3763 «•> 
 
 W3An ,i 
 
 »T64 i 
 
 Woodhouse 
 Poems on sundry Occasions
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND
 
 POEMS 
 
 O N 
 
 SUNDRY OCCASIONS. 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES WOODHOUSE, 
 
 A JOURNEYMAN SHOEMAKER. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for the A U T H O R, 
 
 By W. Richardson and S. Clark in Salifbury Court, Flcct-ftrect : 
 And fold by R. and J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall ; J. Rivincton in St. Paul's Church- 
 yard ; J. Beecroft and R.Baldwin in Pater-nofter-Row, Mr. Parker in Ox- 
 ford; Mefficurs Tiiuri.bourn and Woodyer in Cambridge; Mcfllcurs Leake 
 and Frsderick in Bath ; and Mcffieurs Pearson and Aris in Birmingham. 
 
 M.DCC.LXIV. 
 
 [ Price Three Shillings. ]
 
 E R R A T A 
 
 In the Advertisement, page 7, line 3, inftead oi Juch, read the 
 beneJaElors. 
 
 Page xj, 
 18, 
 
 47- 
 107. 
 
 , 3. for thoughtful^ read thoughtkfs 
 
 . 14. for to, read too 
 
 . 7. for ^, read or 
 
 . 15. for "whe?!, read "where 
 
 . 8. for ?/j5/?, read /"/'i?/?.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 AS the Public will expe6l fome account of an author 
 who was never heard of before ; a gentleman, who 
 was honoured with the late ingenious Mr. Shenstone's cor- 
 refpondence, has undertaken to inform the reader, that 
 James Woodiiouse is now a journeyman fhoemaker, at the 
 village of Rowley, near Hales-Owen, about fevcn miles from 
 Binningham, and two miles from Mr. Shenstone's of the 
 Leffowes ^ in the improvement, of which fmall eftate that 
 gentleman had fhewn fo much of true tafte, that it is juftly 
 the admiration of all ranks of people. His benevolence was 
 fuch, that he permitted the loweft of his neighbours the be- 
 nefit of thcfe delightful fccncs; amongft wJiom was poor 
 Crifpin, our author; but his happinefs was not of lono- con- 
 tinuance, for the liberty Mr. Shenstone's good-nature 
 granted v\'as foon turned into liccntioufnefs ; the people de- 
 ftroying the flirubs, picking the flowers, breaking down the 
 hedges, and doing him other damage, produced a prohibition 
 
 to 
 
 S59393
 
 C i^' ] 
 
 to every one without application to himfelf or principal fer- 
 
 vants. 
 
 This was originally the caufe of our poet's being known 
 to Mr. Sii EN STONE, he fending him., on that occafion, the 
 firfl: poem in this book ; which not only gave him the liberty 
 of pailing many leifure hours in thofe charming walks, but 
 introduced him to Mr. Shenstone himfelf; who being fo 
 obliging as to lend his London friend fome manufcript poems of 
 his own, he found intermixed with them the flioemaker's two 
 firft elegies ; which Woodhouse, at his requeft, tranfcribed 
 and fent Mr. She n stone's friend to London ; who fhewing 
 it to fome of his acquaintance, they made a fmall colledion 
 for him, which produced the Ode on Benevolence, infcribed 
 to jiis friends ; whom he alfo mentions in his laft poem of 
 the LcfTowes. 
 
 The poem- intituled Spring, was imperfedlly printed in the 
 Poetical Calendar for March 1763, without his knowledge, 
 or the compilers even mentioning to whom they were 
 ■obliged. 
 
 The laft poem, being a Defcription of the Leflbwes, it 
 •was natural and a) moll unavoidable to introduce fome expref- 
 
 fions,
 
 C V ] 
 
 {Ions and even a few lines, which the reader will have feeii 
 in the firft elegy, therefore it is hoped his candour will allow 
 for the repetition. 
 
 Mr. Shenstone had feen, though not corrected, the four 
 firft poems ; and often mentioned in his letters the merit 
 of the author ; but his great modefty would not fuffer a 
 publication of thefe poems in which he was fpoken of fo 
 highly : But as perfons of tafte and genius are deprived of 
 fo elegant a writer, there now remains no objeAion to the 
 printing the whole, for the benefit of an obfcure poet, and 
 an honeftj Ibber, induftrious man. 
 
 If the benevolent reader would be further informed, as to 
 our author's education, and prefent fituation, this will acquaint 
 him that he had no other learning than what was fufiicient to 
 enable him to read and write, being taken from fchool at feven 
 years old ; but, to ufe his own words, finding when he was 
 about eighteen fuch an invincible inclination to reading, and 
 an infatiable thirft after knowledge, he expended all his little 
 perquifites in the purchafe of magazines, till he became ac- 
 quainted with Mr, Shenstone, who never refufed to lend him 
 
 b any
 
 any book his elegant library couLd furnifli him with ; but tlie 
 death of his generous patron has again circumfcribed his im- 
 provement chiefly to the monthly produdlions. 
 
 He is about twenty-eight years of age ; has a wife and 
 two or three fmall children, whom he endeavours to maintain, 
 by great application to his bufmefs, and the teaching children, 
 to read and write ; both of which occupations bring him im 
 not more than eight fhillings a week. 
 
 He generally fits at his work with a pen and ink by him,., 
 and when he has made a couplet he writes them dawn on his- 
 knee; fo that he may not, thereby, negled the duties of 
 a good hufband and kind father ; for the fame reafon his 
 hours for reading are often borrowed from thofe ufually 
 allotted to fleep. 
 
 Doubtless the humane reader will, from what has been 
 related of the ftation and circumftances of this poor man, 
 think him an objed worthy of his notice : And, if to hu- 
 manity, the confideration of the author's uncommon genius 
 be joined, with fuch a c.ie obfcurity wiJl not preclude merit, 
 though it be found in a cottage. 
 
 Bene-
 
 [ vii ] 
 
 Benefactions for the ufe of the author of thefe poems, 
 will be received by the following gentlemen ; and if a fecond 
 edition ihould be printed, the names of fuch fhall be in- 
 ferted : 
 
 Mr. R. Dodsley in Bruton-ftreet; Mr. J. Dodsley in 
 Pail-Mall; Mr. Bridge n, Merchant, in Lovell-court, Pa- 
 ter-nofter-Row, London; the Rev. Mr. R. Graves at 
 Claverton near Bath; MefHeurs Leake and Frederick, 
 Bookfellers in Bath; Mr. Parker, Bookfeller in Oxford; 
 MefTieurs Thurlbourn and Woody er in Cambridge ; 
 Meflieurs Pearson and Aris in Birminghain ; and by the 
 Author at Rowley.. 
 
 A N'
 
 A N 
 
 ELEGY 
 
 T O 
 
 WILLIAM SHENSTONE, Efq,- 
 
 Of the LESSOWES. 
 
 . J 
 
 T^ARDON, O Shenstone ! an intruding flrainj 
 '*' Nor blame the boldnefs of a village fwain, 
 Who feels ambition haunt the lowlieft cell, 
 And dares on thy diftinguiOi'd name to dwellj 
 Let no cenforious frown deform thy face,, 
 But gladd'ning fmiles maintain their wonted grace. 
 Hence, vain furmife ! my mufc can ne'er oftend 
 One J who fo good? To all mankind a friend, 
 
 B- The'
 
 C i ] 
 
 Tho' mine the notes of a poor oaten reed. 
 And thine there's few can equal j none exceed ! 
 What true refped infpires, let me believe 
 The generous Shenstone will at leaft forgive j 
 Shall he, benevolent as wife, difdain 
 The mufe's fuitor, tho' a fandal'd fwain ? 
 Tho' no aufpicious rent-rolls grace my line, 
 I boaft the fame original divine. 
 Tho' niggard fate with-held her fordid ore, 
 Yet liberal nature gave her better ftore ; 
 Whofe influence early did my mind infpire 
 To read her works, and feek her mighty Sire. 
 
 Oft has flie led me to thy fair domains, 
 Where Hie, with art, in fweet aflemblage reigns j 
 Has led me to the dufky twilight cell *, 
 Where meagre melancholy loves to dwell : 
 
 * An alcove, from whence is a view of the viflo in the wood. 
 
 Oft
 
 [ 3 ] 
 
 Oft has creative fancy feen her move, 
 With penjGive pace, along the mournful grove ; 
 Her haggard eye, and looks all downward bent, 
 Slow, creeping on, with folemn fteps fhe went ; 
 Where tow'ring trees aflail the fapphire fky. 
 While on their tops the panting breezes die, 
 Whofe deep-entwined branches all confpire 
 To banifh Sol, or damp his parching fire. 
 In vain ! their efforts but endear the blaze, 
 While thro' the fliade his penetrating rays 
 Between the quivering foliage all around 
 In circled dances gild the chequer 'd ground. 
 See, thro' the centre, burfts a flood of light. 
 And woods, hills, hamlets rufli upon the fight. 
 Again immerg'd, a-down the green abode. 
 My joyful feet explored the mazy road ; 
 Whence not a ficrilegious footftep ftrays. 
 Nor, lav/lcfs, fceks to tread forbidden ways. 
 Here rich parterres ; here flirubs and ftrcams appear, 
 Whofc t- illino; murmurs ftrike the ravifh'd ear. 
 
 See,
 
 C 4 ] 
 
 See, from their dark recefs they flovvly creep. 
 
 The tear-hung flowers beflde the margin weep. 
 
 With gurgling moan the winding ftream- complainSy 
 
 And dyes its pebbly bed with fanguine ftains * j 
 
 Yet, bleft by heav'n, its gracious ends to ferve, 
 
 To chear the languid eye, and brace the flacken'd nerve 
 
 Th' infatiate pond -f its boundlefs gifts receives, 
 
 Abforpt and bury'd in its cryftal waves ; 
 
 The bounding fiili its fllver fuiface fpurn. 
 
 And hail the Naiad as (he ftoops her urn ; 
 
 Thence with a fudden burft, and louder tonej 
 
 The Oiinino; catara<3: ruflies headlons: down.i.. 
 
 Oft-times beneath the verdant flope Fve ftood^ 
 And, as the jutting ftoncs divide the flood, 
 
 * The ferpentine mineral flream that ftains the pe-bbles with oker.- 
 
 •f Pond below. 
 
 :J: Cafcade falling from this pond, 
 
 Well
 
 [ s 3 
 
 Well pleas' d beheld the wide expanded ftream 
 
 Refleding far an adamantine gleam. 
 
 Its felf-fcoop'd refervoir, beneath, it laves 
 
 In foaming eddies ; then, in circling waves, 
 
 Kifles in wanton fport the rocky fides, 
 
 Till, fweetly fmiling, fmoothly on it glides. 
 
 What flowers along its borders nature fpreads, 
 
 Which o'er the liquid mirror hang their heads ! 
 
 And there, felf-lov'd, their painted charms furvey, 
 
 Until, NARCissus-like, they pine away. 
 
 Here gloomy grottos fpread a folemn fhade * ; 
 There bench'd alcoves afford their friendly aid : 
 Here lucid ftreams in wild meanders ftray, 
 And deviate far, to fliare the fmootheft way ; 
 Or, nobly bold, with unremitting pride, 
 O'er ftones and fragments pour th' impetuous tide ; 
 While on the margin, with Vertumnus, reigns 
 The blooming Flora, chequ'ring all the plains} 
 
 * The root houfcs. 
 
 C And
 
 [ 6 ] 
 
 And painted kine the flow'ry herbage graze, 
 Whofe milky flore their bill of fare repays ; 
 While, warbling round, the plumy choirifts throng,. 
 And 2:lad th' horizon with their rural fono-. 
 
 Hail, blooming Eden ! Hail, Arcadian fliades I 
 Where dwells Apollo ; dwell th' Aon i an maids :. 
 Immortal train ! who alway thee attend, 
 Their chofen fav'rite, and their conftant friend r 
 With heart-felt joy I've traced their various fong, 
 Exprefs'd in fragments *, all thy walks along : 
 To read them all would be my humble pride ; 
 But only part is granted, part deny'd : 
 I feel no Grecian, feel no Roman fire ; 
 I only fhare the British mufe's lyre; 
 And tJiat ftern penury dares almoft deny ; 
 For manual toils alone my wants fupply : 
 The awl and pen by turns poffefs my hand, 
 And worldly cares, e'en now, the mufe's hour demand. 
 
 * The mottos and infcriptions. 
 
 Once
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 Once fickle fortune's gifts before me flionc, 
 But now that dazzling profpe6l's loft and gone ! 
 What is, is beft : And now that hope's no more, 
 Am I lefs happy than I was before, 
 Who live refign'd to my Creator's will, 
 And fweet contentment's prefence blefles ftill ? 
 
 Think not I write for hire ! — My gen'rous mufe 
 Has no fuch mean, fuch mercenary views ! 
 I only wifh to be thy ferving friend, 
 And on thy footftcps faithful to attend : 
 I afk no pay ; let all my wages be 
 My mind's improvement, while I wait on thee. 
 To hear thy works, to read them o'er and o'er, 
 Wou'd be both Indies j Wifdom's richeft ftore! 
 Aw'd by thy modeft worth, I dare no more. J 
 
 Is this my prayer ? It muft acceptance find ; 
 My mufe not venal ; thine humane and kind. 
 
 Once thy propitious gates no fears bctray'd. 
 But bid all welcome to the facred fliade ; 
 
 ! 
 
 'TJi
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
 'Till Belial's fons (of gratitude the bane) 
 
 With curfcd riot dar'd thy groves profane: 1 
 
 And now their fatal mifchiefs I deplore, 
 
 Condemn'd to dwell in Paradise no more ! 
 
 Thy juft refentment, like Heaven's flaming guard, 
 
 With frowning bolts all entrance has debarr'd, 
 
 On that BLEST Day, which with the great I fhare 
 
 In lufcious eafe, rctir'd from toil and care ; 
 
 That eafe, which baniflies the frown auftere, 
 
 And ranks the peafant equal with the peer. 
 
 Then hear my humble claim j and fmihng grant 
 
 The fond petition of thy fuppHcant ; 
 
 That when before thy villa's gate I ftand. 
 
 An offcr'd key may grace thy fervant's hand : 
 
 Nor fhall the youthful votary of the mule, 
 
 Nor friends feleft, her haunts and thine abufe ; 
 
 But fhare her influence ; blefs the Hve-long day ; 
 
 And, when again flie flngs, refound a nobler lay. 
 
 Enough; nor fliall lier taftelefs, tunelefs fong. 
 With fcrannel pipe, thy gentle patience wrong. 
 
 Rowley, t -iit 
 
 June 1759. - J- WOODHOUSE. 
 
 ELEGY
 
 ELEGY 11. 
 
 WRITTEN TO 
 
 WILLIAM SHENSTONE, Efq; 
 
 Of the L E S S O W E S. 
 
 A Rude prefumptuous mufe, uncheck'd, 
 "*• -*• More favour'd than (He could exoedl. 
 Again replumes her feeble wing, 
 And thus, again, cflays to {ing. 
 
 Serenely fmil'd the feftal day. 
 Inviting to thy fliades away ; 
 No fable clouds, thro' heav'n's domain, 
 With angry frown, foreboded rain ; 
 
 D No
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
 No wide-mouth'd Eol, bluft'ring loud, 
 To tumults rouz'd his fadious crowd ; 
 Thin flying vapours veil'd the fun, 
 But foon, unmafk'd, he clearly flione : 
 Here, golden luftre free from ftains ; 
 There, flitting fliadows patch'd the plains. 
 
 And O thou *fl;eel enchanter, hail! 
 That canft o'er bolts and bars prevail ; 
 Thy magic touch gives free accefs. 
 Nor leaves occafion to tranfgrefs : 
 More I could flng, for more's thy meed ; 
 But now I leave thee, and proceed. 
 Favonius rov'd the fliades among, 
 Suffus'd with fragrance and with fong ; 
 All jocund play'd his balmy breeze 
 Among the flow'rs, among the trees ; 
 Pilf 'ring from each tranfpiring fweets, 
 Then, with the fpoil, each wand'rer greets. 
 
 The key before requefled. 
 
 Diftant
 
 [ II ] 
 
 Diftant the fvvan, elate and vain, 
 Sail'd {lately o'er the wat'ry plain ; 
 His ermin'd breaft the pool divides, 
 And, while foft parting from his {ides, 
 The widening waves his paths betray. 
 Beneath his oars diftending play j 
 He fnorts contempt, his neck he turns. 
 And every feather'd vaffal fpurns. 
 
 Though thefe delights around mc throng, 
 And thoufands that remain unfung ; 
 Yet, haplefs I ! flill doom'd to moan, 
 I found my kind Mf.cenas gone : 
 No friendly partner in my grief, 
 By fympathy to give relief j 
 Except the weeping fount below *, 
 (Whofc cryftal tears for ever flow) 
 
 * The weeping, or dripping, well in Virgil's grove. 
 
 Which
 
 [ la ] 
 
 Which through the verdant lichen crept, 
 And fmird the more, the more it wept. 
 But let mc other woes bemoan, 
 Than what attended me alone. 
 
 Here, ruthlefs crowds, difdaining bounds, 
 Climb'd o'er thy gates, leap'd all thy mounds; 
 There, pathlefs lawns and meadows croft. 
 And through the crafhing fences burft. 
 Ye Nymphs and Fauns, my wifh befriend! 
 Ye Dryads all, affiftance lend ! 
 Oh ! lead them through your mazy fliade, 
 To thorns and quivering bogs betray'd. 
 See where yon * illand lifts its head. 
 The boat for focial pleafure made, 
 Seiz'd by the fame tumultuous band, 
 And driving from its peaceful ftand 
 
 * In the upper pond near the large beeches. 
 
 To
 
 [ 13 ] 
 
 To break the tender ofier's fhoots, 
 
 To bare or bruife its matted roots. 
 
 Ye Naiads, guardians of thefe ftreams, 
 
 Defend what your protedion claims. 
 
 Ye clouds, pour down your vengeful fhowers; 
 
 Let EoL too unite his powers, 
 
 To raifc the ftorm to heave them o'er, 
 
 And fend them duck'd, half-drown'd, to fhore. 
 
 Embracing here this alder fair, 
 Led by the foft'ring hand of care, 
 A twining woodbine rear'd its head. 
 And, once, mellifluent odour flied ; 
 Now fever'd by fome trait'rous knife, 
 Lies robb'd of fragrance, verdure, life ! 
 Surely fuch fweetnefs might aflliage 
 The fell aflaffin's murd'ring rage ! 
 What helUrh daemon was his guide 
 To rob thee of thy blooming pride ? 
 
 E 
 
 May
 
 C H ] 
 
 May heavdeft rains on him defcend ! 
 No friendly tree its llielter lend ! 
 But, from their leafy fides and tops, 
 Drench him with pond'rous, chilling drops ! 
 Or, vvilder'd in the blackeft night, 
 May fcreaming owls his ears affright ! 
 And, if his bread a woodbine bear. 
 May withering mildews blaft it there ! 
 
 What though each avenue thou bar ; 
 Yet infufficient's all thy care : 
 Except thy watchful eye attend, 
 Who fhall thy blithefome fcenes defend ? 
 Let not thy generous hand refufe 
 This fecond offering of my mufe ; 
 But ftill thy friendfbip let me boaft, 
 
 Or 1 am in oblivion loft ! 
 
 As Phoebus, thy great fyftem's foul, 
 Lights up the orbs that round him roll ; 
 
 5 Let
 
 C '5 ] 
 
 Let mc, though at fuch diftance plac'd, 
 With thy extended ray be bleft ! 
 My whole ambition is to fhine 
 By one refleded beam from thine. 
 
 At the Clofe of June, T WoODHOUSE. 
 
 1759- -^ 
 
 T O
 
 T O 
 
 WILLIAM SHENSTONE, Efqj 
 
 On his Indisposition in the Spring, 1762. 
 
 YE flow'ry plains, ye floping woods. 
 Ye bovv'rs, and gay alcoves. 
 Ye falling ftreams, ye fdver floods. 
 Ye grottos, and ye groves ! 
 
 Alas ! my heart feels no delight, 
 
 Tho' I your charms furvey, 
 While HE confumes in pain the night, 
 
 In languor all the day. 
 
 The flowers difclofe a thoufand blooms, 
 A thoufand fcents diffufe ; 
 
 Yet
 
 C 17 ] 
 
 Yet all in vain they flied perfumes, 
 In vain difplay their hues. 
 
 Reftrain, ye flow'rs, your thoughtful pride, 
 
 Recline your gaudy heads ; 
 And, fadly drooping {ide by iide, 
 
 Embrace your humid beds. 
 
 Tall oaks, that o'er the woodland fhadc 
 
 Your tovv'ring fummits rear, 
 Ah ! w^hy, in wonted charms array 'd, 
 
 Appear your leaves fo fair ? 
 
 But lo ! the flow'rs as gaily fmile, 
 
 As wanton waves the tree ; 
 And, though I fadly plain the while, 
 
 Yet they regard not me. 
 
 Oh ! fhould the Fates an arrow fend, 
 
 And ftrike the deadly wound ; 
 
 Who, who fhall then your fweets defend, 
 
 Who fence your beauties round ? 
 
 F But
 
 C i8 ] 
 
 But hark ! perhaps the plumy throng: 
 Have learnt my plaintive tale ; 
 
 And fome fad dirge, or mournful fong, 
 Comes floating down the dale. 
 
 Ah no ! they chaunt a fprightly ftrain, 
 
 To foothe an am'rous mate ; 
 Regardlefs of my anxious pain, 
 i 1 Or his uncertain fate. 
 
 But fee, thefe little murm'ring rills 
 
 With fond repinings rove ; 
 And trickle, wailing, down the hills, 
 
 Or weep along the grove. 
 
 Forbid not, if, befide your ftream. 
 
 You hear me to repine, 
 Or aid with fighs your mournful theme. 
 
 Or proudlv call him, mine. 
 
 Ye envious winds, the caufe difplay 
 In whifpers, as ye blow-j; 
 
 Why
 
 C 19 ] 
 
 Why did your treach'rous gales convey 
 The poifori'd fhafts of woe ? * 
 
 Did he not plant the fhady bow'r, 
 Where you fo blithely meet ? 
 
 The fcented flirub, and fragrant flow'r, 
 To make your breezes fwect ? 
 
 And muft he leave the wood, the field, 
 
 This dear Arcadian reign ? 
 Can neither verfe nor virtue fliield 
 
 The Patron of the plain ? 
 
 Muft he his tuneful breath refign. 
 
 Whom all the Mufes love? 
 Who round his brow their laurels twine, 
 
 And all his fongs approve. 
 
 Say, thou that tun'ft his warbling lyre. 
 Say, ruthlefs Phoebus, why 
 
 * The influenza, in the Tpring 1762, fuppofed owing to a vicious at- 
 niofphere. 
 
 Through
 
 C io ] 
 
 Through the parch'd air, this latent fire, . 
 Thefe deadly vapours fly ? 
 
 Avaunt ye gods of Pagan days ! 
 
 Chimeras of the brain ! 
 Avaunt ye falfe unmeaning lays ; 
 
 Like thofe vain idols, vain ! 
 
 Preferve him, mild Omnipotence ! 
 
 Our Father, King, and God ! 
 Who clears the paths of life and fenfe, 
 
 Or flops them with a Nod ! 
 
 Who bids the fun, replete with death, 
 
 Roll baneful through the fkies ! 
 Or winds, with peftilential breath, 
 
 From putrid climes arife ! 
 
 Bleft pow'r ! who calm'ft the raging deep, 
 
 His valu'd health reftore ! 
 
 Nor let the fons of genius weep j 
 
 Nor let the good deplore. 
 
 S But,
 
 But, if thy boundlefs wifdom knows 
 
 His longer date an ill ; 
 Let not my foul a wifli difclofe 
 
 To contradict thy will. 
 
 For happy needs muft be the change 
 
 To fuch a godlike mind ; 
 Tb go where kindred fpirits range, 
 
 Nor leave a wifh behind.. 
 
 And though his earthly fcite be grac'd 
 
 With pleafures all mufi: love ; 
 Yet he that form'd it beft can tafta 
 
 Seraphic joys above, 
 
 J^r.'^V;. I- WOODMOUSE. 
 
 G BEN I.'. V O-
 
 BENEVOLENCE, 
 
 An ODE. 
 
 L 
 
 Irifcribed to my Friends *. 
 
 E T others boaft Palladian fkill 
 
 The fculptur'd dome to raife ; 
 To fcoop the vale, to fwell the hill, 
 -Or lead the fmooth meand'ring rill 
 In ever- varying maze 5 
 To flrike the lyre 
 With Homer's fire. 
 Or Sappho's tender art ; 
 Or Handel's notes with fvveeter ftrains infpire, 
 
 * His two firfl elegies being feen by fome gentlemen and ladies in Lon- 
 don in manurcript, they made a fmall fubfcription for him j and thefe 
 were the friends he fpeaks of. 
 
 O'er
 
 C ^3 ] 
 
 O'er Phidia's chiiTel to preflde, 
 Or Titian's glowing pencil guide 
 Through ev'ry living part. 
 
 Ah ! what avails it thus to fhine, 
 
 By ev'ry art refin'd ; 
 Except Benevolence combine 
 To humanize the mind ! 
 The Parian floor, 
 Or vivid cieling, frefco'd o'er, 
 With glaring charms the gazing eye may fire ; 
 Yet may their lords, like ftatues cold, 
 Devoid of fympathy, behold 
 
 Fair worth with penury deprefs'd. 
 Or indigence expire ; 
 Nor ever know the nobleft ufe of gold. 
 
 'Tis yours, with fympathetic bread 
 
 To flop the rifing figh. 
 
 And wipe the tearful eye. 
 Nor let repining merit fue unbleft : 
 This is a more applauflve tiftc Than
 
 C H ] 
 
 Than fpending wealth 
 In gorgeous wafte, 
 Or with dire luxury deftroying health ; 
 It fweetens life with ev'ry virtuous joy, 
 \nd wings the confcious hours with gladnefs as they fly.. 
 
 SPRING.
 
 SPRING. 
 
 THE fun (vvhofe animating fires 
 With flow'rs bedeck the dale) 
 With joy the herd and flock infpires, 
 With mufic fills the gale. 
 
 Yet he renews his warmth In vain, 
 
 With flow'rets fcents the ground ;• 
 The lambkins gambol o'er the plain,. 
 
 And fongflers chant around. 
 
 To me, in vain does nature fmilc,. 
 
 In vain her charms difplay ; 
 Whilft I, with never-ending toil,. 
 
 Confumc the Icngthen'd day. 
 
 H Tim&
 
 C z6 ] 
 
 Time was I've trod the velvet green, 
 That rob'd the quick'ning earth, 
 
 And ey'd the univerliil fcene, 
 
 And mark'd each flow'ret's birth. 
 
 Mark'd where the fnow drop's filver crefl; 
 
 Shot forth his daring head, 
 And where the violet's fapphire veft 
 
 Its fragrant iiK:enre fhed. 
 
 Not with unawful, thanklefs gaze 
 
 Survey'd fair nature's face, 
 The tow'ring heights, the folar blaze, 
 
 The vafl aetheriaj fpace. 
 
 (For who that views this wond'rous frame, 
 
 Replete with beauty fhine, 
 But muft with ecftafy proclaim 
 
 The plaftic power divine ?) 
 
 Oft,
 
 C ^7 ] 
 
 Oft in the deep fequefter'd fhade, 
 
 From care and bufinefs free, 
 Have fought the mufes fprightly aid, 
 
 And fung to Hberty. 
 
 Oft, by fbme fountain laid along. 
 
 Melting in downy eafe. 
 With raptures heard the woodland fong, 
 
 And breath'd the fcented breeze. 
 
 Oft, ftretch'd beneath the mountain's brow, 
 Skreen'd from the mid-day gleams, 
 
 Have pafs'd the hours, unheeding how,- 
 Loft in romantic dreams. 
 
 And oft, with fweet Benevolence, 
 
 That heaven-defcended fair ! 
 Have facrific'd the fwcets of fenfe, 
 
 Sublimer joys to fliare. 
 
 Oft
 
 [ 28 ] 
 
 oft forc'd the thickeft thorny fliade ; 
 
 Oft dimb'd the fliaggy hill, 
 Explor'd each tuft, each mofiy glade. 
 
 And trac'd the mazy rill ; 
 
 With care to cull each healing plant, 
 
 To hoard the balmy ftore, 
 That where a dire difeafe, or want, 
 
 Invade the friendlefs poor; 
 
 There to diipenfe their cheering aids 
 Through each diftrefsful cot, 
 
 Where feeble fwains, or pallid maids, 
 Bemoan'd their dreary lot. 
 
 But, ah ! the herbs, the flowers, I feek 
 With curious eye no more; 
 
 No more they flufli the haggard cheek,, 
 Or blooming health reftore. 
 
 Loft
 
 [ ^9 ] 
 
 Loft now their ufe, their heaUng art, 
 Now where they bloom they die ; 
 
 No healthful tindure they impart, 
 No cordial draught fupply. 
 
 Oft with my Daphne in my arms, 
 The hours in tranfports flew. 
 
 Comparing her engaging charms 
 With all fair nature drew. 
 
 For now domeftick cares employ, 
 
 And bufy ev'ry fenfe. 
 Nor leave one hour of grief or joy, 
 
 But's furnifh'd out from thence : 
 
 Save what my little babes afford. 
 Whom I behold with glee, 
 
 When fmiling at my humble board. 
 Or prattling on my knee. 
 
 Not-
 
 [ 30 3 
 
 Not that my Daphne's charms are flown, 
 Thefe ftill new pleafures bring ; 
 
 'Tis thefe infpire content alone, 
 'Tis all I've left of Spring. 
 
 The dew-drop fparkling in her eye, 
 
 The lily on her breaft, 
 The rofe-buds on her lips fupply 
 
 My rich, my fweet repaft. 
 
 Her hair outfhines the faffiron morn i 
 
 To her harmonious note 
 The thrufh fits Hft'ning on the thorn, 
 
 And checks his fwelling throat. 
 
 Nor wifli I, dear connubial ftate, 
 
 To break thy fllken bands; 
 I only blame relentlefs fate, 
 
 That cv'ry hour demands. 
 
 Nor
 
 [ 3X ] 
 
 Nor mourn I much my tafk auftere. 
 Which endlefs wants impofe ; 
 
 But — oh ! it wounds my foul to hear 
 My Daphne's melting woes ! 
 
 Ixion like, her fate fhe moansy 
 Whofe wheel rolls ceafelefs round; 
 
 While hollow fighs, and doleful groans, 
 Fill all the dark profoimd. 
 
 For oft {he fighs, and oft fhe weeps^ 
 And hangs her penlive head 5 
 
 While blood her furrow'd fingers fteeps, 
 And ftains the jxifling thread. 
 
 When orient hills the fun behold, 
 
 Our labours are begun ; 
 And when he ftrcaks the weft with gold, 
 
 The tafk is ftill undone. 
 
 How
 
 liow happy is each beaft and bird, 
 Who find their food iinfought, 
 
 Who feaft at nature's courteous board, 
 Without one anxious thought. 
 
 The beafts in freedom range the fields. 
 
 Nor care, nor forrow know ; 
 Their meat the tender herbage yields, 
 
 The fprings their drink beftovv. 
 
 Each hour the birds, with fprightly voice. 
 
 In rival fongs contend ; 
 Or o'er their bounteous meals rejoice, 
 
 Or in fond dalliance fpend. 
 
 But forefight warns me not to taifle 
 The blifs which heav'n defign d ; 
 
 .But joylefs all my nights to wafte_, 
 To fhun more woes behind. 
 
 Oh!
 
 [ 33 ] 
 
 Oh ! why within this tortur'd heart, 
 Mujfl; keen reflection dwell ? 
 
 To double ev'ry prefent fmart, 
 And future pains foretel ? 
 
 But, oh my foul ! no longer blame 
 That lot which Heav'n decreed ; 
 
 Who made this univerfal frame, 
 By Him the choice was made. 
 
 But rather, with true filial fear. 
 
 Adore the prefent God ; 
 And his paternal ftripes revere, 
 
 And kifs his healing rod. 
 
 No more his powV fliall be withfliood. 
 No more oppos'd his will ; 
 
 Nor let what wifdom meant for good, 
 My folly conftrue ill. 
 
 K Who
 
 [ 34. ] 
 
 Who knows but liberty and wealth 
 Might work a woeful change ; 
 
 Eafe and excefs impair my health, 
 Or virtuous thoughts ejftrange ? 
 
 What I dillike, God gives in love, 
 
 In love my fuit denies ; 
 Or oft my wifh my bane might prove, 
 
 My blifs what I defpife. 
 
 Then let not my prefumptuous mind 
 
 Oppofe his love or might ; 
 For well has moral Pope defin'd, 
 
 " Whatever is, is right," 
 
 Ihough now with penury oppreft, 
 
 I give my forrovvs vent, 
 He foon may calm my troubled breaft. 
 
 Or footh my difcontent. 
 
 Come,
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 Come, Reafon, then, bid murm'ring ceafe. 
 
 And intelledual ftrife 1 
 Come, fmiling Hope, and dove-ey'd Peace, 
 
 And ftlll the ftorms of Hfe. 
 
 My little ikiff, kind Pilots ! fleer 
 
 Adown the ftream of time ; 
 And teach me, melancholic fear, 
 
 And dark diftruft's a crimoi, 
 
 For has not truth's unerring Sire, 
 Who all our wants muft know, 
 
 Proclaim'd what nature can require, 
 His bounty fhall beftow ? 
 
 He feeds the birds that wing their flight 
 
 Along the pailive air; 
 And lilies bloom in glolly white 
 
 Beneath his foft'ring care. 
 
 Nor
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 Nor accident, nor fate, recalls 
 
 The life that He has lent ; 
 For not a fingle Iparrow falls 
 
 Without his full affent. 
 
 Shou'd Poverty's opprefllve train, 
 
 Still haunt my lowly cell, 
 Yet Faith fhall fmile away my pain. 
 
 And all their threat'nings quell. 
 
 For when through Ether's boundlefs fpace, 
 
 This orb terrene has run 
 A few more times his annual race. 
 Wide circling round the fun ; 
 
 Or, haply, ere the day be paft, 
 And evening's {hades defcend. 
 
 My weary'd heart may pant its laft. 
 And all my forrows end : 
 
 Then
 
 [ 37 ] 
 
 Then fliall the difembodied foul 
 
 Refigii her dark domain, 
 And range where countlefs fyftems roll, 
 
 And rprings eternal reign. 
 
 Yet not in foHtude to foar ; 
 
 But, with a kindred band. 
 The pow'r and wifdom to explore 
 
 Of her Creator's hand. 
 
 Or, with her tuneful pow'rs complete, 
 
 To chaunt the blifs above ; 
 Or, in ecftatic notes, repeat 
 
 Her dear Redeemer's lov^e ! 
 
 r H L
 
 THE 
 
 LESSOWES. 
 
 A P O E M. 
 
 ONCE more, O Shenstone ! my advent'rous mufe 
 Attempts to fing ; nor thou the fong refufe, 
 No child of fancy, no poetic dream, 
 But thy Arcadia is her pleafmg theme ; 
 A theme which oft has wak'd her ruftic lyre. 
 Has warm'd her bread with more than vulgar fire ; 
 Yet has fhe only fung thy fair domains, 
 Thefe EtCc infpir'd her rude, unpradis'd ftrains,. 
 
 As the young bird, that hops from fpray to fpray, 
 UnfKilfd as yet to fwell its rural lay. 
 The little flights fhe took betray'd her fear, 
 Nor dar'd fhe trud the pathlefs fields of air : 
 
 'Till
 
 [ 39 ] 
 
 'Till, gath'ring ftrength, a longer flight flie tries, 
 
 And all thy Paradife, with wonder, eyes. 
 
 Yet, doubtful ftill, fhe fpreads her tender wing, 
 
 Defpairing, with her heedlcfs notes, to fmg 
 
 The varioLis-plealing fcenes that round her throng, 
 
 Foiling the pencil and the pow'r of fong. 
 
 But why defpair? On Shenstone's love rely. 
 
 He marks thy faults with fmiling candor's eye ; 
 
 Will with his judgment's fubtle fires refine, 
 
 Smooth ev'ry rough, and nerve each lab'ring line. 
 
 Fir'd with the charming hope thy tafk purfue, 
 
 Do thou, like him who Beauty's Goddefs drew. 
 
 Sketch the rude outlines of thefe fairy bow'rs, 
 
 The trees, the buildings, landfcapes, fountains, flow'rs ; 
 
 But, aw'd with charms where all attempts muft fail, 
 
 Over their matchlefs beauties throw a veil. 
 
 First, o'er a flow'ry lawn my mufe defcend. 
 Where nodding cowflips o'er the herbage bend ; 
 
 Or
 
 [ 40 ] 
 
 Or now, enwrapp'd in folemn fliades, befide 
 The fringed margin of a fmiling tide, 
 Where headlonec woods inverted feem to rife, 
 Tow'ring their branches towards the nether fkies : 
 See, in the grove's extremeft fbuthern bound, 
 A gloomy grotto funk in fhades profound, 
 In fullen ftate, with roots and mofs inwrought, 
 Difpenfmg aM^e, the nurfe of ibber thought. 
 Which ftedfaft gazing, on her arm recKn'd, 
 To contemplation calls the wand'ring mind. 
 
 As void of charms the mine falutes the eye. 
 Yet in its womb rich fparkling diamonds lie ; 
 So thefe rude roofs far brighter gems unfold. 
 That oucrht to fliine embofs'd with burnilh'd o;old ; 
 For in this grot may ev'ry eye difcern 
 Thofe facred truths which ev'ry heart fliould learn ; 
 The truths in Siienstone's moral heart pourtray'd, 
 And copy'd by his mufe beneath this fhade. 
 
 Hence
 
 [ 41 3 
 
 Hence, o'er the oft-refounding road I roam, 
 That leads to Shenstone's hofpitable dome ; 
 There firfl the eye the fylvan reign furveys, 
 Where ftamm'ring ftreams, and warblmg woodlands, pleafe. 
 
 Now feated in a flower-enamel'd vale *, 
 Where fanning Aufter breathes a frefh'ning gale, 
 And fighs through whifp'ring leaves, and fips the fprings, 
 To eafe his panting breath, and cool his fun-burnt wings ; 
 Here, on a fudden, gurgling murmurs ri(e. 
 Their fource unfeen, to ftrike with more furprize ; 
 Till gufhing floods from their clofe prifon loofe, 
 Empty their treafure through the op'ning fluice ; 
 And o'er the ragged rocks, with fpangling bound, 
 Scatter the ten fold torrent all around. 
 
 From hence the riv'let undifturbed ftrays. 
 And under bci^ng boughs of alder plays ; 
 
 * The valley leading to the priory. 
 
 M Where
 
 C 4^ ] 
 
 "Where fpeckled ofiers rife in painted rank?, 
 And pine, and chefnut, fliade the upper banks,. 
 
 And now, behold ! a lovelj landfcape nigh*,. 
 Whofe complicated beauties charm the eye ; 
 Where rifing hills are deck'd with ev'ry grace, 
 And fpacious pools fupply the middle fpace. 
 There a tall fpire its lofty fummit rears, 
 Proud to be feen, in various views appears. 
 
 Now, where the plane expands its ample leaves,, 
 And mingling fprays the almond willow weaves ; 
 The grot -f and ftream, with branchy trees o'erhung, 
 And Grey's illuflrious name, demand the fong. 
 Nor fparkling foflil here,, nor pearly fliell. 
 Nor flabs of marble ornament the cell ; 
 
 * Looking from below the priory to Hales-Owen, 
 •f Infcribed to Lord Stamford. 
 
 But
 
 C 43 ] 
 
 But rugged roots, uncouth, in ruftlc rows, 
 
 With tufted mofs, the edifice compofe. 
 
 Yet who this humble grot contemptuous fcorns, 
 
 While Stamford's name the ftriking fcene adorns? 
 
 Or this fair fountain, which, from fecret fburce, 
 
 Through diftant groves begins its fliining courfe ? • 
 
 For o'er the rocks, through oaks and hazels tall, 
 
 Like fheets of liquid filver fee it fall : 
 
 And now a moment from the eye conceal'd y 
 
 And now again in curling waves reveal'd , 
 
 Again it's hid, again it freely fhoots 
 
 O'er craggy ftones, and interfedting roots; 
 
 Now from another eminence it flarts ; 
 
 Now o'er another, and another, darts ; 
 
 Till, ftretch'd in one continuous cafcade, 
 
 It foams, and glimmers, down the pleafing fhade.. 
 
 The flapping nymphs in blithfome mood advance ;, 
 
 And Naiads in conjundlion frifk the dance ; 
 
 While, to the trilling ftreams, the Dryad band,. 
 
 With Fauns, and Satyrs, gambol o'er the ftrand. 
 
 3 ' O THOUj.
 
 C 44 ] 
 
 O THOU, the lord of EnvIUe's noble feat, 
 Where all is beauty, elegantly great j 
 The patron of thofe temples, ftreams and groves, 
 Which, fix'd with wonder, ev'ry tajfte approves ; 
 Difdain not this applauded grot and fpring, 
 That might adorn the walks of Britain's king. 
 
 Hence, wand'ring on, with joy-dilated heart, 
 See! through the trees a well-wrought ftatue flart*, 
 His finiih'd mufcles all replete with life ! 
 With Hirill and warbling notes he fwells his fife ; 
 For fancy's ear can trace th' unreal found. 
 And hear from hills aerial tones rebound. 
 
 A MOMENT here, my mufe, thy fteps retard. 
 Nor pafs unnotic'd by the gen'rous bard ; 
 Who, free from fordid views of future pelf. 
 With rich donations crown'd my fcanty fhelf ; 
 
 *" A piping FaunuSj feen from the lower end of the valley near a bower, 
 infcribed to Mr. Dodfley. 
 
 Rcpleniih'd
 
 [ 45 3 
 
 Replenifli'd now with many a bounteous tome, 
 Prime decoration of my ruftic dome ! 
 Nor wilt thou, Dodsley, with unfeeling pride, 
 Thefe genuine ftrains of gratitude deride ; 
 Although thy name may boaft fo bright a dow'r, 
 TJi' adopted guardian of this beauteous bow'r. 
 
 For native genius fires thy glowing mind, 
 And ev'ry mufe and ev'ry virtue join'd ; 
 With jealous warmth confpiring, all conteft 
 The happy empire of thy noble breafl : 
 And fortune o'er thy labours deigns to fmile, 
 Kindly rewarding all thy care and toil. 
 
 Where yonder hazel-twigs their foliage fpread, 
 Fit dormitory for poetic dead ! 
 Upon that argent urn appears enroll'd, 
 With fplendid epitaph, in types of gold. 
 The name of Somerville; whofe winged mufe. 
 With panting fpecd, the bounding ftag purfues. 
 
 N But
 
 C 46 ] 
 
 But not an uninftrudtive tale alone 
 Could ever gain tliat monumental ftone ; 
 For nought but merit Shenstone's friendfliip gains; 
 A vicious writer ne'er his voice obtains y 
 And, though he fcarce unmeaning folly blames, 
 Ingenious vice his fhudd'ring foul difclaims. 
 Thefe honours by judicious Shenstone paid, 
 Much-valued Somerville, to thy dear fliade, 
 Proclaim thy right to the immortal bays, 
 Though I ne'er favv thy much applauded lays. 
 
 For fortune wreaks on me her utmofl: Ipight, 
 
 And feeks to rob me of that true delight, 
 
 Which I in conftant queft of knowledge find. 
 
 The fweet reviver of a penfive mind. 
 
 But not alike are fortune's favourites found ; 
 
 For he who plann'd this fair Hefperian round, 
 
 Griev'd that one fpark of genius fhould expire. 
 
 With pleafure ftrung my weak, difcordant lyre ; 
 
 Nor deafly heard me learning's want repine. 
 
 But, from his copious literary mine, 
 
 3 To
 
 [ 47 ] 
 
 To eafe my mourning mufc's difcontent, 
 
 Full many a glowing volume frankly lent ; 
 
 Nor fpurn'd me fcornful from his focial board, 
 
 With frugal bounty hofpitably ftor'd ; 
 
 Where oft my foul in reverie has hung 
 
 On the fmooth accents of his tuneful tongue ; 
 
 While his bright fancy, borne on wing fublime,. 
 
 By judgment guided, rapidly would climb 
 
 The heights of truth, with arguments refin'd,, 
 
 To purefl: fenfe a happy didion join'd : 
 
 Oft have I felt their intelledual force, 
 
 And quaff 'd the ftreams of genius at their fourcc y 
 
 Ah ! while thefe {ilken-pinion'd moments flew, 
 
 I, then, nor freedom's want, nor fortune's, knew. 
 
 Now, when a copfe of crowding oaks afpirc, 
 The loit'ring mufe's tardy fteps retire: 
 Attaining now the grove's afccnding verge, 
 Where op'ning fields invite her to emerge ; 
 
 'Till
 
 [ 48 ] 
 
 *Ti]], on the feat contiguous flretch'd at eafe, 
 She all the fcene * with raptur'd eye furveys. 
 
 Before the view appears another urn, 
 Suggefting truths vain man is loth to learn ; 
 In lilent precepts to each fober fenfe, 
 With more than Ciceronian eloquence, 
 The tacit monitor, with dumb addrefs. 
 Proclaims what ev'ry mortal muft confefs ; 
 That ruthlefs death diflblves each tender tie, 
 
 That deareft brothers dearcfl: friends, muft die : 
 
 For weeping numbers there commemorate 
 A brother's forrow for a brother's fate. 
 
 The mufe, obfequious, turns to take the view, 
 Where op'ning woodlands form an avenue; 
 Whofe charms peculiar, crofs a verdant mead. 
 The curious eye with foft enticements lead, 
 
 - — 1 
 
 * A view of the priory, .and an urn to Mr. Shenstone's brother. 
 
 To
 
 C 49 ] 
 
 To view a priory of Gothic mien, 
 Where antique graces folemnize the fcenc. 
 Scenes well adopted to a gloomy fed:, 
 Who nature's laws would rigidly corred ; 
 As if a life reclufe, inglorious eafe, 
 A God who form'd us fociable, could pleafe : 
 From lawlefs pleafures let but man refrain, 
 He dooms no one to mifery and pain. 
 
 Mistaken mortals! can Almighty love, 
 Laws, which its goodnefs ne'er impos'd, approve ? 
 Did he vouchfafe man's appetites in vain ? 
 Or, what's far worfe, the certain caufe of pain ? 
 Man feldom errs when nature is his guide. 
 But oftentimes through ignorance and pride. 
 While we behold the earth with food replete. 
 And God pronounces, " Ye may freely eat:" 
 Will the permillion follow'd give offence ? 
 Or is he better pleas'd with abftincnce ? 
 
 O H!:all
 
 C 50 ] 
 
 Shall we with hunger obftinately pine. 
 In hopes to pleafe beneficence divine ? 
 
 Did He not give the breaft its warm defires, 
 And objeds fair to fan thofe am'rous fires ? 
 When Eve rofe perfedl fi"om his plaftic hand, 
 " Increafe and multiply" was his command : 
 Yet no<", like brutes, without reftraint to range 
 Through all the fpecies, ever prone to change. 
 Omnifcient wifdom, when this appetite 
 Was plac'd in man to minifter delight. 
 Implanted love's fix'd bound'ry in the foul. 
 Its vagrant inclinations to controul. 
 
 Nor were man's various fenfes e'er defign'd 
 To be in endlefs folitude confin'd : 
 Mud he from harmlefs fweets of fenfe refrain, 
 And what was meant for pleafure turn to pain ? 
 And muft the longing palate feldom eat 
 Diminutive repafts of coarfcfi: meat ? 
 
 3 
 
 Th 
 
 en
 
 C 51 ] 
 
 Then were the apple's flavor void of ufe, 
 The plum, and turgid grape's nedlareous juice. 
 And muft the baffled noftrils only fmell 
 The mufty vapours of a cobweb'd cell ? 
 Then were thefe flowrets fcatter'd here in vain, 
 In vain the odours of the thymy plain. 
 
 Again returns my unambitious mufe, 
 With rapture fwect her wonted theme purfues ; 
 * Now ftops a while beneath the (heplicrd's bufh, 
 Where, fofter than the fprightly-warbhng thrufli, 
 Or lark exalted on her matin wing, 
 Or the joint chorus of the vocal ^ring. 
 My Shenstone tunes his foft fymphonious lyre, 
 While moral virtues all his mind infpire, 
 And innocence, defcendant of the fky, 
 Difplays her beauties to his mental eye. 
 
 * Vid. DoDSLEv's Mifc. vol. v. p. 13. 
 
 Yr
 
 Ye gaudy fons of falfe perverted tafte, 
 Whofe giddy moments fly in joylefs wafte, 
 Leave your light gewgaws and the thoughtlefs throiif ■■. 
 And mark his Ample fentimental fong ; 
 Attend his foothing, his impaflion'd lay, 
 And hear each weak folicitude away. 
 
 Could Orpheus' numbers tame each barb'rous brutf*^ 
 Or old Amphion ftrike.his magic lute, 
 Till fcnfelefs ftones obey'd the pow'rful call, 
 And in ftrid order form'd the Theban wall ? 
 Shall then my Shenstone's more bewitching flrain 
 Attempt the caufe of innocence in vain ? 
 No, his infirucftive numbers muft impart 
 A tender impulfe to each tutor'd heart ', 
 Nay, every ruftie bolom, even mine, 
 Feels all their rapt'ring energy divine; 
 For every bold enthufiaftic flight, 
 With natural cafe and harmony unite ; 
 
 And
 
 [ S3 ] 
 
 And gentle art, conjoin'd with utmoft fkill, 
 
 Attune the paflions, captivate the will ; 
 
 Till all the thoughts in thrillino; meafure move, 
 
 And all the foul's fublim'd to innocence and love» 
 
 Oh, innocence ! thou lovely meek-ey'd maid, 
 Who haunt'ft this peaceful, this fequefter'd ihade ; 
 Thou faireft nymph! in virtue's, Shenstone's, train. 
 Oh ! fly not me, a poor plebeian fwain, 
 While underneath this willow's waving boughs, 
 Before thy fhrine I breathe my fervent vows ; 
 Tho' abjedl poverty's thy votary's lot, 
 Yet oft thou deign'ft to glad the lowlieft cot ;. 
 Then, oh ! attend me to my rural cell, 
 And with thy fupplicant vouchfafe to dwell : 
 Thy mild aflbciate too^ contentment, bring, 
 And raife my lowly lot above a king ; 
 For ye can more than wealth and honours give. 
 And make me happy, if I die, or live. 
 
 P Whilb
 
 [ 54 ] 
 
 While elevated with the cordial hope, 
 Jvly placid mufe afcends the winding flope. 
 Where dark-green firs the upper part inclofe, 
 And, rang'd in form, an 0(5lagon compofe ; 
 And a fair feat within the central fpace, 
 
 Of correfpondent fl:iape, adorns the place ; 
 Whence the eye wanders over boundlefs fccnes 
 Of dufky woodlands and extenfive plains, 
 Beyond the vafl: Sabrina's rolling tides. 
 Where the huge Clees '•' diftend their turgid iides, 
 Approaching near old craggy Cambria's bound, 
 With frequent fogs and mifty meteors crown'd. 
 
 There, like Olympus, fee the Wreekin f rife, 
 Whofe brow flupendous meets the bending fl<:ies ; 
 Enwrapt in azure mantle proudly flands, 
 A mighty gnomon o'er Salopian lands ! 
 
 * High hills in Shropfliire. 
 •f- Another hill in Shropfliire. 
 
 See
 
 . [ 55 ] 
 
 See yonder, more diftindl, before your eyes 
 The lovely fcite of Enville's villa rife. 
 Where, interfpers'd with lawns of living green, 
 Its waving woods and bright alcoves are (een ; 
 Embofom'd in whofe fliades the waters fleep, 
 Or tofs their tides o'er many a ftony fteep. 
 
 While near my feet, by tafleful Shenstone led, 
 A limpid lake diiTeds the verdant mead 
 
 With fcollop'd fides, that now, with peaceful bread. 
 
 Receives the image of the fkies imprefl: ; 
 
 While filver-fringed vapours glide below, 
 
 And mimic funs in nether regions glow : 
 
 Now breathes a ruffling zephyr o'er the glades. 
 
 And ev'ry fair cclcftial objed: fades ; 
 
 But foon again fubfides the tranquil flream, 
 
 And o'er its bofom brighter glories gleam. 
 
 Such is the ftate of virtue's votaries here; 
 Now, undifturb'd by accident or fear. 
 
 They
 
 [ 56 ] 
 
 They boafi each blefl idea from above, 
 
 Whofe reiled rays beneficence and love, 
 
 Beam back on man, to footh eat:h pungent fmart, 
 
 Or warmth transfufe through each congenial heart : 
 
 And now, by paffion's or misfortune's blafl. 
 
 They fee her lovely image quite effac'd ; 
 
 But foon a calm returns, and all's ferene. 
 
 And fhe refumes her gladfome fmiles again. 
 
 Virtue can each rough incident controul, 
 
 And lay the ruffled paffions of the foul ; 
 
 Mild chearfulnefs diffufing o'er the face. 
 
 Love, through the heart, for all the human race. 
 
 So Shenstone feels the heav'n-defcended dame 
 
 Breathe through his foul her animating flame ; 
 
 Infpiring ev'ry intelledual fenfe, 
 
 In the fair form of fweet Benevolence. 
 
 For here, behold this antiquated jar 
 The fecret impulfc of his foul declare. 
 
 But
 
 [ 57 ] 
 
 But thefe dull types can never half impart 
 The ftrong expreflions of his noble heart ; 
 For his large breaft not only comprehends 
 His fond acquaintance, or his fonder friends ; 
 Nor, with affedlion's more unbounded plan, 
 Grafping alone the kindred race of man ; 
 For not a beafl: that loves the genial fpring, 
 And not a bird that mounts on plumy wing, 
 Infect, or reptile, but a fhare may find 
 Of fellow-feeling from his tender mind. 
 
 Happy the man whofe will is thus fubdu'd 
 Within the bounds of moral redlitude ; 
 Whofe bofom never burns witli envious fires. 
 Nor, fraught with fplcen, a brother's ill defircs j 
 Whofe undifguifed heart fincerely greets. 
 With honcfl: welcome, cv'ry man he meets ; 
 Though he falutc not all with equal glee, 
 Yet all or fliare his love, or charity.
 
 [ 58 ] 
 
 Juft farther on a copfe of alder fhoots *, 
 With tap'ring ftems, from intertwining roots ; 
 Which, cravvHng, naked on the furface grow, 
 That once conccaFd their lliapelels Hmbs below j 
 'Till imderminiiig fprings, with treach'rous toil, 
 Loofen'd with horrid rage the upper foil, . 
 V/hile Gnomes and Dryads, with a piteous tak,, 
 Bemoan'd it floating down the diftant dale. 
 
 Upon a terrace green a fair alcove 
 Appears, befide the margin of the grove. 
 In Gothic form ; beneath an oaken {hade,, 
 A profped: yielding o'er a verdant glade. 
 
 In idiom obfolctc, and types of yore f , 
 Beneath the roof, in foft perfuafive lore, 
 In wonted ftrains, melHfluent She ns tone fings 
 His love of innocence, and lawns, and fprings ; 
 
 * A fmall diftance from Halfpeny-hill. 
 ■f Vid. Dodsley's Mile. vol. iv. p. 347.. 
 
 5 While,
 
 L 59 1 
 
 While, in fvveet ecchoes to his warbling voice, 
 
 The nodding woods and fmiling hills rejoice j 
 
 And taunt in filence the bewild'ring fports, 
 
 Of buftling cities and delufive courts. 
 
 See on yon plain, with barren heath o'erfpread, 
 
 Yielding nor flow'r, nor fruit, nor friendly fhade^ 
 
 (Emblems of immorality and vice) 
 
 By Dudley's care, a facred Temple rife * ; 
 
 Heav'n grant the Word there fown increafe may yield, 
 
 And turn the Defert to a fruitful Field ! 
 
 Let abjed: minds, with vain ielf-glory fill'd, 
 The huge rotund, or ftately column, build ; 
 'Tis thine, great Dudley Ward ! with noble flamc^ 
 To rear the dome to thy Creator's name ; 
 Not aim'd alone to catch the gazing light, 
 But to illume the mind with heav'nly light. 
 
 * A chapel, building on an eminence juft beyond Dudley-wood, by 
 fubfcription, under the patronage of Lord Dudley Ward, who is the 
 chief contributor. 
 
 Excursive
 
 [ <5o ] 
 
 Excursive now, the mufe direds her way 
 Where purHng rills with prattling paftime play ; 
 And, roving underneath an alder fhade. 
 In louder murmurs fall a clear cafcade ; 
 Then, funk beneath the flow'ry furface, roam, 
 In fecret channel, down to Shenstone's dome; 
 Where, fpouting pure through many a brazen fluice, 
 Difpenfc their ftreams for culinary ufe ; 
 Or, when Sol rages with the canine ftar, 
 Their cooling waves refrefh the llckly air, 
 Or fall in tuneful meafure foft and clear, 
 And lull with liquid lapfe the lift'ning ear ; 
 Or elfe dilute their owner's generous wines. 
 Or yield a tepid draught whene'er he dines. 
 Ye loathfome reptiles, which the waters haunt, 
 From thefe pure riv'lets, gliding fnakes, avaunt; 
 Shew not your fable, forky, quiv'ring tongue, 
 Nor, hifling, draw your crooked length along ; 
 Approach not here your burning thirft to flake, 
 But fly remote to foaie fequcfter'd lake ; 
 
 And
 
 [ 6i ] 
 
 And yc that croak in fwol'n, unfightly fhape. 
 
 With noxious newts, a filthy race, efcape ; 
 
 Stretch not your frightful limbs upon thefe brinks, 
 
 Nor dare to foul the ftreams which Shenstone drinks; 
 
 Or, if they dai-e approach, ye Naiads, turn. 
 
 Each, on their ugly backs a brimful urn ; 
 
 While dafli'd precipitate on diftant ftrands. 
 
 They breathlefs fprawl beneath your vengeful hands. 
 
 Ye foffils, ye corroborative ores. 
 Blend with thefe lucid tides your ftrengthening ftores ; 
 In one continu'd ftratum form their bed. 
 And through each wave your cordial atoms fpread. 
 
 Fair flow'rs that on the painted margin bloom. 
 From halefome Zephyrs pilfer each perfume; 
 Then all your fvveet x:olle£led fpoils difpenfe, 
 Through cv'ry drop a balmy quintcflence ; 
 And thus, with health fuffus'd, each pain aflliage, 
 'Till Shenstone reach the date of Neftor's age. 
 
 R Bv
 
 [ 62 ] 
 
 By a tall fence, where eglantines are found, 
 And alders rife, with honey-fuekles bound ; 
 So fond their tendrils round their bridegrooms twin'd. 
 They prefs their fubftance through the yielding rind,^ 
 Whofe hanp^Ino: heads a thoufand bloflbms bend. 
 That, to each breeze, a thoufand odours lend ; 
 The mufe redres ; and now her footfteps reach 
 The fpreading branches of a lofty beech ; 
 Through matted grafs, its fturdy trunk beiide. 
 In cliannel deep, flow-moving waters glide ;. 
 Acrofs whofe banks a boarded bridge is laid. 
 And motto'd feat, that woes her to the fhade ; 
 'Tis Horace fmgs beneath this lovely tree; 
 tie flngs ; but, ah ! in barb'rous lays to me j 
 But, though in filence thefe dumb flrains appear,. 
 Yet I in other notes the numbers hear 5 
 For Shenstoke touch'd them with his magic hand, 
 And made thtm fpeak, and made me underflaiid. 
 
 Oh,
 
 [ 63 ] 
 
 Oh, happy Horace ! happy in thy miife ! 
 And happier ftill the Gods did not refufc 
 Thy potent prayer ! All would like thee complain, 
 Could all, hke thee, their favour'd wiih obtain. 
 
 No longer then I'd pine a landlcfs boor, 
 Nor trudge through floughs around a rented door. 
 In ruffet garb, whofe ragged rent-holes grin, 
 And ill conceal the fkeleton within : 
 Nor heavy hours in liftlefs labour wafte ; 
 Nor with coarfe viands pall my blunted tafle ; 
 Nor ken unornamented murkey walls : 
 Nor join the chorus of domeftic brawls ; 
 Nor lend an ear to leaden fenfelefs chat. 
 Or the fhrill clamours of each fqualling brat : 
 Nor widi 1 fccptre, diadem, and throne. 
 But, HoRACE-Hkc, a vill and farm my own; 
 To range among my lawns, my ftreams, my trees, 
 Such as he wifh'd ; or, rather, fucli as thefe : 
 
 Or,
 
 C 64 ] 
 
 Or, ill deep meditation ftretch'd along, 
 
 rd court the mufes with a fylvan fong ; 
 
 Or hear, in beamy morn, the fprightly airs 
 
 Of bkilhing milkmaid, as flie briflc repairs, 
 
 In fnow-white pail to prefs the juicy teat ; 
 
 Or oxen low ; or friiky lambkins bleat •, 
 
 Or hear, when ev'ning o'er the mountain gleams, 
 
 The faunt'ring plough-boys whiftle home their teams ; 
 
 Or mellow blackbird fing departing day, 
 
 Or flitting woodlark trill the light away. 
 
 Nor fliould my table fmoke with dainty meats, 
 But clean and wholefome be my chearful treats ; 
 With faithful friends encircled, there I'd fit, 
 To fcan with judgment v^^orks of tafte and wit. 
 Would bounteous heav'n my whole petition gi\-e, 
 Like thee, O Shenstone ! would I wifh to live. 
 
 But fmce our Mifhcs eafe not prefent fmart, 
 But fink misfortunes deeper in the heart ; 
 
 5 Nor
 
 [ «s ] 
 
 Nor can my warmeft hopes my mind beguile, 
 To fancy here an end of care and toil j 
 rU hve refign'd to my deprefled fate, 
 And wing my wifhes to a future ftate. 
 
 From hence I pafs, where, rifing from the fod, 
 The fhining tutfan's yellow blofl'oms nod. 
 And now a lofty hazel hedge- row trace, 
 At whofe extreme a pond's refplendent face 
 Surrounds within the central part an iile, 
 On whofe round fummit golden fallows fmile ; 
 Where, brooding in the midft, on downy neft 
 The ftately gander rears his crimfon creft ; 
 And round and round encircling all the flream,. 
 With warlike mien, and many a whooting fcream, 
 A faithful centinel ! he threat'ning fwims. 
 To combat danger from the neighbouring brims ; 
 Nor once abandons the defcncelcfs brood, 
 
 To perifh thro' negledl, or want of food. 
 
 S But
 
 C 66 ] 
 
 But men, more ruthlefs than the feather'd fowls, 
 Or favage bead that thro' the delert howls, 
 From want of care, or induftry, refign 
 Their tender mates, or let their offspring pine, 
 Reaardlefs of a wife's convulfive throes. 
 Or lifping infant's fupplicating woes. 
 
 There, at a diftance, ftranded on the fhore. 
 Its edge with argent flourifh chequer'd o'er, 
 A pleafure-boat diflains the redd'ning tides, 
 With bright reflexions from its languine fides ; 
 While on its head a piclur'd halcyon ftands, 
 In gloffy plumage, o'er the fedge-wove flrands. 
 
 Beside the lake a clunip of trees extend 
 Their Icngth'ning arms, and o'er the waters bend, 
 A mighty fliade, of oak and beech compos'd, 
 While in the midft a regal tree inclos'd, 
 With pride fupports the honour'd name of Spence, 
 Bright fun of learning, candour, wit, and fenfc ! 
 
 Who,
 
 [ 67 ] 
 
 Who, tho' he bears the critic's awful name, 
 Vouchfafes to all their rightful fhare of fame ; 
 Tho' pride or dulnefs ne'er obtain his praife, 
 He deigns to fmile on meritorious lays ; 
 And Crifpin's numbers are to him as dear 
 As equal merit in a prince or peer. 
 
 His gentle mind can relifh more delight 
 In placing beauties in the faireft light, 
 Than painting blemifhes in odious hue^ 
 Glaring and obvious to dark envy's view. 
 
 Now thro' fair walks and fhades infcrib'd to love, 
 Led by the mufe, my lagging footftcps move ; 
 Where arching fprays their fofteft umbrage flied, 
 And flow'rs and grafs a painted carpet fpread ; 
 And riv'iets, murm'ring down the winding glade, 
 In little cat'rads harmonize the fhade; 
 Where, underneath a beech's fair retreat, 
 To lovers dear an afllgnatlon feat, 
 
 3 
 
 In-
 
 [ 68 ] 
 
 Involv'd in lonely fhacfes appears obfcure, 
 Where am'rous fliepherds, free from thoughts impure, 
 Swell with their tender vows the fleeting wind, 
 Or print them fighing on the polifh'd rind ; 
 
 Or with their boxen pipes, at ev'ning hour, 
 Invite their nymphs to this fequefter'd bow'r ; 
 Or, fide by flde, each faithful tongue imparts 
 The fimple didlates of their guilelefs hearts. 
 
 O YE, vvhofe bofoms burn with law^lefs fire. 
 Hence from thefe confecrated groves retire ; 
 Your talk obfcene let other fhades attend,. 
 Nor here your time in wanton dalliance fpend : 
 May certain vengeance wait that wayward fwain. 
 Who, impious, dares thefe hallow'd haunts profane! 
 
 See dogwood fpread its milk-white umbells there, 
 And fpiring frutex conic blofl'oms bear ; 
 While here, with lighter tints, the trees among, 
 Libcrnums fhine, with golden trefles hung. 
 
 That
 
 [ <59 ] 
 
 That proudly flaunt upon the dangling fpray, 
 As round their blooms the am'rous breezes play ; 
 For blandly here the lifping zephyrs rove, 
 But leave their ruder blafts behind the grove ; 
 And, like fond fearful lovers, trembling fip 
 The breathing fragrance of each honey'd lip. 
 
 Awhile the charming beauties pleafe the eye, 
 But foon, too foon, the charming beauties die. 
 Such, fuch was fair Maria ! Nymphs behold 
 This glittering urn *, befpread with leafy gold ; 
 Nor only gaze, but lend a lift'ning ear. 
 And drop befide her urn one forrowing tear. 
 Who can refrain? while plaintive mottoes tell, 
 
 Maria*s gone, and Shenstone fighs farewell! 
 
 And, wailing by, the fympathizing ftream 
 In mournful murmurs echoes to the theme. 
 
 * In the lovers walk. 
 
 T «Ahl
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 C 70 3 
 
 "Ah! beauty's frail !" Maria's aflies fay, 
 
 Attend their fpeech, ye nymphs, that pafs this way. 
 
 " Tho' frefhcr now than daifies in the dale, 
 
 " To-morrow ye may droop as lilies pale; 
 
 *' Tho' fvveeter now than fhow'ry fpring your breath, 
 
 " This C'/ning it may feel the taint of death: 
 
 " Tho' brip-hter now your eye than dew-drop glows, 
 
 This hour that eye eternally may clofe ; 
 
 Tho' all your lovely frame with beauty fhine, 
 " It foon muft moulder in the tomb, like mine ; 
 *' And if the fates delay the final wound, 
 *' Time flrews the head with hoary locks around, 
 " And dims the eye, and wrinkles o'er the face, 
 " Dcftroys each fprightly look, each moving grace; 
 *' Short and precarious too is beauty's date, 
 <' By time foon tarnifh'd, or deflroy'd by fate: 
 " Then fix your chiefeft care, ye gentle maids, 
 *' On that which never dies, which never fades; 
 " Which accident and deftiny difarms, 
 " And heightens all your graces, all your charms ; 
 
 "Creates
 
 ■ [ 71 ] 
 
 *' Creates thofe pleafures that can never cloy, 
 
 *' And gives a greater guft to every joy ; 
 
 *' Can wound each heart without the fenfe of pain, 
 
 " And fix your conqueft o'er fome worthy fwain ; 
 
 " And make your offspring, Hke yourfelvTs, impart 
 
 *' The trueft pleafure to each eye and heart. 
 
 " Virtue, ye fair! can only here beflow 
 
 " The zeft of pleafure, and the balm of woe j 
 
 And when you fink beneath a weight of years, 
 
 Will waft your parting foul to brighter fpheres ; 
 
 ** And if, like me, ye quit this mortal ftage, 
 
 " In bloom of beauty and the fpring of age, 
 
 ** Some urn, like mine, your mem'ry may prolong, 
 
 *' Or that more laftinfj monument a fons!" 
 
 &■ 
 
 * 
 
 FroiM hence the mufe a fpiral path afcends * 
 That thro' thick woodlands, frequent curving, bends j 
 And now a feat her panting fteps attain. 
 Where Shenstone's dome adorns the op'ning plain; 
 
 * Leading fram the lovers walk up into the v^ood. 
 
 And,
 
 C 7^ ] 
 
 And, cloath'd in golden blooms, a furze-blown field, 
 And burnilTi'd waters, all the profped gild ; 
 And now again, fecluded from the day, 
 Along the pendent copfe fhe winds her way. 
 
 And now a mighty vifto flrikes the view, * 
 Deceptive narrowing all the woodland through ; 
 Yet not from ev'ry rule of nature fwerves. 
 Its bafe defcends or heaves in fv/elling curves; 
 Where tow'ring trees aflail the fapphire {ky, 
 While on their tops the panting breezes die ; 
 Where cherry-trees, arrang'd in right-lin'd rows. 
 On either fide their, grizled trunks oppofe ; 
 And from their fpreading tops profufely ftrow 
 A bloomy fliow'r o'er all the walk below ; 
 And filver-rinded birches fiiine between, 
 And mountain- afh with clufl'ring blooms is feen : 
 
 * The ri2:ht-lined walk in the wood. 
 
 Whik
 
 [ 73 ] 
 
 While in the center of the happy grove, 
 With gothic front, appears a fair alcove * ; 
 Where o'er a terrace burfts a flood of light ; 
 And ftriking landfcapes rufli upon the flght. 
 
 There, like Titanian twins, not diftant far. 
 Gigantic Walton f mounts the cumbcr'd air ; 
 And tree-crovvn'd Clent J fcems fwell'd with confcious pride 
 That beauteous Hagley § decks its weftern fide. 
 Here a broad lake |1 illuminates the vale, 
 And there Hales-Owen ftretches o'er the dale; 
 And rural domes overlook their fubjed: farms. 
 Where damafk'd meads difplay their various charms - 
 Plafh'd hedge-rows trim are ftuck with branchlefs trees, 
 Where corn-fields wave before the whifp'ring breeze ; 
 
 * Alcove in the wood. 
 
 -f Walton hill. 
 
 + Clent hilL 
 
 § Hagley park. 
 
 [I Hales-Owen mill-pool. 
 
 U And
 
 [ 74 ] 
 
 And flocks of fatt'ning fliecp, and new- milch kiile, 
 Luxurious giazCj or on the turf recHne ; 
 The draught-horfe there on flrength'ning herbage feeds; 
 Here o'er the paflures prance the nobler (teeds. 
 
 Exert, O Ceres! thy celeftial pow'r, 
 Nor let thefe wanton beads thy crops devour ; 
 O goddefs ! let thy watchful eye attend, 
 Propitious all thy embryo flieaves defend -, 
 And teach thy fons with diligence to keep 
 Each flubborn fence againft the ox and flieep ; 
 Let neither mildews reign in vernal night, 
 Nor with'ring worm corrode, nor eaftern blight ; 
 And may the aeftive lightening's ruddy glare 
 Each milky grain and filmy bloffom Ipare : 
 And may not fhow'rs of fierce autumnal rain 
 Deftroy the product of the rip'ned plain ; 
 Till o'er their rifmg flacks the fwains rejoice, 
 And " harveft home" refounds from ev'ry voice. 
 
 And
 
 [ 75 ] 
 
 And careful watch, O Pan! thy paft'ral char<^e, 
 Nor let the tender lambkins rove at larse ; 
 Left, wand'ring devious from the foft'rinir teat. 
 With cold and hunger pin'd they vainly bleat : 
 And guard the lib'ral rams, and teaming ewes, 
 When rav'nous dogs or prowling wolf, purfues ; 
 And from erojfive rot, and wily fox, 
 Defend with conftant care thy fleecy flocks ; 
 For British fwains in thrifty flocks behold 
 A richer flore than fam'd Potofl's gold. 
 
 The peafant there, as meditation leads, 
 Eyes the brown produce of the rip'ning meads ; 
 And marks where filver grafs, or rattle, grow, 
 Refolving when to ftrike the flaught'ring blow ; 
 Or, whiftling on, a pond'rous bottle bears, 
 (Whofe foamy freight the fputt'ring cork declares) 
 Alternate fliifted to each weary 'd hand, 
 Jocund he goes to meet the fturdy band ; 
 
 Wl 
 
 lO
 
 [ 7<5 ] 
 
 Who in their motions time and order keep, 
 As by tlieir lides they lodge the fweUing heap, 
 Or rear the crooked bkides, that o'er the fields 
 Difprcaxl their dazling gleams, like burnifli'd fliields ^ 
 As whetAones o'er the poliili'd edge rcfound, 
 And uith loud clangors fill the vales around; 
 While, join'd in concert, ev'ry manly voice 
 Makes the furrounding hills and woods rejoice; 
 Whtlc, o'er the fliaven ground, the mingled throngs. 
 Or footh their toil with chat, or rural longs : 
 Here nymplis and fwains the fhining pitchfork wield. 
 To fpread the fwarth, or turn the with'ring field ; 
 There, rang'd with rakes, the fhining wind-rows Teen, 
 In length'ning iftripes ; or cocks befpot the green : 
 And there, with mixed tools, a jovial train 
 Mould larger cocks, oi- load the groaning wain. 
 Or comb the reliques of the fcatter'd plain. 
 
 \ 
 
 See under yonder oak's refrefhing fhadc. 
 With fnowy cloth the pleafing verdure fpread ; 
 
 7 With
 
 I 
 
 [ 77 ] 
 
 Witli fmoaking cates in earthen diflies ftor'd, 
 Such cates as fvvains admire, as cots afFord ; 
 The pious mafter fandtifies the treat, 
 And while clean beechen trenchers bear the meat, 
 Blythe nymphs and fwains, encircled on the ground, 
 The viands jQiare, or lift the goblet round ; 
 Now, o'er the harmlefs tale they chearful fmile; 
 Now, ftretch'd beneath the fhade, they nod awhile ; 
 And now, with glee, refume their wonted toil. 
 
 Ye threat'ning clouds fufpend your baneful ftore, 
 Nor injure what your bounty gave before ; 
 Difgorge your wombs on fcorch'd Iberian lands, 
 Or fhed your ufclefs load on Libya's fands ; 
 But here, thin, fleecy curtains oft difplay, 
 To fliield from Sol's intolerable ray : 
 And oh ! ye lightfome breezes, frequent fly, 
 To cool the fcalding fweat, and damp the flaming fky. 
 
 X And
 
 [ 78 ] 
 
 And now the mufe attains the grove*s extreme^ 
 Where, never bleft with Titan's gladiome gleam, 
 Solemn appears the diilky twilight cell> 
 Where moping melancholy likes to dwell ; 
 For oft has magic fancy feen her rove, 
 
 A meagre fprite, along the filent grove ; 
 Slovv'-creeping on with tott'ring ftep fhe went. 
 Her haggard looks for ever downward bent > 
 Oft a flow tear bedew'd her deep- funk eyes, 
 Oft her gaunt breaft hove high with hollow fighsi 
 
 Oh 1 gloomy Goddeis ! ne'er approach my cot,, 
 •To make more dreary my penurious lot j 
 To damp my labour, break my peaceful reft, 
 And cicud the funiliine of my chearful breaft. 
 Could thy dull prefence, when dire ills intrude,, 
 AlTuage their fmart, or future pnins preclude, 
 Thy happy influence then I'd ne'er difovvn. 
 But round my heart ere^b thy ebon throne i 
 
 5 
 
 But
 
 [ 79 ] 
 
 But thou mak'ft mifery ftrike with double force, 
 Still pois'ning every pleafure at its fourcc. 
 Then leave my breafl:, with all thy hated trains, 
 Nor fpread thy raven plumes on Albion's plains ; 
 To nunn'ries, cloiflers, monafteries, fly. 
 There damp the heart, and dim the radiant eyej 
 With abftinence thy fuUen vot'ries pine, 
 And pilgrimages, penances, enjoin. 
 But rational Refledlion, cagle-ey'd. 
 Point thou my path, with Chearfulnels thy guide ;. 
 Teach me, though mifery's ev'ry mortal's meed, 
 Though pains to pleafure, pleafures pains fucceed ; 
 Though brumal blafts awhile deform the year. 
 Yet foon the jocund fmiles of fpring appear. 
 Then 111 enjoy the pleafures while they lail,, 
 Nor fear th€ future, nor regret the paft t 
 Thofe pleafures which befit a virtuous mind, 
 For other pleafures leave a fting behind ; 
 Preventing ills, for ills will oft intrude, 
 My heart ftill arm'd with Chriftim fortitude ; 
 
 TLat
 
 [ 8a 3 
 
 That fortitude which virtue will attend 
 
 Through life's fhort confiid, which fo foon muft end. 
 
 No longer now the cooling fhades I fhare. 
 But to yon terrace with the mufe repair ; 
 AVhere o'er the weft unbounded profpeds lie, 
 That with unnumber'd beauties fill the eye ; 
 Where woods and fields unfold a various green, 
 And lucid lakes illuminate the fcene : 
 And Stourbridge there, and there Old Swinford ftands. 
 And Dudley here the fide-long glance demands, 
 In whofe domains, enrob'd in ruffet hue, 
 A fteril wild diverfifies the view * ; 
 Black groups of little mounds the furface throng, 
 With ftrago-lino; trees, and countlefs cots amono;. 
 
 Though few external charms the furface grace, 
 Its garb though mean, and abjedl though its face ; 
 
 * Dudley wood, otherwife Penfnut chafe. 
 
 Though
 
 [ 8t ] 
 
 Thoiigli nature all the field's incrcafe deny'd, 
 And all the llow'ry meadow's gaudy pride, 
 Nor reverend woods the outward part adorn, 
 Nor aught dwells there but poverty and fcorn; 
 Though pomp nor pow'r the barren fcenes await, 
 They pafs with fcornful looks its lowly ftate ; 
 Yet pride and folly only will defpife, 
 Still honour'd by the gentle and the wife ; 
 Well knowing its internal parts conceal * 
 Its mafler's glory, and its country's weal ; 
 More than Peru its pearls or gold can boaft, 
 Or peerlefs gems of Coromandel's coaft. 
 
 And fuch art thou, O merit ; virtue, thou : 
 When pomp nor riches deck your humble brow, 
 The world, unfriendly, pafTes heedlefs by, 
 Or marks your pen'ry with difdainful eye. 
 
 * Famous for iron and coal mines. 
 
 Y Yet
 
 C 8^ ] 
 
 Yet fome feraphic minds may condefcend 
 To brighten merit, virtue to befriend. 
 Ev'n fuch to me did gentle Shenstone prove ; 
 
 And fuch was B n's undeferved love ; 
 
 Nor yet did G z, nor yet did L th difdain, 
 
 Nor gen'rous M — — bs, the unknown village fwain. 
 
 Thus all fhe can the grateful mufc repays,. 
 While with your names fhe dignifies her lays. 
 
 But ftill to S G are thankful numbers due, 
 
 And to you, R ns , and F ds, you ; 
 
 Whofe kind beneficence, dear female band. 
 The beft returns of gratitude demand. 
 
 Still heaves with gratitude my lab'ring breafi:. 
 To you, whom Hymen blufhing never blefs'd ; 
 To breathe your pleafing names, ye bounteous fair ! 
 But O my mufe 1 their painful bluilies fpare. 
 
 Yet Iliould you e'er the marriage life prefer, 
 
 With my warm widi, connubial pow'rs ! concur : 
 
 May
 
 [ 83 ] 
 
 May each, like Grandison, behold her mate, 
 To blefs the happy hymeneal fiate : 
 Nor e'er fuch pen'ry and confinement fee, 
 The haplefs lot of Daphne and of me. 
 
 Back thro' thc^ cell I now the miife attend', 
 And wind the wood, and down the dale defcend; 
 Where firfl: a gently-waving walk is feen. 
 An auburn ftripe along the velvet green-; 
 Where hawthorns, fronting Phoebus' orient ray,- 
 Now fickly bloflbms, berries now, difplay. 
 
 Here fliapely limes eredl their formal heads, 
 There the proud beech its rough-hufk'd fruitage fheds; 
 Round whofe wide circuit, fnook by fummer wind, 
 The turkey-tribe their kcrnel'd viands find ; 
 Or, underneath its folemn branches laid. 
 The wearied wand'rer finds both refl and fiiade. 
 
 Anon, a cover'd fkreen a flicker yields, 
 When weftern fliow'rs bcdcv/ the flow'ry fields ; 
 
 Or
 
 C 84 3 
 
 Or So), from Cancer fultry radiance pours, 
 And mid -day rages with the fervid hours ; 
 To fit and catch the cooHna eaftern gale. 
 With fpicy pinion flutt'ring o'er the vale. 
 Behind, with ever-verdant honours crown'd, 
 Young cone-topp'd pines adorn the rifing mound, 
 
 A DISTANT feat now ftrikes the bufy view, 
 O'er-hung with tufts of holly, larch, and yew ; 
 Whofe beauteous boughs with poliili'd laurels join 
 Their various leaves, and emulative twine 
 A livins wreath, to erace an honour'd name^ 
 That fhines in courts, and literary fame ; 
 Great Lyttelton! the Britifh fenate's guide, 
 The foe of fadion, and the ftatefman's pride ; 
 AUke the friend of fcience and of fong ; 
 
 But to his praife fublimer drains belong. 
 
 Nor feoff thou, Hagley, while my artlefs lays 
 Attempt in rural notes the Lessowes praife* 
 
 Ye 
 
 I
 
 [ 8s ] 
 
 Ye lovely ftreams, that fparkle iilver light, 
 In frequent falls from many a ftony height ; 
 Whofe tuneful murmurs £11 the floating gale 
 With liquid muflc, ecchoing down the dale, 
 Where weeping willows hide the rocky fliore. 
 With crab-trees blufliing bloflbms arched o'er j 
 Whofe branches form a fair fantaftic wreath, 
 And, dangling, fliade the foamy floods beneath : 
 Here glafly lakes reflect their florid fldes, 
 And cackling wild-ducks fkim the curling tides ; 
 There, o'er the trees, the humble turrets rife 
 Of Shenstone's dome, the feat of focial joys ! 
 While fields and woods combine their various hue. 
 And bord'ring hills furround th' enchanting view. 
 
 My eager mufe now feeks the flir-fam'd grove "*, 
 Where untir'd fancy might for ever rove ; 
 
 * Virgil's grove. 
 
 Z Th.it
 
 C S6 ] 
 
 That neec^s not tuneful Virgil's title court, 
 Its native charms might all its fame fupport. 
 Nor thou, fvveet Mantuan mufe, defpife the fhades, 
 Where art to nature lends her foft'ning aids ; 
 
 Think not thy name difgrac'd in this fair fcite, 
 Which fills each tafteful foul with foft delight ; 
 Nor Shenstone, thou, the ruftic mufe difdain, 
 Who, thus ambitious, fmgs thy dear domain. 
 
 First, half-reveal'd between the waving fprays, 
 The monument to deathlefs Maro's praife. 
 An obelifk, Hke bafhful beauty, ftands 
 Ercifled here by grateful friendfhip's hands ; 
 And well rewarded are the builder's pains, 
 ¥/ith thy harmonious, thy mellifluent drains ; 
 And what more lafting praife could he beftow. 
 For whom thefe groves afcend, thefe fountains flow ? 
 Except his numbers fhould enroll thy name, 
 That inall, like thine, enfure eternal liimc ; 
 
 And
 
 " [ 87 ] 
 
 And his lov'd virtues flourish frefli and gay, 
 
 When thefe proud ftones are mix'd with kindred clay. 
 
 And next, to Thompson's mem'ry ever dear, 
 (Who Tung the feafons of the circHng year ; 
 But not a mere defcription to rehearfe, 
 He crow^n'd each pregnant fcene with moral verfe ) 
 With letter'd lays infcrib'd, a friendly feat 
 Affords a view of all the bleft retreat. 
 
 But why thus heaves my breaft with penlive fighs ? 
 Why ftarts the tear, and dims my dizzy eyes ? 
 Ah ! tho' with fame and honours dignify 'd, 
 Yet here I learn the matchlefs Maro dy'd : 
 Hor yet could flowing verfe, nor virtue, fave 
 The gentle Thompson from the greedy grave ; 
 And fo, alas! mud Shen stone, foon or late, 
 Like them, experience fuch difaft'rous fate. 
 Nor bard nor prince can from death's fhafts retire, 
 He's virtue's gueft, he's fent to bring her hire. 
 
 Yet
 
 [ 88 ] 
 
 Yet why, O She n stone ! {hould I fear for thee ? 
 I ne'er that inaufpicious hour may fee : 
 Thine eyes may range this dear Arcadia o'er, 
 Wlien mine behold the bHfsful fcene no more. 
 
 There, on the left, between the fwel ling hills, 
 A lucid lake coUeds the limpid rills ; 
 
 Whofe lilvLT currents, gather'd to a head. 
 Their freedom gain to form the grand cafcade. 
 How oft beneath thefe floping arbours laid. 
 As o'er the jetting flones the waters play'd, 
 Well pleas'd I've, ey'd the broad-expanded flood. 
 With diamond kiflre lighten all the wood ; 
 Its felf-fcoop'd refervoir beneath it laves 
 In foaming eddies, then in circling waves, 
 Kiirmg, in wanton fport, the rocky fides, 
 Till, fweetly fmiling, fmoothly on it glides : 
 And now it finks beneath the cavern'd road, 
 And gurgling moans along the dark abode ; 
 
 Now
 
 C 89 ] 
 
 Now winds, thro' grafs and fern, its mazy way, 
 11 And now again it bubbles into day ; 
 
 No longer fKrowded in the path obfcure, 
 But fpreads its broad'ning bofom fmooth and pure j 
 And now, in lefs cafcades, the buflling tide, 
 Flings down its wanton waves with dafhing pride ; 
 Between the falls, the ftream divided flows, 
 Where on a greenfward ifle a willow grows, 
 Supreme in fweetnefs o'er the prouder trees, 
 Whofe fragrant foliage fcents each pafling breeze. 
 Below, a bridge acrofs its current bends, 
 Whofe curvy head a (leady paffage lends ; 
 Where, on its peaceful furface, round impreft, 
 A fhining circle marks its fliadowy bread : 
 Then in the neighb'ring pond it refts awhile. 
 Exempt from ev'ry pleafure, ev'ry toil. 
 
 And here the moraHzing mufe may find 
 A ftriking emblem of the human kind : 
 
 A a Tl.e
 
 C 90 3 
 
 The rapid flream, impetuous and wild, 
 Denotes the giddy, thoughtlefs, playful child ; 
 Then finking from the fight, like ftudious youth 
 Secluded from the world in fearch of truth, 
 'Till growing by degrees, his mental powVs, 
 To public paftime dedicates his hours ; 
 And now to ripen'd manhood he attains, 
 The age that dull obfcurity difdains j 
 Embark'd upon the bufy tides of life. 
 Alternate reigns tranquillity and ftrife ; 
 By every bluft'ring blaft of pafTion toft, 
 Buoy'd up with hope, or in defpondence loft ; 
 'Till finking in the icy arms of death, 
 With flow and fhort'ning fobs reftgns his breath. 
 
 What flow'rs along; its borders nature ilieds. 
 That o'er the wat-'ry mirror hang their heads ; 
 There, vainly, all their felf-lov'd charms furvey. 
 Until, Narcissus like, they pine away. 
 
 And
 
 [ 91 1 
 
 And £rft, the primrofe clad in yellow pale, 
 And violets blue their od'rous fweets exhale ; 
 And purple hyacinths, from their pendent bells, 
 Perfuine with incenfe all the neighboring dells; 
 And wood-anemonies, rob'd in fnowy white, 
 Whofe fpotlefs beauty's ev'ry grove's delight j 
 There faireft turbans, here with pride difplay'd, 
 In rich profufion deck the laughing glade. 
 But chief, the water-loving marygold. 
 When all her thronging bloffoms wide unfold. 
 Each in a glofly tunic gaily drefl:, 
 With cloth of tiflue all the vale inveft. 
 
 The thick-wove trees attra(fl the lifted fight, 
 Whofe blended verdure fcarce admits the light ; 
 Here poplars tremble o'er the proftratc ftream, 
 Whofe wavy face rcfletfls a twinkling gleam ; 
 And chefnuts tall, with limes, and elms combin'd, 
 With op'ning arms embrace the wanton wind ; 
 
 And
 
 [9-1 
 
 fi And here the hazel, here the alder fpreads, 
 And oaks and afhes lift their lofty heads ; 
 And all afpiring, climb their upward way, 
 To ftretch their fummits in the realms of day. 
 The hawthorn there and furrow'd maple grow, 
 And fcarlet clufters on the dogwood glow ; 
 And others, of a like inferior race, 
 Replenish with their boughs the nether /pace. 
 
 Before the eye, in view diredl, appears 
 The weeping fount for ever bath'd in tears ; 
 And though with ceafelefs wafte the drops diflil, 
 A fcanty fource fupplies the frugal rill. 
 
 So fhould the flites with parlimonious hand, 
 Refufe what pride or lux'ry might demand, 
 With but a fparing patrimony bleft. 
 Prudential care may furnifh out the reft. 
 
 Close where the ftreams defcend with raving force, 
 A fmall chalybcat fpring derives its fource j 
 
 Where
 
 C 93 ] 
 
 Where rufty links an iron bowl fuftain, 
 And hollow'd ftones the gufhing rill reftrain ; 
 Whofe waters, with falubrious virtue fraught, 
 To languid limbs afford a flrength'ning draught. 
 
 The mufe no longer now, with chearful R-rain, 
 Defcribcs the charms of this Hefperia-i fcene ; 
 But thus, retiring, wakes her plaintive voice, 
 As Eve bewail'd the lofs of Paradife. 
 Though all thy flow'rets bloom beyond compare, 
 Thy fountains more than other fountains fair ; 
 No flirubs, no tress, as thine fo frefii and gay, 
 More foft thy fongfters flute from ev'ry fpray : 
 Sweet fcene of love ! what blifsful charms are thine ! 
 And muft I all thy dear delights refign ? 
 Yes ; fleeting Time, wiih frov/ning brow fevere. 
 Sternly forbids a longer durance here ; 
 And other fcencs the roving mufc invite, 
 For fickle mortals ftill in change delight ; 
 
 B b For
 
 [ 94 ] 
 
 For pleafure new lolicits new dcdrc, 
 And makes the paft with ilighter pangs retire; 
 Progreilive thu?, each fublunary joy- 
 Shall quickly vanidi, or will quickly cloy ; 
 Except the pleafures that a virtuous mind 
 In ads of goodnefs may for ever find. 
 The reafon's plain ; the grofler joys of fenfe 
 Ne'er mix with thofe of pure benevolence ; 
 That raptVing foretafte of the blifs above, 
 Where all is endlefs ecftafy and love. 
 Rut earthly pleafures, like man's earthly frame. 
 Nor long endure, nor lono: remain the fame: 
 Yet though (o tranfitory is their date. 
 Adapted to this low terreftrial ftate. 
 They're fix'd to be in Providence's plan 
 Yearly renew'd, and lafh the date of man ; 
 Not meant by heav'n to perifli unenjoy'd> 
 Nor to be fcorn'd with fuperftitious pride ;, 
 Nor, grov'ling here, the brutal foul to chain, 
 Vvhere happinefs is ftill alloy'd with pain ; 
 
 But
 
 I 95 1 
 
 But there the foaring intelled to fix, 
 
 Where pain or (brrow ne'er with tranfport mix. 
 
 Hence, up an eaiy winding way I tread, 
 Acrofs a verdant flow'r-befprinkled mead. 
 To where a thoufand fcents the fhrubb'ry yields, 
 Diffuiing fragrance o'er furrounding fields. 
 Approaching thoughtlefs near, with carelefs gaze. 
 Each ftartled bofom beats with foft amaze ; 
 For, as a lover^ by fome rural fhade. 
 Not yet expecting his dear fylvan maid, 
 His heedlefs looks o'er all the profpedt rove. 
 Hills, woods, and fields, when turning tow'rds the grove, 
 She from a thicket darts before his eyes. 
 And fills his breafl with plcafure andfurprize j 
 So here, the bright ftrcak'd phillyreas between. 
 And broad-leav'd laurels ever-fhining green j, 
 A Medicean Venus' charms impart 
 A fudden impulfe to each gazer's heart j 
 
 And
 
 [ 96 ] 
 
 And might her ftatuary's foul inflame, 
 
 More than PygmaHon's by his iv'ry dame : 
 
 Yet while her beauties every breafi: infpire, 
 
 Her bafliful looks fuppreffes wild defire ; 
 
 In perfedl fymmetry the whole is wrought, 
 
 And every well-turn'd limb with beauty fraught ; 
 
 Her modeft mien, her graceful attitude, 
 
 And ev'ry feature, feems with thought endu'd. 
 
 Thus, by an oval bafon's grafs-grown fi.de, 
 
 Dimpling, whofe furface glift'ring gold-fifh glide ; 
 
 She ftands beneath a fair Liburnum's head, 
 
 With faffron-tafferd blofibms overfpread : 
 
 Thefe intermixing, purple lilacs meet, 
 
 And fragrant myrtle blooms befide her feet ; 
 
 Geraniums fpread their painted honours by. 
 
 And orange-plants, whofe fruitage tempts the eye : 
 
 But what ftill pleafes more, the mufing mind, 
 
 Near, on a moffy mould'ring root, may find 
 
 In polifh'd ftanzas many a tuneful ftrain. 
 
 The gard'ner's art, and beauty's pow'r explain. 
 
 By
 
 L 97 1 
 
 By thefc, the prickly- leaved oak you fee, 
 And with frontated leaves the tulip-tree ; 
 Here, yellow blows the thorny barberry-bufh, 
 And velvet rofes fpread their bright'ning blufh ; 
 And here the damaflc, there the provence rofe, 
 And cerafus's, double blooms difclofe, 
 With rip'ning fruit domeftic rafpberries glow, 
 And fweets amcricans their fcents beftow ; 
 White lilacs and fyringas fhed perfumes. 
 And gelder-rofes hang their bunchy blooms; 
 And tow'ring planes ered their heads fublime, 
 And by the fweet-briar flow'ring willows climb ; 
 Here flimfy-leav'd acacia drooping weeps. 
 And lowly lauruftinus humbly creeps ; 
 The foreign dogwood fhoots its fanguine fprays. 
 And fable yews combine with chearful bays ; 
 While, by the double-bloflbm'd hawthorn^ ftands 
 Curl'd laurel, brought from Portugalian ftrands ; 
 And arbor-vitJe's rear their fetid heads. 
 And {linking tithymal effluvia fpreads ; 
 
 C c 1 Krc
 
 C 98 ] 
 
 Here Scotch and filver firs, the flirubs among, 
 And lovely larch with hairy verdure hung, 
 And fycamores their lofty fummits rear, 
 And filver-border'd foliage hollies wear ; 
 While thefe above, with various others, twine. 
 Beneath, the piony and catch-fly fhine ; 
 Narciffus fair, and early daffodil, 
 Between their ftems the vacant fpaces fill. 
 Acrofs the center, o'er a pebbly way. 
 From latent fountain, limpid waters play ; 
 Where, from a terrace grac'd with I a go's name*, 
 
 Who oft has felt the mufe's thrilling flame, 
 A painted feat appears, in green array'd, 
 A profpccl yielding o'er a lovely glade : 
 The batter' d priory crowns its further fide. 
 Beyond, hills, lakes, and buildings fcatter'd wide : 
 
 * Vld. Dodsley's Mifcellanies, vol. V. page 70. 
 
 While
 
 C 99 ] 
 
 While, half-conceal'd behind the thick-wrought leaves, 
 Another feat fupports the name of Graves *, 
 Graves, gentleft bard of Acmancefta's plain f, 
 Whofe mind's as gen'rous as his heart's humane. 
 
 Oh ! happy fcenes I of ever foft delight, 
 To charm the ravifh'd ear, the fmell, the fight ; 
 Buds not a bufli thefe warbling woods among,. 
 But yields from fomc fweet chorifter a fong ; 
 Breathes not a breeze acrofs thefe fragrant vales, 
 But may compare with fweet Sabeaa gales 5 
 While all the fields and meads, the woods and bovv'rs^ 
 With faireft verdure fhine, with faireft ilow'rs. 
 
 Within thefe walks what blifsful hours I've fpent! 
 Nor felt the pangs of dreary difcontent ; 
 
 * Vide Dodsley's Mifcellanies, vol. V. page 62. 
 t Bath. 
 
 But
 
 C lOO ] 
 
 1 -But all my fpirlts flow'd it-rcnely gay, 
 My bofom thrill'd beneath the mufe's fway. 
 But chief, O Shenstone! when with thee I've ftray'd 
 O'er chequer'd lawns, or thro' the mazy fhade ; 
 To trim the avenue's encroaching fide. 
 That would or houles, hills, or waters hide, 
 
 To lop the thiilie's tall unfeemly head. 
 
 Or brambles, that o'er walks unwelcome fpread ; 
 
 Or underneath fome fair umbrageous tree 
 
 Have fat, and heard th' inftrudlive lore with glee; 
 
 Have heard thee philofophic truths impart, 
 
 Or teach my artlefs mufe the mufes' art ; 
 
 Or plant thy morals in my docile breafl, 
 
 In cleared language, clearer flill exprefs'd *. 
 
 But now, when o'er the chequer'd lawn I flray, 
 There Flora wanders, weeping all the way ; 
 
 * The Author had wrote thus far before Mr. Shenstone's death. 
 
 3 And
 
 [ loi ] 
 
 And as at every ftep fLe drops a tear, 
 
 The flovvrets fade, and noifome weeds appear : 
 
 Or if along the woodland walk I rove, 
 
 The Dryads groan along each frighted grove : 
 
 From every tree the Hamadryads wail, 
 
 The Fauns and Satyrs o'er each hill and dale. 
 
 Pan throws his untun'd fyrinx heedlefs by. 
 And mufmg ftands, and wipes each tearful eye ; 
 Or hideous howling, with inceffant cries, 
 O'er every plain, and ecchoing woodland flies ; 
 While flarting fudden from the circling waves, 
 With fhrilleft flirieks each madd'ning Naiad raves. 
 And beat their throbbing breafts, and wildly tear 
 Their long lank locks of loofe difhevel'd hair ; 
 Then fadly fob along the verdant brink, 
 Then plunging in the billows, figliing fink. 
 
 Apollo leans upon his unftrunglute. 
 Around him every mourning mufe is mute, 
 
 D d Except
 
 [ 1^2, ] 
 
 Except Melpomencj who, to trembling firings. 
 This plaintive dirge in broken accent iings ; 
 Oh ! hear, ye rocks, and Heliconian fliades ! 
 Oh ! join me, Hfters, folt Pierian maids ! 
 With me our Ton's, our brother's lofs deplore ^ 
 Alas! alasl dear Shenstone is no more! 
 O ix)nour'd fire! could not thy healing hand> 
 The fev'rilhi fire, the putrid pow'r withfland ? 
 Why didft not thou his flutt'ring heart fuftain,. 
 And pour thy balm thro' every throbbing vein ? 
 Or v/ith nedareous draughts his life prolongs 
 And make his frame immortal as his fong ? 
 Or didft thou envy his expanfive name ? 
 Left he fhould rival thy celeftial fume. 
 
 Oh, had I heard thy laft departing breath I 
 And clos'd thine eyes, thy lovely eyes 1 in death i 
 For thy example, at the laft, would give 
 A leftbn how to die as well as live : 
 
 5 That
 
 [ I03 ] 
 
 That I might there have pour'd mine heart, mine eyes, 
 
 In all the luxury of tears and fighs ; 
 
 That ev'ry word and a6lion might have prov'd 
 
 How much I honoured, and how much I lov'd ! 
 
 And with ten thoufand fervent pray'rs have ftrove 
 
 Thy iron heart, O ruthlefs death ! to move. 
 
 Or rather bent my knees to his bleft will, 
 
 Who breaks thy fliafts, or gives them pow'r to kill ; 
 
 For all that art and med'cine's power could do, 
 
 O AsH, and Wall *, was minifter'd by you ! 
 
 But ah, in vain! for fix'd were heav'n's decrees 
 
 To crown his virtues with eternal blifs. 
 
 O THOU, Philander! tuneful friend unknown, 
 Whofe elegiac notes his death bemoan ; 
 My foul, tranfported, heard thy warbling lays. 
 While ev'ry accent wept my Shenstone's praife ; 
 
 * Two phyficians who attended Mr. Shenstone in his laft; illnefs. 
 
 More?»
 
 [ I04 ] 
 
 More, than becaufe thy mufe recorded me, 
 
 *' The tender flioot of blooming fancy's tree*." 
 
 And Cunningham f , whofe plaintive numbers fliow 
 A heart that melts with fympathy of woe, 
 Accept my thanks — To thee my thanks are due. 
 For who is She n stone's friend, is virtue's too. 
 And who, that e'er his happy friendfhip bleft. 
 But feels the fad contagion flrike his bread ? 
 And who, that ever felt the mufe's lire, 
 But in his praife muft wake the weeping lyre ? 
 And who, that ever heard liis numbers flow, 
 But felt the mufe through all his bofom glow ? 
 
 When my ftunn'd eyes thy faded vilage faw, 
 When I approach'd thy breathlefs corfe with awe ; 
 Oh! that my tears, as frefli'ning fummer rains 
 Revive the flow'rs that droop on droughty plains. 
 
 * Vide Gent. Mag. for March 1763. Poetry. 
 
 •f- A Gentleman who wrote fome verfes on his death. 
 
 Had
 
 [ i°5 J 
 
 Had, with like pow'r, impcll'd thy lilent heart,. 
 Had pufli'd the vital flood through ev'ry part ; 
 While with my fighs Td mov'd thy lab'ring breaft, 
 And inftant rouz'd each torpid pow'r from reft : 
 But oh ! I vainly figh'd ! I vainly wept ! 
 For in the frigid grafp of death he flept. 
 
 But, bafe felf-love ! no longer thus complain. 
 Nor wifli him back to mifery and pain ; 
 Man's happinefs is ne'er fccure bclov/. 
 But oft he feels the random fhafts of woe : 
 Then all ye unavailing murmurs ceafe. 
 Nor banifli from my breaft the fweets of peace ; 
 But acquiefce in Heav'n's benign decree, 
 
 'Tis Heav'n's 'Tis beft for Sh en stone and for me ; 
 
 But, pardon, Heav'n ! my recent woe recoils. 
 With poignant anguifli ftill my bofom boils ; 
 My will prophanc, with reafon ftill at ftrifc, 
 Though all in vain, would wifti him back to life. 
 
 E e Oh
 
 [ io6 ] 
 
 Oh happy I'pirit ! where doft thou rellde ; 
 Say, how are all thy blifsful hours cmploy'd ? 
 Doft thou, O kind Philantliropift ! defcend 
 To vifit earth (man's univerfal friend) ? 
 Doft thou, unfeen, the pow'r of vice controul, 
 And breathe thy fpirit through each wayward foul? 
 Doft thou the fad complaints of mifery hear, 
 And, unperceiv'd, repel each doubt and fear? 
 Or doft thou rove Britannia's bards among, 
 The guardian genius of the moral fong ? 
 Or, ftrung t' angelic numbers, does thy lyre 
 Now fweetly join the bleft celeftial choir ? 
 Who to their golden harps inceftant fing 
 Their hallelujahs to th' Eternal King. 
 Or does thy fpirit range without a bound, 
 Where other planets, other fcenes, furround ? 
 Or viftt thefe thy native woods and ftreams. 
 Where oft thy mufe has fung her fylvan themes ? 
 
 Ye
 
 [ 107 ] 
 
 Ye lofty woods of fprcading beech and oak, 
 
 Long, long may ye efcape the woodman's ftroke; 
 Ye groves, ye fields, fliould Sh en stone pafs this way, 
 Your lovelieft leaves, your brightcfl blooms difplay ; 
 That, in thefe fhades, he oft may deign to dwell, 
 And ev^'ry threat and injury repel. 
 
 But it avails not me where Shenstone roves, 
 Or whether now the guardian of thofe groves j 
 Within the duft his body mould'ring lies, 
 His mind eludes thefc grofs corporeal eyes. 
 
 How welcome would I meet my final doomj 
 How willing drop my carcafe in the tomb, 
 Would Heav'n condud me to that blifsful feat, 
 Where joys ne'er end, where ev'ry joy's compleat ; 
 Where he, and countlefs kindred fpirits, prove 
 Virtue's reward, and their Redeemer's love ; 
 For happincfs is virtue's lot confefs'd ; 
 Shenstone was virtuous, Shenstone jiiuft be blefs'd. 
 
 But
 
 C io8 ] 
 
 But death willfoon arrive without a call, 
 And by difeafe or time I fooii muft fall. 
 Tho' thefe tall fliades the murd'ring ax defy, 
 • Yet foon will time's flow- wafting fangs deftroy ; 
 And foon thefe lovely fields by which they ftand, 
 And all the fail extent of Albion's land, 
 Each flinty rock, and marble hill, decay. 
 And all this vaft rotund of earth fhall melt away. 
 
 And now, my mufe, recline thy feeble plume. 
 No more on thine unaided ftrength prefume ; 
 No more on waxen pinions dare to fly. 
 With none to guide thee thro' the pathlefs fky ; 
 No more will Shenstone patronize thy lay. 
 Thy beauties gild, or prune thy faults away. 
 
 And thou, my lyre, beneath this cyprcfs fhadcj 
 In fcattcr'd fragments be for ever laid : 
 Thy ft rings bcdew'd with many a ftr earning tear. 
 With one expiring clangor ftrike my ear ; 
 
 5 
 
 For
 
 C rop ] 
 
 For thus I dafK thee on the moiften'd ground, 
 While with confufed notes the hills and woods refound : 
 For you've accomplifh'd now your pleafing themes, 
 Havefung the Lessowes groves, the Lessowes ftreams •, 
 Have Tung my Shenstone's dear departed ghoft, 
 The mufe's glory, every virtue's boaft ; 
 Have fung the forrows of my troubled bread ; 
 Reft thou my mule, my lyre for ever reft. 
 
 N. B. Since thefe poems went to the prefs, the author has informed the 
 editor, that he is in pofTeffion of a free fchool of lol. per. annum, pre- 
 fented him by Lord Vifcount Dudley and Ward. 
 
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