 | Juvenile poems on various subjects |  |
22
PASTORALS.
I.
To the same.
Before the rosy morn had broke the east,
Before the early lark had left her nest,
While yet the dewy damps of night hung round,
And all mankind were wrapt in sleep profound,
Two swains whom sacred Friendship and soft Love
Kept wakeful, 'rose, and sought the silent grove;
His distant Friend, caus'd youthful Hylas' care,
And am'rous Damon mourn'd his absent Fair.
Before the early lark had left her nest,
While yet the dewy damps of night hung round,
And all mankind were wrapt in sleep profound,
Two swains whom sacred Friendship and soft Love
Kept wakeful, 'rose, and sought the silent grove;
His distant Friend, caus'd youthful Hylas' care,
And am'rous Damon mourn'd his absent Fair.
--- attend! e'er friendly to the Muse,
Accept this trifle, and the faults excuse;
By genius fir'd, thy gen'rous breast may claim
The sweets of Love, or Friendship's envied name.
Accept this trifle, and the faults excuse;
By genius fir'd, thy gen'rous breast may claim
The sweets of Love, or Friendship's envied name.
Thus, as fair Hylas sung, the dales around,
Sad Echo play'd, and gave him back the sound,
Ye spotless streams, that plaintive glide along,
Be hush'd a while, and listen to my song;
Ye winged choirs that chanting on each tree,
Enliven ev'ry grove with melody.
Alexis' gone!—cease, cease to swell your throats,
Harsh are you warblings as the raven's notes.
Droop, droop ye groves, ye plains in silence mourn,
Let nought be gay 'til Alexis return.
Sad Echo play'd, and gave him back the sound,
Ye spotless streams, that plaintive glide along,
Be hush'd a while, and listen to my song;
Ye winged choirs that chanting on each tree,
Enliven ev'ry grove with melody.
Alexis' gone!—cease, cease to swell your throats,
Harsh are you warblings as the raven's notes.
Droop, droop ye groves, ye plains in silence mourn,
Let nought be gay 'til Alexis return.
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Here by my side my pipe shall useless lay,
Unheeded now, Alexis is away.
In mourning here I will my time employ,
Nought shall be seen that wears the face of joy.
Alexis' absence here I will complain,
While the rude north-wind whistles to my strain.
'Til he returns no more let spring appear,
But hoary winter shiver thro' the year.
Let music cease, let flow'rs no longer blow,
And murm'ring streams congeal'd, forget to flow.
Droop, droop ye groves, ye plains in silence mourn,
Let nought be gay 'til Alexis return.
How oft together Schuylkil's verdant side
We've trac'd, or wanton'd in its cooling tide,
Or soft reclin'd, where spreading shades were wove,
With joyful accents fill'd the sounding grove.
Then all was gay, then sprightly mirth was found,
And nature bloom'd in vernal beauties round.
Blow, blow ye winds, in softest breezes send
My kindest wishes to my absent Friend.
But ah! perhaps he heads not, some sweet maid
By artful wiles his youthful heart's betray'd,
Friendship perhaps is exil'd from his breast,
By wanton love alone it is possest.
But, O ye maids, beware, none true can love,
Who e'er in holy Friendship faithless prove.
Droop, droop ye groves, ye plains in silence mourn,
Let nought be gay 'til Alexis return.
Unheeded now, Alexis is away.
In mourning here I will my time employ,
Nought shall be seen that wears the face of joy.
Alexis' absence here I will complain,
While the rude north-wind whistles to my strain.
'Til he returns no more let spring appear,
But hoary winter shiver thro' the year.
Let music cease, let flow'rs no longer blow,
And murm'ring streams congeal'd, forget to flow.
Droop, droop ye groves, ye plains in silence mourn,
Let nought be gay 'til Alexis return.
How oft together Schuylkil's verdant side
We've trac'd, or wanton'd in its cooling tide,
Or soft reclin'd, where spreading shades were wove,
With joyful accents fill'd the sounding grove.
Then all was gay, then sprightly mirth was found,
And nature bloom'd in vernal beauties round.
Blow, blow ye winds, in softest breezes send
My kindest wishes to my absent Friend.
But ah! perhaps he heads not, some sweet maid
By artful wiles his youthful heart's betray'd,
Friendship perhaps is exil'd from his breast,
By wanton love alone it is possest.
But, O ye maids, beware, none true can love,
Who e'er in holy Friendship faithless prove.
Droop, droop ye groves, ye plains in silence mourn,
Let nought be gay 'til Alexis return.
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But see, he comes, Alexis comes, sound, sound
The joyful news, let all the groves rebound.
Let sorrow cease, let joy for ever reign,
Be nought but gladness seen throughout the plain;
He comes, Alexis comes, let all be gay,
And join with me to hail this happy day.
Cease now ye groves to droop, ye plains to mourn,
Let all be gay, Alexis doth return.
The joyful news, let all the groves rebound.
Let sorrow cease, let joy for ever reign,
Be nought but gladness seen throughout the plain;
He comes, Alexis comes, let all be gay,
And join with me to hail this happy day.
Cease now ye groves to droop, ye plains to mourn,
Let all be gay, Alexis doth return.
Then lovesick Damon thus, while all the grove
Resounds with Delia's name, and Damon's love.
Resounds with Delia's name, and Damon's love.
How bright the view! how fragrant was the flow'r!
When beauty smil'd, and Delia blest the hour!
Her presence then made ev'ry season gay,
And cold December bloom'd like vernal May.
Then rapture fill'd my fond exulting breast,
And each intruding care was hush'd to rest.
But now, alas! methinks the shifted scene
But only serves to shew how blest I've been.
By her deserted, birds forget to sing,
And winter's dreary views deform the spring.
All nature weeps, the lilly hangs its head,
The roses fade, and mourning droops the mead.
When beauty smil'd, and Delia blest the hour!
Her presence then made ev'ry season gay,
And cold December bloom'd like vernal May.
Then rapture fill'd my fond exulting breast,
And each intruding care was hush'd to rest.
But now, alas! methinks the shifted scene
But only serves to shew how blest I've been.
By her deserted, birds forget to sing,
And winter's dreary views deform the spring.
All nature weeps, the lilly hangs its head,
The roses fade, and mourning droops the mead.
Hie here, ye Nymphs, hie here, ye lovesick Swains,
Join in my woe, and aid my plaintive strains.
Join in my woe, and aid my plaintive strains.
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When on the plain I've tun'd my oaken reed,
While all around my bleating flock would feed.
In dumb attention seal'd, the listning throng.
Hung on the sound, and caught the pleasing song;
Then loud applause my envied name would raise,
And distant mountains Echo with my praise;
Then to the numbers Delia's voice was join'd,
And round my head the laurel wreath she twin'd.
But now in vain I strive for skill, I've none,
My soul's untun'd, and flowing notes are gone.
Hie here, ye Nymphs, hie here, ye lovesick Swains,
Join in my woe, and aid my plaintive strains.
While all around my bleating flock would feed.
In dumb attention seal'd, the listning throng.
Hung on the sound, and caught the pleasing song;
Then loud applause my envied name would raise,
And distant mountains Echo with my praise;
Then to the numbers Delia's voice was join'd,
And round my head the laurel wreath she twin'd.
But now in vain I strive for skill, I've none,
My soul's untun'd, and flowing notes are gone.
Hie here, ye Nymphs, hie here, ye lovesick Swains,
Join in my woe, and aid my plaintive strains.
Fly swift, ye hours, till she return again,
How slow they creep! ah! Damon 'tis in vain!
Time heeds thee not, nor will he faster move,
Nor wing'd by fear, nor yet by swifter love.
Slowly he brings us to the wonted joy,
But then how swift the envied minutes fly!
All gracious heav'n, in pity lend the pow'r
To rule our passions, or to guide the hour.
Hie here, ye Nymphs, hie here, ye lovesick Swains,
Join in my woe, and aid my plaintive strains.
How slow they creep! ah! Damon 'tis in vain!
Time heeds thee not, nor will he faster move,
Nor wing'd by fear, nor yet by swifter love.
Slowly he brings us to the wonted joy,
But then how swift the envied minutes fly!
All gracious heav'n, in pity lend the pow'r
To rule our passions, or to guide the hour.
Hie here, ye Nymphs, hie here, ye lovesick Swains,
Join in my woe, and aid my plaintive strains.
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II.
To Dr. J--- K---sl---y, jun.
The young Alexis drove his bleating Flock
To the sea's side, where seated on a rock,
That over-look'd the wave, in pensive mood
He threw his eyes along the azure flood;
His sadn'd brow well anxious care express'd,
And oft the sigh would heave his youthful breast,
His flock neglected rang'd around him wide,
And useless now his pipe hung by his side.
To the sea's side, where seated on a rock,
That over-look'd the wave, in pensive mood
He threw his eyes along the azure flood;
His sadn'd brow well anxious care express'd,
And oft the sigh would heave his youthful breast,
His flock neglected rang'd around him wide,
And useless now his pipe hung by his side.
Calm was the sea, the sky appear'd serene,
No angry storms deform'd the pleasing scene;
Hush'd in their caves the ruder winds were laid,
And only gentle western breezes play'd,
Gay beauty round seem'd blooming ev'ry where,
And the bright scene half rob'd him of his care.
When a gay bark with spreading sails display'd,
Appear'd to view, in garlands rich array'd.
Swift o'er the waves with eagle's speed she glides,
And sportive dolphins wanton'd by her sides,
Aloft in air the silken streamers flew,
While the shrill music chear'd the jovial crew.
No angry storms deform'd the pleasing scene;
Hush'd in their caves the ruder winds were laid,
And only gentle western breezes play'd,
Gay beauty round seem'd blooming ev'ry where,
And the bright scene half rob'd him of his care.
When a gay bark with spreading sails display'd,
Appear'd to view, in garlands rich array'd.
Swift o'er the waves with eagle's speed she glides,
And sportive dolphins wanton'd by her sides,
Aloft in air the silken streamers flew,
While the shrill music chear'd the jovial crew.
Oh! thou, from whose blest skill our bodies find
Sweet ease, behold the sickness of the mind;
See, with what force, love sways the youthful heart,
Love, which still triumphs o'er thy heav'nly art.
Sweet ease, behold the sickness of the mind;
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Love, which still triumphs o'er thy heav'nly art.
Alexis thus—the seaman's life how blest!
No anxious thoughts disturb his peaceful breast.
Free as the wind from shore to shore he roves,
Tastes ev'ry sweet, and ev'ry bliss improves.
He wears no haughty beauty's servile chain,
Nor heeds a Delia's frown or cold disdain;
Why was I form'd with such an abject mind,
Slave to a Fair the proudest of her kind?
No anxious thoughts disturb his peaceful breast.
Free as the wind from shore to shore he roves,
Tastes ev'ry sweet, and ev'ry bliss improves.
He wears no haughty beauty's servile chain,
Nor heeds a Delia's frown or cold disdain;
Why was I form'd with such an abject mind,
Slave to a Fair the proudest of her kind?
Then sudden all the heav'ns appear'd o'erspread,
And the loud thunder shook the Ocean's bed,
While streaming lightning dreadful fir'd the sky,
And the rough billows tost their heads on high:
Now to the heav'ns the giddy bark is rear'd,
And as fam'd Argo's rival there appear'd;
And then as sudden from th' amazing height
Sunk midst the watry vales, and shun'd the sight;
While from her shatter'd masts the rude winds bear
Sails, cords and streamers, wildly thro' the air.
And the loud thunder shook the Ocean's bed,
While streaming lightning dreadful fir'd the sky,
And the rough billows tost their heads on high:
Now to the heav'ns the giddy bark is rear'd,
And as fam'd Argo's rival there appear'd;
And then as sudden from th' amazing height
Sunk midst the watry vales, and shun'd the sight;
While from her shatter'd masts the rude winds bear
Sails, cords and streamers, wildly thro' the air.
The Shepherd thus, ah! faithless cruel sea,
Thus Delia smil'd, and thus she did betray.
Caught by the pleasing views, I left the shore,
And gave my peace to seas untry'd before;
But soon, too soon the pleasing prospects fled,
And swelling waves and tempests did succeed.
Witness, ye groves, and eke, ye pow'rs divine,
How oft she's sworn her faithless heart was mine.
Now, fir'd by female pride, she scorns the truth,
And gives to wealthy Ageon her youth.
He's rich in num'rous stocks, scarce knows his store,
My love is all, nor can I boast of more.
Thus Delia smil'd, and thus she did betray.
Caught by the pleasing views, I left the shore,
And gave my peace to seas untry'd before;
But soon, too soon the pleasing prospects fled,
And swelling waves and tempests did succeed.
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How oft she's sworn her faithless heart was mine.
Now, fir'd by female pride, she scorns the truth,
And gives to wealthy Ageon her youth.
He's rich in num'rous stocks, scarce knows his store,
My love is all, nor can I boast of more.
How oft I've led her thro' the shady grove,
While both our souls seem'd join'd in mutual love!
Ah! then the Sirens softness grac'd her tongue,
While quiv'ring on the pleasing sounds I hung,
Such were the sounds which 'woke the slumb'ring shade,
Such were the sounds which rais'd her from the dead!
Such were the sounds of Amphion's charming lyre,
And such the music of the heav'nly quire!
While both our souls seem'd join'd in mutual love!
Ah! then the Sirens softness grac'd her tongue,
While quiv'ring on the pleasing sounds I hung,
Such were the sounds which 'woke the slumb'ring shade,
Such were the sounds which rais'd her from the dead!
Such were the sounds of Amphion's charming lyre,
And such the music of the heav'nly quire!
How oft when seated by the chrystal flood,
Pleas'd would we captivate the finny brood!
There in the floating mirror would I trace
Each striking beauty of her angel face,
Her cheek embellish'd with the rosy die,
Her ruby lip, and heav'nly sparkling eye,
'Til some rude wind would o'er the surface pass,
And envious snatch the beauteous mimic face.
How great the change!—and then he starting spy'd
Her body floating on the boist'rous tide.
And by the charmer's side the wild waves bore,
Still link'd in death, Ageon to the shore.
Pleas'd would we captivate the finny brood!
There in the floating mirror would I trace
Each striking beauty of her angel face,
Her cheek embellish'd with the rosy die,
Her ruby lip, and heav'nly sparkling eye,
'Til some rude wind would o'er the surface pass,
And envious snatch the beauteous mimic face.
How great the change!—and then he starting spy'd
Her body floating on the boist'rous tide.
And by the charmer's side the wild waves bore,
Still link'd in death, Ageon to the shore.
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But, oh! how fill'd with terror at the fight!
His eyes were veil'd in endless shades of night.
Cold was her breast, quick fleeting life had fled,
And on her faded cheeks the rose lay dead.
Fix'd like a figur'd stone awhile he stood,
And gave the tear with anguish to the flood;
Then frantic clasp'd her midst the briny lave,
And dash'd with anger each intruding wave:
He eager prest her lips, now pale and wet,
But for his warmth a deadly coldness met;
Tho' once with ruby lustre bright they shone,
Their glow was lost, and all their sweetness gone.
Now welcome death, the lovesick Shepherd cry'd,
And fainting on her clay-cold bosom dy'd.
His eyes were veil'd in endless shades of night.
Cold was her breast, quick fleeting life had fled,
And on her faded cheeks the rose lay dead.
Fix'd like a figur'd stone awhile he stood,
And gave the tear with anguish to the flood;
Then frantic clasp'd her midst the briny lave,
And dash'd with anger each intruding wave:
He eager prest her lips, now pale and wet,
But for his warmth a deadly coldness met;
Tho' once with ruby lustre bright they shone,
Their glow was lost, and all their sweetness gone.
Now welcome death, the lovesick Shepherd cry'd,
And fainting on her clay-cold bosom dy'd.
III.
To the Memory of General WOLFE, who was slain at the taking of QUEBEC.
Set was the Sun, and from her silver throneWith fainter lustre pallid Cynthia shone,
O'er the wide world, and round th' etherial plain
Old dusky Night had spread her gloomy reign;
When Lysidas was by Damætas found
In a dark grove, stretch'd on the dewy ground,
In silence first his wonder he express'd,
And thus, at length, the mournful Swain address'd.
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Why rests, my Lysidas, beneath this shade?
See all around night's sable curtain's spread:
Haste, haste away pale ghosts are seen around,
And troops of elves in ev'ry glade abound;
For prey the hungry woodland tyrant roves,
And horror shadows all the deepning groves.
As thro' the glade I halloo'd to thine ear,
Fierce wolves reply'd, and fill'd my soul with fear.
LYSIDAS.
Ah! leave me, leave me to this deep recess,
Fit is this gloom for sorrows and distress.
DAMÆTAS.
Thy flocks are safe, I saw them to the fold,
'Ere parting day had ting'd the west with gold,
Thy Chloris too I met, as o'er the plain
She sought the cottage of her much-lov'd Swain.
What sorrows say can now usurp that breast
Where love and gayety were wont to rest?
Oh! speak, and let thy lov'd Damætas know,
Who oft thy joy partakes should share thy woe.
LYSIDAS.
How kindly urg'd! then gentle Shepherd hear,
Nor stop the sigh, nor hold the gushing tear;
And yet, as I attempt the sadning tale,
My stronger sorrows o'er my pow'rs prevail;
Such too will be thy sorrows when I've said,
The first of Shepherds, brave Amintor's dead.
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Amintor dead!—then seated on the ground
Here by thy side, let spectres gleam around;
Let wayward elves here dance their magic ring,
And night around us double horrors bring.
Here will I sit until her sable noon,
And aid the wolves to bay the wandring moon;
Tho' sickning dews and damps around my head
With falling stars, their baleful influence shed.
LYSIDAS.
Oh! Shepherd oft I've heard thy pleasing strain,
Like Philomel in gentle woe complain.
Our flocks attentive to thy wond'rous reed,
Left the clear stream, and quite forgot to feed.
Come then, once more with musick fill the glade,
And waken airy Echo in her shade.
Such as when, at Menalcas death your song,
Fix'd in attention all the listning throng.
DAMÆTAS.
'Twas thy superior skill from Codrus' bore
The prize, two lambkins from his fleecy store,
Nor is Alexis' strain so sweet as thine,
Altho' the boasted fav'rite of the Nine.
'Tis true my pipe has oft-times on the plain
Pleas'd the gay Nymph and chear'd the active Swain.
But since Menalcas' death here by my side,
My reed, his gift, has still remain'd untry'd.
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Then let us here, 'til early morn's return,
Join both our skills, and teach the night to mourn;
I'll stretch my utmost art to aid thy lays,
And happy me could I obtain thy praise.
DAMÆTAS.
Ah! now I know, why threatning flam'd on high,
Bright blazing comets dreadful in the sky.
Our Sages shook their heads, and fear'd to tell
The future evil, which they knew full well.
Two moons are wasted since beneath this shade
As to our Shepherds on my reed I play'd,
With weary steps old Arcos hither stray'd.
Thus spoke the Sire, here sorrow soon shall reign,
No longer joy shall dwell upon the plain,
Corroding care shall banish peaceful rest,
And pain and anguish seize on ev'ry breast.
I laugh'd in gayety to hear the Sire
Speak what I thought his dotage did inspire.
But now I know what caus'd his mighty dread,
The first of Shepherds, brave Amintor's dead.
LYSIDAS.
When ruffian Robbers, e'er in rapine bold,
Veil'd in the shade of night wou'd break our fold,
Amintor first was ever to pursue,
And ne'er in vain his threatning arrows flew.
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Oppress'd with spoil, and sigh'd their souls away;
But now far hence is smiling safety fled,
Since brave Amintor, first of Swains, is dead.
DAMÆTAS.
E'er fond of danger, eager in the chace,
With fearless mind he sought the savage race;
Foremost to dare, he still with gallant pride
First clomb the cliff, or rush'd into the tide;
'Til smear'd in glorious horror with the gore,
Of the fierce Tiger or the foaming Bour,
At eve returning from the dang'rous toil
He o'er his shoulders spread the shagged spoil.
Our Shepherds met him with a loud acclaim,
And ev'ry Coward's cheek was mark'd with shame.
But now unaw'd the Savage Tyrants tread
The silent grove, for brave Amintor's dead.
LYSIDAS.
The sorrowing Mother met the mournful bier,
Loose on her neck flow'd her dishevel'd hair;
Around her all her weeping Daughters stood,
And wash'd his wounds with tears, a briny flood.
Oft times she sigh'd, and beat her aged breast,
And loud complaints her inward woe exprest.
Thus spake the Dame, ye tuneful Shepherds come,
And hang your deathless ditties round his tomb;
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And on his grave let short-liv'd roses blow.
Haste here, ye Swains, here let your tears be shed,
Weep Shepherds, weep, the brave Amintor's dead.
So sung the Swains, 'til Phœbus' radiant light,
Chac'd to her azure bed the Queen of Night.
| Juvenile poems on various subjects | |