The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq In two volumes. With Decorations. The fourth edition |
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| The Progress of TASTE.
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 | The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq |  |
251
The Progress of TASTE.
OR, The Fate of DELICACY. A POEM on the Temper and Studies of the Author; and how great a Misfortune it is, for a Man of small Estate to have much Taste.
1. PART the FIRST.
Perhaps some cloud eclips'd the day,
When thus I tun'd my pensive lay.
“The ship is launch'd—we catch the gale—
On life's extended ocean sail:
For happiness our course we bend,
Our ardent cry, our general end!
Yet ah! the scenes which tempt our care
Are like the forms dispers'd in air,
Still dancing near disorder'd eyes;
And weakest his, who best descries!
When thus I tun'd my pensive lay.
“The ship is launch'd—we catch the gale—
On life's extended ocean sail:
For happiness our course we bend,
Our ardent cry, our general end!
Yet ah! the scenes which tempt our care
Are like the forms dispers'd in air,
Still dancing near disorder'd eyes;
And weakest his, who best descries!
Yet let me not my birth-right barter,
(For wishing is the poet's charter;
All bards have leave to wish what's wanted,
Tho' few e'er found their wishes granted;
Extensive field! where poets pride them
In singing all that is deny'd them.)
(For wishing is the poet's charter;
All bards have leave to wish what's wanted,
Tho' few e'er found their wishes granted;
Extensive field! where poets pride them
In singing all that is deny'd them.)
For humble ease, ye pow'rs! I pray;
That plain warm suit for ev'ry day!
And pleasure, and brocade, bestow;
To flaunt it—once a month, or so.
The first for constant wear we want;
The first, ye pow'rs! for ever grant!
But constant wear the last bespatters,
And turns the tissue into tatters.
That plain warm suit for ev'ry day!
And pleasure, and brocade, bestow;
To flaunt it—once a month, or so.
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The first, ye pow'rs! for ever grant!
But constant wear the last bespatters,
And turns the tissue into tatters.
Where'er my vagrant course I bend,
Let me secure one faithful friend.
Let me, in public scenes, request
A friend of wit and taste, well dress'd:
And, if I must not hope such favour,
A friend of wit and taste, however.
Let me secure one faithful friend.
Let me, in public scenes, request
A friend of wit and taste, well dress'd:
And, if I must not hope such favour,
A friend of wit and taste, however.
Alas! that wisdom ever shuns
To congregate her scatter'd sons;
Whose nervous forces well combin'd,
Would win the field, and sway mankind.
The fool will squeeze, from morn to night,
To fix his follies full in sight;
The note he strikes, the plume he shows,
Attract whole flights of fops and beaux;
And kindred-fools, who ne'er had known him,
Flock at the sight; caress, and own him,
But ill-star'd sense, nor gay nor loud,
Steals soft on tip-toe, thro' the crowd:
Conveys his meagre form between;
And slides like pervious air, unseen:
Contracts his known tenuity,
As though 'twere ev'n a crime, to be;
Nor ev'n permits his eyes to stray,
And win acquaintance in their way.
To congregate her scatter'd sons;
Whose nervous forces well combin'd,
Would win the field, and sway mankind.
The fool will squeeze, from morn to night,
To fix his follies full in sight;
The note he strikes, the plume he shows,
Attract whole flights of fops and beaux;
And kindred-fools, who ne'er had known him,
Flock at the sight; caress, and own him,
But ill-star'd sense, nor gay nor loud,
Steals soft on tip-toe, thro' the crowd:
Conveys his meagre form between;
And slides like pervious air, unseen:
Contracts his known tenuity,
As though 'twere ev'n a crime, to be;
Nor ev'n permits his eyes to stray,
And win acquaintance in their way.
In company, so mean his air,
You scarce are conscious he is there:
'Till from some nook, like sharpen'd steel,
Occurs his face's thin profile.
Still seeming, from the gazer's eye,
Like Venus, newly bath'd, to fly.
Yet while reluctant he displays
His real gems before the blaze,
The fool hath, in its center, plac'd
His tawdry stock of painted paste.
Disus'd to speak, he tries his skill;
Speaks coldly, and succeeds but ill;
His pensive manner, dulness deem'd;
His modesty, reserve esteem'd;
His wit unknown, his learning vain,
He wins not one of all the train.
And those who, mutually known,
In friendship's fairest list had shone,
Less prone, than pebbles, to unite,
Retire to shades from public sight;
Grow savage, quit their social nature;
And starve, to study mutual satire.
You scarce are conscious he is there:
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Occurs his face's thin profile.
Still seeming, from the gazer's eye,
Like Venus, newly bath'd, to fly.
Yet while reluctant he displays
His real gems before the blaze,
The fool hath, in its center, plac'd
His tawdry stock of painted paste.
Disus'd to speak, he tries his skill;
Speaks coldly, and succeeds but ill;
His pensive manner, dulness deem'd;
His modesty, reserve esteem'd;
His wit unknown, his learning vain,
He wins not one of all the train.
And those who, mutually known,
In friendship's fairest list had shone,
Less prone, than pebbles, to unite,
Retire to shades from public sight;
Grow savage, quit their social nature;
And starve, to study mutual satire.
But friends, and fav'rites, to chagrin them,
Find counties, countries, seas, between them:
Meet once a year, then part, and then
Retiring, wish to meet again.
Find counties, countries, seas, between them:
Meet once a year, then part, and then
Retiring, wish to meet again.
Sick of the thought, let me provide
Some human form to grace my side;
At hand, where'er I shape my course;
An useful, pliant, stalking-horse!
Some human form to grace my side;
At hand, where'er I shape my course;
An useful, pliant, stalking-horse!
No gesture free from some grimace;
No seam, without its share of lace;
But, mark'd with gold or silver either;
Hint where his coat was piec'd together.
His legs be lengthen'd, I advise,
And stockings roll'd abridge his thighs.
What tho' Vandyck had other rules,
What had Vandyck to do with fools?
Be nothing wanting, but his mind;
Before, a solitare; behind,
A twisted ribbon, like the track
Which nature gives an ass's back.
Silent as midnight! pity 'twere
His wisdom's slender wealth to share!
And, whilst in flocks our fancies stray,
To wish the poor man's lamb away.
No seam, without its share of lace;
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Hint where his coat was piec'd together.
His legs be lengthen'd, I advise,
And stockings roll'd abridge his thighs.
What tho' Vandyck had other rules,
What had Vandyck to do with fools?
Be nothing wanting, but his mind;
Before, a solitare; behind,
A twisted ribbon, like the track
Which nature gives an ass's back.
Silent as midnight! pity 'twere
His wisdom's slender wealth to share!
And, whilst in flocks our fancies stray,
To wish the poor man's lamb away.
This form attracting ev'ry eye,
I strole all unregarded by:
This wards the jokes of ev'ry kind,
As an umbrella sun or wind;
Or, like a spunge, absorbs the sallies,
And pestilential fumes of malice;
Or like a splendid shield is fit
To screen the templar's random wit;
Or what some gentler cits lets fall,
As wool-packs quash the leaden ball.
I strole all unregarded by:
This wards the jokes of ev'ry kind,
As an umbrella sun or wind;
Or, like a spunge, absorbs the sallies,
And pestilential fumes of malice;
Or like a splendid shield is fit
To screen the templar's random wit;
Or what some gentler cits lets fall,
As wool-packs quash the leaden ball.
Allusions these of weaker force,
And apter still the stalking-horse!
And apter still the stalking-horse!
O let me wander all unseen,
Beneath the sanction of his mien!
As lilies soft, as roses fair!
Empty as air-pumps drain'd of air!
With steady eye and pace remark
The speckled flock that haunts the park ;
Level my pen with wond'rous heed
At follies, flocking there to feed:
And, as my satire bursts amain,
See, feather'd fopp'ry strew the plain.
Beneath the sanction of his mien!
As lilies soft, as roses fair!
Empty as air-pumps drain'd of air!
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The speckled flock that haunts the park ;
Level my pen with wond'rous heed
At follies, flocking there to feed:
And, as my satire bursts amain,
See, feather'd fopp'ry strew the plain.
But when I seek my rural grove,
And snare the peaceful haunts I love,
Let none of this unhallow'd train
My sweet sequester'd paths profane.
Oft may some polish'd virtuous friend
To these soft-winding vales descend;
And, love with me inglorious things,
And scorn with me the pomp of kings:
And check me, when my bosom burns
For statues, paintings, coins and urns.
For I in Damon's pray'r cou'd join,
And Damon's wish might now be mine—
But all dispers'd! the wish, the pray'r,
Are driv'n to mix with common air.
And snare the peaceful haunts I love,
Let none of this unhallow'd train
My sweet sequester'd paths profane.
Oft may some polish'd virtuous friend
To these soft-winding vales descend;
And, love with me inglorious things,
And scorn with me the pomp of kings:
And check me, when my bosom burns
For statues, paintings, coins and urns.
For I in Damon's pray'r cou'd join,
And Damon's wish might now be mine—
But all dispers'd! the wish, the pray'r,
Are driv'n to mix with common air.
2. PART the SECOND.
How happy once was Damon's lot,
While yet romantic schemes were not!
Ere yet he sent his weakly eyes,
To plan frail castles in the skies;
Forsaking pleasures cheap and common,
To court a blaze, still flitting from one.
While yet romantic schemes were not!
Ere yet he sent his weakly eyes,
To plan frail castles in the skies;
Forsaking pleasures cheap and common,
To court a blaze, still flitting from one.
Ah happy Damon! thrice and more,
Had taste n'er touch'd thy tranquil shore.
Had taste n'er touch'd thy tranquil shore.
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Oh days! when to a girdle ty'd
The couples jingled at his side;
And Damon swore he would not barter
The sportsman's girdle, for a garter!
The couples jingled at his side;
And Damon swore he would not barter
The sportsman's girdle, for a garter!
Whoever came to kill an hour,
Found easy Damon in their pow'r;
Pure social nature all his guide,
“Damon had not a grain of pride.”
Found easy Damon in their pow'r;
Pure social nature all his guide,
“Damon had not a grain of pride.”
He wish'd not to elude the snares
Which knav'ry plans, and craft prepares;
But rather wealth to crown their wiles;
And win their universal smiles:
For who are chearful, who at ease,
But they who cheat us as they please?
Which knav'ry plans, and craft prepares;
But rather wealth to crown their wiles;
And win their universal smiles:
For who are chearful, who at ease,
But they who cheat us as they please?
He wink'd at many a gross design,
The new-fall'n calf might countermine:
Thus ev'ry fool allow'd his merit;
“Yes! Damon had a gen'rous spirit!”
The new-fall'n calf might countermine:
Thus ev'ry fool allow'd his merit;
“Yes! Damon had a gen'rous spirit!”
A coxcomb's jest, however vile,
Was sure, at least, of Damon's smile:
That coxcomb ne'er deny'd him sense;
For why? it prov'd his own pretence:
All own'd, were modesty away,
Damon cou'd shine as much as they.
Was sure, at least, of Damon's smile:
That coxcomb ne'er deny'd him sense;
For why? it prov'd his own pretence:
All own'd, were modesty away,
Damon cou'd shine as much as they.
When wine and folly came in season,
Damon ne'er strove to save his reason;
Obnoxious to the mad uproar:
A spy upon a hostile shore!
'Twas this his company endear'd:
Mirth never came till he appear'd:
His lodgings—ev'ry draw'r cou'd shew 'em;
The slave was kick'd, who did not know 'em.
Damon ne'er strove to save his reason;
Obnoxious to the mad uproar:
A spy upon a hostile shore!
'Twas this his company endear'd:
Mirth never came till he appear'd:
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The slave was kick'd, who did not know 'em.
Thus Damon, studious of his ease,
And pleasing all, whom mirth cou'd please;
Defy'd the world, like idle Colley,
To shew a softer word than folly.
Since wisdom's gorgon-shield was known
To stare the gazer into stone;
He chose to trust in folly's charm,
To keep his breast alive and warm.
And pleasing all, whom mirth cou'd please;
Defy'd the world, like idle Colley,
To shew a softer word than folly.
Since wisdom's gorgon-shield was known
To stare the gazer into stone;
He chose to trust in folly's charm,
To keep his breast alive and warm.
At length grave learning's sober train
Remark'd the trifler with disdain;
The sons of taste contemn'd his ways,
And rank'd him with the brutes that graze:
While they to nobler heights aspir'd,
And grew belov'd, esteem'd, admir'd.
Remark'd the trifler with disdain;
The sons of taste contemn'd his ways,
And rank'd him with the brutes that graze:
While they to nobler heights aspir'd,
And grew belov'd, esteem'd, admir'd.
Hence with our youth, not void of spirit,
His old companions lost their merit:
And ev'ry kind well-natur'd sot
Seem'd a dull play, without a plot;
Where ev'ry yawning guest agrees,
The willing creature strives to please:
But temper never could amuse;
It barely led us to excuse;
'Twas true, conversing they aver'd,
All they had seen, or felt or heard:
Talents of weight! for wights like these,
The law might chuse for witnesses:
But sure th'attesting dry narration
Ill suits a judge of conversation.
His old companions lost their merit:
And ev'ry kind well-natur'd sot
Seem'd a dull play, without a plot;
Where ev'ry yawning guest agrees,
The willing creature strives to please:
But temper never could amuse;
It barely led us to excuse;
'Twas true, conversing they aver'd,
All they had seen, or felt or heard:
Talents of weight! for wights like these,
The law might chuse for witnesses:
But sure th'attesting dry narration
Ill suits a judge of conversation.
258
What were their freedoms? mere excuses
To vent ill manners, blows and bruises.
Yet freedom, gallant freedom! hailing,
At form, at form, incessant railing,
Would they examine each offence,
Its latent cause, its known pretence,
Punctilio ne'er was known to breed 'em,
So sure as fond prolific freedom.
Their courage? but a loaded gun;
Machine the wise wou'd wish to shun;
Its guard unsafe, its lock an ill one,
Where accident might fire and kill one.
To vent ill manners, blows and bruises.
Yet freedom, gallant freedom! hailing,
At form, at form, incessant railing,
Would they examine each offence,
Its latent cause, its known pretence,
Punctilio ne'er was known to breed 'em,
So sure as fond prolific freedom.
Their courage? but a loaded gun;
Machine the wise wou'd wish to shun;
Its guard unsafe, its lock an ill one,
Where accident might fire and kill one.
In short, disgusted out of measure,
Thro' much contempt, and slender pleasure,
His sense of dignity returns;
With native pride his bosom burns;
He seeks respect—but how to gain it?
Wit, social mirth, cou'd ne'er obtain it:
And laughter, where it reigns uncheck'd,
Discards and dissipates respect.
The man who gravely bows, enjoys it;
But shaking hands, at once, destroys it.
Precarious plant, which, fresh and gay,
Shrinks at the touch, and fades away!
Thro' much contempt, and slender pleasure,
His sense of dignity returns;
With native pride his bosom burns;
He seeks respect—but how to gain it?
Wit, social mirth, cou'd ne'er obtain it:
And laughter, where it reigns uncheck'd,
Discards and dissipates respect.
The man who gravely bows, enjoys it;
But shaking hands, at once, destroys it.
Precarious plant, which, fresh and gay,
Shrinks at the touch, and fades away!
Come then, reserve! yet from thy train
Banish contempt, and curst disdain.
Teach me, he cry'd, thy magic art
To act the decent distant part:
To husband well my complaisance,
Nor let ev'n wit too far advance;
But chuse calm reason for my theme,
In these her royal realms supreme;
And o'er her charms, with caution shewn,
Be still a graceful umbrage thrown;
And each abrupter period crown'd,
With nods, and winks, and smiles profound,
'Till rescu'd from the crowd beneath,
No more with pain to move or breathe,
I rise with head elate, to share
Salubrious draughts of purer air.
Respect is won by grave pretence
And silence, surer ev'n than sense—
Banish contempt, and curst disdain.
Teach me, he cry'd, thy magic art
To act the decent distant part:
To husband well my complaisance,
Nor let ev'n wit too far advance;
259
In these her royal realms supreme;
And o'er her charms, with caution shewn,
Be still a graceful umbrage thrown;
And each abrupter period crown'd,
With nods, and winks, and smiles profound,
'Till rescu'd from the crowd beneath,
No more with pain to move or breathe,
I rise with head elate, to share
Salubrious draughts of purer air.
Respect is won by grave pretence
And silence, surer ev'n than sense—
'Tis hence the sacred grandeur springs
Of Eastern—and of other kings,
Or whence this awe to virtue due,
While virtue's distant a Peru?
The sheathless sword the guard displays,
Which round emits its dazzling rays:
The stately fort, the turrets tall,
Portcullis'd gate, and battled wall,
Less screens the body, than controuls,
And wards contempt from royal souls.
Of Eastern—and of other kings,
Or whence this awe to virtue due,
While virtue's distant a Peru?
The sheathless sword the guard displays,
Which round emits its dazzling rays:
The stately fort, the turrets tall,
Portcullis'd gate, and battled wall,
Less screens the body, than controuls,
And wards contempt from royal souls.
The crowns they wear but check the eye,
Before it fondly pierce too nigh;
That dazzled crowds may be employ'd
Around the surface of—the void.
O! 'tis the statesman's craft profound
To scatter his amusements round;
To tempt us from their conscious breast,
Where full-fledg'd crimes enjoy their nest.
Nor awes us every worth reveal'd
So deeply, as each vice conceal'd.
Before it fondly pierce too nigh;
That dazzled crowds may be employ'd
Around the surface of—the void.
O! 'tis the statesman's craft profound
To scatter his amusements round;
To tempt us from their conscious breast,
Where full-fledg'd crimes enjoy their nest.
260
So deeply, as each vice conceal'd.
The lordly log, dispatch'd of yore,
That the frog people might adore,
With guards to keep them at a distance,
Had reign'd, nor wanted wit's assistance:
Nay—had addresses from his nation,
In praise of log-administration.
That the frog people might adore,
With guards to keep them at a distance,
Had reign'd, nor wanted wit's assistance:
Nay—had addresses from his nation,
In praise of log-administration.
3. PART the THIRD.
The buoyant fires of youth were o'er,
And fame and finery pleas'd no more;
Productive of that gen'ral stare,
Which cool reflection ill can bear!
And, crowds commencing mere vexation,
Retirement sent its invitation.
And fame and finery pleas'd no more;
Productive of that gen'ral stare,
Which cool reflection ill can bear!
And, crowds commencing mere vexation,
Retirement sent its invitation.
Romantic scenes of pendent hills,
And verdant vales, and falling rills,
And mossy banks the fields adorn,
Where Damon, simple swain, was born.
And verdant vales, and falling rills,
And mossy banks the fields adorn,
Where Damon, simple swain, was born.
The dryads rear'd a shady grove;
Where such as think, and such as love,
May safely sigh their summer's day;
Or muse their silent hours away.
Where such as think, and such as love,
May safely sigh their summer's day;
Or muse their silent hours away.
The oreads lik'd the climate well;
And taught the level plain to swell
In verdant mounds, from whence the eye
Might all their larger works descry.
And taught the level plain to swell
In verdant mounds, from whence the eye
Might all their larger works descry.
The naiads pour'd their urns around,
From nodding rocks o'er vales profound.
They form'd their streams to please the view,
And bade them wind, as serpents do:
And having shewn them where to stray,
Threw little pebbles in their way.
From nodding rocks o'er vales profound.
261
And bade them wind, as serpents do:
And having shewn them where to stray,
Threw little pebbles in their way.
These fancy, all-sagacious maid,
Had at their several tasks survey'd:
She saw and smil'd; and oft would lead
Our Damon's foot o'er hill and mead;
There, with descriptive finger, trace
The genuine beauties of the place;
And when she all its charms had shewn,
Prescribe improvements of her own.
Had at their several tasks survey'd:
She saw and smil'd; and oft would lead
Our Damon's foot o'er hill and mead;
There, with descriptive finger, trace
The genuine beauties of the place;
And when she all its charms had shewn,
Prescribe improvements of her own.
“See yonder hill, so green, so round,
Its brow with ambient beeches crown'd!
'Twould well become thy gentle care
To raise a dome to Venus there:
Pleas'd would the nymphs thy zeal survey;
And Venus, in their arms, repay.
'Twas such a shade, and such a nook,
In such a vale, near such a brook;
From such a rocky fragment springing;
That fam'd Apollo chose, to sing in.
There let an altar wrought with art
Engage thy tuneful patron's heart.
How charming there to muse and warble
Beneath his bust of breathing marble!
With laurel wreath and mimic lyre,
That crown a poet's vast desire.
Then, near it, scoop the vaulted cell
Where music's charming maids may dwell;
Prone to indulge thy tender passion,
And make thee many an assignation.
Deep in the grove's obscure retreat
Be plac'd Minerva's sacred seat;
There let her awful turrets rise,
(For wisdom flies from vulgar eyes:)
There her calm dictates shalt thou hear
Distinctly strike thy list'ning ear:
And who wou'd shun the pleasing labour,
To have Minerva for his neighbour?”
Its brow with ambient beeches crown'd!
'Twould well become thy gentle care
To raise a dome to Venus there:
Pleas'd would the nymphs thy zeal survey;
And Venus, in their arms, repay.
'Twas such a shade, and such a nook,
In such a vale, near such a brook;
From such a rocky fragment springing;
That fam'd Apollo chose, to sing in.
There let an altar wrought with art
Engage thy tuneful patron's heart.
How charming there to muse and warble
Beneath his bust of breathing marble!
With laurel wreath and mimic lyre,
That crown a poet's vast desire.
Then, near it, scoop the vaulted cell
Where music's charming maids may dwell;
262
And make thee many an assignation.
Deep in the grove's obscure retreat
Be plac'd Minerva's sacred seat;
There let her awful turrets rise,
(For wisdom flies from vulgar eyes:)
There her calm dictates shalt thou hear
Distinctly strike thy list'ning ear:
And who wou'd shun the pleasing labour,
To have Minerva for his neighbour?”
In short, so charm'd each wild suggestion,
Its truth was little call'd in question:
And Damon dreamt he saw the Fauns,
And Nymphs, distinctly, skim the lawns;
Now trac'd amid the trees, and then
Lost in the circling shades again.
With leer oblique their lover viewing—
And Cupid panting—and pursuing—
Fancy, enchanting fair, he cry'd,
Be thou my goddess! thou my guide!
For thy bright visions I despise
What foes may think, or friends advise.
The feign'd concern, when folks survey
Expence, time, study cast away;
The real spleen, with which they see:
I please my self, and follow thee.
Its truth was little call'd in question:
And Damon dreamt he saw the Fauns,
And Nymphs, distinctly, skim the lawns;
Now trac'd amid the trees, and then
Lost in the circling shades again.
With leer oblique their lover viewing—
And Cupid panting—and pursuing—
Fancy, enchanting fair, he cry'd,
Be thou my goddess! thou my guide!
For thy bright visions I despise
What foes may think, or friends advise.
The feign'd concern, when folks survey
Expence, time, study cast away;
The real spleen, with which they see:
I please my self, and follow thee.
Thus glow'd his breast by fancy warm'd;
And thus the fairy landskip charm'd.
But most he hop'd his constant care
Might win the favour of the fair;
And, wand'ring late thro' yonder glade,
He thus the soft design betray'd.
And thus the fairy landskip charm'd.
But most he hop'd his constant care
Might win the favour of the fair;
263
He thus the soft design betray'd.
“Ye doves! for whom I rear'd the grove,
With melting lays salute my love!
My Delia with your notes detain,
Or I have rear'd the grove in vain!
Ye flow'rs! which early spring supplies,
Display at once your brightest dyes!
That she your op'ning charms may see?
Or what were else your charms to me?
Kind zephyr! brush each fragrant flow'r,
And shed its odours round my bow'r,
Or ne'er again, O gentle wind!
Shall I, in thee, refreshment find.
Ye streams, if e'er your banks I lov'd,
If e'er your native sounds improv'd,
May each soft murmur soothe my fair;
Or oh 'twill deepen my despair!
Be sure, ye willows! you be seen
Array'd in liveliest robes of green;
Or I will tear your slighted boughs,
And let them fade around my brows.
And thou, my grott! whose lonely bounds
The melancholy pine surrounds!
May she admire thy peaceful gloom,
Or thou shalt prove her lover's tomb.”
With melting lays salute my love!
My Delia with your notes detain,
Or I have rear'd the grove in vain!
Ye flow'rs! which early spring supplies,
Display at once your brightest dyes!
That she your op'ning charms may see?
Or what were else your charms to me?
Kind zephyr! brush each fragrant flow'r,
And shed its odours round my bow'r,
Or ne'er again, O gentle wind!
Shall I, in thee, refreshment find.
Ye streams, if e'er your banks I lov'd,
If e'er your native sounds improv'd,
May each soft murmur soothe my fair;
Or oh 'twill deepen my despair!
Be sure, ye willows! you be seen
Array'd in liveliest robes of green;
Or I will tear your slighted boughs,
And let them fade around my brows.
And thou, my grott! whose lonely bounds
The melancholy pine surrounds!
May she admire thy peaceful gloom,
Or thou shalt prove her lover's tomb.”
And now the lofty domes were rear'd;
Loud laugh'd the squires, the rabble star'd.
Loud laugh'd the squires, the rabble star'd.
“See, neighbours, what our Damon's doing!
I think some folks are fond of ruin!
I saw his sheep at random stray—
But he has thrown his crook away—
And builds such huts, as in foul weather,
Are fit for sheep nor shepherd neither.”
I think some folks are fond of ruin!
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But he has thrown his crook away—
And builds such huts, as in foul weather,
Are fit for sheep nor shepherd neither.”
Whence came the sober swain misled?
Why, Phoebus put it in his head.
Phoebus befriends him, we are told;
And Phoebus coins bright tuns of gold.
'Twere prudent not to be so vain on't,
I think he'll never touch a grain on't.
And if, from Phoebus, and his muse,
Mere earthly laziness ensues;
'Tis plain; for aught, that I can say,
The dev'l inspires, as well as they.
So they—while fools of grosser kind,
Less weeting what our bard design'd,
Impute his schemes to real evil;
That in these haunts he met the devil.
Why, Phoebus put it in his head.
Phoebus befriends him, we are told;
And Phoebus coins bright tuns of gold.
'Twere prudent not to be so vain on't,
I think he'll never touch a grain on't.
And if, from Phoebus, and his muse,
Mere earthly laziness ensues;
'Tis plain; for aught, that I can say,
The dev'l inspires, as well as they.
So they—while fools of grosser kind,
Less weeting what our bard design'd,
Impute his schemes to real evil;
That in these haunts he met the devil.
He own'd, tho' their advice was vain,
It suited wights who trod the plain:
For dulness—tho' he might abhor it—
In them, he made allowance for it.
Nor wonder'd, if beholding mottos,
And urns, and domes, and cells, and grottos,
Folks, little dreaming of the muses,
Were plagu'd to guess their proper uses.
It suited wights who trod the plain:
For dulness—tho' he might abhor it—
In them, he made allowance for it.
Nor wonder'd, if beholding mottos,
And urns, and domes, and cells, and grottos,
Folks, little dreaming of the muses,
Were plagu'd to guess their proper uses.
But did the muses haunt his cell;
Or in his dome did Venus dwell?
Did Pallas in his counsels share?
The Delian god reward his pray'r?
Or did his zeal engage the fair?
When all the structures shone compleat;
Not much convenient, wond'rous neat;
Adorn'd with gilding, painting, planting,
And the fair guests alone were wanting;
Ah me! ('twas Damon's own confession)
Came poverty and took possession.
Or in his dome did Venus dwell?
Did Pallas in his counsels share?
The Delian god reward his pray'r?
Or did his zeal engage the fair?
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Not much convenient, wond'rous neat;
Adorn'd with gilding, painting, planting,
And the fair guests alone were wanting;
Ah me! ('twas Damon's own confession)
Came poverty and took possession.
4. PART the FOURTH.
Why droops my Damon, whilst he roves
Thro' ornamented meads and groves?
Near columns, obelisks, and spires,
Which ev'ry critic eye admires?
'Tis poverty, detested maid,
Sole tenant of their ample shade!
'Tis she, that robs him of his ease;
And bids their very charms displease.
But now, by fancy long controul'd,
And with the sons of taste enroll'd,
He deem'd it shameful, to commence
First minister to common-sense:
Far more elated, to pursue
The lowest talk of dear vertû.
Thro' ornamented meads and groves?
Near columns, obelisks, and spires,
Which ev'ry critic eye admires?
'Tis poverty, detested maid,
Sole tenant of their ample shade!
'Tis she, that robs him of his ease;
And bids their very charms displease.
But now, by fancy long controul'd,
And with the sons of taste enroll'd,
He deem'd it shameful, to commence
First minister to common-sense:
Far more elated, to pursue
The lowest talk of dear vertû.
And now behold his lofty soul,
That whilom flew from pole to pole,
Settle on some elaborate flow'r;
And, like a bee, the sweets devour!
Now, of a rose enamour'd, prove
The wild solicitudes of love!
Now, in a lily's cup enshrin'd,
Forego the commerce of mankind!
That whilom flew from pole to pole,
Settle on some elaborate flow'r;
And, like a bee, the sweets devour!
Now, of a rose enamour'd, prove
The wild solicitudes of love!
Now, in a lily's cup enshrin'd,
Forego the commerce of mankind!
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As in these toils he wore away
The calm remainder of his day;
Conducting sun, and shade, and show'r,
As most might glad the new-born flow'r,
So fate ordain'd before his eye—
Starts up the long sought butterfly!
While flutt'ring round, her plumes unfold
Celestial crimson, dropt with gold.
The calm remainder of his day;
Conducting sun, and shade, and show'r,
As most might glad the new-born flow'r,
So fate ordain'd before his eye—
Starts up the long sought butterfly!
While flutt'ring round, her plumes unfold
Celestial crimson, dropt with gold.
Adieu, ye bands of flow'rets fair!
The living beauty claims his care
For this he strips—nor bolt, nor chain,
Cou'd Damon's warm pursuit restrain.
The living beauty claims his care
For this he strips—nor bolt, nor chain,
Cou'd Damon's warm pursuit restrain.
See him o'er hill, morass, or mound,
Where'er the speckled game is found,
Tho' bent with age, with zeal pursue;
And totter tow'rds the prey in view.
Where'er the speckled game is found,
Tho' bent with age, with zeal pursue;
And totter tow'rds the prey in view.
Nor rock, nor stream, his steps retard,
Intent upon the blest reward!
One vassal fly repays the chace!
A wing, a film, rewards the race!
Rewards him, tho' disease attend,
And in a fatal surfeit, end.
So fierce Camilla skim'd the plain,
Smit with the purple's pleasing stain,
She ey'd intent the glitt'ring stranger,
And knew alas! nor fear, nor danger:
'Till deep within her panting heart,
Malicious fate impell'd the dart!
Intent upon the blest reward!
One vassal fly repays the chace!
A wing, a film, rewards the race!
Rewards him, tho' disease attend,
And in a fatal surfeit, end.
So fierce Camilla skim'd the plain,
Smit with the purple's pleasing stain,
She ey'd intent the glitt'ring stranger,
And knew alas! nor fear, nor danger:
'Till deep within her panting heart,
Malicious fate impell'd the dart!
How studious he what fav'rite food
Regales dame nature's tiny brood?
What junkets fat the filmy people!
And what liqueurs they chuse to tipple!
Regales dame nature's tiny brood?
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And what liqueurs they chuse to tipple!
Behold him, at some crise, prescribe,
And raise with drugs the sick'ning tribe!
Or haply, when their spirits fau'ter,
Sprinkling my Lord of Cloyne's tar-water.
And raise with drugs the sick'ning tribe!
Or haply, when their spirits fau'ter,
Sprinkling my Lord of Cloyne's tar-water.
When nature's brood of insects dies,
See how he pimps for am'rous flies!
See him the timely succour lend her,
And help the wantons to engender!
See how he pimps for am'rous flies!
See him the timely succour lend her,
And help the wantons to engender!
Or see him guard their pregnant hour;
Exert his soft obstetric pow'r:
And, lending each his lenient hand,
With new-born grubs enrich the land!
Exert his soft obstetric pow'r:
And, lending each his lenient hand,
With new-born grubs enrich the land!
O Wilks! what poet's loftiest lays
Can match thy labours, and thy praise?
Immortal sage! by fate decreed
To guard the moth's illustrious breed;
'Till flutt'ring swarms on swarms arise,
And all our wardrobes teem with flies!
Can match thy labours, and thy praise?
Immortal sage! by fate decreed
To guard the moth's illustrious breed;
'Till flutt'ring swarms on swarms arise,
And all our wardrobes teem with flies!
And must we praise this taste for toys?
Admire it then in girls and boys.
Ye youths of fifteen years, or more,
Resign your moths—the season's o'er.
'Tis time more social joys to prove;
'Twere now your nobler task—to love.
Let ---'s eyes more deeply warm;
Nor, slighting nature's fairest form,
The bias of your souls determine
Tow'rds the mean love of nature's vermin.
Admire it then in girls and boys.
Ye youths of fifteen years, or more,
Resign your moths—the season's o'er.
'Tis time more social joys to prove;
'Twere now your nobler task—to love.
Let ---'s eyes more deeply warm;
Nor, slighting nature's fairest form,
268
Tow'rds the mean love of nature's vermin.
But ah! how wond'rous few have known,
To give each stage of life its own.
To give each stage of life its own.
'Tis the pretexta's utmost bound,
With radiant purple edg'd around,
To please the child; whose glowing dyes
Too long delight maturer eyes:
And few, but with regret, assume
The plain wrought labours of the loom.
Ah! let not me by fancy steer,
When life's autumnal clouds appear;
Nor ev'n in learning's long delays
Consume my fairest, fruitless days:
Like him, who should in armour spend
The sums that armour should defend.
With radiant purple edg'd around,
To please the child; whose glowing dyes
Too long delight maturer eyes:
And few, but with regret, assume
The plain wrought labours of the loom.
Ah! let not me by fancy steer,
When life's autumnal clouds appear;
Nor ev'n in learning's long delays
Consume my fairest, fruitless days:
Like him, who should in armour spend
The sums that armour should defend.
Awhile, in pleasure's myrtle bow'r,
We share her smiles, and bless her pow'r:
But find at last, we vainly strive
To fix the worst coquette alive.
We share her smiles, and bless her pow'r:
But find at last, we vainly strive
To fix the worst coquette alive.
O you! that with assiduous flame
Have long pursu'd the faithless dame;
Forsake her soft abodes awhile,
And dare her frown, and slight her smile,
Nor scorn, whatever wits may say,
The foot-path road, the king's high-way.
No more the scrup'lous charmer teize,
But seek the roofs of honest ease;
The rival fair, no more pursu'd,
Shall there with forward pace intrude;
Shall there her ev'ry art essay,
To win you to her slighted sway;
And grant your scorn a glance more fair
Than e'er she gave your fondest pray'r.
Have long pursu'd the faithless dame;
Forsake her soft abodes awhile,
And dare her frown, and slight her smile,
Nor scorn, whatever wits may say,
The foot-path road, the king's high-way.
No more the scrup'lous charmer teize,
But seek the roofs of honest ease;
The rival fair, no more pursu'd,
Shall there with forward pace intrude;
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To win you to her slighted sway;
And grant your scorn a glance more fair
Than e'er she gave your fondest pray'r.
But would you happiness pursue?
Partake both ease, and pleasure too?
Would you, thro' all your days, dispense
The joys of reason, and of sense?
Or give to life the most you can,
Let social virtue shape the plan.
For does not to the virtuous deed
A train of pleasing sweets succeed?
Or, like the sweets of wild desire,
Did social pleasures ever tire?
Partake both ease, and pleasure too?
Would you, thro' all your days, dispense
The joys of reason, and of sense?
Or give to life the most you can,
Let social virtue shape the plan.
For does not to the virtuous deed
A train of pleasing sweets succeed?
Or, like the sweets of wild desire,
Did social pleasures ever tire?
Yet midst the groupe be some preferr'd,
Be some abhorr'd—for Damon err'd:
And such there are—of fair address—
As 'twere unsocial to caress.
O learn by reason's equal rule
To shun the praise of knave, or fool!
Then, tho' you deem it better still
To gain some rustic 'squire's good will;
And souls, however mean or vile,
Like features, brighten by a smile;
Yet reason holds it for a crime,
The trivial breast shou'd share thy time:
And virtue, with reluctant eyes,
Beholds this human sacrifice!
Be some abhorr'd—for Damon err'd:
And such there are—of fair address—
As 'twere unsocial to caress.
O learn by reason's equal rule
To shun the praise of knave, or fool!
Then, tho' you deem it better still
To gain some rustic 'squire's good will;
And souls, however mean or vile,
Like features, brighten by a smile;
Yet reason holds it for a crime,
The trivial breast shou'd share thy time:
And virtue, with reluctant eyes,
Beholds this human sacrifice!
Thro' deep reserve, and air erect,
Mistaken Damon won respect;
But cou'd the specious homage pass,
With any creature, but an ass?
If conscious, they who fear'd the skin,
Wou'd scorn the sluggish brute within.
What awe-struck slaves the tow'rs enclose,
Where Persian monarchs, eat, and doze?
What prostrate rev'rence all agree,
To pay a prince they never see!
Mere vassals of a royal throne!
The sophi's virtues must be shewn,
To make the reverence his own.
Mistaken Damon won respect;
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With any creature, but an ass?
If conscious, they who fear'd the skin,
Wou'd scorn the sluggish brute within.
What awe-struck slaves the tow'rs enclose,
Where Persian monarchs, eat, and doze?
What prostrate rev'rence all agree,
To pay a prince they never see!
Mere vassals of a royal throne!
The sophi's virtues must be shewn,
To make the reverence his own.
As for Thalia wouldst thou make her
Thy bride without a portion? take her.
She will with duteous care attend,
And all thy pensive hours befriend;
Will swell thy joys, will share thy pain;
With thee rejoice, with thee complain;
Will smooth thy pillow, pleat thy bow'rs;
And bind thine aching head with flow'rs.
But be this previous maxim known,
If thou can'st feed on love alone:
If blest with her, thou canst sustain
Contempt, and poverty, and pain:
If so—then rifle all her graces—
And fruitful be your fond embraces.
Thy bride without a portion? take her.
She will with duteous care attend,
And all thy pensive hours befriend;
Will swell thy joys, will share thy pain;
With thee rejoice, with thee complain;
Will smooth thy pillow, pleat thy bow'rs;
And bind thine aching head with flow'rs.
But be this previous maxim known,
If thou can'st feed on love alone:
If blest with her, thou canst sustain
Contempt, and poverty, and pain:
If so—then rifle all her graces—
And fruitful be your fond embraces.
Too soon, by caitiff-spleen inspir'd,
Sage Damon to his groves retir'd:
The path disclaim'd by sober reason;
Retirement claims a later season;
Ere active youth and warm desires
Have quite withdrawn their ling'ring fires.
With the warm bosom, ill agree,
Or limpid stream, or shady tree.
Love lurks within the rosy bow'r,
And claims the speculative hour;
Ambition finds his calm retreat,
And bids his pulse too fiercely beat;
Ev'n social friendship duns his ear,
And cites him to the public sphere,
Does he resist their genuine force?
His temper takes some froward course;
'Till passion, misdirected, sighs
For weeds, or shells, or grubs, or flies!
Sage Damon to his groves retir'd:
The path disclaim'd by sober reason;
Retirement claims a later season;
Ere active youth and warm desires
Have quite withdrawn their ling'ring fires.
271
Or limpid stream, or shady tree.
Love lurks within the rosy bow'r,
And claims the speculative hour;
Ambition finds his calm retreat,
And bids his pulse too fiercely beat;
Ev'n social friendship duns his ear,
And cites him to the public sphere,
Does he resist their genuine force?
His temper takes some froward course;
'Till passion, misdirected, sighs
For weeds, or shells, or grubs, or flies!
Far happiest he, whose early days
Spent in the social paths of praise,
Leave, fairly printed on his mind,
A train of virtuous deeds behind:
From this rich fund, the mem'ry draws
The lasting meed of self-applause.
Spent in the social paths of praise,
Leave, fairly printed on his mind,
A train of virtuous deeds behind:
From this rich fund, the mem'ry draws
The lasting meed of self-applause.
Such fair ideas lend their aid
To people the sequester'd shade.
Such are the naiads, nymphs, and fauns,
That haunt his floods, or chear his lawns.
If where his devious ramble strays,
He virtue's radiant form surveys;
She seems no longer now to wear
The rigid mien, the frown severe;
To shew him her remote abode;
To point the rocky arduous road:
But from each flower, his fields allow,
She twines a garland for his brow.
To people the sequester'd shade.
Such are the naiads, nymphs, and fauns,
That haunt his floods, or chear his lawns.
If where his devious ramble strays,
He virtue's radiant form surveys;
She seems no longer now to wear
The rigid mien, the frown severe;
To shew him her remote abode;
To point the rocky arduous road:
But from each flower, his fields allow,
She twines a garland for his brow.
| The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq | |