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 '^(^OJIIVDJO'^
 
 THE 
 
 MANIAC, 
 
 A TALE; 
 
 on, 
 
 A VIEW OF BETHLEM HOSPITAL^ 
 
 AND 
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN, 
 
 A POEM FROM THE FRENCH: 
 
 WITH 
 
 POETICAL PIECES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, 
 
 OBIGINAL AIND TRANSLATED. 
 
 BY A. BRISTOW. 
 
 Some good, more bad, some neither one nor t'other. 
 
 Martial, Epigram 17, Book J. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PBINTED FOR J. HATCHARD, _ .; 
 
 BOOKSEI,ltR TO HER iMAJESTY, I90, OPI'OSITE ALBANT 
 HOUSE, PICCADILLY. 
 
 1810. 
 
 I
 
 
 5 GosNELL, Printer, Little Queen Street, London,
 
 fR 
 NAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS ^^ 
 
 - ^ -- - .,r, I . _- ;. . 
 
 A. 
 
 Edwar'd Jones Agnew, Esq. 
 
 John Alexander, Esq. Ardmoulin, Belfast, 4 copies. 
 
 Miss Alexander, ditto, 2 copies. a.! 
 
 Miss Mary Alexander, ditto, a copies. 
 
 John Alexander, jun. Esq. Milford, Carlow, a copies. 
 
 Mrs. Alexander, Merrion Square, Dublin. 
 
 Mrs. Alexander, Broom Hall, Londonderry. 
 
 Thomas Alley, Esq. 
 
 Mrs, Alley. 
 
 John Hovenden Alley, A. B. T, CD. Esq. Baker Street 
 
 North, Portman Square, a copies. 
 Mrs. J. H. Alley, ditto, z copies. 
 Thomas Alley, jun. Esq. Royal York Rangers. 
 Miss Alley. ,.,'':' 
 
 Miss Charl6tte Alley. -r... ,,t> .''. 
 
 Miss Frances Alley. ,',' '!?' . /^ 
 
 Mrs. Archbold. ' - .- t^-^-i^ -l'-- . ''^ 
 
 Mrs. James Atkinson, Newry. 
 George Atkinson, Esq. Millvale, Newry. 
 
 B. 
 
 Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford, 4 copies. 
 Lady Bayley. 
 Miss Bayley. 
 
 Robert Bailie, Esq. Belfast. 
 Andrew Bain, M.D. a copies. 
 Mrs. Barret, Newry. 
 Narcissus Batt, Esq. Belfast. 
 Mrs. Beatty, Holywood, Belfast. 
 Andrew Thomas'fiell, Esq. Belmont, Belfast. 
 George Black, Esq. -Stranmillis, Down, 2 copies. 
 Samuel Black, M. D. Newry. 
 Mrs. Bogle, BcncooJen, East Indies. 
 A' a 
 
 5^-1 A^5ffi
 
 IV NAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Mrs. Boteler, Upton Court, Kent. 
 
 Mrs. Boyd, Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. Bridger, Eastry Court, Kent. 
 
 Miss Bristow, Birchill, Antrim, 8 copics- 
 
 Rev. Charles Bristow, a copies. 
 
 Mrs. D. Bristow. 
 
 Miss Bristow, Belfast. 
 
 Colonel Browne, Glenegary, Dublin. 
 
 Mrs. Browne, ditto, 4 copies. 
 
 Mrs. Bunbury, Moyle, Carlow, a copies. 
 
 Captain Burdett, R. N. 
 
 Mrs. Burdett, 3 copies. 
 
 Mrs. Butler, Lame, Antrim. 
 
 C. 
 The Right Hon. the Countess Dowager of Clare. 
 The Right Hon. the Earl of Clare. 
 Hon. Robert Clements. 
 Lady Anne Clements. 
 Lady Elizabeth Cements. 
 Lady Louisa Clements. 
 Robert Callwell, Esq. Belfast. 
 Mrs. Campbell, Durweston Street, Portman Square. 
 Mrs. H Carlisle, Newry. 
 
 Mrs. Comer, Bryanston Street, Portman Square. 
 Mrs. Cony, Derramore, Newry, 5 copies. 
 William Isaac Corry, Esq. ditto, 4 copies. 
 Mrs. J. Corry, Newry. 
 Miss Corry, ditto. 
 Trevor Corry, Esq. ditto. 
 Smithson Corry, Esq. ditto. 
 Mrs. Corry, Kensington Gore, London. 
 Miss Corry, ditto. 
 Miss Cecilia Corry, ditto. 
 Master Charles O'Neill Ormsby Corry, ditto. 
 Master Henry Pcry Con-y, Westminster School. 
 Mrs. Edward Courtenay, Newry. 
 Mrs. Edward R. Courtenay, ditto. 
 Miss Courtenay, ditto, a copies. 
 Mrs. Cranston, Belfast. 
 
 John Crawford, Esq. Crawford's Bam, Belfast. 
 Mrs. Jane Crawford, Bath. 
 Rev. Charles Crookshank, Belfast. 
 John Cunningham, Esq. ditto. 
 Miss Cunningham, ditto-
 
 NAlJES OF TrtE SUBSCRIBER** V 
 
 D. 
 
 Yhe Most Noble the Marquis of Donegal, 4 copie?. 
 The Most Noble the Marchioness of Donegal, a ditto. 
 Lady Elizabeth Drummond. 
 Rev. Stephen Dickson, Bangor, Belfast. 
 Rev. Edward Dobbs, Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. E. D ebbs, ditto. ,, 
 
 Miss DOrville, Ravenscourt, Hammersmith. ^ 
 
 Rev. James Drought, D. D. Regius Professor, TC^]^ 
 2 copies. . i . -T,-^ 
 
 Rev. Robert Drought, Golden, Cashel, a copies. 
 Mrs. Drought, ditto, 2 copies* 
 Miss Drought, ditto. 
 
 E. ^ "I 
 
 Right Hon. Lady EUenborough, a copies. ",t 
 
 Richard Emmerson, Esq. Sandwich, a copies. .', 
 
 John Ewing, Esq. Mount Collier, Belfast. ;.} 
 
 iiOrd William Fitzgerald, a copies. 
 
 Mrs. Fairtclough, Drogheda. - ;,^,7 
 
 Mrs. Fector, Pier House, Dover, Kent. .{ 
 
 Miss Fector, Egthorn. 
 
 Mrs. Floud, Exeter, Devonshire. 
 
 Arthur Forbes, Esq. Craigavade, Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. Forsler, Ballynure, Antrim. 
 
 Miss Forster, Philip; town, Louth. 
 
 iPercival Foxall, Esq. Newry. 
 
 G. 
 
 Joseph Garner, Esq. Castle Hill, Belfast, 4 copies. 
 
 Miss Garner, ditto, 4 copies. 
 
 Miss Anne Garner, ditto, 4 copies. 
 
 Mrs. Godfrey, Brook Street, Kent. 
 
 William Godly, Esq. 
 
 Henry Goodwin, Esq. West Hill, Surry, a copies. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, Summerfield, Down. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, Temple Gowran, Newry 
 
 Graham, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Greer, Esq. 
 
 Mrs. T. Greer, Newry. 
 
 Cunningham Greg, Esq. Ballymenab, Belfast. 
 
 A 3 :.
 
 i J^AmES or THE SU]ftiCftl6EItl&. 
 
 Miss Greg, Belfast. 
 
 Miss J. Greg St.. James's Square, Bath, 3 copies- 
 Mrs. .Gunman, Dover, Kent. 
 
 H. 
 Mrs. Richard Halford, Canterbury. 
 Mrs. Haliday, Belfast. 
 Mrs. Hamilton, Ballyalloly, Down. 
 Mrs. Hamilton, Hacketstown, Carlow, a copies. 
 Mrs. Robert Hamilton, Dublin. 
 Mrs. Harrison, Belfast. 
 Miss Harrison, ditto. 
 Miss Mary Harrison, ditto. 
 
 Mrs. George Hill, Mountjoy Square, Dublin, a copies. 
 John Holmes, jun. Esq. Bath. 
 Mrs, Houston, Greenville, Belfast. 
 Thomas Hull, Esq. Donaghadee, Down. 
 Mrs. Hutchinson, ditto. 
 Miss Harriet Hutchinson, Castle Hill, Belfast 
 Mrs. Hyde, Belfast, a copies. 
 
 I. 
 
 John Johnston, Esq. London, 
 
 Mrs. Jane Johnston, Bath. 
 
 Valentine Jones, Esq. Belfast. 
 
 Valentine Jones, Esq. Bailbrook House, SomersetshfFCr 
 
 Mrs. Jones, ditto. 
 
 Miss Jones, ditto. 
 
 Valentine Jones, jun. Esq. ditto. 
 
 Henry Joy, Esq. Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. Bunbury Isaac, Holywood House, Belfast. 
 
 Simon Bunbury Isaac, Esq. jgth Reg. 
 
 K. 
 
 Hugh Kennedy, Esq. Cultra, Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. Kennedy, ditto. 
 
 Mrs. Kennedy, senior, ditto. 
 
 John Kennedy, Esq. Harriet Lodge, WaterforA 
 
 James Trail Kennedy, Esq. Belfast. 
 
 Miss Kennedy, ditto. 
 
 Mr. Kelly. 
 
 Mrs. Knocker, Dover, Kent, a copies. 
 
 L. 
 
 His Grace the Duke of Leinstcr, 4 copies. 
 The Right Hon. the JEarl of Leitrim.
 
 NAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS. VU 
 
 The Right Hon. the Countess Dowager of Leitrim; 
 
 A Lady, a copies. '- * - 
 
 Mrs. Leslie, Clifton, Belfast. -t" 
 
 John Lindsay, Esq. Sackville Streefy Dublin. 
 
 Mrs. Lindsay, ditto. 
 
 Miss Lisle. 
 
 Mrs. Lloyd, Gunsmills, Mitchell Dean, Gloucestershire. 
 
 Master Is,aac Lloyd, Hans Town, Sloane Street. 
 
 M. 
 The Right Hon. the Earl of Massereene. 
 Mrs. Marstoii, Midburst, Sussex, a copies. 
 Rev. Anthony Stephen .Mathew, Russel Place, Fitzroy 
 
 Square. 
 Mrs. Mathew, ditto, 2 copies. 
 William Henry Mathew, M. D. ditto. 
 Mrs. W. H. Mathew, ditto, 4 copies. 
 Master Henry Albert Mathew, ditto. 
 Mrs. Mattear, Belfast. 
 Rainey Maxwell, Esq. ditto, 6 copies. 
 Miss M'Cleverty, Birchill, Antrim, a copies^ 
 Robert M'Cluney, Esq. Surgeon, Belfast. 
 Mrs. M'Gwire, Rosstrevor, Down. 
 Miss M'Tier, Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. Molesworth, Twickenham, Middlesex. 
 Roger Moore, Esq. Clover Hill, Antrim. 
 Mrs. Moore, ditto. 
 Mrs.. Moore, Drumbanagher, Newry. 
 Mrs. Christopher Moore, Newry. 
 Miss Moore, Cavendish Row, Rutland Square, Dublin. 
 Edward Moore, Esq. 45th Reg. 
 Miss Moore, Mount Pothinger, Belfast. 
 Miss Frances Moore, ditto. 
 
 O. 
 
 Mrs. Odium, Dublin. 
 
 Lieut. Col. O'Hara, O'Hara Brook, Antrim. 
 
 George Ogle, Esq. Fathom, Newry. 
 
 Miss A. Orr, Belfast. 
 
 Miss Osborne, Old Park, Kent, 7, copies. 
 
 P. 
 
 Robert Patterson, Esq. Belfast, 
 Miss M. Patterson, ditto. 
 
 A 4
 
 m IfAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBKR*. 
 
 J. Pimlqjtt, Esq. Seal Office, Temple. .-. 
 
 Mrs. William Pollock, Newry. ,C 
 
 Miss Pollock, Belfast. - ' 
 
 Rev. Mirvan Pratt, ditto. 
 Mrs. Purccil, Grenville Street, Mountjoy Square, Dubfin,. 
 
 a copies. 
 Charles Pyrke, Esq. London. 
 
 R. 
 
 Lord John Russel. 
 
 Right Hon. Lady Rodney. -iil' 
 
 Mrs. Ray, Cavendish Row, Rutland Square, Dublin. ^ lA 
 
 Mrs. Rainey, Bellvue, Rosstrevor. / .i'^ 
 
 Mrs. Christopher Reid, Newry. 
 
 Samuel Reid, Esq. ditto. 
 
 Miss Robinson, Belfast. 
 
 S. 
 
 Lord Henry Stewart. 
 
 Lady Henry Stewart. 
 
 Hon. William John Skeffington. 
 
 Hon. Chichester Skeffington. 
 
 Lady Harriet Skeffington. 
 
 Mrs. Savage, Pcrtaferry, Downr. 
 
 William Seed, Esq. Belfast. 
 
 Miss Seed, ditto. 
 
 Mrs. Sharman, Warringstown. 
 
 Mrs. Shaw, Baker Street North, Portman Square, 3 copiei. 
 
 John Shaw, Esq. East Indies, lo copies. 
 
 Miss Sims, Kensington Gore, London. 
 
 Mrs. Sinclaire, Belfast. 
 
 Mrs. John Sinclaire, ditto. 
 
 Mrs. Skipp, Grange, Newnham, Gloucestershire. 
 
 Mrs. Smith, Sion Hill, Worcester, a copies. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Smith, Belfast. 
 
 Robert Stevenson, Esq. ditto. 
 
 Thomas Alexander Stewart, Esq. Willmount, ditto, 
 
 Mrs. Stewart, ditto. 
 
 Miss Sarah Stewart, ditto. 
 
 Miss Helena Stewart, Dublin. 
 
 Mrs. J. Stewart, Belfast. 
 
 Mi. Syms, UiiUtorough, Down.
 
 NAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS. U 
 
 T. 
 
 George Tas well, Esq. Madras, 5 copies. 
 Mrs. Taswell, ditto, 5 copies. 
 Mrs. Acheson Thompson, Newry. 
 Miss Thompson, ditto. 
 Robert Thompson, Esq. ditto. 
 Mrs. Thompson, Dover, Kent- 
 Mrs. TJiompson, Belfast. 
 Miss Tomb, ditto. 
 Mrs. Tomlins. 
 Mrs. A. Turnl/, Belfast. 
 
 Francis Tumly, Esq. Richmond Lodge, ditto. 
 John Tumly, Esq. Rock Port, Down, 
 
 V. 
 
 Thomas Vemer, Esq. Churchill, Armagh. 
 
 W. 
 Hon. Mrs. Ward, Bangor, Down. 
 Mrs. Walford, Waldershare, Kent, a copies. 
 Mrs. Wallace, Belfast. 
 Miss Ward, Iver, Buckinghamshire. 
 Mrs. Warre, George Street, Hanover Square, a copid. 
 James Watson, Esq. Brook Hill, Antrim. 
 Hill Willson, jun. Esq. Belfast. 
 Mr. Robert Willson, ditto.
 
 ." .7nT:nHa
 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS, 
 
 Pr^QC.e, to tji^ .JSiatiigc _._,,,,.._. . .. . - .Page xv 
 
 77ie Maniac. i 
 
 Tra?islaior's Preface to the Merits of Women 2 1 
 
 The Merits of Women ^ , . 25 
 
 Address to Fortune 67 
 
 yp .Jkfr^. B****ef on the Anniversary of her 
 
 Marriage , 72 
 
 Lines sent to a Friend with a Purse 74 
 
 Sandy's Dream 75 
 
 Lines composed whilst going a Journey alone 76 
 
 Stanzas on a Pet Bulfinch ,.....,., 78 
 
 On hearing a Charily Sermon . . 79 
 
 Epistle to a young Lady on her Marriage ... 80 
 
 On the Departure of three Friends 85 
 
 On the Rainbow 87 
 
 To Joy 88 
 
 To Disappointment 91 
 
 Picture offashionalle Life 93 
 
 The Elboiv Chair 95 
 
 Epistle to Miss B****e 98 
 
 On the Death of a Lady .,,.,, #.,.,...., 102
 
 til CONTENTS. 
 
 Sonnet to Fancy Page 1 04 
 
 Sonnet to the rising Sun 105 
 
 Sonnet to an Infant Godson * 106 
 
 Virtus Rosa suavior, Sole clarior : 107 
 
 The Ring 108 
 
 On reading an affecting Account of some do- 
 
 - mystic Oceurrenees- ..... . */<,.... IIO 
 
 SACRED PIECES. 
 
 Xitfe and- Immortality y a Sketch ..;........ ill 
 
 Hymn the First :..: .'...... . . 114 
 
 Hymn the Second 115 
 
 jidvertisement to the Rural Sage 118 
 
 The Rural Sage, translated from De Lille ... 119 
 
 FABLES FROM THE FRENCH OF DORAT. 
 
 The Dove and the Sparrow 137 
 
 The Ingot and the Iron Bar 142 
 
 The Glow-worm, 144 
 
 EUUATUM. 
 
 r^Se !>'> liije 4, for year, readtaSt
 
 THE MANIAC, 
 
 A TALE i 
 
 OH, 
 
 A FIETF OF BETHLEM HOSPITAL. 
 
 Hail ! awful madness, hail ! 
 Thy realm extends, thy powers prevail 
 Far as the voyager spreads his vent'rous sail. 
 Nor best, nor wisest, are exempt from thee. 
 Folly folly sole is free. 
 
 Loud the shouts of madness rise. 
 
 Various voices, various cries ; 
 
 Mirth unmeaning, causeless moans ; 
 
 Bursts of laughter, heart-felt groans ; 
 
 All seem to pierce the skies. ?i.vviOst.
 
 ^*i
 
 .r-j!- _t . nti- 
 
 PREFACE TO THE MANIAC. 
 
 lo define true madness, what Is it but to be 
 nothing else but mad?'* is the concise elucidation 
 of not one of the most enlightened characters of 
 Shakespeare's drama. The author of the following 
 Tale is aware that, perhaps, the metaphysician, the 
 naturalist, or the skilful professor of anatomj'', 
 might find the causes she assigns for the various 
 effects of frenzy, in different subjects, not more 
 satisfactorily defined; but she professes not the 
 capability of diving into the depths of science for 
 illustrations on the subject of the most affecting 
 and most humiliating malady to which our frame 
 and nature are liable : the more superficial and apr 
 parently obvious causes of these effects, viz. tempe- 
 rament, and the different degrees of energy of mind, 
 were what naturally occurred to her j and these, 
 though rather doublingly, she has expressedt
 
 XVI PREFACE TO THE MANIAC. 
 
 For the gloominess of her subject, she should 
 wish to apologize, yet it is both generally, and in- 
 dividually, an interesting one; and its near con- 
 templation may not be without its utility, in re- 
 pressing the pride of human reason, and calling 
 the n>ind home to a sense of its own infirmities and 
 imbecility, independent of a superior support. 
 
 .^ OiiJ
 
 .<^<hI bita-HHugtatikii.h.l' J -vii ..' 
 iiJWOfit io 3visfi Sill <ii)jsb cJ li'va ,;i^iiii9i>J!/i>:'/. 
 
 ; vflfwi Ki'jf/yel fc'noBKR^ bli// : eaqori h -f-;;: 
 
 , alii io f^gtijvq oiii u,rjih u) ^w^/.j ^ '> 
 <"ii'd aoish. a'f'i.oIiiaL biu-'! ; bio J 
 
 I REMjiJiDous p^e !. withbii who^e gloomy walls, 
 Beings whose.f&te tbe feeling heart appals, 
 Drag on life'^ load ; oft victims of despair ; 
 Of woes, thy lot,. Humanity, , to. share ! 
 How direful the distress, the force how gieat, 
 That shakes enthroned Reason from her seat ! 
 But not life's ills alone, that power possess ; 
 Self-formed illusions, threat.her reign no less. 
 And chief, more fatal than all else combined. 
 The deadliest foe that haunts the human mind. 
 Art thou, Fanaticism J weak Error's child ; 
 Nursed by rank pride ;. sustained by tenets wild. 
 By mystic day-dreams puzzled and misled, 
 The heart, inflated, next infects the head : 
 Thence brooding gloom o'^rpowera the mental sights > 
 Obscuringtrue.Reli^on's heavenly light! j
 
 a THE MANIAC. 
 
 Of holy faith, the Christian's guide and hope, 
 It forms a mass grotesque, of impious scope ! 
 And weakening, ev'n to death, the nerve of thought, 
 Despair succeeds ! no cure can e'er be wrought ! 
 
 Though sad, less fixed the ill of minds insane, 
 Where pangs of real sorrow touch the brain. 
 What causes dread, can thus the soul dismay ? 
 Life's blasted hopes ; wild Passion's lawless sway ; 
 Revenge, and Treachery ; harsh domestic strife, 
 W hich calls excess to drown the pangs of life ; 
 Deep-pining Love ; blind Jealousy's fierce fires ; 
 And fell Remorse, which conscious guilt inspires ; 
 And ruthless War's dread clamours ! its sad train 
 Of horrors widows, orphans, ruin, pain! 
 With other numerous, various ills, that wait '^ 
 
 Us mortal beings, in this chequered state. 
 
 How wondrous ! that the human frame and mind, *^ 
 With nice dependencies are so combined, ^ 
 
 That the keen sense, awoke by mental pain,'' '"^^^ " 
 Should instant w^arp the texture of the brairrt'''^ "''''"' 
 
 But so it is: so will great Nature's laws. --"- 
 
 And each effect, here, dreadful as its cause ! 
 Wild Frenzy's piercing shrieks, that rend the air, 
 And morbid Melancholy's fixed despair : 
 Pale, palsied Terror's start ; its efforts vain. 
 To shun those fancied ills it must sustain : 
 Revenge's glare; Suspicion's sullen scowl; *' -^ -*^ 
 Despondency's low, deep, and lengthened bdvl| *"
 
 THE MANIAC. ^ 
 
 And Rage, whose imprecations fill each hour ; j 
 
 Who hurls defiauce ev'n at Heaven's dread Power ! 
 But Thou, dread jRciw'r I if thought tpThiBf^fjl^ea 
 
 climb !'rt5 .-.;! "r!t Jr-;-! .;..->.. r. pr-T ri " I V, i A 
 
 Wilt beam sweet mercy on the unconscious crime ; 
 Nor judge the wretch whom passions fierce control;^ 
 Thy heavenly light extinguished in his soul ! ,jj 
 
 Yet stiU, though here stem Misery abides, > k,,/^ 
 Here recUess Happiness alike resides :,;\f. yiyry j^^y^ 
 Ideal bliss! which still abundant flows ; .r!?^*! 
 
 And more unmixed than that the world bestows, .,rj 
 The ruling passion, here, meets no control ; Im7/ 
 Unchecked the darling foible qf the soul. 
 Ambition, now a hero, now a god. 
 Here rules mock empires with majestic nod. 
 Here harmless Pride, in shadowy honours dressed, . 
 Struts, big with self-importance, unrepressed. -^/.r 
 Here Vanity, whom gewgaws ever please, 
 Finds straws, and shreds, and flaunts gay-decked with 
 
 these. 
 Whilst public spirit, friendship, love refined, i 
 
 With bright chimeras fill the enraptured mind ! 
 Here, too, loud mirth, and frolic glee, abound,, f.;/?^ 
 The song, the jest, the pealing laugh resound j..fiy 
 Whilst waggish cunning, with expressive leer, , p;r| 
 Achieves sly feats (the world had taught it) here,; ;-; 
 
 Yet haply, dire Misfortune's harsh decree j.. 
 
 Has brought these revellers to the state you se:; ^ ^,| 
 
 B 2
 
 * TftK MANIAC. 
 
 Some treadieyous friend, false lover, faithless wife. 
 In whom were centred all the joys of life ; -Jii ol // 
 Or ^ankless children, whose licentious youth^I" 'i-'H 
 Alas ! " bites sharper than the serpent's tooth !" 
 Or, Hkjiyfy, Death's itexorable doont'^iwa ma^J i'nh 
 S^^'^pt the souI^s id^l to an early tomb. {> 02fai;[i'jkl 
 But kind oblivion has absorbed each pain ;>'j/iJ3i{ /rll' 
 And " razed the written troubles of the brain^io / 
 
 Not each alike the stroke of frenzy 'bides. - Ji jisH 
 Perhaps, in temperament the causeresides^iM {b'jLI 
 Or, common minds no energies reveal ; ; . n bnA 
 Whilst, " spirits finely touched," intensely feel. iHT 
 That maniac see, with writhing anguish tom^ijn'J 
 His fate-marked days in wasting misery worn yihiil. 
 Whose hagard aspect, all aghast and wan, -: /wii 
 And fortilf-d!^t(>rted, scarcely speak him manl \ jT:iH 
 That son'bf woe vvas late lerne's grace ; ;, d ^aiHiJ^ 
 And not six lustres, yet, his nwrtal race. ('uibV s:oli 
 With <*very-promise smiKd his earlier days:v*?;cJ3 ebrji'l 
 His were admiring friends, and well-earned praise. 
 His, beauty'^ manly form ; the polished mind ; 
 Deep science ; genius bright ; and taste refined : 
 With pow^rsr of reasoning, on '^rwe reason built, A 
 Of force to cheJck the infidel's rash guilt ! U 
 
 His, every finer movement of the soul. 
 With ^arm philanthropy to light the whole; 
 
 So, the tfeaf river, glidirig on its way, 
 In glitferiftg pemp reflects tlie morning ray : ii
 
 THE MANIAC, ^ 
 
 Ere noon, impending clouds its^ face deformijc/ "^iIT 
 Its current heaves, portentous of the. storm ;:. mi .'i bnk 
 And soon, o'er its expanse, the wild wiuds ^vfti^ iO 
 Dark and perturbed, the late translucent wave, >n: 2;H 
 Chafes, foarti*; rolls rapid on, with bellovviiigTriroodir 
 Scarce its restraining banks its limits boundj'joow iifo3 
 His reverenced parents, rich in such a)8ori^rfi'v,noD 
 Blessed Heaven, that, ere their earthly course w^ suii,i^^ 
 Their Albert's virtues had repaid their caresi siom ivH 
 A daughter, too, sweet object of their prayoralui eiH 
 In Nature's soft decline, wiih cloudless ray^. ral ^itsY 
 Passed the calm evening of their mortal dayiv/^cw odf 
 Though fond of life, to quit it not disniajied^.nadlA 
 His mother first the debt of nature paid. > ithll/J 
 
 Her widowed partner, next, soon sunk, in deatbpl v. j;^ 
 And to his Albert, with expiring breathy ,' ajodJ 6hif I J 
 Bequeathed, with Fortune's gifts, an ample shaEe'^ arH 
 His orphan sister to his guardian care. ....: ^::ii ! :.A 
 Tlie precious trust was sacred in his eydsjifliMO/ nd T 
 Fraternal love assumed the parent's guiae^f) r' s^l/Uial-^l 
 And;all the tenderness both ties impart, Intn Ji>:noM' 
 He bore this cherished sister of his heart*.; .^ yvs/o -lo T 
 WjthibndaiFection, and attention kind, 'ivn 7}m;oI 
 He watched her growing charms, her opening: n^ind ;A 
 Her mind, mild as the softest vernal gale,. . . iwiiT 
 Shrunk from eax:h boisterous passion's rude, assaiLc; r.) 
 Whilst warm Affection's energetic glovwgjtij lie J?Ii iV/' 
 Was all awake to others' bliss or woe, ;i;i;i ';ifnji aifT
 
 ^' THE MANIAC. 
 
 The young Bernardo loved the beauteous maid ; f 1 
 And Emma's guileless heart his love repaid, rui'^ li 
 Of Albert's soul Bernardo was approved ; 
 His friend and never friend was more beloved. 
 Together had they trod youth's frolic road ; ,r;ii;rr: ) 
 Both wooed fair Science in her learned abode: -,'- 
 Congenial worth formed Friendship's sacred claim f 
 Alike their talents, and their tastes the same : 
 But more intense Bernardo's passions glowed ; ;^ j-sd j 
 His ruling reason sometimes weaker shewed; :-:.n:) /. 
 Yet, his friend's steady judgment could coutroltL-PT a' 
 The wayward starts of his impetuous soul. ^,'\ r,i2'f 
 
 Albert, with joy, and kind approving smile, 
 'Midst grave research, or pleasures juvenile, 
 Saw love's soft throb, and sympathy sincere, 
 Unite those valued hearts, to his so dear. 
 His free consent the happy lovers found ; - '. 
 
 And nuptial rites their mutual passion crowned.* >! 1 
 
 The youthful Albert, too, love's power confessed : 
 Matilda's charms with rapture filled his breast. 
 'Mongst maidens bright, Matilda brightest shone ; 
 For every grace and virtue was her own : 
 Beauty, M'it's sprightly charms, high polished sense ; 
 A soul that glowed w ith warm benevolence : 
 With soft persuasion's fascinating smile. 
 Of power to eharm despair, or pain beguile : 
 Whilst all those lesser ornaments, that grace 
 llie female character, in hers had place.
 
 THE MANIAC. 1 
 
 With joy she heard her Albert's pleaded love : 
 Her heart and judgment, both, his suit approve. 
 No vain delays her lover's passion tried ; . .v - 
 And Albert's joyful arms received his bride. 
 Their hands united, as tfieir hearts before, 
 Of mutual happiness what boundless store ) 
 But not to self coniined, this happiness ; 
 Diffused around, it still returned to bless. 
 Religion'^s sacred form, amidst the acene, 
 With every lovely attribute was seen. 
 All the sweet charities her train attend ; 
 Humanity, of all mankind the friend ; 
 Soft Pity, with a balm for each distress; 
 And generous Bounty, ever prone to bless. 
 Warm Hospitality, amongst tlie rest : 
 
 With cordial welcome they received each guest ; 
 But, with a chosen few, more close unite : 
 
 Thus, social pleasures varied home delight. 
 
 Two beauteous infants new sensations brought : 
 
 Felicity could be no higher wrought ; 
 
 Earth smiled around ; Heav'n blessed them from above ; 
 
 And all was harmony, and jo}-, and love ! 
 
 Bliss far too great to last ! this mortal scene, 
 
 'Mongst highest pleasures mingles sufferings keen : 
 
 And those who lean to earth for solid joy, 
 
 Will find the tottering base their aim destroy. 
 Now had Sedition, with her horrid brand, 
 
 Spread wide her baleful ii^luence through the land : 
 B 4
 
 8 THE MANIAtJ. 
 
 In public!, bade her mobs tuMUltiwyt^'rise; I. i'* ^' 
 In private, Obroke through Nature's dearest li(jifl i^^I 
 And, whilst mock patriotism' brawled aloud, '"^ C)/I 
 Infused her vertom through the insensate crowd. '*"'^- 
 
 Bernardo's ardent soul with virtue glowed ; '''^"^ i 
 But, wrong directed, wide mistook her road. '"' 
 Whilst Faction fierce declamj^d, he caught the flame 
 Of glorious i*Vefe(#0?^.' 'prostituted name !-> >^-iJ'iv> 
 Nor deemed he that, beneath the insidious ^f^, '-:H-''^ 
 Lurked anarchy, foul rapine, murder dire! - > ' '' 
 Nor deemed he that the hackneyed word, reform, 
 Meant revolution's fiercest, deadliest storm I '-*"*' ^i 
 From principle he acted; nor conceived ' ' - ' 
 Th' enlightened mind could deviate ; nor believed 
 Infernal passions could deform a plan,'-^*'i*^"* *''''' *' 
 Which seemed to him the noblest work'of mahi r.J;// 
 To free a nation from oppression's yoke ! ' '''^^^ 
 
 'T was thus his generous indignation spt^ce;'-^*^'* t^'^" * 
 Firmness, he hoped, might gain the Avished redress;* 
 And link all parties in the bonds of peace. . ^ - k 
 But, step by step ledon; he left the shore ''''^*^*i^i^'*^ 
 Of Moderation, which be. touched no more; ; -^n/. 
 Borne by the torrent metiriest souls among, J ^^'^ 'isa^'it 
 His part once taken, to* the cause he clung^' >_'::. 
 
 So, when the whirlwind 'sweeps o'er regions vast, 
 Relentless HaV6'c rides ujjon the blast f>' ^'-^ ^ '-'^ ' '' 
 Its fury whelms,' in otie great sacrifice, ' -^ 
 The hallowed tertj^le and the den of vice ;
 
 THE MANIAtTi ~9 
 
 The gorgeous paliaee^ erst so proud s^-fcieh ihewed^iV/ 
 licvels with squalid Penury's abode. - ; ^- ; ~3H 
 Awful memento to the human soulyd tiodz tidi^n s.iSi 
 Its elements, fierce passions to cojtitrol. f i^ol rjd oT 
 The rock-based fabric, sole, repels the shodka'/s j )H 
 True principle is "founded as the rock." orr: ')iJ8 
 
 Albert; iwitli^'ief, beheld this first of friends,. >>ilT 
 A dupe to demagogues, and their base ends^ iK>b i-iH 
 With oft renewed remonstrances, he tried . j. v/oK 
 To win his reason to the better side. / hijlhrj baA. 
 That soothing eloquence which once could dhiarmidT 
 His fiery passions, arid their rage disarm, - :>dY/ 
 
 Had now no influence ;- no thing- couldiobtain:;)?!;/;. 
 With party spirit'targunaent is viain! ' auxf) yxa;od isiH 
 Bernardo, gfateful, felt his friend's warm zeal; ;/. 
 Still loved his brother ; but his country's weal, i. ^ 
 To his enthusiasm, soared far above . unoidctviz A 
 Ev'u saeredi friendship, or fraternal love* (ovi li-iUOiiT 
 Albert, thus baffled, sighed ; each hope resigned, o'l' 
 To move his friend's unalterable mind ; -lil' 
 
 And, lest suspicion should involve his name, )"' aoK 
 Was forced to shun whom hewas forced to blame. '^* 
 
 With mental anguish, atid with health impaired,v i 
 A brother, too, estranged, th' emotion. shared, J.-'' 
 
 niie gentle Emma drooped, oppressed with grief. ' 
 Bernardo, now^ proclaimed a rebel chief; 
 Pursued by justice, driven from his blest home, 
 T skulk in caverns ; or by nightto roam,
 
 10 THE maniac; 
 
 With vile banditti, whom his soul despised ; T 
 
 Her feeling heart was torn, was agonized ! 
 But when short intervals the chief restored 
 To her fond bosom, whom he still adored, -^nr ii i / i 
 Her sweetness soothed his agitated breast, 
 She smoothed her brow, and every pang suppressed. 
 Their young Bernardo, too, with cherub smile, , .' 
 His doating father's troubles would beguile. ; tb L 
 Now all the loyal youth were roused to anns, ^ 
 And called where danger loudest spread alarms. 
 Though no commotions, yet, the place had felt, jt;]-! 
 Where he and happiness so long had dwelt, f ^rait 8iH 
 Albert, whose active spirit scorned repose, mjd } ;; i 
 His country thus rent by intestine foes^ i^a.^jnaff '.: 
 Assumed the martial character ; prepared 
 To join her standard, and her freedom guard. 
 A summons now, to a more distant scene, 
 Though prompt obeyed, called forth sensations keen; 
 To leave whom his fond soul adored'^his wifel . ulA 
 The bliss and partner of his happy life ! o 
 
 How did the hours, with her in transport passed, 
 Those now to separation doomed, contrast ! 
 For her pangs, too, his manly bosom swelled. 
 But duty called, and each fond thought repelled. 
 Matilda, too, from all complaint forbore ; 
 She loved her Albert ! but his honour more. 
 She bade him go ; whilst sorrow's starting tear, 
 And painful throb, spoke hira-^how fondly dear!
 
 THE MANIAC 11 
 
 He cheered her spirits ; clasped her to his breast ; 
 Blessed his sweet babes; aad flew .vvl^^e daiigejr 
 pressed. '4 "- ,.f^ ..i;? f>r,,,r(-.j>; .,. , ; j / 
 
 To Wicklow's plains his martial troop he led; 
 In Wicklow the first hostile blood was shed : >'< 
 
 The contest there was short; 'midst guilt's alarms, ^^^ 
 Whole dastard thousands soon laid down their arms,' { 
 Their leaders yielded up, tlieir terms of grace :-^,; -wio'> 
 By treachery's crime, rebellion's to efface! rr,-.'} ,.y\ 
 Amongst the rest, Bernardo was resigned |' ;;. * . r-''f 
 Betrayed by those to whom his sanguine mind 
 Had vowed to give, (or perish in the strife !)__,^ jii jlv" 
 Sweet liberty, that brightest gem of life! 
 
 By summary justice, (so required the times,) 
 Tlieir doom was fixed death to atone their crimes. 
 Unmoved, Bernardo saw the impending stroke ; 
 His dauntless spirit by mean fears unbroke : 
 His soaring mind looked down on death and pain,. ,/ 
 As what required no effort to sustain. 
 One sole emotion could the calm destroy ; 
 His angel Emma's pangs ! his darling boy ! 
 His friend, his brother too ! each tender tie 
 Rushed on his heart, else, well prepared to die ] 
 But, short-lived is the pang his bosom rend^ ; r 
 
 An ignominious death the conflict ends : >^" ^ t, 
 His life, thus risked in foul rebellion's cause, 
 Fell forfeit to his country's outraged laws. 
 
 Albert saw all with agonizing pain ; 
 
 But interference was, he knew, in vain.
 
 1 TUB MANIAC." 
 
 His youth' first friend, the brother of his soul, h ill 
 In manhood's prime, thus reached life's fatal goalf iX 
 His widowed sister, too! his fond heart's pride; 
 Dear to that heart as was its vital tide ! ^''^*M^M 'H- oT 
 What must her sufferings be ! he shuddered/ "wil*^' nl 
 Butmot inactive his exertions slept. rih j auT 
 
 H flew to find her, pour affection's balm ; -asb QioA'if 
 Console, or share those griefs he could not caliB;ii>'n' 
 He flew to bear her to that loved abode, ii t C 
 
 Where his Matilda's presence bliss bestowed-^i-|ti:>inA 
 Matilda, whose soft tones, eoul-thrilling A?ojeei^ > jriiofi 
 Might renovate old age, make pain rejoice : ' hiAi 
 Whose sense correct, whose warmly glowing heart,' "' 
 And heavenly mind, true comfort could impart. 
 He found his Emma^s almost lifeless form, 
 like the sweet shrub uprooted by the storm, ' ; n J 
 Disease had, with slow undermining stealth j '^wnh iiU 
 Wasted youth's bloom, dried up the springs of health : 
 The final fatal stroke Bernardo's doom ! - / -^ JLm.v , /. 
 And death had. marked his victim for thetOMb. - "t^^ 
 Her gentle nature sunk beneath the blow; =y.<.iH 
 Not loudly clamorous, but deep felt the woe.'f -^ ' i=^U 
 One single gleam sweet comfort had in store, '> >:if '-.x 
 To join lier bosom's friend, to part no more!^*^' -'-- 
 'Midst deepest pangs the thought was ecstacy'J "-ii ' - 
 Her sainted spirit panted to get free'" ''"'J :"-' 
 Scarce ev'n her fond affection's secoftdjIoTp'^*'"^' - 
 Her loved Bernardo's image, her 8weel'boy> ^ii^-.tX
 
 To earthly scenes an injjwest could restorfe ; ! jrlnofl 
 Though never cherished' child was cheriihie^iW^^in 
 
 Alberty with kind preparatory ^^are^ ; ,1 hoc ji'i 
 A|ipD(ahfed!feer.coucfe, ftH tashi^urptise to spJM-ecvjq 
 Then clas^dthe lovely mourner to his breast, jr 
 And would have spoke, but grief his words $up^^isf}(^^ 
 Conflipting. passions now convulsed her frame>T >!-) qH 
 And ro|Lt(sed each Weiif feeling V powerful, clainl.: Jn^ijl 
 "^That brother so long absent, so adored, ; >rij;{ t>i' 
 Restored-r- but', ah.} in what an hour restorefJihj dw3 
 Fond recolleetiom: sharpened^yery pain^brfl iool iH 
 And her Bernardo seemed to ;d^ie agam! in yjn-o Iml^^ 
 But tears brought suffei'ing nature kind reiie^;,h<jws) / 
 She wept; then sunk again to calmer grief, ic^ all 
 
 Albert, with anguish,^ saw her altered state^tr* ihh^i 
 Called every ^\ btlt aid was now too late! ,c<dj -ili 
 Ten anxious days he watclied, beside her bed*/ p[A p\ 
 And saw death's rapid strides with trembling drjB^;'>T 
 She, with meek joy, beheld the tyrant come.;, rq^,)imi . 
 Her spotless soul prepared to meet its doom b-i^q-*.!.-^ 
 Prepared, with her Bernardo to enjoy [ -.r-. cjf,'' > 
 
 Blissr^endless bliss! exempt from earth's alloy^n Inif' 
 Her child had nov; a father, guardian, friendjilofa '^rli' 
 His tender years with watchful care to tend, f^'; djIV/ 
 In her loved brother's arms she saw him placed;; -.u T 
 Wept tears of joy ! both tenderly emhraceid^ ;aj;djj vfl 
 With grateful thanks that brother's love repaid^ j,, j-iH 
 Through youth, in death so, tenderly displayq^tfjf? >nii
 
 14 'fHE MANIAC. 
 
 Breathed to high Heaven a warmly fervent prayer, 
 His lovely wife, his children longto spare ! 
 Blessed her sweet cherub, with her latest breath ; 
 Pressed Albert's hand ; sunk back, and smiled in death } 
 With bursting anguish Albert now beheld -i 
 
 All over ! those loved lips for ever sealed ! >"i' ' 
 
 He clasped that form, in life, in death, so dear; -* 
 Embalmed the cold remains with many a tear: 
 To hers and her Bernardo's memories paid ''' > 
 
 Each tribute by true friendship sacred maderJ**''^'^s'>i; 
 He took their lovely orphan to his heart; >" >-ii*jJ 
 And gave him there a warm, an ample part ; 
 Vowed, with his own loved children he should share - 
 His warm affection and his tenderest care. 
 E!ach office paid, that now fond love could pay ; 
 His thoughts flew on, impatient of delay, ' - .. f 
 In his Matilda's bosom to repose < ' i'^^^ 
 
 Each care; there find a balm for all his woes. 
 Anticipations fond now quick succeed; 
 Suspend affliction, and give wings to speed. 
 One sole attendant shared his eager haste ; 
 And rapid, the quick shortening road they traced. 
 The sight of home attained, his bosom glows 
 With all the ecstacy sweet hope bestows : 
 The precious objects of his love so near! 
 By absence rendered still more fondly dear. 
 His gates thrown wide, now met his wondering eye. 
 His heart beat quick he feared he knew not why.
 
 TftE MANlAe.' IS 
 
 No prompt domestics there, as wont, to meet ' n mJT 
 His wished return, and their loved mastef greet*:; ni T 
 Proceeding onward, he began to trace :;. . 'I 
 
 Marks of rude havoc nature's charms deface r 
 Approached his house, he saw a ruin frown; > 1,1 ; 
 Each window shattered and each door torn downs -ifl 
 His precious moveables all broken, strewed : ' v. i 
 
 The spacious grounds, and party-rancour shewed* /v 
 But, of what import this ? ^not worth a thought! J. 
 Not these the objects his affection soi^ht. - ' i 
 
 Where were his wife, his children ? Heavenly Powers 
 What cloud portentous o'er his fate now lours 1 . n: t [ 
 The attendant, who had readied the unhinged dodr^id 
 Cried, " Oh! my master!" but could add no moreH 
 Each poise wild throbbing, Albert darted through H 
 The yawning entrance ; there soul-blasting view ! ; ' 
 His beauteous infants, on.tiie ensanguined ground, '( 
 Lay, sunk in death ! deep pierced with many al 
 w oiind ! <iqti <Ksd aon^m snr vo iivc ui H 
 
 A little farther on ractc^, tortures, wheels 1 UxM is; *! 
 Are bliss, are paradise, to what he /ipels.l -sid kftil c i 
 Of ruffian violence the bleeding prey,.:;;i mii ! nietv ul 
 His. soul's rich treasure, his Matilda lay!: -belisra ^iH 
 Life's ebbing tide now nigh exhausted quite,; ::;:u"i '' 
 And her pure soul just winged to take its fliglit.;ij bui_ 
 " Matilda! oh! my love, my Ufei'' he criQdlr:?(ij cT 
 She raised a langisid hand, looked up,.aiid died^lA 
 Transfixed with horror, rooted ta the giQieadL ;i;ijii aL 
 The woe-struck Albert wildly glared around :
 
 56 Tlje? MANIAC.; 
 
 Then stooping, bent, as if intefit to heaf ,i(j <, /. 
 
 The dulcet sounds that wont to charm his ear.: ; ,, ^-f ][' 
 But all was hushed! no dulcet sounds now .llo^>t>>nH 
 To chann his year, or sooth his mighty woe! nJttrAl 
 Whilst deepest torturing pangs his heart assail, oiqqA 
 The powers of memoiy begin to fail. ; J. .:I 
 
 Fantastic forms thick croxvd his maddening brain ; 1 i 
 And reason fied, ne'er to return again. i 
 
 Loud frantic laughter spoke his o'erthrowH/UMinliia 
 Then, starting sudden, fleeter than the win4,-.f">(iJ io/I 
 He flew those seeaies, miknowing where hefiewi:,([// 
 Each object flits before his vacant vie^^.;,. luA"> h:dlf 
 In lifeless torpor each ideachained; ^ ^ iitf)i;-..r! il T 
 His mind a vacuum, no past trace retained; > 
 
 But when diort gleams of recollection brought ^ ; ,,b.:i 
 A retrospective view, a grief-winged thought, .;.. jJT 
 Rage, torture, frenzy ! all expression 's vain, . j .AH 
 
 To speak the whirling tumult of his braiu! 
 
 His sorrowing friends each application tried 
 That skill could dictate, and afl^ection guide. 
 To heal his mind ; lost reason to restore : 
 In vain ! the fugitive returned no more ! 
 His malady, on which no hope now gleamed, 
 " Incurable and dangerous " was deemed : 
 And that lone cell received a wretch forlorn, 
 To brightest hopes and happiest prospects born^ 
 
 Almighty Being 1 whose mysterious plan, 
 In human lifey up mortal eye can scan ; 
 I ;?;.>ij- i.;; :.[;.' vjUli// ...
 
 THE MANIAC. 17 
 
 Whose powerful voice now chafes the roaring deep ; 
 Now, hushed to silence, bids its wild waves sleep : 
 To man, thy noblest earthly work. Thou 'st given, 
 When tempest- tossed in life, by passions driven. 
 Reason, to stem life's ills ; from passions free ; 
 And teach the free-born soul to soar to Thee ! 
 And, when by Thee withdrawn this heaven-given ray, 
 When mental chaos clouds the soul's bright day, 
 Ev'n then, not hopeless ! the celestial spark, 
 Obscured, not lost ; still unimpaired, though dark ; 
 When disencumbered of its earthly load. 
 When called by its Creator and its God ; 
 Sharer in that expiatory love, 
 Which flowed in streams of mercy from above, 
 Again shall mount; and, guilt atoned, may live. 
 To all the joys eternity can give ! 
 
 Unfortunately, there is not much of exaggeration 
 in this melancholy tale. Instances of insanity, from 
 distress of mind, occurred during the late unhappy 
 rebellion in Ireland : and scenes similar to that here 
 represented, as having occasioned that catastrophe, 
 were, alas ! but too frequent, where activity opposed 
 the popular ferment. The writer has only blended 
 circumstances ; scarcely heightened any. 
 e
 
 .h-...
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN 
 
 A POEM. 
 
 FROM THE PRENCH. 
 
 c a
 
 TJRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 l HE author of the following Poem has mtroduced if 
 to his countrymen, by a long and elaborate preface ; 
 written in rather a declamatory style. As it does not 
 contain any thing that places his subject in a new 
 point of view, or gives it more weight than it receiver 
 from the poem itself, it has not been thought neces^ 
 sary to turn any part of it into English, excepting his 
 principal reason for having undertaken the work ; 
 with which he concludes bis address ; nearly in the 
 following manner. 
 
 " In composing the poem which I now present to 
 the public, I was not merely instigated by the design 
 of doing the sex justice. In addition to this motive, 
 I had another. I wished to lead back to their society 
 a valiant people, whom the concussions of the revo- 
 lution have thrown at a distance from them ; and tiy 
 this means, to restore to it that character of urbanity 
 which it has nearly lost in the struggles of party. 
 
 ** It must be confessed, that, if the French people 
 
 formerly possessed the graces of Athens, they have 
 
 latterly exchanged them for a considerable degree of 
 
 Spartan bluntness. And the example of our present 
 
 c 2
 
 S2 translator's preface. 
 
 upstart rulers, M'hose minds have been but slightly 
 cultivated; with the influence of the rising generation, 
 whose education has been interrupted, or materially 
 altered during the horrors of war, nay, from day to 
 day, bring about a still greater change in the national 
 character. 
 
 " What can most effectually oppose the progress 
 of this growing evil ? doubtless the society of amiable 
 women. Tliey best polish the manners; they impress 
 the sentiment of deconim ; they are the true precep- 
 tors in elegance and refinement of taste. They can 
 restore to us the graces which have forsaken us ; give 
 us back that affability which was our distinguishing 
 characteristic; and re-create, if I may so express 
 myself, that nation whom so many convulsions, crimes, 
 and misfortunes have thrown out of their true bias. 
 
 " Ah ! had the chiefs of terror more truly appre- 
 ciated them, less blood would have flowed. Men 
 who know how to prize them as they ought to be 
 prized, are rarely barbarians." 
 
 Thus far the author. The translator, on her part, 
 begs leave to state, that she was induced to give an 
 English version of the poem in question, from having 
 it represented to her, that it was a late, and a very 
 popular production in France. And the literature of 
 a country, she w ould ("ain hope, is exempted from the 
 prejudices and enmities of national warfare. Another 
 motive was, its being, at the time she undertook the
 
 TRANSLATORS PREFACE. 23 
 
 translation, a very scarce book in England. The 
 copy procured for her, m as, as ihe was informed, 
 the only one that had then reached this countrj'. 
 
 What degree of general interest the subject or title 
 of the original work may excite, she pretends not to 
 judge. For the defects of the translation she must 
 (to adopt a very trite mode of deprecation) solicit the 
 indulgence of a candid public. * Those who translate 
 poetryj" says the ingenious translator of Baron Stol- 
 berg's Travels, " must not pore over the words of the 
 author, but imbibe his feelings ; animate themselves 
 with the same fires ; and soar on the same daring 
 wing." To German poetry this rule may be appli- 
 cable : but in a language so extremely unsusceptible of 
 poetical graces as the French, those animated fires, 
 those lofty flights, are sought in vain. Bound down 
 by want of variety in phraseology, poverty of diction, 
 and, it may be added, uncouthness of measure, the 
 poet can very seldom, indeed, soar on daring wing. 
 
 Under these disadvantages, the translator feels very 
 conscious, and laments, that she docs not possess 
 genius capable of raising the poem into brilliancy; 
 nor, she fears, of impressing it with interest. The only 
 merit she can claim, is, her having, she thinks, faith- 
 fully rendered the sense of her author; except in one 
 or two passages, where tihe has intentionally deviated, 
 
 c 4
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 As Juvenal, who held up vice to shame, 
 
 Rival to Horace, in satiric fame ; 
 
 And as Despreaux, who both so ably led, 
 
 In modem lore, Parnassian heights to tread. 
 
 Of poignant wit exhausted all the arms, 
 
 Against a sex, whose virtues, and whose channs. 
 
 Form the first ornament, the sweetest grace, 
 
 With which high heaven has blessed man's favoured race ; 
 
 Though humbly conscious how remote I stand 
 
 From names so great, though nerveless were this hand 
 
 Against their powers to hurl defiance bold, 
 
 On common themes, yet here, no longer cold. 
 
 Fired by the cause, I dare, against a host. 
 
 Attempt their rescue whom I value most ; 
 
 Dare to assert their rights with dauntless heart, 
 
 Of all creation's works the loveliest part. 
 
 When God's sole voice called forth, as from a trance 
 Of chaos, where they slept, the vast expanse 
 Of heavens ; bade earth emerge, wide oceans flow, 
 And mountains rise, and vales extend below ;
 
 f6 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 Bade leafy forests spread their far-stretched shade ; 
 And man, still more miraculously made, 
 Called to be witness of the scene, and chief; 
 A scene sublime, grand, wondrous, past belief ! 
 As his last master-piece, he bade arise 
 Beauty's fair form, soft clothed in female guise. 
 Not Power Supreme, for exquisite delight. 
 Could yield a gift more rich to mortal sight ! 
 Behold that open brow, Mhich shews imprest 
 Celestial purity, the soul's bright guest ; 
 Those lips, whose smile each rapture can impart ; 
 Those eyes, w hose tears drop anguish on the heart ; 
 See those small lines of Heaven's ethereal blue, 
 Contrast the alabaster's snowy hue ; 
 The blush of innocence that dyes the cheek ; 
 The waving glossy curls that o'er it break ; 
 The swelling bosom ; the proportions fine ; 
 The contours soft ; each charm almost divine ! 
 How dangerously seductive were the v^ho]e ! 
 But, to secure her empire o'er man's soul. 
 To give it double power, weight, permanence, 
 Woman adds virtues, talents, graces, sense ! 
 
 When the fine tones of Laura's harp we hear, 
 Joined by her voice, soft, flexible, and clear, 
 By turns we gaze and listen, till we find 
 Double enciiantment seize the captive mind. 
 Her sweet accords have ceas'd ; a master plays ; 
 His scientific skill demands our praise :.
 
 THE MERITS OF M-^OMEN^. 7 
 
 His rapid movements, complicated sounds, 
 
 Of boldest execution shew the bounds. 
 
 We hear with wonder, but no more we gaze ; 
 
 For, where the charms which Laura's form displays ? 
 
 Where those round arms, which love, with sly design, 
 
 Has m.oulded into symmetry so fine ? * 
 
 Those arms which circling round, with matchless grace. 
 
 In living chains her tuneful harp embrace ? 
 
 Where is the roseate blush, the timid glance, 
 
 Which speak the soul refined, each charm enhance ? 
 
 No longer seen. But now, the concert o'er, 
 
 Tlie ball commences. O'er the spacious floor 
 
 Lucinda, Chloris, i\glea, see advance. 
 
 With agile limbs, to tread the mazy dance, 
 
 Their youthful forms appropriately arrayed, 
 
 Their drapery of the lightest texture made ; 
 
 Gold, pearls, and gems round each their radiance fling ; 
 
 With flowers of tints that emulate the spring : 
 
 Their waving motions, elegantly bland. 
 
 Like beauteous lilies, by soft zephyrs fanned; 
 
 Each step a grace : 't is fascination all ! 
 
 Their youthful partners' hearts their victims fall. 
 
 L'en Momus' mirthful train no joys can prove, 
 
 Denied the presence of the Queen of Love. 
 
 And, but for her, how coldly would engage. 
 
 Those mimic scenes that charm us on the stage ! 
 
 'T is true, when that fair object, so adored 
 
 By Orosmanc!?, of her heart's sole lord,
 
 28 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 Breathes forth, in strains divine, the love, the M'oes, 
 The feats heroic, 'midst embattled foes, 
 The charms of verse alone, from all who hear, 
 Might well call forth the sympathetic tear ; 
 But aided by Gaussin's enchanting powers, 
 Trhe soul's deep feelings flow in copious showers. 
 
 Hail ye fine arts ! life's polished treasures, hail ! 
 To sooth man's woes how sweetly you avail ! 
 But when with female talents you combine. 
 By secret charms you then transcendant shine. 
 
 Those flow'rs, by Valayer * on the canvass thrown, 
 We stretch to pluck ! so true is nature shewn. 
 They breathe, they live ! those portraits so admired, 
 By which Le Brun has lasting fame acquired. 
 From their fine touch the graces lovelier grow ; 
 The graces ever true delight bestow. 
 
 In Riccoboni, Tenien, La Fayette *, 
 Love goiides the pencil, whilst they scenes create : 
 Their charming fictions shew his able hand, 
 To touch our passions, each fine sense command. 
 Whilst our own times display his skill still moi"e : 
 Chief, in Cecilia, Senange, Theodore 3, 
 
 A bard*, 'tis true, as friendly to the fair, 
 Cautions them no poetic flights to dare. 
 To swell the loud-toned trumpet, strike the lyre, 
 Efforts too masculine, perhaps, require : 
 But from the breathing flute 5, whose tender strains 
 Awake sweet echo, 'midst hills, woods, and plains,
 
 The merits of women. 29 
 
 Chant sylvan scenery, calm, rural joys ; 
 Free from each bane which splendid life annoys, 
 How often have they drawn, with tunefiil art, 
 Such tones as steal with magic to the heart ! 
 Their sportive flights of wit, too, why reprove ? 
 Haply, true wit is more awake to love : 
 Then leave them free, with every lure refined. 
 To aid the God's soft empire o'er mankind. 
 
 Grave censors of the sex, whose eyes severe 
 VieAV these fine talents with contemptuous sneer. 
 At least, can Avarmest gratitude, ah ! say. 
 Their useful fond exertions e'er repay ? 
 Ere yet existence breathes the vital air. 
 Their cares for us commence ; their love we share. 
 When, after months of languor, terrors, pain. 
 Then, pangs still more acute, doomed to sustain. 
 The patient sufferer, to maternal arms. 
 Receives her pledge of love, its infant charms. 
 Raising enthusiastic raptuie high. 
 She vows, with thankful heart, and tear-fraught eye. 
 To him she will devote each anxious care ; 
 No toils remit, no tender office spare. 
 To shield his infant state from infant woes. 
 She o'er him hangs to watch his soft repose : ' 
 
 Chases the insect, who, with buzzing sound. 
 Or brushing wing, might break his rest profound. 
 Dark midnight's shade no pause in feeling makes ; 
 Her ear attentive, 'midst deep silence, wakes.
 
 so THE MERITS OF WOxMEN. 
 
 To catch the slightest noise that might annoy 
 The tranquil comfort of her precious boy. 
 Or, should, at length, sleep's balmy pressure close 
 Her heavy eyelids in a short repose. 
 E'en dreams her tender vigilance alarm ; 
 She starts ; flies to repel the threatened harm : 
 In fixed attention o'er her treasure bent, 
 Long she contemplates him with looks intent ; 
 Then, scarcely satisiied her fears were vain. 
 Resumes her couch, to watch and wake again. 
 Anon, when stretched, his little hands are spread, 
 And gentle clamours speak his slumbers fled. 
 Clasped in her arms, she quick, to still his cries, 
 The pure, health-yielding nourishment applies. 
 By Nature given, who nothing gives in vaiil, 
 Our feeble state to comfort and sustain. 
 Whilst the rapt mother ^ thus fulfils her part. 
 What soft emotions swell her feeling heart ! 
 Mindless of all fatigue fond duty gives. 
 Not in herself, she in her son now lives. 
 Meanwhile the enraptured husband both enfolds ; 
 With interest all awake the scene beholds ; 
 And finds his beauteous wife and boy divide 
 His tenderest feelings, and his fondest pride* 
 This first sweet gift of Hymen's sacred tie, 
 Her own chief grace appears in woman's eye : 
 See ! all the pride of conscious beauty flown, 
 Save that reflected by her child alone.
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEI?. Si 
 
 The young Isauria, dazzling bright with charms, 
 Whilst a loved infant blessed her tender arms, 
 Saw that dire malady his frame invade, 
 Whose cruel rage such ravages has made 
 On Nature^s polished forms ; left its rude trace, 
 'Midst the soft lines of the once faultless face ; 
 Forming, in love-inspiring beauty's room, / 
 
 Scars which so oft deformity become. 
 All fly the infected scene in dread alarm ; 
 Alone, Isauria braves the threatened harm ; 
 Attends, perhaps, her fondling's bed of death. 
 To sooth his pangs, receive his parting breath ! 
 Or, should kind Heaven restore him to her prayers, 
 Herself may prove the victim to her cares ! 
 Her husband combated with tender strife. 
 Contagion thought not of, nor charms, nor life. 
 She perseveres. But lo ! the fell disease 
 On the swoln eyeballs with fierce rancour preys ; 
 Inevitable darkness must ensue. 
 Unless some friendly mouth the ill undo. 
 A mother's heart dares all ! to the pained eyes. 
 Her soft, balm-breathing lips she long applies : 
 The hallowed eiforts, by degrees succeed ; 
 The venom drawn, the fast-closed eyelids freed. 
 Maternal lovi to her glad boy has given, 
 A second time, the cheering light of heaven 1 
 
 A father's fond regards though we may prove. 
 Such tender proofs, do they e^er mark his love ?
 
 32 ^ THE M1ERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 But other wants soon call for other cares ; 
 The child each day hicreased perception shares. 
 And as the eaglet, eager for the sky, 
 Checked by instinctive prudence, will but try 
 Near the parental nest his first essay. 
 To stretch his new-fledged wings, and meet the day; 
 So, gently aided by maternal hands, 
 The little trembler, yet ill-balanced, stands ; 
 Then tries to step, with fear-expressive face j 
 His fond conductor waits his tardy pace. 
 With open arms, to catch him ere he fall ; 
 Should tottering limbs for such assistance call. 
 Her tender cares his aliment supplied ; 
 Her tender cares now his first footsteps guide. 
 His kind preceptress next, she tries to frame 
 His stanunering accents to pronounce that name 
 Which benefits, which each fond tie endear : 
 He lisps, " Mamma" 't is music to her ear ! 
 Progressive sense, as months and years succeed, 
 Requires new lights ^lier boy must learn to read : 
 With sportive arts she lures him on to ask 
 Her ready aid, whilst pleasure smooths his task ; 
 And mingling frolic with instruction mild. 
 Her child to teach, she acts, herself, the child. 
 
 But her loved pupil soon she sees consigned 
 To other hands, less gentle, and less kind ; 
 The rigid tutor ; he, with brow austere. 
 Reproves each trivial fault in tone severe.
 
 THE MERITS Of WOMEN. 33 
 
 Poor boy ! to what kind bosom now disclose 
 The mighty ills that prey on his repose ? 
 Who will afford his aching heart relief? 
 His mother ! fond partaker of his grief* 
 She dries his swimming eyes ; his peace restores. 
 By soft remonstrance, joined to playful stores. 
 Glad smiles and tears alternate seem jit strife, 
 To mark the April days of early life. 
 
 But that sweet season fleets, how SAvift ! away ; 
 And childhood's feelings yield to passion's sway. 
 Of these, in youth's soft bosom, one o'er all 
 Reigns paramount, at genial Nature's call. 
 The humid eye, flushed cheek, and throbbing heart. 
 The sigh involuntary, feverish start^ 
 Its vast resistless influence proclaim. 
 What object thus can agitate his frame ? 
 Thus his whole soul with rapturous tumults thrill f 
 'Tis Avoman! all-attractive woman still ! 
 'Tis love ! before whose altar to adore. 
 Gives a new being he ne'er felt before ! 
 By day strange palpitations heave his breast ; 
 By night love's fairy visions break his rest : 
 He roams in quest of some self-promised good ; 
 Some sacred charm, yet scarcely understood. 
 The beauteous maid who every thought employs. 
 Source of this impulse sweet, these new-born joys. 
 In secret sees the passion she inspires ; 
 In secret, too, the enamoured youth admires ; 
 D
 
 34- THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 How much ! to speak it, weak would language prove ! 
 'Tis all the fond excess of virtuous love. 
 He breathes his ardent vows to favouring ears ; 
 He pleads with pathos, she unfrowning hears ; 
 .Whilst the deep blush, and downcast eye, reveal 
 What virgin modesty would yet conceal. 
 Ecstatic moment ! point high-wrought of bliss ! 
 When bolder grown, he snatches the first kiss \ , .T 
 Inhales her balmy breath; inebriate, sips, li.if iij^I 
 Delicious nectar from her vermeil lips f , . * 'i.-b bii A 
 Of mutual love the seal ; whilst plighted vows .!i V > 
 Crown those fond transports his blest fate allow*. 
 Sole idol of his worship, she, from thence. 
 Rules every faculty, absorbs each sense ; 
 Fills time and space with all that 's good and fair f 
 Impregns with happiness the ambient air : 
 His whole existence centres in her smile ;. >- 
 
 Her presence can each earth-born care beguile. '; " 
 
 Amidst the festive circle do they meet. 
 By nymphs unnimibered graced, with charms replete, 
 He sees but one ; but one his eyes pvirsue. 
 Whilst every glance beams with affection true. 
 
 When absent from her, roused at early dawn. 
 He seeks the shade that skirts the flowery lawn ; 
 A limpid dimpled fountain bubbling near ; 
 The hour, the scene to musing lovers dear ; 
 There stretched recumbent, fixed in thought profouud^ 
 His fair he finds in every object round.
 
 THE MEltlTS OF WOME^PTC S$ 
 
 The clear o'erhanging vault of azure die, 
 
 Shews the bright azure of her sparkling eye ; 
 
 LiCss luminous young morning's orient ray, 
 
 Than those which 'neath her dark fringed eyelids play. 
 
 Fair Flora's gifts which dew-impearled now bloom, 
 
 Breathe of her severed lips the rich perfume ; 
 
 The hues her fine turned neck and cheek disclose, 
 
 Deck the mild lily, and the opening rose. 
 
 Soft zephyr whispering through the tufted grove, 
 
 Sweet chaunts of earliest birds, attuned to love, 
 
 With waters murmuring as they glide along 
 
 In mingled melody, recall her song. ' .;> " ^ - t l' 
 
 Thus Nature's charms leflect from every part, 
 
 The cherished form engraven on his heart. 
 
 His hours on ecstacy's fleet pinions move ; 
 
 Life 's an enchanted circle formed by love. 
 
 But when, by Hymen sanctioned, his fond arms 
 Clasp as his own, her wondious world of charms," i 
 Ah ! how express his plenitude of joy ? 
 Pure as exalted ! sweet without alloy ! 
 And when by lime, this rapturous excess. 
 Mellowed to joys^ though calmer, yet not less ; 
 W hen looking round, with chastened mild delight, ' 
 Nought else but scenes all blissful meet his sight, 
 Domckstic peace, each richer gift of life. 
 How does he bless their precious source, his wife ! 
 To crown those gifts, one yet remains in store ; 
 Become a father ! can he wish for more 
 D 2
 
 3$ THE MERITS OF WQMEIf^ 
 
 Of earth's possessions? to his heart to hoI<l 
 Another self, cast in so sweet a mould ! 
 In infant loveliness, with pride to trace 
 His living portraiture, in form and face ! 
 Tliere, too, the mother's beauties all appear. 
 And render each dear object doubly dear. 
 
 Thrice happy father ! when a group of these 
 Surround thy board, climb thy paternal knees : 
 When thy noise-echoing mansion loud repeats 
 The sports of infancy ; youth's active feats : 
 When soaring upwards still in form and powers. 
 Their future weal employs thy watchful hours ; 
 Their every thought, open and clear as light, 
 Unveiled to thy discriminating sight. 
 Thou pointest their progress^ as each bias sways j 
 And all assured of their time-lengthened days, 
 Miilless what perils threat each early stage, 
 Hailest them as props of thy declining age. 
 
 Connubial love ! what stores dost thou impart, 
 Of all that sooths and satisfies the heart ! 
 The rough mechanic owns thy gentle sway : 
 When borne the heat and labour of the day, 
 Hastening to his blest home with joy sincere, 
 Glad smiles and cheerful comfort m eet him there. 
 
 The statesman, bent beneath a nation's cares. 
 To his loved partner for relief repairs. 
 From self a fugitive, within her arms. 
 Of dark cabala forgets the lurking harms:
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. S7 
 
 Suspicion's glooms, abroad, that haunt his mind, 
 
 In her soul-cheering presence are resigned ; 
 
 And soothed by love's pure exquisite delight, 
 
 Of honours, riches, power, he loses sight. 
 
 In solitary grandeur sad, unblest, 
 
 What charm could soothe his toil- worn mind to rest? 
 
 Another tie there is, not less refined, 
 Not less congenial to the feeling mind 
 Pure friendship, when, from jealous discords free, 
 Two kindred souls in mutual league agree. 
 But sweeter far the compact, when one side, 
 By woman's softness tempers lordly pride. 
 Then all those tenderer energies we prove, 
 Warmer than friendship, less perturbed than love-; 
 Love's sister may the tie be justly nam'd. 
 On Delicacy's fairest model fram'd. 
 Those soothing cares that charm our griefs to rest. 
 That flattering interest in each act exprest, 
 Those mild complacencies by women shewn 
 *Twixt men (more rough of mould) but half are known. 
 W^oman, her soul with generous feelings warmed. 
 For confidential sympathy is formed. 
 To hear united, (sweetest tie on earth !) 
 Whatever project in thy soul has birth. 
 With thee she scans, views in each varied light ; 
 With thee the doubtful weighs, the wrong, the right. 
 Whatever sorrow presses on thy heart, 
 Susceptible to all, she claims her part : 
 D 3
 
 ,-rP 
 
 38 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 Not isolated by cold selfish views, *.^> Vii. i 
 She pity, comfort, blessing would diffuse. ' 
 
 Compassion's melting eye for thee o'ertlows; 
 Mild pleading Reason's accents sooth thy woes ; 
 Thy soft reprover she, thy gentle guide ; I 
 
 In prosperous and in adverse fortune tried. /' 
 
 O good Fontaine ! who sacred friendship sung. 
 Whilst La Sabliere on thy smooth numbers hung ! ^^ 
 In converse sweet thy blameless moments flew, f. 
 Though nought of love's fond transports either kneiti 
 With thee close linked in Amity's strict ties, ' L 
 
 She sought thy wish almost ere it could rise. 
 Thy heart, thy fables, thy chagrins she heard ; 
 Indulged each bent by indolence endeared ; 
 Benignly shedding o'er thy peaceful days. 
 Felicity, pure as thy moral lays. 
 
 Such benefits the lovely sex bestow. 
 But if enjoyments sweet to them we owe. 
 They aid not less our life's success the while. 
 Oft glorious deeds are prompted by a smile. 
 Where is the man whose toils, however hard. 
 Are not o'erpaid by Beauty's fond regard ? 
 Would brilliant talents claim the laurelled meed 
 By beauty given, 't is rapture to succeed! 
 But chief, sweet poesie from her derives 
 That stimulus, by which the poet lives 
 1\) fame, far sounding in immortal verse. 
 Which deeds divine in strains divine reheaise.
 
 TflTE MEHlTS OF WOMEN.' 3^' 
 
 Love and inspiring beauty genius aid : 
 
 O'er those soft pages which their charms pervade, 
 
 He dwells enraptured, emulous to prove 
 
 By rival strains that he, too, bows to love ! 
 
 On that proud scene where buskined heroes tread, 
 
 By thee, Melpomene, to glory led. 
 
 Thy bard in trembling expectation stands. 
 
 To hail the plaudits of resounding hands. 
 
 His glowing verse, which thronging crowds admire, 
 
 Breathes all the poet's, all the lover's fire. 
 
 What brilliant sentiment ! what force of thought ! 
 
 The growing interest, with what skill 't is wrought ! 
 
 The impassioned hero wayward fate arraigns ; 
 
 The heroine, modest, tender, sooths his pains. 
 
 Warm from his heart each feeling thus portrayed ; 
 
 By those who know not love, in vain essayed. 
 
 Loud hands, applauding voices, gushing tears 
 
 His triumph waft to his enraptured ears ! 
 
 He towers in air, looks down on earthly joys, 
 
 All there, save love, beholds as empty toys ! 
 
 In conscious virtue, conscious talent proud. 
 
 He softly cries, 'midst the applauding crowd. 
 
 Whilst Gratitude's warm drops his eyes o'erflow, 
 
 Oh, lovely sex ! this gift to thee I owe ! 
 
 That former lifeless, grovelling clod of earth. 
 Whence does his martial ardour claim its birth ? 
 His heart, by love new -moulded, sought, rich prize ! 
 That grace which valour gives in beauty's eyes, 
 D 4
 
 40 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 And that the brave have still this grace possest, T 
 Thy days, exalted Chivalry ^ ! attest. 
 In that pure age, when ladies, chaste as fair, 
 Dispensed rewards, beauty was Valour's care. 
 In that pure age each dame her favoured knight 
 Armed and inspired against the coming fight : 
 In lofty language, and with noble pride, 
 Called forth his courage, ready to be tried. 
 Encouraged by sweet smiles, and love's kind glance ; 
 His helm adjusted, gave the polished lance ; 
 His armour braced, where, haply, some device. 
 Wrought by her beauteous hands, gave richest price : 
 Oft-times, in mystic cyphers, interwove, 
 Their blended names appeared, prized mark of love ! 
 Her veil, as scarf, oft graced him in the field ; 
 And oft her portrait served his heart to shield. 
 Thus graced by beauty, as by love inspired, 
 To deeds of bold emprize his soul was fired. 
 Full twenty standards, torn from hostile hands. 
 Battalions numerous quelled, of warlike bands. 
 His prowess spoke : it seemed as potent charms. 
 Of high enchantment, hovered o'er his arms ! 
 Returned in triumph, hailed with loud acclaim, 
 In public, sanctioned to avow his flame, 
 Pay open homage to his chosen fair. 
 Whose charms to conquest spurred, what bliss his 
 
 share ! 
 In those proud shows, which he, as victor, graced. 
 Her hand the laurel on his temples placed :
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 4^ 
 
 Hence, in his heart, tender and fierce by turns, 
 With mutual ardour, love and glory burns. 
 
 Ahi warriors of our days, why lay aside 
 Those usages our grandsires deemed their pride ? 
 Why does not, (tempering our new essay,) 
 Our infant commonwealth to beauty pay 
 The homage due ? Invincible in arms, 
 Sbould \v become less brave decked with the charms 
 Of gentle courtesy ? Still Frenchmen be ; 
 Nor deviate from our famed urbanity. 
 Whilst conquest meets our wish on every side, 
 Jjet beauteous damsels o'er our feasts preside ; 
 Let rosy wreaths twined with immortal bay, 
 Our sanguinary stains thus wipe away. 
 
 'T was thus the Greeks, that people so refined. 
 Nor less intrepid, love and war combined. 
 The victor's meed, by beauty's hand bestowed. 
 Held out an emblem which their manners shewed ; 
 Each polished grace, with glory's martial skill, 
 Their history's page with equal interest fill. 
 
 The ancients let us imitate, in all 
 Where softened shades our admiration call. 
 Their fabled beauty's queen, and god of arms, 
 h\ mutual love attached, portray the charms, 
 The sweetly grand elfect which meets our sight, 
 When powerful strength and softest grace imite- 
 
 And who so fit to crown the warrior, say, 
 As those who know o well their deeds to pay
 
 4^ TttE MERITS OF "WOMEN. 
 
 With just applause ? who even themselves can feel 
 That martial warmth inspired by patriot zeal. 
 Did not Palmyra's queen ' long time withstand 
 The ravages of Rome's all-conquering hand ? 
 Another, too *', enthroned in regal pride 
 Where famed Euphrates rolls its mighty tide, 
 In deeds of arms, in works of peace renowned, 
 When, hero-like, returned, M'ith conquest crowned, 
 From war's fierce combats, her glad people saw 
 Her more than woman's powers dispense the law. 
 
 But not to queens alone this praise is due ; ' 
 
 Temales uncrowned have worn the laurel too ; 
 Have led the way to conquest, or been led ; 
 Triumphed as generals, or as soldiers bled. 
 In the rude camp, amidst the din of arms, 
 War's brazen pano'ply has veiled their charms : 
 Limbs cast in delicacy's polished mould, 
 Have marched through fierce extremes of heat and 
 
 cold : 
 The frowning casque has beauty's self concealed ; 
 The ponderous weapon softest hands have held : 
 And every grace kind nature could bestow. 
 Have courted dangers which they ne'er should know 
 Efforts how glorious ! doubly great to rise, 
 And shew their arms victorious as their eyes. 
 
 Thou, Telesilla ", proved the truth I sing: 
 Thy genius, soaring on exalted wing, 
 Nursed by the muses, as by Mars inspired, 
 A people saw, and gratefully admired.
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 4S 
 
 And thou, of France the rescue and the shield^ 
 Called from the hamlet to the tented field, 
 Armed in a nation's cause by power divine, 
 Oh, Joan of Arc '^ ! what deathless glory thine ! 
 Desponding bands, roused by thy martial flame. 
 Angel of, God ! thee hailed with loud acclaim. 
 The victor English, by thy might expelled, 
 Orleans' late trembling walls, secured beheld. 
 From foreign yoke thou freedst thy native soil ; 
 Ledst back, thy king, nigh worn with cares and toilj 
 To Rheims, Avhich with astonishment profound, 
 Saw him, late fugitive, in triumph crowned. ' 
 
 Thrice happy sex ! of triumph still assured : 
 Yet, haply, triumphs in rude fields procured, 
 Less suited to thy loveliness appears 
 Than that of those soul-conquering arms, thy tears 
 
 Haman with enmity the Jews pursued ; 
 Esther j their hope, watched o'er her nation's good. ^ 
 When to her spouse and sovereign low she knelt, 
 And wept, Ahasuerus deeply felt ; 
 Her tears, her beauties, each harsh purpose chased ; 
 And the proud courtier doomed to death, disgraced. 
 
 Fierce Coriolanus, w^hen from Rome expelled, 
 Fled to her Volscian foes, her doom had sealed. 
 Extermination vowed his vengeful rage. 
 Her consuls, tribunes, her patricians sage. 
 Her sacred priests, chaste Vestals, all low bent ; 
 Even tutelary gods, his fell intent
 
 44 THE MERITS OF WOMEN". 
 
 Seemed prone to deprecate. In vain all sued ; 
 Inflexible, each order he withstood. 
 Ready to strike, Rome saw the impending blow, 
 Which all her pride and grandeur should lay low. 
 Nought but blind fury in his heart prevailed : 
 A mother had not yet diat heart assailed- 
 Forgetful of her banished son's disgrace, 
 Veturia's wrath to patriotism yields place. 
 With solemn state, across the hostile plain. 
 In sable weeds she leads the matron train. 
 To wiiere the threatening victor frowning stands, 
 Closely hemmed in by watchful Volscian bands. 
 Her tears, her suppliant prayers the hero move ; 
 By swift degrees wrath yields to filial love : 
 " Mother revered I" he cries : " thy suit is won. 
 " Thy country thou hast saved ! but lost thy son !" 
 
 How oft have tears disarmed the victor's hand ? 
 Edward, in vain, had given the dire command 
 In vanquished Calais, to the death decreed, 
 Her six brave, virtuous citizens to lead. 
 His queen with mingled sympathy and aw 
 These glorious self-devoted victims saw ; 
 And skilful in the methods to assuage, 
 (ThougVi dreadful in his frown,) her consort's rage, 
 Exerting her soft influence, to save. 
 Life to his foes, fame to the victor gave ! 
 
 Happy the king and people, where the thron 
 Is shared bv female excellence. Then none
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEPT* 45 
 
 Afflicted or opprest, implore in vain 
 The royal clemency ; unheard complain. 
 The queen who pity knows, joys fo extend 
 Soft mercy's sway ; to be the subject's friend. 
 With gracious ear she listens to their woes ; 
 With condescending goodness, aid bestows. 
 Oft even, escaped from royalty's parade. 
 She seeks the prison's gloom, the hamlet's shade^ 
 To pour her benelrts. Her zeal alert, 
 Eludes base flatterers' purpose, to divert 
 Far from the sovereign's ear a nation's cries : 
 Her power, which their insidious arts defies^ 
 For modest indigence procures a place ; 
 For innocence condemned, the royal grace. 
 Softened by her, the monarch joys to hear 
 Tliose public plaudits poured by love sincere ; 
 And feels, whilst lent the godlike power to blessr. 
 Great, only, in his people's happiness. 
 
 Nor underneath the diadem, alone, 
 Does female mercy dwell ; oft has it shone 
 In humbler walks of life, with ray benign : 
 Woman's soft heart is mercy's favourite shrine. 
 Open, and prove tliis truth, ye sad retreats, 
 Wheie the maimed soldier, worn by martial feats, 
 Where penury, its sole asylum left. 
 Of all life's comforts, as of health bereft, 
 Find oft, alas ! but ineft'ectual aid, 
 Save there where holy sisters '* cares pervade.
 
 4^ THE MERITS OP WOMEN. 
 
 Sisters ! that cherished name how justly theirs, 
 
 Whose tender zeal the sacred tie endears ! 
 
 In hallowed cloisters, their long fixed abode, 
 
 Where their pure souls held converse with their God, 
 
 Oft they invoked His power, with suppliant prayer, ' 
 
 Humanity from each dire ill to spare. 
 
 Now from His altars by strong duty prest 
 
 In virtue's active scenes they serve Him best. 
 
 Affecting proof of courage ! thus to dare, 
 
 'Midst pangs and death to breathe infected air. 
 
 With minds serene to tread those lazar haunts ; 
 
 Of suffering beings to explore the wants ; 
 
 W ithout disgust those offices fulfil 
 
 Which selfish natures shrink from ! with prompt skill 
 
 The meliorating lint on wounds to spread ; 
 
 With gentle hands to smooth each wretched bed : 
 
 Those beds, of anguish, and extorted cries, 
 
 Sad witnesses ! those beds curtailed in size ; 
 
 W here avaricious pity has confined 
 
 To narrowest bounds the space to each assigned. 
 
 Sustained by warm Benevolence's glow. 
 
 Those sainted maids no relaxation know. 
 
 Humanity, herself, the wretch's friend 
 
 Seems hovering o'er where'er their steps they bend. 
 
 Whilst those thus tended each emotion prove 
 
 Of rapturous gratitude ; perhaps of love ! 
 
 Exclaiming, " Woman is the friend adored, 
 
 " Who health, peace, comfort, being ! has restored.^
 
 frtK MEEItS OF WOMEN. 4? 
 
 Oh, sex ! who call you timid, judge you ill : 
 Where your hearts speak, you prove intrepid stilL 
 Why did cold, barbarous Theban judges doom 
 Antigone, whilst living, to the tomb ? 
 Immured in that drear cavern they prepare ; 
 Cut off from friends, from nourishment, and air I 
 'Twas that her pious hands had dared to save 
 A brother's loved remains '^ within the grave : 
 Dared to infringe that law, which had decreed, 
 Fell vultures on his lifeless form should feed ! 
 Full well she knew the penalty incurred ; 
 But Polynices ! him alone she heard : 
 Heard him reclaim those holy rites, which give 
 To sepulture all who have ceased to live. 
 This sacred duty done, she joyed to meet 
 Tliat death, by fond affection rendered sweet ! 
 
 And thou, Eponia ^^, whose ennobled blood, 
 Virtue ennobled ! on the scaffold flowed ! 
 Her loved Sabmus, vanquished, driven to flight ; 
 Screened in a cavern wild from human sight. 
 She quickly found ; the world unwept resigned. 
 To share his dangers, sooth his harassed mind. 
 Oh ! proof heroic of connubial love ! 
 Nine circling years her faith, her courage proVe*^ 
 Her tender cares, each day, their sad recess. 
 The sacred temple made of happiness ; 
 Transformed, to her enraptured husband's eyes', 
 Those hideous dells to bowers of Paradise :
 
 48 TME MERITS Of WOMEJSf. 
 
 Of dismal echoes, whieh sad sounds repeaf 
 Her love-toned accents formed vibrations sweet :" 
 And that hard rock, the bed they nightly prest, 
 Proved the blest couch of peace and balmy rest ! 
 
 And Blanch ! in thee still higher proofs shine forth? 
 Of conjugal affection, greatness, worth ! 
 Invested round, Bassano long had stood 
 Hostile attacks, where flowed her choicest blood. 
 Amongst the slain, a loss by all deplored, 
 Blanch mourned, with heart-wept tears, a spouse- 
 adored. 
 In a sad tomb, by widowed anguish rearecfy 
 His precious loved remains she saw interred r 
 There daily poured, her sole, her sad relief. 
 The sacred tribute of still springing grief I 
 At length the city, prodigies performed. 
 Was forced to yield, by her opponent stormed^ 
 The victor, as through seas of blood he strode,. 
 Soon reached the palace, Blanch's drear abode.^- 
 Ill-fated Blanch ! he came, he saw, he loved ! 
 Her conqueror, straight, her humblest suitor provedl 
 He knelt, her favour, her least smile implored : 
 Shuddering disdain repulsed the suit abhorred. 
 Despised ! with plans of sudden vengeance teems 
 His haughty soul, the prey of fierce extremes. 
 In turn, now, even 'gainst weeping beauty steeled,. 
 He threatens force, should kindness fail to yield. 
 With horror struck, she saw his dire intent ; 
 The impending woe love hatred ! courage lent.
 
 THE MEKITS OP WOMEN. 4 
 
 " Insult not," with calm dignity, she said, 
 
 ** Insult not thus the ashes of the dead ! 
 
 *' These eyes, alas ! have wept a husband slain, 
 
 " Whose cold remains yon vault's damp walls contain. 
 
 " To me, then, oh ! one little hour afford, 
 
 ** Alone to visit my departed lord : 
 
 *' The next, my fate is in my conqueror's hand;^, 
 
 " And I obsequious to his least commands.'* 
 
 Again the tide of love, of joy, returns -< ' 
 
 To that fell heart where lawless passion burns, i " 
 He leads her forth date with towering hope ; 
 Himself commands they death's asylum ope. 
 Entering, the exalted fair, those dear remains, 
 *Gainst the last pulse that love shall vibrate, strains. 
 Then with a hand strengthened in virtue's cause, 
 On her own head the ponderous stone she draws. 
 Which o'er the consecrated relics placed, 
 Descending, crushed that head ; each charm defaced ! 
 Thus did a spouse beloved '7, though lifeless, prove 
 Protector of a wife's chaste constant love. 
 
 Spirits sublime ! whose names tlie sacred flame 
 Of virtue tried, thus consecrates to fame ! 
 
 But why, for models great, to other times 
 Thus have recourse ? why search in foreign climes ? 
 Our age '^, our country hold up to our view 
 Feelings as tender, fortitude as true ! 
 Whilst fell decemvirs, foes to man and God, 
 Wielded with murderous sway the iron rod, 
 
 E
 
 ?60 THB MERITS OT WOMEX. 
 
 Did not exahiples numerous, proofs most dear^ 
 Of female magnanimity appear ? 
 Fear reigned on every side; hearts shrunk appalled; 
 : In vain the friend distressed on friendship called: 
 Frenchmen of Frenchmen seemed the deadliest foes ; 
 Death stalked unchecked, none in defence arose. 
 The isex alone, with active generous zeal, 
 Seemed as inspired to watch the general weal ; 
 Sought to avert that death, which o'er us all 
 Impending hung, unknown where next to fall : 
 Dared to encounter the terrific glare 
 Of angry tyrants ! This from bed of care. 
 Starting at early dawn, fixed to those gates, 
 'Gainst mercy closed, their first approach awaits. 
 That, with the savage gaoler, who unmoved,/ . - i ' 
 Her tears could view, gold's stronger influence piroYdd ; 
 And from ferocious avarice, thus gained 
 Access to where, by usurpation chained, 
 A spouse beloved, or aged sire revered, 
 Groaned in unjust captivity, unheard ; 
 And ministering each day to deep distress. 
 Brought consolation, though denied redress. 
 One, a loved object, doomed dire rage to sate. 
 Asked, and obtained, glad leave to share his fate. 
 Urged by licentious power, a doating wife, 
 By, scarcely guilt ! purchased a husband's life. 
 Virtuous adultress ! may the prayer succeed. 
 That Heaven in mercy will remit the deed !
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. Sf- 
 
 Sunk in despondence, whilst our men gave way, 
 To fears enervate, or to wild dismay, 
 Whilst looking round, of every hope bereft, 
 Women alone, seemed for their succour left; 
 Each, firm, collected, active to defend. 
 Sire, son, or husband, brother, lover, friend ; 
 Pleaded, knelt, wept, implored ! if still denied, 
 With them, or for them, willing victims died ! 
 
 One instance to adduce, impressive scene ! 
 With me recall that execrable reign, 
 When dire September's horrors, days of fear ! 
 To death and carnage o.ped the long career : 
 When sleeping laws held forth no power to save ; 
 Nor a distracted senate succour gave : 
 When age, nor rank, nor sex exemption found 
 From rage infernal, spreading havoc round. 
 Fiends borne by Bacchus, and the Furies fell. 
 To prisons flew, death-armed ! with horrid yell. 
 There dead on dead, dying on dying thrown ; 
 Shuddering, all heaved one universal groan! 
 'Midst this dire scene of anguish and despair, 
 A maid rushed through the throng, with frenzied air ; 
 Sombreuil, in youth's fresh bloom, one victim spied ; 
 " Barbarians ! 't is my fadier ! " loud she cried : 
 " Oh! spare him!" kneeling, pity she demands; 
 Clasps their hard knees; kisses their blood-stained 
 hands. 
 
 E 2
 
 5f. THE MERITS OF WOMEN.' 
 
 When cries, tears, nor entreaties aught avail, 
 
 Desperate, she even with force now dares assail r 
 
 Arrests the arm raised o'er his reverend head ; 
 
 Against the murderous steel, extended spread 
 
 Her form, to sa:ve that honoured form more dear i 
 
 Grasps him then looses hold again gets near! 
 
 Her struggles, dangers, her devoted zeal. 
 
 In nature's sacred cause, even teach to feel 
 
 The murderers ! a moment, they suspend 
 
 The work of death ! that moment, pity's friend ! 
 
 She seized with eager joy! strained in her arms, 
 
 Her sire adored, rescued from present harms. 
 
 Quick lifting, from the homicides she bore 
 
 Her burden, through those walls, all smeared with 
 
 gore! 
 Then hailed, in safety placed, with smiles serene, 
 The wondering object of this wondrous scene. 
 
 Enjoy, and oh ! accept tliy meed of praise 
 Tliou blest Antigone of modem days^^ ! 
 Whilst thrones and people mutual umbrage give, 
 Thy sainted name from age to age shall live 
 Long as a world sweet filial love admires ; 
 Of daughters bright exemplar, boast of sires ! 
 
 Alas! this sire, hear:-rending to relate! 
 By brigands spared, fell judges doomed to fate ! 
 
 Thus nobly soar, on virtue's wings up-borne, 
 Those whom proud man atfects to view with scorn!
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEX. 53 
 
 !Man, Avhom, when trembling on the bruik of fate, 
 They fly to save ; or join, self-immolate ! 
 Tt) them for soft support misfortune clings : 
 From them feHcity's iirst Itlessing springs. 
 When age has shed its winters o'er man's head, 
 Pond retrospects imagination lead, 
 To joys in life's delightful prime bestowed, 
 By her, his sweet companion through its road : 
 And who, even on the borders of the tomb, 
 ^an teach some bright peiennial flowers to bloom. 
 Decked with each charm of native loveliness, 
 A daughter too, exerts her power to bless ; 
 Performs each tender oftice love can claim, 
 To sooth pain's couch, support the nerveless frame. 
 "Thus cheered, thus comforted, old age appears 
 No toilsome burden ; deatli no terrors wears : 
 And ere his lingering eyes for ever close, 
 'llieir last fond looks on those loved forms repose. 
 
 Say ye, of lovely woman foes profest, 
 Is not conviction on my verse imprest ? 
 *' No," you exclaim, " the blindly partial lays 
 " Without discrimination lavish praise. 
 " W hy pass the female gambler's soul of stormf 
 " The female miser's care-distorted form ? 
 " The brass-enveloped heart of female pride ? 
 ^* Or that which weak caprice and self-will guide? 
 " The shrew, Avhose jealous soul suspicions fill ; 
 " ITie lover's bane, the husband's lasting ill ?"
 
 54 THE MERITS OF WOMEX. 
 
 And, does perfection, then, to man pertain ? 
 That thus the sex he boldly dares arraign? 
 Our faults, still more our vices theirs exceed, 
 Witliout their charms in our behalf to plead. 
 
 Still you retort, " Women are ever frail, 
 " Where love, ambition, interest assail. 
 *' Witness Eriphyle **, whose venal mind 
 *' A fond confiding spouse to death consigned. 
 " W itness the horrors by Medea wrought **, 
 " In Colchis. Can these deeds be e'er forgot ?" 
 " In Lesbos '^ too, the universal crime 
 " Of female ire, must live to latest time. 
 " Vile Messalina view, devoid of shame, 
 " 'Midst horrid saturnalias brand her fame. 
 <' Still, our more modern annals to explore, 
 " Medicis, see, atliirst for human gore, 
 " With bigot fury, instigate her son 
 " To murderous deeds, too dire to be out-done"*!" 
 
 As you, these fiends I view with deep disgust. 
 But should you praise that satirist, as just. 
 Who argument from fell Tiberius brings 
 To stamp the general character of kings ? 
 Of stars whose brilliant orbs illume the niglil, 
 With baleful influence some diffuse their light ; 
 But less resplendent do those others shine. 
 Whose course is harmony, w hose rays benign ? 
 Who, piercing through the clouds that veil the skies, 
 Dispel the gloom of nature, charm our eyes r
 
 THE MIIMIITS OF WOMEN. 5ft 
 
 'Mongst herbs, which for man's use profusely spring, 
 Some meet his touch with irritating sting. 
 'Midst countless tribes of flowers which o'er our meads. 
 In blooming fragrance, rear their beauteous heads. 
 Some tliere are found with poisonous juices fraught, 
 Which, with discrimmating skill, when sought, ^ 
 
 Furnish the treacherous draught inipregned with fate, 
 Park vengeance, or remorseless rage to sate ; 
 Yet, prize we less those. innocent of harm. 
 Whose vivid tints, or softer beauties charm 
 The admiring sight, whose essences exhale 
 In breathing sweetness with each balmy gale ? 
 
 Like these to deck life's desert, charm its road. 
 Was woman formed ; Heaven's last best gift bestowed.. 
 Let them not, then, have reason to complain 
 That man's malicious envy would profane 
 Those attributes from which he should deriv* 
 Tlie highest bliss his mortal state can give. 
 Abjure those errors, sceptics ! which degrade 
 Those who expressly were our helpmates made. 
 Respect their virtues ; own their high deserts : 
 And, if the voice of nature in our hearts, 
 Be no chimera, bend in homage low 
 To that blest sex to whom you mollier;} ow e- 
 
 4
 
 56 
 
 NOTES TO 
 
 NOTES 
 
 TO THE MERITS OF WOMEN. 
 
 ' Those flowers by Falayer, tsfc.l Madame Valayer 
 Costes excels in the art of painting flowers and still-life j 
 Madame le Brun in that of portrait-painting j and so 
 striking are her resemblances, as to place her in a rank 
 nearly on a level with Vandyke. 
 
 * In Riccoloni, Tenien, la Fayette, isfc.l Madame 
 la Fayette composed the romances of " Zayde," and 
 " The Princess of Cleves ; " with many other produc- 
 tions of high merit: Madame Tenien, '* The Memoirs 
 of Cominges, " &c. and Madame Riccoboni, who 
 .flourished in a later period, " The Marquis de Cressi, 
 Ernestina," &c. 
 
 3 Cecilia, Senanges, Theodore, tsfc ] These three by 
 authors of the present day. Cecilia, an English novel, 
 by Miss Burney : Adele de Senanges, by Madame 
 Flauhaut : and Adele et Theodore, by la Comtesse de 
 Genlis. 
 
 * A bard, 'tis true, fefc] See the charming stanzas of 
 the illustrious le Brun, addressed to poetic females. He 
 allows, however, that ^ From the breathing flute, k^c. 
 their light fingers have drawn sounds which reach the 
 heart. 
 
 * Whilst the rapt mother, ^c] Gretry, in his ex- 
 cellent " Essay on Music," says, " The heart of a mo- 
 ther is the masterpiece of nature," An affecting iustanc
 
 THE MftRITS OP WOMEN. ^ 
 
 f tbifi truth is recorded, A female having lost her ovAj 
 son, a priest exhorting her to resignation under her mis- 
 fortune, from a religious submission to the will of God, 
 mentioned, as an example for her imitation, the sacrifice 
 of Abraham. "Ah! father," cried she, *' God would 
 never have exacted such a sacrifice from a mother!" 
 
 ' ^ to the pained eyes, tsfc.'] This is no fiction. 
 
 Madame Genlis relates, as a fact, that a lady thus saved 
 the sight of (instead of a son) a daughter of fifteen yeara 
 of age. '"i --- I;'- 
 
 O good Fontaine, bfc."] Madame la Sabliere invited 
 this poet to her house, where he liv'ed with her twenty 
 years. He had never enjoyed any thing under govern- 
 ment } his own fortune was small ; and he the worst of 
 economists. Madame la Sabliere was not only his social 
 friend, but the careful manager of his little property. 
 Fontaine, at the period of time mentioned, lost this 
 precious friend. Madame d'Hervart, however, supplied 
 her place to him. There was something remarkable in 
 the manner in which her services were offered, and ac- 
 cepted. " 1 have heard of your misfortune, and irrepa- 
 rable loss," said she, " and am come to offer you the 
 accommodation of my house," " I accept of it," re- 
 plied he. This short answer forms the eulogium of both. 
 ' Thy days, exalted chivalry, tsfc.'] Chivalry was an 
 institution of the noblest nature j and served to softeu 
 and humanize the world j which, at that time, had 
 scarcely emerged from the barbarism spread over it by 
 the northern invaders, 
 
 '* Pnlmyra's queen, kS^c."] Zenobia ; who ascended
 
 the throne of Palmyra, in Syria, about the 267th year oi 
 the Christian aera. She, in person, fought against the 
 .Romans m Egypt j but was at length vanquished and 
 taken prisoner by the emperor Aurelian. 
 
 " Another, too isfc. 
 
 IVhere famed Euphraiesjrolls his mighty tide, fe'c] 
 Semiramis became queen of Babylon 1 229 years before 
 Christ, by succeeding her husband Ninus. She gained 
 .flaany victories in person j and was the dread of the 
 monarchs of Asiaj having dethroned many kings, and 
 given their sceptres to others. 
 
 Many other queens have also immortalized themselves 
 by tlieir prowess and talents : as Thomyra, queen of the 
 Scythians, who conquered Cyrus ; Boadicea, queen of 
 the Britons, who fought against the Romans j Margaret 
 of Waldemar, queen of Denmark, who subjugated 
 two kingdoms; Margaret of Anjou, fpught twelve battles 
 for the purpose of replacing her husband, Henry the Sixth, 
 on the English throne 3 Jeanne de Montford, Duchess 
 of Bretagne, after many sieges and battles, by sea and 
 land, at length succeeded in, placing the crown on the 
 head of her son; and Henrietta, wife to Charles the 
 First of England, crossed the sea nine times to fight 
 .against Cromwell. 
 
 In addition to this list, many republics, both ancient 
 and modern, have transmitted to us accounts of women 
 who have rendered themselves famous-, by exploits of 
 valour, or instances of address j although not seated on 
 thrones. During the times of the Crusades, numbers of 
 females fought in Asia. In many diiFerent incursions of
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. S9 
 
 the Turks those of the islands of the Archipelago and 
 the Mediterranean, as, in the wars of France, those of 
 Aix, Marseilles, and Perronne, often repulsed their ene-! 
 mies with great intrepidity. 
 
 "Thou, TcIesiLla.'\ Telesillaof Argos in the Pelopon- 
 nesus was both a poet and warrior. Amongst other 
 exploits, in the year 557 before Christ, she delivered her 
 native city, which was besieged by Cleomenes king of 
 Sparta. Her fellow-citizens, in commemoration of her 
 achievements, erected her statue in the most conspi- 
 cuous part of the city ) where she was represented with 
 a helmet on her head, and a pile of books at her feet. 
 
 '3 Joan of Arc, ks^c.'\ Her story is too well known to 
 need recapitulation here: as is also that of Philippa, 
 wife to Edward the Third of England; and the six 
 citizens of Calais. 
 
 ^ holy sisters, ^c] The sick nurses in both 
 
 the military and civil hospitals of France, were, previous 
 to the revolution, and are still, in many parts of Europe, 
 nuns from neighbouring convents. The care and ten- 
 derness with which they perform so melancholy a duty 
 are admirable. 
 
 5 dared to save 
 
 A brother's loved remains.'] The ancients attached a 
 great price to the rites of sepulture, and the preservation 
 of their dead bodies. Polynices, expiring by tlie sword 
 of his brotlier Eteocles, in their contention for the 
 crown, conjured his sister Antigone to see him buried. 
 As he had borne arras against his country, his interment 
 was forbidden by th magistrates, upon pain of death t
 
 60 KOfES TO 
 
 whoever should attempt it. Antigone disobeyed the 
 Riandate ; and was, in consequence, condemned to be 
 starved to death, in a cavern which they had walled up 
 for the purpose. 
 
 '* j4nd thou, Eponia, ^c] Eponia was wife to Sa- 
 binus, a prince of Gaul, who revolted against the em- 
 peror Vespasian. He was vanquished ; and, flying, 
 concealed himself in a mbterranean cavern ; where he 
 was joined by Eponia, who resided there with him nine 
 years J and bore two children during that period. They 
 were, at length, discovered, and put to death by Ves- 
 pasian ; without respect to the virtues of this faithful 
 and heroic wife. 
 
 The beautiful' Panthea, wife to Abradates; Portia, 
 wife of Brutus ; Paulina, wife of Seneca } Arria, wife 
 .of Paetus ; and Camma, widow to Senatus ; who, to 
 avenge his assassination, poisoned herself along with his 
 murderers; have all rendered themselves equally fa- 
 mous with Eponia, by their eagerness to sacrifice them- 
 selves for beloved husbands. 
 
 '' Thus did a spouse beloved.'] This is a historical fact. 
 Tlie heroine was wife to Jean Baptiste de la Porte, go- 
 vernor of Bassano. After the death of her husband, who 
 was killed during the siege, she attempted in vain to 
 save the place. , 
 
 '* Our age, our country ] Many instances of fe- 
 male heroism exerted to save their husbands, fathers, 
 mothers, brothers, sisters, children, or friends, occurred 
 during the dreadful epocha of the reign of terror, ia 
 France, soon after the revolution.
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEN. Oil' 
 
 ^^ Antigone of modern days.'] Antigone wa 
 'daughter to GEdipus king of Thebes ; who, on her fa- 
 ther's being exiled after having pulled out his own eyes, 
 attended him in his wanderings with the most dutiful 
 attention. It \Vas the same Antigone, who was after- 
 wards doomed to death for the interment of her brother 
 PolyniceS"; as mentioned in a former note. 
 
 " The Irats-enveloped heart of female pride, ^c] These 
 are some of the faults with which Boileau reproaches the 
 sex injiis tenth satire. 
 
 - * Witness Eriphyle ] Eriphyle was wife to the 
 
 divine Amphiaraus ; one of the seven chiefs at the siege 
 of Thebes. He had entrusted her with a secret predic- 
 tion which had informed him that he should be killed, 
 if he shewed himself at the siege. Seduced by the pre- 
 sents of Polynices, she discovered to him the asylum where 
 her husband had concealed himself 5 and thus occasioned 
 his death. 
 
 the horrors ly Medea laronght.'] Medea, 
 
 previous to her flight with Jason, massacred her brother 
 Absyrtes ; and dispersed the members of his body over 
 the road they were to pass, to stop the pursuit of her 
 father. 
 
 ^/ Lesbos too ] The Lesbian women, learn- 
 ing that their husbands, who had gone on a distant ex- 
 pedition, had, during their absence, united themselves 
 to other wives, murdered them all on tlieir return. 
 
 ^ Medicis see ] The famous Catherine de Medicis, 
 
 mother to Charles the Ninth, it is well known, urged 
 him to the massacre of St. Bartholomew.
 
 02' NOTES TO 
 
 ; It is impossible to recollect without emotions of the 
 tenderest gratitude, the courageous attachment, the in* 
 defatigable perseverance, shewn by females in general, 
 all over France, during the sanguinary horrors of the 
 revolution, in their endeavours to save those proscribed 
 iudividcials with whom they were connected, either b)r 
 the ties of nature, wedlock, love, or friendship. In 
 an early period of the reign of terror, a body of them, 
 to the number of fifteen or sixteen hundred, presented a 
 petition in person, to the Convention, in favour of those 
 unjustly detained victims. Afterwards, in all those pro- 
 vincial towns, where imprisonment and massacre made 
 daily havoc, there were no j>erils which the sex did not 
 brave, no solicitations they spared, no sacrifices they did 
 not impose on themselves, in order (if unable to rescue), 
 to visit and console the objects of their affections. 
 
 In more than one instance, when they could neither 
 procure their liberty, nor rescue them from impending', 
 destruction, they became voluntary partners in their 
 captivity, and sharers in their final sufferings. 
 
 It would be sweetly gratifying to me to pay that 
 homage due to each of those heroines, by here enregister- 
 ing their names, with the memorials of their magna- 
 nimity; but how crowd into confined limits, facts so 
 innumerable ? 
 
 Those which I shall select for insertion, will serve to 
 attest the justice of my verse, and to display the bene- 
 ficence of those consolotary angels, who, in the days of 
 crime and peril, seemed to act as the vicegerents of 
 Providence,
 
 THE MERITS OF WOMEK. 63 
 
 The author, here, enters into a lengthened detail of re- 
 volutionary anecdotes ; which the translator thinks it best 
 to omit. He then proceeds thus: 
 
 When thought dwells on our revolutionary massacres, 
 particularly those perpetrated during the reign of terror, 
 when murder stalked at large amongst us for the period 
 of fourteen months, the contemplation forcibly recalls 
 the times of Marius and Sylla ; an epocha equally fatal 
 to humanity. Lucan, in his Pharsalia, has given a sketch 
 of their proscriptions. The picture is deeply interesting. 
 It is an old man who speaks, affrighted at the approach 
 of Caesar. 
 
 Here follows, in the original, a quotation of some 
 hngth, from the Pharsalia.
 
 y:iUO.'f f.> axni-iJ'
 
 POETICAL PIECES, 
 
 ON VARIOUS SUBJECTSj 
 ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATED.
 
 POETICAL PIECES, 
 
 AN ADDRESS TO FORTUNE. 
 
 Oh Fortune ! goddess heavenly fair ! 
 Propitious hear thy suppliant's prayer ! 
 Let me approach thy splendid fane, 
 The humblest votary of thy train ; 
 There, whilst submiss, to thee I pay 
 My vows, and own thy sovereign sway, 
 Thy gracious smiles let me implore ; 
 And deprecate thy harsher power. 
 
 If, by illusive fancy led, 
 Whilst youth's gay season o'er my head 
 With rapid pinions urged its flight, 
 And decked each scene in colours bright ; 
 If then, resentful of thy scorn, 
 I fondly hoped, by pride up-borne, 
 To soar aloft, thy power disown, 
 Nor sought thy smile, nor feared thy frown ; 
 If, Quixote-like, I dared engage 
 'Gainst tliee, and war unequal wage ; 
 F 2
 
 AN ADDRESS TO FORTUNE. 
 
 Despised thy malice, braved its course j 
 And deemed thy arrows void of force ; 
 Maturer now, I feel, and own 
 My error, which 1 would atone ; 
 My blind presumption would deplore ; 
 Thy every attribute restore ; 
 Confess, thy frown can bliss destroy, 
 Thy smile can heighten every joy. 
 
 Though distant from thy presence placed. 
 Though far unworthy such a guest. 
 Yet, shouldst thou deign to be my friend. 
 To me thy influence extend. 
 Thy magic glance all worth shall grant ; 
 Confer each merit that I want ; 
 And all sliall find, by thee carest. 
 Me, " wisest, virtuousest, and best." 
 
 For, not to Folly's sons alone. 
 Or sordid minds, thy power is known ; 
 Thy fascinating charms can bind 
 The best and wisest of mankind : 
 To thee all bend, through every stage. 
 From blooming youth to hoary age ; 
 Involuntary homage pay, 
 Unconscious of thy latent sway. 
 
 ITie free-born soul, with boundless power^ 
 *Midst nature's works, supremely towers : 
 That soul, in whom all gifts combine^ 
 To mark its origin divine ;
 
 AN ADDRESS TO FOHTUNE. 69 
 
 Whose active, comprehensive view, 
 
 Can pierce creation's wonders through ; 
 
 And, searching even beyond the tomb. 
 
 Anticipate a life to come ! 
 
 Oft thou callest home, with mandate strong, 
 
 To droop beneath " the oppressor's wrong ;" 
 
 " The proud man's contumely " bear ; 
 
 The stern rebuflF; the taunt severe^ 
 
 Reproof too insolently plain ; 
 
 Insulting pity ; cold disdain ; 
 
 With all the various obloquies 
 
 T'hat supercilious wealth employs, 
 
 To wring the bosom, pierce the heart. 
 
 With feeling's keen, corrosive dart. 
 
 Thee sacred friendship would disclaim : 
 Above all sordid, selfish aim, 
 Sublime, it rears aloft its throne ; 
 And seeks congenial muids alone. 
 Yet, do thy votaries oftenest bend 
 To ask thy succour for a friend ; 
 Whilst they whose stars less brightly shine, 
 Obscured by thee with clouds malign, 
 Whose bosoms genuine friendship know, 
 W ith all its warmth, its fervour glow, 
 Oft meet, (if not the indignant spurn,) 
 Unkind neglect, or cool raturn. 
 
 And love, tlie heart's chief-favoured guest, 
 1 he sweetest himate of the breast ; 
 F 3
 
 70 AN ADDllESS TO FORTUNE. 
 
 Whose soft, but absolute control "^ 
 
 Ennobles and refines the soul; 
 If, blest by thee, it mutual glows, 
 Exalted happiness bestows ; 
 But, when thy rigorous frowns pursue, 
 The ill-fated passion shrinks from view ; 
 And, whilst concealment wears a smile, 
 Takes deeper root, " usurps the soil ;" 
 And, twining with life's glowing flower, 
 Is plucked but in the mortal hour . 
 
 Even godlike virtue owes to thee 
 Felicity's supreme degree ; 
 From thee derives (true happiness !) 
 The more diffusive power to bless. 
 The open hand, and feeling heart. 
 Shed comfort's balm o'er sorrow's smart : 
 Whilst gratitude's expressive tear, 
 Wi h eloquence refin'd, sincere ! 
 Repays with usury the whole ; 
 Breathes sweeter accents to the soul 
 Than venal flattery's loud acclaim, 
 Though echoed by the voice of fame. 
 And Heaven itself, with smiles benign, 
 Approving stamps its seal divine ; 
 And bids each social virtue prove 
 The source of endless joys above ' 
 
 Then, gracious Power ! oh! haste to shed 
 Tliy choicest blessings on this head .'
 
 ; AM ADDRESS TO FORTUNE. 71- 
 
 Let wealth, in gorgeous form, descend. 
 Await my nod, my steps attend ; 
 So shall praise, honour, friendship, love, 
 Bid all my hours with rapture move ! 
 So shall this heart with joy o'erflow; 
 Expand, with sympathetic glow : 
 Shall with dispensing bounty bless, 
 And cheer the gloom of wretchedness 
 
 Yet, should the favours I implore 
 Fallacious prove, though gilded o'er ; 
 Should happiness, that fugitive ! 
 Fly far, nor deign with thee to live ; 
 Or thou, whilst I invoke thy sway, 
 Exact beyond my power to pay ; 
 Is mean servility the price ; 
 Integrity the sacrifice : 
 Should luxury, fair virtue's bane, 
 Absoi b each sentiment humane ; 
 Or avarice, with " contracting power," 
 Unblest, corrode each anxious hour ; , 
 
 Retain thy gifts ! and in their stead, ; 
 
 Let peace her balmy influence shed. 
 By me ambition be resigned, ; ,, 
 
 Whose wild extreme subveits the mind ; 
 Which pride with principle confounds, 
 And virtue's self remorseless wounds. 
 
 F 4
 
 7^ LINES ADDRESSED TO MRS. B****E. 
 
 Let me the better part prefer ; 
 To mild Religion's helps recur ; 
 And, with her awful truths imprest, 
 Confess, that what Heaven wills is best. 
 
 LINES 
 
 ADDRESSED TO MRS. B****E, ON THE ANNI- 
 VERSARY OF HER MARRIAGE. 
 
 As annual suns bring back the auspicious day, 
 \\ hich gave my friend to Hymen's gentle sway. 
 Exulting fates display, with fond delight. 
 Their work, M'here love and happiness unite : 
 Whilst guardian angels prompt, with smiles of joy, 
 "^Their task pursue, their every care employ. 
 With sheltering wings to guard domestic bliss ; 
 And smooth, to blighter worlds, your path through this. 
 Be still that path with freshest flowers o'erspread ; 
 There every choicest gift of Heaven be shed ; 
 Thence, favouring fates, and guardian angels, still. 
 With watchful care, avert each human ill. 
 Thou, Health, be there, with thy all-healing power ; 
 Striiig every nerve ; each genial blessing shower ; 
 Bid fell disease and pain be felt no more ; 
 And breathe thy softest balm through every pore.
 
 LINES ADDKESSED TO MRS. R****E. 73 
 
 This day may long successive years still own, 
 Tlie fairest, brightest, time has ever known ! 
 And may each glad retuni st 11 find the wife, 
 Blest in the valued partner of her life ; 
 Blest in each joy a motiier's heart can know, 
 Which filial and parental love bestow, 
 As in their smiling cherub girl they find 
 The youthful transcript of each parent's mind, 
 Where native worUi, and native vigour blend ; 
 There skilful culture every aid shall lend : 
 And whilst maternal care instruction pours. 
 And watchful prudence guards her tender hours, 
 Still may her opening pow ers, from day to day, 
 Fulfil each fondest wish, each promise pay ! 
 In her may all a father's graces sliiiie ; 
 And all a mother's'charms w ith those combine. 
 Be hers, as theirs, the heart with feeling fraught; 
 The generous impulse by soft pity taught ; 
 Each solid gift, each varying power to please ; 
 To think with energy, and act with ease ; 
 Till full matured they see her virtues rise ; 
 And grateful own the wealth that Heaven supplies ! 
 
 And when through life, still lo\ iiig and beloved. 
 Your course is run, of Heaven and earth approved, 
 By each endearing tie, still dearer grown, 
 By steady friends, who worth congenial own. 
 Encircled round, late may you quit this scene, 
 For realms where Love and bliss immortal reign.
 
 74 , STANZAS SENT TO A FKIEND. 
 
 STANZAS 
 
 SENT TO A FRIEND WITH A SILK NETTED PURSE. 
 
 do, fiiendship's gift, unconscious how thou'rt blest ! 
 
 Destined to ope at pity's gentle call ; 
 Pour balmy comfort through the aching breast ; 
 
 And dry the tear misfortune taught to fall ! 
 
 Destined to aid, with still replenished power 
 Each generous purpose of the noblest heart ; 
 
 Bid drooping genius hail life's kinder hour ; 
 And fostering meed to modest worth impart. 
 
 No hoarded treasures, with consuming rust, 
 Thy silken brightness, rankling, shall destroy; 
 
 But warm benevolence, to thy beauties just, 
 Its circulating energy employ. 
 
 Though in thy mazy texture, twined with art. 
 We trace no semblance of that faultless mind. 
 
 Which knows no narrow bounds, no devious part ; 
 Where all is open, liberal, unconfined; 
 
 Yet shalt thou mutual yield the kind supply. 
 When friendship calls, or penury implores: 
 
 Teach the glad heart to prompt the speaking eye. 
 And faltering tongue to bless thy heaven-lent stores.
 
 ' '-' Sandy's dream. 75 
 
 SANDY'S DREAM. 
 
 j[ HE sun, in full meridian blaze^ 
 
 His southern altitude had gained ; 
 And vertical, with fervid rays, 
 
 In' golden pomp resplendent reigned ; 
 When Sandy sought a grateful shade. 
 
 Where Ganges' scented groves arise ; 
 There screened from day, supinely laid. 
 
 Sleep's balmy pressure closed his eyes. 
 
 His heart, with Mary's image fraught. 
 
 Beat high with transports fondly sweet, 
 When love, who led each busy thought. 
 
 Now bore him to his Mary's feet. 
 Joy beamed in radiance from her eyes, 
 
 Whilst thus her lips that joy convey ; 
 In accents soft of fond surprise : 
 
 " My Sandy lives to love and me !" 
 
 " Not time in his unceasing round, 
 
 " Whilst Heaven shall vital sense impart ; 
 " Not space, though stretched to earth's last bound, 
 
 " Shall tear thee from thy Mary's heart ! 
 " Not shadows drear, by fear portrayed, 
 
 " Whilst musing fancy dwelt on thee, 
 " Shall e'er again my peace invade 
 
 " My Sandy lives to love and me !"
 
 76 LINES COMPOSED WHILST GOING A JOUKNEY. 
 
 ** Dear youth ! now freed from all our woes, 
 
 " Does fate lead on that blissful hour, 
 " When time nor space shall interpose ; 
 
 ** And thou and I shall part no more ? " 
 A piercing ray his slumbers broke ; 
 
 No more of Mary could he see ; 
 But soft, she to his soul still spoke : 
 
 " My Sandy ! live for love and me !" 
 
 LINES 
 
 COMPOSEI) WHILST GOING A JOURNEY ALONE. 
 
 Alone, whilst thus 1 'm borne along, 
 And view remote the social throng ; 
 Shut out alike, from strife's rude noise. 
 And converse sweet, and friendship's joys. 
 Come, memory ! and with wonted powers, 
 Recall the train of time's lapsed hours. 
 But smiling come ! with gladsome mien ; 
 And shed bright lustre o'er the scene j 
 Nor point to view that host of ills, 
 Which life's tempestuous ocean fills ; 
 W^here the sunk rock, and r^ing storm. 
 Of shipwrecked hopes wild havoc form ; 
 W here toiling passions strive in vain, 
 'Die port of happiness to gain :
 
 LINES COMPOSED WHILST GOING A JOURNEY. 77' 
 
 That port, where virtue's steady gale. 
 Alone, can waft the prosperous sail. 
 
 With dark oblivion shadow o'er 
 W hate'er weak nature must deplore : 
 Far banished be each throb severe, 
 ISach heart-felt pang, each bitter tear 
 That e'er my bosom's peace annoyed. 
 And schemes of blissful hope destroyed. 
 
 Benignant, rather lead to where 
 Heaven's bounty gave the joy sincere; 
 When warm affection's genial glow < , -r 
 Bade warm affection mutual tlow ; , 
 
 When nature's ties, or friendship's power^ 
 Or love soft stniling claimed the hour : 
 When festive mirth unbent the mind. 
 By wit, and chastening sense refined ; 
 Or grave discussion raised the thought. 
 To themes sublime, with wisdom fraught : 
 When generous worth, with genuine claim, 
 Called forth the meed of deathless fame ; 
 Or glorious deeds by Heaven inspired 
 The awakened soul to transport fired : 
 When scientific genius threw 
 Its lights, and glad attention drew ; 
 Or taste, in beauteous garb attired, 
 Pure, efeganf delight inspired : 
 These, riJemory, trace, with grateful art - 
 
 'iAud wake to ecstacy my heart.
 
 78 STANZAS ON A PET BU^LFINCIT* > ^ ".U 
 
 And now, as memory's colours fade. 
 And retrospective views recede, ' . > 
 ITiou, fancy, come, gay, sportive poweV, 
 And future scenes with me explore ; 
 Excursive guide through paths unknown, 
 By sweetly smiling hope led on : 
 But bid the flatterer check her flight ; 
 Nor soar too high, nor shine too bright ; 
 Lest, dazzled by the alluring ray, 
 I stumble, dire misfortune's prey ! 
 With bounded wishes, calm desires, 
 With all that meek-eyed Peace requires, 
 Let me, so reason's dictates speak. 
 Contentment, and not rapture seek : 
 For, sweet content ! from thee alone can rise 
 That solid bliss which all life's rocks and storms 
 defies ! 
 
 STANZAS ON A PET BULLFINCH, 
 
 WRITTEN AFTER A SEVERE FROST. 
 
 Sweet warbler ! object of young Harriet's care,- 
 W hose fostering hand supplies thy daily food ; 
 
 Screens thee from each inclement breath of air, 
 And shields thy glossy plumes from talons riwje :
 
 ON HkAHING A ChAeITY SERMON'. 79 
 
 When late the snow-clad earth and freezing sky, 
 To fate consigned thy brothers of the grove, 
 
 Thine was awaked attention's watchful eye, 
 With all the tender offices of love. 
 
 Instinctive gratitude then poured the lay ; 
 
 And glad acknowledgment attuned thy throat : 
 Accept my feeble song, thou seemd'st to say, ' ' 
 
 The little tribute of each swelling note ! 
 
 Ye sons of luxury ! his song attend ; ^ ' ' " ' 
 And, whilst enjoyments court you all around, 
 
 From thankful hearts your cheerful tribute send. 
 And learn, like him, thus guiltless to abound. 
 
 But let religion far o^r instinct rise, ' 
 
 And melting charity from her have birth : 
 
 And whilst your gratitude ascends the skies. 
 Relieve your suffering brothers of the earth ! 
 
 ON HEARING A CHARITY SERMON PREACHED IN 
 ST. WERBURGH's church, DUBLIN. 
 
 When Charity, celestial guest ! 
 
 Descends to bless mankind. 
 Her dwelling is the good man's breast^ 
 
 Her throne the feeling mind.
 
 |9 EPISTLE TO A TERY YOUNG LADY, 
 
 Tlience, speaking through the placid eye "''i 
 
 With energy divine. 
 She bids each selfish passion fly. 
 
 Each heavenly virtue shine. 
 
 Whilst smiles of mild benevolence 
 
 Enforce her sacred laws, 
 She points the tongue with eloquence. 
 
 To plead the wretch's cause. 
 
 When late her G****s she did employ 
 
 In delegated trust, 
 Each outstretched hand, each tear-fraught eye, 
 
 Proclaimed the choice was just. 
 
 Whilst thousands bless their preacher's worth, 
 Through whom relief was given. 
 
 His life more solid good holds forth 
 It points their way to Heaven ! 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 TO A VERY YOUNG LADY, ON HER MARRIAGE. 
 
 Whilst you, Maria, tread life's mazy way, 
 Unknown to guilt, with youthful spirits gay : 
 While distant far, you see its outstretched field, 
 All decked with flowers, each thorny brake concealed ;
 
 ^-fnj : ON HER MARRIAGE. -;t?'' 81 
 
 Whilst smiling Heaven, to you benignly good 
 Thus early, has its choicest boon bestowed ; 
 The tie connubial, formed by mutual lov^; 
 Where hearts responsive its best guardians prove ; 
 Has given you, in the youth dius near allied, 
 Through life, a lover, friend, protector, guide ; 
 A lover, by each tenderest impulse yours ; 
 A friend, vyhose worth your best esteem secures ; 
 A kind protector, whose surrounding arms, 
 Did Heaven permit, would shield you from all harms; 
 A guide, whose judgment clear, with steady ray. 
 To find the paths of peace will point your way : 
 With grateful joy the bright perspective view, 
 Nor, coldly, deem these blessings all your due. 
 That gracious Power whose judgments are divine, 
 With rays impartial gives his sun to shine. 
 Nor points out favoured mortals to mankind. 
 Unless by virtue, sunshine of the mind ! 
 
 I know your heart, where native worth resides ; 
 That sense of duty every action guides ; 
 That love of sacred truth informs your sold ; 
 Whilst warmth of feeling animates the whole. 
 But, dwells perfection in the human mind ? 
 That gem exempt from flaw how rare to find ! 
 Each latent fault of character to scan, 
 Be then your task ; nor let the task be vain : 
 Pursue the search with unremitting care ; 
 Nor let self-love one cheri^ed foible spare.
 
 82 EPISTLE TO A VERY YOUNG LADY, 
 
 " Of tetider violations apt to die; * '^^ 
 
 " Reserve will wound it, and distrust destroy*." - - 
 Of friendship's sacred power, so sung the bard : 
 And wedded friendship, still more sacred, guard. 
 I>et generous candour, then, your conduct guide, ' 
 Which owns no narrow laws of selfish pride : ' * 
 
 Let open confidence, above disguise. 
 Dwell on your lips, and speak, ev'n in your eyes. 
 To obey yoti have promised; what does that imply?- 
 With gentleness, with kindness, to comply : "^ 
 
 To w atch each movement of your fellow mind, ^ 
 
 With fond preventive care, and love refined. 
 No servile awe, by abject fear inspired, 
 The generous nature ever yet required. 
 Your husband, not your tyrant, but your friend, - ' 
 Has vowed to love, to cherish, to defend ; ^'^ 
 
 And whilst you thus, to each, on either side, ; ' 
 Your sum of earthly happiness confide, ^- ^"^^ * 
 
 You '11 find, to love, to sacred honour just. 
 Your best security, in mutual trust. 
 
 Be home the seat of all your real joys : 
 If lured by Dissipation's empty noise. 
 In short excursive wanderings you roam, 
 Your surest bliss you '11 ever find at home. 
 There, drest in smiles, let gay good-humour shine ; 
 And Neatness, handmaid of the Graces, join: 
 There social converse with a chosen few. 
 Will vary life with pleasures ever new. 
 Young's Night Thoughts.
 
 ON E(ER MARRIAGE. 83 
 
 There blest Religion, too, with brow serene. 
 And cheering smile, shall consecrate the scene ; 
 And warm Benevolence its aid impart, 
 To cherish each best impulse of the heart. 
 In casual ills of life, which all must prove. 
 Benevolence, Religion, Friendship, Love, 
 By these alternate comfort shall be given. 
 But by Religion chief, with ray from Heaven. 
 
 Thus rich in happiness, thus amply blest, 
 What envious demon can disturb your rest? 
 Not rude contention, baleful foe to bliss ; 
 Nor dark distrust, that judges still amiss : 
 In polished life that no admission finds ; 
 And this be still the scorn of noble minds J 
 But more insidious enemies await. 
 Which warmth of feeling may itself create. 
 That generous warmth, formed to embellish life. 
 If wrong directed, may engender strife. 
 From trifles oft do serious ills arise; 
 These seen distorted, swelled to giant size, , i 
 
 The brooding mind casts o'er them a false ligUt, i 
 And clouded reason sees, nor acts aright. ^r' 
 
 Tenacious of opinions lightly formed. 
 Disputes will rise ; when by disputing warmed, 
 A word, a look may fix the envenomed dart, 
 Which rankling deeply in the feeling heart. 
 Converting kind affection into rage. 
 No cure caj) reach it ; nor no balm assuage. 
 G 2:
 
 84 EPISTLE TO A VERY YOUNO LADT. 
 
 Even playful contradictions often tend 
 To wound the feelings, alienate the friend r 
 A jest ill-2>laced, ill-timed, may pain convey, 
 Whole years of kindness scarce shall m ear away; 
 The shafts of wit, by ridicule applied. 
 Scarce delicacy's hand aright can guide ; 
 But when rough Humour bends the elastic bow. 
 Effects ev'n fatally severe may flow. 
 Once past the bounds urbanity has placed. 
 We rush on mischief with unheeded haste ; 
 And all the charming courtesies of life 
 Are sacrificed to harsh domestic strife ! 
 
 But though my picture may have likeness true. 
 The original can never point to you. 
 Those coarser manners, prompt to offer wrong, 
 To vulgar souls alone, can e'er belong : 
 Whilst happier natures, feelings more refined. 
 The temper calm, tlie cultivated muid. 
 With nice discrimination know to shun 
 Those errors by which others are undone. 
 
 You, my loved friend, my warm affection sees, 
 Thus crowned with virtues, and still blest with ease: 
 Sees you fulfil, as mother, friend, and wife, 
 All the mild duties of domestic life : 
 Sees length of years, a bright and smiling train, 
 Lead gently onwards, whilst you glad attain 
 That highest bliss on mortal worth bestowed, 
 A peaceful conscience, and approving God.
 
 ON THE DEPARTURE OF THREE FRIENDS. 85 
 ON THE 
 
 DEPARTURE OF THREE FRIENDS 
 
 ON AN EXCURSION OF PLEASURE. 
 
 Ye unseen spirits of the sky, 
 
 "Who wing the expanse of air, 
 Round mortals ever watchful fly, 
 
 And tend, with guardian care; 
 
 At Friendship's call, bid favouring gales 
 
 O'er Ocean's bosom sweep ; 
 Propitious fill the swelling sails, 
 
 And gently stir the deep : 
 
 So waft the trioy to my heart. 
 
 By fond affection dear. 
 Safe to that shore for which they part ; 
 
 O guardian angels, hear ! 
 
 And whilst, with youthful spirits, they 
 
 To Pleasure's shrine advance. 
 Each gay attractive power display. 
 
 That can her charms enhance. 
 
 With vivid tints, in magic show, 
 
 Bid all her pictures live ; 
 And heighten each by that fine glov^ 
 
 Enthusiasm can give. 
 
 c 3
 
 86 ON THE DE^ARTUIIE OF THREE FRIENDS. 
 
 But under virtue's sacred guard, 
 
 That virtue they revere, 
 Be Pleasure's flowery wreaths prepared ; 
 
 Which, then, they glad shall wear. 
 
 Let rosy health, and sparkling joy, 
 
 Their every step attend ; 
 No fears appal, no cares annoy, 
 
 Whom virtue shall befriend! 
 
 And whisper in Maria's ear, 
 
 Prophetically true, 
 That, for each fond maternal tear. 
 
 The parting moment drew, 
 
 Restored to her encircling arms, 
 
 Her beauteous cherub, say. 
 By large increase of opening charmi. 
 
 Shall amply overpay. 
 
 And tell a father's anxious heart. 
 That health, and sportive glee. 
 
 To his Eliza shall impart 
 life's firmest energy. 
 
 To Harriet bear her friend's warm love j 
 
 Each parent's blessing bear. 
 That innocence you must approve. 
 
 Make your peculiar care.
 
 ON TfiE RAINBOW. fJ|7 
 
 Blest spirits ! Heaveu's deputed powers, 
 
 Its mercies to dispense ; 
 With countless blessings crown tlieifhour^ 
 
 From ills be their defence! ,,, , ,.< . 
 
 ON THE RAINBOW. >/. A 
 
 JjEHOLp yon bright ethereal bow ;, s.: / 
 Witli evanescent beautiies glow; "r 
 
 The spacious arch streams through the sky, 
 Decked with each tint of Nature's die : 
 Refracted sunbeams through the shower 
 A humid radiance from it pour ; 
 Whilst colour into.^olpur fades, 
 With blended lights, and softening shades. 
 
 But soQoi those gathering clouds jljall ,chase 
 .^The beauteous curve, its form deface ; ,'/ 
 Absorb each streaming ray of light ; ;{ 
 And hide its glories from our sight., >.,* 
 
 Thus bright, amidst this vale of tearsy 
 To youth's fond vision, hope appears} , /, 
 -,Wears every grace; each Iris hue; ., 7/ 
 As bright, almost as transient too. ,;,. oV 
 In life's horizon clouds arise, .- ,,;^ 
 
 Beneath whose gloom the Jlajtg rer.jlie^ f| 
 G 4
 
 B -f*^'' 
 
 TO JOY. 
 
 Or, should we grasp the glittering fair. 
 We find her form but painted air. 
 So unsubstantial, when attained, 
 Are human joys ; so soon to end ! 
 
 All-gracious Mercy placed yon sign ; 
 High proof of love, and power divine I 
 All-gracious Mercy hope bestows ; 
 Sweet antidote to human woes ! 
 A world by heavenly promise bl^st, 
 Was by the cloud-formed bow exprest ; 
 A brighter world hope points to view ; 
 There all may find her promise true.-- 
 
 TO JOY. 
 
 a-} Ulhl'N 
 (i'>(tl llii // 
 
 Glad impulse of celestial birth! 
 
 Which lifts the enraptured soul from car A ; 
 
 Pure emanation fi-om above ; 
 
 Formed of beatitude and love : 
 
 Which goodness bounteous, power divine. 
 
 As favoured man's best meed assign ; 
 
 When the heart, free from conscious stings 
 
 To meet the guest elastic springs : 
 
 Such art thou, Joy ! though oft, all lies } 
 
 Pretenders wear thy name and guise.
 
 TO JOT. 89 
 
 Not that fell transport conquest yields. 
 When slaughter heaps ensangumed fields; 
 Nor that which tyrant despots feel, 
 Whilst abject crowds applaud and kneel: 
 Not pageant Pomp's unmeaning glare, 
 That frequent mask to pining Care ; 
 Nor Dissipation's circling train. 
 Tumultuous, frivolous, and vain: 
 Not those (how falsely named !) delights. 
 Which pampered Luxury excites ; 
 By selfish sensualists enjoyed; 
 Unhallowed oft, but ever void: 
 Not that the gamester, mad, attains, 
 Rapacious still of lawless gains; 
 Who on one stake had risked his whole ; 
 Wife, children, fortune, friends, his soul! 
 As writhing o'er the changeful board, 
 From penury to wealth restored : 
 Not frantic Revelry's excess. 
 Whilst lengthened orgies thought repress : 
 Nor aught that passions yield, allied 
 To vice, or vanity, or pride; 
 Which agitate, debase, or cloy. 
 Not fill the soul : -these are not joy ! 
 
 But that exalted sense of bliss, 
 A happier world commenced in this, 
 When, taught on wing sublime to rise. 
 The soaring spirit seeks the skies;
 
 90 TO JOY. 
 
 Sees promised pleasures there displayed. 
 Too pure to pall ; too true to fade ! 
 Or looking to earth's narrower bound, 
 Sees glad creation smile around : 
 Whilst inward Peace, fair Virtue's child, 
 Diffuses wide her influence mild ; 
 Gilds Nature's charms with brighter glow ; 
 Bids mercy's stream expansive flow : 
 Thence glad derives the bliss sincere. 
 To wipe away the orphan's tear ; 
 The widow's heart to joy attune : i 
 
 To Misery's prayer accord the boon; 
 Lives but to bless, and thence to know 
 Reflected blessing's kindliest glow: 
 Fruition sweet, without alloy. 
 Save earth's dull weight this this is joy ! 
 
 Oh, Joy ! if rightly prized thy worth, 
 How would thy reign extend on earth ! 
 How would man spurn those low pursuits 
 Which yield, at best, but vapid fruits ; 
 And starting from life's feverish dream, 
 Hail thee as, here, bis good supreme.
 
 TO DISAPPOINTMENT. 91 
 
 TO DISAPPOINTMENT, 
 
 Dire foe to bliss ! tyrannic power ! 
 
 Who, unrelenting still, 
 With pointed shaft, and torturing skill, 
 
 Attend'st life's varjiug hour. 
 How dost thou dash our cup of fate. 
 With dregs engendered by thy hate. 
 
 How blast joy's springing flower! 
 
 Structures, how fair ! by hope reared high. 
 
 And decked all dazzling bright, 
 By thy fell hands' resistless might 
 
 In scattered ruins lie : 
 And oft when levelled with the ground 
 Thou call'st Despair to stalk his round. 
 
 And comfort's aid deny. 
 
 Even soberer Reason's promised good 
 
 Thou snatchest ere attained : 
 And when this triumph thou hast gained. 
 
 Thy victim deemest subdued. 
 But baffled here thy fierce intent ; 
 For reason linked with calm content. 
 
 Repels thy buffets rude. 
 
 When love has filled the youthful hear^ 
 
 With dreams of rapturous joy, 
 There dost thou added art employ
 
 3S TO ISAPPOlNTMENt. 
 
 To barb the treacherous dart : 
 Which plucked by thee with savage force, 
 From M'arm Affection's throbbing source. 
 
 How deeply keen the smart ! 
 
 Oft-times, beneath Death's grisly form, 
 Thou comest, with anguish fraught. 
 
 And, in the moment most unthought, 
 Pourest griefs o'erwhelming storm. 
 
 The object lost, than life more dear. 
 
 The pang of woe, its gushing tear. 
 Affection speaks, still warm! 
 
 The captive's dungeon, pierced by thee. 
 Frowns with redoubled gloom. 
 
 The wretch whose wasting days consume 
 In cheerless penury. 
 
 Who frequent heaves the sigh unheard, 
 
 And sick at heart with hope deferred. 
 Feels deep thy stem decree. 
 
 But taught by thee those ills to bear 
 By Heaven's high will ordained. 
 
 Sweet Mercy's fiat glad obtained ! 
 Freed from thy rod severe. 
 
 The patient sufferer shall dismiss. 
 
 To regions of immortal bliss ; 
 Thou canst not enter there !
 
 A PICTURE OF FASHIONABLE LIFE. 93 
 
 A PICTURE OF FASHIONABLE LIFE. 
 
 As Madline and Marian, her daughter, one day, 
 (Marian lovely, and simple, and blooming, and gay,) 
 Talked of years that were past, and of years yet to 
 
 come; 
 And of neighbours about, and of matters at home ; 
 With reflections so sage Madline seasoned each 
 
 sentence. 
 As shewed her of Wisdom the bosom acquaintance. 
 With attrition most fixed, Marian heard her thus 
 
 speak; 
 Whilst incredulous smiles often dimpled her cheek. 
 
 " Dear girl, be content in your humbler degree, 
 
 Nor envy great folks whom so dashing you see. 
 
 All 's not gold that glitters ! could we each feeliijg 
 
 trace. 
 Sad hearts often pine beneath jewels and lace. 
 Nay, they can't enjoy comfort they 've got no sw eet 
 
 homes. 
 But here and there scamper, just as the freak comes ; 
 As if from themselves they were anxious to fly : 
 I believe it 's the case too, between you and I. 
 
 ** The bloom on their cheek 't is not Nature bestows ; 
 Health and innocence, only, her bright tints disclose ; 
 So, to Art they've recourse to supply her defects. 
 And from Nature they stray, in most other respects.
 
 04 A PICTURE OF FASHIONABLE LIFE. 
 
 Those scenes fresh and gay which her bounty supplies, 
 Though to us they bring rapture, seem mean in their 
 
 eyes. 
 They are humbly content, too, with what tliey call 
 
 pleasures : 
 And to us leave glad cheerfulness, sweetest of 
 
 treasures ! 
 
 " And then, as for conscience, that monitor blest ! 
 Whose secret approvings bring peace to the breast 
 They can know nothing of it, unless it's the name ; 
 Or they'd act as its dictates point out, but for 
 
 shame ! 
 To God's holy commandments they pay no more heed 
 Than our Tray ! nay, I doubt, if one half know their 
 
 Creed ! 
 They go on without thinking how vast the amount 
 Will against them bg brought at the last dread 
 
 account. 
 
 ** Some exceptions there are ; though, in sooth, very 
 
 few." 
 (Madline only could paint the small circle she knew.) 
 ** But when virtue, and wisdom, and beauty combine 
 To deck rank and riches, the assemblage divine, 
 Like the sun in its brightness, must gladden each heart; 
 And, like that, far and wide, joy and blessing impart. 
 With reverence, not envy, such characters view ; 
 Though too humble your sphere the bright track to 
 
 pursue."
 
 THE EtBOW-CHAlR. 0^\ 
 
 THE ELBOW-CHAIR. 
 
 WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF A FRIEND, WHO 
 
 DESCRIBED THE SCENE ALLUDED TO, AND 
 
 WISHED TO HAVE IT VERSIFIED. 
 
 As Henry, with enraptured eyes, 
 
 On. his loved Thea dwelt, 
 Seemed but to approve what she would prize. 
 
 To feel but as she felt; 
 
 ^ ^-ax 
 
 Nine circling years, I musing said, *^ 
 
 Has flowed their wedded life ; 
 Yet passion still thus undecayed, 
 
 Still thus adored the wife ! 
 
 How rare an instance here shines forth 
 
 Of fond connubial love ! 
 It volumes speaks for Henry's worth ; 
 
 Lifts him all praise above. 
 
 Yet, no ; those charms of form and face 
 
 May well bid passion live ; 
 Each virtue of her mind to trace 
 
 Still new delight must give. 
 
 , Besides all this, their angel boy 
 Cements the sacred bond ; 
 Formed to promote their mutual joy ; 
 Pledge of aifection fond i. -
 
 96 THE ELBOVY'CHAm. 
 
 Feeling, e'en pardonable pride, 
 Must strengthen his thus dear. 
 
 No, Henry may have worth beside. 
 But has no merit here. 
 
 I wished to give him back the praise. 
 Domestic virtues claim ; 
 
 When passion nor self-love can raise 
 No bar to check their aim. 
 
 Whilst thus the passing scene around 
 
 With interest I eyed. 
 By proof convincing soon I found, 
 
 Henry had worth beside. 
 
 Slight traits, e*en trifles light as air. 
 
 True character may shew; 
 The story of an elbow-chair. 
 
 Contemn not, then, as low- 
 Unconsciously, in one of these, 
 
 Placed at tlie social board, 
 Henry, a while, sat at his ease, 
 
 Nor had around explored. 
 
 A parent with high virtues graced, 
 Whom, justly, he revered. 
 
 Who less commodiously was placed, 
 At length caught liis regard.
 
 ,; .ftHE KLBOW-CHAIR. 97 
 
 He started, and, with duteous care. 
 
 Apologized, entreated, -^ -> 
 
 That in the better, easier chair, . * 
 He should, as fit, be seated. 
 
 *' Henry has worth, has feeling truel'* 
 
 i mentally exclaimed ; 
 " My whole esteem is but his due :- 1 1 M-.^ 
 
 And be his praise far-famed !" 
 
 I turned, and my applause exprest, 
 To one, of sense refined ; 
 
 Who, equally with these, possest ! '" 
 
 Each excellence of mind. " " 
 
 Maternal pleasure marked her smile, , / 
 
 As gracefully she bowed. 
 To thank me for what, yet the while, 
 
 Ev'n malice had allowed.
 
 1^)8' A HEROIC EPISTLE TO MISS B****ir. 
 
 A HEROIC EPISTLE TO MISS B****E. 
 
 WITH NOTES EXPLANATORY, ILLUSTRATIVE, 
 CRITICAL, &,C. &.C. &C. 
 
 1 OUR grand rout, my dear K***, your far-famed 
 
 fete-champetre. 
 Should, I hold it but fit, be recorded in metre : 
 But, to soar in sublime, since I ne'er can aspire. 
 My more humble attempt I expect you 'II admire. 
 
 From Gran's * Ijvely description, I see the whole 
 scene. 
 And you in the midst, as its genius and queen ; 
 Led on by the Graces, in their sweet smiles arrayed; 
 With Taste ^s your handmaid, each spot to pervade. 
 Pere et nitre stood aloof, with encouraging smile ; 
 And joyed to behold your arrangements, the while ; 
 Whilst William, all action, with hands, head, and 
 
 heart. 
 And your lovely Edwina, each for you bore a part. 
 
 " But Gran was not there :" you exclaim with 
 surprise. 
 "NHmporte; for the mind, like the head, has its eyes. 
 We are told so by Shakespeare ; and he, 't is agreed. 
 Was up to all that. This point fixed, I proceed. 
 Now, these eyes of the mind, if I right understand. 
 Can see at a distance, as if close at hand ; 
 
 * A fondling appellation generally given by the young 
 lady to her grandmother.
 
 A HEROIC EPISTLE TO MISS **** 99 
 
 So, with these magic optics, and fancy's kind aid,;i 'l 
 Gran caught the full view which to me she portrayed; 
 And my Muse quite uufait of the subject in question, 
 Thus pursues the detail, from the foresaid suggestion. 
 
 One eve in July, eighteen hundred and five. 
 At R -St nh e sundry guests did arrive ; 
 Beaux, belles ; lords and ladies ; young, rpid-j^ed, 
 
 and old : Jmuo ivji lvir 
 
 For, who to be gay their assent could withhold, ^ . 
 When called on by Pleasure, that power so bland ? 
 Who, her choicest enjoyments, with unsparing hand,. 
 Thskt day to a favourite nymph did consign ; .ij c.rk .a 
 A nymph, who/tis true, had oft bowed at her shrine; 
 But, who, 'midst all her lures, though (aside) but 
 
 seldom withstood. 
 Had never lost sight of what's wise and what's good. 
 Well. These guests all came crowding through the 
 
 wide-opened gates 
 In Coaches, barouclies, landaus, laadaulets; 
 But the fine coup d'ail which there met their view, 
 llie enchantments of faiiy-land far did outdo. 
 Lamps by Taste herself ranged, cast a light all around, 
 To which oxygen gas* flame is darkness profound : 
 
 * Oxygen gas, when set on fire, .gives the brightest light 
 m the world except the sun. What a grand illumination 
 will the. first Jnetj-opolls existing exhibit,: when its millions 
 of lamps arc thus lighted ! ^ j,^ . 
 H 2.
 
 100 A fiEltOIC EPISTLE TO MISS B****E/ 
 
 For Apollo, himself, though he tempered the blaze^ 
 Had lent them his radiance, and pointed the rays : 
 \V hilst Flora came forward, witli all her gay bloom. 
 Each beautiful tint, each delicious perfume, 
 And flung o'er the whole such a sweet sylvan grace. 
 That to Eden aione, the fair scene might yield place. 
 ^. 51irough the lawns and the woods which the man- 
 sion surround. 
 Music breathed its s\veet strains in still varying sound j 
 Now martial, now dulcet; sonorous and soft ; 
 And ** the prisoned soul lapped in Elysium," full oft.^ 
 Echo caught the glad notes, as they broke on the air ; 
 And with vibrating harmony bore them afar : 
 Whilst nymphs, fauns, and dryads*, in throngs, though 
 
 unseen, 
 By a magic effect still more gladdened the scene. 
 Now hours, Mhich seemed minutes, so swiftly they 
 flew, 
 Winged by converse delightful; pleasures varied and 
 
 new; 
 Led on that, when the banquet awaited to crown 
 The evening's enjoyments thus dispensed by Miss 
 
 Hospitality spread the decked board with profusion ; 
 But guided by elegance, foe to confusion. 
 
 ** As these nymphs, fauns, &c. were Irish personages j 
 it is the less to be wondered at that they should add chariq*- 
 to a scene nubere thej did not appear.
 
 A HE|l6lC EPISTLE TO IVIISS B****E. iX^t 
 
 Whilst the nymph who presided lent it charms more 
 
 refined, 
 With manners so polished, attentions so kind. 
 Here the gay festive scene to display might seem fit ; 
 The flashes of merriment, sallies of wit ; 
 But 'mongst bon mots unceasing, how hard 't were 
 
 to choose ; 
 And the whole to repeat, how unequal my Muse! 
 She can tell how the beaux and belles flirted and 
 
 laughed ; 
 How the lords and the commoners bright nectar 
 
 quaffed : 
 For ambrotia and nectar were there in full store ; 
 ITiough of earthly refreshments the semblance they 
 
 bore. 
 Smoking soups, nice roast ducks and pease, ices and 
 
 fruit, 
 W ith confections unnumbered ; wine and beer, too, 
 
 to boot ; 
 ^lere vulgar perceptions might deem these in fact 
 
 there : 
 The assembly knew better all ambrosia and nectar ! 
 Fresh morn, unperceived, had been long stealing on ; 
 But her broader beams now, warned the guests to be 
 
 gone. 
 So all went as they came ; whilst the coaches, and 
 
 chaises, 
 Sa^' where envy crept in, were filled with the praisies 
 H .3
 
 lOS ON THE DEATk QF A LAl!>Y. 
 
 Of their charming young hostess ; her talents, her 
 graces, 
 /Her fine sense, her fine taste, her fine breeding each 
 
 .'; *:. traces. 
 All wished she 'd give fetes, and invite them, each 
 
 week ; 
 For one more comme il fauty they might go far to 
 seek. 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF A LADY, 
 
 WIDOWED, OLD, AND POOR. 
 
 Old and infirm, forlorn and poor, 
 
 No friend to watch her parting breath ; 
 
 In cheerless want's retreat obscure. 
 That widowed matron sinks in death. 
 
 Yet haply, once youth's mantling glow 
 O'erspread her cheek with beauty's dyej 
 
 7 he diamond's glance but faint might shew 
 The lustre of her speaking eye. 
 
 Haply that clay-cold form,, where late 
 Decrepitude each nerve unstrung, 
 
 With symmetry and grace replete 
 
 Once formed the tlieme of Rapture's tongue.
 
 ON THE DEATH OF A LADY. 103 
 
 Fond parents might have blest their child 
 As given their earthly joys to crown: 
 
 False Fortune on her birtli have smiled, 
 More deep to mark her future frown. 
 
 And Fortune's fascinating glare 
 
 Doubtless each venal flatterer drew 
 
 Around her path, whose path, with care, 
 When old, infirm, and poor, all flew. 
 
 In wedded love's supremest bliss 
 
 Haply her prime of years, too, rolled ; 
 
 Yet all now terminates in this ! 
 
 All over, as " a tale when told!" 
 
 r 
 
 Turn here, ye thoughtless, young, and fair ; 
 
 Behold the wreck that Time has made ! 
 J I is ravages no form shall spare ; 
 
 As hers, your every charm shall fade. 
 
 Yet, deem not, therefore, Time your fee ^ 
 Improve each precious hour he lends ; 
 
 So, at life's close, you peace shall know ; 
 Glad hail him as your best of friends. 
 
 H 4
 
 J04 
 
 SONNETS, 
 
 SONNET THE FIRST. 
 
 TO FANCY. 
 
 XiAiL, visionary po^^er ! whose magic spells 
 
 Can deck with charms the sterile mountain's brow ; 
 
 Give lovelier bloom to every bud that swells ; 
 
 And wave with added grace each pendant bough J 
 
 Bland power ! whose vivid pencil's touch unfolds 
 
 A new creation to thy votary's sight, 
 Flings radiance o'er each scene he^ rapt, beholds, 
 
 More lustrous ev'n than beams of orient light ! 
 
 Yet transient, futile are thy charms ; nor sooth 
 To peace the earth-born ills that wring the heart. 
 
 Thou canst not whisper hope. Grief's pillow smooth; 
 Thou dost illusive, not true joys impart. 
 
 Then, visionary power ! affliction fly ! 
 
 Its solid comfort beams refulgent from on high !
 
 TO THE RISING SVN. 105 
 
 SONNET THE SECOND. 
 
 TO THE RISING SUN. 
 
 1 HOU radiant orb ! whose rising beams call forth 
 The sleeping landscape, rich with pearly dews ; 
 Thou, life, and warmth, and gladness dost diffuse ! 
 
 Yet, not alike to all the sons of earth. 
 
 The attendant hours that shape this day thy course. 
 Ah ! with events how different shall they teem ! 
 How many souls exalt to bliss supreme ! 
 
 How many .victims whelm beyond resource ] 
 
 Bright orb ! ere thou hast brought another dawn. 
 Youth, beauty, splendour, power shall glut the grave. 
 Whilst Heaven shall stretch a gracious hand, to save 
 
 Millions forlorn, who deemed its aid withdrawn ! 
 
 Thy piercing eye, in either hemisphere, 
 
 Fell deeds shall view ; gild virtue's bright career]
 
 106 TO AN INFANT GODSON. 
 
 SONNET THE THIRD. 
 
 TO AN INFANT GODSON. 
 
 Unconscious being ! whose yet vacant mind 
 Nor virtue knows to prize, nor vice to scorn ^ 
 Ah I to what future conflicts art thou born, 
 
 When each shall woo thee, her delights to find ! 
 
 Impetuous passions, if unchecked in youth, 
 May hurl thee rapid to Destruction's goal ;. 
 Or, waked to happier energies, thy soul, 
 
 By wisdom led, may tread the paths of truth. 
 
 Each mental powder, each intellectual gem. 
 By education polished, or defaced, 
 May shew thee with resplendent lustre graced ; 
 
 Or dimmed, distorted, give thee o'er to shame f 
 
 Sweet innocent! oh! be it thine to rise. 
 By virtues which, on earth, shall train thee for the 
 skies I
 
 VIRTUE SWEETER THAN THE KOSE. 107 
 
 Virtus rosa suavior, sole clarior. 
 Virtue is sweeter than the rose, and brighter than the sun. 
 Motto to the Arms of the Skipp Fatnilj. 
 
 See Nature's loveliest blooming flower, 
 Whose balmy sweets perfume the air ; 
 
 Pride of gay summer's proudest hour ; 
 
 Can aught, for scent, with that compare? 
 
 Yes ; virtue, sweeter than the rose, 
 Does fragrance far more rich dispense; 
 
 More soul-exalting bliss bestows ; 
 
 Greets with more joy the raptured sense. 
 
 Behold the golden orb of day. 
 
 To numerous worlds diffusing light ; 
 
 Yet still with undiminished ray : 
 Is aught so gloriously bright ? 
 
 Yes ; virtue brighter than the sun, 
 
 More hallowed influence beams around ; 
 
 Points out, with happier aim to shun 
 Of darkness the abyss profound. 
 
 The flowers that from its essence spring, 
 Fear not Life's roughest wintry gale ; 
 
 *Midst wreck of worldsit light shall fling, 
 When light of suns and stars shall fail. 
 
 li 6
 
 108 THE RINO. 
 
 THE RING. 
 
 xV TRIBUTE due at Friendship's shrine, 
 
 Penelope late wished to pay ; 
 But, in effecting ber design, 
 
 A wondrous bar impedes the way. 
 
 Decided, prompt, in other things, 
 
 Sound judgment was her steady guide j 
 
 But, 'mongst unnumbered brilliant rings, 
 How cull one meet for friendship tried ? 
 
 In grand display, to charm her sight. 
 Each lapidary spreads his store ; 
 
 Whilst each extols, with fond delight, 
 The sparkling gem, the polished ore. 
 
 Golconda and Peru's rich mines. 
 
 And eastern seas, their treasure* send ; 
 
 Tlieir native charms each aid refines 
 Enlightened industry can lend : 
 
 By skilful workmanship, each shone 
 
 A monument of finished art : 
 All forms assumed each precious stone, 
 
 Tliat tasteful genius could impart.
 
 THE RING. 109 
 
 Corinthian, and Sicilian shells, 
 
 Indented, mimic forms display. 
 On these, though fine, she slightly dwells ; 
 
 The passing fancy of the day. 
 
 Contrasted with the diamond*s blaze, 
 Appeared the simply beauteous pearl : 
 
 Such varied worth the world displays. 
 Exclaims the moralizing girl. 
 
 Yet still, no emblem could she find 
 
 That amity might apt portray ; 
 Which to her friend the pledge assigned. 
 
 Might tell that hers felt no decay. 
 
 At length, selecting an antique. 
 
 That, Uke true friendship, time defies, 
 
 " 'T is past all price ! 't is a unique," 
 The proud possessor boasting cries. 
 
 With classic eloquence he praised 
 The stone's rare texture, the device ; 
 
 " 'T is Sappho's bust, on onyx raised. 
 In fine intaglio, past all price !" 
 
 The smiling nymph received, well pleased, 
 The Lesbian maid's profile thus traced ; 
 
 And Sappho's bust on onyx raised. 
 Of manly worth the finger graced.
 
 110 ON READING AN AFFECTING RECITAt. 
 
 STANZAS, 
 
 ON READING AN AFFECTING RECITAL OF SOME 
 DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES. 
 
 Ingratitude ! thou bane of social life! 
 
 Most hateful fiend that -walks the peopled earth I 
 Witliout remorse, engendering mortal strife ; 
 
 And glor^-ing in the woes that thence have birth. 
 
 Can natures claiming origin divine, 
 
 Thus act ? thus feel, from benefits received ? 
 
 Yes ; read here, stamped on each soul-breathing line. 
 What from conviction sole, can be believed. 
 
 Ye who e*er felt a mother's tender cares ; 
 
 By filial love, have had those cares repaid ; 
 Tasted each joy which fond affection shares. 
 
 When mutual worth gives mutual feelings aid. 
 
 You best can know, when forcefully are rent 
 The native ties that twine around the heart. 
 
 The pangs tliat with unerring aim are sent. 
 To pierce, to lacerate its tenderest part. 
 
 Is meddling malice, then, with power endued, 
 Ev'n to pervert fair Virtue's manly grace ? 
 
 By almost ruffian wrongs, by insults rude. 
 Each duteous kind attention to displace ?
 
 I/IFE AND IMMORTALITY. Ill 
 
 Deep artifice alone, could wound the calm 
 Which sweet domestic confidence must feel. 
 
 Oh ! may the gentle sufferer find a balm, 
 
 By pitying Heaven dispensed those wounds to heal ! 
 
 SACRED PIECES. 
 LIFE AND IMMORTALITY. 
 
 A SKETCH. 
 
 Oh! for a pen sublimed to loftiest strains ! 
 Dipped in the effulgent fount of Heaven ! to trace 
 In characters soul-kindling as the theme, 
 The all-gracious wonders of celestial love ! 
 
 The people who, in gentile darkness bound, 
 Encompassed round with death's drear shadow, sat; 
 Who trod the gloomy regions of the grave ; 
 On them the light has risen! the glorious light! 
 Which far illumes the mansions of the blest ! 
 
 To sin-polluted man, from age to age, 
 The lamp of hope, lighted by hallowed fire, 
 Fed by the breath of Heaven, sent forth a ray 
 To lighten and to cheer. But, in time's fulness, 
 Hear, all ye nations I hear, each distant land !
 
 1J2 WFE AND IMMORTALITY* 
 
 Hear the glad tidings to our world proclaimed ! 
 
 Borne by sweet choiring angels through the sky ! 
 
 ** Glory to God on high ! Peace upon earth ! 
 
 " Good-will to man!" in joyful strains they sung. 
 
 Heaven's glorious kingdom was at hand. Lo ! life 
 
 And immortality brought full to light ! 
 
 Concealed beneath the veil of human flesh, 
 
 God's boundless love, God's wisdom, God's blest Son ! 
 
 Walked this Heaven-favoured earth ; dispensing round 
 
 His Gospel*s meek, yet all-exalted lore ! 
 
 Then, laying down that life for us assumed, 
 
 By impious hands precipitated, saw 
 
 Death's dark domain. Thence rising the third day, 
 He oped the gates of everlasting life 
 To all whom faith and penitence conduct. 
 Through wisdom's narrow path to find their entrance; 
 Led captive the dread tyrant of the tomb ; 
 Disarmed him of his sting ; his terrors quelled. 
 For all whom holy love and zeal inspire : 
 Bruised the fell serpent's head ; discomfited 
 Hell's dark designs ; the powers of darkness crushed, 
 . Nor suffered their deep vengeful ire to wreak 
 On those whose pious trust seek Christ as refuge. 
 
 His suffering followers these glad truths attested. 
 His loved Apostles, his disciples, all 
 Who by his Holy Spirit sanctified. 
 Elate, bore record to his works, and word. 
 Encountered persecution's deadliest rage
 
 LIFE AND IMMORTALITY. llflj 
 
 With dauntless firmness; with proud exultation 
 Sealing the truths they taught with martyr's blood. 
 
 Ev'n timid virgins soared beyond their sex ! 
 And emulous to w ear the martyr's crown, 
 Braved keenest tortures in the sacred cause! 
 Welcomed death's stroke 'midst aggravated pangs 
 With songs of triumph, and with smiles of joy. 
 Oh ! let not, then, our tears profane their ashes ! 
 Shall they not, wafted to the realms of bliss 
 Ineffable, enjoy their bright reward ? 
 There w here all tears are w iped from every eye, 
 Hymn, rapturous, their Great Creator's praise ! 
 Tlieir crucified, triumphant Saviour's love ! 
 Beyond time's date ; through Heaven's eternal day ! 
 
 And oh! let us, who His salvation share, ' '^ *''' 
 Look upward w itH the eye of faith, and grasp^ ' 
 With hands well washed in innocence, the, prize ..;-; 
 Of the high calling of ^J^ernal life! -j,.^ jj.. .;/ 
 Oh ! let us tread His courts with songs of joy ! 
 Does he not claim all worship, honour, praise 
 From, whom His love redeemed, His grace enlightens; 
 His mercy, greater ev'n than our guilt, shall spar^?
 
 HYMN THE FIRST. 
 
 W HiLST morning breathes her sweets around, 
 And earth's fresh charms from darkness break , 
 
 Shall I, O God ! the last be found 
 
 To bless Thy works, Thy bounties speak i: 
 
 Accept the incense of my heart, 
 
 Accept the feeble song 1 raise ! 
 Too dully feeble to impart 
 
 The impulse glad that throbs Thy praise f 
 
 Amidst the radiant beams of noon, 
 
 When the blest sun proclaims Thy power,. 
 
 Shall I with coldness greet each boon. 
 Attendant on his noon-tide hour ? 
 
 Shall ripening harvests, glowing mines, 
 With all earth's richest gifts, called forth. 
 
 Whilst the bright orb prolific shines, 
 Unnoted pass ; unfelt their worth ? 
 
 When eve's soft shades these scenes invest, 
 And day's resplendent pomp is o'er. 
 
 Save the last rays that gild the west. 
 Which soon to us shall shine no more y 
 
 By contemplation soothed to peace, 
 
 Let my rapt soul ascend on high, 
 There mark celestial light's decrease 
 
 Progressive through the vaulted sky ;
 
 BYMNs. Ha 
 
 \MiiIst night's thick curtain o'er this ball 
 
 Steals gradual on, as eve retires ; 
 Majestic, studded o'er with all 
 
 Her train of planetary fires ; 
 
 Bright constellations, sounding spheres^ 
 Whose sweet accords harmonious tell. 
 
 What through all nature's frame appears, . 
 That might and wisdom with Thee dwell ! 
 
 Whilst Thy grand scheme I thus pursue, 
 ITiy wonders wide displayed explore. 
 
 Oh ? let me pour the homage due ! 
 With awe-felt, grateful love adore 1 
 
 HYMN THE SECOND. 
 
 My God, my Saviour, and my Friend! 
 
 With awe that tender name I breathe 
 Wilt Thou, Supreme ! so far descend. 
 
 To one ev'n mercy's claims beneath ? 
 
 Heir of corruption, child of wrath ; 
 
 By nature to each error prone : 
 Thy saving grace, it is, that hath 
 
 Sole power those errors to atone : 
 1 2
 
 116 HYMNS. 
 
 Sole power to raise this earth-bound sOirl 
 Above earth's pains ; its joys above : 
 
 To fix her hopes ; her fears control. 
 By mercies of redeeming love ! 
 
 Thou diedst to save each guilt-stained wretch i 
 Thou livest to plead his cause on high. 
 
 1 he arms of mercy wilt Thou stretch, 
 When judgment calls, his cause to try. 
 
 Firm holy faith, true penitence, 
 
 (Thyself and Thou art truth ! ^hast said, 
 Shall expiate each, ev'n deep offence,) 
 
 May of thy sufferings claim the aid ! 
 
 Oh ! let Thy Holy Spirit speak 
 
 Peace to this trembling heart ! whilst I, 
 
 Thy face, thus lowly bending, seek ; 
 And on ITiy merits, sole, rely !
 
 TRANSLATIONS. 
 
 THE RURAL SAGE 
 
 FROM THE FRENCH 
 
 OF 
 
 M. L'ABBM DE LILLE, 
 
 I 3
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 X HE following is a translation of part of the first 
 canto of " L'Homme des Champs, ou les Georgiques 
 FraK^oises," by M. Jaques de Lille, begun some 
 time after the first appearance of the original of that 
 work, with a view to publication. But the trans- 
 lator, when she had proceeded so far, finding she had 
 been anticipated, and that the whole of that poem, 
 done into English, was about to be given to the 
 public, desisted from her undertaking. 
 
 That other translation she has never yet seen. She 
 entertains not a doubt that it is infinitely superior to 
 what hers would have been; and feels that she is 
 exposing herself to, perhaps, a very degrading, and 
 mortifying comparison, by venturing to send thiji 
 fragment to the press. Should any of the lines in 
 the two translations be found similar, which might 
 chance to be the case where the same thought is to 
 be rendered, she cannot, however, be accused of pla- 
 giarism,- as (she repeats the declaration) she has 
 never read any part of the poem, except in the 
 original.
 
 TBE RURAL SAGE. 
 
 With dictatorial precepts, Boileau sought 
 
 To check the flights of verse ; set bounds to thought : 
 
 Hie Mantuan bard, in sweet harmonious strains. 
 
 Taught useful culture to the labouring swains : 
 
 My song would emulate his nobler lay; 
 
 But spurns, of critic laws the tyrant sway. 
 
 Can joys, such joys as rural beauties yield, 
 
 Profusely spread o'er &fery smiling field, 
 
 Be taught by art? No, Nature is my theme; 
 
 To paint her genuine charms, my wish supreme: 
 
 Lead willing mortals her delights to prove : 
 
 She needs but to be shewn to win their love. 
 
 Inspire me, then, sweet haunts, calm blest retreats I 
 Where life's pure current no rude tempest meets ; 
 Where hearts at peace, remorse can ne'er pursue : 
 For, who love sylvan scenes love virtue t<K> ! 
 Life's real riches now employ my verse. 
 Life's real pleasures, those I would rehearse: 
 The exquisite delights which from them flow, 
 But few can relish ; few their value know. 
 Voluptuaries ! 't is not the joys of sens^, 
 T is purity of soul, 't is innocence 
 14
 
 120 THE RURAL SAGE. 
 
 Must give that zest, without whose magic power. 
 Enjoyments pall, disgust pervades each hour ! 
 But, let not declamation harsh, recall 
 Of pomp and luxury the mighty fall ; 
 Nor useless strictures aggravate ihe woe 
 Of our Luculluses, no longer so ! 
 Poor wanderers now ! whilst, here, extremes suc- 
 ceed 
 Our reformation has gone far, indeed ! 
 But not to France my subject is confined ; 
 It suits all times, all places, all mankind. 
 
 Ye who 'midst rural scenes true bliss would know. 
 Would taste, unmixed, the joys which they bestow, 
 To sylvan deities sweet sacrifice ! 
 Let inceni^^e pure, from hearts as pure, arise. 
 
 Degenerate heir of ancestors revered 
 For simple virtues, to home scenes endeared, 
 That sensualist behold, with all things cloyed ; 
 His heart all apathy, his mind a void. 
 By unrestrained indulgence, and excess 
 Ea('h passion palled, nought now has power to bless. 
 In vain expense he lavishes that wealth 
 Whi( h gives, nor happiness, respect, nor health ! 
 When, risen from Luxury's couch, he looks around, 
 In listless languor, weariness profound. 
 He cries, " I hate the town !. My parks and fields, 
 T is only there life any pleasure yields : ; 
 
 Quick, fi\ prepare " He mounts; his rapid wheels 
 Awhile suspend the lassitude he feels :
 
 i-HE BURAL SAGE. 121 
 
 But, at his gates arrived, it meets him there : kI 
 
 Earth's loveliest scenes to him no beauties wear : 
 His gardens, pleasure-grounds, he wanders o'er; 
 That rising temple views ; this pinery's store. 
 But soon disgusted, back returns, in haste, 
 To trace that circle he so oft has traced ; 
 And trying what he oft has tried, anew. 
 At Gluck's grand opera, yawns his evening through. 
 Thus changing still, each object meets his frown ; 
 His fields he rails at, execrates the town ; 
 But 't is his heart deserves that angry lour : 
 A vase impure turns sweetest liquors sour. 
 
 From ostentatious Pomp's unmeaning noise 
 How far removed pure Nature's simple joys! 
 Pride courts vain Grandeur ; that engenders Spleen ; 
 Who spreads her sickly tints o'er each bright scene. 
 
 Such is frail man ; his bents unnatural, 
 Corrupt, pervert, distort, embitter all. 
 
 His splendid city palaces to grace. 
 That fiend Ennui by any means to chase, 
 
 Let waving foliage freshness round diifuse ; 
 
 Let fragrance breathe from flowers of varied hues ; 
 
 Let verdant carpets, rolled with nicest care, 
 
 Relieve the eye from Pageantry's false glare. 
 
 Well pleased I see great Nature thus reclaim 
 
 Her rights, usurped by Art, insidious dame ! 
 
 Well pleased I see kings, nobles, all, combine 
 
 To pay this homage at her sacred shrine.
 
 J22 THE RWUL SAGS. 
 
 But, 'midst her shades, where peace should sole jwe&idc, 
 Behold each wealth-swoln Croesus, with weak pride^ 
 Transport the town's loud follies ; each excess ; 1 
 Refinements false, in equipage, in dress t ) .. I 
 
 And, whilst his pampered menials numerous wail, 
 The village worldling eats, drinks, sleeps in state. 
 
 With pity these I view : but still behold, 
 With deeper pity, the adventurer bold. 
 Who, lured by those false joys ambition yields, 
 Quits bis paternal seat, his native fields, 
 To tread die world's wide stage ; there vainly waste 
 His fair inheritance on hopes ill-placed; 
 With incense hail the great man of the hour, 
 Besiege his dwelling, and invoke his power ; 
 Happy if, by some kind propitious chance, 
 He deign to cast on him a passing glance. 
 Or, should a placeman whisper in his ear 
 Some simple nothing, straight you see appear 
 His rising vanity ; which thence assumes 
 Fictitious credit ; struts in borrowed plumes. 
 But, taught by disappointment's pungent smart. 
 Less haughty feelings swell his sickened heart : 
 Returning to his solitude, once more 
 His vine to dress, to reap his harvest's store. 
 He finds the humble hamlet's bliss serene. 
 Surpasses fai' the intriguing Paris scene. 
 
 And ye who of court struggles brave the storms, 
 How sweet the contrast which the country forms I
 
 THE RURAL SAGE. . 12S 
 
 But tliCTe you sddom come: your castles, treee-*4T 
 
 As stranger guests you sometimes visit these ; ' 
 
 From Ttfmult's din to gain a short recess. 
 
 But soon forsaking, leave tliera tenantless. 
 
 How will you, one day, mourn this error vain ! 
 
 Your flatterers fall off : your trees remain. 
 
 More steady friends ; who, what they promise, pay ; 
 
 Their shades more worth than Favour's brightest ray. 
 
 Learn timely, then, what price to these belongs ; 
 
 Withdrawing oft from life's fantastic throngs, 
 
 'Midst whom, a solitude the heart surrounds. 
 
 Adorn your gardens, cultivate your grounds ; 
 
 From court and city projects breathe awhile. 
 
 To view a paradise around you smile : 
 
 And, though you may not, with the sage's eye, 
 
 Behold the varied charms those scenes supply. 
 
 Your vanity itself will soon suffice. 
 
 The works you have performed to make you prize. 
 
 I grant, our rural leisure hours to fill. 
 Retreats the loveliest may want something still. 
 To social pleasures I would place no bar : 
 Come : let us choose. But first, be banished far 
 Melpomene and Thalia's mimic scenes : 
 Not that their comic mirth, or M'eeping queens. 
 In Grandeur's stately domes unfit I deem : 
 Those pompous shows their pomp may well beseem. 
 But there, where Nature holds her sylvan reign, 
 Let not the guileless heart be taught to feign.
 
 i^ THE RURAL SAGE. 
 
 Theatric plots and flights but ill agree h ? 
 
 With genuine pastoral simplicity. 
 
 Those turbulent amusements put to flight 
 
 True gaiety, and sweet home-felt delight. 
 
 Where arts of cities come, oft, in their train^ 
 
 Come noisy follies, competitions vain. 
 
 'Midst the enthusiasm of buskined pride, 
 
 Decorous manners, too, are laid aside; 
 
 And the too rapturous scenes the bard devised. 
 
 In the boudoir are sometimes realized. 
 
 Then, too, weak Vanity is all in arms ; 
 
 Fierce Rivalry gives birth to dread alarms ; 
 
 And, who shall fill the youthful heroine's part. 
 
 The prince's, lover's, agitates each heart. 
 
 The troop, their mutual hatred, spleen, caprice, 
 
 Might well supply the subject of the piece. 
 
 Meanwhile are sacrificed to aims like this. 
 
 Life's precious hours ; its calm domestic bliss. 
 
 In Dissipation's whirl tumultuous tost. 
 
 Each duty is forgot, each feeling lost. 
 
 The real father's part left unfulfilled. 
 
 That, in the assumed, he shew more ably skilled. 
 
 See Merope feigned tenderness express ; 
 
 Yet, her own offspring share no fond caress. 
 
 Lo ! man turns mimic : a buffoon the sage : 
 
 Nero, Rome's bloody tyrant, trod the stage. 
 
 Whate'er transgresses Nature's boundaries just. 
 
 Degrades our being, and creates disgust.
 
 THE RURAL SAGE. f2S 
 
 To M0I6 then, his every motion grace, 
 That finished actor, leave his well-filled place, 
 Paris to charm. Let, in this task, agree 
 Those favourite artists, Sainval and Fleuris. 
 Their duty is to charm. Be yours the part. 
 To win esteem from all ; from your own heart. 
 Be, then, the rural sage ; devote your time 
 To Nature's study ; yours, a part sublime. 
 
 And Nature's charms, how touching, how refined, 
 To eyes observant, and the feeling mind ! 
 Insensible those hearts whose languid powers 
 Can pass unmarked, her landscapes, seasons, hours ! 
 The vulgar view them with instinctive joy : 
 The sage discriminates; can well employ 
 A nicer sense, to catch each fleeting grace 
 That marks the varying features of her face : 
 Can prize the new-born sweets her scenes display, 
 Nor less admire those verging to decay. 
 The soul flies forth to welcome objects new ; 
 On those departing, dwells Avith fondness too ; 
 Would still retain the fugitives ; their state 
 Lends a mild charm it loves to contemplate. 
 Contrasted beauties call forth equal praise. 
 Aurora breathing fresh, with saffron rays, 
 Waking the flowers, which, at her touch, assume 
 Each loveliest tint, each exquisite perfume. 
 And day's bright orb, descending from our sight, 
 Are both, though different, objects of delight.
 
 120 THJE RURAL SAGE. 
 
 Oft, Homer, resting from war^s fierce alarms 
 Paints rosy-fingered morn, with softest charms ; 
 Martial and sweet by turns, his varied strain. 
 Oft too, the brilliant, interesting Loraine, 
 With chastened pencil, and in tints less bright. 
 Gilds shadowy clouds with evening's setting light. 
 
 To the year's circling course attention pay : 
 The year too has its morn, as has the day. 
 Ah ! hapless they who lose the opening bloom J 
 The butterfly just burst from his dark tomb. 
 Who o'er the blushing fruits, the flowers new-blown. 
 Sports joyous, decked with charms bright as their own. 
 Feels less the genial life that spreads his wing, 
 Tlian does the sage the sweet return of spring ! 
 Adieu, then, cumbrous screens M'hich fenced us round j 
 And, dusty books, farewell your lore profound ! 
 Nature's great book, the fields, with science stored, 
 Lies open spread, and be its page explored ! 
 Come, let us haste the beauteous scenes to trace ; 
 And may my song, from each, catch some new grace! 
 
 If Nature's vernal bloom with joy we greet. 
 Her fading charms, too, yield sensations sweet. 
 Autumn's discoloured woods, suns mildly clear. 
 Impress the soul with interest, sad, yet dear. 
 Spring through the frame a sportive gladness spreads; 
 Autumn a tender melancholy sheds. 
 Earth's renovated beauties joys afford, 
 like a kind friend we mourned as dead, restored.
 
 THE RUKAL SAGE. IS?; 
 
 Ecstatic transports hail the glad return : 
 Earth's drooping scenes inspire a sweet concern; 
 Like friends prepared to quit us, whom we view. 
 With added interest, whilst we bid adieu ; 
 Dwell on their lingering steps with softened heart ; 
 And find regret itself a charm impart. 
 
 Refulgent summer t oh^ excuse the lay 
 Which fails thy rightful meed of praise to pay! 
 Thy splendours i admire ; yet each keen sense 
 Shrinks from thy dazzling rays, thy heats intense- 
 W'hen, like young spring, light clouds adorn thy face; 
 Or thou from Autumn stealest a matron grace, 
 Thy softened radiance, then, the eye delightis. 
 But ah ! M'hy yet unsung thy balmy ni^ts ? 
 If Nature throb beneath thy noontide fires, 
 Thy night's cool freshness ti-anquil bliss inspires. 
 If day's bright pomp fatigue the aching sight, 
 Night's modest planet sheds a soothing light. 
 As o'er llie dewy vale it sweetly steals, 
 The verdant hill's soft swell to view reveals. 
 Breaks through the umbrageous wood witli partiiid 
 
 gleam, 
 Or twinkling trembles in the winding stream^ 
 
 I ownj when Winter takes his turn to reign. 
 For populous cities I would change the scene. 
 There, the skilled pencil's art. Music's sw^et strains. 
 Recall the charms, now fled, of woods and plains- 
 I look, I listen, recollect, compare. 
 With Nature's loveliest scenes those portraits fair.
 
 12S THE HUKAL SAGE. 
 
 Yet, should bleak Winter's desolated fields 
 
 Retain my steps, ev'n there the season yields 
 
 Appropriate beauties ; there, all dazzling white, 
 
 Bright hoar-frosts glitter to mom's tardy light : 
 
 Whilst from the o'erhanging rock, or leafless spray,' i 
 
 The pendant icicles their ranks display ; 
 
 Fantastic, lustrous, of cerulean hue ; 
 
 Their varied forms attract my passing view. 
 
 But should relenting skies emit a beam, 
 
 Soft, soothing, genial, mild, like those which stream 
 
 Through Spring's soft ether, straight my gladdened 
 
 heart 
 Owns the kind influence its charms impart. 
 Like a sweet smile 'midst Sorrow's tender tears, 
 Gn Nature's mourning face the gleam appears. ' 
 
 How far more prized the transitory ray. 
 Than those which gild the longest, brightest day ! 
 And should a precious vestige meet my sight, 
 Of verdure fresh, in rigorous W inter's spite. 
 Remembrance sweet, hope, fonder, sweeter, still. 
 With mingled ecstacies my bosom fill : 
 My thoughts to past gay vernal scenes now roam ; 
 Now dwell enraptured on those yet to come. 
 
 But, dark clouds threaten: well! the cheerful 
 blaze. 
 The social circle this saloon displays : 
 In its warm shelter seated, I defy 
 Tlie northern blast that howls along the sky :
 
 TftE KUBAL SAGE^ 12^ 
 
 Whilst o'er the scene enlightened taste presides ; 
 
 And means to charm the evening hours providesi 
 
 Amusements various now take place around ; 
 
 The dice-box yonder shook, with rattling sound, 
 
 Proclaims two players ready to commence 
 
 That complicated game, in whose events 
 
 The equal poize which skill and chance maintain, 
 
 Call forth, yet render calculation vain. 
 
 The tables spread, the points arranged with care^ , 
 
 The colours chosen, both for fight prepare. 
 
 With eager eyes, hearts now with hope elate ; 
 
 Now checked by fear, accusing adverse fate* 
 
 Alternate, either fly, pursue, o'ertake ; 
 
 And black and white, by turns, reprisals make. 
 
 The dice now from their noisy prison thrown 
 
 With force, bound, twirl, then stop ; the numbcir 
 
 known. 
 Decides the contest. Here, absorbed in thought. 
 O'er that grave lore which Palimede has taught, 
 A couple sit, as candidates for fame, 
 Enthusiasts in the scientific game. 
 With warmth, not animosity they glow ; 
 Those equal squares their field of battle shew ; 
 These troops of ebony, of ivory those, 
 A hundred skilful stratagems oppose, 
 Led on by wary generals. So far. 
 The rival hosts with equal fortune war, 
 K
 
 KJO: XHE RUKAL SAGE. 
 
 At length the fatal check is given ; tlie proud, 
 
 The happy victor, rising, boasts aloud. 
 
 The vanquished, mute, with wonder and regret. 
 
 Sees but too plainly now, the horrid mate ; 
 
 Long time surveys the ground, intent to trace 
 
 The direful move, that led to this disgrace. ,.,._.., 
 
 Grav^ dowagers here war, at piquet, wagej \ ,uj^-i -mVV 
 
 Great uncles lotto, grandsires vvhist engage : 
 
 Whilst, on that spacious table spread with green, 
 
 A younger group contend with ardour keen. 
 
 The ivory globes, propelled with dexterous aim. 
 
 Into the pockets drop. But cease the game j > ,/,;/. 
 
 For lo ! the festive board announced, when all ' 
 
 Forego their sportive strifes to attend the call. 
 
 The inspiring flask convivial converse aids,;, ^ -iT; , 
 
 As its delicious nectar round it sheds: 1 jr,- ;/ 
 
 And as its light cork flies, so, mounting high,, j 
 
 Gay, .sparkling \Vit, and repartee too. fly. -, .,nj h'-JjI-.'/J 
 
 Again dispersed, all read, as tastes direct },:{-j,;iij r/O 
 
 Dwell o'er Racine, or from Voltaire selects j 
 
 Sometimes a good romance may yield delight : 
 
 Alas ! and sometimes too, a wretched wight. 
 
 An author ! forth a treacherous paper draws : 
 
 He reads ; his drowsy audience i/a^n appl^Vise ;. . j . 
 
 Or lulled by the too soporific charm, 'j H-r'v- h^il - I \ 
 
 One sleeps profound ; if chance, to strains more warm, i 
 
 The hands loud plaudits ring, waked with a bound, . 
 
 He stupid gazes, whilst the laugh goes round.
 
 - THE ltlIBAI,:0AGS. 131 
 
 Again the melancholy task renewed ; ^*>5ir' >n 
 
 A sonnet, a love tale, the whole conclude. 
 
 All, from to-morrow's scenes, like joys portend ; 
 And, true to promise, gayest joys attend. 
 
 Thus, ev'n drear Winter's scenes delights allow: 
 No longer he, the god of gloomy brow, 
 Friend to despondence, but the cheerful sage, 
 Whose hoary locks give gladness, love engage. 
 
 'T is true, the youthful season holds to view 
 Pleasures more varied ; joys more vivid too ; 
 Licss tranquil, inore heart-felt ; ah ! when those bloom, 
 Who, in dull play his leisure would consume ? , ,< -j'"",) 
 Cheat his sweet hopes of scenes thus high prepared^ 
 To place them on a gaudy painted card ? 
 Man would have pleasures, but their pure delights 
 Depend on health ; this exercise invites. . 
 To winter, then, and cities leave pursuits 
 Whose dull monotony dull languor suits : 
 Games, which from spleen lead on to avarice ; 
 Place joy in tumult; pleasure in a vice ! 
 Far hence these glooms ! the waves, the woods, the air, 
 Amusements innocently gay, prepare: 
 The forest's war, the plunder of the flood. 
 Invigorate health, and banish lassitude. 
 
 Q Muse ! of wandering nymphs companion sweet! 
 Who knowest of sylvans everj green retreat. 
 Teach me to wind their desert paths along : 
 The fields already have enriched my song. 
 K. 2
 
 iS^ f^it RURAL SAGE. 
 
 Beneath those willows pendent o'er the wavev '** 
 Whose tufted foliage its cool waters lave, 
 The patient angler takes his silent post ; 
 His far-thrown line with tremulous motion tost. 
 In thoughtful attitude recumbent bent, 
 He watches, with fixed eyes, and mind intent, 
 And glad, at length perceives, his hopes to crown^ 
 His float immersed, his pliant rod bent dowa. 
 AVhat young, imprudent victim now has dared 
 To seize the fatal hook, with guile prepared ? 
 Is it the agile trout that writhing dies ? 
 Or silvery eel, bent round in numerous plies ? 
 The gilded carp ? the perch with scarlet fins ? 
 Or glutton pike, who watery nations thins? 
 
 Against the winged hihabitants of air 
 Do we a temporary war declare ? 
 The sportsman armed walks forth ; now, pointed hig(. 
 His tube he levels with his guiding eye. 
 He draws ; its lightnings flash, its thunders sound" 
 What death-struck birds there tumbling reach the 
 
 ground ? 
 The plaintive lapwing, wandering o'er the heath. 
 The murderous hail has now deprived of breath. 
 And thou, young lark, sweet songstress of the sky ! 
 With carol sweet no more thou 'It mount on high. 
 
 But why thus glory in these coward spoils. 
 These fruitless triumphs, these untrophied toils ? 
 O Mue ! who oft, with voice all melting sweety 
 Couldst pity for the woodland choir entreat,
 
 THE KURAL SAGE. 133 
 
 Ak ! let that voice high-raised, to death consign 
 Him whose defeat a sylvan wreath may twine : 
 Foe to the waving harvest's golden store ; 
 Foe to ou,r flocks : our flocks thy song implore ! 
 
 But hark ! 1 ^ear the horn's inspiring sound ; 
 1 see the impatient courser paw the ground ; 
 He champs the bit, indignant feels the rein ; 
 Whilst generous ardour throbs in every vein. 
 The trembling stag appalled, whilst yet from far 
 He hears the clamorous rout, the threatened war, 
 Long hesitates, in doubt which part to embrace, 
 Flig44t or resistance. Shall he rapid trace 
 Paths far remote, shades that far distant wave, 
 Or with intrepid front the danger brave ? 
 On which for safety may he best rely, 
 His feet's winged speed, or antlers threatening high ? 
 At length his fears prevail ; he bounds, he flies ! 
 And soon leaver far behind war's deafening cries. 
 
 And now, freed from restraint, the impatient steed 
 Starts oflf ; fleet as the wind his vigorous speed. . 
 His ardent rider strains with answering force ; 
 Prone o'er his head suspended wings his course; 
 Darts through the copse, and from the furrowed 
 
 ground 
 Throws the loose earth hi blackening clouds around. 
 Still flies the stag ; the dogs pursue the trail ; 
 Trace -liis light steps, or snuff him in the gale : 
 K 3
 
 134 THft RURAL SAGE. 
 
 Where, on the sands, appear his prints imprest, 
 Hope-fraught, awhile, thcfir smoking nostrils rest. 
 He, all dismayed, curses his feet's slow pace ; 
 Their treacherous odour ; their perfidious trace ! 
 A fugitive; pursued, prest by liis foesy ' -^^ '* ' 
 The memory of his friends occurs ; 'niongst tliose 
 O'er whom he late had reigned, the forest's lord, 
 Asylum should be, ev'n low-bent, implored! -- 
 
 If chance, a peaceful herd he now espies, ' ^ 
 
 Grazing the herb, the experiment he tries ; 
 Precipitates his flight their path to gain ; 
 To them entrusts his life ; 'midst them would fain 
 Hide his disgrace : alas ! that hope destroyed, 
 His unwished presence, shrinking all avoid. 
 All shun the dire contagion that must wait 
 Too close a contact with his hapless fate ! 
 So shuns a flatterer his confiding prince, 
 When gathering clouds his downfall near, evince. 
 By these expelled, each gleam of comfort dies : 
 A wretched wanderer, forth again he hies ; 
 Swift traverses each well-known haunt, each glade ; 
 W^ith anguish now beholds that far-spread shade, 
 Scene of past joys, to memory fondly dear; 
 For love had blessed, glory oft crowned him there, 
 When, like a haughty sultan, he had dared 
 Each M'arlike rival ; or his love had shared 
 'Mongst the young objects of his varying choice ; 
 Woods, caverns, rocks, had echoed to his voice.
 
 THE iRTJRALtSAGE. IS^ 
 
 No longer those proiid triumphs he shall boast ! 
 Love, glory, empire, all to him are lost! ..k .-^ 
 
 If now, at length, by danger undeterred, 
 Some youthful straggler from the dappled herd, 
 More nobly brave, more generously humane 
 Tlian his unfeeling brothers of the plain, 
 In kind compassion to his mighty woes, 
 Twixt him and fate should kindly interpose ; > : . ' 
 Strive to mislead the pack, confuse the scent ^ .],:,; 4 
 Alas! in vain the charitable feint ! .j ; 
 
 The veteran hounds, with sense too subtly, tru,e,. , 
 Their first devoted victim still pursue. JL ., o.J . i 
 
 Now, shuddering at the horn's far-piercing somid,. 
 He springs away ; his feet scarce toucb the ground. 
 Or, more to deceive, he vaults o'er empty vSpace^i./k 
 That no continued prints his route may trace,. ^ [.'7 
 Now crouching low, far from the beaten xoad, . *' 
 With throbbing heart he throws his eyes abroad. --^sJi 
 Again alamiied, be starts^ shootstdowa the steep ; . 
 Winds, turns, confounds his course with cunning deep. 
 At times he stops^ looks, listens : still more near, . . 
 The full-toned concert gains upon his. ear ; >..- 
 The hunters' shouts, the cry of deep-mouthed hounds, 
 llie forest's shrill- tongued echo wide resounds.. 
 Whilst'every wile he tries distress can feign, . 
 Wild terror rushes through each circling vein ; '.J 
 To his dire fears each bush presents a foe ; 
 From each, death seems to aim the uplifted blow ; 
 K 4
 
 136 THE HURAL SjAGE. 
 
 Tired, hopeless, spent, he now in desperate mood, 
 Spurns the false earth, and plunges 'midst the flood. 
 His element he changes, not his fate ; 
 That still pursues, with unrelenting hate : 
 The pack voracious, fierce, with sweat defiled. 
 Tones piercing sharp, eyes flashing fury wild. 
 Fly after ; through the waves too, cut their way ; 
 To claim their barbarous feast ! their destined prey. 
 Panting with thirst, the expanse that round them floats, 
 Seems scarcely to suftice their burning throats. 
 But instincts more imperious still, command ; 
 For blood they thirst ! blood they aloud demand. 
 Of friends, of hope bereft, one sole resource 
 Their victim sees ; to rage he has recourse ! 
 Alas ! of shifts so impotently vain, 
 Why had mean fears insured the shame, the stain ? 
 Why, listening to his courage high, innate, 
 Had not great deeds ennobled his sad fate ? 
 Sick of base arts, in all his native might, 
 He rouses dreadful to the coming fight : 
 Advances dauntless 'midst his numerous foes, 
 His generous vengeance aims his deadliest blows, 
 Where valour copes with valour. On all sides, 
 Beset, assailed, the shock he firm abides. 
 The infuriate pack pour round, rage in their eyes ; 
 With ravenous jaw s, and intermingled cries. 
 He combats still; strikes, struggles to the last. 
 But fruitless this brave stand, those efforts vast.
 
 THE DOVE AND THE SPARROW. 137 
 
 Alas ! what now avail his graceful air, 
 
 His elegance of form, proportions fair ? 
 
 Light o'er the unbending grass his agile tread ? 
 
 Or what the beamy honours of his head ? 
 
 He reels, he drops ! whilst tears, in piteous chase, 
 
 (Which ev'n his murderers melt,) roll down Jiis face ! 
 
 FABLES, 
 
 IMITATED PROM THE FRENCH OP 
 DORAT. 
 
 FABLE THE FIRST. 
 
 THE DOVE AND THE SPARROW. 
 
 A DOVE who nursed her callow brood 
 
 In the recesses of a wood ; 
 
 A tender mother, faithful wife ; 
 
 Exemplar of domestic life; 
 
 In fondling accents thus addrest 
 
 The clamorous inmates of her nest: 
 
 " Peace, peace, ye flutterers I cease your noise; 
 I must hear no complaining voice.
 
 ISS . THE JX5VE AND THia SPARROW; 
 
 Why chirp thus loud, why beat your wings? 
 Your sire your needful sustenance brings : 
 He comes, borne rapid through the air, 
 By love, and fond parental care. 
 Pressed to this bosom, with delight, 
 I soon shall see you all unite. 
 For us, each toil he undertakes ; 
 He braves all dangers for our sakes. 
 Inclement blasts, and freezing skies, 
 Through these fleet-winged he fearless flies ; 
 Nor feels annoy on Nature's part : 
 His strength springs from his ardent heart. 
 
 " Voracious birds of prey, far hence ! 
 He all would risk in our defence. 
 He dreads you not : but, ah ! I dread 
 Lest fate frown o'er his precious head ! 
 And, fowlers ! think my pangs you see i 
 Devoid of pity though you be ; 
 Avert your fatal tubes, nor pass 
 His path, for should you meet ! alas ! 
 I tremble ! Mercy's God ! since still. 
 Your high behests doves prompt fulfil, 
 Ah ! wherefore does misfortune threat 
 Felicity so pure, so great ?" - 
 
 AYhilst thus her anxious fears she told, 
 A Sparrow who that way had strolled. 
 By chance o'erheard the plaintive words* 
 'T was one of those high-fashioned birds.
 
 THE i>OVE A WD THE SPARROW: 1.19 
 
 Who follow courts, the great attend ; 
 In polished scenes their leisure spend ; 
 'Neath royal roofs domesticate ; 
 Their tastes at cost of nobles, sate ; 
 Study the ton ; hold all as fools 
 Who. stray one atom from its rules ; 
 Loud, frivolous, and gay, yet dull : 
 Of proud self-consequence brim-full. 
 
 With stare impertinent and rude, 
 The modest matron first he viewed : 
 Then with baboon grimace approached. 
 And thus his trite rto-meaning broached : 
 
 *' To what use serves this world of charms. 
 Thus buried amongst rustic farms ? 
 Besides, how strange, how low a taste. 
 Your time in household cares to waste ; 
 In vulgar occupations spend 
 Your youth's fresh prime, so soon to end! 
 In what ennui your days must roll ! 
 I can't help laughing on my soul." 
 
 " If this calm life your censure meets. 
 At least let me enjoy its sweets," 
 Keplled the Dove ; " nor seek to shine 
 On subjects you so ill define. 
 Those sacred duties you deride, 
 Form my amusement, bliss, and pride ; 
 Pure, genuine, lasting joys they give ; 
 Which cease but when we cease to liv.
 
 140 THE DOVE AND THE SPARROW. 
 
 Yours are less permanent, I guess. 
 
 Can you love long ?" " Love long ? oh, yc. 
 
 While rapture lasts, the passion glows : 
 
 When that is past, love also goes. 
 
 Slightly cemented, we with ease 
 
 Break through those ties whene'er we please. 
 
 The lightning's flash our emblem true ; 
 
 As bright, almost as short-lived too." 
 
 " Haply some friends, then, you can boast f" 
 *' Of friends, be sure, a numerous host. 
 We form societies, where all 
 Are friends, whilst pride, or interest call." 
 
 * TTiese seem to me but friends in name. 
 Your young ones ? they afi'ection claim." 
 ^' We give them being : all beside, 
 Let time and destiny provide." 
 
 " Outcast of Nature ! as of love," 
 Exclaims the shocked, indignant Dove : 
 *' How deep the abyss where vice has thrown 
 Your wretched being ; there to groan 
 Beneath disgust, and keen remorse. 
 Which each by turns must mark your course. 
 And should disgrace Pride's schemes defeat. 
 Who will partake of your retreat ? 
 Should chilling winds, or cloud, or storm, 
 Your present eleai" serene deform. 
 How like drear shadows will appear 
 lliose pleasures false, now bpld so dear !
 
 THE DOVE AND THE SPARROW. 141 
 
 No friend's assistance to sustain 
 
 That heart insensible and vain : 
 
 lliat heart incapable of love ! 
 
 No mate her fond regards to prove ; 
 
 To take you to her faithful breast, 
 
 That downy seat of balmy rest ; 
 
 No filial birds, with wanton play, 
 
 To cheer your age's last decay : 
 
 On some far rock, unseen, unknown. 
 
 In your lone nest allowed to groan ; 
 
 Far from felicity to live ; 
 
 Possessing nothing earth can give ; 
 
 And, even till death has sealed your eyes, 
 
 Abandoned by that world you prize." 
 
 Ye, who of morals make a jest. 
 Bring home the truths my lines attest. 
 Have you the courage firA to stand. 
 Alone beneath Misfortune's hand ? 
 Betrayed, abused, by Love's loose ties, 
 And not a friend to close your eyes.
 
 142 THE 11*GOT AJSD THE IRON BAJt. 
 
 FABLE THE SECOND. 
 
 THE INGOT AND THE IRON BAR.. 
 
 A GOLDEN Ingot, wondrous great. 
 Possessed of beauty, power> and weight. 
 Felt all these titles to be proud ; 
 Perhaps felt more than these allowed : 
 Too apt to look on all around 
 With hauteur, and contempt profound. 
 As near his greatness, on a day. 
 An humble Bar of Iron lay, 
 Sir Ingot straight began to swell, 
 And thus to vent his feelings : " Well ! 
 Comparisons oft worth enhance; 
 But what outre caprice of chance 
 Could thus associate, side by side, 
 Me and this Bar ? extremes so wide ! 
 Mean, ugly, vulgar metal ! thou. 
 When I am by, to earth shouldst bow. 
 Dost thou not feel thy distance ? say. 
 I rule the globe with sovereign sway. 
 The glorious sun, in copious streams. 
 To form my mass, directs his beams : 
 Whilst man, all-conscious of my worth. 
 Embowels earth, to draw me forth. 
 
 " In ancient story, I appear 
 With eclat bright, as thou shall hear.
 
 THB INGOT AND THE lEdN BAR. 145 
 
 Such knowledge is thy state above. 
 
 I served the cause of mighty Jove. 
 
 To save her from his bolt-armed power, 
 
 Danae, secluded in a tower, 
 
 The Thunderer took my form to woo. 
 
 And at each crevice gliding through, 
 
 Whilst the bright golden shower thus flowed, 
 
 Jove gahied his mistress ; she the God. 
 
 " Ev'n sacred mysteries were my sport, 
 The Druids 'midst each oak-formed court. 
 To me did frequent sacrifice. 
 The priesthood, too, I could entice. 
 The far-famed oracles of old 
 Were, by my influence, bought and sold. 
 I dictated the God's decrees ; 
 And thus ruled mortal minds with ease. 
 
 " Destroyei; ! what hast thou to boast 
 In opposition ? War's fell host ! 
 Death, rapine, carnage ! blood-stained hands \ 
 To which thou armest fierce hostile bands." 
 
 " I vaunt not my own worth," replied 
 The modest Bar ; " nor yours deride. 
 But ask the artizan, the sage. 
 In this all-scientific age, 
 What various purposes I serve : 
 I, of mechanics form the nerve. 
 'T is true, man's pride, ambition, vice. 
 Of white-robed Peace knew not the price :
 
 144 trtE GLOW-WORM. 
 
 And whilst her gentle reign they spurned, 
 Their ploughshares into swords they turned/ 
 Yet, spite of this, of your vain pride. 
 Our cause let earth, let Heaven decide : 
 From which proceeds the greater ill ? 
 Whilst you corrupt, I only kill 1" 
 
 FABLE THE THIRD. 
 
 THE GLOW-WORM. 
 
 One night, when sullen darkness gloomed, 
 Nor moon, nor stars, Heaven's vault illumed, 
 A Glow-worm, young, with pride elate, 
 Crawled forth in consequential state. 
 Vain of the feeble light he cast, 
 A light, he deemed, by none surpassed, 
 And fraught with arrogance extreme, 
 The egotist made self his theme : 
 
 " This globe from pole to pole," he cries, 
 *' Can nothing shew that me outvies. 
 I sovereign reign, admired by all. 
 And joys still new await my call. 
 How justly am I bailed the grace 
 And pride of all the insect race ! 
 What other can with me compare ? 
 Not the coarse Ant, bowed down with care.
 
 THE GLOW-WORM. 145 
 
 Nor bustling Bee, whose sordid views 
 Tend less to ornament than use. 
 
 " The stars that sometimes gild the night 
 Borrow my fires, than theirs more bright ; 
 And day's vast orb that shines on high, 
 Is but the Glow-worm of the sky." 
 
 "Whilst thus the glimmering boaster spoke, 
 A Blackbird from a neighbouring oak. 
 Which late had echoed with his song. 
 Observing where he moved along, 
 Hopped doM'n, to seize with eager haste 
 A cate so suited to his taste ; 
 And pecking where the- light he saw. 
 Quickly ingulfed him in his craw. 
 
 Poor reptile ! hadst thou sparkled less. 
 Or 'mongst the verdure sought recess. 
 Nor by display strove to allure. 
 Thou mightst have crept through life secure. 
 
 Obscurity's concealed repose. 
 Far from the tlirong, best answers those. 
 Whose dimly glittering powers of mind. 
 By ignorance inflated, find 
 Insidious notice; to which they 
 Qft-times become the stupid prey. 
 
 THE END.
 
 Fiinted by S. Gosnell, Little Queen Siicet, Lontlon.
 
 University of California 
 
 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 
 
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