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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| II. |
 | IV. |
| FABLES |
 | The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke |  |
FABLES
3
THE TEMPLE of HYMEN.
As on my couch supine I lay,
Like others, dreaming life away;
Methought, expanded to my sight,
A temple rear'd its stately height.
All ready built, without omitting
One ornament, for temples fitting.
Like others, dreaming life away;
Methought, expanded to my sight,
A temple rear'd its stately height.
All ready built, without omitting
One ornament, for temples fitting.
Large look'd the pile, sublime and fair;
But “Who the Godhead worship'd there?”
This to inquire, appearing meet,
Imagination lent me feet,
And thither, without further cavil,
I fairly undertook to travel.
But “Who the Godhead worship'd there?”
This to inquire, appearing meet,
Imagination lent me feet,
And thither, without further cavil,
I fairly undertook to travel.
At once, in bright procession spied,
The Female World was at my side,
Mingled, like many colour'd patterns,
Nymphs, mes dames, trollops, belles, and slatterns,
From point, and saucy ermine, down
To the plain coif, and russet gown;
All, by inquiry as I found,
On one important errand bound.
The Female World was at my side,
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Nymphs, mes dames, trollops, belles, and slatterns,
From point, and saucy ermine, down
To the plain coif, and russet gown;
All, by inquiry as I found,
On one important errand bound.
Their van, to either tropick spread,
Forerunning Expectation led;
Pleasure the Female-standard bore,
And Youth danced lightly on before;
While Prudence, Judgment, Sense, and Taste,
The few Directing Virtues, placed
To form and guide a woman's mind,
Discarded, sigh'd and slunk behind.
Forerunning Expectation led;
Pleasure the Female-standard bore,
And Youth danced lightly on before;
While Prudence, Judgment, Sense, and Taste,
The few Directing Virtues, placed
To form and guide a woman's mind,
Discarded, sigh'd and slunk behind.
At length, in jubilee, arriving,
Where dwelt the jolly God of Wiveing,
All prest promiscuously to enter,
Nor once reflected on the venture.
But here, the Muse, affecting state,
Beckon'd her clamorous sex to wait,
Lest such a rendezvous should hinder
To say what past, the while, within door.
Where dwelt the jolly God of Wiveing,
All prest promiscuously to enter,
Nor once reflected on the venture.
But here, the Muse, affecting state,
Beckon'd her clamorous sex to wait,
Lest such a rendezvous should hinder
To say what past, the while, within door.
5
Against the portal, full in sight,
His sable vesture starr'd like night,
High throned upon an ebon seat,
Beneath a canopy of state,
That o'er his dusky temples nodded,
Was fix'd the Matrimonial Godhead.
His sable vesture starr'd like night,
High throned upon an ebon seat,
Beneath a canopy of state,
That o'er his dusky temples nodded,
Was fix'd the Matrimonial Godhead.
Low at his feet, in pomp display'd,
The world's collected wealth was laid;
Where bags of mammon, piled around,
And chests on chests, o'erwhelm'd the ground,
With bills, bonds, parchments, the appointers
Of doweries, settlements, and jointures;
From whence, in just proportion weigh'd,
And down, by special tail, convey'd,
The future progenies inherit
Taste, beauty, virtue, sense, and merit.
The world's collected wealth was laid;
Where bags of mammon, piled around,
And chests on chests, o'erwhelm'd the ground,
With bills, bonds, parchments, the appointers
Of doweries, settlements, and jointures;
From whence, in just proportion weigh'd,
And down, by special tail, convey'd,
The future progenies inherit
Taste, beauty, virtue, sense, and merit.
Whatever titles here may suit us
For this same God, Hymen, or Plutus,
Who, from his trade of a gold finder,
Might now become a marriage-binder,
And, haply, use that precious meta
To solder sexes, like a kettle;
No earthly God, in my opinion,
Claim'd such an absolute dominion.
For this same God, Hymen, or Plutus,
Who, from his trade of a gold finder,
Might now become a marriage-binder,
And, haply, use that precious meta
To solder sexes, like a kettle;
No earthly God, in my opinion,
Claim'd such an absolute dominion.
6
To prove his right to adoration
Through every age, and every nation,
Around the spacious dome, display'd
By many a fabled light and shade,
Was emblematically told
The great Omnipotence of Gold.
Through every age, and every nation,
Around the spacious dome, display'd
By many a fabled light and shade,
Was emblematically told
The great Omnipotence of Gold.
And first, in yonder panel seen,
A lad, call'd Paris, strolled the green,
Poor, hungry, witless, and dejected,
By country, and by kin, neglected;
Till Fortune, as she cross'd the plain,
Conceived a crotchet in her brain,
And, laughing at the bashful blockhead,
Took a huge pippin from her pocket,
Of the true glittering tempting kind,
And gold throughout from core to rind;
This, in a whim, the Dame bestow'd,
Then, smiling, turn'd, and went her road.
A lad, call'd Paris, strolled the green,
Poor, hungry, witless, and dejected,
By country, and by kin, neglected;
Till Fortune, as she cross'd the plain,
Conceived a crotchet in her brain,
And, laughing at the bashful blockhead,
Took a huge pippin from her pocket,
Of the true glittering tempting kind,
And gold throughout from core to rind;
This, in a whim, the Dame bestow'd,
Then, smiling, turn'd, and went her road.
The neighbours, now, when Fame had shewn 'em
The youth had got the Summum Bonum,
From many a hut and hamlet croud,
And, duly, at his levy bow'd.
His reputation spreads apace—
O, such a shape, and such a face!
His mouth he opens, and they swear
The Delphic oracle is there.
The youth had got the Summum Bonum,
From many a hut and hamlet croud,
And, duly, at his levy bow'd.
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O, such a shape, and such a face!
His mouth he opens, and they swear
The Delphic oracle is there.
Now, see the king of Troy aspire
To be the wealthy shepherd's sire.
For him, the brightest nymphs contended;
To him, three Goddesses descended,
And shew'd, in fair and open day,
Where honour, wit, and beauty lay,
O'er which, our poem, to conceal
From vulgar opticks, drops a veil.
To be the wealthy shepherd's sire.
For him, the brightest nymphs contended;
To him, three Goddesses descended,
And shew'd, in fair and open day,
Where honour, wit, and beauty lay,
O'er which, our poem, to conceal
From vulgar opticks, drops a veil.
In the next panel, you discover
Olympic Jove, that thundering lover,
Who, charm'd with old Acrisius' daughter,
In many a shape had vainly sought her,
And run the round of all his tricks,
Yet still was doubtful where to fix;
Till, by some wiser head inclined,
To cast his blustering bolt behind,
His duller lightning to withhold,
And wear the brighter form of Gold,
He took the hint, he storm'd the tower,
And dropt in yon omnific shower.
Olympic Jove, that thundering lover,
Who, charm'd with old Acrisius' daughter,
In many a shape had vainly sought her,
And run the round of all his tricks,
Yet still was doubtful where to fix;
Till, by some wiser head inclined,
To cast his blustering bolt behind,
His duller lightning to withhold,
And wear the brighter form of Gold,
He took the hint, he storm'd the tower,
And dropt in yon omnific shower.
8
In the next board, the tale so common is,
'Twixt Atalanta and Hippomenes,
I shall but slightly stop a minute,
To drop one observation in it;
Remarking, that howe'er prefer'd to
Their sex, for many a course in virtue,
The bright allurement, well applied,
May tempt good nymphs to turn aside.
'Twixt Atalanta and Hippomenes,
I shall but slightly stop a minute,
To drop one observation in it;
Remarking, that howe'er prefer'd to
Their sex, for many a course in virtue,
The bright allurement, well applied,
May tempt good nymphs to turn aside.
Next, Lybia's golden orchard grew
Blooming temptation to the view,
In which a dragon, call'd The Law,
Kept conscientious fools in awe:
Yet, Power superior to the crime,
And tall Ambition skill'd to climb,
With traitors of a new invention,
Who sell their country for a pension,
Through many a thicket won their way,
And spoil'd the grove, and shared the prey.
Blooming temptation to the view,
In which a dragon, call'd The Law,
Kept conscientious fools in awe:
Yet, Power superior to the crime,
And tall Ambition skill'd to climb,
With traitors of a new invention,
Who sell their country for a pension,
Through many a thicket won their way,
And spoil'd the grove, and shared the prey.
On the same golden system laid,
The world was in the fifth display'd:
The earth a golden axis turn'd;
The heavens, with golden planets, burn'd;
And thence, as astrologians know,
Derived their influence below:
A girdle, call'd the Zodiac, graced
The glittering round of Nature's waste,
Whose mystic charm from Gold arises,
For this the Cæstus of the skies is:
And as in Homer's works, we read
(And Homer is the poet's creed)
Of a well twisted golden tether,
That tied the heavens and earth together,
Such was the cord, or such the cable,
That tied the spheres within this table;
By which, the artist, underhand,
Would give the wise to understand,
That Interest, in every creature,
Throughout religion, law, and nature,
From east to west, and pole to pole,
Moves, binds, suspends, and turns the whole.
The world was in the fifth display'd:
The earth a golden axis turn'd;
The heavens, with golden planets, burn'd;
And thence, as astrologians know,
Derived their influence below:
9
The glittering round of Nature's waste,
Whose mystic charm from Gold arises,
For this the Cæstus of the skies is:
And as in Homer's works, we read
(And Homer is the poet's creed)
Of a well twisted golden tether,
That tied the heavens and earth together,
Such was the cord, or such the cable,
That tied the spheres within this table;
By which, the artist, underhand,
Would give the wise to understand,
That Interest, in every creature,
Throughout religion, law, and nature,
From east to west, and pole to pole,
Moves, binds, suspends, and turns the whole.
While thus, in passing slightly o'er, I
Surveyed the scenes of ancient story;
Or eyed, with more minute attention,
What Prudence, here, forbids to mention;
The Muse my shoulder tapp'd, to mind me
Of things that pass'd, the while, behind me.
Surveyed the scenes of ancient story;
Or eyed, with more minute attention,
What Prudence, here, forbids to mention;
The Muse my shoulder tapp'd, to mind me
Of things that pass'd, the while, behind me.
I turn'd, and view'd, with deep surprize,
The phantom that assail'd my eyes:
His hinder-head disrobed of hair,
His sapless back, and shoulders bare,
Confest the wrinkles of a sage
Who past ten Nestors in his age;
But cloathed before, with decent grace,
And infant sweetness in his face,
Not Smintheus with such vigour strung,
Nor blooming Hebe look'd so young.
The phantom that assail'd my eyes:
10
His sapless back, and shoulders bare,
Confest the wrinkles of a sage
Who past ten Nestors in his age;
But cloathed before, with decent grace,
And infant sweetness in his face,
Not Smintheus with such vigour strung,
Nor blooming Hebe look'd so young.
On his left hand a palette lay,
With many a teint of colours gay;
While, guided with an easy slight,
The flying pencil graced his right.
With many a teint of colours gay;
While, guided with an easy slight,
The flying pencil graced his right.
Unnumber'd canvasses appear'd,
Before the moving artist rear'd,
On whose inspirited expanse he
Exprest the creatures of his fancy;
So touch'd, with such a swift command,
With such a magic power of hand,
That Nature, did, herself, appear
Less real than her semblance here,
And, not a mortal, so betray'd,
Could know the substance from the shade!
Before the moving artist rear'd,
On whose inspirited expanse he
Exprest the creatures of his fancy;
So touch'd, with such a swift command,
With such a magic power of hand,
That Nature, did, herself, appear
Less real than her semblance here,
And, not a mortal, so betray'd,
Could know the substance from the shade!
11
Whate'er the world conceives, in life,
Worth toil, anxiety, and strife;
Whate'er by Ignorance is bought,
By Madness wish'd, or Folly sought,
The mitres, coronets, and garters,
To which Ambition leads his martyrs;
With every joy, and toy, that can
Amuse the various child of man,
Was painted here in many a scene,
A trifling, transient, charming train!
Worth toil, anxiety, and strife;
Whate'er by Ignorance is bought,
By Madness wish'd, or Folly sought,
The mitres, coronets, and garters,
To which Ambition leads his martyrs;
With every joy, and toy, that can
Amuse the various child of man,
Was painted here in many a scene,
A trifling, transient, charming train!
Awhile I stood, in thought suspended,
To guess what these affairs intended;
When, lo, the Muse, in whispers, told,
“'Tis Father Time whom you behold;
“In part discovered to the Wise,
“In part conceal'd from human eyes.
“A slave to yon Gold-giving Power,
“For him he spends each restless hour;
“The product of his toil intends
“As gifts to those his God befriends,
“And paints what other mortals view
“As substances, though shades to you.”
To guess what these affairs intended;
When, lo, the Muse, in whispers, told,
“'Tis Father Time whom you behold;
“In part discovered to the Wise,
“In part conceal'd from human eyes.
“A slave to yon Gold-giving Power,
“For him he spends each restless hour;
“The product of his toil intends
“As gifts to those his God befriends,
“And paints what other mortals view
“As substances, though shades to you.”
She ceas'd, and turning to the sentry,
Desired he'd give the Ladies entry;
And straight the portal opened wide,
And in they deluged like a tide.
So, to some grove, by stress of weather,
Fast flock the fowl of every feather;
A mighty, pretty, prating rabble,
Like Iris rigg'd, and tongued like Babel;
Then crowding toward the nuptial throne,
By bags of strong attraction known,
Low bending to their God they bow'd,
And vented thus their prayer aloud:
Desired he'd give the Ladies entry;
12
And in they deluged like a tide.
So, to some grove, by stress of weather,
Fast flock the fowl of every feather;
A mighty, pretty, prating rabble,
Like Iris rigg'd, and tongued like Babel;
Then crowding toward the nuptial throne,
By bags of strong attraction known,
Low bending to their God they bow'd,
And vented thus their prayer aloud:
“Great Power! in whom our sex confides,
“Who rulest the turns of female tides,
“Who kenst, while varying Fancy ranges
“Through all its doubles, twirles, and changes,
“To what a Woman's heart is prone,
“A secret to ourselves unknown—
“O, give us, give us, Mighty Power!
“The wedded joy of every hour:
“Assign thy favourites, in marriage,
“To coaches of distinguish'd carriage;
“To all the frippery of dressing,
“A nameless, boundless, endless blessing;
“To drums, ridottos, sights and sounds;
“To visits in eternal rounds;
“To card and counter, rake and rattle;
“To the whole lust of tongue and tattle;
“And all the dear delightful trances
“Of countless frolicks, fits, and fancies.
“You have heard, that men, unpolish'd boors!
“Lay naughty passions at our doors;
“'Tis your's to contradict the lyar,
“Who are, yourself, our chief desire.
“O then, as widow, or as wife,
“To you we yield each choice in life;
“Or would you every prayer fulfil,
“Wed us! O! wed us, to our will!”
“Who rulest the turns of female tides,
“Who kenst, while varying Fancy ranges
“Through all its doubles, twirles, and changes,
“To what a Woman's heart is prone,
“A secret to ourselves unknown—
“O, give us, give us, Mighty Power!
“The wedded joy of every hour:
“Assign thy favourites, in marriage,
“To coaches of distinguish'd carriage;
“To all the frippery of dressing,
“A nameless, boundless, endless blessing;
“To drums, ridottos, sights and sounds;
“To visits in eternal rounds;
13
“To the whole lust of tongue and tattle;
“And all the dear delightful trances
“Of countless frolicks, fits, and fancies.
“You have heard, that men, unpolish'd boors!
“Lay naughty passions at our doors;
“'Tis your's to contradict the lyar,
“Who are, yourself, our chief desire.
“O then, as widow, or as wife,
“To you we yield each choice in life;
“Or would you every prayer fulfil,
“Wed us! O! wed us, to our will!”
They ceas'd, and, without more addition,
The God confirm'd their full petition:
To Time he beckon'd, and desired
He'd give the good each nymph required;
And, from his visionary treasure,
Wed every woman to her pleasure.
The God confirm'd their full petition:
To Time he beckon'd, and desired
He'd give the good each nymph required;
And, from his visionary treasure,
Wed every woman to her pleasure.
The first, who came, resolv'd to fix
Upon a gilded coach and fix;
The suit was granted her on sight,
The nymph with ardour seiz'd her right.
A wonder! by possession banish'd,
The coach and dappled coursers vanish'd;
And a foul waggon held the Fair
Full laden with a weight of care:
She sigh'd; her sisters caught the sound,
And one insulting laugh went round.
Upon a gilded coach and fix;
The suit was granted her on sight,
The nymph with ardour seiz'd her right.
A wonder! by possession banish'd,
The coach and dappled coursers vanish'd;
14
Full laden with a weight of care:
She sigh'd; her sisters caught the sound,
And one insulting laugh went round.
The second was a dame of Britain,
Who by a coronet was smitten;
With boldness she advanced her claim,
Exulting in so just a flame.
But ah, where bliss alone was patent,
What unsuspected mischief latent!
The worst in all Pandora's box,
Her coronet contain'd a ------.
Who by a coronet was smitten;
With boldness she advanced her claim,
Exulting in so just a flame.
But ah, where bliss alone was patent,
What unsuspected mischief latent!
The worst in all Pandora's box,
Her coronet contain'd a ------.
With this example in her eye,
The third, a widow'd dame, drew nigh,
And fix'd her sight and soul together
Upon a raking hat and feather;
Nor sigh'd in vain, but seiz'd her due,
And clasp'd old age in twenty-two.
The third, a widow'd dame, drew nigh,
And fix'd her sight and soul together
Upon a raking hat and feather;
Nor sigh'd in vain, but seiz'd her due,
And clasp'd old age in twenty-two.
Thus, through the difference and degrees
Of sword-knots, mitres, and toupees,
Prim bands, pert bobs, and well hung blades,
Long robes, smart jackets, fierce cockades,
And all the fooleries in fashion,
Whate'er became the darling passion,
The good for which they did importune,
Was straight revers'd into misfortune;
And every woman, like the first,
Was, at her own entreaty, curst.
Of sword-knots, mitres, and toupees,
Prim bands, pert bobs, and well hung blades,
Long robes, smart jackets, fierce cockades,
15
Whate'er became the darling passion,
The good for which they did importune,
Was straight revers'd into misfortune;
And every woman, like the first,
Was, at her own entreaty, curst.
At length, was introduced a Fair,
With such a face, and such an air.
As never was, on earth, I ween,
Save by poetic organs, seen.
With such a face, and such an air.
As never was, on earth, I ween,
Save by poetic organs, seen.
With decent grace, and gentle cheer,
The bright Adventurer drew near;
Her mild approach the Godhead spied,
And, “Fairest,” with a smile, he cried,
“If aught you seek in Hymen's power,
“You find him in a happy hour.”
The bright Adventurer drew near;
Her mild approach the Godhead spied,
And, “Fairest,” with a smile, he cried,
“If aught you seek in Hymen's power,
“You find him in a happy hour.”
At this, the Virgin, half amazed,
As round the spacious dome she gazed,
With caution every symbol eyed,
And, blushing, gracefully replied.
As round the spacious dome she gazed,
With caution every symbol eyed,
And, blushing, gracefully replied.
“If you are he, whose power controuls
“And knits the sympathy of souls,
“Then, whence this pomp of worthless geer,
“And why this heap of counters here?
“Is this vain shew of glittering ore,
“The bliss, that Hymen has in store?
“Love sees the folly, with the gloss,
“And laughs to scorn thy useless dross.
“And knits the sympathy of souls,
16
“And why this heap of counters here?
“Is this vain shew of glittering ore,
“The bliss, that Hymen has in store?
“Love sees the folly, with the gloss,
“And laughs to scorn thy useless dross.
“Where are the symbols of thy reign?
“And where thy robe of Tyrian grain,
“Whose teint, in virgin-colours dyed,
“Derives its blushing from the bride?
“Where is thy torch, serenely bright,
“To lovers yielding warmth and light,
“That from the heart derives its fire,
“And only can, with life, expire?
“And where thy robe of Tyrian grain,
“Whose teint, in virgin-colours dyed,
“Derives its blushing from the bride?
“Where is thy torch, serenely bright,
“To lovers yielding warmth and light,
“That from the heart derives its fire,
“And only can, with life, expire?
“Will this unactive mass impart
“The social feelings of the heart?
“Or can material fetters bind
“The free affections of the mind?
“Through every age, the Great, and Wise,
“Behold thee with superior eyes;
“Love spurns thy treasures with disdain,
“And Virtue flies thy hostile reign.
“The social feelings of the heart?
“Or can material fetters bind
“The free affections of the mind?
“Through every age, the Great, and Wise,
“Behold thee with superior eyes;
“Love spurns thy treasures with disdain,
“And Virtue flies thy hostile reign.
17
“By Love, congenial souls embrace,
“Celestial source of human race!
“From whence, the cordial sense within,
“The bosom'd amities of kin,
“The call of nature to her kind,
“And all the tunings of the mind,
“That, winding Heaven's harmonious plan,
“Compose the brotherhood of man.”
“Celestial source of human race!
“From whence, the cordial sense within,
“The bosom'd amities of kin,
“The call of nature to her kind,
“And all the tunings of the mind,
“That, winding Heaven's harmonious plan,
“Compose the brotherhood of man.”
She said, and gracefully withdrew;
Her steps the Muse and I pursue.
Along an unfrequented way
The Virgin led, nor led astray;
Till, like the first, in form and size,
A second Fabric struck our eyes:
We enter'd, guided by the Fair,
And saw a second Hymen there.
Her steps the Muse and I pursue.
Along an unfrequented way
The Virgin led, nor led astray;
Till, like the first, in form and size,
A second Fabric struck our eyes:
We enter'd, guided by the Fair,
And saw a second Hymen there.
A silken robe, of saffron hue,
About his decent shoulders flew;
While a fair taper's virgin light
Gave Ovid to his soul and sight.
About his decent shoulders flew;
While a fair taper's virgin light
Gave Ovid to his soul and sight.
An hundred Cupids wanton'd round,
Whose useless quivers strow'd the ground;
While, careless of their wonted trade,
They with the Smiling Graces play'd.
Whose useless quivers strow'd the ground;
18
They with the Smiling Graces play'd.
Along the wall's extended side,
With teints of varying nature dyed,
In needled tapestry, was told
The tale of many a love of old.
With teints of varying nature dyed,
In needled tapestry, was told
The tale of many a love of old.
In groves, that breathed a citron air,
Together walk'd the wedded pair;
Or toy'd upon the vernal ground,
Their beauteous offspring sporting round;
Or, lock'd in sweet embracement, lay,
And slept, and loved, the night away.
Together walk'd the wedded pair;
Or toy'd upon the vernal ground,
Their beauteous offspring sporting round;
Or, lock'd in sweet embracement, lay,
And slept, and loved, the night away.
There sat Penelope in tears,
Besieged, like Troy, for ten long years:
Her suitors, in a neighbouring room,
Wait the long promise of the loom,
Which she defers, from day to day,
Till death, determin'd to delay.
With thoughts of fond remembrance wrung,
Deep sorrowing, o'er her work she hung;
Where, in the fields, at Ilium fought,
The labours of her lord she wrought,
The toil, the dust, the flying foe,
The rallied host, the instant blow;
Then, sighing, trembled at the view,
Scared at the dangers which she drew.
Besieged, like Troy, for ten long years:
Her suitors, in a neighbouring room,
Wait the long promise of the loom,
Which she defers, from day to day,
Till death, determin'd to delay.
With thoughts of fond remembrance wrung,
Deep sorrowing, o'er her work she hung;
Where, in the fields, at Ilium fought,
The labours of her lord she wrought,
19
The rallied host, the instant blow;
Then, sighing, trembled at the view,
Scared at the dangers which she drew.
There too, suspended o'er the wave,
Alcione was seen to rave,
When, as the foundering wreck she spied,
She on her sinking Ceÿx cried:
Her Ceÿx, though by seas opprest,
Still bears her image in his breast;
And, with his fondest latest breath,
Murmurs, “Alcione!” in death.
Alcione was seen to rave,
When, as the foundering wreck she spied,
She on her sinking Ceÿx cried:
Her Ceÿx, though by seas opprest,
Still bears her image in his breast;
And, with his fondest latest breath,
Murmurs, “Alcione!” in death.
Panthea there, upon a bier,
Laid the sole lord of her desire:
His limbs were scatter'd through the plains;
She join'd, and kiss'd, the dear remains.
Too ponderous was her weight of woe,
For sighs to rise, or tears to flow;
On the loved corse she fix'd her view,
Nor other use of seeing knew;
While high and stedfast as she gazed,
Her snowy arm a poniard raised,
Nor yet the desperate weapon staid,
But, for a longer look, delayed,
Till, plunged within her beauteous breast,
She on his bosom sunk to rest.
Laid the sole lord of her desire:
His limbs were scatter'd through the plains;
She join'd, and kiss'd, the dear remains.
Too ponderous was her weight of woe,
For sighs to rise, or tears to flow;
On the loved corse she fix'd her view,
Nor other use of seeing knew;
While high and stedfast as she gazed,
Her snowy arm a poniard raised,
Nor yet the desperate weapon staid,
But, for a longer look, delayed,
20
She on his bosom sunk to rest.
But, O, beyond whate'er was told
In modern tales, or truths of old,
One Pair, in form and spirit twined,
Out loved the loves of human kind;
She Hero, he Leander, named,
For mutual faith, as beauty, famed!
Their story, from its source, begun,
And, to the fatal period, run.
In modern tales, or truths of old,
One Pair, in form and spirit twined,
Out loved the loves of human kind;
She Hero, he Leander, named,
For mutual faith, as beauty, famed!
Their story, from its source, begun,
And, to the fatal period, run.
While, bow'd at Cytherea's shrine,
The Youth adores her power divine,
He sees her blooming priestess there,
Beyond the sea-born goddess, fair:
She, as some God, the stripling eyes,
Just lighted from his native skies—
The God, whose chariot guides the hour;
Or haply, Love's immortal power.
The Youth adores her power divine,
He sees her blooming priestess there,
Beyond the sea-born goddess, fair:
She, as some God, the stripling eyes,
Just lighted from his native skies—
The God, whose chariot guides the hour;
Or haply, Love's immortal power.
At once, their conscious glances spoke,
Like fate, the strong and mutual stroke;
Attracted by a secret force,
Like currents meeting in their course,
That, thence, one stream for ever rolls,
Together rush'd their mingling souls,
Too close for fortune to divide,
For each was lost in either tide.
Like fate, the strong and mutual stroke;
Attracted by a secret force,
Like currents meeting in their course,
21
Together rush'd their mingling souls,
Too close for fortune to divide,
For each was lost in either tide.
In vain, by ruthless parents torn,
Their bodies are asunder born,
And towering bulwarks intervene,
And envious ocean rolls between;
Love wings their letters o'er the sea,
And kisses melt the seals away.
Their bodies are asunder born,
And towering bulwarks intervene,
And envious ocean rolls between;
Love wings their letters o'er the sea,
And kisses melt the seals away.
And now the sable night impends,
Leander to the shore descends,
Exults at the appointed hour,
And marks the signal on the tower—
A torch, to guide the Lover's way,
Endear'd beyond the brightest day!
Leander to the shore descends,
Exults at the appointed hour,
And marks the signal on the tower—
A torch, to guide the Lover's way,
Endear'd beyond the brightest day!
At once, he plunges in the tide;
His arms the Hellespont divide;
The danger and the toil he braves,
And dashes the contending waves.
His arms the Hellespont divide;
The danger and the toil he braves,
And dashes the contending waves.
While near, and nearer to his sight,
The taper darts a ruddier light,
Recruited at the view, he glows;
Aside the whelming billow throws:
The winds and seas oppose in vain;
He spurns, he mounts, he skims the main.
The taper darts a ruddier light,
22
Aside the whelming billow throws:
The winds and seas oppose in vain;
He spurns, he mounts, he skims the main.
Now, from the tower, where Hero stood,
And threw a radiance o'er the flood,
Leander, in the deep, she spied,
And would have sprung to join his side;
Howe'er, her wishes make essay,
And clasp and warm him on his way.
And threw a radiance o'er the flood,
Leander, in the deep, she spied,
And would have sprung to join his side;
Howe'er, her wishes make essay,
And clasp and warm him on his way.
The main is cross'd, the shore is gain'd,
The long wish'd hour, at last, attain'd.
But, lovers, if there e'er arose
A pair, so form'd and fond as those,
So loved, so beauteous, and so blest,
Alone can speak or think the rest;
Nor will the weeping muse unfold
The close, too tragic to be told!
The long wish'd hour, at last, attain'd.
But, lovers, if there e'er arose
A pair, so form'd and fond as those,
So loved, so beauteous, and so blest,
Alone can speak or think the rest;
Nor will the weeping muse unfold
The close, too tragic to be told!
Long were the loving list to name,
With Portia's faith, that swallow'd flame:
But much the longer list were those
Whose joys were unallay'd by woes;
Whose bliss no cruel parents crost,
Whose love not ages could exhaust,
Where not a cloud did intervene,
Or once o'er-cast their bright serene,
But, through the summer's day of life,
The husband tender as the wife,
Like Henry and his Nut-brown Maid,
Their faith nor shaken nor decay'd,
Together ran the blissful race,
Together lived, and slept in peace.
With Portia's faith, that swallow'd flame:
But much the longer list were those
Whose joys were unallay'd by woes;
23
Whose love not ages could exhaust,
Where not a cloud did intervene,
Or once o'er-cast their bright serene,
But, through the summer's day of life,
The husband tender as the wife,
Like Henry and his Nut-brown Maid,
Their faith nor shaken nor decay'd,
Together ran the blissful race,
Together lived, and slept in peace.
Long time, the much inquiring Maid,
From story, on to story stray'd;
Joy'd in the joys that lovers know,
Or wept her tribute to their woe;
Till Hymen, with a placid air,
Approaching, thus addrest the Fair.
From story, on to story stray'd;
Joy'd in the joys that lovers know,
Or wept her tribute to their woe;
Till Hymen, with a placid air,
Approaching, thus addrest the Fair.
“Hail to the Nymph, whose sacred train
“Of virtues shall restore my reign!
“Whate'er the wishes of thy soul,
“But speak them, and possess the whole.”
“Of virtues shall restore my reign!
“Whate'er the wishes of thy soul,
“But speak them, and possess the whole.”
“Thanks, gentle Power,” the Maid replied;
“Your bounty shall be amply tried.
“I seek not titles, rank, or state,
“Superfluous to the truly great;
“Nor yet, to sordid wealth inclined,
“The poorest passion of the mind;
“But, simply fix'd to nature's plan,
“I seek the Associate in the Man.
“Your bounty shall be amply tried.
24
“Superfluous to the truly great;
“Nor yet, to sordid wealth inclined,
“The poorest passion of the mind;
“But, simply fix'd to nature's plan,
“I seek the Associate in the Man.
“Yet, O beware! for much depends
“On what that syllable intends.
“On what that syllable intends.
“Give him a form that may delight
“My inward sense, my mental sight;
“In every outward act, design'd
“To speak an elegance of mind.
“My inward sense, my mental sight;
“In every outward act, design'd
“To speak an elegance of mind.
“In him, by science, travel, taste,
“Be nature polish'd, not defaced;
“And set, as is the brilliant stone,
“To be, with double lustre, shewn.
“Be nature polish'd, not defaced;
“And set, as is the brilliant stone,
“To be, with double lustre, shewn.
“Sweet be the music of his tongue,
“And, as the lyre of David, strung,
“To steal, from each delighted day,
“Affliction, care, and time, away.
“And, as the lyre of David, strung,
“To steal, from each delighted day,
“Affliction, care, and time, away.
“Within his comprehensive soul
“Let Heaven's Harmonious System roll;
“There let the Great, the Good, the Wise,
“Of famed antiquity arise,
“From every age and every clime,
“Eluding death, and circling time!
“There let the Sacred Virtues meet,
“And range their known and native seat!
“There let the Charities unite,
“And Human Feelings weep Delight!”
“Let Heaven's Harmonious System roll;
25
“Of famed antiquity arise,
“From every age and every clime,
“Eluding death, and circling time!
“There let the Sacred Virtues meet,
“And range their known and native seat!
“There let the Charities unite,
“And Human Feelings weep Delight!”
“Kind Power! if Such a Youth you know,
“He's all the Heaven I ask, below.”
“He's all the Heaven I ask, below.”
So wish'd the much aspiring Maid;
Pale turn'd the Power, and, sighing, said:
Pale turn'd the Power, and, sighing, said:
“Alas! like him you fondly claim,
“Through every boasted form and name,
“That graces Nature's varying round,
“A Second is not to be found!
“Your suit, Fair Creature, must miscarry,
“Till CHARLEMONT resolves to marry.”
“Through every boasted form and name,
“That graces Nature's varying round,
“A Second is not to be found!
“Your suit, Fair Creature, must miscarry,
“Till CHARLEMONT resolves to marry.”
27
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.
28
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—
29
“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.
30
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;
31
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!
32
“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.
33
“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:
34
“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!
35
“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,
36
“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;
37
“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;
38
“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,
39
“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,
40
“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!
41
“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.
42
“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.
45
THE FEMALE SEDUCERS.
'Tis said of widow, maid, and wife,
That Honour is a woman's life:
Unhappy sex! who only claim
A being, in the breath of Fame,
Which tainted, not the quickening gales
That sweep Sabæa's spicy vales,
Nor all the healing sweets restore,
That breathe along Arabia's shore.
That Honour is a woman's life:
Unhappy sex! who only claim
A being, in the breath of Fame,
Which tainted, not the quickening gales
That sweep Sabæa's spicy vales,
Nor all the healing sweets restore,
That breathe along Arabia's shore.
The traveller, if he chance to stray,
May turn uncensured to his way;
Polluted streams again are pure,
And deepest wounds admit a cure:
But woman no redemption knows;
The wounds of Honour never close!
May turn uncensured to his way;
Polluted streams again are pure,
And deepest wounds admit a cure:
But woman no redemption knows;
The wounds of Honour never close!
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Tho' distant every hand to guide,
Nor skill'd on life's tempestuous tide,
If once her feeble bark recede,
Or deviate from the course decreed,
In vain she seeks the friendless shore—
Her swifter folly flies before;
The circling ports against her close,
And shut the wanderer from repose;
'Till, by conflicting waves opprest,
Her foundering pinnace sinks to rest.
Nor skill'd on life's tempestuous tide,
If once her feeble bark recede,
Or deviate from the course decreed,
In vain she seeks the friendless shore—
Her swifter folly flies before;
The circling ports against her close,
And shut the wanderer from repose;
'Till, by conflicting waves opprest,
Her foundering pinnace sinks to rest.
“Are there no offerings to atone,
“For but a single error?”—None.
Tho' woman is avow'd, of old,
No daughter of celestial mould,
Her tempering not without allay,
And form'd but of the finer clay,
We challenge from the mortal dame
The strength angelic natures claim;
Nay more; for sacred stories tell,
That even Immortal Angels fell.
“For but a single error?”—None.
Tho' woman is avow'd, of old,
No daughter of celestial mould,
Her tempering not without allay,
And form'd but of the finer clay,
We challenge from the mortal dame
The strength angelic natures claim;
Nay more; for sacred stories tell,
That even Immortal Angels fell.
“Whatever fills the teeming sphere
“Of humid earth, and ambient air,
“With varying elements endued,
“Was form'd to fall, and rise renew'd.
“Of humid earth, and ambient air,
47
“Was form'd to fall, and rise renew'd.
“The stars no fix'd duration know;
“Wide oceans ebb, again to flow;
“The moon repletes her waining face,
“All-beauteous, from her late disgrace;
“And suns, that mourn approaching night,
“Refulgent rise with new-born light.
“Wide oceans ebb, again to flow;
“The moon repletes her waining face,
“All-beauteous, from her late disgrace;
“And suns, that mourn approaching night,
“Refulgent rise with new-born light.
“In vain may Death and Time subdue,
“While Nature mints her race anew,
“And holds some vital spark apart,
“Like Virtue, hid in every heart:
“'Tis hence, reviving warmth is seen
“To cloath a naked world in green;
“No longer barr'd by winter's cold,
“Again the gates of life unfold;
“Again each insect tries his wing,
“And lifts fresh pinions on the spring;
“Again, from every latent root,
“The bladed stem and tendril shoot,
“Exhaling incense to the skies,
“Again to perish, and to rise.
“While Nature mints her race anew,
“And holds some vital spark apart,
“Like Virtue, hid in every heart:
“'Tis hence, reviving warmth is seen
“To cloath a naked world in green;
“No longer barr'd by winter's cold,
“Again the gates of life unfold;
“Again each insect tries his wing,
“And lifts fresh pinions on the spring;
“Again, from every latent root,
“The bladed stem and tendril shoot,
“Exhaling incense to the skies,
“Again to perish, and to rise.
48
“And must weak woman then disown
“The change, to which a world is prone?
“In one meridian brightness shine,
“And ne'er like evening suns decline?
“Resolved and firm alone?—Is this
“What we demand of woman?”—Yes.
“The change, to which a world is prone?
“In one meridian brightness shine,
“And ne'er like evening suns decline?
“Resolved and firm alone?—Is this
“What we demand of woman?”—Yes.
“But should the spark of vestal fire,
“In some unguarded hour expire;
“Or should the nightly thief invade
“Hesperia's chaste and sacred shade,
“Of all the blooming spoil possest,
“The dragon Honour charm'd to rest;
“Shall Virtue's flame no more return?
“No more with virgin splendor burn?
“No more the ravaged garden blow
“With spring's succeeding blossom?”—No:
Pity may mourn, but not restore;
And woman falls, to rise no more!
“In some unguarded hour expire;
“Or should the nightly thief invade
“Hesperia's chaste and sacred shade,
“Of all the blooming spoil possest,
“The dragon Honour charm'd to rest;
“Shall Virtue's flame no more return?
“No more with virgin splendor burn?
“No more the ravaged garden blow
“With spring's succeeding blossom?”—No:
Pity may mourn, but not restore;
And woman falls, to rise no more!
WITHIN this sublunary sphere,
A country lies—no matter where;
The clime may readily be found,
By all who tread poetic ground.
A stream, call'd Life, across it glides,
And equally the land divides:
And here, of Vice the province lies;
And there, the hills of Virtue rise!
A country lies—no matter where;
The clime may readily be found,
By all who tread poetic ground.
49
And equally the land divides:
And here, of Vice the province lies;
And there, the hills of Virtue rise!
Upon a mountain's airy stand,
Whose summit look'd to either land,
An Ancient Pair their dwelling chose,
As well for prospect, as repose;
For mutual faith they long were famed,
And Temperance, and Religion, named.
Whose summit look'd to either land,
An Ancient Pair their dwelling chose,
As well for prospect, as repose;
For mutual faith they long were famed,
And Temperance, and Religion, named.
A numerous progeny divine,
Confest the honours of their line:
But in a little Daughter fair,
Was center'd more than half their care;
For Heaven, to gratulate her birth,
Gave signs of future joy to earth:
White was the robe this infant wore,
And Chastity the name she bore.
Confest the honours of their line:
But in a little Daughter fair,
Was center'd more than half their care;
For Heaven, to gratulate her birth,
Gave signs of future joy to earth:
White was the robe this infant wore,
And Chastity the name she bore.
As now the Maid in stature grew,
A flower just opening to the view!
Oft thro' her native lawns she stray'd,
And wrestling with the lambkins play'd:
Her looks diffusive sweets bequeath'd,
The breeze grew purer as she breath'd;
The morn her radiant blush assumed,
The spring with earlier fragrance bloom'd;
And Nature yearly took delight,
Like her, to dress the world in white.
A flower just opening to the view!
Oft thro' her native lawns she stray'd,
And wrestling with the lambkins play'd:
50
The breeze grew purer as she breath'd;
The morn her radiant blush assumed,
The spring with earlier fragrance bloom'd;
And Nature yearly took delight,
Like her, to dress the world in white.
But when her rising form was seen
To reach the crisis of fifteen,
Her parents up the mountain's head,
With anxious step their darling led;
By turns they snatch'd her to their breast,
And thus the fears of age exprest.
To reach the crisis of fifteen,
Her parents up the mountain's head,
With anxious step their darling led;
By turns they snatch'd her to their breast,
And thus the fears of age exprest.
“O joyful cause of many a care!
“O daughter, too divinely fair!
“Yon world, on this important day,
“Demands thee to a dangerous way;
“A painful journey all must go,
“Whose doubtful period none can know;
“Whose due direction who can find,
“Where Reason's mute, and Sense is blind?
“Ah, what unequal leaders these,
“Thro' such a wide perplexing maze!
“Then mark the warnings of the wise,
“And learn what love and years advise.
“O daughter, too divinely fair!
“Yon world, on this important day,
“Demands thee to a dangerous way;
“A painful journey all must go,
“Whose doubtful period none can know;
“Whose due direction who can find,
“Where Reason's mute, and Sense is blind?
“Ah, what unequal leaders these,
“Thro' such a wide perplexing maze!
“Then mark the warnings of the wise,
“And learn what love and years advise.
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“Far to the right thy prospect bend,
“Where yonder towering hills ascend:
“Lo, there the arduous path's in view,
“Which Virtue, and her sons pursue;
“With toil o'er lessening earth they rise,
“And gain, and gain, upon the skies!
“Narrow's the way her children tread;
“No walk for pleasure smoothly spread,
“But rough, and difficult, and steep,
“Painful to climb, and hard to keep.
“Where yonder towering hills ascend:
“Lo, there the arduous path's in view,
“Which Virtue, and her sons pursue;
“With toil o'er lessening earth they rise,
“And gain, and gain, upon the skies!
“Narrow's the way her children tread;
“No walk for pleasure smoothly spread,
“But rough, and difficult, and steep,
“Painful to climb, and hard to keep.
“Fruits immature those lands dispense,
“A food indelicate to sense,
“Of taste unpleasant; yet from those
“Pure health with chearful vigour flows,
“And strength unfeeling of decay,
“Throughout the long laborious way.
“A food indelicate to sense,
“Of taste unpleasant; yet from those
“Pure health with chearful vigour flows,
“And strength unfeeling of decay,
“Throughout the long laborious way.
“Hence, as they scale that Heavenly road,
“Each limb is lightened of its load;
“From earth refining still they go,
“And leave the mortal weight below:
“Then spreads the strait, the doubtful clears,
“And smooth the rugged path appears;
“For custom turns fatigue to ease,
“And, taught by Virtue, pain can please.
“Each limb is lightened of its load;
“From earth refining still they go,
“And leave the mortal weight below:
“Then spreads the strait, the doubtful clears,
“And smooth the rugged path appears;
“For custom turns fatigue to ease,
“And, taught by Virtue, pain can please.
52
“At length, the toilsome journey o'er,
“And near the bright celestial shore,
“A gulph, black, fearful, and profound,
“Appears, of either world the bound,
“Thro' darkness leading up to light:
“Sense backwards shrinks, and shuns the sight;
“For there the transitory train,
“Of time, and form, and care, and pain,
“And matter's gross incumbering mass,
“Man's late associates, cannot pass,
“But sinking, quit the immortal charge,
“And leave the wondering soul at large;
“Lightly she wings her obvious way,
“And mingles with eternal day.
“And near the bright celestial shore,
“A gulph, black, fearful, and profound,
“Appears, of either world the bound,
“Thro' darkness leading up to light:
“Sense backwards shrinks, and shuns the sight;
“For there the transitory train,
“Of time, and form, and care, and pain,
“And matter's gross incumbering mass,
“Man's late associates, cannot pass,
“But sinking, quit the immortal charge,
“And leave the wondering soul at large;
“Lightly she wings her obvious way,
“And mingles with eternal day.
“Thither, O thither, wing thy speed,
“Tho' Pleasure charm, or Pain impede!
“To such the All-bounteous Power has given,
“For present earth, a future Heaven;
“For trivial loss, unmeasured gain;
“And endless bliss, for transient pain.
“Tho' Pleasure charm, or Pain impede!
“To such the All-bounteous Power has given,
“For present earth, a future Heaven;
“For trivial loss, unmeasured gain;
“And endless bliss, for transient pain.
“Then fear, ah! fear to turn thy sight,
“Where yonder flowery fields invite;
“Wide on the left the path-way bends,
“And with pernicious ease descends:
“There sweet to sense, and fair to show,
“New-planted Edens seem to blow,
“Trees that delicious poison bear,
“For death is vegetable there.
“Where yonder flowery fields invite;
“Wide on the left the path-way bends,
“And with pernicious ease descends:
53
“New-planted Edens seem to blow,
“Trees that delicious poison bear,
“For death is vegetable there.
“Hence is the frame of health unbraced,
“Each sinew slackening at the taste;
“The soul to passion yields her throne,
“And sees with organs not her own;
“While, like the slumberer in the night,
“Pleased with the shadowy dream of light,
“Before her alienated eyes,
“The scenes of fairy land arise;
“The puppet world's amusing show,
“Dipt in the gayly colour'd bow,
“Scepters, and wreaths, and glittering things,
“The toys of infants, and of kings,
“That tempt, along the baneful plain,
“The idly wise, and lightly vain;
“Till verging on the gulphy shore,
“Sudden they sink, and rise no more.
“Each sinew slackening at the taste;
“The soul to passion yields her throne,
“And sees with organs not her own;
“While, like the slumberer in the night,
“Pleased with the shadowy dream of light,
“Before her alienated eyes,
“The scenes of fairy land arise;
“The puppet world's amusing show,
“Dipt in the gayly colour'd bow,
“Scepters, and wreaths, and glittering things,
“The toys of infants, and of kings,
“That tempt, along the baneful plain,
“The idly wise, and lightly vain;
“Till verging on the gulphy shore,
“Sudden they sink, and rise no more.
“But list to what thy fates declare;
“Tho' thou art Woman, frail as fair,
“If once thy sliding foot should stray,
“Once quit yon Heaven-appointed way,
“For thee, lost Maid, for thee alone,
“Nor prayers shall plead, nor tears atone:
“Reproach, scorn, infamy, and hate,
“On thy returning steps shall wait;
“Thy form be loathed by every eye,
“And every foot thy presence fly.”
“Tho' thou art Woman, frail as fair,
“If once thy sliding foot should stray,
“Once quit yon Heaven-appointed way,
54
“Nor prayers shall plead, nor tears atone:
“Reproach, scorn, infamy, and hate,
“On thy returning steps shall wait;
“Thy form be loathed by every eye,
“And every foot thy presence fly.”
Thus arm'd with words of potent sound,
Like guardian-angels placed around,
A charm by Truth divinely cast,
Forward, our young Adventurer past:
Forth from her sacred eye-lids sent,
Like morn, fore-running radiance went;
While Honour, hand-maid late assigned,
Upheld her lucid train behind.
Like guardian-angels placed around,
A charm by Truth divinely cast,
Forward, our young Adventurer past:
Forth from her sacred eye-lids sent,
Like morn, fore-running radiance went;
While Honour, hand-maid late assigned,
Upheld her lucid train behind.
Awe-struck the much admiring-crowd
Before the Virgin Vision bow'd,
Gazed with an ever new delight,
And caught fresh virtue at the sight:
For not of earth's unequal frame
They deem the Heaven-compounded dame;
If matter, sure the most refined,
High wrought, and temper'd into mind!
Some darling daughter of the day,
And bodied by her native ray!
Before the Virgin Vision bow'd,
Gazed with an ever new delight,
And caught fresh virtue at the sight:
For not of earth's unequal frame
They deem the Heaven-compounded dame;
If matter, sure the most refined,
High wrought, and temper'd into mind!
Some darling daughter of the day,
And bodied by her native ray!
55
Where e'er she passes, thousands bend;
And thousands, where she moves, attend;
Her ways observant eyes confess,
Her steps pursuing praises bless;
While to the elevated Maid
Oblations, as to Heaven, are paid.
And thousands, where she moves, attend;
Her ways observant eyes confess,
Her steps pursuing praises bless;
While to the elevated Maid
Oblations, as to Heaven, are paid.
'Twas on an ever blithsome day,
The jovial birth of rosy May,
When genial warmth, no more supprest,
New melts the frost in every breast,
The cheek with secret flushing dyes,
And looks kind things from chastest eyes;
The sun with healthier visage glows,
Aside his clouded 'kerchief throws,
And dances up the etherial plain,
Where late he used to climb with pain;
While Nature, as from bonds set free,
Springs out, and gives a loose to glee.
The jovial birth of rosy May,
When genial warmth, no more supprest,
New melts the frost in every breast,
The cheek with secret flushing dyes,
And looks kind things from chastest eyes;
The sun with healthier visage glows,
Aside his clouded 'kerchief throws,
And dances up the etherial plain,
Where late he used to climb with pain;
While Nature, as from bonds set free,
Springs out, and gives a loose to glee.
And now, for momentary rest,
The Nymph her travell'd step represt;
Just turn'd to view the stage attain'd,
And gloried in the height she had gain'd.
The Nymph her travell'd step represt;
Just turn'd to view the stage attain'd,
And gloried in the height she had gain'd.
56
Out-stretch'd before her wide survey,
The realms of sweet perdition lay,
And pity touch'd her soul with woe,
To see a world so lost below;
When straight the breeze began to breathe
Airs gently wafted from beneath,
That bore commission'd witchcraft thence,
And reach'd her sympathy of sense;
No sounds of discord, that disclose
A people sunk and lost in woes,
But as of present good possest,
The very triumph of the blest.
The Maid in rapt attention hung,
While thus approaching Sirens sung.
The realms of sweet perdition lay,
And pity touch'd her soul with woe,
To see a world so lost below;
When straight the breeze began to breathe
Airs gently wafted from beneath,
That bore commission'd witchcraft thence,
And reach'd her sympathy of sense;
No sounds of discord, that disclose
A people sunk and lost in woes,
But as of present good possest,
The very triumph of the blest.
The Maid in rapt attention hung,
While thus approaching Sirens sung.
“Hither, Fairest, hither haste!
“Brightest Beauty, come and taste
“What the powers of bliss unfold,
“Joys too mighty to be told!
“Taste what extasies they give—
“Dying raptures taste and live.
“Brightest Beauty, come and taste
“What the powers of bliss unfold,
“Joys too mighty to be told!
“Taste what extasies they give—
“Dying raptures taste and live.
“In thy lap, disdaining measure,
“Nature empties all her treasure;
“Soft desires that sweetly languish,
“Fierce delights that rise to anguish!
“Fairest, dost thou yet delay?
“Brightest Beauty, come away!
“Nature empties all her treasure;
“Soft desires that sweetly languish,
“Fierce delights that rise to anguish!
57
“Brightest Beauty, come away!
“List not, when the froward chide,
“Sons of pedantry and pride;
“Snarlers, to whose feeble sense
“April's sunshine is offence;
“Age and envy will advise,
“Even against the joy they prize.
“Sons of pedantry and pride;
“Snarlers, to whose feeble sense
“April's sunshine is offence;
“Age and envy will advise,
“Even against the joy they prize.
“Come, in Pleasure's balmy bowl,
“Slake the thirstings of thy soul,
“Till thy raptured powers are fainting,
“With enjoyment past the painting:
“Fairest, dost thou yet delay?
“Brightest Beauty, come away!”
“Slake the thirstings of thy soul,
“Till thy raptured powers are fainting,
“With enjoyment past the painting:
“Fairest, dost thou yet delay?
“Brightest Beauty, come away!”
So sung the Sirens, as of yore,
Upon the false Ausonian shore;
And O! for that preventing chain,
That bound Ulysses on the main,
That so our Fair One might withstand
The covert ruin now at hand.
Upon the false Ausonian shore;
And O! for that preventing chain,
That bound Ulysses on the main,
That so our Fair One might withstand
The covert ruin now at hand.
The song her charm'd attention drew,
When now the Tempters stood in view—
Curiosity, with prying eyes,
And hands of busy bold emprise;
Like Hermes, feather'd were her feet,
And, like fore-running Fancy, fleet:
By search untaught, by toil untired,
To novelty she still aspired;
Tasteless of every good possest,
And but in expectation blest.
When now the Tempters stood in view—
58
And hands of busy bold emprise;
Like Hermes, feather'd were her feet,
And, like fore-running Fancy, fleet:
By search untaught, by toil untired,
To novelty she still aspired;
Tasteless of every good possest,
And but in expectation blest.
With her, associate, Pleasure came,
Gay Pleasure, frolic-loving dame;
Her mien all swimming in delight,
Her beauties half revealed to sight;
Loose flowed her garments from the ground,
And caught the kissing winds around.
As erst Medusa's looks were known
To turn beholders into stone,
A dire reversion here they felt,
And in the eye of Pleasure melt.
Her glance with sweet persuasion charm'd,
Unnerv'd the strong, the steel'd disarm'd;
No safety even the flying find,
Who, venturous, look but once behind.
Gay Pleasure, frolic-loving dame;
Her mien all swimming in delight,
Her beauties half revealed to sight;
Loose flowed her garments from the ground,
And caught the kissing winds around.
As erst Medusa's looks were known
To turn beholders into stone,
A dire reversion here they felt,
And in the eye of Pleasure melt.
Her glance with sweet persuasion charm'd,
Unnerv'd the strong, the steel'd disarm'd;
No safety even the flying find,
Who, venturous, look but once behind.
Thus was the much-admiring Maid,
While distant, more than half-betray'd.
With smiles, and adulation bland,
They join'd her side, and seiz'd her hand:
Their touch envenom'd sweets instill'd,
Her frame with new pulsations thrill'd;
While half consenting, half denying,
Reluctant now, and now complying,
Amidst a war of hopes and fears,
Of trembling wishes, smiling tears,
Still down, and down, the winning Pair
Compell'd the struggling yielding Fair.
While distant, more than half-betray'd.
59
They join'd her side, and seiz'd her hand:
Their touch envenom'd sweets instill'd,
Her frame with new pulsations thrill'd;
While half consenting, half denying,
Reluctant now, and now complying,
Amidst a war of hopes and fears,
Of trembling wishes, smiling tears,
Still down, and down, the winning Pair
Compell'd the struggling yielding Fair.
As when some stately vessel, bound
To blest Arabia's distant ground,
Borne from her courses, haply lights
Where Barca's flowery clime invites,
Conceal'd around whose treacherous land,
Lurk the dire rock, and dangerous sand;
The pilot warns, with sail and oar
To shun the much suspected shore—
In vain; the tide, too subtly strong,
Still bears the wrestling bark along;
Till foundering, she resigns to fate,
And sinks o'erwhelm'd with all her freight.
To blest Arabia's distant ground,
Borne from her courses, haply lights
Where Barca's flowery clime invites,
Conceal'd around whose treacherous land,
Lurk the dire rock, and dangerous sand;
The pilot warns, with sail and oar
To shun the much suspected shore—
In vain; the tide, too subtly strong,
Still bears the wrestling bark along;
Till foundering, she resigns to fate,
And sinks o'erwhelm'd with all her freight.
So, baffling every bar to sin,
And Heaven's own Pilot placed within,
Along the devious smooth descent,
With powers increasing as they went,
The Dames, accustom'd to subdue,
As with a rapid current drew;
And o'er the fatal bounds convey'd
The lost the long reluctant Maid.
And Heaven's own Pilot placed within,
60
With powers increasing as they went,
The Dames, accustom'd to subdue,
As with a rapid current drew;
And o'er the fatal bounds convey'd
The lost the long reluctant Maid.
Here stop, ye Fair Ones, and beware,
Nor send your fond affections there:
Yet, yet, your Darling, now deplored,
May turn, to you, and Heaven, restored;
Till then, with weeping Honour wait,
The servant of her better fate,
With Honour left upon the shore,
Her friend and handmaid now no more;
Nor, with the guilty world, upbraid
The fortunes of a wretch betray'd,
But o'er her failing cast a veil,
Remembring you yourselves are frail.
Nor send your fond affections there:
Yet, yet, your Darling, now deplored,
May turn, to you, and Heaven, restored;
Till then, with weeping Honour wait,
The servant of her better fate,
With Honour left upon the shore,
Her friend and handmaid now no more;
Nor, with the guilty world, upbraid
The fortunes of a wretch betray'd,
But o'er her failing cast a veil,
Remembring you yourselves are frail.
And now, from all-enquiring light,
Fast fled the conscious shades of night;
The Damsel, from a short repose,
Confounded at her plight, arose.
Fast fled the conscious shades of night;
The Damsel, from a short repose,
Confounded at her plight, arose.
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As when, with slumberous weight opprest,
Some wealthy miser sinks to rest,
Where felons eye the glittering prey,
And steal his hoard of joys away;
He, borne where golden Indus streams,
Of pearl and quarry'd diamond dreams;
Like Midas, turns the glebe to oar,
And stands all wrapt amidst his store;
But wakens, naked, and despoil'd
Of that, for which his years had toil'd.
So fared the Nymph—her treasure flown,
And turn'd, like Niobe, to stone;
Within, without, obscure and void,
She felt all ravaged, all destroy'd:
And, “O thou curs'd, insidious coast!
“Are these the blessings thou can'st boast?
“These, Virtue! these the joys they find,
“Who leave thy heaven-topt hills behind?
“Shade me ye pines, ye caverns hide,
“Ye mountains cover me!” she cried.
Some wealthy miser sinks to rest,
Where felons eye the glittering prey,
And steal his hoard of joys away;
He, borne where golden Indus streams,
Of pearl and quarry'd diamond dreams;
Like Midas, turns the glebe to oar,
And stands all wrapt amidst his store;
But wakens, naked, and despoil'd
Of that, for which his years had toil'd.
So fared the Nymph—her treasure flown,
And turn'd, like Niobe, to stone;
Within, without, obscure and void,
She felt all ravaged, all destroy'd:
And, “O thou curs'd, insidious coast!
“Are these the blessings thou can'st boast?
“These, Virtue! these the joys they find,
“Who leave thy heaven-topt hills behind?
“Shade me ye pines, ye caverns hide,
“Ye mountains cover me!” she cried.
Her trumpet Slander raised on high,
And told the tidings to the sky;
Contempt discharged a living dart,
A side-long viper to her heart;
Reproach breathed poisons o'er her face,
And soil'd and blasted every grace:
Officious Shame, her handmaid new,
Still turn'd the mirror to her view,
While those, in crimes the deepest dyed,
Approach'd to whiten at her side,
And every lewd insulting dame
Upon her folly rose to fame.
And told the tidings to the sky;
Contempt discharged a living dart,
A side-long viper to her heart;
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And soil'd and blasted every grace:
Officious Shame, her handmaid new,
Still turn'd the mirror to her view,
While those, in crimes the deepest dyed,
Approach'd to whiten at her side,
And every lewd insulting dame
Upon her folly rose to fame.
What should she do?—attempt once more
To gain the late-deserted shore?
So trusting, back the Mourner flew;
As fast the train of fiends pursue.
To gain the late-deserted shore?
So trusting, back the Mourner flew;
As fast the train of fiends pursue.
Again the farther shore's attain'd,
Again the land of Virtue gain'd;
But echo gathers in the wind,
And shows her instant foes behind.
Amazed, with headlong speed she tends,
Where late she left an host of friends;
Alas! those shrinking friends decline,
Nor longer own that form divine:
With fear they mark the following cry,
And from the lonely Trembler fly;
Or backward drive her on the coast,
Where peace was wreck'd, and honour lost.
Again the land of Virtue gain'd;
But echo gathers in the wind,
And shows her instant foes behind.
Amazed, with headlong speed she tends,
Where late she left an host of friends;
Alas! those shrinking friends decline,
Nor longer own that form divine:
With fear they mark the following cry,
And from the lonely Trembler fly;
Or backward drive her on the coast,
Where peace was wreck'd, and honour lost.
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From earth thus hoping aid in vain,
To Heaven not daring to complain,
No truce by hostile clamour given,
And from the face of friendship driven;
The Nymph sunk prostrate on the ground,
With all her weight of woes around.
To Heaven not daring to complain,
No truce by hostile clamour given,
And from the face of friendship driven;
The Nymph sunk prostrate on the ground,
With all her weight of woes around.
Enthroned within a circling sky,
Upon a mount, o'er mountains high,
All radiant sate, as in a shrine,
Virtue, First Effluence Divine,
Far, far above the scenes of woe,
That shut this cloud-wrapt world below;
Superior Goddess, essence bright,
Beauty of Uncreated Light,
Whom should mortality survey,
As doom'd upon a certain day,
The breath of frailty must expire;
The world dissolve in living fire;
The gems of Heaven, and solar flame,
Be quench'd by her eternal beam;
And Nature, quickening in her eye,
To rise a new-born phœnix, die.
Upon a mount, o'er mountains high,
All radiant sate, as in a shrine,
Virtue, First Effluence Divine,
Far, far above the scenes of woe,
That shut this cloud-wrapt world below;
Superior Goddess, essence bright,
Beauty of Uncreated Light,
Whom should mortality survey,
As doom'd upon a certain day,
The breath of frailty must expire;
The world dissolve in living fire;
The gems of Heaven, and solar flame,
Be quench'd by her eternal beam;
And Nature, quickening in her eye,
To rise a new-born phœnix, die.
Hence, unreveal'd to mortal view,
A veil around her form she threw,
Which three sad sisters of the shade
Pain, Care, and Melancholy made.
A veil around her form she threw,
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Pain, Care, and Melancholy made.
Thro' this her all-enquiring eye,
Attentive from her station high,
Beheld, abandon'd to despair,
The ruins of her Favourite Fair;
And with a voice, whose awful sound
Appall'd the guilty world around,
Bid the tumultuous winds be still,
To numbers bow'd each listening hill,
Uncurl'd the surging of the main,
And smooth'd the thorny bed of pain;
The golden harp of Heaven she strung,
And thus the tuneful Goddess sung.
Attentive from her station high,
Beheld, abandon'd to despair,
The ruins of her Favourite Fair;
And with a voice, whose awful sound
Appall'd the guilty world around,
Bid the tumultuous winds be still,
To numbers bow'd each listening hill,
Uncurl'd the surging of the main,
And smooth'd the thorny bed of pain;
The golden harp of Heaven she strung,
And thus the tuneful Goddess sung.
“Lovely Penitent, arise!
“Come, and claim thy kindred skies;
“Come, thy Sister Angels say,
“Thou hast wept thy stains away.
“Come, and claim thy kindred skies;
“Come, thy Sister Angels say,
“Thou hast wept thy stains away.
“Let experience now decide,
“'Twixt the good, and evil tried:
“In the smooth, enchanted ground,
“Say, unfold the treasures found?—
“Structures raised by morning dreams,
“Sands that trip the flitting streams,
“Down that anchors on the air,
“Clouds that paint their changes there!
“Seas that smoothly dimpling lie,
“While the storm impends on high,
“Showing, in an obvious glass,
“Joys that in possession pass;
“Transient, fickle, light, and gay,
“Flattering, only to betray!
“What, alas, can Life contain?
“Life, like all it's circles, vain!
“'Twixt the good, and evil tried:
“In the smooth, enchanted ground,
“Say, unfold the treasures found?—
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“Sands that trip the flitting streams,
“Down that anchors on the air,
“Clouds that paint their changes there!
“Seas that smoothly dimpling lie,
“While the storm impends on high,
“Showing, in an obvious glass,
“Joys that in possession pass;
“Transient, fickle, light, and gay,
“Flattering, only to betray!
“What, alas, can Life contain?
“Life, like all it's circles, vain!
“Will the stork, intending rest,
“On the billow build her nest?
“Will the bee demand his store
“From the bleak and bladeless shore?
“Man alone, intent to stray,
“Ever turns from Wisdom's way;
“Lays up wealth in foreign land,
“Sows the sea, and plows the sand.
“On the billow build her nest?
“Will the bee demand his store
“From the bleak and bladeless shore?
“Man alone, intent to stray,
“Ever turns from Wisdom's way;
“Lays up wealth in foreign land,
“Sows the sea, and plows the sand.
“Soon this elemental mass,
“Soon the incumbering world shall pass,
“Form be wrapt in wasting fire,
“Time be spent, and life expire.
“Then, ye boasted works of men,
“Where is your asylum then?
“Sons of pleasure, sons of care,
“Tell me mortals, tell me where?
“Gone, like traces on the deep,
“Like a scepter grasp'd in sleep,
“Dews exhaled from morning glades,
“Melting snows, and gliding shades!
“Soon the incumbering world shall pass,
“Form be wrapt in wasting fire,
“Time be spent, and life expire.
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“Where is your asylum then?
“Sons of pleasure, sons of care,
“Tell me mortals, tell me where?
“Gone, like traces on the deep,
“Like a scepter grasp'd in sleep,
“Dews exhaled from morning glades,
“Melting snows, and gliding shades!
“Pass the world, and what's behind?—
“Virtue's gold, by fire refined;
“From an universe depraved,
“From the wreck of nature saved:
“Like the life-supporting grain,
“Fruit of patience, and of pain,
“On the swain's autumnal day,
“Winnowed from the chaff away.
“Virtue's gold, by fire refined;
“From an universe depraved,
“From the wreck of nature saved:
“Like the life-supporting grain,
“Fruit of patience, and of pain,
“On the swain's autumnal day,
“Winnowed from the chaff away.
“Little Trembler, fear no more!
“Thou hast plenteous crops in store,
“Seed by genial sorrows sown,
“More than all thy scorners own.
“Thou hast plenteous crops in store,
“Seed by genial sorrows sown,
“More than all thy scorners own.
“What tho' hostile earth despise,
“Heaven beholds with gentler eyes;
“Heaven thy friendless steps shall guide,
“Chear thy hours, and guard thy side.
“When the fatal trump shall sound,
“When the immortals pour around,
“Heaven shall thy return attest,
“Hail'd by myriads of the blest.
“Heaven beholds with gentler eyes;
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“Chear thy hours, and guard thy side.
“When the fatal trump shall sound,
“When the immortals pour around,
“Heaven shall thy return attest,
“Hail'd by myriads of the blest.
“Little Native of the skies,
“Lovely Penitent, arise!
“Calm thy bosom, clear thy brow,
“Virtue is thy sister now.
“Lovely Penitent, arise!
“Calm thy bosom, clear thy brow,
“Virtue is thy sister now.
“More delightful are my woes,
“Than the rapture pleasure knows;
“Richer far the weeds I bring,
“Than the robes that grace a king.
“Than the rapture pleasure knows;
“Richer far the weeds I bring,
“Than the robes that grace a king.
“On my wars of shortest date,
“Crowns of endless triumph wait;
“On my cares, a period blest;
“On my toils, Eternal Rest.
“Crowns of endless triumph wait;
“On my cares, a period blest;
“On my toils, Eternal Rest.
“Come, with Virtue at thy side,
“Come, be every bar defied,
“Till we gain our Native Shore:
“Sister, come, and turn no more!”
“Come, be every bar defied,
“Till we gain our Native Shore:
“Sister, come, and turn no more!”
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LOVE AND VANITY.
The breezy morning breathed perfume,
The wakening flowers unveil'd their bloom;
Up with the sun, from short repose,
Gay Health, and lusty Labour rose;
The milkmaid carol'd at her pail,
And shepherds whistled o'er the dale;
When Love, who led a rural life,
Remote from bustle, state, and strife,
Forth from his thatch'd-roof'd cottage stray'd,
And strolled along the dewy glade.
The wakening flowers unveil'd their bloom;
Up with the sun, from short repose,
Gay Health, and lusty Labour rose;
The milkmaid carol'd at her pail,
And shepherds whistled o'er the dale;
When Love, who led a rural life,
Remote from bustle, state, and strife,
Forth from his thatch'd-roof'd cottage stray'd,
And strolled along the dewy glade.
A Nymph, who lightly trip'd it by,
To quick attention turn'd his eye:
He mark'd the gesture of the Fair,
Her self-sufficient grace and air,
Her steps that mincing meant to please,
Her studied negligence and ease;
And curious to enquire what meant
This thing of prettiness and paint,
Approaching spoke, and bow'd observant;
The Lady, slightly,—“Sir, your servant.”
To quick attention turn'd his eye:
He mark'd the gesture of the Fair,
Her self-sufficient grace and air,
Her steps that mincing meant to please,
Her studied negligence and ease;
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This thing of prettiness and paint,
Approaching spoke, and bow'd observant;
The Lady, slightly,—“Sir, your servant.”
“Such beauty in so rude a place!
“Fair one, you do the country grace:
“At court, no doubt, the public care—
“But Love has small acquaintance there!”
“Fair one, you do the country grace:
“At court, no doubt, the public care—
“But Love has small acquaintance there!”
“Yes, sir,” replied the fluttering Dame,
“This form confesses whence it came:
“But dear variety, you know,
“Can make us pride and pomp forego.
“My name is Vanity. I sway
“The utmost islands of the sea:
“Within my court all honour centers,
“I raise the meanest soul that enters;
“Endow with latent gifts and graces,
“And model fools for posts and places.
“This form confesses whence it came:
“But dear variety, you know,
“Can make us pride and pomp forego.
“My name is Vanity. I sway
“The utmost islands of the sea:
“Within my court all honour centers,
“I raise the meanest soul that enters;
“Endow with latent gifts and graces,
“And model fools for posts and places.
“As Vanity appoints at pleasure,
“The world receives its weight, and measure;
“Hence all the grand concerns of life,
“Joys, cares, plagues, passions, peace and strife.
“The world receives its weight, and measure;
“Hence all the grand concerns of life,
“Joys, cares, plagues, passions, peace and strife.
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“Reflect how far my power prevails,
“When I step in, where Nature fails,
“And every breach of sense repairing,
“Am bounteous still, where Heaven is sparing.
“When I step in, where Nature fails,
“And every breach of sense repairing,
“Am bounteous still, where Heaven is sparing.
“But chief, in all their arts and airs,
“Their playing, painting, pouts, and prayers,
“Their various habits and complexions,
“Fits, frolicks, foibles, and perfections,
“Their robing, curling, and adorning,
“From noon 'till night, from night 'till morning,
“From six to sixty, sick or sound,
“I rule the Female Word around.”
“Their playing, painting, pouts, and prayers,
“Their various habits and complexions,
“Fits, frolicks, foibles, and perfections,
“Their robing, curling, and adorning,
“From noon 'till night, from night 'till morning,
“From six to sixty, sick or sound,
“I rule the Female Word around.”
“Hold there a moment,” Cupid cried,
“Nor boast dominion quite so wide.
“Was there no province to invade,
“But that by Love and Meekness sway'd?
“All other empire I resign;
“But be the Sphere of Beauty mine.
“For in the downy lawn of rest,
“That opens on a Woman's breast,
“Attended by my peaceful train,
“I chuse to live, and chuse to reign.
“Nor boast dominion quite so wide.
“Was there no province to invade,
“But that by Love and Meekness sway'd?
“All other empire I resign;
“But be the Sphere of Beauty mine.
“For in the downy lawn of rest,
“That opens on a Woman's breast,
“Attended by my peaceful train,
“I chuse to live, and chuse to reign.
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“Far-sighted Faith I bring along;
“And Truth, above an army strong;
“And Chastity, of icy mould,
“Within the burning tropics cold;
“And Lowliness, to whose mild brow,
“The power and pride of nations bow;
“And Modesty, with downcast eye,
“That lends the morn her virgin dye;
“And Innocence, array'd in light;
“And Honour, as a tower upright;
“With sweetly winning Graces, more
“Than poets ever dreamt of yore,
“In unaffected conduct free,
“All smiling sisters, three times three;
“And rosy Peace, the cherub blest,
“That nightly sings us all to rest.
“And Truth, above an army strong;
“And Chastity, of icy mould,
“Within the burning tropics cold;
“And Lowliness, to whose mild brow,
“The power and pride of nations bow;
“And Modesty, with downcast eye,
“That lends the morn her virgin dye;
“And Innocence, array'd in light;
“And Honour, as a tower upright;
“With sweetly winning Graces, more
“Than poets ever dreamt of yore,
“In unaffected conduct free,
“All smiling sisters, three times three;
“And rosy Peace, the cherub blest,
“That nightly sings us all to rest.
“Hence, from the bud of Nature's prime,
“From the first step of infant time,
“Woman, the world's appointed light,
“Has skirted every shade with white;
“Has stood for imitation high,
“To every heart and every eye;
“From antient deeds of fair renown,
“Has brought her bright memorials down;
“To Time affix'd perpetual youth,
“And form'd each tale of love and truth.
“From the first step of infant time,
“Woman, the world's appointed light,
“Has skirted every shade with white;
“Has stood for imitation high,
“To every heart and every eye;
“From antient deeds of fair renown,
“Has brought her bright memorials down;
73
“And form'd each tale of love and truth.
“Upon a new Promethean plan,
“She moulds the essence of a man,
“Tempers his mass, his genius fires,
“And, as a better soul, inspires.
“She moulds the essence of a man,
“Tempers his mass, his genius fires,
“And, as a better soul, inspires.
“The Rude she softens, warms the Cold,
“Exalts the Meek, and checks the Bold;
“Calls Sloth from his supine repose;
“Within the Coward's bosom glows;
“Of Pride unplumes the lofty crest;
“Bids bashful Merit stand confest;
“And, like coarse metal from the mines,
“Collects, irradiates, and refines.
“Exalts the Meek, and checks the Bold;
“Calls Sloth from his supine repose;
“Within the Coward's bosom glows;
“Of Pride unplumes the lofty crest;
“Bids bashful Merit stand confest;
“And, like coarse metal from the mines,
“Collects, irradiates, and refines.
“The gentle science she imparts,
“All manners smooths, informs all hearts:
“From her sweet influence are felt,
“Passions that please, and thoughts that melt;
“To stormy rage she bids controul,
“And sinks serenely on the soul;
“Softens Deucalion's flinty race,
“And tunes the warring world to peace.
“All manners smooths, informs all hearts:
“From her sweet influence are felt,
“Passions that please, and thoughts that melt;
“To stormy rage she bids controul,
“And sinks serenely on the soul;
“Softens Deucalion's flinty race,
“And tunes the warring world to peace.
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“Thus, arm'd to all that's light and vain,
“And freed from thy fantastic chain,
“She fills the sphere, by Heaven assigned,
“And ruled by me, o'er-rules mankind.”
“And freed from thy fantastic chain,
“She fills the sphere, by Heaven assigned,
“And ruled by me, o'er-rules mankind.”
He spoke. The Nymph impatient stood;
And laughing, thus her speech renew'd.
And laughing, thus her speech renew'd.
“And pray, sir, may I be so bold
“To hope your pretty tale is told;
“And next demand, without a cavil,
“What new Utopia do you travel?—
“Upon my word, these high flown fancies
“Shew depth of learning—in romances.
“To hope your pretty tale is told;
“And next demand, without a cavil,
“What new Utopia do you travel?—
“Upon my word, these high flown fancies
“Shew depth of learning—in romances.
“Why, what unfashion'd stuff you tell us,
“Of buckram dames, and tiptoe fellows!
“Go, child; and when you're grown maturer,
“You'll shoot your next opinion surer.
“Of buckram dames, and tiptoe fellows!
“Go, child; and when you're grown maturer,
“You'll shoot your next opinion surer.
“O such a pretty knack at painting!
“And all for softening, and for sainting!
“Guess now, who can, a single feature,
“Thro' the whole piece of Female Nature!
“Then mark! my looser hand may fit
“The lines, too coarse for Love to hit.
“And all for softening, and for sainting!
“Guess now, who can, a single feature,
“Thro' the whole piece of Female Nature!
“Then mark! my looser hand may fit
“The lines, too coarse for Love to hit.
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“'Tis said that Woman, prone to changing,
“Thro' all the rounds of folly ranging,
“On life's uncertain ocean riding,
“No reason, rule, nor rudder guiding,
“Is like the comet's wandering light,
“Eccentric, ominous, and bright;
“Trackless, and shifting, as the wind;
“A sea, whose fathom none can find;
“A moon, still changing, and revolving;
“A riddle, past all human solving;
“A bliss, a plague, a heaven, a hell,
“A—something, that no man can tell.
“Thro' all the rounds of folly ranging,
“On life's uncertain ocean riding,
“No reason, rule, nor rudder guiding,
“Is like the comet's wandering light,
“Eccentric, ominous, and bright;
“Trackless, and shifting, as the wind;
“A sea, whose fathom none can find;
“A moon, still changing, and revolving;
“A riddle, past all human solving;
“A bliss, a plague, a heaven, a hell,
“A—something, that no man can tell.
“Now learn a secret from a friend;
“But keep your counsel, and attend.
“But keep your counsel, and attend.
“Tho' in their tempers thought so distant,
“Nor with their sex, nor selves consistent,
“'Tis but the difference of a name,
“And every Woman is the same.
“For as the world, however varied,
“And through unnumber'd changes carried,
“Of elemental modes, and forms,
“Clouds, meteors, colours, calms and storms,
“Tho' in a thousand suits array'd,
“Is of one subject matter made;
“So, sir, a Woman's constitution,
“The world's enigma, finds solution;
“And let her form be what you will,
“I am the Subject Essence still.
“Nor with their sex, nor selves consistent,
“'Tis but the difference of a name,
“And every Woman is the same.
“For as the world, however varied,
“And through unnumber'd changes carried,
“Of elemental modes, and forms,
“Clouds, meteors, colours, calms and storms,
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“Is of one subject matter made;
“So, sir, a Woman's constitution,
“The world's enigma, finds solution;
“And let her form be what you will,
“I am the Subject Essence still.
“With the first spark of Female Sense,
“The speck of being, I commence;
“Within the womb make fresh advances,
“And dictate future qualms and fancies;
“Thence in the growing form expand,
“With childhood travel hand in hand,
“And give a taste of all their joys,
“In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, and noise.
“The speck of being, I commence;
“Within the womb make fresh advances,
“And dictate future qualms and fancies;
“Thence in the growing form expand,
“With childhood travel hand in hand,
“And give a taste of all their joys,
“In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, and noise.
“And now, familiar, and unaw'd,
“I send the fluttering soul abroad.
“Prais'd for her shape, her face, her mein,
“The little goddess, and the queen,
“Takes at her infant shrine oblation,
“And drinks sweet draughts of adulation.
“I send the fluttering soul abroad.
“Prais'd for her shape, her face, her mein,
“The little goddess, and the queen,
“Takes at her infant shrine oblation,
“And drinks sweet draughts of adulation.
“Now blooming, tall, erect, and fair,
“To dress, becomes her darling care:
“The realms of Beauty then I bound;
“I swell the hoop's enchanted round,
“Shrink in the waist's descending size,
“Heaved in the snowy bosom rise,
“High on the floating lappet sail,
“Or curl'd in tresses kiss the gale.
“Then to her glass I lead the Fair,
“And shew the lovely idol there;
“Where, struck as by divine emotion,
“She bows with most sincere devotion;
“And, numbering every beauty o'er,
“In secret bids the world adore.
“To dress, becomes her darling care:
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“I swell the hoop's enchanted round,
“Shrink in the waist's descending size,
“Heaved in the snowy bosom rise,
“High on the floating lappet sail,
“Or curl'd in tresses kiss the gale.
“Then to her glass I lead the Fair,
“And shew the lovely idol there;
“Where, struck as by divine emotion,
“She bows with most sincere devotion;
“And, numbering every beauty o'er,
“In secret bids the world adore.
“Then all for parking, and parading,
“Coquetting, dancing, masquerading;
“For balls, plays, courts, and crouds, what passion!
“And churches, sometimes—if the fashion:
“For Woman's sense of right, and wrong,
“Is ruled by the almighty throng;
“Still turns to each meander tame,
“And swims the straw of every stream.
“Her soul intrinsic worth rejects,
“Accomplish'd only in defects;
“Such excellence is her ambition;
“Folly, her wisest acquisition;
“And even, from pity, and disdain,
“She'll cull some reason to be vain.
“Coquetting, dancing, masquerading;
“For balls, plays, courts, and crouds, what passion!
“And churches, sometimes—if the fashion:
“For Woman's sense of right, and wrong,
“Is ruled by the almighty throng;
“Still turns to each meander tame,
“And swims the straw of every stream.
“Her soul intrinsic worth rejects,
“Accomplish'd only in defects;
“Such excellence is her ambition;
“Folly, her wisest acquisition;
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“She'll cull some reason to be vain.
“Thus, sir, from every form, and feature,
“The wealth, and wants of female nature,
“And even from vice, which you'd admire,
“I gather fewel to my fire;
“And, on the very base of shame,
“Erect my monument of fame.
“The wealth, and wants of female nature,
“And even from vice, which you'd admire,
“I gather fewel to my fire;
“And, on the very base of shame,
“Erect my monument of fame.
“Let me another truth attempt,
“Of which your Godship has not dreamt.
“Of which your Godship has not dreamt.
“Those shining virtues, which you muster,
“Whence think you they derive their lustre?
“From native honour, and devotion?—
“O yes, a mighty likely notion!
“Trust me, from titled dames to spinners,
“'Tis I make saints, whoe'er makes sinners;
“'Tis I instruct them to withdraw,
“And hold presumptuous man in awe;
“For female worth, as I inspire,
“In just degrees still mounts the higher,
“And Virtue, so extremely nice,
“Demands long toil, and mighty price:
“Like Sampson's pillars, fix'd elate,
“I bear the Sex's tottering state;
“Sap these, and, in a moment's space,
“Down sinks the fabric to its base.
“Whence think you they derive their lustre?
“From native honour, and devotion?—
“O yes, a mighty likely notion!
“Trust me, from titled dames to spinners,
“'Tis I make saints, whoe'er makes sinners;
“'Tis I instruct them to withdraw,
“And hold presumptuous man in awe;
“For female worth, as I inspire,
“In just degrees still mounts the higher,
“And Virtue, so extremely nice,
“Demands long toil, and mighty price:
“Like Sampson's pillars, fix'd elate,
“I bear the Sex's tottering state;
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“Down sinks the fabric to its base.
“Alike from titles, and from toys,
“I spring, the fount of Female Joys;
“In every widow, wife, and miss,
“The sole artificer of bliss.
“For them each tropic I explore;
“I cleave the sand of every shore;
“To them uniting Indias sail,
“Sabæa breathes her farthest gale:
“For them the bullion I refine,
“Dig sense and virtue from the mine;
“And from the bowels of invention,
“Spin out the various arts you mention.
“I spring, the fount of Female Joys;
“In every widow, wife, and miss,
“The sole artificer of bliss.
“For them each tropic I explore;
“I cleave the sand of every shore;
“To them uniting Indias sail,
“Sabæa breathes her farthest gale:
“For them the bullion I refine,
“Dig sense and virtue from the mine;
“And from the bowels of invention,
“Spin out the various arts you mention.
“Nor bliss alone my powers bestow,
“They hold the sovereign balm of woe:
“Beyond the stoic's boasted art,
“I sooth the heavings of the heart;
“To pain give splendor and relief,
“And gild the pallid face of grief.
“They hold the sovereign balm of woe:
“Beyond the stoic's boasted art,
“I sooth the heavings of the heart;
“To pain give splendor and relief,
“And gild the pallid face of grief.
“Alike the palace, and the plain,
“Admit the glories of my reign:
“Thro' every age, in every nation,
“Taste, talents, tempers, state, and station,
“Whate'er a Woman says, I say;
“Whate'er a Woman spends, I pay:
“Alike, I fill and empty bags,
“Flutter in finery and rags,
“With light coquets thro' folly range,
“And with the prude disdain to change.
“Admit the glories of my reign:
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“Taste, talents, tempers, state, and station,
“Whate'er a Woman says, I say;
“Whate'er a Woman spends, I pay:
“Alike, I fill and empty bags,
“Flutter in finery and rags,
“With light coquets thro' folly range,
“And with the prude disdain to change.
“And now you'd think, 'twixt you and I,
“That things were ripe for a reply—
“But soft; and, while I'm in the mood,
“Kindly permit me to conclude,
“Their utmost mazes to unravel,
“And touch the farthest step they travel.
“That things were ripe for a reply—
“But soft; and, while I'm in the mood,
“Kindly permit me to conclude,
“Their utmost mazes to unravel,
“And touch the farthest step they travel.
“When every pleasure's run aground,
“And folly tired thro' many a round,
“The Nymph, conceiving discontent hence,
“May ripen to an hour's repentance,
“And vapours, shed in pious moisture,
“Dismiss her to a church, or cloyster:
“Then on I lead her, with devotion
“Conspicuous in her dress, and motion;
“Inspire the heavenly-breathing air,
“Roll up the lucid eye in prayer,
“Soften the voice, and in the face
“Look melting harmony and grace.
“And folly tired thro' many a round,
“The Nymph, conceiving discontent hence,
“May ripen to an hour's repentance,
“And vapours, shed in pious moisture,
“Dismiss her to a church, or cloyster:
“Then on I lead her, with devotion
“Conspicuous in her dress, and motion;
“Inspire the heavenly-breathing air,
“Roll up the lucid eye in prayer,
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“Look melting harmony and grace.
“Thus far extends my friendly power,
“Nor quits her in her latest hour:
“The couch of decent pain I spread,
“In form recline her languid head,
“Her thoughts I methodize in death,
“And part not, with her parting breath:
“Then do I set, in order bright,
“A length of funeral pomp to sight,
“The glittering tapers and attire,
“The plumes that whiten o'er her bier;
“And last, presenting to her eye
“Angelic fineries on high,
“To scenes of painted bliss I waft her,
“And form the heaven she hopes hereafter.”
“Nor quits her in her latest hour:
“The couch of decent pain I spread,
“In form recline her languid head,
“Her thoughts I methodize in death,
“And part not, with her parting breath:
“Then do I set, in order bright,
“A length of funeral pomp to sight,
“The glittering tapers and attire,
“The plumes that whiten o'er her bier;
“And last, presenting to her eye
“Angelic fineries on high,
“To scenes of painted bliss I waft her,
“And form the heaven she hopes hereafter.”
“In truth,” rejoin'd Love's gentle god,
“You have gone a tedious length of road:
“And strange, in all the toilsome way,
“No house of kind refreshment lay;
“No Nymph, whose virtues might have tempted,
“To hold her from her sex exempted.”
“You have gone a tedious length of road:
“And strange, in all the toilsome way,
“No house of kind refreshment lay;
“No Nymph, whose virtues might have tempted,
“To hold her from her sex exempted.”
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“For one, we'll never quarrel, man;
“Take her; and keep her,—if you can:
“And pleased I yield to your petition,
“Since every Fair, by such permission,
“Will hold herself the one selected;
“And so my system stands protected.”
“Take her; and keep her,—if you can:
“And pleased I yield to your petition,
“Since every Fair, by such permission,
“Will hold herself the one selected;
“And so my system stands protected.”
“O deaf to virtue, deaf to glory,
“To truths divinely vouch'd in story!”—
The Godhead in his zeal return'd,
And kindling at her malice burn'd:
Then sweetly raised his voice, and told
Of Heavenly Nymphs, revered of old—
Hypsipyle, who saved her sire;
And Portia's love, approved by fire;
Alike Penelope was quoted,
Nor laurel'd Daphne past unnoted;
Nor Laodamia's fatal garter,
Nor famed Lucretia, honour's martyr;
Alceste's voluntary steel,
And Catherine smiling on the wheel!
But who can hope to plant conviction,
Where cavil grows on contradiction?
Some she evades, or disavows;
Demurs to all, and none allows—
“A kind of ancient things, call'd Fables!”
And thus the Goddess turn'd the tables.
“To truths divinely vouch'd in story!”—
The Godhead in his zeal return'd,
And kindling at her malice burn'd:
Then sweetly raised his voice, and told
Of Heavenly Nymphs, revered of old—
Hypsipyle, who saved her sire;
And Portia's love, approved by fire;
Alike Penelope was quoted,
Nor laurel'd Daphne past unnoted;
Nor Laodamia's fatal garter,
Nor famed Lucretia, honour's martyr;
Alceste's voluntary steel,
And Catherine smiling on the wheel!
But who can hope to plant conviction,
Where cavil grows on contradiction?
Some she evades, or disavows;
Demurs to all, and none allows—
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And thus the Goddess turn'd the tables.
Now both in argument grew high,
And choler flash'd from either eye;
Nor wonder each refused to yield
The conquest of so fair a field.
When happily arrived in view
A Goddess, whom our grandames knew;
Of aspect grave, and sober gaite,
Majestic, aweful, and sedate;
As heaven's autumnal eve serene,
When not a cloud o'ercasts the scene;
Once Prudence call'd, a matron famed,
And in old Rome Cornelia named.
Quick at a venture, both agree
To leave their strife to her decree.
And choler flash'd from either eye;
Nor wonder each refused to yield
The conquest of so fair a field.
When happily arrived in view
A Goddess, whom our grandames knew;
Of aspect grave, and sober gaite,
Majestic, aweful, and sedate;
As heaven's autumnal eve serene,
When not a cloud o'ercasts the scene;
Once Prudence call'd, a matron famed,
And in old Rome Cornelia named.
Quick at a venture, both agree
To leave their strife to her decree.
And now by each the facts were stated,
In form and manner as related.
The case was short. They craved opinion,
“Which held o'er Females chief dominion?”
When thus the Goddess, answering mild,
First shook her gracious head, and smiled:
In form and manner as related.
The case was short. They craved opinion,
“Which held o'er Females chief dominion?”
When thus the Goddess, answering mild,
First shook her gracious head, and smiled:
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“Alas, how willing to comply,
“Yet how unfit a judge am I!
“In times of golden date, 'tis true,
“I shared the Fickle Sex with you;
“But from their presence long precluded,
“Or held as one whose form intruded,
“Full fifty annual suns can tell,
“Prudence has bid the Sex farewell.”
“Yet how unfit a judge am I!
“In times of golden date, 'tis true,
“I shared the Fickle Sex with you;
“But from their presence long precluded,
“Or held as one whose form intruded,
“Full fifty annual suns can tell,
“Prudence has bid the Sex farewell.”
In this dilemma what to do,
Or who to think of, neither knew;
For both, still biass'd in opinion,
And arrogant of sole dominion,
Were forced to hold the case compounded,
Or leave the quarrel where they found it.
Or who to think of, neither knew;
For both, still biass'd in opinion,
And arrogant of sole dominion,
Were forced to hold the case compounded,
Or leave the quarrel where they found it.
When in the nick, a Rural Fair,
Of inexperienced gaite and air,
Who ne'er had cross'd the neighbouring lake,
Nor seen the world beyond a wake,
With cambrick coif, and kerchief clean,
Tript lightly by them o'er the green.
Of inexperienced gaite and air,
Who ne'er had cross'd the neighbouring lake,
Nor seen the world beyond a wake,
With cambrick coif, and kerchief clean,
Tript lightly by them o'er the green.
“Now, now!” cried Love's triumphant Child,
And at approaching conquest smiled;
“If Vanity will once be guided,
“Our difference may be soon decided:
“Behold yon Wench! a fit occasion
“To try your force of gay persuasion.
“Go you, while I retire aloof,
“Go, put those boasted powers to proof;
“And if your prevalence of art,
“Transcends my yet unerring dart,
“I give the favourite contest o'er,
“And ne'er will boast my empire more.”
And at approaching conquest smiled;
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“Our difference may be soon decided:
“Behold yon Wench! a fit occasion
“To try your force of gay persuasion.
“Go you, while I retire aloof,
“Go, put those boasted powers to proof;
“And if your prevalence of art,
“Transcends my yet unerring dart,
“I give the favourite contest o'er,
“And ne'er will boast my empire more.”
At once, so said, and so consented,
And well our Goddess seem'd contented;
Nor pausing, made a moment's stand,
But tript, and took the Girl in hand.
And well our Goddess seem'd contented;
Nor pausing, made a moment's stand,
But tript, and took the Girl in hand.
Meanwhile the Godhead, unalarm'd,
As one to each occasion arm'd,
Forth from his quiver cull'd a dart,
That erst had wounded many a heart;
Then bending, drew it to the head—
The bow-string twang'd, the arrow fled;
And, to her secret soul addrest,
Transfix'd the whiteness of her breast.
As one to each occasion arm'd,
Forth from his quiver cull'd a dart,
That erst had wounded many a heart;
Then bending, drew it to the head—
The bow-string twang'd, the arrow fled;
And, to her secret soul addrest,
Transfix'd the whiteness of her breast.
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But here the Dame, whose guardian care
Had to a moment watch'd the Fair,
At once her pocket mirrour drew,
And held the wonder full in view;
As quickly, ranged in order bright,
A thousand beauties rush to sight,
A world of charms till now unknown,
A world revealed to her alone!
Enraptured stands the Love-sick Maid,
Suspended o'er the Darling Shade;
Here only fixes to admire,
And centers every fond desire.
Had to a moment watch'd the Fair,
At once her pocket mirrour drew,
And held the wonder full in view;
As quickly, ranged in order bright,
A thousand beauties rush to sight,
A world of charms till now unknown,
A world revealed to her alone!
Enraptured stands the Love-sick Maid,
Suspended o'er the Darling Shade;
Here only fixes to admire,
And centers every fond desire.
| The Poetical Works of Henry Brooke | |