 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
32
CANTO II.
Now heav'n-born muse! thy sacred succour bring;
Resume the theme which tun'd thy voice to sing;
In my rapt soul infuse the warmth of thine,
And lend my fancy's paintings light to shine.
Resume the theme which tun'd thy voice to sing;
In my rapt soul infuse the warmth of thine,
And lend my fancy's paintings light to shine.
Where milky flocks in gambols sport around,
Where varied beauties deck the smiling ground,
Where aromatic incense fills the sky,
And all the prospect wins th'enraptur'd eye;
The grass his couch, his canopy a tree,
Now, on yon cloud-topt summit, Paris see!
Hark, from his reed what soft'ning sounds aspire!
The melting measures hush the feather'd choir;
To catch his sweeter notes they croud each spray,
And list'ning hear their little souls away:
Through vocal air the strains mellifluous fly,
The streams re-echo, and the hills reply.
And now, descending through the wide expanse,
All radiant, lo, the heav'nly train advance!
The car-prest clouds sink circling tow'rd the ground;
A flood of glory pours the scene around:
Now the gay chariots print th'enamel'd green,
And now alights each heart-exulting queen.
As when a meteor, streaming æther through,
Attracts some sage's unsuspecting view;
Tho' conscious virtue bid to fear controul,
Yet wonder sheds a tremor o'er his soul;
So Paris, tho' in innocence array'd,
The seeming vision, tranc'd in awe, survey'd.
Down drops the reed from out his trembling hands,
He starts, dread chills him, motionless he stands!
When Merc'ry thus address'd—Oh, youth renown'd,
With wit enlighten'd, and with judgment crown'd;
By friendship valu'd, dear to beauty's eye,
So lov'd on earth, so honour'd from on high!
Dismiss thy fears, these rival queens survey,
Nor dream of danger in such bright array!
Hermes am I! 'tis mine through realms of air,
The sacred mandates of the gods to bear;
I cleave the sky at Jupiters decree,
And now I come his substitute to thee.
While bridal joys late charm'd th'immortal Pow'rs,
And mirth and rapture 'wak'd the laughing hours,
Discord, whose thoughts the balm of peace disdain,
Who feels no bliss but in another's pain,
This Apple, for the brightest goddess meant,
To kindle strife, and nurture discontent,
Amidst th'assembly hurl'd!—Joy fled the place,
And ev'ry fair was robb'd of ev'ry grace;
'Twas contest all!—at length, reflection's beam
Eclips'd self-love, and these were own'd supreme:
But which supreme of these must thou explore!
Jove spake the word, and contest was no more.
Shepherd, inspect, with neutral ray intent,
Each fair celestial, panting for th'event;
And to that goddess, whose excelling pow'r
Compells at once to wonder and adore;
Whose beauty, beaming with unrivall'd light,
Attracts thy soul, and captivates thy sight,
Resign the Prize!—This let thy candour prove;
And act as fits the delegate of Jove.
No more he spoke.—The youth the glitt'ring Prize
Receives with mien submiss, and thus replies:
And am I then, an humble lowly swain,
Whom nature dooms the tenant of the plain;
Whose sense but from her spring its maxims draws,
Am I thought adequate to judge this cause?
He bids who knows; hence diffidence away,
'Tis Jove commands, and Paris must obey;
A secret pride my artless bosom fires,
And he who dignifies at once inspires.
But as the rose amidst encircling flow'rs,
In fragrant vales, or amaranthine bow'rs,
May for a while, tho' beauteous o'er the rest,
Bloom to the seeking organ unconfest,
Singly be try'd each fair assertor's claim!
Hear this, ye lovely candidates of fame!
And, lest deception look with truth's clear eye,
And art with nature proudly hope to vie,
Let ev'ry goddess, patent to the day,
Each robe-hid charm, each secret grace display:
The cloud-cast sun no gleam of joy inspires,
And beauty scorns what vanity requires.
He said.
Where varied beauties deck the smiling ground,
Where aromatic incense fills the sky,
And all the prospect wins th'enraptur'd eye;
The grass his couch, his canopy a tree,
Now, on yon cloud-topt summit, Paris see!
Hark, from his reed what soft'ning sounds aspire!
The melting measures hush the feather'd choir;
To catch his sweeter notes they croud each spray,
And list'ning hear their little souls away:
33
The streams re-echo, and the hills reply.
And now, descending through the wide expanse,
All radiant, lo, the heav'nly train advance!
The car-prest clouds sink circling tow'rd the ground;
A flood of glory pours the scene around:
Now the gay chariots print th'enamel'd green,
And now alights each heart-exulting queen.
As when a meteor, streaming æther through,
Attracts some sage's unsuspecting view;
Tho' conscious virtue bid to fear controul,
Yet wonder sheds a tremor o'er his soul;
So Paris, tho' in innocence array'd,
The seeming vision, tranc'd in awe, survey'd.
Down drops the reed from out his trembling hands,
He starts, dread chills him, motionless he stands!
34
With wit enlighten'd, and with judgment crown'd;
By friendship valu'd, dear to beauty's eye,
So lov'd on earth, so honour'd from on high!
Dismiss thy fears, these rival queens survey,
Nor dream of danger in such bright array!
Hermes am I! 'tis mine through realms of air,
The sacred mandates of the gods to bear;
I cleave the sky at Jupiters decree,
And now I come his substitute to thee.
While bridal joys late charm'd th'immortal Pow'rs,
And mirth and rapture 'wak'd the laughing hours,
Discord, whose thoughts the balm of peace disdain,
Who feels no bliss but in another's pain,
This Apple, for the brightest goddess meant,
To kindle strife, and nurture discontent,
35
And ev'ry fair was robb'd of ev'ry grace;
'Twas contest all!—at length, reflection's beam
Eclips'd self-love, and these were own'd supreme:
But which supreme of these must thou explore!
Jove spake the word, and contest was no more.
Shepherd, inspect, with neutral ray intent,
Each fair celestial, panting for th'event;
And to that goddess, whose excelling pow'r
Compells at once to wonder and adore;
Whose beauty, beaming with unrivall'd light,
Attracts thy soul, and captivates thy sight,
Resign the Prize!—This let thy candour prove;
And act as fits the delegate of Jove.
No more he spoke.—The youth the glitt'ring Prize
Receives with mien submiss, and thus replies:
36
Whom nature dooms the tenant of the plain;
Whose sense but from her spring its maxims draws,
Am I thought adequate to judge this cause?
He bids who knows; hence diffidence away,
'Tis Jove commands, and Paris must obey;
A secret pride my artless bosom fires,
And he who dignifies at once inspires.
But as the rose amidst encircling flow'rs,
In fragrant vales, or amaranthine bow'rs,
May for a while, tho' beauteous o'er the rest,
Bloom to the seeking organ unconfest,
Singly be try'd each fair assertor's claim!
Hear this, ye lovely candidates of fame!
And, lest deception look with truth's clear eye,
And art with nature proudly hope to vie,
37
Each robe-hid charm, each secret grace display:
The cloud-cast sun no gleam of joy inspires,
And beauty scorns what vanity requires.
He said.
When Juno, dignified in mien,
As rank ordain'd, before each other queen
Advanc'd: imperial pomp adorn'd her face,
And god-like grandeur glow'd in ev'ry grace:
A radiant crown the awful empress wore;
Her snowy hand a silver scepter bore;
Her spreading ringlets shot the di'mond's light;
Her robe was all-magnificently bright:
That robe, which now expanding to the view,
Reveal'd those charms the thund'rer only knew:
In naked majesty the goddess shone;
She wav'd her scepter'd hand and thus begun:
Shepherd, attend! 'tis Juno's voice you hear,
Jove's kindred consort! great without compeer!
I rule his heart who rules through boundless space,
Then judge how blest who lives in Juno's grace;
So may'st thou live; for such is Jove's decree,
That Juno waits her destiny from thee:
She! too elate in pow'r, too high of soul
To pardon insult, or to brook controul.
As the pale orb, that chears the noon of night,
To phœbus in meridian splendor bright;
As ev'ry star that gilds the blue serene,
Compar'd to cynthia, night's sweet silver queen,
So faint to me these bold opposers shine,
Whose beauty's destin'd but a foil to mine.
Think not the Prize I'd have thee yet impart,
No;—partial verdict injures true desert.
The wreath of glory be by conflict gain'd;
Poor is the conquest easily obtain'd:
Then let each rival full resistance make,
Left folly blush not at its own mistake;
Yet what they offer, Paris, disregard;
They mean to bribe thee, I but to reward.
If wealth allure thee, if ambition fire,
If grandeur shine the object of desire;
Which ever glows within thy soul supreme,
I'll fan its light, and teach that light to beam;
Or shou'd they all incite thy secret sighs,
Know, in a monarch, thou to all shalt rise!
I'll snatch thee, shepherd, from degrading fate,
And lift thee high, pre-eminently great;
Thy hand shall stretch a scepter o'er the ball,
And at thy nod shall kingdoms rise or fall;
For thee the mine shall teem, the seas shall roll,
And commerce spread her wings from pole to pole;
Pomp and magnificence shall round thee shine,
And glory brighten ev'ry act of thine.
As rank ordain'd, before each other queen
Advanc'd: imperial pomp adorn'd her face,
And god-like grandeur glow'd in ev'ry grace:
A radiant crown the awful empress wore;
Her snowy hand a silver scepter bore;
Her spreading ringlets shot the di'mond's light;
Her robe was all-magnificently bright:
That robe, which now expanding to the view,
Reveal'd those charms the thund'rer only knew:
38
She wav'd her scepter'd hand and thus begun:
Shepherd, attend! 'tis Juno's voice you hear,
Jove's kindred consort! great without compeer!
I rule his heart who rules through boundless space,
Then judge how blest who lives in Juno's grace;
So may'st thou live; for such is Jove's decree,
That Juno waits her destiny from thee:
She! too elate in pow'r, too high of soul
To pardon insult, or to brook controul.
As the pale orb, that chears the noon of night,
To phœbus in meridian splendor bright;
As ev'ry star that gilds the blue serene,
Compar'd to cynthia, night's sweet silver queen,
So faint to me these bold opposers shine,
Whose beauty's destin'd but a foil to mine.
39
No;—partial verdict injures true desert.
The wreath of glory be by conflict gain'd;
Poor is the conquest easily obtain'd:
Then let each rival full resistance make,
Left folly blush not at its own mistake;
Yet what they offer, Paris, disregard;
They mean to bribe thee, I but to reward.
If wealth allure thee, if ambition fire,
If grandeur shine the object of desire;
Which ever glows within thy soul supreme,
I'll fan its light, and teach that light to beam;
Or shou'd they all incite thy secret sighs,
Know, in a monarch, thou to all shalt rise!
I'll snatch thee, shepherd, from degrading fate,
And lift thee high, pre-eminently great;
40
And at thy nod shall kingdoms rise or fall;
For thee the mine shall teem, the seas shall roll,
And commerce spread her wings from pole to pole;
Pomp and magnificence shall round thee shine,
And glory brighten ev'ry act of thine.
Thus Juno spoke, with conquest in her eye;
Thus beauty's judge, yet doubtful, made reply:
Thus beauty's judge, yet doubtful, made reply:
Did my fond thoughts on schemes of greatness roll,
Did vanity's false glare illude my soul,
Thy words, oh, goddess, such rewards proclaim,
The man wou'd sink, and all the monarch flame!
But, taught the voice of nature to prefer,
My bosom still beats consonant to her.
From kings imperial, to the meanest slave,
Th'Eternal Cause responsive passions gave;
In ev'ry soul they prompt the same respect,
Alike in name, tho' various in effect:
If Pan benignant bless my fleecy care,
I crave no more; my wealth is center'd there;
If by my heart ambition's understood,
I feel its glow, the pride of being Good;
Survey the flow'ry lawns, the chequer'd shades,
Rocks, rills, floods, fountains, grottos, groves, and glades;
Behold how Sol, now tow'ring up the skies,
Bright, and more bright, bids ev'ry prospect rise!
I this all grandeur artlessly define;
Still be in this degree these blessings mine.
Jove forms the mind of man to suit its state;
Happy in that, disunion were its fate.
What nature craves kind providence supplies,
Joy to the sense, and pleasure to the eyes,
Bids the earth teem with vegetative care,
The full bud blossom, and the blossom bear,
The vital spirit warm through land, air, flood:
And shall the heart wish more? Ingratitude!
Ah, what avail the pageantries of state!
Care still finds entrance at the regal gate;
Dulls the high mind, with pale reflection fraught,
And draws its sable curtain o'er the thought;
Silent in grief, it looks with flatt'ry's eye,
While the sad heart gives dignity the lye.
Plume, competency, o'er my soul thy wing!
There let the bird of sweet contentment sing!
And long as heav'n this blessing shall dispense,
May yon submissive flocks own me their prince!
This humble crook my scepter be confest,
And peace the diadem within my breast!
While fancy's-self shall bound my empire's scene,
Already loyal to a fav'rite queen.
Nor deem it insult, goddess, I decline
Thy honours, be my heart's warm tribute thine:
The same thy goodness in th'intent as giv'n;
The same my duty to the queen of heav'n.
Partial's the judge by future favour bought,
Indiff'rence only acts the thing it ought;
And justice, pregnant with its own reward,
Demands, that nought but beauty meet regard.
The shepherd spoke.
Did vanity's false glare illude my soul,
Thy words, oh, goddess, such rewards proclaim,
The man wou'd sink, and all the monarch flame!
But, taught the voice of nature to prefer,
My bosom still beats consonant to her.
41
Th'Eternal Cause responsive passions gave;
In ev'ry soul they prompt the same respect,
Alike in name, tho' various in effect:
If Pan benignant bless my fleecy care,
I crave no more; my wealth is center'd there;
If by my heart ambition's understood,
I feel its glow, the pride of being Good;
Survey the flow'ry lawns, the chequer'd shades,
Rocks, rills, floods, fountains, grottos, groves, and glades;
Behold how Sol, now tow'ring up the skies,
Bright, and more bright, bids ev'ry prospect rise!
I this all grandeur artlessly define;
Still be in this degree these blessings mine.
Jove forms the mind of man to suit its state;
Happy in that, disunion were its fate.
42
Joy to the sense, and pleasure to the eyes,
Bids the earth teem with vegetative care,
The full bud blossom, and the blossom bear,
The vital spirit warm through land, air, flood:
And shall the heart wish more? Ingratitude!
Ah, what avail the pageantries of state!
Care still finds entrance at the regal gate;
Dulls the high mind, with pale reflection fraught,
And draws its sable curtain o'er the thought;
Silent in grief, it looks with flatt'ry's eye,
While the sad heart gives dignity the lye.
Plume, competency, o'er my soul thy wing!
There let the bird of sweet contentment sing!
And long as heav'n this blessing shall dispense,
May yon submissive flocks own me their prince!
43
And peace the diadem within my breast!
While fancy's-self shall bound my empire's scene,
Already loyal to a fav'rite queen.
Nor deem it insult, goddess, I decline
Thy honours, be my heart's warm tribute thine:
The same thy goodness in th'intent as giv'n;
The same my duty to the queen of heav'n.
Partial's the judge by future favour bought,
Indiff'rence only acts the thing it ought;
And justice, pregnant with its own reward,
Demands, that nought but beauty meet regard.
The shepherd spoke.
Then Pallas, fierce array'd,
Whom Vulcan summon'd from the thund'rer's head,
Approach'd: tho' martial prowess arm'd her look,
Yet with a mild complacency she spoke:
Thou arbitrator of this glorious cause,
Whose hand shall sanctify supreme applause,
By what criterion's beauty to be known?
Reason replies “Each fancy forms its own.”
Hence, tho' this frame war's dreaded ensigns bear;
Tho' olive-twin'd this golden helm I wear;
Arm'd with the lance, and blazing gorgon shield,
That glares terrific in the hostile field;
Ev'n in this form, as in this open face,
Beauty may shine with no inferior grace:
Bright in the eye, and blooming on the cheek,
It wins th'effeminate, and charms the weak;
Through diff'rent optics views th'exalted soul,
Whose plaudit waits the corresponding whole;
Such to her sense Minerva pictures thee;
Th'apparent semblance may reflection see!
If by the pile th'internal pomp's defin'd,
If the deportment indicate the mind,
Sure thou wert meant to brighten, and aspire,
To mount in fame, and bid the world admire!
Tho' fortune's gloom impede thy promis'd day,
Minerva's pow'r shall chase the mist away;
Exalt thy name, irradiate thy renown,
In danger guard thee, and with honours crown.
In war's career, when adverse legions rage,
While sword with sword, and lance with lance engage:
When vict'ry hovers o'er each host in air,
And doubtful chiefs to Pallas breathe the pray'r;
I give my fav'rite hero to succeed;
Lead on; and conquest follows where I lead!
Then round his brow the wreaths of triumph twine,
And, through the mortal, bid th'immortal shine:
Peace waits his steps; all gloriously he comes!
Sweet sound the trumps, and gladsome beat the drums;
No more the trump evinces war's alarms;
No more the drum sonorous beats to arms!
Now softer music gives to rapture birth;
Earth tells it heav'n, and heav'n responds to earth;
While banners, late unfurling with dismay,
Court the loose gales, and with the zephyrs play.
This, this is he! the voice of freedom cries,
Tho' mighty gen'rous; and tho' dauntless wise!
The priests advance, the festal lays begin,
And ev'ry bosom lets the conqu'ror in;
While the glad ios, pealing through the sky,
Swell his full heart, and lift his soul on high.
Gives Juno honour adequate to this?
No:—mine's eternal, her's but transient bliss.
My victor props the basis of a throne;
Then what's her king?—a man to rule alone:
Death calls, pomp leaves him, and his glory dies;
Another pageant charms the plebeian eyes;
The rising column, and the breathing bust,
May mark his tomb, and consecrate his dust;
Yet wisdom tells what prudence wou'd conceal,
Not duty this, 'tis but politic zeal:
Yet grant it duty, whence, oh, king! thy praise?
To merit this, how pass'd thy regal days?
Perhaps in indolence: th'exerting mind
Suits not the throne, 'tis fatal to mankind;
Hence feuds foment, hence factions rend a state,
While these grow warm with love, and those with hate.
Th'inactive monarch hear all lands commend!
Cowards may govern what the brave defend.
Lov'd by each heart, which no compulsion sways,
Dear to each eye, which no mean homage pays,
The hero shines!—To his great soul 'tis giv'n
T'assert the love, or urge the wrath of heav'n;
To cherish liberty, insure the crown,
Protect the good, or pull the tyrant down.
Tho' demi-gods his kindred soul invite
To quit its clay, and mount the realms of light,
He still exists, in records that surpass
Th'indented stone, or monumental brass!
This rusts with age, time moulders that away,
But can th'embosom'd fabric know decay?
No:—imag'd there the hero's sure to stand,
God-like to mem'ry, through a grateful land:
No regal structure this, for falshood known,
Rais'd by th'intent the heart shou'd blush to own:
'Tis friendship's shrine, inherent love its base,
Where glory speaks the deeds from race to race.
Without all rev'rence, as all truth within,
By his serv'd country in idea seen,
The hero transmigrates from sire to son;
Nor fate destroys what gratitude begun.
Auspicious youth! acknowledge this divine,
And instant, rise adopted son of mine.
But if to milder greatness thou'rt inclin'd,
As various views impell the various mind,
Know over arts as over arms I reign,
And science hails me, queen of its domain!
'Tis I excite through nature's tracts to pry,
And drink experience with the mental eye;
Wide round the world bid observation roam,
O traverse the terraqueous globe at home:
I spread the mystic volume of the skies,
And give th'explorer sanction to be wise;
While wonder's clouds erroneous wing their flight,
And truth conspicuous bursts upon his sight,
Teach him of chang'd effects the source to tell,
And call fair knowledge from her secret cell.
O'er sea, o'er earth, extends my potent aid,
And incense rises to the blue-ey'd maid.
When winds, as warring for destruction, roar,
And rushing surges rock th'incumber'd shore,
What pow'r directs the bank its way to form,
Ride o'er the billows, and deceive the storm?
'Tis mine.—When revolution threats a state,
And o'er some realm impends the gloom of fate;
The sov'reign mind to sov'reignty a prey,
And subject whisp'ring subject's peace away;
What pow'r can prop th'endanger'd kingdom's fall,
Reclaim dissension, and enliven all?
'Tis mine.—I prompt the patriot's filial voice;
He speaks, and speaking, hears the land rejoice;
With ev'ry art of elocution blest,
He points the good, and murmur sinks to rest;
Again content embosoms in the isle,
And ev'n rebellion smiles, or seems to smile.
Thus wisdom urges happiness to birth,
As heav'n-dropt dews inspire the genial earth.
How savage man devoid of my controul!
How wou'd his passions war against his soul!
Mine the soft chain licentious will that binds;
Mine the soft voice that wins on gentle minds;
And mine the plaudit that reflection loves,
When o'er himself the man a conqu'ror proves.
To merit all my pow'r, the Prize resign;
T'invest the giver with that pow'r, be mine.
But if disarm'd this form must now be seen,
Conceive not, swain, the fortress weak within;
From this fair bosom, lo, this cuirass freed!
Now, for itself let silent beauty plead!
By me your genius speaks:—Oh, Paris, rise
The mighty hero, or the mighty wise!
Whom Vulcan summon'd from the thund'rer's head,
44
Yet with a mild complacency she spoke:
Thou arbitrator of this glorious cause,
Whose hand shall sanctify supreme applause,
By what criterion's beauty to be known?
Reason replies “Each fancy forms its own.”
Hence, tho' this frame war's dreaded ensigns bear;
Tho' olive-twin'd this golden helm I wear;
Arm'd with the lance, and blazing gorgon shield,
That glares terrific in the hostile field;
Ev'n in this form, as in this open face,
Beauty may shine with no inferior grace:
Bright in the eye, and blooming on the cheek,
It wins th'effeminate, and charms the weak;
Through diff'rent optics views th'exalted soul,
Whose plaudit waits the corresponding whole;
45
Th'apparent semblance may reflection see!
If by the pile th'internal pomp's defin'd,
If the deportment indicate the mind,
Sure thou wert meant to brighten, and aspire,
To mount in fame, and bid the world admire!
Tho' fortune's gloom impede thy promis'd day,
Minerva's pow'r shall chase the mist away;
Exalt thy name, irradiate thy renown,
In danger guard thee, and with honours crown.
In war's career, when adverse legions rage,
While sword with sword, and lance with lance engage:
When vict'ry hovers o'er each host in air,
And doubtful chiefs to Pallas breathe the pray'r;
I give my fav'rite hero to succeed;
Lead on; and conquest follows where I lead!
46
And, through the mortal, bid th'immortal shine:
Peace waits his steps; all gloriously he comes!
Sweet sound the trumps, and gladsome beat the drums;
No more the trump evinces war's alarms;
No more the drum sonorous beats to arms!
Now softer music gives to rapture birth;
Earth tells it heav'n, and heav'n responds to earth;
While banners, late unfurling with dismay,
Court the loose gales, and with the zephyrs play.
This, this is he! the voice of freedom cries,
Tho' mighty gen'rous; and tho' dauntless wise!
The priests advance, the festal lays begin,
And ev'ry bosom lets the conqu'ror in;
While the glad ios, pealing through the sky,
Swell his full heart, and lift his soul on high.
47
No:—mine's eternal, her's but transient bliss.
My victor props the basis of a throne;
Then what's her king?—a man to rule alone:
Death calls, pomp leaves him, and his glory dies;
Another pageant charms the plebeian eyes;
The rising column, and the breathing bust,
May mark his tomb, and consecrate his dust;
Yet wisdom tells what prudence wou'd conceal,
Not duty this, 'tis but politic zeal:
Yet grant it duty, whence, oh, king! thy praise?
To merit this, how pass'd thy regal days?
Perhaps in indolence: th'exerting mind
Suits not the throne, 'tis fatal to mankind;
Hence feuds foment, hence factions rend a state,
While these grow warm with love, and those with hate.
48
Cowards may govern what the brave defend.
Lov'd by each heart, which no compulsion sways,
Dear to each eye, which no mean homage pays,
The hero shines!—To his great soul 'tis giv'n
T'assert the love, or urge the wrath of heav'n;
To cherish liberty, insure the crown,
Protect the good, or pull the tyrant down.
Tho' demi-gods his kindred soul invite
To quit its clay, and mount the realms of light,
He still exists, in records that surpass
Th'indented stone, or monumental brass!
This rusts with age, time moulders that away,
But can th'embosom'd fabric know decay?
No:—imag'd there the hero's sure to stand,
God-like to mem'ry, through a grateful land:
49
Rais'd by th'intent the heart shou'd blush to own:
'Tis friendship's shrine, inherent love its base,
Where glory speaks the deeds from race to race.
Without all rev'rence, as all truth within,
By his serv'd country in idea seen,
The hero transmigrates from sire to son;
Nor fate destroys what gratitude begun.
Auspicious youth! acknowledge this divine,
And instant, rise adopted son of mine.
But if to milder greatness thou'rt inclin'd,
As various views impell the various mind,
Know over arts as over arms I reign,
And science hails me, queen of its domain!
'Tis I excite through nature's tracts to pry,
And drink experience with the mental eye;
50
O traverse the terraqueous globe at home:
I spread the mystic volume of the skies,
And give th'explorer sanction to be wise;
While wonder's clouds erroneous wing their flight,
And truth conspicuous bursts upon his sight,
Teach him of chang'd effects the source to tell,
And call fair knowledge from her secret cell.
O'er sea, o'er earth, extends my potent aid,
And incense rises to the blue-ey'd maid.
When winds, as warring for destruction, roar,
And rushing surges rock th'incumber'd shore,
What pow'r directs the bank its way to form,
Ride o'er the billows, and deceive the storm?
'Tis mine.—When revolution threats a state,
And o'er some realm impends the gloom of fate;
51
And subject whisp'ring subject's peace away;
What pow'r can prop th'endanger'd kingdom's fall,
Reclaim dissension, and enliven all?
'Tis mine.—I prompt the patriot's filial voice;
He speaks, and speaking, hears the land rejoice;
With ev'ry art of elocution blest,
He points the good, and murmur sinks to rest;
Again content embosoms in the isle,
And ev'n rebellion smiles, or seems to smile.
Thus wisdom urges happiness to birth,
As heav'n-dropt dews inspire the genial earth.
How savage man devoid of my controul!
How wou'd his passions war against his soul!
Mine the soft chain licentious will that binds;
Mine the soft voice that wins on gentle minds;
52
When o'er himself the man a conqu'ror proves.
To merit all my pow'r, the Prize resign;
T'invest the giver with that pow'r, be mine.
But if disarm'd this form must now be seen,
Conceive not, swain, the fortress weak within;
From this fair bosom, lo, this cuirass freed!
Now, for itself let silent beauty plead!
By me your genius speaks:—Oh, Paris, rise
The mighty hero, or the mighty wise!
Minerva ended:—and impatient burn'd;
When reason, in the shepherd's voice, return'd:
When reason, in the shepherd's voice, return'd:
Who breathe this humble air, estrang'd to courts,
Where wild ambition reigns, and fortune sports,
Care not what nations rise to war and noise,
While This destroying That itself destroys:
And tho' my heart its native climate prize,
And supplicate Troy's welfare of the skies,
Yet trust me, goddess, I'm too calm of mind
To wish myself the slayer of mankind.
Say, can the warriour boast one tranquil hour?
Does no mysterious vision awe his pow'r?
Does ne'er reflection midst his triumphs rise,
To sting the wretch who spurns at nature's ties?
Who fir'd by pride, or urg'd by thirst of gain,
Some kingly vanity, some hop'd domain,
Cuts off his image who the being gave,
Whose great peculiar attribute's to save?
Can his fond country pay him with its love,
As praise below may not be praise above?
I envy not th'exultings in his breast
For armies slaughter'd, and for realms distrest;
By me such triumphs wou'd be unenjoy'd,
My heart wou'd pity whom my hand destroy'd.
Tho' charm'd not by the trumpet's silver strain,
Unus'd to sounds that fire the martial train,
Yet heav'n who suits our pleasures to our sphere,
And bids sensation know its just barrier,
Gives melody, that sung to man the art,
To wake my ear, and animate my heart;
Music that first taught nature to rejoice,
And hymn'd the great Creator with its voice:
Soon as Aurora darts th'enliv'ning ray,
Up mounts the lark, and hails the new-born day;
The feather'd nations hear their herald's call,
Each sings to each, and echo answers all:
At noon, when phœbus in the zenith reigns,
And languid nature pants around the plains,
Tho' mute the birds,, still music sooths the hour;
Screen'd in the grott', or shelter'd in the bow'r,
The rural reed, or love-concerted lay
Diverts the fancy, wears the time away:
At eve, when western clouds refulgent glow,
And phœbe dawns, to light the world below,
Then pours sweet Philomel, through dulcet throat,
The musically, melancholy, note;
Tereus she mourns, all lonely on a thorn,
While turtles coo a soft farewell till morn:
Rills purl, brooks murmur, babbling riv'lets creep,
To hush my thoughts, and lull my sense asleep;
Ev'n sleep is here by harmony refin'd,
I slumber to the music of my mind:
Long be the slumbers of the Peaceful mine;
The mighty hero, goddess, I decline.
Nor pants my heart for scientific lore:
When much is known, that knowledge thirsts for more
Like Tantalus, the mind of science vain,
Incessant toils for what it can't obtain.
The lamp of sense, that glows in ev'ry breast,
Nature illumes, that man may stand confest;
That good and ill may to his soul be known;
His int'rest pointed, but the choice his own;
To light the ductile thought life's sea to run,
What haven covet, and what rocks to shun:
Yet oft' when science sheds its op'ning day,
This beam instinctive vanishes away;
At pride's first glance th'irradiation dies,
And folly triumphs o'er the mighty wise;
Still may I view that light unsully'd shine;
Still be the test of rural knowledge mine.
Ye sons of learning! court the world's applause;
Ye warriours, patriots! fire in freedom's cause:
Be yours whate'er aspiring spirits claim,
Eternal rapture, and eternal fame!
And while you soar, with emulative zeal,
And give to kindred minds the warmth you feel,
In humbler life your virtues I'll revere;
To rise I wish not, nor depression fear.
In truth's clear mirrour, bounteous queen, I see
Thy blessings would reverse their name with me;
Yet, not unduteous, thou my thanks receive;
The sole return sincerity can give;
For one celestial claimant's yet untry'd;
Beauty must win, and justice must decide.
Thus he.
Where wild ambition reigns, and fortune sports,
53
While This destroying That itself destroys:
And tho' my heart its native climate prize,
And supplicate Troy's welfare of the skies,
Yet trust me, goddess, I'm too calm of mind
To wish myself the slayer of mankind.
Say, can the warriour boast one tranquil hour?
Does no mysterious vision awe his pow'r?
Does ne'er reflection midst his triumphs rise,
To sting the wretch who spurns at nature's ties?
Who fir'd by pride, or urg'd by thirst of gain,
Some kingly vanity, some hop'd domain,
Cuts off his image who the being gave,
Whose great peculiar attribute's to save?
Can his fond country pay him with its love,
As praise below may not be praise above?
54
For armies slaughter'd, and for realms distrest;
By me such triumphs wou'd be unenjoy'd,
My heart wou'd pity whom my hand destroy'd.
Tho' charm'd not by the trumpet's silver strain,
Unus'd to sounds that fire the martial train,
Yet heav'n who suits our pleasures to our sphere,
And bids sensation know its just barrier,
Gives melody, that sung to man the art,
To wake my ear, and animate my heart;
Music that first taught nature to rejoice,
And hymn'd the great Creator with its voice:
Soon as Aurora darts th'enliv'ning ray,
Up mounts the lark, and hails the new-born day;
The feather'd nations hear their herald's call,
Each sings to each, and echo answers all:
55
And languid nature pants around the plains,
Tho' mute the birds,, still music sooths the hour;
Screen'd in the grott', or shelter'd in the bow'r,
The rural reed, or love-concerted lay
Diverts the fancy, wears the time away:
At eve, when western clouds refulgent glow,
And phœbe dawns, to light the world below,
Then pours sweet Philomel, through dulcet throat,
The musically, melancholy, note;
Tereus she mourns, all lonely on a thorn,
While turtles coo a soft farewell till morn:
Rills purl, brooks murmur, babbling riv'lets creep,
To hush my thoughts, and lull my sense asleep;
Ev'n sleep is here by harmony refin'd,
I slumber to the music of my mind:
56
The mighty hero, goddess, I decline.
Nor pants my heart for scientific lore:
When much is known, that knowledge thirsts for more
Like Tantalus, the mind of science vain,
Incessant toils for what it can't obtain.
The lamp of sense, that glows in ev'ry breast,
Nature illumes, that man may stand confest;
That good and ill may to his soul be known;
His int'rest pointed, but the choice his own;
To light the ductile thought life's sea to run,
What haven covet, and what rocks to shun:
Yet oft' when science sheds its op'ning day,
This beam instinctive vanishes away;
At pride's first glance th'irradiation dies,
And folly triumphs o'er the mighty wise;
57
Still be the test of rural knowledge mine.
Ye sons of learning! court the world's applause;
Ye warriours, patriots! fire in freedom's cause:
Be yours whate'er aspiring spirits claim,
Eternal rapture, and eternal fame!
And while you soar, with emulative zeal,
And give to kindred minds the warmth you feel,
In humbler life your virtues I'll revere;
To rise I wish not, nor depression fear.
In truth's clear mirrour, bounteous queen, I see
Thy blessings would reverse their name with me;
Yet, not unduteous, thou my thanks receive;
The sole return sincerity can give;
For one celestial claimant's yet untry'd;
Beauty must win, and justice must decide.
58
When Venus, sweet as dawning day,
Fair as the bosom of the milky way;
Like nature in her summer pride display'd,
Came on:—in magic loveliness array'd:
Her glossy ringlets, of the auburn brown,
With graceful wave, flow'd negligently down;
The loves and graces, duteous to their queen,
Smil'd in her face, and wanton'd in her mien:
Her eyes were taught in lambent flames to speak;
Young joy sat laughing on her crimson cheek;
And rapture on her snowy breast was seen,
That heaving whisper'd 'twas not snow within.
Th'ambrosial veil, of various texture loom'd,
The zephyrs fan'd, and th'ambient air perfum'd;
Richly bedight the silken vestment shone,
And loosely girded was her sacred zone:
Round which gay cupids sportively advanc'd,
Liv'd in the work, and like young cherubs danc'd;
Within were stor'd the charms of love and youth,
Enticing cunning, and insuring truth;
Each female artifice, each soft'ning wile,
Smile chearing hope, and hope reviving smile;
With all that dignifies the sex divine!
And bows the world to beauty's sacred shrine.
Th'accomplish'd queen, with conscious merit fir'd,
Awhile stood silent as the Judge admir'd;
Saw in his looks the blush of wonder rise,
And read her future conquest in his eyes;
Then with a voice, whose modulated flow
Induc'd the music of the spheres below;
While silent life seem'd rapt in joy around,
And breathing nature open'd to the sound,
Sweet sylvan swain! she cries, oh, blooming boy!
Thou comeliest youth among the youths of Troy!
Of proffer'd honours how discreet thy scorn!
No.—Thou to wear the wreaths of love wert born;
Its pow'r to vindicate, its dart to wield;
A bold advent'rer in fair beauty's field,
And victor-like, conspicuously be seen
Beneath the banner of the paphian queen.
While Jove indulges life to man below,
Say, from what source felicity must flow:
Ambition claims the diadem of pow'r;
Scholastic pride wou'd heav'n and earth explore,
And cruelty adores the slaught'ring scene;
While self-delusion boasts a god within:
But, oh, as soon the doves that coo and bill,
And yok'd in yon gay chariot, wait my will,
Shall vultures turn, and love's soft ties reject,
As joys so false a mind like thine affect!
Beauty's alone the fount of dear delight,
Health of the soul, and rapture of the sight;
Wheree'er it flows is seen nor want nor care,
But all is greatness, glory, treasure, there:
Oh, led by me come on to bliss supreme!
Drink the sweet wave of that transmuting stream;
Exult in happiness unknown before,
And be whate'er thy heart can wish! and more!
Tho' 'mongst the sylvan maids thy charms inspire
To melt with love, and sicken with desire,
Some blooming nymph attract thee o'er the rest,
And mutual fondness flow from breast to breast;
In each tho' tend'rest sentiments arise,
And the glad heart catch transport from the eyes,
Yet judge not, swain, no greater joys exist;
Let fancy try, shou'd constancy resist.
As beauty brightens am'rous rapture warms,
And love expatiates with its object's charms;
'Tis but by contrast excellence is known:
Had Sol ne'er blaz'd how fierce had Cynthia shone!
Graces thy warm ideas now approve,
That lull thy senses in a dream of love,
To rival, think how elegance must shine.
Then wake!—and call the pictur'd charmer thine!
Of beauty how the Grecian empire rings!
The passing wind th'incessant pæan brings;
A thousand hearts, enamour'd of her fame,
Dance to the melody of Helen's name:
Ev'n she, the majesty of Sparta's state,
Gentle as lovely, and as lovely great;
Whose charms, evincing royalty their own,
Illune the crown, and dignify the throne;
She shall her diadem, her king desert,
Proud to hail thee sole sov'reign of her heart!
When Paris on her panting bosom lies,
And love's soft light'nings flash from eyes to eyes;
While the fond soul's of extacy possest,
And each becomes the blesser and the bless'd;
Then will He cry, exulting in his bliss,
Cou'd Juno, cou'd Minerva, give me This?
No.—You, ye kings! who wealth and pow'r divide,
Meteors of state, and victims of your pride,
Look up, and me a greater monarch own,
Helen I rule, this bosom is my throne!
Ye mighty victors! who, when numbers yield,
Call blooming glory from the deathful field,
Confess, did ever vict'ry equal mine?
Helen I conquer'd; Helen the divine!
Ye greatly wise! whom learning leads astray,
Dream of the night, and phantom of the day;
That haunts your thoughts, retreats as you pursue,
Defies attainment, yet illudes the view;
Oh, trust me knowledge waits on love's soft call!
Love, the great origin, the source of all!
And while my Helen shall th'instructress prove,
No science, no philosophy's, like love!
She, she shall teach me all I wish to know,
While thought shall picture, and while heart shall glow!
Here Venus paus'd, as for reply intent:
But speaking looks disclos'd the swain's assent;
His eyes met her's, at ev'ry glance address'd,
The future paramour his soul possess'd;
Imagination to its heav'n aspir'd,
Fancying he glow'd, and glowing he desir'd,
That minute, by the sex conspicuous seen,
The certain minute now impuls'd the queen,
With magic truth th'enchantment to supply,
And prove the test of fancy to the eye.
Then thus resum'd the goddess:—dearest boy!
Helen I've promis'd; her thou shalt enjoy!
But her own cause let Venus now defend,
Which present glory, future fame attend.
She said.—Then all at once her Cest unbound;
Her purple vestment flutter'd to the ground:
Now charm on charm, and grace on grace refin'd,
And beauty's sun in full meridian shin'd!
The youth, too weak to bear its dazzling ray,
In melting tenderness, dissolv'd away;
Scarce flow'd the vital flood from vein to vein;
Scarce cou'd his breast his beating heart contain;
Scarce cou'd his sense his soul's recess explore;
Twas joy! 'twas extacy! 'twas something more!
At length, reflection's calm his mind reliev'd,
When soft the swain to Jove this pray'r conceiv'd:
Thou pow'r! by whose immutable decree
This great decision was referr'd to me;
Who lov'st the wrong to guide, the weak to teach,
And know'st the meaning ere it live in speech!
If this be error deign thy just controul;
For, oh, such magic captivates my soul,
That were my soul the Prize it now were giv'n!
Candour! absolve the delegate of heav'n!
Thou Queen of Beauty! take th'intitling gold;
The mortal yields, nor cou'd a god withhold!
'Twas done.—The lovely Victress held the Prize,
Smil'd on the boy, then cast her beaming eyes
On Juno and Minerva; in whose look
The sullen voice of disappointment spoke;
While self-love, prominent on envy's base,
Condemn'd the Judge, to palliate the disgrace.
Fair as the bosom of the milky way;
Like nature in her summer pride display'd,
Came on:—in magic loveliness array'd:
Her glossy ringlets, of the auburn brown,
With graceful wave, flow'd negligently down;
The loves and graces, duteous to their queen,
Smil'd in her face, and wanton'd in her mien:
Her eyes were taught in lambent flames to speak;
Young joy sat laughing on her crimson cheek;
And rapture on her snowy breast was seen,
That heaving whisper'd 'twas not snow within.
Th'ambrosial veil, of various texture loom'd,
The zephyrs fan'd, and th'ambient air perfum'd;
59
And loosely girded was her sacred zone:
Round which gay cupids sportively advanc'd,
Liv'd in the work, and like young cherubs danc'd;
Within were stor'd the charms of love and youth,
Enticing cunning, and insuring truth;
Each female artifice, each soft'ning wile,
Smile chearing hope, and hope reviving smile;
With all that dignifies the sex divine!
And bows the world to beauty's sacred shrine.
Th'accomplish'd queen, with conscious merit fir'd,
Awhile stood silent as the Judge admir'd;
Saw in his looks the blush of wonder rise,
And read her future conquest in his eyes;
Then with a voice, whose modulated flow
Induc'd the music of the spheres below;
60
And breathing nature open'd to the sound,
Sweet sylvan swain! she cries, oh, blooming boy!
Thou comeliest youth among the youths of Troy!
Of proffer'd honours how discreet thy scorn!
No.—Thou to wear the wreaths of love wert born;
Its pow'r to vindicate, its dart to wield;
A bold advent'rer in fair beauty's field,
And victor-like, conspicuously be seen
Beneath the banner of the paphian queen.
While Jove indulges life to man below,
Say, from what source felicity must flow:
Ambition claims the diadem of pow'r;
Scholastic pride wou'd heav'n and earth explore,
And cruelty adores the slaught'ring scene;
While self-delusion boasts a god within:
61
And yok'd in yon gay chariot, wait my will,
Shall vultures turn, and love's soft ties reject,
As joys so false a mind like thine affect!
Beauty's alone the fount of dear delight,
Health of the soul, and rapture of the sight;
Wheree'er it flows is seen nor want nor care,
But all is greatness, glory, treasure, there:
Oh, led by me come on to bliss supreme!
Drink the sweet wave of that transmuting stream;
Exult in happiness unknown before,
And be whate'er thy heart can wish! and more!
Tho' 'mongst the sylvan maids thy charms inspire
To melt with love, and sicken with desire,
Some blooming nymph attract thee o'er the rest,
And mutual fondness flow from breast to breast;
62
And the glad heart catch transport from the eyes,
Yet judge not, swain, no greater joys exist;
Let fancy try, shou'd constancy resist.
As beauty brightens am'rous rapture warms,
And love expatiates with its object's charms;
'Tis but by contrast excellence is known:
Had Sol ne'er blaz'd how fierce had Cynthia shone!
Graces thy warm ideas now approve,
That lull thy senses in a dream of love,
To rival, think how elegance must shine.
Then wake!—and call the pictur'd charmer thine!
Of beauty how the Grecian empire rings!
The passing wind th'incessant pæan brings;
A thousand hearts, enamour'd of her fame,
Dance to the melody of Helen's name:
63
Gentle as lovely, and as lovely great;
Whose charms, evincing royalty their own,
Illune the crown, and dignify the throne;
She shall her diadem, her king desert,
Proud to hail thee sole sov'reign of her heart!
When Paris on her panting bosom lies,
And love's soft light'nings flash from eyes to eyes;
While the fond soul's of extacy possest,
And each becomes the blesser and the bless'd;
Then will He cry, exulting in his bliss,
Cou'd Juno, cou'd Minerva, give me This?
No.—You, ye kings! who wealth and pow'r divide,
Meteors of state, and victims of your pride,
Look up, and me a greater monarch own,
Helen I rule, this bosom is my throne!
64
Call blooming glory from the deathful field,
Confess, did ever vict'ry equal mine?
Helen I conquer'd; Helen the divine!
Ye greatly wise! whom learning leads astray,
Dream of the night, and phantom of the day;
That haunts your thoughts, retreats as you pursue,
Defies attainment, yet illudes the view;
Oh, trust me knowledge waits on love's soft call!
Love, the great origin, the source of all!
And while my Helen shall th'instructress prove,
No science, no philosophy's, like love!
She, she shall teach me all I wish to know,
While thought shall picture, and while heart shall glow!
Here Venus paus'd, as for reply intent:
But speaking looks disclos'd the swain's assent;
65
The future paramour his soul possess'd;
Imagination to its heav'n aspir'd,
Fancying he glow'd, and glowing he desir'd,
That minute, by the sex conspicuous seen,
The certain minute now impuls'd the queen,
With magic truth th'enchantment to supply,
And prove the test of fancy to the eye.
Then thus resum'd the goddess:—dearest boy!
Helen I've promis'd; her thou shalt enjoy!
But her own cause let Venus now defend,
Which present glory, future fame attend.
She said.—Then all at once her Cest unbound;
Her purple vestment flutter'd to the ground:
Now charm on charm, and grace on grace refin'd,
And beauty's sun in full meridian shin'd!
66
In melting tenderness, dissolv'd away;
Scarce flow'd the vital flood from vein to vein;
Scarce cou'd his breast his beating heart contain;
Scarce cou'd his sense his soul's recess explore;
Twas joy! 'twas extacy! 'twas something more!
At length, reflection's calm his mind reliev'd,
When soft the swain to Jove this pray'r conceiv'd:
Thou pow'r! by whose immutable decree
This great decision was referr'd to me;
Who lov'st the wrong to guide, the weak to teach,
And know'st the meaning ere it live in speech!
If this be error deign thy just controul;
For, oh, such magic captivates my soul,
That were my soul the Prize it now were giv'n!
Candour! absolve the delegate of heav'n!
67
The mortal yields, nor cou'd a god withhold!
'Twas done.—The lovely Victress held the Prize,
Smil'd on the boy, then cast her beaming eyes
On Juno and Minerva; in whose look
The sullen voice of disappointment spoke;
While self-love, prominent on envy's base,
Condemn'd the Judge, to palliate the disgrace.
Thus oft', oh, Rich! in thy theatric state,
Where rescu'd glory braves the stroke of fate,
Three mimic goddesses I've known dispute;
A primal benefit the Golden Fruit:
Then when the sure criterion of thy mind
To merit has th'indulgent night assign'd,
Pride still has deem'd the preference its due;
Doubting that oracle that breathes in You!
Where rescu'd glory braves the stroke of fate,
Three mimic goddesses I've known dispute;
A primal benefit the Golden Fruit:
Then when the sure criterion of thy mind
To merit has th'indulgent night assign'd,
Pride still has deem'd the preference its due;
Doubting that oracle that breathes in You!
68
And now tow'rd heav'n th'immortal train arise,
And first the Victor-queen ascends the skies;
Exultant, shews the radiant fruit above,
And fills with gen'ral joy the court of jove;
While echo through th'expansive dome replies,
“How just the verdict! and the Judge how wise!”
Then thus, by Jove's command, Truth spake to earth:
'Till varying seasons cease to wake to birth,
'Till Sol forget to urge the car of day,
And ancient night usurp eternal sway;
The heav'nly orbs harmonious order fly,
Destruction sieze the ball, and nature die;
'Till then, ye sexes, shall this law dispense:
Sense honour Beauty! Beauty honour Sense!
And first the Victor-queen ascends the skies;
Exultant, shews the radiant fruit above,
And fills with gen'ral joy the court of jove;
While echo through th'expansive dome replies,
“How just the verdict! and the Judge how wise!”
Then thus, by Jove's command, Truth spake to earth:
'Till varying seasons cease to wake to birth,
'Till Sol forget to urge the car of day,
And ancient night usurp eternal sway;
The heav'nly orbs harmonious order fly,
Destruction sieze the ball, and nature die;
'Till then, ye sexes, shall this law dispense:
Sense honour Beauty! Beauty honour Sense!
| Poems on Several Occasions | |