•THE 
 
 TRIUMPHS OF TEMPER; 
 
 O E M. 
 
 IN SIX CANTOS. 
 
 BY WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ^ 
 
 O vol ch' avete gl' intelletti sani 
 
 MiRATE LA DOTTRINA, CHE SI ASCONDE 
 SOTTO' IL VELAME DEGLI VERS! STRANI. 
 
 Dante, Ir.ferno, Canto 9. 
 
 THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR J. DODSLEY, IN PALL-MALL. 
 
 M.DCC.LXXXr. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2011 with funding from 
 
 Research Library, The Getty Research Institute 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/triumphsoftemperOOhayl 
 
PREFACE, 
 
 T feems to be a kind of duty incumbent on 
 thofe who devote themfelves to Poetry, to 
 raife, if poffible, the dignity of a declining Art, 
 by making it as beneficial to Life and Manners 
 as the limits of Compofition, and the charac- 
 ter of modern Times will allow : The ao-es, in- 
 deed, are . paft, in which the fong of the Poet 
 was idolized for its miraculous effeBs , yet a 
 Poem, intended to promote the cultivation of 
 good-humour, may flill perhaps be fortunate 
 enough to prove of fome little fervice to focie- 
 ty in general j or, if this idea m^ay be thought 
 too chimerical and romantic by fober Reafon, 
 it is at leaft one of thofe pleafmg and innocent 
 delufions, in which a poetical Enthufiaft may be 
 fafely indulged. 
 
 a The 
 
vi PREFACE. 
 
 The following produ(3:ion owes its exiftence 
 to an incident in real life, very fimilar to the 
 principal action of the laft Canto ; but in form- 
 ino- the general plan of the work, it feemed to 
 me abfolutely necelTary to introduce both the 
 agency and the abode of Spleen, notwithftand- 
 ing the difficulty and the hazard of attempting 
 a fubje61: fo happily executed by the mafterly 
 pencil of Pope. I confidered his Cave of Spleen 
 as a moft exquifite cabinet picture ; and, to 
 avoid the fervility of imitation, I determined 
 to (ketch the manfion of this gloomy Power on 
 a much wider canvafs : Happy, indeed, if the 
 judgment of the Public may enable me to ex- 
 claim, w^ith the honeft vanity of the Painter, 
 who compared his own works to the divine pro- 
 ductions of Raphael, 
 
 " E fon Pittore anch' lo!" 
 The celebrated Aleflandro TafToni, who is 
 generally confidered as the inventor of the mo- 
 5 dern 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 dern Heroi-comic Poetry, was fo proud of having 
 extended the limits of his art by a new kind of 
 compofition, that he not only fpoke of it with 
 infinite exultation in one of his private letters, 
 but even gave a MS. copy of his work to his 
 native city of Modena, with an infcription, in 
 which he ftyled it a new Ipecies of Poetry, in- 
 vented by himfelf. 
 
 A few partial friends have afferted, that the 
 prefent performance has fome degree of fimilar 
 merit j but as I apprehend all the novelty it po{^ 
 fefles, may rather require an apology, than en- 
 title its Author to challenge commendation, I 
 Ihall explain how far the conduct of the Poem 
 differs from the moft approved models in this 
 mode of writing, and flightly mention the poe- 
 tical effedls, which fuch a variation appeared 
 likely to produce. 
 
 It is well known, that the favourite Poems, 
 which blend the ferious and the comic, repre- 
 
 a 2 fent 
 
viii P R S F A C: E,x 
 
 fent their principal chara^lers in a fatirical 
 point of view : It was the intention of Taflbni 
 (thouoh prudence made him attempt to conceal 
 it) to fatirize a particular Italian Nobleman, 
 who happened to be the obje6l of his refent- 
 ment. Boileau openly ridicules the French Ec- 
 clefiaftics in his Lutrin ; Garth, our Englifh 
 Phyficians, in his Difpenfary ; and the Rape of 
 the Lock itfelf, that moft excellent and enchant- 
 ingr Poem, which I never contemiplate but with 
 new idolatry, is denominated the befl Satire 
 extant^ by the learned Dr. Warton, in his 
 very elegant and ingenious^ but fevere EiTay on 
 Pope : A fentence which feems to be confirmed 
 by the Poet himfelf, in his letter to Mrs. Fer- 
 mor, where he fays, " The charav9:er of Belinda^ 
 " as it is now managed, refembles you in nothing 
 ** but in beauty." Though I think, that no 
 compofition can furpafs, or perhaps ever equal 
 this moft happy effort of Genius, as a fportive 
 
 Satire, 
 
P R E F A C E, ix 
 
 Satire, I imagined it might be poffible to o-jve a 
 new Chara^er to this mixed fpecies of Poetrv, 
 and to render it by its Objea:, though not in its 
 Execution, more nobie than the mod: beautiful 
 and refined Satire can be. We have feen it 
 carried to inimitable perfeaion, in the moil de- 
 licate raillery on Female Foibles :— It remained 
 to be tried, if it might not alfo afpire to deline- 
 ate the more engaging features of Female Excel- 
 lence. The idea appeared to me v/orth the ex- 
 periment ; for, [^ it facceeded, it feemed to 
 promife a double advantage ; firil, it would aive 
 an air of novelty to the Poem ; and, fecondly, 
 what I thought of much greater importance, it 
 would render it more interefting to the heart. 
 On thefe principles, I have endeavoured to paint 
 Serena as a moft lovely, engaging, and ac- 
 compliflied character -, yet I hope the colour- 
 ing is fo faithfully copied from ge^^eral Nature, 
 that every man, who reads the Poem, may be 
 
 ^ happy 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 happy enough to know many Fair ones, who 
 
 refemble my Heroine. 
 
 There is another point, in which I have al- 
 fo attempted to give this Poem an air of no- 
 velty : I mean, the manner of connecSling the 
 real and the vifionary fcenes, which compofe it ; 
 by (hifting thefe in alternate Cantos, I hoped to 
 make familiar Incident and alleororical Picture 
 afford a ftrong relief to each other, and keep 
 the attention of the Reader alive, by an ap- 
 pearance particularly diverfified. I wifhed, in- 
 deed (but I fear moft ineffe6i:ually) for powers 
 to unite fome touches of the fportive wildnefs of 
 Ariofto, and the more ferious fublime painting 
 of Dante, with fome portion of the enchanting 
 elegance, the refined imagination, and the moral 
 graces of Pope j and to do this, if poflible, with- 
 out violating thofe rules of propriety, which 
 Mr. Cambridge has illuftrated, by example 
 as well as precept, in The Scribleriad, and in 
 
 his 
 
PREFACE. xi 
 
 his fenfible Preface to that eleo;ant and learned 
 Poem. 
 
 I have now very frankly informed my Reader 
 of the extent^ or rather of the extravagance of my 
 defire j for I will not give it the ferious name of 
 defign : They, whom an enhghtened tafte has 
 rendered thoroughly fenfible how very difficult 
 it muft be to accomplifh fuch an idea, will not 
 only be the firft to difcern, but the moll ready 
 to pardon thofe errors, into which fo hazardous 
 an attempt may perhaps have betrayed me. I 
 had thoughts of introducing this performance to 
 the Public, by a Diflertation of confiderable 
 length on this fpecies of Poetry ; but I forbear 
 to indulge myfelf any farther in fuch prelimi- 
 nary remarks, as the anxiety of authors is fo 
 apt to produce, from the reflefl:ion, that, how- 
 ever ingenioufly written, they add little or no« 
 thing to the fuccefs of a good Poem, and are 
 
 utterly 
 
xH PREFACE. 
 
 utterly infuiiicient to prevent that negledt, or 
 
 oblivion, which is the inevitable fate of a bad 
 
 one. 
 
 In difmilling a work to my Fair Readers, 
 which is intended principally for their perufal, 
 I fhall only recommend it to their attention ; 
 and bid them farewell, in the words of the 
 pkafant and courteous Taflbni — 
 
 " Vaglia il buon voler, s' altro non lice, 
 " E chi la Iccycrera, viva felice ! 
 
 Earth AM, 
 Jan. 31, 1781, 
 
 T II E 
 
THE 
 
 R I U M P H 
 
 O F 
 
 TEMPER. 
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 ^ I ^ H E Mind's foft Guardian, who, tho' yet unfung, 
 
 Infpires with harmony the female tongue, 
 And gives, improving every tender grace, 
 The fmile of angels to a mortal face ; 
 Her powers I fing ; and fcenes of mental ftrife, 5 
 
 Which form the maiden for th' accomplifh'd wife ; 
 Where the fweet vidlor fees, with fparkling eyes, 
 Love her reward, and Happinefs her prize. 
 Daughters of Beauty, who the fong infpire, 
 To your enchanting notes attune my lyre ! 10 
 
 B And 
 
[ 2 ] 
 
 And O ! if haply your foft hearts may gairi- 
 
 Or life, or pleafurc from the motley ftrain,. 
 
 Tho' formal critics, with a furly frown, 
 
 Deny your artlefs Bard the laurel crown, 
 
 He ftill fhall triumph, if ye deign to fpread 1-155 
 
 Your fweeter myrtle round his honour'd head. 
 
 In your bright circle young Serena grew; 
 A lovelier nymph the pencil never drew ; 
 For the fond Graces form'd her ea^fy mien-., 
 And Heaven's foft azure in her eye was feen. 20:; 
 
 She feem'd a rofe-bud, when it firft receives 
 The genial fun in its expanding leaves : . 
 For now fhe enter'd thofe important years. 
 When the full bojCbm fwells with hopes and fears y 
 When confcious N^iture prompts the fecret figh, 25 
 
 And fhcds fweet languor o'er the melting eye ; 
 When nobler toys the female heart trepan, 
 And Dolls rejc6led, yield their place to Man. 
 
 Beneath a Father's. care Serena grew ; 
 The good Sir Gilbert, to his country true, 30 
 
 » . A faithful 
 
[ 3 ] 
 
 A faithful Whig, who, zealous for the ftate, 
 
 In Freedom's fervice led the loud debate ; 
 
 Yet every day, by tranfmutation rare, 
 
 Turn'd to a Tory ia his elbow chair, 
 
 And made his daughter pay, howe'er abfurd, 35 
 
 PafTive obedience to his fovereign word. 
 
 In his domertic fway he borrow' d aid 
 From prim Penelope, an ancient maid,. 
 His upright fifter, confcious of her worth. 
 Who valued Hill her beauty, and her birth ; 40 
 
 Tho' from her birth no envied rank fhe gained, 
 And of her beauty but the ghoft remained; 
 A reftlefs ghoft ! that with remembrance keen 
 Proclaim'd inceflant what it once had been ; 
 Delighted ftill the fteps of youth to haunt^ 45 
 
 To watch the tender nymph, and warm gallant ; 
 And, with an eye that petrified purfuit. 
 Hang like the dragon o'er th' ticfperian fruit. 
 
 Tho' fl:ri6l!y guarded by this jealous power, 
 Tlie mild Serena no rcftraint could four: 50 
 
 B 2 P^re 
 
[ 4 ] 
 
 Pure was her bofom, as the filver lake, 
 Ere riiinc: winds the ruffled water fliake, 
 When the bright pageants of the morning flcy 
 Acrofs th' expanfive mirror lightly fly, 
 By vernal gales in quick fucceflion driven, 55 
 
 While the clear glafs refleds the fmile of heaven. 
 In gay content a fportive life fhe led, 
 The child of Modefty, by Virtue bred : 
 Her light companions Innocence and Eafe r 
 Her hope was Pleafure, and her wifh to pleafe : 60 
 
 For this to Fafhion early rites fhe paid : 
 For this to Venus fecret vows fhe made y 
 Nor held it fin to caft a private glance 
 O'er the dear pages of a new romance. 
 Eager in Fidion^s touching fcenes to find , 65 
 
 A held, to exercife her youthful mind : 
 The touching fcenes new energy impreft 
 On all the virtues of her feeling bread. 
 Sweet Evelina's fafcinating power 
 
 Had firft beguil'd of ilecp her midnight hour : 70 
 
 Poffeft 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 PofTeft by Sympathy's enchanting fway, . 
 
 She read, unconfcious of the dawning day. 
 
 The Modern Anecdote was next convey'd 
 
 Beneath her pillow by her faithful maid. 
 
 The nymph, attentive as the brooding dove, 75 
 
 Pored o'er the tender fcenes of Franzel's love : 
 
 The linking taper now grew weak and pale ; 
 
 Serena figh'd, and dropt th' unfinifh'd tale ; 
 
 But, as warm clouds in vernal aether roll. 
 
 The foft ideas floated in her foul : 80 
 
 Free from ambitious pride, and envious care, 
 
 To love, and to be lov'd, was all her prayer : 
 
 While thefe fond thoughts her gentle mind: poflefs'd, 
 
 Soft flumber fettled on her fnowy breaft. 
 
 Scarce had her radiant eyes began to clofe, 85 
 
 When to her view a friendly vifion rofe : . 
 
 A fairy Phantom ftruck her mental flght. 
 
 Light as the eoflamer, as aether bright ; 
 
 Array'd like Pallas was the pigmy form, 
 
 When the fage Goddefs ftills the martial ftorm. 9© 
 
 5 Her 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 Her cafque was amber, richly grac'd above 
 
 With down, coUeded from the callow dove : 
 
 Her burnidi'd breaft-plate, of a deeper dye, 
 
 Was once the armour of a golden fly : 
 
 -A lynx's eye her little rsgis flione, 93 
 
 By fairy fpells converted into ftone, 
 
 And worn of old, as clfin poets (ing, 
 
 By ^Egypt's lovely queen, a favourite Ting : 
 
 Myfterious power was in the magic toy^ 
 
 To turn the frowns of care to fmiles oi joy. lOO 
 
 Her tiny lance, whofc radiance ftream'd afar, 
 
 Was one bright fparkle from the bridal ftar. 
 
 A filmy mantle round her figure play'd, 
 
 Fine as the texturx:^ by Arachne laid 
 
 O'er fome yoyng plant, when glittering to the view 105 
 
 With many an orient pearl of morning dew. 
 
 The Phantom hovcr'd o'er the confcious Fair 
 
 'With fuch a lively fmile of tender care, 
 
 As on her eltin lord Titania caft, 
 
 When firft fbe found his cingry fpell was paft. xi« 
 
 J Tf Round 
 
[ 7 ] 
 
 Round her rich locks Serena chanc'd to tie 
 
 An ample ribband of cserulean dye : 
 
 High o'er her forehead rofe the graceful bow, 
 
 Whofe arch commanded the fweet fcene below : 
 
 The hovering Spirit view'd the tempting fpot,. US 
 
 And lightly perch'd on this unbending knot ; 
 
 As the fair flutterer, of Pfyche's race, 
 
 Is feen to terminate her airy chace. 
 
 When, pleas'd at length her quivering wings to clofe,. 
 
 Fondly fhe fettles on the fragrant rofe.. i 2o • 
 
 Now in foft notes^, more mufically clear 
 Than ever Fairy breath'd in mortal car, 
 Thefe words the vifionary voice convey'd) 
 To the charm'd fpirit of the fleeping maid : : 
 
 ^* Thou darling of my care, whofe ripen'd worth 125 
 Shall fpread my empire o'er the fmiling earth ^ 
 Vv^iom Nature bleft-, forbidding modifli Art. 
 To cramp thy fpirit^ or contraft thy heart ; 
 Screen'd from thy thought, nor in thy vifions felt, 
 
 Lang on thy opening mind I've fondly dwelt ; 130 
 
 In) 
 
[ 8 I 
 
 In childhood's forrows brought thee quick relief, 
 
 And dry'd thy April fliowers of infant grief j 
 
 Taught thee to laugh at the. malicious boy, 
 
 Who broke thy playthings with a barbarous joy, 
 
 To bear what ills the little Female haunt, iss") 
 
 The tefty Nurfe, the imperious Governante, 
 
 And that tyrannic peft, the prying maiden Aunt. 
 
 Now ripening years a nobler fcene fupply ; 
 
 For life now opens on thy fparkling eye : „,^ 
 
 Thy riling bofom fwells with juft defire .. 14° 
 
 Rapture to feel, and rapture to infpire : 
 
 Not the vain blifs, the tranfitory joys. 
 
 That childifh Woman feels in radiant toys ; 
 
 The coftly Diamond, or the lighter Pearl, 
 
 The maffive Nabob, or the tinfel Earl. 145 
 
 Thy heart demands, each meaner aim above, 
 
 Th' imperiOiable wealth of fterling love ; 
 
 Thy wi{b, to pleafe by ev'ry fofter grace 
 
 Of elegance and eafe, of form and face 1 
 
 By 
 
[ 9 ] 
 
 By lively fancy and by fenfe reiin'd, i^o 
 
 The ftronger magic ot the cultur'd mind ! 
 
 Thy pure ambition, and thy virtuous plan, 
 
 To fix the variable heart of Man ! 
 
 "Short is the worfhip paid at Beauty's fhrine j 
 
 But lafting Love and Happinefs are mine : 155 
 
 Mine, tho' the earth's miftaken, blinded race 
 
 Defpife my influence, and my name debafe ; 
 
 Nor breathe one vow to that setherial friend, 
 
 On whom the colours of their life depend. 
 
 But to thy innocence I'll now difplay 160 
 
 The myftic marvels of my fecret fway ; 
 
 And tell, in this thy fate-deciding hour. 
 
 My race, my name, my office, and my power. 
 
 Firft, hear what wonders human forms contain ! 
 And learn the texture of the Female brain ! 165 
 
 By Nature's care in curious order fpread, 
 This living net is fram'd of tender thread ; 
 Fine, as thy hand, fome favour'd youth to grace, 
 Knits with nice art to form the mimic lace. 
 
 C Within 
 
[ lO ] 
 
 Within the center of this fretted dome, 170 
 
 Her fecret tower, her heaven-conftrudled home, 
 
 Soft Senfibility, fvveet Beauty's foul ! 
 
 Keeps her coy ftate, and animates the whole, 
 
 Invifible as Harmony, who fprings, 
 
 Wak'd by young Zephyr, from ^Eolian firings : 175. 
 
 Her fubtle power, more delicately fine. 
 
 Dwells in each thread, and lives in every line, 
 
 Whofe quick vibrations, without end, impart 
 
 Pleafure and pain to the refponfive heart. 
 
 As Zephyr's breath the willing chord infpires, 180 
 
 Whifpering foft mulic to the trembling wires,. 
 
 So with fond care I regulate, unfeen. 
 
 The fofter movements of this nice machine ; 
 
 Temper my earthly name, the nurfe of Love ! 
 
 But call'd SoPHRosYNE in realms above ! 185: 
 
 When lovely Woman, perfedl at her birth, 
 
 Bleft with her early charms the wond'ring earth, 
 
 Her foul, in fweet fimplicity array'd. 
 
 Nor fliar'd my guidance, nor requir'd my aid. 
 
 Her 
 
[ ^^ 3 
 
 Her tender frame, nor confident nor coy, 190 
 
 Had every fibre tun'd to gentle joy : 
 
 No vain caprices fwell'd her pouting lip ; 
 
 No gold produced a mercenary trip ; 
 
 Soft innocence infpir'd her willing kifs, 
 
 Her love was nature, and her life was blifs. ^95 
 
 Guide of his reafon, not his paffion's prey, 
 
 She tamed the favage, Man, who blefs'd her fway. 
 
 No jarring wilhes fill'd the world with woes. 
 
 But youth was ecftacy, and age repofe. 
 
 The Powers of Mifchief met, in dark Divan, 200 
 
 To blaft thefe mighty joys of envied Man : 
 
 The Fiends, at their infernal Leader's call, 
 
 Fram'd their bafe wiles in Demogorgon's hall. 
 
 In the deep center of that dreadful dome. 
 
 An hellifii cauldron boil'd with fiery foam : 205 
 
 In this wide urn- the circling fpirits threw 
 
 Inaredients harfh, and hideous to the view ; 
 
 While the terrific mafter of the fpell 
 
 With adjurations fiiook the depths of hell, 
 
 C 2 ^^^ 
 
[ >2 ] 
 
 And in dark words, unmeet for mortal ear, 210 
 
 Bade the dire offspring of his art appear. 
 
 Forth from the vafe, with fullen murmurs, broke 
 
 A towering mafs of peftilential fmoke : 
 
 Emerging from this fog of thickeft night, 
 
 A Phantom fvvells, by flow degrees, to fight; 215 
 
 But ere the view can feize the forming fliape, 
 
 From the mock'd eye its lineaments efcape : 
 
 It feem'd all pafTions melted into one, 
 
 AflAim'd the face of all, and yet was none r 
 
 Hell ftood aghaft at its portentous mien, 220 
 
 And fliuddering Demons call'd the fpedre Spleen. 
 
 Hie thee to earth ! its mighty maftcr cried, 
 
 O'er the vex'd globe in heavy vapours ride I 
 
 Within its center fix thy fhadovvy throne ! 
 
 With fhadcs thy fubjedls, and that hell thy own ! 225 
 
 Reign there unfcen ! but let thy ftrong controul 
 
 Be hourly felt in Woman's wayward foul f 
 
 With darkeft: poifons from our deep abyfs, 
 
 Taint that pure fountain of terrcftrial blifs I 
 
 3 Th' 
 
[ '3 ] 
 
 Th' enormous Phantom, at this potent found, 230 
 
 Roird forth obedient from the vaft profound : 
 
 The quaking Fiends recover'd from their dread, 
 
 And Hell grew lighter, as the monfter fled. 
 
 But now round earth the gliding vapours run. 
 
 Blot the rich aether, and eclipfe the fun ; 235 
 
 All Nature flckens ; and her faireft flower. 
 
 Enchanting Woman, feels the baneful power: 
 
 As in her foul the clouds of Spleen arife,. 
 
 The fprightly eflence of her beauty flies : 
 
 In youth's gay prime, in hours with rapture warm, 240 
 
 Love looks aftonifli'd on her altering form : 
 
 To pleaflng frolics, and enchanting wiles, 
 
 Life-darting looks, and foul-fubduing fmiles. 
 
 Dark whims fucceed : thick-coming fancies fret ; 
 
 The fullen pailion, and the hafty pet ; 245 
 
 The fwelling-lip, the tear-difl;ended eye,. 
 
 The peevifli queflion, the perverfe reply ;. 
 
 The moody humour, that, like rain and fire, 
 
 Blends cold difgufl: with unfubdu'd defire,. 
 
 Flies 
 
[ 14 ] 
 
 Flies what it loves, and, petulantly coy, 250 
 
 Feigns proud abhorrence of the proffer'd joy : 
 
 For Nature's artlefs aim, the wifh to pleafe 
 
 By genuine modefty, and fimple eafe, 
 
 Fafhion's pert tricks the crowded brain opprefs 
 
 With all the poor parade of tawdry drefs : 255 
 
 The fickly bofom pants for noife and fhew, 
 
 For every bauble, and for every beau ; 
 
 The voice, that Health made harmony, difowns 
 
 That native charm for Languor's mimic tones ; 
 
 And feigns difeafe, till, feelincr what it feigns, 260 
 
 Its fancied maladies are real pains. 
 
 Such, and a thoufand ftill fuperior woes. 
 
 From Spleen's new empire o'er the earth arofe : 
 
 Each fimple dictate of the foul forgot. 
 
 Then firft was form'd the mercenary plot; 265 
 
 And Beauty pradis'd that pernicious art, 
 
 The art of angling for an old man's lieart ; 
 
 Tho' crawling to his bride with tottering knees, 
 
 His words were dotage, and his love difeafe. 
 
 From 
 
[ 15 3 
 
 From fex to fex this bafe contagion ran, 270 
 
 And Gold grew Beauty in the eyes of Man : 
 Courtfhip was traffic ; and the married life 
 But one loud jangle of inceflant ftrife. 
 
 The gentle Sprite, who, on his radiant car, 
 Shines the mild regent of the evening- ftar, 275 
 
 And joys from thence thofe genial rays to fhed, 
 That lead the bridegroom to the nuptial bed, 
 While earth's new ills his friendly loul abforb, 
 From Cynthia call'd me to his kindred orb ; 
 And, eager to redrefs the woes of Man, 280 
 
 The brilliant Son of Vefper thus began : 
 *' Thou fofteft Being of the ^therial kind, 
 Be thy benignant cares no more confin'd 
 To fmooth the ruffled plume of Zephyr's wing, 
 To guard from cruel frofl the infant fpring, 285 
 
 To drive grofs atoms from the rays of noon, 
 Or chafe the halo from the vapourifh moon ! 
 Thy friendly nature will not now deny 
 To quit for nobler toils thy native fky ; 
 
 2 Tliou; 
 
[ i6 ] 
 
 Thou feeft how Spleen's infernal vapours roll 290 
 
 Acrofs the fvveet ferenc of Woman's foul j 
 
 And earth, which darkens as her beauties fade, 
 
 Muft grow a fecond hell without thy aid : 
 
 Take then thy ftation ! fix thy nobler reign 
 
 O'er thofe fine chords, that form the Female brain, 295 
 
 That us'd, ere injur'd by the ruft of Spleen, 
 
 To fill with harmony the human fcene ! 
 
 Go ! left her touch their tender tones deftroy, 
 
 Teach them to vibrate to thy notes of joy ! 
 
 Go ! and reftore, by ftilling mental ftrife, 300 
 
 Health to faint Love, and happinefs to Life !" 
 
 So fpake that friend of Man, who lights above 
 
 His heavenly lamp of Hymeneal love: 
 
 In his juft aim my kindred fpirit join'd. 
 
 And flew obedient to the charge aflign'd. 30^3 
 
 Hence, as the biafs fways the unconfcious bowl, 
 
 I long unfeen have fvvay'd the carelefs foul ; 
 
 Tho' oft I feel my power by Spleen fubdu'd, 
 
 In the fhrill Vixen, and the fullen Prude, 
 
 In 
 
[ '7 ] 
 
 In fome fair forms my foft dominion grows, 310 
 
 Like fragrance, rifing from the opening rofe : 
 
 Still I preferve, in many a lovely face, 
 
 That gay good-humour, and that conftant grace, 
 
 Which heavenly Powers united to infold 
 
 In perfedl Woman's new-created m.ould ; 31^ 
 
 When Nature, in her infant beauty bleft, 
 
 The laft and lovelieft of her works careft. 
 
 But of thofe Nymphs, who, delicately fair. 
 
 Draw their foft graces from my forming care, 
 
 My young Serena fhines her peers above, 320 
 
 Pride of my hopes, and darling of my love. 
 
 Hence I to thee fuch myfteries unfold, 
 
 As Man's pedantic eye fliall ne'er behold ; 
 
 Whofe narrow fcience, tho' it proudly boafl 
 
 To pierce the fky, and count the ftarry hoft, 325 
 
 Sees not the lucid band of airy Powers, 
 
 Who flutter round him in his fecret hours : 
 
 But if to me, thy guardian now difplay'd, 
 
 Thy duteous orifons are juftly paid, 
 
 D Thou 
 
[ i8 ] 
 
 Thou to thofe realms ilialt pafs with me thy guide, 330 
 
 Where Spleen's pale vidlims, after death, reiide ^ 
 
 Then to that orb, in vifion {halt thou rife, 
 
 Unfecn by mortal aftronomic eyes. 
 
 Where I — but firft let me thy foul prepare 
 
 To meet our fecret foe's infidious fnare ! . 235 
 
 'Tis my tond purpofe in thy form to fhevv 
 
 The fvveeteft model of my /kill below : 
 
 A Youth I deftine to thy dear embrace, 
 
 Crown'd with each mental charm, and manly grace^ 
 
 With whom thy innocence, {ecure from ftrife, 340 
 
 Shall reap the beauteous joys of blamelefs life. 
 
 Pleas'd I obferve thy little heart begin 
 
 To afk, what charms the mighty prize may vvii> : 
 
 But know, tho' Elegance herfelf be (ecn 
 
 To guide thy motion, and to form thy mien ; 345 
 
 The' Beauty o'er thy iilial cheek diffufe 
 
 The foft enchantment of her rofeate hues, 
 
 Not from their favour fLall this glory rife t 
 
 TEAtPER fliall fingly gain the fplendid prize : 
 
 The 
 
[ '9 ] 
 
 The fuddcn conqueft fliall be mine alone, 356 
 
 And Love with tranfport iliall my triumph own. 
 
 Such are my hopes j but I with pain relate 
 
 What hard conditions are annex'd by Fate : 
 
 As chemic Hres, that patient labour blows, 
 
 Draw the rich perfume from the Perlian rofe, 355 
 
 So muft thou form, by fiery toils refin'd, 
 
 The living efience of thy fweeter mind. 
 
 Dimly I fee, on Deftiny's dull glafs, 
 
 Three dangerous trials 'tis thy doom to pafs ; 
 
 And oh ! if once forgetful of my power, 360 
 
 Good-humour fail thee in the fateful hour. 
 
 Farewell thofe joys, that v/ait the happy wife ! 
 
 Farewell the vifion of unclouded life ! 
 
 Fain would my love thy fecret perils fhew, 
 Which Fate allows not even me to know : 365 
 
 In Spleen's dark court a thoufand agents dwell, 
 Who bind her vidims in the wayward fpell ; 
 Perchance three prime fupporters of her fway, 
 The bufieft of her Fiends, may crofs thy way : 
 ■ L D 2 Stern 
 
[ 20 ] 
 
 Stern Contradidion, her ill-favour'd child, 370 
 
 Of fierce demeanor, and of fpirit wild. 
 
 Bane of delight ! and horror of the fex ! 
 
 His plan to puzzle, and his pride to vex ! — 
 
 Or Scandal, filthy hag ! who blindly limps 
 
 Round the wide earth, fupported by her Imps, ^75 
 
 Her inky Demons, who delight to print 
 
 Her bafe fuggeftion, and her envious hint r — 
 
 Or groundlefs Jealoufy, pert changeling ! born 
 
 Of amorous Vanity, and angry Scorn, 
 
 Whofe bitter taunts with public infult dare 380 
 
 Bafely to wound the unoffending Fair, 
 
 Proud the fweet joys of Innocence to crufh. 
 
 And fpread o'er Beauty's cheek the burning blufh. 
 
 Whether thefe kindred Fiends, or one or all, 
 
 Shall aim thy airy fpirit to enthrall,. 385, 
 
 Are points, my fondncfs tries in vain to reach ; 
 
 But truft my caution ! and beware of each ! 
 
 Left to thy lively mind my words may feem 
 The vain chimera of a common dream, 
 
[ " J 
 
 By one unqueftionable fign be taught 390 
 
 To prize my prefence in thy waking thought I- 
 
 An azure ribband^ on thy toilet thrown, 
 
 Shall make the magic of my empire known : 
 
 On this thy fportive needle tried its powers, 
 
 And lilver fpangles form'd the mimic flowers ; 395 
 
 On thefe my love fhall breathe a fecret charm ; 
 
 With this, my C^fl:us, thy foft bofom arm.!. 
 
 Above it let the decent tucker rife,, 
 
 To hide the my flic band from mortal eyes ! 
 
 When Spleen's dark Powers would teach that breafi: to fwell. 
 
 This guardian cindure fliall thofe Powers repel : 401 
 
 As the touch'd talifman, more fwift than thought, 
 
 To fave her charge, th' Arabian Fairy brought 5 
 
 So fhall this Zone, if jufl:ly I'm obey'd, 
 
 Bring my foft fpirit to thy certain aid. 405 
 
 In Love's great name obferve this high behefl ! 
 
 Revere my power ! — Be gentle, and be bleft !" 
 
 Here the kind Sprite her friendly counfel clos'd,, 
 And lightly vanifK'd — Still Serena doz'd j 
 
 Still 
 
[ ^^ ] 
 
 Still ill fweet trance {he fondly Teeni'd to hear 410 
 
 The foft perfuafion vibrate in her ear. 
 But waking now far different notes fhe found ; 
 Lefs pleaiing cchos in her chamber found : 
 l''or now the heralds of the London day- 
 Sing their loud mattins in th' uncrowded way ; 415 
 Th' impatient Milk-maid now, with early din, 
 Screams to the rattle of her pail of tin ; 
 With Sweep's faint cry, and, lateft of the crew, 
 The deep-ton'd mulic of the murmuring Jew. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST CANTO. 
 
 CANTO 
 
[ 23 ] 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 '^T'E raHiant Nymphs ! whofe opening eyes convey 
 
 Warmth to the world, and luftre to the day ! 
 Think what o'erfliadowing^louds may crofs your brain. 
 Before thofe lovely lids fhall clofe again ! 
 What funds of Patience twelve long hours may afk, 5 
 When cold Difcretion claims her daily tafk ! 
 Ah think betimes ! and, while your morning care 
 Sheds foreign odors o'er your fragrant hair, 
 Tinge your foft fpirit with that mental fweet, 
 Which may not be exhal'd by PafTion's heat ; IG 
 
 But charm the fenfe, with undecaying power,. 
 Thro' every chance of each diurnal hour ! 
 O ! might you all perceive your toilets crown'd 
 With fuch cofmetics as Serena found !: 
 For, to the warning vifion fondly true, '5 
 
 Now the quick Fair-one to the toilet flew :: 
 
 With: 
 9 
 
[ 24 ] 
 
 With keen delight her ravifli'd eye furvey'd 
 
 The myftic ribband on her mirror laid : 
 
 Bright fhone the azure, as Aurora's car, 
 
 And every fpangle feem'd a living ftar. 20 
 
 With fportive grace the fmiling damfel preft 
 
 The guardian cinfture to her fnowy breaft, 
 
 More lovely far than Juno, when fhe ftrove 
 
 To look moft lovely in the eyes of [ove ; 
 
 And willing Venus lent her every power, 25 
 
 That fheds enchantment o'er the amorous hour : 
 
 For fpells more potent on this band were thrown. 
 
 Than Venus boafted in her beauteous zone. 
 
 Her dazzling C^eftus could alone infpire 
 
 The fudden impulfe of fhort-liv'd defire ; 30 
 
 Thefe finer threads with lafting charms are fraught, 
 
 Here lies the tender, but unchanging thought, 
 
 Silence, that wins, where eloquence is vain. 
 
 And Tones, that harmonize the raad'ning brain. 
 
 Soft Sighs, that Anger cannot hear, and live, 35 
 
 And Smiles, that tell, how truly they forgive; 
 
 And 
 
 -J 
 
[ 25 ] 
 
 And lively Grace, whofe gay diiFufive light 
 
 Puts the black phantoms of the brain to flight, 
 
 Whofe cheering powers thro' every period laft, 
 
 And make the prefent happy as the paft. 40 
 
 Such fecret charms this richer Zone pofTeft, 
 Whofe flowers, now fparkling on Serena's bread, 
 Give, tho' unfeen, thofe fwelling orbs they bind, 
 Smiles to her face, and beauty to her mind : 
 For now, obfervant of the Sprite's beheft, 45 
 
 The Nymph conceals them by her upper vefl: : 
 Safe lies the fpell, no mortal may defcry, 
 Not keen Penelope's all-piercing eye ; 
 Who confl:ant, as the fteps of morn advance, 
 Surveys the houfhold with a fearching glance, 50 
 
 And entering now, with all her ufual care. 
 Reviews the chamber of the youthful Fair. 
 Beneath the pillow, not compleatly hid. 
 The Novel lay — She faw — £he feiz'd — flie chid : 
 With rage and glee her glaring eye-balls flafli, 55 
 
 Ah wicked age ! flie cries, ah fllthy trafli ! 
 
 E From 
 
t ^6 ] 
 
 From the firft page my juft abhorrence fprings ;-. 
 For modern anecdotes are monftrous things : 
 Yet will I Tee what dangerous poifons lurk, 
 To taint thy youth, in this licentious work. 6jO) 
 
 She faid : and rudelv from the chamber nifh'd. 
 Her pallid cheek with expectation flulli'd, 
 With ardent hope her eager fpirit ihook. 
 Vain hope ! to banquet on a lufcious book- 
 So it" a Prieft, of the Arabian fed, 65: 
 In Turkilh hands forbidden wine dete<3, 
 The facred Mufi'ulman, with pious din, 
 Arraigns the culprit, and proclaims the fin, 
 Curfes with holy zeal th' inflaming juice, 
 But curfing takes it for his fecret ufe. 7a 
 
 The gay Seren.a, with unruffled mind, 
 The pleafing Novel, thus unread, refign'd.. 
 The Vihon on her foul fuch virtue left, 
 She only fmil'd at the provoking theft ; 
 •^'. The teazing incident llie deem'd a jeft^ Try 
 
 Nor felt the Zone grow tighter on her breaft- 
 
 Now 
 
[ 27 J 
 
 Now in full charms defcends the finifh'd Fair, 
 iFor now the morning banquet claims her care ; 
 Already at the board, with viands pil'd, 
 Her Sire impatient fits, and chides hk tardy child. 80 
 On his imperial lips rude Hunger reigns. 
 And keener Politics ufurp his brains : 
 But when her love-infpiring voice he hears. 
 When the foft magic of her fmile appears, 
 In that glad moment he at once forgets "85 
 
 His empty ftomach, and the nation's debts : 
 He bends to Nature's more divine controul. 
 And only feels the Father in his foul. 
 Quick to his hand behold her now prefent 
 The Indian liquor of celeftial fcent I 90 
 
 Not with more grace the nedar'd cup is given 
 By rofe-lip'd Hebe to the Lord of Heaven. 
 While her fair hands a frefh libation pour, 
 Fafl:iion's loud thunder wakes the founding door. 
 The light Serena to the window fprings, 95 
 
 On Curiolity's amudve wings : 
 
 E 2 Her 
 
[ 28 ] 
 
 Her quick eyes fparkle with furprife, to fee 
 
 The glories of a golden vis-a-vis : 
 
 Its glittering tablet gleam'd with mimic pearl, 
 
 And the rich coronet announc'd an Earl. loo 
 
 The good old Knight grew fomewhat proud to hear 
 
 Of this new vilit from the early Peer : 
 
 Serena recollects the Vifion's truth, 
 
 And fluttering, hopes it is the promis'd Youth : 
 
 Penelope from her high chamber peeps; 105; 
 
 There her unfinifh'd charms flie coyly keeps ; 
 
 With fa^^e referve her modefty abhorr'd 
 
 To fhew her morning face before a Lord. 
 
 The Peer alights : the v/ell-rano;'d vaiTals bawl 
 His founding title thro' the fpacious hall, iro 
 
 Till in the deep faloon's extremeft bound 
 Th' ear-tickling words, " Lord Filligree," refound L 
 As when great Hector, fetting war apart, 
 Advanc'd to pailey, with his fpear athwart, 
 The Greeks beheld him with a flill delight ; 115 
 
 And filcnt reverence ftopt the rifing fight ; 
 
 With 
 
[ 29 ] 
 
 With fuch refpea, but unchaftis'd by fear, 
 
 Sir Gilbert and the Nymph firil meet the Peer; 
 
 And, while his morning compliments commence, 
 
 The flighted breakfaft ftands in cold fufpcnce. 12a 
 
 But far unlike to Hedor's ruder grace 
 
 His modern ftature, and his modifh face ! 
 
 Nor lefs he differs from thofe Barons old, 
 
 Whofe arms are blazon'd on his car of gold ; 
 
 Whofe proftrate. caftle guarded once the lands, 125 
 
 Where, fpruce in motley pride, his villa ftands, 
 
 By Tafte ereded, in her trimmeft mode, 
 
 Her mufliroom ftrudure, and her quaint abode. 
 
 As the neat Daify to the Sun's broad flower. 
 As the French Boudoir to the Gothic Tower,, 130 
 
 Such is the Peer, whom Faftiion much admires. 
 Compared in perfon to his ancient flres : 
 For their broad ftioulder, and their brawny calf. 
 Their coarfe, loud language, and their coarfer laugh, 
 His finer form, more elegantly Aim, ^35 
 
 Difplays the fafliionable length of limb : 
 
 With 
 2 
 
[ 30 1 
 
 "With foreign flirugs his country he regards. 
 
 And her lean tongue with foreign words he lards; 
 
 While Gallic Graces, who corred his ftyle, 
 
 .Forbid his mirth to pafs beyond a fmile. 14*^ 
 
 As the nice workman in the wooden trade, 
 
 Hides his coarfc ground with fined woods o'erlaid, 
 
 Thus our young Lord, with Fafhion's phrafe refin'd., 
 
 Fineer'd the mean interior of his mind : 
 
 And hence, in Courtefy's foft luftre feen, 145 
 
 His fpirit fhone, as gvraceful as his mien. 
 
 The artlefs Fair, on Falhion's kind report, 
 
 Thought him the mirror of a matchlefs Court : 
 
 Much fhe his drefs, his language much obferves, 
 
 Whofe finer accents prove his feeling nerves. 150 
 
 Her fancy now the deftin'd Lover fpies, 
 
 3ut her free heart abjures the quick furmife ; 
 
 Yet as he fpoke, at every flattering word 
 
 The Vifion's promife to her thought recurr'd. 
 
 Far more parental pride contrives to blind 155 
 
 The good Sir Gilbert's more-experienc'd mind, 
 
 Who 
 
[ 3' ] 
 
 Who fondly faw, and at the profped: fmil'd, 
 
 A future Countefs in his favourite child^ 
 
 But what new flutterings fhook. Seren«4's breafl, 
 
 What hopes and fears the modeft Nymph oppreft, i6o 
 
 When with a fimpering fmile, and foft regard, 
 
 The Peer difplay'd a mirth-expreffive card,. 
 
 Where the gay Graces, in a fportive band,. 
 
 Shew the fweet art of Cipriani's hand ; 
 
 Where, in their train, his airy Cupids throng, 165, 
 
 And laughing drag a comic maflc along ! 
 
 ** We," cries my Lord, with felf-fufficient joy. 
 
 Twirling, with lordly airs, the graceful toy, 
 
 " We, who poffefs true fcience, we, who give 
 
 The world a leffon in the art to live,- 170 
 
 We for the Fair a fplendid Fete defign, 
 
 And pay our homage thus at Beauty's flirine." 
 
 He fpoke ; and fpeaking, to the blulhing Maid,. 
 
 With modifh eafe, th' inviting card convey'd, 
 
 Where Mirth announc'd her mafque-devoted hour 175- 
 
 In charadcrs intwin'd with many a flower : 
 
 Th 
 
 e 
 
[ 3' 1 
 
 The bluflilng Maid, with eyes of quick defire, 
 
 View'd it, and felt her little foul on fire ; 
 
 For of all fcenes fhe had not yet furvey'd, 
 
 Her heart moft panted for a Mafquerade : i8o 
 
 But her gay hopes increafing terrors drown. 
 
 And dread forebodings of her Father's frown. 
 
 In mute fufpence to read his thought fhe tries, 
 
 And ftrongly pleads with her prevailino- eves, 
 
 Her eyes, for doubt enchain'd her modeft tongue, 185 
 
 While on his fovereign word her pleafure hung. 
 
 With fuch a tender, and perfuafive air 
 
 Of foft endearment, and of anxious care, 
 
 Thetis attended from th' almighty Sire 
 
 His fateful anfwer to her fond defire : 190 
 
 The good old Knight, like the Olympian God, 
 
 Blefl: the fair Suppliant with his gracious nod j 
 
 Her lively fpirit the kind fignal took, 
 
 And her glad heart, in every fibre, fhook. 
 
 The party fettled, it imports not how, 195 
 
 The Peer politely made his parting bow : 
 
 The 
 
[ 33 ] 
 
 The Nymph, with eyes that fparkled joyous fire, 
 
 KifsM the round cheek of her complying Sire, 
 
 Then fwiftly flew, and fummon'd to her aid 
 
 Th' important counfel of her favourite maid, 200 
 
 To vent her joy, and, as the moments prefs, 
 
 To fix that firft of points, a Fancy-drefs. 
 
 Quick as the Poet's eyes o'er Nature fly. 
 Piercing the deep, or traverfing the llcy. 
 With fuch light fpeed her fond ideas glance 205 
 
 O'er play and poem, fl:ory and romance, 
 While all the Charaders, flie e'er has read, 
 Flafli on her brain, and fill her bufy head. 
 Now in Diana's form flie hopes to meet 
 A fond Endymion fighing at her feet ; 210 
 
 Now her proud thought terreftrial pomp aflumes. 
 And Dian's crefcent yields to Indian plumes ; 
 Now, in the habit of the Grecian ifles, 
 She hears fome Ofman fuing for her fmiles, 
 
 F And 
 
t 34 1 
 And fees his foul that blaze of drefs outHiine, 215 
 
 Whofe wealth impoverifh'd a diamond-mine ; 
 Now fimpler charms her quick attention draw, 
 The rofc-crown'd bonnet, and the hat of ftraw, 
 A Village-maid flie feems, in neat attire, 
 A faithful Shepherd now her fole defire. 220 
 
 Thus, as new figures in her fancy throng, 
 " She's every thing by ftarts, and nothing long ;." 
 But, in the fpace of one revolving hour, 
 Flies thro' all flates of Poverty and Power, 
 All forms, on whom her veering mind can pitch, 225 
 Sultana, Gipfy, Goddefs, Nymph, and Witch. 
 At length, her foul with Shakefpearc's magic fraught. 
 The wand of Ariel fixt her roving thouo-ht ; / 
 
 Ariel's light graces all her heart pofTefs, 
 And Jenny's order'd to prepare the drefs. 230 
 
 It feems already bought, with fond applaufe ; 
 An azure tilTue, and a filver gauze ; 
 
 Too 
 
[ 35 ] 
 
 Too foon, alas ! that garb of heavenly hue 
 
 The ready Mercer flafhes to her view. 
 
 * Ah blind to Fate ! how oft the youthful belle 23 
 
 Feels her gay heart at fight of tifTue fwell ! 
 
 And thinks the falliionable filk muft prove 
 
 Her robe of triumph, and a fpcll to Love ! 
 
 To thee, fweet Maid, whofe pleafure-darting eyes 
 
 |oy in this favourite veft, an hour fhall rife, 240 
 
 When thou fhalt hate the filk fo fondly fought. 
 
 And wifh thy filver-fpotted gauze unbought : 
 
 For bufy Spleen thy trial now prepares ; 
 
 Darkly fhe forms her unfufpecled fnares, 
 
 And, keen to raife her pleafure-killing ftorm, 245 
 
 AiTumes Penelope's congenial form. 
 
 In that prim fhape, which all the Graces fhun, 
 
 See the four Fiend to good Sir Gilbert run ! 
 
 * Nefcia mens hominum fati fortifque futuros. 
 Ft fervare modum, rebus fublata fecundis. 
 Turno tempus erit, magno cum optaveric emptum 
 Intadlum Pallanta, ec cum fpolia ifta dkmque 
 Oderit. ^NEID. X. v. 501. & fcq. 
 
 ff 
 
 F 2 Where, 
 
f 36 3 
 
 Where, deeply pondering the Public Debt, 
 
 Silent he mufes o'er a new Gazette ! 250 
 
 Ent'ring, fhe vievv'd, with eyes of envious fpite, 
 
 The card, that fpoke the mafque-devoted night : 
 
 Eager flie darted on the graceful toy. 
 
 And, fiercely pointing to each naked boy, 
 
 *' Canfl: thou," fhe cried, in a difcordant fcream, 255 
 
 That rous'd the Politician from his dream, 
 
 While with her voice the echoing chamber rings, 
 
 *' * Say ! canft thou fuffer thefe flagitious things ? 
 
 " Are thefe devices to thy daughter brought, 
 
 " That wake fuch grofs impurity of thought ? 260 
 
 " In vain are all the prudent words I preach, 
 
 '* The modeft maxims that I ftrive to teach, 
 
 " By foolifh fondnefs of your fenfe beguil'd, 
 
 ** You ftill indulge, and fpoil the flippant child : 
 
 " For me, whate'er I fay is deem'd abfurd ; 265 
 
 " She fcorns my fage advice : — but mark my word, 
 
 * Ziw •Br;«Tff, 8 vf/*f9-t^»j, o^uv rait x»prt^m i^y», &C. 
 
 Iliad r, v. 87a. & feq. 
 
 t( If 
 
[ 37 ] 
 " If to this ball you let the Hoyden run, 
 " Your power is ended, and the Girl undone." 
 
 The patriot Knight, by interruption vext, 
 In his political purfuits perplext, 270 
 
 While he with wrath th' intruding Mifchief eyed, 
 Stern to the falfe Penelope replied : 
 " Go ! teazing Prude, ceafe in my ears to vent 
 " Thy envious pride, and peevifli difcontent ! 
 " To me of prudence canft thou vainly boaft ? 275 
 
 " Of all my houfehold, thou haft plagu'd me moft : 
 " The joys thou blameft are thy dear delight, 
 *' By day the Vifit, and the Ball by night : 
 " And, tho' too old a Lover to trepan,, 
 *' Thy midnight dream, thy morning thought, is Man^ 
 '' Vv^ert thou lefs clofely to my blood allied, 281 
 
 *' Thou fliould'ft^, to cure thee of thy canting pride, 
 " Be fent to figh alone o'er purling brooks, 
 '« Scold village maids, and croak to croaking rooks." 
 
 He fpoke indignant ; the fly Fiend withdrew, ^85 
 Nor inly griev'd ; for well her force fhe knew. 
 
 I 
 
 As 
 
[ 38 ] 
 
 As Indian females, in a jealous hour, 
 
 Of fecret poifon try the fubtleft power, 
 
 Which fure, tho' flow, corrodes th' unconfcious prey,?' 
 
 And ends its triumph on a diflant day : ' 290 
 
 Thus the departing Fury left behind '"f 
 
 Her venom, latent in Sir Gilbert's mind. 
 
 The hidden mifchief tho' no eye obferves, 
 
 He feels it fretting on his alter'd nerves ; 
 
 But the kind habit of his healthy foul 295 
 
 Still ftruggled hard againfl: its bafe controul. 
 
 Now Spleen's dark vapours, in his bofom hid, 
 
 Prompt him the promis'd pleafure to forbid ; 
 
 Now Love's foft pleadings that dire thought deftroy, 
 
 And fave the blolTom of his daughter's joy ; 300*' 
 
 Pier envious Aunt now ferves him for a jeft. 
 
 And gay good-humour rcaffumes his brcaft. 
 
 While Spleen's dark power now finks, and now revives, 
 At length the day, th' imp^rfa-nbday, arrives, 
 Which in his bread muft end the clofc debate, 305 
 
 And fix the colour of Serena's fate. ' ' '1 
 
 Now 
 
[ 39 ] 
 
 Now comes the hour, when the convivial Knight 
 Waits to begin the dinner's ghe,arful rite : 
 
 O ••- • -'•-•- - .-7.../. ^ 
 
 His fond heart ever, with a Father's pride, 
 
 Joys to behold his darling at his fide ; 31-O 
 
 But moft the abfence of her fmile he feels 
 
 In the gay feafon of his focial meals : 
 
 Hence, while for her the rich repaft attends, 
 
 His hafty fummons to the Nymph he fends : 
 
 The happy Nymph fuperior cares induce 315 
 
 To rifk his anger by a rafh excufe : 
 
 She craves his pardon ; but, for time diflreft, 
 
 She ftill is bufy on her magic vefi ; 
 
 To range her diamonds in a fparkling zone, 
 
 She begs to fnatch her fcanty meal alone. 320 
 
 The Knight in fuUen ftate begins to dine : 
 Spleen, like a Harpy, flutters o'er his wine.: 
 Invifible flie poifons every difh. 
 Tinging with gall his mutton, fowl, and hih. 
 The more he eats, the more pcrverfe he grows; 325 
 
 For as his hunger funk, his choler rofe, 
 
 9 The 
 
[ 40 ] 
 
 The cloth remov'd, he cries, with vapours fick, 
 
 The Pears are mellow, and the Port is thick ; 
 
 The' nicer fruit Pomona never knew, 
 
 And his rich wine furpafs'd the ruby's hue ! 330 
 
 A thoufand times his dizzy brain revolves 
 
 A ftern command : now doubts, and now refolves 
 
 To bid the Nymph defcend, and, dilarray'd, 
 
 Quit her dear projed of the Mafquerade : 
 
 As oft kind Nature to his heart recurr'd, 335 
 
 And Love parental llopt the cruel word. 
 
 Mean time, unconfcious of the brooding ftorm, 
 The Nymph exults in her improving form : 
 Gay is 'her fmile, as thofe the Queen of Love 
 Darts on the Graces in her court above, 340 
 
 While they contrive, with love-infpiring cares. 
 New modes of beauty for the robe fhe wears. 
 At length, each duty of the toilet paft, 
 The glance of triumph on the mirror caft, i 
 
 Now the light wand our finifh'd Ariel arms j 345 
 
 Glad Jenny glories in her Lady's charms j 
 
 And 
 
T 
 
 [ 4t ] 
 
 And gives full utterance, as {he fmooths her vefl, 
 To the fweet bodings of Serena's breaft. 
 
 O I lovely biafs of the Female foul 1 
 Which trembling points to Pleafure's diftant pole ; 350 
 Which v^^ith fond truft on flattering Hope relies, 
 O'erleaps each peril, that in profpedt lies. 
 And, fpringing to the goal, anticipates the prize 1 
 Such was Serena's fear-difcarding ftate ; 
 Her eye beheld not the dark frowns of Fate : 355 
 
 She only faw, the combat all forgot, 
 The triumph promis'd as her glorious lot. 
 
 Now, eager to difplay her light attire, 
 The fprightly Damfel fecks her fullen Sire ; 
 His gloomy brow with fportive air ihe kift : 360 
 
 Ah ! how could Spleen that magic lip refift ? 
 That voice, whofe melting mufic might afluage 
 The fcorpion Anger's felf- tormenting rage ? 
 For ne'er did Nature to a Sire's embrace 
 Prefent a filial form of fofter grace ; 3^5 
 
 G ^' 
 
[ 42 ] 
 Or Fancy view a fhape of lovelier kind 
 In the bright mirror of her Shakefpcare's mind. 
 
 The fulky Fiend, in fpiteof all her art, 
 Had now been banifh'd from the Father's heart, 
 But that, refolv'd her utmoft force t3 try, 370 
 
 She fummon'd to her aid her old ally, 
 TJie fiery Demon, temper-troubling Gout, 
 Who finks the lively, and appalls the ftout ; 
 Who now, aflifting Spleen's malignant aim. 
 Shoots in quick throbbings through Sir Gilbert's frame. 
 Thus forely pefter'd by a double foe, 376 
 
 Galling his giddy brain, and burning toe. 
 The tefty Knight, with ftcrn and fullen air, 
 Dcnounc'd his humour to the fhudd'ring Fair : 
 *' Go change your drefs ! give up this vain delight ! 3 So 
 •' I will not hear of Mafqueradcs to-night: 
 *' Your Chaperone's inform'd, fhe need not wait, 
 *' So change your drefs ! and fit with me fedate." 
 
 As the proud dame, v/hofe avaricious gleeM n I 
 
 Built golden cafiles in the rich South Sea, 385 
 
 7 Gaz'd 
 
C 43 3 
 
 Gaz'd on her Broker, when he told her firffc 
 Her wealth was vanifh'd, and the bubble burft •. 
 So gaz'd the Nymph, hearing her Sire deftroy 
 Her airy palace of ideal joy. 
 
 Firft her fond thoughts to flattering doubt incline, 390 
 And deem the harih command no fix'd defign. 
 But the quick fally of a peeviih word, 
 That Love revokes, the moment it is heard : 
 Or haply mirth, in mimic wrath expreft, 
 A feign'd forbiddance utter'd but in jeft ; 395 
 
 To this fhort hope her fmking fpirit clung. 
 To fee his foftening eyes refute his tongue. 
 Ah fruitlefs hope 1 for there fhe cannot find 
 The well-known fignals of the friendly mind. 
 Stern Contradidion, with the frown of Fate, 400 
 
 On his dark vifage reign'd in fullen ftate ; 
 Felt in each feature, in each accent fhewn, 
 Lower'd in his look, and thunder'd in his tone. 
 Hence the warm bofom of the lively Fair 
 Now fliivers with the chill of blank defpair : 4^5 
 
 G 2 Nov(f 
 
[ 4+ ] 
 Now Difappointment's thick'ning fKadows roH 
 A cloud of horror o'er the darken'd foul ; 
 And Fancy, in a fick delirium toft, 
 Gives double value to each pleafure loft. 
 The blafted joys, ftie labours to forget, 410 
 
 Rufh on her mind, and waken keen regret : 
 Her cheek turns pale — the tear prepares to ftart, 
 And palpitation heaves her fwelling heart. 
 But here, Sophrosyne ! thy guardian aid 
 Saves from her potent foe the finking Maid. 415 
 
 Her bofom, into ftrong emotions thrown, 
 Now feels the preflure of thy friendly Zone. 
 Swift thy kind cautions to her foul recur, 
 More quick to cancel faults, than prone to err. 
 As the rough fwell of the infurgent tides 420 
 
 By the mild impulfe of the Moon fubftdes : 
 So, by her myftic Monitor repreft. 
 The flood of pafTion leaves her lighten'd breaft, 
 From her clear brain each cloudy vapour flies, 
 And Joy's bright ray rekindles in her eyes. 425 
 
 1 Reviving 
 
[ 45 ] 
 
 Reviving Gaiety full luftre fpread 
 
 O'er all her features, and with fmiles (lie faid : 
 
 " Let others drive to Pleafure's diftant dome ! 
 
 « Be mine the dearer joy to pleafe at home !" 
 
 Scarce had fhe fpoke, when (he with fportive eafe 43© 
 
 Preft her Piano-forte's fav'rite keys, 
 
 O'er fofteft notes her rapid fingers ran, 
 
 Sweet prelude to the Air flie thus began I 
 
 SoPHROSYNE ! thou Guard unfeen ! 
 
 Whofe delicate controul 435 
 
 Can turn the difcord of Chagrin 
 
 To Harmony of Soul 1 
 Above the lyre, the lute above, 
 
 Be mine thy melting tone, 
 Which makes the peace of all we love 44© 
 
 The bafis of our own I 
 
 So 
 
 ■J • 
 •1 
 
r 46 ] 
 
 So Tung the Nymph, not uninfplr'd : the Sprite 
 Invok'd Co fondly in the myflic rite, 
 With richeft mulic fvvell'd her warbling throat, 
 And gave new fweetnefs to her fweeteft note. 445 
 
 As when the feraph Uriel firft begun 
 His carol to the new-created Sun, 
 The facred echo fliook the vaft profound. 
 And Chaos perifh'd at the potent found : 
 So, at the magic of Serena's ftrain, 450 
 
 Spleen vanifh'd from her Sire's chaotic brain ; 
 Whofe fibres, lighten'd of that load, rejoice 
 In the dear accents of her dulcet voice. 
 Much he inclines his mandate to recall, 
 And fend the Fair-one to the promis'd Ball ; . 455 
 
 But ftubborn Pride forbids him to revoke 
 The folemn fentcnce, which Ill-humour fpoke. 
 Still, confcious of her power, the Nymph prolongs 
 The foft enchantment of her foothing fongs ; 
 
 Which 
 
[ 47 ] 
 
 Which his fond mind in firm attention keep, 460 
 
 To his fixt hour of fupper and of fleep i 
 
 This now arriv'd, the Knight retiring, fhed 'J 
 
 A double blefling on his darling's head ; 
 
 And with unufual exultation preft 
 
 His lovely Child to his parental breaft. 465 
 
 Thus while to reft the happy Sire withdrew, 
 The Nymph, more happy, to her chamber flew ; 
 And, Jenny now difmifs'd, the grateful Fair 
 Breathes to her guardian Sprite this tender prayer : 
 " Thou kind Preferver ! whofe attentive zeal 470 
 
 " Gives me in this contented hour to feel 
 " That deareft pleafure of a foul refin'd, 
 " The triumph of the felf-corredled mind; 
 "■' If happy in the ftrength thy fmiles impart, 
 *' I own thy favour in no thanklefs heart, 475 
 
 *^' Still let me view thy form, fo juftly dear ! 
 " Still in kind Vifions to thefe eyes appear! 
 
 C.C 
 
 Thy 
 
C 48 ] 
 
 " Thy friendly didates teach me to fulfil 1 
 " And let thy aid avert each future ill !" 
 
 While fond Devotion taught her thus to fpeak, 4.80 
 The foft Down finks beneath her lovely cheek, 
 And fettling on her lips, that (weetly clofe, 
 Silence, enamoured, lulls her to repofc. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND CANTO. 
 
 CANTO 
 
C 49 ] 
 
 CANTO III. 
 
 X/E kind Tranfporters of the excurflve foul ! 
 
 Ye Vifions ! that, when Night enwraps the Pole, 
 The lively wanderer to new worlds convey, 
 Efcaping from her heavy hoiife of clay, 
 How could the gentle fpirit, foe to ftrifc, 5 
 
 Bear without you this coil of waking life ? 
 Its grief-embitter'd cares, its joylefs mirth, 
 And all the flat realities of earth ? 
 'Tis you, fweet Phantoms, who new powers infpire, 
 Who give to Beauty charms, to Fancy fire, 10 
 
 When, foaring like the eagle's kindred frame, 
 The Poet dreams of everlafting Fame ; 
 
 H Or, 
 
[ 5° ] 
 
 Or, tickled by the feather of the dove, 
 
 The fofter Virgin dreams of endlefs Love. 
 
 There was a time, when Fortune's bright decrees 15 
 
 Were feen to realize fuch dreams as thefe : 
 
 Now dangerous vifions the fond mind decoy 
 
 Vainly to hope for unexifting joy. 
 
 While Belles and Bards with mournful fighs exclaim. 
 
 Mortality has feiz'd both Love and Fame. 20 
 
 Ah fair Serena, might the boaft be ours 
 To clear from fuch a charge thefe heavenly Powers ! 
 Bleft ! might thy Bard deferve in Fame to fee 
 A guard as faithful, as Love proves to thee ! 
 Blefl: ! if that airy Being gild his life, 25; 
 
 Who fav'd thee tremblingr on the brink of ftrife. 
 And now, kind prompter of thy nightly dream, 
 Fill'd thy rapt fpirit with her facred beam ! 
 For fooa as Slumber fet thy foul at large, 
 Thy Guardian Power revifited her charge ; j© 
 
 And, lightly hovering o'er th' illumin'd bed. 
 Thus with fond fmiles of approbation faid :- 
 
 a " Well 
 
[ 5t 3 
 
 " Well haft thoii paft, fweet Maid, one trying fceue, 
 
 " One fiery ordeal of the tyrant Spleen : 
 
 " Thus, my Serena, may thy force fuftain 35 
 
 " Each harder trial, that may yet remain ! 
 
 " Againft the Fiend to fortify thy foul, 
 
 " By ufeful knowledge of her dark controulj 
 
 " I come to fhevv thee, what no mortal eye, 
 
 "Save thine, was e'er permitted to defcry ; 40 
 
 " The realms, where Spleen's infernal agents goad 
 
 " The ghoftly tenants of her drear abode. 
 
 " Now fummon all thy ftrength ! throw fear afide, 
 
 " And firmly truft in thy aetherial Guide !" 
 
 She fpoke: and thro' the Night's furrounding fhade 45 
 The obedient Nymph, not unappall'd, convey'd ; 
 Thro' long, long trads of darknefs, on they paft 
 With fpeed, that ftruck the trembling Maid aghaft, 
 Till now, recovering by degrees, fhe found 
 Her foft foot prefs upon the folid ground. 50 
 
 Encourag'd by her Guide, at length fhe tries 
 To fearch the gloomy fcene, with anxious eyes. 
 ^' H 2 " Thro' 
 
[ 52 ] 
 
 * " Thro' me ye pafs to Spleen's terrific dome : 
 Thro' me, to Difcontent's eternal home : 
 Thro' me, to thofe, who fadden'd human life, 55 
 
 By fuUen humour, or vexatious ftrife ; 
 And here, thro' fcenes of endlefs vapours hurrd, 
 Are punifh'd in the forms they plagued the world ; 
 Juftly they feel no joy, who none beftow, 
 All ye who enter, every hope forego I"' 60 
 
 O'er an arch'd cavern, rough with horrid ftone, 
 On which a feeble light, by flafhes, fhone, 
 Thefe charadlers, that chill'd her foul with dread, 
 Serena, fixt in filent wonder, read. 
 
 As fhe began to fpeak, her voice was drown'd 65 
 
 By the fhrill echo of far other found : 
 
 • Per me fi va nella citta ^olenre. 
 Per mc fi va ncll' eterno dolore. 
 Per me fi va tra la perduta gente, 
 
 Lafciate ogni fpcranza, voi ch' intrate. 
 Quefte parole di colore ofcuro 
 
 Vid' io fcrittc al fommo d'una porta. 
 
 Dante, Inferno. 3. 
 
 Forth 
 
[ 53 ] 
 
 Forth from the portal lamentable cries 
 
 Of wailing Infants, without number, rife, 
 
 Compaflion to this poor and piteous flock 
 
 Led the foft Maid ftill nearer to the rock. 7» 
 
 The pining band within fhe now efpied, 
 
 And, touch'd with tender indignation, cried, 
 
 '* How could thefe little forms, of life fo brief,, 
 
 " Deferve this dire abode o£ lafting grief?" 
 
 " — Well may thy gentle heart be fore concern'd 75 
 
 "At fight fo moving," the mild Sprite return'd : 
 
 " Thou feefl. in thofe, whofe wailings wound thy ears, 
 
 ** The puny progeny of modern Peers : : 
 
 *' Their Sires, by Avarice or Ambition led^ , 
 
 " Aliens to Love, approach'd the nuptial bed;. 8q, 
 
 ** With proud indifference, and with cold diftafte, 
 
 " Their homely brides reluctantly embrac'd, 
 
 ** And by fuch union gave difaftrous birth 
 
 ** To thefe poor pale incumbrances of earth, 
 
 ** Who, bred in Vanity, with Pride their dower, 85 
 
 ** Were Spleen's fure vidims from their natal hour, 
 
 " And 
 
[ 54 ] 
 
 ^' And in their fplendid cradles pul'd and pin'd, '■ 
 
 " Till Fate their ill-rpun thread of life un vvin"d, 
 
 " And to this veftibule convey'd tliei? ghofts, iioi'lljiqino ) 
 
 " To form the van-guard of th' infernal hofts. 90 
 
 *' But let not Pity's ineffedual charrni 
 
 " Imnede thy progrefs, or thy ftrength difarml j ^ufiA 
 
 " Follow and fear not ! guarded by my care, * 
 
 " From all the phantoms, that around thee glare." 
 
 . She fpoke ; and enter'd, ere the Nymph replied, 95 
 A pafs, that open'd in the cavern's fide, 
 Low, dark, and rocky— with her body bent^-j .; 
 Serena follow'd down the dire defcent. 
 A fudden light foon ftruck her dazzled view ; 
 But 'twas a light of fuch infernal hue, 100 
 
 As double horror to the darknefs gave, 
 With dread reflcdion from a dufky wave. — ---< --^'l V *» 
 Round a black water tatter'd fpedr- . dand, 1 yd hiiA »* 
 With each a tiny taper in its hand ;■ '.'" . » 
 
 Fierce Mendicants ! who ftrive foijiealms to win 105 
 From the fair Wanderer, with inceiTant din. _ --j;^ •• 
 1. The 
 
[ 55 ] 
 
 The Guardian Spirit faw Seren-^ grieve, 
 To hear of wants fhe knew not to relieve ; 
 And to the generous Nymph in pity cries : 
 " The gulph of Indolence b.: fore us lies, no 
 
 " O'er whofe dull flood, to which no bank is feen,. 
 " A boat muft waft thee to the dome of Spleen. 
 Thefe pallid figures, that around thee prefs. 
 And haunt thee with importunate diftrefs. 
 On earth were Beggars of each different clafs, 115 
 
 Tho' blended here in one promifcuous mafs. 
 * The Poor, who fpurn'd kind Induftry's controul, " 
 '' The Rich, who begg'd from penury of foul : 
 " Both by their abject pride alike debas'd, 
 ^' Blafphem'd that nature, which they both difgrac'd, 
 " And, hither by the fullen Fiend convey'd, 12 it 
 
 " Here ftill they ply their ineffedual trade ; 
 " In chafe of each new pafTenger they run, 
 *' Condemn'd to beg from all, to gain by none.. 
 ** But from thefe wretches turn thy fruitlefs care ! 125: 
 *^' Behold the gulph before thee, and beware! 
 
 cc 
 
 (.( 
 
 tc 
 
 C( 
 
 cc 
 
 << 
 
 Nor. 
 
[ 56 ] 
 
 " Nor touch the ftream, which mortal fenfe o'ercomes, 
 
 " And by its baleful charm the foul benumbs !" 
 
 " — Can mortal pafs ?" the fhudd'ring Nymph replied, 
 
 ** This fullen, flow, unnavigable tide, 130 
 
 " In whofe black current this enormous mound 
 
 ** Of {hapelefs ftone appears, this horrid bound, 
 
 " That feems an everlafting guard to keep 
 
 ** O'er the dull waters, that beneath it creep ?" 
 
 While yet (he fpoke, with a refounding fliock, 135 
 
 Forth from the arch of the impending rock, 
 Which o'er the murmuring eddy hung fo low, 
 The lazy river fcarce had room to flow. 
 Of rude conftrudion, and in roughefl: plight, 
 A boat now ifllied to Serena's fight ; 140 
 
 An empty boat, that flowly to the fliore 
 Advanc'd, without the aid of fail or oar ; 
 Self-mov'd it feem'd, but foon the Nymph beheld 
 A grifly figure, who the ftern impelFd. 
 Wading behind, the horrid Form appeared ; 14-5 
 
 Above the water his ftrong arm he rear'd, 
 And crofs the creeping flood the crazy veflel fl:eer'd. 
 
 S The 
 
t 57 ] 
 
 The heavenly Sprite obferv'd her trembling Ward, 
 
 Whofe growing fears the hideous pafs abhorr'd, 
 
 And cheering thus flie fpake : " This Spedre boafls ijo 
 
 *' The chief dominion of thefe dreary coafls : 
 
 " To him, thy Pilot, without dread confign, 
 
 " And place thy body in his bark fupine ! 
 
 " So thro' this arching rock thou'lt pafs alone, 
 
 " Safe from the perils of th' incumbent ftone : 155 
 
 " Embark undaunted ! — on the farther fide 
 
 *' Thou'lt furely find me thy unfailing Guide. 
 
 ** Nor let this Pilot raife thy groundlefs dread, 
 
 *' This fullen Charon of the froward dead, 
 
 *' A Phantom, never blefl: with human life, 160 
 
 " Tho' oft on earth his noxious power is rife ; 
 
 ** And in that region, ne'er from error free, 
 
 " The words he didates are afiio;n'd to me. 
 
 " Obferve this Fiend, that Nature fcorn'd to frame, 
 
 " Offspring of Pride, and Apathy his name I 165 
 
 " Pafilons he ne'er can feel, and ne'er impart, 
 
 " A mifcreated Imp, without a heart ; 
 
 I " In 
 
[ 58 ] 
 
 " In place of which, his fubtle parent pinn'd 
 
 " A bladder, fiU'd with circulating wind, 
 
 " Which feems with mimic life the mafs to warm, 170 
 
 *' And gives falfe vigour to his bloated form. 
 
 " But place thee in the boat, his arms dired, 
 
 '* My love fhall watch thee, and my power proted." 
 
 So fpakc the friendly Sprite ; th' obedient Maid 
 Her form along the narrow vcfTcl laid : 175: 
 
 But oh ! what terrors fhake her tender foul, 
 As from the fliore the bark begins to roll ; 
 And, fcver'd from her Friend, her eyes difcern 
 The fteering Spedrc wading at the ftern ! 
 Far ftronger fears her rcfolution melt, 180 
 
 Than thofe, which erfi: the B:ird of Florence felt, 
 When, by the honour'd fliade of Virgil led 
 Thro' 3II the dreary circles of the dead. 
 Hell's fierceft Demons threaten'd to divide 
 The living Poet from his fhadowy Guide ; 185 
 
 And bade him, friendlefs, and alone, return 
 Thro' the dire horrors of the dark fojourn. 
 
 2 
 
 Not 
 
[ 59 ]■ 
 
 Not long the lovely Fair one's terrors laft ; 
 
 For fafely thro' th' impending rock fhe paft: 
 
 And flow advancing to the gloomy ftrand, 1 90 
 
 The fullen Pilot brings her fafe to land. 
 
 There, fondly hovering on her guardian plumes, 
 
 The heavenly Monitor her charge refumes ; 
 
 And fmiling, leads along the rocky road, 
 
 Whofe windings open into Spleen's abode. 195 
 
 Thou Queen of Shades ! whofe fpirit-damping fpell 
 Too oft is feen the Poet's pride to quell. 
 When the fharp workings of unrelifli'd wit 
 Plunge thy pale vidim in a bilious fit ; 
 May I, unpunifli'd by thy fubtle power, 200 
 
 Dare to difplay thy fubterranean bower, 
 And to this wond'ring upper world explain 
 The fhadowy horrors of thy fecret reign ? 
 Enteringr beneath a wide fantaftic arch, 
 Round the drear circuit of the dome they march ; 205 
 Which a pale fla{h from many a fiery Sprite 
 Frequent illumes with intermitting light ; 
 
 I 2 Such, 
 
[ 60 ] 
 
 Such, as on earthy to Superflition's eye. 
 
 Denounces ruin from the northern fky, 
 
 While flie difcerns,. amid the nightly glare, 210 
 
 Armies embattled in the blazing air. 
 
 Around, the Nymph unnumber'd phantoms glide ; 
 Here fwell the bloated race of bulky Pride : 
 In clofe and horrid union, there appear 
 The wilder progeny of frantic Fear ; 215 
 
 Mif-fhapen monfters ! whofe ftupendous frame 
 Abhorrent Nature has refus'd to name.. 
 Here, in Canieleon colours, lightly flit 
 The motley offspring of diforder'd Wit. 
 All things prodigious the wide cave contain'd, 2 20> 
 
 And forms, beyond what Fable ever feign'd : 
 But, as the worm, that on the dewy green 
 Springs half to view, and half remains unfeen,^ 
 Perceiving near its cell a human tread. 
 Slinks back to earth, and hides its timid head : 22.5- 
 
 So, where the heavenly Spirit deign'd to lead. 
 The ftartled fpedrcs from her ftep recede ;_ 
 
 And, 
 
[ 6i ] 
 
 And, as abafli'd they from her eye retire, 
 Sink into mift, or melt in fluid fire. 
 
 High on an ebon throne, fuperbly wrought 230 
 
 With each fierce figure of fantaftic thought, 
 In a deep cove, where no bright beam intrudes, 
 O'er her black fchemes the fullen Emprefs broods. 
 The Shriek-Owl's mingled with the Raven's plume 
 Shed o'er her fnrrow'd brows an aweful gloom ; 235" 
 
 A garb, that glares with firipes of lurid flame, 
 Wraps in terrific pomp her haggard frame ; 
 Round her a Serpent, as her zone, is roU'd, 
 Which writhing, flings itfelf in every fold. 
 
 Near her pavilion, in barbaric ft.ate, 24.0 
 
 Four Mutes the mandates of their Queen await. 
 From fickly Fancy bred, by fullen Sloth, 
 Both parents' curfc, yet pamper'd flill by both, 
 Firfl: ftands Diftafe ; an hag of magic power, 
 Varying her frightful vifage every hour, 245 
 
 Her horrors heightening, as thofe changes laft. 
 And each new form more hideous than the paft. 
 
 Dctradlion 
 
[ 62 ] 
 
 Detradlion next, a fhapelefs Fiend, appears, 
 
 Whofe flirivell'd hand a mifty mirror rears ; 
 
 Fram'd by malignant Art, th' infernal toy 250 
 
 Inverts the lovely mien of fmiling Joy, 
 
 Robs rofeate Beauty of attractive Grace, 
 
 And gives a flepdame's frown to Nature's face. 
 
 The third in place, but with a fiercer air, 
 
 See the true Gorgon Difappointment glare! 255 
 
 By whofe petrific power Delight's o'erthrown ; 
 
 And Hope's warm heart becomes an icy ftone. 
 
 Laft, in a gorgeous robe, that, ill beftow'd, 
 
 Bows her mean body by its cumbrous load. 
 
 Stands fretful Difcontent, of Fiends the worft, 260 
 
 By dignity debas'd, by bleffings curft. 
 
 Who poifons Pleafure with the fourefl: leaven. 
 
 And makes a Hell of Love's extatic Heaven. 
 
 The Guide celcftial, near this ghaftly group, 
 Perceiv'd her tender Charge with terror droop : 265 
 
 *' Fear not, fvveet Maid," iTie cries, "my fteps purfuc ! 
 " Nor gaze too long on this infernal crew ! 
 
 *' Turn 
 
[ 63 ] 
 
 " Turn from Detraction's fafcinating glafs ! 
 
 " In lilence crofs the throne ! obferve, and pafs 1 
 
 "- Beyond this dome, the palace of the Queen, 270 
 
 " Her empire winds thro' many a dreary fcene, 
 
 " Where fhe torments, as their deferts require, 
 
 " Her various vidlims, that on earth expire ; 
 
 " Each clafs apart : for in a different cell 
 
 ^^ The Fierce, the Fretful, and the Sullen dwell : 275- 
 
 " Thefe £halt thou ilightly view, in vapours hurl'd, 
 
 " And fwiftly then regain thy native world. 
 
 " But firft remark, within that ample nich, 
 
 " With every quaint device of fplendor rich, 
 
 *' Yon Phantom, who, from vulgar eyes v/ithdrav/n, 280 
 
 " Appears to ftretch in one eternal yawn : 
 
 " Of empire here he holds the tottering helm, 
 
 " Prime Minifter in Spleen's difcordant realm, 
 
 " The pillar of her fpreading flate, and more, 
 
 " Her darling offspring, whom on earth fhe bore ; 285" 
 
 *' For, as on earth his wayward mother ftray'd, 
 
 *' Grandeur, with eyes of fire, her form furvey'd, 
 
 " An,-' 
 
[ 64 ] 
 
 And with ftrong paflion ftarting from his throne, 
 
 Unlooo'd the fullcn Queen's reludlant zone. 
 
 From his embrace, conceiv'd in moody joy, 290 
 
 Rofe the round image of a bloated boy : 
 
 His nurfe was Indolence ; his tutor Pomp, 
 
 Who kept the child from every childifli romp ; 
 
 They rear'd their nurfling to the bulk you fee, 
 
 And his proud parents calTd their imp Ennui. 295 
 
 This realm he rules, and in fuperb attire 
 
 Vifits each earthly palace of his Sire : 
 
 A thoufand fhapes he wears, now pert, now prim, 
 
 Purfues each grave conceit, or idle whim ; 
 
 In arms, in arts, in government engages, 300 
 
 With Monarchs, Poets, Politicians, Sages ; 
 
 But drops each work, the moment it's begun, 
 
 And, trying all things, can accomplifli none : 
 
 Yet o'er each rank, and age, and fex, his fway 
 
 Spreads iindifcern'd, and makes the world his prey. 
 
 The light Coquet, amid flirtation, Tighs, 306 
 
 To find him lurk m Pleafure's vain difguife ; 
 
 " And 
 
[ 6s ] 
 
 *' And the grave Nun difcovers, in her cell, * 
 
 " That holy water but augments his fpell. 
 • " As the ftrange monfter of the ferpent breed, 310 
 
 " That haunts, as travellers tell, the marfhy mead, 
 " Devours each nobler beaft, tho' firmly grown 
 " To fize and ftrength fuperior to his own ; — 
 " For on the grazing Horfe, or larger Bull, 
 " Subtly he fprings, of dark faliva full, 315 
 
 '^ With fwiftly-darting tongue his prey anoints 
 " With venom, potent to diffolve its joints, 
 " And, while its bulk in liquid poifon fwims, 
 *' Swallows its melting bone, and fluid limbs : — 
 *' So this Ennui, this wonder-working Elf, 320 
 
 " Can vanquifli powers far mightier than himfelf : 
 " Nor Wit nor" Science foar his reach above, 
 " And oft he feizes on fuccefsful Love. 
 *' Of all the radiant hoft who lend their aid 
 " To light mankind thro' life's bewildering fliade, 325 
 ** Bright Charity alone, with cloudlefs ray, 
 " May boaft exemption from his baleful fway : 
 
[ 66 3 
 
 ** Hafte then, fweet Nymph, nor let us longer, roam. 
 '' Round the drear circle of this dangerous dome ! 
 " Left e'en thy Guide, entangled in his fpell, 330 
 
 '* Should fail to guard thee from a Fiend fo fell !" 
 
 So fpeaking, the kind Spirit's anxious care 
 Led from the palace the attentive Fair, 
 And, winding thro' a paflage dark and rude, 
 Thus the mild Monitor her fpeech renew'd.: 335- 
 
 " 'Gainft Fear and Pity now thy bofom fteel,. 
 " For fio-hts more horrible I now reveal! 
 ** Spleen's tortur'd victims view with dauntlefs eyes ;-. 
 '* For lo ! her penal realms before thee rife. !" 
 The Nymph advancing faw, with mute amaze, 34O- 
 
 A difmal, deep, enormous dungeon blaze. 
 Stones of red fire the hideous wall compos'd ;, 
 And maflive gates the horrid confine clos'd. 
 Th' infernal Portrefs of this doleful dome, . 
 With fiery lips, that fwell'd with poifonous foam, 345 
 Pale Difcord, rag'd ; with whofe tormenting tongue, 
 Tnro' all its caves th' extenfive region rung :; 
 
 A living 
 
[ 67 ] 
 
 A living Vulture was the Fury's creft-; 
 
 And in her hand a Rattlefnake flie preft, 
 
 Whofe angry joints inceflantly were heard 3^0 
 
 To found defiance to the fcreaniing Bird. 
 
 ** The boundlefs depth of this dire prifon holds 
 " The untam'd fpirits of imperious Scolds : 
 " Nor think that Females only fill the cave ! 
 *' Male Termagants have liv'd, and here they rave. ^^^ 
 " All of each fex are pent within this pale, 
 " Who knew no ufe of language, but to rail." 
 Thus to her Charge exclaim'd the heavenly Guide, 
 And, as fhe fpoke, the portals open'd wide. 
 And to th' obfervance of the fhuddering Maid, 360 
 
 Th' immeafurabie den was all difplay'd. 
 But oh ! what various noifes from within 
 Fill the vext air with one ftupendous din I 
 Mourning's deep groan, and Anger's furious call, 
 Terror's loud cry, and Affedation's fquall, 365 
 
 The fob of Pailion, the Hyfteric fcream, 
 And fbrieks of Frenzy, in its fierce extreme I 
 
 K 2 In 
 
C 68 ] 
 
 In this wild uproar every found's combin'd, 
 
 Thatftu ns the fenfcs, and diftradls the mind, 
 
 *' Mark," (to the Nymph Sophrosyne began) 370 
 
 *' The fierce Xantippe flaming in the van, 
 
 *' The va-'fe, flie emptied on the Sage's head, 
 
 " Hang^'er her own, a difi^erent fhovver to flied ; 
 
 " For, drop by drop, diftilling liquid fire, 
 
 *' It fills the Vixen with new tropes of ire» 375 
 
 " Beyond the Grecian dame extend your view, 
 *' And mark the fpedre of a modern Shrew ! 
 " She, who whene'er fiie din'd, with furious look, 
 " Spurn'd her nice food, and bellow'd at her cook, 
 *'■ Here juftly feels a culinary rack,^ 380 
 
 *' Bound, like Ixion, to a whirling jack. 
 
 *' But lo the Tityus of this realm ! whofe hulk 
 ** Is ftretch'd fupine, and whofe enormous bulk 
 *' To fuch extent in this wide fcene is fpread,, 
 " Nine acres feem too narrow for his bed ! 385 
 
 " This form, was once (but many years are paft, 
 *' Sincf in his Civic furs he breath'd his laft) 
 
 7 " Lord 
 
(( 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
 [ 69 ] 
 
 " Lord Mayor of London ; his whole life one treat, 
 
 " And all his bufmefs but to rail and eat. 
 
 The circling group of Fifh, and Fowl, and Beads, 390 
 Once crown'd his table, and compos'd his feafts ; 
 For all the creatures (mark this ftrange event 1) 
 
 *' Which he devour'd with growling difcontent, 
 
 " O'er him their reunited limbs difplay, 
 
 " The grumbling Glutton's flelli they rend away, 395 > 
 
 " And find his fwelling form a never-failing prey. 
 
 " See ! where nine Bucks have gor'd his monftrous haunch, 
 
 " See ! fifty Turkies gobble on his paunch ! 
 
 *' O'er his broad fide twelve creeping Turtles fpread, 
 
 " And Fowls unnumber'd flutter round his head." 400 
 
 Serena gaz'd, but foon fbe turn'd away, 
 
 Sick with difguft, and fhuddering v/ith difma)^. 
 
 " To fcenes lefs hideous let us now repair !" 
 
 (Said the kind Guard of the deje£led Fair) 
 
 And, cheering her faint Charge, her ftep {he led 405 
 
 To the near dwelling of the fretful dead.- 
 
 0£ 
 
[ 70 ] 
 Of dufky adamant the dungeon rofe ; 
 A dino-y mirror its dark fides compofe, 
 Refle6ling, with a thoufand quaint grimaces, 
 The pale inhabitants' diilorted faces. 410 
 
 '' Here, like a Dame of Quality array'd, 
 ** Sits Peevifhnefs, preflding o'er the fhade, 
 " And frowning at her own uncomely mien, 
 " Whofe coarfe refledion on the wall is feen. 
 *' A fnarling Lap-dog her right-hand rcftrains, 415 
 
 *' Her lap an infant Porcupine contains, 
 *' Which, while her fondnefs tries its wrath to ftill, 
 " Wounds her each moment with a pointed quill. 
 " The froward Spirits here in durance fret, 
 *' Whofc tcfty life was one continued pet; 420 
 
 •" Here they in trifles that vexation find, 
 •" Which teaz'd on earth their irritated mind. 
 " Obferve the Phantom, who with eyes afkance 
 " Still to the mirror turns her eager glance ! 
 *' While on her check, at every anxious turn, 425 
 
 •*' Blullies of new niortificdtion burn. 
 
 3 " Beauty 
 
[ 71 ] 
 
 " Beauty for laftino: blifs had formM the Maid ; 
 " Love to her charms his faithful homage paid ; 
 " But, all this fvvelling tide of joy to check, 
 " A fatal Freckle rifes on her neck : 430 
 
 ** Her foft cofmetics the vext Nymph applies, 
 " Succefs attends her, and the Freckle dies : 
 " But ah ! this vidlory avails her not ; 
 '* She finds an Hydra in the teazing fpot :. 
 " Fail as one flies, another ftill fucceeds,. 435 
 
 " And with eternal food her fretful humour feeds. - 
 " Near to the Nymph, in a more moody fit,. 
 
 " See the pale Phantom of a peevifh Wit ! 
 
 " Mark with what frowns his eager eyes perufe, 
 
 " Wet from the prefs, three Critical Reviews ! 440 
 
 " With wounded Vanity's diftrading rage 
 
 " How rapidly he runs thro' every page ! 
 
 *' He finds fome honours lavifh'd on his Verfe, 
 
 " And Joy's faint gleams his gloomy fpirit pierce. 
 
 " But oh 1 too foon thefe feeble fparks decay ; 445 
 
 " And keen Vexation reaffumes her prey. 
 
 << Hating 
 
[ 72 ] 
 
 " Hatiug reproof, in every fibre fore, 
 
 *' One cenfur'd particle torments him more, 
 
 " More than a hundred happier lines delight, 
 
 " Which liberal favour condcfcends to cite. 450 
 
 " But time will fail us, if we paufe to view 
 '* The various torments of the tefty crew ; 
 ** Thefe wretched chymifts, vvhofe o'erheated brain 
 *' Extracts from nothing a fubftantial pain. 
 " Yet, ere to different diftricls we advance, 455 
 
 *' Take of one fretful tribe a tranfient glance ! 
 " Their unfufpedcd punifhments fupply 
 *' A lefTon, ufeful to the Female eye. 
 " Spleen's livelicfl: agent here beguiles the gay, 
 " Fair to attrad, and flattering to betray." 460 
 
 As thus the kind a^therial Guardian fpoke, 
 Within a rock, whence plaintive murmurs broke. 
 She touch'd a fecret fpring, whofe p6wer was fuch, 
 Two jarring doors unfolded at the touch, 
 And, with the charms of regal fplendor bright, 465 
 
 A chearful banquet fparkles to the fight. 
 
 Viands 
 
[ 73 3 
 
 Viands fo light, fo elegantly grac'd, 
 
 Might tempt e'en Temperance herfelf to tafte ; 
 
 For Fruits, alone compos'd th' inticing treat, 
 
 Fair to the eye, and to the palate fweet. 470 
 
 In fuch bright juice the Peach and Cherry fvvim. 
 
 As make the Topaz and the Ruby dim. 
 
 Here crown'd with every flower, and gaily drcft 
 
 In all the glitter of a Gallic veft, 
 
 Whofe ample folds her loathfome body fcreen'd, 475 
 
 A child of Luxury reigns, a fubtle Fiend I 
 
 Who, with a grace that every heart allures, 
 
 Smiles on the luflre of her rich liqueurs. 
 
 Her fatal fmiles their utmoft power exert 
 
 To poifon Beauty at her dire deflert ; 480 
 
 To blaft the rofe that Health's bright cheek adorns, 
 
 And fill each feftive heart with latent thorns : 
 
 For the fly Fiend, of every art pofTefl:, 
 
 Steals on th' afFedion of her Female guefl ; 
 
 And, by her foft addrefs feducing each, 485 
 
 Eager fhe plies them with a Brandy Peaeh ; 
 
 L They 
 
[ 74 ] 
 
 They with keen lip the lufcious fruit devour ; 
 
 But fwiftly feel its peace-deftroying power. 
 
 Quick thro' each vein new tidies of frenzy roll : 
 
 All evil pafllons kindle in the foul,. 49a 
 
 Drive from each feature every chearful grace, 
 
 And glare ferocious in the fallow face ; 
 
 The wounded nerves in furious conflidl tear, 
 
 Then fink, in blank dejedion and defpair. 
 
 Effedls more dire, thus tempting to deceive, 49^ 
 
 The Apple wrought not in the foul of Eve 5, 
 
 Howe'er difguis'd, in Jelly or in Jam, 
 
 Spleen has no poifon furer than a Dram. 
 
 " But hafte we now," (the heavenly Leader cries) 
 " To where this penal world's laft wonder lies !" 500; 
 She fpoke ; and led the Nymph thro' deeper dells,. 
 Low-murmuring vaults, and horror-breathing cells*. 
 And now they pafs a perforated cage, 
 Where rancorous Sped:res without number rage. 
 " Avert thine eye !" (the heavenly Spirit faid) 50.5; 
 
 " Nor view thefe abjed; tribes of envious dead ! 
 
 I " Who 
 
[ 75 3 
 
 " Who pin'd to hear the voice of Truth proclaim 
 
 " A Sifter's beauty, or a Brother's fame ! 
 
 " Tho' crown'd with all Profperity imparts, 
 
 " High in their various ranks, and feveral arts ; 510 
 
 " Yet, meanly funk by Envy's bafe controul, 
 
 " They died in that confumption of the foul ; 
 
 " And here, thro' bars that twifted Adders make, 
 
 " And the long volumes of th' envenom'd Snake, 
 
 " O'er this dark road they dart an anxious eye, 515 
 
 " Still envying every Fiend, that flutters by. 
 
 " Pafs ! and regard them not !" — Th' attentive Maid 
 
 In fllent tremor the beheft obey'd. 
 
 This dungeon croft, her weary feet fhe drags 
 Thro' winding caverns, and o'er icy crags : 520 
 
 Soul-chilling damps in the dark pafTage reign, 
 Which iifues on a vaft and dreary plain, 
 Fann'd by no breezes, v.'ith no verdure crown'd ; 
 The black horizon is its only bound. 
 
 And now advancing, in a drizzly mift, 525 
 
 Thro' fuUen Phantoms, hating to exift, 
 
 L 2 Serena 
 
t 76 ] 
 
 Sejiena fpies, high o'er his fubjedts plac'd, 
 
 The ghaftly Tyrant of the gloomy wafte. 
 
 Murmuring he iits upon a rocking ftone, 
 
 Th' unftable bafe of his ill-founded throne : 530 
 
 Hideous his face, and horrible his frame, 
 
 Milanthropy the grifly Monfter's name ! 
 
 Him to fierce Pride, with raging paflion fore^ 
 
 The frowning Gorgon, Difappointment, bore ; 
 
 On earth detefted, and by heaven abhorr'd, 535 
 
 Of this drear wild he reigns the moody lord» 
 
 Few are the fubje(5ls of his wafte domain, 
 
 And fcarce a Female in his frightful train ;. 
 
 Except one changing corps of ancient Prudes : 
 
 Reludant here the prying band intrudes. 540^ 
 
 Each, who on earth, behind her artful fan, 
 
 Feign'd coarfe averfion to the creature Man, 
 
 Is doom'd, in this dark region, to abide 
 
 Some tranfient pains for hypocritic pride. 
 
 Here ever-during chains thofe Scoffers bind, 545 
 
 Whofe writings deaden and debafe the mind ; 
 
 9 Who 
 
C 77 .1 
 
 Who mock Creation with injurious fcorn, 
 And feel a fancied void in Plenty's horn. 
 
 In his right hand, an emblem of his cares, 
 A branch of Aconite the Monarch bears ; 550 
 
 And thofe four Phantoms, who this region hauntj. 
 He feeds with berries from this deadly plant ;. 
 For, ftrange to tell ! tho' fever'd from its root,. 
 The bough ft ill blackens with fucceftive fruit. 
 The tribes, who tafte it, burft into a fit 555 
 
 Of raving mockery and rancorous wit; 
 And, pleas'd their Tyrant's ghaftly fmile to court. 
 By vile diftortions make him various fport. 
 The frantic rabble, who his fway confefs. 
 Before his throne an hideous Puppet drefs;. 560 
 
 When in unfeemly rags they have array'd; 
 The image, from their owah dark femblance made,, 
 In horrid gambols round their work they throng, 
 With antic dance and rude difcordant fong j. 
 Satire's rank offals on the block they fling, 565 
 
 And call it Nature, to delight their King : 
 
 While 
 
[ 78 ] 
 While in their features he exults to fee 
 The frowns of Torture, mixt with grins of Glee. 
 For, as thefe abjed; toils engage the crew. 
 Their own grim idol darkens to their view ^ 57O 
 
 Wide and more wide its horrid ftature fpreads, 
 And o'er. the tribe new confternation fheds : 
 For each forgets, in his bewilder'd gaze, 
 'Tis but a Monfter, which he hclp'd to raife. 
 As o'er its form their dizzy glances roll, 575 
 
 It ftrikes a chearlefs damp thro' all the foul. 
 Vainly to fhun the baleful fight they try, 
 It draws for ever the reludant eye : 
 At each review with deeper dread they ftarC ; 
 A colder chaos numbs each freezing heart. 580 
 
 No mutual confidence, no friendly care, 
 Relieves the panic they are doom'd to bear ; 
 For as they flirink abforb'd in wild affright, 
 When each to each inclines his wounded fight. 
 They feel, for focial comfort, four difguft, 585 
 
 And all the fuUen anguifh of diflruft. 
 
 (( 
 
 Now 
 
[ 79 ] 
 
 ** Now mark, Serena !" (the mild Guide began} 
 " The proudeft Phantom of the gloomy clan,. 
 " Appointed, by this furly Monarch's grace, 
 " High-priefl: of all his Mifanthropic race 1 590 
 
 *' See o'er the crowd a throne of vapours lift 
 " That ftrange and motley form,, the fhade of Swift I 
 " Now flialt thou view" (the guardian Sprite purfues) 
 " His horrid pennance, that each day renews : 
 " Perchance its terrors may o'erwhelm thy fenfe, 595 
 " But truft my care to bear thee fafely hence !" 
 As thus ilie fpoke, above the gazing throng, 
 High in a failing cloud the Spedre fwept along. 
 Vain of his power, of elocution proud, 
 In niyftic language he harangu'd the crowd ; 600 
 
 The bounds he mark'd, with meafure fo precife. 
 Of Equine virtue, and of Human vice, 
 That, curfing Nature's gifts, without remorfe,. 
 Each fullen hearer wifh'd himfelf a Horfe. 
 Pleas'd. with the pure efFed his fermon wrought,. 605 
 Th' ambitious Prieft a rich Tiara caught, 
 
 Which, 
 
[ 80 ] 
 
 Which, hovering o'er his high-afpiring head, 
 
 Sarcaftic Humour dangled by a thread. 
 
 The rich Tiara, for his temples fit, 
 
 Blaz'd with each polifh'd gem of brilliant wit; 6io 
 
 And Iharp-tac'd Irony, his darling Sprite, 
 
 Who rais'd her patron to this giddy height, 
 
 Faft on his brow the dangerous honour bound, 1 
 
 But, in the moment that her Prieft was crown'd, y 
 
 I 
 
 Plis airy throne difTolv'd, and thunder rent the ground. J 
 Forth from the yawning earth, with lightning's fpeed, 6i6 
 Sprung the fierce phantom of a fiery Steed, 
 Spurring his fides, whence bloody poifon flow'd. 
 The ghaftly-grinning Fiend, Derifion, rode. 
 In her right-hand a horrid whip fhe fhakes, 620 
 
 Whofe founding lafli was form'd of knotted fnakes : 
 An uncouth bugle her left-hand dilplay'd. 
 From a grey monkey's fkull by Malice made ; 
 As her difiorted lips this whiftle blew. 
 Forth rufii'd the Spedre of a wild Yahoo, 625 
 
 See 
 
[ 8' ] 
 
 See the poor Wit in hafty terror ipring, 
 
 And fly for fuccour to his grifly King ! 
 
 In vain his piercing cries that fuccour court : 
 
 The grifly King enjoys the cruel fport. 
 
 Behold the fierce Yahoo, her vidim caught, 630 
 
 Drive her fharp talons thro' the feat of thought ! 
 
 That copious fountain, vi^hich too well fupplied 
 
 Perverted Ridicule's malignant tide. 
 
 Quick from her fteed the grinning Fiend defcends. 
 
 From the pierc'd fkull the fpleenful brain fhe rends, 635 
 
 To black Mifanthropy, her ghaftly King, 
 
 See the keen Hag this horrid prefent bring I 
 
 Her daily gift ! for, as each day arrives. 
 
 Her deftin'd vidlim for new death revives. 
 
 The Huntrefs now, this direft pageant pafl, 640 
 
 On her wild bugle blew fo dread a blaft. 
 
 The fharp found pierc'd thro' all the depths of Hell ; ^ 
 
 I 
 
 The Fiends all anfwer'd in one hideous yell, > 
 
 And in a fearful trance the foft Serena fell, J 
 
 Hence from the lovely Nymph her fenfes fled, 645 
 Till, thro' the parted curtains of her bed, 
 
 M The 
 
[ 82 ] 
 
 The amorous Sun, who now began to rife, 
 Kifl:, with a fportive beam, her opening eyes *. 
 
 END OF THE THIRD CANTO. 
 
 * The opinion cf fome refpe6lable Critics had almoft led me to change the 
 clofe of this Canto, as containing too fevere a cenfiire on one of the great 
 writers, who have done moft honour to our language. And indeed, when I 
 rtflefi: on the ininnitable talents, the public fpirit, and the charitable inftitu- 
 tions of Swift, I am almoft ready to addrefs his Spirit with this humiliating 
 apoftrophc : 
 
 " I confefs that I liave done thee wrong."— 
 
 But a fuperior attention to the intereft of fociety inclines me to perfevere in a; 
 very different fentiment, and Hill to think, that no talents, no virtues in a 
 writer, can properly exempt even the moft brilliant work from fevere repre- 
 henfion, when, inftead of improving, it has an evident tendency to debafe 
 and vilify human nature — a tendency, that I confider as moft evident in: 
 the compofition to which I have alluded: — if lam wrong in this idea, I may 
 yet fheltcr myfelf under the authority of two moft honourable names — amoral 
 Poet of a generous and exalted fpirit, and a learned Critic of infinite candour 
 and difcernment. — In Young's EfTay on Original Compofition, and in the 
 pofthumous work juft bequeathed to the public by the lamented Mr. Harris, 
 the mifanthropy of Swift is moft v/aimly cenfured. The words of the latter 
 arc \o ftriklng and appofite, that I cannot wifli for a ftronger juftification. 
 " Mifanthropy is fo dangerous a thing, and goes fo far in fapping the very 
 foundations of Morality and Religion, that I efteem the laft part of Swift's 
 Gulliver (that I mean relative to his Houyhnhnms and Yahoos) to be a worfe; 
 book to perufe, than thofe which we forbid, as the moft flagitious and obfcene. 
 One abfurdity in this Author (a wretched Philofopher though a great WitX 
 is well worth remarking — in order to render the nature of Man odious, and 
 the nature of Beaft's amiable, he is compelled to give human charaffers to 
 his Bcafts, and beaftly charafters to his Men; fo that we are to admire the 
 Beafts, not for being Beafts, but amiable Men j and to deteft the Men, not for. 
 being Men, but deteftable Beafts." 
 
 Harris's Philological Enquiries, vol. ii. page 538. 
 
 a CANTO 
 
f 83 ] 
 
 CANTO IV. 
 
 AIL, thou enlighten'd Globe of human joy ! 
 Where focial cares the foften'd heart employ : 
 What cheering rays of vital comfort roll 
 In thy bright regions o'er the refcued foul, 
 Which, 'fcaping from the dark domain of Spleen, 5 
 
 Springs with new warmth to thy attradive fcene ! 
 Once more I blefs thy pleafure-breathing gale, 
 And gaze enchanted on thy flowery vale, 
 Where fmiling Innocence, and ardent Youth, 
 Sport hand in hand with Beauty and with Truth. 10 
 
 Sport on, fweet revellers ! in rofy bowers, 
 Safe from th' intrufion of all evil Powers 1 
 Ah fruitlefs widi of the benignant Mufe, 
 Which to this chequer'd world the Fates refufe ! 
 For round its precinfts many an ugly Sprite 15 
 
 Speeds undifcern'd to poifon pure delight t 
 
 ^l 2 Amidft 
 
[ 8+ ] 
 
 Amidll the foremoft of this haggard band, 
 
 Unwearied pofter of the fea and land, 
 
 Wrapt in dark mifts, malignant Scandal flies, 
 
 While Envy's poifon'd breath the buoyant gale fupplies.- 
 
 Tho' Sheridan, with fhafts of comic wit, 2t 
 
 Pierc'd, and expos'd her to the laughing Pit, 
 
 Th' immortal Hag ftill wears her paper crown, 
 
 The dreaded Emprefs of the idle Town : 
 
 O'erleaping her prerogative of old,. 2i 
 
 To fink the noble, to defame the bold ; — 
 
 In chace of Worth to flip the dogs of Strife,. 
 
 Thro' all the ample range of public life ; — 
 
 The Tyrant now, that fandtuary burft 
 
 Where Happinefs by Privacy is nurftj ^Q 
 
 Her fury rifing as her powers encreale,, 
 
 O'erturns the altars of domeftic Peace, 
 
 Pleas'd in her dark and gall-<liftilling cloud' 
 
 The fportive form of Innocence to fhroud. 
 
 Beauty's young train her baleful eyes furvey, 3^ 
 
 To mark the faireft, as her favourite prey^ 
 
 Hence, 
 
[ 85 ] 
 
 Hence, fweet Serena, while thy fpirit ftray'd 
 
 Round the deep realms of fubterraneaii fhade,. 
 
 This keeneft agent of th' infernal Powers 
 
 On earth was bufied in thofe tranquil hours, 40 
 
 To blaft thy peace, and poifon'd darts to aim 
 
 Againft the honour of thy fpotlefs name : 
 
 For Scandal, reftlefs Fiend, who never knows 
 
 The balmy bleffing of an hour's repofe, 
 
 Worn, yet unfated with her daily toil,- 4- 
 
 In her bafe work confumes the midnight oil. 
 
 O'er fiercer Fiends when heavy {lumbers creep. 
 
 When wearied Avarice and Ambition fleep, 
 
 Scandal is vigilant, and keen to fpread 
 
 The plagues that fpring from her prolific head. 5c 
 
 On Truth's fair bafis {he her falfehood builds, 
 
 With tinfel fentiment its furface ailds : 
 
 To nightly labour from their dark abodes 
 
 The Demons of the groaning Prefs {he goads. 
 
 And fmiles to fee their rapid art fupply 
 
 Ten thoufand wings to every infant lye.. 
 
 5$ 
 
 In 
 
[ 86 ] 
 
 111 triumph now behold the Hag applaud 
 Her keen and fav'rite Imp, ingenious Fraud, 
 Her quick Compofitor, whofe flying hand 
 Has clos'd the paragraph {he keenly plann'd. 60 
 
 No Nymph Hie nam'd, yet mark'd her vile intent, 
 That Dullnefs could not mifs the name fhe meant : 
 In Satire's tints the injured Fair flic drew. 
 In form an Angel, but in foul a few. 
 
 It chanc'd her Sire among his friends inroU'd 65 
 
 A wealthy Senator, infirm and old 5 
 
 Who, dup'd too early by a generous heart, 
 
 Raflily aflum'd a Mifanthropic part : 
 
 Tho' peevifh fancies would his mind incruft. 
 
 Good-nature's image lurk'd beneath their ruft ; 70 
 
 And gay Serena, with that fportive wit 
 
 Which heals the folly that it deigns to hit. 
 
 Would oft the ficknefs of his foul beguile. 
 
 And teach the fullen humorift to fmile ; 
 
 Pleas'd by her virtuous frolics to affuage '75 
 
 The mental anguilli of diftemper'd age. 
 
 This 
 
[ 87 ] 
 
 This ancient friend, in a farcaftic fketcB, 
 
 Was mark'd by Scandal as a monied wretch, 
 
 For whom the young, yet mercenary Fair 
 
 Had fubtly fpread a matrimonial fnare. 
 
 With fuch bafe matter, more difFufely wrought, 
 
 The fpirit-piercing paragraph was fraught, 
 
 O'er which with glee the eye of Scandal glar'd, 
 
 Which for the opening Prefs herfelf prepar'd -, 
 
 She on the types her inky wad let fall, 
 
 And fmear'd each letter with her bittereft gall ; 
 
 The Prefs, whofe ready gripe the charge receives, 
 
 Stamps it fucceffive on ten thoufand leaves, 
 
 Which pil'd in heaps impatient feem to lie. 
 
 They only wait the dawn of day to fly.. 9' 
 
 Now, as the trembling child, which long has lai4. 
 Mute in the dark, and of itfelf afraid. 
 When, haply confcious of the pain it feels, 
 The watchful mother to its pillow fteals, 
 Springs to her bread, and fiiakes off all alarms, 95 
 
 Feelino- its fafety in her foftering arms. 
 
 With 
 
[ 88 ] 
 
 With fuch quick jpy, in innocence as young. 
 
 The foft Serena from her pillow fprung, 
 
 Tleas'd to awake from her terrific dream, 
 
 And feel the chearful Sun's returning beam. lOO 
 
 Eager (lie rofe, in bufy thought, nor ftaid 
 
 The wonted fummons of her pundual Maid, 
 
 And as her own fair hands adjuft her veft. 
 
 The guardian Cindlure flutters on her breaft ; 
 
 For fondly, when flie wak'd, or when fhe llept, 105 
 
 Still round her heart th' important Zone fhe kept. 
 
 Thou happy Girdle ! to thy charge be juft ! 
 
 Firm be thy threads, and faithful to their truft; 
 
 For hours approach, when all the ftores they hide 
 
 Of magic virtue, muft be ftrongly tried ! — no 
 
 Now, while her kind domeftic heart intends 
 
 To pleafe her early Sire, the Nymph defcends ; 
 
 But fleep, who left the Fair with fudden flight, 
 
 With late wings hover'd o'er the good old Knight ; 
 
 And the chill circle of the lone faloon 115 
 
 Informs the fliiv'ring Maid flie rofe too foon. 
 
 'Tis 
 
[ 89 ] 
 
 'Tis true, attentive John's unfailing care 
 
 Began the rites of breakfaft to prepare ; 
 
 But yet no fires on the cold altar burn, 
 
 No fmoke arifes from the filver urn, 120 
 
 And the blank tea-board, where no viands lay, 
 
 Only fupplied the Paper of the day. 
 
 Tho' mild Serena's peace-devoted mind 
 The keen debate of politics declin'd. 
 
 And heard with cold contempt, or generous hate, 125 
 The frauds of Party and the lies of State ; 
 Nor car'd much more for Fafhion's loofe intrigues, 
 Than faaious bickerings, or foreign leagues ; 
 Yet, while fhe faunters idle and alone. 
 Her carelefs eyes are on the Paper thrown. 130 
 
 As fome gay Youth, whom fportive friends engage 
 To view the furious Ourang in his cage, 
 If while amus'd he fees the monfter 'grin. 
 And trufts too carelefs to the bolts within. 
 If the fly Beaft, as near the grate he draws, 135 
 
 Tear him unguarded with projeded paws, 
 
 N Starts 
 
[ 9° ] 
 
 Starts at the wound, and feels his bofom thrill 
 
 With pain and wonder at the fudden ill : 
 
 So did Serena ftart, fo wildly gaze, 
 
 In fuch mixt pangs of anguifK and amaze, 140 
 
 Feeling the wound which Scandal had defign'd 
 
 To lacerate her mild and modeft mind. 
 
 Startled, as one who from eledlric wire 
 
 Unheeding catches unfufpecled fire, 
 
 She reads, then almoft doubts that fhe has read, 145 
 
 And thinks fome vifion hovers round her head. 
 
 Now, her fixt eye fome ftriking words confine. 
 
 And now fhe darts it thrice thro' every line ; 
 
 Nor could Amazement more her fenfes fhake, 
 
 Had every letter been a Gorgon's fnake. 150 
 
 Now rifing Indignation takes its turn. 
 
 And her flufh'd cheeks with tingling bluflies burn, 
 
 With refticfs motion and with many a frown, 
 
 Thro' the wide room fhe paces up and down : 
 
 Now, mufing, makes a momentary ftand, 155 
 
 The fatal Paper fluttering in her hand. 
 
 So 
 
[ 9' ] 
 
 So the fliy Bird, by cruel fportfmen fprung, 
 
 And by their random fire feverely ftung, 
 
 Scar'd, not difabled, by the diftant wound, 
 
 Now trembling flies, now fkims along the ground, i6o 
 
 Now vainly tries, in fome fequefler'd fpot. 
 
 From her gor'd breafl: to fliake the galling fliot. 
 
 Ye tender Nymphs I whofe kindling fouls would flame, 
 Touch'd, like Serena's, by injurious blame, 
 O let your quick and kindred fpirits form 165 
 
 A vivid pidure of the mental ilorm . 
 In which flie labour'd, and whofe force to paint 
 The Mufe's flirongeft tints appear too faint ; 
 In fympathetic thought her fuffering fee ! 
 But O, for ever from fuch wrongs be free I 170 
 
 Her faithful Girdle try'd its power to fave, 
 And oft a monitory impulfe gave j 
 Still unregarded, fl^ill unfelt, it prefl: 
 With ufelefs energy her heaving breafl. 
 Her mind, forgetful of the magic Zone, 175 
 
 Full of the burning fliaft by Scandal thrown, 
 
 N 2 With 
 
[ 92 ] 
 
 With blended notes of forrow and difdain, 
 
 Thus in diforder'd language vents its pain : — 
 
 " Had Malice dar'd my honour to defame, 
 
 " The fclf-refuted lie, had loft its aim : i8o 
 
 " But here the world, deceiv'd by fland'rous art, 
 
 " Muft think Serena has a venal heart." 
 
 A venal heart ! at that detefted found, 
 
 In fwellino; anQ-uifh her funk voice was drown'd. 
 
 Now was a fearful crifis of her fate :• 18-5- 
 
 Diftended now by Paflion's growing weight. 
 
 And for rts Miftrefs fill'd with confcious dread, 
 
 The magic Girdle crack'd thro' every thread. 
 
 And fnapp'd perchance by Scandal's force accurft. 
 
 From her lull heart the guardian Zone had burft, 190. 
 
 And, fpite of all the virtues of the Fair, 
 
 The fpell of Happinefs had funk in air. 
 
 But that SoPHROsYNE, whofe friendly feac 
 
 Timely forefaw this trial too fevere. 
 
 An early fuccour gain'd from fecret Love,. 195 
 
 From the fell Kite to fnatch the fidling Dove. 
 
 I As 
 
[ 93 ] 
 
 As Nature ftudies, in her wide domain, 
 To blend fome antidote with every bane ; 
 Thus her kind aid the friendly Power contriv'd, 
 That, from the quarter whence the wound arriv'd, 200 
 There flow'd, the anguifh of that wound to calm, 
 A foothing, fott, and medicinal balm. 
 As in her agitated hand the Fair 
 Wav'd the loofe Paper with diforder'd air. 
 In capitals flie faw Serena flame : 205 
 
 She blufh'd, £he fliudder'd, as ihe view'd the name ; 
 Her ready fears fubfide in new furprize. 
 And eager thus flie reads with lighten'd eyes : — . • 
 
 *' Go, faithful Sonnet, to Serena fay 
 
 " What charms peculiar in her features reign : 210 
 " A ftranger, whom her glance may ne'er furvey, 
 
 " Pays her this tribute in no flattering ftrain,. 
 " Tell her, the Bard, in Beauty's ample reign, 
 
 " Has feen a virgin cheek as richly glow,. 
 
 " A 
 
£ 94 ] 
 
 *' A bofom, where the blue meandring vein 215 
 
 *' Sheds as foft luftre thro' the lucid fnow, 
 
 *' Eyes, that as brightly flafli with joy and youth, 
 " And locks, that like her own luxuriant flow : 
 
 " Then fay, for then flie cannot doubt thy truth, 
 *' That the wide earth no Female form can fliew 220 
 
 *' Where Nature's legend fo diftindtly tells, 
 
 " In this fair flirine a fairer fpirit dwells." 
 
 With curious wonder the reviving Maid 
 
 View'd this fond homage to her beauty paid ; 
 
 A fecond glance o'er every line £he caft, 225 
 
 And half pronounc'd and half fupprefs'd the laft, 
 
 While modeft Pleafure, and ingenuous Pride, 
 
 Her burning cheek with deeper crimfon dy'd. 
 
 O Praife ! thy language was by Heaven defign'd 
 As manna to the faint bewilder'd mind : 230 
 
 Beauty and Diffidence, whofe hearts rejoice 
 In the kind comfort of thy cheering voice, 
 
 5 In 
 
[ 95 ] 
 
 In this wild wood of life, wert thou not nigh, 
 
 Muft, like the wandering Babes, lie down and die : 
 
 But thy fweet accents wake new vital powers, 235 
 
 And make this thorny path a path of flowers : 
 
 As oil on Ocean's troubled waters fpread, 
 
 Smooths the rough billow to a level bed. 
 
 The foothing Rhyme thus foften'd into reft 
 
 The painful tumult of Serena's breaft. 240 
 
 Now, to herfelf reftor'd, the confcious Maid 
 The lurking Fiend's infidious fnare furvey'd j 
 Her nerves, with grateful trepidation, own 
 A flighter preflure from the faithful Zone ; 
 And in fond thought fhe breathes a thankful prayer 245 
 For her stherial Guardian's conftant care ; 
 Yet with a keen deiire her bofom glow'd, 
 To hear from whom the gentle Sonnet flow'd ; 
 But kind Sophrosyne, who watch'd unfeen, 
 To fliield her votary from the wiles of Spleen, 250 
 
 As friendly Love had fixt a future time, 
 When to reveal the fecret of the Rhyme, 
 
 Strove 
 
[ 96 ] 
 
 Strove till that hour her fancy to reftrain, 
 Nor let her anxious wifhes rife to pain. 
 
 As Gaiety's frelli tide began to roll, 255 
 
 Fafl in the Iweliing channel of her foul, 
 The good old Knight defcends, tho' eager, flow, 
 The Gout ftill tingling in his tender toe ; 
 And now, paternal falutations paft, 
 
 His eyes he keenly on the Paper caft, 260 
 
 While his fv/cct Daughter, with attentive grace, 
 Before him flies his ready cup to place ; 
 For Tea and Politics alternate fhare, 
 In friendly rivalfliip, his morning care. 
 Tho' fmooth as oil the Knight's good-humour flows, 265 
 When the mild breeze of pleafant fortune blows. 
 Yet, quick to catch the cafual fparks of ire. 
 Like oil it kindles into mounting fire ; 
 And fiercely now his flaming fpirit blaz'd, 
 While on thofe galling words he wildly gaz'd, 270 
 
 Whofe force had almoft work'd into a ftorm 
 The gentler elements in Beauty's form. 
 
 As 
 
C 97 ] 
 
 As the farcaftic fentence caught his view, 
 
 Back from the board his elbow-chair he drev/, 
 
 And, hy fharp flings of fudden fury prick'd, 275 
 
 Far from his foot his gouty ftool he kick'd. 
 
 Fierce as Achilles, by Atrides ftung, 
 
 He pour'd the ftream of vengeance from his tongue. 
 
 But ah, thofe angry threats he deign'd to fpeak, 
 
 Had founds, alas! far differing from the Greek. 280 
 
 Rage from his lips in legal language broke ; 
 
 Of Juries and of Damages he fpoke. 
 
 And on the Printer's law-devoted head, 
 
 He threaten'd deep revenge in terms mofl: dread ; 
 
 Terms, that with pain the ear of Beauty pierce, 285 
 
 And oaths too rough to harmonize in verfe. 
 
 "While thus the good old Knight, with paflion hot, 
 His Toaft neglecled, and his Tea forgot. 
 The difcord of the drama to incrcafe. 
 Now pritn Penelope affails her Niece ; 290 
 
 For, as Sir Gilbert now, with choler dumb. 
 Points her the period with his angry thumb, 
 
 O *'AhI 
 
[ 98 J 
 
 * Ah ! Brother," cries the fliff, malignant crone, 
 Her fliarp eye fwiftly thro' the fentence thrown) 
 
 ' Scandal could never rife to heights like this, 295 
 
 ' But from the manners of each modern Mifs ; 
 ' Had but my Niece, lefs giddy and more grave, 
 
 * Obferv'd the prudent hints I often gave " 
 
 The honeft Knight her vile conclufion faw, 
 
 And quick curtail'dit with atefty " Pfhaw !" 300- 
 
 Mean while the gentle Maid, who heard the taunt, 
 
 Survey'd without a frown her prudifli Aunt : 
 
 Far other thoughts employ 'd her fofter mind, 
 
 To one fweet purpofc all her foul inclin'd ; 
 
 How flie might clofe th' unpleafant fcene, how beft 3055 
 
 Reflore good-humour to her Father's bread. 
 
 Her airy Guardian with delight furvey'd 
 
 Thefe tender wifKes in the lovely Maid, 
 
 And, to accompliili what her lieart defir'd, 
 
 Trains of new thought above her age infpir'd. 31Q' 
 
 As Venus on her fon's enlighten'd face 
 
 Shed richer charms, and more attradive grace, 
 
 When, 
 
[ 99 ] 
 
 When, iffuing forth from the diiTolving cloud, 
 
 His bright form burfl: on the admiring croud : 
 
 So kind Sophrosyne, unfeen, fupplies 315 
 
 A livelier radiance to Serena's eyes ; 
 
 And, ere fhe fpeaks, to captivate her Sire, 
 
 Touches her lips with patriotic fire. 
 
 It chanc'd, that, tofs'd upon a vacant chair, 
 A volume of that Wit lay near the Fair, 320 
 
 Whofe value, try'd by Fafhion's varying touch, 
 Once rofe too high, and now is funk too much ; 
 The book, which Fortune plac'd within her reach, 
 Contain'd, O Chesterfield, the liberal fpeech 
 In which thy fpirit, like an Attic Sage, 325"? 
 
 Strove to defend the violated Stage >■ 
 
 From fetters bafely forg'd by Minifterial rage. 
 From this the Nymph her ufeful lefibn took. 
 And thus began, reclining on the Book : — 
 *' If on this noble Lord we may rely, 330 
 
 " Scandal is but a fpeck on Freedom's eye j 
 
 O 2 " And 
 
[ 100 ] 
 
 " And Public Spirit, then, will rather bear 
 
 " The cafual pain it gives by growing there, 
 
 " Than, by a rafn attempt to move it thence, 
 
 " Hazard the fafety of a precious Senfe, 335 
 
 *' And, by the efforts of a vain defire, 
 
 " Rob this life-darting eye of all its fire. 
 
 '* Tho' the foft breaft of Innocence may fmart, 
 
 " By cruel Calumny's corroding dart, 
 
 " Yet v/ould fhe rather ache in every nerve, 340 
 
 *' And bear thofe pangs fhe knows not to defer ve, 
 
 " Much rather than be made a fenfelcfs tool, 
 
 ■' To aid the frenzy of tyrannic ruk, 
 
 *' Or forge one dangerous bolt for Power to aim 
 
 '* At facred Liberty's fupcrior frame." — 345 
 
 As ancient Chiefs were wont of old to gaze, 
 With eyes of tender awe and fond amaze, 
 On the fair Priefiefs of the Delphic fane, 
 \Vhen firft fhe uttcr'd her prophetic ftrain, 
 Entranc'd in wonder, thus Sir Gilbert view'd 350 
 
 riis child, yet more infpir'd, who thus purfuM : 
 
[ '01 ] 
 
 ** For mcj I own, thefe linss, with gall replete, 
 
 " Shot thro' my iimple heart a fudden heat ; 
 
 " But happier thoughts my rifing rage repreft, 
 
 " And turn'd the pointlefs infult to a jeft : 355 
 
 *' And O ! Ihould Slander ftill new wrath awake, 
 
 " Still may my Father, for his Daughter's fake, 
 
 *' Difdain the vengeance of litigious ftrife, 
 
 '' And let Serena's anfwer be — her life!" 
 
 She ended with a fmile, whofe magic flaftne 36c 
 
 Shot youthful vigour thro' her Father's frame ; 
 His Age, his Anger, and his Gout, are fled ; 
 " Enchanting Girl !" with tears of joy, he faid, 
 ^' Enchanting Girl !" twice echoed from his tongue. 
 As, fpeaking, from his elbow-chair he fprung, 365 
 
 " Come to thy Father's arms! — By Heaven, thou art 
 " His own true offspring, and a Whig in heart." 
 
 He fpoke ; and his fond arms around her curl'd 
 With proud grafp, feeming to infold the world. 
 Her confcious heart fhe feels with triumph beat, 370 
 
 And joys to find that triumph is compleat j 
 
 For 
 
[ 102 ] 
 
 For ftiff pPN-ELOPE, who near them flood, 
 
 " Albeit unufed to the melting mood," 
 
 Squeezed from her eye-lid one reludlant tear, 
 
 And foften'd with a fmile her brow fevere ; 375 
 
 Put 'twas a fmile of fucli a gloomy grace. 
 
 As lightened once upon Aledo's face, 
 
 When Orpheus paft her, leading back to life. 
 
 From Pluto's regions, his recovered wife, 
 
 When Love connubial, join'd to Mufic's fpcll, 380 
 
 Moiftcn'd with tender joy the eyes of Hell. 
 
 Far other fmiles, with Pleafure's fofteft air, 
 
 Gild the gay features of the youthful Fair: 
 
 She looks like fportive Spring, when her young charms 
 
 Wind round her hoary Sire's reluctant arms, 385 
 
 And, by a frolic infantine embrace, 
 
 Banifh the rugged frown from Winter's face. 
 
 Thro' the long day fhe felt the glowing tide 
 Of exultation thro' her bofom glide ; 
 And oft file wiili'd for flow-approaching Night, 3 90 
 
 To hold fwcet convcrfe with her guardian Sprite. 
 
 At 
 
[ '03 ] 
 
 At length the hour approach'd her heart defir'd, 
 And, in her lonely chamber now retir'd, 
 Her tender fancy gave the fondefl fcope 
 To ardent Gratitude and eager Hope. 395^, 
 
 " Dear airy Being !" (the foft Nymph exclaim'd) 
 " Whofe power can break the fpell that Spleen has fram'd,, 
 " Can, by the waving of thy viewlefs wing, 
 "■ O'er darkeft forms a golden radiance fling, 
 " And make, in minds by forrieft thoughts perplext, 400; 
 " This moment's grief the triumph of the next ; 
 *' I blefs thy fuccour in each trial pall: ;, 
 " Be prefent ftill, and. fave me in the laft." 
 Thus, with her lovely eyes devoutly fixt. 
 Where rays of hope, and fear,, and reverence mixt, 4055 
 The tender Fair her faithful Guard add reft. 
 Then with her check her downy pillow preft ;, 
 But long her wakeful lids refufe to clofe,, 
 For Curiofity difpels repofe.. 
 
 Her bufy mind the myftic veil would pierce, 41:0 
 
 That hides the Author of the pleafing Verfe y 
 
 g Her 
 
[ 1*^4 ] 
 Her lips involuntary catch the chime, 
 And half articulate the foothing Rhyme, 
 Till weary Thought no longer watch can keep, 
 ^ut finks reludant in the folds of Sleep. 415 
 
 END OF THE FOURTH CANTO. 
 
 CANTO 
 
[ 105 ] 
 
 w. 
 
 CANTO V. 
 
 H Y art thou fled, O bleft poetic time. 
 When Fancy wrought the miracles of Rhyme ; 
 When, darting from her ftar-encircled throne, 
 Her Poet's eye commanded worlds unknown ; 
 When, by her fiat made a mimic God, 5 
 
 He faw Exiftence waiting on his nod, 
 And at his pleafure into being brought 
 New fliadowy hofts, the vaffals of his thought. 
 In Joy's gay garb, in Terror's dread array, 
 Darker than night, and brighter than the day j lo 
 
 Who, at his bidding, thro' the wilds of air, 
 Rais'd willing mortals far from earthly care, 
 And led them wondering thro' his wide domain. 
 Beyond the bounds of Nature's narrow reign ; 
 While their rapt fpirits, in the various flight, 15 
 
 Shook with fuccefllve thrills of new delight ? 
 
 p Return, 
 
[ i°6 ] 
 
 Return, fweet feafon, grac'd with Fidion's flowers, 
 
 Let not cold Syftcm cramp thy genial powers ! 
 
 Shall mild Morality, in garb uncouth, 
 
 The houfevvife garb of plain and homely Truth, 20 
 
 Robb'd by ftern Method of her rofy crown, 
 
 Chill her faint votaries by a wintry frown ? 
 
 No ; thou fweet friend of Man, as fuits thee beft. 
 
 Shine forth in Fable's rich-embroider'd veft ! 
 
 O make my Verfe thy vehicle, thy arms, 25 
 
 To fpread o'er focial life thy potent charms 1 
 
 And thou, Sophrosyne, myfterious Sprite ! 
 
 If haply I may trace thy fteps aright, 
 
 Roving thro' paths untrod by mortal fcQtf 
 
 To paint for human eyes thy heavenly feat, 30 
 
 Shed on my foul fome portion of that power. 
 
 Which fav'd Serena in the trying hour. 
 
 To bear thofe trials, which, however hard. 
 
 As Bards all tell us, may befall the Bard ; 
 
 The Fop's pert jeft, the Critic's frown fevere, ^^ 
 
 Learning's proud cant, with Envy's artful fneer, 
 
 7 And;^, 
 
C ^^7 ] 
 And, the vext Poet's laft and worft difgracc, 
 His cold blank Bookfeller's rhyme-freezing face. 
 Hence ! ye dark omens, that to Spleen belong, 
 Ye fhall not check the current of my fong, 40 
 
 While Beauty's lovely race, for whom I fing, 
 Fire my warm hand to ftrike the ready firing. 
 
 As Quiet now her lighted mantle laid 
 O'er the ftill fenfes of the fleeping Maid, 
 Her nightly Vifitant, her faithful Guide, 4.5 
 
 Defcends in all her Empyrean pride ; 
 That Fairy fhape no more flie deigns to wear, 
 Whofe light foot fmooths the furrow plough'd by care 
 In mortal faces, while her tiny fpear 
 Gives a kind tingle to the caution'd ear. 50 
 
 Now, in her nobler fhape, of heavenly fize. 
 She ftrikes her votary's foul with new furprizc. 
 Jove's favourite daughter, arm'd in all his powers, 
 Appear'd lefs brilliant to th' attending Hours, 
 When, on the golden car of Juno rais'd, ^^ 
 
 In heavenly pomp the Queen of Battles blaz'd : 
 
 P 2 With 
 
[ '°8 ] 
 
 With all her luftre, but without the dread 
 
 Which from her arm the frowning Gorgon {hed, 
 
 SopHROSYNE defcends, with guardian Love, 
 
 To waft her gentle Ward to worlds above. 60 
 
 From her fair brow a radiant diadem 
 
 Rofe in twelve ftars, and every feparate gem 
 
 Shot magic rays, of virtue to controul 
 
 Some paflion hoftile to the human foul. 
 
 Round her fweet form a robe of cether flow'd, 65: 
 
 And in a wonderous car the fmiling Spirit rode ; 
 
 Firm as pure ivory, it charm'd the fight 
 
 With finer polifh and a fofter white. 
 
 The hand of Beauty, v/ith an eafy fwell. 
 
 Scoop' d the free concave like a bending fhell ; joj 
 
 And on its rich exterior, Art difplay'd 
 
 The triumphs of the Povv^er the car convey'd. 
 
 Here, in celeftial tints, furpafiing life,. 
 
 Sate lovely Gentlenefs, difarming Strife ; 
 
 There, young Aficdion, born of tender Thought,. 75- 
 
 In rofy chains the fiercer Pallions caught ; 
 
 Ambition^ 
 
[ 109 ] 
 
 Ambition, with his fceptre fnapt in twain, 
 
 And Avarice, fcorning what his chefts contain. 
 
 Round the tame Vulture flies, the fearlefs Dove; 
 
 Soft Innocence embraces playful Love ; 80 
 
 And laughing Sport, the frolic Child of Air, 
 
 Buries in flowers the finking form of Care. 
 
 Thefe figures, penciFd with a touch fo light, 
 That every image f^era'd an heavenly Sprite, 
 Breathe on the car ; whofe fight-enchanting frame 85 
 Four wheels fuftain, of pale and purple flame j 
 For no fleet animals, to earth unknown,. 
 Bear thro' setherial fields this flying throne. 
 As by the fubtle eledrician's fkill,. 
 
 Globes feem to fly, obedient to his will ; 90 
 
 So thefe four circles of inftiadive fire- 
 Move by the impulfe of their Qiieen's defire,. 
 Mount or defcend by her direding care. 
 Or reft, fupported by the buoyant air. 
 
 Now, fpringing from her car, that hovering flaid. 95 
 
 High in the chamber of the fleeping Maid, 
 
 Tho: 
 
[1 no ] 
 
 The Goddefs, with a voice divinely clear, 
 
 Breath'd thefe kind accents in her Votary's ear : — 
 
 *' Come, my fair Champion, who fo well haft fought 
 
 *' The ufeful battles of contentious Thought; loo 
 
 *' To aid thy gentle fpirit to fuftain 
 
 " The £nal conflid of thy deftin'd pain, 
 
 " View the rewards that, in my realms of blifs, 
 
 " Wait the fweet Vidlor in fuch war as this ! 
 
 " So haply may thy mind, with ftrength renew'd, 105 
 
 *' The dark devices of the Fiend elude ; 
 
 " By one bleft eifort fcal thy triumphs paft, 
 
 *' And gain thy promis'd guerdon in the laft;." 
 
 As thus fhe fpake, her heavenly arms embrac'd, 
 And in the car the confcious Maiden plac'd. no 
 
 Quick at her wifli the flaming wheels afcend, 
 No clouds impede them, wherefoe'er they bend. 
 As thro' the empire of the winds they rufh'd, 
 The winds were all in mute fubmiflion hufli'd ; 
 And now Serena, from th' exalted car, 115 
 
 Look'd down, aftonifh'd, on each finking ftar ; 
 
 Flying 
 
[ 1" ] 
 
 Flying o*er lucid orbs, whofe diftant light 
 
 Yet has not reach'd the fcope of human fight : 
 
 And now, not diftant from the bounds of Space, 
 
 The guardian Sprite fufpends their rapid race; 120 
 
 And, while in deep amaze the Nymph admires 
 
 The circling meteors' inoffenfive fires, 
 
 Pleas'd at her wonder, the mild Power addreft. 
 
 With kind intelligence, her earthly gueft : — 
 
 " Of thofe three Orbs, that in yon chryftal fphere 1 25, 
 
 " A feparate fyftem in themfelves appear, 
 
 " The laft, whofe luminous and fteady form. 
 
 " Shines foftly bright, and moderately warm, 
 
 " Contains my palace, and the gentle train 
 
 " Whom I have wafted to this pure domain. 130 
 
 " At equal diftance my dominions lie 
 
 '* From thefe two larger worlds, more near thine eye t 
 
 " Obferve their difference as our wheels advance,- 
 
 " And pafling, take of each a tranfient glance." 
 
 So fpeaking, to the grofier globe (he fprung, 135 
 
 Hex car fufpended o'er its furface hung, 
 
 In. 
 
[ "2 ] 
 
 In heavy air ; for round this orb was roll'd 
 
 A circling vapour, dull, and damp, and cold. 
 
 *' Here," fays Sophrosyne, *' thofc Beings dwell, 
 
 " Who wanted foul to a6l or ill or well ; 14.0 
 
 " Who faunter'd thoucrhtlcfs thro' their mortal time, 
 
 *' Without a Care, a Virtue, or a Crime: 
 
 *' Here ftill they faunter, in this languid fcene ; 
 
 *' But pafs the dozing crowd, and mark their Queen." 
 
 And now, flow riding on a Tortoife' back, 145 
 
 Her features lifelefs, and each fibre flack, 
 
 Full in their view the Nymph Indifference came ; 
 
 The quick Serena foon perceiv'd her name j 
 
 For, as in folemn creeping fliate flie rode. 
 
 In her lax hand flie held fair Greville's Ode. 150 
 
 Ne'er did the Mufe from her fweet treafure cull 
 
 Incenfe fo precious for a Power fo dull. 
 
 Still, as flie mov'd along her even way, 
 
 The heavy Goddefs try'd to read the lay ; 
 
 But at each paufe her inattentive eye 155 
 
 Stray' d from the paper, which flie held awry ; 
 
 2 Nor 
 
[ "3 ] 
 
 Nor could her lips a fingle line repeat, 
 
 Tho' the foft Verfe, moft ravifhingly fweet, 
 
 Thro' Time's dull ear will lading pleafure fpread, 
 
 And charm the poppy from Oblivion's head. i6o 
 
 Thus like a City Mayor, whofe heavy barge 
 
 Steers its dull progrefs at the public charge, 
 
 This Power, To cumber'd by her empire's weight, 
 
 Makes her flow circuit round her fluggifli flate. 
 
 Around her, tribes of rambling Sceptics crawl, 165 
 
 Tho' moving, dubious if they move at all. 
 
 Before her, languid Pomp, her Marflial, creeps, 
 
 Whofe hand her banner half unfolded keeps : 
 
 Its quaint device her dull dominion fpoke — 
 
 An Eagle, numb'd by the Torpedo's ftroke. 170 
 
 *' Enough of fcenes fo foreign to thy foul," 
 
 SoPHROSYNE exclaim'd ; " from this' dark goal 
 
 " Pafs we to regions oppoiite to this." 
 
 She fpoke ; and, darting o'er the wide abyfs, 
 
 Her car, like lightning in foft flaflies hurl'd, 175 
 
 Shot to the confines of a clearer world. 
 
 Q Now 
 
[ .14 ] 
 
 Now lovelier views the Virgin's mind abforb ; 
 
 For now they hover'd o'er a lucid orb. 
 
 Here the fofc air, luxuriantly warm. 
 
 Imparts new luftre to Serena's form: i8o 
 
 Her eyes with more expreilive radiance fpeak, 
 
 And richer rofes open on her cheek. 
 
 Here, as flie gaz'd, llie felt in every vein 
 
 A blended thrill of pleafure and of pain ; 
 
 Yet every object opening to her view, 185 
 
 Her quick regard with folt attradlion drew. 
 
 SoPHROSYNE, who faw the gentle Fair 
 
 Lean o'er thefe confines with peculiar caire, 
 
 Smil'd at the tender intereft fhe difplay'd, 
 
 And fpoke regardful of the penfive Maid : 190 
 
 " Well may'ft thou bend o'er this congenial fphere ; 
 
 " For Senfibility is Sovereign here. 
 
 *' Thou feefl her train of fprightly damfels fport, 
 
 " Where the foft Spirit holds her rural court : 
 
 " But fix thine eye attentive to the plain, 195 
 
 ** And mark the varying wonders of her reign." 
 
 As 
 
[ 1^5 ] 
 
 As thus fhe fpoke, fKe pois'd her airy feat 
 
 High o'er a plain exhaling every fweet; 
 
 For round its precindls all the flowers that bloom 
 
 Fill'd the delicious air with rich perfume ; 200 
 
 And in the midft a verdant throne appear'd, 
 
 In flmplefl: form by graceful Fancy rear'd, 
 
 And deck'd with flowers ; not fuch whofe flaunting dyes 
 
 Strike with the ftrongeft tint our dazzled eyes ; 
 
 But thofe wild herbs that tendereft fibres bear, 205 
 
 And fliun th' approaches of a damper air. • 
 
 Here fl:ood the lovely Ruler of the fcene, 
 
 And Beauty, more than Pomp, announc'd the Queen. 
 
 The bending Snow-drop, and the Briar-rofe, 
 
 The Ample circle of her crown compofe ; 210 
 
 Rofes of every hue her robe adorn, 
 
 Except th' infipid Rofe without a thorn. 
 
 Thro' her thin veft her heighten'd beauties fliine ; 
 
 For earthly gauze was never half fo fine. . 
 
 Of that enchanting age her figure feems, 215 
 
 When fmiling Nature with the vital beams 
 
 0^2 Of 
 
[ "6 ] 
 
 Of vivid Youth, and Plcafure's purple flame, 
 
 Gilds her accompliili'd work, the Female frame, 
 
 With rich luxuriance tender, fweetly wild, 
 
 And juft between the Woman and the Child. 220 
 
 Her fair left arm around a vafe fhe flings, 
 
 From which the tender plant Mimofa fprings : 
 
 Towards its leaves, o'er which flie fondly bends, 
 
 The youthful Fair her vacant hand extends 
 
 With gentle motion, anxious to furvcy 225 
 
 How far the feeling fibres own her fway : 
 
 The leaves, as confcious of their Queen's command, 
 
 Succeflive fall at her approaching hand ; 
 
 While her fott breaft with pity feems to pant,. 
 
 And {brinks at every flirinking of the plant. 2'30 
 
 Around their Sovereign, on the verdant ground,. 
 Sweet airy Forms in myftic meafures bound. 
 The mighty mafter of the revel. Love, 
 In notes more foothing than his mother's Dove, 
 Prompts the foft fl:rain that melting virgins fing, 235 
 
 Or fportive trips around the frolic ring. 
 
 Coupling, 
 
[ "7 ] 
 Coupling, with radiant wreaths of lambent fire, 
 Fair fluttering Hope and rapturous Defire. 
 Unnumber'd damfels different charms difplay, 
 Penflve with blifs, or in their pleafures gay ; 240 
 
 And the wide profpedl yields one touching flght 
 Of tender, yet diverfifled delight. 
 But, the bright triumphs of their joy to check,. 
 In the clear air there hangs a dufky fpeck ^ 
 It fwells — it fpreads — and rapid, as it grows, 245 
 
 O'er the gay fcene a chilling fhadow throws. 
 The foft Serena, who beheld its flight,. 
 Sufpedls no evil from a cloud fo light ;. 
 For harmlefs round her the thin vapours wreath,. 
 Not hiding from her view the fcene beneath ; 250 
 
 But ah ! too foon, with Pity's tender pain. 
 She faw its dire effedl o'er all the plain : 
 Sudden from thence the founds of Anguilh flow. 
 And joy's fweet carols end in fhrieks of woe : 
 The wither'd flowers are fall'n, that bloom'd fo fair, 255 
 And poifon all the peftilential air. 
 
 From 
 
[ .18 ] 
 
 From the rent earth dark Demons force their way, 
 
 And make the fportive revellers their prey. 
 
 Here gloomy Terror, with a fhadowy rope, 
 
 Seems, like a Turkifli Mute, to ftrangle Hope ; 260 
 
 There jealous Fury drowns in blood the fire 
 
 That fparkled in the eye of young Defire ; 
 
 And lifelefs Love lets mercilefs Defpair 
 
 From his crufli'd frame his bleeding pinions tear. 
 
 But pangs more cruel, more intenfely keen, 265 
 
 Wound and difhra6l their fympathetic Queen : 
 
 With fruitlefs tears fhe o'er their mifcry bends ; 
 
 From her fvveet brow the thorny Rofe fhe rends, 
 
 And, bovv'd by Grief's infufferable weight, 
 
 Frantic (lie curfes her immortal ftate : 270 
 
 The foft Serena, as this curfe fhe hears. 
 
 Feels her bright eye fuffus'd with kindred tears ; 
 
 And her kind brcaft, where quick compaflion fwell'd, 
 
 Shar'd in each bitter fuifvirrino; flie beheld. 
 
 The guardian Power furvey'd her lovely grief, 275 
 And fpokc in gentle terms of mild relief: 
 
 " For 
 
[ 1^9 ] 
 
 ' For this foft tribe thy heavieft fear difmifs, 
 
 ' And know their pains are tranfient as their blifs : 
 
 ' Rapture and Agony, in Nature's loom, 
 
 * Have form'd the changing tiflue of their doom ; 280 
 ' Both interwoven with fo nice an art, 
 
 ' No power can tear the twifted threads apart : 
 ' Yet happier thefe, to Nature's heart more dear, 
 
 * Than the dull offspring in the torpid fphere, 
 
 ' Where her warm wiflies, and affedions kind, 285 
 
 ' Lofe their bright current in the ftagnant mind. 
 
 * Here grief and joy fo fuddenly unite, 
 
 * That anguifli ferves to fublimate delight." 
 She fpoke ; and, ere Serena could reply. 
 
 The vapour vanifli'd from the lucid fky ; 290 
 
 The Nymphs revive, the fhadowy Fiends are fled, 
 
 The new-born flowers a richer fragrance flied ; 
 
 The gentle Ruler of the changeful land. 
 
 Smiling, refum'd her fymbol of command ; 
 
 Replac'd the rofesofher regal wreath, ag^ 
 
 Still trembling at the thorns that lurk beneath 
 
 But, 
 
[ 120 ] 
 
 But, to her wounded fubjedls quick to pay 
 The tender duties of imperial fway, 
 Their wants £he fuccour'd, they her wifli obey'd, 
 And all recovered by alternate aid ; 300 
 
 While, on the lovely Queen's enchanting face, 1 
 
 Departed Sorrow's faint and fainter trace, >• 
 
 Gave to each touching charm a more attradlive grace. J 
 Now, laughing Sport, from the enlighten'd plain, 
 Clear'd with quick foot the veftiges of Pain ; 305 
 
 The gay fcene grows more beautifully bright. 
 Than when it firft allur'd Serena's fight. 
 Still her fond eyes o'er all the profpedt range, 
 Flafhing fweet pleafure at the blifsful change : 
 Her curious thoughts with fond attachment burn, 310 
 Yet more of this engaging land to learn. 
 She finds the chief attendants of the Queen, 
 Sweet Females, wafted from our human fcene ; 
 But, as it chanc'd, while all the realm reviv'd, 
 A Spirit mafculine from earth arriv'd : 315 
 
 I Two 
 
[ 121 ] 
 
 Two airy guides condudt the gentle Shade ; 
 
 Genius, in robes of braided flames array'd, 
 
 And a fantaftic Nymph, in manners nice, 
 
 Profufely deck'd with many an odd device ; 
 
 Sifter of him, whofe luminous attire 320 
 
 Flafhes with unextinguifhable fire ; 
 
 Like him in features, in her look as wild, 
 
 And Singularity by mortals ftyl'd. 
 
 The eager Queen, and all her fmiling Court, 
 
 Surround the welcome Shade in gentle fport ; 325 
 
 For in their new aflbciate all rejoice. 
 
 All pant to hear the accents of his voice. 
 
 Tho' o'er his frame th' Armenian robe was flung, 
 
 The pleafing Stranger fpoke the Gallic tongue -, 
 
 But in that language his enchanting art 330 
 
 Infpir'd new energy, that feiz'd the heart ; 
 
 In terms fo eloquent, fo fweetly bold, 
 
 A ftory of difaftrous love he told, 
 
 R Convuls'd 
 
[ '22 ] 
 
 Convuls'd with fympathy, the lifl'ning train, 
 
 At every paufe, with dear delicious pain, 535 
 
 Intreat him to renew the fafcinating ftrain. 
 
 And now Serena, with fufpended breath, 
 
 Liften'dj and caught the tale of Julia's death ; 
 
 And quick fhe cries, ere tears had time to flow, 
 
 ** Bleft be this hour ! for now I fee Rousseau." 340 
 
 Fondly flie gaz'd, till the inchanting found 
 
 In fuch a potent fpell her fpirit bound, 
 
 That, loft in fweet illuflon, flie forgot 
 
 The promis'd fcenes of the fublimer fpot; 
 
 Till now her mild Remembrancer, whofe care 345.: 
 
 Stray'd not a moment from the mortal Fair, 
 
 Rous'd her rapt mind, preparing her to meet 
 
 The brighter wonders of her blifsful feat ; 
 
 While her inftin^live car's obedient frame 
 
 Now upward rofc, like undulating flame. 350 
 
 As when fome vidlor on the watery world,. 
 Bright honour gilding all his fails unfurl'd, 
 
 1 Steers 
 
t 123 ] 
 
 Steers into port, while to the laughing fky 
 
 His ftreamers tell his triumph as they fly ; 
 
 Expeding thoufands line the crowded ftrand, 355 
 
 Swell the glad voice, or wave the joyous hand, 
 
 Prefling to view the fight their vows implor'd, 
 
 And hail their glory and their ftrength reftor'd : 
 
 So the blefl: Beings of this fmiling fcene 
 
 Flock'd round the car of their returning Queen. 3.60 
 
 The radiant car, from which they now alight, 
 
 Careful fhe gives to a feleded Sprite, 
 
 A Nymph of fnowy veft and lovely frame, 
 
 Fidelity her fair and fpotlefs name ; 
 
 Then, happy to review her hallow'd home, 365 
 
 Leads her fweet Gueft to her celeftial dome. 
 Gentleft of Powers ! for every purpofe fit. 
 
 To ftrengthen Wifdom, and embellifh Wit ; — 
 
 Thou whofe foft arts, pofiefs'd by thee alone, 
 
 Can give to Virtue's voice a fweeter tone ; 370 
 
 Allay the froft of Age, or fire of Youth, 
 
 And lend attradion to fevereft Truth ; 
 
 R 2 Improve 
 
[ 124 ] 
 
 Improve e'en Beauty by thy graceful eafe, 
 
 Or teach Deformity herfelf to pleafe ; — 
 
 Infpire the Bard, whofe juft ambition pants 375 
 
 To guide weak mortals to thy heavenly haunts ! 
 
 Grant him, in notes that, like thy foft controul,. 
 
 Allure attention, and poflefs the foul ; 
 
 Grant him to fhew, in luminous dilplay, 
 
 The myftic wonders of thy fecret fway I 380 
 
 Now, at the fight of the prefiding Power, 
 Wide fpread the gates of a ftupendous tower, 
 On whofe firm height, commanding Nature's bound,. 
 The faithful warder of the fort they found 
 Wakeful Intelligence, a trufly Sprite,. 3S5. 
 
 Whofe eyes are piercing as the folar light, 
 And ever on the watch to found alarm,. 
 If aught of dufky hue, portending harm. 
 Should, in defiance of her mandate, dare 
 Approach the palace of th' imperial Fair. 3:90 
 
 Within his ward, magnificently great. 
 Lies the rich armoury that guards her flate. 
 
 Here 
 
[ 125 ] 
 Here ftands Convi£lion's ftrong and lucid fpcar, 
 Wliofe touch annihilates Sufpenfe and Fear ; 
 Here, Truth's unfuUied adamantine fliield, 395 
 
 Which, fave Sophrosyne, no Power can wield ; 
 And ReaTon's trenchant blade of blazing fteel, - 
 
 Its edge and polifh form'd by friendly Zeal j 
 And, not lefs fure their deftin'd mark to hit. 
 Pointed by Virtue's hand, the fhafts of Wit; 400 
 
 And Ridicule's ftrong bolt, whofe ftunning blow 
 Lays towering Vice and fearlefs Folly low. 
 Here too the Goddefs kept, in myflic ll:ate, 
 Thofe fweet rewards that on her champions wait, 
 Guerdons more precious than triumphant palms : — 405 
 The glance of Gratitude for mental alms,. 
 Peace's foft kifs, and Reconcilement's tear. 
 And fmiles of Sympathy, are treafur'd here» 
 
 Thefe precindls paft, now hand in hand they came 
 To the rich fabric of majeftic frame ; 410 
 
 Inftindl with joy their Sovereign to behold. 
 The gates of maflive adamant unfold ; 
 
 And, 
 
[ '26 ] 
 
 And, as the gently-moving valves unclofc, 
 
 MyftcrioLis mufic from their motion flows ; 
 
 The airy notes thro' all the palace roam, 415 
 
 And dulcet echoes fill the feflive dome : 
 
 A gorgeous hall amaz'd Serena's eyes, 
 
 Compar'd to which, in fplendor, ftrength, and fize, 
 
 The nobleft works of which Tradition fings, 
 
 Judaic fhrine, or feat of Memphian kings, 420 
 
 Would feem more humble than the waxen cell 
 
 In which the fkilful Bee is proud to dwell. 
 
 Here fits a Power, in whofe angelic face 
 
 Beauty is fweeten'd by maternal grace ; 
 
 Her radiant feat, furpafling mortal art, 425 
 
 Supports an emblem of her liberal heart, 
 
 A Pelican, who rears her callow brood. 
 
 And from her vitals feems to draw their food. 
 
 Around this Spirit flock a filial hoft. 
 
 Who blefs her empire, and her guidance boafl:. 430 
 
 Here every Science, all tlie Arts attend. 
 
 In her they hail their parent and their friend j 
 
 Each 
 
r 127 ] 
 
 Each to her prefence brings the happy few, 
 
 Whofe deareft glory from her favour grew. 
 
 Here, in her fimple charms, with youthful fire, 435 
 
 Proud to difplay the magic of her lyre, 
 
 Soul-foothing Harmony prefents her band : 
 
 Befide her Orpheus and Amphion ftand. 
 
 Here, mild Philofophy, whofe thoughtful frown 
 
 Is fweetly fhaded by her olive crown,. 440 
 
 (In all her attic elegance array'd. 
 
 Strong to convince, and gentle to perfuade) 
 
 To her, whofe breath infpir'd his every rule, 
 
 Leads the blcfl Sire of the Socratic fchool. 
 
 Each animating Bard and moral Sage, 445 
 
 The heaven-taught minds of every clime and age, 
 
 Who foften'd manners, and refin'd the foul, 
 
 Flock to this prefence, as to Glory's goal ; 
 
 And, as the mother's heart, that yearns to blefs 
 
 The rival innocents that round her prefs, 45 o 
 
 Delights to fee them, as her love they fhare, 
 
 Sport in her fight, and flourifh by her care ; 
 
 Fondly 
 
[ '28 ] 
 
 Fondly refponfive to their every call, 
 
 Tender of each, and provident for all : 
 
 So this fvveet Image of Celeftial Grace, 455 
 
 Who fits encircled by her lovely race, 
 
 To every Science vital ftrength imparts, , 
 
 And rears the circle of the Social Arts ; 
 
 With fucli folicitude flie gives to each, 
 
 Pow'rs of fublimer aim and wider reach. 460 
 
 And now Sophrosynf, who near her preft. 
 
 Thus fpoke her title to her earthly gueft : — 
 
 " Behold the honour'd Form, without whofe aid 
 
 ** My ftrength muft vanifli, and my glory fade ! 
 
 *' Source of my being, and my life's fupport ! 465 
 
 " EuNoiA call'd in this celeftial Court, 
 
 " Benevolence the name flie bears on earth, 
 
 " The guard of Weaknefs, and the friend of Worth." 
 
 She ended : and the mild maternal Form 
 Embrac'd SeRena with a fmile as warm 470 
 
 As the gay fpirit Vegetation wears, 
 When (lie to crown her favourite Nymph prepares, 
 
 10 When, 
 
[ 129 3 
 
 when, pleas'd her flowery treafures to difplay, 
 She pours them in the lap of youthful May. 
 
 But how, Serena ! how may human fpeech 475 
 
 Thy heavenly raptures in this moment reach ? 
 If aught of earthly fentiment may vie 
 With the pure joy thefe happy fcenes fupply, 
 'Tis when, unmixt with trouble and with pain. 
 Love glides in fecret thro' the glowing vein ; 480 
 
 When fome fond Youth, unconfcious of its fire. 
 Free from chill Fear and turbulent Deiire, 
 With every thought abforb'd in foft delight, 
 Sees all creation in his Fair one's fight, 
 And feels a blifsful ftate without a name, 485 
 
 Repofe of foul with harmony of frame. 
 So, plung'd in pleafure of the purefl kind, 
 Serena gaz'd on the maternal Mind ; 
 Gaz'd till Sophrosyne's diredling aid 
 Thus fummon'd to new fights th' obedient Maid : — 490 
 *' Hafte, my fair Charge, for of this ample ftate, 
 ** Trads yet unfeen thy vifitation wait. 
 
 8 " The 
 
[ ^3° ] 
 " The prefling hours forbid me to unfold 
 *' Each feparate province which thefe confines hold ; 
 " But I will lead thee to that blifsful crew, 4.95 
 
 *' Whofe kindred fpirits beft deferve thy view^" 
 
 So fpeaking, her attentive Gueft fhe led 
 Thro' fccnes, that ftill increafing wonder bred, 
 AVhere'er flie trod, thro' all her gorgeous feat, 
 Soft mufic echoed from beneath her feet : 5Ca 
 
 Faffing a portal, on whofe lucid fione 
 Emblems of Innocence and Beauty flione. 
 They reach a lawn with verdant luftre bright. 
 And view the bowers of permanent delight. 
 No fiery Sun here forms a fcorching noon, 505- 
 
 No baleful Meteor gleams, no chilling Moon :. 
 But, from a latent fourcc, one foothing light, 
 Whofe conflant rays repel the mift of night, 
 Tho' tender, chcarful, and tho' warm, ferene, 
 Gives lading beauty to the lovely fcene,. 510 
 
 No fenfual thought this paradife profanes ; 
 For here tried Excellence in triumph reigns, 
 
 Benignant 
 
L 131 ] 
 
 Benignant cares eternal joy fupply, 
 And blifs angelic beams in every eye. 
 
 " In yonder groups," the leading Spirit cried, 515 
 
 " My f^w'rite Females fee, my f^iireft pride. 
 *' The firft in rank is that diftinguifh'd train, 
 " Whofe flrength of foul was tried by Hymen's chain : 
 " Tho' Beauty bleft their form, and Love their guide, 
 
 Their nuptial band with happieft omens tied, 520 
 
 " Beauty and Love, they felt, may lofe the art 
 " To fix inconftant Man's eccentric heart; 
 " Yet, confcious of their Lord's nealedled vow, 
 " No Virtue frown'd outrageous on their brow, 
 " To keep returning Tendernefs aloof, car 
 
 " By coarfe upbraiding, and defpis'd reproof: 
 " With Sorrow fmother'd in Attraction's fmile, 
 " They ftrove the fenfe of mifery to beguile ; 
 " And, from wild Paffion's perilous abyfs, 
 " Lure the loft wanderer back to faithful blifs^ 530 
 
 " See mild Octavia o'er this band prefide, 
 " Voluptuous Antony's negleded bride, 
 
 S 2 '' Whofe 
 
[ 132 ] 
 
 ' Whofe feeling heart, with all a Mother's care, 
 
 * Rear'd the young offspring of a rival Fair. 
 
 ' Far other trials rais'd yon lovely crew, 535 
 
 ' Tho' in connubial fcenes their merit grew : 
 ' It was their chance, ere judgment was mature, 
 
 * When glittering toys the infant mind allure, 
 ' Following their parents' avaricious rule, 
 
 * To wed, with hopes of blifs, a wealthy fool. 540 
 ' When Time remov'd Delufion's veil by ftealth, 
 
 ' And fhew'd the drear vacuity of wealth ; 
 ' When fad Experience prov'd the bitter fate 
 
 * Of Beauty coupled to a fenfelefs Mate, 
 
 * Thefe gentle Wives flill gloried to fubmit ; 545 
 
 * Thefe, tho' invited by alluring Wit, 
 
 * Refus'd in paths of lawlefs joy to range, 
 
 ' Nor murmur'd at the lot they could not change : 
 ' But, with a lively fweetnefs, unoppreft 
 
 * By a dull Huiband's lamentable jeft, 550 
 
 * Their conftant rays of gay good-humour fpread 
 
 * A guardian glory round their idiot's head. 
 
 " The 
 
[ 133 ] 
 
 * The next in order are thofe lovely Forms, 
 
 ' Whofe patience weather'd all paternal ftorms ; 
 
 ' By filial cares, the mind's unfailing teft, 555 
 
 ' Well have they earn'd thefe feats of blifsful reft : 
 
 ' They, unrepining at fevere reflraint, 
 
 ' Peevifh commands, and undeferv'd complaint ; 
 
 ' Bent with unwearied kindnefs to appeafe 
 
 ' Each fancied want of querulous Difeafe ; 560 
 
 ' Gave up thofe joys which youthful hearts engage, 
 
 ' To watch the weaknefs of parental age. 
 
 " Turn to this chearful band; and mark in this, 
 ' Spirits who juftly claim my realms of blifs ! 
 ' Moft lovely thefe ! when judg'd by generous Truth, 565 
 ' Tho' Beauty is not their's, nor blooming Youth: 
 ' For thefe are they, who, in Life's thorny fhade, 
 ' Repin'd not at the name of ancient Maid. 
 
 * No proud difdain, no narrownefs of heart 
 
 * Held them from Hym.en's tempting rites apart, 570 
 ' But fair Difcretion led them to withdraw 
 
 * From the priz'd honour of his proffer'd law ; 
 
 " To 
 
[ 134- ] 
 
 ' To quit the object of no hafty choice, 
 
 ' In mild fubmirfion to a Parent's voice ; 
 
 ' The valued Lover viath a figh refign, 575 
 
 ' And facrihcc Delight at Duty's flirine. 
 
 ' With fmiles they bore, from angry fpleen exempt, 
 
 ' Injurious mockery, and coarfe contempt : 
 
 * 'Twas their's to clafp, each felfifli care above, 
 
 ' A fiftcr's orphans with parental love, 580 
 
 ' And all her tender offices fupply, 
 
 ' Tho' bound not by the ftrong maternal tie : 
 
 * 'Twas their's to bid inteftine quarrels ceafe, 
 
 * And form the cement of domeftic peace. 
 
 * No throbbing joy their fpotlefs bofom fir'd, 585 
 ' Save what Benevolence herfelf infpir'd ; 
 
 ' No praife they fought, except that praife refin'd, 
 
 ' Which the heart whifpers to the worthy mind. 
 " Such are thefe gentle tribes, the happy few 
 
 ' Who fhare the triumph to their vidory due : 590 
 
 ' Angelic aims their fpotlefs minds employ, 
 
 ' And fill their meafurc of unchequer'd joy. 
 
 9 " Behold ! 
 
[ 135 ] 
 
 " Behold ! where fome with generous ardor wait 
 
 " Around yon Seer, who holds the book of Fate ; 
 
 *' Thofe aweful leaves with eager glance they turn, 595 
 
 " Thence with celeftial zeal they fondly learn 
 
 " What dangers threaten, thro' the vale of earth, 
 
 " Their kindred pilgrims, ere they rife to birth : 
 
 " To earth they ftill invifibly defcend, 
 
 " In that dark fcene congenial minds defend, 600 
 
 " From Pleafure's Bud drive Spleen's corroding worm, 
 
 " And in my votaries' heart my power confirm. 
 
 " Delights more calm yon liftening band employ, 
 " Who deeply drink of intellectual joy. 
 *' See them around that fpeaking Nymph rejoice, 605 
 " Their pleafures varying with her varied voice ! 
 *' What graces in the Aveet enthufiaft glow ! 
 " Repeating here whate'er fhe learns belov/. 
 " Memory her name, her charge o'er earth to flit, 
 "-• And cull the faireft flowers of human wit. 6i'0 
 
 " Whatever Genius, in his happieft hour 
 " Has penn'd, of moral grace and comic power, 
 
 *«' To 
 
[ 136 ] 
 
 ' To warm the heart, the fpells of Spleen unbind, 
 
 ' And pour gay funHiine o'er the mifty mind ; 
 
 ' Teach men to cherilli their fraternal tie, 615 
 
 ' And view kind Nature with a filial eye ; 
 
 ' This adive Spirit catches in her flight, 
 
 ' Skill'd to retain, and happy to recite. 
 
 ' Here jfhe delivers each bright work, and each 
 
 ' Derives new beauty from her graceful fpeech. 620 
 
 ' Warpt by no envy, by no love milled, 
 
 ' Equal fhe holds the living and the dead ; 
 
 ' Alike rehearfing, as they claim their turn, 
 
 ' The fong of Anstey, and the tale of Sterne. 
 
 " But Morning calls thee hence. — Yet one fcene more, 
 ' My foftering lov^e {hall lead thee to explore. 626 
 
 ' This, thy laft fight, with careful eyes furvey, 
 ' And mark th^ extenfive nature of my iway." 
 Thus with fond zeal the guardian Spirit faid, 
 And to new precinds of her palace led ; 630 
 
 The fccne fhe enter'd of her richefl ftate, 
 Where on her voice the fubjecl Paflions wait : 
 
 5 Here 
 
[ '37 ] 
 
 Here rofe a throne of living gems, fo bright 
 No breath could fully their benignant light ; 
 This, her immortal feat, the gracious Guide 635 
 
 Afium'd : her Ward ftood wondering at her lide. 
 Swift as they felt their ruling Power inthron'd, 
 ^therial Beings, who her empire own'd, 
 Crowded in glittering pomp the gorgeous fcene, 
 To pay their homage to their heavenly Queen. 640 
 
 Firft came chafle Love, whofe fvveet harmonious form 
 Ne'er felt Sufpicion's foul-convulling ftorm ; 
 No baleful arrow in his quiver lies, 
 No blinding veil enwraps his fparkling eyes ; 
 There all the rays of varied joy unite, 645 
 
 And jointly flied unfpeakablc delight. 
 With him v/as Friendfhip, like a virgin drcft. 
 The foft Afbeflos form'd her fimple vcft, 
 Whofe wond'rous folds, in fierceft flames entire, 
 Mock the vain ravage of confuming lire: 650^ 
 
 Around tiiis robe, a myftic chain fhe wore, 
 Each golden link a fl:ar of diamonds bore ; 
 
 T Force 
 
[ U8 ] 
 
 Force could not tear the finifh'd work apart, 
 
 Nor Int'reft loofe it by his fubtleft art : 
 
 But, ftrange to tell, if the prefiding Power, 655 
 
 Who to her Favourite gave this precious dov/er, 
 
 If kind SoPHROsYNE could fail to breathe 
 
 Her vital virtue on this magic wreath, 
 
 The parts muft fever, faithlefs to their truft. 
 
 The gold grow drofs, and every diamond dufc. 660 
 
 Thefe Valour follow'd, deck'd with verdant palm, 
 
 Gracefully bold, majeftically calm. 
 
 A mingled troop fucceed, with feftive found, 
 
 Wifdom with olive, Wit with feathers crown'd ; 
 
 Here, hand in hand they move, no longer foes, 665, 
 
 Their charms encreafing; as their union grows ; 
 
 Pure Spirits all, who hating mental ftrife, 
 
 Exalt creation, and embellifli life ; 
 
 All here attend, and, in their Sovereign's praife. 
 
 Their circling forms the fong of glory raife. 
 
 The bleft Serena drinks, with ravifli'd ear, 
 The racking mulic of the .tuneful fphere. 
 
 Now 
 
[ 139 ] 
 
 Now in its clofe the foothing echoes roll 
 
 O'er her rapt fancy, and intrance her foul ; 
 
 Her fenfes link in foft Oblivion's bands, 675 
 
 Till faithful Jenny at her pillow ftands. 
 
 Recalls each mental and corporeal power, 
 
 While fhe proclaims aloud the pafling hour ; 
 
 And, in a voice expreilive of furprize, "| 
 
 Too fhrill to feem the mufic of the Ikies, 680 y 
 
 Informs the ftartled Fair 'tis time to rife. 1 
 
 END OF THE FIFTH CANTO, 
 
 T 2 CANTO 
 
[ HO ] 
 
 C A N T O VI. 
 
 X) LEST be the heart of fympathetic mould, 
 
 Whatever form that gentle heart infold, 
 Whofe generous fibres with fond terror fhake. 
 When keen AffliAion threatens to overtake 
 Young artlefs Beauty, as alarm'd fhe ftrays, j 
 
 Thro' the flrano;e windino-s of this mortal maze ! 
 To fuch, Serena, be thy ftory known, 
 Whofe bofom beft can make thy lot their own, 
 And, kindly fliaring in thy trials paft, 
 Attend with fweet anxiety the laft. lo 
 
 The hour approaches, the tremendous hour. 
 In whofe dark moments deeper perils lower ; 
 Still fc enwrapt in Pkafure's gay difguife, 
 They lurk invisible to Caution's eyes j 
 
 And, 
 
t HI 3 
 
 And, unfufpeded by the Fair one, wait ic 
 
 To cancel or confirm her blifsful fate. 
 
 Her lively mind with bright ideas ftor^d, 
 She takes her ftation at the Break faft-board ; 
 Still her foft foul the heavenly Vifion fills. 
 And fweeter graces in her fmile inftils ; 20 
 
 New hopes of triumph glide thro'^ every nerve. 
 And arm her glowing heart with firm referve ; 
 Confcious the final trying chance impends. 
 To bear its force her every power fhe bends ; 
 In her quick thought ambitious to prefage 25 
 
 How Spleen's dark agents may exert their rage^ 
 She ponders on what perils may befall, 
 And fondly deems her mind a match for all. 
 Ah, lovely Nymph ! this dangerous pride forego ; 
 Pride may betray — Security's thy foe. 30 
 
 While fancied Prudence thus, a foreign guefi:. 
 Sits doubly cherifh'd in Serena's breafb,, 
 Behold a billet her attention fteal. 
 No common arms compofe its ample feal ; 
 
 10 Jh" 
 
[ 1+2 ] 
 
 Th' unfolding paper breathes a rofeate fcent, 35 
 
 Sweet harbinger of joy, its kind intent. 
 
 Of courteous Fili.igree it bears the name, 
 
 Clear fymptom of the Peer's increaling flame ! 
 
 The gracious Earl, lamenting pleafure loft, 
 
 And fair Serena in her wiflies croft, 40 
 
 Has plann'd, in honour of the lovely Maid, 
 
 A fancied Ball, a private Mafquerade, 
 
 And fupplicates her Sire, with warm efteem, 
 
 To fmile indulgent on the feftive fcheme. 
 
 All arts he ufes to infure the grant, 45 
 
 Nor leaves unafk'd the eag-er maiden Aunt. 
 
 Quick at the found Serena's glowing heart 
 
 Throbs with gay hopes ; but foon thofe hopes depart : 
 
 Reflexion, in her foul a faithful guard. 
 
 The opening avenues of pleafure barr'd : ^o 
 
 She deem'd the plan of this delightful fhow, 
 
 But the new ambudi of her fecret foe ; 
 
 The blifs too bright to realize, flie guefs'd, 
 
 And chas'd th' idea from her guarded breaft. 
 
 While 
 
[ 143 ] 
 
 While thefe difcreet refolves her thought employ, 55 
 
 Tranquil fhe triumphs o'er her fmother'd joy. 
 
 Not fo the Knight — to his parental eyes, 
 
 In dazzling pomp deluflve viiions rife : 
 
 That Coronet, the objedl of his vow, 
 
 He fees fufpended o'er his daughter's brow ; 60 
 
 Eager he burns to fnap the pendent thread, 
 
 And fix the glory on his Darling's head. 
 
 Far wifer aims the ancient Maiden caught. 
 
 No empty gew-gaw flutters in her thought ; 
 
 But, while more keenly flie applauds the plan,. 65 
 
 Her hope is folid and fubftantial Man ; 
 
 Not for her infant Niece, whofe baby frame 
 
 She holds unfit for Hymen's holy flame ; 
 
 But for her riper felf, whofe ftrength may bear 
 
 The heaviefl: burden, of connubial care. 670 
 
 Tho' different Phantoms dance before their fi^ht. 
 Niece, Aunt, and Father, in one wifli unite. 
 To join the banquet is their common choice. 
 The bufinefs pafl: with no diflenting voice ; 
 
 9 And 
 
[ H4 ] 
 
 And the warm Sire, in whom ambition burn'd, 75 
 
 A note of grateful courtefy return'd : 
 
 His billet feal'd, the glad good-humour'd Knight 
 
 Launched forth, like Neftor, on his youthful might: — 
 
 " O could I now, in fpite of age, retain 
 
 " That adlive vigour, and that fprightly vein, 80 
 
 " Which led mc once the lively laugh to raile 
 
 " Among the merrier Wits of former days, 
 
 ** When rival Beauties would around me throng, 
 
 " And gay Ridottos liften to my fong ! 
 
 " Such were I now, as on the feftive night, 85 
 
 " When Ch h's charms amaz'd the public fight ; 
 
 " When the kind Fair one, in a veil fo thin 
 
 " That the clear gauze was but a lighter /kin, 
 
 *' Mafk'd like a Virgin juft prepar'd to die, 
 
 " Gave her plump beauties to each greedy ey^l 90 
 
 " On that fam'd night, (for then with frolic fire 
 
 " Youth fill'd my heart, and Humour flrung my lyre) 
 
 " Plcas'd in the funfhine of her fmile to bafk, 
 
 *' I danc'd around her in a Devil's mafk j 
 
 " And 
 
C H5 3 
 
 " And idly chaunted an infernal ode, 915 
 
 " In praile of all this Female tempter OiQw'd. 
 
 " The jocund crowd, who throng'd with me to gaze, 
 
 " ExtoU'd my unpremeditated lays, 
 
 *' And Sport, who ftill of this old revel brags, 
 
 " * Styl'd her the firft of Maids, and me of Wags. sob 
 
 " Then a light Devil, now, reduc'd to limp, 
 
 *' I am but fit to play the hag-born Imp 5 
 
 *' Still, not to crofs the frolic of this Ball, 
 
 " Still as the Tortoife Caliban I'll crawl, 
 
 " And if with Gout my burning ankles flinch^ 105 
 
 " I'll call it Profpero's tormenting pinch j 
 
 " Still in this fliape I'll fhew them what 1 am, 
 
 ** And Pen. fhall go as Sycorax, my dam." 
 
 So fpoke the Knight ; and fpoke with fo much weighty 
 The liftening Females faw his Word was fate ; no 
 
 i^or ne'er did Jove with fo refolv'd a brow 
 To fmiling Love his joyous fcheme avow^ 
 
 See Neftor's Speech in the i ith Iliad. 
 
 V' When 
 
[ 146 ] 
 
 When he concerted, for his fpecial mirth, 
 
 A mafquerading on the ftage of earth, 
 
 And of the Swan's foft plume, or Bull's rough hair, 115 
 
 Order'd the Fancy-drefs he chofe to wear. 
 
 From whence let fapient Antiquarians fhew 
 
 The ancient ufe of Mafquerades below. 
 
 Serena fmil'd to fee this joyous fire 
 
 Infufe new youth in her determin'd Sire ; 1 20 
 
 But mute Penelope, with half a figh, 
 
 " With one aufpicious and one dropping eye," 
 
 Heard the firm Knight his fixt refolvc impart, 
 
 Ticklino; at once and torturino- her heart. 
 
 The Ball fhe relifh'd, but abhorr'd the tafk 125 
 
 To hide her beauties in a Beldam's malTc : 
 
 Miranda's name would better fuit her plan, 
 
 A fimple Maiden, not afraid of Man ; 
 
 But us'd, alas ! her Brother's law to feel. 
 
 She knows that law admits not of repeal. 130 
 
 Trufting her charms will any garb enrich, 
 
 She deigns to take the habit of a Witch. 
 
 Never 
 
[ M7 ] 
 Never did Sorcerefs in the fliades of nicrht 
 Try to illuminate a jfilthy Sprite 
 
 With fonder efforts, or with worfe fuccefs, 135 
 
 Than Pen. now labour'd, in this wayward drefs, 
 To give the fprightly fhew of living truth 
 To the poor ghoft of her departed youth. 
 As Witches o'er their magic cauldron bend, 
 Anxious to fee their menial Imps afcend ; 14b 
 
 So in her glafs the ancient Maiden pries. 
 And dreams new graces in her perfon rife. 
 No fuch delights, whofe dear delufions pleafe, 
 The mild Serena in her mirror fees ; 
 She, at whofe toilet Beauty's latent Queen 145 
 
 Attends, enchanted with her filial mien. 
 And o'er her Favourite's unconfcious face 
 Breathes her own rofeate glow and vivid grace. 
 She haftes her glittering garments to adjuft. 
 With all the modeft charms of fweet diftruft, 1 50 
 
 Doubting that beauty, which fhe doubts alone, 
 Which dazzles every eye except her own, 
 
 U 2 The 
 
[ .48 ] 
 
 The native diffidence which fway'd her mind, 
 Now feels new terrors with its own combind ; 
 The robes of Ariel to the Nymph recall 155. 
 
 Thofe ^ifappointments that may yet befall ; 
 As her fair hands the gauze or tiffue touch, 
 They fondly warn her not to hope too much- 
 She feels the friendly counfel they impart, 
 And Caution reigns proteftor of her heart. 160 
 
 The fateful evening comes — the coach attends^. 
 And firft the gouty Caliban afcends ; 
 Then, in Deformity's wcU-fuited pride, 
 Sour Sycorax is ftation'd by his fide ; 
 
 And laft, with fportive fmiles, divinely fweet, 165 
 
 Li^ht Ariel perches on the vacant feat. 
 Fancy now paints the fcene of pleafure near. 
 Yet fluttering Gaiety is check'd by Fear. 
 Her wifli to view the feftive fight runs high ; 
 But the fond Nymph remembers, with a figh, 170 
 
 From Hope's keen hand the cup of joy may flip, 
 
 And fall untafl:ed, though it reack the lip. 
 
 As 
 
[ H9 ] 
 
 As the fine Artift, whofe nice toils afpire 
 
 To fame eternal by encauftic fire ; 
 
 If he, with grief, has feen the faithlefs heat 175. 
 
 Marr the rich labour it fhould make compleat, 
 
 When next his hands, with trembling care,, confide 
 
 To the fierce clement his pencil's pride,. 
 
 Watches unceafing the pernicious flame,.. 
 
 Terror and Hope contending in his frame,. 180 
 
 While his fair work the dangerous fire fuftains. 
 
 Feels it in all his fympathetic veins, 
 
 And at each trivial found that Chance may caufe. 
 
 Hears the Gem crack, and fees its cruel flaws : 
 
 With fuch folicitude the panting Maid 1 85 
 
 Paft the long ftreet, of every noife afraid. 
 
 Now, while around her rival flambeaus flare, 
 
 And the coach rattles thro' the crowded fquarc^ 
 
 She fears fome dire mifchance muft yet befall, 
 
 Some Demon fnatch her Irom the promis'd Pall ; 190 
 
 And dreams no trial more feverethan this, 
 
 So bri^rht fhe fioiurcs the new fccne ot blifs 
 
 Yet 
 
I 150 ] 
 
 Yet, horrid as it feems, her heart is bent, 
 To bear e'en this, and bear it with content. 
 
 But, whirl'd at length within the Porter's gate, 195 
 She thinks what perils at the Ball may wait ; 
 And, as fhe now alights, the fluttering Fair 
 Invokes her Guardian to proted her there, 
 Till thoughts of danger, thoughts of caution, fly 
 Before the magic blaze that meets her eye. 200 
 
 Th' advancing Nymph, at every ftep fhe takes, 
 Pants with amazement, doubtful if fhe wakes ; 
 Far as her eyes the glittering fcene command, 
 'Tis all enchantment, all a Fairy land ; 
 No veftiges of modern pomp appear, 205 
 
 No modern melody falutes her ear : 
 
 With Moorifli notes the echoing manflon rings, 1 
 
 And its tranfmuted form to Fancy brings > 
 
 The rich * Alhambra of the Moorifh kings. J 
 
 The Peer, who keenly thirfts for Fafbion's praife, 210 
 To gild his revel with no common rays, 
 
 * See the Views of this Palace in Swinburn's Travels. 
 
 Summon'd 
 
C '5' ] 
 
 Summon'd his modifh Architedl, whofe fkill 
 
 Can all the wifties of Caprice fulfil. 
 
 His genius, equal to the wildeft tafk, 
 
 Gave to the houfe itfelf a Gothic maik. 215 
 
 The Chaplain, that no guefl: might feel neo-ledl. 
 
 As a Magician of the Arab fed, 
 
 Wav'd a prefiding wand throughout the Ball, 
 
 And well provided for the wants of all. 
 
 The Peer himfelf, his prowefs to evince, 220 
 
 Shines in the femblance of a Moorifh Prince ; 
 And round the brilliant mimic Hero wait 
 All pomp and circumftance of Moorifli ftate : 
 Thro' all his fplendid dome no eye could find 
 Aught unembellifii'd, fave the Mafter's mind. 225 
 
 There, tho' repreft by Courtefy's controul. 
 Lurks the low mover of the little foul, 
 Mean Vanity ; whofe flave can never prove 
 The heart-refining flame of genuine love. 
 While her cold joys his abjedt mind amufe, 230 
 
 His thoughts are bufied on connubial views. 
 
 His 
 
[ IS2 ] 
 
 His houfe compleat, its decorations plac'd 
 
 By the fure hand of fafhionable Tafte, 
 
 He only wants, to crown his modifh life. 
 
 That laft and fineil moveable — a Wife. 535 
 
 She too muft prove, to fix his coy defire, 
 
 Such as the eye of Fafliion will admire. 
 
 His Ball is but a jury, to decide 
 
 Upon the merit of his fancied Bride* 
 
 If fweet Serena, on this fi^nal night, 240 
 
 Shines the firft idol of the public fight '; 
 
 If Gallantry's fixt eyes pronounce her fair^ 
 
 By the fure fign of one unceafing flare ; 
 
 And if, prophetic of her nobler doom, 
 
 Each rival Beauty fhudders at her bloom ; 245 
 
 The die is caft— he weds — the point is clear ; 
 
 She cannot flight the Vows of fuch a Peer. 
 
 Thus argued in his mind the feftive Earl, 
 
 And, left he lightly chufe an awkward Girl, 
 
 Wifely conven'd, on this important cafe, 25O 
 
 Each fafhionable judge of Female grace. 
 
 Here 
 
[ '53 ] 
 
 Here Beaux Efprits in various figures lurk, 
 
 Of Jew and Gentile, Bramin, Tartar, Turk ; 
 
 But of the manly Mafks, a youthful Bard 
 
 Secm'd moft to challenge Beauty's foft regard : 255 
 
 Adorn'd with native elegance, he wore, 
 
 In fimpleft form, the minftrel drefs of yore : 
 
 They call him Edwin, who around him throng, 
 
 Edwin, immortaliz'd in Beattie's fong ; 
 
 And, footh to fay, within a comely frame, 260 
 
 He bore a heart that anfwer'd to the name ; 
 
 For this neat habit deck'd a generous Youth, 
 
 Of gentleft manners, and fincerefl truth. 
 
 Tho' on his birth propitious Fortune fmil'd, 
 
 No proud parental folly fpoil'd the Child ; 265 
 
 And Genius, more beneficently kind, 
 
 Bleft with fuperior wealth his manly mind. 
 
 Of years he barely counted twenty-one ; 
 
 But, like a brilliant morn, his opening life begun. 
 
 Fain would the Mufe on this her votary dwell, 270 
 
 And fully paint the Youth fhe loves fo well ; 
 
 X His 
 
[ «54 ] 
 
 His figure's charms, the mufic of his tongue, 
 
 What Nymphs his lays allur'd, what lays he fung : 
 
 But higher cares her rambling fong controul ; 
 
 Serena's perils fummon all her foul ;. 275 
 
 For Spleen, ambitious to exert her force,. 
 
 Confcious this trial is her laft refource,, 
 
 Moft keenly bent on her pernicious tafk, 
 
 Has (liifted round the Ball from maik to maik, 
 
 Watchina; the moment, with infernal care, 280 
 
 To form with deepeft art her final fnare. 
 
 And manacle the mind of the unguarded Fair. 
 
 It comes, the moment that mufl fix her lot,. 
 By her, ah thoughtlefs Maid ! by her forgot ; , 
 Tho' the light Hours, e'en in their frolic ring, 2.85-, 
 
 Trembling perceive the fearful chance they bring, 
 And, fliuddering at the Nymph's terrific ftate, 
 Seem anxious to fufpcad her doubtful fate. 
 
 Now focial Eafe the place of Sport funplicd^, 
 
 The hot opprellivc mafk was thrown afide, 290)- 
 
 And Beauty fiione reveal'd in all her blufiiing pride. J 
 
 Superior 
 
t '55 ] 
 Superior ftiil in features as in form, 
 With admiration flufli'd, with pleafure warm, 
 The gay Serena every eye allur'd ; 
 
 The hearts her figure won her face fecur'd : 295 
 
 A tender fweetnefs dill the Nymph maintain'd, 
 And Modefty o'er all her graces rcign'd. 
 Well might her foul to brilliant hopes incline, 
 A thoufand Youths had call'd her charms divine ; 
 A thoufand friends had whifper'd in her ear, 30O 
 
 That Fate had mark'd her for the feftive Peer, 
 Her youthful fancy, tho' by pomp amus'd, 
 WiOi'd not thofe offers, which her heart refus'd : 
 That tender heart, by no vain pride poflcfl:, 
 With indecifive trembling fliook her bread, 305 
 
 Like a young bird, that, jfluttering in the air, 
 Wiflies to build her neft, yet knows not vi^here. 
 
 The bufy Earl, his puny love to raife, 
 Hunted the circling whilper of her praife ; 
 Heard Envy own her lovely charms, tho' loth, 310 
 
 Heard Tafte atteft them with a modifli oath; 
 
 X 2 And» 
 
[ '56 ] 
 
 And, nuptial projeds thickening in his mind. 
 
 Now his fair partner in the dance rejoin'd. 
 
 As now the fprightly mufic paus'd, my Lord 
 
 Eager refolv'd to touch a fofter chord j 315 
 
 Secure of all repulfe, he vainly meant 
 
 Half to difplay, half hide his fond intent, 
 
 And, in diflembled Paffioa's flowery tropes. 
 
 To fport at leifure with the Virgin's hopes : 
 
 Far this he fram'd a motley fpeech, replete 32a 
 
 With amorous compliment and vain conceit. 
 
 The labour'd nothing with complacent pride 
 
 He fpoke ; but to his fpeech no Nymph replied t 
 
 For in the moment, the loft Fair devotes 
 
 Her willing ear to more attractive notes. 325 
 
 The Minftrel happen'd near the Nymph to walk,. 
 
 Rapt with a bofom-friend in fecret talk, 
 
 And, at the inftant when the Earl began 
 
 Half to unfold his matrimonial plan, 
 
 Edwin, in whifpers, from the crowd retir'd, 330 
 
 Chanc'd to repeat the Sonnet fhe infpir'd : 
 
 The 
 
[ '57 ] 
 
 The founds, tho' faint, her recollection caught, 
 
 Drew her quick eye, and fixt her wondering thought. 
 
 Loft in this fweet furprize, {he could not hear 
 
 A fingle accent of the amorous Peer.. 335 
 
 Spleen faw the moment that {Ke fought to gain. 
 
 And perch'd triumphant on the Noble's brain. 
 
 With jealous Envy ftung, and baffled Pride,. 
 
 *' Contemptuous Girl!" with fud den rage he cried, 
 
 " If here to happier Youths thy views incline, 340 
 
 " I want not fairer Nymphs who challenge mine. 
 
 " Thy breaft in. vain with penitence may burn ;, 
 
 " But, once negleded, I no more return." 
 
 Thus loudly fpeaking, with diftemper'd heat. 
 
 Rudely he turn'd, with rancorous fcorn replete. 34.5, 
 
 Serena, ftartled at th.' injurious found, 
 
 Survey'd th' infulting Peer, who fternly frown'd.; 
 
 Shame and refentment thro' her bofom rufh,. 
 
 Swell every vein, and raife the burning blufh. 
 
 Love, new-born Love, but in its birth conccal'd, 350 
 
 Nor to the Nymph herfelf as yet reveal'd, 
 
 And 
 
t '58 ] 
 
 And jufl Dirdain, and Anger's honeft flame, 
 
 With complicated power convulfefier frame: 
 
 Contending Paflions every thought confound, 
 
 And in tumultuous doubt her foul is drown'd. 355 
 
 Now treacherous Pride, who tempts her tongue to trip, 
 
 Forms to a keen reply her quivering lip : 
 
 Infidious Spleen now hovers o*er the Fair, 
 
 Deems her half lock'd within her hateful fnare ; 
 
 In her new flave preparing to rejoice, 360 
 
 To taint her fpiiit, and untune her voice. 
 
 Haplefs Serena ! what can fave thee now ? 
 
 The Fiend's dark flgnet (lamps thy clouded brow, 
 
 In thy fwoln eye I fee the ftarting drop ; 
 
 This fatal fliov/er, astherial Guardian! ftop : 365 
 
 Hafte to thy votary, haftc, her foul fuflain, 
 
 Nor let the trials fhe has pad be vain. 
 
 Ah me ! while yet I fpeak, with (huddering dread 
 
 I hear the magic Girdle's burfti ig thread. 
 
 This horrid omen, ye kind Powers I avert : 370 
 
 Nor thou, bright Zone ! thy brighter Charge defert. 
 
 Ah, 
 
[ 159 ] 
 
 Ah, fruitlefs prayer ! her panting breaft behold! 
 
 See ! the gauze fhakes in many a ruffled fold I 
 
 Forc'd from their ftation by her heaving heart, ^ 
 
 From the flrain'd Girdle thrice three fpangles flart : 375 
 
 Thro' her diforder'd drefs a pafs they've found, 
 
 And fallen, fee, they glitter on the ground! 
 
 O bleiTcd chance ! with life-recalling light. 
 
 The glittering monitors attradt her iight ! 
 
 Like ftars emerging from the darken'd pole, 380 
 
 They fparkle fafety to her harrafs'd foul. 
 
 See ! from her brow the clouds of trouble fly, 
 
 Vexation's tear is vanifli'd from her eye ! 
 
 Her rofy cheeks with Joy's foft radiance burn. 
 
 Like Nature fmiling at the Sun's return ; 385 
 
 The Nymph, no more with mental darknefs blind, 
 
 Shines the fweet Ruler of her refcu'd mind. 
 
 Hence, hitcful Spleen ! thy fancied prize refign, 
 
 Renounce for ever what fhall ne'er be thine ; 
 
 For, confcious of her airy Guardian's aid, 390 
 
 She fccis new fpirit thro' her heart conveyed, 
 
 And, 
 
[ '60 ] 
 
 And, inly blefiing this vidlorious hour, 
 
 Her foul exults in its recover'd power. 
 
 In fuch mild terms fhe hails th' infulting Peer, 
 
 As Spleen, if mortal, muft expire to hear ; 395 
 
 But, driven for ever from the lovely Girl, 
 
 The foul Fiend riots in the captive Earl. 
 
 He anfvvers not ; but, with a fuUen air, 
 
 On happier Edwin, who approach'd the Fair, 
 
 Darts fuch a glance of rage and envious liatC, 4OO 
 
 t 
 
 As Satan caft on Eden's blifsful ftate, 
 
 When on our Parents firfl he fixt his fight. 
 
 And undelighted gaz'd on all delight : 
 
 So doom'd to look, and doom'd fuch pangs to feel. 
 
 Scornful he turn'd on his elaftic heel. 405 
 
 " O lovely Mildnefs ! oh angelic Maid I 
 '* Deferving homage, tho' to fcorn betray'd j 
 " Rife ftill, fweet Spirit, rife thefe wrongs above, 
 *' Turn from injurious Pride to faithful Love ; 
 
 5 <* Tho' 
 
[ '6' ] 
 
 *' Tho' on my brow no Coronet may Hiine, 410I 
 
 " Wealth I can offer at thy beauty's jQirine, I 
 
 " And, worthier thee, a heart that wor/hips thine." J 
 
 Thus, with new-kindled Love's afpiring flame, 
 
 Spoke the fond Youth conceal'd by Edwin's name, 
 
 The gallant Falkland, rich in inborn worth, 415 
 
 By Fortune bleft, and not of abjedl birth. 
 
 Warmly he fpoke, with that indignant heat 
 
 With which the generous heart ne'er fails to beat, 
 
 When Worth infulted wakens virtuous ire. 
 
 And injur'd Beauty fets the foul on fire. 420 
 
 Quick to his voice the ftartled Virgin turn'd. 
 
 With w^onder, hope, and joy, her bofom burn'd ; 
 
 With fweet confufion, flurried and amaz'd, 
 
 On his attradlive form flie wildly gaz'd. 
 
 Full on her thought the friendly viflons rufli'd ; 425 
 
 Blufliing fl:ie view'd him, view'd him ftill and blufli'd j 
 
 And, foft Affedion quickening at the fight. 
 
 Perchance had fwoon'd with fullnefs of delight, 
 
 Y But 
 
[ l62 ] 
 
 But that her Father's voice, with quick controul, 
 
 Recaird the funaions of her fainting foul. 430 
 
 When on the diftant feat, where, fondly fixt, 
 
 He view'd the Nymph as in the dance fhe mixt,, 
 
 He indiftindly heard, with wounded ear,. 
 
 The fpleenful outrage of the angry Peer. 
 
 Swift at th' imperfed: found, with choler wild,, 43-5^ 
 
 He fprung to fuccour his infulted Child ; 
 
 But ere his fury into language broke,. 
 
 Love calm'd the ftorm that Arrogance awoke. 
 
 The fudden burft of Falkland's tender flame. 
 
 His winning manners, his diftinguifli'd name,, 440 
 
 His liberal foul, by Fortune's fmile careft,. 
 
 All join'd to harmonize the Father's breaft. 
 
 His fiery thoughts fubfide in glad furprize,. 
 
 And to the generous Youth he warmly cries 1 
 
 *' Ingenuous Falkland ! by thy franknefs won, 445 
 
 " My willing heart would own thee as my Son ; 
 
 *' But on thy hopes Serena mufl: decide: — 
 
 ** Hafte we together from this houfe of Pride." 
 
 I So 
 
C *63 ] 
 
 So fpoke the Sire ; for, to her Votary kind, 
 SoPHROSYNE infpir'd his foften'd mind, 4^0 
 
 Speaking, he fmil'd, to fee that on his word 
 The Lover hung, and bleft the founds he heard ; 
 That his embarrafs'd Child his fentence caught 
 With each tumultuous llgn of tender thought ; 
 Whofe blufhes, fpringing from the heart, declare 455 
 The dawn of fondnefs in the modeft Fair. 
 Th' enchanted Youth with ecftafy convey'd 
 Forth from the troubled Feaft the trembling Maid. 
 
 As the keen Sailor, whom his daring foul 
 Has drawn, too vent'rous, near the freezing pole ; 460 
 Who, having flighted Caution's tame advice, 
 Seems wedg'd within impervious worlds of ice; 
 If, from each chilling form of peril free. 
 At length he reach the unincumber'd fea, 
 With joy fuperior to his transient pain, 465 
 
 Rufhes, exulting, o'er th' expanfive main : 
 Such ftrong delight Serena' s bofom fhar'd, 
 When fweet Refledion to her heart declar'd, 
 
 Y 2 That 
 
[ i6+ ] 
 That all the trials of her Fate were part, 
 And Love's decilive plaudit feaFd the laft. 470 
 
 Her airy Guard prepar.is the fofteft down, 
 From Peace's wing, to line the nuptial crown: 
 Her fmiles accelerate the bridal morn, 
 And clear her Votary's path from every thorn. 
 On the quick match the Prude's keen cenfures fall, 475 
 Blind to the heavenly Power who guided all. 
 But mild Serena fcorn'd the prudifli play. 
 To wound warm Love with frivolous delay ; 
 Nature's chafte child, not Affcdlation's (lave, 
 The heart flie meant to give, fhe frankly gave. 480 
 
 Thro' her glad Sire no gouty humours run, 
 Jocund he glories in his dcflin'd Son. 
 PeniiLope herfelf, no longer fcen 
 In the four femblance of tormenting Spleen, 
 Buys for her Niece the robes of nuptial ftate, 4P5 
 
 Nor fcolds the Mercer once thro' all the long debate. 
 For quick difpatch, the honed Man of law 
 Toils half the night the legal ties to draw ; 
 
 3 At 
 
At length th' enriptur'd Youth, . 
 
 Bears his fweet Bride to his paternal 
 
 On a fair lawn the chea'-ful maniion itjody 
 
 And high behind it rofe a circling wood. 
 As ilic bleft Lord of this extendve reiorn 
 Led his dear partner thro' her new domain, 
 With fond furprize, Serena foon defcried 495 
 
 A temple raisM to her astherial Guide. 
 Its ornaments fhe view'd with tender awe, 
 Their falliion fuch as fhe in vifion faw ; 
 - For the kind Youth, her grateful fmile to gain, 
 * Had, from her clear defcription, deck'd the fane. 500 
 
 Joyful he cried, to his angelic Wife, 
 " Be this kind Power the worfhip of our life I" 
 He fpoke ; and led her to the inmofl: fhrine ; 
 Here, link'd in rofy bands, two Votaries (hine ; 
 The pencil had imparted life to each, 505 
 
 With energy that feem'd beyond its reach. 
 Firft flood Connubial Love, a manly Youth, 
 Whofe bright eye fpoke the ardent vows of truth ; 
 
 FriendfLip, 
 
[ i66 ] 
 
 Friendfliip, fweet fmiling, fiU'd the fecond place, 
 
 In all the fofter charms of Virgin grace. S^^ 
 
 Their meeting arms a myftic tablet raife, 
 
 Dcck'd with thefe lines, the; Moral of my Lays :— 
 
 <' Virtue's an ingot of Peruvian gold, 
 
 «^' Sense the bright ore, Potofi's mines unfold ; 
 
 *' But Temper's image muft their ufe create, 5^5 
 
 " And give thefe precious metals fterling weight." 
 
 A- ■ ^ y C^' ^^^ / // ^ 
 
 c'-imm'/'^ 
 
 N 1 S. 
 
^^'..y*^-(i'^ 
 
i 
 
 >' 
 
 i