Literary relics of the late Joseph Richardson Dedicated by permission to His Grace the duke of Northumberland: Consisting of The Comedy of the fugitive, and a few short poems; with a sketch of the life of the author by an intimate friend; in which those numbers of the rolliads and probationary odes written by Mr. Richardson are particularized. The whole collected and prepared for the press by Mrs. Richardson |
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Iterare cursus cogor relictos.
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 | Literary relics of the late Joseph Richardson |  |
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Iterare cursus cogor relictos.
I
O welcome ye grots and ye bowersWhence I have been absent so long;
Where oft I deceiv'd the dull hours,
And time did beguile with my song.
II
Blest there above human condition,What mortal but I would have stray'd,
Misguided by headstrong ambition—
Forsaken the joys of the shade?
III
On the verge of yon musical stream,How sweet were the songs of the seer!
How charming was then my lov'd theme,
How grateful did science appear!
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IV
But 't was not enough, that I knewThe blessings the Muses supply;
Like Wharton, the world I must shew
The extent of my skill, “or I die.”
V
Abstracted I liv'd, and recluse,Where none with my art were to vie;
And thought, of the sons of the muse,
That none was more favour'd than I.
VI
But, alas! sad experience has taught,I partially judg'd of my skill;
Nor else, but with proof, had I thought
The pipe I had handled so ill.
VII
Compell'd to return with disgrace,Ye sweet holy grottos, to you,
I'll there (for ye see not my face)
My long-forgot labours renew.
| Literary relics of the late Joseph Richardson | |