26d 
 
 Career 
 
 The Disbanded Subaltern
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 DISBANDED 
 
 SUBALTERN, 
 
 A 
 
 POEM. 
 
 BY 
 WILLIAM CARTER, 
 
 "LATE 
 A LEIUTENANT of the joth. REGIMENT of FOOT 
 
 Ccedunt Arma Togtf. 
 
 PRINTED forthe AUTHOR. 
 (Price Five Shillings.)
 
 THE 
 
 DISBANDED SUBALTERN 
 
 HIGH o'er the drowfy Camp with fultry gleam 
 The mid-day Sun now fheds his potent beam; 
 Beneath the {hade his canvas roof fupplies, 
 Stretch'd on clean ftraw, the liftlefs Soldier lies; 
 The weary files who form'd the laft night's guard, 
 The fweet embrace of fleep no more debarr'd, 
 Challenge in dreams the wary midnight rounds 
 Or catch the watch-word's vifionary founds. 
 Now fome adjuft their burnifh'd arms with care, 
 Clean the tough belt, the well-worn coat repair, 
 And fome beguile the fultry length of day 
 With many a barren joke, ortunelefs lay. 
 In quaint derifion of the Heady glance 
 Now moves the fteamy foil with mimic danpe ; 
 Now languid Stilnefs holds her fallen reign 
 O'er the white camp, and far-extended plain; 
 Save where fome lad whom Fate hath doom'd to iliare 
 The favoury kitchin's hofpi table care, 
 While the kind toil his reeking brows confefs, 
 Bears to his comrades tent the Welcome mefs ; 
 Save that, in yonder pool, which feeds the Mill 
 Clofe at the bottom of this tent-clad hill, 
 Their brawny limbs the fun-burnt Soldiers lave, 
 
 A and 
 
 \ 
 
 868*?-
 
 And woo the bracing freflinefs of the Wave. 
 Some flripling fifer with difcordant found 
 Now breaks the drowfy fpell which lurks around ; 
 Now gliding fwift the mazy tents among, 
 Moves the relief in meafur'd fteps along, 
 And now, while yet the fervour of the ray 
 Forbids the lounger's reftlefs ftep to ftray, 
 My Walls unhung, beneath my old Marquee, 
 I give the vacant hour [my Friend] to thee. 
 Too foon, alas! mall Peace, with lifllefs fmile; 
 Spread her white pinions o're this haplefs ifle, 
 While gaping crowds, who mark her hov'ring high, 
 Shall with applauding tumults rend the Iky. 
 
 Not fo your Friend with grief opprefs'd I fee 
 
 That Peace which fmiles on many, frowns on me, 
 
 Damp ev'ry pleafure, ev'ry blifs deftroy, 
 
 And nip the budding bloflbm of my joy: 
 
 No longer now the well brac'd drum mall cheer 
 
 With fomething lefs than Sixty-pounds a year, 
 
 For know, my Friend that unrelenting fate 
 
 Hath doom'd me to the toil which moft I hate, 
 
 In me my partial guardians thought they faw 
 
 Sufficient fober dulnefs for the law, 
 
 When the gay pomp of Battles proud array 
 
 With charms refifllefs led my heart aftray, 
 
 Yet ftill [for-dire effect of pale ey'd Peace! 
 
 This darling fcene,this lov'd employ fliall ceafe] 
 
 From early youth inflru&ed to fulfil 
 
 With due refpedl their well-debated will, 
 
 The mind rebellious muft I frame to bear 
 
 This life of apathy, this load of care. 
 
 At Eve's aproach no more the Drums fpruce band, 
 
 A well-
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 A well-clad Corps, in mute fufpence (hall jftand, 
 No more the burfting thunder of the gun 
 Shall mark the moment of the fetting fun ; 
 Wak'd by the deaPning call the drum no more 
 In cadence deep the lengthen'd ftrain mall pour, 
 "While the mix'd founds in merrier! fwell combine 
 With awful melody to float along the line. 
 Rouz'd by the brifk Reveillez early found 
 No more my fteps mall print the dew-clad ground. 
 To trace the mild approach of fober day, 
 Skirting yon fummit with his mantle grey; 
 While from the vale, to cheer the doubtful morn,- 
 The light-arm'd trooper winds his bugle horn, 
 And the difdainful charger, neighing fhrill. 
 His challenge anfwers, or derides his fkill 
 Fancy no more o're Reafon's loft domain 
 In native wild magnificence mail reign; 
 With art which laughs at magic's fimple wiles 
 Shall deck creations face with fweeter fmiles ; 
 Bid o're the fcene unwonted charms advance 
 Whofe airy fubftance mocks the vulgar glance, 
 No more her flave mall boaft her myftic fway, 
 And hold it proud diftin&ion to obey. 
 The cold and cautious eye muft now behold 
 The grove's rich tints, the field of waving gold, 
 The quarry pointed, and the fallow grey, 
 With all the varied landfoape's rich array, 
 Their ufe with frigid apathy to fcan, 
 Or weigh their profit to laborious man. 
 <c Rous'd by the brifk Reveillez early found 
 No more my fteps mail print the dew-clad ground," 
 Thro' the dull pane the yellow morn ihall peep, 
 
 A 2, And
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 And fnatch rne grateful from unhallow'd fleep ; 
 
 When rif.ng ftupid from a refilefs bed, 
 
 With all a London fog around my head, 
 
 By gales which kennel filrii impregnant, fann'd, 
 
 My deary ftep small trace the twilight Strand 
 
 To feek Aflrea's fane whofe Gothic gate 
 
 Shakes on it's hinges at the loud debate, 
 
 To takejny nation at the wrangling bar, 
 
 And join the rob'd brigade in learned War. 
 
 Farewell the joys which mirth and wine afford, 
 
 And all the pleafures of the feftive board 
 
 Which to our eager claim the drum denotes 
 
 In fage, prefcriptive, * emblematic notes. 
 
 The clock with four fad folemn ftrokes fliall call 
 
 My liftlefs footfleps to yon cold damp hall, 
 
 Whofe pride emblazon'd window, richly dight, 
 
 Exclude the fearching glare of tell-tale light, 
 
 Whofe fretted roof, in intricacy wove, 
 
 Pourtrays the labyrinth her inmates love. 
 
 Farewell the friendly joke, which half reveal'd 
 
 An Enfign'-s blunder in the morning field, 
 
 What fair ones fcorn contracts the Major's brow.' 
 
 What nymph accepts the Doctors ufeful vow; 
 
 Farewell thofe manners, whofe refult combin'd 
 
 The well-dress'd perfon with the polilh'd mind 
 
 The temperate glafs which friendly warmth improves, 
 
 The band fele6t whofe known direction moves 
 
 The feeling boy to toaft the girl he loves. 
 
 Now from the fweets of focial converge cafr, 
 
 While 
 
 * Emblematic. The refpe&ive tunes of Rcaft-Beef, Peas upon a 
 
 Trencher, &c. have been ; time out of mind, beat as the call to Djnneu
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 While Wooden trenchers bear the trifl repafl, 
 My frugal mefs fhall three dull ftrangers mare, 
 Gazing afkaunt with cautious frigid air. 
 Can I my friend without regret behold 
 This crimfon'd fcarlet and this tarnifh'd Gold? 
 Ev'n now my foul prophetic views the day, 
 When o'er this heath my partial fteps fhall ftravj 
 Anxious in pilgrimage devout, to trace 
 Each time-worn veftige of this hallow'd place, 
 And penfive rmifing, when, perhaps in vain 
 I feek this much lov'd fpot to afcertain, 
 Where many an hour has pafTd in^focial glee, 
 Where now I give the vacant hour to thee. 
 To former fcenes fhall memory fondly fly, x 
 
 And each fhall claim the tribute of a figh. 
 When former fcenes mall rife again to view, 
 And joys long-pad their flatt'ring forms renew. 
 Say mall my Soul the jovial march forget, 
 Or trace it's pleafures, but with fond regret ? 
 When orient day firft glimmers in the Ikies, 
 Wak'd by the General's lively call, we rife, 
 And while with active vigour we prepare 
 To breaft the keenefs of the morning air, 
 The fun-burnt Soldier at an Alehoufe door 
 Pays from hisfcanty purfehis laft-night's fcore, 
 And as his hoft a parting draught beftows, 
 The cumb'rous belt o'er his broad fholder throws, 
 Adjufts his knapfack, makes his landlords hand, 
 His Mufket grafps, and'takes his filent ftand. 
 Now to the martial bands enliv'ning found, 
 In duly meafur'd fleps we beat the ground ; 
 But not unmindful of the window's height, 
 
 Wiiich
 
 Which courts on either fide the glancing fight, 
 
 We pafs along for there, all unarray'd, 
 
 Sweet as the morn, appears tbe lovely maid, 
 
 The well-adjufted curtain half reveals 
 
 Thofe charms which yet no cruel robe conceals, 
 
 For at the Drum's rude found me left her bed, 
 
 By punctual love or idle fancy led 
 
 Perhaps her eyes, with vacant pleafure ftfay 
 
 O'er the long files in martial fplendour gay, 
 
 Perhaps me feeks, repentant, to renew, 
 
 With kinder token the laft night's adieu. 
 
 Up the fleep hill, or through the drizzly grove, 
 
 Or clayey vale, with fturdy ftep, we move, 
 
 While jocund as the party winds along, 
 
 Burfts the loud laugh, or fwells the chearful fong. 
 
 Can I forget, with emulation fir'd 
 
 When my fteps led them, and my mirth infpired, 
 
 How the men {trove, with tale or carrol gay, 
 
 To fmooth the deflin'd labour of the way, 
 
 Proud to divert and grateful to my care 
 
 How oft they vied th' approving laugh to mare, 
 
 While the joke feign'd to feek a comrades ear 
 
 Was juft told loud enough for me to hear? 
 
 See o'er yon brow, the goal of our defires 
 
 At ev'ry flep extends its lengthening fpires, 
 
 While youth and age, the trader and the clown; 
 
 Sally to meet us from the defarttown; 
 
 While many a lovely maiden trips along, 
 
 (Theme of the mercers toaft, or curate's fong) 
 
 And hailing our approach with cheerful fmiles, 
 
 Glances infpiring ardour through the files. 
 
 Full many a furlong have I trac'd uafeeni 
 
 The
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 The comely Serjeant's military mien, 
 
 His port erect, his firm comanding air, 
 
 The hoary honors of the v.ell-club'd hair, 
 
 His fu'-con'd helmet worn with f.udied grace, 
 
 The plumage waving o'er his burnifh'd face, 
 
 The well-clean'd belt which crofl'd his ample breaft, 
 
 His ftrutting chitterlin and fnowy veft, 
 
 Sweets which alone the wedded Soldier proves, 
 
 The darling labour of the girl he loves. 
 
 When (as we march'd the gazing crowd among) 
 
 He caught th' applauding murmurs of the throng, 
 
 I faw his mien elate with honeft pride, 
 
 I faw him woo the glance from fide to fide, 
 
 With more expreffive note his ready feet 
 
 Refponfive echo'd the Drums chearful beat, 
 
 Stern glanc'd his eye, full rofe his fwelling cheil, 
 
 And all the martial coxcomb flood confefl. 
 
 In times of yore, when laden with renown, 
 
 Our War-worn Knights, within their native town, 
 
 Heard with due praise their martial prowefs, told 
 
 And liv'd in liberal fplendor uncontrolled, 
 
 Where yon old manfion opes it's friendly gate 
 
 Sir Arthur dwelt in hofpitable ftate, 
 
 There the furloin his funday table crown'd, 
 
 There flow'd his mead in copious draughts around* 
 
 In the rude Majefly of many years 
 
 It's front immenfe the wild old ftructure rears; 
 
 But fall'n it's pride! The fable clouds which rife, 
 
 Curling their fpiral eddies to the fkies, 
 
 The balluftrade which o'er the portal bends, 
 
 The branching fign which o'er the flreet extends; 
 
 The crowded gate the bar-bells tinkling din, 
 
 In
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 In union kind proclaim the welcome inn, 
 
 The laden Soldier hears the word at laft 
 
 Which fpeaks the labour of the morning paft, 
 
 While his quick ftep and bright'ning eyeconfefs 
 
 Th* anticipation of a favoury r^efs. 
 
 The fervant now, to chalk his mailer's door, 
 
 Springs o'er the crazy gallery's bending floor; 
 
 The rofy landlord, with demeanour big. 
 
 Adjufts the filver honours of his wig, 
 
 That wig curtailed by fly difplay to deck 
 
 The well- contrafted collops of his neck ; 
 
 The bufy bar with fpeed he now forfakes 
 
 And his high ftation at the window takes, 
 
 Whence, while the profFer'd Colours claim his care 
 
 He courts the facred truft with confcious air. 
 
 Bearing at every fteps increafmg toil, 
 
 An added weight from ev'ry varied foil, 
 
 As on the Soldier plods his fteady track 
 
 With all his little fortune at his back, 
 
 His hopes to comfortable quarters ftray 
 
 And an aufpicious billet cheers him on his way. 
 
 Say then my friend, when, all his labour paft, 
 
 His weary limbs foretafte repofe at laft, 
 
 Shall his juft claim to that repofe fubfide 
 
 Spurn'd by fome offic'd churl's unfeeling pride? 
 
 Shall the long files in cheerlefs ardour wait 
 
 Fatigued and faint the ruffian's lazy ftate? 
 
 We both have felt, when pregnant clouds have fhed 
 
 Their chilling drops around a Soldiers head, 
 
 And cloi'd with icy touch each moiften'd pore 
 
 Which genial labour had unlock'd before, 
 
 Curfmg the vile mechanic's proud elay, 
 
 6're
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 O'er our warm limbs the freezing current ftray, 
 For many a cheerlefs moment have we felt 
 The double preflure of the clammy belt, 
 The cold rain beating on the glowing face, 
 The clinging garments comfortlefs embrace, 
 Th' elaftic finew ftretch'd, the fwelling vein, 
 The fretting gall, the new difcover'd ftrain, 
 And every ftiffen'd joints difabling pain. 
 This we have felt and felt that pain like this 
 Was but a prelude to that hour of blifs, 
 When leifure, doubly welcom'd, crowns the board, 
 Where cheering plenty fpreads her fweeteft hoard. 
 Ah! foothing pair why fly ye far away 
 When woo'd to blefs the Soldiers labour'd day, 
 With grjef he fees the beating tempeft fpoil, 
 The pride infpiring fruits of former toil ! 
 His neat attire bereft of all it's charms, 
 The mottled ftain which blots his polifh'd arms; 
 Hide leifure's fairy features from his view, 
 And bid his former toil exift anew, 
 No banquets rich recruits' his ftrength fubdu'd, 
 His proudeft claim is coarfe, if wholfome food. 
 Blifs to the man whofe delegated pow'r, 
 Is doom'd to foften this difaftrous hour, 
 If with kind hafte and fympathetic care 
 He foothes thofe ills his focial feelings mare. 
 Blifs to the holt whofe philanthropic breaft 
 Glows to behold the way-worn Soldier bleft ; 
 Who decks with liberal-hand the welcome board, 
 Nor weighs the means his fcanty gains afford. 
 The grateful a6l his beft reward fhall prove, 
 Good men lhall honour him, and thou /halt love. 
 B
 
 Long has the Soldier claim'd in thee his friend, 
 Long known thy generous zeal his right's defend, 
 And long has own'd that fympathetic care 
 Which never urged the toil thou didft not fhare; 
 What tho' thy Sarcafm oft has rent the veil, 
 Of filmy texture from his plan'd detail, 
 Driv'n hiifc from every fubterfuge away 
 To ev'ry comrade's clumfey mirth a prey; 
 If fmall the failure, thro' his wounded pride, 
 That mirth alone correction due fupplied; 
 Bound to the SoIcKer by afoul fincere, 
 Intrepid, active, fudden, fkill'd and clear, 
 Thou haft not fcorn'd degrading tho' the fight 
 To face the recreant who hath fpurn'd his right. 
 For I have mark'd thy b >fom's ftifled flame 
 When infult fcowl'd upon his little claim, 
 While rage and pity have ufurp'd by turns 
 That manly heart which bleeds at once and burns; 
 Yet with unruffled eafe and afpect gay, 
 Where prudent calmnefs feem'd alone to play, 
 Well haft thou ftrove in wifdom-s cleareft ftrain 
 With calm reproof to check thy friend's difdain; 
 But all was flrange difguife affum'd alone 
 To make, by generous fraud, the broil thine own; 
 For when the pamper'd hoft with low-born pride 
 Hath dar'd the foldiers fuftrage to deride, 
 To point infulting to his half roof d fhed 
 His rancid food and fleep forbidding bed; 
 Has dar'd thofe fubtle taxes to deplore 
 In fcorn of which heboafts a princely ftore, 
 And fwoln with wealth arraign in ranc'rous hate, 
 The fcarlet caterpillars of the Aate% 
 
 Then
 
 Then! when his impious tongue hath dar'd defame 
 The mighty honours of a Soldiers name, 
 Thy calmnefs fled, thy form began to wear 
 An added ftature, and a loftier air ; 
 Pride which 1 love, difcriminator nice! 
 Pride, honour's fentry, much mifnam'd a vice, 
 Wreath'd thy bare brow, the glow of honeft ire, 
 Shed from thy piercing eye unwonted fire ; 
 Thy recreant foe a mafs of bafe allay 
 Owns the flrong influence of the vivid ray, 
 And as it's beams the worthlefs compound crofs, 
 Dwindles and fhrinks into his native drofs. 
 Need I relate what various pleafures crown 
 The liitlefs faunter round the bufy town. 
 When drefs her all-reviving power beftows, 
 And ev'ry wearied limb it's load foregoes, 
 When languor checks no more the carelefs tongue, 
 And every fhatter'd nerve is newly ilrung, 
 Eager to cheat an anxious hour of faft, 
 The doom'd forerunner of our wifh'd repaft, 
 Nor void of hope the far fam'd toafl to meet 
 With longing ftep we trace fome unknown ftreet, 
 With heart unconfcious, but attentive eye, 
 Returning carelefs, as \ve pafs her by, 
 The lovely miliner's habitual wile; 
 Her ogle tranfient, or fpontaneous fm'tle. 
 Our homely dinner carelefs health approves, 
 And appetite ftern labour's offspring, loves. 
 And oft the twice-told (lories of th day 
 The circling flaik's progreuTve courfe delay. 
 At length in lleep's refre filing arms we find 
 That balmy reft which woos the vacant mind, 
 
 When
 
 Where toil beftows a flumber fo profound 
 
 It flarts reluc~bant at the Troops rude found: 
 
 Thefe fcenes (too foon to ceafe !) whofe magic povr'r 
 
 On mirth's light pinions lifts the fleeting hour, 
 
 E'en when my foul {hall have forgot to feel, 
 
 Shall o'er my torpid breafl in pity freal, 
 
 And kindly bid me know, before I die, 
 
 The luxury of one remaining figh. 
 
 While thus, my friend, in artlefs rhyme I fing^ 
 
 What fond regret from former joys mail fpring, 
 
 Deem not I range in fancy's wilds alone ; 
 
 Another's feelings juftify my own. 
 
 You knew Tennaile who ocupied of late 
 
 The fnug brick houfe which fronti our paddock gate, 
 
 The beft of King's hath mark'd his Soldier's claim 
 
 And amply recompenfd his martial fame, 
 
 And now that fcene of many a frolic gay, 
 
 His former dwelling, owns anothers fway. 
 
 The veteran's venerable form you knew, 
 
 His clime- chang'd countenance, and flender queue,. 
 
 His golden brow with filver trefles fring'd 
 
 His cheek with vigorous parting blufhes tmg'd 
 
 His eye where flill youth's wav'ring blaze remain'd 
 
 The darling fear which ftill his lip retain'd, 
 
 That beaver which from fields of deathlefs fame 
 
 Had borne it's princely matter's honour'd name,* 
 
 His fplendid Sunday waiitcoat, which of yore 
 
 On many a well difput;ed day he wore. 
 
 Nor have you milTd in martial order plac'd 
 
 The 
 
 * The Cumberland kit.
 
 ( '3 ) 
 
 The trophic J arms which erft his parlour grac'd. 
 
 Oft have I ftol'n from home a truant boy 
 
 To hear of Dettingen and Fontenoy, 
 
 Of artful ambufcades, of ftern alarms, 
 
 And powefs highly- fam'd in deeds of arms 
 
 While the lim'd-punch, or juftly-boafted ale, 
 
 At ftated intervals have crofl'd the tale. 
 
 Now fad by glancing on his votive fword, 
 
 (While rebel feeling check'd the rifmg word 
 
 .Thus would he fay, '< Till all-fubduing death 
 
 " Shall claim the tribute of my latent breath, 
 
 " Ne'er fhall my foul forget the fatal hour 
 
 " When the hard hand of unrelenting power 
 
 tc Sign'd an obdurate order to difband, 
 
 " And drove me wretched from rever'd command. 
 
 " I love the vacant heart which mocks at toil, 
 
 <( And welcomes danger with a carelefs fmile, 
 
 t6 Whofe roar of laughter fpurns at wifdom's law, 
 
 " And finds it's frequent object in a ftraw. 
 
 " Such once poflefl'd the files which once I led, 
 
 " Such the brave friends with whom I fought and bled. 
 
 " How ftrong the chain which mutual peril binds, 
 
 <{ [Tho foft it's ftiackles prefs] o'er focial minds ! 
 
 *' Haw warm the love a good commander ihares. 
 
 " Who courts diftinclion by the toil he bears ! 
 
 " E'en now I feel that mute refpe6l impart 
 
 It's wonted Joys which fpringing from the heart ' 
 
 <e Sits in the corner of the watchful eye 
 
 <* To hail the lov'd commander paffing by : ^ 
 
 ' Por fuch difplay'd the files which on<;e I led, 
 
 <* Such the brave friends with whom I fought and bled* 
 
 " I faw thofe friends in fruitlefs forrow mourn 
 
 From
 
 " From Mirth, Society, fubfiflance torn ; 
 
 Their mein no more difplay'd wars dreadful charms 
 
 In fallen plight they pil'd their long lov'd arms, 
 
 " When on the morning of the fatal day 
 
 " Doom'd the degrading pageant to difplay 
 
 fe The gaudy band with countenance difmay'd 
 
 " Stood ready form'd upon their laft parade; 
 
 " And the neat drummers waited the command, 
 
 " Their eyes intent upon their Major's hand; 
 
 < On my fpontoon in li/llefs mood reclind, 
 
 I wood the grief which footh'd my fadden'd mind. 
 
 " The laft fad Troop beat off the mournful roll 
 
 e Burft like a torrent o'er my torpid foul ; 
 
 ft The cheerlefs fife in melancholy fwell 
 
 " Sung to my heart oppreit a fad farewell : 
 
 (t The brifk falute all-anxious to difplay 
 
 '* When the refpecliful centry thwarts my way, 
 
 (i His care unnotic'd may I turn afide, 
 
 " Ad wound with cold neglect his honeft pride, 
 
 <c If the laft cadence of a found fo dear 
 
 tc Had not difgrac'd me with a coward tear, 
 
 " But that the Soldier fwelling in my breaft, 
 
 <{ In painfull victory that tear repreff'd'' 
 
 Our veteran thus and while a tranfient glo w 
 
 Hail'd his paft joy, or mourn'd his for mer woe, 
 
 [Fir'd with his ardour, check'd with his difmay, 
 
 Sad when he forrow'd with his pleafure gay,] 
 
 A young enthufiaft ofuntempered zeal, 
 
 I taught my reftlefs foul with his" to feel ; 
 
 For fancy then difplayed her wily charms 
 
 And frequent woo'd me to her fyren arms; 
 
 And fancy ftill, all-anxious to deceive, 
 
 WiOi
 
 With fpecious art endears thofe fcenes I leave; 
 
 But while her ali-feducing lay (he fmgs, 
 
 Or wafts meheedletson Icarian wings, 
 
 A matron, grave, yet mild, ferene,yet gay, 
 
 With uniinpaffion'd accent feems to fay. 
 
 " Submit, fond youth, to reafon's fober rule, 
 
 " And weigh the maxims of her honeft fchool. 
 
 < What tho' my Heps the fabler Fancy lead 
 
 " Thro twilight grove, or flower-befpangled mead, 
 
 c W'here to the tawny clift the woodbine clings, 
 
 " Where brawls the brook, or where the linnet fmgs, 
 
 " Where it's brown bread the barren heath uprears, 
 
 " Where the lone tow'r in gloomy ftate appears, 
 
 " Where on the fhapelefs mountain's ftjaggy fide, 
 
 <e Vaft clouds in magic-varied volumes ride; 
 
 e While floth delights to cloath the rolling ftorm, 
 
 " With many a wayward, wild, fantafttc form; 
 
 *' Yet, yet her lov'd fociety forego, 
 
 " Her charms betray to indolence and woe, 
 
 " And with her dwells Difguft, with fated eve, 
 
 tc Born of the baffled hope which foarM too high : 
 
 < Led by her wiles the bubbled mind purfues 
 
 " Ideal objects, and chimeric views, 
 
 " And fwells with all the peevifh pride of fpleen 
 
 " On common lifes cold, trifling, taflelefs fceiie; v 
 
 ** Yet, as [enfeebled by her fyren ftrain] 
 
 " It fhrinks from labour's falutary pain, 
 
 " That fcene defpis'd fhall crofs it's liftlefs hours, 
 
 " And boldly claim it's unexerted powers; 
 
 " For learn this truth by care worn iloth confefl, 
 
 " Who knows no toil can never tafte of reft. 
 
 " The partial profpe<5l then no more purfue, 
 
 Which
 
 (t Which the fair fabler offers to thy view, 
 
 *' No more in idle dreams of airy joy, 
 
 " Deftin'd to nobler ends, thy time employ, 
 
 Aflume the robe, the fage degrees explore, 
 
 " Turn with due care the nightly volume o'er, 
 
 '* The heavy curfe of indolence forego, 
 
 " And all it's fad variety of woe. 
 
 Sage is the counfel ! With attentive ear, 
 
 And due refpecT: each well-weigh'd word I hear; 
 
 ,And thou dear image, who with ceafelefs pow'r 
 
 Prefid'll fupreme o'er ev'ry vacant hour, 
 
 Who, when the taper's half-extinguifh'd fire 
 
 From fcenes of diffipation bids retire, 
 
 Deign'ft on my pillow thy fad vigil keep 
 
 And claim one dear, tho' painful hour, from fleep; 
 
 Who'ere the morn her fainteft gleam beftows, 
 
 Difpell'ft the remnant of difturb c d repofe, 
 
 O give to Reafon's voice redoubled force, 
 
 And urge my fteps in labour's {training courfe. 
 
 Come with that form, where I was wont to tract 
 
 Spontaneous elegance, and active grace; 
 
 Glance with that eye in whofe unconfcious ray 
 
 Immortal genius ever lov'd to play; 
 
 Be to my fight that Heavenly mein difplay'd 
 
 Which native truth, and artlefs fenfe pervade,' 
 
 Where the mild beams of melting pity mine, 
 
 Where courage, foftnefs, mirth, and thought combine 
 
 To mend with glowing touch cold beauty's line. 
 
 And with that voice which ftill I feem to hear, 
 
 [Though long the fpace fince laft it bleft my ear !] 
 
 In gentleft accents tell me, that when Fate 
 
 crown my toil with pow'r with wealth and ftate. 
 
 My
 
 ( '7 ) 
 
 My vows perhaps may lefs unworthy prove 
 The Maid whofe angel form in thee I love ; 
 Say that the cruel doubts which now furround 
 My care-worn heart, in tranfport ihall be drown'd 
 That doom'd no more, within my tortur'd breaft, 
 To hide the mining pang which murders reft 
 My haughty foul (hall to the world proclaim 
 That tafle in love which to profefs is fame. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
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 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVER^VfT OF CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 3339 The disbanded 
 
 JAN 8 1957 
 
 PR 
 
 3329 
 
 C26d 
 
 J SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FAdUTY 
 
 A 000 000 875 5