University of Virginia Library

A simple proverb, long, to Rustics, known,
That, “Sad mishaps but seldom come alone,”
Repeated, frequent, with mere monkish phlegm,
At length feels fix'd like holy apophthegm—
This, Crispin, soon, by sore experience knew—
Just then dear Shenstone bade the world adieu!

That Patron, once, with pure intent, essay'd
To court shy Crispin from his native shade,
To stand in social situation placed,
Far more propitious to poetic taste—
In literary circles fix'd, to find
New nourishment to feed his famish'd mind;
And, for his tender Mate, and feeble brood,
A fairer shelter, and much surer food.

He, poor Pedestrian! wander'd on his way,
To proud Augusta, profligately gay!
Not in luxurious Carriage, bosom'd, soft—
Not as a Coachman's comrade, perch'd aloft,
Not on the burden'd summit borne along,
Amidst a merry, rustic, thoughtless throng;
Nor in a tilted town mid motley store,
To loll, at ease a thousand furlongs o'er.
Part of his way some youthful favourites went—
Amused his time, infused some small content—
But when, at length their lingering steps return'd,
With double force his bosom froze and burn'd,
But all the lengthen'd track his footsteps trod,
Without one Friend, but his first Patron—God!
The plan appear'd, from superficial sight,
To proffer competence, and fresh delight;
But on more mature and close inspection show'd,
Tho' new, 'twas Need's, and Misery's, mirey road—
To try his strength in literary skill—
To bend his talents to a Master's Will—
To sacrifice his time, each waking hour,
In dull routine for insufficient Dow'r.
The flight he took, but found it fraught with pain!
He'd left his Mate, repining, on the Plain!
With helpless Younglings, chirping round her nest,
Or fed, like Pelicans, from bleeding breast:
Her absent Partner still her thorny theme,
Which pierc'd her heart, while pouring pungent stream!
What could he do? his bleeding bosom found,
A sharper—deeper—and a wider, wound!
For, ah! he miss'd his Offsprings' pleasing smiles,
Which wont to soften cares, and sweeten toils!
No brood, by tenderness, paternal, bred;
Perch'd on his pinions—twitter'd round his head!
No more his beauteous Consort bless'd his sight,
Made his lov'd bondage dear—his labour light!
He bask'd no more beneath her heavenly eyes,
That kindled griefs, and fears, to hopes, and joys!
Like Nightingale, to city-cage consign'd,
Lost love made solitary! absence, blind!
With myriads mix'd no integer enjoy'd,
For all Sense offer'd, Sorrow still destroy'd!
His minish'd will and mutilated wing,
Depriv'd his heart of pow'r, and wish, to sing;
Like the fond Turtle, banish'd from his Mate,
He felt, and mourn'd, his miserable fate!
Unblest! no billing, cooeing, Consort near,
To calm deep groans or draw out cooling tear!
But, like a House in flames, his fierce desires,
Consum'd his Soul with still intenser fires;
While fann'd and nourish'd with incessant sigh,
All Friends far distant—fountains all run dry;
For when, like sighs, the breezey gales begin
To breathe without, they feed the fires within;
But when the engines' watery fountains play,
The flame's soon conquer'd, and the fires decay:
Such is the sorrow when the eye-lids flow,
And sympathetic Friendship shares the woe—
Sighs quickly cease—soon moping misery's o'er;
And soon each painful passion's felt no more!

Smit with a Lover's—Husband's—Father's, smart,
All pangs, combin'd, that plague both head and heart;
He sought from such unmingled griefs to fly,
And hasten back to Penury, Peace, and Joy;
Where all his wretchedness would sink to rest,
Lull'd on the eider-down of Daphne's breast.
Tho' novel prospects offer'd objects new,
Which might have charm'd an undivided view,
'Twas trouble to His faithful, friendly, Mind,
Who'd left the idols of his heart behind!
Its labours large, its profits far too small,
To satisfy fond Nature's common call;
Much less the fairer fruits of Life afford,
Lov'd leisure, comelier cloaths, and better board;
Or offering hopes, that, any future hour,
Might place enjoyment more in Daphne's pow'r,
But all forboded loss of present peace;
Intenser toils, and anxious cares increase!