The following Parodies and burlefque Ode, written in IMITATION of three of Mr. Gray's juftly-admired pieces, it is hoped will prove an agreeable Entertainment to the Reader. * Mr. Lacy, formerly one of the managers of Drury-lane theatre, is said to have first planned Ranelagh. And ye, who from the fields which lie The gardens and the dome furvey, Whofe walks, whofe trees, whofe lights among, Wander the courtly train along Their thought-dispelling way. Ah, fplendid room! ah, pleafing fhade! Ah, walks belov'd in vain Where oft in happier times I ftray'd, A ftranger then to pain: I feel the gales, which from you blow As waving fresh their gladsome wing, And, redolent of tea and roll, To breathe a fecond spring. Rotonda, 1 Rotonda, fay, for thou haft feen Full many a sprightly race, In thy bright round with ftep ferene, Who chiefly now delight to lave The fable coffee, which diftil ? What longing progeny are found, Who ftroll inceffant round and round, Like horses in a mill? While fome on earnest business dream; And, gravely stupid, try To fearch each complicated fcheme Of public policy : Some ladies leave the spacious dome Around the garden's maze to roam, [H 3] And And unknown regions dare defcry: Still as they walk they look behind, Left fame a fecret foe should find From fome malicious eye. Loud mirth is theirs, and pleasing praise. The fprightly fongs, the melting lays, Theirs lively wit, invention free, The fharp bon mot, keen repartee, And ev'ry art coquets employ ; The thoughtless day, the jocund night, The fpirits brifk, the forrows light, That fly th' approach of joy. Alas! |