I PR 5249 R3 P5 I Copy 1 & %^ SSU[ ."?.??f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. '^//?e _^%/7j"l€J iY z 2/?^v/^M^ 7 & GortouleL del. S.SpringsguJh scidp. See Tagel09- London, Published, by G-kW.BJWuttaJeer.i3^ive Maria Lane. THL PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP; # $oem> IN TWO PARTS. FRANCES ARABELLA ROWDEN. THE THIRD EDITION. LONDON: PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER, AVE-MARIA LANE, By Weed and Rider, Little Britain. 1818. 7R£ raArt SDefcuattotn MISS MITFORD, BERTRAM HOUSE, NEAR READING, When with a Master's ardent soul inspir'd, Ideal charms immortal Zeuxis fir'd, His bold conception ranged the sphere of thought, And to his aid assembled beauties brought ; VI The God of taste combin'd their separate charms, And bright perfection hail'd him to her arms ; But when a sister art here dar'd to trace, Forgive th' attempt, the soul's sublimer grace, Oft as her fancy sketched the feeling breast, The heart where filial fondness shines confest, The tender ties that kindred spirits bind, And all the angel virtues of the mind, From one pure source these soften'd tints she drew, That source Affection, and her model, You. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST EDITION, JL he following pages are an attempt to delineate the pleasures arising from the mutual endearments of Friendship, with all the great and heroic deeds inspired by this disinterested feeling of the soul. It is described as the first of intellectual enjoy- ments, the most valuable of all earthly possessions and die indissoluble bond, by which virtuous hearts Vlll are connected. Hence reciprocal acts of kindness are performed, and mutual sacrifices made, which constitute the general order, harmony, and happiness of created nature. It is not only considered as referring to the endearments of social life, and the attachment of Friends, but as embracing the tender sympathies of parental, filial, and conjugal affections. If the introduction of the passion of Love should be deemed incompatible with the chaster feelings of the mind, let it be understood, that by love is only meant those delicate movements of the soul, that tenderness of esteem, that reverence of virtue, and IX sacrifice of all selfish enjoyments, wfiich form the essence of this sentiment, when abstracted from the grosser considerations of sense. Cicero observes, in his Essay on Friendship, " that love is a leading "■ and essential principle in constituting that par- " ticular species of benevolence called amity," and so high and respectable an authority gave confidence to the application of this sentiment, to one of the strongest and most sublime affections of the heart The sublimity of Akenside, the refined polish of Rogers, and the glowing energy of Campbell, are standards of excellence^ from a comparison with which these humble pages shrink with diffidence and dismay. The Author feels most sensibly how inad- equate her talents are to do justice to a subject, which embraces all the delicate springs of the heart, and all the exquisite modifications of the soul. She has only ventured to cull a few flowers from a soil, rich in variegated beauties; while she leaves to a more judicious taste and nicer judgment, the selection of richer matter for a theme, as inexhaustible in examples, as it must be interesting to every feeling and generous bosom. She is well aware that the explanations contained in several of the Notes may be considered as super- fluous by the generality of readers. She might have retrenched, or entirely suppressed, many of them, if she had not kept in view the amusement and instruction of a more juvenile class ; whose improvement and delight have been no common stimulus to her exertions, and which will constitute the sweetest recompense of her labors. Hans Place, April 13, 1810 ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. After the very flattering reception of the first Edition of this little work, the Author was anxious to render it less undeserving of the Patronage of her Friends ; and under this idea has detained it above twelve months from the Press. Having bestowed much attention on its revisal, aided by the suggestions XIV of a literary friend, whose name, were she allowed to mention it, would do honor to her work, she again ventures to submit it to the notice of the Public. Hans Place, Nov. 3, 1811. THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP; PART I. Idole y common minds— Conclusion, THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP* pact % XJLAiL, Spirit of the soul ! whate'er thy name, Genius or Fancy ! Thou, whose lambent flame Bids the rapt Poet's glowing thought expand, And warms to rapture his advent'rous hand ; Come on thy wings of many a changeful hue, For ever charming and for ever new ; 8 Come, paint in vivid colors, snatch'd from heav'n, This precious boon to erring mortals giv'n ; This all-sustaining, all-reviving pow'r, That sooth'd our drooping Parents' fallen hour ; That o'er the drear and barren waste of earth A new Creation waken'd into birth ; And brought a second Eden to their view, Tho' Innocence had bid the world adieu. Oh blest Affection ! even then began Thy balmy pow'r to charm forsaken man ! 'Twas thine to soothe the sufFrers' deep disgrace, And whisper comfort for their future race ; Breathe o'er the wounded soul thy halcyon strain, And bid the trembling spirit live again ; When, ere relenting Mercy calm'd the fears, Ere hope of pardon shone thro' sorrow's tears ; When, mingling dread with dread, and grief with grief, They found in mutual love their last relief. So the sweet woodbine, batter'd by the storm, Twines round the wedded elm her fragile form ;. Bow'd, yet not broke, in beauty blooms again, And sheds reviving fragrance o'er the plain. 10 Visions of early life, ere yet ye fade, Let my light pen arrest your fleeting shade ; Oh ! hither bring the scenes of op'ning youth, Mark'd with the seal of innocence and truth ; The school-day partner of nay joys and fears, Whose long affection, stampt by later years, With force resistless strikes upon my mind, And wakes the shadows Memory left behind; Recall the joyous smile, the sportive jest, The sob of Pride, half-own'd and half-supprest ; For Pride e'en here exerts her baleful pow'r, Felt in our earliest, as our latest hour ; The truant footstep, ling'ring on the way, The stolen moments of forbidden play; 11 And the gay wreath, in sportive Fancy wove, With many a smile, and many a vow of love ; Which blooms in Memory's eye with equal grace, Tho' death's pale hues have long usurp'd their place. O'er these fond scenes the restless feelings sigh ; Dear valued moments, gone too swiftly by ! Nor deem'd we then these day-dreams of delight, So soon would mingle with the shades of night : Or that thick gath'ring storms should intervene, To cloud the prospects of this fairy scene. Th' horizon's bound was all the world we knew, And Hope's soft pencil ev'ry image drew. We scorn'd those strains, with moral precepts fraught, Which pious Age, or sage experience taught : 12 For what seem'd fair bewitched our guileless breast, And infant reason knew no brighter test. €ould e'en an Angel's voice one doubt instil, When all our wisdom was distrust of ill? Along the elm tree walk, as oft we stray'd, Where sportive zephyrs thro* the foliage play'd ; As youthful fancy wing'd the circling hour, We hail'd the charms of Friendship's guileless pow'r, The tender secret whisper'd in the ear, And the last charge impressed with many a tear. There heart to heart the mystic silence broke, t And guess'd the pain, ere lab'ring sorrow spoke ; 13 Or from the sparkling eye that rapture caught, Which spurnd control, and mock'd the pow'r of thought. Swift like departing shades these joys have flown ; Sweet joys, to Love and Friendship only known! Yet, as our guardian spirits hover'd nigh, These hours of innoceuce were mark'd on high, And do not riper years attest their sway I Fade their rich tints in life's declining day ? Has age no joys to soothe its listless state, Or gild the darkning clouds of adverse fate ? Yes ! tho' no Friend, of all once lov'd, remains To whisper comfort, and to share its pains, 14 The cherish'd memory of things long past Shall hold the lamp, and brighten to the last. Tho 5 all around seems wrapt in endless gloom, Friendship still gleams upon the op'ning tomb; And the fond hope, inspir'd by pious love, Draws back the veil where spirits meet above. So fade the shadows of departing day, When with mild lustre glows the setting ray: So its soft beams, more faintly as they're seen, Shed o'er the placid soul a light serene, A light more pleasing to the chasten'd mind, Than all that dazzling brightness leaves behind. 15 Say, whence those gentle sympathies arise, That several hearts in fond remembrance prize ? Whence glow those warm emotions of the soul, Tho* mountains rise, and distant oceans roll ? 9 Say, why the mind each sacred relic keeps, And o'er its absent pleasures fondly weeps ? Whence, Friendship ! but from thee, whose smile imparts Life, hope, and rapture to congenial hearts? Without this charm e'en Fancy's treasures fade, Fame is a dream, and Honor but a shade : This charm, that time nor absence can efface, Which steals from added years improving grace, Extends to ev'ry state its strong control, From Congo's shores to Zembla's frozen pole; 16 In Sorrow's cell, at Pomp's triumphant side ; The poor man's solace, and the great man's pride* At Congo's name exulting Freedom cries: " Ye bartered children, see my hard-earn'd prize ! " Securely now enjoy your plantain groves, " Your sable Friendships, and your dusky loves ; " Or stretch'd at ease by Gambia's ample stream, " Of brighter worlds and happier regions dream, " Tyrants no more shall mar the God-like plan, " Nor rend those ties, which rivet Man to Man." u Lo, in Arabia's desolated soil, Endearing Friendship smoothes the brow of toil, And boasts around her hospitable boards, Her bands of brothers, and her friendly hordes. The smile of fondness, with affection's tear, Beneath their rude and simple huts appear. These, as with social tenderness they trace The tedious march, or urge the toilsome chace, To fainting life a cheering balm expand, Like tracts of verdure rising mid the sand. Nor less in northern climes affection blooms, Tho' Nature's face be rob'd in endless glooms, B 18 There, thro* the long and cheerless night of snow The Maid of Greenland mourn'd her hopeless woe ! There oft, in Fancy's visionary form, She saw the light bark meet the gath'ring storm; And thro' the tempest's rage, which rock'd the pole, She gaz'd, and watch'd, and wept away her soul : To the wild winds her rising terrors cast, And mock'd the death, which echo'd thro' the blast. The harsh Castilian, glorying to be just, Grasp' d with relentless hand his cruel trust ; Till the strong picture of domestic woe To this sweet impulse taught his heart to glow. 19 Then all the ties, which gentler bosoms own, Burst on his soul, and pierc'd his heart of stone. Down his rough cheek the tear of pity ran, And the rude soldier melted into man. From this blest fount our brightest poets drew Visions of bliss, and scenes for ever new ; Scenes that alike the gay and pensive charm, Delight the tender, and the rude disarm ; And still as fresh and fair shall flow the strain, Till Nature fades, and Chaos comes again. Oh Love ! without thy voice, thy potent aid, Still in the ground the quarried mass had laid : 20 Whose breathing forms in ev'ry clime proclaim, Starting to life, the Maid of Corinth's fame. She whose firm hand at meek Affection's call Trac'd the bold outline on the shad'wy wall ; And wak'd those slumb'ring arts to light and day, That mimic life, and mould the plastic clay. Long may the portrait's hallow'd touches lend The valued features of the absent Friend ! What tho' the shades of feeling are too fine, For Art to seize, or Genius to combine ; Yet, dear to Friendship, oft with magic fraught, They strike the soul, and fix the chain of thought : 21 Thought* whose chaste vigils pious Memory keeps, Where silent sadness holds her watch, and weeps: And, as the mourner o'er the semblance hangs, It steals from widow'd sorrow half its pangs. Departed joys of Life and Friendship rise, And dark Oblivion renders back her prize. Let the pale taper's fading lustre tell, What kindred souls in cloister'd Friendship dwell ; Where moments stole from vigils of the night, Depicture scenes still imag'd with delight ; Where sighs, oft mingled with the half-form'd pray'r, The pious listener's fond compassion share ; And hopeless tears, by sad remembrance shed, For joys renounced, and hopes for ever fled ; In sweet communion sister sorrows blend, And closer draw the links of Friend to Friend. How sweet the musing of the pensive mind, By culture polish'd, and by taste refin'd ! Here, in retirement's most secluded bow'rs, Inventive Fancy wreathes her sweetest flow'rs. Here Memory reviews her secret stores, Here Hope, exulting, worlds of bliss explores ; But most of all, Affection, hallow'd guest, Finds the lone hour the haven of her rest. 23 And as these treasur'd scenes of life are view*d, Some proof of love is promised or renew'd; Self and its narrow joys are thrown aside ; Some hope supprest, some cherish'd wish denied, For her whose image fills her breast alone, Whose bliss reflection doubly makes her own. Hail, tender impulse, at whose sacred shrine The varying passions all their pow'r resign ! Ah, not alone those tumults of the soul, Which moral truth and pious faith control ; But all those pleasures of the human heart, That love of fame and flatt'ring praise impart. 24 For this the Muse, who sang in silver strain ^Eneas' woes, repress'd the flowing vein ; To rising worth resigned the wreath of fame, And left the lists to grace a rival's name. For this when great Hephjestion's noble mien Drew royal honors from the captive Queen, No jealous fears, that selfish minds invade, Cast o'er the son of Jove their baleful shade; But proud himself to swell his rival's pride, " What tho' the kingly crown be mine" he cried, " This noble chief his mighty deeds proclaim " More than my equal, only less in name/' 25 Scipio and Lifiitius! Fame to you consigned The fairest wreath admiring Friendship twin'd ; When the immortal precepts Tully taught, A brighter lustre from your virtues caught ; When he, whose soul th' electric fire possest, To pierce the dark, and warm the gen'rous breast, From your pure lips those sacred laws convey d ? Which the close union of your lives displayed ; And not confin d to mutual cares alone , On Terence too your Love diverging shone ; Your's, with the warmth to social bosoms dear, Embrace! a larger range, a wider sphere. The props of genius, and the friends of truth, Ye hail'd the dawning honors of his youth ; 26 Drew from his sprightly lyre a bolder sound, And o'er his brows a deathless garland bound. To hearts like these, with noblest zeal refin'd, Who boast the great in deed, the pure in mind, Folly in vain may shoot her dazzling ray, And all the empty pomp of life display. These the ambitious and the vain persuade, Who leave the substance to pursue the shade ; And tho' instinctive nature cries aloud, Renounce the friend, to court the vulgar crowd ! Those with far higher aim, far nobler view, The living light of Friendship's path pursue, 27 And meet the changing scenes of life unrnov'd ; Content in loving, and in being lov'd. But say, ye giddy herd, who tread the maze Of Fashion's Court, and echo Folly's praise, Why, mid this specious semblance of delight, The drooping spirit, and the sleepless night 1 Why, mid this fairy scene, the half-drawn sigh, The fading languor of th' averted eye ? 'Tis that the shrine to which these vot'ries bend, Can gain no heart, nor fix one faithful friend. 28 Not wise too late, ah ! nobly turn from thence, To where true taste can lasting joys dispense : Where Virtue triumphs in her native sphere ; Where social graces social life endear ; And the sweet ties by God and Nature giv'n, Twine round the heart, and lift the soul to Heav'n. E'en all the bolder virtues of mankind, Mingled with these a stronger impulse find ; Fair Liberty to matchless feats aspires, And Glory kindles hence her brightest fires. 29 Amid the annals of heroic fame, Recording History marks the Ancient's name ; As if the great, the noble, and sublime, Were the proud attributes of ruder time : And the fine polish of a taste refiri'd, Weaken'd the firmer virtues of the mind : As the keen chisel, smoothing in its course, Discloses beauty with diminished force. Nor strange — for ruder times indeed might boast Virtues, in these degenrate ages lost. What vent'rous deeds the patriot's breast could swells Ye sacred band of gallaut warriors tell ! 30 When link'd by Friendship, Liberty, and Law, Ye couquer'd states, and kept the world in awe. Tegyra still records that fatal day, When dauntless Sparta bow'd beneath her sway ; Sparta, whose Stoic courage long defied The charms of pleasure, and the pomp of pride ; Who spread with daring hand the veil of night O'er dawning science, and instruction's light; Repell'd the wheels of time's revolving course, And struck with freezing touch improvement's source : And, bending Nature to her harsh control, Sniother'd the strong emotions of the soul. Weigh well the pow'r these colder virtues boast, Then view the Theban Friends o'erwhelm her host. 31 The Scythian hordes, by Friendly compact bound, O'er polish'd States an easy conquest found ; True to one cause, the mighty phalanx niov'd, And the vast weight of martial union prov'd. The issuing swarms of Norway's frozen home, Spread devastation o'er degen'rate Rome ; Their desolating banners, wide unfurl'd^ Struck with dismay the Mistress of the World : — She fell ; by sad experience taught at length, Wealth is no bulwark, distant sway no strength ; While this was all their hardy conq'rors* boast : The ties of Friendship are themselves a host 32 Achilles weeping o'er Patroclus' bier, Of Memory claims the tributary tear: And tender Nisus, dying to defend Belov'd Euryalus, his valiant friend: And self-devoted Pythias, who, to save The man he lov'd, could sternly dare the grave : And faithful Pylades, at the dread shrine Of Justice, pleading with a force divine, In matchless contest, for the fatal stroke, Till Nature's ties the pious secret broke. Or go where smiling Wisdom ruFd the hours, In Academus' philosophic bow'rs ; Where polish'd Athens, in her classic seat, To Wit and Friendship gave their best retreat. 33 Such fame in later times Sans Sotici shares, Where Royalty forgot its pomp and cares ; Where classic taste, with courtly ease combin'd, Improv'd the social graces of the mind ; And love that charms, and mirth that cheers the breast, Luird the imperial ills of life to rest : While all that wit and elegance inspires, As genius fann'd her never-dying fires, Shed round the polish'd guests a ray divine, By Friendship kindled at her hallow'd shrine. Tho' not in courts nor camps she oft reside, No Statesman's virtue, and no Courtier's pride, c 34 Yet fam'd beyond the bright historic page Of ancient annals, or our polish'd age, The Theban pair, in Faction's wildest hour, Its jarring int'rests, its distracting pow'r, Beheld the swelling waves of discord roll, Unchang'd in Friendship, and unmov'd in soul : While the rude storms, which shook the tott'ring state. But closer bound and rivetted their fate. So, when in Rome Ambition reafd her head, When her rank venom base corruption shed, Firm in the conscious dignity of Man, His blameless course the great Patrician ran. 35 Tho' party rage to fiercest discord rose, And the best friends became the direst foes, He still retain'd the love his truth inspir'd, By all respected, and by all admir'd : And in the silken bands of social life, Join'd rival pow'rs, and queird the civil strife. For say, tho' deaf ning trumpets speak success, Can the sad soul its secret wish repress ? Can civic wreaths substantial joys impart, Whilst not a Friend is present to the heart? Or mid the flow of ftatt'ry's servile vein, The loud applause, the panegyric strain, 36 The fawning lips that never disapprove, And the soft simper of pretended love, Steals not the tear unbidden from the eye ? Heaves not the soul the deep, repentant sigh 1 That asks a share in Nature's social plan, The tender sympathy of Man to Man ; The generous warmth which amity requires, The bold reproof courageous love inspires ; The gentle voice that wooes the silent grief, And wins the secret, but to give relief: The fond surprise, by tenderness prepar'd, The sorrow lessen'd, and the pleasure shar'd : How much they charm, let Trajan's heart attest, Who pour'd his inmost thoughts in Pliny's breast ; And great Navarre, triumphant Gallia's pride, Who laid the glitt'ring diadem aside, To share with Sully, in retirement's scene, The social converse, aud the hour serene : Joys which the pomp of courts can seldom claim, And Royalty possesses but in name. Ah Friendship! who shall tell thy soothing pow'r, When languid sickness rules the heavy hour ? When on the couch, oppress'd by sore disease, The restless spirit turns in vain for ease 1 What grateful incense to the feeling heart, To catch the hope endearing smiles impart ; 38 To meet the kind caress, the gentle sigh, And pity, beaming in the tearful eye ; To find, as life's delusive joys expire, Some tender breast, where sorrow may retire ; Some sheltering haven in that gloomy day, When all but Truth and Friendship fade away. Benignant Spirit ! in that trying scene, Shed o'er the parting soul thy ray serene; Blest harbinger of peace, whose siren strain Can charm despair, and lull the throb of pain; And best prepare it for those realms abore, Where all is harmony and perfect love. 39 Glory of Greece ! let latest times admire What matchless deeds thine energies inspire! In Hist'ry's breathing page still let them read His name, whose bosom felt thy pow'r indeed. How bright, ere fainting Nature sunk to rest, Glow'd thy confiding impulse in his breast : This nurs'd the hope, which smooth'd the path of death ; This rais'd the pray'r that trembled on his breath ; When the bold legacy Affection gave, Stamp't its immortal triumph o'er the grave. Nor less in his, whose gen'rous love prepar'd To take the double trust his friend had shar'd ; And show admiring worlds what magic spells, Expand the heart where boundless Friendship dwells. 40 Speak, for ye best can tell, whose varying state Has prov'd the blessings and the frowns of fate : If more its pow'r, in pleasure or in grief, To heighten rapture, or to give relief? — Not, will you say, when prosp'rous fortune pours Her sparkling pleasures, and her golden stores ; Not when life's current smoothly glides along, When laughing Folly trills the choral song. But when affliction's agonizing tears Stream o'er the loss of all that life endears ; When slander's breath the fairest virtue taints, When honor sickens, and when courage faints; When, one by one, pretended friends retire, And tow'ring hopes, like fading stars, expire ; 41 And most of all, iu that accusing hour, When keen remorse exerts its cruel pow'r; That child of guilt, which wakes the blush of shame, And fans reviving virtue to a flame ; That only trace of Eden's blest remains, Which still our frail and fallen race retains ; Which strongly marks, ere saving grace descenfls, Where vice begins, and sinking virtue ends. Ah ! ye, whose hearts o'er human mis'ry sigh, Arrest this fleeting impulse ere it die ; Come, with an Angel's warning voice, to still The rising storm, and stem the tide of ill. 42 Bend, by the sweet enchantment of your sway, The rebel mind that murmurs to obey ; Calm its wild passions, and its jarring strife, And win the wav'ring spirit back to life : Nor let the magic of persuasion pause, Till God and pity rise in Friendship's cause. Oh, thou, on whose unshelter'd naked head Neglect and want their baleful influence shed, Sweet Child of Genius, in this favor'd land, Twas thine to sink without one saving hand ! Had Friendship rais'd for thee her beacon flame, Still, Chatterton ! might honor court thy name : 43 Admiring worlds no more at thy career, In silent grief, would drop the pitying tear ; But hold to view a bright example known For ev'ry charm that Science calls her own. Let not the Passions' transitory reign Condemn the heart to everlasting pain- - Let not the darkling errors of an hour For ever cancel love's protecting pow'r : Nor conscious worth, with pride indignant rend This tender tie, and sever Friend from Friend. No, if one virtue mark the sad career, One ray of hope the gloomy prospect cheer; 44 One smother'd spark beneath this load of woe, That waits for Mercy's hallow'd breath to glow ; Tho' forfeit life should sink beneath the steel, Let faithful Friendship still display her zeal; And tho' her calmer reason disapprove, Lament in silence with unshaken love. Hope of the wretched, spirit of the brave ! Tis thine to comfort when forbid to save ; 'Tis thine in gentle strains to whisper peace, Bid present doubts in future prospects cease ; 'Tis thine to point the path a Saviour trod, To lead the mourner to the throne of God : 45 Mount the dread scaffold, soothe his parting breath, And twine thy garland round the brow of death. Spirit of wounded love ! to thee belongs Jaffier's atoning deed for Friendship's wrongs, For Pierre denounced, when most he hop'd for aid, For honor sacrificed, for Love betray'd ; Wrongs for which frowning honor claims its due, Tho' Belvidera's self in pity sue; For wrongs so piercing life itself must pay : Not less than blood can wash the guilt away. And lo ! 'tis done — repentant, weeping shame Strikes the intreated blow to clear her fame; 46 Crowns the last hope on which affection hangs P And spares dishonor's aggravated pangs. Ah ! never hope by lawless deeds to bind In Friendship's virtuous ties the gen'rous mind. All, all, but innocence, the charm destroys, Bursting the spell that bound her dearest joys ; Sheds o'er each scene a dark desponding gloom; Embitters life, and gives an early tomb. Else why the altered look, the clouded brow, And the deep sigh of honor's broken vow ? Else why the doubt by riper years confest, Doubt, the lone grave where buried comforts rest? 47 Where blighted hopes and ruin'd peace proclaim Dishonor's triumph under Friendship's name. ; Tis thus the gallant youth, who pants to claim The brightest laurels in the wreath of fame ; Gay, open, unsuspecting, artless, warm, With heart, nor plotting, nor suspecting harm, Too early launched on life's tempestuous stream, Finds all his promised hopes a fleeting dream : Beneath the smile that won his easy heart, Lurk'd cruel malice, and insidious art ; Dup'd where he trusted, where he lov'd, betrayed* Too sad to hope, too proud to ask for aid; 48 With shame reviews the fatal paths he trod, And meets, uncalled, the presence of his God. Nor only Friendship's name is us'd to speed The sharper's purpose and the villain's deed : Love's hallow'd title shares the treacherous cheat, And oaths and vows seduction's arts complete. Thus she, who bloom'd in conscious virtue proud, The modest beauty of the rustic crowd ; Whose virgin charms, in time's revolving space, Were only yielding to the matron's grace ; Had no false tale her simple heart assail'd, No promis'd dream of endless love prevaiPd, 49 That in the softer feelings of her breast, Lull'd duty's sterner sentiments to rest ; She had not left a mother's shelt'ring arms To mourn in solitude her fatal charms ; Lo ! sunk in poverty's neglected shade, No voice to succour, and no Friend to aid ; To Heav'n she turns her meek imploring eyes, Neglected suffers, and unnoticd dies. Not here, alas ! the dreadful evils cease : Burst are those links that bound domestic peace. So close the union of the social breast, Touch but one string, it vibrates thro' the rest; 50 To cruel discord turns the heav'nly strain, Jars the fine nerve, and wakes distracting pain ; Each pleasing scene parental fondness trac'd, By virtue strengthen^, and by beauty grae'd; The pride of riper years, the prop of age, The purest type of life's unsullied page, Fade with the loss of Nature's dearest ties, While hope expires with all that hope can prize. What mournful strains the Lord's anointed sung, When perjur'd Absalom his bosom wrung ; That much-lov'd son, o'er whom destruction, veiPd In Friendship's mask, too fatally prevaiPd, 51 High o'er proud Carmel's consecrated brow, Peal'd the sad notes of duty's broken vow. Through Heav'n's wide vaults the bitter accents run : " O had I died for thee, iny Son, my Son ! n Unlike the sorrows of his plaintive Lyre, Which mourn'd departed Friendship's genuine fire; Then breath'd a tend'rer and a softer strain, For " Israel's beauty," numbered with the slain: " I weep, my brother Jonathan, for thee : " Passing the love of women thine to me/' 'Mid all the ills that human life displays, How few that want inflicts, or wealth allays ! 52 Tis from the wounded spirit, cold disdain, From slighted vows, and broken Friendship's pain; From Honor proving but an empty shade, Confiding faith, and trusting love betray'd, That canker'd griefs a ready entrance find, To wring the heart and pierce the feeling mind. For who can picture all the secret grief And silent sorrow that defies relief ; When Reason's aid, that brings a sure redress In other woes, but mocks this sore distress ; And makes the tender breast more deeply feel, Probing the rankling wound it cannot heal. When Friendship weeps, how many fibres bleed, While from the soul it's cherished hopes recede ! 53 Those lov'd delights on which affection leans, Familiar habits, and long- valued scenes ; These, as fate severs, and as chance destroys, Rend from the heart its solace and its joys ; Whilst on remembrance past endearments press, And by strong contrast aggravate distress. Ah, ye, who bow to reason's cold control, Pity the soft refinement of the soul ; Pity its nameless pangs, its restless fears, Those gentle sympathies that love reveres ; Spare the keen jest, till some nice clue you find, To trace the fine machinery of the mind ; 54 Think not its tears a doubt of love convey ; Ye little guess the feeling's secret sway ; The pow'r that moulds each fibre to the tone Of joy or grief to you can ne'er be known. Ah ! sooner strive to grasp the rainbow's hues, Or fix the fleeting shades that fancy views ; Or count the ceaseless movements of the brain, Or the wild phrenzies of the Poet's strain : This still shall mock the vain attempts of art, This masterpiece of God, a feeling heart. Ere yet my timid Muse prepare to sing What matchless deeds from kindred Friendships spring ; 55 Ere yet she pause, her drooping wing to close, To snatch from pleasing toils a short repose ; Some valued Friends, to fond remembrance dear, Some social infrests, claim the tender tear ; And by a charm, Affection only gives, Arrest the images where Fancy lives. O thou, whose memory tunes this artless lay, My more than Mother ! in life's early day, How lov'd, sweet childhood's blissful hours have known ; How mourn'd, succeeding grief, alas ! has shown. Yet since thy sainted Spirit wing'd its flight To the pure regions of celestial light, 56 Oft, when by life's increasing cares opprest, I hail'd the soothing thought of virtue blest ; Happy that she who wip'd my infant tears, Was spar'd the anguish of my riper years ; Dear Saint ! to thee my joys were only giv'n, For human woes are spar'd the blest of Heav'n. And thou, sweet partner of my happiest hours, To whom my soul its choicest tribute pours ; From whose rich mind, enraptured fancy caught The light of intellect, the charm of thought ; All that fair truth and brilliant wit impart, And most of all, the treasures of thy heart ; 57 Ah ! not alone in youth's enchanting prime, Friendship like our's displays its pow'r sublime ^ Our's the congenial sympathies of mind, That soul to soul in tender union bind : Our's the delight of sweet reflection's praise, The self-approving thought of former days; Confiding Faith, by no sad doubts obscur'd ; Well-tried esteem, by years of pain secur'd ; And the best gift indulgent Mercy gave ; The hope of endless love beyond the Grave. THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. PART II. THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. PART II. Amor enim, ex quo amicitia nominata, Princeps est ad tenevolentiam conjuugeudam. Cicero de Amicitul. O divine amiti£ ! f^licite parfaite ! Seul mouvement de l'&ine, oa l'exces soit permis. Voltaire* ARGUMENT. Subject proposed — Kindred Friendship — Parental Affection — Solomon's judgment — Moses in the* bulrushes — Rachel — The pleasing offices of ma- ternal love — Filial affection — The Grecian daugh- ter — Coriolanus — iENEAS — Pliny — Frater- nal affection— Friendship and Love, as relating 64 to the heart, synonymous — Connubial Love, as de- scribed by Milton, contrasted with its present state — Heroic instances — Arria — Eponina — Lady Rachel Russell — Lord William Rus- sell— Duke of Monmouth— Lord Caven- dish — Friendship among Savages — Prince Lee Boo — The American Indian — Among Negroes — ZEBRONand Zabor — Friendship in a state of Nature, contrasted with that produced by the refinements of Civilisation— Apostrophe to Friend- ship— Episode — Celestial harmony, the link of the Creation — The redemption of the world — The social Friendships of our Saviour — His love to fallen Man — Conclusion. — THE PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. $art 33f* Impassion'd Spirits, of no earthly mould, Whose souls the attributes of Heav'n unfold ; Who, deeply stampt with nature's genuine seal, Can nobly suffer, and sublimely feel : Say, whence the hope and rapture of those ties, Which next to life Creation's children prize ? E 66 Say, whence the fortitude that danger braves, That shares with pity, or with courage saves t That yields for those it loves its latest breath, Serenely smiling in the arms of death 7 What the strong impulse all are proud to claim 1 But Nature, Love, and Friendship, all the same. Wide in its influence, ardent in its force, The mother's love displays its purest source ; Her joyful transports, and her nameless fears, As fancy droops, 6r hope reviving cheers, Demand no fond return, no mutual aid, By love itself the debt of love is paid. 67 Her's the persuasive glance, th' inspiring word, That snatch'd the infant from th' uplifted sword ; Her's the nice instinct, whose unerring test Proclaim'd the secret of the tortur'd breast; The voice of Nature o'er the wiles of Art, The matchless triumph of a mother's heart. The very shades of grief which mingle here, Do but the more the various joys endear. For if this chequer'd scene of things below, Iu ev'ry blessing, hides some secret woe, ; Tis that alternate pain, and pleasing hope, May give the mingled feelings ail their scope, And that these anxious objects of our care A stronger claim, and dearer love may share. 68 For chasten'd joy to pensive minds is dear, And rapture sparkles in the starting tear. As souls like these through doubts and terrors rove, Their bliss is heighten'd by sublimer love. Thus the all-bounteous hand of Heav'n unites Life's sacred duties with its dear delights ; And stamps this golden maxim on the breast : In blessing others we ourselves are blest. Near Nilus' stream, in all the pangs of grief, Maternal anguish sought its last relief: When to avert the cruel fate decreed, The Hebrew Mother twin'd the pliant reed ; 69 Nor deem'd she then that Heav'n itself inspired The daring thought her throbbing bosom fir'd ; And that she trusted to the rolling wave, A chosen guide to succour and to save ; Her nation's stay in sorrow's trying hour, The type of Grace, and Mercy's healing pow'r. Her present pain enhanc'd her future joy, When, snatch'd from death, she clasp'd her helpless boy. Let not the selfish heart that coldly view* Affection's many woes, its joys refuse : And think, that barren vacancy shall still Secure the good alone, and ward the ilk 70 The restless soul, by sickling fancy tost, In idle fears and airy visions lost, Longs for some tie on which its hopes may rest, Some cherish'd happiness not yet possest. Hence sprung the lonely mother's ceaseless cry : " Oh! give me children, Lord, or else I die !" Maternal tenderness! wherever found, Thou giv'st a magic charm to all around : But chief the triumph of thy pow'r is seen In the retiring shade, and hour serene ; And most of all, when intellect refhVd Unfolds the hidden treasures of the mind 71 On smiliug lips, where female softness dwells, Instruction sits, and weaves her potent spells ; And blending pleasure with the themes of truth, She forms the soul, and moulds the heart of youth. Tho' from the world's gay haunts these duties fly, In secret blossom, and in silence die ; Her's are the tranquil regions of repose, Secure from idle joys, or fancied woes; A world, commanding all that taste and sense* In calm seclusion, to the soul dispense ; Where hope and harmony's enchanting pow'rs Gild the gay visions of her happiest hours : And thro' the shad'wy veil of fate descry A smiling scene of bright unclouded sky ; 72 Her's too the blessing, that no storms molest, The settled sunshine of a spotless breast. And does not filial tenderness prepare A sweet reward for Nature's early care 1 From infant beauty, with its artless wiles, To dawning intellect's expressive smiles, As life unfolds, some new endearment flows, Some winning charm, where pure affection glows. Thron'd in a look, or glist'ning in a tear, These choicest treasures of the heart appear ; And thro' the gloom of sickness, grief, and pain, Bid hope revive, and rapture bloom again. Nor do these softer attributes we find Exclude the bolder feelings of the mind ; But rous'd, to noblest, highest deeds give birth ; Parents of virtue, dignity, and worth. The pious child, to Grecian mem'ry dear, Reckless of justice, unsubdued by fear, Like the bright glory of Celestial pow'r, That cheer'd the captive saint's lone midnight hour, Sought her lov'd Sire — his gloomy prison shar'd, And to his lips her swelling bosom bar'd ; From whence the warm and living stream that flow'd, Gave back the being filial duty ow'd. He too, whose stern revenge each plea refus'd, Each pray'r, by love and soft persuasion us'd, 74 When neither wife, nor child, nor native home, Could raise one feeling for ungrateful Rome ; By filial duty's stronger pleadings won, Sunk the proud Roman in the tender son. His, too, the filial wreath, who nobly bore His Sire thro' scorching flames from Ilium's shore : And his, who mid the earth's convulsive jar, When Nature shook with elemental war, The dark abyss and burning lava brav'd, And from impending death a mother sav'd. Next in the sister's love, and brother's truth, Affection triumphs o'er the heart of youth ; 75 With this, kind Heav n her fair creation crown'd, Souls of no sex, in sacred union bound ; But where the shades of sex perhaps may claim A tend'rer care, and wake a livelier flame. As innocence her helpless state endears, And his commanding soul her heart reveres ; More strongly glows each transport of the mind, That knits the bands by sweet affection twin'd. And while the modest beauties of the maid Give to his bolderdeeds a soft'ning shade, His daring courage, and exalted sense, To her the loftier energies dispense, Of matchless fortitude, and bounteous pride; Boldness to think, and conscious sense to guide. 76 Twins in affection, lineament, and soul, In sacred harmony their moments roll. His heart and sentiment in her we trace, Adorn'd with all the charms of female grace : In him her mind, her features, and her air, More boldly touch'd, less exquisitely fair. Thus, when the portraits glowing beauties give Those breathing forms where truth and nature live, In the rich tints these mimic strokes display, Each harsher outline gently melts away ; And the fair copy of each charm wc view Drawn with a lighter hand, and mellower hue. 77 Immortal Love ! thy pow'r Creation sways, Each bosom owns thee, and each heart obeys; 'Tis thine to bid the slumbering spirit soar To heights sublime, and worlds of bliss explore; To deeds of fame and glory's wreaths aspire, And feed its flaming torch with heav'nly fire ! Yes ! from the charm of love no breast's secure, The bold avow it, and the meek endure ; The rough it softens, and the rude disarms, Expands the selfish, and the senseless charms ; Tho' breath'd thro' sighs, and oft bedew'd with tears ? To pensive minds this but the pain endears ; And these lov'd griefs, so long indulged, proclaim The pain is pleasure by another name* 78 Tis the strong link that kindred spirits binds ; 'Tis the last polish of exalted minds ; 'Tis rapture kindled at affection's shrine ; ? Tis virtue strengthen^ by a force divine. For not by love is meant that restless joy, Which smiles to wound, and dazzles to destroy ; Which takes its birth from beautv s fading flow'r, And like its emblem, blossoms but an hour ; That sees perfection never found below, Save in the rapture of a lover's vow ; When daring souls celestial regions rove, To deck with angel charms a mortal love ; As bold Prometheus, from the realms of day, Stole heav'nly fire to light his fashion'd clay : 79 But all that lasts when beauty's charms are fled, When sense expires, and gross desire is dead ; The joy reflection's silent hour can bear, Reason can justify, and virtue share. Love best display'd in rnis'ry's bitter lot, Which triumphs most when pleasure is forgot. Oh ! for that hallow'd voice, whose strains sublime Sang wedded love in Eden's blissful clime ; When no mistrust disturb'd its guileless joy, Love knew no doubt , and rapture no alloy ; When Heav'n's great host composed the glorious train, And listening Angels pour'd the nuptial strain; 80 While the Almighty's fiat from on high, Proclaimed to worlds unborn the sacred tie ; And bade th' immortal cup of pleasure flow In endless streams, unmix'd with human woe. Connubial love, behold thy alter'd state ! Mingled with mutual wrongs, with mutual hate ; The sullen discontent, the silent grief, The hopeless misery that mocks relief; The lips condemned in tender strains to move, When the heart sickens at the name of love. The blushing maid, by sordid interest sold, And virtue barter'd for increase of gold ; 81 Discord and doubt, with jealous passion's strife, The tyrant husband, and the faithless wife ; For where we trace those beauties of the mind, Which souls congenial in pure concord bind ; Some adverse star, relentless pow'r, presides, Their fortune severs, and their fate divides ; Blasts ev'ry joy in youth's enchanting bloom, And gives the widow'd heart an early tomb. To snatch your fame from dark oblivion's wing, Your proud memorials, honored matrons, bring; And let your bright examples nobly prove, That time has known the charms of wedded love j F 82 That Heav'n's best boon, which once, so fate ordain'd/ Ere base alloys its holy nature stain'd, Could give the color of revolving years, Could animate with smiles, or grieve with tears, Doom'd by its worth no common fate to know, To feel the vast extremes of bliss or woe* Devoted Arri a, wife of heav'nly mould ! To latest ages shall thy tale be told ; Whilst Admiration, in thy double claim, Doubting which duty most exalts thy fame, Records the love that near an infanfs bier, With matchless courage check'd the starting tear ; 83 To shine the wife, renounc'd the mother's part, Sparing the anguish of a father's heart. Then when tyrannic law condemn'd her lord, In her own bosom plung'd the fatal sword ; And glorying as she drew the reeking blade, To point the path, and mingle shade with shade ; In death's last pang supprest the parting sigh, And taught a Roman Hero how to die. Her virtuous praise, too, shall the muse relate, Who nobly shar'd an exil'd husband's fate, Whose love and anguish, veil'd from human sight, Gave birth to beauty in the shade* of nighjt : 84 Shrouded the ties of Love in infant bloom* And cradled Nature in an early tomb. From ev'ry hope in life's fair prospects torn, Her martyr'd lord, see pious Rachel mourn ; She, who beyond e'en life and love could prize A glorious recompense above the skies ; Who to the little hour that guilt might claim, Preferred his honor and unsullied fame ; And from fhe judgment of a tyrant's laws, To God and future ages left his cause, O potent miracle of wedded love ! The Friend renounc'd, to crown the Saint above ; 85 That Friend, for whom the gallant Monmouth rose, A faithful champion mid a host of foes, Unsheath'd in Freedom's cause th' avenging sword, Weeping to share the blow he could not ward ; That Friend, whom Cavendish implor'd in vain, To change with him the captive's galling chain ; Who nobly scorn'd a base inglorious flight, Purchas'd by Honor, and by Friendship's right; And meekly bowing to a traitor's fate, Expir'd the victim of a tyrant's hate. But, ah ! not here the hope of England fled i Virtue still liv'd, tho' guiltless Russell bled ; 86 The deathless lustre of whose soul we trace In other Russells of his noble race ; In whom as pure the mantling current flow'd ; In whom as bright the love of honor glow'd ; As firm in liberty's defence unmov'd, Like him lamented, and like him beloved. Say, do the warm affections of the heart Demand the culture of improving art ? Glows not the breast in nature's rudest clime, With love as pure, with fervors as sublime, Tho' rock'd by storms, and nurtur'd in the wild, As Fortune's fav'rite, Education's child ? 87 Yes, to this heav'nly flame the soul expands, Tho' darkling Error forge her iron bands ; Tho' learning's treasures be to her unknown, Her feelings play, by Nature taught alone : From the cold poles, to earth's remotest plain, Extends their vast and universal reign ; But as the spark in dying embers lies, Till the reviving breath of Heav'n arise, When, fann'd to life, it spreads its glowing rays, And circling mounts in wide triumphant blaze ; So oft, to torpid apathy resigned, Repose these silent energies of mincj, Till some idea touch the secret chain, Where, closely link'd, the busy thoughts remain ; 88 Then rous'd, or joy or sorrow they dispense As flow the sympathies of soul and sense. When Abba's son beheld the sails unfurl'd, To hail the wonders of a western world, Not all that hope pourtray'd, or Fancy drew, Could soothe the anguish of a last adieu, Tho' flatf ring tales of promised good were told, And the rich treasures Science would unfold, When at his call the sun of truth should smile On the wild regions of his infant isle ; Tho' dear the impulse of the youthful breast, That feels in bliss conferred supremely blest ; $9 Yet dearer far to him those tender ties, Which most in sorrow's parting hour we prize ; And while remembrance on each object hangs, And separation sharpens all his pangs ; His Friends, his Kindred of his native shore Strike with a feeling, scarcely known before ; All the sweet scenes of early life appear, And fond affection hails her triumph here. Far as the eye from Andes' heights can trace Untrodden shores and Ocean's boundless space ; Where Superstition rears her giant head ; Where tropic suns their burning splendors shed ; 90 O'er trackless wilds, beneath whose covert shade Love never smil'd, nor graceful Beauty play'd : But ambush'd deep, and arm'd with deadly stiugs, The venom'd snake its warning rattle rings ; Go, trace what charm th* untutor'd Indian won, When first salvation's dawning glories shone ; Not the pure truth, in glowing language drest, Of life immortal, and eternal rest; But the sweet promise Revelation gave, That happy spirits meet beyond the grave. This the sole wish his simple nature knew ; The brightest paradise his fancy drew : Thus as he faintly haiFd the rising light Illume the heavy cloud of error's night, sri Faith o'er his spirit pour'd her rays divine, And Superstition bow'd to Friendship's shrine. So when the sun's meridian lustre glows On some tall mountain, wrapt in Alpine snows, Its gloomy caves and horror-breathing steeps, Where the fierce daemon of the tempest sleeps, In streams pellucid gently melt away, Baring it's bosom to the blaze of day. But let the feelings of the savage breast, In Zelia's fate th' astonjsh'd mind arrest ; 92 She by her sable beauty doom'd to prove The boldest Friendship, and the direst love ; Doom'd.to proclaim, in passion's glowing tone, What ardent spirits fire the torrid zone ; When warm in youth, and rich in manly grace, Lions in courage, of the Negro race, Their hearts, their fortunes, and their love the same, Zebeon and Zabor felt the fatal flame. From earliest years the tender faith they bore, That eas'd the galling fetters slavery wore ; And as a brother shar'd a brother's toil, They bless'd the chains which bound them to the soil ; Till with the fetal dart their bosoms strove, Till mutual anguish own'd their mutual love. 93 Then came the bitter conflict of the heart, From the lov'd maid or cherish'd friend to part ; Here Zabor's sighs proud Zebron's love control, Wringing to agony his lofty soul ; There tender Zabor mourns his Friend's despair, If pity yield, what honor must not share. u Spare, spare that thought," distracted fondness cries, *' Not mine the pang I fear, the bliss I prize : " Then tears and groans their lab'ring grief reveal, Then vows of endless truth their union seal. While thus in pensive agony they stray'd, Trial too hard ! they meet the much-Iov'd maid. At once, oh miracle ! in Friendship's cause, Nature and sense suspend their sovereign laws ; 94 The storm is hashed, the fierce desire supprest, And passion silenc'd to eternal rest. s- On her dear form they gaze with heavy sighs, Weep tears of blood, then raise to heav'n their eyes ; Alternate clasp her in their sable arms, Alternate mourn her all-seductive charms ; And ere relenting love the blow could ward, Deep in her bosom fix the fatal sword : Pour forth their anguish in a last adieu, Then rush on death, to matchless Friendship true. Such the impetuous feelings of the breast, By Nature's hand, in savage wildness, drest : 95 Bold, lawless, unrestrained, they revell'd here, And made th' untutor'd heart their native sphere. Yet in this jarring conflict of the soul, This war of passions, bound by no control, That like the fierce Tornado's dreadful course, Sweeps the wide plain with unresisted force ; Where devastation, with terrific form, Howls thro* the blast, and revels in the storm; E'en Love, immortal Love, whom all obey, And Jealousy, which rules with tyrant sway ; Aud Hope, that ev'ry absent bliss supplies, And life itself, with all that life can prize ; All here forgotten, or all here supprest, The glorious triumph of the heart confest: 96 And Friendship, smiling on this Indian Me, Proud of her conquest, deck'd their funeral pile. Friendship, blest pow'r! to thee alone is giv'n, To blend the vast extremes of earth and heav n. 'Tis thine to soften thro' this boundless frame Each jarring int'rest, and divided claim; Discordant tastes in perfect union draw, To bend revolting passions to thy law. Tho' nature, prejudice, and clime oppose, To make the sons of earth the bitt'rest foes, 'Tis thine with chains of adamant to bind The rebel heart, and centre mind in mind. 97 From scenes like these, which holy grief o'erspreads, We turn where Love a softer lustre sheds ; Where Science and Refinement, hand in hand, Lead mild Philosophy's celestial band. First, tender Pity ! soft'ning Sorrow's reign ; Then Patience, meekly bearing ev'ry pain, With all the Arts that humanize the mind, And Charity, embracing all mankind ; And bright-ey'd Faith, intent on thingsdivine, And Passions, harmoniz'd at Mercy's shrine ; And Piety, that soars to realms above, Yielding it's earthly to a heav'nly love; Where the pure flame, from ruder feelings freed, Shines all that man can wish, and God decreed. G 98 Long to her sons shall Scotia tell the tale Of sister beauties, in fair Leadnoch's vale : Scotia, who boasts her wild romantic glades, Her mountains lost in deep empurpled shades ; Whose tow'ring crags, by peals of thunder rivn, Bear the dark clouds, and court the storms of Heavn. Now threatening tempests from their haughty brow, Now softly gleaming in the lakes below; Where wizard Fancy, with her magic wand, Still summons visions at her bold command. Nurse of wild dreams, and superstitious fears, That pierce the veil of long succeeding years, That steal from life the joys which most we prize. Or give to hope, what reason oft denies : 99 Scotia, where taste and feeling's sweetest child, The Border Minstrel, poured his wood-notes wild, O'er hills that erst with war and music rung, As Fingal triumph'd, and as Ossian sung. But here no glowing scenes, by genius drest, No fancied woes the listening ear arrest ; Plain simple truth reflects her living rays On the sad picture of departed days. And long the soldier, resting on his arms, The village maid, unconscious of her charms, The thoughtful shepherd, whistling o'er the plains, The prattling nurse, the infant's lisping strains, 100 Shall chant in rude traditionary lay, The fate of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray. Ill-fated pair ! from childhood's earliest years, One in their mind and heart, their hopes and fear*. Together had they reach'd life's vernal day, Like two sweet blossoms on one parent spray, That, join'd by Nature, equal beauty claim ; Their shades, their fragrance, and their growththe same. Scarce rose the wish, ere love its purport caught, And sympathy divin'd the sister thought ; The only hope their spotless hearts confest, Was Friendship in her boundless wishes blest; 101 Their's the fine form, to just proportion true, As genius taught, and classic models drew ; Their's Beauty, in Simplicity's pure vest, And Innocence, by artless Nature drest ; Th' angelic mildness of the gentle dove, The look of Heav'n, and graceful smile of Love, In them, too, Pride of ancestry might trace The ancient lineage of a noble race ; The pow'r that rul'd, the pomp that fill'd the earth, With all the honors of distiiiguish'd birth. But on such themes does Nature love to dwell? Do pomp or pow'r her simple numbers swell ? Far other strains are tar's, to her more dear The tender sigh of Love, and Pity's tear ; 102 The mutual wish, the fond endearing kiss, The smile expressive of unsullied bliss ; More dear to her, light tripping o'er the plains, This artless pair, their pleasures and their pains, When arm in arm, they sought their lov'd retreat The ivied summer-house, the moss-grown seat ; The scenes of infancy's enchanting hour, Sweet spots, endear'd by recollection's pow'r ; Where youth her gay, fantastic colors threw, And mus'd on pleasures past, or pictur'd new ; And promised all that glowing hope desires, Her warm wish kindled at affection's fires ; But ah ! the current of their moments past, In joys too bright for life, too pure to last. 103 For issuing from the earth's contagious springs, The demon plague o'er Scotia spread his wings; From angry clouds his dart malignant flung, Bow'd the strong sinews, and the nerves unstrung : Beauty and strength alike the havoc shar'd, Nor age nor sex the fatal poison spar'd ; O'er sick'ning worlds the sure destruction spread, And desolation stalk'd amidst the dead. Then rank infection burst from ev'ry pore, Then dark suspicion clos'd the social door. Then came the lonely hour, the bitter tear, The stolen interview, and speechless fear ; The last embrace that wrings the bleeding heart, And the dread stroke, more keen than death, to part 104 But here the hope, on which affection hangs, BeguiFd the pow'r of sorrow's bitter pangs ; Still treacherous dreams of youthful fancy glow'd, And thus sweet Mary's ardent feelings flow'd : " Oh, that our love some hallow'd spot could find, " Sacred to spirits of congenial mind ; " Some lone retreat, where no infectious breath " Pours on the chilling air the blast of death ; " No fever rages in the throbbing veins, * Nor phrenzy tortures with delirious pains ; " Content with what primaeval life supplies, " The turf our bed, our canopy the skies ; 105 " Then come what will, this privilege we have, M To share one fate— one home — perhaps one grave" " No more, no more/' her fair companion cries, rt This cherish'd wish our native clime supplies; " 'Mid blooming Leadnoch's deep embowering trees, ** This heav'n of rest prophetic fancy sees ; " Where safe concealed, we'll fix our sylvan seat, " Hope's dear asylum, Friendship's last retreat; M For us the larch a verdant roof shall bend, " For us the pine its spreading mantle lend. " Where piercing winds and scorching suns pervade, " We'll weave the foliage of the aspen shade ; 106 ** The blushing rose and violet we'll entwine "With lilies of the vale and eglantine." 1% done, the busy world invites in vain— That world which they must ne'er behold again ; For now the hand of fate a shadow throws, Darkening the scenes, and conjures woes on woes. But e'er the weeping muse their doom rehearse, Changing for mournful strains the sprightly verse^ Fain would recording memory retrace The simple beauties of this chosen place ; The hawthorn spreading far its tufted shade ; The brook that rippled thro* the mantling glade 107 The flow'ry dell, perfum'd with native sweets ; The rising hills, that sheltered these retreats ; The tuneful lark, that pour'd his matin lay ; The roses blushing on their simple spray ; The river, rolling o'er its rocky bed, Here dash'd in torrents, there in mirrors spread ; All that could health bestow, or life insure : Fit haunts for love so true, for hearts so pure. Now from their flowing vest the zone unbound, Confines the boughs that float luxuriant round ; Here the light net, which tress'd their auburn hair, With leaves entwin'd, excludes the chilling air ; 108 There for their couch the velvet moss is spread ; There fragrant violets on their pillow shed ; Fresh buds and blossoms pour their rich perfume* In waving honors from the foliag'd dome ; Beneath whose hallow'd arch, by beauty rear'd, No nymphs so fair and fond have since appeared. With sweets like these, in Eden's happy hour, Primaeval Eve adorn' d her bridal bow'r ; Tor then she knew simplicity's sweet grace, And innocence sat smiling on her face ; Then heav'nly music filPd the tuneful grove, Then Nature smil'd with harmony and lovfe. 109 Scarce had the moon, whose crescent lamp adonis Night's sable throne, renew'd her silver horns, When, as they rose to hail the dawn of day, Rous'd by the early lark's melodious lay, With eye exploring, and with pensive mien, On distant hills a highlander was seen ; A chequer'd tartan, o'er his shoulders flung, Down his fine form in graceful foldings hung ; Whilst sportive zephyrs, from his brow of care, Wav'd in the dazzling sun his golden hair. His plumage nodding to the passing gale, With eager step he bounded o'er the vale. His quick approach the blushing maids descried: 'Twas the young Ronald, Caledonia's pride, 110 Who, long enamour'd of the happy pair, Oft wove the chaplet for their flowing hair ; Or wooed the plaintive turtle from its nest, Or culFd the nosegay for their snowy breast : His only pleasure on their steps to wait, Friend of their hearts, and partner of their fate. Now, as the sun its orient lustre shed, And sweets ambrosial round the valley spread, Its floating beams that 'mid the branches play'd, Piere'd at each passing breeze a chequer'd shade ; And to his search the fairy haunt reveal'd, From all but Friendship's eager eye conceaPd. Then mutual glances, messengers of love, Confirm his wishes, and his doubts remove. Ill He stops, a rising blush o'erspreads his cheek, And thus his trembling lips attempt to speak: u O bright examples of unrivalTd truth ! " Dear, lov'd companions of my happy youth ! " If ever yet ye lov'd your Ronald's name, Among the many extraordinary proofs of the strong affections to be found in savage tribes, the Abbe Raynal particularises an instance of an Iroquois Indian, whose attachment to his departed Friend, and the hope of rejoining him in a future state, prevailed over every other consideration in regulating his life and manners, con- formably to the precepts of Divine Revelation. PAGE 91. LINE 9. But let the feelings of the savage breast. In Zelia's fate th f astonish 1 d mind arrest. 164 See the Abbe Raynal's Histoire Philosophique et Politique des deux Indes. I could not forbear introducing this striking illustration of the triumph of Friendship over Love, though the subject is already familiar to poetic readers, in Mr. Pratt's elegant Poem on Humanity. PAGE 98. LINE 1. Long to her sons shall Scotia tell the tale Of sister beauties, in fair Leadnoch's vale. The tradition of these unfortunate damsels relates, that they were both very beautiful, and attached to each other with the most romantic affection; and that to escape the contagion of the plague, in 1666, when 165 Bessy Bell, daughter of the Laird of Kinvaid, was visiting Mary Gray, they erected a bower near Leadnoch, in a secluded spot called Burn-Braes, where they lived in the happy society of each other, till this fatal disease was communicated to them by the visits of a young man, who, deeply enamoured of them both, discovered their retreat ; and they all three fell victims to its rage. They were buried near the bank of the river Almond. On a stone near the spot is this simple inscription : thk TOMB OF BESSY BELL AND MARY GRAY. The mark of their graves is still visible ; but no traces of that of their lover, said to be at their feet, now remain, The following are to be had of all the Booksellers. THE CLASSICAL JOURNAL, Containing a variety of Classical, Biblical, and Oriental Literature. (Published Quarterly, Price 6s.) CONTAINING, 1. Critical Observations on Classical Authors. — 2. Criticisms on new Editions of the Classics, and on Publications relating to Greek, Latin, and Oriental Literature. — 3. Disquisitions on Classical and Literary Subjects. — 4. Philosophical and Literary Anecdotes. — 5. Classical and Oriental Antiquities. — 6. Biblical Criticisms and Dissertations. — 7. Grammatical and Etymologi- cal Researches. — 8. Bibliographical Intelligence. — 9. Collations of Greek and Latin MSS. — 10. Greek and Latin Original Poetry. — 11. Prize Poems, and other Academical Exercises. — 12. Republications of scarce and valuable Tracts on Critical and Philosophical Subjects, and of important Articles in Conti- nental Journals. SERMONS on Public Occasions, with Historical, Critical, and Political Notes ; containing an article of some length on the Catholic Question, by R. Valpy, D. D. F. A. S. 2 Vols. Octavo, Price 18s. in boards. AN ADDRESS FROM A CLERGYMAN TO HIS PARISHIONERS. Third Edition. By the Same. Price 3s. 6d. Fine Paper 5s. THE ELEMENTS of GREEK GRAMMAR; With Notes for the use of those, who have made some Progress in the Lan- guage. Third Edition. By the Same. Price 6s. 6d. in Boards. THE ELEMENTS of LATIN GRAMMAR; With Notes for the use of those, who have made some Progress in the Language. Ninth Edition. By the Same. Price 2s. 6d. DELECTUS SENTENTIARUM ET HISTORIARUM, Ad Usum Tironum Accommodatus. Eleventh Edition. By the Same. Price 2s. 6d. A NEW LATIN VOCABULARY, Adapted to to the best Latin Grammars ; with Tables of Numerical Letters, English and Latin abbreviations, and the value of Roman and Grecian Coins. Fourth Edition. By the same* Price 2s. POETICAL CHRONOLOGY OF ANCIENT AND ENGLISH HISTORY: With Historical and Explanatory Notes. Sixth Edition. By the Same. Price 2s. PRINCIPIA OFFICIORUM, HISTORLE ET GEO- GRAPHLE , E Cicerone, Plinio Secundo, Justino, Cnrtio, Caesare, &c. excerpta. Second Edition. By the same. Price 3s. 6d. FIRST EXERCISES ; to be Translated into Latin, with familiar Explanations. Third Edition. By the Same. Price Is. 6d. CICERONIS M. T. EPISTOLjE, In usum Scholariim excerptae. Second Edition. Price 2s. ELEMENTS OF MYTHOLOGY ; Or an easy and concise History of the Pagan Deities ; Intended to enable the Young Reader to understand the ancient Writers, of Greece and Rome. Second Edition. Price 2s. C. CORNELII NEPOTIS Excellentium Imperatorum ViTiE ; ad fidem exemplorum denuo castigatae. Editio sexta- decima. Price 3s. ELEGANTLE LATINtE ; Or Rules and Exercises illus- trative of Elegaut Latin Style. Intended for the use of the middle and higher Classes of Grammar Schools. By the Rev. Edward Valpy, B. D. Third Edition, improved and made easier. Price 4s. 6d. A general List of Phrases, and an Index are also added. A Key to the Latin may be had gratis, by applying privately to the Printer. EPITOME SACRiE HISTORLE, in Usum Scholarum. Price 2s. CHRISTINA, THE MAID OF THE SOUTH SEAS ; a Poem, in four Cantos. By Mary Russell Mitford. Octavo, Price 10s. 6d. A VOLUME OF MISCELLANEOUS POEMS ; By the same. Second Edition, with considerable Additions, hand- somely Printed in the same size as Christina. 10s. 6d. THE TRIUMPHS OF RELIGION, a Sacred Poem in Four Parts. Price 7s. THE .ESCULAPIAN MONITOR; or, Faithful Guide to the Historx of the Human Species, and most important branches ofWedical Philosophy ; combined with moral Reflec- tions, and enforced by Religious Precepts. For the use of Schools. By the Rev. Dr. Barry, Rector of St. Mary's, Wallingford. Price 5s. in Boards. POEMS, Original and Translated ; including Version 8 of the Medea and Octavia of Seneca. By the Rev. C. A. Wheelwright, A. B. Second Edition, 2 Vols 8vo. Price 15s. A COLLECTION OF POEMS on Various Subjects. Inclu- ding a Poem, on the Education of the Poor ; an Indian Tale ; the Offering of Isaac, a Sacred Drama. Price 8s. CICERO DE AMICITIA et SENECTUTE, from the Text of Ernesti, with all his Notes, and citations from his Index Latinitatis Ciceronian^:, with the explanations of vari- ous passages from Gesner's Latin Thesaurus, and from books of more recent date, as well as from Graevius and all the com- mentators cited by him, with quotations from Palairet's Latin Ellipses, and much original matter, both critical and explana- tory : in the Appendix will be found some curious matter on the affinity of different languages to the Latin, including two Essays on the Origin, and the Extinction of the Latin Tongue, communicated to the Author by the Rev. R. Patrick, Vicar of Sculcoates, Hull; By E. H. Barker, of Trinity College, Cambridge. Price 6s. SPEEDILY WILL BE PUBLISHED. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION of ALL the DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS of RELIGION from the Beginning of the Antediluvian Churches to the present day. This work will also contain a Refutation of the arguments, which the Jews in all ages have advanced to prove that Christ was not the Messiah, and that he cannot now come, agreeably to the positive decla- rations of Scripture. By John Bellamy, Author of the Ophion. PHiEDRI FABUL^ ; from Bui-man's text with English Notes, for the use of Schools. The objectionable fables will be omitted. By C. Bradley, M. A. of Wallingford. London, Printed by A, ./. Valpy, Took's Court, Chancery Lane. 1811,