Trifles ... with several others, not more Considerable. The second edition. By R. Dodsley |
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| 1. | CANTO THE FIRST. |
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 | Trifles |  |
99
CANTO THE FIRST.
ARGUMENT.
The Proposition. Address to the Prince of WALES. Invocation to the Genius of Britain. Husbandry to be encouraged, as it is the source of wealth and plenty. Advice to Landlords not to oppress the Farmer. The Farmer's three great virtues. His instruments of husbandry. His servants. Description of a country statute. Episode of the fair milkmaid. The farm-yard described. The pleasures of a rural life. Address to the Great to study Agriculture. An allegory, attempting to explain the theory of Vegetation.
Of Culture, and the various fruits of earth;
Of social Commerce; of the nobler Arts,
Which polish and adorn the life of man:
Objects demanding the supreme regard
Of that exalted Monarch, who sustains
The scepter of command o'er Britain's sons;
The Muse, disdaining idle themes, attempts
To sing. O Thou, Britannia's rising hope!
The favourite of her wishes! Thou, O Prince,
On whom her fondest expectations wait,
Accept the verse; and, to the humblest voice
That sings of Public Virtue, lend an ear.
Of social Commerce; of the nobler Arts,
Which polish and adorn the life of man:
Objects demanding the supreme regard
100
The scepter of command o'er Britain's sons;
The Muse, disdaining idle themes, attempts
To sing. O Thou, Britannia's rising hope!
The favourite of her wishes! Thou, O Prince,
On whom her fondest expectations wait,
Accept the verse; and, to the humblest voice
That sings of Public Virtue, lend an ear.
Genius of Britain! Pure Intelligence!
Guardian, appointed by the One supreme,
With influential energy benign,
To guide the weal of this distinguish'd isle;
O wake the breast of her aspiring son,
Inform his numbers, aid his bold design,
Who, in a daring flight, presumes to mark
The glorious track her Monarchs should pursue.
Guardian, appointed by the One supreme,
With influential energy benign,
To guide the weal of this distinguish'd isle;
O wake the breast of her aspiring son,
Inform his numbers, aid his bold design,
Who, in a daring flight, presumes to mark
The glorious track her Monarchs should pursue.
From Cultivation, from the useful toils
Of the laborious hind, the streams of wealth
And plenty flow. Deign then, illustrious Youth!
To bring th' observing eye, the liberal hand,
And with a spirit congenial to Your birth,
Regard his various labours thro' the year:
So shall the labourer smile, and You improve
The happy Country You are born to rule.
Of the laborious hind, the streams of wealth
And plenty flow. Deign then, illustrious Youth!
To bring th' observing eye, the liberal hand,
And with a spirit congenial to Your birth,
Regard his various labours thro' the year:
So shall the labourer smile, and You improve
The happy Country You are born to rule.
The year declining, now hath left the fields
Divested of their honours: the strong glebe,
Exhausted, waits the culture of the plough,
To renovate her powers. 'Tis now, intent
On honest gain, the cautious husbandman
Surveys the country round, sollicitous
To fix his habitation on a soil
Propitious to his hopes, and to his cares.
Divested of their honours: the strong glebe,
Exhausted, waits the culture of the plough,
To renovate her powers. 'Tis now, intent
On honest gain, the cautious husbandman
Surveys the country round, sollicitous
101
Propitious to his hopes, and to his cares.
O ye, whom Fortune in her silken robe
Enwraps benign; whom Plenty's bounteous hand
Hath favour'd with distinction: O look down,
With smiles indulgent, on his new designs;
Assist his useful works, facilitate
His honest aims, nor in Exaction's gripe
Enthrall th' endeavouring swain. Think not his toils
Were meant alone to foster you in ease
And pamper'd indolence: nor grudge the meed,
Which Heaven in mercy gives to chear the hand,
The labouring hand of useful Industry.
Be yours the joy to propagate Content;
With bounteous Heaven co-operate, and reward
The poor man's toil, whence all your riches spring.
As in a garden, the enlivening air
Is fill'd with odours, drawn from those fair flowers
Which by its influence rise: so in his breast
Benevolent, who gives the swains to thrive,
Reflected live the joys his virtues lent.
Enwraps benign; whom Plenty's bounteous hand
Hath favour'd with distinction: O look down,
With smiles indulgent, on his new designs;
Assist his useful works, facilitate
His honest aims, nor in Exaction's gripe
Enthrall th' endeavouring swain. Think not his toils
Were meant alone to foster you in ease
And pamper'd indolence: nor grudge the meed,
Which Heaven in mercy gives to chear the hand,
The labouring hand of useful Industry.
Be yours the joy to propagate Content;
With bounteous Heaven co-operate, and reward
The poor man's toil, whence all your riches spring.
As in a garden, the enlivening air
Is fill'd with odours, drawn from those fair flowers
Which by its influence rise: so in his breast
Benevolent, who gives the swains to thrive,
Reflected live the joys his virtues lent.
But come, young Farmer, tho' by Fortune fix'd
On fields luxuriant, where the fruitful soil
Gives Labour hope; where sheltering shades arise,
Thick fences guard, and bubbling fountains flow;
Where arable and pasture duly mix;
Yet, ere thy toils begin, attend the Muse,
And catch the moral lessons of her song.
Be frugal and be blest; Frugality
Will give thee competence; thy gains are small,
Too small to bear Profusion's wasteful hand.
Make Temperance thy companion, so shall Health
Sit on thy brow, invigorating thy frame
To every useful work. And if to these
Thou happily shalt join one virtue more,
The love of Industry, the glowing joy
Felt from each new improvement; then fair Peace,
With modest Neatness, in her decent garb,
Shall walk around thy dwelling: while the Great,
Tir'd with the vast fatigue of Indolence,
Fill'd with disease by Luxury and Sloth,
Impatient curse the dilatory day,
And look with envy on thy happier state.
On fields luxuriant, where the fruitful soil
Gives Labour hope; where sheltering shades arise,
Thick fences guard, and bubbling fountains flow;
Where arable and pasture duly mix;
Yet, ere thy toils begin, attend the Muse,
And catch the moral lessons of her song.
Be frugal and be blest; Frugality
Will give thee competence; thy gains are small,
Too small to bear Profusion's wasteful hand.
102
Sit on thy brow, invigorating thy frame
To every useful work. And if to these
Thou happily shalt join one virtue more,
The love of Industry, the glowing joy
Felt from each new improvement; then fair Peace,
With modest Neatness, in her decent garb,
Shall walk around thy dwelling: while the Great,
Tir'd with the vast fatigue of Indolence,
Fill'd with disease by Luxury and Sloth,
Impatient curse the dilatory day,
And look with envy on thy happier state.
Prepar'd with these plain virtues, now the swain
With courage enters on his rural works.
First he provides the needful implements.
Of these, the honour'd plough claims chief regard.
Hence bread to man, who heretofore on mast
Fed with his fellow brute, in woods and wilds,
Himself uncultur'd as the soil he trod.
The spiked harrow next, to break the clods,
And spread the surface of the new-plough'd field:
Nor is the roller's friendly aid unsought.
Hoes he provides, with various arms prepar'd,
T' encounter all the numerous host of weeds,
Which rise malignant, menacing his hopes.
The sweeping scythe's keen edge he whets for grass,
And turns the crooked sickle for his corn.
The fork to spread, the gathering rake to save
With providential care he treasures up.
His strong capacious wain, the dull slow ox
Drags on, deep loaden, grinding the rough ruts:
While with his lighter team, the sprightly horse
Moves to the music of his tinkling bells.
Nor will his foresight lack the whirling flail,
Whose battering strokes force from the loosen'd sheaves
Their hidden stores profuse; which now demand
The quick rotation of the winnowing fan,
With blasts successive, wafting far away
The worthless chaff, to clear the golden grain.
With courage enters on his rural works.
First he provides the needful implements.
Of these, the honour'd plough claims chief regard.
Hence bread to man, who heretofore on mast
Fed with his fellow brute, in woods and wilds,
Himself uncultur'd as the soil he trod.
The spiked harrow next, to break the clods,
And spread the surface of the new-plough'd field:
Nor is the roller's friendly aid unsought.
Hoes he provides, with various arms prepar'd,
T' encounter all the numerous host of weeds,
Which rise malignant, menacing his hopes.
The sweeping scythe's keen edge he whets for grass,
And turns the crooked sickle for his corn.
The fork to spread, the gathering rake to save
With providential care he treasures up.
His strong capacious wain, the dull slow ox
Drags on, deep loaden, grinding the rough ruts:
While with his lighter team, the sprightly horse
103
Nor will his foresight lack the whirling flail,
Whose battering strokes force from the loosen'd sheaves
Their hidden stores profuse; which now demand
The quick rotation of the winnowing fan,
With blasts successive, wafting far away
The worthless chaff, to clear the golden grain.
And now compell'd to hire assistant strength,
Away he hastens to some neighbouring town,
Where willing Servitude, for mutual wants
Of hind and farmer, holds her annual feast.
'Tis here the toiling hand of Industry
Employment seeks. The skilful ploughman, lord
And leader of the rustic band; who claims
His boy attendant, conscious of his worth
And dignity superior; boasting skill
To guide with steadiness the sliding share,
To scatter with an equal hand the seed,
And with a master scythe to head the train
When the ripe meadow asks the mower's hand.
Here too the thrasher, brandishing his flail,
Bespeaks a master, whose full barns demand
A labouring arm, now ready to give up
Their treasure, and exchange their hoarded grain
For heaps of gold, the meed of honest toil.
The sun-burnt shepherd too, his slouching hat
Distinguish'd well with fleecy locks, expects
Observance; skill'd in wool, and lesson'd deep
In all diseases of the bleating flock.
Mixt with the rustic throng, see ruddy maids,
Some taught with dext'rous hand to twirl the wheel,
Or stroak the swelling udder; some expert
To raise from leaven'd wheat the kneaded loaf;
To mash the malted barley, and extract
Its flavour'd strength; or with a housewife's care,
To keep the decent habitation neat.
But now let loose to revelry and sport,
In clamorous mirth, indelicate and rude,
The boisterous swains, and hoyden nymphs, provoke
Outrageous merriment.—Yet not alike
Is every swain, nor every sylvan maid;
As Verulam the pleasing tale records.
When Patty, lovely Patty, grac'd the crowd,
Pride of the neighbouring plains. Who hath not heard
Of Patty, the fair milkmaid? Beautiful
As an Arcadian nymph, upon her brow
Sate virgin Modesty, while in her eyes
Young Sensibility began to play
With Innocence. Her waving locks fell down
On either side her face in careless curls,
Shading the tender blushes in her cheek.
Her breath was sweeter than the morning gale,
Stolen from the rose or violet's dewy leaves.
He ivory teeth appear'd in even rows,
Thro' lips of living coral. When she spoke
Her features wore intelligence: her words
Were soft, with such a smile accompany'd,
As lighted in her face resistless charms.
Her polish'd neck rose rounding from her breast,
With pleasing elegance:—That lovely breast!—
Ah! Fancy, dwell not there, lest gay Desire,
Who smiling hovers o'er th' enchanting place,
Tempt thy wild thoughts to dangerous extacy.
Her shape was molded by the hand of Ease;
Exact proportion harmoniz'd her frame;
While Grace, following her steps, with secret art
Stole into all her motions. Thus she walk'd
In sweet simplicity; a snow-white pail
Hung on her arm, the symbol of her skill
In that fair province of the rural state,
The dairy; source of more delicious bowls
Than Bacchus from his choicest vintage boasts.
Away he hastens to some neighbouring town,
Where willing Servitude, for mutual wants
Of hind and farmer, holds her annual feast.
'Tis here the toiling hand of Industry
Employment seeks. The skilful ploughman, lord
And leader of the rustic band; who claims
His boy attendant, conscious of his worth
And dignity superior; boasting skill
To guide with steadiness the sliding share,
To scatter with an equal hand the seed,
And with a master scythe to head the train
When the ripe meadow asks the mower's hand.
Here too the thrasher, brandishing his flail,
Bespeaks a master, whose full barns demand
A labouring arm, now ready to give up
Their treasure, and exchange their hoarded grain
For heaps of gold, the meed of honest toil.
The sun-burnt shepherd too, his slouching hat
Distinguish'd well with fleecy locks, expects
Observance; skill'd in wool, and lesson'd deep
In all diseases of the bleating flock.
104
Some taught with dext'rous hand to twirl the wheel,
Or stroak the swelling udder; some expert
To raise from leaven'd wheat the kneaded loaf;
To mash the malted barley, and extract
Its flavour'd strength; or with a housewife's care,
To keep the decent habitation neat.
But now let loose to revelry and sport,
In clamorous mirth, indelicate and rude,
The boisterous swains, and hoyden nymphs, provoke
Outrageous merriment.—Yet not alike
Is every swain, nor every sylvan maid;
As Verulam the pleasing tale records.
When Patty, lovely Patty, grac'd the crowd,
Pride of the neighbouring plains. Who hath not heard
Of Patty, the fair milkmaid? Beautiful
As an Arcadian nymph, upon her brow
Sate virgin Modesty, while in her eyes
Young Sensibility began to play
With Innocence. Her waving locks fell down
On either side her face in careless curls,
Shading the tender blushes in her cheek.
Her breath was sweeter than the morning gale,
Stolen from the rose or violet's dewy leaves.
He ivory teeth appear'd in even rows,
Thro' lips of living coral. When she spoke
Her features wore intelligence: her words
Were soft, with such a smile accompany'd,
As lighted in her face resistless charms.
Her polish'd neck rose rounding from her breast,
With pleasing elegance:—That lovely breast!—
Ah! Fancy, dwell not there, lest gay Desire,
Who smiling hovers o'er th' enchanting place,
105
Her shape was molded by the hand of Ease;
Exact proportion harmoniz'd her frame;
While Grace, following her steps, with secret art
Stole into all her motions. Thus she walk'd
In sweet simplicity; a snow-white pail
Hung on her arm, the symbol of her skill
In that fair province of the rural state,
The dairy; source of more delicious bowls
Than Bacchus from his choicest vintage boasts.
How great the power of Beauty! The rude swains
Grew civil at her sight; and gaping crowds
Wrapt in astonishment, with transport gaze,
Whispering her praises in each other's ear.
As when a gentle breeze, borne thro' the grove,
With quick vibration shakes the trembling leaves,
And hushing murmurs run from tree to tree;
So ran a spreading whisper thro' the crowd.
Young Thyrsis hearing, turn'd aside his head,
And soon the pleasing wonder caught his eye.
Full in the prime of youth, the joyful heir
Of numerous acres, a large freehold farm,
Thyrsis as yet from beauty felt no pain,
Had seen no virgin he could wish to make
His wedded partner. Now his beating heart
Feels new emotion; now his fixed eye
With fervent rapture dwelling on her charms,
Drinks in delicious draughts of new-born Love.
No rest the night, no peace the following day
Brought to his struggling heart: her beauteous form,
Her fair perfections playing on his mind,
With pleasing anguish torture him. In vain
He strives to tear her image from his breast;
Each little grace, each dear bewitching look,
Returns triumphant, breaking his resolves,
And binding all his soul a slave to Love.
Grew civil at her sight; and gaping crowds
Wrapt in astonishment, with transport gaze,
Whispering her praises in each other's ear.
As when a gentle breeze, borne thro' the grove,
With quick vibration shakes the trembling leaves,
And hushing murmurs run from tree to tree;
So ran a spreading whisper thro' the crowd.
Young Thyrsis hearing, turn'd aside his head,
And soon the pleasing wonder caught his eye.
Full in the prime of youth, the joyful heir
Of numerous acres, a large freehold farm,
Thyrsis as yet from beauty felt no pain,
Had seen no virgin he could wish to make
His wedded partner. Now his beating heart
Feels new emotion; now his fixed eye
With fervent rapture dwelling on her charms,
Drinks in delicious draughts of new-born Love.
No rest the night, no peace the following day
Brought to his struggling heart: her beauteous form,
Her fair perfections playing on his mind,
With pleasing anguish torture him. In vain
106
Each little grace, each dear bewitching look,
Returns triumphant, breaking his resolves,
And binding all his soul a slave to Love.
Ah! little did he know, alas, the while,
Poor Patty's tender heart, in mutual pain,
Long, long for him had heav'd the secret sigh.
For him she drest, for him the pleasing arts
She study'd, and for him she wish'd to live.
But her low fortunes, nursing sad despair,
Check'd the young hope; nor durst her modest eyes
Indulge the smallest glances of her flame,
Left curious Malice, like a watchful spy,
Should catch the secret, and with taunts reveal.
Poor Patty's tender heart, in mutual pain,
Long, long for him had heav'd the secret sigh.
For him she drest, for him the pleasing arts
She study'd, and for him she wish'd to live.
But her low fortunes, nursing sad despair,
Check'd the young hope; nor durst her modest eyes
Indulge the smallest glances of her flame,
Left curious Malice, like a watchful spy,
Should catch the secret, and with taunts reveal.
Judge then the sweet surprize when she at length
Beheld him, all irresolute, approach;
And gently taking her fair trembling hand,
Breathe these soft words into her listening ear.
“O Patty! dearest maid! whose beauteous form
“Dwells in my breast, and charms my soul to love,
“Accept my vows; accept a faithful heart,
“Which from this hour devotes itself to thee:
“Wealth has no relish, life can give no joy,
“If you forbid my hopes to call you mine.”
Ah! who the sudden tumult can describe
Of struggling passions rising in her breast?
Hope, fear, confusion, modesty, and love
Oppress her labouring soul:—She strove to speak,
But the faint accents dy'd upon her tongue:
Her fears prevented utterance.—At length—
“Can Thyrsis mock my Poverty? Can he
“Be so unkind? O no! Yet I, alas,
“Too humble even to hope”—No more she said;
But gently as if half unwilling, stole
Her hand from his; and, with sweet modesty,
Casting a look of diffidence and fear,
To hide her blushes, silently withdrew.
But Thyrsis read, with rapture in her eyes
The language of her soul. He follow'd, woo'd,
And won her for his wife. His lowing herds
Soon call her mistress; soon their milky streams
Coagulated, rise in circling piles
Of harden'd curd; and all the daries round,
To her sweet butter yield superior praise.
Beheld him, all irresolute, approach;
And gently taking her fair trembling hand,
Breathe these soft words into her listening ear.
“O Patty! dearest maid! whose beauteous form
“Dwells in my breast, and charms my soul to love,
“Accept my vows; accept a faithful heart,
“Which from this hour devotes itself to thee:
“Wealth has no relish, life can give no joy,
“If you forbid my hopes to call you mine.”
Ah! who the sudden tumult can describe
Of struggling passions rising in her breast?
Hope, fear, confusion, modesty, and love
Oppress her labouring soul:—She strove to speak,
But the faint accents dy'd upon her tongue:
Her fears prevented utterance.—At length—
“Can Thyrsis mock my Poverty? Can he
107
“Too humble even to hope”—No more she said;
But gently as if half unwilling, stole
Her hand from his; and, with sweet modesty,
Casting a look of diffidence and fear,
To hide her blushes, silently withdrew.
But Thyrsis read, with rapture in her eyes
The language of her soul. He follow'd, woo'd,
And won her for his wife. His lowing herds
Soon call her mistress; soon their milky streams
Coagulated, rise in circling piles
Of harden'd curd; and all the daries round,
To her sweet butter yield superior praise.
But turn, my Muse, nor let th' alluring form
Of Beauty lead too far thy devious steps.
See where the Farmer, with a master's eye,
Surveys his little kingdom, and exults
In sov'reign independance. At a word,
His feathery subjects in obedience flock
Around his feeding hand, who in return
Yield a delicious tribute to his board,
And o'er his couch their downy plumage spread.
The peacock here expands his eyeful plumes,
A glittering pageant, to the mid-day sun:
In the stiff awkwardness of foolish pride,
The swelling turkey apes his stately step,
And calls the bristling feathers round his head.
There the loud herald of the morning struts
Before his cackling dames, the passive slaves
Of his promiscuous pleasure. O'er the pond,
See the grey gander, with his female train,
Bending their lofty necks; and gabbling ducks,
Rejoicing on the surface clap their wings;
Whilst wheeling round, in airy wanton flights,
The glossy pigeons chace their sportive loves,
Or in soft cooings tell their amorous tale.
Here stacks of hay, there pyramids of corn,
Promise the future market large supplies:
While with an eye of triumph he surveys
His piles of wood, and laughs at Winter's frown.
In silent rumination, see the kine,
Beneath the walnut's shade, patiently wait
To pour into his pails their milky stores.
While pent from mischief, far from sight remov'd,
The bristly herd, within their fatt'ning styes,
Remind him to prepare, in many a row,
The gaily-blooming pea, the fragrant bean,
And broad-leav'd cabbage, for the ploughman's feast.
Of Beauty lead too far thy devious steps.
See where the Farmer, with a master's eye,
Surveys his little kingdom, and exults
In sov'reign independance. At a word,
His feathery subjects in obedience flock
Around his feeding hand, who in return
Yield a delicious tribute to his board,
And o'er his couch their downy plumage spread.
The peacock here expands his eyeful plumes,
A glittering pageant, to the mid-day sun:
In the stiff awkwardness of foolish pride,
The swelling turkey apes his stately step,
And calls the bristling feathers round his head.
There the loud herald of the morning struts
Before his cackling dames, the passive slaves
Of his promiscuous pleasure. O'er the pond,
See the grey gander, with his female train,
Bending their lofty necks; and gabbling ducks,
108
Whilst wheeling round, in airy wanton flights,
The glossy pigeons chace their sportive loves,
Or in soft cooings tell their amorous tale.
Here stacks of hay, there pyramids of corn,
Promise the future market large supplies:
While with an eye of triumph he surveys
His piles of wood, and laughs at Winter's frown.
In silent rumination, see the kine,
Beneath the walnut's shade, patiently wait
To pour into his pails their milky stores.
While pent from mischief, far from sight remov'd,
The bristly herd, within their fatt'ning styes,
Remind him to prepare, in many a row,
The gaily-blooming pea, the fragrant bean,
And broad-leav'd cabbage, for the ploughman's feast.
These his amusements, his employment these;
Which still arising in successive change,
Give to each vary'd hour a new delight.
Peace and Contentment with their guardian wings
Enclose his nightly slumbers. Rosy Health,
When the gay lark's sweet matin wakes the morn,
Treads in his dewy foot-steps round the field;
And Chearfulness attends his closing day.
No racking jealousy, nor sullen hate,
Nor fear, nor envy, discompose his breast.
His only enemies the prowling fox,
Whose nightly murders thin the bleating fold;
The hardy badger; the rapacious kite,
With eye malignant on the little brood,
Sailing around portentous; the rank stote
Thirsting, ah, savage thirst! for harmless blood;
The corn devouring partridge; timorous hare;
Th' amphibious otter bold; the weasel sly,
Pilfering the yolk from its enclosing shell;
And moles, a dirty undermining race.
These all his foes, and these, alas, compar'd
With man to man, an inoffensive train.
'Gainst these, assisted by th' entangling net,
Th' explosive thunder of the level'd tube,
Or toils unweary'd of his social friend
The faithful dog, he wages rural war,
And health and pleasure in the sportive field
Obtaining, he forgives their venial crimes.
Which still arising in successive change,
Give to each vary'd hour a new delight.
Peace and Contentment with their guardian wings
Enclose his nightly slumbers. Rosy Health,
When the gay lark's sweet matin wakes the morn,
Treads in his dewy foot-steps round the field;
And Chearfulness attends his closing day.
No racking jealousy, nor sullen hate,
Nor fear, nor envy, discompose his breast.
His only enemies the prowling fox,
Whose nightly murders thin the bleating fold;
The hardy badger; the rapacious kite,
With eye malignant on the little brood,
Sailing around portentous; the rank stote
Thirsting, ah, savage thirst! for harmless blood;
109
Th' amphibious otter bold; the weasel sly,
Pilfering the yolk from its enclosing shell;
And moles, a dirty undermining race.
These all his foes, and these, alas, compar'd
With man to man, an inoffensive train.
'Gainst these, assisted by th' entangling net,
Th' explosive thunder of the level'd tube,
Or toils unweary'd of his social friend
The faithful dog, he wages rural war,
And health and pleasure in the sportive field
Obtaining, he forgives their venial crimes.
O happy he! happiest of mortal men!
Who far remov'd from slavery as from pride,
Fears no man's frown, nor cringing waits to catch
The gracious nothing of a great man's nod:
Where the lac'd beggar bustles for a bribe,
The purchase of his honour; where Deceit,
And Fraud, and Circumvention, drest in smiles,
Hold shameful commerce; and beneath the mask
Of Friendship and Sincerity, betray.
Him, nor the stately mansion's gilded pride,
Rich with whate'er the imitative arts,
Painting or sculpture, yield to charm the eye;
Nor shining heaps of massy plate, enwrought
With curious, costly workmanship, allure.
Tempted nor with the pride nor pomp of Power,
Nor pageants of Ambition, nor the mines
Of grasping Av'rice, nor the poison'd sweets
Of pamper'd Luxury, he plants his foot
With firmness on his old paternal fields,
And stands unshaken. There sweet prospects rise
Of meadows smiling in their flow'ry pride,
Green hills and dales, and cottages embower'd,
The scenes of innocence and calm delight.
There the wild melody of warbling birds,
And cool refreshing groves, and murmuring springs,
Invite to sacred thought, and lift the mind
From low pursuits, to meditate the God!
Who far remov'd from slavery as from pride,
Fears no man's frown, nor cringing waits to catch
The gracious nothing of a great man's nod:
Where the lac'd beggar bustles for a bribe,
The purchase of his honour; where Deceit,
And Fraud, and Circumvention, drest in smiles,
Hold shameful commerce; and beneath the mask
Of Friendship and Sincerity, betray.
Him, nor the stately mansion's gilded pride,
Rich with whate'er the imitative arts,
Painting or sculpture, yield to charm the eye;
Nor shining heaps of massy plate, enwrought
With curious, costly workmanship, allure.
Tempted nor with the pride nor pomp of Power,
Nor pageants of Ambition, nor the mines
Of grasping Av'rice, nor the poison'd sweets
Of pamper'd Luxury, he plants his foot
With firmness on his old paternal fields,
And stands unshaken. There sweet prospects rise
Of meadows smiling in their flow'ry pride,
110
The scenes of innocence and calm delight.
There the wild melody of warbling birds,
And cool refreshing groves, and murmuring springs,
Invite to sacred thought, and lift the mind
From low pursuits, to meditate the God!
Turn then at length, O turn, ye sons of Wealth,
And ye who seek, thro' Life's bewildering maze,
To tread the paths of Happiness, O turn!
And trace her footsteps in the rural walk;
In those fair scenes of wonder and delight,
Where, to the human eye, Omnipotence
Unfolds the map of Nature, and displays
The matchless beauty of created things.
Turn to the arts, the useful pleasing arts
Of Cultivation; and those fields improve
Your erring fathers have too long despis'd.
Leave not to ignorance, and low-bred hinds,
That noblest science, which in ancient time
The minds of sages and of kings employ'd,
Sollicitous to learn the ways of God,
And read his works in Agriculture's school.
And ye who seek, thro' Life's bewildering maze,
To tread the paths of Happiness, O turn!
And trace her footsteps in the rural walk;
In those fair scenes of wonder and delight,
Where, to the human eye, Omnipotence
Unfolds the map of Nature, and displays
The matchless beauty of created things.
Turn to the arts, the useful pleasing arts
Of Cultivation; and those fields improve
Your erring fathers have too long despis'd.
Leave not to ignorance, and low-bred hinds,
That noblest science, which in ancient time
The minds of sages and of kings employ'd,
Sollicitous to learn the ways of God,
And read his works in Agriculture's school.
Then hear the Muse, now entering, hand in hand
With sweet Philosophy, the secret bowers
Of deep mysterious Nature; there t' explore
The causes of Fecundity, and how
The various Elements, Earth, Water, Air,
And Fire united; the enlivening ray
Diurnal; the prolific dews of Night;
With all the rolling Seasons of the year;
In Vegetation's work their power combine.
With sweet Philosophy, the secret bowers
Of deep mysterious Nature; there t' explore
The causes of Fecundity, and how
The various Elements, Earth, Water, Air,
And Fire united; the enlivening ray
Diurnal; the prolific dews of Night;
With all the rolling Seasons of the year;
In Vegetation's work their power combine.
111
Whither, O whither, dost thou lead my steps,
Divine Philosophy? What scenes are these,
Which strike my wondering senses? Lo! enthron'd
Upon a solid rock great Nature sits;
Her eyes to heaven directed, as from thence
Receiving inspiration. Round her head
A mingled wreath of fruits and flowers entwines.
Her robe, with every motion changing hue,
Flows down in plenteous foldings, and conceals
Her secret footsteps from the eyes of men.
List! list! what harmony, what heavenly sounds
Enchant my ravish'd ear? 'Tis ancient Pan,
Who on his seven-fold pipe, to the rapt soul
Conveys the fancy'd music of the spheres.
See by his strains the Elements inspir'd,
Join in mysterious work; their motions led
By active Fire, in windings intricate,
But not perplext, nor vague. And who are They?
What Pair obeying in alternate rounds
The tuneful melody? Majestic one,
And grave, lifting her aweful forehead, moves
In shadowy silence, borne on raven wings,
Which, waving to the measur'd sounds, beat time.
A veil obscures her face; a sable stole,
Bedeck'd with sparkling gems, conceals her form;
And wreaths of bending poppy crown her brow.
The other, rais'd on swan-like spreading plumes;
Glides gaily on; a milk-white robe invests
His frame transparent; in his azure eyes
Dwells brightness; while around his radiant head,
A shining glory paints his flying robe,
With all the colours of the watry bow.
Divine Philosophy? What scenes are these,
Which strike my wondering senses? Lo! enthron'd
Upon a solid rock great Nature sits;
Her eyes to heaven directed, as from thence
Receiving inspiration. Round her head
A mingled wreath of fruits and flowers entwines.
Her robe, with every motion changing hue,
Flows down in plenteous foldings, and conceals
Her secret footsteps from the eyes of men.
List! list! what harmony, what heavenly sounds
Enchant my ravish'd ear? 'Tis ancient Pan,
Who on his seven-fold pipe, to the rapt soul
Conveys the fancy'd music of the spheres.
See by his strains the Elements inspir'd,
Join in mysterious work; their motions led
By active Fire, in windings intricate,
But not perplext, nor vague. And who are They?
What Pair obeying in alternate rounds
The tuneful melody? Majestic one,
And grave, lifting her aweful forehead, moves
In shadowy silence, borne on raven wings,
Which, waving to the measur'd sounds, beat time.
A veil obscures her face; a sable stole,
Bedeck'd with sparkling gems, conceals her form;
112
The other, rais'd on swan-like spreading plumes;
Glides gaily on; a milk-white robe invests
His frame transparent; in his azure eyes
Dwells brightness; while around his radiant head,
A shining glory paints his flying robe,
With all the colours of the watry bow.
Proceeding now, in more majestic steps,
The varying Seasons join the mystic train.
In all the blooming hues of florid youth,
Gay Spring advances smiling: on her head
A flow'ry chaplet, mixt with verdant buds,
Sheds aromatic fragrance thro' the air;
While little Zephyrs, breathing wanton gales,
Before her flutter, turning back to gaze,
With looks enamour'd, on her lovely face.
Summer succeeds, crown'd with the bearded ears
Of ripening Harvest; in her hand she bears
A shining sickle; on her glowing cheek
The fervent heat paints deep a rosy blush:
Her thin light garment, waving with the wind,
Flows loosely from her bosom, and reveals
To the pleas'd eye the beauties of her form.
Then follows Autumn, bearing in her lap
The blushing fruits, which Summer's sultry breath
Had mellow'd to her hand. A clustering wreath
Of purple grapes, half hid with spreading leaves,
Adorns her brow. Her dew-besprinkled locks
Begin to fall, her bending shoulders sink,
And active vigour leaves her sober steps.
Winter creeps on, shrivel'd with chilling cold;
Bald his white crown, upon his silver beard
Shines the hoar frost, and isicles depend.
Rigid and stern his melancholy face;
Shivering he walks, his joints benumn'd and stiff;
And wraps in northern furrs his wither'd trunk.
The varying Seasons join the mystic train.
In all the blooming hues of florid youth,
Gay Spring advances smiling: on her head
A flow'ry chaplet, mixt with verdant buds,
Sheds aromatic fragrance thro' the air;
While little Zephyrs, breathing wanton gales,
Before her flutter, turning back to gaze,
With looks enamour'd, on her lovely face.
Summer succeeds, crown'd with the bearded ears
Of ripening Harvest; in her hand she bears
A shining sickle; on her glowing cheek
The fervent heat paints deep a rosy blush:
Her thin light garment, waving with the wind,
Flows loosely from her bosom, and reveals
To the pleas'd eye the beauties of her form.
Then follows Autumn, bearing in her lap
The blushing fruits, which Summer's sultry breath
Had mellow'd to her hand. A clustering wreath
Of purple grapes, half hid with spreading leaves,
Adorns her brow. Her dew-besprinkled locks
Begin to fall, her bending shoulders sink,
And active vigour leaves her sober steps.
Winter creeps on, shrivel'd with chilling cold;
Bald his white crown, upon his silver beard
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Rigid and stern his melancholy face;
Shivering he walks, his joints benumn'd and stiff;
And wraps in northern furrs his wither'd trunk.
And now, great Nature pointing to the train
Her Heaven-directed hand, they all combine,
In measur'd figures, and mysterious rounds,
To weave the mazy dance; while to the sound
Of Pan's immortal pipe, the Goddess join'd
Her voice harmonious; and the listening Muse,
Admiring, caught the wonders of her Theme.
Her Heaven-directed hand, they all combine,
In measur'd figures, and mysterious rounds,
To weave the mazy dance; while to the sound
Of Pan's immortal pipe, the Goddess join'd
Her voice harmonious; and the listening Muse,
Admiring, caught the wonders of her Theme.
“To God, Supreme Creator! great and good!
“All-wise, almighty Parent of the World!
“In choral Symphonies of Praise and Love,
“Let all the Powers of Nature raise the Song!
“All-wise, almighty Parent of the World!
“In choral Symphonies of Praise and Love,
“Let all the Powers of Nature raise the Song!
‘The watry signs forsaking, see, the Sun,
‘Great Father of the vegetable tribes,
‘Darts from the Ram his all-enlivening ray.
‘When now the genial warmth Earth's yielding breast
‘Unfolds. Her latent salts, sulphureous oils,
‘And Air, and Water mixt; attract, repel,
‘And raise prolific ferment. Lo! at length
‘The vital Principle begins to wake:
‘Th' emulgent fibres, stretching round the root,
‘Seek their terrestrial nurture; which, convey'd
‘In limpid currents thro' th' ascending tubes,
‘And strain'd and filter'd in their secret cells;
‘To its own nature every different plant
‘Assimilating, changes. Aweful Heaven!
‘How wond'rous is thy work! To Thee! to thee!
‘Mysterious Power belongs! Summer's fierce heat
‘Encreasing, rarifies the ductile juice.
‘See, from the root, and from the bark imbib'd,
‘Th' elastic Air impels the rising sap.
‘Swift thro' the stem, thro' every branching arm,
‘And smaller shoot, the vivid moisture flows,
‘Protruding from their buds the opening leaves:
‘Whence, as ordain'd, th' expiring Air flows out
‘In copious exhalations; and from whence
‘Its noblest principles the plant inhales.
‘Great Father of the vegetable tribes,
‘Darts from the Ram his all-enlivening ray.
‘When now the genial warmth Earth's yielding breast
‘Unfolds. Her latent salts, sulphureous oils,
‘And Air, and Water mixt; attract, repel,
‘And raise prolific ferment. Lo! at length
‘The vital Principle begins to wake:
‘Th' emulgent fibres, stretching round the root,
‘Seek their terrestrial nurture; which, convey'd
‘In limpid currents thro' th' ascending tubes,
‘And strain'd and filter'd in their secret cells;
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‘Assimilating, changes. Aweful Heaven!
‘How wond'rous is thy work! To Thee! to thee!
‘Mysterious Power belongs! Summer's fierce heat
‘Encreasing, rarifies the ductile juice.
‘See, from the root, and from the bark imbib'd,
‘Th' elastic Air impels the rising sap.
‘Swift thro' the stem, thro' every branching arm,
‘And smaller shoot, the vivid moisture flows,
‘Protruding from their buds the opening leaves:
‘Whence, as ordain'd, th' expiring Air flows out
‘In copious exhalations; and from whence
‘Its noblest principles the plant inhales.
‘See! see! the shooting verdure spreads around!
‘Ye sons of men, with rapture view the scene!
‘On hill and dale, on meadow, field, and grove,
‘Cloath'd in soft mingling shades from light to dark,
‘The wandering eye delighted roves untir'd.
‘The hawthorn's whitening bush, Pomona's blooms,
‘And Flora's pencil o'er th' enamell'd green,
‘The varying scenes enrich. Hence every gale
‘Breathes odours, every Zephyr from his wings
‘Wafting new fragrance; borne from trees, from shrubs,
‘Borne from the yellow cowslip, violet blue,
‘From deep carnations, from the blushing rose,
‘From every flower and aromatic herb
‘In grateful mixtures. Hence ambrosial fruits
‘Yield their delicious flavours. The sweet grape,
‘The mulberry's cooling juice, the luscious plumb,
‘The healthful apple, the dissolving peach,
‘And thy rich nectar many-flavour'd pine.
‘These are the gracious gifts, O favour'd man!
‘These, these, to thee the gracious gifts of heav'n,
‘A world of beauty, wonder, and delight!
‘Ye sons of men, with rapture view the scene!
‘On hill and dale, on meadow, field, and grove,
‘Cloath'd in soft mingling shades from light to dark,
‘The wandering eye delighted roves untir'd.
‘The hawthorn's whitening bush, Pomona's blooms,
‘And Flora's pencil o'er th' enamell'd green,
‘The varying scenes enrich. Hence every gale
‘Breathes odours, every Zephyr from his wings
‘Wafting new fragrance; borne from trees, from shrubs,
‘Borne from the yellow cowslip, violet blue,
‘From deep carnations, from the blushing rose,
‘From every flower and aromatic herb
‘In grateful mixtures. Hence ambrosial fruits
‘Yield their delicious flavours. The sweet grape,
‘The mulberry's cooling juice, the luscious plumb,
‘The healthful apple, the dissolving peach,
‘And thy rich nectar many-flavour'd pine.
‘These are the gracious gifts, O favour'd man!
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‘A world of beauty, wonder, and delight!
“To God, Supreme Creator! great and good!
“All-wise, almighty Parent of the World!
“In choral Symphonies of Praise and Love,
“Let all the Powers of Nature close the Strain.
“All-wise, almighty Parent of the World!
“In choral Symphonies of Praise and Love,
“Let all the Powers of Nature close the Strain.
This is called in the country a Statute; and is held annually at most market towns in England, where servants of all kinds resort in quest of places and employment.
Mythologists have thought the universal nature of things to be signify'd by this god; and that his pipe, compos'd of seven reeds, was the symbol of the seven planets, which they say make the harmony of the spheres.
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