 | The progress of refinement |  |
13
PROGRESS OF REFINEMENT.
BOOK I.
INFLUENCE OF NATURE.
ARGUMENT.
INVOCATION.—Address to the President of Dartmouth University.—Sketch on Man.—Tour of Imagination. —Succession of the Seasons.—Variety agreeable. —The susceptibility of the mind to receive impressions from external objects; and the benefit of acquiring a taste for them.—They excite emotions, more or less agreeable, in all minds.—Like objects excite, in all minds, like emotions; but stronger in proportion to the refinement of the taste.—Different objects excite different emotions. —The power of Fancy to render objects more or less striking by contrast.—The Smooth stream contrasted with the impetuous torrent.—The scenery of Nature happily diversified.—Contains prospects suited to every tone of mind.—Morning walk: A Tale.—Compliment to the Fair.—Pleasures of Morn: Neglected by some; by others cherished.—General reflections on Nature, and her tendency to dignify man.
Nor heathen gods nor goddesses I court;
Nor will admit them to pollute my song.
With gentler graces and poetic powers,
While the fond pencil sips the inspiring stream
Of science, and essays such forms to paint,
As its tinge suits, deck, fancy, every theme!
Nor will admit them to pollute my song.
With gentler graces and poetic powers,
While the fond pencil sips the inspiring stream
Of science, and essays such forms to paint,
As its tinge suits, deck, fancy, every theme!
And thou, on whose regard the hopeful muse
Proudly relies, lend, Wheelock! lend an ear.
Her warblings tune thy long-loved favourite themes.
Gladly awhile she listened to thy tongue,
Which in full periods rolled a mental blaze,
And did the office of a heart, that glowed
With virtue. It bespoke thy heavenly fires,
Thy cultivated taste in arts polite,
Thy genuine love of nature; and betrayed
Thy efforts warm, to inspire their genial flame,
And rear them, blooming, in the expanding mind.
Presuming hence thy patronage to court,
The hope of favour animation gives
To the faint numbers of her infant song.
Proudly relies, lend, Wheelock! lend an ear.
14
Gladly awhile she listened to thy tongue,
Which in full periods rolled a mental blaze,
And did the office of a heart, that glowed
With virtue. It bespoke thy heavenly fires,
Thy cultivated taste in arts polite,
Thy genuine love of nature; and betrayed
Thy efforts warm, to inspire their genial flame,
And rear them, blooming, in the expanding mind.
Presuming hence thy patronage to court,
The hope of favour animation gives
To the faint numbers of her infant song.
Man is a striking trait of wonderous skill,
A feature of sagacity divine.
His mind, immortal, of consummate worth,
Although within a cumbrous mould confined,
Soars on the wings of thought. While here detained
Probationate, to fit for other skies,
It operates on images of sense,
And by reflection gains perpetual growth.
A feature of sagacity divine.
His mind, immortal, of consummate worth,
Although within a cumbrous mould confined,
Soars on the wings of thought. While here detained
15
It operates on images of sense,
And by reflection gains perpetual growth.
Pleased with excursion, o'er the scenery
Of nature vast, imagination roams,
And finds delicious pleasure in her tour.
With the delights of prospect ever charmed,
And fond of novelty, she traverses
Creation through; discerns the matchless skill
Of HIM, who gave to prospect power to move
The mind; contrasts the beauteous and deformed,
And heightens by comparison the view.
Daring she plays upon the mountain's brink,
Ranges the humble valley, sports along
The purling rivulet, by sylvan woods
O'ershaded, and collects her various themes.
The festive, sad; sublime and beautiful,
Rich scenes of wonder, nature's self displays.
Her inspiration touches with delight
Poetic, with enthusiasm sweet,
Refines the taste, and meliorates the heart.
Surrounding forms in party coloured dress,
And prospects that diversify the face
Of nature; where enchanting visions rise
Continual, to delight the roving eye,
And raise new wonder in the curious mind,
Are ever varying in rotation sweet.
Of nature vast, imagination roams,
And finds delicious pleasure in her tour.
With the delights of prospect ever charmed,
And fond of novelty, she traverses
Creation through; discerns the matchless skill
Of HIM, who gave to prospect power to move
The mind; contrasts the beauteous and deformed,
And heightens by comparison the view.
Daring she plays upon the mountain's brink,
Ranges the humble valley, sports along
The purling rivulet, by sylvan woods
O'ershaded, and collects her various themes.
The festive, sad; sublime and beautiful,
16
Her inspiration touches with delight
Poetic, with enthusiasm sweet,
Refines the taste, and meliorates the heart.
Surrounding forms in party coloured dress,
And prospects that diversify the face
Of nature; where enchanting visions rise
Continual, to delight the roving eye,
And raise new wonder in the curious mind,
Are ever varying in rotation sweet.
Now the scene changes, that, upon the year,
Late frowned, morose, in all its dreary gloom.
Morn now the portals of glad light unfolds;
Winter retiring, spring, in blushful grace,
Steals on delightsome, scatters joy abroad;
And nature, puting forth her every charm
Opens new beauty to the ravished gaze.
The splendid orb, high mounted in the car
Of majesty superb and glory bright,
Taking, through Aries, Taurus, and the Twins,
His wonted tour, diffuses o'er the face
Of things invigorating life. From roots
Prolifical the enlivening moisture runs,
And flowers, herbs, trees, with vivid verdure glow.
Verdure is pleasing to the human eye.
E'erfaithful, thus the daily-circling sun
Sends his kind influence, spreads fertility
Abroad, and cherishes the rising tribes;
Excepting sometimes, (like the harmless swain,
Who squeezed, and killed, alas! the tender bird
He loved, and was desirous to retain)
His pouring heat oppresses their soft leaves.
The effect is not unsimilar on man.
The turbid air, when not a zephyr blows,
Sultry and thick, retards the springs of life;
Flaccid become the nerves; the enfeebled frame
And mind remiss the solar influence feel,
And languish in the sweltering blaze intense.
But grateful autumn, loaded, comes at last,
In triumph comes, with all his luscious spoils
Exuberant; and, having poured them forth
Profuse, the vegetive creation sad,
Yields to the stern embrace of gustful storms.
The trees stand naked, shivering in the blast,
Lashed by the inclement winds; and fleeces hoar,
Descending, hide, from human ken, the face
Of things; and winter, ruffian winter reigns.
Not long; but seeming long; because severe.
Then frolic spring, flushed in high pride, again
Approaches, and inspires the rising scene.
Thus in vicissitude the seasons roll,
Yielding by turns things tipped with vivid life,
Things grown mature, and things all in decay,
Affording full indulgence to the sense.
Late frowned, morose, in all its dreary gloom.
Morn now the portals of glad light unfolds;
Winter retiring, spring, in blushful grace,
Steals on delightsome, scatters joy abroad;
And nature, puting forth her every charm
Opens new beauty to the ravished gaze.
17
Of majesty superb and glory bright,
Taking, through Aries, Taurus, and the Twins,
His wonted tour, diffuses o'er the face
Of things invigorating life. From roots
Prolifical the enlivening moisture runs,
And flowers, herbs, trees, with vivid verdure glow.
Verdure is pleasing to the human eye.
E'erfaithful, thus the daily-circling sun
Sends his kind influence, spreads fertility
Abroad, and cherishes the rising tribes;
Excepting sometimes, (like the harmless swain,
Who squeezed, and killed, alas! the tender bird
He loved, and was desirous to retain)
His pouring heat oppresses their soft leaves.
The effect is not unsimilar on man.
The turbid air, when not a zephyr blows,
18
Flaccid become the nerves; the enfeebled frame
And mind remiss the solar influence feel,
And languish in the sweltering blaze intense.
But grateful autumn, loaded, comes at last,
In triumph comes, with all his luscious spoils
Exuberant; and, having poured them forth
Profuse, the vegetive creation sad,
Yields to the stern embrace of gustful storms.
The trees stand naked, shivering in the blast,
Lashed by the inclement winds; and fleeces hoar,
Descending, hide, from human ken, the face
Of things; and winter, ruffian winter reigns.
Not long; but seeming long; because severe.
Then frolic spring, flushed in high pride, again
Approaches, and inspires the rising scene.
Thus in vicissitude the seasons roll,
19
Things grown mature, and things all in decay,
Affording full indulgence to the sense.
The mind so delicately nice is formed;
Its taste so critical, digestion fine;
And such relation bears to external things,
Variety of objects is its food,
Its only satisfying food. Hence roll
The wheels of nature. Hence the various scenes
That strike the fancy. All things speak design,
Are admirably formed, adapted well
The mind to amuse, and raise the bliss of thought.
There's not a tuft that answers not its end;
Nor even a scene, that does not sometimes charm.
The rude rough wild waste has its power to please.
Nature involves us in drear winter's depths,
In blasted prospects and congenial glooms,
And by variety even there delights.
And though less pleasure in such scenes she yields,
She charms us highly, doubly charms,
At the return of gaiety and spring.
Such, and so fit, the changes of the world!
Such its perfection, and its beauty such!
Its parts, combined, complete a perfect whole,
Which harmonizes with its sister spheres.
Its taste so critical, digestion fine;
And such relation bears to external things,
Variety of objects is its food,
Its only satisfying food. Hence roll
The wheels of nature. Hence the various scenes
That strike the fancy. All things speak design,
Are admirably formed, adapted well
The mind to amuse, and raise the bliss of thought.
There's not a tuft that answers not its end;
Nor even a scene, that does not sometimes charm.
The rude rough wild waste has its power to please.
Nature involves us in drear winter's depths,
In blasted prospects and congenial glooms,
20
And though less pleasure in such scenes she yields,
She charms us highly, doubly charms,
At the return of gaiety and spring.
Such, and so fit, the changes of the world!
Such its perfection, and its beauty such!
Its parts, combined, complete a perfect whole,
Which harmonizes with its sister spheres.
To indulge a taste for nature's images,
And from her lineaments refinement reap,
Is no unpleasing license of the mind.
While we peruse her page, we moralize
Her themes, collect sage maxims to instruct,
Reform, improve; and striking figures gain,
To give the warm emotion vent in style
Exalted. Entertainment is the flower,
Knowledge the fruit, and happiness the end,
Of all her dictates. Her philosophy
Dilates the mind, gives elevated views,
Inspires devotion, dignity, and joy
Extatic; and, on every warmer heart,
Addicted to her precepts, she imprints
Her Author's image. Minds inured to themes
Ennobling, magnify, to heavenly forms,
Minutest things; and see, on every leaf
That grows, the impression of the HAND DIVINE.
Such are the views of philosophic man,
And such the pleasures which pervade his breast,
When he reads o'er the instructive page, sublime,
Of nature, that each fine emotion, formed
In generous mould, her inspiration wakes;
And every feeling that affords delight,
Her prospects kindle. But of ravishments
So pure, of fine emotions, and of charms
So sweet, the untutored genius ne'er partakes.
And from her lineaments refinement reap,
Is no unpleasing license of the mind.
While we peruse her page, we moralize
Her themes, collect sage maxims to instruct,
Reform, improve; and striking figures gain,
To give the warm emotion vent in style
Exalted. Entertainment is the flower,
Knowledge the fruit, and happiness the end,
21
Dilates the mind, gives elevated views,
Inspires devotion, dignity, and joy
Extatic; and, on every warmer heart,
Addicted to her precepts, she imprints
Her Author's image. Minds inured to themes
Ennobling, magnify, to heavenly forms,
Minutest things; and see, on every leaf
That grows, the impression of the HAND DIVINE.
Such are the views of philosophic man,
And such the pleasures which pervade his breast,
When he reads o'er the instructive page, sublime,
Of nature, that each fine emotion, formed
In generous mould, her inspiration wakes;
And every feeling that affords delight,
Her prospects kindle. But of ravishments
22
So sweet, the untutored genius ne'er partakes.
The mind, with well adjusted taste adorned,
And taught the traits of imagery to admire;
Just like a viol, accurately strung,
That at the slightest stroke responds; while all
Its chords in varied harmony combine,
Is nicely formed. With every prospect touched,
It takes its tincture from the scenes it views.
All objects, when with ardent eye perceived,
Arouse the finer movements of the soul,
Vigour inspire, and leave impressions apt.
Sometimes the mind assumes a gloomy mood,
Sometimes capricious airs and gairish flights,
Is sometimes wrapped in wonder, quick again
Alarmed, and always feels the power of things.
And taught the traits of imagery to admire;
Just like a viol, accurately strung,
That at the slightest stroke responds; while all
Its chords in varied harmony combine,
Is nicely formed. With every prospect touched,
It takes its tincture from the scenes it views.
All objects, when with ardent eye perceived,
Arouse the finer movements of the soul,
Vigour inspire, and leave impressions apt.
Sometimes the mind assumes a gloomy mood,
Sometimes capricious airs and gairish flights,
Is sometimes wrapped in wonder, quick again
Alarmed, and always feels the power of things.
23
When frosty autumn, with a fatal hand,
Crops the fair flowerets of the blooming year,
Strips nature of her beauteous garb, and kills
The verdure of the landscape; if inured
To rural charms, and used to roam, well pleased,
Abroad, we feel a sympathising grief.
And though such sadness seem to cause our pain,
Still it delights. Even sensibility,
When listening to the plaintive tale of wo,
Though she makes sad, and wets compassion's cheek,
Or calls a sorrowing tear from pity's eye,
Is not unwelcome in the breast humane.
When nature gay, bedecked in roseate mode,
Beams a full scope of beauty to the soul,
And pours effluvia to the wanton sense;
While music, warbled wild, each finer nerve
Inspires, 'tis sweet, 'tis exquisitely sweet.
Or if sublimity, with terrour crowned,
Sudden alarm the mind, its powers, aghast,
Anticipate a sad catastrophe,
And feel the sufferings of expected pain.
If objects, rare, attract, we gaze awhile,
We fondly gaze, and yet more fondly still;
Dote, and admire; and, still admiring, dote;
Until its secret wonders we exhaust.
Crops the fair flowerets of the blooming year,
Strips nature of her beauteous garb, and kills
The verdure of the landscape; if inured
To rural charms, and used to roam, well pleased,
Abroad, we feel a sympathising grief.
And though such sadness seem to cause our pain,
Still it delights. Even sensibility,
When listening to the plaintive tale of wo,
Though she makes sad, and wets compassion's cheek,
Or calls a sorrowing tear from pity's eye,
Is not unwelcome in the breast humane.
When nature gay, bedecked in roseate mode,
Beams a full scope of beauty to the soul,
And pours effluvia to the wanton sense;
While music, warbled wild, each finer nerve
Inspires, 'tis sweet, 'tis exquisitely sweet.
24
Sudden alarm the mind, its powers, aghast,
Anticipate a sad catastrophe,
And feel the sufferings of expected pain.
If objects, rare, attract, we gaze awhile,
We fondly gaze, and yet more fondly still;
Dote, and admire; and, still admiring, dote;
Until its secret wonders we exhaust.
The scenes of nature, whether regular
Or wild, or gay or gloomy; whether robed
In wintry mourning, or in vernal green;
In leaves of vegetable life deprived,
By frost discoloured; or in foliage
All languishing in summer heat; when viewed
Descriptive, as the year revolves, have power,
In turn, to move, have efficacious power,
To heighten pleasure by the touch of sense.
Or wild, or gay or gloomy; whether robed
In wintry mourning, or in vernal green;
In leaves of vegetable life deprived,
By frost discoloured; or in foliage
All languishing in summer heat; when viewed
Descriptive, as the year revolves, have power,
In turn, to move, have efficacious power,
To heighten pleasure by the touch of sense.
25
On every mind the effects of images
Are similar; but happier as the taste
Refines; and different as the different scenes.
The prospects various, nature shows, appear
Peculiarly contrived, and fitly ranged
In contrast, as to suit the intellect
Of man, and move him with surprising power.
The daring precipice, the rapid stream,
The sudden lapse of waters, headlong prone,
And the sublimity of objects, seize
At once the soul, arrest it from itself,
And far more violent sensations prompt,
Than the slow-rising eminence, the rill
Symphonious tinkling, or less striking scenes.
Dissimilar emotions they produce,
Which, singly viewed, touch all mankind alike;
Yet do not equally move all; but strike
With double force the mind, of taste improved.
Are similar; but happier as the taste
Refines; and different as the different scenes.
The prospects various, nature shows, appear
Peculiarly contrived, and fitly ranged
In contrast, as to suit the intellect
Of man, and move him with surprising power.
The daring precipice, the rapid stream,
The sudden lapse of waters, headlong prone,
And the sublimity of objects, seize
At once the soul, arrest it from itself,
And far more violent sensations prompt,
Than the slow-rising eminence, the rill
Symphonious tinkling, or less striking scenes.
Dissimilar emotions they produce,
Which, singly viewed, touch all mankind alike;
Yet do not equally move all; but strike
26
Now pines the blossomed season, beauty pines;
And raving storms, with desolation wide,
Brood o'er the world. The forest stands all bare.
With not a shelter, nor a robe, to guard
Its shivering members from the raging blast.
Gloomy is every mind, and every brow
Is sad. Not so, when vernal pleasantry
New vigour raises in the exulting mind.
And raving storms, with desolation wide,
Brood o'er the world. The forest stands all bare.
With not a shelter, nor a robe, to guard
Its shivering members from the raging blast.
Gloomy is every mind, and every brow
Is sad. Not so, when vernal pleasantry
New vigour raises in the exulting mind.
As from drear winter's solitary scenes,
Where objects, shrouded in a snowy veil,
Have from the ken of man been long obscured,
The fragrant spring emerges, blooming, forth,
In smiling beauty clad, and to the face,
The lurid face of nature, gives a look
Gladdened with joy; the listless drowsy mind
Wakes from the pillow of repose, and smiles.
Objects, presenting with unnumbered charms,
Unfold new beauty to the mental gaze.
Grim tempests' desolating frowns now gone,
Joyous to vernal sweetness we arrive,
To sweetness that affords us gay delight.
The effect is as agreeable to sense,
As the expanding scene is beautiful.
Bright thought, enraptured, plays upon the forms,
Which dandle, pleasing, on the sight profuse,
Gives spring to pulse, revives the languid powers
Of life, and nerves the constitution well.
The cheek assumes its genial red; the eye,
Sparkling, vivacity of mind bespeaks,
Discovering the sensations of the breast;
And every feature, flushed with ruddiness
Afresh, appears in charms of healthful bloom.
Such is the close connexion of the mind
With matter, that both droop, when nature droops;
And bloom with vigour, when fair nature blooms.
Where objects, shrouded in a snowy veil,
Have from the ken of man been long obscured,
The fragrant spring emerges, blooming, forth,
In smiling beauty clad, and to the face,
The lurid face of nature, gives a look
Gladdened with joy; the listless drowsy mind
Wakes from the pillow of repose, and smiles.
27
Unfold new beauty to the mental gaze.
Grim tempests' desolating frowns now gone,
Joyous to vernal sweetness we arrive,
To sweetness that affords us gay delight.
The effect is as agreeable to sense,
As the expanding scene is beautiful.
Bright thought, enraptured, plays upon the forms,
Which dandle, pleasing, on the sight profuse,
Gives spring to pulse, revives the languid powers
Of life, and nerves the constitution well.
The cheek assumes its genial red; the eye,
Sparkling, vivacity of mind bespeaks,
Discovering the sensations of the breast;
And every feature, flushed with ruddiness
Afresh, appears in charms of healthful bloom.
Such is the close connexion of the mind
28
And bloom with vigour, when fair nature blooms.
Behold, the clouds, thick lowering o'er our heads,
Forbode dark tempests dire! The lightnings flash;
Loud thunders rock the skies; the showers descend,
And silence reigns in melancholy gloom.
All nature dismal looks! The birds retreat
In lonely stillness, and forget their song.
But see, the clouds disperse; the storm clears up;
And all is beaming gladness; nor a mist
Obscures. Now how the varied scene affects!
Music reanimates the echoing woods;
The party-coloured bow is thrown around;
And the bright sun, reflecting o'er the world
His rays, relumes creation. Man appears
Delighted, flashing from his eyes the sparks
Of pleasure; for he realizes joy.
Forbode dark tempests dire! The lightnings flash;
Loud thunders rock the skies; the showers descend,
And silence reigns in melancholy gloom.
All nature dismal looks! The birds retreat
In lonely stillness, and forget their song.
But see, the clouds disperse; the storm clears up;
And all is beaming gladness; nor a mist
Obscures. Now how the varied scene affects!
Music reanimates the echoing woods;
The party-coloured bow is thrown around;
And the bright sun, reflecting o'er the world
His rays, relumes creation. Man appears
Delighted, flashing from his eyes the sparks
Of pleasure; for he realizes joy.
29
Highly affecting to the human mind
Are changes from the gloomy to the gay,
And touch the breast with delicate delight.
Are changes from the gloomy to the gay,
And touch the breast with delicate delight.
Through the transitions of the circling year,
As well through frigid seasons as through mild,
When the sun takes his shortened course, and leaves
The cold to chill, and keener blast to blow;
And o'er the arrangement of terrestrial things,
Fancy, unwearied, takes her wild career,
Sees nature filled with variegated scenes,
With lowly vallies, mountains towering high;
With rivers fringed with bowery ornament;
With landscapes blooming, craggy cliffs, and groves
Exultant, waving to the spicy breeze,
And from each prospect gathers varied joy.
Fondly assuming arbitrary power,
She oft controls the images displayed
In the fair system of variety;
And, by alternate and contrasting views,
Increases or diminishes their force.
As well through frigid seasons as through mild,
When the sun takes his shortened course, and leaves
The cold to chill, and keener blast to blow;
And o'er the arrangement of terrestrial things,
Fancy, unwearied, takes her wild career,
Sees nature filled with variegated scenes,
With lowly vallies, mountains towering high;
With rivers fringed with bowery ornament;
With landscapes blooming, craggy cliffs, and groves
Exultant, waving to the spicy breeze,
And from each prospect gathers varied joy.
Fondly assuming arbitrary power,
She oft controls the images displayed
30
And, by alternate and contrasting views,
Increases or diminishes their force.
Here smoothly flows the limpid rill serene;
And, as we view, awhile, its tranquil glide,
Each rough emotion is appeased, calm joys
Arise, and tune to harmony the mind.
There headlong lapses the cascade abrupt;
Which, striking, bellows with perpetual roar.
It wakes astonishment, strains every nerve,
And keeps us doting on its shifting scenes,
Till the tired mind demand a humbler sphere.
Sublimely prominent there awful frowns,
Directly from above, the huge high cliff.
The startled gaze, irregular dismayed,
Refrains the view, and the faint heart, affright,
Shrinks with amazement, and in haste recedes.
And, as we view, awhile, its tranquil glide,
Each rough emotion is appeased, calm joys
Arise, and tune to harmony the mind.
There headlong lapses the cascade abrupt;
Which, striking, bellows with perpetual roar.
It wakes astonishment, strains every nerve,
And keeps us doting on its shifting scenes,
Till the tired mind demand a humbler sphere.
Sublimely prominent there awful frowns,
Directly from above, the huge high cliff.
The startled gaze, irregular dismayed,
Refrains the view, and the faint heart, affright,
Shrinks with amazement, and in haste recedes.
31
Now yonder, fairy scenes, elysian scenes,
Hard by a softly-warbling stream, and cheered,
By wild trilled music, rising to the view,
Attract the attention of the vagrant muse.
Here, on a beauteous train of images,
Imagination, ravished, plays awhile,
Much gratified in culling flowers so sweet;
Then, in her wonted gaiety, expands
Her silken wings, and rapid through the void
She soars, lights on the jutting brow, sublime,
Of some high cliff, looks, timid, down the steep,
The amazing steep! and, shuddering at attempt
So daring, quickly hastens from the brink,
And makes her fleet-winged way to humbler themes.
Hard by a softly-warbling stream, and cheered,
By wild trilled music, rising to the view,
Attract the attention of the vagrant muse.
Here, on a beauteous train of images,
Imagination, ravished, plays awhile,
Much gratified in culling flowers so sweet;
Then, in her wonted gaiety, expands
Her silken wings, and rapid through the void
She soars, lights on the jutting brow, sublime,
Of some high cliff, looks, timid, down the steep,
The amazing steep! and, shuddering at attempt
So daring, quickly hastens from the brink,
And makes her fleet-winged way to humbler themes.
The mountain rivulet, now hastening down
Its pebbly bed, loud bubbling as it runs,
Soon takes an easier course along the vale,
Winding, and grows still smoother as it glides.
But the rough torrent, hoarse with murmuring noise,
Swift o'er the rocky channel hurries, rolls
Vertiginous, in wild confusion lost;
Till sudden, in a cataract, it falls
Impetuous, dashes on the rocks below;
And the wild water, fractured, tours in air.
Then gathering and subsiding to a calm,
It swells to grandeur with a mighty flood,
And moves in prided majesty along.
On either side the banks, the towering banks
Protect it on its way, and guide it safe,
Until deep-swallowed in the boundless main.
Its pebbly bed, loud bubbling as it runs,
Soon takes an easier course along the vale,
32
But the rough torrent, hoarse with murmuring noise,
Swift o'er the rocky channel hurries, rolls
Vertiginous, in wild confusion lost;
Till sudden, in a cataract, it falls
Impetuous, dashes on the rocks below;
And the wild water, fractured, tours in air.
Then gathering and subsiding to a calm,
It swells to grandeur with a mighty flood,
And moves in prided majesty along.
On either side the banks, the towering banks
Protect it on its way, and guide it safe,
Until deep-swallowed in the boundless main.
Nature's fair page, with many a scene well stored,
With every kind of prospect, and bedecked
With countless forms, is fit to attract the eye,
And keep it e'er delightfully employed.
As man looks forth, it flashes to illume
His mind, and all its images imprint.
Extensive mountains flocked with herds, vales wild
In florulent embroideries graceful robed,
Rills softly tinkling, hoarsely murmuring streams,
High towering forests nodding to the breeze,
Rocks piled on rocks in rude magnificence,
Lakes, rivers, seas, and all created things,
Arranged delightsome o'er the globe immense,
Are visions not unpleasing to behold,
Nor unbetokening a designing cause.
With every kind of prospect, and bedecked
With countless forms, is fit to attract the eye,
And keep it e'er delightfully employed.
33
His mind, and all its images imprint.
Extensive mountains flocked with herds, vales wild
In florulent embroideries graceful robed,
Rills softly tinkling, hoarsely murmuring streams,
High towering forests nodding to the breeze,
Rocks piled on rocks in rude magnificence,
Lakes, rivers, seas, and all created things,
Arranged delightsome o'er the globe immense,
Are visions not unpleasing to behold,
Nor unbetokening a designing cause.
The finer feelings in the breast to raise,
The passions harmonize, and form the mind
For the delicious pleasures of fine arts,
And for the endearments delicate of life,
Belongs to nature and the care of man.
In her unbounded field, all checkered o'er
With types of beauty, wisdom, and design,
Analogies he finds, his sentiments
To illustrate, and the sciences advance;
Which, by reflection's dint digested well,
Add to his fund of knowledge constant stores.
The passions harmonize, and form the mind
For the delicious pleasures of fine arts,
And for the endearments delicate of life,
Belongs to nature and the care of man.
In her unbounded field, all checkered o'er
34
Analogies he finds, his sentiments
To illustrate, and the sciences advance;
Which, by reflection's dint digested well,
Add to his fund of knowledge constant stores.
To every tone of mind are nature's scenes
Adapted. Should vivacity of thought
Revive, and merriment attune the breast;
She paints things delicate and sweetly gay.
Should we arousing views desire, to arrest
The attention, and the sleeping powers awake,
Or wish even to be ravished from ourselves,
Grand prospects she affords. Or should a thirst
For novelty prevail; in her wide field,
Where scenes of wonder ever rise, the mind
May traverse; and its curiosity
Be still indulged, and ever be amused.
Adapted. Should vivacity of thought
Revive, and merriment attune the breast;
She paints things delicate and sweetly gay.
Should we arousing views desire, to arrest
The attention, and the sleeping powers awake,
Or wish even to be ravished from ourselves,
Grand prospects she affords. Or should a thirst
For novelty prevail; in her wide field,
Where scenes of wonder ever rise, the mind
May traverse; and its curiosity
Be still indulged, and ever be amused.
35
In ages early of society,
With simple nature pleased and rural scenes,
Oft in a summer day, and under bowers
Umbrageous, sighing to the wayward gales,
Ingenuous shepherds tuned the rustic reed,
And sung the doom of lovers and their loves.
To represent their sad, or joyful state,
In plaintive tone, or in exulting air,
They drew from nature apt similitudes.
While some, by ruthless treachery deceived,
Slighted and spurned by all the cruelty
Of scorn, were sunk in cheerless gloom of mind;
Sometimes compelled to solitude obscure,
Where the dull moments lingered as they grieved;
Others with innocence were blessed, with worth
And every charm, quaffed deep of pleasure's stream,
Gave glad indulgence to facetious thought,
And talked with cheerfulness the hours away.
The beauteous flower, that late in vigour shone,
Emitting odour to the passing breeze,
Unfolding magic beauty to the sense,
Torn by a cruel hand, now hangs its head
Dejected, and amid its sister race,
Still frisking gay and flourishing in pride,
No more, alas, its brilliancy assumes!
With simple nature pleased and rural scenes,
Oft in a summer day, and under bowers
Umbrageous, sighing to the wayward gales,
Ingenuous shepherds tuned the rustic reed,
And sung the doom of lovers and their loves.
To represent their sad, or joyful state,
In plaintive tone, or in exulting air,
They drew from nature apt similitudes.
While some, by ruthless treachery deceived,
Slighted and spurned by all the cruelty
Of scorn, were sunk in cheerless gloom of mind;
Sometimes compelled to solitude obscure,
Where the dull moments lingered as they grieved;
Others with innocence were blessed, with worth
And every charm, quaffed deep of pleasure's stream,
Gave glad indulgence to facetious thought,
36
The beauteous flower, that late in vigour shone,
Emitting odour to the passing breeze,
Unfolding magic beauty to the sense,
Torn by a cruel hand, now hangs its head
Dejected, and amid its sister race,
Still frisking gay and flourishing in pride,
No more, alas, its brilliancy assumes!
Such the disparity of human fate!
Ah, such the lot of disappointed love!
Some, unsuccessful pine forlorn; some wed
The virtuous, and are blessed; and some, sad tale!
Joined to the object of their rancorous hate,
Lead jarring lives of fretfulness and wo.
Yet let not lovers lorn with life repine,
Should disappointment blast their cherished hopes;
For even the woods, when every friend is fled,
The silent woods will listen to their plaint,
And with them sympathize in all their grief.
There they may give their sorrowed passion vent,
Their echoed moanings hear, and woo their mind,
Disordered, to a calm. But the blessed pair,
With minds complexioned with a cheerful tone,
Gay o'er the flowery dale may traverse, sit,
Long sit, delighted, under citron groves,
And to the music of the stream attend,
Or to the warbling sweetness of the quires.
Ah these, and nature's various festive scenes,
Heighten the nuptial flame, and finer joys
Enkindle. But far other prospects suit
The fretted soul, far other music cheers.
He rather see the billowy surges break,
And their hoarse tumult hear. Along the beach
Stately he walks, observes them as they rise,
Swell, foam, and maddening lash the sidelong shores.
Murmuring aloud, they seize his wakened sense,
Allay the sullen temper of his mind,
And lull his passions to a tranquil state.
Ah, such the lot of disappointed love!
Some, unsuccessful pine forlorn; some wed
The virtuous, and are blessed; and some, sad tale!
Joined to the object of their rancorous hate,
Lead jarring lives of fretfulness and wo.
Yet let not lovers lorn with life repine,
Should disappointment blast their cherished hopes;
For even the woods, when every friend is fled,
37
And with them sympathize in all their grief.
There they may give their sorrowed passion vent,
Their echoed moanings hear, and woo their mind,
Disordered, to a calm. But the blessed pair,
With minds complexioned with a cheerful tone,
Gay o'er the flowery dale may traverse, sit,
Long sit, delighted, under citron groves,
And to the music of the stream attend,
Or to the warbling sweetness of the quires.
Ah these, and nature's various festive scenes,
Heighten the nuptial flame, and finer joys
Enkindle. But far other prospects suit
The fretted soul, far other music cheers.
He rather see the billowy surges break,
And their hoarse tumult hear. Along the beach
Stately he walks, observes them as they rise,
38
Murmuring aloud, they seize his wakened sense,
Allay the sullen temper of his mind,
And lull his passions to a tranquil state.
Thus man is nicely formed, to feel the force
Of things external; thus full amply stored
Is nature's scenery, and fair arranged
In well-adjusted order, where the mind
Recurs, just as its different movements lead,
And prospect finds, adapted to its tone.
Of things external; thus full amply stored
Is nature's scenery, and fair arranged
In well-adjusted order, where the mind
Recurs, just as its different movements lead,
And prospect finds, adapted to its tone.
When with a reddening grace Aurora waked,
Expansive, in the chambers of the east,
And frighted Somnus from his dreary reign;
When cheerfulness and pleasantry awaked,
Bade blithe Favonius feast on sweet perfume,
Sip the melliferous dew drop, glistening bright,
And kiss fair Flora fond, as in the lawn
She sported; then, when vernal beauty bloomed,
Then young Laurillo took his rural walk,
And, musing as he passed on every theme,
That claimed the attention of his curious mind,
Struck with delight, for sexes were designed
For mutual joy, a female few, he spied,
Emerging from a shadowy grove, to view
The checkered dale, which widened as they roamed
Along. Enlivening gaiety was there,
Sportful and sprightly, in luxuriant scenes,
In scenes beguiling as the social smile,
Or as the magic charm of mingling loves.
The prospect stole him from his musing self,
Inspired bewitching frenzy in his soul,
And urged him thus the blooming fair to hail:
Whither, ye gay, roves your delighted step
Thus early? Sudden consternation seized
Their tender hearts. They stood; soft listened; looked
Abroad; and at a distance spied, ah, spied
Laurillo! Such emotions in their breasts
Then kindled, as when modest blushes speak
The love warm flame. Then whispering gently soft,
They wished his near approach; still roved along;
But with reluctant slowly wandering step.
Soon, on a bank, by sylvan shades o'ercast,
Beside a brook that bubbled as it flowed,
On rosy couches down they gently sat.
But as they glanced again, the modest youth,
Alas, had fled! Then, like a thriving flower,
Snatched sudden from its stalk, and thrown away,
Hapless, to pine, their hopes of intercourse
Were blasted. But, forgetful of the past,
Converse they cherished, and 'twas mutual all.
In diction, pure as zephyr's balmy breath,
Which flowed unlaboured as a placid stream,
Graces they painted in the lily gay,
Described, so delicately well, the forms.
Diversified, in nature's scenery,
As waked poetic ravishments of mind.
In salutary chat they passed the morn
Away; the while pertinent and sage remark
Dropped from their ruby lips, full sweet as dew,
Mellifluous, from the foliage of the rose.
All things were lively, dressed in brilliant hues,
In hues that pleased the fancy, and the mind
With delicate festivity inspired.
Sweet melody of song controled the car;
Through every finer nerve enchantment thrilled;
And all was transport and elysian joy.
Expansive, in the chambers of the east,
And frighted Somnus from his dreary reign;
When cheerfulness and pleasantry awaked,
Bade blithe Favonius feast on sweet perfume,
Sip the melliferous dew drop, glistening bright,
And kiss fair Flora fond, as in the lawn
39
Then young Laurillo took his rural walk,
And, musing as he passed on every theme,
That claimed the attention of his curious mind,
Struck with delight, for sexes were designed
For mutual joy, a female few, he spied,
Emerging from a shadowy grove, to view
The checkered dale, which widened as they roamed
Along. Enlivening gaiety was there,
Sportful and sprightly, in luxuriant scenes,
In scenes beguiling as the social smile,
Or as the magic charm of mingling loves.
The prospect stole him from his musing self,
Inspired bewitching frenzy in his soul,
And urged him thus the blooming fair to hail:
Whither, ye gay, roves your delighted step
Thus early? Sudden consternation seized
40
Abroad; and at a distance spied, ah, spied
Laurillo! Such emotions in their breasts
Then kindled, as when modest blushes speak
The love warm flame. Then whispering gently soft,
They wished his near approach; still roved along;
But with reluctant slowly wandering step.
Soon, on a bank, by sylvan shades o'ercast,
Beside a brook that bubbled as it flowed,
On rosy couches down they gently sat.
But as they glanced again, the modest youth,
Alas, had fled! Then, like a thriving flower,
Snatched sudden from its stalk, and thrown away,
Hapless, to pine, their hopes of intercourse
Were blasted. But, forgetful of the past,
Converse they cherished, and 'twas mutual all.
In diction, pure as zephyr's balmy breath,
41
Graces they painted in the lily gay,
Described, so delicately well, the forms.
Diversified, in nature's scenery,
As waked poetic ravishments of mind.
In salutary chat they passed the morn
Away; the while pertinent and sage remark
Dropped from their ruby lips, full sweet as dew,
Mellifluous, from the foliage of the rose.
All things were lively, dressed in brilliant hues,
In hues that pleased the fancy, and the mind
With delicate festivity inspired.
Sweet melody of song controled the car;
Through every finer nerve enchantment thrilled;
And all was transport and elysian joy.
Inspiring was the scene, and charmful too.
Such are flowers the sportive muse oft culls,
And strows them o'er her page, in hopes the fair,
Perhaps, as well as rougher sex, to please;
An object in her view by no means small.
Though others may approve; they, they must give
The sanction. Should they frown, alas, it fails!
Hence, here and there, she intermixes oft
Scenes purely moral with description nice;
Food for their delicate and livelier thought.
She knows their love of smoother verse, without
The trappings of verbose and gingling rhyme.
Her inability, she also knows,
To fully gratify their judging taste,
Or paint things as their sprightlier fancy paints.
Such are flowers the sportive muse oft culls,
42
Perhaps, as well as rougher sex, to please;
An object in her view by no means small.
Though others may approve; they, they must give
The sanction. Should they frown, alas, it fails!
Hence, here and there, she intermixes oft
Scenes purely moral with description nice;
Food for their delicate and livelier thought.
She knows their love of smoother verse, without
The trappings of verbose and gingling rhyme.
Her inability, she also knows,
To fully gratify their judging taste,
Or paint things as their sprightlier fancy paints.
When wakes Aurora in the vernal scene,
With aspect mild, and with a crimson grace,
O'er the vast hemisphere she joyous smiles,
And beams unbounded pleasantry abroad.
The freshened air is pure, serene the sky,
And sweetness floats, diffuse, upon the wing
Of zephyr. All is magic to the mind!
In scattered voices, and to different song
Attuned, the playful warblers, heard around,
With varied music ushering in the day,
Touch with sweet transport every listening ear.
The flower, with dew drop twinkling on its leaves,
Gives to the wasteful gales effluvia rich,
And a mild pleasure to the wanton sense:
And every object that developes, steals
A secret sway, to soften and refine.
With aspect mild, and with a crimson grace,
O'er the vast hemisphere she joyous smiles,
And beams unbounded pleasantry abroad.
43
And sweetness floats, diffuse, upon the wing
Of zephyr. All is magic to the mind!
In scattered voices, and to different song
Attuned, the playful warblers, heard around,
With varied music ushering in the day,
Touch with sweet transport every listening ear.
The flower, with dew drop twinkling on its leaves,
Gives to the wasteful gales effluvia rich,
And a mild pleasure to the wanton sense:
And every object that developes, steals
A secret sway, to soften and refine.
Sweet are the emotions of a mind, engaged
In dotage on descriptive scenes. A love
Of nature lays us open to her charms,
To all her fine impressions, and bespeaks
A soul, consummate as her scenes are grand,
Or temper gentle as her balmy breeze.
The worth of mind is measured by its train
Of thought, its object, energy and joys.
Ne'er dreamed the snoring sluggard of the charms
Of nature. Unrefined of soul, he seeks
Far other pleasures; and of what he seeks,
He dreams; of pleasures dreams, which indicate
A vile, ignoble, forbid mind; a mind
Base as his pleasures. He esteems his bliss,
Or rather low delight, where much of pain
Concentres, in indulging mean desires,
And dozing on the slumberous bed of sloth.
Torpid of soul, he fain would cease to think;
And, by degrading means, deceives himself
Of the slow-lingering hours. When the bright star,
The harbinger of morn, that, sparkling, leads,
Triumphant on, the rising fires, to gild
With gold the horizon, and the world illume;
While slipped from Somnus' arms the zephyrs blow,
And sport round nature's every odorous form,
Collecting fragrance for the sense; even then,
Sordid, he sleeps the rosiest hours away.
Life is to him a visionary scene,
Unfilled with gratitude to heaven, devoid
Of usefulness to man, and to himself
A blot. The talent, given for his use,
Is misimproved, and careless thrown aside.
Sunk in oblivion drowsy, he prefers
The stagnized air, confined, of chamber dun,
To gentle zephyr's salutary breeze;
Not dreaming of its lung dilating sweets,
Nor that the rosy blooming field is joy.
In dotage on descriptive scenes. A love
Of nature lays us open to her charms,
To all her fine impressions, and bespeaks
A soul, consummate as her scenes are grand,
44
The worth of mind is measured by its train
Of thought, its object, energy and joys.
Ne'er dreamed the snoring sluggard of the charms
Of nature. Unrefined of soul, he seeks
Far other pleasures; and of what he seeks,
He dreams; of pleasures dreams, which indicate
A vile, ignoble, forbid mind; a mind
Base as his pleasures. He esteems his bliss,
Or rather low delight, where much of pain
Concentres, in indulging mean desires,
And dozing on the slumberous bed of sloth.
Torpid of soul, he fain would cease to think;
And, by degrading means, deceives himself
Of the slow-lingering hours. When the bright star,
The harbinger of morn, that, sparkling, leads,
Triumphant on, the rising fires, to gild
45
While slipped from Somnus' arms the zephyrs blow,
And sport round nature's every odorous form,
Collecting fragrance for the sense; even then,
Sordid, he sleeps the rosiest hours away.
Life is to him a visionary scene,
Unfilled with gratitude to heaven, devoid
Of usefulness to man, and to himself
A blot. The talent, given for his use,
Is misimproved, and careless thrown aside.
Sunk in oblivion drowsy, he prefers
The stagnized air, confined, of chamber dun,
To gentle zephyr's salutary breeze;
Not dreaming of its lung dilating sweets,
Nor that the rosy blooming field is joy.
But see! the hoar head good old healthful man
Wakes when the dawn awakes, arises glad,
His wonted practice, cheerful takes his walk,
On the variety of things, well pleased,
Contemplates, and new reason finds, to adore
The BEING, who in wisdom made them all.
Wakes when the dawn awakes, arises glad,
46
On the variety of things, well pleased,
Contemplates, and new reason finds, to adore
The BEING, who in wisdom made them all.
See too the sprightly youth! for the delights
Of nature he gains early fondness, springs
Alert and joyful from his couch, when scarce
The quiristers have yet awaked, to rouse
The slumbering world, and cheer them to their task.
He feels mild serenity, afresh,
Spring o'er his mind. With devious wandering step,
Wrapped in pleased visions, he expatiates wide,
O'er all the scene, the quiet hours devotes
To museful thought; and, when the sun looks out,
Majestic orb! reflecting rays oblique,
While oblong shadows streak the extended plains,
He stands in readiness, with grateful heart,
To pay his early tokens of respect.
Then 'tis delightsome all! With noble views
He takes his tour o'er nature's ample range,
Scans her great themes, and marks the HAND DIVINE.
Of nature he gains early fondness, springs
Alert and joyful from his couch, when scarce
The quiristers have yet awaked, to rouse
The slumbering world, and cheer them to their task.
He feels mild serenity, afresh,
Spring o'er his mind. With devious wandering step,
Wrapped in pleased visions, he expatiates wide,
O'er all the scene, the quiet hours devotes
To museful thought; and, when the sun looks out,
Majestic orb! reflecting rays oblique,
While oblong shadows streak the extended plains,
He stands in readiness, with grateful heart,
47
Then 'tis delightsome all! With noble views
He takes his tour o'er nature's ample range,
Scans her great themes, and marks the HAND DIVINE.
Such nature is, her inspiration such!
Who can remain unfeeling of her charms!
Who, that the type of human nature bears,
Can pass her kindling beauties without thought!
Too many; but they leave them to the wise,
To those who give them their intrinsic rank,
And view them as the spring of mental joys.
Admiring, in the rural field, through scenes
Descriptive of inimitable skill,
With pleasure and expansive views they rove.
'Tis there the poet rambles, artists gain
Still finer taste, philosophers grow wise,
And all refinement's rapturing influence feel.
Who can remain unfeeling of her charms!
Who, that the type of human nature bears,
Can pass her kindling beauties without thought!
Too many; but they leave them to the wise,
To those who give them their intrinsic rank,
And view them as the spring of mental joys.
Admiring, in the rural field, through scenes
Descriptive of inimitable skill,
With pleasure and expansive views they rove.
'Tis there the poet rambles, artists gain
Still finer taste, philosophers grow wise,
And all refinement's rapturing influence feel.
48
To peep at nature from the haunts of thought,
And muse on animated things awhile,
Is pleasing to a meditative mind.
When wearied and relaxed, in search of truth,
By thought intense, to prospect we recur,
And inspiration gather, that dispels
The melancholy gloom, vivacity
Awakes, and fits it for a fresher task.
As the cool crystal stream refreshment gives
To panting lungs athirst, when arid heat
Licks the perspiring moisture from the limbs;
So does variety have sweet effect
On minds, with one continuous scene fatigued.
And muse on animated things awhile,
Is pleasing to a meditative mind.
When wearied and relaxed, in search of truth,
By thought intense, to prospect we recur,
And inspiration gather, that dispels
The melancholy gloom, vivacity
Awakes, and fits it for a fresher task.
As the cool crystal stream refreshment gives
To panting lungs athirst, when arid heat
Licks the perspiring moisture from the limbs;
So does variety have sweet effect
On minds, with one continuous scene fatigued.
Adorned with prospect beautiful, sublime,
And rare, shines nature forth in harmony
Divine; for man, in wonderous light, shines forth,
Who stands spectator of her glowing scenes;
And, if he loves to muse upon her works,
Descries her charms, and triumphs in the view.
If such for man, where is his gratitude
And admiration warm? That nobleness
Of spirit where, that dignity of mind,
Her captivating objects tend to inspire?
Man, gain refinement: let the blaze divine,
That flashes to illume, flash not in vain.
If, of her wisdom teaching page, ye still
Are uninformed, with fondness read;
Acquire such treasure, as manures the mind,
And bosom warms. And ye, who early taught,
By the mild discipline of sapient worth,
With eager eye her volume to peruse,
Read still with pleasure; gain refinement still.
Who would not still be wiser is not wise.
And rare, shines nature forth in harmony
Divine; for man, in wonderous light, shines forth,
Who stands spectator of her glowing scenes;
49
Descries her charms, and triumphs in the view.
If such for man, where is his gratitude
And admiration warm? That nobleness
Of spirit where, that dignity of mind,
Her captivating objects tend to inspire?
Man, gain refinement: let the blaze divine,
That flashes to illume, flash not in vain.
If, of her wisdom teaching page, ye still
Are uninformed, with fondness read;
Acquire such treasure, as manures the mind,
And bosom warms. And ye, who early taught,
By the mild discipline of sapient worth,
With eager eye her volume to peruse,
Read still with pleasure; gain refinement still.
Who would not still be wiser is not wise.
50
Hail, nature! fountain inexhaustible
Of knowledge and delight! Thy cheering beams
Blaze on the ken of man, illume his mind,
And raise his being. The inspiration warm,
Imparted from thy many scenes, excites
To every kind of ravishment his breast,
Attracts him to thyself, cements, endears,
And fills his intellect with rapturous views,
In admiration high he walks thy field,
Dotes on thy beauties, gathers many a joy,
And, with emotion varied, ruminates
Thy rising and decaying scenes, as HEAVEN,
With hand unerring, turns the silent spheres,
And in rotation brings the seasons round.
Of knowledge and delight! Thy cheering beams
Blaze on the ken of man, illume his mind,
And raise his being. The inspiration warm,
Imparted from thy many scenes, excites
To every kind of ravishment his breast,
Attracts him to thyself, cements, endears,
And fills his intellect with rapturous views,
In admiration high he walks thy field,
Dotes on thy beauties, gathers many a joy,
And, with emotion varied, ruminates
Thy rising and decaying scenes, as HEAVEN,
With hand unerring, turns the silent spheres,
And in rotation brings the seasons round.
52
BOOK II.
INFLUENCE OF THE FINE ARTS.
ARGUMENT.
MAN, having gained Ideas of different Prospects in Nature, proceeds to works of Invention and Imitation. —Origin of the Fine Arts, according to their natural order.—Their Design; to give Pleasure by exciting ideas of Beauty, Grandeur, and Novelty.—The influence of Each in exciting Emotions.—Emotion and Passion distinguished.—Their Analogy to the Natural World.—The Dissocial Passions bear resemblance to the warring elements.—The Influence of the Fine Arts, by refining the Mind, and softening the Affections, destroys the balance between the Turbulent and Milder Exercises, and, deciding in favour of the Latter, incline the Heart to Humanity and Virtue.
53
The forms of nature, through the visual sense,
Having now stole, and taught the observing mind
Sweet beauty's sway, the curiosity
That novelty excites, and how sublimity
To high astonishment elates the thought;
The aspiring genius, with unfolding powers,
Daring above the passive state ascends,
And by reflection acts in finer spheres.
Not satisfied with nature's prospects, strowed
In negligence profuse, o'er all the globe,
Diversified and wild, man fains to eclipse
Her influence by invention's skilful works;
Or strives to raise them to the sense refined,
By the nice touch of rosy-fingered art.
Inflamed he lets imagination loose,
Pregnant with gairish schemes, solicitous
To please. High notions rise; ambition wakes;
And taste, luxuriant, leads refinement on.
Having now stole, and taught the observing mind
Sweet beauty's sway, the curiosity
That novelty excites, and how sublimity
To high astonishment elates the thought;
The aspiring genius, with unfolding powers,
Daring above the passive state ascends,
54
Not satisfied with nature's prospects, strowed
In negligence profuse, o'er all the globe,
Diversified and wild, man fains to eclipse
Her influence by invention's skilful works;
Or strives to raise them to the sense refined,
By the nice touch of rosy-fingered art.
Inflamed he lets imagination loose,
Pregnant with gairish schemes, solicitous
To please. High notions rise; ambition wakes;
And taste, luxuriant, leads refinement on.
Inwrapped in wonder at the view of things,
Or with sublime conceptions fired, or touched
With admiration, in primeval times,
When scarce the mind had oped its infant powers;
When scarce the tongue was modelled to the sweets
Of language, man his ravished soul poured forth,
In broken numbers and in figures wild.
The flights of sentiment, and different tones
Of intellect, inspired by nature, gave
Measure to speech, and music to the voice.
Soon grew refined the auditory nerve;
And, as each prospect, striking, touched the sense,
Poetic feelings tuned the enraptured breast,
And prompted magic melody of phrase.
Genius, aspiring to renown, to great,
To wonderful invention stretched her powers;
And taste, ambitious of refinement nice,
In beauteous imitation shed her plumes
Descriptive, dressed in elegance of mode.
She learned to relish delicacy's sweets,
The power of figures, the delights of verse,
And all the genuine harmony of sounds.
Or with sublime conceptions fired, or touched
With admiration, in primeval times,
When scarce the mind had oped its infant powers;
When scarce the tongue was modelled to the sweets
Of language, man his ravished soul poured forth,
55
The flights of sentiment, and different tones
Of intellect, inspired by nature, gave
Measure to speech, and music to the voice.
Soon grew refined the auditory nerve;
And, as each prospect, striking, touched the sense,
Poetic feelings tuned the enraptured breast,
And prompted magic melody of phrase.
Genius, aspiring to renown, to great,
To wonderful invention stretched her powers;
And taste, ambitious of refinement nice,
In beauteous imitation shed her plumes
Descriptive, dressed in elegance of mode.
She learned to relish delicacy's sweets,
The power of figures, the delights of verse,
And all the genuine harmony of sounds.
Thus rose the sister graces, mutual rose,
And told the flame divine, that in the breast
Enkindled, as perception looked abroad
The face of nature, and from prospect gained
Impressions various. Then 'twas fancy's task,
By judgment guided, to control the wilds
Of language, and the sentiment to dress
In tuneful numbers and the flowers of phrase.
It was the work of art, to modulate
The untutored voice, and call, to union, harsh,
Discordant sounds; which, stealing through the sense,
Thrill in each nerve, and rule the yielding soul.
56
Enkindled, as perception looked abroad
The face of nature, and from prospect gained
Impressions various. Then 'twas fancy's task,
By judgment guided, to control the wilds
Of language, and the sentiment to dress
In tuneful numbers and the flowers of phrase.
It was the work of art, to modulate
The untutored voice, and call, to union, harsh,
Discordant sounds; which, stealing through the sense,
Thrill in each nerve, and rule the yielding soul.
From music poetry has borrowed sweets,
Harmonious sweets; and still possesses charms
Innate, and powers peculiarly her own.
To her has nature yielded the command
Of rich description, given exalted turns
Of phrase, and power to incite emotions sweet,
Wonderous, or grand in every feeling breast.
While the musician is to tones confined,
Adapted only but one sense to please;
The poet ranges o'er the vast of things,
Objects controls far distant from the view,
The finest features from creation culls,
Liveliest of prospects, suited best to move,
And still, with melody, can charm the car.
In fair resemblance images to paint,
And all the different passions of the breast,
Hatred or love; grief, joy, or sympathy;
Or envy, anger, jealousy, or pride,
And show them obvious to the glowing mind,
Is poetry's distinguishing delight.
While she unfolds the page of character,
Informs the ear of harmony, and fills
The intellect with sentiment refined,
At once she touches, raptures, and illumes.
Harmonious sweets; and still possesses charms
Innate, and powers peculiarly her own.
To her has nature yielded the command
Of rich description, given exalted turns
Of phrase, and power to incite emotions sweet,
57
While the musician is to tones confined,
Adapted only but one sense to please;
The poet ranges o'er the vast of things,
Objects controls far distant from the view,
The finest features from creation culls,
Liveliest of prospects, suited best to move,
And still, with melody, can charm the car.
In fair resemblance images to paint,
And all the different passions of the breast,
Hatred or love; grief, joy, or sympathy;
Or envy, anger, jealousy, or pride,
And show them obvious to the glowing mind,
Is poetry's distinguishing delight.
While she unfolds the page of character,
Informs the ear of harmony, and fills
The intellect with sentiment refined,
58
Music can charm, can swell the breast to rage,
Or drown the spirits in a sad delight.
Music assuages grief, or heightens joy,
Softens the feelings, meliorates the heart,
Impure desire corrects, sedition quells,
Raises or calms the passions, prompts to deeds
Humanely virtuous, or to fury fires.
Enchanting is its power; and its effects
Are various. When its soft respiring strains
And plaintive numbers solemnize the soul,
Calling our sorrow forth, we instant feel
A pain beguiling, blended with an ease,
We fondly wish to indulge. But other airs,
Alert and lively, steal us from ourselves,
And raise us sudden to the heights of joy.
Or drown the spirits in a sad delight.
Music assuages grief, or heightens joy,
Softens the feelings, meliorates the heart,
Impure desire corrects, sedition quells,
Raises or calms the passions, prompts to deeds
Humanely virtuous, or to fury fires.
Enchanting is its power; and its effects
Are various. When its soft respiring strains
And plaintive numbers solemnize the soul,
Calling our sorrow forth, we instant feel
A pain beguiling, blended with an ease,
We fondly wish to indulge. But other airs,
Alert and lively, steal us from ourselves,
And raise us sudden to the heights of joy.
Music to pity melts the stubborn heart,
Or kindles soft desire. Its power has quelled
Fell fury's flame, the monarch's madness calmed,
Given to humanity the breast, and called
The drops of sympathy from pity's eye.
Lovers oft languish to its dying strains,
Or even in its ravishments expire.
Music aroused an Alexander's rage;
Then gently soothed his bosom to a calm.
Hark! the musician animates the string;
Now gives a higher, now a lower tone;
Now gaily-brisk, now deeply-solemn, slow;
And see, the wild emotions instant rise!
Distraction mad, ah, seizes on the soul!
59
Fell fury's flame, the monarch's madness calmed,
Given to humanity the breast, and called
The drops of sympathy from pity's eye.
Lovers oft languish to its dying strains,
Or even in its ravishments expire.
Music aroused an Alexander's rage;
Then gently soothed his bosom to a calm.
Hark! the musician animates the string;
Now gives a higher, now a lower tone;
Now gaily-brisk, now deeply-solemn, slow;
And see, the wild emotions instant rise!
Distraction mad, ah, seizes on the soul!
Music can things inanimate inspire,
And make to tremble every particle.
When the full organ breathes a shriller tone,
In undulation moves the startled air;
The wide void swells; concussions rend the walls;
From arch to arch responses echo round;
The temple shakes; runs cold the thrilling blood;
And, as though frightened, stands the hair all wild.
Such power has music, fascinating power,
To set in agitation lifeless things,
To rouse the varied movements of the breast,
Or soothe and lull them to a state serene.
And make to tremble every particle.
When the full organ breathes a shriller tone,
In undulation moves the startled air;
60
From arch to arch responses echo round;
The temple shakes; runs cold the thrilling blood;
And, as though frightened, stands the hair all wild.
Such power has music, fascinating power,
To set in agitation lifeless things,
To rouse the varied movements of the breast,
Or soothe and lull them to a state serene.
Revolving on the past, man now recals
To mind the observations made on things
External; and, while reigns serenity
Within his breast, and every passion sleeps,
Lost to imaginations flowery phrase,
His diction moderates to simple prose,
Reflection's language. But soon fancy gay,
To enliven converse, wakes her fervid train,
Strows blossoms round, and courts the storid aid
Of figures, to invigorate the style.
Then hear the golden periods as they flow,
Arousing, or pathetic, to instruct,
Persuade, and move. With varying voice well tuned,
With gesture natural, and replete with sense,
Comes every sentence missioned to the heart.
In copious streams the rich ideas roll,
And, by the force of reason and of truth,
Joined with the suasive tone of eloquence,
Sway the inflamed passions, and o'erpower the mind.
The hand, in bold expression, wakes the breast
To patriot ardour; or from every eye,
Effusive, calls meek pity's crystal tear.
Now dealing in simplicity of thought,
Led through the native wilds of episode,
With artless ornament and language pure,
Potent persuasion hangs upon the tongue,
To inform, illustrate, bias, and enforce.
Now in a loftier style, with figures bold,
Expressions rich, and sentiments sublime,
The orator darts lightning through the soul,
The attention ravishes, the audience rules,
And leads through many scenes the astonished mind.
He traverses creation through, rich tropes
To gather; makes them speak his cause, and teach,
With energy, how novelty affects,
How beauty pleases, and how grandeur sires.
To mind the observations made on things
External; and, while reigns serenity
Within his breast, and every passion sleeps,
Lost to imaginations flowery phrase,
His diction moderates to simple prose,
Reflection's language. But soon fancy gay,
To enliven converse, wakes her fervid train,
Strows blossoms round, and courts the storid aid
61
Then hear the golden periods as they flow,
Arousing, or pathetic, to instruct,
Persuade, and move. With varying voice well tuned,
With gesture natural, and replete with sense,
Comes every sentence missioned to the heart.
In copious streams the rich ideas roll,
And, by the force of reason and of truth,
Joined with the suasive tone of eloquence,
Sway the inflamed passions, and o'erpower the mind.
The hand, in bold expression, wakes the breast
To patriot ardour; or from every eye,
Effusive, calls meek pity's crystal tear.
Now dealing in simplicity of thought,
Led through the native wilds of episode,
With artless ornament and language pure,
Potent persuasion hangs upon the tongue,
62
Now in a loftier style, with figures bold,
Expressions rich, and sentiments sublime,
The orator darts lightning through the soul,
The attention ravishes, the audience rules,
And leads through many scenes the astonished mind.
He traverses creation through, rich tropes
To gather; makes them speak his cause, and teach,
With energy, how novelty affects,
How beauty pleases, and how grandeur sires.
When oral language and poetic phrase
In just description fail; to other means,
More efficacious, genius has recourse.
Imagination paints the forms to view,
That, by perception, on the mind impressed
Their genial aspect; while the pencil draws,
In sweet resemblance on the parchment blank,
A beauteous offspring of the original.
The skillful touch recals the withered flower
To life, immingled with well shaded grace,
And shows it blooming in its mimic pride;
Or vernal scenes depicts, when winter reigns,
Which, sparkling to the enraptured eye, the power
Of intimation, in their charms, display.
To represent Apollo with his lyre,
In car, refulgent, drawn by prancing steeds;
Or the bold orator with lifted arm,
And language speaking eyes; or virgin nymphs,
With snow white bosoms naked, and their robes
Loose floating, while the shepherd tunes his pipe;
Or mighty Jove, with right hand thunder armed,
Soaring on eagle's wing aloft; to draw
Or real or imaginary scenes,
As fancy dictates, is the painter's skill.
In just description fail; to other means,
More efficacious, genius has recourse.
Imagination paints the forms to view,
That, by perception, on the mind impressed
Their genial aspect; while the pencil draws,
In sweet resemblance on the parchment blank,
63
The skillful touch recals the withered flower
To life, immingled with well shaded grace,
And shows it blooming in its mimic pride;
Or vernal scenes depicts, when winter reigns,
Which, sparkling to the enraptured eye, the power
Of intimation, in their charms, display.
To represent Apollo with his lyre,
In car, refulgent, drawn by prancing steeds;
Or the bold orator with lifted arm,
And language speaking eyes; or virgin nymphs,
With snow white bosoms naked, and their robes
Loose floating, while the shepherd tunes his pipe;
Or mighty Jove, with right hand thunder armed,
Soaring on eagle's wing aloft; to draw
Or real or imaginary scenes,
As fancy dictates, is the painter's skill.
64
Still, specimens of imitation fair
Genius displays in other striking views.
The chisel, from the quarry rough, unfolds
The attitude well-softened into flesh.
By artful sculptor's foaming stroke transformed,
Erect the marble stands, and feigns to breathe.
It veils its senseless self in mimic life,
All freshly blooming, shows the rosy cheek,
Looks eager forth, and, by similitude
Exact, illudes and cheats the flattered eye.
Surprise awakes; yet the beholder scarce
Can realize the guile. He thinks it still
A living object; yet remains, with doubts,
Perplexed; and eager looks; till vanishes
The seeming animated form, and turns
A breathless statue. Wonderous counterfeit!
How it deceives the thought, and fascinates
The mind, with wakened senses, to admire
Its likeness, fancying it reality!
Such are the stratagems of art! Wherein
Its genuine imitations it displays,
How pleasing to observe it! To compare
The ingenious offspring with the original,
Inspires emotions, not unlike those raised
By scenes contrasted. While the mind partakes,
By mere perception, the delights of each,
And feels the force of their inherent charms;
Pleasures of livelier vigour it imbibes,
From contrariety and changeful views.
So, from expressive likeness in the arts,
Enchantment steals, unnoticed, on the mind,
By curiosity awakened; which,
Revolving inward, finds itself alarmed
With ravishments peculiar and intense.
Genius displays in other striking views.
The chisel, from the quarry rough, unfolds
The attitude well-softened into flesh.
By artful sculptor's foaming stroke transformed,
Erect the marble stands, and feigns to breathe.
It veils its senseless self in mimic life,
All freshly blooming, shows the rosy cheek,
Looks eager forth, and, by similitude
Exact, illudes and cheats the flattered eye.
Surprise awakes; yet the beholder scarce
Can realize the guile. He thinks it still
A living object; yet remains, with doubts,
Perplexed; and eager looks; till vanishes
The seeming animated form, and turns
A breathless statue. Wonderous counterfeit!
How it deceives the thought, and fascinates
65
Its likeness, fancying it reality!
Such are the stratagems of art! Wherein
Its genuine imitations it displays,
How pleasing to observe it! To compare
The ingenious offspring with the original,
Inspires emotions, not unlike those raised
By scenes contrasted. While the mind partakes,
By mere perception, the delights of each,
And feels the force of their inherent charms;
Pleasures of livelier vigour it imbibes,
From contrariety and changeful views.
So, from expressive likeness in the arts,
Enchantment steals, unnoticed, on the mind,
By curiosity awakened; which,
Revolving inward, finds itself alarmed
With ravishments peculiar and intense.
66
Next agriculture, rustic art and rough,
Advancing, opes the way for other arts
To flourish. Forests disappear; and fields,
All blooming, intimate fine views to man.
Advancing, opes the way for other arts
To flourish. Forests disappear; and fields,
All blooming, intimate fine views to man.
Hail agriculture! nurse of elegance
And grace, tho' rude thyself. Even kings renowned,
Famed sages, and philosophers have held
The inuring plough; have made the stubborn earth
Yield to the polish; and the barren glebe
Submissive to manure. The liberal hand
Of industry, with patient diligence,
Sweeps off the rubbish of the field, and lends
A nutriment, that mollifies the soil,
And rears a growth, rotund, of luscious crops.
While agriculture, spring to polished life,
Demands the attention of the generous brave,
Let not America's aspiring sons,
To independent greatness born, to arts
Refined, and virtue eminent, deserve
The imputation low of idle clowns.
To make the towering forest to the axe
Submit, to pile the enormous log, apply
The fire, subdue and cultivate the land,
Is no mean labour of the ambitious swain.
And grace, tho' rude thyself. Even kings renowned,
Famed sages, and philosophers have held
The inuring plough; have made the stubborn earth
Yield to the polish; and the barren glebe
Submissive to manure. The liberal hand
Of industry, with patient diligence,
Sweeps off the rubbish of the field, and lends
A nutriment, that mollifies the soil,
And rears a growth, rotund, of luscious crops.
While agriculture, spring to polished life,
Demands the attention of the generous brave,
Let not America's aspiring sons,
67
Refined, and virtue eminent, deserve
The imputation low of idle clowns.
To make the towering forest to the axe
Submit, to pile the enormous log, apply
The fire, subdue and cultivate the land,
Is no mean labour of the ambitious swain.
Who tills, not only benefits himself;
But to community gives sustinence.
His actions breathe benevolence to men,
Who move in other spheres, and make the means,
Of him received, contribute a return:
And all, performing their allotted part,
Become shrewd artists at their work, expert,
Exact; and, by the mutual talk of all,
Society, just like an instrument,
With various unisons, which harmonize
In concord sweet, and breathe the general song,
Is to perfection reared, to wealth, and fame.
Obtains utensils for convenient life,
Reaps high emolument, and in the tide
Of honour riots, while kind fortune smiles.
But to community gives sustinence.
His actions breathe benevolence to men,
Who move in other spheres, and make the means,
Of him received, contribute a return:
And all, performing their allotted part,
Become shrewd artists at their work, expert,
Exact; and, by the mutual talk of all,
Society, just like an instrument,
With various unisons, which harmonize
68
Is to perfection reared, to wealth, and fame.
Obtains utensils for convenient life,
Reaps high emolument, and in the tide
Of honour riots, while kind fortune smiles.
With a good zest the labourer relishes,
His meals, and many a sweet participates.
But sluggard indolence in listlessness
Repines, becomes debilitate of mind,
Sickens with life, and time drags heavy on.
Sloth on his temples strows untimely snow,
And soon, ah, sudden, gives him to the tomb!
His meals, and many a sweet participates.
But sluggard indolence in listlessness
Repines, becomes debilitate of mind,
Sickens with life, and time drags heavy on.
Sloth on his temples strows untimely snow,
And soon, ah, sudden, gives him to the tomb!
Polished by culture, now the plains, hills, vales,
In verdure shine; and flowers profusely bloom.
The florist ranges over the scenery
Of nature, culls themes comely to the sense,
Of colours various, exquisite perfumes,
To please or sight or smell; and places them
In most agreeable variety,
As freakish fancy dictates is the mode.
Then blooms the flower garden in its pride,
Opening its beauties in assemblage fair,
To raise the delicate delights of soul.
There, scenes contrasted, regular with wild,
Lively with melancholy, grand with neat,
Bedecked with rosy fingers, charm the view,
And prove a sphere of innocence and mirth.
The gently gliding crystal rivulet
Meandrous, murmuring by the bowery walk,
Betrays its progress through the lowly mead;
Through winding vallies, to the distant main.
The gardener skilfully arranges scenes,
Forms to his taste peculiar, and bestows
All for amusement fine. Each hour, there spent,
Flies swiftly as the rosy zephyrs bland,
Which kiss the lip of Flora as she smiles,
And waft her spicy odours to the sense.
In verdure shine; and flowers profusely bloom.
The florist ranges over the scenery
Of nature, culls themes comely to the sense,
Of colours various, exquisite perfumes,
69
In most agreeable variety,
As freakish fancy dictates is the mode.
Then blooms the flower garden in its pride,
Opening its beauties in assemblage fair,
To raise the delicate delights of soul.
There, scenes contrasted, regular with wild,
Lively with melancholy, grand with neat,
Bedecked with rosy fingers, charm the view,
And prove a sphere of innocence and mirth.
The gently gliding crystal rivulet
Meandrous, murmuring by the bowery walk,
Betrays its progress through the lowly mead;
Through winding vallies, to the distant main.
The gardener skilfully arranges scenes,
Forms to his taste peculiar, and bestows
All for amusement fine. Each hour, there spent,
70
Which kiss the lip of Flora as she smiles,
And waft her spicy odours to the sense.
The flower garden, where shines every grace,
In nice proportion or disorder wild,
With beauteous imagery diversified,
Mixture of scenes, where sweet emotions glow,
Where curiosity gains new desire;
Where swells the poet's bosom into bliss;
Where sage philosophy more wisdom learns;
Where wonder brightens; where refinement wins
Propitious influence o'er the ingenious mind;
The flower garden is the haunt, beloved,
Of gaiety, of sweetness, and delight.
There undulating bowers breathe o'er our limbs
Fresh coolness, as beneath their shades we sit;
There, the delicious essence floats diffuse,
And the wild stream emits soft symphony
Delighting; while inspiring visions rise,
Ravish the view; and music's dulcet sounds
Benignly vibrate on the enchanted ear,
Prompting sensations exquisitely sweet,
In delicacy's gentle breast. How love,
Peculiarly, the softer sex, to walk
In such embellished spheres! with images
To associate, so congenial with their minds,
That raise emotions, pure and delicate
As nature's tinge, and sweet as her perfume!
While thus conversant with such scenes, the heart,
Auspicious moulded for the finer joys
Of life domestic, triumphs in its gains.
In nice proportion or disorder wild,
With beauteous imagery diversified,
Mixture of scenes, where sweet emotions glow,
Where curiosity gains new desire;
Where swells the poet's bosom into bliss;
Where sage philosophy more wisdom learns;
Where wonder brightens; where refinement wins
Propitious influence o'er the ingenious mind;
The flower garden is the haunt, beloved,
Of gaiety, of sweetness, and delight.
There undulating bowers breathe o'er our limbs
Fresh coolness, as beneath their shades we sit;
There, the delicious essence floats diffuse,
71
Delighting; while inspiring visions rise,
Ravish the view; and music's dulcet sounds
Benignly vibrate on the enchanted ear,
Prompting sensations exquisitely sweet,
In delicacy's gentle breast. How love,
Peculiarly, the softer sex, to walk
In such embellished spheres! with images
To associate, so congenial with their minds,
That raise emotions, pure and delicate
As nature's tinge, and sweet as her perfume!
While thus conversant with such scenes, the heart,
Auspicious moulded for the finer joys
Of life domestic, triumphs in its gains.
Behold proud architectures splendid domes
Arise in florid grandeur! See, sublime,
The collonade arrest the ravished sight;
And the projection, vast and high, endowed
With elegance and majesty august,
O'erlook the country round! The columned arch
Swells on the gaze, and, like the concave skies,
To grand conception elevates the mind.
Art, there, its standards of sublimity
Displays; which, suited both for useful ends
And intellectual, for the purposes
Of life and mental pleasures, intimate
Capacious powers in man. His energy
Inventive, his expanded views, and taste
Discerning, that with skill embellishment
Confers, there shine conspicuously grand,
Bespeak his nature, dignity, and fame.
Arise in florid grandeur! See, sublime,
The collonade arrest the ravished sight;
72
With elegance and majesty august,
O'erlook the country round! The columned arch
Swells on the gaze, and, like the concave skies,
To grand conception elevates the mind.
Art, there, its standards of sublimity
Displays; which, suited both for useful ends
And intellectual, for the purposes
Of life and mental pleasures, intimate
Capacious powers in man. His energy
Inventive, his expanded views, and taste
Discerning, that with skill embellishment
Confers, there shine conspicuously grand,
Bespeak his nature, dignity, and fame.
Of the fine arts the origin thus traced
In order, as kind nature gave them birth;
The muse anticipates her rising themes,
And, still assiduous, calls them to her toil.
By charmful imitation to awake
The mind to fervid exercise of thought,
To emotions such as natural prospect wakes,
Refining human nature, human bliss;
The pleasing power of beauty, novelty,
And grandeur, o'er the intellect of man,
To show, is the display, most eminent,
Of genius, and the end of arts refined.
In order, as kind nature gave them birth;
The muse anticipates her rising themes,
73
By charmful imitation to awake
The mind to fervid exercise of thought,
To emotions such as natural prospect wakes,
Refining human nature, human bliss;
The pleasing power of beauty, novelty,
And grandeur, o'er the intellect of man,
To show, is the display, most eminent,
Of genius, and the end of arts refined.
The thoughts and exercises, prevalent
In man, form the complexion of his powers,
And give to character its general traits.
The mind, that most the beautiful admires
In prospect; that delights in gentler scenes,
Where, in sweet graces, delicacy shines;
That at the softer strains of melody,
Feels finer charms, is genuinely formed
For friendship's clime, and for the sympathies,
The tender sympathies of nuptial life.
In man, form the complexion of his powers,
And give to character its general traits.
The mind, that most the beautiful admires
In prospect; that delights in gentler scenes,
Where, in sweet graces, delicacy shines;
That at the softer strains of melody,
Feels finer charms, is genuinely formed
74
The tender sympathies of nuptial life.
Beauty, thou paragon of nature! all
Thy features, singularly fair, display
Attractions, which enkindle flames divine.
A cherished fondness for thy pleasing train,
Sweetness, simplicity, and gaiety,
Thy favourite graces, with a love to scan,
Minutely, thy perfections, and admire,
In every shape, thy image, indicates
A mind, complexioned with refinement nice,
Of delicate sensations, and a heart
Trained to the gentler feelings. Where thy charms
And lineaments are seen, they operate
To instil their magic through the partial breast.
Whoever cherishes thy influence sweet,
Retains thy fine impressions, and becomes
Engaging, pleasing, delicate like thee.
Engaging in demeanour, delicate
In sentiment, and pleasing in the traits,
Humane, of genius, character, and heart.
Thy features, singularly fair, display
Attractions, which enkindle flames divine.
A cherished fondness for thy pleasing train,
Sweetness, simplicity, and gaiety,
Thy favourite graces, with a love to scan,
Minutely, thy perfections, and admire,
In every shape, thy image, indicates
A mind, complexioned with refinement nice,
Of delicate sensations, and a heart
Trained to the gentler feelings. Where thy charms
And lineaments are seen, they operate
To instil their magic through the partial breast.
Whoever cherishes thy influence sweet,
Retains thy fine impressions, and becomes
75
Engaging in demeanour, delicate
In sentiment, and pleasing in the traits,
Humane, of genius, character, and heart.
But the sublime, with magnitude august
Endowed, of wonderous power to captivate,
Darting sometimes chill terrour through the soul,
Different effects produces. It inspires
With dignity and nobler turn the thought.
The mind, conversant with its scenes, expands
To vast designs, with enterprising acts,
Seeks daring ends, and, rather than the abodes,
Endearing of connubial life, prefers
Heroic virtue, scorns the frowns of war,
Danger provokes, encounters hardy toils,
And all to gain the palm, or find a grave,
That fame deems glorious. Magnanimity
To acquire, and to maintain a temper calm,
In the vicissitudes of changeful fate,
Prosperous or sad, converse with the sublime.
Cherish its inspirations in thy breast,
And it will stamp its nobler image there.
Endowed, of wonderous power to captivate,
Darting sometimes chill terrour through the soul,
Different effects produces. It inspires
With dignity and nobler turn the thought.
The mind, conversant with its scenes, expands
To vast designs, with enterprising acts,
Seeks daring ends, and, rather than the abodes,
Endearing of connubial life, prefers
Heroic virtue, scorns the frowns of war,
Danger provokes, encounters hardy toils,
And all to gain the palm, or find a grave,
That fame deems glorious. Magnanimity
76
In the vicissitudes of changeful fate,
Prosperous or sad, converse with the sublime.
Cherish its inspirations in thy breast,
And it will stamp its nobler image there.
Still, other prospects, scenes of novelty,
To sweet sensations wake the mind of man,
And stimulate in search of knowledge, new
And wonderous. Geniuses inquisitive
The strange and marvelous admire, and take
Delight peculiar, to investigate
The secret springs of ingenuity,
In human nature, actions, and effects.
To sweet sensations wake the mind of man,
And stimulate in search of knowledge, new
And wonderous. Geniuses inquisitive
The strange and marvelous admire, and take
Delight peculiar, to investigate
The secret springs of ingenuity,
In human nature, actions, and effects.
Thus, by the different prospects we behold,
Emotions different, in the breast, are raised;
And an attachment to peculiar sights
Distinguishes the genius and the heart.
To impressions of external images
Exposed, man feels their energetic power,
And, with partiality for favourite scenes,
Cherished in early youth, imbibes their stamp,
And genial tincture. His identic turn
Of mind, of manners, and affections, bears
A likeness to the livery they assume.
Emotions different, in the breast, are raised;
And an attachment to peculiar sights
Distinguishes the genius and the heart.
77
Exposed, man feels their energetic power,
And, with partiality for favourite scenes,
Cherished in early youth, imbibes their stamp,
And genial tincture. His identic turn
Of mind, of manners, and affections, bears
A likeness to the livery they assume.
But other movements in the human breast,
Are roused to exercise, beside those caused
By prospect. The dissocial passions there,
And social, are predominant in turn,
As moral causes vex or please the mind.
With rational sense endowed, from faleshood man
Distinguishes the truth; and actions right
From wrong; propriety in inference
Discerns; and his esteem of social worth,
Of actions virtuous; and dislike to vice,
Sanctions with passion. When the suppliant hand
Of injured innocence bespeaks its wrong,
And insolence and cruelty appear,
Can anger slumber in the feeling breast?
Where is the generous but would lend relief?
Or when benevolence and virtue kind
Confer their favours, liberal, on mankind,
Cherish and bless, what bosom is not warmed?
The mind of moral excellence possessed,
Of lovliness, humanity, and truth,
The social passions claim of kindred souls.
But the deformities of vice, disgust
Excite in every amiable mind.
All moral actions cause dislike or love.
Are roused to exercise, beside those caused
By prospect. The dissocial passions there,
And social, are predominant in turn,
As moral causes vex or please the mind.
With rational sense endowed, from faleshood man
Distinguishes the truth; and actions right
From wrong; propriety in inference
Discerns; and his esteem of social worth,
Of actions virtuous; and dislike to vice,
78
Of injured innocence bespeaks its wrong,
And insolence and cruelty appear,
Can anger slumber in the feeling breast?
Where is the generous but would lend relief?
Or when benevolence and virtue kind
Confer their favours, liberal, on mankind,
Cherish and bless, what bosom is not warmed?
The mind of moral excellence possessed,
Of lovliness, humanity, and truth,
The social passions claim of kindred souls.
But the deformities of vice, disgust
Excite in every amiable mind.
All moral actions cause dislike or love.
Emotion is the effect of things impressed,
The pleasures of perception: and the sweets
Of scenery, the vast magnificence
Of objects striking, and the novelty
Of curious unfamiliar images,
United with the liveliness of view,
Determine its degree of pleasantry.
But passion is desire. The cordial glow
Of approbation, followed by a wish
Of goodness; or aversion's vengeful flame,
Mark its complexion. By its vicious cause
Or virtuous, is its kind and nature known.
'Tis moral evil prompts to exercise
The passions, turbulent, in human minds:
Which, when let loose, unduely bridled, cause
Confusions dreadful in the mental world,
Like those, by warring elements produced,
Wide-spreading desolation o'er the globe.
But social passions of a gentler mould,
Resemble summer with its genial warmth
Prolific, brilliancy, and tranquil skies.
The pleasures of perception: and the sweets
Of scenery, the vast magnificence
79
Of curious unfamiliar images,
United with the liveliness of view,
Determine its degree of pleasantry.
But passion is desire. The cordial glow
Of approbation, followed by a wish
Of goodness; or aversion's vengeful flame,
Mark its complexion. By its vicious cause
Or virtuous, is its kind and nature known.
'Tis moral evil prompts to exercise
The passions, turbulent, in human minds:
Which, when let loose, unduely bridled, cause
Confusions dreadful in the mental world,
Like those, by warring elements produced,
Wide-spreading desolation o'er the globe.
But social passions of a gentler mould,
Resemble summer with its genial warmth
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As man more fondly cherishes a love
Of scenes, which sweetly ravish and exalt,
More perfect grows the standard of fine arts.
Genius' warm efforts skilfully succeed,
And give them happier influence o'er the mind.
As taste improves, susceptibility
Of beauty, elegance, and harmony
Increases, and the emotions are possessed
Of livelier mood to please: and while, with them,
The social feelings in refinement vie;
Dissocial passions lose their rougher sway,
And grow more mild, pacific, and humane.
Of scenes, which sweetly ravish and exalt,
More perfect grows the standard of fine arts.
Genius' warm efforts skilfully succeed,
And give them happier influence o'er the mind.
As taste improves, susceptibility
Of beauty, elegance, and harmony
Increases, and the emotions are possessed
Of livelier mood to please: and while, with them,
The social feelings in refinement vie;
Dissocial passions lose their rougher sway,
And grow more mild, pacific, and humane.
Reared by ingenious man whose taste improved
Conducts to pomp of thought, to pleasures fine,
And elegance of life, the liberal arts
Thus beam their lavish honours. They diffuse
Their charmful influence o'er the mental powers,
Sweet as the spicy gales, all hovering round
With recent coolness, and allure the mind,
Auspicious, from its rustic mood. They quell
Its stern ferocity; and, by their charms,
They soften and refine. 'Tis not for thought
Uncultured, nor for unharmonious sounds,
To harmonize the passions, or beguile,
Into the maze of musical delight,
The finer ear. But when the mind expands,
And fairer genius blossoms, human works
Receive the touch of beauty, elegance,
And power, like nature's scenes, to move; to inspire
Emotions delicate, sublime, or rare.
Then thought refined can sweetly harmonize
The passions, and well modulated voice,
Into the maze of musical delight,
The finer ear beguile. Man then, elate,
Prides in refinement; and society
Is high, polite, and happy. Far emerged
From rudeness, with benevolence' brightening ray
His heart distends; the social passions rule
The breast; and virtue, generous virtue reigns.
Conducts to pomp of thought, to pleasures fine,
And elegance of life, the liberal arts
Thus beam their lavish honours. They diffuse
81
Sweet as the spicy gales, all hovering round
With recent coolness, and allure the mind,
Auspicious, from its rustic mood. They quell
Its stern ferocity; and, by their charms,
They soften and refine. 'Tis not for thought
Uncultured, nor for unharmonious sounds,
To harmonize the passions, or beguile,
Into the maze of musical delight,
The finer ear. But when the mind expands,
And fairer genius blossoms, human works
Receive the touch of beauty, elegance,
And power, like nature's scenes, to move; to inspire
Emotions delicate, sublime, or rare.
Then thought refined can sweetly harmonize
The passions, and well modulated voice,
Into the maze of musical delight,
82
Prides in refinement; and society
Is high, polite, and happy. Far emerged
From rudeness, with benevolence' brightening ray
His heart distends; the social passions rule
The breast; and virtue, generous virtue reigns.
84
BOOK III. INFLUENCE OF VIRTUE.
ARGUMENT.
DEFINITION of True Virtue, in distinction from that, understood in the present connexion.—Different Notions and Qualifications of Men in search of Truth, by which to regulate their Conduct.—Gold, the occasion of Sordid Ambition; and Beauty, the occasion of Vanity, the Common and Worst Enemies of Virtue.—Comparison between Virtuous Youth and the Rose.—Reflection on Human Life.—Sympathy and Friendship:— Offspring of Virtue.—The influence of Virtue, in effecting General Harmony.—Conclusion.
85
In vision wrapped of nature, man acquires
Materials for reflection's work, then forms
Arts elegant to humanize the mind.
Then glow the warm affections of the heart,
And pure refinement decorates the breast.
Virtue, the subject of my present strain,
Then lives; and every ruder passion dies.
Materials for reflection's work, then forms
Arts elegant to humanize the mind.
Then glow the warm affections of the heart,
And pure refinement decorates the breast.
Virtue, the subject of my present strain,
86
Though different prospects fascinate the view,
Enkindling raised emotions of delight;
Though the fine arts move, ravish, and exalt;
Though all creation, and all human schemes
Unite, to expand and grace the mind, to shed
Refining power; they ne'er communicate
Celestial influence to the wildered heart.
The sparks of love, that are divine, are not,
By human efforts simply, to be gained.
True heaven born virtue, that will stand the test
Of judgment and of durability,
That merits approbation most sincere,
Is harmony of mind with general ends.
This is a jewel in humanity;
Which, conscious of its value, prides in hopes
Of solid glory; and in public sphere
Or private, casts bright beaming lustre round.
The satisfaction of a life well spent,
And pleasing recollections of past scenes
Of duty done, of charity humane,
Gives consolation to the honest man
Deserving; though obscured from public show,
And scorned by those, his secret-working hand
Of kindness benefits. Affectionate
To all, to God sincere, devout, and chaste,
He fills his little sphere with usefulness,
And acts conformant to the general good.
But virtue, such as nature and fine arts
Enkindle, is benevolence of soul,
Complacent, kind, and friendly, prompting deeds
Conformable to moral truth, which bear
The sanction of humanity benign.
The mind, reviewing the transactions past
Of life, scans every motive, sees the effects
That they produce, and gathers pain
Or pleasure, as they seem or wrong or right.
A consciousness of cruelty to man
Or beast, has oft the heart of peace deprived,
The tender heart, and pierced it with the shaft
Of keen reflection. But beneficence
Diffuses satisfaction o'er the mind.
Enkindling raised emotions of delight;
Though the fine arts move, ravish, and exalt;
Though all creation, and all human schemes
Unite, to expand and grace the mind, to shed
Refining power; they ne'er communicate
Celestial influence to the wildered heart.
The sparks of love, that are divine, are not,
By human efforts simply, to be gained.
True heaven born virtue, that will stand the test
Of judgment and of durability,
That merits approbation most sincere,
Is harmony of mind with general ends.
This is a jewel in humanity;
Which, conscious of its value, prides in hopes
Of solid glory; and in public sphere
87
The satisfaction of a life well spent,
And pleasing recollections of past scenes
Of duty done, of charity humane,
Gives consolation to the honest man
Deserving; though obscured from public show,
And scorned by those, his secret-working hand
Of kindness benefits. Affectionate
To all, to God sincere, devout, and chaste,
He fills his little sphere with usefulness,
And acts conformant to the general good.
But virtue, such as nature and fine arts
Enkindle, is benevolence of soul,
Complacent, kind, and friendly, prompting deeds
Conformable to moral truth, which bear
The sanction of humanity benign.
The mind, reviewing the transactions past
88
That they produce, and gathers pain
Or pleasure, as they seem or wrong or right.
A consciousness of cruelty to man
Or beast, has oft the heart of peace deprived,
The tender heart, and pierced it with the shaft
Of keen reflection. But beneficence
Diffuses satisfaction o'er the mind.
The guide of virtue, through the scenes of life,
Is truth: a gem, whose value is not small.
The studious seek it with a keen desire
Ambitious, with anticipation sweet
Of what it promises; yet with much pains
Laborious. Still the inducement to pursue
Are strong. The satisfaction is refined,
The treasure rich, when purchased. Far above
The common level of the wife, it rears
The aspiring mind. It adds philosophy
To meditation, dignity to man,
And to his actions durability.
Is truth: a gem, whose value is not small.
The studious seek it with a keen desire
Ambitious, with anticipation sweet
Of what it promises; yet with much pains
Laborious. Still the inducement to pursue
Are strong. The satisfaction is refined,
The treasure rich, when purchased. Far above
The common level of the wife, it rears
89
To meditation, dignity to man,
And to his actions durability.
Quite different are the gifts of men; their thoughts,
Their reasonings, and their actions different too.
They labour, ardent, in the mental field,
Collecting each what better suits his taste.
Blinded by passion some, and some, through pride,
Run heedless; some, by prejudice deceived,
And ignorant, superior wisdom boast;
Others eccentric, seeking novelty,
Imbibe erroneous tenets; while the man,
Who reasons just, and practises the truth
He propagates, alone is in the right,
And acts compatible with virtue's end.
To follow solid metaphysic rule,
Demonstrate clear, illustrate, and evince,
Is the nice province of discerning minds.
Their reasonings, and their actions different too.
They labour, ardent, in the mental field,
Collecting each what better suits his taste.
Blinded by passion some, and some, through pride,
Run heedless; some, by prejudice deceived,
And ignorant, superior wisdom boast;
Others eccentric, seeking novelty,
Imbibe erroneous tenets; while the man,
Who reasons just, and practises the truth
He propagates, alone is in the right,
And acts compatible with virtue's end.
To follow solid metaphysic rule,
Demonstrate clear, illustrate, and evince,
90
Opinions various among men prevail,
And juster in proportion to the pains
They take, with candour or with prejudice,
To find out errour, and embrace the truth.
Discordant minds, contending, keep the pen
Fluent with mighty tides of argument,
Or flimsy, subtil, false or reasonable,
In every series of revolving time.
Should the mind ever cease to think, men then,
Perhaps, may cease to jar in sentiment.
Such is the bias education gives,
And such the heat of superstition, which
Insinuates poisonous influence o'er the mind,
While yet in weakness; such the varied strength
Of different geniuses; and such man's thirst
For new discovery, the prevalence
Of inconsistencies is not much strange.
But why, since candour in the search of truth
Is laudable, why form hypothesis,
Devious from right, and dazzling figures bring,
To enchant the mind, and, by the subtilties
Of art, use crafty methods to illude?
Why seminate gross prejudice austere,
With crude conception, for a partial cause?
And juster in proportion to the pains
They take, with candour or with prejudice,
To find out errour, and embrace the truth.
Discordant minds, contending, keep the pen
Fluent with mighty tides of argument,
Or flimsy, subtil, false or reasonable,
In every series of revolving time.
Should the mind ever cease to think, men then,
Perhaps, may cease to jar in sentiment.
Such is the bias education gives,
And such the heat of superstition, which
Insinuates poisonous influence o'er the mind,
While yet in weakness; such the varied strength
Of different geniuses; and such man's thirst
For new discovery, the prevalence
91
But why, since candour in the search of truth
Is laudable, why form hypothesis,
Devious from right, and dazzling figures bring,
To enchant the mind, and, by the subtilties
Of art, use crafty methods to illude?
Why seminate gross prejudice austere,
With crude conception, for a partial cause?
Men have eccentric geniuses, and feed
On various fare. Their ardour, in support
Of different sentiment, is not unlike
The raging conflict of hostilities,
Discordant, in the embattled field. The clash
Of truth and errour, like the clang of arms,
Keeps up the variance; and the endeavours used
To proselyte, like hopes of victory,
Which prompt to readiest methods of assault,
Set every mind in motion, in the search
Of copious argument, or false or true,
To bias or convince. The sprightliness
Of far fetched metaphors, or witty turns
Of diction, tickle some; some, grossly rude,
On superstition feed, unwholesome fare!
Anxious, with low delight, suck errour down,
And fancy they are wise. But errour, not
Like streams pierian, which illume the mind,
Only when drank in copious draughts; but, like
The vapid juice of poppy, stupifies
The more 'tis taken, and deludes the mind.
On various fare. Their ardour, in support
Of different sentiment, is not unlike
The raging conflict of hostilities,
Discordant, in the embattled field. The clash
Of truth and errour, like the clang of arms,
Keeps up the variance; and the endeavours used
To proselyte, like hopes of victory,
Which prompt to readiest methods of assault,
92
Of copious argument, or false or true,
To bias or convince. The sprightliness
Of far fetched metaphors, or witty turns
Of diction, tickle some; some, grossly rude,
On superstition feed, unwholesome fare!
Anxious, with low delight, suck errour down,
And fancy they are wise. But errour, not
Like streams pierian, which illume the mind,
Only when drank in copious draughts; but, like
The vapid juice of poppy, stupifies
The more 'tis taken, and deludes the mind.
The ray of truth the bigoted avoid.
Too much they know, to follow reason's path,
Preclude the light, and dare not step for fear.
The dreamer never argues; frightful shapes
None oftener sees; and none more hard to evince,
That they are phantoms of disordered brain.
The rude are more enlightened than the learned;
The superstitious, only, are controled
By candour; and the bigoted are fair.
Unconscious ignorance makes men more wife,
Than all the precepts of philosophy.
And thus a Newton was no sage, who taught,
Consistent, how the unerring HAND DIVINE,
That rules the vast of nature, sets the springs,
The secret springs in motion, and sustains
A world, a system, and a universe.
Thus too a Locke, on whose capacious mind
The orb of science poured meridian blaze,
Was not discerning: nor a Milton grand,
Who soared on fancy's towering wing sublime.
Nor was an Edward metaphysical,
Who, with great strength of mind and eagle eye,
Deep penetrated to the soul of truth.
Too much they know, to follow reason's path,
Preclude the light, and dare not step for fear.
The dreamer never argues; frightful shapes
None oftener sees; and none more hard to evince,
93
The rude are more enlightened than the learned;
The superstitious, only, are controled
By candour; and the bigoted are fair.
Unconscious ignorance makes men more wife,
Than all the precepts of philosophy.
And thus a Newton was no sage, who taught,
Consistent, how the unerring HAND DIVINE,
That rules the vast of nature, sets the springs,
The secret springs in motion, and sustains
A world, a system, and a universe.
Thus too a Locke, on whose capacious mind
The orb of science poured meridian blaze,
Was not discerning: nor a Milton grand,
Who soared on fancy's towering wing sublime.
Nor was an Edward metaphysical,
94
Deep penetrated to the soul of truth.
Science full orbed, and with refulgent blaze,
Illumes the modern world. The dawning beams,
The ancients cherished, glimmered faintly bright.
Still the proficiency they made, though small,
Pointed to truths in science, which unfold
In brighter times. But let the fathers sleep
In peace, and be content to call them wise,
Though ages since have thought themselves more wise
Than they were; but the moderns think themselves
Yet wiser still; and though America,
So famous, is esteemed more wise than all:
Even wiser than old Britain with her kings.
For envy grants superiority;
And the same rancorous ire, that would infect
Our country's bosom, cankers in her own.
Illumes the modern world. The dawning beams,
The ancients cherished, glimmered faintly bright.
Still the proficiency they made, though small,
Pointed to truths in science, which unfold
In brighter times. But let the fathers sleep
In peace, and be content to call them wise,
Though ages since have thought themselves more wise
Than they were; but the moderns think themselves
Yet wiser still; and though America,
So famous, is esteemed more wise than all:
Even wiser than old Britain with her kings.
For envy grants superiority;
And the same rancorous ire, that would infect
Our country's bosom, cankers in her own.
95
Strangely it mortifies the instructors pride,
To see the pupil rise above the rules
Of borrowed precept, and become more sage
Than he. So the young bird, whose pinions still
Unfledged and feeble, nurtured by the dam
With proved attention, soon, with equal wing,
In ether soars, and mingles with the flock;
Though does not soar, like men, above the rest.
To see the pupil rise above the rules
Of borrowed precept, and become more sage
Than he. So the young bird, whose pinions still
Unfledged and feeble, nurtured by the dam
With proved attention, soon, with equal wing,
In ether soars, and mingles with the flock;
Though does not soar, like men, above the rest.
The feathered throng, not by invention taught,
Nor by the light of reason's orb illumed,
Endowed with instinct only, are alike
Confined to narrow bounds of knowledge dim.
Nature has taught them as they need, to build
Their nest with skill, convenient for themselves,
And model as their little fancies prompt,
In way peculiar to each different kind.
Unlearned by complicated theory,
Or logic rule, they prove minutely wise,
And nicely regular. They trill their notes
Of rapture, sing enamoured to their mates
Their social lay, wild echoing through the groves,
When undisturbed, or pour the lengthened wail
Of lamentation, when the ruthless swain,
Unfeeling and regardless of their moan,
Bespoils their eggs, or robs them of their young.
Such nature dictates: but the mind of man
Progressive, of bright reason's boon possessed,
Moves forth in ceaseless action, e'er expands,
Makes great researches in the field of truth,
Discovers the connexions, intricate,
Of causes and effects, draws inference
From principle, forms plans and executes,
Indulges high raised hopes, and, with desire
Ambitious, climes the slippery steep to fame.
Nor by the light of reason's orb illumed,
Endowed with instinct only, are alike
Confined to narrow bounds of knowledge dim.
Nature has taught them as they need, to build
Their nest with skill, convenient for themselves,
And model as their little fancies prompt,
In way peculiar to each different kind.
Unlearned by complicated theory,
96
And nicely regular. They trill their notes
Of rapture, sing enamoured to their mates
Their social lay, wild echoing through the groves,
When undisturbed, or pour the lengthened wail
Of lamentation, when the ruthless swain,
Unfeeling and regardless of their moan,
Bespoils their eggs, or robs them of their young.
Such nature dictates: but the mind of man
Progressive, of bright reason's boon possessed,
Moves forth in ceaseless action, e'er expands,
Makes great researches in the field of truth,
Discovers the connexions, intricate,
Of causes and effects, draws inference
From principle, forms plans and executes,
Indulges high raised hopes, and, with desire
Ambitious, climes the slippery steep to fame.
97
As we expatiate o'er the bustling world,
Look through the various scenes of busy care,
'Tis all tumultuous and a toilsome round.
Man seeks for happiness, but vainly seeks,
To find it in the dreams of wealth and fame.
Formed for enjoyment, with intense desires,
He aims for pleasure; pain is oft imbibed.
He hates, in others, that, which in himself
He loves; despises what he cannot gain;
And, suffering envy to corrode his breast,
Fosters the poison that destroys his peace.
Urged on by passion, and inflamed with hope,
With heightened expectation, and misled
By erring reason's dictates, all his views
On mere imaginary things are placed,
On the false glitter of delusive joy.
Virtue is slighted, and her influence scorned.
Anxious he roves from scene to scene, in quest
Of things to gratify desire; but, led
By partial notions, never gains his end.
At empty bubbles, which enchant the fight,
Delight the fancy, and excite desire,
He grasps, and catches but the fleeting air.
Then disappointed expectation comes.
The disappointed, ever on the jar,
Feel all the pangs of anguish and regret.
Too often heated fancy paints a pearl,
A real treasure, in an empty theme;
Which, when procured, but surfeits and disgusts.
Too oft illuded, and as oft deceived,
Man still persists, is disappointed still;
Yet still pursues imaginary joy,
And his acquirements jeer at all his hopes.
The rose, that blooms so fair, he fain would seize;
Its foliage, alas, drops off—frail thing!
The briar stings his hand; the only prize
He gains, a bramble; the only pleasure, pain.
But solid judgment, stationed at the helm
Of fancy, moderates to noble views.
It regulates the passions, and the breast
Resigns to social virtue's gentle sway.
Look through the various scenes of busy care,
'Tis all tumultuous and a toilsome round.
Man seeks for happiness, but vainly seeks,
To find it in the dreams of wealth and fame.
Formed for enjoyment, with intense desires,
He aims for pleasure; pain is oft imbibed.
He hates, in others, that, which in himself
He loves; despises what he cannot gain;
And, suffering envy to corrode his breast,
Fosters the poison that destroys his peace.
Urged on by passion, and inflamed with hope,
With heightened expectation, and misled
By erring reason's dictates, all his views
On mere imaginary things are placed,
On the false glitter of delusive joy.
Virtue is slighted, and her influence scorned.
98
Of things to gratify desire; but, led
By partial notions, never gains his end.
At empty bubbles, which enchant the fight,
Delight the fancy, and excite desire,
He grasps, and catches but the fleeting air.
Then disappointed expectation comes.
The disappointed, ever on the jar,
Feel all the pangs of anguish and regret.
Too often heated fancy paints a pearl,
A real treasure, in an empty theme;
Which, when procured, but surfeits and disgusts.
Too oft illuded, and as oft deceived,
Man still persists, is disappointed still;
Yet still pursues imaginary joy,
And his acquirements jeer at all his hopes.
The rose, that blooms so fair, he fain would seize;
99
The briar stings his hand; the only prize
He gains, a bramble; the only pleasure, pain.
But solid judgment, stationed at the helm
Of fancy, moderates to noble views.
It regulates the passions, and the breast
Resigns to social virtue's gentle sway.
As things material are inadequate
To expectation, and refined desire,
Hope, wanton hope, oft meets with a reverse.
'Tis mental food alone can satisfy
A being, immaterial in his make,
Of social nature, and whose bliss is love.
For solid pleasure things of vanity
Were ne'er intended. Their possession yields
Small satisfaction even to narrow souls.
True virtue's social sweets, the harmonies
Of generous spirits, constitute the charms,
And dear felicities of life; although
In deep obscurity immured, and where
Nor wealth, nor trump of fame were ever known.
To expectation, and refined desire,
Hope, wanton hope, oft meets with a reverse.
'Tis mental food alone can satisfy
A being, immaterial in his make,
Of social nature, and whose bliss is love.
For solid pleasure things of vanity
Were ne'er intended. Their possession yields
Small satisfaction even to narrow souls.
True virtue's social sweets, the harmonies
100
And dear felicities of life; although
In deep obscurity immured, and where
Nor wealth, nor trump of fame were ever known.
Hail tranquil solitude! thou sweet retreat,
Where virtuous minds oft love to dwell; and where,
Secluse from noise, they cherish finer flames.
Thou gentle nurse of meditation pure!
Thy haunts are sacred to the pensive mind,
Congenial to divine philosophy,
Sweet to the soul of museful man. There glide
The hours unruffled with a silken wing;
Nor molestation e'er invades thy paths
Unknown to bustle. Nor temptation finds
An avenue, to enter thy resort
Beloved; but is debarred with all its train.
Conscience, with thee, its purity preserves;
The mind is free from envy's sting; the heart
Unsullied, and the bosom crowned with peace.
Thou art the confine of the pensive mind,
The noisy city, of the giddy throng.
Obsequious ever to reflection calm,
To rich improvement, in thy pleasing walks,
Sweet solitude, the meditative mind,
Free from the flattering whimsies of the world,
Is e'er indulgent to the dreams of thought.
There dwells tranquillity of mind; which, clear
As morn unclouded, gives reflection scope;
And, ever busy on delightful themes,
Creation scans, the monuments of art
Descries, and their effect on human kind
Discovering, hopes success to virtue's reign,
To science, to society, and man.
Where virtuous minds oft love to dwell; and where,
Secluse from noise, they cherish finer flames.
Thou gentle nurse of meditation pure!
Thy haunts are sacred to the pensive mind,
Congenial to divine philosophy,
Sweet to the soul of museful man. There glide
The hours unruffled with a silken wing;
Nor molestation e'er invades thy paths
Unknown to bustle. Nor temptation finds
An avenue, to enter thy resort
Beloved; but is debarred with all its train.
Conscience, with thee, its purity preserves;
101
Unsullied, and the bosom crowned with peace.
Thou art the confine of the pensive mind,
The noisy city, of the giddy throng.
Obsequious ever to reflection calm,
To rich improvement, in thy pleasing walks,
Sweet solitude, the meditative mind,
Free from the flattering whimsies of the world,
Is e'er indulgent to the dreams of thought.
There dwells tranquillity of mind; which, clear
As morn unclouded, gives reflection scope;
And, ever busy on delightful themes,
Creation scans, the monuments of art
Descries, and their effect on human kind
Discovering, hopes success to virtue's reign,
To science, to society, and man.
Some, whose pursuit is glory and applause,
Discarding every sympathy of soul
Refined, and pleasures of a moral life,
Devoid of principle and honest views,
The golden treasure seize, the palm of wealth,
Flutter in opulence and rich attire,
In all the pomp and splendour of a court,
In affluency great; but soon, alas,
Stern fortune frowns disastrous, and involves
Their gaudy glory in obscurity!
They seem for moments happy, only seem,
And then are destined to anxiety.
102
Refined, and pleasures of a moral life,
Devoid of principle and honest views,
The golden treasure seize, the palm of wealth,
Flutter in opulence and rich attire,
In all the pomp and splendour of a court,
In affluency great; but soon, alas,
Stern fortune frowns disastrous, and involves
Their gaudy glory in obscurity!
They seem for moments happy, only seem,
And then are destined to anxiety.
How fickle fortune blasts the hopes of men!
How strangely she upsets their high raised schemes!
In every stage of life, through every scene,
She, watchful, seeks to pull ambition down,
High-browed ambition; and would fain conform
To virtue and humility the mind.
How strangely she upsets their high raised schemes!
In every stage of life, through every scene,
She, watchful, seeks to pull ambition down,
High-browed ambition; and would fain conform
To virtue and humility the mind.
103
Some, trivial, run a dissipated round,
Regardless of the impending ills of life;
Others, securely careless of their end,
Important end! waste time in slothful ease;
Some, active, in accumulating wealth,
And covetous, deny themselves the fruit,
Their labour yields; and others, prodigal,
Are brought to pinching poverty and want.
All fain would travel pleasure's flowery road;
And while they run the chase of golden hopes,
The gay career in giddy circles run,
And of elysian transports fondly dream,
The fleeting moments rapidly depart;
Hours, days, weeks, months, and seasons roll away,
And life is dwindled to oblivious dreams.
Age imperceptibly steals o'er the bloom
Of youth; manhood arrives, and soon is gone;
Then sickness, with her desolating train,
All ghastly, ominous with dire disease,
Instils her poison through the human frame,
And, fatal, weakens all the springs of life.
Then, like the leaves in autumn, which elapse
When touched by frost, we droop and fall away.
Time draws the curtain round, and shuts the scene
Of human action. Then the soul is left,
To feel too conscious of eternity,
To realize its worth and just deserts.
Regardless of the impending ills of life;
Others, securely careless of their end,
Important end! waste time in slothful ease;
Some, active, in accumulating wealth,
And covetous, deny themselves the fruit,
Their labour yields; and others, prodigal,
Are brought to pinching poverty and want.
All fain would travel pleasure's flowery road;
And while they run the chase of golden hopes,
The gay career in giddy circles run,
And of elysian transports fondly dream,
The fleeting moments rapidly depart;
Hours, days, weeks, months, and seasons roll away,
And life is dwindled to oblivious dreams.
Age imperceptibly steals o'er the bloom
Of youth; manhood arrives, and soon is gone;
104
All ghastly, ominous with dire disease,
Instils her poison through the human frame,
And, fatal, weakens all the springs of life.
Then, like the leaves in autumn, which elapse
When touched by frost, we droop and fall away.
Time draws the curtain round, and shuts the scene
Of human action. Then the soul is left,
To feel too conscious of eternity,
To realize its worth and just deserts.
Thus to all those, who void of virtue's boon,
To the base shrine of avaricious views,
The enjoyments sacrifice of social life,
The emoluments of same are vanity,
All its pursuits are dreams, its joys deceit.
Thrice blessed is he, who acts the wiser part;
Who keeps himself unspotted from the world,
And unintangled in its treacherous wiles.
Who thinks he's happy, is the happier man.
Enjoyment crowns his wishes, and repletes
Desire. Content he does not hope for that,
Which never was designed for virtuous use.
To the base shrine of avaricious views,
The enjoyments sacrifice of social life,
The emoluments of same are vanity,
All its pursuits are dreams, its joys deceit.
Thrice blessed is he, who acts the wiser part;
Who keeps himself unspotted from the world,
105
Who thinks he's happy, is the happier man.
Enjoyment crowns his wishes, and repletes
Desire. Content he does not hope for that,
Which never was designed for virtuous use.
But not alone we see ambition stalk,
Trampling on virtue, to the shrine of gold
Advancing; but capricious vanity,
The child of beauty and of slattering vile,
We see, inflate with prudery and whim.
These are the worst seducers of the world;
Adverse to friendship and morality.
Trampling on virtue, to the shrine of gold
Advancing; but capricious vanity,
The child of beauty and of slattering vile,
We see, inflate with prudery and whim.
These are the worst seducers of the world;
Adverse to friendship and morality.
Beauty, extrinsical, is but a name;
A gift of nature; an adaptedness
To please the fancy, or delight the eye.
'Tis true, its kindling power is great; and who,
What heart, that when its magic beaming eye
Darts potent inspiration, can resist?
In youth it charms; in middle age it fades,
And saturates the sense, and then decays.
A gift of nature; an adaptedness
To please the fancy, or delight the eye.
'Tis true, its kindling power is great; and who,
What heart, that when its magic beaming eye
106
In youth it charms; in middle age it fades,
And saturates the sense, and then decays.
When in my boyhood, fondly I observed
The fair; their geniuses and tempers marked
With critic eye. My fancy was well pleased
With virtue, even in the morn of life,
Nor was my heart unfeeling of the flame
And amorous impulse, nature early gave.
Beauty with virtue joined, oft won, ('tis told
With freedom for 'twas innocent) ah, won
A conquest o'er my little sluttering heart.
Enraptured I beheld, with wanton eye,
The red rose blossom on the fair one's cheek,
Who breathed of spring; whose rosy lip shed sweets
Ambrosial; and whose breast too felt the flame.
While I perceived the magic of her eye,
The voice of love soft-whispered to my heart;
The modest red-enkindling blush bespoke
My passion, and its innocence betrayed.
The beauties of the field, then too, I loved,
Admired to ramble with the little lass,
And crop the flowers of spring. The stripling boy
Knows more, feels more, far more than fame allows.
The fair; their geniuses and tempers marked
With critic eye. My fancy was well pleased
With virtue, even in the morn of life,
Nor was my heart unfeeling of the flame
And amorous impulse, nature early gave.
Beauty with virtue joined, oft won, ('tis told
With freedom for 'twas innocent) ah, won
A conquest o'er my little sluttering heart.
Enraptured I beheld, with wanton eye,
The red rose blossom on the fair one's cheek,
Who breathed of spring; whose rosy lip shed sweets
Ambrosial; and whose breast too felt the flame.
While I perceived the magic of her eye,
107
The modest red-enkindling blush bespoke
My passion, and its innocence betrayed.
The beauties of the field, then too, I loved,
Admired to ramble with the little lass,
And crop the flowers of spring. The stripling boy
Knows more, feels more, far more than fame allows.
Nature is often lavish with her gifts,
And, when bestowed on females, be it kept
A secret; for to intimate the thought,
Is dangerous; makes them vain; and vanity
May virtue, modest virtue, never know.
It dissipates the mind, corrupts the heart,
And makes sweet females supercilious prudes.
But why should those, who ought in tenderness
To nourish virtue in the female breast,
To fan the graces, and prevent the fall
Of innocence; why should they dare to instil
The poisonous flame? by thoughts unchaste, expressed
In smoother terms, why flatter to betray?
To injure sweetness, satiate, and despoil?
Why raze the temple on which virtue builds
Her throne; where, like the empress of the night,
In modest eminence, she fain would shine?
Who flatters, is of impudence possessed:
Who does it to inspire with vanity,
Is inimical to fair virtue's cause;
And base the wretch who flatters to seduce!
Too oft unfeeling inhumanity
Has watched, with dissolute intent, the path,
Where female virtue innocently walked,
Unconscious of the harm. Too oft are worth
And thriving glory blasted in their bloom.
And, when bestowed on females, be it kept
A secret; for to intimate the thought,
Is dangerous; makes them vain; and vanity
May virtue, modest virtue, never know.
It dissipates the mind, corrupts the heart,
And makes sweet females supercilious prudes.
But why should those, who ought in tenderness
To nourish virtue in the female breast,
To fan the graces, and prevent the fall
108
The poisonous flame? by thoughts unchaste, expressed
In smoother terms, why flatter to betray?
To injure sweetness, satiate, and despoil?
Why raze the temple on which virtue builds
Her throne; where, like the empress of the night,
In modest eminence, she fain would shine?
Who flatters, is of impudence possessed:
Who does it to inspire with vanity,
Is inimical to fair virtue's cause;
And base the wretch who flatters to seduce!
Too oft unfeeling inhumanity
Has watched, with dissolute intent, the path,
Where female virtue innocently walked,
Unconscious of the harm. Too oft are worth
And thriving glory blasted in their bloom.
O, human species, what vile infamy
Would stigmatize thy race, did female worth
Hear wantonly to flattery's rant, and yield,
With unreserve, to libertine intrigue,
Still virtue sometimes falls. But did the fair
The wiles of sycophants discountenance,
Brand the deceiver with deserved disgrace,
And make unblemished honour, open truth,
And mental charms, the standard of their smiles;
Virtue would flourish with unrivalled growth,
Would triumph o'er the fall of vice, and add
New rays to human glory. Meekness, then,
Would smooth the brow of conscious innocence,
With down-cast looks and fascinating charms.
When modesty forsakes them, loveliness
Departs, and every beauty disappears.
Blessed is the purer heart, that vanity
Ne'er tainted, sweet the guileless countenance
Of honesty, and eminent the mind,
That dignity to human nature shows,
Through the bright mirror of morality.
Complacent manners, unaffected ease,
And dispositions sweet, which indicate
Refinement, ever charm congenial minds.
109
Hear wantonly to flattery's rant, and yield,
With unreserve, to libertine intrigue,
Still virtue sometimes falls. But did the fair
The wiles of sycophants discountenance,
Brand the deceiver with deserved disgrace,
And make unblemished honour, open truth,
And mental charms, the standard of their smiles;
Virtue would flourish with unrivalled growth,
Would triumph o'er the fall of vice, and add
New rays to human glory. Meekness, then,
Would smooth the brow of conscious innocence,
With down-cast looks and fascinating charms.
When modesty forsakes them, loveliness
Departs, and every beauty disappears.
Blessed is the purer heart, that vanity
Ne'er tainted, sweet the guileless countenance
110
That dignity to human nature shows,
Through the bright mirror of morality.
Complacent manners, unaffected ease,
And dispositions sweet, which indicate
Refinement, ever charm congenial minds.
In purer ages, when brave honour met
The approving smile of virtue with delight;
When lovers frank, in fondness entertained
The lass, with feats their valour had atchieved,
Or with the instructive tale of simple truth;
Then base disguise and flattery were unknown.
To give the worthy deed its due applause,
Was virtue's plea, and merit's sure reward.
The blooming fair then lent their manners mild,
To soften roughness in the ruder sex,
And stole becoming dignity from them.
By mutual aids, rusticity acquired
Refinement delicate and gentler mould;
And weak effeminacy, nobler grace.
The benefit, alternately derived,
Gave affability and worth to each.
No vain applause intruded on the rules
Of decency; nor did infatuate thirst
Of gold eradicate, from man, a sense
Of justice, nor a love of virtuous deeds.
The approving smile of virtue with delight;
When lovers frank, in fondness entertained
The lass, with feats their valour had atchieved,
Or with the instructive tale of simple truth;
Then base disguise and flattery were unknown.
To give the worthy deed its due applause,
Was virtue's plea, and merit's sure reward.
The blooming fair then lent their manners mild,
To soften roughness in the ruder sex,
And stole becoming dignity from them.
111
Refinement delicate and gentler mould;
And weak effeminacy, nobler grace.
The benefit, alternately derived,
Gave affability and worth to each.
No vain applause intruded on the rules
Of decency; nor did infatuate thirst
Of gold eradicate, from man, a sense
Of justice, nor a love of virtuous deeds.
Flattery, the common fosterer of guile,
In modern times, by freakish belles and beaus,
Obtains the smoother sense of compliment.
Still, with its blandished softness, its effects
Are rankling poison in the unguarded heart.
It learns the fair to cultivate deceit,
And slight the brilliant talents of the mind.
Some paint, dress fine, assume affected airs,
And, primming at the mirror, waste the day,
To fancy they are pretty: fondly dote
On their imagined, but unreal charms,
And foster dear deception of themselves.
Have you not seen a peacock strut superb,
With flirts and turns, with ostentatious plumes,
And gaudy show? and did the dazzling sight,
With colours splendid, beautify his legs?
Nor does the vesture of the gay coquette,
The affected air, the prim, and painted cheek,
Add graces or accomplishments of mind.
Often, too often is intrinsic worth,
For beauty, slighted; and the glowing cheek,
That nature decks, by paint uncomely daubed.
Strange, that the sprightliest fancy should be cloyed
With native grace, to have recourse to art!
The well mixed colours and the gentlest touch,
Far from adorning nature's images,
Of nice perfection, tarnish and deform.
The painter, though his taste be exquisite,
Can never add a beauty to the rose.
With curious and minute observing eye,
With fine discernment, pleased he may perceive
Its mingled tinges and proportioned shades;
But ne'er can adequately draw the theme.
He sees, admires those beauties, pencil ne'er
Can steal, nor artists imitate exact;
Although the tints be delicately fine,
And laid with lightly-fingered skill, and nice.
Hence, why does female vanity attempt,
To grace the cheek, too fair to be adorned?
The finer pieces, drawn with master strokes,
May please a moment, carelessly beheld;
But cannot captivate, like images
By nature's self portrayed. The blooming cheek,
The ruby lip, the brightly sparkling eye,
And comely set of features, vivified
With life and health, are objects beautiful,
Too beautiful for art to emulate;
And the superior graces of the mind,
Ever unfolding with still brighter charms,
Can captivate, when nature's beauties fade;
And when the mimic arts no more can please.
In modern times, by freakish belles and beaus,
Obtains the smoother sense of compliment.
Still, with its blandished softness, its effects
Are rankling poison in the unguarded heart.
It learns the fair to cultivate deceit,
And slight the brilliant talents of the mind.
Some paint, dress fine, assume affected airs,
112
To fancy they are pretty: fondly dote
On their imagined, but unreal charms,
And foster dear deception of themselves.
Have you not seen a peacock strut superb,
With flirts and turns, with ostentatious plumes,
And gaudy show? and did the dazzling sight,
With colours splendid, beautify his legs?
Nor does the vesture of the gay coquette,
The affected air, the prim, and painted cheek,
Add graces or accomplishments of mind.
Often, too often is intrinsic worth,
For beauty, slighted; and the glowing cheek,
That nature decks, by paint uncomely daubed.
Strange, that the sprightliest fancy should be cloyed
With native grace, to have recourse to art!
The well mixed colours and the gentlest touch,
113
Of nice perfection, tarnish and deform.
The painter, though his taste be exquisite,
Can never add a beauty to the rose.
With curious and minute observing eye,
With fine discernment, pleased he may perceive
Its mingled tinges and proportioned shades;
But ne'er can adequately draw the theme.
He sees, admires those beauties, pencil ne'er
Can steal, nor artists imitate exact;
Although the tints be delicately fine,
And laid with lightly-fingered skill, and nice.
Hence, why does female vanity attempt,
To grace the cheek, too fair to be adorned?
The finer pieces, drawn with master strokes,
May please a moment, carelessly beheld;
But cannot captivate, like images
114
The ruby lip, the brightly sparkling eye,
And comely set of features, vivified
With life and health, are objects beautiful,
Too beautiful for art to emulate;
And the superior graces of the mind,
Ever unfolding with still brighter charms,
Can captivate, when nature's beauties fade;
And when the mimic arts no more can please.
See yonder! in the gaudy pride of state,
The rose-bud, sportive, vibrates to the breeze,
Exhaling sweetest odours. Softening dews,
Mellifluous, yield a nutriment benign,
Which prompts its growth, expands its foliage;
And there it glows the beauteous pride of spring.
Its matchless graces charm the sight; and though,
On either side, environed by the thorn,
It flourishes unsoiled, and sports unharmed.
Emblem of genuine virtue! which nor pride
Of life, nor lure of gold, nor beauty's power,
Can elevate, intice, or overcome.
Sweet emblem also of aspiring youth,
Who sport upon the tide of fame, and swell
With high desire and emulating hopes.
Beguiling are thy beauties! Ruddiness,
Festivity, and sweets in thee combine.
The garden owes to thee its matchless grace
And pristine grandeur: and ingenuous youth,
Their fond desires of merited applause,
To virtue owe. The precious jewel this,
On which depends true eminence in life.
Fair virtue is the pride of youth, the rose
The garden's pride. But youth ne'er represent
The charms of virtue in so pleasing light,
And striking, as the garden shows the rose.
Still virtue, even amid the blasts of time,
Buds and expands; though oft embarrassed much;
And, if with heavenly principle combined,
When winged to milder suns, in glory beams,
And flourishes in ever brightening bloom.
While cropped, perhaps, by some inclement hand,
Or withering on its stalk, the rose expires;
Its tinges fades; and every charm decays.
Twice, thrice two days it bloomed, perhaps a week;
Then sudden, from its boasted grandeur, pomp,
And heightened glory, to oblivion fell;
As falls all outward beauty and its pride.
The rose-bud, sportive, vibrates to the breeze,
Exhaling sweetest odours. Softening dews,
Mellifluous, yield a nutriment benign,
Which prompts its growth, expands its foliage;
And there it glows the beauteous pride of spring.
Its matchless graces charm the sight; and though,
On either side, environed by the thorn,
115
Emblem of genuine virtue! which nor pride
Of life, nor lure of gold, nor beauty's power,
Can elevate, intice, or overcome.
Sweet emblem also of aspiring youth,
Who sport upon the tide of fame, and swell
With high desire and emulating hopes.
Beguiling are thy beauties! Ruddiness,
Festivity, and sweets in thee combine.
The garden owes to thee its matchless grace
And pristine grandeur: and ingenuous youth,
Their fond desires of merited applause,
To virtue owe. The precious jewel this,
On which depends true eminence in life.
Fair virtue is the pride of youth, the rose
The garden's pride. But youth ne'er represent
The charms of virtue in so pleasing light,
116
Still virtue, even amid the blasts of time,
Buds and expands; though oft embarrassed much;
And, if with heavenly principle combined,
When winged to milder suns, in glory beams,
And flourishes in ever brightening bloom.
While cropped, perhaps, by some inclement hand,
Or withering on its stalk, the rose expires;
Its tinges fades; and every charm decays.
Twice, thrice two days it bloomed, perhaps a week;
Then sudden, from its boasted grandeur, pomp,
And heightened glory, to oblivion fell;
As falls all outward beauty and its pride.
One youth, though in the bloom of health, and gay
In harmless merriment, unknown to care
Perplexing; though in eager search of fame,
Urged by desire and emulation warm;
Which, if e'er gratified, give ardency
To other hopes; though strowed with flowers his path;
Though pleasure smiles in every chase; one youth,
And only one, is there for man designed.
He rises into life, runs giddy rounds
Of flattering joy, forgetful of its cheats,
And of the hurrying years. Age after age
Succeeds; and treacherous illusive time,
With swift-winged flight, in hasty guile steals on,
To bury all its grandeur in the dust,
Or, rather else, to obliviate its crimes.
Nature is subject to perpetual waste;
And soon forgotten are the exploits of men.
The deeds of hero's, mighty boasts of fame,
Of art, and all the wonders of the world,
Are wasting fast the memory to evade.
In harmless merriment, unknown to care
Perplexing; though in eager search of fame,
Urged by desire and emulation warm;
117
To other hopes; though strowed with flowers his path;
Though pleasure smiles in every chase; one youth,
And only one, is there for man designed.
He rises into life, runs giddy rounds
Of flattering joy, forgetful of its cheats,
And of the hurrying years. Age after age
Succeeds; and treacherous illusive time,
With swift-winged flight, in hasty guile steals on,
To bury all its grandeur in the dust,
Or, rather else, to obliviate its crimes.
Nature is subject to perpetual waste;
And soon forgotten are the exploits of men.
The deeds of hero's, mighty boasts of fame,
Of art, and all the wonders of the world,
Are wasting fast the memory to evade.
118
The seasons are a type of human life.
Now, as the green scene opens, bud the trees,
And put forth young-eyed infancy awhile;
Now gaily blossom in the pride of youth;
Now gather all their nourishment, in strength
Of manhood; then, mature, give up their spoils,
And yield obedient to the blasts of time.
Now, as the green scene opens, bud the trees,
And put forth young-eyed infancy awhile;
Now gaily blossom in the pride of youth;
Now gather all their nourishment, in strength
Of manhood; then, mature, give up their spoils,
And yield obedient to the blasts of time.
Like spring, when vegetative vigour works,
Infusing secret influence through the tribes
Of rising forms, and beauty's fairy train,
The youthful mind, susceptible and warm
Of feeling, shows the pleasing habitudes
Of virtue in its thriving state, ere yet
The briars of ambition, and the cares
Of busier age, infringe upon its growth.
Then nature's dictates, throbbing at the heart,
In harmless mirths and sensibilities,
Attachments warm and amorous flames, and all
The kind affections of congenial souls,
Excite to habits moral and humane.
Friendship diffuses sweets; and sympathy
Mingles caresses in all scenes of life.
Virtue's blest offspring! qualities most dear,
In human nature, and in social joys!
Infusing secret influence through the tribes
Of rising forms, and beauty's fairy train,
The youthful mind, susceptible and warm
Of feeling, shows the pleasing habitudes
Of virtue in its thriving state, ere yet
The briars of ambition, and the cares
Of busier age, infringe upon its growth.
Then nature's dictates, throbbing at the heart,
In harmless mirths and sensibilities,
119
The kind affections of congenial souls,
Excite to habits moral and humane.
Friendship diffuses sweets; and sympathy
Mingles caresses in all scenes of life.
Virtue's blest offspring! qualities most dear,
In human nature, and in social joys!
When with disastrous fate the breast is torn;
And goodness, sadly injured, is compelled
To grieve, sweet sympathy her aid bestows,
Pours consolation's balm in every wound,
Endeavours to inspire, with lenient ease,
The bosom, gives exhilaration sweet
Of mind, and wakes vivacity of thought.
Ingenuous spirits with immingling fires
Congenial, ratified by long proved love,
Proffer affection, show attachment warm,
And blend their feelings in one common lot.
Then far avaunt, ye sadly lingering hours,
Nor enter where concordant passions reign!
For mutual pleasures e'er untainted flow,
Where dwell the generous, where the virtuous dwell.
That lovely tenderness of soul sincere,
Which care dissolves and mitigates distress,
And the kind heart that vibrates at our joy,
Are blessed ingredients of sweet sympathy.
She lends her smiles reviving, kindles hope,
The aspect sad dispels, regales the soul,
Averts corroding sorrows from the mind,
And wins it over to a mirthful mood.
Or when kind fortune smiles, she heightens joy;
And cheerfulness leads on the happier hours.
And goodness, sadly injured, is compelled
To grieve, sweet sympathy her aid bestows,
Pours consolation's balm in every wound,
Endeavours to inspire, with lenient ease,
The bosom, gives exhilaration sweet
Of mind, and wakes vivacity of thought.
Ingenuous spirits with immingling fires
Congenial, ratified by long proved love,
Proffer affection, show attachment warm,
120
Then far avaunt, ye sadly lingering hours,
Nor enter where concordant passions reign!
For mutual pleasures e'er untainted flow,
Where dwell the generous, where the virtuous dwell.
That lovely tenderness of soul sincere,
Which care dissolves and mitigates distress,
And the kind heart that vibrates at our joy,
Are blessed ingredients of sweet sympathy.
She lends her smiles reviving, kindles hope,
The aspect sad dispels, regales the soul,
Averts corroding sorrows from the mind,
And wins it over to a mirthful mood.
Or when kind fortune smiles, she heightens joy;
And cheerfulness leads on the happier hours.
Spirits refined and virtuous coalesce.
Their tempers, mutual, harmonize sincere;
And intimacy ratifies the bond.
'Tis this discovers qualities humane,
Which more attract, the more we realize
Their merits. Oft has intimacy found
The jewel precious, that neglect concealed.
Merit, not showy, not too fond of fame,
And eminent above the groveling arts
Of flattery in disguise, and boasting rant,
Is nobly humble; keeps herself secluse;
And by the passing throng is not discerned.
But intimacy strips the mantle off,
Unfolding treasures of consummate worth.
Their tempers, mutual, harmonize sincere;
121
'Tis this discovers qualities humane,
Which more attract, the more we realize
Their merits. Oft has intimacy found
The jewel precious, that neglect concealed.
Merit, not showy, not too fond of fame,
And eminent above the groveling arts
Of flattery in disguise, and boasting rant,
Is nobly humble; keeps herself secluse;
And by the passing throng is not discerned.
But intimacy strips the mantle off,
Unfolding treasures of consummate worth.
How happy to indulge the cordial glow
Of social feeling, friendship called! Herein
The finer joys consist of mutual man.
The soul exhilarating intercourse
Of bland philanthropy gives tardy time
A swiftly-fleeting pinion to be gone,
Embezzling all our pains, and leaving sweets
Her votaries to bless. When anxious thought
Sorrows the brow, and causes grief acute,
Mingle with friends; the cordial hand bestow;
Cheer up your spirits; every care dispel,
And let hilarity complete the joy.
Mirth in its proper time is innocent:
Not incompatible with virtue's rules;
Nor has unhappy influence on the mind.
Of social feeling, friendship called! Herein
The finer joys consist of mutual man.
The soul exhilarating intercourse
Of bland philanthropy gives tardy time
122
Embezzling all our pains, and leaving sweets
Her votaries to bless. When anxious thought
Sorrows the brow, and causes grief acute,
Mingle with friends; the cordial hand bestow;
Cheer up your spirits; every care dispel,
And let hilarity complete the joy.
Mirth in its proper time is innocent:
Not incompatible with virtue's rules;
Nor has unhappy influence on the mind.
A friend—how dear the name! a friend sincere,
What comprehension in the term! a friend,
Joyous, I once possessed—another self.
May roses amaranthine deck his urn;
Love crown his memory. He fell, when young,
A luckless victim to an early tomb!
In bloom of life he fell; not like the flower
Autumnal, lapsing in an age mature;
But like a lily of the vernal morn,
That bloomed awhile; but faded ere 'twas noon.
Such the mysterious calls of PROVIDENCE!
His gentle virtue blossomed like the rose,
Promised much benefit to man; but soon,
Ah, sudden, gained a passport to the skies!
What comprehension in the term! a friend,
Joyous, I once possessed—another self.
May roses amaranthine deck his urn;
Love crown his memory. He fell, when young,
A luckless victim to an early tomb!
In bloom of life he fell; not like the flower
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But like a lily of the vernal morn,
That bloomed awhile; but faded ere 'twas noon.
Such the mysterious calls of PROVIDENCE!
His gentle virtue blossomed like the rose,
Promised much benefit to man; but soon,
Ah, sudden, gained a passport to the skies!
Though lawless passions false, enkindled warm
By heated fancy, to infatuate rage,
Lose, shortly lose their irritated glow,
And turn to cold retaliating guilt;
Still there's a flame, that flourishes in growth
Immortal. And although the sordid soul,
Ignoble, unacquainted with the charms
Of friendship and the power of sympathy,
Scoff at the affections, kindled at the shrine
Of virtue; it ne'er lessens, but augments
The joys of those who feel them. Genuine sweets
Of friendship can be realized by those
Alone, who merit, taste, and are revived:
Who never knew disguise; whose open brow
Meets virtue's smile, and speaks a kindred soul.
By heated fancy, to infatuate rage,
Lose, shortly lose their irritated glow,
And turn to cold retaliating guilt;
Still there's a flame, that flourishes in growth
Immortal. And although the sordid soul,
Ignoble, unacquainted with the charms
Of friendship and the power of sympathy,
Scoff at the affections, kindled at the shrine
Of virtue; it ne'er lessens, but augments
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Of friendship can be realized by those
Alone, who merit, taste, and are revived:
Who never knew disguise; whose open brow
Meets virtue's smile, and speaks a kindred soul.
Where e'er the graces shine, in mental powers,
Or outward action; where affections kind
And charity their benefits diffuse;
There virtue dwells, society to bless.
Holding dominion o'er the human mind,
She humbles vanity, ambition curbs,
And moderates them to benigner rule.
No vengeful passions, then, control within;
Nor actions, of immoral cast, disgrace
The human species. Peace with union dwells.
By science' beams enlightened, by fine arts
Exalted, warmed by virtue, human minds
New mould receive; and pure refinement reigns,
Auspicious reigns, to harmonize the world.
Or outward action; where affections kind
And charity their benefits diffuse;
There virtue dwells, society to bless.
Holding dominion o'er the human mind,
She humbles vanity, ambition curbs,
And moderates them to benigner rule.
No vengeful passions, then, control within;
Nor actions, of immoral cast, disgrace
The human species. Peace with union dwells.
By science' beams enlightened, by fine arts
Exalted, warmed by virtue, human minds
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Auspicious reigns, to harmonize the world.
Thus having ranged the field of nature, found
Ingredients for reflection to advance
Her works; thence traced the active powers of man
In mimic ingenuities, and marked
Refinement, as o'er human intellect
It sweetly stole; imagination lowers
Her pinions, and participates repose.
Ingredients for reflection to advance
Her works; thence traced the active powers of man
In mimic ingenuities, and marked
Refinement, as o'er human intellect
It sweetly stole; imagination lowers
Her pinions, and participates repose.
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FAME.
A POEM.
ARGUMENT.
INTRODUCTION.—Love of Fame predominant in all minds.—Sought principally in three respects: In the accumulation of wealth, in political displays, and in military exploits.—Vain, when sought from wrong motives; and truely laudable only, when sought with benevolent views.—Conclusion, on the happy influence of Science.
As the bright day star wakes the radiant morn,
And crimson beams the expansive east adorn,
Man rouses from the bed of sweet repose,
With golden hopes his ardent bosom glows,
Pursues the chase of many a toilsome round,
The sphere of glory all his actions bound.
And crimson beams the expansive east adorn,
Man rouses from the bed of sweet repose,
With golden hopes his ardent bosom glows,
Pursues the chase of many a toilsome round,
The sphere of glory all his actions bound.
When emulation's fires the mind control,
And smooth applauses touch the aspiring soul,
The ingenuous bosom feels a conscious pride,
And moves, exulting, on the rising tide.
And smooth applauses touch the aspiring soul,
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And moves, exulting, on the rising tide.
Should we expatiate o'er the round of care,
The various actions of the scene compare,
View every movement, every bosom scan,
And mark the motives which prevail on man;
Though different passions rise, we still should find,
That love of praise controls the general mind.
Flushed with fond wishes we pursue our end,
Form various projects, and for fame contend,
Strive with impatience to acquire renown,
Hope never fails, though adverse fortune frown.
The various actions of the scene compare,
View every movement, every bosom scan,
And mark the motives which prevail on man;
Though different passions rise, we still should find,
That love of praise controls the general mind.
Flushed with fond wishes we pursue our end,
Form various projects, and for fame contend,
Strive with impatience to acquire renown,
Hope never fails, though adverse fortune frown.
'Tis emulation prompts the freeborn mind,
In search of truth and sentiment refined,
Excites a fond desire for true applause,
Bids us with ardour rise in virtue's cause,
Instruct mankind, where streams of pleasure roll,
And godlike reason teach to guide the soul.
But when wrong motives in the breast conspire,
Ambition, raging, sets the soul on fire.
Insatiate avarice, with fraud profane,
Slights all for treasure, forfeits heaven for gain,
Flies to the realms where copious stores unfold,
And makes the soul a prostitute to gold.
In search of truth and sentiment refined,
Excites a fond desire for true applause,
Bids us with ardour rise in virtue's cause,
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And godlike reason teach to guide the soul.
But when wrong motives in the breast conspire,
Ambition, raging, sets the soul on fire.
Insatiate avarice, with fraud profane,
Slights all for treasure, forfeits heaven for gain,
Flies to the realms where copious stores unfold,
And makes the soul a prostitute to gold.
Crœsus, Lucullus, with vain glorious aim,
In sparkling coffers won ignoble fame,
In pomp refulgent shone superbly great,
While gaudy splendour decked the pride of state.
But vain is wealth, and vain is sumptuous show,
Vain the delights false glory can bestow!
Yet man, the same in every circling age,
Feels disappointment fire his soul with rage.
In every breast the same desires prevail,
And the same passions rise, when efforts fail.
And while within the sphere of toil confined,
He meets disasters which distract his mind.
There tortured envy sneaks in low disguise;
There discord reigns, and rankling feelings rise.
Here heaven born virtue dwells secluse from broils;
There vice is plodding his infernal wiles.
Some form vile stratagems to effect their views,
Allure the kind and poignant rancour use.
Thus base Pizarro, though a specious friend,
Harboured the intrigue and malice of a fiend.
In sparkling coffers won ignoble fame,
In pomp refulgent shone superbly great,
While gaudy splendour decked the pride of state.
But vain is wealth, and vain is sumptuous show,
Vain the delights false glory can bestow!
Yet man, the same in every circling age,
Feels disappointment fire his soul with rage.
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And the same passions rise, when efforts fail.
And while within the sphere of toil confined,
He meets disasters which distract his mind.
There tortured envy sneaks in low disguise;
There discord reigns, and rankling feelings rise.
Here heaven born virtue dwells secluse from broils;
There vice is plodding his infernal wiles.
Some form vile stratagems to effect their views,
Allure the kind and poignant rancour use.
Thus base Pizarro, though a specious friend,
Harboured the intrigue and malice of a fiend.
Many who stand revered in statesman's gown,
Whose actions gain the sanction of renown,
Shine forth, conspicuous, in the blaze of state,
Seek the distinguished honours of the great,
Flourish in politics and learning's pride,
The curious subtilties of law decide,
Form the fair plea, and, eloquently loud,
Roll off their periods to the admiring crowd.
Some, sage in council and augustly bold,
With warm endeavour polished sense unfold,
Seem anxious to promote their country's cause,
And strive to gain the summit of applause.
Whose actions gain the sanction of renown,
Shine forth, conspicuous, in the blaze of state,
Seek the distinguished honours of the great,
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The curious subtilties of law decide,
Form the fair plea, and, eloquently loud,
Roll off their periods to the admiring crowd.
Some, sage in council and augustly bold,
With warm endeavour polished sense unfold,
Seem anxious to promote their country's cause,
And strive to gain the summit of applause.
See zealous Tully with high honours crowned,
And living laurels on his temples bound!
With magic powers of elocution armed,
He caught attention, every mind alarmed,
Roused patriotism in a falling state,
And snatched his country from disastrous fate.
Richelieu, with pleasing hopes of glory fired,
By sly intrigue for boundless power conspired.
Woolsey and Walpole felt the glowing flame,
And proved mere dupes to flattery and fame.
And living laurels on his temples bound!
With magic powers of elocution armed,
He caught attention, every mind alarmed,
Roused patriotism in a falling state,
And snatched his country from disastrous fate.
Richelieu, with pleasing hopes of glory fired,
By sly intrigue for boundless power conspired.
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And proved mere dupes to flattery and fame.
See warriors, all enraged with thirst of blood,
Deluge vast empires in a crimson flood.
They ride, exulting, in the martial field,
Bear off the trophies their proud conquests yield,
Drag captured subjects bound in hostile chains,
Laugh o'er their sufferings and insult their pains.
Such are the effects of false ambition dire!
For false ambition kindles fierce desire.
Frantic with fury, and inflate with pride,
Famed Alexander strove for empire wide,
Made nations tremble at his ravenous sword,
Let loose his passion, and their bosom gored.
From lowest basis populous realms he hurled,
And stood the unrivalled conqueror of the world.
Great Charles of Sweden, in refulgent car,
And Lewis, famous, braved the front of war,
Struggled for glory with impetuous aim,
Unsheathed the dagger to emblaze their fame.
Deluge vast empires in a crimson flood.
They ride, exulting, in the martial field,
Bear off the trophies their proud conquests yield,
Drag captured subjects bound in hostile chains,
Laugh o'er their sufferings and insult their pains.
Such are the effects of false ambition dire!
For false ambition kindles fierce desire.
Frantic with fury, and inflate with pride,
Famed Alexander strove for empire wide,
Made nations tremble at his ravenous sword,
Let loose his passion, and their bosom gored.
From lowest basis populous realms he hurled,
And stood the unrivalled conqueror of the world.
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And Lewis, famous, braved the front of war,
Struggled for glory with impetuous aim,
Unsheathed the dagger to emblaze their fame.
Wealth, conquests, and political displays
Are crowned with wreaths and amaranthine bays.
Although the motive and the end be wrong,
They win the favour of the vulgar throng.
The rich have sought with persevering care,
Great politicians, ardent, aimed to share,
And sanguine heroes strove, in hopes to gain,
A fleeting bubble treacherously vain:
And, as they seized the prize, it overjoyed;
But soon it broke, and disappointment cloyed.
Mere trifles please; and phantoms seem like gems;
But the fond hand that grasps, at once condemns.
Delusive fortune blasts the keen desire,
Humiliates pride, and checks ambition's fire.
Are crowned with wreaths and amaranthine bays.
Although the motive and the end be wrong,
They win the favour of the vulgar throng.
The rich have sought with persevering care,
Great politicians, ardent, aimed to share,
And sanguine heroes strove, in hopes to gain,
A fleeting bubble treacherously vain:
And, as they seized the prize, it overjoyed;
But soon it broke, and disappointment cloyed.
Mere trifles please; and phantoms seem like gems;
But the fond hand that grasps, at once condemns.
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Humiliates pride, and checks ambition's fire.
Now may the muse display the nobler mind,
Where virtue and the love of fame combined;
Where with benignant sceptre wisdom reigned,
Smiled concord round, and true applause obtained.
Where virtue and the love of fame combined;
Where with benignant sceptre wisdom reigned,
Smiled concord round, and true applause obtained.
With patriotic firmness, martial zeal,
Turenne, heroic, sought the public weal.
France reared a Henry, who illustrious shone,
Rode the triumphal car, adorned the throne,
Was persevering in his country's cause,
And bade his subjects yield to reason's laws.
By sapient rules the Medici long reigned;
And the famed Incas
due submission gained.
Dispensing justice they acquired renown,
Planted the olive, bore the laurelled crown,
With transport smiled to see vast empires rise,
While virtue won the plaudit of the skies.
And see the patriot Pitt with warmth approve,
When brave Columbia for her freedom strove.
See him in Britain's courts our cause defend,
And, strenuous, with imperious lords contend.
With pleasing gesture, with enrapturing eyes,
And flashing thought, he bade the passions rise.
His eloquence in mighty torrents rolled,
O'erwhelmed assemblies, and the mind controled.
Turenne, heroic, sought the public weal.
France reared a Henry, who illustrious shone,
Rode the triumphal car, adorned the throne,
Was persevering in his country's cause,
And bade his subjects yield to reason's laws.
By sapient rules the Medici long reigned;
137
Dispensing justice they acquired renown,
Planted the olive, bore the laurelled crown,
With transport smiled to see vast empires rise,
While virtue won the plaudit of the skies.
And see the patriot Pitt with warmth approve,
When brave Columbia for her freedom strove.
See him in Britain's courts our cause defend,
And, strenuous, with imperious lords contend.
With pleasing gesture, with enrapturing eyes,
And flashing thought, he bade the passions rise.
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O'erwhelmed assemblies, and the mind controled.
A Paul, a Calvin, and a Knox once shone,
Diffused blessed light on distant realms unknown,
Taught the wide world, illumed the general mind,
And proved the grand reformers of mankind.
Diffused blessed light on distant realms unknown,
Taught the wide world, illumed the general mind,
And proved the grand reformers of mankind.
Though men in every sphere, and every age,
In the pursuit of popular fame engage,
Encounter cares, fatigues, and constant toils,
None but the truely great deserve her smiles.
In the pursuit of popular fame engage,
Encounter cares, fatigues, and constant toils,
None but the truely great deserve her smiles.
From wealth, the forum, and the martial field,
May smoother numbers to fair science yield.
Her generous province is to deck the soul,
The savage wilds of passion to control,
To light the bosom with celestial grace,
And blazon with renown the human race,
May man, enraptured, her vast field explore,
Bid ignorance perplex the mind no more,
Crop the delicious flower, that scents the gale,
And, placed on virtue's temple, glory hail.
May smoother numbers to fair science yield.
Her generous province is to deck the soul,
The savage wilds of passion to control,
To light the bosom with celestial grace,
And blazon with renown the human race,
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Bid ignorance perplex the mind no more,
Crop the delicious flower, that scents the gale,
And, placed on virtue's temple, glory hail.
When the fine arts and literature refined,
Diffuse their influence o'er the ingenious mind;
When skepticism is o'ercome by truth,
And prejudice debared the breast of youth;
When falsehood, bigotry, and nonsense fail,
And simple manners flourish and prevail;
Then freedom, worth, and eminence arise,
And genius ripens for the blissful skies.
Bright as the lustre of the vernal morn,
Science! thy beams Columbia's plains adorn.
Still shed thy radiance on the expanding mind,
And teach thy generous sons to bless mankind!
Diffuse their influence o'er the ingenious mind;
When skepticism is o'ercome by truth,
And prejudice debared the breast of youth;
When falsehood, bigotry, and nonsense fail,
And simple manners flourish and prevail;
Then freedom, worth, and eminence arise,
And genius ripens for the blissful skies.
Bright as the lustre of the vernal morn,
Science! thy beams Columbia's plains adorn.
Still shed thy radiance on the expanding mind,
And teach thy generous sons to bless mankind!
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