Poems By the Rev. James Hurdis ... In Three Volumes |
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203
Gilbert was marching with Maria's arm
Fast lock'd in his, when Adriano spoke.
“Stay, Gilbert, pause awhile, and ere we go
“Another match approve. This worthy youth
“(For such I deem him, tho' not known a day)
“Has giv'n his heart to Anna, she to him.
“While yet we thought thee lost, she told her love,
“All destitute of friends; and nobly he
“Resolv'd to love her in the hour of need,
“As much or more than in the cloudless day
“Of gay prosperity. The same kind roof
“Was to receive Sophia and herself,
“Never to part.”
Fast lock'd in his, when Adriano spoke.
“Stay, Gilbert, pause awhile, and ere we go
“Another match approve. This worthy youth
“(For such I deem him, tho' not known a day)
“Has giv'n his heart to Anna, she to him.
“While yet we thought thee lost, she told her love,
“All destitute of friends; and nobly he
“Resolv'd to love her in the hour of need,
“As much or more than in the cloudless day
“Of gay prosperity. The same kind roof
“Was to receive Sophia and herself,
“Never to part.”
“O admirable friend!
“The friend in need,” said Gilbert, “is a friend
“No bounty can repay.” He took their hands
And join'd them, and a thousand blessings gave;
He wish'd them health, and peace, and long to live,
As happy as Maria and himself.
“The friend in need,” said Gilbert, “is a friend
“No bounty can repay.” He took their hands
And join'd them, and a thousand blessings gave;
He wish'd them health, and peace, and long to live,
As happy as Maria and himself.
204
Then all were cheerful, and the kiss of love
Went round. Good humour sat on ev'ry cheek,
And ev'ry eye was merry. The clear moon
Rose on the wood, and disappearing half
Under the border of a sable cloud,
Hung like a drop of gold. The pleasing sight
All saw delighted, Adriano most,
Who first perceiv'd the silent orb had ris'n,
And ev'ning stol'n upon them. With gay heart
He summons to the cottage, there to sit,
To eat, to drink, and while away an hour
Before they rest. Young Ronsart then he saw,
And felt compassion for the thoughtless youth.
He bade the rest retire; but Fred'rick stay'd,
Left aught might prompt the hasty boy to rage,
And Adriano's care be ill repaid
By insolence and anger. To the youth
The good man went. In proud disdain he turn'd,
And with harsh finger pluck'd the hazel's leaf;
When Adriano thus:
Went round. Good humour sat on ev'ry cheek,
And ev'ry eye was merry. The clear moon
Rose on the wood, and disappearing half
Under the border of a sable cloud,
Hung like a drop of gold. The pleasing sight
All saw delighted, Adriano most,
Who first perceiv'd the silent orb had ris'n,
And ev'ning stol'n upon them. With gay heart
He summons to the cottage, there to sit,
To eat, to drink, and while away an hour
Before they rest. Young Ronsart then he saw,
And felt compassion for the thoughtless youth.
He bade the rest retire; but Fred'rick stay'd,
Left aught might prompt the hasty boy to rage,
And Adriano's care be ill repaid
By insolence and anger. To the youth
The good man went. In proud disdain he turn'd,
And with harsh finger pluck'd the hazel's leaf;
When Adriano thus:
“Come, honest youth,
“Mistake us not for foes. Partake our cheer.
“The smart of folly felt, we ask no more.
“Be wise in future. 'Tis a pow'rful hand
“Protects the good; provoke its wrath no more.
“Be happy with us, for my child forgives
“The purpos'd injury, assur'd like me
“Thy gen'rous nature in the hour of thought
“Will feel contrition. Harbour no revenge;
“For Gilbert's anger justly was provok'd.
“Think, hadst thou seen a maid by thee belov'd,
“Alone thus sleeping, and a stranger came,
“With eagerness approach'd, and seiz'd her hand,
“And caught her in his arms, tho' all he wish'd
“Was but a kiss, how had thy fury burn'd!
“Who could forbear and look in patience on,
“To see another's arm infold the fair
“He deems his own? Be satisfied, nor think
“Gilbert has done thee wrong. Provoke him not
“To meet thee in the field, for such an act
“Were base in him and thee. 'Twere like the wretch
“Who call'd his righteous brother to account,
“And slew him for his virtue. 'Twere in both
“Strange violation of the law divine,
“To follow custom, which too often leads
“To terrible mistake. The rich and great
“Adopting folly, to the gen'ral eye
“Make vice seem innocent. So here their use
“Approves stupendous error, and the mean,
“Eager to imitate their words and deeds,
“Adopt an act that will not bear excuse.
“Think as ye will of virtue, O ye great,
“'Tis your's to recommend the faith ye own
“By virtuous conduct. Ev'ry soul that fails,
“By your infectious fashions led astray,
“Shall at your hands his happiness require.”
205
“The smart of folly felt, we ask no more.
“Be wise in future. 'Tis a pow'rful hand
“Protects the good; provoke its wrath no more.
“Be happy with us, for my child forgives
“The purpos'd injury, assur'd like me
“Thy gen'rous nature in the hour of thought
“Will feel contrition. Harbour no revenge;
“For Gilbert's anger justly was provok'd.
“Think, hadst thou seen a maid by thee belov'd,
“Alone thus sleeping, and a stranger came,
“With eagerness approach'd, and seiz'd her hand,
“And caught her in his arms, tho' all he wish'd
“Was but a kiss, how had thy fury burn'd!
“Who could forbear and look in patience on,
“To see another's arm infold the fair
“He deems his own? Be satisfied, nor think
“Gilbert has done thee wrong. Provoke him not
“To meet thee in the field, for such an act
“Were base in him and thee. 'Twere like the wretch
“Who call'd his righteous brother to account,
“And slew him for his virtue. 'Twere in both
206
“To follow custom, which too often leads
“To terrible mistake. The rich and great
“Adopting folly, to the gen'ral eye
“Make vice seem innocent. So here their use
“Approves stupendous error, and the mean,
“Eager to imitate their words and deeds,
“Adopt an act that will not bear excuse.
“Think as ye will of virtue, O ye great,
“'Tis your's to recommend the faith ye own
“By virtuous conduct. Ev'ry soul that fails,
“By your infectious fashions led astray,
“Shall at your hands his happiness require.”
“Aye, sir,” said Fred'rick, “and 'twere well the “great
“Had something of the honest Briton left,
“And scorn'd to ape the manners of the French.
“I hate to see such senseless def'rence paid
“To a designing foe. Let the fop's coat
“Be made at Paris, let his locks be teaz'd
“All day by the frizeur, and let him walk
“With hat in hand on tiptoe to the ball
“All flattery and essence. Butterflies
“Make summer cheerful, and such powder'd moths
“Serve for the wise to laugh at. But be sure
“Our native virtue will instruct us best
“How and for what to fight. Or if that fail,
“Appeal we to the Roman and the Greek.
“Their swords were only drawn for public wrongs,
“And never clash'd but in the state's defence.
“Cæsar was brave, and Cæsar had his foes;
“But when drew Cæsar blood but in the field?
“His private quarrels to the winds he tost,
“Forgot his injuries, and only slew
“Contending for his country.”
“Had something of the honest Briton left,
“And scorn'd to ape the manners of the French.
“I hate to see such senseless def'rence paid
“To a designing foe. Let the fop's coat
“Be made at Paris, let his locks be teaz'd
“All day by the frizeur, and let him walk
207
“All flattery and essence. Butterflies
“Make summer cheerful, and such powder'd moths
“Serve for the wise to laugh at. But be sure
“Our native virtue will instruct us best
“How and for what to fight. Or if that fail,
“Appeal we to the Roman and the Greek.
“Their swords were only drawn for public wrongs,
“And never clash'd but in the state's defence.
“Cæsar was brave, and Cæsar had his foes;
“But when drew Cæsar blood but in the field?
“His private quarrels to the winds he tost,
“Forgot his injuries, and only slew
“Contending for his country.”
“Truly said,”
Cried Adriano, “and the man who thinks
“Will act like Cæsar, for no public good
“Can flow from private vengeance. 'Tis our part,
“As Christians, to forget the wrongs we feel,
“To pardon trespasses, our very foes
“To love and cherish, to do good to all,
“Live peaceably, and not avenge ourselves.
“And he who, spite of duty, fights and falls,
“Runs on the sword, and is his own assassin.
“Who sheds another's blood is guilty murder;
“No matter what the cause, for hear the law.
‘Who sheds man's blood, by man his blood be shed .
‘E'en of the beast will I require man's life.
‘Who kills his neighbour, be it with design,
‘Whether they strive or not, he surely dies.
‘Strike with a stone, with iron, or with wood
‘Or only with the hand, if life be lost,
‘'Tis death. The land defil'd by blood is cleans'd
‘But by his blood who shed it.’ Think of this,
“My hasty friend, and let an old man's words
“Sink deep into thy heart. I had a son,
“Who fell an early victim to the sword,
“(May God forgive him!) and it grieves my soul
“To find the times so thoughtless, they have lost
“All sense of virtue. 'Tis a grievous sight
“ To see brave youths of towardness and hope,
“Sons of the morning, cast away and lost,
“Short-liv'd and transient as the meadow-flow'rs
“Before the mower's scythe; to see their blood
“Ignobly shed, whose efforts might have won
“A day of glory, and preserv'd a state.
“Was Sidney such? was Wolfe? was Manners? These
“Are Britain's boast, the noblest ornaments
“That grace the story of our happy isle.”
Cried Adriano, “and the man who thinks
“Will act like Cæsar, for no public good
“Can flow from private vengeance. 'Tis our part,
“As Christians, to forget the wrongs we feel,
“To pardon trespasses, our very foes
“To love and cherish, to do good to all,
208
“And he who, spite of duty, fights and falls,
“Runs on the sword, and is his own assassin.
“Who sheds another's blood is guilty murder;
“No matter what the cause, for hear the law.
‘Who sheds man's blood, by man his blood be shed .
‘E'en of the beast will I require man's life.
‘Who kills his neighbour, be it with design,
‘Whether they strive or not, he surely dies.
‘Strike with a stone, with iron, or with wood
‘Or only with the hand, if life be lost,
‘'Tis death. The land defil'd by blood is cleans'd
‘But by his blood who shed it.’ Think of this,
“My hasty friend, and let an old man's words
“Sink deep into thy heart. I had a son,
“Who fell an early victim to the sword,
“(May God forgive him!) and it grieves my soul
“To find the times so thoughtless, they have lost
“All sense of virtue. 'Tis a grievous sight
“ To see brave youths of towardness and hope,
209
“Short-liv'd and transient as the meadow-flow'rs
“Before the mower's scythe; to see their blood
“Ignobly shed, whose efforts might have won
“A day of glory, and preserv'd a state.
“Was Sidney such? was Wolfe? was Manners? These
“Are Britain's boast, the noblest ornaments
“That grace the story of our happy isle.”
“And what,” said Fred'rick, “is the cause assign'd
“To vindicate the duel? Is it wrong,
“Intolerable wrong? Then seek the law;
“Let public justice in her even scales
“Weigh the vast injury, and fix the price
“Shall recompense th' affront. The private eye
“Sees double for itself, and to the foe
“Allows no merit. Is the cause so small
“The law o'erlooks it? Then a gen'rous mind
“Should scorn a recompense.”
“To vindicate the duel? Is it wrong,
“Intolerable wrong? Then seek the law;
“Let public justice in her even scales
“Weigh the vast injury, and fix the price
“Shall recompense th' affront. The private eye
“Sees double for itself, and to the foe
“Allows no merit. Is the cause so small
“The law o'erlooks it? Then a gen'rous mind
“Should scorn a recompense.”
“The noble soul,”
Said Adriano, “like a summer sea,
“Is not to be disturb'd by ev'ry breath.
“It stands above weak insult, like an Alp,
“That hides its sunny forehead in the sky,
“And scorns the pelting of the storm below.
“True courage seldom stoops to weigh a word.
“The blow not always moves it, and it strikes
“Then only, when the gen'ral good requires.
“It feels that life and all we have is due
“To them we serve, our country and our God.
“When these command, it dares oppose all ill;
“But deems it neither honest, just, nor brave,
“To combat danger, when they both forbid.
“It guards its station with a watchful eye,
“Willing to act, or patient to forbear,
“As duty gives the word. For well it knows,
“True magnanimity is so to live
“As never to infringe the laws of God,
“Or break the public peace. Let the shrill tongue
“Of defamation prate, and her loud rout
“Decree a coward's name to him who hears
“The lie unmov'd, and will not dare to fight
“E'en for a blow. 'Tis fortitude to bear;
“And he who cannot bear, but stakes his life
“To win the praises of a herd like this,
“Who hardly know a virtue from a vice,
“And leaves the approbation of his God,
“His country, and a conscience free from guilt,
“What is he but a coward? He prefers
“The poor applause of women and of fools,
“To inward peace and everlasting joy;
“Afraid to combat with the world's disgrace,
“Which gives no torment to a wife man's heart,
“Lasts but a day, and with to-morrow's sun
“Goes down and is forgot.”
Said Adriano, “like a summer sea,
210
“It stands above weak insult, like an Alp,
“That hides its sunny forehead in the sky,
“And scorns the pelting of the storm below.
“True courage seldom stoops to weigh a word.
“The blow not always moves it, and it strikes
“Then only, when the gen'ral good requires.
“It feels that life and all we have is due
“To them we serve, our country and our God.
“When these command, it dares oppose all ill;
“But deems it neither honest, just, nor brave,
“To combat danger, when they both forbid.
“It guards its station with a watchful eye,
“Willing to act, or patient to forbear,
“As duty gives the word. For well it knows,
“True magnanimity is so to live
“As never to infringe the laws of God,
“Or break the public peace. Let the shrill tongue
“Of defamation prate, and her loud rout
“Decree a coward's name to him who hears
“The lie unmov'd, and will not dare to fight
“E'en for a blow. 'Tis fortitude to bear;
211
“To win the praises of a herd like this,
“Who hardly know a virtue from a vice,
“And leaves the approbation of his God,
“His country, and a conscience free from guilt,
“What is he but a coward? He prefers
“The poor applause of women and of fools,
“To inward peace and everlasting joy;
“Afraid to combat with the world's disgrace,
“Which gives no torment to a wife man's heart,
“Lasts but a day, and with to-morrow's sun
“Goes down and is forgot.”
“O I abhor,”
Said Fred'rick hastily, “the moody shout
“Of popular applause, which falls by chance
“On virtue or on vice, and not discerns
“The better claim of the devout and good.
“For all the praises of a world like this
“Who would be great? Give me a thousand tomes
“Of such applause, I'll tear 'em piece by piece,
“And trample all my honour in the dust.
“Is there a man whose judgment is exact?
“To earn his praise I'd climb the arduous top
“Of burning Ætna, were it thrice as high
“As yon bright moon, and one eternal snow
“To the last foot; I'd dive into the deep;
“I'd dig down to the center of the earth;
“I'd take the eagle's wings, and mount the skies,
“And follow virtue to her seat in heaven.”
Said Fred'rick hastily, “the moody shout
“Of popular applause, which falls by chance
“On virtue or on vice, and not discerns
“The better claim of the devout and good.
“For all the praises of a world like this
“Who would be great? Give me a thousand tomes
“Of such applause, I'll tear 'em piece by piece,
“And trample all my honour in the dust.
212
“To earn his praise I'd climb the arduous top
“Of burning Ætna, were it thrice as high
“As yon bright moon, and one eternal snow
“To the last foot; I'd dive into the deep;
“I'd dig down to the center of the earth;
“I'd take the eagle's wings, and mount the skies,
“And follow virtue to her seat in heaven.”
“Aye, gen'rous youth,” said Adriano pleas'd,
“'Tis noble to deserve the wise man's praise.
“Such is the man of honour. Only he
“Is great and hon'rable, who fears the breach
“Of laws divine or human, and foregoes
“E'en reputation rather than infringe
“The Christian's duty. 'Tis the devil's art
“To varnish folly, and give vice a mask
“To make her look like virtue. Thus to fight,
“To murder and be murder'd, tho' the cause
“Would hardly justify a moment's wrath,
“Is honour, glorious honour. Vulgar eyes
“Mistake the semblance, and the specious vice
“Passes for sterling virtue. But take heed,
“Ingenuous youth, and let th' impostor pass.
“Scorn the applause of a misguided mob,
“Despise their censures. Can that ear be judge
“Of the musician's merit, whose base sense
“Can scarce prefer immortal Handel's notes
“To the harsh brayings of a pester'd ass?
“Can that eye judge of beauty and desert,
“Which scarce distinguishes the sign-post daub
“From the great painter, whose ingenious hand
“Touches the canvass with a poet's fire?
“Then why permit them to prescribe the bounds
“Of courage and of honour? Be assur'd
“The joint applause of twenty million such
“Confers no dignity. 'Tis nobler far
“To bear the lash of slander, and be stil'd
“Scoundrel and coward with a mind at ease,
“Sure to be honour'd by the great above,
“Tho' slighted by the little here. Be first,
“Ye men of place and fashion, on whose deeds
“The vulgar eye for ever is intent,
“Their very garments modeling from you—
“Be first to recommend a steady mind,
“Serene and patient, by no wrongs provok'd
“To thirst for blood. An ornament it is
“Shall give you greatness in an angel's eyes,
“Shall raise you all to thrones no pow'r can shake,
“For ever honour'd and for ever lov'd.”
“'Tis noble to deserve the wise man's praise.
“Such is the man of honour. Only he
“Is great and hon'rable, who fears the breach
“Of laws divine or human, and foregoes
“E'en reputation rather than infringe
“The Christian's duty. 'Tis the devil's art
“To varnish folly, and give vice a mask
“To make her look like virtue. Thus to fight,
“To murder and be murder'd, tho' the cause
“Would hardly justify a moment's wrath,
“Is honour, glorious honour. Vulgar eyes
“Mistake the semblance, and the specious vice
213
“Ingenuous youth, and let th' impostor pass.
“Scorn the applause of a misguided mob,
“Despise their censures. Can that ear be judge
“Of the musician's merit, whose base sense
“Can scarce prefer immortal Handel's notes
“To the harsh brayings of a pester'd ass?
“Can that eye judge of beauty and desert,
“Which scarce distinguishes the sign-post daub
“From the great painter, whose ingenious hand
“Touches the canvass with a poet's fire?
“Then why permit them to prescribe the bounds
“Of courage and of honour? Be assur'd
“The joint applause of twenty million such
“Confers no dignity. 'Tis nobler far
“To bear the lash of slander, and be stil'd
“Scoundrel and coward with a mind at ease,
“Sure to be honour'd by the great above,
“Tho' slighted by the little here. Be first,
“Ye men of place and fashion, on whose deeds
“The vulgar eye for ever is intent,
“Their very garments modeling from you—
214
“Serene and patient, by no wrongs provok'd
“To thirst for blood. An ornament it is
“Shall give you greatness in an angel's eyes,
“Shall raise you all to thrones no pow'r can shake,
“For ever honour'd and for ever lov'd.”
He said, and scarce had ended, when the sound
Of footsteps nimbly pacing reach'd his ear.
The hazels rustled, and with cheerful smile
Sophia from the shade emerg'd. The moon
Shone full upon her, and her mellow beams
Improv'd a countenance serene as her's.
She seem'd an angel stepping from the clouds
With happiness for man: “And why,” she said,
“Why do you loiter here? O we have long'd,
“Have long'd to see you. We have danc'd an age,
“And wish'd for you to help. Come, Sir, and see
“How gracefully Maria leads the dance.
“She's life itself. I never saw a foot
“So nimble and so eloquent. It speaks,
“And the sweet whisp'ring poetry it makes
“Shames the musician. Fred'rick come, be quick,
“For Anna waits, and waits with patience yet.”
Of footsteps nimbly pacing reach'd his ear.
The hazels rustled, and with cheerful smile
Sophia from the shade emerg'd. The moon
Shone full upon her, and her mellow beams
Improv'd a countenance serene as her's.
She seem'd an angel stepping from the clouds
With happiness for man: “And why,” she said,
“Why do you loiter here? O we have long'd,
“Have long'd to see you. We have danc'd an age,
“And wish'd for you to help. Come, Sir, and see
“How gracefully Maria leads the dance.
“She's life itself. I never saw a foot
“So nimble and so eloquent. It speaks,
“And the sweet whisp'ring poetry it makes
215
“For Anna waits, and waits with patience yet.”
“Stay but a moment,” Adriano cried;
“For here is one it grieves me to dismiss.”
“For here is one it grieves me to dismiss.”
“ O let him join us!” said the cheerful maid;
“Maria charg'd me to forgive him. She
“Can bear no malice. And do you forgive;
“I know you to be good, and I engage
“To be his partner in the dance.”
“Maria charg'd me to forgive him. She
“Can bear no malice. And do you forgive;
“I know you to be good, and I engage
“To be his partner in the dance.”
She said.
The good man solemnly forgave. The youth
Felt true compunction, and his fault excus'd
With shame and tears. Then Fred'rick took his hand,
In transport home they went, and Ronsart dress'd,
And Adriano led him to the room.
Much shame he felt; but the good man was kind,
And interceded, and they all forgave.
Gilbert shook hands, and ev'ry maid was pleas'd.
Sophia pitied her embarrass'd swain,
And swept her fingers o'er the loud guitar
Provoking to the dance. The fiddler heard,
And tun'd his strings, and 'gan a lively air.
Then Gilbert seiz'd again Maria's hand,
And led her to the top; then Fred'rick ran,
And Anna bounded to receive his hand:
Good Adriano rested, Ronsart rose,
And kind Sophia beckon'd with a smile.
So merrily they danc'd one speedy hour
Ere the last meal began. At length they ceas'd.
Then much they chatted, and as much they sang,
Each by his partner seated. To delight
Was ev'ry fair one's wish, and ev'ry youth's,
And all were pleas'd. E'en Adriano's eye
Sparkled with honest joy, tho' seventy years
Had somewhat dimm'd its lustre; and his cheek
Shew'd yet some traces of the youthful blush,
Warm'd by the hearty laugh.
The good man solemnly forgave. The youth
Felt true compunction, and his fault excus'd
With shame and tears. Then Fred'rick took his hand,
In transport home they went, and Ronsart dress'd,
And Adriano led him to the room.
Much shame he felt; but the good man was kind,
And interceded, and they all forgave.
Gilbert shook hands, and ev'ry maid was pleas'd.
Sophia pitied her embarrass'd swain,
216
Provoking to the dance. The fiddler heard,
And tun'd his strings, and 'gan a lively air.
Then Gilbert seiz'd again Maria's hand,
And led her to the top; then Fred'rick ran,
And Anna bounded to receive his hand:
Good Adriano rested, Ronsart rose,
And kind Sophia beckon'd with a smile.
So merrily they danc'd one speedy hour
Ere the last meal began. At length they ceas'd.
Then much they chatted, and as much they sang,
Each by his partner seated. To delight
Was ev'ry fair one's wish, and ev'ry youth's,
And all were pleas'd. E'en Adriano's eye
Sparkled with honest joy, tho' seventy years
Had somewhat dimm'd its lustre; and his cheek
Shew'd yet some traces of the youthful blush,
Warm'd by the hearty laugh.
At length the clock
Sounded the midnight hour, and up they rose.
Each to his home retreats, engag'd to rise
And meet his charmer by the morning dawn
At Adriano's door. To the lone cot,
Never so long deserted, Gilbert hastes,
In either hand a sister. To the inn
(If such the village-hovel may be call'd,
Where the high-lifted bush, well understood,
Alone proclaims “Good entertainment here
“For man and horse”) speeds Fred'rick and his friend,
With high commissions charg'd. To her own room,
With blessings loaded by her joyous sire,
And pure affection's thrice-repeated kiss,
Withdrew Maria, happy as a cherub.
Sounded the midnight hour, and up they rose.
Each to his home retreats, engag'd to rise
217
At Adriano's door. To the lone cot,
Never so long deserted, Gilbert hastes,
In either hand a sister. To the inn
(If such the village-hovel may be call'd,
Where the high-lifted bush, well understood,
Alone proclaims “Good entertainment here
“For man and horse”) speeds Fred'rick and his friend,
With high commissions charg'd. To her own room,
With blessings loaded by her joyous sire,
And pure affection's thrice-repeated kiss,
Withdrew Maria, happy as a cherub.
| Poems | |