1 THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND I* VARIOUS PIECES I N VERSE AND PROSE. BY THE LATE NATHANIEL COffO N, M.D. MANY OF WHICH WERE NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED. Vitae fanftitas fumma, comitas par. Infeflatur vitia, non homines. Pi.ix.Ep. x. Edendum autem ex pluribus caufis maxime quod iibelli, quos emifit, dicuntur in manibus efle, quamvis jam gratiam novitatis exuerint. PLIK. EP. ii. IN TWO VOLUMES. ^ VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. DODSLEY, PALL-MALL, M. DCC.XCI. Cg~ TO THE DOWAGER COUNTESS SPENCER,. THESE TWO SMALL VOLUMES ARE, BY PERMISSION, INSCRIBED. f I * H E Author being well known *- to her Ladyfhip for many years, this public teftimony of Ap- probation of his Life and Works given by her, whofe high flation and A 2 rank 765734 IV DEDICATION. rank preclude her not from a laudable and eminent zeal in the caufe of re-> ligion and goodnefs, is particularly acknowledged by HER LADYSHIP'S Moft obliged, N And moft obedient fcrvaftt, NATH L . COTTON. THE PREFACE, /t S the VISIONS irf VERSE, and other "^*- Pieces of the late Dr. COTTON, which have made their appearance, have given gene- ral fatisfa&ion, the Editor flatters himfelf that the prefent volumes, fome pieces in which have not yet been publifhed, will be acceptable to the Public. It may not be improper to obferve, in regard to the SERMONS here offered, that as Mr. Boyle, Mr. Locke, Sir Ifaac Newton, and Mr. Addifon, \i P R E- F A C E. Addifon, were firm believers in Chriftianity j that being laymen^ and having no temporal /'- tcre/ls relative to religion, their influence in the fupport of it has been extenfive and effe&ual : So every frefh inftance of a firm faith, in a mind far removed from all fufpicion, will be ac- ceptable to the lovers of Chriftianity. CONTENTS CONTENTS VOLUME I. FABLES. p ag e. /. The Bee, the Ant, and the Sparrow i II. The Scholar and the Cat 8 ///. Neptune and the Mariners - 1 3 IV. The Beau and the Viper - 1 7 V. The Snail and the Gardener 22 VI. The Farmer and the Horfe 28 TALES, fck. ^- __ 3851 EPITAPHS _ __ 5255 VARIOUS PIECES. An Invocation of Happinefs 56 Time and Chance __ r8 An Enigma, infer ibed to Mifs P. _ 62 The Fire Side 65 Tofome Children liftening to a Lark 69 To a Child of five years old 71 OK Lord Cobban's Garden 72 To-morrvw tili CONTENTS. To-morrow 7 2 Allufion to Horace, Ode XVI. Book II. 74 Epitaph on Mr. Thomas Strong 82 Epitaph upon Mifs Gee 82 Rebu/es 83, 84, 8 Some hafty Rhymes on Sleep 86 Rebus on Mifs James 88 A Song _.*..- 88 A Sunday Hymn 89 Ode on the Mejfiab 90 Ode on the Neiv fear '- 94 Epitaph on John Duke of Bridgwater 96 A Fable - 97 AddreJ/ed to a young Lady 1 04 RIDDLES 106112 PfalmXIII. u 3 XLII. 1IA /r* _ ! 1 7 To the Rev. James Her Ours is the empire of the main. True man's a fovereign prince but fay, What art fuftains the monarch's fway. Say from what fource we fetch fupplies, 'Tis here the grand enquiry lies. Strength is not man's for ftrength muft fuit Beft with the ftruclure of a brute. Nor i F A B L E It Nor craft nor cunning can fuffice, A fox might then difpute the prize. To God-like Reafon 'tis we owe Our ball and fceptre here below. Now your aflbciate next explains To whom precedence appertains. And fure 'tis eafy to divine The leaders of this royal line. Note that all tradefmen I atteft But petty princes at the beft. Superior excellence you'll find In thofe, who cultivate the mind. Hence heads of colleges, you'll own, Tranfcend th' affefibrs of a throne. Say, Evans, have you any doubt? You can't offend by fpeaking out. With vilage placid and fedate, Pufs thus addrefs'd her learned mate. We're told that none in Nature's plan Difputes pre-eminence with man. But this is ftill a dubious cafe To me, and all our purring race. We F A B L E II. ii We grant indeed to partial eyes Men may appear fupremely wife. But our fagacious rabbies hold, That all which glitters is not gold. Pray, if your haughty claims be true, Why are our manners ap'd by you ? Whene'er you think, all Cats agree, You fhut your optics, juft as we. Pray, why like Cats fo wrapt in thought, If you by Cats were never taught ? But know, our tabby fchools maintain Worth is not center'd in the brain. Not that our fages thought defpife No but in action virtue lies. We find it by experience fad:, That thought muft ripen into act ; Or Cat no real fame acquires, But virtue in the bud expires. This point your orchard can decide Obferve its gay autumnal pride. For trees are held in high repute, Not for their bloiToms, but their fruit. If 12 FABLE II. If (b, then Millar's page decrees Mere Scholars to be barren trees. But if thefe various reafons fail, Let my example once prevail. When to your chamber you repair, Your property employs my care. And while you fink in fweet repofe, My faithful eyelids never clofe. When hunger prompts the moufe to fteal, Then I difplay my honeft zeal ; True to my charge, thefe talons feize The wretch, who dares purloin your cheefe. Or fhould the thief aflault your bread, I ftrike the audacious felon dead. Nor fay I fpring at fmaller game My prowefs flaughter'd rats proclaim. I'm told, your generals often fly, When danger, and when death are nigh. Nay, when nor death nor danger's near, As your court-martials make appear. When in your fervice we engage, We brave the pilfering villain's rage; Ne'er FABLE III. 13 Ne'er take advantage of the night, To meditate inglorious flight ; But ftand refolv'd, when foes defy, To conquer, or to bravely die. Hence, Bookworm, learn our duty here Is active life in every fphere. Know too, there's fcarce a brute but can InftrucT: vain fupercilious man. That our Fortitude and Perfeverance Jboidd be pro- portionate to the Degree and Duration of our Suf- ferings. FABLE III. NEPTUNE and the MARINERS. T TT THEN fore calamities we feel, And forrow treads on forrow's heel, Our courage and our ftrength, we fay, Are inefficient for the day. Thus man's a poor dejected elf, Who fain would run away from iejf. Yet 4 FABLE lit Yet turn to Germany, you'll find An Atlas of a human mind ! But here I deviate from my plan, For Pruffia's king is more than man ! Inferior beings fuit my rhime, My fcheme, my genius, and my time j Men, birds, and beafts, with now and then A pagan god, to grace my pen. A veflel bound for India's coaft, The merchants confidence and boaft, Puts forth to fea the gentle deep Befpeaks its boifterous god afleep. Three chearful fhouts the failors gave, And zephyrs curl the fhining wave. A halcyon fky prevails awhile, The tritons and the nereids fmile. Thefe omens faireft hopes imprefsj And half infure the George fuccefs. What cafual ills thefe hopes deftroy ! To change how fubjeft everyjoyl When dangers moft remote appear, Experience proves thofe dangers near. 5 Thus, FABLE III, is Thus, boaft of health whene'er you pleafe, Health is next neighbour to difeafe. 'Tis prudence to fufpedt a foe, And fortitude to meet the blow. In wifdom's rank he ftands the firft, Who ftands prepar'd to meet the worft* For lo ! unnumber'd clouds arife, The fable legions fpread the fkies. The ftorm around the vefTel raves, The deep difplays a thoufand graves. With a&ive hands and fearlefs hearts The failors play their various parts ; They ply the pumps, they furl the foils, Yet nought their diligence avails. The tempeft thickens every hour, And mocks the feats of human pow'r. The failors now their fate deplore, Eftrang'd to every fear before. With wild furprife their eye-balls glare r Their honeft breafts admit defpair. All further efforts they decline, At once all future hopes refign ; And 16 FABLE HI. And thus abandoning their fkill, They give the Ihip to drive at will. Strait enter'd with majeftic grace, A form of more than human race, The god an azure mantle wore, His hand a forked fceptre bore ; When thus the monarch of the main ^ How dare you deem your labours vain, ? Shall man exert himfelf the lefs, Becaufe fuperior dangers prefs ? How can I think your hearts fincere, Unlefs you bravely perfevere ? Know, mortals, that when perils rjfe, Perils enhance the glorious prize. But, who deferts himfelf, {hall be Deferted by the gods and me. Hence to your charge, and do your beft, My trident fliall do all the reft. The mariners their taflc renew, All to their deftin'd province flew. The winds are hufli'd the fea fubfides, The gallant George in fafcty rides, 3 Tl>e FABLE IV. 17 The Folly tf pajfing a hajty and derogatory Judgment upon the noxious dniinals of the Creation* FABLE IV. The BEAU and the VIPER* A LL wife philofophers maintain ** Nature created nought in vain. Yet fome with fupercilious brow } Deny the truth aflerted now. What if I (hew that only man, Appears defe&ive in the plan ! Say, will the fceptic lay aflde His fneers, his arrogance, and pride ? A Beau, imported frefli from France, Whofe ftudy was to drefs and dance j Who had betimes, in Gallia's fchool, Grafted the coxcomb on the fool ; Approach'd a wood one fummer's day, To fcreen him from the fcorching ray* And as he travers'd thro' the grove, Scheming of gallantry and love, VOL. I. C A Viper's 18 FABLE IV. A Viper's fpiry folds were feen, Sparkling with azure, gold, and green ; The Beau indignant, weak, and proud, With tranfport thus exclaim'd aloud : Avaunt, detefted fiend of night ! Thou torture to the human fight ! To every reptile a difgrace, And fatal to our god-like race. Why were fuch creatures form'd as you, Unlefs to prove my doctrine true ; That when we view this nether fphere, Nor wifdom nor defign appear ? The Serpent rais'd his angry creft, An honeft zeal inflam'd his breaft. His hiflings ftruck the fopling's ear, And fhook his very foul with fear. Inglorious wretch ! the Viper cries, How dare you broach infernal lies ? Is there, in all creation's chain, A link fo worthlefs and fo vain ? Grant that your drefs were truly thine, How can your gold compare with mine ? Your FABLE IV. 19 Your veftments are of garter hue, Mine boaft a far fuperior blue. You ftyle me Reptile in contempt, You are that very reptile meant ; A two-legg'd thing which crawls on earth, Void of utility and worth. You call me fatal to your race- Was ever charge fo falfe and bafe ? You can't in all your annals find, That unprovok'd we hurt mankind. Uninjur'd men in mifchief deal, We only bite the hoftile heel. Do not we yield our lives to feed, And fave your vile diftemper'd breed ? When leprofy pollutes your veins, Do not we purge the loathfome ftains ? When riot and excefs prevail, And health, and ftrength, and fpirits fail ; Doctors from us their aid derive, Hence penitential rakes revive. We bleed to make the caitiffs dine, * Or drown to medicate their wine. * Upon fome occafions Vipers are drafted, and ferved to table as eels. C * You ao FABLE IV. You afk, my poifon to what end ? Minute philofopher, attend. Nature, munificent and wife, To all our wants adapts fupplies. Our frames are fitted to our need, Hence greyhounds are endu'd with fpecd. Lions by force their prey fubdue, By force maintain their empire too : But power, altho' the lion's fame, Was never known the Viper's claim. Obferve, when I unroll my length Say, is my ftrudlure form'd for ftrength ? Doth not celerity imply Or legs to run, or wings to fly ? My jaws are conftituted weak, Hence poifon lurks behind my cheek. As lightning quick my fangs convey This liquid to my wounded prey. The venom thus infures my bite, For wounds preclude the victim's flight But why this deadly juice, you cry, To make the wretched captive die ? 5 Why FABLE IV. 21 Why not poflefs'd of ftronger jaws, Or arm'd like favage brutes with claws ? Can fuch weak arguments perfuade? Afk rather, why were Vipers made? To me my poilbn's more than wealth, And to ungrateful mortals health. In this benevolent defign My various organs all combine. Strike out the poifon from my frame, My fyftem were no more the fame. I then fhould want my comforts due, Nay, lofe my very being too. And you'd, as do&ors all agree, A fovereign medicine lofe in me. Now learn, 'tis arrogance in man, To cenfure what he cannot fcan. Nor dare to charge God's works with ill, Since Vjpers kind defigns fulfil : But give injurious fcruples o'er, Be {till, be humble, and adore. C 3 22 FABLE V. That Happinefs is much more equally dijlributed^ than the Generality of Mankind are apprized of. FABLE V. The SNAIL and the GARDENER. T T THEN fons of fortune ride on high, * * How do we point the admiring eye ! With foolifh face of wonder gaze, And often covet what we praife. How do we partial Nature chide, As deaf to every fon befide ! Or cenfure the miftaken dame, As if her optics were to blame ! Thus we deem Nature moft unkind, Or what's as bad, we deem her blind. But when inferior ranks we fee, Who move in humbler fpheres than we ; Men by comparifons are taught, Natureus not fo much in fault. Yet mark my tale the poet's pen Shall vindicate her ways to men. Within FABLE V. 23 Within a garden, far from town, There dwelt a Snail of high renown } Who, by tradition as appears, Had been a tenant feveral years.' She fpent her youth in wifdom's page Hence honour'd and rever'd in age. Do Snails at any time contend, Infult a neighbour, or a friend ; Difpute their property, and fhare, Or in a cherry, or a pear ? No lord chief juftice, all agree, So able, and fo juft as fhe ! Whichever way their caufes went, All parties came away content. At length fhe found herfelf decay, Death fent mementos every day. Her drooping ftrength fuftains no more The (hell, which on her back fhe bore. The eye had loft its vifual art, The heavy ear refus'd its part; The teeth perform'd their office ill, And every member fail'd her will. C 4 But 14 FABLE V. But no defecb in mind appear, Her intellects are ftrong and clear. Thus when his glorious courfe is run, How brightly flrines the fetting fun ! The news thro* all the garden fpread, The neighbours throng'd about her bed ; Chearful (he rais'd her voice aloud, And thus addrefs'd the weeping crowd. My friends, I'm haft'ning to the grave, And know, nor plum, nor peach can fave. Yes, to thole manfions go I muft, "Where our good fathers fleep in duft. Nor am I backward to explore That gloomy vale they trod before. 'Gainft fate's decree what can I (ay ? Like other Snails I've had my day. Full many Cummer funs I've feen, And now die grateful and ferene. If men the higher pow'rs arraign, Shall we adopt the plaintive ftrain ? Nature, profiife to us and ours, Hath kindly built thefe ftately tow'rs ; Where, FABLE V. 25 Where, when the ikies in night are dreft, Secure from every ill we reft. Survey our curious ihu&ure weK How firm, and yet how light our fhell ! Our refuge, when cold ftorms invade, And in the dog -days' heat our fhade. Thus when we fee a fleeter race, We'll not lament our languid pace. Do dangers rife, or foes withftand ? Are not our caftles clofe at hand ? For let a Snail at diilance roam, The happy Snail is ftill at home. Survey our gardens bleft retreats* Oh ! what a paradife of iweets ! With what variety it's ftor'd! Unnumber'd dainties ipread our board. The plums aflume their glofly blue, And cheeks of nectarines glow for you ; Peaches their lovely bluih betray, And apricots their gold difplay ; While for your beverage, when you dine, There ftreams the nechr of the vine. Be a6 FABLE V. Be not my dying words forgot; Depart, contented with your lot ; Reprefs complaints when they begin, Ingratitude's a crying fin. And hold it for a truth, that we Are quite as bleft as Snails fhould be. The Gardener hears with great furprife This fage difcourfe, and thus he cries- Oh ! what a thanklefs wretch am I, Who pafs ten thoufand favours by ! I blame, whene'er the linnet fmgs, My want of fong, or want of wings. The piercing hawk, with towering flight, Reminds me of deficient fight. And when the generous fteed I view, Is not his ftrength my envy too ? I thus at birds and beafts repine, And wifh their various talents mine. Fool as I am, who cannot fee Reafon is more than all to me. My landlord boafts a large eftate, Rides in his coach, and eats in plate. What! FABLE V. 27 What ! fliall thefe lures bewitch my eye ? Shall they extort the murmuring figh ? Say, he enjoys fuperior wealth - Is not my better portion, health ? Before the fun has gilt the ikies, Returning labour bids me rife ; Obedient to the hunter's horn, He quits his couch at early morn. ' 51 j^ By want compell'd, I dig the foil, His is a voluntary toil. For truth it is, fince Adam's fall, His fons muft labour, one and all. No man's exempted by his purfe, Kings are included in the curfe. Wou'd monarchs relifli what they eat ? 'Tis toil that makes the manchet fweet; Nature enacts, before they're fed, That prince and peafant earn their bread. Hence wifdom and experience fliow, That blifs in equal currents flowj That happinefs is ftill the fame, How'er ingredients change their name. Nor 2$ FABLE VI. Nor doth this theme our fcarch defy, 'Tis level to the human eye. Diftin&ions, introduced by men, Bewilder, and obfcure our ken. I'll ftore thefe leflbns in rny heart, And chearful act my proper part. If forrows rife, as forrows will, I'll ftand refign'd to every ill ; Convinc'd, that wifely every pack Is fuited to the bearer's back. That the Complaints of Mankind^ agalnjl their fevi- ral Stations and Provinces in Llfe^ are often fri- volous^ and always unwarrantable. FABLE VI. The FARMER and the HORSE. " V |^IS a vain world, and all things fhow it, -* "I thought fo once, but now I know it *.." Ah ! GAY ! is thy poetic page The child of difappointed age ? * Gay's Epitaph. Talk FABLE VI. 29 Talk not of threefcore years and ten, For what avails our knowledge then ? But grant, that this experienc'd truth Were afcertain'd in early youth ; Reader, what benefit would flow ? I vow, I'm at a lofs to know. The world alarms the human breaft, Becaufe in favage colours dreft. 'Tis treated with invective ftyle, And (lands impeach'd of fraud and guile. All in this heavy charge agree But who's in fault the world, or we ? The queftion's ferious, fhort, and clear, The anfwer ckims our patient ear. Yet if this office you decline With all my heart the talk be mine. I'm certain, if I do my beft, Your candour will excufe the reft. A Farmer, with a penfive brow, One morn accompany'd his plow. The larks their chearful matins iung, The woods with anfwering mufic rung ; The 30 FABLE VI. The fun difplay'd his golden ray, And Nature hail'd the rifing day. But ft ill the peafant all the while Refus'd to join the general fmile. He, like his fathers long before, Refembled much the Jews of yore ; Whofe murmurs impious, weak, and vain, Nor quails nor manna could reftrain. Did accidental dearth prevail ? How prone to tell his piteous tale ! Pregnant with joys did plenty rife ? How prone to blame indulgent fkies ! Thus ever ready to complain, For plenty finks the price of grain. At length he fpake : Ye powers divine, Was ever lot fo hard as mine ? From infant life an arrant flave, Clofe to the confines of the grave. Have not I follow'd my employ Near threefcore winters, man and boy ? But fmce I call'd this farm my own, What fcenes of forrow have I known ! 3 Alas! FABLE VI. 31 Alas ! if all the truth were told, Hath not the rot impair'd my fold ? Hath not the meafles feiz'd my fwine ? Hath not the murrain flain my kine ? Or fay that horfes be my theme, Hath not the ftaggers thinn'd my team ? Have not a thoufand ills befide Depriv'd my ftable of its pride ? When I furvey my lands around, What thorns and thirties fpread my ground ! Doth not the grain my hopes beguile, And mildews mock the threfher's toil ? However poor the harvefts paft, What fo deficient as the laft ! But tho' nor blafts, nor mildews rife, My turnips are deftroy/d by flies ; My (heep are pin'd to fuch degree, That not a butcher comes to me. Seafons are chang'd from what they were, And hence too foul, or hence too fair. Now fcorehing heat and drought annoy, And now returning fliowers deftroy, Thi 32 FABLE VI. Thus have I pafs'd my better years MVlidft difappointments, cares, and tears. And now, when I compute my gains, What have I reap'd for all my pains ? Oh ! had I known in manhood's prime Thefe flow convictions wrought by time ; \Vould I have brav'd the various woes Of fummer funs, and winter mows ? Would I have tempted every fky, So wet, fo windy, or fo dry ? With all the elements at ftrife ? Ah ! no I then had plann'd a life, Where wealth attends the middle ftage, And reft and comfort wait on age. Where rot and murrain ne'er commence, Nor paftures burn at my expence ; Nor injur'd cows their wants bewail, Nor dairies mourn the milklefs pail ; - Nor barns lament the blafted grain, Nor cattle curfe the barren plain. Dun hobbled by his matter's fide, And thus the fober brute reply'd : FABLE VL 33 Look thro' your team, and where's the fteed Who dares difpute with me his breed ? Few horfes trace their lineage higher, Godolphin's Arab was my fire ; My dam was fprung from Panton's ftud, My grandam boafted Childers' blood. But ah ! it now avails me not By what illuftrious chief begot ! Spavins pay no regard to birth, And failing vifion finks my worth. The Squire, when he difgufted grew, Transfcrr'd his property to you. And fince poor Dun " became your own, " What fcenes of forrow have I known !" Hath it not. been my conftant toil To drag the plow, and turn the foil ? Are not my bleeding fhoulders wrung By large and weighty loads of dung ? When the fhorn meadows claim your care, And fragrant cocks perfume the air ; When Ceres' ripen'd fruits abound, And Plenty waves her fheaves around ; VOL. I. D True 34 FABLE VI. True to my collar, home I bear The treafures of the fruitful year. And tho' this drudgery be mine, You never heard me once repine. Yet what rewards have crown'd my days ? I'm grudg'd the poor reward of praife. For oats fmall gratitude I owe, Beans were untafted joys, you know. And now I'm haft'ning to my end, Paft fervices can find no friend. Infirmities, difeafe, and age, Provoke my furly driver's rage. Look to my wounded flanks, you'll fee No horfe was ever us'd like me. But now I eat my meals with pain, Averfe to mafticate the grain. Hence you direct, at night and morn, That^chafF accompany my corn ; For hulks, altho' my teeth be few, Force my relu&ant jaws to chew. What then ? of life (hall I complain, And call it fleeting, falfe, and vain ? Againft FABLE VI. 35 Againft the world fhall I inveigh, Becaufe my grinders now decay ? You think it were the wifer plan, Had I conforted ne'er with man ; Had I my liberty maintain'd, Or liberty by flight regain'd, And rang'd o'er diftant hills and dales With the wild forefters of Wales. Grant I fucceeded to my mind- Is happinefs to hills confin'd ? Don't famine oft erect her throne Upon the rugged mountain's ftone ? And don't the lower paftures fail, When fnows defcending choke the vale ? Or who fo hardy to declare Difeafe and death ne'er enter there ? Do pains or ficknefs here invade ? Man tenders me his chearful aid. For who beholds his hungry beafr., But grants him fome fupply at leaft ? Int'reft fhall prompt him to purfuc What inclination would not do. D 2 Say, 36 F A B L E VI. Say, had I been the defert's foal, Thro* life eftrang'd to man's control j What fervice had I done on earth, Or who could profit by my birth ? My back had ne'er fuftain'd thy weight, My cheft ne'er known thy waggon's freight j But now my feveral powers combine To anfwer Nature's ends and thine, I'm ufeful thus in every view- Oh ! could I fay the fame of you ! Superior evils had enfu'd, With prefcience had I been endu'd. Ills, tho' at diftance feen, deftroy, Or ficken every prefent joy. We relifh every new delight, When future griefs elude our fight. To blindnefs then what thanks are due ! It makes each fmgle comfort two. The colt, unknown to pain and toil, Anticipates tomorrow's fmile. Yon lamb enjoys the prefent hour, As ftranger to the butcher's power. Your's FABLE VI. 37 Your's is a wild Utopian fcheme, A boy would blufti to own your dream. Be your profeffion what it will, No province is exempt from ill. Quite from the cottage to the throne. Stations have forrows of their own. Why fhould a peafant then explore What longer heads ne'er found before ? Go, preach my doctrine to your fon, By your's, the lad would be undone. But whether he regards or not, Your lecture would be foon forgot. The hopes which gull'd the parent's breaft, Ere long will make his fon their jeft. * Tho' now thefe cobweb cheats you fpurn. Yet every man's a dupe in turn. And wifely fo ordain'd, indeed, (Whate'er philofophers may plead), Elfe life would ftagnate at its fource, And Man, and Horfe decline the courfe. Then bid young Ralpho never mind it, But take the world as he fliajl find it. D 3 TALES, [ 38 3 TALES. The LAMB and the PIG. /CONSULT the Moralift, you'll find ^^ That education forms the mind. But education ne'er fupply'd What ruling nature hath deny'd. If you'll the following page purfue, My tale fhall prove this dotrine true. Since to the mufe all brutes belong, The Lamb fhall ufher in my fong ; Whofe fnowy fleece adorn'd her fkin, Emblem of native white within. Meeknefs and love poflefs'd her foul, And innocence had crown'd the whole. It chanc'd, in fome unguarded hour, (Ah ! purity, precarious flower ! Let maidens of the prefent age Tremble, when they perufe my page.) T A L E EAR youth, to hoarded wealth a foe, -* ^ Riches with faded luftre glow; Yes, dim the treafures of the mine, Unlefs with temperate ufe they fhine. This ftamps a value on the gold, So Proculeius thought of old. Soon as this generous Roman faw His father's fons profcrib'd by law, The knight difcharg'd a parent's part, They fhar'd his fortune and his heart. Hence ftands confign'd a brother's name To immortality and fame. Wou'd 48 TALES. Wou'd you true empire afcertain ? Curb all immoderate luft of gain. This is the beft ambition known, A greater conqueft than a throne. For know, fhould Avarice controul, Farewell the triumphs of the foul. This is a dropfy of the mind, Refembling the corporeal kind j For who with this difeafe are curft, The more they drink, the more they thirft. Indulgence feeds their bloated veins, And pale-ey'd, fighing languor reigns. Virtue, who differs from the crowd, Rejects the covetous and proud ; Difdains the wild ambitious breaft, And fcorns to call a monarch bleft ; Labours to refcue truth and fenfe From fpecious founds, and vain pretence. Virti TALES, 49 Virtue to that diftinguifli'd few, Gives royalty, and conqueft too j That wife minority, who own, And pay their tribute to her throne ; Who view with undefiring eyes, And fpurn that wealth which mifers prize. The Tenth ODE of the fecond BOOK. *T T 7*OU'D you, my friend, true blifs obtain? * * Nor prefs the coaft, nor tempt the main. In open feas loud tempefts roar, And treacherous rocks begirt the fliore. Hatred to all extremes is feen* In thofe who love the golden mean* They nor in palaces rejoice, Nor is the fordid cot their choice* VOL. I. E The 50 TALES. The middle ftate of life is'beftj Exalted ftations find no reft ; Storms fhake th' afpiring pinej and tower, And mountains feel the thunder's power. The mind prepar'd for each event, In every ftate maintains content. She hopes the beft, when ftorms prevail, Nor trufts too far the profperous gale. Shou'd time returning' -winters bring, Returning winter yields to fpring. Shou'd darknefs fhroud the prefent flues, Hereafter -brighter funs fliall rife. When Paean fhoots his fiery darts, Difeafe and death transfix our hearts ; But oft the God withholds his bow, In pity to the race below. tVhen TALES. When clouds the angry heavens deform, Be ftrong, and brave the fwelling ftorm ; Amidft profperity's full gales Be humble, and contraft your fails. E 2 EPITAPHS. E 52 ] EPITAPHS. READER, approach my urn thou need'ft not fear TV extorted promife of one plaintive tear, To mourn thy unknown friend From me thou 'It learn More than a Plato taught the grand concern Of mortals ! Wrapt in penfive thought, furvey This little freehold of unthinking clay, And know thy end ! Tho' young, tho' gay, this fcene of death explore, Alas ! the young, the gay is now no more ! On ROBERT CLAVERING, M. B. ' come, who know the childlefs parent's figh, The bleeding bofom, and the ftreaming eye ; Who feel the wounds a dying friend impartr, When the laft pang divides two focial hearts. This EPITAPHS. 53 This weeping marble claims the generous tear, Here lies the friend, the fon, and all that's dear. He fell full-bloflbm'd in the pride of youth, The nobler pride of fcience, worth, and truth. Calm and ferene he view'd his mouldering clay, Nor fear'd to go, nor fondly wifli'd to flay. And when the king of terrors he defcry'd, Kifs'd the ftern mandate, bow'd his head, and dy'd. On COLONEL GARDINER, JHio wasjlain in the Battle at Prejlon Pans^ 1745. "\ T 7"HILE fainter merit afks the powers of verfe, ^ ^ Our faithful line ihall GARDINER'S worth rehearfe. The bleeding hero, and the martyr'd faint, Tranfcends the poet's pen, the herald's paint. His the beft path to fame that e'er was trod, And furely his -a glorious road to God. 3 On 54 EPITAPHS. On Mr. S i B L E Y, Of Studbam. TTJERE lies an honeft man ! without pretence * To more than prudence, and to common fenfe ', Who knew no vanity, difguife, nor art, Who fcorn'd all language foreign to the heart. Diffufive as the light his bounty fpread, Cloath'd were the naked, and the hungry fed. " Thefe be his honours!" honours that difclaim The blazon'd fcutcheon, and the herald's fame ! Honours ! which boaft defiance to the grave, Where, fpite of Anftis, rots the garter'd knave. - On a LADY, who had laboured under a Cancer. OTR ANGER, thefe dear remains contain'd a ^ mind As infants guilelefe, and as angels kind. Ripening EPITAPHS. 55 Ripening for heav'n, by pains and fufferings try'd, To pain fuperior, and unknown to pride. Calm and ferene beneath affliction's rod> Becaufe fhe gave her willing heart to God. Becaufe fhe trufted in her Saviour's pow'r, Hence firm and fearlefs in the dying hour ! No venal mufe this faithful pidhire draws, Bleft faint ! defert like yours extorts applaufe. Oh ! let a weeping friend difcharge his due, His debt to worth, to excellence, and you ! E 4 VARIOUS [ 56 ] VARIOUS PIECES. An Invocation of Happinefs, after the Oriental Man- ner of Speech. 1. fTpELL me, O thou faireft among virgins, * where doft thou lay thy meek contented head ? 2. Doft thou dwell upon the mountains j doft thou make thy couch in the vallies ? 3. In the ftill watches of the night have I thought upon my fair-one; yea, in the vifions of the night have I purfued thee. 4. When I awoke, my meditation was upon thee, and the day was fpent in fearch after thy em- braces. 5. Why doft thou flee from me, as the tender hind, or the young roe upon the hills ? 6. Without VARIOUS PIECES. 57 6. Without thy prefence in vain blumes the rofe, in vain glows the ruby, the cinnamon breatheth its fragrance in vain. 7. Shall I make thee a houfe of the rich cedars of Lebanon ? fhall I perfume it with all the fpices of Arabia ? Wilt thou be tempted with Sabean odours, with myrrh, frankincenfe, and aloes ? 8. Doth my fair-one delight in palaces doth flie gladden the hearts of kings ? The palaces are not a meet refidence for my beloved the princes of the earth are not favoured with the fmiles of her countenance. 9. My fair-one is meek and humble, fhe dwelleth among the cottages, (he tendeth the fheep upon the mountains, and lieth down amidft the flocks. The lilies of the field are her couch, and the heavens her canopy. 10. Her words are fmoother than oil, more powerful than wine ; her voice is as the voice of the turtle- dove. 11. Thou crowneft the innocence of the hufband- man, and the reward of virtue is with thee. Time 5* VARIOUS PIECES, 44 Time and Chance bappenetb to them all." Ecclefiaft. ch, ix. ver. it, * -: m I jfc2 .7 READER, if fond of wonder and furprife, Behold in me ten thoufand wonders rife. Should I appear quite partial to my caufe, Shout my own praife, and vindicate applaufe ; Do not arraign my modefty or fenfe, Nor deem my chara&er a vain pretence. Know then I boaft an origin and date Coeval with the fun without a mate An offspring I beget in number more Than all the crowded fands which form the (hore. That inftant they are born, my precious breed Ah me ! expire yet my departed feed Enter like fpe&res, with commiffion'd power, The fecret chamber at the midnight hour ; Pervade alike the palace, and the filed, The ftatefman's clofet, and the ruftic's bed; Serene and fweet, like envoys from the fkies, To all the good, the virtuous, and the wife; 5 But VARIOUS PIECES. 59 But to the vicious bread remorfe they bring. And bite like ferpents, or like fcorpions fting. Being and birth to fciences I give, By me they rife thro' infancy and live; By me meridian excellence difplay, And, like autumnal fruits, by me decay. When poets, and when painters are no more, And all the feuds of rival wits are o'er; 'Tis mine to fix their merit and their claim, I judge their works to darknefs or to fame. I am a monarch, whofe victorious hands No craft eludes, no regal power withftands. My annals prove fuch mighty conquefts won, As fhame the puny feats of Philip's fon. But tho' a king, I feldom fway alone, The goddefs Fortune often {hares my throne. The human eye detects our blended rule, Here we exalt a knave, and there a fool. A(k you what powers our fovereign laws obey ? Creation is our empire we convey Sceptres and crowns at will as we ordain, Kings abdicate their thrones, and peafants reign. Lovers 60 VARIOUS PIECES. Lovers to us addrefs the fervent prayer; 'Tis ours to foften or fubdue the fair: We now like angels fmile, and now deftroy, Now bring, or blaft, the long-expected joy. At our fair fhrine ambitious churchmen bow, And crave the mitre to adorn the brow. Go to the inns of court the learned drudge Implores our friendfhip to commence a judge. Go, and confult the fons of Warwick Lane ; They own our favours, and adore our reign. Theirs is the gold, 'tis true but all men fee Our claim is better founded to the fee. Reader, thus fublunary worlds we guide, Thus o'er your natal planets we prefide. Kingdoms and kings are ours to us they fall, We cajrve their fortunes, and difpofe of all. Nor think that kings alone engrofs our choice, The cobler fits attentive to our voice. But fmce my colleague is a fickle {he, Abjure my colleague, and depend on me. Either (he fees not, or with partial eyes, Either (he grants amifs, or fhe denies. But VARIOUS PIECES. 61 But I, who pity thofe that wear her chain, Scorn the capricious meafures of her reign ; In every gift, and every grace excel) And feldom fail their hopes, who ufe me well. Yet tho* in me unnumber'd treafures fhine, Superior to the rich Peruvian mine ! Tho' men to my indulgence hourly owe The choiceft of their comforts here below : (For men's beft tenure, as the world agree, Is all a perquifite deriv'd from me) Still man's my foe ! ungrateful man, I fay, Who meditates my murder every day. What various fcenes of death do men prepare ! And what aflaflinations plot the fair ! But know afluredly, who treat me ill, Who mean to rob me, or who mean to kill j Who view me with a cold regardlefs eye, And let my favours pafs unheeded by; They fhall lament their folly when too late ; So mourns the prodigal his loft eftate ! While they who with fuperior forethought bleft, Store all my lellrns in their faithful breaftj (For 6a VARIOUS PIECES. (For where's the prelate, who can preach like me, With equal reafoning, and perfuafive plea,) Who know that I am always on my wings, And never flay in compliment to kings; Who therefore watch me with an eagle's fight, Arreft my pinions, or attend my flight; Or if perchance they loiter'd in the race, Chide their flow footfteps, and improve their pace ; Yes, thefe are wifdom's fons, and when they die, Their virtues fhall exalt them to the flcy. An ENIGMA, inferibed to Mifs P. L O E, I boaft celeftial date, Ere time began to roll ; So wide my power, my fceptre fpurns The limits of the pole. When from the myftic womb of nightj The Almighty call'd the earth ; I fmiPd upon the infant world, And grac'd the wondrous birth. Thro* VARIOUS PIECES, 63 Thro' the vaft realms of boundlefs fpace, I traverfe uncontroll'd ; And ftarry orbs of proudeft blaze Infcribe my name in gold. There's not a monarch in the north But bends the fuppliant knee ; The haughty fultan waves his power 4 And owns fuperior me. Both by the favage and the feint My empire ftands eonfeft ; I thaw the ice on Greenland's coaft, And fire the Scythian's breaft. To me -the gay aerial tribes Their glittering plumage owe ; With all the variegated pride That decks the feather'd beau. The 64 VARIOUS PIECES. The meaneft reptiles of the land My bounty too partake ; I paint the infet's trembling wing, And gild the crefted ihake. Survey the nations of the deep, You'll there my power behold j My pencil drew the pearly fcale, And fin bedropt with gold. I give the virgin's lip to glow, I claim the crimfon dye j Mine is the rofe which fpreads the cheek, And mine the brilliant eye. Then fpeak, my fair} for furely thou My name canft beft defcry ; Who gave to thee with lavifh hands What thoufands I deny* Tit VARIOUS PIECES. 65 The FIRESIDE. T"\EAR Cloe, while the bufy croud, ^^ The vain, the wealthy, and the proud, In folly's maze advance } Tho* Angularity and pride Be call'd our choice, we'll ftep afide, Nor join the giddy dance. From the gay world we'll oft retire To our own family and fire, Where love our hours employs j No noify neighbour enters here, No intermeddling ftranger near, To fpoil our heartfelt joys. If folid happinefs we prize, Within our breaft this jewel lies, And they are fools who roam ; The world hath nothing to beftow, From our own felves our blifs muft flow* And that dear hut our home. . I. F Of 66 VARIOUS PIECES. Of reft was Noah's dove bereft, When with impatient wing ihe left That fafe retreat, the ark ; Giving her vain excurfions o'er, The difappointed bird once more Explor'd the iacred bark. Tho' fools fpurn Hymen's gentle powers, We, who improve his golden hours, By fweet experience know, That marriage, rightly underftood, Gives to the tender and the good, A paradife below. Our babes fliall richeft comforts bring ; If tutor'd right they'll prove a fpring, Whence pleafures ever rife : We'll form their minds with ftudious care, To all that's manly, good, and fair, And train them for the fkies. While VARIOUS PIECES. While they our wifeft hours engage, They'll joy our youth, fupport our age, And crown our hoary hairs ; They'll grow in virtue every day, And they our fondeft loves repay, And recompenfe our cares. No borrow'd joys ! they're all our own, While to the world we live unknown, Or by the world forgot : Monarchs ! we envy not your ftate, We look with pity on the Great, And blefs our humble lot. Our portion is not large, indeed. But then how little do we need, For Nature's calls ate few ! In this the art of living lies, To want no more than may fuffice$, And make that little do. F 2 VARIOUS PIECES. We'll therefore relifli with content, Whate'er kind Providence has fent, Nor aim beyond our power ; For, if our ftock be very fmall, J Tis prudence to enjoy it all, Nor lofe the prefent hour. To be refign'd when ills betide, Patient when favours are deny'd, And pleas'd with favours given j Dear Cloe, this is wifdom's part, This is that incenfe of the heart, Whofe fragrance fmells to heaven. We'll afk no long-protracted treat, Since winter-life is feldom fweet ; But, when our feaft is o'er, Grateful from table we'll arife, Nor grudgecowr fons, with envious eyes* The relics of our ftore. VARIOUS PIECES. 69 Thus hand in hand thro' life we'll go ; Its checker'd paths of joy and woe With cautious fteps we'll tread ; Quit its vain Scenes without a tear, Without a trouble, or a fear, And mingle with the dead. While confcience, like a faithful friend, Shall thro' the gloomy vale attend, And cheer our dying breath ; Shall, when all other comforts ceafe, Like a kind angel whifper peace, And fmooth the bed of death, To fame CHILDREN Itjlemng to a LARK. OEE the Lark prunes his active wings, Rifes to heaven, and {bars, and fings. His morning hymns, his raid-day lays, Are one continued fong of praife, F 3 He 70 VARIOUS PIECES. He fpcaks his Maker all he can, And (names the filent tongue of man. When the declining orb of light Reminds him of approaching night, His warbling vefpers fwell his breaft, And as he fings he finks to reft. Shall birds inftru&ive leflbns teach, And we be deaf to what they preach ? No, ye dear neftlings of my heart, Go, ad the wifer fongfter's part. Spurn your warm couch at early dawn, And with your God begin the morn. To Him your grateful tribute pay Thro' every period of the day. To Him your evening fongs direct ; His eye fhall watch, his arm protect. Tho'- darknefs reigns, He's with you dill, Then fleep, my babes, and fear no ill. To VARIOUS PIECES. 71 To a CHILD of five Tears old, T^AIREST flower, all flowers excelling, -* Which in Milton's page we fee ; Flowers of Eve's embower'd dwelling* Are, my fair one, types of thee. Mark, my Polly, how the rofes Emulate thy damafk cheek ; How the bud its fweets difclofes Buds thy opening bloom befpeak. Lilies are by plain direction Emblems of a double kind j Emblems of thy fair complexion, Embiems of thy fairer mind. But, dear girl, both flowers and beauty Bloflbm, fade, and die away ; Then purfue good fenfe and duty, Evergreens ! which ne'er decay. * Alluding to Milton's defcription of Eve's bower. F 4 On 72 VARIOUS PIECES, On Lord COBHAM'S Garden, TT puzzles much the fages' brains, * Where Eden flood of yore ; Some place it in Arabia's plains^ Some fay it is no more. But Cobham can thefe tales confute, As all the curious know j For he hath prov'd, beyond difpute, That Paradife is Stow. TOMORROW. Percunt ct imputantvir. rpOMORROW, didft thou fay ! * Methought I heard Horatio {ay, Tomorrow, Go to I will not hear of it Tomorrow I 'Tis a fharper, who flakes his penury Againft thy plenty who takes thy ready cafh, And pays thee nought but wifhes, hopes, and promifes, The VARIOUS PIECES. 73 The currency of idiots. Injurious bankrupt, That gulls the eafy creditor ! Tomorrow ! It is a period nowhere to be found In all the hoary regifters of time, Unlefs perchance in the fool's calendar. Wifdom difclaims the word, nor holds fociety With thofe who own it. No, my Horatio, 'Tis Fancy's child, and Folly is its father ; Wrought of fuch fluff as dreams are j and bafelels As the fantaftic vifions of the evening. But foft, my friend = arreft the prefent moments ; For be aflur'd, they all are arrant tell-tales ; And tho' their flight be filent, and their path trackless As the wing'd couriers of the air, They poft to heaven, and there record thy folly. Becaufe, tho' ftation'd on the important watch, Thou, like a fleeping, faithlefs fentinel, Didft let them pafs unnotic'd, unimprov'd. And know, for that thou flumber'dft on the guard, Thou fhajt be made to anfwer at the bar For every fugitive : and when thou thus Shalt (land impleaded at the high tribunal Of 7 f VARIOUS PIECES. Of hood-winkt juftice, who {hall tell thy audit ? Then ftay the prefent inftant, dear Horatio i Imprint the marks of wifdom on its wings. HTis of more worth than kingdoms ! far more precious Than all the crimfon treafures of Hfe's fountain I- Oh ! let it not elude thy grafp, but, like The good old patriarch upon record, Hold the fleet angel faft until he blefs thee. An Mufim to HORACE, Ode XVI. Book II. Inscribed to H. W. Efq. Otrom divo* rogat in paten ti Prenfus JEgxo, fimul atra nubes Condidit lunam> neque certa fulgent Sidera nautis, Sec. O AY, heavenly Quiet, propitious nymph of light, *^ Why art thou thus conceal' d from human fight ? Tiir'd of life's follies, fain I'd gain thy arms, Oh I take me panting to thy peaceful charms ; Sooth my wild foal, in thy foft fetters caught, And calm the furges of tumultuous thought. Thee, VARIOUS PIECES. 75 Thee, goddefs, thee all ftates of life implore, The merchant feeks thee on the foreign (hore : Thro' frozen zones and burning ifles he flies, And tempts the various horrors of the fkies. Nor frozen zones, nor burning ifles control That thirft of gain, that fever of the foul. But mark the change impending ftorms affright, Array'd in all the majefty of night The raging winds, difcharg'd their myflic caves, Roar the dire fignal to th' infulting waves. The foaming legions charge the ribs of oak, And the pale fiend prefents at every ftroke. To Thee the unhappy wretch in pale defpair Bends the weak knee, and lifts the hand in prayer ; Views the fad cheat, and fwears he'll ne'er again Range the hot clime, or truft the faithlefs main, Or own fo mean a thought, that Thou art brib'd by gain. To Thee the harnefs'd chief devotes his breath, And braves the thoufand avenues of death ; Now red with fury feeks th' embattled plain, Wades floods of gore, and fcales the hills of flam ; Now 76 VARIOUS PIECES. Now on the fort with winged vengeance falls, And tempts the fevenfold thunders of the walls* Miftaken man ! the nymph of peace difdains The roar of cannons, and the fmoke of plains : With milder incenfe let thy altars blaze, And in a fofter note attempt her praife. What various herds attend the virgin's gate, Abject in wealth, and impotent in ftate ! A crpwd of offerings on the altar lie, And idly ftrive to tempt her from the Iky : But here the rich magnificence of kings Are fpecious trifles all, and all unheeded things. No outward fhow celeftial bofoms warms, The gaudy purple boafts inglorious charms ; The gold here, confcious of its abject birth, Only prefumes to be fuperior earth. In vain the gem its fparldjng tribute pays, And meanly tremulates in borrow'd rays. On thefe the nymph with fcornful fmiles looks down, Nor e'er elects the favourite of a crown* ^ Supremely great, flie views us from afar, ^ Nor deigns to own a fultan or a czar, . "fe Did VARIOUS PIECES. 77 Did real happinefs attend on ftate> How would I pant and labour to be great ! To court I'd haften with impetuous fpeed; But to be great's to be a wretch indeed. I fpeak of facred truths j believe me T Hugh, The real wants of nature are but few. Poor are the charms of gold a generous heart Would blufti to own a blifs, that thefe impart. 'Tis he alone the mufe dares happy call, Who with fuperior thought enjoys his little all. Within his breaft no frantic paflions roll, Soft are the motions of the virtuous foul. The night in filken {lumbers glides away, And a fweet calm leads in the fmiling day. What antic notions form the human mind I Perverfely mad, and obftinately blind. Life in its large extent is fcarce a fpan, -\ Yet, wondrous frenzy ! great defigns we plan, L And (hoot our thoughts beyond the date of man. J Man" that vain creature's but a wretched elf, And lives at conftant enmity with felf j Swears 78 VARIOUS PIECES. Swears to a fouthern climate he'll repair, But who can change the mind by changing air ? Italia's plains may purify the blood, And with a nobler purple paint the flood ; But can fort zephyrs aid th* ill-fhapen thigh, * Or form to beauty the diftorted eye ? Can they with life inform the thoughtlefs clay ? Then a kind gale might waft my cares away. Where roves the mufe ? 'tis all a dream, my friend, All a wild thought for care, that ghaftly fiend, That mighty prince of the infernal powers, Haunts the frill watches of the midnight hours. In vain the man the night's protection fought, Care flings like pois'nous afps to fury wrought) And wakes the mind to all the pains of thougl Not the wing'd fhip, that fweeps the level main, Not the young roe that bounds along the plain, Are fwift as Care that monfter leaves behind The aerial courier and the fleeter wind ; Thro* every clime performs a conftant part, And {heaths its painful daggers in the heart. Ah! ht, [ Jht. J VARIOUS PIECES. 79 Ah ! why fliould man an idle game purfue, To future May-be's ftretch' the diftant view ? May more exalted thoughts our hours employ, And wifely ftrive to tafte the prefent joy. Life's an inconftant fea the prudent ply With every oar to improve th' aufpicious fky : But if black clouds the angry heav'ns deform, A chearful mind will fweeten every ftorm. Tho' fools expect their joys to flow fincere, Yet none can boaft eternal funfhine here. The youthful chief, that like a fummer flower Shines a whole life in one precarious hour, Impatient of reftraint demands the fight, While painted triumphs fwim before his fight. Forbear, brave youth, thy bold defigns give o'er, Ere the next morn (hall dawn, thou'lt be no more; Invidious death {hall blaft thy opening bloom, Scarce blown, thou fad'ft, fcarce born, thou meet'ft a tomb. What tho', my friend, the young are fwept away, Untimely cropt in the proud blaze of day j 5 Yet 80 VARIOUS PIECES. Yet when life's fpring on purple wings is flown* And the brifk flood a noifome puddle grown ; When the dark eye (hall roll its orb for light, And the roll'd orb confefs impervious night ; When once untun'd the ear's contorted cell, The filver cords unbrace the founding Ihell ; Thy fick'ning foul no more a joy fhall find, Mufic no more fhall flay thy lab'ring mind. The breathing canvas glows in vain for thee, In vain it blooms a gay eternity. With thee the ftatue's boafts of life are o'er, And Csefar animates the brafs no more. The flaming ruby, and the rich brocade, The fprightly ball, the mimic mafquerade Now charm in vain in vain the jovial god With blu&ing goblets plies the dormant clod. Then why thus fond to draw fuperfluous breath, When every gafp protra&s a painful death ? Age is a ghaftly fcene, cares, doubts, and fears, One dull rough road of fighs, groans, pains, and tears. Let VARIOUS PIECES. 81 Let not ambitious views ufurp thy foul, Ambition, friend, ambition grafps the pole. The luftful eye on wealth's bright ftrand you fix, And figh for grandeur and a coach and fix ; With golden ftars you long to blend your fate, And with the garter'd lordling flide in ftate. An humbler theme my penfive hours employs, (Hear ye fweet heavens, and fpeed the diftant joys ! Of thefe poflefs'd I'd fcorn to court renown, Or blefs the happy coxcombs of the town.) To me, ye gods, thefe only gifts impart, An eafy fortune, and a cheerful heart ; A little mufe, and innocently gay, In fportive fong to trifle cares away. Two wifhes gain'd, love forms the laft and beft, And heaven's bright mafter-piece (hall crown the reft. VOL. I. Si VARIOUS PIECES. An EPITAPH upon Mr. THOMAS STRONG* who died en the 26tb of December^ 1736. TN aftion prudent, and in word fmcere, * In friendfhip faithful, and in honour clear ; Thro' life's vain fcenes the lame in every part, A fteady judgment, and an honeft heart. Thou vaunt'ft no honours all thy boaft a mind As infants guilelefs, and as angels kind. When afk'd to whom thefe lovely truths belong, Thy friends fhall anfwer, weeping, " Here lies " STRONG.'* EPITAPH upon Mlfe GEE, IPln died Oftober 25, 1736, Mtat. 28. > nor known to pride, to friends fincere, Mild to thy neighbour, to thyfelf fevere ; 5 Unftain'd VARIOUS PIECES. 83 Unftain'd thy honour and thy wit was fuch, Knew no extremes, nor little, nor too much. Few were thy years, and painful thro' the whole, Yet calm thy paflage, and ferene thy foul. Reader, amidft thefe facred crowds that fleep *, View this once lovely form, nor grudge to weep. O death, all terrible ! how fure thy hour ! How wide thy conquefts ! and how fell thy power ! When youth, wit, virtue, plead for longer reign, When youth, when wit, when virtue plead in vain ; Stranger, then weep afrefh for know this clay Was once the good, the wife, the beautiful, the gay. REBUS. A | S HAT awful name which oft infpires * Impatient hopes, and fond defires, Can to another pain impart, And thrill with fear the ftiudd'ring heart. * The author is fuppofed to be infcribing the character of the deceafed upon her tomb, and therefore crowds that " fleep," mean the dead. G 2 This 84 VARIOUS PIECES. This myftic word is often read O'er the ftill chambers of the dead. Say, what contains the breathlefs clay, When the fleet foul is wing'd away ? Thofe marble monuments proclaim My little wily wanton's name. TOMBS. ,,-v. REBUS. ri'^ H E golden ftem, with generous aid, Supports and feeds the fruitful blade. The queen, who rul'd a thanklefs ifle, And gladden'd thoufands with her fmile (When the well-manag'd pound of gold Did more, than now the fum thrice told;) This ftem of Ceres, and the fair Of Stuart's houfe, a name declare, Where goodnefs is with beauty join'd, Where queen and goddefs both combin'd To form an emblem of the mind. REBUS, VARIOUS PIECES. 85 REBUS. THE light-footed female that bounds o'er the hills, That feeds among lilies, and drinks of the rills, And is fam'd for being tender and true ; Which Solomon deemed a fimile rare, To liken the two pretty breafts of his fair, Is the name of the nymph I purfue. ROE. ANOTHER. rip ELL me the fair, if fuch a fair there be, * Said Venus to her fon, that rivals me, Mark the tall tree, cried Cupid to the Dame, That from its filver bark derives its name ; The iludious infe<5t, that, with wondrous pow'rs, Extracts myfterious fweets from fragrant flow'rs; Proclaim the nymph to whom all hearts fubmit, Whofe fweetnefs foftens majefty and wit. ASHBT. G 3 Some VARIOUS PIECES Some ha/Jy Rhimes on SLEEP. T%,TYSTERIOUS deity, impart *** From whence thou com'ft, and what thou art. I feel thy pow'r, thy reign I blefs, But what I feel, I can't exprefs. Thou bind'ft my limbs, but canftn't reftrain The bufy workings of the brain. All nations of the air and land Afk the foft blefling at thy hand. The reptiles of the frozen zone Are clofe attendants on thy throne; Where painted bafilifks infold Their azure fcales in rolls of gold. The flave, that's deftin'd to the oar, In one kind vifion fwims to fhore j The lover meets the willing fair, And fondly grafps impaffive air. Laft night the happy mifer told . Twice twenty thoufand pounds in gold. The VARIOUS PIECES. 87 The purple tenant of the crown Implores thy aid on beds of down: While Lubbin, and his healthy bride, Obtain what monarchs are denied. The garter'd ftatefman thou wouldft own, But rebel confcience fpurns thy throne ; Braves all the poppies of the fields, And the fam'd gum * that Turkey yields. While the good man, opprefs'd with pain, Shall court thy fmiles, nor fue in vain. Propitious thou'lt his prayer attend, And prove his guardian and his friend. Thy faithful hands fhall make his bed, And thy foft arm fupport his head. * Or rather infpiflated juice, Opium. 04 EREBUS. 88 VARIOUS PIECES. A REBUS. / fi 1 ^ H E name of the monarch that abandon' d his * throne, Js the name of the fair, I prefer to his crown. JAMES. A SONG. ELL me, my Caelia, why fo coy, Of men fo much afraid; Caelia, 'tis better far to die A mother than a maid. The rofe, when paft its damalk hue, Is always out of favour; And when die plum hath loft its blue, It lofes too its flavour. To vernal flow'rs the rolling years Returning beauty bring ; But faded once, thou'lt bloom no more, Nor know a fecond fpring. A SUNDAY VARIOUS PIECES. 89 A SUNDAY HYMN, in Imitation of Dr. Watts* rr\ H I S is the day the Lord of life * Afcended to the ikies ; My thoughts, purfue the lofty theme, And to the heav'ns arife. Let no vain cares divert my mind From this celeftial road ; Nor all the honours of the earth Detain my foul from God. Think of the fplendors of that place, The joys that are on high 5 Nor meanly reft contented here, With worlds beneath the Iky. Heav'n is the birth-place of the faints, To heav'n their fouls afcend j Th' Almighty owns his favourite race, As father and as friend. Oh! 9 o VARIOUS PIECES. Oh ! may thefe lovely titles prove My comfort and defence, When the fick couch fhall be my lot, And death fhall call me hence. An ODE an the MESSIAH, I. "I T THEN man had difobey'd his Lord, ^ Vindictive Juftice drew the fword j The rebel and his race fhall die." He fpake, and thunders burft the Iky. 2. Lo ! Jefus pard'ning grace difplays, Nor thunders roll, nor lightnings blaze, Jefus, the Saviour ftands conferr, In rays of mildeft glories dreft. 3. As VARIOUS PIECES. 91 3- As round Him prefs th' angelic crowd, Mercy and Truth He calls aloud j The fmiling cherubs wing'd to view, Their pinions founded as they flew. 4- " Ye favourites of the throne, arife, " Bear the ftrange tidings thro' the flues ; " Say, Man, th' apoftate rebel, lives j " Say, Jefus bleeds, and Heav'n forgives." 5- In pity to the fallen race, I'll take their nature and their place ; I'll bleed, their pardon to procure, I'll die, to make that pardon fure. 6. Now Jefus leaves his bleft abode, A Virgin's womb receives the God. When the tenth moon had wan'd on earth, A Virgin's womb difclos'd the birth. 7. New 92 VARIOUS PIECES. 7- New praife employs th' ethereal throng, Their golden harps repeat the fong ; And angels waft th' immortal ftrains To humble Bethl'em's happy plains. 8. While there the guardians of the fheep By night their faithful vigils keep, Celeftial notes their ears delight, And floods of glory drown their fight. 9- When Gabriel thus, " Exult, ye u Jefus, your own Mefllah, reigns. Arife, the Royal Babe behold, " Jefus, by ancient bards foretold. 10. " To David's town direct your way, w And fhout, Salvation's born to-day j " There, in a manger's mean difguife, " You'll find the Sovereign of the Ikies." ii. What VARIOUS PIECES. 93 n. What joy Salvation's found imparts, You beft can tell, ye guilelefs hearts ; Whom no vain fcience led aftray, Nor taught to fcorn Salvation's way. 12. Tho' regal purple fpurns thefe truths, Maintain your ground, ye chofen youths ; Brave the ftern tyrant's lifted rod, Nor blufh to own a dying God. What ! tho' the fages of the earth Proudly difpute this wondrous birth ; Tho' learning mocks Salvation's voice, Know, Heav'n applauds your wifer choice. 14. Oh ! be this wifer choice my own ! Bear me, fome feraph, to His throne, Where the rapt foul diflblves away Jn vifions of eternal day. 3 -An. VARIOUS PIECES. An ODE on the NEW YEAR* I. LORD of my life, infpire my fong, To Thee my nobleft powers belong 3 Grant me thy favourite feraph's flame, To ling the glories of thy name. 2. My birth, my fortune, friends, and health, My knowledge too, fuperior wealth ! Lord of my life, to Thee I owe ; Teach me to praclife what I know. 3- Ten thoufand favours claim my fong, And each demands an angel's tongue ; Mercy fits fmiling on the wings Of every moment as it fprings. 4. But VARIOUS PIECES. 95 4 But oh ! with infinite furprife I fee returning years arife ; When unimprov'd the former fcore, Lord, wilt thou truft me ftill with more ! 5- Thoufands this period hop'd to fee ; Deny'd to thoufands, granted me ; Thoufands ! that weep, and wifh, and pray For thofe rich hours I throw away. 6. The tribute of my heart receive, 'Tis the poor all I have to give ; Should it prove faithlefs, Lord, I'd wreft The bleeding traitor from my breaft. EPITAPH VARIOUS PIECES. EPITAPH On JOHN Duke O/BRIDGWATER, Who died in the twenty-firjl Tear of his Age^ 1747-8. TNTENT to hear, and bounteous to beftow, * A mind that melted at another's woe ; Studious to aft the felf-approving part, That midnight-mufic of the honeft heart ! Thofe filent joys th' illuftrious youth poflefs'd, Thofe cloudlefs funfhines of the fpotlefs breaft I From pride of peerage, and from folly free, Life's early morn, fair Virtue ! gave to thee ; Forbad the tear to fteal from Sorrow's eye, Bade anxious Poverty forget to figh ; Like Titus, knew the value of a day, And Want went fmiling from his gates away. The reft were honours borrow'd from the throne; Thefe honours, EGERTON, were all thy own ! A FABLE. VARIOUS PIECES. 97 A FABLE. T T feems, an Owl, in days of yore, "" Had turn'd a thoufand volumes o'er. His fame for literature extends, And ftrikes the ears of partial friends. They weigh'd the learning of the fowl, And thought him a prodigious Owl ! From fuch applaufe what could betide I It only cocker'd him in pride. Extoll'd for faiences and arts, His bofom burn'd to fhew his parts ; (No wonder that an Owl of fpirit, Miftook his vanity for merit.) He fhews infatiate thirft of praife, ....... , , Ambitious or the poet s bays. Perch' d on ParnafTus all night long, He hoots a fonnet or a fong ; And while the village hear his note, They curfe the fcreaming whore-fon's throat, Amidft the darknefs of the night, Our feather'd poet wings his flight, VOL. I. H And, 98 VARIOUS PIECES. And, as capricious fate ordains, A chimney's treacherous furflmit gains ; Which much impaired by wind and weather, Down fall the bricks and bird together. The Owl expands his azure eyes, And fees a Non-con's ftudy rife j The walls were deck'd with hallow'd bands Of worthies, by th' engraver's hands ; All champions for the good old caufe ! Whofe confcience interfer'd with laws ; But yet no foes to king or people, Tho' mortal foes to church and fteeple. Baxter, with apoftolic grace, Difplay'd his metzotinto face ; While here and there fome luckier faint Attain'd to dignity of paint. Rang'd in proportion to their fize. The books by due gradations rife. Here the good Fathers lodg'd their truft ; There zealous Calvin flept in duft. Here Pool his learned treafures keeps ; There Fox o'er dying martyrs weeps ; 5 While VARIOUS PIECES. 99 While reams on reams infatiate drink Whole deluges of Henry's ink. Columns of fermons pil'd on high Attract the bird's admiring eye. Thofe works a good old age acquir'd, Which had in marrufcript expir'd ; For manufcripts, of fleeting date, Seldom furvive their infant ftate. The healthieft live not half their days, But die a thoufand various ways 5 Sometimes inglorioufly apply'd To purpofes the Mufe (hall hide. Or, fhould they meet no fate below, How oft tobacco proves their foe ! Or elfe fome cook purloins a leaf To finge her fowl, or fave her beef; But fermons 'fcape both fate and fire, By congregational defire. Difplay'd at large upon the table Was Bunyan's much-admir'd fable ; And as his Pilgrim fprawling lay, It chanc'd the Owl advanced that way* H 2 Thi ioo VARIOUS PIECES. The bird explores the pious dream, And plays a vifionary fcheme ; Determin'd, as he read the fage, To copy from the tinker's page. The thief now quits his learn'd abode, And fcales aloft the footy road ; Flies to Parnafliis' top once more, Refolv'd to dream as well as fnore ; And what he dreamt by day, the wight In writing o'er, confumes the night. Plum'd with conceit he calls aloud, And thus befpeaks the purblind crowd j Say not, that man alone's a poet, Poets are Owls my verfe fhall {how it, And while he read his labour'd lays, His blue-ey'd brothers hooted praife. But now his female mate by turns With pity and with choler burns ; When thus her confort fhe addrefs'd, And all her various thoughts exprefs'd. Why, prithee, hufband, rant no more, 'Tis time to give thefe follies o'er. Be VARIOUS PIECES. Be wife, and follow my advice Go catch your family fome mice. 7 Twere better to refume your trade, And fpend your nights in anibufcade. What ! if you fatten by your fchemes, And fare luxurioufly in dreams ! While you ideal mice are carving, I and my family are ftarving. Reflect upon our nuptial hours, Where will you find a brood like our's ? Our offspring might become a queen, , For finer Owlets ne'er were feen ! 'Ods blue ! the furly hob reply'd, I'll amply for my heirs provide. Why, Madge ! when Colley Gibber dies, Thou'lt fee thy mate a Laur'ate rife ; For never poets held this place, Except defcendants of our race. But foft the female fage rejoin'd Say you abjur'd the purring kind ; And nobly left inglorious rats To vulgar owls, or fordid cats. H3 102 VARIOUS PIECES. Say, you the healing art eflay'd, And piddled in the doctor's trade ; At leaft you'd earn us good provifions, And better this than fcribbling vifions. A due regard to me, or felf, Wou'd always make you dream of pelf; And when you dreamt your nights away, You'd realize your dreams by day. Hence far fuperior gains wou'd rife, And I be fat and you be wife. But, Madge, tho' I applaud your fcheme, You'd wifh my patients ftill to dream ! Waking they'd laugh at my vocation, Or difapprove my education ; And they deleft your folemn hob, Or take me for profeflbr L -. Equipt with powder and with pill) He takes his licence out to kill. Pra&is'd in all a do&or's airs, To Batfon's fenate he repairs, Drefs'd in his flowing wig of knowledge, To greet his brethren of the college j Takes VARIOUS PIECES. 103 Takes up the papers of the day, Perhaps for want of what to fay ; Thro' ev'ry column he purfues, Alike advertifements and news ; O'er lifts of cures with rapture runs, Wrought by Apollo's natural fons j Admires the rich tjibernian ftock Of doctors, Henry, Ward, and Rock. He dwells on each illuftrious name, And fighs at once for fees and fame. Now, like the dactors of to-day, Retains his puffers too in pay. Around his reputation flew, His practice with his credit grew. At length the court receives the fage, And lordlings in his caufe engage. He dupes, befide plebeian fowls. The whole nobility of owls. Thus ev'ry where he gains renown, And fills his purfe, and thins the town. H 4 Addreffea, 104- VARIOUS PIECES. Addrejjed to a young LADY, whofe favourite Bird was almoft killed by a fall from her Finger. AS Tiney, in a wanton mood, Upon his Lucy's finger flood, Ambitious to be free j With breaft elate he eager tries, By flight to reach the diftant fkies, And gain his liberty. Ah ! lucklefs bird, what tho' carefs'd, And fondled in the fair one's breaft, Taught e'en by her to fmg ; Know that to check thy temper wild, And make thy manners foft and mild, Thy miftrefs cut thy wing. The feather 'd tribe, who cleave the air, Their weights by equal plumage bear, And quick efcape our pow'rj Not fo with Tiney, dear delight, His fhorten'd wing reprefs'd his flight, And threw him on the floor. Stunn'd VARIOUS PIECES. 105 Stunh'd with the fall, he feem'd to die, For quickly clos'd his fparkling eye, Scarce heav'd his pretty breaft ; Alarmed for her favourite care, Lucy afiumes a pehfive air, And is at heart diftreft. The ftoic foul, in graveft ftrain, May call thefe feelings light and vain, Which thus from fondnefs flow; Yet, if the bard arightly deems, 'Tis nature's fount which feeds the Breams That purefl joys beftow. So, fhou'd it be fair Lucy's fate, Whene'er (he wills a change of ftate, To boaft a mother's name j Thefe feelings then, thou charming maid, In brighteft lines {hall be difplay'd, And praife uncenfur'd claim. RIDDLES. ic6 VARIOUS PIECES. RIDDLES. R O M the dark caverns of the earth Our family derive their birth ; By nature we appear to view A rugged and a ftubborn crew. But Vulcan's brawny fons, by art. Soften the hardnefs of our heart ; Give to a (lender fhape its grace, And a bright polifh to our face. Thus education makes us mild. Pliant and ductile as a child. Survey the attire of man, you'll trace Our friendlhip for the human race. We love mankind, indeed we do, Our actions prove our fpeeches true. But what is wondrous ftrange to name, The aged female is our flame. When VARIOUS PIECES. 107 When ftrength decays, and optics fail, And cold and penury prevail, Our labours fpare the matron's fight, We afk but faint fupplies of light. Kindly our ancient girls regale, With food, with fuel, and with ale. We, as aflbciates to mankind, All aft our various parts affign'd. No ufelefs hands cbftruct our fchemes, W^e fuit our numbers to our themes ; Hence only two of us apply, To form a bandage for the thigh j But when the grey induftrious Peg Demands a veftment for the leg, 'Tis then in little crowds we join To aid the matron's wife defign. Thus four or five of us you'll fee, And each as bufy as a bee j Befides a kind affiftant near, Which Peg had ftuck athwart her ear. Now lafles, if our name you'll tell, And vow you'll always ufe us well, We'll tog VARIOUS PIECES, We'll grant your wifh to change your life, And make each fair a happy wife. KNITTING NEEDLE. ANOTHER. f ^ O you, fair maidens, I addrefs, " Sent to adorn your life.; And fhe who firft my name can guefs, Shall firft be made a wife. 2. From the dark womb of mother earth, To mortals' aid I come ; But ere I can receive my birth, I many fhapes afTume. 3. Paffive VARIOUS PIECES. 109 3- Pafiive by nature, yet I'm made As active as the roe j And oftentimes, with equal fpeed, Thro' flowery lawns I go. 4- When wicked men their wealth confume, And leave their children poor, To me their daughters often come, And I encreafe their ftore. 5- The women of the wifer kind, Did never once refufe me ; But yet I never once could find That maids of honour ufe me. 6. The lily hand and brilliant eye, May charm without my aid ; Beauty may ftrike the lover's eye, And love infpire the maid. 7. But no VARIOUS PIECES. 7- But let the enchanting nymph be told, Unlefs I grace her life, She muft have wondrous ftore of gold> Or make a wretched wife. 8. Altho' I never hope to reft, With Chriftians I go forth j And while they worfhip to the eaft, I proftrate to the north. 9- If you fufpe& hypocrify, Or think me infmcere, Produce the zealot, who, like me, Can tremble and adhere. NEEDLE. ANOTHER. VARIOUS PIECES. ANOTHER. T AM by nature foft as filk, -* By nature too as white as milk; I am a conftant friend to man, And ferve him every way I can. When dipt in wax, or plung'd in oil, I make his winter evenings fmile : By India taught I fpread his bed, Or deck his favourite Celia's head ; Her gayeft garbs I oft compofe, And ah ! fometimes, I wipe her nofe. COTTON. ANOTHER. T AM a fmall volume, and frequently bound * In filk, fattin, filver, or gold ; My worth and my praifes the females refound, By females my fcience is told. My 112 VARIOUS PIECES. My leaves are all fcarlet, my letters are fteel, Each, letter contain"? a great treafure ; To the poor they fpell lodging, fuel, and meal, To the rich, entertainment and pleafure. The fempftrefs explores me by day and by night," Not a page but fhe turns o'er and o'er ; Tho r fometimes I injure the milliner's fight, Still I add to her credit and ftore. TIs true I am feldom regarded by men, Yet what would the males do without me ? Let them boaft of their head, or boaft of their pen. Still vain is their boaft if they flout me. NEEDLE BOOK. PSALM VARIOUS PIECES. 113 PSALM XIII. AVFFENDED Majefty ! how long ^-^ Wilt thou conceal thy face J How long refufe my fainting foul The fuccours of thy grace ? While forrow wrings my bleeding heart, And black defpondence reigns, Satan exults at my complaints, And triumphs o'er my pains. Let thy returning fpirit, Lord, Difpel the fhades of night ; Smile on my poor deferted foul, My Godj thy fmiles are light. While fcoffers at thy facred word Deride the pangs I feel, Deem my religion infincere, Or call it ufelefs zeal. VOL. I, I Yet H4 VARIOUS PIECES. Yet will I ne'er repent my choice, I'll ne'er withdraw my truft ; I know thee, Lord, a pow'rful friend, And kind, and wHe, and juft. To doubt Thy goodnefs wou'd be bafs Ingratitude in me ; Paft favours fhall renew my hopes, And fix my faith in Thee. Indulgent God ! my willing tongue Thy praifes fhall prolong ; For oh ! Thy bounty fires my breaft, And rapture fwells my fong. PSALM XLII. * T TIT H fierce defire the hunted hart * * Explores the cooling ftream ; Mine is a paffion ftronger far, And mine a nobler theme. Yes, VARIOUS PIECES. Yes, with fuperior fervors, Lord, I thirft to fee thy face ; My languid foul would fain approach The fountains of thy grace. Oh ! the great plenty of thy houfe, The rich refrefhments there ! To live an exile from thy courts O'erwhelms me with defpair. In worfhip when I join'd thy faints, How fweetly pafs'd my days ! Prayer my divine employment then, And all my pleafure praife. But now I'm loft to every joy, Becaufe detain'd from Thee j Thofe golden periods ne'er return, Or ne'er return to me. I 2 ii6 MARIOUS PIECES. Yet, O my foul, why thus depreft, And whence this anxious fear? Let former favours fix thy tvuft, And check the rifing tear. When darkneft and when forrows rofe, And prefs'd on every fide, Did not die Lord fuftain thy fleps, And was not God thy guide ? Affiilion is *a ftcrmy deep, Where wave refcunds to wave; Tho' o'er my head the billows roll, I know the Lord can fave. Perhaps, before the morning dawns, He'll reinstate my peace ; For He, who bade the tempeft roar, Can bid the tempeft ceafe. Ill VARIOUS PIECES. 117 In the dark watches of the night I'll count his mercies o'er ; I'll praife him for ten thoufand pafl, And humbly fue for more. Then, O my foul, why thus depreft, And whence this anxious fear? Let former favours fix thy truft, And check the rifmg tear. Here will I reft, and build my hopes, Nor murmur at his rod> He's more than all the world to me, My health, my life, my God ! The NIGHT PIECE. T T ARK! the prophetic raven brings *- -*- My fummons on his boding wings j The birds of night my fate foretel,' The prefcient death-watch founds my knell. I A folemn Ii8 VARIOUS PIECES, A folemn darknefs fpreads the tomb, But terrors haunt the midnight gloom ; Methinks a browner horror falls, And filent fpe&res fweep the walls. Tell me, my foul, oh tell me why The faultering tongue, the broken figh ? Thy manly cheeks bedew'd with tears, Tell me, my foul, from whence thefe fears ? When confcious guilt arrefts the mind, Avenging furies ftalk behind, And fickly fancy intervenes, To drefs the vifionary fcenes. Jefus, to thee I'll fly for aid, Propitious Sun, difpel the (hade ; All the pale family of fear Would vanifh were my Saviour here. No VARIOUS PIECES. No more imagin'd fpeclres walk, No more the doubtful echoes talk ; Soft zephyrs fan the neighbouring trees,' And meditation mounts the breeze. How fweet thefe facred hours of reft, Fair portraits of the virtuous breaft, Where lawlefs luft, and paflions rude, And folly never dare intrude ! Be others' choice the fparkling bowl, And mirth, the poifon of the foul ; Or midnight dance, and public fhows, Parents of ficknefs, pains, and woes. A nobler joy my thoughts defign ; Inftruclive folitude, be mine ; Be mine that filent calm repaft, A chearful confcience to the laft. I 4 That 120 VARIOUS PIECES. That tree which bears immortal fruit, Without a canker at the root ; That friend which never fails the juft, When other friends defert their truft. Come then, my foul, be this thy gueft, And leave to knaves and fools the reft. With this thou ever fhalt be gay, And night fhall brighten into day. With this companion in the fhade, Surely thou couldft not be difmay'd ; But if thy Saviour here were found, All Paradife would bloom around. Had I a firm and lafting faith, To credit what the Almighty faith, I could defy the midnight gloom, And the pale monarch of the tomb. Though VARIOUS PIECES. Though tempefts drive me from the fhore, And floods defcend, and billows roar ; Though death appears in every form, My little bark ftiould brave the ftorm. Then if my God requir'd the life Of brother, parent, child, or wife, Lord, I fliould blefs the ftern decree, And give my deareft friend to thee. Amidft the various fcenes of ills, Each ftroke fome kind defign fulfils j And (hall I murmur at my God, When fovereign love directs the rod ? Peace, rebel-thoughts I'll not complain, My father's fmiles fufpend my pain ; Smiles that a thoufand joys impart, And pour the balm that heals the fmart. Though 122 VARIOUS PIECES. Though Heaven affiias, 111 not repine, Each heart-felt comfort ftill is mine ; Comforts that fhall o'er death prevail, And journey with me through the vale. Dear Jefus, fmooth that rugged way, And lead me to the realms of day, To milder fkies, and brighter plains, Where everlafting funftiine reigns. To the Rev. JAMES H E R v E y, on his Meditations, By a Phyfecian. r w\ O form the tafte, and raife the nobler part, * To mend the morals, and to warm the heart j To trace the genial fource we Nature call, And prove the God of Nature friend of all ; Hervey for this his mental landfcape drew, And (ketch'd the whole creation out to view. 5 Th* VARIOUS PIECES. 123 Th' enamell'd bloom, and variegated flow'r, Whofe crimfon changes with the changing hour ; The humble fhrub, whofe fragrance fcents the morn, With buds difclofing to the early dawn ; The oaks that grace Britannia's mountains' fide, And fpicy Lebanon's fuperior * pride ; All loudly fov'reign excellence proclaim, And animated worlds confefs the fame. The azure fields that form th' extended flcy, The planetary globes that roll on high, And folar orbs, of proudeft blaze, combine To act fubfervient to the great defign. Men, angels, feraphs, join the gen'ral voice, And in the Lord of Nature all rejoice. His the grey winter's venerable guife, Its fhrouded glories, and inftru&ive fkies f ; His the fnow's plumes, that brood the fick'ning blade; His the bright pendant that impearls the glade ; The waving foreft, or the whifp'ring brake j The furging billow, or the fleeping lake. * The Cedar. f Referring to the Winter-Piece. The 12* VARIOUS PIECES. The fame who pours the beauties of the fpring, Or mounts the whirlwind's defolating wing. The fcrne who fmiles in Nature's peaceful form, Frowns in the ternpeft, and directs the ftorm. 'Tis thine > bright teacher, to improve the age ; 'Tis thine, whofe life's a comment on thy page ; Thy happy page ! whofe periods fweetly flow, Whofe figures charm us, and whofe colours glow: Where artlefs piety pervades the whole, Refines the genius, and exalts the foul. For let the witling argue all he can, It is religion ftill that makes the man. 'Tis this, my friend, that ftreaks our morning bright ; 'Tis this that gilds the horrors of the night. When wealth forfakes us,, and when friends are few > When friends are faithlefs, or when foes purfue ; 'Tis this that wards the blow, or ftills the fmart, Difarms affli6r.ion, or repels its dart ; Within the breaft bids pureft rapture rife ; Bids fnxrling confcience fpread her cloudlefs fkies. When the ftorm thickens, and the thunder rolls, When- the earth trembles to th' affrighted poles, The VARIOUS PIECES, 125 The virtuous mind nor doubts nor fears aflail ; For ftorms are zephyrs, or a gentler gale. And when difeafe obftrucls the laboring breath ; When the heart fickens, and each pulfe is death ; E'en then religion fhall fuftain the juft, Grace their laft moments, nor defert their duft. Auguft 5, 1748. LINES under a S u N - D i A L in the Cburcb-yard at THORNBY. "\ /T ARK well my fhade, and ferioufly attend "* * "* The filent leflbn of a common friend- Since time and life fpeed haftily away, And neither can recal the former day, Improve each fleeting hour before 'tis paft, And know, each fleeting hour may be thy laft. 126 VARIOUS PIECES. To the Memory Of the Reverend Mr. SAMUEL CLARK, Who died December the 2.6th, aged 42. IN all the intercourfes of humanity He was upright, prudent, and courteous, Compaflionate, kind, and beneficent. In opinion Candid, diffident, and judicious. In argument Calm, ftrong, and perfuafive. Under difficulties and forrows Collected, firm, and refign'd. In friendfhip Faithful, entertaining, and inftructive. In his minifterial capacity He poflefled every valuable and happy talent To rectify the judgment, and improve the heart. He VARIOUS PIECES. 127 He was learned without pride, And pious without oftentation ; Zealous and indefatigable to advance the intereft Of true religion, And the everlafting welfare of thofe who were entrufted To his paftoral care. What ! tho' fuch various worth is feldom known, No adulation rears this facred ftone, No partial love this genuine picture draws, No venal pencil proftitutes applaufe : Juftice and truth in artlefs colours paint The Man, the Friend, the Preacher, and the Saint. VISIONS I N VERSE, FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION O T YOUNGER MINDS. Virginlbus puerifque canto. HOR. VOL. I. CONTAINING, EPISTLE TO THE READER. Vifion I. SLANDER. II. PLEASURE. III. HEALTH. IV. CONTENT. V. HAPPINESS. VI. FRIENDSHIP. VII. MARRIAGE. VIII. LIFE. Uielaft. DEATH. A N EPISTLE TO THE READER. A U T H O R S, you know, of greateft fame, ^ * Thro' modefty fupprefs their name ; And would you wifli me to reveal What thefe fuperior wits conceal ? Forego the fearch, my curious friend, And hufband time to better end. All my ambition is, I own, To profit and to pi cafe unknown; Like ftreams fupply'd from fprings below, Which fcatter bleffings as they flow. Were you difeas'd, or prefs'd with pain, Strait you'd apply to * Warwick-Lane j * College of Phyficians. K 2 The 132 EPISTLE TO The thoughtful doctor feels your pulfe, (No matter whether Mead or Hulfe) Writes Arabic to you and me, Then figns his hand, and takes his fee. Now, fhould the fage omit his name, Wou'd not the cure remain the fame ? Not but phyficians fign their bill, Or when they cure, or when they kill. 'Tis often known the mental race Their fond ambitious fires difgrace. Dar'd I avow a parent's claim, Critics might fneer, and friends might blame. This dang'rous fecret let me hide, I'll tell you every thing befide. Not that it boots the world a tittle, Whether the Author's big or little ; Or whether fair, or black, or brown ; No writer's hue concerns the town. I pafs the filent rural hour, No Have to wealth, no tool to pow'r. My manfion's warm, and very neat j You'd fay, a pretty fnug retreat. My THE READER. 133 My rooms no coftly paintings grace, The humbler print fupplies their place. Behind the houfe my garden lies, And opens to the fouthern fides : The diftant hills gay profpe&s yield, And plenty (miles in ev'ry field. The faithful maftifF is my guard, The feather'd tribes adorn my yard j Alive my joy, my treat when dead, And their foft plumes improve my bed. My cow rewards me all fhe can, (Brutes leave ingratitude to man;) She, daily thankful to her lord, Crowns with ne&areous fweets my board. Am I difeas'd ? the cure is known, Her fweeter juices mend my own. I love my houfe, and feldom roam, Few vifits pleafe me more than home. I pity that unhappy elf Who loves all company but felf, By idle paffions borne away To op'ra, mafquerade, or play ; K 3 Fond i 3 4 EPISTLE TO Fond of thofe hives where Folly reigns, And Britain's peers receive her chains ; Where the pert virgin flights a name, And fcorns to redden into mame. But know, my fair (to whom belong The poet and his artlefs fong) When female cheeks refufe to glow, Farewell to virtue here below. Our fex is loft to every rule, Our fole diftintion, Knave or Fool. 'Tis to your innocence we run ; Save us, ye fair, or we're undone ; Maintain your modefty and ftation, So Women fhall preferve the nation. Mothers, 'tis faid, in days of old Efteem'd their girls more choice than gold : Too well a daughter's worth they knew, To make her cheap by public view : (Few, who their diamonds' value weigh, Expofe thofe diamonds ev'ry day) Then, if Sir Plume drew near, and fmil'd, The parent trembled for her child : The THE READER. 135 The firft advance alarm'd her breaft ; And fancy pi&ur'd all the reft. But now no mother fears a foe, No daughter fliudders at a beau. Pleafure is all the reigning theme, Our noon-day thought, our midnight dream. In Folly's chace our youths engage, And fhamelefs crowds of tott'ring age. The die, the dance, th' intemp'rate bowl With various charms engrofs the foul. Are gold, fame, health, the terms of vice ? The frantic tribes mail pay the price. But tho' to ruin poft they run, They'll think it hard to be undone. Do not arraign my want of tafte, Or fight to ken where joys are plac'd. They widely err, who think me blind, And I difclaim a ftoic's mind. Like yours are my fenfations quite ; I only ftrive to feel aright. My joys, like ftreams, glide gently by, Tho' fmall their channel, never dry j K 4 Keep 136 EPISTLE TO Keep a ftill, even, fruitful wave, And blefs the neighb'ring meads they lave. My fortune (for I'll mention all, And more than you dare tell) is fmall ; Yet ev'ry friend partakes my ftore, And Want goes fmiling from my door. Will forty (hillings warm the breaft Of worth or induftry diftrefs'd ? This fum I chearfully impart; 'Tis fourfcore pleafures to my heart. And you may make, by means like thefe, Five talents ten, whene'er you pleafe. 'Tis true, my little purfe grows light; But then I fleep fo ftveet at night ! This grand fpecific will prevail, When all the doctor's opiates fail. You afk, what party I purfue ? Perhaps you mean, " Whofe fool are you ?" The names of party I deteft, Badges of flavery at beft ! I've too much grace to play the knave, And too much pride to turn a flave. I love THE READER. 137 I love my country from my foul, And grieve when knaves or fools controul. I'm pleas'd, when vice and folly fmart, Or at the gibbet or the cart : Yet always pity, where I can, Abhor the guilt, but mourn the man. Now the religion of your poet Does not this little preface {how it ? My Vifions if you fcan with care, 'Tis ten to one you'll find it there. And if my actions fuit my fong, You can't in confcience think me wrong. SLANDER. [ '38 ] SLANDER. VISION I. Infcribed to Mfs****. Tk If Y lovely girl, I write for you ; * * And pray believe my Vifions true ; They'll form your mind to every grace ; They'll add new beauties to your face : And when old age impairs your prime, You'll triumph o'er the fpoils of time. Childhood and Youth engage my pen, Tis labour loft to talk to Men. Youth may, perhaps, reform, when wrong, Age will not liften to my fang. He who at fifty is a fool, Is far too ftubborn grown for fchool. What is that vice which ftill prevails, When almoft every paflion fails ; Which with our very dawn begun, Nor ends, but with our fetting fun j 5 Which, V I S I O N I. 139 Which, like a noxious weed, can fpoil The faireft flow'rs, and choak the foil ? 'Tis Slander, and, with mame I own, The vice of human kind alone. Be Slander then my leading dream, Tho' you're a ftranger to the theme j Thy fofter breaft, and honeft heart, Scorn the defamatory art ; Thy foul aflerts her native fkies, Nor afks Detraction's wings to rife ; In foreign fpoils let others fhine, Intrinfic excellence is thine. The bird, in peacock's plumes who fhone, Could plead no merit of her own : The filly theft betray 'd her pride, And fpoke her poverty befide. Th' infidious fland'ring thief is worfe Than the poor rogue who fteals your purfe. Say, he purloins your glitt'ring ftore j Who takes your gold, takes c tram' no more ; Perhaps he pilfers to be fed- Ah ! guiltlefs wretch, who fteals for bread ! But 140 SLANDER. But the dark villain, who fhall aim To blaft, my fair, thy fpotlefs name, He'd fteal a precious gem away, Steal what both Indies can't repay ! Here the flrong pleas of want are vain, Or the more impious pleas of gain. No finking family to fave ! No gold to glut th' infatiate knave ! Improve the hint of Shakefpeare's tongue, *Twas thus immortal * Shakefpeare fung. And trufl the bard's unerring rule, For Nature was that poet's fchool. As I was nodding in my chair, I law a rueful wild appear i No verdure met my aching fight, But hemlock, and cold aconite ; Two very pois'nous plants, 'tis true, But not fo bad as vice to you. The dreary profpec"l fpread around ! Deep fnow had whiten'd all the ground ! * Othello. A black V I S I O N I. i 4 A black and barren mountain nigh, Expos'd to ev'ry friendlefs fky ! Here foul-mouth'd Slander lay reclin'd, Her fnaky trefTes hifs'd behind : * A bloated toad-ftool rais'd her head, " The plumes of ravens were her bed :" She fed upon the viper's brood, And flak'd her impious thirft with blood. The rifing fun and weftern ray Were witnefs to her diftant (way. The tyrant claim'd a mightier hoft Than the proud Perfian e'er could boail. No conqueft grac'd Darius' fon f ; By his own numbers half undone ! Succefs attended Slander's pow'r, She reap'd frefti laurels ev'ry hour. * Garth's Difpenfary. f Xerxes, king of Perfia, and fon of Darius. He in- vaded Greece with an army confifting of more than a million of men (fume fay more than two millions) who, together with their cattle, perifhed in great meafure through the inability of the countries to fupjily fuch a vait hoft with provifion. Her 142 SLANDER. Her troops a deeper fcarlet wore Than ever armies knew before. No plea diverts the fury's rage, The fury fpares nor fex nor age. Ev'n merit, with deftruHve charms, Provokes the vengeance of her arms. Whene'er the tyrant founds to war, Her canker'd trump is heard afar. Pride, with a heart unknown to yield, Commands in chief, and guides the field. He ftalks with vaft gigantic ftride, And fcatters fear and ruin wide. So th' impetuous torrents fweep At once whole nations to the deep. Revenge, that bafe * Hefperian, known A chief fupport of Slander's throne, Amidft the bloody crowd is feen, And treach'ry brooding in his mien ; The monfter often chang'd his gait, But march'd refolv'd and fix'd as fate. * Hefperia includes Italy. as well as Spain, and the inhabi- tants of both are remarkable for their revengeful difpofition. Thus V I S I O N I. 143 Thus the fell kite, whom hunger ftings, Now {lowly moves his outftretch'd wings ; Now fvvift as lightning bears away, And darts upon his trembling prey. Envy commands a fecret band, With fword and poifon in her hand. Around her haggard eye-balls roll ; A thoufand fiends poflefs her foul. The artful, unfufpe&ed fpright With fatal aim attacks by night. Her troops advance with filent tread, And ftab the hero in his bed ; Or (hoot the wing'd malignant lie, And female honours pine and die. So prowling wolves, when darknefs reigns, Intent on murder fcour the plains ; Approach the folds, where lambs repofe, Whofe guilelefs breafts fufpeft no foes i The favage gluts his fierce defires, And bleating innocence expires. Slander fmil'd horribly, to view How wide her daily conquefts grew : Around 4 * SLANDER. Around the crowded levees wait, Like oriental flaves of ftate : Of either fex whole armies prefs'd, But chiefly of the fair and beft. Is it a breach of friendship's law To fay what female friends I faw ? Slander aflumes the idol's part, And claims the tribute of the heart. The beft, in fome unguarded hour, Have bow'd the knee, and own'd her pow'r. Then let the poet not reveal What candour wifhes to conceal. If I beheld fome faulty fair, Much worfe delinquents crowded there : Prelates in facred lawn I faw, Grave phyfic, and loquacious law ; Courtiers, like fummer flies, abound j And hungry poets fwarm around. But now my partial ftory ends, And makes my females full amends. If Albion's ifle fuch dreams fulfils, *Tis Albion's ifle which cures thefe ills j Fertile V I S I O N I. 145 Fertile of every worth and grace, Which warm the heart, and flufh the face. Fancy difclos'd a fmiling train Of Britifh nymphs, that tripp'd the plain : Good-nature firft, a fylvan queen, Attir'd in robes of chearful green : A fair and fmiling virgin he ! With ev'ry charm that fliines in thee. Prudence aflum'd the chief command, And bore a mirrour in her hand j Grey was the matron's head by age, Her mind by long experience fage ; Of every diftant ill afraid, And anxious for the fimp'ring maid. The Graces danc'd before the fair j And white-rob'd Innocence was there. The trees with golden fruits were crown'd, And riling flow'rs adorn'd the ground j The fun difplay'd each brighter ray, And fhone jn all the pride of day. When Slander ficken'd at the fight, And fkulk'd away to fhun the light. VOL. i. L PLEASURE; C H6 ] PLEASURE. VISION II. T T E A R, ye fair mothers of our ifle, * -* Nor fcorn your poet's homely ftyle. What tho* my thoughts be quaint or new, I'll warrant that my doctrine's true : Or if my fentiments be old, Remember, truth is fterling gold. You judge it of important weight, To keep your rifing offspring {trait : For this fuch anxious moments feel, And afk the friendly aids of fteel : For this import the diftant cane, Or flay the monarch of the main. And (hall the foul be warp'd afide By paffion, prejudice, and pride ? Deformity of heart I call The worft deformity of all. Your cares to Body are confin'd, Few fear obliquity of Mind. Why VISION II. $47 Why not adorn the better part ? This is a nobler theme for art. For what is form, or what is face, But the foul's index, or its cafe ? Now take a fimile at hand, Compare the mental foil to land. Shall fields be till'd with annual care, And minds lie fallow ev'ry year ? O fmce the crop depends on you, Give them the culture which is due : Hoe every weed, and drefs the foil, So harveft (hall repay your toil. If human minds refemble trees, (As every moralift agrees) Prune all the ftragglers of your vine, Then fhall the purple clutters mine. The gard'ner knows, that fruitful life Demands his falutary knife : For ev'ry wild luxuriant moot, Or robs the bloom, or ftarves the fruit. A * fatirift in Roman times, When Rome, like Britain, groan'd with crimes, * Perfius. L 2 Aflerts 148 P L E A S U R E. Aflerts it for a facred truth, That Pleafures are the bane of youth : That forrows fuch pur fu its attend, Or fuch purfuits in forrows end : That all the wild advent'rer gains Are perils, penitence, and pains. Approve, ye fair, the Roman page, And bid your fons revere the fage ; In ftudy fpend their midnight oil, And firing their nerves by manly toil. Thus fhall they grow like Temple wife, Thus future Lockes and Newtons rife ; Or hardy chiefs to wield the lance, And fave us from the chains of France. Yes, bid your fons betimes forego Thofe treach'rous paths were Pleafures grow; Where the young mind is Folly's flave, Where every virtue finds a grave. Let each bright character be nam'd, For wifdom or for valour fam'd : Are the dear youths to fcience prone ? Tell, how th' immortal Bacon (hone ! Who, V I S I O N II. 149 Who, leaving meaner joys to kings, Soar'd high on contemplation's wings ; Rang'd the fair fields of nature o'er, Where never mortal trod before: Bacon ! whofe vaft capacious plan Befpoke him angel, more than man ! Does love of martial fame infpire ? Cherim, ye fair, the gen'rous fire ; Teach them to fpurn inglorious reft, And roufe the hero in their breaft; Paint Crefly's vanquifli'd field anew, Their fouls {hall kindle at the view i Refolv'd to conquer or to fall, When Liberty and Britain call. Thus mail they rule the crimfon plain, Or hurl their thunders thro' the main ; Gain with their blood, nor grudge the coft, What their degen'rate fires have loft: The laurel thus mail grace their brow, As Churchill's once, or Warren's now. One fummer's evening as I ftray'd Along the filent moon-light glade, L 3 With i50 P L E A S U R E. With thefe reflexions in my breaft, Beneath an oak I funk to reft ; A gentle {lumber intervenes, And fancy drefs'd inftru6tive fcenes. Methought a fpacious road I 'fpy'd, And ftately trees adorn'd its fide j Frequented by a giddy crowd Of thoughtlefs mortals, vain and loud; Who tripp'd with jocund heel along, And bade me join their fmiling throng. I ftrait obey'd Perfuafion hung Like honey on the fpeaker's tongue. A cloudlefs fun improv'd the day, And pinks and rofes ftrew'd our way. Now as our journey we purfue, A beauteous fabric rofe to view, A ftately dome, and fweetly grac'd With ev'ry ornament of tafte. This ftruchire was a female's claim, And Pleafure was the monarch's name. The hall we enter'd uncontroul'd, And faw the queen enthron'd on gold j Arabian V I S I O N II. 151 Arabian fweets perfum'd the ground, And laughing Cupids flutter'd round ; A flowing veft adorn'd the fair, And flow'ry chaplets wreath'd her hair : Fraud taught the queen a thoufand wiles, A thoufand foft infidious fmiles ; Love taught her lifping tongue to fpeak, And form'd the dimple in her cheek; The lily and the damafk rofe, The tincture of her face compofe; Nor did the god of Wit difdain To mingle with the fhining train. Her vot'ries flock from various parts, And chiefly youth refign'd their hearts ; The old in fparing numbers prefs'd, But awkward devotees at beft. Now let us range at large, we cry'd, Thro' all the garden's boafted pride. Here jafmines fpread the filver flow'r, To deck the wall, or weave the bow'r ; The woodbines mix in am'rous play, And breathe their fragrant lives away. L 4 Here 152 PLEASURE. Here rifing myrtles form a fhade, There rofes blufh, and fcent the glade. The orange, with a vernal face, Wears ev'ry rich autumnal grace ; While the young bloflbms here unfold, There fhines the fruit like pendent gold. Citrons their balmy fweets exhale, -^ '' And triumph in the diftant gale. Now fountains, murm'ring to the fong, Roll their tranflucent ftreams along. Thro' all the aromatic groves, The faithful turtles coo their loves. The lark afcending pours his notes, And linnets fwell their rapt'rous throats. Pleafure, imperial fair ! how gay Thy empire, and how wide thy fway ! Enchanting queen ! how foft thy reign ! How man, fond man ! implores thy chain ! Yet thine each meretricious art, That weakens, and corrupts the heart. The childifh toys and wanton page Which fmk and proftitute the ftage ! The VISION II. 153 The mafquerade, that juft offence To virtue, and reproach to fenfe ! The midnight dance, the mantling bowl, And all that diffipate the foul ; All that to ruin man combine, Yes, fpecious harlot, all are thine ! Whence fprung th' accurfed luft of play, Which beggars thoufands in a day ? Speak, forc'refs, fpeak (for thou canft tell) Who call'd the treach'rous card from hell? Now man profanes his reas'ning pow'rs, Profanes fweet friendfhip's facred hours; Abandon'd to inglorious ends, And faithlefs to himfelf and friends ', A dupe to ev'ry artful knave, To ev'ry abject wifh a flave; But who againft himfelf combines, Abets his enemy's defigns. When Rapine meditates a blow, He {hares the guilt who aids the foe. Is man a thief who fteals my pelf ? How great his theft, who robs himfelf ! J54 P L E A S U R E. Is man, who gulls his friend, a cheat ? How heinous then is felf-deceit ! Is murder juftly deem'd a crime ? How1>lack his guilt, who murders time ! Shou'd cuftom plead, as cuftom will, Grand precedents to palliate ill, Shall modes and forms avail with me, When Reafon difavows the plea ? Who games, is felon of his wealth, His time, his liberty, his health. Virtue forfakes his fordid mind, And Honour fcorns to ftay behind. From man when thefe bright cherubs part, Ah ! what's the poor deferted heart ? A favage wild that fliocks the fight, Or chaos, and impervious night ! Each gen'rous principle deftroy'd, And daemons crowd the frightful void ! Shall Siam's elephant fupply The baneful defolating die ? Againft the honeft fylvan's will, You taught his iv'ry tufk to kill. Heav'n, V I S I O N II. 155 Heav'n, fond its favours to difpenfe, Gave him that weapon for defence. That weapon, for his guard defign'd, You render'd fatal to mankind. He plann'd no death for thoughtlefs youth, You gave the venom to his tooth. Blufh, tyrant, blufh, for oh ! 'tis true That no fell ferpent bites like you. The gueds were order'd to depart, Reluctance fat on ev'ry heart : A porter ihew'd a different door, Not the fair portal known before ! The gates, methought, were open'd wide, 7 The crowds defcended in a tide. But oh! ye heav'ns, what vaft furprize Struck the advent'rers' frighted eyes ! A barren heath before us lay, And gath'ring clouds obfcur'd the day ; The darknefs rofe in fmoky fpires ; The lightnings flafh'd their livid fires : Loud peals of thunder rent the air, While Vengeance chill'd our hearts with fear. Five & PLEASURE. Five ruthlefs tyrants fvvay'd the plain, And triumph'd o'er the mangled flain. Here fat Diftafte, with fickly mien, And more than half-devour'd with fpleen : There ftood Remorfe, with thought oppreft, And vipers feeding on his breaft : Then Want, deje&ed, pale, and thin, With bones juft ftarting thro' his fkin ; A ghaftly fiend ! and clofe behind Difeafe, his aching head reclin'd ! His everlafling third confefs'd The fires, which rag'd within his breaft : Death clos'd the train ! the hideous form Smil'd unrelenting in the ftorm : \Vhen ftrait a doleful fhriek was heard ; I 'woke The vifion difappear'd. Let not the unexperienc'd boy Deny that Pleafures will deftroy; Or fay that dreams are vain and wild, Like fairy tales, to pleafe a child. Important hints the wife may reap From fallies of the foul in fleep. And, VISION III. 157 And, fmce there's meaning in my dream, The moral merits your efteem. HEALTH. VISION III. A TTEND my Vifions, thoughtlefs youths, **- Ere long you'll think them weighty truths ; Prudent it were to think fo now ; Ere age has filver'd o'er your brow : For he, who at his early years Has fown in vice, (hall reap in tears. If folly has poflefs'd his prime, Difeafe fliall gather itrength in time ; Poifon (hall rage in ev'ry vein, Nor penitence dilute the ftain : And when each hour {hall urge his fate, Thought, like the do&or, comes too late. The fubje Thou, who haft twenty winters feen, (I hardly think thee paft fifteen) To afk if Happinefs can dwell With every dirty imp of hell ! Go to the fchool-boy, he fhall preach, What twenty winters cannot teach ; He'll tell thee, from his weekly theme, That thy purfuit is all a dream : That Blifs ambitious views difowns, And felf-dependent, laughs at thrones j N 2 Prefers o HAPPINESS. Prefers the (hades and lowly feats, Whither fair Innocence retreats : So the coy lily of the vale, Shuns eminence, and loves the dale. I blufh'd j and now we crofs'd the plain, To find the money-getting train ; Thofe filent, dug, commercial bands, With bufy looks, and dirty hands. Amidft thefe thoughtful crowds the old Plac'd all their Happinefs in gold. And furely, if there's blifs below, Thefe hoary heads the fecret know. We journeyed with the plodding crevr, When foon a temple rofe to view : A Gothic pile, with mofs o'ergrown ; Strong were the walls, and built with ftone Without a thoufand maftiffs wait : A thoufand bolts fecure the gate. We fought admiffion long in vain ; For here all favours fell for gain : The greedy porter yields to gold, His fee receiv'd, the gates unfold. 5 V I S I O N V. xSi AfTembled nations here we found, And view'd the cringing herds around, Who daily facrific'd to Wealth, Their honour, confcience, peace, and health. I faw no charms that could engage ; The God appear'd like fordid age, With hooked nofe, and famifh'd jaws, But ferpents* eyes and harpies' claws : Behind flood Fear, that refllefs fpright, Which haunts the watches of the night ; And Viper-Care, that flings fo deep, Whofe deadly venom murders fleep. We haften now to Pleafure's bow'rs ; Where the gay tribes fat crown'd with flow'rs : Here Beauty every charm difplay'd, And Love inflam'd the yielding maid : Delicious Wine our tafte employs, His crimfon bowl exalts our joys : I felt its gen'rous pow'r, and thought The pearl was found, that long I fought. DeterminM here to fix my home, I blefs'd the change, nor wilh'd to roam : M 3 The 182 HAPPINESS. The Seraph difapprov'd my (ray, Spread her fair plumes, and wing'd away. Alas ! whene'er we talk of blifs, How prone is man to judge amifs ! See, a long train of ills confpires To fcourge our uncontroul'd defires. Like rummer fwarms Difeafss crowd, Each bears a crutch, or each a fhroud : Fever ! that thirfty fury, came, With inextinguilhable flame ; Confumption, fworn ally of Death!' Crept flowly on with panting breath ; Gout roar'd, and inew'd his throbbing feet ; And Dropfy took the drunkard's feat : Stone brought his tort'ring racks ; and near Sat Palfy fhaking in her chair ! J I :; } A mangled youth, beneath a fhade, A melancholy Lene difplay'd : His nofelefe face, -nd loathfome {tains, ProcLun'd the poifon in his veins j He nus'd his eyes, he fmote his breaft, He wept aloud, and thus addrefs'd : Forbear V I S I O N V. 183 Forbear the harlot's falfe embrace, Tho' Lewdnefs wear an angel's face. Be wife, by my experience taught, I die, alas ! for want of thought. As he, who travels Lybia's plains, Where the fierce lion lawlefs reigns, Is feiz'd with fear and wild dif nay, When the grim foe obftru&s his way: My foul was pierc'd with equal fright, My tott'ring limbs oppos'd my flight ; I call'd on Virtue, but in vain, Her abfence quicken'd every pain : At length the flighted angel heard, The dear refulgent form appear'd. Prefumptuous youth ! fhe faid, and frown'd ; (My heart-ftrings flutter'd at the found) Who turns to me relu6lant ears, Shall fhed repeated floods of tears. Thefe rivers fhall for ever laft, There's no retracing what is paft : Nor think avenging ills to fhun j Play a falfe card, and you're undone. N 4 Of 184 HAPPINESS. Of Pleasure's gilded baits beware, Nor tempt the Syren's fatal fnare : Forego this curs'd, detefted place, Abhor the ftrumpet, and her race : Had you thofe fofter paths purfu'd, Perdition, (tripling, had enfu'd : Yes, fly you ftand upon its brink ; To-morrow is too late to think. Indeed unwelcome truths I tell, But mark my facred leflbn well : With me whoever lives at ftrife, Lofes his better friend for life j With me who lives in friendfhip's ties, Finds all that's fought for by the wife. Folly exclaims, and well (he may, Becaufe I take her mafk away ; If once I bring her to the fun, The painted harlot is undone. But prize, my child, oh ! prize my rules, And leave deception to her fools. Ambition deals in tinfel toys, Her traffic gewgaws, fleeting joys ! An V I S I O N V. 185 An arrant juggler in difguife, Who holds falfe optics to your eyes. But ah ! how quick the fhadows pafs ; Tho' the bright vifions thro' her glafs Charm at a diftance ; yet, when near, The bafelefs fabrics difappear. Nor Riches boaft intrinfic worth, Their charms at beft, fuperior earth : Thefe oft the heav'n-born mind enflave, And make an honeft man a knave. " Wealth cures my wants," the Mifer cries 5 Be not deceiv'd the Mifer lies : One want he has, with all his ftore, That worft of wants ! the want of more. Take Pleafure, Wealth, and Pomp away, And where is Happinefs ? you fay. 'Tis here and may be yours for, know I'm all that's Happinefs below. To Vice I leave tumultuous joys, Mine is the ftill and fofter voice ; That whifpers peace, when ftorms invade, And mufic thro' the midnight (hade. Come 6 HAPPINESS, Come then, be mine in ev'ry part, Nor give me lefs, than all your heart; When troubles .difcompofe yo^r feveaft, I'D enter there a chearful gucft : My converfe fhall your cares begufte, The little world within fhafTfmiie'} * V And then it fcarce imports a jot, Whether the great world frowns or not. And when the cloflng fcenes prevail, When wealth, ft are, pleaiure, all fhall fail ; All that a foolifti world admires, ^ : <..: '. i- ; HM j^-r-b'viioob ion aif. Or pafiion craves, or pride mfpires; <( jiJf{ '4 Jtisw At that important hour of need, Virtue fhall prove a friend indeed ! My hands fhall fmooth thy dying bed, My arms fuftain thy drooping head : And when the painful ftruggle's o'er, And that vain thing, the World, no more ; I'll bear my fav'rite fon away To rapture, and eternal day. FRIENDSHIP. [ *7 1 FRIENDSHIP. VISION VI. T^RIENDSHIP ! thou foft, propitious pow'r! * Sweet regent of the focial hour ! Sublime thy joys, nor underftood But by the virtuous and the good ! Cabal and Riot take thy name, But 'tis a falfe affected claim. In heav'n if Love and Friendfliip dwell, Can they affbciate e'er with hell ? Thou art the fame thro' change of times, Thro' frozen zones, and burning climes : From the aequator to the pole, The fame kind angel thro' the whole. And, fmce thy choice is always free, I blefs thee for thy finiles on me. When forrows fwell the tempeft high, Thou, a kind port, art always nigh ; For 1 88 FRIENDSHIP. For aching hearts a fov 'reign cure, Not foft Nepenthe * half fo fure ! And when returning comforts rife, Thou the bright fun that gilds our fkies. While thefe ideas warm'd my breaft, My weary eye-lids ftole to reft ; When Fancy re-aflum'd the theme, And furnifli'd this inftructive dream. I fail'd upon a ftormy fea, (Thoufands embark'd alike with me) My fkiffwas fmall, and weak befide, Not built, methought, to flem the tide. The winds along the furges fweep^ The wrecks lie fcatter'd thro' the deep; Aloud the foaming billows roar, Unfriendly rocks forbid the fhore. While all our various courfe purfue, A fpacious ifle falutes our view. * Nepenthe is an herb, which being infufed in wine, difpels grief. It is unknown to the moderns ; but fome believe it a kind of opium, and others take it for a fpecies of buglofs. Plin. Two V I S I O N VI. 1% Two queens, with tempers differing wide, This new-difcover'd world divide. A river parts their proper claim, And Truth its celebrated name. One fide a beauteous trat of ground Prefents, with living verdure crown'd. The feafons temp'rate, foft, and mild, And a kind fun that always fmil'd. Few ftorms moleft the native? here j Cold is the only ill they fear. This happy clime, and grateful foil, With plenty crowns the lab'rer's toil. Here Friendfhip's happy kingdom grew, Her realms were fmall, her fubjeb few. A thoufand charms the palace grace, A rock of adamant its bafe. Tho' thunders roll, and lightnings fly, This ftru&ure braves th* inclement fky. Ev'n Time, which other piles devours, And mocks the pride of human pow'rs, Partial to Friendship's pile alone, Cements the joints, and binds the flone ; Ripens 90 FRIENDSHIP. Ripens the beauties of the place ; And calls to life each latent grace. Around the throne, in order ftand Four Amazons, a trufty band ; Friends ever faithful to advife, Or to defend when dangers rife. Here Fortitude in coat of mail J There Juftice lifts her golden fcale ! Two hardy chiefs ! who perfevere, With form erecl:, and brow fevere ; Who fmile at perils, pains, and death, And triumph with their lateft breath, Temp'rance, that comely matron's near, Guardian of all the Virtues here; Adorn'd with ev'ry blooming grace, Without one wrinkle in her face. But Prudence moft attracts the fight, And {nines pre-eminently bright. To view her various thoughts that rife, She holds a mirrour to her eyes ; The mirrour, faithful to its charge, Reflects the virgin's foul in large. 7 A Virtue V I S I O N VI. 15 A Virtue with a fofter air, Was handmaid to the regal fair. This nymph, indulgent, conftant, kind, Derives from Heav'n her fpotlefs mind; When actions wear a dubious face, Puts the beft meaning on the cafe ; She fpreads her arms, and bares her brea% Takes in the naked and diftrefs'd j Prefers the hungry orphan's cries, And from her queen obtains fupplies. The maid, who ad-b this lovely part, Grafp'd in her haftd a bleeding heart. Fair Charity ! be thou my gueft, And be thy conftant couch my breaft. But Virtues of inferior name, Crowd round the throne with equal claim; In loyalty by none furpafs'd, They hold allegiance to the laft. Not ancient records e'er can fhow That one defcrted to the foe. The river's other fide difplay'd Alternate plots of flow'rs and (hade, Where J9 2 FRIENDSHIP. Where poppies flione with various hue, Where yielding willows plenteous grew ; And Humble * plants, by travelers thought With flow but certain poifon fraught. Beyond-thefe fcenes, the eye defcry'd A powerful realm extended wide, Whofe bound'ries from north-eaft begun, And ftretch'd to meet the fouth-weft fun. Here Flatt'ry boafts defpotic fway, And bafks in all the warmth of day. Long practis'd in Deception's fchool, The tyrant knew the arts to rulej Elated with th' imperial robe, She plans the conqueft of the globe ; And aided by her fervile trains, Leads kings, and fons of kings, in chains. Her darling minifter is Pride, (Who ne'er was known to change his fide) A friend to all her interefts juft, And active to difcharge his truft ; * The Humble plant bends down before the touch (as the Senfitive plant fhrinks from the touch) and is faid by forae to be the flow poifon of the Indians. , * Carefs'd V I S I O N VI. 193 Cafefs'd alike by high and low, The idol of the belle and beau : In ev'ry fliape, he fhews his (kill, And forms her fubje&s to his will } Enters their houfes and their hearts, And gains his point before he p^rts* Sure never minifter was known So zealous for his fov'reign's throne ! Three fitters, fimilar in mien, Were maids of honour to the queen : Who farther favours fhar'd befide, As daughters of her ftatefman Pride. The firft, Conceit, with tow'ring creft, Who look'd with feorn upon the reft j Fond of herfeif, nor lefs, I deem, Than dUchefs in her own efteem. Next Affectation, fair and youngi With half-form'd accents on her tongue, Whofe antic (napes, and various face, )iftorted every native grace. Then Vanity, a wanton maid, Flaunting in Bruffels and brocade ; VOL. I. O Fantaftic, i 9 4 FRIENDSHIP. Fantaftic, frolicfome, and wild, With all the trinkets of a child. The people, loyal to the queen, Wore their attachment in their mien : With chearful heart they homage paid, And happieft he, who moft obey'd. While they, who fought their own applaufe, Promoted moft their fov'reign's caufe. The minds of all were fraught with guile, Their manners diflblute and vile ; And every tribe, like Pagans, run To kneel before the rifing fun. But now fome clam'rous founds arife, And all the pleafing vifion flies. Once more I clos'd my eyes to fleep, And gain'd th' imaginary deep j Fancy prefided at the helm r And fteer'd me back to Friendfliip's realm* But oh ! with horror I relate The revolutions of her ftate. The Trojan chief cou'd hardly more His Afiatic tow'rs deplore. For V I S I O N VI. T 9S For Flatt'ry view'd thofe fairer plains, With longing eyes, where Friendfhip reigns, With envy heard her neighbour's fame, And often figh'd to gain the fame. At length, by pride and int'reft fir'd, To Friendship's kingdom fhe afpir'd. And now commencing open foe, She plans in thought fome mighty blow ; Draws out her forces on the green, And marches to invade the queen. The river Truth the hofts withftood, And roll'd her formidable flood : Her current ftrong, and deep, and clear, No fords were found, no ferries near : But as the troops approach'd the waves, Their fears fuggeft a thoufand graves ; They all retir'd with hafte extreme, And fhudder'd at the dang'rous ftream. Hypocrify the gulph explores j She forms a bridge, and joins the fhores. Thus often art or fraud prevails, When military prowefs fails* 02 Th & FRIENDSHIP. The troops an eafy paflage find, And Vid'ry follows clofe behind. Friendship with ardour charg'd her foes, And now the fight promifcuous grows ; But Flatt'ry threw a poifon'd dart, And pierc'd the Emprefc to the heart. The Virtues all around were feen To fall in heaps about the queen. The tyrant ftript the mangled fair, She wore her fpoils, aflum'd her air ; And mounting next the fufPrer's throne, Claim'd the queen's tides as her own. Ah ! injur'd maid, aloud I cry'd, Ah ! injur'd maid, the rocks reply 'd ; But judge my griefs, and (hare them too, For the fad tale pertains to you j Judge, reader, how fevere the wound, When Friendfliip's foes were mine, I found ; When the fed fcene of pride and guile Was Britain's poor degen'rate ifle. The Amazons, who propp'd the ftate, Haply furviv'd the gen'ral fate. Juftice V I S I O N VI. ,197 Juftice to Powis-Houfe is fled, And Yorke fuftains her radiant head. The virtue Fortitude appears In open day at Ligonier's j Illuftrious heroine of the fky, Who leads to vanquifh or to die ! 'Twas fhe our vet'rans breafts infpir'd, When Belgia's faithlefs Tons retir'd : For Tournay's treach'rous tow'rs can tell Britannia's children greatly fell. No partial virtue of the plain ! She rous'd the lions of the main : Hence * Vernqn's little fleet fucceeds, And hence the gen'rous f Cornwall bleeds ! Hence J Greenville glorious ! -for (he fmil'd On the young hero from a child. Tho' in high life fuch virtues dwell, They'll fuit plebeian breafts as well. * At Porto Bello. f- Againft the combined fleets of France and Spain. J Died in a later engagement with the French fleet. O 3 Say, 198 FRIENDSHIP. Say, that the mighty and the great Blaze like meridian funs of ftate j Effulgent excellence difplay, Like Hallifax, in floods of day; Our lefier orbs may pour their light, Like the mild crefcent of the night. Tho' pale our beams, and fmall our fphere, Still we may mine ferene and clear. Give to the judge the fcarlet gown, To martial fouls the civic crown : What then ? is merit their's alone ? Have we no worth to call our own ? Shall we not vindicate our part, In the firm breaft, and upright heart ? Reader, thefe virtues may be thine, Tho' in fuperior light they fhine. I can't difcharge great Hardwick's truft True but my foul may ftill be juft. And tho' I can't the ftate defend, I'll draw the fword to ferve my friend. Two golden Virtues are behind, Of equal import to the mind j Prudence, V I S I O N VI. 199 Prudence, to point out Wifdom's way, Or to reclaim us when we ftray j Temp'rance, to guard the youthful heart, When Vice and Folly throw the dart; Each Virtue, let the world agree, Daily refides with you and me. And when our fouls in friendfliip join. We'll deem the focial bond divine ; Thro* ev'ry fcene maintain our truft, Nor e'er be timid or unjuft. That breaft, where Honour builds his throne, That breaft, which Virtue calls her own, Nor int'reft warps, nor fear appalls, When danger frowns, or lucre calls. No ! the true friend collected ftands, Fearlefs his heart, and pure his hands. Let int'reft plead, let ftorms arife, He dares be honeft, though he dies. O4 MARRIAGE. [ 200 ] . ' *. MARRIAGE, VISION VII. Jnfcnbed to Mfs****. TT^AIREST, this vifion is thy due, * I form'd th' inftrulive plair for you. Slight not the rules of thoughtful age, Your welfare a&uates every page ; But ponder well my facred theme. And tremble, while you read my dream. TWe awful words, 'Till death do part," May well alarm the youthful heart : No after-thought when once a wife } The die is caft, and caft for life ; Yet thoufands venture ev'ry day, As fome bafe paflion leads the way. Pert Silvia talks of wedlock-fcenes, Tho' hardly enter'd on her teens ; Smiles on her whining fpark, and hears The fugar'd fpeech with raptur'd ears j Impatient v i s i o N vn. 201 Impatient of a parent's rule, She leaves her fire and weds a foal. Want enters at the guardlefs door, And Love is fled, to come no more. Some few there are of fordid mould, Who barter youth and bloom for gold ; Carelefs with what, or whom they mate, Their ruling paffion's all for irate. But Hymen, gen'rous, juft, and kind, Abhors the mercenary mind : Such rebels groan beneath his rod, For Hymen's a vindictive god j Be joylefs ev'ry night, he faid, And barren be.their nuptial bed. Attend, my fair, to Wifdom's voice, A better fate {hall crown thy choice. A married life, to fpeak the beft, Is all a lottery confeft : Yet if my fair one will be wife, I will infure my girl a prize ; Tho' not a prize to match thy worth, Perhaps thy equal's not on earth. 'Tis 02 MARRIAGE. 'Tis an important point to know, There's no perfe&ion here below. Man's an odd compound, after all, And ever has been fince the Fall. Say, that he loves you from his foul, Still man is proud, nor brooks controul. And tho' a flave in Love's foft fchool, In wedlock claims his right to rule. The beft, in fhort, has faults about him, If few thofe faults, you muft not flout him. With fome, indeed, you can't difpenfe, As .want of temper, and of fenfe. For when the fun deferts the fkies, And the dull winter evenings rife, Then for a hufband's focial pow'r, To form the calm, converfi ve hour ; The treafures of thy bread explore, From that rich mine to draw the ore ; Fondly each gen'rous thought refine, And give thy native gold to fhine j Shew thee, as really thou art, Tho' fair, yet fairer (till at heart* Saj, VISION VII. 203 Say, when life's purple bloflbms fade, As foon they muft, thou charming maid ; When in thy cheeks the rofes die, { And ficknefs clouds that brilliant eye ; Say, when or age or pains invade, And thofe dear limbs mall call for aid j If thou art fetter'd to a fool, Shall not his tranflent paflion cool ? And when .thy health and beauty end, Shall thy weak mate perfift a friend ? But to a man of fenfe, my dear, Ev'n then thou lovely malt appear ; He'll mare the griefs that wound thy heart, And weeping claim the larger part ; Tho' age impairs that beauteous face, He'll prize the pearl beyond its cafe. In wedlock when the fexes meet, Friendmip is only then compleat. " Bleft ftate ! where fouls each other draw, " Where love is liberty and law !" The choiceft blefling found below, That man can wifh, or Heaven beftow ! Truft 2 When Fortune, to reftrain his pride, And fond to favour Love befide, Op'ning the mifer's tape-ty'd veil, 1 Difclos'd the Cares which ftung his breaft i Wealth flood abafh'd at his difgrace, And a deep crimfon flufh'd his face. Love fweetly fimper'd at the fight, His gay adherents laugh'd outright. The god, tho' grave his temper, fmil'd, For Hymen dearly priz'd the child. But he who triumphs o'er his brother, In turn is laugh'd at by another. 5 Such VISION VII. 211 Such cruel fcores we often find Repaid the criminal in kind. For Poverty, that famifli'd fiend ! Ambitious of a wealthy friend, Advanced into the Mifer's place, And ftar'd the {tripling in the face ; Whofe lips grew pale, and cold as clay ; I thought the chit would fwoon away. The god was ftudious to employ His cares to aid the vanquifh'd boy ; And therefore ifTu'd his decree, That the two parties ftrait agree. When both obey'd the God's commands, And Love and Riches join'd their hands. What wond'rous change in each was wrought, Believe me, fair, furpafies thought. If Love had many charms before, He now had charms, ten thoufand more. If Wealth had ferpents in his breaft, They now were dead, or lull'd to reft. Beauty, that vain affected thing, Who join'd the hymeneal ring, P 2 Approach'^ a CARRIAGE. Approach'd with round unthinking face, And thus the trifler ftates her cafe. She faid, that Love's complaints, 'twas k Exa&ly tally'd with her own > That Wealth had learn'd the felon's arts,. And robb'd her of a thoufand hearts ; Defiring judgment againft Wealth* For falfehood, perjury, and ftealth ; All which fhe cou'd on oath depofe, And hopM the court would flit his nofe. But Hymen, when he heard her name, Call'd her an interloping dame}. Look'd thro' the crowd wkh angry ftate^ And blam'd the porter at the gate, For giving entrance to the fair, When (he was no eflential there. To fmk this haughty tyrant's ptide, He order'd Fancy to prefide. Hence, when debates on beauty rife, Af\d each bright fair difputes the prize, To Fancy's court we ftrait apply, And wait the fentence of her eye ; In VISION VIII. 213 In Beauty's realms fhe holds the feals, And her awards preclude appeals. LIFE. VISION VIII. T" E T not the young my precepts fliun ; *' Who flight good counfels, are undone. Your poet fung of Love's delights, Of halcyon days and joyous nights ; To the gay fancy lovely themes ; And fain I'd hope they're more than dreams. But, if you pleafe, before we part^ I'd fpeak a language to your heart. We'll talk of Life, tho' much, I fear, Th* ungrateful tale will wound your ear. You raife your fanguine thoughts too high, And hardly know the reafon why : P 3 But 214 L I F E. But fay Life's tree bears golden fruit, Some canker (hall corrode the root; Some unexpefted ftorm fhall rife; Or fcorching funs, or chilling fkies ; And (if experienc'd truths avail) All your autumnal hopes fhall fail. as cuftom led, With reading, till the time of bed ; Where Fancy, at the midnight hour, Ag~In difplay'd her magic pow'r, (For know, that Fancy, like a fpright, Prefers the filent fcenes of night.) She lodg'd me in