THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND

 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 A 
 
 P O EM. 
 
 Written by a Gentleman in India. 
 
 ♦♦ Enough for me, that to the lift'ning fwalns, 
 *' Firft in thefe fields I fung the Sylvan ftrains.' 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for J, D o d s l e y, in Pall - Mall, 
 
 M.DCC.LXXIV.
 
 To the P U B L I C 
 
 •w'» 
 
 WITH every doubt, with every fear, that diffi- 
 dence and {enfibility can infpire, the Author 
 of the following Sheets prefents them at your dread 
 Tribunal. — -Unknown in the Poetic walk, and fully 
 conlcious of his inability to excite envy, he is the more 
 incHned to hope that his firfl: appearance in the world 
 will be treated with candor ; and that the generofity 
 of the Public will overlook the intrufion which brings 
 him to their notice. 
 
 As a relief from bufmefs, and in lome meafiire to en- 
 liven the many dull hours that our countrymen muft feel 
 in the finall and confined fbcieties that India affords, this 
 Poem was originally written. Such a confeffion may, 
 perhaps, prejudice it in the opinion of the (evere critic ; 
 and indeed the judneis of what an excellent Poet (Ipeak- 
 ing of his fituation in thefe parts) fpiritedly oblerves, muft 
 be duly allowed. 
 
 " An office fuits not with a Poet's brain, 
 
 *' Or Icenes of bus'nefs with the Mufe's ftrain ; 
 
 " Rapt in wild extacy fhe wings her way, 
 
 " Spurns at the croud, and flruggles into day.'* 
 
 Wynnes 
 
 Let 

 
 ( ^■i ) 
 
 Let however thcfe difficulties, with which the Author 
 had to combat, rather plead with the impartial Reader 
 in favor of his Poem. A Poem, wherein the chief 
 (perhaps only) merit lies in the novelty of the fubje^l : 
 in its being the firft attempt to celebrate a place fo de- 
 fer vedly admired ; and which has been in the pofTefTion 
 of the Englifh for fiich a length of time. 
 
 If any thing further can be (aid to recommend the 
 work of one who is too unafTured of fucceis to dlfcloie 
 his name, it may be, that Saint Thomas's Mount was 
 written before the Author had attained his Twentieth 
 year ; though it has had feveral revifals to bring it to 
 the ftate in which it now folicits your ijidulgencc 
 
 Fort Saint George, 
 ift of 'January, 1773^. 
 
 SAINT
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 INSCRIBED TO 
 
 A LADY. 
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 MA D A M, fince you from public nolle retire, 
 To court that peace the tuneful throng admire.j 
 Since, in defiance of the gen'ral voice. 
 An happier tafte proclaims thefe fhades your choice j 
 'Tis juft the Muie with pride and pleafure greets j^ 
 
 Your wifh'd arrival in her lov'd retreats. 
 
 In Denham's lays the hill of Cooper Ihines, 
 And Windlbr blooms in Pope's immortal lines :
 
 8 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 With equal fplrit teach my breaft to glow I 
 
 Then you, all gracious ! might your frailes beflow : i o 
 
 St. Thomas' Mount without a rival reign, 
 
 And Delia, thou ! the Goddefs of the plain. 
 
 But what fhe can, the Mu(e will dare eflay, 
 Defcribe thefe fields with conftant verdure gay ; 
 Thefe happy fields, where genial fpring appears 15 
 
 Th' eternal feafon of our Eaftern years. 
 Let England's fons attend with juft furprize, 
 And mourn the havock of their boift'rous fkies. 
 When Northern winds fuccced the Southern breeze, 
 And wlnt'ry fi:orms deform the drooping trees ; 20 
 
 Wlien ev'ry flow'r has loft its rich perfume, 
 And Nature wears an univerial gloom ; 
 When e'en the feather'd choir forget to fing, 
 In filence pine, and hang the naked wing ; 
 Then let them view, with envy view this fcene, 25 
 
 For ever fragrant ! and for ever green ! 
 Here linnpid brooks their mazy progreis bear. 
 
 Beyond the influence of conf^calino; air ; 
 
 The
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. .9 
 
 The (caly tribes amid their waters gleam, 
 
 Nor dread deftru£lion in a frozen ftream — 30. 
 
 Oh ! while the fun unclouded holds his way 
 
 Thro' glowing fkies, and darts his vertic ray, 
 
 Oft' let me wander thro' the Mango fhade, 
 
 Whole boughs the doubtful light can icarce pervade : 
 
 While from the (corching plain the ardent breeze 3^; 
 
 Blows cool and temp'rate thro' th' embow'ring trees. 
 
 No frofts, or killing blights, by Boreas fent. 
 
 The rip'ning Mango from its growth prevent, 
 
 Ambrofial fruit ! to fing thy lively hues, 
 
 And matchlefs flavour, would tranfcend the Mule : 40 
 
 Thy very look, tho' once forewarn'd in vain, 
 
 Had tempted thoughtlefs Eve to fin again! 
 
 Where to the clouds the lofty * Palm alpires, 
 
 The wxaried traveller at noon retires ; 
 
 BlefTes the tree which luch a tribute pays, 4r 
 
 While draughts, unbought, his finking fplrits raife. 
 
 * From the Palm a refrefliing liquor is extraded, by boring a liole 
 towards the top of the tree. 
 
 B In
 
 10 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 In heathen ages, ere the vineyard's u(e, 
 
 Had Pan but tafted this refrefhing juice, 
 
 For Indian climes he had left th' Arcadian fields. 
 
 To court the Dryad who this Ne<^ar yields. 50 
 
 What form ftupcndous hither moves along ? 
 Some fancied monftcr of the Poet's fong ! 
 Or is it he, the terror of the day, 
 Who ftruck L.evinus' bands with dire dilmay ? 
 When Pyrrhus firft, to Rome's aftonifli'd fight, 5^5 
 Produc'd th' cnoi'mous Elephant in fight. 
 The ftartled courfers, heedlcfs of the rein, 
 Fly wild and various o'er the hoftile plain : 
 The vet'ran legions next, appall'd with fear, 
 Diirolvc their ranks, and prefs upon the rear : 60 
 
 Confufion reigns ! the warlike King purfues. 
 And death the field with mangled warriors fi:rews. 
 Sad chance for Rome ! but fbon fhc learns to know, 
 To ftem th' impetuous. fury of the foe: 
 Their charge the Elephant but faintly dares, 6^_ 
 
 And,, gall'd with wounds, controul no longer bears ; 
 
 Back,
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. ii 
 
 Back on his friends he turns the dread array, 
 
 Their fquadrons fcatter, and their ranks give way : 
 
 Rome and her eagles follow where they yield, 
 
 And greatly triumph o'er th' enfanguin'd field. 70 
 
 Thus where the mighty Elephant appears 
 
 *Tis tumult all ! and death ! and flight ! and fears ! 
 
 But when the ravage of the war is done. 
 
 Sweet Peace ne'er iiiiil'd upon a gentler fbn. 
 
 As lofty woods their ftature proudly fhow, yc 
 
 Yet bend obedient to the winds that blow. 
 
 His bulk and ftrength their purpos'd ends fulfil, 
 
 And bow fubmifllve to the mafter's will. 
 
 Emblem of Government, where reafon fways, 
 
 And paflive force contentedly obeys. 80 
 
 This way and that, direiled by the goad, 
 
 He moves, or humble kneels to bear his load ; 
 
 But fhould the little tyrants in command 
 
 Increafe his burden with oppreflive hand, 
 
 Pride and refentment in his breaft awake, 85 
 
 Like Britain's fbns, when Liberty's at ftake ; 
 
 B 2 He
 
 12 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 He riies uncontroulable, and round 
 Scatters his various load upon the ground. 
 
 But when by happier chance it proves his care, 
 Some Ammon in triumphal pomp to bear, ()0 
 
 How fwells his ftature, as he moves along 
 The awful wonder of the gazing throng ! 
 Around his portly limbs the maffy chains 
 Of polifh'd filver fweep the dufty plains. 
 Spread o'er his back and ample fides, behold pc 
 
 The tifTued veftment of enfigur'd gold I 
 Where proudly plac'd the regal Houdah ftands, 
 Whofe tow'ring height a profpeft wide commands : 
 Tlic burniih'd canopy reflefts a blaze, 
 And far tranfmits the fun's refulgent rays: ioq 
 
 While he precedence with his Lord may claim> 
 Firft of his kind in majefty and fame. 
 
 Nor muft the hardy Camel pafs unfung ; 
 Fam'd for his patience and endurance long ! 
 In Afric climes, wdiere fiins intenfely glow, 105 
 
 And fcorching winds acrofs the defart blow ; 
 
 Where
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 15 
 
 Where the wide proipeil, fick'nlng to the fight, 
 
 Is one continued glare of burning light ; 
 
 With iolemn pace the Camel treads the plains, 
 
 Rich widi the trav'ller's ftores, or merchant's gains : 1 1 o 
 
 Fram'd by all-bounteous Nature long to bear 
 
 Thirft unappeas'd, and breathe a fultry air. 
 
 Lo ! the proud Steed, in ftrength and beauty bold^ 
 
 Form'd for the light, and proof againft the cold, 
 
 With heat, half-fainting, lolls the livid tongue, 1 1 5 
 
 Pants for the Itream, and fcarcely creeps along j 
 
 While the tall Camel, with unbated force, 
 
 Purfues with aukward ftrides his w^onted courle. 
 
 But what avails his patience, as he ftrays 
 
 O'er dreary defarts, and o'er tracklels ways ? 120 
 
 Should the dark * {j3irit of the plain arife, 
 
 And drive the black'ning ftorm that hides the ikies, 
 
 The 
 
 * Thefe whirlwinds, fo common in the defarts of Africa, arc 
 known, tho' in a lefs degree, in the northern parts of India. Their 
 caufc is as extraordinary as their eftecfl. On a cahn day, when not a 
 breath of v/ind ilirs, one of them will arife, and, carrying immenfe 
 
 cloud«
 
 1+ SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 The burnino- fand in wklrllng blafts afcends, 
 Sweeps o'er the waftc, and death its courle attends ! 
 Not fuch his wayward fortune or his pains, 125 
 
 When happy chance conducts him to thcfe plains : 
 Thro' fruitful vales his daily journies lie, 
 With cryftal ftrcams, and herbage ever nigh ; 
 There, as the eye o'er rural beauties ftrays, 
 His movements images of grandeur raife ! 130 
 
 Where yon far * mountains lift their heads on high, 
 And, Atlas-like, appear to prop the fky, 
 In lonely haunts the Tyger leeks to hide, 
 And only Luna views his (potted pride. 
 
 clouds of duft along with it, make a regular progrefs over a large 
 ■trad of country; but not extend beyond a certain circle. Nothing 
 can refift its amazing velocity. The natives call them Shitan^ or Spi- 
 rit ; and the vulgar notion is, that they are the ghofts of departed men, 
 who have not been allowed rell. The fr.me opinion prevails in the 
 works of OiTian. 
 
 * The Balleghaut hills. They form the firft land that mariners 
 defcry on this part of the Coaft of Coromandelj and are fo very high, that 
 tho' fuppofed to be 80 miles from Madras, they are diflinguilhable in 
 almoil any weather. 
 
 For
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 15 
 
 For fearful ftill he ftiuns the peopled glades, 13c 
 
 And reigns (olc tyrant of the dreary fliades *. 
 
 Should the loft wand'rer thither take his way, 
 
 He fprings from ambulli on his helplefs prey , 
 
 With thirft infatiate fucks the vital breath, 
 
 Exulting roars, and ftuns the cries of death ! 1 40 
 
 But if, impell'd by hunger's raging call, 
 
 He boldly roam, or leap the village wall f. 
 
 With fhouts and pikes at once the natives rile, 
 
 'Till, red with wounds, the bloody favage dies. 
 
 But {ports more pleafmg aik our morning care, 14c 
 To chafe the wily Fox or doubling Hare : 
 Thefe, as in Britain, try the hunter's pains, 
 O'er deeper coverts, and o'er wider plains. 
 
 But mark the beauteous Antelope ! — he Iprings - 
 
 He bounds — he flies — nor needs the aid of winffs. i co 
 
 **= Pre-eminence is here given to the tyger, as there are no lions to 
 the fouthward of the Ganges. 
 
 O 
 
 •f- The villages in the inland parts of India are generally fiirrounded 
 by mud walls, as a fccurity from wild beafls, and to prevent i'n feme 
 meaiure hoftile depredations.- 
 
 Not
 
 i6 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 Not the fleet gieyhound, Pcrfia's boaftcd breed, 
 Nor, from Arabia's coafts, the rapid fteed, 
 In fwiftnefs can compare — he ftrips the wind. 
 And leaves them lagging, panting, far behind. 
 Now, freed from dread, he fports upon the plain, i c 15 
 Until their cries falute his ears again ^ 
 Again the fugitive his flight renews ; 
 In vain the ftretching eye his winged courfe purities. 
 Then lay what fwiftnels ihall this prize obtain. 
 Which dogs and horles follow but in vain ? 160 
 
 Behold the Chetah ! of the leopard-kind. 
 Watchful as night, and acSlive as the wind. 
 Bred to the Iport, he fteals towards the prey, 
 As the herds browze, or inattentive play ; 
 One he lele£l:s, and meaPring with his eyes 16 c 
 
 The diftance, darts like light'ning to the prize : 
 (So, when the fowler takes his certain aim, 
 A fwlft deftruftlon ftrikes the flutt'rlng game.) 
 The helpleis prey his ulelefs Ipeed bemoans. 
 Drops the big tear of grief, and dies in groans. lyo 
 
 But
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 17 
 
 But Ihould or chance or accident betray 
 
 Th' approaching lavage on his murd'rous way, 
 
 Inftant the Antelope betakes to flight -^ 
 
 Inftant the Chctah, furious at the fight, 
 
 Springs to arreft his fpeed — but iJ3rings in vain I 1 7 r 
 
 Refcu'd, he now exults and bounds along the plain : 
 
 But lo ! the difappointed Chetah turns, 
 
 While tenfold fury in his bolbni burns : — 
 
 Beware, ye hunters ! left, his ire to fate, 
 
 Heediefs you feel Act eon's wretched fate! 180 
 
 All but his keeper, whofe familiar hand 
 
 Supplies his wants, and praftifes command ; 
 
 Sooth'd by his voice, relu£lantiy he ftays. 
 
 Growls furly diicontent, and flow obeys. 
 
 Mourn, Britons! mourn an a6l your laws ordain, i 85 
 Once feel inferior to the Indian f\vain. 
 Tho' to the ground by vile oppreflion trod, 
 His life and fortune at his Monarch's nod, 
 He fhares, unqueftion'd, Nature's bounteous hoard, 
 Whate'er the fields or forefts wild afford : ipo 
 
 C The
 
 i8 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 The Hare, the Partridge, or the ftatcly Deer 
 
 Is his, in common with the richcft Peer. 
 
 While, ftrange reverie ! where freedom (lands confeft, 
 
 Cheers ev'ry face, and glows in ev'ry brcafl:; 
 
 On Britain's fliorcs, where Magna Charta thrives, ipc 
 
 An aft oppreflive to the fubjeft lives ! 
 
 Denies a ftarving wretch the woodland game, 
 
 But fanftifies the wealthy 's ulelefs claim. 
 
 Oh ! may Ibme Patriot in his country's caule 
 
 Plead with fuccefs, and. blot it from her laws: 200 • 
 
 BlefTmgs and fame fhall on his ftcps attend j, 
 
 And Poverty falute her new-born friend ! 
 
 Our ev'nings too, the cheerful walk beguiles, 
 O'er tempting meads where Nature ever fmiles : 
 Where fhe, l\veet nymph ! for ever young and gay, 2oc'- 
 Thro' the whole year is.dreft like laughing May. 
 Thus lov'd Fidelia beautiful appears, 
 Whom ever-pleafing Humor ever cheers : 
 Her lively looks to each idea bring 
 The glow of fiimmer, and the i\veets of Ipring : 21 o 
 
 The
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 19 
 
 The gen'rous purpole ftill her bofbm warms, 
 And mild good-nature fpreads a thoufand charms. 
 
 Where thou, Saint Thom as, rear'ft thy facred height, 
 Succeffive beauties ftrike the ravilli'd fight : 
 There orange-groves difFule their fweets around, 2 1 5 
 And flow'rets paint the variegated ground : 
 On ev'ry fide ten thoufand blooms appear, 
 Like Luna circled in her ftarry iphere. 
 Enchanting leat ! who e'er thy profpe£\ views, 
 But feels Apollo ! and invokes the Mule ! 220 
 
 Behold a maid, the meaneft of the throng. 
 Thy praife attempts, and thus purfues her long. 
 
 End of the F I R S T CANT O. 
 
 SAINT
 
 ( 2° ) 
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT 
 
 CANTO II *. 
 
 WHEN Truth and Juftice were in darknefs hurl'd, 
 A„dSin,wichg.n.ftride,o-e.ra„thewoHd. 
 When Faith 'tween doubt and ignorance vvas toft, 
 And Hope, and Peace, and Piety were loft ; 
 The Lord of mercies, lift'ning to their cries, 5 
 
 For men's redemption bade his Son arife : 
 
 * This epifode, which contains the peregrination of Saint Thomas 
 to the Eaft Indies, is by no means a poetical ficflion. If die Reader 
 will take the trouble of looking into Stackhoufe's Hiftory of the 
 Bible, he will find it fupported by the evidence of that Author, who 
 fays, he collects his intelligence from different Ecclefiaftical Writers. 
 
 Bade
 
 ^> 
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 21 
 
 Bade him a form of mortal fubftance take, 
 And pain and death experience for their fake. 
 Then dawn'd the Hght of Golpel o'er the earth, 
 And diftant nations bleft a Savior's birth, j o 
 
 The ray divine to utmoft India fpread. 
 By zeal fupported, and Saint Thomas led. 
 For while thro' Perfia's antient realms he trod, 
 And faw converted Heathens own his God,, 
 (His eloquence, adapted to lucceed 
 With the rough Ba£lrian or the polilh'd Mede) 
 One night to reft compofing as he lay^ 
 Fatigu'd with all the labors of the day, 
 A golden cloud forth iffued from the lliade. 
 And beams celefiial round his temples play'd ; 20 
 
 An awful voice the midnight (ilence broke, 
 And to the wond'rina: Saint commandinp- fpoke. 
 " Diftinguiih'd mortal ! chofen from thy race 
 ** To fpread my laws, and vindicate my grace ; 
 *' Tho' in thy journey thro' th' enlighten'd Eaft z:^ 
 " Thou Pall hail been a free, a welcome gueft ; 
 
 "" '' Realms
 
 2.«2 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 *' Realms yet unibught thy pious labors claim — 
 <' Go — teach the Indian to revere my name: 
 *' Teach him for me idolatry to leave, 
 *^ And truft that power which will ne'er deceive. 30 
 * ' Danger the fvvord to bar thy progreis draws ; 
 '* But challenge danger in a righteous caufe. 
 " And after troubles paft, if fall thou muft, 
 " And mix thy ail.es with the Indian duft ; 
 *^ Know, that from thee an hill fhall take its name, 3^5 
 " And ftand thy monument of deathlefs fame ; 
 ■" For thee its meads be pregnant with delight," 
 " Abound with fvveets, and charm the ravifh'd fight." 
 
 Here ceas'd the voice — no more his ears attend. 
 But heav'nly flumbers on his eyes deicend. 40 
 
 Now role the morn with blended colors gay, 
 The Prophet haften'd to purfue his way : 
 Strait to purfue the Heav'n-dire£ted road, 
 For all his boibm with the Godhead glow'd. 
 
 Short was the time (for what can zeal withfland ?) 4:^ 
 Ere reach'd our traveller the Indian land : 
 
 Known
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 23 
 
 Known by his miracles, where'er he came 
 
 The fpacious country {bunded with his fame. 
 
 But chief Sagamo, Monarch of the place, 
 
 To reafon yields, and takes him into grace : co 
 
 Loads him with honors, confidence and praife. 
 
 And worlhip to his God in public pays. 
 
 'Till now the Priefts, with jealous fury fir'd. 
 
 In (ecret council 'gainft his life conipir'd ; 
 
 Him as a vile impoftor they accus'd, r^ 
 
 His name, his dodrine, and his zeal abus'd. 
 
 Sternly the King their artifice reprov'd, 
 
 His faith he honor'd, and the man he lov'd. 
 
 Nor were the Priefts by this rebuke diimay'd, 
 
 Again their cries the royal ear invade : 6*0 
 
 No peace, no quiet could Sagaivio find, 
 
 But malice work'd not on his noble mind. 
 
 By arts traduc'd, oppos'd on ev'ry fide, 
 
 No more the Prophet ftrove againft the tide : 
 
 The foe prevail'd — thro' fav'ring night's dark hue 6^ 
 
 From bigotry and envy he withdrew. 
 
 So
 
 2\ SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT, 
 
 So when ibme Patriot, ruler of the State, 
 (Like Chatfiam anxious for a nation's fate) 
 The tide of factious rage has long withllood, 
 And nobly ftruggled for his country's good ; 70 
 
 When late he finds his pad endeavours vain, 
 That States muft perifh for the third of gain. 
 He flies from fcenes of avarice and ftrife, 
 And finds contentment in a rural life. 
 
 Pale Luna funk — and now the rifing day 75 
 
 Beheld our Prophet on his weary way : 
 Onward he travell'd far o'er hill and plain, 
 Nor ftopt, 'till he perceiv'd the azure main. 
 The awful rolling of the waves on high, 
 The dazzling brightnefs of a fummer's fky, 80 
 
 The notes of thoufand chorifters around. 
 The fragrance breathing from the painted ground, 
 Urge him \\\\\\ fpeed to climb a neighb'ring height. 
 From w'hence he may indulge his ravifh'd fight. 
 There all the profpe£t opens to his view, 85 
 
 Delights unknow^n, and beauties wholly new : 
 
 The
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 25 
 
 The curling ocean bounds the varied fcene, 
 
 With woods, and glades, and wand'ring ftreams between. 
 
 And now refle£l:ion whifpers to his mind, 
 
 For him this fweet retirement was defign'd : 90 
 
 Each blooming charm recalls the vifion ftill, 
 
 And lo ! he ftands upon the promis'd hill. 
 
 No farther ftray'd he on a foreign road, 
 
 But here the Prophet fix'd his laft abode. 
 
 Determin'd here to pafs his future days P5 
 
 In pray'r, thankigiving, abftinence and praife* 
 
 A life fo pious, innocent, and new, 
 
 Around his cell the wond'ring natives drew : 
 
 Each fought his frniles, with care officious ran 
 
 To hear his , words, or ferve the holy man. 100 
 
 Milk from their flocks his early call fupply'd ; 
 For his repaft they (earch'd the mountain's fide : 
 Herbs of fweet tafte, with richeft odors fraught, 
 His table load, and but with thanks are bought. 
 Say, what return thro' gratitude was made 105 
 
 For all their kindnefs, their attention paid ? 
 
 D The
 
 26 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 The clouds of fuperftition he diipel'd, 
 
 And lo ! the God of mercy they beheld : 
 
 The Pagan now, with ardent hope elate, 
 
 Looks brisht'nino^ forward to a future ftate ! 1 1 c 
 
 Ah haplels Saint ! our views how inlecure ! 
 That all thy merits could not life enfure ! 
 That peace fhould fly thee after years of toil, 
 And blood like thine diftain the Indian foil ! 
 The imp of darknels, he who fliuns the day, 1 1 5 
 
 And, like the Tyger, nightly roams for prey ; 
 Whole vengeance ftill is lated on the good, 
 Purfues thy fteps, and thirfts for facred blood. 
 Now to the deed a madman he infpires. 
 Whole brain was heated by devotion's fires i 120 
 
 A deed accurft ! which ages mufl: deteft — 
 But what -avails when frenzy wakes the breaft ? 
 This v;retch, fhould he th' impoftor's life purfue, 
 Is taught to hold high paradife his due. 
 Rage leads him on, a murderer thro' zeal, 125 
 
 Againft the Saint he lifts the deadly fteel ; 
 
 2 The
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 27 
 
 The martyr'd Saint, to daily pray'r retir'd, 
 Without a murmur or a groan expir'd ! 
 
 So when the fpring with verdure decks the plains, 
 And Philomel renews her grateful drains ; 130 
 
 The heav'nly fong {\veet warbling thro' the grove, 
 Charms from his airy height the bird of Jove ; 
 Her haplefs art directs him to the fpray, 
 And off he bears his unlu(pe£ling prey. 
 
 Oh ! were the Mufe with eloquence endued 13^ 
 
 To paint the grief and horror that enfiied, 
 From Pity's eye fhe'd draw the pearly dew, 
 And bring the fcene to memory anew. 
 Suffice it, that his bones in earth were laid, 
 And at his fhrine each pious honor paid : 1 4(3 
 
 His num'rous Converts mourn'd his haplefs doom, 
 And yearly ftrew'd frelh flow'rets on his tomb. 
 Th' adjacent rocks (bme marks as yet dilplay. 
 Which Ipoke a God, and pav'd the Prophet's way : 
 Of wonders WTought — they iliew the mofs-grown cell, 1 45 
 A printed footftep, and a depthlefs well. 
 
 D 2 And
 
 28 SAINT T H O M A S's MOUNT. 
 
 And tho' no veftlge of the grave remains, 
 Saint Thomas' facred name the Mount retains. 
 
 Thus fell the Saint — nor fears the nipping blaft 
 Of time, for with the Mount his fame (hall laft. 150' 
 How long his dodrines flourlfh'd, when they fell, 
 No lights dilcover, and no hift'ries tell. 
 For diff'ring ied:s inhabit now the land — 
 There the proud Mussulman affumes command; 
 Into his Prophet's vile example gives, i^^. 
 
 Delights in bloodlhed: ! and by rapine lives !^ 
 Here the Gent 00, an inoffenfive race, 
 His temple builds, and keeps with juftice pace :■ 
 Contented with his fruitful fields' increale, 
 War he dlfowns, and walks tliro' life in peace,. i6q: 
 
 His ftate, a picture of the golden age. 
 So oft the fubje^l of the Bard and Sage ; 
 When men united in a friendly band, 
 And Truth prefided o'er the gulltleis land. 
 Of Chriftian tenets little trace remains; 16^ 
 
 Two chapels only grace thefe verdant plains :. 
 
 Thefe
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 29 
 
 Thcfe plains which erft were coofecratcd ground, 
 
 When to the Prophet flock'd the country round : 
 
 One awful rifes on Saint Thomas' brow, 
 
 And one adorns the diftant dale below. 170 
 
 Thy gardens, Ross, here crown the river's fide, 
 
 Swell from the valley, and o'erhang the tide : 
 
 Here late fair Lessley led th' harmonious thronff, 
 
 'Till Echo grew enamor'd of her iong : 
 
 But thou, fweet warbler ! leek'fl: iome diftant Oiore, 175 
 
 And will thy mufic looth thele lliades no more.! 
 
 End of the S E C O N D CANTO.. 
 
 SAINT
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 CANTO IIL 
 
 OH thou ! by Nature form'd to charm the heart, 
 To force efteem without the aid of art ; 
 Whole outward beauties, gracefully combin'd, 
 But )ield to thoic that dignify thy mind ; 
 Whofe fenfe and tafte would claim our earlieft praife, 5 
 If not eclips'd by virtue's brighter rays ; 
 From thofe domeftic icenes, thole Icenes of joy, 
 Where love and fricndfhip ev'ry hour employ ; 
 From Hymeneal l^^eets one moment Ipare, 
 Nor, Delia, deem thele llrains beneath thy care. 10 
 
 When
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MO^tnT. 31 
 
 When twinkling ftars bedeck the face of night, 
 And filver Cynthia fhcds her welcome light; 
 When unlverfal Nature feems to reft, 
 All ft ill and peaceful as thy gentle breaft; 
 When neither hill nor vale Is heard to ring, i r 
 
 A cave to echo, or a bird to fing : 
 Save where the Screech-owl haunts the lonely grove, 
 Or Philomel deplores her abfent love; 
 Then let the Mule this varied profpe£l view, 
 For ever pleafmg, and for ever new. 20 
 
 Let her, and Fancy on her fteps attend. 
 Stray thro' the meads, or where the fhades extend. 
 Thoughtful afcend Saint Thomas' gradual fteep. 
 From whence the eye can reach the dlftant deep i 
 And tho' too far to hear the billow^s roar, 2^5; 
 
 The rlfing furge is feen to laili the fhore : 
 On ev'ry wave the ftreamlng moon-beams play. 
 Like fires that glitter in the milky way. 
 How calm ! how glorious feems that wide domain ! 
 When nought but Zephyrs hold their gentle reign. 3c 
 
 Deep-
 
 32 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT, 
 
 Deep-loaded vefTels on the furface fall, 
 
 And own the iafcty of a fteady gale : 
 
 The fandy beach the rolling waters lave, 
 
 Nor fcek to pais the limits Nature gave. 
 
 But ah ! how chang'd the fcene ! how awful grown I 35 
 
 When Boreas uflirps the airy throne. 
 
 Such as of late difturb'd this peaceful coaft, 
 
 When here the tyrant led th' ^ollan hoft. 
 
 Not with lucli terrors Mars afcends his car, 
 
 To deal defl:ru(Slion thro' the ranks of war, 40 
 
 To make mankind his utmoft malice feel, 
 
 And add new weight to the deicending fteel ; 
 
 As Boreas cloath'd, when he, on that dire * day. 
 
 Thro' land and ocean mark'd his rapid way. 
 
 * This dreadful ftorm came on the 30th of Odober 1768, and 
 raged without intermifTion for 16 or 17 hours. The damage fuftained 
 by it round Madras is inconceivable. Four or five velTels with their 
 crews were loft in the road, or wrecked on the coaft -, and many of 
 the poor natives, with an innumerable quantity of cattle, periflied on 
 ihore. A more violent and deftrudtive ftorm was never known in this 
 part of the world. 
 
 At
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 33 
 
 At ev'ry ftep he blew a deadly found, 45 
 
 While lightnings flafh'd, and thunders burfl: around r 
 
 Before his breath the mounting billows flew, 
 
 Sunk to the deep, and urg'd their courfe anew. 
 
 At diftance while the elements engage, 
 
 Wave fpent on wave its ineffectual rage ;. 50 
 
 But when, approaching nearer to the fhore, 
 
 The tempeft rofe by oppofition more. 
 
 Rich- freighted Oiips, for other ports prepared. 
 
 One haplcfs end ! one common ruin fhar'd ! 
 
 But thou for Europe bound — the chief of all ! 55 
 
 How many hearts as yet lament thy fall ! 
 
 How many eyes, on Albion's happy coafl. 
 
 Expelling long to view what long were lofl ; 
 
 How many tongues which did on Hope' depend 
 
 To hail the coming of a fon or friend, 6^0 
 
 Are dcflin'd flill the figns of grief to keep^ 
 
 As yet to murmur ! and as yet to weep ! 
 
 Ill-fated Chatham ! what avail'd at length 
 
 Thy boafled beauty ! and thy feeming ftrciigth 1 
 
 E And
 
 34 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 And that thy keel (avails it now to thee) l5^ 
 
 From far Atlantic reach'd the Indian Tea ? 
 Nor ftrcngth nor beauty could avert thy doom — 
 That fea deceitful Is become thy tomb ! 
 
 And here his genius fhould obtain its due, 
 WKo brings the horrors of a ftorm to view ; 70 
 
 Whofe fbcial Muic, in melting numbers dreft, 
 Muft wring compafTion from the flinty breaft ; 
 But that my pen, oh Falconer 1 would fail 
 In doing juftice to thy tragic tale. 
 
 What, tho' at lad fell Ocean holds thee dead, 7:5 
 
 And rolls his billows o'er thy haplcls headj 
 What tho', excluded from the realms of lip-ht. 
 Thy body fceks the drear abyis of night ; 
 Above the waves thy * Shipwreck lifts thy name, 
 And ranks thee with the laurel'd Ions of fame; 80 
 
 Recalls 
 
 * The beauties of this celebrated Poem are too well known to need 
 a panegyric here. If the diftreffes the Author underwent, if the dan- 
 gers he efcaped, become fubjedts of pity and aftoniihment from his 
 mafterly defcriptlon of them, what emotions mufl it excite in every 
 .•6 feeling
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 35 
 
 Recalls the woes thy wayward fortune gave, 
 And points thee ftruggling in thy watry grave ! 
 
 But ah ! what mis'ries on the deep await ! 
 The Muie muft weep a fecond fufF'rer's fate : 
 And where th' Aurora finks in ftorm or flame, 815 
 
 From black oblivion fnatch Vansittart's name. 
 Vain thought ! this friendly zeal, bleft fhade ! forgive ; 
 To lateft times the truly good iliall live : 
 When not a Muie, and not a verle remain. 
 Virtue fhall rife, and gild th' Etherial plain ! po 
 
 Thy various worth in various climes was known, 
 But chiefly India claims thee as her own. 
 Afk in Bengal their former Ruler's praife ; 
 Bengal lliall bear due witnefs to tliefe lays. 
 
 feeling breaft, to learn that he was loft in the Aurora frigate, bound 
 for the Eaft Indies ? The particulars of this melancholy accidt^nt arc 
 ftill, and ever mull remain unknown, as the ihip has never been heard 
 of fince flie was met oft the Cape of Good Hope, in December 1769, 
 and either foundered or took fire at fea. Among the many partakers 
 of this cakmity> Henry Vanfittart, Efquire, was unfortunately on board 
 of the Aurora. 
 
 E 2 Revil'd
 
 36 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. 
 
 Revil'd by Envy, and by Fadion croft, ^^ 
 
 His juftlcc never in revenge was loft : 
 
 And while he, nobly genVous, gain'd all hearts. 
 
 Still roie fuperior to malicious arts. 
 
 To clear his fame the Britifti fliores he fbu2:ht : 
 
 And here to triumph had again been brought, i co 
 
 But Death o'ertook him on the faithleis way, 
 
 Deftroy'd each fcheme, and fvvept our hopes away r 
 
 Left us to fee that life's a tranfient gain, 
 
 All wifdom mortal ! and ambition vain ! 
 
 With equal tumult, and with equal force, 105 
 
 Thro' plains and woods the ftorm purlues its courfe; 
 Nor Ipares thele feats — which mourn as yet their channs, 
 But late the prey of * Hyder's hoftile arms. 
 Flora is driven from her precious care, 
 And all her vernal gifts diipers'd in air : i ro 
 
 * Hyder Ally Cavvn, the famous ufurper of the kingdom of My- 
 fore, wss at this time engaged in a war with the Englifli. About 
 the latter end of the year J 767 a party of his horfe penetrated to 
 Saint Thomas's Mount : Many gentlemen's feats were plundered and 
 burnt by thefe ravagers, and their line gardens wantonly dcllroyed. 
 
 The
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT. yT 
 
 The naked Goddcis upward flies forlorn, 
 
 And weeps to fee her fragrant garlands torn : 
 
 Each fav'rlte tree the Dr^^ads leave behind ; 
 
 The Myrde bends beneath the raging wind : 
 
 The Laurel too — which on a Milton's brow 1 1 cr 
 
 For ever blooms — alas is wither'd now ! 
 
 But ah ! what pow'r this fudden change contrlv'd ? 
 By what enchantment are thefe plains reviv'd ? 
 What means this view ? in this late-ruin'd place 
 Behold fair Nature wears a cheerful face: 120 
 
 Once more the groves majeftic rear their heads, 
 The gardens flow'r, and verdure crowns the meads: 
 The feather'd fbngfters drain their little throats, 
 Whilft Echo anfvvers ta the vocal notes. 
 'Twas Delia's influence theie wonders wrought — I2'^ 
 At her approach the whole exiftence caught ! 
 With myrtle plants in hafte the Dryads v/ovc 
 A bower" worthy of the Queen of Love. 
 At her approach the laurels Iprung around \ 
 Her fmiles could raife the laurel from the ground ! i co 
 
 From
 
 38 SAINT THOiMAS'^ MOUNT. 
 
 From Beauty's will the fourcc of glory flows ; 
 The laurel-wreath is all Ambition knows ! 
 Heroes and Bards would feek this diftant land 
 To gain that honor from her lovely hand. 
 
 Let England then the court of Beauty boaft; 135 
 Her rays extend, and dignify this coaft. 
 Let Waldgrave there each feeling boibm fire. 
 Let Stanhope's name the tuneful train infpire ; 
 The Graces breathe ! the Muies touch the firings ! 
 When to her lute our Brooke melodious iings. 140 
 
 Li fbfteft numbers Clifton's charms rehearle ; 
 Her. name, my Mufe, will raife thy glowing verfe. 
 The highefl polifh Art's lafl hand can throw 
 On Nature's works, her mind and perfbn fliow. 
 In her each bright accomplilhment is found ; 145 
 
 The tafte of courts, with rural manners crown'd ! 
 Oh ! had fad chance to thy efteem denied 
 Her fex's envy, ornament, and pride ; 
 Had'fl thou, negle£lful of her matchleis worth, 
 In filencc pafs'd the faireft theme on earth j 150 
 
 Nor
 
 SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT.. 39 
 
 Nor angry Phoebus had infpir'd again, 
 Nor thou {ucceisful fought the golden fane. 
 
 And, Taswell, thou, diftingulOi'd from the throngt 
 (Thyfelf a fbngftrefs) fmllc upon her fbng. 
 Ah ! let not Mddefty In vain implore, i i^r 
 
 But ftamp a value on th' unpoliili'd ore : 
 Nor blufhes fhe in Taswell to fubmit 
 To Dacier's judgment, and to Sappho's wit! 
 
 Thy form, fweet Powney ! rifes on the fight. 
 Like the mild dawning of Aurora's light : i ^o 
 
 In native grace array 'd, and native eafe, 
 Like thee, oh ! teach th' admiring Mufe to pleafe ! 
 So fhall the world a kind reception give 
 To this attempt, and bid her numbers live : 
 For, as thy voice enchants the lift'ning fwains, i6:^ 
 
 Her fong firft woke fvveet Echo on thele plains. 
 But fhould that world condemn his bold defire, 
 Whole hand unfkilful ftruck the living lyre , 
 
 Who
 
 4fl SAINT THOMAS'S MOUNT, 
 
 Who rallily daring Fortune's field to try, 
 
 Obtrudes his labors on the public eyej 1*70 
 
 Still be't indulgent to his fond miftake, 
 
 And (pare the Author for Saint Thomas' fake. 
 
 I N I S.
 
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