Juvenile poems on various subjects With the Prince of Parthia, a tragedy |
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THE ASSEMBLY OF BIRDS; from CHAUCER. |
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 | Juvenile poems on various subjects |  |
83
THE ASSEMBLY OF BIRDS; from CHAUCER.
[_]
Begins at the thirteenth Stanza of Chaucer's Poem, called, “The Assembly of Fowles.” The Argument of which is, all Fowles are gathered before Nature on St. Valentine's Day, to chuse their Mates. A Female Eagle being beloved of three Falcons, requireth a Year's respite to make her Choice: Upon this Trial, Qui bien aime tard oublie: He that loveth well, is slow to forget.
Qui bien aime tard oublie.
To western climes retir'd declining day,
And night excluded ev'ry lucent ray;
In dens the wearied Beasts were couch'd to rest,
And each gay Warbler sunk into her nest.
Sad Philomel alone, with plaintive strain,
Chac'd silence from Old Night's deep gloomy reign:
When lock'd in gentle slumber was I laid,
And, all around me, airy Phantoms play'd.
O Cytherea! love's all-pow'rful Queen,
'Twas thou who rais'd the beauteous mimic scene.
Give me to know the sacred fire again,
'Twas Love inspir'd, and Love shall guide the pen.
And night excluded ev'ry lucent ray;
In dens the wearied Beasts were couch'd to rest,
And each gay Warbler sunk into her nest.
Sad Philomel alone, with plaintive strain,
Chac'd silence from Old Night's deep gloomy reign:
When lock'd in gentle slumber was I laid,
And, all around me, airy Phantoms play'd.
O Cytherea! love's all-pow'rful Queen,
'Twas thou who rais'd the beauteous mimic scene.
Give me to know the sacred fire again,
'Twas Love inspir'd, and Love shall guide the pen.
84
The Sportsman sleeping on the dewy ground,
Pursues the Game, and chears the eager hound:
The Miser tells in dreams his hidden store,
And warlike Knights fight all their battles o'er;
While those who burn amid the fever's rage,
In fancied Cups their parching thirst asswage.
Nor wonder then if I in dreams should stray,
Where Love inviting makes the fiction gay.
Pursues the Game, and chears the eager hound:
The Miser tells in dreams his hidden store,
And warlike Knights fight all their battles o'er;
While those who burn amid the fever's rage,
In fancied Cups their parching thirst asswage.
Nor wonder then if I in dreams should stray,
Where Love inviting makes the fiction gay.
In a wide plain methought that I was plac'd,
With Spring's gay liv'ry all the scene was grac'd.
A lofty beauteous wall before me shone,
Like em'rald green was ev'ry polish'd stone;
High in the front a massy gate was rear'd,
Inscriptions on each glitt'ring fold appear'd.
Of gold and azure were the letters wrought,
But diff'rent seem'd to be the Writer's thought.
With Spring's gay liv'ry all the scene was grac'd.
A lofty beauteous wall before me shone,
Like em'rald green was ev'ry polish'd stone;
High in the front a massy gate was rear'd,
Inscriptions on each glitt'ring fold appear'd.
Of gold and azure were the letters wrought,
But diff'rent seem'd to be the Writer's thought.
To that delightful place thro' 'me men go,
Where wounded hearts no longer feel their woe;
To that delightful place where ever gay,
And jocund, sports the green and lusty May.
No more let pining grief your breasts annoy,
Haste, enter in, and taste of deathless joy.
Where wounded hearts no longer feel their woe;
To that delightful place where ever gay,
And jocund, sports the green and lusty May.
No more let pining grief your breasts annoy,
Haste, enter in, and taste of deathless joy.
To that curs'd place, then spake the other side,
Men go thro' me where joy shall ne'er abide;
To that curs'd place where trees no leaves shall bear,
But chilly Winter shivers thro' the year.
Here wasting Sorrow spreads her gloomy reign,
Danger attends, and sad distressful Pain.
The varying scene astonish'd to behold,
A while I stood, sometimes with fear made cold,
With warmer wishes then again grown bold.
In vain the Riddle to explain I try,
Still loath to enter, and as loath to fly.
So when the ever-faithful Needle set,
Between two Magnets, each of equal weight,
While pow'r to pow'er opposs'd, the war maintains,
Fix'd and immoveable it still remains.
Men go thro' me where joy shall ne'er abide;
85
But chilly Winter shivers thro' the year.
Here wasting Sorrow spreads her gloomy reign,
Danger attends, and sad distressful Pain.
The varying scene astonish'd to behold,
A while I stood, sometimes with fear made cold,
With warmer wishes then again grown bold.
In vain the Riddle to explain I try,
Still loath to enter, and as loath to fly.
So when the ever-faithful Needle set,
Between two Magnets, each of equal weight,
While pow'r to pow'er opposs'd, the war maintains,
Fix'd and immoveable it still remains.
As thus I stood, in thoughtful mood profound,
Soft melody seem'd floating all around.
The gates flew open-wide, new beauties rise,
Gay pleasing prospects struck my wond'ring eyes,
Fair spreading trees adorn'd the pleasing scene,
By bounteous Nature drest all gay and green.
The builder Oak, the lofty pillar Elm,
The hardy Ash, and the victorious Palm;
The Cypress, friend to Sorrow, mournful Tree,
The Fir, bold sailor o'er the restless sea.
The Holme for whipper's lash, the Box tree too,
The Asp for shafts, for bows the bending Yew;
The peaceful Olive, and the drunken Vine,
And Laurel sacred to the tuneful Nine,
While round were seen the Hart, the Buck, the Hind,
The bounding Roe, and Beasts of ev'ry kind.
Soft melody seem'd floating all around.
The gates flew open-wide, new beauties rise,
Gay pleasing prospects struck my wond'ring eyes,
Fair spreading trees adorn'd the pleasing scene,
By bounteous Nature drest all gay and green.
The builder Oak, the lofty pillar Elm,
The hardy Ash, and the victorious Palm;
The Cypress, friend to Sorrow, mournful Tree,
The Fir, bold sailor o'er the restless sea.
The Holme for whipper's lash, the Box tree too,
The Asp for shafts, for bows the bending Yew;
The peaceful Olive, and the drunken Vine,
And Laurel sacred to the tuneful Nine,
86
The bounding Roe, and Beasts of ev'ry kind.
A garden saw I, full of pleasant bow'rs,
Close by a river's brink, enrich'd with flow'rs.
The curling streams in gentle murmurs glide,
And finny Squadrons sported down the tide.
While beauteous Swans in milk-white plumage drest,
Against the waves their downy bosoms prest.
On ev'ry bough the Birds were hear'd to sing,
As when they joyous hail the gladsome Spring.
And gentle Zephyr softly whisp'ring round,
Seem'd join'd accordant to the pleasing sound.
Mild was the air, the sky serene and clear,
And spring eternal crown'd the rolling year.
Here wan Disease was never known to tread,
Nor palsy age to shake his hoary head:
Health painted rosy blushes on each face,
And blooming youth gave ev'ry other grace.
Here day for ever shone, no night was here,
But light and joy still banish'd ev'ry fear.
Close by a river's brink, enrich'd with flow'rs.
The curling streams in gentle murmurs glide,
And finny Squadrons sported down the tide.
While beauteous Swans in milk-white plumage drest,
Against the waves their downy bosoms prest.
On ev'ry bough the Birds were hear'd to sing,
As when they joyous hail the gladsome Spring.
And gentle Zephyr softly whisp'ring round,
Seem'd join'd accordant to the pleasing sound.
Mild was the air, the sky serene and clear,
And spring eternal crown'd the rolling year.
Here wan Disease was never known to tread,
Nor palsy age to shake his hoary head:
Health painted rosy blushes on each face,
And blooming youth gave ev'ry other grace.
Here day for ever shone, no night was here,
But light and joy still banish'd ev'ry fear.
Enticing Pleasure there I did espy,
Sweet were her looks, and full of courtesy.
Beneath a spreading oak there as I guess,
Saw I Delight, and with him Gentleness.
There saw I Beauty, in a nice attire,
And Youth, with Jollity and warm Desire.
False Flatt'ry, Favour, Diligence, and Three
Whose names shall not be here disclos'd by me.
Sweet were her looks, and full of courtesy.
Beneath a spreading oak there as I guess,
Saw I Delight, and with him Gentleness.
There saw I Beauty, in a nice attire,
And Youth, with Jollity and warm Desire.
87
Whose names shall not be here disclos'd by me.
On lofty jasper Pillars rais'd on high,
A Temple 'rose, and seem'd to kiss the sky.
Here Nymphs for ever danc'd an endless round,
A varied Train, some with sad myrtle crown'd,
Their garments torn, with loose dishevel'd hair,
And on their brows was sorrow mark'd, and care.
Others more gay, in flow'ry garlands drest,
And Joy and Gladness seem'd to swell each breast.
With looks serene, close by the Structure's gate;
Peace with her lovely blooming Olives sat.
Sweet was her envied smile, and by her side,
Pale Patience, on a sandy bank, I spy'd.
Here Art was seated, with her shining train,
And Majesty spread round her high domain.
A Temple 'rose, and seem'd to kiss the sky.
Here Nymphs for ever danc'd an endless round,
A varied Train, some with sad myrtle crown'd,
Their garments torn, with loose dishevel'd hair,
And on their brows was sorrow mark'd, and care.
Others more gay, in flow'ry garlands drest,
And Joy and Gladness seem'd to swell each breast.
With looks serene, close by the Structure's gate;
Peace with her lovely blooming Olives sat.
Sweet was her envied smile, and by her side,
Pale Patience, on a sandy bank, I spy'd.
Here Art was seated, with her shining train,
And Majesty spread round her high domain.
On the bright Roof with gold and azure grac'd,
Full many thousand pair of Doves were plac'd.
Gay Wealth stood Porter at the Temple door,
And in his hand a golden wand he bore.
At whose all pow'rful touch the Gates remove,
And open all the shining Courts of Love.
Haughty his mien, Pride sat upon his brow!
And loosely down his glitt'ring vestments flow.
Ent'ring within I heard unnumber'd sighs,
Such as from fond despairing Lovers rise;
Warm was the Gale, and kindl'd by Desire,
And ev'ry Breast seem'd scorch'd with inward fire.
Full many thousand pair of Doves were plac'd.
Gay Wealth stood Porter at the Temple door,
And in his hand a golden wand he bore.
At whose all pow'rful touch the Gates remove,
And open all the shining Courts of Love.
Haughty his mien, Pride sat upon his brow!
And loosely down his glitt'ring vestments flow.
Ent'ring within I heard unnumber'd sighs,
Such as from fond despairing Lovers rise;
88
And ev'ry Breast seem'd scorch'd with inward fire.
On a rich bed bright sea-born Venus laid,
Her loose thin vestments ev'ry charm betray'd;
In golden fillets were her tresses bound,
The blooming Graces all were waiting round.
Fair bounteous Ceres by the Goddess stood,
And youthful Bacchus, in a frolic mood.
His brows were with bright purple honors drest,
While in the Bowl the juicy grape he prest.
'Tis sprightly Wine can the dull passions move,
And Ceres' blessings give us pow'r to Love.
Her loose thin vestments ev'ry charm betray'd;
In golden fillets were her tresses bound,
The blooming Graces all were waiting round.
Fair bounteous Ceres by the Goddess stood,
And youthful Bacchus, in a frolic mood.
His brows were with bright purple honors drest,
While in the Bowl the juicy grape he prest.
'Tis sprightly Wine can the dull passions move,
And Ceres' blessings give us pow'r to Love.
High on a shining seat with rubles grac'd,
Cupid, the God of am'rous thoughts, was plac'd.
Bent was his bow, and in his hand a dart
He held, on which was fixt a bleeding heart;
Around his throne unnumber'd crouds attend,
And to the God in awful rev'rence bend.
Their pray'rs with mingl'd sighs they loud prefer'd,
Like rolling thunder from a distance heard.
Cupid, the God of am'rous thoughts, was plac'd.
Bent was his bow, and in his hand a dart
He held, on which was fixt a bleeding heart;
Around his throne unnumber'd crouds attend,
And to the God in awful rev'rence bend.
Their pray'rs with mingl'd sighs they loud prefer'd,
Like rolling thunder from a distance heard.
Around, as trophies, bows were cast unstrung,
And useless now, the empty quivers hung.
Once by bright Nymphs these shining arms were borne,
Who strict to keep Diana's law had sworn.
In vain the Goddess call'd, the desert Grove
They left, and sped to taste the sweets of Love.
The shining wall with tales was painted o'er,
Of those who bow'd to Love's almighty pow'r.
And useless now, the empty quivers hung.
Once by bright Nymphs these shining arms were borne,
Who strict to keep Diana's law had sworn.
89
They left, and sped to taste the sweets of Love.
The shining wall with tales was painted o'er,
Of those who bow'd to Love's almighty pow'r.
In a fair Grove, which near the Temple stood,
Thro' which there gently roll'd a murm'ring flood;
Rais'd on a bank, with fragrant flow'rs made gay,
Great Nature sat, whose laws we all obey.
(As Summer's sun the Stars in light excel,
So she surpasses all that tongue can tell.)
Around the Dame the Birds assembl'd all,
For 'twas St. Valentine's great festival.
Each to select his mate did now appear,
So ancient custom fix'd from year to year.
Thro' which there gently roll'd a murm'ring flood;
Rais'd on a bank, with fragrant flow'rs made gay,
Great Nature sat, whose laws we all obey.
(As Summer's sun the Stars in light excel,
So she surpasses all that tongue can tell.)
Around the Dame the Birds assembl'd all,
For 'twas St. Valentine's great festival.
Each to select his mate did now appear,
So ancient custom fix'd from year to year.
The highest seats the Birds of prey did grace,
Who fed on worms enjoy'd the second place;
While those who humbler fed on feeds were seen,
Unnumber'd spread along th' enamel'd green.
Who fed on worms enjoy'd the second place;
While those who humbler fed on feeds were seen,
Unnumber'd spread along th' enamel'd green.
And here might men the royal Eagle find,
With other Eagles of a lower kind;
The gentle Falcon, and the Popinjay,
And Peacock in his angel-feathers gay;
The jealous Swan, the scornful Jay and Stare,
The boding Owl, and Crow with voice of care;
The Chough to thiev'ry prone, the chatt'ring Pye,
And the false Lapwing full of treachery.
The Sparrow, Venus' son, the Nightingale,
And Swallow, Murtherer of the bees so small;
The Pheasant, Scorner of the Cock by night,
With the tame Ruddock, and the coward Kite.
The Cuckoo still unkind, the Crane, the Geaunt,
The wakeful Goose, and glutton Cormorant;
The wedded Turtle, and the Goosehawke rare,
The Throstle old, and the frosty Fieldefare.
With numbers more, whose names I shall not tell,
Who in shrill notes, or gaudy dress excel.
With other Eagles of a lower kind;
The gentle Falcon, and the Popinjay,
And Peacock in his angel-feathers gay;
The jealous Swan, the scornful Jay and Stare,
The boding Owl, and Crow with voice of care;
90
And the false Lapwing full of treachery.
The Sparrow, Venus' son, the Nightingale,
And Swallow, Murtherer of the bees so small;
The Pheasant, Scorner of the Cock by night,
With the tame Ruddock, and the coward Kite.
The Cuckoo still unkind, the Crane, the Geaunt,
The wakeful Goose, and glutton Cormorant;
The wedded Turtle, and the Goosehawke rare,
The Throstle old, and the frosty Fieldefare.
With numbers more, whose names I shall not tell,
Who in shrill notes, or gaudy dress excel.
—Left unfinished—
| Juvenile poems on various subjects | |