THE JUDGMENT O F PARIS. A POEM. By JAMES BEATTIE, M. A. A'MAXON AE N KPY'YAI TO' SYrTENE'E HUGOS' PINDAR. OLYMP. LONDON: Printed for T. BECKET and P. A. DE Ho NOT, at Tully's Head, in the Strand; and J. BALFOUR, in Edinburgh. M DCC LXV, [Price One Shilling and Six-pence.] a ' -. - - PREFACE. ] sriT . IF all the powers of human nature could be gra- tified at once, fuch an univerfal gratification would certainly conftitute the Supreme Felicity of man. But this is impoffible : for our appetites and affections are in many inftances incompatible ; and whatever courfe of life we purfue, we muft forego fome gratifica- tions, if we would hope to attain others. Self-denial is not peculiar to the virtuous ; the fenfualift and the ruf- fian cannot exempt themfelves from it. But virtuous felf- denial reftrains only thofe propenfities, whofe influence is moft limited, and which, when indulged, introduce diforder into the mind ; whereas, that abftinence which the vitious impofe upon themfelves, reftrains the nobleft and moft important principles of their nature, and fuch as are of the moft extenfive influence : the latter doth neceffarily contract our fphere of enjoyment, and the former doth as neceflarily enlarge it. . . After an accurate induction of particulars, it hath been fhewn by Moral Writers, with a degree of evidence, a 2 which. [ iv ] which, if it cannot be called ftrict denionilratioa, is at leaft fufficient to command the aflent of every reafonable man, that Virtue hath a natural tendency to produce, and is perfectly confident with, the ampleft and moft diffufive gratification of our Whole Nature. The pur- fuit of Ambit ion^ or of Senfual Pleafure^ can promife only partial happinefs ; being adapted, not to our whole conftitution, but only to a fart of it. The propenfities, which determine us to fuch purfuits, are certainly Na- tural propensities ; and as fuch, when Separately confi- dered, may feem conducive to the perfection of human felicity : a confideration, upon which the Senfual and the Ambitious found a plea, that often appears ipecious, and often proves enfnaring. But pleafutes cannot be properly eftimated when feparately confidered : we ought to eftimate them according to their comparative excel- lence, and according to their influence on the General happinefs of the Whole mental fyftem.- sfo a t?ib :aifai. -ju sly ^ -The following Eflay is to be looked upon as an at- tempt to illuftrate fome points of this important doc- trine. The Fable, from which it derives its name, its fcenery, and principal incidents, is well known ; and is, indeed, in its original ftate, no very proper vehicle for communicating any moral doctrine : but, after chang- ing fome circumftances, omitting others, and retaining fuch only as were neceflary for embelliming the fenti- ments, ments, and rendering the cataftrophe probable, I thought it more favourable to my defign, than any that I could Lave invented. The rule which Horace hath fuggefted in thefe lines, no . { - ff \ Redlius Iliacum carmen deducis in a&us, Quam Ci proferres ignota indi&aque primus : will perhaps appear as applicable to fmall as to great works. Some will doubtlefs think it abfurd, to introduce any part of the Pagan, or rather Homeric Theology, into a modern poem profeffedly ferious. But the attentive Reader will perceive, that the celeftial Beings introduced into this poem, whom the fubj eel: 'rendered it neceflary to diftinguifli by the names of Juno, Pallas, and Venus, reprefent,' not the characters of thefe god defies as we find them in Homer, but only fuch characters, as the Pa- tronefles of Ambition^ of Wifdom, and of Effeminate Pleafure^ might be fuppofed to afliime. The arguments or topicks, by which their feveral doclrines are enforced, are all deduced from the principles of human nature. But they differ efientially in this refpecl: ; the arguments of the Firft Speaker and of the Laft proceed from Partial views of our frame ; thofe of the Second, from a view of the Whole &s conftituting one fyftem. It It is hoped, the chara&er of Paris, as here repre*- fented, will be found finally agreeable to the idea of liim conveyed^to us in the writings 'of Homer, \ and other antient poets. The probability of the cataftrophe de- pends very much on the Real Character of this per- fonage ; and therefore, with regard to him, a clofe adherence to Poetic Truth -was judged altogether necefiary. ;> , ^ c \ It will not perhaps be improper to obferve, that a's the following Compofition was intended to partake no 5 3 uDO r i it v A 4 r lefs of the Lyric than of the Heroic ftyle, I have there- fore made choice of that fpecies of verification, which to me feems equally iufceptible of both ; and which, in the judgment of Mr. DRYDEN*, is " More noble, and " of greater dignity, both for the found and number," . than any other regular ftanza of Englifh verfe, September^, 1764. iiU^SU^ji JO bfl^ t * Preface to Annw Mirabilis, printed 1667. i THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS. T"^ A R in .the depth of Ida's inmoft grove, *- That faintly murmur'd to the vernal wind ; Where flowery woodbines wild by Nature wove Form'd the lone bower, THE ROYAL SWAIN reclin'd. Up the broad cliffs, that tower'd immenfe to heaven, Green waved the lofty pines, on every fide, Save where, fair-opening to the beam of even, A dale floped gradual to the valley wide. B Echoed Echoed the vale with many a chearful note ; The various lowe of herds refounding long, The fhrilling pipe, the mellow horn remote, And focial clamours of the feftive throng. For now, low-hovering o'er the weftern main, Where amber clouds begirt his dazzling throne, The fun with ruddier verdure deck'd the plain ; And lakes, and ftreams, and fpires triumphal flione ; And many a band of ardent youths were feen : -* Some, into rapture fired by glory's charms, Or hurl'd the thundering car along the green, Or march'd embattled on in glittering arms. Others more mild, in happy leifure gay, The winding foreft's lonely gloom explore ; Or by Scamander's flowery margin ftray, Or the blue Hellefpont's refounding fhore. But [ 3 ] But chief the eye to Ilion's glories turned, That gleam'd along th' extended champaign far ; And bulwarks, in terrific pomp adorn'd, Where Peace fat fmiling at the frowns of War. Rich in the fpoils of many a fubjecT;- clime In pride luxurious blazed th' imperial dome ; Tower'd mid th' encircling grove the fane fublime ; And dread memorials mark'd the hallow'd tomb Of Him, who from the gore-ftain'd cavern led The favage ftern, and footh'd his boifterous breaft ; Who fpoke, and Science rear'd her radiant head, And brighten'd o'er the long-benighted wafte ; Or, greatly daring in his country's caufe, Whofe heaven-taught foul the aweful plan defign'd, Whence Power flood trembling at the voice of Laws, Whence foar'd on Freedom's wing th' ethereal mind. B 2 But t 4 1 But not the pomp that Royalty displays, Not all th' imperial pride of lofty Troy, Nor Virtue's triumph of immortal praife Could roufe the languor of the lingering BOY. Abandon'd all to foft OENONE'S charms, He to oblivion doom'd the liftlefs day; Inglorious lulled in Love's diffolving arms, While flutes lafcivious breathed th' enfeebling lay. To trim the ringlets of his fcented hair, To aim, infidious, Love's bewitching glance, To cull frefli garlands for the gaudy Fair, Or wanton loofe in the voluptuous dance j Thefe were his arts ; thefe won OENONE'S love, Nor fought his fetter'd foul a nobler aim - Ah why Ihould Beauty's fmile the arts approve, Which taint with infamy the lover's flame! Now [si Now laid at large befide a murmuring fpring Melting he liften'd to the woodland fong ; And Echo liftening waved her aery wing, While the deep-winding dales the lays prolong. When lo, flow-floating down the azure fkies, A crimfon cloud flafh'd on his ftartled fight, Whofe fkirts gay-fparkling with unnumbered dies Lanch'd the long billowy trails of flickering light. That inftant, hufri'd was all the vocal grove, Hufh'd was the gale, and every ruder found ; And lays aereal warbling far above Rung in the ear a magic peal profound. Near and more near the fwimming radiance roll'd, Along the' mountains ftream'd the lingering fires; Sublime the groves of Ida blazed with gold, And heaven refounded wide with louder lyres. Upfprung [ 6 ] Upfprung the trump's {hrill clang \ and all in air The glories vanifh'd from the dazzled eye ; And three ethereal forms, divinely fair, Down the fteep glade were feen advancing nigh. The flowering glade fell level where they mov'd, O'er-arching high the cluttering rofes hung, And gales from heaven on balmy pinions rov'd, And hill and dale with gratulation rung. The FIRST with flow and ftately ftep drew near ; Fix'd was her lofty eye, eret her mien ; Sublime in grace, in majefty fevere, She look'd a goddefs, and fhe mov'd a queen. Her robe along the gale profufely ftream'd, Light lean'd the fceptre on her bending arm ; And round her br0w a ftarry circlet gleam'd, Heightening the pride of each commanding charm. Milder [71 Milder the NEXT came on with artlefs grace, And on a javelin's quivering length reclin'd ; T' exalt her mien (he bade no fplendor blaze, Nor pomp of vefture fluctuate on the wind. Serene, though awful, on her lofty brows, Celeftial Wifdom (hone ; nor rov'd her eye, Save where Ide's darkening cliffs majeflic rofe, Or the blue concave of th' involving fky. i Keen were her eyes, t' explore the inmoft foul ; Yet Virtue triumph'd in their beams benign ; And impious Pride oft felt their dread controul, When in fierce lightning flafli'd the wrath divine *. ! With awe-ftruck wonder gazed th' adoring SWAIN; His kindling cheek great Virtue's power confefs'd ; But foon 'twas o'er, for Virtue prompts in vain, When Pleafure's influence numbs the nervelefs bread. This is agreeable to the Theology of Homer, who often reprefents Pallas as the executioner of the divine vengeance. And And now advanced the QUEEN OF MELTING joy, Smiling fupreme in unrefifted charms. Ah then, what tranfports fired the trembling BOY ! How tlifob'd his fickening frame with fierce alarms ! Her Jparkling eyes, all moiftening as they fwim r : Luxurious, look'd unutterable love. Heaven's warm bloom glows along each brightening limb, Where fluttering < bland the veil's thin mantlings rove. [; Quick, blufhing as abafh'd, fhe half withdrew ; One hand a bough of flowering myrtle wav'd, One graceful fpread, where, fcarcc conceaFd from view, * - * * *** ' * -* i j i-^' - - 1 Soft through the parting robe her bofom heav'd. " OFFSPRING of JOVE fupreme! belov'd of heaven! . < Attend." Thus fpoke the Emprefs of the ikies. " For, lo, to thee, high-fated Prince, 'tis given " Through the bright realms of Fame fublime to rife, 5I Mark'd his lip quiver, and his bofom rife, And his warm cheek fuffus'd with crimfon die. But I s I But PALLAS now drew near. Sublime, ferene In eonfcious dignity flie view'd the fwain ; Then, love and pity foftening all her mien, Thus breathed with accent mild the folemn ftrain. frc LET thofe, whofe arts to fatal paths betray, c< The foul with Paflion's gloom tempeftuous blind ; " And fnatch from Reafbns ken th' aufpicious ray " Truth darts from heaven to guide th' exploring mind. But WISDOM loves the calm and ferious hour, " When heaven's pure emanation beams confefs'd ; " Rage, ecftafy, alike, difclairn her power; c< She wooes each gentler impulfe of the breaft, " Sincere th' unalter'd blifs her charms impart, " Sedate th' enlivening ar-dors they infpire ; {< She bids no tranfient rapture thrill the heart, " She wakes no fcverifh guft f fierce defire. cc And hear th' abandon'd maid's laft frantic moan,. Her Love, for -$ver from her bofom tora:8 - r> IU 1-J iiJJiJ'tJSL^J 1\^ " Nor wilt thou fhrink, when Virtue's fainting breath " Pours *the dread curfe of -vengeance on thy head? < c Nor when the pale o-hoft burfts the care of death, i O 3 c< And howling furies roufe th' eternal ftrife, D 2 " O, by J> " And monftrous fhapes growl to the ruthlefs ftbrrn, " Not PH^BUS' fmile can chear the dreadful plains, a Or foil accurs'd with balmy life inform. " Then, Envy, then is thy triumphant hoiir, " When mourns Benevolence his baffled fchemej i IT* * > < When Infult mocks the clemency of Power, IT " And loud Diffention's livid firebrands gleam ; r ;> <{ When fquint-eyed Slander plies th' unhallow'd tongue, r 1 rf / c< From poifon d maw when Treafon weaves his line, , < c And mufe apoftate (infamy to fong !) . p '-'yvuS lu n ,. . ' .-; (A ^.a ocjoH * c GroveJs, low-muttering at bedition s inrme. xw. -.;lb.^bii; < Let not my Prince forego the tranquil fhade, . " The whifpering grove, the fountain, and the plain : <( Power, with the opprefiive weight of pomp array 'd, " Pants for fimplicity and eafe in vain. " The " The yell of frantic Mirth may ftun his ear; " But frantic Mirth foon leaves the heart forlorn ; " And PLEASURE flies that high tempeftuous fphere, Far different fcenes her lucid paths adorn. c< She loves to wander on th' untrodden lawn, " Or the green bofom of reclining hill, . _A 9 " Of human woes, how impotent thy ftrifef " High o'er thy mounds devouring furges ride,