Alfred An Epick Poem. In Twelve Books. By Sir Richard Blackmore |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. | BOOK III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
 | Alfred |  |
69
BOOK III.
The ARGUMENT.
Halla King of Tunisia, coming out of the City to take the Evening Air, discovered the two Britons, who being brought into his Presence, upon the King's Enquiry, acquainted him who they were, and what they had suffered. The King received them with great Marks of Kindness, and afterwards entertained them at a magnificent Supper. Dollah the Bard sung the Praises of the great Poets of his own, and some other Countries. The Song being ended, Halla tells Prince Alfred what great Esteem the Tunisians paid to Poets, and how their Princes and Men of superior Rank endeavoured to excell in that Art; and
then asks if the Britons were not so much addicted to Arms as to have little Taste of Poetry. Alfred replies, that the Muses and Poetical Inspiration were not unknown in Albion, and moreover that be himself had in some Measure felt it; and then takes Occasion to tell the King, that if he returned in Safety and should wear the imperial Crown of Britain, he would build Colledges of Learning, and give great Encouragement to Arts and Sciences. The next Morning Alfred with Ardilla the first Sea-Officer visits the Fleets, the Galleys, Arsenals, and Magazines, and having seen a Man of War launched, Alfred asked Ardilla by what prudent Rules the naval Power of Tunisia was carried on to so great a Height. Ardilla's Reply. Alfred returns to Court, is entertained by the King with great Respect, at whose Request after Supper he sings an Ode on Divine Wisdom, then retires, and leaves Guithun to relate his Adventures.
70
The Sun advancing on his Western Way
From the blue Heights of Heav'n brought down the Day,
And made long Shadows with his slanting Ray:
The King and Queen now to the spreading Plain
Pass'd from their Palace with a princely Train,
In a high Chariot rich with Paint and Gold,
Which slow along in State Majestick roll'd,
To breathe fresh Air, and feel the fanning Breeze
In cooling Shades between fair Rows of Trees,
Where they dismissing publick Cares, employ'd,
Their Evening Hours, and the sweet Walks enjoy'd.
From the blue Heights of Heav'n brought down the Day,
And made long Shadows with his slanting Ray:
The King and Queen now to the spreading Plain
Pass'd from their Palace with a princely Train,
In a high Chariot rich with Paint and Gold,
Which slow along in State Majestick roll'd,
71
In cooling Shades between fair Rows of Trees,
Where they dismissing publick Cares, employ'd,
Their Evening Hours, and the sweet Walks enjoy'd.
Now Halla, casting round his searching Eye,
Did at a Distance from the Crowd descry
The British Pair, and thus bespoke the Queen;
Behold two Men, whose Aspect, Dress, and Mien
Confess them Strangers, and their Faces show
They know by rigid Fate uncommon Woe:
Their graceful Manner and unvulgar Air
More than Plebeian Pedigree declare:
Let us from whence and who they are demand,
That if they prove good Men, our lib'ral Hand
May mitigate in Part their settled Grief,
And to their Wants indulgent yield Relief.
Did at a Distance from the Crowd descry
The British Pair, and thus bespoke the Queen;
Behold two Men, whose Aspect, Dress, and Mien
Confess them Strangers, and their Faces show
They know by rigid Fate uncommon Woe:
Their graceful Manner and unvulgar Air
More than Plebeian Pedigree declare:
Let us from whence and who they are demand,
That if they prove good Men, our lib'ral Hand
May mitigate in Part their settled Grief,
And to their Wants indulgent yield Relief.
Then, by his high Command, Attendants bring
With kind Respect the Britons to the King.
He friendly thus bespoke them—Strangers, say
What Men you are, and whence you took your Way
To seek these Seats—Then Guithun thus reply'd;
Know, mighty Prince, we are in Blood ally'd
To Houses of Renown in Albion's Isle,
Where first we drew our Breath; That spent with Toil
In the late Storm, our Men and Vessel lost,
Shipwreckt we floated to Numidia's Coast.
He, whom our Souls with pious Zeal adore,
We trust will soon our native Soil restore;
Till then, submissive we our Wills resign,
And calm rely on Providence divine,
That has, to try our Fortitude, and prove
Our Hope, Dependance, and Celestial Love,
Decreed to let us adverse Fortune know,
To break our Scheme, and plunge us deep in Woe.
But, gen'rous Prince, while we transported see
Your happy People from Oppression free;
These flowry Gardens, these rich Fields survey,
Which tell what gracious Hands the Scepter sway;
Reviv'd we hope your Goodness will relieve
Our various Wants, and our hard Fate retrieve.
With kind Respect the Britons to the King.
He friendly thus bespoke them—Strangers, say
What Men you are, and whence you took your Way
To seek these Seats—Then Guithun thus reply'd;
Know, mighty Prince, we are in Blood ally'd
To Houses of Renown in Albion's Isle,
Where first we drew our Breath; That spent with Toil
72
Shipwreckt we floated to Numidia's Coast.
He, whom our Souls with pious Zeal adore,
We trust will soon our native Soil restore;
Till then, submissive we our Wills resign,
And calm rely on Providence divine,
That has, to try our Fortitude, and prove
Our Hope, Dependance, and Celestial Love,
Decreed to let us adverse Fortune know,
To break our Scheme, and plunge us deep in Woe.
But, gen'rous Prince, while we transported see
Your happy People from Oppression free;
These flowry Gardens, these rich Fields survey,
Which tell what gracious Hands the Scepter sway;
Reviv'd we hope your Goodness will relieve
Our various Wants, and our hard Fate retrieve.
He said—And Halla with a courteous Air
Thus answer'd—Strangers, yield not to Despair.
Your wise Deportment, Aspect, and Address,
Which bright Endowments and high Birth confess,
Evince your Hands with no foul Guilt are stain'd,
Your Hearts not double, nor your Language feign'd.
To suff'ring Worthies I would Love express,
Condole their Loss, and solace their Distress:
Pity, the Source whence publick Blessings spring,
Adds the sure Friend and Father to the King.
Should not this Heav'nly Passion's gentle Fire
Soften the Breast, and melting Force inspire,
Should not its Impulse cruel Nature sway,
And make fierce Instincts Reason's Nod obey,
The Heart, like Marble, would unductile grow,
And hard, as Di'monds, no Impression know.
Men undistinguish'd from the savage Brood,
That haunt the Mountain and infest the Wood,
Would feast on Rapine, and Delight in Blood:
Nor would they help their Neighbour, but destroy,
Smile at his Anguish, and his Pains enjoy.
If Men to Brutes superiour Nature show,
To Love and Mercy they that Honour owe,
Bright Virtues, that adorn the Bless'd above;
And what makes hateful Fiends, but Want of Love?
He ceas'd—The Britons grateful Thanks addrest
For these Expressions of a gen'rous Breast.
Thus answer'd—Strangers, yield not to Despair.
Your wise Deportment, Aspect, and Address,
Which bright Endowments and high Birth confess,
Evince your Hands with no foul Guilt are stain'd,
Your Hearts not double, nor your Language feign'd.
To suff'ring Worthies I would Love express,
Condole their Loss, and solace their Distress:
73
Adds the sure Friend and Father to the King.
Should not this Heav'nly Passion's gentle Fire
Soften the Breast, and melting Force inspire,
Should not its Impulse cruel Nature sway,
And make fierce Instincts Reason's Nod obey,
The Heart, like Marble, would unductile grow,
And hard, as Di'monds, no Impression know.
Men undistinguish'd from the savage Brood,
That haunt the Mountain and infest the Wood,
Would feast on Rapine, and Delight in Blood:
Nor would they help their Neighbour, but destroy,
Smile at his Anguish, and his Pains enjoy.
If Men to Brutes superiour Nature show,
To Love and Mercy they that Honour owe,
Bright Virtues, that adorn the Bless'd above;
And what makes hateful Fiends, but Want of Love?
He ceas'd—The Britons grateful Thanks addrest
For these Expressions of a gen'rous Breast.
Then Abramel by Birth and Office great,
So Halla order'd, to the Royal Seat
Conducts the Strangers, where their wond'ring Eyes
Art and august Magnificence surprize,
Not by the Pomp of Carthage overcome,
Nor the proud Tow'rs and Palaces of Rome.
The noble Guide did on the Britons wait,
With courteous Mien, to lofty Rooms of State:
Here, to renew their Vigour spent with Toil,
They us'd warm Baths, and sooth'd their Limbs with Oyl.
So Halla order'd, to the Royal Seat
Conducts the Strangers, where their wond'ring Eyes
Art and august Magnificence surprize,
Not by the Pomp of Carthage overcome,
Nor the proud Tow'rs and Palaces of Rome.
74
With courteous Mien, to lofty Rooms of State:
Here, to renew their Vigour spent with Toil,
They us'd warm Baths, and sooth'd their Limbs with Oyl.
Tunisia's Prince, when equal Shade and Light
A doubtful Mixture made of Day and Night,
Returning from the Fields sent Lords to bring
The Strangers—Joyful they attend the King.
When Alfred, now refresh'd and richly drest,
So bade the Monarch, in a Crimson Vest
Enter'd the Room, he Love and Wonder rais'd,
His Presence some, and some his Stature prais'd;
These his fine Shape, and those extoll'd his Face
Where blooming Beauty strove with princely Grace.
A doubtful Mixture made of Day and Night,
Returning from the Fields sent Lords to bring
The Strangers—Joyful they attend the King.
When Alfred, now refresh'd and richly drest,
So bade the Monarch, in a Crimson Vest
Enter'd the Room, he Love and Wonder rais'd,
His Presence some, and some his Stature prais'd;
These his fine Shape, and those extoll'd his Face
Where blooming Beauty strove with princely Grace.
Then thus mild Halla with a pleasing Air
Bespoke the Britons—Welcome Guests, declare
Your Families and Names, and let us know
To whom, this Honour done our Court, we owe.
Bespoke the Britons—Welcome Guests, declare
Your Families and Names, and let us know
To whom, this Honour done our Court, we owe.
Then Alfred thus—Our Country we have told:
Alfred, Atulpho's Son, you here behold,
The pious Prince that rules Britannia's Land,
And sways the Scepter with a gracious Hand:
Here Guithun see, he all my Cares attends,
A wise Adviser, and the best of Friends:
His Veins from Hebert, still we trust alive
In Albion lov'd, illustrious Blood derive.
I, to enrich my Mind, left Britain's Soil,
Expos'd by Sea and Land to various Toil,
Intent in diff'rent Monarchies to learn
The wisest Forms of Empire, and discern
The Laws and Customs, whence those Blessings spring,
That ease the People, and advance the King;
That thus inform'd, if destin'd to a Throne,
I might retrieve the Isle degen'rate grown,
Teach her how Pow'r and Plenty to encrease,
And make her great in Arms, yet fond of Peace.
Of gracious Heav'ns wise Scheme I thankful boast,
Which threw me Shipwreckt on Tunisia's Coast,
Where by her Sov'reign's bright Example taught,
I may my Aim, my Country's Good, promote.
Alfred, Atulpho's Son, you here behold,
The pious Prince that rules Britannia's Land,
And sways the Scepter with a gracious Hand:
75
A wise Adviser, and the best of Friends:
His Veins from Hebert, still we trust alive
In Albion lov'd, illustrious Blood derive.
I, to enrich my Mind, left Britain's Soil,
Expos'd by Sea and Land to various Toil,
Intent in diff'rent Monarchies to learn
The wisest Forms of Empire, and discern
The Laws and Customs, whence those Blessings spring,
That ease the People, and advance the King;
That thus inform'd, if destin'd to a Throne,
I might retrieve the Isle degen'rate grown,
Teach her how Pow'r and Plenty to encrease,
And make her great in Arms, yet fond of Peace.
Of gracious Heav'ns wise Scheme I thankful boast,
Which threw me Shipwreckt on Tunisia's Coast,
Where by her Sov'reign's bright Example taught,
I may my Aim, my Country's Good, promote.
Alfred these Words pronounc'd with so much Grace,
And such becoming Greatness in his Face,
Peculiar to a high-born gen'rous Mind,
That the whole Audience in Applauses join'd,
While the fair Sex did with the Lords contend,
Who most the Royal Stranger should commend.
And such becoming Greatness in his Face,
Peculiar to a high-born gen'rous Mind,
That the whole Audience in Applauses join'd,
While the fair Sex did with the Lords contend,
Who most the Royal Stranger should commend.
76
Now chosen Dishes of voluptuous Taste
Were on the Board, a rich Profusion, plac'd;
The tim'rous Hare, the Stag, and wanton Fawn,
That hide in Brakes, or sportive range the Lawn,
The Animals untam'd, delicious Foods,
That dwell in Rocks, or ask the sheltring Woods,
Sweet Ortolans, and Quails, and Partridge red,
In fruitful Fields, or flow'ry Gardens bred;
The various Kinds of tasteful Fish, that crave
Th' unseason'd Flood, or seek the briny Wave,
Or pleas'd with Change alternate Pastime take,
The River now, and now the Sea forsake,
That chuse the running Stream, or standing Lake;
All princely Dishes, high luxurious Cheer,
Dispos'd with Art did in long Pomp appear.
And, while fair Fruits and Greens were interwove,
Seem'd a rich Banquet in a Golden Grove.
Were on the Board, a rich Profusion, plac'd;
The tim'rous Hare, the Stag, and wanton Fawn,
That hide in Brakes, or sportive range the Lawn,
The Animals untam'd, delicious Foods,
That dwell in Rocks, or ask the sheltring Woods,
Sweet Ortolans, and Quails, and Partridge red,
In fruitful Fields, or flow'ry Gardens bred;
The various Kinds of tasteful Fish, that crave
Th' unseason'd Flood, or seek the briny Wave,
Or pleas'd with Change alternate Pastime take,
The River now, and now the Sea forsake,
That chuse the running Stream, or standing Lake;
All princely Dishes, high luxurious Cheer,
Dispos'd with Art did in long Pomp appear.
And, while fair Fruits and Greens were interwove,
Seem'd a rich Banquet in a Golden Grove.
They sate—The beauteous Queen the Table grac'd,
Near her high Chair Britannia's Prince was plac'd:
And while the pleasing Foods they cheerful eat,
And praise the Choice and Plenty of the Meat,
All pure delicious Drinks, (excepting Wine
Which, as enjoin'd, Religious they decline,)
Press'd from the Fruits that Garden Trees produce,
Pomegranate, Citron, Lime, and Orange Juice,
Sherbets and Lemonades of diff'rent Sort,
Solac'd the Strangers, and regal'd the Court.
Near her high Chair Britannia's Prince was plac'd:
And while the pleasing Foods they cheerful eat,
And praise the Choice and Plenty of the Meat,
All pure delicious Drinks, (excepting Wine
Which, as enjoin'd, Religious they decline,)
77
Pomegranate, Citron, Lime, and Orange Juice,
Sherbets and Lemonades of diff'rent Sort,
Solac'd the Strangers, and regal'd the Court.
Applauded Voices touch'd the melting Heart
With Heav'nly Sweetness and unrivall'd Art;
Tubes of a various Figure, which acquir'd
Unnative Breath by skilful Mouths inspir'd,
And tuneful Strings, that speak by Pow'r unknown,
And vibr'ate by an Impulse, not their own,
Combin'd in Consorts ravishing to hear,
Call'd all the list'ning Spirits to the Ear,
Encreas'd the Pleasure, and improv'd the Cheer.
With Heav'nly Sweetness and unrivall'd Art;
Tubes of a various Figure, which acquir'd
Unnative Breath by skilful Mouths inspir'd,
And tuneful Strings, that speak by Pow'r unknown,
And vibr'ate by an Impulse, not their own,
Combin'd in Consorts ravishing to hear,
Call'd all the list'ning Spirits to the Ear,
Encreas'd the Pleasure, and improv'd the Cheer.
Then, as the King commanded, Dollah came,
Among the Bards a celebrated Name,
By great Arabian Princes much approv'd,
Who Poets were themselves, or Poets lov'd:
For the Tunisians this wise Maxim own,
That Men to Letters bred best fill a Throne.
Among the Bards a celebrated Name,
By great Arabian Princes much approv'd,
Who Poets were themselves, or Poets lov'd:
For the Tunisians this wise Maxim own,
That Men to Letters bred best fill a Throne.
Dollah began—And did the Monarchs praise,
And high as Heav'n the State-Directors raise
That caught the Poet's Rapture, ardent strung
The Lyre, and soft or martial Passion sung;
Or to the tuneful Tribe did shew Regard,
Cherish their Genius, and their Flights reward.
He sang, how Poets first the World refin'd,
And in the eldest Days adorn'd the Mind
With Science, and improv'd rude humane Kind.
How the great Monarchs, who with loud Applause
Founded wide Kingdoms and establish'd Laws,
The Rules of Empire, and the Arts of State
Hid and disguis'd in mystick Verse relate:
How Priests, exalted Notions to promote,
Religious Rites and sacred Precepts taught
In Symbols and dark Allegories dress'd,
Or in allusive Images express'd;
And how the Poet's fab'ling Art engrost
What curious Knowledge Egypt's Sons could boast;
That all the Maxims and instructive Rules
To govern Life invented in the Schools
Of the fam'd Magians born in Persia's Land,
And where Hydaspes rolls his spreading Sand,
And Sophists of the East in Letters vers'd,
In Apologues or Metre were rehears'd.
And high as Heav'n the State-Directors raise
78
The Lyre, and soft or martial Passion sung;
Or to the tuneful Tribe did shew Regard,
Cherish their Genius, and their Flights reward.
He sang, how Poets first the World refin'd,
And in the eldest Days adorn'd the Mind
With Science, and improv'd rude humane Kind.
How the great Monarchs, who with loud Applause
Founded wide Kingdoms and establish'd Laws,
The Rules of Empire, and the Arts of State
Hid and disguis'd in mystick Verse relate:
How Priests, exalted Notions to promote,
Religious Rites and sacred Precepts taught
In Symbols and dark Allegories dress'd,
Or in allusive Images express'd;
And how the Poet's fab'ling Art engrost
What curious Knowledge Egypt's Sons could boast;
That all the Maxims and instructive Rules
To govern Life invented in the Schools
Of the fam'd Magians born in Persia's Land,
And where Hydaspes rolls his spreading Sand,
And Sophists of the East in Letters vers'd,
In Apologues or Metre were rehears'd.
He sang how David, who, so Fame had told,
The Choice of Heav'n Judea's Realm controul'd,
On the sweet Harp with Skill unrivall'd play'd
With the same Hand the awful Scepter sway'd,
And sang great Actions to the warbling Strings;
The Pride of Poets and the first of Kings.
The Choice of Heav'n Judea's Realm controul'd,
79
With the same Hand the awful Scepter sway'd,
And sang great Actions to the warbling Strings;
The Pride of Poets and the first of Kings.
The Arab then in tuneful Rapture prais'd
Wise Solomon, who Palestina rais'd
To wealth and Pow'r, while his fam'd Lines no less
The artful Poet, than the Sage confess.
Wise Solomon, who Palestina rais'd
To wealth and Pow'r, while his fam'd Lines no less
The artful Poet, than the Sage confess.
He sang how Scipio, Cæsar, Brutus bred
In Camps & Schools, & more fam'd Chiefs, that led
Rome's Army forth, and far her Empire spread,
Cheer'd Arts, and tuneful Labours, with Rewards,
Chiefly Mecænas Patron of the Bards;
And how Augustus, of the Roman State
The Prop and Glory, oft with Pleasure sate
Among the Poets, whom above the rest
Of all his favour'd Subjects he carest.
In Camps & Schools, & more fam'd Chiefs, that led
Rome's Army forth, and far her Empire spread,
Cheer'd Arts, and tuneful Labours, with Rewards,
Chiefly Mecænas Patron of the Bards;
And how Augustus, of the Roman State
The Prop and Glory, oft with Pleasure sate
Among the Poets, whom above the rest
Of all his favour'd Subjects he carest.
He then the Caliphs of th' Arabian Line
Prais'd in his Song, whose Acts illustrious shine,
In ancient Archieves of the Realm enroll'd,
Or by Tradition from past Ages told.
He sang how wise Abdalla great in Arms,
And fam'd for Letters and poetick Charms,
Stretch'd the Arabian Empire o'er the East,
And by his Lays his Country's Fame encreast.
Prais'd in his Song, whose Acts illustrious shine,
In ancient Archieves of the Realm enroll'd,
Or by Tradition from past Ages told.
He sang how wise Abdalla great in Arms,
And fam'd for Letters and poetick Charms,
80
And by his Lays his Country's Fame encreast.
He sang Almansor's Deeds, who lib'ral reer'd
High Schools of Learning, and the Muses cheer'd;
And the great King, who his own Odes dispers'd,
And turn'd from Prose their Prophet's Rule rehears'd.
He ceas'd—And Alfred, who attentive heard
The tuneful Numbers, prais'd th' unvulgar Bard.
High Schools of Learning, and the Muses cheer'd;
And the great King, who his own Odes dispers'd,
And turn'd from Prose their Prophet's Rule rehears'd.
He ceas'd—And Alfred, who attentive heard
The tuneful Numbers, prais'd th' unvulgar Bard.
Then Halla thus—Tunisia's Youth at Fame,
By finish'd Songs and Strains of Fancy aim:
This common Passion does her Sons inspire
With ardent Zeal, and sets their Breasts on Fire.
Lords of the highest Rank, as well as Those
Of lower Order, tuneful Works compose.
Some seiz'd with Rapture, Heights superior climb
In Lyrick or Heroick Song sublime,
And bold in Flight, with elevated Lays
Their mighty Chiefs, their God, and Prophet praise.
Some humbler Subjects chuse, who lofty fear,
And paint forth Sylvan Beauties to the Ear,
Describe the Harvest, and the furrow'd Soil,
And fill the echoing Court with rural Toil;
Collected Pleasures from the Country bring,
And at a Winter's Feast revive the Spring.
Some the rude Shepherd to the City lead,
Who scorns its Joys, and seeks the flow'ry Mead.
Some touch the Lute, and tender Passion move,
By Damon's Death or Zara's hapless Love,
And make Philander languishing complain
Of cruel Mella to the Guests in vain.
By finish'd Songs and Strains of Fancy aim:
This common Passion does her Sons inspire
With ardent Zeal, and sets their Breasts on Fire.
Lords of the highest Rank, as well as Those
Of lower Order, tuneful Works compose.
Some seiz'd with Rapture, Heights superior climb
In Lyrick or Heroick Song sublime,
And bold in Flight, with elevated Lays
Their mighty Chiefs, their God, and Prophet praise.
Some humbler Subjects chuse, who lofty fear,
And paint forth Sylvan Beauties to the Ear,
Describe the Harvest, and the furrow'd Soil,
And fill the echoing Court with rural Toil;
Collected Pleasures from the Country bring,
And at a Winter's Feast revive the Spring.
81
Who scorns its Joys, and seeks the flow'ry Mead.
Some touch the Lute, and tender Passion move,
By Damon's Death or Zara's hapless Love,
And make Philander languishing complain
Of cruel Mella to the Guests in vain.
Poetick Genius of a great Extent
We make a certain Mark of high Descent,
Nor think so gen'rous and divine a Fire
Can ever coarse Plebeian Veins inspire:
Hence, when a Youth, for tuneful Numbers fit,
Opens the Beauties of a blooming Wit,
Rejoycing Kindred Messengers employ,
In high Respect, to wish the Parents Joy
Of the bright Mark of Favour Heav'n has show'd,
That has a Poet on their House bestow'd.
Perhaps fair Albion's Youth inur'd to Arms
Taste not with Pleasure these harmonious Charms,
And, while they aim at martial Glory, praise
The Heroe's Lawrel, not the Poet's Bays.
We make a certain Mark of high Descent,
Nor think so gen'rous and divine a Fire
Can ever coarse Plebeian Veins inspire:
Hence, when a Youth, for tuneful Numbers fit,
Opens the Beauties of a blooming Wit,
Rejoycing Kindred Messengers employ,
In high Respect, to wish the Parents Joy
Of the bright Mark of Favour Heav'n has show'd,
That has a Poet on their House bestow'd.
Perhaps fair Albion's Youth inur'd to Arms
Taste not with Pleasure these harmonious Charms,
And, while they aim at martial Glory, praise
The Heroe's Lawrel, not the Poet's Bays.
He ceas'd—And thus Britannia's Prince reply'd;
Happy Tunisia, Libya's envy'd Pride!
This nearer Sun, and more indulgent Clime,
Fertile in Genius, for the Song sublime,
Or humbler Strains, is fill'd with Bards renown'd,
Cheer'd with Rewards, and with Applauses crown'd.
Nor does th' effulgent Father of the Day
View Albion's Isle with such an oblique Ray,
But oft her Natives catch poetick Fire,
Strive with the Rapture, and demand the Lyre:
Alfred has felt this Flame inspire his Veins,
And often sung his low and artless Strains.
Happy Tunisia, Libya's envy'd Pride!
This nearer Sun, and more indulgent Clime,
Fertile in Genius, for the Song sublime,
82
Cheer'd with Rewards, and with Applauses crown'd.
Nor does th' effulgent Father of the Day
View Albion's Isle with such an oblique Ray,
But oft her Natives catch poetick Fire,
Strive with the Rapture, and demand the Lyre:
Alfred has felt this Flame inspire his Veins,
And often sung his low and artless Strains.
Letters and Science I so much approve,
And with such Passion tuneful Labours love,
That this establish'd Purpose I declare,
Shou'd I th' imperial Crown of Albion wear,
By me erected Colledges shall stand,
And Schools of Learning on the fruitful Land,
Where Britain's Glory, celebrated Thames,
And Isis wanton run in confluent Streams:
Where Sages some shall search with ardent Zeal
The starry Regions and the Heav'ns reveal;
Some artful Nature's Secrets shall display,
While Bards inspir'd th' impulsive Force obey.
From foreign Realms my Bounty shall invite
Heads of the clearest intellectual Sight,
Fam'd Chiefs of Learning, fit to form our Youth,
And bless the Isle with heav'nly Beams of Truth;
Till Knowledge hence her bright Renown shall spread;
And rear to Heav'n her venerable Head:
And as I vow to purge Britannia's Court,
Vice to suppress, and Virtue to support;
So no unletter'd Men shall there enjoy
A Post of Honour, or a rich Employ.
He ceas'd—And now the Supper ended, rose
The Company august, when for Repose
The Briton from th' assembled Lords retir'd,
Who prais'd his Virtue and his Sense admir'd.
And with such Passion tuneful Labours love,
That this establish'd Purpose I declare,
Shou'd I th' imperial Crown of Albion wear,
By me erected Colledges shall stand,
And Schools of Learning on the fruitful Land,
Where Britain's Glory, celebrated Thames,
And Isis wanton run in confluent Streams:
Where Sages some shall search with ardent Zeal
The starry Regions and the Heav'ns reveal;
Some artful Nature's Secrets shall display,
While Bards inspir'd th' impulsive Force obey.
From foreign Realms my Bounty shall invite
Heads of the clearest intellectual Sight,
Fam'd Chiefs of Learning, fit to form our Youth,
And bless the Isle with heav'nly Beams of Truth;
83
And rear to Heav'n her venerable Head:
And as I vow to purge Britannia's Court,
Vice to suppress, and Virtue to support;
So no unletter'd Men shall there enjoy
A Post of Honour, or a rich Employ.
He ceas'd—And now the Supper ended, rose
The Company august, when for Repose
The Briton from th' assembled Lords retir'd,
Who prais'd his Virtue and his Sense admir'd.
Now did the Morn her tender Light display,
And from her rosy Lap shook out the Day:
The British Prince awaken'd, left his Bed
Refresh'd with Rest, and as he long had fed
A worthy Passion, should he ever wear
The Crown, a royal Navy to prepare
For Albion's Guard against the Danish Harms,
Whose fierce and cruel Chiefs with barb'rous Arms
Insulted oft Britannia's fenceless Shore,
And loaded lawless Ships with plunder'd Store,
Resolv'd by Models here, in Plenty seen,
To cultivate his Mind in Arts marine,
Then went with Guithun from the Palace Gates;
On whom Ardilla, as commanded, waits
Chief of the Fleet, the Haven to survey
And Groves of Vessels, that at Anchor lay.
As thro' the Streets they pass'd, they much admir'd
The stately Buildings, and the Wealth acquir'd
By Arts and Commerce, where each House they found
With Asia's Skill, or Europe's Growth was crown'd.
And from her rosy Lap shook out the Day:
The British Prince awaken'd, left his Bed
Refresh'd with Rest, and as he long had fed
A worthy Passion, should he ever wear
The Crown, a royal Navy to prepare
For Albion's Guard against the Danish Harms,
Whose fierce and cruel Chiefs with barb'rous Arms
Insulted oft Britannia's fenceless Shore,
And loaded lawless Ships with plunder'd Store,
Resolv'd by Models here, in Plenty seen,
To cultivate his Mind in Arts marine,
Then went with Guithun from the Palace Gates;
On whom Ardilla, as commanded, waits
84
And Groves of Vessels, that at Anchor lay.
As thro' the Streets they pass'd, they much admir'd
The stately Buildings, and the Wealth acquir'd
By Arts and Commerce, where each House they found
With Asia's Skill, or Europe's Growth was crown'd.
While wise Remarks th' advancing Strangers made,
At length the Ships a pleasing Scene display'd:
Their Number, Strength, and artful Form surprize,
And with their Order charm their wond'ring Eyes.
Some with Arabian Balms, and Spices, some
With sweet Calabrian Oyl, came freighted Home.
These brought the Pleasures of the Cyprian Isle,
Those Egypt's Riches from the Mouths of Nile.
Some were with Tyrian Luxury opprest,
And all the pompous Labour of the East.
Linnen by Indian high-born Women worn,
And costly Silks, which Persian Lords adorn,
Set off with Figures, beauteous to behold,
Bright Silver Flowers, and Animals of Gold.
These Velvets brought from high Liguria's Looms,
Fit for proud Beds of State and lofty Rooms;
And those from Norway, Masts and naval Stores,
Some Flax and Tin and Lead from Albion's Shores,
Or various Ftuits from fair Iberia's Coast,
And some the Golden Oar of Guinea boast.
At length the Ships a pleasing Scene display'd:
Their Number, Strength, and artful Form surprize,
And with their Order charm their wond'ring Eyes.
Some with Arabian Balms, and Spices, some
With sweet Calabrian Oyl, came freighted Home.
These brought the Pleasures of the Cyprian Isle,
Those Egypt's Riches from the Mouths of Nile.
Some were with Tyrian Luxury opprest,
And all the pompous Labour of the East.
Linnen by Indian high-born Women worn,
And costly Silks, which Persian Lords adorn,
Set off with Figures, beauteous to behold,
Bright Silver Flowers, and Animals of Gold.
These Velvets brought from high Liguria's Looms,
Fit for proud Beds of State and lofty Rooms;
And those from Norway, Masts and naval Stores,
Some Flax and Tin and Lead from Albion's Shores,
85
And some the Golden Oar of Guinea boast.
The British Prince this confluent Wealth admir'd,
And, with a worthy Emulation fir'd,
To Guithun thus—How this surprizing Sight
Affects my Soul with Wonder and Delight!
If the great Prince of Princes has decreed
Alfred to Albion's Kingdom shall succeed,
How does the Thought my ardent Passion please
Of building potent Navies, o'er the Seas
Her Empire to extend, and make her reign
Secure by Land, while Mistress of the Main!
That I her Pow'r and Riches may improve,
Thro' her fair Towns I would inspire the Love
Of Commerce, and by fit Rewards engage
Her active Youth to scorn the Ocean's Rage,
And from the various Coasts, to which they roam,
Bring Libya's Wealth and Asia's Labour Home.
And, with a worthy Emulation fir'd,
To Guithun thus—How this surprizing Sight
Affects my Soul with Wonder and Delight!
If the great Prince of Princes has decreed
Alfred to Albion's Kingdom shall succeed,
How does the Thought my ardent Passion please
Of building potent Navies, o'er the Seas
Her Empire to extend, and make her reign
Secure by Land, while Mistress of the Main!
That I her Pow'r and Riches may improve,
Thro' her fair Towns I would inspire the Love
Of Commerce, and by fit Rewards engage
Her active Youth to scorn the Ocean's Rage,
And from the various Coasts, to which they roam,
Bring Libya's Wealth and Asia's Labour Home.
Then to Ardilla turn'd, he highly prais'd
Th' industrious Zeal, that had their City rais'd
To so much Strength, such Opulence, and Fame,
And made the World revere Tunisia's Name.
Then courteous Lord, he said, indulgent tell
By what wise Means in Traffick you excell;
Th' effectual Laws and prudent Rules relate,
That thus by Trade advanc'd Tunisia's State.
Th' industrious Zeal, that had their City rais'd
To so much Strength, such Opulence, and Fame,
And made the World revere Tunisia's Name.
Then courteous Lord, he said, indulgent tell
By what wise Means in Traffick you excell;
86
That thus by Trade advanc'd Tunisia's State.
Then thus reply'd the sage Tunisian Peer;
Illustrious Prince, what rais'd our Commerce, hear.
Tunisia's Monarchs made a wise Decree
That this fair Port, frequented as you see,
Should be to Strangers as to Natives free.
A Council, from its Province call'd marine,
Was form'd, which might th' industrious Merchant screen
From all oppressive Arts; for this were nam'd
Men vers'd in Business, and for Virtue fam'd.
If Subjects or Advent'rers from Abroad
Complain of Wrongs by Violence or Fraud
From Officers, who lawless Methods use
To heap up Riches, and their Pow'r abuse,
This prudent Council easy of Access
Hear patient, and their Injuries redress
Without vexatious Law, and Suits that spend
The Client's Time and Wealth, yet never end;
A baneful Custom and th' unhappy Fate
Of an ill-govern'd and degen'rate State;
Whence oft the Suff'rer chuses to endure,
Rather his painful Sickness, than his Cure.
Th' accus'd Intendants at the Bar arraign'd,
If with Extortion or with Fraud distain'd,
With Marks of high Displeasure are disgrac'd,
And Men unblemish'd in their Station plac'd.
Illustrious Prince, what rais'd our Commerce, hear.
Tunisia's Monarchs made a wise Decree
That this fair Port, frequented as you see,
Should be to Strangers as to Natives free.
A Council, from its Province call'd marine,
Was form'd, which might th' industrious Merchant screen
From all oppressive Arts; for this were nam'd
Men vers'd in Business, and for Virtue fam'd.
If Subjects or Advent'rers from Abroad
Complain of Wrongs by Violence or Fraud
From Officers, who lawless Methods use
To heap up Riches, and their Pow'r abuse,
This prudent Council easy of Access
Hear patient, and their Injuries redress
Without vexatious Law, and Suits that spend
The Client's Time and Wealth, yet never end;
A baneful Custom and th' unhappy Fate
Of an ill-govern'd and degen'rate State;
Whence oft the Suff'rer chuses to endure,
Rather his painful Sickness, than his Cure.
Th' accus'd Intendants at the Bar arraign'd,
If with Extortion or with Fraud distain'd,
87
And Men unblemish'd in their Station plac'd.
If the Tunisians in just Arms engage
To guard their Realm against th' Invader's Rage,
And then the Foes, their Youth and Treasure spent,
At length to settle friendly Leagues consent,
The Lords of Commerce solemn Summons send
That all the chief Advent'rers should attend
To give Advice, what Schemes will best ensure
Tunisia's Traffick, and her Peace secure:
And by their Counsels such just Plans are laid,
As may not injure, but protect our Trade.
To guard their Realm against th' Invader's Rage,
And then the Foes, their Youth and Treasure spent,
At length to settle friendly Leagues consent,
The Lords of Commerce solemn Summons send
That all the chief Advent'rers should attend
To give Advice, what Schemes will best ensure
Tunisia's Traffick, and her Peace secure:
And by their Counsels such just Plans are laid,
As may not injure, but protect our Trade.
Rigid Sea-Chiefs and turbulent of Mind,
Hard as the Rock, and boist'rous as the Wind
Whence they derive their Fierceness, strive in vain
A Seat in this high Council to attain.
Such rough Commanders would Petitions slight,
Delay th' Attendant, or deny his Right;
At least their stormy Air and haughty Port
Would drive the griev'd Advent'rer from their Court;
Would vex the Trader with austere Restraints,
And fill the murm'ring City with Complaints.
Justice in Ways impartial thus express'd,
And Wrongs without Delay and Cost redress'd,
Freedom from Imposts, and Indulgence shown
To all without Distinction by the Throne,
Invite the Merchant to this gainful Port;
Whither rich-laden num'rous Fleets resort
From all the Coasts, which roaming Sailers know,
Whence Waves repuls'd can roll, or Storms can blow,
And pleas'd, unload on fair Tunisia's Strand
The Arts and Growth of every distant Land.
Hard as the Rock, and boist'rous as the Wind
Whence they derive their Fierceness, strive in vain
A Seat in this high Council to attain.
Such rough Commanders would Petitions slight,
Delay th' Attendant, or deny his Right;
At least their stormy Air and haughty Port
Would drive the griev'd Advent'rer from their Court;
Would vex the Trader with austere Restraints,
And fill the murm'ring City with Complaints.
Justice in Ways impartial thus express'd,
And Wrongs without Delay and Cost redress'd,
88
To all without Distinction by the Throne,
Invite the Merchant to this gainful Port;
Whither rich-laden num'rous Fleets resort
From all the Coasts, which roaming Sailers know,
Whence Waves repuls'd can roll, or Storms can blow,
And pleas'd, unload on fair Tunisia's Strand
The Arts and Growth of every distant Land.
He ceas'd—And then Ardilla led the Way
To the wide Basin, where the Galleys lay:
These warlike Vessels fit for peaceful Seas,
A curious Prospect, much the Heroe please:
He their peculiar Shape and Size survey'd,
And wise Remarks upon their Structure made.
While he beheld the Rowers bound in Chains
Rang'd on each Side, and doom'd to endless Pains,
He Guithun thus bespoke—These Creatures mind,
These Galley Slaves to endless Tasks confin'd,
Fresh-colour'd active and robust appear,
As nourish'd daily with luxurious Cheer.
To the wide Basin, where the Galleys lay:
These warlike Vessels fit for peaceful Seas,
A curious Prospect, much the Heroe please:
He their peculiar Shape and Size survey'd,
And wise Remarks upon their Structure made.
While he beheld the Rowers bound in Chains
Rang'd on each Side, and doom'd to endless Pains,
He Guithun thus bespoke—These Creatures mind,
These Galley Slaves to endless Tasks confin'd,
Fresh-colour'd active and robust appear,
As nourish'd daily with luxurious Cheer.
Guithun reply'd—Let not this Sight surprize,
From daily Toil their Strength and Vigour rise:
For while they constant eat the coarsest Bread,
The Spring their Drink, and the hard Plank their Bed,
And grasp the lab'ring Oar, they happy 'scape
Rich artful Dishes and the tempting Grape,
Which kindle Fury oft too fierce to tame,
Deprave the Humours and the Blood inflame;
Whence burning Fevers, Gouts, tormenting Pains,
Consuming Hecticks, and the loathsome Stains
Of Jaundice spring, that raise intestine Strife,
And storm or undermine the Fort of Life;
These they avoid, and while they chearful feed
On simple Fare, they no Physician need,
Who chiefly owes to those his Fame and Gains,
That swell at endless Feasts their pamper'd Veins,
Dissolve in Ease, and spend the Day and Night
In Riot unrestrain'd and soft Delight.
By constant Labour active Men expell
Engend'ring Deaths and Seeds of Pain, that dwell
Crude in their Veins; but those, that Life employ
In costly Banquets and loose Scenes of Joy,
That wholsome Sweat and useful Toil decline,
Which purge the Humours and the Blood refine,
Pass all their Hours, as if by flowing Wealth
Exempt from Labour, and excus'd from Health;
Whence in its crouded Road their lazy Blood
Becomes a dull unagitated Flood,
And like a standing putrid Pond remains
A Nursery of Plagues, and Hoard of Pains.
These Sons of Pleasure, tho' the Slaves are bound
In softer Chains, in a worse State are found
Than those that fetter'd in the Galley row,
Who, tho' less Joy, more Health and Vigour know;
And by their Labour Strength athletick keep,
Active their Limbs, and undisturb'd their Sleep:
Sharpen'd with Toil, their Hunger makes them eat
Hard Bread, with sweeter Relish than the Great
Taste their rich Sauces and high-season'd Meat:
And hence that State of Life wise Men would crave,
In which the Prince is blended with the Slave;
The Prince's Pow'r, who Luxury disdains,
And the Slave's Temp'rance, but without his Chains.
From daily Toil their Strength and Vigour rise:
For while they constant eat the coarsest Bread,
The Spring their Drink, and the hard Plank their Bed,
89
Rich artful Dishes and the tempting Grape,
Which kindle Fury oft too fierce to tame,
Deprave the Humours and the Blood inflame;
Whence burning Fevers, Gouts, tormenting Pains,
Consuming Hecticks, and the loathsome Stains
Of Jaundice spring, that raise intestine Strife,
And storm or undermine the Fort of Life;
These they avoid, and while they chearful feed
On simple Fare, they no Physician need,
Who chiefly owes to those his Fame and Gains,
That swell at endless Feasts their pamper'd Veins,
Dissolve in Ease, and spend the Day and Night
In Riot unrestrain'd and soft Delight.
By constant Labour active Men expell
Engend'ring Deaths and Seeds of Pain, that dwell
Crude in their Veins; but those, that Life employ
In costly Banquets and loose Scenes of Joy,
That wholsome Sweat and useful Toil decline,
Which purge the Humours and the Blood refine,
Pass all their Hours, as if by flowing Wealth
Exempt from Labour, and excus'd from Health;
Whence in its crouded Road their lazy Blood
Becomes a dull unagitated Flood,
And like a standing putrid Pond remains
A Nursery of Plagues, and Hoard of Pains.
90
In softer Chains, in a worse State are found
Than those that fetter'd in the Galley row,
Who, tho' less Joy, more Health and Vigour know;
And by their Labour Strength athletick keep,
Active their Limbs, and undisturb'd their Sleep:
Sharpen'd with Toil, their Hunger makes them eat
Hard Bread, with sweeter Relish than the Great
Taste their rich Sauces and high-season'd Meat:
And hence that State of Life wise Men would crave,
In which the Prince is blended with the Slave;
The Prince's Pow'r, who Luxury disdains,
And the Slave's Temp'rance, but without his Chains.
He said—And now the Prince Ardilla asks
For what black Crimes to these laborious Tasks
Those Wretches were condemn'd—The Lord reply'd,
These Men by Halla's equal Judges try'd,
Some Thieves and Robbers were, some Houses fir'd,
Some, a Ship's Crew, against their Chief conspir'd.
These stung with Envy and immortal Hate,
Defam'd and blacken'd Councellours of State,
Nor spar'd the indulgent King himself; and those
Held trait'rous Commerce with Tunisia's Foes:
Some with seditious Lyes the Realm inflam'd,
Poison'd the People, and at Uproar aim'd.
For various Crimes of this enormous Kind,
The Slaves you see to Hardships are confin'd.
But Court Resentment, arbitrary Will,
And State Caprice these Galleys never fill.
For none till heard and try'd, and not before
Their Guilt is prov'd, in Fetters ply the Oar.
No erring Sect, who our great Prophet's Laws
Expound amiss, are for Religion's Cause,
If in the State they no Dissention breed,
Taught in the Galleys to reform their Creed.
Our Prince ne'er Arms one favour'd Sect to make
Others their Victims for Opinion's Sake:
Nor does he Christians banish or destroy,
But they religious Liberty enjoy,
While to the Laws they due Obedience show,
No Faction feed, nor Seeds of Discord sow.
We never Threats or Pow'r compulsive use
Belief and Truth celestial to infuse.
Can Pains and Prisons Errour's Force controul,
And the chain'd Body loose the fetter'd Soul?
In vain the Slave, to set his Notions right,
Is doom'd to delve in Mines and dig for Light.
In vain Sectarians for Instruction lye
Stretch'd on the Wheel, where Malefactors dye.
For what black Crimes to these laborious Tasks
Those Wretches were condemn'd—The Lord reply'd,
These Men by Halla's equal Judges try'd,
Some Thieves and Robbers were, some Houses fir'd,
Some, a Ship's Crew, against their Chief conspir'd.
These stung with Envy and immortal Hate,
Defam'd and blacken'd Councellours of State,
Nor spar'd the indulgent King himself; and those
Held trait'rous Commerce with Tunisia's Foes:
Some with seditious Lyes the Realm inflam'd,
Poison'd the People, and at Uproar aim'd.
91
The Slaves you see to Hardships are confin'd.
But Court Resentment, arbitrary Will,
And State Caprice these Galleys never fill.
For none till heard and try'd, and not before
Their Guilt is prov'd, in Fetters ply the Oar.
No erring Sect, who our great Prophet's Laws
Expound amiss, are for Religion's Cause,
If in the State they no Dissention breed,
Taught in the Galleys to reform their Creed.
Our Prince ne'er Arms one favour'd Sect to make
Others their Victims for Opinion's Sake:
Nor does he Christians banish or destroy,
But they religious Liberty enjoy,
While to the Laws they due Obedience show,
No Faction feed, nor Seeds of Discord sow.
We never Threats or Pow'r compulsive use
Belief and Truth celestial to infuse.
Can Pains and Prisons Errour's Force controul,
And the chain'd Body loose the fetter'd Soul?
In vain the Slave, to set his Notions right,
Is doom'd to delve in Mines and dig for Light.
In vain Sectarians for Instruction lye
Stretch'd on the Wheel, where Malefactors dye.
92
And now they view'd erected near the Shores
The Ars'nals, Magazines, and naval Stores.
Here Wealth immense of Pitch and unctious Tar
Requir'd alike for Ships of Trade and War,
The fiery Product of Norwegia's Snows,
And Piles of Hemp and Flax congested rose.
Cables in Rings, like vast Sea-Serpents, roll'd
Their twisted Lengths voluminous enfold.
There Bars of Iron dug with endless Pains,
Finlandia's Entrails, and cold Swecia's Veins,
A far more useful Oar exchang'd for Gold,
And for Delights to Southern Regions sold,
Heap'd up they saw, then view'd with wond'ring Eyes
Hot Furnaces, whence black Eruptions rise
Of fiery Sparks and Smoak in Air sublime,
That from the Mouths of those Volcano's climb,
Which with athletick Labour roar, around
Rebellowing Rocks and Shores uphold the Sound.
Unnumber'd Anchors of prodigious Weight,
That shew'd the Strength and Riches of the State,
Rang'd in long Order near the Forges lay,
Forges, like those, where (so old Poets say,)
Sicilian Smiths, besmear'd with Soot and Sweat
In trembling Caves, to form their Works repeat
Cyclopian Blows, and with gigantick Toil
Shake Ætna's Roots, and make the Ocean boil.
The Ars'nals, Magazines, and naval Stores.
Here Wealth immense of Pitch and unctious Tar
Requir'd alike for Ships of Trade and War,
The fiery Product of Norwegia's Snows,
And Piles of Hemp and Flax congested rose.
Cables in Rings, like vast Sea-Serpents, roll'd
Their twisted Lengths voluminous enfold.
There Bars of Iron dug with endless Pains,
Finlandia's Entrails, and cold Swecia's Veins,
A far more useful Oar exchang'd for Gold,
And for Delights to Southern Regions sold,
Heap'd up they saw, then view'd with wond'ring Eyes
Hot Furnaces, whence black Eruptions rise
Of fiery Sparks and Smoak in Air sublime,
That from the Mouths of those Volcano's climb,
Which with athletick Labour roar, around
Rebellowing Rocks and Shores uphold the Sound.
Unnumber'd Anchors of prodigious Weight,
That shew'd the Strength and Riches of the State,
Rang'd in long Order near the Forges lay,
Forges, like those, where (so old Poets say,)
Sicilian Smiths, besmear'd with Soot and Sweat
In trembling Caves, to form their Works repeat
Cyclopian Blows, and with gigantick Toil
Shake Ætna's Roots, and make the Ocean boil.
93
And next they view'd Tunisia's Royal Docks
Secure by Art, as if begirt with Rocks,
Some wet and wide, which high-rais'd Sluices save
From the fierce Insult of the breaking Wave,
While thro' their opening Gates tall Ships advance
Like Castles rigg'd, and on the Ocean dance;
Some dry, where Shipwrights with redoubled Strokes
Hew the rude Pines, and form th' unfashion'd Oaks.
Some join the Planks, some with a vig'rous Blow
Drive in long Iron Pins, some Pitch and Tow
To fill the Chinks, while Hills and Shores around
Repeat the Toil, and propagate the Sound.
Secure by Art, as if begirt with Rocks,
Some wet and wide, which high-rais'd Sluices save
From the fierce Insult of the breaking Wave,
While thro' their opening Gates tall Ships advance
Like Castles rigg'd, and on the Ocean dance;
Some dry, where Shipwrights with redoubled Strokes
Hew the rude Pines, and form th' unfashion'd Oaks.
Some join the Planks, some with a vig'rous Blow
Drive in long Iron Pins, some Pitch and Tow
To fill the Chinks, while Hills and Shores around
Repeat the Toil, and propagate the Sound.
A Ship of War new-built in one of these,
Appear'd compleat, and ready for the Seas,
And now was launch'd: So Halla had exprest
His Royal Will, to please his princely Guest.
This to effect a thousand active Hands
Were now employ'd, soon from her loosen'd Bands
The Vessel freed, did from her Cradle start,
That in her Structure shew'd consummate Art;
Nor Tyre, nor Rhodes such Models could invent,
Not rocking once or rolling, off she went
Smooth as the swift-finn'd Racers of the Flood,
And plung'd amidst the Waves a floating Wood:
This Ship of War for Strength and Beauty fam'd,
In Honour of the Prince was Alfred nam'd.
Appear'd compleat, and ready for the Seas,
And now was launch'd: So Halla had exprest
His Royal Will, to please his princely Guest.
This to effect a thousand active Hands
Were now employ'd, soon from her loosen'd Bands
The Vessel freed, did from her Cradle start,
That in her Structure shew'd consummate Art;
Nor Tyre, nor Rhodes such Models could invent,
Not rocking once or rolling, off she went
Smooth as the swift-finn'd Racers of the Flood,
And plung'd amidst the Waves a floating Wood:
94
In Honour of the Prince was Alfred nam'd.
Courteous Ardilla now the Heroe brought
To his own House of Pleasure not remote,
That overlook'd at once Tunisia's Plain,
And open'd to their View th' Etruscan Main.
The British Prince here, tir'd with Labour, met
A grateful Banquet in just Order set:
The Meats were choice, and exquisitely drest,
An elegant, tho' not a pompous Feast.
Alfred his Drought and craving Hunger eas'd
With tasteful Meats and gen'rous Drinks, and pleas'd
With wise Discourses from th' Occasion rais'd,
Thank'd the Tunisian, and the Banquet prais'd.
To his own House of Pleasure not remote,
That overlook'd at once Tunisia's Plain,
And open'd to their View th' Etruscan Main.
The British Prince here, tir'd with Labour, met
A grateful Banquet in just Order set:
The Meats were choice, and exquisitely drest,
An elegant, tho' not a pompous Feast.
Alfred his Drought and craving Hunger eas'd
With tasteful Meats and gen'rous Drinks, and pleas'd
With wise Discourses from th' Occasion rais'd,
Thank'd the Tunisian, and the Banquet prais'd.
The Solar Orb declining now displays
A Face more ample, but less splendid Rays,
When Alfred reconducted to the Court
Applauded to the King Tunisia's Port;
The num'rous Fleets, and unexhausted Stores;
That fill'd the Magazines along the Shores.
Then offer'd various Questions, which relate
To the swift Growth of this puissant State,
Curious the prudent Laws and Rules to know
Whence so much Strength, such Peace, and Plenty flow.
Th' indulgent Monarch grants what he desir'd,
And spoke to all the Subjects he requir'd,
Their Statutes, Manners, Rites, and Customs told,
And did their Scheme of Government unfold.
A Face more ample, but less splendid Rays,
When Alfred reconducted to the Court
Applauded to the King Tunisia's Port;
The num'rous Fleets, and unexhausted Stores;
That fill'd the Magazines along the Shores.
Then offer'd various Questions, which relate
To the swift Growth of this puissant State,
Curious the prudent Laws and Rules to know
Whence so much Strength, such Peace, and Plenty flow.
95
And spoke to all the Subjects he requir'd,
Their Statutes, Manners, Rites, and Customs told,
And did their Scheme of Government unfold.
Now was the Supper in long Order plac'd,
In princely Pomp and Plenty not surpass'd;
The august Assembly sit, and chearful eat
The various Dishes of luxurious Meat,
While Silver Cups and Chalices of Gold
Of Size capacious, and with Figures bold
Emboss'd, and with delicious Liquors crown'd,
Tunisia's tasteful Growth, went joyful round.
Soft Instruments with Strings of diff'rent Kind,
And diff'rent Voices in sweet Consort join'd
With as melodious Rapture sooth'd the Ear,
As what the Night before improv'd the Chear.
Dollah again did in exalted Verse
Arabia's Heroes mighty Deeds rehearse:
He sang their Princes Great in Peace and Arms,
And not less honour'd for poetick Charms.
In princely Pomp and Plenty not surpass'd;
The august Assembly sit, and chearful eat
The various Dishes of luxurious Meat,
While Silver Cups and Chalices of Gold
Of Size capacious, and with Figures bold
Emboss'd, and with delicious Liquors crown'd,
Tunisia's tasteful Growth, went joyful round.
Soft Instruments with Strings of diff'rent Kind,
And diff'rent Voices in sweet Consort join'd
With as melodious Rapture sooth'd the Ear,
As what the Night before improv'd the Chear.
Dollah again did in exalted Verse
Arabia's Heroes mighty Deeds rehearse:
He sang their Princes Great in Peace and Arms,
And not less honour'd for poetick Charms.
The Banquet finish'd, to a Room of State
The Court retir'd, the Queen and Halla sate,
And Alfred near, whom thus the King address'd;
Since you your tuneful Genius have express'd,
Indulge our Passion, and the Pleasure raise
Of this Assembly by your happy Lays.
Nor did Britannia's Prince the Task decline,
But took the Lyre, and sung this Song Divine.
The Court retir'd, the Queen and Halla sate,
And Alfred near, whom thus the King address'd;
Since you your tuneful Genius have express'd,
96
Of this Assembly by your happy Lays.
Nor did Britannia's Prince the Task decline,
But took the Lyre, and sung this Song Divine.
To blissful Heav'n I'll stretch the soaring Wing,
By strong Celestial Rapture urg'd to sing
The boundless Knowledge of th' Eternal King.
But while this Flight I meditate, around
What wond'rous Heights untry'd, what Depths profound
Affright my Soul! what Gloom, what trackless Ways
Awful appear in Wisdom's sacred Maze!
Ye wise, ye intellectual Lights, that guide
Enquiring Heads; ye Masters, who preside
O'er Learning's Schools; ye Oracles of State,
Who reason strong and triumph in Debate;
And you blest Minds without a Blemish bright,
Of piercing, clear and comprehensive Sight,
Tell how you are bewilder'd, how distress'd,
How with the vast unequal Task oppress'd,
When you thro' Wisdom's Empire urge your Flight,
Trace her dark Windings, search th' Abyss of Light,
And strive with too much Day, or too much Night.
By strong Celestial Rapture urg'd to sing
The boundless Knowledge of th' Eternal King.
But while this Flight I meditate, around
What wond'rous Heights untry'd, what Depths profound
Affright my Soul! what Gloom, what trackless Ways
Awful appear in Wisdom's sacred Maze!
Ye wise, ye intellectual Lights, that guide
Enquiring Heads; ye Masters, who preside
O'er Learning's Schools; ye Oracles of State,
Who reason strong and triumph in Debate;
And you blest Minds without a Blemish bright,
Of piercing, clear and comprehensive Sight,
Tell how you are bewilder'd, how distress'd,
How with the vast unequal Task oppress'd,
When you thro' Wisdom's Empire urge your Flight,
Trace her dark Windings, search th' Abyss of Light,
And strive with too much Day, or too much Night.
All Things, Great King, Thou see'st, who art all Mind,
An intellectual Nature unconfin'd:
From thy bright Palace, that sublime outvies
The most aspiring Turrets of the Skies,
Thou view'st thy vast Creation round Thee spread,
On which thy Feet as on a Footstool tread.
With Ease thy clear all-penetrating Eye
Nature's remotest Frontier can descry,
And with a Glance is able to survey
The num'rous Worlds, which thy sole Nod obey.
Thou mak'st the secret Chambers of the Deep
Thy Walks, where peaceful ancient Waters sleep,
And searchest dark unfathom'd Caves beneath,
Hell's gloomy Prison's, and the Tracts of Death:
The pond'rous Shades of subterranean Night,
That guard the Center from th' Approach of Light,
Where not a darted Sun-beam can intrude,
Cannot thy bright unbounded Eye elude.
An intellectual Nature unconfin'd:
97
The most aspiring Turrets of the Skies,
Thou view'st thy vast Creation round Thee spread,
On which thy Feet as on a Footstool tread.
With Ease thy clear all-penetrating Eye
Nature's remotest Frontier can descry,
And with a Glance is able to survey
The num'rous Worlds, which thy sole Nod obey.
Thou mak'st the secret Chambers of the Deep
Thy Walks, where peaceful ancient Waters sleep,
And searchest dark unfathom'd Caves beneath,
Hell's gloomy Prison's, and the Tracts of Death:
The pond'rous Shades of subterranean Night,
That guard the Center from th' Approach of Light,
Where not a darted Sun-beam can intrude,
Cannot thy bright unbounded Eye elude.
The vast Extent of Possibility
Is clearly view'd, and only view'd by Thee.
Thou must all Creatures know, who in thy Mind
Do'st all their Models and Idea's find:
Millions of Beings in thy Breast remain,
Beings, which ne'er Existence will attain,
That Space immense yet unemploy'd might fill;
The Objects of thy Pow'r, but not thy Will.
It comes alone from thy divine Decree,
That what is possible shall actual be,
Thy Purpose is the Spring of all Futurity.
Thou see'st the Tide of Time come rolling on,
And Days and Years, ere yet they are begun,
Ascending from Duration's deep Abyss,
Which their appointed Order never miss.
Thou view'st succeeding Ages with a Glance,
And see'st how in their Turns they all advance;
Who on this Stage shall enter, as of old
They stand in Heav'n's unchang'd Decrees enroll'd.
Thou know'st how every Man will act his Part,
Who Virtue's heav'nly Precepts will assert,
And who abandon blest Religion's Cause,
And aim at Wealth and a vain World's Applause.
Thou with unerring Prospect dost foresee
How a free Agent shall determin'd be;
Contingency to us is Certainty to Thee.
Thou know'st the secret Biass of the Will,
For Thou, who mad'st the Springs with so much Skill,
The Passion see'st by which it is inclin'd,
And view'st the various Motions of the Mind.
Is clearly view'd, and only view'd by Thee.
Thou must all Creatures know, who in thy Mind
Do'st all their Models and Idea's find:
Millions of Beings in thy Breast remain,
Beings, which ne'er Existence will attain,
That Space immense yet unemploy'd might fill;
The Objects of thy Pow'r, but not thy Will.
98
That what is possible shall actual be,
Thy Purpose is the Spring of all Futurity.
Thou see'st the Tide of Time come rolling on,
And Days and Years, ere yet they are begun,
Ascending from Duration's deep Abyss,
Which their appointed Order never miss.
Thou view'st succeeding Ages with a Glance,
And see'st how in their Turns they all advance;
Who on this Stage shall enter, as of old
They stand in Heav'n's unchang'd Decrees enroll'd.
Thou know'st how every Man will act his Part,
Who Virtue's heav'nly Precepts will assert,
And who abandon blest Religion's Cause,
And aim at Wealth and a vain World's Applause.
Thou with unerring Prospect dost foresee
How a free Agent shall determin'd be;
Contingency to us is Certainty to Thee.
Thou know'st the secret Biass of the Will,
For Thou, who mad'st the Springs with so much Skill,
The Passion see'st by which it is inclin'd,
And view'st the various Motions of the Mind.
Thou only can'st the wond'rous Links descry
That Minds unbody'd to a Body tye.
Thy peircing Eye th' elastick Spring surveys
By which the beating vital Engine plays,
And thro' arterial Tubes mechanick Life conveys.
Thou only secret Nature can'st pursue,
And her entire Oeconomy review,
How she performs with undiscover'd Art
A diff'rent Task in every diff'rent Part,
How active Ferments work the fluid Mass,
How thro' their Strainers various Humours pass,
How all the noxious Juices are expell'd,
And by what Skill the Wholsome are withheld.
That Minds unbody'd to a Body tye.
99
By which the beating vital Engine plays,
And thro' arterial Tubes mechanick Life conveys.
Thou only secret Nature can'st pursue,
And her entire Oeconomy review,
How she performs with undiscover'd Art
A diff'rent Task in every diff'rent Part,
How active Ferments work the fluid Mass,
How thro' their Strainers various Humours pass,
How all the noxious Juices are expell'd,
And by what Skill the Wholsome are withheld.
Thou see'st from whence her Colours Fancy takes,
Of what Materials she her Pencil makes
By which she paints her Scenes with such Applause,
And in the Brain ten thousand Landskips draws.
The Cells, and little Lodgings, Thou canst see
In Mem'ry's Hoards and secret Treasury;
Dost the dark Cave of each Idea spy,
And see'st how rang'd the crouded Lodgers lye;
How some, when beckon'd by the Soul, awake,
While peaceful Rest their uncall'd Neighbours take.
Thou know'st the downy Chains that softly bind
Our slumb'ring Sense, when waiting Objects find
No Avenue left open to the Mind.
Mean Time thou see'st how guideless Spirits play,
And mimick o'er in Dreams the busy Day,
With pleasant Scenes and Figures entertain,
Or with their monstrous Mixtures fright the Brain.
Of what Materials she her Pencil makes
By which she paints her Scenes with such Applause,
And in the Brain ten thousand Landskips draws.
The Cells, and little Lodgings, Thou canst see
In Mem'ry's Hoards and secret Treasury;
Dost the dark Cave of each Idea spy,
And see'st how rang'd the crouded Lodgers lye;
How some, when beckon'd by the Soul, awake,
While peaceful Rest their uncall'd Neighbours take.
Thou know'st the downy Chains that softly bind
Our slumb'ring Sense, when waiting Objects find
No Avenue left open to the Mind.
100
And mimick o'er in Dreams the busy Day,
With pleasant Scenes and Figures entertain,
Or with their monstrous Mixtures fright the Brain.
Thou know'st the secret Soul's imperial Throne
Surrounded with thick Darkness, like thy own,
Where she to all the Senses Audience gives,
Appoints their Tasks, their Messages receives,
And passes Judgement in her Sov'reign Court
On every Envoy's true or false Report;
How her sole Nod our Motions does controul,
And guide the various Parts to serve the Whole;
Can'st say what diff'rent Turns the Spirits take,
When they of diff'rent Kinds Impressions make;
What vital Springs those Spirits in their Flight
Strike to cause Torment, what to give Delight;
Can'st tell the Manner how the Actors move,
When they excite our Anger or our Love,
By what Contrivance and mechanick Art
Our Passions interrupt the beating Heart;
How they encrease the vital Lab'rour's Toil,
When they constrain the Blood to freeze or boil;
Whence martial Ardour warms the Heroe's Breast,
How shiv'ring Fears th' arterial Flood arrest;
How active Joy dilates the swelling Veins,
And Shame the modest Face with Blushes stains:
Thou know'st these Secrets, and ten thousand more,
Which narrow-sighted Man can ne'er explore,
Who to a high Conceit of Wit arrives,
Yet knows not how he thinks, or moves, or lives,
Surrounded with thick Darkness, like thy own,
Where she to all the Senses Audience gives,
Appoints their Tasks, their Messages receives,
And passes Judgement in her Sov'reign Court
On every Envoy's true or false Report;
How her sole Nod our Motions does controul,
And guide the various Parts to serve the Whole;
Can'st say what diff'rent Turns the Spirits take,
When they of diff'rent Kinds Impressions make;
What vital Springs those Spirits in their Flight
Strike to cause Torment, what to give Delight;
Can'st tell the Manner how the Actors move,
When they excite our Anger or our Love,
By what Contrivance and mechanick Art
Our Passions interrupt the beating Heart;
How they encrease the vital Lab'rour's Toil,
When they constrain the Blood to freeze or boil;
Whence martial Ardour warms the Heroe's Breast,
How shiv'ring Fears th' arterial Flood arrest;
101
And Shame the modest Face with Blushes stains:
Thou know'st these Secrets, and ten thousand more,
Which narrow-sighted Man can ne'er explore,
Who to a high Conceit of Wit arrives,
Yet knows not how he thinks, or moves, or lives,
Exhaustless Source of Light! from Thee proceed
The Streams of Science, that diffusive feed
The intellectual World, and plenteous flow
On all blest Minds above, and Men below.
Thou do'st the Soul with curious Arts inspire,
Knowledge, by Thee instructed, Schools acquire:
By Thee the Bards to Heav'n direct their Flight,
View the bright Orbs, and range the Fields of Light,
Climb Empyrean Heights, and hardy soar
In Ether heav'nly Empires to explore,
And from the Chrystal Convex of the Sky
The vast Immense, and vacant Gulphs descry,
That stretching far beyond Creation lye.
Thou guid'st the Pencil in the Painter's Hand,
Sculptors the Chizel by thy Aid command;
While Skill and Wisdom are by Thee instill'd
To rear the Palace, and the Castle build,
To form the Ship with wond'rous Skill design'd
To float on Waves and catch the breathing Wind,
Which by the Impulse of the active Gale
That swells the heaving Bosom of the Sail
Starts from the Port, and o'er the Ocean flies,
Bounds on the foaming Main and sweeps the Skies:
By these the Isles and sever'd Realms are joyn'd,
And mutual Gain by mutual Commerce find.
The Streams of Science, that diffusive feed
The intellectual World, and plenteous flow
On all blest Minds above, and Men below.
Thou do'st the Soul with curious Arts inspire,
Knowledge, by Thee instructed, Schools acquire:
By Thee the Bards to Heav'n direct their Flight,
View the bright Orbs, and range the Fields of Light,
Climb Empyrean Heights, and hardy soar
In Ether heav'nly Empires to explore,
And from the Chrystal Convex of the Sky
The vast Immense, and vacant Gulphs descry,
That stretching far beyond Creation lye.
Thou guid'st the Pencil in the Painter's Hand,
Sculptors the Chizel by thy Aid command;
While Skill and Wisdom are by Thee instill'd
To rear the Palace, and the Castle build,
To form the Ship with wond'rous Skill design'd
To float on Waves and catch the breathing Wind,
102
That swells the heaving Bosom of the Sail
Starts from the Port, and o'er the Ocean flies,
Bounds on the foaming Main and sweeps the Skies:
By these the Isles and sever'd Realms are joyn'd,
And mutual Gain by mutual Commerce find.
Great King, no Limits can thy Being bound,
No Place is vacant of th' Almighty found:
In every Rock and each unpractis'd Seat
Oppress'd with too much Cold or too much Heat,
In ev'ry subterranean dark Recess,
Each Forest and unpeopled Wilderness,
In ev'ry shining Orb that rolls on high,
And the waste Field of intervening Sky,
Thou art, or rather they are all in Thee.
No lonesome Cell is from thy Presence free:
Above the Heav'ns, below the deepest Waves,
The Courts of Death, and Hell's remotest Caves,
Beyond the Gulphs, where dissipated Day
Loses at length its dim expiring Ray,
Is thy Abode; all Space is fill'd by Thee,
If Space be not the same with thy Immensity.
No Place is vacant of th' Almighty found:
In every Rock and each unpractis'd Seat
Oppress'd with too much Cold or too much Heat,
In ev'ry subterranean dark Recess,
Each Forest and unpeopled Wilderness,
In ev'ry shining Orb that rolls on high,
And the waste Field of intervening Sky,
Thou art, or rather they are all in Thee.
No lonesome Cell is from thy Presence free:
Above the Heav'ns, below the deepest Waves,
The Courts of Death, and Hell's remotest Caves,
Beyond the Gulphs, where dissipated Day
Loses at length its dim expiring Ray,
Is thy Abode; all Space is fill'd by Thee,
If Space be not the same with thy Immensity.
103
He ceas'd—And Halla much the Subject prais'd,
And much the Song the Monarch's Wonder rais'd!
Justly, he said, wise Briton, we admire
Your tuneful Numbers, and th' impulsive Fire
That gives this Inspiration to your Veins,
And urges to sublime Celestial Strains:
Great are the Instincts which your Choice incline
To ease your Rapture on such Themes Divine,
And soar on high, while the Great Pow'r you praise,
And spread his Glory in seraphick Lays.
Besides your gen'rous Purpose I applaud,
That, when from various Toils sustain'd Abroad
You shall regain Britannia, you will found
High Schools; where Science, with Applauses crown'd
And chear'd with princely Bounty, may reside,
And boast superiour Fame with worthy Pride;
With clearest Lights may British Youth refine,
And in her high-rais'd Orb to distant Nations shine.
And much the Song the Monarch's Wonder rais'd!
Justly, he said, wise Briton, we admire
Your tuneful Numbers, and th' impulsive Fire
That gives this Inspiration to your Veins,
And urges to sublime Celestial Strains:
Great are the Instincts which your Choice incline
To ease your Rapture on such Themes Divine,
And soar on high, while the Great Pow'r you praise,
And spread his Glory in seraphick Lays.
Besides your gen'rous Purpose I applaud,
That, when from various Toils sustain'd Abroad
You shall regain Britannia, you will found
High Schools; where Science, with Applauses crown'd
And chear'd with princely Bounty, may reside,
And boast superiour Fame with worthy Pride;
With clearest Lights may British Youth refine,
And in her high-rais'd Orb to distant Nations shine.
Then he continu'd thus—Illustrious Guest,
Recite your various Fate at my Request,
Since first you chose to leave your native Land,
Till Shipwreckt you were cast on Libya's Strand.
Recite your various Fate at my Request,
Since first you chose to leave your native Land,
Till Shipwreckt you were cast on Libya's Strand.
104
Alfred reply'd—Indulgent King, consent
That, much with Care and much with Labour spent,
I may for due refreshing Rest retire,
While Guithun will perform what you require.
The Prince withdrew—Intent th' Assembly waits,
While Guithun past Adventures thus relates.
That, much with Care and much with Labour spent,
I may for due refreshing Rest retire,
While Guithun will perform what you require.
The Prince withdrew—Intent th' Assembly waits,
While Guithun past Adventures thus relates.
| Alfred | |