5189 PSia 1785 D == 1 1 Q — ~ -i, 1 1 l°Bl I ^^^=s 1 1 ^^^=> 1 1 ^r~r ■ H A ^^^= "H 1 Pratt Landscapes in verse LANDSCAPES IN VERSE. TAKEN IN SPRING. b y THE AUTHOR OF SYMPATHY. THIRD EDITION. L O N D O N i PRINTED I? OR T. BECKET, PALL-MALL, M.DCC.LXXXT, pp. G^ ERRATUM. Page 7, 1. 12, for brook, readgrafs. A R G M E N T. Abfence of Cleone : Its Effe&s on Theodorus, an Enthufiaft. The imagery chiefly fought by, and moft defirable to, feparated Lovers. — Addrefs to the Mufes. — Invocation to Fancy :—— — Her Power varioufly illuftrated; — Fa- voursTHEODORUS by painting Cleone as prefent. — Landscapes : — Morning; the Cliff the Mountain.^— the Mead the Style the River— the Orchard the Cottage and Cottagers the Fir-Grove— —the different Objects and Scenery defcriptive of and belonging to each. Age nor and Fanny, an Epifode.— — Sunfhine and Cloud :— Happinefs and Mifery. — Theo- dorus continues his Landfcapes The Lake, &c. &c. The Power and In- fluence of the Lyre upon the Imagination and thePaffions: — Ambition — Re- venge— Jealoufy — Genius — Friendfhip and Love — Confolatory Ode; &c. fee. LANDSCAPES IN VERSE. /^ LEONE loft!— though loft but till the moon, On her blue throne with crefcent ray (hall fhine, (O fpace eter nal to th* enam our'd heart ! ) Young Theodorus, — of his paflion proud, And fondly nurfing ev'ry woe it brings, Proud of the facred lyre, — Affection's friend — Sorrow and Love's aflbciate — from the world Withdrawn — thus tun'd th' enthufiaft lay. n Sim 6 LANDSCAPES Sun, veil thy beams! nor with unwelcome light Pierce the deep folitude my foul has found Sacred to Love, to Silence, to Cleone. Arch over arch let woven verdure fpread: Thicken thy darkeft foliage round my bower, O Nature, Goddefs of this green recefs ! Folly, obtrude not on my virtuous fighs, Sighs, from which Folly ever muit be free, For when did Folly love ? or when fhall know The cheriftVd Grief th at fhuns fociety, Feeds on her faithful tears, andjjnds _a charm, Where Folly fears to t read, b ut Love del igjits (In abfence of the nymph ador'd) to dwell. P.ifTi on's pale haunts, all hail! — The forefl: gloom?, Whofe tenfold umbrage midft the blaze of noon IN VERSE. Sheds utter darknefs: — The chill cell of Him, Who holds no farther converfe with the world i The cavern'd rock, which opes its fhaggy jaws Befide the main, to drink the foaming wave:— The hut of fhepherd on the blafted heath, Where Pleafure's eye turns /righted from the wafte,- And the keen winds, which here find no controuly Tear up the hardy ThifUe by its root, Tho' native of the defert: — The fcath'd tree, Black wi th the pairing lightnings : — The deep deli Bumy and unfrequented, where the ftreams Work their flow paflage thro' the tangled brook: — The cyprefs grove: — The church-yard guarding yews Waving o'er recent graves, ev'n while the moon Shines on the grafly bed of mouldering friend, Where 8 J. A N D 3 <* APES Where oft we chill ortr bofoms with the dews That bathe his turf: — The fudden-opening tomb That {hews to Fancy's eye the mivcring form, Dead and alive at once, of her who late Fill'd our bereaved arms : PafTion's pale haunts, Again, all hail! Here Tiieodorus paus'd, But foon to Melancholy's fofter note, Suiting his lyre, th* attemper'd (train began. Ah me I with what a leaden pace the hours Lag on, retarding with their cumbrous wings, When firff divided from the nvmph we love! Yet fleeter than the tracklefs lightning's flame, Speed the quick minutes when we court their flay ; IN V E fc. S E. And ere th' impaflion'd vow, at morning feal'd On fair Cleone's lip, can be enfhrin'd Upon my heart, Love's faithful regifler, The warning watch-bell from yon jealous jower, Tolls out the parting knell. But now, alas! Ah ! that his pinion fafter than the light Could port to our next meeting! — Surly Time Acrofs his fhoulder hangs the vacant fcythe Upon his idle crutch fufpended leans, And with the lingering ftep of /looping age Lengthen^ each flagging moment to a year! Come then, ye Mufes, forrow-foothing Maids, Ye who can pencil high the future joy! Come, with Imagination's pregnant flore Of 10 LANDSCAPES Of young ideas, tender-tinted flowers Of fragrance heavenly fvveet, and hue divine, Come, with foft Confolation : — O, defcend, And bring along, companion ever-lov'd Fancy — the brighteft of th' setherial hoft, She, who in vifionary robes of light, Sky-woven, and of texture exquifite, Finer than threaded fun-beams — k now'ft to dieh Anew ', that pa rted blifs, which in the urn Of yefter da y was clos'd; ihe who revives What Time has torn away ; who can reftore The dead, — the buried — fuch is tranfport loft: — Blefled enchantrefs! who by Mem'ry's aid Canft bid the raptures of the paft arife, Unblemiih'd from the tomb, in all their charms. Fancy, IN VERSE. i Fancy, attend! for thou, magician fair, The angel form of her my foul adores, Canft place before my eyes. And foft: methinks, Led on by thee, I have her in my view; Lo! there her gracious image! we trace back, By thee affifted, O feraphic guide ! Each hal low M ftep to re collection dear:^ And tho* the fpace of many a gloomy league Cruel divides me from her gentle hand, Benignant Thou haft lock'd it faft in mine, And bids it give me back the thrilling touch That fpeaks a kind return; or lays it foft Upon the breaft which fcarcely holds the heart, That in fweet tumult trembles at the preflure. 1 1 And n LANDSCAPES And now, again, by thy celeflial power We tafte together morning's balmy gale, And dafli the early dew-drop from the thorn; We mark the maiden verdure of the fpring Juft burfting from the buds — her violets cull Where blue they bloom in fair humility — Emblems of virgin grace and modeft worth — The loveliefl: tenants of the lowlieft hedge Vet fweeter than the proudeft flower, that grows ; Child of ambition, on the mountain's top. Now flow along the bloffom'd dale we go Wooing fequefter'd Silence, where fhe fits Embow'r'd with fhrubs (impervious to the ken Pf eyes which keep their worfhip for the world) Refuge IN VERSE. 13 Refuge of tender hearts, who ftill muft fear (So delicately white th' unfullied glofs Of innocence in love and faith engag'd) To " fpot its fnowy mantle,*" mould it mix With the mad multitude, where paffions fell, And ftrangers to their bofom, enter wild, Like Sin and Death in Paradife, to jar On the foft mufic of according fouls ! Together now we climb th' afpiring brow Of yonder tow'ring cliff, where zephyrs bland Come frefh from heav'n to greet us: — there arriv'd, Ev'n at the fkyey fummit, far irom men And near the breath of Gods, we reft awhile j * Sterne. C Ah I H LANDSCAPES Ah! paufe to memory precious; grac'd, perchance. With ev'ry fond endearment honed Love Dare aflc, or innocent Affection give: The joy of admiration undifturb'd; — The ardent gaze of fondnefs o'er the fact That blooms a thoufand graces on the look, As deep attention draws the varying blufh; — The thrilling glance, that in the trembling heart Stirs the deep figh, and pierces ev'ry fenfe With aching rapture Love alone can feel; — The touch which holieft Innocence allows, A touch, tho* lighter_thanjhc goffamer, Or the thin down that from the thiftle flies When fummer zephyrs fport, can fhake the frame More than the hurricane the bending reed; — IX VERSE. 3 j The faultering accent; — Paffion's lavifli praife, Ah! gracious Flattery! — Silence too, that pleads Beyond what Tully fpoke — an eloquence Unborrow'd of the tongue, which every heart In love interprets, feels conviction flrong, That language never yet (tho' breath'd from lips Where Science dwelt, and Harmony her feat Hadfix'd, to win and to inform the ear) Could boaft — the filent Eloquence of Love. Again he paus'd : again renew'd the fong. But foft! methinks we now delighted trace The varied beauties of the vale below, Where art and nature rival wonders give, C 2 Each j 6 LANDSCAPES Each prodigal of objedts meet to lure The roving eye, which travels o'er the whole. Lo! Fancy now is feated on the hill, To etch the vernal landfcape, as it fpreads In one unbounded profpect from the bower And neighb'ring fount, facred to Love fincere : Ev'n there, methinks, we now together Hand At radiant morn, charm 'd with thefe varied views; The dwindled city half conceal'd in fmoke: — Mortals diminifh'd, — to the blufli of pride — Hurrying like bufy emmets thro' the ftrect: — The cultur'd gardens glittering in the dew : — The fcarce-diftinguifh'd hufbandman, who bends [*o drefs the grateful foil: — The quiet flicep Which IN VERSE. 17 Which on th' adjacent mountain feem to hang Their fleeces on its fides: — The duiky car, The interfering roads, whofe whit'ning gleam Contrail the verdure of the fmiling meads: — The river, like a ferpent, twining fair In many a lucid labyrinth, glowing now With Morn's reflected beam, now fombrous made By darkling fhadows as they flit along j nvifter than gliding fpectres : — The fmall cots, Abodes of wholefome labour — where we fee How few, how cheap, and eafily fupply'd The real wants of man: — The pillar'd domes, Abodes of wealth and grandeur — which difplay Necefllties that nature never form'd: — A gorgeous wafte of proud magnificence! — And i a \ r D S C A P E S And tail we note the intermixing fanes, Abodes of rapt devotion — which the fun, As confcious of their fandity, inverts With orient light, that like a glory plays Upon the holy Jpjre , and fain t ed tower ! Next, Fancy wanders with us down the flope, In variegated blooms and verdure rich, To yonder path, that in the bottom lies, Which clad in tendered green, fcarce fhews the print Of Love's light ftep, beneath whofe preflure fmooth Springs many a flower, which in life's beaten road Refufe to grow, or fhed their modeft fweets Too fragrant for the world. No founds are here But low of heifer, bleat of lambkin mild, Matin IN VERSE. 19 Matin of warbling bird, or lapfe of rill, Whofe fcarce-heard murmur, like the tender plaint Of fome fond youth juft parted from his nymph, Wailing a moment's abfence, iighs fo foft 'Tis tearful pleafure. Now we view the ftile, A fimple branch of maple plac'd aflant, Ruftic and unadorn'd; near which the May-bufh waves Its virgin blofToms, while beneath its made Wild flow'rs, in love with water, faintly lend Their fcanty effcnce, bathed in the brook Which, by the foot-ftone, trickles to the verge Of the fair river, who with eafy flow Glides lilent on, and oft, in palling, greets His aged willows, that in waiting feem To bow their bare and venerable heads Along £0 LANDSCAPES Along his tufted banks. x\h ! fpot fercne! Here by the various charm of nature bound, Each object ftealing fwift into the heart, By potent Truth impell'd, by Fancy fir'd, Soften'd by Love, by all in union met, That fills the eye with Pamon's blifsful tear, The breaft with tranfport, and the foul with joys, Which few of this bad world, alas! (hall feel, Cleone tries her pencil, fketching fair The Paradife fhe mares : — The landfcape lives Beneath her magic touch: — And lo! the glen Skirting the lucid ftream, where flow'ring fhrubs, The hawthorn hedge, and many an orchard tree, Whofe antique trunks, with moffy coats are wrapt, While from their arms, irregular and old, Burfts IN VERSE. %i Burfts the young blolTom, like the ruddy bloom That temperance fixes in the wholefome cheek Of blamelefs age: Soft peers, thro* foliage deep, The ruffet dwelling of an antient pair. Who thrice ten fmiling years, beneath its roof, (Blufh gay and great ones of a jarring world!) Have led a virtuous life of wedded Love! In days of nuptial diffonance and ftrife, This pattern, rare and high, Cleone views, And plucking foft the unadorned latch, Enters the cot, where love with nature reigns Far from the city artifice: — the pair We find, with all their progeny around, In goodly rows affembled at the board Of buxom health, who fpreads the light repafl, D Which 2c LANDSCAPES Which hofpitality, (fuch as of yore Our Antient Britons, lov'd, ere courtier pomp The once wide opening door invidious clos'd With importunings fweeu, invites to mare. Their offer'd boon accepted, we furvev Silvan Simplicity her graces lend To clear Content, who in the herdfman's hut (Which fcorns the gilding of felicity) Refides with real Happinefs a friend, Ev'n as an Houfhold Goddefs, ever near With gentle hand, to blefs this couple blythe, To pour the fpirit of the frefheit gale Upon the modeft rofe that humbly blows Around their dwelling fmall: — from the clean fpring That IN VERS E. %i That lends its little tide, the purell: Areata To draw, for ufe or pleafure: — o'er the couch To died the fvveeteft deep from night till morn, Light as the filent dews that fall in both. And now we liften to the honed tale Of cottage fondnefs, and of cottage faith Told by the matron, while the fhepherd fwain (Inftrucled well to read the fecret heart) Traces with (kill, even to its rofy fource, The crimfon flufli that paints Cleone's cheek, As, by the fcene fubdued, I feem more clofe To fold her tender form: — This counfel kind Diftill'd at length like honey from his lip: " Yes, youth and maiden, I can fee yonr hearts D 2 «« Twine ■H LANDSCAPES 44 Twine round each other like your circling arms:— " Behold! in us, a pair grown old together, " Our morning tender, and our evening true; " Then live and l ove, as we have lov'd and liv* d ;— " Go with our mutual bleffing on your heads; " And when in richer domes, ye fee pale Care " Lift her proud crefl: to cheat the gaping croud *' With fpecious mews of rapture, feldom found " In palace or in hut — then foftly fay, " As many a year remote when we are laid " Beneath the verdant turf, ye hither come, " Here dwelt the Couple of the Cot; — here oft " We fat us down in courtfhip's blooming hour, " And fwore, if Hymen eVr fhould join our hands, ' To live as faithful, and to love as long." All IN VERS E, All thefe, and yet a thoufand more, of power To charm the fond enthufiaft, Fancy lends: — And now again fhe bears us on her wings, Glofly with dyes, more vivid than the hues Which in the rainbow vary, to frefh fcenes. Under her guidance, foon, fecure we reach. Ah! fweet remembrance ! yonder breezy down Stretch'd like a lawn, full many a verdant rood Of velvet fod compos *d ; — hard by a grove Of all-enduring firs, their ample rows Extend in fair array; — thither we fpeed, There woo the umbrage, whofe immortal leaves Outlive the wintry blafl:; — along the grafs Unfunn'd, of darkeft green, and hung with dew n - That 26 LA N D S C A P E S That chills the length 'ning glade, ptniive we go, Penfive, yet pleas'd ; for gentle Love attend Our pilgrim fteps: and w here Lov e deigns to lead, S mooth is the rock, and midnight darkne fs fmiles. At length upon a feat of moffy ftone Rcfting, we liften to the uhifper'd gale That (ighs amongft the trees; — lo ! now it plays On my Cleone's cheek, or fportive hides In her luxuriant treffes, meriting Th' actherial vifitant; — and hark! we hear Another gueft afforted to the fcene. The widow'd Turtle mourns amongft: the boughs, That echo to her fobs; and from the vale The village bell with melancholy found Rings IN VERSE. Rings out the knell of death: — at every paufe The difmal tone admits, my throbbing heart Suggefts to Fancy's ftartled ear, the hour, When fhe who is now feated by my fide (On the due motion of whofe wholefome pulfe My being hangs) fhall wake a note like this! O as I turn affrighted thought this way, Horror its icy tear upon my cheek Congeals; I draw the object of my griefs More near my breaft, on which the lafl: cold drop Of my Cleone's life appears to fall, And the foft orbs, which now their gentle beams Lambent with love, dart on my inmoft foul The light of tendernefs, {hall fhine no more. 27 Alas LANDSCAPES Alas! the blood that feeds my mourning heart Seems wrefted from its courfe: — Strange fhudders feize My lab'ring frame, and in her fate, my own Glooms in dark characters upon my brow: Cleone feels the change;— and in her eye, Of unaffected fympathy the fhrine, Where nature's genuine incenfe fweetly flows In fcorn of art — her imitation vile — Springs the foft tear that hurries to her lip, On which it hangs like dew-drops on the rofe. I'll kifs it off. " O frail mortality! " Thy flowrets bloom about the human heart " Like flender blofToms on the flighteft flem • < Which IN VERSE. 29 44 Which Flora's breath may wound! ev'n as the leaf " Of afpin young, that fhivers in the gale 44 With which Aurora plays, when firft fhe fheds, " At earlieft tinge of aromatic dawn, " Frefh gather'd fragrance over earth and heav'n ! " Qh ! of_ what filken texture haft thou wov e " Man's proudeft hop_es!_ to which, the waving film 44 Whofe light web floats acrofs the glowing mead, 44 The radiant net-work of a fummer da y, 44 Is as a mafilve chain, compact and flrong! "O frail! O weak! O poor Mortality!" Ev'n in this felf-fame fpot, (by memory hung With deepeft glooms) — this melancholy fpot — — N ow 30 LANDSCAPES Now many a variegated year elaps'd, On autumn's verge and at the evening hour, Such were the accents burfting on my ear, As from a void — for no apparent form Th' aftonifh'd eye that fearch'd the fcene around Could trace "O frail mortality!" The breeze refum'd, in repetition ftrong, Diftincl: and aweful — " Frail mortality!" Re-echo'd thro' the hollow of the grove, That grove, of late fo redolent of blifs, Whifp'ring the voice of love. — At length I faw, From the furrounding foliage rufhing forth Into the darkeft path, a fable form In mourning garments — his diforder'd locks Half veil'd his vifage — vehement and loud, Temperate IN VERSE. 31 Temperate and fad, by turns, he wept, or rav'dj Ev'n as fome ghoft had burfl: th* unquiet vault Haunting the murderer. Oft he quicker ftrode, Spurning the ground ; and as he fvvept along Would rend th' oppofmg branches — lam the air With the torn boughs, then throw them as in fcorn Upon the founding earth — then raife his arms — Then clench his hands in horror; till his grief, Like fome vaft bed of waters, fathomlefs, Flow'd filent, in the depths of agony For clamour too profound: — 'Twas dumb defpair. Anon the paffing bell with fullen tone_ Knoll'd thro' the firsj — the falling (hades of night Began to thicken round: — the fwelling winds Bore the dead notes upon their viewlefs wings Piercing 32 LANDSCAPES Piercing the man of forrow, who aghaft Broke fhort his ftep, and, as by light'ning fmote, Stood fix'd, with palms uplifted: — with foft voice I fpake — he heard not — with a gentle ftep I crofs'd his path — his eyes were bent on heav'n:— He faw me not — his vifion was above! And next appear'd, winding th' eventful avenue, Neareft the church-way, a fepulchral train Amidft the torches light; which to the view Difclos'd a coffin, whofe deep-folded pall Six weeping damfels held, while fix fad youths Beneath, in fable robes, their burthen bent, Noting the funeral of fome gentle maid, < Nw / Like the fweet fnow-drop, earlieft child of fpring, By the firft gale, untimely fvvept away. The IN VERSE. The man of forrow law, and mudd'ring; fell. Ev'n at the bare foot of yon aged tree, The vvither'd monument that marks the fcene. The ftranger lay, cold as the corpfe he mourn'd, That corpfe fo lov'd, fo honour'd, fo deplor'd! But O! if thou canfl pity, hear the talc: If thou canfl love, give to th' hiftoric mufe Thy lift'ning foul, while (he in anguifli paints Thy changeful day — '* O frail mortality!" 33 In Fanny's form, the graces of her heart Were painted fair: her beauty and her worth, Each of excelling kind, were all her dow'r: — To fortune born, and not of humble birth. Birth, 34 LANDSCAPES Birth, fortune, and the fummerjri ends they bring, The fools they buy, or flatteries they bribe, By the ftrong arm of iharp adverfity That on her father prefs'd, were all deltroy'd: A narrow cottage, and an ample foul, That would a palace fill with generous deeds, Were now her fire's poffeffions — fave a wife, Choice of his youth, and honour of his age, That grac'd his filver hair — fave this fair maid, Pledge of their mutual faith, their mutual joy; Who like a precious gem, from ocean fav'd, Amidrt: the general wreck, with virtuous hand Lin'd the parental couch with filial down More white, more foft, than what the cygnet drops Upon the fummer ftream. In hope's fair May, While IN VERSE. 35 While yet the profpect fmil'd, Agenor lov'd, And fpoke his welcome flame: — the blooming youth Was by the blooming maid belov'd again: — But when he faw the fmiling profpect low'r, And Fanny's golden hopes upon the wing Of the dark tempeft tofs'd in defert air, Shrunk he away? — Say, doft thou think he flew Faft as that drenching florin, like the vile flave Whofe foul for ever grovels in the drofs That fta ins the mine? — O no! he lov'd the more: And as the chilling gale began to blow, The clouds to gather, and the rain to pour, He drew her nearer to his (helt'ring breaft, And fpread more wide the refuge of his arms. Who ever purchas'd love, by aught but love ? 131 u lh, 36 LANDSCAPES Blufh, bankrupt gold, at what is ev'n beyond Thy giant grafp: — He woo'd her gentle heart, He woo'd and won it. By their parents blefs'd, v/ Blefs'd in themfelves, and in their love too blefs'd, — Unfpotted love, — they wait the feftal hour, That feftal hour all redolent with blifs, For which young Fancy twines her faireft wreathe. It comes, it comes! its odorous plumes prepare To fpread abroad — for on the morrow's dawn, (Which foon mall fee a blufhing rival bloom In Fanny's cheek) all things were fix'd to wed. Ah interval of every foft excefs The human heart can prove! fufpence divine! Fill'd with each ardent hope and rofeate fear, Where INVERSE. 37 Where Pleasure meets her antient foe, meets Pain, With fuch unwonted fmiles upon his brow, His temples bound with Tweet-briar, to denote As well the fragrant leaf as pointed thorn, (Emblem of wedded blifs and mifery) Pleasure herfelf the myftic garland takes, And grants a truce, and is in league with Pain: So (oft the figh, fo fweet the tear he brings, When virgin Innocence by manly Truth Is led to Hymen's altar. And ah ! fee, Behold! the meek eve, that foreruns that morn : " Yet, yet awhile, a few thin fliades between, " And thou art mine for ever.;" cried the youth. F Meanwhile j8 LANDSCAPES Meanwhile th* approving fire and aged dame Beftir themfelves, with all a parent's zeal, To deck the bridals, and to drefs the bower, Fit to receive whom Eden might admit, "Where Raphael, with the firft. betrothed pair Was wont to fit in blifsful Paradife Commiflion'd from above. The redd'ning we ft Announc'd the fetting fun, and mellower tints Painted the firmament: Sirius all day His flaming car had driven along the fky With kindling rage. But now the Breeze of eve. From her cool grotto, ventur'd forth to dip Her feathers in the rill, and in the air To take her twilight circuit : as flie fliook IN VERSE. 39 Her humid pinions, nature felt reftor'd Thro' all her works; for valley, hill, and ftream, Bird, beafl, and man, the balmy efTence hail'd! Seafon of univerfal calm ! all breath'd Ambrofia. — Ah! what an hour for love — Now almoft: wedded love — to fleal unfeen From all eyes but their own! — Such fvveets to taite, Walk'd forth Agenor and his deflin'd bride. Now tell their happinefs, ye blefled few Who e'er have felt true paffion, felt your hearts Beat quick with tranfport at the coming dawn, Ev'n as ye feem to reach the deareft point Of all your Fancy ever imag'd fair: — O tell the extacy which now they fhar'd, Beneath 4« LANDSCAPE S Beneath the luftre of the rifing moon, Arm wreath'd in arm, and- foul tofoulconjoind'! But who, alas! may truft the coming dawn? Or, for the joys which Fancy paints fo fair, Rely upon to-morrow ?' Who could yet Chain up the tempeft? Who, when not a breeze. Difturbs the azure furface of the main, Can fay, To-morrow mall be calm ? Ah me ! The goodly hopes of earth, and air, and feas, Are on the mercy of a moment flung; And often — when their profpeccs fhine molt bright,, And the believing heart their promifes Like nectar quaffs, eager as drinks the lark The fun's firfl ray, while moid with morning dew — The IN VERSE. The fweeping whirlwind is moft near: — It comes; (Tears up the cherifh'd flower we fondly nurs'd Ev'n in our bofom?, where wc faw it bloom With Hope's fbft tears bedewing it) it comes, And all is duft: — " O frail humanity 1" JLur'd by the fong of Philomel, who poured' Into their fouls her folitary chaunt, (Which feem'd to mourn fomc dear Agenor loft) The lovers wander'd long, and fighing drank Bach forrowing plaint; but as the cadence clos'd, Homeward they wended ; yet whene'er the lay,,. Refponfive to the murm'ring of the ftream That flow'd befide, renew'd the tuneful woc^ As if by fpell attracted tow'rds the fpot,. 41 Ther 42 LANDSCAPE S They linger'd on the brink — when fwift the clouds Refum'd the fultry power — a dead'ning heat Without a found, and night without a flar, Its raven veil and raven omens fpread; Trembling the breeze, trembling the moon withdrew i Big, burning drops, where claming elements, Water and fire, (as if incorporate) Appear'd to blend — the ftorm's fierce minifters, Wild, favage winds, fell lightnings, and the powers Of rolling thunder, their dire paflime took In the aflonifh'd air. Of nature's works Tremendous, thefe, to Fanny's gentle foul The mofl — her foul tho' innocent and pure As ikies without a cloud — from the dread fliock Of fulphurous combuflion fhe lhrunk appall'd. Loud IN VERSE. 43 Loud rav'd the hurricane : the firft keen flam, Shuddering fhe faw defcend in fpiral flame, Then mount and fettle on Agenor's breaft, Which like a comet ftream'd : — a fecond came, And 'thwart his vifage fhot a livid glare Corfe-like and horrible to human view. •■ Have mercy, heav'n," (he cried:— "he dies!— he dies!" Then fhriek'd and ran— ran whither? darknef s wrapt The troubled pool, fave when at intervals, The lightning blaz'd — Agenor mad'ning call'd Th' affrighted fugitive, but calPd in vain, For foon a plunge in the contiguous ftream ( That ftream fo pl acidjate,jyhere zephyx bathjdl Was heard, and next a piteous voice that plain'd For inftant aid : — that inftant aid to give, <;enor 44 LANDSCAPES Acenor dafh'd into th* aceurfed brook, With piercing tone exclaiming "God of earth, 14 Of waters, and of heav'n! O help to fave 41 This drowning lilly!" Then with eager ftrejtcl.' That iliook the pool he fwam, uttering more loud " I come, my foul, I come! O hither turn — "This faithful bofom be thy plank to fhore, " Thefe arms extended to their utmofl verge— ^ " Yet ah! they reach thee not — thy fafeguard fure! ' My flerious Providence! a different way Poor Fanny floated!* — but at length, with voice Like dying martyr's fweet, {he faintly cried. " Where art thou, love? alas! thy Fanny dies, " But dies Agenor's — on his bofom then, " In his dear arms, O.let me breathe my laft!" Directed IN VERSE, 45 Directed by the found, the youth now Sprung Swifter than light can travel thro' the flood; Her fhivering form — in agony of grief, Mix'd with faint hope, he caught, he felt the heart Beat in thofe faithful arms — thofe faithful arms Held, as he reach'd the bank, his Fanny's corpfe! Then while he kifs'd the cold clay o'er and o'er, Wild hurrying to the cot — raving, he cried, " O that this vital warmth into thy frame " Could be infus'd, my Fanny — that this air u Which feeds my hated life could thine reftore — ■ " Ah! as I breathe into thy pale, pale lip, " Re-animated Being — dead! quite dead!'' — • G Prone #6 LANDSCAPES Prone on the earth, cv'n with her lovely corpfe In his embrace, he fell — then ftarting rofe And halted onward. Frantic, to the hut He bore his watry burthen — on the bed — (By a fond matron's hands fo late prepar'd To fold a virtuous pair — with flow'rets gay, May blooms, and all the incenfe of the fpring, Cull'd by a father's hand) frantic, he laid This lovelier flower than ever Eden grew, Or Paradife could boait — frantic, he clung Around the brcathlefs body of the maid, In death as life ador'd — and frantic ftill, Alas! he lives — if life it may be call'd, From fair fociety fliut out — the pride Of man's fupremacy fhook from its feat, IN VERSE. 47 Yet memory left to tremble o'er the paft : — If this be life, he lives; in yonder dome Thou may'ft behold the ruins of Agenor, Ruins that afk no fetter, clank no chain: His rage is fled — fad Melancholy's power Has made his breafl: her manfion — there fhe broods And rears her gloomy throne — and mixes fighs, And mingles tears, and blends her groans \vith his. While Melancholy feems, alas! to love Whom thus fhe grieves : but he, poor lucklefs youth, Soften'd by fuffering, finds a charm in woe; And oft he calls upon his Fanny loft, And oft in myftic characters he carves Her fancied image on the walls around; Then tells how bleft he is, if chance he fhapes G 2 From 48 LANDSCAPES From ftraw-made pillow, or from rufhy couch, Some gift or garland that may fpeak his love. Hail to the happier parents! — they are laid In their pure graves, befide their angel child: And feeif thou not, that He whom late we left, At the dread found of Fanny's pafiing bell, At the dread view of Fanny's coffin'd pall, Sunk on the bare foot of yon aged tree, Was poor Agenor's felf, who phrenzied fled Ere Fanny for her laft home from the cot Was mov'd along the firs, where firfr. began Our tender tale: — O frail mortalily ! . Yet from our tender tale this moral clean : — Ah learn! even in the bofom of delight, To IN VERSE. 49 To take each proffer'd good with pious awe : Should fair Felicity inviting hold Her nectar'd cup full flowing to thy lip, Let not pale Fear rejecft the fmiling boon, Left evils may enfue — hut fliould they come, Should Hope's gay fun which fuckles every flower In life's mix'd garden, his blefs'd beams withdraw, (Even as the bloflbms promife golden fruit) O think on Fanny's and Acenor's life; By their try'd faith and goodnefs fhape thine own; Then, tho* like theirs, thy death be terrible, As dark upon thy ftartled foul rt ftrike, Here thou mayft fuffer : — but there is no heaven, (*And that there is, earth, fkies, and deeps, declare) • '* And that there is, all nature cries aloud." Addison. Th err 5 o LANDSCAPES There is no God, if goodnefs fuch as theirs Meet not eternal recompence above. Cleone footh'd, and Fancy flill a friend, Young Theodorus thus purfued his lay: — i — Fir-grove farewell! — for homeward now r we bend Our matin ftep, along the down-hill path That ftcals into the town: We view the wall, Along whofe top the deathlefs laurel fhews Its gloffy foliage, facred to the lyre. With verdure old o'ergrown we note the gate Of Gothic arching, mantled in the mofs, With clinging ivy crown'd, and many a fhrub That, fpurning culture, vegetates on ftone, Mineral IN VERSE. Mineral or fpar, or bloom-forbidding rock ! Sturdy companions of the barren wafte, That artlefs bloflbm where the tender flower, Helplefs and delicate, would fade and die : Like the foft nurfling lillies of the world, That afk the mildeft foil, the gentleft breeze, The fondefl care, and wither inthe ftorm, Which hardier plants, accuftom'd to the wild And feafon'd to the elements of life, Would brave. Lo! in perfpedtive fair, Contrafting yonder poplars' vivid rows, Where well-arrang'd the villa (bines complete. The cluft'ring yew-trees wave the funeral branch Of never-changing green ; — while ancient oaks, Forefathers of the fliade, their patriarch arms 5t sStretch b 2 LANDSCAPES Stretch 'thwart the dell, where many a fathom down Glooms the Hill lake, acrofs whofe furface dun, Haunted by penfive water-fowl alone, The fable moor-hen houfing in the fedge, Or querulous fparrow of the humid reeds) Slopes the fad willow, weeping as me dips, In the dark ftream her me lancholy b oughs . Amidlt this varied fcenery we fit A world within ourfelves — till forc'd at laft To feek the city, the fair landfcape fades Till morning blooms: Such, Fancy, are thy gifts; Thus thou redeem'ft remembrance of the paft, At once delicious, dreadful, fadly dear, Commixture ftrong of agony and joy, Tranfcendent both, and cherifli'd both by love, Whofe INVERSE. 53 Whofe very griefs are precious: — Take then, take Thy vot'ry's thanks, pour'd from the fervid heart, And in the defolate hour of abfence dear, Be ever prefent, and be ever kind! Nor deem, ye Maids Pierian, that I flight Your gentle visitations: — ye who oft, In the drear hour of darkadverfity Have help'd my trembling hands to tune the lyre, - And chear'd my penfive fpirit with your ftrains. Sweet as the founds, and dulcet as the voice Of melting love — Ye whofe aetherial harps, Tun'd to the mufic of your native fphercs, Oft, when the paflions blew their loudefl florin, And keen afflictions roll'd their blackcfl wave, H Have 44 LANDSCAPES Have wak'd Companion's pang-relieving tones, Honied as voice of cherubim, and fmoothe As the dove's plumage — ev'n the Dove of Peace j Upon whofe downy breaft, the troubled foul, Lull'd by thy magic fong, forgets its rage, Feels itj griefs hufli'd, and finks fubdu'd t,o reft. Hail! holy Nine! ye progeny of heav'n! Daughters of Light and Love! fair as the orb That opes the foul of day, — whofe orient beam, With tuneful infpiration fraught, ye quaff, O ever throbbing to your touch divine, Which paints the veft of Spring with brighter hues, Her lily's cup in purer white arrays, Tinges with tenderer pale her cowuip's bell; And IN VERSE. 55 And on her rofe-buds frefher vermeil throws, Beats my fond heart! — 'Tis ye, who round the fun, The fun your parent — bind with filial care, A zone more radiant, and from ye the moon Borrows a mellower tint, the air a balm More foft, ocean a greener robe, and earth — Thro' all her rich doma in of wood and ftream, Cloud-piercing mountain, and exuberant vale, Fantaftic water-fall, and vaulted cave, The glowing powers that gem her central mines, And ev'ry flow'r which on her furface blooms — To ye owe grace and beauty — Chief your fway Th' obedient Passions feel: — Humanity, Thro' all her wond'rous mazes, to the Mufe H 2 Heaps $6 LANDSCAPES Heaps tribute large and holy, catching, charm'd, Lofty enthufiafm from her raptur'd lyre. Rous'd by the fpirit, breathing in her fhell, Forth from the panting heart, her votive train With incenfe to her beauteous fhrine advance; Ambition, as he rufhes up the fteeps 0[ tow 'ring life, in pride of youthful days, To win the warrior, or the patriot wreath, Midway in his career fufpends his ftep, Lift'ning the note that fwells to honest praife, Then onward preflfes to the funny brow, Where Fame awaits to crown him: — Mad Revenge, Aw'd by the threat'ning lyre, awakes from dreams, Where IN VERSE. Where his vex'd fpirit thro' the troublous night Had tofs'd thro' feas of blood, while Murder drew In vifion dire th' affaflin's reeking blade Soul-foften'd, fee he drops the inflrument, And weeps upon the breaft he meant to ftain :— Ev'n Jealousy, that maniac of the mind, His pale lip quiv'ring to his dark intents,— Intents which mark for death the maid he loves, — (Haply for glance mifdeem'd, or dubious word, Tortur'd to fenfe perfidious) fhould thy voice, Like to th* Almighty fiat, bid the ftorm Forbear to rage; — O fhould thou touch the chord, And thro' thy melting lute bid Pity breathe Her foftefl mufic of forgiving love — The furious youth like one entranced ftands, 57 Till -. 8 LANDSCAPES Till Areams of tendereft anguifli o'er his cheek, Like gentle fhowers upon the with'ring ihrub Smote by the torrid beams of fultry noon, Begin to flow, till lily'd Constancy (That flower of Paradife while blefs'd) adorns The idol of his heart — and foon he flies With fond repentance to her faithful arms. Fir'd by th' aetherial Mufe, young Genius foars An eagle flight to crop thy own-lov'd plant, Where, fofter'd midft. the regions of the fun, And water'd by the confecrated ftream, It grows to crown the favor 'd bard, who wins Thy partial fmile — O univerfal power, Tis thine to gild pale Poverty's chill hut, Smooth the dark brow that glooms on wan difeafe, Thine IN VERSE. Thine is the tear of woe, the fmile of joy, Of focial life thine ev'ry gracious charm; Untutor'd Nature, midft her favage wilds, Carols with artlefs note thy wond'rous praifej In friendship's facred boWer, and in the path Of rofy love, thy flow'rets fweet diffufe Immortal fragrance, and immortal bloom. Defcend then, O inhabitants of heav'n, In all the colours of the glowing morn, When May with fragrance fills the vernal gale ! And foft — in robes of variegated light, Where blended tints of azure and of gold, With many a filver clouding, forms a couch In yonder iky, I fee the train Parnaflean, 59 With 6c LANDSCAPES With each the fymbol of her magic fway, (Still Fancy grae'd and Honour as their chief) Sit in aflemblage fair — Lo! now they fpread Their burnifh'd pinions, by the air upborn; And hark! what mufic from their vocal (hell, Floats on the downy bofom of the breeze : NO more, fond youth the ftrains prolong, Break off, break off, the plaintive fong; With mandate high from fpheres above, Our golden harps are ftrung to Love ! In ev'ry flow'r that nature blows, Breeze that fans, and wave that flows; On earth, in ocean, and in air, Love is the fov'reign blifs, the univerfal prayer. *Tis IN VERSE. 61 'Tis Love fuftains the ftarry choir, Love is the elemental fire; Ah ! naught in thy mortality, Nor ev'n in our eternity, Like Love can charm, like Love can blefs, The fun and foul of happinefs; Love is to ev'ry Mufe allied, Touches each tuneful chord, and fpreads the chorus wide. 'Tis ours to waft the Lover's fighs, Swift to the Nymph for whom they rife; And gently as we ftrike the firing, Convey the Nymph's on rofy wing. Abfence, tho' it wounds, endears, Soft its forrows, fweet its tears; Pains that pleafe, and joys that weep, Trickle like healing balm, and o'er the bofom creep. I Love Cz LANDSCAPES Love and Sorrow, Twins, were born On a (Lining fhow'ry morn, 'Twas in prime of April weather, When it flione and rain'd together; He who never Sorrow knew, Never felt Affe&ions true; Never felt true Paflion's power, Love's fun and dew combine, to nurfe the tender flow'r^ Here ended they their chaunt — here Fancy too Rode on the parting fun-beam: for the moon On her blue \hrone began with crescent ray To fhine, and raptur'd Theodorus now Saw his Cleone fpeeding to his arms. Thus in the abfence of his plumy love, Tender of heart, the Turtle tunes his voice To plainings gentle,, and the interval Soothes with a foft confolatory fong, I N VERSE. While on the tow'ring tree's fupremeft bough Waving he fits to ken his wand'ring mate: But, lo! at length me cuts the blue profound With wing precipitate and fond, while all The glowing purple of her glofly neck Sun-burnifli'd glitters in the beam of day, Then glad he gives his plumage to the breeze, A.nd fprings along to welcome her return. 63 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book i OLE on the last date stamped below. i