The Harp of Erin Containing the Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Dermody. In Two Volumes |
 | I. |
 | II. |
|
|
ABBEY EFFUSIONS.
|
|
|
 | The Harp of Erin |  |
101
ABBEY EFFUSIONS.
ON SEEING MASON'S MONUMENT.
While mid this solemn dome's
sequester'd shade,
By venerable virtues sacred made,
With softer awe I mark, and gentler tread,
One modest modern join the mighty dead.
Drayton's cold cheek a pallid blush betrays,
And learned Jonson trembles for the bays!
Nor may the marble, deck'd by Mason's name,
Less fervent pray'r, or meaner homage claim;
Though round the tuneful sons of Britain rise,
Where, laurel-wreath'd, his recent model lies.
By venerable virtues sacred made,
With softer awe I mark, and gentler tread,
One modest modern join the mighty dead.
Drayton's cold cheek a pallid blush betrays,
And learned Jonson trembles for the bays!
Nor may the marble, deck'd by Mason's name,
Less fervent pray'r, or meaner homage claim;
Though round the tuneful sons of Britain rise,
Where, laurel-wreath'd, his recent model lies.
Yet, once more, oh! ye Bards, on Mona's steep,
Who nightly your mysterious meetings keep,
And wailing o'er the corse of warrior brave,
Moan to the murmur of the troublous wave;
Once more, with your wild warmth and native fire,
Smite the deep sorrows of the sounding lyre;
While, in the yelling tempest heard afar,
Caractacus impels his scythed car;
And issuing dreadful from their shadowy shroud,
His fleeting coursers paw the dusky cloud.
The Minstrel, erst, who wheel'd his brave career
“Beyond the visible, diurnal sphere,”
Swift as loose stars their golden orbits leave,
Or meteors glide along a summer-eve,
In quest of flow'rs that strew th' empyrean way,
Advent'rous bent, I see;—immortal Gray!
Pure o'er thy bust his lambent glories play.
Lo! modest Whitehead too, to Friendship warm,
(E'en yet her flame illumes his phantom form,)
On thee still fix'd his meek, but ardent eye,
The brother-seraph bends, and wooes thee to the sky.
Who nightly your mysterious meetings keep,
And wailing o'er the corse of warrior brave,
Moan to the murmur of the troublous wave;
Once more, with your wild warmth and native fire,
Smite the deep sorrows of the sounding lyre;
While, in the yelling tempest heard afar,
Caractacus impels his scythed car;
102
His fleeting coursers paw the dusky cloud.
The Minstrel, erst, who wheel'd his brave career
“Beyond the visible, diurnal sphere,”
Swift as loose stars their golden orbits leave,
Or meteors glide along a summer-eve,
In quest of flow'rs that strew th' empyrean way,
Advent'rous bent, I see;—immortal Gray!
Pure o'er thy bust his lambent glories play.
Lo! modest Whitehead too, to Friendship warm,
(E'en yet her flame illumes his phantom form,)
On thee still fix'd his meek, but ardent eye,
The brother-seraph bends, and wooes thee to the sky.
Oh, lov'd! oh, lost! whose polish'd page no stain
Of flatt'ry knew, or ruder wit profane,
Which rigid Piety might wish effac'd:
Soft, yet sublime, luxuriant, yet chaste,
Long may the British youth, whose skill would raise
Perfection, worthy of succeeding days,
Here led; (his eyes suffus'd with generous dew,)
The honours of departed worth to view,
Awfully touch'd, breathe forth the sigh sincere,
Admire the poet, and his art revere!
Of flatt'ry knew, or ruder wit profane,
Which rigid Piety might wish effac'd:
Soft, yet sublime, luxuriant, yet chaste,
Long may the British youth, whose skill would raise
Perfection, worthy of succeeding days,
Here led; (his eyes suffus'd with generous dew,)
The honours of departed worth to view,
Awfully touch'd, breathe forth the sigh sincere,
Admire the poet, and his art revere!
| The Harp of Erin | |