The Canons of Criticism and Glossary Being A Supplement to Mr. Warburton's Edition of Shakespear ... The Sixth Edition, with Additions [with] The Trial of the Letter y, alias Y, and Sonnets [by Thomas Edwards] |
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 | The Canons of Criticism and Glossary |  |
305
To the most Honorable the Lady Marchioness Grey.
SONNET XXV. The Hermitage at TURRICK to the Root-House at WREST.
The Beechen Roots of wood-clad Buckingham
To Bedford Elms, their courteous breth'ren, send
Health and kind greeting, as from friend to friend,
And gladly join to celebrate their fame;
To Bedford Elms, their courteous breth'ren, send
Health and kind greeting, as from friend to friend,
And gladly join to celebrate their fame;
Beyond all roots above ground we proclame
You happiest, destin'd all your days to spend
In Wrests fair groves, and Graia to defend
From Eurus' blasts, and Phœbus sultry flame;
You happiest, destin'd all your days to spend
In Wrests fair groves, and Graia to defend
From Eurus' blasts, and Phœbus sultry flame;
High Privilege to you, though dead, accorded,
Which every living tree with envy views!
We envy not, but pray for your stability;
Proud, that ourselves by Graia are regarded,
At her command we not the fire refuse,
But chearful blaze and burn with Affability
Which every living tree with envy views!
We envy not, but pray for your stability;
Proud, that ourselves by Graia are regarded,
At her command we not the fire refuse,
But chearful blaze and burn with Affability
306
SONNET XXVI. On the Edition of Mr. Pope 's Works with a Commentary and Notes.
In evil hour did Pope's declining age,
Deceiv'd and dazzled by the tinsel shew
Of wordy science and the nauseous flow
Of mean officious flatteries, engage
Deceiv'd and dazzled by the tinsel shew
Of wordy science and the nauseous flow
Of mean officious flatteries, engage
Thy venal quill to deck his labor'd page
With ribbald nonsense, and permit to strew,
Amidst his flowers, the baleful weeds, that grow
In th' unbless'd soil of rude and rancorous rage.
With ribbald nonsense, and permit to strew,
Amidst his flowers, the baleful weeds, that grow
In th' unbless'd soil of rude and rancorous rage.
Yet this the avenging Muse ordained so,
When, by his counsil or weak sufferance,
To thee were trusted Shakespear's Fame and Fate:
She doom'd him down the stream of time to tow
Thy soul, dirt-loaded hulk, or sink perchance,
Dragg'd to oblivion by the foundering weight.
When, by his counsil or weak sufferance,
To thee were trusted Shakespear's Fame and Fate:
She doom'd him down the stream of time to tow
Thy soul, dirt-loaded hulk, or sink perchance,
Dragg'd to oblivion by the foundering weight.
307
SONNET XXVII.
To Mr. Wilson Williams.
Friend of my Youth, Companion of my Age,
Who saw'st my rising, seest my setting sun,
And know'st how fast the trembling minutes run;
Which lead me to this life's extremest stage,
Who saw'st my rising, seest my setting sun,
And know'st how fast the trembling minutes run;
Which lead me to this life's extremest stage,
Great is the power of Med'cine to asswage
Those pains, which Nature gives us not to shun,
And much divine Philosophy has done,
To teach us decently to bear their rage;
Those pains, which Nature gives us not to shun,
And much divine Philosophy has done,
To teach us decently to bear their rage;
But there's a Balm, which Art nor Nature knows,
A Topic, by Philosophy ne'er taught,
Which sheaths th' acutest pains, and bids us smile
At Age, at Sickness, and all earthly woes;
A Conscience free from ill; a mind well fraught
With Faith in Him, who will reward our toil.
A Topic, by Philosophy ne'er taught,
Which sheaths th' acutest pains, and bids us smile
At Age, at Sickness, and all earthly woes;
A Conscience free from ill; a mind well fraught
With Faith in Him, who will reward our toil.
308
SONNET XXVIII.
To George Onslow, Esq;
Good Son of the best Father, whose wise lore
And great example join thy breast to warm
With generous emulation to perform
That arduous task, which He has set before,
And great example join thy breast to warm
With generous emulation to perform
That arduous task, which He has set before,
Mine own George Onslow, oft reflect that more
From thee the world expects, than from the swarm
Of gay, mistutored youths, who ne'er the charm
Of Virtue hear, nor wait at Wisdom's door:
From thee the world expects, than from the swarm
Of gay, mistutored youths, who ne'er the charm
Of Virtue hear, nor wait at Wisdom's door:
View then the pattern with a steadfast eye,
By thy great Ancestors from Sire to Son
With a religious care transmitted down;
Firm to the cause of Truth and Liberty,
In their fair steps the race of Glory run,
Equal their worth, and equal their renown.
By thy great Ancestors from Sire to Son
With a religious care transmitted down;
Firm to the cause of Truth and Liberty,
In their fair steps the race of Glory run,
Equal their worth, and equal their renown.
309
SONNET XXIX.
To W. Heberden, M. D.
O
Heberden, whose salutary care
Has kindly driven me forth the crouded Town
To Turrick, and the lonely Country down,
To breathe from Chiltern Hills a purer air,
Has kindly driven me forth the crouded Town
To Turrick, and the lonely Country down,
To breathe from Chiltern Hills a purer air,
For thousands' sakes may Heaven indulgent spare
Long, long thy useful life, and blessings crown
Thy healing arts, while well deserv'd renown,
With wealth unenvied, waits thy toil and care:
Long, long thy useful life, and blessings crown
Thy healing arts, while well deserv'd renown,
With wealth unenvied, waits thy toil and care:
And when this grateful heart shall beat no more,
(Nor long, I ween, can last my tottering frame,
But soon, with me, this mortal coil shall end)
Do thou, if Calumny again should roar,
Cherish his memory, and protect his fame,
Whom thy true worth has made thy faithful friend.
(Nor long, I ween, can last my tottering frame,
But soon, with me, this mortal coil shall end)
Do thou, if Calumny again should roar,
Cherish his memory, and protect his fame,
Whom thy true worth has made thy faithful friend.
310
SONNET XXX.
To the Reverend Mr. Harvy.
Harvy, dear Kinsman, who in prime of youth
(When Passions rule, or proud Ambition's call
Too oft misleads our heedless steps to fall
From the fair paths of Virtue, Peace, and Truth,)
(When Passions rule, or proud Ambition's call
Too oft misleads our heedless steps to fall
From the fair paths of Virtue, Peace, and Truth,)
For erring Souls touch'd with a generous ruth,
Did'st vow thy service to the God of All;
Anxious to rescue free the captive thrall
From the old Serpent's deadly poisonous tooth;
Did'st vow thy service to the God of All;
Anxious to rescue free the captive thrall
From the old Serpent's deadly poisonous tooth;
Great is the weight, important is the care,
Of that high office which thou made'st thy choice;
Be strong, be faithful therefore to thy best,
Nor pains, nor pray'ers, nor fair example spare;
So thou shalt hear at last that chearing voice,
“Well done, good Servant, enter into rest.”
Of that high office which thou made'st thy choice;
Be strong, be faithful therefore to thy best,
Nor pains, nor pray'ers, nor fair example spare;
So thou shalt hear at last that chearing voice,
“Well done, good Servant, enter into rest.”
311
SONNET XXXI.
To the Reverend Mr. Lawry.
Lawry, whose blissful lot has plac'd thee near
To Wisdom's house, where thou mayst rightly spell
Of the best means in Virtue to excell;
Science, which never can be priz'd too dear:
To Wisdom's house, where thou mayst rightly spell
Of the best means in Virtue to excell;
Science, which never can be priz'd too dear:
Where thy Great Patron, though in life severe,
Is candid and humane, in doing well
Constant and zelous, studious to repell
Evil by good, in word and deed sincere:
Is candid and humane, in doing well
Constant and zelous, studious to repell
Evil by good, in word and deed sincere:
In this fair mirror see thy duty clear,
Practice enforcing what his precepts teach;
This great example study night and day;
If faithful thus thy Christian course thou steer,
Though such perfection thou should'st fail to reach,
Thy generous effort sure rewards will pay.
Practice enforcing what his precepts teach;
This great example study night and day;
If faithful thus thy Christian course thou steer,
Though such perfection thou should'st fail to reach,
Thy generous effort sure rewards will pay.
312
SONNET XXXII.
To the Editor of Mr. Pope's Works.
O born in luckless hour, with every Muse
And every Grace to foe! what wayward fate
Drives thee with fell and unrelenting hate
Each choicest work of Genius to abuse?
And every Grace to foe! what wayward fate
Drives thee with fell and unrelenting hate
Each choicest work of Genius to abuse?
Suffic'd it not with sacrilegious views
Great Shakespear's awful shade to violate:
And His fair Paradise contaminate,
Whom impious Lauder blushes to accuse.
Great Shakespear's awful shade to violate:
And His fair Paradise contaminate,
Whom impious Lauder blushes to accuse.
Must Pope, thy friend, mistaken hapless bard!
(To prove no sprig of laurel e'er can grow
Unblasted by thy venom) must he groan,
Now daub'd with flattery, now by censure scarr'd,
Disguis'd, deform'd, and made the public shew
In motley weeds, and colors not his own?
(To prove no sprig of laurel e'er can grow
Unblasted by thy venom) must he groan,
Now daub'd with flattery, now by censure scarr'd,
Disguis'd, deform'd, and made the public shew
In motley weeds, and colors not his own?
313
SONNET XXXIII.
To the Memory of John Hampden, Esq;
O
Hampden, last of that illustrious line,
Which greatly stood in Liberty's dear cause,
Zelous to vindicate our trampled laws
And rights which Britons never can resign,
Which greatly stood in Liberty's dear cause,
Zelous to vindicate our trampled laws
And rights which Britons never can resign,
From the wild clame of impious Right Divine,
Then when fell Tyranny with harpy claws
Had seiz'd it's prey, and the devouring jaws
Of that seven-headed Monster, at whose shrine
Then when fell Tyranny with harpy claws
Had seiz'd it's prey, and the devouring jaws
Of that seven-headed Monster, at whose shrine
The Nations bow, threaten'd our swift decay;
Neighbor and Friend, farewell—but not with Thee
Shall die the record of thy House's fame;
Thy grateful Country shall it's praise convey
From age to age, and, long as Britain's free,
Britons shall boast in Hampden's glorious name.
Neighbor and Friend, farewell—but not with Thee
Shall die the record of thy House's fame;
Thy grateful Country shall it's praise convey
From age to age, and, long as Britain's free,
Britons shall boast in Hampden's glorious name.
314
SONNET XXXIV.
To Mr. Nathanael Mason.
Nephew, who soon design'st to pass the Sea,
To fix the basis of a useful trade;
With prosperous fortune be thy voyage made,
And safe return to home—if not to me;
To fix the basis of a useful trade;
With prosperous fortune be thy voyage made,
And safe return to home—if not to me;
Let these few precepts thy instructers be,
In distant climes thy friendless youth to aid;
Though interest, fashion, secresy persuade,
Yet keep thy morals pure, and conscience free:
In distant climes thy friendless youth to aid;
Though interest, fashion, secresy persuade,
Yet keep thy morals pure, and conscience free:
In change of Countries God's all-seeing eye
Is every where the same, Virtue and Vice
Change not their nature; therefore be thou ware,
Shun follies haunts, and vicious company,
Least from true goodness they thy steps entice,
And Pleasure coil thee in her dangerous snare.
Is every where the same, Virtue and Vice
Change not their nature; therefore be thou ware,
Shun follies haunts, and vicious company,
Least from true goodness they thy steps entice,
And Pleasure coil thee in her dangerous snare.
315
SONNET XXXV.
To Mr. J. Paice.
Joseph, the worthy Son of worthy Sire,
Who well repay'st thy pious parents care
To train thee in the ways of Virtue fair,
And early with the Love of Truth inspire,
Who well repay'st thy pious parents care
To train thee in the ways of Virtue fair,
And early with the Love of Truth inspire,
What farther can my closing eyes desire
To see, but that by wedlock thou repair
The waste of death; and raise a virtuous heir
To build our House, e'er I in peace retire?
To see, but that by wedlock thou repair
The waste of death; and raise a virtuous heir
To build our House, e'er I in peace retire?
Youth is the time for Love: Then choose a Wife,
With prudence choose; 'tis Nature's genuine voice;
And what she truely dictates must be good;
Neglected once that prime, our remnant life
Is sour'd, or sadden'd, by an ill-tim'd choice,
Or lonely, dull, and friendless solitude.
With prudence choose; 'tis Nature's genuine voice;
And what she truely dictates must be good;
Neglected once that prime, our remnant life
Is sour'd, or sadden'd, by an ill-tim'd choice,
Or lonely, dull, and friendless solitude.
316
SONNET XXXVI.
To the same.
“With prudence choose a Wife”—Be thy first care
Her Virtue, not confin'd to time or place,
Or worn for shew; but on Religion's base
Well-founded, easy, free, and debonair,
Her Virtue, not confin'd to time or place,
Or worn for shew; but on Religion's base
Well-founded, easy, free, and debonair,
Next rose-cheek'd Modesty, beyond compare
The best cosmetic of the Virgin's face;
Neatness, which doubles every female grace;
And Temper mild, thy joys and griefs to share;
The best cosmetic of the Virgin's face;
Neatness, which doubles every female grace;
And Temper mild, thy joys and griefs to share;
Beauty in true proportion rather choose
Than color, fit to grace thy social board,
Chear thy chaste bed, and honest offspring rear;
With these seek Prudence well to guide thy house,
Untainted Birth, and, if thy state afford,
Do not, when such the prize, for Fortune square.
Than color, fit to grace thy social board,
Chear thy chaste bed, and honest offspring rear;
With these seek Prudence well to guide thy house,
Untainted Birth, and, if thy state afford,
Do not, when such the prize, for Fortune square.
317
SONNET XXXVII. On the Death of Miss J. M.
Young, fair, and good! ah why should young and fair
And good be huddled in untimely grave?
Must so sweet flower so brief a period have;
Just bloom and charm, then fade and disappear?
And good be huddled in untimely grave?
Must so sweet flower so brief a period have;
Just bloom and charm, then fade and disappear?
Yet our's the loss, who ill alas can spare
The bright example which thy virtues gave;
The guerdon thine, whom gracious Heav'n did save
From longer trial in this vale of care.
The bright example which thy virtues gave;
The guerdon thine, whom gracious Heav'n did save
From longer trial in this vale of care.
Rest then, sweet Saint, in peace and honor rest,
While our true tears bedew thy maiden herse;
Light lie the earth upon thy lovely breast;
And let a grateful heart with grief oppress'd
To thy dear memory consecrate this verse;
Though all too mean for who deserves the best.
While our true tears bedew thy maiden herse;
Light lie the earth upon thy lovely breast;
And let a grateful heart with grief oppress'd
To thy dear memory consecrate this verse;
Though all too mean for who deserves the best.
318
SONNET XXXVIII.
To---
“Sweet is the Love, that comes with willingness:”
So sings the sweetest Bard that ever sung;
Ten thousand blessings on his tuneful tongue,
Who felt and plain'd true lovers' sore distress!
So sings the sweetest Bard that ever sung;
Ten thousand blessings on his tuneful tongue,
Who felt and plain'd true lovers' sore distress!
Sweet were the joys, which once you did possess,
When on the yielding Fair one's lips you hung;
The sorer now your tender heart is wrung
With sad remembrance of her fickleness:
When on the yielding Fair one's lips you hung;
The sorer now your tender heart is wrung
With sad remembrance of her fickleness:
Yet let not grief and heart-consuming care
Prey on your soul; but let your constant mind
Bear up with strength and manly hardiness;
Your worth may move a more deserving Fair;
And she, that scornful beauty, soon may find,
Sharp are the pangs that follow faithlessness.
Prey on your soul; but let your constant mind
Bear up with strength and manly hardiness;
Your worth may move a more deserving Fair;
And she, that scornful beauty, soon may find,
Sharp are the pangs that follow faithlessness.
319
SONNET XXXIX.
To Richard Roderick, Esq;
Equally skilful or the Lyric string
To touch, and laugh in many a jocund lay,
Or against vice to rise with bold assay,
And Satire's burning brond with art to fling;
To touch, and laugh in many a jocund lay,
Or against vice to rise with bold assay,
And Satire's burning brond with art to fling;
Roderick, why sleeps the Muse, while jolly spring
In frolic dance leads-up the blooming May,
And the sweet Nightingales on every spray
Take the ear prisoner with their carolling?
In frolic dance leads-up the blooming May,
And the sweet Nightingales on every spray
Take the ear prisoner with their carolling?
Or, if thy verse a higher theme demand,
Mark the Mock-patriot, deck'd in proud array
Of borrow'd virtues, which his soul ne'er knew,
Scattering fell poison through the cheated land;
And, while to private power he paves his way,
Dazzling with public good the blinded crew.
Mark the Mock-patriot, deck'd in proud array
Of borrow'd virtues, which his soul ne'er knew,
Scattering fell poison through the cheated land;
And, while to private power he paves his way,
Dazzling with public good the blinded crew.
320
SONNET XL.
To Shakespear.
Shakespear, whose heart-felt scenes shall ever give
Instructive pleasure to the listening age;
And shine unrival'd on the British stage
By native worth and high prerogative;
Instructive pleasure to the listening age;
And shine unrival'd on the British stage
By native worth and high prerogative;
When full of fame Thou did'st retire to live
In studious leisure, had thy judgment sage
Clear'd-off the rubbish cast on thy fair page
By Players or ignorant or forgetive —
In studious leisure, had thy judgment sage
Clear'd-off the rubbish cast on thy fair page
By Players or ignorant or forgetive —
O what a sea of idly squander'd ink,
What heaps of notes by blundering critics penn'd
[The dreams of ignorance in wisdom's guise]
Had then been spar'd! nor Knapton then, I think,
And honest Draper had been forc'd to send
Their dear-bought rheams to cover plums and spice.
What heaps of notes by blundering critics penn'd
[The dreams of ignorance in wisdom's guise]
Had then been spar'd! nor Knapton then, I think,
And honest Draper had been forc'd to send
Their dear-bought rheams to cover plums and spice.
321
SONNET XLI.
To the Rev. Mr.
Shaw, Rector of Beirton.
O friend, in sad affliction's useful school
Long train'd and tutor'd, hard to humane sense,
And dark appear th' awards of Providence,
Though Truth and Goodness be their constant rule;
Long train'd and tutor'd, hard to humane sense,
And dark appear th' awards of Providence,
Though Truth and Goodness be their constant rule;
The word of Truth has said, and reason cool
Subscribes, that wise and kind Omnipotence
Does oft the bitter cup in love dispense;
While draughts of pleasure lull the prosperous fool:
Subscribes, that wise and kind Omnipotence
Does oft the bitter cup in love dispense;
While draughts of pleasure lull the prosperous fool:
Omniscience knows, and Goodness will bestow,
What's rightest, fittest, best; let humble man
With faith and patience bow submissive down,
Secure, that God delights not in our woe;
And, when we have measure'd out this life's short span,
If sore the trial, bright will be the crown.
What's rightest, fittest, best; let humble man
With faith and patience bow submissive down,
Secure, that God delights not in our woe;
And, when we have measure'd out this life's short span,
If sore the trial, bright will be the crown.
322
SONNET XLII.
To Miss ---
Sweet are the charms of shamefac'd Modesty,
When, coyly shy of well deserv'd applause,
She veils her blushing cheek, and meek withdraws
From general notice and the public eye;
When, coyly shy of well deserv'd applause,
She veils her blushing cheek, and meek withdraws
From general notice and the public eye;
But therefore shall exalted worth still lie
Lost in oblivion? This the sacred laws
Of Justice, the regard to Virtue's cause,
And honor of the lovely Sex deny;
Lost in oblivion? This the sacred laws
Of Justice, the regard to Virtue's cause,
And honor of the lovely Sex deny;
Wherefore are giv'n the Muse-inspired lays,
The Poet's lofty song, but to rehearse
The fair deserts of past or present days,
And bashful merit's doubting eye to raise?
Ill he deserves the powers of tuneful verse,
Who can see Virtue, and forbear to praise.
The Poet's lofty song, but to rehearse
The fair deserts of past or present days,
And bashful merit's doubting eye to raise?
Ill he deserves the powers of tuneful verse,
Who can see Virtue, and forbear to praise.
323
SONNET XLIII.
My gracious God, whose kind conducting hand
Has steer'd me through this Life's tumultuous sea,
From many a rock, and many a tempest free,
Which prudence could not shun, nor strength withstand,
Has steer'd me through this Life's tumultuous sea,
From many a rock, and many a tempest free,
Which prudence could not shun, nor strength withstand,
And brought at length almost in sight of land,
That quiet haven where I long to be,
Only the streights of Death betwixt, which we
Are doom'd to pass, e'er reach the heav'nly strand;
That quiet haven where I long to be,
Only the streights of Death betwixt, which we
Are doom'd to pass, e'er reach the heav'nly strand;
Be this short passage boisterous, rough, and rude,
Or smooth, and calm—Father, thy Will be done—
Support me only in the troublous stour;
My sins all pardon'd through my Saviour's blood,
Let Faith, and Hope, and Patience still hold on
Unshaken, and Joy crown my latest hour!
Or smooth, and calm—Father, thy Will be done—
Support me only in the troublous stour;
My sins all pardon'd through my Saviour's blood,
Let Faith, and Hope, and Patience still hold on
Unshaken, and Joy crown my latest hour!
324
SONNET XLIV.
To Matthew Barnard
.
Matthew, whose skilful hand and well-worn spade
Shall soon be call'd to make the humble bed,
Where I at last shall rest my weary head,
And form'd of dust again in dust be laid;
Shall soon be call'd to make the humble bed,
Where I at last shall rest my weary head,
And form'd of dust again in dust be laid;
Near, but not in the Church of God, be made
My clay-cold cell, and near the common tread
Of passing friends; when number'd with the dead,
We're equal all, and vain distinctions fade:
My clay-cold cell, and near the common tread
Of passing friends; when number'd with the dead,
We're equal all, and vain distinctions fade:
The cowslip, violet, or the pale primrose
Perhaps may chance to deck the verdant sweard;
Which twisted briar or hasle-bands entwine;
Symbols of life's soon fading glories those—
Do thou the monumental hillock guard
From trampling cattle, and the routing swine.
Perhaps may chance to deck the verdant sweard;
Which twisted briar or hasle-bands entwine;
Symbols of life's soon fading glories those—
Do thou the monumental hillock guard
From trampling cattle, and the routing swine.
325
SONNET XLV.
To the Right Honorable Mr.
Onslow, with the
Collection of SONNETS.
Thou, who successive in that honor'd Seat
Presid'st, the feuds of jarring Chiefs to 'swage,
To check the boisterous force of Party rage,
Raise modest worth, and guide the high debate;
Presid'st, the feuds of jarring Chiefs to 'swage,
To check the boisterous force of Party rage,
Raise modest worth, and guide the high debate;
Sometimes retiring from the toils of State,
Thou turn'st th' instructive Greek or Roman page,
Or what our British Bards of later age
In scarce inferior numbers can relate:
Thou turn'st th' instructive Greek or Roman page,
Or what our British Bards of later age
In scarce inferior numbers can relate:
Amid this feast of mind, when “Fancie's Child,”
Sweet Shakespear, raps the Soul to virtuous deed,
When Spenser warbling tunes his Doric lays,
Or the first Man from Paradise exil'd
Great Milton sings; can aught my rustic reed
Presume to sound, that may deserve thy praise?
Sweet Shakespear, raps the Soul to virtuous deed,
When Spenser warbling tunes his Doric lays,
Or the first Man from Paradise exil'd
Great Milton sings; can aught my rustic reed
Presume to sound, that may deserve thy praise?
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