witnefs the woes I endure, Let reafon inftruft you to fhun What it cannot inftru<5t you to cure. Beware how ye loiter in vain Amid nymphs of an higher degree : It is not for me to explain How fair, and how fickle they be. Alas ! from the day that we met, What hope of an end to my woes ? When I cannot endure to forget The glance that undid my repole. Yet time may diminim the pain : The flow'r, and the fhrub, and the tree s Which I rear'd for her pleafure in vain, In time may have comfort for me. The fweets of a dew-fprinkled rofe, The found of a murmuring fbream, The peace which from folitude flows, Henceforth mall be CORYDON'S theme. High tranfports are fhewn to the fight, But we are not to find them our own ; Pate never beftow'd fuch delight, As I with my PHYLLIS had known. 03 Oye [ 198 ] ye woods, fpread your branches apace ; To your deepeft recefles I fly ; 1 would hide with the beafts of the chace ; I would vanilh from every eye. Yet my reed mail refound thro' the grove With the fame fad complaint it begun ; How me fmil'd, and I could not but love ; Was faithlefs, and I am undone ! LEVITIES j LEVITIES; O R PIECES of HUMOUR, O 4 FLIRT and PHIL; A Decifion for the LADIES. A Wit, by learning well refin'd, A beau, but of the rural kind, To SILVIA made pretences -, They both profefs'd an equal love : Yet hop'd, by different means, to move Her judgment, or her fenfes. Young fprightly FLIRT, of blooming mien, Watch'd the beft minutes to be feen; Went >when his glafs advis'd him : While meagre PHIL of books enquir'd ; A wight, for wit and parts admir'di And witty ladies priz'd him. SILVIA [ 202 ] SILVIA had wit, had fpirits too ; To hear the one, the other view, Sufpended held the fcales : Her wit, her youth too claim'd its fharc, Let none the preference declare, But turn up heads or tails. STANZAS to the 'Memory of an agreeable LADY, buried in Marriage to a Perfon undeferving her. WAS always held, and ever will, By fage mankind, difcreeter T' anticipate a leffer ill, Than undergo a greater. When mortals dread difeafes, pain, And languiming conditions ; Who do'n't the lefier ills fuflain Of phyfic and phyficians ? Rather than lofe his whole eftate, He that but little wife is, Full gladly pays four parts in eight To taxes and excifes. Our Our merchants Spain has near undone , For loft fhips not requiting : This bears our noble k to fhun The lofs of blood in fighting ! With num'rous ills, in fmgle life. The bachelor's attended : Such to avoid, he takes a wife And much the cafe is mended ! Poor GRATIA, in her twentieth year, Fore-feeing future woe, Chofe to attend a monkey here, Before an ape below. C O L E M I R A. A Culinary ECLOGUE. Nee tantum Veneris, quantum ftudiofa culin To drink, To hear, And keep awake ! SOLO [ 2 39 SOLO by the DOCTOR: Hear but this ftrain 'twas made by HANDEL, A wight of fkill, and judgment deep ! Zoonters they're gone SAL, bring a candle- No, here is one, and he's afleep. DUETTE. DR. How cou'd they go, Saftmuik. Whilftldoplay? SAL. How cou'd they go ? Warlike mufic. How Ihou'd they flay ? EPILOGUE to the Tragedy of CLEONE. WELL, ladies fo much for the tragic ftile And now the cuftom is to make you fmile. To make us fmile ! methinks I hear you fay Why, who can help it, at fo ftrange a play ? The captain gone three years! and then to blame The faultlefs conduct of his virtuous dame I My ftars ! what gentle belle would think it treafon, When thus provok'd, to give the brute fome reafon ? Out of my houfe ! this night, forfooth depart ! A modern wife had faid " With all my heart- But think not, haughty Sir, I'll go alone ! Order your coach- -conduct me fafe to town Give Give me my jewels, wardrobe, and my maid And pray take care my pin-money be paid." Such is the language of each modifh fair ! Yet memoirs, not of modern growth, declare The time has been when modefty and truth Were deem'd additions to the charms of youth ; When women hid their necks, and veil'd their faces, ) Nor romp'd, nor rak'd, nor ftar'd at public places, > Nor took the airs of amazons for graces : J Then plain domeftic virtues were the mode, And wives ne'er dreamt of happinefs abroad , They lov'd their children, learnt no flaunting airs, But with the joys of wedlock mixt the cares. Thofe times are paft yet fure they merit praife, For marriage triumph'd in thofe golden days : By chafte decorum they affection gain'd , By faith and fondnefs what they won, maintain'd. 3 Tis yours, ye fair, to bring thofe days agen, And form anew the hearts of thoughtlefs men j Make beauty's luftre amiable as bright, And give the foul, as well as fenfe, delight -, Reclaim from folly a fantaftic age, That fcorns the prefs, the pulpit, and the ftage. Let truth and tendernefs your breads adorn, The marriage chain with tranfport mail be worn ; Each blooming virgin rais'd into a bride, Shall double all their joys, their cares divide; Alleviate grief, compofe the jars of ftrife, And pour the balm that fweetens human life. MORAL MORAL PIECES, VOL. I. R THE JUDGMENT of HERCULES. LXT'Hile blooming fpring defcends from genial fkies, By whofe mild influence inftant wonders rife ^ r rom whofe foft breath Elyfian beauties flow ; fhe fweets of HAGLEY, or the pride of STOWE v N\\l L.YTTELTON the rural landfkip range, ^eave noify fame, and not regret the change ? *leas'd will he tread the garden's early fcenes, ind learn a moral from the rifmg greens ? fhere, warm'd alike by Sol's enliv'ning pow'r,, fhe weed, afpiring, emulates the flow'r : ^he drooping flow'r, its fairer charms difplay'd,. nvites, from grateful hands, their gen'rous aid : R z Soon, f 244 ] Soon, if none check th' invafive foe's defigns, The lively luflre of thefe fcenes declines ! J Tis thus, the fpring of youth, the morn of life, Rears in our minds the rival feeds of ftrife. Then paffion riots, reafon then contends ; And, on the conqueft, ev'ry blifs depends : Life, from the nice decifion, takes its hue : And bleft thofe judges who decide like you ! On worth like theirs jthall ev*ry blifs attend : The world their fav'rite, and the world their friend, There are, who blind to thought's fatiguing ray, As fortune gives examples, urge their way : Not virtue's foes, tho' they her paths decline, And fcarce her friends, tho' with her friends they join. In her's, or vice's cafual road advance Thoughtlefs, the fmners or the faints of chance ! Yet fome more nobly fcorn the vulgar voice ; With judgment fix, with zeal purfue their choice, When ripen'd thought, when reafon born to reign, Checks the wild tumults of the youthful yein , While pafllon's lawlefs tides, at their command, Glide thro' more ufeful tracts, and blefs the land. Happieft of thefe is he whofe matchlefs mind, By learning flrengthen'd, and by tafte refin'd, In virtue's caufe eflay'd its earlieft pow'rs ; Chofe virtue's paths, and ftrew'd her paths with fiow'rs The fjrft alarm'd, if freedom waves her wings : The fitteft to adorn each art me brings : Lov'c [245] Lov'd by that prince whom ev'ry virtue fires : Prais'd by that bard whom ev'ry mufe infpires : Blefl in the tuneful art, the focial flame ; In all that wins, in all that merits fame ! 'Twas youth's perplexing ftage his doubts infpir'd, When great ALCIDES to a grove retir'd. Thro' the lone windings of a devious glade* Refign'd to thought, with ling'ring fteps he ftray'd 5 Blefl with a mind to tafle fmcerer joys : Arm'd with a heart each falfe one to defpife. Dubious he ftray'd, with wav'ring thoughts poflefl, Alternate paflions ftruggling mar'd his breaft i The various arts which human cares divide, In deep attention all his mind employ'd : Anxious, if fame an equal blifs fecur'd ; Or filent eafe with fofter charms allur'd. The filvan choir whofe numbers fweetly flow'd, The fount that murmur'd, and the flow'rs that blow'd; The filver flood that in meanders led His glitt'ring {breams along th' enliven'd mead ; The foothing breeze, and all thofe beauties join'd, Which, whilft they pleafe, effeminate the mind. In vain ! while diftant, on a fummit rais'd, Th' imperial tow'rs of fame attractive blaz'd. While thus he trac'd thro' fancy's puzzling maze The fep'rate fweets of pleafure, and of praife - t Sudden the wind a fragrant gale convey'd, And a new luftre gain'd upon the fhade. R 3 At [ 246 J At once, before his wond'ring eyes were feen Two female forms, of more than mortal mien. Various their charms ; and, in their drefs and face, Each feem'd to vie with fome peculiar grace. This, whofe attire lefs clogg'd with art appear'd, The fimple fweets of innocence endear'd. Her fprightly bloom, her quick fagacious eye, Shew'd native merit mix'd with modefty. Her air diffus'd a mild yet aweful ray, Severely fweet, and innocently gay. Such the chafte image of the martial maid, In artlefs folds of virgin white array'd ! She let no borrow'd rofe her cheeks adorn, Her bluihing cheeks, that mam'd the purple morn. Her charms nor had, nor wanted artful foils, Or ftudy'd geftures, or well-praftis'd fmiles. She fcorn'd the toys which render beauty lefs ; She prov'd th' engaging chaftity of drefs ; And while me chofe in native charms to mine, Ev'n thus me feem'd, nay more than feem'd, divine. One modefl em'rald clafp'd the robe fhe wore, And, in her hand, th' imperial fword me bore. Sublime her height, majeftic was her pace, And match'd the aweful honours of her face. Themrubs, theflow'rs, thatdeck'd the verdant ground, Seem'd, where fhe trod, with riling luftre crown'd. Still her approach with ftronger influence warm'd ; She pleas'd, while diflant, but, when near, me charm'd. So 1 247 ] So lirikes the gazer's eye*, the filver gleam That glitt'ring quivers o'er a diftant ftream : But from its banks we fee new beauties rife, And, in its cryftal bofom, trace the fides. With other charms tjie rival vifion glow'd 5 And from her drefs her tiniel beauties flow'd. A flutt'ring robe her pamper'd mape conceal'd, And feem'd to (hade the charms it beft reveal'd. Its form, contriv'd her faulty fize to grace ; Its hue, to give frefh luftre to her face. Her plaited hair difguis'd with brilliants glar'd ; Her cheeks the ruby's neighb'ring luftre fhar'd ; The gawdy topaz lent its gay fupplies, And ev'ry gem that ftrikes lefs curious eyes ; Expos'd her breaft with foreign fweets perfum'd 5 And, round her brow, a rofeate garland bloom'd, Soft-fmiling, bluming lips conceal'd her wiles i Yet ah ! the blufhes artful as the fmiles. Oft-gazing on her made, th' enraptur'd fair Decreed the fubftance well deferv'd her care : Her thoughts, to other's charms malignly blind, Center'd in that, and were to that confin'd i And if on other's eyes a glance were thrown, 'Twas but to watch the influence of her own. Much like her guardian, fair CYTHERA'S queen, Wh'en for her warrior me refines her mien ; Or when, to blefs her DEL IAN fav'rite's arms, The radiant fair invigorates her charms. R 4 Much [ 243 ] Much like her pupil, EGYPT'S fportive dame, Her drefs expreflive, and her air the fame, When her gay bark o'er filver CYDNOS roll'd, And all th' emblazon'd ftreamers wav'd in gold. Such fhone the vifion ; nor forbore, to move, The fond contagious airs of lawlefs love. Each wanton eye deluding glances fir*d, And am'rous dimples on each cheek confpir'd. Lifelefs her gait, and flow, with feeming pain, She dragg'd her loitering limbs along the plain -, Yet made fomefaintefForts,&firftapproach'dthefwain. So glaring draughts, with taudry luftre bright, Spring to the view, and rufli upon the fight : More flowly charms a RAPHAEL'S charter air, Waits the calm fearch, and pays the fearcher's care. Wrap'd in a pleas'd fufpence, the youth furvey'd The various charms of each attractive maid : Alternate each he view'd, and each admir'd, And found, alternate, varying flames infpir'd. Quick o'er their forms his eyes with pleafure ran, When fhe, who firft approach'd him, firft began. " Hither, dear boy, direct thy wand'ring eyes ; 'Tis here the lovely vale of pleafure lies. Debate no more, to me thy life refign ; Each fweet which nature can diffufe is mine. For me the nymph diverfifies her pow'r, Springs in a tree, or bloflbms in a flow'r; To pleafe my ear, fhe tunes the linnet's {trains ; To pleafe my eye, with lilies paints the plains ; To [ 249 I To form my couch, in mofiy beds fhe grows - f To gratify my fmell, perfumes the rofe -, Reveals the fair, the fertile fcene you fee, And fwells the vegetable world, for me. Let the gull'd fool the toils of war purfue, Where bleed the many to enrich the few : Where chance from courage claims the boafted prize: Where, tho' fhe give, your country oft denies. Induflrious thou fhalt CUPID'S wars maintain, And ever gently fight his foft campaign. His darts alone fhalt wield, his wounds endure, Yet only fuffer, to enjoy the cure. Yield but to me a choir of nymphs fhall rife, And fire thy breaft, and blefs thy ravifh'd eyes. Their beauteous cheeks a fairer rofe fhall wear, A brighter lily on their necks appear ; Where fondly thou thy favour'd head mall reft, Soft as the down that fwells the cygnet's nefl ! While PHILOMEL in each foft voice complains, And gently lulls thee with mellifluous flrains : Whilft, with each accent, fweeteft odours flow ; And fpicy gums round ev'ry bofom glow. Not the fam'd bird Arabian climes admire, Shall in fuch luxury of fweets expire. At floth let war's victorious fons exclaim ; In vain ! for pleafure is my real name : Nor envy thou the head with bays o'er-grown , No, feek thou rofes to adorn thy own : For [ 250 ] For well each op'nlng fcene, that claims my care, Suits and deferves the beauteous crown I wear. Let others prune the vinej the genial bowl Shall crown thy table, and enlarge thy foul. Let vulgar hands explore the brilliant mine, So the gay produce glitter ftill on thine. Indulgent BACCHUS loads his laboring tree, And, guarding, gives its cluft'ring fweets to me. For my lov'd train, APOLLO'S piercing beam Darts thro' the pafllve glebe, and frames the gem. See in my caufe confenting gods employ'd, Nor flight thofe gods, their bleffings unenjoy'd ! For thee the poplar mail its amber drain ; For thee, in clouded beauty, fpring the cane ; Some coltly tribute ev'ry clime mall pay ; Some charming treafure ev'ry wind convey ; Each object round fome pleafing fcene mail yield ; Art build thy dome, while nature decks thy field ; Of CORINTH'S order mall the ftruclure rife j The fpiring turrets glitter thro' the fkies ; Thy eoflly robe mail glow with Tyrian rays ; Thy vafe mail fparkle, and thy car mall blaze ; Yet thou, whatever pomp the fun difplay, Shalt own the am'rous night exceeds the day. When melting flutes, and fweetly-founding lyres Wake the gay loves, and cite the young defires ; Or, in th' Ionian dance, fome fav'rite maid Improves the flame her {park-ling eyes convey'd -, Think, Think, can'ft thou quit a glowing DELIA'S arms, To feed on virtue's vifionary charms ? Or flight the joys which wit and youth engage, For the faint honour of a frozen fage ? To find dull envy ev'n that hope deface, And, where you toil'd for glory, reap difgrace ? O ! think that beauty waits on thy decree, And thy lov'd lovelieft charmer pleads with me. She, whofe foft fmile, or gentler glance to move, You vow'd the wild extremities of love ; In whofe endearments years, like moments, flew j, For whofe endearments millions feem'd too few ; She, me implores , me bids thee feize the prime, And tread with her the flow'ry tracts of time ; Nor thus her lovely bloom of life beftow On fome cold lover, or infulting foe. Think, if againft that tongue thou canft rebel, Where love yet dwelt, and reafon feem'd to dwell ; What ftrong perfuafion arms her fofter fighs ! What full conviction fparkles in her eyes ! See nature fmiles, and birds -falute the {hade, Where breathing jafmin fcreens the fleeping maid : And fuch her charms, as to the vain may prove, Ambition feeks more humble joys than love ! There bufy toil mall ne'er invade thy reign, Nor fciences perplex thy laboring brain : Or none, but what with equal fweets invite ; Nor other arts, but to prolong delight : Some- [ 252 ] Sometimes thy fancy prune her tender wing, To praife a pendant, or to grace a ring , To fix the drefs that fuits each varying mien ; To fhew where befl the cluttering gems are feen ; To figh foft ftrains along the vocal grove, And tell the charms, the fweet effects of love ! Nor fear to find a coy difdainful mufe ; Nor think the fitters will their aid refufe. Cool grots, and tinkling rills, or filcnt fhades, Soft fcenes of leifure ! fuit th' harmonious maids ; And all the wife, and all the grave decree Some of that facred train ally'd to me. But if more fpecious eafe thy wifhes claim, And thy breaft glow with faint defire of fame, Some fofter fcience mall thy thoughts amufe, And learning's name a folemn found diffufe : To thee all nature's curious ftores I'll bring, Explain the beauties of an infect's wing j The plant, which nature, lefs diffufely kind, Has to few climes with partial care confin'd ; The ihell me fcatters with more carelefs air, And, in her frolics, feems fupreinely fair ; The worth that dazzles in the tulip's ftains, Or lurks beneath a pebble's various veins. Sleep's downy god, averfe to war's alarms, Shall o'er thy head diffufe his fofteft charms j Ere anxious thought thy dear repofe affail, Or care, my moft dettruclive foe, prevail. The [ 2 53 The wat'ry nymphs fliall tune the vocal vales, And gentle zephyrs harmonize their gales, For thy repofe, inform, with rival joy, Their flreams to murmur, and their winds to figh.. Thus malt thou fpend the fweetly-flowing day, Till loft in blifs thou breathe thy foul away : Till me t' Elyfian bow'rs of joy repair, Nor find my charming fcenes exceeded there." She ceas'd ; and on a lily'd bank reclin'd, Her flowing robe wav'd wanton with the wind : One tender hand her drooping head fuftains ; One points, expreflive, to the flow'ry plains. Soon the fond youth perceiv'd her influence roll Deep in his breait, to melt his manly foul : As when FAVONIUS joins the folar blaze, And each fair fabric of the froft decays. Soon, to his bread, the foft harangue convey'd Refolves too partial to the fpecious maid. He figh'd, he gaz'd, fo fweetly fmil'd the dame ; Yet fighing, gazing, feem'd to fcorn his flame ; And, oft as virtue caught his wand'ring eye, A crimfon blum condemn'd the rifing figh. 'Twas fuch the ling'ring TROJAN'S mame betray'd, When MAIA'S fon the frown of JOVE difplay'd: When wealth, fame, empire, cou'd no ballance prove For the foft reign of DIDO, and of love. Thus ill with arduous glory love confpires ; Soft tender flames with bold impetuous fires ! Some [ 2 54 Seme hov'ring doubts his anxious bofom mov'd, And virtue, zealous fair ! thofe doubts improv'd. " Fly, fly, fond youth, the too indulgent maid, Nor err, by fuch fantaftic fcenes betray'd. Tho' in my path the rugged thorn be feen, And the dry turf difclofe a fainter green ; Tho' no gay rofe, or flow'ry product mine, The barren furface (till conceals the mine. Each thorn that threatens, ev'n the weed that grows In virtue's path, fuperior fweets beftows Yet ihou'd thofe boafted, fpecious toys allure, Whence cou'd fond floth the Maturing gifts procure ? The various wealth that tempts thy fond delire, 'Tis I alone, her greateft foe, acquire. I from old ocean rob the treafur'd ftore -, I thro* each region, latent gems explore \ 'Twas I the rugged brilliant firft reveal'd, By num'rous ftrata deep in earth conceal'd ; 'Tis I the furface yet refine, and mew The modeft gem's intrinfic charms to glow. Nor fwells the grape, nor fpires its feeble tree Without the firm fupports of induftry. But grant we floth the fcene herfelf has drawn, The mofiy grotto, and the flow'ry lawn ; Let PHILOMELA tune th' harmonious gale, And with each breeze eternal fweets exhale ; Let gay POMONA flight the plains around, And chufe, for fairefl fruits, the favour'd ground ; 3 To To blefs the fertile vale fhou'd virtue ceafe, Nor mofly grots, nor flow'ry lawns cou'd pleafe ; Nor gay POMONA'S lufcious gifts avail, The found harmonious, or the fpicy gale. Seeft thou yon rocks in dreadful pomp arife, "Whofe rugged cliffs deform th' encircling fkies ? Thofe fields, whence PHOEBUS all their moiflure drains, And, too profufely fond, difrobes the plains ? When I vouchfafe to tread the barren foil, Thofe rocks feem lovely, and thofe deferts fmile. The form thou view'ft, to ev'ry fcene with eafe Transfers its charms, and ev'ry fcene can pleafe. When I have on thofe pathlefs wilds appear'd, And the lone wand'rer with my prefence chear'd ; Thofe cliffs the exile has with pleafure view'd. And call'd that defert blifsful folitude ! Nor I alone to fuch extend my care : Fair-blooming health furveys her altars there. Brown exercife will lead thee where me reigns, And with reflected luftre gild the plains. With her, in flow'r of youth, and beauty's pride, Her offspring, calm content and peace, refide. One ready off'ring fuits each neighb'ring fhrine 5 And all obey their laws, who practife mine. But health averfe from floth's fmooth region flies 5 And, in her abfence, pleafure droops and dies. Her bright companions, mirth, delight, repofe, Smile where me fmiles, a,nd ficken when me goes. A galaxy 1 256 ] A galaxy of pow'rs ! whofe forms appear For ever beauteous, and for ever near. Nor will foft fleep to floth's requeft incline, He from her couches flies unhid to mine. Vain is the fparkling bowl, the warbling drain, Th' incentive fong, the labour'd viand vain ! Where me relentlefs reigns without controul, And checks each gay excurfion of the foul : Unmov'd, tho' beauty, deck'd in all its charms, Grace the rich couch, and fpread the fofteft arms : Till joylefs indolence fuggefts defires ; Or drugs are fought to furnifh languid fires : Such languid fires as on the vitals prey, Barren of blifs, but fertile of decay. As artful heats, apply'd to thirfty lands, Produce no flow'rs, and but debafe the fands. But let fair health her chearing fmiles impart, How fweet is nature, how fuperfiuous art ! 3 Tis fhe the fountain's ready draught commends, And fmooths the flinty couch which fortune lends. And, when my hero from his toils retires, Fills his gay bofom with unufual fires, And, while no checks th' unbounded joy reprove, Aids and refines the genuioe fwcets of love. His faireft profpecl rifing trophies frame : His fweeteft mufic is the voice of fame j Pleafures to floth unknown ! me never found How fair the profpect, or how fweet the found. See [ 2 57 ] See fame's gay ftructure from yon fummit charms, And fires the manly breaft to arts or arms : Nor dread the fteep afcent, by which you rife From grov'ling vales to tow'rs which reach the fkios. Love, fame, efteem, 'tis labour muft acquire ; The fmiling offspring of a rigid fire ! To fix the friend, your fervice muft be fhewn -, All, ere they lov'd your merit, lov'd their own. That wond'ring GREECE your portrait may admire, That tuneful bards may firing for you their lyre, That books may praife, or coins record your name, Such, fuch rewards 'tis toil alone can claim ! And the fame column which difplays to view The conqu'ror's name, difplays the conquefl too. 'Twas flow experience, tedious miftrefs ! taught All that e'er nobly fpoke, or bravely fought. 'Twas me the patriot, me the bard refin'd, In arts that ferve, protect, or pleafe mankind. Not the vain vifions of inactive fchools -, Not fancy's maxims, not opinion's rules E'er form'd the man whofe gen'rous warmth extends T* enrich his country, or to ferve his friends. On active worth the laurel war beftows : Peace rears her olive for induftrious brows : Nor earth, uncultur'd, yields its kind fupplies : Nor heav'n, its fhow'rs without a facrifice. See far below fuch grov'ling fcenes of fhame, As lull to reft IGNAVIA'S flumb'ring dame. VOL. I. S He; Her friends, from all the toils of fame fecure, Alas ! inglorious, greater toils endure. Doom'd all to mourn, who in her canfe engage, A youth enervate, and a painful age ! A fickly faplefs mafs, if reafon flies ; And, if me linger, impotently wife ! A thoughtlefs train, who pamper'd, fleek, and gay, Invite old age, and revel youth away ; From life's frefh vigour move the load of care, And idly place it where they leaft can bear. When to the mind, difeas'd, for aid they fly, What kind reflection mail the mind fupply ? When, with loft health, what fhou'd the lofs allay, Peace, peace is loft : a comfortlefs decay ! But to my friends, when youth, when pleafure flies > And earth's dim beauties fade before their eyes, Thro' death's dark vifta flowery tracb are feen, Elyfian plains, and groves for ever green. If o'er their lives a refluent glance they caft, Their's is the prefent who can praife the pafL Life has its blifs for thefe, when paft its bloom, As wither'd rofes yield a late perfume. Serene, and fafe from paflion's ftormy rage, How calm they glide into the port of age ! Of the rude voyage lefs deprived than eas'd ; More tir'd than pain'd, and weaken'd than difeas'd. For health on age, 'tis temp'rance muft beftow ; And peace from piety alone can flow -, Q . And t 2 59 1 And all the incenfe bounteous JOVE requires, Has fweets for him who feeds the facred fires, Sloth views the tow'rs of fame with envious eyes 9 Delirous ftill, ftill impotent to rife. Oft, when refolv'd to gain thofe blifsful tow'rs, The penfive queen the dire afcent explores, Comes onward, wafted by the balmy trees, Some filvan mufic, or fome fcented breeze : She turns her head, her own gay realm me fpies, And all the fhort-liv'd refolution dies. Thus fome fond infect's fault'ring pinions wave, Clafp'd in its fav'rite fweets, a lading flave : And thus in vain thefe charming vifions pleafe The wretch of glory, and the flave of eafe : Doom'd ever in ignoble flate to pine, Boaft her own fcenes, and languifh after mine. But fliun her fnares : nor let the world exclaim, Thy birth, which was thy glory, prov'd thy fhame. With early hope thine infant actions fir'd -, Let manhood crown what infancy infpir'd. Let gen'rous toils reward with health thy days, Prolong thy prime, and eternize thy praife. The bold exploit that charms th' attefling age, To lateft times mail gen'rous hearts engage ; And with that myrtle mall thy fhrine be crown'd, With which, alive, thy graceful brows were bound . Till time mail bid thy virtues freely bloom, And raife a temple where it found a tomb. S 2 Then [ 200 ] Then in their feafts thy name mall GRECIANS join -, Shall pour the fparkling juice to JOVE'S and thine. Thine, us'd in war, mall raife their native fire -, Thine, us'd in peace, their mutual faith infpire. Dullnefs perhaps thro' want of fight, may blame, And fpleen, with odious induftry, defame ; And that, the honours giv'n, with wonder view, And this, in fecret fadnefs, own them due : Contempt and envy were by fate defign'd The rival tyrants which divide mankind , Contempt, which none, but who deferve, can bear ; While envy's wounds the fmiks of fame repair. For know, the gen'rous thine exploits fhall fire, Thine ev'ry friend it fuits thee to require, Lov'd by the gods, and, till their feats I mew, Lov'd by the good their images below." Ceafe, lovely maid, fair daughter of the ikies ! My guide ! my queen ! th' extatic youth replies. In thee I trace a form defign'd for fway ; Which chiefs may court, and kings with pride obey. And, by thy bright immortal friends I fwear, Thy fair idea fhall no toils impair. Lead me ! O lead me where whole hofts of foes, Thy form depreciate, and thy friends oppofe ! Welcome all toils th' inequal fates decree, While toils endear thy faithful charge to thee. Such be my cares, to bind th' opprefiive hand, And crum the fetters of an injur'd land : To [a6i ] To fee the monfter's noxious life refign'd, And tyrants quell'd, the monfters of mankind ! Nature fhall fmile to view the vanquilh'd brood, And none, but envy, riot unfubdu'd. In cloifter'd ftate let felfim fages dwell, Proud that their heart is narrow as their cell j And boaft their mazy labyrinth of rules, Far lefs the friends of virtue, than the fools : Yet fuch in vain thy fav'ring fmiles pretend ; For HE is thine, who proves his country's friend. Thus when my life well-fpent the good enjoy, And the mean envious labour to deftroy ; When, ftrongly lur'd by fame's contiguous mrine, I yet devote my choicer vows to thine ; If all my toils thy promis'd favour claim, O lead thy fav'rite thro' the gates of fame ! He ceas'd his vows, and, with difdainful air, He turn'd to blaft the late exulting fair. But vanifli'd, fled to fome more friendly more, The confcious phantom's beauty pleas'd no more : Convinc'd, her fpurious charms of drefs and face Claim'd a quick conqueft, or a fure difgrace. Fantaftic pow'r ! whofe tranfient charms allur'd, While error's mid the reas'ning mind obfcur'd : Not fuch the victrefs, virtue's conftant queen Endur'd the teft of truth, and dar'd be feen. Her bright'ning form and features feem'd to own, 'Twas all her wilh, her int'reft to be known : S 3 And, [ 262 ] And, when his longing view the fair declin'd, Left a full image of her charms behind. Thus reigns the moon, with furtive fplendorcrown'd, While glooms opprefs us, and thick fhades furround. But let the fource of light its beams difplay, Languid and faint the mimic flames decay, And all the fick'ning fplendor fades away. The PROGRESS of TASTE: o R, The FATE of DELICACY. A P O E M on the Temper and Studies of the AUTHOR; and how great a Misfortune it is, for a Man of fmall Eflate to have much TASTE. PART the F I R S T. PErhaps fome cloud eclips'd the day, When thus I tun'd my penfive lay. c The fliip is launch'd we catch the gale On life's extended ocean fail : For [263] For happinefs our courfe we bend, Our ardent cry, our general end ! Yet ah! the fcenes which tempt our care Are like the forms difpers'd in air, Still dancing near diforder'd eyes ; And weakeft his, who beft defcries ' Yet let me not my birth-right barter, (For wiming is the poet's charter , All bards have leave to wim what's wanted, Tho' few e'er found their wifhes granted ; Extenfive field ! where poets pride them In finging all that is deny'd them.) For humble eafe, ye pow'rs ! I pray ; That plain warm fuit for ev'ry day ! And pleafure, and brocade, beftow ; To flaunt it once a month, or fo. The firft for conftant wear we want ; The firft, ye pow'rs ! for ever grant ! But conftant wear the laft befpatters, And turns the tillue into tatters. Where'er my vagrant courfe I bend, Let me fecure one faithful friend. Let me, in public fcenes, requeft A friend of wit and tafte, well-drefs'd : And, if I muft not hope fuch favour, A friend of w;t and tafte, however. Alas ! that wifdom ever Ihuns To congregate her fcattcr'd Tons ; S 4 Whofe [ 264] Whofe nervous forces, well combin*d, Would win the field, and fway mankind. The fool will fqueeze, from morn to night, To fix his follies full in fight ; The note he ilrikes, the plume he fliews, Attract whole flights of fops and beaux ; And kindred-fools, who ne'er had known him, Flock at the fign j carefs, and own him. But ill-ftar'd fenfe, nor gay nor loud, Steals foft, on tip- toe, thro' the crowd ; Conveys his meagre form between ; And Hides, like pervious air, unfeen : Contracts his known tenuity, As though 'twere ev'n a crime, to be : Nor ev'n permits his eyes to ftray, And win acquaintance in their way. In company, fo mean his air, You fcarce are confcious he is there : Till from fome nook, like fharpen'd fteel, Occurs his face's thin profile. Still feeming, from the gazer's eye, Like VENUS, newly-bath'd, to fly. Yet while reluctant he difplays His real gems before the blaze, The fool hath, in its center, plac'd His tawdry flock of painted pafte. Difws'd to fpeak, he tries his fkill -, Speaks coldly, and fucceeds but ill ; His [265] His penfive manner, dulnefs deem'd; His modefty, referve efteem'd -, His wit unknown, his learning vain, He wins not one of all the train. And thofe who, mutually known, In friendfhip's faireft lift had fhone, Lefs prone, than pebbles, to unite, Retire to fhades from public fight ; Grow favage, quit their focial nature ; And ftarve, to ftudy mutual fatire. But friends, and fav'rites, to chagrin them, Find counties, countries, feas, between them: Meet once a year, then part, and then Retiring, wifh to meet again. Sick of the thought, let me provide Some human form to grace my fide ; At hand, where'er I Ihape my courfe ; An ufeful, pliant, flalking-horfe ! No gefture free from fome grimace ; No feam, without its mare of lace ; But, mark'd with gold or filver either, Hint where his coat was piec'd together. His legs be lengthen'd, I advife, And ftockings roll'd abridge his thighs. What tho' VANDYCK had other rules, What had VANDYCK to do with fools ? Be nothing wanting, but his mind ; Before, a folitaire ; behind, A twilled 1 266 1 A twifted ribbon, like the track Which nature gives an afs's back. Silent, as midnight ! pity 'twere His wifdom's (lender wealth to fhare -, And, whilft in flocks our fancies ftray, To wifh the poor man's lamb away. This form attracting ev*ry eye, I ftrole all unregarded by : This wards the jokes of ev'ry kind, As an umbrella fun or wind ; Or, like a fpunge, abforbs the fallies, And peftilential fumes of malice -, Or like a fplendid fhield is fit To fcreen the templar's random wit j Or what fome gentler cit lets fall, As wool-packs quam the leaden ball. Allufions thefe of weaker force, And apter ftill the ftalking-horfe ! O let me wander all unfeen, Beneath the fanftion of his mien F As lilies foft, as rofes fair ! Empty as air-pumps drain'd of air ! With fteady eye and pace remark The fpeckled flock that haunts the park j * Level my pen with wond'rous heed At follies, flocking there to feed : And, as my fatire burfts amain, See, feather'd fopp'ry drew the plain. But * St. JAMES'S. [a6 7 ] But when I feek my rural grove, And fhare the peaceful haunts I love, Let none of this unhallow'd train My fweet fequefter'd paths profane. Oft may fome poliih'd virtuous friend To thefe foft- winding vales defcend ; And, love with me inglorious things, And fcorn with me the pomp of kings : And check me, when my bofom burns For ftatues, paintings, coins and urns. For I in DAMON'S pray'r cou'd join, And DAMON'S wifh might now be mine- But all dilpers'd ! the wifh, the pray'r, Are driven to mix with common air. PART the SECOND. HO W happy once was DAMON'S lot, While yet romantic fchemes were not ! Ere yet he fent his weakly eyes, To plan frail caftles in the fkies ; Forfaking pleafures cheap and common, To court a blaze, flill flitting from one. Ah happy DAMON ! thrice and more, Had tafle ne'er touch'd thy tranquil more. Oh days ! .when to a girdle ty'd The couples gingled at his fide ; And DAMON fwore he wou'd not barter The fportfman's girdle, for a garter ! "Whoever [ 268 ] Whoever came to kill an hour, Found eafy DAMON in their pow'r ; Pure focial nature all his guide, " DAMON had not a grain of pride." He wifh'd not to elude the fnares "Which knav'ry plans, and craft prepares ; But rather wealth to crown their wiles j And win their univerfal fmiles : For who are chearful, who at eafe, But they who cheat us as they pleafe ? He wink'd at many a grofs defign, The new-fall'n calf might countermine : Thus ev'ry fool allow'd his merit ; " Yes ! DAMON had a gen'rous j The SCHOOL- M I S T R E S S. In Imitation of SPENSER. Audits voces, vagitus & ingens, Infant unique anim* flenies in limine primo. VIRG, What particulars in Spenfer were imagined moft proper for the author's imitation on this occafion, are his language^ his fimplicity, bis manner of description, and a peculiar tendernefs 0/fenti ment remarkable throughout his works. AH me ! full forely is my heart forlorn, To think how modeft worth neglected lies ; While partial fame doth with her blafts adorn Such deeds alone, as pride and pomp difguife ; Deeds of ill fort, and mifchievous emprize ! Lend me thy clarion, goddefs ! let me try To found the praife of merit, ere it dies ; Such as I oft have chaunced to efpy, Loft in the dreary fhades of dull obfcurity, In [ 334 ] In cv'ry village mark'd with little fpire, EmbowVd in trees, and hardly known to fame, There dwells, in lowly fhed, and mean attire, A matron old, whom we fchool-miftrefs name ; Who boafts unruly brats with birch to tame j They grieven fore, in piteous durance pent, Aw'd by the pow'r of this relentlefs dame 5 And oft-times, on vagaries idly bent, For unkempt hair, or talk unconn'd, are forely Ihent. And all in fight doth rife a birchen tree, Which learning near her little dome did ftowe ; Whilom a twig of fmall regard to fee, Tho' now fo wide its waving branches flow ; . And work the fimple vafTals mickle woe ; For not a wind might curl the leaves that blew, But their limbs mudder'd, and their pulfe beat low -, And, as they look'd, they found their horror grew, And fhap'd it into rods, and tingled at the view. So have I ieen (who has not, may conceive,) A lifelefs phantom near a garden plac'd ; So doth it wanton birds of peace bereave, Of fport, of fong, of pleafure, of repaft ; They ftart, they (tare, they wheel, they look aghaft: Sad fervitude ! fuch comfortlefs annoy May no bold Briton's riper age e'er tafle ! Ne fuperftition clo^; his dance of joy, Ne vifion empty, vain, his native blifs deflroy. Near [ 335 J Near to this dome is found a patch fo green, On which the tribe their gambols do difplay ; And at the door imprisoning board is feen, Left weakly wights of fmaller fize Ihould ftray-, Eager, perdie, to balk in funny day ! The noifes intermix'd, which thence refound, Do learning's little tenement betray : Where fits the dame, difguis'd in look profound, And eyes her fairy throng, and turns her wheel around. Her cap, far whiter than the driven fnow, Emblem right meet of decency does yield : Her apron dy'd in grain, as blue, I trowe, As is the hare- bell that adorns the field : And in her hand, for fcepter, me does wield Tway birchen fprays , with anxious fear entwin'd, With dark diftruft, and fad repentance fill'd ; And ftedfaft hate, and fharp affliction join'd, And fury uncontroul'd, and chaftifement unkind. Few but have ken'd, in femblance meet pourtray'd, The childifh faces of old Eol's train ; LIBS, NOTUS, AUSTER : thefe in frowns array'd, How then would fare or earth, or Iky, or main, Were the flern god to give his (laves the rein ? And were not fhe rebellious breafts to quell, And were not me her ftatutes to maintain, The cott no more, I ween, were deem'd the cell, Where comely peace of mind, and decent order dwell. A ruffet 1 336 ] A ruflet ftole was o'er her fhoulders thrown 5 A ruflet kirtle fenc'd the nipping air - t 'Twas fimple rufler, but it was her own ; 'Twas her own country bred the flock fo fair i 'Twas her own labour did the fleece prepare -, And, footh to fay, her pupils, rang'd around, Thro' pious awe, did term it patting rare j For they in gaping wonderment abound, And think, no doubtjlhebeenthegrtateilwightonground Albeit ne flatt'ry did corrupt her truth, Ne pompous title did debauch her ear 5 Goody, good-woman, goflip, n'aunt, forfooth, Or dame, the fole additions fhe did hear ; Yet thefe fhe chaileng'd, thefe fhe held right dear J Ne would efteem him act as mought behove, Who mould not honour'd eld with thefe revere : For never title yet fo mean could prove, But there was eke a mind which did that title love. One ancient hen flie took delight to feed, The plodding pattern of the bufy dame ; Which, ever and anon, impell'd by nee.l, Into her fchool, begirt with chickens, came 5 Such favour did her pail deportment claim : And, if neglect had lavilh'd on the ground 1 Fragment of bread, fhe would collect the fame ; For well fhe knew, and quaintly could expound, What fin it were to wafte the fmalleft crumb me found, Herbs [ 337 Herbs too me knew, and well of each could fpeak That in her garden fip'd the filv'ry dew ; Where no vain flow'r difclos'd a gawdy ftreak , ' But herbs for ufe, and phyfick, not a few, Of grey renown, within thofe borders grew : The tufted bafil, pun-provoking thyme,, Frefh baum, and mary-gold of chearful hue -, The lowly gill, that never dares to climb -, And more I fain Would fmg, difdaining here to rhyme. Yet euphrafy may not be left unfung, That gives dim eyes to wander leagues around ; And pungent radifh, biting infant's tongue ; And plantain ribb'd, that heals the reaper's wound; And marj'ram fweet, in fhepherd's pofie found ; And lavender, whofe fpikes of azure bloom Shall be, ere-while, in arid bundles bound, To lurk amidft the labours of her loom, Andcrownher kerchiefs clean,withmickle rare perfume. And here trim rofmarine, that whilom crown'd The daintieft garden of the proudeft peer; Ere, driven from its envy'd fite, it found A facred melter for its branches here 5 Where edg'd with gold its glitt'ring fkirts appear* Oh waflel days ; O cuftoms meet and well ! Ere this was banifli'd from its lofty fphere : Simplicity then fought this humble cell, Nor ever would fhe more with thane and lordling dwell. VOL. I. Z Here [ 338 ] Here oft the dame, on fabbath's decent eve, Hymned fuch pfalms as STERNHOLD forth did mete, If winter 'twere, fhe to her hearth did cleave ; But in her garden found a fummer feat : Sweet melody ! to hear her then repeat How ISRAEL'S fons, beneath a foreign king, While taunting foe-men did a fong intreat, All, for the nonce, untuning ev'ry firing, Up hung their ufelefs lyres fmall heart had they to fing. For fhe was juft, and friend to virtuous lore, And pafs'd much time in truly virtuous deed ; And, in thofe elfins' ears, would oft deplore The times, when truth by popifh rage did bleed ; And tortious death was true devotion's meed ; And fimple faith in iron chains did mourn, That nould on wooden image place her creed -, And lawny faints in fmould'ring flames did burn: Ah ! deareftLord,forefend,thilk days mould e'er return. In elbow chair, like that of Scottim ftem By the fharp tooth of cank'ring eld defac'd, In which, when he receives his diadem, Our fovereign prince and liefeft liege is plac'd, The matron fate ; and fome with rank me grac'd, (The fource of children's and of courtier's pride !) Redrefs'd affronts, for vile affronts there pafs'd j And warn'd them not the fretful to deride, But love each other dear, whatever them betide. 3 R*gte [ 339 ] Right well fhe knew each temper to defcryj To thwart the proud, and the fubmifs to raife ; Some with vile copper prize exalt on high, And fome entice with pittance fmall of praife j And other fome with baleful fprig fhe 'frays : Ev'n abfent, fhe the reins of pow'r doth hold, While with quaint arts the giddy crowd fhe fways; Forewarn'd, if little bird their pranks behold, 'Twill whifper in her ear, and all the fcene unfold. Lo now with ftate fhe utters the command ! Eftfoons the urchins to their tafks repair ; Their books of ftature fmall they take in hand, Which with pellucid horn fecured are , To fave from finger wet the letters fair : The work fo gay, that on their back is feen, St. GEORGE'S high atchievements does declare ; On which thilk wight that has y-gazing been, Kens the forth-coming rod, unpleafing fight, I ween ! Ah lucklefs he, and born beneath the beam Of evil flar ! it irks me whilft I write ! As erft the * bard by MULLA'S filver ftream* Oft, as he told of deadly dolorous plight, Sigh'd as he fung, and did in tears indite* For brandiming the rod, me doth begin To loofe the brogues, the ftripling's late delight ! And down they drop , appears his dainty fkin, Fair as the furry coat of whiteft ermilin< Z a O ruth- * SpBNSERj [ 340 } O ruthful fcene ! when from a nook obfcure, His little fitter doth his peril fee : All playful as me fate, fhe grows demure , She finds full fopn her wonted fpirits flee ; She meditates a pray'r to fet him free : Nor gentle pardon could this dame deny, (If gentle pardon could with dames agree) To her fad gritf that fweils in either eye, And wrings her fo that all for pity fhe could dye. Nor longer can me now her fhrieks command -, And hardly fhe forbears, thro* aweful fear, To rumen forth, and, with prefumptuous hand, To ftay harfh juflice in its mid career. On thee me calls, on thee her parent dear ! (Ah ! too remote to ward the fhameful blow !) She fees no kind domeftic vifage near, And foon a flood of tears begins to flow ; 'And gives a looie at laft to unavailing woe. But ah ! what pen his piteous plight may trace ? Or what device his loud laments explain ? The form uncouth of his difguifed face ? The pallid hue that dyes his looks amain ? The plenteous fhow'r that does his cheek diflain ? When he, in abject wife, implores the dame, Ne hopeth aught of fweet reprieve to gain ; Or when from high me levels well her aim, And,thro'thethatch,hiscrieseachfallingflroke proclaim. The 34i The other tribe, aghaft, with fore difmay, Attend, and conn their tafks with mickle care : By turns, aftony'd, ev'ry twig furvey, And, from their fellow's hateful wounds, beware ; Knowing, I wilt, how each the fame may fhare , Till fear has taught them a performance meet, And to the well-known cheit the dame repair ; Whence oft with fugar'd cates me doth 'em greet, And ginger-bread y-rare; now, certes, doubly fvveet! See to their feats they hye with merry glee, And in befeemly order fitten there j All but the wight of bum y-galled, he Abhorreth bench and {tool, and fourm, and chair; (This hand in mouth y-fix'd, that rends his hair ,) And eke with fnubs profound, and heaving breaft, Convulfions intermitting ! does declare His grievous wrong , his dame's unjuft beheft ; And fcorns her offer'd love, and fhuns to be carefs'd, His face befprent with liquid cryftal mines, His blooming face that feems a purple flow'r, Which low to earth its drooping head declines, All fmear'd and fully'd by a vernal fliow'r. O the hard bofoms of defpotic pow'r ! All, all, but me, the author of his mame, All, all, but me, regret this mournful hour : Yet hence the youth, and hence the flow'r, mall claim, If fo I deem aright, tranfcending worth and fame. Z 3 Behind [ 342 ] Behind Tome door, in melancholy thought, Mindlefs of food, he, dreary caitiff! pines j . Ne for his fellow's jcyaunce careth aught, But to the wind all merriment refigns ; And deems it mame, if he to peace inclines j And many a fullen look afcance is fent, Which for his dame's annoyance he defigns ; And ftill the more to pleafure him me's bent, The more doth he, perverfe, her haviour paft refcnt. Ah me ! how much I fear left pride it be ! But if that pride it be, which thus infpires, Beware, ye dames, with nice clifcernment fee, Ye quench not too the fparks of nobler fires : Ah ! better far than all the mufes' lyres, All coward arts, is valour's gen'rqus heat ; The firm fixt breaft which fit and right requires, Like VERNON'S patriot foul; more juftly great Than craft that pimps for ill, or fiow'ry falfe deceit, Yet nurs'd with (kill, what dazling fruits appear! Ev'n now fagacious forefight points to mow A little bench of heedlefs bifhops here, And there a chancellour in embryo, Or bard fublirne, if bard may e'er be fo, AsMiLTON,SHAKEspEAR,namesthatne'crmalldye! Tho' now he crawl along the ground fo low, Nor weeting how the mufe fhou'd foar on high, Wiftieth, poor flarv'ling elf ! his paper-kite may fiy. And [ 343 ] this perhaps, who, cens'ring the defign, Low lays the houfe which that of cards doth build, Shall DENNIS be ! if rigid fates incline, And many an epic to his rage fhall yield ; And many a poet quit th' Aonian field , And, four'd by age, profound he (hall appear, As he who now with 'fdainful fury thrill'd Surveys mine work -, and levels many a fneer, Andfurlshiswrinklyfront,andcries,"WhatftufFishere?" But now DAN PHOEBUS gains the middle fkie, And liberty unbars her prifon-door ; And like a rufhing torrent out they fly, And now the grafly cirque han cover'd o'er With boift'rous revel-rout and wild uproar ; A thoufand ways in wanton rings they run, Heav'n fhield their fhort-liv'd paftimes, I implore ! For well may freedom, erft fo dearly won, Appear to Britim elf more gladfome than the fun. Enjoy, poor imps ! enjoy your fportive trade ; And chafe gay flies, and cull the faireft flow'rs For when my bones in grafs-green fods are laid ; For never may ye tafte more carelefs hours In knightly caftles, or in ladies bow'rs. O vain to feek delight in earthly thing ! But moft in courts where proud ambition tow'rs ; Deluded wight ! who weens fair peace can fpring Beneath the pompous dome of kefar or of king. Z 4 See [ 344 ] See in each fprite fome various bent appear f Thefe rudely carol moft incondite lay ; Thofe faunt'ring on the green, with jocund leer Salute the flranger paffingon his way; Some builden fragile tenements of clay , Some to the Handing lake their courfes bend, With pebbles fmooth at duck and drake to play ; Thilk to the huxter's fav'ry cottage tend, In paftry kings and queens th' allotted mite to fpend, Plere, as each feafon yields a different {lore, Each feafon's (lores in order ranged been -, Apples with cabbage-net y-cover'd o'er, Galling full fore th' unmoney'd wight, are feen ; And goofe-b'rie clad in liv'ry red or green -, And here of lovely dye, the cath'rine pear, Fine pear ! as lovely for thy juice, I ween : O may no wight e'er pennylefs come there, Left fmit with ardent love he pine with hopelefs care ! See ! cherries here, ere cherries yet abound, \Vith thread fo white in tempting pofies ty'd, Scatt'ring like blooming maid their glances round, AVith pamper d look draw little eyes afide ; And muft be bought, tho* penury betide. The plumb all azure and the nut all brown, And here each feafon, do thofe cakes abide, \Vhofe honour'd names th* inventive city own, Rend'ring thro' Britain's ifle Salopia's praifes known. * Admli'4 * SHREWSBURY c^kcs, [ 345] Admir'd SALOPIA ! that with venial pride Eyes her bright form in SEVERN'S ambient wave, Fam'd for her loyal cares in perils try'd, Her daughters lovely, and her ftriplings brave : Ah ! midfr the reft, may flowers adorn his grave, Whofe art did firft thefe dulcet cates difplay ! A motive fair to learning's imps he gave, Who chearlefs o'er her darkling region ftray ; 'Till reafon's morn arife, and light them on their way. C O N- CONTENTS. I. ELEGIES on feveral Occaftons, /j Prefatory effcy on elegy. Page 3 ELEGY I. He arrives at bis retirement in the country, and takes occafion to expatiate in praife of fimplidty. To a friend. 12 ELEGY II. On poftbumoiis reputation. To a friend. 16 ELEGY III. On the untimely death cf a certain learned acquain- tance. ~r- 1 8 ELEGY IV. Ophelia's urn. To Mr. G . 21 ELEGY V. He compares the turbulence of love with the tranquillity of friendjhip. To MeiiJ/a his friend. 23 E L E- I. ELEGIES on feveral Occafions, A Prefatory effay on elegy. Page 3 ELEGY I. He arrives at his retirement in the country^ and takes occafion to expatiate in praifi of fimplicity. 'To a friend. 12 ELEGY II. On pofthumous reputation. To a friend. 16 ELEGY III. On the untimely death cf a certain learned acquain- tance. -*- 1 8 ELEGY IV. Ophelia's urn. To Mr. G . 21 ELEGY V. He compares the turbulence of love with the tranquillity of frisndjhip. To Meti/a his friend. 23 E L E- CONTENTS. ELEGY VI. To a. lady en the language of birds. 25 ELEGY VII. He defcribes his vifion to an acquaintance. 27 ELEGY VIII. He defcribes his early love of poetry, and its conferences . To Mr. G . 1 745. 31 ELEGY IX. He defcribes his difi'mterejlednefs to a friend. 34 ELEGY X. To fortune, fuggefting his motive for repining at her dif- penfations. 37 ELEGY XL He complains hew focn the pleafing novelty of life is over. ToM:J 40 ELEGY XII. His recantation. 43 ELEGY XIII. To a friend, on fome flight occafwn ejlrangedfrom him. 45 ELEGY XIV. Declining an invitation to vifit foreign countries, he takes occcfion to intimate the advantages of his own. To Lord Temple. 47 ELEGY XV. In memory cf a private family in Worcefterfiire. 5 1 ELEGY XVI. He faggefts the advantages of birth to a perfon of merit, at.d the folly of a fnpcnilicufnefs that is built upon that fo!e foundation. 56 E L E- O N T E N T S. ELEGY XVII. He indulges the fuggeftions of fpleen : an elegy to the ELEGY XVIII. He re-peats the fang of Collin, a difcerning Jhspherd ; lamenting the ft ate of the woollen manufaftury- 65 ELEGY XIX. Written in fpring 1743. 69 ELEGY XX. He compares his humble fortune with the diftrefs of ethers; and his fubjeftion to Delia, with the mi- ferable fer-vitude of an African Jlave. 73 ELEGY XXI. 'faking a view of the country from his retirement, he is led to meditate on tie characters of the ancient Britons. Written at the time of a rumoured tax upon luxury. 1746. 77 ELEGY XXII. Written in the year when the rights cf fepu.lt ".re were fo frequently violated. 8 1 ELEGY XXIII. Reflections fuggefted by his Jituation. 85 ELEGY XXIV. He takes occafion from the fate of Eleanor of Rretc.gne, tofuggejl the imperfebJ pleafures cf a folitary life. 90 ELEGY XXV. T'o Delia, with feme ftowers -, complaining hew much his benevole nee fujfers on account of his bumble fortune. 94 ELK- CONTENTS. ELEGY XXVI. Describing the farrow of an ingenuous mind, on the melancholy event of a licentious amour . 97 II. ODES, SONGS, BALLADS, &c. Rural elegance : an ode to the late duchefs of Somcrfit. Written 1750. 105 Ode to memory. 1748. f 117 1"he princefs EKzavetb : a ballad alluding to a ftory recorded cf her, ivben fl;e was pr if oner at Wood- flOck, 1554. 120 Ode to a young lady, fome-ivhat too follicitotu about her manner of expreffion. 123 Nancy of the vale. A ballad. 125 Ode to indolence. 1750. 128 Ode to health. 1730. 130 To a lady of quality, fitting up her library. 1738. 133 Upon a vifit to the fame in winter. 1748. 135 An irregular ode after ficknefs. 1749. - 137 Written in a flower book of my own colouring, defigned for lady Plimouth. 1753-4. 142 Anacreontic. 1738. 143 Ode. Written 1739. 145 The dying kid* - 147 CONTENTS. Songs, written chiefly between the year 1737 and 174.2. 149 169 The halcyon. 170 Ode. 172 A pajloral ode, to the honourable Sir Richard Lyt- telton. 174 Verges written towards the clofe of the year 1^4%, to William Lyttelton, Efq. 181 Jemmy Dawfon, a ballad -, written about the time of his execution, in the year 1 745. 185 A 'pajloral 'ballad, in four parts. Written 1743. 189 III. LEVITIES, or PIECES of HUMOUR. Flirt and Phil-, a decifion for the ladies. - 201 Stanzas to the memory of an agreeable lady, buried in marriage to a per f on undeferving her. 202 Cokmira. A culinary eclogue. 203 The rape of the trap. A ballad. 1737. 207 On certain paft orals. 210 On Mr. C of Kidderminfter*s poetry. ibid. To the virtuofos. 2 1 1 The extent of cookery. 213 The progrefs of advice. A common cafe. 214 A ballad. 215 Slender 's gbojt. 216 The invidious. 218 The price of an equipage. * ibid. Hint- CONTENTS. Hint from Voiture. 220 Inscription. ibid. 'To a friend. - 222 Afohmn meditation. 225 The poet and the dun. 1741. 226 Written at an inn at Henley. 228 Afimil$. 229 The charms of precedence. A tale. 230 Ode. 238 Epilogue to the tragedy of Cleone. 239 IV. MORAL PIECES. tfbe judgment of Hercules. 243 'Theprogrcfsoftafte; or, the fate of delicacy. 262 O economy, a rhapfody, addrejjed to young poets. 285 The ruirfd abby ; cr, I be effefts of fupcrjlition. -r- 308 Love and honour. 321 'The fchool mijlrefs. 33 3, 'bc End of the FIRST VOLUME, UN ,VERSm OF CAUFORN.A UBRARV Los Angeles is DUE on the last date stamped belo 'JA WE " LD-U DJOV 23V3771 V 4 1981 PSD 2338 9/77 3 1158 00209 5387 3677 Al v.l