The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop :: :: University of Virginia Library

Madam, who scarce would condescend to prove,
Below the sky, more patient than above,
Brush'd, as she past, th' encumb'ring boughs aside,
With many a pout, and many a pish!—and cry'd;
“Shall cedars, Jove, and pines alone provoke
“Thy triple shaft's inevitable stroke;
“While in my way these shrubs their branches thrust?
“Is it thy scorn of them, or me, they trust?

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“For once, at least, to my request attend;
“And let thy bolts on this vile spot descend.”

The Thunderer smil'd assent:—his arm was rear'd;
When lo! Diana from the copse appear'd:
Heard angry Juno's plaint, and Jove's behest;—
And thus with homage due the vengeful Powers addrest:
“Ere yet that flaming terror quit thy hand,
“And ample ruin wing the fatal brand,
“Change, cloud-compelling King, thy stern decree;
“Relenting Juno shall approve my plea:—
“Not that to me (tho' noble were the claim)
“These shelt'ring shrubs present perpetual game;
“But that they stand with happier gifts supply'd,
“To mental power, and social skill ally'd.”

She spoke, and wav'd her spear.—An airy throng
Rose instant into form, and glanc'd along.

First, from a Laurel's shade, whose foliage bound
Her elevated brow, came Genius.—Round

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She threw the penetrating eye, that strays
Past all existence; while a thousand ways
She sunders, joins, contracts, extends, at will,
Actual and Possible; imparting still
To thought-engender'd essence,—feature, place,
Dimension, operation, life, and grace.

With sturdy step, and arm of sinewy length,
Came Rural Industry: His cunning strength
Stript, as they rose in many a supple shoot,
The sapling Osiers from the knotted root:
Then wove for various use, with various care,
The good-wife's basket for her market-ware;
The cudgel's hilt; the wicker net, that holds
The river's straggling fry; the fence that guards the folds.

In yellow Box, Mechanic Skill display'd
Infinite versatility:—it made
The forceful skrew; it turn'd the pulley's wheel;
It bade the top in mazy circles reel;

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It form'd the shuttle; and with happiest thought
The needful comb for Beauty's tresses wrought.

Cool Self-Defence, to prove her practice right,
Held up a Bramble's prickly stem to sight;
That winds innoxious o'er it's native ground,
But gives, when most opprest, the deepest wound.

Fair Delicacy cropt the Jasmine bower,
To crown connubial Love's endearing power;
Whose sweetly placid brow might best assume
So soft a verdure, and so pure a bloom.

From every shrub the devious thicket knows,
The Hazle, prankful Recreation chose:
Plain hint, that sport some object should pursue;
And pleasure frolic, with a nut in view.

Meanwhile the frown relax'd on Juno's face,
And mild complacence follow'd in it's place;
Diana's skill the wrathful Queen appeas'd:—
And Jove (right glad to see his consort pleas'd)

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Returning slept upon his golden bed,
Without a curtain-lecture in his head:—
Or, if a spice of Homer's Greek will cheer ye,
Ενθα καθευδ' αναβας: παρα δε, χρυσοθρονος Ηρη.

Iliad. Lib.i. V. ult.—6II.