Poems Chiefly Written in Retirement, By John Thelwall; With Memoirs of the Life of the Author. Second Edition |
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STANZAS written in 1790.
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108
STANZAS written in 1790.
In rural metaphor full oft my song
Hath sung the feverish pains of slighted love;
With artful aim to charm the list'ning throng,
More than the fair one's cruel heart to move.
Hath sung the feverish pains of slighted love;
With artful aim to charm the list'ning throng,
More than the fair one's cruel heart to move.
Though dying sighs might melt through ev'ry strain,
Though tearful woe bedropt each murmur'd line,
Those sighs aspir'd a poet's name to gain,
Those tears impearl'd Ambition's darling shrine.
Though tearful woe bedropt each murmur'd line,
Those sighs aspir'd a poet's name to gain,
Those tears impearl'd Ambition's darling shrine.
'Tis true, with Delia's sense and merit fir'd,
Strong throbb'd my heart to gain the wondrous maid;
Yet fond Ambition the proud wish inspir'd:
And when the substance fled, I woo'd the shade.
Strong throbb'd my heart to gain the wondrous maid;
Yet fond Ambition the proud wish inspir'd:
And when the substance fled, I woo'd the shade.
Nor less Melinda's philosophic mind,
Her fame wide sounded wak'd the glow-worm fire;
'Till what Ambition urg'd, and verse refin'd,
Reflection's beam bad silently expire.
Her fame wide sounded wak'd the glow-worm fire;
'Till what Ambition urg'd, and verse refin'd,
Reflection's beam bad silently expire.
Thus, though full many a radiant fair I sung,
My constant heart hath still remain'd the same;
What name soe'er might falter on my tongue,
Love was the theme, the wish'd-for guerdon—fame!
My constant heart hath still remain'd the same;
What name soe'er might falter on my tongue,
Love was the theme, the wish'd-for guerdon—fame!
109
But now, Ambition's vain pursuit—farewell!
Weary, at length I see the proud deceit;
With plain Simplicity my heart shall dwell,
Nor haughty dreams my social pleasure's cheat.
Weary, at length I see the proud deceit;
With plain Simplicity my heart shall dwell,
Nor haughty dreams my social pleasure's cheat.
And lo! Simplicity herself appears!
In semblance fair, a blooming village maid;
Her tender form my drooping fancy cheers,
Her artless charms my throbbing heart invade.
In semblance fair, a blooming village maid;
Her tender form my drooping fancy cheers,
Her artless charms my throbbing heart invade.
Soft on her youthful lip, a winning smile
(Not such as town-bred Affectation wears)
Speaks the mild temper, free from haughty guile,
And the gay innocence of soul declares.
(Not such as town-bred Affectation wears)
Speaks the mild temper, free from haughty guile,
And the gay innocence of soul declares.
Ye mincing daughters of fantastic Pride!—
Ye glittering flies who pant in Folly's chace!
Votaries of Fashion, lay your airs aside—
Come here, and learn the charms of real grace!
Ye glittering flies who pant in Folly's chace!
Votaries of Fashion, lay your airs aside—
Come here, and learn the charms of real grace!
See, with an ease which Fashion ne'er could teach,
On steady foot she lightly glides along;
While Health's pure glow, which Art may never reach,
And untaught glances charm the gazing throng!
On steady foot she lightly glides along;
While Health's pure glow, which Art may never reach,
And untaught glances charm the gazing throng!
Lo! native modesty her charms pervade,
And with unconscious dignity adorn!
This Pride would imitate—But soon betray'd,
The stiffen'd mimic only claims our scorn.
And with unconscious dignity adorn!
This Pride would imitate—But soon betray'd,
The stiffen'd mimic only claims our scorn.
110
O! sweet Simplicity! dear, rustic fair!
Hence shall my song thy worth, o'er all, approve!
Come—live with me; my pure affections share,
With native Honour, and with artless Love.
Hence shall my song thy worth, o'er all, approve!
Come—live with me; my pure affections share,
With native Honour, and with artless Love.
But ah! these soft desires, this fluttering heart,
Prove the dear form no allegoric shade!
Could fairy dreams such kindling hopes impart,
So charm the senses, and the soul invade?
Prove the dear form no allegoric shade!
Could fairy dreams such kindling hopes impart,
So charm the senses, and the soul invade?
And hark, how Admiration's raptur'd tale
Steals in soft whispers through the rustic throng,
'Tis she—my Stella! pride of Catmose vale,
Joy of each heart—and theme of every song!
Steals in soft whispers through the rustic throng,
'Tis she—my Stella! pride of Catmose vale,
Joy of each heart—and theme of every song!
Yet come Arcadian nymph, as Dryad fair,
Let the pure strain of artless passion move:
Come live with me, my fix'd affections share
With native Honour and with artless Love,
Let the pure strain of artless passion move:
Come live with me, my fix'd affections share
With native Honour and with artless Love,
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