New Poems by George Crabbe Edited with an introduction and notes by Arthur Pollard |
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The Insanity of Ambitious Love
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 | New Poems by George Crabbe |  |
The Insanity of Ambitious Love
They spake of Madness, chiefly of the Kind
Where Passions agitate a vicious Mind,
Where some absurd Desire affords the Cause
Of Frenzy's Triumph over Reason's Laws.
“I know a Being”, Jacques began, “so vain
“That hungry, naked, in reproach, in pain,
“His Load of Anguish was at times forgot,
“And he could, glorying, bless his happy Lot.
“While Reason thus was driven from her Seat
“He would his favourites to his House intreat;
“To his Hall's Splendor, his Delight
“Was the Admiring Stranger to invite.”
One Day the Rector would my Time command
And I must see him,—see him proudly stand.
His lofty Spirit made him half confess
That Madness lightens or conceals distress.
With a quick Glance that darted thro' ye Room,
He bad them welcome to his splendid Home.
“Come”, said the Maniac, “to my Chamber come.”
With outstretch'd Arms he stood, & haughty Eye,
Fine, & yet Cunning! Arrogant, yet sly.
I heard his Speech; its Substance that retain'd,
Then gave it Form. The Tale itself remain'd.
His Muse ye Squire invok'd! to show ye bent
Of that warp'd Mind, that infamous Intent:
“There Superstition and his frantic Love!
“(So I may call it) against Reason strove.
“His Flights were all ye true poetic breed;
“The Dream of Madness is a Dream indeed.
“Bold was his Manner, & his person such
“That his own plaudits only were too much;
“There many a Lass has look'd with eager Eye,
“Nor knew the Rival that was ever by.
“Himself! so dearly lov'd he that his pride
“Fondness in ev'ry pitying Girl espied.
“Did any smile—She hopes his Love to gain;
“Did any hear!—she feels her Love in vain.
“Him we beheld! Again let us appear,
“And to the Vision lend a ready ear.
“There he arises, in that disorder'd place,
“With those torn Clothes! with that sallow face,
“With Looks of strange Import, with Air not void of Grace.
“Come, let us hear him his full Heart express!
“His Crazy meanings in our Language dress,
“And clothe in decent Words his Misery's nakedness!”
Where Passions agitate a vicious Mind,
Where some absurd Desire affords the Cause
Of Frenzy's Triumph over Reason's Laws.
“I know a Being”, Jacques began, “so vain
“That hungry, naked, in reproach, in pain,
“His Load of Anguish was at times forgot,
“And he could, glorying, bless his happy Lot.
“While Reason thus was driven from her Seat
“He would his favourites to his House intreat;
“To his Hall's Splendor, his Delight
“Was the Admiring Stranger to invite.”
One Day the Rector would my Time command
And I must see him,—see him proudly stand.
His lofty Spirit made him half confess
That Madness lightens or conceals distress.
With a quick Glance that darted thro' ye Room,
He bad them welcome to his splendid Home.
“Come”, said the Maniac, “to my Chamber come.”
With outstretch'd Arms he stood, & haughty Eye,
Fine, & yet Cunning! Arrogant, yet sly.
I heard his Speech; its Substance that retain'd,
Then gave it Form. The Tale itself remain'd.
His Muse ye Squire invok'd! to show ye bent
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“There Superstition and his frantic Love!
“(So I may call it) against Reason strove.
“His Flights were all ye true poetic breed;
“The Dream of Madness is a Dream indeed.
“Bold was his Manner, & his person such
“That his own plaudits only were too much;
“There many a Lass has look'd with eager Eye,
“Nor knew the Rival that was ever by.
“Himself! so dearly lov'd he that his pride
“Fondness in ev'ry pitying Girl espied.
“Did any smile—She hopes his Love to gain;
“Did any hear!—she feels her Love in vain.
“Him we beheld! Again let us appear,
“And to the Vision lend a ready ear.
“There he arises, in that disorder'd place,
“With those torn Clothes! with that sallow face,
“With Looks of strange Import, with Air not void of Grace.
“Come, let us hear him his full Heart express!
“His Crazy meanings in our Language dress,
“And clothe in decent Words his Misery's nakedness!”
“Welcome, my Friends, come, stay awhile,
“Till she my lovely Mistress comes.
“You shall behold her heavenly Smile,
“And go transported to your Homes!
“Come, hear our Loves, come, learn my Joy,
“And how she snatch'd me from Dispair.
“There never was so blest a Boy,
“There never was a Queen so fair.
“Till she my lovely Mistress comes.
“You shall behold her heavenly Smile,
“And go transported to your Homes!
“Come, hear our Loves, come, learn my Joy,
“And how she snatch'd me from Dispair.
“There never was so blest a Boy,
“There never was a Queen so fair.
“See! how my Love adorns my room,
“'Tis hung with purple Velvet round!
“The Velvet's Warmth, the purple's Gloom,
“Is ever sweet to Lovers found!
“The purest Balm, the rarest bloom,
“Is here that eastern Climes could give;
“This Carpet, wrought in Persia's Loom,
“Has Flowers that breathe, has forms that live.
“'Tis hung with purple Velvet round!
“The Velvet's Warmth, the purple's Gloom,
“Is ever sweet to Lovers found!
“The purest Balm, the rarest bloom,
“Is here that eastern Climes could give;
“This Carpet, wrought in Persia's Loom,
“Has Flowers that breathe, has forms that live.
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“Observe this wiry Gold that spreads
“Along the Sophy's pillowy Space,
“Observe how fine the glittering threads
“And what a Charm it gives the place.
“With what Dilight a Lover treads
“This cover'd floor, when he can trace,
“Not the contemptuous frown he dreads,
“But fondness in his Angel's Face.
“Along the Sophy's pillowy Space,
“Observe how fine the glittering threads
“And what a Charm it gives the place.
“With what Dilight a Lover treads
“This cover'd floor, when he can trace,
“Not the contemptuous frown he dreads,
“But fondness in his Angel's Face.
“Where, think you, past my youthful Hours
“When Girls were first with Pleasure seen?
“Believe me, wasting noble Powers
“Within a Father's vast Machine,
“Where Springs & Spindles ratling rang,
“And whizzing Wheels, a noisy row,
“And loud the busy Damsels sang,
“While, roaring, rushed the Flood below.
“When Girls were first with Pleasure seen?
“Believe me, wasting noble Powers
“Within a Father's vast Machine,
“Where Springs & Spindles ratling rang,
“And whizzing Wheels, a noisy row,
“And loud the busy Damsels sang,
“While, roaring, rushed the Flood below.
“Employ'd with these, this simple Shape
“Can boast some tender Mischief done.
“My Charmers tried not to escape,
“But kind & sothing every One;
“And oft by moonlight have we gone
“Among the Wheels, then dumb & still,
“And many a Star has, laughing, shone
“On thefts committed in the Mill.
“Can boast some tender Mischief done.
“My Charmers tried not to escape,
“But kind & sothing every One;
“And oft by moonlight have we gone
“Among the Wheels, then dumb & still,
“And many a Star has, laughing, shone
“On thefts committed in the Mill.
“But soon I fled the vulgar throng,
“A low, mechanic, dirty Crew.
“Some might, I grant, complain of Wrong,
“For how can one to ten be true?
“Then I to higher Scenes withdrew.
“Why weakly wait to meet Distress,
“When Nature prompts us to persue
‘Our individual Happiness.
“A low, mechanic, dirty Crew.
“Some might, I grant, complain of Wrong,
“For how can one to ten be true?
“Then I to higher Scenes withdrew.
“Why weakly wait to meet Distress,
“When Nature prompts us to persue
‘Our individual Happiness.
“A favourite Lass had often told,
“As we sate laughing in the Mill,
“Of Gypsy Hoards & one who sold
“To longing Youth her matchless Skill.
“I sought this Clan, nor stay'd by Night!
“For still I seemed for ever near,
“But distant yet those Eyes so bright
“The Gypsy Queen alone can wear.
“As we sate laughing in the Mill,
“Of Gypsy Hoards & one who sold
“To longing Youth her matchless Skill.
“I sought this Clan, nor stay'd by Night!
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“But distant yet those Eyes so bright
“The Gypsy Queen alone can wear.
“I past By [? Tentry's] Spire & Street,
“I past her River soft & slow,
“And woods wherein the wild-Deer's feet
“Bruize the broom Moss that spreads below,
“And I had past the Abbey's Walls,
“Where all confess the Fairies be,
“Till I could hear the distant Calls
“Of Sailors rowing on the Sea.
“I past her River soft & slow,
“And woods wherein the wild-Deer's feet
“Bruize the broom Moss that spreads below,
“And I had past the Abbey's Walls,
“Where all confess the Fairies be,
“Till I could hear the distant Calls
“Of Sailors rowing on the Sea.
“This was the Night—Can I describe
“The deep Delight that Vision gave,
“When I beheld the swarthy Tribe,
“Collected in their Stony Cave,
“Within a Quarry, wrought no more?
“Men & Women, Girls & Boys,
“Produc'd the Morning's varied Store,
“And shar'd the Night's unvaried Joy.
“The deep Delight that Vision gave,
“When I beheld the swarthy Tribe,
“Collected in their Stony Cave,
“Within a Quarry, wrought no more?
“Men & Women, Girls & Boys,
“Produc'd the Morning's varied Store,
“And shar'd the Night's unvaried Joy.
“I felt a strong, persuasive Call
“And boldly ventur'd to the Crew,
“And ‘Welcome’ was the Cry from all,
“‘We knew you’—& it seem'd they knew;
“And She, that Queen of swarthy Hue,
“Said: ‘Banish Fear, the Lover's foe!’
“And then her Eyes were like ye Drops,
“That shine upon the ripen'd Sloe.
“And boldly ventur'd to the Crew,
“And ‘Welcome’ was the Cry from all,
“‘We knew you’—& it seem'd they knew;
“And She, that Queen of swarthy Hue,
“Said: ‘Banish Fear, the Lover's foe!’
“And then her Eyes were like ye Drops,
“That shine upon the ripen'd Sloe.
“Now call forth all the Faith ye can,
“Nor doubt the Truths that I shall speak,
“Nor, like an half believing Man,
“Have ever proofs on proofs to seek,
“But boldly all at once believe,
“And you a wondrous Tale shall hear,
“That may the irksome Hour deceive,
“Till my Enchantress shall appear.
“Nor doubt the Truths that I shall speak,
“Nor, like an half believing Man,
“Have ever proofs on proofs to seek,
“But boldly all at once believe,
“And you a wondrous Tale shall hear,
“That may the irksome Hour deceive,
“Till my Enchantress shall appear.
“And when she shall indeed Appear,
“Then must you instantly retire.
“Oh! she would look with Frown severe,
“Should any Glance but mine aspire
“To view the Beauty all admire,
“That I, & I alone, possess,
“The Height! the Fulness of Desire,
“The Joy & Glory of Success.
“Then must you instantly retire.
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“Should any Glance but mine aspire
“To view the Beauty all admire,
“That I, & I alone, possess,
“The Height! the Fulness of Desire,
“The Joy & Glory of Success.
“Oh, had you seen my Love, the Wife
“Of one so dull, so cold, so tame,
“How lost to the Delights of Life!
“Of Life! it merits not the Name.
“'Tis Life with us, with us the Flame
“Of Love burns brightly—Fortune gave
“The blessing, & I blest became!—
“But where my Story?—O! the Cave.
“Of one so dull, so cold, so tame,
“How lost to the Delights of Life!
“Of Life! it merits not the Name.
“'Tis Life with us, with us the Flame
“Of Love burns brightly—Fortune gave
“The blessing, & I blest became!—
“But where my Story?—O! the Cave.
“That Cave ran far within the Stone,
“We could for many a Yard advance,
“And mean those Mortals every one,
“Save the wild Queen with piercing Glance.
“She seemed, & She indeed Alone,
“A Being of superior Kind,
“And in her vivid Features shone
“Her Brightness of a glorious Mind.
“We could for many a Yard advance,
“And mean those Mortals every one,
“Save the wild Queen with piercing Glance.
“She seemed, & She indeed Alone,
“A Being of superior Kind,
“And in her vivid Features shone
“Her Brightness of a glorious Mind.
“Each took around their Fire a Place,
“The black eyed Damsels laugh'd & sang,
“On stoney Steps the idle Race
“In many an infant Gamble sprang.
“Far in the Rock the Echo rang,
“Far in the Rock, I wondering Gaze;
“There saw I fires phosphoric hang,
“Strange Fire that shone with colour'd Blaze.
“The black eyed Damsels laugh'd & sang,
“On stoney Steps the idle Race
“In many an infant Gamble sprang.
“Far in the Rock the Echo rang,
“Far in the Rock, I wondering Gaze;
“There saw I fires phosphoric hang,
“Strange Fire that shone with colour'd Blaze.
“And far within the Roof arose,
“And brilliant Lamps on every Side,
“Such as would fairy Hands dispose,
“And such as fairy Light supplied.
“Nor cheerful Fire was there denied,
“Nor sparkling Cups, nor dainty Cheer,
“Nor magic Notes that liv'd & died,
“And soothed the Soul, & charmed the Ear.
“And brilliant Lamps on every Side,
“Such as would fairy Hands dispose,
“And such as fairy Light supplied.
“Nor cheerful Fire was there denied,
“Nor sparkling Cups, nor dainty Cheer,
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“And soothed the Soul, & charmed the Ear.
“Then up they rose in many a Pair,
“And danc'd within the spacious Hall,
“And as they mov'd, they tread on Air,
“But answering to the Music all,
“Till, as I gaz'd entranc'd about,
“The Pairs retire, the Dance is done,
“All vanish'd as the Sparks go out,
“All, save the black Ey'd Queen alone.
“And danc'd within the spacious Hall,
“And as they mov'd, they tread on Air,
“But answering to the Music all,
“Till, as I gaz'd entranc'd about,
“The Pairs retire, the Dance is done,
“All vanish'd as the Sparks go out,
“All, save the black Ey'd Queen alone.
“‘Oh! what are these, & where?’, I cried.
“‘Departed’, she replied, ‘are they.
“‘The Fire of Life, awhile supplied,
“‘No longer warms the weary Clay.
“‘But come, thy Hand,
“‘No longer stand;
“‘The joyous Hours of Life are few.
“‘I Fortune place
“‘Before thy face,
“‘And leave thee, Darling, to persue.’
“‘Departed’, she replied, ‘are they.
“‘The Fire of Life, awhile supplied,
“‘No longer warms the weary Clay.
“‘But come, thy Hand,
“‘No longer stand;
“‘The joyous Hours of Life are few.
“‘I Fortune place
“‘Before thy face,
“‘And leave thee, Darling, to persue.’
“‘Away with Fear, I know thee well,
“‘Thy former Lot, thy changing Love,
“‘But I the past forbear to tell,
“‘And show thee what thou art to prove,
“‘A Choice of different Fortune thine.
“‘Prepare thy Heart to give thy Voice.
“‘Wilt thou, sad wretch, in Want repine,
“‘Wilt thou, dear Boy, in Wealth rejoice?’
“‘Thy former Lot, thy changing Love,
“‘But I the past forbear to tell,
“‘And show thee what thou art to prove,
“‘A Choice of different Fortune thine.
“‘Prepare thy Heart to give thy Voice.
“‘Wilt thou, sad wretch, in Want repine,
“‘Wilt thou, dear Boy, in Wealth rejoice?’
“Why comes she not?—O! can she come,
“Whom yet tyrannic Power restrains,
“And hides that Beauty in its Bloom,
“And keeps my panting Dove in Chains?—
“But He is cold, & I am bold!
“He will retain, & I persue,
“Nor plead the Cause of Bonds & Laws,
“Love justifies what Love will do.
“Whom yet tyrannic Power restrains,
“And hides that Beauty in its Bloom,
“And keeps my panting Dove in Chains?—
“But He is cold, & I am bold!
“He will retain, & I persue,
“Nor plead the Cause of Bonds & Laws,
“Love justifies what Love will do.
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“Do I not in my Story stray?
“Forgive a fond expecting Man.
“My feelings I must all obey;
“Can I resist, what Mortal can?
“Is it not Fated, all we do?
“But let me not my Story loose,
“The Sybil plac'd before my View
“My Chances, & she bade me choose.
“Forgive a fond expecting Man.
“My feelings I must all obey;
“Can I resist, what Mortal can?
“Is it not Fated, all we do?
“But let me not my Story loose,
“The Sybil plac'd before my View
“My Chances, & she bade me choose.
“Deep we descended, down the Cave.
“The storm was heard, the Air was cold,
“And viewless Men mourned o'er a Grave,
“And distant Bells were slowly told.
“Wild Eagles scream'd the Rocks around,
“Wild Waves beat sadly on the Shore,
“And many a nameless sullen Sound
“Seem'd something dreadful to deplore.
“The storm was heard, the Air was cold,
“And viewless Men mourned o'er a Grave,
“And distant Bells were slowly told.
“Wild Eagles scream'd the Rocks around,
“Wild Waves beat sadly on the Shore,
“And many a nameless sullen Sound
“Seem'd something dreadful to deplore.
“I look'd, and I beheld a Plain,
“Bare! trodden! worn on every Side,
“And there were Men, who wrought with Pain,
“And to the meaner Tasks applied.
“They comb'd, they wove, they span, they dyed,
“While pale Clerks, pensive at their Seats,
“Earn'd the poor Pittences & sigh'd.
“This, this, the pay that Labour meets!
“Bare! trodden! worn on every Side,
“And there were Men, who wrought with Pain,
“And to the meaner Tasks applied.
“They comb'd, they wove, they span, they dyed,
“While pale Clerks, pensive at their Seats,
“Earn'd the poor Pittences & sigh'd.
“This, this, the pay that Labour meets!
“There Labour brought the pond'rous Ore!
“There took from the eternal Heap,
“Now strove to melt the stubborn store,
“Now forc'd the fire its Rage to keep.
“Lo yonder Docks, cut wide & deep,
“Where toil'd the Slave! whom Death must free,
“Where half-starv'd Wives approach'd to weep
“For men compell'd to slave at Sea.
“There took from the eternal Heap,
“Now strove to melt the stubborn store,
“Now forc'd the fire its Rage to keep.
“Lo yonder Docks, cut wide & deep,
“Where toil'd the Slave! whom Death must free,
“Where half-starv'd Wives approach'd to weep
“For men compell'd to slave at Sea.
“There were all sights of Care & Toil;
“The Smith his ponderous Hammer heav'd,
“The Labourer plow'd the thankless Soil,
“Porters their heavy Loads receiv'd,
“Pale Weavers sat, of Air bereav'd,
“And sang the melancholy song,
“And Watchmen, for a while reliev'd,
“Walk'd dolefully their Wards along.
“The Smith his ponderous Hammer heav'd,
“The Labourer plow'd the thankless Soil,
“Porters their heavy Loads receiv'd,
“Pale Weavers sat, of Air bereav'd,
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“And Watchmen, for a while reliev'd,
“Walk'd dolefully their Wards along.
“I saw the Ships, & from the deck
“Men dropt into the rav'nous tide,
“I saw the Ship itself a Wreck,
“And many strugling Wretches died;
“I saw the Fishers, how they plied
“Their cold laborious Arts for bread,
“They tried & fail'd, & still they tried,
“By Misery cloath'd, by Meaness fed.
“Men dropt into the rav'nous tide,
“I saw the Ship itself a Wreck,
“And many strugling Wretches died;
“I saw the Fishers, how they plied
“Their cold laborious Arts for bread,
“They tried & fail'd, & still they tried,
“By Misery cloath'd, by Meaness fed.
“Men lame & blind were begging here,
“Where by them mov'd the heedless Throng,
“Where dead Men's Bodies on the Bier
“By Men half dead were borne along.
“Bad Women sang the mocking Song
“Of Love & Pleasure, when the face
“Bore every Mark of secret wrong
“And every Stain of foul Disgrace.
“Where by them mov'd the heedless Throng,
“Where dead Men's Bodies on the Bier
“By Men half dead were borne along.
“Bad Women sang the mocking Song
“Of Love & Pleasure, when the face
“Bore every Mark of secret wrong
“And every Stain of foul Disgrace.
“Poor jaundic'd Men at sick'ning Trades,
“I saw, in Palsies, half Alive,
“Soon to depart, & now but Shades,
“And those yet fated to survive,
“Intent with idle Hopes to thrive,
“All servile in their Thrift, & mean—
“‘Enough! dear Guide’, said I, ‘contrive
“‘To shift this Soul-appalling Scene.’
“I saw, in Palsies, half Alive,
“Soon to depart, & now but Shades,
“And those yet fated to survive,
“Intent with idle Hopes to thrive,
“All servile in their Thrift, & mean—
“‘Enough! dear Guide’, said I, ‘contrive
“‘To shift this Soul-appalling Scene.’
“‘Dost thou refuse!’, she eager cried!
“‘The Lot that erring prudence takes,
“‘That has the stubborn patience tried,
“‘Who thus her endless Effort makes?
“‘The wiser thou! my pupil, art!
“‘Yet thousands thus their Years employ,
“‘And such, they cry, is Wisdom's part,
“‘Such Griefs her Gain, such Gains her Joy.’
“‘The Lot that erring prudence takes,
“‘That has the stubborn patience tried,
“‘Who thus her endless Effort makes?
“‘The wiser thou! my pupil, art!
“‘Yet thousands thus their Years employ,
“‘And such, they cry, is Wisdom's part,
“‘Such Griefs her Gain, such Gains her Joy.’
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“‘Oh, favour'd Youth, 'tis for thy sake
“‘I bad such gloomy pictures be,
“‘But thou Another Lot mayst take,
“‘Another Fortune favours thee.
“‘Yet thou must choose; thy Choice is free,
“‘I must not thy free Mind compel,
“But thou far other fates shall see,
“‘And with far other people dwell.’
“‘I bad such gloomy pictures be,
“‘But thou Another Lot mayst take,
“‘Another Fortune favours thee.
“‘Yet thou must choose; thy Choice is free,
“‘I must not thy free Mind compel,
“But thou far other fates shall see,
“‘And with far other people dwell.’
“She spoke! a Gipsy-Queen no more;
“Majestic was her Form! her Look!
“Majestic were the Robes she wore,
“Majestic were the Words she spoke,
“And as our easy Way we took,
“She made an Eden blossom round,
“The balmy Shrubs the Zephyrs shook,
“And Roses hung on mossy Ground.
“Majestic was her Form! her Look!
“Majestic were the Robes she wore,
“Majestic were the Words she spoke,
“And as our easy Way we took,
“She made an Eden blossom round,
“The balmy Shrubs the Zephyrs shook,
“And Roses hung on mossy Ground.
“The View was that which Poets dream,
“When they their favourite prospect trace,
“Where many a flower embanked Stream
“Rolls, winding, wanton, round the place
“That all the Kinds of Beauty grace,
“Where nothing greets the Ear or Eye
“But Forms of the divinest Race,
“But Sounds of sweetest Melody.
“When they their favourite prospect trace,
“Where many a flower embanked Stream
“Rolls, winding, wanton, round the place
“That all the Kinds of Beauty grace,
“Where nothing greets the Ear or Eye
“But Forms of the divinest Race,
“But Sounds of sweetest Melody.
“There were fresh Bowers for Lovers blest,
“O'er-canopied by deathless Flowers,
“There racy Wines that every Guest
“Might quaff in those delicious Bowers,
“And laugh away delightful Hours,
“Or sit in ever soothing Ease,
“Or give to Love awaken'd Powers,
“And on the passing Pleasure seize.
“O'er-canopied by deathless Flowers,
“There racy Wines that every Guest
“Might quaff in those delicious Bowers,
“And laugh away delightful Hours,
“Or sit in ever soothing Ease,
“Or give to Love awaken'd Powers,
“And on the passing Pleasure seize.
“There came not Hymen to this Seat,
“Jealous & vex'd at Lover's Joy,
“There came not Avarice to intreat
“Reluctant Youth to mean Employ,
“There came not Duty to annoy
“Their Peace, who took what Fortune gave,
“And the free maid & frolic boy
“There came not Tyrants to enslave.
“Jealous & vex'd at Lover's Joy,
“There came not Avarice to intreat
“Reluctant Youth to mean Employ,
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“Their Peace, who took what Fortune gave,
“And the free maid & frolic boy
“There came not Tyrants to enslave.
“Some from their Loves retir'd Awhile
“At Dice to throw a merry Main,
“Assured to view a sweeter smile,
“When, smiling, they return'd again.
“Determin'd All to banish Pain;
“Who look'd like Care or talk'd like Age
“They treated with their just Disdain,
“As Savage, who appear'd the Sage.
“At Dice to throw a merry Main,
“Assured to view a sweeter smile,
“When, smiling, they return'd again.
“Determin'd All to banish Pain;
“Who look'd like Care or talk'd like Age
“They treated with their just Disdain,
“As Savage, who appear'd the Sage.
“Love, Music, Mirth, sweet Sports & Wine,
“All seiz'd in turn the yielding Heart;
“Some for Delight the Soul incline,
“Some to the Soul Delight impart.
“Some yield a soft voluptuous Smart
“To sense! So dies the happy Day,
“When Sleep renews the Strength to start
“For Joys afresh as those decay.
“All seiz'd in turn the yielding Heart;
“Some for Delight the Soul incline,
“Some to the Soul Delight impart.
“Some yield a soft voluptuous Smart
“To sense! So dies the happy Day,
“When Sleep renews the Strength to start
“For Joys afresh as those decay.
“Why comes She not, my Soul's delight?
“Alas! her legal Tyrant knows.
“He keeps her from her Lover's Sight,
“And thinks, deluded Wretch, she ows
“That Love to him that she bestows
“On me, that I return so well,
“And till her Angel-form she shows,
“Let me on our Affections dwell.
“Alas! her legal Tyrant knows.
“He keeps her from her Lover's Sight,
“And thinks, deluded Wretch, she ows
“That Love to him that she bestows
“On me, that I return so well,
“And till her Angel-form she shows,
“Let me on our Affections dwell.
“So then I to my Sybil turn'd:
“‘This, this, the Life that I will lead.’
“‘And well’, said she, ‘hast thou discern'd—
“‘Dear Youth! thy Way, & now proceed.’
“And then she led me forth with Speed!
“But, parting, smil'd and turn'd to say,
“‘Thou hast of no Instruction need;
“‘The Dictates of the Heart obey.’
“‘This, this, the Life that I will lead.’
“‘And well’, said she, ‘hast thou discern'd—
“‘Dear Youth! thy Way, & now proceed.’
“And then she led me forth with Speed!
“But, parting, smil'd and turn'd to say,
“‘Thou hast of no Instruction need;
“‘The Dictates of the Heart obey.’
43
“So I the prompting heart obey'd,
“As to varying bliss it led;
“For me has sigh'd the rustic Maid,
“For me the Lady's tear is shed.
“I am the languid Lover's Dread!
“Who woos ye Maid Whom I shall win,
“And I have left a noble Bed,
“While angry Charmers weep within.
“As to varying bliss it led;
“For me has sigh'd the rustic Maid,
“For me the Lady's tear is shed.
“I am the languid Lover's Dread!
“Who woos ye Maid Whom I shall win,
“And I have left a noble Bed,
“While angry Charmers weep within.
“A Countess is my Love, her Lord
“My Friend, till he with passion base
“Her vexes! with the bitter Word!
“And Terms that would the Clown disgrace,—
“Nay, Sirs, what mean you to displace
“Those lovely flowers? why angry rise
“And Now again—those Works deface,
“That have such Beauty in her Eyes?
“O! our dear Gifts”—
“My Friend, till he with passion base
“Her vexes! with the bitter Word!
“And Terms that would the Clown disgrace,—
“Nay, Sirs, what mean you to displace
“Those lovely flowers? why angry rise
“And Now again—those Works deface,
“That have such Beauty in her Eyes?
“O! our dear Gifts”—
—“Unhappy Man!
“Dost thou indeed thy Lye believe?
“Or dost thou think that Others can?
“But now no more thyself deceive—
“Fond Wretch, thy guilty Error leave.
“Mad as thou art! yet guilty thou,
“And we abhor thee, while we grieve,
“And chide the Pity we allow.
“Dost thou indeed thy Lye believe?
“Or dost thou think that Others can?
“But now no more thyself deceive—
“Fond Wretch, thy guilty Error leave.
“Mad as thou art! yet guilty thou,
“And we abhor thee, while we grieve,
“And chide the Pity we allow.
“Away with this Accursed Pride,
“These Visions profligate & vain!
“Know thy sad Self, & put Aside
“Thy sinful thoughts!—let Reason reign.
“Look! look upon this Bolt, this Chain,
“These black'ned Walls, this dusty Cell,
“Where Guilt & Grief, where Woe & pain,
“Where Malice, Mischief, Madness dwell.
“These Visions profligate & vain!
“Know thy sad Self, & put Aside
“Thy sinful thoughts!—let Reason reign.
“Look! look upon this Bolt, this Chain,
“These black'ned Walls, this dusty Cell,
“Where Guilt & Grief, where Woe & pain,
“Where Malice, Mischief, Madness dwell.
“Be still; then madly vile & proud,
“Wilt thou thy Father disallow?
“A parish Clerk that sang aloud,
“An honest Man that drove a plough!
“And a vain, worthless Servant thou,
“Who dar'd to gaze with sinful View
“On One whose pity feeds thee now,
“Thy Lady pious, piteous, true.
“Wilt thou thy Father disallow?
“A parish Clerk that sang aloud,
“An honest Man that drove a plough!
44
“Who dar'd to gaze with sinful View
“On One whose pity feeds thee now,
“Thy Lady pious, piteous, true.
“What is this Sophy Fancy-deck'd?
“A clumsy Work of woven Straw!
“What are these Flowers, these Hands collect,
“But Chips and Sticks, like those ye Daw
“Steals for a Nest? And Spiders draw
“The Webby Work, that makes thee fine,
“And patches many a Rent & flaw
“In those disgusting Robes of thine.
“A clumsy Work of woven Straw!
“What are these Flowers, these Hands collect,
“But Chips and Sticks, like those ye Daw
“Steals for a Nest? And Spiders draw
“The Webby Work, that makes thee fine,
“And patches many a Rent & flaw
“In those disgusting Robes of thine.
“Thy Choice to quit th' useful Arts
“And that luxurious State to share
“Was surely thy corrupted Heart's,
“No Sybil thought thee worth her Care!
“No Gipsy—but the vicious dare
“On such infernal Views to dwell;
“For Madness these the Soul prepare,
“Souls ripe & ready to rebell.
“And that luxurious State to share
“Was surely thy corrupted Heart's,
“No Sybil thought thee worth her Care!
“No Gipsy—but the vicious dare
“On such infernal Views to dwell;
“For Madness these the Soul prepare,
“Souls ripe & ready to rebell.
“Is it indeed a Tear I see?
“It is, & I rejoice—be still.
“Thy Spirit from its foe to free,
“We must controul thy erring Will,
“For thou art bent & twin'd to ill—
“And art in dreadful [S ?] bound.
“We must that lofty Spirit kill,
“We must those impious Thoughts confound.
“It is, & I rejoice—be still.
“Thy Spirit from its foe to free,
“We must controul thy erring Will,
“For thou art bent & twin'd to ill—
“And art in dreadful [S ?] bound.
“We must that lofty Spirit kill,
“We must those impious Thoughts confound.
“Thy Head, why dost thou thret'ning shake?
“We can thy Body firmly bind
“In our strait Garment; we can make
“Darkness around thee, thus consign'd
“To silence! impotent & blind!
“But dost thou weep? I know the Way
“Of Crazy Craft—but will be kind—
“Pray, if thou canst—Come, let us pray.”
“We can thy Body firmly bind
“In our strait Garment; we can make
“Darkness around thee, thus consign'd
“To silence! impotent & blind!
“But dost thou weep? I know the Way
“Of Crazy Craft—but will be kind—
“Pray, if thou canst—Come, let us pray.”
| New Poems by George Crabbe | |