A STRANGER'S purpose in these lays Is to congratulate and not to praise; To give the creature the Creator's due Were sin in me, and an offence to you. From man to man, or even to woman paid, Praise is the medium of a knavish trade, A coin by craft for folly's use design'd, Spurious, and only current with the blind.
The path of sorrow, and that path alone Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown; No traveller ever reach'd that bless'd abode, Who found not thorns and briers in his road. The world may dance along the flowery plain, Cheer'd as they go by many a sprightly strain: Where Nature has her mossy velvet spread, With unshod feet they yet securely tread; Admonish'd, scorn the caution and the friend, Bent all on pleasure, heedless of its end.
But He who knew what human hearts would prove, How slow to learn the dictates of his love, That, hard by nature and of stubborn will, A life of ease would make them harder still, In pity to the souls his grace design'd To rescue from the ruins of mankind, Call'd for a cloud to darken all their years, And said, "Go spend them in the vale of tears!" O balmy gales of soul-reviving air! O salutary streams that murmur there! These flowing from the Fount of Grace above, Those breathed from lips of everlasting love. The flinty soil indeed their feet annoys, Chill blasts of trouble nip their springing joys, An envious world will interpose its frown To mar delights superior to its own, And many a pang experienced still within, Reminds them of their hated inmate, Sin; But ills of every shape and every name, Transform'd to blessings, miss their cruel aim; And every moment's calm that soothes the breast Is given in earnest of eternal rest.
Ah, be not sad, although thy lot be cast Far from the flock and in a boundless waste! No shepherd's tents within thy view appear, But the chief Shepherd even there is near; Thy tender sorrows and thy plaintive strain Flow in a foreign land, but not in vain; Thy tears all issue from a source divine, And every drop bespeaks a Saviour thine. So once in Gideon's fleece the dews were found, And drought on all the drooping herbs around.
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! Conspire 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 'tis 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;
And deem the bard, whoe'er he be, And howsoever known,
Who would not twine a wreath for thee, Unworthy of his own.
ON MRS. MONTAGU'S FEATHER HANGINGS.
THE Birds put off their every hue, To dress a room for Montagu.
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 arch'd tail's azure show; And, river-blanch'd, the Swan his snow. All tribes beside of Indian name, That glossy shine, or vivid flame, Where rises and where sets the day, Whate'er 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, screen'd from every storm that blows, It boasts a splendour ever new, Safe with protecting Montagu.
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 newborn, with vigour move, Like Pallas springing arm'd from Jove; Imagination scattering round Wild roses over furrow'd 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, Obtrudes on human notice more,
I Alluding to the poem by Mr. Hayley, which accompanied these lines.
Like sunbeams on the golden height Of some tall temple playing bright; Well-tutor'd Learning, from his books Dismiss'd 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 Montagu's repair, Ambitious of a shelter there. There Genius, Learning, Fancy, Wit, Their 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.
Just then, by adverse fate impress'd, A dream disturb'd poor Bully's rest; In sleep he seem'd to view A rat fast clinging to the cage, And, screaming at the sad presage, Awoke and found it true.
For, aided both by ear and scent, Right to his mark the monster went,— Ah, Muse! forbear to speak Minute the horrors that ensued; His teeth were strong, the cage was wood,- He left poor Bully's beak.
O, had he made that too his prey! That beak, whence issued many a lay Of such mellifluous tone, Might have repaid him well, I wote, For silencing so sweet a throat,
Fast stuck within his own. Maria weeps, the Muses mourn ;— So, when by Bacchanalians torn, On Thracian Hebrus' side The tree-enchanter Orpheus fell, His head alone remain'd to tell The cruel death he died.
ON THE DEATH OF MRS. THROCKMORTON'S BULLFINCH.
YE Nymphs, if e'er your eyes were red With tears o'er hapless favourites shed, O, share Maria's grief! Her favourite, even in his cage, (What will not hunger's cruel rage?)
Assassin'd by a thief.
Where Rhenus strays his vines among, The egg was laid from which he sprung, And though by nature mute, Or only with a whistle bless'd, Well-taught he all the sounds express'd Of flageolet or flute.
The honours of his ebon poll Were brighter than the sleekest mole, His bosom of the hue With which Aurora decks the skies, When piping winds shall soon arise To sweep away the dew.
Above, below, in all the house, Dire foe alike of bird and mouse, No cat had leave to dwell; And Bully's cage supported stood On props of smoothest-shaven wood, Large built and latticed well. Well latticed, but the grate, alas! Not rough with wire of steel or brass, For Bully's plumage sake,
But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, With which, when neatly peel'd and dried, The swains their baskets make.
Night veil'd the pole: all seem'd secure: When, led by instinct sharp and sure,
Subsistence to provide,
A beast forth sallied on the scout,
Long back'd, long tail'd, with whisker'd snout,
And badger-colour'd hide.
He, entering at the study door, Its ample area 'gan explore;
And something in the wind
Conjectured, sniffing round and round, Better than all the books he found, Food chiefly for the mind.
THE rose had been wash'd, just wash'd in a shower, Which Mary to Anna convey'd;
The plentiful moisture encumber'd the flower, And weigh'd down its beautiful head.
The cup was all fill'd, and the leaves were all wet, And it seem'd to a fanciful view,
To weep for the buds it had left with regret On the flourishing bush where it grew.
I hastily seized it, unfit as it was For a nosegay, so dripping and drown'd, And swinging it rudely, too rudely, alas! I snapp'd it! it fell to the ground.
And such, I exclaim'd, is the pitiless part Some act by the delicate mind, Regardless of wringing and breaking a heart Already to sorrow resign'd.
This elegant rose, had I shaken it less,
Might have bloom'd with its owner awhile; And the tear that is wiped with a little address, May be follow'd perhaps by a smile.
ON AN INK-GLASS ALMOST DRIED IN THE SUN.
PATRON of all those luckless brains That, to the wrong side leaning, Indite much metre with much pains, And little or no meaning;
Ah, why, since oceans, rivers, streams, That water all the nations,
Pay tribute to thy glorious beams, In constant exhalations;
Why, stooping from the noon of day, Too covetous of drink, Apollo, hast thou stolen away A poet's drop of ink?
MARIA! I have every good
For thee wish'd many a time, Both sad and in a cheerful mood, But never yet in rhyme.
To wish thee fairer is no need,
More prudent, or more sprightly, Or more ingenious, or more freed From temper-flaws unsightly. What favour then not yet possess'd Can I for thee require,
In wedded love already bless'd, To thy whole heart's desire?
None here is happy but in part;
Full bliss is bliss divine;
There dwells some wish in every heart, And doubtless one in thine.
That wish, on some fair future day Which Fate shall brightly gild, ('Tis blameless, be it what it may) I wish it all fulfill'd.
PAIRING TIME ANTICIPATED.
I SHALL not ask Jean-Jacques Rousseau', If birds confabulate or no; "Tis clear that they were always able To hold discourse, at least in fable;
And even the child who knows no better Than to interpret by the letter
A story of a cock and bull,
Must have a most uncommon skull.
It chanced then on a winter's day,
But warm and bright and calm as May, The birds, conceiving a design To forestall sweet St. Valentine,
1 It was one of the whimsical speculations of this philosopher, that all fables which ascribe reason and speech to animals, should be withheld from children, as being only vehicles of deception. But what child was ever deceived by them, or can be, against the evidence of his senses?
In many an orchard, copse, and grove Assembled on affairs of love,
And with much twitter and much chatter Began to agitate the matter.
At length a Bullfinch, who could boast More years and wisdom than the most, Entreated, opening wide his beak, A moment's liberty to speak; And silence publicly enjoin'd, Deliver'd briefly thus his mind:
My friends! be cautious how you treat The subject upon which we meet: I fear we shall have winter yet.
A Finch, whose tongue knew no control, With golden wing and satin poll, A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried What marriage means, thus pert replied: Methinks the gentleman, quoth she, Opposite in the apple-tree,
By his good will would keep us single Till yonder heaven and earth shall mingle; Or (which is likelier to befal)
Till death exterminate us all.
I marry without more ado;
My dear Dick Redcap, what say you?
Dick heard, and tweedling, ogling, bridling, Turning short round, strutting, and sideling, Attested, glad, his approbation
Of an immediate conjugation. Their sentiments so well express'd Influenced mightily the rest; All pair'd, and each pair built a nest.
But though the birds were thus in haste, The leaves came on not quite so fast, And destiny, that sometimes bears An aspect stern on man's affairs, Not altogether smiled on theirs. The wind, of late breathed gently forth, Now shifted east, and east by north; Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know, Could shelter them from rain or snow; Stepping into their nests, they paddled, Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled; Soon every father bird and mother Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other, Parted without the least regret, Except that they had ever met, And learn'd in future to be wiser Than to neglect a good adviser.
Misses! the tale that I relate
This lesson seems to carryChuse not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.
THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.
THE noon was shady, and 'soft airs Swept Ouse's silent tide, When, 'scaped from literary cares, I wander'd on his side.
My spaniel, prettiest of his race, And high in pedigree,
(Two nymphs adorn'd with every grace That spaniel found for me)
2 Sir Robert Gunning's daughters.
Now wanton'd lost in flags and reeds,
Now starting into sight, Pursued the swallow o'er the meads
With scarce a slower flight.
It was the time when Ouse display'd His lilies newly blown ; Their beauties I intent survey'd, And one I wish'd my own.
With cane extended far I sought To steer it close to land;
But still the prize, though nearly caught, Escaped my eager hand.
Beau mark'd my unsuccessful pains With fix'd considerate face, And puzzling set his puppy brains
To comprehend the case.
But with a cherup clear and strong, Dispersing all his dream,
I thence withdrew, and follow'd long The windings of the stream. My ramble ended, I return'd; Beau, trotting far before,
The floating wreath again discern'd, And plunging left the shore.
I saw him with that lily cropp'd Impatient swim to meet
My quick approach, and soon he dropp'd The treasure at my feet.
Charm'd with the sight, The world, I cried, Shall hear of this thy deed:
My dog shall mortify the pride Of man's superior breed ;
But chief myself I will enjoin, Awake at duty's call,
To show a love as prompt as thine
To Him who gives me all.
TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF THE HALIBUT, ON WHICH I DINED THIS DAY, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1784.
WHERE hast thou floated, in what seas pursued Thy pastime? When wast thou an egg new spawn'd, Lost in the immensity of ocean's waste? Roar as they might, the overbearing winds That rock'd the deep, thy cradle, thou wast safe- And in thy minikin and embryo state, Attach'd to the firm leaf of some salt weed, Didst outlive tempests, such as wrung and rack'd The joints of many a stout and gallant bark, And whelm'd them in the unexplored abyss. Indebted to no magnet and no chart, Nor under guidance of the polar fire, Thou wast a voyager on many coasts, Grazing at large in meadows submarine, Where flat Batavia just emerging peeps Above the brine,-where Caledonia's rocks Beat back the surge, and where Hibernia shoots Her wondrous Causeway far into the main. -Wherever thou hast fed, thou little thought'st, And I not more, that I should feed on thee. Peace, therefore, and good health, and much good To him who sent thee! and success, as oft [fish, As it descends into the billowy gulf,
To the same drag that caught thee!-Fare thee Thy lot thy brethren of the slimy fin Would envy, could they know that thou wast To feed a bard, and to be praised in verse. [doom'd
ADDRESSED TO LADY HESKETH,
THIS cap, that so stately appears, With ribbon-bound tassel on high, Which seems by the crest that it rears Ambitious of brushing the sky; This cap to my Cousin I owe, She gave it, and gave me beside, Wreath'd into an elegant bow,
The ribbon with which it is tied.
This wheel-footed studying chair,
Contrived both for toil and repose, Wide-elbowed, and wadded with hair, In which I both scribble and doze, Bright-studded to dazzle the eyes, And rival in lustre of that In which, or astronomy lies, Fair Cassiopeïa sat:
These carpets, so soft to the foot, Caledonia's traffic and pride,
O spare them, ye knights of the boot, Escaped from a cross-country ride! This table and mirror within,
Secure from collision and dust, At which I oft shave cheek and chin, And periwig nicely adjust:
This moveable structure of shelves, For its beauty admired and its use, And charged with octavos and twelves, The gayest I had to produce; Where, flaming in scarlet and gold, My poems enchanted I view, And hope, in due time, to behold My Iliad and Odyssey too:
This china, that decks the alcove, Which here people call a buffet, But what the gods call it above,
Has ne'er been reveal'd to us yet: These curtains, that keep the room warm Or cool as the season demands, Those stoves that for pattern and form Seem the labour of Mulciber's hands:
All these are not half that I owe To One, from our earliest youth To me ever ready to show
Benignity, friendship, and truth; For time, the destroyer declared
And foe of our perishing kind, If even her face he has spared,
Much less could he alter her mind.
Thus compass'd about with the goods And chattels of leisure and ease, I indulge my poetical moods
In many such fancies as these: And fancies I fear they will seem,
Poets' goods are not often so fine; The poets will swear that I dream, When I sing of the splendour of mine.
COMPOSED FOR A MEMORIAL OF
ASHLEY COWPER, ESQ.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH,
BY HIS NEPHEW WILLIAM OF WESTON.
FAREWELL! endued with all that could engage All hearts to love thee, both in youth and age! In prime of life, for sprightliness enroll'd Among the gay, yet virtuous as the old;
In life's last stage, (O blessings rarely found!) Pleasant as youth with all its blossoms crown'd! Through every period of this changeful state Unchanged thyself-wise, good, affectionate! Marble may flatter, and lest this should seem O'ercharged with praises on so dear a theme, Although thy worth be more than half supprest, Love shall be satisfied, and veil the rest.
WRITTEN IN THE SUMMER OF 1783, AT THE REQUEST of LADY AUSTEN, WHO GAVE THE SENTIMENT.
AIR-"My fond shepherds of late," &c.
No longer I follow a sound; No longer a dream I pursue; O happiness! not to be found, Unattainable treasure, adieu!
I have sought thee in splendour and dress, In the regions of pleasure and taste; I have sought thee, and seem'd to possess, But have proved thee a vision at last. An humble ambition and hope
The voice of true wisdom inspires; "Tis sufficient, if Peace be the scope, And the summit of all our desires. Peace may be the lot of the mind
That seeks it in meekness and love; But rapture and bliss are confined To the glorified spirits above.
ALSO WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF LADY AUSTEN.
AIR-"The Lass of Patie's Mill."
WHEN all within is peace,
How nature seems to smile! Delights that never cease,
The live-long day beguile. From morn to dewy eve,
With open hand she showers Fresh blessings to deceive
And soothe the silent hours.
It is content of heart
Gives nature power to please: The mind that feels no smart Enlivens all it sees; Can make a wintry sky
Seem bright as smiling May, And evening's closing eye
As peep of early day.
WHEN a bar of pure silver or ingot of gold Is sent to be flatted or wrought into length, It is pass'd between cylinders often, and roll'd In an engine of utmost mechanical strength. Thus tortured and squeezed, at last it Like a loose heap of ribbon, a glittering show, Like music it tinkles and rings in your ears, And warm'd by the pressure is all in a glow. This process achieved, it is doom'd to sustain The thump-after-thump of a gold-beater's mallet, And at last is of service in sickness or pain To cover a pill from a delicate palate. Alas for the Poet, who dares undertake To urge reformation of national ill! His head and his heart are both likely to ache With the double employment of mallet and mill. If he wish to instruct, he must learn to delight, Smooth, ductile, and even, his fancy must flow, Must tinkle and glitter like gold to the sight, And catch in its progress a sensible glow. After all he must beat it as thin and as fine As the leaf that enfolds what an invalid swallows,
For truth is unwelcome, however divine,
And unless you adorn it, a nausea follows.
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