Infancy, or the management of children a didactic poem, in six books. The sixth edition. To which are added poems not before published. By Hugh Downman |
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ADDRESS TO PEACE. |
 | Infancy, or the management of children |  |
189
ADDRESS TO PEACE.
1760.
O virgin fair, with olive garland crown'd
Thy polish'd forehead! Who with raptured eye
Survey'st the waving harvest; when around
From her full store the richest gifts are shed
By plenty's hand unsparing; or if choice
Thy footsteps guide to more sequester'd scenes,
Attentive to the turtle's melting note,
Wafted by echo's busy, sportive voice
Thro the green glade! O Queen of every charm
Soft vanquishing the human breast; adored
Tutoress of science, of each art refined,
Existing first by thy creative power,
By thy enlightening influence sustain'd!
Thee too the Idalian tribe, the smiling loves,
And graces, interweaving mutual bands
Of rosy twine, thee the Pierian nymphs
Applausive view, and hail with dulcet hymns,
Genial Inspirer; from their sight exiled,
They droop their languid heads, no more the beams
Of warm imagination fire the soul
Of their deserted votary. He adapts
His lyre in vain to smooth melodious airs,
Harsh, grating discord jars on every string.
Thy polish'd forehead! Who with raptured eye
Survey'st the waving harvest; when around
From her full store the richest gifts are shed
By plenty's hand unsparing; or if choice
Thy footsteps guide to more sequester'd scenes,
Attentive to the turtle's melting note,
Wafted by echo's busy, sportive voice
Thro the green glade! O Queen of every charm
Soft vanquishing the human breast; adored
Tutoress of science, of each art refined,
Existing first by thy creative power,
By thy enlightening influence sustain'd!
Thee too the Idalian tribe, the smiling loves,
And graces, interweaving mutual bands
Of rosy twine, thee the Pierian nymphs
190
Genial Inspirer; from their sight exiled,
They droop their languid heads, no more the beams
Of warm imagination fire the soul
Of their deserted votary. He adapts
His lyre in vain to smooth melodious airs,
Harsh, grating discord jars on every string.
Oh! where chaste nymph, shall I begin to praise
Thy matchless beauties? how, attractions paint
Innumerable? the quick thought shrinks back,
Nor dares attempt the complicated theme.
And yet our conscious bosoms know, and feel
The blessings sprung from thee; Albion exults
Through all her fields, joy and contentment reign,
And Agriculture holds his plough, and smiles.
Thy matchless beauties? how, attractions paint
Innumerable? the quick thought shrinks back,
Nor dares attempt the complicated theme.
And yet our conscious bosoms know, and feel
The blessings sprung from thee; Albion exults
Through all her fields, joy and contentment reign,
And Agriculture holds his plough, and smiles.
Fortunate Isle! or more—Beloved of Heaven!
Surely expell'd from every other land
Beneath the ethereal cope, on dubious wing
Traversing the vast globe, here Peace restrain'd
Her weary flight, here fix'd her stedfast throne,
And stretch'd her golden sceptre, while o'er all
The liquid realms thy floating bulwarks ride
In triumph, big with horror and dismay,
Far off to bear the fiery war, and awe
Resisting nations. She meantime secure,
Upon thy borders all her balmy dew
Showers unwithdrawing; on a thousand hills
Feed thy large flocks, throughout a thousand vales
Resound thy lowing herds, thy rivers bear
With pain the load of commerce, and thy towns
Receive the tribute of remotest lands;
Here either India's bounteous gifts are spread,
Here the collected wealth of every clime.
Surely expell'd from every other land
Beneath the ethereal cope, on dubious wing
Traversing the vast globe, here Peace restrain'd
Her weary flight, here fix'd her stedfast throne,
And stretch'd her golden sceptre, while o'er all
191
In triumph, big with horror and dismay,
Far off to bear the fiery war, and awe
Resisting nations. She meantime secure,
Upon thy borders all her balmy dew
Showers unwithdrawing; on a thousand hills
Feed thy large flocks, throughout a thousand vales
Resound thy lowing herds, thy rivers bear
With pain the load of commerce, and thy towns
Receive the tribute of remotest lands;
Here either India's bounteous gifts are spread,
Here the collected wealth of every clime.
Ah! how unlike to these were the dire scenes
Witness'd of old! when civil tumult urged
The rival claims of Lancaster, and York;
As sway'd by desperate chiefs, then Britons fought
Against contending Britons. Horrid sight!
Compell'd to war, tho consanguineous streams
Together mingled on the accursed ground.
Ah! how unlike, when fierce rebellion raged
In all her terrors clad! When, impious man,
Cromwell, by wily arts, religion deem'd,
And holy zeal, prompted the infuriate bands,
Enthusiastic, to dethrone their King,
And mocking sacred justice, lead to death
The royal victim.—Gracious Heaven! remove
Such woes, such crimes forever! Nor again
Should treason, in despite of lawful sway,
Wave her dark crest, as by the North e'erwhile
Upraised, let her not meet rebuke severe,
And swift avengement. Never may a fiend
So ugly, so detestable, be born
In British soil: but may soft placid gales
Of concord whisper thro the land; may all
The powers of harmony conspire to form
A lasting guard, a wall impregnable,
Around young Brunswick's throne, and fix his reign
On the firm basis of his people's love.
Witness'd of old! when civil tumult urged
The rival claims of Lancaster, and York;
As sway'd by desperate chiefs, then Britons fought
Against contending Britons. Horrid sight!
Compell'd to war, tho consanguineous streams
Together mingled on the accursed ground.
Ah! how unlike, when fierce rebellion raged
In all her terrors clad! When, impious man,
Cromwell, by wily arts, religion deem'd,
192
Enthusiastic, to dethrone their King,
And mocking sacred justice, lead to death
The royal victim.—Gracious Heaven! remove
Such woes, such crimes forever! Nor again
Should treason, in despite of lawful sway,
Wave her dark crest, as by the North e'erwhile
Upraised, let her not meet rebuke severe,
And swift avengement. Never may a fiend
So ugly, so detestable, be born
In British soil: but may soft placid gales
Of concord whisper thro the land; may all
The powers of harmony conspire to form
A lasting guard, a wall impregnable,
Around young Brunswick's throne, and fix his reign
On the firm basis of his people's love.
O Nymph divinely sprung! Ethereal Maid!
Hear the fond wish! Still beam thy purest ray,
Dazzling audacious faction; gently smile,
And party shall unfurl her wrinkled brow,
Catching humanity; in social bands
Connected, tell thy Britons they may dare
Defy the universe; much less may Gaul
Hope to resist their power, 'tis her's to sit
With envy swoln, and utter threats in vain.
Hear the fond wish! Still beam thy purest ray,
Dazzling audacious faction; gently smile,
And party shall unfurl her wrinkled brow,
Catching humanity; in social bands
Connected, tell thy Britons they may dare
193
Hope to resist their power, 'tis her's to sit
With envy swoln, and utter threats in vain.
Unhappy Gaul, what generous foe but heaves,
Reflecting on thy fate, the sigh humane!
Where is thy robe of triumph now, the robe
Of purple grain, which o'er thy glittering arms
Thou wont to cast! Why at thy feet reclines
That dinted shield? What means the broken spear,
And edgeless sword, beside thee placed? Why sinks
Thy downward eye, as if ashamed to view
Yon ruin'd trophy? Where is now thy pomp?
Thy glory's radiance? Where the flattering hopes
Of conquest, and invasion? Either Ind,
Torn from thy empire, owns Britannia's sway.
Where are thy crouded fleets, by the bright plumes
Of golden commerce fann'd from shore to shore?
Why scouls around thy land, where plenty smiled,
The meagre form of nerveless poverty?
Reflecting on thy fate, the sigh humane!
Where is thy robe of triumph now, the robe
Of purple grain, which o'er thy glittering arms
Thou wont to cast! Why at thy feet reclines
That dinted shield? What means the broken spear,
And edgeless sword, beside thee placed? Why sinks
Thy downward eye, as if ashamed to view
Yon ruin'd trophy? Where is now thy pomp?
Thy glory's radiance? Where the flattering hopes
Of conquest, and invasion? Either Ind,
Torn from thy empire, owns Britannia's sway.
Where are thy crouded fleets, by the bright plumes
Of golden commerce fann'd from shore to shore?
Why scouls around thy land, where plenty smiled,
The meagre form of nerveless poverty?
Such are the fruits of dire ambition, such
The baneful gifts of War, before whose face
Glide pleasing phantasms, fair delusions, dreams
Of sure success, and splendid victories won.
False glitter all! Behind strides horror, pale,
And ghastly; fell despair, whose murderous hand
Seeks his own life; famine, with hollow eyes,
And body wasted to the bone; inwrapp'd
In storms, and whirlwinds, whose resistless force
O'erwhelms whole provinces, and bares the earth,
Sweeps desolation; miseries worse than death;
The cries of orphans, suffering matron's groans;
Anxieties and griefs immense; woes more
Than language can describe, or fiction frame.
The baneful gifts of War, before whose face
194
Of sure success, and splendid victories won.
False glitter all! Behind strides horror, pale,
And ghastly; fell despair, whose murderous hand
Seeks his own life; famine, with hollow eyes,
And body wasted to the bone; inwrapp'd
In storms, and whirlwinds, whose resistless force
O'erwhelms whole provinces, and bares the earth,
Sweeps desolation; miseries worse than death;
The cries of orphans, suffering matron's groans;
Anxieties and griefs immense; woes more
Than language can describe, or fiction frame.
These are the followers of remorseless war,
By frantic rage impell'd to thin mankind.
Such now o'er poor Germania's harrass'd soil
He drives his fervid chariot; not of yore
Louder his voice was heard on Thracia's hills
Urging his loved Edonians to the field.
Roused at the sound, in dread array, her sons
Pant for the fight; here dauntless Ferdinand
Meets the thick tempest of impetuous France.
There Austria sends her valiant legions forth,
Prepared for hardiest conflict; to her aid
Lured by the hopes of plunder, their bleak wilds,
And snow-clad hills deserted, onward haste
The rugged Russians; cruel, fierce, untamed,
Ruin, and brutal havock mark their way.
By frantic rage impell'd to thin mankind.
Such now o'er poor Germania's harrass'd soil
He drives his fervid chariot; not of yore
Louder his voice was heard on Thracia's hills
Urging his loved Edonians to the field.
Roused at the sound, in dread array, her sons
Pant for the fight; here dauntless Ferdinand
Meets the thick tempest of impetuous France.
There Austria sends her valiant legions forth,
195
Lured by the hopes of plunder, their bleak wilds,
And snow-clad hills deserted, onward haste
The rugged Russians; cruel, fierce, untamed,
Ruin, and brutal havock mark their way.
Who shall the savage multitude oppose?
Who nations, leagued with nations? On his brow
Sits fortitude, while prudence spreads around
Her tutelary wings, and valour goads
His ardent soul, instinct with highest thought,
Defying peril, and the front of death.
A soaring spirit, undepress'd by fate,
He bears; Immortal Frederic! Lo! when gain'd
A transient rest, he wakes the Lesbian lyre.
At every touch I hear a Master's hand
Explore the chords; as if the favouring Maids
Of Helicon, their violet-shaded fount
Had left, and danced exulting at his birth,
While blue-eyed Pallas saw, and praised the deed.
Yes, let the fickle many, as they list,
With fortune's giddy tide retract their course;
At least one Briton shall with thee, O Prince,
The torrent stem of black adversity,
And weave a radiant chaplet for thy brow.
Who nations, leagued with nations? On his brow
Sits fortitude, while prudence spreads around
Her tutelary wings, and valour goads
His ardent soul, instinct with highest thought,
Defying peril, and the front of death.
A soaring spirit, undepress'd by fate,
He bears; Immortal Frederic! Lo! when gain'd
A transient rest, he wakes the Lesbian lyre.
At every touch I hear a Master's hand
Explore the chords; as if the favouring Maids
Of Helicon, their violet-shaded fount
Had left, and danced exulting at his birth,
While blue-eyed Pallas saw, and praised the deed.
Yes, let the fickle many, as they list,
With fortune's giddy tide retract their course;
At least one Briton shall with thee, O Prince,
196
And weave a radiant chaplet for thy brow.
For surely justice bade thee draw the sword
Against thy treacherous foes.—But if instead,
By mean ambition led astray, thy soul
Grasp'd at the hopes of conquest, the false pride
Of overthrowing kingdoms, should a Bard,
Should thy own strains self-flattering, e'er attempt
Thy crimes to palliate, may the abortive work
Perish unheeded! never shall the muse
Of genuine poesy adorn thy name;
But snatch it Infamy! and waft it on
To the dark shades, where mute oblivion reigns.
Blasted be all, who harbour thoughts like these!
Who unprovoked, let loose to tear the world
The wasteful furies, who, for deeds of blood,
Quit the mild virtues of humanity;
And to emblaze their glory, sport away
The lives of thousands. With a fix'd contempt
Tho glittering in the spoils of half the East,
Tho worshipp'd as the progeny of Jove,
I view the Æmathian tyrant. Not the tribes,
The prostrate millions, from Siberia north,
To distant Iran; not the imperious Turk
Vanquish'd by Stella's mountain, not the crown
Reft from the Egyptian Soldan's head, himself
Compell'd o'er Afric's torrid plains to roam
A fugitive, from me extort a word
Applausive of the Scythian Homicide.
Against thy treacherous foes.—But if instead,
By mean ambition led astray, thy soul
Grasp'd at the hopes of conquest, the false pride
Of overthrowing kingdoms, should a Bard,
Should thy own strains self-flattering, e'er attempt
Thy crimes to palliate, may the abortive work
Perish unheeded! never shall the muse
Of genuine poesy adorn thy name;
But snatch it Infamy! and waft it on
To the dark shades, where mute oblivion reigns.
Blasted be all, who harbour thoughts like these!
Who unprovoked, let loose to tear the world
The wasteful furies, who, for deeds of blood,
Quit the mild virtues of humanity;
And to emblaze their glory, sport away
The lives of thousands. With a fix'd contempt
Tho glittering in the spoils of half the East,
Tho worshipp'd as the progeny of Jove,
I view the Æmathian tyrant. Not the tribes,
197
To distant Iran; not the imperious Turk
Vanquish'd by Stella's mountain, not the crown
Reft from the Egyptian Soldan's head, himself
Compell'd o'er Afric's torrid plains to roam
A fugitive, from me extort a word
Applausive of the Scythian Homicide.
Where justice fails, there fails the nerve of war,
The sinewy strength, which gripes, and fast retains
True glory; when the sacred flame inspires
Of freedom, when the invigorating love
Of his dear country to the mortal strife,
Impells the Hero's courage-breathing soul,
His fame, not rancorous envy's tainted tongue
Can with malignant poison dare imbue;
But her black snakes drop their convulsive folds,
Hissing involuntary praise. To him
Should victory present the splendid palm,
Meed of his brave emprize, and having borne
Safe thro the terrors of the ensanguined plain,
Lapp'd in her blooming mantle, lead him back
To realms, his toil, his virtue hath preserved;
For him, with liveliest admiration join'd,
Shall gratitude effuse the enchanting voice
Of heart-felt, rapturous joy; him meet the youth
With gladsome shouts, and all the virgins hail
With choral song, or thro the mazy dance
In tuneful cadence ply their airy feet;
While in his breast a double share of bliss
Extatic swells, and all his conscious mind
Is fraught with strong, with exquisite delight.
The sinewy strength, which gripes, and fast retains
True glory; when the sacred flame inspires
Of freedom, when the invigorating love
Of his dear country to the mortal strife,
Impells the Hero's courage-breathing soul,
His fame, not rancorous envy's tainted tongue
Can with malignant poison dare imbue;
But her black snakes drop their convulsive folds,
Hissing involuntary praise. To him
Should victory present the splendid palm,
Meed of his brave emprize, and having borne
Safe thro the terrors of the ensanguined plain,
Lapp'd in her blooming mantle, lead him back
To realms, his toil, his virtue hath preserved;
198
Shall gratitude effuse the enchanting voice
Of heart-felt, rapturous joy; him meet the youth
With gladsome shouts, and all the virgins hail
With choral song, or thro the mazy dance
In tuneful cadence ply their airy feet;
While in his breast a double share of bliss
Extatic swells, and all his conscious mind
Is fraught with strong, with exquisite delight.
But should the fates his wish'd return deny,
And death resistless strike the mortal blow,
Lo! from his feeble arm the uplifted sword
Unnoticed drops; valour beholds no more
His ardent glance, shot from the enkindled soul.
Yet still on her his swimming sight he throws,
On her, and liberty, as o'er his wounds
In tenderest grief they sprinkle the salt tear,
And pleased to engage their pity, smiles and dies.
Hallowed by them, what yet survives, his name
They guard with purest zeal; at their command
Heaven-nurtured truth assumes her golden pen,
And opes the historic page; at their command
Obedient sculpture lifts the pious urn,
And animated bust; they speak, and all
The Aonian nine tune their melodious strains:
Or graved on adamantine tablet, fame
Suspends them high in her eternal dome,
That latest times may read, admire, and love
The man, who when his country call'd him forth,
Devoted bled.—Such, amid Indian wilds,
Fell gallant Howe; such, prodigal of life,
Upon Canadian shores, illustrious Wolfe
Resign'd his patriot soul. Oh! early lost!
From thy full noon, what glories hope portray'd,
So bright thy morning beam! to last, too bright—
Soon overwhelm'd by the dark clouds of death.
And death resistless strike the mortal blow,
Lo! from his feeble arm the uplifted sword
Unnoticed drops; valour beholds no more
His ardent glance, shot from the enkindled soul.
Yet still on her his swimming sight he throws,
On her, and liberty, as o'er his wounds
In tenderest grief they sprinkle the salt tear,
And pleased to engage their pity, smiles and dies.
Hallowed by them, what yet survives, his name
They guard with purest zeal; at their command
Heaven-nurtured truth assumes her golden pen,
And opes the historic page; at their command
199
And animated bust; they speak, and all
The Aonian nine tune their melodious strains:
Or graved on adamantine tablet, fame
Suspends them high in her eternal dome,
That latest times may read, admire, and love
The man, who when his country call'd him forth,
Devoted bled.—Such, amid Indian wilds,
Fell gallant Howe; such, prodigal of life,
Upon Canadian shores, illustrious Wolfe
Resign'd his patriot soul. Oh! early lost!
From thy full noon, what glories hope portray'd,
So bright thy morning beam! to last, too bright—
Soon overwhelm'd by the dark clouds of death.
Benignant Power, from whom my numbers spring!
Ah! what avails it, that our groves, our lawns
Enraptured own thy presence; that around
Our coasts, is flung, productive of soft ease,
Thy genial girdle; if on foreign strands
Our chosen Heros are condemn'd to expire,
A prey to the stern furies? if the waves,
Where'er they roll, are tinged with British blood?
Ah! what avails it, that our groves, our lawns
Enraptured own thy presence; that around
Our coasts, is flung, productive of soft ease,
Thy genial girdle; if on foreign strands
Our chosen Heros are condemn'd to expire,
A prey to the stern furies? if the waves,
Where'er they roll, are tinged with British blood?
200
Lo! from beyond the vast Atlantic surge,
To where the Ganges pours his mighty stream,
Flooding the Orient, War hath fix'd his sway,
Grim slaughter waves his crimson flag, on high
Revenge directs her course, and far and wide
Echoes the yell of discord. Oh! appear,
Long absent, to the labouring world; disclose
Thy virgin charms, deck'd in thy silver vest,
Advance with modest step, and strait abash'd
Each monster shall retort his felon brow,
Or envious, look askance, but all too weak
To glut their rage on thee, shall in their flight
Desperately rend each other; while behind
Vengeance shall raise his livid arm sublime,
Shaking a whip of scorpions, far beyond
The flaming limits of the world, to urge
Their way, amid the jarring elements
Immerged, fit habitation. Thou shalt seize
The rod of empire; happy in thy smile
The nations shall rejoice. I see the quick,
The wondrous change; I see before my eyes
The gayly-shifted scene; the realms of Peace
Lye open to my view; I taste, I feel
The balmy zest of pleasure, as my steps
Pervade the lovely range; sure Nature here
Unsullied wantons; here Favonius sports;
Tricks his light plumes, or on the blushing cheek
Of Flora, hangs enamour'd. I behold
Arcadian plains, verdant as the green banks
Of lily-sprinkled Ladon, famed of yore
For agile satyrs, fauns, and shepherd gods,
The train of Pan. Verdant, as meet the sight
Of old Penéus, where his course he winds,
Thro scenes romantic, Daphne's loved abode,
Thro Tempe's hallow'd groves, and flowery lawns.
To where the Ganges pours his mighty stream,
Flooding the Orient, War hath fix'd his sway,
Grim slaughter waves his crimson flag, on high
Revenge directs her course, and far and wide
Echoes the yell of discord. Oh! appear,
Long absent, to the labouring world; disclose
Thy virgin charms, deck'd in thy silver vest,
Advance with modest step, and strait abash'd
Each monster shall retort his felon brow,
Or envious, look askance, but all too weak
To glut their rage on thee, shall in their flight
Desperately rend each other; while behind
Vengeance shall raise his livid arm sublime,
Shaking a whip of scorpions, far beyond
The flaming limits of the world, to urge
Their way, amid the jarring elements
Immerged, fit habitation. Thou shalt seize
The rod of empire; happy in thy smile
The nations shall rejoice. I see the quick,
The wondrous change; I see before my eyes
The gayly-shifted scene; the realms of Peace
Lye open to my view; I taste, I feel
201
Pervade the lovely range; sure Nature here
Unsullied wantons; here Favonius sports;
Tricks his light plumes, or on the blushing cheek
Of Flora, hangs enamour'd. I behold
Arcadian plains, verdant as the green banks
Of lily-sprinkled Ladon, famed of yore
For agile satyrs, fauns, and shepherd gods,
The train of Pan. Verdant, as meet the sight
Of old Penéus, where his course he winds,
Thro scenes romantic, Daphne's loved abode,
Thro Tempe's hallow'd groves, and flowery lawns.
Ah! who will lend their succouring hand to guide
My feeble steps to the aerial height
Of yonder craggy mount, whose pine-clad top
Wars with the clouds! thence wide outstretch'd, the view
Mocks the beholder's farthest ken, arise
In mix'd confusion, towers, and tufted trees,
And sheep-deck'd hills, and crouded towns, and seas,
Smooth as the glassy mirrour. Oh! I long
In some purpureal vale at ease to rove
With yon gay band, in festive garments dress'd,
Their burnish'd arms, now useless, hung aloft
Amid the laurel shade. With them recline
Beneath some spreading beech, or oak, whose roots
Bathe in the brook beneath, and whose large limbs
Deny all entrance to the noon-tide beam;
Attentive to each soul-arresting tale
Of war, of bloodshed, and of sieges dire,
Rencounters fierce, and victory hovering o'er
With dubious wing.—Thence turning, I espy
A mazy path, deep thro the sacred grove
It seems to wind; a solitude serene;
Except what artless symphony dispense
The feather'd race, in many a liquid trill,
From every springing shrub, and moss-grown tree.
My feeble steps to the aerial height
Of yonder craggy mount, whose pine-clad top
Wars with the clouds! thence wide outstretch'd, the view
Mocks the beholder's farthest ken, arise
In mix'd confusion, towers, and tufted trees,
And sheep-deck'd hills, and crouded towns, and seas,
Smooth as the glassy mirrour. Oh! I long
In some purpureal vale at ease to rove
With yon gay band, in festive garments dress'd,
202
Amid the laurel shade. With them recline
Beneath some spreading beech, or oak, whose roots
Bathe in the brook beneath, and whose large limbs
Deny all entrance to the noon-tide beam;
Attentive to each soul-arresting tale
Of war, of bloodshed, and of sieges dire,
Rencounters fierce, and victory hovering o'er
With dubious wing.—Thence turning, I espy
A mazy path, deep thro the sacred grove
It seems to wind; a solitude serene;
Except what artless symphony dispense
The feather'd race, in many a liquid trill,
From every springing shrub, and moss-grown tree.
Herb I proceed, nought fearing lest the charms
Tempt to betray, or as in times of yore
The red-cross Knight, thro such a specious track,
Startled, I view the den of Error foul,
Dread monster, soon by his sharp-pointed steel
Laid low.—This brings to the delicious bowers
Of Peace, the tranquil region of her sway,
Aloof from prying boldness. May I dare
Enter these bless'd retreats, where fancy sees
At every turn ideal beings move,
Exceeding human far! here stalks along
Musing, and solemn, contemplation slow,
Cross'd are his arms, his stedfast looks are bent
Inward, and rapt he seems in extasy.
There sits philosophy, his wrinkled front
And hoary head proclaim him old, but young
And vigorous is his mind, and active soars
Amid the stars; here virtue walks, array'd
In dignity august, yet simply grand,
Unstudious of attire; on either side
Two sweet companions, modesty the one,
Of blushing cheek, the other innocence,
Known by her spotless zone. The smiling form
Of boon content, lock'd hand in hand with health,
Speeds o'er the level surface of the green.
Here fairy fiction weaves her painted stole,
The colours from the bright ethereal woof
Of variegated Iris taken. Here
The Muses daily sing, and all night long
Ceaseless entwine the many-sounding threads
Of harmony. Rapture with greedy ear
Attends. My gazing eyes transported view
The glowing face of love; the nimble gait
Of florid youth, sallying with keen desire
To where beneath the myrtle's odorous shade
Beauty awaits his coming.—Oh, ye powers!
Ye airy substances, Oh! tell me where
Is she whom you adore? Who gives you all
Unruffled, in these woods, these caves, and streams,
To walk, to lye, to bathe your graceful limbs;
Who from your presence drives the rout profane
Of dissonance, and tumult. Tell me where
Now in the silent noon she dwells retired.
Tempt to betray, or as in times of yore
The red-cross Knight, thro such a specious track,
Startled, I view the den of Error foul,
Dread monster, soon by his sharp-pointed steel
Laid low.—This brings to the delicious bowers
Of Peace, the tranquil region of her sway,
Aloof from prying boldness. May I dare
203
At every turn ideal beings move,
Exceeding human far! here stalks along
Musing, and solemn, contemplation slow,
Cross'd are his arms, his stedfast looks are bent
Inward, and rapt he seems in extasy.
There sits philosophy, his wrinkled front
And hoary head proclaim him old, but young
And vigorous is his mind, and active soars
Amid the stars; here virtue walks, array'd
In dignity august, yet simply grand,
Unstudious of attire; on either side
Two sweet companions, modesty the one,
Of blushing cheek, the other innocence,
Known by her spotless zone. The smiling form
Of boon content, lock'd hand in hand with health,
Speeds o'er the level surface of the green.
Here fairy fiction weaves her painted stole,
The colours from the bright ethereal woof
Of variegated Iris taken. Here
The Muses daily sing, and all night long
Ceaseless entwine the many-sounding threads
Of harmony. Rapture with greedy ear
204
The glowing face of love; the nimble gait
Of florid youth, sallying with keen desire
To where beneath the myrtle's odorous shade
Beauty awaits his coming.—Oh, ye powers!
Ye airy substances, Oh! tell me where
Is she whom you adore? Who gives you all
Unruffled, in these woods, these caves, and streams,
To walk, to lye, to bathe your graceful limbs;
Who from your presence drives the rout profane
Of dissonance, and tumult. Tell me where
Now in the silent noon she dwells retired.
In yon refreshing grot, around whose sides
The clinging woodbine, and the fragrant briar
Luxuriant rove; where the rich jasmine sheds
Its bounteous pérfume, at whose entrance rise
Spontaneous flowers, where springs the primrose pale,
The cowslip, and much-varied pink, the rose,
The daisy meekly clad, the violet sweet,
With all the incense genial Maia yields.
The clinging woodbine, and the fragrant briar
Luxuriant rove; where the rich jasmine sheds
Its bounteous pérfume, at whose entrance rise
Spontaneous flowers, where springs the primrose pale,
The cowslip, and much-varied pink, the rose,
The daisy meekly clad, the violet sweet,
With all the incense genial Maia yields.
205
I see her! O Immortal! by the choir
Of winged songsters, by the elysian gales
Fanning thy grotto, by the liquid pearls
Which drop by drop down from the arch'd roof fall,
By thy own auburn ringlets, by the fire
Mild-beaming from thine azure eyes, the smile
Dimpling thy cheek, thy sweetly-breathing lip,
That soft serenity which gently plays
O'er thy whole frame, by each attractive grace,
Each placid inmate of this holy seat,
Oh! listen to my prayer! With aspect bland
Pardon that rashness, which with giddy step
Urged hither my unhallow'd feet. Forgive
That all-unskill'd in song, my youthful lays
Rough, and uncouth, have jarr'd thy purer sense
With harsh disturbance. Yet, if I have err'd,
To the blind impulse of mistaken zeal
Impute the unguarded deed. Thee I adored
From earliest years; thee, now the rising down
Shadows my chin, with added warmth adore.
And dost thou hear indulgent? Nay benign
Approve my verse? Oh blessing, far beyond
My utmost hope! Still shall my vows be paid
To thee, with true devotion; and compell'd
With care to sojourn, to the busy paths
Of life exiled, still shall my ardent love
On thee be fix'd: thee will I oft invoke
With fond regret: and haply tho condemn'd
Ne'er more to pierce these Academic shades,
Thy visions not unfrequent, may be spread
Before my sight: thy form divine appear,
And tune to melody the new-strung lyre.
Of winged songsters, by the elysian gales
Fanning thy grotto, by the liquid pearls
Which drop by drop down from the arch'd roof fall,
By thy own auburn ringlets, by the fire
Mild-beaming from thine azure eyes, the smile
Dimpling thy cheek, thy sweetly-breathing lip,
That soft serenity which gently plays
O'er thy whole frame, by each attractive grace,
Each placid inmate of this holy seat,
Oh! listen to my prayer! With aspect bland
Pardon that rashness, which with giddy step
Urged hither my unhallow'd feet. Forgive
That all-unskill'd in song, my youthful lays
Rough, and uncouth, have jarr'd thy purer sense
With harsh disturbance. Yet, if I have err'd,
To the blind impulse of mistaken zeal
Impute the unguarded deed. Thee I adored
From earliest years; thee, now the rising down
Shadows my chin, with added warmth adore.
And dost thou hear indulgent? Nay benign
Approve my verse? Oh blessing, far beyond
My utmost hope! Still shall my vows be paid
206
With care to sojourn, to the busy paths
Of life exiled, still shall my ardent love
On thee be fix'd: thee will I oft invoke
With fond regret: and haply tho condemn'd
Ne'er more to pierce these Academic shades,
Thy visions not unfrequent, may be spread
Before my sight: thy form divine appear,
And tune to melody the new-strung lyre.
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