The Poetical Works of John Langhorne ... To which are prefixed, Memoirs of the Author by his Son the Rev. J. T. Langhorne ... In Two Volumes |
 | I. |
TO THE
REV. MR. J. LANGHORNE,
ON
READING HIS VISIONS OF FANCY, &c.
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| II. |
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 | The Poetical Works of John Langhorne |  |
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TO THE REV. MR. J. LANGHORNE, ON READING HIS VISIONS OF FANCY, &c.
BY MISS WHATELEY.
Fraught with each wish the friendly breast can form,
A simple muse, O! Langhorne, would intrude;
Her lays are languid, but her heart is warm,
Tho' not with Fancy's potent powers endu'd.
A simple muse, O! Langhorne, would intrude;
Her lays are languid, but her heart is warm,
Tho' not with Fancy's potent powers endu'd.
Fancy, tho' erst she shed a glimmering ray,
And op'd to fairy scenes my infant eye,
From Pain, and Care, has wing'd her chearful way,
And with Hygeia sought a milder sky.
And op'd to fairy scenes my infant eye,
From Pain, and Care, has wing'd her chearful way,
And with Hygeia sought a milder sky.
No more my trembling hand attempts the lyre,
Which Shenstone oft (sweet bard) has deign'd to praise;
Even tuneful Langhorne's friendship fails t' inspire
The glow that warm'd my breast in happier days.
Which Shenstone oft (sweet bard) has deign'd to praise;
Even tuneful Langhorne's friendship fails t' inspire
The glow that warm'd my breast in happier days.
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Yet not this cold heart can remain unmov'd,
When thy sweet numbers strike my raptur'd ear;
The silver sounds, by ev'ry muse approv'd,
Suspend a while the melancholy tear.
When thy sweet numbers strike my raptur'd ear;
The silver sounds, by ev'ry muse approv'd,
Suspend a while the melancholy tear.
What time, on Arrowe's osier'd banks reclin'd,
I to the pale moon pour'd thy plaintive lay;
Smooth roll'd the waves, more gently sigh'd the wind,
And Echo stole the tender notes away.
I to the pale moon pour'd thy plaintive lay;
Smooth roll'd the waves, more gently sigh'd the wind,
And Echo stole the tender notes away.
Sweet Elves and Fays, that o'er the shadowy plains
Their mystic rites, and mazy dance pursue,
Tun'd their light minstrelsy to softer strains,
And from thy lays their melting music drew.
Their mystic rites, and mazy dance pursue,
Tun'd their light minstrelsy to softer strains,
And from thy lays their melting music drew.
Sweet son of Fancy! may the white-rob'd Hours
Shed their kind influence on thy gentle breast;
May Hebe strew thy vernal path with flow'rs,
Blest in thy love, and in thy friendship blest.
Shed their kind influence on thy gentle breast;
May Hebe strew thy vernal path with flow'rs,
Blest in thy love, and in thy friendship blest.
Smooth as thy numbers may thy years advance,
Pale Care and Pain their speeding darts suspend;
May Health, and Fancy, lead the chearful dance,
And Hope for ever her fair torch extend.
Pale Care and Pain their speeding darts suspend;
May Health, and Fancy, lead the chearful dance,
And Hope for ever her fair torch extend.
For thee may Fame her fairest chaplets twine;
Each fragrant bloom, that paints Aonia's brow,
Each flow'r, that blows by Alcidale, be thine;
With the chaste laurel's never-fading bough:
Each fragrant bloom, that paints Aonia's brow,
Each flow'r, that blows by Alcidale, be thine;
With the chaste laurel's never-fading bough:
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On thee may faithful friendship's cordial smile
Attendant wait to sooth each rising care;
The nymph thou lov'st be thine, devoid of guile,
Mild, virtuous, kind, compassionate, and fair.
Attendant wait to sooth each rising care;
The nymph thou lov'st be thine, devoid of guile,
Mild, virtuous, kind, compassionate, and fair.
May thy sweet lyre still charm the generous mind,
Thy liberal muse the patriot spirit raise;
While, in thy page to latest time consign'd,
Virtue receives the meed of polish'd praise.
Thy liberal muse the patriot spirit raise;
While, in thy page to latest time consign'd,
Virtue receives the meed of polish'd praise.
| The Poetical Works of John Langhorne | |