T H E

P O E T I C A L W O R K S

OF T H E R E V E R E N D

DR.EDWARD YOUNG. I N F O U R V O L U M E S .

W1TH THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.

When flattcr'd crimes o f a licentlous age Reproacli our filence, and demand our rage; ' When purchasM foll ies, from each diílant land, Like arts, improve in Britain's lk i l ful hand; When the Law íliews her teeth,but dares not bit», And South-fea treafures are not brought to l ight; When Churclimen Scripture for the Claflics quit, Polite apoítates from Cod's grace t o w i t ; When men grow great f rom their revenue fpent. And fly from bailiífs into par l iament; When dying finners, to blot out their fcore, Bequeath the Church the leavings o f a w h o r e ; T o chaf» our fpleen, when themcs like thefe incrcafe, Shall panegyric reign, and cenfure ceafe ?-— Shall authors fmile on fuch illuftrious days, And fatirize with noth ing—but their praife? S A T . I .

V O L . IV.

E D I N B U R G :

A T T I I E ajollo B V T I I E M A R T I N S .

Atino 1777.

T H E

P O E T 1 C A L W O R K S

OF T H E R E V E R E N D

D R . E D W A R D Y O U N G .

V O L . IV.

C O N T A I N I N G H I S

O D E T O T H E K I N G ,

O C E A N . A N O D E ,

S E A - P I E C E . A N O D E ,

M E R C H A N T . A N O D E ,

P A R A P H . ON P A R T O F J O B ,

R E S I G N A T I O N . T W O P A R T S ,

I N S T A L M E N T . T O W A L P O L E ,

F O R E I G N A D D R E S S ,

&c. &c. &c.

T h o ' boi d thefe truths, thou, Mufe ! v/i th truths l ikc thcfe •'ÈVllt none ofFend whom 'tis a praife to plcafe. Let others flatter to bc flatter'd, thou, Like juit tribunais, bind an awful brew. How tcrribie it Mrere to common fenfe, T o write a fatire wliich gave none offence ? And fince from l i f e I take tlie draughts you fee, I f meu diflike them, do they cenfurc- me ? The fool anel knave 'tis glorious to ofFend, And godlike an uttempt the world to mend : T h e world ! where lucky throws to blockheads f a l i , Knaves know the game, and lioneft men pay al i . SAT. III.

E D I N B U R G :

A T T H E g j i o l l o ] 3 f e f S , B Y T l I E M A R T I N S ,

Atino 1777.

O D E S .

O D E , O C C A S T O N E D BY HIS M A J E S T V S

POYAI. E N COURACE ME N T OF T H E S E A - S E R V 1 C E .

ÍTHINK myfclf olliged to rccommcndto you a confidera-tlon of the greatejl importance, and I Jhould look upon it as a great happlntfs i f , at the leginning of my rcign, I couldfee the foundation laid of fo great and neccjfary a 'diork as the inereafe and cncouragcment of ourfeamen in general, that they may le invited, rather than com-felled hy force and violence, to enter into the fervice of their country as oft' as occafwn Jlall require it; a con-fideration ivorthy the reprefentatives of a people great endflourijhing in trade and navigation. This leads me to mention to you the cafe of Grecn-wich Hofpital, that care may le takcn, hy fome addition to that fund, to rem ter comfortahle and effcBual that charitahle provifwn for the fupport and maintenance of our feamen, -worn out, andlecome deerepit by age and infirmities, in the fervice cf their country. Speech, Jan. 27. I 7 l | .

T O T H E K I N G . M D C C X X V I I I .

I.

OLD Ocean's praiíe Demands my lays; A truly Britift] theme I fmg ; A theme fo great I xlarc complete, $ And join with Ocean occan's King.

Vtlvme IV. A

II. T h e Roman ode Majeftic flow'd, Its ftrcam divinely cleaf and ítrong In fcnfe and found Thebes roll'd profoúnd; T h e torrent roar'd, and foam'd ajong.

m .

Í,et Thebes nor Rome, So fam'd, prefume T o triumph o'er a northern iílc ; Late time íhall knovv T h e North can glow, If drcad Augultus deign to fmile.

IV. T h e naval crown Is ali his o w n ! Our fleet, if War or Commcrce call, His will performs Thro ' vvaves and ftorms, A n d rides in trivmiph round thc halL

V. N o former race, With ftrong embrace, This theme to ravilh duríl afpire» W i t h virgin charms M y foul it warms, A n d melts melodious on my lyre.

V I .

My lays I file With cautious toil; Te Graces ! turn the glowing lines; p n anvils rieat Your ílrokes repeat: A t every ftrolte the work refines!

VII. How muíic charms! How metre warms! Parent of aftions good and bravej How vice it tames! • And worth inflames! And holds premi empire o'er the grave !

VIU. Jove mark'd for man A fcanty fpan, Eut lent him wings to fly his doom; Wit fcorns the grave; T o wit he gave The life of gods! immortal bloom!

IX. Since years will fly, And pleafures die, Day after day, as years advance ; Since while life laíls Joy fuffers blafts Fiom frowniog Fate and fickle Chance;

A i>

X . Nor life is long, But foon we throng, L i k e autumn leaves, Death's pallid lhore W e make at Ieaíl Of bad the beít, If in life's phantom, Fame, we foar.

X I . Our ílrains divide T h e laurel's pride; With thofe we lift to life we llvc; By Fame enrolPd W i t h heroes bold, A n d ihare the bleffings which we grve.

XII. W h a t hero's praife Can fire my lays L i k e his with whom my lay begurí ? " Juftice íincere, " A n d courage clear, " Rife the two columns of his throne.

XIII. " How form'd for fway ! *' Who look obey, " They read the monarch in his p o r t : " Their love and awe " Supply the law, " A n d his owu luílre makes the court."

O D E S .

X I V .

On yondcr height What golden light Triumphant íhines.' and íhines alone. Unrivall'd blaze! , The nations gaze! 'Tis not the fun; 'tis Britain's throne.

X V . Ourmonarch there, Rear'd high in air, Should tempefts rife, difdains to bend J.ike Britifh oak, Perides the flroke; His blooming hpnours far extend!

X V I . Beneath them lies, With lifted eyes, Fair Albion, like an am'rous maid; While intereft wings pold foreign kings T o fly, like eagles, to his íhade.

XVII . A t his proud foot The íèa, pour'd out, Immortal nouriflimcnt fppplies; Thence wealth and flate, And pow'r and fate,

Which Europc reads in Gcorge's eycs. A

XVIII. From what wc view W e take the clue Which leads from great to greater things: IC5 Tvlen doubt no more, , But gods adore, When fueh refcmblance íhines in kings. l o í

O C E A N .

A N O D E .

Let the fea make a noifc, le[ the Hoods cUp thtrir hands. P f a l . x ô v i ü .

I. SWEET rural fcene Of floeks and green! A t carelefs eafe my limbs are fpread; A l i Nature ílill But yonder rill, J A n d liíVning pines nod o>er my head.

II. In profpeít wide T h e boundlefs tide! Waves ceafe to foam,.and winds to roar; Without a breeze IO The curling fcas Dance on in meafurc to the Ihors,

III. Who fings the fource Of wealth and force ? Vaft field of commerce and big war, Where wonders dwell! Where terrors fwell! A n d Neptune thunders from his car

IV. Where ? where are tliey, Whom Poean's ray Has touch'd, and bid divinely rave ? What! none afpire I fnatch the lyre, And plunge into- the foaming wave.

V . The wave refounds! The rock rebounds! The Nereids to my forig reply! I lead the choir, And they confpire, With voice and íhell, to Iift it high.

V I . They fpread in air Their bofoms fair, Their verdant trefíis pour behind; The billows beat With nimble fect, With notes triumphant fwell the wii

VII. W h o love the (hore, Let thofe adore T h e god Apollo, and his Nine, Parnaflus' hill, A n d Orpheus' flcill, But let Arion's harp be mine.

VIII. T h e main ! the main! Is Britain's reign; Her ftrength, her glory, is her ficet: T h e main ! the main! Be Britain's ftrain; A s Triton's ftrong, as Sj rcns fweet.

' IX . Thro* Nature wide Is nought dcfcryM So rich in pleafure or furprife; When a'1-ferene, How fweet the fcene

11 ow dreadful when the billows rife! X .

A n d ftorms deface T h e fluid glafs, In which ere-while BritannÍ3, fair, Jjook/d down with pride, J.ike Ocean's bride, Adjuíl ing her majeftic air!

O D E S , 9 X L .

When tcmpeíls ceafc, And, hu(h'd in pcace, The flattén'd furges fmoothly fpread, Deep filence keep, A n d feem to fleep Recumbent on their oozy bed>

XII . With what a trance T h e levei glance, Unbroken, ílioots along the feas ? Which tempt from fliore The painted oar, And every canvafs courts the breeze!

X I » , When ruíhes forth The frowning North On black'ning billows, with what dread My (hudd'ring foul Beholds them roll, And hears their roaririgs o'er my hcad!

X I V . With terror mark Yon' flying bark! Now centre-deep defcend the bráve» Now, tofs'd on high, It takes the íky, A feather on the tow'ring wave !

6S

70

75

i x 8o

X V . Now fpins around In whirls profound; Now whelm'd, now pendent near the clouds Now ftunn'd, it reels Midít thunder's peals, A n d now fierce lightning fires the íhrouds.

X V I . A l i ether burns! Chãos returns! A n d blends, once more, the feas and /kies : N o fpact between T h y bofom green, O Deep! and the blue concave lies.

X V I I . T h e northern blaft, T h e (hatter'd mal), T h e fyrt, the whirlpool, and the rock, T h e breaking ípout, T h e ftars gone out, T h e boiling flreight, the monflers' íhock,

XVIII . L e t others fear; T o Eritain dear Whate'er promotes her daring claim; Thofe terrors charm W h i c h keep her warm Jn chafe of honeft gain or fame.

X I X .

The ftsrs are bright T o cheer the night, A n d íhed, thro' fhadows, temper'd fire A n d Phoebus flames, With burnifh'd beams, Which fome adore, and ali admire.

X X . A r e then the feas Outlhone by thefe ? Bright Thet is ! thou art not outfhone; With kinder beams, A n d fofter gleams, T h y bofom wcars them as thy own.

X X I . There, fet in green, Gold fia rs are feen, A mantle rich ! thy charms to wrap; A n d when the fun His raee has run, He falls enamour'd in thy Iap.

X X I I . Thofe clouds, whofe dyes Adorn the (kies, That filver fnow, that pearly rain, Has Phoebus ftole T o grace the pole, T h e plunder of th' invaded maiií!

XXIII . T h e gaudy bow, Whofe colours glow, Whofe arch with fb much íkill is bent, T o Phoebus' ray, Which paints fo gay, By thee the watry woof was lent.

X X I V . In chambers deep, Where waters íleep, W h a t unknown treafures pave the floor ! T h e pearl, in rows, Pale luftre throws; T h e wealth immcnfe which ftorms devçur.

X X V . From Indian mines, W i t h proud deíigns, T h e merchant, fwoln, digs golden ore; The tempefts rife A n d feize the prize, A n d tofs him, breathlefs, on the lhorc.

X X V I . His fon complains In pious ítrains; " A h ! cruel thirft of gold," he cries; Then ploughs the main In zeal for gain,

The tears yet fwelling in his eycs,

4

Tíioii watry vaf l ! What mounds are caft T o bar thy drcadful flowings o'er! T h y proudeft foam Muft know its home; But rage of gold difdains a íhore.

X X V I I I . Gold pleafure buys; But pleafure dies; T o o foon the grofs fruition cloys; TKo' raptures court, T h e linfe is fhort; But virtue kindlcs living joys;

X X I X . Joys felt alone! Joys alk'd of r.onc! Which Tiroe's and Fortune's arrows mifs; Joys that fubfift, T h o ' fates refift, A n unprecarious, endlefs blifs!

X X X . T h e íoul refin'd Is moft inclin'd T o ev*ry moral excellence; A l i vice is dull,

A knave's a fool, A n d Virtue is the child of Sente.

Volume IV. B

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160

16J

170

*7 S

190

xxxr. T h e virtuous mind, Nor wave nor wind, Nor Civil rage, nor tyrants' frown, T h e (haken bali, Nor planet's fali, From its firm bafis can dethrone.

X X X I I . This Britain knows, A n d therefore glows With gen'rous paflions, and expends Her wealth and zeal On public weal,

A n d brightens both by godlike endí. X X X I I I .

What end fo great A s that which late A w o k e the genius of the Main ; Which tow'ring rofe, With George to clofe, A n d rival great Eliza's reign ?

X X X I V .

A voice has fiown From Britain's throne T o re-inflame a grand defign; That voice fhall rear Y o n ' fabric fair *, A s .Natu're's rofe at the divine.

# A new fundfoc Grcenwich llofpital, reconuncnded frum th- throne.

*9J

ÍCO

X X X V . When Nature fprung Blefs'd angels fung, And lhouted o'er the rifirlg bali ; For ftrains as high A s man's can fly Thefe fea-devoted honours call.

X X X V I . From boiíFrous feas, T h e lap of Eafe Receives our wounded and our old; High domes afcend! Stretch'd arches bend! Proud columns fwell! wide gates tinfold

X X X V I I . Here, foft-reclin'd, From wave, from wind, And Fortune's tempeft, fafe aíhore, T o cheat their care, Of former war They talk the pleafing (hadows o'er.

X X X V I I I . In lengthen'd tales Our fleet prevails ; In tales, the lenitives 6f age! And o'er the bowl They fire the foul Of liíVning youth to martial tage.

B i j

X X X I X . Unhappy théy! A n d falfely gay! V h o baík for cvcr in fucccfs : A conftant feaft Quite palls the taíle, A n d long cnjoyment is diftrefs.

When, qfter toii, His native foil

T h e panting marincr regains, What tranfport fiows From bare repofe ? We reap our pleafure from our pains.

X L I . Y e Warlike! flain Bencath the main, Wrapt in a watry windisgflieet, Who bought with blood Your country's good, Your country*s full-blown glory greet

X L I I .

W h a t pow'rful charm Can Death difarm ? Your long, your iron ílumbers I r e a k : By Jove, by Fame, Dy George's name, A w a k e ! awakelawake!

* Writttn foon aftcr K. George !.*« acccflicn.

X L I I I .

With fpiral íhell, Full-blafted, tell, That ali your watry realms lhoüld ring Your pearl alcoves, Your coral groves, Should echo theirs and Britain's king,

X L I V . A s long as ftars Guide tnariners, A s Carolina's virtues pleafe, Or funs invite The raviíVd fight, The Britilh flag (hall fweep the Icas.

X L V . Peculiar both! Our foil's ftrong growth, A n d our bold natives' hardy mind ; Sure Heav*n befpoke Our hearts and oak, T o gire a mafter to mankind.

X L V I . That nobleft birth Of teeming earth, Of foreíl fair that daughter proud, T o foreign coafts Our grandeur boafts, And Britain's pleafure fpeaks aloud :

X L V H . Now, big with war, •Sends fate from far, If rebel real ms their fate demanaí Now fimiptuous ípoils Of foreign foils Fours in lhe bofom of our land.

X L V I I I . Hence Biitain lays In fcalcs, and weighs The íatrs of kingdoms and of kings j A n d as íhe frowns, Or fmiles, on crowns, A night or day of gloiy fpiings.

X L 1 X . ThusOcean fwells Tlie íli eams and rills, A nd to their boiders lifts tlicm high, Or elfe withdraivs T h e miglity cauíè, A n d 1 íaves their familh'd channels dry.

sSa

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194

S E A - P I E C E :

coutaimng

I . T H I B T I T I ^ H S A 1 L 0 » ' S E X U L T A T I O N .

I I . M S P K A Y E R B E I O X E E N G A G E M E N T .

T H E D E D I C A T I O N .

T O M B . V O I T A I R E .

I.

M v Mofe, a b.ird of paíTage, flies From frozen climes to milder íkies ; From chilling blaíls (he fcekj thy chcering beam, A beam of favour here deny*d ; Confcious of faults, her bloihing piide 5 Hopes an afylum in fo great a name.

II. To dive full deep in ancient days*, The warrior's ardent deeds to raife, And monarchs aggrandize, — the glory thine; Thine is the Drama, how renown'd! IO Thine Epiç's loftier trump to found ; But let Atinn's fea-ftrung harp be mine.

» A n n a l s o f t h e t m p e r o r C h a r l e s X I I . L e w i s X I V .

III. But where's his dolphin ? know'ft thou whcrc ? — May that be found in thee, Voltaire! Save thou from harm my plunge into the wave: 1$ How will thy name illuílrious raife My finking fong ? Merc mortal lays, So patroniz'd, are refcu'd from the grave.

IV. " Tel l me," fay'íl thou, " who courts my fmile ? " What ftranger ílray'd from yonder i l l e ? " — SO No ílranger, Sir! tho' born in foreign climes; On Dorfet Downs, when Milton's page, With Sin and Death, provok'd thy rage, Thy rage provok'd, who footh'd with gentlí rhymes.

V. W h o kindly couch'd thy cenfure's eye, 25 A n d gave thee clearly to defcry Sound judgment giving law to fancy ftrong: Who half-inelin'd thee to confefs, Nor could thy modeíty do lefs, That Milton's blindnefs lay not in his fong. 30

VI . But fuch debates long fince are flown; For ever fet the funs that lhone » On airy paílimes, ere our brows were gray : How lhortiy (hall we both forget, T o thee, my patron, I my debt, A n d thou to thine for 1'ruIIia's golden key.

6 0 E 5 . 31

VII.

The prefent, in obüvion caft, Full foon íhall fleep, as flceps the paíl Full foon the wide dillinftion dic betueen The frowns and favours of lhe great; 40 High-flu(h'd Soccefs, and pale Defeat, The Gallic gaiety, and Britilh fplecn.

VIII.

Y f wing'd, ye rapid, Moments! ftay: Oh, Friend! as deaf, as rapid, they ; JLife's Iittle drama done, thç curtain f a l l s ! — 45 Doíl thou not hear it ? 1 can hear, Tho' nothing ftrikes lhe liíl'ning ear; Time groans his laft ; Eternal loudly calls!

IX. Nor calls. in vain ; the eall infpires Far other counfels and deíires .50 Than once prevail'd : we íland on higher ground : What fcenes we fee ! — E x a l t e d aim ! With ardours new our fpirits fiame; Ambrtionblefs'd! with moreth^n laurels crown'd.54

A S E A - P I E C E ,

ODETHF. FIRST.

T H E BRITISH S A I L O K \ EXULTATION .

I.

IN lofty founds let thofe dclight Who brave the foe but fear the fight, A n d , bold in word, of arms decline the ftroke J 'Tis mean to boaft, but great to lend T o foes the counfel of a friend, A n d warn them of the vengeance they provoke.

II. From wherice arife thefe loud alarms ? Why gleams the South with bratidi(h'd arms ? War, bath'd in blood, from Curs'd ambition fprings Anibition mean ! ignoble pride ! Perhaps their ardours may fubfide, When weigh'd the wonders Britain's failor fings.

III. Hear, and revere .—At Britain's nod, From each enchanted grove and wood, Ha fies the huge oak, or (hadelefs foreft leaves; The mountain pines affume new forms, Spread canvafs-wings, and fly thro' (torms, And ride o'er rocks, and dance on foaming waves.

IV. She nods again j the lab'ring earth Difclofes a tremendous birth; ao In fmoking rivers runs her molten ore; Thence monfters of enormous fize, A n d hideous afpeft, threat'ning r i fe ; Flame from the deck from trembling baftions roar.

V . Thefe miniílers of Fate fulfil, 35 On empires wide, an ifland's will, When thronesunjuílwake vengeance.Know,yePow'rs! In fudden night, and pond'rous balls, And floods of flame, the tempeíl falls, When brav'd Britannia's awful fenate Iow'rs. 30

VI. In her grand council* (he furveys, In patiiot piílure, what may raife, Of infolent attempts, a warm difdain; From Hope's triumphant fummit thrown, Like darted lightning, fwiftly down 35 The wealth of Ind, and confidence of Spain.

VII. Britannia (heaths her courage keen, And fpales her nitrous magazine; Her cannon flumber, till the proud afpire, And leave ali Iaw below them ; then they blaze! 40 They thunder from refounding feas, Touch'd by their injur'd mafter's foul of fire,

* Hoüfe of Lords. t

VIII. Then furies rife! the battle raves! A n d rendsthe Ikies, and warms the waves! A n d calls a teitipeíl frora the pcacefnl deep, 45 1 n fpite of Nature, fpite of Jove, While all-ferene, and hu(h'd above, Tumultuous winds in azure chambers íltep.

IX.

A thouftnd deaths the burfting bomb Hurls from her difembowel'd vromb; 50 Chain'd, glowing globeS, in dread alliance joín'd, Red-wing'd by ftrong fulphureous blafts, Sweep, in black whirlwin4s, men and mafts, A n d leave fingM.nakcd.blood-drown^decks bçhind.

X . Dwarf laurels rife in tenteíl 6elds; SS T h e wreath immortal Ocean yields. Therc \Var's whole fting is íhot, whole fire is fpent, Whole glory blooms. How pale, how tame,

How lambent, is Bellona's flame! How her ftorms languiíb on the Continent! Éo

XI . From the dread front of ancient War Lèfs terror frown'd; her fcythed ear, Her callled elephant, and batt'ring beam, Stoop to thofe engines which deny Superior terrors to the Ikv, 65 A n d boaft their douds,their thunder, and their flarot,

í

0 D E 5 .

XII . The flame, the thundçr, and the cloud, The night by day, the fea of blood, Hofls whirl'd in air, the yell of finking throngs, The gravelefs dead, an ocean warm'd, A firmament by mortais ftorm'd, T o patient Britain's ang% btow belongs.

XIII. Or do I dream or do I rave ? Or fee I Vulcan's footy cave, Where Jove's red bolts the giant-brothers frame Thofe fwarthy gods of toil and heat, Loud peals on tnountain anvils beat, And panting tempefts rouie the roaring flame.

XIV. Ye fons of j?vtna! hear my cal l : Unfini(h'd let thofe bawbles fali, Yon' (hield of Mars, Minerva's helmet blue: Your ítrokcs fufpend, ye brawny Throng! Charm*d by the magic of my iong, Drop the feign'd thunder, and attempt the true

XV. Begin; and, firíl. take rapid flight. *, Fierce flame, and clouds of thickeíl night, And ghaftly terror, paler than the dead; Then borrow from the North his roar, Mix groans, and deaths; one phial pour

* Allndin» to V-ir^iTs dcfcrirtíon of thundef. Volume IV. C

O f \vrong'd Britannia's wrath; and it is made;

G a u l f l a r t s a n d t r e m b l e s — a t your dreadful trade. 91

ODE THE SECOND.

In -wíich is

T H E S A I I O R ' S PRAYER BEFORE S N G A G E M E N T .

I.

S o form'd the bolt ordain'd to break

Gaul 's haughty plan, and Bourbon íhake,

If Britain's crimes fupport not Britain's foes,

A n d edge their fwords. O Pow'r Div ine!

IFblefs'd by thee the bold defign, 5

Embatt led hofts a fingle atm Q 'erthrows.

u t V e warlike D e a d ! who fell of old In Britain's caufe, by Fame enroll'd

In deathlefs annal! deathlefs dceds infpire;

From oozy beds, for Britain's fake, i a

A w a k e , iltuftrious Chiefs ! awake,

A n d kindle in your fons paternal fire.

III.

T h e day commi(Tion'd from above,

Our worth to weigh, our hearts to prove,

If war's full (hock too feeble to fuílain, I j

Or firm to íland its final blow,

W h e n vital ftreams of blood fliall flow,

A n d turn to ciiinfon thç difco!our'd maia»

ODES. Í 7

IV.

That day's arriv'd> that fatal hour! " Hear us, O hcar, Almighty Pow'r ! 20 " Our guidein counfel, and our ítrength in fight! " Now war's importailt die is thrown, " If left the day to man alone, " How blind is Wifdom, and how weak is Might ?

V. " Let proftrate hearts, and awful fear, 25 V And deep remorfe, and fighs fincere " For Brita'm's.guilt the wrath divine appeafe ; " A wrath more formidable far " Than angry Nature's waftefül war, " The whirl of tempeíts, and the roar of feas. 30

VI. " From out the deep to thee we cry, " T o thee, at Nature's helm on high! " Steer thou our conduít, dread Omnipotence! " T o thee for fuccour we refort; " T h y favour is our only port; 35 " Our only rock of fafety thy defence.

VII. " O T h o u ! to whom the lions roar, " And, notunheard, thy boon implore! " T h y throne our burlts of cannon loud invoke: " Thou can'(l arreft the flying bali, 40 " Or fend it back, and bid it fali " On thofe from whofe proud deck the thunder broke.

C i j

C B E Í .

VIII. " Britain in vainextends her care

T o climes remote* for aids in war; " St 111 farther mnft it ílretch to cruíh the foe: 4$ " There's one alliance, one alone, " Can crown her arms, or fix her throne, " A n d that alliance is not found below.

IX. " Al ly Supreme! we turn to thee; " We learn obediente from the fea1; 50

' " With feas and winds, henceforth, thy laws fulfil; " ' I'is thine our blood to freeze or warm; " T o rouze or hufh the martial ftorm, " A n d turn the tide of concjueft at thy will.

X . " 'Tis thine to beam fublimg renown, " Or quench the glories of à crown; " 'Tis thine to doom, 'tis thine from Death to free, " T o turn aíide his Ievell'd dart, " Or pluck it from the bleeding heart : — " There we caíV anchor, we confide in thee. 60

XI. " Thou! who haft taught the North to roar, " And ftreamingf lights noflurnal ponr " Of fiightful afpeft! when protid foes invade, " Their blaíled pride with dread to feize, " Bid Britain's flags, as meteors, blaze, 65 " A n d Genrge depute to thunder in thy ftead.

* Hulüa. t Aurora Eorealis,

ODES. 2 9

X I I . " The ríght alone is bold and ftrong; " Black hov'iing clouds appal the wrong " With dread of vengeance.—Nature's awful Sire!

Lefs than one moment lhouldíl thou frown, 70 " Where is PuiíTance and Rcnown ? " Thrones tremble, empires fink, or worlds expire.

XIII. " Let George the Juft chaítife the vain. " T h o u ! who doft curb the rebel main, " T o mount the fhore when boiling billows rave! 75 " Bid George repel a bolder tide, " The boundlefs fwell of Gallic pride, " A n d check Ambition's overwhelming wave.

XIV. " A n d when (ali milder means withftood) " Ambition tam'd by lofs of blood 80 " Regains her reafon; then, on angels' wings, " Let Peace defcend, and Ihouting greet, " With peals of joy, Britannia's fleet, " How richly freighted ! it triumphant brings " The poife of kingdoms and the fate of kings." i s

C iij

J M P E R I U M P E L A G I :

A N A V A L L Y R I C .

Wrítlen in imitation of

P I N D A R ' S S P I R I T .

O C C A S I O N E D K Y

Ks MajeJÍ/s return from Hanover, Sept. 1729, and th fucceeding peace.

Monte decurrens velut amnis, inibres Quem Jnper notas a lucre r ipa i , Ferver , i inmcnfufque r u i t p r o f u n d o

Pindarus o r e . Concine.t laetorque «lies, et urbl« Vubliçum ludnm, fuper ímpetrato F o n i s AuguíVi r e d i t u . J O K .

1'RE FACE.

A Pindaric carries a forrmdable fmnd; butthereisnothing forrmdable in the true nature of it, of -which (•with ut-moftfubmffm) 1 conceive the critics have bitherto en-tertàncd a falfe ida1. Pindar is a> natural as Anacreon, though not fo familiar; as a fixed Jlar is as much in the hounds of nature as a flotver of the field, thougli lefs ob~ •vious, and of greater dignity. This is not lhe received uotion of Pindar: I Jl/all therefore foon fupport at large that hint -which is no-w given.

Trade is a very noble fubjeB in i t f e l f , more properthan any for an EngUJbman, and particular feafomlle at ttti jmíiure.

P R E F A C E . 3 1

W'i bave more fpecimens of gooit -writing u every province than in the fublime, our twofamous epic poems exceptcd. Iwas viilling to make an attempt uihcre lhad the fev/eft rivais.

J f , on reading this Ode, any man has afuller idea of the real intereft, or pojjible glory, of his country than before, cr aJlrongerimpreJJion from it, orawarmcr concern for it, I give up to the critic any further repvtation.

JCe have many copies and tranjlations that pafs for origi-nais. This Ode, 1 humbly conceive, is an original, though it profejfcs imitation. No man can be lite Pindar, by imitating any of his particular -works, any more than likt Raphael, bycopying the Cartoons. The genius andfpirit of fuch great mcn muft be celleBed froru the -whole; and •when tlius -we arepojfejfed ofit,-we muft exert its energy in

fubjeBsand dcjigns of our oiun. Nothing is fo un-Ptnda-rical as fulltrwing Pindar on the foot. findar is an ori-ginal ; and he muft be fo too -who -would be lite Pindar i/i that whicli is his greateft praife. Nothing fo wiliic as a clofe copy and a noble original.

As for length, Pindar has an unbrohcn ode of Jix hrndrei Unes. Nothing is long orfliort in loriting, but relatively

r to the demsnd of the fubjeB, and the mánner of treatir.g it. A diftich may be Isug, anda folio Jbcrt. Ho-uicver, I have broken this Ode into Jirains, each of -ivhicb may be conftdered as afeparate ode, ifyou pleafe. And if the va-ricty ar.d fulnefs of matter be confidcrcd, I am rather ap-prehenfive of daugerfrmt brevity in tiisOie, than from

length. But lanh -writing is -what I tbinh onght mift tb be declined, tf for nothing elfe,for our plenty ofit.

The ode is the moft fpirited kind of poetry, and the Pindaric is the moft fpirited kind of ode. Tbis 1 fpeak at my oivn Dery great pèYil; but truth has. aii eternal title to oiit confejfionj though we are fure tofuffer by it.

C f j e C o n t e n t a

TIIE Ode confiíís o f a Preíude; five Strains j a M o r a l ; a Clofe ; and a Chorus.

PRELUDE. TIIE propofition. A^addrefs to the VcíTcí that brought over the K h i g .

Who íhould fing on this occafion. Pindãrie boaft. S T R A I N I . How theKing attended. A profpeét o f liappinefs. Induftry.

A furprifíng inftance o f it Ifi Old Rome. T h e mifchief o f floth. What happinefsi». Sloth its greateft cnemy. Trade natural t<» Britain. Trade ínvoked. Defcribéd. What the greateít human excellence. T h e praife o f wealth* Its ú f e , abüfe, cnd. Tliè variety of Nature. The final mor ra l caufe o f it . T h e benefit of man'sneceflities. Britain's naval ftores.

' She makes ali Nature ferviceable to her ends. Of reafon. Its excel* lence. How we íhould form our efUmate o f things. Reafon's difficult tafle. Why the fírft glory her's. Her e f fcas in Old Britain.

S T R Á I N II. Arts from commerce. Why Britain íhould purfue i t . What wealth ineludes. An hiftorical ciigreflion, which kind is moft frequent Sn Piudar. T h e wealth and wonderful glory o f Tyre . T h e approach o f her rain. The caufe o f i t . Her crimes through ali ranks and or-«lers. Her miferable fa l i . T h e neighbouring kings' juít reflcttion on i t . An uwful image of the Divine power and vengeance. From wh^t Tyre f e l l , and how deep her calamity.

S T R A 1 N III. A n inference from this hiftory. Advice to Britain. More proper to her thanother nations.How fartheftroke of tyranny reaches. W h a t fupports our endeavours. The unconfidered benefits of l iberty. Britain's obligation to purfue trade. Why above ha l f the globe is fea. Britain's grandeur from her fituation. The winds, the feas, thecon» ftellatians, deferibed. Sir Ifaac Newton's pra i fe . Britain comparcd with other ílates. The leYiathan deferibed. Britain'» fite and ancicnt

C O N T E N T S . 33 t l t le to the feas. W"ho rivais her. Of Venicc, HollanJ. Some defpifc trade as mean; cenfurcd for i t . Trade 'sg lory . The late C i a r . Solo-jnon. A furprifing inftanceof magnificence. T h e Merchant's dignity. Compared with men of letters.

ÇTR.AIN IV. Pindar invoked. His praife. Britain íhould decline war, but boldly aífrrt her trade. Çncouraged from the throne. Brit.iin's cosditionwithout trade,Trade'schara£ter, and furpriflng deeds. C a r -thage. Solomon's temple. St. paul's church, The mifer's character. The wonderfuJ effeíts of trade. Why rel igion recommended to the Merchant. What f a l f e joy . What true. What religion is to the Mer-Chant. Why trade more glorious in Britons than others. How warmly and how long to be purfued by us. T h e Briton's legacy. Colnmbus. His praife. Ajnerica defcribcd. Worldsf t i l l unkuown. QueenEliza-beth. King George II. ; his glory navally reprefented.

8 T R A I N V . What is the bound of Britain's power. Beyond that of the jnoft famed in hiítory. T h s fign Lyra. What the conftellations are. Argo. The Whale. The Dolpliin. Eridanus. The Lion. Libra. Virgo . Berenice. The Britifli ladies cenfured. T h e Moon. What the fea is . Apoftrophe to the Emperor. The Spaniih Armado. How Çritain íhould fpeak her refeutment. What gives power. What natives do in w a r . The Tartar . Mogul. Á f r i c a . China.»Who maftcr o f the world. What the hiítory of the world is. The gcnealogy pf glory. Miftakes about i t . Peace the Merchant-s harveft. Ships of divine origin. Merchant» ambaíTadors. The Britou'* voyage. Praife the food o f glory. Britain's record.

THE M O R A L . THE moft happy íliould be the moft virtuous. Of eternity.What Britain'«

art íliould be. Whencc ílavery. T H E CLOSE.

THIS fubjeíl now firft fung. How fung. Pre fer^ll e to Pindar'» fubjcÇsí fctw Britain Jliçuid be fung by a l i .

CIIORUS.

T H E M E R C H A N T .

AN ODE

on the Brilijh trade and navigation.

TO HIS GRACE TIIE DUKE OR CHANDOS.

zr\XTUXi xavroüiv \oyioi* aiv IVTÍ tzpotroSoi, vxtrov ívy.\ia rctv-ii xttrfituy. PiND.Nem. Ode vi»

FRELUDE*

i .

FAST by the furge my limbs are fpread, The naval oak nods o'er my head, T h e winds are loud, the vvaves tumult'ous roll; Ye Winds! indulge your rage no morb; Ye founding Billows! ceafe to roar : 5 The god defcends^and tranfports warm my foul.

II. The waves are hulh'd, the winds are fpent; This kingdom, from the kingdoms rent, I celebrate in fong. Fam'd Ifle! no lefs, By Nature's favour, from mankind, IO Than by the foaming fea disjoin'd; Alone in blifs! an ifle in happinefs!

O D E S . 35 III.

Tho ' Fate and Time have damp'd my ftrains, T h o ' youth no longer tires my veins, Tho* flow their ílreams in this cold climate run, 15 T h e royal eye difpels my eares, Recalls the warmth of bloming years; Returning George fupplies the diílant fun.

IV. A w a y , my Soul! falute the Pine *, T h a t gtads the heart of Caroline, 40 Its grand depofit faithful to reftore; Salute the bark that ne'er (honid hold So rich a freight in gems or gold, A n d loaded from both Indies would be poor.

V.

My Soul! to thee íhe fpreads her fails; CJ Their bofoms fill with facred gales; With infpiration from the Godhead warm; Now bound for an eternal clime, G fend her down the tide of time, Snatch'd from oblivion, and feeure from fiorm. 30

VI. Or teach this (lag like that to foar, Which gods of old and heroés bore; Bid her a Britilh conftellation rife The fea lhe fcorns; and now fhall bound On lofty billows of fweet found : 35 | am her pilot, and her port the íkies!

* The veíltl in which tlie King came over,

VII. Dare you to fing, ye twinkling Train! Silencc, ye Wretehed! ye Profane ! W h o lhackle profe, and boaíl of abfent gods; W h o murder thought, and numbets maim, W h o write Pindarics eold and Iame, A n d labour ftiff Anacreontic odes.

VIII. Ye lawful fons of Genius, rife! O f genuine title to the íkies; Y e founts of Learningland ye mints of Fame! You who file o f f the mortal part Of glowing thought with Attic art, A n d drink pure fong from C a m ' i o r Ifis' ítream.

IX. I glow, I burn! the numbers pure, High-flavour'd, delicate, mature, Spontaneous ílream from my unlabour'd breaíl; A s when full-ripen'd teems the vine, T h e gen'rous buríls of willing wine Diftil neílareous from the grape unprefs'd.

S T K A I N i .

I. " OUR monarch comes! nor comes alone!" W h a t Ihining forms furround his throne, O Sun! as planets thee. T o my loud flrain See Peace, by Wifdom led, advance; T h e Grace, the Mufe, the Seafon, dance! A n d Plenty fpreads bcliind her floning train!

O D E S . 37 II.

«' Our monarch comes! nor comes alone!"

New glories kindle round his throne. T h e vifions rife! I triumph as I gaze. By Pindar led, I turn'd of late IO T h e volume dark, the folds of Fate, A n d now am prefent to the future blaze.

III. By George and Jove it is decreed, T h e mighty Months in pomp proceed, Fair daughters of the S u n ! — O thou divine, 15 Blefs'd Induftry! a fmiling earth From thee alone derives its birth: By thee the ploughlhare and its maftcr fhine.

IV. From thee maft, cable, anchor, oar, From thee the cannon, and his roar; 20 On oaks nurs'd, rear'd by thee, wealth, empire grows. O golden fruit! oak well might prove T h e facred tree, the tree of Jove; A l i Jove can give the naval oak beftows.

V. What cannot Induftry complete? 1$ When Punic war firft flam'd, the great, Bold, aftive, ardent Roman Fathers meet: " Fell ali your groves," a Flamen cries * ; A s foon they fali, as foon they rife; One moon a foreft, and the next a flect. 30

• L , F l o r u s . Volume IV. D

VI.

Is floth indulgence ? 'tis a toil ; Enervates man, and damns the foil; Defeats creation, plunges in diftrefs, Cankers our being; ali devours.

A full exertion of our po\v'rs, 35 Thence, and thence only, glows our happincfs.

VII. T h e ftream may ílagnate, yet be clear, T h e fun fufpend his fwift career, Yet healthy Nature feel her wonted force; Ere man, his aftive fprings refign'd, 40 Can ruít in body and in mind, Yet tafte of blifs, of which he chokes the fource.

VIII. Where, Induílry! thy daughter fair ? Recall her to her native air : Here was Trade b o m , here bred, here flonriíh'dlong; A n d ever Íhaíl fhe fiourifh here: 46 What tho" lhe langnilh'd ? 'twas but fear; She's found of hcart; her conftitution's ílrong.

IX. W a k e , fíing hêr up. Trade! lean no' more

On thy fix'd anchor; pu(h from fhore; JO Earth lies beforc thee, ev'ry climate eourt. A n d fee! (he's rous'd; abfolv'd from fears, Her brow in cloudlcfs azure rears, Spreads ali her fail, and opens every port.

opr«. 39

X . See, cheri(h'd by her fifter, Peace, 55 She levies gain on evVy place, Religion, habit, cuflom, tongue, and name! Again file traveis with the fun, Again lhe draws a golden zone 59 Round earth and main; bright zone of wealth and

XI . [fame! Ten thoufand aftive hands, that hung In (hameful íloth, with nerves unltrung, T h e nation's languid load, defy the florms, T h e (heets unfurl, and anchors weigh, T h e long-moor'd vedeis wing to fea, 65 Worlds worlds falnte, and peopled ocean fwarms.

XII . His fons, Po, Ganges, Danube, Nile, Their fedgy foreheads lift and fmile ; Their urns inverted prodigally pour Streams charg'd with wealth, and vow to buy 70 Britannia for their great ally, With climes paid down. What can thegods dp more?

XIII. Cold RuíTia coftly furs, from far Hot China fends her painted jar, France gen'rous wines to crown it, Arab fweet, 75 With gales of incenfe fwells our fails, Nor diftant Ind our Mcrchant fails, JJer richeil ore the ballaíl of our fleet.

P ! J

X I V .

I .uxuriant Ifle ! what tide that flows,

Or ftream that glides, or wind that blows, 8o

O r genial fun that íhines, or íhow'r that pours,

But flows, glides, breathes, íhines, pours, for thee ?

H o w every heart dilates to fee

Each land's each feafon bending on thy íhores ?

X V .

A l i thefe one Britiíh harveft make ! 85

T h e fervant Ocean, for thy fake,

Both íinks and fwells : his arms thy bofom wrap,

A n d fondly give, in boundleís dow'r ,

T o mighty George's growing powV,

T h e wafted world into thy loaded lap. 90

X V I .

Commerce brings riches, liches crown

Fair Virtue with the firíl renown :

A large revenuc, and a large expenfe,

W h e n hearts for others' welfare glow,

A n d fpend as free as gods beítow, 95

Gives the full bloom to mortal excelíence.

X V I I .

Glowe, then, my Breaít! abound, my Store!

T h i s , and this boldly I implore:

T h e i r want and apathy let Stoics b o a f t ;

Paflions and riches, good or ill, ICO

A s us'd by man, demand our flúll;

A l i bleífings wound us when difcretion's loft.

XVIII .

Wealth, in the virtuous and the wift, 'Tis vice and folly to defpife : Let thofe in praife of poyerty refine, Whofe heads or hearts pervert its ufe, The narrow-foul'd or the profufe : The truly great find njorals in the mine.

X I X . Happy the man! who, large of heart, Has lcarn'd the rare, illuítrious art Of being rich : ftores íhrve us, or they cloy, From gold if more than chymic (kill Extraít not what is brightcr ftill: 'Tis hard to gain, much harder to enjoy.

X X . Plenty's a means, and joy her end : Exaltcd minds their joys extend. A Chandos íhines when others' joys are done; A s lofty turreis by their height, When humble fcenes reíign their light, Retain the rays of the declining fun.

X X I . Pregnant with bleflings, Britain! fwcar No fordid fin of thine lhall dare OfTend the donor of thy wealth and peace; Who now his whole creation drains T o pour into thy tumid veins That blood of nations, commerce and increafe.

D iij

10 S

Xiq

"5

J í J

4» 0DI3.

X X I I . How various Nature ! turgid grain, Here nodding, fioats tlie golden plain; There worms weave filken webs, here glowing vines l ,ay forth their purple to the fun : 130 Beneath the foil their harveíts run, A n d kings' revenues ripen in the mines.

X X I U . What 's various Nature : art divine, Man's foul to foften and refine : Heav'n diíTrent growthstodií f rent Iandsimparts,l35 T h a t ali may ítand in need of ali, A n d int'reft draw around the bali A net to catch and join ali human hearts.

X X I V . Thus has the great Creator's pen, His law fuprcme to mortal men, 140 In their neceííities diítinítly wr i t : F.v'n appctite fupplies the placé Of abfent virtue, abfent graee, A n d human want performs for hnman wit.

X X V . Vafl: naval enfigns (lrow'd around, 145 T h e wond'ring foreigner confound: How flands the deep-aw'd Continent aghad, A s her proud fceptred fons furvey, A t ev'ry port, on ev'ry quay, Huge mountains rife of cable, anchor, maft! 15a

X X V I .

T h ' unwieldy tun! the pond'rous bale! Each prince his own clime fet to fale Sees here, by fubjeíts of a Britifii king. How earth's abridg'd! ali nations range A narrow fpot! our throng'd Exchange, 155 A n d fend the ftreams of plenty from their fpring.

X X V I I . Nor earth alone, ali Nature bends In aid to Britain's glorious ends. Toils íhe in trade ? or bleeds in honeft wars Her keel each yielding fea enthrals, 160 Each willing wind her canvafs calls; Her pilot into fervice lills the ftars.

XXVIII . In fize confin'd, and humbly made, W h a t tho' we creep beneath the Iliade, A n d feem as emmets on this point the bali.' 16s Heav'n lighted up the human foul, IIeav'n bid its rays tranfpierce the whole, A n d , giving godlike reafon, gare us ali.

X X I X . Thou golden chain 'twixt God and men, Blefs'd Reafon! guide my life and pen; AH ills, like ghoíls, fly trembling at thy light. W h o thee obeys reigns over al i ; Smiles, tho' the ftars around him fali; A God is nought but reafon infinite.

X X X . T h e man of reafon is a god, 175 W h o fcorns to íloop to Fortune's nod ; Sole agent he beneath the íhining fphere, Others are paflive, are impeU'd, A r e frighten'd, fiatter'd, funk, Or fwell'd, A s Accident is pleas'd to domineer. 180

X X X I . Our hopes and fears are much to blame; Shall monarchs awe ? or crowns inflame ? From grofs miftake our idle tumult fprings: Thofe men the filly world difarm, Elude the dart, difTolve the charm, 185 W h o know the flender worth of men and things.

X X X I I . T h e prefent objeft, prefent day, A r e idle phantoms, and away : What's laíting only does exift. Know this, L i fe , fame, friends, frèedom, empire, call; 190 Peace, commerce, freedom, nobly fali, T o launch us on the flood of endlefs blifs.

X X X I I I . How foreign thefe, tho' moft in view !

G o , look your whole exiftence through, Thence form your rule; thence fix your cftimate; For fo the gods. But as the gains, 196 How great the toil? 'twillcoft more pains T o vanquifh folly than reduce a ftate.

ODES* 45 X X X I V .

Hence, Reafon! the firíl palm is thine; Old Britain learn'd from t.hee to íhine : 200

By the Trade's fwarming throng, gay Freedom's fmile, Armies, in war of fatal frown, Of peace the pride, Art 's fiowing gown, Enrich, exalt, defend, inítruft our ifle. 304

S T R A I N I I .

' I - j rr"° "io > ' COMMERCE gives arts as well as gain; By Commerce wafted o'er the main, They barb'rous climes enlighten as they run ; Arts , the rich traffic of the foul! May travei thus from pole to pole, 5 A n d gild the world with learning's brighter fun.

:. A c I L I . - J ÍIMIL fiU » U K W I

Commerce gives learning, virtue, gold! Ply Commerce, then, ye Britons bold, Inur'd to winds and feas! left gods repent: T h e gods that thron'd you in the wave, 10 A n d , as the trident'í emblem, gave A triple-realm that awes the Continent:

III. A n d awes with wealth; for wealth is pow'r : When Jove defcends, a golden Ihow'r, 'Tis navies, armies, empire, ali in o n e . — — IJ View, emulate, outíhine old T y r e ; In fcarlet rob'd, with gems on fire, Her Merchants princes! every deck a throne!

46 ODES,

IV. • She fat an emprefs! aw'd the flood! Her ítable eolumn Ocean trod; She caü'd the nations, and. fhe call'd the feas, By both obey'd ; the Syrian fings; T h e Cyprian's art her «iol llrings; Togarmah's íleed along the valley neighs.

V . T h e fir of Senir makcs her floor, A n d Ba(han's oak, transform !d, her oar ; High Lebanon her maft ; far Dedan warms Her mantled hoft ; Arábia feeds; Her fail of purple Egypt fpreads; Arvad fends mariners; the Pçrfian arms.

... l . VI . T h e world's laít limit bounds her fame, T h e Golden City was her. name! Thofe (lars on earth, the tòpaz, onyx, blaze Beneath her foot. Extent of coaft, A n d rich as Nile's, let others boaft, IIer's the far nobler liarveíl of the feas.

VII. O Merchant Land! as Eden fair! Ancient of Empires! Nature's cáre! T h e ftrength of Ocean! héad of Plenty's fprings T h e pride of ides! in wars rever'd ! Mother of crafts! Iov'd! courted! fear'd! Pilot of kingdoms! and fupport of kings!

! . o . r . . . : L y-yn " •

VIII. Great mart of Nat ions!—but fhe f e l l : Her pamper'd fons revolt! rcbel! Againft his fav'rite ifle loud roars the Main! The tempeft howls! her fculptur'd dome 6oon the w o l f s refuge, dragon's home! T h e land one altar! a whole people flain !

IX. T h e deftin'd Day puts on her frown; T h e fable Hour is coming down; She's on her march from yon'almighty throne: T h e fword and ílorm are in her hand; She trumpets Ihrill her dread command : Dark be the light of carth, the boaít unknown!

X . For, oh! her fins, as red as blood, A s crimfon deep, outery the flood: T h e Queen of Trade is bought, once wife and juft Now venal is her council's tongue: How riot, violence, and wrong, Turn gold to drofs, her bloíTom irito duíl!

XI. T o things iiiglorious, far beneath Thofe Kigh-born fouls they proudly breathc, Her fordid nobles fink! her mighty bow! Is it for this the groves around Return the tabret's fprightly found K it for this the great ones tofs the brow ?

48 ODES.

XII. What burning feuds 'twixt brothers rcign ? T o nuptials cold how glows the vein, Confounding kindred, and mifleading right ? T h e fpurious lord it o'er the land, Bold Blafphemy dares make a (lanei, Afíàult the íky, and brandiíh ali her might!

XIII. Tyre 's artizan, fweet orator, Her Merchant, fage, big man of war, Her judge, her prophet, nay her hoary heads, Whofe brows with wifdom lhotild be crown'd, Her very prieíls, in gnilt abound: Hence the world's cedar ali her honours (heds.

XIV. What dearth of truth, what thirft of gold! Chiefs warm in peacc, in battle cold! What youth unletter'd! bafe ones lifted high! What public boafts! what private views! What defert temples! crowded ftews! What women— praítis'd but to roll an eye!

X V . O ! foul of heart, her faireft dames Decline the fun's intruding beams, T o mad the midnight in their gloomy haunts. Alas ! there is who fees them there; There is who flatters not the fair, When cymbals tinkle, and the virgin chants.

2

O D E S . 4 9

X V I .

He fees, and t l iunders!—Now in vain T h e courfer paws and foams the rein, A n d chariots ílream along the printed foil: I11 vain her high prefumpt'ous air, In gorgeous vcílments, rich and rare, 95 0 'er her proud lhoulder throws the poor man's toil.

XVII. I11 rohes or gemsy her coftly ílain, Grecn, fcarlet, azure, (hine in vain! In vain their golden head her turrets rear; In vain high-flavour'd, foreign fruits, 100 Sidonian oih, and Lydian lutes, Glide o'er her tongue, and melt upon her ear.

X V I I I . In vain wine flows in various ítreams, With helm and fpear each pillar gleams; Damafcns, vain! unfolds the gloíTy ílore, l o j T h e golden wedge from Ophir's coafts, From Arab incenfe, vain, lhe boafts; Vain are her gods, and vainly men adore.

X I X . Bell fails! the mighty Nebo bends! T h e nations hifs ! her glory ends! I IO T o (liips, her confidence! íhe flies from foes; Foes meet her tliere : the wind, the wave, T h a t once aid, (Irength, and grandeur gave, Plunge hec in feas from which her glory.rofe. .

Volume IV. . , t f . E

X X .

Her iv'ry deck, embroider'd fail, J15

A n d maft of cedar, Dought avail,

Or pilot lcarn'd ! lhe links, nor finks alone;

Her gods link with her! to the íky,

W h i c h never more íhall meet her eye,

She fends her foul out in one dreadful groan. 120

X X I .

W h a t tho' fo vaíl her naval might,

In her firít dawn'd the Britifh right,

A l i fiags abas'd her fea-dominion greet* ?

W h a t tho' íhe longer warr'd than T r o y ?

A t length her foes that ide deílroy I2J

W h o f e conqueft fail'd as far as fail'd her fleet.

X X I I .

T h e kings lhe cloth'd in purplc (hake

Their awful brows: " O foul mií lake!

" O fatal pride! (they cry) this, this is íhe

" W h o f a i d — W i t h ' my own art and arm 130

" In the-world's wealth I wrap me w a r m —

" A n d fwell'd at heart, vain emprefs of the fea!

X X I I I .

" T h i s , this is íhe who mcanly foar 'd:

A l a s ! how low to be ador'd,

" A n d flyle herfelf a G o d ! — T h r o ' ftormy wars 135

" T h i s eagle-iíle her thunder bore,

" High-fed her young with human gore,

" A n d would have bnilt her neft among the ftars.

• <£• Curtius.

O D E S . 5*

X X I V .

" But, ah, frail Man! how impotent " T o ftand Heav'n's vengeance, or prevent! 140 " T o turn afide the gieat Creator's aim! " Shall ifland-kings with him contend, " Who makes the poles beneath him bend, " A n d fhall drink up the fea herfelf with flame?

X X V . " Earth, ether, empyreum, bow, X4Í " When from the brazen mountain's brow " T h e God of Battles takes his mighty bow : " Of wrath prepares to pour the flood, " Puts on his vellure dipp*d in blood, " A n d marches out to fcourge the world below. 130

.b'«aAaftira i w X X V I * / i b o â jíIj ayuub l uA " A h wretched I(le! once call'd the Great! " A h wretched Ifle! and wife too late! " T h e vengeance of Jehovah is gone out : " T h y luxury, corruption, pride, " A n d freedom loft, the realms deride, 155

" Ador'd thee ílanding, o'er thy ruins íhout:

rija-iXXm.noi»w Ôstí)» sisurT' " T o fcourge with war, cr peace beftow, " Was thine, O fallen! fallen low! " 'Twas thine of jarring thrones to ílill debates: " How art thou fallen, down, down, down! 160 " Wide wafte, and night and horror frown, " Where empire f!am'd in gold and balanc'd ftates."

m o k n l 'jnc ^^nsupoIEájvig IHOIOMI

S T R A I N I I I .

I .

HENCE Icam, as hearts are foul or pure, Our fortunes withér or endure : Nations may tbrive- or perifh by the wave. W h a t ftorms from Jove's unwilling frown, A people's crimes folicit down! Occan's the womb of riches and the grave. t:-r ; >odlla«3iTqrna . u i t o ,dm

This truth, O Britain ! ponder well; Virtues Íhould rife as fortunes fwell. What is large property . '—the fign of good, Of worth fuperior: if 'tis lefs, Another's treafure we poffefs, A n d charge the gods with favours miíbeítow'd.

I I I .

This counfel fuits Britannia's ifle, lligh-fluíh'd with wealth and Frecdom's fmile : T o vaflàls prifon'd iri the Continent, Who (larve, at home, on meagre toil, A n d luck to death their mother foil, 'Twere ufclefs caution,. and a truth mifpent.

,'wòfliad x t i g f i à r.~» á t m agiBoil c Fell tyrants ítrike beyond the bone, A n d wound the fotil; bow genius down, L a y virtue wafte! For worth or arts who ftrain, T o throw them at a monfter's foot? 'T is property fupports purfuit. Freedom gives eloquence, and freedom gain.

V .

She pours the thought, and forms the ftyle ; 25 She makes the blood and fpirits boi l : I fcel her now! and rouze, and rife, and rave In Theban fong. O Mufe! not thine, Verfe is gay Frcedom's gift divine. The man that can think greatly is no ílave. 30

VI . Others may traffic if they pieafe; Britain, fair daughter of the Seas, Is born for trade, to plough her field, the wave, And reap the growth of every coaít: A fpeck of land! but let her boaft 35 Gods gave the world, when they the waters gave.

VII. Britain! behold the world's wide face; Not cover'd half with folid fpace, Three paris are fluid. Empire of the fea! A n d why? for commerce. Ocean ílreamj 40 For that, thro' ali his various names; And if for commerce, Ocean flows for thee.

VIII. Britain, like fome great potentate Of Eaftern clime, retires in ftate, Shuts out the nations! Would a prince draw nigh? 45 He palTes her ílrong guards, the waves, Of feivant winds admiflion craves. Her empire has no neighbour but the (ky.

E iij

IX. There are her friends; foft Zephyr there Keen Eurus, Notus' never fair, Rough Boreas burfting from the pole ; ali urge A n d urge for her, their variôus toil; T h e Cafpian, the broad Baltic, boil, A n d into life the dead Pacific fcourge.

X . There are her friends, a mar(hall'd train! A golden hoít! and azure plain! By turns do duty, and by turns retreat: They may retreat, but not from her; T h e ílars that quit this hemifphcre, Muft quit the íkies to want a Britilh fleet.

XI . Hyad, for her, leans o'er her u m ; For her Orion's glories burn, T h e Pleiads gleam. For Britons fet and rife T h e fair fac'd fons of Mazaroth, Near the deep charobers of the South, T h e raging dog that fires the midnight íkies.

XII .

Thefe nations Newton made his own;

A l i intimate with him alone, His mighty foul did, like a giant, run T o the laít volume's clofmg ftar; Decipher*d every charafter: His reafon pour'd ncw üght upon the fun.

x i n :

Let the proud brothers of the land Smile at our rock and barren ftrand; Not fuch the fea : let Fohe's ancient line Jf Vaft traíts and ample beings vaunt; T h e camel low, fmall elephant; O Britain! the leviathan is thine.

XIV. Leviathan! whom Naturc's ftrife Brought forth, her largeft piece of life ! 8o He ílerps an ifle! his fports the billows warm ! Dreadful Leviathan ! thy fpout Invades the íkies; the ftars are o u t : He drinks a river, and ejefts a ftorna.

X V . Th 'At lant ic furge around our fliore, 85 German and Caledonian, roar; Their mighty Genii hold us in their l a p . — Hear Egbert, Edgar, Ethelrrd; " T h e feas are o u r s , " — t h e Monarchs f a i d — T h e Floods their hands, their hands the Nations, clap.

XVI. Whence is a rival then to rife ? 9I Can he be found bcneath the íkies ? Not there they dwell that can give Britain fcar : The pow'rs of earth, by rival aim, Her grandeur but the more prodaim, 95 A n d prove their «Jifance moft as they dravv near.

XVII. Proud Venice fits amid the waves, Her foot ambitious Ocean laves : A r t ' s nobleft boaft! but, O ! what wondrous odds ' T w i x t Venice and Britannia's iíle ' T w i x t mortal and immortal toil ? Britannia is a Venice built by gods.

XVIII . Let Holland triumph o'er her foes, But not o'er friends by whom (he rofe; The child of Britain ! and íhall the contend ? It were no lefs than parricide ! What wonders rife from out the tide! Her High and Mighty to the rudder bend.

X I X . A n d are there, then, of lofty brow, W h o think trade mean, and fcorn to bow So far beneath the ftate of noble birth ? Alas ! thefe chiefs but little know Commerce how high, themfelves how low. T h e fons of nobles are the fons of earth.

X X . A n d what have earth's mean fons to do 115 But reap her fruits, and warm pnrfue T h e wor!d's chief good, not glut on others' toil ? High Commerce from the gods came down, With compafs, chart, and ftarry crown, Their delegate to make the nations fmiie. IIO

O D E S * 57 X X I .

Bluíh, and bchold the RufGan bow; From forty crowns his mighty brow T o t r a d e — t o toil he tums his glorioos hand; T h a t arm which fwept the bloody field, See! the huge axe or hammer wield, 115 While fceptres wait, and thrones impatient ftajid.

X X I I . O (hame to fubjefts! firfl renown, Matchlefs example to the crown ! Old Time is poor; what age boalls ftich a fight ? Ye Drones! adore the man d i v i n e — < 130 N o virtue, ftill, as mean, decline; Call RufTians barb'rous, and yourfelves politc.

X X I I I . He, too, of Judah, great as wife, With Hiram ftrove in merchandife; Monarchs with monarchs ílruggle for an oar! 135 T h a t Merchant finking to his grave, A flood of treafure fwells the cave. T h e king left much, the Merchant bury'd more

xxiv.: Is Merchant an inglorions name N o ; fit for Pindar fuch a theme, 140 Too great for m e ; I pant beneath the weight! If loud as Ocean's were my voice, If words and thoughts to court my choice Outnumber'd fands, I could not reach its height.

" Vaft rreafure talcen from Solomon'stomb 1300 yeari afterhi«deatb$ 3090 talents at one time, and au immenfe fum the iiçxt.

X X V . Merchants o'er proudeft heroes reign; 14J Thofe trade in blelling. thefe in pain, A t flaughter fwell, and Ihout while nations groan: With purple monarchs Merchants vie : If great to fpend, what to fupply? Priefts pray for blelfings, Merchants pour 'em down.

X X V I . Kings Merchants are, in league, and love: 151 Earth's odours pay foft airs above, That o'er the teeming field prolific range. Planets are Merchants, take, return Luftre and heat; by traffic burn. 155 T h e whole creation is one vaft Exchange.

XXVII . Is Merchant an inglorious name ? W h a t fay the fons of lctter'd Fame, Proud of their volumes, fwelüng in their cells ? In open life, in change of fcene, 160 'Mid various manners, throngs of men, Experience, arts, and folid wifdom dwells.

XXVIII . Trade, art's mechanic, Nature's flores Well weighs; to ftarry fcience foars; Reads warm in life (dead-colour'd by the pen) 165 T h e fites, tongues, int'refts, of the bali: Who ftudies trade, he íludies alL Accomplilh'd Merchants are accompli(h'd men. 168

Í1K9Y COf 1 daM > • ÍOI'1 11 'MHmle- - • • Sítiaurl alOí-T.-. fl- . - ,->mij ua 1. /J]! :

S T R A I N IV.

I. H o w fhall I farther roufe the foul! How Sloth's lafcivious reign control

By verfe with unextingui(h'd ardour wrought ? How ev'ry breaíl inflame with mine ? How bid my theme ftill brighter íhine, 5 With wealth of words and unexhaufted thought ?

II. O thou Dircéean fwan on high, Round whom familiar thunders fly! While Jove attends a Ianguage like his own, T h y fpirit pour, like vernal fhow'rs; IO M y verfe fhall burft out with the flow'rs, While Britain's trade advances with her fun.

III. T h o ' Britain was not bom to fear, Grafp not at bloody fame from war; Nor war decline, if thrones your right invade: IJ Jove gathers tempeft black as night; Jove pours the golden flood of l ight: L e t Britain thunder, or let Britain trade.

IV. Britain, a comet or a fiar, In commerce this, or thát in war; ÍO Let Britons fhout! earth, feas, and íkies, refound! Commerce to kindle, raife, preferve, A n d fpirit dart thro' every nerve, Hear from the throne * a voice thro' time renown'd.

* The Kins's fpeech.

V.

So fali from heav'n the vernal (how'rs, 25 T o cheer the glebe and wake the flow'rs : T h e bloom call'd forth, fee azure íkies difplay'd: T h e bird of voice is proud to fing, Induftrious bees ply every wing, Diftend their cells, and urge their golden trade. 30

VI. Trade once extinguilh'd, Britain's fun Is gone out too ; his race is run ; He Ihines in vain; her life's an ifle indeed, A fpot too fmall to be o'ercome : A h , dreadful fafety ! wretched doom ! 35 No foe will conquer what no foe can feed.

VII. Trade's the fource, finew, foul of a l i : Trade's ali herfelf : her's, her's the b a l i : Where moft unfeen, the goddefs ftill is there. Trade leads the dance, Trade lights the blaze ; 40 T h e courtier's pomp ! the íludent's eafe ! 'Twas Trade at Blenheim fought and clos'd the war.

VIII.

W h a t Rome and ali her gods dcfies ? T h e Punic oar ; behold it rife A n d battle for the world ! Trade gave the ca l l ; 45 Rich cordiais from his naval art Sent the ftrong fpirits to his heart, That bid an Afric Merchant grafp the bali.

IX.

Where is, on earth, Jehovah's home ? Trade mark'd the foil, and built the dome, j o In which His Majefty firft deign'd to dwell; T h e walls with íilver íheets o'erlaid, Rich as the fun, thro' gold unweigh'd, Bent the moon'd arch, and bid the column fwell.

X . Grandeur unknown to Solomon * ! 55 Methinks the lab'ring earth Íhould gtoan Eeneath yon' load; created, fure, not made! Servant and rival of the íkies! Heav'n's arch alone can higher rife; What hand immortal rais'd thee ?—i-humble Trade.

XI . Where hadíl thou been if, left at large, 61 Thofe finewy arms that tugg'd the barge Had caught at Pleafure on the flow'ry green If they that watch'd the midnight ítar Had fwung behind the rolling car, 6 j Or fill'd it with difgrace, where hadft thou been ?

XII . A s by repletion men confume, Abundance is the mifer's doom. Expcnd it nobly; he that lets it ruít Which, paíling num'rous hands, would íhine, Is not a man, but living mine, Foe to the gods, and rival to the duft.

* St . P a u l ' t , b u i l t by t h e c o a l - t a x .

Volume IV, í

é l ODE 9.

XIII. Trade barb*rous lands can polifh fair, Make earth well worth the wife man's care, Call forth her forefts, charm them into fleets; Can make one houfe of human race, Can bid the diftant poles embracc; IIer's every fun; and índia índia mects.

XIV. Trade monarchs crowns, and arts imports, W h a t bounty fceds with laurel courts; Trade gives fair Virtue fairer ílill to Ihine, Enaíts thofe guards of gain, the laws, Exalts even Freedom's glorious caufe: Trade, warn'd by Tyre, O make religion thine!

X V . You lend each other mutual a i d ; ' W h y is H c a v V s fmile in wealth convey'd ? Not to place vice, but virtues, in our power. Pleafure declin'd is luxury, Eoundlefs in time and in degree; Pleafure enjoy'd the tumult of an hour.

X V I . Falfe joy 's a difcompofing thing, T h a t jars on Nature's trembling ílring, Tempeíls the fpiiits, and untunes the f rame: True joy the funíhine of the fbul, A bright ferene that calms the whole, Which they neVr knew whom other joys inflame.

X V I I .

Merchant! religion is the care

T o grow as r i c h — a s angels a r e ;

T o know falfe coin from true; to fweep the main.

T h e mighty ftake fecure, beyond IOO

T h e ftrongeft tie of field or fund.

Commerce gives gold, religion makes it gain.

X V I I I .

Join, then, religion to t h y ftorc,

O r India's mines will make thee poor.

Greaterthan T y r e ! O bear a nobler mind, IC.J

Sea-fovereign Ide! proud War decline,

Trade patronize! W h a t glory thine,

A r d e n t to blefs, who couldlt fubdue, mankind ?

X I X .

Rich Commerce ply, with warmth divine,

By day, by n i g h t ; the ftars are thine : l i o

Wear out the ftars in T r a d e ! eternal run,

From age to age, the noble glow,

A rage to gain and to beftow :

While ages laf t ! in Trade burn out the fun.

X X .

Trade, Britain's ali, our fires fent down, 1 1 5

With toil, blood, treafure, ages won :

This Edgar great bequeath'd; this Edward bold.

Let Forbilher's, let Raleigh's fire!

O let Columbus" íhade infpire!

New worlds difçloíe, with D r a k e furround an old. 120

F i j

X X I .

Columbus! fcarce inferior fame For thee to find, than Heav'n to frame, T h a t womb of gold and gem *: her wide domam A n univerfe! her rivers feas! l ler fruits, both men and gods to pleafe! u j l lcav'n's faireft birth! and but for thee in vain.

X X I I .

Worlds flill unknown deep fhadows wrap ; Call vvonders forth from Nature's lap; New glory pour on her eternal /ire-: O noble fearch! O glorious care! 130 A r e you not Britons ? why defpair ? New worlds are due to fuch a godlike fire.

X X I I I .

Swear by the great Eliza's foul, T h a t trade as long as waters roll: A h ! no; the gods chaftilè my ra(h decree: 135 Ey great Eliza do not fwear: For thee, O George! the gods declare, A n d thou for them! late time íhall fwear by thee.

X X I V .

Truth, bright as ílars, with thee prevails; Full be thy fame as fwelling fails; I40 Conftant, as tides, thy mind; as mafts, clate; T h y jurtice an unerring helm, T o íteer Britannia's fickle realm; T h y num'rous race fure anchor of her ílate. X44

* Vid. Dcfcriptions of Amtrica.

S T R Á J N V.

I. BRITANNIA'S ílate what bounds confine ! (Of rifing thought! O golden mine!) Mountains,AIps, ftreams, gulfs, oceans, fet no hound; She fallies till íhe ftrikes the ítar; Expanding wide, and launching far 5 A s wind can fly, or rolling wave rcfound.

II.

Small Ifle! for Csfars, for the fon Of Jove, who burft from Maccdon, For gorgeous Eafterns blazing o'er mankind, Then when they call'd the world their own, 10 Not equal fame from fable íhown : They rofe to gods in half thy fphcre confin'd.

III.

Here no demand for Fancy's wing; Plain T r u t h ' s illuílrious: as I íing, O hear yon' fpangled harp repeat my lay ! IJ Yon' ftarry lyre has caught the found, A n d fpreads it to the planets round, Who beít can tell where ends Britannia's fway.

IV.

The íkies (fair printed page!) unfold The naval fame of heroes old! 20 A s in a mirror (hew th' advent'rous throng: The deeds of Grecian mariners Are read by gods, are writ in ílars, And noble verfe that íhall endure as long.

F iij

66 OCES,

V . The ficies are records of the main j t j Thence Argo liítens to my ftrain; Chiron, for fong renown'd, his noble rage For naval fame and fong rcnews, A s Britain's fame he hears and views; Chiron, the Shovel of a former age. 30

VI. T h e Whale (for late I fung his praife) Ponrs grateful luílre on my lays. How fmiles Arion's * friend with partial beams ? Eridanus would flatter too, But jcaloufies his fmiles fubdue; 3J He fears a Britilh rival in the Thames.

VII. In pride the Lion lifts his mane, T o fee his Britilh brothers reign A s llars below : the Balance, George! from thine, Which vveighs the nations, learns to weigh 40 More accurate the night and day; From thy fair daughters VirgQ learns to Ihine.

VIII. Of Britain's court, ye lefler L ights ' How could the wife man gaze whole nights On RichmonçTs eye or Berenice's hair ? 4J But, oh ! you praftife (hameful arts; Your own cetain, feize others* hearts. Pirates, not Merchants, are the Britilh fair.

• T h e D u l p h i n .

I X .

'Tis trutli, I íwcar by Cynthia's bcam. Pale Queen! be fluíVd at Britain's fame; 50 And, rolllng, tell the n a t i o n s — 0 ' e r the main " T o íhare her empire is thy pride." He, mighty P o w ' r ! who curbs the tide, Uncurbs, extends, throws wide Britannia's reign.

X .

What is the main, ye ICings renown'd! 55 Britannia's centre, and your bound ? Auftrian ! where'er leviathan can roll Is Britain's home! and Britain's mine Where'er the ripening fun can fiiinc! Parts are for emperors; for her the whole, Co

XI. Why, Auftrian ! wilt thou hover ftill On doubtful wing, and want the fkill To fee thy welfare in the world's ? too late Another Churchill thou may'ft find, Another Churchill not fo kind, 65 And other Blenheims big with other fate.

XII. TH thou remember'ft, ill doft own Who refcu'd an ungratcful thronc; 111 thou confider'(l that the kind are brave; 111 doft thou weigh that in Time's womb 70 A day may lleep, a day of doom, As great to ruin as was that to fave.

XIIÍ.

How wouldft thou fmile to hear my ftrain, Whofe boafted infpiration's vain ? Yet what if my prediítion íhould prove true? H Know'ft thou the fatal pair who íhine 0'er Britain's trading empire ? thine A s one rejefted, what if one fubdue ?

X I V . What naval fcene * adorns the feat

Of awful Britain's high debate, So Infpires her councils, and records her pow*r ? T h e nations know, in glowing balls On finking thrones the tempeft fails, When her auguft, aflèmbled fenates low'r.

X V .

O language fit for thoughts fo bold! 8 j Would Britain have her anger told ? A h ! never let a meaner language found, Than that which proftrates human fouls, Thro ' Heav'n's dark vault impetuous rolls, A n d Nature rocks when angry Jove has frown'd. po

X V I .

Not realms unbounded, not a flood Of natives, not expenfe of blood, Or reach of counfel, gives the world a lord ; Trade calls him forth, and fets him high, A s mortal man o'er men can fly. 9> Trade leaves poor gleanings to the keeneft fword.

* Tlie Spaniüi Armada, in tlie Houfe of Lords.

X V I I .

Nay, her's the fword, for fleets Lave wings, Like lightning fly to diílant kings; L ike gods defcend at once on trembling flates. Is war proc!aim'd ? our wars are hurl'd IOÕ T o fartheft confines of the world, Surprife your ports, and thünder at your gates.

XVIII . T h e king of tempeíte, Aiolus, Sends forth his pinion'd people thus, On rapid errands; as they fly they roar, IOJ A n d carry fable clouds, and fweep T h e land, the defert, and the deep! Earth lhakes! proud cities fali, and thrones adore!

'XIX.'

T h e fools of Nature ever ftrikfcf ; , ' .' " On bare outfides, and loathc or like l i o A s glitter bidsj in endlefs error vie; Admire the purplc and the crown. Of human welfare and renoWn Trade's the big heart; bright empire but their eye. •

X X Whence Tartar gralid, and Mogul great ?—- 115 Trade gilt their titles, power'd their (late; While Afric's blaík, lafcivious, flothful breed, T o clafp their ruin, fly from toil, That meanert produít of their foil, Their people, fell; one half ón th' otlicr fccd. I 20

X X I . Of Nature's wealth from commerce rent, Afr ic 's a glaring monument: Mid citron forefts, and pomegranate groves, (Curs'd in a paradife!) íhe pines: 0 'er gen'rous glebes, o'er golden mines, X25 Her beggar'd, familh'd, tradelefs native roves.

X X I I . Not fo thine, China! blooming wide! T h y num'rous fleet might bridge the tide; T h y produíis would exhauft both índias' mines. Shut be that gate of trade! or woe 310 T o Britain's! Europe 'twill o'erfiow. Ungrateful fong! her growth * infpires thy lines.

XXIII . Britain! to thefe, and fuch as thefe, T h e river broad, and foaming feas, Which fever lands to mortais lefs renown'd, 125 Dcvoid of naval íkill or might; Thofe fever'd parts of earth unite: Trade's the full pulfe that fends their vigour round.

X X I V . Could, O could one engroíling hand T h e various ftreams of trade command! I40 T h a t , like the fun, would gazing nations awe; T h a t awful pow'r the world would brave, Bold War, and Empire proud, his (lave; Mankind his fubjeíts, and his will their law.

* Cogee,

X X V .

Haft thou look'd round the fpacious earth ? 145 f r o m commerce, Grandeur's humble birth: T o George from Noah, empires living, dead, Their pride, their lhame, their rife, their fali, Time's whole plain chronicle, is ali One bright encomium, undcfign d, on trade. 150

X X V I . Trade fprings from peace, and wealth from trade, A n d pow'r from wealth : of pow'r is made T h e god on earth : hail, then, the dove of peace! Whofe olive fpeaks the raging flood Of war reprefs'd : what's lofs of blood ? 155 War is the death of commerce and incrcafe.

X X V I I . T h e n perilh war—detefted war! Shalt thou make gods, like C®far's ftar? W h a t calls man Fool fo loud as this has done, From Nimrod's down to Bourbon's line? 160 W h y not adore, too, as divine, Wide waíling ílorms before the genial fun ?

XXVIII . Peace is the Merchant's fummer clear! His harveft! harveft round the year! For peace, with laurel ev'ry maft be bound; 165 Jlach deck caroufe, each flag ftream out, Each cannon found, each failor (hout; For peace, let every facred Ihip be crown'd1

X X I X . Sacred are íliips, of birth divine! A n angel drew the firft defign ; 170 W i t h which the * Patriarch Nature's ruins brav'd: T w o worlds abroad, an old and new, He fafe o'er foaming billows flew. T h e gods made human race, a pilot fav'd.

xxx. Howfacred, too, the Merchant's n a m e l — 175 When Britain blaz°d meridian fame f , Bright (hone the fword, but b.ighter trade gave law : Merchants in diftant courts rever'd, Where prouder ítatefmen ne'er appear'd, Merchants ambaíTadors! and thrones in awe! 13o

X X X I . 'Tis theirs to know the tides, the times, T h e march of ítars, the births of tiimes: Summer and winter theirs; theirs land and fea: Theirs are the feafons, months and years, A n d each a diff'rent garland w e a r s : — 185

O that my fong could add eternity ! X X X I I .

Praife is the facred oil that fecds T h e burning lamp of godlike deeds: Immortal glory pays illuftrious cares. Whither, ye Britons! are ye bound ? 19o O noble voyage, glorious round! Launch from the Thames, and'end amohg the/lars.

* N o a l i . t In Qliren E l i l a b e t H ' s r e i g n . '

X X X I I I .

If to my fubjeft rofe my foul, Your fame fliould laft while oceans roll : When other worlds in depths of time lhall rife, 195 As we the Greeks of mighty name, May they Britannia's fleet proclaim, Look up, and read her flory in the Íkies*.

X X X I V .

Ye Syrens! fing; ye Tritons! blow; Ye Nereids! dance; ye Billows ! flow ; ICO Roll to my meafures, O ye ílarry Throng! Ye Winds ! in concert breathe around ; Ye Navies! to the concert bound From pole to pole ! to Britain ali belong. SC4

M O R A L .

• I. BRITAIN! thus blcfs'd, thy bleífing know, Or blifs in vain the gods beílow ; Its end fujfil, means cherith, fource adore;

1 Vain fwellings of thy foul reprefs; They moft may lofe who moft poílefs ; 5 Then let us blels with awe, and tremble at thy ftore.

* It is Sir I f a a c N e w t o n * s o p i n i o n , t l iat tlie p r i n c i p a l con-flellations touk their namcs f r o m t h e A r g o n a u t s , to perpe-luate that g r e a t acl ion*

Volume IV. G

II.

Nor be too fond of life at befl ; Her cheerful, not enamour'd gueft: L e t thought fly forward; 'twill gay profpeíts give, Profpefts immortal! that deíide 10

A Tyrian wealth, a Perfian pride, A n d make it perfeft fortitede to live.

III.

O for eternity ! a fcene T o fair adventurers ferene! O, on that fea to deal in pure renown! 15 Traffic with gods! what tranfports roll W h a t boundlefs import to the foul! T h e poor man's empire! and the ful>Je£t's crown!

IV. Adore the gods, and plough the feas: Thefe be thy arts, O Britain! thefe. 20

L e t others pant for an immenfe command;

L e t others breathe War's fiery god : T h e proudeft viíior fears thy nod, L o n g as thelrident iills thy glorious hand.

V. Glorious while heav'n-born freedom lafts, 25 Which Trade's (bft fpnrious daughter blaíls : For xvhat is tyranny : a monflrous birth From luxury, by bribes carefs'd, By glowing power in íhades comprefs'd, Which ftailis around.and chains the groaningearth.30

C 1.0 5 E.

I. THEE, Trade! I fiift, who boaft no flore, Who owe thee nought, thus fnatch from íhore, The lhore of profe, «here thou hall llumber'd long, And fend thy flag triuniphant down

O blefs my country ! and thou pay'ft my fong.

Thou art the Briton's nobleft theme ; Why, then, unfung ? my íimple aim To drefs plain fenfe, and fire lhe genTous blood,

But lift with yon' ethercal train * The íhining Mufe, to ferve the public good.

III. Of ancient art, and ancient praife, The fprings are open'd in my l a y s f : Olympic heroes' ghoíls around me throng, 15 And thir.k their glory fung anew, TiU chiefs of equal fame they view, Nor grudge to Britons bold their Theban fong.

The tide of time to fure rcnown 5

II.

Not fport imdginations vain; 10

Virg. JIIA

G i j

IV.

Not Pindar's theme with mine compares J A s far furpafs'd as ufeful cares Tranfcend diverfion light, and glory vain: T h e wreath fantaftic, (houting throng, A n d panting fleed, to him belong; T h e charioteer's, not empire's golden rei».

V.

Nor, Chandos! thou the Mufe defpife T h a t would to glowing iEtna rife, (Such Pindar's hreaft) thou Theron of our time ! Seldom to man the gods impart A Pindar's head or Theron's heart. In life or fong how rare the true fublime!

VI.

None Britiíh-born will fure difdain This new, bold, moral, patriot ftrain, T h o ' not with genius, with fome virtue crown'd; (How vain the Mufe!) the lay may laft, Thus twin'd around the Britilh maft, T h e Britilh maft with noblcr laurels bound!

VII. Weak ivy curls round naval oak, A n d fmiles at wind and ftormsunbroke; By ftrength not her's fublime : thus proud to foar T o Britain's grandeur cleaves my ftrain, A n d lives and echoes thro' the plain, While o'er the billows Britain's thunders roar.

V I U . Be dumb, ye grovTiing fons of Verfe, Who fing not aftions, but rehearfe, A n d fool the Mufe with impotent defire; Ye Sacrilegious ! who prefume T o tarniíh Britain's naval bloom, Sing Britain's fame, with ali her hero's fire.

CHORUS.

YE Syrens! fing; ye Tritons ! blow ; Y e Nereids! dancc; ye Billows! flow; Roll to my meafures, O ye Starry Throng ! Ye Winds! in concert breath around; Ye Navies ! to the concert bound From pole to pole ! to Britain ali belong :

Britain to Heav'n; from Heaven defcends my fon

G iij

A P A R A P H R A S É

ON P A R T OF T H E

BOOK OF JOB*.

TIIRICE happy J o b f long Liv'd in regai ftatc,

K o r faw the fumptuous Eaí í a prince fo great;

W h o f e worldly dores in fuch abundance flow'd,

W h o f e hcart with fuch exalted virtue glow'd.

* Tt is d i f p u t e d , a m o n g the c r i t í c s , w h o was the anthor-o f t h e book o f J o b ; f o m e g i v e i t to Mofes, f o m e to others. .As I was e n g a g e d in this l i t t le p e r f o r m a n c e , f o m e arguments occurred to m r w h i c h f a v o u r the f o r m e r o f thefe o p i n i o n s ; w h i c l i arguments 1 have ftunginto the follovfringNotes, w h e r e l i t t l e e l fe is to be e x p e & e d .

f T l i e A l m i g l i t y ' s fpeech, c h a p . x x x v i i i , & c . w h i c h is w h a t I p a r a p h r a l e in this l i t t le w o r k , is by m u c h the fineft p a f t o f the n o b l e f t a n d moí l a n c i e n t poem in the w o r l d . B i í h o p P a t r i c k lays its g r a n d e u r is as m u c h above ali other p o e t r y , as thunder is louder than a w h i l p e r . In order to le t t h i s d i f t i n g ü i í h c d p a r t o f the poem i n a f u l l e r í i g h t , and g i v e t h e r e a d e r a c learer conception o f i t , I have abridged t h e p r e c e d i n £ and f n b f e q u e n t parts o f the poem, a n d j o i n e d f h e m t'> i t ; f o t h a t t h i s p i e c e is a fort o f an epitome o f t h e w h o l e book o f J o b .

I u f e the w o r d paraphra/e, b e c a u f e I w a n t another w h i c h m i g h t bet ter a n l w e r to the uncominon l ibert ies I have ta-k e n . I h a v e omitted, added, and t r a n f p o f e d . T h e m o u n t a i n , t h e comet , the f u n , and o t h e r parts , a r e entirely added ; t h o f e upon t h e p e a c o c k . t h e lion,<árc. a r e m u c h e n l a r g e d ; and J h a v e t h r o w n the w h o l e into a method m o r e f u i t a b í e to o u r n o t i o n s o f r e g u l a r i t y . T h e j u d i c i o u s , i f they compare this p i e c e w i t h the o r i g i n a l , w i l l , I f iatter m y f e l f , find the rea-i o n s f o r the great l iberties l l i a v e i n d u l g e d m y f e l f in througl i t h e w h o l e .

L o n a i n u s has a chapter on I n t e r r o g a t i o n s , w h i c h íhews t h a t they eontr ibute much to the f u b l i m e . T h i s í p e e r h o f t h e A l m i g l i t y is m a d e u p o f t h e m . I n t e r r o g a t i o n feems, in-•leed, the p r o p e r í\yle o f maje í ly i n c e n f e d . I t di f fers f r o m o t h e r m a n n e r o f reproof , as b i d a i n g a per fon execute nim-1'elf does f r o m a c o m m o n e x e c u t i o n ; f o r iie that aíks the g u i l t y a proper queít ion, makes h i m , i n efieét, pafs fentencs v n l i imfe l f .

À t length misfortunes take their turn to reign, 5 A n d iUs on iils fucceed, a dreadful train! What now but deaths, and poverty, and wrong, T h e íword wide-waíling, the reproaehful tongue, A n d fpotted plagues, that mark'd his limbs ali o*er So thick with pains, they wanted room for more ? IO A change fo fad what mortal heart could bear ? Exhaufled woe had left him nought to fear, But gave him ali to grief. L o w earth lie prcfs'd, Wept in the duft, and forely fmote his breaíl. His friends around the deep atfiiítion mourn'd, 15 Fclt ali his pangs, and groan for groan return'd; In anguilh of their hearts their mantles rent, A n d fev'11 long days in folemn filence fpent; A debt of rev'rence to diílrefs fo great! Tlien Job contain'd no more, but cUrs'd his fate. 40 His day of birth, its inaüfpicious light, He wilhes funk in lliades of endlefs night, A n d blotted from the year; nor fears to crave Death, inílant death, impatient for the grave, That feat of peace, that manfion of repofe, 35

Where reft and mortais are no longer foes; Where counfellors are liu(h'd, and mighty kings (O happy turn !) no more are wretched things.

His words were daring, and difpleas'd his friends; His conduít they reprove, and hc defends; 3 a A n d now they kindled into w:arm debate, A n d fentiments oppos'd with equal heat:

Fix'd in opinion, both refufe to yield, A n d fummon ali their reafon to the field: So high, at length, their arguments were wrought, 35 T h e y reach'd the laft extent of human thought: A paufe enfu'd : — w h e n , lo! Heav'n interpos'd, A n d awfully the long contention clos'd. Full o'er their heads, with terrible furprife, A fudden whirlwind blacken'd ali the íkies: 40 (They faw, and trembled!) From the daiknefs broke A dreadful voice, and thus th 'Almighty fpoke *.

W h o gives his tongue a loofe fo bold and vain, Cenfures my conduít, and reproves my reign; L i f t s up his thought againíl me from the duft, 45 A n d tells the world's Creator what is j a f l : Of late fo brave, now lift a dauntlefs eye, Face my demand, and give it a reply. Where didft thou dwell at Nature's early birth ? W h o laid foundations for the fpacious earth ? 50 W h o on its furface did extend the line, Its form determine, and its bulk confine? W h o fix'd the corner-ftone ? what hand, declare, Flung it on nought, and fallen'd it in air,

* T h e book o f Job is well known ro be d r a m a t i c , and, l ike the t ragedies o f Old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Pro-bably this moh nnblf part o f it, tlie A l m i g h i y f p e a k i n g out o f the w h i r l w i n d ( lo fuitable to the a f ter pr iót ice ot' the G r e e k ítage, w h e n there ljappened dignus vindice noáus) \s ffcítttions; but i t is a fiítion more açreeable to tlie tini - in w h i c h Job l ived than to any /ince. Frequent befure tlie law w e r e tlie appearanres o f the A l m i g h t y after this manner, Exod. r h . x i x . Ezek. ch. i . ire. Hence is lie laid to diuc!i in thkt darknefs: ani have his viay in the •ahirlviinJ.

When the bright morning ftars in concert fung, 55 When heav'n's high arch with loud hofanna's rung, When lhouting fons of God the triumph crown'dj A n d the wide concave thunder'd with the found ? j;arth'snum'rouskingdoms,haft thou view'd them ali? A n d can thy fpan of knowledge grafp the bali : 60 W h o heav'd the mountain which fublimely ftands, A n d cafts its lhadow intodiftant lands?

W h o , ftretching forth his fceptre o'er the dccp, Can that wild world in due fubjefiion keep ? I broke the globe, I fcoop'd its ho!Iow'd fide, 65 A n d did a bafon for the floods provide : I chain'd them with my word; the boiling fea, Work'd up in tempefts, hears my great decree; " T h u s far thy floating tide (hall be convey'd ; " A n d here, O Main! be thy proud billows ftay'd *.",

Haft thou explor'd the fecrets of the deep, 71 Where, fiiut from ufe, unnumberM treafures ílcep ? Where, down a thoufand fathoms from the day, Springs the great fountain, mother of the fea ' Thofe gloomy paths did thy bold foot e'er tread, 75 Whole worlds of waters rolling o'er thy head;

* T l i t r e is a v e r y g r e a t a i r in a l i t h a t p r e c e d e s , but this is fígnally f u b l i m e . W e are l l r u c k w i t h a d m i r a t i o n to f e e the va l i nid u n g o v e r n a b l e ocean r e c e i v i n g c o m m a n d s , and p u n í t u a l l y o b e y l n g t h e m ; to find it l i k e a m a n a g e d l iorfe , r a f f i n g , tof l ing, and f o a m i n g , but by the r u l e and d i r e t t i o n o f its m a l l e r . T h i s paf lage yields in f u b l i m i r y to that o f Let there be tif hí, fo ntnrh o r l y , as the abfolute g o v e r n -l n t u t o f n a t u r e yields to tbd c r e a t i o n o f i t .

T h e l i k e f p i r i t in thefe two paf íages is no had c o n e u r r e n t ar j iument that Mofes i s â u t h o r o f t h e b o o k o f Jub.

Hath the cleft centre open'd wide to thee ? Death's inmoft chambers didft thou ever fee? E'er knock at his tremendons gate, and wade T o the black portal thro' th' incumbent íhade ? 8o Deep are thofe (hadcs; but íhades ftill deeper hide My counfels from the ken of human pride.

Where dwells the Light? in what refulgent dome? A n d where has Darknefs made her difmal home? Thouknow'ft ,nodoubt,f incethy large heart is fraught With ripen'd wifdom thro' long ages brought, 86 Since Nature was ca!i'd forth when thou waft by, A n d into being rofe beneath thine eye!

Are mifts begotten who their father knew ? From whom defcend the pearly drops of dew ? 90 T o bind the ftream by night what hand can boaft ? Or whiten morning with the hoary froft ? Whofe powerful breath,from northernregionsblown, Touches the fea, and turns it into ftone ? A fudden defert fpreads o'èr realms defac'd, 9J A n d lays one half of the creation wafte ?

Thou know'ft me not ; thy blindnefs cannot fee How vaft a diftance parts thy God from thee. Canft thou in whirlwinds mount aloft ? canft thou In clouds and darknefs wrap thy awful brow ? 100 A n d , when day triumphs in meridian light, Put forth thy hand, and íhade the world with night?

W h o launch'd the clouds in air, and bid them roll Sufpended feas aloft, from pole to pole ?

Wlio can refreíh the burning fandy plain, 105 A n d quench the fummer with a waíte of rain ? Who- in rough deferts, far from human toil, Made rocks bring forth, and defolation fmile? There blooms the rofe where human face ne'er Ihone, A n d fpreads its beauties to the fun alone. 110

T o check the íhow'r who lifts his hand on high, A n d Ihuts the fluices of th' exhauíhd íky, When earth no longer mouras her gaping veins, Her naked mountains, and her ruflèt plains, But, new in life, a cheerful profpeít yields 115 Of fhining rivers, and of verdant fields; When groves and forefls Iavilh ali their bloom, A n d earth and heav'n are fill'd with rich perfume ?

Haíl thou e'er fcal'd my wintry íkies, and fecn Of hail and fnows my northern magazine? 120 Thefe the dread treafures of mine anger are, My fund of vengeance for the day of war, When clouds rain death, and ílorms, at my command, Rage thro' the world, or waíle a guilty land.

Who taught the rapid winds to fly fo faft, 125 Or íhakes the centre with his eaftern blaft ? W h o from the íkies can a whole deluge pour ? Who ftrikes thro' Nature with the folemn roar Of dreadful thunder, points it where to fali, A n d in fierce lightning wraps the fiying bali ? 130 Not lie who trcmbles at the darttd fires, Fàlls at the founí,' and in the ílaíh expires.

Who drew the comet out to fuch a fize, A n d pour'd his flaming train o'er half the íkies ? Did thy refentment hang him out ? Does he 135 Glare on the nations, and denounce frem thee

Who on low earth can moderate the rein T h a t guides the ftars along th' ethereal plain ? Appoint their feafons, and direít their courfe, Their luílre brigliten, and fupply their force ? I40 Canft thou the íkies' benevolence reftrain, A n d caufe the Pleiades to íhine in vain ? Or, when Orion fparkles from his fphere, Thaw the cold feafon, and unbind the year ? Bid Mazzaroth his deftin'd ftation know, 145 A n d teach the bright Aríturus where to glow ? Mine is the Night, with ali her ftars ; I pour Myriads, and myriads I referve in ftore.

Doft thou pronounce where Day-light lhall feeborn, A n d draw the purple curtain of the Morn ? 150 Awake the Sun, and bid him come away, A n d glad thy world with his obfequious ray ? Haft thou, enthron'd in flaming glory, driv'n Triumphant round the fpacious ring of heav'n ? T h a t pomp of light, what hand fo far difplays, 155 That diftant earth lies balking in the blaze?

Who did the Soul with her rich pow'rs inveft, A n d light up reafon in the human breaft, T o íhine, with freíh increafe of luftre, bright, When ftars and fun are fct in endlsfs night ? 1G0

4

T o thefe my various queílions make reply. Th 'Almighty fpoke, and, fpeaking, (hook the íky.

What then, Chaldean Sire! was thy furprife ? Thus thou, with trembling heart, anddowncaíl eyes: " Once and again, which I in groans deplore, 165 " My tongue has err'd, but fiiall prefume no more. " My voice is in eternal filence bound, " A n d ali my foul fails proftrate to the ground."

He ceas'd: when, lo! again th'Almighty fpoke; Tlie fame dread voice from the black whirlwind broke.

Can that arm meafnre with an arm divine? 1 7 1 A n d canil thou thunder with a voice like mine.' Or in the hollow of thy hand contain The bulk of waters, the wide-fpreading main, When, mad with tempeíls, ali the billows rife 175 In ali their rage, and dalh the diílant Íkies ?

Come forth, in Beauty's excellcnce array'd, And be the grandeur of thy pow'r difplay'd; Put on omnipotence, and, frowning, make T h e fpacious round o f t h e crcation (hake; 180 Difpatch thy vengcance, bid it overthrow Triumphant Vice, lay lofty tyrants low, And crumble them to duft. When this isdone, I grant thy fafety lodg'd in thee alone; Of thee thou art, and may'ít undauntcd ftand 185 Behind the buckler of thine own right hand.

Fond Man! tlie viíion of a moment made! Prcam of a dream ! and fl-.adow cf a íhade!

Volume IV. II

Whatworlds hafhhouproduc'd,what creaturesfram*d, W h a t infe&s cheriíVd, that thy God is blam*d ? 190 When, pain'd with hunger, the wild Raven's brood I,oud calls on God *, importunate for food ; W h o hears their cry, who grants their hoarfe requefl, A n d ftiils the clamour of the craving neíl?

W h o in the ftupid Oftrich f l ias fubdu'd 195 A parent's care, and fond inquietude ? While far fhe flies, her fcatterM eggs are found, Without an owner, on the fandy ground; Caft out on fortune, they at mercy lie, A n d borrow life from an indulgent íky; s c o

* A n o t h e r a r g u x n e n t t h a t M o f e s w a s t h e a u t h o r ís , t h a t m o í t o f t h e c r e a t u r e s h e r e m e n t i o n e d a r e E g y p t i a n . T h e r e a -i b n g i v e n w h y t h e r a v e n is p a r t i c u l a r l y m e n t i o n e d as a n o b j e £ t o f t h e c a r e o f P r o v i d e n c e i s , b e c a u f e b y h e r c l a m o -r o u s a n d i m p o r t u n a t e v o i c e f h e p a r t i e u l a r l y f e e m s a l w a y s c a l l i n g u p o n i t ; t h e n c e x.opâc-<ra a y.ópx%, Aelian. l i b . ii* c . 48. is to ajk earnejily. A n d fince t h e r e w e r e r a v e n s o n t h e b a n k s o f t h e N i l e m o r e c l a m o r o u s t h a n t h e r t í l o f t h a t í p e c i e s , t h o f e p r o b a b l y a r e m e a n t i n th is p l a c e .

f T h e r e a r e m a n y i n f t a n c e s o f t h i s b i r d ' s ftupidity : l e t t w o f u f f i c e . F i r f t , It c o v e r s i t s h e a d i n t h e r e e d s , a n d t h i n k s i t f e l f a l i o u t o f fight,

— — — « S t a t luminc claufo Ridendum revoluta caput, creditquc latcre ftuae non ipfa videt— Claud.

S e c o n d l y , T h e y t h a t g o i n p u r f u i t o f t h e m d r a w t h e í k i n o f a n o f t r i c h ' s n e c k on o n e h a n d , w h i c h p r o v e s a l u f f k i e n t l u r e to t u k e t h e m w i t h t h e o t h e r .

T h e y h a v e f o l i t t l e b r u i n , t h a t H e l i o g a b a l u s h a d fix hun» d r e d h e a d s f o r his f u p p e r .

H e r e w e m a y o b f e r v e t h a t o u r j n d i c i o u s as w e l l as f n b l i m e a u t h o r j u f t t o u c h e s the g r e a t p o i n t s o f d i í t i n d i o n i n e a c h c r e a t u r e , a n d t h e n l ia f lens to a n o t h e r . A d e f c r i p t i o n is e x a c t w h e n y o u c a n n o t a d d , b u t w h a t is c o m m o n ro a n o t h e r t h i n g ; n o r w i t h d r a w , b u : f o r a e t h i n g p e c u l i a r l y b e l o n g i n g to t h e t h i n g d e f c r i b e d . A l i k e n e f s is loít in roo m u c h d t f c i i p t i o n , as a m e a r J n g o f t e n i n too m u c h i l l u í l r a t i o n .

Adopted by the Sun, in blaze of day, They ripen under his prolific ray; • Unmindful íhe that fome unhappy tread May cruíh her young in their negledled bed : What time íhe íkims along the field with fpeed *, 205 She fcorns the rider, and purfuing í leedf .

How rich the Peacock J! what bright glories run From plume to plume, and vary in the fun ! He proudly fpreads them to the golden ray, Gives ali his colours, and adorns the day; aiO W i t h confcious ílate the fpacious round difplays, A n d ílowly moves amid the waving blàze.

Who taught the Hawk to find, in feafons wife, Perpetuai fummer, and a char.ge of íkies ? When clouds deform the year, íhe mounts the wind, Shoots to the fouth, nor fearsthe ítorm behind; a i 6

* H e r e is m a r k e d a n o t f t e r p e c u l i a r q u a l i t y o f th is c r e a -t u r e , w h i c h n e i t h e r tlies n o r r u n s d i r e í t i y , h u t has a m o t i o n c o m p o f e d o f b o t h , a n d , u f i n g ics w i n g s a s f a i l s , m a k e s g r e a t f p e e d .

Vafta velut Lyblae vennntum vocíbus ales Cum premitur, calidas curfu tranfmittit arenas,

Inque modum veli fmuatis flaroine pennis Pulvcrulcnta volat Claud. in Eutr .

t X e n o p h o n f a y s , C y r u s had l i o r f e s t h a t c o u l d o v e r t a k e tlie ? o a t a n d t h e w i l d a f s , b u t n o n e t h a t c o u l d r e a c h t h i s c r e a t u r e . A t h o u f a n d g o l d e n d u c a t s , o r a n h u n d r e d c a m e l s , w a s t h e l ta ted p r i c e o f a h o r f e t h a t c o u l d e q u a l t h e i r f p e e d .

t T i i o u g h t h i s b i r d is b u t j u í l m e n t i o n e d in m y a u t h o r , 1 could not f o r b e a r g o i n g a l i t t l e f a r t h e r , a n d i p r e a d i n g t h o l e b f a u t i f u ! p l u m e s ( w h i c h a r e t h e r e í h u t up) i n r o halt" a d o z e o l i n p s . T h e c i r c u m í t a n c e I h a v e m a r k e d o f his o p e n -i n g his p l u m e s to t h e f u n is t r u e : Expandit colores adverfo rnAxime file, quia Jic fulgentim radiant. P l i n . I x . c . 20.

H i j

The fun returning, lhe retnrns agen, Lives in his beams, and leaves ill days to men.

T h o ' ftrong theHawk, tho' praflis'd well to fly * , A n eagle drops her in a lower íky; 210 A n eagle, when, deferting human fight, She feeks the fun in her unweary'd flight: Did thy command her yellow pinion lift So high in air, and feat her on the clift, Where far above thy world íhe dwells alone, 22; A n d proudly makes the ílrength of rocks her own; Thence wide o'er nature takes her dread furvey, A n d with a glance predeílinates her prey f ? She feafts her young with blood, and, hov'ring o'er T h ' unilaughter'dhoíY,enjoysthe promis'd gore. 230

Know'ft thou how many moons, by me aflign'd, Roll o'er the mountain Goat and foreíl Hind},

* T b u a n u s ( D e reAcclp.) ment ions a l i a w k that flew f r o m P a r i s to L o n d o n i n a n i g h t .

A . . d the E g y p t i a n s , in r e g a r d to its P.vi f tnefs , m a d e in t h e i r íy inuol í o r t l i e w i n d ; for w h i c h r e a f o n w e m a y f u p p o f e t h e h a w k , as w e l l as the crow a b o v e , to h a v e bceil .1 b i rd o f note in E g y p t .

t T h e eag le is f a i d to be o f f o acl lte a fight, that w h e n í h e is f o h i g h in a i r that" m a n c a n n o t fee her , íhe can d i f -cer< t i i e í i n a l l e í t f i í h u i : d e r w a : e r . M y author a c c u r a t e l y tin-derftood the n a t u r e o f the creaturt^ h e d e í c r i b e s , and teeniç t o h a v e been a natura l i f t as w e l ! as a poet , w h i c h t h e n e x t note w i l l conl i rm.

t T h e m e a n i n g o f this queftion is, K n o w e f t thou the t i m e a n d cirr-umllances o f their h r i n g i n g f o r t h ? f o r to k n o w tlie t i m e only w a s e a f y , and had h o t h i n g e x t r a o r d i n a r y in i t ; b u t the c i r c u m f t a n c e s had f o m e t h i n e p e e u l i a r l y exnre í f ive o f God 's providenC' ' , w h i c h m a k e s the quef t ion proper i n this p l a c e . P l iny obferves , that the h i n d w i t h y o u n g is by i n í t i n a d i r e í t e d to a c e r t a i n h e r b c a l l e d JSeftlis, w h i c h f a -

While, pregnant, they a mother's load luftain ? They bend in anguifh, and cafl forth their pain. í lale arp their young, from human frailties freed, 235 Walk unfuítain'd, andunalliftedfeed; T h e y live at once, forfake the dam's warm fide, Take the wide world, with Nature for their guide; Bound o'er the lawn, or ícek the diflant glade, A n d find a home in each delightful Íhade. 240

Will thç tall Reem, which knows no lord but ine, Low at the crib, and a(k an alms of thee? Submit his unworn fhoulder to the yoke, Break the ítiíTclod, and o'er thy furrow fmoke ? Since great his ílrength, go truft him, void of care, Lay on his neck the toil of ali the ycar; 446

Bid him bring home the feafons to thy doors, A n d caft his load among thy gather'd flores.

Didí l thou from fervice the Wild Afs difcharge, A n d break his bonds, and bid him live at large; 250 Thro* the wide waíte, his ample manfion, roam, A n d lofe himfelf in his unbounded home ? By Nature's hand magnificently fed, His meai is on the range of mountains fpread; A s in pure air aloft he bounds along, 2.JJ

He fees in diílant fmoke the city throng;

et l i tares the b t r t h . T h u n d e r a l f o ( w h i c h looks l i k e ' t h e m o r e i m i n e d i a t e h a u d o f P r o v i d e n c e ) has the f a m e e f l W t . P / . x x i x . In í o ear ly an a»e to o b f e r v e t h e f e i h i n g s m a y ltyle our a u -t h o r a N a t u r a l i i t .

H iii

Confcious of freedom, fcorns the fmother'd train, T h e threat'ning driver, and the fervile rein.

Survcy the warlike Horfe! didft thou inveíl W i t h thunder his robufi diftended chcft ? 160 N o fenfe of fear his dauntlefs foul allays; 'Tis dreadful to behold his noílrils blazc: T o paw the vale he proudly takes dclight, A n d triumphs in the fulnefs of his might: High-rais'd, he fnuffs the battle from afar, 265 A n d burns to plunge amid the raging war; A n d mocks at death, and throws his foam a round, A n d in a ílorm of fury (hakes the ground. How does his firm, his rifing heart, advance Full 011 the brandilh'd fword and íhakcn lance, 170 While his fix*d eyeballs meet the dazzling (liield, Gaze, and return the lightning of the field! He finks the fenfe of pain in gen'rous pride Nor feels the íhaft that trembles in his fide; But neighs to the íhrill trumpet's dreadful blaíl 275 Ti l l dcath, and when he groans, he gtoans his laft.

But, fiercer ftill, the lordly Lion flalks, Grimly majeftic in his lonely walks; When round he gtares, ali living creatures fly; He cleats the defert with his rolling eye. 280 Say, Mortal', does he ronfe at thy command, A n d roar to thee, and live upon thy hand? D o f l thou for him in forefts bend thy bow, • A n d to his gloomy den the morfel throw,

Whffre bent on dcath lie hid his tawny brood, 285 A n d , couch'd in dreadful ambulh, pant for blood; Or, liretch'd on-broken limbs, confume the day, In darknefs wrapt, and flumber o'er their prey ? By the pale moon they take their deílin'd round A n d laíh their fides, and furious tear the ground. Noiv (hrieks and dying groans the defert fill; 291 T h e y rage, they rend; their rav'nous jaws diftil With crimfon foam; and when the banquet's o'er, T h e y (Iride away, and paint their (leps with gore: In flight alone the (liepherd puts his truft, 295 A n d (hudders at the talon in the duft.

Mild is niy Behemoth, tho' large his frame; Smooth is his temper, and reprefs'd his flame, While unprovok'd. This native of the flood L i f t s his broad foot, and puts aíhore for food; 300 Earth links beneath him as he moves along1

T o feek the herbs, and mingle with the throng. See, with what ftrength his harden'd loins are bound, A l i over proof, and (hut againíl a wound ! How like a mountain-cedar moves his tail! 305 Nor can his complicated finews fail. Euilt high and wide, his folid bonés furpafs T h e bars of íteel i his ribs are ribs of brafs;

* P u r f u i n g the ir prey by n i g h t is t rue o f moft w i l J beaílc, p a r t i c u l a r l y íhe l i o n , P f a l . c i v . 20. T h e Arabians have o n e araonp, the ir f ive humired n a m e s í o r the l i o n , w h i c h íignifies the huitter by jnicn-Jhinc.

His port majeftic, and his armed javv, Give the wide foreft and the mountain iaw. 310 T h e mountains feed him; there the beafts admire T h e mighty ftranger, and in dread retire; A t length his greatnefá nearer they íurvey, Graze in his íhadow, and his eye obéy. T h e fens and maríhes are his cool retreat, 315 Iíis nooritide íhelter from the buming heat; Their fedgy bofoms his wide couch are made, A n d groves of wiiJows give him ali their íbade.

His eyedrinks Jordan up, when, fir'd with drought, He trufts to turn its current down his throat. 320 In leíTen'd waves it creeps along the plain. He finks a river *, and he thirfls again.

Go to the Nile, and, from its fruitful íide, Caíl forth thy Une into the fwelling t ide; With flender hair Leviathan f command, 325 A n d ftretch his vaftnefs on the loaded ftrand. Wil l he become thy fervant ? will he own T h y lordly nod, and tremble at thy frown ?

• Cepheíi alacialc caput quo fuetns anhclam Ferre fitini Python, arr.nemque avertcre ponto.

Stat. Theb. v . 349» Ç>,!ii fpiris tegeret montes, liaurirct hiatu Flutnina, &c. Cl and. Pref . in Ruf*

L e t n o t , t h e n , t h i s h y p e r b o l e f e e m too m u c h f o r a n Eaítr-e r n p o e t , t h o u g h f o m e c o m m e n t a t o r s o f n a m e í l r a i n h a r d , i n t h i s p l a c e , f o r a n e w e o n i t r u c t i o n , t h r o u g h f e a r o f i r .

t T h e t a k i n g t h e c r o c o d i l e is m o l t d i f i k u l t . D i o d o r u s f a y e , t h e y a r e n o t to b e t a k e n b u t b y i r o n n e t s . W h e n A u g u í t u s coi q u e r e d • E g y p r , h e l t r u c k a m e d a l , t h e i m p r e f s o f w h i c h w a s a c r o c o d i l e c h a i n e d to a p a ! m - : r e e , w i t h this i n f c r i p * t i o u , A ' e m j aniea rcligavit.

Or with his fport amufe thy leifure day, A n d , bound in íilk, with thy foft maidens play ? 330

Shall pompous banquets fwell with fuch a prize ? A n d the bowl journey round his ample fize ? Or the debating merchants (hare the prey, A n d various limbs to various marts convey ? T h r o ' his firm fcull what fteel its way can win ? 335 What forceful engine can fubdue his íkin ?

Fly far, and live ; tempt not his matchlefs m i g h t ; T h e braveft Ihrink to cowards in his l i g h t ;

T h e rafhell dare not roufe him up * : who then Shall turn on me, among the fons of men ? 340

A m I a debtor ? haft thou ever heard Whence come the gifts which are on me conferr'd ?

M y lavilh fruit a thoufand vallies fills, A n d mine the herds that graze a thoufand hills : Earth, fea, and air, ali Nature is my own, 345 A n d ftars and fun are duft beneath my throne; A n d dar'ft thou with the world's great Father vye, T h o u , who doft tremble at my creature's eye ?

A t full my huge Leviathan (hall rife, 349 Boaft ali his ftrength, and fpread his wondrous f ize :

W h o , great in arms, e'er ftripp'd his fhining mail, Or crown'd his triumph with a fingle fcale ?

Whofe heart fuftains him to draw near ? Behold Deftruílion yawnsf ; his fpacious jaws unfold,

* T h i s a l i u d e s t o a cnftom o f t h i c c r e a t u r e , w h i c h i s , w h e n fáted wit i i filh to come aflxore and fl-ep among tiie reeds.

t T h e crorodile*s mouth is e x c e e d i n g w i d e . W h e n h e gupes, fays P l iny ,J í t taluma. Marcial fays to his »ld w o m a n ,

A n d , maríhall*d round the wide expanfe, difclofe 355 Teeth edg'd withdeath, and crowding rows on rows: W h a t hideous fangs on either fide arife ! A n d what a deep abyfs between them lies! Mete with thy lance, and with thy plumbet found, T h e one how long, the other how profound! 360

His bulk is charg'd with fuch a furious foul, That clouds of fmoke from his fpread nortxils roll A s from a furnace; and, when rous'd his ire, Fate iíTues from his jaws in ftreams of fire *. T h e rage of tempcfts, and the roar of feas, 365 T h y terror, this thy great fuperior pleafe ; Strength on his ample íhouldef fits in ftate; His Well-join'd limbs are dreadfully. complete ; His flakes of folid fleíh are ílow to part; A s fteel his nerves, as adamant his heart. 370

When, late-awak'd, he rears him from the floods, A n d , ftretching forth his ftature to the clouds,

-Cura comparará ri&ibus ttiis ora N i l i a c u s habet çrocqdilus angufta.

S o t h a t the"exj>rejfic>ri t n e r e is b a t e l y j u f t . * T h i s , too , is n e a r e r ' " t r u t h t h à n a t f i r f t v í e w m a y b e i m a -

g í n e d i T h e c r o ç o d i l e , f a y t h e n a t u r a l i f t s , l y i n g l o n g u n d e r w k t e r , ' a n d b e i n g t h e r e f o r t e d to h o l d its b r e a t h , w h e n i t e m e r g e s , th? b r e a t h l o n g r e p r e í l è d is hot , a n d burf ts o u t f o v i o -l e n t l y , t h a t it r e f e m b l e s f ire a n d f m o k e . T h e h o r f e f u p » p r e f i e s not h i s b r e a t h by a n y m e a n s f o - l o n g , : 11 e i t h e r . i£^he í b f t e r c e a n d a p i m a t e d ; y e t the m o f t c o r r e í t . o f p o e . s v e n t u r e s to u f e 4.he f a m e m c t a p h d r c o n c e r n i n g h i m .

Collettumque premens volvit filb naribus ignem* B y th is a n d t h e f o r e g o i n g n o t e , I w o u l d c a u t i o n a g a i n f t a f a l f e o p i n i o n o f t l ie E a f t e r n b o l d n e f s , f r o m paíTages i n t h e m i l l u n a e r f t o o d .

VVrithes in the fun aloft his fcaly height, And ftrikes the diftant hills with tranfient light, Far round are fatal damps of terror fpread, 375 The mighty fear, nor bluíh to own their dread.

Large is his f ront; and when his burniíh d eyes Lift their broad lids, the morning feems to rife *.

In vain may death in various íhapes invade, The fwift-wing'd arrow, the defcending blade » 38© His naked breaft their impotence defies ; The dart rebounds, the brittle fauchion fiies. Shut in himfelf, the war without he hears, Safe in the tempeíl of their rattling fpears >

f His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. I t h i n k this g i v e s us as g r e a t an i m a g e o f t h e t h i n g it w o u l d expi e is as can enter the t h o u g h t o f m a n . It is not i m p r o b a b l e t h a t t h e E g y p t i a n s ftole their h i e r o g l y p h i c f o r the m o r n i n g , w h i c h is the c r o c o d i l e ' s e y e , f r o m this p a f l a g e , t h o u g h 110 t o m -m e n t a t o r I h a v e f e e n m e n t i o n s i t . It is e a l y to c o n c e i v e h o w the E g y p t i a n s íhould be both readers and admirers o f the w r i t i n g s o f M o l e s , w h o m I f u p p o f e the a u t h o r o f this p o e m .

I h a v e o b f e r v e d a l r e a d y t h a t three or f o u r o f the crea-tures h e r e d e f c r i b e d are E g y p t i a n ; the t w o laíl are notor i -oufly f o ; they a r e the r i v e r - h o r f e and the c r o t o d i l e , t h o f e celebrated i n h a b i t a n f s o f t h e N i l e ; and on t h e f e t w o it is that our a u t h o r ch ie f ly dwel l s . I t w o u l d h a v e b e e n »-xpe»íl-ed f r o m an author m o r e reinote f r o m t h a t r i v e r than M o f e s , !n a c a t a l o g u e o f c reatures produced to m a g n i f y t h e i r C r e -ator, to h a v e d w e l t on the t w o l a r c e l t w o r k s o f his h a n d , viz. the e l e p h a n t and the w h a l e . T h i s is fo n a t u r a l an t x -pt-ftation, that l b m e c o m m e n t a t o r s have renderei l b e h e m o t h and l e v i a t h a n , the e l e p h a n t and w h a l e , t h o u g h the d r f c r i p -tions in our author w i l l not a d m i t o f i t ; but Mofes b e i n g , as we may w e l l 1'uppofe, t inder an i m m e d i .error o f t h e hippupotamos and crocodile, f r o m t h e i r dai ly m i f c h i t f s and ravages around h i m , it is v e r y a c c o u n t a b l e w h y lie üiould pcrniic them to t a k e p l a c e .

The cumber'd ftrand their wafted vollies firow ; 3S5 His fport the rage and laboiir of the foe.

His paftimes like a chaldron boil the flood, A n d blacken oeean with the riíing mud; T h e billows feel him as he works his way, His hoary footfteps fhine along the fea ; 390

Thefoam high-wrought, with white divides thegrecn, A n d diftant failors point where death has been.

His like earth bears not on her fpacious face; Alone in Nature ftands his dauntlefs race, For utter ignorance of fear renown'd ; 395 In wrath he rolls his baleful eye around ; Makes ev'ry fwoln difdainful heart fubfide, A n d holds dominion o'er th&'fons of Pride.

Then the Chaldcan eas'd his lab'ring breaft, With full conviftion of his crime opprefs'd. 4C0

" Thou canft acconipliíh allthings, Lordof might ' " A n d ev'ry thought is naked to thy fight: " But, oh ! thy ways are wonderful, and lie " Beyond the deepeft reach of mortal eye. " Oft ' have I heard of thine Almighty pow'r, 405 " But nevcr faw thee till this dreadful hour. " 0'erwhelm'd with fhame, the Lord of life I fee, " Abhor myfelf, and give my foul to thee : " Nor lhall my weaknefs teropt thine anger more : " Man is not made to queftion, but adore." 410

• • R E S I G N A ' T I O N ,

I N T W O P A R T S .

A N D A P O S T S C R I P T .

T O M R 9 . B * » * * * .

h!y foul (hall bc fatisfied, even as it were with márrow and fatnef', j when my muuth praiíeth thee with joyful lipt- Plalm lx i i i . 6»

P A R T I .

I. TIIE days how few, how lhort the years, Of man's too rapid race! Each leaving, as it fwiftly flies, A lhorter in its placc ?

II. They who the longeft leafe enjoy, 5 Have told us with a figh, T h a t to be bom fcems little more T b a n to begin to die.

III. Numbers there are who feel this truth With fears alarm'd; and yet, 10 In life's delufions iull'd afleep,

This weighty truth forget. IV.

A n d am not I to thefe a-kin > Age flumbers o'er the quill;

Volume IV.

Its honour blots \^Tatcr:r it wrítes, A n d am I writing ílill ?

V . Confcious of Nature in decline, A n d langour in my thoughts, T o foften cenfure, and abate Its rigour on my faults,

VI . Permit me, Madam! ere to you T h e promis'd verfe I pay, T o touch on felt Infirmity, Sad fiítcr of Decay.

VII. One world deceas'd, another bom, L i k e Noah they behold, 0 'er whofe white hairs and furrow'd brows T o o many funs have roll'd.

VIII. ,

Happy the Patriarch! he rcjoic'd His fecond world to fee; My fecond world, tho' gay the fcene, Can boaíl no charms for me.

IX. T o me this brilliant age appears W i t h defolation fpread; Near ali with whom I liv'd and fmil 'd, Whil í t life was life, ate dead;

x. • A n d with them dy'd my joys : the grave Has hroken Nature's laws, A n d clos'd againít this feeble frame Its partial, cruel jaws:

X I . Cruel to fpare! condemn'd to life! A cloud impairs my fight; M y weak hand difobeys my will, A n d trembles as I write.

XII. What íhall I write? Thalia! tel l ; Say, long abandon'd Mufe! What field of fancy íhall I range ? What fubjeít íhall I chufe ?

XIII . A choice of moment high infpire, A n d refcue me from íhame, For doting on thy charms fo late, By grandeur in my theme.

XIV. Beyond the themes which moft admire, Which dazzle or amaze; Beyond renown'd exploits of war, Bright charms, or empire's blaze,

X V . A r e themes which, in a world of woe, Can beft appcsfe our pain,

ISj

And, , in an age of gaudy guilt, Gay FoI1y's flood reílrain;

X V I . Arnidíl the ílorms of life fupport A . calm uníhakcn mind, A n d with unfading laurels crown T h e brow of the refign'd.

XVII . 0 Reíignation ! vet unfung, 1'ntonch'd by former ílrains, T h o ' claiming ev'ry Mufe's fmile, A n d ev'ry poet's pains:

XVIII . Eeneath life's ev'ning folemn fhade 1 dedicate my page T o thee, thou fafeft guard of youth Thou fole fupport of age C • X I X .

A l i other duties crefcents are Of virtue faintly bright; T h e glorious confummatfon thou! Which .fills her orb w ith l ight :

X X . How rarely fi!l'd! the love divine In evils to difcern ; This the firfl leíTon which we want, T h e lateft which we learni

X X I . A melancholy truth! for know, Could our proud hearts refign, T h e diílance greatly would decreafe ' T w i x t human and divine.

X X I I . But tho' full noble is my theme, Full urgent is my call T o foften forrow, and forbid T h e burfting tear to fali,

XXIII . T h e taík I dread : dare I to leave Of human profe the lhore, A n d put to fea.' a dang'rous fea! What throngs have funk befotel

X X I V . How proud the poet's billows fwell! T h e God ! the God! his boaft; A boaft how vain! what wrecks abound £)cad bards ftench every coaft.

X X V . What then am I ( h a l l I prefume, On fuch a moulten wing, Above the gen'ral wreck to rife, A n d , in my winter, fing ?

X X V I . When nightingales, when fweeteft bards, Confine their çharming fong

l i i j

l o i R E S I G N A T I O N ;

T o fummer's animating heats, Content to warble young.

X X V I I . Y e t write I muf l j a lady * fues; l l o w Ihameful her requeft ?

M y brain in labour for duli rhyme! JIer's teertiing with the beft!

X X V I I I . But you a ílranger will exçufe, Nor fcorn his feeble ftrain; . T o you a ílrangtr, but, thro* fate, N o ftranger to your pain.

X X I X .

T h e ghoíl of Grief deceas'd afcends, His old wound bleeds anew; His forrows are recall"d to life Jiy thofe he fees in you :

X X X . T o o well he knows the twifted ftrings Òf ardent hearts ccmbin'd, When rent afunder, how they bleed, How hard to be refign'd!

X X X I . Thofe tears you pour his eyes have íhe d T h ç pang you feel he felt; T h u s Nature, loud as Virtue, bids His heart at your's to melt.

* Mrs. M .

X X X I I

But what can heart or head fuggeíl ? What fad Experience fay ? Thro' truths aufterc to peace we work Our rugged, gloomy way.

X X X I I I .

What are we ? whence ? for what ? and whit W h o know not needs muít mourn ; But Thought, bright daughter of the Skies! Can tears to triuniph turn.

X X X I V .

Thought is our armour, 'tis the mind's Impenetrable lliitld, When, fent by Fate, we meet our foes In lore Affliítion's field :

X X X V . It plucks the frightful maík from ills, Forbids pale Fear to hide, Beneath that dark difguife, a fricnd, Which turns afTeítion's tide.

X X X V I . Afleílion frail! train'd up by Senfe, From Reafon's channel ftrays, A n d whilft it blindly points at peace, Our peace to pain betrays.

X X X V I I . Thought winds its fond errcncous ftrcani From daily-dying flowcrs,

T o nouriíh rich immortal blooms, In amaranthinc b o w r s :

X X X V I I I . Whence throngs, in ecftacy, look down, On what once íhock'd their fight, A n d thank the terrors of the paft

For ages of delight. X X X I X .

A l i withers here; who moft poíTefs A r e lofers by their gain ; Stung by full proof that, bad at beft, I.ife's idle ali is vain :

X L . Vain, in its courfe, life's murm*ring ftream XVid not its courfe offend, But murmur ceafe, life, then, would feem Still vainer, from its end.

X L I . How wretched! who, thro' cruel Fate, Have nothing to lament, With the poor alms this world affords, Deplorably content ?

X L I I . Had not the Greek his world miftook, His vvilh had bcen moft wife . T o be content with but one world, Like him, we íhould defpife.

X L I I I . Of earth's revenuç would you ítate A full account and fair W e hope, and hope, and hope, then caíl The total up—defpair .

X L I V . Since vain ali here, ali future, vaft, Embrace the lot aífign'd; Heav'n wounds to heal; its frowns are friends Its ílrokes fevere moft kind

X L V . But in laps'd nature rooted deep, Blind Error domincers, A n d on fools' errands, in the dark, Sends out our hopes and fears;

X L V I . Bids us for cver pains deplore, Our pleafures overprize; Thefe oft ' perfuade us to be weak, Thofe urge us to be wife.

X L V I I. From Virtue's rugged path to right, By Pleafure are we brought T o flow'ry fields of wrong, and there Pain chides us for our fault :

X L V I II. Yet whilft it chides it fpeaks of peace, If folly is withftood,

A n d fays, time pays an eafy price For our eternal good.

X L I X . In earth's dark cot, and in an hour, A n d in delnfion great, W h a t an economift is man! T o fpend his whole eftate,

L . A n d heggar an eternity ? For which, as he was bom, More worlds than one againí} it weigh'd, A s feathers he Íhould fcorn.

L í . Say not your lofs in triumph leads Religion's feeble llrife; Joys future amply reimburfe Joys bankrupts of this life.

L I I . But not deferr'd your joy fo long, It bears an early date; Affiiftion's ready pay in hand Befriends our prefent ftate.

LIII. What are the tears which trickle down Her melancholy face, L ike liquid pearl! like pearls of price, They purchafe laíling pe»ce.

L I V . Grief foftens hearts, and curbs the will, Impetuous paflion tames, And keeps infatiate keen delire From launching in extremes.

L V . Thro' time's dark womb, our judgment right If our dim eye was thrown, Clear íhould we fee the will divine Has but fcrcftaU'd our owru

L V I .

A t variance with our future wilh, Self-fever'd, we complain : If fo, the wounded, not the wonnd, Muíl anfwer for the pain.

L V I I . The day íhall come, ar.d fwift of wing, Tho' you may think it ílow, When, in the liíl of Fortune's fmiles, You'll enter frowns of woe.

X.V1II. For mark the path of Providence; This conrfe it has purfu'd, " Pain is the parent, woe the womb, " Of found important good."

L I X . Our hearts are faílen'd to this world By ftrong and endlefs ties,

io8 E E S I G N A T I O M . Part. T.

A n d ev'ry forrow cuts a ílring, A n d urges us to rife.

«3Í

L X . 'Twi l l found fevere—yet rcrft aíTur'd l ' m ftudious of your peace; T h o ' I íliould dare to give you j o y — Yes, joy of his deceafe. 240

L X I . A n hour lhall come (you queílion this) A n hour, when you íhall blefs, Beyond the brighteíl beams of life, Dark days of your diílrcís.

L X I I . Hear, then, without furprife, a truth, 245 A daughter-truth to this, Swift turns of Fortune often tie A bleeding heart to blifs.

L x i i r . Eílccm you this a paradox ? My facrcd motto rcad; A glorious truth, divinely fung By one whofe heart had bled.

2JQ

t L X I V . T o Rcfignation fwift he flew; In her a friend he found; A friend which blefs'd him with a fmile, 255 When gafping with his wound.

S

LXV. On earth nought precious is obtain'd But what is painful too; By travei, and to travei bom, Our fabbaths are but few.

L X V I . T o real joy we work our way, Encount'ring many a íhock, Ere found what truly charms, as found A Venus in the block,

L X V 1 I . In fome difafter, fome fevere Appointment for our fins, That mother-blefling, (not fo call'd) Tiue happinefs, begins.

L X V I 1 I . No martyr e'cr defy'd the flames By ftings of life unvex'd ; Firft rofe fome quarrel with this woild, Then paflion for the next.

L X I X . You fee, then, pangs are parent-pangs, The pangs of happy birth; Pangs, by which only can be born True happinefs on earth.

L X X . The peopled earth look ali around, Or thro' time's records run,

Volume IV. K

tio R E S I G N A T I O N . Pari I.

A n d fay, what is a man unftruck ? It is a man undone. j g o

L X X I . This momcnt am I deeply ftung M y bold pretence is try'd When vain man boafts, Heav'n puts to proof T h e vauntings of his ptide.

L X X I I . Now need I, Madam! your f u p p o r t . — l ? 5 How exqaifite the ímart! How critieally tim'd the news * Which ftrikes me to the heart!

L X X I I I . T h e pangs of which I fpoke I feel: If worth like thine is bom, 253 O long belov'd! 1 blefs the blow, A n d triumph whilll I motim.

L X X I V . Nor mourn I long; by gríef fubdu'd Be reafon's empire íhown; Deep anguifh comes by Heav'n's decree, 295 Continues by our own;

L X X V . A n d when continu'd pafl its point, Indulg'd in length of time, Grief is difgrace, and what was fate Gorrupts into a crime. 300

» The «lealh of Mr. Richardfon.

Part I. R E S I G N A T I O N . I I I

L X X V I .

And íhall I, criminally mcan, Myfelf and fubjefl wrong? N o ! my example fhall fuppoit T h e fubjeít of my fong.

JLXXVH.

Madam! I grant your lofs is great, 3 °i Nor little is your g a i a : Let that be weigh'd; when weigh'd aright, It richly pays your pain.

It takes the mofl efTeítual meaos, A n d robs us of a friend.

L X X 1 X . But fuch a f r iend!—and figh no more! 'Tis prudent, but levere : Heav'n aid my weaknefs, and I drop 315

Al i forrow—with this tear.

L X X V I I 1 . When Heav'n would kindly fet us free, And earth's enchantment end, 310

L X X X . Perhaps your fettled grief to footh I (hould not vainly ílrive, But with foft balm your pain aflwage, Had he been ílill alive; 310

L X X X I .

I I I R E S I G N A T I O N , PurlT. Ting'd with his beams my cloudy page, A n d bcautify'd a fault.

L X X X I I . T o touch our paflions' fecret fprings 315 W a s his peculiar care; A n d deep his happy genius div'd In bofoms of the fair.

LXXXTIT. Nature, which favours to the few A l i art beyond imparts, 330

T o him prefented, at his birth, T h e key of human hearts.

L X X X I V . But not to me by him bequeath'd His gentle fmooth addrefs;

His tender hand to touch the wound 33J I11 throbbings of diftrefs.

L X X X V . Howe'er, proceed I muft, unblefs'd W i t h jíXcuIapian ar t : Know, Love fometimes, miftaken Love! Plays Difaffe£Uon's part. 34°

L X X X V r . Nor lands, nor feas, nor funs, nor ftars, Can foul from foul divide; T h e y correfpond from diftant worlds, Tho ' tranfports are deny'd.

L X X X V I I . Are yon not, then, unkindly kind Is not your love fevere ? O ! ílop that cryílal fource of woe, Nor wound him with a tear.

L X X X V I I I . A s thofe above from human blifs Receive increafe of joy, May not a ftroke from human woe, ln part, their peaçe deflroy ?

L X X X Í X . He lives in thofe he ieft; to what ? Your, now, paternal care: Clear from its cloud your brighten'd eye, 355

It will difcern him there;

X C . In features, not of form alone, But thofe, I truft, of mind, Aufpicious to the public weal, A n d to their fate refign'd. 360

xci. Think on the tempefts he fuftain'd, Revolve his battles won, A n d let thofe prophefy your joy From fuch a father's fon.

XCII . Is confolation what you feek ? 3 Fan, then, his martial fire;

K j i j

345

3J0

A n d animate to flame the fparks Bequeath'd him by his fire.

XCIII . A s nothing great is bom in haíle, Wife Nature's time allow; His father's laurels may defcend, A n d flourilh on his brow.

X C I V . Nor, Madam ! be furpris'd to hear, T h a t laurels may be due Not more to heroes of the field (Proud boaílers !) than to you.

X C V . Tender as is the female frame, L ike that brave man you mourn; You are a foldier, and to fight Superior battles bom.

X C V I . Bcneath a banner nobler far Than ever was unfurl'd ln fields of blood; a banner bright! High-wav'd o'tr ali the world;

X C V I f . It, like a llreaming meteor, cafls A n univerfal light; Sheds day, (heds more, eternal day, On nations whelm'd in night.

XCVIII . Beneath that banner, what exploit Can mount our glory high'r, Than to fuftain the dreadful blow, When thofe we love expire ?

X C I X . Go forth a moral A m a z o n , Arm'd with undaunted thought; The battle won,tho' coíling dear, You'11 think it cheaply bought.

C. The paílive hero, who fits down Unaflive, and can fmile Beneath Affli£tion's galling load, Out-aíts a Casfar's toil.

C l . The billows ftain'd by flaughter'd foes, Inferior praife afibrd; Reafon's a bloodlefs conqueror, More glorious than the fword.

CII. Nor can the thunder of huzzas From fliouting nations, caufe Such fweet dclight, as from your heart Soft whifpers of applaufe.

CHI. The dear deceas'd fo fam'd in arms, With what delight hc'll vicw

His triumphs on the main outdone, Thus conquer'd, twiee, by you!

C1V. Share his delight; take heed to (hun Of bofoms moft difeas'd T h a t odd diftemper, an abfutd Reluílance to be pleas'd.

CV.

Some feem in love with Sorrow's charms, A n d that foul fiend embrace: This temper let me juftly brand, A n d ftamp it with difgrace.

CVL.

Sorrow! of horrid parentage! Thou fecond-born of hell! Againft Heav'n's endlefs mercies pour'd How dar'ft thou to rebel ?

CVII. From black and noxious vapours bred, A n d nurs'd by want of thought, A n d to the door of Frenzy's felf By Perfeverance brought.

CVIII. T h y moft inglorions, coward tears, From brutal eyes have ran; Smiles, incommunicable fmiles! A r e radiant marks of man;

fart J. RESIGNATION.

. C I X .

They caíl a fudden glory round

T h ' illumin'd human face ;

A n d light, in fons of honeft Joy,

Some beams of Mofes' face.

C X .

Is Rcfignation's leíTon hard ?

Examine, we íhall find

T h a t duty gives up little more

T h a n anguiíh of the mind.

C X I .

R e í i g n ; and ali the load of life

T h a t moment you remove ;

Its heavy tax, ten thoufand cares

Devolve on One above;

C X I I .

W h o bids us lay our burden down i .n 445

On his A l m i g h t y hands,

Softens our duty to relief,

T o bleíüng a command.

n C X I I I . ; ;-..!oj-Ji>n T b d í b a À

For joy what caufe! how ev'ry fenfe

Is courted from above . i / j 45®

The year around, with prefents rich,

The growth of endlefs love!

cxiv. But mofl o'erlook the bleflings pour'd,

Forget the wonders done,

i i 7

i ; ftjQtO 1Q liJií l

43Í

M :lni bvtiJ nO

4 4 0

i 1«I Js n a z i c'L

A n d terminate, wrapt up in fenfe, Their profpcít at the fun:

C X V . From that, their final pointof vicw, From that their radiant goal, On travei infinite of thought, Scts out the nobler foul.

cxvr. Broke loofe frome Time's tenacious ties, A n d Earth's involving gloom, T o range at large its vaft domain, A n d talk with worlds to come :

cxvir. They let unmark'd, and ünemploy'd, Life 's idle moments run; A n d doing nothing for them fclves, Imagine nothing done.

CXVIII . Fatal miílake! their fate goes on, Their dread account proceeds, A n d their not-doing is fet down Amongí l their darkeft deeds.

C X I X . T h o ' man fits flill, and takes his eafe, God is at work on man; N o means, no moments unemployM, T o blefs him, if h« can.

Vf.rt 1. R E S I G N A T I O N .

cxx. But man confents not, boldly bent T o faíhion his own fate; Man, a mere búngler in the trade, Repents his crime too late.

CXXL.

Hence loüd laments. Let me thy caufe, Indulgent Father! plead; Of ali the wretches we deplore, Not one by thee was made.

cxxn. Wha t is thy whole creation fair ? Of love divine the child : I.ove brought it forth, and, from its birth, Has o'cr it fondly fmil'd.

C X X 1 I I .

Now, and thro' periods diliant far, I.ong ere the world began, Heav'n is, and has in travail been, Its birth the good of man.

C X X I V .

Man holds in conílant fervice bound The bluft'ring winds and feas; Nor funs difdain to travei hard, Their maller, man, to pleafe.

C X X V .

T o final good the worft events Thro' fecret channels run;

I I ?

i 480

48>

490

49Í

Finiíh for man their deílin'd courfe, A s 'twas for man begun. 500

C X X V I .

One point (obferv'd, perhaps, by few) Has often fmote, and fmites M y mind, as demonllration ftrong T h a t Heav'n in man delights.

C X X V I I .

What's known to man of things unfeen, 505 Of future worlds or fates So much, nor more, than what to man's Sublime aífairs relates.

C X X V I I I .

What's revelation then ? a lift, A n inventory juft, 5 IO Of that poor iníèít's goods fo late Call'd out of night and duft.

C X X I X .

What various motives to rejoice! T o render joy fincere, Has this no weight ? Our joy is fclt SlS Beyond this narrow fphere.

cxxx. Would we in heav'n new heav'n crcate, A n d double its delight ? A fmiling world, when Heav'n looks down, How pleafing in its fight! 5 a 3

2

C X X X I .

Angels ftoop forward from their tlirones T o hear its joy fui lays; A s incenfe fweet enjoy, and join Its aromatic praife.

C X X X I I. Have we no caufe to fear the ftroke 525 Of Heav'n's avenging rod, When we prifume to counterafl A fympathetic God .'

C X X X I I I . If we reíign. our patience makes His rod an harmlcfs wand; 530 If not, it darts a ferpcnt's íling, Like that in Mofes' hand;

C X X X I V . Like that it fwallows up whate'er Earth's vain magicians bring, Whofe baffled arts would boall bclow J3J Of joys a rival fpring.

cxxxv. Confummate Love! the lift how large Of blcílings from thy hand ? T o banilh forrow, and be blefs'd, Is thy fupreme command. 540

C X X X V I . Are fuch commands but ill obcy'd ? Of blifs (hall we complain

Volume IV.. L

T h e man who dares to be a wretch Deferves ftill greater pain.

C X X X V I I . . Joy is our duty, glory, health; T h e funlhine of the foul; Our bell encomium on the Pow'r W h o fweetly plans the whole.

C X X X V I I I . Joy is our Eden ftill poflefs'd : Be gone, ignoble Grief! 'Tis joy makes gods, and men exalts Their nature our relief:

C X X X I X . " Relief, for man to that muft ftoop, A n d his due diftance know; Tranfport's the language of the íkies, Content the ftyle below.

C X L . Content is joy ; and joy in pain Isjoy and virtue too; Thus, whilft good prefent we poíTefj, More precious we purfue.

C X L Í . Of joy the more we have in hand, T h e more have we to come; Joy, like our monev, int'reft bears, Which daily íwells the fum.

CXJLII.

" But how to fmile, to fem the tide " Of nature in our veins; " Is it not hard to weep in joy ? " What then to fmile in pains?"

c x x . 1 1 1 . :i Viítorious joy ! which breaks the clouds, A n d (truggles thro' a Itorm, Proclaims the mind as great as good, A n d bids it doubly charm.

C X L I V . If doubly charming in our fex, A fex by nature bold What then in your's: 'tis di'mond there, Triumphant o'er our gold.

CX.LV. A n d (hould not this complaint reprefs A n d check the rifing figh ? Yet farther opiate to your pain I labour to fupply.

C X L V I . Since fpirits greatly damp'd diílort ldeas of delight, Look thro' the médium of a friend, T o fet your notions right.

C X L V I I . As tears the fight, grief dims the foul; Its objeft dark appears;

L i j

124 RESIGNATION. Part í True friendíhip, like a rifing fun. Tlie foul's horizon clears.

CXLVIII . A fricnd's an optic to the mind With forrow clouded o'er; J9° A n d gives it flrength of fight to fee Redrefs unfeen before.

C X L I X . Reafon is foniewhat rough in man; Extremely fmoolh and fair, When lhe, to grace her manly ílrength, 595 Alíumes a female air.

C L . A friend you have *, and I the fame, Whofe prudent, foft addrefs, Will bring to life thofe healing thoughts, Which dy'd in your diftrefs. 600

C L I . That friend the fpirit of my theme Extraíting for your eafe, Will leave to me the dreg, in thoughts Too common, fuch as thefe.

CLII . Let thofe lament, to whsm full bowls Of fparkling joys are giv'n; That triple bane inebriates life, Imbitters death, and hazards heav'n.

605

* Mrs. M

CLIII . Woe to the foul at perfeít eafe! 'Tis brewing perfeít pains; Lull'd Reafon fleeps, the Pulfe is k i n g ; Defpotic Body reigns.

C L IV. Have you ne'er pity'd Joy's gay fcenes, A n d deem'd their glory dark ? Alas , poor E n v y ! Ihe's ftone-blind, A n d quite miftakes her mark:

C L V . Her mark lies hid in Sorro\v's íhades, But forrow well fubdu'd; A n d in proud Fortune's frown defy'd By meek, unborrow'd good.

C L V I . By Relignation; ali in that A double friend may find, A wing to heav'n, and, while on earth, T h e pillow of mankind.

CLVII . On pillows void of down, for reft Our refllefs hopes we place; When hopes of heav'n lie warm at leal), Our hearts repofe in peace.

CLVIII . That peace, which Refignation yields, Who fecl alone can guefs;

L iij

'Tis diíbeliev'd by murm'ring minds, They muft conclude it lefs.

cux. T h e lofs or gain of that alone Have we to hope or fcar; T h a t Fate controls, and can invert 635

T h e feafons of the year. C L X .

O ! the dark days, the year around, Of an impatient mind ; Thro' clouds, and ílorms, a fummer breaks, T o (liine on the relign'd. 640

C L X I . While man, by that, of ev'ry grace A n d virtue is pofltfs'd, Foul Vice her Pandasinonium builds In the rebellious breaft.

C L X I f . By Refignation we defcat 645 T h e worft that can annoy, A n d fuffcr with far more repofe Than worldlings can enjoy.

C L X I I I . From fmall experience this I fpeak; O grant to thofe I love 650 F.xperience fuller far, ye Pow'rs Who form our fates abore!

C L X I V .

M y love where due, if not to thofe

W h o , leaving grandeur, came

T o fliine 011 age in mean recefs,

A n d light me to my theme ?

C L X V .

A theme themfelves ! a theme how rarel

The charms which they difplay

T o triumph over captive heads,

A r e fet in bright array.

C L X V I .

W i t h his own arms proud man's o'ercome,

His boaftcd laurels d ie ;

I.earning and Genius, wifer grown,

T o female bofoms fly.

C L X V I I .

This revolution, fix'd by Fate,

In fable was foretold;

The dark prediclion puzzled wits,

Nor could the learn'd unfold.

C L X V I II.

But as thofe ladies' * works l read,

They darted fuch a ray,

The latent fenfe burft out at once,

And lhone in open day.

C L X I X .

So burft full ripe diftcnded fruits,

When ftrongly ftrikes the f u n ;

* Mrs.M . Mrs. C

A n d from the purple gtape unprefs'd, Spontaneous neítars run.

C L X X . Pallas, ('tis faid) when Jove grew dull, Forfook his drowfy brain, A n d fprightly leap'd into the throne Of Wifdom's brighter reign;

C L X X I .

Her helmet took ; that is, íhot rays Of formidable wit ; A n d lance ,—or genius moft acutc, Which lines immortal writ j

C L X X I I . A n d Gorgon Ihield,—or, pow'r to fright Man's folly dreadful íhone; A n d many a blockhcad (eafy change!) Turn'd inftantly to ftone.

C L X X I I I . Our authors male, as then did Jove, Now fcratch a damag'd head, A n d call for what once quarter'd thcre, But find the goddefs fled.

C L X X I V . T h e fniit of knowledge, golden fruit! T h a t once forbidden tree, Hedg'd in by furly man, is now T o Britain's daughters free.

C L X X V . In Eve (we know) of fruit fo fair The noble thirft began; A n d they, like her, have caus'd a fali, A fali of fame in man.

C L X X V I . A n d fince of geniui in our fesc; 0 Addifon! with thee T h e fun is fet, how I rejoice -::ri* This fifter lamp to fee! : • • >< >i , í.

C L X X V 1 I . It íheds, like Cynthta, filver beams On man's noíiurnal ftate: J: re , His leffen'd light, and langúid pow'rs, 1 fhow, whilft I relate.

T A Í T JI . I:

B U T what in either fex, beyond A l i parts, our glory crowns? " In ruffling fcafons to be calm, " A n d fmile while Fortune frowns."

II. Heav'n's choice is fafer than our o w n ; Of ages paft inquire, What the moft formidable f a t e í " T o have ruir own dcfire."

III. If, in your wrath, the worft of foes You wiíh extremely i l l ; Expofe him to the thunder's ftroke, Or that of his own will.

IV. » What numbers ruíhing down the fteef Of inciination ftrong, Have perilh'd in their ardent wiíh! Wiíh ardent, ever wrong!

.1 V. 'Tis Refignation's full reverfe, Moft wrong, as it implies Error moft fatal in our choice, Detachment from the íkies.

VI. By clofing with the íkies, we make Omnipotence our own; That done, how formidable Ill's Whole army is o'erthrown!

VII. N o longer impotent and frail, Ourfelves above we rife; W e fcarce believe ourfelves below; W e trefpafs on the íkies.

VIII. T h e Lord, and Soul, and Source of ali Whilft man enjoys his eafe,

Is executing human will In earth, and air, and feas.

IX. . Beyond us what can angels boaft ? Archangels what require ? Whate'er below, above, is done, Is done a s — w e defire.

X. What glory this for man fo mean, Whofe life is but a fpan ? T h i i is meridian majefty! This the fublime of man !

XI. Beyond the boaft of Pagan fong M y facred fubjeít íhines, A n d for a foil the luftre takes Of Rome's exalted lines.

XII. " AH that the fun furveys fubdu'd, " But Cato's mighty mind" How grand! moft true; yet far beneath T h e foul of the refign'd.

XIII. T o more than kingdoms, more than worlds, T o paftion that gives law; Its matchlefs empire could have kept Great Cato's pride in awe.

XIV. That fatal pride, whofe cruel point Transfix'd his noble breaft; Far nobler! if his fate fuftain'd Had left to Heaven the reft :

X V . Then he the palm had borne away, A t diftance Csefar thrown; Put him ofFcheaply with the world, A n d made the íkies his own.

X V I . What cannot Reíignation do ? It wonders can perform : T h a t pow'rful charm, " T h y will be done, Can Iay the loudeft ílorm.

XVII . Come, Reíignation' then, from ficlds, Where, mounted on the wing, A wing of flame, blefs'd martyrs' fouls Afccnded to their King.

XVIII . W h o is it calls thee ? One whofe need Tranfcends the common fize ; W h o ílands in front againft a foe T o which none equal rife:

X I X . In front he ftands, the brink he treads Of an etcrnal ftate;

How dreadful his appointed poli !

How ftrongly arm'd by Kate!

X X .

His threat'ning foc! what lhadows deep

0'erwhelm his gloomy brow!

His dart t r c m e n d ' o u s ! — a t fourfcore

My fole afylum thou.

X X I .

Hafte then, O Refignation! hafte,

' T i s thine to reconcile

My foe and m e ; at thy.approach,

M y foe begins to fmile.

X X I I .

O for that fummit of my with,

Whi l f t here I draw my breath,

T h a t promife of eternal life,

A glorious fmile in death!

X X I I I .

W h a t f ight, heav'n's azure arch beneath,

Hatli moft of heav'n to boaft!

T h e man refign'd, at once ferene,

A n d giving up the ghoft.

X X I V .

A t Death's arrival they íhall fmile

W h o , not in life o 'ei-gay,

Serious and frequent thought fend out

T o meet him in his way.

Volume IV. M

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9S

X X V .

M y gay Coevals! (fuch thereare) If happinefs is dear, Approaching Death's alarming day Difcreetly let us fcar.

X X V I . T h e fcar of dcath is troly wife, T i l l wifdom can rife high'r; A n d , arm'd with pious fortitude, Dcath, dreaded once, defire.

X X V I I . Grand climafteric vanities T h e vaineft will defpife; Shock'd when, beneath the fnow of age, Man immaturely dies.

XXVIII . But am not I myfelf the man ? N o need abroad to roam In queft of faults to be chaftis'd; W h a t caufe to bluíh at home!

X X I X .

In life's decline, when men relapfe Into the fports of youth, T h e fecond child outfools the firfl", A n d tempts the laíh of Truth.

X X X . Shall a mere truant from the grave With rival boys engage ?

His trembüng voice attempt to fing, And ape the poct's rage ? 120

X X X I . Here, Madam! let me vifit one, M y fault who partly lhares, A n d tell myfelf, by telling him, What more becomes our years.

X X X t I . A n d if your breaft with prudent zeal 125 For Rcfignation glows, You will not diíapprove a juít Refcntment at its foes.

X X X I I I . In youth, V — t a i r e ! our foibles plead For fome indulgence due; 130 When heads are white, their thoughts and aims Should change their colour too.

X X X I V . How are you cheated by your wit ! Old age is bound to pay, By Nature's law, a mind difereet, 135 For joys it takes away.

X X X V . A mighty change is wrought by years, Reverfing human lot; In age 'tis honout to lie hid, 'Tis praife to be lorgot. I40

M i j

X X X V I .

T h e wife, as flow'rs, which fpread at noon,

A n d ali their charms expofe,

W h e n ev'ning damps and íhades defcénd,

Their evolutions clofe.

X X X V I I . :

W h a t tho' your Mufe has nobly foar'd,

Ts that our true fublime ?

Ours , hoary Friend! is to prefer

Eternity to time.

X X X V I I I .

W h y dofe a life fo juíl ly fam'd

W i t h fuch bold traíh as this * ?

T h i s for renown ? yes, fuch as makes

Obfcurity a blifs.

X X X I X .

Y o u r tralh, with mine at open war,

Ts obftinatcly b c n t f ,

X.ike wits below, to fow your tares

O f gloom and difcontent.

X ^ .

W i t h fo much funfhineat command,

W h y light with darknefs mix ?

W h y daíh with pain our pleafure ? why

Your Helicon with Styx ?

X L I .

Your works in our divided minds

Hcpugnant palfíons raife,

« Candiil. I Second Part.

Confound us with a double flroke ; W e íhudder, whilít we praife:

X L I I .

A curious web, as finely wrought A s genius can infpire, From a black bag of poifon fpun, With horror we admire.

X L I I I . Mean as it is, if this is read With a difdainful air, I can't forgive fo great a foe T o my dear friend V—taire .

XJLIV. Early I knew him, carly prais'd, A n d long to praife him late ; His genius greatly I admire, Nor would deplore his fate :

X L V .

A fate how much to be deplor'd, A t which our nature ílarts! Forbear to fali on your own fword, T o periih by your parts.

X L V I . " But great your n a m e " — T o feed on air Were then immortals bom ? Nothing is great, of which more great, More glorious is the fcorn.

M iij

X L V I I . Can fame your carcafe from the worm, Which gnaws us in the grave, Or foul from thaf which never dies, Applauding Europe, fave ?

X L V I I I . But fame you lofe; good fenfe alone Your idol, praife can claim ; When wild wit murders happinefs, It puts to death our fame.

X L t X . N»r boaft your genius; talents bright Ev'n dunces will defpife, If in your weftern beams is niifs'd A genius for the íkies.

L . Your tafte, too, fails : what moft cxcels, True tafte muft reliíh moft ; A n d what, to rival palms above, Can proudeft laprejs boaft ?

L I . Sound heads falvation's helmet * feek ; Refplendent are its rays: L e t that fuffice ; it needs no plume Of fublunary praife.

L U . May this cnable couch'd V — t a i r e

T o fee that Al i is right f ,

f E p h . v í . 1 7 . f NVhich his r o m a n c e r

Ptft I I , RESIGNATION'.

His eye, by flalh of wit ftruck' blind, Reftoring to its fight.

LIIJ. If fo, all's well : who much have err'd, That much have been forgiv'n; I fpcak with joy, with joy he'll hear, " V — t a i r e s are, 110W, in heav'n."

L 1 V . Nay, fuch philanthropv divine, So boundlefs in degree, Its marvellous of love extends (Stoop moft profound!) to me.

L V . Let others cruel ftars arraign, Or dwell on their diftrcfs; But let my page, for mercies pour'd, A grateful heart exprefs.

L V 1 . Walking, the prefent God was fcen, Of old, in Eden fair: T h e God as prefent, by plain fteps Of providcntial care,

LV1I , I bcliold pafíing through my l i fe; His awful voice 1 hear; A n d , confcious of my nakedncfs, VVould hide myfelf Cor fear:

SI S

229

215

140 &ESIGNAT10N> Part I I .

L V I I 1 .

But where the trees, or where the clouds,

C a n cover from his fight ?

N a k e d the centre to that eye,

T o which the fun is night .

L I X .

A s yonder glitt 'ring lamps on high

T h r o ' night illumin'd rol l ;

M a y thoughts of him by whom they íhine

Chafe darknefs from my foul 1

LX.

M y foul, which reads his hand as clear

In my minute affairs,

A s in his ample manufcript

O f fun, and moon, and ftars;

L X I .

A n d knows him not more bent aright

T o wield that vaft machine,

T h a n to correít one erring thought

In my fmall world within;

L X I I .

A world that íhall furvive the fali

O f ali his wonders here;

Survive, when funs ten thoufand drop,

A n d leave a darken'd fphere.

L X U I .

Y o n ' matter grofs, how bright it lllincs!

Fpr time how great his carc!

23 0

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Surc fpirit and eternity Far richer glories Hiare.

L X i y i w o n i i l irtom slnH oZ I.et thofe our hearts imprefs, on thofe Our contemplation dwell;,. > On thofe my thoughts how juftly thrown, By what I now Íhall tell í

L X V i . ' I When backward with attenti.Ye.mind. Life 's labyrinth I trace, 1 find him far myfelf beyond Propitious to my peace:

L X V I . Thro ' ali the crooked paths I trode, M y folly he purfu'd ; My heart aftray, to quitk retuin Importunatcly woo'd.

L X V I Í . Due Relignation home to prefs On my capricious will, How many refeues did I mcct Beneath the maík of i l l !

L X V I I I . How many foes in ambuih laid Beneath my foul's delire! T h e deepeft penitents are made By what we moíl admire.

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L X I X . Have I not fometimes, (real good So little mortais know!) Mounting the fummit of my wllh, Profoundly plung'd in woe ?

L X X . I rarely plann'd, but caufe I found M y plan's defeat to blefs: Of t ' I lamented an event, It turn'd to my fuccefs.

L X X I . By íharpen'd appetite to give T o good intenfe delight, T h r o ' dark and deep perplexities He led me to the right.

L X X I I . A n d is not this the gloomy path Which you are treading now? T h e path moft gloomy leads to light, When our proud paílions bow.

L X X I I I . When lab'ring under fancy'd ill, M y fpirits to fuftain, He kindly cur'd with fov'reign draughts O f unimagin'd pain.

L X X I V . Pain'd Senfe from Fancy's tyranny Alone can fet us free:

*7S

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290

Part II. RESIGNAI

A thoufand miferics we feel. 29 5

T i l l funk in mifery. L X X V .

CloyM with a glut of ali we willi, Our wilh we reliíh lefs : Succefs, a fort of fuicide, Is ruin'd by fuccefs. JCO

T o raife my thoughts beyond where worlds, 305 A s fpangles, o'er us Íhine, One day he gave, and bid the next M y foul's delight refign.

L X X V I . Sometimes he led me near to death, A n d , pointing to the grave, Bid Terror whifper kind advice, A n d taught the tomb to fave.

L X X V I I .

L X X V I I I . We to ourfelves, but thro' the means Of mirrors, are unknown; In this my fate can you defcry No features of your own ?

310

L X X I X . A n d if you can, let that excufe Thefe felf-recording lines; A record modeílv forbids, Or to fmall bound confines.

144 R E S I G N A T I O N . Pirt II.

I . X X X . In grief why deep ingulf 'd ? you fee You fufter noth ing rare; Uncommon grief for common fate; T h a t Wifdom cannot bear. 310

L X X X I . When ftreams flow backward to their fource, A n d humbled flames defcend, A n d mountains wing'd (hall fly aloft, Then human forrows e n d :

JLXXXII. But human prudence, too, muft ceafe When forrows domineer, When fortitude has loft its fire, A n d freezes into fear.

L X X X I I I . T h e pang moft poignant of my life Now heightens my delight; I fee a fair creation rife From Chãos and old Night.

330

L X X X I V . From what feem'd horror and defpair, T h e richeft harveft rofe, A n d gave me, in the nod divine, A n abfolute repofe.

33J

L X X X V . Of ali the blunders of mankind, More grofs, or frequent, none,

Than in their grief and joy mifplac'd Eternally are íhown.

L X X X V Í . But whithcr points ali this parado? It fays, that near you lies A book, perhaps, yet unperus'd, Which you íliould greatly prize.

L X X X V I I . Of felf-perufal, fcience rare! Few know the mighty gain; Learn'd prelates, felf-unrea<J, may read Their Bibles o'er in vain.

L X X X V 1 I 1 . Self-knowledge, which from Heav'n itfelf (So fages tell us) carne, W h a t is it, but a daughter fair Of my maternal theme ?

L X X X I X . Unletter'd and untravell'd men A n oracle might find, Would they confult their own contents, The Delphos of the mind.

X C .

F.nter your bofom; there you'll find A revelation new, A revelation perfonal, Which none can read but you.

Vclumi IV. N

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350

355

3ÍO

XCI. There will yõu clearly read reveal'd In your enlighten'd thought, By mercies manifold, thro' life, T o freíh remcmbrance hrought,

X C I I .

A niighty Being! and in him A complicated friend, A father, brother, fpoufe; no dread Of death, divorce, or end.

xcni. W h o fuch a matchlefs friend embrace, A n d lodge him in their heart, Full well, from agonies exempt, W i t h other friends may part.

XC1V. A s when o'erloaded branches hear I.arge cluflers big with wine, W e fcarce regret one falling leaf From the luxuriant vine.

X C V .

M y fhort advice to you rtay found Obfcure, or fomewhat odd,

. T h o ' 'tis the befl that man can give, " Ev'n be content with God."

X C V I . Thro ' love he gave you the deceas'd ; T h r o ' greater took him hence ;

This Reafon fully could evince, T h o ' murmur'd at by Senfe.

xcvir. This friend, far paft the kindeft kind, Is paft the greateft great; His greatnefs let me touch in points Not foreign to your ílate.

XCVII l .

His eye, this inftant, reads your heart, A truth lefs obvious hear, This inftant its moft fecrct thoughts A r e founding in his ear.

X C I X . Difpute you this ? O ftand in awe, A n d ceafe your forrow; know, That tear now trickling down he faw Ten thoufand years ago ;

C. A n d twice ten thoufand hence, if you Your temper reconcile T o Reafon's bound, will he behold Your prudence with a fmile;

C l . A fmile which thro' eternity Diffufes fo bright rays, T h e dimmeft deifies ev'n guilt, If guilt at laft obeys.

N

CII. Your guilt (for guilt it is to monrn, When fuch a Sov'reign reigns) Your guilt diminifli, peace purfue; How glorious peace in pains !

CHI. Here, then, your forrows ceafe ; if not, T h i n k how unhappy they W h o guilt incrtife by ftreaming tears, Which íhould guilt waíh awj)-.

CIV. Of tears that guíli profufe reftrain ; Whenoe burft the difmal fighs ? They from the throbbing breaíl of one (Strange truth !) moft happy rife.

CV. N o t angels (hear it, and exult!) Enjoy a larger lhare T h a n is indulg'd to you, and yours, Of God's impartial care.

CVf. Anxious for each, as if on each His care for ali was thrown; For ali his care as abfolute A s ali had been but one.

CVII. A n d is he then ío n-.ar ? fo kind ? — How little then, and great,

That riddle, Man ! O let me gaze A t wonders in his fate!

CVIII. His fate, who ycfterday did crawl A worm from darknefs deep, A n d íhall, with brother worms, beneath A turf, to-morrow lleep.

C 1 X . How mean ! and yet if well obey'd His mighty Mafter's call, T h e whole creation for mean man Is deem'd a boon too f m a l l :

C X .

Too fmall the whole creation dcem'd For emmcts in the duft ! Account amazing ! yet moft true; My fong is bold, yet juft.

C X I . Man bom for infinite, in whom No period can deftroy The pow'r in exquifite extremes T o fuffer, or enjoy.

C X I f . Give him carth's empire (if 110 more) He's beggar'd, and undone! Imprifon'd in unboundcd fpace ! Benightcd by the fun!

N ü j

CXIII. For what's the fun's meridian blaze T o the moft feeble ray Which glimmcrs from the diftant dawn Of uncreated day ?

CXIV. 'Tis not the poet's rapture feign'd Swells here, the vain to pleafe ; T h e mind moft fober kindles moft A t truths fublime as thefe.

G X V . They warm cv'n m e . — I dare not fay Divine ambition ftrove Not to blefs on5y, but confoilnd, N a y fright us, with its love;

cxvr. A n d yet fo frightful what, or ki-nd, A s that the rending rock, T h e darken'd fun, and rifing deadr

So formidably fpoke CXVII .

A n d are we darkcr than that fun .' Than rocks more hard. and blind í W e are ; — i f not to fuch a God In agonies rc(ign'd.

C X V U I . Yea, even in agonies forbear T o doubt aljníghty Love í

Whate'er endcars eternity, Is mercy from above.

C X I X .

Wliat moft embittcrs time, that moft líternity endcars; A n d thus, by plunging in difttefs, 475 Iixalts us to the fpheres;

Joy's fountain-head! where blifs o'tr Uifs, ü 'er wonders wonders rife, A n d an Omnipotence prepares

C X X .

Its banquet for the wife; C X X I .

4 8 S

Ambrofial banquet! rich in wines Neftareous to the foul! W h a t tranfports fparkle from the ftrcani, A s angels fill the bowl l

C X X I I . Fountain profufe of cv'ry blifs'! Good-will»immenfe prevails: Man's line can't fathom its profound;

4?J

A n angel's plummet fails. C X X I I I .

T h y love and might, by what they kncw W h o judge, nor dream of more; They aík a drop, how deep the fea ? One fand, how wide the (hore

C X X 1 V . Of thy exuberant good-will, Offended Deity!

T h e thoufandth part who comprehends, A deity is he.

C X X V . How yonder ample azure field With radiant worlds is fown! How tubes aíloniíh us with thofe More deep in ether thrown !

C X X V I . A n d thofe beyond of brighter worlds W h y not a million more ? In lieu of anfwer, let us ali Fali profira te and adore.

C X X V I I . Since thou art infinite in pow'r, Nor thy indulgence lefs; Since man, quite impotent, and blind, Of t ' drops into diflrefs;

c x x v u r .

Say, what is Refignation ? 'Tis Man's weaknefs undcrílood; A n d Wifdom grafping, with an hand Far ftronger, every good.

C X X I X . Let rafli repiners ftand appall'd, In thee who darc not truíl;

Whofe abjeft fotils, like demons daik, A r e murm'ring in the duft.

cxxx. For man to murmur or repine A t what by thee is done, No lefs abfurd than to complain Of darknefs in the fun.

C X X X I . W h o would not, with an heart at eafc, Eright eye, unclouded brow, Wifdom and Goodnefs at the helm, T h e rougheft ocean plough ?

C X X X I I . What tho' I'm fivallow'd in the decp? T h o ' mountains o'er me roar í Jehovah reigns! as Jonah fafe I'm landed, and adore.

cxxxiri. T h y will is welcome, let it wear Its moft tremendous form : Ilo5r,Waves! rage,Winds! I know that Canft fave me by a ftorm.

C X X X I V . From thee immortal fpirits born, T o thee their fountain flow, If wife, as curl'd around to theirs Meandring ftreams bclow.

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cxxxv. Not lefs compell'd by Reaíbn's call, T o thee our fouls afpire, T h a n to thy íkies, by Nature's Iaw, High mounts material fire :

C X X X V I . T o thee afpiring they exult; I feel my fpirits tife, I feel myfelf thy fon, and pant For patrimonial íkies.

C X X X V I I . Since ardent thirft of future good, A n d gen'rous fenfe of paíl, T o thee man's prudence ftrongly ties, A n d binds affeftion faft.

C X X X V I I . Since great thy love, and great our want, A n d men the wifeft blind, A n d blifs our aim, pronounce us ali Diítraíted or refign'd:

C X X X I X . Refign'd thro* duty, int'rcfi, fliame; Deep íhame! dare I complain, When (wondrous truth!) in heav'n itfelf Joy ow'd its birth to pain ?

C X L . A n d pain for me! for me was drain'd Gall's overflowing bowl;

A n d fhall one drop, to murmur bold Provoke my guilty foul?

C X L I . If pardon'd this, what caufe, what crime Can indignation raife ? T h e fun was lighted up to thine, A n d man was born to praife:

C X L I I .

A n d when to praife thee man fhall ccafe, Or fun to ftrike the view; A cloud diíhonours both, but man's T h e blacker of the two.

C X L I I I . For, oh! ingratitude how black! W i t h moft profound amaze A t love, which man belov'd o'erlooks, Aftonifh'd angels gaze.

C X L I V . Praife cheers, and warms, like gen'rous wine; Praife, more divine than pray'r : Pray'rpoints our ready path to heav'n; Praife is already there.

C X L V -Let plaufive Refignation rife, A n d banilh ali complaint; A l i virtues thronging into onc, It finilhcs the faint;

C X L V I .

Makes the man blefs'd as man can be j Li fe 's labours renders light; Darts beams thro' Fate's incumbent gloom, A n d lights our fun by night.

C X L V I L 'Tis Nature's brighteft omament, j 8 5 T h e richeft gift of Grace, Rival of angels, and fupreme Proprietor of peace:

cxLViir. Nay, peace beyond, no fmall degree Of rapture'twill impart; 590 Know, Madam! " when your heart's 111 hcav'n, " A l i heav'n is in your heart."

CXLIX. But who to heav'n their hearts can raife Deny'd divine fupport, A l i virtue dies ; fupport divine 59J T h e wife with ardour court :

C L .

When pray'r partakes the ftraph's fire, T i s mounted on his wing, Buríls thro' heav'n's cryítal gates, and gains Sure audience of its King. ÉCO

C L I .

T h e lab'ring foul from fore diílrcfs

That blefs'd expedient frees i

4

I fee you fav advanc'd in peace; I fee you on your knees.

C L I I . IIow on tliat pofture has the beam Divine for ever Ihone ? A n htimble heart, God's other feat* ! T h e rival of his throne.

605

C L I I I .

A n d floops Omnipotence fo low ? A n d condefcends to dwell 610

Eternity's inhabitant, Well-pleas*d, in fuch a cell ?

C L IV. Such honour how (hall we repay ? How treat our gueft divine ? — T h e facrifice fupreme be flain! 6 l J L e t felf-will die : Refign.

C L V . Thus far, at large, on our difeafe; Now, let the caufe be íhown, Whence rifes, and will ever rife, T h e difmal human groan. fijo

C L VI. W h a t our fole fountain of diftrefs ? Strong paflion for this fcene; That trifies makes important, things Of mighty moment mean.

* I l a i a h l v i i . 15.

Volume IV. O

C L V I I . When earth's dark maxims poifon íhed On our polluted fouls, Our hearts and int'refls fly as far Afunder as the poles. *.

CLvnr. Like princes in a eottage nurs'd Unknown their roya! race, With abjeO aims and fordid joys Our grandeur we difgrace.

CLIX. O for an Arcliimedes new, Of moral pow'rs po(Tefs'd, T h e world to move and quite expel T h a t traitor from the hreaft!

C I . X . N o fmall advantage may be reap'd From thought w hence we defcend ; From weighing well, and prizing, weigh'd, Our origin and end;

CLXI. From far above the glorious fun T o this dim fcene we carne; A n d may, if wife, for ever baík In great Jehovah's beam:

CLXII. L e t that bright beam, on reafon rouz'd, In awful luftre rife,

O .

Earth's giant ills are d w a r f d at once, A n d ali difquiet dles:

C L X I 1 I . Earth's glories, too, their fplendour lofe, Thofe phantoms charm no more,. Empiie's a feather for a fool, A n d Indian mines are poor:

C L X I V . Then levell'd quite, whilíl yet alive, T h e monarch and his ílave; Nor wait enlighten'd minds to learn T h a t leiíon from the grave.

C L X V .

A George the Third would then he low A s Lewis in renown, Could he not boaft of glory more Than fparklcs from a crown.

C L X V I . When, human glory rifes high A s human glory can; When, tho' the king is truly great, Still greater is the man :

C L X V l í . T h e man is dead where virtue fails J A n d tho* the monarch proud In grandcur íhines, his gorgeous rohe Is but a gaudy íhroud.

c .VWWJJMBJ O

C L X V I I I .

Wifdom! where artthou? None on earth, T h o ' grafping wealth, fame, power, 6"O

But what, O Death! thro' thy approach Is wífer ev'ry hour.

C L X I X . Approach how fwi f t ! how unconfin'd! Worms feaft on viands rare;

Thofe little epicures have kings 67$

T o grace their bill of fare. C L X X .

From kings what refignation due T o that almighty Will , Which throncs beílows; and, when they fail, Can thronc them higher ftill! 6S0

C L X X I . W h o truly great ? the good and brave, T h e maflers of a mind T h e will divine to do refolv'd; T o fuffer it refign'd.

C L X X H .

Madam! if that may give it weight, 685 T h e trifle you receive Is dated from a folemn fcene, T h e border of the grave;

C L X X I I I . Where ftrongly ítrikes the trembling foul Eteraity's dread pow'r, É90

A s burfting on it through the thin Partition of an hour.

C L X X I V . Hear this, V — t a i r e ! but this from me Runs hazard of your frown : However, fpare i t ; ere you die, Such thoughts will be your own.

C L X X V . In mercy to yourfelf, forbear M y notions to challife, Lef t unawares the gay V — t a i r e Should blame V — t a i r e the wife.

C L X X V I . Fam'c's trumpet rattling in your car, Now makes us difagree; When a far louder trumpet founds, V taire will elofe with me.

C L X X V 1 I . How fliocking is that modeíly Which keeps fome honeft men From urging what their hearts fuggcft, When brav'd by Folly's pen,

C L X X V I 1 I . Af lauhing truths, of which in ali Is fown the facred fecd! Our conflitution's orthodox, A n d dofes with our eteed.

O

C L X X I X .

What then are they whofe proud conceits Superior wifdom boaft ? Wretches, who fight their own belief, A n d labour to be loft.

C L X X X .

T h o ' Vice by no fuperior joys Her heroes keeps in pay; T h r o ' pure difintereíted love Of min they obey;

C L X X X R.

Stri£t their devotion to the wrong, T h o ' tempeted by no prize; Hard their commandmcnts, and their creed A magazine of lies

C L X X X I I .

From Fancy's forge: gay Fancy fmiles A t Reafon plain and cool; Fancy, whofe curious trade it is T o make the fineíl fool.

C L X X X I I f . V — t a i r e ! long life's the greateft curíè T h a t mortais can receive, When they imagine the chief end O f living is to l ive;

C L X X X I V . Quite thoughtlefs of their day of dcath, T h a t birth-day of their forrow;

K n o w i n g it may be diftant far,

Nor cruíh them t i l l — t o - m o r r o w .

C L X X X V .

Thefe are cold, northern thoughts, conc

Beneath an humble cot ;

Not mine your genius, or your ftate,

N o Caftle * is my l o t :

C L X X X V I .

But foon, quite levei fhall we l ie;

A n d what pride moft bemoans,

Our parts, in rank fo diflant now,

A s levei as our bonés.

C L X X X V I 1 .

Hear you that found ? alarming found!

Prepare to meet your fate!

One, who writes finis to our works,

Is knocking at the gate.

C L X X X V I I I .

Far other works will íoon be weigh 'd;

Far other judges f i t ;

Far other crowns be loft, or won,

T h a n fire ambitious w i t :

C L X X X I X .

T h e i r wit far brighteft will be prov'd,

W h o funk it in good fenfe,

A n d veneration moft profound

O f dread Omnipotence.

» Lrtter to Lord Lyttleton.

C X C .

' T i s that alone unlocks the gate

O f blefs'd eternity;

O may' f t thou never, never lofe

T h a t more than golden kcy * !

C X C I .

Whate 'er may fecm too rough, excufe;

Your good I have at heáít j

Since from my foul I wiíh you well,

A s yet we muft not p a r t :

C X C I f .

Shall you and I, in love with life,

L i fe ' s future fchemes contrive,

T h e world in wonder not unjuft,

T h a t we are ftill alive ?

C X C I I I .

W h a t have we lcft ? how mean in man

A (hadow'5 ilude to crave ?

W h e n life, fo vain! is vainer ftill,

' T i s time to take our leave.

C X C 1 V .

Happier, than happieft life his death,

W h o , falling in the field

O f conflift with his rebel will,

Writes Vici on his fhield:

C X C V .

So falling man, immortal heir

O f an ctcrnal prize,

* AUuding to Pruffh.

Undaunted at the gloomy grave, Defcends into the íkies.

C X C V I . O how diforder'd our machine. When contradiflions mixl When Nature ftrikes no lefs than twclve, A n d Folly points at f ix!

C X C V I I .

T o mend the movements of your heart, How great is my dclight! Gently to wind your morais up, A n d fet your hand aright!

CXCVII1 . That hand, which fpread your wifdom wide T o poifon diftant lands: Repent, recant; the tainted age Your antidote demands.

C X C I X . T o Satan dreadfully refign'd Whole herds ruíh down the fteep Of folly, by lewd wits pollefs'd, A n d periíli in the deep.

C C .

Men't praife your vanity purfues: 'T is well, purfue it ftill; But let it be of men deceas'd, A n d you'll refign the wi l l :

CC1. A n d how fuperior they to thofe A t whofe applaufe you aim, How very far fuperior they In number and in name !

F O S T S C R I P T .

I. THUS have I written, when to write N o mortal (hould prefume; Or only write, what none can blame, Hic jacct—for his tomb.

II. T h e public frowns, and cenfures loud My puerile employ: T h o ' juíl the cenfure, if you fmile, T h e fcandal 1 enjoy.

III. But ling no m o r e — n o more I fing, Or reaíTume the lyre, Unlefs vouchfafd an humble part Where Raphael leads the choir.

IV. What myriads fwell the concert loud i Their golden harps refound High as the footftool of the throne, A n d deep as hcll profound:

V. HelI (horrid contraíi!) chord and fong Of raptur'd angels drowns

tn Self-will's peal of blafphemies, A n d hideous burft of groans;

VI. But drowns them not to m e ; I hear Harmonious thunders roll (In language lovv of men to fpeak) From echoing pole to pole!

VII . Whilít this grand chorus fhakes the Íkies—-" Above, beneath the fun, " T h r o ' boundlefs age, by men, by gods, " Jehovah's will be done."

VIII. "Tis done in heav'n; whence headlong hurl'd Self-will, with Satan, fell; A n d muft from earth be bani!h'd too, Or earth's another hell.

IX. Madam ! felf-will inflifts your pains i Self-will*s the deadly foe Which deepens ali the difmal fhades, A n d points the íhafts of Woe.

X .

Your debt to Nature fully paid, Now Virtue claims her due; But Virtue's caufe I need not plcad, 'Tis fafe s I write to you.

i 6 8 r o s T s c R i í T ;

XI . Y o u know, that Virtue's bafis lies In ever judging right; A n d wiping Error's clouds away, Which dim the mental light.

( - X I I . W h y mourn the dead ? you wrong the grave, •From ílorm that fafe refort; W e are ftill toífing out at fea, Our admirai in port.

XIII. Was death deny'd, this world a fcene How difmal aud forlorn! T o death we owc, that 'tis to man A blefling toJ>e bom.

X I V . When every other blefling fails. Or fapp'd by flow decay, Or ftorm'd by fudden blafts of fate, Is fwiftly hurl'd away;

X V .

How happy! that no ftorm, or time, Of death can rob the j u f t ! None pluck from their unaching heads Soft pillows in the duft!

X V I . Wel l pleas'd to bear Heav'n's darkcft frown, Your utmoft pow'r employ ;

' T i s noble chymiílry to turn

Neceífity to joy.

X V I I .

Whate 'er tlie colour of my fate,

M y fate íhall be my cboice;

Determin'd am I, whilíl I breatlie,

T o praife and to rcjoice.

X V I I I .

W h a t ample caufe! triumphant hope!

0 rich F.ternity !

1 ílart not at a world in fiames,

C h a r m ' d with one glimpfe of thee.

X I X .

A n d thou ! its great inhabitant!

H o w glorious doíi thou íhine !

A n d dart thro' forrow, danger, dcath

A bcam of joy divine.

X X .

T h e void of j o y (with femc concern

T h e truth fevere I tell)

Is an impenitent in guilt,

A fool or iníidel.

X X I .

Weigh this, ye pupils of V — t a i r e !

From joylefs murmur f ree ;

Or , let us know, which charaíter

Shall crown you of the three.

Vtlume IV.

X X I I . Refign, refign : this Icflõn nonc T o o deeply can inílill; A crown has been refigu'd by more T h a n have relign'd the will;

XXIII . T h o ' will refign'd the meancft makes í'. perior in renown, A n d richer in eeleflial eycs, T h a n he who wcars a crown.

X X I V . llence 111 the bo(õm of cold age Is kindled a flrange aim T o Ihine in fong, and bid me boalt Th,e grandeur of my theme:

X X V . I5ut, oh! how far prefumption fails Its lofty theme bclow! Our thoughts in life's December freeze, A n d numbers ccafe to flow.

X X V I .

•j"irft! Greateft! Beft! grant what I wrote For others, ne'er may rife T o brand the writer; thou alone Canil make our wifdom wife.

XXVII . A n d how unwife, how decp ii> guilt, How infameis tfce fault,

" A teacher thron'd in pomp of words, " In deed beneath the taught!"

XXVIII . Means moft infallible to make T h e world an infidel, A n d with inlhuítions moft divine T o pave a path to hell.

X X I X . O for a clean and ardent heatt! O for a foill on fire! T h y praife, begun on earth, to found Where angels ftring the lyrc!

X X X . Kow cold is man! to him how hard, (Hard what moft eafy feems) " T o fet a juft eftcem on that, " Which vet he moft efteems."

X X X I . What íhall we fay, when boundlefs blifs Is ofFer*d to mankind, A n d to that offer when a race Of rationals is blind

X X X I I . Of human nature, ne'cr too high A r e our ideas wrought; Of human merit, ne'er too low Deprefs'd the daring thought.

I>ij

O N T H E

D E A T I - I O F Q U E E N A N N E ,

A N D T I I E

A C C E S S I O N OF K I N G G E O R G E .

Infcriled ttf

JOSEPH A D D I S O N , ESC>..

Secrctary to their Exccllencics the Lords JuJliccs, in the year 1714.

. . — G a u J i a curii. IIOTl.

S m ! [ have long, and with impatience, fought T o eafe the fulnefs of my grateful thought, My fame at once and duty to purfue, A n d pleafe the public by refpeít to you.

T h o ' you, long lince beyond Britannia known, 5 Have fpread your country's glory with your own, T o me you never did more lovcly íhine, T h a n when fo late the kindled wrath divine Qnench'd our ambition in great Anna's fate, A n d darken'd ali the pomp of human ftate. 10 T h o ' you are rich in fame, and fame dccay, T h o ' rais'd in life, and greatnefs fade away, Your luftrc brightcns ; virtue cuts the gloom With purer rays, and fparkles near a tomb.

Know, Sir! the great eíteem and honour due 15 I chofe, that moment, to profefs to you, When fadnefs reign'd, when Fortune íu fevere l lad warm'd our bofoms to be moít fincere, A n d when 110 motive could have force to raife A ferious value, and provoke my praife, 20 But fuch as rife above, and far tranfcend, Whatever glories with this world (liall end, Then íhining forth, when deepeít (hades fhall blot T h e fun's bright orb, and Cato be forgot.

I fing ! — b u t , ah ! my theme I need not tel l ! 25 See ev'ry eye with confcious forrow fwell : Who now to verfe would raife his humble voice, Can only íliew his duty, not his choice. How great the weight of grief our hearts fuílain! W e languiíh, and to fpcak is to complain. 30

I.et us look back, (for who too oft ' can view That moíl illuftrious fcene, for ever new!) See al! the feaíòns íhineon Anna's thr^Jie, And pay a conflant tribute not their own. Her funimer heats nor fruits alone beítow, 35 They reap the harveft, and fubdue the foe; A n d when black ftorms confefs the diftant fun, Fler winters «xar the wreaths her fummers won : Revolving pleafures in their turn appear, A n d triumphs are the produít of the year. 40

T o crown the whole, great joys in greater ceafe, A n d glorious viítory is loft in peace.

P iij

Whence this profufion on our favour'd iíle! Did partial Fortune on our virtue fmile ? Or did the feeptre, in great Anna's hand, 45 Stretch forth this rich indulgence o'er our land ? Ungrateful Britain! quit thy groundlefs claim; T h e Queen and thy good fortune are the fame.

Hear, with alarms our trnmpets fill the Iky; 'T is Anna reigns; the Gallic fquadrons fly. 50 W e fpread our calivafs to the fouthern íhore; 'Tis Anna reigns! the Sonth refigns her ftore. Her virtue fooths the tumult of the main, A n d fwells the field wkh mountains of the flain; Argyle and Churchill but the glory fhare, 55

While millions lie fubdu'd by Anna's pray'r. How great her zeal ! how fervent her defire!

IIow did her foul in holy warmth expire! Conftant devotion did her time divide, Not fet returns of pleafure or of pridc; Co N o t want o£reft> o r the fun's parting ray, liut finiíh'd duty, limited the day. How fweet fuccecding lleep! what lovely themes Smil'd in her thoughts, and foften'd ali her dreams! Her roval conch defcending angels fpread, 65 A n d join'd their wings, a Ihclter o'cr her head.

T h o ' Europe's wealth and glory claim'd a part, Rcligion's caufe reign'd mirtrefs of her heart; tíhe faw, and griev'd, to fee the mean eílate Of thofe who round the hallo\v'd altar wait; 70

She fhed her bounty pioufly profufe, A n d thought it more her own in facred ufe.

Thus on his furrow fee the tiller ftand, A n d fill with genial feed his laviíh hand ; Jle truíls the kindnefs of the fruitful plain, 75 And providently fcatters ali his grain.

What ftrikes my fight! does proud Auguíla rife New to bchold, and awfully furprife! Her lofty brow more num'rous turrets crown, A n d facred domes 011 palaces look down : 80

A noble pride of piety is lhown, A n d temples caft a luítre on the throne. Ifow would this work another's glory raife! But Anna's greatnefs robs her of the praife : Drown'd in a grcater blaze it difappears, 85 W h o dry'd the widow's and the orphan's tears ? W h o íloop'd from high to fuccour the diílrefs'd, A n d reconcile the wounded heart to reíl ? Great in her goodnefs, well could we perceive, Whoever fought, it was a Queen that gave. 90 Misfortune loll her name; her guiltlefs frown But made anothcr debtor to the crown ; A n d each unfriendly ílroke from Fate we hore, Bccame our title to the regai flore.

Thus injur'd trees adopt a foreign (hoot, 95 A n d their wounds blolíòm with a fairer fruit.

Ye Numbers! who on your misfortunes thriv'd, Wlicn firít the dreadful blaíl of Fame arriv'd,

Say what a fliock, what agonies you felt, How did your 1'ouls with tender anguiíh melt! ICO T h a t grief which living Anna's love fupprefs'd, Shook like a tempeft every grateful breafh A fecond fate our finking fortunes t r y ' d ; A fecond time our tender parents dy 'd!

Heroes returning from the íield we crown, IC5 A n d deify the haughty viítor's frown; His fplendid wealth too rallily we admire, Catch the difeafe, and burn with equal fire. Wifely to fpend is the great art of gain j A n d one reliev'd tranícends a million fiain. 1x0 When Time (hall aík where once Ramilia lay, Or Danube flow'd that fwept whole troops away, One drop of water that refrefhM the dry Shall raife a fountain of eternal joy.

But ah ! to that unknown and dillant date 115 Is Virtue'ô great reward puíh'd oft by Fate; Her random fliafts in every breaíl are found, Virtue and merit but provoke the wound.

Auguí l in native worth and regai ftate, Anna fat arbitrefs of Europe's fate; 120 T o diílant realms did ev'ry accerit fly, A n d nations watch'd each motion of her eye. Silent, nor longer awful to be feen, How fmall a fpot contains the mighty Queen! No throng of fuppliant princes mark the place, 125 Where Britain's grcatncfs is coirpofcd in peace:

ON T I I E D E A T H OR Q. A N N E . ^ J J

T h e broken earth is fcarce difcern'd to rife, A n d a ftone tells us where the monareh lies,

Thus end matureft honours of a crown! This is the laft conclufion of renown! 130

So when, with idle íkill, the wanton boy Breathes thro' his tube, he fees, with eager joy, T h e trembling bnbble, in its rifing fmall, A n d , by degrees, expands the glitt'ring bali; But when, to full perfeítion blown, it flies 135 High in the air, and íhines in various dyes, T h e little monareh, with a falling tear, Sees his world buríl at once, and difappear.

'Tis not in forrow to reverfe our doom; N o groans unlock th' inexorable doom ; I40 W h y , then, this fond indulgence of our woe 1 W h a t fruit can rife, or what advantage flow! Yes, this advantage from our deep diítrefs, W e leam how much in George the gods can blefs. Had a lefs glorious princcfs left the throne, 145 But half the hero had at firít been íhown > A n Anna falling ali the King employs, T o vindicate from guilt our rifing joys : Our ioys arife, and innocently Ihine, Aufpicious Monareh! what a praife is thine! 15o

Welcome, great Stranger ! to Britannia's throne ! Nor let thy country think thee ali her own. Of thy delay how oft ' did we complain! Our hopes rcach'd out, and met thee on the main.

With pray'r we fmooth'd the billows for thy fleet, With ardent wilhes fill'd thy fwelling lheet; 136 A n d when thy foot took place on Albion's (hore, W e bending bleíVd the gods, and alk'd no more. W h a t hand but thine íhould conquer and compofe, Join thofe whom int'refl joins, and chafe our foes ? 160 P.eptl the daring youth's prefumptuous aim, A n d by his rival's greatnefs give him fame! Now in fome foreign court he may fit down, A n d quit, without a blulh, the Britilh crown, Secure his honour, tho' he lofe his flore, 165

A n d take a lucky moment to be poor. Nor think, great Sir! now firft, at this Iate hour,

In Britain's favour you exert your pow'r ; T o us, far back in time, I joy to trace T h e num'rous tokens of your princely grace. : I~o Whether you chufe to thunder 011 the Rhinc, Infpire grave councils, or in courts to íliine : In the more fcenes your genius was difplay'd, T h e greater dcbt was on Uritannia laid: They ali confpir'd this mighty man to raife, 175 A n d your new fubjeíts proudly lhare the praife.

A l i lhare; but may not we have leave to boaft, T h a t we contemplate and enjoy it moft ? This ancient nurfe of arts, indulg d by i a t e On gentle Ifis* bank a calm retreat, 180 For many rolling ages juftly fam'd, Has thro' the world her Icyalty proclaim'd ;

A n d often pour'd (too well the truth is known!) l ler blood and trcafure to fupport the throne; f o r England's church her lateft accent ílrain'd, 185 A n d freedom with her dying hand retain'd ; No wonder, then, her various ranks agree In ali the fervencies of zeal for thee.

W h a t tho' thy birth a diflant kingdom boafr, A n d feas divide thee from the Britilh coaft? 190 T h e crown's impatient to inclofe thy head; W h y flay thy feet ? the cloth of gold is fpread. Our ftriíl obedience thro' the world íhall teü, T h a t king's a Briton who can govern well. 194

T H E I N S T A L M E N T ,

M-DCXXVI.

To the Rigk Hou.

SIR ROBERT W A L P O L E .

Qplefitam meritis. HOR.

"WITH invocations fome their breaíts inflame; I need no Mufe, a Walpole is my theme.

Ye mighty Dead! ye garter'd Sons of Praife! Our morning-ftars! our boaft in former days! Which hov'ring o'er, your purple wings diíplay, 5 Lur 'd by the pomp of this diftinguiíh'd day, Stoop and attcnd: by one the knee be bound, One throw the mantle's crimfon folds around ; By that the fword on his proud thigh be plac'd, This clafp the di'mond girdle round his waift; IO His breaít, with rays, let juft Godolphin fpread, Wife Burleigh plant the plumage on his head, A n d Edward own, fince firít he fix'd the race, None prcfs'd fair Glory with a fwifter pace.

When Fate would call fome mighty genius forth, 15 T o wake a drooping age to godlike worth, Or aid fome fav'rite king's iliuftrious toil, It bids his blood with gen'rous ardour boil; His blood, from Virtue's celebrated fource, Pour'd down the íteep cf time, a lengthen'd courfe! 30

S

T h a t men prcpar'd may juO attention pay, Warn'd by the dawn to mark the glorious day, When ali the fcatter'd merits of his line, Collefted to a point, intenfely íhine.

See, Britain ! fee thy Walpole íhine from far, 25 His azure ribbon and his radiant ftar; A fiar that, with aufpicious beams, íhall guide T h y veirel íhfe thro' Fortune's roughcft tide.

If Peace ftill fmiles, by this íhall Commerce fteer A finiíh'd courfe, in triumph round the fphere, 30 A n d gath'ring tribute from each diftant íliore, In Britain's lap the wor!d's ahundance pour. If War's ordain'd, this ftar íhall dart its beams Thro' that blackcloud which, rifingfrom theThames, W i t h thunder form'd of Brunfwick'swrath,is fent 35 T o claim the feas, and awe the Contincnt: This íhall direít it where the bolt to throw, A ftar for us, a comet to the foe.

A t this the Mufe íhall kindle and afpirc : My breaft, O Walpole ! glows with grateful fire; 40 T h e ftreams of royal bounty, turn'd by thee, Refreíh the dry domains of poefy. My fortune íhews, when arts are Walpole's care, W h a t ílender worth forbids us to dcfpair: By this thy partial fmile from cenfnre free, 45 'Twas meant for Merit, tho' it fell on me.

Since Brunfwick's fmile has authoris'd my Mufe, Chaftc be her conduft, and fublime her views.

Volume IV. Q_

Falfe praifes are the whoredoms o f t h e pen, Which proftitute fair Fame to worthlefs men. 50 T h i s profanation of celeftial fire Makes foolí defpife what Wifdom íhould admire. Let thofe I praife to diílant times be known, Not by their author's merit but their own. If others think the talk is hard, to weed 55 From verfe rank Flattery's vivacious feed, A n d rooted deep, one means muft fet them free ; Patron! and Patriot! let them fi.ng of thee.

While vulgar trees ignoble hobours wear, Nor thofe retain when winter chills the year, Co T h e gen'rous orange, fav'rite of the fun, With vig'rous charms can thro' the feafons run ; Hefies the ftorm with her tenacious green, A n d flow'rs and fruits in rival pomp are feen; Where bloítoms fali, ftill fairer bloífoms fpring, 65 A n d 'midft their fweets the feáther'd poets fing.

On Walpole, thus, may pleas'd Biitannia vie-.v A t once her ornament and profit too ; The fruit of fervice, and the bloom of fame, Matur'd and gilded by the royal beam. 70

He, when the nipping blafts of Envy rife, Its guilt can pity, and its rage defpife; L e t fali no hononrs, but, fecurely great, Unfaded holds the colour of his fate; No winter knows, tho' rutfling faftions prefs, 75 By wifdom deeply rooted in fuccefs;

One glory flied, a brighter is difplay'd *,

A n d the charm'd Mufes íhelter in the (hadc.

O how I long, enkindled by the theme,

In deep eternity to launch thy name! 8o

T h y name in view, no rights of verfe I plead,

But what chafte Truth indites old T i m e (hall read.

" Behold.! a man of ancient faith and blood,

" Which foon beat high for arts and public good;

" W h o f e glory great, but natural, appears, 85

" T h e genuine growth of fervices and years;

" N o fudden exhaiation drawn on high,

" A n d fondly gilt by partial majeí iy; <l One bearing greateft toils with greatefl eafe;

" One born to ferve us, and yet b o m to pleafe; 90

" W h o m , while our rights in equal fcales he lays,

" T h e prince may trufi , and yet the people praife;

" His genius ardent, yet his judgment clear,

" His tongue is flowing, and his heart fincere;

" His counfel guides, his temper cheers, our ide, 95

" A n d , f m i l i n g , g i v e s t h r e e k i n g d o m s c a u f e t o f m i l c . "

Joy then to Britain, blel"s'd with fuch a fon;

T o Walpole j o y ! by whom the prize is won ;

W h o , nobly confcious, meets the fmiles of Fate;

T r u e greatnefs lies in daring to be great. 100

I .et daftard fouls, in affeftation, run

T o íhades, nor wear bright honours fairly won ;

Such men prefer, mifled by falle applaufc,

T h e pride of modefty to Virtue's caufe.

* Kníght of the Bath, and then of the Garter,

Honours which make the face of Virtue fair, 105 'Tis great to merit, and 'tis wile to wear; 'Tis holding up the prize to public view, Confirms grown virtue, and inflames the new j Heightens the luftre of our age and climc, A n d íheds rich fccds of worth for future time. l i o

Proud cliiefs, alone in fields of flaughter fam'd, Of old this azure bloom of glory claim'd; A s when ftern A j a x pour'd a purple flood, T h e violet rofe, fair daughter of his blood. Now rival Wifdom dares the wreath divide, 115 A n d both Minervas rife in equal pride, Proclaiming loud, a monarch fills the throne W h o íhines illuftrious not in wars alone. Let Fame look lovely in Britannia's eyes; T h e y coldly couit defert who Fame defpife : 120 For what's ambition but fair Virtue's fail ? A n d what applaufe but her propitious gale ? W h e n , fweird with that, íhe fleets before the wind T o glorious aims, as to the port deíign'd; When chain'd, without it, to the lab'ring oar, 125 She toils! lhe pants! nor gains the flying íhore; From her fublime purfuits, or turn'd afide By blaíls of Envy or by Fortune's t ide; For one that has fucceeded ten are loít, Of equal talents, ere they make the coaft. I30

Then let Renown to worth divine incite With ali her beams, but throw thofe beams aright.

Then Merit droops, and Genins downward tends, When godlike Glory, like our land, defcends. Cuftom the Garter long confin'd to few, 13^

A n d gave to liirth exalted virtue's due : Walpole has thrown the proud inclofure down, A n d high Defert embraces fair Kcnown. T h o ' rivall'd, let the peerage fmiling fee (Smiling in juftice to their own decree) 140 This proud reward of majefty beftow'd On worth like that whencc firft the peerage flow'd. From frowns of Fate Britannia's blifs to guard, Let fubjeíts merit, and let kings reward. Gods are moft gods by giving to excel, 145 A n d kings moft like them by rewarding well.

Tho ' ftrongthetwangingnerve, and,drawnaright, Short is the winged arrow's upward flight; But if an eagle it transfix on high, Lodg'd in the wound it foars into the íky. 150

Thus while I fing thee with unetjual lays, A n d wound, perhaps, that worth I mean to praife, Yet I tranfcend myfelf, I rife in fame, Not lifted by my genius, but my theme.

No more; for in this diead fufpenfe of Fate 155 Now kingdoms fiuítiiate, and in dark debate Weigh peace and war; now Europe's eyes are bent On mighty Brunfwick for the great event; Brunfwick! of kings the terror or defence! Who dares detain thee at a wor!d's expenfe ? 160

QJÜ

T H E F O R E I G N A D D R E S S ;

OCCASIONED BY TIIE

B R I T I S H F L E E T ,

A N D T H E

P O S T U R E O F A F F A I R S ,

MDCCXXXIV.

TVnttcn in the charaüer of a failor.

Mula dedit fidibus divos puerofque Dcorutn. HOR*

I.

Y E guardian Gods! who wait on kings, A n d gently touch the fecrct fprings Of rifing thought, folicit, I befeech, For a poor ílranger come from far; Procure a fuppliant traveller 5 Eafe of accefs, and the foft hour of fpeech.

II.

'Xis gain'd. Hail, Monarchs great and wife! From diftant climes and duíky íkies, 0'er feas and lands I flew, your ear to claim : Yours is the fun and purple vine; IO Deep in the frozen North I pine; Nor vine nor fun could warm me like my theme.

III.

A theme how great! on yonder tide

A lcaílefs foreft fprcading wide,

T h e labour of the deep, my Mufe furveys 15

A Fleet whofe empire o'er the wave

You grant time ftrcngthens, Nature gave,

Now big with death, the terror o f t h e feas!

IV.

Y e great by Sea! ye Shades ador 'd!

W h o fir'd the bomb and bath'd the fword, a o A r i f e ! arife! arife! 'tis Britain charms;

A r i f e , ye boaft of former wars!

A n d , pointing to your glorious fcars,

Roufe me to verfe, your martial fons to arms.

V .

' T i s d o n e : and fee! fweet Clio brings

From heav'n her deep-refounding í lr ings:

Cl io! the god * which gave thy charming ihell,

Demands its moft exalted ftrain

T o fing the fov'reign of the m a i n :

O f Ocean's queen what wonders wilt thou tell ? 30

VI.

Such wonders as may pafs for fport

Or vifion in a fouthern c o u r t :

But, mighty Thrones! thofe truths which make me

Your fathers faw, your fons íhall fee; [glow

T h e n quit your infidelity. 35

Some truths 'tis better to believe than know.

* Neptur.c.

vn. Believe me, Kings! at Britain's nod, From each enchanted grove and wood, l luge oaks ílalk down th' unlhaded mountain's fidc; T h e lofty pines aílume new forms, 40

Fly round the globe, and live in ílorms, A n d tread and triumph on the wond'ring tide.

VIII. She nods again : the lab'ring earth Difclofes a ílupendous birth; In fmoking rivers runs her moltcn ore. 45 Thence monflers of enormous fize, A n d hideous nature, frowning rife, Flame from the dcck, from trembling baflions roar.

IX. Thefe miniflers of Wrath fulfil, On empires wide, an ifland's wi l l : 50 Y e Nations! know; know, ali ye fceptrcd Pow'rs! In fulph'rous night, and maffy balls, A n d floods of flame, the tempcíl falls, Wlien fiem Britannia's awful fenate low'rs.

X . Bold is the ílyle when hearts are bold: 55 Would Britain have her anger told ? O ! never let a meaner language found Than that which thro' black ethcr rolls, Than that which profirates human fouls, 59 Androckspalerealms, when angry Jove h3S fro\vn'd.

XI. In pcace (he (heathes her courage keen, A n d fpares her nitrous magazine; Her cannon flumber at the world's defire; But give juft caufe, at once'they blaze, A t once they thunder from the feas, Touch'd by their injur'd mafler's foul of fire.

X I I . Then furies rife! the battle raves! A n d rends the íkies, and warms the waves, A n d ealls a tempeít from the peaceful deep, In fpite of Nature, fpite of Jove, Whilf l ali ferene, and hu(h'd above, T h e boiít'rous winds in azure chambers íleep.

XIII. This, this, my Monarchs! is the fcene For hearts of proof, for gods of men; Here War's whole fting is (hot, whole heart is You fport in arms; how pale, how tame, How lambent is Bellona's flame! How her ftorms languiíh on the Continent!

XIV. A fwarm of deaths the mighty borob Now fcatters from her glowing womb; Now the chain'd bolts, in dread alliance join'd Red-wing'd with an expanding blaft, Sweep, in black whirlwinds, man and maft, A n d leave a fing'd and naked hull behind.

X V . N o w — b u t I'm ftruck with pale defpair. M y Patrons! what a burft was there! T h e ftrong-ribb'd barks at once difploding fly! Infatiate Dcath! compendious Fate! Deep wound to fome brave bleeding ftate! One moment's guilt a thoufand heroes die.

X V I . T h e great, gay, graceful, young, and br are, (Short obfequies!) the fable wave Involves in èndlefs night. Ye gravelefs Dead ! Where are your conqueíls ? now you rove Pale, penfive, thro' the coral grove, Or (hrink from Britain in your oozy bed.

XVII . While virgins fair, with tender toil, Of fragrant blooms their gardens fpoil, Low lie the brows for which the wreath's defig In fea-weed wrapt. A las ! how vain T h e hope, the joy, the grief, the pain, T h e love, and godlike valour, of mankind!

XVIII. Of brafs his heart who durft explore, Shut up in triple brafs and more, W h o when explor'd the fecret durft explain, How, in one inftant, at one hlow, T h e maiden's figh, the mother's throe, Of half a widow'd land to render vain.

X I X . See! yon' cowTd friar in his cell, With fulphur, flame, and cruciblc: l i o A n d can the charms of gold that faint infpire! O curfcd caufe! O curs'd event! O wondrous power of accident! He rivais gods, and fets the globe 011 firc.

X X . But the rank growth of modern ill I 15 T o o well deferv'd that fatal fkill, T h e íkill by which deftruftion fwiftly runs, A n d feas, and lands, and worlds, lays wafte With far more terror, far more hafte, Than ancient Nimrod and his haughty fons. l i o

X X I . In frown and force old War muft y ie ld: T h e chariot fcyth'd, which mow'd the ficld, T h e ram, the caftled elephant, were tame, T a m e to rang'd ordnance, which denies, Superior terror to the Íkies, 12S A n d claims the cloud, the thunder, and the flame.

X X I I . T h e flame, the thunder, and the cloud, T h e night by day, the fea of blood, Hcfts whirl'd in air, the yell, the linking throng, T h e gravelefs dead, and ocean warm'd, 130 A firmament by mortais ftorm'd, T o wrong'd Briír.nnia's angry brow belong.

XXIII . Or do I dream or do I rave ? Or do I fee the gloomy cave Where Jove's red bolts the giant-brothers framc ? T h e fwarthy gods of toil and heat 136 Loud peals on mountain anvils beat, A n d panting tempefts roufe the roaring flame.

X X I V . Y e fons of jí ítna! hear my call; L e t your unfini(h'd iahours fali, 140 That Ihield of Mars, Minerva's helmet blue : Sufpend your toils, ye brawny Throng! Charm'd by the magic of my fong, Drop the fcign'd thunder, and attempt the true.

X X V . Eegin : and, firft, take winged flight, 145 Tierce flames, and clouds of thickeft night, A n d trcmbling Terror, paler than the dead; Then borrow from the North his roar, Mix groans and death ; one phial pour Of dread Britannia's wrath, and it is made. I j o

X X V I . Y e t , Peace celeftial! may thy charms Still fire our breafts, tho' clad in arms: If fcenes of blood avenging Fates decree, For thee the fword brave Britons wield ; For thee charge o'er th' embattled field, 155 Or plunge thro' feas, thro' crimfon feas, for thee.

2

X X V I I .

Ev'n now for peacc the gods are prefs'd; W e woo the nations to be blefs'd; For peace, viítorious Kings! we call to you : For peace on pinions of the dove, • 160 Soft emblem of eternal love! T h r o ' tracklefs air, and defert Íkies, I flew.

XXVIII . My former lays*, of rough contents, Of waves, and wars, and armaments, Were but as peals of ordnance to confefs 165 Your height of dignity, to clear Your deaf, your late-obftru£ted ear, A n d wake attention to more mild addrefs.

X X I X . Have I not heard you both declare, Your hearts deteft the purple war, 170 A n d melt in anguiíh for the world's repofe ! Hail, then! ali hail! your wi(h is crown'd, Your godlike zeal thro' time renown'd, Thro ' Europe blefs'd, with joy her heart o'erflows.

X X X .

Your friend, your brother of the North, 175 T o meet your arms comes fmiling forth, A n d leads foft-handed Peace : how pow'rful he! His num'rous race, the blofloms bright Of golden empire, radiant í ight! Endlefs beam on into eternity. I?c>.

* Thí foresoing ííarzas. Vohtmc i r . R

X X X I . What long a l l ies !—the virgin train Your moft obdurate foes may gain : See how their charms in lineal luftre íhine! T h r o ' ev'ry genuine branch the fire Has darted rays of temper'd fire; T h e mother breath'd foft air, and bloom divine.

X X X I I . How fair the field! ye Aonian becs"! T h e fiow'rs ambrofial fondly feize, Luxurious draw the fweet Hyblean ftrain; That gods may Iean from heav'n to hear, A n d my thron'd Patron's raviíh'd ear T h e foul's rich neflar drink, and thirft again.

X X X I I I . Ev'n mine they tafte, and with fuccefs: Ambition's fumes my ftrains reprefs; T h e fevcr flies; no noxious thoughts fermcnt; N o frenzy, taking fiiends for foes; T h e pulfe fuhfides; they feek repofe; Nor l my winged embafiy repent.

X X X I V . N o : by the blood of BIenheim's plain I fwcar the rumour'd war is vain: Shall Gallic faith and fiiendíhip ever ceafe? I fwcar by Europe's lovely dread, T fwear by great Eliza's íhade,

T h e wife Iberian is the friend of peace.

* Ye poets.

X X X V .

Yet, leíl I fail, (for prophets old 205 Not ali infallibly foretold) W e fet our naval terrors in array. Know, Britons! an Auguftus reigns; If foes compel, fend forth your chains, While haughty thrones, uncenfur'd, might obey. íIO

X X X V I . O, could I fing as you have fought, I'd raife a monument of thought Bright as the fun ! — H o w you hurn at my heart! How the drums ali around Soul-rifing refound! 2 I j Swift drawn from the thigh, How the fwords flame on high! How the cannons' deep knell Fates of kingdoms foretel! How to battle, to battle, our fathers brave part, 220 How to battle, to conqueft, to triumph, we dart !

X X X V I I . But who gives conquefl ? he whofe ray T o darkneís turns the blaze of day; Whofe boundlefs favour far outflows the main; Whofe pow'r the raging waves can ftill, 225 A n d curb more rebel human w i l l . — With peace O blefs us! or in war fuftain.

X X X V I I I . Doft thou fuftain : Ye twinkling Fry ! T h a t fwim the feas, glide gently b y ;

Tho' your fcales glitter, tho' your numbcrs fwarm, A l i ! gently glide, for life's dear fakc, 23 r Nor dare leviathan awake, W h o fpouts a river, and who breathes a ílorm.

; ! r - a i X X X l X ; . ' . n '.«ooliia ,wo«X A n d now who cenfures this Addrefs ? Thus crowns, (lates, common men, make peace; 235 T h e y fwell, footh, double, dive, fwear, pray, de fy ; A n d when rank lrtt'reft has prevail'd, A n d Artífice the treaty feal'd, Stark Love and Confclence own the baítard t:e.

• Xtaaot» titentrtb *ÍJ :: AmbaíTadors! ye mouths of kings! 240 Y e miflive monarchs! empire's wings! What tho' the Mufe your province proudly cliofe ? 'Tis a reprifal fairly made, Her province you long fince invade, Ye perfeít Poets! in the vale of profe. 245

! stcb vp ttlV!mUi<Xbl»<l»"»»i •••>:>ai 0} V. JJ More fafe, O Mufe! that humble vale, T h a n the proud furge and ílormy gale : T h y dang'rous feas with wrecks are cover'd o'er : Dulnefs and Frenzy curfe thy ílreams, Rocks, infamous for murder'd names! 2 j 0

O ! (Irike thy fwelling fails, and make to (hore. XLII .

While warmer climes, in cooler ílrains, Or tented fields, or dufly plains,

T h e blceding horfe and horfeman hurl to ground, 'Tis mine to Cng, and fing the firft, 255 That mighty (hock, that dreadful hurft Of war, which bellows thro' the feas profound.

X L I I I . Nor mean the fong, or great my blame; When fuch the patrons, fuch the theme, W h o might not glow, foar, paint, with rage divine? Truth, fimple Truth, I proudly drefs'd í 6 l In Fancy's robe, her fiow'ry veíl Dipp'd in the curious colours of the Nine.

X L I V . But, ah ! 'tis paft ; I f ink; I fa int ; Nor more can glow, or foar, or paint; 265 T h e refluent raptures from my bofom roll; T o heav'n returns the facred maid, A n d ali her golden vifions fade, Ne'er to revifit my tumultuous íòul.

X L V . My vocal Shell! which Thetis form'd 170 Beneath the waves which Venus warm'd With ali her charms, (if ancient tales be true) A n d in thy pearly bofom glow'd Ere Píean filver chords bel!ow'd ; My Shell! which Clio gave, which kings applaud, Í7J Which Enrope's bleeding Genius call'd abroad, Adieu, pacific Lyre! my laurell'd Thrones! adieu. Hear, Atticus! your failor's fong : I fing, I live for you.

R Ü j

S O M E T H O U G H T S ,

O C C A S I O N E D BV T H E .

P R E S E N T J U N C T U R E *.

Infcribed to

T H E D U K E o r N E W C A S T L E .

IIoLLr .s ! immortal in far more than fame! Be thou illuftrious in far more than pow'r. Great things are fmall when greater rife to view. T h o ' ílation'd high, and prefs'd with public cares, Difdain not to pcrufe my ferious fong, 5

Which, peradvcnturç, may pulh by the world: Of a few moments rob Britannia's wcal, A n d lcave Europa's counfels lefs mature; For thou art noble, and the theme is great.

Nor (hall or Europe or Britannia blame 10 Thine abfent ear, but gain by the delay. .Long vers'd in fenates and in cabinets, States' intricate demands and high debates! A s thou of ufe to thofe, fo this to thee; A n d in a point that empire far outweighs, T5

That far outweighs ali Europe's thrones in one. L e t greatnefs prove its title to be great. 'Tis Pow'r's fupreme prerogative to ftamp On others' minds an imageof its own. Bend the ílrong influence of high place, to (lera 30

* The Iate rebeliion in 1745.

T h e ílream that fweeps away the country's wea l ; T h e Stvgian ílream, the torrent of our guilt. Far as thou m3y'íl give life to Virtue's cauíc; I,et not the ties of perfonal regard Betray the nation's truíls to feeble hands: 15 Let not fomented fiames of private pique Prey on the vitais of the public g o o d : Let not our ílreets with blafphemies refound, Nor Lewdnefs whifper where the laws can reach : L e t not beíl laws, the wifdom of our fires, 30 T u r n fatires on their funk degen'rate lons, T h e baííards of their blood ! and ferve no point But, with more emphafis, to call them fools : L e t not our rank enormities unhinge Britannia's welfare from divine fupport. 35

Such deeds the Miniíler, the Prince, adorn; N o pow'r is fhown but in fuch deeds as thefe: A l i , ali is impotence but aíting right; A n d where's the ílatefman but would íhew hispow'r? T o prince and people thou, of equal zeal! 40 Be it henceforward but thy fecond care T o grace thy country, and fupport the throne; T h o ' this fupported, that adorn'd fo well. A throne fuperior our firíl homage claims; T o Ga:far's Csfar our firíl tribute due : 45

A tribute which, nnpaid, makes fpecious wrong A n d fplendid facrilege of ali befide: llltiílrious follows; we muíl firíl be j u í l ;

A n d what fo jnft as awe for the Supreme ? Lefs fear we ruggcd ruffians of the North, j g Than Virtue's well-clad rebels nearer home; Lefs Loyola's difguis'd, all-aping fons, Than traitors lurking in our appetites; I.efs ali the legions Seine and Tagus fend, T h a n unrein'd paílions rulhing on our peace : JJ Y o n ' favage mountaineers are tame to thefe. Againí l thofe rioters fend forth the laws, A n d break to Reafon's yoke their wild careers.

Prudence for ali things points the proper.hour, T h o ' fome feem more importunate and great. Co T h o ' Britain's gen'rous views and int'refts fpread Beyond the narrow circle of her íhores, A n d their grand entries make on diftant lands; T h o ' Britain's Genius the wide wave beftrides, A n d , like a vaft Colofliis, tow'ring íiands 65 With one foot planted on the Continent; Yet be not wholly wrapp'd in public cares, T h o ' fuch high cares íhould call as call'd of late; T h e caufe of kings and empeiors adjourn, A n d Europe's little balance drop a while; "O

For greater drop it: ponder and adjuft T h e rival int'reíls and contending claims Of life and death, of now and of for-ever. Sublimeft theme! and needful as fublime. Thus great Eliza's oracles renown'd, 75

Thus Walfingham and Raleigh (Britain's boafls!l

Thus every ftatefman thought that e v e r — d y ' d . There's infpiration in a fable hour, A n d Death's approach makes politicians wife.

When, thunderftruck, that eagle Wolfey fe l l ; 8o When roval favour, as an ebbing fea, Like a leviathan, his grandeur left , His gafping grandèur! naked on the ftrand, Naked of human, doubtful of divine, Af f i f lance; no more wallowing in his wealth, 85 Spouting prerud foams of infolence no more, On what, then, fmote his heart, uncardinal'd, A n d funk beneath the levei of a mari ? On the grand article, the fum of tbingsl T h e point of the firft magnitude! that point 90 Tubes, mounted in a court, but rarely reach; Some painted cloud ftill intercepts tlieir fight. Firft right to judge; then chufe ; then perfevere, üítedfaft, as if a crown or miftrefs c á i r d . — Thefe , thefe are polities will ftand tlie teft, 95

When finer polities their mafters fting, A n d ftatefmen fain would Ihrink to eommon men. Thefe, thefe are polities will anfwer now, (When eommon men would fain to ftatefmen fwell) Beyond a MachiaveFs or Tencin's fcheme. i c o A l i fafety refts on lioneft counfels: thefe Immortalize the ftatefman, blefs the ftate, Make the prince triumph, and the people fmile; In peace rever'd, or terrible in arms,

Clofe-IeaguM with an invincible alljr íOJ Which honeft counfels never fail to fix In favour of an unabandon'd land ; A l a n d — t h a t ílarts at fuch a land as this, A parliament, fo principled, will fink A l i ancient fchools of empire in difgrace l i o A n d Britain's glory, rifing from the dead, Wil l fill the world, loud Fame's fuperior fong.

Bri ta in!—that word pronounc'd is an alarm; It warms the blood, tho' frozen in our veins! Avvakes the íoul, and fends her to the field, 115 Enamour'd of the glorious face of Death. Britain!—there's noble magic in the found. O what illuílrious images arife! Embattled, round me, blaze the pomps of war! By fea, by land, at home, in foreign climes, IJO W h a t full-blown laurels on our fathèrs' brows! Ye radiant Trophies! and imperial Spoils ! Ye Scenes !—aíloniíhing to modera fight! I.et me, at leafl, enjoy you in a dream. W h y vanilh: Stay, ye godlike Strangers! ílay. 125 Strangers!—I wrong my countrymen : they wake; High beats the pulfe ; the noble pulfe of War Beats to that ancient meafure, that grand march Which then prevail'd, when Britain highefl foar'd, A n d ev'ry battle paid for heroes ílain. 130

No more our great fotefathers ílain our cheeks With bluíhes; their renown our íhame no more.

In military garb, and fudden arms, Up ftarts Old Britain ; crofiers are laid b y ; Trade wields the fword, and Agriculture leaves I35 Her half-turn'd furrow : other harvefts fire A nobler av'rice, av'rice of renown ! A n d laurels are the growth of every field. In diftant courts is our commotion f e l t ; A n d lefs like gods fit monarchs on their thrones. 140 W h a t arm can want or fmews or fuccefs, Which, lifted from an honeft heart, defcends W i t h ali the weight of Britiíh wrath, to cleave T h e Papal mitre, or the Gallic chain, A t every ftroke, and fave a finking land ? 145

Or death or viítory muft be refolv'd ; T o drcam of mercy, O how tame! how mad! Where, o'er black deeds, the crucifix difplay'd Fools think heav'n purchas'd by the blood they fhed ; By giving, not fupporting, pains and death! I j o Nor fimple death ! where they the greateft faints W h o moft fubdue ali tendernefs of heart; Students in torture ! where, in zeal to him, Whofe darling title is The Prince of Peace, T h e beftturn rnthlefs butchers f o r o u r f a k e s ; 155 T o fave us in a world they recommend, A n d yet forbear, themfelves with earth content; W h a t modefty !—fuch virtues Rome adorn! A n d chiefly thofe who Rome's firft honours wear, Whofe name from Jrfus, and whofe arts from hell!

A n d íhall a Pope-brcd prkiceling crawl aíhore, i 6 r Replete with venom, guiltlefs of a fting, A n d whiftle cut-throats,with thofe fwordsthat fcrap'd Their barren rocks for wretched fuftenance, T o eut his paíTage to the Britilh throne ? 165 One that has fuck'd in matice with his ir.ilk, Malice to Britain, Liberty, and Truth ? L e f s favage was his brother-robber's nurfe,

T h e howling nurfe of plund'ring Romulus, Ere yet far worfe than Pagan harbour'd there. 170

Hail to the brave ! be Britain Britain ftill: Britain! high favour'd of indulgent Heav'n ! Nature's anointed Emprefs of the deep 1 T h e nurfe of merchants, who can purchafe crowns ! Supreme in commerce! that exub'rant fource ->' 17 J Of wealth, the nerve of war; of wealth, the blood, T h e circling current in a nation's veins, T o fet high bloom on the fair faceof Peace! This once fo celebrated feat of power, From which efcap'd the mighty C i f a r triumph'd! Of Gallic lilies this eternal blaft! 181

This terror of Armadas! this true bolt Ethereal-temper'd, to reprefs the vain Salmonean thunders from the Papal chair! This fmall ille wide-realm'd monarchs eyc with awe! Which fays to their ambition'S foaming waves, 186 " Thus far, nor f a r t h e r ! " — L e t her hold, in life, Nought dear disjoin'd from freedom and renown;

Renown, our anceftors' great legacy, T o be tranfmitted to their lateft fons. 190

By thoughts inglorious, and un-Britiíh deeds, Their eancell'd will is impioufly profan'd, Inhumanly dilturb'd their facred duft.

Their facred duft with recent laurels crown, By your own valour won. This facíed ide, 195 Cut from the Continent, that world of flaves; This temple built by Heav'n's peculiar care, In a recefs from the contagious world, W i t h ocean pour'd around it for its guard, A n d dedicated, long, to Liberty, 200 That health, that ftrength, that bloom, of civil life! This temple of ftill more divine; of faith Sifted from errors, purify'd by flanles, L i k e gold, to take anew Truth's heav'nly ftamp, A n d (rifing both in luftre and in weight) 205 With her blefs'd Mafter's unmaim'd image íhine; W h y Íliould fiie longer droop : why longer aít A s an accomplice with the plots of Rome ? W h y longer lend an edge to Bourbon's fword, A n d give him leave, among his daftard troops, 210 T o mufter that ftrong fuceour, Albion's crimes? Send his felf-impotent ambition aid, A n d crown the conqueft of her fierceft foes ? Where are her foes moft fatal ? bluíhing TrUth, " In her friends' v ices , "—with a figh replies. 215 Empire on Virtue's rock unthaken ftands;

Volume 1V. S

Flux, as the billows, when in vire diíToIv'd. If Hcav'n reclaims us by the fcourge of war, W h a t thanks are due to Paris and Madrid? Would they a revolution ! — A i d their aim, 220 Jiut be the revolution—in our hearts!

Wouldíl thou (whofe hand isat thehelm) thebark, T h e lhaken bark of Britain, íhould out-iide T h e prefent Maft, and ev'ry future florm ? Give it that balait which alone has weight 225 W i t h him whom wind, and waves, and war, obey. Períift. Are others fubtle? thou b e w i f e : Above the Florcntine's court-fcience raife; Stand forth a patriot of the moral world; T h e pattern, and the patron, of the juft : 230 Thus ftrengthen Britain's military ftrength; Give its own terror to the fword íhe draws. A í k y o u , " What mean I ? " — T h e moft obvious truth; Armies and fieets alone ne'er won the day. When our proud arms areoncedifarm'd,difarm'd 23J Of aid from him by whom the mighty fali; Of aid from him by whom the feeble ftand; W h o takes away the keeneft edge of battle, Or gives the fword commiílion to deftroy; W h o blafts, or bids the martiallaurel b l o o m ; — 2 4 0 Emafcnlated, then, moft manly might; Or, tho' the might remains, it nought avails: Then wither'd Weaknefs foils the finewy arm Of man's meridian and high-heartcd pow'r:

Our naval thunders, and our tented fields 245 With travell'd banners fanning fouthern climes, What do they This ; and more what can they do ? When heap'd the meafure of a kingdom's crimes, T h e prince moft dauntlefs, the firft plume of war, By fuch bold inroads into foreign lands, 150 Such elongation of our armaments, But ftretches out the guilty nation's neck, While Heav'n commands her executioner, Some lefs abandon'd nation, to difcharge Hei full-ripe vengeance in a final blow, 25 5 A n d tell the world, " Not ftrong is human ftrength; " A n d that the proudeft empire holds of Heav'n."

O Britain ! often refcu'd, often crown'd, Beyond thy merit or moft fanguine hopes, With ali that's great in war or fweet in peace! 260 Know from what fource thy fignal hlelfings (low, T h o ' blefs'd with fpirits ardent in the field, T h o ' cover'd various oceans with thy fleets, Tho ' fenc'd with rocks, and moated by the main, T h y truft repofe in a far ftronger guard ; 265 In him who thee, tho' naked, could defend; Tho ' weak, could ftrengthen; ruin'd, could reftore.

How oft ' , to tell what arm defends thine ifle, T o guaid her welfarc, and yet check her pride, Have the winds fnatch'd the viítory from W a r : 270 Or, rather, won the day, when War defpair'd ? How oft ' has providential fuccour aw'd,

S i j

A w ' d while it b!efs'd us, confcious of our guilt ? Struck dcad ali con6dcnce in human aid, A n d , while we triumph'd, made us tremble too! 275

Well may we tremble now; what manners reign ? But wherefore aík we, when a truc reply Would íhock too much ? Kind Heav'n! avert evcnts Whofe fatal nature might reply too plain! Heav'n'shalf-bared arm of vengeance has bcen wav'd In northern íkies, and pointed to the fouih. 281 Vengeance delay'd but gathers and ferments; More formidably blackens in the wind; Brews deeper draughts of unrelenting wrath, A n d higher charges the fufpended ítorm. 285

" That public vice portends a public f a l i " — Is this conjefture of advent'rous Thought ? Or pious Coward's pulpit-cu(hion'd dream ? Far from it. This is certain; this is fate. W h a t fays Experience, in her awful chair 290 Of ages, her authentic annals fprcad Around her ? What fays Reafon, eagle-ey'd ? Nay, what fays Common fenfe, with common Çare Weighing events, and caufes, in her fcale ? A l i give one verdiít, one decifion f ign ; 295

A n d this the fentence Delphos could not mend : " Whatcver fecondary props may rife " From politics, to build the public peace, " T h e bafis is the manners of the land. " When rotten thefe, the politician's wiles 3 CO

" But ítruggle with deflruíiion, as a child " With giants huge, or giants with a Jove. " T h e llatefman's arts to conjure up a peace, " Or military phantoms void of force, " But fcare away the vultures for an hour; 305 " The fcent cadaverous (for, oh! how rank

The flench of profligates ?) foon lures them back; " On the proud flutter of a Gallic wing " Soon they return; foon make their full deícent; " Soon glut their rage, and riot in our ruin; 310 " Their idols grac'd, and gorgeous with out fpoils, " Of univerfal empire fure prefage ! " Ti l l now repelfd by feas of Britilh blood."

A n d whence the manners of the multitude ? T h e colours of their manners, black or fair, 3IJ Fails from above j from the complexion fails Of ílate Othellos, or white men in power; A n d from the greater height cxample fails, Greater the weight, and deeper its imprefs In ranks inferior, partive to the flroke : 320 From the court-mint, of hearts the current coin, T h e pulpit prelTes, but the pattern drives. What bonds then, bonds how manifold, and ftrong T o duty, double duty, are the great ? A n d are there Samfons that can buríl them ali ? 325 Yes; and great minds that ftand in need of none, Whofe pulfe beats virtue, and whofe gen'rous blood Aids mental motives, to, pulh on renown,

Si i j

In emulation of their glorious íires,

From whom rolls down the confecrated ílream. 330

Some íow good feed in the glad pcople's hearts, Some curfed tares, like Satan, in the t e x t : T h i s makes a foe moíl fatal to the f late; A foe who, (like a wizard in his cell) In his tlark cabinet of crooked fchemes, 335

Refembling Cuma's gloomy grot, the forge O f boalted oraçles, and real lies, ( A i d e d , perhaps, by fecond-fighted Scots, I-rench Magi , relics riding poíl from Rome, A Gothic hero * rifing from the dead, 340

A n d changing for fpruce plaid his dirty íhroud, W i t h fuecour fuitable from lower ílill) A foe who, thefe concurring to the charm, Excites thofe ítorms that fhall o'erturn the ílate, R e n d up her ancicnt honours by the root, 345 A n d lay the boaíl of ages, the rever'd O f nations, the dear-bonght with fumlefs wealth A n d blood illultrious, (fpite of her L a Hogues, Her CreíTeys, and her Blcnheims) in the duft.

IIow muft this ftrike a horror thro' the breaft, 350 T h r o ' cv'ry gcn'rous breaft where honour reigns, T h r o ' ev'ry breaft where honour claims a íhare ? Yes , and thro' ev'ry breaft of honour void ? T h i s thought might animate the dregs of m e n ; Ferment them into fpirit; give them fire 355

• T h e invader aftifts the chara&erof Charles XII. of-Swrdca.

T o fight the caufe, the black opprobrious caufe, Foul core of a l i ! corruption at our hearts. What wreck of empire has the ftream of T ime Swept, with their vices, from the mountain-heiglit Of grandeur, deify'd by half mankind, 360 T o dark Oblivion's melancholy lake, Or flagrant Infamy's eternal brand! Thofe names, at which furrounding nations íhook, Thofe names ador'd, a nuifance! or forgot! Nor this the caprice of a doubtful dye, 36J But Nature's courfe; no fingle chance againft it.

For know, my Lord! 'tis writ in adamant, 'Tis fix'd, as is the bafis of the world, Whofe kingdoms ftand or fali by the decrce. What faw thefe eyes, furpris'd ?~Yet why furpris'd For aid divine the crifis feem'd to call, 371 A n d how divine was the monition given ? A s late I walk'd the night in troubled thought, M y peace dilUirl/d by rumours from the North, While thunder, o'er my head, portentous, roll'd, 375 A s giving fignal of fome flrange event, A n d Ocean groan'd beneath for her he lov'd, Albion the Fair! fo long his empire's queen, Whofe reign is, now, conteíled by her foes, On her white cliffs (a tablet broad and bright, 380 Strongly refleíling the pale lunar ray) By Fate's own iron pen I faw it writ, A n d thus the title run :

T H E S T A T E S M A N ' S C R E E D .

" Ye States! and Empires! nor of empires leaft, " T h o ' leafl in fize; hear, Britain! thou whofe lot, 385 " Whofe final lot, is in the balance laid! " Irrefolutely play the doubtful fcales, [from me, " Nor know'ft thou which will w i n . — K n o w , then, " A s govern'd well or ill, (lates fink or i i f e : " State-miniíVers, as upright or corrupt, 390

" Are balm or poifon in a nation's veins; " Health or diftemper; haften or retard " T h e period of her pride, her day of doom : " A n d tho', for reafons obvious to the wife, " Juíl Providence deals otherwife with men, 39J " Yet believe, Britons! nor too late belicve, " 'T is fix'd! by Fate irrevocably fix'd! " Virtue and Vice are Empire's life and death."

Thus it is written.—Heard you not a groan ? Is Britain on her deathhcd ? — N o , that groan 400 Was utter'd by her f o e s . — B u t foon the fcale, If this divine monition is defpis'd, May turn againíl us. Read it, ye who Rule ! With rev'rence read; with ftedfaílnefs believe; W i t h courage a£t as fuch bclief infpires; 405

Then íhall your glory (land like Fate's decree; Then íhall your name in adamant be writ, In records that defy the tooth of T i m e , By nations fav'd, refounding your applaufe.

While deep beyor.d your monument's proud bafe,

In black Oblivion's kennel, fhall be trod 4 1 1 Their execrable names who, high in power, A n d deep in guilt, moft ominoufly íhine, (The meteors of the flate!) give Vice her head, T o licenfe lewd let loofc the public rein ; 4T.Ç Quench ev'ry fpark of confcience in the land, A n d triumph in the profligate's applaufe: Or who to the firíl bidder fell their fouls, Their country fell, fell ali their fathers bouglit With funds exhanfled and exhaülled veins, 420 T o demons, by his Holinefs òrdain'd T o propagate the gofpel—pcnn'd at Rome; Hawk'd thro' the world by confecrated bulls; A n d how i l luftrated?—by Smithfield flames: W h o plunge (but not like Curtius) down the gulf, Down narrow-minded Sel fs voracious gulf, 426 Which gapes, and fwallows ali they fwore to fave: Hate ali that iifted heroes into gods, A n d hug the horrors of a viítor's chain : Of bodies politic that deflin'd hell, 430

Inflifted here,;fince here their beings end; That vengeance, foon or late ordain'd to fali, A n d fali from foes detelled and defpis'd, On difbelievers—of the 8tatefman's Crced.

Note, here, my I.ord! (unnoted yet it lies 435 By moft, or ali) thefe truths political Serve more than public ends: this Crced of States Seconds, and irreííílibly fupports,

T h e Chriílian Creed. A r e you f u r p r i s ' d ? — A t t e n d ; A n d on the Statefman's build a nobler name, 440

This punftual juílice exercis'd on (lates, W i t h which authentic chronicle abounds, A s ali men know, and therefore muft believe; This vengeance pour'd on nations ripe in guilt, Pour'd on them here, where only they exift, 445 What is it but an argument of fenfe, Or rather demonílration, to fupport Our feeble f a i t h — " That they who (lates compofe, " That men who (land not bounded by the grave, " Shall meet like meafureat their proper hour:" 450 For God is equal, fimilarly deals With (lates and perfons, or he were not G o d ; With means, a reílitude immutable, A pattern fure of univerfal right. W h a t , then, (hall refeue an abandon'd man ? 455 Nothing, it is reply'd. Reply'd, by whom ? Reply'd by politicians well as prieíts : W r i t facred fet afide, mankind's own writ, T h e whole world'sannals; thefe pronounce his doom.

Thus (what might feem a daring paradox) 460 Ev'n polities advance divinity : True mafters there are better fcholars here. W h o travei hiftory in queíl of fchemes T o govern nations, or perhaps opprefs, May there ftart truths that other aims infpire, 465 A n d , like Candace's eunuch, as they read,

By Providence turn Chriftians on their road: Digging for fdver, they may ftrike on gold; May be furpris'd with better than they fought, A n d entertain an angel unawates. 470

Nor is Divinity ungrateful found. A s polities advance divinity, Thus, in return, divinity promotes True polities, and crowns the ftatefman's praife. A l i wifdoms are but branches of the chief, 475 A n d ftatefmen found but (hoots of honeft men. A r e this world's witchcrafts pleaded in exeufe For deviations in our moral line This , and the next world, view'd with fuch an eye A s fuits a ftatefman, fuch as keeps in view 480 His own exalted fcience, both confpire T o recommend and fix us in the right. If we regard the polities of Heav'n, T h e grand adminiftration of the whole, What 's the next world.' a fupplement of this : 485 Without it juftice is defeftive here; Juft as to flates, defeftive as to men : If fo, what is this world: as fure as right Sits in Heav'n's throne, a prophet of the next. Prize you the prophet ? then believe him too; 490 His prophefy more precious than his fmile. How comes it then to pafs, with moft on earth, That this íhould charm us, that íhould difcompofe? I.ong as the ftatcfn-.an finds this cafe his own,

So long his politics are uncomplete; 495 In danger he; nor is the nation fafe, But foon muft rue his inaufpicious pow'r.

What hence refults? a truth that íhould refound For ever awful in Britannia's ear: " Religion crovvns the ftatefman and the man, 5C0 " Sole fource of public and of private peace." This truth ali men muft own, and therefore will, A n d praife and preach it t o o : — a n d whenthat's done Their compliment is paid, and 'tis forgot. What Highlandpole-axehalf fo deep can wound?5C5

But how dare I, fo mean, prefume fo far? AfTume my feat in the Diítator's chair ? Pronounce, prediít, (as if indeed infpir'd) Promulge my cenfures, lay out ali my throat, T i l l hoarfe in clamour on enormous crimes ? J IO T w o mighty columns rife in my fupport; In their more awfnl and authentic voice, Record profane and facred, drown the Mufe, T h o ' loud, and far out-threat her threat'ning fong. Still farther, Holles! fuflèr me to plead j 15

T h a t I fpeak freely, as I fpeak to thee. Guilt only ftartles at the name of guilt; A n d truth, plain truth, is welcome to the wife. Thus what feem'd my prefumption is thy praife.

Praife, and immortal praife, is Virtue's claim; 510 A n d Virtue's fphere is aítion : yet we grant Some merit to the tiumpet*s loud alarm,

3

O N T H E P R E S E N T J Ü N C T U R E . 4 1 7

Whofe clangor kindles cowards into men. Nor íhall the verfe, perhaps, be quite forgot, Which talks of immortality, and bids, 52J

In ev'ry Britiíh breaft, true glory rife, A s now the warbling lark awakes the morn.

T o clofe, my Lord! with that which ali Íhould clofc A n d ali begin, and ftrike us ev'ry hour, T h o ' no war wak'd us, noblack t e m p e f t f r o w n ' d . — T h e morning rifes gay ; yet gayeft morn 531

Lefs glorious after night's incun^jent íhades; Lefs glorious far bright Nature, rich array'd W i t h golden robes, in ali the pomp of noon, Than the firft feeble dawn of Moral day ; 535 Sole day, (let thofe whom ftatefmen ferve attend) T h o ' the fun ripens diamonds for their crowns; Sole day worth his regard whom Heav'n ordains, Undarken'd, to behold noon dark, and date, From the fun's death, and ev'ry planet's fali, 54a His all-illuftrious and eternal year; Where ftatefmen and their monarchs, (names of awe A n d diftance here) íhall rank with eommon men, Y e t own their glory never dawn'd before. 544

Oítober 171; •

Volume 1V. T

V E R S E S

óceafioned by that famous plece o f the

C R U C I F I X I O N ,

D O N E BY MICHAEL Â N G E L O * ,

W H I L E his Redeemer on his canvafs dies,

Stabb'd at his feet his brother welt 'ring lies; T h e daring artift, cruelly ferene, Views the pale cheek and the diílorted mien ;

Me drains off life by drops, and, deaf to cries, j Examines every fpirit as it flies :

H e ftudies t o r m e n t ; dives in mortal w o e ; T o roufe up ev'ry pang, repeats his blow ; E a c h rifing agony, each dreadful grace,

Y e t warm, traníplanting to his Saviour's face. IO

O glorious t h e f t ! O nobly wicked draught! W i t h its full charge of death each feature fraught! Such wondrous force the magic colours boaft,

From his own fkill he flarts, in horror loíl. 14

* Who ohtained leave to treat a malefaiftor, eondemned to be broke upon the wheel, as he pleafed for th:, purpofe. The man being exteuded, this wonderful artift diretted thac lie íhould b'- ftabbed in fuch parts of the body as he appre-liended would occaíion the molt exrruciating torture, that lie might reprelent the agonies of ileatli in tlie molt natural tnanner.

A N H I S T O R I C A L

E P I L O G U E T O T H E B R O T H E R S .

B Y T H E A U T H O R .

A N Epilogue, thro' cuftom, is your right, But ne'er, perhaps, was needful till this night. To-night the virtuous falls, the guilty flies; Guilt's dreadful clofe our narrow fcene denies. In hiftory's authentic record read, 5

What ample vengeance gluts Demetrius' íhade! Vengeance fo great, that, when his tale is told, With pity fome ev'n Perfeus may behold.

Perfeus furviv'd, indeed, and fill'd the throne, But ceafelefs cares in conqueft made him groan : xo Nor reign'd he long; from Rome fwift thunder flew, A n d headlong from his throne the tyrant threw: Tlirown headlong down, by Rome in triumph led, For this night's deed his perjur'd bofom bled : His brother's ghoft each moment made him ftart, 15 A n d ali his father's anguiíh rent his heart.

When, rob'din black,his children round him hung, A n d their rais'd arms in early forrow wrung, T h e younger fmil 'd, unconfcious of their woe, A t which thy tears, O Rome! began to flow, 2® So fad the fcene: what then muít Perfeus feel, T o fee Jove's race attend the viftor's wheel ?

T i j

T o fee the (laves of his worft foes increafe From fuch a fource!—an emperor's embrace? He ficken'd foon to death; and, what is worfe, 25 He well deferv'd, and felt, the coward's curfe; Unpity 'd, fcorn'd, infuked his laft hour, Far, far from home, and in a vaíTal's pow'r. His pale cheek refted on his (hameful chain, N o friend to mourn, no flatteref to feign. 30 N o fuit retaids, no comfort fooths his doom, A n d not one tear bedews a monarch's tomb. Nor ends it t h u s — D i r e vengeance to complete, His ancient empire falling, fliares his fate. His throne forgot! his weeping country chain'd! 35 A n d nations a lk—where Alexander reign'd. A s public woes a prince's crimes purfue, So public bleflings are his virtues' due. Shout, Britons! fhout:—aufpicious fortune blefs; A n d c r y , L o n g l ive—our title to fuccefs! 40-

C O N T E N T S .

Page ODE, occafioned by his Majefty's royal encourage-

ment of the fea-fervice. T o the King, 1728, I Ocean. A n ode, 6 Sea-piece: containing, I .The Britilh Sailor's exul-

tation. II. His prayer before engagement. The Dedication. T o Mr.Voltaire, 19 Ode the Firft, a2 Ode the Second, 26 Impcrium Pelagi: a Naval Lyric. Written in imita-

tion of Pindar's Spirit. Occafioned by his Ma-;efty's return from Hanover, Sept. 1729, and the fucceeding peace.

Prelude, 34 Strain I. 36 Strain 11. 45 Strain III. 52 Strain IV. 59 Strain V. 65 Moral, 73 Clofe, 75 Chorus, 77

Page A paraphrafe on part of the book of Job, 78 Refignation. In two parts. A n d a poítfcript. T o

Mrs. B * * 8 * *. Part I. 97 Part II. 129 Poítfcript, 168 On the Death of Q ^ A n n e , and the Acceífion of

K . George. Infcribed to Jofeph Addifon, Efq. 172 T h e Inítalment, 1726. T o the Right Hon. Sir

Robert Walpole, 180 T h e Foreign Addrefs; oceafioned by the Britifh

fleet, and the poíture of affairs, Í734. Writ-ten in the charaíter of a failor, 186

Some thoughts, oceafioned by the prefent junc-ture. Infcribed to the Duke of Newcaítle, 198

Verfes, oceafioned by that famous piece of the crucifixion, done by Michael Ângelo, 218

A n Hiflorical Epilogue to T h e Brothers, 219

From the A P O L L O PRESS, by the M A R T I N S ,

O í t . 18. 1777.

T I I E E N D .