A Miscellany of Poems consisting of Original Poems, Translations, Pastorals in the Cumberland Dialect, Familiar Epistles, Fables, Songs, and Epigrams, by the late Reverend Josiah Relph ... With a Preface and a Glossary |
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The Favourite Fountain: |
 | A Miscellany of Poems |  |
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The Favourite Fountain:
Fies nobilium tu quoque fontium.
Hail sweet solace of my care,
As the Sabine fountain fair:
And were mine the Sabine's lays
Thou shou'dst rival it in praise
Boast old springs a sacred train
Of their Nymphs and Satyrs vain;
Frequent to thy streams repair
Swains as merry, Maids as fair.
Boast old Poëts in their bowers
To converse with heavenly Powers.
Often here at evening walk,
With the power supreme I talk.
Softly hurls the stream along;
O how gentle yet how strong!
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Nor too loud nor yet too low:
Touch'd with cold nor heat extreme,
Pierce the frost or beat the beam:
Knowing nor to grow, nor fail,
Rage of storms nor droughts prevail.
Rise the mud, or fall the shower,
Spotless ever, ever pure:
May my life be like my theme,
Such a little chearful stream;
Nor in hurry wildly spent,
Nor quite flat and indolent:
Thus resistless let me lay
Every ear attentive stay,
And each care-distracted breast
Sooth enchantingly to rest.
Let not Fortune's smile or frown
Raise me up or cast me down,
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Change she fickle, as she will:
May I always be inclin'd
To advantage Human-kind,
But most ready to dispense
Benefits on indigence.
Thro' this world, and it's vain toys,
Sullying pleasures, soiling joys,
Let me wander without blame,
Pure returning as I came.
| A Miscellany of Poems | |