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University of Virginia Library

Original poems on several subjects

In two volumes. By William Stevenson

Stevenson, William (ca. 1719-1783)

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I.

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I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

An HYMN TO THE DEITY.

THE THEORY OF TEARS.

THE PROGRESS OF EVENING; OR, THE POWER OF VIRTUE.

RURAL SPORTS, Descriptive and Elegiac.

From PHANOR, A Lover with a small Patrimony,

EPILOGUE On the same Occasion.

To the Author of Douglas and Agis.

On the Ruins of an old ELM.

To Doctor AKENSIDE.

To Miss J---y T---tt---r, Appearing often at her Window with her Hat on.

Miss G---tt to the Author;

To DANIEL N---, Esq

ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΕΑΥΤΟΝ.

On a Foreigner's losing a considerable Sum of Money at a Gaming-table with a Sharper.

On an Author who pleaded Poverty as an excuse for Printing.

To A CLERGYMAN Too fond of appearing in Print.

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II.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE SATIRES.

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POETICAL CHARACTERISTICS;

I.

II.

III.

THE MONOPOLIST.

THE TRIUMPH OF VICE.

To the Honourable ---.

Early-rising and its Opposite compared.

Conclusion to the Satires.

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AN ELEGY ON THE Cutting down of an Oak.

I.

II.

III.

THE DEIST on a Deathbed .

AN ELEGY Written in a FLOWER-GARDEN.

The EPITAPH.

On the Death of a beloved Friend cut off in the Prime of Life.

To the Memory Of the Reverend Mr John Bonar.

On the Death of The Reverend Mr James Hervey.

To the Memory of William Shenstone, Esq

On the Death of Mr Churchill.

To the Memory Of the Reverend Dr Edward Young.

MONIMIA; OR, THE UNFORTUNATE BEAUTY. ADDRESSED TO MARIA.

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Epitaphs for a MISER.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

X. Epitaph on Mr ADDISON.

XI.

XI. Epitaph for Mr THOMSON's Monument.

XII.

XII. Epitaph on Sir ---

XIII.

XIII. Epitaph on Dr ---

XIV.

XIV. Epitaph on FANNY ROVER.

XV.

XV. Epitaph on LUCY HAY.

XVI.

XVI. Epitaph on a SLANDERER.

XVII.

XVII. Epitaph on an unhappy young Man.

XVIII.

XVIII. Epitaph on a BEGGAR.

XIX.

XIX. My own Epitaph.

Description of the FACE.

Written in an Arbour at the foot of a Garden.

To Miss J---y ---

To Miss Annie Hamilton.

To a Lady offended at seeing her Verses printed, on account of their being too simple.

On the Death of Mr Allan Ramsay .

Advice to a LADY,

A Sketch of NOON.

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The EPITAPH.

[Here lies, beneath this moss-encircled stone]

Here lies, beneath this moss-encircled stone,
That form which once the Graces all inspir'd;
In youthful circles joyous oft she shone,
Prais'd by each tongue, by every eye admir'd.

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The Lily, quicken'd by the breath of Spring,
A fair resemblance of her youth display'd;
A zephyr shook around its balmy wing,
To image health, priz'd by the blooming maid.

But lo! not long the Lily's triumphs last,
The snowy beauty of the flow'ry ground;
Soon sweeps abroad the North's inclement blast,
Shrivels her leaves, and scatters them around.

Soon too the lovely emblem is forgot,
The light vain fair borne on phantastic toe;
That such fine spirits sink, she credits not,
That fades Youth's blossom, or Health's roseate glow.

Deluded maid! a slighted languor caught,
The fever's strong delirium soon acquir'd;
From puny Art relief ah vainly sought!
At Hope's false shrine a victim she expir'd.

Let then the eye a passing tribute pay,
That here all Beauty's ruins shortly croud;
That, like the Lily, youth and health decay,
Laid in the tomb, and mantled in a shroud.