The Works of Mr. Robert Gould In Two Volumes. Consisting of those Poems [and] Satyrs Which were formerly Printed, and Corrected since by the Author; As also of the many more which He Design'd for the Press. Publish'd from his Own Original Copies [by Robert Gould] |
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 | The Works of Mr. Robert Gould |  |
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LUCINIALS:
OR, Birth-Verses.
To the much Honour'd James Hunte of Popham, Esq; on the Birth of his Son and Heir.
As when some fam'd Procession we survey,
Some Restauration, or C'ronation Day;
Tho' ev'ry present Object gives Delight,
'Tis still succeeded by some Nobler Sight;
Till the Crown'd Head does last, elate appear,
And fixes all our Joy and Wonder there.
Some Restauration, or C'ronation Day;
Tho' ev'ry present Object gives Delight,
'Tis still succeeded by some Nobler Sight;
Till the Crown'd Head does last, elate appear,
And fixes all our Joy and Wonder there.
Heav'n so to you its Blessings does dispence,
The last that comes still first in Excellence;
Till now you such a Pledge of Love receive,
You scarce have more to ask, or Heav'n to give.
The last that comes still first in Excellence;
Till now you such a Pledge of Love receive,
You scarce have more to ask, or Heav'n to give.
Of Ancient Blood, to Great Possessions Heir;
Yet Your Auspicious Fortune stops not there,
But gives You, in your Person and your Mind,
All that obliges Man, and softens Womankind.
Yet Your Auspicious Fortune stops not there,
But gives You, in your Person and your Mind,
All that obliges Man, and softens Womankind.
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The fair Amynta next you did survey;
Bright as the Beams that round her Temples play,
Angels are scarce compos'd with less Allay:
To paint whose Beauties Language is too weak,
And all that Love believes, or Praise can speak:
But you soon found (to all Men else unknown)
The way to make that Excellence your own.
Bright as the Beams that round her Temples play,
Angels are scarce compos'd with less Allay:
To paint whose Beauties Language is too weak,
And all that Love believes, or Praise can speak:
But you soon found (to all Men else unknown)
The way to make that Excellence your own.
Who wou'd not think your Joy compleated here?
When Lo! another Blessing does appear;
A Daughter born! the perfect Image giv'n
Of fair Amynta, as she is of Heav'n.
Never before did Time produce, so Young,
So just a Subject for Poetick Song.
Sweetness and Innocence we find exprest
At full, and Angels are no better drest;
They in that Habit wing the Courts above,
Their sole Employment Harmony and Love.
When Lo! another Blessing does appear;
A Daughter born! the perfect Image giv'n
Of fair Amynta, as she is of Heav'n.
Never before did Time produce, so Young,
So just a Subject for Poetick Song.
Sweetness and Innocence we find exprest
At full, and Angels are no better drest;
They in that Habit wing the Courts above,
Their sole Employment Harmony and Love.
Again she teems! another Daughter yet!
To make your Comforts certain, as they're Great;
Whom with like Extasie we all behold,
The Stamp the same, the same Æthereal Mould.
To make your Comforts certain, as they're Great;
Whom with like Extasie we all behold,
The Stamp the same, the same Æthereal Mould.
And now, can any Blessing wanting be
To fill your Measure of Felicity?
There can: And see! Your Prayers Success have found,
And ev'ry Wish and ev'ry Hope is crown'd:
Nor can You further be oblig'd by Heav'n,
But to preserve the Treasure he has giv'n.
To fill your Measure of Felicity?
There can: And see! Your Prayers Success have found,
And ev'ry Wish and ev'ry Hope is crown'd:
Nor can You further be oblig'd by Heav'n,
But to preserve the Treasure he has giv'n.
How bounteously the Powr's their Creatures bless
Ev'n their Denials are our Happiness:
Shou'd they give all that we profusely crave,
They scarce cou'd grant so much as we wou'd have:
The Bounds of Thanks we then shou'd over-leap,
Nor value Happiness that came so cheap.
Yet those Delays that Heav'n so often makes,
Does seem to be entirely for our Sakes;
To make us with the greater Quickness taste
That Nectar, which wou'd Cloy devour'd in haste.
Thus tho' some Years y'ave waited for the Boy,
You now have all the Sweetness of the Joy.
Ev'n their Denials are our Happiness:
Shou'd they give all that we profusely crave,
They scarce cou'd grant so much as we wou'd have:
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Nor value Happiness that came so cheap.
Yet those Delays that Heav'n so often makes,
Does seem to be entirely for our Sakes;
To make us with the greater Quickness taste
That Nectar, which wou'd Cloy devour'd in haste.
Thus tho' some Years y'ave waited for the Boy,
You now have all the Sweetness of the Joy.
The Homely Swain and his more Homely Wife
(To whom h' as sworn to be a Drudge for Life)
To Venus go, just as at Rutt the Deer,
And never fail to have their Faun a Year:
But in the Bounty are so little Skill'd,
They grieve and murmur that their Table's fill'd.
'Tis only he that does almost Despair
To have one, knows the Blessing of an Heir.
(To whom h' as sworn to be a Drudge for Life)
To Venus go, just as at Rutt the Deer,
And never fail to have their Faun a Year:
But in the Bounty are so little Skill'd,
They grieve and murmur that their Table's fill'd.
'Tis only he that does almost Despair
To have one, knows the Blessing of an Heir.
Auspicious BOY! that ere thou canst receive,
Or Pleasure know, dost lasting Pleasure give.
I see thy Father yet in his Surprize,
The happy Tydings pregnant in his Eyes,
When the half fluster'd Mid-wife to him run,
And cry'd—God give you Joy, Sir!—'tis a Son!
Or Pleasure know, dost lasting Pleasure give.
I see thy Father yet in his Surprize,
The happy Tydings pregnant in his Eyes,
When the half fluster'd Mid-wife to him run,
And cry'd—God give you Joy, Sir!—'tis a Son!
With him, methinks, I see thy Grand-sire too
(Tho' distant, seen by an Internal view)
I see him stand, his Eyes erect to Heav'n,
From whom he does acknowledge thou wast giv'n,
Returning Praises from a Grateful Heart,
And in the Pleasure shares as large a Part:
Live! live, he cries! grow both in Grace and Fame,
And down Posterity convey our Name;
That as our Noble Line does back extend
Thro' Ages past, it forward too may bend,
Nor be extinct till Time it Self shall end.
(Tho' distant, seen by an Internal view)
I see him stand, his Eyes erect to Heav'n,
From whom he does acknowledge thou wast giv'n,
Returning Praises from a Grateful Heart,
And in the Pleasure shares as large a Part:
Live! live, he cries! grow both in Grace and Fame,
And down Posterity convey our Name;
That as our Noble Line does back extend
Thro' Ages past, it forward too may bend,
Nor be extinct till Time it Self shall end.
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Nor less than this can thy Great Grand-sire say,
Who never thought to see this Happy Day.
Almost a Centu'ry of Years h'as ran,
Yet fresh as Thou that hast thy Race began.
Nor is this all the Happiness he'll view,
He shall behold his Grand-Son's Issue too,
And bear 'em in his Arms his Eyes to please,
As Joseph, Machir's Children on his Knees.
Who never thought to see this Happy Day.
Almost a Centu'ry of Years h'as ran,
Yet fresh as Thou that hast thy Race began.
Nor is this all the Happiness he'll view,
He shall behold his Grand-Son's Issue too,
And bear 'em in his Arms his Eyes to please,
As Joseph, Machir's Children on his Knees.
But while they're thus rejoycing, can a less
Transporting Bliss Amynta's Soul possess?
This Blessing cancels all she fear'd before,
The Mother's Pangs remember'd now no more.
Close in her Arms she twines the Pleasing Care,
And Joys to see her Husband's Image there;
Wishes he Master of like Worth may be,
In Truth and Friendship Eminent as he:
Nor need she doubt but when to Manhood grown,
He by like Deeds will make his Linage known;
What less? when in his Composition's joyn'd
His Mother's Graces, and his Father's Mind;
Than which a nobler Mixture cannot be
T'adorn and elevate Mortalitie.
Transporting Bliss Amynta's Soul possess?
This Blessing cancels all she fear'd before,
The Mother's Pangs remember'd now no more.
Close in her Arms she twines the Pleasing Care,
And Joys to see her Husband's Image there;
Wishes he Master of like Worth may be,
In Truth and Friendship Eminent as he:
Nor need she doubt but when to Manhood grown,
He by like Deeds will make his Linage known;
What less? when in his Composition's joyn'd
His Mother's Graces, and his Father's Mind;
Than which a nobler Mixture cannot be
T'adorn and elevate Mortalitie.
Hail, happy Sire! the Muse does give you Joy,
And long may you be happy in the BOY:
The soft Amynta long may you embrace,
And she be still Augmenting of the Race:
Amynta! equal'd by no other Dame;
Poets give them, but she gives Poets Fame,
Made Deathless but repeating of her Name:
Her Beauty has Inevitable Charms,
And where is Heav'n if 'tis not in her Arms!
And long may you be happy in the BOY:
The soft Amynta long may you embrace,
And she be still Augmenting of the Race:
Amynta! equal'd by no other Dame;
Poets give them, but she gives Poets Fame,
Made Deathless but repeating of her Name:
Her Beauty has Inevitable Charms,
And where is Heav'n if 'tis not in her Arms!
210
To Henry Bayntun Esq; on the Birth of his Son and Heir.
An ECLOGUE.
Strephon. Alexis.STREPHON.
D'ye hear, Alexis, the Triumphant Sound?
The Bells with Shouts, and Shouts with Trumpets drown'd?
The Vocal Joy with Instrumental vies,
And see! the Fires already climb the Skies!
Ah! wherefore does thy Lyre thus lie unstrung,
When Adorissa's Call commands thy Song?
Heav'n has at last oblig'd the Kneeling Fair;
She has her Wish, and Damon has an Heir!
ALEXIS.
I know it, Friend, I know this General Joy
Is for the Birth and Blessing of the BOY:
But O! when Multitudes rejoyce aloud,
What single Sound's distinguish'd in the Crowd?
'Twas therefore (and I hope not uninspir'd)
To speak that Joy I to this Shade retir'd.
Yes, Strephon, yes, I find my glowing Breast
With something, sure, Prophetical possest;
It heaves for vent! and, O believe me, Youth,
It warms like Vertue, and it charms like Truth!
STREPHON.
Speak then, O speak! and feast my ravish'd Sense;
What Theme so just as Infant Innocence?
ALEXIS.
If Poets into Future Things may pry
(And no Man can with a more piercing Eye
Dive into the vast deep of Destiny)
211
And, like his Parents hope of him, be Great—
But naming Them, our Admiration there
Must stop a while.—
STREPHON.
Speak then, that all may hear;
Your Task the Worthy, and be Mine the Fair.
ALEXIS.
Never was Man more Gene'rous, Just and Brave,
With Pleasure less seduc'd, or less his Passions Slave.
His open Mind abhors the Courtier's Art,
So far his Tongue's from differing with his Heart.
No Flatt'ry e'er cou'd his Resolves controul,
That servile Sin's an Alien to his Soul:
Ador'd in Courts and Cities let it be,
'Tis better to be fam'd for Honesty.
His Consort close in his dear Arms he twines;
While those whom Inte'rest, or Ambition joyns,
False to each other the same Day can prove:—
And then his Spirit's equal to his Love.
STREPHON.
Not greater is his Courage than her Charms,
Thus both of 'em the fiercest Rage disarms;
He with his Sword can chase the Foe away;
She with a Look subdues 'em if they stay.
So sweet her Voice, it does like Fate surprize!
But who scapes that must fall before her Eyes:
Their Conq'ring Pow'r, Alexis, I have known,
And fearing to be lost, have clos'd my own.—
But while on Them our Wonder we employ,
We have forgot out Theme—the Lovely BOY.
ALEXIS.
No, Strephon—while the happy Pair is shown,
We rather make his future Vertues known:
For mounted to his Noon, his Manly growth,
He shall be a Compendium of both:
212
Shall like a Glory, dwell around his Face:
And Damon's Truth his Actions shall attend,
Wisdom to Guard, and Courage to defend.
Thus, full of them an Honour to the Name,
He shall be no less early known to Fame.
STREPHON.
Blest be thy Breath that does these Sounds dilate;
And that thy Words may be writ down in Fate,
Let us our Thanks to the Immortals give
And beg the BOY (as you Divine) may Live:
For tho' Prophetick Souls may Truth fore-know
W'are to Petition still it may be so;
Our Duty with the Blessing Hand in Hand shou'd go.
ALEXIS.
Then hear, ye Pow'rs! your kneeling Suppliants hear,
Accept our Praises; nor reject our Prayer.
That no Misfortune may the Child betide,
Be Truth his Path, and Providence his Guide.
Let not Intempe'rance Rage or Lust prevail
To drive Life Onwards with too swift a Sail,
Or Pride o'erset him with too strong a Gale.
To nothing Sensual let his Reason yield;
W'are sure of Conquest till that leaves the Field.
Here all his Life his easie Limbs be laid,
In his own noble, wide, paternal Shade:
The Mischiefs of much Converse to prevent,
Here let him wear away in soft Content,
At once belov'd, secure, and Innocent.
No matter how obscure that Life is past
That's Peaceful all, and gives us Peace at last.
Add to his Parents many, many Years,
And to his Life as many after Theirs.
STREPHON.
Confirm it, Heav'n!—but let us now be gon,
Leave serious Thoughts, and sprightly Forms put on.
213
With Mirth and Wit, and sparkling Liquors crown'd,
The shining Goblets take their flowing Round:
Thither we'll go—it can be no Offence
To drink a Health to Love and Innocence.
Our Sheep are in the Fold and cannot stray.—
ALEXIS.
Nay were I sure they cou'd, I wou'd not stay.
This Night to Pleasure let us freely give;
Without some Relaxation who wou'd live?
The heavy Burden who wou'd drudging bear,
If JOY were not alternate with our CARE?
To Mr. Mansell and his Lady, on the Birth of their Son and Heir.
An ECLOGUE. Written at the Request of a Friend.
Thirsis. Alexis.THIRSIS.
From the great Town where Wealth and State does dwell,
I come, Alexis, to thy lonely Cell,
The happiest Tidings in the World to tell.
While here your Mind you with Invectives ease,
You care not who you lash, or who displease;
Why else, O Friend, in all the Songs you sing,
Dost thou so like an angry Scorpion sting?
While thus your Verse to Satyr you confine,
Thy Muse all nobler Subject does decline.
214
No nobler Subject can employ our Thoughts,
Than to make Fools and Knaves detest their Fau'ts.
At the Offending all my Shafts are aim'd,
And none shou'd be concern'd that such are sham'd.
But why this Visit? what's thy happy News?
And on what Theme wou'd you employ the Muse?
THIRSIS.
Daphnis, O Friend, that ever-gen'rous Swain,
The Hope, the Joy, and Wonder of the Plain;
Daphnis the Bold, the Witty, and the Gay,
The Glory of the Groves, and Pride of May;
E'en He, with the prevailing Voice of Prayer,
This happy Morning has obtain'd an Heir.
'Twas long before the gracious Pow'rs comply'd;
Thus Prayer may be delay'd, but not deny'd.
Three Tryals of the Fairer Sex were past
E'er a Son's born—a Son is born at last!
His Father's Hope, his Mother's utmost Joy
Have both their full Perfection in the BOY.
Cou'd you (for sure you must) these Tydings hear,
And not congratulate the lovely Pair?
O welcome Day! and O more welcome Heir!
ALEXIS.
News seldom comes to Country Swains sincere,
Doubtful Report does make a doubtful Ear;
But this, indeed, is what I did not hear:
Or had I heard, to write had been my Blame;
For what Pretence have I to use his Name
That I but barely know by common Fame?
THIRSIS.
Plutarch, who such illustrious Hero's drew,
Not one among 'em all in Person knew;
From Fame he took 'em, and to Fame did give
Their glorious Names, which now will ever live:
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They had not to our latter times been known.
If then by Fame you noble Daphnis know,
The noble Youth as she has drawn him show;
And while his Wit and Vertues you recite,
I'll tell you if the Dame has done him Right.
ALEXIS.
Then hear her say that an unblemish'd Truth
With all the Fruit of Age has crown'd his Youth.
So sweet his Form, e'en Women have less Charms;
All but the beauteous Dame that fills his Arms.
But then his Courage is so vastly great,
'Tis just Amazement such Extremes shou'd meet:
For Men that rival the fair Sex in Shew,
Have commonly the Souls of Women too,
But in the Brightness of this Shepherd's Mien
There's a strange Sort of lovely fierceness seen:
And then his Wit's so active, clear and true,
When e'er he speaks w'are sure of something new.
What beauteous, or disdainful Dame cou'd prove
So strangely cruel to deny him Love?
The sweet Alinda, Queen of his Desire,
That sure to wound, cou'd with a Look inspire
In other Shepherds Breasts th'Am'rous Fire;
That without Pity heard 'em all complain,
Relentless and regardless of their Pain;
Here found the Shafts her Eyes had thrown return'd,
And in the same Seraphick Fever burn'd:
For how cou'd two so like themselves alone,
Like Heat and Flame, be kept from being one?
Not the First Pair in Eden's blissful Bow'rs,
Before their Fall, enjoy'd diviner Hours.
Thus while these Lovers we with Wonder View,
'Tis easie to believe those Fictions true
Which the bold Greeks have so sublimely told;
The Real here out does the feign'd of Old.
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Is seen, and ev'ry brighter Excellence,
Amaz'd we stand, all Joyful of his Gain;
Tho' we shou'd envy any other Swain
The sole Possession of the Matchless Fair,
Who, loving him, gives all the World Despair.
For as his Youth did early Promise give
Of Wonders, if he did to Manhood live;
So by a Father's Worth to Vertue warm'd,
His Riper Years has seen 'em all perform'd.—
Thus far, O Friend, the Publick Voice does go.
THIRSIS.
And so may I be blest as all is true;
So his dear Friendship may I still retain,
And so may I not make this Prayer in vain.
But if their Joys so num'rous were before,
How must this vast Addition swell the Store?
Their large Estate, that down Succession came,
By this Conveyance of the charming Dame,
May go on Ages in the Noble Name;
That Name that backward does so far extend,
And now is likely ne'er to know an end.
How happily does the Prolifick Fair
Her Husband's only Brother's Loss repair?
Snatch'd hence by angry Death's preventing Spite,
But some few Days before his Nuptial Night;
His Nuptial Night, alas! that shou'd have been,
Had not the pale-fac'd Tyrant step'd between:
In the cold Grave he does his Spousals keep;
The waking Night, is now Eternal Sleep!
But blest is he that on high Heav'n depends!
How soon the Gracious Pow'r has made amends!
A little Borrows, but he largely Lends.
How must this News the Cambrian Knight revive?
His Son is in his Grand-son yet alive:
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But 'tis return'd him wholly in the BOY.
Alike Alinda's Joyful Parents smil'd,
Never no Parents happier in a Child;
Happy in Her, and happy in her Heir,
A Joy of which they did almost despair;
But what's too hard for Piety and Prayer?
ALEXIS.
Tho' to their Praise I can no Trophy rear,
I can join with you in a fervent Prayer.
May he, that cou'd so soon such Comfort give,
Prove a much greater Comfort yet and Live;
Live till he does a Noble Harvest yield,
Till his rich Autumn crown with Fruit the Field,
Honour his Sword, and Innocence his Shield;
The Wathchful Guard that best divert their Aim,
When Envy and Ill Nature shoot at Fame.
O Thirsis! without Flatt'ry, or Design,
This is my Prayer.
THIRSIS.
And, Witness Heav'n! 'tis Mine.
But come, 'tis fit that Daphnis we attend,
I came to see thee chiefly for that end:
There thou shalt hear so many Tongues rejoice,
It wants but Thine to be the General Voice.
ALEXIS.
I go, but I must make a quick Return;
Tho' few, my Sheep must not be left forlorn.
And trust me, were it not to throw my Mite
Into this Boundless Treasury of Delight,
I wou'd not (tho' our Flock's so very small
It scarce brings Wooll enough to cloath us all)
Leave this cool Shade, this humble poor Retreat,
One Moment, to live Ages with the Great;
Whose sole Diversions and sublimest Joys
Are only Ceremony, Dress and Noise.
| The Works of Mr. Robert Gould | |