^iiiiiii MMi •u 1 P O E MS O N VARIOUS SUBJECTS. By ELIZA REEVES. DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION) TOHISGRACB The D U K E of MANCHESTERt LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR: And sold by C. D I L L E Y, in the Poultry M D CC LXXX. ( ) List of Subscribers* His Grace the Duke of Manchester, A. X HE Right Hon. the Earl of Abingdoa Countefs of Abingdon Thomas Hufley Aprcece, Efq; Mrs. Aprcece. B.. Rev. Dr. Lewis Bruce Richard Booth, Efq. Jofeph Barnes, Efq. John Bond, Efq. Mr. De Berdt two copies Mrs. Dc Berdt Capt. George Bayne, R. N. two copies Mrs. Bayne two copies Mr. Brant Mr. Brcadhower two copies Mr* Brown 78959P5 t iv 3 Mr. Brown Mrs. Brown Mr. Baily Mrs. Baily C Right Honourable Lord Camden Michael Colling, Efq; Mifs Colling Mr. James Cameron Mifs Cameron two copies Mr. Clancy Mr. Chambers Mr. Clarke D Sir Henry Watkin Dafhwood, Bart, Savile Dobyns, Efq; Reverend Mr. Dana Honourable Mrs. Dana Mrs. Downes Right I ^ ] E Right Honourable the Earl EIRngham Right Honourable the Countefs Effingham Mrs. Ellitfon F Reverend Mr. S. Farley Mr. Ingham Fofter Lieutenant James Fuzar Mifs Fuzar Doctor Falck, M, D« Mrs. French Mrs. Fofter G Reverend Mr. Green two copies John Green, Efq; William Gape, Efq; Captain John Gell, R, N. John Gale, Efqj Dodlor Gifborne, M. D« Mrs, Graves Mifs Grf\ve« [ »i ] Mifs Graves Mifs Ann Graves H Ricrht Honourable Lady Caroline Herbert Charles Herbert, Efq; William Halhed, Efq; William Haley, Efq; Mr. Harrifon Mifs Harrifon Mrs. Harcourt Mr. Hawkes Mrs. Hopkins Mrs. Hiorne Rieht Honourable Earl Ludlow Ricrbt Honourable Countefs Ludlow Sir James Tylney Long, Bart, Charles Long, Efq; Mrs. Charles Long Mifs Long Mifs Emma Long two copies ten copies Mr. Langford Mr. Langford Mr. A. Langford Mrs. A. Langford Mr. Loveday Mr. John Lancafter [ vii ] M Her Grace the Duchefs of Manchefter ten copies Right Honourable Lord Charles Greville Montague Honourable Mrs. Montague John Maddifon, Efq; George Maddifon, Efq; Mr. James Millar Mr. Malet James Primrofe Maxwell, Efq; Mrs. Macdonald two copies two copies N Thomas Newton, Efq; Thomas [ viii ] O Thomas Hinton Burley Oldfield, Efq; P Rev. Sir Henry Parker, Bart. John Phipps, Elq; Mrs. Phipps Mifs Phipps Mifs Mary Phipps Mifs Harriot Phipps Captain Phipps Mifs Piatt T. Peirce, Efq; Harry Parker, Efq; Mrs. Parker Captain Pownal, R. N. R Rev. Mr. Roufty Rev. Mr. Thomas Rofs Peter Roberts, Efq. Dr. Hugh s. Right Honourable Earl of Slielburne Right Honourable the Countefs of Shelburnc Dr. Hugh Smith, M. D. Richard BrinJfley Sheridan, Efq; Mrs Sheridan Wiiliam Sttrling, Efq; Edward Salway, £fq; Mifs balway John Silvefter, Efq; Mrs. Sanders Mrs. Samey T James Traile, Efq; John Thompfon, Efq; Francis Townfend, Efq; Francis Twedle, Efq; Dr. Tomlinfon, M. D. Anthony Todd, Ffq; Thomas Todd, Efq; Capt. C X ] Capt. Anthony Todd Mifs Todd V Honourable Mr, George Villiers W John Wofler, Efq; Mr. Vcre Warner Mr. Weller, jun, Mifs Weller Mrs. Warrington Mr. Weft Mr. WalHs Mr. Charles Wifeman Mifs Webb. TABLE of CONTENTS. Jt H E Power of Gold. Advcrfity. An Ode for Lyfandcr's Birth- Day. On Solitude. The Advice, to Alonzo, An Ode to Sleep. Soliloquy on being awakened by the Tolling of a Bell. The Chaplet, a Song. On hearing the Rev. Mr. Whcatly's Rhetorical Ledtures. Lefbia.- To Capt» Sir Hyde Parker, of the Royal Navy, An vJje. On the French King's returning Capt, Windfor his Sword, and giv- ing him his parole to attend Admiral Kcppel's Trial. An Invocation to Truth. Paraphrafc on the 1 19th Pfalm. The Admonition. To Mr. Marriot, on his return from the Eaft-Indies. Paraphrafe on the 24th Pfalm. Hymn of Gratitude to the Supreme Being. The Triumph of Virtue. An Epiflle, with two Brace of John Dories. Aurelia to Philander. Sacred to the Memory of Capt. Samuel Hugh. b 2 ^ To To Mr. H s, who wiflied he could Love, On the Death of David Garrick, Efq. An Epiftle to a Friend, with a fetting Dog. The Experimental Lover. The WiHi. On a Friend's Recovery from a dangerous lUnefs. On the Death of Sir Robert Long, Bart. Monody on the fame, infcribed to his Daughter Mifs Emma Long. Ahfence. Extempore Verfe on a Birth Day. On the Death of General Wolfe. Damon and Delia. The Cottage. On the 2 1 ft of June, the Birth-Day of the Author's Sifter. To Leander, who declared he would not marry. Dialogue between Minerva and Cupid. Innocence. On a Fafliionable Circle. On being afked to attempt Satire. On Death. A Portrait. On Mufic. The Queftion. To Altamont, on his Birth-Day. The Invocation. On Wit and Wifdom. On Sylvia's Lap Dog. Amanda [ xiii ] Amanda. A Midnight Thought. To Mrs. S , on her being prcfented with a Watch. The Advice, a Song. On a Nofegay. To Phaon, on New-Year's-Day. The Complaint to Almira. To Mifs , on reading an Account of her Misfortunes. To Mifs Maria S— , on her Birth-Day. The Wifh. Elegy on Mrs. Sufannah AUafon. Vice and Viitue. To , Bfq; born on Chriftmas Day. Love and FriendQiip. Paraphrafe on the i ith Pfalm. Epitaph on the Author's Parents. Paraphrafe on the nth Chap, of Ecclefiaftes, Verfe ifl. " Caft thy ** Bread upon the Waters, and thou (halt find it after many days." To C L , Efq; on his Birth-Day. To a popular Candidate at a late Eledion. On the Meffiah. On Fame. On a Capricious Young Lady. Extempore Verfe for Twelfth Night. Paraphrafe on the 12th Chap, of Ecclefiaftes, Verfe 8. Thoughts on viewing a New Ship. An Epiftle in Imitation of Horace, Friendfhip. [ xlv ] Friendfliip. Paraphrafc on the 12th Plalm. Lines wrote at the requeft of a Friend of Gen. Wolfe. The Author to her Mufe. The Confolation. On Dr. Watt's Divine Poems. The Search. To Charles Alexander Malet, Efqi a Relation of the Author's. The Reconcilement. An Epiftle to the Author from Lieut. C— — H S — ^— , on his departure for the Eaft-Indics. Verfcs to the Author, by an unknown Hand.. E R A. Page 4, Line i-,/6r (hakes, r^<7^ fhake. 23> 2, who. whom. 2/> 15, dormes. domes. 27. 6, fhed. fhade. 29* 12, claims, charms. 5'» 19> command. commend. 53» 9> fuitain. fupport. 79» 12, eye. e) es. 83» > to. its. 83» 5» chaplet. chaplets. 85» 5, thee. his. 92, 13. fav'rite. 102, J, beauty, beauty's. 102, 4> fmile. fmiles. ii8. 10, no more by worldly wrongs. 142, 4> he. be oppreft. M4> J5i looth. calm. 164, 12, thus. thofe. I75> 10, tune. time. I79> 4. urdds. cealclefs. i8'. H> grucu ti,. e's lateft page. i87> 16, 1 thank thee Heav'n ! 192* 2, wiuc. blue. { XV ) T O HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF MANCHESTER. My Lord Duke, jr\T a period when the welfare of this Country may demand your clofeft attention, and an ex- ertion of every ability, I cannot but feel myfelf particularly honoured by the generous fupport your Grace has given to my Work. — It is but feldom, my Lord, that we behold the luftre of public duties blended with an attention to the lefler interefts of fociety. An [ xvi ] An able Statefman, a real Patriot, or a General of fuperior talents form characters which may- excite refpeft and admiration, but when Juftice, Benevolence, and Humanity, unite with reat abilities, the dignity of the human mind fhi^es forth with redoubled luftre. In an age which daily produces works of tafte and learning, your Grace's protection has given me fortitude to per- fevere in an attempt where diffidence of fuccefs might otherwife have checked my pen. — I own myfelf ambitious tc) excel, and have realized my higheft wifhes, in your Grace's condefcend- ing approbation. I am, my Lord, Your Grace's moft dutiful. And moft devoted. Humble Servant, ELIZA REEVES. ( XVii ) T O HER GRACE THE Duchess of Manchester. J|[ F ever condefcenfion was mifplac'd, On humble bards by judgment, wit, and tafte ; Ah ! Deign with kind indulgence to perufe, The artlefs numbers of an infant Mufe. O'er each dull page let hood»wink'd Juftice fleep, A nd mercy one eternal vigil keep : Never ( xviii ) Never can kind Compaffion want a plea. Her gentle feelings center all in thee. If that the lines in plaintive meafures move, They flow from forrow, friendfhip, and from love ; And if one tedious famenefs tinge the whole ; 'Tis, that of all one paflion is the foul. If they are not correel, 'tis lefs like art. The Mufe fhould fpeak the language of the heart i: Want they poetic fire, or lofty ftilc, ril climb ParnafluSj if you deign to fmilc ; Exulting bear to earth Euterpe's lyre, And emulate a Itrain you may admire. POEMS. POEMS. THE OWER OF GOLD. IVl^^MON— -defpotic King-— how great thy fway ! Thy nod refiftlefs— all Mankind obey. Love, Honour, Friendfhip, deaf to Virtue's call, Before thy flirine, with rev'rcnce proftrate fall ! Thy glitt'ring beam, warms the pale Coward's heart, And barbs, with deadly ills, the Soldier's dart. Great Chymift of the mind ! thou canfl: tranfmute Nature's pure metal, 'till it forms a brute. Hail, Tyrant of Mankind ! behold thy train ! Behold the emblems of thy hellifh reign ! Around thy throne, how many woes attend ; A faith^efs lover, or pretended friend, B The C t 3 The breaking heart defert, and follow thee - Where 'ere thou lead'ft — nor flirinks at infamy. Next comes the Ruffian, with remorfelefs hand, To murder nerv'd by thy accurs'd command. From Hcav'n outcaft, from Hell tliy birth arofe. From vvhofe dark womb, each human mifery flows. V/Jiole kingdoms wear thy fell-deftrudive chain. And Freedom's Sons become a fervile train. Yet boaft not, foe to man, thy baneful force ; A Povv'r, yet greater, flops thy rapid courfe. Death fpurs thofe glitt'ring baits mankind admire, And Ipite of thee, thy fav'rite fons expire. In vain you bribe, the awful King defies ! And all thy fplendor ends in — HERE HE LIES] r 3 J ADVERSITY. A DVERSITY ! fage tutor of the mind, Thou beft inftru6lor of the human heart, Before thy fhrine with awe I bend ! and though Un fought thy all-terrific form, hard thy LefTons, and fevere thy mien ; yet, Oh ! what Thy benefits ! what fure rewards await Thy heav'n-fent precepts ! To thee we owe the Honeft medium, through which we view the Imperfed joys of human life. It is Thy friendly microfcopic pow'r alone Explores the numerous thorns which lie concealed Beneath its purefl: blefiings, for he who Clafps a blefling, clafps a woe. Too late the Fatal truth we own, or who would reft, or Build, upon the rotten bafe of earthly Blifs ? Thy meagre fhape no gaudy drap'ry B 2 Conceals [ 4 ] Conceals, to cheat the gazing eye— but thou, Like modefl: Virtue, ftep'fl afide, and fcorn'ft To mingle with the giddy throng. Few are The votarys which grace her train or thine, Though boih alike the common friend of man. When deaf to Virtue's gentle precepts, the Heart, fupinc, lulled by the fyrcn voice Of Eafe and Pleafure, rich libations Offer at their crouded fhrines : Thou, her bright Sifter angel ! doft appear, {hake the proud Temple to its trembling bafe, and with thy Sable wand put' ft all the herd of wanton Priefts to flight, and to the fcatt'rinp- winds in Atoms tear'ft the gaudy veil which hid their Black deformity, ftrik'ft from the 'nervate Hand the fafcinating rofy bowl, and Call'ft each flumbering virtue back to life. Teaching the mind fair truth, knowledge of worth Incftimabk, and value far 'bove Mortal [ 5 ] Mortal price. But while kind fortune gaily Smiles, and highly waves her purple mantle Round, caught by the fplendid fcene, we follow Pleafure's foft bewitching voice ; while the broad Glittering lliield of gay Profperity, Repels misfortunes fharpeft darts, and veils The fuffering wretch from Pleafure's laughing Eye, and drowns the cry of fupplicating Woe, bright Reafon calls in vain ! fhe ftarts, and Flies indignant from that hcdious fight, A harden'd human heart. Oh Heav'n ! fay why Is Wifdom and A fflidion one ? foft Pleafure's mingl'd hues obfcure bright Virtue's ray ; And as the cheating glow-worm leads by night The unwary traveller on to death And defolation, fo ftrays the mind Forlorn, when fhe forfakes her port. While our Flatt'ring paffions confpire to aid the '-' Fatal error, and nought but thy approach, Adversity, can break the fatal fleep, And [ 6 1 And guide us to fome lefs deceiving, though More limited pcrfpedlive. — All hail 1 thou Friend of man, ApveRsity ! All hail ! thou Tcft of friendfhip, and thou teft of love ! thou Cool unbias'd judge ! thou fire cclcft'al ! Which tries the human heart, its native worth Affays, and alcertains its reditude, Or bafe alloy ; and rich reward beftows, If flcrling; found. Thou art the friend of truth ! Duty's criterion, and the guiding Star of foft compaflion. 'Tis by thy Aid, the parent eye explores the ftrength of Filial love I parental fondnefs proves Its force as woes encreafe, and love when on Fair Virtue founded, by thee aflailed, Difplays its heav'nly effence ! while Friendfhip Owes her richcfl honors to thy hand. Thine Is her facred, favourite hour ! — when no Gay tinfcl pomp allures the eye — when pale Difcafc has blighted Nature's bloom — when the War m [ 7 ] Warm fun of gay Profpcrity no more Refplendent fhines-— when temporary friends. The tranfient gaudy infedls of a Summer gale, that fport and flutter in the Beam of profp'rous Life, unpitying fly, And leave the fuff'ring heart to figh alone, And range at large the rugged wilds of woe : When pale-eyed Melancholy, with pangs Acute, heaves high the throbbing heart — when from Th'averted eye the tear of woe bedews The pallid cheek — when clouds o'ercafl: the fun Of life's bright morn — when pale meagre Want, with Ghaftly look, ftrikes terror through the breafl:, late Luird upon the downy lap of laughing Plenty — v/hen dying Friend's quick fhort'ning fighs, Shake Nature's ftrongeft nerve — when long painful Abfence from a kindred heart, fpreads a dark Shade o'er the once fparkling eye, and dims each Gleam of joy, ploughing deep furrows on the Once fmooth brow: In thefe dread hours, 'tii Friendfliip*s Moft [ 8 ] Mofl delightful taflc, to cheer with radiant Beam the weeping eye : Her penetrating Sight explores the inmoft chambers of the Soul ; the fecret grief which honeft Pride would Fain conceal, and bares with tender touch the Fcflering wound ; and from the trembling heart Extradls the barbed fhaft, which rankled there. Ea^er (he flics to fhare or wipe the tear Of anguifh, from the pallid, woe-worn cheek : The dulcet mufic of her voice is, to The liftening quicken'd ear of painful Apprehenlion, harmony divine ! Lulls ev'ry care to fleep, and to the heart, Long harrafs'd by defpair, fpeaks hope and reft : While at her flde her foft-eyed handmaid. Pity waits ; and with her bright help-mate, auick Senfibility, unafked, beftow The balmy tear, and with their chearing fmiles Irradiate the gloom ; nor e're infult The humbled heart, Vv/ith pride low-minded, or Illiberal ( 9 ) Or illiberal fcornj keen reproach, or Contumelious foeer : Thefe arc thy fweet, Thy godlike fruits, Adverdty, thou kind Celeftial maid ! Then why does human nature fhrink at thy Approach, fince it is thou alone giv'ft birth to Fair Smcerity ? To Flatt'ry thou Art a deadly foe : Thy powerful arm tears Off the thin difguife which veils the trcach'rous Selfifh heart, and bares the envious foul To open day : Safe from the midnight ftcel. Which arms the ruffians murd'rous hand, in Soft fecurity thy children fleep ; pale Envy, even from thy fhadow flies, and In her place foft Pity reigns triumphant. Without thy friendly aid grave Schoolmen teach, In vain, the vanity of human life, And theory of Rcfignation, Wifdom moll divine ! C But [ ^o ] But by thy all-convincing precepts taught, Soon we reduce to pra6lice all their rules Auftere ; our boift'rous paflions all Are tun'd to peace, and humbly bend to heaven*s High will.— Shall man then dare to execrate Thy power, fmce the omnifcient hand And juft gradations of Almighty Will, diredls thy falutary rod, and Fits mankind for endlefs blifs above ? ODE for Lysander's Birth Day. RECITATIVE. w V V HILE round the chcarful board with feftive mirth. Each grateful heart falutes the happy day Which boafts the honor of Lyfandcr's birth ; Tlie lyre of fricndlhip tunes its facred lay.— A I R. [ u ] A I R. Health with rofy bloom advance, Guiltlefs joy and jocund dance : Love lincere thy blifs impart, Hafte to glad Lyfander's heart. II. Friendfhip virtuous ! unconfin'd, Shield from vice his liberal mind : Plenty all thy bleffings fhowV, Peace and honor crown each hour. lU. Ev'ry blefling mortals know, May great Jove on him beftow ! Ev'ry a6t may heav'n approve, All below admire and love. RE CITATI VE. [ l^ ] RECITATIVE. The mighty Jove ! indignant heard the prayV, Jealous a mortal (hould the mufe employ ; But viewing ftraight the wond'rous youth with care, Nodded affent, and promised endlefs joy. On SOLITUDE. H AIL Solitude ! unenvy'd path to Heav'n ! Whofc foothing gloom, whofe peaceful feats were giv'n' A refuge from a world of care and pain : Thou art my choice, with thee would I remain. Though no high-beating joys poffefs thy fhade, No heart-felt ills thy facred bounds invade : Pride, vice and folly fly thy hallow'd fhrinc, While innocence and calm content are thine ! Expand [ 13 3 Expand thine arms and fnatch me to thy bread, Give what the world denies, oh ! give me reft ; Safe in thy pure embrace my woes will ceafe, And all my future days fhall fmile in peace* The ADVICE to ALONZO. w. OULDST thou, my friend, deferve the fmiles of fatej Wouldft thou be happy ! aim not to be great, Cuftom defpife whene'er fhe feeks to move Thy foul to deeds which reafon can't approve. Seek pleafure only thro' fuch paths as lead To Virtue's fane ! there may'ft thou ever feed On the rich banquet of pure felf-applaufe, Nor find the Goddefs carelefs of thy caufe. To all her vot'ries fhe makes rich returns, If round her fhrine their grateful incenfe burns. Fortune condemn, her brighcft gifts difclaim. E'er to her fmiles you facrifice fair fame ; With With wreat if worthlefs men, no friendlliip feek, Nor tinge with fhamc thy yet unblufhing cheek. Conlult with reafon on each great defign, 1 Refolve with care, it is true wifdom's fign, >* With fpirit execute, the prize is thine ! j Where modefl: merit pines in hopelefs woe. There fhare thy ftore, thy gen'rous care beilow : Bid not alone the fainting body live, Nor with flern looks debafe whatever you give : The tear of Pity proves a healing balm. And gentle accents, fharpeft forrows calm. If Charity, bright attribute of heav'n ! Dired thy fleps, may all to thee be giv'n That youth, that beauty, love and friendfhip bring, And honor bear thee on her Eagle wing ! Far from each danger, may thy fate decree The path, unerring Wifdom marks for thee. ODE [ 15 ] ODE to SLEEP. RECITATIVE. C jOME, gentle Sleep! thou temporary peace, And calm my troubled breaft ; Where pangs unnumber'd, ev'ry hour encreafe. And leavel no hopes of reft. The {ilent hour of night no comfort knows, Nor breaks the morn but to augment my woes* AIR. In vain you touch the trembling ftrings, With fweet Lydian art j In vain fofc pleafure fprcads her wings, To chear the grief worn heart. In vain the tabors fprightly found. The mazy dance invite : In vain bright Phebus beams around, Still, ftill, 'tis dreary night ! R E C I- [ i6 ] RECITATIVE. Short gleams of hope, to awful fears fuccecd, Come, Morpheus, calm with thy friendly powV; Without thee, night does but afflidlion feed, And direful horrors fill the midnight hour. A I R. Hufte lingering God, my pray'cr attend, Thy fable mantle fpread ! Thy magic rod a moment lend, With poppies bind my head, II. In tranquil flumber drown my woes, Drive phantoms far away : My weeping eyes in pity clofe, Since joy has fled the day, SOLIQUY, [ -7 ] SoLiLoq^UY, on being awakened by the Tolling of a Bell. jl\^ H me ! what awful found now fudden v/akes My flumb'ring fenfe ? Its folemn tone proclaims Death's fad tremendous vidlory — Hah ! it Strikes again — and ftrikes my trembling foul with Full conviction of its certain flight, To that tribunal, where it muft receive Its juft irrevocable doom — Again ! It loud proclaims a foul releas'd by heav'n's Indulgent call from mortal woe. Liflen, Ye vain ! ye gay, attend the friendly voice Of your beit monitor — the voice of Death- — It fpeaks that pleaflng truth— that all must die ! Though aweful, pleafing to the troubled fouK Ah, again ! it ftrikes another pang throup"h The furvivors trembling hearts. Perhaps the ^ Parent, [ i8 ] Parent, or parental friend, has ceas'd to Cherilli and inftrud the unwary mind, Mow left expofed to all the baleful Influence of a guilty world, without A guide, or careful hand, to fnatch it from The gaping gulph of vice, or fhew the afp Which lies concealed beneath the flowers. Which, blooming, decorate its flital brink. Perhaps Misfortune's heir, no one to fhield Its helplefs age from chilling Poverty's Ruder grafp ? While Infancy, unmindful Of its mighty lofs, fports fmiling round the Bier, and innocently thinks its lifelefs Parent fleeps ; and nought excites its wonder,. But the clay -cold touch, from which its little Hand fhrinks back appall'd— -or elfe, ah, me ! in The heart-trying, this dark afllidlive hour. The parent mourns his difappointed hope. Fond airy fancy, form'd of fillial Aid ; th' apparent fafeft prop of feeble Age, [ 19 ] Age, which dawning Virtue fair, veiling Death's Sharp fcythe, had promised to the parent breail. What fhrieks of horror ! Ah, 'tis a mother's Voice ! Hark ! in frantic agonies, which fhake The bafe of piety and fenfe, fhe calls Her child-— clofe to her breaking heart, clafps the Pale lifelefs form, where late the rofy fmile Of innocence, triumphant reign'd on the Dimpled cheek of blooming youth — Cold he lies ! No more his heav'n illumin'd eye, refleds The fond, the raptured parent's look of Love ineffable ! That cheek, where late the Rofe in native beauty glow'd, Death's icy Breath bedews ! Oh Fortune ! Life ! how falfe thy Promifes ! thy gifts, how few ! how infecure ! Each hour pale Difappointment fmiles at thy DeluUve joys, fwift as the morning cloud They pafs away ; glitter, and difappcar. Like early dew. * Perhaps L ^0 ] Perhaps lie flceps ? Ah, no ! he is gone ! for Ever gone ! — flie raves ! her mournful plaints flirill Vibrate on my car, fpeak all her pangs, and Pierce my fympathifing heart. While eacli wild Fpeechlefs agony — contraded brow, and Eye-balls lixt upon the cloiing lid, love, Grief, and horror, utter above the reach Of v/ords, 'till grown too mighty for her breaft, Ano;uifh burfts forth indio;nant- — He's Q-one ! fiie Cries, torn in the bloom of youth, from each fond- Careful heart, from each delighted, gazing Eye— Stop ! ftay, ye fable minifters of Death's flow pageantry— Oh, fiay ! flay, while 1 Snatch one look, one laft embrace, e'er yet you Tear the lovely ruin from thefe eyes for Ever, and make the dark, the clay-cold grave,. Supply the warm embraces of a mother's Arms !— But, ah ! they hear her not : Daily to Scenes of woe inur'd, their adamantine Hearts are fteel'd to foft compaffion's pica*'' Unmov'd, [ ^I ] Unmov'd, they bear her treafure ofF! flie calls In vam-— fpeech dies upon her faultering tongue— Her beating heart at once lies jftill— flie faints ! Blejft interval ! kind paufe from mifery ! A fliort fufpenfion from fuch pangs as Time, that powerful lenetivc, alone can Cure. Or the grim Tyrant — deaf, regardlefs of A fond Lover's prayer, perhaps enfolds Within his icy arms, with greedy grafp, A form, late glowing with fair health, and where Each grace fhone forth with luftre heavenly Bright ! and beauty reign'd with fv/ay unrivall d ! Where the foft modcPc eye, with confcious Virtue beaming, told her boundlefs, blamclefs Love ! no more fhc hears his ardent vows of Everlafting truth, or flatters with her Smiles, a lover's fondeft hopes ! his fighs no More arc heard ! — celeftial joys alone Engage her mounting foul ! her native heav'n Demands [ 22 ] Demands its own, and weds her fpotlefs heart To cverlafting blifs, which it beheld Too tender to have borne the ruder force Of advcrlc life's tumultuous waves. But, ah I what words can paint, or thought conceive, The pangs which rend the widow 'd breafl: ? transfixt, She ftands the ima^^c of defoair ! while to Her trembling knees her weeping infants cling, As if already confcious of her Sole fupport ; — from heart to heart fwiftly the Sad contagion flies, for genuine grief Contaminates ; domeftic order fled ; Confufion reigns in every face ; While tears fill every late attentive Eye. Mute, round the chamber of defpair, they Wait at awful difcance, and, filent, o'er The lovely mourner, watch • but fad, fevere, Remenib'rance foon recals her torpid fenfc To feelings mod acute, and points each pang Anew. [ 23 ] Anew. Where now the kind protedor of Her fame, her welfare, and her joys ? who now Shall fhield her from the Oppreflbr's hand, and Guide her helplefs orphans infant fteps ? that Heart, which all her little arts to pleafe, fo Late delighted, now no longer beats to Joys connubial ; the pure untainted Blifs of wedded love. Thofe lips, whofe gentle Accents footh'd each anxious hour, are clos'd For ever ! Thofe eyes v/hich fparkled on their Bridal morn with joy cxtatic, are veil d By Death's impervious night. — That voice whofe Magic found, thrilTd all her foul with joy, no Longer greets her liftening ear ; but ah !: Where now the hand, v;hich earned for her and For her infants bread? Languid and cold it Lies, nor can her eager grafp and fcalding Tears, reftore the flacken'd nerves elaftic Pov/'r. — Stretched by her yet lov'd Lord fhe lies, nor Will refign him to his laft abode j her Widow* [ 24 ] Widow'd bed the tomb of all her joys, flie Views with frantic eye— and wearies heaven With fruitlefs pray'rs-^-half excerations Mingled with each figh, till quite exhaufted Nature claims her fway ; her gentle fpirits Sink beneath its pow'r. Nor long her bofom Such fharp pangs endures, the chain once broke which Bound two kindred hearts — the folitary Mate not long fuftains the painful abfence. Kind heav'n beckons to the blefl: abode, and Re-unites them in eternal blifs! no More to dread nor feel the worfl: of human Ills, the afflidlive parting pang. The C H A P L E T. w HILE bees fips ne6lar from the rofe, And Zephyrs court my fwain's repofe, Beneath [ 25 ] Beneath the woodbine fhade ; ril twine a Chaplet for his brows, Of ev'ry lovely flow'r that grows, By nature fragrant made. The myrtle's never-fading green. With laurel wove each branch between. My lafting truth Ihall prove : While jefs'min's virgin whitenefs fliows. How pure the fource from whence it flows, And paints my fpotlefs love. Sleep on, lov'd youth, while I prepare This wreath, to bind thy flowing hair In nature's lovely band : So may our hearts united be. If fo much blifs is meant for mc. When I receive thy hand. On [ *6 ] On HOP E. o 'FFSPRING of heav'n ! thou faithful friend of man ! In pitv, when creation firft began, By the all-bounteous hand was't given, To fmooth our paflage to the plains o[ heav*n ! All hailj thou fun of human life ! bright ray ! Which kindly guides us thro' the dreary way ; Where woe, the native lot of all mankind, In dreadful fhapes, affail the firmeft mind. Suftain'd by thee, we refolutely bear The worfl: of ills, and triumph o'er difpair : Onward we chearful bound, nor look behind, Like fearful infants, on whofe dudile mind. The tale imprefs'd of horrid fpedres near, In fhadows fee a train of ghofts appear. While labouring thro' life's devious way. Thy foothing voice beguiles the ling'ring day ; Some t *7 ] Some fair pcrfpe^live opens to our view, By thee ftill ftrengthen'd we the toil renew ; The pris'ners chain grows flack, awhile he is free. No ftate fo wretched but finds eafe with thee. Thro' dark damp cells thy chearing rays are fpread, And comfort gives to poverty's bleak fhed : Thy friendly prefence breaks the wintry gloom. And paints the pallid cheek with rofy bloom ; Converts to down the fick man's irkfome bed, And fmooths the pillow for his aking head. No change of fortune drives thee from thy poft, Thy anchor parts not, though the veffel's toft : V/hile burfting clouds fair nature's face deform, You brave the thunder, and outride the ftorm. Unlike the world, from gilded dormes you fly. Nor friendly vifits to low roofs deny ; Where oft high worth and fuff'ring virtue pine In black defpair, 'till rous'd by Hope divine ! E 2 Oh, [ 28 ] oh, godlike herald of eternal reft ! Thou faifhfiil inmate of the throbbing breaft ! Oh, leave me not, flill grant thy tender care, Dire<5l my ftcps to heav'n, nor quit me there. On hearing the Rev. Mn Wheatley's Lectures upon Rhetoric. iTTi AIL Rhetoric ! hcavxn-born art, all hail ! I bend before thy fluinc ; O'er ev'ry heart, thy god-like pow'rs prevail, With influence divine ! Vice trembling falls beneath thy honcft force,^ And owns fair Virtue's charms ; While Charity, awaken'd by thy voice, The coldefl: bofom warms. Perifh the tongue that dares profane thy laws, Which heav'n in pity gave, To plead on earth the fufFering wTetches caufe, And temp rally to fave. Virgirs 1 J.'.M.c'iii- ( 29 ) Virgirs fam'd hero all our wonder moves, By thee great Wh — y's fung ; Frefli beauties fpring in Eden's happy groves, From thy emphatic tongue. Man's guiltlefs ftate and blifs, when told by you, Our flumb'ring faith revives ; And each fair fcene the wond'rous Milton drew, In thy juft accent lives : Fam'd Spencer's labour'd allegoric lays, Thy genius renders clear, Each period crowns the Poet's urn with bays. And claims th'attentive ear. Could Catiline arife from earth's recefs, To wait Rome's dread decree : His guilty foul, affrighted, would confefs, Her Cicero in thee. L E S B I A. ^^-' X N Leftia's form no beauties fliine. The Lover's heart to bind ; t Yet Lefbia boafts of charms divine ! The graces of the mind. Love, [ so ] Love, virtue, friendfliip, there refide, Whofe pow'r can nc'.er decay ; While beauty, /in its/ higheft pride', But blooms and dies away. ,»JOV To Captain Sir Hyde Parker^ Commander of his .NJajefty's fhip Phoenix, W HILE Albion's grateful fons await the day. The well earn'd tribute of applaufe to pay ; The raptur'd Mufe on fwifter wings muft foar, To hail her hero on the hoftile fhore ; Nor winds, nor waves, reftrain her rapid wing ; Louder than both, thy praife Ihe flies to flng ! In founds heroic, each bold deed difplay'd, The foe fhall wonder, and fhrink back difmay'd, Not fam'd ^neas, when the frantic dame His fleet devoted to the vengeful flame. More r 31 ] More dauntlcfs bravM the angry Juno's hate, Than thou the raging battle's doubtful fate. When hoftile fires did thy fair bark furround, And death or conqueft hung fufpended round ; Thy god-like courage fir'd thy hardy crew, They fought for Albion, and they fought for you. Secure alike of Albion's thanks and thine, Whofe gen'rous voice did ne'er their praife confine. Propitious ! in her car, Bellona came. Thy Phoenix rofe ftill brighter thro' the flamef^^"'-'^ Rude Neptune fmil'd, and ftill'd the raging fea, And Mars confefs'd his fav'rite fon in thee ! So flood the Goddefs born in that dread hour. When the blue light'ning, and the thunders roar, Hurl'd deflrudion on the Hero's head. And every human aid and hope feem'd fled. Go on, brave Hyde ! each hoftile band difarm, And may the Gods, with ev'.y potent charm. Circle thy brow, fecure from death or harm : Whofe [ 3^ ] Whofe boundlcfs courage knew no felfifli laws. When rous'd in Brunfvvick and Britannia's caufe. Guard Emprefs of the fea thy godlike fon ! Long let him wear the laurels bravely won. May Liberty her.facred ardor lend, Achilles' fhield thy gen'rous breaft defend, And Vicl'ry ftill upon thv fteps attend, While Britifh annals fhall record thy fame, And future hero's glow at Parker's name ! Domeftic joys (hall thy foft moments crown, And virtue's facred fruits be all thy own. ODE. A T dawn of day where Phoebus bright ! Salutes the hills around : The feather'd race thro'out the grove, Awake their mates with fongs of love, And fleecy lambkin bound. 1 i J IL All I 33 ] II. All nature hails returning day ! The lark on mounting wing : While op'ning flow'rs perfume the gale, Embroidering all the verdant vale, And marks the approach of fpring. Ill But man of all the mortal race, Awakes to toil and woe. Contending wifhes rack Lis mind, In vain he feeks that peace to find, Which humbler beings know. IV. Say what's the caufe of all our ills. While man heav'n's care employs ? 'Tis pride and fell ambition's pow'r, Difturbs his peace, corrodes each hour, And human blifs deftroys. ExTEMPOREl» [ 34 ] Extempore, on hearing that the French King had given Capt, Windsor his^ Sword and Parole to attend Admiral Keppel's Trial. , VV HEN Gallia's King, Britannia's foe, Was told brave Keppel's fate ; See him with gen'rous anger glow, And rife fupremclv preat ! *^ Brave Windfor go, thy fword receive. To Britain hafte thy way, Thy brave, thy injured friend relieve. Let fhame his foes repay ; Let thy firm foul no intereft bind, To fail a noble caufe ; No country claims a gen'rous mind, No foe with-holds applaufe. Be thine the deed to burft the cloud. Which veils the hero's fame. While Gallia mourns his wrongs aloud, And trembles at his name." Aii [ 35 ] An Invocation to Truth. V_> Rage {hook each bofom, and abhorr'd a crown ; Taught freedom's native fons, that thrones and kings, Unmark'd by Virtue, a?'e no f acred things. When e'er the truncheon and the waving crcft, Adorn'd the man, the hero ftood confefs'd ; He rous'd each flumb'ring Virtue in the foul. And Courage took the reins without controul \ When from his lips fair Freedom's dictates flov/'d, With attic lire each Britifh bofom glow'd ; Mourn, all ye Mufes ! mourn your favourite fon, Dumb be your golden harps, your Garrick's gone ! But when the fofter fcenes of Ijfe he fill'd, In grace, eafe, learning, and politenefs Ikill'd ; In juftice, honour, friend£hip would he fhine. Or paint benevolence in fhades divine : 'Twas then you faw the ma7i he did not play, The tenor of his life was fuch each day : To him the wretched never fued in vain, His heart deplor'd, or hand remov'd their pain ; K 2 While [ 68 ] While riling merit met a parent's care. In richefl foil he nurs'd the bafhful fair ; Nor left to poverty's chill blaft the maid, But rear'd the adlive mind with watchful aid ; Nor jealous of its worth, with felfifli pride, To check its progrefs e'er ignobly try'd Mourn, all ye Mufes ! mourn your fav'ritc fon, Dumb be your golden harps, your Garrick's gone ! An Epiftle to a Friend^ with a Setting Dog» yO, gen'rous creature ! faithful may'ft thou prove: To thy nev/ majfter, and deferve his love : The Mufe, without a blurti, may fmg thy praife, Thy honour'd race oft flione in ancient lays ; And well thy focial nature claims the place In reafon, fecond to the human" race. UlyfTcs's dog liv'd but his Lord to greet. Nor life fuilain'd but to embrace his feet j No [ 69 ] Nor age, nor rags, his mafter could conceal, Nor years of abfence cool his faithful zeal : Such pure attachment, without guile or art ; Such faith, a fatire on the human heart, Which intVeft warps from Friendfliip's facred line, To tread the paths of treacherous defign ; 'Tis Fortune's fmiles form modern Friendfliip's chain, While Virtue's angel voice but pleads in vain. The faithful dog repels the murd'rer s power, And guards his mafter thro' the fearful hour ; When midnight flumbers tempt the villain^s knife. To fteal, perhaps, his bencfador's life. I'hus fafety from the brutal race we gain, While 7 nan of man his fafety feeks in vain. Go thou and prove, in thefe degen'rate times, A juft reproach on man's pcliter crimes : Be faithful, gentle, v/atch thy matter's will, And all his vacant hours with pleafure fill. When Nature's fweets forfake their dewy beds. And Night no more her fable mantle fpreads \ [ 70 ] But bluc-ey"'d Thetis, in her faftron robe, Reigns the bright Emprefs of the vvond'rous globe; And all the fcather'd race, on joyous wing, 'J'heir morning hymns to their Creator fing, 1 hen call thy maftcr to the vxrdant field, Where nature, healrli, and joy does kindly yield ; li'vvift through the rugged fiubble fpeed thy way, And ieek with caution the unwary prey. Where Phoebus firft his golden beam difplays, Guide thou his fteps beneath the glowing rays ; For io man's care of mortal health requires, To fliun the damps, and feek his genial fires ; But when the rod has meaiur'd half his race, And in meridian all his glories blaze. Then feek the windings of the flow'rv dade, And lead thy mafter to the grateful fliade ; But fly the hollow path and fenny road. Where never man or beafi in fafety trod ; And iTiun with equal care the darkfome wood, Beneath whofe gloom the ruffian lurks for blood. Thus [ 71 1 Thus, through the duties of the rural ftate. Let thy firft care upon his fafety wait ; And may thy dumb fagacity defcry, Each ill impervious to the human eye. But when his voice thy hally footfteps bound, Then let the wounded prey untouch'd be found ; At his command the lufcious banquet yield, Flutt'ring in blood upon the fcorching field ; Nor tike mankind^ becaufe fiibdu d, devour, Nor blend, like them, oppf^effion with thy pow'r. When the bright ev'ning ftar fhall warn him home, In fafety gUide him to the focial dome. Where the lov'd Iburce of all his halcyon hours. Invokes his welfare of the guardian povv'rs ; In every breeze fhe hopes his ftcps to trace, And chides the lazy dial's equal pace ; To her fond heart, by love-born terrors torn. Swift fly the herald of his willi'd return ; Fawn on her trembling knee difpels each fear, And let thy fpeechlefs joy announce him near. ITc ( 7^ ) He comes ! her fond embrace his toil repays, While thy proud fpoils his feftive board difplays : Round it, may jov and health for ever flow, And ev'ry heart with facred fricndfliip glow ; And when in fleep's dcfcncelefs arms they lye. Watch by their couch, nor clofe thy faithful eye : Prove thou a leffbn to the human race. And claim 'mongft man's beft friends the feccnd place. The Experimental Lover, Infcribed to T. H, B. O. Efq. I j YCIAS beholds fair Lydia mourn, His abfence or his flight ; Nor lends a fmile to eafe her pain. But views her anguifh with difdain ; Nay, vows it gives delight. For f 73 ] For, fays the fwain, that heart ne'er lov'd, Which only beats to joy ; Each pang fhe feels, proclaims her mine. The tearful eye is love's true fign, Which lovers doubts deftroy. But cruel youth, the trial ccafe, , Nor wound a heart thine own ; ; Lydia cxifts but on thy fmiles,. Thy love her ev'ry care beguils ; Difpair attends thy frownv With patience flie attends thy will, Nor chides tho' you negledl : The fmile of joy, the figh of care, The confcious blulh, the grateful tear j All bind thee to protedl. A foul [ H 1 A foul, by fordid paffions fway'd, Would fpurn fuch arts as thine : But Lydia's fate depends on you ; Reward her faidi, thy blifs purfue, And hail thy lot divine. The wish. VJTRANT me, kind heav'n, a fafe retreat, From pride, from folly, and deceit : Far from a world where difcord reigns ; Far from each vice my foul difdains. A manfion neat, convenient, warm ; In view a fruitful neighb'ring farm : Tall woods to fhadc my fav'rite feat, Where elms in clofe-twin'd friend fliip meet ; Where cryftal fcreams foft murmuring flow, Thro' vales where fragrant flow 'rets blow. No [ 75 3 No gothic pillars, marble dooms, Or carpets wove in Tyrian looms ; I afk but ample, needful ftorc, To aid my friends and feed the poor. There let my life unenvy'd pafs, Till death fliall flop my running glafs : Then in the neighboring church yard laid, Unenvy'd fhare the yew-tree's {hade. On a Friend's Recovery from a dangerous lilnefs. HOU ! who muft all my grateful thoughts employ, Whofe prefence gives my grief-worn bofom joy ; Whofe fricndlhip only can my v/ocs allay, And dart thro' fate's dark gloom a chearing ray : Ah ! deign to hear what rapture fwells my foul, "Where thy late danger bid difpair controul. L 2 The [ 76 1 The pain you fek, with double force I knew, Swift to my heart each dangVous fymptom flew ; Strain'd ev'ry nerve with fympathetic pain, While fears unceafing throb'd in evVy vein. For all thy genVous tendernefs and care To calm my forrows and repel difpair ; Thy foothing words, which foften'd ev'ry hour Of pain, and proved humanity's great pow'r ; For thefc my foul its grateful thanks would pay. And pants for pow'rs that might the debt defray. But fate fevere confines by bankrupt heart, Which can no more its thanks, than woes impart ; Nor words nor pen, can paint my recent grief: But thou ftill liv'ft, and heav'n has fmill'd relief. Take then this weak attempt to prove how true The joy I feel, now health returns to" you : Your pains, your forrows, all encreafe my woes, But from thy welfare healing balfam flows : Anew [ 77 ] Anew I live, each languid pow'r revives, And my long harrafs'd heart new ftrength receive. Oh ! would Urania deign to viiit earth, Her facred plume perhaps might reach thy worth ; Might tell what bleflings from thy friendfhip flow, And fpeak that gratitude to thee I owe. Serene henceforth may all your days ftill move, And your paft anguifh be the lafl: you'll prove. Fair Health again is thine, the Goddefs guard ; With int'reft high, fhe will thy care reward ; She heightens ev'ry joy, fhe fooths each care, And fhe alone life's num'rous woes can bear : Shun each allurement that may prove her bane. Nor follow Pleafure through the paths to pain : Since brib'd by worth, the tyrant Death delays, To fnatch thofe bleflings which thy worth conveys : In pity to mankind protra6ls thy doom. Nor robs the world of benefits to come : Long, ( 73 ) Long, long be thine, what kindeft fate bellows., And peace of mind thy final moments clofe. On the Death of Sir Robert Long, Bart. Knight of the Shire for the County of Wilts. W EEP, all ye Mufes, aid my mournful verfe ; Teach me the good Acafto's praife to fing : In ftrains fublime his gen'rous deeds rehearfe. And reach his virtues on feraphic wing ! In him a univerfal friend appear'd ; In his fond eye, the tender parent dwelt, The tear he wip'd, the fighing bofom chear'd. For human woes his gentle nature felt. Bounteous like nature, and like heav'n kind I To him none pleaded misery's caufe in vain : Each focial virtue mark'd his noble mind, And fix'd on earth foft pity's friendly reign. But i 79 ] But hark ! alas ! thofe burfting fighs proclaim, The friend of man, the good Acafto fleeps ! Hark ! Virtue's fons his flight from earth deplore ; While Mifery's offspring round his beir weeps. Heav'n fnatch'd him hence, unwilling to delay- Its promis'd blifs, his virtues full reward ; In the bright regions of eternal day ! Complete and pure at the right hand of God. Monody on the fame, infcribed to his Daughter, Mifs Emma Long. HE Moon fhone pale, 'twas in her infant birth, The hour when viiions fkim the dewy earth ; When church-yards yawn, and marble tombs arife. And Ghofts glide by unfeen by human eye. When the falfe glow-worm leads the travelling fwain In fatal mazes round the defart plain ; LouJ [ So ] Loud thro' the gloom was heard fad Emma's cries, Her tender parent mounts the lucid fkies ! Hark, the deep groan! fay, why at this dread hour, Comes Terror's King ? why here his tyrant pow'r ? Not Virtue bribes his bufy fcythe to reft, Or filial torrents melt his harden'd breaft. He comes^ 'tis true; but fee yon Seraph ! fee Impatient hover, 'till his dart decree The foul to quit its cumb'rous mortal frame, To mount on Seraph's wing to endlefs fame. Miftaken ye, who mourn fad Emma's lofs y Ah ! change the theme, and teach her to rejoice : Death wears no terrors for the wife and good, But kindly leads them from life's mazy wood. Where born to fufter, no true pleafures grow ; Say, happiefl mortals, are you free from woe ? i Has L 8i ] Has not your fweets, tho' cropt in Virtue's road Been deep embitter'd ? not the promis'd good ? Ah ! ceafe then Emma, ceafc thefe fruitlefs tears ; Ah ! load not thus thy gentle breaft with cares : He's gone 'tis true, fate fealcd the dread decree. And heav'n receives him but to wait for thee. To groves of blifs his raptur'd foul retires Where thou fhalt meet, and join the facred choirs ; With thy bleft parent grateful praifes fing, At the high throne of heav'n' s eternal king ! Oh ! let a fifter heart, and humble pen. Recall fome comfort to thy breaft again ; Lament no more, true wifdom joy muft find In God's decrees, the parent of mankind. Eternal blifs fucceeds a life of peace ; Smiles ev'n m death, adorn the juft man's ficc : M While f 82 ] while from his tomb immortal fragrance flows, Where Virtue's facred flow'rs eternal blows ! Oh ! then take comfort, ceafe to mourn and weep ; Nor wake his afhes from their tranquil flcep : Thy grief would interrupt celeftial joy, Could he behold his Emma's fad employ* Accept the tribute which the mufe would pay To his furvivors, and his honour'd clay : Tho' mortal pow'rs can never juftly {hew, That worth and virtue which the world fhould know^ ABSENCE. VV tIERE fhall I fly, what words can fpeak my pain ? In vain all nature blooms, it blooms in vain : Meandring flreams and nodding woods unite. To greet with beauteous fccnes the raptur'd fight ; The ( 83 ) The voice of joy loud echoes thro' the plain, ^hile haplefs I in fruitlefs fighs complain : lere lowing herds in flow'ry paflures feed, lere nymphs and fhepherds tune the oaten reed ; Vhile rofy chaplet crown each faithful fwain, »Jor thoughts impure their artlefs loves profane : But ceafe, now Damon's gone, ye flow'rs to fpring, ^e warblers ceafe in fprightly ftrains to fing ;