Lines addressed to
Dr. DARWIN,
Author of "THE BOTANIC GARDEN."
Two Poets,* (poets, by report, Not oft so well agree)
Sweet Harmonist of Flora's court! Cónspire to honour Thee.
They best can judge a poet's worth, Who oft themselves have known The pangs of a poetic birth
By labours of their own.
We therefore pleased extol thy song, Though various yet complete, Rich in embellishment as strong, And learned as it is sweet.
No envy mingles with our praise, Though, could our hearts repine At any poet's happier lays,
They would they must at thine.
But we, in mutual bondage knit
Of friendship's closest tie, Can gaze on even Darwin's wit
With an unjaundiced eye;>
* Alluring to the poem by Mr. Hayley, which accompanied this.
And deem the bard, whoever he be,
And howsoever known,
Who would not twine a wreath for Thee, Unworthy of his own.
THE Birds put off their every
To dress a room for Montague.
The Peacock sends his heavenly dyes, His rainbows and his starry eyes;
The Pheasant; plumes, which round infold His mantling neck with downy gold; The Cock, his arched tail's azure show; And, river blanched, the Swan, his snow. All tribes beside of Indian name,
That glossy shine or vivid flame, Where rises and where sets the day, Whatever they boast of rich and gay, Contribute to the gorgeous plan, Proud to advance it all they can. This plumage neither dashing shower, Nor blasts, that shake the dripping bower,
Shall drench again or discompose,
But screened from every storm that blows, It boasts a splendour ever new, Safe with protecting Montague.
To the same patroness resort, Secure of favour at her court,
Strong Genius, from whose forge of thought Forms rise, to quick perfection wrought, Which, though new-born, with vigour move Like Pallas springing armed from Jove- Imagination scattering round
Wild roses over furrowed ground, Which Labour of his frown beguile, And teach Philosophy a smile- Wit flashing on Religion's side, Whose fires to sacred Truth applied, The gem, though luminous before, Obtrude on human notice more, Like sun-beams on the golden height Of some tall temple playing bright- Well-tutored Learning, from his books" Dismissed with grave, not haughty, looks, Their order on his shelves exact, Not more harmonious or compact Than that, to which he keeps confined The various treasures of his mind- All these to Montague's repair, Ambitious of a shelter there.
There Genius, Learning, Fancy, Wit, The ruffled plumage calm refit,
(For stormy troubles loudest roar Around their flight who highest soar) And in her eye, and by her aid, Shine safe without a fear to fade.
She thus maintains divided sway With yon bright regent of the day; The Plume and Poet both we know Their lustre to his influence owe; And she the works of Phoebus aiding, Both Poet saves and Plume from fading.
SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER
SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN
THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ.
I AM monarch of all I survey,
My right there is none to dispute;^ From the centre all round to the sea,
I am lord of the fowl and the brute. Oh solitude! where are the charms,
That sages have seen in thy face?. Better dwell in the midst of alarms,
Than reign in this horrible place,
I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, Never hear the sweet music of speech, I start at the sound of my own. The beasts that roam over the plain, My form with indifference see; They are so unacquainted with man, Their tameness is shocking to me. III.
Society, friendship, and love, Divinely bestowed upon man, Oh, had I the wings of a dove, How soon would I taste you again! My sorrows I then might assuage
In the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age, And be cheered by the sallies of youth. IV.
Religion! what treasure untold
Resides in that heavenly world! More precious than silver and gold, Or all that this earth can afford. But the sound of the church-going bell These vallies and rocks never heard, Never sighed at the sound of a knell, Or smiled when a sabbath appeared.
Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Convey to this desolate shore
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