The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke ... In Four Volumes Octavo. Revised and corrected by the Original Manuscript With a Portrait of the Author, and His Life By Miss Brooke. The Third Edition |
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THE SPARROW and the DOVE. |
 | The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke |  |
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THE SPARROW and the DOVE.
It was, as learn'd traditions say,
Upon an April's blithsome day,
When Pleasure, ever on the wing,
Return'd companion of the spring,
And chear'd the birds with amorous heat,
Instructing little hearts to beat;
A Sparrow, frolic, gay, and young,
Of bold address, and flippant tongue,
Just left his lady of a night,
Like him, to follow new delight.
Upon an April's blithsome day,
When Pleasure, ever on the wing,
Return'd companion of the spring,
And chear'd the birds with amorous heat,
Instructing little hearts to beat;
A Sparrow, frolic, gay, and young,
Of bold address, and flippant tongue,
Just left his lady of a night,
Like him, to follow new delight.
The youth, of many a conquest vain,
Flew off to seek the chirping train;
The chirping train he quickly found,
And with a saucy ease bow'd round.
Flew off to seek the chirping train;
The chirping train he quickly found,
And with a saucy ease bow'd round.
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For every she his bosom burns,
And this, and that, he wooes by turns;
And here a sigh, and there a bill,
And here—“those eyes, so form'd to kill!”
And now, with ready tongue, he strings
Unmeaning, soft, resistless things;
With vows and dem-me's skill'd to woo,
As other pretty fellows do.
Not that he thought this short essay
A prologue needful to his play;
No, trust me, says our learned letter,
He knew the virtuous sex much better:
But these he held as specious arts,
To shew his own superior parts;
The form of decency to shield,
And give a just pretence to yield.
And this, and that, he wooes by turns;
And here a sigh, and there a bill,
And here—“those eyes, so form'd to kill!”
And now, with ready tongue, he strings
Unmeaning, soft, resistless things;
With vows and dem-me's skill'd to woo,
As other pretty fellows do.
Not that he thought this short essay
A prologue needful to his play;
No, trust me, says our learned letter,
He knew the virtuous sex much better:
But these he held as specious arts,
To shew his own superior parts;
The form of decency to shield,
And give a just pretence to yield.
Thus finishing his courtly play,
He mark'd the favourite of a day;
With careless impudence drew near,
And whisper'd hebrew in her ear;
A hint, which, like the mason's sign,
The conscious can alone define.
He mark'd the favourite of a day;
With careless impudence drew near,
And whisper'd hebrew in her ear;
A hint, which, like the mason's sign,
The conscious can alone define.
The fluttering nymph, expert at feigning,
Cried, “Sir—pray, sir, explain your meaning—
“Go, prate to those that may endure ye—
“To me this rudeness!—I'll assure ye!”—
Then off she glided, like a swallow,
As saying—you guess where to follow.
Cried, “Sir—pray, sir, explain your meaning—
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“To me this rudeness!—I'll assure ye!”—
Then off she glided, like a swallow,
As saying—you guess where to follow.
To such as know the party set,
'Tis needless to declare they met;
The parson's barn, as authors mention,
Confest the fair had apprehension.
Her honour there secure from stain,
She held all further trifling vain,
No more affected to be coy,
But rush'd licentious on the joy.
'Tis needless to declare they met;
The parson's barn, as authors mention,
Confest the fair had apprehension.
Her honour there secure from stain,
She held all further trifling vain,
No more affected to be coy,
But rush'd licentious on the joy.
“Hist, love!”—the male companion cried;
“Retire a while, I fear we are spied.”
Nor was the caution vain; he saw
A Turtle rustling in the straw,
While o'er her callow brood she hung,
And fondly thus addrest her young.
“Retire a while, I fear we are spied.”
Nor was the caution vain; he saw
A Turtle rustling in the straw,
While o'er her callow brood she hung,
And fondly thus addrest her young.
Ye tender objects of my care!
Peace, peace, ye little helpless pair!
Anon he comes, your gentle sire,
And brings you all your hearts require.
For us, his infants, and his bride,
For us, with only love to guide,
Our lord assumes an eagle's speed,
And like a lion dares to bleed.
Nor yet by wintry skies confined,
He mounts upon the rudest wind;
From danger tears the vital spoil,
And with affection sweetens toil.
Ah cease, too venturous! cease to dare;
In thine, our dearer safety spare!
From him, ye cruel falcons, stray;
And turn, ye fowlers, far away!
Peace, peace, ye little helpless pair!
Anon he comes, your gentle sire,
And brings you all your hearts require.
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For us, with only love to guide,
Our lord assumes an eagle's speed,
And like a lion dares to bleed.
Nor yet by wintry skies confined,
He mounts upon the rudest wind;
From danger tears the vital spoil,
And with affection sweetens toil.
Ah cease, too venturous! cease to dare;
In thine, our dearer safety spare!
From him, ye cruel falcons, stray;
And turn, ye fowlers, far away!
Should I survive to see the day,
That tears me from myself away,
That cancels all that Heaven could give,
The life by which alone I live;
Alas, how more than lost were I,
Who, in the thought, already die!
That tears me from myself away,
That cancels all that Heaven could give,
The life by which alone I live;
Alas, how more than lost were I,
Who, in the thought, already die!
Ye Powers, whom men and birds obey,
Great rulers of your creatures, say,
Why mourning comes, by bliss convey'd,
And even the sweets of love allay'd?
Where grows enjoyment, tall, and fair,
Around it twines entangling care;
While fear for what our souls possess,
Enervates every power to bless:
Yet friendship forms the bliss above;
And, life! what art thou, without Love?
Great rulers of your creatures, say,
Why mourning comes, by bliss convey'd,
And even the sweets of love allay'd?
Where grows enjoyment, tall, and fair,
Around it twines entangling care;
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Enervates every power to bless:
Yet friendship forms the bliss above;
And, life! what art thou, without Love?
Our Hero, who had heard apart,
Felt something moving in his heart;
But quickly, with disdain, supprest
The virtue rising in his breast:
And first he feign'd to laugh aloud;
And next, approaching, smiled and bow'd.
Felt something moving in his heart;
But quickly, with disdain, supprest
The virtue rising in his breast:
And first he feign'd to laugh aloud;
And next, approaching, smiled and bow'd.
“Madam, you must not think me rude;
“Good manners never can intrude.
“I vow I come thro' pure good nature—
“Upon my soul, a charming creature!—
“Are these the comforts of a wife?
“This careful, cloister'd, moaping life?
“No doubt, that odious thing, call'd duty,
“Is a sweet province for a beauty.
“Thou pretty ignorance! thy will
“Is measured to thy want of skill;
“That good old-fashion'd dame, thy mother,
“Has taught thy infant years no other—
“The greatest ill in the creation,
“Is sure the want of education!
“Good manners never can intrude.
“I vow I come thro' pure good nature—
“Upon my soul, a charming creature!—
“Are these the comforts of a wife?
“This careful, cloister'd, moaping life?
“No doubt, that odious thing, call'd duty,
“Is a sweet province for a beauty.
“Thou pretty ignorance! thy will
“Is measured to thy want of skill;
“That good old-fashion'd dame, thy mother,
“Has taught thy infant years no other—
“The greatest ill in the creation,
“Is sure the want of education!
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“But think ye?—tell me without feigning,
“Have all these charms no further meaning?
“Dame nature, if you don't forget her,
“Might teach your ladyship much better.
“For shame, reject this mean employment;
“Enter the world, and taste enjoyment,
“Where time, by circling bliss, we measure;
“Beauty was form'd alone for pleasure!
“Come, prove the blessing, follow me;
“Be wise, be happy, and be free.”
“Have all these charms no further meaning?
“Dame nature, if you don't forget her,
“Might teach your ladyship much better.
“For shame, reject this mean employment;
“Enter the world, and taste enjoyment,
“Where time, by circling bliss, we measure;
“Beauty was form'd alone for pleasure!
“Come, prove the blessing, follow me;
“Be wise, be happy, and be free.”
“Kind sir,” replied our Matron chaste,
“Your zeal seems pretty much in haste.
“I own, the fondness to be blest,
“Is a deep thirst in every breast:
“Of blessings too I have my store;
“Yet quarrel not, should Heaven give more.
“Then prove the change to be expedient,
“And think me, sir, your most obedient.”
“Your zeal seems pretty much in haste.
“I own, the fondness to be blest,
“Is a deep thirst in every breast:
“Of blessings too I have my store;
“Yet quarrel not, should Heaven give more.
“Then prove the change to be expedient,
“And think me, sir, your most obedient.”
Here turning, as to one inferior,
Our Gallant spoke, and smiled superior.
“Methinks, to quit your boasted station,
“Requires a world of hesitation!
“Where brats and bonds are held a blessing,
“The case, I doubt, is past redressing.
“Why, child, suppose the joys I mention,
“Were the mere fruits of my invention,
“You've cause sufficient for your carriage,
“In flying from the curse of marriage;
“That sly decoy, with varied snares,
“That takes your widgeons in by pairs;
“Alike to husband, and to wife,
“The cure of love, and bane of life;
“The only method of forecasting,
“To make misfortune firm and lasting;
“The sin, by heaven's peculiar sentence,
“Unpardon'd, through a life's repentance:
“It is the double snake, that weds
“A common tail to different heads,
“That lead the carcass still astray,
“By dragging each a different way.
“Of all the ills that may attend me,
“From marriage, mighty gods, defend me!
Our Gallant spoke, and smiled superior.
“Methinks, to quit your boasted station,
“Requires a world of hesitation!
“Where brats and bonds are held a blessing,
“The case, I doubt, is past redressing.
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“Were the mere fruits of my invention,
“You've cause sufficient for your carriage,
“In flying from the curse of marriage;
“That sly decoy, with varied snares,
“That takes your widgeons in by pairs;
“Alike to husband, and to wife,
“The cure of love, and bane of life;
“The only method of forecasting,
“To make misfortune firm and lasting;
“The sin, by heaven's peculiar sentence,
“Unpardon'd, through a life's repentance:
“It is the double snake, that weds
“A common tail to different heads,
“That lead the carcass still astray,
“By dragging each a different way.
“Of all the ills that may attend me,
“From marriage, mighty gods, defend me!
“Give me frank nature's wild demesne,
“And boundless tract of air serene,
“Where Fancy, ever wing'd for change,
“Delights to sport, delights to range.
“There, Liberty! to thee is owing
“Whate'er of bliss is worth bestowing:
“Delights, still varied, and divine,
“Sweet goddess of the hills! are thine.
“And boundless tract of air serene,
“Where Fancy, ever wing'd for change,
“Delights to sport, delights to range.
“There, Liberty! to thee is owing
“Whate'er of bliss is worth bestowing:
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“Sweet goddess of the hills! are thine.
“What say you now, you pretty pink you?
“Have I for once spoke reason, think you?
“You take me now for no romancer—
“Come, never study for an answer;
“Away, cast every care behind ye,
“And fly where joy alone shall find ye.”
“Have I for once spoke reason, think you?
“You take me now for no romancer—
“Come, never study for an answer;
“Away, cast every care behind ye,
“And fly where joy alone shall find ye.”
“Soft yet,” return'd our female fencer,
“A question more, or so—and then, sir.
“You have rallied me with sense exceeding,
“With much fine wit, and better breeding:
“But pray, sir, how do you contrive it?
“Do those of your world never wive it?”
No, no—“How then?”—Why dare I tell?—
What does the business full as well.
“Do you ne'er love?”—An hour at leisure.
“Have you no friendships?”—Yes, for pleasure.
“No care for little ones?”—We get 'em;
The rest the mothers mind, and let 'em.
“A question more, or so—and then, sir.
“You have rallied me with sense exceeding,
“With much fine wit, and better breeding:
“But pray, sir, how do you contrive it?
“Do those of your world never wive it?”
No, no—“How then?”—Why dare I tell?—
What does the business full as well.
“Do you ne'er love?”—An hour at leisure.
“Have you no friendships?”—Yes, for pleasure.
“No care for little ones?”—We get 'em;
The rest the mothers mind, and let 'em.
“Thou wretch,” rejoin'd the kindling Dove,
“Quite lost to life, as lost to love!
“Whene'er misfortune comes, how just!
“And come misfortune surely must;
“In the dread season of dismay,
“In that your hour of trial, say,
“Who then shall prop your sinking heart?
“Who bear affliction's weightier part?
“Quite lost to life, as lost to love!
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“And come misfortune surely must;
“In the dread season of dismay,
“In that your hour of trial, say,
“Who then shall prop your sinking heart?
“Who bear affliction's weightier part?
“Say, when the black-brow'd welkin bends,
“And winter's gloomy form impends,
“To mourning turns all transient chear,
“And blasts the melancholy year;
“For times, at no persuasion, stay,
“Nor vice can find perpetual May;
“Then where's that tongue, by folly fed?
“That soul of pertness, whither fled?
“All shrunk within thy lonely nest,
“Forlorn, abandon'd, and unblest!
“No friends, by cordial bonds allied,
“Shall seek thy cold unsocial side;
“No chirping prattlers, to delight
“Shall turn the long-enduring night;
“No bride her words of balm impart,
“And warm thee at her constant heart.
“And winter's gloomy form impends,
“To mourning turns all transient chear,
“And blasts the melancholy year;
“For times, at no persuasion, stay,
“Nor vice can find perpetual May;
“Then where's that tongue, by folly fed?
“That soul of pertness, whither fled?
“All shrunk within thy lonely nest,
“Forlorn, abandon'd, and unblest!
“No friends, by cordial bonds allied,
“Shall seek thy cold unsocial side;
“No chirping prattlers, to delight
“Shall turn the long-enduring night;
“No bride her words of balm impart,
“And warm thee at her constant heart.
“Freedom, restrained by Reason's force,
“Is as the sun's unvarying course,
“Benignly active, sweetly bright,
“Affording warmth, affording light;
“But torn from Virtue's sacred rules,
“Becomes a comet, gazed by fools,
“Foreboding cares, and storms, and strife,
“And fraught with all the plagues of life.
“Is as the sun's unvarying course,
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“Affording warmth, affording light;
“But torn from Virtue's sacred rules,
“Becomes a comet, gazed by fools,
“Foreboding cares, and storms, and strife,
“And fraught with all the plagues of life.
“Thou fool! by Union, every creature
“Subsists through universal nature;
“And this, to beings void of mind,
“Is wedlock of a meaner kind.
“Subsists through universal nature;
“And this, to beings void of mind,
“Is wedlock of a meaner kind.
“While womb'd in space, primæval clay
“A yet unfashion'd embryo lay,
“The Source of Endless Good above
“Shot down his spark of kindling Love:
“Touch'd by the all-enlivening flame,
“Then motion first exulting came;
“Each atom sought its separate class,
“Through many a fair enamour'd mass;
“Love cast the central charm around,
“And with eternal nuptials bound.
“Then form and order, o'er the sky,
“First train'd their bridal pomp on high;
“The sun display'd his orb to sight,
“And burnt with hymeneal light.
“A yet unfashion'd embryo lay,
“The Source of Endless Good above
“Shot down his spark of kindling Love:
“Touch'd by the all-enlivening flame,
“Then motion first exulting came;
“Each atom sought its separate class,
“Through many a fair enamour'd mass;
“Love cast the central charm around,
“And with eternal nuptials bound.
“Then form and order, o'er the sky,
“First train'd their bridal pomp on high;
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“And burnt with hymeneal light.
“Hence nature's virgin-womb conceived,
“And with the genial burden heaved:
“Forth came the oak, her first born heir,
“And scaled the breathing steep of air;
“Then infant stems, of various use,
“Imbibed her soft maternal juice;
“The flowers, in early bloom disclosed,
“Upon her fragrant breast reposed;
“Within her warm embraces grew,
“A race of endless form and hue;
“Then pour'd her lesser offspring round,
“And fondly cloath'd their parent ground.
“And with the genial burden heaved:
“Forth came the oak, her first born heir,
“And scaled the breathing steep of air;
“Then infant stems, of various use,
“Imbibed her soft maternal juice;
“The flowers, in early bloom disclosed,
“Upon her fragrant breast reposed;
“Within her warm embraces grew,
“A race of endless form and hue;
“Then pour'd her lesser offspring round,
“And fondly cloath'd their parent ground.
“Nor here alone the virtue reign'd,
“By matter's cumbering form detain'd;
“But thence, subliming, and refined,
“Aspired, and reach'd its kindred Mind:
“Caught in the fond, celestial fire,
“The mind perceived unknown desire;
“And now with kind effusion flow'd,
“And now with cordial ardours glow'd;
“Beheld the sympathetic Fair,
“And loved its own resemblance there;
“On all with circling radiance shone,
“But, centering, fix'd on one alone;
“There clasp'd the heaven-appointed Wife,
“And doubled every joy of life.
“By matter's cumbering form detain'd;
“But thence, subliming, and refined,
“Aspired, and reach'd its kindred Mind:
“Caught in the fond, celestial fire,
“The mind perceived unknown desire;
“And now with kind effusion flow'd,
“And now with cordial ardours glow'd;
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“And loved its own resemblance there;
“On all with circling radiance shone,
“But, centering, fix'd on one alone;
“There clasp'd the heaven-appointed Wife,
“And doubled every joy of life.
“Here ever blessing, ever blest,
“Resides this beauty of the breast;
“As from his palace, here the God
“Still beams effulgent bliss abroad;
“Here gems his own eternal round,
“The ring, by which the world is bound;
“Here bids his seat of empire grow,
“And builds his little Heaven below.
“Resides this beauty of the breast;
“As from his palace, here the God
“Still beams effulgent bliss abroad;
“Here gems his own eternal round,
“The ring, by which the world is bound;
“Here bids his seat of empire grow,
“And builds his little Heaven below.
“The bridal partners thus allied,
“And thus in sweet accordance tied,
“One body, heart, and spirit, live,
“Enrich'd by every joy they give;
“Like echo, from her vocal hold,
“Return'd in music twenty fold.
“Their union firm, and undecay'd,
“Nor time can shake, nor power invade;
“But as the stem and scion stand,
“Ingrafted by a skilful hand,
“They check the tempest's wintry rage,
“And bloom and strengthen into age.
“A thousand amities unknown,
“And powers, perceiv'd by Love alone,
“Endearing looks, and chaste desire,
“Fan and support the mutual fire,
“Whose flame, perpetual as refined,
“Is fed by an immortal mind.
“And thus in sweet accordance tied,
“One body, heart, and spirit, live,
“Enrich'd by every joy they give;
“Like echo, from her vocal hold,
“Return'd in music twenty fold.
“Their union firm, and undecay'd,
“Nor time can shake, nor power invade;
“But as the stem and scion stand,
“Ingrafted by a skilful hand,
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“And bloom and strengthen into age.
“A thousand amities unknown,
“And powers, perceiv'd by Love alone,
“Endearing looks, and chaste desire,
“Fan and support the mutual fire,
“Whose flame, perpetual as refined,
“Is fed by an immortal mind.
“Nor yet the nuptial sanction ends;
“Like Nile it opens, and descends,
“Which, by apparent windings led,
“We trace to its celestial head:
“The sire, first springing from above,
“Becomes the source of life and love,
“And gives his filial heir to flow,
“In fondness down on sons below.
“Thus roll'd in one continued tide,
“To time's extremest verge they glide;
“While kindred streams, on either hand,
“Branch forth in blessings o'er the land.
“Like Nile it opens, and descends,
“Which, by apparent windings led,
“We trace to its celestial head:
“The sire, first springing from above,
“Becomes the source of life and love,
“And gives his filial heir to flow,
“In fondness down on sons below.
“Thus roll'd in one continued tide,
“To time's extremest verge they glide;
“While kindred streams, on either hand,
“Branch forth in blessings o'er the land.
“Thee, wretch! no lisping babe shall name,
“No late-returning brother claim,
“No kinsman on thy road rejoice,
“No sister greet thy entering voice,
“With partial eyes no parents see,
“And bless their years restored in thee.
“No late-returning brother claim,
“No kinsman on thy road rejoice,
“No sister greet thy entering voice,
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“And bless their years restored in thee.
“In age rejected, or declined,
“An alien even among thy kind,
“The partner of thy scorn'd embrace
“Shall play the wanton in thy face;
“Each spark unplume thy little pride,
“All friendship fly thy faithless side;
“Thy name shall like thy carcass rot,
“In sickness spurn'd, in death forgot.
“An alien even among thy kind,
“The partner of thy scorn'd embrace
“Shall play the wanton in thy face;
“Each spark unplume thy little pride,
“All friendship fly thy faithless side;
“Thy name shall like thy carcass rot,
“In sickness spurn'd, in death forgot.
“All giving Pow'r! great Source of Life!
“O hear the parent! hear the wife!
“That life thou lendest from above,
“Though little, make it large in love!
“O bid my feeling heart expand
“To every claim, on every hand;
“To those from whom my days I drew,
“To these in whom those days renew;
“To all my kin, however wide,
“In cordial warmth, as blood allied;
“To friends, with steelly fetters twined,
“And to the cruel not unkind!
“O hear the parent! hear the wife!
“That life thou lendest from above,
“Though little, make it large in love!
“O bid my feeling heart expand
“To every claim, on every hand;
“To those from whom my days I drew,
“To these in whom those days renew;
“To all my kin, however wide,
“In cordial warmth, as blood allied;
“To friends, with steelly fetters twined,
“And to the cruel not unkind!
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“But chief, the lord of my desire,
“My life, myself, my soul, my sire,
“Friends, children, all that wish can claim,
“Chaste passion clasp, and rapture name;
“O spare him, spare him, Gracious Power!
“O give him to my latest hour!
“Let me my length of life employ,
“To give my sole enjoyment joy;
“His love, let mutual love excite;
“Turn all my cares to his delight;
“And every needless blessing spare,
“Wherein my darling wants a share.
“When he with graceful action wooes
“And sweetly bills, and fondly cooes,
“Ah! deck me, to his eyes alone,
“With charms attractive as his own;
“And in my circling wings carest,
“Give all the lover to my breast.
“Then in our chaste, connubial bed,
“My bosom pillow'd for him head,
“His eyes with blisful slumbers close,
“And watch, with me, my lord's repose;
“Your peace around his temples twine,
“And love him, with a love like mine.
“My life, myself, my soul, my sire,
“Friends, children, all that wish can claim,
“Chaste passion clasp, and rapture name;
“O spare him, spare him, Gracious Power!
“O give him to my latest hour!
“Let me my length of life employ,
“To give my sole enjoyment joy;
“His love, let mutual love excite;
“Turn all my cares to his delight;
“And every needless blessing spare,
“Wherein my darling wants a share.
“When he with graceful action wooes
“And sweetly bills, and fondly cooes,
“Ah! deck me, to his eyes alone,
“With charms attractive as his own;
“And in my circling wings carest,
“Give all the lover to my breast.
“Then in our chaste, connubial bed,
“My bosom pillow'd for him head,
“His eyes with blisful slumbers close,
“And watch, with me, my lord's repose;
“Your peace around his temples twine,
“And love him, with a love like mine.
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“And, for I know his generous flame,
“Beyond whate'er my sex can claim,
“Me too to your protection take,
“And spare me for my husband's sake.
“Let one unruffled calm delight
“The loving, and beloved unite;
“One pure desire our bosoms warm,
“One will direct, one wish inform;
“Through life, one mutual aid sustain;
“In death, one peaceful grave contain!”
“Beyond whate'er my sex can claim,
“Me too to your protection take,
“And spare me for my husband's sake.
“Let one unruffled calm delight
“The loving, and beloved unite;
“One pure desire our bosoms warm,
“One will direct, one wish inform;
“Through life, one mutual aid sustain;
“In death, one peaceful grave contain!”
While, swelling with the darling theme,
Her accents pour'd an endless stream,
The well-known wings a sound impart,
That reach'd her ear, and touch'd her heart:
Quick dropp'd the music of her tongue,
And forth, with eager joy, she sprung;
As swift her entering consort flew,
And plumed and kindled at the view;
Their wings their souls embracing meet,
Their hearts with answering measure beat;
Half lost in sacred sweets, and blest
With raptures felt, but ne'er exprest.
Her accents pour'd an endless stream,
The well-known wings a sound impart,
That reach'd her ear, and touch'd her heart:
Quick dropp'd the music of her tongue,
And forth, with eager joy, she sprung;
As swift her entering consort flew,
And plumed and kindled at the view;
Their wings their souls embracing meet,
Their hearts with answering measure beat;
Half lost in sacred sweets, and blest
With raptures felt, but ne'er exprest.
Straight to her humble roof she led
The partner of her spotless bed:
Her young, a fluttering pair, arise,
Their welcome sparkling in their eyes;
Transported, to their sire they bound,
And hang with speechless action round.
In pleasure wrapt, the parents stand,
And see their little wings expand;
The sire, his life sustaining prize
To each expecting bill applies,
There fondly pours the wheaten spoil,
With transport given, tho' won with toil;
While, all collected at the sight,
And silent through supreme delight,
The Fair high Heaven of bliss beguiles,
And on her lord and infants smiles.
The partner of her spotless bed:
43
Their welcome sparkling in their eyes;
Transported, to their sire they bound,
And hang with speechless action round.
In pleasure wrapt, the parents stand,
And see their little wings expand;
The sire, his life sustaining prize
To each expecting bill applies,
There fondly pours the wheaten spoil,
With transport given, tho' won with toil;
While, all collected at the sight,
And silent through supreme delight,
The Fair high Heaven of bliss beguiles,
And on her lord and infants smiles.
The Sparrow, whose attention hung
Upon the Dove's enchanting tongue,
Of all his little slights disarm'd,
And from himself, by Virtue, charm'd;
When now he saw, what only seem'd,
A fact, so late a fable deem'd,
His soul to envy he resigned,
His hours of folly to the wind;
In secret wish'd a Turtle too,
And sighing to himself withdrew.
Upon the Dove's enchanting tongue,
Of all his little slights disarm'd,
And from himself, by Virtue, charm'd;
When now he saw, what only seem'd,
A fact, so late a fable deem'd,
His soul to envy he resigned,
His hours of folly to the wind;
In secret wish'd a Turtle too,
And sighing to himself withdrew.
| The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke | |