Poems and Plays By William Hayley ... in Six Volumes. A New Edition |
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| TRANSLATION'S TAKEN FROM
THE NOTES TO THE FOURTH EPISTLE OF
AN ESSAY ON EPIC POETRY |
| V. |
 | Poems and Plays |  |
217
TRANSLATION'S TAKEN FROM THE NOTES TO THE FOURTH EPISTLE OF AN ESSAY ON EPIC POETRY
219
THE SONNET OF GIUSTINA TO PETRARCH.
Gladly would I exchange inglorious ease
For future fame, the Poet's fond desire!
And still to live, in spite of death, aspire
By Virtue's light, that darkness cannot seize:
But, stupified by Custom's blank decrees,
The idle vulgar, void of liberal fire,
Bid me, with scorn, from Helicon retire,
And rudely blame my generous hope to please.
Distaffs, not laurels, to your sex belong,
They cry—as honour were beyond our view:
To such low cares they wish my spirit bent.
Say thou! who marchest, mid the favour'd few,
To high Parnassus, with triumphant song,
Should I abandon such a fair intent?
For future fame, the Poet's fond desire!
And still to live, in spite of death, aspire
By Virtue's light, that darkness cannot seize:
But, stupified by Custom's blank decrees,
The idle vulgar, void of liberal fire,
Bid me, with scorn, from Helicon retire,
And rudely blame my generous hope to please.
Distaffs, not laurels, to your sex belong,
They cry—as honour were beyond our view:
To such low cares they wish my spirit bent.
Say thou! who marchest, mid the favour'd few,
To high Parnassus, with triumphant song,
Should I abandon such a fair intent?
221
THE ANSWER OF PETRARCH.
Luxurious pleasure, and lethargic ease,Have deaden'd in the world each bright desire:
Our thoughts no more with Nature's force aspire;
Custom's cold powers the drooping fancy seize:
So lost each light that taught the soul to please,
Each heavenly spark of life-directing fire,
That all, who join the Heliconian choir,
Are frantic deem'd by Folly's dull decrees.
What charms, what worth to Laurel-wreaths belong?
Naked and poor Philosophy we view,
Exclaims the crowd, on sordid gain intent.—
Associates in thy path thou'lt find but few;
The more I pray thee, Nymph of graceful song,
Indulge thy spirit in its noble bent!
| Poems and Plays | |