F^V
P
r
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
POEMS
O N
Several Oecafions,
B Y
MARY MASTERS.
Nature affords at leafl a glimmering Light,
The Lines, tho touch* d but faintly t are drawn right.
Eflfay on Cricicifin.
LONDON,
Printed by T. BR o WN E in Bartholomew-Clofi,
for the Author. M.DCC.XXXIII.
THE
PREFACE
HE Author of the following Poems
never read a Treat if e of Rhetor ick, or
an Art of Poetry, nor was ever taught
her Englifh Grammar. Her Educa-
tion rofe no higher than the Spelling-
Book, or the Writing-Mafter : her Genius to
Poetry was always brow-beat and difcountenanc d
by her Parents, and till her Merit got the better
of her Fortune, foe was Jhut out from all Com-
merce with the more knowing and polite Part of
the World. If therefore no Grammatical Mi ft akes
be found In thefe Compojures, Jhe is free to ac-
knowledge it owing to the Affijlance of a Friend
*wko revisd the Work. If there are many De-
fecJs difco'vered in the Thoughts, Stile or Verjlfica-
tion, Jhe hopes for Indulgence from the Conjidera-
iion of htr Sex, and the DiJ ^advantages afore-
mentioned : If the Reader chance to light upon
any Beauties, he is left to fit what Value upon
them he fiall think proper.
A 2 CON.
*'
CONTENTS
TO the Earl of Burlington. Page 5
The Female Triumph. 8
An Anfwer to a Panegyrick. i r
To Mar Ma at parting. ~ ~ 12
A Queftion to Marinda* 15
On Marindas Marriage. 17
The Defenfe of myfelf. 20
Clemenes Character. 3 1
To the fame, early in the Spring, occafioned by
her taking a Journey, &c. 34
The 1 3 9th Pfalm. 39
To a Gentleman who queftioned my being the
Author of the foregoing Verfes. 44
On the Death of Mifs Molly Lombe, infcribed to
Mrs. Lombe. 46
To the fame, on the Birth of her Son. 50
To the Sun, in a cold dry Seafon. 52
Defenfe of Myrtillo. 54
Sent to a Lady with Myrtillo's Poems. 57
ToCIemene, leaving the Country in Autumn. 59
On Beauty. . 60
To Bellaria, looking at Philander, as he coun-
terfeited Sleep in an Alcove. 62
A Petition to a Steel Thimble, &c. 64
To Marinda on the New Year, &c. 66
Another on the fame. 68
Upon his late Majefty's going to Sea in June
1724. 70
To Myrtilk, defiring him to write a Poem on
the Coronation of their prefent Majeflies.
73
The
CONTENTS.
The Heir of Arthington, infcrib'd to Mrs.
Artbington. Page 75
To Belinda, a Love Epiftle, wrote at the Re-
queft of a Gentleman. 78
To the fame. 81
Occafion'd by Clemene s refufing a Requeft. 82
On the Marriage of Captain C. infcrib'd to the
Bride. 83
To Mrs. Barker of Tork, on fome ingenious
Letters wrote to me in an advanc'd Age. 86
At taking leave of a Lady, who was reading
Norris's Poems. * 87
To a Lady on her Birth Day. 88
The 39th Pfalm. 90
The Refolution broke. 94
To Mrs. Mafters, occafioned by her Refolution
to write no. more, by Mr. J. W. 97
An Anfwer to the foregoing Verfes. 99
Maria in Affliction. 101
The Confolations of Friendfhip, addrefs'd to
Call ft a. 104
On a White Rofe prefented me on the loth of
June. Extempore. 1 06
Sent to a Friend on Valentine's Day. ibid.
On Oriana's Marriage, addrefs'd to herfelf. 107
To Clemene on her Birth Day, being the Epipha-
ny. 1 10
To Guardian Angels. in
On changing my Lodgings. 113.
Emblems of Clemene. 114
To Mrs. M. E. who gave me a Piaifter of her
own making, when I had wreneh'd my
Ancle. u6
An
CONTENTS.
An Anfwer to Mr. G's Invitation to the Fields
and Groves. Page 118
Sent to Marinda from the North of England. 1 20
Self- Deceit. 122
To Mrs. B. occafioned by her Fear of the Pefti-
lence, when it raged at Mar fellies. 124
An Imitation of a Poem in Drydens Collection,
entitled Anacreontick. j 26
On a Gnat flying about a Candle. Extempore. 127
To a Lady going to Church 128
Nocturnal Thoughts ibid.
To Clemene on the new Ye^ar. 130
On hearing fome Reflections upon a deceased
Lady. 132
The 29th Pfalm. 135
To my Infant Niece, her little Sifter dying
the inftant (he was born. 136
Upon the fame. 138
A Journey from Of ley to Wakefield. 140
To Olinda, taken ill of a Fever at the fame
Time that I recovered of one. 145
To the fame, enquiring why I wept. 147
On a Nofegay made by Clemene. 148
To Mr. J. P. on his Marriage. 149
To Lucinda. 151
To Clemene, leaving the Country in a gloomy
Day. 153
To the fame weeping. 155
To a Lady, who ask'd my Opinion of an old
Gentleman me defign'd to marry. 156
Pn feeing a Lady with a new-famioned Ri-
ding-Drefs, and a Hat cocji'd up. 1 57
To
CO NTENTS.
To Clemene on her Birth-Day. Page 159
Verfes occafion'd by a Lady being extremely ill one
Night, and perfe&ly well the next Day. 16 1
A Refledion upon my own Formation. 163
A Morning Hymn. 164
The Penitent. Infcrib'd to 167
To myfelf. 169
A Prayer for a lick Friend. 171
On her Death. 173
The 37th Pfalm, infcrib'd to an injur'd Friend.
177
A Meditation upon thefe Words <c Arife ye deaa>
and come to Judgment'' 186
The Vanity of human Life. 193
Reafons againft Deifying the Fair Sex, by an-
other Hand. 206
The Morning Frolick, by the fame. 211
To Mrs. Majten upon reading the 13 9th Pfalm
turned into Verfe by her ; by Tho. Scott. 230
An Epiftle to my Wife : wrote from London in
the fecond Year of our Marriage, by the
fame. , 236
Verfes on the Coronation, wrote at the Requeft
of Mrs. Maftersy in 1727, by the fame. 239
Verfes to the Memory of Mr. Addifon, wrote in
July 173 a, by the fame. 247
The 90th Pfalm, translated from the Original,
by the fame. ~ , 257
Notes to the Profe Tranflation of the foregoing
Pfalra, by the fame. 264
POEMS
A
LIST
O F T H E
SU
BSCRIBERS . AMES.
A.
HE Lady Atkins o/Xlapham;
Mrs. Arthington of Arlington. 4 Book}.
Mrs. Chariot Aldcroft.
Henry Atkinfon of Caley E/#
Mrs. Atkinfon.
Samuel Artis of Yarmouth Efa
Mr* Artis.
Mr. Atkinfon Jun. of Newcaftle.
Mr. Thomas Atkinfon Jun. of Knottingly.
Mrs. Artis of Yarmouth Widow.
Mrs. Margarita Atkinfon of Bafton.
Mrs. Atwood of Yarmouth. 2 Books.
Mrs. Allen of Lynn. 4 Books.
Mr. John Allen of York. 2 Bookf.
The Rev. Mr. Charles Arthur Vicar of Wadworth.
The Rev. Mr. Samuel Allon of Whitlejr.
George Aylworth of London E/j;
Mr. Richard Afliby Jan. of VPymondham. 2 Bokf,
Mifs Fanny Artherton of Marton.
Mrs. Armitage of ArterclifF.
Jtfr.Allgood. 2 tf Newcaftle.
Mrs. Mary Allgood5
Mifs Sufanna Arrowfmith of Weybread.
Mifs Aldhoufe of Suftead.
Mr. Mark Addey of Norwich.
Mr. John Andrews c/" Yarmouth Merchant.
Mr. Chriftopher Appleby.
Mr. Robert Appleyard of Yarmouth;
Mr. Robert Appleyard of Otlcy.
Mr. William Arderon of Wymondhann.'
Mrs. Alexander of London.
Mr. Edward Allen of Lecdi.
I
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
B.
THE Right Honourable the Earl of Burlington. 8 Books.
The Right Honourable the Countefi of Bwlingtoa.
The Lady Blacket. 2 Books.
The Lady Bacon of Ravcningham in Norfolk.
Walter Blacket /,, 2****, > rf Newc ,ftl e .
Mrs. Blacker. \
Mrs. Patience Blacket of Newby.
Mrs. Barker of York. 4 Boob.
Thomas Barker /a 4 Books, ? v ot kflii r .
Charles Bathurft Efa a Mb$
Thomas Bright Efa-> fl/ Bad f worthj Yorkfhire.
Robert Bright Efo $
Richard BaynesE/f, Recorder of Ripon, Yorkftiire.
-j Bag (haw E/^; c/ Oaks in Derby mire.
Bowes Efy; of Durham.
Capt. Bickley of Attleborough in Norfolk.
Philip Byerly Efy\ of Goldsborough.
Hugh Bethel Efq: of Swinden.
Michael Barftow Efo of York.
Robert Buck Efa\
William Burton Efy\
The Reverend Dr. Broom, Re far of Pulham in Norfolk.
The Reverend Mr. Brett, Rethr of Carlton in Norfolk.
The Reverend Mr. George Bell, Pnlnndary of St. Paul's London.
The Reverend Mr. Beaver of Swintan.
William Brown of Lynn, M. D.
Mr. Thomas Beevor of Norwich. 8 Bookt.
Mrs. Beevor Sen.
Mrs. Beevor.
Mifs Betty Beevor.
The Reverend Mr. Blomfiejd, Reftor f Ferftfield.
The Reverend Mr. Banks of Skipton.
The Reverend Mr. Butterwood of Doncafter.
The Reverend Mr. Howman, V'UAT of Dewsbury.
The Reverend Mr. Bucke, M. A. Vuar of Marton cum Grafion.
The Reverend Mr. Bourn of York.
The Reverend Mr. Brooks of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk.
Mifs Bacon of Erleham.
JMifi Betty Bacon.
Mr. William Brown, Alderman of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Bransby of Weybread.
Mr. Lambe Barry > f r .. ,
A/,/; Ifabella Barry. \ '/ S.ieham*
Mrs. Black of Bramerton.
Mrs. Beal of London.
Mrs. Branthwait of Heathall / Norfolk.
Mrs. Barwick of Norwich.
jAr. Baines of York.
Robert
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Robert Baynes Efq;
Mr. Barber of Ripon, M. A.
Mr. Thomas Burnhil Attorney at Law*
Mr. John Bofely of Norwich.
Mrs. Bell Magdalen Street ? rf Nomich .
Mrs. Bell in St. Andrews. 3
Mr. Barber of Bungay.
Mn. Bagg of Lynn.
Jlfr/. Brown Jun. */ Lynn.
Mr. John Berdoe of London.
Mr. Bearcroft Berdoc.
Mifs. Sophia Berdoe.
Mr. Matthew Burnet of Winfley.
Mrs. Sarah Bever of WakefeW.
Mr. Edmund Briggs of Halifax.
Mrs. Beaumont of Whitley.
Mr. Bullock of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Mary Buck of Bafton.
Mr. Richard Burden tf Doncafler.
Mr. George Baker of Norwich.
Mn. Burr of Burgh in Norfolk.
Mr. Thomas Brand of Kimberlef. 2 Bookf.
Mr. William Brand of Woolterton. 2 Books.
Mrs. Ifabella Breefe. 2 Bookt.
Mr. Butterwick.
Mr. William Benbridge.
Mn. Sarah Brinfley of Yarmouth }
Mrs. Bendifh of Mileham C in Norfolk.
Mr. John Baker of Demon j>
Mifs Baker of Bury St. Edmund'* ? c Jf it
Afr. James Brown of Bury St. Edmund's J '
Mr. Brewer of Rendham.
Mr. John Burroughs of Norwich.
Mr. James Benfley of Wangford, Surgeon,
Mr. Richard Boyce of Yarmouth.
Mr. Charles Bernard of Yarmouth. 6 Books.
The Reverend Mr. Beacon, AT. A. Pillow of Corpm Chrifli Collect
in Cambridge.
Mifs Elizabeth Baker of Cambridge.
Edmund Bacon Efy of Gillinghanu
Mifs Sufanna Bacon.
Jofeph Bifhop Efa- t
Mrs. Rebecca Bifhop,
Mifs Sally Bedingfield of Whito.
Mr. Edward Bacon.
Mr. Nathaniel Bacon.
Mr. Michael Bridges of Leeds,- Merchant.
Edmund Barker Efo
Mr. Philip Beart > f Ty>n j rtn
Mr. Lifter Bigge^ f London '
a t Mr.
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Mr. Charles Bedingfield of Ditchinghara.
William Bedingfield Efa of the Inner-Temple.
Mr. William Holland of Settle.
C
THE tight Honourable the Marquefs of Carnarvan.
The Right Honourable the Marchionefs of Carnarvan.
The Right Honourable the Earl of Crawford.
The Right Honourable the Lady Clifford.
Sir Waiter Calverly Bart.
Mifs Julia Calverly.
The Reverend Dr. Clarke Dean of Sarum.
The Reverend Dr. Camell of Norwich.
Mr. William Camell of Dis in Norfolk.
Dr. Cook of York.
Thomas Cook Efy of Norwich.
Abraham Clerke Efo of Norwich.
The Reverend Mr. Martin Challice of Lynn.
The Reverend Mr. Clarke of Guifely in Yorkfhire.
Mifs Hannah Cater of Norwich
Mifs Peggy Chamberlain of London.
Mrs. Copland of Yoxford in Suffolk,
Capt. Cokayne. 7 f T j^
Mr. Francis Cokayne $ "/ London
jVir/. Cotefworth.
Mr. Thomas Cotnett of Bury St. Edmund?.
Mr:, Cookfon of Leeds.
The Reverend Mr. Champion of Norwich.
Mrs. Cooper of Lynn.
Mifs Clarke of Bale.
Mr. Colthorpe of Blackney.
Cutts Efq; of Thornby.
Afrj.Cowley of Doncafter.
Mr. William Currer of S tee ton.
Mr. Colton of London.
Mr. Thomas Chapman of Leeds, B. J.
Mr. Edward Cooper of Bungay, Surgeon.
Mr. Robert Chaplin.
Mr. William Chafe, BookfelUr in Norwich. 20 B*>ks<
Mr. Richard Chafe.
Mrs. Elizabeth Childerhoufe of Lynn.
Mr. John Cordley of Otley.
Mr. Abraham Coveney of Itteringham in Norfolk.
Mrs. Mary Cook of Norwich.
Mr. William Curtis of Bradford. 6 Books.
Mifs St. Claire.
Mr. Abel Clifton of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Catharine Cotton of London.
Mr. John Creed of Yarmouth.
Mr. Humphrey Cotton of Norwich,
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Mr. Samuel Coulton of Wisbich.
The Reverend Mr. Chapman M. A. fellow of Kings College Cam-
bridge.
John Colett of London. M. D.
Mr. Thomas Crifpe of London.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cordey of Harlefton.
Mr. Carlos of Norwich, Bookfeller.
Mrs. Coulfton, Governtfs of a Boarding School At Leedf.
D.
William Dixon Sen. Ef<^ of Lincoln's Inn.
William Dixon Jun. Efy
The Reverend Mr. Davis of Palgravc in Suffolk.
The Reverend Mr. Dyneley 7>
Mr. Robert Dyneley of Cafley C in Yorkflure.
Mrs. Dyneley of Bramhope 3
Mr. Dawfon.
Mr. Dickinfon.
The Reverend Mr. Donne, Reflar of Catfield in Norfolk.
Mr. Jarett Dalhwood of Norwich.
Mr. William Dinfdale of Otley.
Mr. Robert Dobbs of Poftwick.
Mr. Benjamin Dewis of Donington in Lincolnfhire.
Mr. Henry Difton of London.
Mr. Bartholomew Dey of Wymondham, M. B.
E.
THE Honourable Major Ereskin.
Auguftine Erie of Heyden Efy
Mr. John Exton of Lynn, Surgeon.
Mr. Harridence Ellis of Yarmouth.
Mr. George Ellis of Norwich.
Mrs. Mary Ellis Governefs of a, Boarding School in Norwich.
Mifs Hannah Evans of Bury St. Edmunds,
Mrs. Edgar of Norwich.
Mrs. Ellerkcr of Doncafter.
Mrs. Elvin of Aylefliam.
Mr. William Emperor of Norwich.
F.
Q / R Robert fag tart.
O The Honourable Barwick Fairfax of Tadcafter.
The Honourable Brian Fairfax of London.
The Honourable Charles Fielding,
Councilor Foulks. 2 Books.
Thomas Fawkes Efy\ of Farnle/.
Mrs. Fawkes.
Ayfcough Fawkes Efq\
Benjamin Farrand F/f|
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Richard Ferricr Ef<j; oj Yarmouth.
Mifs Betty Ferrier.
William Frefton Kfq; of Mcndham.
The Reverend Mr. Froggot Reftor of Kirk Dcighton in York [hire.
The Reverend Mr. Fawkes Rtftor of Warmfworth in Yorkfhire.
The Reverend Mr. Fleming of Kippax in Yorkfhire.
The Reverend Mr. Fox Reflor of Fleet in Lincolnfhire.
Mrs. Fletcher*/ Leeds;
Mr. Thomas Fiedler of Knaresborough, Attorney at Law.
Mr. George Fofter of Wetherby, Attorney at Lava,
Mr. Frank of Norwich,
Mifs Franks of Pontefraft.
Mr. Robert Fawfet of Halifax.
Mr. Froft of Yarmouth.
Thomas Fothergill Efa O f York.
Mr. Forbes Surgeon.
Mifs Fell of Sheffield.
Mr. John Ford of Sudbury.
Mifs Betty French tf Bergh-Apton.
Mr. Robert Fremoult of Norwich, L. L. B.
G.
SIR Edward Gafcotgm Bart.
Thomas Grimfton Sen. Efa of York.
The Reverend Mr. GteydhiB, FeUrur of Braz.t*Nofc Cfftiqe Orfonf.
John Gordon Eftj;
The Reverend Mr. Green of Wooton.
Mrs. Gilliard of Wakefield.
Mrs. Gillbfd of Caftlethorp in Lmcolnfinre.
Mrs. Gallant of Yarmouth.
MiJsGztrotof Clay.
Mr. William Green, Surgeon.
Mr. Robert Greaves of Allerton MauKverer.
TA Xevewtd Mr. Green of Owhmfbrd.
Mift Greaves of Sheffield 1 .
Mrs. Amy Goodwin of Lynn.
Mifs De Grey.
Captain Gee.
Mrs. Matilda Gooch, now Mrs. Peffietfcwayt of Demon in Norfbik.
Mr. William Gooch 2. of Virginia.
Mr. Gooch of Leeds.
Mr. Thomas Gooch at Bury School.
Mr. John Goodraa* of Ntowricfr, Grvctr.
Mr. Thomas Gooch of Dis, Attorney at Law.
Mrs. Gamble of Norwich, now Mto. ftraF.
Mr. Charles Greenwood of Bradford, 6 B*>*s,
Mr. Garforth of Steeton.
Mifs Betty Goddard of Norwich.
THE
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
H
TH E Eight Honourable Lady Betty Halting*
The Right Honourable Lady Ann Haftings.
The Right Honourable Lady Frances Haftings.
The Right Honourable Lady Margaret Haftings,
Sir Walter Hawkfworth of Hawkfworth Bart. 12 Boots.
Mift Hawkfwortb.
Sir Thomas Haye Bart:
Cornet George Haye.
Henry Hitch of Leathley Efo ^ Books.
The Reverend Air. Robert Hitch, A/. A. J Hooks.
Mifs Alithea Hitch. 2 Books.
Mlfs Alicia Hitch. 2 Boris.
Mifs Nanny Hitch. 2 Books.
The Worjhipful and Reverend Henry Hunafrcy Efy, of Odcy.
The Worfiipful and Reverend John Heber /f j
Thomas Heber Efa of Marton.
John Harrifon Efej, of Mearley y Lancafhire.
Allan Harrifon Efy^
George Harman Efq; of Sunbury.
'Hammerton Ef<j; of H ellifieU- peel m Craven.
The Honourable Col. Harbord of Gunton in Norfolk.
Edward Ho\\ man of Norwich, M. D.
Roger Hesketh Eft; of Meales in Lancashire.
Mrs. Hynde cj London. 4 Books.
Mrs. Horton of Coley -^
Mrs. Henfhaw of Noftell C in YockQiire,
Mrs. Hopkinfon of Wakefield S
Mifs Barbara Howfe of Fritton in Norfolk.
Mifs Hutchtnfon of Farnham in Norfolk.
Mifs Hawford of Lynn.
Mtfs Holly of Lynn.
Mr. Harrifon of Holt.
Mr. Richard Hopkinfon of Leeds.
The Reverend Mr. Hudfon of Otley.
The Reverend Mr. Hargrave*.
The Reverend Mr. Simon Hamlea of Upweli.
Mr. John Hawkridge of Otley, Attormy at L*u>.
Mr. John Hide of Wakefield.
Mrs. Hide.
Mifs Dolly Hide.
Mr. George Hainfworth
Mifs Molly Hainfworth
Mifs Chriftian Hunton S in Norwich.
Mrs. Hall in Magdalen Street \
Mrs. HaH in St. Pekers
Mr. Roger HilL
Mr. Hemingway Jan. of Bradford.
Mrs. Hatt of Norwich.
Mrs, Hannah Hartley of Yeadon i Yockfturt,
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Mr. Jofeph Hammond of Norwich.
Mr. John Hoyle Sen. of Norwich.
Mr. Thomas Hoyle.
Mrs. Sarah Hough.
Mr. William Heath of BlofieW.
Mr. Samuel Hasbart of Norwich
Harland Efy
Mr. Jofeph Hardingham of Norwich.
Mrs. Catherine Holliday of Doncafter.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hotham of Leeds.
Mrst Margaret Hudfon of Norwich.
Mr. James Hodges.
Mr. William Heard of Kempfton in Norfolk.
Mrs. Hooke of Yarmouth.
The Reverend Mr. Hooke of Alby.
Mr. Jeremiah Hancock of Wisbich.
Mr. Peter Hanfel of Covent Garden.
Mr. Mordecai Hilton of Staples-Inn.
The Reverend Dr. Husbands Prefdent of Gonvillt And Caius Collete
Cambridge.
John Hollings Jun: Efy, of London.
Mr. Richard Horncaftle of Leeds Surgeon.
THE Right Honourable Lord'vifcountlnvln.
The Honourable Mrs. Inwood.
Mtjs Jay efQxjin Norfolk.
Henry Juftice E/jj
Captain Jordan.
Mr. William Jermy of Corpus Chrifli College Cambridge.
George Jenney E/^ of Hetherfer.
Mr. Thomas Jenney of London. 2 Books.
Mifs Ingilby of Ripley.
Mifs Martha Johnfon of York.
Mrs. Ingram of Barrowby.
Mr. Thomas Johnfon of Norwich, Apothecary.
Mr. James Jackfon of Furnivals Inn.
Mr. John Jackfon of London.
Doftor James.
Mr. John Ives, Merchant in Yarmouth.
Mifs Patty Jacomb.
Mrs, Jacob of London)
Mrs. Anne Jackfon.
K.
^TT H E Reverend Mr. Key Rettor of Ackweth in Yorklhire.
|_ The Reverend Mr. Knowler, Chaplain to Lord Malton.
The Reverend Mr. Knight, Vicar of Harwood in Yorkfhire.
John Kynderley Effi of Lynn:
Mr. William Kerftiaw of Ripley.
Mri.
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Mrs. Biddy Keen p
Mr. Walter Kirby C of Lynn.
Air. Edward Knight^
Mr. Thomas King of Wisbich.
Mr. Charles Kerricb Surgeon ~}
Mr. Simon Kerrich C of Harledon,
Mrs. Kerricb Milliner 3
Mn. King of Norwich.
Mr. Keller.
Mifs Knights of Summerton.
Mr. Killingworth of London.
The Rev. Mr. Kerrich, Vicar of Dercingham.
I.
O7R Berkley Lucy Hart, 2 Books.
J3 The Lady Lucy of London. 4 Books.
The Lady Lambert of London.
Mifs Lambert of York.
Matthew Lancafter Efq- t of Clements-Inn. 2 Beoks.
Capt. Lee of Nutcford in Chefhire*
The Rev. Mr. Lifter M. A. of Bury in Lancafhire.
Mifs Phebe Lifter.
Mifs Molly Lifter.
Mr. Edmund Laycon of Grays-Inn, London. 4
Mrs. Jane Laycon of Leeds.
Mrs. Laycon of Otley. 10 Books.
Mr. John Laycon o
JVfr.W.lliamLayccn
Mifi Patty Laycon
Mifs Judy Laycon ~
Mr. Robert Lufon of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Lufon jf#.
Mr. Hewling Lufon:
Mr, William Lombe of Norwich. 4 Books.
Mrs. Lombe.
Mrs. Carolina Lyndley. 2 Books.
Mr. Thomas Leath of Acle in Norfolk. 2 Books.
Mr. Barry Love, Alderman of Yarmouth,
Mr. John Lowther of London, Apothecary.
A/rj.Lowther of Ackwortfi ;YorkfliJr.
Mr. Jeremy Long.
Mrs. Lewis of Norwich.
Mift Leayer of Aylfoam.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lambkin of Sheffield.
Mifs Molly Leigh of Blicklin in Norfolk.
Mr. Lync, Fellow of Emanucl-Coilege, C-imbrJJge.
The Rev Mr. Little, Fellow of Emanuel-Colle^e, Cambridge.
Mr. Thomas Leech of Lin coins-Inn.
Mr. Thomas Larkin of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Lodge of Framingham in Norfolk.
b Mr.
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES,
Mr. Jbfiah Lincoln of Wrentham,
Afr ? Charles Lulman of Norwich.
Mr. Samuel Lutton.
Miff LcCngham of Norwich.
M.
THE Right Honourable the Lady MaltOn.
Sir William Milner Bart.
Th* Honourable Colonel Mordaunt.
Arthur Mainwaring Efq;
Owen Meyrick Eff, Jun. of London.
William Mildmay Efy ; of the Temple.
The Rev. Mr. MiiTenden of Yarmouth.
The Rnv. Mr. Mabel!,
The Rev. Mr. Mannings Sen. Fellow of Caius-College, Cambridge.
The Rev. Mr. Mitton of Skipton.
Mrs. Mitton of Gisburn.
Mn. Mitton of Odey.
Mr. William Mingay of London, Attorney at Law,
Mife Nanny Mingay of Bury St, Edmunds.
Mr. Martin of Thetford, Attorney at Law.
Mr. Robert Morden of Yarmouth.
Mr, James Margraves of Serjeant's- Inn, London,
Mrs. Mickelthwait of Leeds.
Mtft Patty Maxey of London,
. MeiealfE/fj 0/York.
Mr. Morfbn,
Mtft Mallum of Bracon tn Norfolk.
Mrs. Elizabeth Moore of Barnfhall.
Mrs. Meadows of Norwich.
Mr. Willam Mafley.
Mr. Richard Mufgrave of Sr. John'*-College, Cambridge
Mr. Robert Matters of Bennet-College, Cambridge,
A/r. Henry Matters of Norwich.
Mr. Robert Matters of Yarmouth.
Mr. John Monck of Kimberley.
Mr. John Morfe of Yarmouth.
Mr. Miller of London, Jpetbectry.
Mr. Samuel Morris of Norwich.
Mr. William Manning of Yarmouth. ^
Mrs. Mays of Norwich.
Mr. Thomas Mclfup of Colton in Norfolk.
Mrs. Elizabeth Martyns of Yarniourh,
i/r.'Thomas Marker Sen. cf Norwich.
Mr. Jacob Mountain 5?;.
Mr. Henry Moqre of Bcefton,
N.
}Ohn Neale of Doncafter M.B.
The Re-j. Mr. George Neale of Oiley.
Mr, Benjamin Nuthall ef Ljnn.
Mr*
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Mr. John Nuthall of Norwich.
Mrs, Sarah Norton, Governefs of a Boarding-School at Norwich-
4 Books.
Mifs Norton <?/Pontefraft in Yorkfllire.
Mifs Nafh,
Mrs. Newton.
Mr. Nafh of Bath.
Mr. Robert Norris of Norwich.
Mifs Nanny Nutting of Cambridge.
Q.
William Osbrfdifton gfa
Mr. Charles Oxley, Alderman of Ripon;
^fr. Oldmeadow */ Upwell.
Mr. John Oakley */ Bracon in Norfolk.
Afr.Ogle, Bookfeller in Leeds. 2 Boot;.
.Mr. James Overall of London.
P.
IR Lyonel Pilklngton Bart. ^ Books.
Tht Honourable Colonel Powlet.
Thomas Pulleyn /a; of Burley in Yorkfhire.
Af/ f Molly Pulleyn/
Port /j ;
Richard Powys Efa\
Mrs. Page o/ Saxthorpr.
Anthony Parmenter Efcf t of Norwich.
- - Pafton Efq; of Barningham in Norfolh
Mrs. Pafton of Barningham.
Mrs. Pafton of Harlefton.
Robert Porter Af. D. of London.
The Rev. Afr. Paley of Hunflet in Yorklhirr*
Tbt Rev. Mr. Pitcairne, Rtftor of Burgh in Suffolki
Mrs. Pitcairne.
Mr. James Pitcairne.
Mr. Pepper, Fellow-Commoner oj Sr. John's College, Cambridge-.
Mr. Piggot of Cambridge.
Mrsi Perkins of London.
Mr. William Palmer of Lynn.
Mr. William Palmer of London.
Mr. John Poftlethwayt of Magdalen-College, Oxford.
Mrs. Barbara Poftlethwayt, now Mrs. Kerrich.
Mrs. Anne Parkin of Briftol.
Mr. Thomas Perciyal of Wakeficld. 2 Books..
Mifi Proftor of Heath.
Mr. Proftor of Wakefteld.
Mr. Ralph Phillips, Surgeon.
Mr. William Pearfe of Norwich.
b z Mr.
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Afr.JoVmPlayford of Yarmouth.
Mr. Thomas Prieftly.
Mf. John Pue of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Pcaft Jun, of Lynn >.- vi'
Mr. Jofeph Parnther of Sawlcy in Yorkfhire.
Mr. Prentice of Bungay.
Mr. John Prentice of Botefdale.
Mru Pitt*
Mrs. Margaret Peake of York.
Mrs. Parfon of Yarmouth. 2 Books.
Miff Ellin Parfon.
Tht Rev. Mr. Parr M. A. Fellow of King's-College, Cambridge.
M
Q:
Atthcw Chitty St. Quiruin E
R.
THE Right Honourable the Lord Rychardfon.
The Honourable Mifs Rychardfon of Norwich.
Mrs. Ramfden of York.
William Rudingj Eft; of London.
Nicholas Robinfon Efq;
Medcalf Robinfon E/j;
Andrew Robinfon Efq\
Gregory Rhodes Efq; of Ripon.
Thomas Randal Efq\ of Wymondham.
The Reverend Mr. Redford of Sheffield.
The Reverend Mr. Roberts of Sheffield.
The Reverend Mr. Joflah Ray.
Tht Reverend Mr. Rakes of Ripon.
Mr. John Rawfon <5/Jefus College.
Mr. Jeremiah Rawfon.
Mr. Edward Rawflhom of Ripon, Collector of Excift.
Mr. Edmund Rolfe ? f .
Mifs Theodofia Rolfe $ * ^ OOt
Mr. James Robinfon of Otley Surgeon.
Mr. Edward Ridfdale of Ripon Attorney at Law.
Mr. John Ridfdale of Wakefield.
Mr: Charles Roath of Ripon.
Mrs. Catherine Richardfon of Skipton.
Mifs Sally Raining of Norwich, now Mrs. Kynderlcy.
Mr. William Reeve o/Harlefton Surgeon.
Mr. Riley of London Apothecary.
Mifs Royal af Yarmouth.
Mrs. Ranfom of Yarmouth.
Mrs. RuflTel *)
Mifs Ruflell X
Mifs Nanny Ruflell > 9 f Norwich.
Mifs Jenny Ruflel C
Mtft Betty Ruflell J
Mr.
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Mr. George Robinfon of Helperby.
Mrs. Mary Read of Harlefton.
Mr*. Martha Read of Brand.
The Rtverend Mr. Charles Ridroan Reflor of Banham tn Norfolk.
S.
THE Reverend Jaquez Sterne, D. D.
Samuel Savill % } of Thriber.
.-^Salvin Efo of York.
William Simpfon Efo of Stainforth.
JJTr;. Simpfon.
Mr. Jacob Simpfon of Leeds Apothecary. 4 Hooks.
The Reverend Mr. Stillingfleet Re:lor of Aldburgh in Norfolk.
The Reverend Mr. Ingram Shaw.
The Reverend Mr. Stevens of Ripon.
The Reverend Mr. Smith of Aldermanbury, London.
The Reverend Mr. Searank Reflor of Royden.
Mr. John Smith M. A. Fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
.Symonds Efyi of Belgrave.
Daniel Scott of London, J. U. D.
Mr. Thomas Scott Sen. of Norwich.
Mr. Jofeph Scott.
Mr. Thomas Scott Jun.
Mr. Daniel Scott of London Apothecary'.
Mrs, Margaret Scott of London.
Mrs. Scott cf Aylewam in Norfolk.
Mr. Stayley.
Mr. William Stockdaleof Bilton-Park in Yorkfliire.
Mr. Thomas Swaine */ St. John's College, Cambridge.
Mr. William Sutton of Stockdale.
Mr. James Seaman of Norwich.
John Smyth E/j, of Darrington.
M rs. Smyth Sen. of Heath.
Mrs. Smyth Jun.
Mrs. Hannah Smyth.
Mrs. Scarlet Sen. cf Lynn:
Mrs. Scarlett Jttn.
Mrs. Scarlet of Thorp near Norwich.
Mr. Thomas Smyth of Yarmouth Merchant,
Mrs. Smyth.
Mr. Thomas Saye of London.
Mr. John Saye of Wortwell in Norfolk;
Mrs. Smith of Norwich. 2 Books.
Mr. Nathaniel Smith ->
Mr. Benjamin Smith C of Yarmouth.
Mifs Lvdia Smith 3
Mr. OfHey Smith of Harlefton, Attorney at Law.
Mifs Swallow of Bale in Norfolk.
Mr. Lawrence Swainfon of Oilejv
Mrt, Stamforth ef Darnal.
5DBSCRIBERS NAMES,
Mifs Sowrey.
Mrs. Smailes of Otley.
Hannah Sillet of Norwich.
Mrs. Mary Symonds of Yarmouth.
Mifs Suckling tf Woodton in Norfolk 1 ,
Mrs. Sharpe of Trowfe near Norwich.
Mrs. Seager of Yarmouth.
Mifs ScholJer.
Mift Spencer of Bramly Grange -)
Mrs. Silvefter of Bradford C
Mr. Jonathan Stead */ Halifax ?
JWr. Swire oj Coningly* 3
Mr. William Springal of Strumflbaw in Norfolk.
Mr. Stainforth of York.
Mr. Samuel Sparrow of London.
Mr. Ames Smith of Denton in Norfolk.
Mrs. Smith of Brancaftcr.
Mr. John Sparrow ? - T __..,.
Mr. Robert Sparrow $ f London '
Mr. Steward o/ Bury St. Edmunds.
Mr.]ohn Spurgeon of Yarmouth.
Mr. Edward Sayer of Norwich 4j>otht(aryt
Mrs. Elizabeth Spendlove of Yarmouth.
Mr. John Skinner of Spalding ;' LincolnlWrek
Mr. Samuel Sharpe Surgeon ~}
Mr. Samuel Sleigh Jun. of Lohdom
Mr. Thomas Shewell J. 3
T.
THE Right Reverend Dr. Tanner Lord Bijhcf ef St. Afaphf*
The Honourable Mifs Temple of London*
G. Trevelyan Efa
John Turner Efa of Lynn.
The Reverend Mr. Travers.
The Reverend Mr* Toppan of Kildwick in Yorkfhire.
The Reverend Mr. Taylor, M. A. Fellow of St. JohnVCollege,
Cambridge.
Mrs. Taylor of Lynn.
The Reverend Mr. Tillotfon of Skipton,
sildermant hompfon of York.
Mr. John Thompfon of Norwich.
Mrs. Tate.
Mifs Thornhill of Burnham,
Mifs Molly Tunercliff of Sheffield.
Mifs Finite Thurloe of Burnham.
Mr. William Thwaites of Doncafter Surgtotk
Mr. Peter Todd of Ripon.
Mr.
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
Afr. Terrick.
Mr. Samuel Tolver %un. of Yarmouth.
Mr. Nicholas Thornby tf Clitbero in Lancafture.
V.
HS Honourable Mr. Vernon. 4 Bw*r.
__ Jtfr. Thomas Vavafour of the Temple*
Mrs. Vavafour of V/efton m Yorkfhire.
Af r. Simon Vertue o/ London. 2 B
JWrj. Vanderheythuyfon of Olton.
Mifs Upwood */ Lynn.
Mr. John Ullithom */ Furnivals Inn.
Mrs. Anne Vincent of Doncafter.
Mr. Layer Vynn of Hethcrfet.
THE Honourable Lady Walter.
Tfctf Honourable Mifs Wcntworth.
The Lady Wentworth.
Mrs. Wcntworth.
The Honourable Mr. Winfor.
The Lady Wan? f N ft .
Mrs. Winn S *
Sir Edward Ward Bart.
Mifs Alithea Wynne.
Mifs Sophia Wodehoufe now Lady Morden. 2 Books.
Mr, Thomas Wodehoufe of Kimberley > M ^.rit.
Mrs. Wodehoufe ,/ Lcxharru 5 w Norfolk -
Taylor White %; 4 Book:.
George Wilmer /^j
Robert Ward Efa- t of Yarmouth.
Mrs. Ward.
Mr. Robert Ward Jtat.
Mifs Ward of York oi Mr/. Fag.
Mrs. Anne Eleanor Wharam.
John Wife Efq\ of Ripon.
Matthew Wilfon Efy of E(hto%
Mrs. Wilfon of Stanoe.
Mifs Wilfon of Bale.
Thomas Warkhoufe Eff, of Norwich.
Mr. Holt Ward of Norwich.
The Reverend Dr. Williams, Fellow cf St. JohnVCollege, Cam-
bridge.
The Reverend Mr. John Wilkinfon, Fellow tf Emanuel-College,
Cambridge, it. Books.
The- Reverend Mr. .Wetherhead ReSlor of Bolton in YorkOlire.
The Reverend Mr. Wetherhead Vicar of Thorp Arch.
The Reverend Mr. Wrightfon, Reflor of Hernfworth.
The Reverend Mr. Wighton, Vicar of Laughton in. Lincolnfb're.
Tb
SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.
The Reverend Mr. Whitaker, Vicar of Frezingficld.
Mrs, Widdrington.
Mrs. Wickham of Goifely.
Mr. Winder.
Mr. John Weblin, Alderman ofLjtm.
Mrs. Waterton of Walton.
Afr. Weft, Gent. Commoner of Queen's College, Oxford.
Mifs Warner of Elmham in Norfolk.
Mr. Williams of London.
Mr, Edmund Watts of Yarmouth*
Mrs. Elisabeth Watts of Bafton.
Mr. Francis Watts of Colnbridge Forge tn Yorkflu're.
Mrs Ward of Yarmouth Milliner.
Mr. John Watts of Kirkffal Forge ~\
Mifs Alice Watts of BarnfoalJ C in Yorkfliire.
Mrs. Anne Watfon of Barnfhall 3
Mr. Samuel Waud of York, Attorney at Laia.
Mr. Timothy Wylde of London.
Mr. Gooch Whaites of Lynn.
Mr. William Wheatlcy of Thornton Wood.
Mrs. Woods ? vr u
Mifs Molly Woods in Magdalen Street 5 "
Mr. James Warden of Yarmouth.
Mr. James Wingfield of Norwich.
Mift Waldegrave of Lynn.
Mr. Weddal of Kildwick in York/hire.
Mr. Thomas Wiatt of Harlefton.
Mr. Wefton of Norwich, Grocer.
Mrs. Whaley of Norwich.
Mifs Wilkinfon of Newhall.
Mr. John Whitwham of London. 6 Booh.
Francis Warter JT/j of the Six Clerks Office.
John Wogan Efq; 0/Emanuel- College, Cambridge.
Mifs Wogan of Lammas.
Mift Judith Walhington of Doncafter.
Mr. William Wright of the Exchequer.
Mr. Elias Woodfield of London, Apothecary.
Y.
1 H E Reverend Mr. Young Af . A.
POEMS
( 5 )
TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE
Earl of BURLINGTON.
My LORD,
H I LE you in gilded Palaces refide,
The Mufes Patron, and a Monarch's
[Pride }
And your bright Confort fwells the
\jhining Scents.
A meet Companion to the beft of Queens 5
While, juftly, both the Royal Favours mare,
The Toils of Empire Icflen'd by your Care :
B Far
6 foems on fever a j Occafions.
Far far remote I live, a lowly Maid,
In humble Solitude and rural Sha.de j
A Stranger to, &e Splendors f a Court,
Where Noble Lords aftd Princely Dames refort.
How (hall I then, in fo obfcure a State,
Ah ! with what Confidence addrefs the Great ?
UnfkiU'd in Converfe, and in Schools untaught,
Artlefs my Words, and unrefin'd my Thought :
What Numbers fhall I chufe, to foi-m a Lay
Th' incumbent Debt of Gratitude to pay ?
6 happy POPE, bleft with aufpicious Fate!
On whom the Mufes and the Graces wait,
Who never o'er the Silver Quill did bow,
But Floods of Harmony were furc to flow.
Would thy, vaft Genius lend me half itS:Fire,
An4 one &prt Hour my panting Breaft infpire 5
By
foems on Several Occa/ions. 7
By juft Degrees the {lately Verfe fhould grow,
And with ftrong Senfe the ftrong Expreflion glow ;
In one mort Hour a lafting Fame I'd raife,
And BURLINGTON (hould fmile upon my Lays,
To me the tuneful Art did ne'er belong j
Why (hould I then protract an erring Song ?
Yet when a Britijh Peer has deign'd to ftied
His gen'rous Favours on my worthlefs Head ;
Silent {hall I receive the welcome Boon ?
No j 'tis a Crime to take and not to own;
The Honour yet above the Gift I place,
When fuch high Names my humble Volume
[grace,
So much diftinguim'd by the Voice of Fame,
That ev'ry Author would the Sanction claim.
B ^
8 Teems on Several Occafions*
The FEMALE TRIUMPH*
SWELL'D with vain Learning, vainer Man
[conceives,
That 'tis with him the bright MINERVA
[lives ;
That me defcends to dwell with him alone,
And in his Breaft eredts her ftarry Throne:
Pleas'd with his own, to Female Reafon blind,
Fanfys all Wifdom in his Sex confin'd.
Proudly they boaft of Philolbphick Rules,
Of Modes and Maxims taught in various
[Schools,
And look on Women as a Race of Fools.
But if C A L i s T A'S perfect Soul they knew.
They'd own their Error, and her Praife purfuc.
Centred in her the brighteft Graces meet,
Treasures of Knowledge and rich Mines of Wit.
Her
feems on Several Occafions. 9
Her Thoughts are beautiful, refin'd and new,
Polifh'd her Language, and her Judgment true ;
Each Word deliver'd with that foft addrefs,
That as me fpeaks the melting Sounds we blefs.
O ! could I praife her without doing wrong,
Could to the Subjeft raife my daring Song \
Were I enrich'd with PR I o R'S Golden Vein,
Her would I fmg in an exalted Strain i
Her Merit in the nobleft Verfe proclaim,
And raife my own upon C A L i s T A'S Fame ;
Her elevated Senfe, her Voice, her Mien,
Her innate Goodnefs, and her Air ferene,
Should in my Lays to future Ages {hine,
And fome new Charm appear in ev'ry Line.
Fir'd with the Theme how great would be the
[Flight?
Jn what unbounded Numbers fliould I write !
B 3 Each
i o <Poems on Several Oceafions.
Each Line, each Word, would more majeftick
[grow,
And ev'ry Page with finifh'd Beauty glow.
But me alas the tuneful Nine difdain,
Scorn my rude Verfe, and mock my feeble Strain :
No kind Poetick Pow'rs defcend to fill
My humble Breaft, and guide my trembling
[Quill ;
My Thoughts, in rough and artlefs Terms ex-
[preft,
Are incorreft and negligently dreft.
Yet fure my juft Ambition all muft own V
The well-chofe Subject has my Judgment fhown '
And in the weak Attempt my great Pefign is I
j^known. J
foems on Several Occa/ions. \ i
A N
ANSWER
T O A
PANEGYRICK,
In which the unknown Author, writing
in the fajloral Style, fuppofes me
handfome.
\T7HO-e'er thouart, fo tuneful are thy Lays,
Tho' mifapply'd, I mufl approve the
[Praife.
The great Encomiums (not my Due) refufe,
Yet own the Force of thy fuperior Mufe.
O happy they, who live in rural Plains,
Where Shepherds fing in fuch melodious Strains !
Alas! my humble Thoughts could ne'er afpire
To equal thine, or emulate thy Fire:
B 4 My
1 ^ c Poems on Several Occafions.
My Songs th' attentive Nymphs with Ple.a.fure
[hear,
Becaufe in me no Rival-charms they fear.
My Shape erroneous, and my Stature low
Can to the Eye no dang'rous Beauty {how.
The lift'ning Youths, who at a diilance hear,
Secure of Freedom, may approach more near-
All I can boaft, is this one fingle Grant,
Juft Senfe enough to know how much I want :
Unfit to teach, the Office I decline,
And afk Inftrudtion from fuch Pens as thine
To MARINDA, at Parting.
T
HI NIC it not ftrange, that I profefs a
[Love
To one fo finim'd, and fo form'd to move:
In my fond Heart a tender Friendfhip grew,
Ere yet I could your pleafmg Image view :
The
on Several Occafions. 1 5
The deep ImprefTion in my Soul was made,
When firft I liften'd in the Jejfmin Shade ;
I mark'd the graceful Mufick of your Tongue,
And on your Words my whole Attention hung.
So ripe a Judgment, fuch a Flow of Wit,
So much Difcretion too commanding it,
In one fo young, till now I never knew:
What Praife what Honour to fuch Worth is due ?
Each fly ing Hour does unknown Charms unbind,
And opens more the Beauties of your Mind.
Your Converfation gives a folid Joy,
Which Abfence will too cruelly deflroy :
For Scenes of Happinefs are always fhort,
And we in vain the fleeting Pleafure court.
Since adverfe Fortune hurries you away,
And I in vain muft wifh your longer Stay,
Allow
1 4 Toews on Several Occaftons.
Allow me thus my new Diftrefs to paint,
Nor be offended at the kind Complaint.
Why, O ye P0wVj,that govern humanThought,
Was dearMARiNDA to my Knowledge brought?
Or, when difclos'd, why muft I lofe her Sight ?
O tranfient Pleafure ! O too fhort Delight !
Alas, how quick the joyous Moments pafs !
While thofe of Sorrow clog the lazy Glafs.
But fince we can't reverfe the Will of Fate,
Nor give our Woes, nor give our Joys a Date ;
J will at leaft fufpend my prefent Care,
And for your Safety offer up a Pray'r.
May friendly Angels their foft Wings difpla y
And be your Guard in ev'ry dang'rous Way :
May
foems on Several Occaflons. \
May all your future Life be bleft with Peace,
And ev'ry Day the Springs of Joy encreafe;
In ev'ry State may you moft happy be,
And tho' far diftant often think on me.
A
W J| THY are the Nuptial Rites folong delay'd?
Why is my Friend a yet-unbrided Maid ?
Methinks I fee your Lover's Heart beat high,
SwelPd with the Hopes of his approaching Joy ;
But finks again at this unkind Delay,
Left ought prevent the great, the folemn Day.
He begs, you'd make his future Pleafure fure,
Let him no more the Pangs of Doubt endure ;
No
1 6 ^Poems on Several Occa/tons.
No longer hold your Beauties from his Arms,
But fince 'tis fo ordain'd, refign your Charms,
Propitious HYMEN at the Temple {lands,
JHas fir'd his Torch, and waves his awful Hands,
Beckons you forward to the Sacred Shrine,
And bids you Now in faithful Union join,
The fportive Loves they too have waited long
By H YM E N'S Side ; a fond and tjufy Throng !
They grow impatient for the loit'ring Fair,
And fear to lofe the long-expected Pair.
Why are the Nuptial Rites fo long delay'd ?
Why is my Friend a yet-unbrided Maid ?
On
on Several Occq/tons.
On M A R i N D A'S Marriage,
'HE Day is come, the myftick Knot is ty'd,
And HYMEN laughs upon the beaut'ous
[Bride.
Amidft her Maids, fee gay MARINDA fhine,
Newly conducted from the Sacred Shrine:
Great Heav'n, the wife Difpofer of her Charms,
Configns them to a happy Lover's Arms:
Happieft among the Happy here below,
On whom th' indulging Fates fuch Gifts beftow.
In fair MARINDA'S Perfon is expreft,
All that can moft delight the Human Breaft.
Motion its Charms in full Perfection fpreads,
Where with a graceful Negligence flie treads,
And
1 8 tPoems on Several Qwajkns.
And Innocence, which might the Firft-born Pai?
Adorn, difplays itfelf in ev'ry Air.
Yet tho' her Form has various Beauties join'd,
It yields in Beauty to her brighter Mind :
Amidft the Virgin Train me firft is nam'd,
For Wit, for Eloquence, and Virtue, fam'd.
When-e'er me fpeaks, who ftrives not to be near ?
See warm'd Attention bend the lift'ning Ear \
With ftill Surprize, fee the fond Hearers gaze!
While ev'ry Heart beats Meafure to her Praiie :
Experienc'd Age may by her Youth be taught,
So fage Her Maxims, fo fublime her Thought.
But lo 1 the happy Bridegroom now draws nigh,
His Soul's in Triumph, and hk Heart beats high :
A livelier Red inflames his ain'rous Cheek,
And in his Voice the tend'reft Accents break :
With
*Poems tin Several Occafions. iy
With Looks erect, and with a manly Air
He meets the fofter Beauties of the Fair.
The dedicated Nymph each Thought employs,
See from his- Eyes the emanating Joys !
He feats himfelf with Pleafure by her fide,
And looks tranfported on his blufhing Bride.
Hail, wedded Pair ! O may your Union prove
The brighteft Pattern of Connubial Love !
And may this Day, felect by fmiling Fate,
Parent of Bleffings in your Nuptial State,
Revolving often with the rolling Years,
Ne'er bring lefs Joy than what the prefent wears,
Nor melancholy Cares, nor ftormy Strife,
Trouble the Tenour of your future Life.
And
io *Poems on Several Occa/ions,
And when the tender Pledges of your Love
In Years to come MARINDA'S Form improve.
New Charmers (yet unborn^ fhall fire the Mufe,
And endlefs Beauties endlefs Verfe diffufe.
'
f.
The Defenfe of my felf.
A Lady of my Acquaintance having fuffered
very much in a Law-Suit (which Jhe loft)
through the Malice and ^Perjury of a vile
Set of Men, and Jhe and her Family being
infulted in a barbarous and infolent manner
by the fame *Perfons, it occafaned me to
write afatyrical Song upon the Adverfaries
of my Friend. A certain Gentleman^ who
faw that Tiece, was f leafed to fend me a,
Toetlcal Letter ', which he entitled an Efay
on Satyr ; /';/ anjwer to which the following
Lines were fenrfd.
If Ngenious Monitor, whofe ev'ry Line
At once difplays the Poet and Divine;
Your
foems on federal Occajiori*. 2 1
Your tuneful Letter gladly I receive,
And Thanks to the judicious Authdr give.
Abafti'd, yet pleas'd, in fecret I perufe
The friendly Labours of your faithful Mufe.*
Confefs the Juftnefs of each candid Thought,
And felf-condemn'd am free to own my Fault;
Yet I might quote the Words of heav'nly Men
To juftify the Failures of my Pen*
Unhappy Children felt E L i s H A'S Rage,
When they defpis'd the Prophet's blafted Age 3
Deep Execrations on the Sinner's Head
Thro' all the Pfalmifts royal Strains are fpreads
Invectives there, with heavy Curfes, flow,
Such as I dare not wifh my greateft Foe.
What tho they're utter'd by the beft of Kings,
My bright Redeemer teaches kinder things j
C More
ii Poems on fever al Occajlons.
More gen'rous Precepts in his Gofpel (hine,
Mercy and Truth embelliftiing each Line,
And of all Virtues none I think fo fair,
None can with Chriftian Charity compare.
Tho' warm Refentment for an injur'd Friend
Provok'd my Spleen, and caus'd me to offend ;
Yet let me palliate an erroneous Song,
Aflert the Rage, but own th' Expreflion wrong.
When Indignation rifes in my Breaft,
It is the Sin, not Sinner I deteft :
Tho' angry Paffions in my Bofom roll,
Malice and Hate could ne'er debauch my Soul.
Asev'ry Grace from Heaven's high King defcends,
So Sin proceeds from Hell's malignant Fiends.
Bad Men their Agents oftentimes I name,
And may perhaps with too much Heat declaim :
But
Poems on federal Occa/toris. ^ j
But never yet did any Verfe of mine
Th' Offender to eternal Flames confign.
Not the ram Man, who, joyful to offend,
Drank deep Damnation to my deareft Friend :
Nor threaten'd Murder to my felf, could e'er
Extort a Sentence, that is fo fevere.
No, tho' harm Terms the Criminals purfue,
Yet whilft I blame 'em I forgive 'em too.
My utmoft Wim is that they might be brought,
To mourn the Mifchiefs which their Madnefs
[wrought.
But the leud Race of thefe degen'rate Times
Rejoice in Guilt, and triumph in their Crimes.
So cruel Nero once his Harp employ'd,
When his curfl Arts imperial Rome deftroy'd.
Thus far at leaft I've kept my Confcience free,
I've done no more than I'd have done to me,
C 2 Should
14 <Poems on federal Occajiom,
Should I at any time falfe Witnefs bear,
Opprefs a Widow or an Infant Heir :
If e'er I travel in the Wanton's Road,
Or with licentious Tongue prophane my God)
Infult my Neighbour, wound his honeft Fame*
Or with falfe Scandals blaft his precious Name.
For Crimes like thefe the Lam would be my Due,
I mould deferve it> and expect it too.
Yet think not, Sir, that your Advice is vain,
Who can be carelefs of fo fweet a Strain ?
Fools hate Reproof, and fcorn to be made wife,
But gen'rous Minds will prudent Counfel prize:
Th' inftrudtive Theme is wrought with fo mueh
[Art,
I'll wear the golden Precepts in my Heart*
The
3*oems on federal Occajions. 2 y
The Rules you give, I gladly would purfue,
But find the Tafk more adequate to you :
You beft can teach the Chriftian's facred Law,
And Vice in all her guilty Colours draw :
'Tis more than time you mould th' Attempt
[begin,
To check the monftrous growth of ev'ry Sin.
The daily Practice of unthinking Men
Loudly demands the Cenfor's (hiking Pen j
Divine A s T R E A from the Earth is fled,
And proud Oppreffion governs in her flead.
Pleafures forbid are lawlefsly enjoy 'd,
And Babes in Embryo fecretly deftroy'd :
Man preys on Man, the Tyrant gains Applaufe,
And few durft plead the injur'd Widow's Caufe.
Rapine, Revenge, Hypocrijy and Pride,
Dire Perjury^ cruel Uxoricide,
C 3 Pafs
2 6 'Poems on federal Occajions.
Pafs with Impunity in thde fad Days,
And fome ev'n dare the vilefl Ads to praife :
Tormenting Paffions tear the human Breafl j
For Minds implacable can never reft.
Avarice in fome does moft intenfely glow,
And Gold's the brighteft Deity they know.
The poor Man labours for his Bread in vain,
Whilft the ftern Mafter, heedlefs of his Pain,
Keeps back the Wages of his weekly Tafk,
And frowns and threatens, if he's bold to afk :
The weary Slave goes home with wat'ry Eyes,
And languishes for Nature's due Supplies.
The Mother and her Babes together mourn,
Finding no kind Relief at his return:
They all are pinch'd, all want the dear earn'd
[Stock
That fhould fuffice himfelf and little Flock.
Un-
VPoems on federal Occafions. 17
Un-nam'd, un-number'd Vices more there are,
Which well deferve your kind, correcting Care j
And while your friendly and judicious Page
Rebukes the Follies of this finful Age,
Your pious Arguments mall ftrongly move,
Enforc'd by Reafon and imprefs'd by Love ;
Shall flop the Venom of the Slanderer's Tongue,
And bold Opprejfirs ceafe from doing Wrong ;
Repenting Souls {hall humbly bow to Heav'n,
And fupplicating beg to be forgiv'n.
Where foft Humanity retains her Seat,
Your tender Lines will kind Acceptance meet ;
But let the Vengeance of thy Verfe be died,
In Terms of Terror, on the ferjurd Head :
C 4 Corred
1 8 Foems on federal Occajlons.
Correct with freedom, and with warmth reprove i
His Heart's too hard for gentle Strokes to move :
His Confcience fleeps, whilft mild Perfwafion
[charms,
And muft be wak' d by Dread and loud Alarms :
1
He (for you cannot well be too fevere)
A publick Mark of Infamy mould wear,
Left others fall in his perfidious Snare. I
From him, let Virtue's honeft Sons recede,
For 'tis a Crime to countenance the Deed.
Of all the Vices that I yet have nam'd,
ferj'rfs the blackeft, and mould moft be blam'd ;
It ftrikes whole Families in one fad Hour,
And quite fubverts the Legiflative Pow'r.
In vain are wholefome Laws for Juftice meant,
When faithlefs Oaths can fruftrate their Intent.
For
<Poems on fever a! Occafions. ^y
For other Faults fome little may be faid,
The Man of Pleafure is by Senfe betray 'd j
By beauteous Looks the Amrous are undone,
While native Frailty helps their Ruin on,
Delicious Morfels court the Glutton's Tafte,
t
And he offends at the luxurious Feaft.
The fparkling Glafs allures the Drunkard's Eye,
It warms his Blood and lifts his Spirits high ;
He drinks, grows mad, becomes a guilty Soul,
Deceiv'd by the inebriating Bowl.
And Cholerlck Men, by Provocation fir'd,
Are with a tranfient Lunacy infpir'd :
In height of Rage they deal the hafty Blow,
And inadvertent ftrike at Friend or Foe ;
Without Defign a hafty Blow may kill :
The perjur'd Man's deliberately 111.
\
Tis
?o Toems on federal Occajions.
'Tis not an inconfiderate, fudden Start,
He meditates the Mifchief in his Heart:*
'Tis all injurious, wicked, full of Spite,
And not one Senfe regal'd with foft Delight.
t
So far from Pleafure is the cruel Fact,
That Nature fhrinks in the detefled Act.
Shews her Abhorrence, and her deep Regrets,
In trembling Agonies, and dewy Sweats.
But the bold Sinner fcorns to quit the Field,
Refolv'd he fwears, and Nature's forc'd to yield.
Affronted Confcience too retires to Reft,
And fleeps unadlive in his guilty Breaft.
Till Death or fome kind Monitor, like you,
Shall with ftrong Hand the difmal Scene renew,
Shall fling his Bofom with unwonted Pain,
And make him wim for Innocence again.
CLEMENE'S
IPoems on feveraJ Occajions.
CLEMENE'S Character.
A
S Painters, when they firft defign a Face,"\
With chalky Lines the beauteous Fea- >
[tures trace, I
And only (hadow out the future Grace, ->
The various Tindlures, that appear fo fair,
The Mailer Strokes, that give it Life and Air^
Are wanting yet, and that, which now we fee,
Is but the Type of what it ought to be.
So I that would CLEMENE'S Picture painr,
That fmifh'd Beauty, and that perfect Sairit;
Having no Colours for a Piece fo fine,
Muft only mark it with a pallid Line.
But
j ^ Toems on federal Qccafioni.
But the rich Shades and intermixing Light,
Which ought to rife in native Glory bright,
The ornamental Touch, the moving Grace,
Leave for a more diftinguifli'd Hand to place ;
That knows orig'nal Beauties to diiplay,
And breathing Charms in living Colours lay.
CLEMENE is with ev'ry Virtue fraught,
All pure in Adtion, and unftain'd in Thought -,
All that can Love an<J Admiration raife,
All that excites our Wonder or our Praife,
Does in her Perfon with full Vigour blaze.
/
Never did Form and Mind more juftly fit,
The faireft Beauty with the brighteft Wit.
Her Prudence mines in ev'ry Scene of Life 3
A tender Mother and a faithful Wife -,
Referv'd
on fever al Occafions. 3 j
Referv'd and Chafte as Innocence fhould be*
But yet from formal Affectation free.
Whene'er me fpeaks, 'tis more than Joy to hear,
So fweet her Voice, fo grateful to the Ear.
Her gentle Nature with foft Pity's crown'd,
She does fo much in Tendernefs abound,
That not an Infect in her Sight is flain,
But kind CJLEMENE fuffers half the Pain.
O ! moft exalted Elegance of Thought !
Which feels each little Tragedy that's wrought*
She truly is of ev'ry Grace pofleft,
That can in lovely Woman be expreft.
Here Beauty, Wifdom, Virtue, all combine
To make the Workmanfhip appear Divine*
Can me be lefs than Favourite of Heaven,
To whom thefe bright Advantages are given ?
} 4 foems on fever al Occajtons.
Is (he the Darling of Superiour Pow'rs?
Can fhe be their's and (hall (he not be Our's ?
Since ev'ry Good, fince Gifts all perfect flow
From Heav'n's high Lord, to Mortals here below ;
To Heav'n's high Lord my humble Voice Til raife,
And with the good CLEMENE join in Praife:
For all that fhe enjoys his Name I'll blefs,
And beg his Favours never may be lefs.
To CLEMENE.
the fume, early in the Spring^ occajioned by
her taking a journey, and my retiring into
the Country foon after.
w
Heree'er I go, or whatfoe'er I do,
How pleafing 'tis to tell it all to you !
Hear
Toems on federal Occa/ions. 3 j
Hear then, aufpicious Miftrefs of my Theme,
What now I dictate by a purling Stream.
The Grief, by your Departure firft impreft,
Encreafing grew a Burden at my Breaft :
Depriv'd of you, I fought no new Delight,
Nothing could pleafe but Solitude and Night :
Thefe fuited beft my melancholy Mind,
Which no Redrefs in length of time could find :
Penfive and fad, in fecret flill I griev'd,
Till foothing Scenes my anxious Pain reliev'd.
By a kind Friend oft courted, I repair
To breathe the Fragrance of the Country Air :
Here oft in Silence by myfelf I rove,
In Paths perplex'd thro' all the naked Grove,
Yet find a Pleafure in the fylvan Scene,
Void as it is of ornamental Green.
The
j 6 Toems on fever dl Occafions.
The Primrofe oft I fee, fcented and pale
Adorn the rifing Hill, or finking Vale :
Near it (for Nature flains with various Dies)
The Violet does in purple Odours rife,
Which with defcending Hand I flrait arreft,
Pluck the young Flow'rs, and plant them in my
[Breaft :
And then reflect, were my CLEMENE here,
How foon would I the Vernal Pride transfer ?
Pleas'd, if I could the early Buds convey
To Thee more fweet, to Thee more fair than
[they.
The Charms of Nature, wherefoe'er I go$
In lovely Negligence her Beauties mow.
A Flood tranfparent in Meanders glides,
The filver Swan upon its Surface {Tides.
Within its Current fports the fcaly Breed,
And on its Bank up {hoots the bending Reed 5
3 Around
on federal Oceafions. 37
Around, the verd'rous Meads extended lye,
And with new Graces catch my wand'ring Eye,
Sometimes I mark th' Indofures wooded Rows,
Whofe fwelling Banks luxurioas growth difclofe:
And on their doping fides difplay to view,
A thoufand Shrubs of difFrent iize and hue.
A Mind contemplative has Joy in thefe,
Whofe various Figures can fo juftly pleafe.
For while I view the Products of the Spring,
I find a G o D in the minuteft Thing.
I grow infpir'd, and hardly can reftrain
The ftruggling Mufe, that would begin again,
Prompts me again to view the Wonders round.
The genial Springs and ornamented Ground.
Bids me behold but with aftonifh'd Eyes
The bright Expanfion of the vaulted Skies j
D Th
363751
3 8 foems on fever al Occafions*
The radiant Planet, that enkindles Day,
And warms the World with his benignant Ray :
From Caufes numberlefs I might explore
The CAUSESUPREME, and as I write, adore.
Oh ! had I Time and Judgment to indite,
The pious Mufe mould not in vain excite :
Her noble Dictates gladly I'd rehearfe,
And drefs my Theme in the fublimeft Verfe,
Expatiate on the Miracles I fee,
And dedicate the finifh'd Piece to Thee.
Toems on fever alOcea/ions.
T
The i gpth PSALM.
HOU haft, O Lord, my fecret Soul defcfy'i
Searched thro' my Heart, and ev'ry Corner
[try'd i
My Sitting down and my Uprifing are,
Within the Bounds of thy extenfive Care*
Far off, my Thoughts were open to thy View'j
Ere yet my Brain the young Conceptions kneWi
With number'd Steps, I walk a meafur'd Way$
Environ'd and encompafs'd all the Day i
And, bending to my Bed, each gloomy Night$
I lay me down, and flumber ia Thy Sight*
What need my Tongue my confcious Sileneg
[break?
Thou know'ft my Words, before my Words 1
[fpeak,
D i t
40 Tvems on federal Qna/lons. '
I am befet, as with an armed Band,
And faft enclos'd with thy reftraining Hand j
Thy Knowledge does to ev'ry thing extend,
Which my weak Reafon cannot comprehend.
Oh! whither mall I from thy Prefence fly?
Or where conceal me from thy piercing Eyfc ?
If I to Heav'n could climb the ftarry Way,
And thro' the mining Path my felf convey,
To thy full View I clearly muft be mown,
For there thou reign'ft on thy eternal Throne.
Or fhould I to infernal Caves repair,
Thou ftill would'ft fee me, thou art prefent there.
Nor would it ought avail if I mould flee,
Where humid Sun-beams rifing leave the Sea ;
Ev'n there thy Hand my wat'ry Way muft guide,
And bear me fafely o'er the dang'rous Tide.
Or
on feveral Qccajions. 4 1
Or if I fay, the Darknefs fhall conceal
What bufy Light's detecting Beams reveal ;
Thy fearching Eye will the deep Gloom pervade,
And Night it felf be deftitute of Shade.
The thickeft Darknefs can no Cov'ring be,
For Light and Darknefs mine alike to Thee :
The Shadows flee before thy piercing Ray,
With Thee 'tis ever un-remitting Day.
Thou haft pofleft my very Reins and Heart,
And Life by Thee is ftretch'd thro' ev'ry Part ;
For me thou didfl the nurfing Womb prepare,
And lodg'd me fafe from cold inclement Air.
Thee will I fing, dwell on thy Praifes long,
Thou Theme of Angels, and the Seraph's Song!
Alas I do not, cannot underftanc}
The fearful Wonders of thy forming Hand.
D 3 But
4* <Poems on fever al Occa/ions.
put yet my Soul does all thy Pow'r confeft,
And owns it great to an extreme excefs.
To thee, my previous Subftance did appear,
Unfelt by her, who did the Subftance bear.
Ere yet the fwelling Womb its Burden knew,
While unperceiv'd the lifelefs Matter grew ;
In low and fecret Darknefs was I wrought,
And finely modell'd by Creating Thought.
My Infant Form to thee difcover'd was,
Wrapt in a crude infeparated Mafs j
And all my little Limbs thou didft behold, ^
Within thy Book thou hadft them all enroll'd, y
Which lengthened Time did fafhion and unfold. J
Thy gracious Thoughts, how boundlefs they
[appear !
ffpw to my Soul beyond Expreffion dear !
on federal Occasions. 45
In vain I try to count thy Mercies o'er,
The Sands are fewer on the Sea-beat Shore,
Thou art an ever-prefent God to me,
When I awake, I find my felf with Thee,
Sure thou wilt flay the Wicked and Unjuft,
Leave me,ye Fools, who make not God your Trufl.
Unrighteous Men thy holy Ways prophane,
And boldly take thy mighty Name in vain.
I hate them, Lord, who fpeak to thy Difpraife,
And grieve to fee thy violated Ways.
With fierceft Rage my angry Bofom glows,
And with my own I number all thy Foes,
Search me again, O God, and try my Heart,
Left fecret Guilt (hould lurk in any Part.
D 4 Cleanfe
44 foems on federal Occafions.
Cleanfe ev'ry Stain and guide me in the Way "Y
That upwards fhall my happy Soul convey, >
To dwell with thee in everlafting Day. J
To a Gentleman who quejtioned
my being the Author of the
foregoing Verjes.
OIR, 'tis allow'd, as it has oft been faid,
Poets are only Born, and never Made.
Where Nature does her friendly Warmth exert,
A Genius may fupply the Pedant's Art.
Hence 'tis, that I, unletter'd Maid, pretend
To paraphrafe a Pfalm, or praife a Friend 5
Wholly unpractis'd in the learned Rules,
And arduous Precepts of the noify Schools ;
Nature's
foems on feveral Occa/fons. 45
Nature's ftrong Impulfe gives my Fancy Wings :
Prompted by her, I fing of various Things,
A flow'ry Meadow, or a purling Stream,
And Notes that differ with the difFring Theme.
But ftill the Poem, howfoe'er defign'd,
Is a true Picture of the Author's Mind.
Whatever I write, whatever I impart,
Is fimple Nature unimproved by Art.
Search but thofe Strains, you think fo much ex-
[cel,
Scan ev'ry Verfe, and try the Numbers well :
You'll plainly fee, in almoft cv'ry Line,
Diftinguifhing Defedts to prove them Mine*
On
46 foems on fever al Occafions.
On tie Death of Mifs MOLLY
LOMBE,
InfcriVd to Mrs. Lombe.
INfatiate Death ! could'ft thou not glut thy
[Rage
With hoary Vidtims bent with Care and Age ?
Whofe weighty Sorrows with their years encreafe,
Invoke thy Pow'r, and beg for a Releafe ;
Oh ! why muft this fair Child refign her Breath ?
Thy blooming Sacrifice, infatiate Death !
In her fweet Form, united Graces ftrove
To raife our Fondnefs, and allure our Love.
Her Infant Tongue with broken Accents fraught,
Half-form'd her Words, yet perfecT: was her
[Thought.
Suie
onfeveral Occajions. 47
Sure dawning Reafon ne'er appear'd fo ftrong,
Ne'er fhone fo bright before in one fo young,
i
Oft has the Mother, with fond Tranfport, preft
The little Charmer to her tender Breaft j
Would round her Neck her happy Arms extend,
And promife to her felf a future Friend.
But Fate unkind has all her Wifhes croft,
And with the Child the promis'd Friend is loft.
In vain do we expecl: a diftant Joy,
When one fhort Moment can our Hopes deftroy.
For oh! {he's gone! her Parents left to mourn
The fweeteft Innocent that e'er was born !
The Glafs is broke, hardly a Minute run,
And Life is finifh'd tho* but new begun.
Methinks,
48 T0OTJ on feveral Qcc,4/fons.
Methinks, I fee the Father's Sorrows flow*
And hear the Mother vent her rifing Woe >
Alas ! my Child, my darling Child is dead,
My paft Delight and future Pleafure fled.
The rich Endowments of her Youth are gone,
Th' expelled Wonders of her Age are flown ;
Silent's the Tongue that once could move fo fweer,
With Words to,p wife for Children to repeat.
See ! where (he lyes, extended, void of Breath,
And all her Beauties fwallow'd up in Death :
His icy Hand does all her Sweetnefs blaft,
And to the Ground the faded Bloffom's eaft:
Ah ! why am I preferv'd fuch Grief to fee ?
Would I had dy'4, my 4eareft Babe, for Thee !
Thus Nature prompts, thus Fondnefs will
n T. r [complain,
twt Reafon dictates in another Strain j
She
Toems vnftWrnlOvcfijfaits. 49
She chides our Tears, and bids us wipe our"
[Eyes,
To view the little Saint in Paradife,
With Glory crown'd, and never ending Joys.
And, Thou bright Nymph, ; to whom her
[Birrh (he owes j
Toeafe thy Pain^ and mitigate thy Woes,
Reflect; to thee the mighty Favour's giv'n
To fee thy honour'd Offspring call'd to Heav'n;
Remov'd from hence to a divine Abode,
And. made the bleft Companion of a God.
That God who ftill thy LUCIA'S Life doth fpare,
The only Branch of thy maternal Care.
This tender Plant mail flourifli in thy Dome,
An Earnefl of his Favours yet to come :
Then ceafe thy Grief, fair Mourner, thou (hale
[fee,
Unnumber'd Bleffings are referv'd for Thee.
5 o Toems on fever al Occafioirs.
fo the fame, on the JBirth of her SON*
RISE, drooping Mufe, contract thy falling
[Wing,
My Friend is fafe, and thou haft leave to fing :
Co, and in humble Strains addrefs the Fair,
Of late thy weightieft and thy only Care :
The happy Mother in foft Numbers greet,
And lay the tuneful OfPring at her Feet.
She now is from the painful Conflict free,
And Joy arifes in a juft Degree.
Tell her with Pleafure I behold her Son,
Whofe Prefence muft his Sifter's Lofs attone :
So kind, fo careful, is indulgent Heav'n
To cafe the Pain, whene'er a Wound is giv'rh
May
foems on federal Qcca/ions. 5 1
May this young Branch, this Prop of future
[Years,
This prefent Object both of Hopes and Fears,
Live and encreafe in Stature and in Fame,
And be the Glory of his Father's Name :
May He the Genius of the LOMBES poflefs,
Their depth of Thought, Sagacity, Addrefs :
That boundlefs Fancy, that furprizing Skill,
Which {hews its Pow'r extenfive as its Will.
Be all thefe noble Qualities his own,
Which are in Them fo eminently mown :
And that he may the more illuftrious mine,
To thefe, may all his Mother's Virtues join ;
May He her^ Piety and Beauty (hare,
And be her Merit's more than Fortune's Heir :
Then, nothing will be wanting to compleat, *\
This happy Child, this Favourite of Fate, >
So throughly perfect, and fo truly great. J
5 1 foe ms on fewral Occafons.
To the Sun y in A cold dry Seafon.
PARENT of Light, whofe ever-ftiining
[Ray,
Quickens the Globe, and kindles up the Day :
Colled thy Force, thy Ardors all prepare,
To mitigate and warm the frigid Air :
Send forth, bright Prince, a more extenfivc
[Glow,
And let us feel thy chearing Pow'rs below.
Let humid Vapours leave their native Streams,
Exhal'd from thence by thy attracting Beams >
In rifing Mifts our Ev'ning Walks attend,
And kindly on the foft'ning Earth defcend.
Or elfe, invifibly expanding, rife
Mix into Clouds, and float along the Skies ;
There all the Day in bright Sufpenfion ftay'd,
And beautiful by thy Reflection made ;
Border'd
<Poems on federal Occaftons. 5 j
Border'd with Gold, or ting'd with purple Hue,
Like rich Emboflings on a Ground of Blue,
To the pleas'd Eye prefent a gaudy Scene,
Whilft the pure ./Ether heav'nly looks between*
Let nightly Show'rs refrefh the thirfty Earth,
And daily Fervors give her Plants a Birth :
Beneath our Feet the flow'ry Buds fliall fpring,
And on each fide the wing'd Muficians fing :
Th' indulgent Skies (hall blefs the Peafant's Toil,
Call forth rich Crops, and make all Nature fmile.
Then (hall MECENAS grace his rural Seat,
Healthful and happy in a warm Retreat :
The neighbouring Towns by his dear Prefence
[bleft,
Shall hail and welcome the illuftrious Gueft :
MARIA too the general Joy will (hare,
Applaud his Merit, and divide his Care :
E For
5 4 foems on federal Occa/tons*
For like thy Beams, his gen'rous Virtues fpread,
And fhine benignant on the humble Head.
'Defence of MYRTILLO *.
LONG hath it been the Critick's poor
[Delight,
To damn the Piece, they wanted Senfe to
[write.
Where-e'er fuperior Qualities abound,
The fnarling Crew too furely will be found :
MYRTILLO now provokes their venom'd Wit,
He has excell'd, and therefore merits it.
But the bright Youth above their Malice fhines,
Secure in his unperimable Lines:
* The Poems here vindicated make up a fmall Volume puhlijhed by
the Author at \ 8 Tears of Age, under the Title of Poems on feveral
Occafions, by a young Gentleman, and printed for W. Meat's, at
the Lamb 'without Temple-Bar. 1 724. Price i s. bd.
So
Poems on feveral Oceajions. 5 j
So barking Curs purfue the gen'rous Horfe,
Who bleft with nobler Parts arid greater Force,
Difdains their little Fury to engage,
And is unrnov'd at fuch enervate Rage.
Here I ftiould flop, left I my felf expofb
To the Refentment of MYRTILLO'S Foes*
For what am I, a poor illit'rate Maid,
That durft their learn'd Authority invade ?
True ; but my Safety is in being mean,
A foolim Thing, that's plac'd below their Spleen,'
Yet had I Merit to deferve their H ate,
I'd mock their Cenfure and provoke my Fate.'
Judicious Heat my glowing Bofom fires,
And equitable Rage my Soul infpires*
I hate the carping Tribe, their Knowledge flight,
Nor would enjoy their Learning with their Spite.
E 2 Void
j 6 foems on federal Occafions.
Void of their Envy and its pointed Stings,
I tafte Good-nature's more delightful Springs.
Where I fee Merit, I admire it too,
A gen'rous Virtue which they never knew.
With Pleafure I MYRTILLO'S Lines perufe,
The charming Produces of a vig'rous Mufe.
All that is foft, that's delicate and fine,
Does in his Verfe in namelefs Beauties join.
Such moving Language and the Senfe fo flrong,
While ev'ry Grace adorns the pleafing Song :
Nature and Art, to give me Joys, unite,
And ev'ry Word adminiflers Delight.
But, if there's ought defective or untrue,
Take it, ye Criticks, That belongs to you.
Sent
on federal Occaflons. 5 7
Sent to a Lady with MYRTILLO'S
Toems.
H
ADIMYRTiLLo's Judgment to indite,
And could his foft, tranfporting Numbers
[write :
I then might hope to paint thy ev'ry Grace,
And beauteoufly in native Order place
The meeting Virtues j perfectly impreft
On facred Sheets, in thy Ethereal Bread.
Thee only for my fav'rite Theme I'd chufe,
The fit Employment of a lawrell'd Mufe :
I then would try the utmoft Force of Art,
And with All-conqu'ring Verfe invade your
[Heart :
The Pow'rs of Wit and Poetry mould join,
And Words, like his, improve each fprightly
[Line ;
E 3 Till
5 8 foeffls on fever al Occafiom.
Till Harmony, to juft Perfection brought,
Should find a Charm for the fevereft Thought,
I'd bribe your Favour with fo rich a Strain,
That niceft Caution mould be us'd in vain.
Stricteft Referves without Succefs be try'd,
^nd Terms of high Diftindlion thrown afide.
Ev'n you, my great Superior, fhould defcend
Humbly to wear the milder Name of Friend.
Kind Epithet ! which only to repeat
Gives tp my Heart a more exalted Heat,
And makes it with redoubled Motions beat.
<poems on federal Occafions.
To CLEMENE, leaving tie Country
in Autumn.
F
ROM ruin'd Shades, where chilling Breezes
[rife,
To warmer Climes the fair CLEMENE flies.
The lovely Spring with blooming Sweets is fled,
Its chearful Greens and gay Productions dead ;
And wealthy Summer has refign'd her Throne,
With all the Treafures that around her {hone.
Bleak Autumn comes, and with her killing Blafts
From their high Tops the fading Honours calls :
The warbling Birds in fainter Accents fing,
And feem to languid* for the diftant Spring,
So do I for my loft CLEMENE mourn,
And penfively implore her wiih'd Return :
E 4 From
60 <Poems on federal Occa/ions.
From whofe improving Converfe I receive,
More Joy than any of the Seafons give,
On BEAUTY.
SURE, Beauty is a Light Divine,
That does with awful Luftre mine j
Rifes more ftrong at ev'ry View,
And does the proudeft Hearts fubdue.
Where is the Man, that.durft defy
The bloomjng Cheek and dazling Eye 5
The lovely Shape, the winning Air,
And graceful Motions of the Fair ?
Stoicks themfelves could find no Arms
'Gainft Beauty's bright tremendous Charms ;
This CATO by Example prov'd,
A rigid Stoick, yet he lov'd :
And
foems on federal Occafiom. 6 1
And both his am'rous Sons difplay'd
Their rival Flames for one fair Maid.
Beauty ftill triumphs o'er the Schools,
With all their Philofophick Rules ;
She breaks their fureft beft Defence,
Reafon, the feeble Guard of Senfe.
All feel her Force, her Laws obey,
Compell'd to own her potent Sway.
But 'tis th' unblemifh'd Form I praife,
Where VIRTUE mines with equal Rays !
For Beauty, ftain'd, has loft her Pow'r,
And, VIRTUE gone, flie charms no more.
6 ^ foems on federal Occajions.
To BELL ARIA, looking at P ^HI-
LANDER, as he counterfeited
Sleep in an jilcove.
WHILE mimick Slumbers clofe PHI-
[L A N D E R'S Eyes,
BELLARIA views him with a foft Sur-
prize.
Not CYNTHIA with morePleafure e'er furvey'd
Her dear ENDYMION, on Mount LATMOS laid :
Nor was the Youth poffeft. of nobler Charms,
Altho* a Goddefs took him to her Arms,
Lovely Impoftor, ope thy piercing Eye,
And warn the-dazled Nymph from Death to fly.
For while you veil the fair, deftru&ive Light a
Too fafe, and yet too fatal is the Sight,
*Poems on federal Qccapons. <5j
Turn, heedlefs Maid, the tempting Danger
[fhun,
Who dares to look, is fure to be undone.
While negligently thus the Charmer lies,
To full Advantage in this fair Difguife ;
Fearlefs we view the Wonders of his Face,
Run o'er each Line, and ev'ry Beauty trace :
Unaw'd, the whole harmonious Form furvey,
And fondly gaze our Liberty away.
Thus, Madam, tho' I fing PHILANDER'S Praife,
And talk with Freedom in advifing Lays ;
Tho' I prefume his Perfon to commend,
Yet fear no Rival in a faithful Friend :
Far from my Thoughts fuch Infolence remain.
Who never durfl indulge a Wifli fa vain:
Love does not always move the Poet's Pen,
You are more dear -than all the Race of Men;
6 4 *Poems on federal Occa/ionsl
'Tis for your fake PHILANDER is ador'd>
B E L L A R i A'S Fav'rite but M A R i A'S Lord.
A "Petition to a Steel TUmlle,
which a Lady usually wore in
her Bofom ; wrote at the Re-
quejt of a Gentleman.
GO to thy own beloved Neft,
Where thou fo often tak'ft thy Reft :
There, while thou doft in Ambufh lie,
Securely hid from ev'ry Eye,
Steal foftly to her Heart, and fee,
If any Room be left for me ;
And if one Place be unpoffefs'd,
Fit to receive fo true a Gueft ;
Be
Teems on fever a! Occajions.
Be Thou my Advocate, and tell
What Flames within my Bofom dwell.
Say, that my Paflion is iincere,
Say, that I beg to enter there :
And, if by Thy prevailing Art,
I gain Admiffion to her Heart ;
If, by this Stratagem of Thine,
The Nymph to Kindnefs mall incline j
My Friend I will efteern thee more
Than ought that e'er thy Figure bore :
Unenvious then, I will intreat
That thou may'ft keep thy downy Seat :
A League with thy bright Metal feal,
And Gold mall yield its Fame to Steel.
66 ^Poems on-fewer al Occafions.
To MA RIND A, on the New-
year, being the fir ft, Tear of her
Marriage.
s
INCE you, MARINDA, whom I deardl
[prize,
Muft live fecluded from my longing Eyes ;
With-held by Abfence from my friendly Arms,
And leave me only Images of Charms :
Vain is my Voice, that would my Thoughts im-
[part,
And mew the tender Dictates of my Heart.
In vain I flrive, with Friendfhip's fondeftPhraTe,
To fpeak my Kindnefs, and enhance thy Praife ;
The flying Sound, too weak to reach fo far,
Dies in its Progrefs and is loft in Air,
The Tafk does chiefly to the Pen belong,
And the drench'd Quill muft aid the failing
[Tongue :
2 This
foems on federal Occajions. 67
This Paper muft my Substitute appear,
To bring you Greeting on the New-born Yean
O may each Hour of its diftinguim'd Round
Pafs fmiling by,with Health and Pleafure crown'd.
Be Thine, whatever happy Mortals know ~,
Round thy fair Head may endlefs Bleflings flow:
Far from thy Breaft may ev'ry Care remove,
But what arifes from endearing Love :
May'ft thou enjoy, whatever thy Heart defires >
And bleft with all thy virt'ous Soul requires,
See the whole Year with new Delights draw on,
And know no Pain, but that which brings a Son.
'Another
T*v
6 8 foe ms on federal Occafiont.
Another on the fame.
TO you, my Friend, my deareft beft Delight,
In fond Epiftles I could ever write :
For fince your Merit and your Form I knew,
My kindeft Thoughts have all been turn'd to you=
Whate'er my fearching Soul has moil admir'd,
Whate'er my warmeft Wifhes have requir'd,
To meet in one, that mould my Heart divide^
In whom I might an equal Truft confide,
I find in Thee moft perfectly expreft;
Thou faithful Inmate of my fecret Breaft I
Thou art complete, thou haft no Faults to mend,
My moft engaging and inftructive Friend.
Thou art become my chief and conftant Care,
The precious Burden of my daily Pray'r :
i And
Foems on federal Occa/ions* 69
And now the Year, to a full Period brought,
Inflames my Zeal, and wakes each pious Thought.
Deign then the Purport of my Soul to know,
See what Defires within my Bofom glow.
O Thou ! who doft Eternity poflefs,
Who never canft be more or ever lefs,
Who flill unchang'd for ever malt remain,
The Firft and Laft, confirm'd in endlefs Reign 5
Moft gracious Father, thy Indulgence mow,
(If Sinners may prefume to call thee fo)
While for my felf and one more dear I plead,
Incline thine Ear, and my Defires fucceed*
For our Offences paft, Remiflion grant,
And give us all things which our Frailties want.
Preferve us thro* the Year we now begin
From Sorrow, from Difeafe, and ev'ry Sin.
4 . F For
/o &oem$ onfeveralOcca/tons.
For all thy boundlefs Love my Thanks receive
And let thy Servants in thy Favour live.
Her, whom I moft efleem, do thou prefer,
O, let thy brighteft Gifts be fav'd for her.
And while my Pray'rs before thy Throne afcend,
Blefs me, my God, and doubly blefs my Friend.
Upon his late Majefty's going to
Sea, in June 1724.
c
OME, gentle Winds, and with propitious
[Gales,
Triumphant fill a mighty Monarch's Sails :
Swift and fecure, B RI TAN N i A'S King convey
O'er the fmooth Surface of a fmiling Sea.
Weeping Religion, with a waving Hand,
Beckons our Sovereign to a diflant Land j
Requires
foems on fiver al Occq/tons. 71
Requires his Aid her Altars to reftore ;
Waft him, ye Winds, to the inviting Shore !
Methinks, I lee the royal Veflel glide
With happy Omens thro' the yielding Tide :
Round her gilt Sides a wanton Dolphin plays,
And boldly aims at Majefty to gaze.
While, from above, defcending Angels fpread
Their facred Wings o'er his anointed Head.
AfTembled Kings for his Arrival wait,
And Nations from his Mouth muft meet their
[Fate.
Tremble, ye Poles, at your approaching Dooms,
BRITANNIA'S King, the Tyrant's Terror, comes :
Near and more near the rapid Vengeance draws,
For violated Faith and injur'd Laws.
Juftice and Mercy warm his Royal Breaft,
Foe to th' Oppreflbr, Friend to the Opprefl.
F 2 Ye
7 * <Poems on federal Occafions. \
Ye widow'd Mourners, whofe dear Kindred
[fell
A bloody Sacrifice to Romijh Zeal j
Raife your declining Heads, and ceafe to grieve,"|
For what your own Auguftus will not give, >
Ye fhall ere long from jufler Pow'rs receive. J
BRITAIN'S dread Lord and PRUSSIA'S awful
[King
Shall to your Aid united Succours bring.
I G N A T i u s' plotting Sons, wich Lips prophane,
M A R Y'S dumb Image fhall invoke in vain :
Each Statue fam'd for Miracles adore,
Roll o'er their Beads, and fanfy'd Help implore.
From mere mechanickForms,dreflup for fhow,"j
From Mortals dead a thoufand Years ago ; >
Deluded Fools ! what Help can they beflow ?J
How fmall will be your courted Idols Aid,
When Force fuperior fhall your Land invade ?
To
foems on fevera/ Occ a/tons. 7 j
To whofe bright Arms your painted Gods muft
[bow,
The weak Ador'd, and blind Adorers too.
To MYRTILLO, defering him
to write a Poem on the Corona-
tion of their prefent Majefties.
w
HEN Sounds of Triumph ev'ry Tongue
[employ,
And Nations labour withExcefs of Joy ;
When dazling Scenes the ravifli'd Mufe invite,
To Paths of Fame and Profpe&s of Delight ;
Why does the Silver Quill neglected lie ?
Or why the fable Stream ftand ufelefs by ?
The fpotlefs Paper filently complains.
And feems to beg for thy enriching Stains.
F 3 Inimitable
74 foems on fever al Occa/ions.
Inimitable Youth ! begin the Song,
Which does to thy fuperior Pen belong.
Collect thy Genius, fan thy native Fire,
And let BRITANNIA'S Blifs thy Soul infpire.
To royal Themes thy tuneful Numbers raife,
And for a while forget S A P H i R A'S * Praife.
Let fanguine Verfe the mighty GEORGE proclaim,
-And fofteft Notes fpeak CAROLINA'S Name.
Thou, whofe rich Thoughts with vaft Concep-
[tions fwell,
Can beft their Goodnefs.and their Glory tell :
* There is jufl now publijhed a new Edition of the Poems to Sa-
phira, with the following Title, The Ladies Mufe, or a curious
Collection of Poems to Sapbira, on various Occafions ; to which
is added, the Turtle and Sparrow, by Matthew Prior Efq; Printed
for Richard Wellington at the Dolphin and Crown without Temple-
Bar, and E. Lewes in Flower-de Luce Court near Fetter-lane in
Fleetftreet. The artful Ambiguity with which this Title is drawn
up, is evidently intended by the faid Bookfellers to pafs the whole
Collegian upon the World for the Work of Mr. Prior, much to the
Injury of that excellent Poet ; to clear whofe Memory from the Im-
putation of being the Author of Writings below his Genius, the true
Author of thofe Poems takes this occajion to declare, that if Mr. Prior
has any Property in that Collection, it is only in the Tale of The
Turtle and Sparrow.
O!
Teems on federal Occafions. 77
O ! quickly the unerring Song prepare,
I pant, I long the rapt'rous Strains to hear.
The Heir of ARTHINGTON,
infer ib^d to Mrs. A R T H i N G-
TONT.
WHILST num'rous Friends, who come*
[with warm Addrefs,
In common Profe uncommon Joy ex-
[prefs;
Let fprightly Numbers make my Pleafure known,
And hail the blooming Heir ofARTHiNGTON.
For fair Events, and Joy that is extreme,
Were ever Thought the Mufes proper Theme.
What Scene more joyous ? what Event more fair ?
A new-born Son ! a long-requefled Heir !
Whofe welcome Birth preferves a large Domain.
Him will I ling: (accept the fervent Strain)
F 4 A
76 Poems on fevered Occajions.
A Son and Heir ! let Eccho fpread it round
While the Mufe dwells on the delighting Sound.
Diftinguifh'd be the Day, that gave him Birth,
And dedicated to fuperior Mirth.
May future Bleflings mark the rifing Morn,
As it fhall make its annual Return.
Shine, happy Stars ; look down, propitious
[Heav'n,
And aid the lovely Boy that thou haft giv'n.
Let Dreams of Paradife his Sleep employ,
And tin&ure all his waking Hours with Joy.
Let the bright Guards, that keep off adverfe Fate,
Attentive near the fmiling Infant wait :
That no Qbflru&ion flop his precious Breath,
Or ftrpng Convulsion bring untimely Reath.
\ rtl
No,
on fewral Occa/ions. 77
No, let him live, (Great Ruler of Mankind)"*!
Let Strength and Beauty in his Form be join'd, r
And ev'ry manly Virtue grace his Mind, J
To a long Date extend his growing Years,
Replete with good and undifturb'd with Cares :
May Riches, Honour, Health and Peace attend
His Hours of Life, and happy be his End:
To lateil Times may his great Name be known,
And ev'ry Age enjoy an Arthington.
7 8 tPoems on federal Occajians.
To BELINDA, a Love Epiftle,
wrote at tie Requeft of a Gen-
tleman.
o
H matchlefs Maid, fo ftrangely form'd to
[move,
Infpiring Wonder, and creating Love ;
Look on a Youth, that owns your potent Sway,
And Mercy equal to your Pow'r difplay.
Oh Fair BELINDA! thou art all my Theme,
My daily Wifhes and my nightly Dream.
Each Thought of you enkindles gen'rous Heats,
My flutt'ring Heart with quicker Motion beats,
And rifing Blufhes do my Cheeks inflame,
If unawares I hear your fav'rite Name.
So
Toems on fever al Occafions. 79
So ftrangely will fuch repetitions move
The fecret Paflions, when fincere we love.
Your beauteous Form ftill fkims before my Sight,
Diffufing thro' my Soul a foft Delight;
From my warm Bofom drives each other Care,
And leaves no room but for BELINDA there.
Ev'n now I fee thee dreft with ev'ry Grace,
Behold the radiant Honours of thy Face,
With all thofe Charms, that firft inflam'd my
[Heart,
And thofe dear Eyes that mot the fatal Dart.
But thefe delightful Scenes my Fancy feigns,
And with imagin'd Pleafures mock my Pains.
'Tis but the Copy that remains with me,
And J the bright Original would fee.
Yet much I fear, it will my Pain encreafe
To view the Foe, that has diilurb'd my Peace.
Well
80 Toms on federal Qccafions.
Well I remember, when I faw you laft,
My Lot was drawn, my Certain Doom was pafs'd ;
And ev'ry charming, tempting Look you gave,
Confirm'd me your's, and made me more a
[Slave.
Long have I lov'd, but ft ill conceal'd my Flame,
Left you the daring Paffion {hould difclaim :
In fecret ftill I did the Torment bear,
So much I fear'd to difoblige my Fair.
But now my Love is grown to that excefs, \
I can no more the raging Pain fupprefs,
But tell it you in hopes to find Redrefs.
Ah ! do not then, bright Maid, my fuit difdain.
Nor let your faithful Lover plead in vain :
But kindly yield with pitying Eyes to view
A Youth, who languishes and dies for you.
)
Taems on fever al Occafions. 8 1
To the fame.
\ Heart long fince, (for 'twas your due)
Too lovely Maid, I gave to you.
The Prefent you with Smiles receiv'd,
And I the charming Cheat believ'd.)
With feeming Joy you hugg'd the Slave,
And feigned Love for real gave.
But then with a relentlefs Dart,
In barb'rous Sport you ftuck each Part.
Till, weary'd with the cruel Play,
You caft the bleeding Wretch away ;
Who wounded thus, will not complain
Of the dear Author of his Pain :
But
8 ^ To ems on fiver a! Occafions.
But whilft he's made a Sacrifice,
Adores the Hand by which he dies.
Qccafion'd by C L E M E N E'S re-
fujing a Requeft.
T T E R much fam'd Kindnefs have I try'd,
Have often ask'd, as often been deny'd,
What (hall I call it, Prejudice or Pride ?
No; She's all Goodnefs and me cannot err;
Neceflity conflrains when She's fevere,
Or I am Guilty ; there's no Fault in Her.
My Form or Humour has fome great defect,
Some Imperfection that deferves neglect :
Then why mould I CtEMENE'sLove expect?
Yet
foems on federal Qccafions. 83
Yet Fondnefs ftill {hould propagate its Kind,
Breed anfw'ring Fondnefs in the gen'rous Mind,
And flill from Fav'rites we fhould Favours find.
On the Marriage of Captain C.
InfcriVd to the Bride.
AIL! happy Pair, whofe Nuptial Rites
[demand,
Congratulations from a Stranger's Hand :
H
Thus then, due Honours to your Names I pay,
And thus my Wifhes from afar convey.
Touch'd with the Praifes of your gen'rous
[Friend,
Who feems moft pleas'd when he can moft com-
[mend ,-
I felt my Breafl with fecret Ardor glow,
Tho much he faid, yet more I wifh'd to know.
He
84 Poems on federal Occafions*
He fpoke ; he prais'd j I hearken'd with delight,
And found a ftrong Propenfity to write :
Ideal Scenes my lift'ning Soul infpire,
And warm my Bofom with poetick Fire.
In Thought I fee the young and beauteous
[Bride,
Modeftly blufhing by her Lover's fide ;
Fair in her Form, but more in Virtue bright,
Made to procure and perfect his delight :
Attending Loves fly round in wanton Rings,
And ftrive to fan her with their am'rous Wings,
He claims by Merit the diftinguifh'd Fair,
And (he is worthy of his fondeft Care.
Courage with Beauty is moft aptly join'd,
And happy VENUS when with MARS combin'd.
O ! may they long be in each other bleft,
Smil'd on by Fate, by faithful Friends careft ;
And
Poems on fever al Occajlons. 8 5
And may old Time his brittle Glafs employ
To meafure out fucceffive Hours of Joy 5
May nothing interrupt the Cares of Life,
No Doubts or Fears, no Jealoufies or Strife j
Nor fierce BELL ON A with her dire Alarms,
Force the young Hero from his fair one's Arms*
And may the Nymph to whom I fend thefe
[Lays,
Accept the Verfes which me cannot praife :
Her Sex's Errors me may beft excufe,
And kindly patronize a Virgm-Muje<
foems on federal Occafions*
!To Afrr. B A RK ER gf York,
On feme ingenious Letters wrote by her
(to me) in an advancd Age.
HO W am I pleas'd to read your charming
iLines!
Where Manly Strength with Female
[Svveetnefs joins;
Where the juft Thoughts are dreft in Language
[fit,
In all the flowing Elegance of Wit.
Strange at your Age fuch fteady Senfe to find!
Such Indications of the cleared Mind !
When we alas ! too often may obferve
That Reafon totters with the flacken'd Nerve.
But if the Setting-Sun fuch Beams difplay,
How dazling was its bright Meridian Ray !
When Health and Youth invigorate the Thought,
And Fancy is with ftrong Ideas fraught.
When
Poems onfivera/Occa/tons. 8?
When the free Mind rejoices in her Bloom,
Nor dreads the blafting Seafon ftill to come.
But your's, like IT AL Y'S fanVd Gardens fair,
Brings Flow'rs and Fruits thro' all the various
[Year;
In fpight of Time, a gay Production fhows,
And buds and bears amidft the Winter Snows.
At taking Leave of a Lady, who
was reading NORRIS'J Poems.
M
ADAM, obferve thefe melancholy Tales,
And fee how Grief o'er generous Minds
[prevails ;
See there the Reverend NORRIS drown'd inTearSj
Robb'd of the Joy of all his future Years,
With ftricl: Attention read each tender Line,
And as you read, think all his SufPrings mine.
See
8 8 foems on federal Occajions.
See here my Grief in apteft Terms expreft,
And view your felf with juft Perfection drefb
Such was the Nymph, to whom his Tears were
[due,
And fuch his Sorrows, as* I feel for you.
To a Lady on her Birth-Day.
PERMIT me, Madam, gratefully to pay
A Friendly Tribute on this happy Day :
This Day which firft your Infant Form difclos'd,
And to the World the darling Child expos'd.
Kind Heav'n, my Friend, has with indulgent
[Care
To the paft Reck'ning join'd another Year.
But then, alas ! there's an unchanging Doom,
That Ages paft muft fhorten thofe to come.
O!
Voems on federal Occa/lons. 89
O ! that a Life fo innocent and pure,
Could but, as long as Time it felf, endure !
That fo, you might a future Race adorn,
And blefs a People, that are yet unborn.
Ages to come, by your Example taught,
Should by Degrees be to Perfection brought.
For you of ev'ry Virtue are pofleft,
That can or mould adorn a pious Breaft.
But fmce the Great Creator has thought fir,
That all muft to one common Fate fubmit,
That all things muft be tranfient here below,
And all muft once a fatal Period know ;
May you poffefs the largeft Count of Years,
Uninterrupted by perplexing Cares ;
May all pafs fmoothly, free and happy on,
Till from the Glafs your lateft Hour be run.
G 3 the
jo *Poems on fever al Occafions.
The th PSALM.
TT Said, I will with ftri&eft Caution tread,
* And ever jealous my own Raflinefs dread j
Left haply, my unguarded Tongue betray
Impatient Senfe of Providence's Sway.
My Mouth, as with a Bridle, I'll reftrain,
And wicked Men {hall watch my Words in vain,
Determined thus, I kept my Silence long,
Nor Good or Evil iffu'd from my Tongue.
But fecret Mufmgs fecret Pains impart,
And Grief fuppreft inflam'd my burning Heart,
Till warm Reflection kindled in my Breaft,
And thus myTongue the fervent Thought expreft.
Teach
'Poems on fevera! Occa/ions. pi
Teach me, O LORD, to mark, with Wisdom's
[Eyes,
The narrow Bounds in which my Being lies j
The fcanty Meafure of my Years to weigh,
And know my frail Affinity with Clay.
Behold, how tranfient is the Creature Man !
His longeft Period lies within a Span.
His Age ev'n feems as Nothing in thine Eye,
And all his Glory is but Vanity.
Soon flit his Vilionary Joys away,
Himfelf the empty Pageant of Day :
Yet the fond Wretch confumeshimfelf with Care,
Collecting Riches for an unknown Heir.
Since then each Man is Vanity and Duft,
In whom {hall I repofe my Hope and Truft ?
Where (hall my Soul for real Good attend ?
Where but on Thee, the never-failing Friend ?
G 4 Of
pi Poems on fever al Occa/ions.
Of Guilt and Shame remove the preffive Load,
And let me ftill find Favour with my God.
Oh ! let me from my Enemies have reft,
And be exempted from the Scorner's Jeft,
Speechlefs I fuffer what's ordain'd by Thee,
And by my Silence own the juft Decree :
Yet oh ! remove or mitigate my Woe,
Alas ! I faint beneath the pond'rous Blow ;
How mould a Worm before thy Terrors (land ?
Or bear the Crufh of an Almighty Hand ?
When thy juft Vengeance chaftens Man for Sin,
And Confcience ftings the guilty Wretch within ;
His Frame decays, his blooming Beauty dies,
And from his Cheek the lively Colour flies.
So eating Moths confume the Weaver's Toils,
Fret the rich Web and triumph in the Spoils,
Surely
on fever al Occa/tons. pj
Surely each Man is vain to an extreme,
Himfelf a Vapour, and his Life a Dream.
Hear, mighty God, confider all my Pray'rs,
And give an Anfwer to my falling Tears.
Lo! thou haft fix'd my mort Abode on Earth,
A Stranger and a Pilgrim from my Birth ;
A Traveller who foon muft difappear,
Ev'n fuch am I, and fuch my Fathers were.
Oh ! for a while reprieve me from the Tomb,
Pity my Youth and heal its fading Bloom.
Sufpend my Fate, my wafted Strength repair,
Before I leave the well-known Objects here.
Ere in the Grave I {hall forgotten lie,
Loft to my Friends and hid from ev'ry Eye.
The
94 Poems on fever at Occ afiom.
S
The Resolution broke.
TUNN'D with the Clamours of the noify
[Town,
The Mufe her humbleft Vot'ry did difown:
From fad M ARIA'S Breaft me took her Flight,
And charg'd the penfive Maid no more to write :
I heard the Charge, which was pronounc'd aloud,
And ftrait a lafting firm Obedience vow'd.
Yet one Half-day from Smoke and Strife remov'd,
To tread the Earth and breathe the Air I lov'd,
I felt a Pow'r, too flrong to be fuppreft.
Move with poetick Rapture in my Breaft.
Scenes all-tranfporting fet my Soul on fire,
And Fields and Meads their wonted Thoughts
[mfpire.
Each fruitful Hedge inviting Themes fupplies,
< c In ev'ry Field harmonious Numbers rife.
Here
Toems on fever al Occafiom. j> j
Here the green Wheat difpos'd in even Rows
(A pleafing View !) on genial Ridges grows,
It's clufter'd Heads on lofty Spires afcend,
And frequent with delightful Wavings bend;
There younger Barley (hoots a tender Blade,
And fpreads a level Plain with verdant Shade.
The wreathing Pea extends its bloomy Pride,
And flow'ry Borders fmile on either fide.
Whate'er I fee, does Admiration draw,
And flrikes my Soul with ^religious awe.
The annual Offspring of the pregnant Year
Does well the great Creator's Love declare.
For our Support the Field produces Bread,
And 'tis for Us the flow'ry Scene is fpread.
In all his Works his Providence I fcan,
His never-ceafing Care to thanklefs Man.
Proftrate
j>6 Toems on federal Occaftons.
Proftrate on Earth, myfelfl humbly fling,
In Adoration of th' Almighty King.
My grateful Heart dhTolves in mental Pray'r,
And Thoughts too big for Words are lab'ring
[there.
Again I rife from off the fertile Ground,
Again I view the pleafing Profpects round.
Where-e'er I turn, inftrudtive Scenes arife,
And with new Wonders meet my ravim'd Eyes.
The feather'd Songfters well deferve a Lay,
And murm'ring Streams in flowing Verfe mould
[ftray.
But hold the pleafing Lyre muft be unftrung,
And thoufand Beauties muft remain unfung:
For mould I thro' each gaudy Meadow rove,
And paint the vary'd Greens in ev'ry Grove,
Sing with each Bird, and purl with ev'ry Stream^
I might enlarge, but never end my Theme.
on federal Occajions. 97
To Mrs. MASTERS, occafiorfd ly
her Rejolution to write no more.
By Mr. J. W.
WHEN feated on a blooming Spray,
Sweet PHILOMELA deigns to fing :
The lift'ning Flocks forget to ftray,
And all the Groves with Tranfports ring.
But if, too cruel and unkind,
She drops the much expected Lay ;
The Birds are hufh'd, the Flocks repine,
And Streams in Murmurs roll away.
is thus, from your own genial Light,
Our fympathetick Hearts you fire :
When
pg Toems on fever al Occaftons.
When you, fair Maid, no more fhall write.
No more fhall we be taught t' admire.
No more the various Flow'rs (hall give
Frefh Glories to the fmiling Year :
From you thefe Beauties only live,
With you thofe Glories difappear.
Far greater Ills, than thefe can dread.
Your fatal Silence would enfue :
Not only Groves and Meads would fade,
The Mufe would hourly languim too.
Mourn'd not the God, whofe baffled Care
His flying DAPHNE ceas'd to move,
Whofe Arms, extended for the Fair,
Embrac'd a dry tho' laurell'd Grove ?
Who
on federal Occa/ioQS.
Who then his Anguifh could difclofe,
If ev'n his own his Fav'rite Tree,
By rigid Fate be doom'd to lofe
Its lovelieft greeneft Boughs in Thee ?
The Anfwer to the foregoing
Verges.
F Poetry be bleft with genial Pow'rs,
I
Can gild the Meads, and animate the
[FlcwVs ;
Do thou vouchfafe to paint the flowing Spring,
And in thy Verfe its various Beauties fing.
More fweet, more fair the lovely Plants fliall
[rife,
And brighter Scenes fliall treat our wond'ring
[Eyes.
Who reads thy Lines, is certain to admire
Thy eaiy foftnefs and thy native Fire ;
That
i oo Poems on federal Oecajions.
That artful Sweetnefs that harmonious Vein,
Poffeft by none, but great APOLLO'S Train.
When DAPHNE from thy radiant Father fled,
And in a Laurel hid her Virgin Head ;
His vital Pow'r was on the Branches feen,
And the diftinguifh'd Tree is ever green.
So I, that would thy potent Brightnefs fhun,
And veil myfelf from his poetick Son ;
Feel the foft Force of thy. purfuing Lays,
And draw frefh Verdure from the quick'ning
[Blaze.
MARIA
&oems on federal Occafions. \ o i
T
MARIA in Ajliftim.
H E Merchant's Wealth, ftill floating on
[the Sea,
By Storms and Tempefts oft is cafl away j
Yet he, undaunted, can refolve again,
To try his Fortune on the dang'rous Main :
He'll truft the faithlefs Element once more,
In hopes to raife his late exhaufted Store.
Nor are his Hopes deceiv'd ; aufpicious Gales
With kindly Breathings fwell the flying Sails :
The Winds and Waves, in gentle Union join'd,
Waft the rich Cargo to the Port affign'd.
Treafures immenfe his ravifh'd Eyes behold,
Gay glitt'ring Gems, and precious heaps of Gold.
H
i o i foems on federal Occafions.
Thus foreign Jewels, Silks, and fhining Ore,
Compenfate for the Lofs fuftain'd before.
But I, unhappy, fee no ProfpecT: near,
To give me Hope and diffipate my Fear.
Plac'd in Affliction's Vale, what Tongue can
[tell
The painful Anguifh I am doom'd to feel ?
Remov'd from ev'ry Joy, deprived of all
That I could Fair, or Good, or Pleafant call.
Ah ! who can guefs the Torments which I
[bear,
Amidft the horrid Regions of Defpair ?
The Pen, I thought, might yield me fome
[Relief,
And by difcharging it, allay my Grief.
Vainly I thought : for it can never free,
Or paint the Mis'ry of a Wretch like me.
For
Poems on fever al Occajtons. 105
For foon as Fate brings one Misfortune forth,
Another is conceiv'd, and ripe for Birth.
The Years, on which my largeft Hopes were
[plac'd,
Drew near, then came, and like the former
[pafsU
Long have I waited for Redrefs in vain, '
Encreafing Hours but aggravate my Pain.
The Sun his annual Courfe complete has made,
And CYNTHIA oft receiv'd his friendly Aid.
Their fwift and radiant Journies praftis'd o'er,
Add to the PrefTure, which I felt before.
Thro' each appointed Sign by Turns they go,
And circling bring another Round of Woe.
H 2
1 04 Poems on federal Occafiom,
The Confolations of Friend/hip.
Addrefsd to CALISTA.
FEW Days are paft, fince my unquiet Breaft
Was with conflicting Agonies oppreft.
Contefting Paffions in a Torrent rofe,
My Bofom fwell'd with its o'erflowing Woes :
Grie/ and Defpair the Pow'rs of Thought con-
[troul,
And fadly triumph o'er my wounded Soul.
Thus rack'd alternately by diff'rent Care,
With aking Heart, I to a Friend repair ;
Whofe healing Counfel might relieve my Pain,
'Twas thus I hop'd ; nor did I hope in vain :
CALISTA was her Name, a Virgin fair,
And kind as interceding Angels are.
No
Poems on feveral Occajions. i o j
No lawlefs Paffion can her Reafon blind,
Whofe Afpeft (hews her inward Peace of Mind.
Soon as I was with her fweet Prefence bleft,
'Twas Peace, 'twas Joy, 'twas Heav'n within my
[Breaft:
Grief and her gloomy Train were banifh'd thence,
As I approached her purer Excellence.
Say, my C A i, i s T A, by what wondrous Art
Didft thou allay the Torments of my Heart ?
How was it done ? fay, by what Pow'r Divine?
And where was lodg'd the precious Anodyne ?
Thou only could'ft Tranquillity reftore,
And change me from the Wretch I was before,
My Bofom is from ev'ry Paflion free;
Mild, calm, ferene, I now refemble Thee.
H 3 On
1 06 VPoems on fever a! Oc$afions.
On a ffhite-Rofe presented me on
the i oth of June. Extempore,
SO may Rebellion hang its drooping Head,
As thou, its darling Badge, {halt quickly fade.
Sent to a Friend on Valentine-day.
NO W the fweet Birds in joyful Accents
[fing,
Harmonious Prelude of the fprightly
[Spring.
Each feather'd Warbler her fond Mate receives,
With whom in Hymen's focial State- {he lives.
Hence Nymphs and Swains a nobler Union made,
Conforming to the Orders of the Shad/e.
Since Nymphs and Swains the tender Rite ap-
[prove,
And on this Day are pair'd in mutual Lpve ;
' Why
on federal Occa/ions. \ 07
Why may not Friendfliip her foft Pow'r exert,
And chufe a Partner for a faithful Heart ?
Obfervant of the Law, thefe Lines I fend,
And chufe MARiNDAfora conftant Friend.
On OR i ANA'S Marriage.
Addrefsd to herfelf.
KINDLY receive, and candidly excufe,
The fond Intrufion of a friendly Mufe,
Who comes, unlook'd for, to your Nuptial Feafl,
Yet hopes, unhid, to be a welcome Gueft.
To fair AM i N D A firft this Debt I paid,
A grateful Tribute to the charming Maid.
With no lefs Pleafure now I fing your Praife,
And thus prefent my well-intended Lays.
H 4 This
*t o 8 Toems on fever al Occajions.
This Day, which gives you to a Hufband's
[Arms,
Gives him a lafting Title to your Charms.
Each Lover, now, muft gaze with vain Defire,
In vain your Air, your Shape, your Face admire.
Ceafe, ye fond Swains, the am'rous Chafe give
[o'er,
Your pleafing Flatt'ries now will move no more :
Your Hopes are vanifli'd, all extinguim'd quite,
Her Beauties are become another's Right !
And happy He, that with prevailing Art
/
Could gain a Conqueft o'er her Virgin Heart,
So well I know her lovely Form and Mind,
He muft be bjefs'd, fince O R i A N A'S kind.
Mighty and endlefs muft the Tranfport be,
Where Beauty, Wit> Good^humour, all agree
With fpotlefs Virtue, to augment the Joy,
And make it pure, without the leaft Alloy,
3>oems on fewral Occafions. 109
Wit's pointed Charms in various Talents lie,
And Beauty is the Bleffing of the Eye.
But Virtue is a Ray of heav'nly Grace,
Which makes the Mind mine brighter than the
[Face;
This Ornament of Souls, divinely fair,
With an unfading Luftre, triumphs there.
Methinks, I fee the joyful Bridegroom dreft,
A Tide of Pleafure flowing in his Bread :
Well may his Bofom beat with fecret Pride,
Made the rich Owner of fo fweet a Bride.
1 1 o tPoems on federal Occafions.
To C L E M E N E on her Birth-day.
Being the Epiphany.
W
E AR Y of Sleep, I watch'd the break-
[mg Day,
I faw the Sun and blefs'd his early Ray,
Whofe Beams diffufive did at once impart
Light to my Eyes, and Pleafure to my Heart.
For 'tis a Day, which I have mark'd for Mirth,
Hallow'd to me by good CLEMEN E'S Birth,
Tho' it long lince has (hone among the reft,
In Robes of Red canonically dreft,
Of facred Fame a thoufand Years ago j
But you, fair Saint, have made it doubly fo.
May Conftellations of propitious Pow'rs
Prefiding rule, and influence the Hours :
That
*Poems on federal Qccafions. \\\
That all its happy Births may juftly blefs
The bright Afcendants of their Happinefo
And may you fee its oft-repeated Round
With calm Delights,and foftefl Pleafures crown'd ;
Be long prefer v'd, free from uneafy Cares,
And not grow old in any thing but Years.
To Guardian jingels.
^t 7" E Pow'rs, whofe Tafk is underftood
-** To follow, and protect the Good ;
To guard the Trav'lers on their Way,
And keep them fafe by Night and Day :
Where-e'er ye do at prefent wait,
With friendly Care preventing Fate ;
Quickly your lefler Toils forfake,
A more important Charge to take.
What,
ii ^ *Poems on fever aJ Occafions.
What, tho' the Worthlefs court your Aid,
And think the Help too long delay'd ;
Yet do not their Petition grant,
CLEMENE will your Infl'ence want:
Ye Pow'rs of Safety all draw nigh,
And round the favoured Chariot fly.
Come bring your fhelt'ring Wings, and fpread
Over her dear feledted Head :
Where-e'er fhe goes, preferve her ftill,
In all that's Good, from .all that's 111.
On
Toems on fever al Occafions. 1 1 j
On clanging my Lodgings.
**""* HO I have chang'd my nightly Home,
*> To take a Lodging here;
Yet ftill, to Thee, my God ! I come,
For thou art ev'ry where.
I truft, that Angels round my Bed
Shall my bleft Guardians be :
And when to deep I lay my Head,
I hope to reft Vith Thee.
Supply me, Lord, with pious Dreams,
Let no vain Scenes arife :
And give my Heart fome heav'nly Themes,
When I unclofe my Eyes.
3 That,
1 1 4 'Poems on federal Occafions.
Thar, waking and afleep, I may
In Thee alone delight :
May meditate thy Works all Day,
And fee thy Face at Night.
Emblems tif CLEMENE.
T have I feen, with ravifli'd Eyes,
The Beauty of unclouded Skies,
When the pure Light -its Luftre fheds,
And o'er the fpotlefs Azure fpreads.
Such is C L E M E N E'S peaceful Br6aft
When ev'ry Paffion's lull'd to Reft :
Her Smiles, her lucid Eyes impart
Tranfports to ev'ry Gazer's Heart,
Oft
on federal Occafions. \ \
Oft have I fecn the troubled Air,
When fable Clouds were gath'ring there.
Darknefs the Face of Heav'n deforms,
Prefage of Thunder and of Storms.
So, when the chang'd C L E M E N E ihows
Difpleafure on her bended Brows :
When angry Looks and Frowns appear,
To {hade the Heav'n of Beauty there 5
Trembling, we view her threat'ning Eye,
And dread the Tempefl that is nigh.
As faireft, and as fweeteft Flow'rs
Preft with the Weight of many Show'rs,
Bend down the melancholy Head,
And beautiful in Ruin fade :
Such is C L E M E N E, when her Mind
Is to invading Grief refign'd.
And
1 1 6 foems on federal Occajiom.
And Tears fteal forth, her felf ferene,
As if they meant to fall unfeen :
While all, that view the penfive Fair,
Would gladly half her Sorrow bear :
Nay, the whole Burden of her Grief,
Would it but give her Soul Relief.
To Mrs. M. E. who gave me a
Tlaifter of her own making,
when I had wrench* d my Ancle.
M
Adam, your Art has with Succefs been
fcrown'd
As, by Experience, I have gladly found.
Thanks to your Care, I now am free from Pain,
And move each Limb with former Eafe again.
Your pow'rful Med'cines, in their quick Relief,
Equal our Wifhes, and exceed Belief.
Great
VPoems on federal Occa/ions* \ \?
Great is your Skill, beneficent your Art>
And gen'rous you, that did its Aid impart*
In vain the healing Secret you had known,
Were not the Judgment to apply, your own*
Your female Breaft a richer Mine can boafr,
Than fam'd Peru, or India's Diamond Coaft.
Wifdom is Wealth from worldly Drofs refin'd,
And your's is Wifdom of the nobleft Kind,
Miftrefs of Science, I thy Art adore,
Thy Godlike Art, that can the Lame reftofe j
And if I e'er fo fuperftitious be
T* invoke a Saint, O!MAGDALEN, 'tis Thee,
1 1 8 Poems on fever al Occa/ions.
An Anfwer to Mr. GV Invita-
tion to the Fields and Groves.
WHene'er the peaceful Mufe invites,
To fylvan Scenes, and pure Delights,
I readily prepare:
And follow, where {he kindly leads,
To friendly Groves, or flow'ry Meads,
Thofe foft Retreats, from Care :
I go to breathe frefh Odours of the Spring,
To fee the painted Birds, and hear them iing.
Already I have pafs'd the Plains,
Am come where folid Pleafure reigns
Amidft the filent Groves :
Far
foems on federal Occafions. i \ p
Far from the Town's diftra&ing Noife,*
Far from the Scene of guilty Joys*
To what my Soul approves.
And on a verdant Bank ferenely laid.
Enjoy the Pleafures of the fecret Shade;
/
How grateful are the murm'ring Streams!
My Thoughts are turn'd to heav'nly Themes*
Chafte Raptures fire my Heart :
Ah ! what are Crowns compared to This,
Or all the Siim of earthly Blifs,
Where Virtue has no Part ?
Tranfported thus in Eden's fragrant Bow'rs,
The firft fond Pair employ'd their happy Hours,
1 2 Till
1 2 o Poems on federal Occa/tons.
Till Sin, that gives a deadly Wound,
Had drove them from celeftial Ground
To Labour and to Care :
Then let us fly the Tempter's Gall,
Inflrudted by our Parents Fall,
And fhun the gilded Snare.
They for loft Innocence to Earth were driv'n ;
Let us retain it and afcend to Heav'n.
Sent to MARINDA from the
North of England.
T^RE Phcebus did his golden Beams difplay,
* ' To give the World a fhining Proof of Day -,
Ere bright Aurora did the Skies adorn,
Or the fhrill Cock proclaim'd the rifing Morn ;
Toe ms on fevera/ Occaftons. \ 1 1
I wak'd ; nor mourn'd my interrupted Reft,
A folemn Pleafufe reign'd within my Breaft.
Fancy a Scene of pleafing Vifions wrought,
And dear M A R 1 N D A entertain'd my Thought.
Your Form, which flill before my Eyes I keep,
More than repaid me for the Lofs of Sleep -,
Whofe fair Idea, fruitful of Delight,
Seem'd to give Luftre to the Shades of Night.
Oft I recall'd, the Pleafures I poffeft,
When byMARiNDA each foft Hour was bleft.
Oh! with what Rapture have I heard that
[Tongue,
Where Harmony in eafy Sweetnefs hung ;
Where folid Senfe and graceful Speech combin'd,
To pleafe my Ear and cultivate my Mind!
But now no more thy various Charms can
[pleafe,
Divided far by Mountains and by Seas :
I 3 Far
1 1 2 IPoews on fiver a! Oceafions.
Far in the dreary North, fecluded long
From Thee, the tender Subject of my Song.
Loft to your Converfe, hidden from your View,
And ev'ry thing but Images of you.
SELF-DECEIT.
WIL L no Experience make poor Mortals
[wife ?
Nor Hopes deceiv'd, nor difappointed
[Joys ?
Will they be ftill decoy 'd by empty Dreams,
And truft their own imaginary Schemes ?
*Tis GOD's Command, and fure it ought to
[move,
That as ourfelves we mould our Neighbour love :
But human Nature, ever prone to 111,
Refifts the Di&ates of Almighty Will;
We,
on federal Occafions. \ ^ j
We, partial to ourfelves, hold nothing dear,
Where Int'reft has not a proportion'd Share.
If once defrauded by the Man of Trade,
We cautious grow, and are of Knaves afraid:
Or if a Friend betray his fecret Truft,
We fhun the Perfon of the bafe Unjuft.
But, felf-deceiv'd, we foon the Fraud forget,
Soon truft the greateft, and mod dang'rous Cheat,
Each Day deluded, baffled ev'ry Hour,
Credit again our ever-failing Pow'r.
On Time and Thought for future Good depend,
And make not him, that is All-good, our Friend.
Hence fpring our fruitlefs Hopes, and daily Fears,
Our endlefs Toils and everlafting Cares.
Our eafy Confidence is centred wrong,
And on our felves we build a Faith too flrong.
I 4 Then,
1 24 <Poetns on federal Occajions.
Then, let us all our ways to God fubmit,
And truft no more our own fallacious Wit,
To Mrs. B.
Occafioned by her fear of the Teftilence, when
it rag'd at Marfeilles.
I Own alas ! the Danger is too near,
But let your Reafon combate with your Fear,
Suppofe the fierce Deftroyer fhould be fent
By angry Heav'n, for our juft Punimment ;
And we fhould fall beneath a fudden Blow,
That thoufand deftin'd Heads muft undergo :
? Tis then but Death, a fix'd, a certain Doom,
Tho' fweeping Peftilence ne'er aid the Tomb.
Why (hould we hope our common Fate to mun ?
Life is a Race, and it will foou be run :
To
on fever al Occa/ions. \ 2 5
To the laft Stage we ev'ry Day draw nigh,
And as we once were born, we once mufl die.
Nor dread the Swiftnefs of the poifon'd Dart,
Whofe venom'd Point, corroding to the Heart,
Thro' ev'ry Part a ftrong Infection fp reads,
And cuts with fatal Speed the vital Threads.
Be humbly glad, that the Deftroyer's Hands
So long are held from BRITAIN'S favour'd Lands :
That (he, bleft Ifle, was not by Heav'n decreed
To fall, unwarn'd, and unprepar'd to bleed.
Taught by the Ills, which diftant Climes
[endure,
We may in time th' important Stake fecure.
Provide with Care for the tremendous Blow,
And chearful wait the blackeft Scene of Woe.
What-
1 ^ 6 foems on fever al Occafions.
Whatever Scourge by Providence is fent,
Truft thou in God, and fear not the Event.
An Imitation of a Toem in DRY-
DEN'S Collections, entitled A-
nacreqntick.
i Eneath a thick and filent Shade,
That feem'd for fweet Devotion made,
In holy Rapture ftretch'd along,
(UR AN i A by to aid my Song)
I tun'd my Voice, and touch'd the Lyre,
While heav'nly Themes the Mufe infpire :
I fung the Beauties of the Grove,
I fung th' Almighty Pow'r above.
But, ftriving more my Notes to raife,
And to my Subject fuit my Lays ;
*Poems on fever al Occafions. \ 27
A String, o'er ftrain'd, in Pieces flew,
And fudden from its Place withdrew.
Under my Hand the Chord I found,
But loft, alas ! the fprightly Sound.
So, pierc'd by Death's relentlefs Dart
We view the lifelefs, earthly Part.
The Soul invifible takes wing,
As Sound that leaves the breaking String,
On a Gnat flying about a Candle.
Extempore.
PRetty little Fliitt'rer, why
Wouldft thou the fliining Ruin try,
And in a gay Deftrutipn dye !
1 1 8 Toems on fever a! Occa/ions.
To a Lady going to Church
GO, brighteft Saint, to facred Seats repair,
Unlock thy Bofom, and difclofe thy Care:
Thy lift'ning God will furely hear thy Pray'r.
Fly to the Temple, on Devotion's Wings,
There join in Concert to the King of Kings,
Divine 's the Mufick, when an Angel lings.
T
Nofturnal Thoughts.
HUS, wrapt in Shades, muft I for ever
[lie?
Will Day for ever clofe its glorious Eye ?
Alas ! the cheerlefs Gloom ftill mocks my Sight,
And makes its look fecm everlafting Night.
I In
'Poems on fever al Occafions. i ^ 9
In JOSHUA'S Time the Sun and Moon flood ftill,
And could no more their wonted Tafk fulfill,
Till he, triumphant, left the bloody Plain,
And by his Arms five num'rous Hofls were flain*
As then, fure now, fome Caufe, to us unknown,
Forbids the rolling Planets to move on.
Sure fome ftrange Thing is working, and the Sun
Muft llay, to fee th' important Buiinefs done.
But hafte, bright Ruler of all-chearing Day,
Shine on a Wretch that mourns thy abfent Ray.
P H o E B u s at laft has heard my ardent Pray'r,
And comes with living Light to end my Care ;
Once more he does the fhady Night controul,
And with refrefhing Beams revives my Soul.
3 o Toems on fever d! Occafions.
To CLEMENE on the New Tear:
HAD I with Fortune's affluent Stores been
[bleft,
You, then, fhould be in apter Form ad-
[dreft :
As fwift-wing'd Time his annual Courfe renews,
Not only This (the Tribute of the Mufe)
But nobler Pfefents fhould my Love explain,
A Ring, a Snuff-box, or a painted Fan ;
Rich with Italian Stains, the Mount fhould glow*
Its Sides the curious Hand of Sculpture (how ;
And, On the flitted Ivory, be difplay'd
Rows of bright Studs in artful Figures laid.
Soft Scenes of Joy the Landfkip fhould unfold,
In various Tindtures beauteous to behold.
The God of Love, or Friendfl)ip*$ chafter Powr
A Chryftal Current* or a Marble Tow'r 3
With
on federal Occa/ions. i j i
With Forms that fhould in difFring Beauties rife,
To grace the Piece, and entertain your Eyes.
This or fome worthier Thing fhould you receive.
Such as MA RI A might unblufhing give.
But, fince amongfi the human Race we find,
A niggard Fate oft flints a gen'rous Mind ;
O may my Wim my want of Pow'r attone !
Let me enjoy your Smiles, tho' Fortune frown :
And may kind Heav'n this warm Petition hear,
For furely none was ever more fincere.
O Pow'r Divine ! enthron'd in L ight above,
The higheft, holieft Object of our Love ;
Let her be bleft, to whom thefe Lines I fend,
Ever to her thy choicefl Gifts extend :
To
i j i ^Poems on federal Occafioni.
To her be ev'ry Joy of Life reveal'd $
From her be ev'ry Caufe of Grief conceal'd :
When-e'er me kneels, accept the pure Addrefs s
Her Self, her Hufband, and her Children blefs.
On 'hearing fome Reflections upon
a deceased Lady.
OU L D weak Humanity Perfection bear,
The bright Example had been feen in her,
A thoufand Virtues grac'd her pious Mind,
And fcarce a Folly in her Life we find.
Some little Stains fharp Envy might efpy,
So Spots fometimes we in the Sun defcry.
No Mortal e'er was free from Error yet,
When Faults are few we mould thofe Faults
[tbrgec :
Hid
<Poems on fever a! Occajions. \
Hid in her Grave let all her Failings lie,
She had her Frailties : fo have you and I.
Y
The 29th PSALM,
E mighty Ones, who keep the World in
[awe,
Supremely plac'd to give the Nations LaW;
Heroes and Kings, a grand illuflrious Race,
Whom martial Deeds, and Royal Honours grace ;
Yield to the Lord a tributary Song,
For Strength and Glory to the Lord belong.
Kneel at his Altars with a Mind fincere,
And the bright Scenes of his Abode revere.
Hear his loud Voice in wat'ry Realms on high j
The God of Glory thunders in the Sky 4 .
Down rum the Rains, affrighted Ocean roars*
And fwells and trembles to his utmoft Shores.
K The
onfeveralOcca/tons. '
The Voice of God flrikes ev'ry Breaft with Feaiv
'Tis too tremendous for a mortal Ear;
The great, majeftick, formidable Sound
Meets tow'ring Trees, and bears them to the
[Ground.
The {hatter'd Gedar into Air is born,
And the whole Foreft from her Bafis torn.
The folid Mountains from their Centre ftart,
Like wanton Kids, or like the bounding Hart.
Cleav'd by his Voice the Cloud-imprifon'd
[Flame
Breaks our, andfcatters thro' the gen'ral Frame;
Pvound the wide World the rapid Lightnings fly,
And ilreak with horrid Day the Midnight Sky.
Then Cade/b thro' her boundlefs Defarts quakes,
Deep Horror then her grifly Monfters makes :
To their clofe Dens they creep, with cowring
[Fear,
If once His Voice, His potent Voice they hear.
; i Th'
is on federal Occajlons. i j j
Th' aftonifh'd Hinds proftrate themfelves along,
And on the trembling Earth emit their Young.
The ravag'd Woods are left without a Shade>
Their dark RecefTes to the View difplay'd ;
Where the ftrip'd Tiger meditates his Prey,
And where the panting Lion fhuns the Day.
{ Within his Temple do the Saints adore,
All own his Goodnefs and declare his Pow'r.
All worfhip him the dread immortal King,
All fpeak his Praifes and his Glory fing.
His Throne is fixt above the wat'ry Main^
And to eternal Ages he (hall reign.
Bleffings of Strength (hall oh his People wait;
And endlefs Peace enrich their happy State.
1 3 6 Poems on fever al Occasions.
To my Infant Niece ; her little
Sifter dying the Inftantjhe was
lorn.
w
Elcome fweet Innocence to Light,
Which Thou behold'ft with wat'ry
[Eyes :
Too potent Rays opprefs thy Sight,
And early Sorrows urge thy Cries.
Thou weep'ft alas ! and know'ft not why,
Yet ev'ry Day the Caufe will fhow :
More Knowledge will more Tears fupply,
Thou com'ft into a World of Woe.
Thy Sifter not a year had ftay'd,
Hardly attain'd a Gleam of Senfe :
Yet
foems on fever al Occafions. \
Yet at thy Entrance, Child, {he fled,
She took a happy Journey hence.
Tho* young (he dy'd, (he had her fhare
Of Life's too certain painful Ills :
Torments, as great as Flefh can bear,
When {harp Difeafe relentlefs kills.
But, now, by Death, {he's kindly freed
From the unequal, cruel Strife.
Bleft be the Pow'r, that has decreed
A Period to this wretched Life.
K3 Upon
H
* 3 & Poems on federal QccafiQ%$, 5
Upon the fame.
*OW wonderful art Thou, O Lord, moil
[high !
Who dares thy active Providence deny ?
Whate'er occurs beneath- the rifmg Sun,
By thy Pcrmiffion or Command is done,
My Soul adores, and magnifies thy Pow'r,
For precious Mercies, I receive each Hour.
Bleffings on me, or on my Friends beftow'd,
Excite perpetual Praifes to rny God;
Who could the cruel Pangs of Child-birth bear^
Tf not fupported by thy tender Care ?
Thofe wond'rous Agonies of Nature (hew,
An Aft of Juftice and of Gopdnefs too :
Thy Juftice, whicli the SurFring did ordain,
Thy Goodnefs, that relieves the mighty Pain.
My
Poems on federal Qcca/lons. t j 9
My Sifter, lately from thefe Torments freed,
(For fo thou hadft indulgently decreed)
Forgets, how-great, how vaft her Sorrows were.
And in a Mother's Fondnefs finks her Care.
By thy preferving Pow'r the Infant lives,
And Pleafure to its joyful Parents gives:
Its little Sifter dies, by thy Command,
An equal Bleffing from thy bounteous Hand.
From This recall'd, to That thou giveft Breath ;
Then bleffed be the Lord of Life and Death.
K 4
1 40 foems on fever a! Occafions.
A Journey from Otley to Wake-
field.
F
ROM Otley, now, our deftin'd Courfe we
[fteer,
Contentious Town, to Lawyers ever dear.
To the rough Chiver, firft our Way we bend
Its rocky Path by flow Degrees afcend ;
Whilft murm'ring Rivulets, on either fide,
Down the fleep Hill precipitately glide.
Then, having gain'd the Mountains lofty Brow,
With Pleafure we furvey the Vales below.
What vaft Variety the Profpeft yields,
Of Rocks, and Woqds, and Lawns, and flow'ry
[Fields !
Like one large Garden, the whole Dale appears.
Laid out in fair Enclofures, like Parterres.
The
foems on fever a] Occaftons. 1 4 1'
The winding Wharf, the different Shades of
[Green,
Houfes and Hills diverfify the Scene.
Oh ! could my Thoughts in rifing Numbers
[flow,
Sprightly as Wharf, and as delightful too :
Strong but yet clear the wand'ring Stream mould
[glide,
Rum o'er its flony Bed and pour a Silver Tide,
With difFrent Courles, thro* the verdant
The chiefeft Beauty of the beauteous Dale.
But, as we further prefs our fhort'ning Way^.
The vary'd Scenes more vary ? d Charms difplay, I
Whilft the wide Heath in Summer-pride looks I
The prickly Furz their grateful Scent difclofe,
Which from ten thoufand golden BlofToms flows*
From hence the Lark begins his early Songs,
And tow'ring high in Air his Notes prolongs.
Tho',
14 * 7wnis on fever alOcca/ions.
Tho', loft to View, his Melody we hear,
Like Magick Sounds it flrikes the wond'ringEafc
So? when departing Saints refign their Breath,
Unwonted Harmony attends their Death :
The ambient Air with heav'nly Mufick's fill'd,
And yet the bright Muiicians are conceal'd.
A narrow Lane, aow, gives new pleafing
[Scenes,
Shady and thick with interweaving Greens ;
Where num'rous Birds their gaudy Plumes dif-
That dance and flutter on the trembling Spray.
Here tuneful Linnets flretch a warbling Throat.,
And anfw'ring Linnets catch the falling Note.
Still as we pafs, frefh Objects of Delight
Adorn the Way, and fatisfy the Sight.
Fair
Poems on fever al Occa/tons.
fair Domes and fruitful Fields at once arife,
With mingling Grace,to feaft the Trav'ler's Eyes.
J point at That, which Volumes fhould explain,
And leave the Taik for the harmoi)ious Train.
* ..' j
At length I breathe fweet Wakefield's purer Aif,
That Seat of Joy and kind Relief of Care.
Its lovely Situation I furvey,
And ftill o'er new enchanting Profpe&s ftray.
Seel how the fertile Meads liefmiling round,
With fragrant Greens and flow'ry Beauties
[crown'd.
Enamell'd Hills, high Trees in fhady Rows,
A finifh'd Dandfkip near the Town difclofe.
A Town with Plea&re and with Wealth fupply'd,
By limpid Cottar's navigable Tide.
Yet more than this, fuperior to the reft,
,With fweet Society 'tis highly bleft.
Its
144 7oems on fever al Occafions.
Its kind Inhabitants, with winning Art,
Attradt the Soul, and captivate the Heart.
Whofe Converfe, eafy, affable, refin'd,
Can both improve, and entertain the Mind,
Whatever can adminifter Delight,
To glad the Ear, or gratify the Sight.
And make the Hours of Life pafs fmiling round^
O happy Wakejleld! may in Thee be found.
There cou'd J pafs the dear Remains of Life,
Remov'd from Care, from Envy and from Strife.
r
*Poenis on fever a I Occafions. 1 4 j
To O L i N D A, taken ill with a
Fever at the fame time that I
recovered of one.
CRUEL Difeafe ! that wouldft no longer ftay
With me, thy worthlefs but thy willing
OL i N D A, now, is made thy fatal aim,
A Nymph, as beautiful as Thought can frame.
Oh ! fpare my Friend, from her lov'd Breaft
[remove,
And mine will gladly all thy Torments prove.
Thou with unbounded Tyranny may'ft reign,
And fpread Infection thro' each boiling Vein;
But, oh ! be that engaging Fair unharm'd,
Who ev'ry Age and either Sex has charm'd.
How
146 foems on federal Occajioni.
How canft thou, with malignant Ills, defign/
To blafl a Form, where all the Graces mine.
Oh Eteath ! thou mighty Prince of Shades,
[from whom
Diftempers, qukk-deftroying, ever come :
From Thee proceeds the dark a~n*d difma
for if no Death; there had no Sicknefs been.
>
frifeafes are thy Slaves, which at thy Will
TTorment, or fpare, or (if thou pleafeft) kill.
But hear, and grant this one Requeft I make,-
Oh ! fpare O L I N D A fof M A RM A'S fake.
Deep in my Bofom fix thy keeneft Dart,-
f
And dip its Feathers in -my bleeding Heart;
But a'hf forbear that tender Breaft to tfotmi
Where Friefidmip h in full Perfeion. found.
Great
Toems on federal no/ions. 147
Great King of Terrors ! fpare the faithful
[Maid,
I'll be a free-will Off' ring in her (lead.
To the fame;
YO U fix a Dagger in my Heart,
You wound me in the tend'reft Part,
And then enquire the Reafon of my Smart*
Alas ! you talk of Death and Woe
That you muft quickly undergo ;
Yet aik the Caufe whence all my Sorrows flow*
Ah I do you think my Love fo fmall,
That I could part with Thee, my all,
Yet not permit one friendly Tear to fall?
Tell
148 oems on fever a/ Occ a/ions.
Tell me, my dear O L i N p A, why
You queflion my Fidelity,
Methinks with Thee I cou'd ev'n wim to die.
On a Nofegay made by CLEMENE.
T
HIS fragrant Emblem of her curious
[Thought
Was, by C L E M E N E'S fnowy Fingers
[wrought.
H
Firft the pale Jejf'tnin rears its Silver Head,
And next a Clove exults in joyful Red.
Artful Defign ; for had they been alone,
This would too faint, and That too rafh have
[fliown.
Near thefe a painted Row promifcuous rife
Rich in their Stains, and bright in blended Dyes.
To ev'ry Flower me afiigns a Place
Which gives to each a more than native Grace,
And
Poetfis on fever al Occa/lons. 14
And all may now diftinguifh'd Beauties boaft,
Which lay before in wild Confufion loft.
To Mr. J. P. on Us Marriage.
JOY to you, Sir, and to your Bride the fame,
For both the kindeft of my Wifhes claim J
Permit me, a Relation and a Friend,
With hailing Verfe your Marriage to attend*
No Medium in the Wedded Life \ve find*
To Grief or Pleafure; in Extremes^ confign'di
Happy or wretched they muft ftill remain,
Ordain'd to blefs, or curfe the binding Chain*
Where rigid Pow'r th' unwilling Couple joinsj
Or Love is barter'd for the Duft of Mines $
~ /
L Con*
1 5 o tpoems on federal Occa/ions.
Contentious Brawls and frequent Jars arife,
And cold IndifPrence poifons all their Joys.
No folid Comfort, no becalming Eafe,
Can e'er proceed from Marriages like thefe.
But, bleft are they, whofe Inclination ties
The friendly Knot, their Union never dies.
When the fond Pair with equal Paflion burn,
And mutually the gentle Flame return.
A fweet Compliance foft Delight fupplies
And Time unheeded fwift and pleafant flies.
Each Look, each A&ion, does engaging prove,
And ev'ry thing will pleafe from them we love.
From mutual Cares a mutual Bleffing flows,
And the firm Union more cemented grows,
That yours will e'er relax you need not fear,
For it is founded on a Love lincere.
Both
Poems on federal Occafions. \ j t
Both (hall, (ince each is made the other's Choice,
In the dear Object of your Vows rejoice j
And Heav'n, indulgent to your tender Care,
Shall fmiling blefs the fondly-loving Pair.
To LUCINDA.
"" UCTNDA, you in vain diflwade
^ ^ Two Hearts from mutual Love.
What am'rous Youth, or tender Maid
Could e'er their Flames remove ?
What, if the Charms in him I fee
Only exift in Thought :
Yet C u p i D'S like the Medes Decree,
Is firm and changeth not,
L 2 Seek
1 5 1 foems on fever al Occafions.
Seek not to know my Paffion's fpring,
The Reafon to difcover :
For Reafon is an ufelefs Thing,
When we've commenc'd the Lover,
Should Lovers quarrel with their Fate,
And afk the Reafon why,
They are condemn'd to doat on That,
Or for This Objed die ?
They muft not hope for a Reply,
And this is all they know ;
They figh, and weep, and rave, and die,
Becaufe it muft be fo.
' $ '-..1,'^.
LOVE is a mighty God you know,
That rules with potent Sway:
3 And
foems on federal Occafions.
And, when he draws his awful Bow,
We Mortals muft obey.
Since you the fatal Strife endur'd,
And yielded to his Dart :
How can I hope to be fecur'd,
And guard a weaker Heart ?
To C L E M E N E, leaving tie Coun-
try in a gloomy Day.
SINCE warm Affections in my Bofom dwell
Permit me, in a Lover's {train, to tell
How much I fuffer, how fincere I grieve,
When you the Country and MARIA leave.
Tho* op'ning Flow'rs erect their mining Heads,
And look, like Gems, upon the fpangled Meads,
L 3 Tho'
154 oems on federal Occafions.
Tho* lovely, verdant Crops of Infant Corn,
In comely Order rang'd, the Fields adorn ;
Tho' the tall Trees, as if on purpofe made,
Offer their Branches for a grateful Shade ;
And ev'ry Bird ftretches its little Throat,
To melting Accents in a warbling Note :
Yet, in your Abfence, I no Joy can find,
In all the glitt'r jng Scenes you leave behind,
Let others praife the Beauty of the Skies,
s
When fair AURORA does unclouded rife :
When bright APOLLO moots a vig'rous Ray,
And gaudy Beams adorn the lucid Day.
Thefe melancholy Shades appear to me,
More welcome, than refulgent Light would be;
When myCLEMENE does from hence depart,
All mould be fad and gloomy as my Heart.
fo
on federal Occafions. \ 5 5
To tie fame weeping.
CEASE, charming Mourner, ceafe your
[precious Tears,
Sufpend thefe Thoughts and diffipate your
[Fears.
For, if you lavifh thofe expenfive Show'rs,
/
My fympathetick Grief will equal Yours.
Such are the noble Heights of Friendfhip's Laws,
Two Fortunes ftill depending on one Caufe.
A fingle Sorrow neither Party bears,
But both alike divide their comrnon Cares :
And mutual Blifs their happy Hours renew,
The Pleafure doubles when enjoy'd by two.
i 5 6 Teems on federal Occafions.
To a Lady, 'who ask'd my Opinion
of an old Gentleman Jhe de?
fignd to marry.
SINCE you will have me fpeak, I muft con-
ffefs
The happy Man, whom you are doom'd to
. [blefs,
Has nothing in his Afpeft or his Air,
To recommend him to the youthful Fair.
Superior Age may feel a Lover's Fire,
But Youth and Beauty, plant the foft Defire.
By thefe folicited, the heedlefs Maid
To fmiling Ruin is too oft betray 'd.
She fees the gaudy Outfide, fet for Show,
Nor dreads the Curfes wedded with a Beau.
But fair S E L i N D A'S Thoughts can higher rife ?
She to fublimer Joys erects her Eyes:
Her
on fever al Occasions, i j 7
Her Soul is form'd of a diftinguifh'd Ray,
And takes its happier Bent a nobler Way.
Merit alone muft challenge her Refpect,
Who fenfual Pleafures can with Eafe negleft:
Tranfports and Raptures are but idle Dreams,
Short is the Blifs that's centred in Extremes.
A lafting calm Content, all Mankind know,
Is the fincereft Happinefs below.
On feeing a Lady ivith a new
fajhiond Riding-Drefs, and
a Hat cock'd up.
T
HE Round-ear'd Cap (once worn with
[decent Pride)
And Velvet Bonnet both are thrown afide ;
The Beaver, now, cock'd up with bolder Air,
And manly Habit, pleafe the fickle Fair.
Yet,
158 Toems on fever a/ Occafions.
Yet, for Excufe, it juflly may be faid,
A Scheme with deepefl Policy is laid :
Since, among Men, there is a ftupid Race,
WhoHight the Graces of the Female Face :
Since Fops fo long have felf-enamour'd been,
And view the Mirror with a raptur'd Mien j
They hope in this Difguife each Beau to charm,
And win th' Apoftates with a mimick Form.
With happy Art fo juftly they improve,
Sure all muft now the Manlike Beauties love.
foems on fewral Occafions. 159
To CLEMENE, on her Birth-day.
H
AIL, Thou moft lov'd! replete with
[ev'ry Charm,
Angel Incarnate! F/W/^'sbrighteftForm!
What Words, what Numbers (hall I now feleft
To fpeak thy Praifes and my own Refpedt ?
What potent Language (hall my Thoughts con-
[vey,
To tell the Wonders of this pregnant Day ?
Vainly the Mufe attempts the daring Song,
Her felf fo feeble and her Theme fo ftrong.
Abafh'd, (he fhuns the envy'd Height to foar,
And hails the Goodnefs which fhe can't explore.
Yet hopes, at leaft, you will her Zeal approve,
Who {hews her Weaknefs to exprefs her Love.
Fondly to Thee (he wings her airy Way,
To greet Thee on thy own important Day:
3 A
1 60 Toems on federal Occ a/ions.
A Day my grateful Heart has facred held,
For having firft Thy beauteous Form reveal'd.
i.
Diftinguifh'd from the reft, it mail appear,
For ever honour'd and for ever dear.
Oh that my Pen foft Bleffings could difpenfe,
And Streams of Happinefs diftill from thence !
How greatly bleft, how far remov'd from Cares,
Should be C L E M E N E'S eafy-flowing Years !
Not one mould roll, no not an Hour take Flight,
Unmark'd with Joy, un-colour'd with Delight.
The hafty Moments, eager to be gone,
Should, big with Pleafure, crowd each other on 5
And This great Day, fuperior to the reft,
Should oft return, and be as often bleft.
Vcrf*
Toems on fever al Occafions. \ 6 i
occajlond by a Lady being
extremely ill one Night, andper-
jeftly 'well the next Day.
WITH rapid Force, the fierce Deftroyer
[came,
Threatening Deftru&ion to the beau-
[teous Frame,
Quick were the Throes, unlimited the Pain,
Which mot impetuous thro' each boiling Vein.
In vain, for Eafe, were various Methods try'd,
And every Remedy in vain apply *d.
No healing Drugs th' intefline War compofe,
No lulling Slumber her fair Eyelids clofe.
Stranger to Reft, from fide to fide me turns,
And fcorch'd with fev'rim Heats incefTant burns.
One
1 6 ^ foems anfeveral Occafions.
One Night, unbounded, did the Tyrant reign.
Spreading Diforder and diffufing Pain :
But could no longer hold his cruel Sway,
He loft his Pow'r with the returning Day.
The Nymph deliver'd by her Guards Divine,
This (hort Eclipfe will make her brighter fhine.
So, oft in Summer does a fudden Show'r
Of falling Rain opprefs a tender Flow'r :
But, that once o'er, the Flow'r fo late oppreft
Shall glorious rife, in fairer Colours dreft.
Toems on fever al Occafions. \ 6 j
A Reflection upon my own Forma-
tion.
WHEN I reflect upon this mortal Frame,
And the Original, from whence I came ;
In this fine Form, what various Organs play,
Where Crimfon Streams in Purple Channels play :
Where Springs of Life in ev'ry Part abound,
And in a Million none are ufelefs found :
With Admiration ftruck, that Poisor I praife,
Which out of Nothing could fuch Wonders raife:
None but a Deity could Being give,
Build up the Man, and bid the Creature live.
Great is the Wifdom, but the Love is more,
Which in the finifh'd Fabrick we adore:
The
1 64 tPoems on feder
The Work, for noble Purpofes defign'd,
His Breath enrich 'd with an Immortal Mind
A Subftance, form'd for a divine Abode,
T* enjoy the Smiles and Converfe of a God*
Then, oh ! my Soul ! with noble Pride di
[dain,
Whatever may thy native Luftre ftain :
Thy blefl Redeemer's jufl Commands obey,
And grateful Homage to thy Maker pay.
A Morning Hymn.
BEhold the Morning Sun arife f
And with new Luftre paints the Skies!
The gladded World his Beams furveys,
And blefs his all-enliv'ning Rays*
Arife,
on federal Occa/ions. \6<j
Arife, great God ! and on me fhine,
Shew me thy Excellence divine.
Sun of my Soul ! do thou appear,
Thy Prelence will my Spirits chear.
Keep Thou, for-ever, in my Sight,
And blefs my Morn, my Noon and Night,
The Sun, that only mines by Day,
Swiftly purfues his airy Way :
Yet as he flies from Clime to Clime,
Shadows each Hour, and meafures Time.
Such a Director, pleafe to be,
And point out all my Time to me.
Let all my Hours by Thee be bleft,
And teach me how to fpend them beft.
Be Thou, my God, for ever nigh,
Let not a vacant Minute fly.
M For
1 66 foems on federal Occafions.
For if one Moment thou withdraw' ft,
My poor benighted Soul is loft.
Be Thou, all Day, my conftant Guide,
And then my Foot-fteps fhall not Hide,
Govern my Paflions and my Will,
And keep me, Lord, frqm all that's 111.
In this low World the Night to Day
Succeeds, and bears alternate Sway.
\
But there's a World, I hope to gain,
Where high immortal Pleafures reign :
Where the dull Shades of gloomy Night,
Can never overcaft its Light :
From Thee, inceflantly it ftreams
In ftrong and everlafting Beams.
Oh! bring me to that bleft Abode,
Where ftands thy Throne, my King and God j
2 That
VPoems on federal Occafions. \ 67
That I with Angels may adore,
Thy Deity for evermore.
m
The PENITENT. Infcritfd to
1 H E bafe Ufurpers of my Soul are gone,
T
And Reajon long depos'd regains her
[Throne
She comes at laft, a Friend fincerely kind,
With prudent Counfel to reform my Mind :
With gentle Force (he bends myftubborn Will,
Points out the Good, and bids me fhun the 111.
A wond'rous Glafs the wife Diftatrefs mews,
Which, Objects long forgot, again renews :
There's not an Action paft, but ihe'll recall,
For her clear Mirror can reflect them all.
My Paffions all are reprefented there,
My Joy, my Hope, my Sorrow and my Fear.
M 2 What-
1 6 8 Poems on federal Occafions.
What-e'er I know, is all at once difplay'd,
And Friends and Foes together are furvey'd.
But fo alike in Colour and in Show,
I know not which the Friend or which the Foe.
Among the various Figures that arife,
On thy diftinguifh'd Form I fix my Eyes.
A tempting glorious Thing thou doft appear,
The only Bleffing that I fought with Care.
Each Act of Thine I furely did approve,
And next to Adoration was my Love.
Neglectful of my felf, my God forgot,
Thou wert the Vifion of my conftant Thought.
Thee, but his Image, I an Idol made,
So fcoliflily my wanton Heart has flray'd,
My Folly, now, with Penitence I fee,
And Mercy afk for too much loving Thee.
May
'Poems on fever al Occa/ions. \ 6y
May that great Powr y that I've offended high,
Blot the Affronts, done to his Deity.
May he forgive the Errors of my Youth,
And kindly lead me in the Way of Truth.
To him I with unfeign'd Contrition move,
To him I look with Fervency and Love.
May he, All-gracious, to my Pray'rs attend,
And be my God, my Saviour, and my Friend.
M
To my Self.
ARIA, now, leave all that thouhaft lov'd,
And be, no more, by outward Objects
[mov'd.
Qmt the vain World, and its alluring Toys,
Its airy Pleafures, and fictitious Joys.
Falfe are the Colours, high is the Deceit,
And that, which faireft feems, the greatefl Cheat.
M 3 Tum
a/o foems on federal Occa/tons.
Turn then, fond Maid, from the Delufion fly,
And guide thy future Aims by Reafon's Eye.
No more let Senfe the radiant Queen depofe,
Or the fair Monarch her juft Sceptre lofe.
Let Her mild Didlates bend thy flubborn Will,
And keep thy wild impetuous Paffions ftill :
Let gentle Prudence her foft Pow'r exert,
And curb the Tranfpprts of thy foolifh Heart.
Tempeftuous Anger, and tumultuous Joy,
Both are uncomely, both the Health deftroy.
Thefe, and all others of the ardent Kind,
Are prejudicial to a peaceful Mind,
Then, mun extremes, and calmly bear thy Fate,
Not too dejected, nor too much elate.
If thy kind Lord a profp'rous Lot has giv'n,
Blefs the Indulgence of all-bounteous Heav'n.
Or,
foems on fever al Qccafions.
Or, if he fixes a feverer Doom,
And mould think fit to call his Favours home -,
Humbly fubmit to the divine Decree,
None but himfelf his wife Defigns can fee.
A Grayer for ajick Friend.
FATHER of Mercies, who alone can'ft fave
Our tott'ring Bodies from the filent Grave ;
Before thy awful Throne Arch-angels bend,
And Day and Night thy great Commands attend.
Thou reign'ft for ever, an Almighty King,
While Serapbims Thy facred Praifes fmg.
Yet, plac'd on high, thou humbly deign'ft to hear,
From faithful Lips, a fuppliant Mortal's Pray'r.
M 4 A
^Poems on fever al Occa/ions.
A Friend I have, for whom I deeply grieve,
Beyond the Profpeft of the leaft Reprieve.
Long has fhe ftruggled with the latent Pain,
And try'd the Pow'r of healing Arts in vain ;
All their Endeavours unfuccefsful prove,
That {hould the fecret unknown Caufe remove :
The flrong Diftemper mocks their utmoft Skill,
But Thou canft cure her, if it be Thy Will.
Health is a Bleffing, only Thou can'ft give,
" Return again ye Sons of Men and live.
Thus can'ft Thou fay, thus ward th' impending
[Doom,
And fnatch the Mortal from the gaping Tomb,
Low on my Knees, in humble Faith, I bend
And beg AfMance for my fufPring Friend.
Hear me, oh ! hear me, Comforter divine.
Oh ! let thy Attribute of Mercy (hine ;
Abate
on federal Occafions. 1 7 j
Abate her Pains, and all her Wants redrefs,
And crown her, Lord, with Health and Happinefs.
In kind Compaffion grant this gracious Boon,
Yet not my Will, but Thine alone be done.
On Her DEATH.
AL AS ! what Words can utter myDiftrefs,
Or half the Sorrows of my Soul exprefs ?
Content is grown a Stranger to my Bread,
By anxious Care and heavy Ills oppreft.
Sad mournful Vifions of a dying Friend
Do ev'ry Night my troubled Dreams attend;
And all the Day in penfive Thought is fpent,
For Her whofe Lofs I ever muft lament.
1/4 ^Poems on federal Occa/ions.
I mourn the young BELLARiA'sblafled Charms,
Too early raviuYd from a Huiband's Arms.
Like fremeft Rofes, pluck'd in Morning Dew
With all their Sweets and all their Beauties too;
So fell my Friend, in Youth's exalted State,
A patient Vi&im to her hafty Fate.
How good me was, how gen'rous, and how
[kind,
How fair her Form, how beautiful her Mind,
Are, what will dwell for ever in my Thought,
As much too excellent to be forgot.
Sweet was her Temper, and ferene her Mind,
For her good Nature with good Senfe was join'd i
Juil to her Neighbour, humble to her God,
Her pious Soul was guiltlefs of a Fraud.
Quick to forgive, and eafy to perfuade,
And true to all the Promifes me made :
Careful
foems on federal Occafions. 175
Careful to pleafe, and fearful to offend,
A kind, a faithful, and g conftant Friend.
But not her Merit, nor her Charms cou'd fave
Their lovely Owner, from the darkfome Grave.
Tis fuch a Lofs, I know not how to bear :
How can I part, with what I held fo dear ?
So quickly fnatch'd ! Oh Thought too full of
[Pain!
My friendly Vifit was defign'd in vain :
In vain the Rites, that faithful Love demands,
The chearing Cordials from officious Hands :
No parting Kifs I gave, no pitying Sighs,
Or clos'd with trembling Hand her faded Eyes.
This, unperform'd, ftill aggravates my Grief,
And makes it great, almoft beyond Relief.
Now
1 7 6 tpoems on fever a/ Occajions.
Now the pure Spirit to its Heav'n is fled,
And the pale Corpfe is rang'd among the Dead.
Tho', low in Earth, a thoughtlefs Lump, it lies
Disfigur'd and unlovely to the Eyes ;
I could, ev'n now, with fond Defire behold,
That Cafe which did the precious Gem infold:
Clofe in my Arms th* Infenfible I'd take,
And prefs thofe Lips that want the Pow'r to
[(peak.
To her cold Face my glowing Cheek I'd lay,
And flrive to re-inform the lifelefs Clay.
But fince this flatt'ring Wifh is vainly made,
And 'tis impomble to raife the Dead.
Since there has been a Day fo much unbleft,
T'admh a Caufe, fo fatal to my Reft;
My true affl idled Soul mall conftant pay,
A mournful Tribute on this haplefs Day :
Still,
*Poems on fiver al Occafions. \ 77
Still, as it comes with the revolving Year,
To Her dear Mem'ry drop a friendly Tear,
And, by my Grief, fliew that I lov'd fincere. J
;l
The 37th PSALM.
InfcriVd to an Injurd Friend.
FRET not thy felf when wicked Men prevail,
And bold Iniquity bears down the Scale.
They and their Glory quickly fhall decay,
Swept by the Hand of Providence away,
As verdant Grafs, cut from its vital Root,
That, withering, dies beneath the heedlefs Foot:
In Piety refolv'd, on Heav'n depend ;
His Hand fhall feed thee, and his Arm defend.
Delight
1 7 8 Poems on federal Occafions.
Delight in Him, who hath the Pow'r to blefs,
And what thy Soul defires thou fhalt poflefs.
In all thy Ways on Providence recline,
So fliall he vindicate each juft Defign.
Thy Virtue in full ProfpecT: {hall be mown,
Clear as the Morn, bright as the Mid-day Sun.
In humble Silence ever-patient be,
Wait the Event of his divine Decree.
Tho* guilty Policy her Schemes fulfil,
Fret not thy felf, nor Imitate the ill.
Sudden the Sons of Vice fhall be deftroy'd,
And defolate the Place they once enjoy 'd.
But he that's humble, merciful and juft,
And in his God repofes all his Truft,
Shall fee his Days protracted, void of Cares,
And pafs with Pleafure all jiis fmiling Years.
The
*Poems on federal Occafions. 1 79
The harden'd Wretch, that's grown from bad
[to \vorfe,
May grind his Teeth, or vent the dreadful Curfe ;
Of the black Schemes of hidden Mifchief lay,
Heav'n's fav'rite Children eager to betray:
Th' Almighty views him with a fcornful Eye ;
Knowing the Day of his Definition nigh.
In vain he draws the Sword, aud bends the Bow,
And levels at the Juft the murd'ring Blow.
His own falfe Heart fhall feel the fatal Wound,
And the fnapt Bow lay fhiver'd on the Ground.
The humble Pittance, by the Good enjoy 'd,
With Labour gain'd, with Probity employ'd,
Is better far, and more to be defir'd,
Than wealthy Stores, by wicked Men acquired;:
Whofe Arms fhall fail, whofe Strength fhali
[Weaknefs prove,
But the juft Man no Pow'r on earth fhall move.
His
1 7 8 Toems on federal Occafions.
His God is his Support, his Joy, his Reft,
And to Eternity he (hall be bleft.
When heavy Judgments fweep o'er guilty Lands,
Secure in confcious Innocence he (lands :
When Fountains fail, and Earth denies her Grain,
When pinching Want and meagre Famine reign ;
In his fair Fields mall fruitful Harvefts grow,
And his frem Springs with Chryftal Streams
(Verflow.
But flubborn Sinners {hall no Mercy find ;
For as light Vapours fly before the Wind,
As offer'd Lambs on glowing Altars lay,
Whofe burning Fat confumes and melts away,
So, fliall they perifh all, and difappear,
As Clouds of Smoke difperft in thinner Air.
All that is Juft the wicked Man declines,
Falfe are his Words, and fraudful his Defigns.
With
on fever al Occaftons. \ 8 1
With Eafe he'll promife, and with Eafe betray,
" Lend me, fays he : " but never means to pay.
What diff'rent Virtues grace the pious Mind !
Here Mercy is with chearing Bounty join'd,
Here open-handed CHARITY is feen,
And foft COMPASSION with a gentle Mien ;
Such is the Man, who long Heav'n's Favour
[fliares,
And leaves the copious Blefling to his Heirs.
But he that travels on in wicked Ways,
Is moft accurft, and fhort fhall be his Days.
A good Man's Steps are all with Caution trod,
At once the Charge and Fav'rite of his God :
And if he flips (as fure the Beft may err)
He's ftill fupported by Almighty Care.
N From
1 8 1 Poems on federal Occafions,
From blooming Yoqth to my declining Years,
I ne'er beheld the Righteous or his Heirs
Unfriended, wand'ring, piteoufly implore
The Dole of Charity from Door to Door.
His Pray'rs, his Pity, ev'ry gracious Deed
Entails a lafting Bleffing on his Seed
Obferve what's right, let Sin be moil abhorr'd,
Immortal Life fhall be the great Reward.
For Truth and Virtue are by Heav'n approv'd,
And the juft Man fhall be by Heav'n belov'd
Protected by his God, he knows no Fear,
For ever fafe beneath his Guardian's Care.
That Friend of Saints will lengthen out their
[Days,
When fudden Death cuts off the wicked Race.
But he, whofe Life is regular and pure,
Shall make his Name to lateft Times endure.
Nor
x
foems on federal Occafions. \ 8 j
Nor thro* unnumber'd Ages {hall decline,
The patrimonial Honours of his Line.
What Wifdom dictates, he with Pleafure tells,
While his glad Tongue on fweet Inftruction
[dwells.
Within his Heart his Maker's Law prefides,
And firm he treads whom true Religion guides.
In vain he's watch'd by his infidious Foe,
That feeks to flay him with a fecret Blow.
For Heav'n, {till careful of its Servant's Good,
Shall free him from the Hand diftain'd with
[Blood.
Or, if malicious Sycophants combine,
If wicked Men in wicked Counfels join.
And thro* black Perjury and canker'd Spight,
Perverted Judgment feize his legal Right $
Intrepid he fuftains the preffive 111,
Confcious his God will hold him guiltlefs ftill.
N a With
184 foems on fever al Occa/ions.
With patient Hope the Path of God purfue.
Thine Eyes a ftrange Viciflitude mall view.
Thy Right reftor'd with larger Tra&s of Land,
And Pow'r, unknown before, fhall blefs thy
[Hand.
Thy late infulting Foe to thee fhall bend,
And thou (halt mark his miferable End.
I have my felf, a potent Villain fee,
Like the young Laurel, vig'rous, lovely, green,
With Pow'r inverted, ftretch from fide to fide,
Vain with Succefs, and fwelPd with inward Pride,
Yet foon this mighty Man was ihrunk to Earth j
'Twas fcarce remembred that he e'er had Birth.
I fought the Place, where he fo lately flione,
'Twas all a Wafte, the faithlefs Mailer gone.
Behold
Toems on federal Occajiom. 185
Behold the Man, whofe Life's unblemifh'd
[round,
Is with fair Truth, and bright Perfection crown'd:
With what Compofure he refigns his Breath,
Serenely fmiling in the Arms of Death!
But the tranfgreffing Tribe fhall foon decay,
Tho' Mercy for a while their Fate delay.
A certain Vengeance on their Race fhall fall,
And one vaft Ruin overwhelm them all.
To the juft Man Profperity is giv'n,
And his Redeemer is the Lord of Heav'n.
But if a Tryal of his Faith be meant,
And for that End fevere Affliction's fent,
His Arm fuftains him in the Day of Woe,
And gives him ftrength to bear the chaft'ning
[Blow-
When angry Men, a vile perfidious Band,
Approach to wound him with unhallow'd Hand ;
N 3 To
i 8 6 Teems on federal Occajtons.
To Heav'n he looks, expecting fafety thence
And the Moft High will be his lure Defence;
Will crufhhis Foes and their mad Pow'r reftrain,
For none e'er truflcd in the Lord in vain.
A Meditation upon thefe Words,
Arife, ye Dead, and come to Judgment.
MEthinks, I hear a Sound of Dread,
Thofe awful words " Jhife ye Dead "
To Judgment come, without delay,
'Tis, now, the great accounting Day.
Behold ! the Moon in Blood is fer,
The Heavens confume with fervent Hear.
Loud Thunders roar, Definition falls,
And whirls along in flaming Balls.
The
Poems on federal Ocea/lons. 1 87
The Lamp of Day, O horrid Sight !
Extinguifh'd lies in fatal Night.
Now fpreading Flames, from Pole to Pole,
O'er the wide Earth devouring roll ;
Drink up her Seas, diffolve her Hills,
And Heav'n with Smoke andTefhpeft fills.
The laft tremendous Trumpet's Sound
Summons the People under-ground.
See ! how the frighted Nations rife^
Obferve, my Soul \ with what Surprize ?
From op'ning Graves fome croud in hafle,
Some are from foaming Billows ca^ft j
From brazen Urn, and Marble Tomb,
See the collected Bodies come !
Egyptian Kings no more are hid
Within a (lately Pyramid 5
N 4 But >
1 8 8 *Poems on fever a! Occajions.
But, mixing in the common Throng,
Advance with trembling Steps along.
None are exempted from the Call,
The dreadful Word is meant to a}l.
Without Diftinction or Delay,
The dreadful Summons all obey.
How vafl a Multitude is here !
How great the Numbers that appear !
On ev'ry fide in Crouds they come,
And haften to their final Doom.
But hark ! the Trumpet's thriller Cry
proclaims the awful Judge is nigh :
Behold ! he is already here, "\
And all the Juft }n Hope draw near, >
But 'tis a Hope chaflis'd with Fear. J
For
on federal Oceafions. 189
For who a Judge, a God can view,
And not fome Signs of Terror {hew ?
The Book of Life is opcn'd, where
Their Names in pureft Leaves appear.
Thrice }}appy they, who fill a Line -
Within that Hiftory divine !
Oh may it be my chiefeft Care
TO get my Name recorded there !
Black Fiends with fruitlefs Spite arraign,
And blotted Crimes revive in vain.
For who can fear Infernal Hate
When Jefus is their Advocate ?
Their Judge and Saviour He whofe veins
With cleanfing Streams wafh'd off their Stains.
Ye faithful Bands, he cries, draw near,
To Me, to my great Father dear j
Receive,
i po Toems on fiver al Occa/tM$.
Receive the rich, the Vaft Reward,
So long expected from your Lord.
Defign'd for Joys at his Right-Hand,
The choice elected Numbers (land.
And, now, he turns with wrathful Eye,
The wicked on his Left to try.
An angry God their Judge rhuft be,
A high offended Deity.
The Volume of their Sin is brought,
The Regifter of ev'ry Fault.
The myftick Book is ftrak urifeal'd,
The Secrets of their Hearts reveal'd.
Thofe Crimes) they hop'd (hbuW ne'er be known,
To Angels, Men, and Devife- fhowtt,
Confus'd andEtombi f^eir Horfoi's fhew
The faithful Record & coo- true.
Conscience
Toems on fever aJ Occafions. \ y i
Conference the Worm, that ne'er (hall reft,
Now preys upon their guilty BreafL
Go, fays the Judge, yecurfed, go
To Darknefs, Flames, and boundlefs Woe.
With Daemons dwell in lafting Pain,
Where, unextinguifh'd Fires remain.
Where, when ten thoufand Years are gone,
And twenty times ten thoufand done,
Your Punimments, without a Date,
Shall nor in Length nor Force abate.
Alas ! what Flefh has Pow'r to bear
A Sentence that is fo fevere !
See! how the helplefs Wretches fly,
To fave them from the Danger nigh;
Curfe
i p I foems on fever a! Occa/ions.
Curfe (but too late) their former Ills,
And Shelter afk from neighboring Hills.'
To neighbouring Hills in vain they call,
TO crum them by a friendly Fall.
Devils, impatient of their Prey,
Hurry the {hrieking Crew away ;
Down, headlong down, the Wretches tear,
To the dark Dungeons of Pefpair,
And, now, the great Tribunal's o'er,
And Fate is x'd for evermore,
No more the radiant Spheres {hall rife,
They're v^nim'd from the defart Skies,
The Earth's confum'd, and in its Place
Nothing remains but empty Space.
The Damn'd are gone to endlefs Night,
And all the Jufl to Realms of Light.
n*
Toems on fever al Occa/ions.
The Vanity of Human Life.
AH ! what is Life ? how mutable and vain !
An Hour of Pleafure, and an Age of Pain.
Where changing Seafons are but vary'dWoes,
And with each Morning early Sorrow flows.
The bufy Mind, with adverfe Paffions rent,
Still fearches on, a Stranger to Content.
One Hour in gay and fprightly Mirth is pafs'd,
The next with melancholy Shades o'ercaft.
Alternate Joy, alternate Grief we know,
Yet fcarce can tell, whence thefe Excefles flow.
Elate to Day, we laugh and play and fing,
To-morrow fees a wretched, abject Thing.
With
1 94 Toems on federal Occafions.
With deep, deje&ing Cares we lie oppreft,
And penfive Thoughts difturb the gloomy Breaft.
Till other Thoughts revolve to our Relief,
And fanfy'd Joys elude a real Grief.
Flatt'ring ourfelves, we fond Ideas frame
Of Human Happinefs, an empty Dream.
Yet Man, whom ev'ry Show of Blifs deceives,
Full Credit to the foothing Image gives.
We've found (at leaft we think fo) what, alone,
Can give the longing Mind a Peace unknown :
Had we but That, 'twou'd certain Eafe reftore,
Grant it, ye Pow'n, and we deiire no more.
Yet if kind Fate the wifh'd-for Bleffing grant,
We're ftill diflatisfy'd, and fomething want :
Then, with repeated Care and anxious Pain,
We feek another Trifle to attain ;
Our
<Poew$ on federal Owajions. \y j
Our wonted Vigilance and Toil renew,
To gain the glorious Thing we have in view.
And, if we do the mighty Something get,
Agam are we deceiv'd, 'tis all a Cheat.
Nor will this fecond Difappointmcnt prove
Severe enough, our Folly to remove.
Still with a difcontented, reftlefs Mind,
We fearch for That, which we can never find.
Erring before, we mourn'd; but, now, are fure
We know, what will a laJfting Joy fecure.
And did we err before ? fo err we now,
If we expect true Hap.pine& below.
Should Heav'n, indulgent, lavifli all its Store,
And give fo. largely we could wi& no/ more i
This furely would our wayward Fancy pleafe,
And bring our weary, lab'ring Spirits Eafe.
We
~i 96 Toems on fever a! Occafiotis.
We fhould indeed be bleft, fliould for a While,
Our Hopes with tranfitory Reft beguile.
Forgetful of the Powr Supreme, that may;
When-e'er he pleafes, fnatch our Joys away.
Ah foolifh Mortals, credulous and vain !
Prepare to meet the quick-returning Pain :
Still let us keep FUTURITY in View,
The Hand that gave the Gift, can take it too.
But cannot Gold afford a full Delight ?
How the rich Metal glitters to the Sight!
O dazling Luftre ! what would we not do,
What Toils not take, what Dangers not purfue,
For much of Thee, thou bright deluding 111 !
And in the warm Purfuit advance unwcary'd flill f
In
foems on feveral Occa/tons.
In fearch of Toys, we precious Moments
[wafte,
For Wealth has Wings; and often flies in hafte,
The mighty Man, with ample Fortunes bleft,
Of pond'rous Bags and ftately Domes pofleft j
At Noon replete with all his Soul's Defire,
At Night impov'rim'd by deftru&ive Fire.
Such things may be, for fuch have often beenj
A thoufand fatal Mifchiefs lurk unfeen*
The bufy Merchant trafficks o'er the Main*
And rifles foreign Countries for his- Gain.
Nor Earth nor Water from his Spoils are free,-
To heap up Gold, he'll eompafs Land and Sea*
Behold him, waiting at the Ocean's fide",
While Ships from India break the ffafcing Tides
Now one, long wim'd fof with impatient
[Thought,
Is by his friendly Glafs in ProfpecT: brought.
O Freighted
1 9 8 foems on federal Occajlons.
Freighted with Gold and Silks of various Dyes,
And in her Womb an Ivory Treafure lies.
See, what calm Seas, and what propitious Gales,
Support her Keel, and fwell her flying Sails !
His Thoughts flow quicker, and his Heart beats
[high,
His Joys increafing as the Barque draws nigh.
When lo ! a fudden Change the Air invades,
And the Clouds thicken into fullen Shades :
Fierce Tempefls beat, and angry Billows roar,
Diftrafting Sight to him that ftands on fhore.
Juft ready to caft Anchor near the Coaft,
Sad Terror to his Soul ! the Ship is loft.
Oh! falfe and flipp'ry State of human Things !
What fad Diftrefs one haplefs Moment brings !
So
foems on fenjeral*cca/ioiis. i $9
So JOB with more than orient Brightnefs
[dreft,
The Pride and Worfhip of the wondring Eaft ;
Sought by the Old* and honour'd by the Young,
The lift'ning Ear paid Homage to his Tongue $
Princes arofe, when he appear'd in Sight,
And the charm'd Eye beheld him with Delight
For, Years he liv'd, with Health and Glory
[crown'd,
And, like a God, difpens'd his Bleffings round.
On either Hand, his Sons and Daughters fate,
And help'd to fwell theFullnefs of his State*
Yet this confummate Grandeur prov'd in vain,
For all was changed to Poverty and Pain,
His Honour blafted, and his Children flain. J
Sprinkled with Duft, and proftrate on the Earth,
In Bitternefs of Soul he eurs'd his Birth.
1
Oh
2oo Poems on few ral Occajlons.
Oh Impotence of Wealth ! can ought avail,
Where Gold, Magnificence, and Empire fail ?
\
Yes, fomething more fubftantial yet remains,
A Sovereign Med'cine for fevereilPains:
When great Afflictions overwhelm the Mind,
When ev'ry Faculty's to Grief refign'd 5
When the whole Soul is funk in deep Diftrefs,
FRIENDSHIP^ foft Pow'r can make its Sorrows
[lefs,-
That nearer! Emblem of indulgent Heav'n,
To fweeten Life's predeflin'd Ills, was giv'n.
A faithful Friend is our extremeft Good,
The richefl Gift, that ever Heav'n beftow'd.
When the prefl Bofom heaves with weighty
[Cares,
This kind Companion half the Burden bears :
With healing Counfel mitigates our Woe,
Or wifely teaches how to bear the Blow.
Our
foems on fever al Occa/ions. 2 o i
Our Pleafures too the much-lov'd Friend divides,
Adds Joy to Joy, and fwells the happy Tides.
Pleas'd with my Subject, more than fond of
[Fame,
I much could fay on this delightful Theme.
But 'tis too copious and fublime a Strain,
More fit for YOUNG, or POPE'S unbounded Venn
The brighteft Numbers that were ever penn'd,
Should celebrate the jufl and gen'rous Friend.
On me would partial Fortune this beftow,
'Tis all the Happinefs I'd afk below.
Yet, of a Treafure fo immenfe pofTeft,
Vainly we hope to be for ever bleft.
Still are we govern'd by inconftant Fate,
And the firft Turn may change our pleafing State :
May force us (tho' with deep Regret) to part
From the dear, trufled Inmate of our Heart.
O 3 Oh
2.oi
Oh Agony of Thought ! what Breaft can bear
So vaft a Shock, or who the Grief declare ?
D A v i p alone the great Diftrefs could paint,
And in fit Language form the juft Complaint.
To his dear JONATHAN due Rites he paid,
He lov'd him living, and he mourn'd him dead.
Mourn'd him in fuch a graceful, moving Strain,
As all admire, and emulate in vain?
His fweet, pathetick Sorrows finely mow,
The nobleft Heights of Tendernefs and Woe.
While facred Leaves record the pious Theme,
A lafting Monument to Friendmip's Name.
Sometimes we more exalting Joys purfue,
And Pleafures charm us in a difF'rent View,
One
on federal Occafions. 20 j
One beauteous Form has ftruck upon the Mind,
A fweet Impreflion, cafual, or defign'd.
To one fix'd Centre all our Wifhes move,
And the tranfported Heart rebounds with Love.
In that fond Paflion we expect to meet
A full Content, a Happinefs complete.
Then, with glad Toil and with inccflant Care,
We ftrive to gain what feems fo wond'rous fair.
Whilft the dear Object, we moft highly prize,
Rejects our Vows, and mocks our promis'd Joys.
And fure we can no greater Torment prove,
Than cold Difdain repaid for conftant Love.
But fhould our Paflion meet a juft Return,
And either Bread with mutual Ardor burn,
Some unforfeen Misfortune may divide,
Thofe faithful Hearts, which equal Love has ty'd.
O 4 The-'
j 04 IPoems on fever al Occa/ion$.
Then, who can dictate, or what Words can {how
The agonizing Pain, the pungent Woe ?
But we'll fuppofe a milder Fortune (till,
A prefent Pleafure and a diftant 111 :
Our Wifties crown'd, the Prize pbtain'd at laft,
The bright Reward of all our Labours paft :
The Danger over, and abfolv'd the Vow,
O, Joy too great ! what can afflict us now ?
Yet Time's frail Glafs is fill'd with flitting Sand,
And held too in a paralytick Hand.
That foon may break, or That may quickly runA
Which hpldsaLife more precious than our own, >
An4 then alas the Hour of Joy is done. J
So JACOB, after being bleft for Years,
Fair RACHEL mourn*d with unavailing Tears,
*Poems on federal Occajiom. 205
She, for whofe Sake his Youth and Strength he
[gave,
And fourteen annual Circles liv'd a Slave j
Breathlefs and cold before her Lover laid,
Snatch'd from his Arms and number'd with the
[Dead.
And, thus, we fee, 'tis evidently plain,
What-e'er depends on Life, is weak and vain.
Gold is too fleeting, Friendship's healing Pow'r
May be diflblv'd in one deftructive Hour.
That Love's fantaflick Blifs is not fincere, *j
That Human Life is Hope, and Doubt, and >
[Fear,
A little PJeafure and a Load of Care.
Reafons
206 ^Poems on federal Occajions.
Reafons againft deifying the Fair
By another Hand.
MAdam, I own I was fo fmit
What with your Beauty and your Wit,
That I began, which very odd is,
To thing of making you a Goddefs j
I talk'd of building you a Temple,
And ofFring up for an Enfample,
My own dear Heart in low Proftration,
With all the Cant of Adoration.
But thinking clofely on the Matter,
J've fmce concluded, 'twoud be better
You'd be above fuch Vanity,
And keep to your Humanity,
For
'Poems on federal Occa/ions. zo/
For firft, if you a Goddefs be,
What will become of Mortal Me?
Cloath'd in your Majefty Divine,
I tremble to approach your Shrine.
At awful diftance, lo ! I ftand
With quiv'ring Lip and fhaking Hand;
Or beg, on bended Knee, to greet
With humble Kifs your heav'nly Feet.
For VENUS can't defcend to any
So low as romping like Mifs NANNY.
Again, confider, fhou'd you rife
To the high rank of Deities ;~
You cannot long fupport your Reign,
Nor long your Goddefs-fhip maintain :
For you muft know, Deification
ght to pafs by Incantation^
By
^\ V
208 foems on feveral Occ a/ions.
By Words of elevating Sound,
From Lips of Lover on the Ground
Utter 'd in Raptures ; Flames and Darts,
Altar -s, Worjhip, bleeding Hearts,
Sun, Venus, <%uinte/ence of Worth,
Extafies, Heav'n, and fo forth.
Now when you condefcend to wed,
And take the Mortal to your Bed,
One Moon has fcarce her Period crown'd j
Ere the rude Creature turns him round,
And with familiar Airs of Spoufe,
(Reverfe of what he wont to ufe)
Treats you like one of this our Earth :
You, confcious of Your heav'nly Birth,
Th' inreverent Liberty difdain,
And tell the Wretch " He turns profkane;
At
<Poems on fiveral Occa/ions. 2 09
At this th' audacious Thing grows hot,
Calls you Chit, Woman, and what not ?
Mumbling, in direful retribution,
Some other Forms of Diminution
Malign j your Glories vanifh quick,
*
Olympus turns to houfe of Brick.
Inftead of Cupids and the Graces,
Plain earthly Betty takes their places :
Your Altars (which who won't recoil at ?)
Change to Tea-table or a Toilet :
The Goddefs finks to Flefh and Blood ;
While Hufband in the cooing Mood,
Gives you a Bufs, nor cares who fees it,
And fondly cries, " My Dear how is it ? ".
Thus, Madam, not to keep you longer,
(For I can urge no Reafons ftronger)
You
2 1 o 'Poems on fever at Occa/iori**
You plainly fee, it is not fitting,
That you among the ftars be fitting.
Wherefore, I think, you won't defire
To leave our Species for a higher.
But be content, with what's your due,
And what your Rivals think fo too 5
That, for foft Charms and Senfe refin'd,
You mine the Pride of Woman kind.
The
foems on federal Occajions. 2 1 1
The Morning Frolick.
By the fame.
Half a dozen young Gentlemen, in a certain Sea*
Port, proposed over Night, to take a ride early
the next Morning tojbme publick Gardens, a few
Miles out of fown. And to make the Diver-
Jion complete, it was agreed, to prevail with
fome young Ladies of their Acquaintance to fa-
vour them with their Company. All fucceeded
in their Applications, but one, who therefore rode
on horfeback : the reft were dijpos'd into pairs.
One couple rode in a Chaife, the other four in a
kind of Vehicle, between a Chaife and a Wheel-
barrow, drawn by one Horfe, and fitted to con-
tain two Perfons. The vulgar Natives call them
Carts, the better fort of People, Coaches. This
fuppos'd Adventure is the Subject of the follow-
ing Poem; which it is hop'd will not offend
any grave and ferious Tempers, partly on Ac-
count of the Innocence of the whole, and partly
in regard of the fever al moral Reflections which
are interfpersd throughout the Work.
The
2 1 2 To ems on fever al Occa/ioits*
The fictitious Names are as follows.
The Gentlemen. The Ladies,
Manlius. - Pajiorella,
Formo/b. . Ingenia.
Dulcimore, a Dantzick ^
Gentleman upon his > Volatllla.
Travels. )
Hilario. Sobritia.
Mercatorio. Grandiforma,
Florid.
T|H | % WAS in a Town, hard by the Ocean,
- Where Folks are always in Commotion ,
Where gentle Husbands go to Sea,
And Wives make Vifits to drink Tea,
* To chat of Famions and the Weather,
And make out who and who's together
Where MhTes from Mamma elope,
At Back-door, Window, fometimes ^-Shop,
* Gave bints of who and who's together,
^benfell to talking of the Weather.
Cadenus and Vanefia.
When
on federal Occa/lons. 213
When wheedling Youths frail Maids allure,
To Ev'ning Walk, or Morning Tour:
In this fam'd Town for Mirth and Leifure,
Six gallant Blades (no foes to Pleafure.)
Once Hero-like (as Story goes)
Renounced four Hours of fweet Repofe*
And vow'd, by PROSERPINE and STYX,
To meet next Morning when ? by fix*
By fix? Yes for the Morning Air
Is wholefom aik the Doctor there*
But what will Morning Air avail
Without a Female in the Gale*
Whofe Breath the Suckling's Scent may raife,
Whole Face may gild Apollo's Rays ?
For as our Spirits ebb and flow,
All Objects gay or gloomy (how j
P And
2 1 4 Foems on fever al Occajions.
And eke, when by the Pow'r of VENUS,
Our Blood and Spirits dance within us,
Each joyous Scene will fhine more bright,
And fill us with a frelh delight.
'Twas wifely fpoke, the Council cry'd,
And to a Nymph each Swain apply'd,
How cou'd fuch Gentles be deny'd ?
No, well-bred Ladies are too good
To nip thefe Projects in the bud.
So, all as heart could with fucceeded
But one, alas! in vain he pleaded;
Mamma's irrevocable Doom
Detained th' unwilling Nymph at home.
And now, juft yawning from their Beds,
With flaring Eyes, and aching Heads,
In
s OH fever a! Occafions. ^ \ 5
In Troops the gay Adventurers meet,
Bow, curtfie, fmile, advance and greet j
Then ev'ry Squire his Damfel fnatches,
As Bird with Bird in Spring-time matches,
To pafs the jovial Seafon thro* with,
To toy and fmg, to bill and coo with.
To M A N L i u s of the gen'rous Mind,
Soft PASTORELLA was confign'd.
Attractive Fair ! thy modeft Mien,
Thy gentle Manners, Air ferene,
And Eyes with artlefs Beauty ftiining.
Conquer all Hearts without defigning.
BleftMANLius! bleft FORMOSO too!
With you, IN G E N i A, pair'd, with you.
Comely FORMOSO! born to vex,
With Gold-lac'd Beaver, all the Sex.
P 2 'Twas
2 1 6 foems on feveral Occa/ions.
'Twas cock'd fo exquifitely fmart,
What Female could defend her Heart ?
And cou'd F OR M o s o keep his own,
When once I N G E N i A'S Charms were (hown ?
When, fweetly eloquent of Tongue,
She pour'd abundant Wit along,
And with fuch Eyes as never fail,
Enliven'd every well-wrought Tale ?
Hold I won't make the Ladies wait.
" The Carts are ready at the Gate
" Genteels, cries TOM, in humble Tone,
<c Carts, fay you, Sirrah ? be it known
" That vulgar Term our Rank reproaches,
" We Folks of falhion call them Coaches,
Weak
Foems on federal Occajions. 217
Weak Subterfuge of human Pride !
Fondly induftrious to hide
Beneath fome honourable Name,
Its Folly, Poverty, or Shame.
But 'tis no time to moralize ; "\
Methinks one of the Ladies cries, >
cc This Pedant fure is mighty wife. J j
'Tis a fad World! for Pallas knows
Grave Things won't pleafe 'mong Belles and
[Beaus,
A Scholar's but an awkward Tool,
And Women chuckle at a Fool.
Each Couple now a Car afcends,
Each Charioteer his Whip extends:
Train'd to the Lam the raw-bon'd Steed
Pricks forward with an Afs-like Speed.
P 3 While
1 1 8 foems on fever alOcca/ions.
While F L o R i o, pretty Sprig of Beauty,
On ambling Nag rides by on Duty :
Officious Squire ! fo prone to wait,
So dexterous to open Gate,
And with a lowly well-bred Bow,
Salute the C o A c H as it goes through.
What mortal Wight did ever fee,
At Wake, at Fair, at Jubilee,
Or Nuptials of the rural Maid,
So fine, fo gay a Cavalcade ?
There I>u L c i M o R E, with melting Eye,
And fofteft Manners, paffes by :
A Native he, of Dantzick City,
Yet thinks our Englifh Ladies pretty :
And as full proof, that Poles love Mirth,
His choice calFd VOLATILLA forth :
A
foems on federal Occafions. 2 1 j>
A Nymph, as light as any Feather,
Simpring and giggling in all Weather.
A Nymph who never kept her Seat
The while a Watch two Ticks can beat.
What Youngfler's That, who drives yon way ?
O, tis H i L AR i o the gay.
That Female Beaver, which he wears,
Infpires him with thofe freakifh Airs.
This Moment, in a Flight of Joy,
He feiz'd upon the filken Toy.
Swift as a Weaver (hoots his Thread,
He whirl'd it from his Fair one's Head :
SOBRI NA me, of template Blood,
Dull as a Naiad of the Mud:
Her folemn Tongue was feldom ftirring,
Grave as a Cat, in Corner purring;
P 4 Unmov'd
220 Voems on fever al Occasions.
Unmov'd with every thing that paffes,
Nor giv'n to Tears, nor to Grimaces.
Make room good CUPID! who are Thefe ?
They drive as if they drove for Fees.
How rapidly they whirl along !
They leave afar the lagging Throng :
The Youths ftretch o'er the loofen'd rein,
The Courfers fcour the dufty Plain.
FoFxMoso and OLINDA? Yes-
And who are They that on them prefs ?
They feern to fret at the difgrace,
That Qart fhou'd of a Cbaife take place,
'TisGRANDIFORMA, buxomLafs,
No fpindle Shape, nor Baby Face ;
As the full Moon her Glories mine,
As J u N o Grand, her Air Divine,
The
Toems on federal Occafions. 2 2 1
The Youth, who does her fide adorn,
Seems in fome foft Defires to burn 5
He keeps yon Rival Car in view,
But often turns his Eye afkew,
And fteals a Glance, and draws a figh >.
Poor MERCATORIO! do not dye !
Damfels are nothing now fo cruel,
As when fick Knights drank Water-gruel,
And ftarv'd in Armour half a Year,
To mollify the ruthlefs Fair.
Hah ! on the Credit of a Poet,
That Shock will furely overthrow it;
The Chaife is joftled in the Ditch
F o R M o s o flies upon the flretchj
Swift the triumphant Victor flies,
Swift as the Motion of our Eyes,
Ill
foems on federal Occa/ions
O fatal Appetite of Praife,
That ruins us ten thoufand Ways ;
For Thee, Bear-garden Hero bleeds,
Smit with the Love of gen'rous Deeds :
For thee, oft Brother-Poets rue
(Alas ! my Ditty is too true)
In aching Bones, and jumbled Brain,
The toffing Blanket, bafting Cane :
For Thee, for Thee, e'en now the Lover,
Had well nigh turn'd his Miftrefs over.
Pardon, good Reader, this Digreflion,
Among us Poets Vis the Famion :
We heav'nly Mad-folks fcorn the Rules,
Which fetter up the plodding Schools 5
Beyond our Theme we foar away,
And among Clouds and Thunders play.
2 Now
*Poems on fever aJ Occajions. 223
Now to take up my Tale anew,
The fought-for Gardens rife in view,
A pretty, folemn, rural Shade,
By Trees of humble lineage made
That front-ways in long order ftand,
Firft the pleas'd Traveler's Eye demand.
Delicious, lovely, lonefome Walk,
for all that to themfelves wou'd talk!
What tho* no Fountains purl along
Refponfive to the Lovers Song ;
No River pour his Currents down,
For Swains that are difpos'd to drown ;
Yet if to bang they be inclin'd,
Here they may eafe their tortur'd Mind.
Here on fome Sallow's friendly Bough,
Ye may fulfill the noble Vow ;
Encloie
224 tPoems on fever al Occajions.
Enclofe your Necks in garter'd Noofe,
And die, ev'n glorious, in your Shoes.
And while you dangle in the Air,
{ '.-:, :; '(
The Satyrs (hall around repair,
To wail your Fate, and curfe the Faif ,
The COACHES flop, the Knights defcend,
Their Hands unto the Ladies lend
And humbly bow : The Smack goes round,
And Mirth and Laughter fhake the Ground,
When lo ! (ah ! difmal to be told,
But ftill more difmal to behold)
A Gown new-wafh'd, and white as Snow
Foul'd by the Leavings of fome Cow,
Or ill-bred Steed, who did impart
Their Goings-forth unto the Cart.
Poor
oe ms on feveral Occafioni; 225
Poor VOLATILLA! fuch hard Fate
Does on our mix'd Condition wait j
We Mortals ne'er pafs through a Day,
But meet fome Evil in the Way :
Our Frolicks After- Sorrows bring,
And every Pleafure has its Sting:
Yet, good now, moderate thy Grief,
While PASTORELLA fetch Relief.
The pitying Nymph obfequious ftands,
With Bowl of Water in her Hands,
And now the cleanfing Stream {he pours,
And now (he rubs, and now me fcours.
So, when black Lies from Slander's Tongue,
On fome fair Name with Zeal are flung ;
A faithful Friend, with timely Pains,
Wipes off the foul injurious Stains,
The
2 1 6 foems on fever al Occafions.
The Water boils, the Cloth is laid,
The Cups are wafh'd, the Tea is made,
Now GRANDIFORMA lifts onhigh
The Pot, confpicuous to the Eye :
* . 7 * %* * i -i * * i * * w f. - * . .i ? ,>^Tl *
Swift forth the reeking Currents flow,
Andflafli into eachVafe below.
The fputt'ring Streams with Froth abound,
The Vafes to the Fall refound.
* Thus, rufhing thro* the Mountain-wood,
VE UN o's airy rapid Flood
Throws from a Precipice's Height,
His Torrents, dreadful to the Sight.
And dafhing on the rocky Plain,
Whirls the black Waves and foams amain.
Loudly the founding Billows roar,
The Rocks rebellow from the Shore*
* rid. Mr. AddifonV Travels, /. 156. 8vo Ee.
Thick
on fever a! Occafiom. 117
Thick Mifts, like Clouds of Smoke, arife
And half obfcure the Noon-day Skies.
Here might the Mufe her Accents raife,
And utter in fublimer Lays,
What mighty Themes, and Talk profound
Employ'd the bufy Table round :
How Hats are cock'd, and Heads mou'd fit,
What Edging were for Fanny fit :
How long large Sleeves wou'd be in fafhion,
Or Whalebone Hoops moleft the Nation j
Whether the Tea was ftrong or fmall,
Who'd go at Night unto the BaH :
How Ladies, when they blufh'd, look'd pretty,
And Gentles, when they laugh'd, were witty j
With many like important Matters,
Worthy of reafonable Creatures,
Who
i 2 8 T0m$ on federal Gcca/ions*
Who born for no ignoble end,
Each precious Point of Being fpend
In virtuous Deeds, or Converie wife>
And to immortal Honours rife;
Thus, gentle Reader, ends m
My Spirits like thy Patience fail :
But if the Fortunes you'd be knowing
Of our Advent' rers, homeward going,
I pray to thy Remembrance bring
That mighty memorable King,
Who twenty thoufand brave Men led,
Boldly up to the Mountain's Head 5
Who led them up the Hill, I fay,
Then led them, down the felf-fame Way*
(poems on feveral Occafions* 229
The Dedication to M A N L i us.
Ccept this Prefent from the Mufes hand,
A'
Who in fuch Numbers fung at your corri-*
[mand j
Advent'roufly effaying to rehearfe^
In the gay Records of a fportive Verfe,
The Ads of gentle Knights, and Damfels fair^
Who rofe by fix, to take the Morning Air.
What tho' in harmlefs Raillery (he plays^
And feems a Satyr in the laughing Lays ;
Yet let them not offend, or Belle, or Beau j .
Thefe Lines from Mirth, and not Ill-nature flow.
Perhaps S o B R i N A thinks me rough at beft>
Pfhaw ! Madam all I faid was but in Jeft :
We Poets are a modeft, well-bred Race,
Who ne'er offend a Lady to her Face 5
And
1 5 o foems on federal Occa/ions.
And when a Face is fo extremely pretty,
Who will not fay, the Owner on't is witty ?
Belles have no Faults, or we no Faults muft fee.
Such are the Laws of Love and Gallantry;
To Mrs. MASTERS, upon read-
ing the i^pth Pfalm turned
into Verfe by her.
By T. SCOTT.
TOO long, I own, harmonious Maid,
I have the grateful Verfe delay'd :
With confcious Blufhes T perufe
* The friendly Labours of your Muje,
A Mufe, who with the Critick's Rage
Did in a generous Strife engage;
* Vid. p. 54.
Vindictive
foetus on federal Occa/tons. 2 3 i
Vindictive of my youthful Lays
Below their Cenfure, or your Praife.
Wou'd I, in heav'nly Verfe like yours,
Had laid out my Poetkk Hours !
Inftruftive Pleafures charm my Ear,
When with devout Surprize I hear
The foft melodious Hebrew's Voice
In your fweet, ecchoing Notes rejoice j
With a fublime and folemn Sound
DifTufe his Maker's Praife around,
Meafure the broad, all-feeing Eye,
And travel thro' Immenfity.
O boundlefs Plenitude divine !
Whom not the higheft Heav'ns confine j
2 j ^ foems on federal Occa/iom.
O infinitely-piercing View,
That fees the fecret Spirit through !
O more than mortal Poet ! tell,
How cou'd thy opening Fancy fwell
To compafs fo immenfe a Theme :
Thy Fancy felt the Pvwr fupreme,
The Pvwr fupreme inform'd the Birth,
And call'd the vaft Ideas forth.
Thrice happy Maid ! who cou'd transfufe
't he Genius of fo great a Mufe,
Who cou'd in no unfaithful Lay
Her Majefty of Thought difplay.
How many, in redundant Strains,
With fruitlefs paraphrafing Pains,
The facred Poet have diffus'd,
Unmann'd his Vcrfe, his Senfe abus'd !
While
<Poems on federal Occafions. 23$
While in luxuriant Lines they play,
And in the Maze of Fancy ftray,
They wafte the Vigor of his Song,
They fink the Grandeur of his Tongue ;
(Frugal his Words, profufe his Thought)
Till down to Earth from Heaven brought
Languid and low, the Prophet lies,
And in the Paraphrafer dies.
/
So when the Sun his Noon adorns,
In a lefs Orb his Glory burns;
And the colle&ed beams difplay
A ftatelier Blaze, a ftronger Day.
But rolling down the Weftern Sky,
Thro' Mifts expanding to the Eye,
Faintly he fheds the fcattering Light,
And fading falls away in Night.
03 Judicious
a j 4 SP<ww on federal Occafion$>
Judicious Maid ! with fteddier View
The great Orig'nal you purfue.
And, feafon'd with religious Fear,
Print off eacli heav'nly Thought with Care
Pure from falfe mixtures, every Line
Does with a Firgin-Luftrc mine.
Your Mufe a decent Yefture wears,
Modeft her Mein, and chafte her Airs:
With fimple plegance me charms;
While eafy Majefty informs
The Verfe, and to remembrance brings,
You but refound, what DAVID fings.
O ! then the noble Task renew,
A Task which feems referv'd for you.
In ev'ry Eritijh Soul, infpire
A Pailion for the Hebrew Lyre;
i And
foems on fever al Occafions. 135
And let your fair T^ranjlatiom {how
What Beauties in the Scriptures grow :
What Fires in heav'nly Bofoms glow'd,
When lab'ring with nofan/y'd God:
How high the tow'ring Mind could foar,
Which the celeftial Dove upbore.
Then Wits in filence fhall admire
I s A i A H'S more than H o ME R'S Fire;
PINDAR to DAVID yield the Prize,
And VIRGIL'S Majefty in MOSES rife.
Q4 An
2 j 6 IPoems on fever al Occaflons.
An EPISTLE to my Wife.
Wrote from London in the fecond Tear
of our Marriage.
By the Same,
HEalth to his beft-belov'd her Lover fends :
For this the daily Knee to Heav'n he bends,
For this ten thoufand tender Wifhes rife,
And Care for this ten thoufand Fears fupplies.
O may kind Heav'n, in pity to my Pain,
Vouchfafe to give me to thy Arms again !
With living Luftre, to behold thy Face
Adorn'd, and blooming with its ufual Grace !
Not
on federal Occa/ions. 237
Not the bright Beauties, this gay Town can boaft,
Not all the Joys, which every Senfe accoft,
While You are abfent, can prefume to pleafe,
Or give my folitary Spirit Eafe.
From Wine, from Wits, from Pleafures of the
[Sight
You and the fylvan Scenes my Mufe invite.
The fylvan Scenes, with your dear Prefence bleft,
Infpire delicious Raptures in my Breaft :
With fpritely Images my Fancy raife,
And wake the Spirit of harmonious Lays.
Marriage ! fweet Theme of unpolluted Song,
Cement of Souls, fo fine and yet fo flrong !
Thine is the chafle Defire, the Love fincere,
Unftain'd with Guilt and unconfus'd by Fear 5
The fervent Care to pleafe, the focial Joys,
Excited by the Charms each Sex employs.
Pleafure
2 j 8 foems on federal Occafions.
Pleafure unknown, beneath thy gentle Sway,
A thoufand trivial Incidents convey :
Unknown to thofe, who thy Dominion fcorn,
A Race of Mortals, lonefome and forlorn :
Unloving and unlov'd they live, and die
Bewail'd by no kind Tear, or pitying Sigh :
They difappear, as Clouds before the Wind,
And leave no Traces of themfelves behind.
Verfx
on fever al Occafions. 239
Verges on the CoRONATioisr t
Wrote at the Requefl of Mrs. MASTERS,
in 1727.
By the Same.
YOyng tho' I be, unskillful to rehearfe
The Praife of Princes in fonorous Verfe ;
Fir'd with my Country's Joys, the Mufe ellays
Her Sovereigns Honours in afpiring Lays,
And humble Homage brings : with ravifh'd Ear
High Strains of Mufick and the Shouts I hear
Of raptur'd Nations ; while before my Eyes,
Freedom and Fame in (hining Profped: rife ;
Peace waves her Olive, Plenty lifts her Horn ;
Another BRUNSWICK on this radiant Morn,
Rife*
24 tPoems on federal Occa/ions.
Rifes with all his Father's vanifh'd Ray,
To rule our Sky, and fhed an equal Day.
The purple Throne is rais'd : O King, afcend j
(Let Greatnefs in her Forms of Pomp attend)
The Voice ofHeav'n, diftinguiming thy Worth,
To Empire and to Glory calls thee forth.
Sublime he fits : behold ! what manly Grace
Adorns and dignifies the Monarch's Face !
Her princely Spots, fee ! the proud Ermin throws
Wide o'er his Back ; fee ! round his awful Brows
An Arch of Gold, inftarr'd with Gems, difplays
Strong as the Hero's Eyes, a Sun-like Blaze :
A Golden Scepter, in his better Hand,
He waves aloft j dread Enfign of Command.
Such
foems on fever al Occajions. ^ 4 1
Such was the * Semblance, the fam'd Vijion
[took,
Such his great Air, and fuch his heav'nly Look.
A Linnen Mantle o'er his Shoulders flow'd,
As Lamps of Fire, his Eyes effulgent glow'd ; ^
Bright as the vivid Lightning gleam'd his Face,
And (hone his Arms and Feet, like burnifh'd Brafs.
Let Turks before a haughty Sultan bend,
And glory in the Death their Lord mall fend :
The Wealth of Worlds, H i s P A N i A be thy Boaft
And thine, O I T A L Y ! a blooming Coaft.
Our's, is a Prince whom Juftice will fuftain,
To whom the Wretched ne'er mall kneel in vain :
Oppremon trembles with her hundred hands,
Falls her flern Voice, and drops her iron Bands.
* Dan. x. 5, 6, 18, 19. One like the Similitude of the Sons of Men,
one like the Appearance of a Man, Sec.
Fatfion
24 1 'Poems on federal Occafions.
Faflion is fiieflc'd, hoary Difcord dies.
And hufli'd to Peace each angry Paflion lies ;
While from his Lips the gracious Accents fall.,
And, like refreshing Dews, defcend on all.
" Britains, the delegated Truft I own,
" And with a Parent's Cares afcend the Throne,
" Be mine the Praife t'enroll beneath my Sway
" A Free-born People, willing to obey.
" To liften to the injur'd Orphan's Cry,
" And wipe the Sorrows from the Widow's Eye
** Religion too in difPrent Forms mall meet
" Beneath my op'ning Wing, with fafe Retreat j-
" In mitred Pomp, in fimple Weeds array 'd,
" Her Sons I'll flicker in my foft'ring Shade/'
Fame / tow'r aloft, and all thy Pow'rs employ,'
Raife thy ftrong Voice, proclaim Britannia's Joy ;
BRUNSWICK
on fever al Occasions. 243
BRUNSWICK and Liberty proclaim around,
Till Heav'n, and Earth, and Seas, the Notes re-
[bound.
But turn, my Eyes! yon gentle Scene furvey,
The Queen, foft-fmiling as the new-born Day ;
The matchlefs Queen, with inward Luftre
[crovro'd,
Her honourable Women wait around.
The Form diftinguim'd, o'er the glitt'ring Bands
Hifing in graceful Majefty, commands
Our filent Awe j and yet, an Air fo fweet
Bids with embold'ning Hopes our Bofoms beat.
So in fome Picture, where the Pencil plays
In various Shapes, and various plealing Ways ;
The fov'reign Figure does our Eye controul,
Arrefts th' Attention, and ufurps the Soul.
Thofc
244 Toems on federal Occ a/ions.
Thofe Charms thro' mighty Realms diffus'd
[rheir Reign,
Aujlria's young Hope once fu'd, but fu'd in vain :
The Heroine fpurn'd the fuppliant Crowns away.
And fcorn'd the Glories, of Imperial Sway ;
Northo' the Weftern World, from all her Shores,
To fwell the Bribe, pour'd her exhauftlefs Stores,
Wou'd the dear Caufe of Heav'n and Truth di-
[claim,
Or give t' Impofture and to Rome her Name.
Heav'n faw, and the vaft Recompence decreed >
Heav'n gives her Britain for the gen'rous Deed,
Such was the Zeal, thy mighty Matter mow'd,
With fuch Difdain his holy Bofom glow'd,
When the wide Earth, view'd from the Moun
[tain's Brow,
Her dazling Scenes of Grandeur fpread below,
When all her profFer'd Glory vainly ftrove
To tempt his Homage from the Poivr above.
Unequall'd
*Poems on fever at Occajions. 245
Unequall'd Princefs ! zealous in thy Cares
To fow thy own great Virtues in thy Heirs.
With blooming Health, and lively Verdure
[crown'd,
The beauteous Olive-plants the Throne furrouhd j
Blefl with the Dews of Heav'n, the Shoots afcend I
May the rich Fruit to future Ages bend I
O WILLIAM ! dear, immortal Name ! we owe
To Heav'n and Thee, thefe Hopes which round
[us grow.
DhTatisfy'd to blefs one Age alone,
Thy Counfels reach'd thro' Times e'en yet un-
[known. ;
Built the ftrong Barriers James nor Rome can pafs,
The great Succeflibn form'd and fix'd in B R u N s-
[WICK'S Race.
How cou'd I dwell on this delightful Strain !
but Wifdom warns me timely to refrain ;
R MindfuJ,
foems on federal Occaftons.
Mindful, that fuch exalted Themes refufc
The feeble Pinions of a youthful Mufe.
Had this bright Day an ADDI s o N pofleft,
What Zeal had warm'd the Patriot-Poet's Breaftl
A Flood of Verfe, fwift-gufhing from his Soul,
In riling Numbers, founding as they roll,
Had flow'd with eafy Majefty along,
And GEORGE and CAROLINA fwell'd the
[Song.
Yet One there lives, a Bard well known to Fame,
Whom great APOLLO fills with all his Flame,
O ! wou'd He touch the lofty Epick Lyre,
Exert his Mufe, and call up Ho M E R'S Fire,
His Genius might the pond'rous Tafk fuflain
Nor jGbou'd the Noble Theme the Noble Line*
[difdain.
/
Verfes
<Poem$ on fever al Occafions. 2 47
f^erfes to the Memory of Mr.
ADDISON.
Wrote m July 1732.
By the Same.
* WA R w i c K ! plac'd in awful Height,
In your own native Luftre bright -,
In Courts, in Palaces renown'd,
With dazling Titles guarded round ;
How fhall my trembling Mufe draw near ?
Or, in what Style befpeak your Ear ?
Fain wou'd me rife, fain wou'd (he ling,
And fpreads and makes her doubtful Wing :
the Author wrote tbefe Lines ht bad not heard of the Coutf-
Death.
R a But
248 Poems on federal Occa/tons.
But confcious of the Danger run,
Shou'd me approach too near the Sun,
The Fate of I c A R u s me fears,
And the rafh Tafk a-while forbears.
At length, embolden'd by her Choice,
"She dares to raife her feeble Voice :
When ADDISON'S her Theme, in vain
The prefiing Impulfe I reflrain.
No venal Flame my Verfe infpireSj
Nor vain Ambition fans my Fires ;
But love to that immortal Name,
The Fav'rite and the Boaft of Fame*
To Thee, to ALB ION fo endear'd,
By Nations, and by Kings rever'd s
that
3*oems on fever al Occafions. 249
That Name which diff'rent Tongues refound,
In the remoteft Climes renown'd
Where-e'er the Beams of Learning pierce,
Or his own everlafting Verfe.
In thofe fweet Strains what Honey flows !
Melting as Dews or falling Snows :
Smoothly the Numbers bowl along,
Rolling with Pleafure o'er the Tongue.
So, with a free, not carelefs Rein,
Bounds the light Courfer o'er the Plain;
Meafures his Strokes with charming Grace,
Gains, without {training, in his Pace :
Sprightly, not fierce, unfpent his Force,
With eafe He fmifhes his Courfe.
Who
2, 5 o Teems on federal Occa/ions.
Who but admires thofe * fpotlefs Lines
Where Fancy in Perfection {nines,
Paints an Elyjian Land, and (hews
Nature in all her brightefl Hues ?
Judgment the curious Pencil guides,
And o'er the fplendid Work prefides.
Amidft a thoufand, glitt'ring Scenes
Of Citron Groves, and Myrtle Greens -,
Of Sun-gilt Streams, and blooming Plains,
And ancient Rome's Auguft Remains,
That in a rich Confufion rofe
To view; the fkilful Matter chofe
What ftrikes mofl ftrongly on the Sight
And ravimes with mofl Delight.
W T ith fine and never-failing Art,
He rang'd and join'd each anfw'ring Part 5
* Ike Letttr from Italy.
Enliv'ning
Poems on fever al Occafans. 151
Enliv'ning with Poetick Soul
The fair, compleat, harmonious Whole.
Now in his pure, clean Verfe We feem
Pleas'd, as with fome tranfparent Stream,
That winding thro' a flow'ry Land
A Bottom fhews of Golden Sand.
Now by the riling Subject fir'd,
His Mufe, with growing Heat infpir'd,
Claps the ftrong Wing and tow'rs away
Exulting in the noble Prey ;
Keeps her great Theme in ardent Sight
And mounts, and foars, a wond'rous Height !
I feel, I feel the catching Flame,
It fpreads, it rufhes thro* my Frame :
1 5 2 SVflw on fever al Occa/tons.
I pant with Extafies pnknown,
And utter Tranfports not my own.
Such, lately in the Rural Shade,
Far from the noify World convey 'd,
I felt; deep-mufing on the Page
Where the great Poet fpends his Rage.
Next o'er that * various Work I bend,
Which all the polifh'd Arts commend ;
Where Learning's choicefl Wealth appears,
Treafures of late or antient -Years;
What GREECE began, what ROME improved
Or A L B i o N by the nine belov'd.
Here the gay Page, with fprightly Airs
And fparkling Wit, difpels our Cares :
In fadder Colours there it draws
Vice, of all Ills the direful Caufe,
* Sfeffetirs, Vatltrs> &c<
O
*Poems on federal Occafions. \
O W A R w i c K ! I am all on Fire,
I fpurn at every low Defirej
* When the bright Leaves to view difplay
The Regions of eternal Day 5
O'er Ages and o'er Ages roll,
And trace the never-fading Soul ;
As, rip'ning ftill, her Beauties grow,
Sill frefh her riling Plcafures flow.
But then, the Sage, to quell our Pride,
Shows us to duft and Worms ally'd - y
f- Leads us among the Mighty Dead
With folemn Thought, and filent Tread
To where, upon the fculptur'd Stone,
O Grave ! thy Victories are fhown 5
Where Poets, Heroes, Kings, around,
Lie mouldring in the vaulted Ground :
* Alluding to the Papers on the Immortality of the Soul.
f Alluding to tbt Paper on Wfflminfler Abbey,
Where
254 ^Poems on fever al Occajlons.
Where now, in Hope, a-while repos'd,
His nobler Ames are enclos'd.
O much-belov'd, and quickly loft !
How fhort the Joy we value moft !
Much-honour'd ! much-lamented Shade !
Ne'er (hall thy facred Laurels fade.
Thy Name unhurt, untarnifh'd bears
Its Glories to fucceeding Years.
* Tho' thirteen Winters round thy Urn
Have roll'd, with forrowful Return ;
Still recent is the fatal Blow,
Still bleeds each Fleart with gen'rous Woe,
Britannia flill her Grief retains,
And for Her Addifon complains.
* Mr. Addifon died June lyth 1719.
O!
*Poems on federal Occafions. z 5 5
O ! had He reach'd the fartheft Stage
That Heav'n affigns to Mortal Age ;
Still had his undiminim'd Ray
Pour'd on the Mind informing Day :
Then had we feen with weeping Eyes
*Thee, Socrates! the Good, the Wife,
Greatly refign thy God-like Soul,
And fmiling quaff the Martyr's Bowl.
) Then too Religion wou'd have mown
The Raptur'd Poet, all her Own,
And heard the confecrated Lays
Sublimely found the Saviour's Praife.
But (for the Banquets of the Bleft
Impatient call'd for fuch a Gueft)
* He intended to haw wrote a Tragedy, upon the Story of Socrates ;
rid. His Life, by tir. Tickell.
f He hadforrid a Refolution, before be died, it dedicate his Poetick
Talent wholly ta RtHgin.
Scarce
i j 6 foems on federal Occaftons.
Scarce had her tuneful Vot'ry brought
The fair Firft-offering of his Thought ;
His Harp within her Temple hung,
Ere Death the pious Harp unftrung :
Snatch'd Him to the Celeftial Quire,
And grac'd him with a Seraph's Lyre,
The
foems on fever al Occapons. 2 5 7*
The XC PSALM, tranjlated front
the Original.
Being a Compofure of M o s E s on
the fafferings of the Ifraelites in the
WUdernefs, in confequence of the Sen-
tence pronounced upon them at Kadefli
Barnea: mentioned Numb. xiv. z
By the Same.
VERSE I.
MOnarch of Heav'n, and Earth, and Sea,
Patron of Ifrael's Progeny ;
In every Clime from Age to Age
Our Line furvives all hoftile Rage,
With thy Divinity immur'd,
As in a Dome of Rock fecur'd;
VfclUE II.
i j 8 Teems on fever al Occafions.
VERSE II.
Ancient of Days ! ere this wide Earth
With all her Hills difclos'd, to birth
Arofe -, ere yon bright Lamps on high
Were kindled thro' the boundlefs Sky *
Thou hadft a Life Eternal pafs'd,
That with Eternity {hall laft.
VERSE III.
But what is Man ? thy fov 'reign Doom
Soon hurls the Mortal to a Tomb :
" Return to duft," thy voice commands,
Death hears, and fweeps off half the Lands.
VERSE IV.
While fo immenfe, thy Life appears,
That, ev'n a thoufand rolling Years,
Diminim, in thy vaft Survey,
To an elaps'd, forgotten Day;
2 Whole
on federal Occafions. 259
Whole Ages vanifh in thy fight
Like the {hort Portion of a Night.
VERSE V. .
How oft (amazing to behold!)
Deftru&ion has her Torrents roll'd !
Born headlong down the violent Stream,
The Mighty periih, like a Dream !
Sad Devaftation ! fwift and wide !
Thus blooms at Morn, the Meadows Pride,
VERSE VI.
At Morn, in lufty Verdure gay,
At Eve, the Sickle's haplefs Prey
A wide-extended Ruin lies
On the bare Wafte, and with'ring dies.
VERSE VII.
O'er-whelm'd with Terror and Amaze,
We fee thy Wrath, around us, blaze.
Conum'd
i6b <Poems on federal Occafioris*
Confum'd by thine avenging Ire
With copious Death our Hofts expire.
VERSE VIII.
Thy Face, by its own Beams, defcrieS
All our conceal'd Iniquities.'
Stern Juftice every Crime arraigns,
And lays on each its Load of Pains.
VERSE IX.
All our fad Days, thy Frowns we mourn^
Sickly, and weak, with Sorrow worn ;
And mounting to our Noon a-pace,
And quickly finifhing the Race,
The Meafure of our Years is run,
Spent like a Tale.
VERSE X.
The deathlefs Sup
Scarce feventy Springs renews his round,
Ere we lie mould'ring in the Ground;
Or
Teems on fever at Occafions. 261
Or (hould the vigorous and the ftrong
Ten Winters more drag Life along,
Tis a Reprieve, devoid of Reft,
Harrafs'd with Toils, with Fears oppreft,
And in our Strength cut off at laft,
We vanifh: thus a fudden Blaft,
When fatal Shears the Fleece divide,
Whirls out of fight the falling Pride.
VERSE XI.
Dread Sov 'reign wl\en thy Vengeance glows,
Who its full Force and Fury knows ?
Great as our Fears, and unconfin'd
As thy own vaft Almighty Mind.
VERSE XII.
Make us, O make us, Father, wife
To mark the Moment, as it flies,
S Keep
foems o
Keep the ftnall Sum of Life in view
And, whither Wifdom leads, purfuc,
VERSE XIII.
Return, offended Pow'r, we pray,
How long ? O torturing Delay \
Pity the Pains thy Servants feel,
At length the ftern Decree repeal.
Bid the aufpicious Morning fmile,
That finifhes our Years of Toil.
VERSE XIV.
Let Mercy then prepare a Feaft,
And let our Nation be the Gueft :
Till in full Tides our Joys arife,
Our Acclamations rend the Skies >
VERSE XV.
Till in lull Tides our Joy o'erflows,
Lafting and great, as now, our Woes.
XVI
foems on fever al Occafions. 26$
VBRSI XVI.
Before our fteps, thy Pow'r difplay,
With Wonders mark the mining Way:
O let thy Patronage Divine
Diffufe a Glory round our Line,
VERSE XVII.
Thy Patronage Divine proclaim,
Thro' ev'ry Land our honour'd Name.
Secure of thy Almighty Aid,
On that Eternal Bafis laid,
May all our Plans of Conqueft ftand,
And all the Labours of our Hand.
Si Notes
264 N <T E S.
Notes to the Froft-Tratiflation of the
foregoing Tfalm.
By the Same.
T TERSE the 5th. Thou came/I Them away* &c.]
V The Pronoun them^ naturally refers us to fome
Perfons mentioned before ; but upon Inquiry we fhall
no where find thefe Perfons, except in the fwift
Succeffion of Thoughts which pafied thro* the Poet's
Mind, between the foregoing Verfe and the prefent :
which Thoughts, in the Heat of his Imagination,
he omits to infert, and breaks out in the abrupt
manner before us, Thou carriejt Them away, &c.
For I conceive, that upon reflecting on the Eternity
of God, in v. 4. the next Idea which prefented itfelf
to our Author's Mind, was the Frailty and Tranfito-
rinefs of Man. He then immediately recollects the
Mortality which had fo often and fo long raged
among his own Countrymen, and which had fhorten-
ed the Lives of fo many thoufands. This Thought
ftrikes him at once : his Attention fixes on this
Scene, and working him up to a ftrong and vehe-
ment Pathos, throws him into a fudden and pathe-
tick Defcription of their Calamities, as if he had al-
ready acquainted us with what had preceded in his
own Mind. Such abrupt Tranfitions are frequent in
Pindar^ and fometimes to be met with in Horace.
Thou carrieft them away as with a Flood.'] All this is
expreft by one Word in the Original ; which is one in-
ftance, among a great many, of the furprizing Con-
cifenefs and Nervoufnefs of the Hebrew Language.
The Root from whence the Original Word is derived,
fignifies a Land-flood, luch as is caufed by the Swel-
ling of the Brooks, thfo* fuddsjj and immoderate
Rains :
NOTES.
Rains: the Violence with which thefe Torrents
carry all before them, and the Depopulation which
they make in their Progrefs, occur*d to the Poet's
Mind, as a very proper Emblem of thofe fudden,
fierce and frequent Judgments, which had fo often
fallen on the Ifraelites in the Wildernefs, and fwept
off" fo many thoufands at a Stroke. To this Metaphor
there is fubjoined another, together with a Simile,
They are ajleep, in the Morning they are like Grafs , &c.
At firft Blum, this laft Metaphor, and the Similitude,
feem defign*d to reprefent the fame thing that is in-
tended by the firft Metaphor -, and if fo, thefe laft
Images muft be faid to fink below the firft : but upon
a careful Attention, they are all three to be dif-
tinguifh'd in their Application, and all with equal
Propriety adapted to the End for which the Poet
ufes them.
When he reflected on the terrible Havock, which
the Divine Judgments had frequently and fuddenly
made among his Nation, he bethinks himfelf of a
Land-flood, which lays wafte whole Fields, and de-
populates whole Villages in its Progrefs.
When he confidered, not only the Numbers that
were thus cut off, but the Ihort date of their Lives
by that means, he compares their brief and imper-
fect Exiftence to a Nightly Sleep, which is foon over,
and feems but a Point of Time, from the Moment
we lye down, to the Moment we awake.
When, laftly, He attended to the Changes and
Viciflltudes made in the Face of things among this
Nation, by thus turning fo many thoufand ftrong and
able-bodied Men, in their Bloom and Vigour, to Duft,
he prefents to our View, as a lively PiRure thereof,
a Field or Meadow covered in the Morning with
Grafs and Herbage, in a very 'flourishing Condition,
and at Night turn'd into a Wafte, with all its Honours,
withered, and perilhing upon it.
Verfe
^66 NOTES.
Vcrfe the 8th. Thou baft fit our fecret Sin, &c.j God
fccms here to be reprefented, as proceeding with the
Ifraelites with the moft rigid Juftice, accurately tra-
cing, and tenacioufly remem bring their moft fecret
Crimes. The Metaphors are borrowed from our man-
ner of examining Objects, by placing them in a full
and clear Light ; and from our Way of keeping things
before our view, in order to keep them in mind :
but to (hew us that God's Knowledge of our moft
private Actions, is not owing to any Intelligence or
Communication from others, the Divine Poet gives
him a Face, which is itfelf a Luminary and difcovers
the moft obfcure Objects by its own Luftre.
Verfe the 10th. It appears from the Scriptures, that
the Lives of Men after the Flood gradually decreafed
in length to the 'times of David, when the ftandard
feems to have been 70 or 80 Years : for we find
Barzillai was reckoned an Old Man, and almoft fu-
perannuated at Fourfcore *. And this has been the
ufual Boundary ever fince : Accordingly Solon, in his
famous Conference with Crtefus, fixes our longeft
Period to Seventy Years f. But in the Days of Mo-
fa, who lived fome hundred Years before David,
human Life in general, was not reduced fo far. This
appears from the Table which Mr. Wbifton has given
us of the Ages of all the Perfons, that are actually
mentioned in Scripture, or may be gathered from it,
from the Flood t to the Days of David ||. This Verfe
then does not concern Mankind in general, but thofe
Jfraelitts in particular, who fell under the Sentence
pronounced at Kadfft) Barnea, none of whom were
allowed to arrive at the Age of their Anceftors, but
were cut off, at the fartheft, at Fourfcore; and if this
* Vide 2 Sam. xix. 3Z, 35. f Vide Htndot. B. i. Setf. 32.
p. 12. Edit. Dron. || Vide WtijMt Chroml. p. 10.
Verfe
NOTES. 267
Verfe be fpoken of the Israelites in the Wildernefs,
and of them only, the Connection fhews that the
foregoing Verfe muft be fo too, and alfo the Verfes
before that up to the 7th, and the ;th giving a Rea-
fon of the Defolation mentioned in the 5th and 6th (as
appears by the Particle For} it follows, that the Defo-
lation defcribed in thofe 5th and 6th Verfes, muft
relate to the Ifraelites alfo, and to them only. I have
been the more particular on t:iis Point, becaufe, I
obferve that moft of our Poetical Tran/lations of this
Pfalm apply it to Mankind in general.
// is foon cut off and we fly away, v, 10] The Firft
of thefe Metaphors is borrowed from /hearing of Sheep \
as every one knows, who is acquainted with the O-
riginali The Latter, which is an Allufion to a Bird
flying out of fight, has not that ftric"l Affinity with the
Former Metaphor, nor grows out of it, as wou'd be
Wpecled in a Modern Writer; the Orientals not be-
ing over nice in this Particular : but the Idea, which
the Laft Metaphor intends to convey, is that of Dif-
appearing, as Wooll does, which when cut off, is puf-
fed away by fome fudden Guft of Wind. The Poet
therefore compares the Ifraelites of ftrong Conftitu-
tion, who were fever'd by Death from the main Body
of the Nation, to the Wooll, which, when come to
Maturity, is fhear'd off from the Sheep's Back ; and
the Difappearing of thefe Perfons from the Land of
the Living, he compares to the carrying away of the
l^ fo cut off, by fome fudden Blajt of Wind.
FINIS.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES
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