f^^ I ^ 
 
 "v- 
 
 :3.-
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 ^ 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND
 
 OEMS 
 
 AND 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PIECES, 
 
 WITH A 
 
 FREE TRANSLATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 OEDIPUS TYRANNUS OF SOPHOCLES. 
 
 B Y 
 
 THE REV. THOMAS MAURICE, A. B. 
 
 O F 
 
 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFORD. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed for the A U T H O R j 
 
 And fold by J. Dodsley, Pall-mallj G. Kearsly, in Fleet-ftreet; 
 Meflrs. Fletcher, Prince, Parker and Bliss, Oxford; and 
 Meflrs. Woo DYER and MerryLj in Cambridge. 
 
 M.DCC.LXXIX,
 
 [ til ) r^-^jj.^^.^ 
 
 TO HIS GRACE 
 
 THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 1 O animate mankind to the pradice of virtue, and the conqueft 
 cf thofe pafllons which are moft detrimental to fociety, by holding 
 forth examples taken from real life, either of vice degraded or trium- 
 phant virtue, hath ever been the chief aim of thofe who duly con- 
 fidered the nature and origin of theatrical compofition. While 
 Comedy holds the mirror to folly, it is the office of Tragedy to ex- 
 pofe to public deteftation thofe vices, to which the diftinguiflied rank 
 of the offender, or the nature of the oifence itfelf, fandified by the 
 **ftupetin titulis" of popular delufion, may have given a long and 
 fecure dominion over the human mind. 
 
 Sophocles, my Lord, hath given us in the following pages a 
 lively and pathetic inftance of the deftrudlive nature of ambition, 
 -of the inftability of human grandeur, and of the difaflers too generally 
 Confequent when the paffions are not under the due fubordination 
 of reafon. I am convinced I fhall offend no perfon except yourfelf, 
 when I add that the fleady and tranquil happinefs which hath ever 
 attended your Grace in the exercife of every focial and domeftic 
 virtue, and the univerfal refped paid to that Integrity which neither 
 interefl could ever allure, nor ambition ever {hake from the bafis 
 whereon it is fixed, will be the beft proof and the ftrongeft confir- 
 mation of the doarine which this great mafter of tragic writing and 
 doraUty hath thus endeavoured to eftablifli. 
 
 A 2 At 
 
 7G4426
 
 [ Iv ] 
 
 At a period when the mofl folemn ties, both religious and civil, 
 are treated with fuch avowed contempt, to behold thofe, who are 
 moft eminent among our nobility, fteadily adhering to the diftates 
 of virtue, and fetting Co confpicuous an example of parental duty and 
 conjugal affcflion, muft, while it abaflies the front of vice, excite in 
 the breaft of every good man the fublimeft fatisfadion, accompanied 
 with the hcartiefl wiflies for its long continuance among mankind. 
 
 I have the honour to be. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's moft obliged 
 
 And moft devoted fervant, 
 Woodford, 15th June, 1779. 
 
 THOMAS MAURICE. 
 
 P R. E-
 
 [ V ] 
 
 R E F A C E. 
 
 jM OST of the following Poems have been already fubmitted to 
 the infpedlion of the public: under the fandtion, however, of fo many 
 refpedable names, and with the alterations recommended ro the: 
 Author by many judicious friends, they will perhaps have a better 
 plea to their attention. 
 
 To urge, that, of the mifcellaneous pieces in this colleftion, the' 
 greater part are juvenile compofitions, and that the tranflation itfelf 
 is but a continuation of thofe endeavours which were exerted at a 
 time of life when his ambition indeed was awakened, but his judg- 
 ment immature, would be an excufe very inadequate to their defeds. 
 He is inclined rather to fubmit them with thofe defeds to the con- 
 fideration of the reader, and await the fentence, if not of candour, at 
 lead of impartiality. 
 
 With refped to the Epistolary Verses, the Author has only 
 to intreat the forgivenefs of thofe to whom they have at different 
 times been fent for the liberty his ambition led him to take of. 
 uniting their names with his own in a work which, otherwife per- 
 haps, might iliare the fate common to the poetical produdtions of 
 the age. 
 
 The Poem of Hero and Leander is not a regular tranflation of 
 any part of Moi'chus ; neither is the Eaftern Elegy, entitled Hinda, 
 offered to the public as a particular imitation of any Afiaticpoet: 
 the firft was compolcd as an exercife at fchool, and the latter was 
 written when the imagination of the Author had been animated 
 with the perufal of thofe beautiful fpecimens of Eoftern poetry, 
 lately given to the world by Mr. Jones, and Mr. Richardfon. 
 
 The Prospect of Life was in its original form a paraphrafe of 
 a Grecian Chorus : the plan has been fince enlarged, but the picture 
 perhaps is too gloomy not to meet with cenfure. 
 
 A writer, who is ambitious of general applaufe, lliould never en- 
 gage in dil'putes of party : but the pref'ent unhappy contefl: in Ame- 
 rica is certainly a fubjedl for too extenfive concern to fix the ftigma 
 
 of;
 
 [ vl ] 
 
 <»f favfl'on on the bard who laments it. The Versfs therefore 
 wiitten at that icra when thofe fat.d hoflilities commenced, will 
 require lefs apology, becaufe they exprefs, though in an unworthy 
 man-icr, the iLnliments of every true lover of iiis country. 
 
 The Tragedy of the Trachinians of Sophocles was performed 
 in the original Creek by the fcholars of a gentleman, to whom the 
 Author with gratitude acknowledges himfclf indebted lor his own 
 education. The lines here publi(hed, were meant to have been re- 
 cited, previous to the performance. Though, for fome reafons, 
 they were not fpoken, he was unwilling to refufe the requeft of 
 thofe, who, from being concerned in that performance, had a right 
 to demand the peruHil of them. It they meet with their approba- 
 tion, he (hall not be anxious whether or not they can Hand the teft 
 of fcverer criticifm. 
 
 The Poems that follow have been already honoured with a public 
 pcrufai, and with Ibme fliare of the public applaule. 
 
 To the Tranllation itfelf are prefixed a few prefatory pages, 
 which will explain the plan on which the Tranfl.itor has proceeded. 
 That fome of the fpeechcs toward the end of the Tragedy appear 
 immoderately lonrz, though fome cenfure may be due to his own 
 want of ability to find words fufficicntly exprclhvc of the original 
 idea, is partly to be afcribed to the cuftom of the Greek dramatic 
 writers, who made the a^AAo,- relate ihe moll interefling events of 
 the play, and often difplayed in their fpeeches, as well as in thofe 
 of the principal charadters, which are likewife generally extended 
 to a confiderabic length, all that vigour of genius that fo ftrongly 
 marks the tragical writers of antiquity. 
 
 Some apolojy is necefl'ary for the delay in the publication of this 
 book: but thofe who are acquainted with the difficulties and delays 
 that attend works of this kind when the Author cannot be on the 
 fpot, will form in their own minds a better cxcufe for him, than 
 any he himfelf can offer. 
 
 SUB-
 
 [ vli J 
 
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 IGHT Hon. Earl of Abingdon 
 
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 [ viii ] 
 
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 Mrs. Evans, ditto 
 
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 Hon. Thomas Fitz Maurice 
 
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 Rev. William Finch, L. L. D. St. John's 
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 Frnncis Ford, Efq. fellow commoner of 
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 Rev. Mr. Ford, B. D. Baliol College, Ox- 
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 Thomas Charles Fountayne> Efq. fellow com- 
 moner of Clare-hall, Cambridge, 2 copies 
 
 Rev. Nat. Fotflcr, D. D. Rel'ior of St. 
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 John Goddard, Efq. of Woodford-hall, 
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 Colonel Go.ite, 
 
 Anthony Grayfon, Efq. four copies 
 Rev. Robert Graham, p. D. of Ketherby, 
 
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 Mrs. Graham 
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 James Graham, ditto, two copies 
 Rev. Charles Graham, Hartingfordbury, 
 
 Herts 
 Thomas Graeme, Efq. gentleman commoner 
 
 of Queen's Culleae, Oxford 
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 of Univerfity College, Oxford, two copies 
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 W'lliijm Gregory, Eliq. of Baliol Coll. Oxfd. 
 G. (iun, Efq. gentleman commoner of 
 
 Magdalen College, Oxford
 
 I « ] 
 
 Leflie Grove, Efq. 
 
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 Right Hon. Earl of Harcourt 
 
 Hon. and Rev. John Hewit 
 
 Hon. Jofeph Hewit 
 
 Rev. George Home, D. D. Prefident of Mag- 
 dalen LoUege, and Vice Chancellor of tlie 
 Univerfity of Cyxford 
 
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 Francis Hutchinlon, M, D. Dublin 
 
 Right Hon. Earl of Inchiquin 
 
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 Oxford^ 
 
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 Right Hon. Lord LyfFord, Lord Chancellor 
 
 Of Ireland 
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 Hon. William Legge, All Soul's College, 
 
 Oxford 
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 William Lyfter, Efq. Dublin 
 \V iiliam D. Lvftcr, Efq ditto 
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 Rev. J. S Lovat, A. M. Redor of Loughlo.n, 
 
 Eflex, two copies 
 
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 His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, two 
 
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 [ X ] 
 
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 nry Collegr, Oxford 
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 1 unity College, Cambridge 
 Thomas ToJiI, Efq. 
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 Sir James Wtig^if, 1 
 
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 Rev. Benjamin Wheeler, D. D. Canon of 
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 gius Profedorof Divinity 
 
 Ml. Wain Wright 
 
 Rev. Willimi Walker, M. A. R.^or of 
 W\kc, near C'hichellcr 
 
 Rev. 'John Waters, L. L. B. St. John's 
 Co!l-'ge, Oxford 
 
 Mr. Wallace, Fellow of Bennet College, 
 Oxford 
 
 Rev. Richard Webfler, A. B. Fellow of St. 
 John's, Oxford 
 
 ClLirles Webber, Efq. Student of Chrift 
 Church College, Oxford 
 
 Welles Efq. Oriel College, Ox.'^ord 
 
 Mr. R. Welles 
 
 Thomas Willes, Efq. L. L. B. Univcrfity 
 C(.llei:c, Oxford 
 
 John Wilkinfon, M. D. F. R. S. Woodford 
 
 Francis Woodlioufe, Efq. 
 
 John Woodhoufe, Efq- 
 
 Edmund Woods, Efq. Lincoln'a-inn 
 3
 
 O N T E N T S. 
 
 Epiftolary Verfes 
 To Samuel Johnfon, L. L. D. 
 
 To Thomas Percy, D, D. from Oxford, on antlent mlnftrelfy. 
 To the Marquis of Blandford, after feeing Blenheim. 
 To the Author of Poems and Tranllations from the Afiatic lan- 
 guages. 
 
 Hero and Leander. 
 
 Hinda; an Eaftcrn Elegy. 
 
 The Profpedl of Life: an Ode. 
 
 Verfes written in the year 1774. 
 
 Prologue to the Tragedy of the Trachinlans. 
 
 Imitations of the Splendid Shilling— — 
 The School-Boy. 
 The Oxonian. 
 
 Defcrlptive Poems—— 
 
 Netherbv. 
 
 Hagley. 
 
 A Monody, facred to the memory of Elizabeth, Dutchefs of Nor- 
 thumberland. 
 
 A Free Tranflation of the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles.
 
 To SAMUEL JOHNSON, L.L.D/ 
 
 WH I L E Britain's lofty bards his thoughts engage. 
 Will Johnfon fraile on this ignobler page ? 
 From thee her flame my infant fancy caught, 
 And kindled at thy page the glowing thought; 
 Learn'd, by thy light, her fteady courfe to guide, 
 Tempt the rough fhore, and brave the deepening tide. 
 
 What equal tribute fliall the mufe prepare; 
 What heights of rapid fong unufual dare ? 
 But when her hand hath fwept the noblefl: wires, 
 Above her boldefl flights thy praife afpires : 
 The wife, the virtuous venerate thy name ; 
 This is thy praife, and this the nobleft fame. 
 
 Oh truly great ! whofe generous, aftive mind 
 Scorns ev'ry labour but to blefs mankind ! 
 Thine the high tafk a nation to reform. 
 The rifing race with virtuous hopes to warm; 
 
 B With
 
 [ 2 ] 
 
 With folly's fons eternal war to wage, 
 And lafli the crimes of an abandon'd age. 
 
 Befet with ills, opprefj'd by namelefs woes, 
 Superior to their rage, thy genius rofe : 
 Unable thefe to crufli thy great defign. 
 To damp thy piety, thy thoughts confine ! 
 On wealth, and power, thy fteadfafl: foul looks down, 
 Regardlefs if the mighty fmile or frown. 
 Guilt is thy foe, guilt open, or conceal'd. 
 And none are fafe whom virtue does not fhield : 
 When in her caufe thou draw'il the righteous fword. 
 It wounds, alike, the peafunt and the lord. 
 
 By thee rcfin'd, to full perfedion brought, 
 We rival Greece in language, as in thought; 
 Genius foars bolder, fancy brighter £hines. 
 And manlier vigour animates our lines. 
 Let blockheads rail, whofe precepts, wifely, teachi 
 To c^iWobfcure, what dullnefs cannot reach: 
 Thy labour'd volume claims our nobleft praife, 
 That loftier fenfe in loftier found conveys. 
 Howfwest, how ftrong, the polifh'd periods roil. 
 With thoughts that rcuze, tranfport, convince the foul! 
 
 L - Bat.
 
 C 3 ] 
 
 But are there fome, the fleady foes of worth. 
 
 Still prompt to give the embryo falrtiood birth. 
 
 Who ftrlve to blacken thy illuftrious name, 
 
 By each mean art that dark revenge can frame ; 
 
 Attack the firmnefs of an honeft heart. 
 
 That fcorns, alike, the knave's or villain's part; 
 
 Fadion's bafe fons, who principle difdain, 
 
 Or know no principle, but that of gain ? 
 
 If fuch there are, ev'n thefe thou can'fl defpife, 
 
 Ev'n thefe thy fix'd integrity defies : 
 
 Thy fame fhall flourilh when their mem'ries rot, 
 
 Their rage, their writings, like their names, forgot. 
 
 What bold, ambitious hopes, my bofom warm. 
 Oft' as my eyes behold thy honour'd form; 
 As all the labours of thy life I trace. 
 Thy glory, and the glory of our race ! 
 Thy mind, retaining flill her wonted fires. 
 With added years increafing ftrength acquires : 
 Vig'rous, as when to Juvenal's manly page 
 Thy mufe congenial gave rekindled rage. 
 But thy ambition boafts a nobler aim. 
 Than man's applaufes, and the bubble, fame; 
 
 B 2 Anxious
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 Anxious to gain, and eager to fecurc. 
 
 That brighter meed to patient virtue fure; 
 
 Thine are the joys, that animate the juft. 
 
 And Uft the foul above its kindred dufl: : 
 
 Ev'n here, the dazzling fcenes entrance thy fight. 
 
 While confcience gives a feraph's pure delight. 
 
 To
 
 C 5 J 
 
 To the Reverend THOMAS PERCY, D.D. 
 
 From claffic plains, where fcience loves to dwells 
 
 Sooth'd with the warblings of her Attic fhell ; 
 
 From bowers, where patriots, fages, kings, have ftray'd. 
 
 With wifdom mufing in the laurel fhade ; 
 
 Friend to the mufe, this votive verfe receive, 
 
 Praife what you can, and what you may, forgive, ,_ j 
 
 Hither that mufe thy favour'd footftep led. 
 And wreath'd a chaplet round thy youthful head : 
 Here bade thy foul, with daring fearch, explore 
 The rich, exhauflleis mines of antient lore; 
 Reach the bold flights of Plato's fire-clad thought. 
 And fcan the truths his greater mafter taught : 
 Wifeft of men, whofe firm unfliaken foul 
 Beheld, without difniay, the deadly bowl. 
 Nor cou'd ungrateful Athens blafl a name. 
 That ftill fhall {bine, their glory and their fliame, . 
 Here to thy view bade Athen's patriot rife. 
 Fate in his voice, and light'ning in his eyes, 
 
 TJiC'
 
 [ 6 ] 
 
 The foes of Greece and freedom to confound. 
 And dafli the pride of Philip to the ground : 
 Or warm'd thee with the found of Tully's tongue; 
 On which admiring Rome with rapture hung. 
 Taught thee what drains the Theban roll'd along, 
 And all the fweets of Maro's polifli'd fong. 
 
 Oft, 'midfl: thefe kindred glades, thy mind might trace 
 The myftic page of Mona's antient race j 
 Whom, trembling thro' her forefts inmofl gloom. 
 She pour'd by midnight from her cavern'd womb ; 
 Prophets, whofe eyes the depths of fate cou'd pierce, 
 V/ho buril the bands of death with magic verfc : 
 And thofe of later day, with rage fublime. 
 Who fmote the harp, and rouz'd the foul of rhyme; 
 Whofe martial ftrains rehears'd the toils of fight. 
 And warm'd the heart of many a hardy knight : 
 How, like a rock, each lion-chieftain flood. 
 Or urg'd his panting ftced thro' feas of hoftile blood. 
 
 Methinks I fee, where Alnwick's turrets hoar 
 Darken her flood, fo often Aain'd with gore, 
 A thoufand heroes fill the fpacious hall. 
 And helms and lances hang the frowning wall. 
 
 Full
 
 f 7 ] 
 
 Full In the center of the warlike band, 
 I fee a chief of bolder vifage (land j 
 With keener flames his glift'ning eye-balls fhine. 
 And his port marks him of the Tercy line — 
 The fong begins; the minftrels fweep the ftring. 
 And the high roofs with martial clangors ring : 
 Of tournament they fing, and tented plain, 
 A Percy vidor, or a Douglas flain. 
 Or Arthur's feats, in daring lays rehearfe. 
 Or Edward's conquefls fwell the mighty verfe> 
 The founds, like light'ning, pierce each warrior's foul. 
 And life's warm tides in brifker currents roll ; 
 Their fpears they fhake, and clafh the burnifh'd fhield;., 
 And feem triumphant e'er they reach the field- 
 Bold were the notes, and kings approv'd the fong. 
 Like thofe who heard, unpolifli'd, rough, and flrong;; 
 But cou' d not o'er the arm of death prevail. 
 When all the powers of fong and mufic fail : 
 Time, with oblivious hand, defac'd the page. 
 And virtue only triumph'd o'er his rage : 
 Their rugged numbers we no more admire. 
 Yet tho' their language fails, their raptures firsi. 
 PERCY, 'twas thine to cull each nobler lay, 
 And give new verdure to the wither'd bay ,- 
 
 The
 
 \ 
 
 [ « ] 
 
 The blooms of infant genius to reftore. 
 
 Teach them to fpread, and bid them fade no more« 
 
 For long as genuine paflion fways the heart, 
 
 And nature's painting fhames the flrokes of art, 
 
 Britain fliall love the (train that fings, fo well. 
 
 How her bold antient heroes fought and fell : 
 
 Her rifing offspring kindle as they read. 
 
 And burn, like them, to conquer or to bleed—- 
 
 To
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 To the A U T H O R of POEMS 
 And TRANSLATIONS from the Afiatic Languages. 
 
 VV HITHER does fancy ftretch her rapid wing. 
 Thro' what new regions of ferener fpring ? 
 My ravifli'd fenfe an opening Eden greets, 
 A wafte of treafures, and a wild of fweets— 
 And now I feem thro' fairy bow'rs to ftray, 
 Where fcatter'd rubies pave the fpangled way ; 
 Tranfparent walks, with polifh'd fapphires bright. 
 And * fountains, fparkling with ambrofial light. 
 
 A fweeter lyre no Eaftern fwain hath flrung. 
 More foftly warbled, or more boldly fung ; 
 Whether, great Bard, thy vigorous mufe rehearfe 
 Solima's deathlefs praife, in deathlefs verfe ; 
 Paint the bright virtues of her generous mind. 
 Great as thy own, and as thy own refin'd ; 
 Or, tun'd to grief, the melting numbers move. 
 And breathe the fofteft tales of plaintive love : 
 
 * Alluding to ihe poem of the Seven Fountains. See page 33. 
 
 C Tender
 
 [ >° ] 
 
 Tender as Petrarch's flows th' impaflion'd line. 
 Nor Vida boafts a charter page than thine. 
 
 Yet not that Britain's laurels round thy head, 
 And Arab's palms with rival luftre fpread, 
 
 P'or this I fing but, that, with fix'd difdain. 
 
 Thy Roman foul refus'd the flatterer's flrain; 
 And dar'd prefer, (unvers'd in courtly guile) 
 Virtue's juft praife beyond a Monarch's fmile. 
 
 To
 
 To the Moft Noble the MAR QU IS ofBLANDFORD, 
 after having feea Blenheim Houfe. 
 
 o U C H the proud monument of Churchill's fame, 
 Albion, thy boaft, and vanquifh'd Bourbon's fliame; 
 Yet tho' the roofs, with floried triumphs bright, 
 Pour on our eyes a flood of mimic light, 
 Tho' the rich walls, in breathing filks array'd, 
 Boaft all the blended pomp of light and fliadej 
 He claims a furer fame than thefe can give. 
 On nobler monuments his triumphs live : 
 For when this towering manfion fhall decay, 
 (Forgive, great Architect:, the daring lay) 
 When Time fliall dafh to earth the mould'ring buft. 
 And yon proud column crumbles into dull:. 
 In Britain's love his mem'ry ftill fhall bloom. 
 And anxious nations guard the warrior's tomb. 
 
 Here, BLANDFORD, oft, as to thy wond'ring eyes 
 His dcathlefs feats in bright fucceffion rife. 
 Congenial tranfports in thy bofom roll. 
 And half his fpirit fires thy infant foul. 
 
 C 2 But
 
 [ I- ] 
 
 But far from the: Le war's tumultuous rage. 
 Nor let ambition taint thy tender age; 
 Let Spencer's bright example teach thy mind 
 Sublimer joys, and tranfports more refin'd : 
 Like him, thy hand to pining want extend, 
 Protefl the orphan, and the wretch befriend. 
 Thefc, thefe are arts that give more true renown. 
 Than captive nations, and a world o'erthrown. 
 But if thy country call thee to her caufe. 
 If freedom mourn her violated laws j 
 Then let thine arm the righteous fabre wield. 
 And be another Churchill in the field. 
 
 Yon lefs fuperb, yet not lefs glorious * pile, 
 Rear'd its fair front beneath his guardian fmile ; 
 There, the pale vidim of difeafe and grief, 
 Direds his feeble ftep, and finds relief: 
 
 * The Infirmary at Oxford, ercfled upon the moH extenfive and ufcful plan, Iiy the 
 Truftees of Dr. RadclifF's bcnefadlion, cut of the furplus money remaining after defraying 
 the cxpences of his library, and fupported by the ample contributions of hii Grace the Duke 
 of Mailborough, and others of the nobility and gentry of Oxfordfliirc. His Grace has 
 likewife been a. confidcrable bcnefaflor to the Univerfity, by piefenting it with an exfenfive 
 tract of ground for buiUiiig an Obfervatory on, and with a rcflctSling tclcfcope of twelve 
 feet, made by the late Mr. Short, which is the largeft inflrument of the kind ever made in 
 England, (one only excepted, finiflicd by the fame artift for the late King of Spain) and is of 
 great value. 
 
 Defpair's
 
 [ 13 ] 
 
 Defpair's wan cheeks the flufh of life refume. 
 And his pray'rs confccrate the hallow'd dome : 
 His grateful tongue of Radcliffe's bounty tells. 
 And on thy parent's name with rapture dwells. 
 The laurel'd fons of Ifis' happy vale 
 Catch the glad found, and fwell the applauding gale; 
 Her Naiads propagate the fav'rite theme, 
 And all her echoes waft it down the ftream* 
 
 But lo! attended by her infant train. 
 That fport around her on the velvet plain. 
 Like the firft blooming Eve, ere fatal pride 
 Led her fair feet from innocence afide, 
 The beauteous Marlbro' feeks her wonted fhade. 
 Where Perfian odours breathe thro' yonder glade;. 
 Her fairer Paradife — for all the flowers 
 That fhed their foft perfumes in eaftern bowers,. 
 Tranfplanted there their purple blooms expand. 
 And live and flourifh by her fofl'ring hand. 
 But who are thefc, that flufli'd with all the glow 
 Which health and youthful beauty can beftow, 
 Amidft thofe fpicy ft rubs, themfelves more fweet,- 
 Advance to meet her in her lov'd retreat? 
 
 In
 
 I u ] 
 
 111 whom thole charms, and cv'ry beauteous line 
 That marks her features, by reflcdlion (hine : 
 Our dazzled fight their rival fplendors tire. 
 Nor know we which molT; juftly to admire, 
 (So like they fliine in ev'ry nobler grace) 
 The lovely parent, or her blooming race. 
 
 Hence let us hade to yonder rugged fteep, 
 Down whofe grey fides the plunging waters fweep ; 
 Or climb yon mountain, black with hanging wood, 
 Round whofe broad bafis winds the deep'ning flood. 
 That, rolling thro' the fpacious valley, ftiames. 
 With its proud waves, the meaner tide of Thames. 
 Such, Brown, the wonders of thy plafl:ic hand; 
 The new creation fprang at thy command ; 
 And yon flupendous arch furveys his tide 
 Aflonidi'd, fpread with all an ocean's pride. 
 
 Beneath thofe elms, in Britain's elder time. 
 Old Chaucer pour'd his legendary rhyme : 
 To hear his wond'rous tales, the lift'ning moon 
 Check'd her bright axle at its higheft noonj 
 While many a wood-nymph round the bard would throng, 
 And dance refponfive to his midnight fong. 
 
 To
 
 [ >5 ] 
 
 To thefe dear glooms, from battle's glorious toils. 
 With honours laden, and triumphal fpoils. 
 Great Henry fled *, to lofe in beauty's charms 
 The care of kingdoms, and the din of arms : 
 To rapture here, and Rofamond refign'd. 
 New paffions fir'd the royal Vi6tor's mind : 
 The cleareft fprlngs they fought, the darkeft groves, 
 And ev'ry bower was confcious to their loves. 
 But fliort the blifs unholy joys afford. 
 His raging confort feeks her abfent lord ; 
 And Rofamond, from love and Henry torn. 
 Retires to weep in yonder glooms forlorn. 
 
 Oh never more may guilty tranfports ftain 
 Thefe hallow'd haunts, nor jealous fires profane y 
 But ev'ry future lord, like Spenfer, prove 
 The fweets of fecial life, and fpotlefs love ! 
 
 * Henry the Second. 
 
 HERO
 
 I i6 ] 
 
 HERO AND LEANDER. 
 
 STRETCH'Don Abydos' folitary flrand, 
 With eye eredt to heav'n, and fuppliant hand, 
 Leander lay : the tempefl: blacker grew. 
 And veil'd that heav'n for ever from his view ! 
 He marks the boifterous hurricanes that fweep, 
 With madd'ning rage, the furface of the deep : 
 But fiercer ftorms within his bofom roll. 
 And furious gufts of pafllon tear his foul, 
 Abfence and wild defpair at once confpire 
 To fvvell the tumult, and inflame defire: 
 Sudden he ftarts, and thus, in frantic mood. 
 Pours his loud plaints to the remorfelefs flood. 
 ** Thou refllefs deep, whofe hoflile waves divide 
 *' An eager lover, and his anxious bride, 
 " Ah ceafe thy rage ; ye tcmpefls rave no more, 
 " Nor bar my paflage to the wi(h'd-for fhore : 
 " Much have I borne beneath your bleak domain, 
 -" As each dark eve I crofs'd the watry plain. 
 
 "' Raging
 
 [ 17 ] 
 
 "Raging with fierce, impatient fires, to fhare 
 
 " The fond embraces of my abfent fair : 
 
 •' Witnefs thou friendly torch, whofe glimmering ligh^ 
 
 *' Chear'd the dull horrors of the dufky night; 
 
 '* Witnefs ye confcious tow'rs, that oft have fcen 
 
 •' The trembling tranfports of your love-fick queen j 
 
 *' When in her arms my dropping limbs (he preft, 
 
 *' And clafp'd me breathlefs, fainting to her bread. 
 
 '* Dear, tranfient fcenes ! but ah! muft never more 
 
 *' Thefe eyes with rapture view the Thracian fliore? ' 
 
 " Shall intervening fsas, and adverfe wind, 
 
 " Damp or reftrain the lover's adive mind ? 
 
 ** No, let me plunge amidlt the foam, and brave 
 
 " All the wild fury of the dafliing wave: 
 
 " Soon on yon cliffs ftiall blaze my well-known guide, 
 
 *' While Hero's name fhall bear me thro' the tide. 
 
 *• Fir'd at the found, my foul within me burns, 
 
 " And danger, toil and fate indignant fpurns." 
 
 He fpake, and rufhing down the rocky fteep, 
 
 Plung'd in the bofom of the hoary deep. 
 
 Now darknefs, brooding o'er the vafl: profound. 
 Had fpread her dragon wing oe'r all around : 
 
 D The
 
 [ '8 ] 
 
 Tlie pale moon funk amidft the tenfold night. 
 
 And ev'ry ftar with-held its cheariiig light : 
 
 Defccnding torrents, mix'd with ruddy flame, 
 
 Roar'd to the howling blafl: in loud acclaim; 
 
 The pealing thunders broke thro' heav'n's cleft plain. 
 
 And fiiook the caverns of the groaning main ; 
 
 Nor ceas'd the lightnings, with deflrudlive glare, 
 
 To flafli impetuous thro' the dufky air. 
 
 Leandcr, frantic with amaze and dread, 
 
 Amidft the billows rear'd his languid head. 
 
 And fought the faithful lamp, but none appear'd. 
 
 And not a ray the dark horizon chear'd. 
 
 Save where the lightning fhot a dreadful gleam. 
 
 Or fparkles gliften'd on the glowing flream. 
 
 In vain to heav'n he lifts his haggard eyes, 
 
 Adds vow to vow, and wearies Jove with cries : 
 
 No pitying God would grant a lover's pray'r, 
 
 Nor Venus hear his wailings of defpair. 
 
 He next invokes old Neptune to his aid, 
 
 And ev'ry nymph, and ev'ry blue-ey'd maid. 
 
 In vain ; relentlefs fate had fcal'd his doom ; 
 
 The deep, to whelm him, opes her yawning womb. 
 
 ExJiaufted
 
 [ '9 ] 
 
 Exhaufted with fatigue, at length he gave 
 His languid limbs to float along the wave; 
 Then, heaving from his bread a mighty figh, 
 Exclaim'd, " 'Tis heaven's decree, and I muft die : 
 *' Muft die, my Hero, ere thefe circling arms 
 " Once more, in thine, embrace an angel's charms. 
 " Ye cruel winds, ye fportive tempefls, hear 
 " Thefe my laft words, and waft them to my dear. 
 " Tell her, not all your rage combin'd could move 
 " This conftant foul, nor quench the fire of love ; 
 " Tell her, for her I brav'd the boift'rous tide, 
 " For her the madnefs of the ftorm^—and died." 
 Hefaid; and darknefs rufliing on his fight. 
 Wrapt the pale lover in eternal night. ' 
 
 Hero meanwhile, with anxious cares opprefl:, 
 A thoufand pafllons flruggling in her breafi, 
 Pafs'd in fufpenfe her tedious hours away. 
 The night in watching, and in tears the day. 
 Now, from the highefl tow'r (he fi:retch'd, with pain. 
 Her eager eyes o'er all the boundlefs main; 
 Now with her flaves from room to room flie flies. 
 Till the wide dome refounded with their cries. 
 
 D 2 At
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 At length Hie pausM, her ftrength began to fail. 
 And thus flie fpake, with faultering h'ps and pale— 
 
 " Dear partners of my grief, who m re than Hiare 
 " In all the complicated pangs I bear, 
 " Did ever wretch fuch various tortures know, 
 " Toil with like cares, or bend with equal woe ? 
 " I fink, I fink beneath the mighty weight, 
 
 " And yield mc to the torrent of my fate 
 
 " Thiice hath the moon her nightly journey roll'd, 
 
 " Nor yet thefe arms the lovely youth infold ; 
 
 *■ Perhaps, already, welt'ring on the wave, 
 
 " O'er his pale head the circling billows i-ave. 
 
 " Mah there !_I fee him mangled, gafii'd, and torn, 
 
 " Wide o'er the howling wafte of waters borne. 
 
 " I fee him dafli'd againft the rocky fliore, 
 
 " His beauteous limbs all black with wounds and gore : 
 
 " Help, help, ye powers !" the fainting princefs faid, 
 
 And her flavcs bear her to the royal bed. 
 
 In vain fl:e ftrove her languid eye to clofe. 
 And lofe the fenfe of grief in fweet repofe. 
 Such dreadful fcenes within her bofom wrought, 
 And doubt and terror darken ev'ry thought : 
 
 Before
 
 Before her fight the ghaftly phantom ftood. 
 All deadly pale, and fmear'd with clotted.blood ; 
 Dreadful it fmil'd, as o'er her proftrate charms 
 It feem'd to hang, and ftretch its empty arms. 
 The gloomy vifion fir'd her madd'ning brain. 
 And wilder horror fliot thro' ev'ry vein. 
 She darted from the couch in wild defpair. 
 Beat her white breaft and tore her raven hair j 
 Then, rufhing forth, the rocky heights afcends. 
 Where wideft o'er the wave the turret bends ; 
 Rolling her fiery eyes from fide to fide. 
 Soon as her lover's floating corpfe fhe fpied. 
 Headlong ftie darted from the giddy fteep. 
 And funk for ever in the whelming deep,. 
 
 HIND A 5.
 
 [ " ] 
 
 II I N D Aj an Eaftern Elegy. 
 
 JL/ED by the (lar of evening's guiding fires, 
 
 That fhone ferene on Aden's lofty fpires. 
 
 Young Agib trod the folitary plain, 
 
 Where groves of fpikenard greet his fenfe in vain : 
 
 In wealth o'er all the neighbouring fvvalns fupreme. 
 
 For manly beauty ev'ry virgin's theme; 
 
 But no repofe his anxious bofom found, 
 
 Where forrovv cherifh'd an eternal wound. 
 
 The frequent figh, wan look, and frantic ftart. 
 
 Spoke the defpair that prey'd upon his heart. 
 
 The haunts of men no more his fleps invite. 
 
 Nor India's treafures give his foul delight. 
 
 In fields anddeep'ning fliadcs he fought relief. 
 
 And thus difcharg'd the torrent of his grief. 
 
 * Ye fwains, that thro' the bow'rs of plcafure rove, 
 
 * Ye nymphs, that range the myrtle glades of love, 
 
 * Forgive a wretch, whofe feet your bow'rs prophane, 
 € Where joy alone and happy lovers reign : 
 
 But
 
 [ *3 ] 
 
 «■ But oh! this breaft inceflant cares corrode, 
 « And urge my fainting fteps to death's abode ! 
 
 * Joylefs to me the feafons roll away, 
 — ' Exhaufted nature hurries to decay j 
 
 « Day's chearful beams for me in vain return, 
 « For me the flars of heav'n negleded burn : 
 
 * In vain the flow'rs in wild luxuriance blow, 
 
 * In vain the fruits with purple radiance glow j 
 
 * In vain the harveft groans, the vintage bleeds, 
 « Grief urges grief, and toil to toil fucceeds : 
 
 * Since (he whofe prefence bade the world be gay, 
 f Whofe charms gave luftre to the brighteft day, 
 
 * H I N D A, once faireft of the virgin train, 
 
 * Who haunt the foreft, or who range the plain, 
 
 * Sleeps where the boughs of yon black cyprefs wavCj 
 
 * And I am left to languifli at her grave ! 
 
 * To that dear fpot, when day's declining beam 
 ' Darts from yon ihining towers a farewell gleam, 
 
 * Conflant as eve, my forrows I renew, 
 
 * And mix my tears with the defcending dew, 
 
 * The lafl: fad debt to buried beauty pay, 
 
 * Kiis the cold fhrine, and clafp the mould'ring clay, 
 
 1. 
 
 Farr
 
 [ 2+ ] 
 
 * Far other founds this confcious valley heard, 
 
 * Far other vows thefe ardent lips prcferr'd, 
 
 ^ When fick with love, and eager to embrace 
 
 * Beauties unrlvall'd but by angel grace, 
 
 * I madden'd as I gaz'J o'er all her charms, 
 
 ' And hall'd my HINDA to a bridegroom's arms. 
 
 ' I printed on her lips an hafty kifs, 
 
 * The pledge of ardent love and future blifsj 
 
 * Her glowing blufliesfann'd the fecret fire, 
 
 * Gave life to love, and vigour to defire ; 
 
 ' Then, when the tear, warm trickling down my check, 
 
 * Spoke the full language paflion could not fpeak, 
 
 * Our mutual tranfport feal'd the nuptial rite, 
 
 ' Heav'n witnefs'd, and approv'd the chafte delight 
 
 " Prepare, I cried, prepare the nuptial feaft, 
 «' Bring all the treafures of the rifled Eafl : 
 " The choicefl: gifts of ev'ry clime explore, 
 " Let * Aden yield her tributary flore; 
 
 • Aden and Saba arc both cities of Arabia Felix, celebrated for the gardens and fpicy 
 woods with which they are furrounded. 
 
 " Let
 
 [ ^5 ] 
 
 " Let Saba all her beds of fpice unfold, 
 
 " And Samarcand fend gems, and India gold, 
 
 " To deck a banquet worthy of the bride, 
 
 *' Where mirth fliall be the guefl-, and love prefide. 
 
 *' Full fifty fteeds I boaft of fwifteft pace, 
 ** Fierce in the fight, and foremoft in the race. " 
 ** Slaves too I have, a numerous, faithful band, 
 " And heav'n hath giv'n me wealth with lavifh hand : 
 " Yet never have I heap'd an ufelefs flore, ' 
 " Nor fpurn'd the needy pilgrim from my door; 
 *' And, fkill'd alike to wield the crook or fword, 
 '• I fcorn the mandate of the proudeft lord. 
 " O'er my wide vales a thoufand camels bound, 
 ** A thoufand fheep my fertile hills furround; 
 " For her amidft the fpicy {hrubs they feed, 
 " For her the choiceft of the flock fliall bleed ; 
 " Of polifli'd chryilal fliall a goblet (hine, 
 *' The furface mantling with the richeft wine ; 
 ** And on its fides with * Omman's pearls inlaid, 
 ** Full many a tale of love fhall be pourtray'd : 
 
 * The fea of Omman bounds Arabia on the fouth, and is celebrated by the Eaftern Poets 
 for the beauty of the pearls it produces. 
 
 E " Hefper
 
 [ =6 ] 
 
 *' Hefper fliall rife and warn us to be gone, 
 •' Yet will we revel 'till the breaking dawn j 
 " Nor will we heed the morn's unwelcome light, 
 *' Nor our joys finilh with returning night. 
 
 " Not Georgia's nymphs can with my love compare, 
 " Like jet, the ringlets of her niuflcy hair : 
 " Her rtature like the palm, her fhape the pine, 
 " Her brcafls like fwelling cluflers of the vine; 
 " Fragrant her breath as Hadramut's perfume, 
 " And her cheeks fliame the damaik rofe's bloom. 
 " Black, foft, and full, her eyes ferenely roll, 
 " And feem the liquid manfion of her foul. 
 " Who fliall defcribe her lips, where rubies glow, 
 " Her teeth like fliining drops of purefl fnow ? 
 " Beneath her honey 'd tongue perfuafion lies, 
 " And her voice breathes theflrains of Paradifc. 
 
 " A bower I have, where branching almonds fpread, 
 " Where all the feafons all their bounties (hcd; 
 " The gales of life amidft the branches play,. 
 " And mufic burfls from ev'ry vocal fpray, 
 " Its verdant foot a flream of amber laves, 
 " And o'er it Love his guardian banner waves: 
 
 c ' 
 
 There
 
 [ 27 ] 
 
 *' There fliall our days, our nights in pleafure glide, 
 " Friendfhip fhall live when paflion's joys fubfide ; 
 
 <* Increafing years improve our mutual truth, 
 
 < 
 
 ' And age give fandion to the choice of youth." 
 
 ' Thus fondly I of fancied raptures fung, 
 
 * And with my fong the gladden'd valley rung. 
 
 * But fate, with jealous eye, beheld our joy, 
 
 * Smil'd to deceive, and flatter'd to deftroyj 
 
 * Swift as the fliades of night the vifion fled, 
 
 * Grief was the gueft, and death the banquet fpread. 
 
 * A burning fever on her vitals prey'd, 
 
 * Defied Love's efforts, baffled med'cine's aid, 
 
 * And from thefe widow'd arms a treafure tore, 
 
 * Beyond the price of empires to reflore. 
 
 * What have I left, what portion but defpair, 
 « Long days of woe, and nights of endlefs care ? 
 
 * While others live to love, I live to weep j 
 < Will forrow bur.ft the grave's eternal fleep ? 
 ' Will all my pray'rsthe favage tyrant move 
 
 * To quit his prey, and give me back my love ? 
 « If far, far hence, I take my hafty flight, 
 
 * Seek other haunts, and fcenes of foft delight, 
 
 E 2 « Amidil
 
 [ 2S ] 
 
 * Amidft thecrouded mart her voice I hear, 
 
 * Andflied, unfccn, the lolitary tear; 
 
 ' Mufic exalts her animating ftrain, : 
 
 * And beauty rolls her radiant eye in vain : 
 
 ' All that was mufic fled with Hinda's breath, 
 
 * And beauty's brighteft eyes are clos'd in death! 
 ' I pine in darknefs for the folar rays, 
 
 * Yet loath the fun, and ficken at his blaze; 
 
 ' Then curfe the light, and curie the lonely gloom, 
 
 * While unremitting forrow points the tomb. 
 
 • Oh ! Hinda, brightefl of the black-ey'd maids, 
 ' That fport in paradife' embovv'ring fhades, 
 ' From golden boughs where bend ambrofial fruits, 
 
 * And fragrant waters wafli th' immortal roots j 
 ' Oh from the bright abodes of purer day, 
 
 * The proftrate Agib at thy tomb furvey j 
 
 * Behold me with unccafing vigils pine, 
 
 ' My youthful vigour wafte with fwift decline; 
 
 * My hollow eye behold, and faded face, 
 
 * Where health but lately fpread her ruddy grace — 
 
 * I can no more — this fabre fets me free ; 
 
 * This gives me back to rapture, love and thee. 
 
 Firm
 
 C 2? 1 
 
 * Firm to the flroke its (hining edge I bare, 
 
 * The lover's lad: fad folace in defpair. 
 
 * Go, faithful fleel, aft ling'ring nature's part, 
 ' Bury thy bluihing point within my heart; 
 
 ' Drink all the life that warms thefe drooping veins, 
 
 * And banifli at one flroke a thoufand pains. 
 
 * Hafte thee, dear charmer i catch my gafping breath, 
 
 * And chear with fmiles the barren glooms of death ! 
 
 * 'Tis done — the gates of Paradife expand— 
 
 * Attendant Houri fcize my trembling hand— 
 
 * I pafs the dark, inhofpitable fliore, 
 
 * And, Hinda, thou art mine— to part no more.' 
 
 TH E
 
 [ 30 3 
 
 THE PROSPECT OF LIFE 
 AN ODE. 
 
 •1 H O U, in whofe breaft ambitious tranfports burn, 
 And ye, who wafle the vigour of your age 
 
 In fruitlefs wifhes to protradt the date, 
 
 Aflign'd to life by unrelenting fate j 
 
 Ah from the fcenes of fplendid folly turn, 
 
 And mark, her mirror in this faithful page. 
 
 What tho', blind wretch, along her dang'rous tide, 
 Sportive, the thoughtlefs and the giddy glide; 
 
 Or, led by folly's meteor light aftray, 
 Securely wanton round the verdant fliore : 
 
 How are they fwept by fudden fates away, 
 Or break like bubbles and are heard no more ! 
 
 But
 
 C 31 ] 
 
 But if thou wilt the untried ocean dare, 
 
 For rougher ftorms thy fliatter'd bark prepare. 
 
 When all thy boafted ikill fhall fail -, 
 For many a rock lurks unperceiv'd beneath. 
 And know,— creation teems with various death, 
 With fecret treafures of exhauftlefs woe. 
 That o'er the deareft joys of man prevail. 
 And crufli the happinefs of all below. 
 
 Behold the circling elements confpire 
 
 To hurry haplefs mortals to the tomb. 
 Leagued to deftroy, earth, ocean, air, and fire. 
 
 With aftive violence urge on their doom. 
 
 Deeply convuls'd with thunder's awful found. 
 See the cleft earth difclofe her yawning womb. 
 
 And whelm whole empires in the gulph profound ! 
 
 Eruptive thro' the midnight air 
 
 Fell comets flafn, and vivid lightnings glare, 
 Smiting with death the guiltlefs vidim's head. 
 Or rufhing whirlwinds defolate the plain, 
 
 V/here Afric's barren wade expands. 
 And caravans, with nations in their train, 
 
 Promifcuous bury in the burning fands. 
 
 But
 
 [ 32 ] 
 
 Uut who fliall ocean's countlefs wrecks rehearfe. 
 The myriads welt'ring on her ftormy bed ? 
 
 Stupendous tomb of half the human race, 
 That fleep unwept by one funereal verfe, 
 
 One mournful tear their obfequies to grace ! 
 
 From fcenes of public terror turn thy view; 
 Fate's thoufand ills in humbler fcenes purfue : 
 Extend thy glance thro' ev'ry various ftage. 
 From childhood's follies up to doating age — 
 What then is life, but one Vafl chearlefs maze. 
 
 Where blinded man in error ftrays; 
 
 Alternate fport of joy and forrow, 
 To-day triumphant, and opprefs'd to-morrow ? 
 
 Firfl let thine eye attentive fcan 
 
 What namelefs woes thy fteps await. 
 Ere ripening years mature thee into man. 
 And darken ev'ry prorpe(fl of delight : 
 
 Scarce has the frail inhabitant of clay, 
 'Midft toil and danger, ftruggled into day^ 
 
 But infant fcreams too well declare 
 The wretched babe misfortune's fated heir. 
 
 Perhaps
 
 [ 33 ] 
 
 Perhaps he falls her early prey. 
 
 And finks untimely to the grave ; 
 But if his tender head her fury brave. 
 
 And fate this happieft boon deny, 
 
 A thoufand furies hover nigh, 
 In haft'ning years, their certain prey to feize : 
 A thoufand ravening paflions ready ftand. 
 Each with a whip of fcorpions in his hand ; 
 Thefe, with united rage, his bofom fling, 
 
 Blaft all his hopes, and poifon ev'ry fpring 
 Whence genuine rapture had begun to flow. 
 
 And fpread an univerfal blank of woe 1 
 While unafTuag'd and piercing pains. 
 
 The monftrous race of peftilent difeafe. 
 Infuriate rufh thro' all his throbbing veins. 
 
 To madnefs ev'ry frantic pulfe inflame. 
 And writhe with agony his tortur'd frame. 
 
 Then vifionary fears his foul afiright ; 
 
 He finks in fuperfi:ition's tenfold night. 
 
 Now let the mufe exalt her firain ; 
 Let martial clangors drown the voice of pain : 
 Behold him, now, in life's meridian fl:ate. 
 
 When all the fyren pleafures round him wait; 
 
 F His
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 His cheeks with health and manly beauty glow, 
 And valour frowns upon his dauntlefs brow : 
 
 What tho', inflam'd with glory's charms, 
 lie rurtics at the trumpet's call lo arms. 
 And gains the fliining plume of high renown ? 
 
 Perhaps, the loftieft fummit gain'd. 
 With ev'ry bold, ambitious wifh obtain'd. 
 
 He triumphs in his foes o'crthrown. 
 And boafts the fplendors of a ravifli'd crown : 
 
 Yet foon th: glittering phantom flies. 
 
 The widow's moan hath pierc'd the fkies : 
 Some frefli ufurper rifes to confound 
 
 His tow'ring pride; and fortune's changeful frown 
 Tumbles the vidtim of her vengeance down. 
 
 Eut thus to triumph, thus to fall, 
 Is not the guilty, glorious lot of all : 
 
 Yet ev'ry bread with various paflion burns. 
 And the fad profpecfl ftill thro* life returns. 
 
 Does fcience court thee? ah the wifli forego. 
 For added knowledge is but added woe; 
 
 Error and doubt diftrad the fchoolman's mind. 
 Happier, tho' humbler, rcfts th' untutor'd hind. 
 
 In
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 In fenfual joys you plunge, but plunge In vain, 
 No heartfelt pleafures are to thefe allied ; 
 
 The feftive board unfeen difeafes ftain, 
 And forrow floats amidfl: the crimfon tide. 
 
 Does beauty fire thee ? know, that ficklieft fiow'r 
 Blooms and expires, the produdt of an hour ! 
 
 Bright, but to perifli ; blooming, but to fade ; 
 The lovelieft cheek that ever wak'd defire, 
 
 Thebrightefl eye muft foon its charms refign; 
 Refign at once their luflre and their fire. 
 
 And hide their glories in eternal fhade ! 
 
 But fay, do bafer tranfports warm thy foul. 
 
 Ambitious dill to fwell thy fhining ftore. 
 And, mines exhaufted, yet athirft for more ? 
 
 Take then the utmofl: wifh that foul can frame j 
 For thee, her treafures let Padlolus roll. 
 
 For thee, the diamonds of Golconda flame : 
 Yet Oh ! when death fliall lift the threaten'd dart. 
 
 When keen remorfe, for all the vidims flain 
 To fatiate thy unbounded thirfl: for gain, 
 
 Plunges her fiery talon in thy heart ; 
 
 F 2 Will
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 Will thefe remorfelefs Profcrpine alTuage, 
 Will thefe allay the bofom fury's rage ? 
 
 Ah ! why the catalogue of ills prolong, 
 And fwcU with complicated woes the fong > 
 Recount thofe darker moments of defpair. 
 When all the paflions, fierce and unconfin'd, 
 RuHi with the tempeft's fury on the mind. 
 And reafon, headlong, from her ftation bear : 
 When poverty to ev'ry other pang 
 
 Adds her keen edge — prefents an infant train. 
 Who with imploring eyes around thee hang, 
 And raife their fuppliant plaints for bread in vain : 
 Stern fate, perhaps, determin'd to deftroy 
 
 All that was precious, all thou wifh'd to fave. 
 And cruHi at once the fource of ev'ry joy — 
 Blafts the young confort blooming in thy arms^ 
 Nips in the bud a daughter's op'ning charms, 
 Or gives thy bofom friend to an untimely grave. 
 
 Then, ev'ry fource of genuine comfort dead, 
 Youth's fire extind, and manhood's vigour fled. 
 
 To clofe the dreary fcene, enfeebling age. 
 With fault'ring foot, and furrow'd front appears, 
 
 JealouSj
 
 [ 37 ] 
 
 Jealous, miftruftful, impotent; opprefs'd 
 With never-ceafing doubts and groundlefs fears. 
 
 Without one hope to warm the languid breafl-. 
 Thy toil to foften, or thy grief affuage. 
 The pow'rs of memory fail ; the balls of fight, 
 
 ♦* With dim fuffufion veil'd," no more retain 
 Their fparkling beams, but (hed a doubtful light. 
 No more the deafen'd ears can drink the found 
 
 Of plaintive lute, or foftly-warbling lyre : 
 The nervous arms no longer dart around 
 
 The brandifli'd javelin, or avenging fire; 
 Fall'n is their boafled might, and nought remains 
 
 As life's lafl: remnant moments tedious flow. 
 
 But black referves of unexhaufted pains. 
 And fad fuccefllve feenes of length'ning woe ! 
 
 VERSES
 
 r 38 ] 
 
 VERSES written in the Year 1774. 
 
 What fliouts werethofej what fierce and martial train 
 *' Ruflies to war in yon embattled plain ? 
 " Ah whence thofe flames that brighten all the coaft» 
 *' And light to vengeance each devoted hofl ? 
 ** Oh! fcene of guilt, that blots the fick'ning day! 
 *' And mud a parent's eyes that fcene furvey ? 
 ** My fons, my fons, in impious fight engage, 
 *' And brothers madden with forbidden rage." 
 Thus from the bofom of th' Atlantic tide, 
 While at her voice th' obfequious waves divide, 
 Slow-rifing, Britain's guardian Genius faidj 
 And tore th' eternal laurels from her head. 
 Her foot flic fix'd upon the rocky fteep. 
 Where * Bofton's barrier cliffs o'erhang the deep : 
 In vain llie flretch'd her anxious eyes around. 
 To the broad horizon's rcmotefl: bound; 
 
 * Thefe rocks arc at the entiancc of the bay, and are fo many and dangerous as to allow 
 cnly one fJe approach to the harbour, through a channel hardly wide enou;jh to admit two 
 fliips to fjil in abreaft. 
 
 2 The
 
 r 39 ] 
 
 The fmiling fields, the peonlcd marts to trace 
 The happy haunts of her once favour'd race. 
 Thofe fields, thofe marts, were now a defart grown, 
 Their beauty vanifli'd, and their pride o'erthrown. 
 Indant the warrior Audi, that wont to ftrcak 
 With glowing crimfon her immortal cheek, 
 Exchang'd for deadly pale its radiant dies, 
 And the keen lightnings languifli'd in her eyes ; 
 The fliield of glory trembled in her hand. 
 Her fpear flie dafli'd upon the ftony ftrand : 
 And as fhe view'd the defolated plain, 
 Pour'd from her burning heart this plaintive flrain. 
 
 " Ah, fatal fields ! where, erft the chofen band, 
 ** Fir'd by my voice, and led by freedom's hand, 
 " Thro' wild untrodden defarts burfl their way, 
 " Where yelling favages in ambufli play j 
 *• Where the grim wolf lay dormant in the brake, 
 " And vengeance fparkled from the trampled fnake— 
 " Ah race unworthy thofe immortal fires, 
 " Debas'd their virtues, tho' not quench'd their fires, 
 *' Ye, who thofe fpears with brother's blood have ftain'df 
 ** What nights of toil and days of battle gain'd. 
 
 To
 
 [ 40 ]' 
 
 ^ To murd'rous difcord have refign'd a prey, 
 
 *' And marr'd the toil of ages in a day. 
 
 ** Dar'd they, for this, the polar winter's fnovv; 
 
 " For this, the burning fun's intenfcr glow ? 
 
 " For this did many a hero ftrew the plain, 
 
 " When * Potowmack ran purple to the main? 
 
 " For this, my Wolfe his life vidorious pour, 
 
 " And Braddock perifh on a barb'rous fliore ? 
 
 *' Behold, my fons, this wounded brep.ft I bare, 
 
 '* Ah ceafe thefe ftreaming wounds afrefii to tear! 
 
 " From you they came ; and ev'ry hoflile dart 
 
 ** Drinks my warm life, and rankles at my heart. 
 
 " Sheathe, flieathc your fwords ; or, if the rage of fight 
 
 ♦' Fill my bold race with fuch fevere delight, 
 
 *' (For well I know what martial ardors roll 
 
 •* In breafis like yours, and fire the warrior foul) 
 
 i' llaile to the fields where fairer glory calls; 
 
 ** Hafle, hurl your thunder round Havannah's walls. 
 
 " Once more infulting Spain fhall flee with dread, 
 
 *' And haughty Bourbon bow the Aubborn head. 
 
 * Potowmack is a conficJcrable river of Virginia, where the frrft fcttlers eftjblifhed their 
 cglon)', after furmouming every obllacle of an unknown country and a favagc enemy. 
 
 Infplr'd
 
 [ 41 ] 
 
 ** Infpir'd with dark revenge, and rival hate, 
 
 , '' They plan deflrudion for my fav'rite ftate : 
 
 *' Eager to crufli a pow'r, their fcourge and fliame, 
 
 *' With hell's dire arts your difcords they inflame j 
 
 *' 'Till civil torches light them on their w^ay, 
 
 •' And hofts refiftlefs feize th' unguarded prey. 
 
 ** But fhall my Britons, whofe exalted name 
 
 " Shines on the bright record of nobler fame j 
 
 ** Shall the bold funs of freedom and the waves, 
 
 ** Shrink at the nod of Gaul's imperious flavea ? 
 
 *' A race for treacherous arts alone renov\''n'd, 
 
 '* Who know of honour nothing fave the found; 
 
 •' But vers'd in flatt'ry, and grimace, and guile, 
 
 *' Betray with bows, and murder with, a fmile : 
 
 " Shall thefe rule Britons ? Firfl, ye lightnings, fweep 
 
 " Thefe blafted cliffs, and whelm them in the deep. 
 
 " What tho' no foft luxurious arts ye boaft, 
 " Rough like your native clime, and rugged coaft, 
 " Ye glory in the nobler arts of truth, 
 " And manlier paflions fire your vig'rous youth ; 
 '" Courage is theirs, and noble thirfl: of fame, 
 " Virtue's ftrong throb, and honour's virgin flame : 
 
 G '« Thefe
 
 [ 4= 3 
 
 ♦' Thele are your bulwark, and when thefe fliall fall, 
 " Britons fliall crouch the abjc(fl flaves of Gaul. 
 
 " Have ye forgotten Crefly's glorious field, 
 " Where my lov'd Henry rais'd the warrior flileldi 
 " Where glory's felf his victor armies led, 
 *' And with three crowns adorn'd his royal head? 
 •' Before him fee her glittering flandard borne, 
 *' Her laurels blafted, and her lilies torn; 
 " See at bis feet her captive monarch bow, 
 *' And wail the jewels ravifli'd from his brow. 
 " Rouzc, let rekindling fancy call to view 
 " The coward heaps immortal Marlbro' flew; 
 " His arm but rais'd, oppofing hods retire, 
 " Or feek in death a refuge from his ire. 
 '* Methinks I fee a train of heroes rife, 
 " Flames in their hands, and terrors in their eyes; 
 •' Revenge!" they fliout, and tow'rds Havannah's fpires 
 « Wave their red arms, and point their hoflile fires. 
 
 '' Rouze then, my fons, nor heed the fullen roar, 
 " Which jealous fadion yells around your fliore : 
 *' Soon fliall the hydra fpend her pois'nous breath, 
 *• By me dragg'd howling to the gates of death. 
 
 Once
 
 [+3 3 
 
 *' Once more. In arms united as in mind, 
 ** Be firm, and brave the powers of earth combln'd 
 " Gallia (hall (brink aghaft, and vaunting Spain 
 '' Strive with the miftrefsof the world in vain." 
 
 She fpake j the luftre to her eye return'd. 
 Her cheek with renovated crimfon burn'd; 
 Eager fhe grafp'd th' unconquerable blade. 
 And all the terrors of her fhield difplay'd : 
 Then fwiftly plung'd in Ocean's mighty bed. 
 And the bright billows fparkled o'er her head,. 
 
 G 2 VERSES
 
 [ 44 ] 
 
 VERSES intended as a PROLOGUE 
 To the TRACIIINIANS of SOPHOCLES, 
 
 Performed by the Scholars of the Rev. Mr. PARR, at Stanmore 
 
 in Middlcfex. 
 
 i- H E fon of Jove, with anxious qualms opprefs'd, 
 To foothe the manes of his murder'd guefl. 
 In willing exile roves to diftant climes : 
 Strange dodrines thefe to rogues of modern times ; 
 Whom fcarce ftern juftice can expel the land, 
 Tho' fleady Mansfield guide her vengeful hand. 
 But what you'll think more flrange, he takes his wife, 
 To fwell the forrows of his future life. 
 As on they journey, filcnt, penfive, flow, 
 Hearts full of grief, and eyes that Aream with woe, 
 A river flopp'd their courfe— ye powers divine ! 
 How could you thwart fo piou- a dcfign ? 
 The Hero paus'd, the Lady gave a fcream. 
 At length appear'd the genius of the ftream : 
 A huge midiapcn clown, with face of brafs, 
 Th^t well might for an Irifli porter pafs : 
 N»)-Ni-N»i?c«, — I think — confound the barb'rous name, 
 Like Hercules himfelf in ftrength and fame, 
 Aciofs his fhoulders our fair heroine ftrode. 
 And thus in triumph thro' the billows rode. 
 
 One
 
 [ 45 ] 
 
 One would have thought the waters might afiuage 
 The monfter's heat, and cool hisbrutifli rage; 
 But fpite of all, this huge, this ill-form'd wight, 
 
 Dar'd utter words, fo rude and unpolite 
 
 Dar'd offer things — fo (hocking to be told. 
 
 As made the prudifli lady's blood run cold — =• 
 
 To fuch a height increas'd his vile defire. 
 
 It rouz'd the Vv'atchful hufband's jealous ire. 
 
 Who, inftant as he reach'd th' oppofing fhore, 
 
 Hurl'd the fwift arrow, dipt in pois'nous gore. 
 
 That ftopp'd the faithlefs mifcreant in his flight, 
 
 And fent him howling to the fliades of night ! 
 
 But ere the lafl: pang heav'd his flubborn breafl". 
 
 With rage, with anguifli, and revenge opprefs'd. 
 
 The Centaur thus the trembling dame addrefs'd : 
 
 *• If e'er thy hulband wander from thy arms, 
 
 " Or gaze with fondnefs on another's charms; 
 
 " This veflment fprinkled with my blood, fhall prove 
 
 *• A pow'rful charm, and bind him to thy love." 
 
 Sage counfel ; which our Heroine did not fail 
 
 To ponder well, as mortal flefh is frail 
 
 Time prov'd her right; for foon this conftant lord. 
 So fond, fo true, a neighb'ring nymph ador'd ; 
 
 And
 
 C 46 ] 
 
 And while confllding pafllons tear her breaft. 
 She fends her faithlefs fpoufe this fatal vefl: : 
 The envenoni'd robe his tortur'd finevvs fires. 
 And the falfe wretch in dreadful pangs expires. 
 
 Ladies, i'faith, thefe Grecian dames, I ween. 
 Were full of ranc'rous fpite, and deadly fpleen ; 
 Our Britidi nymphs, of yore, were fomewhat cruel. 
 And flew their rival fweethearts in a duel: 
 But you, fair virgins, more polite and wife. 
 Contented warmer mortals, inith your eyes. 
 And, if negledlful of his fpoufe at home, 
 In thefe our days a hufband chance to roam; 
 The prudent wife fuch wanton vengeance fcorns,. 
 And decks his temples — with a brace of horns.
 
 I A7 3 
 
 THE SCHOOL-BOY. 
 
 In the Manner of the Splendid ShilUng. 
 
 1 H R I C E happy he, whofe hours the chearing fmiles 
 Of freedom blefs; who wantons uncontroul'd 
 Where eafe invites, or pleafure's fyren voice; 
 Him the ftern tyrant with his iron fcourge 
 Annoys not, nor the dire oppreffive weight 
 Of galling chain; but when the bluQiing morn 
 Purples the eaft, with eager tranfport wild. 
 O'er hill, o'er valley, on his panting fteed. 
 He bounds exulting, as in full career 
 With horns, and hounds, and thund'ring fliouts he drives 
 The flying flag ; or when the dulky {hades 
 Of eve, advancing veil the darkened flcy. 
 To neighb'ring tavern, blithfome, he reforts 
 With boon companion, where they drown their cares 
 In fprightly bumpers, and the mantling bowl. 
 
 Far otherwife within thefe darkfome walls, 
 Whofe gates, with rows of triple fteel fecur'd. 
 And many a bolt, prohibit all egrefs, 
 I fpend my joylefs days ; ere dawn appears, 
 
 3 Rous'd
 
 [ 48 ] 
 
 Rous'd from my peaceful flumbers by the found 
 Of awe-infpiring bell, whofe every flroke 
 Chills my heart-blood, all trembling, I dcfcend 
 From dreary garret, round whofe ancient roof. 
 Gaping wiih hideous chinks, the whiftling blaft 
 Perpetual raves, and fierce defcending rains 
 Difcharge their fury — Dire, lethargic dews 
 Opprefs my drowfy fenfc; ftill fancy teems 
 With fond, ideal joys, and, fi;'d with what 
 Or Poets fing, or fabled tale records, 
 Prefcnts tranfporting vifionsj goblets crown'd 
 With juice of Ne£tar, or the food divine 
 Of rich Ambrofia, tempting to the fight! 
 While in the (hade of fome cmbow'ring grove 
 I lie reclin'd, or through Elyfian plains 
 Enraptur'd flray; where ev'ry plant and flower 
 Send forth an odorous fmell, and all the air 
 With fongs of love and melody refounds. 
 Meanwhile benumbing cold invades my joints. 
 As with flow fauit'ring footfteps I refort 
 To where, of antique mold, a lofty dome 
 Rears its tremendous front ; here all at once 
 From thoufand different tongues, a mighty hum 
 Afl'aults my ears; loud as the diftant roar 
 
 Of
 
 C 49 ] 
 
 Of tumbling torrents i or as In fome mart 
 Of public note, for traffic far renown'd. 
 Where Jew with Grecian, Turk with African, 
 Affembled, in one general peal unite 
 Of dreadful jargon.— Strait on wooden b©nch 
 I take my feat, and conn with ftudious care 
 Th' appointed tafks i o'er many a puzzling page 
 Poring intent, and fage Athenian bard. 
 With dialedl, and mood and tenfe perplex'd; 
 And conjugations varied without end. 
 
 When lo ! with haughty ftride (in fize like him 
 Who erft extended on the burning lake. 
 Lay floating many a rood;) his fuUen brow. 
 With low'ring frowns and fearful glooms o'ercaft. 
 Enters the Pedagogue; terrific fight! 
 An ample ninefold peruke, fpread immenfe. 
 Luxuriant waving down his flioulders plays ; 
 His hand a bunch of limber twigs fuftains, 
 Call'd by the vulgar Birch, tartarean root, 
 Whofe rankling points, in blackeft poifon dipt, 
 Inflift a mortal pain j and, where they light, 
 A ghafily furrow leave. — Scar'd at the fight, 
 
 H The
 
 t 5° ] 
 
 The buftling multitude, with anxious hearts. 
 
 Their ftaiions feek. A folemn paufe enfues; 
 
 As when, of old, the monarch of the floods, 
 
 'iMidft raging hurricanes, and battling waves. 
 
 Shaking the dreadful Trident, rear'd aloft 
 
 His awful brow. — Sudden the furious winds 
 
 Were hufh'd in peace, the billows ceas'd their rage: 
 
 Or when, (if mighty themes, like thefe, allow 
 
 An humble metaphor) the fportive race 
 
 Of nibbling heroes, bent on wanton play, 
 
 Beneath the fhelter of fome well-flor*d barn. 
 
 In many an airy circle wheel around j 
 
 Some eye, perchance. In private nook conccal'd. 
 
 Beholds Grimalkin ; inftantthey difperfe. 
 
 In headlong flight, each to his fecret cell; 
 
 If hnply he may 'fcape impending fate. 
 
 Thus ceas'd the gen'ral clamour; all remain 
 In filent terror wrapt, and thought profound. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Pedagogue throughout the dome 
 His fiery eyeballs, like two blazing flars. 
 Portentous rolls, on fome unthinking wretch. 
 To (hed their baleful Influence ; whilft his voice 
 Like thund r, or the cannon's fudden buift. 
 
 Three
 
 C 5' ] 
 
 Three times is heard, and thrice the roofs refound! 
 A fudden palenefs gathers in my face ; 
 Through all my limbs a ftifF'ning horror fpreads, 
 Cold as the dews of death, nor heed my eyes 
 Their wonted fundlion, but in ftupidgaze 
 Ken the fell monfler; from my trembling hands 
 The thumb-worn volume drops ; oh dire prefage 
 Of inftant woe! for now the mighty found 
 Pregnant with difmal tidings, once again 
 Strikes my aflonidi'd ears. Transfix'd with awe. 
 And fenfelefs, for a time, I flandj but foon. 
 By friendly jog, or neighb'ring whifper rous'd, 
 Obey the dire injunction j ftrait I loofe 
 Depending brogues, and mount the lofty throne 
 Indignant, or the back oblique afcend 
 Of forrowful compeer j nor long delays 
 The Monarch, from his palace ftalking down. 
 With vifage all inflam'd ; his fable robe 
 Sweeping in length'ning folds along the ground : 
 He fhakes his fceptre, and the impending fcourge 
 Brandiflies high ; nor tears nor ihricks avail; 
 But with impetuous fury it defcends, 
 Imprinting horrid wounds, with fatal flow 
 Of blood attended, and convulfivc pangs. 
 
 H 2 Curft
 
 [ 52 ] 
 
 Cm([ be the wretch, for ever doom'd to bear 
 Infernal whippings j he, whofe favage hands 
 Firft grafp'd thefe barbarous weapons, bitter caufc 
 Of foul difgrace, and many a dolorous groan. 
 To haplefs fchool-boy. — Could it not fuffice 
 I groan'd and toil'd beneath the merc'Iefs weight. 
 By ftern relentlefs tyranny impos'd, 
 But fcourges too, and cudgels were referv'd 
 To goad my harrow'd fides : This wretched life 
 Loading with heavier ills ; a life expos'd 
 To all the woes of hunger, toil, diftrefs ; 
 Cut off from ev'ry genial fource of blifsj 
 From ev'ry bland amufement, wont to foothe 
 The youthful breafl ; except when father Time, 
 In joyful change, rolls round the feftive hour. 
 That gives this meagre, pining figure, back 
 To parent fondnefs, and its native roofs. 
 Fir'd with the thoi;ght, then, then my tow'ring foul 
 Rifes fuperior to its load, and fpurns 
 Its proud oppreffors ; frantic with delight. 
 My fancy riots in fucceffive fcenes 
 Of blifs and pleafures : plans and fchcmes are laid 
 How befl the fleeting moments to improve^ 
 Nor lofe one portion of fo rare a boon. 
 
 3 But
 
 [ 53 ] 
 
 But foon, too foon, thefe glorious fcenes are fled. 
 Scarce one fliort moon enjoy'd, (oh ! tranfient (late 
 Of fublunary blifs) by bitter change, 
 And other fcenes fucceeded, what fierce pangs 
 Then rack my foul ; what ceafelefs floods of grief, 
 Rufli down my cheeks, while fl:rong convulfive throbs 
 Heave all my frame, and choak the power of fpeech. 
 Forlorn I figh, nor heed the gentle voice 
 Of friend or ftranger, who, with foothing words. 
 And flender gift, would fain beguile my woes ;■ 
 In vain ; for what can aught avail to foothe 
 Such raging anguifh ! Oft with fudden glance 
 Before my eyes in all its horrors glares 
 That well-known form, and oft I feem to hear 
 The thund'ring fcourge — Ah me! e'en now I feel 
 Its deadly venom, raging as the pangs 
 That tore Alcides, when the burning vefl: 
 Prey'donhis wafled fides. — At length return'd 
 Within thefe hated walls, again I mourn 
 A fullen pris'ner, 'till the wifli'd approach 
 Of joyous holiday or feftive play 
 Releafes me : ah ! freedom that muft end 
 With thee, declining Sol ; all hail, ye fires 
 For fandity renown'd, whofe glorious names 
 
 In
 
 [ 54 ] 
 
 In large coiifpicuouscharadcrs pourtray'd, 
 Adoin the annual chronologic page 
 Of Wing or Partridge; oft when fore oppreil 
 With dire calamities, the glad return 
 Of your triumphant feflivals, hath chear'd 
 My drooping foul j nor be thy name forgot, 
 Illudrious George, for much to thee I owe 
 Of heart-felt rapture, as with loyal zeal 
 Glowing, I pile the crackling bonfire high, 
 Or hurl the mounting rocket thro' the air, 
 Or fiery whizzing ferpent; thus thy name 
 Shall ftill be honour'd, as thro' future years 
 The circling feafons roll their fellive round. 
 
 Sometimes, by dire compulfive hunger prefs'd, 
 I fpring the neighb'ring fence, and fcale the trunk 
 Of apple-tree; or wide, o'er flow'ry lawns. 
 By hedge ti thicket, bend my hafty fteps. 
 Intent, with fecret ambudi, to furprize 
 Tlic ikaw-builtneft, and unfufpeding brood 
 Of Thrufli or Bullfinch ; oft with watchful ken 
 Eyeing the backward lawns, left hodile glance 
 Obferve my footfteps, while each ruftling leaf, 
 Stirr'd by the gentle gale, alarms my fears : 
 
 Then,
 
 [ 55 ] 
 
 Then, parch 'd beneath the burning heats of noon, 
 I plunge into the limpid ftream, that laves 
 The filent vale, or on its grafly banks 
 Beneath fome oak's majeftic (hade, recline; 
 Envying the vagrant fifhes, as they pafs 
 Their boon of freedom; 'till the diftant found 
 Of tolling Curfew warns me to depart. 
 
 Thus under tyrant power I groan, opprefs'd 
 With worfe than flavery ; yet my free-born foul 
 Her native warmth forgets nor, nor will brook 
 Menace or taunt from proud infulting peer : 
 But fummons to the field the doughty foe 
 In fingle combat, 'midft th' impartial throng. 
 There to decide our fate. Oft too enflam'd 
 With mutual rage, two rival armies meet 
 Of youthful warriors ; kindling at the fight. 
 My foul is fill'd with vaft heroic thoughts, 
 Trufting, in martial glory, to furpafs 
 Roman or Grecian chief j inftant, with fliouts 
 The mingling fquadrons join the horrid frayi 
 No need of cannon, or the murd'rous fleeU 
 Wide- wafting; nature, rage our arms fupplies. 
 Fragments of rocks are hurl'd, and fhowers of flones 
 
 3 
 
 Obfcure
 
 [ 56 ] 
 
 Obfcure the^day; nor Icfs the brawny arm. 
 Or knotted club avail : high in the midft 
 Are feen the mighty Chiefs, thro' hofts of foes 
 Mowing their way ; and now, with tenfold rage. 
 The combat burns, full many a fanguine ftream 
 Diftains the field, and many a veteran brave 
 Lies proflratc; loud triumphant fliouts afcend 
 By turns from either hoft; each claims the palm 
 Of glorious conqueft ; nor till night's dun fliades 
 Involve the fky, the doubtful conflict ends. 
 
 Thus when rebellion (liook the thrones of heav'n. 
 And all th' eternal powers in battle met. 
 High o'er the reft, with vaft gigantic ftrides, 
 The godlike leaders, on th' embattled plain. 
 Came tow'ring, breathing forth revenge and fiite; 
 Nor lefs terrific join'd the inferior hofts 
 Of angel warriors, when encount'ring hills. 
 Tore the rent concave, — flafhing with the blaze 
 Of fiery arms, and lightnings, not of Jovej 
 All heav'n refounded, and th' aftonifli'd deeps 
 Of chaos bellow'd with the monftrous roar. 
 
 THE
 
 I 57 ] 
 
 THE OXONIAN. 
 
 PARENT of light and fong, whatever name, 
 Phcebus, or Mithras, more delight thine ear; 
 The Mufe, with rapture, hails thy rifing beams, 
 Burft from her drear confinement, where the hand 
 Of vaunting tyranny repreft her rage. 
 And damp'd her flagging wing, now borne aloft 
 To milder regions, and more genial foils. 
 
 No more the Pedagogue, with brandifli'd rod. 
 Annoys my fides, nor fluns with deathful founds 
 My ftartled ears ; for now, with tranfport heard, 
 The joyful mandate fummons me away. 
 To where fam'd Ifis rolls her laureate wave j 
 On whofe gay banks an ancient city ftands, 
 Crown'd with an hundred fpires, and fwelling domes 
 Modern, or Gothic, ftately to the view : 
 Hither, 'tis faid, from Athens' widow'd bow'rs 
 By Perfian pride and civil rage expell'd. 
 Dame Wifdom fled of yore, and with her came, 
 
 I Leaving
 
 [ 58 3 
 
 Leaving the fabled haunts of Caftaly, 
 
 Nine beauteous maids, who boaft their birth from Jove 
 
 High on thei'e pinnacles enthron'd they reign, 
 
 * *' To us invifible, or dimly feen," 
 
 Except by foaring fancy's keener glance.. 
 
 Around their fhrines, from Britain's farthefl: bounds 
 
 Array'd in fables, croud a motley race ; 
 
 Diftind: with various titles, and degrees 
 
 As various — high above the refl: appear 
 
 Two forms of more majeftic port and mien, 
 
 Whofe foverain rule the toga'd race obey, 
 
 Hight Probers ; by their fleeves of ominous fweep, 
 
 Of Genoa's looms the fam'd produce, well known. 
 
 And dreaded ; thefe in order next, and next 
 
 In dignity, a tribe of fages ftand. 
 
 Dreadful with Tippet, fource of dire difmay 
 
 To Freflimen, and the whole unbearded race ; 
 
 Their office to fupport and poife the fcale 
 
 Of fteady juftice, from the peaceful {hade> 
 
 Of fcience to repel the barbarous fons 
 
 Of infolence, and fadion's wild uproar; 
 
 Kor are there wanting, who, with ponderous mace, 
 
 * Milton's Paradife Loft, 
 
 May
 
 [ 59 ] 
 
 May add to mild reproofs vindldive blows, 
 Full often rued by many a heedlefs wight. 
 
 Bat now array'd in like myfterious ftole, 
 With flowing band, that faintly ornament, 
 Hung wavjng from my chin, I iffue forth 
 To feek the manfion of a learned fage, 
 Y'clep'd a Tutorj him aloof I ken. 
 On elbows twain of antient chair reclin'd, 
 With cobwebs hung, by time's fliarp tooth d'^fLic'd, 
 MidH: volumes pil'd on volumes all around, 
 And dufty manufcripts ; treafures I ween 
 Of antient lore : He fullen from his chair 
 Reclines not, 'till with many an aukward bow 
 And flrain right humble I implore his grace. 
 Queftions the fage propofes, dark, perplex'd ; 
 Of various import — and to found my fkill 
 O'er many an author turnsj to me well known, 
 Virgil or Horace, or the dreadful page 
 Of Homer, name accurfl: — defcending hence 
 His fteps at awful diftance I purfue. 
 Admiring much my flrange unwonted garb. 
 And wond'rous head-piece j till at length we reach 
 The manfion of a venerable Seer, 
 
 I 2
 
 [ 6o ] 
 
 Second alone of all the letfer'd race. 
 
 Who opes a mighty volume, graced with rows 
 
 Of various names, in feemly order rang'd ; 
 
 'Midft thefe the humbleft of the mufe's train 
 
 Enrolls his name: and Ifis hails her fon. 
 
 Some myftic founds pronounc'd, with trembling lips 
 
 The ficred page I kifs, and from his hand 
 
 A book receive, of fmall regard to fee, 
 
 With godly counfels fraught, and wholefome rules; 
 
 \\'hich ill betide the wight who dares offend. 
 
 The wonted fees difcharg'd, I hafte away 
 
 To join the circle of my old compeers, 
 
 Sever'd by cruel fate — The hearty fliake. 
 
 The friendly welcome, go alternate round : 
 
 And that bled day, 'till eve's rcmoteft hour. 
 
 Is facred to our joys — Its choicefl ftores 
 
 The genial larder opes j exhauftcd deep. 
 
 Even to its inmoft: hoards, the buttery groans. 
 
 But now the bottle rolls its ample round. 
 
 Kindling to rapture each congenial foul ; 
 
 The lurftof merriment, the joyous catch 
 
 Rins round the roofs inceH'ant — much is talk'd 
 
 of paft exploits, "and grievous taflcs impos'd 
 
 By former tyrants; tvrauts now no more. 
 
 Tranfoorted
 
 [ 6r ] 
 
 Tranfportedwith the thought, in frantic joy 
 I raife my arm, and 'midftfurrounding fliouts. 
 Quaff the full bumper; ah/«// dearly rued ! 
 Stem fortune, thus ev'n in the cup of blifs 
 To mix the dregs of woe — a deadly hue 
 Sudden invefts my cheeks, my fainting foul 
 Is fiU'd with horrid loathings and flrange pangs, 
 Unfelt before, convulfing all my frame: 
 Med'clnes are vain, or ferve but to augment 
 My grievous plight, 'till fome experienc'd friend 
 Lead me to neighb'ring couch, where grateful fleep 
 Soon o'er my fenfes flieds her opiate balni. 
 
 Heard with lefs terror, now, the tolling bell 
 Summons my footfleps to that awful dome, 
 Whofe gaudy windows, all fuperbly dight 
 With various tints, and quaint hiftoric lore. 
 Tempt from devotion's page the roving eye — 
 Myfterious iludies next my thoughts employ; 
 Figures andhnes, with niceft art to range. 
 Oblique or fquare, and time, and mode, and fpace> 
 Perplex my brains-— Now logic, rugged maid. 
 Opens her ftores profound, the wavering mind 
 To fix aright, and guid^e the cxccntric thought : 
 
 Such
 
 s^ 
 
 [ 62 ] 
 
 S:^ge dodrines, nathlefs unreflrain'd I. rove 
 
 At large, and riot in fucceflive rounds 
 
 Of new delight : Now up the filver ftreani 
 
 To Medley's bowers, or Godftowe's fam'd retreat, 
 
 Straining each nerve, I urge the dancing fkifF; 
 
 Or, rufliing headlong down the perilous deep, 
 
 Rouze the fly Reynard from his dark abode : 
 
 Or, if inclement vapours load the flcy. 
 
 Tennis awhile the heavy hours beguiles j 
 
 Or, at the billiards fatal board, I ftake 
 
 AVith anxious heart, the laft fad remnant coin. 
 
 Tutors may chide, and angry fires withhold 
 The wonted largefs, their united rage 
 I wreck not J * Ticking, gentleft maid, fupports 
 My finking fame, and all my woes beguiles. 
 O fairer far than all that Greece, or Rome, 
 in vaunting firain, of nymph or goddefs tell; 
 To thee a thoufand temples pierce the fkies : 
 To thee a thoufand altars ever fmoke ; 
 Great queen of ^r/;, without whofe chsaring ra^, 
 
 * Ui'il, Ticking ! guardian of difirefs — 
 
 FANEoyRic ON Oxford Ale. 
 
 Science
 
 [ 63 ] 
 
 Science would droop, and genius muft expire. 
 Raifing one general pray'r, of every rank 
 Unnumber'd fuppliants throng thy crouded courts. 
 To thee, the haughty dodtor, rais'd on high 
 To learning's loftiefl: feats, tho' far renown'd. 
 Cringes fubmiffive ; thee with all his arts 
 The fubtle lawyer feeks, nor heeds the voice 
 Of bailiff thundering at his neighbour's gates. 
 Propitious power, my lyre fhall ftill be ftrung 
 To fing thy praife, my pencil flill prepar'd 
 To paint thy charms — and well they may, I ween» 
 For thine the pencil is, and thine the lyre ! 
 
 Whether the grape's rich juice regales my fbul> 
 Or from the potent bowl I quaff new life. 
 Abhorrent ftill, I loath the naufeous fumes 
 Of that detefled weed, Virgmia hight. 
 Which the fage Don, in fpiral clouds exhales. 
 Frequent and full, as o'er his drowfy malt 
 Gravely he nods — Be mine that milder leaf 
 Which Rowley's patriot hand, with fludious care. 
 From hill, or wood, or flowery vale feleds : 
 Cheec'd with its genial vapours oft I lounge 
 
 Beneath
 
 [ 64 ] 
 
 Ecneath the matron's *" roofs, or thine, O Kemp, 
 
 Miflaken patriot, as, in high debate. 
 
 Of Britini freedom, and of BritiHi herb. 
 
 We reafon much, nor weightier thoughts employ 
 
 My tranquil mind, but how the mantling bowl 
 
 With fweet, with four, with fpirit rightly mix'd, 
 
 May be replenifh'd ; oft by thefe infpir'd 
 
 From ftreet to fVreet, beneath the moon's pale beam, 
 
 Heedlefs I ftray, if haply ProBof's voice 
 
 Check not my progrefs — Sifte — deathful found, 
 
 *• What -\- Hiould I do, or whither turn — amaz'd. 
 
 Confounded," down fome narrow lane I fcower 
 
 Of fam'd St. Thomas, virtue's chade retreat : 
 
 But vain my flight, for ruffian's cruel palms 
 
 Arrert: my (leps, and to the offended power 
 
 Force me reludant he aloud exclaims 
 
 Of broken faith, and violated laws. 
 Full many a tale he adds, of deep import. 
 And then with mandate flern, to college dooms 
 Me, haplcfs wight, with dreadful fines amers'd, 
 
 «' * Matron of Matrons, Martha Baggs." 
 
 Oxford Sausage. 
 t The Splendid Shilling. 
 
 Till
 
 C 65 ] 
 
 Till one long moon revolves her tedious round : 
 Some godly author, Tillotfon perchance, 
 Or moral bard to conn, with heart full fad. 
 There long I figh unfriended, and alone, 
 Unlefs fome dun afcend my lofty dome, 
 At firft with gentle foot, and fuppliant voice. 
 But oft denied, and bolder grown, he adds 
 Vindidive menace, and before my eyes 
 Dlfplays the horrors of that antient fort *, 
 Drear manfion, where the fallen debtor pines, 
 'Midft circling gloom, and hunger's cruel rage : 
 While reftlefs fancy to my fight prefents 
 That dreaded volume -f-, whofe recording page 
 Brands, with eternal infamy, the wretch. 
 Incorrigible deem'd, whom dire mifdeeds 
 Of darker flain difgrace : me Phoebus flies. 
 And all the tuneful nine, tho' oft I try 
 With feeble nerve to firing my ufelefs lyre — 
 
 * The caftle of Oxford, ereded by Robert D'Oilie, A. D. 1071, now converted into 
 
 the county gaol; The ftory is well known of a defcendant of this founder, who being 
 
 afked how he came into that place, replied, " by right of inheritance." 
 
 •t- Vulgo diiSlum, the Black Book, in v.hich, if any member of the univerfity has the 
 misfortune to have his naroe enrolled, he is totally excluded from attaining any priviktjc, or 
 taking his degree. 
 
 K The
 
 [ 66 ] 
 
 The time elaps'd, with throbbing heart Ifeck 
 The dreaded feer, and to his hand prefent 
 The letter'd page; with brow auftere he reads 
 And bids me, from experience wii'c, beware 
 To roufe, a fecond.time, his fleeping ire 
 
 Thrice happy fons of Cam, whom FroElors lagc- 
 Rarely molefts, whether your fnorting fteeds 
 Snuff from afar Newmarket's well known breeze;. 
 Or furious pant to gain the verdant heights 
 
 Gf * Gog-magog O fkill'd with dexterous hand' 
 
 To fmack the thong, and guid: the aerial car; 
 
 By * Trompington's or* Barnwell's blooming dames, 
 
 Kenn'd with amaze : How-does each Ifisbeau. 
 
 Envy your lot! Slaves to no fervile laws,. 
 
 That pinion duvvn their fancy, you difpopt 
 
 In gaudy filks, and various tindur'd veQs, 
 
 Bed fnares for female hearts j our h-umbler garba- 
 
 Subfufc, or fable, fcarcely tempt the glance 
 
 Of wifhful nymph, tho' many.a nymph we-boaft, . 
 
 As blithe, as blooming, and as bright as your's 
 
 Why Ihould the mufe of direr evils fingi 
 When Rujticatio/i, in her harpy fangs, 
 
 * Places well knovvivat Cambtid^e, 
 
 Hi2fric3.
 
 [ 67 ] 
 
 Hurries the wretch, from joy and Ifis far. 
 
 In fylvan foliiudes to wafte his youth, 
 
 'Midft chiding aunts, and antiquated maids ? 
 
 Or why, that lafl: fad fate the wretched prove, 
 
 Exil'd for ever from her facred haunts. 
 
 To roam, like Adam, thro' the defart earth, 
 
 c< * With all the world before them, where to choofe 
 
 ** Their place of reft," yet after all find none. 
 
 Spurning each youthful folly, wifer I 
 
 Afcend, with graduate fplendor, to the heights 
 
 Of claflic dignity ; in time perchance 
 
 May wield the fafces of pro5lorial power. 
 
 And be myfelf that Don, fo lately fear'd. 
 
 • Milton's Paradife Loft. 
 
 K a N E.
 
 N E T H E R B Y.
 
 [ 7X ] 
 
 R E F A C E. 
 
 •^ Etherby is fituated on the borders of Cumberland, twelve miles- 
 ncrth of Carlifle; and was formerly a Roman flation : the Cajtro Ex- 
 ploratonm of Antoninus. From the many valuable remains of anti- 
 quity, continually found on, or near, this fpot, it is conjedured that 
 the famous iEfica flood not far diftant; efpecially as the river Efk, 
 from which its name is derived, runs through thefe grounds. The 
 perpetual feuds that lubfifted on the borders, between the Englifli and 
 Scots, before the Union of the two nations, with the particular cir- 
 cumftance of the debateable land, which, at prefcnt, makes a part of the 
 eftate; the eruption of Solivay Mofs which happened in 1771 ; added 
 to the prefent improved and beautiful flate of Netherby, afforded 
 ample room for luxuriant defcription, and the wantonnefs of a poe- 
 tical imagination. 
 
 '* Netherby The feat of the Rev. Dr. Graham, placed on a- 
 
 *' rifing ground, w-afhed by the Ell:, and commanding an extenfive 
 "view ; more pleafing to Dr. Graham, as he fees from it a creation 
 " of his ovvnj lands that eighteen years ago were in a ftate of na- 
 " ture, the people idle and bad, ftill retaining a fmack of the feudal 
 " manners : fcarce a hedge to be (t&n : and a total ignorance prevailed 
 •* of even coal and lime. His improving fpirit foon wrought a great 
 '* change in thefe parts: his example inftilled- into the inhabitants an 
 •J- " inclination-
 
 [ 72 ]j 
 
 " inclination to induftry : and they foon found the difFercnce between 
 " floth and its concomitants, dirt and beggary, and the plenty that a 
 " right application of the arts of hufbandry brought among them. 
 " They lay in the midft of a rich country, yet ftarvcd in it : but in 
 " a fmall fpace they found that inftead of a produce that hardly fup- 
 *' ported themfclves, they were enabled to raife even fupplics for their 
 " neighbours ; that much of their land was fo kindly as to bear corn 
 " for many years fucceffively, without help of manure, and for the 
 " more ungrateful foils, that there were limeftones to be had and 
 
 " coal to burn them. The wild tradt foon appeared in form of 
 
 '« verdant meadows and fruitful corn-fields : from the firft, they were 
 " foon able to fend to diftant places, cattle and butter : and their 
 *' arable lands enabled them to maintain a commerce as far as Lan- 
 " cafhire in corn. 
 
 •' By fignifies a habitation; thus, there are three camps or ftations, 
 " with this termination, not very remote from one another; Netherby, 
 " Middleby, and Overby." Mr. Pennant's Tour in Scotland. 
 Vol. II. p. 64. 
 
 ARGU-
 
 [ 1% ] 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 A comparative view of the prefent JlonriJJ.nngJlate of ^Qihtxhy, with 
 its former deflate appearance. Addrefs to Indujlry, Conqiieji of 
 Britain by Cajar. Thefrji irruption of the Scots — Their repulfe 
 by the Roman legions, under fulius Agricola. The wall of Severus. 
 JEfca, Britain fuccefjtvely conquered by the Saxons, the Danes, 
 the Normans. Feudal Syftem. Magna Charta. General view 
 of the borders, before the Union — After the Ufiion. The particular 
 improvements at Nctherby. Eruption of Solway Mofs. Defcrip- 
 tion of the grounds about Netherby. Skiddaw, Ellen Irvine, 
 The houje defcribed. Concluding with a view of the new church 
 building on the eftate^ 
 
 NE-
 
 C 75 7 
 
 NETHERBY. 
 
 ■^ R E thefe the regions, where, from age to age. 
 
 Contending nations ftrove, with mutual rage ; 
 
 Her barren wing, where brooding famine fpread; 
 
 And frantic fadlion rear'd her ghaftly head ? 
 
 How chang'd the fcene — what glorious profpe(fts rife -, 
 
 Where-e'er around I turn my wond'ring eyes ! 
 
 Here guardian peace, here fmiUng culture reigns. 
 
 And endlefs plenty cloaths the fertile plains. 
 
 Yon ftream * that, erft, impurpled with the (lain. 
 
 In many a fanguine billow fought the main. 
 
 Now guiltlefs rolls, and views, with confcious pride, 
 
 Luxuriant landfcapes glitter on her fide; 
 
 A thoufand hills with wealth and verdure crown'd. 
 
 And vales in rich profufion fmiling round; 
 
 No more they ring with battles fierce alarms^ 
 
 No trumpets early clangors rouze to arms j 
 
 * The Elk. 
 
 L 2 Ethoes
 
 ." 76 ] 
 
 Echoes of rapture, now, alone, they hear, 
 
 1 he ploughman's whillile, or the fportfman's cheer— 
 
 What tho' bleak Boreas oft deform the day, 
 
 Or frequent dorms obfcure the genial ray, 
 
 Th' induftrious fwain, with firm, undaunted foul. 
 
 Contemns his rage, and bids the tempeft roll: 
 
 Mark, how fereae, his honefl: front defies 
 
 The wildeft fury of the beating ikies : 
 
 Still as the (Inning fliare the furrow turns. 
 
 His bofom with rekindled ardour burns; 
 
 By long experience taught, the grateful foil. 
 
 With intereft, will repay his ufcful toil. 
 
 Hail Induftry, rough virtue's hardy child ; 
 Whofe fmiling prcfence chcars the lonely wild: 
 At thy kind touch the rock, relenting, blooms, 
 And Eden fprings, 'midft Lapland's frozen glooms* 
 The rapid river, rolling in its courfe. 
 Thy hand arrefls, and curbs its headlong force;. 
 The fwelling deep's tumultuous fury bounds, 
 And chains its waves with everlafling mounds. 
 Empires and dates to thee their greatnefs owe. 
 From thee their wealth, their power, their fplcndor flow ; 
 
 Rifing
 
 ^ 
 
 [ 77 3 
 
 Rifing In glory, as they court thy fway. 
 By thee they flourifli, and with thee decay. 
 
 Long had the mighty Roman Vidor hurl'd 
 Slaughter and rapine o'er the wafted world : 
 Unconquer'd yet, remote, Britannia flood 
 Safe 'midft her native chffs, and guardian flood* 
 He mark'd the dangers of her ftormy fliore. 
 He heard the breaking waves eternal roar j 
 But, flufli'd with conqueft, his undaunted mind 
 Brav'd all the rage of feas and ftorms combin'd. 
 In vain, the favages his arms oppofe, 
 His legions burft their way thro' hofts of foes j 
 Her rocks they fcale, her tracklefs defarts pierce. 
 They tame her monfters, and her fons, more fierce. 
 Swift o'er the land the Roman arts increafe. 
 And culture triumphs, with returning peace : 
 With fudden verdure, lo ! the valleys fmlle. 
 And rifing plenty crowns the blooming ifle» 
 
 Far to the North, beyond where Tweed's fair prlde> 
 Thro' velvet meadows rolls her amber tide > 
 Or Cumbria's lofty mountains, rifing round. 
 Of ancient Britain, form'd th' extended bound; 
 
 1 Ther*
 
 [ 78 ] 
 
 There dwelt a race, Inur'd to want and toil, 
 The Cons of Caledonia's defart foil; 
 Thefe view'd the neighb'ring ftate, with jealous eyes. 
 And rufh'd, exulting, on the beauteous prize. 
 They pour'd their armies o'er the fertile plain. 
 Tore ev'ry fence, and reap'd the untimely grain : 
 The Britons flirink, unequal, from the fight. 
 And bend, to diftant fields, their hafty flight. 
 Nought can withfland the fell barbarian's rage. 
 Nor tears nor Ihrieks their favage fouls afTuage, 
 Nor fex, nor age, their murd'rous weapons fpare. 
 Nor from the temples holy flirines forbear ; 
 With impious hand, they quench thehallow'd fire; 
 While the fage Drtaids, 'midft their rites, expire. 
 
 To quell their pride, th' imperial bards advance. 
 Their myriads crouch beneath the Roman lance; 
 Aloft the vidor-hofts * their flag difplay, , 
 The Britifli youth, with joy, the fign obey; 
 On the proud foe the vengeful blow returns. 
 While every breafl with great refentment burns : . 
 
 * The General who finally cftabiifhed the dominion of the Romans in tliis ifland was 
 Julius Agticola ; who governed it in the reigns of Vefpafian, Titus, and Domitiao. He 
 carried his viflorious arms to the moft northern extremity of it, and pierced into the rc- 
 naote forefts and mountains of Caledonia, which were before deemed inacccffible. 
 
 Onward
 
 [■ 79 ] 
 
 Onward they rufli, like fome refiftlefs flood. 
 And deluge all his wafted realms with blood— 
 His rocks, his mountains, every defart heath, 
 Refponfive echo to the fhrieks of death ! 
 Thus, full aveng'd, the fwains, with anxious care. 
 The trampled fence and mural breach repair; 
 Their friendly aid the generous Romans lend j 
 Their new allies from rapine to defend : 
 And lo, a mighty rampart * rears its head; 
 While nations triumph in its guardian fhade; 
 Winding o'er hill and vale, from Solway's fliores,. 
 To where the Tyne his diftant current pours : 
 The lofty tow'rs with fhining warriors blaze, 
 Whofe helmets glitter with the morning rays : 
 Dauntlefs they fland, and ftretch the founding bow. 
 And dart fwift vengeance on the diftant foe. 
 Then flourifh'd thy fair pride, illuftrious town -j- ; 
 Tho fate hathdafli'd thy gilded temples down!) 
 What tho' thy beauteous turrets beam'd on high. 
 And thy ftrong bulwarks tower'd amidft the fky j 
 Not all thy ftrength, nor beauty, could withftand 
 Fadlion's fell rage, nor ftop the plunderer's hand^ 
 
 * The wall of Severus, extending from Bullnefs on the Solway Firth quite acrofs the- 
 kingdom to Newcaftle. 
 
 i; lE^a, See Camden's Britannia.. 
 
 The
 
 [ 8o ] 
 
 The feat of heroes, gen'rous, rough and bold, , 
 Oft thro' thy gates the tide of battle roU'd— 
 JMethinks I hear the rattling chariot bound. 
 And the bold fleed impatient paw the ground j 
 Monarchs and chiefs, the glory of mankind. 
 Beneath thy domes, their laurel'd heads reclin'd; 
 Like them, fliall flourirti thy immortal name. 
 Partake their honours, and enjoy their fame. 
 The lab'ring hind, as o'er thefe hallovv'd plains, 
 (Where reft intomb'd thy grandeur's proud remains,) 
 He guides the fliare, beholds, with wild furprize. 
 Helmets and fpears, of vvond'rous make and fize; 
 * Urns, altars, fliatues, which flrange fculptures grace. 
 And fondly ftrives the myftic lore to trace; 
 From mould'ring coins the facred ruft he clears. 
 And mars the labour of a thoufand years. 
 Pleas'd fome great prince or hero to behold". 
 But more delighted with the glifl'ning gold. 
 
 Queen of the world, at length, majeflic Rome 
 Beheld, and trembled at her haft'ning doom; 
 Opprefs'd with grandeur's vaft incumbent weight, 
 The fenate fcarce upheld the finking ftate ; 
 
 * The reader will find, in Mr. Pennant, a pariieular account of all the curiofities at Ne- 
 iherby, with engravings of the principal. 
 
 Her
 
 [ 8" ] 
 
 Her pamper'd fons, unlike their valiant fires. 
 
 Retain no patriot rage, no martial fires ; 
 
 On beds of filk they wafi.e the tedious day, 
 
 Or feebly trill the foft, unmanly lay. 
 
 Unable to repel the barbarous hofl:s. 
 
 That pour'd their fury on her plunder'd coafls. 
 
 She calls her bravefl fons from ev'ry fhore. 
 
 In black'ning fwarms the difi:ant legions pour. 
 
 From burning realms, where fouthern deeps refound, 
 
 From Britain's coafl:s, from Afia's farthefl: bound : 
 
 While vengeance o'er the imperial city lours. 
 
 And frantic difcord fliakes her hundred towers. 
 
 The drooping Britons, feiz'd with equal dread. 
 
 Beheld their brave allies and conquerors fled. 
 
 The guardians of their ftate; nor vain their fears. 
 
 High on the wall the infulting Scot appears : 
 
 Furious from native courage, and defpair. 
 
 The fiercenefs of his rage, awhile they dare ; 
 
 But broke and routed by fuperior force, 
 
 To diftant plains, once more, they bend their courfe : 
 
 The fliouting foe purfues, with barbarous rage. 
 
 And the fierce hofls eternal conflidl wage ; 
 
 Till Britain's loftieft hills, alone, afford. 
 
 Her offspring refuge from the murd'rous fword. 
 
 M ' But
 
 C 82 ] 
 
 But now, Imperial Rome in aflies laid. 
 Her laurels blafted, and her flrength decay 'd; 
 Germania's veteran bands. In war renown'd. 
 With terror aw'd the wond'ring nations round : 
 Hengift and Horfa, chiefs of mightier name. 
 Shone foremoft on the bright record of fame ; 
 Like gods, they tower'd amidft the fons of earth. 
 As from thofc powers * they trac'd their vaunted birth. 
 To thefe brave chiefs the Britons turn their eyes. 
 On them alone their laft fond hope relies : 
 The hero comes ; but not, with vengeful hand. 
 From rapine's grafp to wreft the bleeding land; 
 With iheir triumphant foes their faithlefs train. 
 In barbarous league, they join, and rivet every chain. 
 
 In vain the Druid fmites the magic firing. 
 In vain the rocks with choral warblings ring; 
 Tho' oft Britannia rais'd her feeble fliield, 
 Tho' oft their braveft veterans llrcw'd the field; 
 Tho' florfa's felf, defcended from the fkies, 
 Pour'd forth his life, a glorious facrifice, 
 
 • They wefe reputed to be defcended from their god Woden, 
 
 Beneath
 
 [ 83 ] 
 
 Beneath a Briton's fpear — yet dill, in vain, 
 She flrove her ravifli'd honours to regain; 
 Refiftlefs Hengift thunder'd round the land. 
 And tore the fceptre from her trembhng hand; 
 At length fl:ie funk beneath the galling yoke. 
 Her rage extindl, her martial fpirit broke; 
 Pale, at his feet, her proftrate genius lay, 
 While flaughter mark'd the vidor's crimfon way. 
 
 The Saxon triumph'd, till the fiercer Dane, 
 In pomp, advancing o'er the whitening main, 
 Rear'd his infulting Raven * on her (hore. 
 And fwell'd her rivers with unufual gore ; 
 Where-e'er he treads, the furies howl around. 
 While his fell footfteps blaft the with' ring ground : 
 Both yield, at length, to William's conquering fword, 
 And harrafs'd Britain own'd a Norman lord. 
 Why fliould the mufe of feudal power relate. 
 The haughty lord's, or humbler vafTal's fate ; 
 
 * The famous Reafen, or enchanted flandard, is hofc alluded to, in which the Danes put 
 great confidence. It contained the figure of a raven, which had been inwove by the three 
 fifteis of Hingua and Hubba with many magical incantations, the flappings of whofe wings, 
 was regarded as the certain prefage of victory. 
 
 M 2 How
 
 [ 84 ] 
 
 How petty Kings each others realms invade, 
 By turns, arc murder'd, conquer'd, or betray 'd ? 
 Their fame, their fortunes, fhe difdains to fing; 
 Oblivion {hade them with thy duflcy wing. 
 With joy (he haftens to that happier age. 
 In which, fuperior to oppreflion's rage, 
 The firm, undaunted barons, dar'd withfland 
 A tyrant's frown, and check'd his guilty hand : 
 When Juftice darted from the radiant fky. 
 When vengeance wav'd her flaming fword on high; 
 When rifing freedom dawn'd upon our ifle. 
 And chear'd the nation with her rofeate fmilc : 
 When laws, which time nor tyrants fliall efface. 
 Founded on wifdom's and on virtue's bafe. 
 
 Of this wide empire form'd the mighty bound ^ 
 The pride, the wonder of the nations round ! 
 Then culture rais'd once more her drooping head. 
 And arts, that lay in long oblivion dead. 
 Sprang to new life — then commerce gave her fail, 
 With fwelling pomp to flutter in the gale; 
 Our navies fail'd to many a diflant fliore. 
 That now firft heard the British lion roar — 
 The peaceful fwain fecurely turn'd the foil. 
 And reap'd, fccure, the produce of his toil: 
 
 In
 
 [ 85 ] 
 
 In one firm league the various nations join. 
 
 Loft, undiftinguifli'd, in the Englifh line; 
 
 All but the haughty Scot — whofe ftubborn foul * 
 
 Nor Henry's -|- conquering fquadrons could controul. 
 
 Nor fiercer Edward ifj tho' fuch heaps of flain, 
 
 Expiring, groan'd on Falkirk's fatal plain j 
 
 And blafted by rrialignant fortune's frown. 
 
 The captive Baliol wail'd his plunder'd crown. 
 
 Wide o'er the borders rang'd a favage band. 
 
 That fcatter'd flames and ravage round the land : 
 
 Where-e'er fair culture's beauteous hand was feen, 
 
 Their favage footfteps crufh'd the rifing green; 
 
 And ev'ry flower that blofl'om'd on the mead. 
 
 Shrunk from their rage, and droop'd its wither'd head. 
 
 What gloomy profpcfts open on my eyes ! 
 On every fide, what fcenes of horror rife! 
 
 * The Author is very far from meaning by this, or any other expreflion that may occur 
 in this Poem, to revive any idea of former animofities between two nations at prefent fo 
 happily united under one head. What he has written, is in conformity to the truth of 
 hiftory, and is by no means intended as a reflection on a people who are diftinguifhed by 
 their liberal hofpitality to ftrangerj, as the Author has experienced j who is happy in this 
 opportunity of exprefling his grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 f Henry I. 
 
 X Edward I. who, at the battle of Falkirk, entirely routed and put to flight the whole 
 
 Scottifli army. Some hiftorians make the lofs of the Scots amount to fifty or fixty thoufand 
 
 men ; certain it is they never fuffered a greater lofs, or one that feemed to threaten more 
 
 inevitable ruin to their country. 
 
 I fee
 
 [ SG ] 
 
 I fee each beauteous vale with weeds o'erfpread ; 
 The fields negledled, and their owners fled i 
 Scarce can the pining natives, that remain, 
 By wretched arts their wretched lives fuflain : 
 Nor branching tree, nor verdant hedge appears. 
 Nor voice, nor found, the lonely defart chears i 
 Save where the bittern fcreams, with clam'rous throat, 
 Refponfive to the raven's hoarfer note. 
 That flaps her wing 'gainft yonder mould'ring tower j 
 The fole furviving pledge of Roman power. 
 
 The glorious period *, wifli'd fo long In vain. 
 Breaks forth at length in Anna's golden reign ; 
 \A'hen the fame laws each happy nation bind, 
 In flridlefl: league by her wife councils join'd : 
 When either triumphs in Britannia's name. 
 Their pow'r, their int'refl:, and their King, the fame. 
 And fee, from far, yon glitt'ring ftar -j- appear, 
 Whofe luftre gilds our weflern hemifphere ; 
 Thefe plains, opprefs'd with one long wintry night. 
 Feel the warm influence of its genial light : 
 
 * The Union. 
 
 f The happincfs and fecurity derived from the glorious Revolution are here alluded to, 
 
 and the general encouragement given to agriculture by late parliaments. Mr. Gray fays, 
 
 " The ftar of Brunfwick fhincs ferene." 
 
 Green
 
 [ 87 ] 
 
 Green riling woods the lofty hills adorn, 
 
 The fruitful valleys fmile with waving corn ; 
 
 But ftretch'd immenfe, beneath more northern flues, 
 
 Uncultur'd ftill the barren region lies — 
 
 Graham beheld, and, in his prudent mind, 
 Pond'ring awhile, the beauteous plan defign'd : 
 He mark'd the hallow'd fcene, where, many an age. 
 Beheld of old the Britifh hofts engage; 
 He faw the fwain, with toil and want opprefs'd. 
 He faw-— and manly pity heav'd his breaft. 
 He taught the wild, unfliilful hind, to rear 
 The tender plant, and mark the varying year j 
 When the moifl earth, enrich'd with genial rain, 
 Expeds, impatient, the protraded grain ; 
 When fpreading flioots the pruning hand implore. 
 Or autumn waves, mature, his yellow ftore. 
 And lo ! a race, in native wildnefs rude. 
 That long had rang'd the dreary folitude. 
 The meagre fons of floth and pale difeafe. 
 Spring from their trance — their rufty fliares they feizCj 
 They raife the fence, they lift the pond'rous load. 
 And form the ditch, and mark the future road. 
 Their hard'ning limbs the tempeft's rage fuftain. 
 While manlier vigour flows in ev'ry vein j 
 
 3 Heav'ns I
 
 [ 8S ] 
 
 Heav'ns ! with what rival zeal they toil, they fweat. 
 Beneath th' inclement blaft, or fcorching heat , 
 Their lord, with glorious hopes, their labours chears. 
 And paints the plenty of approaching years j 
 He marks the boundaries of ev'ry field, 
 Nor fcorns himfelf the weighty prong to wield. 
 To break the clod, to crufli the noxious weed, 
 Or fcatter, as he treads, the lib'ral feed. 
 
 The defart foon in lovelier garb appears, 
 And ev'ry field the fmile of plenty wears : 
 Increafing jears increafing treafures bring, 
 With livelier verdure blooms returning fpring ; 
 The fwains, tranfported, view the grateful foil. 
 And triumph in the meed of many a toil. 
 When lo ! a fcene more dark and dreadful rofe. 
 Than e'er had fwell'd the lift of former woesj 
 A tyrant, fiercer than the Dani£h band. 
 Spread defolation o'er the fmiling land. 
 Near that fam'd fpot where, * ftung with fliame and grief, 
 Scotia's bold warriors fpurn'd a minion chief: 
 
 « James V. having appointed his favourite, Oliver Sinclair, to command the army ading 
 againft Henry King of England, tlie Scots refcnted the indignity, rcfufcd to ferve under 
 him, and to a man laid down their arms. 
 
 And,
 
 [ 89 ] 
 
 And, tho' mere flilll'd to conquer than to yield, . 
 Bade Henry triumph on^a bloodlefs field. 
 Full many a league a mighty fwamp extends; 
 The dufky heath by gentle flope afcends : 
 The rafh, advent'rous ftep will foon betray, 
 And whelm the wight, incautious of his way. 
 Woe to the trav'ler, whofe benighted feet. 
 By chance, fhall ftumble on this lone retreat; 
 Soon fliall the hopelefs wand'rer meet his doom, 
 Bewilder'd 'midfl the vaft incumbent gloom : 
 Some faithlefs bog (hall quickly clofe him round, 
 Somechafm fliall fwallow in its gulph profound. 
 This vafl morafs — oh grant, ye powers above, 
 Thefe fields may never more its fury prove— 
 Diflblv'd by floods, and fwol'n with mighty rains, 
 Pour'd its black deluge o'er the neighbouring plains. 
 Mark how the gloomy ocean, gath'ring round. 
 Indignant fvi^ells, and burfts th' oppofing mound: 
 Ah fee — thro' yonder beauteous vale* it fpreads, 
 "Whelming, at once, an hundred fertile meads; 
 
 Then, 
 
 * " A tra£l, diftinguifhed for its fertility and beauty, ran in form of a valley for fome 
 fpace in view of Netherby ; it had been finely reclaimed from its original (late, piettily di- 
 vided, well planted with hedges, and well peopled : the ground, originally not worth fixpence 
 an,acre, was improved to the value of thirty (hillings, I faw it in that fituation in the year 
 
 N 1769 ••
 
 [ 90 ] 
 
 Then, bearing onward, with refiftlefs force, 
 Sweeps herds and houfes in its dreadful courfe; 
 Till Elk's fair tide its mingling billows ftain. 
 That roll with added fury to the main. 
 The trembling fwains, with terror and amaze, 
 Diftraded on the cruel Ipoiler gaze- 
 Such frantic horror glar'd in ev'ry face. 
 As feiz'd of old the wild, aftonifli'd race. 
 That faw Vofuvius firft in thunder pour 
 Fragments of rocks, and flreams of molten ore;: 
 Whofe fiery volumes, blaft their green alcoves. 
 Their loaded vineyards, and their bending groves—— 
 
 1769". at this trae a melancholy extent of black turbexy, the eruption of Solvvay-Mofs, 
 having in a few days covered grafs and corn, levelled the boundaries of almofl every farm, 
 dcflroycd mod of the houfes, and drove the poor inhabitants to the utmofl- diftrefs ; till they 
 found (which was not long) from their landlord every relief that a humane mind could fug- 
 gcft. Solway-Mofs confifts of lixteen hundred acres ; lies fome height above the cultivated 
 Ua/Q, and ftcms to have been nothing but a collcflion of thin peaty mud: the furfacc itfclf 
 was always fo near the fiate of 'a quagmire that in mofl places it was unfafc for aoy thing 
 heavier than a fportfman to venture on, even in the drieft fummcr.. The (hell or crufl that 
 kept this liquid within bounds, ncarcfl to the valley, was at firft of fuificient {Irength to con* 
 tain it, but by the imprudenoc of the peat-diggtrs, who were continually working on that 
 f:de, became at length fo weakened, as not to be able any longer to rcfift the weight prcfling 
 on it: the fluidity of the Mofs was likcwifc greatly incrcafed by three days rain of unufual 
 violence, which prectdtd the eruption. About three hundred acccs of mofs were thus (iif- 
 cUarged, a:id about four hundred pf land covered ; but providentially not a human life loft." 
 Mr. Pcunjnt's Tour, p. 64, w}icrc may be. found 3 more particular {iccount of this event. 
 
 Untaught
 
 [ 91 ] 
 
 Untaught fuch dire extremes of fate to bear. 
 
 The fullen ruftic dropp'd, in wan defpair : 
 
 Extended on the damp, unwholefome earth, 
 
 He curft the baleful moment of his birth ; 
 
 The tear of anguifh trembles in his eye. 
 
 And his ftrong bofom heaves the frequent figh. 
 
 With wilder grief the frantic females rave, 
 
 And bound, with horror, from the monfler wave; 
 
 While from their breafls their trembling infants hung. 
 
 And, confcious of their fate, more clofely clung. 
 
 But foon their lord, opprefs'd with generous grief, 
 To each defponding wretch affords relief; 
 His lib'ral hand diffufive plenty pours : 
 Benevolence unlocks her genial ftores : 
 He hears their plaints ; he calms the burfting figh. 
 And wipes the falling tear from ev'ry eye. 
 The fwains, with chearfulnefs, renew their toil. 
 And lighten, of its load, the burthen'd foil ; 
 The fields * once more their verdant hue refume. 
 And with fuperior pride and beauty bloom. 
 
 * Since Mr. Pennant vifited this place, fome part of the Mofs has, with infinite labour 
 and expence, been removed ; a great part however flill remains covered : but this tra£t is 
 not of fuch extent, as to interrupt the pleafure that arifes from a general view of the country. 
 
 N z How
 
 [ 9« ] 
 
 How wide thefe furs their infant branches fpread. 
 And wave their wanton foliage o'er my head! 
 Already, from the fultry dog's ftar heat, 
 Their friendly fliadcs afford a kind retreat;. 
 Ambitious to repay his guardian care. 
 
 Who bade their tow'ring fummits rife in air. 
 
 Let others boafl: the pi«ud, afpiring pile, 
 
 Columns and fanes, in ev'ry various ftyle; 
 
 With fwelling arches bound the folemn glade. 
 
 Or thunder down the fteep the loud cafcade j 
 
 While thro' the (hades, as fearful of the light. 
 
 The polifti'd ftatue glances on the fight. 
 
 Here, Venus fmiles, 'midft circling boughs conccal'd:,. 
 
 And there, Minerva feems to fliake her fliield. 
 
 Nature, great architect, thefc plains arrays. 
 
 In pomp, beyond what mimic art difplays; 
 
 To them no works of foreign pride are known, 
 
 Nor other bound, but hcavn'n's wide arch alone— 
 
 Majeflic thro* the midil:, with murm'ring roar,. 
 
 See winding Eik his rapid current pourj 
 
 On the bright wave thcfportivc falmon play, 
 
 Aod bound and gUAen in the noon-tide rav% 
 
 There
 
 [ 93 ] 
 
 There tow'ring Skiddaw *, wrapt in awful fliade. 
 Monarch of mountains, rears his mighty head, 
 Dark'ning with frowns fair Kefwick's beauteous vale» 
 He views beneath the gath'ring tempers fail,. 
 Secure, nor heeds the rolling thunder's ragej 
 Tho' Scruifel -f trembling marks the dire prefage. 
 
 Pierc'd with congenial grief, my fancy files 
 To where Kirkonnel's neighb'ring woods arife j 
 There, bending o'er the beauteous Ellen's '^ tomb. 
 She weeps the wretched nymph's untimely doom. 
 So fair a plant, old Kirtle's wand'ring tide 
 Had never cherifh'd on its verdant fide; 
 But oh! what pen her various charms fliall paint. 
 Here even a Raphael's glowing tints were faint : 
 Thofe radiant eyes, where lambent lightnings play, 
 Thofe coral lips, that breathe the fweets of May j 
 
 *• Skiddaw is plainly feen at the.diftanceof thirty miles from this feat 
 t Alluding to thefe proverbial lines — 
 
 When Skiddaw weafs a cap, 
 
 ScrufFel wots full well of that. 
 ScrufFel is a mountain in Annandale in Scotland, the inhabitants of which progaofliCate 
 good or bad weather, from the mills that fall or rife on the brow of Skiddaw. 
 t See Mr; Pennant, page 88, 
 
 Thofe
 
 t 94 ] 
 
 Thofe cheeks, that fliame the morning's purple glow, 
 
 That bofom, whiter than the pureft fnow : 
 
 Around her fport a thoufand laughing loves ; 
 
 Each breaft is kindled as the virgin moves : 
 
 With her foft name, the woods, the valleys rung, 
 
 And Ellen's praifes dwelt on ev'ry tongue-— 
 
 Two rival fwains, of nobler birth and fame. 
 
 Together languifli'd in the tender flame ; 
 
 Bold Fleming knew to guide the whirling car, 
 
 To dart the fpear and ftemm the rage of war ; 
 
 In Ardolph's breaft ignobler tranfports roll'd. 
 
 He boafts his large domains, his hoards of gold ; 
 
 With thefe he fought the blooming maid to gain. 
 
 Who fpurn'd his proffer'd rreafure with difdain. 
 
 The warrior triumph'd in her partial care. 
 
 For valour ever wins the gen'rous fair. 
 
 With him flie fparkled in the feftive round. 
 
 He fpakc, and rapture dwelt in ev'ry found ; 
 
 Together, thro' the winding vale they rove. 
 
 Together, wander in the lonely grove. 
 
 The feather'd warblers catch their tender drains, 
 
 And wilder mufic floats along the plains. 
 
 In rapture, thus, their moments roU'd away. 
 
 While fcarce the lover brooks the long delay; 
 
 •Till
 
 [ 95 J • 
 
 Till Hymen fmll'd propitious from above. 
 
 And Ihower'd down rofes on the couch of love. 'j 
 
 Ardolph, mean-time, with jealous cares opprefs'd. 
 Felt ev'ry various pafllon tear his breaft; 
 Rage, hatred, grief in mingling tempefts rife, 
 Lour on his front, and fire his redd'ning eyes J 
 All frantic, wild, he fought a darkfome glade. 
 And proftrate roH'd, beneath th' incumbent fhade; 
 Then ftarts aghaft, and pours thefe dreadful moans. 
 While each majeftic oak in concert groans — 
 " Ye arching glooms, that o'er this wretched head, 
 ** In fable pomp, your friendly horrors fpread ; . 
 " And wave, obedient to the fullen gale, 
 "That murmurs, hoarfe, along the lonely vale : 
 " Thou moon, that glancing on yon diftant ftream, , 
 " Dart'il: thro' the quiv'ring Ibades a filver gleam, 
 " By you I fvvear ; hear all ye fylvan powers, 
 " That haunt this tide and range thefe hallow'd bowers, 
 " And ft amp my vows : ere day's bright orb arife, 
 ♦* To deck with kindling light the blufliing flcies j . 
 " The hated v/retch this flighted arm fhall feel, , 
 ** And pour his life beneath my reeking fteel; 
 
 «' Yes, when tranfported with thofe blooming charms, 
 «* He finks, all melting, in her circling arms 3 , 
 
 Tlieu
 
 [ 96 ] 
 
 " Then fliall my vengeance wake, and fate fhall clalp 
 
 " The expiring hero in h.r chilHng gralp — 
 
 " Tliou too, whom neither vows nor fighs could move, 
 
 " Thou fhilt the fiercenefs of my paflion prove; 
 
 " How will my bofom glow with rapturous heat, 
 
 " How ev'ry pulfc with thrilling tranfport beat, 
 
 " As o'er that paradife of fweets I rove, 
 
 " And fatiate all my rage, and all my love !" 
 
 He fpake, and guided by the moon's pale ray, 
 Burfls thro' the winding gloom his eager way j 
 p-ierce as he moves, his furious ftcps refound ; 
 The dark heath fliakes, the foreft trembles round : 
 As when, o'er fultry Libya's burning plains. 
 Some tyger flalks, the terror of the fwains; 
 li chance a Arolling kid, or wanton fawn, 
 Thoughtlefs of danger, gambol o'er the lawn ; 
 His fiery eyes the panting fpoil furvey, 
 He bounds and fprings, exulting on his prey — 
 Such fivage tranfpoits flafh from Ardolph's eyes, 
 As fuddcn the devoted wretch he 'fpies. 
 With his fair fpoufe, beneath a neighb'ring grove, 
 Ueclin'd in all the tenderncft of love. 
 With headlong rage he plunges in the tide, 
 Whofe waves alone the hoftile youths divide ; 
 
 And,
 
 [ 97 ] 
 
 And, fprlnging tow'rds th* oppofing bank, difplay'd 
 To Fleming's ftartled view the vengeful blade : 
 To fcreen her lover from th' impending blow. 
 The beauteous nymph oppos'd her breaft of fnow; 
 Her fnow-white breafl: the murd'rous weapon tore. 
 And pierc'd her heart — that gufl:i'd in floods of gore : 
 The trembling hufband clafp'd her, fainting, round. 
 And eager drove to flanch the flreaming wound j 
 While, fondly hanging on his beating breaft. 
 To his pale cheek her paler cheek flie preft j 
 Then fixing ftedfaftly her wirtiful eyes, 
 Effay'd to fpeak, but, choak'd with burfting fighs. 
 She ftrove in vain— thofe eyes in darknefs roll. 
 And hov'ring feraphs catch her gafping foul, 
 
 Fleming, in frantic horror, feiz'd the blade> 
 And inftant ftruck the bafe afl*affin dead- 
 Then, with a thoufand ftruggling paflions preft. 
 He rais'd the pointed dagger to his breaft : 
 Scarce could his grief the defp'rate deed withftand. 
 But confcious honour check'dhis rifing hand; 
 " Yes, I will dare to live, and feek, in fight, 
 <* A nobler paflage to the ftiades of night : 
 
 O ** Come,
 
 [ 93 ] 
 
 " Come, glory come, and fpread thy fmiling charms i 
 
 *' O bear me to the battle's mad alarms; 
 
 •' Beat ev'ry drum, let evVy trumpet found, 
 
 " Till anguifli, in the field of death, bedrown'd." 
 
 He faid, and ruflung to ih' embattled plain, 
 
 'Gainft the proud Turk •■■ he led a valiant train ; 
 
 There glory own'd her fon, and round his head, 
 
 Iler radiant hands Qnfading laurels fpread. 
 
 But while herchoiceft; gifts the hero crown'd. 
 
 The lover languifli'd with his fecret wound : 
 
 Eager he haflen'd to his native fliore. 
 
 And zephyr's gentled breezes waft him o'er; 
 
 He fought the grove, where lay his lovely bride, 
 
 Stretch'd his fond limbs along the turf — and died. 
 
 On yonder mount whfereoncc, v.ith hoftile pride. 
 The Roman vvav'd his crimfon banner wide; 
 A graceful ftruflure m'ee^sthe wcnd'ring fight. 
 And fills the gazing llranger with dcliglit: 
 As o'er thefe vales lie rolls his eager eves. 
 And fees an '\ Eden in a defert rife. 
 
 • He afterwards ferveJ in the wars againft the Infidels. 
 
 + The reader will not think this defcription much exaggeraied, who has travelled farther 
 lUJTthwartl th^n Neiherby ; as the entrance into Scotland, on that fide, for many miles tog.- 
 thir, bears a moft unpromifing and dreary afp;dl. 
 
 3 What
 
 [ 99 ] 
 
 What tho' no ufelefs grandeur deck the dome, 
 Rich with the fliining fpoils of Greece or Romei 
 What tho' no gilded roofs, with high emblaze. 
 Pour on the dazzled eye their ftreaming rays j 
 Yet beauty fmiles confefs'd in ev'ry part. 
 While nature crowns the bold attempts of art : 
 Here elegance, with ufe, her charms combines. 
 And thro' the whole with fofcer luftre fhines. 
 No more thefe walls the vidlor's fliouts prolong, 
 Echoing the clafh of mail, the martial fong; 
 Within their bounds reflde a gentler trains 
 Here facred peace and focial virtue reign : 
 Here, groaning with its freight, the friendly board 
 Proclaims the bounty of its generous lord i 
 Here famifli'd travellers forget their woes. 
 And weary'd ftrangers fink in foft repofe. 
 
 To crown the whole, view yon proud fane afcend. 
 Which, guardian feraphs, with their wings defend ! 
 Behold ! all radiant with celeftial light. 
 The dome, afcending, fwells upon the fight ; 
 The folemn gates our mufing fouls infpire 
 With rev'rend awe, and rouze devotion's fire j 
 
 O 2 With
 
 Here oft, as yonder planet lights the day. 
 Or ev'ning fheds oblique her purple ray. 
 With conftant zeal (hall bend a youthful train. 
 And fongs of rapture rend the hallow'd fane. 
 Hark, what fweet warblings undulate in air. 
 Glowing with praife, or fraught with fervent pray'rj 
 While, as they chaunt Jehovah's mighty name, 
 Thro'ev'ry bofoni fpreads the kindred flame j 
 Their pious vows (hall confecrate the pile. 
 And heav'n's dread {ne receive them with a fmile. 
 
 H A G L E Y.
 
 H 
 
 G L 
 
 y.
 
 [ 103 ] 
 
 R E F A C E. 
 
 ■tj-AGLE Y is fituated in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, on 
 the road leading to Bewdley, in Worcefter.^iire, and is not lefs in- 
 debted to nature for its beauties than the tafte and genius of the 
 late Lord Lyttelton. 
 
 Through a long dark avenue of limes v/e approach the houfe, 
 which is an elegant modern building, and adorned with paintings 
 of the mod eminent Italian raaflers. There are likewife fome 
 bufls and ftatues of great value; thofe of Milton, Shakefpeare, 
 Spenfer, and Dryden, in the library, were made by Scheenmaker, 
 and left by Mr. Pope, at his death, to his lordlliip. The views 
 from the houfe are every way delightful; particularly that on the 
 garden fide. Immediately oppofite, at fome diftance, on the brow 
 of a lawn, flands a light column, backed by a noble grove ; on 
 the left of which the temple of Thefeus prefents itfelf, on the beau- 
 tiful hill of Witchberry, embofomed in firs; and above this, on a 
 higher eminence, towers the obelifk. 
 
 Leaving the houfe we come to the Parifli Church, a fmall Go- 
 thic building, in which is a beautiful monument to the memory of 
 Lucy Lyttelton, his lordfhip's firfl: lady. 
 
 Every
 
 [ 104 ] 
 
 Every reader of tafle will remember the beautiful monody com- 
 pofcd by his lordfliip on the death of this lady, which does equal 
 honour to the memory of both. On the left of this monument is 
 a fmall unadorned flone, which acquaints us, toat the noble author 
 refts below. This was placed here by his lordfliip's particular 
 defire, and ftrongly impreffes the mind with an idea of that virtue 
 which fought applaufe, fuperior to what man could beftovv^. 
 
 A narrow path leads from hence along the lawn to a gloomy hol- 
 low, whofe deep banks are covered with large rocky flones, as if 
 rent afunder by fome violent concuflion of nature. The gufhing 
 cafcade, on either fide, adds to the folemnity of the fcene. 
 
 We now reafcend the bank, and winding to the right, arrive at 
 the Alcove, which is fupported by the Palladian bridge, of elegant 
 conftruftion. Never before did the hand of art model, or the eye 
 of fancy behold, a fcene fo ravifliing. The grand cafcade tum- 
 bling from one rock to another down the embofomed vale; the 
 richnefs of the woods, and the diftant Rotunda that terminates the 
 fwelling vifta, at once fill the mind with altonifhment and pleafure. 
 
 Keeping to the left hand of the water, a Portico, on the fummit 
 of a rifing ground, catches the eye with peculiar grace. We enter, 
 through a fmall wicket, the environs of the grotto. From a bench 
 under an old oak of furprizing magnitude we have a mod pleafing 
 profpedl of this retirement ; the flirubs and flowers fcattered in 
 profufion on the banks, falute us with their fragrance as we pene- 
 trate its inmoft rccefies ; where flands a flatue of Venus, as jufl 
 rifing from the water: Here are feveral 2;rotefque done alcoves, and 
 feats Hiaded with laurels. 
 
 Oppofitc
 
 C '05 ] 
 
 trate its inmofl: receffesj where Hands a ftatue of Venus, asjuft 
 rifing from the water: Here are feveral grotefque ftone alcoves, and 
 feats fliaded with laurels. 
 
 Oppofite to thefe is another cafcide, which is decorated with 
 large vitrified cinders, and other ftones of a fliining fubftance, 
 which have a very pleafing efFc6l, This rural folitude is quitted, 
 not without reludance, and after rifing the ftcep afcent, we con- 
 tinue our walk under the fhade of fpacious trees to a bank, on 
 which is an urn, dedicated to the memory of the late Mr. Shenftone. 
 
 Turning hence to the left, the rotunda again ftrikes the 
 view, as we walk along the fides of a folitary glen, thick planted 
 with coppice and other trees. Croffing this glen, you arrive at 
 the favourite fpot of the late Mr. Pope, in the midfl: of a fwel- 
 ling irregular lawn, entirely furrounded with woods. His lordfliip 
 has ereded an urn to the memory of this bard j whom, living, he 
 honoured with his particular friendfliip. 
 
 The afcent now becomes bold and fleep, winding amidft a variety 
 of {lately trees, to the higheft eminence in the park ; on which is 
 fituated, with great judgment, and not lefs beauty, the Ruin. This 
 venerable pile bears every appearance of antiquity ; and we are con- 
 firmed in that opinion, by the maffy ftones which have in many 
 places tumbled down from the ruinous walls, and the mouldering 
 towers almofl covered with ivy. But how great is our aftonifli- 
 ment, when, on a nearer approach, we perceive it to be a ufcful 
 modern ftrudlure, built for a keeper's lodge, and fo difpofed, as to 
 make it a principal objedl from feveral feats in the park. Here, 
 indeed, the tafte of the defigner has difplayed itfelf; and his lord- 
 
 P lordlliip.
 
 [ loa ] 
 
 fliip, in leaving one of the towers entire, hath afforded an oppor- 
 tunity of furveying an horizon, which, for its vaft extent, and the 
 grandeur and beauty of the objeifts it difplays, is no where to be 
 rivalled. 
 
 From hence the path leads to the foot of the Clent Hills, which 
 are fituated without the park pale, but amply recompence the labour 
 of afcending them, by the extenfive profpedl exhibited from their 
 fummits. If the ftranger choofes to purfue the path on the left, 
 he will find, near the extremity of the park, a handfome Gothic 
 feat, which gives an agreeable view of thefe hills, the ruin, and the 
 dirtant country. But purfuing that to the right, through one of the 
 mofl: delicious groves imaginable, he will foon arrive at a feat, 
 which has this infcription : 
 
 Sedes Contcmplationis,. 
 Omnia Vanitas. 
 
 Nothing can equal the pleafing ferenity we experience in this de- 
 lightful recefs, fo admirably adapted to relieve the eye, fatigued 
 with the great and diftant objeds before prefented to its view.. 
 
 The next objedl that claims attention is the Hermitage, com- 
 pofed of clumps of wood and roots of old trees, carelefsly heaped 
 together. The floor is neatly paved with fmall pebbles, and is 
 furrounded with a feat, covered with a mat. 
 
 We now defcend into a vale, where are fome pools of water; on 
 every fide furrounded by large chefnuts, and fpreading elms. Along 
 this vale the path winds, through a grove of oaks up a fteep hill> 
 
 near
 
 [ 107 ] 
 
 near the fummit of which is a feat, from whence we have an Jm- 
 menfely extended view cf the country, and the houfe delightfully 
 fituated in the lawn below. It would be contrary to my plan, 
 which is only to give the reader a general idea of this place, prepa- 
 ratory to his perufal of the following pages, and indeed impoflible, 
 to enumerate all the beauties that appear from this eminence. On 
 the back of the feat is this infcription, taken from the fifth book of 
 Paradife Lofl : 
 
 Thefe are thy glorious works, Parent of good, 
 Almighty ! thine this univerfal frame 
 
 We fliall therefore retire into the grove behind ; where, from the 
 firfl: bench, the eye is prefented with a more confined profpedl, 
 which, by its variety, is rendered doubly pleafing. Thomfon's 
 feat, the Temple of Thefeus, and the obelifk, appear to great ad- 
 vantage, at well judged diflances amidft hanging woods, and lawns 
 covered with the livelieft verdure. From the fecond bench is feen, 
 between the branches of the trees, the ftupendous Wrekin, a high 
 mountain in Shropftiire, at the dfftance of at leafl: thirty miles, and 
 the buildings are totally excluded. The path now leads to the 
 Doric Portico, thus infcribed, 
 
 Quieti et Mufis. 
 
 This is, in my opinion, one of the mod agreeable retreats in the 
 park; and is fituated on the brow of a very fieep lawn, bounded 
 every way by the nobleft trees that ever graced the foreft. 
 
 P 2 From
 
 [ '°s ] 
 
 Hence the path leads into a rude and gloomy dell, down 
 whofe deep flielving fides feveral little ftreams continually run, that 
 delight us with their coolnefs, and foothe us with their murmurs. 
 
 After fifing the declivity on the oppofite fide, the path leads to 
 the Rotunda, a neat and elegant building, from which the alcove 
 and water above-mentioned are very ftriking objedls. Proceeding 
 onward we defcend into another deep glen, but in many circum- 
 flances varying from the former, and foon after the fcene changes 
 into a beautiful extent of lawn, where the parfonage-houfe prefents 
 itfelf to the view, and a graceful row of elms conduits us to 
 Thomfon's feat. 
 
 The profpeft from this fpot is fuch, as never fails to fix the at- 
 tention, and raife the delight of the beholder. The fteep hanging 
 woods diredly oppofite ; amidll which the Doric portico difplays 
 itfelf with greater beauty; the Clcnt Hills and the Ruin on one 
 hand, with the romantic Malvern Hills bounding the horizon on 
 the other, contribute to adorn the fcene with variety, beauty, and 
 grandeur. 
 
 Winding through the grove on the right, which affords a diftant 
 view of lord Stamford's grounds, an eminence appears, on the brow 
 of which is ereded the Column, bearing a ftatue of Frederic, prince 
 of Wales, the father of his prefent majefty. The view from hence 
 is equally extenfive with that from the hill before-mentioned, com- 
 mands the houfe, and is in every refpedl correfpondent with that 
 difplay of tafle and magnificence, which prevails amidll the receffes 
 ©f Hadev. 
 
 'o' 
 
 1 1 A G L E Y,
 
 [ i09 ] 
 
 H A G L E Y. 
 
 Once more, with trembling hand, I ftrike the lyre. 
 
 Genius of verfe the living lays infpire; 
 
 Ye tenants of the glade, that o'er me fpread 
 
 Your flutt'ring wings, and warble round my head. 
 
 Lend me your notes — and thou, whofe love-lorn tale. 
 
 Wild-echoing, floats along the dying gale, 
 
 O Philomel — if e'er at eve I rove 
 
 To hear thy tender plaints in yonder grove j 
 
 O fweeteft far of all the feather'd train. 
 
 Warm my rapt breall: with thy feraphlc ftrain : 
 
 Hagley I fing — to Hagley's bowers belong 
 
 The fofteft meafures, and the noblefl fong. 
 
 Ye bleft retreats, ye pleafmg glooms, all hall!' 
 Ye varied fcenes of woodland, hill and dale. 
 Whether my eyes with hurried glance furvey 
 Yon flow'ring lawns In wild luxuriance gay. 
 Or to thofe diftant forefts ftretch with pain, 
 Tkat tower to heav'n and darken all the plain :
 
 [ n" ] 
 
 Still as the varied profped meets my fight. 
 My confcious bofom beats with new delight. 
 
 Where fliall the fong begin ? For every place 
 Invites alike, and beams with rival grace : 
 From fcene to fccne the mufe bewilder'd flies. 
 While more than fairy landfcapes round her rife- 
 Such mingled tranfports our grand parent knew. 
 When nature's charms firftmet his wond'ring view; 
 Led by his Maker thro' the blooming wild, 
 Where-e'er he rov'd, rekindling beauties fmil'd : 
 On ev'ry plant he gaz'd, on ev'ry flower, 
 And tafted ev'ry fruit that deck'd the bower j 
 Paus'd in the valley, mark'd the mountain's pride. 
 Or hanging o'er the fountain's verdant fide, 
 Admir'd his (hadow in the filver flood ; 
 The gay refledted lawn, the dancing wood. 
 The heav'n's blue concave, and the folar blaze- 
 Till thought was loft amidft the fliining maze ! 
 
 Ye fpreading limes! On whofe majeftic brows 
 An hundred rolling years have fhed their fnows ; 
 Ye hills and op'ning plains, where nature pours 
 With lavifli hand the choiceft of her ftores; 
 
 Ye
 
 [ "' 3 
 
 Ye hallow'd roofs, which fcience hath array 'd 
 
 In all the glowing pomp of light and (hade. 
 
 That oft have heard a Pope's melodious tongue* 
 
 And oft refounded while a Thomfon fung. 
 
 Receive the meaneft of the tuneful train. 
 
 Who trembles while he wakes the votive ftrain. 
 
 Beauty and ftrength thro' all the pile unite. 
 
 Warm the bold thought, and fix the roving fight: 
 
 Tafl:e guides the rule, while judgment marks the lines, 
 
 And all the mafter in the firudure fhines. 
 
 Here live the rev'rend lages of mankind, 
 
 Whofe works delighted, or inform'd the mind j 
 
 The laurel'd offspring of immortal Rome 
 
 Live here, and with their prefence guard the dome !' 
 
 Here too her later fons, not lefs in fame, 
 
 AVhofe fingers wak'd to life the pencll'd frame. 
 
 Or foften'd into fenfe the rugged fione, 
 
 Flourifla amidil creations of their own. 
 
 Come forth, my mufe, and wand'ring o'er the green, 
 Mark the fair glories of this living fcene— 
 From yon proud Obcliik, whofe tow'ring brow 
 Throws its long fliadows o'er the plains below j 
 
 Fr<iin.
 
 [ "-^ ] 
 
 From yonder Fane*, which darkfome firs embrace, 
 Down to the graceful Column's humbler bafc : 
 O would fome power my kindling bread Infpire 
 With Titian's genius, or with Thomfon's fire; 
 Soon fhould the fmlling lawn, the purple flcies, 
 Tlie hanging grove, on breathing canvas rife; 
 In all its charms the vivid landfcape (hine. 
 And nature's touches only rival mine. 
 
 Beneath this antient pile, whofe Gothic tower 
 Pale ivy clafps, and circling elms embower, 
 Rcfts his pale head, who firfl: thefe beauties plann'd. 
 And rais'd this Eden with his foft'ring hand — 
 Dumb the foft mufic of his tuneful tongue. 
 On which the lifl'ning fwalns enraptur'd hung; 
 That heart, which lately leapt at beauty's name. 
 That glow'd with virtue's, friendfliip's pureft flame. 
 Beats now no more — let tiioughtlefs man attend. 
 And mark the point where all his triumphs end ! 
 With mournful pomp, by his unconfcious fide. 
 Cold as her urn, reclines his beauteous bride; 
 
 * Temple of Thcfcus. 
 
 To
 
 .[ "3 ] 
 
 To whofe fair memory flow'd the tend'refl tear. 
 That ever trembled o'er the female bier : 
 O let congenial anguifh paufe, and weep. 
 Where beauty, worth, and buried genius fleep ! 
 
 Thou little murmuring rill fhalt be our guide, 
 Whofe amber waves along the pebbles glide j 
 Sacred perhaps to fome fair rural power. 
 That fweeps unfeen amidft the neighb'ring bower," • 
 
 To that lone Dell, beneath the deepen'd fhade. 
 Where down the valley burfls the rude cafcade j 
 Hence let us fly from day's increafing beam, 
 LuU'd by the murmurs of the babbling ftream : ?' 
 
 Or farther bend, to where the moaning dove 
 Invites our fteps to yonder gay Alcove : 
 Delightful haunt— where fportive elves repair. 
 And chaunt foft warblings to the midnight air; 
 What diftant found is that which meets my ears. 
 Sweet as the mufic of the rolling fpheres ! 
 Heav'n's ! what a glorious fcene ! with rapid fweep 
 The headlong waters ru(h from fteep to fleep ; 
 While the grey rocks, whofe bafe they foam around. 
 Repels them as they break with furious bound : 
 
 Q_ Th«
 
 [ "4 ] 
 
 The fparkling fun-beams on their furface play. 
 And the bright waves refledl a double day. 
 Alark with what pomp the dark o'cr-arciiing wood 
 Bends its broad arms to tafte the billowy flood ; 
 While far above, on yon green mountain's height. 
 The bold rotunda fwclls' upon my fight. 
 
 Now o'er the Hoping lawn's luxuriant ftde^. 
 Where ftands the portico ia all its pride ; 
 Soft let me feek the grotto's cool retreat. 
 And reft awhile on yon fequefter'd feat 
 Beneath that antient oak'-r-thc force's boaft, 
 Whofe branching arms might fliielda ouni'rous hofl- 
 Fair Venus, to thy guardian power I bow. 
 Propitious fmile, and hear my profFcr'd vow ; 
 Still on thy bard thy genial influence ibed. 
 Still twine thy myrtles round his favour'd head; 
 So ftiall he wake for thee the founding fl:ring. 
 And ev'ry mountain. with thy praises ring. 
 Ye mofs-clad banks, where twining violets bloom,. 
 That load the fcented breeze with fcfc perfume : 
 Ye verdant flirubs, permit a Aranger guefl: 
 On your foft couch lli5 faiqting limbs to reft-^— 
 
 Th^.u.
 
 [ >»5 1 
 
 Thou gufhing flood, thro' whofe tranfparent ftream. 
 Of glaffy hue, a thoufand fragments gleam. 
 Still murmur on— while Morpheus, drowfy god. 
 O'er my fcorch'd temples waves his leaden rod. 
 But other fcenes, as rapturous, bid me rife. 
 And other beauties call my wandering eyes. 
 
 Now will the mufe the winding path afcend. 
 And to that gloomy bank her footfteps bend. 
 To hail her Shenftone— and, with grief fincere. 
 Drop o'er his fhade the tributary tear i 
 That tear which he to fuff'ring virtue gave. 
 Shall now bedew his own lamented grave. 
 
 Ye fairy vales, and thou, enchanting glade*. 
 His foftering hand in artlefs pomp array'd. 
 Where is your Corydon ? Ye fylvan powers. 
 That wont to rove 'midfl thofe deferted bowers. 
 With rofes who fhall deck your lonely way. 
 What birds fhall warble, or what fountains play ? 
 For Corydon is gone — The fhepherds come. 
 But ev'ry flute, and ev'ry voice is dumb j 
 
 * Virgil's Grove ; which is the glory of tha Leafowes. 
 
 0^3 The
 
 C "6 ] 
 
 The flocks with fliriller plaints his lofs deplore. 
 And, bleating moan—'* Our mafter is no more !" 
 
 In yonder lawn, befide the bending wood, 
 The bard of Twlt'nam erft, delighted flood; 
 With nature's charms, or Homer's rapt, he fung, 
 And lays fpontaneous warbled from his tongue. 
 Behold where friendfliip rears the pious urn, 
 Fond pledge of thee that never mufl: return, 
 In thefe lov'd haunts, with more than mortal fire. 
 To fwell the notes, and fmite the founding lyre. 
 
 How high yon Turret, mouldering in decay, 
 Majeftic foars 'midfl: ruins rude and grey; 
 Up the fleep pile afpiring ivy creeps. 
 And in its fliade the bat fecurely fleeps : 
 Ah, Lyttelton ! in vain thy fancy ftrives 
 To imitate, where real nature lives — 
 For ftill in fpite of thee, in fpite of art, 
 Her anrient fpirit breathes thro' ev'ry part — 
 In fome bleft moment, fure, thy daring hand 
 O'erpower'd the nymph, and caught her magic wand! 
 TrembUng, at length, I reach the glorious height, 
 And the wide landfcape burfts upon my fight; 
 
 t •-■ « 
 
 I 
 
 Scarce
 
 [ "7 ] 
 
 Scarce can I roll my eves from fide to fide, 
 Where far beneath the diftant rivers glide : 
 Whsre cities fwell, vi'here forefts, dark and deep. 
 
 Stretch o'er the vallies with tremendous fweep 
 
 Here ,the proud Malvern * hills romantic rife. 
 
 There the great Wrekin mingles with the ikies ; 
 
 Here Clent's delightful fummits fmile around. 
 
 And the Black Mountains -j- there the vail: horizon bound. 
 
 Now let the notes in mournful cadence flow. 
 All wildly fweet, and breathe the foul of woe j 
 Strains, fuch as warbled late o'er Lucia's tomb, 
 Sooth'd her pale ghoft, and chear'd the mirky gloom : 
 When thefe lone bow'rs with fofter meafures rung, 
 Than ever dropt from Petrarch's tender tongue. 
 Her courfe the niufe to yonder mountain bends. 
 Where, wrapt in fhade, the lefTening fpire afcends. 
 There will flie wail the royal infant's doom, 
 Bid round his fhrine eternal laurels bloom j 
 And while her eyes pour forth the torrent flood. 
 Her hand fliall write the tale in lines of blood ! 
 
 * The Malvern hills divide this county, on the fouth-weft fide, from Herefordfliire, and 
 rife to a great height, one above another, for feven miles together. 
 
 f Thefe mountains, and the round hill near Radnor in Wales, are, in a clear atmofphere, 
 diftindly vifiblej though at the diftancc of near eighty miles. 
 
 In
 
 [ «>s ] 
 
 In thofe dark times, when frantic dilcord pour"d 
 The gleaming horrors of her vengeful fword 
 O'er half the ravag'd globe — and Saxon chains 
 In flavery bound Britannia's hardy fwains, 
 TIacre dwelt a prince *; whom fate's fevercft frown 
 Curft with the hopes of Mercia's glittering crown ; 
 For ere nine fummers, circling o'er his head, 
 On his young cheek the filver down had fpread. 
 The haplefs Kenelm wept his raviHi'd fire. 
 And faw the brother of his heart expire! 
 Nor yet remain'd a mother's foft'ring care. 
 To gild the fcene, and chafe his deep defpair ; 
 The baleful hour tliat life to Kenelm gave, 
 ConCgn'd the wretched parent to the grave. 
 
 * " On the death of Kenulph, King of the Mercians, the kingdom fell to his fon 
 " Kenelm, then an infant, whofe elder fifter, Quendred, pra<Sifed with Afkcbert, her lover, 
 " and the young king^s guardian, to make away with him; which, that he might do the 
 " more fccretly, he had the young king into Clent-wood, in this county, under the fair pre- 
 ♦' tence of taking plcafure in hunting, and when he had gotten him into a fuitable place, he 
 " cut off his head, and buried him where no man knew." 
 
 Vide Plott's Hift. of StafFordfhire, p. 412, 
 
 Subjcfls of the defcriptive kind labour under this peculiar difjdvantage : they are feidom read 
 but by pcrfons who are intereftcd by their particular knowledge of the beauties of the place 
 dcfcribcd. To make them more general therefore, by introducing hiftorical events, or enli- 
 vening epifodes, has been always the condudl of writers who were emulous of more univerfal 
 attention. If the candid reader will forgive the difproportionate length of the following ftory, 
 which is not the offspring of poetic invention, the author hopes the truly tragical fcenes it 
 
 contains will fufficiently apologize for its other defcils. 
 
 One
 
 [ i>9 ] 
 
 One only fifter (har'd his filial grief, 
 
 Whofe fondnefs gave his bleeding heart relief i 
 
 Forlorn they wander thro' the lonely wood. 
 
 And mix their murmurs with the founding flood ; 
 
 Or fpeechlefs bend and kifs the hallow'd bier. 
 
 Returning figh for figh, and tear for tear. 
 
 Thus many a tedious month in anguifli pafl. 
 And ev'ry month more irkfome than the laft; 
 But fiercer pangs the beauteous maid oppreft. 
 And love and grief divide her anxious bread. 
 To guard the realm from foreign tyrant's rage. 
 And guide the monarch in his tender age. 
 Was AlTcebert's high care; whofe mighty name^ 
 Thro' all the weft renown'd for martial fame. 
 Struck dread thro' ev'ry rebel Saxon's foul. 
 That dar'd refift his fov'reign's high controul ; 
 Yet beauty's charms could fmooth the warrior's brow. 
 His breaft of fteel with fofter trrnfports glow; 
 Thofe fincwy limbs, that on the embattled plain 
 Sublimely tower'd o'er myriads of the flaia. 
 With matchlefs grace amidft the dance could move. 
 And warm the tender female heart to love-j— 
 
 3 . ^"^^
 
 [ 120 ] 
 
 Fair Kcndred law, and felt the rapturous heat 
 Thro' ev'ry pulfe with quick vibration beat: 
 In vain flie ftrove her frantic pains to hide, 
 Or ftop rcfiftlefs paffion's fwelUng tide ; 
 Her confcious thoughts in all her features rife. 
 Glow on her cheeks, and languirti in her eyes ; 
 Nor lefs the baron felt the fecret flame. 
 But figh'd impatient for the royal dame j 
 Such favage joy the tiger's breaft infpires. 
 Or dsmons, madd'ning with inceftuous fires 1 
 Treafon and flaughter in his bofom brood. 
 That burns for power, and thirfts for infant blood ; 
 His guilty flame from curft ambition fprings. 
 And love conceals adagger with his wings- 
 Yet fofteft founds adorn'd his flowing tongue. 
 On which the nymph with rapt attention hung. 
 Swift thro' each fenfe the mingling poifon flole, 
 And fcepter'd fplendors fire her tainted foul. 
 Warm'd by her fmiles, the fell barbarian glows, 
 His dark and dreadful pur pofe to difclofej 
 And while with eager joy her hand he prefl-. 
 Thus his falfe lips th' attentive maid addreft : 
 " Faireft of Mercia's nymphs, whofe angel charms 
 « Have fill'd this panting breafl: with foft alarms; 
 3 
 
 «' Dear,
 
 [ >" ] 
 
 «' Dear, blooming idol of my doating eyes, 
 
 ** For whom I wafle the tedious night in fighs, 
 
 ** How long In doubt and anguifli ftiall I pine, 
 
 " When call that paradife of beauty mine ? 
 
 *' Hafle thee, my love; to yonder fane away, 
 
 *« The breathing altars chide our long delay ; 
 
 ?' This hour the hoary feer (hall join our hands, 
 
 ** And Hymen bind us in his myrtle bands." 
 
 The nymph obey'd : her kindling cheeks aflume 
 
 A deeper crimfon, as fhe reach'd the dome. 
 
 There while the priefts the folemn rites prepare. 
 
 He mark'd the tumults of the trembling fair; 
 
 And gazing, with that look of villain joy, 
 
 That malks the fiend, and fmiles — but to deftroy j 
 
 On ev'ry charm with wanton praifes dwelt, 
 
 Diflembllng tranfports which he never felt : 
 
 ** Bleft with the beams of thofe blue rolling eyes, 
 
 " I envy not the gods their purple flcles j 
 
 " My Kendred's thoufand beauties to behold, 
 
 *< Might draw down Woden* from his throne of gold, 
 
 *' But Woden's felf (hould never tafte thy charms, 
 
 *' Nor force thee trembling from my bridal arms : 
 
 # Woden was the principal deity of the Saxons. 
 
 R «' How
 
 [ 122 ] 
 
 *• How would the fcepter> by thy father borne, 
 
 •* His lovely daughter's fnow- white hand adorn! 
 
 •' The gems, that in the crown of Mercia glow, 
 
 •* How would they fparkle on thy brighter brow; 
 
 *' And mingling with thy flowing, auburn hair, 
 
 *' Surpafs the fplendors of the proudeft fair! 
 
 " Shake not — nor dread to mount a brother's throne, 
 
 " Which years and birth more juftly (lamp thy own ; 
 
 " Infirm, and tott'ring with each rougher breeze, 
 
 " Soon may he fall the vidlim of difeafe ; 
 
 " Or if difeafe fliould fpare his infant head, 
 
 " There want not means to mix him with the dead." — 
 
 " Ah ceafe," the Princefs cries, " that piercing ftrain, 
 
 " Nor let a fifter raife her voice in vain; 
 
 *' If my lov'd A/kebert hath thus decreed, 
 
 *' The throne be ours — but let not Kenelm bleed: 
 
 " O fpare his tender age, and let his fate 
 
 " Be chains for life, or exile from the ftate." 
 
 She fpake; and thus the guileful peer replied. 
 
 While his falfe tongue his murd'rous heart belied : 
 
 " Well haft thou faid — Yes, left his vengeful hand 
 
 «' Hurl the red torch of faflion round the land ; 
 
 " Far, far from hence to Mercia's diftant bound, 
 
 " Where tracklcfs forefts ftretch immenfe around. 
 
 " And
 
 [ 123 ] 
 
 ** And length'ning fwamps thro' howling defarts fpread, 
 
 ** Some faithful hind his devious fteps fliall lead : 
 
 ** While we, triumphing in a nation's fmile, 
 
 ** The fondeft, happieft: pair of Albion's ifle, 
 
 " Secure in rounds of endlefs rapture move, 
 
 " And feafton all the luxuries of love." 
 
 The magic found fwift darted to her brain. 
 
 While fiercer tumults throb in ev'ry vein : 
 
 Her hand he printed with an ardent kifs. 
 
 And the laft rites confirm their impious blifs. 
 
 The founding clarions now th' event declare. 
 The affembled lords the nuptial banquet fhare j 
 The royal vidtim flew to be carefs'd. 
 Nor knew a tmird'rer clafp'd him to his bread. 
 ** Kenelm, at length, thy pious grief refrain, 
 •' This day demands our rapture's loudeft Arain j 
 *' To-morrow mount thy choiceft, fwifteft fl:eed, 
 «' Beneath our fpears the foaming boar fliall bleed ; 
 *' The youth of Mercia call thee to the plain, 
 " And thy fair fifter deigns to grace our train." 
 The prince delighted his command obeys, 
 And fprings from flumber with the morning rays : 
 
 R 2 But
 
 [ ^24 ] 
 
 But when tlie chaee in all its fury burn'd. 
 
 To thefe lone hills his devious courfc he turn'dj 
 
 And as their fteeds the dreary wild afcend, 
 
 *• This iuits our piirpofe well," exclalm'd the fiend! 
 
 " Purpofe! whatpurpofe? — O, my honour'd lord, 
 
 " What means that frown, and ah ! that gleaming fword ! 
 
 " If aught my ra(h, unthinking youth hath err'd, 
 
 " To rouze thy jufl: revenge, in deed, or word ; 
 
 *• Behold me roll repentant at thy feet, 
 
 " Low in the duft thy pardon to intreat; 
 
 •' O, by thefe tears, that threat'ning hand remove, 
 
 «* My father's friendfliip, and my fifler's lovej 
 
 " In bonds of fteel my tender limbs confine, 
 
 " In damp and dreary dungeons let me pine; 
 
 " But fpare"— — the brandifli'd falchion fiopt his cries, 
 
 And his meek foul fled quiv'ring to the ficies. 
 
 As the firlT: murd'rer, from the flroke that gave 
 His proflrate, bleeding brother, to the grave; 
 Thus, ghaftly pale, this fecond Cain arofe, 
 Such horror ev'ry fliudd'ring finew froze ! 
 But no remorfe could touch that iron heart. 
 Where never confcienceplung'd her burning dart. 
 
 With
 
 [ 125 ] 
 
 With favage rage his purple fobes he tore, 
 
 And dy'd them deeper in the reeking gore ; 
 
 Then deeply delv'd the dark, unhallow'd tomb. 
 
 And gave the mangled corpfe to earth's affrighted womb. 
 
 But now, refounding from the neighb'ring vale. 
 
 The horn's flirill clangors load the chearful gale : 
 
 Furious he fnatch'd the veft, that dropt with blood, 
 
 And, like an arrow darting thro' the wood. 
 
 Terror and guilt, wild-glaring in his eyes, 
 
 Fill'd the wild concave with his dreadful cries. 
 
 '• Halt, comrades halt — this bloody robe I found 
 
 " Deep in the foreft, fmoaking on the ground; 
 
 ** Some prowling favage, or fome ruffian's fword, 
 
 " Hath rent the bofom of our youthful lord ; 
 
 " Through yonder brake methought I faw him borne, 
 
 *' By the fierce, panting boar— all gafh'd and torn— • 
 
 " Hafle, let us pierce its gloom; fome happier fpear 
 
 *' May reach the monfter in his mad career." 
 
 " As mine does thee" — indignant Kendred faid, 
 
 And with her fabre clove his trait'rous head. 
 
 •' The monfter thou — inhuman murderer go, 
 
 ** Where vengeance waits thee in the realms below> 
 
 ** To fcoffing fiends thy tale of horror tell, 
 
 *' And reign with furies in the deeps of hell : 
 
 " My
 
 [ «26 ] 
 
 " My foul with thine fliall take her guihy flight, 
 
 " Purfue thee howling thro' the realms of night ; 
 
 " Still thunder in thy ears the promis'd throne, 
 
 ** And make the (hades re-murmur with her moan \ 
 
 *' Dear, martyr'd youth, that, in thy tendered age, 
 
 ** Ilafl: fall'n the prey of fell ambition's rage j 
 
 *' On the pale, trembling wretch, from heav'n look down, 
 
 " That dared afpire to feize a brother's crown — 
 
 *' Behold the proftrate author of thy woe : 
 
 *' Mine was the hand that gave the deathful blow 
 
 ** Mine was the traitor-voice that bade thee bleed, 
 " And thus this dagger fliall revenge the deed !" 
 She fpake, and kifling thrice th' impurpkd veft, 
 Thrice plung'd the weapon in her beauteous bread:. 
 
 The mufe, all penfive, haftes to happier plains, 
 Where Contemplation, pale-eyed matron, reigns ; 
 Deep thron'd in tenfold glooms that round her rife. 
 In proud theatric flate, and fweep the fkies. 
 She comes, in robes of virgin white array 'd; 
 Silent as night, (he ftalks along the glade : 
 She fpeaks ; the folemn founds convidion roll. 
 And rulli like lightning to my inmofl: foul: 
 
 <' Mortal,
 
 [ i27 ] 
 
 ** Mortal, whofe foot my hallow'd haunts pervades, 
 
 ** Approach the Genius of thefe awful fhades; 
 
 *' And learn — how vain the monarch's purple ftate, 
 
 •' How low the boafted triumph of the great ; 
 
 *♦ Compar'd with raptures which content infpires, 
 
 ** When wifdom guides the mind, and virtue fires— 
 
 *' Ye blinded wretches, who for glory brave 
 
 " The battle's roar, and ftem the raging wave; 
 
 " And ye, who fir'd with boundlefs thirft of gain, 
 
 *' Tempt the dark mine, or tread the burning plain, 
 
 *• To this lone fpot retire, and know that " All is vain."- 
 
 But fee where gathering clouds deform the fky, 
 
 To yonder cell's deep covert let us fly. 
 
 Where darker trees their twilight horrors fpread. 
 
 And wrap fome hermit in their iron fhade — 
 
 Heard you that dreadful clap — fo loud, and long, 
 
 'Twas heav'n's high voice that ratified the fong : 
 
 Yes, ye fair fyrens, that betray mankind, 
 
 Whofe various influence tears the human mind. 
 
 Wealth, beauty, power, I dare renounce you all, 
 
 And proftrate bend at virtue's awful call 1 
 
 I fee, I fee your fading charms expire, 
 
 Darken'd their luftre, and extindl: their firej 
 
 I 
 
 Far,
 
 [ i=s ] 
 
 Far, far from you contented would I dwell 
 Beneath thefe roofs, and bid the world farewell ; 
 Here innocence and peace fliould crown my days. 
 And my fond heart forget its throb for praife : 
 No longer confcious to the tafte of blood. 
 The fruits of earth fhould be my humbler food; 
 My thirft I'd flake in yon tranflucent ftream, 
 With God, my guide, my guardian, and my theme. 
 
 How fofc the fragrance of this vernal fliower, 
 That lights the gem and wakes the drooping flower ! 
 On magic ground, entranc'd, I feem to tiead. 
 Where fparkling emeralds pave the glowing mead : 
 With more than mortal notes the groves refound, 
 With more than Perfian odours breathes the ground. 
 
 Ere yon refplendent lamp farfakes the day, 
 I'll climb the ft.eep, and mark his fetting ray 
 From yonder feat — where, to his Maker's praife, 
 Some pious fwain hath grav'd the duteous lays- 
 Unbounded fcene — beyond my humble ftrain. 
 For here a Milton's daring powers were vain ; 
 " Thefe are thy glorious works. Almighty King," 
 The bard aftonifli'd faid, and dropp'd the firing ! 
 
 3 
 
 If
 
 { 129 3 
 
 If my fond eyes the diflant hills behold, 
 Thofe ikies, diftinft with azure and with gold, 
 Sweep o'er the foreil, range the defart heathy 
 'Or wanton in the fpreading lawn beneath : 
 His hand I fee in nature's thoufand forms ; 
 His power fupports them, and his fpirit warms. 
 
 How beauteous, 'midft the gay furrounding mead. 
 Does yon proud manfion rear its ample head 1 
 Whofe polifh'd towers with trembling radiance gleam, 
 "As the broad fun obliquely darts his beam. 
 What tho' Dasdalean fkill hath deck'd the dome, 
 Vandyke or Titian glow in ev'ry room; 
 Thefe are its meanefl; pride — with dll ihe fire. 
 With all the genius of his noble fire. 
 There dwells a Lyttelton — immortal name ! 
 That fires my fancy with rekindling flame j 
 As all thy glorious anceflors I trace. 
 And the long fplendor of thy antient race: 
 JBards, Prelates, Chiefs, in bright fucceflion rife. 
 And ermin'd fages fweep before my eyes. 
 
 Nor will the mufe negleft, in proud difdain, 
 The decent village, and the lowly fwain, 
 
 S The
 
 [ 130 ] 
 
 The flicep, that thro' an hundred paftures fced» 
 The half-rais'd ox, and brifk difporting fleed — 
 But ah ! ye lovely, fading fcenes, farewell ; 
 Farewell ye fields, where health and pleafure dwell; 
 The thruHi invites me from the fecret bower, 
 The lone owl hails me from her antient tower;. 
 The (liades of eve, advancing, veil the plains. 
 And half unfung the pleafing theme remains. 
 
 Fatigued, tho" raviOi'd with thefe glorious views, 
 Pleas'd I retire with filence and the mufe 
 
 Beneath this Doric roof my aching fight 
 
 Dwells on thefe humbler greens with frefli delight; 
 Where (hades o'er {hades, in deepening pomp, afcend, 
 And thro- the vale their lengthened gloom extend: ^ 
 Here oaks of mighty growth the plain embrown. 
 There hoary elms or branching chefauts frown : 
 Here towering limes the tempeft's fury dare, 
 Or darker firs, luxuriant, (hoot in air. 
 
 Now let me penetrate yon lonely dale. 
 Where in foft whifpers fighs the hollow gale; 
 And many a murmuring rivulet breaking round. 
 Lulls my rapt fenfes with its/opthing found. 
 3 
 
 With
 
 [ '31 ] 
 
 With rapture thro' the darkfome glen I Aray, 
 Where twining coppice half exchide the dayj 
 High o'er my head the cuckow fwells her throat. 
 And clamorous rooks prolong the folemn note. 
 But lo, where brighter fcenes my fteps invite. 
 By change more grateful to the roving fight j 
 With joy the mufe expands her rifing wing, 
 O'er vallies, flulh'd with all the pride of fpring; 
 O'er plains, gay-fmiling with eternal green. 
 Plains, which had Mecca's boafted prophet feen. 
 Here had he bade his blooming Houri rife. 
 And Haglev been his fairer Paradife. 
 
 The fun hath now withdrawn his fiercer fires. 
 And yonder fee his laft, faint beam expires : 
 'Tis fancy's hour — and now the fairy train, 
 Whofe pinions wont to fweep the dewy plain, 
 Rufh from their haunts, beneath the fliadowy dell. 
 The mofs-green grotto, and the pebbled cell. 
 Hark ! what foft ftrains of mufic float around j 
 From bow'r to bow'r the length'ning notes refound : 
 Will Thomfon now defcend and feize the lyre. 
 And join in concert with the woodland quire— 
 
 S a Come,
 
 Come, gentle bard, together let us rove, 
 Wrapt ill high converfe, thro' the darkeft grove; 
 Together let us tread thy fav'rite lawn. 
 And mark the tranfports of the bounding fawn : 
 For ftill, enamour'd of thy warbHng fiiell. 
 With thee, fond Twain, the Graces lov'd to dwell. 
 Nature confefs'd herdarhng's magic hand. 
 And flowers, obedient, fprang at thy command. 
 The Seafons danc'd around their bard, and flied 
 Their choicer!:, fweeteft products on thy head. 
 But nobler drains of bright, feraphic love, 
 Warm thy bold fancy in the realms above. 
 Delighted with fome kindred fuul to Hray, 
 And tempt the dazzling realms of purer day. 
 Yet here, of old, beneath this folemn glade. 
 This bower, now facred to thy awful fliade; 
 Thou with the friendly Pope would'fl oft prolong 
 The focial ftrain, or raife the moral fong. 
 Immortal pair I whofe lays the mufe approves. 
 Whom freedom honours, and their country loves. 
 And well might he, in whofe harmonious mind 
 Each fofter pow'r, and ev'ry grace combin'd. 
 This, beauteous fcene with partial eyes furvey, 
 Where art and nature all their charms difplay; 
 
 Woods,
 
 [ ^33 ] 
 
 VV^oods, mountains, vales, with rival fplendor vie. 
 Awe the rapt foul, and tire the gazing eye. 
 
 The deeper fliades defcendj my anxious mufe 
 With quicken'd ftep the winding trad; purfues : 
 Gloomy her path; yet oft departing day. 
 Thro' the long vifla darts its welcome ray : 
 And many an op'ning half-difplays to fight. 
 The dubious landfcape, fading into night. 
 Beyond where thofe brown defart wafles extend, 
 Envil's green hills and lofty woods afcend ; 
 There Stamford, rural fwain, delights to roam. 
 While round the tumbling torrents dafli their foam; 
 Or in fome flied of fancy's work reclines, 
 Sooth'd with the murmurs of his waving pines. 
 Great peer, ennobled by the generous mind. 
 Who, like the mighty fathers of mankind. 
 Scorns not the culture of his native plains. 
 Nor fpurns the labours of induftrious fwains. 
 
 Mark where the moon, in filver pomp array 'd. 
 Skirts with her orient beam ihe dufky glade; 
 And as her filent chariot moves along. 
 The bumipg orbs of heav'n around her throng; 
 
 Full
 
 [ 134 ] 
 
 Full on this pile her rays refleded fliine. 
 That bears the nobleft of the Brunfwick line. 
 Frederic, all hail ! my country's early boafl — 
 O haplefs prince ! admir'd, belov'd, and loft. 
 Thy anxious heart beat high for Britain's fame, 
 And Britain lov'd thee with a parent's flame. 
 Her daughters fung thy worth in ev'ry vale, 
 Her fathers pour'd the fage prophetic tale, 
 
 But heav'n forbade and fates untimely gave 
 
 Our promis'd monarch to the barren grave ! 
 Yet in thy fon thefe glorious lines we trace. 
 And all the father's virtue warms his race : 
 Tho' fadions rouze the Britifh world to arms. 
 And fierce Bellona found her mad alarms, 
 Aw'd by the virtues of thebeft of kings. 
 The fury fliall contradl her harpy wings : 
 Bright from the cloud their Genius break away. 
 And concord fpread as boundlefs as her fway. 
 
 A M O-
 
 MONODY, 
 
 SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 ELIZABETH, 
 
 DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 
 
 YET ONCE MORE, O! YE LAURELS— 
 
 Ml LT X.
 
 [ 137 ] 
 A MONODY, 
 
 Sacred to the Memory of Elizabeth, Duchefs of Northumberland. 
 
 W HAT meant that plaintive, choral fwell. 
 
 That from a thoufand voices feem'd to rife. 
 
 And fpread in leflening murmurs thro' the fkies ? 
 
 Big with what awful tale does yonder bell 
 
 Exalt its burial note, and pour 
 
 Its deep'ning mufic round the attentive fliore ? 
 
 Smote by the hand that levels all. 
 
 Another PERCY dies. 
 
 But let no vulgar, impious tongue, prefume 
 
 The baleful tidings to relate. 
 
 This blackeft, bittereft ftroke of fate. 
 
 And break the eternal filence of the tomb. 
 
 The dire event a nation's cries fhould tell, 
 
 'Twas Britain's voice that wail'd her as fhe fell. 
 
 'Twas Britain's voice — and all her weeping train 
 
 Of orphans, widows mingled in the ftrain. 
 
 What monument can raptur'd fancy raife 
 
 To the fair memory of the wife and good, 
 
 T (Tho'
 
 [ 138 ] 
 
 (Tho' all the mufes wak'd their loftiefl lays, 
 
 Tho' all the treafurcs of Potofi's mine 
 
 Grac'd their proud bier, and fparkled round their (hrine) 
 
 Greater than virtue's tears, and Britain's praife ? 
 
 You fpeechlefs, pale-eyed, forrowing band, 
 Whofe tears and burfting fighs declare 
 What heart-felt pangs your bofoms tear 3 
 Who fhar'd her fortune, and her power. 
 When famine crufih'dyou with his iron hand. 
 When death's dire harpies, burning to devour, 
 Difeafe and anguifli, ftalk'd around your bed. 
 And fliook their fcorpions o'er your frighted head j 
 Oh ! Break your awful filence, and prolong 
 In melting rhapfodies to Percy's name. 
 Your loftiefl: meafures, — fwell the choral fong. 
 Soar with her zeal, and glow with all her flame. 
 With flattery's arts your lays ye need not fl:ain. 
 Nor let one venal lye debafe the ftrain j 
 Whate'er of daring or fublime. 
 The fabhng fons of Phoebus dream. 
 To fwtll the lofty rage of rhyme, 
 Shrinks from the grandeur of our brighter theme. 
 The greeneft bays that e'er the mufes fpread. 
 To ihiaue the alhes of the mighty dead, 
 
 3 
 
 Fade
 
 [ 139 ] 
 
 Fade at the light of Virtue's living ray j 
 
 Where the rapt foul to nobler views alpires. 
 
 And as on eagle wing (he breaks away. 
 
 From her frail teneoient of mould'ring clay. 
 
 Pants with diviner rage, and burns with brighter fires. 
 
 What tho' thro' thy illuftrious veins. 
 From many a godlike anceftor roll'd down, 
 And many a chief, of high renown. 
 That fought on Agincourt's and Creffy's plains. 
 The rich, patrician ftream unfullied flowed; 
 Though thy proud race with lengthen'd fplendours fliine. 
 And monarchs mingle in the mighty line, 
 Thefe were but humbleft trophies to thy name. 
 Had not thy fpirit caught the kindred flame, 
 Had not thy breaft with rival virtue glow'd. 
 
 Beneath thy fmiles reviving fcience rear'd 
 With fairer luftre her immortal head. 
 The fons of genius hail'd thy bounteous hand, 
 That oft the night of black misfortune chear'd; 
 And every nobler art its influence fpread. 
 In wider circles, round a favour'd land. 
 
 T 2 Rife,
 
 [ Uo ] 
 
 Rife, * thou dear child of Fancy and the Nine, 
 
 Whom Nature, at thy awful birth cndow'd 
 
 With rage to foar beyond the rhyming crowd; 
 
 And kindled in thy breaft the fpark divine. 
 
 That flalli'd refifllefs thro' thy rapid line ; 
 
 O ! torn forever from our longing eyes, 
 
 Whom all Parnaffus widow'd fprings. 
 
 And all Caftalia's weeping grottoes mourn. 
 
 From the cold cyprefs bovvers of dcjth arife. 
 
 And feize once more thy flumbering lyre. 
 
 And deeply fmite its magic firings ! 
 
 Let gratitude a nobler fong infpire. 
 
 Than burft, with facred energy of found. 
 
 When Cambria's cliffs, and Conway's liftenlng tide. 
 
 Heard their hoar prophet raife his thundering drain, 
 
 To blaft the tyrant Edward's banner'd pride ; 
 
 Whofe ftreaming hands, with wanton vengeance red, 
 
 Reek'd with the blood of bards unjuftly flain. 
 
 His powerful verfe hath broke the fpell of death : 
 
 Mark where, flow- rifing from their rocky bed, 
 
 In floles of white the bearded fpedres rife. 
 
 And Icud like hghtnmg o er the delart heafn, 
 
 And point their hoflile torches at his head. 
 
 * This alludes to a particular inftance of kindncfs fliewn by her Grace to the lafe Mr. 
 
 Gray. 
 
 Such
 
 [ '41 1 
 
 Such deathlefs ftrains to Percy's memory ralfe. 
 And let thy wild harp labour in her praife. 
 O could they burfi: death's adamantine chain. 
 And give her to the weeping world again ! 
 Thy pencil's animated touch alone 
 Can draw the living portrait of her mind ; 
 Where ev'ry gentle female grace combin'd, 
 Where ev'ry gen'rous manly virtue fhone; 
 As tliou who fhar'd her bounty beft can tell, 
 That i-ais'd her name as much above her kind. 
 As thy bold lays each meaner mufe excel. 
 
 Ye who by birth or fortune's varying fmile 
 Diflinguifh'd fhine, the guardians of our iile; 
 Wliether ye fwell the Senate's awful band, 
 Where Lyttelton, in thoughts fublime and ftrong, 
 Rolls the full ftream of eloquence along— 
 Or high on glory's glittering fummits fland 
 Where all the virtues dart their blended rays, 
 Diffufing round the throne their central blaze. 
 And guide the fcepter of fupreme command i 
 O dare to emulate your fov'reign's zeal. 
 In truth's, in wlfdom's caufe with Percy glow : 
 Thefe are the balls of a nation's weal. 
 From thefe renown and lafting tranfport flow— 
 
 Hafte
 
 [ U2 ] 
 
 Hafte to the couch where drooping merit pines. 
 Where pale difcafe the languid head reclines; 
 Bid laurels round the brow of genius bloom. 
 And fnatch expiring virtue from the tomb. 
 
 Fain would the mufe each generous deed rehearfc, 
 And bid them flourifli in immortal verfe : 
 To lateft times difplay thy virtuous fame. 
 Till wondering ages kindle at thy name : 
 With all thy fpirit warm the glowing line, 
 Mark how the patriot, how the Chriftian fliine; 
 Trace thee thro' each fond fcene of private life, 
 In all the tender names of friend and wife; 
 Paint thee in ev'ry milder charm confefs'd. 
 And all the parent burning in thy breaft : 
 But what exhauftlefs toil can number o'er 
 The fands that fwell the deep's extended fhore, 
 Or in the defart waftes of Lybia rife. 
 When dufliy whirlwinds fweep along the /kies; 
 And what bold tongue (hall e'er refound 
 The boundlefs tale of thy exalted worth. 
 That brightening every objeft round. 
 Shot forth its beams confpicuous as thy birth : 
 
 Nor
 
 [ H3 ] 
 
 Nor did thofe beams with partial fplendor fall,. 
 But like the fource of light, they fhone on all. 
 
 Daughters of Jove, your mournful lays forbear ;> 
 Some fong of magic virtue dare, 
 To chafe the fullen blacknefs of defpair. 
 And footh the grief- ftruck partner of her bed : 
 Whofe inexpreflive forrows flow, . 
 In all the fpeechlefs agony of woe. 
 O'er the cold afhes of the unconfcious dead, 
 From the rich treafures of your tuneful art. 
 Some foft medicinal balm prepare, 
 Sweeter than all the breathing gums that flied 
 Their wanton fragrance thro' Arabian air. 
 To heal the anguifli of his bleeding heart. 
 To kindred worth fweep all your warbling lyres, 
 O wake fome tender, thrilling, dying flrain ; 
 Till rapture trembles from the quivering wires. 
 And fofter anguifli throbs thro' every vein : 
 Then, as each ruder paflion finks to reft. 
 With fcenes of martial ardor warm his breaft. 
 And point his wondering eye to yonder plain j 
 Wherein infulted Britain's glorious caufe. 
 His dauntlefs fon * the fword of juftice draws: 
 
 * Earl Percy; then feiving in Americ.i, 
 
 And
 
 [ U4 ] 
 
 And as his great forefathers tower'd in arms, 
 Pants in the midft of battle's fierce alarms, 
 \\'ith eager hope to gain the glittering prize. 
 Which glory holds to valour's ravi(h'd view : 
 Their lightning-terrors kindle in his eyes. 
 And in his breaft their ardors blaze anew. 
 
 'Tis done ; — and lo! the mitred prelate ftands. 
 The facred volume trembling in his hands. 
 The lad fad obfequies prepar'd to pay. 
 As the deep chorus chaunt the according lay, 
 And render to the ravenous grave. 
 That yawns to clafp her in its cold embrace. 
 What erft to crowded courts their luftre gave. 
 The boaft at once and pattern of her race. 
 Grandeur approach, this awful fpot furvey, 
 And learn a lefTon from the fhrouded dead; 
 The rolling years urge on thy fwift decay, 
 And thou flialt flumber on the fame cold bed. — 
 Ha! doft thou fhudder at the awful tale ? 
 Does thy lip quiver, and thy cheek turn pale ? 
 Or fay, do glory's charms thy thoughts beguile ? 
 Does beauty lull thee with her fofter fmile ? 
 
 Yet
 
 [ 145 ] 
 
 Yet know,— and let thefe fv.unds like thunder roll 
 Thro' all the deep recefles of thy foul ; 
 The fparkling eyes in death fliall quench their fire. 
 And all thy fplendors in the duft expire. 
 
 Mark where, attended by the myriad throng, 
 That anxious prefs around the mournful bier. 
 Unable to reftrain the flarting tear, 
 Death's awful train in filence move along : 
 Pale-glimmering torches thro' the dufky air. 
 On every face their funeral fplendors glare. 
 And kindle in the fkics a milder day. 
 As to yon dome * they bend their dreary way, 
 That rears its Gothic towers, fo fleep and hoar j 
 Where Britain's nobles ftrew the facred floor. 
 And monarchs moulder with their kindred clay. 
 But hark ! the loud infpiringjorgan blows. 
 And pours its labour'd harmony around 1 
 From their eternal thrones of light. 
 Studded with burning fapphires bright, 
 Defcending feraphs propagate the found. 
 
 * Weftminfter-Abbey. 
 
 U And
 
 [ 146 ] 
 
 And fvvell with tranfports of celeftial love : 
 Her purer fpirit mingling in their train, 
 Diflblves in ecftacies unknown before; 
 Then feeks with them a happier, brighter flaore : 
 On lightning pinions cleaves yon fpangled plain, 
 And glows for ever in the quires above* 
 
 A BRIEF
 
 A F R E E 
 
 TRANSLATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 OEDIPUS TYRANNUS 
 
 O F 
 
 SOPHOCLES. 
 
 U 2
 
 t U9 ] 
 
 R E F A C E. 
 
 The Tragedy of which I have attempted to convey the beauties 
 into the Englifli language in a free tranflation, ftands amidft: the 
 foremoft of the claffical produdlions of antiquity. Of tragical 
 writing it has ever been efteemed the model and the mafter-piece. 
 The grandeur of the fubjed is not lefs eminent than the dignity of 
 the perfonages who are employed in it j and the defign of the whole 
 can only be rivalled by that art with which the particular parts are 
 condudted. The fubjedl is a nation labouring under calamities of 
 the moft dreadful and portentous kind ; and the leading charader is 
 3 wife and mighty prince, expiating by his puniftiment the invo- 
 luntary crimes of which thofe calamities were the effed. The 
 defign is of the mod interefling and important nature, to inculcate a 
 due moderation in our paflions, and an implicit obedience to that 
 providence of which the decrees are equally unknown and irre- 
 fiftable. 
 
 So fublime a compofition could not fail to fecure the applaufe, 
 and fix the admiration of ages. The philofopher is exercifed in 
 the contemplation of its deep and awful morality; the critic is cap- 
 tivated by its dramatic beauties, and the man of feeling is interefled' 
 by thofe ftrokes of genuine paflion which prevail in. alraoft every 
 page — which every charafter excites, and every new event tends toj 
 diverfify in kind or in degree.
 
 [ ^50 ] 
 
 The three grand unities of time, place, and adlion, are obferved 
 with fcrupulous exadnefs. However complicate its various parts may 
 on the firft view appear, on a nearer and more accurate examination 
 we find every thing ufeful, every thing neceflary j fome fecret fpring 
 of adion laid open, fome momentous truth inculcated, or fome im- 
 portant end promoted : not one fcene Is fuperfluous, nor is there one 
 Epifode that could be retrenched. The fucceflive circumftances of 
 the play arife gradually and naturally one out of the other, and are con- 
 nected with fuch inimitable judgment, that if the fmallefl: part were 
 takcnaway the whole would fall to the ground. The principal ob- 
 jeftion to this tragedy is, that the punifliment of Oedipus is much 
 more than adequate to his crimes : that his crimes are only the cfffedl 
 of his ignorance, and that confequently the guilt of them is to be im- 
 puted not to Oedipus, but Apollo, who ordained and predifted them, 
 and that he is only Pkcebi reus, as Seneca exprefles himfelf. In 
 vindication of Sophocles, it muft be confidered that the condiKT: of 
 Oedipus is by no means fo irreproachable as fome have contended : 
 for though his public charaditer is delineated as that of a good king, 
 anxious for the welfare of his fubjeds, and ardent in his endea- 
 vours to appeafe the gods by incenfe and fupplication, yet we find 
 him in private life choleric, haughty, inquifitive; impatient of 
 controul, and impetuous in refentment. His charader, even as a 
 king, is not free from the imputation of imprudence, and our opi- 
 nion of his piety is greatly invalidated by his contemptuous treat- 
 ment of the wife, the benevolent, the facred Tirefias. The rules 
 of tragic art fcarcely permit that a perfedlly virtuous man fliouid be 
 loaded with misfortunes. Had Sophocles prefented to our view a 
 charader lefs debafed by vice, or more exalted by virtue, the end 
 of his peiformance would have been fruftrated; inftead of ago- 
 
 , nizing
 
 [ >5' ] 
 
 nizing cotnpafllon, he would have raifed in us indignation unmixed^ 
 and horror unabated. The intention of ttie poet would have been 
 yet more fruftrated on the return of our reafon, and our indigna- 
 tion would have been transferred from Oedipus to the gods them- 
 felves — from Oedipus, who committed parricide, to the gods vvho- 
 firft ordained, and then puniflied it. By making him criminal in 
 a fmall degree, and mifcrable in a very great one, by inverting him 
 with fome exxellent qualities, and fome imperfeftions, he at once 
 inclines us to pity and to condemn. His obftinacy darkens the 
 luftre of his other virtues; it aggravates his impiety,, and almofl: 
 juflifies his fufFerings. This is the dodlrine of Ariftotle and of 
 nature, and fliews Sophocles to have had an intimate knowledge 
 of the human heart, and the fprings by which it is actuated. 
 That his crimes and punifhment ftill feem difproportionate, is 
 not to be imputed as a fault to Sophocles, who proceeded only 
 on the antient and popular notion of Deftiny; which we know to 
 have been the bafis of Pagan theology. 
 
 It is not the intention of the Tranllator to proceed farther in a 
 critical difcuffion of the beauties and defeds of a Tragedy which 
 hath already employed the pens of the moftdiftlnguifhed commen- 
 tators j which hath wearied conjedlure, and exhaufted all the arts 
 of unnecefTary and unprofitable defence. The Tranflator is no 
 ftranger to the merits of Dr. Franklin; whofe charadler he reveres, 
 and by whofe excellent performance he has been animated and 
 inftruded. He thinks it necelTary to difclaim every idea of rivallhip 
 with an author of fuch eftablilhed and exalted reputation. The 
 prefent tranllation, though it be executed with far lefs abihty 
 than that of Doctor Franklin, may dcfervc fome notice, becauie 
 
 profcfledly
 
 [ >52 ] 
 
 profefledly written on very different principles. The Doftor 
 was induced by his pfan, and enabled by his erudition, to en- 
 counter all the difficulties of literal tranflation. This work 
 will be found by the reader, what it is called by the writer, a 
 free tranflation. The Author was not fettered by his text, 
 but guided by it ; he has however not forgotten the boun- 
 daries by which liberal tranflation is diftinguiftied from that which 
 is wild and licentious. He has always endeavoured to reprefent 
 the fenfc of his original, he hopes fometimes to have caught its 
 fpirit, and he throws himfelf without reludlance, but not without 
 diffidence, on the candour of thofe readers who underfl:and and 
 feel the difference that fublifls between the Greek and Englifli lan- 
 guages, between antient and modern manners, between nature and 
 refinement, between a Sophocles who appeals to pofleritv, and a 
 writer who catches at the capricious tafle of the day.
 
 [ '53 ] 
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Oedipus, the fuppofed foil of Poly bus, king of Corinth, leaves the 
 palace of his father upon a refeStion thrown on his birth by a courtier, 
 to confult the oracle at Delphi concerning hi* parents. In his journey 
 he meets Laius, king of Thebes, ^is real father, but unknown to 
 him, in a narrow avenue, and being oppofed by him, kills him and his 
 attendants. He afterwards fohes the riddle of the Sphytix, a monfler 
 that laid the country of Thebes wafle with her ravages, and, as his 
 reward, is promoted to the throne, vaca?Jt by the death o/' Laius, and 
 to the bed of Jocafta, his own mother. A dreadful peflilence rages 
 among the Thebans, and, Creon being fent to confult the oracle, 
 brings back this anfwcr. " That, when they JJ^all have banifljed the 
 murderer of hzim, then refident among them, the plague f:ould ceafe." 
 Oedipus, anxious to difcover the offender, and to revenge his death, 
 denounces the moffolemn curfes both again ft the culprit and thofe who 
 conceal him. After variety oj inveftigation, Oedipus himjelf is dif- 
 covered to be the murderer. In his rage he tears out his eyes, and 
 Jocalla, tmable to bear the refle£iion of her impurity ^ def troys herfelf. 
 
 X DR A-
 
 [ ^54 ] 
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 Oedipus, 3 • King of Thebes. 
 
 Jocafta, ' - Wife of Oedipus. 
 
 Creon, - Brother to Jocafta. 
 
 Tirefias, - - A blind Prophet of Thebes. 
 
 Corinthian Shepherd. 
 
 Shepherd formerly belonging to Laius* 
 
 Mefienger. 
 
 High Prieft of Jupiter. 
 
 CHORUS, Confiding of the Priefts and antient Men of Thebes,, 
 Theban Youths and Children of Oedipus, 
 
 SCENE, The Area before the Palace of Oedipus; where the 
 Priefts are aflembled before the Altarsi 
 
 OEDIPUS
 
 [ 155 ] 
 
 OEDIPUS TYRANNUS. 
 ACT I. 
 
 Oedipus, the Priest, Creon, Chorus. 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 Offspring of antlent Cadmus, wherefore thus 
 With fuppliant branches prefs you round our palace ? 
 The temples fmoak with incenfe, all our flreets 
 Refound with mournful pagans, and with burfls 
 
 Of frantic woe Behold your prince himfelf, 
 
 Ev'n Oedipus, by ev'ry tongue renown'd. 
 Anxious, impatient, haftes to learn the caufe 
 Of thefe commotions : Say, thou rev'rend feer, 
 Whofe years and wifdom claim my firft regard. 
 Say, what difafters, whatunfeen diftrefs 
 Involve my people: have the wrathful gods 
 Pour'd down their vengeance forfome hidden crime. 
 Or hath fome plunderer laid your city wafte ? 
 Say, for this arm fhall yield you from his rage, 
 
 X 2 Or
 
 [ '56 ] 
 
 Or added incenfe foothe offended Jove. 
 Steel'd were this heart, and ill (hould I dcferve 
 To wear the crown a grateful nation gave. 
 Did I not fympathize in all their griefs, 
 And rifk my life and fafety for their welfare. 
 
 Priest. Prince of this wretched land, thine eyes behold 
 What proftrate throngs around thy altars poured, 
 Implore thy fuccour from the jaws of death. 
 Her unfledg'd * infant train their feeble hands 
 Here fuppliant ftretch ; there bend her chofen youth 
 Renown'd in war— the venerable race 
 To thefe fucceed, who guard our facred rites. 
 Hoary with age and grief: the prieft of Jove 
 Bows proftrate at thy feet : O king, attend 
 Thy fubjeds cries, who rufli in gathering throngs 
 To where the temples of Minerva -f- rife. 
 And where Ifmenus her prophetic ftream 
 Rolls by Apollo's fhrine : their facred boughs 
 Waving in air and weary heav'n with plaints. 
 
 * The words in the original are : ov^iitu ftaxpav n-TsVOai ^9e'yo»T£;j literally, not able to fly 
 a long way. 
 
 t In Thebes there were two temples of Pallas j cne in honour of Minerva the afliftcr ; 
 the other in honour of the Ifmenian Minerva. 
 
 Out
 
 [ 157 ] 
 
 * Our ancient city, like a fliatter'd wreck. 
 
 When all the fury of the tempeft rages. 
 
 Sinks in the flood that fwells to overwhelm her. 
 
 A favage peftilence with horrid ftrides 
 
 Stalks thio' our ftreets, and rufliing from the flcies 
 
 Avenging Phoebus fcatters o'er the land 
 
 His burning arrows, while the gloomy grave, 
 
 Enrich'd with groans and death, exults to view 
 
 Such myriads croud his defolate domain. 
 Parch'd by the blaft the ripening harveft dies. 
 
 Our fields are flrewn with putrid carcafes 
 
 That lie unburied, and flill wider fpread 
 
 1 he foul contagion : difmal fcreams are heard 
 
 Of women labouring with untimely birth. 
 
 Who curfe the monftrous produdl of their womb. 
 
 O fecond only to the immortal gods 
 
 In wifdom and in might, extend thy arm 
 
 To fave our finking race j arife, O prince. 
 
 Shine forth, as when thy glorious prefence burfl: 
 
 The fphynx s dark xnigma, and releas'd 
 
 * This comparifon of a ftate, ftruggllng under calamity, to a (hip in diftrefs, is to be met 
 with in many both of the Greek and Roman claflics ; it occurs again in the fpeech of Jo- 
 cafta at the opening of the third aft, or what the critics call fo, for this divifion into ads 
 
 was unknown to the Grecian ftage. 
 
 From
 
 [ '58 ] 
 
 From death and fervitudc our drooping foul. 
 To life, to health and fafety — prince, to thee 
 We raifeour anxious eyes; once more be call'd 
 The faviourof ourrace; in this dark hour. 
 If thy prophetic fkill may ought avail : 
 For oft the counfcls of the wife avert 
 The threaten'd ill. Let not oblivion fliadc 
 Thy former godlike deeds. This city ftands 
 The great recording herald of thy fame : 
 Ad like thyfelf J and know, illuflrious fire, 
 A kingdom's ftrength confifts not in extent 
 Of vafl: domains, and bulwarks rais'd to heav'n; 
 The people are its ftrength, and when thefe fail, 
 Its fleets are ufelefs, and its bulwarks vain. 
 
 Oed. Alas! my fons, ye urge not your complaints 
 Unknown or unregarded; well I know 
 The various labours that opprefs the ftate : 
 Nor hath your fov'reign borne amidft you all 
 The flighteft fhare of woe. Still have I felt 
 For every pang the meanell: fubjedl knows. 
 This breaft, where all your cares a center find. 
 Feels no repofe, but bears an empire's toils. 
 Whether by night upon my couch I lie. 
 
 Or
 
 [ 159 ] 
 
 Or thron'd in regal pomp. All-feeing Jove, 
 
 Witnefs the tears I flied, the fighs I pour. 
 
 How rove my thoughts in mazy wand'rings loft. 
 
 Some med'cine to explore for bleeding Thebes.. 
 
 What prudence bade I fail'd not to perform 
 
 With early fpeed: to Delphi's fhrine I fent 
 
 Creon, my noble relative and friend. 
 
 To fcek of Jove, what dark unpurg'd offence 
 
 Hath ftain'd the landj what offering may atone. 
 
 And mitigate the wrath of angry Heav 'n. 
 
 My foul is big with terror while I wait 
 
 The God's decree: the time of his return 
 
 Is near elaps'd, and may the curfe be mine 
 
 If I not execute in all its force 
 
 The dread beheft. 
 
 Priest. Aufpicious are thy words ; 
 Thefe youths pronounce, that Creon is arriv'd. 
 
 Oed. O great Apollo I Grant his chearful looks 
 Be the fair omen of thy fmile reftor'd. 
 
 Priest. Thus may we well divine, for bright indeed 
 His afpedj and around his temples wave 
 The joyful laurels -j-; 
 
 Oed. What his tidings, foon 
 
 t When the perfon, who was fent to confult the oracle, returned crowned with Lurel, it- 
 was afign of his having received a favourable anfwcr. 
 
 ■»' He--
 
 [ >Go ] 
 
 lie will hlmfelf unfold; illuftrious prince, 
 
 What anfwer bear'ft thou from the flirines of Delphi ? 
 
 Cre. Mofl happy, if the voice of wifdom guide 
 The fons of Thebes: the ftorm that now impends, 
 Threat'ningher overthrow, will foon fubfide. 
 
 Oed. Myfterious are thy words ; my anxious mind 
 Fludluates 'midft doubt and terror. 
 
 Cre. If my liege 
 Command me to declare the will of Jove, 
 Before this great aflembly, I obey : 
 Or in the private chambers of the palace, 
 Submiffive wait his will. 
 
 Oed. Declare aloud 
 The fov'rain will : for know, my peoples grief 
 Opprefs me more than all my private woes. 
 
 Cre. Reveal'd (hall be the whole — The God comr 
 To drive from out our land the baleful fource 
 Of thefe our fufferings; nor to nourifli more 
 A wretch, accurfl: by all the pow'rs of Heav'n. 
 
 Oed. What wretch ? — declare, how fhall we foothe his ra^ 
 Cre. Let banifliment, or inftant death arrefl 
 His guilty fteps; 'tis blood, 'tis blood, my friends, 
 
 A murdcr'd
 
 [ i6i ] 
 
 A murder'd king's unexplated blood, 
 Hath laid our country wafte. 
 
 Oed. Whofe blood ? Explain 
 This hideous myflery ! 
 
 Cre. Know, illuftrious prince, 
 Ere thou waft feated on the throne of Thebes, 
 Lai'us our monarch held the reins of empire. 
 
 Oed. Report hath told mefo; I knew him not. 
 
 Cre. This prince unjuftly flain, the pow rs above 
 Command us to avenge, and drag to liglit 
 The bafe affaffins. 
 
 Oed. Ha! where lurk the traitors ? 
 How (hall we trace this foul and murd'rous deed 
 To its dark fource ? — but fay, where fell the prince i 
 
 Cre. In this fame land he fell j let guards be fent 
 T' explore the country, left he 'fcape by flight : 
 ©ur early vigilance may fave an empire. 
 
 Oed. Declare the time, and manner of his death; 
 Each circumftance recall to mind; in Thebes 
 Met he this fate, or in a foreign land ? 
 
 Cre. He went (as was reported) to confult 
 Some diftant oracle, but ne'er return'd 
 To fill his vacant throne. 
 
 Oed. But did no flave, 
 
 Y No
 
 [ 162 ] 
 
 No meflengcr of all his train return. 
 
 To fpread thefe tidings of your fov'reign's death ? 
 
 Cre. One only Tcap'd by flight, the reft all fell, 
 Amidfl the general flaughter : him his fright 
 Permitted but in memory to retain 
 One trivial circumftance. 
 
 Oed. Say, what was that ? 
 One glimmering fpark may light us on our way 
 Thro' all this maze of guilt. 
 
 Cre. That robbers flew him : 
 He fell not by a fingle ruffian's hand. 
 But by the power of multitudes combin'd. 
 
 Oed. How could a band of robbers dare a deed. 
 So perilous ? 
 
 Cre. Such were our furmizes then: 
 But thus unaided, unaveng'd, expir'd ' 
 
 The beft of princes. 
 
 Oed, Wherefore pried you not 
 Into this dark event with keener feajch ? 
 
 Cre. 'Twas then the monfler Sphinx to Thebes propofed 
 Her dire aenigma, and remoter cares 
 Were buried in the fenfe of prefent ills. 
 
 Oed. Mine be the carcj our grateful vows we pay, 
 
 Firrt
 
 [ »63 ] 
 
 Firfl: to * all-feeing Phoebus ; next to thee, 
 
 O prince, the warmeft thanks of Thebes are due. 
 
 Hence with your fears, your Oedipus once more 
 
 Will ftand the bulwark of your falling ftate. 
 
 This arm fhall drag the traitor from his covert j 
 
 Not only for the fake of you, my friends. 
 
 And this your murder'd fov'reign, but my own. 
 
 Soon may the daring regicides attempt 
 
 To murder me, my children, or my queen. 
 
 A rife my fons, and henceforth throw afide 
 
 Your fuppliant boughs. Before thefe glowing altars 
 
 Let heralds fummon all the race of Cadmus. 
 
 Phcebus our guide, together will we raife 
 
 Our heads triumphant, or together fink 
 
 In undiftinguifli'd ruin. 
 
 Priest. Yes, my fons, 
 Arife, fince thus our monarch hath refolv'd : 
 May that immortal power, whofe awful voice 
 Utter'd the prophecy defcend from Heav'n, 
 Avenge our caufe, and fave expiring The bs. 
 
 * Sol, qui terrarum flammas opera omnia luflras. 
 
 Y2 CHORUS.
 
 [ i64 3 
 
 CHORUS. 
 STROPHE I. 
 
 Immortal, high, harmonious ftrain ! 
 That arm'd with awful terrors from above, 
 
 Didfl: break from Delphi's golden fane. 
 Bearing to Thebes the dread command of Jove : 
 Thy founds with terror fill my anxious breaft. 
 
 To thee our forrowing pasans rife. 
 Patron and parent of the healing art. 
 
 Delian, O quickly cleave the fkies. 
 Arm'd with thy quiver, thy unerring dart. 
 And purge our city from this raging peft. 
 
 ANT I STROPHE I. 
 
 Daughter of hope, fair child of light. 
 What great events in time's dark womb conceal'd. 
 
 Are now emerging to our fight ; 
 Or wait the rolling hours to be reveal'd ? 
 Thee, Pallas, thee, the guardian of our land. 
 
 We firfl: invoke, and thee, whofe ilirine. 
 Fills our extended forum's ample fpace. 
 
 With thefe thine aid far- darting Phoebus join ; 
 Hafie, hafte, aufpicious, to our finking race; 
 Pierce the dark fiend, and flay his wafteful hand. 
 
 STROPHE
 
 [ 165 ] 
 
 STROPHE IL 
 
 The pride of Thebes is levell'd with the ground. 
 
 The fruits of earth lie blafted on the plain: 
 Her palaces with flirieks of death refound. 
 
 And her ftreets groan beneath the heaps of flain. 
 So wide hath fpread the monfter's fiery rage. 
 Beauty's flufli'd cheek with fatal crimfon burns ; 
 
 From her wild eye pernicious lightning glares : 
 E'vn virtue's hallow'd plaint the tyrant fpurns j 
 
 Thefcreaming infant from the bofom tears, 
 And ftrikes to earth the hoary fcalp of age. 
 
 ANTISTROPHE II.. 
 The mother with convulfive tortures torn. 
 
 Faints 'midft her pains, and languifhes in death. 
 Her haplefs infant curfl as foon as born, 
 
 Imbibes pollution with his earlieft breath.. 
 But hark ! in louder burfts the pjeans break ;. 
 The fhores will wilder acclamations ring,] 
 
 Mad with the flames that revel thro' their blood., 
 liicreafing throngs around our altars clingy 
 And fwift as rapid fire, or torrent flood. 
 
 By myriads rufh to Lethe's gloomy lake. 
 
 strophe:
 
 [ 166 ] 
 
 STROPHE III. 
 
 Bright offspring of the thunderer hear; 
 Hear Pallas, from thy central throne of light. 
 
 Seize thy dread (hield, thy mighty fpear, 
 And hither, O ! diredl thy rapid flight. 
 Enthron'd on high, with ruin by his fide. 
 
 This ravager, who fpurns the mail of war. 
 Hath flain thy people, and thy groves defil'd. 
 
 O I dafh him from his fiery car, 
 Drive him far hence to Scythia's rocky wild, 
 Or deep ingulph him in the Thracian tide. 
 
 antisthophe hi. 
 
 But chief, dread ruler of the fkies. 
 Bare thou thine arm, with keener lightnings red. 
 
 Omnipotent ! in vengeance rife, 
 And let thofe lightnings blafl: his impious head. 
 Monarch of Lydia, ftretch thy mighty hand. 
 
 Bid thy unconquer'd fhafts the monfter rend j 
 O thou, whofe darts Lyceum's fummits fire, 
 
 O Bacchus, crown'd with chaplets, hither bend- 
 Bacchus, who lov'H: to join the madd'ning quire, 
 Rufli on th' accurfed * god, and drive him from the land. 
 
 • Aici'ttji.at h 6eo~; 9ior. 
 
 A god accurfl among the gods.
 
 [ i67 ] 
 ACT II. 
 
 Oedipus, Chorus, Tiresias. 
 
 I 
 
 Oedipus. 
 
 WhATE'ER my fubjeds juflly can demand. 
 To grant is my ambition : therefore hear 
 My words obedient j. fo {hall we obtain 
 Relief from heav'n, and expiate our oftence. 
 I knew not 'till this day the dire event, 
 Kot ev'n report had told me; but there feem 
 Some fure, tho' fecret traces, that may lead 
 To full detection of this monftrous crime. 
 Hear then this laft refolve, which I, your king, 
 (Who glory in the name of citizen) 
 To all the citizens of ample Thebes 
 Aloud proclaim. If any fuhje(!t know 
 Ey whom the fon of Labdacus was flain, 
 'Tis my command that inftant he reveal 
 The fatal fecret : let not dread of death 
 Reftrain him, for the murd'rer fliall not die : 
 His exile fhall alone fufEce to pay 
 I 
 
 Th;
 
 [ i68 ] 
 
 The debt of vengeancej if by foreign hand 
 
 His blood was fpilt, whoever brings to light 
 
 The traiterous parricide tlie fons of Thebes 
 
 With laviOi honours fliall reward his zeal. 
 
 But if, from friendHiip, or whatever caufe. 
 
 He fcreen the murderer, let him ponder well 
 
 His dreadful doom. We further then command 
 
 That none thro' all our wide domain receive 
 
 A monfter fo defil'd : that none hold converfe, 
 
 In word or adion, with him : drive him out 
 
 From all your temples : let him not approach 
 
 Your folemn facrifices, nor partake 
 
 The facred fprinklings : but purfue, purfue. 
 
 With loudefi: execrations thro' the land 
 
 The univerfal pert : this awful curfe 
 
 The god of Delphi thun-ders on his head. 
 
 If fome bold ruffian fingly dar'd the deed, 
 
 Or leagued with numbers, be they flill accurft j 
 
 May poverty exhaufl: their weary lives; 
 
 The fports of pain, and vidlims of difeafe ! 
 
 If in this palace I conceal the traitor, 
 
 Show'r down, ye heav'ns, thcfe curfes on the head 
 
 Of Oedipus, and all his perjur'd race. 
 
 'Tis
 
 [ "69 ] 
 
 Not heav'n alone, the virtues of your king 
 
 Command this tribute; I am bound to pay 
 
 The debt of ample juflice to his manes. 
 
 I, who enjoy his fcepter and his bed, 
 
 And, had not unrelenting fate oppos'd 
 
 His fond defires, had (har'd his * children too— — 
 
 Urg'd by a fon's regard, I will avenge 
 
 This beft of princes : fmile ye mighty names 
 
 That laid the bafis of this tow'ring empire, 
 
 Cadmus, Agenor, for I w/7/ avenge 
 
 The blood of your defcendant. Are there yet, 
 
 Among the fons of Thebes, who wifli to fcreen 
 
 So bafe a parricide : thou parent earth, 
 
 Openotthetreafures of thy fruitful womb 
 
 To this ungrateful race: curft be their beds. 
 
 And barren; curfl; the produce of their toil, 
 
 'Till the fame fatefliall crufli their impious heads. 
 
 Juflice divine, and ye immortal powers 
 
 Who guard the innocent, affift our caufe. 
 
 The caufe of virtue and of injur'd kings. 
 
 Chor. Prince, may each curfe thy lips have now pronounced, 
 Alight on me, if, confcious to the fadt, 
 1 fcreen the murderer, or abet his caufe. 
 
 * The introduflion of this circumftance has a ftiiking efFefl : Laius had a child, and that 
 child was Oedipus; though his being expoftd was kept as fecret as his birth. 
 
 Z But
 
 [ lyo ] 
 
 But the bright power, who uttcr'd the decree, 
 Can beft: explain its meaning. 
 
 Oed. Juft, O fage: 
 But if the god incHne not to reveal it. 
 Who fliall extort the fecret from a power 
 Arm'd with omnipotence ? 
 
 Chor, Will then my liege 
 Attend an old man's counfel ? 
 
 Oed. Speak, if aught 
 Thy mind conceives, of import to the ftate. 
 
 Cho. In wifdom equall'd by the gods alone. 
 The hoary fecr, Tirclias, may unfold ■ 
 Its hidden purport. 
 
 Oed. Creon thus advifed ; 
 And mefTengers have twice been fent to fummon 
 The rev'rend prophet ; at his ftrange delay 
 I wonder much. 
 
 Cho. Tis well; for other tales. 
 Various and vague are rumour'd of his death. 
 
 Oed. What are they, fay ? For I fliould know them all 
 To judge aright. 
 
 Cho. They fay the prince was flain 
 By travellers. 
 
 Oed. This hath likewife reach'd my ears ^ 
 But who hath yet appear'd to prove the fad ? 
 
 Clio.
 
 [ 171 ] 
 
 Cho. If he exift on earth, thy menaces 
 Will force the confcious villain to confefs. 
 
 Oed. Whoever dar'd the execrable deed 
 Will not be flartled at the impending curfe. 
 
 Cho. But this way, lo ! they lead the holy feer. 
 Who can alone difclofe the fatal truth. 
 
 Oed. All. wife Tirefias ! Thou, whofe mighty mind 
 Can pierce the dark, myfterious depths of fate, 
 Whatever in the womb of night, unborn, 
 Or what, amidft the great decrees of heav'n. 
 Lies hid from mortal ken : tho' dim the rays 
 Of outward fight, yet well thy mental eye 
 Beholds the toils of Thebes, whofe anxious fons 
 Call thee to be their faviour : for when late 
 We fought at Delphi's (lirine the will of Jove, 
 Thus fpake the eternal voice : " With infant death 
 " Or evcrlafting exile, fine the wretch 
 " That murder'd Laius : this command obey'd, 
 " The plague fliall ceafe to defolate your land." 
 O ! therefore, if thy fage, prophetic fldll, 
 From birds or ominous figns can ought divine, 
 Fromfwift deftrudion fnatch thyfelf and Thebes; 
 Avenge a murder'd princej and thy reward 
 Reap in a nation's pray'rs, and thofe pure joys 
 
 Z 2 The
 
 [ 172 ] 
 
 The virtuous feel, in aiding the diftreft. 
 
 TiR. How fatal knowledge proves, when thus to know 
 Is to be doubly wretched ! when, to fpeak, 
 And to be filent, tire alike the fource 
 
 Of bitterefl: grief! O had I ne'er approach'd 
 
 Oed. What dreadful fccret laboux's in thy breaft. 
 Darkening thy brow ? 
 
 Tires. Difmifs me from thy prefence; 
 Thy future peace and mine depend upon it. 
 
 Oed. Twere bafe ingratitude to Thebes, who bore 
 And nourifh'd thee, to hide the will of Jove 
 At this dread crifis. 
 
 Tires. Ra(h, raOi prince, forbear. 
 Left I too fuddenly that will difclofe. 
 
 Oed. O by the gods reveal it, if thou know'ft; 
 Suppliant we all befeech thee. 
 
 Tires. Urge no more 
 The knowledge of thofe woes that, ah I too foon 
 Will burft upon thee. 
 
 Oed. How ? Know'ft thou our fate, 
 Yet feal'ft thy lip in filence j thus betraying 
 Thy prince and country ? 
 
 Tires. Yes, my lips are feal'd : 
 
 Eewarc
 
 [ 173 ] 
 
 Beware thy bafe fufplcions tempt me not 
 To break that filence. 
 
 Oed. I can hold no longer. 
 Traitor, fince thou art deaf to our intreaties. 
 Thou (halt reveal it, for I'll force it from thee. 
 
 Tires. Thou blame'ft my condudi heedlefs that thy own 
 Ungovernable temper leafl: becomes 
 This facred place. 
 
 Oed. Who can retrain his rage. 
 That fees thee treat, with infolent contempt, 
 A nation's cries ? 
 
 Tires. What, on the book of fate. 
 The hand of Jove hath grav'd, fliall come to pafs» ' 
 Tho' I remain in everlafting filencc. 
 
 Oed. But duty to thy country calls upon thee: 
 To fpeak her doom. 
 
 Tires. Still let thy tongue rail on ; 
 Thy fiercefl: rage (hall never tear it from me. 
 
 Oed. 1 then will fpeak— for if aright I judge,. 
 Thyfelf wert confcious to this deed of horror i 
 May, had thine eyes retain'd their light, I think,, 
 Wouldft with thine own bafe hand have done it too. 
 
 Tires. Hear me, pioud prince — the curfe thou hafl: pronounc'd. 
 On thine own head recoils : murd'rer, avaunt— — 
 For from this day, this. day of thy difgrace. 
 
 The
 
 [ 174 ] 
 
 The meaneft flave fhall fpurn thee as profane, 
 Accurfl: by heav'n, and facred to its rage. 
 
 Oed. Mifcreant, and hop'fl: thou for this daring infult 
 To go unfcourg'd ? 
 
 Tires. Tyrant, I fcorn thy threats; 
 Truth is my fortrefs, and, againft thy power, 
 Girds me, as with a coat of adamant. 
 
 Oed. Eut tell me from what fource thy knowledge fprings 
 From thy prophetic art .'' 
 
 Tires. Nay, from thyfelf : 
 Thy haughty treatment forced me to reveal it. 
 
 Oed. Once more then with the found refrefli my foul. 
 Tires. Wilt thou provoke me farther; was my meaning 
 Hid in ambiguous phrafe ? 
 
 Oed. Nay, but repeat 
 Thy wonderous tale. 
 
 Tires. I tell thee then again. 
 
 Thou art that wretch, that murderer whom thou feek'ft 
 
 Oed. By heav'ns, thou fhalt not twice infult thy prince 
 And go unpunifh'd. 
 
 Tires. Should I tell thee more, 
 How would'lt thou madden ! 
 
 Oed. Speak it all, for all 
 Is one rank forgery. 
 
 Tires. Knovv, unholy fires 
 
 I Within
 
 [ "75 ] 
 
 Within that foul, unconfcious bofom burn : 
 Nor heed'ft thou that the partner of thy joys 
 Shall prove ere long the fource of all thy woes. 
 
 Oed. Still (hall thy tongue fpit forth its dark abufe 
 Againft thy fovereign. 
 
 Tires. I regard thee not. 
 While truth remains my fliield. 
 
 Oed. Traitor, thou ly'ft 
 
 Truth never harbour'd in fo bafe a foul; 
 Blacken'd by every crime, and like thy form 
 Involv'd in total night. 
 
 Tires. Bevi^are the taunt. 
 That foon, v^^ith triple force, fiiall fall on thee. 
 
 Oed, Thy blindnefs is thy fafeguard, or long fince 
 This arm had punifh'd thy abufe with death. 
 
 Tires. Still I defy thee, for thy murderous fword 
 Shall never drink my blood — The gods prote<ft me. 
 
 Oed. Was this bafe falfehood forg'd by thee or Creon? 
 
 Tires. By neither; as thy fate too foon fliall prove. 
 
 Oed. Painful pre-eminence of wealth and power. 
 And wifdom, laft, beft, nobleft gift of heav'n I 
 Since envy thus purfues to blafl the fleps 
 Of all that's fair or excellent on earih : 
 This crown, unfought by me, which grateful Thebes 
 
 Placed
 
 [ '7C ] 
 
 Placed on my brow, that bafefl: of mankind, 
 Creon, Whom late I deem'd my firmeft friend, 
 Would ravidi from mc, and hath here fuborn'd 
 This curft magician, this vile fon of fraud. 
 This wily, wand'ring, fubtle hypocrite, 
 This bafe impoftor, * blind to ev'ry fenfe 
 But that of gain, with crimes of blackefl die 
 To load my name, and fully all my glory ! 
 Tell me, thou vaunting prophet, where waft thou 
 When the fell Sphynx her dark myfterious fong 
 Propos'd to Thebes : fpeak, dotard, for to folve 
 Her dire asnigma, aik'd methinks at leaft 
 
 A prophet's pow'r Then Oedipus arofe, 
 
 And, without aid of dreams, or auguries. 
 But by the native vigour of a foul 
 That pierces thine, and Creon's dark defigns, 
 Whofebold ambition aims to feize my crown, 
 
 Solv'd the dire riddle but beware, impoftor. 
 
 Thou and thy traitor friend, I fay, beware! 
 Or dearly ye fliall rue the wild attempt. 
 And did not years protedl thee from my rage, 
 I ftiould, ere now, have taught thee not to rouze 
 The wrath of kings. 
 
 Cho. If to decide be mine, 
 
 • — O'sTK It ToTi; xijitffm 
 liiiw iiiofxi.— 
 
 Ye
 
 [ 177 ] 
 
 Ye both are heated with intemperarfe warmth, 
 Heav'n can alone decide; let then bur prayers, 
 United feek the fuccour of the gods. 
 
 Tires. What, tho' a mighty empire wait thy nod, 
 A monarch is but man, and I, as man. 
 Am not inferior to the proudefl prince. 
 Nor thee nor Creon, 'tis the gods I ferve. 
 But fince my bhndnefs wakes thyinfult — hear 
 A tale fhall (hake thy inmofl foul with horror. 
 Know then, a tenfold darknefs veils thy mind, 
 And tho' thine eyes now drink the noon-tide ray. 
 The time is near when they fhall quench their orbs 
 In everlafting night! Blind wretch, thou knowcfl: not 
 The long, long train of black calamities, 
 Whofe fcorpion flings (hall wake thee into madnefs— • 
 Thou know'ft not that inceftuous tranfports (lain 
 Thy guilty couch, and that a father's blood 
 Calls from the grave for vengeance : that tliy plaints 
 Of frantic woe, (hall ring thro' ev'ry (hore. 
 And ev'ry mountain * a Cithseron prove. 
 
 * Cithasron was the mountain on which Oedipus was expofed. There is a horrid gran- 
 deur, and local propriety in the original here, which could not well beexpreffed in a tranf- 
 lation. I have ventured to give it literally. 
 
 A a Serene
 
 [ 178 ] 
 
 Serene * Indeed, and fteady was the gale 
 
 That bore thy fwelling fails to Thebes's throne, 
 
 And to Jocafta's bed : vainly thou hop'il 
 
 To anchor there in undifturb'd repofe. 
 
 The port thou rldeft in with fuch pomp of fail. 
 
 Shall wreck thee: once more give thee back 
 
 To all the madnefs of the hurricane ; 
 
 Thy children too — thy children did I fay I 
 
 Thy breth'ren — they with curfes {hall repay 
 
 Thy love, when they fliall find themfelves allied 
 
 By guilty ties ; from the fame impious ftem. 
 
 Equally fprung — now let thy wanton tongue ^ 
 
 Exhauft its rage on Creon, and on me : 
 
 I'll bear it all, but ftill I tell thee, prince, 
 
 The fun beholds not in its wide furvey, 
 
 A wretch fo guilty, fo accurft as thou art. 
 
 Oed. I will not further bear thy infolence. 
 Begone — hade from my prefcnce, or by heav'n^— 
 
 Tires. I came not here unfummon'd. 
 
 Oed. Think'A thou then, 
 I fent for thee, bale mifcrcant, to infult me ? 
 
 ♦ To tranHiie this pzWa^c with fpirlt and dL-licacy was no very eafy tafk : The pafTage 
 literally runs thus—" When thou {halt have difcovered that marriage, into which thou 
 haft faii'd with a fortunate gale, where thou didft expeft joy and fafety, other, yes, other 
 evHs yet impend, that fha!I at once equal thee to thyfelf and thy children." The obfcurity 
 h h(b horrid in the original, than the tranflation. 
 
 Tires.
 
 [ 179 ] 
 
 Tires. Thou deem'ft me fool and mad j far otherwife 
 -Thy parents thought. 
 
 Oed. What fay'ft thou ? hah ! ray parents— 
 
 Whom may I call by that dear name ? 
 
 Tires. No more : 
 
 This day that gives thee life, (hall prove to thee 
 The day of death. 
 
 Oed. What thick obfcurity 
 Involves thy ev'ry fpeech ? 
 
 Tires. But thou perhaps. 
 Who folv'd the Sphinx's riddle, may'ft unfold 
 
 Their myftery. 
 
 Oed. Doft thou dare reproach me too 
 With what will ever be my greateft triumph ? 
 Tires. That triumph feals thy ruin, 
 
 Oed. 'Tis well then i 
 
 I'll glory in my fall, fmce by that fall 
 I've fav'd a nation. 
 
 Tires. Glory then; farewell. 
 
 Boy, lead me hence. 
 
 Oed. Aye, lead the dotard hence, 
 
 He but diftrads our counfels. 
 
 Tires. Prince, I go j 
 
 A a 2 But,
 
 [ 'So ] 
 
 But, ere I take of thee my laft adieu, 
 
 I will, in lefs myfterious terms, untold 
 
 Why came this dotarJ hither. Know once more 
 
 The man on whom thy lips have thunder'd forth 
 
 Such dreadful execrations, ftands among us. 
 
 Nor did a foreign country give him birth. 
 
 At Thebes he drew his breath; that mark thou well> 
 
 And mark — the day of vengeance is at ha^d. 
 
 Tho' now he riot in the fpoils of wealth. 
 
 And fhine in regal pomp, he (hall not long 
 
 BHndnefs, and toil, and penury are his lot. 
 
 To wafte his days in barren folitudes : 
 
 And, bending on a ftafF implore relief , , 
 
 From pafling travellers, who flaall fpurn him from them, 
 
 As one accurft, a blot in nature's page. 
 
 One, whom his own polluted race may call 
 
 Their father and their brother; flie who bore him. 
 
 Her child and hufband, and his murder'd fire, 
 
 A fon inceftous, and a parricide-^— 
 
 Now go within thy palace, well revolve 
 
 Each word: and if one word, one circumftance 
 
 Fail, and conviifl me of imputed fiilfehoodj 
 
 My art prophetic fcorn, my threats defy. 
 
 C HO R U S.
 
 [ i8i ] 
 
 CHORUS. 
 STROPHE I. 
 
 Where lurks the murd'rous child of guilt. 
 By whofe dark hand a monarch's blood was fpilt ? 
 
 On whofe devoted impious head 
 The Delphic rock its hallow'd curfe hath flied. 
 Now let him mock in flight the rapid fleed, 
 Mount * the fwift ftorm, or feize thelight'ning's fpeed j 
 
 For, arm'd with all the wrath of Jove, 
 Whofe bolts of fire the redd'ning aether rend, 
 
 Apollo rufhes from above, 
 And rav'ning deftinies his fteps attend* 
 
 ANTISTROPHE I. 
 
 Where fleep Parnaffus, wrapt in fnow. 
 Rears 'midft incumbent heav'n his hoary brow : 
 
 Thence came the mandate of the god 
 To drag the monfl.er from his drear abode : 
 Whether in rocks and caves, with wand'ring feet. 
 Like the lone f bull he feek his dark retreat. 
 
 Vain hope ! his vengeful hand to fly, 
 That hand which guides the ftedfaft univerfe ; 
 
 To fhun the lightning of that eye 
 Whofe fearching beams its inmoft center pierce. 
 
 • atW^oTT.Jwy 'iTT^u, ■ horfes whofe feet are like ftorms in fwiftnefs. 
 t This idea of the folitary bull is, in the original, peculiarly forcible; Virgillikewife, 
 with theutmoft delicacy and pathos, defcribes the wanderings of the defpairing bull — 
 
 — Sed alter 
 
 Viaus abit, longeque ignotis exulat oris* Vide 3d Georg. 225.
 
 [ 182 ] 
 
 STROPHE. 
 
 What founds of horror ftrike mine ear ? 
 The awful voice of yon prophetic feer : 
 
 Tidings of death to Thebes they bring, 
 Denouncing vengeance to her haplefs king. 
 Within my breaft conflifting paflions roll. 
 Terror and doubt alternate fliake my foul. 
 
 How by our monarch's hand could Lai'us bleed, 
 A ftranger to that monarch's eyes ; 
 
 Uninjur'd, unprovok'd, by word or deed ? 
 Hence let me cad thebafefurmize. 
 
 ANTISTROPHE 11. 
 The powers who fearch the human heart. 
 They can alone the dreadful truth impart ; 
 
 While fway'd by rage, or rival hate. 
 Prophets may wrongly fcan the page of fate. 
 Tho' high the fons of men in wifdomfhine. 
 Mortals can never fathom truths divine. 
 
 Could he who late the bulwark flood. 
 From the fell Sphinx our city to relieve. 
 
 Defile his fpear with royal blood ? 
 'Twcre guilt to think, and madnefs to believe. 
 
 And again, 
 
 Dura jacet pernox, inilrato faxa cubili. 
 
 ACT 
 
 I
 
 [ 183 ] 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Creon, Oedipus, Jocasta, CHORt^s. 
 
 C R E O N. 
 
 -■• HE BANS, I come to vindicate my fame 
 From the foul flains your king hath caft upon it. 
 In this dark moment, or by word or deed. 
 If Creon aught could aggravate your w^oes, 
 He were unworthy of the air he breathes j 
 For what is hfe, if I muft live defpifed 
 By all my countrymen, and deemed a traitor ? 
 
 Chorus. 'Tvvas all the didlate of ungovern'd rage. 
 He could not think thee traitor. 
 
 Cre. Whence could fpring 
 The bafe fufpicion that, fuborned by me, 
 The prophet utter'd lies ? 
 
 Cho. Such were his words. 
 But whence his thoughts arofe I cannot fay. 
 Cre. Spoke he as if convinced ? 
 
 Cho. 'Tis not my taflc 
 To penetrate the hidden thoughts of kings. 
 Aflc him, behold he comes. 
 
 Oed. Thou regicide ! 
 Dar'ft thou with all the hardinefs of guilt 
 Approach my palace i thou whofe treafonous fchemes 
 
 Had
 
 [ >S4 ] 
 
 I Lid plann'd my death, and wouldft with rebel hand 
 
 Have torn my fceptre from me ? Tell me, traitor ! 
 
 DIdll thou efteem me fool or coward moft. 
 
 Not to perceive thy arts, or not revenge 
 
 This violation of the rights of princes. 
 
 I tell thee, thou art fool and madman too, 
 
 Whofe wild ambition hurries thee away 
 
 In quefl: of empire, which the peoples voice 
 
 Alone can give, and pow'rful friends fupport. 
 
 Cre. When thou haft heard me, then will better judge 
 Whether 1 merit this fevere reproach. 
 
 Oed. I know thy fubtle powers of argument. 
 But all the force of words fliall ne'er convince me 
 Thou art not ftill my moft inveterate foe. 
 
 Cre. Yet hear me. 
 
 Oed. Talk not then of innocence. 
 
 Cre. Nay, if thou wilt not hear the voice of reafon. 
 Thou grofsly err'ft. 
 
 Oed. And thou thou more grofsly ftill. 
 If for this treatment of an injur'd friend 
 Thou hop'ft to pafs unpuniflied. 
 
 Cre. Prove the crime, 
 I will not murmur at the punifhment. 
 
 Oed. Infidious traitor ! didft thou not advife 
 To fummon hither this all-feeing prophet ? 
 
 Cre.
 
 [ i85 ] 
 
 Cre. Mine was the ccunfel, and in like fufpenfe 
 Should be repeated. 
 
 Oed. Speak, what length of time 
 
 Hath Laius 
 
 Ore. What of Laius ? 
 
 Oed. Thus been * flain 
 By hands unknown ? 
 
 Cre. a long extent of years. 
 Oed. But tell me, did Tirefias then poflefs 
 This power of prophecy ? 
 
 Cre. Alike he (hone, 
 Renown'd in wifdom, and alike rever'd. 
 
 Oed. Aught did he then predid concerning me. 
 Cre. It never reach'd my ear. 
 
 Oed. What! fought ye not 
 The author of the murder ? 
 
 Cre. Yes; but all 
 Prov'd fruitlefs. 
 
 Oed. Why did this impoftor then. 
 So high renown'd, difclofe not this fell fecret ? 
 
 Cre. Silence doth beft become the ignorant. 
 I can return no anfwer. 
 
 Oed. But of this. 
 At leaft, thou art the judge. 
 
 Cre. Of what? Ofpeak; 
 • The word is Uiti, flow'd away ; an expreflion moft forcible in ihe original. 
 
 B b For
 
 [ '86 ] 
 
 For if I can refolve thy doubts I will. 
 
 Oed. Thou know'fl then, if this prophet of deceit 
 Had not been wrought on by thy artful wiles. 
 He ne'er had dar'd accufe me of this crime. 
 
 Cre. If this the feer hath done, the taflc is thine 
 To vindicate thyfelf : but of my crimes 
 I flill am ignorant. 
 
 Oed. Thy crimes ? afk him. 
 But know — all, all thy arts fliall never prove 
 Thy prince a murderer ! 
 
 Cre. Haft thou not efpous'd 
 My fift 
 
 er r 
 
 ? 
 
 Oed. Yes, what then ? 
 
 Cre. With pow'r fupreme 
 Reign you not jointly o'er the fons of Thebes? 
 
 Oed. She ihares at once my kingdom and my heart j 
 
 Her will is mine : but thou 
 
 Cre. Do I not ftand 
 The third in dignity ? 
 
 Oed. Moft undefervedly; 
 Thou haft betray'd tliy friend. 
 
 Cre. Reftrain awhile 
 The tranfport of thy rage, and be convinc'd. 
 Where is the man, who, blcft with all that kings 
 
 And
 
 [ 1^7 ] 
 
 And empires can beftow, without their cares. 
 
 Would barter for the pageant of a name. 
 
 That peace of mind which, empires with their wealth 
 
 Can never purchafe, or when loft, reftore ? 
 
 I am not mad enough to wifti the change. 
 
 Nor hath a fcepter fuch alluring charms 
 
 To draw me from thatpurpofe, while I fharc 
 
 The highcft power a fubjedl can enjoy. 
 
 Or prince confer : monarchs are oft the flaves 
 
 Of fadious nobles, oft refign their crowns 
 
 At the mad ravings of the tyrant vulgar— 
 
 I fear them not ; fuppliant they crouch to me, 
 
 All who to fortune, or to pow'r afpire. 
 
 And feek thy fmile. Shall I this folid good 
 
 Quit for a fliadow ? No, thou wrong'ft me much. 
 
 I fcorn the name of traitor, and would bare 
 
 The murderous plot to light, if aught I knew 
 
 Of lurking treafon. Doft thou doubt my truth. 
 
 Go learn it of the Delphic oracles; 
 
 And, if I have deceiv'd thee, let me fufFer 
 
 All the collective wrath of heav'n and thee. 
 
 Shall prejudice ufurp the force of truth. 
 
 And fhall a monarch, fam'd like Oedipus 
 
 For wifdom as for virtue, doom to (hamc, 
 
 B b 3 On
 
 [ i88 ] 
 
 On blind fufplcion's mofl fallacious teft. 
 
 His bofom friend ? Remember, prince, the name 
 
 Of friend is facred, and, to lofe a friend, 
 
 A greater ill than lofs of life itfelf. 
 
 My innocence time only can attefl: : 
 
 But wait with temper; for tho' curtain'd guilt 
 
 Is foon unveil'd, to heal the wounded fame 
 
 Of injur'd virtue alTcs a longer period. 
 
 Cho. Calm thee, O king; nor let thy rage tranfport thee 
 Beyond the bounds of rcafon : rafli refolves 
 Are often dearly rued. 
 
 Oed. What! when the fword 
 Is lifted to my throat, muft I fubmit. 
 With paflive tamenefs, to the ftroke that rends 
 My empire from me, and, with empire, life ? 
 
 Cre. Rafli, haughty man, what will appeafe thy rage? 
 My exile ? 
 
 Oed. No, thy death.- 
 
 Cre. Muft I then die 
 Without one proof of guilt ? 
 
 Oed. Thy death, I fay. 
 Alone can fatisfy my juft revenge. 
 Cre. Thou raveft ! 
 
 Oed. I fpeak the purpofe of my heart. 
 
 Cre,
 
 [ i89 ] 
 
 Cre. If Co, 'tis prudent I confult my fafety, 
 
 Oed. Thou traitor ! 
 
 Cre. But thou haft not prov'd me fuch^ 
 
 Oed. Abfolute is a king, and his commands 
 
 Muft be obey'd. 
 
 Cre. If founded on injuftice. 
 
 They ought to be refifted unto death. 
 
 Oed. Thebes, hear'ft thou this ? 
 
 Cre. Yes, hears and triumphs toe 
 
 I am her fon ; fhe taught my infant foul 
 
 The glorious precept. 
 
 Cho. Princes, ceafe your ftrife j 
 
 Jocafta hither from the palace bends : 
 
 Ceafe, or maice her the umpire of your caufe. 
 
 Joe. Whence rofe this tumult ? Thoughtlefs, cruel men. 
 
 Have you combin'd to multiply our griefs. 
 
 And plunge your country deeper in defpair ? 
 
 Let each in filence to his home depart, 
 
 Nor, with your private, fvi^ell tlie public woes. 
 
 Cre. Sifter, thy lord hath bafely injur'd mej 
 
 Nought but my ruin can appeafe his rage. 
 
 Oed. No, for this brother with infidious wiles 
 
 Hath plann'd my death. 
 
 Cre. May ev'ry curfe of heav'n 
 
 Fall on me if I e'er indulg'd the thought. 
 
 Joe.
 
 [ 190 ] 
 
 Joe. His vows, O king, revere, and plighted faith. 
 
 If or thy country or thy queen be dear 
 
 Cho. We too muft join in the fame ardent wi(h, 
 And plead his caufe. 
 
 Oed. Muft then a baffled prince 
 Submit to thefe reproaches from a fubjcdt? 
 
 Cho. His blamelefs charader, his folemn oath. 
 At leaft demand refpeft. 
 
 Oed. What vi^ould you have. 
 Or know you i 
 
 Cho. We implore thee, prince 
 
 Oed. Speak on. 
 Cho. By friendfhip's holy name, to fpurn not thus 
 One who folate was neareft to thy heart, 
 
 On mere fufpicion. 
 
 Oed. Then you are refolv'd 
 To facrifice me to his dark intrigues ; 
 For he or I muft fall. 
 
 Cho. By yon bright fun. 
 
 The leader of the flaming hoft of heav'n j 
 I meant not thus. 'Tis agony of foul 
 For all the woes my bleeding country bears, 
 Makes me thus urgent. 
 
 Oed. Let him then be gone. 
 
 If
 
 C m ] 
 
 If I mud be the vidllm. Not to his. 
 
 But thy requefl I yield : deep In this heart 
 
 Will ever dwell the mem'ry of his crimes. 
 
 Cre. UnfklU'd to yield, thy ftubborn foul is torn 
 With furied pangs ; thofe pangs are my revenge. 
 
 Oed. Hence, villain, hence, left I revoke my words. 
 
 Cre. I go, unmov'd by all thy menaces; 
 That cannot fhake my innocence, and thefe 
 Can beft defend it. 
 
 Cho. Ufe thy power, O queen. 
 To foothe his mind, and urge him to retire. 
 
 Joe. But firft inform me whence this conteft rofe. 
 
 Cho. From vague reports, uncertain and unjuft ; 
 To both injurious. 
 
 Joe. What were thefe reports ? 
 
 Cho. Prefs me no more, nor let us tear afrefh 
 The wounds of Thebes. 
 
 Oed. This coldnefs In my caufe. 
 Becomes you notj you flight the god's vice-gerent. 
 And yet profefs to venerate thofe gods. 
 
 Cho. Have I not fworn by'^hcebus, that my zeal 
 And duty to my prince remain unfhaken ? 
 To love my country, and not love the man 
 Who fnatch'd it from deftrudion, were to prove me 
 
 I Bereft
 
 [ ^92 ] 
 
 Bereft of reafon : couldfl thou ftretch thine arm 
 Once more to fave, how would her farthefl: bounds 
 Ring with thy triumph ! 
 
 Joe. I conjure thee, prince, 
 Tell me whence fprang this flrange dilTcntion. 
 
 Oed. Know, 
 Deareft Jocafta, that, with artful wiles, 
 Thy brother hath confpir'd to feize my throne. 
 
 Joe. Your throne, my lord ? Whence could the thought arifc ? 
 
 Oed. 'Twas I, he faid, that murder'd Laiu9. 
 
 Joe. Ha! 
 He could not fpcak the di«5latcs of his heart. 
 
 Oed. Nay more, he hath fuborn'd a crafty prieft. 
 Who in the piefence of near half my empire, 
 Urg'd home the charge. 
 
 Joe. Tho' all the race of priefts 
 United to maintain the glaring lye. 
 Heed thou them not. No mortal eye can pierce 
 The dark decrees of fate : they all are bred 
 In ignorance, and traffic in deceit. 
 Thyfelf fliall be the judge; this verjj prince. 
 Long fince, received an oracle, the work 
 Of thefe fame prii;fts, (for from the god himfelf 
 It could not come, as fmce events have prov'd;) 
 
 With 
 
 «»
 
 [ 193 ] 
 
 With dreadful tidings that from our embrace 
 A fon fliould fpring, the murd'rer of his fire : 
 And now, we hear, that in fome gloomy fpot. 
 Where three ways meet, by robbers he was flain. 
 Yet chill'd with horror, ere the third dark morn 
 Rofe on our babe, we pierc'd its infant feety 
 And flaves convey 'd it far away from Thebes, 
 To perifh on the mountain's pathlefs heights. 
 Say then, could Phoebus utter this decree ? 
 For neither did the fon his father flay, 
 Nor Laius perifli by the fate he fear'd. 
 Such is the boafted truth of oracles.. 
 And let thefuUen bigot hear and tremble. 
 Le thou convinc'd of thisj that what the gods 
 Would have us know, they can themfelves reveal 
 Without the aid of thefe defigning priefts. 
 
 Oed. What fudden terrors feize me ! O, my queen. 
 Thy words have fill'd me with amaze and horror. 
 
 Joe. How? Wherefore? 
 
 Oed. Saidfl: thou not the prince was ilaia 
 Where three ways meet ? 
 
 Joe. I didj 'twas thus ajSirm'd, 
 Nor is the fa6t difprov'd. 
 
 Oed. But fay again, 
 Where, in what country did the murder happen? 
 
 C c Joe.
 
 [ 194 ] 
 
 Joe. In Phocls, where the pubhc roads divide 
 To Delphi and to Daulia. 
 
 Oed. Mighty gods ! 
 How long the period fince this dire event !* 
 
 Joe. Not long before thy reign o'er Thebes began. 
 The tidings were denounced. 
 
 Oed. Eternal Jove ! 
 To what am I referv'd ! 
 
 Joe. Why is thy mind 
 Thus agitated ? 
 
 Oed. Afk not, but inform me, 
 What were the age, form, flature of this Laius ? 
 
 Joe. In height majeftic, years had fcarcely ting'd 
 His locks with filver, and I've often thought 
 His form a faint refemblance of thy own. 
 
 Oed. Dillraftion! On my own unconfcious head 
 
 I have call'd down the curfe of every god ! 
 
 Joe. O heavens, I fliudder as I gaze upon thee — 
 
 Oed. Too well, I fear, the prophet knew my fate! 
 One farther circumftance will prove my guilt, 
 Or feal my innocence. 
 
 Joe. Tho' my lips faulter. 
 Yet afk, and if I know, 1 will reveal it. 
 
 Oed. Went he attended with a chofcn few. 
 Or with the pomp and. fplendor of a monarch ? 
 
 Joe.
 
 [ 195 3 
 
 Joe. His train confifted but of five ; of thefe 
 One was the herald ; and one only chariot 
 That carried Laius. 
 
 Oed. Then my guilt is fure. 
 Glaring as yonder fun : but who brought back 
 The tidings of his death ? . 
 
 Joe. One who alone 
 Efcap'd the gen'ral flaughter. 
 
 Oed. Lives he novr 
 Within this palace ? 
 
 Joe. No; his lord no more. 
 When he beheld thee on the throne of Thebes, 
 With earned fupplication at my feet, 
 He fought permiflion to depart from Thebes, 
 To feed my diftant flocks, nor I refus'd. 
 For he was ever the mod faithful fervant. 
 
 Oed. O hafte, let him be fummon'd inftantly. 
 Joe, Hefhallj but why thus eagerly defire 
 This ftranger's coming? 
 
 Oed. I am on the rack: ^ 
 His anfwers may refolve my doubts, and oh ! 
 May plunge me in defpair ; yet my refolve 
 Is fix'd to fee him. 
 
 Joe. He will foon be here. 
 
 C c 2 But
 
 [ 196 ] 
 
 But oh ! my lord, permit thy faithful queen 
 To fearch the bottom of this fecret wound 
 That rankles at thy heart. 
 
 Oed. Thou flialt know all : 
 Since thy own fate is clofely link'd with mine, 
 To thee I will unbofom all my foul. 
 My father, Polybus, enjoys the throne 
 Of Corinth ; Merope, his royal fpoufe, 
 By birth a Dorian ; there I long poflefs'd 
 Riches and pow'r next only to fupreme, 
 Till one event, mort; trivial in itfelf. 
 But dreadful in its iflue, crufh'd my joys. 
 A drunken courtier 'midft his cups proclaim'd 
 That Polybus was not my rightful fire. 
 Kindling at this, I fcarce contained my rage 
 Till of my parents lenquir'd the truth 
 Of this bafe faying; they ahke incens'd, 
 Threaten'd with death the author of the charge. 
 This calm'd my prefent fears, but ftill my mind 
 Labour'd with fecret doubts. Refolv'd to fearch 
 This myftery of my birth, by private roads 
 I fought the Pythian flirine ; the holy maid 
 Nought of my birth or parentage reveal'd; 
 But thus, convuls'd with raving extafies. 
 
 Read
 
 [ 197 ] 
 
 Read the dark page of fate — " Thou, wretch, art doom'd 
 
 *' To ftain thy mother's bed, from thence to raife 
 
 *' A race accurft, and laft with impious hand 
 
 " To flay the hoary fire who gave thee birth." 
 
 Shudd'ring with horror at thefe awful founds. 
 
 With hafty ftep, from Corinth's fatal towers 
 
 I urg'd my way. Direded by the ftars. 
 
 O'er tracklefs waftes andfolitary lands. 
 
 To that lone fpot where haplefs Laius fell : 
 
 Ah fhake not thus, for I will tell thee all — 
 
 Jufl as I reach'd the pafs, where three ways meet, 
 
 A chariot met my fight, where foremoft fat, 
 
 Who feem'd a herald; but within reclin'd 
 
 Another, and appear'd of regal port. 
 
 In age, and form, and every circumftance 
 
 Refembling mofl the man thy words defcribe.. 
 
 Both rufh'd againfl: me, and with fury ftrove 
 
 To drive me back; refentment fir'd my foul:: 
 
 Inftant I fcU'd the charioteer to earth. 
 
 And fprang to meet the chariot, where the fage _ 
 
 Obfervant fate, and twice with all his might 
 
 Smote me upon the temples; but in deatb 
 
 Soon wail'd the rafh afiault : befmear'd with gore,. 
 
 Beneath my ftafF he fell, and bit the ground. 
 
 Kis^
 
 [ >98 ] 
 
 His fervants in the general contefl: fell; 
 
 Not one, I thought, efcap'd to tell the news. 
 
 If this were Laius — who, thro' earth's wide bound. 
 
 Is half fo wretched as myfelf, or who 
 
 Like me accurft ? No friendly citizen 
 
 Muft fuccourmy diftrefs, or ftranger ope 
 
 The hofpitable door, but drive me hence, 
 
 Far hence, in defart folitudes to weep. 
 
 And 'midft the favage wandr'ers feek a home. 
 
 But oh my bittereft pang, thcfe lips pronounc'd 
 
 The dire decree that drives me from the land. 
 
 From Thebes, from thee, and all my foul holds dear, 
 
 A foul, incefluous, bloody parracide ! 
 
 Ah whither (hall I go; to Corinth? There 
 
 I feek inceftuous tranfports, there I flay 
 
 The beft of friends and fathers. Sure (omQ fiend 
 
 Hurries me on thro' all this maze of guilt. 
 
 But 01 ye mightier powers, who rule on high. 
 
 Ere fuch a fcene of horror overwhelm me, 
 
 Crufli this devoted head, and let me find 
 
 In death a refpite from feverer toils. 
 
 Cho. O King, we more than fhare in all thy griefs; 
 Perhaps the .^lepherd may difperfs your fears ; 
 Defpair not. 
 
 Oed. All my hopes are center'd there. 
 
 Joe.
 
 [ 199 ] 
 
 Joe. What Is he to reveal ? 
 
 Oed. If he confirm 
 The thing thou fay'ft, then am I free from guilt. 
 
 Joe. What have I faid ? 
 
 Oed. Thou faid'ft the king was flain 
 By robbers on his journey j if he fell 
 By numbers, I am fafe : my fingle arm 
 The flranger flew -, but if by one alone, 
 I am that wretch. 
 
 Joe. Doubt not his firfl report. 
 From which he dares not fwerve. Not only I, 
 The whole aflembled city heard the tale. 
 But if he fwerve, it flill remains to prove 
 That oracles themfelves are not impoftures; 
 For tho' their vaunted god had fix'd his death 
 On my poor murder'd child, that child thou feeft 
 Perifli'd long fince on bleak Cithaeron's top. 
 Henceforth my foul is fteel'd againft belief 
 Of priefts and prophecies. 
 
 Oed. And well it may; 
 But inftantly difpatch fome trufty flave 
 To bring this fhepherd. 
 
 Joe, Thou flialt be obey'd 
 This inftant; let us go within the palace. 
 My pride is to obey thee j and my joy 
 Is then the greaceft when I pleafe tliee moH.
 
 [ 200 ] 
 
 CHORUS. 
 STROPHE I. 
 
 Eternal Jove ! my heart infpire 
 With ardent virtue's aftive zeal, to hear 
 Thy voice obedient, and thy laws revere; 
 
 Thofe heav'n-defcended laws, almighty fire. 
 Which thy creative energy imprefl: 
 On animated nature's infant breafl. 
 
 Daughters of light, unlike the race of earth, 
 Who range the tra(5ts of day with * fteps fublimej 
 
 Still vigorous like the god who gave you birth, 
 Beyond the grafp of fate, or bound of time. 
 
 ANTISTROPHE I. 
 
 'Twas infolence firft drench'd in blood 
 The tyrant's hand; but when elate with pride 
 He fpurns at right, and dares the gods deride. 
 
 From the proud precipice where late he flood. 
 That infolence fliall dafh him headlong down. 
 To wail his cruelty and ravifh'd crown. 
 
 To thee, dread ruler of events below, 
 In deep humility behold we bend, 
 
 Wifdom and life from thee their fountain flow; 
 Oh ! from yon heav'ns thy inftant fuccour fend. 
 
 STROPHE
 
 [ 201 ] 
 
 STROPHE ir. 
 
 Where do the deftln'd fons of rapine rove, 
 Who flight the awful voice of nature's God, 
 Nor bend with rev'rence at his high abode. 
 
 The thunder flruggling in the grafp of Jove.. 
 With flrong vibration labours to be gone. 
 And Aveep them to the gulph of Acheron. 
 
 If vice triumphant rear her purple creft. 
 And injur'd virtue lift her voice in vain, 
 
 Still fliall the tyrant fiend ufurp the breaft. 
 And vainly do we raife the choral drain. 
 
 A N T I 8 T R O P H E IL 
 
 Flaming with holy zeal no more 
 To Delphi {hall the priefts of Jove repair, 
 Or where Olympia's turrets rife in air. 
 
 With gifts and fongs the gods implore j, 
 I;f impious tongues thofe rites prophane. 
 And treat their mandates with difdain : 
 
 Lord of the univerfe ! their pride controul^ 
 Avenge thine own ; aflert Apollo's caufe j 
 
 And flafh convidion on the ftubborn foul: 
 That fpurns thy precepts, and refifts thy laws. 
 
 D d ACT
 
 [ 202 ] 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Messenger, Chorus, Jocasta, Oedipits, Shepherd. 
 
 Messenger. 
 
 A G E S and chiefs of Thebes, 'tis my refolve. 
 With incenfe, and with fuppHant boughs, to feek 
 The temple of the gods : your prince, fo high 
 For wifdom fam'd, and fortitude of foul. 
 Forgets that he is man. His mind is torn 
 With difmal terrors of he knows not what. 
 And flirinks at each unmeaning tale he hears : 
 
 1 urge, intreat, expoftulate in vain— 
 Ileav'n is provok'd, I fear; on thee we call. 
 All-feeing Phoebus, neareft ftill to hear 
 
 The wretch's plaint, arm thou his wav'ring thought 
 With wonted firmne(s. He whofe fkilful hand 
 Should guide our bark, the pilot of the flate. 
 Sinks at the helm, and the tumultuous fea 
 Will foon ingulph us all. 
 
 Messen. Inform me, ftrangers. 
 Where fhall I find the palace of your king. 
 Or fooneft where himfelf ? 
 
 Cho. This is his palace: 
 
 The
 
 [ 203 ] 
 
 The king Is now within j thou feeft his queen. 
 Mess. Is (he indeed the wife of Oedipus ? 
 Moft happy may (he live, nor flie alone,- 
 But all around her fliare the gen'ral joy. 
 
 Joe. I thank thee, ftranger, for thy friendly greeting; 
 But quickly tell me wherefore art thou come. 
 And what thy tidings ? 
 
 Mess. Welcome, mighty princefs,. 
 To thee and Oedipus,. 
 
 Joe. What are they, fay; 
 And whence thyfelf ? 
 
 Mess. From Corinth, and I bring 
 News that will give you both delight and grief- 
 Joe. Inflant explain thy meaning. 
 
 Mess. , If report 
 Lye not, the race of Iflhmus have refolv'd 
 That Oedipus (hall reign o'er Corinth. 
 
 Joe. How ? 
 Is not then Polybus their king ? 
 
 Mess. He was j 
 But death hath laid the hoary king in dufl:., 
 Joe. How! Polybus no more ? 
 
 Mess. May more than death 
 Befall thy flave, if his report prove falfe. 
 
 Joe. Hafle to thy mafter with the joyful news, 
 
 Dd 2 Fly
 
 [ 204 ] 
 
 "Fly inftant ; — where, ye lying oracles. 
 Diviners, where is new your beaded truth, - 
 Prophets and Priefts ? For Oedipus long fince, 
 Fearing left he fliould (lied this monarch's blood, 
 As Phabus had foretold, from Corinth fled 
 In willing exile. Now forfooth wc hear 
 That by the common courfe of fate he died. 
 Without or fraud, or violence. 
 
 Oed. O ! my queen. 
 Why am I fummon'd from my palace hither ? 
 
 Joe. For this; to learn the truth of oracles : 
 That ftranger there will beft explain my words. 
 
 Oed. M'ho is he? Whence, and what his meflage, fay. 
 Joe. He comes from Corinth, and his tidings are. 
 That Polybus, your father, is no more. 
 
 Oed. Is this thy mefl^age; is it thus indeed ? 
 Mess. Ev n as the queen hath faid. 
 
 Oed. But fpeak again : 
 How died the prince; by treafon or difeafe ? 
 
 Mess. Ah prince, a little violence will bow 
 The languid limbs of age. 
 
 Oed. Difeafe then crufli'd 
 The good old monarch. 
 
 Mess. Yes, difeafe in part, 
 
 2 And
 
 [ 205 ] 
 
 And part the preflure of a length of years, 
 For he had * meafur'd out the life of man. 
 
 Oed. 'Tis well : what blinded wretch will now regard 
 Altars, and priefts, and birds of ominous wing. 
 Screaming aloft ? whofe falfe and bafe decrees 
 Had plung'd my hand in blood, a father's blood. 
 Who died, it feems, remote from Thebes and me, 
 Bow'd down with weight of years : thefe hands unftain'd. 
 And guiltlefs of his blood. Unlefs, perchance. 
 Continual forrow for the lofs of me 
 Prey'd on his heart, and hurried on his fate. 
 Thus only could I caufe his death : but he 
 Sleeps in the bofom of the grave ; nor priefts. 
 Nor oracles (hall break his long repofe. 
 
 Joe. Did I not tell thee this ? 
 
 Oed. Thoudidftj but ftill 
 Severeft: apprehenfions (hook my foul. 
 
 Joe. Away with them for ever. 
 
 Oed. Tut the bed 
 Of inceft, how it harrows up my thoughts! 
 
 The fame expreflion occurs in the Pfalms ; 
 " Make me to know the meafure of my days." 
 
 • 39th Pfalm, 4th Verfe; 
 
 Joe.
 
 [ 206 ] 
 
 Joe. Let not vain terrors agitate thy mind j 
 Man is the fport of chance; tlie pow'rs divine 
 Loft in the nobler plcafures of the fkies. 
 Need not our reptile race. The tafk be his 
 To hufband well his life, and rove at large 
 Where fancy leads, or pleafurc points the way. 
 Fear not th' inceftuous bed, nor be the flave 
 Of frantic zeal nor fuperftitious dreams : 
 For oft, amidft the flumbers of the night. 
 Have men In vifions reap'd inceftuous joys. 
 True happinefs is his, who boldly fpurna 
 Such vain chimeras. 
 
 Oed. True ; but ftill ftie lives. 
 This mother, whom I dread, and I muft fly 
 
 Th' accurft embrace. 
 
 Joe. Go to thy father's grave ; 
 Let that inform thee what thou haft to fear. 
 
 Oed. Yet, yetlftiudder: and, while flie furvives, 
 I ftill muft tremble. 
 
 Mess. Say, illuftrious prince, 
 What is this woman whom thou fear'ft fo much ? 
 
 Oed. 'Tis Merope, my friend, the late efpous'd 
 Of Polybus. 
 
 Mf.ss. But whence proceed your fears? 
 
 Oed.
 
 [ 207 ] 
 
 Oed. From oracles mod dreadful to relate! 
 M£ss. And may a ftranger know them? 
 
 Oed. Thou fl:ialt hear : 
 Apollo hath denounc'd, that I fhould ftain 
 A mother's bed with incefl:, and thefe hands 
 Drench in paternal blood — For this, long fince, 
 I fled from Corinth, and have here enjoy 'd 
 Each earthly blifs, fave that moft fweet of all. 
 The dear delight a parent's prefence gives. 
 Mess. Was this the motive of thy exile? 
 
 Oed. This, 
 
 This dread alone of parricidal guilt 
 
 Mess. What if I prove the meffenger of joy. 
 And bring thee tidings fuch as may difperfe 
 Thy every doubt ? 
 
 Oed. Ah, dearefl ftranger, fpeakthem; 
 Thy recompence fhall be moft princely. 
 
 Mess. Yes, 
 I come to chafe thy fears, relieve thy doubts. 
 And hail thee back to Corinth. 
 
 Oed. Never, never ! 
 While one of thofe dear parents ftill furvives. 
 Will I return to Corinth ! 
 
 Mess. Son, I fee 
 
 Thy
 
 [ ="S ] \ 
 
 Thy ignorance hath caufcd thcfe idle fears. 
 
 Oed. Indeed! By hcav'n inform mc where I err. 
 Mess, If for this caufe thou fled'ft. 
 
 Oed. The curfe denounc'd 
 By Phcebus, drove me into willing exile. 
 
 Mess, The dread of murder, and inceftuous crimes. 
 Oed. The fame. 
 
 Mess, Thy fears are groundlefs. 
 
 Oed. Notifthefe 
 My parents were, or true the voice of Jove. 
 
 Mess. Know then that Polybus by ties of blood 
 Was never bound to tliee. 
 
 Oed. How? Speak again : 
 Not Polybus my fue ! 
 
 Mess. No more than mine. 
 Oed. And yet he call'd me fon. 
 
 Mess. His by adoption, 
 Thefe hands firft gave thee to his fond embrace. 
 Oed. And could an alien kindle in his foul 
 A father's tranfports? 
 
 Mess. He had never known 
 A father's joys. 
 
 Oed. Was I by purchafe thinCj 
 Or may I hail thee by a father's name ? 
 
 Mess,
 
 [ 209 ] 
 
 Mess. I found thee in a deep and darkfomt ^ ■ 
 Of Mount Cithseron. 
 
 Oed. Ha! what led thee there? 
 Mess. My flocks, that ranged the mountains verdant fides. 
 Oed. Thou wert afliepherd then it feems. 
 
 Mess. I was ; 
 And more, the iliepherd that preferv'd thy hfe. 
 
 Oed. What had befall'n me, ere thy guardian hand 
 Snatch'd me from death ? 
 
 Mess. The joints of thy own feet 
 Will befl inform thee what. 
 
 Oed. Ah why repeat 
 That antient malady ? 
 
 Mess. Mine was the hand 
 That loofed their tendons from the intangling cords. 
 Oed. Thus early did my woes commence? 
 
 Mess. To this 
 Thou oweft the name of Oedipus. 
 
 Oed. Ah me! 
 Which of my parents could be thus inhuman ; 
 Canft thou inform me? 
 
 Mess. That he befl can tell 
 Who gave thee to me. 
 
 Oed. Then thou found'ft me not; 
 
 E e But
 
 [ 210 ] 
 
 But from another didrt receive me ? 
 
 Mess. Yes, 
 A brother fhepherd gave thee to my charge. 
 
 Oed. O fpeak his name, his relidence, whate'er 
 Thou know'ft of this fame fhepherd. 
 
 Mess. He was call'd 
 
 A fervant of king Laius. 
 
 Oed. Laius? ha! 
 The fame who govern'd Thebes ? 
 
 Mess. The very fame : 
 
 He was his fhepherd. 
 
 Oed. Is he ftill alive; 
 Could I behold him ? 
 
 Mess. Thefe his countrymen 
 
 Can better tell thee. 
 
 Oed. O my friends, declare 
 If aught ye know, or aught, perchance, have heard 
 Of fuch a fhepherd; whether he refides 
 At Thebes, or in the country; inftant fpeak: 
 'Tis of the laft importance to our welfare. 
 
 Cho. O king, if right we judge, he feems the man 
 Whom thou haft lately fummon'd; but the Queen 
 Is beft acquainted. 
 
 Oed. Princefs, dofl thou know 
 
 Whethef
 
 [ 2" ] 
 
 Whether the man this fhepherd hath defcrib'd. 
 And he whom thou haft fent for, be the fame ? 
 
 Joe. I know not what he faid, or whom he meant: 
 Nor is there aught of moment in his words ; 
 Dark, idle words ; thou art too anxious, prince : 
 Adl not thus raflily. 
 
 Oed. What ? Muft I negka: 
 To trace this myftery of my birth, when now 
 The path is open, and the profpedl fair ? 
 
 Joe. By heav'n forbear; I tell thee 'tis a rock 
 Thy peace will fplit on : if thou valued life 
 Or happinefs, forbear. O this torn heart ! 
 
 Oed. Hence, woman, with thy fears j I am refolv'd :. 
 Were all my anceftors a race of flaves, 
 'Twere no difgrace to thee; I fav'd your empire; 
 In that one deed was more nobility. 
 Than all the glories of your line can boaft. 
 
 Joe. By all thy foul holds dear, beware the fearch. 
 Oed. Not all thy eloquence can fhake my purpofe- 
 To trace this matter to the very fource. 
 
 Joe. Oh hear my better counfel, and forbear : 
 Shun it as death. 
 
 Oed. Thy counfel but involves me. 
 
 E e 2. la-
 
 [ 212 ] 
 
 In tenfold error. 
 
 Joe. Wretched, wretched prince I 
 May heav'n ftill hide the fecret from thy view, 
 Kor curfe thee with the knowledge of thy birth. 
 
 Oed. Let other meflengers be fent, in hafte. 
 To bring this lingering rtiepherd to our prefence : 
 And leave the queen to glory in her birth. 
 And antient lineage. 
 
 Joe. Wretched, wretched prince; 
 Obftinate, headlong, to thy own deflrudron 
 I leave thee to a fcarch which thou fhalt rue 
 For ever — treafjre in thy heart thofe words; 
 Remember they're my laft — my laft! farewell. 
 
 [Ejf// Jocafta. 
 
 Cho. Sire, didft thou mark Jocafta's fix"d defpair ! 
 With what confufed and eager looks flie fled : 
 Much, much I fear her filence docs prefage 
 Events of dreadful ilTue ! 
 
 Oed. Let them come: 
 Still my refolve is fix'd to penetrate 
 Th!s mighty cloud that hangs around my birth : 
 Whate'er my fate, I muft not, will not more 
 Be kept in darknefs : this it is that flings 
 Her haughty foul : (he thinks that I fhall prove 
 
 Of
 
 [ 213 ] 
 
 Of rank, and parents, humbler than her own. 
 Blind woman! but my parents were not mean. 
 Thou wert my mother, fortune; and thy fon 
 Glories in his defcent : fublimer far 
 Than all the kings of earth : the kindred months, 
 Offspring of time, coeval with the world. 
 Salute me as they roll their mighty round. 
 And call me brother. Led thro' arduous toils. 
 By you I triumph on the throne of Thebes, 
 Power in my nod, and fortune in my fmile : 
 And from the glorious height look down fecure, 
 Whoe'er my fire, a monarch or a flave. 
 
 STROPHE. 
 
 A prophet's fpirit warms my foul ! 
 I fee, I fee the mighty vifions dawn ; 
 
 And all the fcenes of fate unroll! 
 By great Olympus, ere another morn, 
 Cithaeron, fkirt thy dufky front with gold. 
 Thou fhalt the long, myfterious maze unfold. 
 
 Then to our king fhall fwell the choral fong, 
 Our feet in myftic dance more fwiftly move; 
 
 And while our grateful meafures we prolong, 
 Phoebus fhall liften, and theftiain approve. 
 
 A N-
 
 [ 214 ] 
 
 ANTISTROPHE. 
 
 What bright celeftial gave thee birth ? 
 O thou, whofe wifdoni fpeaks that birth divine: 
 
 Renown'd above the fons of earth ; 
 From Jove defcended, or the fifter Nine. 
 Say art thou fprung from fylvan Pan's embrace. 
 With fome fair daughter of a:therial race -, 
 Or wert thou nourilli'd in Cyllene's groves, 
 
 Where Mercury the fwifter nymphs purfues ; 
 Or on the facred hills where Bacchus roves. 
 
 And courts in laurel bow'rs the bafliful mufe ? 
 
 Oed. Friends, if my Judgment err not, yonder fage. 
 This way advancing, is the fame whom late 
 We fummon'd hither; both in age, and mien, 
 Refembling whom this flranger hath defcrib'd. 
 My fervants too fupport him : you, perchance. 
 
 May better know him. 
 
 Cho. 'Tis the fame, my lord,. 
 
 The faithful fliepherd of our good old king. 
 Oed. Stranger, is this the man ? 
 
 Mess. I know him well. 
 Oed. Old man, draw near; look up with confidence, 
 And anfwer faithfully what I (liall alk. 
 
 2. Didfl
 
 [ 215 ] 
 
 Dldfl thou not live with Laius ? 
 
 Shep. Yes, my lord; 
 Nor was I of the hireling train, but bred 
 Within this palace. 
 
 Oed. What thy office, fpeak. ? 
 
 Shep. My office was to tend the royal fheep.' 
 
 Oed. And whither chiefly didfl thou lead thofe fheep ? 
 
 Shep.' To Mount Cithasron, and the neighbouring plains. 
 
 Oed. Say, dofl thou recoiled: that flranger's face ? 
 
 Shep. That flranger — who? Whence is he? What his crime ? 
 
 Oed. I fay again, refledt; and call to mind 
 If thou hafl ever had, or intercourfe, 
 Or converfe with him. 
 
 Shep. Sire, with age, and cares. 
 My memory fails. 
 
 Mess. Nor Is there caufe of wonder : 
 But I'll refrefla his memory, and recount 
 Some antient fads he foon will call to mind. 
 I am that fhepherd who for three whole months. 
 Thro' long fucceffive years, thy friendship fhar'd 
 On Mount Cithaeron's heights — early as fpring 
 Bade the young herbage fhoot ; ev'n till the rife 
 Of pale Ardlurus : and when winter's frofls 
 Deform'd the year, each with his fev'ral flocks 
 
 Departed
 
 [ 2.6 ] 
 
 Departed homeward; to my cottage I, 
 And thou to Laius' palace : have thefe fccnes 
 Entirely fled thy thoughts ? 
 
 SiiEP. Almoft they had i 
 For 'tis a long, long period fince. 
 
 Mess. 'Tis true : 
 But can'ft thou, fliepherd, to remembrance call 
 An infant whom I once receiv'd from thee, 
 And promis'd all a father's foftering care ? 
 
 Shep. An infant, friend? What means thy queftion ? 
 
 Mess, This, 
 This Is that infant, whom thou now behold'ft. 
 
 She?. Away with thee, thou rav'ft: perdition feize 
 Thy traitor's tongue. 
 
 Oed. Why art thou thus incens'd ? 
 Thou art thyfelf more worthy of reproof. 
 She?. In wiiat have I offended ? 
 
 Oed. By thy rage. 
 And filence touching this fame child. 
 
 Shep. Ah, Sir, 
 He knew not what he faid. 
 
 Oed. Eafe my fufpenfe. 
 Or by the gods I'll force the fecret from thee. 
 
 Shep.
 
 [ 217 ] 
 
 She p. Ah ven'rate hoary age ! 
 
 Oed. Quick, bind his hands. 
 Shep. What muft I do, my lord, or whatdifclofe ? 
 Oed. Delay not, but inform me, didfl; thou give 
 An infant to this man ? 
 
 Shep. I did, and oh ! 
 Death had that moment been my happiefl: boon. 
 
 Oed. This day thou diefl:, unlefs I know the whole 
 Of this dark fcene. 
 
 Shep. Ah fpare the dire recital : 
 'Tis death to tell thee. 
 
 Oed. Dofl: thou trifle with mc ? 
 Shep. Did I not fay I gave the child ? 
 
 Oed. Go on; 
 Whence came he ? Was he thine by birth, or who 
 Confign'd him to thy charge ? 
 
 Shep. He was not mine; 
 I had recelv'd him from another hand. 
 
 Oed. What other ? Speak his name, and where he dwells. 
 Shep. By all the pow'rs above, enquire no more : 
 I do conjure thee. 
 
 Oed. If I afk again. 
 Wretch, thou flialt die. 
 
 Shep. In yonder palace born ■ 
 
 F f Oed.
 
 [ 2lS ] 
 
 Oed. Sprung from a (lave, or was the king his fire? 
 Shep. Oh niilery to declare — 
 
 Oed. Oh! Death to hear! 
 
 Yet foeak 
 
 Shep. He was fuppos'd the king's own fon. 
 But well Jocafta knows the gloomy truth j 
 She can inftrudl thee beft. 
 
 Oed. Didft thou fiom her 
 Receive the child? 
 
 Shep. 'Twere frultlefs to deny 
 What fate itfelf reveals. 
 
 Oed. What was her purpofe ? 
 Shep. That I fhould kill it. 
 
 Oed. What, deflroy the child? 
 Bloody, inhuman parent ! 
 
 Shep. Dire affright, 
 From dreadful oracles, compcU'd the queen 
 To this unnatural deed. 
 
 Oed. How, oracles ? 
 What did they threaten? 
 
 Shep. That this fon Ihould flay 
 Thofe who begat him. 
 
 Oed. But if fuch her fears. 
 
 Why didft thou give it to this fliepherd's care ? 
 
 2 She?,
 
 [ 219 ] 
 
 Shep. Compaffion for the infant wrung my foul ; 
 I hop'd he would have borne his charge away. 
 Far, far from Thebes, and thefe his native roofs : 
 Fatal miftake ! that life to him was death, 
 
 Preferv'd to long, unutterable woes 
 
 For oh ! if thou be'fl: he, thou art indeed 
 The moH: ill-fated, mofl: accurd of men. 
 
 Oed. 'Tis done; the tenfold myftery burfls to light i 
 I am that mofl; ill-fated, mofl; accurfl. 
 Thou fun farewell; why fmile thy beams on me, 
 Whom murder blackens, and whom incefl flains ? 
 Inct-ft and murder of the deepefl: hue: 
 A father flain, a mother's bed defil'd ! 
 Come night, come horror fliield me from his rays; 
 Plunge me in thick impenetrable glooms, 
 Black as my crimes, and boundlefs as my guilt. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 O man, thou fhadow of a fliade ! 
 How foon thy brightefi: glories fade! 
 What higher boon could fortune give. 
 What nobler gifts could man receive. 
 Than late Hie flicwer'd on our devoted king ; 
 Only to plunge him deeper in defpair. 
 And ratify the fukmn truths we fing ? 
 
 F f 2 At
 
 [ 220 ] 
 
 At yon fad fpe»!!lacle of woe, 
 Who can refrain the darting tear ! 
 What tongue the bitter plaint forbear, 
 " That mis'ry is the lot of all below!" 
 Blind fav'rite of a nymph more blind. 
 She bade thee dart thy rapid flight 
 Beyond the bound to mortal pride aflign'd ; 
 -And plac'd thee on her dizzieft height : 
 Then thine arm the monfler flew. 
 Dreadful with her forked fang, 
 Whofe eagle pinions mock'd the wind, 
 And ravening, as in queft of blood flie flew. 
 
 To Thebes the prophecies of death fhe fang 
 
 For this, thy hand the fcepter Hiar'd, 
 
 An empire was thy great reward. 
 
 But now what founds of horror meet mine ear ? 
 
 How art thou blafted in thy bright career ! 
 
 How chang'd in one dark, fatal hour, 
 
 Dafh'd fr'-m the fearing pinnacle of pow'r. 
 
 And all that mortals vaunt of high and great, 
 
 To wreftle with the toils of fate. 
 
 Thrice wretched prince, renown'd in vain. 
 
 Since all the trophies of thy fame 
 
 Throw but a guilty fplendour round thy woes j 
 
 Unchill'd
 
 [ 221 ] 
 
 Unchiird with horror, who thofe crimes fhall name 
 
 Whofe daric, indelible, eternal {lain, 
 
 With infamy pollutes thy bed. 
 
 And dooms to vengeance thy devoted head. 
 
 How could thy confcious bed Co long fuftain 
 
 Its guilty load, thro' night's incumbent gloom, 
 
 Nor ftart with horror, and a voice affume ! 
 
 But fate hath bared the deed to light. 
 
 Hath bar'd to our aftonifh'd fight 
 
 A father murder'd by his child, 
 
 A mother by that fon's embrace defil'd. 
 
 O that thefe eyes might ne'er behold thee more,. 
 
 But diflant far their duteous forrows pour : 
 
 By thee we rais'd them up to life and lights 
 
 Only to plunge them in eternal night. 
 
 ACT
 
 [ 222 ] 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 Chorus, Messenger, Oedipus, Creon. 
 Enter another Messenger. 
 
 Messenger. 
 
 JVlOST honour'd chiefs of this once happy land, 
 
 Rouze all the refolution man can bead: 
 
 To fortify your fouls, while I relate 
 
 A direr tale than ever reach'd your ears — 
 
 Unfold a fcenc to your ailonifli'd eyes 
 
 More black with woe than e'er thofe eyes beheld : 
 
 Not the broad Danube's waves, nor Phafis flreain. 
 
 Can purge away the complicated crimes 
 
 That ftain thefe guilty roofs; in dark array 
 
 They rife to view, and as they rife, pollute 
 
 The fickening light— fate rules the gloomy hour. 
 
 And rafh dcfpair, impatient, ruflics on 
 
 To deeds of added horror. 
 
 Cho. Added horror ! 
 
 Wc
 
 . [ 223 ] 
 
 We thought the catalogue of this day's woes 
 
 Already fwell'd beyond the pow'r of fate. 
 
 Mess. No j to compleat our fufFerings, fhe referves 
 
 A flroke more dreadful ftill : the queen is flain. 
 
 Cho. Jocafla flain — by. whom? What daring hand— — 
 Mess. She dar'd herfelf the deed : no confcious eye 
 
 Was witnefs to her death. What we beheld 
 
 Thefe faultering lips fliall tell. With hafty flep, 
 
 Enrag'd, fhe burft within the palace gates 
 
 Then, rufliing to the bridal chamber, tore. 
 
 With favage fury, her diforder'd hair j 
 
 Invokina; Laius from the tomb to view 
 
 A wretch, the fatal fource of all his woes. 
 
 Who bore his murderer, clafp'd the parricide. 
 
 That fon, that murd'rer, in abhorr'd etnbrace, 
 
 And flain'd his bed with inceft ; then with fnrieks 
 
 Of wildcft grief, flie wai.'d th' accurfed couch 
 
 That witnefb'd to her dark, forbidden joys : 
 
 Nor heard we more; for inftant we beheld 
 
 The wretched Oedipus, in frantic mood. 
 
 Raving thro' all the dome : with thund'ring voice 
 
 Commanding us to bring him fword or fpear, 
 
 To end his hated being. '* Lead me where 
 
 Thefe eyes, e'er veil'd in darknefs, may behold 
 
 That
 
 [ 224 ] 
 
 That injur'd form I dare not call my wife ; 
 
 Her who begat me, her, whofe glowing limbs, 
 
 Unconfcious, clafp'd the hufband and the child," 
 
 Inflant, by fome infpiring dsemon led. 
 
 He rulh'd upon the double doors that clos'd 
 
 The unhappy queen, and from their brazen bolts 
 
 Tore them, while far and wide the hollow dome 
 
 Rffounded back his cries : but foon new fcencs 
 
 Of horror met our fight, the royal fair 
 
 All pale and breathlefs, in the fatal noofe 
 
 Entangled. Shuddering at the view, the prince 
 
 Recoil'd : then loofing the fufpended cord, 
 
 Heav'd a deep groan, and flung him on the ground, 
 
 Convuls'd awhile with agonies of grief. 
 
 When fudden ftarting, from her robe he tore 
 
 The golden buckle that adorn'd her fide. 
 
 And madly plung'd the points into his eyes. 
 
 Exclaiming, *' Never more Hiall I behold 
 
 Or thee, unhappy woman, or the race 
 
 Sprung from thy loins." Bellowing tliefe horrid plaints, 
 
 Me pierc'd, he tore from out their mangled orbs. 
 
 The balls of fight : inftant the gulliing blood 
 
 Its fluiccs burfl:, and, rufhing down his cheeks, 
 I'our'd the black flood that flain'd his princely form. 
 
 Such
 
 [ 225 ] 
 
 Such are the complicated ills that crufli'd 
 
 This wretched pair. Who lately * relgn'd fupreme 
 
 In mutual blifs, are now fupreme alone 
 
 In mifery : curfl: with more than common woes ! 
 
 Their joy was boundlefs j boundlefs was the guilt 
 
 Of fuch an union -, boundlefs are their fufferings. 
 
 Ah ! how hath one black fatal morn o'ercaft 
 
 The cloudlefs fcene! how blafted all their joys! 
 
 On ev'ry fide are heard the mingled founds 
 
 Of groans, defpair and death the difmal cries 
 
 Of murderer and of incefl — all the ftores 
 Of fecret anguifh, and fevere diftrefs. 
 At once difcharging their collcdlive rage. 
 Cho. Where is the haplefs prince ? 
 
 Mess. Throw wide, he cries. 
 Throw wide the gates, and let all Thebes behold 
 The murderer of his fire, with inceft: black. 
 With blood defil'd, and crimes without a name- 
 Lead me, O lead me from thefe guilty roofs. 
 To banifhment, to death — that banifliment 
 My lips denounc'd will be my beft relief 
 
 * Great emphafis is in the original laid on the cornparifon of the prefent with the former 
 flate of Oedipus; which the Tranflator could not well convey to the reader without a pa- 
 raphrafe of the two or three fucceeding lines. 
 
 G g From
 
 t 2 = C ] 
 
 From all th' I'niufferable ills that ru(Tj, "- • ' 
 
 With overwhelming rage, at once upon me. 
 But words are weak : behold a fcene that fpeaks 
 Beyond the boldeft pow'rs of eloquence ; 
 A fcene fo full of horror, it would move 
 His moft inveterate foe. • ■'•'• 
 
 Cho. Ah f fight of grief ' 
 
 Beyond whate'er my darkeft fears had fram'J. 
 Rafli man ! what furious daemon urg'd thee orr 
 To this dire a6l; thus to accumulate 
 Woe upon woe to crufh thy haplefs head ? 
 Moft wretched of the wretched ! my fwoll'n heart 
 Had much to utter; but muft burfl: itfelf 
 In filence, for the fight of fuch diftrefs 
 Hath ftruck me dumb for ever. 
 
 Enter Oedipus. 
 Oed. Hah! where am I? 
 What plaintive accents vibrate on my ear, 
 That feem to pity one vv'hom fate hath plac'd 
 Beyond the pow'r of pity to relieve! — 
 Fortune, my mother, whither art thou fled ? 
 
 Cho. She hath forfaken thee; hath plung'J thee down 
 In an abyfs of woes. 
 
 Oed. Odark! dark! dark I 
 Dark without dav/n of hope, or b:am of day ! 
 
 3 I fland
 
 [ 227 ] 
 
 I iland envelcp'd in eternal fliade : 
 Remembrance like a fury flings my foul. 
 While my own paflions fharpen ev'ry goad, 
 And drive me on to madnefs. 
 
 Cho. Doubly curd 
 Both in a hufband's and a father's hopes. 
 Well may thy reafon fail thee in this hour 
 Of multifold afflidion. 
 
 Oed. Art thou here! 
 Thou, once my friend and guide in happier hours.' 
 
 This, this was Oedipus. Abjedl and blind. 
 
 Thou wilt not leave me to feverer pangs. 
 
 Cho. What haft thou done ? What vengeful god impell'd 
 To this mad deed ? 
 
 Oed. Phoebus himfelf, — yes, Phoebus, 
 Is that avenging, that impulfive pow'r. 
 That I am blind, impute to me alone, 
 'Twas I who quench'd thofe orbs, whofe light but ferv'd 
 To kindle horror, and awake defpair. 
 
 Cho. Ah! dreadful truth ! 
 
 Oed. What, what remains 
 Grateful to me, in voice, or fight, or found? 
 Each joy extindt, and earth one barren void. 
 Rouzeyou, my friends, in injur'd virtue's caufe; 
 
 G g z Drive
 
 [ 22S ] 
 
 Drive from your land this peftilential bane. 
 This monfter, black with inceftand with blood; 
 This moft abhorr'd of gods, and all mankind. 
 
 Cho. Thy fuff 'rings make thee rave. Ah! fatal hour 
 When firft I hail'd thee on the throne of Thebes ! 
 
 Oed. And Oh ! more fatal hour that faw my feet 
 Loos'd from their bands on bleak Cithaeron's height. 
 Curft be the hand that loos'd them. 'Twas not life 
 That hand beftow'd ; 'twas death. I then had died 
 In innocence, nor known, nor caus'd a pang. 
 
 Cho, Oh thus had fate ordain'd 
 
 Oed. I had not thea 
 
 Imbrued my hand in blood — I had not then 
 Receiv'd Jocafta to my guilty bed. 
 I (liould not then — 
 
 Cho. How ! What (hall I advife thee. 
 Since death itfelf were better far than life 
 Wafted in mis'ry and perpetual gloom ? 
 
 Oed. Thelofs of fight, my friends, Ileafl bewail: 
 Ah ! with what * eyes in Pluto's dark domain, 
 
 ♦ It appears from this paffage, that the antients fuppofed the fame qualities both of mind* 
 and body to be poflefled by the dead which they had while living. 
 Thus Virgil: .■ ■ Laniatum corpore toto 
 
 Deiphobum videt, ct laccrum crudeliter ora. 
 
 iEneid. lib. 6. 495. 
 
 Could
 
 [ 229 ] 
 
 Could Oedipus have view'd his murder'd fire, 
 
 Cover'd with wounds, and welt'ring in the blood 
 
 His impious offspring fpilt ; or her who bore 
 
 The parricidal wretch, whofe foul embrace 
 
 Hath ftain'd the confcious womb that gave him hfe r 
 
 Could e'er this heart a parent's' joy have known, 
 
 To view the offspring of that foul embrace, 
 
 Tho' fair in virgin beauty, haft'ning on 
 
 Thro' long progreffive mifery, to complete 
 
 The meafure of my woes, and (hare my guilt ! 
 
 Ah ! never, never could thefe eyes behold them ; 
 
 Never the lofty citadels of Thebes, 
 
 Her gilded palaces, her beauteous fanes. 
 
 And her hold race that own'd me king in vain. 
 
 Since now debas'd below the meaneft flave. 
 
 Oh painful, bitter change ! Thefe lips pronounc'd 
 
 The curft decree that drives me from the land 
 
 The execrated fcorn of you and heav'n, 
 
 A foul, inceftuous, bloody parricide. 
 
 Thus with a thoufand objeds compafs'd round. 
 To wound anew ray agonizing heart, 
 Blindnefs is but relief from weightier ills. 
 Grant me, ye mighty rulers of the world. 
 Some pow'r to bar the paffages of found, 
 
 I To
 
 [ fi30 ] 
 
 Tofliut each fenfc, and quite extinguiHi thought; 
 
 For ev'ry fenfe Is now alive to woe. 
 
 Ah why, Cithseron, did thy arched glooms 
 
 Lend their broad fliade tofcreen my infant head? 
 
 Why did not fome devouring favage rend 
 
 My fcatter'd limbs, and give them to the winds j 
 
 That my difgraceful birth might never ftain 
 
 The annals of mankind ?— O Polybus, 
 
 And thou, O Corinth, falfely dccm'd my country^ 
 
 How have ye nouriflVd in thefe princely robes, 
 
 Beneath this fpecious form a canker'd wound. 
 
 Putrid and rank ! for now I ftand confefs'd 
 
 Bafe in myfelf, and bafe in my defcent. 
 
 Ve confcious forefts. ye wide-fprcading glades. 
 
 And thou dark avenue, where three ways meet, 
 
 That drank the blood of my expiring fire; 
 
 Witnefs what guilty tranfports fill'd my bread 
 
 When I beheld his hoary figure fall 
 
 Proftrate and bite the ground— how am I chang'd ! 
 
 How iiearly have I rued the triumph, bought 
 
 At the hii^h price of ev'ry other joy : 
 
 Flung headlong from the blifs of gods, to wail 
 
 With demons in the hell of deep defpair ! 
 
 O fatal, fatal nuptials I Night of horror I 
 
 How
 
 C 231 ] 
 
 How have ye ftamp'd pollution on the names 
 Of father^ brother, fon — how burft the band 
 Of dear relation ! Sure around the bed 
 Some fierce prefiding dcemon fix'd his ftand, 
 And fow'd the feeds of ev'ry baneful ilK 
 Reflection (liudders at the black detail— 
 I cannot bear the retrofpeft: my tongue 
 Faulters with fhame, and ev'ry finew ihrinks. 
 Wherefore, by all the gods, approach, and flay 
 This vidim to my own and others crimes. 
 Or bear me to fume bleak and barren ifle, 
 Where found of human voice was never heard; 
 Or plunge me in the deep with all my crimes. 
 Fear not, my friends, approach ; black as I ani, 
 Ye cannot, by the touch, partake the guilt, 
 \Vhofe weight fliall cru£h this guilty head alone. 
 
 Cho. Mod opportunely Creon this way bends j 
 Creon, on whom thy pow'r and kingly fway 
 Will foon devolve, as next of royal line : 
 His counfel befl will guide us thro' this maze 
 Of intricate fufpenfe. 
 
 Oed. What fay'fl thou, — Creon? 
 That Creon, whom I late fo bafely injur'd, 
 What can I fay to him; or how find words 
 At once cxpreffive of my fliame and grief! 
 
 CE9i»
 
 [ 232 ] 
 
 We learn to venerate that pow'rwhofe laws 
 Thou haft thus violated, thus prophan'd. 
 
 Oed. But one word more, and I have done for evcr- 
 Ty every bond of friendfliip I conjure thee, 
 By all the ties of nature, to decree 
 Sepulchral lionours worthy of her birth. 
 And each due rite the illuflrious dead demand. 
 To thy dear fifter, and my haplefs wife. 
 J-'or me, the vileA of the fons of Thebes, 
 
 Heed thou no farther once more let me go, 
 
 A wand'ring exile from my father's roofs. 
 
 From Thebes, as erfl from Corinth, and explore 
 
 That facred fpot on dark Cithxron's brow, 
 
 By thofe who gave me being docm'd my grave 
 
 Early as life began j for ah ! I feel, 
 
 Within this breafl: I feel the dire prefage, 
 
 That fate denies me by the common lot 
 
 Of man to fall; fnatch'd from the jaws of death. 
 
 To perhh by the fignal wrath of Jove, 
 
 Long treafur'd for the moment: what that ftroke 
 
 I know not; but defpair hath arm'd my foul — — 
 
 Deareft of men, my children I commend 
 
 To thy prote<Sting arm ; my fons are firm 
 
 la
 
 [ 233 ] 
 
 In health and manhood i they will leaft require 
 
 Thy friendly aid: but oh! my haplefs daughters 
 
 Dear blooming orphans, with fuch anxious care 
 
 Cherifh'd beneath thefe roofs in royal ftatej 
 
 Fed by my h^nd, and by my watchful eye 
 
 Still guarded : how will thofe poor babes fupport 
 
 At once a father's and a mother's lofs ? 
 
 O take them, prince; O fhield them with thy pDwer, 
 
 And fofter with thy love ! Might they be fummon'd r 
 
 Might they receive a father's laft embrace? 
 
 To touch them would fufpend my pains : but oh ! 
 
 To glue my clafping arms around their necks, 
 
 Would give me fight, and nerve my limbs anew. 
 
 What have I faid of rapture — 'tis denied 
 
 To this care-broken heart ! To weep their fate. 
 
 And o'er them hang in fix'd and filent woe. 
 
 Is all now kft me — but methinks I hear 
 
 Sounds fweet and plaintive, like the tender means 
 
 Of thofe dear children : yes, they are my children ! 
 
 Creon hath gratified my ardent wifh ; 
 
 What can I fay — oh torture — 
 
 Cre. To thy command 
 Obedient, I have brought thy children hither. 
 
 Oed.
 
 I 234 ] 
 
 Oed. Eternal bleffings on thee for this kindnefs ! 
 'Come near, my daughters; (liudder not to touch 
 
 Your fatlier, and your brother: view the hands. 
 
 Yet rcil with gore, whofe fury hath confign'd me 
 
 To everlafting darknefs, and forbade 
 
 The fight of you and heav'n : a king myfelf. 
 
 And yet a regicide, by heav'n and man 
 
 Alike abhorr'd : approach, and weep my fate. 
 
 But do not curfe me with the name of parent. 
 
 Yes, to behold your angel fmiles, that once 
 
 Gave vigour to my pulfe, is mine no more. 
 
 "^'et I can weep your fate, and I will weep 
 
 In tears of blood warm "uQiino: from the heart. 
 
 With patient fortitude I might have borne 
 
 My own difafters, but the fenfe of yours 
 
 Hath quite unmann'd me. Whither will ye go 
 
 For refpite from your toils, or how afTuage 
 
 The madnefs of defpair ? From public haunts. 
 
 And all the gay delights of focial life, 
 
 Driv'n with difgrace, your virgin bloom to wafle 
 
 In barren folitude, and execrate 
 
 The name of father. Ye muft never tafle 
 
 The fweets of Hymen, nor with eager eyes 
 
 Gaze on a fmiling progeny; for who, 
 
 3 Who
 
 [ 235 ] 
 
 Who will receive pollution to his arms. 
 Nor fhudder at the black impending guilt 
 That hangs o'er all the race of Oedipus ? 
 What horror in the tale! An impious fon 
 Hath flain his father, and, with guilty fires 
 Flaming, defil'd his mother's facred bed. 
 Purfu'd with jealous hatred by your fex, 
 
 And exil'd by the voice of all mankind 
 
 Thus fliall ye pafs your wretched days, till death. 
 Thrice welcome, clofe the folitary fcene. 
 Thou, Creon, thou art left their only friend ; 
 Ah! fufFer not my poor, forfaken babes, 
 I/ike vagabonds, to wander o'er the earth 
 The fport of infamy: dear, generous youth. 
 Extend thy hands, as pledges of thy faith 
 And firm fupport : much, O my daughters, much 
 My heart would utter more, but grief forbids. 
 This is my only pray'r, that you may live 
 Refign'd and happy, as your fate will fufFer, 
 Where heav'n may beft ordain : and may that heav'n 
 In rich abundance on my childrens head 
 Shower down the bleflings it denies your fire. 
 
 Cre.
 
 [ ^3G ] 
 
 Cre. Enou^^ : thy grief tranfports thee; O! retire 
 Within the palace. 
 
 Oed. I oljey thee, prince ; 
 Yet fliuddcr to approach that fatal fccnc 
 Of all my guilt. 
 
 Cre. 'Tis riglit * thou (hould'A retire : 
 Time and events require it. 
 
 Oed. Know'fl thou not 
 
 By what dire curfes I am bound 
 
 Cre. Declare them. 
 
 Oed. To leave thofe roofs, and thou to drive me thence 
 
 O prince, with fwiftnefs execute the ta(k. 
 
 Cre. The gods alone can grant thee thy defire. 
 Oed. I am moft hateful to thofe gods. 
 
 Cre. Fear not ; 
 
 They will befriend thee here. 
 
 Oed. Ah might I hope! 
 Cre. Thou may'fl; I fpeak with confidence. 
 
 Oed. Then lead. 
 
 Whither thou wilt. 
 
 Cre. But let thy children, (lay. • 
 
 Oed. Wilt thou bereave me of my chddren too! 
 
 • The original faith, «' All things are right on right occafions :" The text feems de- 
 {it;ncdly equivocal aad obfcure. 
 
 Cre,
 
 [ 237 ] 
 
 Cre. Submit— Warn 'd by thy fufF'rings, Oh ! beware 
 Of that perverfenefs thou haft rued fo dearly. 
 
 Cho. Inhabitants of Thebes, behold your prince, 
 The mighty Oedipus, whofe fearing thought 
 Pierc'd the dark riddle of the monfter Sphynx; 
 Whofe fame * and pow'r, beyond example great, 
 What fon of Cadmus but with envy view'd ? — 
 That prince behold, by fad reverfe of fate 
 Fall'n from his throne of grandeur to the depth 
 Of abjedl mifery — Mortal, mark his fate; 
 Nor him, whom fortune's changeful fmile adorns 
 With momentary triumphs, call thou bleft, 
 'Till death decide, and ftamp the name of *' happy." 
 
 "0{TI{ 01) fijAu. 
 
 As the text now ftands, this is a very difficult pafTage, and the tranflations are ambiguous 
 and unfatisfaftory. A friend told me of a propofed emendation by the learned Editor of 
 Euripides, Doftor Mufgrave. 
 
 The paflage becomes thus interrogative, and the fenfe is, " whom, who was there of the 
 citizens, but beheld with envy in confequence of his good fortune ?" This fenfe I have 
 -adopted, as the moft eafy to be iranflated, and beft expreflive of the meaning of Sophocles. 
 
 THE END.
 
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