A Collection of Several Poems and Verses Composed upon Various Occasions. By Mr. William Cleland |
 |
Some few Lines composed by him for Divertisement, from Melancholick Thoughts, when traveling abroad.
|
|
 | A Collection of Several Poems and Verses |  |
120
Some few Lines composed by him for Divertisement, from Melancholick Thoughts, when traveling abroad.
To the Tune of, Fancy free.
O're Hills, o're Mountains, scrogie woods
o're Heaths o're Desarts dry,
O're dusky Marishes and Floods,
where Tritons Company
So wantonly skipt here and there,
within these Waterie Vawes,
Undanton'd by that catcking care
which Human Wights inslaves.
o're Heaths o're Desarts dry,
O're dusky Marishes and Floods,
where Tritons Company
So wantonly skipt here and there,
within these Waterie Vawes,
Undanton'd by that catcking care
which Human Wights inslaves.
2
O're stony hights, o're champine groundwhere Ceres bows her head,
O're ragged Rocks where Ecchoes sound
and bearded people feed,
O're walled Cities. frightsome forts,
o're waterie linking sands,
Retrenched Villages and Boges
where Neptouns Castle stands.
3
Through wounding woods of glistering spears,prepared for Humane Death,
Through sudden Showers of leaden Spears,
that quickly cut the breath,
Through armed troups, where horses prance,
as if they would incite,
121
their Counter part to meet.
4
Where Trumpets sound and Drums do beat,as in a solemn way,
They were ordain'd of Soveraign fate,
a Triumph to convey;
Great Souls of Heroes as they flie
at wounds of Breast and Brain
And then bass forth their Elogie
in mournfull groaning strain.
5
Through Razing rage of cursed Kingswhom vitious Souls admire;
Through unjust sentences which springs
from avarice or fear,
Or some such like infernall cause
hence guiltless people quake,
Before his face, whose Sword, whose Laws,
should their opposers shake,
6
Through firie Feavers wasting Woundsthrough Melancholious want;
Through sad disastures which abound
to such as long and pant;
Even for true vertue, which sure
the weakly spirit faints,
Who forced troubles to Endure
must die in discontent.
122
7
Through Calumnies through frauds and slightsthat moveth mortals mind;
Through slandering tongues of bruttish wights
to pevishness inclin'd:
They must adventure who intends
in Vertues camp to warr,
Abhoring mean penurious ends
that brave exploits do marr.
8
If when travers'd by all such fateshonour and vertue be,
Both proof against Enchanting bates:
and frowning destiny
A Soul may have a sure solace
when stormed on every side.
And look proud Tyrants in the face
with scorn to be dismay'd.
9
Contentment with a present caseto praise I'le not forbear,
Sure it deserves the highest place
amongst these vertues rare,
By Heathen people so much sought
but never yet obtain'd,
Its Heaven's great gift, not to be bought
nor by Industrie gain'd.
| A Collection of Several Poems and Verses | |