Y'T • "I'T 1 "il . y 
 
• 1 
 
p 
 
 OEMS 
 
 Printed for J. and R 
 and T. Lownds 
 
 With a new 
 and 
 
 MDCCLXIL 
 

 
 LIFE 
 
 Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 
 
 A FTER we have read the works 
 of a poet with pleafurc, and re- 
 fleded upon them with improve- 
 ment, we are naturally apt to inquire 
 into his life, the manner of his edu- 
 cation, and other little circumftances 
 which give a new beauty to his writ- 
 ings, and let us into the genius and 
 charader of their author. To fatisfy 
 this general inclination, and do fome 
 juftice to the memory of Mr. Philips , 
 
 THE 
 
 O F 
 
 A 2 
 
 we 
 
4 The L I F E of 
 
 we iha.ll give the world a fhort account 
 of him, and his few, but excellent, 
 compofitions. 
 
 John Philips , one of thofe few poets 
 whofe mufe and manners were equally 
 amiable, was born the 30th of December 
 1 676 at Bampton in Oxford/hire. His fa- 
 ther, Dr. Stephen Philips , Arch-deacon 
 of Salop , was minifter there, and his ion, 
 being a boy of a mod: promifing nature, 
 but of a tender conftitution, was in- 
 ftruded at hohae in the firft rudiments 
 of grarhmar, and then fent to JVincheJ - - 
 ftr-fchool. Here he prefently difcovered 
 the delicacy of his genius, his exerciies 
 being diftinguiffied above thofe of his 
 fchool-fellows by a happy imitation of 
 the daffies. He had a quick reliffi of 
 the force and elegance of their fenti- 
 ments as well as expreffions, and did 
 not want either Ikill or induftry to make 
 them his own. In the mean time, he 
 became the darling of the whole place 
 
 h Y 
 
Mr. J O H N P H I L I P S. 5 
 by the fweetnefs of his temper; and 
 while the mafter, a rigid difciplinarian, 
 difpenfed, on account of his tendernefs, 
 with that ftridt obfervance of thofe rug- 
 ged rules which was feverely exacted 
 from the reft; the boys themfelves were 
 fo far from murmuring at it, that they 
 were even pleafed with the diftin&ion : 
 though whilft they were at play he fel- 
 dom joined with them, but generally 
 retired then to his chamber. It was in 
 thefe intervals chiefly that he read Mil- 
 ton-, however, this was not before he 
 was well acquainted with both Virgil 
 and Homer , and the frequent imitations 
 he found of thefe authors in Paradife 
 Loft , fallin g in exa&ly with his own turn, 
 hence he conceived an ardent paflion for 
 the Englijh poet, and fome fmall pieces 
 which he compofed at this time, fhewed 
 that he had imbibed a good fhare of 
 Milton' s ftyle and manner before he left 
 Wine heft er . Thus qualified, he was re~ 
 
 A 3 moved 
 
6 The L I F E of 
 
 moved to Oxford, in the beginning of 
 the year 1694, and placed in Chrifi- 
 church , at a time when that college w 7 a$ 
 in the height of its reputation, by the 
 excellent fenfe and fpirit that flourifhed 
 there, under the conduct of Dr. Aldrich. 
 Here he was received with open arms 
 into the company and_ acquaintance of 
 the molt diftinguifhed wits, and as often 
 as the ftatutes of the univerfity, or the 
 rules of his gaiety, called him to any 
 publick exercifes, his performances were 
 conftantly the talk and admiration of all 
 that heard them-, and they were only 
 heard, for he was not willing they Ihould 
 go any farther : fince how much foever 
 they might pleafe others, yet he was not 
 throughly latisfied with them himfelf. 
 Nor did thofe who knew and loved him 
 belt chufe to diftrefs his modefty, by 
 pulhing him in that point. It was this 
 modefty, and the uncommon fimplicity 
 of his manners, that more particularly 
 
 endeared 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 7 
 
 •endeared him to them ; and they were 
 compleatly happy in the enjoyment of 
 his converfation, in which his undif- 
 guifed fmcerity was continually enliven- 
 ed with a kind of chearfulnefs which 
 innocence alone can give, heightned 
 with a mirth that was wholly raifed by 
 a genteel and delicate rallery, without 
 ever degenerating into ridicule. After 
 he came to Oxford , Milton's mufe be- 
 came his chief delight; and the greatefl: 
 part of his ftudy for lbme years was laid 
 out in tracing the fteps by which that 
 author grew to perfeftion. We are told, 
 that there is not a fmgle allulion in Pa- 
 ra dife LoJij drawn from the thoughts 
 and expreflions of the Greek or Latin 
 poet, which he could not immediately 
 refer to ; and that this was the way 
 whereby he came to perceive what a 
 peculiar life and grace their fentiments 
 added to Englijh poetry; how much 
 their images raifed its ipirit, and what 
 A 4 weight 
 
g The L I F E of 
 
 weight and beauty their works, vhen 
 tranflated, gave to its language. He 
 was likewife led, by the example cf his 
 darling Milton^ to confult the works of 
 our old Englijh poets Chaucer and Spin- 
 fer. By thefe afliftances he made him- 
 felf abfolute mafter of the true extent 
 and compafs of his mother-tongue, and 
 we fee afterwards, in his writing', he 
 did not fcruple to revive any words or 
 phrafes which he thought deferved it. 
 Yet this was done with that modeft 
 liberty which Horace allows of, either in 
 the coining of new, or reftoring o: an- 
 cient expreffions ; and to that modelty 
 it was owing that he fucceeded fo hap- 
 pily in this dangerous attempt. Nor 
 was this attempt made at all, till long 
 after the time we are now fpeaking of ; 
 for as the delight which Mr. Philips 
 took in reading the poets, was that 
 alone which firft drew his attention to 
 their works, fo he continued reiding 
 
 purely 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 9 
 
 purely for his pleafure; in this he grati- 
 fied his delicacy and improved his tafte, 
 and he aimed at nothing further. That 
 delicacy which led him to ftudy the beft 
 poets proved a fufficient check to his 
 modefty, and reftrained him from form- 
 ing any plan of appearing in public 
 himfeif. Befides, he had no uneafy 
 thirft after fame; indeed, the difpofition 
 of his mind was happily adapted to the 
 tender frame of his body. How much 
 foever he was {truck with the majelty, 
 fire, and force of Milton's mufe, yet he 
 had no fhare in the heat and paftion of 
 that author’s temper. In this he Teemed 
 entirely to be formed in Virgil's mould, 
 whom he much loved and admired ; 
 and as it is faid of Milton , that he could 
 repeat the belt part of Homer ; fo Mr. 
 Philips , we are informed, could do the 
 fame of Virgil •, like the Roman , he had 
 no ambition to gratify, being beft fitted 
 by nature for that which he was mot 
 
 fond 
 
10 
 
 The L I F E of 
 fond of, the quiet enjoyment of his 
 mufe, in the company of a few feled 
 friends of his own tafte and temper, and 
 his acquaintance was among the belt 
 and politeft of the univerfity. But he 
 feems to have had the higheft delight 
 in the friendlhip of Mr. Edmund Smith , 
 the author of Phaedra and Hippolytus. 
 This gentleman (who was fellow-colle- 
 gian with Mr. Philips ) it is well known 
 fat as unanxioufly eafy as he did, even 
 in a much humbler fortune ; and the 
 bent of their ftudies lying the fame way, 
 they frequently communicated their 
 thoughts to each other. This, no doubt, 
 was as pleafant as any part of Mr. 
 Philips's life, who had a foul capable of 
 relilhing all the fineft enjoyments of 
 fublime, virtuous, and elegant fpirits. 
 How much it affedted Mr. Smith he 
 alone was able to exprefs, nor perhaps 
 could he have done it fo fully, had not 
 the occafion of writing a poem to his 
 
 friend’s 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS, ir 
 
 friend’s memory imprefied on him a 
 rapturous fenfibility of his own lofs. 
 In ftudying poetry Mr. Philips was 
 wholly attentive to whatever helped to 
 preferve or raife its dignity, and by 
 continually converfing with Milton and 
 the Ancients, his ear became habituated 
 to the harmony of their numbers. Be- 
 fides, as he faw the art was removed 
 from its proper ftandard, fo he thought 
 it had loft much of its true worth in 
 Englifh by the gingle of rhyme ; which 
 confequently was better avoided. He 
 was fond of hiftory and antiquities, and 
 the accurate knowledge he had acquired, 
 efpecially in thofe of his own country, 
 Ihews which way he fpent a good part 
 of his time j he made ufe of fome part 
 of this acquifition afterwards to enrich 
 his poetry, where the extent of his read- 
 ing this way, as well as his exadt fkill 
 in applying it, is fet to the belt advan- 
 tage. It was the ftrft defign of his 
 
 friends 
 
12 The LIFE of 
 
 friends to breed him to the profefilon of 
 phyfic, and though the very infirm ftate 
 of his health would not fuffer him to 
 purfue that plan they had laid out for him, 
 yet his inclinations were very ftrongly 
 bent that way, He was paflionately 
 fond both of the hiftory and philofophy 
 of nature. Indeed, next to his mufe, 
 botany was his greateft delight as well as 
 accompli foment and his own ill health 
 diiabling him from applying his (kill in 
 the care of another’s, he determined to 
 recommend its ulefulnefs to the world. 
 This wets the fir 11 motive which put him 
 upon the thoughts of writing on that 
 fubjedfc, and this thought he executed in 
 the poem which he inti tied Cyder . The 
 general defign was formed long before 
 he left Oxford , though the particular 
 plan was not fettled then, which he tells 
 us himfelf, he was directed in the choice 
 of, from the paffion lie had to do fome 
 honour to his native country. However, 
 
 the 
 
Mr. J O H N P H ILIPS. 15 
 
 the foundation of it was laid in the tini- 
 verfity, and the fir 11 book compofed 
 there ; but he was called to town before 
 he had made any confiderable progrefs ; 
 in the fecond, which was perfected there, 
 he exerted all the power of genius and 
 art to make it compleat, and it is one, 
 if not the only, finished poem of that 
 length extant in our language. We 
 muft not omit to take notice, that the 
 cuftom of hooking tobacco was highly 
 in vogue when Mr. Philips came firil to 
 college, from the example of the cele- 
 brated Dean Aldrich , whole iacefTant 
 life of it was an entertaining topic of 
 tlifcourie many years ■ afterwards ; con- 
 cerning which the following frory is 
 related j A young ftudent laid a wager 
 with his chum that tile Dean was at that 
 inftant fmoking his pipe, viz. about 
 ten o’clock in the morning. A "way 
 therefore, he goes to the Deanry, where 
 being admitted to the Dean in his ftudy. 
 
, 4 The L I F E of 
 
 he prefently relates the occafion of his 
 vifit. To which the Dean replied in 
 perfect good humour, you fee, Sir, you 
 have loft your wager, for I am not 
 fmoking, but filling my pipe. It is 
 no wonder therefore that he fell in with 
 the general tafte, which recommended 
 itfelf the rather to him as he felt fome 
 relief from it ; he has defcended to fing 
 its praifes in more than one place, and 
 his Splendid Shilling owes fome part of 
 its luftre to the happy introdu&ion of a 
 tobacco-pipe. This piece, the firft of 
 his that appeared in publick, ftole its 
 way into the world without his privity, 
 and being printed from no very corredt 
 copy, that induced him, though not 
 till fome time after, to give a genuine 
 edition of it. He was little anxious what 
 fate it met with among the generality, 
 the manufcript had diverted the choice 
 circle of his friends, and his aim in it 
 reached no farther. This happened not 
 
 long 
 
Mr. John philips. i 5 
 
 long before the much famed aftion at 
 Bleinheim , in 1704, where the Duke of 
 Marlborough gained that victory, which 
 defervedly filled the world with his 
 praifes. The Earls of Godolphin and Hdlifax 
 had eagerly fet Mr. Addifon's pen to 
 work upon this occafion, and fired his 
 poetic faculty with the allured hopes of 
 a very extraordinary reward. On the 
 other fide, their two competitors, Harley 
 and St. John , afterwards Earl of Oxford 
 and Vifcount Bolingbroke , pitched upon 
 our author as perfe&ly capable of doing 
 juftice to his country on this fubjecL 
 While Mr. Philips was in town he re- 
 fided in Mr. St. John's houfe, and has 
 celebrated the kindnels and generolity 
 of his holt in a Latin ode in' Horace's- 
 manner, which is undoubtedly a mailer- 
 piece. It is all of his that we have left 
 in this kind, but from it we may form a 
 judgment, that his writings in that lan- 
 guage were not inferior to thole, he has 
 
 left 
 
1 6 The LIFE of 
 
 left ns in our own : and as Horace wa:s ( one 
 of his darling authors, we need not qiuei- 
 tion his ability to excel in his way, as; well 
 as that of his admired Virgil. Our aut.hcor’s 
 poem, intitled Bleinheim, was publ.idhed 
 in 1705^ and the next year he finished 
 that upon Cyder *, which after his decerale, 
 was tran Hated into Italian , by a nobole- 
 man of Florence. His next defign Awas 
 that of writing a poem upon the reffur- 
 redtion, and the day of judgment, Ibut 
 this he did not live to execute, othenwife 
 he would very probably have excelled 
 upon a fubjedt, for which he was exactly 
 adapted. That fubjedt indeed, was 
 only proper to be treated of in the 
 folemn ftyle, which he makes ufe of, 
 and by one whofe juft notions of religion 
 and a true fpirit of poetry, could have 
 carried his reader without a wild enthu- 
 fiaftn. 
 
 — extra flammantia mcenia mundi , Lucief. 
 
 Tois 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS, i y 
 
 This is not obtruded upon the reader as 
 a bare conjecture of our own, but we 
 have the authority of Mr. Smith for it, 
 who was undeniably a competent judge 
 of the fcheme which our author had 
 laid down, and probably had feen the 
 firft rudiments of his defign •, but Mr. 
 Philips's didemper increafing obliged him 
 to drop the purfuit of this, and all other 
 views, befides that of his health ; he had 
 been long troubled with a lingring 
 confumption, attended with an afthma, 
 a painful diforder, and had fullered 
 many fevere conflicts under it, without 
 betraying any difcontent or uneafinefs ; 
 the integrity of his heart iliil preferring 
 the chearfulnefs of his fpirits, and the 
 fingular goodnefs of his nature engaging 
 his friends in the tendered and mod 
 endearing offices to him on thefe occa- 
 fions. By the advice of his Phyficians 
 he went to Bath, the fummer before his 
 death •, here the ableft of the faculty (by 
 E whom 
 
whom he was generally beloved) readily 
 gave him their beft ailiftance, and home 
 prelent eafe they did procure him, upon 
 which he left the place, though with 
 fmall hopes of recovery. Upon his re- 
 moval from Bath he went to Hereford , 
 where his mother was ftill living, and 
 where the afthma returning in the winter 
 put a period to his life, February 15, 
 i'708, in the entrance almoft upon the 
 thirty-third year of his age. He was 
 interred in the cathedral-church of Here- 
 ford by his mother, who caufed the 
 following infcription to be put upon his 
 2rave-ftone r 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 19 
 
 JOHANNES PHILIPS 
 
 Obiit 1 5 die Feb. Anno \ 
 
 (/h tat.fuas 32 „ 
 
 Cujus 
 
 Ofla fi requiras, hahc Urnam inlpice, 
 
 Si Ingenium nefcias, ipfius Opera confide. 
 
 Si Tumulum defideras, Templum adi WcfmonaJJe- 
 Qualis quantufque Vir fuerit, [’* er! f e > 
 Dicat elegahs ilia & przeclara ' 
 
 Quae Cenotaphium ibi decorat 
 Infcriptio. 
 
 Quam interim erga Cognatus pias & afpciofus, 
 Tsfietur hoc faxum 
 
 A MARIA P HI LIPS Matre ipfius pientifiima, 
 Diledti Filii Memorise non fine Lacrymis dicatum. 
 
 E 2 
 
 But 
 
20 
 
 The L I F E of 
 
 But befides this, a monument was 
 erected to his memory, in the place 
 called the Poets Corner in Wtftminfter- 
 Abbey , by Sir Simon afterwards Lord 
 Har court , and Lord - Chancellor of 
 England. It is a neat Bufto in profile, 
 with this motto, 
 
 Honos erit huic quoque porno. V irg. 
 
 And the following epitaph was wrote by 
 Dr. Friend , which has. this very fingular 
 merit, that we there fee a very great and 
 at the fame time a very juft charafter 
 expreffed upon a monument without 
 flattery. 
 
 Here- 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 2i 
 
 Hcrefordias conduntur OfTa, 
 
 Hoc in Delubro ftatuitur Imago, 
 Britanniam omnem pervagatur'Fama 
 JOHAN NIS PHILIPS: 
 
 Qui Viris bonis dofiifqne juxta chants, 
 Immortale fuurn Ingenium, 
 
 Eruditione multipiici excultum, 
 
 Miro animi Candore, 
 
 Eximia morum fimplicitate, 
 
 Honeftavit. 
 
 Litteraram Amoeniorum Ikim, 
 
 Qitam Wintonire Puer fentire ccsperat. 
 
 Inter JEdis Chrijli Alumnos jugiter explevit. 
 
 In ilio Mufarum Domicilio 
 Praeclaris kEmulorum ftudiis excitatus, 
 Optimis fcribendi Magi (Iris femper intentus, 
 Carmina fcrmone Patrio compofuit 
 A Graecis Latinifque fontibus feiiciter dedinfta, 
 Atticis Romanifque auribus omnino digna, 
 Verfuum quippe Harmoniam 
 
 B 3 R}' tit mo 
 
The LIFE of 
 
 22 
 
 Rythmo didicerat. 
 
 Antiquo illo, libero, Multiformi 
 Ad res ipfas apto prorfus, & attemperato, 
 
 Non Numeris in eundem fere orbem redeuntibus 
 Non Claufularum fimiliter cadentium fono 
 Metiri : 
 
 Uni in hoc laudis genere, Miltono fecundus, 
 Primoque pcene Par. 
 
 |les feu Tenues, feu Grandes, feu Mediocres 
 Ornandas fumferat, 
 
 Nufquam, non quod decuit, 
 
 Et videt, & aftecutus eft, . 
 
 Egregius, quocunque Stylum verteret, 
 
 Fandi author, & Modorum artifex. 
 
 Fas fit Huic, 
 
 Aufo licet a tua Metrorum Lege difccdcre 
 O Poefis Anglican® Pater, atque Conditor Chaucere 
 Aiterum tibi latus claudere, 
 
 Vatum certe Cineres, tuos undique ftipantium 
 Non dedecebit Chorum. 
 
 5 IMON 
 
Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 23 
 
 SIMON H A R C OU RT Miles, 
 
 Viri bene de fe, dequo Literis meriti 
 Quoad viveret, Fautor, 
 
 Poll Obitum pie memor, 
 
 Hoc illi Saxum poni voluit. 
 
 7. PHILIPS, STEPHAN! S. T. P. Archidiaconi 
 Salop, Filins, natus ejl Bamptonise 
 in agro Oxon. Dec. 30, 167 6. 
 
 Oliit Herefordiae, Feb. 15, 1708. 
 
 B 4 
 
£144 ettttftCAC CCOQ tf«0 C OS 7«SCOCOOOCOOO600OCCOOCeOOCaa9CeOOCOOOC99OCO0OCO9OCOOdC>:-» 
 
 A 
 
 POEM 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 
 
 eosocococcot>ooeccejccoooeoe9tcoc>«soeMooeat)coocs»oo»ooeo30coe3w4«ecoeca5ac<»* 
 
A 
 
 POEM 
 
 To the Memory of 
 
 Mr. JOHN PHILIPS. 
 
 Infcribed to the Hon. Mr. Trevor. 
 By Mr. EDMUND SMITH. 
 SIR, 
 
 gINCE our IJis fllently deplores 
 The bard who fpread her fame to diftant fhores j 
 Since nobler pens their mournful lays fufpend; -j 
 My honeft zeal, if not my verfe, commend, L 
 .Forgive the poet, and approve the friend. J 
 Your care had long his fleeting life reftrain’d. 
 One table fed you, and one bed contain’d ; 
 for his dear fake long reftlefs nights you bore -j 
 W hile rat’ling coughs his heaving veflels tore, v 
 Much was his pain, but your affliction more. J 
 
 Oh! 
 
28 A Poem to the Memory of 
 
 Oh ! had no fummons from the noify gown 
 Call’d thee unwilling to the naufeous town, 
 
 Thy love had o’er the dull difeafe prevail’d 
 Thy mirth had cur’d where baffled phvfick fail’d ; 
 But fmce die will of heaven his fate decreed. 
 
 To thy kind care my worthlefs lines fucceed ; 
 Fruitlefs our hopes, tho’ pious our effays. 
 
 Yours to preferve a friend, and mine to praife. 
 
 Oh might I paint him in Miltonian verfe, 
 
 With ftrains like thofe he fung on Glo’Jier’ s herfe ; 
 But with the meaner tribe I’m forc’d to chime. 
 And wanting ftrength to rife, defcend to rhyme. 
 
 With other lire his glorious Bleinheim fhines. 
 And all the battle thunders in his lines ; 
 
 His nervousverfe greatBoileau's ftrength tranfcends. 
 And France to Philips, as to Churchil bends. 
 
 Oh ! various bard, you all our pow’rs controul. 
 You now difturb, and now divert the foul : 
 
 Milton and Butler in thy mufe combine. 
 
 Above the laft thy manly beauties Ihine ; 
 
 For 
 
Mr. John Philips. 29 
 
 For as I’ve feen when rival wits contend, 
 
 One gayly charge, one gravely wife defend ; 
 
 This on quick turns and points in vain relies, * 
 This with a look demure, and fteady eyes. 
 
 With dry rebukes, or fneering praife replies. 
 
 So thy grave lines extort a jufter fmile. 
 
 Reach Butler’ s fancy, but furpafs his ftyle ; 
 
 He fpeaks Scarron’s low phrafe in humble drains. 
 In thee the folemn air of great Cervantes reigns. 
 
 What founding lines his abjett themes exprefs. 
 What lliining words the pompous Shilling drefs ? 
 There, there my cell, immortal made, outvies 
 The frailer piles whicli o’er its ruins rife. 
 
 I11 her bed light the comick mufe appears. 
 
 When file, with borrow’d pride the bufkin wears. 
 So when nurfe Nokes to act young Annnan tries, ' 
 With fli ambling legs, long chin, and foolifii eyes ; 
 With dangling hands he firokes th’ imperial robe. 
 And, with a cuckold’s air commands the Globe ; 
 
 The 
 
30 A Poem to the Memory of 
 
 The pomp and found the whole buffoon difplay’d* 
 And Ammon's fon more mirth than Gomez made. 
 
 Forgive, dear fhade, the fcene my folly draws,- 
 Thy drains divert the grief thy afhes caufe : 
 When Orpheus fings the ghofts no more complain* 
 But in his lulling mufick lofe their pain : 
 
 So charm the Tallies of thy Georgick mufe. 
 
 So calm our forrows, and our joys infufe ; 
 
 Here rural notes a gentle mirth infpire, 
 
 Here lofty lines the kindling reader fire, 
 
 Like that fair tree you praife, the poem charms, 
 Cools like the fruit, or like the juice it warms. 
 
 Blell clime, which/^a ’sfruitful dreams improve* 
 Etruria's envy, and her Ccfmo's love ; 
 
 Reddreak he quaffs beneath the Chianti vine, 
 Gives Tufcan yearly for thy Scud' more's wine, > 
 And ev’n his Tafio would exchange for thine. J 
 Rife, rife, Rofcommon, fee the Bleinheim mufe* 
 The dull conftraint of monkxfh rhyme refufe j 
 
 See 
 
Mr. John Philips. 31 
 
 Sec o’er the Alps his tow’ring pinions foar. 
 Where never Englijb poet reach’d before : 
 
 See mighty Cofmo’s counfellor and friend. 
 
 By turns on Cofrno and the bard attend ; 
 
 Rich in the coins and bulls of ancient Rome , 
 
 In him he brings a nobler treafure home ; 
 
 In them he views h£r gods, and domes defign’d. 
 In him the foul of Rome, and Virgil’s mighty mind : 
 To him for eafe retires from toils of ftate. 
 
 Not half fo proud to govern, as tranflate. 
 
 Our Spenfer, firft by Pifan poets taught. 
 
 To us their tales, their llyle, and numbers brought*- 
 To follow ours now ’T'ufcan bards defcend. 
 
 From Philips borrow, tho’ to Spcnfer lend. 
 
 Like Philips too the yoke of rhyme difdain ; 
 fney firft on Englijh bards impos’d the chain, 
 
 F irft h y an En gHft> bard from rhyme their freedom 
 gain. ■ _ 
 
 Tyraunick rhyme, that cramps to equal chime. 
 Die gaj - the foft, the florid and fublime ; 
 
 Some 
 
32 A Poem to the Memory of 
 
 Some fay this chain the doubtful fenfe decides. 
 Confines the fancy, and the judgment guides ; 
 
 I’m fure in needlefs bonds it poets ties, 
 
 Procrujles like, the ax or wheel applies, > 
 
 To lop the mangled fenfe, or ftretch it into fize : J 
 At bell a crutch that lifts the weak along, 
 Supports the feeble, but retards the ftrong ; 
 
 And the chance thoughtswhen govern’d by theclofe. 
 Oft rife to fuftian, or defeend to profe. 
 
 Your judgment. Philips , rul’d with fteady fway, 
 You usM no curbing rhyme the mufe to Hay 
 To {lop her fury or direa her way. . \ ' 
 
 Thee on the wing thy uncheck’d vigor bore. 
 
 To wanton freely, or fecurely loar. 
 
 So the ftretch’d cord the {hackled-dancer tries, 
 As prone to fall, as impotent to rife ; 
 
 When freed he moves, the fturdy cable bends,. 
 He mounts with pleafure, and fecure defeends ; 
 Now dropping feems to ftrike the diflant ground. 
 Now high in air his quiv’ring feet rebound.- 
 
Mr. John Philips. 33 
 
 Rail on, ye triflers, who to Will 1 s repair 
 For new lampoons, freih cant, or modlfn air ; 
 Rail on at Milton's ion, who wifely bold 
 Rejedts new phrafes, and refumes the old : 
 
 Thus Chaucer lives in younger Spenfcr ’ s {trains, 
 In Mar o's page reviving Ennius reigns ; 
 
 The ancient words the majeity compleat. 
 
 And make the poem venerably great : 
 
 So when the Queen in royal habit’s dreft. 
 
 Old myitick emblems grace th’ imperial veil. 
 And in Eliza’s robes all Anna ftands confeft. 
 
 A haughty bard to fame by volumes rais’d. 
 
 At Dick’s and Bat/on’s, and thro’ Smithfield prais’d^ 
 
 Cries out aloud Bold Oxford bard forbear 
 
 With rugged numbers to torment my ear ; 
 
 Yet not like thee the heavy critick foars, 
 
 But paints in fuitian, or in turn deplores ; 
 
 ' With Banyan’s ityle profanes heroic fongs, \ 
 
 To the tenth page lean homilies prolongs ; Q 
 
 C 
 
 For 
 
34 A Poem to the Memory of 
 
 ’ For far-fctch’d rhymes makes puzzled angels drain, 
 And in low profe dull Lucifer complain ; 
 
 His envious mufe by native dulnefs curd. 
 
 Damns the bed poems, and contrives the word. 
 
 Beyond his praife or blame thy works prevail, 
 Compleat where Dryden and thy Mihcm fail ; 
 Great Milton's wing on lower themes fubddes. 
 And Dryden oft in rhyme his weaknefs hides ; 
 You ne’er with jingling words deceive the ear, 
 And yet, on humble fubje&s, great appear. 
 Thrice happy youth, whom noble IJls crowns ! 
 V/hom Blackniore cenfures, and Godolphin owns ; 
 So on the tuneful Margarita's tongue 
 The lid’ning nymphs, and ravifli’d heroes hung . 
 But cits and fops the heav’n-born mufick blame> 
 And bawl, and hifs, and damn her into fame ; 
 Like her fweet voice is thy harmonious fong. 
 
 As high, as fweet, as eafy, and as drong. 
 
 Oh ! had relenting Iieav’n prolong’d his days, 
 The tow’ring bard had fung in nobler lays, 
 
 How 
 
Mr. John Philips. 35 
 
 How the laft trumpet wakes the lazy dead. 
 
 How faints aloft the crofs triumphant fpread ; 
 How op’ning Heav’ns their happy regions ftiow,” 
 And dawning gulphs with flaming vengeance 
 
 k 
 
 glow. 
 
 And faints rejoice above, and finners howl below: _ 
 Well might he fing the day he could not fear, 
 
 And paint the glories he was fure to wear. 
 
 Oh bell: of friends, will ne’er the filent urn 
 To our juft vows the haplefs youth return ? 
 
 Muft he no more divert the tedious day ? 
 
 Nor fparkling thoughts in antique words convey ? 
 No more to harmlefs irony defcend, ~i 
 
 To noify fools a grave attention lend, V 
 
 Nor merry tales with learn’d quotations blend? J 
 No more in falfe pathetick phrafe complain 
 Of Delia ' s wit, her charms, and her difdain ? 
 
 Who now fhall God-like Anna's fame diffule ? 
 Muft Are, when moft Ihe merits, want a mufe ? 
 
 C 2 
 
 Who 
 
36 A Poem to the Memory of 
 
 Who now our T wyfden’s glorious fate fhali tell ; 
 How lov’d he liv’d, and how deplor’d he fell : 
 How while the troubled elements around. 
 
 Earth, water, air, the dunning dinn refound ; 
 Through dreams of fmoak, and adverfe lire he rides; 
 While ev’ry Ihot is levell’d at his fides ; 
 
 How, while the fainting Dutch remotely fire, 
 
 And the fam’d Eugene’s iron troops retire. 
 
 In the fird front amidd a daughter’d pile. 
 
 High on the mound he dy’d near Great Argyle. 
 
 Whom fhali I find unbyafs’d in difpute. 
 
 Eager to learn, unwilling to confute ? 
 
 To whom the labours of my foul difclofe. 
 
 Reveal my pleafure, or difcharge my woes ? 
 
 Oh ! in that heav’nly youth for ever ends 
 The bed of fons, of brothers, and of friends. 
 
 He facred friendlhip’s drifted laws obey’d. 
 
 Yet more by confcience than by friendfhip fway’d, 
 Againd himfelf his gratitude maintain’d. 
 
 By favours pad, not future profpefts gain’d : 
 
 Not 
 
Mr. John Philips. 37 
 
 Not nicely chufing, tho’ by all defir’d ; 
 
 Tho’ learn’d, not vain ; and humble, tho’ admir’d: 
 Candid to all, but to himfelf fevere, 
 
 In humour pliant, as in life auftere. 
 
 A wife content his even foul fecur’d, 
 
 By want not fhaken, or by wealth allur’d. 
 
 To all fincere, tho’ earned: to commend. 
 
 Could praife a rival, or condemn a friend. 
 
 To him old Greece and Rome were fully known. 
 Their tongues, their fpirit, and their ftyles his own: 
 Pleas’d the lead: Heps of famous men to view. 
 
 Our author’s works, and lives, and fouls he knew; 
 Paid to the learn’d and great the fame efteem, 
 
 The one his pattern, and the one his theme : 
 With equal judgment his capacious mind 
 Warm Pindar's rage, and Euclid’s reafon join’d. 
 Judicious phyfick’s noble art to gain 
 All drugs and plants explor’d, alas in vain ! 
 
 The drugs and plants their drooping mafter fail’d. 
 Nor goodnefs now, nor learning ought avail’d : 
 
 C 3 Yet 
 
38 A Poem to the Memory of 
 
 Yet to the bard his Churchill's foul they gave, 
 
 And made him fcorn the life they could not fave, 
 Elfe could he bear unmov’d the fatal gueft. 
 
 The weight that all his fainting limbs opprefl, - 
 The coughs that ftruggled from his weary bread:? _ 1 
 Could-he unmov’d approaching death fuftain ? 
 
 Its flow advances, and its racking pain ? 
 
 Could he ferene his weeping friends furvey. 
 
 In his laft hours his eafy wit difplay. 
 
 Like the rich fruit he fings, delicious in decay. _ 1 
 Once on thy friends look down, lamented fhade. 
 And view the honours to thy allies paid; 
 
 Some thy lov’d dull in Parian Hones enlhrinc. 
 Others immortal epitaphs deflgn ; 
 
 With wit, and ftrength, that only yield to thine : 
 Ev’n I, tho’ flow to touch the painful fixing 
 Awake from flumber, and attempt to flng. 
 
 Thee, Philips, thee defpairing Vaga mourns. 
 
 And gentle IJls foft complaints returns ; 
 
 1 
 
 Dormer 
 
Mr. John Philips. 39 
 
 Dormer laments amidft the wars alarms ; 
 
 And Cecil weeps in beauteous Tuftori s arms : 
 
 Thee on the Po kind Somerfet deplores. 
 
 And ev’n that charming fcene his grief reftores : 
 Ee to thy lofs each mournful air applies, 1 
 
 Mindful of thee on huge Pahurnus lies, > 
 
 But moft at Virgil's tomb his fwelling forrows rife, J 
 But you, his darling friends, lament no more, 
 Di'play his fame, and not his fate deplore ; 
 
 And let no tears from erring pity flow, 
 
 For one that’s blefl: above, immortaliz’d below. 
 
 
 C .4 
 
 T H E 
 
THE 
 
 SPLENDID SHILLING 
 
T H E 
 
 SPLENDID SHILLING. 
 
 Singy heavenly Mufe , 
 
 \ Things unattempted yet, in profe or rhime , 
 
 A Hulling, breeches, and chimeras dire. £ 
 
 T T A P P Y the man, who void of cares and ftrife. 
 In filken, or in leathern purfe retains 
 A Splendid Shilling : He nor hears with pain 
 New oyfters cry’d, nor fighs for chearful ale ; ^ 
 But with his Friends when nightly mills arife, 
 
 T o Juniper % Magpye , or Town-Hall * repairs : 
 Where, mindful of the nymph, whofe wanton eye 
 Transfix’d his foul, and kindled amorous flames, 
 C l o e, or P h i l i p s ; he each circling glafs 
 Wilheth her health, and joy, and equal love. 
 
 * Two noted Alehoufes in Oxford, 1700, 
 
 Mean 
 
44 The Splendid Shiiling. 
 
 hltv.ii while, he fmoices, 2nd laughs it merry tile. 
 Or Pun ambiguous, or Conundrum quaint. 
 
 But I, whom griping penury furromds. 
 
 And hunger, fure attendant upon vant. 
 
 With fcanty offals, and fmall acid iff 
 (Wretched repaft !) my meagre cons fuflain : 
 Then folitary walk, or doze at hone 
 In garret vile, and with a warming puff 
 Regale chill’d fingers ; or from tub; as black 
 As winter-chimney, or well-poliih’t jet. 
 
 Exhale Mundungus, ill-perfuming cent : 
 
 Not blacker tube, nor of a fhorter ize 
 Smokes Cambro-Britcn (vers’d in pdigree. 
 Sprung from Cadwalador and Arthur Kings 
 Full famous in romantic tale) when he 
 O’er many a craggy hill and barren cliff. 
 
 Upon a cargo of fam’d Cejirian checfe. 
 
 High over-fhadowing rides, with adefign 
 To vend his wares, or at th’ Ar-vonan mart. 
 
 Or Maridunum, or the antient town 
 
 Yclip’d 
 
The Splendid Shilling. 45 
 
 Yclip’d Brechinia , or where Vage? s ftream 
 Encircles Ariconium , fruitful foil ! 
 
 Whence flow neftareous wines, that well may vie 
 With Maffic, Selin., or renown’d Falern. 
 
 Thus, while my joylefs minutes tedious flow,^ 
 With looks demure, and filent pace a Dun , 
 Horrible monfter ! hated by gods and men. 
 
 To my aerial citadel afeends. 
 
 With vocal heel thrice thund’ring at my gate,> 
 With hideous accent thrice he calls ; I know / 
 
 The voice ill-boding, and the folemn found. 
 
 What fliou’d I do ? or whither turn ? amaz’d. 
 Confounded to the dark recefs I fly 
 Of woodhole ; ftrait my bridling hairs ereft 
 Fhro’ fudden fear ; a chilly fweat bedews \ 
 
 My fhudd’ring limbs, and (wonderful to tell !)\ 
 My tongue forgets her faculty of fpeech ; / 
 
 So horrible he feems ! his faded brow 
 Entrench’d with many a frown, and conic beard, (, 
 And fpreading band, admir’d by modern faints, 
 
 DifaAroui 
 
 A. 
 
4 6 The Splendid Shilling. 
 
 llifaftrous a£ts forebode ; in his right hand 
 Long fcrolls of paper folemnly he waves, 
 
 ^ With char afters, and figures dire infcrib’d, 
 Grievous to mortal eyes ; (ye gods avert 
 Such plagues from righteous men;)behindhim Italics 
 ! Another monfter not unlike himfelf. 
 
 Sullen of afpeft, by the vulgar call’d 
 y A Catchpole, whofe polluted hands the gods 
 With force incredible, and magic charms 
 Firft have endu’d, if he his ample palm 
 Should haply on ill-fated fhoulder lay 
 Of debtor, ftrait his body, to the touch 
 I Obfequious, (as whilom knights were wont) 
 
 To fome inchanted caitle is convey’d. 
 
 Where gates impregnable, and coercive chains 
 In durance ltrift detain him, till in form 
 Jof money, Pallas fets the captive free. 
 
 Beware, ye debtors, when ye walk, beware, 
 y Be circumfpeft ; oft with inhduous ken 
 This caitiff eyes your fteps aloof, and oft 
 
 Lies 
 
The Splendid Shilling. 47 
 
 Lies perdue in a nook or gloomy cave. 
 
 Prompt to inchant fome inadvertent wretch ( 
 With his unhallow’d touch. So (poets ling) 
 Grimalkin to domeftic vermin fworn ^ 
 
 An everlafting foe, with watchful eye 
 Lies nightly brooding o’er a chinky gap, ^ 
 Protending her fell claws, to thoughtlefs mice^ 
 Sure ruin. So her difembowell’d web 7 
 Arachne in a hall, or kitchen, fpreads, / 
 Obvious to vagrant flies : lhe fecret Hands ^ 
 Within her woven cell ; the humming prey, 
 Regardlefs of their fate, rufli on the toils 
 Inextricable, nor will aught avail 
 Their arts, or arms, or fliapes of lovely hue ; 
 
 1 he wafp infiduous, and the buzzing drone. 
 
 And butterfly proud of expanded wings 
 DiAinft with gold, entangled in her fnares, 
 
 Ufelefs refinance make : with eager ftrides. 
 
 She tow’ring flies to her expefted fpoils ; 
 
 Then, with envenom’d jaws the vital blood 
 
 Drinks 
 
48 The Splendid Shilling. 
 
 Drinks of reluttant foes, and to her cave 
 /Their bulky car caffes triumphant drags. 
 
 So pafs my days. But when nodlurnal Blades 
 This world invelop, and th’ inclement air 
 Perfuades men to repel benumming frofls 
 j With pleafant wines, and crackling blaze of wood ; 
 
 Me, lonely fitting, nor the glimmering light 
 \ Of make-weight candle, nor the joyous talk 
 / Of loving friend delights ; diflrefs’d, forlorn, 
 Amidft the horrors of the tedious night, 
 
 Darkling I figh, and feed with difmal thoughts 
 My anxious mind, or fometimes mournful verfe 
 Indite, and fing of groves and myrtle {hades. 
 
 Or defp’rate lady near a purling Bream, 
 
 Jj Or lover pendent on a willow-tree. 
 
 ^ Mean while I labour with eternal drought. 
 
 And reftlefs vvilh, and rave, my parched throat 
 Finds no relief, nor heavy eyes repofe : 
 
 But if a (lumber haply does invade 
 My weary limbs, my fancy’s Bill awake, 
 
 Thoughtful 
 
 J 
 
The Splendid Sh ILLING. 49 
 
 Thoughtful of drink, and eager, in a dream. 
 Tipples imaginary pots of ale, 
 
 In vain ; awake I find the fettled thirft 
 Still gnawing, and the pleafant fan tom curfe. \ 
 Thus do I live, from pleafure quite debarred. 
 Nor tafte the fruits that the fun’s genial rays 
 Mature, Jc-hn- Apple, nor the downy Peach , 
 
 Nor Walnut in rough-furrow’d coat fecure, ^ 
 
 Nor Medlar fruit delicious in decay : 
 
 Afflictions great ! yet greater Hill remain : 
 
 My Galligajkins that have long withfrood 
 The winter’s fury, and encroaching frofts, 
 
 By tirrte fubdu’d, (what will not time fubdue !) N '' 
 An horrid chafm difclos’d with orifice ^ 
 Wide, difeontinuous ; at which the winds 
 Purus and Aujlcr , and the dreadful force 
 .Of Boreas, that congeals the Cronian waves. 
 Tumultuous enter with dire chilling blafts. 
 Portending agues. Thus a well-fraught fhip. 
 Long fail’d fecure, or thro’ th ' uEgc an deep, 
 
 D 
 
 Or 
 
50 The Splendid Shilling. ' 
 
 Or the Ionian, till cruifing near 
 
 The Lilybean fhore, with hideous crufh 
 
 On Scylla, or Charybdis (dang’rous rocks !) 
 
 ) She flxikes rebounding, whence the fhatter’d oak. 
 So fierce a (hock unable to withftand, 
 
 Admits the fea ; in at the gaping fide 
 I The crowding waves gufh with impetuous rage, 
 Refiftlefs, overwhelming ; horrors feize 
 
 The mariners, death in their eyes appears, 
 
 ^ Theyftare,theylave,theypump,theyfwear,theypray: 
 (Vain efforts !) Hill the batt’ring waves rufh in. 
 Implacable, till delug’d by the foam. 
 
 The fhip finks found’ring in the vaft abyfs. 
 
 E L E I N- 
 

 B L E I N H E I M, 
 
B L E I N H E I M 
 
 ROM low and abjett themes the grov’llng mufc, 
 
 Now mounts aerial, to ling of arms 
 Triumphant, and emblaze the martial a6ls 
 Of Britain ' s heroe j may the verfe not link 
 Beneath his merits, but detain a while 
 Thy ear, O Harlej*, (tho’ thy country’s weal 
 Depends on thee, tho’ mighty Anne requires 
 Thy hourly counfels) fince with ev’ry art 
 Thyfelf adorn’d, the mean eflays of youth. 
 
 Thou wilt not damp, but guide, wherever found. 
 The willing genius to the mufes feat : 
 
 Therefore thee firft, and laft, the mufe lhall ling. 
 
 Long had the Gallic monarch, uncontroul’d 
 .Enlarg’d his borders, and of human force 
 
 * This Poem was infcrib’d to the Right Honourable 
 Jlvlert llarhy , Efq ; 1701;, then Speaker of the Honourable 
 JJ«ttfe of Commons, and Secretary of ftate. 
 
 D 3 
 
 Opponent 
 
54 
 
 Bleinheim. 
 
 Opponent flightly thought, in heart elate. 
 
 As erft Sefojlris , (proud Egyptian king. 
 
 That monarchs harnefs’d to his chariot yokt, 
 
 (Bafe fervitude !) and his dethron’d compeers, 
 Lalht furious ; they in fullen majefty 
 Drew the uneafy load.) Nor lefs he aim’d 
 At univerfal fway : for William's arm 
 Could naught avail, however fam’d in war ; 
 
 Nor armies leagu’d, that diverfly affay’d 
 To curb his pow’r enormous ; like an oak, 
 
 That Hands fecure, tho’ all the winds employ 
 Their ceafelefs roar, and only fheds its leaves, 
 
 Or maft, which the revolving fpring reftores : 
 
 So flood he, and alone ; alone defy’d 
 The European thrones combin’d, and Hill 
 Had fet at naught their machinations vain. 
 
 But that great Anne, weighing th’ events of war 
 Momentous, in her prudent heart, thee chofe. 
 Thee, Churchill, to dire 61 in nice extreams 
 Her banner’d legions. Now their priftine worth 
 
 The 
 
Bleinheim. 
 
 55 
 
 The Britons recollect, and gladly change 
 Sweet native home for unaccuftom’d air, 
 
 And other climes, where different food and foil 
 Portend diftempers ; over dank, and dry. 
 
 They journey toilfome, unfatigu’d with length 
 Of march, unftruck with horror at the fight 
 Of Alpine ridges bleak, high fetching hills. 
 
 All white with fummers fnows. They go beyond 
 The trace of Englijh fteps, where fcarce the found 
 Of Henry’s arms arriv’d ; fuch ftrength of heart 
 Thy conduft, and example gives ; nor fmall 
 Encouragement, Godolphin , wife, and juft. 
 
 Equal in merit, honour and fuccefs. 
 
 To Burleigh, (fortunate alike to ferve 
 The beft of Queens :) he, of the royal ftore 
 Splendidly frugal, fits whole nights devoid 
 Of fweet repofe, induftrious to procure 
 The foldier’s eafe j to regions far remote 
 His care extends : and to the Britijh hoft 
 Makes ravag’d countries plenteous as their own. 
 
 D 4 And 
 
56 Bliinhei m, 
 
 And new, O Churchill ! at thy wiflu approach 
 The Germans hopeles cf fuccefs, forlorn, 
 
 \ v ith many an inroad gor’d, their drooping cheer 
 New animated roufe ; not more rejoice 
 The miferabie race of men, that live 
 Benighted half the year, benumm’d with frofts 
 Perpetual, and rough Boreas keenell breath, 
 
 Under the polar bear, inclement Iky, 
 
 When firfb the fun with new-born light remove* 
 The long incumbent gloom ; gladly to thee 
 Heroic laurel’d Eugene yields the prime. 
 
 Nor thinks it diminution, to be rankt 
 In military honour next, altho’ 
 
 His deadly hand (hook the T urchejlan throne 
 Accurs’d, and prov’d in far divided lands 
 ’Vi&orious ; on thy pow’rful fword alone 
 Germania, and the Belgic coaft relies. 
 
 Won from th’ encroaching fea : that fword great Jnne 
 Fix’d not in vain on thy puilfant fide. 
 
 When thee lh’ enroll’d her garter’d knights among, 
 
 Illulirating 
 
B L E I N H E I M. 
 
 57 
 
 llluftrating the noble lift ; her hand 
 Allures good omens, and Saint George's worth 
 Enkindles like deftre of high exploits. 
 
 Iiumediate fieges, and the tire of war 
 Roll in thy eager mind; thy plumy creft 
 Nods horrible, with more terrific port 
 Thou walk’d, and feem’ft already in the fight. 
 
 What fpoils, what conquefts then did Albioti hope 
 From thy atchievements ! yet thou haft furpaft 
 Her boldeft vows, exceeded what thy foes 
 Could fear, or fancy ; they, in multitude 
 Superior fed their thoughts with profpedt vain 
 Of victory, and rapine, reckoning what 
 From ranfom’d captives would accrue. Thus one 
 Jovial his mate befpoke ; O friend, obferve, 
 
 How gay with all th’ Accoutrements of war 
 The Britons come, with gold well fraught they come 
 Thus far, our prey, and tempt us to fubdue 
 Their recreant force ; how will their bodies ftript 
 Enrich the vigors, while the vultures fate 
 
 Their 
 
58 Bleinheim. 
 
 Their maws with full repail i another warm’d 
 With high ambition, and conceit of prowefs 
 Inherent, arrogantly thus prefum’d ; 
 
 What if this fword, full often drench’d in blood 
 Of bafe antagonifts, with griding edge 
 Should now cleave fheer the execrable head 
 Of Churchill , met in arms ! or if this hand 
 Soon as his army difarray’d ’gins fwerve, 
 
 Should flay him flying, with retentive gripe, 
 Confounded, and appal’d ! no trivial price 
 Should fet him free, nor finall Jhould be my praife 
 To lead him Ihackled, and expos’d to fcorn 
 Of sath’rincr crowds the Briton’s boafted chief. 
 
 Thus they, in fportive mood, their empty taunts 
 And menaces exprelt ; nor could their prince 
 In arms, vain Mallard, from opprobrious fpeech 
 Refrain ; why halt ye thus, ye Britons P Why 
 Decline the war ? Shall a morafs forbid 
 Your eafy march ? Advance ; >ve’ll bridge a way, 
 Safe of accefs. Imprudent, thus t’invite 
 
 A 
 
Bleinheim. 
 
 S9 
 
 A furious lion to his folds ! that boaft 
 He ill abides, captiv’d in other plight 
 He foon revifits Britanny , that once 
 Refplendent came, with ftretcht retinue girt. 
 
 And pompous pageantry ; O haplefs fate. 
 
 If any arm, but Churchill’s had prevail’d ! 
 
 No need fuch boalts, or exprobations falfe 
 Of cowardice ; the military mound 
 The Britijb files tranfcend, in evil hour 
 For their proud foes, that fondly brav’d their fate, 
 And now on either fide the trumpets blew. 
 
 Signal of onfet, refolution firm 
 Infpiring, and pernicious love of war. 
 
 The adverfe fronts in rueful conflict meet. 
 Collecting all their might ; for on th’ event 
 Decifive of this bloody day depends 
 The fate of kingdoms : with lefs vehemence 
 The great competitors for Rome engag’d, 
 
 Ccefar, and Pompey , on Pharfalian plains. 
 
 Where item BeUona , with one final ftroke. 
 
 Adjudg’d 
 
6o 
 
 Bleinhei m. 
 
 Adjudg’d the empire of this globe to one. 
 
 Here the Bavarian Duke his brigades leads. 
 Gallant in arms, and gaudy to behold, 
 
 Hold champion ! brandifhing his Noric blade, 
 
 Bell temper’d fteel, fuccefslefs prov’d in field 1 
 Next Tallard, with his Celtic infantry 
 Prefumptuous comes ; here Churchill , not fo prompt 
 To vaunt, as fight, his hardy cohorts joins 
 With Eugene's German force. Now from each van 
 The brazen inftruments of death difeharge 
 Horrible flames, and turbid {breaming clouds 
 Of fmoke fulphureous, intermixt with thefe 
 Large globous irons fly, of dreadful hifs. 
 Singeing the air, and from long diftance bring 
 Surprifing {laughter ; on each frde they flv 
 By chains connex’t, and with deftruftive fvveep 
 Behead whole troops at once ; the hairy fealps 
 Are whirl’d aloof, while numerous trunks beftrew 
 Th’ enfanguin’d field ; with latent mifehief flor’d 
 Show’rs of granadoes rain, by fudden burfl 
 
 Difplcding 
 
B L E I N H E I M. 
 
 6r 
 
 Difploding murd’rous bowels, fragments of Heel, 
 And Hones, and glafs, and nitrous grain aduH. 
 
 A thoufand ways at once the fniver’d orbs 
 Fly diverfe, working torment, and foul rout 
 With deadly bruife, and gafnes furrow’d deep. 
 Of pain impatient, the high prancing Heeds, 
 Difdain the curb, and Hinging to and fro. 
 
 Spurn their difmounted riders ; they expire 
 Indignant, by unhofiile wounds deflroy’d. 
 
 Thus thro’ each army, death in various fiiapes. 
 Prevail’d ; here mangled limbs, here brains and gore 
 Lie clotted ; lifelefs feme : with anguifh thefe 
 Gnaihing, and loud laments invoking aid, 
 Unpity’d, and unheard ; the louder din 
 Of guns, and trumpets clang, and fclcmn found 
 Of drums o’ercame their groans. In equal fcale 
 Long hung the fight, few marks of fear were feen. 
 None of retreat : As when two adverfe winds. 
 Sublim’d from dewy vapours, in mid fky 
 Engage with horrid. fflock, the ruffled brine 
 
 Roars 
 
62 
 
 Bleinheim, 
 
 . Roars flormy, they together dafli the clouds. 
 Levying their equal force with utmoft rage ; 
 
 Long undecided lafts the airy ftrife. 
 
 So they incens’d : ’till Churchill , viewing where 
 The violence of Tallard moft prevail’d. 
 
 Came to oppofe his flaught’ring arm j with fpeed 
 Precipitant he rode, urging his way 
 O’er hills of gafping heroes, and fall’n fteeds 
 Rolling in death : deftrudlion, grim with blood 
 Attends his furious courfe. Him thus enrag’d 
 Defcrying from afar fome engineer. 
 
 Dextrous to guide th’ unerring charge, delign’d 
 By one nice Ihot to terminate the war. 
 
 With aim dirett the levell’d bullet flew. 
 
 But mifs’d her fcope (for deftiny withftood 
 Th’ approaching wound) and guiltlefs plough’d her 
 Beneath his courfer; round his facred head 
 The glowing balls play innocent, while he 
 With dire impetuous fway deals fatal blows, 
 Amongft the fcatter’d Gauls. But O 1 beware. 
 
 Great 
 
Bleinhei m. 
 
 6 3 
 
 Great warrior, nor too prodigal of life 
 Expofe the Britijb fafety : hath not Jove 
 Already warn’d thee to withdraw ? Referve 
 Thyfelf for other palms. Ev’n now thy aid 
 Eugene , with regiments unequal preft. 
 
 Awaits ; this day of all his honours gain’d, 
 Defpoils him, if thy fuccour opportune 
 Defends not the fad hour : permit not thou 
 So brave a leader with the vulgar herd 
 
 To bite the ground unnoted. fwift, and fierce 
 
 As wintry itorm, he flies, to reinforce 
 The yielding wing ; in Gallic blood again 
 He dews his reeking fword, and ftrews the ground 
 With headlefs ranks ; (fo Ajax interpos’d 
 His fevenfold fhield, and fcreen’d Laertes’ fon. 
 
 For valour much, and warlike wiles renown’d, 
 V/hen the infulting Trojans urg’d him fore 
 With tilted fpears :) unmanly dread invades 
 The French aftony’d ; ftrait their ufelefs arms 
 They quit, and in ignoble flight confide-, 
 
 Unfeemly 
 
64 Bleinheim. 
 
 Unfeemly yelling ; diftant hills return- 
 The hideous noife. What can they do ? or, how 
 With Hand his wide-deftroying fword ? or, where 
 Find fhelter thus repuls’d ? behind with wrath 
 Refiftlefs, th’ eager Englijh champions prefs 
 Chaftiftng tardy flight ; before them rolls 
 Kis current fwift the Danube, vaft, and deep, 
 Supream of rivers ; to the frightful brink. 
 
 Urg’d by compulfive arms fcon as they reach t. 
 New horror chill’d their veins ; devote they faw 
 Themfelves to wretched doom ; with efforts vain. 
 Encourag’d by defpair, or obflinate 
 To fall like men in arms, feme dare renew 
 Feeble engagement, meeting glorious fate 
 On the firm land ; the reft difeomfited. 
 
 And pufht by Marlborough's avengeful hand, 
 
 Leap plunging in the wide extended flood. 
 
 Bands numerous as the Memphian foldiery 
 That fwell’d th’ Erythraean wave, when wall’d 
 The unfroze waters marvelloufly flood. 
 
 Obfervant 
 
Bleinheim, 
 
 65 
 
 Obfervant of the great command. Upborne 
 By frothy billows thoufands float the flream 
 In cumbrous mail, with love of farther fliore ; 
 Confiding in their hands, that fed’lous ftrive 
 To cut th’ outrageous fluent : in this diftrefs, 
 Ev’n in the fight of death, fome tokens fliew 
 Of fearlefs friendlhip, and their finking mates 
 -Suftain ; vain love, tho’ laudable ! abforb’d 
 By a fierce ed4y, they together found 
 The vaft profundity ; their horfes paw 
 The dwelling furge with fruitlefs toil : furcharg’d. 
 And in his courfe obftrudled by large fpoil. 
 
 The river, flows redundant, and attacks 
 The ling’ring remnant with unufual tide ; 
 
 Then rolling back, in his capacious lap 
 Ingulfs their whole militia, quick immerfl. 
 
 So when fome fwejt’ring travellers retire 
 i o leafy fliades, near the cool funlefs verge 
 Of Par aba, Brajilian Are am ; her tail 
 Of vail extenfion from her watry den, 
 
 E 
 
 A 
 
66 
 
 Bleinheim 
 
 A grifly Hydra luddenly fhoots forth, 
 
 Infiduous, and with curl’d envenom’d train 
 Embracing horridly, at once the crew 
 Into the river whirls ; th’ unweeting prey 
 Entwifted roars, th’ affrighted flood rebounds. 
 
 Nor did the Britijh fquadrons now furceafe 
 To gall their foes o’erwhelm’d ; full many felt 
 In the moift element a fcorching death. 
 
 Pierc’d flnking ; flirouded in a dufky cloud 
 The current flows, with livid miflive flames 
 Boiling, as once Pergajnean Xanthus boil’d. 
 Inflam’d by Vulcan, when the fwift- footed fon 
 Of Peleus to his baleful banks purfu’d 
 The draggling Trojans : nor lefs eager drove 
 Victorious Churchill his defponding foes 
 Into the deep immenfe, that many a league 
 Impurpled ran, with gufhing gore diftain’d. 
 
 Thus the experienc’d valour of one man. 
 Mighty in conflict, refcu’d harrafs’d pow’rs 
 From ruin impendent, and th’ afflicted throne 
 
 Imperial, 
 
Imperial, that once lorded o’er the world, 
 Suftain’d. With prudent flay, he long defer’d 
 The rough contention, nor would deign to rout 
 An hoft di/parted ; when, in union firm 
 Embody’d they advanc’d, colledling all 
 Their ftrength, and worthy Teem’d to be fubdu’d : 
 He the proud boafters Tent, with ftern aflifult, 
 Down to the realms of night. The Briti/h fouls . 
 ( A lamentable race !) drat ceas’d to breathe . 
 
 On Landen- plains, this heav’nly gladfome air . 
 Exult to fee the crouding ghofts defcend 
 Unaumber’d ; well aveng’d, they quit the cares 
 Of mortal life, and drink th* oblivious lake . 
 
 Not fo the new inhabitants : they roam 
 Erroneous, and difccnfolatc, themfelves 
 Acculing, and their chiefs, improvident 
 Of military chance ; when lo ! they fee. 
 
 Thro the dun mill:, in blooming beauty frefh, 
 Two lovely youths, that amicably walkt 
 O’er verdant meads, and pleas’d, perhaps, revolv’d 
 E 2 Anna' s 
 
68 
 
 Bleinheim. 
 
 Anna’s late conquefts ; * one, to empire born. 
 Egregious Prince, whofe manly childhood fhew’d 
 His mingled parents, and portended joy 
 Unfpeakable ; f thou, his afiociate dear 
 Once in this world, nor now by fate disjoin’d. 
 Had thy prefiding ftar propitious fhone. 
 
 Should’!! Churchill be ! but heav’n fevere cut fhort 
 Theirfpringing years, norwould, this ifle fhouldboaft 
 Gifts fo important ! them the Gallic lhades 
 Surveying, read in either radiant look 
 Marks of exceflive dignity and grace. 
 
 Delighted ; ’till, in one, their curious eye 
 Difcerns their great fubduer’s awful mien. 
 
 And correfponding features fair ; to them 
 Confufion ! ftrait the airy phantoms fleet. 
 
 With headlong hafte, and dread a new purfuit ; 
 The image pleas’d with joy paternal fmiles. 
 
 Enough, O mufe ; the fadly-pleaflng theme 
 
 * Duke of Ghuceflcrt t Marquis of Blandford. 
 
 Leave, 
 
Bleinheim. 
 
 69 
 
 Leave, with thefe dark abodes and re-afcend 
 To breathe the upper air, where triumphs wait 
 The conqu’ror, and fav’d nations joint acclaim. 
 Hark, how the cannon, inoffenfive now'. 
 
 Gives figns of gratulation ; draggling crouds 
 From ev’ry city flow ; with ardent gaze 
 Fixt, they behold the Britijh guide, of fight 
 Infatiate ; whilft his great redeeming hand 
 Each prince affedls to touch refpeftful. See, 
 
 Flow PruJJia's King tranfported entertains 
 His mighty gueft ; to him the royal pledge, 
 
 Hope cf his realm, commits, (with better fate. 
 Than to the 'Trojan chief E-vander gave 
 Unhappy Pallas ) and intreats to {hew 
 The {kill and rudiments auftere of war. 
 
 See, with what joy, him Leopold declares 
 His great deliverer ; and courts t’accept 
 Of titles, with fuperior modcfty 
 Better refus’d. Mean while the haughty King 
 bar humbler thoughtsriow learns; delpair, and fear 
 E 3 Now 
 
7o Bletnheims 
 
 Now firft he feels ; his laurels all at once 
 Torn from his aged head, in life’s extream, , 
 Diftraft his foul ; nor can great Boileau ' s harp 
 Of various founding wire, bell taught to calm 
 Whatever paffion, and exalt the foul 
 With higheft drains, his languid fpirits cheer.- 
 Rage, fname, and grief, alternate in his bread. 
 
 But who can tell what pangs, what fharp remorfg' 
 Torment the Bvian prince ? from native foil 
 3' xil’d by fate, torn from the dear embrace 
 Of weeping confort, and depriv’d the light. 
 
 Of his young guiltlefs progeny, he feeks 
 Inglorious Ihelter, in an alien land ; 
 
 Deplorable ! but that his mind averfe 
 To right, and infincere, would violate 
 His plighted faith. : why did he not accept 
 Friendly compofure offer’d ? or well weigh, 
 
 With whom he mud contend ? entount’ring fierce 
 
 The Solymcan Sultan, he o’erthrew 
 
 His moony troops, returning bravely fmear’d 
 
 With 
 
Bleinheim. 
 
 71 
 
 With Painitn blood effus’d ; nor did the Gaul 
 Not find him once a baleful foe : but when, 
 
 Of counfel rath, new meafures he purfues, 
 Unhappy prince ! (no more a prince) he fees 
 Too late his error, forc’d t’ implore relief 
 Of him, he once defy’d. O deftitute 
 Of hope, unpity’d ! thou fhould’ft firft have thought 
 Of perfevering ftedfaft ; now upbraid 
 Thy own inconftant ill-afpiring heart. 
 
 Lo ! how the Norlc plains, thro’ thy default 
 Rife hilly, with large piles of llaughter’d knights. 
 Bed; men, that warr’d ftill firmly for their prince 
 Tho’ faithlefs, and unfhaken duty fliew’d ; 
 
 Worthy of better end. Where cities flood. 
 
 Well fenc’d, and numerous defolation reigns. 
 
 And emptinefs, difmay’d, unfed, unhous’d 
 The widow, and the orphan ftrole around 
 
 V 
 
 The defart wide ; with oft retorted eye 
 They view the gaping walls, and poor remains 
 Ofmanfions, once their ov/n (now loathfome haunts 
 <. E 4 Of 
 
72 
 
 B L E I N H E I M. 
 
 Of birds obfcene), bewailing loud the lofs 
 Of fpoufe, or fire, or fon, ere manly prime 
 Slain in fad confiitt, and complain of fate 
 As partial, and too rigorous ; nor find 
 Where to retire themfelves, or where appeafe 
 Th’ afflictive keen defire of food, expos’d 
 •To winds, and florins, and jaws of favage beads. 
 
 Thrice happy Albion ! from the world disjoin’d 
 By heav’n propitious, blifsful feat of peace ! 
 
 Learn from thy neighbour’s miferies to prize 
 Thy welfare ; crown’d with nature’s choked gift. 
 Remote thou bear’d the dire eftett of war. 
 Depopulation, void alone of fear. 
 
 And peril, whilfc the difmal fymphony 
 Of drums and clarions other realms annoys. 
 
 Th’ Iberian feepter undecided, here 
 Engages mighty hod's in wafteful ftrife ; 
 
 From difF’rent climes the flow’r of youth defeends' 
 Down to the Lujitanian vales, refclv’d 
 With utmod hazard to enthrone their prince, 
 
 Gallic > 
 
Bleishei m. 
 
 73 
 
 Gallic, or Aujlrian ; havoc dire enfues. 
 
 And wild uproar : the natives dubious whom 
 They mull obey, in confternation wait, 
 
 ’Till rigid conqueft will pronounce their liege. 
 Nor is the brazen voice of war unheard 
 On the mild Latian Ihore ; what fighs and tears 
 Hath Eugene caus’d ! how many widows curfe 
 His cleaving faulchion ! fertile foil in vain ! 
 
 What do thy paffures, or thy vines avail. 
 
 Bed: boon of heav’n ! or huge Taburnus, cloath’d- 
 With olives, when the cruel battle mows 
 The planters, with their harveft immature ? 
 
 See, with what outrage from the frofty north,. 
 The early valiant Swede draws forth his wings 
 In battailous array, while Volga 1 ?, dream 
 Sends oppofite, in Ihaggy armor clad, 
 
 Her borderers ; on mutual daughter bent. 
 
 They rend their countries. How is Poland vext 
 With civil broils, while two elected Kings 
 
 Contend* 
 
74 B L E I N H E I M. 
 
 Contend for fway ? unhappy nation, left 
 Thus free of choice ! the Englijh undilturb’d 
 With fuch fad privilege, fubmifsx>bey 
 Whom heav’n ordains fupreme, with rev’rence due. 
 Not thraldom, in fit liberty fecure. 
 
 From fcepter’d Kings, in long decent deriv’d. 
 Thou Anna ruled ; prudent to promote 
 Thy people’s eafe at home, nor lludious lefs 
 Of Europe ’s good ; to thee, of Kingly rights 
 Sole arbitrefs, declining thrones, and pow’rs 
 Sue for relief ; thou bid’ll thy Churchill go. 
 Succour the injur’d realms, defeat the hopes 
 Of haughty Louis, unconfin’d ; he goes 
 Obfequious, and the dread command fulfils. 
 
 In one great day. Again thou giv’ll in charge 
 To Rook , that he fhould let that monarch know, 
 The empire of the ocean wide diffus’d 
 Is thine ; behold ! with winged fpeed he rides 
 Undaunted o’er the lab’ring main t’alfert 
 
 Thy 
 
Bleinheim, 
 
 7 £ 
 
 Thy liquid kingdoms ; at his near approach. 
 
 The Gallic navies impotent to bear 
 His volly’d thunder, torn, dilfever’d, feud. 
 
 And blefs the friendly interpofmg night. 
 
 Hail, mighty Queen-, referv’d by fate, to grace 
 The new-born age ; v/hat hopes may we conceive 
 Of future years, when to thy early reign 
 Neptune fubmits his trident, and thy arms 
 Already have prevail’d to th’ utmoft bound : 
 Hefperian , Calpe, by Alcides Ext, 
 
 Mountain fublime, that calls a lhade of length: 
 Immeafurable, and rules the inland waves ! 
 
 Let others, with infatiate thirl! of rule. 
 
 Invade their neighbours, lands, negleft the ties 
 Of leagues and oaths ; this thy peculiar praife* 
 
 Be Hill, to ftudy right, and quell the force 
 Of Kings perfidious ; let them learn from thee 
 That neither firength, nor policy refin’d, 
 
 Shall with fucccfs be crown’d, where juftice fails.. 
 
 Thou. 
 
76 B L E I N H E I jvr. 
 
 Thou, with thy own content, not for thyfelf, 
 
 Subdueft regions, generous to raife 
 
 The fuppliant knee, and curb the rebel neck. 
 
 The German boafts thy conquefts, and enjoys 
 The great advantage ; naught to thee redounds 
 But fatisfattion from thy confcious mind. 
 
 Aufpicious Ipueen, iince in thy realms fecure 
 Of peace, thou reign’ll, and vi&ory attends 
 Thy diftant enfigns, with compaflion view 
 Europe embroil’d ; Hill thou (for thou alone 
 Sufficient art) the jarring kingdoms ire-. 
 Reciprocally ruinous ; fay who 
 Shall wield th’ Hefperian , who the Polijh fword. 
 
 By thy decree ; the trembling lands lhall hear 
 Thy voice, obedient, left thy fcourge Ihould bruife 
 Their ftubborn necks, and Churchill in his wrath 
 Make them remember Blemheim with regret 
 
 Thus lhall the nations, aw’d to peace, extol 
 Ihy pow’r, and jufticej jealoufigs and fears, 
 
 An 4 
 
Bleinheim. 
 
 77 
 
 And hate infernal banifht, fhall retire 
 To Mauritania, or the BaBrian coafts. 
 
 Or T artary, engend’ring difcords fell 
 Amongft the enemies of truth ; while arts 
 Pacific, and inviolable love 
 Flourifh in Europe. Hail Saturnian days 
 Returning ! in perpetual tenor run 
 Deledlable, and Ihed your influence fweet 
 On virtuous Anna’s head : ye happy days. 
 
 By her reftcr’d, her juft defigns compleat. 
 
 And, mildly on her Alining, blefs the world. 
 
 Thus from the noify croud exempt, with eafe. 
 And plenty bleft, amid the mazy groves ; 
 
 (Sweet folitude !) where warbling birds provoke 
 The fllent mufe, delicious rural feat 
 Of St. John, Englijh Memmius, I prefum’d 
 To flng Britannic trophies, inexpert 
 Of war, with mean attempt ; while he intent 
 (So Anna’s will ordains) to expedite 
 
 His 
 
78 B L E I N H E I M. 
 
 His military charge, * no leifure finds 
 T° firing his charming fhell ; but when return’d 
 Confummate peace Xhall rear her cheerful head, 
 Tnen fhall his Churchill in fublimer verfe 
 For ever triumph ; latefl times fhall learn 
 From fuch a Chief to fight, and Bard, to fing, 
 
 '* Ke was then Secretary of War. 
 
 
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 Henricum St. "John , Armig’ 
 
 1706. 
 
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o 
 
 D E 
 
 A D 
 
 Henricum St, John , .Armig’ 
 
 1706. 
 
 I. 
 
 Qui reci£e finibus indicis 
 Benignus herbas, das mihi divitem 
 Haurire fuccum, & fuaveolentes 
 Saspe tubis iterare fumos ; 
 
 II, 
 
 Qui folus acri refpicis afperum 
 Siti palatum, proluis & mero, 
 
 Dulcem elaborant cui faporem 
 Hefperii pretiCimque, foies : 
 
 F 
 
 III. Ec- 
 
82 Ode ad Henricum 
 
 hi. 
 
 Ecquid reponam muneris omnium 
 
 Exors bonorum ? prome reconditum, 
 
 Pimpliea, carmen, defidefque 
 Ad numeros, age, tende chordas. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Ferri fecundo mens avet impetu, 
 
 Qua cygniformes per liquidum aethera, 
 
 Te, diva, vim praebente, vates 
 Explicuit venufxmis alas : 
 
 V. 
 
 Solers modorum, feu puerum, trucem. 
 
 Cum matre flava, feu tanerat rofas 
 Et vina, cyrrhaeis hetrufcum 
 Rite beans equitem fub antris. 
 
 VI. 
 
 At non lyaei vis generofior 
 
 AiHuxit illi ; faepe licet cadum 
 
 Ja&et 
 
St. John, Armig. 
 
 Jactet Falernum, faepe Chiae 
 Munera, lretitiamque teflae. 
 
 vii. 
 
 Patronus illi non fuit artium 
 Celebriorum ; fed nec amaniior, 
 
 Nec charus aeque. O ! quae medullas 
 Flamma fubit, tacitofque fenfus. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Pertentat, ut teque & tua munera 
 Gratus recordor, mercurialium 
 Princeps virorum ! & ipfe mufle 
 Cultor, & ufque colende mufis l 
 
 IX. 
 
 Sed me minantem grandia deficit 
 Receptus segre fpiritus, ilia 
 Dum pulfat ima, ac inquietum 
 Tuffis agens fine more pedlus. 
 
84 Ode ad Henricum 
 
 x. 
 
 Alte petito quaflat anhelitu ; 
 
 Funefta plane, ni mihi balfamum 
 Diftillet in venas, tuaeque 
 Lenis opem ferat hauftus uvax 
 
 XI. 
 
 Hanc fumo, parcis & tibi poculis 
 
 Libo falutem ; quin precor, optima 
 Ut ufque conjux fofpitetur, 
 Perpetuo recreans amore. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Te confulentem militiae fuper 
 
 Rebus togatum. Made ! tori decus 
 Formofa cui Francifca ceffit, 
 
 Crine placens, niveoque collo 1 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Quam gratiarum cura decentium 
 
 O ! O ! labellis Cui Venus infidet 1 
 
 Ta 
 
St. John, Armig. 85 
 
 Tu forte Felix ; me Maria 
 Macerat (ah miferum !) videndo : 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Maria, quae me lidereo tuens 
 Obliqua vultu per medium jecur 
 Trajecit, atque excuflit omnes 
 Protinus ex animo puellas. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Hanc, ulla mentis fpe mihi mutuae 
 Utcunque defit, notte, die vigil 
 Sufpiro ; nec jam vina fomnos 
 Nec revocant, tua dona, fumi. 
 
 F 3 
 
 A N 
 
— 
 
A N 
 
 O D E 
 
 T O 
 
 Henry St. John , Elquire.* 
 
 1706. 
 
 I. 
 
 Thou From India ' s fruitful foil. 
 
 That doft that fovereign herb f prepare.; 
 In whofe rich fumes I lofe the toil 
 Of life, and every anxious care : 
 
 While from the fragrant lighted bowl, 
 
 I fuck new life into my foul ; 
 
 * This piece was tranflated by the Reverend Thomas Nexv- 
 (xme, M, A . of Corpus Chrifli College , Oxot:. •j' 'Tobacco. 
 
 II. Thou, 
 
go 
 
 Ode to Henry 
 
 XL 
 
 Thou, only thou 1 art kind to view 
 The parching flames that I fuflain j 
 Which with cool draughts thy calks fubdvte 
 And wafh away the thirfly pain. 
 
 With wines, whofe flrength and tafte we prize. 
 From Latian funs and nearer Ikies. 
 
 III. 
 
 0 !' lay, to blefs thy pious love. 
 
 What vows, what offerings lhall I bring ? 
 
 Since I can fpare, and thou approve. 
 
 No other gift, O hear me flng ! 
 
 In numbers Phabus does infpire. 
 
 Who firings for thee the charming lyre. 
 
 rv. 
 
 Aloft, above the liquid flty, 
 
 I lire tch my wing, and fain would go 
 ■ Where Rome's fweet fwain did whilom fly ,* 
 
 And foaring, left the clouds below * 
 
 Th* 
 
St. John, Efquire . 91 
 
 The mufe invoking to endue 
 
 With krength, his pinions, as he flew. 
 
 V. 
 
 Whether he fings great Beauty’s praife. 
 
 Love’s gentle pain, or tender woes ; 
 
 Or chufe, the fubjeft of his lays. 
 
 The blufhing grape, or blooming rofe: 
 
 Or near cool Cyrrah’ s rocky Iprings 
 Maecenas likens while he fings. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Yet he, no nobler draught could boak. 
 
 His mufe or muflck to infpire, 
 
 Tho’ all Falernum ’ s purple coak. 
 
 Flow’d in each glafs, to lend him fire j 
 And on his tables us’d to fmile 
 The vintage of rich Ohio’s ike. 
 
 VU- M*- 
 
92 
 
 Ode to Henry 
 
 vii. 
 
 M/tctnas deign’d to hear his fongs. 
 
 His mufe extoll’d, his voice approv’d ; 
 To thee a fairer fame belongs, 
 
 i 
 
 At once more pleafing, more belov’d. 
 Oh i teach my heart to bound its flame. 
 As I record thy love and fame. 
 
 vrir. 
 
 Teach me the paflion to reflrain. 
 
 As I my grateful homage bring ; 
 
 And laft in Phoebus' humble trairt 
 The firfl: and brightefi: genius fing. 
 
 The Mufes favourite pleas’d to live. 
 Paying them back the fame they give. 
 
 IX. 
 
 But oh 1 as greatly I afpire 
 
 To tell my love, to fpeak thy praife, 
 Boafting no more its fprightly fire. 
 
 By bofom heaves, my voice decays ; 
 
 With 
 
St. John, Efquire. 
 
 With pain I touch the mournful firing. 
 And pant and languish as I fing. 
 
 X. 
 
 Faint nature now demands that breath. 
 That feebly drives thy worth to fmg ! 
 And would be hufh’d and loft in death. 
 Did not thy care kind fuccours bring ! 
 Thy pitying cafks my foul fuftain. 
 
 And call new life in every vein. 
 
 .XI. 
 
 The fober glas I now behold. 
 
 Thy health, with fair Fvanci/ca ’ s join, 
 Wifhing her cheeks may long unfold 
 Such beauties, and be ever thine ; 
 
 No chance the tender joy remove. 
 
 While fhe can pleafe, and thou canft love. 
 
 XII. Thus 
 
94 
 
 Ode to Henry 
 
 xii. 
 
 Thus while by you the Britifh arms 
 Triumphs and didant fame purfue ; 
 
 The yielding fair refigns her charms. 
 And gives you leave to conquer too ; 
 
 Her fnowy neck, her bread, her eyes. 
 
 And all the nymph becomes your prize. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 What comely grace, what beauty fmiles. 
 Upon her lips what fweetnefs dwells ? 
 
 Not love himfelf fo oft beguiles. 
 
 Nor Venus felf fo much excels ; 
 
 What different fates our paffions fliare. 
 
 While you enjoy, and I defpair ? 
 
 XIV. 
 
 * Maria’s form as I furvey. 
 
 Her fmiles a thoufand wounds impart ; 
 
 Each feature deals my foul away. 
 
 Each glance deprives me of my heart. 
 
 * Mifs Mary Meers, Daughter of the late Principal of BrazEn- 
 Note College, Qxon, And 
 
St. John, Efquire, 95 
 
 And chafing thence each other Fair 
 jLeaves her own image only there. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Altho 5 my anxious bread defpair. 
 
 And fighing, hopes no kind return ; 
 
 Yet for the lov’d relentlefs fair 
 By night I wake, by day I burn. 
 
 Nor can thy gifts foft deep fupply. 
 
 Or footh my pains, or clofe my eye. 
 
 
 CYDER. 
 

 CYDER. 
 
 A 
 
 POEM, 
 
 I N 
 
 TWO BOOKS. 
 
 Hows erit hulc quoque Porno ? Virg. 
 
 ^6OeO0CXC%OK90O6O6O9C^eC30CKO0€?6OeCXO9OiOCOGC9eO0C3eO0g 
 
C Y 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 YI JHAT foil the apple loves, what care is due 
 To orchats, timelieft when to prefs the fruits. 
 Thy gift, Pomona, in Miltonian verfe 
 Adventrous I prefume to fing ; of verfe 
 Nor fkill’d, nor ftudious : but my native foil 
 Invites me, and the theme as yet unfung. 
 
 Ye Ariconian knights, and faireft dames. 
 
 To whom propitious heav’n thefe bleffings grants. 
 Attend my layes, nor hence difdain to learn, 
 
 How nature’s gifts may be improv’d by art. 
 
 And thou, O Moftyn, whofe benevolence. 
 
 And candor, oft experienc’d, me vouchfaf’d 
 To knit in friendfhip, growing itill with years, 
 
 G 2 Accept 
 
300 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Rook r. 
 
 Accept this pledge of gratitude and love. 
 
 May it a lafting monument remain 
 Of dear refpedt ; that, when this body frail 
 Is molder’d into duft, and I become 
 As I had never been, late times may know 
 I once was blefs’d in fuch a matchlefs friend. 
 
 Whoe’er expefts his lab’ring trees Ihou’d bend 
 With fruitage, and a kindly harveft yield. 
 
 Be this his firft concern ; to find a tradl 
 Impervious to the winds, begirt with hills 
 That intercept the Hyperborean blafts 
 Tempefluous, and cold Eurus ’ nipping force. 
 Noxious to feeble buds : but to the weft 
 Let him free entrance grant, let Zephyrs bland 
 Adminifter their tepid genial airs ; 
 
 Naught fear he from the weft, whofe gentle warmth 
 Difclofes well the earth’s all-teeming womb. 
 Invigorating tender feeds ; whofe breath 
 Nurtures the Orange, and the Citron groves, 
 Hefperian fruits, and wafts their odors fweet 
 
 Wide 
 
Book I. 
 
 C Y D E R* 
 
 10 I 
 
 Wide thro’ the air, and diflant (hores perfumes. 
 Nor only do the hills exclude the winds : 
 
 But when the blackning clouds in fprinkling Ihow’rs 
 Diftil, from the high fummits down the rain 
 Runs trickling ; with the fertile moifture cheer’d, 
 The orchats fmile ; joyous the farmers fee 
 Their thriving plants, and biefs the heav’nly dew. 
 
 Next let the planter, with difcrction meet. 
 
 The force and genius of each foil explore ; 
 
 To what adapted, what it Ihuns averfe : 
 
 Without this necelfary care, in vain 
 He hopes an apple-vintage, and invokes 
 Pomona'?, aid in vain. The miry fields. 
 
 Rejoicing in rich mold, molt ample fruit 
 Of beauteous form produce ; pleafing to fight, 
 
 But to the tongue inelegant and flat. 
 
 So nature has decreed ; fo oft we fee 
 Men palling fair, in outward lineaments 
 Elaborate ; lefs, inwardly, exaft. 
 
 Nor from the fable ground expert fuccefs 
 
 G 3 
 
 Nor 
 
102 
 
 Y D E R, 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Nor from cretaceous, ftubborn and jejune : 
 
 The Mull, of pallid hue, declares the foil 
 Devoid of fpirit ; wretched he, that quaffs 
 Such wheyifh liquors ; oft with cholic pangs, 
 With pungent cholic pangs diffrefs’d he’ll roar, 
 And tofs,and turn, and curfe th’ unwholfom draught. 
 But, farmer, look, where full-ear’d (heaves of rye 
 Grow wavy on the tilth, that foil feleft 
 For apples ; thence thy induftry (hall gain 
 Ten-fold reward; thy garners, thence with (lore 
 Surcharg’d, (hall burft ; thyprefs with pureft juice 
 Shall flow, which, in revolving years, may try 
 Thy feeble feet, and bind thy falt’ring tongue.. 
 Such is the Kentchurch, fuch Dantzeyan ground. 
 Such thine, O learned Brome , and Capel fuch, 
 Willi ft an Burl/on, much-lov’d Geers his Marjh , 
 
 And Sutton-zcres, drench’d with regal blood 
 Of Ethelbert, when to th’ unhallow’d feaft 
 Of Mercian Ojj 'a he invited came, 
 
 To treat of fpoufals : long connubial joys 
 
 He 
 
Book T. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 103 
 
 He promis’d to himfelf, allur’d by fair 
 Elfrida’s beauty ; but deluded dy’d 
 
 In height of hopes oh ! hardefl fate, to fall 
 
 By fhevv of friendlhip, and pretended love ! 
 
 I nor advife, nor reprehend the choice 
 Of Marcley- hill ; the apple no where finds 
 A kinder mold : yet ’tis unfafe to trull: 
 
 Deceitful ground : who knows but that, once more, 
 This mount may journey, and, his prefent fite 
 Forfaking, to thy neighbour’s bounds transfer 
 The goodly plants, affording matter ftrange 
 For law-debates * ? if, therefore, thou incline 
 To deck this rife with fruits of various tallies, 
 
 * February the feventh, 1 57 1 , at fix o’clock in the evening, 
 this hill routed itfelf with a roaring noife, and by feven the 
 next morning had moved forty paces ; it kept moving for three 
 days together, carrying with it fheep in their cotes, hedge-rows 
 and trees, and in its paffage overthrew Kinnajlon Chappie, and 
 burned two highways near an hundred yards frqm their former 
 pofition. The ground thus moved was about twenty-fix acres, 
 which opened itfelf and carried the earth before it for four hun- 
 dred yards fpaee, leaving that which was pafture in the place of 
 the tillage and the tillage overfpread with pafture. See Speed's 
 account of Herefordjhire, page 49, and Camden’s Britannia. 
 
 G 4 
 
 Fail 
 
104 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Fail not by frequent vows t’implore fuccefs ; 
 Thus piteous heav’n may fix the wandring glebe. 
 
 But if (for nature doth not lhare alike 
 Her gifts) an happy foil fhould be with-held ; 
 
 If a penurious clay fhou’d be thy lot. 
 
 Or rough unwieldy earth, nor to the plough. 
 Nor to the cattle kind, with fandy ftones 
 And gravel o’er-abounding, think it not 
 Beneath thy toil j the fturdy pear-tree here 
 Will rife luxuriant, and with toughefi: root 
 Pierce the obftrutting grit, and reftive marie. 
 Thus naught is ufelefs made; nor is there land. 
 But what, or of itfelf, or elfe compell’d. 
 
 Affords advantage. On the barren heath 
 The fhepherd tends his flock, that daily crop 
 Their verdant dinner from the moffie turf. 
 Sufficient ; after them the cackling goofe, 
 Clofe-grazer, finds wherewith to eafe her want. 
 What fhou’d I more ? Ev’n on the cliffy height 
 Of Penmenmaur , and that cloud-piercing hill, 
 
 Plinlmmon , 
 
Book r. Cyd E R. 105 
 
 Plinlimmon, from afar the traveller kens 
 Aftoniih’d, how the goats their fhrubby brouze 
 Gnaw pendent ; nor untrembling canft thou fee. 
 How frOm a fcraggy rock, whofe prominence 
 Half overfhades the ocean, hardy men, 
 
 Fearlefs of rending winds, and dafhing waves. 
 Cut famphire, to excite the fqueamilh guft 
 Of pamper’d luxury. Then, let thy ground 
 Not lye unlabor’d ; if the richeft Hem 
 Refufe to thrive, yet who wou’d doubt to plant 
 Somewhat, that may to human ufe redound. 
 
 And penury, the word of ilis, remove ? 
 
 There are, who, fondly ftudious of increafe. 
 Rich foreign mold on their ill-natur’d land 
 Induce laborious, and with fatning muck 
 Befmear the roots j in vain I the nurflmg grove 
 Seems fair a while, cherifli’d with fofler earth; 
 But when the alien compofl is exhauft. 
 
 It’s native poverty again prevails. 
 
 Tho’ this art fails, defpond not ; little pains, 
 
 / In 
 
io6 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 In a due hour employ’d, great profit yield. 
 
 Th’ indullrious, when the fun in Leo rides. 
 
 And darts his fultrieft beams, portending drought. 
 Forgets not at the foot of ev’ry plant 
 To fink a circling trench, and daily pour 
 A juft fupply of alimental ftreams, 
 
 Exhaufted fap recruiting ; elfe falfe hopes 
 Fie cherifhes, nor will his fruit e$peft 
 Th’ autumnal feafon, but, in fummer’s pride, 
 When other orchats fmile, abortive fail. 
 
 Thus the great light of heav’n, that in his courfc 
 Surveys and quickens all things, often proves 
 Noxious to planted fields, and often men 
 Perceive his influence dire ; fweltring they run. 
 To grots, and caves, and the cool umbrage feek 
 Of woven arborets, and oft the rills 
 Still ftreaming frefh revifit, to allay 
 Thirft inextinguifhable : but if the fpring 
 Preceding fhou’d be deftitute of rain, 
 
 Or bl aft feptentrional with brufhing wings 
 
 Sweep 
 
Book I. 
 
 C Y D E R. 
 
 lOJ 
 
 Sweep up the fmoky mifts, and vapours damp. 
 Then woe to mortals ! Titan then exerts 
 His heat intenfe, and on our vitals preys ; 
 
 Then maladies of various kinds, and names 
 Unknown, malignant fevers, and that foe 
 To blooming beauty, which imprints the face 
 Of faireft nymph, and checks our growing love. 
 Reign far and near ; grim death in different fttapes. 
 Depopulates the nations, thoufands fall 
 His viffims, youths, and virgins, in their flower. 
 Reluctant die, and flghing leave their loves 
 Unfiniih’d, by infeflious heav’n deftroy’d. 
 
 Such heats prevail’d, when fair Eliza, laid 
 Of Winchcamb ' s name (next thee in blood, and word], 
 O faireft: St. John !) left this toilfome world 
 In beauty’s prime, and fadden’d all the year ; 
 
 Nor cou’d Iter virtues, nor repeated vows 
 Of thoufand lovers, the relentlefs hand 
 Of death arreft, fhe with the vulgar fell. 
 
 Only diftinguiih’d by this humble verfe, 
 
 Rut 
 
io8 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book T. 
 
 Bat if it pleafe the fun’s intemp ’rate force 
 To know, attend ; whilfl I of ancient fame 
 The annals trace, and image to thy mind. 
 
 How our fore-fathers, (lucklefs men !) ingulft 
 By the wide yawning earth, to Stygian fhades 
 Went quick, in one fad fepulchre inclos’d. 
 
 In elder days, ere yet the Roman bands 
 Victorious, this our other world fubdu’d, 
 
 A fpacious city flood, with firmed: walls 
 Sure mounded, and with num’rous turrets crown’d. 
 Aerial fpires, and citadels, the feat 
 Of Kings, and heroes refolute in war. 
 
 Fam’d Ariccnium ; uncontrol’d, and free, 
 
 ’Fill all-fubduing Latian arms prevail’d. 
 
 Then aifo, tho’ to foreign yoke fubmifs. 
 
 She vjndemolilh’d flood, and ev’n till now 
 Perhaps had flood, of ancient Britijb art 
 A pleafmg monument, not lefs admir’d 
 Titan what from Attic, or Etrufcan hands 
 Arcfc ; had not the heav’nly pow’rs averfe 
 i Decreed 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder, 
 
 Decreed her final doom : for now the' fields 
 Labour’d with third;, Aquarius had not fired 
 His wonted fiiow’rs, and Sirius parch’d with heat 
 Solftitial the green herb.: hence ’gan relax 
 .Fhe ground’s contexture, hence Tartarian dreg's. 
 Sulphur, and nitrous fpume, enkindling fierce. 
 
 Bellow’d within their darkfome caves, by far 
 More difmal than the loud difploded roar 
 Of brazen enginry, that ceafelefs dorm 
 
 The bullion of a well-built city, deem’d 
 Impregnable : th’ infernal winds, ’till now 
 Clofely imprifon’d, by Titanian warmth. 
 
 Dilating, and with undtuous vapors fed 
 Difdain’d their narrow cells ; and, their full drength 
 Collefting, from beneath the folid mafs 
 Upheav’d, and all her caltles rooted deep 
 Shook from their lowed feat ; old Vaga's dream. 
 Fore d by the fudden Ihock, her wonted track 
 Forfook, and drew her humid train adope, 
 Crankling her banks-; and now the Wring Iky, 
 
 And 
 
And baleful lightning, and the thunder, voice 
 Of angry gods, that rattled folemn, difmaid 
 The finking hearts of men. Where fhou’d they turn 
 Diftrefs’d ? whence feek for aid ? when from belpvv 
 Hell threatens, and ev’n fate fupreme gives figns 
 Of wrath and defolation ? vain were vows. 
 
 And plaints, and fuppiiant hands to heav’n crett ! 
 Yet fome to fanes repair’d, and humble rites 
 Perform’d to Thor, and Woden, fabled gods. 
 
 Who with their vot’ries in one ruin fhar’d, 
 Crulh’d, and o’rwhelm’d. Others in frantick mood, 
 P.un howling thro’ the ftreets, their hideous yells 
 Rend the dark welkin ; horror ftalks around. 
 Wild-flaring, and, his fad concomitant, 
 
 Defpair, of abjefl look : at ev’ry gate 
 The thronging populace with liafty ftrides 
 Prefs furious, and, too eager of efcape, 
 
 Obflruft the eafy way ; the rocking town 
 Supplants their footfleps ; to, and fro, they reel 
 .Afconifn’d, as o’er-charg’d with wine ; when lo l 
 
 The 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 i 1 1 
 
 The ground aduft her riven mouth difparts 
 Horrible chafm ; profound ! with fwift defeent 
 Old Ariconium finks, and all her tribes, 
 
 Heroes, and fenators, down to the realms 
 Of endlefs night. Mean-while, the loofen’d winds 
 Infuriate, molten rocks and flaming globes 
 Hurl’d high above the clouds ; ’till all their force 
 Confum’dher rav’nous jaws, th’ earth fatiate clos’d. 
 Thus this fair city fell, of which the name 
 Survives alone ; nor is there found a mark. 
 Whereby the curious paflenger may learn 
 Her ample fite, fave coins, and mold’ring urns, 
 And huge unwieldy bones, lading remains 
 Of that gigantic race ; which, as he breaks 
 The clotted glebe, the plowman haply finds. 
 Appall’d. Upon that treacherous trail of land. 
 She whilome flood ; now Ceres, in her prime. 
 Smiles fertile, and with ruddied freight bedeckt. 
 The apple-tree, by our fore-fathers blood 
 Improv’d, that now recalls the devious mufe, 
 
 V Urging 
 
3 12 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book L 
 
 Urging her deftin’d labors to purfue. 
 
 The prudent will obferve, what paflions reign 
 In various plants (for not to man alone. 
 
 But all the wide creation, nature gave 
 
 Love, and averfion) : everlafting hate 
 
 The Vine to Ivy bears, nor lefs abhors 
 
 The Coleworts ranknefs ; but, with amorous twine 
 
 Clafps the tall Elm ; the Padlan Rofe unfolds 
 
 Her bud more lovely, near the fetid Leek, 
 
 (Creft of flout Britons,) and inhances thence 
 The price of her celeftial fcent : the Gourd, 
 
 And thirfty Cucumber, when they perceive 
 Th’ approaching Olive, with refen tment fly 
 Her fatty fibres, and with tendrils creep 
 Diverfe, detefting contact ; whilft the Fig 
 Contemns not Rue, nor Sage’s humble leaf, 
 
 Clofe neighbouring : th’ Herefordian plant 
 Carefies freely the contiguous Peach, 
 
 Hazel, and weight-refifting Palm, and likes 
 
 T’ approach the Quince, and the Elder’s pithy flem ; 
 
 Uneafy, 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Ir 3 
 
 Uneafy, feated by funereal Yeugh,- 
 Or Walnut, (whofe malignant touch impairs 
 All generous fruits,) or near the bitter dews 
 Of Cherries. Therefore weigh the habits well 
 Of plants, how they alfociate belt, nor let 
 111 neighbourhood corrupt thy hopeful graffs. 
 Would’fl thou, thy vats with gen’rous juice 
 Ihould froth ? 
 
 Refpett thy orchats ; think not, that the trees 
 Spontaneous will produce an wholfome draught. 
 Let art correct thy breed : from parent bough 
 A Cyon meetly fever ; after, force 
 A way into the crabllock’s clofe-wrought grain 
 By wedges, and within the living wound 
 Lnclofe the folter twig ; nor over-nice 
 Refufe with thy own hands around to Ipread 
 The binding clay : ere-long their differing veins 
 Unite, and kindly nourifhment convey 
 To the new pupil ; now he fhoots his arms 
 
 Withquickeft growth; now fhake the teeming trunk, 
 H Down 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book I # 
 
 I 14 
 
 Down rain th’ impurpled balls., ambrofial fruit. 
 Whether the Wilding’s fibres are contriv’d 
 To draw th’ earth’s purelt fpirit, and refill 
 It’s feculence, which in more porous Hocks 
 Of Cyder-plants finds palfage free, or elfe 
 The native verjuice of the Crab, deriv’d 
 Thro’ th’ infix’d graff, a grateful mixture forms 
 Of tart and fweet ; whatever be the caufe. 
 
 This doubtful progeny by nicelt taftes 
 Expefted bell acceptance finds, and pays 
 Large!! revenues to the orchat-lord. 
 
 Some think, the Quince andx^pple would combine 
 In happy union ; others fitter deem 
 The Sloe-Item bearing Sylvan Plumbs aultere. 
 W T ho knows but both may thrive ? howe’er, what lofs 
 To try the pow’rs of both, and fearch how far 
 Two different natures may concur to mix 
 la clofe embraces, and ftrange offspring bear ? 
 Thou’lt find that plants will frequent changes try, 
 L'ndamag’d, and their marriageable arms 
 
 Coryoin 
 
Book I. 
 
 C Y D E R. 
 
 JI 5 
 
 Conjoin with others. So Silurian plants 
 Admit the Peach’s odoriferous globe. 
 
 And Pears of fundry forms ; at dilF’rent times 
 Adopted Plumbs will alien branches grace ; 
 
 And men have gather’d from the Hawthorn’s branch 
 Large Medlars, imitating regal crowns. 
 
 Nor is it hard to beautify each month 
 With files of particolor’d fruits, that pleafe 
 The tongue, and view, at once. So Mar oh mu'e. 
 Thrice facred mufe ! commodious precepts gives 
 Inftru&ive to the fwains, not wholly bent 
 On what is gainful : fometimes lhe diverts 
 From folid counfels, fhews the force of love 
 In favage beafts ; how virgin face divine 
 Attradls the haplefs youth thro’ ftorms and waves. 
 Alone, in deep of night : Then lhe defcribes 
 The Scythian winter, nor difdains to fing 
 How under ground the rude Riphaan race 
 Mimick brifk Cyder with the brakes produdt wild ; 
 gloes pounded. Hips, and Ssr-vis’ harlheft juice. 
 
 H 2 Let 
 
1 1 6 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Let fage experience teach thee all the arts 
 Of grafting, and in-eyeing ; when to lop 
 The flowing branches ; what trees anfvver bed: 
 From root, or kernel : fhe will befl; the hours 
 Of harveft, and feed-time declare ; by her 
 The diff’rent qualities of things were found. 
 And fecret motions ; how with heavy bulk 
 Volatile Hermes , fluid and unmoift. 
 
 Mounts on the wings of air ; to her w'e owe 
 The Indian weed, * unknown to ancient times. 
 Nature’s choice gift, whofe acrimonious fume 
 Extrafts fuperfluous juices, and refines 
 The blood diftemper’d from its noxious falts ; 
 Friend to the fpirits, which with vapors bland 
 It gently mitigates, companion fit 
 Of pleafantry, and wine ; nor to the bards 
 Unfriendly, when they to the vocal Ihell 
 Warble melodious their well labor’d fongs. 
 
 * Tobacco. 
 
 She 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 I 17 
 
 She found the polifh’d glafs, whofe fma.ll convex 
 Enlarges to ten millions of degrees 
 The mite, invifible elfe, of nature’s hand 
 Lead animal ; and {hews, what laws of life 
 The chcefe-inhabitants obfsrve, and how 
 Fabrick their manfions in the harden’d milk. 
 Wonderful artifts ! but the hidden ways 
 Of nature wouldft thou know t how firft flie frames 
 All things in miniature ? thy fpecular orb 
 Apply to well differed kernels ; lo ! 
 
 Strange forms arife, in each a little plant 
 Unfolds its boughs : obferve the {lender threads 
 Of firft beginning trees, their roots, their leaves. 
 In narrow feeds defcrib’d; thou'lt wond’ring fay. 
 An inmate orchat ev’ry apple boafts. 
 
 Thus all things by experience are difplay’d. 
 
 And moft improv’d. Then feduloufly think 
 To meliorate thy ftock ; no way, or rule 
 Be unaffay’d ; prevent the morning ftar 
 Arduous, nor with the weftern fun 
 
 H 3 
 
 Surceafe 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 1 18 
 
 Surceafe to work ; lo ! thoughtful of thy gain, 
 Not of my own, I all the live-long day 
 Confume in meditation deep, reclufe 
 From human converfe, nor, at fnut of eve. 
 
 Enjoy repofe ; but oft at midnight lamp 
 Ply my brain-racking lludies, if by chance 
 Thee I may counfel right ; and oft this care 
 Difturbs me flumbring. Wilt thou then repine 
 To labor for thyfelf? and rather choofe 
 To lie fupinely, hoping heav’n will blefs 
 Thy flighted fruits, and give thee bread unearn’d ? 
 
 ’Twill profit, when the ftork, fworn-foe of fnakes. 
 Returns, to flrew compaflion to thy plants, 
 Fatigu’d with breeding. Let the arched knife 
 Well fharpen’d now afiail the {preading fhades 
 Of vegetables, and their thirfty limbs 
 Diflever : for the genial moiflure, due 
 To apples, otherwife mifpends itfelf 
 In barren twigs, and for th’ expected crop. 
 Nought but vain fhoots, and empty leaves abound. 
 
 When 
 
Book t. Cyder. i 19 
 
 When {Welling buds their od’rous foliage filed, 
 And gently harden into fruit, the wife 
 Spare not the little offsprings, if they grow 
 Redundant ; but the thronging clufters thin 
 By kind avulfion : elfe the ftarv’ling brood, 
 
 Void of fufficient fuftenance, will yield 
 A flender autumn ; which the niggard foul 
 Too late {hall weep, and curfe his thrifty hand, 
 That would not timely eafe the pond’rous boughs. 
 
 It much conduces, all the cares to know 
 Of gard’ning, how to fcare noftarnal thieves* 
 
 And how the little race of birds that hop 
 From fpray to fpray, fcooping the coftlieft fiuit 
 Infatiate, undifturb’d. Priapus' form 
 Avails but little ; rather guard each row 
 With the falfe terrors of a breathlefs kite, 
 
 This done, the timorous flock with fwifteff: wing 
 Scud thro’ the air; their fancy reprefents 
 His mortal talons, and his rav’nous beak 
 Peftruftive ; glad to fhun his hoftile gripe, 
 
 h 4 The r 
 
120 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 They quit their thefts, and unfrequent the fields. 
 
 Befides, the filthy fwine will oft invade 
 Thy firm inclofure, and with delving fnout 
 The rooted foreft undermine : forthwith 
 Halloo thy furious maftiff, bid him vex 
 The noxious herd, and print upon their ears, 
 
 A fad memorial of their pall offence. 
 
 The flagrant Procyon will not fail to bring 
 Large fhoals of flow houfe-bearing fnails that creep 
 O’er the ripe fruitage, paring flimy tratts 
 In the fleek rinds, and unprefl: Cyder drink. 
 
 No art averts this pefl: ; on thee it lies, 
 
 With morning and with evening hand to rid 
 The preying reptiles ; nor, if wife, wilt thou 
 Decline this labor, which itfelf rewards 
 With pleafing gain, whilfl: the warm limbec draws 
 Salubrious waters from the nocent brood. 
 
 Myriads of wafps now alfo cluftring hang. 
 
 And drain a fpurious honey from thy groves. 
 Their winter food ; tho’ oft repulft, again 
 
 They 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 121 
 
 They rally, undifmay’d : but fraud with eafe 
 Enfnares the noifome fwarms ; let ev’ry bough 
 Bear frequent vials, pregnant with the dregs 
 Of Moyle, or Mum, or Treacle’s vifcous juice ; 
 They by th’ alluring odor drawn, in hafte 
 Fly to the dulcet cates, and crouding fip 
 Their palatable bane ; joyful thou’lt fee 
 The clammy fur face all o’er-ftrown with tribes 
 Of greedy infers, that with fruitlefs toil 
 Flap filmy pennons oft, to extricate 
 Their feet, in liquid fhackles bound, till death 
 Bereave them of their worthlefs fouls : fuch doom 
 ' Waits luxury, and lawlefs love of gain ! 
 
 Howe’er thou may’ft forbid external force, 
 Inteftine evils will prevail ; damp airs. 
 
 And rainy winters, to the centre pierce 
 Of firmeil fruits, and by unfeen decay 
 The proper relilh vitiate : then the grub 
 Oft unobferv’d invades the vital core, 
 
 Pernicious tenant, and her fecret cave 
 
 Enlarges 
 
122 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Enlarges hourly, preying on the pulp 
 Ceafelefs ; mean-while the apple’s outward form 
 Deledtable the witlefs Twain beguiles, 
 
 ’Till, with a writhen mouth, and fpatt’ring noile. 
 He taftes the bitter morfel, and rejedls 
 Difrelilht ; not with lefs furprkze, than when 
 Embattel’d troops with flowing banners pafs 
 Thro’ flow’ry meads delighted, nor diflrufl: 
 
 The fmiling furface ; whilll the cavern’d ground. 
 With grain incentive ftor’d, by fudden blaze 
 Burfts fatal, and involves the hopes of war. 
 
 In fi’ry whirles ; full of vi&orious thoughts. 
 
 Torn and difmembred, they aloft expire. 
 
 Now turn thine eye, to view Alcinous ' groves. 
 The pride of the Phteacian ifle, from whence. 
 Sailing the fpaces of the boundlefs deep, 
 
 To Ariconium precious fruits arriv’d : 
 
 The Pippin burnifht o’er with gold, the Moyle 
 Of fweeteft honey’d tafte, the fair Permain, 
 Temper’d, like comliell nymph, with red and white. 
 
 Salopian 
 
Book I. 
 
 C Y D E R. 
 
 I23 
 
 Salopian acres fiourifh with a growth 
 Peculiar, ftyl’d the Ottlcy : be thou firft 
 This Apple to tranfplant, if to the name 
 Its merit anfvvers, no where (halt thou find 
 A wine more priz’d, or laudable of tade. 
 
 Nor does the Eliot lead deferve thy care. 
 
 Nor Jokn-Apple, whofe wither’d rind, intrencht 
 With many a furrow, aptly reprefents 
 Decrepid age, nor that from Harvey nam’d, 
 Quick-relidiing : why (hould we fing the Thrift, 
 Codling, or Pomroy, or of pimpled coat 
 The Rufi'et, or the Cats-Head’s weighty orb. 
 Enormous in it’s growth, for various ufe 
 Th6’ thefe are meet, tho’ after full repaft 
 Are oft requir’d, and crown the rich defert ? 
 
 What, tho’ the Pear-tree rival not the worth 
 Of Ariconian produds ? yet her freight 
 Is not contemn’d, yet her wide-branching arms 
 Bed fcreen thy manfion from the fervent dog 
 Adverfe to life j the wintry hurricanes 
 
 In 
 
124 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 -1^ vain employ their roar, her trunk unmoved. 
 Breaks the ftrong onfet, and controls their rage. 
 Chiefly the Bofbury, whofe large increafe, 
 Annual, in fumptuous banquets claims applaufe. 
 Thrice acceptable bev’rage ! could but art 
 Subdue the floating lee, Pomona 1 s felf 
 Would dread thy praife, and fhun the dubious ftrife. 
 Be it thy choice, when fummer-heats annoy. 
 
 To fit beneath her leafy canopy, 
 
 Quaffing rich liquids ! oh ! how fweet t’enjoy. 
 
 At once her fruits, and hofpitable fliade ! 
 
 But how with equal numbers fliall we match 
 The Mulk’s furpaffing worth ! that earlieft gives 
 Sure hopes of racy wine, and in its youth. 
 
 Its tender nonage, loads the fpreading boughs 
 With large and juicy offspring, that defies 
 The vernal nippings, and cold fyderal blafts ! 
 
 Yet let her to the Red-ftreak yield, that once 
 Was of the Sylvan kind, unciviliz’d. 
 
 Of no regard, ’till Scudamore's Ikilful hand 
 
 Improv’d 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 I2 5 
 
 Improv’d her, and by courtly difcipline 
 Taught her the favage nature to forget : 
 
 Hence ftyl’d the Scudamorean plant ; whofe wine 
 Who-ever taftes, let him with grateful heart 
 Refpcd that ancient loyal houfe, and wifh 
 The nobler peer, that now tranfcends our hopes 
 In early worth, his country’s jufteft pride. 
 Uninterrupted joy, and health entire. 
 
 Let every tree in every garden own 
 The Red-ftreak as fupreme, whofe pulpous fruit 
 With gold irradiate, and vermilion Ihines 
 Tempting, not fatal, as the birth of that 
 Primaeval interdifted plant, that won 
 Fond Eve in haplefs hour to tafte, and die. 
 
 This, of more bounteous influence, infpires 
 Poetic raptures, and the lowly mufe 
 Kindles to loftier ftrains ; ev’n I perceive 
 Her facred virtue. See ! the numbers flow 
 Eafy, whilft, chear’d with her ne&areous juice. 
 Hers, and my country’s praifes I exalt. 
 
 Hail 
 
126 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 Hail Hertford! an plant, that do ft difdain 
 
 All othe. fields ! heav n’s fweeteft bleflinp-, hail ! 
 
 Be thou the copious matter of my fong. 
 
 And thy choice Nettar ; on which always waits 
 Laughter, and fport, and care-beguiling wit. 
 
 And friendfhip, chief delight of human life. 
 What fhou’d we wifh for more ? or why, in queft 
 Of foreign vintage, infmeere, and mixt, 
 
 Traverfe th extreameft world ? why tempt the rage 
 Of the rough ocean ? when our native glebe 
 Impaits, from bounteous womb, annual recruits 
 Of wine deleftable, that far funnounts 
 Gallic, or Latin Grapes, or thofe that fee 
 The fetting fun near Calpd s tow ’ring height. 
 
 Nor let the Rhodian, nor the LcJLian vines 
 \ aunt their .ich Muft, nor let 'Tokay contend 
 For fov’ranty ; Phanaus felf muft bow 
 To th’ Ariconian vales : And fhall we doubt 
 T’ improve our vegetable wealth, or let 
 The foil lie idle, which, with fit manure. 
 
 Will 
 
-Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 127 
 
 Will largeft ufury repay, alone 
 Impower’d to fupply what nature afks 
 Frugal, or what nice appetite requires ? 
 
 The meadows here, with bat’ning ooze enrich’d. 
 Give fpirit to the grafs ; three cubits high 
 The jointed herbage (hoots ; th’ unfallow’d gleb$ 
 Yearly o’ercomes the granaries with (lore 
 Of golden wheat, the ftrength of human life. 
 
 Lo, on auxiliary poles, the Hops 
 Afcending fpiral, rang’d in meet array ! 
 
 Lo, how the arable with Barley-grain 
 Stands thick, o’erlhadow’d, to the thirfly hind 
 Tranfporting project ! thefe, as modern ufe 
 Ordains, infus’d, an auburn drink compofe. 
 Wholfome, of deathlefs fame. Here, to the light. 
 Apples of price, and plenteous (heaves o( corn. 
 Oft interlac’d occur, and both imbibe 
 Fitting congenial juice ; fo rich the foil. 
 
 So much does fru&uous moillure o’er-abound 1 
 Ncr are the hills unamiable, whofe tops 
 
 To 
 
128 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 To heav’n afpire, affording profpecl Tweet 
 To human ken ; nor at their feet the vales 
 Defcending gently, where the lowing herd 
 Chew verd’rous pafture ; nor the yellow fields 
 Gaily’ enterchang’d, with rich variety 
 Pleafing, as when an Emerald green, enchas’d 
 In flamy gold, from the bright mafs acquires 
 A nobler hue, more delicate to fight. 
 
 Next add the Sylvan Ihades, and filent groves, 
 (Haunt of the Druids) whence the earth is fed 
 With copious fuel ; whence the fturdy oak, 
 
 A prince’s refuge once, th’ eternal guard 
 Of England’s throne, by fweating peafants fell’d. 
 Stems the vaft main, and bears tremendous war 
 To difiant nations, or with fov’ran fway 
 Awes the divided world to peace and love. 
 
 Why fhou’d the Cbalybes, or Bilboa boalt 
 Their harden’d iron ; when our mines produce 
 As perfedl martial ore ? can Tmolus’ head 
 Vie with our faffron odors ? or the fleece 
 
 Bostic. 
 
Boole I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 129 
 
 Batic, or fineft Tarentine , compare 
 With Lemjled s filken wool ? where fhall we find 
 Men more undaunted, for their country’s weal 
 More prodigal of life ? in ancient days, 
 
 The Roman legions, and great Cafar found 
 Our fathers no mean foes : and Crejjy plains. 
 
 And Agincourt, deep-ting’d with blood, confefs 
 What the Silures vigour unwithftood 
 Cou’d do in rigid fight ; and chiefly what 
 Brydges ’ wide-wafting hand, firft garter’d Knight, 
 Puiflant author of great Chandois ’ ftem. 
 
 High Chandois , that tranfinits paternal worth, 
 Prudence, and ancient prowefs, and renown, 
 
 T’ his noble offspring. O thrice happy peer ! 
 That, bleft with hoary vigor, view’d: thyfelf 
 Frefh blooming in thy generous fon ; whofe lips, 
 Flowing with nervous eloquence exaft, 
 
 Charm the wife fenate, and attention win 
 In deepeft councils : Ariconium pleas’d. 
 
 Him, as her chofen worthy, firft falutes. 
 
 I 
 
 Him 
 
Cyder; 
 
 Book I. 
 
 I30 
 
 Him on th’ Iberian, on the Gallic ihore. 
 
 Him hardy Britons blefs ; his faithful hand 
 Conveys new courage from afar, nor more 
 The general’s condudl, than his care avails. 
 
 Thee alfo, glorious branch of Cecil's line. 
 
 This country claims ; with pride and joy to thee 
 Thy Altererinis calls : yet fhe indures 
 Patient thy abfence, fince thy prudent choice 
 Has fix’d thee in the mufe’s faireft feat, * 
 
 Where f Aldrich reigns, and from his endlefs ilorq 
 Of univerfal knowledge ftill fupplies 
 His noble care ; he generous thoughts inftils 
 Of true nobility, their country’s love, 
 
 (Chief end of life) and forms their duttile minds 
 To human virtues : by his genius led. 
 
 Thou foon in every art preeminent 
 
 Shalt grace this ifle, and rife to Burleigh's fame, 
 
 * Oxford. 
 
 t pr. Aldrich Dean cf ChriJl-cht/rS. 
 
 mi 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder, 
 
 * 3 * 
 
 Hail high-born peer ! and thou, great nurfe of arts. 
 And men, from whence confpicuous patriots fpring, 
 Iianmery and Bro?nJey ; thou, to whom with due 
 Refpeft Wintonia bows, and joyful owns 
 Thy mitred offspring ; be for ever bleft 
 With like examples, and to future times 
 Proficuous, fuch a race of men produce, 
 
 As, in the caufe of virtue firm, may fix 
 Her throne inviolate. Hear, ye gods, this vow 
 From one, the meaneft in her numerous train ; 
 Tho’ meaneft, not leaft ftudious of her praife. 
 
 Mufe, taife thy voice to Beaufort ' s fpotlefs fame. 
 To Beaufort , in a long decent deriv’d 
 From royal anceftry, of kingly rights 
 Faithful afterters : in him centring meet 
 Their glorious virtues, high defert from pride 
 Disjoin’d, unfhaken honour, and contempt 
 Of ftrong allurements. O illuftrious prince ! 
 
 O thou of ancient faith ! exulting, thee, 
 
 In her fair lift this happy land inrolls. 
 
 I z Who 
 
 ini 
 
13 2 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book I, 
 
 Who can refufe a tributary verfe 
 To Weymouth , firmed: friend of flighted worth 
 In evil days ? whofe hofpitable gate, 
 
 Unbarr’d to all, invites a numerous train 
 Of daily guefts ; whofe board, with plenty crown’d, 
 Revives the feafl-rites old : mean-while his care 
 Forgets not the affli&ed, but content 
 In afts of fecret goodnefs, Hums the praife. 
 
 That fare attends. Permit me, bounteous lord. 
 
 To blazon what tho’ hid will beauteous fliine. 
 
 And with thy name to dignify my fong. 
 
 But who is he, that on the winding ftrearn 
 Of Vaga firfl: drew vital breath, and now 
 Approv’d in Anna's fecret councils fits. 
 
 Weighing the fum of things, with wife forecaft 
 Sollicitous of public good ? how large 
 His mind that comprehends what-e’er was known 
 To old, or prefcnt time ; yet not elate. 
 
 Not confcious of its {kill ? what praife deferves 
 Kis liberal hand, that gathers but to give. 
 
 Preventing 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Preventing fuit ? O not unthankful mufe. 
 
 Him lowly reverence, that firft deign’d to hear 
 Thy pipe, and lkreen’d thee from opprobrious 
 tongues. 
 
 Acknowledge thy own Harley , and his name 
 Infcribe on every bark ; the wounded plants 
 Will fall increafe, fader thy juft refpett. 
 
 Such are our heroes, by their virtues known, 
 Or {kill in peace, arid war : of fofter mold 
 The female fex, with fweet attractive airs 
 Subdue obdurate hearts. The travellers oft, 
 That view their matchlefs forms with transient 
 glance, 
 
 Catch fudden love, and ftgh for nymphs unknown., 
 Smit with the magic of their eyes : nor hath 
 The daedal hand of nature only pour’d 
 Her gifts of outward grace ; their innocence 
 Unfeign’d, and virtue moft engaging, free 
 From pride, or artifice, long joys afford 
 To th’ honed nuptial bed, and in the wane 
 I 3 
 
 Of 
 
Cyder. 
 
 fiook I. 
 
 Of life, rebate the miferies of age. 
 
 And is there found a wretch, fo bafe of mind, 
 That woman’s powerful beauty dares condemn, 
 Exa&eft work of heav’n ? He ill deferves 
 Or love, or pity ; friendlefs let him fee 
 Uneafy, tedious days, defpis’d, forlorn. 
 
 As ftain of human raee : but may the man. 
 That chearfully recounts the females praife 
 Find equal love, and love’s untainted fweets 
 Enjoy with honour. O, ye gods ! might I 
 Ele£l my fate, my happieft choice Ihould be 
 A fair and model! virgin, that invites 
 With afpett chalte, forbidding loofe defire. 
 Tenderly fmiling ; in whofe heav’nly eye 
 Sits purelt love enthron’d : but if the liars 
 Malignant, thefe my better hopes oppofe. 
 
 May I, at lealt, the facred pleafures know 
 Of llriclelt amity ; nor ever want 
 A friend, with whom I mutually may lharc 
 Gladnefs and anguilh, by kind interconrfe 
 
 Of 
 
"kook I. 
 
 Cyder, 
 
 13 s 
 
 Of fpeech, and offices. May in my mind. 
 Indelible a grateful fenfe remain 
 Of favours undeferv’d !-‘ — O thou ! fiom whom 
 Gladly both rich, and low feek aid ; molt wife 
 Interpreter of right, whofe gracious voice 
 Breathes equity, and curbs too rigid law 
 With mild, impartial reafon ; what returns 
 Of thanks are due to thy beneficence 
 Freely vouchfaft, when to the gates of death 
 I tended prone ? if thy indulgent care 
 Had not preven’d, among unbody’d lhades 
 I now had wander’d; and thefe empty thoughts 
 Of apples perilh’d : but, uprais’d by thee, 
 
 I tune my pipe afrelh, each night, and day, 
 
 Thy unexampled goodnefs to extol 
 Defirous ; but nor night, nor day fuffice 
 For that great talk; the highly honour d name 
 Of Trevor mull employ my willing thoughts 
 In cedant, dwell for ever on my tongue. 
 
 Let me be grateful, but let far from me 
 
 I 4 * 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book I. 
 
 136 
 
 Be fawning cringe, and falfe diflembling look. 
 And fervile flattery, that harbours oft 
 In courts and gilded roofs. Some loofe the bands 
 Of ancient friendfhip, cancel nature’s laws 
 For pageantry, and tawdry gugaws. Some 
 Renounce their fires, oppofe paternal right 
 For rule, and pow’r ; and other’s realms invade, 
 ith fpecious fliews of love. This traiterous wretch 
 •Betrays his fov’ran. Others, deftitute 
 Of real zeal, to ev’ry altar bend. 
 
 By lucre fway’d, and aft the bafeft things 
 To be fly I’d honourable : th’ honeft man, 
 
 Simple of heart, prefers inglorious want 
 To ill-got wealth ; rather from door to door 
 A jocund pilgrim, tho’ diftrefs’d, he’ll rove, 
 i han break his plighted faith ; nor fear, nor hope, 
 'A ill fliock his fteadfaft foul ; rather debarr’d 
 Each common privilege, cut off from hopes 
 Oi meaneft gain, of prefent goods defpoil’d, 
 
 He’ll bear the marks of infamy contemn’d, 
 
 UnpityM 
 
Book T. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 137 
 
 Unpity’d ; yet his mind, of evil pure. 
 
 Supports him, and intention free from fraud. 
 
 If no retinue with ohfervant eyes 
 Attend him, if he can't with purple ftain 
 Of cumbrous veftments, labor’d o’er with gold. 
 Dazzle the croud, and fet them all agape; 
 
 Yet clad in homely weeds, from envy’s darts 
 Remote he lives, nor knows the nightly pangs 
 Of confidence, nor with fpe&re’s grifly fonfts, 
 Damons, and injur’d fouls, at clofe of day 
 Annoy’d, fad interrupted flumbers finds. 
 
 But (as a child, whofe incxperienc’d age 
 Nor evil purpofe fears, nor knows,) enjoys 
 Night’s Tweet refrefhment, humid deep fincerr 
 When Chanticleer, with clarion Thrill, recalls 
 The tardy day, he to his labors hies 
 Gladfome, intent on fomewhat that may eafe 
 Unhealthy mortals, and with curious feareji 
 Examines all- the properties of herbs, 
 
 Fofllls, and minerals, that th’ embowdl’d earth 
 
 Difplays, 
 
C Y JD E ft. 
 
 Book f,. 
 
 138 
 
 Difplays, if by his induftry he can 
 
 Benefit human race : or elfe his thoughts 
 
 Are exercis’d with fpeculations deep 
 
 Of good, and juft, and meet, and th’ wholfome rule' 
 
 Of temperance, and ought that may improve 
 
 The moral life ; not fedulous to rail. 
 
 Nor with envenom’d tongue to blaft the fame 
 Of harmlefs men, or fecret whifpers fpread, 
 ’Along faithful friends, to breed diftruft and hate 
 Studious of virtue, he no life obferve3 
 Except his own, his own employs his cares. 
 Large fubjeft ! that he labours to refine 
 Daily, nor of his little ftock denies 
 Fit alms to Lazars, merciful, and meek. 
 
 Thus facred Virgil liv’d from courtly vice. 
 
 And bates of pompous Rome fecure ; at court 
 Still thoughtful of the rural honeft life. 
 
 And how t’improve his grounds, and how him {elf: 
 Beft poet ! fit exemplar for the tribe 
 Of P bash in, nor lefs fit Maomdes, 
 
 Poor 
 
Book I. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 T 39 
 
 Poor eyelefs pilgrim ! and if after thefe. 
 
 If after thefe another I may name. 
 
 Thus tender Spenfer liv’d, with mean repaft 
 Content, deprefs’d by penury, and pine 
 In foreign realm : yet not debas’d Iris verfe 
 
 By fortune’s frowns. And had that other bard,' 
 
 / * 
 
 Oh, had but he that firft enobled fong 
 With holy rapture, like his Abdiel been ; 
 
 ’Mong many faithlefs, ftriflly faithful founds 
 Unpity’d, he ftiould not have wail’d his orbs. 
 That roll’d in vain to find the piercing ray 
 And found no dawn, by dim fuiTufton veil’d ! 
 
 But he — —however, let the mufe abftain. 
 
 Nor blaft his fame, from whom Ihe learnt to fin g 
 In much inferior ilrains, grov’ling beneath 
 Th’ Olympian hill, on plains, and vales intent, 
 Mean follower. There let her reft a- while, 
 Pleas’d with the fragrant walks, and cool retreat. 
 
 * Miller. 
 
 -CYDE R. 
 

 CYDER. 
 
 A POEM. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 

 __ 
 
C Y 
 
 E R. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 Har court, whom tli’ ingenuous love of arts 
 Has carry’d from thy native foil, beyond 
 Th’ eternal Alpine fnows, and now detains 
 In Italy’s wafte realms, how long mud we 
 Lament thy abfence ? whilft in fweet fojourn 
 Thou view’d the reliques of old Rome ; or w hat 
 Unrival’d authors by their prefence, made 
 For ever venerable, rural feats, 
 
 ■ Tibur , and T’ufculum, or Virgil’s urn 
 Green with immortal bays, which haply thou, 
 Refpe£ling his great name, dolt now approach 
 With bended knee, and llrow with purple flowers ; 
 Unmindful of thy friends, that ill can brook 
 
 This 
 
 
144 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Eook II, 
 
 This long delay. At length, dear youth, return. 
 Of wit, and judgment ripe in blooming years. 
 And Britain ' s ifle with Latian knowledge grace. 
 Return, and let thy father’s worth excite 
 Third of preeminence ; fee ! how the caufe 
 Of widows, and of orphans he aflerts 
 With winning rhetoric, and well argu’d law ! 
 Mark well his footdeps, and, like him, deferve 
 Thy prince’s favour, and thy country’s love. 
 
 Mean-while (altho’ the MaJJic grape delights 
 Pregnant of racy juice, and Formian hills 
 Temper thy cups, yet) wilt not thou rejeit 
 Thv native liquors : lo ! for thee my mill 
 Now grinds choice apples, and the Brilijh vats 
 Overflow with generous cyder ; far remote 
 Accept this labour, nor defpife the mufe. 
 
 That, paffing lands, and feas, on thee attends. 
 
 Thus far of trees : the pleafing talk remains. 
 To fing of wines, and autumn’s bleft increafe. 
 
 Th’ effects of art are ihewn, yet what avails 
 
 ’Gainft 
 
Boole IL C V D E R, 145 
 
 ’Gain’d heav’n ? oft notwithstanding all thy care 
 To help thy plants, when the fmall fruit’ry Teems 
 Exempt from, ills, an oriental blaft 
 Difaflrous flies. Toon as the hind fatigu’d, 
 Unyokes his team ; the tender freight, unfkill’d 
 To bear the hot diTeaTe, diftemper’d pines 
 In the year’s prime, the deadly plague annoys 
 The wide incloTure ; think not vainly now 
 To treat thy neighbours with mellifluous cups* 
 Thus diTappointed : If the former years 
 Exhibit no fupplies, alas ! thou muft 
 With taftelefs water wafh thy droughty throat. 
 
 A thoufand accidents the farmer’s hopes 
 Subvert, or check ; uncertain all his toil, 
 
 ’Till lufty autumn’s luke-warm days allay’d 
 With gentle colds, infenfibly confirm 
 His ripening labours : autumn to the fruits 
 Earth’s various lap produces, vigour- gives 
 Equal, intenerating milky grain. 
 
 Berries, and fky-dy’d Plumbs, and what in coat 
 K. Rough 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book If. 
 
 I46 
 
 Rough, or foft rind, or bearded hulk, or fhell ; 
 Rat Olives, and Piflacio’s fragant nut. 
 
 And the Pine’s tafteful Apple : autumn paints 
 Aufonian hills with Grapes, whilfc Englijb plains 
 Blufli with pomaceous harvefts, breathing fweets. 
 O let me now, when the kind early dew 
 Unlocks th’embofom’d odors, walk among 
 The well-rang’d files of trees, whofe full ag’d ftore 
 Diffufe Ambrofial fleams, than Myrrh, or Nard 
 More grateful, or perfuming flow’ry Bean ! 
 
 Soft whifp’ring airs, and the lark’s mattin fong 
 Then woo to muling, and becalm the mind 
 Perplex’d with irkfome thoughts. Thrice happy 
 time, 
 
 Befl portion of the various year, in which 
 Nature rejoiceth, fmiling on her works 
 Lovely, to full perfeftion wrought ! but ah, 
 
 Short are our joys, and neighb’ring griefs diflurb 
 Our pleafant hours. Inclement winter dwells 
 Contiguous ; forthwith fro fly blafls deface 
 
 The 
 
E'ook it. Cyder. 147 
 
 The hlithfome year : trees of their flrrivel’d fruits 
 Are widow’d, dreerv ftorms o’er all prevail. 
 
 Now, now’s the time ; ere hafty funs forbid 
 To work, di (burden thou thy faplefs wood 
 Of its rich progeny; the turgid fruit 
 Abounds with mellow liquor; now exhort 
 Thy hinds to exercife the pointed fteel 
 On the hard rock, and give a wheely form 
 To the expetted grinder : now prepare 
 Materials for thy mill, a fturdy poll 
 Cylindric, to fupport the grinder’s weight 
 Exceflive, and a flexile fallow’ entrench’d, 
 Rounding, capacious of the juicy kord. 
 
 Nor mutt thou not be mindful of thy prefs 
 Long ere the vintage; but with timely care 
 Shave the goat’s fhaggy beard, left thou too late 
 In vain fhould’ft feek a ftrainer to difpart 
 The hulky, terrene dregs, from purer Muft. 
 
 Be cautious next a proper fteed to find 
 Whofe prime is paft ; the vigorous horfe diidains 
 K 2 Such 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Rook II. 
 
 I48 
 
 Such fervile labours, or, if forc’d, forgets 
 His pad atchievements, and vi&orious palms. 
 Blind Bayard rather, worn with work, and years. 
 Shall roll th’ unwieldly hone ; with fober pace 
 He’ll tread the circling path ’till dewy eve. 
 
 From early day-fpring, pleas’d to find his age 
 Declining, not unufeful to his lord. 
 
 Some, when the prefs, by utmoft vigour fcrew’d. 
 Has drain’d the pulpous mafs, regale their fwine 
 With the dry refufe ; thou, more wife, fhalt fteep 
 Thy hulks in water, and again employ 
 The pondrous engine. Water will imbibe 
 The fmall remains of fpirit, and acquire 
 A vinous flavour ; this the peafants blithe 
 Will quaff, and whittle, as thy tinkling team 
 They drive, and flng of Fufca’s radiant eyes, 
 Pleas’d with the medly draught. Nor fhalt thou now 
 Rejedl the Apple-Cheefe, tho’ quite exhauft ; 
 Ev’n now ’twill cherifh, and improve the roots 
 
 Of fickly plants ; new vigour hence convey’d 
 
 Will 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder* 
 
 149 
 
 Will yield an harveft of unufual growth. 
 
 Such profit fprings from hulks difcreetly us’d l 
 The tender apples, from their parents rent 
 By ftormy {hocks, mull not neglected lie, 
 
 The prey of worms : A frugal man I knew, 
 
 Rich in one barren acre, which, fubdu’d 
 By endlefs culture, with fufficient Mull 
 His calks replenilht yearly : He no more 
 Defir’d, nor wanted, diligent to learn 
 The various feafons, and by {kill repel 
 Invading pelts, fuccefsful in his cares, 
 
 Till the damp Libyan wind, with tempefts arm’d 
 Outragious, blulter’d horrible amidlt 
 His Cyder-grove : O’er-turn’d by furious blalts. 
 The fight! y ranks fall profirate, and around 
 Their fruitage fcatter’d, from the genial boughs 
 Stript immature : Yet did he not repine. 
 
 Nor curfe his liars ; but prudent, his fall’n heaps 
 Collecting, cherifh’d with the tepid wreaths 
 
 Of tedded grafs, and the fun’s mellowing beams 
 K. 3 Rival’d 
 
1 5 o 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Rival’d with artful heats, and thence procur’d 
 A coflly liquor, by improving time 
 Equal’d with what, the happielt vintage bears. 
 
 But this I warn thee, and fhall alway warn. 
 
 No heterogeneous mixtures ufe, as fome 
 With watry Turnips have debas’d their wines. 
 Too frugal ; nor let the crude humours dance 
 In heated brafs, fteaming with fire intenfe ; 
 
 Altho’ Devonia much commends the ufe 
 Of ftrengthning Vulcan ; with their native ftrength 
 Thy wines fufficient, other aid refufe ; 
 
 And, when th’ allotted orb of time’s compleat. 
 Are more commended than the labour’d drinks. 
 
 Nor let thy avarice tempt thee to withdraw 
 The prieft’s appointed fhare ; with chearful heart 
 The tenth of thy increafe bellow, and own 
 Heav’n’s bounteous goodnefs, that will fure repay 
 Thy grateful duty : This neglecled, fear 
 Signal avengeance, fuch as over-took 
 A mifer, that unjuftly once with-held 
 
 The 
 
Book IT. 
 
 Cyder, 
 
 * 5 * 
 
 The clergy’s due, relying on himfelf, 
 
 His fields he tended, with fuccefslefs care. 
 
 Early, and late, when, or unwifh’t for rain 
 Defcended, or unfeafonable frofts 
 Curb’d his increafing hopes, or when around 
 The clouds dropt fatnefs, in the middle Iky 
 The dew fufpended ftaid, and left unmoift 
 His execrable glebe : Recording this, 
 
 Be juft, and wife, and tremble to tranfgrefs. 
 
 Learn now, the promife of the coming year 
 To know, that by no flattering figns abus’d, 
 Thou wifely may’ft provide : The various moon 
 Prophetic, and attendant ftars explain 
 Each rifing dawn ; ere icy crufts furmount 
 The current ftream, the heav’nly orbs ferene 
 Twinkle with trembling rays, and Cynthia glows 
 With light unfully’d : Now the fowler, warn’d 
 By thefe good omens, with fwift early fteps 
 Treads the crimp earth, ranging thro’ fields and 
 glades 
 
 K 4 
 
 Offenfiv e 
 
152 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book If. 
 
 Offen five to the birds, fulphureous death 
 Checks their mid flight,, and heedlefs while they 
 ftrain 
 
 Their tuneful throats, the tow’ring, heavy lead 
 O’er-takes their fpeed ; they leave their little live* 
 Above the clouds precipitant to earth. 
 
 The woodcock’s early vifit, and abode 
 Of long continuance in our temperate clime, 
 Foretel a liberal harveft ; he of times 
 Intelligent, th’ harlh Hyperborean ice 
 Shuns for our equal winters ; when our fun’s 
 Cleave the chill’d foil, be backward wings his way 
 To Scandinavian frozen fummers, meet 
 For his numb’d blood. But nothing profits more 
 Than frequent fnows O, may’ll thou often fee 
 Thy furrows whiten’d by the woolly rain. 
 Nutriceous ! fecret nitre lurks within 
 The porous wet, quick’ning the languid glebe. 
 
 Sometimes thou lhalt with fervent vows implore 
 A moderate wind ; the orchat loves to wave 
 
 With 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 *53 
 
 With winter winds, before the gems exert 
 Their feeble heads ; the loofen’d roots then drink 
 Large increment, earned of happy years. 
 
 Nor will it nothing profit to obferve 
 The monthly ftars, their pow’rful influence 
 O’er planted fields, what vegetables reign 
 Under each fign. On our account has Jew 
 Indulgent to all moons fome fucculent plant 
 Allotted, that poor helplefs man might flack 
 His prefent third, and matter find for toil. 
 
 Now will the Corinths, now the Rafps fupply 
 Delicious draughts ; the Quinces now, or Plumbs* 
 Or Cherries, or the fair Thifbeian fruit 
 Are pred to wines ; the Britons fqueeze the works 
 Of fedulous bees, and mixing od’rous herbs. 
 Prepare balfamic cups, to wheezing lungs 
 Medicinal, and fhort-breath’d, ancient fires. 
 
 But, if thou’rt indefatigably bent 
 To toil, and omnifarious drinks wou’dd brew % 
 Befides the orchat, ev’ry hedge and bufh 
 
 Affords 
 
154 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Affords afiidance ; ev’n affiicfive Birch, 
 
 Curs’d by unletter’d, idle youth, didils 
 A limpid current from her wounded bark, 
 Profufe of nurfing fap. When folar beams 
 Parch thirdy human veins, the damafk’d meads. 
 Unforc’d difplay ten thoufand painted flow’rs 
 Ufeful in potables. Thy little fons 
 Permit to range the paliures ; gladly they 
 Will mow the Cowdip-pofies, faintly fweet. 
 From whence thou artificial wines fhalt drain 
 Of icy tade, that, in mid fervors, bed 
 Slack craving third, and mitigate the day. 
 
 Kappy I'erne, * whofe mod wholfome air 
 Poifons envenom’d fpiders, and forbids 
 The baleful toad, and viper, from her diore ! 
 More happy in her balmy draughts, (enrich’d 
 With mifcellaneous fpices, and the root 
 For third-abating fweetnefs prais’d,) which wide 
 
 * Irckr.d, 
 
 Extend 
 
Eook IL 
 
 Cyder, 
 
 I 55 
 
 Extend her fame, and to each drooping heart 
 Prefent redrefs, and lively health convey. 
 
 See, how the Belga;, fedulous, and flout, 
 
 With bowls of fat’ning Mum, or blifsful cups 
 Of kernel-relifti’d fluids, the fair flar 
 Of early Phofphorus falute, at noon 
 Jocund with frequent-rifing fumes ! by ufe 
 Inftru&ed, thus to quell their native fiegm 
 Prevailing, and engender wayward mirth. 
 
 What need to treat of diftant climes, remov d 
 Far from the Hoping journey of the year. 
 
 Beyond Pctfora, and Iflandic coafts ? 
 
 Where ever-during fnows, perpetual fliades 
 Of darknefs, would congeal their livid blood. 
 
 Did not the Arctic trail, fpontaneous yield 
 A chearing purple berry, big with wine, 
 
 Intenfely fervent, which each hour they crave. 
 Spread round a flaming pile of pines, and oft 
 They interlard their native drinks with choice 
 
 Of Hrongcft Brandy, yet fcarce with thefe aids 
 
 Enabled 
 
i 5 6 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Enabled to prevent the fudden rot 
 Of freezing nofe, and quick-decaying feet. 
 
 Nor lefs the fable borderers of Nile, 
 
 Nor who Taprobane manure, nor they. 
 
 Whom funny Borneo bears, are llor’d with dreams 
 Egregious, Rum, and Rice’s fpirit extrad. 
 
 For here, expos’d to perpendicular rays, 
 
 In vain they covet lhades, and Thrafcias ’ gales. 
 Pining with JEquinoaial heat, unlefs 
 The cordial glafs perpetual motion keep, 
 
 Quick circuiting; nor dare they clofe their eyes. 
 Void of a bulky charger near their lips, 
 
 With which,' in often interrupted deep, 
 
 Their frying blood compels to irrigate 
 Their dry-furr’d tongues, elfe minutely to death 
 Obnoxious, difmal death, th’ effedt of drought ! 
 
 More happy they, born in Columbus ’ world, 
 Carj/bbes, and they, whom the Colten plant 
 W’ith downy-fprouting veils arrays ! their woods 
 Bow with prodigious nuts, that give at once 
 
 Celellial 
 
Book If. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 157 
 
 Celeftial food, and nedlar ; then, at hand 
 The Lemmon, uncorrupt with voyage long. 
 
 To vinous fpirits added (heav’nly drink !) 
 
 They with pneumatic engine, ceafelefs draw 
 Intent on laughter ; a continual tide 
 Flows from th’ exhilerating fount. As, when 
 Againft a fecret cliff, with fudden fnock 
 A fhip is dafh’d, and leaking drinks the fea r 
 Th’ aftonifh’d mariners ay ply the pump, 
 
 No flay, nor reft, ’till the wide breach is clos’d. 
 
 So they (but chearful) unfatigu’d, ftill move 
 The draining fucker, then alone concern’d 
 When the dry bowd forbids their pleafing work. 
 But if to hording thou art bent, thy hopes 
 Are fruftrate, fhould’ft thou think thy pipes will flow 
 With early limpid wine. The horded ftore. 
 
 And the harfh draught, muft twice endure the fun’s 
 Kind ftrengthning heat, twice winter’s purging cold* 
 There are, that a compounded fluid drain 
 prom difterentmixtures,Woodcock,Pippin, Moyle, 
 
 Rough 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book II, 
 
 I S 8 
 
 Rough Eliot, Tweet Permain, the blended ftreams 
 (Each mutually correcting each) create 
 A pleafurabie medly, of what tafte 
 Hardly diftinguilh’d ; as the Ihow’ry arch. 
 
 With lifted colours gay, Ore, Azure, Gules, 
 Delights and puzzles the beholder’s eye, 
 
 That views the watry brede, with thoufand (hews 
 Of painture vary’d, vet’s unfleill’d to tell 
 Or where one color rifes, or one faints. 
 
 -Some cyders have by art, or age, unlearn’d. 
 Their genuine relifh, and of fundry vines 
 Aftum’d the flavour ; one fort counterfeits 
 The & panijh product ; this, to Gauls has Teem’d 
 The fparkling NeCtar of Champaigne ; with that, 
 A German oft has fwill’d his throat, an d fworn, 
 Deluded, that imperial Rhine bellow’d 
 The generous rummer, whilft the owner pleas’d. 
 Laughs inly at his guefts, thus entertain’d 
 With foreign vintage from his cyder cask. 
 
 Scon as thy liquor from the narrow cells 
 
 Of 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 J 5 9 
 
 Cf clofe preft husks is freed, thou mull refrain 
 Thy thirlly foul ; let none perfuade to broach 
 Thy thick, unwholfome, undigefted cades : 
 
 The hoary frolis, and northern blafts take care 
 Thy muddy bev’rage to ferene, and drive 
 Precipitant the baler, ropy lees. 
 
 And now thy wine’s tranfpicuous, purg’d, from all 
 It’s earthy grofs, yet let it feed awhile 
 On the fat refufe, left too foon disjoin’d 
 From fprightly, it, to lharp, or vapid change. 
 When to convenient vigor, it attains. 
 
 Suffice it to provide a brazen tube 
 Inllext ; felf-taught, and voluntary flies 
 The defecated liquor, thro’ the vent 
 Afcending, then by downward trad! convey’d, 
 Spouts into fubjed veflels, lovely clear. 
 
 As when a noon-tide fun, with fummer beams. 
 Darts thro’ a cloud, her watry skirts are edg’d 
 With lucid amber, or unarofly gold : 
 
 So, and fo richly, the purg’d liquid fnines. 
 
 Now 
 
i6o 
 
 Cyder 
 
 Book It. 
 
 Now alio, when the colds abate, nor yet 
 Full fummer Ihines, a dubious feafon, clofe 
 In glafs thy purer ftreams, and let them gain. 
 From due confinement, fpirit, and flavour new. 
 For this intent, the fubtle chymift feeds 
 Perpetual flames, whofe unrefifted force 
 O’er fand, and allies, and the ftubborn flint 
 Prevailing, turns into a fufil fea, 
 
 That in his furnace bubbles funny-red : 
 
 From hence a glowing drop with hollow’d Heel 
 He takes, and by one efficacious breath 
 Dilates to a furprizing cube, or fphere. 
 
 Or oval, and fit receptacles forms 
 For every liquid, with his plaftic lungs. 
 
 To human life fubfervient ; by his means 
 Cyders in metal frail improve the Moyle, 
 
 And tafteful Pippin, in a moon’s lhort year. 
 Acquire compleat perfection : Now they fmoke 
 Tranfparent, fparkling in each drop, delight 
 Of curious palate, by fair virgins crav’d. 
 
 But 
 
Book If. 
 
 Cyder.' 
 
 161 
 
 But hardier fluids different lengths of time 
 Expedl : Thy flafk will flowly mitigate 
 The Eliot’s roughnefs. Stirom, firmeft fruit, 
 Embottled (long as Priameian Troy 
 Withftood the Greeks ) endures, ere juftly mild. 
 Soften’d by age, it youthful vigor gains, 
 Fallacious drink ! ye honefl: men beware. 
 
 Nor trull its fmoothnefs ; the third circling glafs 
 Suffices virtue : But may hypocrites, 
 
 (That flyly fpeak one thing, another think, 
 Hateful as hell) pleas’d with the relilh weak. 
 Drink on unwarn’d, ’till by inchanting cups 
 Infatuate, they their wily thoughts difclofe. 
 
 And thro’ intemp’rance grow awhile fincere. 
 
 The farmer’s toil is done ; his cades mature. 
 Now call for vent, his lands exhaufl permit 
 T’ indulge awhile. Now folemn rites he pays 
 To Bacchus , author of heart-cheering: mirth. 
 
 His honed friends, at thirffy hour of dulk. 
 
 Come uninvited ; he with bounteous hand 
 
 L Imparts 
 
162 
 
 Cyder 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Imparts his fmoking vintage, fweet reward 
 Of his own indultry ; the well-fraught bowl 
 Circles inceflant, whilft the humble cell 
 With quavering laugh, and rural jells refounds. 
 Eafe, and content, and undilfembled love 
 Shine in each face ; the thoughts of labour pall 
 Encreafe their joy. As, from retentive cage 
 When fullen Philomel efcapes, her notes 
 She varies, and of pall imprifonment 
 Sweetly complains ; her liberty retriev’d 
 Cheers her fad foul, improves her pleafing fong. 
 Gladfome they qualf, yet not exceed the bounds 
 Of healthy temp’rance, nor incroach on night, 
 Seafon of relt, but well bedew’d repair 
 Each to his home, with unfupplanted feet. 
 
 Ere heav’n’s emblazon’d by the rofy dawn 
 Domeltic cares awake them ; brilk they rife, 
 Refrelh’d, and lively with the joys that flow 
 From amicable talk, and moderate cups 
 
 Sweetly interchang’d. The pining lover finds 
 
 Prefent 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 163 
 
 Prefent redrefs, and long oblivion drinks 
 Of coy Lucinda. Give the debtor wine ; 
 
 His joys are lhort, and few ; yet when he drinks 
 His dread retires, the flowing glafles add 
 Courage, and mirth : magnificent in thought, 
 Imaginary riches he enjoys, 
 
 And in the goal expatiates unconfin’d. 
 
 Nor can the poet Bacchus’ praife indite, 
 
 Debarr’d his grape : The mufes ftill require 
 Humid regalement, nor will aught avail 
 Imploring Phenhus, with unmoiften’d lips. 
 
 Thus to the generous bottle all incline. 
 
 By parching thirft allur’d : With vehement funs 
 When dully fummer bakes the crumbling clods 
 How pleafant is’t, beneath the twilled arch 
 Of a retreating bow’r, in mid-days reign 
 To ply the fweet caroufe, remote from noife. 
 Secur’d of fev’rilh heats ! when th’ aged year 
 Inclines, and Boreas fpirit blullers frore, 
 
 Beware th’ inclement heav’ns ; now let thy hearth 
 L 2 Crackle 
 
164 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 Crackle with juicelefs boughs ; thy lingring blood 
 Now inlligate with th’ apple’s pow’rful dreams. 
 Perpetual fhow’rs, and llormy gulls confine 
 The willing plowman, and December warns 
 To annual jollities ; now fportive youth 
 Carol incondite rhythms, with Anting notes, 
 
 And quaver unharmonious ; llurdy fwains 
 In clean array, for rullic dance prepare, 
 
 Mixt with the buxom damfels ; hand in hand 
 They frifk, and bound, and various mazes weave. 
 Shaking their brawny limbs, with uncouth mien, 
 Transported, and fometimes, an oblique leer 
 Dart on their loves, fometimes an halty kifs 
 Steal from unwary lalfes ; they with fcorn, 
 
 And neck reclin’d, refent the ravilh’d blifs. 
 Mean-while, blind Britifb bards with volant touch 
 Traverfe loquacious firings, whofe folemn notes 
 Provoke to harmlefs revels ; thefe among, 
 
 A fubtle artift ftands, in wondrous bag 
 
 That bears imprifon’d winds, (of gentler fort 
 
 . Than 
 
Book ir. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 1 65 
 
 Than thofe, which erft Laertes ’ fon enclos’d.) 
 Peaceful they fleep, but let the tuneful fquceze 
 Of labouring elbow roufe them, out they fly 
 Melodious, and with fprightly accents charm. 
 ’Midfl: thefe difports, forget they not to drench 
 Themfelves with bellying goblets, nor when fpring 
 Returns, can they refufe to ufher in 
 The frefli-born year with loud acclaim, and ftore 
 Of jovial draughts, now, when the fappy boughs 
 Attire themfelves with blooms, fweet rudiments 
 Of future harvelt : When the G?iojJtan crown 
 Leads on expetted autumn, and the trees 
 Difcharge their mellow burdens, let them thank 
 Boon nature, that thus annually fupplies 
 Their vaults, and with her former liquid gifts 
 Exhilerate their languid minds, within 
 The golden Mean confin’d : Beyond there’s naught 
 Of health, or pleafure. Therefore, when thy heart 
 Dilates with fervent joys, and eager foul 
 Prompts to purfue the fparkling glafs, be fure 
 
 L 3 ’Tis 
 
1 6 6 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 ’Tis time to Hum it ; if thou wilt prolong 
 Dire compotation, forthwith reafon quits 
 Her empire to confufion, and mifrule. 
 
 And vain debates ; then twenty tongues at once 
 Confpire in fenfelefs jargon, naught is heard 
 But din, and various clamor, and mad rant i 
 Diftruft, and jealoufy to thefe fucceed. 
 
 And anger-kindling taunt, the certain bane 
 Of well-knit fellowlhip. Now horrid frays 
 Commence, the brimming glaffes now are hurl’d 
 With dire intent; bottles with bottles clalh 
 In rude encounter, round their temples fly 
 The fharp-edg’d fragments, down their batter’d 
 cheeks 
 
 Mixt gore, and cyder flow : What fhall we fay 
 Of ralh Elpenor , who in evil hour 
 Dry’d an immeafurable bowl, and thought 
 T’ exhale his furfeit by irriguous fleep. 
 Imprudent ? him, death’s iron-fleep opprefl:, 
 
 Defcending carelefs from his couch ; the fall 
 
 Luxt 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 167 
 
 Luxt his neck-joint, and fpinal marrow bruis’d. 
 Nor need we tell what anxious cares attend 
 The turbulent mirth of wine; nor all the kinds 
 Of maladies, that lead to death’s giim cave, 
 Wrought by intemperance, joint-racking gout, 
 Inteftine ftone, and pining atrophy. 
 
 Chill, even when the fun with July - heats 
 Fries the fcorch’d foil, and dropfy all-a-float, 
 
 Yet craving liquids : Nor the Centaurs tale 
 Be here repeated; how with luft, and wine 
 Inflam’d, they fought, and fpilt their drunken fouls 
 At feafting hour. Ye heav’nly pow’rs that guard 
 The Brltijh ifles, fuch dire events remove 
 Far from fair Albion , nor let civil broils 
 Ferment from focial cups : May we, remote 
 From the hoarfe, brazen found of war, enjoy 
 Our humid products, and with feemly draughts 
 Enkindle mirth, and hofpitable love. 
 
 Too oft, alas ! has mutual hatred drench’d 
 Our fwords in native blood, too oft has pride, 
 
 L 4 , 
 
1 68 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 Book ir. 
 
 And hellilh difcord, and infatiate thirft. 
 
 Of other’s rights, our quiet difcompos’d. 
 
 Have we forgot, how fell deftrudion rag’d 
 Wide-fp reading, when by Eris' torch incens’d 
 Our father’s warr’d ? what hero’s, fignaliz’d 
 For loyalty, and prowefs, met their fate 
 Untimely, undeferv’d ! how Bertie fell, 
 
 Compton, and Gransvill, dauntlefs fons of Mars, 
 
 Fit themes of endlefs grief, but that we view 
 Their virtues yet furviving in their race ! 
 
 Can we forget, how the mad, headftrong rout 
 Defy’d their prince to arms, nor made account 
 Of faith or duty, or allegiance fworn ? 
 
 Apodatc, atheift rebels ! bent to ill, 
 
 With feeming fandity, and cover’d fraud, 
 Inftill’d by him, who firft prefum’d t’oppofe 
 Omnipotence ; alike their crime, th’ event 
 Was not alike; thefe triumph’d, and in height 
 Of barbarous malice, and infulting pride, 
 Abftain’d not from imperial blood. O fad 
 
 Unparallel’d } 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 169 
 
 Unparallel’d ! O Charles , O bell of Kings ! 
 
 What liars their black difallrous influence Ihed 
 On thy nativity, that thou Ihoud’li fall 
 Thus, by inglorious hands, in this thy realm. 
 Supreme and innocent, adjudg’d to death 
 By thofe, thy mercy only wou’d have fav’d l 
 Yet was the cyder-land unftain’d with guilt ; 
 
 The cyder-land obfequious flill to thrones, 
 Abhorr’d fuch bafe difloyal deeds, and all 
 Her pruning-hooks extended into fwords. 
 Undaunted, to aflert the trampled rights 
 Of monarchy > but, ah ! fuccefslefs Ihe, 
 
 However faithful ! then was no regard 
 Of right, or wrong. And this, once happy, land. 
 By home-bred fury rent, long groan’d beneath 
 Tyrannic fway, ’till fair-revolving years 
 Our exil’d Kings, and liberty reftor’d. 
 
 Now we exult, by mighty Anna’s care 
 Secure at home, while flie to foreign realms 
 
 Sends forth her dreadful legions, and rellrains 
 
 The 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book ir. 
 
 170 
 
 The rage of Kings : Here, nobly fhe fupports 
 Juftice opprefs’d ; here, her victorious arms 
 Quell the ambitious : From her hand alone 
 All Europe fears revenge, or hopes redrefs. 
 Rejoice, O Albion! fever’d from the world 
 By nature’s wife indulgence, indigent 
 Of nothing from without ; in one fupreme 
 Intirely bleft ; and from beginning time 
 Defign’d thus happy ; but the fond defire 
 Of rule, and grandeur, multiply’d a race 
 Of Kings, and numerous fcepters introduc’d, 
 DefcruCtive of the public weal : For now 
 Each potentate, as wary fear, or ftrength, 
 
 . Or emulation urg’d, his neighbour’s bounds- 
 Invades, and ampler territory feeks 
 With ruinous affault ; on every plain 
 tlofi: cop’d with holt, dire was the din of war. 
 And ceafelefs, or (hort truce haply procur’d 
 By havoc, and difmay, ’till jealoufy 
 Rais’d new combuftion : Thus was peace in vain 
 
 Sought 
 
Book ir. Cyder. lyi 
 
 Sought for by martial deeds, and confiitt ftern : 
 ’Till Edgar grateful, (as to thofe who pine 
 A difmal half-year night, the orient beam 
 Of Phoebus' lamp) arofe, and into one 
 Cemented all the long-contending pow’rs, 
 
 Pacifick monarch ; then her lovely head 
 Concord rear’d high, and all around diffus’d 
 The fpirit of love ; at eafe, the bards new {b ung 
 Their filent harps, and taught the woods and vales. 
 In uncouth rhythms, to echo Edgar's name. 
 
 Then gladnefs fmil’d in ev’ry eye ; the years 
 Ran fmoothly on, productive of a line 
 Of wife, heroic Kings, that by juft laws 
 Eftablifh’d happinefs at home, or crufh’d 
 Inful ting enemies in fartheft climes. 
 
 See lion-hearted Richard , with his force 
 Drawn from the north, to Jury's hallow’d plains ! 
 Pioufly valiant, like a torrent fwell’d 
 With wintry tempefts, that difdains all mounds, 
 Breaking a way impetuous, and involves 
 
 Within its fweep, trees, houfes, men) he prefs’d 
 
 Amidft 
 
jyz 
 
 C Y i> E R. 
 
 Book IT. 
 
 Amidft the thickeft battel ; and o’er-threw 
 What-e’er withftood his zealous rage ; no paufe 
 No flay of daughter, found his vigorous arm. 
 
 But th’ unbelieving fquadrons turn’d tc flight 
 Smote in the rear, and with diflioneft wounds 
 Mangled behind : The So/dan , as be fled. 
 
 Oft call’d on Alla , gnafhing with defpite. 
 
 And fhame, and murmur’d many an empty curfe. 
 
 Behold third Edward’s ftreamers blazing high 
 On Gallia’s hollile ground ! his right withheld. 
 Awakens vengeance ; O imprudent Gauls , 
 Relying on falfe hopes, thus to incenfe 
 The warlike Englijb ! one important day 
 Shall teach you meaner thoughts : Eager of fight. 
 Fierce Brutus off-fpring to the adverfe front 
 Advance refiftlefs, and their deep array 
 With furious inroad pierce ; the mighty force 
 Of Edward , twice o’erturn’d their defperate King, 
 Twice he aro r e, and join’d the horrid fhock : 
 
 The third time, with his wide-extended wings. 
 He fugitive declin’d fuperior ftrength, 
 
 Difcomfitedi 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 3 73 
 
 Difcomfited ; purfu’d, in the fad chace 
 Ten thoufands ignominious fall ; with blood 
 The vallies float : Great Edward thus aveng’d. 
 With golden Iris his broad fhield embofs’d. 
 
 Thrice glorious prince ! whom, fame with all her 
 tongues 
 
 For ever Ihall refound. Yet from his loins 
 New authors of diflention fpring ; from him 
 Two branches, that in hofting long contend 
 For fov’ran lway ; and can fuch anger dwell 
 In noblefl: minds ? but little now avail’d 
 The ties of friendfiiip ; every man, as lead. 
 
 By inclination, or vain hope, repair’d 
 To either camp, and breath’d immortal hate. 
 
 And dire revenge : Now horrid daughter reigns ; 
 Sons again!! fathers tilt the fatal lance, 
 
 Carelefs of duty, and their native grounds 
 -Diflain with kindred blood, the twanging bows 
 Send fliow’rs of lhafts, that on their barbed points 
 Alternate ruin bear. Here might you fee 
 Barons, and peafants on th’ embattled field 
 
 Slain, 
 
Cyder. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 174 
 
 Slain, or half dead, in one huge, ghaftly heap 
 Promifcuoufly amaft : With difmal groans, 
 
 And ejulation, in the pangs of death 
 Some call for aid, negle&ed ; fome o’erturn’d 
 In the fierce fhock, lie gafping, and expire. 
 Trampled by fiery courfers ; horror thus, 
 
 And wild uproar, and defolation reign’d 
 Unrefpited : Ah ! who at length will end 
 This long, pernicious fray ? what man has fate 
 Referv’d for this great work ? — Hail, happy prince 
 Of Tudor’s race, whom in the womb of time 
 Cadwallador forefaw ! thou, thou art he. 
 
 Great Richmond Henry, that by nuptial rites 
 Mull clofe the gates of Janus, and remove 
 Deftm&ive difcord : Now no more the drum 
 Provokes to arms, or trumpet’s clangor fhriil 
 Affrights the wives, or chills the virgin’s blood ; 
 But joy, and pleasure open to the view 
 Uninterrupted ! with prefaging fkill 
 Thou to thy own united; Fergus’ line 
 
 Bv wife alliance; from thee Jams 'dcfcends, 
 
 Hea-v’n’s 
 
Book II. 
 
 Cyder. 
 
 *75 
 
 Heav’n’s chofen fav’rite, fir ft Britannic King. 
 
 To him alone, hereditary right 
 
 Gave pow’r fupreme ; yet ftill fome feeds remain’d 
 
 Of difcontent ; two nations under one. 
 
 In laws and int’reft diverfe, ftill purfu’d 
 
 Peculiar ends, on each fide refolute 
 
 To fly conjunction ; neither fear, nor hope. 
 
 Nor the fweet profpedl of a mutual gain, 
 
 Cou’d ought avail, ’till prudent Anna faid 
 Let there be Union ; ftrait with reverence due 
 To her command, they willingly unite. 
 
 One in affe&ion, laws and government, 
 Indiflblubly firm ; from Dubris fouth. 
 
 To northern Or cades t her long domain. 
 
 And now thus leagu’d by an eternal bond. 
 What fliall retard the Brito?is bold deligns, 
 
 Or who fuftain their force ; in union knit. 
 Sufficient to withftand the pow’rs combin’d 
 Of all this globe ? at this important a£t 
 The Mauritanian and Caibaian Kings 
 Already tremble, and th’ unbaptiz’d Turk 
 
 Dreads 
 
Book IT. 
 
 176 Cyder. 
 
 Dreads war from utmoft Thule ; uncontrol’d 
 The Britijh navy thro’ the ocean, vaft 
 Shall wave her double crofs, t’extreamefl: climes 
 Terrific, and return with od’rous fpoils 
 Of Arahy well fraught, or Indus’ wealth, 
 
 Pearl, and barbaric gold ; mean-while the fwains 
 Shall nnmolefted reap, what plenty ftrows 
 From well ftor’d horn, rich, grain, and timely fruits. 
 The elder year, Pome?ia, pleas’d, lhall deck 
 With ruby-tin&ur’d births, whofe liquid ftore 
 Abundant, flowing in well blended ftreams, 
 
 The natives fhall applaud ; while glad they talk 
 
 Of baleful ills, caus’d by Bellond’s wrath 
 
 In other realms ; where- e’er the Briiijh fpread 
 
 Triumphant banners, or their fame has reach’d 
 
 Diffufive, to the utmoft bounds of this 
 
 Wide u.niverfe, Silurian cyder borne 
 
 Shall pleafe all taftes, and triumph o’er the vine. 
 
 P I N I S. 
 
SPECIAL