IC-NRLF 
 
LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 86.2.66 Oto J_4(/ 
 
POEMS, 
 
 Selected from the Manuscripts 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 First Published 
 
 WITH A 
 
 SHORT ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE, 
 
 AND 
 
 Extracts from some of his Letters. 
 
 " This Volume contains some pleasing and elegant 
 Specimens of Poetry." 
 
 BRIT. CHIT. vol. xxu. 
 
 PRINTED 
 
 BY C. PEACOCK, FOR J. BLECKLY, YORK ; 
 
 AND SOLD BY THE BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND 
 
 COUNTRY. 
 
 1S12, 
 
POETICAL PIECES 
 
 ob 76 6 
 
to 
 THE MEMORY OF 
 
 JOHN MARRIOTT, 
 
 A FRItND WHO HAD A GREAT ESTEIM FOR. HIM. 
 (Lately prefented to the Compiler of this Work.) 
 
 *T T THEN duft to duft returns the certain 
 
 * ^ fcene 
 
 That waits alike the noble and the mean 
 How loves affection, with reverted gaxe, 
 To mark the moments of remembered days ; 
 To bid the fcenes from dim oblivion rife, 
 That ftamped the bias of her facred ties ; 
 And as each fofter, tenderer trait appears, 
 Afrem to pour her tributary tears. 
 And oh, how dear, in objects left behind 
 To fee the image of their Matter's mind 
 How dear to trace along his pictured line 
 The rays of genius that around it (hine, 
 Whether, allured by fancy's fairy dreams, 
 He tuned his numbers to Elyfian themes, 
 
 G 2 And 
 
44 VERSES, &C. 
 
 And, all forgetful of furrounding woes, 
 Indulged, even here, in vifions of repofe 
 Or whether, confcious of our mortal doom, 
 That all our pleafures are involved in gloom, 
 He points to fcenes beyond this world of pain, 
 Where Eden-beauties glad the foul again, 
 Where virtue finds her every fuffering paft, 
 And glory crowns her in her heaven at laft. 
 While brooding o'er our woe, with fighs we bend 
 O'er the cold earth that hides our parted friend, 
 Come, Refignation ! thy divine control 
 Can footh to reft the forrows of the foul ; 
 Thou, gentle power, canft chafe our griefs away, 
 Like mountain-mifts before the morning ray ; 
 Teach us that virtue has no caufe for fear 
 When the pale herald of the grave is near 
 That, far above the gloomy fcenes of time, 
 Her parted fpirit wings its way fublime, 
 To join the joyful feraph-throng that raife 
 Round heaven's high throne the eternal fong of 
 praife. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 A HE arrangement of the following colle&ion is, 
 in fame measure, arbitrary. A few of the au- 
 thor s juvenile productions are placed in the 
 beginning, and to fame of them his age and the 
 date are prefixed ; but both thefe are wanting to 
 many of the pieces which were written in more 
 advanced life ; they are therefore clajfjed in fuch 
 a manner that fubjefts of the fame tendency may 
 be placed together, without much regard to the 
 trder ef time in which they were written. 
 
 Two or three pieces appear in an unfinijhedftate 
 as they were left by the author; but, though their 
 being imp erf ecJ is a circumftance to be regretted, 
 the compiler is fatisfied that the merit of thefe 
 
 frag- 
 
46 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 fragments will be a Jufficient apology for inj'ert- 
 ing them. 
 
 From the title of one piece, ' Farewell to the 
 Mufes,' the reader might be inclined to conclude 
 that this was the author s lajl attempt in poetry ; 
 yet, though he might take leave of the Mufes for 
 a feafon, his friends well remember that this was 
 not a final farewell, for federal of the moft valu- 
 able performances in the following Jheets flowed 
 from his pen at fubfequent periods. 
 
 The two poetical epiftles by a literary acquaint- 
 ance are printed in order to introduce the au- 
 thor's anfwers. 
 
 POETICAL 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 RETIREMENT, 
 
 Anno &tat. 1 6, 
 
 where, with cryftal ftream, the im- 
 petuous rill 
 Hoarfe-murmuring flows adown the fertile 
 
 vale ; 
 Where Sylvan (hades adorn the mofs-crowned 
 
 hill, 
 And bending poplars court the whifpering gale, 
 
 How fweet, with mind contemplative, to ftray, 
 (Far from the fcene where mirth intemperate 
 reigns) 
 
 What 
 
48 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 What time flow twilight fhades the face of day, 
 And awful ftillnefs rules the lhadowy plains ; 
 
 Save where, with warbling note amidft the grove, 
 Sweet Philomela tunes her evening fong ; 
 
 Whilft for her confort's lofs, the woodland dove 
 Complaining coos, the towering elms among. 
 
 For this the fage forfakes the gilded dome, 
 And hither oft, with devious pace, retires ; 
 
 Here muling contemplation loves to roam ; 
 Here folitude the ferious thought infpires. 
 
 Tired of the world and pleafure's giddy fphere, 
 
 Hither, with wandering fteps, oft let me ftray ; 
 
 Whilft true repentance prompts the fwelling tear, 
 
 And the ftill voice of truth directs my way. 
 
 . 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 49 
 
 ON 
 
 A PROSPECT 
 
 OF 
 
 QUITTING THE COUNTRY. 
 
 Anno <etat. 18. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO PALEMON, 
 
 , long remembered, and efteemed as long, 
 Friend of my early youth, my early fong ; 
 Say, with what view, by ftill-unerring heaven, 
 Were different tempers, different judgments 
 
 given, 
 
 Some tafte peculiar on. each mind impreffed, 
 Some priftine bias lodged in every breaft ? 
 Was it that he, whom rural nature charms, 
 Studious of peace, impatient of alarms, 
 Torn from the fcenes his native tafte approves, 
 The haunted fountains and the facred groves, 
 The bowers he planted, and the mufe he loves, 
 H Pent 
 
 '"I 
 "I 
 
 ;.J 
 
5O POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Pent in the town, his joylefs days mould wear, 
 And ceafelefs languifh for a different fphere ? 
 But fo thy friend to intereft's di&ates yields, 
 And, all reludlant, quits his native fields : 
 Dear are the fields, and dear the peaceful bowers, 
 Where blithly pafled my childhood's playful 
 
 hours ; 
 
 And dear the fpreading plane I ufed to climb, 
 And on the waving branches rock fublime, 
 Whofe bark, wide-gafhed in many a fear, ftill 
 
 bears 
 
 The rude memorials of my early years ; 
 There oft, clofe-fhaded, in my leafy tower, 
 Pleafed have I liftened to the pattering mower, 
 And oft with feigned lament and mimick cry, 
 Scared the blithe-whiftling fwain that journeyed 
 
 by: , 
 
 Dear too the brook, where oft, in furnmer's heat, 
 I bathed, on vacant holidays, my feet ; 
 Or midft the bordering willows, (hrouded flood, 
 And watched the gamefome tenants of the flood, 
 
 Now 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 51 
 
 Now fwift as (hooting meteors, downward glance, 
 Now with quick leap difturb the fmooth expanfe ; 
 And oft, in patient mood, along the fhore, 
 The flexile rod, and (lender line I bore ; 
 Then, if fuccefslefs proved my artful toil, 
 And nought availed the nice-diflembled wile, 
 Along the graffy brink I careful fought, 
 Till, with quick grafp, the favourite fly I caught ; 
 Next, filent, feated on the flowery fide, 
 Round the keen hook the chofen feather tied ; 
 Then rifing, gay with hopes conceived anew, 
 (So juft the (hape, fo fimilar the hue) 
 Obfervant o'er the ftream the guileful fem- 
 
 blance threw. 
 But dearer (till the glades, yes doubly dear, 
 Where oft Palemon foothed my liftening ear ; 
 Yet ah ! no more, beneath, thofe glades I -(hun, 
 With thee, the fervour of the fummer's fun ; 
 No more, with theej great Milton's ftrength ad- 
 mire, 
 Thomfon's bright tints or Shenftone's plaintive 
 
 lyre, 
 
 H 2 The 
 
52 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 The folemn notes of lonefome Gray perufe, 
 Or trace the graces of the *Minftrel-mufe : 
 No more when winter quits the loofened plain, 
 And fpring's mild glories cheer the earth again, 
 With thee the exulting woodlands mall I range, 
 A^nd feel my heart fwell grateful at the change ; 
 Nor wildly-fauntering down the diftant dale, 
 New life and frefhnefs from the breeze inhale ; 
 With thee, converfing fweet the while, no more, 
 Raife the green bench, or twine the thickening 
 
 bower, 
 
 With flowering fhrubs the funny flopes adorn, 
 Or o'er rough ridges teach the rill to mourn ; 
 Round the tall oak the tangling woodbine wind, 
 Or carve foft mottos on the rugged rind. 
 Pierian maids, that on the rural plain, 
 Far from the town my fteadfaft heart detain, 
 Whofe charms, feen dimly, ftruck my infant 
 
 fight, 
 And ftill as more difcovered, more delight : 
 
 Ye 
 
 *-See Dr. Beattie's Minftrel, or the Progrefs of 
 Genius, a Poem. 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 53 
 
 Ye, who the time-fcooped cavern dearer hold 
 Than tapeftried walls, and roofs that flame with 
 
 gold; 
 
 And ftill, retiring from the haunts of pride, 
 To fcenes of fimple life your votaries guide ; 
 Ah ! better far, had ne'er your tuneful art 
 Such foft emotions kindled in my heart, 
 Had my fond bofom of its doom aware, 
 Referved its choice for this the allotted fphere, 
 And blindly deemed the placid, fylvan fcene, 
 The drear abode of dulnefs and of fpleen : 
 And thou, my friend, why did thy fuafive tongue 
 Confirm the bias, of itfelf too ftrong ? 
 Ah why my youthful hopes imprudent raife 
 With titles ill-deferved, and whifpered praife ? 
 For well thou knoweft, how love of fong impels 
 To mazy folitudes and bowery dells, 
 Scenes where no tumult ftuns, no fraud beguiles, 
 But modeft nature undiflembling fmiles, 
 Scenes, which from buftle, famion, glare, apart, 
 Lefs deeply intereft the head than heart ; 
 
 The 
 
54 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 The ill-ftarred fondnefs had thy voice deterred, 
 When wavering, timorous, weak it firft appeared, 
 I too, perhaps, like other country boys, 
 Had fondly fighed for novelty and noife, 
 And glad, renounced the fragrant, green retreat 
 For the clofe counting-houfe and fmoky ftreet. 
 
 IN 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 55 
 
 IN 
 
 P RAI S E 
 
 A COUNTRY LIFE. 
 
 No<vifline locum pvliorem rure bento? Hor, 
 
 from the town's tumultuous noife, 
 What pleafures crown the rural vale ; 
 Hail calm delights, unenvied joys ; 
 Ye feats of peace and virtue hail ! 
 
 All nature frniles, enchanting fcenes ! 
 
 The enamelled meads, profufely crowned 
 With odorous flowers and fprightly greens, 
 
 Ambroiial fragrance breathe around. 
 
 With concert fweet on every fpray, 
 
 The vocal tenants of the grove, 
 In many a foftly- warbled lay, 
 
 Mellifluous pour their artlefs love ; 
 
 Meandering 
 
56 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Meandering rills that pour along, 
 
 That toil adown the mountain's brow, 
 
 Wild-murmuring join the general fong, 
 And chide the rough rocks as they flow. 
 
 Reclined amidft his liftening flock 
 
 The (hepherd with his flute complains, 
 
 Whilft echo from the mofs-clad rock 
 Prolongs the gently-dying ftrains. 
 
 What charms adorn the flowery green ! 
 
 How fweet the genial breezes figh! 
 All nature fmiles, enchanting fcene ! 
 
 And calm the golden moments fly. 
 
 Far from the town's perpetual noife, 
 
 What pleafures crown the tranquil vale ; 
 Hail calm delights, unenvied joys ; 
 Ye feats of peace and virtue hail ! 
 
 ODE 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 57 
 
 ODE 
 
 TO 
 
 A REDBREAST. 
 
 Thou, that on the mofs-clad wall 
 
 At eve art often feen, 
 Or warbling to the water- fall, 
 Belide the village-green ; 
 
 Still oft beneath yon beech's fhade, 
 Thy tuneful mournings tell, 
 
 Where deeps the fweet, lamented maid. 
 Whom Thyrfis loved fo well. 
 
 O leave, fweet bird, the fhivering dell, 
 
 Forfake the joylefs tree, 
 And come and {hare my little cell, 
 
 'Tis large enough for thee. 
 
 Lo, 
 
 
58 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Lo, from the yellow-fading fpray, 
 
 The leafy mower defcends, 
 And, all to winter's hoary fway, 
 
 The ruftling foreft bends. 
 
 Lo, penfive-perching, every bird 
 
 Forgets its tuneful powers, 
 And fcarce one parting note is heard, 
 
 To cheer the drooping bowers. 
 
 Then leave, fweet bird, the fhivering dell, 
 
 Forfake the joylefs tree, 
 And come and mare my little cell, 
 
 'Tis large enough for thee ; 
 
 No impious hand (hall plan thy bane, 
 
 No bar compel thy ftay ; 
 And I will pay for every ftrain, 
 
 If food and warmth can pay. 
 
 When evening meek in pilgrim's weeds 
 Came muling o'er the hill, 
 
 Oft 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 59 
 
 Oft have I traced the village meads, 
 To hear thy foothing trill ; 
 
 How oft thy hope-infpiring lay, 
 
 When grief and care depreffed, 
 Has charmed that grief and care away, 
 
 And calmed my anxious breaft. 
 
 Though meads and lawns and woodlands mourn, 
 
 'Tis thine, fweet bird, to tell, 
 That fpring (hall foon again return, 
 
 And all may yet be well. 
 
 But hark! how foft from yonder pale 
 
 Refounds the mazy fong ; 
 Bleft rival of the nightingale, 
 
 The melting tale prolong. 
 
 i 2 EVENING 
 
60 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 EVENING IN AUTUMN. 
 
 Anno cetat. 19. 
 
 r I ^HIS narrow dell with rocks enormous girt, 
 How folemn ! o'er my head what mafles 
 
 huge, 
 What antique, tower-like piles tremendous 
 
 hang! 
 
 How ftately from his rocky throne above 
 That giant oak monarchick looks abroad 
 Far o'er the proftrate vale, and, fcornful, feems 
 To brave the rocking whirlwinds utmoft rage, 
 And dare the wrenching tempeft to the fight ! 
 Here down the ridgy fteep a rufhing ftream 
 Impetuous foams, with deep fonorous roar, 
 While, gilt by Phoebus' horizontal beams, 
 Plays o'er the flaming tide the fparkling fpray. 
 
 Now to the diftant fummit let me climb, 
 And view the goodly landfcape, ere it fade. 
 
 Nor 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 6l 
 
 Nor vainly have I climbed romantic fcene ! 
 Long let me hence thy various charms enjoy : 
 But O ! that foft Afpafia too beheld 
 Thy woods, thy penfile cliffs, and gliftening rills ! 
 How would her fweetly-ferious eye enjoy 
 This awful view that eye, which nature's 
 
 charms 
 
 Difordered, wild and iimple, more delight 
 Than all the dazzling fopperies of art. 
 Now o'er the encircling hills, fereneft eve 
 In fober ftate, majeftically meek, 
 Advancing flow, with foft, deliberate hand, 
 Unfurls her dufky banners, and difpreads 
 Care-lulling quiet o'er the filent woods, 
 Through every tuneful mind infufing fweet, 
 Grateful compofure, and a facred calm, 
 Unutterably foothing lo! yon cloud, 
 'How grand its fhapes, how vivid are its hues! 
 While in the illumined weft it loitering ftays, 
 As loath to bid the parting fun farewell : 
 And fee, from yonder hamlet rifing flow, 
 
 Blue 
 
62 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Blue up the mountain's fide, the fmoke afcends : 
 Forth venturing from her unfrequented bower 
 The obfervant owl begins her nightly round ; 
 Now hovering watchful o'er fome lonely brake, 
 Now loft behind the hedge-rows, now again 
 Apparent, failing o'er the diftant lawn : 
 Loud, from the neighbouring ftubble fcattered 
 
 wide, 
 Whirrs the feared covey, nor lefs feared the 
 
 fwain, 
 Who, homeward from his labour, whiftling 
 
 blithe, 
 
 With undeligning foot difturbed their haunt. 
 Bright is the morning, lovely fair her fcenes, 
 With fplendour, fragrance, melody, replete ; 
 But thee, fweet evening, penfive-winning fair, 
 Thee, moft my rudely-founding reed delights 
 To warble through the meadows ; gentleft power, 
 Ihy loved approach, O! ever let me hail, 
 And catch thy meekening fpirit, as it breathes 
 Along the twilight vallies, and inclines 
 
 The 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 63 
 
 The docile heart to fympathy divine, 
 And gratitude and harmony and love. 
 
 Nor you, ye fons of opulence, difdain 
 
 To admit the foft impreflion O come forth, 
 
 And, mufeful as you wander, learn to think 
 
 On others' wants, and thinking, to be kind ; 
 
 Nor while elate you view your crowded fields, 
 
 Profufe of grain, and count your coming wealth, 
 
 Forget the poor, induftrious cottager, 
 
 Who, born to pain and fweat and lafting toil, 
 
 To end not but with life, your wide domains 
 
 Ploughs, fows, and reaps, but reaps not for 
 
 himfelf! 
 
 Ah me ! of fmall avail his utmoft toil, 
 And unremitting induftry to her, 
 His dearer half, and infant family, 
 Now haply in fome miferable hut 
 With pale difeafe or hopelefs want opprefled : 
 Even now, methinks, I fee the fole fupport 
 That filled their breads with peaceful confidence, 
 And bade them think on winter undifmayed, 
 
 Their 
 
64 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Their only cow, with fell diftemper ftruck, 
 Dead at their feet; lo! from the doleful fight, 
 The fighing mother turns her fwelling eye 
 On her fond, playful offspring, clinging round, 
 Heedlefs and fmiling at the threats of want, 
 Regardlefs of the future ; o'er her mind 
 Sudden a thoufand coming miferies moot, 
 Bleak, wintry ftorms, with tenfold fiercenefs 
 
 armed, 
 
 And fnows and icy blafts and hunger keen ! 
 See ! now at length, with rifmg fympathy, 
 Serious and wondering at their mothers tears, 
 They too begin to melt, for her they weep ; 
 She, thrilled with inward anguim, o'er them 
 
 hangs, 
 
 All drooping and difconfolate, with looks 
 Of wan defpondency, and anxious love ; 
 While thoughts like thefe run fwelling through 
 
 her breaft : 
 
 < Ah helplefs train, no more your little hands 
 '(While, from the full-diftended udder, pleafed, 
 
 <Your 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 65 
 
 * Your tender parent drew the milky flood, 
 ' Delighted to fupply your ready cups, 
 
 ' Still duly brought, and ranged in order by,) 
 ' Shall fondly ftroke your kind fuftainer's fide, 
 4 N"or from the green, with hafle officious torn, 
 
 * Uphold the grafly handful to her mouth ! 
 
 * Weep not for me, poor, pitying Innocents, 
 ' I weep not for myfelf alas for you 
 
 ' Thefe forrows flow, for oh ! what dire extremes 
 
 ' Betide you now ! : . . 
 
 * Long have your wretched parents toilfome 
 
 ftriven 
 
 ' Againft the force of oft-affailing want, 
 ' And borne, with patience borne, their fcanty lot : 
 
 * Was it for this, neglectful of repofe, 
 
 ' We careful rofe with fummer's early fun, 
 ' And, conftant by the dimly-glimmering lamp 
 ' In winter's cheerlefs mornings, anxious plied 
 ' The afliduous muttle ? Oh ! this dire event, 
 c Acceffion keen of mifery ! Could our toils 
 1 'With clofeft afliduity procure 
 
 * Sufficient for our dear, dependent train, 
 
 K ' Sufficient 
 
66 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 * Sufficient food and raiment to fupply 
 
 * Sharp hunger's calls, and (hield their little limbs 
 
 * Againft the rage of winter, 'twere enough ; 
 
 * No difcontent, no fad, defponding thought 
 
 * This breaft had entered fteadfaft fortitude, 
 
 * And inward hope and patience meet had ftilled 
 ' Our every plaint, and made the burden light: 
 
 * And oh! the blifs to furniih to their wants, 
 ' To fee the guiltlefs prattlers fmiling round 
 
 ' A cheerful board, with wholefome viands 
 
 crowned, 
 ' In every feature health and innocence 
 
 * Soft blooming Ah ! how fondly would my mind 
 
 * Dwell on paft fcenes ; though not from forrows 
 
 free, 
 
 * How bleft with thofe that threaten now com- 
 
 pared ! 
 
 * Alas, how trivial to our wealthy lord 
 
 4 Had been the ftroke, no infant eye had fwelled, 
 
 * Nor fumptuous table miffed its wonted load ; 
 ( Not even a luxury had been retrenched, ' 
 
 * Nor flaunting fuperfluity curtailed ; 
 
 ' While 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 67 
 
 ' While we, deprived of fainteft hope, reduced 
 ' Beyond our utmoft efforts to retrieve, 
 ' For veftment coarfe, and fimple fuftenance, 
 ' (To clothe and feed our dear increaiing charge) 
 * And artlefs requiiites, may toil in vain.' 
 
 Now, fon of affluence, wouldft thou tafte a blifs 
 
 Of pureft kind, fuch as celeftials feel, 
 
 Now, while brown twilight holds her doubtful 
 
 reign, 
 
 To genuine charity a feafon dear, 
 That boaillefs gives not for the world's applaufe, 
 Steal foft along the narrow- winding path 
 That to the cottage leads, beneath whofe thatch 
 The afflicted pair their evening labours ply ; 
 He bulled in the loom, though late arrived, 
 Fatigued and languid, from the toilfome field ; 
 She near him turning flow the whixzing wheel, 
 In mournful filence heartlefs and forlorn; 
 O, blufli not to approach the humble ihed, 
 And, lilent-entering at the lowly door, 
 Liberal difpenfe the feafonable boon, 
 
 K2 The 
 
68 
 
 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 The cordial look of pleafed benevolence ; 
 And charity ungrudging (hall enhance, 
 And give full luftre to the generous deed ; 
 Nor long remain, but foft-retiring, fpare 
 The blufh confufed, the clofe embarraffment, 
 Of lively gratitude, opprefled, o'erwhelmed. 
 
 THE 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 69 
 
 HERMIT'S APOLOGY. 
 
 Anno tctat. 19. 
 
 , Daphne, let us leave the mead, 
 ' And o'er yon uplands bend our way, 
 ' And many a bird and fhepherd's reed 
 ' Shall fweetly footh us, as we ftray.' 
 
 The youth propofed, the nymph agreed, 
 And o'er the hills their way they bent, 
 
 And many a bird and fhepherd's reed 
 Did fweetly footh them as they went. 
 
 . 
 
 Thus oft, this gentle pair would rove, 
 And catch frem hints from nature's book, 
 
 Exploring curious every grove, 
 
 Each furtive well and flowery brook. 
 
 And 
 
7O POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 And oft, fome penfive-lulling lay 
 Sufpended fweet their artlefs talk, 
 
 And oft, fome varied landfcape gay 
 Attractive ftopt them on their walk. 
 
 Nor deem it ftrange, if thoughts refined 
 
 Infpire the tenants of the plain ; 
 The mufes love the unfettered mind, 
 
 They love to teach the village-train. 
 
 c Now, Daphne, view the beauteous fcene, 
 ' And fay, were ever flocks fo white, 
 
 * Did ever vallies loojc fo green, 
 
 ' Or fountains fhine fo filvery bright ? 
 
 ' And lo! that weftern cliff fublime, 
 
 ' Projecting awful o'er the dale, 
 ' Hafte, faireft, let us thither climb, 
 
 * And bid the falling fun farewell ; 
 
 f Nor will thine eye the profpedt fcorn, 
 
 * Among thofe rugged cliffs enclofed, 
 
 'Nor 
 
POETICAL PIECES. *]l 
 
 < Nor when performed, thy labours mourn, 
 
 * In this fevere afcent impofed/ 
 
 < No toils, (he foftly faid, ' I fear 
 
 ' That to fublime or beauteous lead ;' 
 And ftraight they fcaled the fteep fevere, 
 And gained at laft its arduous head. 
 
 When lo, a profpedt ftrange, beyond, 
 
 Stupendous, opens on their fight ; 
 While many a fheety ftream around. 
 
 Shot echoing from the towery height. 
 
 The profpeft ftrange they long furveyed 
 
 < But fainter glows the finking day ; 
 
 < Think Daphne, think, how far we've ftrayed, 
 ' We muft not longer much delay. 
 
 * How dreadful from this di-zzy brink, 
 
 ' To view that yawning dell profound ! 
 ' Does not thy gentle bofom fhrink, 
 
 < And, anxious, wifh for humbler ground ?' 
 
 'Such 
 
72 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 ' Such grateful awe my bofom fills 
 ' O ! Thyrfis, let us longer flay; 
 ' And fee, my friend, the neighbouring hills, 
 
 * Still bright, retain the folar ray. 
 
 * A mufeful horror {hares my mind, 
 
 ' With wonder mixt and wild amaze ; 
 
 * But 'tis of fuch a plealing kind, 
 
 ' O \ Thyrfis, let us longer gaze.' 
 
 * Yes, Daphne, fate thy curious eye ; 
 
 * But fay, by yonder rocks embraced, 
 ' A hoary oak doft thou not fpy, 
 
 * With foliage ftill luxuriant graced ? 
 
 1 Not far from thence, as legends tell, 
 ' All underneath thofe rocks fo high, 
 
 6 Befide a lone, fequeftered cell, 
 ' A reverend hermit's relicks lie. 
 
 * There every flower of modeft mien 
 
 ' And unaffuming beauty grows, 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 73 
 
 And many a primrofe lurks unfeen, 
 ' And many a penfive cowflip blows : 
 
 There, fcreened from every ruder gale, 
 ' The fragrant violet fcents the glade ; 
 
 And there the lily of the vale 
 ' Contented hides its odorous head : 
 
 With pious dread, with look profound, 
 ' The wandering fhepherd eyes the cave ; 
 Steps foftly o'er the folemn ground, 
 ' And fcatters wild-flowers o'er his grave. 
 
 But tread not near that (helving lide, 
 ' For Oh ! thou filled my breaft with fear ; 
 
 Think, (hould the crumbling fods divide ; 
 ' Incautious maid, tread not fo near! 
 
 Not Daphne's calm, offencelefs mind 
 ' Can there its lovely fhrine fecure ; 
 
 Nor all her foftening charms combined, 
 * Not all her innocence enfure. 
 
 L Reftrain 
 
74 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 * Reftrain awhile that curious eye, 
 
 ' And timely homeward let us wend, 
 ' For foon will evening made the fky, 
 ' And foon the chilling dews defcend ; 
 
 * The fetting fun has flufhed the weft 
 
 * With many a tint of vivid glow \ 
 
 * And evening meek in pilgrim's veil, 
 
 ' Comes mufing o'er yon mountain's brow. 
 
 * Then homeward, faireft, let us turn, 
 
 ' For prudence bids thee now refrain ; 
 
 * And when fome clear and placid morn 
 
 ' Shall tempt thee next abroad again, 
 
 4 O, take me, Daphne, for thy guide ; 
 
 * A pleafant winding-path I know, 
 
 * That waves along the mountain's fide, 
 
 * To yon romantick dell below : 
 
 ' Nor will that breaft, the lovely throne, 
 ' Where every tender feeling reigns, 
 
 * Unpitying 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 75 
 
 * Unpitying pafs the mofs-green ftone 
 
 ' Where fleeps the woodland fire's remains ; 
 
 * For kind and melting was his heart, 
 
 * (If village-ftories truth record) 
 
 * And ever forward to impart 
 
 ' To wandering want his little hoard. 
 
 * Though long from focial life retired, 
 
 ' No cynic frown his brow affumed ; 
 
 * But candour mild his looks infpired, 
 
 ' And warm benevolence illumed. 
 
 * Nor, if, (as homeward flow we fteal) 
 
 6 I ftrive thy weary fteps to footh, 
 
 * And cheat the diftance with a tale, 
 
 * Do thou, fweet liftener, doubt the truth. 
 
 ' One fummer-evening fair and mild, 
 ' I took a long and lonely round, 
 
 * And, fauntering devious down the^wild, 
 
 ' Yon unfrequented cavern found ; 
 
 L 2 ' Lone: 
 
;6 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 4 Long I furveyed the curious fpot, 
 
 < The garden all with mofs o'ergrown ; 
 
 ' The neat-hewn wall, the concave grot, 
 ' And mottos on each antique ftone. 
 
 * Then, on the flowery flope diffufed 
 
 * Before the entrance of the cell, 
 
 * Light on my eyelids, as I mufed, 
 
 ' A furtive, dew-like flumber fell. 
 
 < Methought, I (till the ftriking fcene, 
 
 ' In all its fairy wildnefs viewed, 
 c The grot, o'erhung with fern fo green, 
 
 ' The encircling rocks and penlile wood. 
 
 ' There as I flood, with youthful zeal 
 1 And warm philanthropy inflamed, 
 
 ' All earneft for the public weal, 
 
 ' The hermit's tranquil life I blamed. 
 
 " Thou reverend fage," ' methought, I faid,' 
 " That ownedft once this ivied cave, 
 
 "May 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 77 
 
 " May every blifs attend thy ihade, 
 
 " And every Tweet-flower deck thy grave. 
 
 " Yet can I not thy life approve, 
 
 " Confumed in folitude auftere, 
 " Loft to thy country, loft to love, 
 
 " And friendftiip's mutual glow fmcere ; 
 
 " No, never can that rigid zeal 
 
 " Which prompts to break great nature's laws, 
 " And tends the focial flame to chill, 
 
 " Excite the, liberal heart's applaufe. 
 
 " What though opprobrious prfde may flight, 
 " Or malice, falfhood, fcorn abufe ; 
 
 " Will that excufe a coward flight, 
 " A fpleenful gloominefs excufe ? 
 
 " No : though misfortune, falfliood, fpleen, 
 " Opprobrious, fierce, the good man try, 
 
 " A firm fupport he feels within, 
 
 " And thence emboldened fcorns to fly ; 
 
 "And 
 
7^ POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 " And fure, of virtue's facred train 
 " In every place a few are found, 
 
 "The friends of truth, unfkilled to feign, 
 " That love to clofe affliction's wound ! 
 
 " O ! whilft the gentle Daphne lives, 
 " My heart at once to charm and mend, 
 
 " Howe'er perverted man deceives, 
 " The focial caufe I muft befriend. 
 
 *'* Say, were the vocal organs given, 
 " That man, faftidious of his kind, 
 
 " By zeal or fpleen to deferts driven, 
 " Should blifs from filence feek or find ? 
 
 ". What but felf love :" " forbear my fon," 
 
 * Iffuing above the rocks among, 
 * In folemn tone a voice begun, 
 
 ' While blank furprifal chained my tongue. 
 
 "' The eye of day, methought, was clofed, 
 
 * And, fave the neighbouring torrent's brawl, 
 
 <No 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 79 
 
 * No found, no whifper interpofed, 
 ' 'Twas liftening awe and lilence all !' 
 
 " Forbear my fon, thy blame fufpend, 
 " Till firft my plaintive tale be known, 
 
 " Then, if thou ftill muft difcommend, 
 " Let fweetening pity too be fhown. 
 
 " From thy young breaft, hope's genial tide 
 " Smooth-flowing, haply ne'er was croffed, 
 
 " Nor from its objed forced afide, 
 " In dark, diftrefsful wanderings loft! 
 
 " And O ! fond fwain, if bleft thou art, 
 " In love repaid and friendmip bleft, 
 
 " Unufed to forrow's piercing fmart, 
 " And ignorant of an aching breaft ; 
 
 4< Take heed thy blifs produce not pride, 
 " Nor damp companion's warmth divine, 
 
 " For ah ! thou too mayft foon be tried 
 "With difappointments fharp as mine ! 
 
 "Nor 
 
8o POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 " Nor let the benefits enjoyed 
 
 " That dangerous apathy create, 
 " Which, here completely fatisfied, 
 
 " Looks never towards a nobler ftate ! 
 
 " Left, when thofe benefits depart, 
 " As foon alas: how foon they may ! 
 
 " Defpondent fink thy bleeding heart, 
 " To unreftri6ted grief a prey. 
 
 " Not that thou (houldft the comforts given, 
 
 "In difcontented mood defpife ; 
 " Regard them as the gifts of heaven, 
 
 " And flight not more than idolize. 
 
 " Yes ; chief my piteous tale I tell, 
 
 " That, mufing on another's wo, 
 " With gratitude thy breaft may fwell 
 
 " To him from whom all blefTmgs flow. 
 
 " Born far from fplendour, far from art, . 
 " 'Midft lonely woods and bowery farms, 
 
 "An 
 

 POETICAL PIECES. 8 1 
 
 An early fondnefs warmed my heart 
 " For ftill retirement's boaftlefs charms. 
 
 " On nature's face my youthful eye 
 " Still gazed with ever-frefh delight; 
 
 " And oft I lighed, I knew not why, 
 " When artlefs beauty ftruck my fight. 
 
 " Even when a child, to fadnefs prone, 
 " I liked the fountain's gurgling wail; 
 
 " And much I loved to mufe alone, 
 " And liften to the ftock-dove's tale : 
 
 " Yet, though to penfivenefs inclined, 
 " The fmiles of blifs I joyed to fee ; 
 
 " And oft it hurt my peace of mind, 
 "To hear another figh like me : 
 
 " With every helplefs child of grief 
 " My fwelling bofom fympathized, 
 
 "And when I could not give relief, 
 " A trickling tear apologized. 
 
 M And 
 
82 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 " And oft, as through the woods I mufed, 
 " Romantick groups my fancy joined, 
 
 " And landfcapes, beauteoufly confufed, 
 "In fancy's magick mirror mined ! 
 
 " And oft in groves and echoing dales, 
 " The mufe's voice I feemed to hear, 
 
 * And mixed with founds of brooks and gales, 
 " Imagined warblings foothed mine ear j 
 
 " And when fweet fpring the earth renewed, 
 " While fond in youth my bofom glowed, 
 
 tl Ideas, kindling as I viewed, 
 
 " In carols rude, unfettered flowed. 
 
 " But ah ! not long life's peaceful morn 
 
 " Its firft ferenity retained, 
 " For foon thick clouds of care forlorn, 
 
 " And grief its lovely luftre ftained ! 
 
 " For ah! young mepherd, reafon proud, 
 " And clear perception, manhood's meed, 
 
 "Oft 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 83 
 
 " Oft only break the mental cloud, 
 " For worfe than ignorance to fucceed ! 
 
 " A lofty dome, embowered in fliade, 
 " Stood by the neighbouring river's fide, 
 
 " Where dwelt a fweet accompiiihed maid, 
 " Her parents' joy, the valley's pride; 
 
 " Such goodnefs, innocence and truth ; 
 
 " Such fenfibility refined, 
 " With all the lovelinefs of youth, 
 
 " And every elegance combined! 
 
 " Sweet as the fummer's fweeteft blooms, 
 " And meekly mild as evening fky ; 
 
 " Soft as the cygnet's fofteft plumes, 
 " And modeft as the cowflip's eye ! 
 
 ' Yet though her beauteous form alone 
 " With tender prejudice pofleffed ; 
 Still, ftill her mind more perfecl: fhone, 
 " And deeper far my heart imprefled: 
 
 M2 "Yes 
 
84 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 " Yes, ever be the mind preferred ; 
 
 " A mind like fweet Afpafia's graced, 
 " Had coarfeft lineaments endeared, 
 
 " And even deformity effaced ! 
 
 COLLINS'S 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 85 
 
 COLLINS'S ODE 
 
 TO 
 
 EVENING, 
 
 imitated. 
 
 TF aught an artlefs fhepherd pipes or (ings 
 May hope, chafte Eve, to footh thy modeft ear, 
 Like thy own folemn fprings, 
 Thy fprings and breezes dear ; 
 
 O nymph referved ! while now the bright-hair- 
 ed fun 
 In cloudy tent, wove with ethereal braid, 
 
 (His daily race nigh run) 
 
 O'erhangs his wavy bed j 
 
 Now air is hufhed, fave where the bat flits round 
 With fhort, fhrill fhriek, on leathern pinion 
 borne, 
 
 Or beetle, gins to found 
 His fmall, but fullen horn, 
 
 Oft 
 
86 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Oft ftriking 'gainft the pilgrim, journeying late, 
 As rude with heedlefs hum he drives along ; 
 Now teach me, maid fedate, 
 To breathe fome foftened fong, 
 
 Whofe murmurs, ftealing down thy darkening 
 
 vale, 
 May, not unfeemly, fuit the fober fcene, 
 
 As, mufmg flow, I hail 
 
 Thy loved return ferene ! 
 
 For when thy folding ftar, arifen difplays 
 His paly circlet, at his warning ray, 
 
 The fragrant Hours and Fays, 
 Who flept in flowers the day, 
 
 And many a fedge-crowned nymph that haunts 
 
 the wild, 
 
 And fheds the fremening dew, and ftill more 
 fair, 
 
 The penfive pleafures mild, 
 Thy (hadowy car prepare. 
 
 Then 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 87 
 
 Then lead, calm votarefs, where fome fheety lake 
 Cheers the lone heath, or fome time-hallowed 
 fane, 
 
 Or fallow grounds opaque 
 
 Its laft, cool gleam retain. 
 
 But when chill, bhiftering winds the woods mo- 
 
 lefl, 
 
 Or driving rain, be mine the flickered cell, 
 That from the mountain's breaft 
 Views wilds and floods that fwell, 
 
 And glimmering fpires, and hamlets wrapt 
 
 in 
 
 And hears their fimple bell-, and marks o'er all, 
 Deepening by flow degrees, 
 Thy dewy fliadows fall. 
 
 While fpring's- warm fliowers defcend, as oft 
 they ufe, 
 
 bathe, meek Eve, thy locks that fragrant 
 breathe, 
 
 While 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 While fummer loves to mufe 
 Thy lingering light beneath ; 
 
 While fallow autumn ftrews with leaves the 
 plain, 
 
 Or winter, rufhing round the troublous pole, 
 Affrights thy fhrinking train, 
 And rudely rends thy ftole ; 
 
 So long, fure found in fcenes of lone retreat, 
 Shall fancy, friendfhip, fcience, health proclaim 
 Thy genial influence fweet, 
 And hymn thy favourite name. 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 89 
 
 A 
 
 TRANSLATION 
 
 OF 
 
 HORACE'S TWENTY-SECOND ODE, 
 
 IN BOOK THE FIRST. 
 
 TO AUSTIUS FUSCUS. 
 
 A RMED with a confcience void of guilty 
 
 tumults, 
 
 He, that undaunted innocence relies on, 
 Needs not, my friend, bow, javelin, or arrows 
 
 Mortal with poifon : 
 
 Whether o'er Lybia's defert fands he wander, 
 Or the bleak hills, where never-melting fnows 
 
 reign, 
 
 Or the famed realms, where fabulous Hydafpes 
 
 His rapid wave pours. 
 
 Me, in the woods, from bufy cares abftracled, 
 
 Muting intent on Lalage, a wolf faw, 
 
 Saw, and yet ftruck with fudden trepidation, 
 
 Fled me defencelefs : 
 N Such 
 
90 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Such a dire beaft, not military Daunia 
 
 E'er could produce through all her fpreading 
 
 forefts, 
 
 Nor the parched realms of torrid Mauritania, 
 
 Nurfery of lions ! 
 
 Place me in lands, where never genial zephyr 
 Warms the chill groves with vegetative impulfe, 
 Climates where clouds and ever-lowering tem- 
 pefts, 
 
 Blacken the horizon ^ 
 
 Place me in wild, unhabitable deferts, 
 Regions beneath the rapid car of Phoebus, 
 O'er the wide wafte intolerable ardour 
 
 Darting refiftlefs j 
 
 Still (hall the nymph alleviate my fufferings, 
 With an unchanged, inviolate affection, 
 Still mail I love my Lalage, fweet fmiling, 
 
 Sweetly converiing. 
 
 TO 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 MARIA, 
 
 o* 
 
 HER LONG SILENCE. 
 
 Anno eetat. 20. 
 
 AH me ! how promifed joys elude us 
 
 Firft tempt our grafp, then leave us lorn 
 
 behind ; 
 
 How fome fell damp, or difappointment chill, 
 Aye blafts the profpe&s of the youthful mind ! 
 
 \ 
 Maria promifed could I but believe ? 
 
 Hope after hope my breaft fuccefllve fwelled ; 
 Maria promifed how could flie deceive ? 
 
 And many a month the dear delufion held. 
 
 Long ftrove my hopes, now fading, now renewed, 
 Still, though reduced ; fuperiour to defpair ; 
 
 But fpent at length, by long delays fubdued, 
 The laft, faint glimmering vanifties in air. 
 
 N 2 HOW 
 
92 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 How fmall a boon had gratified thy friend ! 
 
 In fome lone, leifure hour, detached and free, 
 A few, loofe thoughts with carelefs franknefs 
 penned, 
 
 Had been enough, forgetful maid, for me. 
 
 No courtly ttyle, elaborately correct, 
 
 Or nicely wrought, required Amyntor's eye; 
 
 No critick he, afliduous to detect, 
 
 And every trivial fault, pedantick fpy. 
 
 How much do nature's rtrokes unglofled by art 
 Surpafs the pompous period's ftudied fwell ! 
 How much the unpolifhed tranfcripts of the 
 
 heart 
 The nnifhed labours of the head excel ! 
 
 O ! when Maria's hand her heart obeys, 
 
 And unconftrained its genuine feelings draws, 
 
 Even fpleenful criticifm might learn to praife, 
 And envy's felf contribute forced applaufe. 
 
 But ah ! too well thefe cold delays declare 
 'Tis not for -me thofe beauteous traits to view ; 
 
 Ye 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 93 
 
 Ye mental fweets, I once had hopes to (hare, 
 Ye flattering profpeds, not unmourned, adieu ! 
 
 No more I fue the due reply to gain ; 
 
 Nor could it much my fond regret relieve, 
 Should tirefome importunities obtain 
 
 What voluntary fr;endmip failed to give. 
 
 Me, ne'er (hall wifhed delights induce to plead, 
 Nor from my breaft felf-love extort a figh, 
 
 For aught that might Maria's blifs impede, 
 Or coft one anxious moment to fupply. 
 
 'Twas thus, erewhile I mourned, my hopes de- 
 ftroyed, 
 
 Nor knew that me, the fair, my verfe accufed, 
 No more the enlivening gift of health enjoyed, 
 
 And hence her languid hand the ta(k refufed. 
 
 O, that pale ficknefs and untimely pain 
 Would yield to poefy's harmonious fpell; 
 
 O, that the Nine could breathe a healing ftrain, 
 And fave the gentle nymph they love fo well ! 
 
 But 
 
94 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 But ah ! though (killed to hu(h each harfti alarm, 
 And grief and care with magick force allay, 
 
 Ah, nought avails the fweet, Pierian charm 
 To chafe fell pain or pale difeafe away. 
 
 Yet they can weep, yet they can fympathize, 
 
 Though impotent the wifhed relief to lend ; 
 Nor hlufh with mine to mix your tuneful fighs, 
 I too, I truft, may boaft the fair my friend. 
 
 Though minds there are of brighter, loftier 
 
 (train, 
 More ikilled in artful phrafe her .praife to 
 
 tell; 
 
 Sure none more deeply (hares her every pain, 
 More warmly wimes fweet Maria well. 
 
 Thou, pitying winter, fpare the tender maid, 
 O, .where (he ftrays, forbear the favoured 
 
 ground, 
 
 Let vernal odours fcent the unwithered ihade, 
 And health-infufing breezes fport around. 
 
 O! 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 95 
 
 O ! if thou thus confult Maria's weal, 
 
 And kind, exempt her from thy rule fevere, 
 
 Though thence our vales thy keener rigours feel, 
 How pleafed thofe keener rigours will we bear! 
 
 So while along the leaflefs woods I range, 
 Or trace, with penfive eye, the fnow-clad 
 
 plain, 
 No more my plaintive reed mall mourn the 
 
 change, 
 Nor blame the terrors of thy ruthlefs reign. 
 
 So mall our fhepherds hymn thy awful name, 
 And annual plaudits ever grateful pay ; 
 
 The indebted Nine themfelves thy praife pro- 
 claim, 
 Nor fpring's gay bloom obtain a fweeter lay. 
 
96 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 A 
 
 POETICAL EPISTLE, 
 
 ADDRESSED 
 
 TO THE AUTHOR. 
 
 BY A LITERARY ACQUAINTANCE. 
 
 Paulumfepultte diftat inertia? Celata <virtus t Hor. 
 
 T T THY fhould thy modeft mufe, of candid 
 eye, 
 
 In filence love to tune the dulcet lay, 
 Her flowery labours to the world deny, 
 
 While glows thy bofom with poetick ray ? 
 
 No more, in fecret, let thy numbers flow, 
 
 Unheard, no longer, pour the tuneful ftrain, 
 To every breaft impart the genial glow, 
 
 And bid new raptures thrill through every 
 vein. 
 
 Thus 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 97 
 
 Thus (hall thy verfe, with glowing language 
 
 warm, 
 The kindling breaft with nobjer thoughts in- 
 
 fpire, 
 
 Teach vice itfelf how virtue's lore can charm, 
 Replant its ray, and fan the facred fire. 
 
 By thee matured, the focial wim (hall rife, 
 The tender buds of opening virtue blow, 
 
 The dew of pity melt the tearful eyes, 
 
 The bofom warm with fympathetick glow. 
 
 Thefe powers alone, immortal verfe ! are thine, 
 With Lydian airs to fmooth the flowing ftrain, 
 
 Round merit's brow the laurel-wreath to twine 
 And bind the foul in friendfhip's golden chainl 
 
 How few divine ParnaiTian airs infpire ! ' 
 
 Who bathe their verfe in Heliconian fpring, 
 
 Whofe pointed fentiments and native fire 
 The foaring foul to heaven enraptured wing ! 
 o And 
 
98 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 And fhould thofe few, the Mufe's hallowed flame 
 To filence drear, or envious (hades, confign ; 
 
 Then, where thole works that boaft immortal 
 
 fame ? 
 The flame of genius, and of wit divine ? 
 
 Had heaven-taught bards reprefled the facred fire, 
 Or, in foft filence, lulled the fleeping ftrain, 
 
 In high, Maeonian verfe no Grecian fire, 
 Had led Achilles o'er a trembling plain. 
 
 No tuneful Pope had charmed a liftening age, 
 No lofty Milton towered on wing fublime, 
 No fweet-tongued Dryden penned the immortal 
 
 Page, 
 
 Whofe works fhall flourifh on the wings of 
 time. 
 
 To Godlike verfe we owe the thought refined, 
 The glowing image and the flowery ftyle, 
 
 And polifhed wit, that diamond of the mind, 
 That bids the tear- fraught cheek of forrow 
 
 fmile. 
 
 Blufli 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 99 
 
 Blum not to own the foft, the gentle art, 
 
 Sweet art ! which, gentle as the breath of morn, 
 
 Now wafts foft wimes to the yielding heart, 
 Now foars aloft on wings of rapture borne. 
 
 Did heaven thefe precious gifts beftow in vain, 
 Plant in thy breaft in vain the facred ray ? 
 
 Awake no more the heaven- wrapt mufe detain; 
 Bloom into life and kindle into day! 
 
 What is, unheard, foft mufick's melting air, 
 Or what, unfeen, the role's vernal bloom, 
 
 Or what the kindling blum of morning fair, 
 Though radiant wove in nature's rineft loom ? 
 
 Then fnatch the laurel ere its verdure fade, 
 And round thy head its blooming honours 
 
 twine, 
 
 Thus (hall the golden precept be difplayed ; 
 Not worth concealed, but active worth fhall 
 mine. 
 
 O 2 THE 
 
100 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 AUTHOR'S 4NSWER 
 
 TO 
 
 THE PRECEDING EPISTLE. 
 Heec amat obfcurum : Hor. 
 
 A H ! weak the partial drain of friends to heed, 
 Who, with fufpended judgment, (lightly 
 
 view ; 
 
 Recant, ram youth, recall the Aonian meed, 
 The Aonian meed to merit only due. 
 
 Not every fcribbler in the Mufe's fchool, 
 Rude, unconnected rhymes expert to frame, 
 
 Of head not even methodically dull, 
 
 Deferves a poet's high, diftinguimed name. 
 
 Hear, but thyfelf, my faint laborious lays, 
 All inharmonious, forcelefs, uninflamed, 
 
 And 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 1OI 
 
 And hearing blufti, repentant of the praife 
 Thy tuneful lyre fo haftily proclaimed. 
 
 With falfe ideas of her worth imprefled, 
 
 Thou biddeft my mufe the paths of fame ex- 
 plore, 
 Appeal adventurous to the publick teft, 
 
 And truft to friendfhip's biaffed warmth no 
 more : 
 
 But knows my friend what perils wait her there r 
 The gate of fame what jealous porters guard ? 
 
 What ftings of wit, what critick (hafts fevere, 
 Even fterling merit's due fuccefs retard ? 
 
 The world is captious ah! my friend, forbear, 
 Nor think the mufe could keep the doubtful 
 field; 
 
 No confcious worth her drooping heart to cheer, 
 No wit to embolden, and no fenfe to fhield ! 
 
 When even Maeonides' energick page 
 Beneath the envious lalh of cenfure fell, 
 
 Could 
 
102 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Could my weak verfe efcape the fpleenful rage, 
 My feeble mufe a Zoilus repel ? 
 
 No in the noifelefs valley let her ftray, 
 Safe from the conflicts of a loftier fphere, 
 
 Pleafed, if with fmiles a gentle few furvey, 
 And village maidens join their praife iincere. 
 
 There, bleft with peace, ingloriouily content, 
 Oft let me warble by fome willowy ftream, 
 
 Where nature's vharms furrounding, fweet, pre- 
 
 fent 
 A never-failing, ever- varying theme. 
 
 Thy charms, O virtue, heaven-defcended maid, 
 Let not her daring impotence obfcure ; 
 
 Thy facred caufe requires fap other aid, 
 
 Far other heart to enforce thy precepts pure ! 
 
 But thee, who, from the haunts of noife and mow, 
 Loved melancholy! taught thy child to, flee, 
 
 Touched with thine ebon wand my infant brow, 
 And bade me love to mufe and figh like thee ; 
 
 Thee 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 103 
 
 Thee, haply faimtering near fome haunted fpring, 
 Lulled by the tinkling chide and curfew's toll, 
 
 The wayward mufe allowably may fing, 
 Nor darken with her praife thy fable ftole. 
 
 ANOTHER 
 
104 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 BY THE BEFOREMENTIONED PERSON. 
 
 Et <vera incrffu patuit Dea. V* r g* 
 
 Senttntnz carminumque tlegantiajimiliter Poeta. 
 
 TpORGIVE the Mufe, if with unhallowed 
 ftrains, 
 
 She dares, my friend, rejecT: thy fofter plea, 
 And break intrufive on the ideal fcenes, 
 
 Where melancholy loves to talk with thee. 
 
 Still may thofe fcenes their foft enchantment 
 
 wear, 
 
 May fairy Elves ft ill lightly print the cfews ; 
 May love and Phoebus fmile away thy care, 
 And fmooth thybreaft, harmonious as thy mufe. 
 
 How 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 105 
 
 How fair the pi&ure which thy pencil draws, 
 Where light-winged fancy dips her filver 
 
 plumes ; 
 
 Where from each fighing (hade a moral flows ; 
 The verfe that warbles and the thought that 
 blooms. 
 
 I grant thofe fcenes may footh the penlive mind, 
 And tip the thought with pleafure's tranfient 
 glow, 
 
 But give me, heaven ! the raptures more refined, 
 That from the fource of adtive virtue flow! 
 
 If fancy's foothing fpells, or murmuring ftream, 
 Or haunted grove, poetick warmth infpire ; 
 
 Sure virtue's facred felf may juftly claim 
 
 To plume the breaft with more feraphick fire. 
 
 Cherubick virtue, hail ! thou radiant goal, 
 Whence we fliould ftart, and whither we 
 fhould tend, 
 
 p Efflux 
 
1 06 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Efflux divine of pure, eflential foul, 
 With thee our blifs begins, with thee fhall 
 end! 
 
 Replete with good and pregnant with delight, 
 Thou doft the fprings of blifs ethereal move ; 
 
 Beam o'er the mind thy intelledtual light, 
 The private kindling into focial love ! 
 
 Thou fired with eloquence the untutored lay, 
 And biddeft us foar fublime on feraph's wing ; 
 
 On grief's wan cheek illumeft the placid ray, 
 And biddeft the trembling tears of rapture 
 fpring. 
 
 Come, fighing *nymph, with penfive head re- 
 clined 
 
 That loveft the wildly-plaining rill to hear, 
 The lone, lone whifpersof the murmuring wind, 
 And drop o'er human faults a filent tear ! 
 
 Say, 
 
 * Melancholy 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 107 
 
 Say, canft, oh ! canft thou give the fainted reft, 
 The balmy pleafure and the raptured glow, 
 
 The unruffled joys that harmonize the breaft; 
 Canft thou ? ah no, thou canft not thefe beftow. 
 
 And what art thou, fair nature's wayward child, 
 
 Romantick fancy ! lovely, fluttering thing ; 
 That fweetly warbleft forth thy matins wild, 
 
 While fans the breeze of blifs thy lilken wingr 
 
 
 
 ' 
 Yet when pale care invades the unguarded heart, 
 
 Even thou, of fenfe fo exquifitely fine, 
 But ferveft to whet affliction's barbed dart, 
 While blifs-rapt virtue ' fmooths with hand 
 divine. 
 
 Though critick fpleen o'er glory's path prefides, 
 Though envy treads upon the heels of fame, 
 Shall thefe deter when confcious virtue guides, 
 And prompting feraphs fan the immortal 
 flame? 
 
 p 2 Though 
 
lo8 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Though chilling cenfure may, with raven v, ing, 
 In darknefs fhort the Sun of merit fhroud; 
 
 Yet, fpite of (hades, more radiant mail it fpring, 
 Like Sol emerging from an ambient cloud. 
 
 No ' worth to cheer' no ' fmooth poetick vein' 
 Witnefs ye zephyrs, as ye breathed along, 
 
 Ye nodding groves that heard his tuneful ftrain, 
 And thou fair ftream that murmuredrVin his 
 fong!* 
 
 Then ceafe, my friend, how vain the fond ex- 
 
 cufe! 
 
 Or to deny or check the mufe's flame ; 
 For well, too well, has fung thy plaintive mufe, 
 That, ftrange to tell ! by flight has purchafed 
 fame. 
 
 THE 
 
 * Da veniarn ex neceflario peccanti. 
 
POETICAL PIECES, IOQ 
 
 AUTHOR'S ANSWER. 
 
 A /T I STAKE not, tuneful youth, my penlive 
 mufe, 
 
 Nor think me facred virtue lefs admires, 
 If, confcious of impurity, (he choofe 
 
 A theme, which lefs a fpotlefs heart requires. 
 
 Thou fingeft her bright, I grant her heavenly 
 
 bright, 
 Source of whate'er makes good the name of 
 
 joys, 
 
 Whence only fprings the homefelt, fixed delight, 
 Which age, and pain, and death itfelf defies ! 
 
 Yet not the head alone, however clear, 
 However fkilled to mould the moral ftrain, 
 
 And fill wi,th fmootheft eloquence the ear, 
 Can add, oh virtue, to thy white-robed train ! 
 
 Not 
 
HO POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Not all for lofty fcenes did heaven delign, 
 The clamorous concourfe and the buftling 
 town; 
 
 Not all fair virtue bids confpicuous ftiine, 
 Nor loves the venturous combatant alone : 
 
 (Ah ! (hould the lily of the vale appear 
 On yonder madelefs cliffs, afpiring brow ; 
 
 How would the winds its tender beauties tear, 
 And fcornful fling it to the abyfs below!) 
 
 She loves not lefs the calm, inglorious mind, 
 That, ftunned with noife, averfe from loud 
 
 applaufe, 
 
 To friendlhip, freedom, fympathy refigned, 
 From crouds and pomp to (hades and peace 
 withdraws. 
 
 Sure thofe, who in the noifelefs vale of life, 
 Though unapproved by fame, exert their 
 power 
 
 To 
 
POETICAL PIECES. Ill 
 
 To quench the brands of enmity and ftrife, 
 And friendfhip's precious intercourfe reftore, 
 
 Still prompt to {both and eager to relieve, 
 Affliction's pang ftill anxious to beguile, 
 Sure thefe, my friend, may virtue's praife re- 
 ceive, 
 
 Rank with her fons and {hare her fweeteft 
 fmile. 
 
 Not all with equal fortitude are bleft, 
 Not all, alas ! temptation can defpife, 
 
 Nor wilt thou, virtue, blame the timorous breaft, 
 That, confcious of its frailties, wifely flies; 
 
 For oh ! examples gain on firmed hearts. 
 And blinds, in fpite of duty, interpofe, 
 
 While heaven-derived fimplicity departs, 
 And vice, fo often feen, lefs frightful grows ! 
 
 And let my friend's harmonious lyre forgive, 
 If here diflenting found my ruftick reed, 
 
 While, 
 
112 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 While, fmit with melancholy's charms, I ftrive, 
 Howe'er unfkilled, her injured caufe to plead. 
 
 Not that ale power, with ever-ftreaming eye, 
 
 Of fullen-lowering brow, and haggard air, 
 Morofe and fcornful even of guiltlefs joy^ 
 
 The thanklefs child of fpleen and black de- 
 fpair. 
 
 The nymph I mean, of milder, meeker ftrain, 
 Whofe tears from fofter, purer fources flow, 
 
 Nor more averfe from mirth's immoderate reign, 
 Than from the wild extravagance of wo ; 
 
 Oh ! deem not her, the foftener of the mind 
 To gratitude and pity, virtue's foe, 
 
 Nor think her ftranger to the thought refined, 
 'The unruffled pleafure and the rapturous 
 glow ;' 
 
 Haft thou not felt, in fome fequeftered dell ; 
 When fhadowy autumn gloomed the wither- 
 ing year, 
 
 A 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 A ft ream of peniive thoughts thy bofom fwell, 
 Though penfive, lovely; though" diftrefsfu 
 dear? 
 
 And if, perchance, the founds of glee, fo gay 
 Befitfe thy lone recefs tumultuous grew, 
 
 Haft thou not fled, my friend, a different way, 
 And fighed to bid the mournful dream adieu ? 
 
 Say, does not that which mollifies the foul, 
 Aflift fair virtue's tender feed to grow, 
 
 And do not mirth's intemperate rays control, 
 And fcorch the infant nurfling, ere it blow : 
 
 Ah ! how when frolick levity prevails, 
 
 And mirth's ftrong fumes intoxicate the brain, 
 
 Can meek companion tell her melting tales, 
 Or ferious gratitude admittance gain ? 
 
 From dazzling and fublime alike averfe, 
 Chafte melancholy, in thy lowly gloom, 
 
 Q Where 
 
114 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Where heats nor winds their lovely dews dif- 
 
 perfe, 
 Fair gratitude and pity livelieft bloom. 
 
 Beneath thy reign each liberal purpofe thrives, 
 On heaven-ward pinion contemplation foars, 
 
 Each philanthropick fympathy revives, 
 
 And pride, abaflied, her flagging plumes de- 
 plores ; 
 
 When warm profperity's relaxing rays 
 
 To guardlefs jollity the breaft excite, 
 'Tis thine, with wholefome cloud, to damp the 
 
 blaze, 
 And kindly intercept excefs of light. 
 
 What though the penfive eye thou loved to 
 
 wring 
 
 With pictures dark of others' wants and woes, 
 'Tis but that humbling gratitude may fpring, 
 And difcontent her guilty throbs compofe ! 
 
 O 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 O then, her foft-eyed friend let virtue hail, 
 Nor blufli to attend her folitary fchool, 
 
 Powerful ambition's phantoms to difpel, 
 And every feverifh paflion (killed to cool ! 
 
 Still let me find thee in thy midwood bower, 
 Where lighs the dead leaf, quivering in the 
 
 gale, 
 Where pebbly dreams their murmuring gurgles- 
 
 pour, 
 
 And the lorn ftock-dove breathes a languid 
 wail! 
 
 Or haply, near the lonely harp, reclined 
 
 On mofs-green feat, within fome glimmering- 
 
 cell, 
 From whence the ' * wandering fpirits of the 
 
 wind' 
 The inimitable hymn entrancing fwell I 
 
 02 OE 
 
 * See Thomfon's Harp of .^Eolus.. 
 
1 1 6 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 O ! when they ceafe, permit my wayward mufe, 
 With votive wreath to approach thy awful 
 
 fhrine, 
 Through all her breaft thy melting powers in- 
 
 fufe, 
 
 Prompt every ftrain, and make her wholly 
 thine ! 
 
 But can that ear, which heard a lofty Gray 
 Breathe deathlefs notes the rural graves among, 
 
 O ! can it liften to the vulgar lay, 
 
 Fain t-faulter ing from thy meaneft votary's 
 tongue ? 
 
 Yes though a lofty Gray has charmed thine ear, 
 Yet wilt thou not the feebler mufe defpife, 
 
 The feebler mufe Afpafia deigned to hear, 
 Thy gentleft pupil deigned to patronize. 
 
 O ! when Afpafia, gracefully deprefled, 
 Amidft thy ftiades, in tempered radiance, fliines, 
 
 When 
 

 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 When thy foft influence fwells her feeling breaft, 
 And, meek on earth, her modeft eye reclines ; 
 
 Sure none, that fees, can fcorn thy charms to 
 praife, 
 
 Or blum the fympathetick figh to fteal, 
 Sure not proud gaiety herfelf can gaze, 
 
 And aught difgraceful deem thy humid veil ! 
 
 And thou, henceforth, my generous friend, for- 
 bear 
 To think too much I ' check the mufe's 
 
 flame ;' 
 
 Alas! thefe long-protracled rhymes, I fear, 
 In terms too plain, far other fault proclaim. 
 
 MI ALMA ; 
 
Il8 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 MIA L MA; 
 
 OR, A 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE MISERIES RESULTING 
 
 TO THE 
 
 INHABITANTS OF AFRICA, 
 
 FROM THE TRAFFICK IN MEN CARRIED ON BY THE EUROPEANS. 
 
 A /TIALMA was born in a glen, 
 Adjoining a defert of fand, 
 For fear of the ftealers of men, 
 
 Her parents had left their own land ; 
 They had left a fweet country behind, 
 
 And made their abode in a den, 
 But lions they do not much mind, 
 
 Who fly from the ftealers of men. 
 
 Mialma was fond, from a child, 
 
 In fpeed with the fwifteft to vie, 
 And fomewhat untutored and wild 
 
 Was vifible oft in her eye, 
 
 Yet 
 
POETICAL PIECES. IIQ 
 
 Yet had (he a bofom replete 
 
 With feminine tendernefs true, 
 And innocence made it her feat, 
 
 Regardlefs of climate and hue : 
 
 Thou haft feen, on the banks of the ftream - 
 
 That trills to the tremulous grove, 
 *A berry, the (hepherds efteem 
 
 An emblem of permanent love ; 
 But why Ihould I lengthen my ftrain, 
 
 To mention the tinge of a fldn ; 
 For what is the chaff to the grain ? 
 
 Mialma was lovely within. 
 
 The blackeft of fruits are preferred 
 To the faireft of profitlefs blooms ; 
 
 The blackbird's a favourite bird, 
 
 But his merit is not in his plumes. 
 
 And has not the fpirit that fighs 
 In a bofom of dufldeft hue, 
 
 A 
 
 * Herb Paris, true Love, a berry found in woods. 
 
120 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 A judge as difcerning and wife, 
 Ye tyrants of Europe, as you ? 
 
 She had found a pure law in her breaft, 
 
 A law we can none of us fhun, 
 That failed not to trouble her reft, 
 
 When any thing wrong fhe had done 
 But O the dele&able calm, 
 
 That followed a virtuous deed ; , 
 All Araby has not a balm, 
 
 So fweet as fidelity's meed ! 
 
 'Twas now the blithe feafon of youth, 
 
 And fuitors fhe had not a few, 
 Her voice was the language of truth, 
 
 'Twas gentle and tunable too -^ 
 But they that no favour could find 
 
 Were apt to pronounce it fevere, 
 Refufal is harfh to the mind, 
 
 However it found to the ear. 
 
 The angler, the fruit of his wiles 
 With corals and (hells of the fhore, 
 
 The 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 1 21 
 
 The hunter prefented his fpoils, 
 
 The fowler his feathery ftore ; 
 Their prefents fhe would not receive, 
 
 She had heard a young ftranger complain, 
 And though he had taught her to grieve, 
 
 She was willing to hear him again 
 
 He came from a far diftant home, 
 And heeded not whither he ftrayed, 
 
 But fay not, 'twas fondnefs to roam ; 
 His dwelling in allies was laid : 
 
 Still, fhrill in her ear was the cry, 
 ' But do not the lightning arraign, 
 
 ' The lightning patted innocent by, 
 
 * Not fo the man-murderer, man.' 
 
 Reclined in a thicket, alone, 
 
 She heard a lamenting below, 
 ' My mother, ah, where art thou gone ? 
 
 * Thy fickhead, where refteth it now ? 
 4 It refts in the country of death, 
 
 * And fore it was finged in the fire ; 
 
 R < I 
 
122 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 6 I witnefled her fluttering breath 
 ' I faw my loved parent expire, 
 
 'My brethren, who drefles your wounds r 
 
 * Do the villains who dragged you away r 
 
 * Has vengeance like this any bounds ? 
 
 ' Yes, Avarice feels for its prey 
 ' But I truft, with a noble difdain 
 ' This impious aid ye will fpurn, 
 
 * I truft ye will fliortly obtain 
 
 ' A dwelling their flames cannot burn.' 
 
 Mialma was liftening near, 
 
 As thus the poor wanderer 'plained, 
 
 His anguifh (lie faw was fincere, 
 
 And deeply her bofom was pained 
 
 ' O ! were I as fkilful to cure, 
 ' As he is his forrow to tell ! 
 
 ' Though I ne'er had a brother, yet fure 
 
 * 'Twere wrong if I wilhed him not well. 
 
 'The 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 123 
 
 * The far-diftant land he has left 
 
 * The land of my fathers may be, 
 1 The kinfmen of whom he's bereft 
 
 < Perhaps may be kinfmen to me ! 
 
 * Doft thou think' (of herfelf fhe inquired) 
 
 * He would choofe in a cave to reiide ? 
 ' Alas ! he is grievoufly tired, , 
 
 ' Perhaps he is hungry hefide.' 
 
 Oh fympathy, fweet is thy figh, 
 
 To fpirits that hiddenly bleed, 
 The tear of a pitiful eye 
 
 Is of the firft water indeed : 
 In lilence defcended the tear, 
 
 But the figh was akin to a moan, 
 It fell on the fufferer's ear 
 
 Like odours, by Zephyrus blown ! 
 
 He liftened, and ftarted, and rofe, 
 Mialma ftept forth from her bower, 
 
 ' And do not, oh ftranger fuppofe 
 
 ' I would injure thee, had I the power ; 
 
 R 2 < But 
 
124 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 ' But a lionefs vifits this wood, 
 
 ' 'Tis dangerous to fleep in its gloom 
 ' My parents are friendly and good 
 
 ' Thou art welcome to follow me home/ 
 
 A moment he queftioned her eyes, 
 But quickly his doubting was o'er, 
 
 Subdued by a melting furprife, 
 He never had witnefled before : 
 
 ' O ! fuffer the wretch thou furveyeft 
 
 * Thy tendereft pity to claim, 
 
 ' I am feeking fome defolate wafte 
 
 1 Where fetters and flames never came. 
 
 ' The fteps of the beaft in the ftiade 
 
 * I noted, and fmiled at the fign, 
 
 4 But truft me, thou beautiful maid, 
 
 * I fhrunk, when I happened on thine ; 
 ' The lionefs does not enflave, 
 
 ' She kills, but it is not for gain ; 
 * I am not afraid of the grave, 
 
 * My terrour is mercilefs men ! 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 125 
 
 * I have baffled them yes, in thy face 
 
 ' Such beamings of goodnefs appear, 
 ' I fee there is truth in this place ; 
 
 ' The chriftians have never been here. 
 
 * Thy fervice, fweet maid, is it hard ? 
 
 * Nay, let me my life in it fpend ; 
 
 * Employ me, and all the reward 
 
 * I afk, is the name of thy friend. 
 
 * The palm-tree that fhadows yon fteep, 
 
 ' Its fruit from the fummit I'll hurl, 
 
 * I'll ranfack the billowy deep, 
 
 ' To deck thee with coral and pearl ; 
 
 * For thee I will enter the cave, 
 
 4 Where monfters for ages have reigned, 
 ' I am not afraid of the grave, 
 
 ' But 1 cannot endure to be chained/ 
 
 Ye daughters of mercy, awhile 
 Your fad hearts to gladnefs attune ; 
 
 The milkmaid enjoys with a fmile 
 A very brief glimpfe of the moon : 
 
 O 
 
126 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 O ! could I that gladnefs prolong ! 
 
 Alas ! that it is but a gleam, 
 Yet why mould one fadden the fong, 
 
 While profperous love is its theme r 
 
 To her parents the (hanger was dear, 
 
 His country had once been their own, 
 His village, they too had been there, 
 
 His fire from a child they had known } 
 Mialma too called him her friend, 
 
 And a while he was proud of the name ; 
 But prefently that being gained, 
 
 It proved but a part of his aim. 
 
 Nor did {he difcourage his love r 
 
 Nor play on fincerity long 
 To torture the youth, they approve, 
 
 For African maidens were wrong ; 
 A covenant limple but fure 
 
 Enjoined them their love to maintain, 
 And (he was as fkilful to cure 
 
 As Almor had been to complain. 
 
 To 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 1 27 
 
 To fee what a blended delight, 
 
 And terrour her countenance wore, 
 When proud of the proofs of his might, 
 
 The fpoils of the leopard he bore ; 
 To fee with what exquifite art 
 
 She fafliioned her conqueror's crown, 
 Would furely delight every heart 
 
 That had any dear tie of it's own ! 
 
 One little, improvable plot 
 
 Not far from his hut he had found, 
 A plaintain diftinguifhed the fpot, 
 
 And with canes he had finimed it round ; 
 And there, when the funbeams aflant, 
 
 Smote fainter and fainter the plains, 
 His rice and his yams he would plant, 
 
 And the All-merciful profpered his pains. 
 
 But if e'er at the clofe of the day, 
 
 He mufed on a happier foil, 
 * Still here we are fafe' he would fay, 
 
 And then he would thankfully fmile j 
 
 <No 
 
128 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 ' No mouts of the chriftians appal ; 
 
 ' No firebrand at midnight alarms, 
 ' And the roar of the lion is all 
 
 ' That ftartles the babe in one's arms : 
 
 * Now whofe is that frolickfome child, 
 
 * Whofe face is the picture of glee ? 
 ' No fquirrel looked ever more wild, 
 ' As it peeped from the hole in the tree, 
 
 * Thou haft not confulted thofe eyes, 
 
 That keep it fo fondly in view, 
 
 * Elfe hadft thou perceived in a trice 
 
 ' To whom the dear title is due/ 
 
 'Twas morn, and the hills of the eaft 
 
 With luftre unfpeakable glowed, 
 To furnim a temperate feaft 
 
 Mialma was early abroad, 
 Her Almor me meant to furprife 
 
 With a fupper of fruits me had dried ; 
 For this to the fountain me hies, 
 
 And Errida ran by her fide. 
 
 Now 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 129 
 
 Now gathering flowers, (he would try 
 
 To tie them with pliable grafs, 
 Now ftruck with Tome glittering fly, 
 
 She caft them away in the chafe. 
 Now running before, in a buih 
 
 Clofe hidden the fportive one lay, 
 Then fuddenly forth (he would rum, 
 
 And laugh at her mother's difmay. 
 
 It chanced, as thus gaily around 
 
 She darted her quick, little eye, 
 A neft full of younglings (he found 
 
 Juft feathered and ready to fly; 
 To leave them behind in the wood 
 
 Was a thought (he, could never endure ; 
 She would feed them with all that was good, 
 
 And daily frem dainties procure. 
 
 * Thy purpofe I cannot approve :' 
 
 Mialma thus anfwered her plea 
 ' Is there any one, tell me, my love, 
 
 ' Of whom thou art fonder than rae ? 
 
 s Nay, 
 
13 POETICAL PIECES, 
 
 ' Nay, nay, thou art fondeft of me ; 
 
 ' With poor little birds 'tis the fame, 
 * Confider what 1 am to thee, 
 
 ' Juft fuch is their mother to them :' 
 
 Still more and more gently me ftroked 
 
 Their heads as fhe liftened with pain, 
 And now at her mother me looked, 
 
 And now at her younglings again ; 
 At laft me petitioned for one, 
 
 One only, and was not denied, 
 But me promifed, in folemneft tone, 
 
 She would carry it back if it cried. 
 
 Sweet infancy, Oh, what a heart, 
 
 Muft he that can injure thee bearf 
 Even anguim forgetteth her fmart, 
 
 When thou, bufy prattler, art near ; 
 Proud fcience thy converfe may flee, 
 
 And wit thy careffes evade, 
 But verily fo did not he 
 
 Who fpake, and the worlds were all made. 
 
 All 
 
POETICAL PIECS. 13! 
 
 All day on her captive fhe gazed, 
 
 And largely its hunger fupplied, 
 But whenever its beauty (he praifed, 
 
 Mialma looked ferious and fighed ; 
 
 * How different it feemed in its neft I 
 
 * Poor bird thou haft caufe to complain ; 
 
 * Thy mother can fuccour thee beft ; 
 
 ' I wifti thou waft with her again.* 
 
 Thus movingly, juft as (he clofed, 
 
 Poor Errida's triumph was o'er ; 
 Compaflion me long had oppofed, 
 
 But truly her heart could no more ; 
 She looked at it wiftfully, fobbed, 
 
 And now and then dropt a big tear ; 
 To meet the poor bird fhe had robbed, 
 
 She bethought her me never could bear. 
 
 The fun-flower was pointing at weft, 
 
 And ceafing to trickle the balm, 
 What time me fet out for the neft, 
 
 To reftore the boor bird to its dam : 
 
 s 2 And 
 
132 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 And oft as (he flapped it along, 
 
 She kiffed it with childifli good will, 
 
 And ' be ftill, now be ftill* was her fong, 
 ' Little thanklefs one, prithee be ftill/ 
 
 STANZAS 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 133 
 
 STANZAS 
 
 WRITTEN DURING THE ILLNESS 
 
 A NEAR RELATION. 
 
 'VT'E fhepherds, your ill-timed amufements 
 
 forego, 
 
 Thofe flower- woven garlands fo fprightly un- 
 bind ; 
 
 111 fuit your diverfions with tidings of wo, 
 111 fuit with the fears that difquiet my mind. 
 
 For fure you muft know how with ficknefs and 
 
 pain 
 
 Amanda has long been feverely aflailed, 
 Each human endeavour proved powerlefs and 
 
 vain, 
 
 And nought the nice efforts of fcience availed. 
 
 But 
 
134 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 But alas ! they inform me the fymptoms increafe, 
 And life from the conflict feems mufing to 
 
 %; 
 
 Then ceafe, gentle fhepherds, your merriment 
 
 ceafe, 
 
 And think on the trouble that threatens fo 
 nigh! 
 
 Ah ! rather repair to yon rivulet's fide, 
 
 And bind your fad brows with the pale wil- 
 low-wreath ; 
 
 There, lonely reclined, by the murmuring tide, 
 The melting effuiions of elegy breathe. 
 
 For me, I will hafte to my midwood recefs, 
 I will hafte to the gloom of the woodland pro- 
 found, 
 
 There, penfive-reclining, indulge my diftrefs, 
 And pore on the forrows that thicken around. 
 
 rewhile, this fequeftered retreat when I fought, 
 } Twas to pour the foft language of hope and 
 of joy, 
 
 Bright 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 135 
 
 Bright landfcapes luxuriantly rofe to my thought,. 
 And the light-footed minutes ftole placidly 
 by. 
 
 Methought all around me partook of my glee, 
 The ftrearri o'er the pebbles ran playful away, 
 
 The breeze whifpered mirth, as it pafled through 
 
 the tree, 
 And fancy's enchantment made every thing 
 
 gay. 
 
 But ah ! as the hours of affliction advance, 
 By degrees they awake to reflection and wo - r 
 
 While fancy, afliduous our pain to enhance, 
 Averfe to be neuter enlifts as a foe. 
 
 The fhadows of evening my grotto obfcure, 
 The ftream o'er the pebbles glides wailingly 
 
 by, 
 
 The oak's aged branches wave awfully o'er, 
 And the breezes, (brill-plaining, along the 
 cliff figh. 
 
 Ah 
 
136 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Ah plain not fo fadly, thou querulous wind ! 
 Thou ftream, with lefs grieving, thy journey 
 
 purfue, 
 Small need your laments mould difquiet my 
 
 mind, 
 
 Small need that my griefs Ihould be height- 
 ened by you. 
 
 In the circles of youth and of beauty admired, 
 How late in the meadows young Phyllida* 
 
 fhone! 
 
 What pleafing emotions her accent infpired ! 
 How the fhepherds would liften, when Phyllis 
 begun ! 
 
 Now cold on her grave hangs the dew-drop of 
 
 morn, 
 
 And dailies, thick-fpringing, the green fods 
 array, 
 
 Oft 
 
 * Alluding to an intimate friend who was removed 
 by death a little time before. 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 137 
 
 Oft fighs, as he paffes, the fhepherd forlorn, 
 And homeward dejectedly fteals on his way. 
 
 Ah! fhouldft thou, Amanda, too, leave us be- 
 hind, 
 What ftrains could enliven, what vallies could 
 
 cheer ? 
 
 Where fhould I fo conftant an advocate find ? 
 How could I the lofs of thy friendfliip repair? 
 
 Ah ! vain are our hopes of felicity here ! 
 
 How quickly the profpecls of youth are o'er- 
 
 caftl 
 But let not frelh profpe&s, frefh beauties in- 
 
 fnare ; 
 
 Be checked, my fond heart, and reflect on the 
 paft! 
 
 O think, ere thou give thine affection the rein, 
 
 O think, will thefe graces, fo (hining, endure ? 
 
 T Ah, 
 
I3 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Ah, muft I not mortly relinquifh, with pain, 
 The charms that at prefent fo fweetly al- 
 lure ? 
 
 How happy the man, who this changeable fcene 
 With the curfory glance of a traveller eyes ! 
 
 Nor fuffers allurements, intruding between, 
 To divert his purfuit of unchangeable joys ! 
 
 Who, apprized that to happieft attachments be- 
 low, 
 
 A fad feparation full furely enfues, 
 A guarded approvance dares only beftow, 
 
 And timely the foft -growing fondnefs fubdues. 
 
 Yet alas! though each moment frefh warning 
 
 impart 
 
 Our vifions of happinefs here to refign, 
 Though inftruded to turn the fond hopes of the 
 
 heart 
 To joys that unfadingly permanent mine ; 
 
 No 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 139 
 
 No fooner the waves of affli&ion retire, 
 
 And hope's bright illufions return to the view, 
 
 Than, untaught by experience, again we admire, 
 And, though ftill difappointed, with ardour 
 purfue. 
 
 Still, ftill there are objeds that cling to the 
 
 breaft, 
 
 And with pleafing compulfion our wimes con- 
 fine ; 
 
 There are feals of affection fo deeply impreft, 
 What heart, without bleeding, can bear to re- 
 fign ? 
 
 And fo let it be thy repinings recall ; 
 
 'Tis meet we refufe not the favours beftowed ; 
 'Tis meet that affliction fhould alfo befall 
 
 To wake our delires for a happier abode. 
 
 How hard were this ftate of probation below, 
 Were there nought of affection to foften the 
 road, 
 
 T 2 No 
 
'40 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 No bordering attractions to fteal us from wo, 
 No friendship to lighten adverlity's load ! 
 
 And (hall friendfhip be (hunned to avoid the dif- 
 
 trefs 
 Which the lofs of that friendfhip may one day 
 
 impart ? 
 
 Is nought, unexempt from decay and difeafe, 
 Deemed worthy to fhare the fond hopes of the 
 heart ? 
 
 Ah! haplefs Amanda, how well couldft thou 
 
 prove, 
 Though fo fading and fleeting is every thing 
 
 here, 
 There are objects deferving of friendfhip and 
 
 love, 
 Though fading and fugitive not the lefs dear. 
 
 Though forrows thrill deep the fufceptible mind, 
 And greatly its portion of pleafures exceed ; 
 
 The 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 141 
 
 The joys and the griefs are fo clofely conjoined, 
 What bofom that feels them could wim to be 
 freed ? 
 
 Yes, ftill muft 1 love you, ye elegant ties, 
 Though blended with trouble your troubles 
 are dear ; 
 
 Even pleafure oft dwells in a penfive difguife, 
 Nor fcorns the foft features of forrow to wear ! 
 
 Thus poured the fad Thyrfis his wild-running 
 
 lay, 
 Till darknefs o'ertook him as lonely he 
 
 mourned ; 
 JThen ftealing, at length, from the cavern fo 
 
 All mournfully flow to the village returned. 
 
 STANZAS 
 
142 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 STANZAS 
 
 THE MEMORY OF 
 
 THE LATE 
 
 HENRY ECROYD, 
 
 Of Edgend, in Lancafliire. 
 
 His Jaltem accumulem doms t et fun gar inam 
 Munere. V' r g* 
 
 T F yet thick fobs and interrupt! ve fighs 
 
 Permit thy plaints coherently to flow, 
 Mufe, from the bed of dumb diftrefs arife, 
 And in harmonious numbers pour thy wo. 
 
 Though fuch the feelings of the wounded heart 
 
 That mourns a friend, a relative fo dear, 
 Faint are thy colours, impotent thy art ; 
 Oh, my full breaft ! thou canft not match them 
 here. 
 
 For 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 143 
 
 For thofe, to whom Alcander's worth was known, 
 Their poignant grief no bitter heightening 
 needs ; 
 
 Unwonted meltings feize even hearts of ftone ; 
 Even the rude ruftick flow and foftly treads : 
 
 Lo, every face the gloom of anguim wears, 
 Moift every cheek, and filent every tongue : 
 
 There is a native rhetorick in tears 
 
 Which fpeaks loft worth more forcibly than 
 fong. 
 
 Is there who knew, and not laments the dead ? 
 
 How loft to goodnefs is that heart malign! 
 Ne'er may my threfriold found beneath his tread, 
 
 And ever diftant be his home from' mine ; 
 
 But ye, who ne'er his ' liberal deeds/ obferved, 
 Who, far remote, his merits never proved ; 
 
 Know you a man, who ne'er from virtue fwerved, 
 By pleafure, intereft, fophiftry unmoved ? 
 
 A 
 
144 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 A man, with fenfe and fcience largely fraught, 
 Of manners courteous and of heart humane, 
 
 Whom never fuppliant indigence befought, 
 Nor modeft helpleffnefs approached, in vain ; 
 
 A man, though injured, placable and kind, 
 Studious each vengeful purpofe to control ; 
 
 Studious and (killed to harmonize and bind 
 In bonds of amity each jarring foul ? 
 
 (Such lived Alcander, fuch Alcander died ; 
 
 Thrice happy you, if fuch a man you know, 
 You know where judgment, probity refide, 
 
 You know where honour's genuine waters 
 flow.) 
 
 Think then, alas! perhaps the hour is near; 
 (The awful hour, when moft remote, is nigh,) 
 
 All fudden, fickening in his fair career, 
 
 Think you behold that fon of goodnefs die ! 
 
 A 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 145 
 
 A group of lovely daughters left forlorn, 
 
 Think you behold, of friends a mournful 
 train ; 
 
 Think you behold, with age and hard (hips worn, 
 Full many an artift feek employ in vain. 
 
 Then, if your hearts be formed in feeling's 
 mould, 
 
 Thofe hearts a pang of keen diftrefs will feel; 
 Then, if you can, your fympathy withhold, 
 
 Then, if you can, the ftruggling grief conceal. 
 
 What though no idle pageantry be worn, 
 
 Each funeral foppery though his friends dif- 
 own ; 
 
 Do all that wear the fable vefture mourn 
 Or is affliction felt by fuch alone ? 
 
 What though from ivied* tower or fpiry fane, 
 No pealing bell's lamentful accents roll, 
 
 u Nor, 
 
 * From a lone tower, with reverend ivy crowned, 
 
 The pealing bell awaked the folemn figh, ShenL^._, 
 
 
 
 
146 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Nor, widely founding o'er the cottaged plain, 
 Bid thrilling forrow feize each ruftick foul ! 
 
 When fall the bad, when proud oppreflbrs die y 
 No pealing bell can make the peafant mourn; 
 
 When drops the good, fpontaneous is the figh, 
 Spontaneous tears bedew his honoured urn. 
 
 Long (hall philanthropy her votary weep, 
 All lonefome, lingering in the unfocial dale, 
 
 And piety diftrefsful vigils keep, 
 
 And white-robed candour hang her head and 
 wail ; 
 
 Long, long the ftranger, as he paffes by, 
 
 * There good Alcandar dwelt' (hall pauiing 
 fay, 
 
 Survey the friendly dome with tearful eye, 
 With fwelling breaft purfue his weary way. 
 
 THILAN 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 147 
 
 PHILANTHROPY: 
 
 AN ODE. 
 
 1785. 
 
 fhone the vernal evening bland, 
 And fcarce a zephyr fighed, 
 When thus to hail my native land, 
 
 In patriot ftrains I tried; 
 ' What blifs, unrivalled foil, is thine! 
 ' What charms on every fide combine ! 
 ' Hark what accents ftrike mine ear ! 
 " Plenty, plenty triumphs here $" 
 ' Hill and valley, wood and plain, 
 * All proclaim fair freedom's reign ; 
 ' Genius and tafte thy fons endue ; 
 * And O, ye matchlefs nymphs, what beauties 
 bloom in you ! 
 
 ' Nor lefs the virtues grace thy youth, 
 ' The virtues all are thine, 
 
 u 2 Untainted 
 
148 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 ' Untainted honour, artlefs truth, 
 ' And charity benign : 
 
 * Where elfe arife fuch kind abodes 
 
 ' For all whom fell difeafe corrodes r 
 ' Lo, the gates wide open ftand, 
 
 * Enter in, afflicted band ! 
 
 ' Science there with potent balm, 
 ' Waits each throbbing pang to calm, 
 4 O, ne'er avert thy partial ("mile 
 * Philanthropy divine, nor quit thy favourite ifle, 
 
 1 What nation elfe fo nobly pleads 
 ' The caufe of injuied right, 
 
 * So execrates inhuman deeds 
 
 < And arbitrary might !' 
 Scarce had I fpoke, when o'er my view 
 A fudden veil foft flumber drew ; 
 Sinking on a flowery bank, 
 Underneath a willow lank, 
 By a ftirilly-tingling found 
 Sweetly lulfed, I preffed the ground ; 
 
 But 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 149 
 
 But fancy, ftill attending kind, 
 With many a fairy form amufed my wondering 
 mind. 
 
 ' What means yon cloud with fkirts fo bright, 
 * Slow moving o'er the hill ? 
 
 * The fun has long withdrawn his light, 
 
 And every gale is ftill ^ 
 
 * Perhaps it bears fome courteous fprite, 
 ' That comes to fet the wanderer right, 
 ' And, with kindly-ftreaming rays, 
 
 * Cheer the dark and tangled ways, 
 
 * Till again the lunar beam 
 
 < Light the wood and gild the ftream : 
 
 < Or rather, of empyreal race, 
 
 * Some friendly power defcends, on efnbafly of 
 grace!' 
 
 Near and more near the vifion drew, 
 
 Till o'er my head it hung ; 
 Prone on the green-turf, at the view, 
 
 My trembling limbs I flung : 
 
 But 
 
150 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 But foon a voice, more foftly clear 
 Than fairy-fongs, difpelled my fear; 
 4 Rife, behold the friend of man/ 
 Thus the angelic voice began, 
 ' Lo, I come with foftened light, 
 ' Tempered to thy weaker fight ; 
 ' Fear not, for ever by my fide 
 * Benevolence, and peace, and liberty abide.' 
 
 I looked and lo, in white attired, 
 
 A female form reclined, 
 Whofe looks the expanding heart infpired 
 
 With love of pureft kind ; 
 Yet in thofe looks was plainly feen 
 A deep regret that preyed within ; 
 Sudden from within the cloud 
 Harmony celeftial flowed ; 
 Shapes cherubick round me played, 
 Heavenly fragrance filled the (hade, 
 While thus the power, in accents mild, 
 Philanthropy the fweet, religion's duteous child. 
 
 When 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 151 
 
 When intereft firft, and difcord dire 
 
 ' Ufurped the mental throne, 
 ' From heaven's bleft bowers, the Almighty 
 Sire 
 
 * In pity fent me down ; 
 
 * But ah ! in vain I fondly drive 
 
 * To keep the fparks of love alive : 
 ' Pride, impatient of control, 
 
 ' More and more obdures the foul ; 
 
 * Avarice vile, my deadlieft foe, 
 
 * Daily finds her empire grow ; 
 
 ' And Oh, I fee with grief fmcere, 
 Still foremoft in her train Britannia's fons ap- 
 pear ! 
 
 ' See where on Afric's groaning coaft 
 
 * The nation praifed fo high, 
 
 * (Say wilt thou yet that nation boaftr) 
 
 * Their fellow-mortals buy : 
 
 ' Exiled from all that gladdens life, 
 
 ' Friends, parents, country, children, wife, 
 
 'Seeft 
 
*5 2 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 ' Seeft thou not the drooping band i 
 ' Lo, they drag them to the ftrand ! 
 1 Now the breeze diftends the fail ; 
 ' Heareft thou not the frantick wail ? 
 ' Happy if on the w r atry way 
 * Each ftified wretch expires, to (harks a deftin- 
 ed prey ! 
 
 f Turn next to eaftern climes thy view, 
 ' Ah, climes remote, in vain ! 
 
 * Even there thy fons, oh Albion, too 
 
 * Pre-eminence maintain ; 
 
 * But 'tis in frauds, felonious feats, 
 
 * But 'tis in rapine's blood-rtained feats : 
 
 * Lo, wherever the ftrangers tread 
 
 * Grim extortion rears his head ; 
 
 * Rape and murder fwell the train; 
 
 ' Ravenous pillage fweeps the plain ; 
 
 * While clofe behind with tyrant fcorn, 
 
 ' Fell famine taunting points at plenty's ran- 
 facked horn. 
 
 'Yet 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 153 
 
 * Yet thefe are they whofe boundlefs worth 
 
 * Leaves all applaufe behind ; 
 
 * Thefe are the enlightened of the earth, 
 
 * The bounteous and the kind ; 
 
 * Yes thefe are they, who, void of fhame, 
 ' The niceft fenfe of honour claim : 
 
 * Burft, ye winds, your rocky caves, 
 
 ' Whelm their treafures in the waves, 
 
 * That the glittering, guilty fpoil 
 
 ' Ne'er may reach their natal foil, 
 ' To mut corrupted judgment's door, 
 And fay to injured right, " Submit for thou 
 art poor. 5 ' 
 
 * But now adieu, I hafte to know 
 
 ' If yet one breaft remains, 
 ' Which like my G***'s the exalted glow, 
 
 * The zeal humane retains/ 
 She ceafes lo, me fleets away, 
 
 * Ah, yet awhile, celeftial, ftay :' 
 Vain my prayers, along the fkies 
 Swift the leflening glory flies ; 
 
 x Faint 
 
154 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Faint and fainter faft it grows ; 
 Now the laft, laft glimpfe 1 lofe : 
 Yet ftill it fhines in fancy's eye, 
 Still on her liftening ear the etherial accents die. 
 
 THE 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 155 
 
 THE 
 
 FALLING LEAF. 
 
 Addreffed to a Friend. 
 
 A GAIN pale autumn, (like a viftim meek, 
 Deftined to fall beneath the ruthlefs ftroke 
 Of fome hoar-headed flamen, whom not all 
 Its unoppofing innocence can melt,) 
 Beholds unpitying winter every day 
 Encroaching more and more ; again the mufe 
 To the declining feafon fondly tries 
 To fuit the tenour of her languid lay ; 
 And at the dreary fight, with forrow thrilled, 
 Lets fall her annual tear ; for lo, the woods, 
 How faded, how difcoloured ! every night 
 The foliage loofer grows, more thin the fprays. 
 Firft fhrink, of loftier growth, the towering am 
 And branching plain tree ; nor efcape the fhrubs 
 And humble underwood ; they too apace 
 Their verdure lofe, to fickly yellow changed, 
 Or red, or tawny brown, a motley fcene ! 
 
 x 2 Awhile 
 
156 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Awhile the fovereign of the wood withftands, 
 Tenacious of his ftate ; but foon, too foonj 
 Him too the winds difrobe ; adown the brook 
 Brawling beneath, the parted umbrage fend, 
 And leave each venerable arm expofed 
 To every ftorm that roars yet, O ye winds, 
 And winter thou, whofe minifters they are, 
 Refpite the hazels of Afpafia's bower ; 
 And if thy wafteful frofts were bid to fpare 
 The fpeedwell wild, that runs along the feat, 
 Small were the exemption ; 'twould not much 
 
 Thy w r ide domain alas ! in vain I plead r 
 That rigid breaft no piteous melting knows, 
 No due difcrimination deigns to ufe, 
 But in promifcuous ruin blindly blends 
 The goodly and the vile : the trees indeed 
 Shall foon refume their honours ; fpring (hall 
 
 foon 
 
 Renew their veft ; but you, rejected leaves, 
 No fun can e'er revive ; no more the birds 
 Shall blefs your kind concealment, fwelling loud 
 
 With 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 157 
 
 With grateful rapture the delicious hymn : 
 No more the afiiduous bees with lulling hum, 
 Leaving the gaudier, lefs productive flowers, 
 Shall round you fwarm, induftrious to colle6t 
 The gliftering fweetnefs, from indulgent (Ides 
 Diftilled in fummer's mild and genial nights. 
 
 Yet winter fell, there are, whofe firmer robes 
 Can fcorn thy blafts, and dare thy keeneft frofts 
 Hail to the victor laurel, hail ye pines, 
 Ye hollies, gay with fcarlet berries, hail ! 
 Nor thou, fair ivy, exemplary plant, 
 Refufe my gratulation ! faithful thou 
 To thy benign fupporter, whether decked 
 With envied pomp, carefled of every wind, 
 He looks majeftick o'er the fubjed grove, 
 While every neighbouring beaft and timorous 
 
 bird 
 
 Court his protecting melter ; or as now, 
 Defpoiled, afflicted, deftitute, forlorn, 
 The feoff of every guft; ^even in the hour, 
 The fatal hour, when his obdurate axe 
 
 The 
 
158 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 The fturdy woodman heaves, thou firft receiveft 
 The deathful ftroke, and kindly ftriveft to ward, 
 While life remains ; unfhaken even in death 
 Thy clofe attachment ; with unilackened clafp 
 Grateful thou ftill infolded the proftrate form ; 
 But now no danger threatens ; no dire axe 
 Approaches once again, fair ivy hail ! 
 O, may thy verdant texture-, many an age, 
 From winter's wrath thy aged lord defend ; 
 And ftay the time-ftruck abbey's tottering wall, 
 Where haply, in a murky nook (which once 
 Of choral orifons returned the found) 
 Some hermit poor, difgufted with the world, 
 And (hocked with crimes, betide his fire of wood, 
 In painful mufmgs wears the dreary hours ; 
 Or houfelefs pilgrim, from the dome of pride 
 Indignant fpurned, avoids the drenching rain 
 What though thy tendrils with unhallowed hand 
 The inebriate fons of jollity profane, 
 And wear thy garland; better far I ween, 
 Thou loveft to deck the favourites of the mufe, 
 The interefts pure of virtue to promote 
 
 In 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 159 
 
 In every fond conceit and fairy fcene. 
 Yet fure, jEnone, if thy poet knew 
 To interpret truly ; could he read aright 
 The characters, on every verfe deceafed, 
 Infcribed by autumn, every leaf prefents 
 A ufeful leiTon thus methinks it runs, 
 When amplified by fancy ; (fancy loves 
 To amplify, and intermix at will 
 Uncheckt and volatile, digrefiions quaint ; 
 The clofe and literal verfion hence (he hates, 
 As does fair freedom the debafing chain, 
 Which flavery's injured fons are doomed to feel.) 
 
 * Thou, wayward youth, whom haply death's cold 
 
 blafts 
 ' May fpare a little longer ; whom, at eve, 
 
 * When blithe, we danced on yonder naked 
 
 fpray, 
 
 1 Oft have we feen beneath us, all alone 
 ' Muttering belide the rock where echo dwells, 
 < In accent faint, fome fad defpondent lay, 
 
 * With many a tender circumftance replete, 
 ' And piteous incident ; while in thy air 
 
 < That 
 
l6o POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 * That fettled fort of penfivenefs appeared, 
 
 * Which loves the grief that wrings it often too, 
 
 * In friendfhip's praife thou badeft the numbers 
 
 flow, 
 ' Repeating oft in energetick tone 
 
 * The name of foft JEnone ; then thy looks 
 
 < A moment brightened, every feature wore 
 
 ' The gleam of fweet complaifance, till anon 
 ' Reviving grief refumed her fway fevere, 
 
 * And o'er thy darkened afpe6l lhadowy ftole, 
 As o'er the funfhine fteals the wintry cloud 
 
 ' And intercepts the warmth, while every plant 
 
 < Droops in the fhadow thou whofe pity now 
 ' Condoles our fate, contemplating the change 
 
 * With friendly, kind regret ; coniider well 
 
 * The leading features in the life of man, 
 ' Nor the black hoft of maladies forget, 
 
 < Which ever lurk in treacherous ambufh round, 
 ' Or frown avowedly hoftile, every nerve 
 
 ' Affailing oft, and lifting high the dart 
 
 ' Of fure deftru&ion, though awhile delayed : 
 
 'Then 
 
POETICAL PIECES. l6l 
 
 * Then turn thy thoughts on us whom late thou 
 
 viewedft 
 
 ' Wjth fond commiferation's moiftened eye ; 
 ' The cafualties that thin the leafy fpray 
 ' Compare impartial, candid then declare 
 ' In what our tenures differ, but that yours 
 
 * Is more precarious ; fewer of thy race 
 
 * The wintry period of exiftence reach* 
 
 4 (Which waits both leaves and mortals) and 
 
 furvive 
 ' Till the frail thread of life, to late, old age 
 
 * Protracted, fmall and feeble grown, at length 
 < Diffolves fpontaneous, as the goffamer 
 
 ' That fportive floats amidft the funny calm 
 ' Of bright autumnal morn ; if chance a breeze 
 ' Of brifker pinion brufh its waving length, 
 
 * Without a jerk, all unrefifting parts. 
 
 * Yet though the puny offspring of the bough, 
 
 * Expofed to whirlwind, mildew, ftorm and 
 
 blight, 
 
 * That tremble at the flighted zephyr's breath, 
 
 Y < Which 
 
1 62 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 * Which even a caterpillar can deftroy ; 
 
 ' Though thefe, fo frail, lefs frequent fall a prey 
 4 To death untimely than unthinking man ; 
 ' How many, plunged in vanity, reject 
 
 * Our annual admonitions, ftill bewitched, 
 
 * Still fettered to this wretched fpot below ; 
 
 * O, be not one of thofe elude not thou 
 
 * The folemn profpect and the humbling thought: 
 
 * And O, remember ftill, there is a power, 
 
 ' There is an index, which has ne'er milled, 
 
 * To fimple reafon more fuperior far 
 
 * Than that to paflion.' Here my numbers ceafe, 
 The lecturers are fled, a fudden guft 
 
 Has wide difperfed them haply not too foon 
 My gentle friend may think, though well I know 
 Her < ear is patient of a ferious fong,' 
 Apt to be pleafed, though fkilful to difcern ; 
 This well I knew ; elfe only had the nymph 
 That haunts the grey cliff heard thefe vagrant 
 
 ftrains, 
 
 Snatched by oblivion in the hour of birth, 
 And loft as uttered in the paffing gale. 
 
 TO 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 163 
 
 DR. BEATTIE. 
 
 T TAIL thou, whofe mufe contemning gran- 
 deur's bowers, 
 
 Erewhile in native dignity arrayed 
 An artlefs l fhepherd-boy Y unfolding powers, , 
 And bright, romantick reveries difplayed 
 In ftrains, which fell oblivion's envious {hade, 
 Secure in genuine grace, can never fear, 
 While fphere-born harmony's delicious aid, 
 While chafte fimplicity's enchanting air, 
 And fancy's vivid hues the poet's toils endear. 
 
 O, though fo favoured of the partial Nine, 
 Though fond, with plauftve breath, thy name to 
 
 raife, 
 
 Tafte, beauty, genius, piety combine ; 
 Accept the thanks a youthful ruftick pays, 
 Whom yet the beauties of thy polimed lays 
 
 Y2 With 
 
1 64 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 With mingled forrow, deep regret infpire, 
 (Though much he could thy recent* labours 
 
 praife,) 
 
 That filent fleeps fo long that nobler fire, 
 And all neglected lies thy more illuftrious lyre. 
 
 The landfcape bright, the thought with juftne'fs 
 
 new, 
 
 Pourtrayed in profe, can intereft the heart ; 
 Yet (though unchanged the thought, unchanged 
 
 the view) 
 
 A more confummate pleafure they impart, 
 Embellimed by the fweet, Phoebean art ; 
 When poefy exults, or tender grieves, 
 Much more of joy we feel or pitying fmart, 
 While memory on her moft retentive leaves, 
 Smit with the charms of found the dulcet notes 
 
 receives. 
 
 But ah! how few of genius'. honoured train 
 PofTefs with ftrength of mind poetick fkill ! 
 
 And 
 * Alluding to Dr. Seattle's late publications. 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 165 
 
 And even, of thofe, how oft the infiduous ftrain 
 Infufes grovelling thoughts and paflions ill ! 
 O fuafive, elegant, fublime at will, 
 Whofe flowery page ne'er flickered aught impure, 
 Employ thy talents yet again to inftill 
 The liberal wifli ; from luft of gain fecure : 
 And to fair virtue's path the wavering heart al- 
 lure. 
 
 Yet, yet fweet bard, refume thy Edwin's tale, 
 When manhood's dangerous eminence he gained: 
 O fay what touching incidents befel, 
 What rural maid his gentle bofom pained, 
 And, with fweet artleflhefs, his heart enchained. 
 * Ye cherub train' that brought him on his way, 
 As yet with pride and black diftruft unftained, 
 O leave him not * 'midft tumult and difmay;' 
 Warm love, and thankful hope, and calm con- 
 tentment, ftay. 
 
 Thefe iimple rhymes fhall unlamented die, 
 And quickly vanifli in oblivion due ; 
 
 Yet 
 
1 66 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Yetmouldftthou chance, with condescending eye, 
 The fond requeft therein preferred to view, 
 And, thence aroufed, that pleating theme purfue; 
 Then to the bare requeft, however penned, 
 Of praife, fome (lender portion might accrue ; 
 Then might my name avowed to fame pretend, 
 And gentle fouls unborn the weak attempt com- 
 mend 
 
 ON 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 167 
 
 WAR. 
 
 T7ULL oft has poetry's impulfive ftrain 
 
 Urged the ram tripling to the tented plain, 
 Feigned wondrous happinefs in mad huzzas, 
 And pointed murder as the path to praife. 
 Did lawlefs luft of power or vengeance fell 
 Give birth to deeds which man ftiould blufh to 
 
 tell ? 
 
 The dazzled bard configned thofe deeds to fame, 
 And, love of glory, ftyled the infernal flame 
 In glowing verfe, of battles, deaths and frauds 
 He fings with fhouts the multitude applauds ; 
 Lays, to oblivion due, they call fublime, 
 Extol the language and forget the crime. 
 
 Lo, the mild village youth, by facred lore 
 Tutored to love mankind, and God adore, 
 Charmed with fonorous numbers, joys to find 
 Such tuneful eale with energy combined ; 
 
 O'er 
 
l68 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 O'er the famed records of immortal deeds 
 Intent he bends and kindles as he reads, 
 With fcorn each chriftian virtue learns to view, 
 Admire falfe honour and contemn the true 
 Soon from his foul unhallowed fires efface 
 The humbling dodrine of the prince of peace ; 
 A tame, infipid virtue patience feems, 
 And heaven-born meeknefs cowardice he deems. 
 Even now, in thought, he mounts his founding 
 
 car, 
 
 And fmgly ftems the torrent of the war, 
 Or from the tumbling deck, ferenely brave, 
 Sends (hrieking thoufands to a watery grave ; 
 Refolved at laft, impatient of delay, 
 Swift from his natal fhades he burfts away ; 
 To bend his foul maternal pleas are vain, 
 Entreaties move not, nor can tears detain. 
 
 Not fuch the fong, whilft touched with human 
 
 wo, 
 A man obfcure, to guilty fame a foe, 
 
 With 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 169 
 
 With no finifter aim, no fordid view, 
 
 Ye fons of Albion, dedicates to you, 
 
 To you who thankful own the truths divine 
 
 Which in the book of infpiration fliine ; 
 
 Vain elfe the attempt, if thefe your foul difowns, 
 
 To fmooth to harmony its jarring tones, 
 
 Unmafk the horrid joy revenge affords 
 
 And into ploughfhares bid you beat your fwords. 
 
 Ah why, ftill glorying in the heathen Nine, 
 Should poefy difclaim the man diviner 
 Why of his precepts only plead for thofe 
 Which leaft fierce nature's headftrong ,courfe 
 
 oppofe ? 
 
 Ingenuous is the art, or pure the lay, 
 Which prompts mankind on kindred man to 
 
 prey; 
 
 Or fuits it harmony's foft hand to unbar 
 The thundering portals of infuriate war ? 
 In elder times, ere yet the prince of peace 
 I Bade difcord die, and outward conflict ceafe ; 
 
 z Ere 
 
1 70 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Ere immortality, reftored to light, 
 Shone manifeft to man's illumined fight. 
 And bade him, mindful of perennial joys, 
 The tranlient injuries of time defpife ; 
 The high rewards of patient fufferance mewed, 
 And left without excufe the man of blood 
 Heaven then with pity might perhaps regard 
 The war-bred chief and war-enkindling bard, 
 And, piteous of their blindnefs, kindly hear 
 A plea which chriftians might in vain prefer ; 
 But can the man who boafts his faith to draw 
 From the pure ftream of evangelick law, 
 Who hears forbidden every thought unkind, 
 And love in every circumftance enjoined ; 
 How can he guiltlefs fan that murderous flame. 
 For whofe extinction heaven's Meffiah came; 
 Their blood, though guilty, can he guiltlefs fried, 
 For whofe redemption heaven's Mefliah bled ? 
 
 - War firft, and war's black brood, a hideous 
 
 train 
 
 Of crimes and horrors, claim the upbraiding ftrain ; 
 
 Sad 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 17! 
 
 Sad argument, and irkfome to the mind 
 That loves the brotherhood of human-kind, 
 Though wit in every age, intent to (hew 
 What wonders fiction's fairy wand can do, 
 With all its gems the difmal theme has crowned 
 And caft a falfe, pernicious glory round : 
 Hiftory indeed fo oft the tale repeats 
 Of human quarrels, victories and defeats, 
 Difplays fuch fchemes by human hearts conceiv- 
 ed, 
 
 Records fuch deeds by human hands achieved, 
 As made even heathens, confcious of the crimes 
 That chriftians boaft of, ligh for better times ; 
 Their glimmering reafon from fuch deeds of 
 
 hate 
 
 Proved man degenerate from his firft eftate : 
 But hiftory, like her fifter, loath to thwart 
 The favourite paflions of the ambitious heart, 
 Even now, the chriftian teft rejecting, tries 
 By maxims falfe each martial enterprize, 
 Nay, fwoln with arrogance, by malice driven, 
 Derides the doctrine of the Lord from heaven ! 
 
 Come 
 
I7'2 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Come then, fweet poefy, be thou the firft, 
 With all thy fkill, to check the inhuman thirft ; 
 Much guilt thou haft to expiate, many a line 
 Unhallowed, offered at oppreflion's mrine : 
 Exalt thy profpedls, be what heaven defigned 
 Thou fhouldeft be fweet inftrudrefs of man- 
 kind ; 
 
 Such as thou waft when Ifrael's tuneful king 
 To heights unrivalled raifed thy heaven-ward 
 
 wing; 
 
 That if an angel pafs, thou needeft not fear 
 The blamelefs warblings fhould offend his ear : 
 O, never more illume a guilty day, 
 Nor ftrew thy garments in a hero's way, 
 The pearl of praife referve for purer themes, 
 Deeds that nor taint the air, nor tinge the ftreams, 
 Actions unhaunted by the vulture's cry, 
 And fuch as leave the cheeks of mothers dry. 
 Think, fweet encomiaft, 'tis no part of love 
 To footh with flattery where it fhould reprove ; 
 It well becomes thee on the youthful ear, 
 To pour the praife of piety fincere, 
 
 To 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 173 
 
 To exalt that genuine fortitude, which draws 
 Its nobleft boldnefs not from man's applaufe, 
 Which, void of all remorfeful fear within, 
 Though gentle, dares do any thing but fin : 
 It well becomes thee, with the lovely fmiles 
 Of charity, to unveil her artful wiles, 
 So dexterous Ihe, not even her, left hand knows 
 If chance divulge not, what the right beftows 
 To mitigate the heart-confuming cares, 
 That man muft cope with in this vale of tears, 
 To lull the reftlefs bed of moaning pain, 
 Till " nature's fweet reftorer" comes again; 
 To cheer, with tranflepulchral views, the cell 
 Of drooping worth.becomes thy beauty well. 
 But when opinion on unthinking youth 
 Obtrudes her tinfel for the fterling truth, 
 And calm humility and humble faith 
 Regards as ufelefs in the publick path, 
 Contemns the meek, pronounces nothing worth 
 Their title to the inheritance of earth, 
 Likening them happy, in faftidious vein, 
 To pools whofe waters but difgrace the plain, 
 
 Or 
 
174 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Or to that fait, which, all its virtue gone, 
 
 Is worthy only to be trampled on. 
 
 When, with obeifance prone, thou feeft his great 
 
 Ambitious zealots placed on honour's feat, 
 
 And monumental pageants madly raife 
 
 To him who, ftung with boundlefs thirft of 
 
 praife, 
 
 Defiled with carnage piety's recefs 
 And turned a garden to a wildernefs; 
 Then farewell balmy words, that like the fmall, 
 Soft rain of fpring, or dews of evening fall, 
 Dear to the grafs it then becomes the fong 
 ' Like hailftones mixed with fire' to pour along, 
 Then take thy ftand, and let thy voice aloud 
 Sound awful warnings to the infatuate crowd, 
 Strenuous to vindicate Jehovah's right 
 Of legiflation, and his laws recite, 
 Laws harm indeed, and uncouth to the foul 
 That covets maftery, cannot brook control, 
 Its honour prizes at a rate fo high, 
 Whoe'er affronts it muft fubmit or die : 
 
 But, 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 175 
 
 But, to the fpirit, taught < f heaven to fee, 
 And feeing loathe its natural pravity, 
 
 The lowly-minded man 
 
 Lefs fweet the fragrant fpoil of thymy hills 
 That from the warmeft treafuries diftils, 
 The qumteflence of fpring ! with them com- 
 pared, 
 
 All earthly gewgaws fuch can difregard ; 
 Compared with them, even Ophir's pureft wedge 
 Is counted worthlefs as the fordid fedge 
 That ftrews the fhores of ocean winning power, 
 Leave me awhile o'er fong of mead and bower ; 
 With fuch regret fuch undiffembled pain, 
 I long have heard the news of brethren flain, 
 Maimed, robbed or prifoned, or by wicked might 
 At once deprived of liberty and light ; 
 Lo, fed fo long by ftill-renewed fupplies, 
 So high the fympathetick forrows rife, 
 Silence at length gives way, the augmented 
 
 force 
 Of thought demands an unobftru&ed courfe, 
 
 Oh 
 
176 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Oh melodize the current as it glides, 
 With ermine-vefted lilies fkirt its fides, 
 Bedew with pearls its channel, brighter far 
 Then ever poet faw the morning ftar, 
 Even jewels worthier far to be admired 
 Than e'er were found of genius uninfpired, 
 Gems from the facred, unexhaufted mine 
 Of truth revealed, immaculate, divine ! 
 
 FAREWELL 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 177 
 
 FAREWELL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 MUSES. 
 Verfes written on recovering from a dangerous Illnefs, 
 
 occafioned by a fevere Difappointment, 
 
 AND ADDRESSED TO A NEAR RELATION. 
 
 /"\NE fimple effort more, and then farewell 
 The tuneful cadence and the meafured 
 
 (train ; 
 
 Then fleep, for ever fleep, my vocal fhell, 
 For thou haft founded ; I have fung in vain ! 
 
 A few fad numbers more to grief belong ; 
 
 Friendmip's loved name mould once more 
 
 grace my lay, 
 And gratitude's, whofe fondly-melting tongue 
 
 Still loves to mention what me cannot pay. 
 
 When one fond hope has long the heart amufed, 
 
 'And many a year fupplied its darling theme, 
 
 A a O'er 
 
178 FOETICAL PIECES. 
 
 O'er all its clouds the fofteft light diffufed, 
 In all its funftiine lent the brighteft beam ; 
 
 Should fuch a hope, fo tender and fo dear, 
 Though fond and foolifh, from that heart be 
 torn, 
 
 How the frame fhudders at the wound fevere, 
 How finks the foul in helplefs anguifh lorn ! 
 
 How all its funihine fickens into fhade, 
 While every cloud afTumes a deeper die ! 
 
 Ah me, my feelings need not fancy's aid 
 That wo-ftruck frame, that finking mind 
 have I. 
 
 Say, will Amanda lend a patient ear, 
 
 (While thus her melancholy friend com- 
 plains) 
 
 Whofe wifhes rife above this changeful fphere, 
 Whofe hopes are fixed where endlefs funfhine 
 reigns ? 
 
 Yes, 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 179 
 
 Yes, though herfelf the nobleft path has trod, 
 And, heaven-directed, 'fcaped each wildering 
 maze, 
 
 The breaft that bleeds beneath affli&ion's rod, 
 She ftill will pity, though fhe cannot praife. 
 
 When on the couch of ficknefs pale I lay, 
 Difeafe infectious threatening deaths around, 
 
 In vain, to fright my generous friend away, 
 Difcretion reafoned, and contagion frowned. 
 
 Full many a night (he watched that couch be- 
 
 fide, 
 
 With eye as mournful, look as full of care, 
 As if my life to thoufands health fupplied, 
 
 As if my death would damp the general 
 cheer. 
 
 Yes, 'twas that voice, whofe lenient accents 
 
 mild, 
 
 When yielding reafon helplefs dropt the rein, 
 A a 2 Huflied 
 
l8o POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Hufhed my vain tremours, foothed my queftions 
 
 wild, 
 And calmed the tumults of my erring brain. 
 
 O mould the tide of ftill-increafing grief 
 Quench the laft quivering, intellectual ray ; 
 
 Should e'er thy friend, difordered paft relief, 
 A poor lymphatick through thy woodland ftray; 
 
 Say, wouldft thou fly me ? no ; too feeling maid, 
 Even then thy breaft with fympathy would 
 thrill ; 
 
 Even then thou oft wouldft lend thy gentle aid, 
 And, as a brother, fometimes love me ftill. 
 
 Ah, dear Amanda, may'ft thou ftill efchew 
 The paths of paflion and affection blind ! 
 
 For oft the unwary heart has caufe to rue 
 The entire dominion of the moft refined. 
 
 Still to the world fuperiour mayft thou live, 
 Poflefsed of peace, and calm, fupernal joy, 
 
 That 
 
POETICAL PIECES. l8l 
 
 That genuine peace, which nor the world can 
 
 give, 
 Nor all its reftlefs turbulence deftroy! 
 
 Too feeble verfe to fpeak a grateful mind : 
 What but good wimes have I to repay? 
 
 May thefe, my friend, acceptance hope to find r 
 Ample the wifhes, though but poor the lay. 
 
 Silent, yet zealous, thofe mall ever glow; 
 
 This the lharp tooth of time mall foon cor- 
 rode ; 
 Thofe for Amanda ne'er mall ceafe to flow ; 
 
 Conclufive this, if right my heart forebode. 
 
 Grief, gratitude, and friendmip's cordial fwell 
 Till life's laft throb, this breaft muft fure re- 
 tain, 
 
 Yet fleep, for ever fleep, my vocal fhell, 
 
 For thou haft founded, I have fung in vain. 
 
 PARAPHRASE 
 
1 82 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 PA RA P H RA S E 
 
 ON THE 
 
 TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER OF JOB. 
 
 T X TELL knows the artift where the earth 
 
 contains 
 
 The golden ore, and filver's glittering veins ; 
 What fecret cells the feeds of brafs enclofe, 
 And from what ftone the molten iron flows : 
 Dreadlefs he penetrates the gloom profound, 
 Though death's dire fhadows feem to hover 
 
 round ; 
 
 Roufed from their dark recefles fountains rife, 
 And new-born ftreams the gladdened vale fur- 
 
 prife. 
 
 Lo too, from earth what various fruits proceed, 
 Her teeming harvefts all the nations feed ; 
 Deep in her caves the beauteous fapphire beams, 
 And duft of gold adds luftre to her ftreams. 
 
 There 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 183 
 
 There is a path where never fowl has ftrayed, 
 Which never vulture's piercing eye furveyed, 
 No wrathful nature e'er could love its way, 
 No ravening lion thither trace its prey. 
 All nature's realms the might of man commands ; 
 In vain the adamantine rock withstands ; 
 His powerful arm the mountains now adorns, 
 Now from the roots thofe mountains overturns ; 
 He bids from cliffs diflevered ftreamlets flow, 
 And proudeft floods their limits learn to know, 
 He brings to light the world's profoundeft ftores, 
 And every precious thing his eye explores. 
 But where does wifdom, heavenly wifdom^ 
 
 dwell r 
 
 And where is underftanding's fecret cell? 
 The price thereof man knows not 'tis not found 
 Aloft in air, or groveling on the ground ; 
 ' With me it is not' truly fays the* fea, 
 The deep re-echoes, ' there is none with me,' 
 Even Ophir's pureft wedge might afk in vain, 
 Nor hills of filver lhall the prize obtain ; 
 No fapphire that, nor cryftal e'er can buy, 
 Nor with its worth the precious onyx vie ; 
 
 Nor 
 
184 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Nor cenfers wholly gold, without allay ; 
 
 Nor Afric's topaz can the purchafe pay; 
 
 Of pearl or coral be no mention made, 
 
 For even compared with wifdom, rubies fade. 
 
 Where then does wifdom, heavenly wifdom, 
 
 dwell? 
 
 And where is understanding's favourite cell ? 
 Since to the fearch of man 'tis not revealed, 
 Even from the (harp-eyed fowls of air concealed ? 
 Death and deftrudtion fay, ' the name revered, 
 ' Ourfelves full oft have heard, but only heard/ 
 
 God knows the way thereof he knows its 
 
 place, 
 
 Whofe eye commands the infinitude of fpace, 
 Who weighs the wind, and to the thirfty plain, 
 Benign as powerful, meafures out the rain ; 
 When for the clouds a path he firft decreed, 
 And to the lightning gave its dazzling fpeed, 
 He then beheld it, fearched out, prepared, 
 And gracious, thus to human-kind declared, 
 ' To fear the Lord, O man, is wifdom found, 
 * To fly from evil underftanding found/ 
 
 ON 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 185 
 
 SORROW. 
 
 HPHOUGH checked by time the ftorm may 
 
 feebler grow 
 
 Which tofled erewhile the turbid ftream of wo; 
 Sorrows there are, which, though they feem to 
 
 fleep, 
 
 Till life's laft figh their wonted channel keep, 
 Still frefh they flow from many a latent wound,, 
 More calm indeed, but not the lefs profound,. 
 
 B b SYMPATHY. 
 
1 86 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 SYMPATHY. 
 
 TX7TTH fenfe of goodnefs, powerlefs to re- 
 quite 
 
 The obligation, powerlefs to exprefs 
 The flowing feelings of the melted heart ! 
 And fay, what envied acquifition rare, 
 What fplendid purchafe could have filled thy 
 
 breaft 
 With equal felf-approvance, blifs immixt ? 
 
 What noble pleafures lie within your reach, 
 Ye affluent , what a privilege is yours ! 
 Far, far be fickening envy from my foul, 
 But O, if fome involuntary wifh, 
 Not from her tainting influence wholly free, 
 Swell in my warelefs bofom at the thought 
 Of fuch exalted joys, to me dejiied, 
 Forgive the weaknefs of a ruftick youth, 
 Not unambitious of the power to blefs, 
 Whofe fcanty lot confines his ready hand ! 
 
 Yet 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 187 
 
 Yet not for that, celeftial Sympathy, 
 Forfake thy faithful votary's humble fhed, 
 Though deeply oft he mourn his want of power 
 To obey thy gentle diftates, and releafe 
 The captives of affli&ion welcome ftill ! 
 O, whether, fhrouded in fome facred grove, 
 Thou joyeft to dictate to the liftening Nine; 
 Or, in fome favourite valley, far withdrawn 
 From crowds and pompous domes and faithlefs 
 
 courts, 
 
 Among the fhepherd-race (whofe yielding minds, 
 Unfkilled by intereft's breath, or freezing pride, 
 Invite thy melting touches) loveft to dwell ; 
 And oft, in flowery arbours veiled, repeateft 
 Thy Thomfon's warblings, o'er fome bubbling 
 
 fpring, 
 
 Penlive at evening's folemn fall reclined ; 
 Or rather, fweet Afpafia's matchlefs form, 
 Congenial mien and foft, pathetick eye 
 Affuming, fhineft with beauties ill-concealed, 
 By every feature, every look betrayed ; 
 
 B b 2 Withdraw 
 
! 88 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 Withdraw not from my breaft thy influence 
 
 warm ; 
 
 O let not griping avarice, ever linked 
 With fell infeniibility, difgrace 
 My humble habitation ; ftill infpire 
 The pitying pain, the fond folicitude, 
 The tender purpofe and the liberal wi(h 
 Though ineffectual fill, dilate my heart, 
 And melt me into virtue! 
 
 THE 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 THE 
 
 VANITY OF EXPECTING 
 
 THAT 
 
 HAPPINESS WILL RESULT 
 
 FROM 
 
 SUPERIOUR ACQUIREMENTS, 
 
 OR. 
 
 WORLDLY HONOURS. 
 
 A ND are they fraudful dreams, illufions all, 
 Thofe pidures gay, which through my 
 
 youthful breaft 
 
 Such energy and fervour wont to breathe ? 
 Yes, they are fraudful dreams, illufions all, 
 That, in the unexpected hour of wo, 
 Far from affuaging, aggravate the pang, 
 Make bitternefs more bitter, to the cloud 
 Add double darknefs flatterers now no more, 
 But foes avowed, of mien vindictive, fierce, 
 And looking accufation What could fame ? 
 
 What 
 
1 90 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 What can ambition now ? even gentle love, 
 That with one favourite form fo oft engrofled 
 My mufings lone, though faithful and lincere, 
 ***** cannot now fupport ; 
 The hour of anguifh afks more potent balm 
 Than love of aught below can e'er fupply, 
 Of love though worthy man's intemperate mind 
 Undifciplined, loves nothing as it ought ; 
 But, doting on the gift, full oft forgets 
 The gracious giver then howe'er we boaft, 
 Howe'er declaim on univerfal love, 
 Philanthropy enlarged, benevolence 
 Difinterefted, genuine, unconfined ; 
 Whate'er felf-love may whifper, mean felf-love 
 Is ftill the fpring of action. 
 
 FRUITS 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 FR U IT 
 
 OF 
 
 THE SPIRIT. 
 
 of the fpirit yes, thou art divine, 
 No mortal finger can thy birth-place (how, 
 To fchools a ftranger, nor thy fmiles benign, 
 Do courts or fenates e'er pretend to know ; 
 
 Yet haft thou, piteous of the race of men, 
 Defcended oft from thy celeftial home, 
 
 And o'er the languid looks of grief and pain, 
 Diffufed the fweetnefs that furvives the tomb. 
 
 Thou waft with Ifaac when the herdfmen rude 
 Strove for the fountain with his faithful train, 
 
 Again he digged, the outrage was renewed ; 
 He named it Sitnah and removed again. 
 
 VERSES 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 > 
 
 V E R S E S 
 
 WRITTEN AFTER RECOVERING FROM 
 
 A 
 
 DANGEROUS ILLNESS. 
 
 HPHOUGH taught by woes to mortals feldom 
 
 known, 
 
 The humbling truth, that ' man is not his own/ 
 That, till we live to him, for us who died, 
 All love is felfim and all knowledge pride, 
 All happinefs a momentary gleam, 
 All hope a meteor, and all peace a dream ; 
 Though taught this truth by difcipline fevere, 
 (Such as health could not, life could fcarcely 
 
 bear,) 
 
 Strong are the ties which ftill my mind entwine, 
 And counteract the work of love divine. 
 The world, the world its glittering baits pre- 
 pares, 
 
 Its friendfhips proffers, and obtrudes its cares ; 
 
 Still 
 
POETICAL PIECES. 193 
 
 Still would intemperate fancy wildly ftray, 
 Spite of the fecret check, the fecret ray> 
 Weak to withftand, and yet afraid to yield, 
 I neither keep, nor wholly quit, the field. 
 
 Father of mercies, ( 'till the day-fpring rife,' 
 And thy falvation glad my longing eyes ; 
 Till doubt and fear like * morning madows flee/ 
 And all my griefs are loft in love of thee ; 
 While through this cheerlefs wild, I faintly 
 
 ftrive, 
 
 Hope fore depreft, and faith but juft alive, 
 Teach me to dread all guidance but thy own, 
 And patient tread ' in paths I have not known;' 
 Forgive my murmurings ; let thy quickening 
 
 power 
 , Support my fpirit in the gloomy hour ; 
 
 And, when the hofts of houfehold foes appal, 
 * Turn, thou beloved', at my feeble call, 
 Come ' with the fwiftnefs of the mountain roe,' 
 And ftrength, proportioned to my wants, beftow : 
 Teach me thofe wants more deeply ftill to feel, 
 And, deeply .feeling, fuppliant when to kneel ; 
 cc 
 
194 POETICAL PIECES. 
 
 O! in my foul, that ardent thirft renew, 
 Which nought can fatiate but celeftial dew ; 
 Drive thou from thence unprofitable care, 
 Yea, all that mars it for a houfe of prayer; 
 Diflodge alike the abjedt and the proud, 
 Paffion's low mift, and notion's airy cloud ; 
 Whate'er thy power has fhaken, (hake again, 
 Till nought but things immovable remain. 
 
 Thus, gracious Father, break eachfalfe repofe, 
 And, unrelenting, * rule amidft thy foes,' 
 Till, every low propenfity exiled, 
 * My foul is even as a weaned child, 5 
 From mean felf-love, cr grofs, or fpecious, free, 
 And 'all my treafures, all my fprings in thee.' 
 
 Piinted by D. Boys, oppohte the Crofs, Doncafter. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 P. 
 
 L. 
 
 
 
 44. 
 
 9. 
 
 For <woe 
 
 read <wo 
 
 89. 
 
 5. 
 
 Auftius 
 
 Artftius 
 
 95. 
 
 10. 
 
 terrors 
 
 terrours 
 
 96. 
 
 Read the motto in two lines, thus, 
 
 
 
 Paulumfepulttc 
 
 diftat inert ite 
 
 
 
 C 1 1 t ' * 
 
 Hnr 
 
 127. 
 
 1L. 
 
 For pla'intaln 
 
 1 1UI 
 
 read plantain ' 
 
 152. 
 
 5. 
 
 <watry 
 
 watery 
 
 155. 
 
 17. 
 
 plaintree 
 
 plane-tree 
 
 160. 
 
 8. 
 
 complaifance 
 
 complacence 
 
 162. 
 
 11. 
 
 fuperior 
 
 Juper'iour 
 
 165. 
 
 1. 
 
 injtduous 
 
 mjtdiQus 
 
 
 
 2. 
 
 grovtlling 
 
 groveling 
 
 176. 
 
 4. 
 
 Then 
 
 Than 
 
THE FOLLOWING 
 
 ZRROURS IN PUNCTUATION, &c. 
 
 HAVE ALSO ESCAPED CORRECTION. 
 
 P. L. 
 
 9. 6. Infert beginning of quotation before /, 
 
 thus, < 1 
 
 13. 3 fr. hot. Dele femicolon and infert comma 
 18. 9. Dele period and infert comma, and change 
 
 I for i. 
 33. 1. Infert end of quotation after made, thus, 
 
 made' 
 60. 11. Infert apoftrophe in whirlwinds, thus, 
 
 whirlwind's 
 71. 3. Infert end of quotation after toils, thus, 
 
 toils' 
 
 83. 5. Infert comma after/rmtf 
 85. 2 fr. bot. Infert apoftrophe before gins, thus, 
 
 'gins 
 
 90, 9. Dele comma 
 
 91. 16. Dele femicolon and infert comma 
 
 110. 7. Infert apoftrophe in cliffs, and dele com- 
 ma after it, thus, cliff's 
 
 126. 15. * Dele comma after youth 
 
 127. 13. Dele comma after ajlant 
 
 148. 14. Make note of admiration into note of in- 
 terrogation 
 
 152. 12. Infert apoftrophe in frauds and dele com- 
 ma after it, thus, fraud's 
 
 14. Dele *v in wherever and infert apoftrophe, 
 
 thus, where'er 
 
 159. 20. Infert comma aftery^/ 
 
 177. 11. Dele femicolon and infert comma 
 
ID 
 IN 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 a.