3506 H2SX 1773 Hanimond Love Elegies THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND LOVE ELEGIES. Avfviv SiXwu a,i\$(ii Anac. jffid liji^ning Touth Jhall crowd around our Urn, While grey hair'd Friend/hip fpreads our humble Fame» LONDON: Printed for the Author ; and fold by G. Kearsly, No. 46, Fleet-flreet 5 J. Ridley, St. James's ftreet j and by Mrs. Yair, Parliament-fquare, Edinburgh, M,DCC,LXXVIII, I0 7S LOVE ELEGIES. (PRICE TWO SHILLINGS and SIXPENCE) DEDICATION T O SIR JOHN ROUS, Bart. S I R, OO fmall a pamphlet will not admit of a long Dedica- tion ; your panegyric mull: not therefore be the fubje^t of it. Befides, what can I fay of a charader fo well known in the world, but what every perfon of any confequence in it, is well acquainted with already. To be ingenuous. Sir, I have addrefl'ed thefe Poems to you exprefsly for the reafon that renders encomiums un- neceffary. The Publick, on finding that they have not riiet with your entire difapprobation, may be encouraged to read, as I have been to publiili them ; and amongfl: the multitude of unfuccefsful publications, it requires no lefs an intereft with that judge to obtain a candid hearing, I do not expect that thefe Elegies, were they better than they are, would meet with univerfal approbation ; the IV tlie grave v/ill think them too trivial, the gay too- fe- rioiis ; the lovers of novelty that I have borrowed too much from the ancients, the lovers of antiquity that I have hazarded too m.uch of my own. Thofe will try me on rules unknown to TibuUus, Ovid, &c. Thefe will condemn me for not flicking clofer to thofe models, in an ase when the manners, or at leafl: the decorums differ very much from the licentioufnefs avowed in the Court of Auguftus. If perfons of tafte^and fenfibility, like yourfelf, in general approve, whatever fuch critics may fay, I fliall never repent that I put them under your protection ; nor will you be put to the blufh at this public profeflion of the refpedl with which I am, S I R, Your moft obedient, Moft humble Servant, ' The AUTHOR. Q T 17 C ELEGY I. 1^ yfAIDENS, to you, by Nature form'd to glow "^ With fympathy, when love-lorn poets grieve. To you I dedicate my {ong5 of woe, O ! come and pity — nothing can relieve. Ye youths, whofe hearts (perhaps like mine in vain) Have learnt in love's dear mifery to pine. Come liften to my love-indited flrain. And by your own foft feelings meafure mine. B Avaunt [ (^ ] A vaunt the proud, the mercenary heart. And all that foft defires could never move I To fuch no thrilling can my fong impact : Can pity foften what refifted love ? Why fliould we blufli in honefl fires to melt ? How weak to boaft unnat'ral hearts of flecl ! Love cv'ry age and ev'ry clime has felt, Love ev'ry age and ev'ry clime (liall feel. Thro* hiin^ the elements forgot their ilrifc, As fagcs fay, and order due obferve, 'Tis Love that gives the whole creation life. And makes it worth our trouble to preferve. From him the rugged fketch of Nature's plan. It's ripe perfedion and it's glofs receives ; Love animates th' unpaffion'd clay to man. And virtues, Nature never meant him, gives. The dull grow witty when the pafTion w^arms. The coward breafl forgets it's w^onted fears. The rude with fudden delicacy charms. And melting tyrants fain would hide their tears. • The t 7 ] The emulation of defert and praife. And all that men purfue, or maids admire. Are due to love ; from him the poets lays. The patriot's fortitude, and warrior's fire. A ruftic, I had been a ruilic ftill, Obfcurely hid amidil a namelefs throng ; But love infpir'd to Ting w^ith fofter fkill. And gave to boall that Browne has prais'd the fong. Pardon me, Britain, I have willi'd thee foes, I've pined for wreaths to lure my Mira's eyes. For fame, for her, my panting bofom glows. Fame as the means, but Mira's heart the prize. How could I brave th' invaders of the land. That with my Mir a holds whatever 's dear ? Her fafety fhould give light'ning to my hand. Her hand reward, or praifes deck my bier. Hence fruitlefs fcyons of the ftoic train. Who dully good, and negatively wife. Rail at your pleafure, and deny your pain, What's all your virtue but a greater vice ? Did [ 8 ] Did apathy e'er prompt a Briton's brcaft To fwell, to bleed, for liberty and laws. To facriiice his plealure, health, and reft. And die as Wolfe did in his country's caufc ? Ye youths that emulate the good and great. Heed not the wordy leflbns of the fchools ; All powerful eyes can quicker means create, UnduU'd by ftudy, and uncrampt by rules. Fear not to love, ev'n llaould a lover pine. Sweeter than other's joys his forrows prove. And ev'ry bofom is not doom'd like mine To moan the pains of unfuccefsful love. ELEGY [ 9 ] ELEGY IL LEST years of youth, that glid untold away. Smooth as the Tweed that ran return lefs b^. Then Nature wore perpetual holiday, And nought in nature was fo blithe as I.. Remote from grandeur flood my rudic cot. In ivy (reverence of age) array'd. While clay-built walls betray'd the owner's lot,, And lov/ly rooiing mark'd an humble head.. My healthy fare was hunger-fweet'ned bread,. My drink the liquid filver of the rill. Thin v/as my veflure, and my hardy bed A tuft of ruflies or a rifing hilh. But Peace was there, and brought her jocund train,. Health, joy, and reft, that fears no louzing groan;, No views had I beyond my little plain. Mailer of all things by defiring none. C But L lo J B'.it peace no morc, nor joy my fleps attend. Nor downv veil, nor health refide with me : Poor fuff'ring exile! I had once a friend; But friends, alas ! from our afflidlions flee. Yet flill, when recollediion to the foul Brings back the vilions of departed joys, Ev'n midft their tears, our eyes with pleafure roll, Our bofoms flutter at the Granger's voice. Come care-enflumb'ring Fancy lead awhile. To heights where golden flow'rs perfume the ground, V/here oft, a child, I feiz'd tlie berry fpoil. Or chaced the grafshopper that chirp'd around. Lead to the fwect recefs upon the hill, Where two old niofs-furr'd oaks mnjcftic rife, \Vhere from the rock, there guQies down a rill To Icck ti\e lake below, that mocks the fkies. There oft I rov'd as early as the bee. That hums his joy at morn's reviving hue, Feafting from flow'r to flow'r, from tree to tree, And brufliing off the glitt'ring gems of dew. There There oft wliile thou haft. Fancy, from my eyes Wiped the grofs earth by which the foul is bound, I waked from grolTer fenfe with rapt furprize. And gazed upon th' etherial forms around. There, while aloud 1 conn'd the Mufes ftrain. Who taught unfeen, unheard by all but me. The clown has peep'd, look'd round and round in vain. And laughing feared them with his rudic glcQ., When the fteep fun has glow'd with mid-day fire, Oft while I flept beneatli yon fpreading tree, I dreamt I heard Apollo s golden lyre. Nay I have dreamt he gave tliat lyre to me. At ev'n from thence in mimic tints I took. The glancing lake, and the inverted wood, Till the red light the furtheil rocks forfook That hang alternate o'er the winding l^ood. Not far the green, where to the pipe's flirill found. We danc'd till darknefs drove us to the hearth. Where the brifk glafs, and tale, and fong went round. And what tliey lack'd in taile, made up in mirth. Vet [ 11 ] Yet Fancy ily this green, alas ! 'twas here^ 1 hrd faw Mir a like love's mother move. And fly that feat, for there flie deign'd to hear^ x\nd I firft dar'd to faulter out ** I love." \That now avails thro' diftant climes to roam^ To fliun the prefence of th' ungrateful fair. If love-born fancy flill revifits home,^ And rips afrefh the cank'ring wound of care ?. Ah ! Colin, Colin, thou mufi; flill. endure Thy lucklefs love, or otlier med'cine try;. No change of climate can effed thy cure : Where from their thoughts can wretched lovers fly?- ELEGY [ 13 ] ELEGY III. /"^ GRANT, when Nature models men like thee» ^-^ Deftin'd to iliine the patterns of mankind. With evVy paffion mixt in due degree. She tempers nice the matter for the mind. Hence thirll of excellence and candor flow. Hence peaceful breails with bravery expand. Hence gen'rous fouls Hill happy to beftow. With wary prudence to reftrain the hand. Thus by pois'd adlion and re-a6lion move In harmotiy the orbits of the foul ; While curb'd by reafon, all-refining Love Gives the laft poliili to the perfed; whole. But when flie calls the crowd, (as poets teach) She takes incurious of the cafual mafs. As Chance, her handmaid, holds it to her reach. Nor nicely weighs, but lets the blemifli pafs.- D Whenc( [ M. ] A\*hence fome preponderate, fome men their views On pow'r or honors undiverted hold. To learning this his frecidy v/ay purfues. And deaf to other calls that piles his gold. Wlience I, my friend, defponding as you fee. Where'er I fly unccafing torments prove. That weary Mir a, Heaven, myfelf, and thec; JVIy melting foul was made of nought but Love. Ev'n when I pant for riches or for fame, 'Tis but to lure afpiring Mira's eyes. Rage, pity, envy, whatfoe'er the name. Yet Aill tis Love that lurks in that difguife. Or fliould the mafs fome vein that's foreign hold. And other paffion chance awhile to move. Like the vex'd Phrygian that turn'd all to gold. My * eromagnet foul turns all to Love. Compounded from "E^w? Love, or Cryfomagnet from Jt* u(xo\ Gold. Vida. ELEGY [ 15 3 ELEGY IV. INTER's no more, the North has ceas'd to blow. Exulting ftreams have broke their icy chain. The fog's difpell'd, dilTolv'd the mountain fnow. And Zephyr's breath fcarce moves the dimpling main. The meads once more their flow'ry pride difplay. The bounding flocks renevv^ their wonted fires. And piping fhepherds hail the genial May, Parent of blofibms, and of gay defires. Hark 'tis the ring-dove cooes in yonder dale, Murm'ring his joy in many a giddy round, O happy bird ! thy fair one hears thy tale. Nor bids diflrufl thy faithful bofom wound. The coldefl breafts reanimated burn, Thro' the clear flream the wanton fifhes play. All Nature roufes at the fpring's return. And loves and gladdens in the brighter day. Alone [ i6 •] Alone are we, my Mir a, doom'd to know^ That not for us the fun exalts his fires, Thy frozen bofom feels not Nature's glow. My broken heart no vernal joy infpires. Go, happy fhepherd, go enjoy the fpring. The laughing landfcape glows alone for thec^ Come, penfive Night, ftretch out thy fable wing. And fpread oblivion o'er my woes and me. To tliee for liberty of grief I fly. Where yon rude rocks o'erhang the barren lawn. Or 'mongft yon tombs immarbled will I lie. And brood o'er forrow till the coming dawn. Nought fliall difturb my lethargy of woe,. By all unheard, unhearing will I pine, Unlefs the riv'lets murmur as they flow ; Or Philomel fhould add her griefs to mine» My friends in vain, in vain the piteous fair Have warn'd my health againfl the nightly dew. Why fhould I, Mir a, flum the noifome air? Ah ! what is health, if unobferv'd by you ? My [ >7 ] My vigor melts, my ruddy colour flies. Yet fcorn not, Mir a, fince e'en thefe upbraid. The fatal rigor of thy matchlefs eyes. And fad deftrudtion that thy fcorn has made. But hufli my plaints, pain not her tender ear. Com pell no more the maid averfe to fly. My growing forrov/s are too great to bear. But farewell, Mir a, I can bear to die. ELEGY V. /■ IMHE wretch whofe dark and folitary way, ■^ Lies o'er a land unknown, and defarts drear. Sees with delight the lamp-like vapor play. And thinks fome hofpitable refuge near. E In [ i8 ] In liopc already glows the chearful hearth, Tlic viands odour, and the liquor flows, Cr t.ilcs attune him up to jocund mirtli, Or downy fi umbers opiate his woes ; For thefe, freHi vigor prompts his way-worn feet To force the tangles of the thorny brake. To climb the rugged hill with panting heat. Or tempt the thrilling chillnefs of the lake. A little further ftill his wiHies lie, Wide of the path that leads athwart the maze. Still from his toil the fleeting vapours flie. And ruin beckons to their waining blaze. Jufl fo fair Fame my fond purfuit eludes, Yet fhities and lures me to purfue again. Thus Hope o'er vifionary Pleafure broods. Yet leads to labyrinths of real pain. O Friend to Fame and me, Montgom'ry, fay. Can genius lag while emulation fires. Or can defire thro' ev'ry fcience ftray, A wreathlefs dupe to all the world admires. When [ h; ] When the grey warrior grimly deckt with [cjlvs, Set next the five reconquers in his talc, And maps the change of fludluating wars. O'er oaken empires, and thro' Rhines of ale, Intent I liflen, oh my pulfe beats high To fcale the wall, or ford the hoflile ftream. And when late ilumbers clofe my wearied eye. Still phantom laurels haunt my broken dream. When Gray, fweet mourner, plucks a deathlefs name From mould'ring ruins of ignoble biers. Or Goldsmith fings, rapt with the love of fame, I grafp my fhell, a rival to their tears. When Ferguson, by knowing, gains the fkies. Or jarring fenates join to boaft a Burke, Or Reynolds bids a new creation rife. And teaches Nature to improve her work. How am I fir'd ? how em'lous of each name ? Of fuch.as nobly did or greatly thought? Nought feems difficult — I could purchafe fame With pain, with life, nor think it dearly bought. But [ -o ] Cut could'ft thou, MiT^Ay haughty maid, refiga Thy beauties to obicurity and me, Curfi: be the name, liowever It might fl^ine. That waked a wilh from rapture and from thee. Curs'd be the fool with thee that could be bleft. Yet left for ghaftly war thy weeping charms. And three times curs'd the fool whofe torpid breail:. For learned vigils baulk'd thy wifhing arms. Ah what avails the wairior's ceafelefs toils^ For laurels that lb foon forgotten fade ? When cool to weep amidft his bloody fpoils. The curelefs * ruin that his fame has made. And what avails accumulated fkilU The midnight taper and emaciate pain ? Only -to gain a larger fphere of ill,. And in more varied dialefts complain^ " Repair thy wit, good youth, 'twill fall to cKreUfs ruin elfe. Shakespeare'; Merchant of VtnUt. When [ 21 ] All not with thofe can happlnefs refide. The goddefs fpurns the vulgar's loud liuzzas, /\nd empty fepulchres of martyr'd pride. Beneath whofe gold the worm incefTant grows. No in yon vale, along yon flow'ry mead, Where the ftream falling fpreads a genial dew, And in yon cot, too low for glory's head. The goddefs'.dwells, and MiRx\, waits for you. Enough my Hvill, fo Mir a will be mine. To make the chorus echoes conn her name, , . Or in fmooth bark, with crooked knife, delign, ~ The fmiple emblems of an artlefs flame. Go iliorten life, ye wifdom-feeking fools. To you I leave the ufe and praife of art, I'll practice no dull foul-contracfling. rules. Nor language, fave the language of the lieart, ^ Go fiiorten life, ye meteors of fpite. Go (laughter others, or by others fall. Under Love's banners only will I iight, Joy makes life fhort, but I'll enjoy it all. F IJfl. [ 22 ] Unenvkd Mason Britain*^s foil £hall mourn^ Or Sheridan enchant the laughing pit ;, Kendrick. pervade whatever's to be known^ And llamp it's flerlin.g value upon wit. Unenvied Reynolds Ihall o'er arts prefi.dc. And little criticiim relieve his worth,. The graces Cipriani's pencil guide. Or West's ftrong mind call vaft expreflion forth.';: Unenvied North (hall fleer Britannia's v/eal, Difiirm Gaul's ruffian, hand, or Faction's tongue,. Or Sav>ille glow with patnotic zeal. And live the proof his heart was- never wrong., Unenvied Howe fhall Britain's heroes lead. And fave her tolt'ring empire o'er the fea ;; MusGRAVE fhall fight, brave * Bard and Spendlove bleed,. Yet nought, fave pity, wring a tear from me.. * They died at Burrker's-hill, after proofs of intrepidity that would have been more extraordinary, and confequently more admired in any other army than that of Great Britain. But [ ^3 J But MiRA feeks for blifs, v/hile thus I rave,- Miflakes the path, and thinks the brightefl: bell. Now mad Ambition I'm agaia thy flave^ And pant for Love and Fame — ah farewell refl.. E L E G Y VL R O S L I N E CASTLE, A T dead of night, the hour when courts In gay fantaftiic pleafures move,. And haply Mira joins their fports. And bears fome newer, richer love^ To Rofline's ruins I repair A folitary wretch forloriT,. To mourn uninterrupted there My hapleis love, her haplefs fcorn.. No [ 24 ] No found of jo;: difcurbs my (train. No hind is whirling on the hill. No hunter winding o'er the plain, No maiden finjrinr-; at the rill, Ellc miirm'ring thro' the dull:y pines, Reflccfts the moon's millmantled beam; And fj.ncy chills v/here'er it fl:iiner, To CcQ pale ghofls obfcurcly gleam. Net fo the nights that in thy halls, Cnce Roflinc danced in joy along, Where ov/ls novr fcream along thy ^v'alts, Refounded mirth -infoirino: fan's-. C3 Where bats now rell their fmutty wings, Th' impurpled feail was wont to H0\r, And beauty danc'd in pracefull rin/^s. And princes fat where nettles grow. What now avails how great ? how gay : How lair, how line their matchlefs dames ? Here ileeps their undiiiinguilh'd clay. And ev'n the ll:ones have lofl their names. And C ^s ] And yon gay crowds muft foon expire, Unknown, unprais'd their fair one's name Not fo the charms that bards infpire, Encreafing years encreafe their fame. Oh, Mir A, what is flate or wealth ? The great can never love like me. Wealth adds not days, nor quickens health,. Then wifer thou come happy be ; Come and be mine, in this fweet ipot„ Where Efk roils clear his little wave. We'll live, and Efk fhall in a cot See joys that Rofline never gave* ELEGY VIL I3LEST is the man, thrice bleil, who timely wife, ■^^^ Leaves the rough paths Ambition gilds in vain. And fick of Courts, from all their magic flies. To reft, to reafon, and a rural plain. G BlefV •■26] CIcil, tho' his realm Vv '.t a little fpot. And all his fuhjed. i flock of fneep, Tho' all his maniion were a flraw-built cot. His luxuries, health, :T.;:petite, and fleep. Unfecn by Ccuris, ; the meadows fpring. And breezes waft fv« .. . ^dors from the glade. For him the rivers murmur, linnets fing, And oaks fpread out their venerable fliade. Ko more, a pris'ner in the noxious town. He fears the plodding brow, or fmiliag face. Or fadion's fury, or a monarch's frown. Or fclf-felt Ibame, or public-fung difgrace. Safe from the fhore he views the dangers part. And low'ring clouds with fpcculative eye. And pities thofe that ftruggle thro' the blafl For phantom hopes that from their labour fly. RocHFORD, this blifs is your's, attain'd the coaft Where pleafure, health, and eafe fhall crown your days, Retir'd with (what few minifters can boaft) Your Monarch's favor, and your country's, praife. Not [ ^7 ] Not fcepters now could lure you from your reft ; But ah, fliould Britain's woes your aid implore. Would you with fteady wifdom ileel your breafc. And facrifice your peace for her's no more ? Yes, fliould file call, rouz'd by your noble blood. You'd add to what Britannia ov/es your name. And die as you have liv'd, bold for her good. The butt of mis'ry, but the boafb of fame. Go then enjoy, unfcar'd by any wse. Returning health, and honourable reft, With all the joys Retirement can beftow. They beft enjoy them who deferve them beft. But ah in vain would my love-tortur'd heart To like repofe and placid fliades retire ; Which ever way I turn, the deep-fix'd dart Poifons my breaft with unabating fire. Let me to crowds and diftipation fiee, Perch'd on my bofom fits the tyrant elf, Nor fufFers me, his flave, to hear or fee. Or think or talk to any but himfelf Oi- [ 28 ] Or let mc fcek fome folitary grove, Where calm content and joy were wont to refl. His * ftable-ftand on ev'ry objed Love Shoots fond ideas to my mad'ning breaft. If in the grotto's ivy-pendant fliade^ Love too is there, and tortures in my dream. With me he fits on morning's new-dropt blade^ And plunges with me in the gelid ftream. Love ftill oppreiTes thro' the fev'rifli night, I turn, and ilrive to fhake him off, in vain,. I count the hours, and chide the tardy light. And rife at dawn to prove recruited pain^ * Where the dccr-ftealcrs ffand to fhoot the deer as they pafs. Shakespeare. ELEGY [ ^9 I ELEGY VIIL /^^ M^d my Mir A been by Fate decreed ^~^^ An humble virgin on the rural plain ^ Obfcure with me a little flock to feed, A crook her fortune, and her iire a fwain ; No flatt'ry then had reach'd her flmple heart. No glitt'ring pomp had lured her longing eye. Of fome fmall hamlet yet conceal'd from art,. She kindeft maiden, blithefl: ihepherd I. Or had gay fortune fmiled upon my birth. For me Lri pomp did Parian columns rife^ Did many oxen till luxuriant earth. Or oaks innumerable fcale the fkies ; Mir A might love the grottoes 1 fhould rear. Where rills fhould trickle from the fcollop'd flone, ' Might haunt my groves the linnets fong to hear. Might haply deign to make them all her own, H Oh ! I 30 ] Oh! were I mai- -he Orient mine. The Tyrian pur^ , or Sabecin tree ! Yet think not, :\Ti::a, 'tis for thefe I pine, My love-iick foui has ne'er a wifh but thee. Oh ! come, nv. ' 'e, come iliare my little cot. My rufliy piilow, and my homely fare ; I'd never change it for a richer fpot. Mean tho' it be, didil: thou inhabit there. For what avails to unfuccefsful love In gilded palaces on down to lie, Can ftoried ilone, or tints to pleafure move. When fleeplefs forrow dims the fwollen eye ? On me, the lowelt of a lowly tribe, Heav'n dropt no honors, no proud treafures lent, To woo thee, Mira, I have ne'er a bribe. But love, but peace, but pleafure, and content. Ye4 come and fee my farm, lo all around. Few tho' they be, how well my heifers thrive, Sw^eet Ceres fmiles upon my little ground. And bufy bees enrich my fwarming hive. Look [ 31 ] Look, on yon hillock's fide I've planted trees. From blights fecure, by genial zephyrs fan'd, Whofe boughs luxuriant fcent the vernal breeze. And bend in Autumn to allure thy hand. I've rear'd a bow'r, where vi'lets deck the ground. And tufted elms repell the panting heat ; Here roles bloom, and woodbines twine around, A rill meand'ring gurgles at your feet. From far, the cooing of the rooks you hear ; In diftant meads the wanton heifer lows. The iky-lark fmgs, the bees are humming near. And beds of chamomile provoke repofe. Difdain not. Nymph, the pleafures of the plains. The fhepherd's cottage, or his frugal cheer. For Heav'n delights in uncorrupted fwains. And fled from Kings, Felicity dw^ells here. Mourn not to leave the paftimes of the town ; Where'er thou goefl:, the graces are thy train, Cupid fhall lifp the language of the clown. Or call the Mufes to the rural plain. While [ 32 ] WMIc you are near, blefl I fliall urge my toi^. And goad my oxen o'er the furrow'd lands,. Nor e'er repine, fliould fweat my forehead foil^ Or breaking blifters vex my weary hands. On iblitary hills detain'd till late, I Ihall return to raptnre and to thee ; And pity thofe, who being rich or great. Shall vainly think, they're happier than we.. They are not happier: Say; can boafled wealthy, Fearlefs to lofe, or live with lefs defire ? Can wealth revive the pulle of fault'ring health,. Or o'er its term prolong life's wafled fire ? Can wealth more raptur'd hear the linnet fing,. Baflc in the fun, or llumber in the grove ? Can wealth more ravilli'd fcent the flow'ring fpring-,, More gaily fport, more truly,, fondly love ? Say, is the nymph that is to lordly pride,. For wealth or titles mercenary fold. More bleft than ihe who ftoops (a fhepherd's bride) To gain in fondnefs, what ihe loft in gold ? They [ 33 ] They leave for wealth their widow's pining arms, And war for riches thro' the diflant fea; E'en their polTeflions chill'd by bafe alarms. But I'll have nought to gain or lofe but thee. The light'ning levell'd at the haughty dome. The ftorms that richer, nobler couples part, Shall pafs offencelefs o'er our humble loam. And brace us clofer to each other's heart. Safe from the dreams that haunt the great with care. Our peaceful couch with rofes (hall be fpread. And health, and love, and pleafure fhall be there. And babes, fweet babes, beft decorate our bed^ For them the tear fhall ne'er diftrefs our eyes. Nor our cheeks crimfon with averted fhame ; Below misfortune, and conceal'd from vice. And heirs to more than crowns, an honefl name. Grey hairs may come, I fliall not ceafe to love ; Nay, when Death calls, and I mufl part from you. My dying eyes my laft fond wifh fhall move. My dying eyes fliall grafp my laft adieu . I Yet [ 34 ] Yet while youth fires, oh ! come into my arm?^ Come tafte the bleffings of all bounteous Hcav'n Unbleft the maid that hoards her barren charms,. To her in vain were youth and beauty giv'n. ELEGY .IX. TT THAT tho' no laurel wreaths my brows adorn, ^ Debarr'd the hill where Pythian waters flow ;; I feel that Venus fmil'd when I was bornv And gave to pluck the flow'rs that bloom below. Love leads me where relaxing Mufes ftray. From graver toils on Pleafure's lap reclin'd. At his defire they teach a fofter lay. And rofe-mixt myrtle round my temples bind^ Let other bards the epic trumpet blow,. To Phoebus and to glory not unknown. Let them o'er heroes god-like a She heard my fong, fhe heard it not in vain, ;: Before her words her eyes began to fpeak. Take this, fhe cried, to comj5enfate pafl pain. And kifs'd all tears for ever from my cheek. O ! when I turn'd to catch the fond embrace,. She fain the dear confeflion would recall. She blufh'd, and turn'd to hide her glowing face,. And forc'd a frown,, but fmil'd well pleas'd withalL At ] At rirlt I fnatcli'd the foul ' • nfporting kifs, She ftrove, but yielding, .cant to ftrive in vain ; Iler panting breaft met nur.j diiTolv'd in blifs, In tranfport loft flie prtfj d, and kifs'd again. Toil on, yc dupes to fame ; here comes my. fair. Our foft, tumultuouG raptures to renew.; When Love, when Pleafure, can one moment fpare, I give it, greater bards, to pity you. ELEGY X. ' I ^HE trumpet calls, my palpitating heart ^ Reludlant murmurs out its laft adieu; Stern Honour, Mir a, fays that we muft part. And drags my foul from pleafure and from you, How can I leave the orchards I have rear'd. The thriving herds that I fo long have led. The beauteous fcenes that cuftom has endear'd. The purling riv'let, and the cowflip bed ? How [ 37 J How can I leave the dear delightful cot. Which twining fhrubs contended to adorn ^ How can I leave the lovely, lovely fpot. Where foft affedion whifpers I was born i I do not weep to leave my native plains. My cot, my cattle, or my blooming grove ^ I do not weep to leave my kindred fwains. But ah ! I weep, I muft, to leave my love. Yet weep not, Mir a, weep not that we part, I'll weep for both, ah ! dry thofe fwollen eyes. For (hould pale grief o'erwhelm my Mira's heart. The fwain fhe pities by her pity dies. Curfl be the man that firft invented war ; Curfl: he that melted firfl pernicious ores; Thrice curfl the firft that mark'd the polar ftar. And, facrilegious, fail'd to diftant iliores. Fool, could he think that wealth's precarious prize Could compenfate love loft whole tedious yeafs ? Can brilliants balance luftre-lofing eyes. Or pearls be valued at a virgin's tears ? K Are Arc India's plains more green, more gay than ours ? Do flreams more fweetly murmur as they flow ? More calm the {liades ? of iV/eeter fcents the flovv'rs ? The fruit of purer tart-.% or richer glow ? The plains indeed may be as green, as gay, More rich the fruit, and-fr.^granter the flowVs, Nature may riot in a brighter day, But furc their maidens are not fair as ours. Of fairer maids whole here the faireil flie Returns my love, why joylefs Ihould I rove ? Ambition, what have I to do with thee ? So foft a heart was made alone for love. Yet, as I love, I mull deferve the fair : Defire lie dead. Love fpeaks with Honor's voice; 'Tis not by eafe, but adion, I muft dare. To bid the world applaud my Mira's choice. Dauntlefs I'll traverfe the vaft fwelling main. Where thro' black rocks white furges lafh the coaft. Where gleaming light'ning guides the rattling raifj. And tempefls howl till hope itfelf be loft. Patient t 39 ] Patient Til bear hot India's panting ray. The rage of third, and famine's monflrous fare. Boldly thro' threat'ning points I'll hew a way For laurel'd chiefs, that fhould have led me there. What is all this to purchafe fearlefs eafc. For her whofe pleafure's dearer than my own? Fierce thunder war^ fwell, fwell ye flormy feas. So I may raife her 'bove a crowd unknown. So the fage fire, around her paffing car. May thus exhort his animated fon. Beauty's the premium of fuccefsful war. Since thou can'il love, go fight as he has done. I fliall return, — yes, yes I Ihall return, Heav'n is my guard; — difpell, my love, your fears, Heav'n will not let my widow'd Mir a mourn. For Heav'n delights not, fure, in virtue's tears. With equal flames our mutual bofoms beat. Born for each other, dangers vainly roar, Heav'n will renew our joys, our joys compleat, It gave fo much, it means to give us more. Sweet . [ 40 ] Sweet is the Spring that a long Winter ends, Sweet, after ftorins, calm lunny zephyrs move. Sweet, after drought, the genial Ihow'r defcends. And, after abfence, fweet, O fweet is Love. When I come back, how blefl: will be the morn, A bounding joy fball revel thro' my fheep. Wildly will Tray falute his lord's return, Mir A fliall prefs me, and with pleafure weep. Swift blow ye winds to India's hated clime, Swift blow ye winds back to my native fliore, Swift'fly ye hours until the happy time. When we fhall meet to feparate no more. Mean time forget not your contracfled troth. Let no new flame your tender bofom move. Forget not, Heav'n will not forget your oath. Misfortunes ever punifh faithlefs Love. But if I'm doom'd to a far diftant bier. By ftorms, or war, or fell difeafe, adieu j O'er my cold mem*ry drop at kail a tear How many tears fliould I have (bed for you r Think [ 4^ 1 Think 'twas for you I left my native plain, A chcarful kindred, and a temp'rate fky. And braved the hoftile land, and ftormy main. For you I wifh'd to live, and dared to die» ELEGY XL ELL me, ye fwains, whofe wanton heifers ftray Along the windings of the dewy vale. Tell me, y. maids, arifen to greet the May, And gather hawthorn in the flow'ring dale. T Where does my 1 )ve enjoy the morning air > Along the path 1 came, and o'er the hill, - I've fearch'd the woods, but Mi R a is not there. Nor does fhe frolick near her fav'rite rUl. In vain, alas ! I feek my darling maid. Nor in the grove, nor hawthorn dale is the. The fickly maid upon her couch is laid. No mare to cheer the birth of May, nor me. L ^o No more her eyes wilh placid brilliance roll. Her lips no more invite our warm delires. No more her voice diilblvcs the lill;'ning foul. No maiden envies now, nor youth admires. What tho' her eyes no more their conquefls boaft. Or cheeks no more retain their rofey hue ? What tho' her limbs their wonted grace have lofl, Her mind's ftill blooming, and her Cohn's true. Lament not, maid, thy luflre-lofing charms. The charms that fade deferve not Mira's care. Ah ! iince referv'd to blefs thy Colin's arms; Lament not, maid, foF thoa haft charms to fpare. Bloora's not the portion I defire with thee. Nor flate, nor wealth, for which the vulgar pine; Let worth be all, for worth is all to me. And long may health propitious make thee mine. For this the gods inceffant I invoke. And chiefly Love, come Love, and fave thy own j Should Mir A die. Death, by one fatal ftroke, Would rive two fubieds from thy weeping throne. Phoebus, [ 43 ] Phoebus, no more I feek thy fame-wrapt fire, So may no honors o'er my mem'ry bloom. But ah ! to cull each potent herb infpire. And fnatch my Mir a from the yawning tomb. For what avails to labour for a name ? To barter life for a more pond'rous urn ? Well pleafed with her I'd live debarr'd of fame. But is life perpetually to mourn ? Ah fave her, Jove, lefl man difown thy reign. What guilt fliall deprecate thy penal blow ? If fo much beauty was but made in vain. And fo much virtue fuffers fo much woe. Ceafe all ye goddeil'es th' unequal ftrife, 'Gainft two poor mortals, who your wrath deplore; Oh grant my Mir a, all I afk, her life. The charms you envied her are now no more. Nip not, ye fates, the joy of blooming years, Abftain your hands, remove yon threat'ning bier. Full many call thee ripe with age and tears. Go wiih'd for there; oh I how untimely here. But [ 44 } But if that both are to be bleft n6 more. And one of us is doom'd to fell difeafe. To me transfer her pains, thrice trebled o'er. If e'er the worft extort a wifli for eafe. Or if the meafure of your dread decree Is all run out, to her exiflence give All, all the future years you meant for me. How vainly meant, if Mira mull not live. ELEGY XIL A Peniive gloom now v^ils the brow of night, The diftant tides with hollow murmurs flow. The plaintive bird that fhuns the noife of light, Fills ev'ry echo with her tales of woe. Ceafe not thy ftrains when I approach thy fpray, I come not to diflurb, but join in grief. Tell me, fweet fengfler, if a piteou^lay Can yield a lover's breaking heart relief? Oh! [ 45 ] Oh ! had I notes like thine, like thee I'd fing, And think, and figh, and forrow all night long : Will no fad Mufe fpread out her fable wing. And didlate numbrrs to a wretch's fong ? O Phcebus, fovereign of health and verfe, Whofe fkill denied fair Mira's life to fave, Still lives thy rigor to her lifelefs herfe, Mufl no green laurels deck her early grave ? What tho', fair fhade, no laurels deck thy herfe ? With lefs of pomp the face of grief appears. My Doric Mufe negled:s the rugged verfe. And 'ftead of laurels, ftrews thy grave with tears. A rural Mufe no honors inay beflow. But I, each morning, to thy grave will come. To pluck the weeds that there unfeemly grow. And chaunt fad dirges o'er thy facred tomb : The ruddy maid that tends her early care, ! Shall weeping liften, while my fongs complain. And, fighing, own no nymph was e'er fo fair. No youth more conftant than thy widow'd fwain. V M Death [ 46 ] Death palTing oft, may hear at lafl and turrir What life denied in ftory knit our name. And lift'ning youth lliall crowd arou-nd our urn, While grey-hxiir'd friendfliip fpreads our humble fjnw,. Nought to the dead avails the crefled bier^ The fallen hero ne'er beholds his bufl, Her fim'ral flatt'rers grandeur cannot hear. But plauding peans glad the fainted duft. W^eep then, ye fhepherds, with foft plaintive laySy Recount the merits of her haplefs bloom, Weep too, ye nymphs, nor ftint the niggard praife. For Envy's voice fhould 11 umber in the tomb. Where we'rt thou, Venus, on the fatal day That rank'd my Mir a with the mould'ring dead^ Thrice at thy fane I rais'd the votive lay. And thrice with incenfe call'd thee to her aid. Thrice call'd in vain, my vows tho' {he did hear From rugged fate e'en Venus cannot fave, Adonis dying reach'd her love-lorn ear. She wept, *twas all ihe could> upon hi5 grave. And [ 47 ] And now once more for lofs of thee (hall weep^ Whom Bards have call'd the laughter-loving Quccn^ The Loves in tears their idle arrows fteep. And (hun th^ revels of the jocund green -, For much fhe lov'd thee, Mir a, o'er thy face A thoufand charms, the gifts of Venus, fhone,. And when thou fickend'ft, in each fading grace She loH a province from her love-propt throne. But hark f a voice amidft the mifty gloom,. With awful accents checks my trembling lays^ ** *Tis not (it cries) the portion of the tomb, *' Or mould'ring beauty claims eternal praife." ** Enough of thefe thy erring reed has fung, ** ^was not by them ihe learnt to climb the iky,. •* Regained the happy feats from whence fhe fprung, ** And fits with glory thus enthroned on high ; ** 'Twas Virtue, brighteft in the darkeft day, ** And by the lofs of ornament encrcas'd, ♦' She faw with joy her mortal charms decay, •* And was moil beauteous, when admir'd the leail. ** Blamed SOUTHERN «E°'°^'*i„X CA^^^ Form L9-3 THE LiCU-*tiY LOS Au'Gl!iLl:.3 RIM Syrocuse, N. Y. Stockton, Colif.