 | Recollection of some particulars in the life of Shenstone |  |
43
[Of all that gives politeness birth]
I
Of all that gives politeness birth,Of all that claims to please,
In motion, manners, or in mirth,
The surest source is ease.
II
With silent step, and graceful air,See gentle Sylvia move!
Whilst heedless gazers unaware
Resign their soul to love.
III
Accomplish'd maid! my trivial rhymeMust do thy graces wrong;
Who dost not only dance in time,
But steal, like Time, along.
101
To a Lady, on her Fondness for Enigmas.
I
Fie, Chloe, scorn this affectation,Plain common sense, for once, endure:
Those fops should raise your indignation,
Whom you think deep, because obscure.
II
Their subtle meaning to explain,Your thoughts you puzzle night and day:
Believe me, girl, you seek in vain
A needle in a load of hay.
III
With labouring throes their songs commence;The mountain bellows in our ears;
We look for prodigies of sense—
When, lo! a starveling mouse appears.
IV
Profane abuse of human speech!Which clearly should our thoughts reveal!
But, what some useful truth should teach,
These writers use but to conceal.
102
V
To mount to fame these bards intend,By dark devices; vain delusion!
To rout your foes, ye gods, descend!
Confound these authors of confusion!
VI
When Nimrod's crew to storm the skiesProud Babel's lofty tower began,
What stratagem did Heaven devise
To dissipate the impious clan?
VII
Heaven sent no famine, plague, or wars;But gave each man a puzzling riddle ;—
His neighbour's dulness each abhors,
And leaves the building in the middle.
7 March 1741.
| Recollection of some particulars in the life of Shenstone | |