Poems on Various Subjects By John Thelwall. In Two Volumes |
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 | Poems on Various Subjects |  |
SCENE II.
Roldan; Edmund; Chorus; Messenger.Messenger.
Sophia breathes.
Once more her eyes unclos'd, glad—.
Roldan.
—What say'st thou?
Did I thy accents rightly understand?
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To tenfold fierceness all my present pangs,
The fond delusion frame? Lives the sweet fair?
Does lov'd Sophia live?
Messenger.
She does.
Edmund.
Oh Heav'n!
My heart, too full of joy, prevents my tongue
Its gratitude to speak.
Roldan.
And shall I yet
Call sweet Sophia mine? Gaze once again
Upon her blooming charms, and ardent clasp
Her panting bosom to my bounding heart?
Chorus.
Thou messenger of happy tidings, say,
How waken'd first the dormant spark of life?
Messenger.
Long ev'ry quick'ning method we essay'd
Ere the most feeble gleam of distant Hope
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With keen incision the swoln vein unlock'd;
Two black coagulated drops alone
The orifice discharg'd. All hopeless we
Each art reanimating still applied,
While pale Despondence on each clouded brow
Disheartening sat. At length a feeble pulse,
Irregular and slow, Pharmacinus
Imagin'd he could feel. Inspir'd by Hope,
We doubled ev'ry effort, till in time
She faintly breath'd.
Edmund.
Oh sweeter sounds thy tale
Than the love carols of the matin lark
To the lorn ears of his night-sever'd mate.
Messenger.
And now the livid skin a purer hue
Began to wear; the while the trembling lids
Convulsions shook, as shake the misty clouds
On the green summit of some eastern hill,
Ere fair Aurora opes her radiant eyes
To glad the weeping plains with beaming light.
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Auspicious moisture spread) her hand she mov'd.
And now her forehead glow'd; the coral blush
Chac'd from her trembling lips the inky dye.
The heart, once more, with slow vibration heaves;
The swelling sides distend; the pulses beat;
And the white panting bosom feebly swells.
Roldan.
Thou speakest transport to my list'ning soul!
Messenger.
Oh! had you seen her, when her languid eyes
Beam'd weeping forth between her opening lids;
As 'tween dispersing clouds the watry sun
Darts his enfeebled beams, while fertile show'rs
Fatten the vernal meadows, and restore
Their wonted beauty to the wither'd plains!
Such was her look, and such the kind effect
Her falling tears produc'd; for as they fell
Her fainted charms reviv'd, and to her mind
Her reas'ning pow'rs return'd.
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Indulgent Heav'n!
Chorus.
These are the blessings, good Humanicus!
Thy pious industry on Britain show'rs!
'Tis not for nought that with incessant toil
And medical exertions thou hast sought
Afflicting pangs to change to springing joys,
And Grief's black stole, to Pleasure's varied robe.
The gloomy torch, the sad funereal pile
Design'd to light, thro' thee has oft been chang'd
To flames Hymeneal. Generous sage, proceed!
Exulting, Britain owns with grateful joy
How much to thy unwearied application
(Which the HUMANE SOCIETY has brought
From small beginnings to its present height)
She stands indebted. She with truth declares
That he whose efforts save a subject's life,
Deserves more honour than the hardy chief
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The blood-stain'd laurel reaps. What then dost thou
(Oh good in private as in public life!)
Of grateful Britain claim!
Edmund.
On him and all
The pious founders of this Institution,
Be Heav'n's choice blessings show'r'd!
Chorus.
Amen! Nor be
Its Royal Patron, or Supporter kind
Without reward regarded.
Its Royal Patron, or Supporter kind
Without reward regarded.
STROPHE.
Benevolence, thou pow'r divine!Whose radiant charms so brightly shine,
That not the thick'ning clouds impure
Of Guilt, who stalks with giant stride,
With Levity, and thoughtless Pride
Attendant on each wanton side,
Thy glorious influence can obscure!
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Whatever thoughtless follies rage,
Yet thou, bright cherub! still, with influence bland,
Gild'st with thy smiles divine this favour'd land.
ANTISTROPHE.
Lo Charity! how many a shrineTo thee is rear'd, thou pow'r divine!
If Lust laments her life of shame,—
Compell'd by Anguish to deplore
The hour she launch'd from Honour's shore,
Thou open throw'st th'inviting door,
And dost the wand'ring fair reclaim.
For ev'ry various kind of woe
Thy gracious streams abundant flow.
Thy stewards sit at rich Augusta's gate
T'invite Distress to share a happier fate!
EPODE.
But far conspicuous o'er the restOf Charity's resplendent works,
That Institution shines confest,
Whose generous efforts to the human breast
The long suspended life restore;
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Within the senseless corse supprest.
Oh Albion! thy thrice favour'd shore
May Heav'n's peculiar favour boast:
For say, can any foreign coast
Such charities extensive show?
Or did one kingdom ever know,
And in one happy age,
So many worthies truly great,
So prompt to stem Affliction's rage,
To blunt the shafts of frowning Fate.—
Sophia,
(within.)
Oh let me taste again the vernal gale.
Roldan.
Ah cease, my friends! for hark what sweeter sounds
Warble harmonious in my ravish'd ear,
And bear my raptur'd soul aloft to Heav'n.
Sophia,
(within.)
Oh lead me friends, I pray, where the sweet flow
Of unobstructed breezes may regale
The feeble spirit fluttering in my breast.
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Lo! this way comes thy sister. Youth, retire.
Till she of thy arrival shall be warn'd,
Prudence forbids the wish'd for interview.
| Poems on Various Subjects | |