A postscript to the new Bath guide A Poem by Anthony Pasquin [i.e. John Williams] |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
MISS C*****E. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
 | A postscript to the new Bath guide |  |
MISS C*****E.
INIMITABLE maid—so pure—so bright—
Who glads the ample orb of public sight:
Ah! quit thy honour'd enviable recess;
Whether on Vegetation's richest flowers
Thou sleep'st, or hid in amaranthine bowers;
Or in the mazes of the desart stray,
To shun the zenith of the sultry day:
Thy mother Nepthe's high designs fulfil,
Expectant youth awaits thy gentle will,
And trembling waits to bless:
I hail thee not to mingle with a crew
Of rude licentious slaves, who pain create,
Who shame their being—who abase their state,
And Passion's soft suggestions never knew—
I'll lead you to an elevated throne,
So high—so rare—it was design'd your own:—
Untouch'd yet by the sandals of Disdain,
Its base—its steps—its glory-giving seat—
Will kiss your snowy well-proportion'd feet:
There Merit sighs—shall Merit sigh in vain?
His charms are smote by ill-requited vows,
A wreath of cypress circumvolves his brows—
Who glads the ample orb of public sight:
Ah! quit thy honour'd enviable recess;
Whether on Vegetation's richest flowers
Thou sleep'st, or hid in amaranthine bowers;
Or in the mazes of the desart stray,
To shun the zenith of the sultry day:
Thy mother Nepthe's high designs fulfil,
Expectant youth awaits thy gentle will,
And trembling waits to bless:
117
Of rude licentious slaves, who pain create,
Who shame their being—who abase their state,
And Passion's soft suggestions never knew—
I'll lead you to an elevated throne,
So high—so rare—it was design'd your own:—
Untouch'd yet by the sandals of Disdain,
Its base—its steps—its glory-giving seat—
Will kiss your snowy well-proportion'd feet:
There Merit sighs—shall Merit sigh in vain?
His charms are smote by ill-requited vows,
A wreath of cypress circumvolves his brows—
By all the Graces of thy peerless mien,
By all those raptures you upraise when seen,
By all the witcheries of thy sapphire eyes,
By that complacence which the wisest prize,
I invocate your mercy for a youth,
From Glory issued, and inform'd by Truth—
Such swains are seldom found!
I give the plaint to Echo for your ear,
No common minion shall the mandate bear;
That airy nymph, Narcissus taught to know
The keen sensations of all-mouldring woe:
She, pitying him, will dulcify the sound.
By all those raptures you upraise when seen,
By all the witcheries of thy sapphire eyes,
By that complacence which the wisest prize,
118
From Glory issued, and inform'd by Truth—
Such swains are seldom found!
I give the plaint to Echo for your ear,
No common minion shall the mandate bear;
That airy nymph, Narcissus taught to know
The keen sensations of all-mouldring woe:
She, pitying him, will dulcify the sound.
| A postscript to the new Bath guide | |