The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Warton ... Fifth Edition, Corrected and Enlarged. To which are now added Inscriptionum Romanarum Delectus, and An Inaugural Speech As Camden Professor of History, never before published. Together with Memoirs of his Life and Writings; and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Richard Mant |
I, II. |
INSCRIPTIONS. |
The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Warton | ||
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INSCRIPTIONS.
99
INSCRIPTION IN A HERMITAGE.
AT ANSLEY HALL IN WARWICKSHIRE.
(Published in 1777.)
I
Beneath this stony roof reclin'd,I sooth to peace my pensive mind;
And while, to shade my lowly cave,
Embowering elms their umbrage wave;
100
The beechen cup, unstain'd with wine;
I scorn the gay licentious croud,
Nor heed the toys that deck the proud.
II
Within my limits lone and stillThe blackbird pipes in artless trill;
Fast by my couch, congenial guest,
The wren has wove her mossy nest;
From busy scenes, and brighter skies,
To lurk with innocence, she flies;
Here hopes in safe repose to dwell,
Nor aught suspects the sylvan cell.
III
At morn I take my custom'd round,To mark how buds yon shrubby mound;
101
That trimly paints my blooming mount:
Or o'er the sculptures, quaint and rude,
That grace my gloomy solitude,
I teach in winding wreaths to stray
Fantastic ivy's gadding spray.
IV
At eve, within yon studious nook,I ope my brass-embossed book,
Pourtray'd with many a holy deed
Of martyrs, crown'd with heavenly meed:
Then, as my taper waxes dim,
Chant, ere I sleep, my measur'd hymn;
102
Of parting wings bedropt with gold.
103
V
While such pure joys my bliss create,Who but would smile at guilty state?
Who but would wish his holy lot
In calm Oblivion's humble grot?
Who but would cast his pomp away,
To take my staff, and amice gray;
And to the world's tumultuous stage
Prefer the blameless hermitage?
104
INSCRIBED ON A BEAUTIFUL GROTTO NEAR THE WATER.
(Published in 1753.)
I
The Graces sought in yonder streamTo cool the fervid day,
When Love's malicious godhead came,
And stole their robes away.
II
Proud of the theft, the little godTheir robes bade Delia wear;
While they, asham'd to stir abroad,
Remain all naked here.
105
INSCRIPTION OVER A CALM AND CLEAR SPRING IN BLENHEIM GARDENS.
Here quench your thirst, and mark in meAn emblem of true Charity;
Who, while my bounty I bestow,
Am neither heard nor seen to flow.
106
EPITAPH ON MR. HEAD.
Oh spare his youth, O stay thy threat'ning hand,Nor break too soon young wedlock's early band!
But if his gentle and ingenuous mind,
The generous temper, and the taste refin'd,
A soul unconscious of corruption's stain,
If learning, wit, and genius plead in vain,
O let the mourning Bride, to stop thy spear,
Oppose the meek resistance of a tear!
And when to sooth thy force his virtues fail,
Let weeping faith and widow'd love prevail!
The Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Warton | ||