 | Poetical essays on Several Occasions |  |
I. VOL. I.
Fir'd at first Sight with what the Muse imparts,
In fearless Youth we tempt the Heights of Arts;
Good Nature and Good Sense must ever join,
To err is human, to forgive divine.
Pope's Essay on Criticism.
In fearless Youth we tempt the Heights of Arts;
Good Nature and Good Sense must ever join,
To err is human, to forgive divine.
Pope's Essay on Criticism.
To the Right Honourable THOMAS, Lord Viscount
Weymouth
,
AND Baron of
Warminster
,
1
THE RETREAT:
OR Contemplative Solitude. Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Countess of HERTFORD.
Non est quod contemnas hoc studendi genus. Mirum est
ut animus à recessu agresti, motuque corporis excitetur.
Jam undiq; silvæ & solitudo, ipsumq; silentium magna
cogitationis incitamenta sunt. Experieris non Dianam
magis montibus, quam Minervam inerrare.
Plin. Epist. Lib. 1.
Come, all ye sable, solitary Train,
Offspring of Nature, or the Poet's Brain;
Come, follow me to yonder gloomy Grove,
Or o'er the desert Mountain with me rove;
Come, and be Witness to a Hermit's Plaints;
Come, slow, and silent, as the Shades of Saints;
While, tir'd with human Sounds, and vulgar Sport,
The Buzz of Crouds, and Follies of a Court,
I trace the deep Recesses of the Mind,
And, charm'd with Nature, leave the World behind.
Offspring of Nature, or the Poet's Brain;
Come, follow me to yonder gloomy Grove,
Or o'er the desert Mountain with me rove;
2
Come, slow, and silent, as the Shades of Saints;
While, tir'd with human Sounds, and vulgar Sport,
The Buzz of Crouds, and Follies of a Court,
I trace the deep Recesses of the Mind,
And, charm'd with Nature, leave the World behind.
Whilst I to you shall sing, the Wilds among,
Hertford will listen, and approve the Song,
Her Presence makes the rudest Wilds polite,
Mute Groves grow tuneful, and dark Grotto's bright,
Gives Bloom to Winter, Elegance to Cells,
And from the Desert Solitude dispells.
Hertford will listen, and approve the Song,
Her Presence makes the rudest Wilds polite,
Mute Groves grow tuneful, and dark Grotto's bright,
Gives Bloom to Winter, Elegance to Cells,
And from the Desert Solitude dispells.
Farewel, ye Towns, the Theatres of Noise,
Empty Amusements, and fantastic Joys;
Adieu to all the Pageantry of State,
The vain Parade, and Splendor of the Great.
To rural Scenes, to rural Sweets I fly,
And view the Country with a ravish'd Eye:
And, ere the tall majestic Trees appear,
The Chorus of the Woods, in Fancy, hear;
The painted Natives are already seen,
And visionary Fields, bedeck'd with Green.
Thus pines the Mariner, by Tempests tost,
Impatient, lingring on some barren Coast,
While happier Climes, rich Ganges, or Peru,
Or spicy Isles are imag'd to his View.
Empty Amusements, and fantastic Joys;
Adieu to all the Pageantry of State,
The vain Parade, and Splendor of the Great.
To rural Scenes, to rural Sweets I fly,
And view the Country with a ravish'd Eye:
3
The Chorus of the Woods, in Fancy, hear;
The painted Natives are already seen,
And visionary Fields, bedeck'd with Green.
Thus pines the Mariner, by Tempests tost,
Impatient, lingring on some barren Coast,
While happier Climes, rich Ganges, or Peru,
Or spicy Isles are imag'd to his View.
Now, midst unfolding Lawns, entranc'd, I stand,
Struck with unclouded Skies, and verdant Land,
Within the Breast ecstatic Transport reigns,
So thrills soft Musick thro' the tingling Veins.
The colour'd Fields, which in gay Landskips rise,
Reveal Ten Thousand Beauties to my Eyes,
Where various Nature, in Profusion, pours
Embroider'd Robes, pure Sweets, and painted Bowers:
On ev'ry Side Mosaic Meads are seen,
Inlaid with Flowers, enamell'd o'er with Green.
Struck with unclouded Skies, and verdant Land,
Within the Breast ecstatic Transport reigns,
So thrills soft Musick thro' the tingling Veins.
The colour'd Fields, which in gay Landskips rise,
Reveal Ten Thousand Beauties to my Eyes,
Where various Nature, in Profusion, pours
Embroider'd Robes, pure Sweets, and painted Bowers:
On ev'ry Side Mosaic Meads are seen,
Inlaid with Flowers, enamell'd o'er with Green.
4
Sometimes, more studious, with attentive Ears,
I catch the tuneful Rhetoric of the Spheres,
Which, o'er the still Expanse, incessant speaks,
And from the vocal Hills Pindaric breaks.
I catch the tuneful Rhetoric of the Spheres,
Which, o'er the still Expanse, incessant speaks,
And from the vocal Hills Pindaric breaks.
Here, cleans'd in wholsome Air, from Dust and Smoke,
I hail the Mountains, and the Groves invoke.
So freed from Dregs of pestilential Air,
The tainted Turks for distant Skies prepare;
So were polluted Jews of old made pure,
Ere they approach'd the consecrated Door.
I hail the Mountains, and the Groves invoke.
So freed from Dregs of pestilential Air,
The tainted Turks for distant Skies prepare;
So were polluted Jews of old made pure,
Ere they approach'd the consecrated Door.
Welcome, blest Grove! and no less sacred Shade,
By Silence hallow'd, and for Sages made.
Welcome, blest Freedom! here the Goddess dwells,
With simple Majesty, in peaceful Cells.
Oft banish'd from the Plains by barbarous Sports,
And tir'd with tinsel Pomp, and guilty Courts,
Affrighted, here she quietly resorts.
No glitt'ring Gems, no Tyrian Robes she wears,
But great, without an Equipage, appears:
Pensive, some Tears she sheds, and looks behind,
With sorrowing Eyes, sad Exile of Mankind!
So the brave Roman, banish'd from his Home,
Pitying, look'd back, and wept o'er Orphan Rome.
By Silence hallow'd, and for Sages made.
Welcome, blest Freedom! here the Goddess dwells,
With simple Majesty, in peaceful Cells.
Oft banish'd from the Plains by barbarous Sports,
And tir'd with tinsel Pomp, and guilty Courts,
Affrighted, here she quietly resorts.
5
But great, without an Equipage, appears:
Pensive, some Tears she sheds, and looks behind,
With sorrowing Eyes, sad Exile of Mankind!
So the brave Roman, banish'd from his Home,
Pitying, look'd back, and wept o'er Orphan Rome.
These are the silent Seats of Love and Rest,
By Men forsook, but once by Gods possess'd.
Here, slighted Poets have their Lawrels found,
And seen themselves with Nature's Trophies crown'd,
In Poverty and Want, here met Repose,
Sung to the Woods, and smil'd amidst their Woes.
'Twas here, the antient Godlike Heroes dwelt;
Here, the first Bards their Inspiration felt:
In Shades, Apollo's Muse, and Orpheus sung;
And Grecian Groves with learned Echoes rung;
Each Field was throng'd with Academic Youths;
Each Hill resounded with Athenian Truths;
To Harps and Odes the vocal Riv'lets flow'd,
And on each Mountain dwelt some Genial God.
By Men forsook, but once by Gods possess'd.
Here, slighted Poets have their Lawrels found,
And seen themselves with Nature's Trophies crown'd,
In Poverty and Want, here met Repose,
Sung to the Woods, and smil'd amidst their Woes.
'Twas here, the antient Godlike Heroes dwelt;
Here, the first Bards their Inspiration felt:
In Shades, Apollo's Muse, and Orpheus sung;
And Grecian Groves with learned Echoes rung;
Each Field was throng'd with Academic Youths;
Each Hill resounded with Athenian Truths;
6
And on each Mountain dwelt some Genial God.
To British Bards the Woods were sacred too,
Where holy Druids liv'd, conceal'd from View;
Solemn their Shades, and from the hallow'd Oak,
With mystic Sound, tremendous Accents broke.
In such Esteem were rural Scenes of old,
Now chang'd for Greatness, and despis'd for Gold!
Gold, thou false Idol of a sordid Age,
For thee, what Vot'ry's fight, what Kingdoms rage?
For thee, what Pray'rs ascend, what constant Vows?
To thee the Merchant sighs, the Statesman bows:
All Sects unite, and worship at thy Shrine,
And own thy glitt'ring Altar all-divine.
Where holy Druids liv'd, conceal'd from View;
Solemn their Shades, and from the hallow'd Oak,
With mystic Sound, tremendous Accents broke.
In such Esteem were rural Scenes of old,
Now chang'd for Greatness, and despis'd for Gold!
Gold, thou false Idol of a sordid Age,
For thee, what Vot'ry's fight, what Kingdoms rage?
For thee, what Pray'rs ascend, what constant Vows?
To thee the Merchant sighs, the Statesman bows:
All Sects unite, and worship at thy Shrine,
And own thy glitt'ring Altar all-divine.
But thus revolving, whither do I rove?
Lost in the grateful Horrors of the Grove;
In Love with Error, thro' the Vistas stray,
Pleas'd, in such lonely Wilds, to lose my Way,
Now on some flow'ry Bank I rest my Head;
On high, the Trees a gloomy Covering spread;
Only some Rays of Light break in between,
And Spots of Splendor beautify the Green.
So, thro' the sable Canopy of Night,
The Stars appear in Points of glowing Light.
Lost in the grateful Horrors of the Grove;
In Love with Error, thro' the Vistas stray,
Pleas'd, in such lonely Wilds, to lose my Way,
7
On high, the Trees a gloomy Covering spread;
Only some Rays of Light break in between,
And Spots of Splendor beautify the Green.
So, thro' the sable Canopy of Night,
The Stars appear in Points of glowing Light.
'Tis here, the Soul a heav'nly Calm enjoys,
No irksome Thought the still Composure cloys:
In soft Tranquility declines the Day,
And Time, on Wings of Quiet, glides away.
Thus soars the Bird of Jove, serene on high,
And, pois'd with even Pinions, sweeps the Sky.
No irksome Thought the still Composure cloys:
In soft Tranquility declines the Day,
And Time, on Wings of Quiet, glides away.
Thus soars the Bird of Jove, serene on high,
And, pois'd with even Pinions, sweeps the Sky.
Now, weary of the dark, o'ercasted Scene,
New Pleasure rises from the open Plain;
Where gilded Mountains, and the azure Sky,
With sunny Prospects, gleaming, glad the Eye.
New Pleasure rises from the open Plain;
Where gilded Mountains, and the azure Sky,
With sunny Prospects, gleaming, glad the Eye.
8
Here, nods the Brow of some romantic Hill,
Enthron'd in Trees, while all around is still;
All but the Murmurs of far falling Streams,
Lulling soft Slumbers, and Poetic Dreams.
Enthron'd in Trees, while all around is still;
All but the Murmurs of far falling Streams,
Lulling soft Slumbers, and Poetic Dreams.
The peaceful lowing Herds stand mute around,
Their solid Necks reclining to the Ground;
Or half digested Food, with steady View,
And pensive Posture, ruminating chew.
Their solid Necks reclining to the Ground;
Or half digested Food, with steady View,
And pensive Posture, ruminating chew.
O happy Race, by Instinct only led,
To Good unerring, by kind Nature bred:
Nature whose constant Light points out their Way:
But, bless'd with Reason, we politely stray!
To Good unerring, by kind Nature bred:
Nature whose constant Light points out their Way:
But, bless'd with Reason, we politely stray!
Fast by, a slow, deep Stream in Silence flows,
On whose cool Banks the sable Willow grows,
Spreading afar a melancholy Scene,
And with dark Shadows black'ning all the Green.
On whose cool Banks the sable Willow grows,
Spreading afar a melancholy Scene,
And with dark Shadows black'ning all the Green.
9
Now barren Wastes invite a wilder Lay,
Where savage Beasts have mark'd the lonely Way,
Where huge deformed Rocks salute the Eye,
And pendant Herbs wave near the shaded Sky.
And here some dreary Cave, with Aspect rude,
Allures the Mind to pleasing Solitude,
Hung with the Ivy's venerable Wreaths,
Where the hoarse Raven nightly Accents breathes;
Where humid Hart's-tongue flourishes alone;
And silver Moss creeps o'er the dewy Stone;
While falling Drops the silent Moments mark,
And mock the Adder, hissing in the Dark.
Where savage Beasts have mark'd the lonely Way,
Where huge deformed Rocks salute the Eye,
And pendant Herbs wave near the shaded Sky.
And here some dreary Cave, with Aspect rude,
Allures the Mind to pleasing Solitude,
Hung with the Ivy's venerable Wreaths,
Where the hoarse Raven nightly Accents breathes;
Where humid Hart's-tongue flourishes alone;
And silver Moss creeps o'er the dewy Stone;
While falling Drops the silent Moments mark,
And mock the Adder, hissing in the Dark.
Oft in the Veil, and solemn Cope of Night,
The Moon's pale Orb appears with trembling Light.
Hail, Queen of half the Year! whose silver Chair,
In clouded State, majestic gilds the Air.
The lonely Bird to his own Echo hoots,
And, thro' the Gloom, desponding Accents shoots.
Sweet, afar off, the pensive Nightingale
To vocal Woods tells her lamenting Tale.
Oh, blissful Bird! to live secure alone,
And to the Trees and Stars repeat thy Moan:
Wisest and sweeest of the tuneful Throng,
Nature is only Witness to thy Song:
What others shun is thy contented Choice,
Nor Noise, nor Envy, interrupt thy Voice;
Pleas'd with thy warbling, I my Lays resign,
Forsake the bright Assembly of the Nine,
And leave their Musick, heav'nly Bird! for thine.
The Moon's pale Orb appears with trembling Light.
Hail, Queen of half the Year! whose silver Chair,
In clouded State, majestic gilds the Air.
The lonely Bird to his own Echo hoots,
And, thro' the Gloom, desponding Accents shoots.
10
To vocal Woods tells her lamenting Tale.
Oh, blissful Bird! to live secure alone,
And to the Trees and Stars repeat thy Moan:
Wisest and sweeest of the tuneful Throng,
Nature is only Witness to thy Song:
What others shun is thy contented Choice,
Nor Noise, nor Envy, interrupt thy Voice;
Pleas'd with thy warbling, I my Lays resign,
Forsake the bright Assembly of the Nine,
And leave their Musick, heav'nly Bird! for thine.
11
THE First Pastoral of VIRGIL;
OR, Tityrus and Melibœus.
MEL.In Shades reclin'd, you, Tityrus, waste your Hours,
And sylvan Songs compose in beechen Bow'rs:
While we, far wandring, fly our rural Seats,
Our native Haunts we fly, our dear Retreats:
You, Tityrus, tune your oaten Pipes at Ease,
And Amaryllis warble thro' the Trees.
12
Some God, for sure he merits Godlike Praise;
To me, my Friend, indulg'd these Halcyon Days.
For him the Fairest of the fleecy Train,
Fresh from the Fold, shall oft his Altars stain;
He bad these Herds, you see, securely stray,
And, as I fancy'd, frame my rustic Lay.
MEL.
I envy not, but wonder you remain
Thus blest, when Desolation fills our Plain.
See, these few Goats I drive with aking Mind,
This, lagging, lead, her Young just left behind;
Just yean'd, she left them on the thorny Rock,
Ah me! her Twins, the Pride of all the Flock;
Oft would my boding Breast these Ills foretell,
When on our riven Trees red Lightning fell;
And oft prophetic, from the hollow Oak,
Disastrous Ravens hoarsely us'd to croke.
But, Tityrus, who's this Pow'r you thus invoke?
13
Once, Meliboeus, like a witless Clown,
I fancy'd Rome but like our Mantua's Town,
Where we, the Shepherds of the neighbouring Plain,
To Market us'd to drive the fleecy Train.
So Whelps and Kids their Sires and Dams confess,
And greater Things are copy'd in the less;
But she, sublimely fair, as far exceeds
Our Villages, as Cypress humble Weeds.
MEL.
What urgent Business hurry'd you to Town?
TIT.
'Twas Freedom, which at last look'd smiling down
On my gray wintry Locks, her gladsome Reign
Smil'd down at last, and rais'd a sluggish Swain.
Long since my Galatea pleas'd no more,
Now Amaryllis sways, as she before:
I'll own, while held with Galatea's Charms,
I valu'd not my Freedom, nor my Farms.
14
And every Day my creeking Presses wrung
The purest Cheese for that ungrateful Town,
Still I came empty Home, still Fate would frown.
MEL.
I often wonder'd that, with silent Sigh,
Sad Amaryllis would invoke the Sky,
And why ripe Apples linger'd on the Tree:
But oh! I find 'twas, Tityrus, for thee,
For thee the pitying Pine Trees droop'd their Head;
The Streams and Floods complain'd when thou wast fled.
TIT.
What more could I, my Freedom to restore?
What greater Names, what greater Pow'rs implore?
There I beheld that Youth of Godlike Fame,
To whom, each circling Month, our Altars flame:
Soon as my Pray'r he heard, he kindly spoke,
Still feed your Flocks, ye Swains, your Oxen yoke.
15
Hail! bless'd old Man! then safe is your Retreat,
Tho' small the Spot, Contentment makes it great;
While ragged Rocks, rude Heaths of furzy Ground,
And swampy Moors, look wasteful all around.
With no strange Herbs your teeming Flocks shall faint,
Nor your chaste Herds infectious Murrain taint.
Hail! bless'd old Man! here stretch'd along the Shade,
For you the bubbling Brooks shall gild the Glade;
And, with sonorous Charm, Sicilian Bees,
Fast by, extract the Sweets of Willow Trees,
O'er flow'ry Walks, with soaring Murmurs sweep,
And with their Musick lull delightful Sleep.
High o'er the shaded Rock, the Pruner stand,
And with glad Voice awake the silent Land;
While Turtles from the Elm, with plaintive Tone,
And Doves, your fond Amusement, muttering, moan.
TIT.
The nimble Hinds shall first in Æther feed,
And Seas, retiring, leave their scaly Breed;
16
Exchanging Climes, at distant Arar's Brink;
At Tygris' Streams the banish'd Germans rest,
Ere his lov'd Image vanish from my Breast.
MEL.
But exil'd we must other Realms explore,
Range Scythian Wilds, or bask on Afric's Shore;
Be toss'd on Candia, where Oaxis rolls;
Or Britain seated under other Poles.
And must I never see these Mansions more,
This lowly Cot, with Sedges cover'd o'er?
Or, after rolling Years, with wondring Eyes,
See other Greens, and other Harvests rise?
Must savage Troops these fertile Fields enjoy,
And our full Barns their barb'rous Hands employ?
Ah me! what Ills from civil Discord flow!
For whom, my Tityrus, did we plant and sow?
Go, Colin, now go till, and prune again,
Go, Colin, ah! thy Labour is in vain.
17
To thee, my tuneful Pipe! I bid farewel:
Farewel, my Goats, farewel; no more you'll browze
On flow'ry Hawthorn, or green Willow Boughs.
TIT.
But here, my Meliboeus! rest this Night,
A verdant Couch your Slumbers shall invite.
On Chesnuts, Curds, and Cream, here welcome live,
And the best Apples which my Farm can give.
For see yon Village Chimneys smoke around,
And deeper Shadows lengthen o'er the Ground.
18
To his Royal Highness the Prince,
on his Arrival in December, 1728.
Ascanium surgentem, & spes hæredis Iüli, Respice.
Virg. Æn. IV.
Thy Monarch's Fate, Britannia, mourn no more,
See! a bright Scene salutes thy sable Shore:
The long-expected Youth at length appears
To bless thy Land; Britannia, dry thy Tears.
See! a bright Scene salutes thy sable Shore:
The long-expected Youth at length appears
To bless thy Land; Britannia, dry thy Tears.
At his Approach let every Aspect smile,
And universal Joy transport the Isle.
And universal Joy transport the Isle.
19
From eastern Climes the dawning Glory spreads,
With sudden Day, and brightens o'er our Heads.
So northern Coruscations instant rise,
Swell with a Flood of Light, and sweep the Skies.
With sudden Day, and brightens o'er our Heads.
So northern Coruscations instant rise,
Swell with a Flood of Light, and sweep the Skies.
Silent his Progress, unobserv'd his Flight,
Still, as the March of Angels in the Night;
Still, as the fleecy Clouds which flew before
His Steps, for Him new whitening Albion's Shore.
Still, as the March of Angels in the Night;
Still, as the fleecy Clouds which flew before
His Steps, for Him new whitening Albion's Shore.
No Guards, no pompous Trains adorn'd his Way,
No Troops by Land, no Convoy on the Sea:
Too mean such Guards; 'tis only Seraphs Care,
With spreading Wings, to shield Britannia's Heir.
Believe the Muse, she saw the circling Host
Patrol around, and guide him to the Coast.
No Troops by Land, no Convoy on the Sea:
Too mean such Guards; 'tis only Seraphs Care,
With spreading Wings, to shield Britannia's Heir.
Believe the Muse, she saw the circling Host
Patrol around, and guide him to the Coast.
Hail, happy Prince! with blooming Virtues fraught,
Greatness of Mind, and Probity of Thought.
Hail, happy Prince! without a Kingdom bless'd,
Content has built her Palace in thy Breast;
There seated on a Throne, looks greatly down,
With calm Philosophy, and scorns a Crown.
Greatness of Mind, and Probity of Thought.
20
Content has built her Palace in thy Breast;
There seated on a Throne, looks greatly down,
With calm Philosophy, and scorns a Crown.
No sordid Flatt'ry swells thy generous Mind,
With Learning polish'd, and in Courts refin'd;
Courteous to all, strict to thy self alone,
And blind to no one's Virtue but thy own.
With Learning polish'd, and in Courts refin'd;
Courteous to all, strict to thy self alone,
And blind to no one's Virtue but thy own.
Thus shone Ascanius, sprung from Venus' Race,
And Rome already triumph'd in his Face.
And Rome already triumph'd in his Face.
O may'st thou late ascend the Royal Seat,
Great in thy Actions, in thy Empire great,
Belov'd by all, our native Rights maintain,
And Liberty still smile throughout thy Reign.
Great in thy Actions, in thy Empire great,
Belov'd by all, our native Rights maintain,
And Liberty still smile throughout thy Reign.
21
On her Majesty's erecting the Bustos at the Hermitage in Richmond Park.
While you, O Caroline! your Grotto grace,
And sacred Learning to its Fountain trace,
To sleeping Worth erect a deathless Shrine,
And civilize the Shades with Busts divine,
Permit the Muse to consecrate the Grove,
Pleas'd in the venerable Gloom to rove.
And sacred Learning to its Fountain trace,
To sleeping Worth erect a deathless Shrine,
And civilize the Shades with Busts divine,
Permit the Muse to consecrate the Grove,
Pleas'd in the venerable Gloom to rove.
Science, thus cherish'd, shall repine no more,
While crowned Heads her fading Greens restore,
But wak'd from Slumber, leave her antient Tomb,
And o'er your Bow'rs with spreading Branches bloom;
On purer Altars rais'd, luxuriant rise,
And shoot her Olive Banners to the Skies:
The joyful Muses on each Mountain sing,
And in each pathless Wild, Politeness spring.
While crowned Heads her fading Greens restore,
22
And o'er your Bow'rs with spreading Branches bloom;
On purer Altars rais'd, luxuriant rise,
And shoot her Olive Banners to the Skies:
The joyful Muses on each Mountain sing,
And in each pathless Wild, Politeness spring.
See these four Sages point the shining Way,
And in immortal Volumes Truth display;
Unshaken Systems see Mathesis frame;
Divinity assume a milder Flame;
Ethics the virtuous Road to Bliss explore;
And Logic slow on Reason's Pinions soar.
And in immortal Volumes Truth display;
Unshaken Systems see Mathesis frame;
Divinity assume a milder Flame;
Ethics the virtuous Road to Bliss explore;
And Logic slow on Reason's Pinions soar.
As Truth of old lay dormant in a Well,
In Shades retir'd it still delights to dwell,
Lodg'd in th'Asylum of the Royal Cell.
Chaste Learning best with Solitude agrees,
And courts the Silence of the Caves and Trees.
In Shades retir'd it still delights to dwell,
Lodg'd in th'Asylum of the Royal Cell.
Chaste Learning best with Solitude agrees,
And courts the Silence of the Caves and Trees.
23
Thy Trees, O Richmond! are instructive made,
And Youths grow wise beneath the learned Shade.
Methinks Arcadian Odes inspire the Green,
And in each Wood Lycean Walks are seen;
The Grecian Sages in each Grove appear,
And Academic Lectures charm the Ear.
Now rapt in Transports of romantic Dreams,
I hear the Murmur of Aonian Streams,
Thro' classic Meads see Peneus loit'ring creep,
And o'er yon Tow'rs the fam'd Stagyra peep;
Here Theban Chiefs, there Spartan Temples rise,
Here Chios, there immortal Samos lies;
Clog'd with slain Heroes, Xanthus slumb'ring flows,
Fam'd Argos there, and Ida tipt with Snows.
And Youths grow wise beneath the learned Shade.
Methinks Arcadian Odes inspire the Green,
And in each Wood Lycean Walks are seen;
The Grecian Sages in each Grove appear,
And Academic Lectures charm the Ear.
Now rapt in Transports of romantic Dreams,
I hear the Murmur of Aonian Streams,
Thro' classic Meads see Peneus loit'ring creep,
And o'er yon Tow'rs the fam'd Stagyra peep;
Here Theban Chiefs, there Spartan Temples rise,
Here Chios, there immortal Samos lies;
Clog'd with slain Heroes, Xanthus slumb'ring flows,
Fam'd Argos there, and Ida tipt with Snows.
Let others, studious of ignobler Praise,
Triumphal Thrones, and shining Structures raise;
Semiramis her wondrous Babel frame,
With Turrets proud, and curb Euphrates' Stream;
'Tis yours, O Queen! the drooping Arts to save,
And raise the Shades of Sages from the Grave,
Thro' Mists of Dulness spread a Light divine,
Make Swains inspir'd, and Savages refine.
Thus Pallas form'd the listning Croud polite,
Bœotians humane, and Barbarians bright;
Till Athens rose, with Godlike Heroes blest,
Guardian of Arts, and Mistress of the East.
Triumphal Thrones, and shining Structures raise;
Semiramis her wondrous Babel frame,
With Turrets proud, and curb Euphrates' Stream;
24
And raise the Shades of Sages from the Grave,
Thro' Mists of Dulness spread a Light divine,
Make Swains inspir'd, and Savages refine.
Thus Pallas form'd the listning Croud polite,
Bœotians humane, and Barbarians bright;
Till Athens rose, with Godlike Heroes blest,
Guardian of Arts, and Mistress of the East.
But while you raise each Sage's shining Bust,
And build a Temple o'er their sacred Dust;
On the same Pile your Praises loftier rise,
Fix'd on a Monument that never dies.
And build a Temple o'er their sacred Dust;
On the same Pile your Praises loftier rise,
Fix'd on a Monument that never dies.
Thus Sulphur, long imprison'd in the Earth,
Lifts bury'd Mines, and gives to Mountains Birth;
But as the Piles ascend, the Flames rise higher,
O'er their own Works ambitiously aspire,
And shine aloft in Pyramids of Fire.
Lifts bury'd Mines, and gives to Mountains Birth;
But as the Piles ascend, the Flames rise higher,
O'er their own Works ambitiously aspire,
And shine aloft in Pyramids of Fire.
25
On the New Method of treating Physic,
inscribed to Dr. Morgan, on his Philosophical Principles of Medicine.
In corpore humano divini conditoris mechanicen
ad regulas mathematicas planè adaptatam
satis admirari non possumus; siquidem nulla
alia in re manifestiùs, Ο Θεος γεωμετρειν videtur.
Willis Pharm. Rat.
Distinguis'd Worth demands the Poet's Lays,
Accept this grateful Tribute to your Praise;
Med'cine the Muses Patronage may claim,
For both from one illustrious Offspring came:
Each from Apollo boasts a Race divine,
And Gods and Heroes in the Lineage shine.
Great is the Task, superior to my Skill;
For heav'nly Themes require an heav'nly Quill:
Yet when you labor in the vast Pursuit,
Shall Fame be silent, or the Muse be mute?
Accept this grateful Tribute to your Praise;
Med'cine the Muses Patronage may claim,
For both from one illustrious Offspring came:
Each from Apollo boasts a Race divine,
And Gods and Heroes in the Lineage shine.
26
For heav'nly Themes require an heav'nly Quill:
Yet when you labor in the vast Pursuit,
Shall Fame be silent, or the Muse be mute?
In the primæval, happy Days of old,
When golden Years their shining Circles roll'd,
When with wild Fruits and Herbs, Men liv'd content,
And thankful took, what Heav'n's rich Bounty sent,
No noxious Humors stain'd the crimson Flood,
And what is Physic now, was then their Food.
They drank the crystal Stream, and sweetly slept
On mossy Couches, with the Flocks they kept.
Grief then was absent, Pain was hardly known;
Peaceful they liv'd, and dy'd without a Groan.
When golden Years their shining Circles roll'd,
When with wild Fruits and Herbs, Men liv'd content,
And thankful took, what Heav'n's rich Bounty sent,
No noxious Humors stain'd the crimson Flood,
And what is Physic now, was then their Food.
They drank the crystal Stream, and sweetly slept
On mossy Couches, with the Flocks they kept.
Grief then was absent, Pain was hardly known;
Peaceful they liv'd, and dy'd without a Groan.
Disease at first sprung from her Parent Vice,
And hence the healing Art deriv'd its Rise:
Blest Art! whose Pow'r dispels our Pain, and saves
From pining Sickness, and devouring Graves.
Plain Remedies at first were valu'd most,
The Drugs were few, and moderate the Cost:
The Sick were cur'd without a gilded Pill,
A sov'reign Bolus, or a pompous Bill.
As Vice increas'd, so Physic by Degrees
Increas'd its Empire, and increas'd its Fees.
And hence the healing Art deriv'd its Rise:
Blest Art! whose Pow'r dispels our Pain, and saves
From pining Sickness, and devouring Graves.
27
The Drugs were few, and moderate the Cost:
The Sick were cur'd without a gilded Pill,
A sov'reign Bolus, or a pompous Bill.
As Vice increas'd, so Physic by Degrees
Increas'd its Empire, and increas'd its Fees.
In after-times it more mysterious grew,
As Pride prevail'd, and Int'rest came in View;
Dress'd by designing Men in dark Disguise,
And veil'd in awful Shapes from vulgar Eyes.
As Pride prevail'd, and Int'rest came in View;
Dress'd by designing Men in dark Disguise,
And veil'd in awful Shapes from vulgar Eyes.
With Galen's Sect a Cloud of Med'cines came,
Of various Forms, and venerable Name:
Physic was all Confusion, all profound,
While Jargon reign'd, and Learning lay in Sound;
Till the last Age appear'd, when Gleams of Light
Dart thro' the Chaos, and dispel the Night.
Of various Forms, and venerable Name:
Physic was all Confusion, all profound,
While Jargon reign'd, and Learning lay in Sound;
Till the last Age appear'd, when Gleams of Light
Dart thro' the Chaos, and dispel the Night.
28
Then Bacon flourish'd, in whose spacious Soul
Unnumber'd Truths in beauteous Order roll.
Unnumber'd Truths in beauteous Order roll.
Then shone the learned, the industrious Boyle,
And sought out Truth with an unweary'd Toil;
Boyle on Experiment alone rely'd,
And Nature, which he lov'd, was still his Guide.
And sought out Truth with an unweary'd Toil;
Boyle on Experiment alone rely'd,
And Nature, which he lov'd, was still his Guide.
Locke now like some propitious Star appears,
And his fair Fabric of Ideas rears;
Which all the Schoolmen's Sophistry display'd,
And welcome Light to ev'ry Art convey'd.
And his fair Fabric of Ideas rears;
Which all the Schoolmen's Sophistry display'd,
And welcome Light to ev'ry Art convey'd.
Syd'nam made Practice from Experience plain,
Taught by no idle Fictions of the Brain:
Syd'nam the old, the simple Way renew'd,
Nor study'd what was great, but what was good.
He rescu'd Physic from its useless Load,
And pointed out a more successful Road.
Taught by no idle Fictions of the Brain:
Syd'nam the old, the simple Way renew'd,
Nor study'd what was great, but what was good.
He rescu'd Physic from its useless Load,
And pointed out a more successful Road.
29
The Scene still brightens each revolving Year,
And lo! fresh Wonders to our View appear:
Lo! Med'cine shines with Mathematic Rays,
The welcome Omen of propitious Days.
Such was of late the pleasing vast Surprize,
When Northern Streamers lighted all the Skies;
When soon as Shades of Night the Earth o'erspread,
Amaz'd we saw new Morning o'er our Head.
Charm'd with the Tidings, many a learned Sage
Does eager in the great Design engage;
While new Discov'ries their Researches crown,
Give Health to others, to themselves Renown.
And lo! fresh Wonders to our View appear:
Lo! Med'cine shines with Mathematic Rays,
The welcome Omen of propitious Days.
Such was of late the pleasing vast Surprize,
When Northern Streamers lighted all the Skies;
When soon as Shades of Night the Earth o'erspread,
Amaz'd we saw new Morning o'er our Head.
Charm'd with the Tidings, many a learned Sage
Does eager in the great Design engage;
While new Discov'ries their Researches crown,
Give Health to others, to themselves Renown.
But tho' such Numbers have pursu'd the Theme,
To You alone we owe a finish'd Scheme:
All that Bellini, or that Pitcairn dar'd,
At best is faint Essay with Yours compar'd:
The Method clear, each part with Judgment wrought,
Enrich'd with labor'd Skill, and Depth of Thought.
To You alone we owe a finish'd Scheme:
All that Bellini, or that Pitcairn dar'd,
At best is faint Essay with Yours compar'd:
The Method clear, each part with Judgment wrought,
Enrich'd with labor'd Skill, and Depth of Thought.
30
The learn'd Boerhave will hail the grateful Sight,
And read you o'er with Wonder and Delight;
While the fam'd Tribe you treat with such Regard,
Who best can judge of Worth, and best reward;
The Man they love with just Applause extol,
And in their shining Rank your Name enrol.
And read you o'er with Wonder and Delight;
While the fam'd Tribe you treat with such Regard,
Who best can judge of Worth, and best reward;
The Man they love with just Applause extol,
And in their shining Rank your Name enrol.
Thus the vast Genius is at length reveal'd,
Which long, too long in Darkness lay conceal'd;
Thro' interposing Clouds it makes its Way,
And breaks, refulgent with celestial Day.
So Gems disclos'd in some Peruvian Mine,
With innate Fire, and rugged Lustre shine.
Great Souls blaze out with their own native Light,
Tho' Fortune frown, and Envy wrecks her Spight.
You leave the beaten Circle of the Schools,
And the dull Round of antiquated Rules:
On obvious Facts your Principles depend,
And heal our Errors, as our Health they mend:
While by just Consquence, from these you draw
Some fundamental Truth, and useful Law,
To guard Man's feeble Frame from fell Disease;
Or, when we sink with Pain, to give us Ease;
To ev'ry Ail ascribe its proper Cause:
For Nature's govern'd by Mechanic Laws.
With nicest Skill you paint her outward Dress,
In vain we'd penetrate the deep Recess;
No human Eye her secret Springs can trace,
But lost in Mazes leaves the fruitless Chace.
Mount Ætna thus conceals her unknown Fires,
And rapid Nile to hidden Paths retires.
Which long, too long in Darkness lay conceal'd;
Thro' interposing Clouds it makes its Way,
And breaks, refulgent with celestial Day.
So Gems disclos'd in some Peruvian Mine,
With innate Fire, and rugged Lustre shine.
Great Souls blaze out with their own native Light,
Tho' Fortune frown, and Envy wrecks her Spight.
You leave the beaten Circle of the Schools,
And the dull Round of antiquated Rules:
On obvious Facts your Principles depend,
And heal our Errors, as our Health they mend:
31
Some fundamental Truth, and useful Law,
To guard Man's feeble Frame from fell Disease;
Or, when we sink with Pain, to give us Ease;
To ev'ry Ail ascribe its proper Cause:
For Nature's govern'd by Mechanic Laws.
With nicest Skill you paint her outward Dress,
In vain we'd penetrate the deep Recess;
No human Eye her secret Springs can trace,
But lost in Mazes leaves the fruitless Chace.
Mount Ætna thus conceals her unknown Fires,
And rapid Nile to hidden Paths retires.
Sages now trust to Fairy Scenes no more,
Nor venture farther, than they see the Shore:
They build on Sense, then reason from th'Effect,
On well establish'd Truths their Schemes erect;
By these some new Phænomena explain;
And Light divine in ev'ry Process gain.
Nor venture farther, than they see the Shore:
They build on Sense, then reason from th'Effect,
On well establish'd Truths their Schemes erect;
By these some new Phænomena explain;
And Light divine in ev'ry Process gain.
32
Such was the Path immortal Newton trod,
He form'd the wondrous Plan, and mark'd the Road;
Led by this Clue he travel'd o'er the Sky,
And marshal'd all the shining Worlds on high,
Pursu'd the Comets, where they farthest run,
And brought them back obsequious to the Sun.
He form'd the wondrous Plan, and mark'd the Road;
Led by this Clue he travel'd o'er the Sky,
And marshal'd all the shining Worlds on high,
Pursu'd the Comets, where they farthest run,
And brought them back obsequious to the Sun.
Men may on Fancy's airy Pinions rise,
And in Imagination touch the Skies;
Be pleas'd with Theories, because they're new,
And then, for being pleas'd, believe them true:
On Nature call, but call, alas! in vain,
To softer all the Monsters of their Brain.
Nature has no imaginary Schemes,
No vain Chimeras, nor romantic Dreams;
She offers Truth, not Fiction to the Mind,
Nor makes us fancy, what we never find.
And in Imagination touch the Skies;
Be pleas'd with Theories, because they're new,
And then, for being pleas'd, believe them true:
On Nature call, but call, alas! in vain,
To softer all the Monsters of their Brain.
Nature has no imaginary Schemes,
No vain Chimeras, nor romantic Dreams;
She offers Truth, not Fiction to the Mind,
Nor makes us fancy, what we never find.
33
Mature in Thought, you Newton's Laws reduce
To nobler Ends, and more important Use.
You shew, how heav'nly Orbs affect our Frame,
And raise, or sink by Turns the vital Flame:
How Moons alternate in their changing Sphere
Impress their Force, and agitate the Air;
How as without successive Tides advance,
While Cynthia pale pursues her silent Dance,
So does the refluent Blood her Influence know,
And Tides within roll high, or creep on slow.
To nobler Ends, and more important Use.
You shew, how heav'nly Orbs affect our Frame,
And raise, or sink by Turns the vital Flame:
How Moons alternate in their changing Sphere
Impress their Force, and agitate the Air;
How as without successive Tides advance,
While Cynthia pale pursues her silent Dance,
So does the refluent Blood her Influence know,
And Tides within roll high, or creep on slow.
When raging Fevers kindle Flames within,
Which dreadful glow o'er all the scorch'd Machine,
You shew, how Nature grows averse to Food,
And pants for Liquors to dilute the Blood,
Shuts up the Pores, and prudently detains
The flowing Serum in the burning Veins.
Your gentle Med'cines mitigate the Heat,
And cool the Blood without Expenee of Sweat:
The Monster Febris flies the mighty Spell,
In Haste retires, and calmly seeks her Cell.
Which dreadful glow o'er all the scorch'd Machine,
You shew, how Nature grows averse to Food,
And pants for Liquors to dilute the Blood,
Shuts up the Pores, and prudently detains
The flowing Serum in the burning Veins.
Your gentle Med'cines mitigate the Heat,
And cool the Blood without Expenee of Sweat:
34
In Haste retires, and calmly seeks her Cell.
So when the sultry Dog-star reigns on high,
And all the Fountains of the Earth are dry,
When parched Fields look with'ring all around,
And frequent Chasms divide the thirsty Ground;
Indulgent Heav'n bids num'rous Vapors rise,
And, lo! th'obedient Vapors croud the Skies;
While bursting Clouds descend in Show'rs of Rain,
Revive the Plants, and cool the burning Plain.
And all the Fountains of the Earth are dry,
When parched Fields look with'ring all around,
And frequent Chasms divide the thirsty Ground;
Indulgent Heav'n bids num'rous Vapors rise,
And, lo! th'obedient Vapors croud the Skies;
While bursting Clouds descend in Show'rs of Rain,
Revive the Plants, and cool the burning Plain.
Med'cine from hence shall boast of sure Success,
Nor Patients long remain without Redress.
But raise from Scenes of Death their drooping Heads,
And flush'd with sudden Life forsake their Beds.
Nor Patients long remain without Redress.
But raise from Scenes of Death their drooping Heads,
And flush'd with sudden Life forsake their Beds.
For this shall future Ages sound your Fame,
And distant Climates echo loud your Name:
Your Work itself will its Admirers raise,
And Men that breathe by you, shall breathe your Praise
And distant Climates echo loud your Name:
Your Work itself will its Admirers raise,
And Men that breathe by you, shall breathe your Praise
35
My raptur'd Muse sees with prophetic Eyes
New Ages roll along, new Nations rise;
Sees Physic on Mechanic Reas'ning climb,
And raise a Structure to the Skies sublime;
Sees Sickness fled, Health bloom in ev'ry Face,
And Age creep on with slow, reluctant Pace.
Experience with her Torch shall guide our Youth,
Scatter the Mists, and light the Way to Truth.
While dark Hypothesis no more prevails,
Nor Pupils listen to romantic Tales;
Nor proud Authority with bugbear Rules
Controuls the Church, nor dictates in the Schools.
But Liberty sits Goddess of our Isle,
And peaceful Blessings all around her smile;
Darkness and Bigotry before her fly,
And Truth and Virtue grow beneath her Eye.
New Ages roll along, new Nations rise;
Sees Physic on Mechanic Reas'ning climb,
And raise a Structure to the Skies sublime;
Sees Sickness fled, Health bloom in ev'ry Face,
And Age creep on with slow, reluctant Pace.
Experience with her Torch shall guide our Youth,
Scatter the Mists, and light the Way to Truth.
While dark Hypothesis no more prevails,
Nor Pupils listen to romantic Tales;
Nor proud Authority with bugbear Rules
Controuls the Church, nor dictates in the Schools.
But Liberty sits Goddess of our Isle,
And peaceful Blessings all around her smile;
Darkness and Bigotry before her fly,
And Truth and Virtue grow beneath her Eye.
36
To Richard Champneys of Orchardly, Esq;
when in Danger of the Small-Pox, which raged in the Neighbourhood.
Quis non è timidis ægri contagia vitat,
Vicinum metuens ne trahat inde malum?
Perlege, nec mecum pariter mea verba relega;
Villa licet vestra versibus esse meis.
Ovid.
Vicinum metuens ne trahat inde malum?
Perlege, nec mecum pariter mea verba relega;
Villa licet vestra versibus esse meis.
Ovid.
While Blasts contagious taint the ambient Air,
And o'er each Mind diffuse a gloomy Care,
Amidst the public Loss I mourn my own,
And banish'd from your Seat, in Silence moan.
And o'er each Mind diffuse a gloomy Care,
Amidst the public Loss I mourn my own,
And banish'd from your Seat, in Silence moan.
37
Cruel Disease! whose subtle Poison flows
Unseen, and wafts Infection as it goes;
Thy Darts not only Death, and Vengeance spread,
But make the Living, Strangers like the Dead.
To live, is not in Solitude to dwell,
In Cloisters lock'd, or sleeping in a Cell:
'Tis not an idle Flux of useless Breath,
Perpetual Absence is a Sort of Death.
Unseen, and wafts Infection as it goes;
Thy Darts not only Death, and Vengeance spread,
But make the Living, Strangers like the Dead.
To live, is not in Solitude to dwell,
In Cloisters lock'd, or sleeping in a Cell:
'Tis not an idle Flux of useless Breath,
Perpetual Absence is a Sort of Death.
But tho' condemn'd an Exile from your Seat,
Permit the Muse to visit the Retreat,
Where once she lov'd in echoing Walks to play,
Sing to the Streams, and o'er the Gardens stray.
She no Infection in her Presence brings,
No dire Effluvia lurk beneath her Wings;
Or should you fear some Venom lies unseen,
She'll round the Air perform a Quarantine,
Above the cloudy Regions tow'ring rise,
In purer Climes, and unpolluted Skies,
Where no terrestrial Vapours ever soar,
Nor Thunders thro' the peaceful Æther roar,
No sickly Meteors there portentous play,
But Titan shines with an unsully'd Ray.
Permit the Muse to visit the Retreat,
Where once she lov'd in echoing Walks to play,
Sing to the Streams, and o'er the Gardens stray.
She no Infection in her Presence brings,
No dire Effluvia lurk beneath her Wings;
Or should you fear some Venom lies unseen,
She'll round the Air perform a Quarantine,
38
In purer Climes, and unpolluted Skies,
Where no terrestrial Vapours ever soar,
Nor Thunders thro' the peaceful Æther roar,
No sickly Meteors there portentous play,
But Titan shines with an unsully'd Ray.
But ah! how dull, how lifeless are these Lays!
Not like the Flame your Bounty us'd to raise,
When all the Sweets of Orchardly inspir'd,
And rich Champagne the languid Genius fir'd;
What now avail these visionary Lines,
That Seat which only in Description shines,
In Fancy round the fairy Scene to soar,
And dream of Pleasures which are now no more?
In vain I bring the vanish'd Pile to View,
And form a pictur'd Paradise anew:
Only faint Landskips skim before my Sight,
Departing Bow'rs, and Grottos wing'd for Flight:
In vain I bid the floating Prospects stay;
Alcoves, and Grots, and Forests fleet away;
As transient Shadows hurry o'er the Lawn,
And Vapors vanish at Aurora's Dawn:
Yet pleasant 'tis past Pleasures to revive,
And trace in Picture what was once alive.
Thus I each Charm of your Retreat survey,
Your Temper candid, generous, and gay:
A Lady blest with each endearing Grace,
Good Sense, and Softness smiling in her Face.
Such mild Complacence fills her gentle Mien,
One Look would Fury quell, and charm Chagrin;
The Muses listen when she strikes the Strings,
And Birds forget their Warbling while she sings.
Not like the Flame your Bounty us'd to raise,
When all the Sweets of Orchardly inspir'd,
And rich Champagne the languid Genius fir'd;
What now avail these visionary Lines,
That Seat which only in Description shines,
In Fancy round the fairy Scene to soar,
And dream of Pleasures which are now no more?
In vain I bring the vanish'd Pile to View,
And form a pictur'd Paradise anew:
Only faint Landskips skim before my Sight,
Departing Bow'rs, and Grottos wing'd for Flight:
39
Alcoves, and Grots, and Forests fleet away;
As transient Shadows hurry o'er the Lawn,
And Vapors vanish at Aurora's Dawn:
Yet pleasant 'tis past Pleasures to revive,
And trace in Picture what was once alive.
Thus I each Charm of your Retreat survey,
Your Temper candid, generous, and gay:
A Lady blest with each endearing Grace,
Good Sense, and Softness smiling in her Face.
Such mild Complacence fills her gentle Mien,
One Look would Fury quell, and charm Chagrin;
The Muses listen when she strikes the Strings,
And Birds forget their Warbling while she sings.
Would Time once more roll down the happy Day,
And let these Eyes again the Scene survey,
The Bow'rs more fair should bloom in ev'ry Line,
And ev'ry Beauty with new Lustre shine.
But all these Glories have their destin'd Doom,
And all Creation hurries to the Tomb;
Impending Fate hangs threat'ning o'er our Head,
Fly where we will, we're Neighbours to the Dead;
And tho' awhile we may elude the Foe,
'Twill soon, or late, strike home the fatal Blow.
And let these Eyes again the Scene survey,
The Bow'rs more fair should bloom in ev'ry Line,
And ev'ry Beauty with new Lustre shine.
40
And all Creation hurries to the Tomb;
Impending Fate hangs threat'ning o'er our Head,
Fly where we will, we're Neighbours to the Dead;
And tho' awhile we may elude the Foe,
'Twill soon, or late, strike home the fatal Blow.
41
The Story of the Trojan Women Burning their Ships.
Virgil. Æneid. Lib. V.
The
Trojans now their solemn Rites display'd,
Sacred to great Anchises' awful Shade.
But while their ritual Games his Manes grace,
Here first inconstant Fortune chang'd her Face.
Sacred to great Anchises' awful Shade.
But while their ritual Games his Manes grace,
Here first inconstant Fortune chang'd her Face.
On her old Grudge Relentless Juno bent,
Sends Iris from the Skies her Rage to vent,
Swift bids her hasten to the Trojan Fleet,
And with celestial Breezes wings her Feet.
Unseen she glides along the gilded Skies,
From her fair Bow a thousand Colours rise:
The painted Virgin sees the Trojan Band,
The crouded Theatre, the silent Strand,
Sees the forsaken Ships, the desart Port,
Where, far retir'd, the Dardan Dames resort,
There, for Anchises, lonely weeping stood,
And weeping all beheld the crystal Flood,
One Voice, one Passion, all the Troop possess'd:
What, must we still explore a Place of Rest?
Fatigu'd with Storms and Billows, leave our Home,
Still fated o'er yon trackless Seas to roam?
While skilful Iris mingles with the Croud,
The Goddess, veil'd in a terrestrial Shroud,
By Juno taught her radiant Form to hide
In Beroe's Guise, Doryclus' aged Bride.
Ismarian Doryclus, whose Race and Name,
When Ilium stood, were not unknown to Fame.
Sends Iris from the Skies her Rage to vent,
Swift bids her hasten to the Trojan Fleet,
And with celestial Breezes wings her Feet.
42
From her fair Bow a thousand Colours rise:
The painted Virgin sees the Trojan Band,
The crouded Theatre, the silent Strand,
Sees the forsaken Ships, the desart Port,
Where, far retir'd, the Dardan Dames resort,
There, for Anchises, lonely weeping stood,
And weeping all beheld the crystal Flood,
One Voice, one Passion, all the Troop possess'd:
What, must we still explore a Place of Rest?
Fatigu'd with Storms and Billows, leave our Home,
Still fated o'er yon trackless Seas to roam?
While skilful Iris mingles with the Croud,
The Goddess, veil'd in a terrestrial Shroud,
By Juno taught her radiant Form to hide
In Beroe's Guise, Doryclus' aged Bride.
Ismarian Doryclus, whose Race and Name,
When Ilium stood, were not unknown to Fame.
43
Thus unobserv'd, amidst the Throng she press'd,
And in these Words the Female Clans address'd.
And in these Words the Female Clans address'd.
Unhappy Matrons! whom the Grecian Bands
Unkindly spar'd to rove o'er foreign Lands;
Bless'd had ye been beneath Troy's Ruins slain,
And not reserv'd for Scenes of future Pain.
The Sun has sev'n times pass'd his vernal Bound,
Since we poor Pilgrims strole the World around.
What Seas, what Stars, what Climates have we cross'd,
On barren Rocks, and barren Regions toss'd?
And o'er tumultuous Waves in vain pursue
Italian Shores, eluding still our View.
Now on Sicilia's friendly Banks we stand,
The kind Acestes' hospitable Land,
Ah! let us here our toilsome Journey close,
Erect new Walls, and seek at last Repose.
O Country! now no more, O Trojan Names!
O sacred Gods! in vain secur'd from Flames,
Shall Troy, and Hector's Streams be nam'd no more,
And no new Simois bound another Shore?
Unkindly spar'd to rove o'er foreign Lands;
Bless'd had ye been beneath Troy's Ruins slain,
And not reserv'd for Scenes of future Pain.
The Sun has sev'n times pass'd his vernal Bound,
Since we poor Pilgrims strole the World around.
What Seas, what Stars, what Climates have we cross'd,
On barren Rocks, and barren Regions toss'd?
And o'er tumultuous Waves in vain pursue
Italian Shores, eluding still our View.
Now on Sicilia's friendly Banks we stand,
The kind Acestes' hospitable Land,
Ah! let us here our toilsome Journey close,
Erect new Walls, and seek at last Repose.
O Country! now no more, O Trojan Names!
O sacred Gods! in vain secur'd from Flames,
44
And no new Simois bound another Shore?
But come, ye Matrons! and let Rage inspire,
Come, set, with me, these cursed Ships on Fire.
To me Cassandra's Form in Dreams appear'd,
And with up-lifted Arm bright Torches rear'd:
Here seek lost Troy, here fix your Home, she said,
Conclude your Toils; and strait the Vision fled.
Then haste, beloved Sex! the Call obey,
Since Prodigies and Omens point the Way.
Come, set, with me, these cursed Ships on Fire.
To me Cassandra's Form in Dreams appear'd,
And with up-lifted Arm bright Torches rear'd:
Here seek lost Troy, here fix your Home, she said,
Conclude your Toils; and strait the Vision fled.
Then haste, beloved Sex! the Call obey,
Since Prodigies and Omens point the Way.
Sacred to Neptune, see, four Altars lie,
The God himself will Fire and Force supply.
The God himself will Fire and Force supply.
She spoke; and snatching swift a flaming Brand,
With glitt'ring Vengeance waves her vig'rous Hand,
Thro' the sing'd Air the winged Lightning flies,
While the mad Matrons gaze with wondring Eyes.
With glitt'ring Vengeance waves her vig'rous Hand,
Thro' the sing'd Air the winged Lightning flies,
While the mad Matrons gaze with wondring Eyes.
45
But one, nam'd Pyrgo, eldest of the Throng,
The royal Nurse of Priam's royal Young,
Believe, this is not Beroe's Aspect, cry'd,
Nor can she be the fam'd Doryclus' Bride.
Observe with what majestic Gate she walks,
Her Mien how noble, how divine she talks,
What Spirit in her Looks, what heav'nly Grace,
And charming Splendor brightens in her Face.
Beroe herself I feeble left behind,
Detain'd by Sickness and Chagrin of Mind,
Lamenting her unhappy Fate to stay,
Nor share the Honors of Anchises' Day.
The royal Nurse of Priam's royal Young,
Believe, this is not Beroe's Aspect, cry'd,
Nor can she be the fam'd Doryclus' Bride.
Observe with what majestic Gate she walks,
Her Mien how noble, how divine she talks,
What Spirit in her Looks, what heav'nly Grace,
And charming Splendor brightens in her Face.
Beroe herself I feeble left behind,
Detain'd by Sickness and Chagrin of Mind,
Lamenting her unhappy Fate to stay,
Nor share the Honors of Anchises' Day.
She ceas'd; the doubtful Matrons, in Amaze,
With Looks malignant, on the Gallies gaze;
Whether to stay, involv'd in sad Suspense,
Or listen to the Fates, which call'd them thence.
When, lo! the winged Goddess quits the Croud,
And forms a splendid Arch across the Cloud.
With Looks malignant, on the Gallies gaze;
Whether to stay, involv'd in sad Suspense,
Or listen to the Fates, which call'd them thence.
When, lo! the winged Goddess quits the Croud,
And forms a splendid Arch across the Cloud.
46
Then, struck with Visions, frantic Rage inspires
The shrieking Troops to pluck the hallow'd Fires,
The Altars rob, while from their vengeful Hands
Fly mingled, smoaking Boughs, and flaming Brands.
Devouring Vulcan now begins his Wreck,
Preys on the Seats, and fastens on the Deck;
The painted Stern aloft, of Firr-tree-frame,
With crackling Noise, falls mould'ring in the Flame.
The shrieking Troops to pluck the hallow'd Fires,
The Altars rob, while from their vengeful Hands
Fly mingled, smoaking Boughs, and flaming Brands.
Devouring Vulcan now begins his Wreck,
Preys on the Seats, and fastens on the Deck;
The painted Stern aloft, of Firr-tree-frame,
With crackling Noise, falls mould'ring in the Flame.
Eumelus hastens to Anchises' Tomb,
The first sad Envoy of the Navy's Doom,
And soon the crouded Circus sees from far,
Volumes of Smoke obscure the dusky Air.
The first sad Envoy of the Navy's Doom,
And soon the crouded Circus sees from far,
Volumes of Smoke obscure the dusky Air.
And first Ascanius, with his mounted Band
Of Trojan Youths, flies to the noisy Strand.
In vain th'affrighted Guides his Course would stay,
Nor Cries nor Tears, can interrupt his Way.
Of Trojan Youths, flies to the noisy Strand.
In vain th'affrighted Guides his Course would stay,
Nor Cries nor Tears, can interrupt his Way.
47
And thus the Youth, O wretched Females! cries,
What means this Rage, this Frenzy in your Eyes?
No Grecian Tents, no hostile Seats you burn,
But your own Hopes to Flames and Ashes turn,
See your Ascanius thus before you stands,
And throws his useless Helmet on the Sands,
With which, at his old Grandsire's Games, array'd,
The mimic Face of War the Youth display'd.
What means this Rage, this Frenzy in your Eyes?
No Grecian Tents, no hostile Seats you burn,
But your own Hopes to Flames and Ashes turn,
See your Ascanius thus before you stands,
And throws his useless Helmet on the Sands,
With which, at his old Grandsire's Games, array'd,
The mimic Face of War the Youth display'd.
Æneas next, with the concurring Train
Of Dardan Bands, hastes o'er Sicilia's Plain.
But the pale Sex, confus'd, and tim'rous rove
Wild o'er the Beach, or seek the silent Grove;
In winding Caverns hide, and fill'd with Shame,
Grow sick of Life, and their mad Actions blame;
Confess their Friends with milder Thoughts possest,
And banish'd Juno peaceful leaves their Breast.
Of Dardan Bands, hastes o'er Sicilia's Plain.
But the pale Sex, confus'd, and tim'rous rove
Wild o'er the Beach, or seek the silent Grove;
In winding Caverns hide, and fill'd with Shame,
Grow sick of Life, and their mad Actions blame;
Confess their Friends with milder Thoughts possest,
And banish'd Juno peaceful leaves their Breast.
48
Not so the spreading Flames their Force allay,
But with unconquer'd Fury sweep their Way.
The nourish'd Fire here hovering feeds on Tow,
And smother'd Planks emit thick Fumes below.
In vain the Art of Chiefs, and Men conspires,
In vain full Currents ply the growing Fires,
The raging Element resistless spreads
Destruction round, and tow'rs above their Heads.
But with unconquer'd Fury sweep their Way.
The nourish'd Fire here hovering feeds on Tow,
And smother'd Planks emit thick Fumes below.
In vain the Art of Chiefs, and Men conspires,
In vain full Currents ply the growing Fires,
The raging Element resistless spreads
Destruction round, and tow'rs above their Heads.
Then rent the Chief his Garments from his Breast,
Invok'd the Gods, and thus his Pray'rs address'd.
“Almighty Jove! if yet thy Mercy reigns,
“Nor everlasting Hate to Troy remains,
“If antient Love will human Toils reward,
“Oh! from surrounding Ills the Navy guard,
“Snatch it from Ruin, and, if not too late,
“Preserve our little Weal from threatning Fate:
“Or if I merit Death, Great Jove! (he said)
“Direct thy forked Thunder at my Head.
Invok'd the Gods, and thus his Pray'rs address'd.
“Almighty Jove! if yet thy Mercy reigns,
“Nor everlasting Hate to Troy remains,
“If antient Love will human Toils reward,
“Oh! from surrounding Ills the Navy guard,
“Snatch it from Ruin, and, if not too late,
“Preserve our little Weal from threatning Fate:
“Or if I merit Death, Great Jove! (he said)
“Direct thy forked Thunder at my Head.
49
Scarce had he spoke, when thro' the sounding Skies,
With clatt'ring Noise, a sweeping Tempest flies;
The lowring Clouds let loose th'imprison'd Show'rs
In Floods of Rain, and Thunder shakes the Tow'rs;
High on the Mountain Tops the Lightnings glare,
And rattling Storms rush thro' the noisy Air.
The Ships, replete with Rain, o'erflow the Brim,
And half-burn'd Planks in Lakes of Water swim,
Till in the Flood dies each dull Spark away,
And only four to Vulcan fall a Prey.
With clatt'ring Noise, a sweeping Tempest flies;
The lowring Clouds let loose th'imprison'd Show'rs
In Floods of Rain, and Thunder shakes the Tow'rs;
High on the Mountain Tops the Lightnings glare,
And rattling Storms rush thro' the noisy Air.
The Ships, replete with Rain, o'erflow the Brim,
And half-burn'd Planks in Lakes of Water swim,
Till in the Flood dies each dull Spark away,
And only four to Vulcan fall a Prey.
50
MARSTON-HOUSE.
Inscribed to the Right Honourable the Earl of ORRERY.
Te nostræ, Vare, miricæ,
Te nemus omne canet
Virg. Ecl. VI.
Te nemus omne canet
Virg. Ecl. VI.
Since you, my Lord, from public Cares refrain,
Nor rural Seats, or rural Songs disdain,
Proud of so great a Guide, the rustic Muse
Thro' the lone Shade your silent Steps pursues,
And like fond Birds, which follow your Retreat,
Haunts your Repose, and hovers round your Seat,
As you approve, advances, or withdraws,
In Woods gives Musick, and in Courts Applause.
Nor rural Seats, or rural Songs disdain,
Proud of so great a Guide, the rustic Muse
Thro' the lone Shade your silent Steps pursues,
And like fond Birds, which follow your Retreat,
Haunts your Repose, and hovers round your Seat,
51
In Woods gives Musick, and in Courts Applause.
Your Presence now our Marston Groves confess,
From civil Noise, soft Region of Recess.
At Your Approach the Country smiles around,
And vocal Forests with the Tidings sound:
Long absent Echoes pleas'd return again,
Wind thro' the Woods, and wanton o'er the Plain:
At Your Approach the Fields appear more gay,
And thro' those Fields the Streams more chearful play:
The grateful Brutes come fawning at your Feet,
And conscious Doves in Flocks your Chariot greet.
From civil Noise, soft Region of Recess.
At Your Approach the Country smiles around,
And vocal Forests with the Tidings sound:
Long absent Echoes pleas'd return again,
Wind thro' the Woods, and wanton o'er the Plain:
At Your Approach the Fields appear more gay,
And thro' those Fields the Streams more chearful play:
The grateful Brutes come fawning at your Feet,
And conscious Doves in Flocks your Chariot greet.
No Crouds, no busy Fops, this Clime annoy,
No Cares this Region of Repose destroy:
No public Knaves, no Parasites intrude,
No Zealots vex these Seats of Solitude.
No Cares this Region of Repose destroy:
No public Knaves, no Parasites intrude,
No Zealots vex these Seats of Solitude.
52
Here o'er th'Horizon wide a Mountain reigns,
That with gay Brow o'erlooks the subject Plains.
In whose Mid-way a gentle Flat is seen,
From Damps below, and Winds above a Screen.
Here hangs the Villa in majestick Show,
And high in Beauty fronts the Meads below,
And seated thus, looks to the distant Eye,
Like some inchanted Palace in the Sky.
That with gay Brow o'erlooks the subject Plains.
In whose Mid-way a gentle Flat is seen,
From Damps below, and Winds above a Screen.
Here hangs the Villa in majestick Show,
And high in Beauty fronts the Meads below,
And seated thus, looks to the distant Eye,
Like some inchanted Palace in the Sky.
A spacious Court, which lofty Walls surround,
And loftier Trees, the splendid Entrance bound:
Deep, mossy Banks in artless Hills decline,
And sloping Verdures beautifully shine.
Behind, with slow Ascent, the Gardens rise,
Whose airy Top looks downward to the Skies;
And on each Side such distant Scenes surveys,
The Sight is buried in the boundless Gaze.
Like the old hanging Gardens of the East,
'Twixt Heav'n and Earth th'exalted Arbors rest:
Thro' Sweets we climb, and climbing, seem to share
Ambrosial Odors, and celestial Air.
And loftier Trees, the splendid Entrance bound:
Deep, mossy Banks in artless Hills decline,
And sloping Verdures beautifully shine.
Behind, with slow Ascent, the Gardens rise,
Whose airy Top looks downward to the Skies;
And on each Side such distant Scenes surveys,
The Sight is buried in the boundless Gaze.
Like the old hanging Gardens of the East,
'Twixt Heav'n and Earth th'exalted Arbors rest:
53
Ambrosial Odors, and celestial Air.
Below, an Area of enamel'd Green
Displays its Robes, where Statues rise between,
And shine with Features of a Roman Mien.
Here polish'd Bowls o'er the smooth Surface glide
Serene, like Bubbles floating on the Tide.
Illustrious Game! which in contracted Space,
Forms a low Copy of th'Olympic Race.
Displays its Robes, where Statues rise between,
And shine with Features of a Roman Mien.
Here polish'd Bowls o'er the smooth Surface glide
Serene, like Bubbles floating on the Tide.
Illustrious Game! which in contracted Space,
Forms a low Copy of th'Olympic Race.
See the pois'd Globes with Emulation roll,
As stream'd swift Chariots to the destin'd Goal;
Now round the Mark with oblique Shiness bend,
And feign to shun that Point to which they tend;
But drawn by Gravity of inward Steel,
Near and more near in lessening Eddies wheel,
Then drop at once, like Birds with downward Wing;
And loud Applauses o'er the Verdure ring.
As stream'd swift Chariots to the destin'd Goal;
Now round the Mark with oblique Shiness bend,
And feign to shun that Point to which they tend;
But drawn by Gravity of inward Steel,
Near and more near in lessening Eddies wheel,
Then drop at once, like Birds with downward Wing;
And loud Applauses o'er the Verdure ring.
54
Thus Vessels near some Vortex in the Deep,
With various Path long round its Edges sweep,
But once within the Gulphy Circles cast,
Sink to the Centre with impetuous Haste.
With various Path long round its Edges sweep,
But once within the Gulphy Circles cast,
Sink to the Centre with impetuous Haste.
But see, th'Antagonists, 'twixt Joy and Fear,
Alternate vary with the shifting Sphere;
As this revolves, their Passions rise or fall,
Just Picture of the great terrestrial Ball;
When from the Mark the Bowl elopes in Flight,
Persuading Muscles try to wind it right,
And with mechanic Impulse, laboring guide
Its Path erratic, and the Motion chide;
When slowly waddling with dull, slumbring Pace,
The flying Words precipitate the Race;
But when too swift, the Language slacks its Sound,
And Syllables sleep loitering o'er the Ground.
Alternate vary with the shifting Sphere;
As this revolves, their Passions rise or fall,
Just Picture of the great terrestrial Ball;
When from the Mark the Bowl elopes in Flight,
Persuading Muscles try to wind it right,
And with mechanic Impulse, laboring guide
Its Path erratic, and the Motion chide;
When slowly waddling with dull, slumbring Pace,
The flying Words precipitate the Race;
But when too swift, the Language slacks its Sound,
And Syllables sleep loitering o'er the Ground.
55
Here you, my Lord, unsully'd Pleasures find,
And from severer Scenes relax your Mind;
Books and Diversions, happy Contrast! blend
Gentle Amusements, and a gentle Friend;
And with these Bowls more glorious Contest hold,
Than the Pellæan Ravager of old,
Or rapid Cæsar in his martial Robe,
Crossing the Rhine, and toiling for the Globe.
Blest in your Lady, whose attractive Air,
And chaste Endearments, sweeten every Care.
While in your blooming Offspring we presage
Uncommon Blessings to the rising Age.
And from severer Scenes relax your Mind;
Books and Diversions, happy Contrast! blend
Gentle Amusements, and a gentle Friend;
And with these Bowls more glorious Contest hold,
Than the Pellæan Ravager of old,
Or rapid Cæsar in his martial Robe,
Crossing the Rhine, and toiling for the Globe.
Blest in your Lady, whose attractive Air,
And chaste Endearments, sweeten every Care.
While in your blooming Offspring we presage
Uncommon Blessings to the rising Age.
Let Men of Pleasure of their Raptures boast,
'Tis but a momentary Joy at most,
A treach'rous Sea which will no Storm abide,
While virtuous Pleasure is a constant Tide.
Let others restless rove the World around,
In vain Pursuits no Happiness is found;
Let needy Courtiers pine for wretched State,
'Tis private Virtue makes the good Man Great.
'Tis but a momentary Joy at most,
A treach'rous Sea which will no Storm abide,
While virtuous Pleasure is a constant Tide.
Let others restless rove the World around,
In vain Pursuits no Happiness is found;
56
'Tis private Virtue makes the good Man Great.
Heroic Souls, of such a Prize possess'd,
May scorn the tinsel Treasures of the East,
And fraught with calm Tranquility can find
A better Treasure in a guiltless Mind.
'Tis thus the Brave all Ills of Life despise,
And know that to be Blest, is to be Wise.
May scorn the tinsel Treasures of the East,
And fraught with calm Tranquility can find
A better Treasure in a guiltless Mind.
'Tis thus the Brave all Ills of Life despise,
And know that to be Blest, is to be Wise.
57
To Miss Raleigh,
Great Grand-daughter of the famous Sir W. Raleigh.
Igneus est illi vigor, & cœlestis origo
Seminibus.
Virg. Æn. VI.
Seminibus.
Virg. Æn. VI.
As in a tender Plant impress'd we see
The mimic Features of the parent Tree;
Or as young Painters, in their first Essay,
The Soul within in each light Sketch betray:
So, rising Raleigh, 'midst your Bloom we trace
The Rays of Greatness dawning in your Face;
And wondring view, as in a Picture shine
Sublime Ideas, and an Air divine:
The vivid Strokes in Miniature proclaim
Your genuine Title, and deserved Name.
Like Prints in Sand, or Images in Sleep,
Th'Impression's obvious, tho' the Stamp not deep.
We need no lineal Pedigrees of Books,
But read the fair Tradition in your Looks;
Your true Descent each Lineament betrays,
And the immortal Origin displays.
So the fair Morning, spangled o'er with Gold,
Does by Degrees its glorious Light unfold:
Thus infant Letters grav'd upon the Bark,
Grow with the Stock, and still improve the Mark.
The mimic Features of the parent Tree;
Or as young Painters, in their first Essay,
The Soul within in each light Sketch betray:
So, rising Raleigh, 'midst your Bloom we trace
The Rays of Greatness dawning in your Face;
58
Sublime Ideas, and an Air divine:
The vivid Strokes in Miniature proclaim
Your genuine Title, and deserved Name.
Like Prints in Sand, or Images in Sleep,
Th'Impression's obvious, tho' the Stamp not deep.
We need no lineal Pedigrees of Books,
But read the fair Tradition in your Looks;
Your true Descent each Lineament betrays,
And the immortal Origin displays.
So the fair Morning, spangled o'er with Gold,
Does by Degrees its glorious Light unfold:
Thus infant Letters grav'd upon the Bark,
Grow with the Stock, and still improve the Mark.
Fresh to our View Sir Walter's Actions rise,
And all the Hero sparkles in your Eyes:
Fresh o'er his Grave triumphant Lawrels bloom,
And the new Foliage blossoms round his Tomb.
And all the Hero sparkles in your Eyes:
Fresh o'er his Grave triumphant Lawrels bloom,
And the new Foliage blossoms round his Tomb.
59
See! the great Patriot rears his rev'rend Head
With Tears of Joy, and smiling leaves the Dead.
Now his pale Image beckons you along,
His Wounds still bleeding for his Country's Wrong;
He points you out a glorious Path to tread,
The Path of Liberty, for which he bled.
Bids you each Tyrant's servile Cause disdain,
Great Ends pursue, and bravely suffer Pain.
Fir'd with these godlike Views, he, undismay'd,
Saw glitter o'er his Head the fatal Blade:
That awful Head which Years had silver'd o'er,
The Ruffians saw, relentless as before.
Wit, Valour, Learning, Virtue plead in vain,
The last low Sands of drooping Life to gain.
Infernal Zeal! to antedate his Doom,
Whom trembling Age stood ready to consume.
With Tears of Joy, and smiling leaves the Dead.
Now his pale Image beckons you along,
His Wounds still bleeding for his Country's Wrong;
He points you out a glorious Path to tread,
The Path of Liberty, for which he bled.
Bids you each Tyrant's servile Cause disdain,
Great Ends pursue, and bravely suffer Pain.
Fir'd with these godlike Views, he, undismay'd,
Saw glitter o'er his Head the fatal Blade:
That awful Head which Years had silver'd o'er,
The Ruffians saw, relentless as before.
Wit, Valour, Learning, Virtue plead in vain,
The last low Sands of drooping Life to gain.
Infernal Zeal! to antedate his Doom,
Whom trembling Age stood ready to consume.
Then gush'd the Tears from each Spectator's Eye,
Deep groan'cth e Croud, and Nature seem'd to sigh;
A pale Concern did in each Face appear,
All but in his, whose solemn Fate drew near.
Deep groan'cth e Croud, and Nature seem'd to sigh;
60
All but in his, whose solemn Fate drew near.
But the Muse startles at the tragic Tale,
And o'er the bloody Sequel draws a Veil,
Your tender Grief unwilling to renew,
And bring the sad Catastrophe to view.
And o'er the bloody Sequel draws a Veil,
Your tender Grief unwilling to renew,
And bring the sad Catastrophe to view.
Curst be those Villains who his Fate conspir'd,
By Jesuits prompted, and by Traytors hir'd.
Thus did thy King thy brave Exploits requite;
Thus let thee basely fall to Spanish Spite;
Thus, guarded by a Mob, ignobly march;
A Scaffold rais'd for thy triumphal Arch.
By Jesuits prompted, and by Traytors hir'd.
Thus did thy King thy brave Exploits requite;
Thus let thee basely fall to Spanish Spite;
Thus, guarded by a Mob, ignobly march;
A Scaffold rais'd for thy triumphal Arch.
Hear how sedate the dying Hero speaks,
And in prophetic Stile his Passion breaks.
And in prophetic Stile his Passion breaks.
“Mourn not my Fate, the Scene of Life is short,
“Death throws the Die, and we are Nature's Sport;
“Yet if we bravely live, and bravely die,
“'Tis but a kind Transition to the Sky.
“Still o'er the Grave this Spoil the Virtuous claim,
“To mock their Fun'rals, and survive in Fame:
“While like a Stream still fed by fresh Supplies,
“We o'er our Ruins more illustrious rise;
“And in succeeding Progenies behold
“Our Age renew'd again as we grow old.
“Death throws the Die, and we are Nature's Sport;
61
“'Tis but a kind Transition to the Sky.
“Still o'er the Grave this Spoil the Virtuous claim,
“To mock their Fun'rals, and survive in Fame:
“While like a Stream still fed by fresh Supplies,
“We o'er our Ruins more illustrious rise;
“And in succeeding Progenies behold
“Our Age renew'd again as we grow old.
“Pleas'd I foresee, as I my Breath resign,
“A sparkling Female in my Lineage shine,
“Whose gen'rous Breasts an Infant Heir shall nurse,
“Whom Rome in vain shall threat, and Spaniards curse;
“Their golden Mines his conq'ring Hand shall seize,
“Free vassal'd Realms, and triumph o'er the Seas;
“Shall barb'rous Climes to Softness civilize,
“And spread the painted Flags in polar Skies.
“Then shall Astrea reign, grim Discord cease,
“And o'er Britannia pour a balmy Peace.
“A sparkling Female in my Lineage shine,
“Whose gen'rous Breasts an Infant Heir shall nurse,
“Whom Rome in vain shall threat, and Spaniards curse;
“Their golden Mines his conq'ring Hand shall seize,
“Free vassal'd Realms, and triumph o'er the Seas;
“Shall barb'rous Climes to Softness civilize,
“And spread the painted Flags in polar Skies.
“Then shall Astrea reign, grim Discord cease,
“And o'er Britannia pour a balmy Peace.
62
Rise, destin'd Virgin! rise, convinc'd we find,
The glorious Prophecy for you design'd.
The public Care your blooming Graces win,
See, sighing Youths their early Vows begin.
To own your Name the Great themselves are proud,
And in your Lap unsought their Presents croud.
See, Patriots strive to give your Merit due,
For Friends to Liberty are Friends to you.
With gen'rous Love their Hearts already glow,
Still may their Favours with your Virtues grow.
The glorious Prophecy for you design'd.
The public Care your blooming Graces win,
See, sighing Youths their early Vows begin.
To own your Name the Great themselves are proud,
And in your Lap unsought their Presents croud.
See, Patriots strive to give your Merit due,
For Friends to Liberty are Friends to you.
With gen'rous Love their Hearts already glow,
Still may their Favours with your Virtues grow.
So Dido, melted with his youthful Charms,
Clasp'd the divine Ascanius in her Arms;
The little Hero's Heart o'erflow'd with Joy,
While with rich Gifts she crown'd the beauteous Boy;
Fair in whose radiant Mien began to bloom,
The future Greatness of immortal Rome.
Clasp'd the divine Ascanius in her Arms;
The little Hero's Heart o'erflow'd with Joy,
While with rich Gifts she crown'd the beauteous Boy;
Fair in whose radiant Mien began to bloom,
The future Greatness of immortal Rome.
63
Shine on, bright Nymph! and may your Charms subdue
As many Slaves as your great Grandsire slew.
Still may his godlike Virtues fire your Breast,
Still be his Image on your Mind imprest;
Be that the Mirror which you most admire,
Mortality itself can rise no higher.
As many Slaves as your great Grandsire slew.
Still may his godlike Virtues fire your Breast,
Still be his Image on your Mind imprest;
Be that the Mirror which you most admire,
Mortality itself can rise no higher.
67
TO HIPPIA.
So much good Sense, and airy Life,
In Hippia's Looks are seen,
In her the Graces are at Strife,
And combat in her Mien.
In Hippia's Looks are seen,
In her the Graces are at Strife,
And combat in her Mien.
Vivacity now reigns alone,
Then Gravity sedate;
And like two Rivals to the Throne,
Alternate take their Seat.
Then Gravity sedate;
And like two Rivals to the Throne,
Alternate take their Seat.
Thus Mercury diffusive flies,
And penetrates our Veins,
Still volatile, delights to rise,
Yet pond'rous still remains.
And penetrates our Veins,
Still volatile, delights to rise,
Yet pond'rous still remains.
68
Such humble Air, and modest Grace,
'Midst sparkling Jewels shine,
Even Criticks would pronounce your Face
Half human, half divine.
'Midst sparkling Jewels shine,
Even Criticks would pronounce your Face
Half human, half divine.
Such charming Images arise,
When she the Pencil dips,
Nought, but the Lustre of her Eyes,
Can her own Works eclipse.
When she the Pencil dips,
Nought, but the Lustre of her Eyes,
Can her own Works eclipse.
When o'er Romance fair Tears she sheds,
Or sighs o'er Lovers Lays,
There is no tragic Tale she reads,
But what herself might raise.
Or sighs o'er Lovers Lays,
There is no tragic Tale she reads,
But what herself might raise.
The strange Adventures of each Knight,
For his Dulcinea fair,
Would be no vain fictitious Flight,
Was Hippia pictur'd there.
For his Dulcinea fair,
Would be no vain fictitious Flight,
Was Hippia pictur'd there.
69
Happy, too happy! is the Swain
Whose Vows she deigns to hear,
Who sighs, but has not sigh'd in vain,
Nor shed a fruitless Tear.
Whose Vows she deigns to hear,
Who sighs, but has not sigh'd in vain,
Nor shed a fruitless Tear.
Possess'd of such a spotless Gem,
So fair, so kind, so wise,
He Indian Monarchs may condemn,
And Indian Mines despise.
So fair, so kind, so wise,
He Indian Monarchs may condemn,
And Indian Mines despise.
70
TO MARCIA.
Who can be silent, when such Charms invite,
As teach the dumb to speak, the dull to write?
'Tis not mere Feature our Devotion fires,
That is true Beauty which the Mind inspires.
Ill Nature cannot please, nor Folly charm,
Tho' it had Angels Looks, and Cupid's Arm.
When Marcia dazzles, 'tis the Soul shines thro',
Brightens each Feature, and transports our View.
Survey the fairest Form, we still shall find
Beauty's an Emanation of the Mind;
'Tis the Reflection of the Rays within,
Which throws the noble Lustre o'er the Mien,
Which every Lineament with Light supplies,
And gives Divinity to Marcia's Eyes.
This is that Spark no Sickness ever shades,
This triumphs when external Beauty fades.
'Tis what, a Grace, an Air, the Vulgar name,
But Plato's Sense of Beauty means the same:
Tho' blooming Roses sparkle o'er the Face,
'Tis all inanimate without this Grace.
To Reason's Eye the gaudy Outside yields
No more Delight than Lilies in the Fields.
As well the Swain might o'er stain'd Canvass sigh,
Or Holbein's Colours with Southampton's vie.
Like the fam'd Painter who enamour'd grew,
And pin'd for that fair Venus which he drew,
Marcia! did you to the same Artist sit,
With his own Work he would again be smit.
As teach the dumb to speak, the dull to write?
'Tis not mere Feature our Devotion fires,
That is true Beauty which the Mind inspires.
Ill Nature cannot please, nor Folly charm,
Tho' it had Angels Looks, and Cupid's Arm.
When Marcia dazzles, 'tis the Soul shines thro',
Brightens each Feature, and transports our View.
Survey the fairest Form, we still shall find
Beauty's an Emanation of the Mind;
71
Which throws the noble Lustre o'er the Mien,
Which every Lineament with Light supplies,
And gives Divinity to Marcia's Eyes.
This is that Spark no Sickness ever shades,
This triumphs when external Beauty fades.
'Tis what, a Grace, an Air, the Vulgar name,
But Plato's Sense of Beauty means the same:
Tho' blooming Roses sparkle o'er the Face,
'Tis all inanimate without this Grace.
To Reason's Eye the gaudy Outside yields
No more Delight than Lilies in the Fields.
As well the Swain might o'er stain'd Canvass sigh,
Or Holbein's Colours with Southampton's vie.
Like the fam'd Painter who enamour'd grew,
And pin'd for that fair Venus which he drew,
Marcia! did you to the same Artist sit,
With his own Work he would again be smit.
72
Thus must I languish, cruelly remote
From the dear Nymph, and picture you in Thought.
Fancy, that mimic Limner of the Mind,
Has with its Pencil ev'ry Air design'd;
And, wonder not, like the Enchanter's Ring,
Can every Action to its Presence bring,
And in Imagination hear you sing.
Boast not your magic Pow'r, your conq'ring Skill,
For Fancy can create, if you can kill.
In vain you fly, I now behold your Eyes,
See your Blush kindle, and your Bosom rise.
So oft your Apparition fleets in View,
I almost think the Tales of Spectres true.
The fair Idea rises to my Sight,
And glides in transient Slumbers every Night.
Visions and airy Ghosts disturb our Rest.
With yours, O airy Visiter! I'm bless'd.
From the dear Nymph, and picture you in Thought.
Fancy, that mimic Limner of the Mind,
Has with its Pencil ev'ry Air design'd;
And, wonder not, like the Enchanter's Ring,
Can every Action to its Presence bring,
And in Imagination hear you sing.
Boast not your magic Pow'r, your conq'ring Skill,
For Fancy can create, if you can kill.
In vain you fly, I now behold your Eyes,
See your Blush kindle, and your Bosom rise.
So oft your Apparition fleets in View,
I almost think the Tales of Spectres true.
The fair Idea rises to my Sight,
And glides in transient Slumbers every Night.
Visions and airy Ghosts disturb our Rest.
With yours, O airy Visiter! I'm bless'd.
73
But this is all fine, visionary Love,
Like Dreams of Pleasure in th'Elysian Grove.
When in the Garden, Love remembers well,
You gave me Fruit to taste, and Flow'rs to smell,
Ah, fair Seducer, soon, too soon I found,
'Twas dang'rous Fruit, and Paradise the Ground.
Be not in Treach'ry, tho' in Charms, like Eve,
Lest as you still beguile, we still believe.
Like Dreams of Pleasure in th'Elysian Grove.
When in the Garden, Love remembers well,
You gave me Fruit to taste, and Flow'rs to smell,
Ah, fair Seducer, soon, too soon I found,
'Twas dang'rous Fruit, and Paradise the Ground.
Be not in Treach'ry, tho' in Charms, like Eve,
Lest as you still beguile, we still believe.
74
An ODE composed by the ArchBishop of Cambray,
when he lived a Youth on the Mountains of Auvergne.
Translated from the French.
I.
Hail Mountains, who, with daring Brow,In the Skies aspiring reign,
Whose Tops eternal Frosts surround,
And the Gods Abode sustain.
Underneath your oaken Towers,
Above the Clouds, I gather Flowers,
While at my Feet, against the Ground,
Subterranean Thunders sound,
75
Rushing down the Precipice.
II.
Like the Thracian Hills of old,When the Rebel Giant strove,
And Mountains upon Mountains pil'd,
To scale the Throne of Jove.
Your lofty Tops are Plains, which bear
Loftier Hills upon their Backs, so high,
They mock the Fury of the Air,
And brave the Winds Artillery.
III.
Soon as the Vermilion MornIs with sparkling Splendor dress'd,
And on the verdant Hills appear
Blushes, peeping from the East,
The tender, bleating Lambs are seen,
Wandring o'er the Flowery Green.
76
Shadowy, near a River's Side,
Is ruffled by the Zephyr's Breath,
While the Waters murmuring glide,
And invite both Swains and Sheep,
With gentle Sounds to gentle Sleep.
IV.
But in this romantic SceneEvery Thing capricious looks,
And a savage Beauty reigns
O'er the Mountains and the Brooks;
Brooks which always peaceful flow,
And no Storms nor Torrents know;
Where the Heaven, serenely clear,
Always beautifies the Year,
Where no malignant Winter's found,
But after Autumn, Spring adorns the Ground.
77
V.
Blest Solitude ! Hail, peaceful Stream!Which does no other Sound convey,
But the soft Motion of the Waves,
As they froth and fall away.
Two happy Islands rise between,
Crown'd with never-fading Green,
The Prospect charms the wondring Eyes,
With all that Fancy can desire,
Oh! for some Anthem from the Skies,
To tune the Music of my Lyre.
VI.
The Zephyr's sweet and balmy Breath,O'er the blooming Hedges spreads,
And o'er the waving Harvests plays,
While they nod with golden Heads.
See! all our Barns kind Ceres fills,
Blithe Bacchus purple Juice distils
From a thousand pregnant Hills,
78
Tides of Wine descending flow.
VII.
Where yon Landskips bound my View,Azure Prospects blended rise,
Various Objects painted play,
In chequer'd Lustre to my Eyes.
Gay Nature in a Fit of Mirth,
To these alternate Scenes gave Birth,
The fair Canal far off displays
In Æther these reflected Rays,
As floating o'er the crystal Plain,
Th'Horizon is renew'd again.
VIII.
With rich Autumn's fruitful Womb,The Spring too mingles its Perfume,
And Vineyards bear both Grapes and Bloom.
Amidst the Meads the River smiles,
Gliding fair 'mongst fragrant Isles.
79
Muttering warble to the Ear,
Anon with rapid Currents chide
The verdant Carpet as they glide.
IX.
Dancing on a violet Couch,The gay Shepherd chearful sings,
And with Flutes, and Hautboys Sound,
Every vocal Valley rings.
Sweet Birds in Concert chant their Strains,
And chase all Trouble from these Plains;
Only sad plaintive Doves, with tender Tone,
Are in these happy Regions heard to moan.
X.
On some flowery, downy Bed,Stretch'd on Moss, I rest my Head,
Calm and gentle Slumbers bind
All Avenues of my Mind.
In these Charms each Sense is sunk,
With this Nectar I grow drunk:
80
Gods themselves might envy me.
The treacherous Images of Sleep,
Are like the Dreams at Court,
False Dreams, but mine are much more sweet,
Which in my Fancy sport.
XI.
Free from the dark, impending Storms,Which hover o'er the Great,
I safe beneath these shady Grotts,
Enjoy a blest Retreat.
A safe Asylum from all Harms,
Here Truth to me unfolds her Charms:
Here, without Books, I musing find
Her native Traces in my Mind.
Now History, and Fable rise,
And place Antiquity before my Eyes.
XII.
I see the wisest Grecian Sage,The Sport of Fortune's giddy Rage;
81
Thro' Storms and Billows steer his Way.
He Winds and Waves, and Pleasures too withstood,
And vanquish'd for his Country's Good.
But in my Hermitage reclin'd,
More certain Joys are found,
Within the Circle of this Shade,
All my Desires are bound.
Here, far from Toils of Civil State,
I halcyon Days enjoy,
No Guilt the Muses Calm chagrins,
No Wars my Peace annoy.
My Breast, contented with my Lyre,
Can to no greater Height aspire,
Than here to sing my happy State,
And this Elysium celebrate.
And thou, false Fortune, I despise,
The World is nothing in my Eyes.
In whatsoever Clime I rove,
No other Region can I love;
82
Is still replete with harmless Mirth.
Here to crown my peaceful Days,
Some kind Sister from the Sky,
Here shall spin my fatal Hour,
Here my Ashes silent lie:
Till Thyrsis comes to mourn my Doom,
With Tears of Friendship o'er my Tomb.
83
TRANSLATION FROM HORACE,
Lib. III. Ode III.
The Man of firm and upright Soul,
No Danger can affright,
Not Thunders cracking round the Pole,
Nor Tempests in the Night.
No Danger can affright,
Not Thunders cracking round the Pole,
Nor Tempests in the Night.
Securely fix'd on Virtue's Seat,
He scorns the Tyrant's Chains,
Unshock'd, when Tumults rend the State,
Or Earthquakes shake the Plains.
He scorns the Tyrant's Chains,
Unshock'd, when Tumults rend the State,
Or Earthquakes shake the Plains.
84
Should Nature from her Base be hurl'd,
And into Chaos reel,
Serene he'd view a sinking World,
Himself unshaken still.
And into Chaos reel,
Serene he'd view a sinking World,
Himself unshaken still.
'Twas in this Path brave Pollux trod,
And gain'd the glorious Prize;
Alcides press'd the shining Road,
And travell'd to the Skies.
And gain'd the glorious Prize;
Alcides press'd the shining Road,
And travell'd to the Skies.
There the divine Augustus sits,
Amidst the Heroes crown'd,
His rosy Lips the Nectar greets,
And sparkles all around.
Amidst the Heroes crown'd,
His rosy Lips the Nectar greets,
And sparkles all around.
'Twas thus, oh, Bacchus! fam'd in Song,
Thy Name immortal grew,
By savage Tygers drawn along,
Illustrious to the View.
Thy Name immortal grew,
By savage Tygers drawn along,
Illustrious to the View.
85
The warlike Founder of our State,
Thus fled Hell's dark Abodes,
And Juno, pleas'd, forgot her Hate,
And thus address'd the Gods
Thus fled Hell's dark Abodes,
And Juno, pleas'd, forgot her Hate,
And thus address'd the Gods
In Council met. Troy, haughty Troy
Is now consum'd to Dust,
By that false Judge, that wanton Boy,
And Helen's fatal Lust.
Is now consum'd to Dust,
By that false Judge, that wanton Boy,
And Helen's fatal Lust.
Laomedon's deceitful Mind,
Who Heav'n's Decrees o'erthrew,
With Mine, and Pallas' Anger join'd,
Destroy'd the Rebel Crew.
Who Heav'n's Decrees o'erthrew,
With Mine, and Pallas' Anger join'd,
Destroy'd the Rebel Crew.
No more the Traytor with his Spouse,
Now shine in Robes of State,
No longer Priam's perjur'd House
Resists approaching Fate.
Now shine in Robes of State,
No longer Priam's perjur'd House
Resists approaching Fate.
86
In vain was Hector's Valor prais'd,
Too weak for Grecian Strength,
The War by our Divisions rais'd,
In Conquest ceas'd at length.
Too weak for Grecian Strength,
The War by our Divisions rais'd,
In Conquest ceas'd at length.
But thou from Mars and Rhea born,
Shalt unto Mars ascend,
The blest Elysian Seats adorn,
And Jove shall be thy Friend.
Shalt unto Mars ascend,
The blest Elysian Seats adorn,
And Jove shall be thy Friend.
There ravish'd in the peaceful Scene,
Shalt taste the rich Perfume,
While distant Oceans roll between
Deserted Troy and Rome.
Shalt taste the rich Perfume,
While distant Oceans roll between
Deserted Troy and Rome.
Still shall the Trojans happy reign,
In other Regions nurs'd,
While lowing Herds insult the Plain,
And tread on Priam's Dust.
In other Regions nurs'd,
While lowing Herds insult the Plain,
And tread on Priam's Dust.
87
Devouring Beasts shall haunt the Land,
And rav'nous Birds of Prey,
While Rome's proud Capitol shall stand,
And barb'rous Medes obey.
And rav'nous Birds of Prey,
While Rome's proud Capitol shall stand,
And barb'rous Medes obey.
Her Laws shall distant Nations guide,
Shall make her Eagles soar,
Where interposing Seas divide
Europe from Afric's Shore.
Shall make her Eagles soar,
Where interposing Seas divide
Europe from Afric's Shore.
Her Empire spread o'er Scythian Snows,
Where the wild Parthian reigns,
And where the bounteous Nile o'erflows,
And deluges the Plains.
Where the wild Parthian reigns,
And where the bounteous Nile o'erflows,
And deluges the Plains.
With noble Scorn she dares despise
The Gold in foreign Lands,
By Nature hid from human Eyes,
And sacrilegious Hands.
The Gold in foreign Lands,
By Nature hid from human Eyes,
And sacrilegious Hands.
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O'er torrid Zones, and wintry Seas,
Shall Roman Power extend,
Where Nature's utmost Confines cease,
And distant Climates end.
Shall Roman Power extend,
Where Nature's utmost Confines cease,
And distant Climates end.
But let not the brave Nation dare,
Induc'd by haughty Zeal,
The ruin'd Walls of Troy repair,
And my Decrees repeal.
Induc'd by haughty Zeal,
The ruin'd Walls of Troy repair,
And my Decrees repeal.
For know, Destruction is its Doom,
And should the Town arise,
It quickly should its Fate resume,
With Vengeance from the Skies.
And should the Town arise,
It quickly should its Fate resume,
With Vengeance from the Skies.
Thrice should Apollo all the Town
With brazen Bulwarks screen,
Yet thrice it should be broken down,
By me the Thund'rer's Queen.
With brazen Bulwarks screen,
Yet thrice it should be broken down,
By me the Thund'rer's Queen.
89
Thrice should the captive Wife bemoan
Her absent Lord in vain,
And thrice with Tears lament her Son,
By conqu'ring Grecians slain.
Her absent Lord in vain,
And thrice with Tears lament her Son,
By conqu'ring Grecians slain.
But why, my Muse! dost thou aspire,
In too advent'rous Odes,
And lessen, in thy wanton Lyre,
The Actions of the Gods?
In too advent'rous Odes,
And lessen, in thy wanton Lyre,
The Actions of the Gods?
90
On the Death of a beautiful young Lady.
When Beauty drops untimely to the Tomb,
What Bosom melts not at Dorinda's Doom?
When Death, relentless, seiz'd her youthful Charms,
And clasp'd her, blooming, in his icy Arms,
Nor Pray'rs, nor Tears, his Rigor could repell,
Nor screen the fair one from his gloomy Cell.
Thus Vulcan snatch'd his Goddess from above,
And to his Den convey'd the Queen of Love;
In vain she strove, he bore the Prize away,
And smil'd with awkward Pleasure o'er the Prey.
What Bosom melts not at Dorinda's Doom?
When Death, relentless, seiz'd her youthful Charms,
And clasp'd her, blooming, in his icy Arms,
Nor Pray'rs, nor Tears, his Rigor could repell,
Nor screen the fair one from his gloomy Cell.
Thus Vulcan snatch'd his Goddess from above,
And to his Den convey'd the Queen of Love;
In vain she strove, he bore the Prize away,
And smil'd with awkward Pleasure o'er the Prey.
91
Dorinda's fled, fair Idol of the Plains!
Dull are her Graces, torpid all her Veins,
Those Veins where once Life's Purple flow'd so clear,
That Harvey might have seen it circle here,
And at one View, without Dissecting Art,
Trac'd the fair refluent Fountain to the Heart.
But what avails it to be fair, or wise?
Death sees no Features, and admires no Eyes.
If Beauty could have sooth'd the Tyrant's Will,
The charming Nymph had reign'd immortal still.
But adverse Fate is seldom so severe,
That with the Storm, we can no Sunshine share;
As Good from Evil, Moralists retail,
And Chymists, from bad Dross, fine Parts exhale,
Thus by her Doom, her future Slaves shall gain,
Peace in their Bosoms, and Release from Pain:
Sav'd by her Death, reprieved Youths shall live,
To whom those Eyes as sure a Death would give.
Too young for Conquest yet, her dawning Charms
But threatned now, with unexperienc'd Arms;
As tender Fawns their budding Horns essay,
Dare harmless war, and imitate the Fray.
Thus Sulphur sleeps, in secret Caverns pent,
Till Heat expands, and gives the Thunder vent.
Dull are her Graces, torpid all her Veins,
Those Veins where once Life's Purple flow'd so clear,
That Harvey might have seen it circle here,
And at one View, without Dissecting Art,
Trac'd the fair refluent Fountain to the Heart.
But what avails it to be fair, or wise?
Death sees no Features, and admires no Eyes.
If Beauty could have sooth'd the Tyrant's Will,
The charming Nymph had reign'd immortal still.
But adverse Fate is seldom so severe,
That with the Storm, we can no Sunshine share;
As Good from Evil, Moralists retail,
And Chymists, from bad Dross, fine Parts exhale,
Thus by her Doom, her future Slaves shall gain,
Peace in their Bosoms, and Release from Pain:
Sav'd by her Death, reprieved Youths shall live,
To whom those Eyes as sure a Death would give.
92
But threatned now, with unexperienc'd Arms;
As tender Fawns their budding Horns essay,
Dare harmless war, and imitate the Fray.
Thus Sulphur sleeps, in secret Caverns pent,
Till Heat expands, and gives the Thunder vent.
But where's that Soul, that heav'nly Genius fled,
That sprightly Wit which once our Wonder fed?
For in the Tomb no Wisdom latent lies,
Nor Understanding with the Carcase dies.
Her Shape, her Figure, in the Coffin rest,
In shrouded State, like painted Babies dress'd.
No radiant Spark informs the lifeless Clay,
Which from the ruin'd Mansion fleets away.
See! while the Thinking Mind deserts the Frame,
Inactive Matter still remains the same,
Still perfect, all its Properties retains,
And knows no Pleasure, as it feels no Pains;
But in some other System circling glides,
Soars in a Fly, or in a Flow'r resides.
Whether the Soul patrolling o'er the Skies,
From Star to Star, in airy Stages flies;
Or other Vehicles ethereal meets,
As thro' the boundless Void it naked fleets;
Or with her kindred Saints, serene above,
Riots in Bliss, and Deluges of Love,
Is yet unknown; Death is a trackless Main,
All launch it o'er, none cross the Deep again;
When once this still, this awful Gulf is cross'd,
'Tis all in Darkness, and in Lethe lost,
Thick Mists, and hazy Vapors hang between,
And Night eternal draws her sable Screen.
But tho' we Mortals know not how, or where,
We know kind Death is a Relief from Care;
No anxious Dreams this peaceful Rest awake,
No horrid Storms the downy Slumber shake.
That sprightly Wit which once our Wonder fed?
For in the Tomb no Wisdom latent lies,
Nor Understanding with the Carcase dies.
Her Shape, her Figure, in the Coffin rest,
In shrouded State, like painted Babies dress'd.
No radiant Spark informs the lifeless Clay,
Which from the ruin'd Mansion fleets away.
See! while the Thinking Mind deserts the Frame,
Inactive Matter still remains the same,
Still perfect, all its Properties retains,
And knows no Pleasure, as it feels no Pains;
93
Soars in a Fly, or in a Flow'r resides.
Whether the Soul patrolling o'er the Skies,
From Star to Star, in airy Stages flies;
Or other Vehicles ethereal meets,
As thro' the boundless Void it naked fleets;
Or with her kindred Saints, serene above,
Riots in Bliss, and Deluges of Love,
Is yet unknown; Death is a trackless Main,
All launch it o'er, none cross the Deep again;
When once this still, this awful Gulf is cross'd,
'Tis all in Darkness, and in Lethe lost,
Thick Mists, and hazy Vapors hang between,
And Night eternal draws her sable Screen.
But tho' we Mortals know not how, or where,
We know kind Death is a Relief from Care;
No anxious Dreams this peaceful Rest awake,
No horrid Storms the downy Slumber shake.
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Seal'd in this Sleep, the bright Dorinda lies,
Nor hears our Praises, nor regards our Sighs.
Clos'd are those Eyes, which others wakeful made,
And pale those Lips which bid the Roses fade;
Silent that Tongue, which charm'd the listning Swains,
So sweet, the Birds from thence learn'd finer Strains.
Say, ye soft Winds! which on her Bosom flew,
And from so chaste a Seat, more gentle blew,
Say, did you e'er so pure a Spot explore,
Tho' wafted from Arabia's spicy Shore?
Now o'er her Tomb, in whirling Eddies play,
Or in loud Sighs the tragic News convey.
For her relenting, Virtue deigns to weep,
And future Triumphs in her Ashes sleep.
But thus each Fair is punish'd in her Kind,
For, like their Cupid, Death is ever blind.
Nor hears our Praises, nor regards our Sighs.
Clos'd are those Eyes, which others wakeful made,
And pale those Lips which bid the Roses fade;
Silent that Tongue, which charm'd the listning Swains,
So sweet, the Birds from thence learn'd finer Strains.
Say, ye soft Winds! which on her Bosom flew,
And from so chaste a Seat, more gentle blew,
Say, did you e'er so pure a Spot explore,
Tho' wafted from Arabia's spicy Shore?
Now o'er her Tomb, in whirling Eddies play,
Or in loud Sighs the tragic News convey.
For her relenting, Virtue deigns to weep,
And future Triumphs in her Ashes sleep.
But thus each Fair is punish'd in her Kind,
For, like their Cupid, Death is ever blind.
95
Part of the first Book of Torquatus Tasso's Conquest of Jerusalem, or the Holy War.
Done from the Italian.
I sing the Pious Chief, whose valiant Band,
From Pagan Armies rescu'd Judah's Land,
Wondrous Designs inspir'd the Hero's Thought,
And with his Hand he wondrous Actions wrought:
In vain dread Dangers, and surrounding Foes,
In vain did hellish Legions interpose,
While Heav'n approv'd, couragious on he led,
And o'er his Troops the holy Ensigns spread.
From Pagan Armies rescu'd Judah's Land,
Wondrous Designs inspir'd the Hero's Thought,
And with his Hand he wondrous Actions wrought:
In vain dread Dangers, and surrounding Foes,
In vain did hellish Legions interpose,
While Heav'n approv'd, couragious on he led,
And o'er his Troops the holy Ensigns spread.
96
Celestial Muse, who, seated in the Skies,
Dost fading Bays, and vulgar Fame despise,
Who with Contempt on Pindus' Top look'st down,
Adorn'd with an immortal starry Crown;
Do thou my Soul with lofty Thoughts inspire,
O kindle in my Breast a sacred Fire;
And pardon, if, misled, I Fable join,
And gild my Verse with other Robes than thine.
Dost fading Bays, and vulgar Fame despise,
Who with Contempt on Pindus' Top look'st down,
Adorn'd with an immortal starry Crown;
Do thou my Soul with lofty Thoughts inspire,
O kindle in my Breast a sacred Fire;
And pardon, if, misled, I Fable join,
And gild my Verse with other Robes than thine.
Thou know'st Parnassus' Sweets the World invite,
And smoothest Strains give always most Delight,
When Truths sublime in Verse harmonious roll,
'Twill into Rapture raise a Stoic Soul.
Thus to allure the sickly Infant's Taste,
Inviting Sweets are round the Vessel plac'd,
Deceiv'd he smiling drinks the bitter Juice,
Deceiv'd he lives, nor knows the kind Abuse.
And smoothest Strains give always most Delight,
When Truths sublime in Verse harmonious roll,
'Twill into Rapture raise a Stoic Soul.
Thus to allure the sickly Infant's Taste,
Inviting Sweets are round the Vessel plac'd,
Deceiv'd he smiling drinks the bitter Juice,
Deceiv'd he lives, nor knows the kind Abuse.
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Oh, great Alphonse! who far from Fortune's Rage,
Hast safely fix'd me in a quiet Stage,
Still pleas'd to stand my Guardian and my Guide,
'Midst Rocks and Seas that frown on ev'ry Side,
With Looks benign, accept the Muse's Flights,
Who prophesies thy Glory as she writes;
And while she dedicates these mimic Lays,
Draws but the Outlines of thy future Praise.
Hast safely fix'd me in a quiet Stage,
Still pleas'd to stand my Guardian and my Guide,
'Midst Rocks and Seas that frown on ev'ry Side,
With Looks benign, accept the Muse's Flights,
Who prophesies thy Glory as she writes;
And while she dedicates these mimic Lays,
Draws but the Outlines of thy future Praise.
If e'er the Christian Powers expect to free
The Grecian Land from Turkish Tyranny,
And peaceful, rescu'd from unrighteous Sway,
With Fleets, and Arms, regain the ill got Prey,
To thee they must commit the vast Design,
To thy just Sceptre Land and Sea resign;
Great Godfry's Rival! now thy Arms display,
And arming, read thy Deeds in every Lay.
The Grecian Land from Turkish Tyranny,
And peaceful, rescu'd from unrighteous Sway,
With Fleets, and Arms, regain the ill got Prey,
To thee they must commit the vast Design,
To thy just Sceptre Land and Sea resign;
Great Godfry's Rival! now thy Arms display,
And arming, read thy Deeds in every Lay.
98
Six rolling Years were measur'd by the Sun,
Since the brave Troops their pious March begun:
Nice was by fierce Assault already gain'd,
And pow'rful Antioch by Surprize obtain'd:
While, 'midst the Persian Host, encamp'd around,
Undaunted Knights maintain the conquer'd Ground.
Tortosa won, they close the glorious Year,
For wintry Scenes o'er all the Fields appear.
Since the brave Troops their pious March begun:
Nice was by fierce Assault already gain'd,
And pow'rful Antioch by Surprize obtain'd:
While, 'midst the Persian Host, encamp'd around,
Undaunted Knights maintain the conquer'd Ground.
Tortosa won, they close the glorious Year,
For wintry Scenes o'er all the Fields appear.
99
ON SOLITUDE.
Nunquam minus Solus, quam cum Solus.
What Charms, O Solitude! reside in thee?
Thou art no Solitude at all to me.
Tho' the World gives thee but an empty Name,
Thy sweet Society is still the same.
Thou art no Solitude at all to me.
Tho' the World gives thee but an empty Name,
Thy sweet Society is still the same.
Is he Alone, who can with Heav'n converse,
And entertain his Mind with rural Verse?
Can bid his Thoughts, in pleasing Raptures rise,
And find out Company above the Skies?
And entertain his Mind with rural Verse?
Can bid his Thoughts, in pleasing Raptures rise,
And find out Company above the Skies?
100
What tho' no human Sound the Hermit hears,
Yet Nature's Musick strikes his wondring Ears,
Her Voice to him in Silence speaks around,
Speaks from the lofty Skies and lowly Ground.
Sweet is the Sound, and charming is the Theme,
'Tis heard in ev'ry Breeze, in ev'ry purling Stream,
In ev'ry flying Bird, or flying Cloud,
That thunders thro' the liquid Air aloud.
God is the Theme of Nature's glorious Song,
The Stars repeat it as they roll along,
The Vallies echo with the chearful Voice,
And in the solemn Truth the Hills rejoice.
Here o'er the Meadows I securely stray,
Now write, or read, or with the Pencil play,
While Nature dictates what I must indite,
And all Creation rises to the Sight.
Nature's a fair Original, and he
Who draws her well, must all her Features see,
Mark every Charm, and love her Company.
Yet Nature's Musick strikes his wondring Ears,
Her Voice to him in Silence speaks around,
Speaks from the lofty Skies and lowly Ground.
Sweet is the Sound, and charming is the Theme,
'Tis heard in ev'ry Breeze, in ev'ry purling Stream,
In ev'ry flying Bird, or flying Cloud,
That thunders thro' the liquid Air aloud.
God is the Theme of Nature's glorious Song,
The Stars repeat it as they roll along,
The Vallies echo with the chearful Voice,
And in the solemn Truth the Hills rejoice.
Here o'er the Meadows I securely stray,
Now write, or read, or with the Pencil play,
While Nature dictates what I must indite,
And all Creation rises to the Sight.
Nature's a fair Original, and he
Who draws her well, must all her Features see,
Mark every Charm, and love her Company.
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Now thro' the Woods, and Plains, I wildly rove,
And range from Hill to Hill, and Grove to Grove;
Or sing responsive to the feather'd Race,
Wind the swift Fugue, or airy Echos chace.
Pursue the wandring Motion of the Stream,
Or on its Banks in pensive Slumbers dream,
Where Osiers weave a Covering for my Head,
And pleasing Gloom, with artless Arbors spread.
Now on some Mountain, tune the Muse's Lyre,
While Nature, and its God, each Lay inspire.
Thus variously consume the shining Day,
While Time, on Wings of Peace, dissolves away.
And range from Hill to Hill, and Grove to Grove;
Or sing responsive to the feather'd Race,
Wind the swift Fugue, or airy Echos chace.
Pursue the wandring Motion of the Stream,
Or on its Banks in pensive Slumbers dream,
Where Osiers weave a Covering for my Head,
And pleasing Gloom, with artless Arbors spread.
Now on some Mountain, tune the Muse's Lyre,
While Nature, and its God, each Lay inspire.
Thus variously consume the shining Day,
While Time, on Wings of Peace, dissolves away.
But who can treat of Solitude in Noise,
Or sing her Praise, who has not felt her Joys;
Hermits alone, her Pleasures can explore,
And paint her best, who often view her o'er.
Or sing her Praise, who has not felt her Joys;
Hermits alone, her Pleasures can explore,
And paint her best, who often view her o'er.
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TO AURELIA.
How bless'd is that successful Swain,
Who shall the bright Aurelia gain?
In whom original we find
Such happy Excellence of Mind,
And copy from the gentle Fair,
An easy Wit, an easy Air;
Such melting Sounds flow from her Tongue,
To hear her sing, old Age grows young,
Each Fibre dances to her Strains,
And Pleasure thrills along the Veins.
Who shall the bright Aurelia gain?
In whom original we find
Such happy Excellence of Mind,
And copy from the gentle Fair,
An easy Wit, an easy Air;
Such melting Sounds flow from her Tongue,
To hear her sing, old Age grows young,
Each Fibre dances to her Strains,
And Pleasure thrills along the Veins.
103
But when those Lips sage Speech unfold,
To hear her talk, the Youths grow old;
That Tongue informs them to be wise,
And guards the Mischief of her Eyes.
To hear her talk, the Youths grow old;
That Tongue informs them to be wise,
And guards the Mischief of her Eyes.
Let deep Interpreters explain
This bold Ænigma, I maintain,
How the same Organ can inspire,
Wisdom in Youth, in old Age Fire.
This bold Ænigma, I maintain,
How the same Organ can inspire,
Wisdom in Youth, in old Age Fire.
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TO CELIA.
Again the Spring salutes the Year,
Again the Sun returns,
And, like his Beams, a Flame of Love,
Once more my Bosom burns.
Again the Sun returns,
And, like his Beams, a Flame of Love,
Once more my Bosom burns.
Part of your Charms awhile lay hid,
By Winter's envious Shade;
But with the new returning Light,
New Charms are still display'd.
By Winter's envious Shade;
But with the new returning Light,
New Charms are still display'd.
105
So fair your Features, and each Air
So exquisitely fine,
That the more Light surrounds your Face,
The brighter still you shine.
So exquisitely fine,
That the more Light surrounds your Face,
The brighter still you shine.
Your Eyes have Beauties, yet unseen,
Which lie from us conceal'd,
Beauties which need immortal Day,
To be at full reveal'd.
Which lie from us conceal'd,
Beauties which need immortal Day,
To be at full reveal'd.
Ladies of meaner Charms oft fly
The Sun's too splendid Ray,
Most beauteous, when false Lights supply
The Absence of the Day:
The Sun's too splendid Ray,
Most beauteous, when false Lights supply
The Absence of the Day:
When Tapers round dark Rooms dispense
A tremulating Light,
Sparkling they glow, divinely fair,
Beneath the Veil of Night.
A tremulating Light,
Sparkling they glow, divinely fair,
Beneath the Veil of Night.
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But flush'd with more than human Grace,
You borrow'd Rays despise,
To Phoebus dare appeal, and face
The Lightning of the Skies.
You borrow'd Rays despise,
To Phoebus dare appeal, and face
The Lightning of the Skies.
And yet the clear resplendent Day
Hides half your blooming Airs,
And the most bright unshaded Sky,
A Cloud o'er Celia wears.
Hides half your blooming Airs,
And the most bright unshaded Sky,
A Cloud o'er Celia wears.
Ev'n thus my Passion lies conceal'd,
Too great to be express'd,
Nor can the purest Language tell
The Torments of my Breast.
Too great to be express'd,
Nor can the purest Language tell
The Torments of my Breast.
No Images can Fancy raise,
To give my Passion vent,
I might as soon a Painter find,
Your Face to represent.
To give my Passion vent,
I might as soon a Painter find,
Your Face to represent.
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Then let my silent dull Complaint
Your amorous Pity move;
And as you have an Angel's Looks,
Oh! have an Angel's Love.
Your amorous Pity move;
And as you have an Angel's Looks,
Oh! have an Angel's Love.
108
Antiquities and Curiosities IN Wiltshire and Somerset.
Primus Idumæas referam tibi Mantua palmas.
------ tibi res antiquæ laudis & artis
Ingredior.
Virg. Georg. II.
------ tibi res antiquæ laudis & artis
Ingredior.
Virg. Georg. II.
Shall foreign Scenes still captivate our Eyes,
And distant Piles and Landskips still surprize;
Still shall we read of fam'd Versailles's Bow'rs,
Eternal Grotts, Cascades, and gilded Tow'rs;
While unobserv'd our native Stores remain,
And Caverns yawn, and Mountains rise in vain?
Italian Streams and Groves so oft appear,
Almost the Musick of the Place we hear,
Oft have we heard of vast Vesuvio's Womb,
Oft of the Catacombs stupendous Tomb,
And god-like Lineaments of Antient Rome.
Who is a Stranger to the pois'nous Grott,
And can Puzzoli's Wonders be forgot?
Grateful the Theme; but when so oft enjoy'd,
The View grows languid, and Attention's cloy'd.
Tir'd with a Series of repeated Strains,
Muse turn thy Prospect to Britannia's Plains;
Some Marks of Grandeur, some of Age we find,
In her lone Isle, tho' rough and unrefin'd.
And distant Piles and Landskips still surprize;
Still shall we read of fam'd Versailles's Bow'rs,
Eternal Grotts, Cascades, and gilded Tow'rs;
While unobserv'd our native Stores remain,
And Caverns yawn, and Mountains rise in vain?
109
Almost the Musick of the Place we hear,
Oft have we heard of vast Vesuvio's Womb,
Oft of the Catacombs stupendous Tomb,
And god-like Lineaments of Antient Rome.
Who is a Stranger to the pois'nous Grott,
And can Puzzoli's Wonders be forgot?
Grateful the Theme; but when so oft enjoy'd,
The View grows languid, and Attention's cloy'd.
Tir'd with a Series of repeated Strains,
Muse turn thy Prospect to Britannia's Plains;
Some Marks of Grandeur, some of Age we find,
In her lone Isle, tho' rough and unrefin'd.
See with what Pride stupendous Stonehenge stands,
Of antient Date, and built by unknown Hands:
Amidst the Plain, the tall gigantic Pile
Looks like some desolate unshelter'd Isle
Far in th'Atlantic Ocean left alone,
When Seeds of Nature were promiscuous thrown.
Of antient Date, and built by unknown Hands:
Amidst the Plain, the tall gigantic Pile
Looks like some desolate unshelter'd Isle
Far in th'Atlantic Ocean left alone,
When Seeds of Nature were promiscuous thrown.
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First to our View a Groupe of Rocks arise,
Of various Shape, and of unweildy Size:
Vast is their Number, vast their Bulk and Height,
As if design'd to bear some Babel's Weight;
They stand in sullen Majesty, and frown
With Aspect stern, upon the gentle Down.
Thus on a Plain, themselves had level made,
The Giants stood, with Thunder undismay'd,
With Brow sublime, defy'd th'ethereal Tow'r,
And, arm'd with Rocks, dar'd Jove's avenging Pow'r.
Of various Shape, and of unweildy Size:
Vast is their Number, vast their Bulk and Height,
As if design'd to bear some Babel's Weight;
They stand in sullen Majesty, and frown
With Aspect stern, upon the gentle Down.
Thus on a Plain, themselves had level made,
The Giants stood, with Thunder undismay'd,
With Brow sublime, defy'd th'ethereal Tow'r,
And, arm'd with Rocks, dar'd Jove's avenging Pow'r.
As o'er Creation's wondrous Works we find
The Stamp of Wisdom, and a regent Mind,
So Signatures of Art impress the whole,
Bright thro' the Ruins, and point out a Soul.
Columns of Stone cemented cross on high,
And form a stately Portal to the Eye:
Some o'er the Plain, like Tityus stretch'd, extend,
Or lean, each Moment ready to descend.
Others in massy Fragments hang sublime,
Majestic Spoils, the Triumph of old Time!
And seem the silent Guardians of the Plain,
Like some tall Pharos, pendant o'er the Main.
The Stamp of Wisdom, and a regent Mind,
So Signatures of Art impress the whole,
Bright thro' the Ruins, and point out a Soul.
Columns of Stone cemented cross on high,
And form a stately Portal to the Eye:
Some o'er the Plain, like Tityus stretch'd, extend,
Or lean, each Moment ready to descend.
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Majestic Spoils, the Triumph of old Time!
And seem the silent Guardians of the Plain,
Like some tall Pharos, pendant o'er the Main.
Such was the ruin'd Scene, Historians tell,
When the Colossus in an Earthquake fell;
Pillars and Arms lay spread on every Side,
The falling Statue rais'd itself a Tide,
And swell'd the Sea, o'er which it stood astride.
When the Colossus in an Earthquake fell;
Pillars and Arms lay spread on every Side,
The falling Statue rais'd itself a Tide,
And swell'd the Sea, o'er which it stood astride.
In vain sagacious Antiquaries try
To trace these Works thro' long Obscurity,
And, sunk in Gothic Æras, to restore
The sacred Relicks, and their Cause explore.
For whether rais'd the Frontier Lands to bound,
A hallow'd Terminus of conquer'd Ground;
Or peaceful here, the slaughter'd Nobles sleep,
That future Eyes might o'er these Altars weep;
Or for a Temple to the Sun design'd,
Like that which once on Cynthian Delos shin'd,
Is still unknown; we but Conjectures raise,
Lost in the Circle of devouring Days.
To trace these Works thro' long Obscurity,
And, sunk in Gothic Æras, to restore
The sacred Relicks, and their Cause explore.
For whether rais'd the Frontier Lands to bound,
A hallow'd Terminus of conquer'd Ground;
Or peaceful here, the slaughter'd Nobles sleep,
That future Eyes might o'er these Altars weep;
112
Like that which once on Cynthian Delos shin'd,
Is still unknown; we but Conjectures raise,
Lost in the Circle of devouring Days.
The Sage who loves to pore in antient Time,
May find Chimeras in his Fancy chime:
In Busts, and ruin'd Urns, deluded, read
Imaginary Memoirs of the Dead:
See Runic Periods peep thro' regal Rust,
And idolize false Shrines of sacred Dust,
For Cornucopias and Medaillons pine,
And to the Pow'r of Fiction Sense resign.
But Truth, immortal Truth! still bright appears,
Dispells the Darkness of a thousand Years,
Spreads Light divine 'mongst Urns and Heroes Graves,
As Tapers burn in subterranean Caves.
May find Chimeras in his Fancy chime:
In Busts, and ruin'd Urns, deluded, read
Imaginary Memoirs of the Dead:
See Runic Periods peep thro' regal Rust,
And idolize false Shrines of sacred Dust,
For Cornucopias and Medaillons pine,
And to the Pow'r of Fiction Sense resign.
But Truth, immortal Truth! still bright appears,
Dispells the Darkness of a thousand Years,
Spreads Light divine 'mongst Urns and Heroes Graves,
As Tapers burn in subterranean Caves.
As anxious Politicians pant for News,
Or Critics long some Libel to peruse;
As sighs the Beau for an Assembly Day,
Or Ladies languish for a Modern Play,
With Thirst immortal, thus the Muse proceeds,
Where Novelty inspires, or Fancy leads.
Or Critics long some Libel to peruse;
113
Or Ladies languish for a Modern Play,
With Thirst immortal, thus the Muse proceeds,
Where Novelty inspires, or Fancy leads.
Now Selbury-hill, a Monument august,
Salutes our View, the Tomb of royal Dust.
Salutes our View, the Tomb of royal Dust.
Near Marlbro's splendid Town of antient Fame,
Immortal made by Churchill's glorious Name,
Where generous Hertford keeps his rural Seat,
And lives, retir'd from Noise, in silent State,
The lofty Pile its reverend Head erects,
And o'er the Down a distant Shade projects.
Immortal made by Churchill's glorious Name,
Where generous Hertford keeps his rural Seat,
And lives, retir'd from Noise, in silent State,
The lofty Pile its reverend Head erects,
And o'er the Down a distant Shade projects.
'Twas here, traditionary Legends say,
The Roman Eagles wav'd in dread Array;
Here letter'd Coins, and lawrel'd Heads are found,
Enrich'd with Rust, beneath the hallow'd Ground,
And Urns and Tumuli of Heroes slain
Memorial, grace the antiquated Plain.
The Roman Eagles wav'd in dread Array;
Here letter'd Coins, and lawrel'd Heads are found,
Enrich'd with Rust, beneath the hallow'd Ground,
114
Memorial, grace the antiquated Plain.
No Trees amidst the wide expanse are seen,
No Vales nor Hedges break the charming Scene,
Thro' one vast Carpet uniformly green.
As some tall Pile o'erlooks th'inferior Town,
So stands the Hill conspicuous on the Down.
We see the verdant Fabric with Surprize
On the smooth Area regularly rise.
Thus was the Indian World at first amaz'd,
When at bold Cortez' tow'ring Sails they gaz'd,
And trembled on their silent Shores, to see
The floating Castles sweep their pathless Sea.
A Vale profound, from whose paternal Bed
The mighty Pile first rose, is round it spread.
The grateful Hill its Sire beneath sustains,
With the rich Moisture of descending Rains.
No Vales nor Hedges break the charming Scene,
Thro' one vast Carpet uniformly green.
As some tall Pile o'erlooks th'inferior Town,
So stands the Hill conspicuous on the Down.
We see the verdant Fabric with Surprize
On the smooth Area regularly rise.
Thus was the Indian World at first amaz'd,
When at bold Cortez' tow'ring Sails they gaz'd,
And trembled on their silent Shores, to see
The floating Castles sweep their pathless Sea.
A Vale profound, from whose paternal Bed
The mighty Pile first rose, is round it spread.
The grateful Hill its Sire beneath sustains,
With the rich Moisture of descending Rains.
115
Old Story says, thro' Centuries of Shade,
A slaughter'd Prince beneath these Piles was laid,
Yet in Fame's Book his Memory shall bloom,
Preserv'd from Wreck by such a glorious Tomb.
A slaughter'd Prince beneath these Piles was laid,
Yet in Fame's Book his Memory shall bloom,
Preserv'd from Wreck by such a glorious Tomb.
Thy Tomb, O unknown Prince! shall flourish still,
And an eternal Verdure dress thy Hill,
When rich Mausoleums shall consume in Rust,
And Ægypt's Wonders moulder into Dust;
When mighty Names expire, and none can say
Where the great Heroes liv'd, or where they lay.
Others may in their gilded Urns repose,
Or shine in Marble, where the Yew Tree grows;
In Paint or Medals live, and blaze a while,
In fine Inscriptions, or a tragic Stile;
This Hill secure thy Fame unfaded keeps,
For Thee in Dew it every Morning weeps,
For Thee the Fields which once bright Sunshine bless'd,
Are every Day in sable Mourning dress'd,
Mourning which envious Time shall never fade,
While o'er the Plain the Hill reflects its Shade.
And an eternal Verdure dress thy Hill,
When rich Mausoleums shall consume in Rust,
And Ægypt's Wonders moulder into Dust;
When mighty Names expire, and none can say
Where the great Heroes liv'd, or where they lay.
Others may in their gilded Urns repose,
Or shine in Marble, where the Yew Tree grows;
In Paint or Medals live, and blaze a while,
In fine Inscriptions, or a tragic Stile;
This Hill secure thy Fame unfaded keeps,
For Thee in Dew it every Morning weeps,
For Thee the Fields which once bright Sunshine bless'd,
Are every Day in sable Mourning dress'd,
116
While o'er the Plain the Hill reflects its Shade.
A neighb'ring Scene presents new Wonders next,
Almost within the Shade the Hill projects,
When in the blushing Sky the Sun ascends,
And into distant Fields the Gloom extends.
Almost within the Shade the Hill projects,
When in the blushing Sky the Sun ascends,
And into distant Fields the Gloom extends.
Where Kennet rises with a pregnant Rill,
And glides thro' fatt'ning Meads serenely still,
Old Avebury's Relicks feed the curious Eye,
And great in Ruins Roman Structures lie.
By Time consum'd, huge Fragments only say,
Where nobler Piles in distant Ages lay.
Witness gigantic Heaps which Fortune left,
By sacred Ransack of the rest bereft,
While Towns and Churches flourish by the Theft.
A vast Intrenchment still surrounds the Place,
And massy Stones adorn the hallow'd Space.
Pile after Pile, once lay far stretch'd along,
In silent Order, like the starry Throng.
Yet scatter'd stand some Pyramids of Stone,
Promiscuous left, and each a Rock alone.
And glides thro' fatt'ning Meads serenely still,
Old Avebury's Relicks feed the curious Eye,
And great in Ruins Roman Structures lie.
By Time consum'd, huge Fragments only say,
Where nobler Piles in distant Ages lay.
Witness gigantic Heaps which Fortune left,
By sacred Ransack of the rest bereft,
While Towns and Churches flourish by the Theft.
A vast Intrenchment still surrounds the Place,
And massy Stones adorn the hallow'd Space.
117
In silent Order, like the starry Throng.
Yet scatter'd stand some Pyramids of Stone,
Promiscuous left, and each a Rock alone.
So when Jerusalem's proud Walls were raz'd,
The Streets ran bloody, and the Temple blaz'd,
Some Tow'rs the Conqu'ror left, his Spoils to grace,
And mark the antient Splendor of the Place.
The Streets ran bloody, and the Temple blaz'd,
Some Tow'rs the Conqu'ror left, his Spoils to grace,
And mark the antient Splendor of the Place.
From open Prospects, and a View serene,
The trav'lling Muse surveys a diff'rent Scene,
Where, Somerset! thy charming Landskips rise
Alternate, and relieve our wearied Eyes;
Where Hills, Woods, Vales, and Hedges sweetly blend,
And Prospects in a gay Confusion end.
Oh! had I Skill thy Beauties to explore,
And trace the rural Paradise all o'er,
Each Hill should rise with a poetic Name,
And not a Riv'let flow unknown to Fame;
Avonian Streams with Hippocrene's compare,
And Quantoke Hills with Mount Aonia share;
Nor should the Vale beneath unsung be lost,
The richest Soil Britannia's Realm can boast.
Bath's sov'reign Wells with Spaw or Pyrmont vie,
And Health on Zephyrs Wings around her fly,
Divinity reside in ev'ry Cell,
And Demigods in thy thick Forests dwell.
Fir'd with a social Sympathy, which flows
From native Air, the Muse this Tribute owes,
Blest Somerset! to thee, whose happy Groves,
Her Sex's Glory, Philomela loves.
Yet thy bright Parts but glimmer thro' these Lines,
And mix'd with Spots thy chequer'd Beauty shines,
Which, like dark Patches in Aurelia's Face,
Improve by Contrast each surrounding Grace;
Or as o'ershadowing Clouds of sable Die,
Set off the Lustre of the azure Sky.
The trav'lling Muse surveys a diff'rent Scene,
Where, Somerset! thy charming Landskips rise
Alternate, and relieve our wearied Eyes;
Where Hills, Woods, Vales, and Hedges sweetly blend,
And Prospects in a gay Confusion end.
Oh! had I Skill thy Beauties to explore,
And trace the rural Paradise all o'er,
Each Hill should rise with a poetic Name,
And not a Riv'let flow unknown to Fame;
118
And Quantoke Hills with Mount Aonia share;
Nor should the Vale beneath unsung be lost,
The richest Soil Britannia's Realm can boast.
Bath's sov'reign Wells with Spaw or Pyrmont vie,
And Health on Zephyrs Wings around her fly,
Divinity reside in ev'ry Cell,
And Demigods in thy thick Forests dwell.
Fir'd with a social Sympathy, which flows
From native Air, the Muse this Tribute owes,
Blest Somerset! to thee, whose happy Groves,
Her Sex's Glory, Philomela loves.
Yet thy bright Parts but glimmer thro' these Lines,
And mix'd with Spots thy chequer'd Beauty shines,
Which, like dark Patches in Aurelia's Face,
Improve by Contrast each surrounding Grace;
Or as o'ershadowing Clouds of sable Die,
Set off the Lustre of the azure Sky.
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Now Chedder Cliffs, far fam'd, our View invite,
And o'er rough Mendip's Glebe we speed our Flight,
And as the sadd'ning Green we bound along,
Mendip itself demands the Muse's Song.
And o'er rough Mendip's Glebe we speed our Flight,
And as the sadd'ning Green we bound along,
Mendip itself demands the Muse's Song.
Hail! ye bleak Mountains, lin'd with hidden Store,
Fallacious Wilds disguising Mines of Oar.
Rich Veins of Calamine thy Desart fills,
And Lead the solid Basis of thy Hills.
Thus thro' the Veil of Want we often find
Bright Charms within, and a luxuriant Mind.
The guiltless Swain here slumbers on a Rock,
Or with his Crook directs the wandring Flock.
Savage the Scene, and barbarous the Plain,
And Desolation ruful spreads its Reign.
The Fern in humble Forests waves around,
And sable Furzes darken all the Ground.
Haggard some solitary Trees appear,
And o'er the Waste their starveling Branches rear;
Their naked Fronts like the stern Cyclop stand,
When he pursued Ulysses to the Strand.
The wither'd Tops confess eternal Blight,
And hungry Ravens on the Branches light.
Fallacious Wilds disguising Mines of Oar.
Rich Veins of Calamine thy Desart fills,
And Lead the solid Basis of thy Hills.
Thus thro' the Veil of Want we often find
Bright Charms within, and a luxuriant Mind.
The guiltless Swain here slumbers on a Rock,
Or with his Crook directs the wandring Flock.
Savage the Scene, and barbarous the Plain,
And Desolation ruful spreads its Reign.
The Fern in humble Forests waves around,
And sable Furzes darken all the Ground.
Haggard some solitary Trees appear,
And o'er the Waste their starveling Branches rear;
120
When he pursued Ulysses to the Strand.
The wither'd Tops confess eternal Blight,
And hungry Ravens on the Branches light.
Around our Head familiar Lapwings play,
With hov'ring Wings, and bask in open Day.
While at a Distance rapid Falcons buoy'd
With poised Pinions, skim the liquid Void;
The tuneful Larks, still chanting, upwards climb,
And, lost in Æther, Sea-gulls soar sublime.
With hov'ring Wings, and bask in open Day.
While at a Distance rapid Falcons buoy'd
With poised Pinions, skim the liquid Void;
The tuneful Larks, still chanting, upwards climb,
And, lost in Æther, Sea-gulls soar sublime.
And now with awful Front tall Cliffs arise,
And gaping Chasms, and ruin'd Heaps surprize.
Two Chains of Rocks erect on either Hand,
O'er many a Furlong stretch'd, contiguous stand:
With solemn Brow gigantic Tops ascend,
And o'er the Vale with threatning Aspect bend:
The nodding Arches big with Ruin show,
And, prominent, still frown with pond'rous Woe.
Thus tottering hangs upon a single Thread,
The Sword just dropping on the Tyrant's Head.
Their adamantine Fronts ascend so high,
Half way, they bid Defiance to the Sky;
While solid Ribs, like Parapets, from far,
Present an Image of embattled War.
Amidst the craggy Piles some Spots of Green,
And pendant Shrubs with leafless Tops are seen.
Uncommon Herbs, peculiar to the Place,
Peep thro' the Fissures, and the Prospect grace.
The studious Simpler here delights to stray,
Nature his Guide, and his Companion Ray;
And when some long sought Plant its Features shows,
The Sage with philosophic Rapture glows;
Pleas'd with the green Anatomy, now roves
Thro' untrod Paths, and vegetable Groves,
The curious Texture of each Herb to find,
Whither of bulbous or umbellous Kind.
This Search, Great Cowley! thy last Hours employ'd,
When with gay Life, and courtly Duty cloy'd;
The Fields then saw their Fugitive again,
And bloom'd afresh in his botanic Strain.
And gaping Chasms, and ruin'd Heaps surprize.
Two Chains of Rocks erect on either Hand,
O'er many a Furlong stretch'd, contiguous stand:
With solemn Brow gigantic Tops ascend,
And o'er the Vale with threatning Aspect bend:
The nodding Arches big with Ruin show,
And, prominent, still frown with pond'rous Woe.
121
The Sword just dropping on the Tyrant's Head.
Their adamantine Fronts ascend so high,
Half way, they bid Defiance to the Sky;
While solid Ribs, like Parapets, from far,
Present an Image of embattled War.
Amidst the craggy Piles some Spots of Green,
And pendant Shrubs with leafless Tops are seen.
Uncommon Herbs, peculiar to the Place,
Peep thro' the Fissures, and the Prospect grace.
The studious Simpler here delights to stray,
Nature his Guide, and his Companion Ray;
And when some long sought Plant its Features shows,
The Sage with philosophic Rapture glows;
Pleas'd with the green Anatomy, now roves
Thro' untrod Paths, and vegetable Groves,
The curious Texture of each Herb to find,
Whither of bulbous or umbellous Kind.
This Search, Great Cowley! thy last Hours employ'd,
When with gay Life, and courtly Duty cloy'd;
122
And bloom'd afresh in his botanic Strain.
Here garden Flowers on Precipices grow,
And with wild Sweets, and untaught Beauty blow;
Pale Pinks, and purple Stocks the Air perfume,
And fragrant Woodbinds in the Desart bloom.
Fantastic Mixture! like the uncouth Grace
Of blushing Paint laid o'er an antient Face.
Yon lonely Beasts browse on the savage Weed,
And o'er the vast Abyss securely feed:
In Ætna's Shade thus sleeps th'advent'rous Swain,
Till Clouds of Sulphur intercept the Plain.
Along the rocky Vale pale Trav'lers ride,
Fenc'd with aspiring Walls on either Side;
Before the View unfathom'd Vista's lie,
And Theatres of Horror fill the Eye,
Each winding Sound reactive Hills repeat,
And echoing Flocks from distant Pastures bleat.
And with wild Sweets, and untaught Beauty blow;
Pale Pinks, and purple Stocks the Air perfume,
And fragrant Woodbinds in the Desart bloom.
Fantastic Mixture! like the uncouth Grace
Of blushing Paint laid o'er an antient Face.
Yon lonely Beasts browse on the savage Weed,
And o'er the vast Abyss securely feed:
In Ætna's Shade thus sleeps th'advent'rous Swain,
Till Clouds of Sulphur intercept the Plain.
Along the rocky Vale pale Trav'lers ride,
Fenc'd with aspiring Walls on either Side;
Before the View unfathom'd Vista's lie,
And Theatres of Horror fill the Eye,
Each winding Sound reactive Hills repeat,
And echoing Flocks from distant Pastures bleat.
123
Thus thro' the parting Sea great Moses fled,
While the uplifted Waves forsook their Bed,
And pil'd on high, in terrible Array,
Silent withdrew, and made, and fenc'd the Way.
While the uplifted Waves forsook their Bed,
And pil'd on high, in terrible Array,
Silent withdrew, and made, and fenc'd the Way.
Thus we forsake this solitary Gloom,
Like Ghosts departing from a vaulted Tomb;
And quitting Chedder's Rocks, again arise
On Mendip Hills, and breathe serener Skies.
Anon monastic Wells its Domes erects,
And from its gilded Spires the Sun reflects.
Wells, whose Cathedral, with majestic Air,
Sublime, may with Italian Piles compare;
Nor can Turin or Padua fair display,
Pillars more splendid, or a Front more gay.
Like Ghosts departing from a vaulted Tomb;
And quitting Chedder's Rocks, again arise
On Mendip Hills, and breathe serener Skies.
Anon monastic Wells its Domes erects,
And from its gilded Spires the Sun reflects.
Wells, whose Cathedral, with majestic Air,
Sublime, may with Italian Piles compare;
Nor can Turin or Padua fair display,
Pillars more splendid, or a Front more gay.
But while the Works of Art attract our View,
Here Nature shews uncommon Wonders too.
Where Wookey-Hole dilates with hideous Look,
Dark as the Passage to th'infernal Brook.
Here Nature shews uncommon Wonders too.
124
Dark as the Passage to th'infernal Brook.
Low in the Covert of a neighb'ring Vale,
Where nightly Dews from weeping Rills exhale,
Deep sunk beneath a Hill, the Cavern yawns,
A dismal Gulph! and saddens all the Lawns,
Vast and impervious; not one Beam of Light
There sheds its Lustre, to dispel the Night;
Only faint Tapers guide our doubtful Way,
And scatter thro' the Gloom a sickly Ray.
Where nightly Dews from weeping Rills exhale,
Deep sunk beneath a Hill, the Cavern yawns,
A dismal Gulph! and saddens all the Lawns,
Vast and impervious; not one Beam of Light
There sheds its Lustre, to dispel the Night;
Only faint Tapers guide our doubtful Way,
And scatter thro' the Gloom a sickly Ray.
As when Æneas, led by fond Desire,
To see the Shade of his departed Sire,
Felt when he first approach'd the dreary Plains,
A sudden Horror shudder thro' his Veins,
Astonish'd, thus we walk with secret Dread,
And seem to trace the Regions of the Dead.
To see the Shade of his departed Sire,
Felt when he first approach'd the dreary Plains,
A sudden Horror shudder thro' his Veins,
Astonish'd, thus we walk with secret Dread,
And seem to trace the Regions of the Dead.
125
The weeping Rocks distil with constant Dews,
And still a new form'd Drop the last pursues.
Emblem of Time, which in successive Tides,
Wave after Wave, in endless Motion glides.
I see Time's hoary Monarch, seated here,
Record the Drops, and guide the circling Year.
Pleas'd with the Shade of these coeval Cells,
In silent State, the Sire of Ages dwells,
Reclining on a Rock, the Moments rolls,
And counts the Revolutions of the Poles.
And still a new form'd Drop the last pursues.
Emblem of Time, which in successive Tides,
Wave after Wave, in endless Motion glides.
I see Time's hoary Monarch, seated here,
Record the Drops, and guide the circling Year.
Pleas'd with the Shade of these coeval Cells,
In silent State, the Sire of Ages dwells,
Reclining on a Rock, the Moments rolls,
And counts the Revolutions of the Poles.
Still groping thro' the dark Recess, we find
New Scenes of Wonder to amuse our Mind;
A gentle Lake, sedate as Lethe, stands
So clear, its Bottom shews deep shining Sands;
A hollow Rock the silver Flood contains,
Which never sinks with Drought, nor swells with Rains.
Thro' craggy Paths and Labyrinths we stray,
Entomb'd alive, and wish for absent Day.
Here a low Track, anon a spatious Room,
Where the high Vault collects substantial Gloom,
So vast the Arch, the Cavity so wide,
Scarce can the Eye extend from Side to Side.
High o'er the Roof alternate Echos wave,
And every Step sounds sighing thro' the Cave;
From Cell to Cell the wandring Accents flow,
And, oft returning back are loath to go.
But if you'd hear it thunder under Ground,
Thro' the still Grotto let your Pistol sound,
Unnumber'd Echoes ring from Rock to Rock,
And all the Cavern trembles with the Shock.
New Scenes of Wonder to amuse our Mind;
A gentle Lake, sedate as Lethe, stands
So clear, its Bottom shews deep shining Sands;
A hollow Rock the silver Flood contains,
Which never sinks with Drought, nor swells with Rains.
Thro' craggy Paths and Labyrinths we stray,
Entomb'd alive, and wish for absent Day.
126
Where the high Vault collects substantial Gloom,
So vast the Arch, the Cavity so wide,
Scarce can the Eye extend from Side to Side.
High o'er the Roof alternate Echos wave,
And every Step sounds sighing thro' the Cave;
From Cell to Cell the wandring Accents flow,
And, oft returning back are loath to go.
But if you'd hear it thunder under Ground,
Thro' the still Grotto let your Pistol sound,
Unnumber'd Echoes ring from Rock to Rock,
And all the Cavern trembles with the Shock.
Slow, from some unknown Source, a River flows,
And lonely wandring murmurs to repose,
Thro' dark Meanders bends its silent Rout,
And at the Cave's wide Conduit issues out.
Swift o'er the Sands the purling Waters play,
With smiling Waves, pleas'd with long absent Day.
Fam'd Alpheus' Stream is story'd thus to rise,
And see new Light beneath Sicilian Skies.
So Boetic Anas permeates the Earth
In secret Ducts, and knows a second Birth.
And lonely wandring murmurs to repose,
Thro' dark Meanders bends its silent Rout,
And at the Cave's wide Conduit issues out.
Swift o'er the Sands the purling Waters play,
With smiling Waves, pleas'd with long absent Day.
127
And see new Light beneath Sicilian Skies.
So Boetic Anas permeates the Earth
In secret Ducts, and knows a second Birth.
Nor shall thy neighb'ring Piles, O Stanton Drew!
Tho' unobserv'd, escape the Muse's View,
Whose Theatres could once with Stone-henge boast,
Now sunk in Ruins, and in Silence lost.
Tho' small the Village and obscure its Name,
These solemn Memoirs eternize its Fame;
Like patriarchal Monuments they rise,
Of various Figures and gigantic Size.
Tho' unobserv'd, escape the Muse's View,
Whose Theatres could once with Stone-henge boast,
Now sunk in Ruins, and in Silence lost.
Tho' small the Village and obscure its Name,
These solemn Memoirs eternize its Fame;
Like patriarchal Monuments they rise,
Of various Figures and gigantic Size.
Thy Birth-place here, immortal Lock! we trace,
And Wrinton owns the consecrated Place:
Still may thy Praises fill the neighb'ring Shore,
Scarce Samos for her Sage could merit more,
Whose tow'ring Mind forsook the servile Crowd,
Itself a Star, and chas'd the Schoolmen's Cloud;
Who taught the Youth on Reason's Wings to soar,
And struck out Morning where 'twas Mist before.
Yet thy grave Pen, like Cato's, too severe,
Frown'd on the trembling Muse with Looks austere.
For could the Splendor of thy Name be kept,
If o'er thy Urn each Bard had silent slept?
Who can the Dawn of thy great Genius trace,
And not with Adoration view the Place?
And tho' no pompous Monument appears,
No Marble Statue to demand our Tears,
Yet near thy Birth-place Providence has thrown
These firm Memorials of immortal Stone.
And Wrinton owns the consecrated Place:
Still may thy Praises fill the neighb'ring Shore,
Scarce Samos for her Sage could merit more,
Whose tow'ring Mind forsook the servile Crowd,
Itself a Star, and chas'd the Schoolmen's Cloud;
128
And struck out Morning where 'twas Mist before.
Yet thy grave Pen, like Cato's, too severe,
Frown'd on the trembling Muse with Looks austere.
For could the Splendor of thy Name be kept,
If o'er thy Urn each Bard had silent slept?
Who can the Dawn of thy great Genius trace,
And not with Adoration view the Place?
And tho' no pompous Monument appears,
No Marble Statue to demand our Tears,
Yet near thy Birth-place Providence has thrown
These firm Memorials of immortal Stone.
But see! near yonder Mountain edg'd with Blue,
A smoaky Prospect breaks upon the View;
Half hid in Mist, see rising Turrets fair,
And gleaming Rays illume the dusky Air;
Now ruddy Buildings strike the dazzled Eye,
And with Aurora's Livery gild the Sky.
A busy Theatre invites our Stay,
And calls the Muse unwillingly away,
Who leaves her rural Paradise with Pain,
And views thy Pomp, O Bristol! with Disdain.
Yet she must on; the Voice of Commerce calls,
Loud as Fame's Trumpet, or her Cannon Balls.
Who can so near this noisy Centre guide
His wandring Steps, nor with the Torrent glide?
A smoaky Prospect breaks upon the View;
Half hid in Mist, see rising Turrets fair,
And gleaming Rays illume the dusky Air;
Now ruddy Buildings strike the dazzled Eye,
And with Aurora's Livery gild the Sky.
129
And calls the Muse unwillingly away,
Who leaves her rural Paradise with Pain,
And views thy Pomp, O Bristol! with Disdain.
Yet she must on; the Voice of Commerce calls,
Loud as Fame's Trumpet, or her Cannon Balls.
Who can so near this noisy Centre guide
His wandring Steps, nor with the Torrent glide?
As long the weary Pilot strives in vain,
To shun some dire Charybdis in the Main,
Such as alarms Sicilia's frighted Shores,
Or at fam'd Maelstroom near th'Arctic roars,
Till on the whirling Waves the Vessels sweep,
And snatch'd at once, are plung'd into the Deep.
Thus with thy Tide, O Severn! born along,
I join the Croud, and mingle with the Throng,
Lost in the Gulph of Business, quit the Shade,
And view the glorious Energy of Trade.
Trade! on whose Wings the Dircean Poet born,
Might launch secure, and his Olympus scorn;
He must like Phidias paint, like Pindar climb,
Who draws the Grandeur of thy Theme sublime.
On thy vast Wheels inferior Kingdoms move,
As Planets circle in their Spheres above.
I only touch, a Stranger, on thy Shore,
But glympse thy Greatness, nor attempt to soar.
To shun some dire Charybdis in the Main,
Such as alarms Sicilia's frighted Shores,
Or at fam'd Maelstroom near th'Arctic roars,
Till on the whirling Waves the Vessels sweep,
And snatch'd at once, are plung'd into the Deep.
Thus with thy Tide, O Severn! born along,
I join the Croud, and mingle with the Throng,
Lost in the Gulph of Business, quit the Shade,
And view the glorious Energy of Trade.
130
Might launch secure, and his Olympus scorn;
He must like Phidias paint, like Pindar climb,
Who draws the Grandeur of thy Theme sublime.
On thy vast Wheels inferior Kingdoms move,
As Planets circle in their Spheres above.
I only touch, a Stranger, on thy Shore,
But glympse thy Greatness, nor attempt to soar.
Thou, pregnant Commerce! art the Source of Peace,
Parent of Arts, and Parent of Increase;
By thy diffusive Stores all Nations smile,
Thou art to every Clime a second Nile.
Pacific Bristol with thy Plenty flows,
And all her Splendor to the Rudder owes.
As Paphia's Queen, thou, sprung from Ocean's Womb,
Dost charm all Nature with victorious Bloom.
Blest with thy Bloom, eternal Spring resides,
And distant Harvests float upon our Tides:
When Winter blasts the Beauties of the Year,
Thou bring'st the Spring of other Countries here:
The Sun may there with warmer Influence shine,
We share the Golden Fruit, the Purple Vine.
Each Climate is thy own; thy Wings, the Sails;
The Oars, thy Arms; thy Breath, soft Zephyr's Gales.
Thou, Commerce! may'st the Stars thy Pilots boast,
Each Haven is thy Inn, each Prince thy Host:
Kings are but Tenants to thy Farms and Thee,
O! Glorious Commerce! Landlord of the Sea:
Their Sceptral Sway must to the Trident bow,
They the Receivers, but the Donor Thou:
For Thee Golconda's wealthy Caverns shine,
And the rich Mountains of Peru are thine.
Parent of Arts, and Parent of Increase;
By thy diffusive Stores all Nations smile,
Thou art to every Clime a second Nile.
Pacific Bristol with thy Plenty flows,
And all her Splendor to the Rudder owes.
As Paphia's Queen, thou, sprung from Ocean's Womb,
Dost charm all Nature with victorious Bloom.
Blest with thy Bloom, eternal Spring resides,
And distant Harvests float upon our Tides:
131
Thou bring'st the Spring of other Countries here:
The Sun may there with warmer Influence shine,
We share the Golden Fruit, the Purple Vine.
Each Climate is thy own; thy Wings, the Sails;
The Oars, thy Arms; thy Breath, soft Zephyr's Gales.
Thou, Commerce! may'st the Stars thy Pilots boast,
Each Haven is thy Inn, each Prince thy Host:
Kings are but Tenants to thy Farms and Thee,
O! Glorious Commerce! Landlord of the Sea:
Their Sceptral Sway must to the Trident bow,
They the Receivers, but the Donor Thou:
For Thee Golconda's wealthy Caverns shine,
And the rich Mountains of Peru are thine.
O! Goddess! Bristol owns thy gentle Power,
To her descending in a Golden Show'r.
View her gay Palaces, her pompous Piles,
See Cornucopia o'er her Severn smiles:
How bright her Squares, how the fair Haven charms,
And holds both Indies crowded in its Arms.
The burden'd Tide heaves up the floating Store,
And having lodg'd it, leaves again the Shore;
But, like a thrifty Carrier, loads both Ways,
And back to Sea departing Ships conveys.
Thus, like thy River, pants a Mother's Breast,
With Streams of Milk, where smiling Infants rest:
Thy Ships, rich Severn! are thy Sons, which throng
Thy nursing Bosom, as they sail along.
Still may thy Waves expand, with softest Gale,
And Bristol's milky Treasure never fail,
While pregnant Vessels on thy Surface glide,
Or painted Flags wave o'er the tumid Tide;
While Tritons plough the Kingdoms of the Deep,
While flames red Cancer, or pale Hyads weep.
See the tall Masts, like living Forests, soar,
And emulate those parent Woods which bore
The flying Towers, and furnish'd out the Store:
Hear the Guns thunder, Sailors shout below,
Not Rome, in Triumph, such a Scene could show.
Here circling Business moves on fervent Wheels,
And ev'ry Breast a glowing Ardor feels.
Thy zealous Merchants at the Tollsey range,
And, on this little Spot, the World exchange.
'Twas thus great Tyre, the Mart of Nations grew,
And naval Carthage on its Banners flew:
Britannia thus, inferior Empires braves,
High on the Helm enthron'd, amidst the Waves.
The Seas alike, her and the World surround,
She awes the World, and, like it, knows no Bound.
To her descending in a Golden Show'r.
View her gay Palaces, her pompous Piles,
See Cornucopia o'er her Severn smiles:
132
And holds both Indies crowded in its Arms.
The burden'd Tide heaves up the floating Store,
And having lodg'd it, leaves again the Shore;
But, like a thrifty Carrier, loads both Ways,
And back to Sea departing Ships conveys.
Thus, like thy River, pants a Mother's Breast,
With Streams of Milk, where smiling Infants rest:
Thy Ships, rich Severn! are thy Sons, which throng
Thy nursing Bosom, as they sail along.
Still may thy Waves expand, with softest Gale,
And Bristol's milky Treasure never fail,
While pregnant Vessels on thy Surface glide,
Or painted Flags wave o'er the tumid Tide;
While Tritons plough the Kingdoms of the Deep,
While flames red Cancer, or pale Hyads weep.
See the tall Masts, like living Forests, soar,
And emulate those parent Woods which bore
The flying Towers, and furnish'd out the Store:
133
Not Rome, in Triumph, such a Scene could show.
Here circling Business moves on fervent Wheels,
And ev'ry Breast a glowing Ardor feels.
Thy zealous Merchants at the Tollsey range,
And, on this little Spot, the World exchange.
'Twas thus great Tyre, the Mart of Nations grew,
And naval Carthage on its Banners flew:
Britannia thus, inferior Empires braves,
High on the Helm enthron'd, amidst the Waves.
The Seas alike, her and the World surround,
She awes the World, and, like it, knows no Bound.
But now these busy Scenes no longer please,
The Muse forsakes the Tumult of the Seas:
But as Neptunian Bristol draws her Wealth
From Watry Stores, to these she owes her Health.
Fast by the Banks where slumb'ring Avon flows,
Where rocky Hills romantic Scenes disclose;
Where Belles, in gilded Chariots, take the Air,
And, at a Distance, splendid Villa's glare;
Where Beaus, for Ev'ning Solitude, retire,
To kindle some, and some to damp their Fire;
A Fountain glides, salubrious, from a Rock,
Like that which wond'rous gush'd, when Moses spoke.
A Stream more sacred than Castalio's Fount,
Or that which murmur'd near th'Aonian Mount,
A genial Heat the tepid Fountains send,
Warm like the Blood which they're design'd to mend.
Here some for Pleasure, some for Health resort,
These find a Hospital, and those a Court.
Swoln Hydrops here a lesser Size assumes,
And with new Vigour meagre Phthisis blooms.
No more consuming Diabetes flows;
And with new Blush the pallid Virgin glows;
Deformed Lepra leaves its livid Stain,
And purer Currents glide in ev'ry Vein,
Pure as the Streams they drink, which silent flow
Thro' chalky Ducts, and mineral Veins below.
The Muse forsakes the Tumult of the Seas:
But as Neptunian Bristol draws her Wealth
From Watry Stores, to these she owes her Health.
Fast by the Banks where slumb'ring Avon flows,
Where rocky Hills romantic Scenes disclose;
134
And, at a Distance, splendid Villa's glare;
Where Beaus, for Ev'ning Solitude, retire,
To kindle some, and some to damp their Fire;
A Fountain glides, salubrious, from a Rock,
Like that which wond'rous gush'd, when Moses spoke.
A Stream more sacred than Castalio's Fount,
Or that which murmur'd near th'Aonian Mount,
A genial Heat the tepid Fountains send,
Warm like the Blood which they're design'd to mend.
Here some for Pleasure, some for Health resort,
These find a Hospital, and those a Court.
Swoln Hydrops here a lesser Size assumes,
And with new Vigour meagre Phthisis blooms.
No more consuming Diabetes flows;
And with new Blush the pallid Virgin glows;
Deformed Lepra leaves its livid Stain,
And purer Currents glide in ev'ry Vein,
Pure as the Streams they drink, which silent flow
Thro' chalky Ducts, and mineral Veins below.
135
Yet other Scenes the restless Mind invite,
Still pants the Breast impatient for the Flight,
New Play-things thus the Infant's Taste employ,
Old Sports still drown'd in some succeeding Toy.
On Avon's gentle Tide serene we soar,
While echoing Music answers to the Oar,
Flies o'er the Waves, and dies along the Shore.
The wealthy Stream, now navigable made,
Bears on its back the Pyramids of Trade;
The Trees and Villages dance swift away,
And transient Shadows o'er the Waters play,
Till Bath! thy Piles elate, in Pomp surprize,
And emulate the Hills which round thee rise.
Still pants the Breast impatient for the Flight,
New Play-things thus the Infant's Taste employ,
Old Sports still drown'd in some succeeding Toy.
On Avon's gentle Tide serene we soar,
While echoing Music answers to the Oar,
Flies o'er the Waves, and dies along the Shore.
The wealthy Stream, now navigable made,
Bears on its back the Pyramids of Trade;
The Trees and Villages dance swift away,
And transient Shadows o'er the Waters play,
Till Bath! thy Piles elate, in Pomp surprize,
And emulate the Hills which round thee rise.
Hail! great Asylum of the Sick and Weak,
How shall my Verse thy healing Wonders speak!
As Bards of old Pirene first drank, then writ,
Thy Waters thus inspire poetic Wit,
Diffuse new Vigour o'er the languid Frame,
And kindle in the Blood a sprightly Flame.
The feeble Nerves receive a firmer Tone,
Convulsions fly, and Cholics cease to groan:
Hush'd are the Sorrows of the Female Sex,
Nor Hypo sighs, nor Rheumatisms vex;
No more the trembling Paralytic reels,
But animated Power all Nature feels.
Hygeia here array'd in Light appears,
With Beauty deck'd, and in the Bloom of Years.
High on the Mountain's Top she peaceful reigns,
Smiles on the Sick, and banishes their Pains,
While Graces round her breathe the softest Strains.
She guides the secret Conduits of the Springs,
And bears immortal Hebe on her Wings.
How shall my Verse thy healing Wonders speak!
As Bards of old Pirene first drank, then writ,
Thy Waters thus inspire poetic Wit,
136
And kindle in the Blood a sprightly Flame.
The feeble Nerves receive a firmer Tone,
Convulsions fly, and Cholics cease to groan:
Hush'd are the Sorrows of the Female Sex,
Nor Hypo sighs, nor Rheumatisms vex;
No more the trembling Paralytic reels,
But animated Power all Nature feels.
Hygeia here array'd in Light appears,
With Beauty deck'd, and in the Bloom of Years.
High on the Mountain's Top she peaceful reigns,
Smiles on the Sick, and banishes their Pains,
While Graces round her breathe the softest Strains.
She guides the secret Conduits of the Springs,
And bears immortal Hebe on her Wings.
But say, ye Genii of the Shades below,
Where, hid in Caverns, infant Zephyrs blow,
How filtred Fountains thro' the Strata creep,
Ooze thro' the Globe, ascending from the Deep,
Now silent gleet thro' Veins of Iron Oar,
And rob the smoaking Sulphur of its Store;
Climb o'er the Cells where unborn Atoms rest,
And future Insects slumber in their Nest;
Thro' spangling Salts of cooling Nitre weep,
Where infant Seeds of Vegetables sleep,
Till with extracted mineral Virtues fill'd,
The teeming Wells prolific Currents yield,
By Nature drawn with chymic Labor flow,
Distill'd in her alembic Pipes below,
In Tubes convey'd, arise in reeking Dews,
And round th'impregn'd Air rich Steams diffuse.
Where, hid in Caverns, infant Zephyrs blow,
How filtred Fountains thro' the Strata creep,
Ooze thro' the Globe, ascending from the Deep,
137
And rob the smoaking Sulphur of its Store;
Climb o'er the Cells where unborn Atoms rest,
And future Insects slumber in their Nest;
Thro' spangling Salts of cooling Nitre weep,
Where infant Seeds of Vegetables sleep,
Till with extracted mineral Virtues fill'd,
The teeming Wells prolific Currents yield,
By Nature drawn with chymic Labor flow,
Distill'd in her alembic Pipes below,
In Tubes convey'd, arise in reeking Dews,
And round th'impregn'd Air rich Steams diffuse.
Imperial Bath! behold thy Princes wait,
And gilded Chariots throng at every Gate.
See Crouds each Morning to thy Pump-house press,
And Beaus inspir'd, the hallow'd Fountains bless.
Ev'n S--- drinks Courage. C---n learns to sigh,
And consecrated Crutches hang on high;
Prophane T---y at thy Temple bows,
And to the streaming Altar pays his Vows.
Thus throng'd the Sick to Epidaurus' Shrine,
Ador'd the Tomb, and felt the Cure divine.
And gilded Chariots throng at every Gate.
See Crouds each Morning to thy Pump-house press,
And Beaus inspir'd, the hallow'd Fountains bless.
Ev'n S--- drinks Courage. C---n learns to sigh,
And consecrated Crutches hang on high;
138
And to the streaming Altar pays his Vows.
Thus throng'd the Sick to Epidaurus' Shrine,
Ador'd the Tomb, and felt the Cure divine.
Here Art and Nature with each other vie,
And in alternate Contrast strike the Eye.
Here glitt'ring Flambeaux in long Order blaze,
And blending, form a Galaxy of Rays.
The fair Cathedral shines with solemn Grace,
To awe the gaudy Follies of the Place.
The Terrass Walks smooth Elegance disclose,
And beauteous Limes extend in shady Rows.
Harmonious Views on every Side delight,
Ev'n Stones and Trees theselves are here polite:
While artless Nature, to compleat the Scene,
O'er the gay City looks with rugged Mien.
The hanging Hills romantic Forests crown,
Here Caverns yawn, tall Precipices frown,
And nod with awful Horror o'er the Town,
And in alternate Contrast strike the Eye.
Here glitt'ring Flambeaux in long Order blaze,
And blending, form a Galaxy of Rays.
The fair Cathedral shines with solemn Grace,
To awe the gaudy Follies of the Place.
The Terrass Walks smooth Elegance disclose,
And beauteous Limes extend in shady Rows.
Harmonious Views on every Side delight,
Ev'n Stones and Trees theselves are here polite:
While artless Nature, to compleat the Scene,
O'er the gay City looks with rugged Mien.
The hanging Hills romantic Forests crown,
Here Caverns yawn, tall Precipices frown,
And nod with awful Horror o'er the Town,
139
Tir'd with the noisy Splendor of the Place,
Now Froom concludes the long laborious Race.
Now Froom concludes the long laborious Race.
Welcome, blest Shore! hail, happy native Seat!
From Pomp and Vanity a safe Retreat.
Renown'd for Trade! for thee the fleecy Trains
Feed on high Mountains and Iberian Plains:
Thy Looms the Scythian Savages supply,
And warm the Russians in their frozen Sky.
For thee the vast Leviathan is slain,
And Indian Insects shed a purple Stain,
Thy crouded Streets are with fair Plenty crown'd,
And Industry smiles joyful all around.
From Pomp and Vanity a safe Retreat.
Renown'd for Trade! for thee the fleecy Trains
Feed on high Mountains and Iberian Plains:
Thy Looms the Scythian Savages supply,
And warm the Russians in their frozen Sky.
For thee the vast Leviathan is slain,
And Indian Insects shed a purple Stain,
Thy crouded Streets are with fair Plenty crown'd,
And Industry smiles joyful all around.
140
THE POWER of LOVE.
In me tota ruens Venus
Cyprum deseruit.
Hor. Ode XIX. L. 1.
Cyprum deseruit.
Hor. Ode XIX. L. 1.
Farewel, my Muse, to rural Themes,
To verdant Fields, and murm'ring Streams;
Farewel to evey silent Shade,
Every Grove, and every Glade;
Farewel, ye Songsters of the Sky,
To Love's superior Charms I fly.
Come, Love! and in my Bosom rest,
Come, fill each Region of my Breast.
To verdant Fields, and murm'ring Streams;
Farewel to evey silent Shade,
Every Grove, and every Glade;
Farewel, ye Songsters of the Sky,
To Love's superior Charms I fly.
141
Come, fill each Region of my Breast.
Tho' a new Liv'ry cloaths the Ground,
And Hedges blossom all around;
Tho' Odours breathe from every Plant,
And Birds o'er all the Meadows chant,
Yet, charming Celia! when with thee,
No Birds I hear, no Beauties see;
Thou art my only favorite Theme,
My daily Song, and nightly Dream.
E'er since the lovely Maid was seen
To pass along the neighbouring Green,
Love's Force I've felt; and oh! I find
Strange Revolutions in my Mind.
On her th'attentive Shepherds gaz'd,
And, mute with Wonder, stood amaz'd,
And dropt their Crooks; while at her Sight
The Country grew almost polite.
And Hedges blossom all around;
Tho' Odours breathe from every Plant,
And Birds o'er all the Meadows chant,
Yet, charming Celia! when with thee,
No Birds I hear, no Beauties see;
Thou art my only favorite Theme,
My daily Song, and nightly Dream.
E'er since the lovely Maid was seen
To pass along the neighbouring Green,
Love's Force I've felt; and oh! I find
Strange Revolutions in my Mind.
On her th'attentive Shepherds gaz'd,
And, mute with Wonder, stood amaz'd,
And dropt their Crooks; while at her Sight
The Country grew almost polite.
142
As musing underneath a Tree,
She smil'd upon my Sheep and me,
The gentle Passion seiz'd my Heart,
And watchful Cupid threw his Dart:
Then vanquish'd Nature droop'd her Head,
All the gay Scenes about me fled;
The solemn Shades delight no more,
Nor Riv'lets murmur'd as before;
The pining Flowers lost all their Smell,
And as she pass'd, their with'ring Glories fell.
She smil'd upon my Sheep and me,
The gentle Passion seiz'd my Heart,
And watchful Cupid threw his Dart:
Then vanquish'd Nature droop'd her Head,
All the gay Scenes about me fled;
The solemn Shades delight no more,
Nor Riv'lets murmur'd as before;
The pining Flowers lost all their Smell,
And as she pass'd, their with'ring Glories fell.
To move my Passion I defy
Ev'n all the Earth, and all the Sky.
The Stars, those Eyes of Night, can't shine,
My Celia! half so bright as thine,
Not all their Influence can compare
With thine, thou charming, lovely Fair!
Thou shed'st a more indulgent Ray,
And more celestial far than they.
Ev'n all the Earth, and all the Sky.
The Stars, those Eyes of Night, can't shine,
My Celia! half so bright as thine,
Not all their Influence can compare
With thine, thou charming, lovely Fair!
Thou shed'st a more indulgent Ray,
And more celestial far than they.
143
In vain the Trees with Breezes sport,
And, whispering, my Attention court.
In vain the God of Day around,
With pregnant Blessings warms the Ground;
While Herbs arise with all their Sweets,
And Zephyrs fan in cool Retreats:
The Trees will wither, Herbs will fade,
But Celia's Beauty knows no Shade;
The radiant Sun itself descend,
And all its blooming Triumphs end.
Spring smiles, but wintry Scenes appear,
My Celia shines throughout the Year.
Or should her with'ring Winter come,
And blast the fair one in her Bloom,
Shou'd Nature's Frame dissolve away,
Celia has Charms that ne'er decay,
Charms that will shine in Worlds above,
Bright as the Day, eternal as my Love.
And, whispering, my Attention court.
In vain the God of Day around,
With pregnant Blessings warms the Ground;
While Herbs arise with all their Sweets,
And Zephyrs fan in cool Retreats:
The Trees will wither, Herbs will fade,
But Celia's Beauty knows no Shade;
The radiant Sun itself descend,
And all its blooming Triumphs end.
Spring smiles, but wintry Scenes appear,
My Celia shines throughout the Year.
Or should her with'ring Winter come,
And blast the fair one in her Bloom,
Shou'd Nature's Frame dissolve away,
Celia has Charms that ne'er decay,
Charms that will shine in Worlds above,
Bright as the Day, eternal as my Love.
144
Let Nature summon all her Pow'rs,
Arabian Sweets, and Myrtle Bow'rs;
In every Bush let Roses glow,
And Beds of Violets round me blow,
Perfumes distill from ev'ry Tree,
And ev'ry Scene be Italy,
And ev'ry Month as fine, as gay,
As is the smiling Month of May.
Let the first Age again arise,
With Halcyon Days, and cloudless Skies,
Fair Eden's Products bless the Ground,
While shining Æras take their Round,
Yet Nature, thus adorn'd, would yield,
And Paradise to thee, must quit the Field.
Arabian Sweets, and Myrtle Bow'rs;
In every Bush let Roses glow,
And Beds of Violets round me blow,
Perfumes distill from ev'ry Tree,
And ev'ry Scene be Italy,
And ev'ry Month as fine, as gay,
As is the smiling Month of May.
Let the first Age again arise,
With Halcyon Days, and cloudless Skies,
Fair Eden's Products bless the Ground,
While shining Æras take their Round,
Yet Nature, thus adorn'd, would yield,
And Paradise to thee, must quit the Field.
In vain the Shepherds pipe around,
While Echos wanton with the Sound;
In vain the Nymphs, the Deities,
And all the rural Companies,
The sylvan Goddesses, the Fawns,
Who grace the Woods, or haunt the Lawns,
Try all their Music, all their Skill,
That I may love the Country still.
In vain Diana, with her Horn,
Awakes the purple, silent Morn,
Another Goddess calls to me,
Diana! no less fair than Thee.
Blithe Pan a Holiday would keep,
And dance before his sober Sheep;
While Nymphs fantastic round him sing,
And welcome in the charming Spring.
Go, Pan! with all thy jovial Train,
Go, gambol on the sunny Plain;
Or take thy merry Evening Round,
While Shades are lengthen'd o'er the Ground:
O Pan! my Celia calls to me,
With more Authority than thee;
She call'd, and lo! I strait withdrew,
Farewel, ye Country Scenes! ye Swains! Adieu.
While Echos wanton with the Sound;
In vain the Nymphs, the Deities,
And all the rural Companies,
145
Who grace the Woods, or haunt the Lawns,
Try all their Music, all their Skill,
That I may love the Country still.
In vain Diana, with her Horn,
Awakes the purple, silent Morn,
Another Goddess calls to me,
Diana! no less fair than Thee.
Blithe Pan a Holiday would keep,
And dance before his sober Sheep;
While Nymphs fantastic round him sing,
And welcome in the charming Spring.
Go, Pan! with all thy jovial Train,
Go, gambol on the sunny Plain;
Or take thy merry Evening Round,
While Shades are lengthen'd o'er the Ground:
O Pan! my Celia calls to me,
With more Authority than thee;
She call'd, and lo! I strait withdrew,
Farewel, ye Country Scenes! ye Swains! Adieu.
146
THE PAPER-KITE.
Fertur in arva volans, plausumq; exterrita pennis,
Dat cœlo ingentem; mox aere lapsa quieto,
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas.
Virg. Æn. L. V.
Dat cœlo ingentem; mox aere lapsa quieto,
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas.
Virg. Æn. L. V.
While grov'ling Sports the humble Croud delight,
My Muse shall trace aloft the Paper-Kite,
Which on expanded Wings sublimely flies,
And with Dædalian Skill ascends the Skies.
Say then, how modell'd by mechanic Art,
She boasts true Symmetry in ev'ry Part.
My Muse shall trace aloft the Paper-Kite,
Which on expanded Wings sublimely flies,
And with Dædalian Skill ascends the Skies.
Say then, how modell'd by mechanic Art,
She boasts true Symmetry in ev'ry Part.
147
And first two crossing Sticks you aptly join,
Then gird each Corner with surrounding Twine.
To make the arched Piece a Thorn you tie,
For light Materials are the best to fly.
Next let the Sides at equal Distance swing;
The least Excess retards her airy Wing.
So Cooks first poize the Spit, and oft essay,
Lest, dire Mishap! this Side should that outweigh.
In Form quadrangular the Fabric stands,
Erected Idol of laborious Hands.
Then gird each Corner with surrounding Twine.
To make the arched Piece a Thorn you tie,
For light Materials are the best to fly.
Next let the Sides at equal Distance swing;
The least Excess retards her airy Wing.
So Cooks first poize the Spit, and oft essay,
Lest, dire Mishap! this Side should that outweigh.
In Form quadrangular the Fabric stands,
Erected Idol of laborious Hands.
Now round the wooden Frame the Youth rejoice,
And hail the half-form'd Kite with grateful Voice.
Not mathematic Sages triumph more,
Who figur'd Schemes and Orbs above explore.
The Grecians thus acclaim'd their Horse of Wood,
When fraught with Vengeance on the Shore it stood.
The Body next with Paper Sail they fill,
With Paste cemented by superior Skill.
To represent the Wings at either Side,
Two fringed Tufts like Pulpit Bobs are ty'd.
In equal Focus's then floats between,
The central String, which guides the whole Machine,
While, rudder-like, the Tail beneath is bound,
And sweeps its lengthen'd Train in State along the Ground.
And hail the half-form'd Kite with grateful Voice.
Not mathematic Sages triumph more,
Who figur'd Schemes and Orbs above explore.
The Grecians thus acclaim'd their Horse of Wood,
When fraught with Vengeance on the Shore it stood.
The Body next with Paper Sail they fill,
With Paste cemented by superior Skill.
148
Two fringed Tufts like Pulpit Bobs are ty'd.
In equal Focus's then floats between,
The central String, which guides the whole Machine,
While, rudder-like, the Tail beneath is bound,
And sweeps its lengthen'd Train in State along the Ground.
You who new Pamphlets or old Folios prize,
Now guard your learned Shelves with watchful Eyes,
For oft unthinking Boys, on Plunder bent,
To form their Kite, have labour'd Volumes rent.
Oft the Concordance suffers for its Age,
Its blotted Lines, and dark, tremendous Page.
Here pond'rous Pool, with Scotus' empty Stuff,
In Ruins fall, their Bulk is Crime enough.
In the same Fate discordant Parties mix,
And great Le Clerc here joins with Dr. Hicks.
Here Hobbs with Hall, or Hammond, falls a Prey,
And rakish Rochester is tack'd to Ray.
Now Cowley's sacred Leaves with Ballads fly,
And Whigs with Tories friendly mount the Sky.
But oh, rash Youth! th'immortal Page forbear,
Nor Lock's, nor Cudworth's gen'rous Essays tear,
On Schoolmen waste your Rage, but not your Time,
And let the dark Imposer mount sublime.
Now guard your learned Shelves with watchful Eyes,
For oft unthinking Boys, on Plunder bent,
To form their Kite, have labour'd Volumes rent.
Oft the Concordance suffers for its Age,
Its blotted Lines, and dark, tremendous Page.
Here pond'rous Pool, with Scotus' empty Stuff,
In Ruins fall, their Bulk is Crime enough.
In the same Fate discordant Parties mix,
And great Le Clerc here joins with Dr. Hicks.
Here Hobbs with Hall, or Hammond, falls a Prey,
And rakish Rochester is tack'd to Ray.
149
And Whigs with Tories friendly mount the Sky.
But oh, rash Youth! th'immortal Page forbear,
Nor Lock's, nor Cudworth's gen'rous Essays tear,
On Schoolmen waste your Rage, but not your Time,
And let the dark Imposer mount sublime.
The Kite, compleated thus, is born along,
By some blest Leaders of the shining Throng,
Who to the Fields elate with Joy repair,
And wait the Blast that wafts her in the Air.
By some blest Leaders of the shining Throng,
Who to the Fields elate with Joy repair,
And wait the Blast that wafts her in the Air.
So when some new-built Ship is launch'd for Sail,
And only tarries for the prosp'rous Gale,
Th'impatient Crew each rising Breeze explore,
And long to see her sail, and quit the Shore.
And only tarries for the prosp'rous Gale,
Th'impatient Crew each rising Breeze explore,
And long to see her sail, and quit the Shore.
Now from the central String extends the Line,
And for the Flight lie harness'd Rolls of Twine.
This takes the String, remote his Partner stands,
And holds the Kite, impatient, in his Hands.
She tugs to go; he scarce without a Prayer,
Commits the struggling Engine to the Air.
But oh! what Passions fluctuate in his Mind,
To whom th'important Office is consign'd,
To whom 'tis giv'n to steer the rising Kite,
Pilot her Motions, and assist her Flight!
Soon as she mounts, he flying meets the Wind,
Oft chides his Mate, and often looks behind.
The trickling Twine glides thro' his glowing Hand,
And Joy transporting flushes all the Band,
Applauding Shouts pursue her as she flies,
And raise the Wind that bears her to the Skies.
So Larks on poised Pinions soar sublime,
In Ether lost, still singing as they climb.
And for the Flight lie harness'd Rolls of Twine.
150
And holds the Kite, impatient, in his Hands.
She tugs to go; he scarce without a Prayer,
Commits the struggling Engine to the Air.
But oh! what Passions fluctuate in his Mind,
To whom th'important Office is consign'd,
To whom 'tis giv'n to steer the rising Kite,
Pilot her Motions, and assist her Flight!
Soon as she mounts, he flying meets the Wind,
Oft chides his Mate, and often looks behind.
The trickling Twine glides thro' his glowing Hand,
And Joy transporting flushes all the Band,
Applauding Shouts pursue her as she flies,
And raise the Wind that bears her to the Skies.
So Larks on poised Pinions soar sublime,
In Ether lost, still singing as they climb.
The Paper Yatch high hovers with its Train,
While Birds affrighted leave th'ethereal Plain
All vacant to her Sweep, and wondring find
Their Empire lessen'd, and their Flight confin'd.
While Birds affrighted leave th'ethereal Plain
151
Their Empire lessen'd, and their Flight confin'd.
Oft when th'unballanc'd Kite requires more Sail,
Their Hats and Handkerchiefs assist the Tail.
Oh happy Boy! who now with Pleasure sees
His flying Glove mount on the airy Breeze,
How does he almost fly with rapt'rous Charms,
To meet the Bird descending to his Arms!
And how transported tell to listning Crouds,
This is the Glove which lately reach'd the Clouds!
Scarce are deluded Papists pleas'd so much,
When their blest Robes retain some Idol's Touch.
Not Seamen more, from Nile, or Ganges' Coast,
Or Plata's Shores, their sar-fetch'd Treasure boast.
Their Hats and Handkerchiefs assist the Tail.
Oh happy Boy! who now with Pleasure sees
His flying Glove mount on the airy Breeze,
How does he almost fly with rapt'rous Charms,
To meet the Bird descending to his Arms!
And how transported tell to listning Crouds,
This is the Glove which lately reach'd the Clouds!
Scarce are deluded Papists pleas'd so much,
When their blest Robes retain some Idol's Touch.
Not Seamen more, from Nile, or Ganges' Coast,
Or Plata's Shores, their sar-fetch'd Treasure boast.
But if the Line by some Misfortune breaks,
Her lofty Seat the prone Machine forsakes,
In many a giddy Vortex whirl'd around,
Like Icarus swift rushes to the Ground
All torn, the anxious Troop about her throng,
And weeping bear the shatter'd Frame along.
While all to view each gaping Breach are griev'd,
As if themselves had every Wound receiv'd.
And as their Hands the shipwreck'd Bird repair,
Some blame the Architect, and some the Air.
Her lofty Seat the prone Machine forsakes,
In many a giddy Vortex whirl'd around,
Like Icarus swift rushes to the Ground
152
And weeping bear the shatter'd Frame along.
While all to view each gaping Breach are griev'd,
As if themselves had every Wound receiv'd.
And as their Hands the shipwreck'd Bird repair,
Some blame the Architect, and some the Air.
But if supported by a gentle Breeze,
She glides serene, and rises by Degrees,
Far as the Line permits, she still ascends,
Till in the Clouds her lofty Voyage ends:
Beyond our narrow Ken, will dare to soar,
Where never ventrous Bird has reach'd before.
Now swift on wavy Wings descending slow,
She's kept from headlong Flight by Guides below;
Then with a gentle Fall salutes the Earth,
Caress'd by puny Bands with shouting Mirth,
Their infant Accents ring from Field to Field,
As when glad Victors tatter'd Ensigns wield;
While fair their curled Locks in Breezes flow,
And smiling Blushes in each Aspect glow.
She glides serene, and rises by Degrees,
Far as the Line permits, she still ascends,
Till in the Clouds her lofty Voyage ends:
Beyond our narrow Ken, will dare to soar,
Where never ventrous Bird has reach'd before.
Now swift on wavy Wings descending slow,
She's kept from headlong Flight by Guides below;
Then with a gentle Fall salutes the Earth,
Caress'd by puny Bands with shouting Mirth,
Their infant Accents ring from Field to Field,
As when glad Victors tatter'd Ensigns wield;
153
And smiling Blushes in each Aspect glow.
O happiest State of Life! bright Spring of Youth!
Fair Period, fraught with Innocence and Truth.
Of golden Æra's, and Saturnian Times,
Let Poets story in romantic Rhimes,
This Age, if any, is the Age of Gold,
Ere thrice five Winters have their Circles roll'd.
No Flames of Love, nor Wine their Breasts annoy.
No Cares of Business interrupt their Joy:
In soft Amusements, and the Sweets of Play,
The thoughtless Chorus spend the shining Day;
To grateful Sports, as grateful Books are join'd,
And Study's made a Plaything to the Mind.
Man's Life in its first Bud still fairest shews,
As Orchards in their Bloom most Sweets disclose.
Fair Period, fraught with Innocence and Truth.
Of golden Æra's, and Saturnian Times,
Let Poets story in romantic Rhimes,
This Age, if any, is the Age of Gold,
Ere thrice five Winters have their Circles roll'd.
No Flames of Love, nor Wine their Breasts annoy.
No Cares of Business interrupt their Joy:
In soft Amusements, and the Sweets of Play,
The thoughtless Chorus spend the shining Day;
To grateful Sports, as grateful Books are join'd,
And Study's made a Plaything to the Mind.
Man's Life in its first Bud still fairest shews,
As Orchards in their Bloom most Sweets disclose.
Sometimes a Scene more wondrous feasts the Sight,
When the mechanic Bird is rais'd by Night.
For in a Paper Orb by Artists made,
With dextrous Skill a Candle is convey'd;
Tied to the Tail the pendant Lanthorn glows,
And, mounting, lights its Passage as it goes.
The Kite remote soars in a Path unseen,
While the bright Tail far-stretching hangs between.
Thus Jupiter we see in Light array'd,
While his attending Moons are hid in Shade.
Still Comet-like it sweeps, erratic Fire,
And Crouds beneath the floating Blaze admire.
When the mechanic Bird is rais'd by Night.
154
With dextrous Skill a Candle is convey'd;
Tied to the Tail the pendant Lanthorn glows,
And, mounting, lights its Passage as it goes.
The Kite remote soars in a Path unseen,
While the bright Tail far-stretching hangs between.
Thus Jupiter we see in Light array'd,
While his attending Moons are hid in Shade.
Still Comet-like it sweeps, erratic Fire,
And Crouds beneath the floating Blaze admire.
The country Swains who at a Distance gaze,
Survey the painted Meteor with Amaze,
Quote from old Almanacs portentous Times,
Spell future Ills, and ponder former Crimes.
Partridge and mystic Moor are oft turn'd o'er,
And Bunyan brought to Light, ne'er seen before;
Some long ago these Wonders could foretel,
When Salt prophetic at the Table fell,
This Sight, blue Flame, and Hares which cross'd the Road,
This, Dreams presag'd, and Ravens us'd to bode.
Survey the painted Meteor with Amaze,
Quote from old Almanacs portentous Times,
Spell future Ills, and ponder former Crimes.
Partridge and mystic Moor are oft turn'd o'er,
And Bunyan brought to Light, ne'er seen before;
Some long ago these Wonders could foretel,
When Salt prophetic at the Table fell,
155
This, Dreams presag'd, and Ravens us'd to bode.
But high the wavy Luminary shines,
Till the spent Taper droops, and sick'ning pines;
Thro' the dark Air the gilded Phantom flies,
And rustles like a Whirlwind down the Skies.
So with her Lamp the Muse ascends the Sphere,
Pleas'd in her little Orb to flutter there,
Till the dim Light expiring dies away,
Like the last Ruins of declining Day,
And thus descending with the Paper Kite,
With her alike concludes th'adventrous Flight.
Till the spent Taper droops, and sick'ning pines;
Thro' the dark Air the gilded Phantom flies,
And rustles like a Whirlwind down the Skies.
So with her Lamp the Muse ascends the Sphere,
Pleas'd in her little Orb to flutter there,
Till the dim Light expiring dies away,
Like the last Ruins of declining Day,
And thus descending with the Paper Kite,
With her alike concludes th'adventrous Flight.
156
ON THE Lady B***ton's Birth-Day.
Hæc est illa Dies, magni quæ conscia Partûs.
Once more the Day returns which bless'd the Earth,
And crown'd the Year with fair Aurelia's Birth,
At whose Nativity the infant Flowers
Shot forth new Sweets, new Roses clad the Bow'rs;
The gay Musicians of the Lyric Shade
Wak'd her to Life, and hov'ring round her play'd,
While the new Blushes of the orient Sun
Half faded look'd, so much by her outdone.
And crown'd the Year with fair Aurelia's Birth,
At whose Nativity the infant Flowers
Shot forth new Sweets, new Roses clad the Bow'rs;
The gay Musicians of the Lyric Shade
Wak'd her to Life, and hov'ring round her play'd,
While the new Blushes of the orient Sun
Half faded look'd, so much by her outdone.
157
Some by their Crown, their Conquest, or their Crime,
Cast a long Lustre thro' the Rolls of Time.
A Saint's, a Poet's, or a Monarch's Rays,
Fair in the Rubric, or the Medal blaze;
Shall these in Epocha's distinguish'd live,
And Immortality receive and give,
In monumental Piles survive their Fate,
And conq'ring Beauty fade without a Date?
Cast a long Lustre thro' the Rolls of Time.
A Saint's, a Poet's, or a Monarch's Rays,
Fair in the Rubric, or the Medal blaze;
Shall these in Epocha's distinguish'd live,
And Immortality receive and give,
In monumental Piles survive their Fate,
And conq'ring Beauty fade without a Date?
First may those Birds their Harmony forget,
Those beauteous Flowers with all their Lustre set.
The twinkling Stars not only gild the Night,
But thro' the sable Day dispense their Light.
In Beauty's Cause the flaming Lamp on high
Begun his Giant-Journey in the Sky;
Thro' the dim Cave of Space irradiate play'd,
And Nature rose illustrious from its Shade,
Its various Charms broke from the darksome Cell,
And each harmonious String in Concert fell.
View the wide Universe from Pole to Pole,
Bedeck'd with Beauty, Beauty fills the whole:
Each bearded Leaf sweet Symmetry betrays,
And each rang'd Atom tunes its Parent's Praise.
Those beauteous Flowers with all their Lustre set.
The twinkling Stars not only gild the Night,
But thro' the sable Day dispense their Light.
In Beauty's Cause the flaming Lamp on high
Begun his Giant-Journey in the Sky;
Thro' the dim Cave of Space irradiate play'd,
And Nature rose illustrious from its Shade,
Its various Charms broke from the darksome Cell,
And each harmonious String in Concert fell.
158
Bedeck'd with Beauty, Beauty fills the whole:
Each bearded Leaf sweet Symmetry betrays,
And each rang'd Atom tunes its Parent's Praise.
This Morn let all be joyous and serene,
Calm as her Looks, and radiant as her Mien.
'Tis Vision all, or sure the conscious Skies
Dart stronger Beams, and with new Glory rise:
Corrected Time hence a new Cycle steers,
And in his Rolls Aurelia's Stile appears.
Others may celebrate their annual Feasts,
And to exalt their Monarch, sink to Beasts,
Devoutly curse in Raptures once a Year,
Warm'd with a Flood of Bigottry, or Beer;
With other Joy my Muse shall crown the Day,
When the twelve Signs have march'd their golden Way,
With other Fires her grateful Verse shall glow,
And where Aurelia treads, her Garlands strow.
Array'd in Sweets fair Flora shall be seen,
And Youths exulting mark the flow'ry Green.
Melodious Birds a Jubilee shall keep,
And interluding Roes in Concert skip;
The sportive Lambs in Salian Dances bound,
While o'er the Plain glad Shepherds pipe around,
And ecchoing Vallies propagate the Sound.
Calm as her Looks, and radiant as her Mien.
'Tis Vision all, or sure the conscious Skies
Dart stronger Beams, and with new Glory rise:
Corrected Time hence a new Cycle steers,
And in his Rolls Aurelia's Stile appears.
Others may celebrate their annual Feasts,
And to exalt their Monarch, sink to Beasts,
Devoutly curse in Raptures once a Year,
Warm'd with a Flood of Bigottry, or Beer;
With other Joy my Muse shall crown the Day,
When the twelve Signs have march'd their golden Way,
With other Fires her grateful Verse shall glow,
And where Aurelia treads, her Garlands strow.
159
And Youths exulting mark the flow'ry Green.
Melodious Birds a Jubilee shall keep,
And interluding Roes in Concert skip;
The sportive Lambs in Salian Dances bound,
While o'er the Plain glad Shepherds pipe around,
And ecchoing Vallies propagate the Sound.
FINIS.
| Poetical essays on Several Occasions | |