THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY From the collection of Julius Doerner, Chicago Purchased, 1918. 821 C555s / //?(-.: rf. Y# C '£ z PT-rr* > Tis sweet along the stream to hie. And hear the zephyr gently sigh Amongst the willows on its brink. Whose tops bend down the stream to drink To hear the w 7 ater gurgle o’er The pebbles on its beauteous shore Is sw 7 eet, and gaze upon the sport Of little fish which there resort. Their tiny forms and speckled pride As rapid through the wave they glide : Or, ’neath the sun’s refulgent beam, To strip and plunge into the stream ; And thus refresh’d, to join the throng Of youths that roam its banks along. EROTOPIIUSEOS. 21 In search of exercise and health ; More precious far than heaps of wealth. The conq’ror he, whose leaps exceed All others* on the flowery mead ; Who with most skill the gelding reins ; Who first the goal in running gains ; Who furthest hurls the iron crow, Or barbed arrow from the bow ; Who drives the football swift along, And follows first of all the throng ; Who climbs the tall tree’s dizzy height, Undazzled by the downward sight ; And, on the loftiest bough that bends Beneath his weight, provokes his friends To mount and bear him company, Where none, he knows, dare climb but he : Yet this is dangerous sport, I ween, As from what follows may be seen. It happen’d “ once upon a time,” As with a youthful friend I roam’d, Who lov’d the dizzy height to climb, Or stem the flood that fiercest foam’d, (In truth he was a fearless wight,) It happen’d that we bent our way Through forest trees of tow’ring height, Where seldom we were wont to stray. 22 EROTOPHUSEOS. There o’er the rest one tree uprose, Like youthful giant, thin and tall ; And this my young companion chose To climb, in preference to all ! “ Look ! look ! ” ’t was thus to me he cried ; 66 Behold that tree without a bough, Save one cross arm ; on it I’ll ride, Cross-legg’d, ere long, I swear and vow ! Oh ! what a glory it will be. To tell my young companions round, That I have clomb the loftiest tree. That in the forest can be found !” “ Forbear,” I cried, “ to tempt thy fate ; That tree is smooth ; no footing there ; Thou ’It haply find, when ’tis too late. That thou hast won thy glory dear.” Without regarding good advice. By which the rash are ne’er restrain’d. He clomb the tree, and, in a trice. The dizzy bough in safety gain’d. ^ Where’s now thy fear?” he taunting said ; “ Thy c dear-bought glory and renown ’? The weak are evermore afraid.” u Boast not,” said I, “ until thou’rt down He laugh’d in scorn, and without fear Long rode cross-legg’d upon that bough, EROTOPHUSEOS. 23 And gaz’d on all things far and near, At times shrill whistling, singing now. At length, the morning hours nigh spent, The youth determin’d to descend, Once more on earth his looks he bent. Once more he sought his ancient friend ; And call’d aloud, “ Look up ! and see How quickly I shall come below; When from this bough I gain the tree, I’ll dart like arrow from the bow !” Too boastful words ! presumptuous youth ! And dearly for them did he pay ! What pen can paint that scene with truth, Or all I felt with truth portray? He miss’d his hold ! and down he fell, A height of forty feet and more ! And I alone remain’d to tell His sad mishap and sufferings sore! He was not kill’d at once, but long He linger’d in the greatest pain ; A warning to the giddy throng, Who would the loftiest heights attain. He linger’d, speechless, senseless, sad, For many days, and then he died ! Too bold and daring was the lad, A slave, alas ! to fame and pride. 24 EROTOPHUSEOS. But, ever since that day, I dread To see a youth climb up too high ; It palls my heart and turns my head. And leaves me in an agony. For still I think I see that child, All bloody ’neath the tall, smooth tree I think I see his eyes so wild, In frenzy, glare full fierce on me ! I shudder when I call to mind His parent’s grief and wild despair ; His little brothers, sisters kind, All steep’d in tears around his bier ! And hope that all who read my tale, Which is most true as I declare, Will warning take, and never fail Of pride and praise to be aware ; And shun ambition’s baneful lure, Which leads to danger oft and woe : The humblest path is most secure, For joys above and peace below; And in this path who walks shall be, The wise, the just, the pure and free. EROTOPIIUSEOS. 25 SCENE II. Public school. — Doctor BirchiiTs terrible propensities to en- force every argument at the point of the cane. — The great piety of the pedant ; — his comfortable doctrines ; — a sample of his sermons ; — their small effect on his pupils, with a few exceptions. — Character and progress in grace of one of these in particular, and the late unhappy fall of that once eminent saint. — Charitable reflections thereon. — Rise of a political star. — Contrast between those tyrannical times and the glorious freedom now enjoyed by the rising gene- ration. — The State system of education. — Warning to our rulers. What scene succeeds? the public school; The close restraint; the pedants rule; Th’ ungrateful task ; the ancient lore ; Abstruse pursuits unknown before ; Hard names of most portentous sound. Pronounc’d with learned look profound. The master sat in flowing gown ; A man he was of high renown, A man of knowledge, sense, and wit, As if by order made to fit. He sat upon a kind of throne, High rais’d, in honour quite alone : ’Twas there he sat in all his glory, Explaining, to obscure, the story ; And if you could not comprehend him, His cane lay by him to defend him ; 26 EROTOPHUSEOS. This to adjust the matter tended. And soon the controversy ended. Such argument must needs prevail, It seldom hath been known to fail ; His pupils duly felt its force. And yielded up the point of course : Though freshmen sometimes deem’d it right To make a show of vigorous fight. Before they understood the man. Or knew his meritorious plan ; And hence a scene would oft ensue, Most ludicrous indeed to view. A waggish youth approach’d the shrine Where sat this reverend divine, And thus address’d him in a tone Too bold and confident, I own, But temper’d with profound respect. Though penetration might detect A lurking malice in his eye. Which common minds could scarce descry ; A glance which he could not control, Show’d he had scann’d the pedant’s soul. “ Sir, though I’ve labour’d at it hard, This sentence doth my course retard ; ’Tis so perplex’d in mood and tense, I try in vain to find the sense.” E ROTO PII US EOS. O “ What say*st thou, boy ? then bring it here/’ Cried Birchin, with a look severe ; 66 1 fear thou*rt dull of comprehension ! Now listen to me with attention. And I will make the matter plain As sunshine that precedes the rain : But mark me well ; none ever dare With me to reason ; so bevvare : This, as a freshman, thou shouldst know, So runs my rule, my will is so : There — that*s the way — now get along, And mingle with the learned throng.” “ But, sir, I cannot see the wherefore — ** “ Thou canst not ? W ell, I *11 teach thee, therefore Hold out thine hand.” “ Oh ! sir, I pray!” “ Hold out thine hand ! again I say.” “For what, sir? let me understand—” “ Silence, thou dog ! hold out thine hand. What, rebel ! dare me ! then take that — ” And on he kept — whack, whack ! rat, tat ! 0*er arms and head and shoulders, till His strength was wanting to his will : At length fatigued and blown he cried, “ *Tis thus 1*11 tame thy stubborn pride ; The wherefore? eh ! what say*st thou now ?” “ Tis clear as noon, sir, I allow ; 28 EROTOPHUSEOS. I wonder why I was so stupid, And almost blind as master Cupid, As not to comprehend thy meaning : True knowledge only comes from gleaning. As best we can, the scatter’d grain That fall at times, sir, from thy brain. Without attempting once to question The truth of any one suggestion.” “ Just so, my boy ; Pythagoras, Thou know’st, although a stupid ass, Compar’d with those who now hold reign O’er Education’s wide domain, Had made a rule, and firmly fix’d it, That none should spurn his ipse dixit ; His pupils heard, with awe and wonder, The potent magic of his thunder ; And all had felt that it were treason, To urge one word like sense or reason. And you, (I speak to all the school,) Must so be subject to my rule ; In ev’ry thing you must obey My voice, nor dare me to gainsay. You come to school, with what intention? To exercise your own invention ? No, no ! ye come to learn, not cavil, Nor try deep myst’ries to unravel. E ROTO PII USE OS. 29 Your reasoning powers you must suppress, If any such ye may possess ; As well might neophyte in church, Presume to question Doctor Birch ; Or simple peasant girl, indeed, Demand a reason for her creed ! It is a strange infatuation, That spurs a man, whatever his station, (A Christian man of faith and grace,) To seek a reason for his case ! How much more still it is for you, To question what I say or do ! For strange as that may seem to be. I’ll prove it right by this, d’ye see !” Thus having said, his cane he whirl’d Around his head, and broad unfurl’d A flag which meant, “ I’ll give no quarter, While I can wield this great exhorter.” O days of school ! O days of school ! So much beprais’d by ev’ry fool, I cannot say I much admire Your fountain stream or glowing fire; I cannot say I love to dwell, So much, on time there spent so well : “ That joyous time,” so runs the phrase, “ When ev’ry thing had charms to please !” 30 EROTOPHUSEOS. Alas ! I J m sure that Doctor Birchin Had no such charms to please an urchin ; Or if so, I cannot remember ; His countenance was like December With furious blasts the foliage strewing ; His very glance was blight and ruin, (His breath so cold, his heart so cruel ; It makes me think of gripes and gruel !) Portending direful sleet and rain, With all the ills that swell their train ; The storms and tempests round him gather. And claim him for their lawful father ! But oh ! he w r as a saint prodigious, So strict, austere, and so religious ! For we were forc’d against our will, (I fear I ’m unconverted still,) To go to Service thrice a day, (I mean on Sundays,) and to pray At least an hour or two at night, In concert with this burning light : And sure enough, had we been gracious, We each had been a saint Ignatius. But broth, they say, by too much cooking, Is often spoilt : by too much booking, The scholar’s lore may keep decaying ; So saint’s hot zeal by too much praying. EROTOPHUSEOS. 31 This must have been the case with many Who studied there ; for few, if any. Sounded the gospel of salvation, As bright examples in the nation, Or e’er for grace or faith were jealous, But most were jovial, graceless fellows. As iron pots, in constant use, Contract a scaly coat and loose, (’Tis not in truth a coat, but breeches,) Which yet sticks fast as cabinet leeches ; Thus must our grace have been so crusted. By use, as to become quite rusted. And then the Doctor’s exhortations Could rival well his explanations, When ev’ry Sunday, after dinner, He preach’d the gospel to the sinner. Both from the rostrum and the pulpit, Though few were eager then to gulp it. He said we all were born in evil, Th’ incarnate offspring of the devil ; That e’en that babe upon the knee, (Pointing, that all might plainly see,) Which just with pap had been well cramm’d. Must be inevitably ! Unless forestalling grace decreed That it should be a saint indeed : 32 EROTOPHUSEOS. That nothing it might ever do, Could save its soul and body too, Or either, from the burning lake. Scoop’d out for sin and sinners* sake ! In short, that nothing could protect it. Unless it had been pre-elected ! Then would he rail at moral preachers, And all such “ self-deluded teachers** : They preach*d, he said most bitterly, A dead, a dumb, morality ; And taught a doctrine most pernicious, That man, by nature vile and vicious, Could any better be, forsooth ! For loving honour, virtue, truth ; For being honest and sincere, In all his dealings just, severe ; Still sober, loving, kind to all, And open still to mercy*s call ; As if, indeed, he e*er could rise, By any virtues, to the skies ! Such doctrine he pronounc*d to be Of folly the epitome ! For other creed the sheep must hold, He said, who seek the Saviour’s fold ; They must renounce all moral deeds, And spurn them as the vilest weeds ! EROTOPHUSEOS. 33 They must be clothed in grace divine, And ev’ry false device resign ; That moral thoughts ofttimes mislead And on the heels of sinning tread ; To self-importance they may tend. And wean us from our only friend. “ How oft," he said, “as an example,” (For he would sometimes quote a sample,) “ How oft have moral sinners found, Who lean’d upon such fatal ground, And firm in conscious innocence, Thought they were void of all offence — How often have they found at last. The dream of life’s delusion past, That they were headlong plung’d in hell. There with th’ infernal damn’d to dwell In everlasting fire and chains ! Such are the moral sinner’s gains ! ! “ But you, my brethren, sons of grace. May wear a bright and joyous face ; Be confident of heaven at last ; Be life in sweet assurance past ; For ye were ransom’d and redeem’d. Long ere the sun on Eden beam’d, By sovereign grace, without desert Of yours, or aught that could assert c 34 EROTOPHUSEOS. A title to that glorious throne Which Christ has bought for you alone ! Then come, my brethren dear, rejoice, And raise with me your grateful voice To Him who reigns above the heaven, To whom be praise and glory given ; Glory and grace, grace and glory ! This be your song, and this your story ! ” I said above that few, alas ! Of those whose privilege it was To live beneath the Doctor’s care, And breathe the selfsame holy air. Did profit by it as they ought, Or e’er for grace and glory sought. But yet a few exceptions bright Shed lustre on that gloomy night. Then come, my muse, and prune thy wing ; Since Fame demands it, we must sing, Of all that host, at least one star Which shed its radiance wide and far ; Till lately, in an evil hour. By Satan’s cruel, envious power, That star, of all its lustre shorn. Was from its lofty station torn ! But let not hope within us die ; We yet may view it in the sky EROTOPHUSEOS. 35 Restor’d; since grace must still prevail. Which never has been known to fail In souls where e’en its ghost we trace ; And though such souls may meet disgrace, ’Tis but a moment’s test to prove The power of renovating love, The nothingness of man’s resolves. In all his span of life involves ; For, purified and freed at length. They must resume their native strength, Above this dark terrestrial sphere. And all the ills that wait them here : Thus, dearest Philimore, we see That all may yet be well with thee ! This pious youth, of all the school, Observ’d the best his master’s rule : He kept him ever in his view, Resolv’d his footsteps to pursue. Though at a distance, as was meet For one so humble and discreet. Like him, austere in all his w r ays, An enemy to sports and plays. He thought it sinful to beguile One weary moment by a smile. His hands were rais’d, upturn’d his eyes To glories far above the skies ; c 2 EROTOPHUSEOS. 36 All earthly gains he counted loss. All glittering wealth the vilest dross, Compared with Christianas daily cross. To College thence he bent his way. Impatient of the long delay Ere he could all his spirit pour, Like oil, the congregations o’er. At length, become a holy priest. Or holy deacon at the least, (1 know not which, nor does it matter,) He long’d the gospel seed to scatter In ground, where it might take deep root. And bring in hundred-fold its fruit : For just at first he was confin’d To barren lands and soils unkind, A rustic village far retir’d. Where nothing great could be admir’d, Nor learning, piety, nor taste, But all were squander’d on a waste. At length, as kindest fate decreed. Which ever serv’d him at his need. As one day o’er the Times he por’d, (The Times with cant and nonsense stor’d,) And travell’d through it with a sigh, This notice caught his longing eye ! “ To Curates. — In a church in town, A man is wanted of renown ; EROTOPHUSEOS. 37 And he who hopes to suit that place* Must be a child of faith and grace* Pure* evangelical and holy* And deem all moral acts a folly : He must be eloquent — not witty; Address* (post paid)* X. in the City.” Now* when the Rev. Philimore Had read this notice o’er and o’er* He measur’d both its breadth and length* And found it suited to his strength So well* that he resolv’d to write To London on that selfsame night. The action follow’d quick the thought ; As quick the post returning brought An answer to his application* Which calVd him to the situation* On trial* just pro tem .* to see How well his doctrines might agree With what his patrons judg’d most sound : And what they sought in him they found. Their creed might orthodox be nam’d* Or evangelical more fam’d ; ’Twas quite in fashion then* or rather Was just beginning strength to gather. For them our hero was the man Most fit the depths of grace to scan. EROTOPHUSEOS. 38 He preach’d, and grace flow’d from his tongue With grace the lofty temple rung ; And many fair ones soon could trace, His ev’ry act to love and grace. The Law by him was laid aside, “ It smack’d of pharisaic pride ; The sons of the inheritance No longer wanted such defence. For free as aether pure were they. And privileg’d alone to pray To Abba Father in the skies. And worldly-minded men despise.” No wonder with such sterling worth, He brought the fruits of virtue forth; The seeds were sown, and, summer past. The teeming harvest came at last ; But many thought it was a flaw, That more was rais’d by love than law ; And censur’d this poor son of God As if in sin the saint had trod ; But others cheer’d the holy man. To bear with fortitude the plan By which his Father chose to raise New saints and angels to his praise ! Yet charity, should it prevail, Would paint the ills that life assail ; EROTOPHUSEOS. 39 How very hard it is to guide Our bark through passions boisterous tide ! That man, at best, is truly weak To act, though bold to think and speak : And that we should, with trembling still And fear, work out our Master’s will ; And not presume to boast that we, Of all mankind, alone are free, The sons of Him who rules on high, And heirs presumptive to the sky ; Since unto all His gifts extend ; God is the universal friend ! Of others, too, who studied there, As rich in grace, with gift of prayer I equally might boast ; but then My modesty restrains my pen. Besides, my time and narrow space Forbid me all their w^orth to trace ; And some, whose names I need not tell, In worldly learning promis’d well : Some dealt in prose, and some in verse, And some could Shakspeare all rehearse. One wrote a novel which was read By many a youth and many a maid : And he to greater things aspir’d ; With loftier zeal his soul w r as fir’d ; 40 EROTOPHUSEOS. His just ambition towered so high, (As far as we could then descry,) As to conduct the public car, Or in the senate reign a star : But how he has succeeded there, I know, though I will not declare ; For what can not be fully done. Had better much be left alone. By his own acts let him be tried, As others, — once our boast and pride ; And when they all proclaim their story. The world must recognise their glory. Then leaving each to find his way To public notice as he may, I cannot help remarking here, The widely different career The youth of modern times enjoy. From what at school I, as a boy, Was subject to, at ev’ry hour, From master’s lash and usher’s power. O dear, enlighten’d, modern times ! How shall I praise you in my rhymes As it is meet, and your desert Or half your usefulness assert ! And, O ye youths, emancipated From bonds severe as antiquated. EROTOPIIUSEOS. 41 With what deep gratitude should you Your alter’d state and prospects view ! No tyrant now will dare control The workings of the freeborn soul, Restrain the mighty reasoning power, Or nip it in its nascent hour. He will not dare with vulgar hands To urge despotic, rude commands, By ignominious lash applied To parts where honour doth reside. No ! he who would your duty prove. Must rule by silken bonds of love. Nor is your precious time confin’d To verb or substantive declin’d ; To prosody and grammar rule, Which once were all in all at school ; No, no ! for freely now ye soar The earth, the sky, and ocean o’er. Disciples of philosophy, Induction in your mental eye, And ev’ry thing, in ev’ry place, To class and order ye can trace. What wonder then that we behold Such prodigies as ne’er, of old. Could, from th’ existing state of things. Have donn’d their scientific wings, 42 EROTOPHUSEOS. To mount up to the very skies, To which so many now arise ? What wonder, too, that such a train Of thoughts as fill the poet’s brain, The idle dreamings of the muse, And all the grace she can infuse, Should now be driven from the stage. In this utilitarian age, When nought but vapour can go down ? *Ti$ now the lion of the town, And he who glory hopes to gain Must follow in her puffing train ! But, best of all ! my youthful friends, (To me the thought makes full amends For all I suffered long ago, When I was persecuted so For conscience* sake, or rather, that My holy zeal was dull and flat !) O best of all ! most glorious boon ! (It will at least be certain soon,) No longer shall your hours be spent In church, where in a pew close pent You now must spend the sabbath-day To hear dull sermons, and to pray The same dull round of prayers again, In apathy and oft in pain : EROTOPHUSEOS. 43 From this ye soon shall be set free* And each shall be at liberty His church and priest and creed to choose. To go to Service or refuse As he thinks fit ; for why should you Be check’d in what ye wish to do ? Are not your youthful minds full strong To choose the right, eschew the wrong ? Your reason surely can prevail, E’en should religion’s fabric fail. And from its lofty summit fall. In fact, ye w T ant no faith at all ! O ye, who steer the public bark, Be wise in time ; read, learn and mark ; Reflect on both sides pictur’d here ; Both have their shoals ; then cautious steer ’Twixt Scylla and Charybdis loud ; Mind not the sordid, vulgar crowd, Who, charm’d with sirens from the land, Would drive your vessel on the strand; Who, strong of hand though weak of head. Are by each gust of passion led. Then stop their ears, their hands make fast, By lashings, to the bending mast ; And, taking wisdom in your train, Dash onward through the raging main ; 44 EROTOPIIUSEOS. And when, at length, the danger ’s o’er, Your vessel safely off the shore, Unstop their ears, their hands unbind; No longer need they be confin’d. For useful to you they shall be. When once ye gain the open sea. To mount aloft, unfurl the sails. Or reef them when the storm assails ; To work the vessel through the tide, In short, do ev’rything but — guide. SCENE III. I go to College. — Not yet fixed on a profession. — Resolve to study Divinity, Physic, Law, and all the arts and sciences. — Character of Doctor Dogma, Professor of Theology. — That great Divine’s Lectures — his pious zeal, charity, and toleration. — His logical argument showing that all men should be subject to and satisfied with the Church, proved by a curious illustration. — I renounce Theology, and em- brace Physic. — Qualifications of a Court physician. — In despair of arriving at such perfection I abandon Physic also, and take to the Law. — But soon burn my Law books. — Sketch of other Professors. — My former contempt for all Professors and the knowledge they imparted now changed into admiration and respect. — The reason. Shift we the scene ; for further knowledge Demands that I should go to college. EROTOPHUSEOS. 45 And some profession duly learn, Since I to live must something earn ; But whether Physic, Church, or Law Should claim me, no one yet foresaw ; Nor had I any predilection For one or other learned section. As yet wise men associating Had not commenced perambulating (A bright and glorious constellation ! ) Through all the cities of the nation ; And therefore folks were not so wise As now in what they ought to prize ; And parents could not oft decide What best might suit their childrens pride, Or taste, or genius, or their health. Or what might soonest lead to wealth ; And hence they often left the choice Depending on their children^ voice. Thus I, to find my true vocation, Resolved to study, in rotation. Religion, physic, law and arts, With science in its various parts ; And then to follow that pursuit, Which best my strength and taste might suit. Then first I to theology With all my might and main apply, 46 EROTOPHUSEOS. But find the study rather dry. My teachers or professors, — never Were men so wise, profound and clever ! My theological was nam’d The Reverend Doctor Dogma, fam*d For great research in lore antique, For Hebrew, Latin, Dutch and Greek ; Deep skilled was he in history. In logic and philosophy ; In short, he was a living wonder ; Like swords, his words would cut asunder The knot of any argument, So that who heard him was content. And satisfied in heart and soul That nothing could his power control. With him it was my privilege To scan the theologic page. But ere I yet could be admitted. It must be seen if I were fitted ; And hence a strict examination On various parts of education. My Latin, Greek were put to test. My history, numbers, and the rest ; But mathematics were reputed For holy priest exactly suited $ Yet why, I could not then discover. EROTOPHUSEOS. 47 But since I ’ve thought the matter over, I find, or think I find, a cause For such long-sighted rules and laws ; And thus, methinks, it seems to be, Though some to this may not agree. As many wise and pious men Believe that we shall rise again. With all the faculties that here Have marked our sublunar career. And that the world to come will be Much like what here below we see, But still progressing on to bliss, As we may do who live in this ; And that the bent of ev’ry mind Will there a vast expansion find ; And that the learning here acquir’d Will there be useful and admir’d ; ’T is no bad foresight to infuse A science dear to tithes and dues ; To measure lands and calculate The utmost worth of each estate ; Since not alone to earth ’s confin’d The use of science so refin’d ; For Heaven will all her stores unfold To fill the parson’s bags with gold ! 48 EROTOPHUSEOS. Another little step remains Ere I can wear the students chains ; But this so very commonplace is, It hardly worth a moments space is : Besides, it is so wise and prudent, So well approv’d by ev’ry student, That to arraign it were invidious. And might be charg’d with thoughts insidious. ’T is but to swear an oath or two, That you believe, as strictly true, The Athanasian creed and each, The articles our rubrics teach, I mean the thirty-nine together, (You can’t complain of length of tether,) And that through life you will maintain them, In face of all who may arraign them ; That you ’ll uphold the Church and State With zeal w T hich never shall abate, And be, in short, the willing slave Of mother Church your soul to save. This is, indeed, a pleasing task ! For what more just, I beg to ask, Than that the plain, ingenuous youth. Who humbly comes to seek the truth And learn a creed which he may teach To rich and poor within his reach. EROTOPHUSEOS. 49 Should first of all, by good men’s care, Be made most solemnly to swear To one already fram’d to fit, The conscience of the keenest wit, And afterwards be set to read The reasons for this holy creed ? And though I ’ve heard a few complain Of conscience and a pang of pain, Yet for myself I think it wise To make this little sacrifice : It saves much time and useless trouble, Which, well employ’d, will pay you double ; For after many learned lectures, Assertions bold and bold conjectures, From Doctor Dogma, urg’d at length With learning’s power and wisdom’s strength, And after much mature reflection In ev’ry possible direction, I found I knew its meaning better Before I ’d ever learnt a letter ! These slight preliminaries over, Like cows impatient for the clover, I fly to Doctor Dogma’s treasure, And quaff his wisdom at my leisure. I learn’d that heresies and crimes Assail’d the Church in former times ; D 50 EROTOPHUSEOS. That darkness overspread the earth, And Antichrist, with baleful breath. Had blasted all the gospel fruit, And gnaw’d the tree’s most sacred root, Its sap had poison’d at its source, Or dried it in its onward course ; That tyranny and love of gold Had seiz’d the Church and Christian fold ; That lazy priests and bishops proud, In pomp despis’d the vulgar crowd, And fed upon the slaves they spurn’d, Or in the Inquisition burn’d ; That monks and nuns (O sin and shame !) Had oft indulg’d a guilty flame, And led a wicked kind of lives ; (’Tis true the priests could not take wives ;) That livings were set up for sale ; That all corruptions did prevail ; Indulgences for sin were sold ; E’en murders were redeem’d with gold ! With tithes the people were distress’d, And oft for conscience’ sake oppress’d ! Thus all the world had been subdued By priestcraft’s crying turpitude, Till Martin Luther, burning star, Commenc’d emancipation’s war, EROTOPHUSEOS. 51 And freed the nations from the yoke Of Papal bondage which he broke. For oh ! what power on earth should bind The noble, mighty, freeborn mind ? And now the spring of gospel light, Which long had lain concealed in night, Oppress’d by earthy dross of gold. Was opened to the Christian fold, And suffer’d freely forth to flow, To soothe the mighty mass of woe That o’er the Christian church had spread, And paralys’d its very head ; To banish prejudice and crime And bigotry through future time ; To reassert the reign of grace To which all passions must give place ; To purify the human heart, And make it sound in ev’ry part ; In short, to work that revolution In man, which, at its institution, The Gospel was design’d to make For its Almighty founder’s sake, And would have done, long, long ago, Had Satan not oppos’d it so ; And human pride and human will, So prone to sin and error still. d 2 52 EROTOPHUSEOS. “ Here let us pause and praise the Lord/* Said Doctor Dogma, “ for his word, And that it is our privilege, To read and mark its sacred page; To learn and duly to digest it. Through Him whose prophecy hath blest it To ev’ry age and race and clime, As long as earth exists and time ; And that we live in days of lights Freed from the Papal black of night ; And in a Christian land and pure, Where holy faith is kept secure, And raised aloft upon a throne, Which honest, thinking men must own To be the very dwelling-place Of life and truth and sovereign grace ; Where all are ready to uphold. With life itself, the Church and fold : And if we cast our eyes around, Our joy must surely much abound. So great our privileges are, When with the world we them compare i “ It fills the soul with deep distress To gaze on this earth’s wilderness, And think on heathen lands afar. Where Satan drives the idol’s car, EROTOPHUSEOS. 53 And blinds his groveling votaries To all the glories of the skies ; Where crafty Hindu priesthood reigns And holds the vulgar mass in chains By subtleties not understood By any but the brotherhood : Or of those isles in southern seas Where men fall down to stocks of trees. Or where the naked savage strays, And ’midst delightful valleys plays. The child of nature, wild and free. Unwitting of the Deity; Or of the brink on w r hich he stands, Th’ unconscious breaker of commands That never reach’d his untaught ear, For which he ’s doom’d to suffer dear ! And then what millions ev’ry day. In savage lands are swept aw r ay By death, without a saving faith, And sink into the gulf beneath ! For what though moral they may be. That not averts their misery : For since none other name is given Whereby man can ascend to heaven, Save One alone, wiio knows it not, Whate’er his place on earth or lot, 54 EROTOPHUSEOS. Must perish, lack of gospel grace : So runs the justice of the case ; To question which in us were vain, Since Christ himself doth so ordain. Then would that we could spread abroad The knowledge of his precious word ; And make the heathen heart of stone The power of this great truth to own ! What harmony and joy would reign Where Discord now lights up her train ! What light would shine where Darkness spreads Her baleful wings, and poison sheds ! What honour, justice, virtue, love. Would fill each consecrated grove. Where idols now, alas ! prevail. And ills unnumbered life assail ! The groveling lust of gold would fly. Like shadows from the noonday sky ; Disinterested hearts and hands Would join to do the Lord’s commands ; And human nature, there so base. Would rise triumphant child of grace !” Thus would the Doctor’s pious prayer Embrace the heathen in its care, By way of episode ; and then He set him to his task again. EROTOPHUSEOS. 55 “ Those mighty ills/* he said, “ that rose To blast the Christian's sweet repose, The Churches peace, were swept away, Like clouds before the orb of day, By Martin Luther and his band Of martyrs, who with heart and hand United to disperse the cloud By which the Church, as by a shroud. Had been concealed from mortal sight. And veil’d in darkness deep as night. The Gospel was unseal’d, unfurl’d Was its broad pennant to the world ; Its fountain open’d at its source. And purified through all its course : Its fields and pastures bath’d in dew. Where all might revel, op’d to view. Ho ! ev’ry one that thirsteth, see The nectar here prepar’d for thee ! Come, drink most freely ! ye distress’d, Behold, behold your place of rest ! And lo ! the people, freed from chains, Rush eager to those happy plains. Those fields of paradise so blest. Where reigns a calm and peaceful rest. They quaff its streams of crystal bright. And revel in its sunny light ! 5 6 EROTOPIIUSEOS. As when from torpid tombs arise The gaily coated butterflies. And in the bright and sunny hour Sip nectar’d dews from flower to flower. “ But soon, alas ! (yet why repine ? They were but human, not divine,) Too soon a change came o’er the scene. And tempests rag’d with fury keen. Fierce controversies now arose, And robb’d the church of sweet repose. Disputes assail’d the new reformed, And long and loud their thunders stormed ; And Luther was surpris’d to find So many to his merits blind : He was the first that led the way The power of popes to brave, gainsay ; He open’d first the script’ral fount, And pointed to the holy mount, Where all on equal terms could meet, (Of truth and faith the only seat,) The mount of Private Judgement call’d ; ’T was he who gave the mind enthrall’d By priestcraft and the Papal power. To taste the fruit of freedom’s flower. Then why should any dare assail His will, which ever should prevail ? E ROTO P II US EOS. 57 Or question doctrines which he taught. Who found the truth because he had sought ? But others, who thought they had found A better faith on better ground Than human reason could impart, (That is to say, the fleshy hearty Which had sprung from regeneration. The only proof of true salvation, — That by the Holy Spirit given, To teach the way from earth to Heaven—) These others taught a different creed, To which, they said, all must give heed Who would be sav’d ; and this was grace Which serv’d alike for ev’ry case. This new light own’d for its great founder John Calvin, Scripture’s bold expounder. Who for this daring innovation (’T was yet a proof of inspiration) Incurr’d of Luther the displeasure, W T ho rail’d at Calvin without measure. But would that things had rested here ! Others arose still more austere ; And others in their doctrines loose. Who to all morals gave a truce ; Some ran quite naked through the street. Their naked friends the saints to greet ; 58 EROTOPHUSEOS. And others jump’d and leap’d about, Like maskers at a ball or rout ; All for the sake of Gospel light, Which drew them from the gloom of night. And others sat, or quaking stood. Until the Spirit pour’d a flood Of eloquence on many a tongue ; And then the lofty temple rung With solemn sounds, sublimely holy. Which quite dispers’d their melancholy. From eyes that with rapt visions roll, Beams forth the chaste, the fervid soul ; And Heaven with all its joys descends To cheer the drooping, honest c Friends ’! “ But w T hy should I thus vainly dwell On follies which t’ were long to tell ? ” Said Dogma ; 66 for, in sooth, that time Was mark’d with folly and with crime ; And superstition held full sway, Companion of the Gospel day : As if no good could be enjoy’d By man on earth, unless alloy’d With evil lurking in its train ; No pleasure free from subtle pain. For Folly too must have its season Before men wake to sense and reason ; EROTOPIIUSEOS. 5 ( J As fermentation must be past. Ere we the grape’s pure virtues taste. Thus when at length their heat subsided. And they could bear, though still divided. The different creeds that each professed, A Christian charity most blessed Sprung from that glorious reformation. Till then unknown, — ’twas Toleration ! ’Tis this our country’s Church adorns. Which aught like persecution scorns ; This is the glory of our nation, Its scource of pride and lofty station ; Its boast at home, abroad its guard, (Right ever brings its own reward,) And he who holds not in his breast This pure, this noble, Christian guest. Should ne’er assume the sacred vest. “ This of our fabric is the base ; It is th’ indisputable right Of ev’ry man, in ev’ry place. To judge of faith by reason’s light ; To read, to mark the sacred page. And inwardly digest the same ; And thus hold forth to ev’ry age A burning torch of purest flame ; 60 EROTOPHUSEOS. The only light to mortals given, By which to guide their weary eyes From earthly scenes to peaceful heaven. Their home eternal in the skies. This is the general rule, conjoined With grace, to aid our weaker thought ; From Calvin we the last purloin’d, (Which yet with dang’rous lore is fraught.) But cavillers there may be found, (They doubtless think themselves profound !) Who say the doctrines that we teach We do not practise as we preach ; That Toleration ’s but a name To cover persecution’s flame ; That all who differ from us feel Of bigotry the power and zeal ; And though the rack is laid aside, — Of Inquisitions once the pride, — Yet still our stubborn sons must pay For conscience in a different way : What power, they ask, have we alone Whose creed is bas’d on reason’s throne, What power have we, they say, to bind In chains the freeborn human mind ; Or claim, forsooth, th’ exclusive right Of pouring forth the gospel light ; EROTOPHUSEOS. f)l Of making articles — a creed. From which ’twere dangerous to secede; Extorting homage from the crowd, By flowing gown or mitre proud ? And, worst of all, they ’re pleas’d to say. Of seeking such enormous pay ; For what, indeed ? Because we teach What each may do as well for each ! Such vile monopoly, they add, Is Popery, or quite as bad : Nay, some do say ’tis even worse ; For Popish priests demand the purse For teaching what cannot be found Elsewhere, though search the world around ; While we demand it, yet declare, c You ’ll find religion anywhere As good, but you must purchase here, Or pay a penalty severe !’ “ Ungrateful ! They call not to mind The good we ’ve done to all mankind. In having fully purified The Church from superstition’s pride ; From ev’ry base and grov’ling bar That wag’d with faith a constant war. Such as vain alms and useless prayer. Of which the Christian should beware : 62 EROTOPHUSEOS. Celibacy and self-denial, And ev’ry such like sinful trial ; From penance done in cloistered walls, Where blinded passion vainly calls On images of holy saints, To hear the suppliants complaints ; In short, from rank idolatry. And graceless doctrines parched and dry. But carnal minds love not to dwell On themes like these. Alas ! too well We know that men are ever prone To value mercies past and gone As nothing ; w T hile, with horror still, They deprecate the present ill. But not for these alone we claim Just praise. We have a loftier aim. Let all who thus pour forth their rage. Of past abuses search the page ; They *11 find that we have nought retained Whereby the conscience could be pain’d ; The tender conscience of the holy, Who had been made most melancholy, To think on all the superstition Which, by the Papal vile permission, Had reign’d supreme o’er all the earth, And had polluted ev’ry hearth. EROTOrilUSEOS. 63 But vain the effort to recall Examples ! One must serve for all. “ Of old you know ’t was thought a merit, (O vile and moralizing spirit !) Of all the tithes one third to give* The poor and wretched to relieve ; Another third was set aside, By which abundance to provide Of all things for the altar fit, And seats where poor and rich might sit Together in God’s house of prayer; (Men sought not vain distinctions there ;) The rest was portion’d ’mongst the crowd Of pamper’d priests and bishops proud. Now who this scheme that enters in Must there detect the grossest sin : That we have chang’d these matters now For better, all must needs allow ; Since moral works are worse than vain, Their practice would the soul restrain To grov’ling thoughts and humbling sights. Of poor and sick in dismal plights ; And keep it down from soaring high, By faith and grace to mount the sky. Of this great burthen we have eas’d The holy church ; and laymen pleas’d 64 EROTOPIIUSEOS. (O privilege beyond compare !) Take on themselves this earthly care., To feed the poor* and drive away The wretched from the light of day* To gloomy prisons and to cells* Where pain with sorrow inmate dwells : And thus the priesthood are left free To revel on eternity ; And this to do with greater pleasure* We want not third* but all the treasure ; For we have wives and babes of grace* Which formerly was not the case With priests in dark and Romish times* So infamous for frauds and crimes. And as for want of toleration ! Such charge is nought but pure vexation ; For so men pay us tithes and dues* They *re free to hold what faith they choose ; ’Tis only when in this they fail* That we their liberty assail ; With great reluctance we *re compelled To punish such as have rebelled In this one thing* which comprehends Great crimes for which nought makes amends. The prison now must ope her doors* And Terror ransack all her stores* EROTOPHUSEOS. 6 To make such stubborn wretches feel Their fatal want of holy zeal.” Thus would the Reverend Doctor teach His axioms in the smoothest speech, Most oily flow of eloquence, Though oft obscure and void of sense. But yet no oracle could be More fix’d or positive than he. The ways of Heaven he clearly saw, Nor gaz’d, like other men, with awe Upon the mysteries there conceal’d From all besides, to him reveal’d ; But, with a bold and eagle eye, He soar’d above the starry sky, Undazzled with the light that shone Resplendent from the empyreal throne. And hence, with ease the saint could trace The hidden fount of love and grace, Pursue it through familiar ground, And show its windings round and round. Freewill — election — all was known To him, and these he made his own. The cause which our first parents drove To sin, he trac’d to holy love ! e 66 EROTOPHU8EOS. In shorty his universal mind Was by no narrow bounds confined; But grasp’d; in its gigantic span; All heaven and earth; both God and man ! To some, at least; he thus appear’d; Whose hearts were not; like mine; so sear’d To what was good ; but I confess I scarcely could his meaning guess ; For; arm’d in wordy mystery And theologic panoply, The Doctor then appear’d to me Of Priestcraft the epitome ; His pith and marrow undisguis’d Might in one sentence be compris’d; Which thus would read ; “ I fill this chair And change for gold some empty air ; ’Tis right that all my words believe; That I and such as I may live.” O ! graceless youth that I was then; To think so ill of holy men ! But so it was; if truth must out. Well! next from Church I wheel’d about To Physic; which I studied hard In hopes to gain a great reward. EROTOPHUSEOS. G7 Thought I, when medicine my trade is,, I ’ll go to court and cure the ladies* And gain renown in lofty places* If not by skill* at least by graces Which I will try to cultivate ; Those qualities which please the great* — Smooth lies* duplicity* deceit ; A look of confidence to cheat ; A polish’d bow* a pleasing smile* Confiding virtues to beguile ; And thus I ’ll rise to wealth and fame* And win an everlasting name ! Such phantoms to allure me rose* And stole away my sweet repose : But when more closely I survey’d Of each huge form the hideous shade* I loath’d their presence* and repell’d A trade ’gainst which my soul rebell’d. “ O may I never*” I exclaim’d* “ Be either learned* wise* or fam’d* If I* to prosper and to rise* Must wear such wolfish* dark disguise!” And now the Law alone remain’d* To which* for life* I must be chain’d* If I must live ; which yet I spurn’d* And all my law books angry burn’d* e 2 68 EROTOPHUSEOS. And; in despair — But why thus dwell On subjects which my bosom swell? I love them not, and must away To fairer scenes without delay ; Those cloister’d walls where learning’s ghost, (Or pedant lore and pomp at most,) Keeps constant watch and howls and cries With wails, to which the storm replies — I hate them all ! for still the sound Of dulness hums me round and round, Whene’er I think of time misspent. So close within their prison pent. Where’er I went, some letter’d fool, Rais’d up on his official stool, With visage grave a lecture read To youths all breathless as if dead ; Who drank the learning, (bless the mark ! And tried to come, through visions dark And dismal as a London fog, To truth — not in a well, but bog, As muddy as the bog of Allen, When once it mov’d to greet the Callen ! One oracle, with dark grimace. With wrinkled brow and wither’d face, Would labour hard until the sw r eat Flowed oft in torrents down his pate, EROTOPIIUSEOS. 69 To prove (O ! reader, mark and learn !) That we both feel, and eke discern, Smell, taste and touch, and think and see, And very likely, that we be. That is exist ; that thoughts arise Within us when we view the skies, Or earth, or sea, or any thing That there exists ; that bite or sting Will leave upon our nerves or brain, That strange sensation we call pain ; That fire will burn, a sword will kill. Because such power pervades them still : That matter is because it is, If any thing there is that is ; But this is doubtful, some declare, As ev 5 ry thing in earth, sea, air. Or universe, may only seem To be, like phantoms in a dream : In short, that we, like fairy elves. Are ne*er two moments our own selves ! Another talked of stars and nodes ; And one of syllogistic modes, Barbara, Celarent, Darii, And such-like sounding figures high ! And one there was who (wonder !) prov’d That Maro sang, and Ovid lovM, 70 EROTOPHUSEOS. That Homer liv’d, but when or where He could not tell, nor seem’d to care ! Indeed^ they all could prove what none Could entertain a doubt upon; But when a dark cloud met their view, Their dullness could not pierce it through: They flounder’d on through murky night ; Unconscious of their muddy plight. Each thought himself a brilliant light ! ’T was thus I felt in former days. Before I yet had learn’d the ways Which here on earth my feet must tread. Where words are more than heart or head To me unus’d to worldly arts. The parts of speech seem’d minor parts ; But this an error soon I found ; And now I look with awe profound On men and things I then despis’d : My learning now by me is priz’d ; No wonder, since my little share Can waft me boldly anywhere. A w r ord or two of piety Amongst the saints, will raise me high ; And if free grace I only name, A thousand tongues my worth proclaim ! EROTOPHUSEOS. Since one great maxim holds with these* “ Speak fair* but act just as you please.” But oh ! I am an angel quite* If* by good luck* I chance to write A book which serious thoughts contains : But this* alas ! is all my gains * They praise my book* but will not buy* Because the subject’s rather dry; With virtue* love is dull and icy* E’en saints prefer it warm and spicy. Then should I happen to fall ill* The Doctor comes to try his skill : He feels my pulse* and shakes his head* As if I w r ere as good as dead ; But when my mouth I open wide* And pour of Latin names a tide ; And pat the symptoms all rehearse* Like player spouting Shakspeare’s verse ; He stares ! but soon* with knowing wink* “ Ha! ha! you’re one of us* I think ; Well ! all is right — a draught* no more* Will quick your wonted health restore.” u Oh thanks ! good Doctor* here ’s your fee “ Pray do not mention it to me ; You know we charge not one another* As each in turn may serve his brother.” 72 EROTOPHUSEOS. Thus with the lawyers too I speed. And thus with savans I succeed ; Each takes me for a brother chip, And so the sweets of life I sip. But, best of all ! the ladies fair Make all my interests their care ; They call me pious, learned, wise, An Israelite without disguise ; A Socrates and saint by turns ; They say my candle constant burns, Since *neath a bushel ’t is not hid, But shining brightly from the lid, In golden candlestick so bright. Where it dispels the gloom of night. Compelled to own their fair dominion, I thank them for their good opinion. E ROTO PII US EOS. 73 SCENE IV. Leave college. — Resume rustic amusements. — Altered feel- ings. — Description of rural happiness. — My worship of nature not idolatry. — The enjoyment of religious freedom. — My happiness interrupted, — by falling in love. — De- scription of morning. — Portrait of a lady, &c. — View of evening. — “The fool saith in his heart there is no God.” — Confuted by the voices of the starry host of heaven and universal nature, which proclaim the existence and the om- nipotence of the Deity. — Night. — The sweet influences of sleep over the whole creation, except the nightingale and her attendant echo. — Conclusion. At length I joyful bid farewell To Proctor’s rule and college bell ; And once again delighted hail The verdant hill and shady dale ; Again I roam through lawn and wood ; Again I stem the boiling flood With vigorous arm and youthful pride. Or foremost in the chace I ride ! The world assum’d a different hue From that which met my childish view : Now new emotions fill’d my soul ; The blush suffus’d my cheek ; a sigh Deep drawn oft from my bosom stole When Beauty caught my wond’ring eye. Yet brief this feeling ! passing shade ! 74 EROTOPIIUSEOS. I lov’d the abstract ; but my heart No progress yet in love had made, Was still untouch’d by Cupid’s dart ; Which soon, too soon, alas ! assail’d Its inmost core, and there remain’d ; And long its sting I have bewail’d. But no repose as yet have gain’d. Of this hereafter ; now the glow Of early spring, or rosy morn ; The streamlet’s soft and murm’ring flow The huntsman’s shrill and echoing horn. The lonely glen ; the shady grove : The book and eke the rustic lyre, These were the objects of my love, On these my soul spent all its fire. Young Nature was my mistress now. To her I bent the willing knee ; To her I paid my ev’ry vow. Which yet was not idolatry. For in her form I well could trace The wonders of Almighty love ; His boundless power, unfailing grace, Which all mankind alike may prove. This was the temple of my heart. Whence ev’ry prayer to God arose, From jarring sectaries apart. EUOTOPIIUSEOS. 75 ’T was there my soul enjoyed repose : Here no dogmatic theories Of bigots in religious strife, Shut out from men the smiling skies, Or dash’d from them the cup of life. Oh ! what relief from men to fly, And hold communion with our God, And dwell with Him above the sky, Far, far from persecution’s rod ! To view the Saviour as he is. Unshackled by the schoolmen’s bonds ! The Lord of love, secure in bliss. To ev’ry Christian’s prayer responds : His boundless mercy rests not here ; The savage shares his grace and love ; And all the human form that wear By Him are drawn to joys above. The universal race of man, Each day and hour that passes by, He cares for; though they cannot scan His never-tiring charity : Nay though they oft blaspheme his name, And ’gainst his government rebel, His love for all is still the same ; And none its depths or heights can tell. Then why should puny mortals dare To bound his boundless grace or care ? 76 EROTOPHUSEOS. ’T was thus I spent each pleasing day Thus roll’d the smiling hours away In peaceful rest, and I was free As mortal well on earth can be. But ah ! what pleasures long can last ? Some hidden cause will ever blast Our earthborn hopes, our present joy, And all our sweetest bliss destroy. This soon I felt ! One fatal morn, As slow I brush’d the dewy lawn, With careless step, in thoughtful mood. And view’d the cheering purple flood Of light that shed its orient ray, O’er lofty hill and valley gay ; The fields in fairest robes were drest ; The lark had left his downy nest ; The cock awoke his clarion shrill ; More near approach’d the distant mill ; The groves were vocal all around ; The cattle brows’d the grassy ground ; The swallow twitter’d o’er the brake ; The swan rode proudly on the lake ; The mower swept the balmy hay ; The maiden sang her morning lay ; The oxen were gone forth to plough, And industry was busy now; EROTOPIIlJSEOS. 77 The hawthorn’s fragrance fill’d the air ; The roses rais’d their heads so fair ; The soul of beauty reign’d abroad. And Nature sang a hymn to God ! While thus I roam’d these sweets among, And heard, delighted, Nature’s song, What object caught my wond’ring gaze. And set my senses in a blaze — Transfix’d my soul with love’s sharp steel. Which time nor absence e’er can heal ? Alas ! it was a maiden fair, Of graceful mien and charming air, Who seem’d, as me she floated by, To be a tenant of the sky. A silken zone her waist confin’d ; Her robe flow’d loosely in the wind; Her hair, of hue like purest gold, Spread o’er her neck in many a fold, And veil’d, in part, the field of snow, That heav’d its soft embrace below. But, parted on her forehead white. Unfolded beauties chaste and bright, A countenance, the truth to tell, Where little loves delight to dwell ; The arched brow ; the forehead high ; The silken lash ; the large blue eye ; 78 EROTOPHUSEOS. The dimpled cheek and Grecian nose ; The lips of coral ; breath of rose ; Clear pearly teeth ; the well-turned chin ; Oh ! all bespoke the soul within ! The soul of love and virtue pure. And truth which promised to endure, Confiding faith, that knew no fear. With all that renders woman dear ! And as the clouds, in early spring, In quick succession shadows fling. O’er sunny hill and flowery mead, Which please the eye as on they speed ; So blushes o’er her lovely face With smiles were ever changing place ; And while my eye that viewed their play Was charm’d, they stole my heart away ! But why proceed ? my task is done ; The tale of love were long to tell : The vision ’s past ; I ’m left alone ; But still remains that magic spell ! And if, perchance, I fondly dwell On scenes which once my bosom charm’d, And all my soul’s recesses warm’d, I ’ve paid the penalty too well, Since bliss and happiness are gone ! EROTOPHUSEOS. 79 Yet, gentle reader, wouldst thou know, My tale of love with all its woe, Young passion’s undeserved fate, (Which now to thee I would relate Did time permit,) perhaps we meet Again, shouldst thou this present greet ; And then our theme we will pursue With strength reviv’d and courage new. See ! now the evening shades descend, And night and day together blend In twilight sweet ; and ev’ry sound Is hush’d the hills and dales around ; Save that from some far distant tower Sweet bells proclaim the vesper hour ; Or that the landrail ’midst the corn Awakes the echoes with his horn ; Or that the milkmaid in the vale Sings sweetly as she bears her pail ; Or that the ploughman’s whistle shrill Resounds o’er rock and dale and hill. At such an hour oft have I stray’d Along some lone, sequester’d glade, And heard the sigh which zephyr woke From leaves of ash, or beech, or oak ; The gentle flutter of his wing. When Philomel began to sing ; 80 EROTOPHUSEOS. The chorus deep he did prolong When that sweet minstrel ceas’d her song ; The note of wild ecstatic fire He woke from his ^Eolian lyre* The woods* when she renew’d her strain* And pour’d its floods o’er hill and plain ! I ’ve listen’d till my soul was blent With Nature’s ev’ry element * And when at length each sound was still* I ’ve clomb thy summit* Madden Hill* And gaz’d upon the glowing west* Where late the sun had sunk to rest. Oh ! what a scene here met the eye ! The western hills* whose summits high Were bath’d in gold ! the plains beneath All shadowy like the vale of death ! The clouds above a mass of fire* Like ^Etna burning in his ire ! What stillness reign’d ! the beauteous star Of eve gleam’d sweetly from afar ; Myriads of orbs in the bright skies Were twinkling modestly* like eyes Which* struck with beauty’s splendid blaze In some sw r eet youth* upon him gaze At first with timid glance* (for shame Rebukes the maiden’s rising flame ;) E ROTO P HITS EOS. 81 Till, revelling in visions bright, No longer can they veil their light, But, careless save what love inspires, Enkindle all their latent fires ! So too the stars more brightly shone, When sable Night their loves had won By beauties which the glaring day. Importunate, had chas’d away ! Next rose Night’s peerless, lovely queen, Of mien so chaste and look serene ! And on her forehead sweet and mild Sate Modesty, the fav’rite child Of Innocence ! Oh, how I love To gaze upon her placid look ! Her guiltless track through heaven above. Her image mirror’d in the brook ! With all the stars in her bright train. That homage to their mistress pay, Till Tethys send her guest again, To usher in the morning ray. O fool ! who, in thy harden’d heart, Darest to say c No Godhead reigns,’ Walk forth, when Night resumes her part, And spreads her mantle o’er the plains ; F 82 EROTOPHUSEOS. Go forth and look upon yon sky, And ask who hung those glorious fires ; Those unconsuming lamps on high, Whose light the breath of God inspires. Go ask the moon, the constant moon, Who bade her keep her bright career ; Go ask the earth who bade her bloom, When Taurus rules the beauteous year : The stars, the moon, and earth the same. Will thus assert their Maker’s claim : — Thy mortal eyes, vain man, survey The wondrous works around thee spread ; Those works shall bloom when thy cold clay Shall moulder with the silent dead ; And of thyself what dost thou know ? Who breath’d into thy mortal frame The breath of life ? Where must it go ? And tell us, proud one, whence it came ? At best, thy moments here are brief : What power can rescue from the grave ? Can mighty reason bring relief? Or chance, blind chance, her vot’ry save ? If not, why then presume to say, ‘ There is no God that rules on high,’ Thou, who dost bloom but to decay, Slave to a higher destiny ? EROTOPIIUSEOS. 83 Behold ! there is a mighty God, Who made both thee and us, and all Created beings by his nod Evoked from nothing at his call. We’ve seen Him in his majesty, When first he bade all things to be ; When earth from troubled chaos rose, To glorious light and calm repose ; When the bright sun rose vast and grand, Fresh wheel’d from his almighty hand ; And when the pale moon shed her light O’er the fair bridal bed of night ; When heaven’s great arch majestic glow’d With living light, which then first flow’d From those bright stars in copious streams. And lit the world with its sweet beams ; When first the hills were cloth’d in green. And Eden’s blissful bow’rs were seen ; And man, divine, erect, and tall. And woman, happy ere the fall, Dwelt peaceful in God’s paradise. And ever might, had they been wise ! Since then, (alas ! the direful change ! Alas ! alas ! what ample range Has death had o’er th’ astonish’d earth, Which gave, but to devour, her birth ! ) f 2 84 E ROTO P II US EOS. Since then, what crowds have passed away Some proud as thou ; but no decay As yet appears upon our face ; No marks of age you there can trace : We still seem young and fresh and bright. As when our Maker threw this light Around our orbs : the hoary hills Of earth and all her weeping rills, Her rocks, her caverns, and her woods, Her oceans, seas, and roaring floods, Are still the same : one glorious soul Enlivens and pervades the whole ! “ We’ve seen the proud philosopher Stand up on earth and question her Of things which he who runs may know : He ask’d those orbs who bade them glow ? And, in his mental pride, he turn’d Away from lights that brightly burn’d. And listen’d to the syren call Of vanities, which most enthrall The soul of man, and then he cried, ‘There is no God ;’ and crying, died !” Deep night succeeds ; and balmy sleep Comes soaring on his leaden wings, And to all creatures of the deep And of the earth cessation brings EROTOPHUSEOS. 85 From cares and toils* and softly soothes Each passion to oblivious rest ; The wrinkled brow of sorrow smoothes* And calms the swelling* anxious breast ; The winged tribes confess his power* And droop their heads beneath their wings ; All save of warblers sweet the flower* Which all night long her descant sings ; And Echo* gentle* bashful maid* Who shuns the glaring face of day* From caves where all day long she stay’d* Comes forth to listen to the lay ; She catches up the glorious song* Delighted with its melting strains* And wafts the mellow sound along* To charm her sisters o’er the plains. Then I will to my downy bed* And seek* O sleep* thy blest repose ; May angels hover round my head ; May He* from whom each blessing flows* Protect me in the night* and grant That when my final day is past* He may my place of rest transplant To yon refulgent skies at last ! THE END. PRINTED BY RICHARD AND JOHN I. TAYLOR, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. “A DAY IN MAY,” a Poem, in Six Books ; cloth 5s. “ Mr. Clarke’s ‘ Day in May ’ is a contemplative Poem, with occasional episodes and digressions ; Cowper’s ‘ Task’ having probably suggested its form as well as its plan. Mr. Clarke is not unsuccessful in his management of blank verse ; and the following passage may be praised for the happy arrangement of its cadences, as well as the pure and natural feelings that are uttered in it.” — Athenaeum , Dec. 4, 1838. “ In this descriptive poem (a ‘ Day in May ’) the incidents and images are single and successive, and of a quiet character ; so that the unpretending style and unexaggerated treatment of Mr. Clarke are appropriate to the theme, and form a homoge- neous production.” — Spectator , Dec. 10, 1842. “ The * Day in May * is really a very excellent composition, and replete with true poetry — that of the heart.” — Indian Review for August, 1843. “ The 4 Day in May * is characterized by a sweet and easy flow of versification, unostentatious simplicity of diction, and a heartfelt susceptibility to beauty in all its forms, natural and moral.” — Court Gazette , Feb. 4, 1843. WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. “DONNA ROSA; LOVE AND DUTY; and other Poems ; ” cloth 5s. “ This little volume affords additional testimony to that to which we have frequently referred of late, that the spirit of poetry is not quite dead amongst us. ... We congratulate the Author in having escaped from it [the ordeal alluded to in a previous sentence] with so little injury to the pure and healthy spirit of his evidently humane and generous nature ; and on such pleasing results of his trials — if trials he has had — as are here and there to be met with in the pages of this unpretending volume of verse. The simplicity and purity of nature is the shrine at which he desires to worship ; and through that he looks up to nature’s God with a humble and chastened spirit. We will not hesitate to express our hearty approval of many of the contents of this volume. Some of the shorter poems it contains are, however, more to our taste than the more adventu- rous poem which gives title to the book ; and the following stanzas from an ‘Ode to Miss Abbot,’ a member of a noble family, on her birth- day, afford not an unfavorable specimen of the Author’s powers and opinions. [Here follow the stanzas.] At the end of the volume are some 4 Translations and Imita- tions ’ from ancient and modern authors ; among which, a scene or two from the 4 Aminta ’ of Tasso, are good in point of versifi- cation. On the whole, the contents of this little work are of a pleasing character, and such as entitle the author to a very respectable place among the younger poets of the day.” — Morning Post , Jan. 2, 1843. 44 We have frequently heard it remarked, that there are so few poetical readers, or so little taste for poetry, that works of this kind become a mere drug. Not so, Gentle Reader; a few spirited poetical writers are yet to be found, and Mr. Clarke is WORKS BY THE £AME AUTHOR. one among the number, who, we shall say for distinction’s sake, lias produced a series of poems of great beauty, among which is - ‘Donna Rosa,’ which is scarcely to be surpassed for elegance, simplicity, and correctness of metre.” — Blackwood’s Lady’s Magazine for April, 1843. “ This is a little volume of very agreeable though very unpre- tending verse ; and that the writer entertains a just and elevated sense of the poetic character, is abundantly evident. Of Mr. Clarke’s poetry itself, we can find room for only a single stanza from a little poem, entitled ‘ Can I forget thee V It is very sweet from its simplicity.” — Court Journal , April 8, 1843. “ EROTOPHUSEOS,” a Poem, in Four Scenes; cloth 2s. 6d. ; or bound up with the “ Silent Village,” cloth 5s. “ This is one of the best and most musical poems which the present season has produced, and exhibits a degree of talent in the young and unknown author* for which we little looked in so small a work. The Poem is very beautiful, both its images and its versification. The following lines are a fair specimen.” — Bell’s Weekly Messenger , April 11, 1840. “ This little volume contains much simple but sweet poetry. Those parts are by far the best which paint the beauties and the charms of nature ; the author dwells on them with enthusiasm, and seems to vividly enjoy the pure feelings of delight they are so well calculated to inspire.” — Britannia, April 11, 1840. * It was published anonymously in the spring of 1840, but owing to the failure of the Publisher, the sale was stopped, shortly after its appearance. WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. “ Though slight in its matter, ‘ Erotophuseos ” is better than the common run of poems that load our table ; for the images are so far original, that they have been seen or felt by the writer, and not suggested to him by reading other poets. His style too, though smacking of Scott and the more sober parts of the Giaour, does not constantly echo, with feeble and distorted reverberation, some well known strain.” — Spectator , April 4, 1840. “ A piece of quiet, clever, sensible satire, at the expence of schools, colleges, the learned professions, and the church ; in which the hero traces his whole course of life, from entering a public school, till he had entered the university, and studied theology, medicine, and law ; discovering the hollowness and hypocrisies of each calling in turn.” — Tait’s Edinburgh Maga- zine for May, 1840. Heady for the Press . DONNA ROSA; Second and Third Cantos. DEMETRIUS, a Tragedy, in Five Acts. THE AMINTA, from the Italian of Torquato Tasso, with a Memoir of Tasso, and Serassi’s Preface to the Aminta. Also a Work in Prose. Wm. Davy & Son, Printers, Gilbert-street, Oxford-street.