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W O R K S

O F T H E

ENGLISH POETS.

WITH

PREFACES,

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL.

BY SAMUEL JOHNSON.

Y 0'L;U;M'E T B£ S P V EN T V -T H I R J) .

LONDON:

PRINTED BY T. WRIGHT,

OR J. BUCKLAND, J. RIVINGTON AND SONS, T. PAYNE
AND SON, L. DAVIS, B. WHITE AND SON, T. LONGMAN,
B. LAW, J. DODSLEY, H. BALDWIN, J. ROBSON, C. DILLY,
T. CADELL, J. NICHOLS, J. JOHNSON, G. G. J. AND J.
ROBINSON, R. BALDWIN, H. L. GARDNER, P. ELMSLY,
T. EVANS, G. NICOL, LEIGH AND SOTHEBY, J. BEW,
If. CONANT, J. MURRAY, J. SEWELL, W. GOLDSMITH,
W, RICHARDSON, T. VERNOR, W. LOWNDES, W. BENT,
W, OTRIDGE, T. AND J. EGERTON, S. HAYES, R. FAULDER,
J. EDWARDS, G. AND T. WILKIE, W. NICOLL, OGILVY
AND SPEARE, SCATCHERD AND WHITAKEK, W. FOX,
C. STALKER, E. WEWBERY, 179O.

^ /I 5< 0 Q

jk-j

3

THE

SEVENTY-THIRD VOLUME

O F TH E

ENGLISH POETS;

CONTAINING

W. WHITEHEAD and JENYNS.

Vol. LXXIIL

THE

POEMS

O F

WILLIAM WHITEHEAD, Esq^

CONTINUED.

Vol. LXXIII. B

( 3 )

T O H E R

G R AC E

THE

DUTCHESS of QUEENSBURY

SA Y, Ihall a Bard in thefe late times
Dare to addrefs his trivial rhimes
To Her, whom Prior, Pope, and Gay,
And every Bard, who breath'd a lay
Of happier vein, was fond to choofe
The Patronefs of every Mufe ?

Say, can he hope that You, the. theme
Of partial Swift's fevere efteem.
You, who have borne meridian rays, •
And triumph'd in poetic blaze,

* In the firfl edition of this little Poem the name v/as not
printed. As the Dutchefs is fmce dead, it csnnot be neceiTary
to conceal it. She was of a great age when this compliment
was paid to her, v/hich was fingularly well adapted, as her Grace
never changed her drefs according to the fafhion, but retained that
which had been in vogue wUn ihe was a young beauty.

B 2 Ev'n

4 WHITEHEAD'S P O E M S^

Kv'n with indulgence fhould receive
The fainter gleams of ebbing eve.

He \\ill ; and boldly fay in print.
That 'twas your Grace who gave the hint ;
Who told him that the prefent fcene

Of drefs, and each prepoHerous fafhion,
Fiow'd from fupinenefs in the men.

And not from female inclination.
That women were oblig'd to try
/ill firatagems to catch the eye.
And many a wild vagary play
I'o gain attention any way.
'Twas merely cunning in the Fair.—
This inny be true — But have a care ;
Your Grace will ccntraditl in part.

Your own aflertion, and 7ny fong,
Whofe beauty, undifguis'd by art.

Has charm'd fa much, and charm'd fo long.

V E N U S

i 5 i

VENUS

ATTIRING THE GRACES.
** In naked beauty more adorn'd.

*' More lovely."

Milton.

AS Venus one day, at her toilet alFairs,
With the Graces attending, adjufted her airs.
In a negligent way, without boddice or hoop.
As * Guide has painted the beauiiful group,
(For Guide, no doubt, in idea at leaft.
Had feen all the Graces and Venus undreft)
Half penfive, half fmiling, the Goddeis of Beauty
Look'd round on the girls, as they toil*d in their duty :
And furely, {he cry'd, you have ftrangely mifcarry'd.
That not one of the three fnould have ever been marry 'd.
Let me nicely examine — Fair foreheads, ft rai ght no fes.
And cheeks that might rival Aurora's own rofes ;
Lips ; teeth ; and what eyes ! that can languilh, or roll.
To enliven or foften the elegant whole.

* The celebrated p'n^ure of Venus attired by the Graces.

B 3 Th

6 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

The fweet auburn trefles, that fhade what they deck;
The flioulders, that fall from the delicate neck ;
The polifn'd round arm, which my ftatues might own.
And the lovely contour which defcends from the zone.

Then how it fhould happen I cannot divine :
Either you are too coy, or the Gods too fupine.
I believe 'tis the latter ; for every foft bofom
Mull have its attachments, and wifn to difclofe 'em.
Some lovers not beauty but novelty warms.
They have feen you fo often they're tir'd of your charms.
Sut I'll find out a method their languor to move.
And at leaft make them ftare, if I can't make them love.
Come here, you two girls, that look full in my face *,

And you that fo often are turning your back.
Put on thefe cork rump^, and then tighten your Hays

'Till your hips, and your ribs, and the ilrmgs them-
ieives. crack.
Can ye fpeak ? can ye breathe ?— Not a word— Then

'twill do.
You have often drefs'd me, and for once I'll drek you.
Don't let your curls fall with that natural bend,
Eut Hretch them up tight 'till each hair Hands an end.
One, two, nay three cufhions, like Cybele's tow'rs ;
Then a few ells of. gause, and fome balkets of flow'rs.
Thefe bottles of nedar will ferve for perfumes.
Go pluck the fiedg'dCupids, and bring me their plumeSe
If that's not enough, you may ftrip all the fowls,
My doves, Juno's peacocks, and Pallas's owls.

Alluding to the ufual reprefentatlon of the Graces.

And

VENU^ ATTIRING THE GRACES. 7

And flay, from Jove's eagle, if *napping you take him.
You may fnatch a few quills—but be fure you don't
wake him.
Hold i what are ye doing ! I vow and proteft.
If I don't watch you clofely you'll fpoil the whole jefl.
What [ have diforder'd you ftill fet to rights.
And feem half unwilling to make yourfelves frights.
What I am concealing you want to difplay ;
JBut it (ha'n't ferve the turn, for I will have my way.
Thofe crimp'd colet'montes don't reach to your chinSj,
And the heels of your flippers are broader than pins«

^v- Napping — The ileeping Eagle In Pindar,

Thus tratiflated by Weft.
PerchM on the fcepter of th' Olympian king,

The thrilling darts of harmony he feels j
And indolently hangs his rapid wing;.
While gentle fleep his clofing eye- lids feals ;
• And o'er his heaving limbs in looTe array
To ev'ry balmy gale the ruffling feathers play.

Thus imitated by Akenfide.

With flacken'd wings,
"While now the folemn concert breathes around.
Incumbent o'er the fcepter of his Lord
Sleeps the ftern Eagle ; by the numbered notes
Poflefs'd j and fatiate with the melting tone i
Sovereign of birds.

And thus by Gray.
Perching on the fcepter'd hand
Of Jove, thy magic lulls the feather'd king
With ruffled plumes, and flagging wing :
Q.uench'd in dark clouds of flumber lie
The terror of his beak, and lightnings of his eye.

B 4 You

i WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

You can iland, you can walk, like the girls in the Hreet ;
Thafe buckles won't do, they fcarce cover your feet.
Here, run to the Cyclops, you boys without wings.
And bring up their boxes of contraband things.—

Well, now you're bedizen'd, I'll fwear, as ye pafs,
^ can fcarcely help laughing — Don't look in the glafs.
"Thofe tittering boys Ihall be whipt if they teaze you ;
So, come away, girls. From your torments to eafe you.
We'll hafte to Olympus, and get the thing over ;
I have not the leaft doubt but you'll each find a lover.
And if it fucceeds, with a torrent of mirth

We'll pefter their Godfhips agen and agen ;
Then fend the receipt to the ladies on earth.

And bid thati become monflers, till men become men<>

O-N

C 9 }

O N A

MESS AGE -CARD IN VERSE,

SE N T B Y A L A D Y.

HERMES, the gamefler of the fky.
To fhare for once mankind's delights,
Slipp'd down to earth, exceeding fly.

And bade his coachman drive to White's*
In form a beau, fo light he trips.

You'd fvvear his wings were at his heels. s
From glafs to glafs, alert he ikips.

And bows and prattles while he deals.
In Ihort, fo well his pai-t he play'd.

The waiters took him- for a peer ;
And ev'n fome great ones whifp'ring faid^

He was no vulgar foreigner.
Whate'er he was, he fwept the board.

Won every belt, and every game;
-^Stripp'd ev'n the Rooks, who Hamp'd and roar'd^

And wondered how the devil it came !
He wonder'd too, and thought it hard ;

But found at lall this great command
Was owing to one fav'rite card,
• Which lUU brought luck into his hand.

lo WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

The four of fpades ; whenever he faw

Its fable fpots, he laugh'd at rules.
Took odds beyond the gaming law.

And Hoyle and Philidor were foob.
But now, for now 'twas time to go.

What gratitude fhall he exprefs ?
And what peculiar boon beflovv

Upon the caufe of his fuccefs ?
Suppofe, for fomething mufl be done.

On Juno's felf he could prevail
To pick the pips out, one by one.

And lliek them in her peacock's tail*
Should Pallas have it, was a doubt.

To twift her filk, or range her pins.
Or fhould the Mufes cut it out.

For bridges to their violins.
To Venus fhould the prize be given,

Superior beauty's juft reward.
And 'gainft the next great rout in heaven

Be fent her for a meflage-card.
€)y hold— by Jove, a lucky hit 1

Your GoddeiTes are arrant farces |
CjOy carry it to Mrs. ^—

And bid her fill it full of verfes.

O N

O N THE
BIRTH- DAY of a YOUNG LADY,

FaUR YEA.RS 01^ D.

OL D creeping Time, with filent tread.
Has ftoPn four years o'er Molly's head.
The rofe-bud opens on her cheek.
The meaning eyes begin to fpeak ;
And in each fmiling look is feen
The innocence which plays within.
Nor is the fault'ring tongue confin'd
To lifp the dawnings of the mind.
But fair and full her words convey
The little all they have to fay ;
And each fond parent, as they fall,
•Finds volumes an that little All.

May every charm, which now appearsj,
■Increafe, and brighten with her years 1
And may that fame old creeping Time
Go on till ihe has reach'd her prime.
Then, like a mafter of his trade,
Stand Hill, nor hurt the work he made.

THE

( la )

THE

Je ne fcai ^oL
A s o N G,

I.

YE S, I'm in love, I feel it noi^'.^
And Caelia has undone me ;,
And yet 1*11 fvvear I can't tell how
The pleafmg plague Hole on me,

II.

'Tis not her face which love creates.

For there no Graces revel ;
'Tis not her fhape, for there the Fates

Have 'rather been uncivil.

III.

'Tis not her air, for fure in that

There's nothing mere than common;
And all her fenfe is only chai.

Like any other woman.

IT7-
V .

Her voice, her touch, might give th' alarm—

'Twas both perhaps, or neither ;
In (hort, 'twas that provoking charm

Of C^lia all together,

THE

C u )

THE

DOUBLE CON QJJ EST,

A SONG.

OF mufic, and of beauty's power,
I doubted much, and doubted long :
The fairefl. face a gaudy flower.
An empty found the fweetefl fong.

But when her voice Clarinda rais'd.
And fung fo fweet, and fmii'd fo gay.

At once I lillen'd, and I gaz'd ;

And heard, and look'd my foul away.

To her, of all his beauteous train.

This wond'rous power had Love affign'd,

A Double Conquefc to obtain,
And cure at once the deaf and blind.

SONG

( 34 )

SONG for R A N E L A G H.

YE belles, and ye flirts, and ye pert little things^
Who trip in this frolickfonte round, •
Pray tell me from whence this impertinence fprings.

The fexes at once to confound ?
What means the cock'd hat, and the mafculine air.

With each motion defign'd to perplex ?
Bright eyes were intended to languifh^ not ftare.
And foftnefs the teft of your fex.

The girl, who on beauty depends for fapport^

May call every art to her aid ;
The bofom difplay'd, and the petticoat fhort.

Are famples Ihe gives of her trade.
Eut you, on whom fortune indulgently fmiles, .

And whom pride has preferv'd from the fnare^^
Should flily attack us with coynefs, and wiles.

Not with open, and infclent war»

The Venus, whofe ftatue delights all mankind.

Shrinks modeftly back from the view.
And kindly (hould feem by the artiil defign'd

To ferve as a model for you.

Then

SONG FOR RANELAGH.

Then learn, with her beauty, to copy her air.

Nor venture too much to reveal:
Our fancies will paint what you cover with care.

And double each charm you conceal.

The blufhes of morn, and the mifdnefs of May^

Are charms which no art can procure :
O be but yourfelves, and our homage we pay,.

And your empire is folid and fure.
But if, Amazon-like, you attack your gallants.

And put us in fear of our lives.
You may do very well for fillers and aunts,

Eut, believe me, you'll never be wives.

A N

C i6 )

A N

INSCRIPTION

I N T H E

COTTAGE OF VENU S,

AT MIDDLETON PARK, OXFORDSHIRE.

OUlfquis es, O juvenis, noilro vagus advena luco,
Cui cor eft tenerum, cuique puelJa comes ;
Quifquis es, ah fugias ! — hie fuadent omnia amcrem,

Inque cafa hac latitans omnia fuadet amor.
Afpice fiore capri quam circum aftringitur ilex.

Haerenti amplexu, et luxuriante coma !
Sylva tegit, taciturn fternit tibi lana cubile,

Aut tumet in vivos mollior herba toros.
Si quis adeft fubitum dant tintinnabula fignum;,

Et ftrepit in primo limine porta loquax.
Nee rigidum ofrendit noftro de parjete vultum

Adlxufve fenex, dimicliufve Cato :
At nuda afpirat dukes Cytherea furores,

Atque fuos ritus confecrat ipfa Venus.

THE

( 17 )

THE SAME IN ENGLISH.

WHOE'ER thou art, whom chance ordains to rove
A youthful ftranger to this fatal grove,
O, if thy breaft can feel too foft a flame.
And with thee wanders fome unguarded dame.
Fly, fly the place 1— Each objeft thro' the ihade
Perfuades to love ; and in this cottage laid.
What cannot, may not, will not, love perfuade ?
See to yon oak how clofe the woodbine cleaves.
And twines around its luxury of leaves !
Above, the boughs a pleafmg darknefs fhed,
Beneath, a noifelefs couch foft fleeces fpread.
Or fofter herbage forms a living bed.
Do fpies approach ? — Shrill bells the found repeat.
And from the entrance fcream.s tlie confcious gate
Nor from thefe v/alls do rigid buitos frown.
Or philofophic cenfors threat in ftone.
But Venus' felf does her own rites approve
In naked flate, and thro' the raptur'd grove
Breathes the fweet madnefs of excefilve love^

1

Vol. LXXIII. C HYMN

C >« )

HYMN TO VENUS,

ON A GREAT VARIETY OF ROSES BEING PLANTEI3
ROUND HER COTTAGE.

Te, deaf te fugiunt venti, te nubila exit
j^dventumque tuum j tibi fuaves Daedala telluS
Summlttit flores. — Lucret*

O Venus, whofe infpiring breath
Firft waken'd Nature's genial power.
And cloath'd the teeming earth beneath
With every plant, with every flower.
Which paints the verdant lap of Spring,

Or v/antons in the Summer's ray ;
Which, brufh'd by Zephyr'^s dewy wing.
With fragrance ^lails the opening day ;
Or, pour'd profufe on hill, on plain, on dale,
Referves its treafur'd fweets for evening' sfofter galel

To thee, behold, what new delights
The mafter of this fhade prepares 1
Induc'd by far inferior rites.

You've heard a Cyprian's fofteft prayers ;
There, form'd to wreaths, the fickly flower

Has on thy altars bloom'd and died ;
But heie, around thy fragrant bovver.

Extends the living incenfe wide ;
From the firft rofe the fofi'ring zephyrs rear.
To that whofe fainter blufli adorns the dying year.
Behold one beauteous flower aiTume

The luftre of th' unfullied fnow 1
While there the Belgic's fofter bloom

Improves the namaik's deeper glow ;

The

H Y M N T O V E N U S. 19

The Auftrian here in purple breaks.

Or flaunts in robes of yellow light ;
While there, in more fantaftic ftreaks.

The * red rofe mingles with the white.

And in its name records poor Albion's woes,

Albion that oft has wept the colours of the rofe !

Then, Venus, come ; to every thorn

Thy kind prolific influence lend ;
And bid the tears of eve and morn

In gently dropping dews defcend ;
Teach every funbeam's warmth and light

To pierce thy thicket's inmoll fhade ;
Nor let th' uRgenial damps of night

The breeze's fearching wings evade.
But every plant confefs the power that guides.
And all be beauty here where beauty's queen prefides^

So fliali the mafter's bounteous hand

New plans defign, new temples raife
To thee, and wide as his command

Extend the trophies of thy praife.
So daily, nightly, to thy liar

The bard fliall grateful tribute pay.
Whether it gilds Aurora's car.

Or loiters in the train of day ;
And each revolving year new hymns fliall grace
Thy fliowery month, which wakes the vegetable race,

* York and Lancafter rofes.

C 2 IN

( 20 )

IN A HERMITAGE^

AT THE SAME PLACE.

THE man, whofe days of youth and eafc
In nature's calm enjoyments pafs'd.
Will want no monitors, like * thefe.
To torture and alarm his laft.

The gloomy grot, the cyprefs fliade.

The zealot's lift of rigid rules.
To him are merely dull parade.

The tragic pageantry of fools.

What life affords he freely taftes.

When nature calls refigns his breath 5.

Kor age in weak repining waftes.
Nor acts alive the farce of death.

Not fo the youths of folly's train.

Impatient of each kind reHraint
Which parent Nature fix'd^ in vain.

To teach us man's true blifs, content.
For fomething ftill beyond enough

With eager impotence they ftrive,
'Till appetite has learn 'd to loath

The very joys by which \vc live»

Then, iili'd with all which four dlfdaiij

To difappointed vice can add,
Tir'd of himfelf, man files irom man.

And hates the world he made fo had,
'^ A Ikuli, hour-slafij Szc,

I N.

C SI )

INSCRIPTION

FOR A

COLD BATH.

w

HOE'ER thou art, approach.— Has med'cine
'V faird ?

Have balms and herbs effay'd their powers in vain ?
Nor the free air, nor foft'ring fun prevail'd

To raife thy drooping flrength, or foothe thy pain ?

Yet enter here. Nor doubt to truft thy frame

To the cold boforn of this lucid lake.
Here Health may greet thee, and life's languid flame,

Ev'n from its icy grafp, new vigour take.

What foft Aufonia's genial lliores deny.

May Zembla give. Then boldly trull the wave :

So fhall thy grateful tablet hang on high.
And frec^uent votaries blefs this healing cave.

C 3 I N-

( al }

INSCRIPTION ON AN OAK,

JIT ROMELY, IN DERBYSHIRE.
THE OAK IS SUPPOSED TO SPEAKe

ONCE was I fam'd, an awful fage.
The filent wonder of my age I
To n>e was every fcience known.
And every language was my own.
The fun beheld my daiJy toil,
I labour'd o'er the midnight oil.
And, hid in woods, conceal'd from view
"VVhate'er I was, whate'er I knew.
In Ihort, confum'd with learned care
I liv'd, I died. — I rooted here !
For heaven, that's pleas'd with doing good^,
To make me ufeful made me wood.

i

IN^

< ^3 )

INSCRIPTION FOR A TREE*

•ON THE TERRACE, AT NUNEHAM, OXFORDSHIRE,

THIS Tree was planted by a female hand.
In the gay dawn of ruftic beauty's glow ;
And fail bende it did her cottage Hand,

When age had cloath'd the matron's head with fnow.
To her, long us'd to Nature's limple ways.

This fmgle fpot was happinefs compleat ;
Her tjee could Ihield her from the noon-tide blaze.

And from the tempefc fcreen her little feat.
Here with her Collin oft the faithful maid

Had led the dance, the envious youths among :
Here, when his aged bones in earth were laid.

The patient matron turn'd her wheel, and fung.
She felt her lofs ; yet felt it as Ihe ought.

Nor dar'd 'gainit Nature's general law exclaim ;
But check'd her tears, and to her children taught

That well-known truth, " their lot would be the fame.'*

* This tree is well known to the country people by the nams
of Bab's tree. It was planted by one Barbara V/yat, who was
fo mnch attached to it, that, on the removal of the village of
Nuneham to where it is now built, (lie earneftly intreated that
■CiXQ might ftill remain in her old habitation. Her requdl was
complied with, and her cottage not pulled down till after her
death.

C 4 Tho'

a4 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Tho' Thames before her flow'd, his farther fnores

She ne'er explor'd ; contented with her own.
And diftant Oxford, tho' fhe fawits towers.

To her ambition was a world unknown.
Did dreadful tales the clowns from market bear

Of kings, and tumults, and the courtier train.
She coldly liften'd with unheeding ear, [reign.

And good queen Anne, for aught ihe car'd, might
The fun her day, the feafons mark d her year.

She toil'd, fhe flept, from care, from envy free.
For what had fhe to hope, or what to fear,

.Bleft with her cottage, and her fav'rite tree.
Hear this, ye great, whofe proud pofTeflions fpread

O'er earth's rich furface to no fpace confin'd;
Ye learn'd in arts, in men, in manners read.

Who boaft as wide an empire o'er the mind.
With reverence vifit her auguft domain ;

To her unletter'd memory bow the knee :
^he found that happinefs you feek in vain,

JBlcH with a cottage, and a Tingle tree.

I N-

( ^5 )
INSCRIPTION

ON THE

PEDESTAL OF AN URN,

ERECTED IN THE FLOWER-GARDEN AT NUNE-
HAM, BY G. S. HARCOURT, AND THE HONOUR-
ABLE ELIZABETH VERNON, VISCOUNT AND
VISCOUNTESS NUNEHAM.

SACRED TO THE

MEMORY OF FRANCES POOLE, VISCOUNTESS

PALMERSTON.

HERE fhall ouriing'ring footileps oft be found.
This is her fhrine, and ccnfecrates the ground.
Here living fvveets around her altar rife.
And breathe perpetual incenfe to the fkies.

Here too the tiioughtlefs and the young may tread.
Who Ihun the drearier manfions of the dead j
May here be taught what worth the world has known.
Her wit, her fenfe, her virtues, were her own ;
To her peculiar — and for ever lofc
To thofe who knew, and therefore lov'd her moil.

O, if kind pity ileal on virtue's eye.
Check not the tear, nor flop the ufeful figh;
From foft humanity's ingenuous fiame
A v/i^ may rife to emulate her fame.
And fomc faint -image of her worth reftore.
When thofe, who now lament her, are no mors.

A N

X ^6 )

A N

EPITAPH.

HERE lies a youth (ah wherefore breathlefs lies !)
Learn'd without pride, and diffidently wife.
Mild to all faults, which from weak nature flow'd ;
Fond of all virtues, wherefoe'er beftow'd.
Who never gave, nor flightly took oiFence,
The beft good-nature, and the bell: good fenfc.
Who living hop'd, and dying felt no fears.
His only lling of death, a parent's tears.

E P I-

t ^7 )
EPITAPH IN WESTMINSTER- ABBEY.

TO THE

MEMORY OF MRS. PRITCHARD

THIS TABLET IS PLACED HERE BY THE VOLUN-
TARY SUBSCRIPTION OF THOSE WHO ADMIRED
AND ESTEEMED HER.

SHE RETIRED FROM THE STAGE, OF WHICH SHE
HAD LONG BEEN THE ORNAMENT, IN THE
MONTH OF APRIL ONE THOUSAND SEVEN
HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT, AND DIED AT BATH
IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST FOLLOWING, IN
THE FIFTY-SEVENTH YEAR OF HER AGE.

}"IER comic vein had every charm to pleafe, [eafe.
1 'Twas Nature's didates breath'd with Nature's
Ev'n when lier powers fuftain'd the tragic load.
Full, clear, and juft, th' harmonious accents flow'd;
And the big paffions of her feeling heart
Burft freely forth, and Iham'd the mimic art.

Oft, on the fcene, with colours not her own.
She painted vice, and taught us what to fhun :
One virtuous track her real life purfued.
That nobler part was uniformly good.
Each duty there to fuch perfedlion wrought.
That, if the precepts fail'd, th' example taught.

O N

C 2S )

ON THE LATE

IMPROVEMENTS AT NUNEHAM,

THE SEAT OF THE EARL OF HARCOURT.

DAME Nature, the Goddefs, one very bright day.
In ftrolling thro' Nuneham, met Brown in her
way :
And blefs me, Ihe faid, with an infolent fneer,
I wonder that fellow will dare to come here.
What more than 1 did has your impudence plann'd ?
The lawn, wood, and water, are all of my hand ;
In my very befl manner, with Themis's fcales,
I lifted the hills, and 1 fcoop'd out the vales ;
Witn Sylvan's own umbrage I grac'd ev'ry brow.
And pour'd the rich Thames thro' the meadows below.

I grant it, he cry'd ; to your lov'reign command
I bow, as I ought. — Gentle Lady, your hand j
The weather's inviting, fo let us move on ;
You know what you did^ and now fee what I've done.
I, wita gratitude, own you have reafon to plead.
That to thefe happy fcenes you were bounteous indeed :
My lovely materials were many and great !
(For fometimes, you know^ I'm obiig'd to create)

But

ON THE IMPROVEMENTS AT NUNEHAM. »9

But fay in return, my adorable dame.

To all you fee here, can you lay a jufl claim ?

Were there no flighter parts which you finifh'd in haile^,

Or left, like a friend, to give fcope to my taile ?

Who drew o'er the furface, did you, or did 1,

The fmooth- flowing outline, that fteals from the eye *,

The foft undulations, both diftant and near.

That heave from the lawns, and yet fcarcely appear?

(So bends the ripe harvefi the breezes beneath.

As if earth was in /lumber and gently took breath)

Who thinn'd, and who group'd, and who fcatter'd thofe

trees.
Who bade the flopes fall with that delicate eafe.
Who caft them in fhade, and who plac'd them in light.
Who bade them divide, and who bade them unite ?
The ridges are melted, the boundaries gone :
Obferve all thefe changes, and candidly own
I have cloath'd you when naked, and, when overdreli-,
I have llripp'd you again to your boddice and veft j
Conceal'd ev'ry blcmiih, each beauty difpiay'd.
As Reynolds would pidure fome exquifite maid.
Each fpirited feature would happily place.
And fhed o'er the whole inexprelTible grace.

One queilion remains. Up the green of yon fteep^
Who threw the bold walk with that elegant fweep :

* The firrt two words In this couplet have identical rather tliati
conefponding founds, and therefore only appear to rhyine. 'i his
defedi, however, may eafily be removed by tranfpofmg the two
verfes, and reading them thus :

That fweet-flowing outline, that flcals from the view,

Who drew o'er the furface, did I, or di^ ycu ? M.

—There

30 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

—There is little to fee, till the fummit we gain ;
Nay, never draw back, you may climb without pain.
And, I hope, will perceive how each objeft is caught.
And is loll, in exadly the point where it ought.
That ground of your moulding is certainly fine.
But the fwell of that knoll and thofe openings are mine.
The profpedt, wherever beheld, mull be good, [wood.
But has ten times its charms, when you burll from this
A wood of my planting.— The Goddefs cried. Hold I
'Tis grov/n very hot, and 'tis grown very cold :
She fann'd and fhe fhudder'd, Ihe cough'd and ihe

laeez'd,
Inclin'd to be angry, inclin'd to be pleas'd.
Half fmil'd, and half pouted— then turn'd from the

view.
And dropp'd him a curtfey, and blulhing withdrew.
Yet foon recoliecling her thoughts, as fhe pafs'd,
*' I may have my revenge on this fellow at laft :
*' For a lucky conjecture comes into my head,
"* That, whate'er he has done, and whate'er he has faidj
** The world's little malice will balk his defign :
"•^ Each fault they call his, and each excellence mine*.

* Aitho' the perionlfication of Nature has been common to
feveral Poets, when they meant to compliment an artlli that ri-
vali.^d her, yet the idea of making her behave herfelf like that mot\
Vinnatural of all crcaied beings, a modern fine lady, mufl
be allowed to be a thought both very bold and truly origmal, and
the Poet lias, 1 think, executed it with much genuine humour. M,

T O

C 31 >

T O

LADY N U N E H A M,.

NOW COUNTESS OF HARCOURT,
ON THE

DEATH OF HER SISTER,

THE HONOURABLE

CATHERINE VENABLES VERNON,

JUNE MDCCLXXV.

"1^ /F ILD as the opening morn's fereneil ray,
J. VX Mild as the clofe of fummer's foftell day.
Her form, her virtues, (fram'd alike to pleafe
With artlefs grace and unafiuming eafe)
On every breail their mingling influence ftole.
And in fv/eet union breath'd one beauteous whole.

Oft, o'er a Siller's much-lamented bier.
Has genuine anguifli pour'd the kindred tear :
Oft, on a dear-lov'd Friend's untimely grave.
Have funk in fpeechlefs grief, the wife and brave.

-Ah

3s WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

—Ah haplefs thou ! for whofe fev^rer woe
Death arin'd with double force his fatal blow,
Condemn'd (juft Heaven ! for what myllerious end)
To lofe at once the Siller and the Friend * !

* The firft fix lines cf this elegant elegiac Poem are Infcrlbec!
on a neat marble tablet, (fimilar to that of Mrs. Prhchard's mo-
nument in VVeftminfter- Abbey) which is placed in the Chancel
of the Parifh-Church of Sudbury in StafFordfliire, and the four
following added, inftead of what is here perfonally addreffed to
the prefent Lady Ha re o art.

This fair example to the world was lent.

As the flicrt leiTon of a life well fpent ;

Alas, how fliort ! but bounteous Heav'n be/l knows

When to reclaim the bleiTings it beftovvs, M,

T H E

M

( 55 )

THE

BATTLE

O F

ARGOED LLWYFAIN*
O R N I N G rofe ; the ifluing fun

Saw the dreadful fight begun ;
And that fun's defcending ray
Clos'd the battle, clos'd the day.

Fflamdwyn pour'd his rapid bands>
Legions four, o'er Reged's lands.

* The following is a tranflation of a Poem of TaHeiTm, King
of the Bards, and is a defcription of the battle cf Argoed Ll-,vy-
fain, fought about the year 548, by Godden, a King of North
Britain, and Urien Reged, King of Cumbria, againfr Ffiamdv/yn^
a Sax(,n General, fuppoied to be Ida, King of Northumberland.
It is inferted in Jones's Hlltorical Account of the Welch Eards,
publifhed in 17S4, and is thus introduced by the author : " I am
'* indebted to the obliging difpolition and undiminilhed powers
** of Mr. Whitehead, for the following faithful and animated
" verfification of this valuable antique."

To this coinmendation from Mr. Jones, who certainly could
judge bell of the fidelity of the verficn, and with whom I agree
as to the other epithet, 1 have only to add, that I think no critic
will deal candislly, who, in eftimating the poetical merit of this
piece in general, Ihall compare it with thofe Imitations which Mr.
Gray made of the Scaldlc Odes. The v.'ild mytliology of tha
EnDA, to which they perpetually allude, gives rhem a eliarm pe-
culiar to themfclves, and fets them above what he himfelf ha^
produced from Camhyo-Br\t\fi Originals. Tsi.

This is the lafl of the great battles of Urien Reeed, cele-
brated by Taliefiin in poems now extai;t. Sec Carte's Uijtoiy of
E»gla>-4^ p. 211 and 213.

■Vol. LXXIIL D The

34 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,

The numerous hoU, from fide to fide.

Spread deilrudion wild and wide.

From Argoed's * fummits, foreft-crown'd,

To fteep Arfyndd's -j- utmoU bound.

Short their triumph, fhort their fway.

Born and ended with the day !

Flulh'd with conqueft Fflamdvvyn faid,

Eoaftful at his army's head,

*' Strive not to oppofe the Itream,

*' Redeem your lands, your lives redeem^

<* Give me pledges," Fflamdwyn cried,

** Never," Urien's fon replied.

Owen I, of the mighty ftroke,

Kindhng, as the hero fpoke,

Cenau [j, Coel's blooming heir.

Caught the flame, and grafp'd the fpear :

** Shall Coel's ifTue pledges give

** To the infulting foe, and live ?

" Never fuch be Britons' ihame,

'* Never, till this m.angled fram.e

*' Like fome vanquifh'd lion lie,

** Drench'd in blood, and bleeding die."

* A part of Cumbria, the country of Prince Llyvvafcli Hen,
from whence he was drove by the Saxons.

-f- Some place on the borders of Northun.berland.

\ Owen ap Urien aded as his father's general.

jl Cenau led to the affiliance of Urien Reged the forces of his
father Coel Godhebog, King of a Northern trad called Godden,
probably inhabited by the Godini of Ptolemy. Owen ap Urien
and Cenau ap Coel were in the number of Arthur's Knights. Ste
IxwU's IliJloT-y of Biiiain, p. zcu

Day

THE BATTLE OF ARGOED LLWYFAIN. 35

Day advanc'd : and ere the fun
Reach'd the radiant point of noon,
Urien came with frelh fupplies.
" Rife, ye fons of Cambria, rife !
*' Spread your banners to the foe,
'' Spread them on the mountain's brow :
" Lift your lances high in air,
*' Friends and brothers of the war ;
*' Rufh like torrents down the fteep,
" Thro' the vales in myriads fweep ;
** Fflamdwyn never can fullain
** The force of our united train."

Havoc, havoc rag'd around.
Many a carcafe llrew'd the ground :
Ravens drank the purple flood.
Raven plumes were dyed in blood;
Frighted crouds from place to place

Eager, hurrying, breathlefs, pale.
Spread the news of their difgrace.

Trembling as they told the tale.

Thefe are Talieffin's rhimes,
Thefe ihall live to diftant times.
And the Bard's prophetic rage
Animate a future age.

Child of forrow, child of pain.
Never may 1 frnile again.
If 'till all-fubduing death
Clofe thefe eyes, and ftop this breath.
Ever I forget to raife
My grateful fongs to Urien's praifc !

D 2 • THE

THE

S W E E P E R S^

Is I N G of Sweepers, frequent in thy ftreets,
Augufla, as the flowers which grace the fpring.
Or branches withering in autumnal ihades
To form the brooms they wield. Preferv'd by them
From dirt, from coach- hire, and th' oppreflive rheunii
Which clog the fprings of life, to them I ling.
And alk no infpiraiion but their fmiles.

Hail, unown'd youths, and virgins unendowed !
Whether on bulk begot, while rattled loud
The paffing coaches, or th* officious hand
Of {portive link-boy wide around him daih'd
The pitchy flame obflrudive of the joy ;
Or more propitious to the dark retreat
Of round-houfe owe your birth, where Nature's reign
Revives, and emulous of Spartan fame
The mingling fexes fhare promifcuous love j
And fcarce the pregnant female knows to whom
She owes the precious burthen, fcarce the iire
Can claim, confus'd, the many-featur'd child.

Nor bkfh that hence your origin we trace :
'Twas thus immortal heroes fprung of old

Strong

¥ H-'l: S WEEP E R S. '37

Strong from the Horn embrace : by fuch as you
Unhous'd, uncloath'd, unletter'd, and unfed,
Wei-e kingdoms modell'd, cities taught to rife.
Firm laws enaited, freedom's rights maintain'd.
The gods and patriots of an infant world !

Let others meanly chaiint in tuneful fong
The blackihoe race, whofe mercenary tribes
Allur'd by halfpence take their morning ftand
Where flreets divide, and to their proffer'd itools
Solicit wand'ring feet ; vain penfioners.
And placemen of the croud ! Not fo yoAi pour
Your bleffings on mankind. Nor traffic vile
Be your employment deem'd, ye laft remains
Of public fpirit, whofe laborious harids.
Uncertain of reward, bid kennels know
Their wonted bounds, remove the bordering filth,
And give th' obftrufted ordure where to glide.

What tho' the pitying pafTenger bellows
His unextorted boon, muft they rcfufe
The well-earn'd bounty, fcorn th' obtruded ore ?
Proud were the thought and vain. And Ihall not wS;
Repay their kindly labours, men like them.
With gratitude unfought ? I too have oft
Seen in our flreets the vvither'd hands of age
Toil in th' indullrious taflc ; and can we there
Be thrifty niggards ? Haply they have known
Far better days, and fcatter'd liberal round
The fcanty pittance we afford them now.
Boon from this office grant them their difcharge,

D 3 Y<S

>^' /I K Q a

4, .i. \J \J O

3S WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Ye kind church -wardens ! take their meagre limbs
S hi V 'ring with cold and age, and wrap them warm
In thofe blell manfions Charity has rais'd.

But you of younger years, while vigour knits
Your lab'ring fmews, urge the generous tafk.
Nor lofe in fruitlefs brawls the precious hours
AiTign'd to toil. Be your contentions, who
Firll in the dark'ning ftreets, when Autumn Iheds
Her earlieft (bowers, fhall clear th' obllrudled pafs ;
Or lafl fliall quit the field when Spring diiHlls
Her moift'ning dews, prolific there in vain.
So may each luity fcavenger, ye fair.
Fly ardent to your arms ; and every maid.
Ye gentle youths, be to your wifhes kind ;
Whether Oftrea's fifhy fumes allure.
As Venus' treffes fragrant ; or the fweets
More mild and rural from her flail who toils
To feail the fages of the Samian fchool.

Nor ever may your hearts elate with pride
Defert this fphere of love ; for Ihould ye, youths.
When blood boils high, and fome more lucky chance
Has fwell'd your Hores, purfue the tawdry band
That rom.p from lamp to lam.p— for health exped
Difeafe, for fleeting pleafure foul remorfe.
And daily, nightly, agonizing pains.
In vain you call for ^fculapius' aid
From Whitecrofs-alley, or the azure ports
Which beam thro' Haydon-yard : the god demands
More ample offerings, and rejeds your prayer.

And

THE SWEEPERS. 39

And you, ye fair, O let me warn yourbreafls
To ihun deluding men : for fome there are.
Great lords of counties, mighty men of war.
And well-drefs'd courtiers, who with leering eye
Can in the face begrim'd with dirt difcern
Strange charms, and pant for Cynthia in a cloud.

But let Lardella's fate avert your own,
Lardella once was fair, the early boaft
Of proud St. Giles's, from its ample pound
To where the column points the feven-fold day.
Happy, thrice happy, had Ihe never known
A ilreet more fpacious ! but ambition led
Her youthful footHeps, artlefs, unafTur'd,
To Whitehall's fatal pavement. There Ihe ply'd
Like you the adive broom. At fight of her
The coachman dropp'd his lafh, the porter oft
Forgot his burthen, and with wild amaze
The tall well-booted fentry, arm'd in vain,
Lean'd from his horfe to gaze upon her charms.

But Fate referv'd her for more dreadful ills :
A lord beheld her, and with powerful gold
Seduc'd her to his arms. What can not gold
EfFed, when aided by the matron's tongue.
Long tried and pradis'd in the trade of vice,
Againft th' unwary innocent ! A while
Dazzled with fplendor, giddy with the height
Of unexperienc'd greatnefs, Ihe looks down
With thoughtlefs pride, nor fees the gulph beneath.
But foon, too foon, the high^wrought tranfport fmks
D 4 la

40 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

In cold indifference, and a newer face
Alarms her reftlefs lover's fickle heart.
Diftrefs'd, abandon'd, whither fhall Ihe fly ?
How urge her former taik, and brave the winds
And piercing rains with limbs whofe daintier fenfe
Shrinks from the evening breeze ? Nor has fhe now.
Sweet Innocence, thy calmer heart-felt aid.
To folace or fupport the pangs fhe feels.

Why fhould the weeping Mufe purfue her fleps
Thro' the dull round of infamy, thro' haunts
Of public lull, and every painful flage
Of ill-feign'd tranfport, and uneafy joy ?
Too fure fhe tried them all, till her funk eye
Loft its laft languifh ; and the bloom of health.
Which reveird once on Beauty's virgin cheek.
Was pale difeafe, and meagre penury.
Then, loath'd, deferted, to her life's laft pang
In bitternefs of foul fhe curs'd in vain
Her proud betrayer, curs'd her fatal charms.
And perifti'd in the ftreets from whence fhe fprung.

A D V E R-

( 41 )

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following fketch of a tragedy, though in-
terrupted with breaks and et ctcteras (which are
left to be fupplied by the fancy of the reader) is ne-
verthelefs a continued foliloquy fpoken by the hero of
the piece, and may be performed by one aftor, with
all the ftarts, graces, and theatrical attitudes in pradice
at prefent.

If any young author Ihould be ambitious of writing
on this mode], he may begin his preface, or his adver-
tifement, which is the more fashionable term, by ob-
ferving, that *' it is a melancholy contemplation to
*' every lover of literature, to behold that univerfal
" defedl of fcience which is the difgrace of t^e pre-
" fent times." He may then proceed to affert,
*f that every fpecies of line writing is at its very
'* loweft ebb ; that the reign of * * * * was what
*' might properly enough be filled the golden age of
" dramatic poetry ; that fmce that happy aera genius
«' itfelf has gradually decayed, till at length, if he
** may be allowed the expreffion, the effcet<e 'vires of
" nature, by he knows not what fatality, feem quite
** exhaufted."

In his dedication, if to a lord ; the proper topics
are his lordfhip^s public fpirit, the noble Hand which
he made in the caufe of liberty, but more particularly
his heroic difintereftednefs in hiding from the world his

OWD

4z ADVERTISEMENT.

own fpirited performances, that thofe of inferior au-
thors might have a chance for fuccefs.

If to a lady ; afcer the ufual compliments of wit,
beauty, elegance of tafte, and every focial virtue, he
muft by no means forget, that like Prometheus he has
endeavoured to Heal fire from heaven ; and that the
fineft and moft animated touches in the charadler of
Lindamira are but faint copies of the perfedions of
his patronefs.

He may take hints for his Prologue from the fol-
lowing lines :

*' Critics, to-night at your dread bar appears
'* A virgin author, aw'd by various fears.
*' Should ye once hifs, poor man, he dies away,
*« So much he trembles for his firfi ellay ;
** And therefore humbly hopes to gain your vote
*' — For the beft play that ever yet was wrote.

'* Athens and Rome, the Stagirite, old Ben,
*' Corneille'.s fublimity, exadl Racine,
" Rowe*s flowing lines, and Otway's tender part,
*' How Southern wounds, and Shakefpeare tears the

" heart,
" Rules, nature, ftrength, truth, greatnefs, talle and
" art," &c. &c. Sec.

FATAL

( 43 )

FATAL CONSTANCY;

O R,

LOVE IN TEARS.

A SKETCH OF A

TRAGEDY

IN THE

HEROIC TASTE.

Sed vetuere patres quod non potuere vetare. Ovid.

ACT I.

A Room of State.
The Hero and his Friend meeting,
[If this manner of opening the flay, though ahnojl uni-
^erfally praSiijed, Jhould be thought toojimple and im-
afedijig, the curtain may rife fo-ivly tofoft mufcf and
difco-ver the Hero in a reclining penfve pojiure^ nvhoy
np07i the efitrance of his friend j and the ceafng of the
fyjnphonyy 7nayji art from his couch, and cotneforivard.^

II Ty ELCOAiE, my friend; thy abfence long has

My bleeding breall— nor haft thou heard as yet
My haplefs flory. 'Twas that fatal morn.
The frighted fun feem'd confcious of my grief.

And

44 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

And hid himfelf in clouds, the tuneful birds
Forgot their mufic. Sec. — O Lyfimachus,
Think'H thou fhe e'er can liften to my vows ?
Think'ft thou the king can e'er refufe her to me ?
O if he fhould ! — I cannot bear the thought —
The (hipwreck'd mariner, the tortur'd wretch
That on the rack, the traveller that fees
In pathlefs defarts the pale light's laft gleam
Sink in the deep abyfs, diftracled, loft —
— But foft ye now, for Lindamira comes.
Ah cruel maid, &c. &c. &c..
And doft thou yield ? Ye waters, gently glide ;
Wind, catch the found, O thou tranfcending fair )
5tars, fall from heaven ; and funs, forget to rife ;
And chaos come, when Lindamira dies !

lEND OF THE FiRST ACT

ACT

f A T A L C O N S T A N C Y. 45

ACT II.

The Pre/ence-Chamber^
The Hero 3 folus.

HOW frail is man ! what fears, what doubts perplex
His iirmell refolutions ! Sure the gods *, &c.
But hark ! yon trumpet's fprightly notes declare
The king's approach : be Hill, my flutt'ring heart.
G royal Sir, if e'er thy groveling Have, &c. [Kneeling^
Refus'd ! O indignation ! \,^ifing hajiily,.

Is it day ?

Do I behold the fun ? — Thou tyrant, monfter— .
Down, down aDegiance to the blackefl hell,
I cannot, will not bear it. — O my fair.
And art thou come to witnefs my difgrace ?
And is it poffible that charms like thine
Could fpring from fuch a fire ? — V/hy doft thou weep I
Say, can a father's harfh commands controul —
— Unkind and cruel 1 then thou never loved'fl:.
Curs'd be the treacherous fex, curs'd be the hour,
Gurs'd be the world, and every thing — but her 1
By heaven, (he faints 1 Ah lift thofe lovely eyes,
I'urn on this faithful breaft their chearing beams.
— O joy ! O extafy ! and wilt thou feek
With me fome happier land, fome fafer fhore ?
At night I'll meet thee in the palmy grove.
When the pale moon beams, confcious of the theft—
■'—Till then a long adieu !
The merchant thus, &g.

\_Exeu7it fe-verally y languijhing at each other,
* It is a ufuai complaint in tragedy, as well as in conimon life,
tiiat the gods have not made us as they Ihouid have done.
END OF THE SECOND ACT.

ACT

46 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

ACT III.

The Palmy Gro-je.
The Heroy foliis,

NIGHT, black-brow'd Night, queen of the ebon
wand.
Now o'er the world has fpread her folemn reign.
The glow-worm twinkles, and from every flower
The pearly dews return the pale reflex
Of Cynthia's beams, each drop a little moon !
Hark 1 Lindamira comes — No, 'twas the breath
Of Zephyr panting on the leafy fpray.
Perhaps he lurks in yonder woodbine bovver
To ileal foft kifl'es from her lips, and catch
Ambroflal odours from her pafling flghs.
O thief 1—

She comes ; quick let us hafle away.
The guards purfue us ? Heavens! — Come then, my love.
Fly, fly this moment.

\Here a lo7ig conifer ence upon Ic-je, njirtiiCi the
moofiy l5c. till the guards come up.
— Dogs, will ye tear her from me ?
Ye mull: not, ftiall not— O my heart-flrings crack.
My head turns round, miy flarting eye-balls hang
Upon her parting fteps— I can no more. —

So

FATAL CONSTANCY. 47

So the firil man, from paradife exil'd.
With fond reludance leaves the blooming wild :
Around the birds in pleafmg concert fing.
Beneath his feet th' unbidden flovv'rets fpring ;
On verdant hills the flocks unnumber'd play.
Through verdant vales meand'ring rivers ftray ;
Blofibms and fruits at once the trees adorn.
Eternal rofes bloom on every thorn.
And join Pomona's lap to Amalthasa's horn.

[Excu?!t, torn off on different Jldes

\

OF THE THIRD ACT*

A C T

WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,

ACT IV.

A Pri/cn,
^be HerOy in Chains,

"E deep dark dungeons, and hard pnTon walls.
Hard as my fate, and darkfome as the grave
To which I hailen, wherefore do ye bathe
Your rugged bofcms with unwholefome dews
That feem to weep in mockery of my woe ?
— But fee ! fome angel brightnefs breaks the gloom.
'Tis Lindamira comes ! So breaks the morn
Cn the reviving world. Thou faithful fair !

\_Apprcaching to embrace her*
— Curfe on my fetters^ how they bind my limbs.
Nor will permit m.e take one challe embrace.
Yet come, O come ! —

What fay'il thou ? Force thee to it !
Thy father force thee to Orofius' arms !
Ke cannot, will net, fnail not.— O m^y brain !
Darknefs and devils 1 Buril: my bonds, ye powers.
That I m.ay tear him piecemeal from the earth.
And fcatter him to all the winds of heaven.
— What means that bell ?— O 'tis the found of death.
Alas, I had forgot I v/as to die 1
Let me reflei^l on death, &c. —

But what is death.

Racks,

FATAL CONSTANCY. 49

Racks, tortures, burning pincers, floods of fire.
What are ye all to difappointed love ?
Drag, drag me hence, ye minifters of Fate,
From the dire thought— Oroilus mull enjoy her !
Death's welcome now — Orofius mufl enjoy her I
Hang on her lip, pant on her breaft ! — O gods I
I fee the luilful fatyr grafp her charms,
I fee him melting in ker amorous arnas :
Fiends feize me, furies lafh me, vultures tear.
Hell, horror, madnefsj darknefs and defcair !

[Runs cj^ to €X(cutic?i,.

I

NS OF TH£ FCHJRTH A-CT^

ACT

5« \VHITEHEAD»s POEMS.

ACT V.

The Area Before the Palace,

The Hero, and Soldi

lers.

I THANK you, friends ; I thank you, fellow-foldiers
Ye gave me liberty, ye gave me life.
Yet what are thofe ? Alas, ye cannot give
My Llixlamira to ray longing arms.
O I have fearch'd in vain the palace round,
Explor'd each room, and trac'd my fteps again.
Like good ylineas thro' the itreets of Troy
Vv hen loll; Creufa, &c.—

Ha ! by heaven {he comes !
'Tis ihe, 'tis Hie, and we fhall liill be blcit I
We ihall, we fhall 1 — But why that heaving breall ?
Why floats that hair'dilhevell'd to the wind ?
Why burll the tears in torrents from her eyes ?
Speak, Lindamira, fpeak ! —

Diilradion ! No,
He could not dare it. What, this dreadful Right,
When the dire thunder rattled o'er his head.
Marry thee 1 bed thee ! force thee to be his I
Dcfde that heaven of charms 1 — What mea.ns thy ragei
Thou fhalt not die 1 O v/reft the dagger, from her.
Thou iHll art mine, ftill ilill to me art pure
As the foft fleecy fnow on Alpine hills,
F.re the warm breath of Spring pollutes its v.hitenefs.

— O gods

FATAL CONSTANCY.

51

— O gods, ftie dies ! And doft thou bear me. Earth p
Thus, thus, I follov/ my adventurous love.
And we fhall reft together.

Ha ! the king 1
But let him come ; I am beyond his reach,
Hf cannot curfe me more. See, tyrant, fee.
And triumph in the mifchiefs thou haft caus'd.
—By heaven he weeps ! O, if humanity
Can touch thy flinty he art, hear my laft prayer ;
Be kind, and lay me in the fame coid grave
Thus with my love ; one winding ftieet fhall hold
Our wretched reiiques, and one marble tomb
Tell our fad ftory to the weeping wor-d.
.^Qne kifs — 'tis very dark — goodnight — heaven — Oh !

[Dies,

THE MORA L.

LET cruel fathers learn from woes like thefe
To wed their daughters where thofe daughters pleafe.
Nor erring mortals hope true joys to prove.
When fuch dire ills attend on virtuous love.

END OF THE PLAY.

E 2 • E P 1.

i 5? >

O G U E

SPOKEN EY LINDA MIR A,

STRANGE rulesy good folks ! thefe poets are fo-
nice.
They turn our mere amufements into vice.
Lard ! mull we women of our liv^s be lavifh,
Eecaufe thcfe huge llrong creatures men will ravifh !
I'll fwear I thought it hard, and think fo ftill.
To die for — being pleas 'd againll one's will.

But you, ye fair and brave, for virtue's fake,.
Thefe fpotlefs fcenes to your protedion take.

ODE

C 5% }

ODE I.

FOR HIS * majesty's BIRTH-DA^j
NOVEMBER lO, 1758.

THE ARGUMENT.

About the year 963, Ottoberto, of the family of Efle, pafled
from Italy into Germany with the Emperor Otho the Great,
Azo, his defcendant in the next century, by a marriage with
the daoghter of Welfus, Count Altdorf, inherited the domi-
nions of that family in Suabia, Welfus, a fon of that mar-
riage, received the <3ukedom of Bavaria from the Emperor
Henry the fourth, in 1061. The defcendants of Welfus be-
came afterwards pofTefTed of all thofe dutchies which lie be-
tween the Elbe and the Wefer (Brunfwic, Wolfenbuttle, Lu-
nenburgh, Zell, Hanover, &c.) j and in the year 17 14,
George the firft, Dnke and Eledlor of Hanover, focceeded t«
the throne of Great Britain.

I.

WHEN Othbert left th' Italian plam^
And foft Atefle's green domain,
Atendant on imperial fway
Where Fame and Otho led the way,

* George the Second,

E 3 • Th«

54 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS*

The Genius of the Julian hills

(Whofe piny fummits ncd with ihow,
Whofe Naiads pour their thoufand rills

To fvvell th' exulting Po)
An eager look prophetic caft.
And hail'd the hero as he pafs'd.
Hail, all hail, the woods replied.

And Echo on her a"ry tide
RoU'd the long murmurs down the mountain's fide*

II.

The voice refum'd again : '' Proceed,

*' Nor call one ling'ring look behind |
*' By thofe who toil for Virtue's meed
" Be every fofter thought refign'd;
" Nor focial horn?, r.or genial air,
•* Nor glowing funs, are worth thy care :
*' New realms await thee in a harfher Iky,
" Thee and thy chofen jace from Azo's nuptial tie,

III.
** 'Tis Glory wakes ; her a6live flame
" Nor time fhall qjench, nor danger tame ;
'^ Nor * Boia's amoleft range confine,
*' Tho' Guelpho reigns, the Guelphic line.
*' Yon northern ilr^. which dimly gltams

" Athwart the twilight veil of eve,
'^ Muit point their path to diAant ftreams :

" And many a wreath Hiall Vidory weave,

* Bavaria.

*' And

BIRTH. DAY ODE 1738. 55

** And many a palm Ihall Fame difplay
" To grace the warriors on their way,

" 'Till regions bow to their commands
" Where Albis widens thro' the lands,
*' And vaft Vifurgis fpreads his golden fands.

IV.

" Nor reft they there. Yon guiding fire
'* Still fhines aloft, and gilds the main !

*' Not Lion Henry's * fond defire
** To grafp th' Italian realms again,

** Nor warring winds, nor wintry feas,

** Shall ftop the progrefs Fate decrees ;

" For lo ! Britannia calls to happier coafls,
** And vales more verdant far than foft Atefte boafts.

" Behold, with euphrafy I clear
" Thy vifual nerve, and fix it there,

* Henry the Lion, Duke of Bavaria, Saxony, &c. was cne
of the greateft heroes of the twelfth century. He united In his
own perfon the hereditary dominions of five families. His claims
upon Italy hindered him from joining with the Emperor Fre-
<lcrlc the firft, in his third attack upon the Pope, though he had
afiifted him in tlie two former ; for which he was itripped of hi?
-dominions by that Emperor, and died in 1195, polTcfred only of
thofe dutchies which lie between the Elb and the Wefor.

From this Henry, and a daughter of Henry the fecond of En-
Sland, his prefent iVajefty is lineally defcended,

E 4 Where

56 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

" Where, crown'd with rocks grotefque and ileep^
*' The white iue rifes o*er the deep !
** There glory refls. For there arrive

" Thy chofen fons ; and there attain
** To the firft title Fate can give,

" The Father-Kings of Free-born Men I
** Proceed ; rejoice j defcend the vale,
** And bid the future monarchs hail P*
Kail, all hail, the hero cried ;

And Echo on her airy tide
Purfued him, murmuring down the mountain's fide.

VI.

'Twas thus, O king, to heroes old

The mountains breath'd the ftrain divine.
Ere yet her volumes Fame unroll'd
To trace the w onders df thy line ;
Ere Freedom yet on Ocean's breaft
Had northward fix'd her halcyon nell ;
Or Albion's oaks defcending to the main
Had roU'd her thunders wide, and claim'd the watry
reign,

VI r.

But now each Briton's glov>'ing tongue
Proclaims the truths the Genius fung.
On Brunfvvick's name with rapture^ dwells.
And hark 1 the general chorus fv/ells ;

" May

BIRTH. DAY ODE 175S. 57

"*' May years on happy years roll o'er^
" 'Till glory clofe the fhining page,
** And our ill-fated fons deplore

" * The fhortnefs of a Neftor's age !
" Hail, all hail ! on Albion's plains
" The Friend of Man and Freedom reigns !
*' Echo, waft the triumph round,
" 'Till Gallia's utmoll: fhores rebound,
*' And all hei* bulwarks tremble at the found."

♦ « Nefloriae brevitas feneils." Miifie AngUcanax

ODE

SS WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

ODE IL

FOIl THE NEW-YEAR 1 759*

I.

YE Guardian Powers, to whofe command.
At Nature's birth, th' Almighty Mind

The delegated tafic affign'd
To watch o'er Albion's favour'd land.
What time your holls with choral lay.

Emerging from its kindred deep,

Applaunve hail'd each verdant fteep.
And white rock, glittering to the new-born day !
Angelic bands, where'er ye rove

Whilft lock'd in fleep Creation lies :
Whether to genial dews above

You melt the congregated Ikies,
Or teach the torrent llreams below

To wake the verdure of the vale,
• Or gu'de the varying winds that blow
To fpeed the coming, or the parting, fail :

Where'er ye bend your roving flight,

Whiht now the radiant lord of light

Winds to the north his Aiding fphere.
Avert each ill, each blifs improve.
And teach the minutes as they move

To blefs the opening year.

II. Al'-t

•NEW-YEAR O D E 17.59. 55

II.

Already Albion's lifted fpear.

And rolling thunders of the main,

Whiph Juftice' facred laws maintain.
Have taught the haughty Gaul to fear.
On other earths, in other Ikies,

Beyond old Ocean's vveftern bound,

Tho' bleeds afreih th' eternal wound.
Again Britannia's crofs triumphant flies.
To Britifh George, the king of ifles.

The tribes that rove th' Arcadian fnows^
Redeem'd from Gallia's polifh'd wiles.

Shall breathe their voluntary vows :
Where Nature guards her laft retreat.

And pleas'd Aftrea lingers ftill ;
While Paith yet ti'iumphs o'er Deceit,

And Virtue reigns, from ignorance of ill.
Yet, angel powers, tho' Gallia bend,
Tho' F^Uie, with all her wreaths, attend

On bleeding War's tremendous fway.
The fons of leifure (till complain.
And muiing Science fighs in vain.

For Peace is IHU away.

III.

Go then, ye faithful guides

Of her returning fteps, angelic band.

Explore the facred feats where Peace reixdes.

And v/aves her olive wand.

Bid

^0 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Bid her the waftes of War repair^

— O fouthward feek the flying fair.
For not on poor Germania's harrafs'd plain.

Nor where the Viftula's proud current fwells.
Nor on the borders of the frighted Seine,

Nor in the depths of Ruffia's fnows Ihe dwells.
Yet O, where'er, deferting Freedom's ifle.

She gilds the flave's delufive toil ;

Whether on Ebro's banks fhe ftrays.
Or fighing traces Taio's winding ways.

Or foft Aufonia's fhores her feet detain,
O bring; the wanderer back, with Glory in her train.

ODE

SIRTH-DAY ODE 1759. ei

ODE III.

FOR HIS majesty's EIRTH-DAY,.
NOVEMBER 10, I759.

I.

BEGIN the fbng— Ye fubjea choirs.
The bard whom Liberty infpires
Wakes into willing voice th' accordant lays.—
Say, fliall we trace the hero's flame
From the firft fofc'ring gale of fame.
Which bade the expanding bofom pant for praife ^
Or hail the ftar whofe orient beam
Shed influence on his natal hour.
What time the nymphs of Leyna's flream.

Emerging from their wat'ry bower.
Sung their foft carols thro' each oiier Ihade,
And for the pregnant fair invok'd Lucina's aid ?

II.

No. Hafte to Scheld's admiring wave,

Diftinguilh'd amidll thoufands brave.
Where the young warrior flelh'd his eager fword :

While Albion's troops with rapture view'd
The ranks confus'd, the Gaul fubda'd.
And hail'd, prophetic hail'd, their future lord.
Waiting the chief's maturer nod.

On his plum'd helmet Vidl'ry fate,
• While fuppliant nations round him bow'd.

And Auilria trembled for her fate,

'Till,

63 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

'Till, at his bidding daughter fwell'd the Mayne,.
And half her blooming fons proud Gallia wept in vain.

III.

But what are wreaths in battle won ?
And what the tribute of amaze
Which man too oft miftaken pays
To the vain idol fhrine of falfe renown ?■
The nobleft wreaths the monarch wears
Are thofe his virtuous rule demands,
Unfrain'd by widows' or by orphans' tears,.
And woven by his fubj efts' hands.
Comets may rife, and wonder mark their way
Above the bounds of Nature's fober laws.
But 'tis th' all-chearing lamp of day.
The permanent, th' unerring caufe.
By whom th' enliven'd world its courfe maintains,
Bv whom all Nature fmiles, and beauteous Order reigns,.

O D E-

NEW- YEAR ODE 17&0. €5

ODE IV.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1760.

I.

AGAIN the fun's revolving fphere
Wakes into life th' impatient year^

The white- wing 'd minutes hafle :
And, fpite of Fortune's fickle wheel,
Th' eternal Fates have fix'd their ferd

Upon the glories of the paft.
Sufpended high in Memory's fane.

Beyond ev'n Envy's foaring rage.
The deeds furvive, to breathe again

In faithful Fliflory's future page ;
Where diftant times fnall vv'ond'ring read'

Of Albion's ftrength, of battles won.
Of faith- reHor'd, of nations freed ;

Whilll round the globe her conquers run^,
From the iirfr blufh of orient day.

To where defcend his noontide beams.

On fable Afric's golden flreams.
And where at eve the gradual gleams decavo.
II.
So much already haft thou prov'd
Of fair fuccefs, O beft belov'd,

O firft of favoar'd ifles 1
What can thy fate affign thee more.
What whiter boon has Heaven in flore.

To blefs thy Monarch's ceafckTs toxlo ?

Fach

»4 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS*

Each rlfing feafon, as it flows.

Each, month exerts a rival claim ;
Each day with expedation glows.

Each fleeting hour demands its fame,.
Around thy Genius waiting flands

Each future Child of anxious Time :
See how they prefs in fhadowy bands.

As from thy fleecy rocks fublime
He rolls around prophetic eyes.

And earth, and fea, and heaven furveys :
** O grant a portion of thy praife !
" O bid us all," diey cry, " with luHre rife I."
HI.
Genius of Albion, hear their prayer,
O bid them all with luitre rife !

Beneath thy tutelaiy care.
The brave, the virtuous, and tlie \\ifV,
Shall mark each moment's winged fpeed

With fome thing that difdains to <lie.
The hero's, patriot's, poet's meed.

And paliport to eternity 1
Around thy rocks while ocean raves.
While yonder fun revolves his radiant car.
The land of freedom with the land of Haves,
As Nature's friends, 77iuji wage iilufirious war.
Then be each deed with glory cr.ovv-n'd,
'Till fmiling Peace refume her throne ;
'Till not on Albion's fnorcs alone
The voice of freedom fhall refound.
But every realm iliall equal bleffings iind.
And man enjoy the birth-right of his kind.

ODE

NEW-Y"EAR ODE jjiu [;j

ODE V.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I761.
I.

STILL muft the Mufe, indignant, hear
The clanging trump, the rattling car.
And ufher in each opening year

With groans of death, and founds of war ?
O'er bleeding millions, realms opprell.
The tuneful mourner fmks diftreft.

Or breathes but notes of woe :
And cannot Gallia learn to melt.
Nor feel what Britain long has felt

For her infulting foe.?
Amidil her native rocks fecure.

Her floating bulwarks hovering round.
What can the fea-girt realm endure.

What dread> through all her wat'ry bound ?
Great Queen of Ocean, Ihe defies
All but the Power who rules the Ikies,

And bids the florms engage ;
Inferior foes are daih'd and loft.
As breaks the white wave on her coaft

Confum'd in idle rage.
For alien, fcrrows heaves her generous breaft.

She prolfers peace to eafe a rival's pain :
Her crouded ports, her fields in plenty drell,

Blefs the glad merchant, and th' indufmous Avaln.

Vol. LXXIII. F ©«

:5^. WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Do blooming youths in battle fall ?
True to their fame the funeral urn we raife ;

And thoufands, at the glorious call,
Afpire to equal praife.

Thee, Glory, thee through climes unknown

Th' adventurous chief with zeal purfues ^
And Fame brings back from every zone

Frelh fubjetfls for the Britifh Mufe.
Tremendous as th' ill-omen*d bird
To frighted France thy voice was heard

From Minden's echoing towers :
O'er Bifcay's roar thy voice prevailed;
And at thy word the rocks we fcal'd.

And Canada is ours.
O potent queen of every breafc

Which aims at praife by virtuous deeds.
Where'er thy influence fhines confeil

The hero a6ts, th' event fucceeds.
But ah, muft Glory only bear,
Bellona-like, the vengeful fpear ?

To fill her mighty mind
Muil bulwarks fail, and cities flame.
And is her ampleft field of fame

The miferies of mankind ?
On ruins pil'd on ruins mull fh-e rife.

And lend her rays to gild her fatal throne ?
Mull the mild Power who melts in vernal fkies.

By thunders only make his godhead known ?

No,

NEW-YEAR ODE 1761. €;

No, be the omen far away ; J
From yonder pregnant cloud a kinder gleam,

Tho' faintly ftruggling into day.
Portends a happier theme !—

III.

—And who is he, of regal mien,

ReclinM on Albion's golden fleece,
Whofe polifh'd brow and eye ferene

Proclaim him elder-born of Peace ?
Another George !— Ye winds convey

Th' aufpicious name from pole to pole !
Thames, catch the found, and tell the fubjed fea
Beneath whofe fway its waters roll.
The hoary monarch of the deep.
Who footh'd its murmurs with a father's care.

Doth now eternal fabbath keep.
And leaves his trident to his blooming heir.
O, if the Mufe aright divine.

Fair Peace Ihall blefs his opening reign.
And through its fplendid progrefs (hine.

With every art to grace her train.
The wreaths, fo late by Glory won.
Shall weave their foliage round his throne.
Till kings, abaih'd, fhall tremble to be foes.
And Albion's dreaded ftrength fecure the world's repofe.

F 2 ODE

41 WHITEHEAD'^s POEMS,

O D E VL

iOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY^.
JUNE 4, I761.

I.

5 ry-S W A S at the neftarM feaft of JovCj

X When fair Alcmena's fon
His deflinM courfe on earth had run

And claim'd the thrones above.
Around their king, in deep debate,.
Conven'd, the heavenly fynod fate.
And meditated boons refin'd
To grace the friend of human kind :
When lo, to mark th' advancing god,..
Propitious Kermes ftretch'd his rod.

The roofs v/ith mufic rung !
For, from amid ft the circling choir,
Apollo ftruck th' alarming lyre.

And thus the Mufes fung :
" What boon divine would Heav'n beflow /
*« Ye gods unbend tlie ftudious bow,

** The fruitlefs fearch give o'er,
*' Whilil we the juft reward aflign,
•* Let Hercules with Hebe join,

•* And Youth units widi Power !"

II. Ofacred

BIRTH.DAY ODE 1761. ^h

II.
O facred Truth in emblem dreft 1

Again the Mufes fing.
Again in Britain's blooming King

Alcides ftands confeft.
By Temp'rance nurs'd, and early taught
To fhun the fmooth fallacious draught
Which fparkles high in Circe's bowl ;
To tame each Hydra of the foul.
Each lurking peft, which mocks its birth.
And ties its fpirit down to earth,

Immers'd in mortal coil ;
His choice was that feverer road
Which leads to Virtue's calm abode.

And well repays the toil.
In vain ye tempt, ye fpecious harms.
Ye flow'ry wiles, ye flatt'ring charms.

That breathe from yonder bower;
And Heav'n the juft reward afligns.
For Hercules with Hebe joins.

And Youth unites with Power.
III.
O, call'd by Heav'n to fill that awful throne.
Where Ed\v>: ' , Henry, William, Gt(jt^t, have fhone,
(Where love with rev'rence, laws with power agree.
And 'tis each fubjedl^s birthright to be free)
The faireil wreaths already won

Are but a preiude to the whole :
Thy arduous tafk is now begun.

And, flarting from a nobler goal,

F 3 Heroes

whitehead's poems.

Heroes and Kings of ages paft .

Are thy compeers : extended high
The trump of Fame expefts the blafl.

The radiant lifts before thee lie.
The field is Time, the prize Eternity !
Beyond example's bounded light
'Tis time to urge thy daring flight.

And heights untry'd explore :
O think what thou alone can'ft give.
What bleffings Britain may receive

When Youth unites with Power.

ODE

NEW- YEAR ODE, 176^. 7^

ODE VIL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1762.

GO D of flaughter, quit the fceilej
Lay the creiled helmet by ;
Love commands, and Beauty's Queen
Rules the power who rules the fky.
Janus, with well-omen'd grace.

Mounts the year's revolving car.
And forward turns his fmiling face.

And longs to clofe the gates of War.
Enough of glory Albion knows. —
Come, ye Powers of fweet repofe.

On downy pinions move !
Let the war-worn legions own
Your gentler fway, and from the throne
Receive the laws of Love I

n.

Yet, if Jullice ftill requires

Roman arts, and Roman fculs,
Britain breathes her wonted fires.

And her wonted thunders rolls.
Added to our fairer ifle

Gallia mourns her bulwark gone :
Conqueft pays the price of toil.

Either India is our own.

F4 Ye

J^£ WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Ye fons of Freedom, grafp the fword;
Pour, ye rich, th* imprifon'd hoard.

And teach it how to Ihine :
Each felfifh, each contraded aim
To Glory's more exalted claim

Let Luxury refign.

III.

You too, ye Britifh dames, may fhare
If not the toils, and dangers of the war.
At leail its glory. From the Baltic fnore^

From Runic Virtue's native {hore.

Fraught with the tales of ancient lore.
Behold a fair inflruclrefs come !
When the fierce * Female Tyrant of the North

Claim'd every realm her conquering arms could gair.:;
When Diicord, red with flaughter, ifTuing forth.

Saw Albert ftruggling with the vidlor's chain;
The ilorm beat high, and £hook the coall,

Th' exhaufled treafures of the land

Could fcarce fupply th' embattled hoft.

Or pay th' infulting foe's demand.

What then could Beauty do f ? She gave

Her treafur'd tribute to, the brave,

* Margaret de Walderaar, conimoriiy called t!ie Semlramls c
the North.

■f in the year 1395, the ladies of Mecklenburrh, to fuppor
their Duke Albert's preteniions to the crown of Swc'-len, and tc
redeem him when he was wken prifoner, gave up ail their jewel;
to the public j for which they afterwards received great emoliinient:
and privileges, particularly the right of fucce^ion in fitfs, whlit
h£.d before been appropriated to males only.

'Jit

NEW-YEARODE lySi, 75

To her own foftnefs join'd the manly heart,

Sullain'd the foldier's drooping arms.

Confided in her genuine charms.
And yielded every ornament of art.

— We want them not. Yet, O ye fair.
Should Gallia, obftinately vain.

To her own ruin urge defpair.
And brave th' acknowledg/d mailers of the main »
Should fhe through lingering years protrad her fall.

Through feas of blood to her deftrudionwade.
Say, could ye feel the generous call.
And own the fair example here pourtray'd ?
Doubtlefs ye could. The Royal Dame

Would plead her dear adopted Country's caufcj,

And each indignant breall: unite its flame,
To fave the Land of Liberty and Lavv4,

ODE

74 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,

O D E VIIL

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1762.

I.

*^ f^ O Flora,'* (faid th' impatient Queen
VJ Who fhares great Jove's eternal reign)

** Go breathe on yonder thorn ;
« Wake into bloom th' emerging rofe,
*' And let the faireft flower that blows

*' The faireft month adorn.
*' Sacred to Me that month Ihall rife,
" Whatever * conteils fhake the fkies

** To give that month a name :
** Her April buds let Venus boaft,
" Let Maia range her painted hofl ;

** But June is Juno's claim.

11.

** And Goddefs, know, in after times
** (I name not days, I name not climes)

*' From Nature's nobleft throes
'* A human flower fliall glad the earth,
** And the fame month difclofe his birth,

** Which bears the bluftiing rofe.

* Alluding to the contention betweer. the goddcflcs in Ovid's
■Tafti, about naming the month of June,

Nation 5

BIRTH-DAY ODE 176*. 75

*' Nations fhall blefs his mild command,
*« And fragrance fill th* exulting land,

" Where-e'er I fix his throne." ' ■«
Britannia liften'd as fhe fpoke.
And from her lips prophetic broke,

*' The flower fhall be my own I *'

III.

iO goddefs of connubial love.
Thou filler, and thou wife of Jove^
To thee the fuppliant voice we raife !
We name not months, we name rot dayg<,
.For where thy fmiles propitious fhine.
The whole prolific year is thine.
Accordant to the trembling firings.

Hark, the general chorus fwells.
From every heart it fprings.

On every tongue it dwells.
■Goddefs of connubial love.
Siller thou, and wife of Jove,
Bid the genial powers that glide
'«On aether's all-pervading tide.

Or from the fount of life that flream

Mingling v/ith the folar beam.

Bid them here at Virtue's fhrine.

In chaflefl bands of union join.
'Till many a George and many a Charlotte prove,
'How much to thee we owe, queen of connubial-love !

O D E

WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,
O D E IX.

FOR. THE NEW-^YEAR I763.

L

T length th' Imperious Lord of War
Yields to the Fates their ebon car.
And frowning quits his toil :
Daih'd from his hand the bleeding fpear
Now deigns a happier form to wear.

And peaceful turns the foil.
Th' infatiate Furies of his train.
Revenge, and Hate, and fell Difdaln,

With heart of fteel, and eyes of fire.
Who ftain the fword which Honour draws..
Who fully Virtue's facred caufe.

To Stygian depths retire.
Unholy fhapes, and ihadows drear.
The pallid family of Fear,
And Rapine, ilill with Ihrieks purfueJ,
And meagre Famine's fquahd brood
Clofe the dire crew.— Ye eternal gates, difplay
Your adamantine folds, and fhut them from the d.-.v !

II.

For lo, in yonder pregnant Ikies

On billowy clouds the Goddefs lies.

N E W - Y E A R O D E 1763. 77

Whofe prefence breathes delight,
Whofe power th* obfequious Seafons own, .
And Winter lofes half his frown.

And half her fhades the Night,
Soft-fmiling Peace ! whom Venus bore.
When tutor'd by th' enchanting lore

Of Maia's blooming fon.
She footh'd the fynod of the Gods,
Drove Difcord from the blefl abodes.

And Jove refum'd his throne.
Th' attendant Graces gird her round, ~"

And fportive Eafe, with locks unbound^,
And every Mufe to leifure born.
And Plenty, with her twifted horn.
While changeful Commerce fpreads his loofen'd fails^
Blow as ye lift, ye winds, the reign of Peace prevails i

in.

And lo, to grace that milder reign,
y And add frefh luftre to the year,
^ Sweet Innocence adorns the train.
In form, and features, Albion's heir I
A future George !— Propitious powers.
Ye delegates of Heaven's high King,
u^ Who guide the years, the days, the hours
i That float on Time's progreifive wing.

Exert your influence, bid us know
From parent worth what Yiitues flow !

B^

7? WHITEHEAD'S POEMS-

Be to lefs happy realms refign'd

The Warriour's unrelenting rage.
We alk not kings of hero-kind.

The Ilorms, and earthquakes of their age.
To us be nobler blefTings given :
O teach us, delegates of Heaven,
What mightier biifs from Union fprings !

Future lubjecls, future kings.
Shall blefs the fair example ihown.
And from our charadler tranfcribe their own :
" A people zealous to obey ;
»« A monarch whofe parental fway

*' Defpifes regal art ;
«' His (hield, the laws which guard the land ;
" His fword, each Briton's eager hand ;
• " His throne, each Briton's heart."

ODE

I

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1763. 7f

ODE X.

JFOR HIS majesty's EIRTH-DAY^.
JUNE 4, 1763.

COMMON births, like common things^
Pafs unheeded, or unknown :
7'ime but fpreads, or waves his wings.

The phantom fwells, the phantom's gone !:
Born for millions, monarchs rife
Heirs of infamy or fame.
j When the virtuous, brave, or wife.

Demand our praife, vvitii loud acclaim,.
I We twine the felHve wreath, the Ihrines adorn,
1 'Tis not our King's alone, 'tis Britain's natal morn.
Bright examples plac'd on high

Shine with more dilHnguifh'd blaze ;
Thither nations turn their eye.

And grow virtuous as they gaze.
Thoughtlefs eafe, and fportive leifure.

Dwell in life's contrafted fphere ;
Public is the monarch's pleafure.
Public is the monarch's care :
-' If Titus fmiles, the obfervant world is gay ;
1 If Titus frowns, or fighs, JVe figh and lofe a day !

Around

«0 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Around their couch, around their boards

A thoufand ears attentive wait,
A thoufand bufy tongues record

The fmalleft whifpers of the great.
Happy thcfe whom Truth fincere

And confcious Virtue join to guide !
Can they have a foe to fear.

Can they have a thought to hide ?
Nobly they foar above th' admiring throng,
Superior to the power, the will of ading wrong <
Such may Britain find her King ! —
Such the Mufe * of rapid wings
Wafts to fome fublimer fphere :
Gods and heroes mingle there.
Fame's eternal accents breathe.
Black Cocytus howls beneath ;
Ev'n Malice learns to blufh, and hides her flings,
— O lucii may Britain ever find her Kings 1

* Pindar.

ODE

\

NEW- YEAR ODE 1765. Si

O D • E XL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1765.

SACRED to thee,
O Commerce, daughter of fvveet Liberty^
Shall flow the annual Uram !
Beneath a monarch's fortering care
Thy fails unnumber'd fwell in air.

And darken half the main.
From every clift of Britain's coafts
We fee them toil, thy daring hofls

Who bid our wealth increafe.
Who fpread our martial glory far,—
The fons of fortitude in war.
Of induftry in peace.

On woven wings,
- To where, in orient clime, the grey dawn fprings^
To where foft evening's ray
Sheds its laft bluih, their courfe they ileer.
Meet, or o'ertake, the circling year.
Led by the lord of day.
Whate'er the frozen poles provide,
Whate'er the torrid regions hide
From Sirius' fiercer flames.
Of herb, or root, or gem, or ore.
They grafp them all, from fhore to fliore.

And waft them all to Thames,
y©L. LXXIIL G When

H WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

When Spain's proud pendantswav'd in weflern Ikies j»-

When Gama's fleet on Indian billows hung^
In either fea did Ocean'5 Genius rife.
And the fame truths in the fame numbers fung,
*' Daring mortals, whither tend
** Thefe vain purfuits ? Forbear, forbear !
*' Thefe facred waves no keel fhall rend;>.
** No fireamers float on this fequefier'd air 1
*' —Yes, yes, proceed, and conquer too ;
•' Succefs be yours : But mortals, know,

** Know, ye ralh adventurous bands,

" To crufh your high-blown pride,
*' Not. for yourfelves,. or native lands,
** You brave the feafons, and you ftem the tide,
'' Nor Betis', nor Iberus' ilream,
" Nor Tagus with his golden gleam,
" Shall infolently call their own
«* The dear-bought treafures of thefe worlds unknown*
*' A chofen race to freedom dear,
*' Untaught to injure, as to fear,
«* By me conduced, fhall exert their claims,
** Shall glut my great revenge, and roll them aU ta
*' Thames*"

ODE

BIRTH- DAY ODE ,765. 83

ODE XIL

FOB. HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1765,

li

HA I L to the rofy mom, whofe riy
To luftre wakes th* aufpicious day, -
Which Britain holds fo dear !
To this fair month of right belong
The feftive dance, the choral fong.

And paftimes of the year,
i Whatever the wint'ry colds prepar'd,
'Whatever the fpring but faintly rear'd, ^

Now wears its brighteft bloom ;
A brighter blue enrobes the Ikies,
From laughing fields the zephyrs rife "
On wings that breathe perfume.
The lark in air that warbling floats.
The wood-birds with their tuneful throats.
The llreams that murmur as they flow.
The flocks that rove the mountain's brow.
The herds that through the meadows play.
Proclaim 'tis Nature's holiday !

IE.

And fhall the Britilh lyre be mute.

Nor thrill through all its trembling fl rings,

yVith oaten reed, and paftoral flute,
Whilfl every vale refponfive rings ?

G 3 to

84 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS-,

To Him we pour the grateful lay.

Who makes the feafon doubly gay :
Fcr whcm, fo late, oar lifted eyes
With tears befought the pitying Ikies,
And wen the cherub Health to crown

A nation's prayer, and eafe that breall
Which feels all forrows but its own.
And feeks by blefling to be bleft.
Fled are all the ghallly train.

Writhing Pain, and pale Difeafe ;
Joy refumes his wonted reign.

The fun-beams mingle with the breeze.
And his own month, which Health's gay livery wears^
On thefweet profpe^fmiles of long fucceeding years*

ODE

BIRTH- D A Y O b t 1766.

O D E XIII.

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1766.

HAIL to, the man, (o fmgs the Hebrew bard,
Whofe numerous offspring grace his genial
-board :
Heaven's faireft gift> Heaven's bell reward.

To thofe who. honour, who obey his word.
What {hall he fear, tho' drooping age

Unnerve 'his ilrength, and pointlefs fink his fpear;
J-h vain- thb proud, in vain the mad ihall rage ;
He fears his God, and knows no other fear.
ho ! at his call a duteous race
Spring eager from his lov'd embrace.
To fhield the fire from whom their virtues rofe ;
And fly at each rever'd command,
like arrows from the giant's hand>
In vengeance on his foes.
So Edward fought on Crefly's bleeding plain^
A blooming hero, great beyond his years.
So William fought — But ceafe the ftrain^
A lofs fo recent bathes the Mufe in tears.

So ihall hereafter every fon, —
Who now with prattling infancy relieves

Thofe anxious cares which wait upon a throne.
Where, ah, too oft, amidll the myrtles, weaves

G 3. The

^6 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

The thorn Its pointed anguifh— So
Shall every youth his duty know
;To guard the monarch's right, and people's weal ;
And thou, great George, with juft regard
To Heaven, fhalt own the Hebrew bard
."But fung the truths you feel.

Bleil be the day which gave thee birth!

Let others tear the ravag'd earth.

And fell Ambition's powers appear

la flcrms, which defolate the year.

Confeis'd thy milder virtues ihine.

Thou rul'ft iadeed, our hearts are thine.

By flender ties our Kings of old

Their fabled right divine would vainly hold.
Thy jufler claim ev'n Freedom's fons can love.
The King who bends to Heaven, mull Heaven itfelf
approve.

O D S!

NEW-YEAR ODE 1767. gy

O D E XIV.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I767.

V

I.

WHEN firft the rude o'cr-pcopled Nortli
Pour'd his prolific offspring forth,
-At large in alien climes to roam.
And feek a newer, better home>

From the bleak mountain's barren "head.
The marfhy vale, th' ungrateful plain.
From cold and penury they fled
To warmer funs, and Ceres' golden reign»
At every ftep the breezes blew
Soft and more fcft : the lengthened view

Did fairer fcenes expand :
Unconfcious of approaching foes.
The farm, the town, the city rofcj,
To tempt the fp oiler's hand,

IL

Not Britain fo. For nobler ends
Her willing daring fons fhe fends.
Fraught like the fabled car of old,
^Vhich fcaiter'd blefCngs a^ it roU'd.

G 4 From

83 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

From cultur'd fields, from fleecy downs.
From vales that wear eternal bloom.
From peopled farms, and bufy towns, [loom.
Where fhines the ploughfnare, and where founds the
To fandy defarts, pathlefs woods.
Impending fteeps, and headlong floods.

She fends th' induftrious fwarm :
To where felf-ftrangled Nature lies,
'Till fecial Art fhall bid her rife
Jj'rom Chaos into form.
III.
Thus George and Britain blefs mankind.— »-
And left the parent- realm fhould find
Her numbers fhrink, with flag unfurl'd
She Hands, th' Afylum of the world.

From foreign flrands new fubjedts come.
New arts accede a thoufand ways.
For here the wretched finds a home.
And all her portals. Charity difplays.

From each proud mailer's hard command.
From tyrant Zeal's oppreflive hand,

What eager exiles fly !
" Give us, they cry, 'tis Nature's caufe, ,
*' O give us liberty and laws
** Beneath a harfnerlky 1'*
IV.
Thus George and Britain blefs mankind. —
Away, ye barks ; the favouring wind
Springs from the eaft ; ye prows, divide
The vaft Atlantic's hcavine: tide !

Sntanma

N' E W . Y E A R O D E 1767. Sj

Britannia from each rocky height

Purfues you with applauding hands :
Afar, impatient for the freight.
See ! the whole Weflern world expedling {lands !

Already fancy paints each plain.

The defarts nod with golden grain.
The wond'ring vales look gay.

The woodman's ilroke the forefls feel.

The lakes admit the merchant's keel-
Away, ye barks, away !

O V E

^ WHITEHEAD'S POEMSo

O D E XV.

"FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1767.

FRIEND to the poor!— for Tare, O Kinga
That godlike attribute is thine—
Friend to the poor ; to thee we fing.
To thee our annual offerings bring.

And bend at Mercy's fhrine.
Jn vain had Nature deign'd to fmilc
Propitious on our fav'rite ifle

Emerging from the main :
In vain the genial fource of day
Seledled each indulgent ray

For Britain's fertile plain :
•Jn vain yon bright furrounding fkl«
Bade all their clouds in volumes rile.

Their foft'ring dews diflill'd :
In vain the wide and teeming earth
Cave all her buried treafures birth.

And crown'd the laughing field ;
For lo ! fome fiend, in evil hour,

AfTumlBg Famine's horrid mien.
Diffused her petrifying power
O'er thoughtlefs Plenty's feftive bower.

And blafted every ^reen.

Stronf

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1767* ^e

V Strong panic terrors ftiook the land ;
Th' obdurate breaft, the griping hand

Were almoll taught to fpare ;
'For loud mifrule, the fcourge of crimes,
Mix'd with the madnefs of the times.

And rous'd ^ ruftic war.
Whilft real Want, with figh fmcere.
At home, in filence, dropp'd the tear^

Or rais'd th* imploring eye.
Foul Riot's fons in torrents came.
And dar'd ufurp thy awful name.

Thrice facred Mifery !

Then George arofe. His feeling heart

Infpir'd the nation's better part

With virtues like its own :

His power controul'd th*infatiate train,

Whofe avarice grafp'd at private gain,

Regardlefs of a people's groan.

Like fnows beneath th' all-chearing ray^

The rebel crowds difiblv'd away :

And Juftice, tho* the fvvord fhe drew,

Glanc'd lightly o'er th' oiFending crew.

And fcarcefeleded, to avenge her woes,

A fmgle vidim from a hoft of foes.

Yes, Mercy triumphM.; Mercy fhone confeft

In her own nobleft fphere, a Monarch's breafh

Forcibly mild did Mercy fhine.

Like the fweet month in which we pay

Our annual vows at Mercy's (hrine.

And hail our Monarch's natal day, _

O D »

WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
ODE XVI.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1768.

LE T the voice of Mufic breathe.
Hail with fong the new-born Year ! -^
Tho' the frozen earth beneath

Feels not yet his influence near.
Already from his fouthern goal

The genial God who rules the day-
Has bid his glowing axle roll,'

And promised the return of May.
Yon ruffian blaiis, whofe' pinions fweef>
Impetuous o'er our northern deep, '

Shall ceafe their founds of war :
And, gradual as his power prevails,
Shall mingle with the fofter gales

That fJ)ort aroUnd his car. " ' *

Poets Ihould be prophets too,

Plenty in his -train attends ;
Pruits and flowers of various hue '

Bloom where'er her ftep fhe bends. *
Down the green hill's Hoping fide.

Winding to the vale below.
See, ihe pours 'her golden tide !' *

"VVhilft, upon its airy brow.

Amidd

NEW. YEAR ODE 176S. 93

Amidft his flocks, whom Nature leads
To flowery fealls on mountains' heads,

Th' exulting fhepherd lies :
And to th* horizon's utmoft bound
Rolls his eye with tranfport rounds

Then lifts it to the Ikies.

Let the voice of Mufic breathe !
Twine, ye fwains, the fellal wreath !
Britain fhall no more complain
Of niggard harvefts, and a failing year :
No more the mifer hoard his grain,
Regardiefs of the peafant's tear,
Whofe hand laborious till'd the earth.
And gave thofe very treafures birth.

No more fliall George, whofe parent breall
Feels every pang his fubjeds know.

Behold a faithful land diftrefl.
Or hear one figh of real woe.

But grateful mirth, whofe decent bounds

No riot fwells, no fear confounds.

And he art -felt eafe, whofe glow within

Exalts Contentment's modeft mien.

In every face fliall fmile confefl:.
And in his people's joy, the Monarch too be bleil.

ODE

54.'. WHITEHEAD'S POEMS*

ODE XVIL

majesty's BIl
JUNE 4, 3768..

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,

PREPARE, prepare your fongs of praife.
The genial month returns again.
Her annual rites when Britain pays

To her own monarch of the main.
Not on Phenicia's bending ihore.

Whence Commerce' firft her wings eflay'd.
And dar'd th* unfathom'd deep explore,
Sincerer vows the Tyrian paid
To that imaginary deity.
Who bade him boldly feize the empire of thefeao
What tho' no vi(f^im bull be led.

His front with fnow- white fillets bound ;
Nor fable chaunt the neighing fleed ;

That ifTued when he fmote the ground 5 .
Our fields a living incenfe breathe ;

Nor Libanus, nor Carmel's brow.
To drefs the bower, or form the wreath.
More liberal fragrance could beftow.
We too have herds, and Heeds, befide the riJIs
That feed, and rove, proteded, o'er a thoufand hills.

Secure^

B*-I,R.T H- D A Y ODE 17634 55

Secure, while George the fceptre fways,
(.Whom will, whom int'reft, and whom duty draws
To venerate and patronize the laws)
Secure her open front does freedom raife.
Secure the merchant ploughs the deep.
His weajth his own : Secure the fvvains. .
Amidft their rural treafures fleep.
Lords of their, little kingdoms of the plains.
Then to his day be honour given !
May every choicell boon of Heaven
His bright, diftinguifh'd reign adorn !
'Till, .white as Britain's fleece, old Time Ihall fticd )
His fnows upon his reverend head.
Commanding filial awe from ff nates yet unborn.

ODE

54 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

ODE xvrii.

FCR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1769.

I.

PATRON of Arts, at length by Thee
Their Home is fix'd : thy kind decree
Has plac'd their Empire here.
No more unheeded Ihall they wafte
Their treafures on the fickle tafte

Of each fantaftic year.
Judgement fhall frame each chaile defign.
Nor e'er from Truth's unerring line

The fportive Artift roam :
Whether the breathing bull he forms.
With Nature's tints the canvas warms.
Or fwells, like Heaven's high arch, th' imperial dome.
Fancy, the wanderer, fhall be taught

To own feverer laws :
Spite of her wily wanton play.
Spite of her lovely errors, which betray
Th' enchanted foul to fond applaufe,
Ev'n fhe, the wanderer, fliall be taught
That nothing truly great was ever wrought.
Where judgement was away.

II. Through

I

i

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1769. '^f

II.

Through ofier twigs th* Acanthus rofe :
Th' idea charms, the artiil glows :

But 'twas his fkill to pleafe.
Which bade the graceful foliage fpread.
To crown the llately column's head

With dignity and eafe.
When great Apelles, pride of Greece,
Frown'd on the almoil finilli'd piece,

Defpairing to fucceed.
What tho' the miffile vengeance pafs'd
From his rafh hand, the random call
Might dafh the foam, but fkill had form'd the fleed.
Nor lefs the Phidian arts approve

Labour, and patient care,
Whate'er the ikilful artifls trace, .
Laocoon's pangs, or foft Antinous' face.
By fkill, with that diviner air
The Delian God does all but move ;
'Twas fliill gave terrors to the front of Jove,

To Venus every grace.

III.

— And fhall each facred feat.
The vales of Arno, and the Tufcan flrcam.
No muTe be vifited with pilgrim feet ?
No more on fvveet Hymettus' fummits dream

The Sons of Albion ? or below.

Where IlyfTus' waters How,
Vol. LXXIII. H Trace

58 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS*.

Trace with awe the dear remains
Of mould'ring urns, and mutilated fanes ?
Far be the thought. Each facred feat.
Each monument of ancient fame.
Shall flill be vifited with pilgrim feet, [flame.

And Albion gladly own from whence flie caught the
Still {hall her ftudious youth repair,
Beneath their King's protedling care.

To every clime which, art has known ;
And rich with fpoils from every coaft
Return, till Albion learn to boaft
An Athens of her ov/n.

ODE

NEW-YEAR ODE 1770.
ODE XIX,

POR THE NEW-YEAR 1770^

FORWARD, Janus, turn thine eyes.
Future fcenes in profpedt view,
Rifing as the moments rife.

Which form the fleeting year anew.
Frefh beneath the fcythe of Time,

Could the Mufe's voice avail,
Joys fhould fpring, and reach their prime,,

Blooming ere the former fail.
And every joy its tribute bring
To Britain, and to Britain's King.

Suns ihould warm the pregnant foil.

Health in every breeze Ihould blow;
Plenty crown the peafant's toil.

And fhine upon his chearful brow.
Round the throne whilll duty waits.

Duty join'd with filial love.
Peace fhould triumph in our gates.

And every diHant fear remove ;
'Till gratitude to Heav'n fhould raife
I The fpeaking eye, the fong of praifc.

H 2 Let

100 WHITEHEAD'S POEM S.

Let the nations round in arms
Stun the world with war's alarms.
But let Britain ftill be found
Safe within her wat'ry bounds-
Tyrant chiefs may realms deflroy ;
Kobler is our Monarch's joy.
Of all that's truly great poffefs'd.
And, by bleffing, truly bleil.

Tho' comets rife, and wonder mark their way.
Above the bounds of Nature's fober laws.

It is the all-chearing lamp of day.
The permanent, the unerring caufe.

By whom th' enliven'd world its courfe maintains.

By whom all Nature fmiles, and beauteous order reigns =

ODE

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1770.

O D E XX.

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1770.

DISCORD hence! the torch refign—
Harmony fhall rule to-day,
Whate'er thy bufy fiends defign
Of future ills, in cruel play.
To torture or alarm mankind.

Lead th' infidious train away.
Some blacker hours for mifchief find ;
Harmony fhall rule to-day.

Dillinguifh'd from the vulgar year.

And mark'd with Heaven's peculiar white.
This day fhall grace the rolling fphere.
And ling'ring end its bright career.
Unwilling to be lofl in night.
Difcord, lead thy fiends away 1
Harmony fliall rule to-day.

I Is there, intent on Britain's good,

1 Some angel hovering in the fky,

! Whofe ample view furveys her circling flood.

Her guardian rocks, that fhine on high.

Her forefts, waving to the gales,
I Her ftreams, that glide through fertile vales,
! H 3 Her

102 WHITEHEAD'S P O E M Si

Her lowing pailures, fleecy downs, -

Towering cities, bufy towns.
Is there who views them ail with joy ferene.
And breathes a bleffing on the various fcene f

O if there is, to him 'tis given,
(When daring crimes ahnolt demand
The vengeance of the Thunderer^s hand)
To foften, or avert, the wrath of Heaven*
O'er ocean's face do tertipefts fweep ?

Do civil ftorras blow loud ?
He flills the raging of the deep.

And madnefs of the croud.

He too, when Heaven vouchfafes to fmilc
Propitious on his favourite iile.
With zeal performs the tafk he loves.
And every gracious boon improves.

Bleii delegate ! if now there lies

Ripening in yonder pregnant Ikies
Some great event of more than common good;,

Tho' Envy howl with all her brood.
Thy wonted pow^r employ ;

Uiher the mighty moments in
Sacred- to harmony and joy,
And from this sra let their courfe begin !

O D B

>JEW. YEAH ODE i^^i. ta|

ODE XXL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I77I.

AGAIN returns the circling year.
Again the feftal day.
Which uiliers in its bright career>

Demands the votive lay :
Again the oft-accuftom'd Mufe
Her tributary taflc purfues.
Strikes the preluding lyre again.
And calls the harmonious band to animate her llrain.
Britain is the glowing theme ;
To Britain facred be the fong :
Whate'er the Tages lov'd to dream
Lycean fhades among,
(When raptur'd views their bofoms warm*d
Of perfetSt ftates by fancy form'd)
United here and realiz'd we fee.
Thrones, independence, laws, and liberty I
The triple cord, which binds them fail.

Like the golden chain of Jove
Combining all below with all above*.

Shall bid the facred union laft.
What tho' jars inteftine rife.

And difcord feems awhile to reign,
Britain's fons are brave, are wife.
The tlorm fublides, and they embrace again^

H 4 - 'i i»2

504 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

The mafler-fprings which rule the land.

Guided by a ikilful hand,
Loofcnmg now, ar^d now retraining.
Yielding fomething, fomething gaining,
Preferve inviolate the public frame.
As, the* the feafons change, the year is ftill the fame.
O fhould Britain's foes prefume,
Trufting fome delufive fcene
Of tranfient. feuds that rage at home.

And feem to fhake the nice machine.
Should they dare to lift the fword,

Or bid their hoilile thunders roar.
Soon their pride would mirth afford.

And break like billows on her fhore 5
Soon would find her vengeance wake.
Weep in blood the dire miftake.
And 'gainii, their wild attempts united fee
Thrones, independence, laws, and liberty !

ODE

BIRTH-T)AY OD^E 1771. i«s
ODE XXIL

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY^
JUNE 4, I77L.

LONG did the churlifh Eall detain
In icy bonds th* imprifon'd fpring :
No verdure dropp'd in dewy rain.

And not a zephyr wav'd its win^.
Even he, th' enlivening fource of day.
But pour*d an inefFeftuai ray

On earth's wild bofom, cold and bare.;
Where not a plant uprear'd its head,
•Or dar'd its infant foliage fpread
To meet the blafling air.

Nor lefs did man confefs its force :
Whatever could damp its genial courfe.

Or o'er the feats of life prevail,
-Each pale difeafe that pants for breath.
Each painful harbinger of death,

Lurk'd in the loaded gale.

•But now th' unfolding year refumes

Its various hues, its rich array ;
.And, burfting into bolder blooms.

Repays with llrength its long delay.
'Tis Nature reigns. The grove unbinds
Its trelTes to the fouthern winds.

The

io6 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS;

The birds with mufic fill its bowers ;
The flocks, the herds beneath its Ihade
Repofe, or fport along the glade.

And crop the rifing flowers.
Nor lefs does man rejoice. To him
More mildly fwcet the breezes feem.

More frefli the fields, the funs more warm
'While health, the animating foul
Of every blifs, infpires the whole.

And heightens each peculiar charm.

'Loveliell of months, bright June ! again

Thy feafon fmiles. With thee return
The frolic band of Pleafure's train ;

With thee Britannia's feftal morn.
When the glad land her homage pays

To George, her monarch, and her friends
^* May chearful Aealth, may length of days,

" And fmiling peace his fteps attend 1
«' May every good" — Ceafe, ceafe the ftrain;
The prayer were impotent and vain :

What greater good can man pofliefs
Than he, to whom all-bounteous Heaven,
With unremitting hand, has given

The power and will to blefs ^

O D Ei

N E W - Y E A R O D E 1772. j«^7

O D E XXIIL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I772.

AT length the fleeting year is o'er.
And we no longer are deceived ;
■The wars, the tumults are no more

Which Fancy form'd, and Fear believ'de
Each diftant objed of diftrefs,
• Each phantom of uncertain guefs.

The bufy mind of man could raife^
: Has taught ev'n Folly to beware;
At fleets and armies in the air

The wond'ring croud has ceas'd to gaze«
'And fliall the fame dull cheats again
Revive, in ftale fucceflion roU'd ?
Shall fage experience warn in vain.
Nor the New-- Year be v/ifer than the Old ?
Forbid it, ye protefting Powers,
Who guide the months, the days, the hours^

Which now advance on rapid wing !
May each new fpe<^re of the night
Diflblve at their approaching light.
As fly the wint'ry damps the foft return of ipring !
•True to herfelf if Britain prove.

What foreign foes has ihe to dread ?
Her. facred laws, her Sovereign's love.
Her virtuous pride ' by Freedom bred.,

Securf;

loS WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Secure at once domeftic eafe,
i\.nd awe th' afpiring nations into peace.

Did Rome e'er court a tyrant's fmiles.
Till Fadion wrought the civil frame's decay ?

Did Greece fubmit to Philip's wiles.
Till her own faithlefs fons prepar'd the way ?

True to herfelf if Britain prove.

The warring world will league in vain.
Her facred laws, her Sovereign's love.
Her empire boundlefs as the main.
Will guard at once domellic eafe,
^4nd awe th' afpiring; nations into peace.

OD>E

BIRTH- DAY ODE 1772*

ODE XXIV.

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1772.

FROM fcenes of death, and deep diflrefs,
(Where Britain fhar'd her Monarch's woe)
Which moft the feeling mind opprefs.
Yet beft to bear the virtuous know.
Turn we our eyes — The cyprefs wreath

No more the plaintive Mufe fhall wear ;
The blooming flowers which round her breathe.

Shall form the chaplet for her hair ;
And the gay month which claims her annual fire^
, Shall raife to fprightlier notes the animated lyre*
I The lark that mounts on morning wings

To meet the riling day,
I Amidft the clouds exulting fmgs.

The dewy clouds, whence zephyr flings

The fragrance of the May.
The day, which gave our Monarch birth.
Recalls each nobleft theme of ages paft ;

Tells us, whatever we owed to NafTau's worth.
The Brunfwick race confirm'd, and bade it laft :
Tells us, with rapturous joy unblam'd.

And confcious gratitude, to feel

Our laws, our liberties, reclaim'd

From tyrant pride, and bigot zeal ;

109

While

jio WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

While each glad voice, that wakes the echoing air.
In one united wifii thus joins the general prayer :

** 'Till Ocean quits his fav'rite ille,

*t J Jill Thames, thy wat'ry train
*' No more fhall blefs its pregnant foil,
«*- May Order, Peace, and Freedom fmile
** Beneath a Brunfwick's reign 1"

ODE

NEW-YEAR ODE 1773. m
O D E XXV,

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I773-

WR A P T in the ftole of fable grain.
With florms and tempefts in his train^
Which howl the naked woods among.
Winter claims the folemn fong.
Hark, 'tis Nature's laft farewel ;
Every blafl is Nature's knell!

Yet Ihajl glooms opprefs the mindj
So oft by fage experience taught

To feel its prefent views confin'd.
And to the future point th' afpiring thought ?
1 All that fades again Ihall live.

Nature dies but to revive.

Yon fun who fails in fouthern ikies.

And faintly gilds th' horizon's bound.
Shall northward ilill, and northward rife.

With beams of warmth and fplendor crown'd ;
Shall wake the numbering, buried grain

From the cold earth's relenting breall.
And Britain's ille fhall bloom again

In all its wonted verdure dreit.

Britain^

>, WHITEHEAD'S POEMS>

Britain, to whom kind Heaven's indulgent care-

Has iix'd in temperate climes its ftated goal.
Far from the burning zone's inclement air.

Far from th' eternal frofts which bind the pole*.
Here dewy Spring exerts his genial powers ;

Here Summer glows falubrious, not fevere ;
Here copious Autumn fpreads his golden ftores.

And Winter Ilrengthens the returning year.

O with each bleffing may it rife,

Wliich Heaven can give, or mortals bear !

May each wing'd moment, as it flies.
Improve a joy, or cafe a care ;

'Till Britain's grateful heart aftonifh'd bends
To that Almighty Power from whom all good-
defcends,-

O D E

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1773. uj

ODE XXVI.

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1773.

BORN for millions are the Kings
Who fit on Britain's guarded throne :
From delegated power their glory fprings.
Their Birth-day is our own !

In impious pomp let tyrants fhine,
AfTuming attributes divine.
And ftretch their unrefifted fway
O'er flaves, who tremble, and obey. ■
On lawlefs pinions let them foar :
Far happier he, whofe temperate power,

Acknowledg'd, and avow'd,
Ev'n on the throne reftrifdon knows j :
And to thofe laws implicit bows

By which it rules the croud. .

When erfl th' imperial pride of Rome •
Exulting faw a world o'erccme.
And rais'd a mortal to the ikies.
There were, 'tis true, with eagle eyes

Vol. LXXIII. I Who

jr4 WHITEHEAD'S P O E M Ss

Who view'd the dazzling fcene.
Tho' incenfe blaz'd on flattery's fhrine.
Great Titus and the greater Antonine

Felt, and confels''d they were but men.

Eut ah ! how few,, let Kiilory fpeak
With weeping eye, and oiufhing cheek,

E*er reach'd their mighty mind !
Man,, felfifii man, in moll: prevail'd.
And power roll'd down a curfe entail'd

On reafon, and mankind.

Happy the land, to whom 'tis given
T' enjoy that choicell: boon of Heaven,
Where, bound in one illullrious chain.
The Monarch and the People reign !

Hence is Britannia's weal maintain'd ;

Hence are the rights his fathers gain'd
To every freeborn fubjecl known :

Hence to the throne, in fongs of praife,

A grateful realm its tribute pays.
And hails the King, whofe Birth-day is its own

ODE

NEW- YEAR ODE 1774. 115

ODE XXVIT.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I774.

*' "P ASS but a few ftort fleeting years,'*

I- ImperiaJ Xerxes iigh'd and iaid,
Whilft his fond eye, fuffus'd with tears.

His numerous hofts furvey'd ;
*' Pafs but a few fhort fleeting years,
'* And all that pomp, which now appears

" A glorious living fcene,
" Shall breathe its lalt ; fliall fall, Ihall die,
*' And low in earth yon myriads lie

** As they had never been !'*
True, Tyrant : Wherefore then does pride.

And vain ambition, urge thy mind
To fpread thy needlefs conqueits wide.

And defolate mankind?
Say, why do millions bleed at thy command ?
If life, alas ! is ftiort, why fhake the hafty land ?

II.

Not fo do Britain's Kings behold
Their floating bulwarks cf the main

Their undulating fails unfold.
And gather all the winds aerial reign,

I 2 . Myriads

xi6 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,

Myriads they fee, prepared to braifp

The loudeft florm, the wildeft wave.
To hurl juft thunders on infulting foes.
To guard, and not invade, the world's repofe.
Myriads they fee, their country's dear delight.
Their country's dear defence, and glory in the iight I

Nor do they idly drop a tear

On fated Nature's future bier ;
For not the grave can damp Britannia's fires ;

Tho' chang'd the men, the worth is ilill the fame y
The fons will emulate their fixes,

And the fbns fons will catch the glorious flame !

ODE

BIRTH. DAY b t) t ,774. 117

f

ODE XXVIII.

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAV,
JUNE 4, 1774.

I.

HARK !— or does the Mufe's ear
Form the founds fhe longs to hear ?—
Hark ! from yonder weftern main

O'er the white wave echoing far.
Vows of duty fwell the ftrain.

And drown the notes of war.
The prodigal again returns.

And on his parent's neck reclines ;
With honeft (hame his bofom burns.

And in his eye afFedion fhines ;
Shines thro' tears, at once that prove
Grief, and joy, and filial love.

II.

Difcord, ftop that raven voice^
Left the nations round rejoice.
Tell it not on Gallia's plain.

Tell it not on Ebro's fiream,
Tho' but tranfient be the pain.

Like to feme delufive dream :

I 3 Foj

ii8 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

For foon Ihall Reafon, calm, and fage,

Deted each vile feducer's wiles.
Shall 100 the to peace millaken rage.

And all be harmony and fmiles ;
Smiles repentant, fuch as prove
Grief, and joy, and filial love.

III.

O prophetic be the Mufe 1

May her moniiory flame
Wake the foul to noble views.

And point the path to genuine fame'.
Juft fubjedion, mild commands.

Mutual intereft, mutual love.
Form indiiToluble bands.

Like the golden chain of Jove,
Clofely may they all, unite !

And fee, a gleam of luftre breaks
From the fhades of envious night—

And hark, 'tis more th?.n Fancy i'peaks—
Tiiey bow, they yield, they join the choral lay
And hail with us ourMonarch'6 natal day.

ODE

JB I R T H - D A Y O D E 1775. n.

ODE XXIX.

FOR HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1775.

YE Powers, wKo rule o'er ftates and kings.
Who fliield with fublunary wings
Man's erring race from woe.
To Britain's fons in every clime
Your bleffings waft, whate'er their crime^
On all the winds that blow !

Beyond the vail Atlantic tide
Extend your healing influence wide.

Where millions claim your care :
Infpire each juft, each filial thought.
And let the nations round be taught

The Britifh oak is there.

Tho' vaguely wild its branches fpread.
And rear almoft an alien head

Wide-waving o'er the plain.
Let ftill, unfpoil'd by foreign earth.
And confcious of its nobler birth.

The untainted trunk remain.

I 4. Where

© WHITEHEAD'S P O E T^ S.

Where mutual intereft binds the band.
Where due fubjedlion, mild command,

Enfure perpetual eafe.
Shall jarring tumults madly rave.
And hoftile banners proudly wave

O'er once united feas ?
No ; midfl the blaze of wrath divine
Heaven's lovelieft attribute {hall fhine.

And mercy gild the ray ;
Shall flill avert impending fate ;
And concord its beft sera date

From this aufpicious day.

^■ODF,

-NE W.Y E A R ODE ,776. ;,,
'O D E XXX.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1776.

ON the white rocks which guard her coaft,
Obfervant of the parting day,
Whofe orb v^'as half in ocean loil:,
Reclin'd Britannia lay.

Wide o'er the wat'ry wafte
A penfive look Ihe caft ;
And fcarce could check the rifing figh.
And fcarce could Hop the tear which trembled in
her eye.

'^ Sheathe, fheathe the fvvord which thirfls for
'' blood,"'
(She cried) *' deceivM, miftaken men !
■" Nor let your parent, o'er t^e flood,
' " Send forth her voice in vain !
" Alas, no tyrant Ihe,
** She courts you to be free :
" Submiffive hear her foft command.
Nor force Ainwiliing vengeance from a p'arent's hand.'^

Hear her, ye wife, to duty true.

And teach the reft to fed,
"Kor let the madnefs of a few

Diftrefs ,the publie weal !

So

123 WHITEHEAD'S P O E M g.

So (hall the opening year afTume,
Time's fairefl child, a happier bloom ;

The white-win 8;'d hours (hall lightly move^

The fun with added luftre fhine !
" To err is human."— Let us prove
^■- Forgivenefs is divine !"

ODE

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1776. 113
ODE XXXI*.

FOR HIS MAJ,ESTY*S BIRTH-DAY-,
JUNE 4, 1776.

YE wellern gales, vvhofe genial breath
Unbinds the glebe, till all beneath
One verdant livery wears :
You foothe the fultry heats of noon.
Add foftnefs to the fetting fun.

And dry the morning's tears.

* To this Ode Mr. Mason has prefixed the following adver'"
tllement, which, however, has not prevented us, as the reader
will perceive, from inferting the regular feries of all Mr. White-
head's New-Year and Birth-Day Odes, both previous and fubfe-
quent to it.

" In the Colledion of Poems which Mr. Whitehead printed in
1774, he thought proper to feledl certain of his New- Year and
Birth-Day Odes for re-publication. Beginning, therefore, from
^that date, I have reviewed, with the aiTiftance of fome friends,
whofe tafte in lyric compofition I could depend on, all that he
■wrote afterwards, and thofe which we bell approved are here in-
ferted. in this review it is to be noted, to the Poet's honour,
that we found more variety of fentiment and exprefiion, than
could well be expe<S-ed from fuch an uniformity of fubjc<n-. If
we lamented the neceflity he was under, of fo frequently advert-
ing to the war with America, we generally admired his delicate
manner of treating it. Should, therefore, the Odes here re-
printed lead any perfon to read all that he compofed, in compli-
ance v/ith the forms of his office, (and all are to be found in the
Annual Regifter printed by Dodficy) I perfuade myftlf he mull
agree with me in thinking, that no Court Poet ever had fewer
cnnrt[y falnsf and that his page is, at the Icaft, as -Mljitc us M-

This

124 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

This is your feafon, lovely gales.
Through aether now your power prevails ;
And our dilated breads {hall own
The joys which flow from you alone.

Why, therefore, in yon dubious Iky,
With outfpread wing, and eager eye

On diilant fcenes intent,
*' Sits Expedlation in the air'*— —
Why do alternate hope and fear

Sufpend fome great event ?

Can Britain fail ?— The thought were vain '.
The powerful emprefs of the main
J3ut llrives to fmooth th' unruly flood.
And dreads a conqueft ftain'd with blood.

While yet, ye winds, your breezy balm
Through nature fpreads a general calm,
Y/hile yet a paufe fell Difcord knows ;
Catch the foft moment of repofe.

Your genuine powers exert ;
To pity melt th' obdurate mind.
Teach every bofom to be kind.

And humanize the heart.

Propitioas gales, O wing your way !
And whilft we hail that rightful fway

Whence temper'd freedom fprings.
The blifs we feel, to future times
-Extend, and from your native climes

Bring peace upon your wings ! ■

ODE

NEW -YEAR ODE 1762. 125

ODE XXXII.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I777.

AGAIN imperial Winter's fway
Bids the earth and air obey ;
Throws o'er yon hoUile lakes his icy bar.
And, for a while, fufpends the rage of war,.

O may it ne'er revive ! Ye wife.

Ye jufi, ye virtuous, and ye brave.
Leave fell contention to the fons of vice.
And join your powers to fave !

Enough of (laughter have ye known^
Ye wayward children of a dillant clime.

For you we heave the kindred groan^
We pity your misfortune, and your crime.

Stop, parricides, the blow,

O find another foe !
And hear a par:i?it's dear requell.
Who longs to clafp you to her yielding brealt.

What change would ye require ? What form
Ideal floats in Fancy's fky ?
Ye fond enthufiafls break the charm.
And let cool reafon clear the mental eye.

On

J.26 WHITEFIEAD's POEMS..

On Britain's well-mix'd ftate alone.
True Liberty has fix'd her throne.
Where Law, not Man, an equal rule maintains :
Gan freedom e'er be found where many a tyrant reigns ?■

United, let us all thofe bleffings find.

The God of Nature meant mankind. ^

Whate'er of error, ill redreft ;

Whate'er of palTion, ill repreft ;

Whate'er the wicked have conceiv'd.

And Folly's heedlefs fons believ'd.
Let all lie buried in oblivion's flood.
And our great cement be. The Public Good.

ODE

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1777. 127

O D E xxxiir.

FOR HIS MAJESTY S BIRTH-DAY,

JUNE 4, 1777.

DRIVEN out from Heaven's ethereal dcmes^,.
On earth insatiate DIfcord roams.
And fpreads her baleful influence far :
On wretched man her fcorpion flings
Around th' infidious fury flings,.
Corroding every blifs, and fliarp'ning every care.

Hence, Demon, hence ! in tenfold night

Thy Stygian fpells employ.
Nor with thy prefence blaft the light
Of that aufpicious day, which Britain gives to joy, -

But come, thou fofter deity,
Fairefl: Unanimity 1
Not more fair the ftar that leads
Bright Aurora's glowing Heeds,
Or on Hefper's front that Ihines,,
When the garifh day declines ;
Bring thy ufual train along,
Feftive dance, and choral fong,
P Loofe-rob'd fport, from folly free.
And mirth, challis'd by decency.

Enough of war the penfive Mufe has fung,
^ Enough of Ilaughter trembled on her tongue ;
I Fairer

.'2S WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Fairer profpefls let her bring

Than hoftile fields and fcenes of blood :

If happier hours are on the wing.
Wherefore damp the coming good ?

If again our tears mull flow.

Why foreftall the future woe ?

Bright-ey'd Hope, thy pleafmg power

Gilds at leafl the prefent hour.

Every anxious thought beguiles,

DrefTes every face in fmiles.
Nor lets one tranfient cloud the blifs dcflroy
Of that aufpicious day, which Britain give? to jo;

CDS

NEW. YEAR ODE 177S. jz^

ODE XXXIV.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I778.

WHEN rival nations great in arms.
Great in power, in glory great.
Fill the world with war's alarms.

And breathe a temporary hate,.
The hoftile Horms but rage a while.

And the tired conteft ends..
But ah, how hard tQ reconcile ■

The foes vvho once were friends ! '
Each haiiy word,, each. look unkind.

Each dillant hint, that feems to meaa
A fomething lurking in the mind

Which almoil longs to lurk unfeen.
Each fhadow of a.fhade oifends
Th' embitter'd foes who once were friends.

That Power alone who fram'd the foul.

And bade the fprings of paiTion £lay,,

Can all their jarring firings controul.

And form on difcord concord's fway.

'Tis He alone, whofe breath of love

Did o'er the v/orld of waters move.

Vol. LXXIII. ii Wh©ft

130 WHiTEH-EAD's P'OEM^S.

Whofe touch the mountains bends ;
Whofe word from darknefs call'd forth lights
'Tis He alone can reunite

The foes who once were friends.

To Kim, O Britain, bow the knee !
His avvfal, his augufc decree.

Ye rebel tribes, adore 1
Forgive at once, and be forgiven.
Ope in each bread a little heaven;..

And difcord is no more.

ODE:

BIRTH. DAY ODE 1778. 131

ODE XXXV.

FOR HIS majesty's BlRTH-DAY^
JUNE 4, 1778.

AR M ' D with her native force, behold.
How proudly thro' each martial plain
Britannia ftaiks 1 ** 'Tvvas thus of old,
" My warlike fons, a gallant train,
" Call'd forth their genuine ftrength, and fpread
" Their banners o'er the tented mead ;
*^ 'Twas thus they taught perfidious France to yield,'*
She cries, and ihews the lilies on her fhield.

*' Yes, Goddefs, yes ! 'twas thus of old,"
The Mufe replies, *' thy barons bold
" Led forth their native troops, and fpread
** Their banners o'er the tented mead.
" Uut nobler new the zeal that warms

*' Each patriot breall : for Freedom's reign
" Has buril the Norm^an's feudal chain,
^' And given new force to Glory's charms.
" No vaflal bands
" Rife at a tyrant lord's commands :
" 'Tis for themfelves, with honeft rage,
" The voluntary youths engage ;
■ " To guard their facred homes they fight,
" And in their own aflert the public right.

K 2 *' Bound

J32 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Bound by choice, and choice alone.

Their le^iders, and their laws are both their own.

Laws obey'd, becaufe approved.

And chiefs that rule, becaufe belovM.

'Tis hence that flafh" of virtuous pride.

Which Britain's fons difdain to hide.

Glows on their cheeks, and thro' their eyes^

In adlive fire, the foe defies. .

'Tis hence, at home, they claim and find

Th' undoubted rights of human kind ;

And, whilil they own a.juft controul.

But yield a part to guard the whole.

'Tis hence they fpurn a fervile chain.

While tyrant man's defpotic reign

** Enflaves the peopled earth ;
And hence, with equal zeal obey
A father King, and hail the day

" Which gave fuch monarchs birth."'

ode:

N E W-y E AR ODE 1779. 13?

ODE XXXVI . ;

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1 779.

TO arms, to arms, ye fons of might,
Aad hail with founds of war the new-born year t
Britannia, from her rocky height,
'Points to the Gallic coaft, and lifts her fpear*
Th* immortal hatred, which by turns
Wakes and fleeps, with fury burns :
New caufe of jull offence has Albion found, '
And la, it bleeds afrelli, th* eternal wound !

Though great in war, of fliill poiTeft,
Though native courage fire their breaH
With ardour for the public weal
One want, at leall, our rivals feel.
The want of freedom damps each gen'rous aim ;
Whoe'er the lord they ferve, th' opprefTion is thefamCe

Power defpotic rarely knows.
Rarely heeds a fubjeifl's woes ;
By force it claims, with grafping hand,
Whate'er Ambition dares demand :
The ravag'd merchant, pl-under'd fwran.
May pour their weak complaints in vain ;
•Their private forrows arc their own ;
A tyrant feels not^ though a people groan.

K 3 O happier

^4. WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

O happier far the well-mix'd ftate,
WJiich blends the monarch's with the fubjedl's fate.

And links the fceptre to the fpade !

The llroke which wounds the lowliefl clown

Is infult to the Britifh Crown,
And he attacks our rights who dares the throne invade»

One common flame, one aftive foul

Pervades, and animates the whole ;

One heart,- one hand, diredls the blow.
And hurls the vollied vengeance on the Toe.

ops

BIRTH- DAY ODE 17^^. 135

ODE XXXVII.

FOR HIS MAJ-ESTy's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1779.

E T Gallia mourn I th' infuldng foe,
J Who dar'd to aim the treach'rous blow.
When loft, fhe thought, in deep difmay.
Forlorn, diftrefs'd, Britannia lay.

Deems fhe Misfortune e'er can tame
The gen'rous inborn Britifh flame ?

Is Agincourt fo little known ?
Muft frefh conviftion curb her pride>
Each age new annals be fupply'd.

Of Gallia's fhame and our renown ?

What though a while the tempeft fhrouds
Her fummits, and a night of clouds

Each rock and mountain wears ;
Yet foon returns the flitting breeze.
And brighter o'er her fubjed: feas

The Queen of Ifles appears.

Let Gallia mourn ! th* infulting foe>
Who fees by all the winds that blow.
Her treafures wafted to the coaft
She infolently deem'd was loft.

K 4 Von

ijS WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

Yon fun, that with meridian ray
jsfow gilds the confecrated day.

When Britain breathes her annual vow
For him, the Guardian of her Laws,
Per him, who in her facred caufe

Bids the red bolt of vengeance glow :

That very fun, when Ganges' flream
Redden'd beneath his rifmg beam.

Saw Britain's banners wave
In eaftern air, with honeft pride.
O'er vanquifh'd forts, which Gallia tried^,

BiUt tried in vain to fave.

That very fun, ere evening dew
Has dimm'd his radiant orb, will view.
Where Lucia's mountains tower on highj
And feem to prop the weftern fky.
That oft-contefted ifland own
Allegiance to the Britifn throne.

Like her own oak, the foreft's king,

Tho' Britain feels the blows around ;
Ev'n from the Heel's iniliftive Iling,
New force fne gains, new fcyons fpring^
And flourilh from the wound.

ODE

:W E W - Y E A R O D E i7?o. 13;

O D E XXXVIII.

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1780.

I

AND dares infulting France pretend
To grafp the trident of the main.
And hope the aftonifh'd world (hould bend
To the mock pageantry afium'd in vain ?
What, though her fleets the billows load.

What, though her mimic thunders roar >,
She bears the enfigns of the God,

But not his xlelegated power.
Ev'n from the birth of Time 'twas Heaven's decree.
The Queen of Ifles ihould reign fole ■ emprefs ef the
■feao

United Bourbon's giant pride

Strains every nerve, each effort tries,
'With all but juftice on its fide.

That llrength can give, or perfidy deviTe.
Dread they not Him who rules the fky,

Whofe nod direils the whirlwind's fpeed,
Wlio bares his red right arm on high

For vengeance on the perjur'd head,
'Th' Almighty Power, by whofe auguft decree
The Queen of Ifies alone is fovereign of the fea •*

Vain-

138 WHITEHEAD'S POEMSi

Yaln-glorious France ! deluded Spain 1
Whom even experience warns in vain.
Is there a Tea that dalhing pours
Its big waves round yqur trembling fliores.
Is there a promontory's brow
That does not Britain's vaft atchievements know?
Afk Bifcay's rolling flood,

Afk the proud Celtic fteep.
How oft her navies rode
Triumphant o'er the deep ?
Alk Lagos' fummits that beheld your fate,
Aik Calpe's jutting front, fair caufe of endlefs hate.
Yet 'midft the loudefl blafts of Fame,

When moH the admiring nations gaze.
What to herfelf does Britain claim ?

— Not to herfelf fhe gives the praife.
But low in dull her head (he bows.
And proftrate pays her grateful vows
To Him, the Almighty Power, by whofe decree
She reigns, and Hill fhall reign, fole emprefs of the
fea.

O D E

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1780*. 139

ODE XXXIX.

FOR HIS majesty's EIP.TH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1780.

STILL o'er the deep does Britain reign.
Her monarch ftill the trident bears :
Vain-glorious France, deluded Spain,
Have found their boafted elForts vain ;
Wain as the fleeting ihades when orient light appears.

As the young eagle to the blaze of day

Undazzled and undaunted turns his eyes.
So unappall'd, where Glory led the way, [fkies,
'Midft ftorms of war, 'midil: mingling feas and
The genuine offspring of the Brunfwick name
Prov'd his high birth's hereditary claim.
And the applauding na'tion hail'd with joy
Their future hero in the intrepid boy.

Prophetic, as the fiame that fpread

Round the young lulus' head,

Ee that bleft omen of fuccefs. The Mufe

Catches thence ecflatic views ;

Sees new laurels nobly won.

As the circling year rolls on j

Sees

HO WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,

Sees that triumphs of its own
-Each dillinguiili'd month fhall crown ;

And, ere tliis feftive day again

Returns to wake the grateful flrain.

Sees all that hoil of foes.

Both to her glory and repofe.
Bend their proud necks beneath Britannia's yoke.
And court that peace which their injuftice broke.

Still o'er the deep fhall Britain reign.
Her Monarch IHII the trident bear ;
The warring world is leagu'd in vain
To conquer thofe who know not fear,

'Grafp'd be the fpear by ev'ry hand.
Let every heart united glow.

Collected, like the Theban band.
Can Britain dread a foe ?

"No ! o'er the deep fhe flill fhall reign^
Her Monarch ftill the trident bear :

The warring world is leagu'd in vain
To conquer thofe who know not fear^

O B E

»EW. YEAR ODE 1781. 141

ODE XL„

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I781.

AS K round the world, from age to ag-e^.
Not where alone th.' Hillorian's page
Or Poet's fong have juft attention won :
But even the feebleft voice of fame
Has learnt to lifp Britannia's name,
Afr£ of her inborn worth, and deeds of high renown \'.

What power from Lufitania broke
The haughty Spaniard's galling yoke ?

Who bade the Belgian mounds with freedom ring ?
Who fix'd fo oft with ftrength fupreme
Unballanc'd Europe's nodding beam.

And rais'd the Auftrian eagle's drooping wing ?
'Twas Britain !— Britain heard the nations groans
As jealous of their freedom as her own !
Where'er her valiant troops Ihe led,
Check'd and abafli'd, and taught to fear.

The earth's proud tyrants llopp'd their mad career;

To Britain Gallia bow'd ; from Britain Julius iled.

Why then, when round her fair Protcfflrefs' brow
The dark clouds gather, and the temp efts blow.
With folded arms, at eafe reclin'd.
Does Europe fit? or, more, unkind.

Why

Uz WHITEHEAD'S P G E M S.

Why fraudulently aid the infidious plan ?
The foes of Britain are the foes of man.

Alas ! her glory foars too high ;

Her radiant ftar of Liberty
Kas bid too long th' alioniihM nations gaze ;

That glory which they once admir'd.

That glory in their caufe acquir'd, [blaze.

That glory burns too bright, they cannot bear the

Then Britain,, by experience wife.
Court not an envious or a timid friend ;

Firm in thyfelf undaunted rife.
On thy own arm and righteous Heaven depend.

So as in great Eliza's days.

On felf-fupported pinions borne.

Again Ihalt thci look down with fcorn
On an oppofmg worid, and all its wily ways :

Grown greater fr^m dilbefs.

And eager iHil to blefs,,
As truly generous as tiiou'rt truly brave.
Again faalt crufn the prt-ud, aguiii the conquer'd fave*

ODE

& I R T H - D A Y ODE i78i« 143

ODE XLI.

rOR HIS majesty's Bin.TH-DAY.3
JUNE 4, 1781..

Q TILL does tiie rage of war prevail,
O Still thirifts for blood th' infatiate fpear ?
Waft not, ye winds, th* invidious tale.
Nor let th* untutor'd nations hear.
That paffion baffies reafcn's beaded reign.
And half the peopled world is civilized in vain.
What are morals, what are laws^
What religion's facred name ?
Nor morals foften, nor religion awes :
Pure tho* the precepts flow, the actions are the fame.
Revenge, and pride, and deadly hate.
And avarice tainting deep the mind.
With all the fury fiends that wait.

As torturing plagues, on human kind.
When fliev/n in their own native light.
In Truth's clear mirrour heavenly bright.

Like real monilers rife ;
But leL illufion's powerful wand
Transform, arrange, the hideous band.
They cheat uc in difguife ;
We drefs their horrid forms in borrDvv'd rays,
'^^hen call them Glory, and puriue the blaze.

O blind

244 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

O blind to Nature's focial plan.
And Heaven's indulgent end !
Her kinder laws knit man to man.

As brother and as friend.
Nature, intent alone to blefs.

Bids ftrife and difcord ceafe ;
** Her ways are ways of pleafantn efs,.

** And all her paths are peace."
Ev'n this aufpicious day would wear

A brighter face of joy ferene ;
And not one rii filing gale of care
Diflurb the halcyon fcene ;
On lighter wings would zephyr move, .

The fun with added luftre fhine.
Did Peace defcending from above.
Here fix her earthly ihrine ;
Here to the Monarch's fondefl prayer:

A jufl attention yield.
And let him change the fword of war,
Fcr her protefting fhicid* .

o D R:

NEW. YEAR ODE 1782, 145

ODE XLIL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR I782.

OV/OND'ROUS power of inborn worth.
When danger calls its fpirit forth.
And flrong neceffity compels
The fecret fprings to burft their narrow cells !
Tho' foes unniimber'd gird her round,
Tho' not one friend is faithful found,

Tho' impious Scorn derides.
Yet ftill unmov'd amidfl the band.
Like her own rocks, does Britain Hand,

And braves th' infulting tides.
A world in arms aflaults her reign,
A world in arms ailauks in vain.

'Tis Britain calls, ye Nations, hear !
Unbrace the corfelet, drop the fpear.
No more th' infidious toil purfue.
Nor Hrive to weaken what you can't fubdue,
'Tis Britain calls : with fatal fpeed
You urge, by headlong fury led.

Your own impending fate.
Too late you'll weep, too late you'll Hnd,
'Twas for the glory of mankind

That Britain fliould be great.
Vol. LXXill. L - In

i4« WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

In Britain's voice 'tis Freedom calls,
JFor Freedojn dies if Britdn falls.

She cannot fall ; the fame Almighty hand
That rajs'd her white rocks from the main.
Does ftill her arduous caufe maintain.

Still grafps the fhield that guards^ her favoured land;
Obedient to his word.
Not to dellroy, but to reclaim,

Th' avenging angel wa^-es the flaming fword':
Revere his awful name !
Repentant, in the dull,
Confefs his judgments jufl :

Th' avenging fword ftiall ceafe to wave.

And vv-hom Lis mercy fpares, his power Ihall favc.

ODE

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1781. 147

ODE XLIIL

FOR HIS majesty's birth-day,
JUNE 4, 1782.

STILL does reludant Peace refufe,
Tho' courted by each generous mind.
To fhed her panacean dues.

And heal the madnefs of mankind !

Muft this aufpicious day again

Be clouded with one anxious care.
And powers malignant render vain
Tiie Monarch's fondeft wilh, the people's general pray 'r4

O no ! in yonder pregnant fky.

Whence all our hopes and blelTings fpring^,
New burning fcenes of glory lie.

And future joys are on the wing :
The ling'ring mom, that coyly iheds
Gn broken clouds and mountain-heads

At firft a glimmering ray.
Now brighter and now brighter glows^
Wide and more wide the luflre flows,

'Till all is future day.
And Earth, rejoicing in ethereal light,
Eorgets the dreary damps, and live- long lh»'des of night,

L 2 Satiate

14^ -WHITE HE AD'S PROEMS:

SutJate of war, v/hofe mad exceCs
No bo'^.d, no kind reilriction kr.ows.

But marks it? prcgreis with diitrei"s.
The willing world ihaii leek repofe ;

And Belgia waking from her dreams

Of Gallic frauds, illufive fcheraes.

Shall add new flrength to Concord's chain.

And know her Anden: friends again.

While thofe, whom nearer ties unite,

Whom all the charitiei combine.
Shall backward turn their trem.bling fight,.

And deprecate the wrath divine :
'Midil bleeding heaps of brothers ilain,
'Aiidi'b Defoladon"^ horrid reign.

And all iti complicated woes.
With v\ild afiright in every face.
Shall ilrain mere clofe the ilri«^ embrace.

And wonder they could e"er be foes.

O pleailng.hope, O bleft preiage
Of joys to laii from age to age 1
For vs hat Heaven's felf commands mufl Heaven appjfive^
Returning amity, and m;itaal love I

And hark ': on yonder Weilern main

Imperlous'France is ta"jght to know.
That Britam reaflumes her reign :

Ker thunders only flept to ftrike the deeper blow,

Ve

BIRTH»DA*Y O'D E i^3£» 145

Ye Nations, hear;! the Gallic ftar.

Shorn of its beams, th' horizon leaves ;

That fatui firebrand of the v, ar
No longer dazzles and deceives.

Record it in the fairefl light

Of faithful Hifiory's future page,
^' They only triumph'd, whilii: they ihunn'd the Hc^ht,

^' We, vvheii we forc'd them to engage."

^ 3

ODE

I50 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS*

O D E XLIV.

FOR THE KEW-YEAR 1783.

YE Nations, hear th* important tale— -
Tho* armies prefs, tho' fleets aflail,
Tho' vengeful War's colleded flores

At once united Bourbon pours

Unmov'd amidil th* infulting bands.
Emblem of Britain, Calpe Hands—
Th' all-conquering holls their baffled eiForts m.ouTn,
And, tho* the wreath's prepared, unwreath'd the chiefs
return.

Ye Nations, hear 1 nor fondly deem

Britannia's ancient fpirit fled ;
Or glofmg weep her fetting beam,

Whofe flerce meridian rays her rivals dread —
Her Genius ilept — her Genius wakes —
Nor Hrength deferts her, nor high Heaven forfakes.

To Heaven Ihe bends, and Heaven alone, ^
Who all her wants, her weaknefs knows.
And fupplicates th' eternal Throne

To fpare her crimes, and heal her woes.
Proud man with vengeance flill
Purfues, and aggravates e'en fancied ill ;
Far gentler means offended Heaven employs.

With m.erc^- Heaven correds chaftifes, not deflroys.

When

N E W . Y E A R ODE i7«5. 151

When hope's laft gleam can hardly dare

To pierce the gloom and foothe defpair ;

When flames th* uplifted bolt on high.

In a6l to cleave th* offended flcy.

Its iffuing wrath can Heaven reprefs.

And win to virtue by fuccefs.
Then O ! to Heaven's protecting hand

Be praife, be prayer addreft,
Whofe mercy bids a guilty land

Be virtuous and be bleft !

So fhall the riling year regain
The erring feafons wonted chain ;
The rolling months that gird the Tphere,
Again their wonted liveries wear ;
And health breathe frelh in every gale>
And pknty clothe each fmiling vale
With all the bleffings Nature yields
To temperate funs from fertile fields.

So fhall the proud be taught to bow.

Pale Envy's fierce contentions ceafe.
The fea once more its fovereign know.
And glory gild the wreath of Peace.

L 4 ODE

,ss WHITXHEAD»$ POEMS.

O D E XLV.

FOR. HIS majesty's BIRTH-DAY,
JUNE 4, 1783.

A

T length the troubled waters rell.
And, Ihadowing ocean's calmer breaft.
Exulting Commerce fpreads her woven wings :
Free as the winds that waft them o'er.
Her ifiuing vefTels glide from fhore to fhore.
And in the bending Ihrouds the carelefs fea-boy fmgs.

Is peace a blefTrng ?. — Afk the mind

That gldws with love of human kind.
That knows no guile, no partial weaknefs knowsj

Contraded to no narrow fphere,

Tiie world, the world at large is umpire here ;
They feel, and they- enjoy, the bleiSngs peace bellows.

Then, oh ! what blifs his bofom Ihares,

Who, confcious of ingenuous wofth,
•Can nobly fcorn inferior cares.

And fend the generous edict forth ;
To dillant fighs of modeft woe

Can lend a, pitying lill'ning ear.
Nor fee the meaneJl forrows flow

Without a fy njpathiftng tear.

Tho'

:iBtJRTH.DA Y O D E^ 1783. J53

Tho* Rapine with her fury train

Rove wide and wild o'er earth and main,

•In aft to flrike, tho' Slaughter cleave the air.
At his command they drop the fword.
And in their midway courfe his potent word

Arrefts the Ihaits of death, of terror, of defpair»

When thofe who have the power to blefs.

Are readieft to relieve diilrefs,
When private virtues dignify a crown.

The genuine fons of freedom feel

A duty which tranfcends a fubjed's zeal.
And dread the Man's reproach more than th.e,Monarch^S
frown »

Then to this day be honours paid

The world's proud conqu'rors never knew 5
Their laurels fhrink, their glories fade,

Expos'd to Reafon's fober view.
But Reafon, Juftice, Truth rejoice.

When Difcord's baneful triumphs ceafe.
And hail, with one united voice.

The Friend ©f Man, the Friend of Peace.

^ D E

154 WHITEHEAD'S POEMSo

O D E XLVL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1784*

EN O U G H of arms— to happier ends
Her forward view Britannia bends ;
The gen'rous hofts, who grafp'd the fword.
Obedient to her awful word,

Tho* martial glory ceafe.
Shall new, with equal induilry.
Like Rome's brave fons, when Rome was free,
Refame the arts of peace.

O come, ye toil-worn wand'rers, come
To genial hearths, and focial home.

The tender houiev/ife's bufy care ;
The board with temperate plenty crown'd ;
The fmiling progeny around.

That liften to the tale of war.

Tet be not war the favorite theme.

For what has war with blifs to do ?

Teach them more juftly far to deem.
And own experience taught it yoUr

Teach

rN E *W - Y E A H ODE 1734.

*Teach them, *tis in the will of fate.

Their frugal induftry alone
''Can make their Country truly greats

And in her blifs fecure their own,

.^e all the fongs that foothe their toil.

And bid the brow of labour fmile.

When thro' the loom the fliutde glides.
Or ihining Ihare the glebe divides.
Or, bending to the woodman's flroke.
To waft her commerce, falls the Bridfh oak-
Be all their fongs, that foften thefe.

Of calm content and future well-earn'd eafe ;
Nor dread left inborn fpirit die :

One glorious lelTon, early taught.
Will all the boafted powers fupply

Of pradtifed rules and ftudied thought.
'From the ifirft dawn of reafon's ray
On the young bofom's yielding clay.
Strong be their Country's love impreft.

And with your own example fire their breafl:
Tell them ^tis theirs to grafp the fword
When Britain gives the awful word ;

To bleed, to die, in Britain's caufe.
And guard, from fadion nobly free.
Their -birth-right bleffing. Liberty,
True Liberty J that loves the laws*

'O D R

15^ WHITEHEAD'S POEMS-

ODE XLVIL

JUNE 4, 1784.;

HA I L to the day, whofe beams, again
Returning, claim the choral ftrain.
And bid us breathe our annual vows
To the firft power that Britain knows ;
The power which, tlwugh itfelf reHrain'd,
And fubjeft to that juft control
Which, many an arduous conflid gain'd,
Connedls, unites, and animates the whole.

Yon radiant fun, whofe central force

Winds back each planet's vagrant courfe.
And thro' the fyflems holds imperial fway.

Bound by the fame inherent laws,

Ev'n whilH it feems the adlive caufe.
Promotes the general good, as much confin'd as they"

That wond'rous plan, through ages fought.
Which elder Egypt never taught.
Nor Greece with all her letter'd lore.
Nor ftruggling Rome, could e'er explore,

Tlio'

BIRTH-DAY ODE 1^84. 157

Tho' many a form of rule Ihe tried ;
That wond'rous plan has Britain found.
Which curbs licentioufnefs and pride.
Yet leaves true liberty without a wound.

The fierce Plantagenets beheld

Its growing ftrength, and deign'd to yield ;
Th* imperious Tudors frown'd, and felt aggrieved |

Th' unhappy race, whofe faults wc mourn.

Delay 'd awhile its wifn'd return,
'Till Brunfwick perfefted what NafTau had atchiev'd.

From that bright sra of renown;,:
Aftrea walks the world again.

Her fabled form the Nations own.
With ail th* attendant virtues in her train.

Hark ! with what general loud acclaim
They venerate the Britiih name.
When forms of rule are in the balance weighed,.
And pour their torrents of applaufe
On the fair ifle, whofe equal laws
Controui the fcepter, and prcted the fpade.

The triple chain, which binds them fail.
Like Homer's golden one, deicends from Jove^

Long may the facred union laft.
And the mixt powers in mutual concert move.
Each tempering each, and liilening to the call
Of genuine public good, blell fource and end of all I

ODE

j.S WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

ODE XLVIIL

FOR THE NEW-YEAR 1785,.

DELUSIVE is the Poet's dream,.
Or does prophetic truth infpire
The zeal which prompts the glowing theme,.

And animates th' according lyre ?

Truft the Mufe : her eye commands

Diftant times and diftant lands ;

Thro' burlHng clouds, in opening Ikies^

Sees from difcord union rife ;
And friendihip bind unwilling foes .
In tirmer ties than duty knows

Torn rudely from its parent tree,,

Yon fcyon rifmg in the Weft
Will foon its genuine glory fee.

And court again the foitering hreaft, .
Whofe nurture gave its powers to fpread.
And feel their torce, and lift an alien head.

The parent- tree, when ftorms impend,- ,
Shall own aii'ecUon's warmth again ; .
Again its follering aid (hall lend.

In or hear the fuppliant plead in vairi ; :
Shall ftretch proteding branches round.
Extend the ihelter, and forget the wound.

Two

NEW-YEAR ODE 1785,. 159

Two Britains through th* admiring world

Shall wing their way with fails unfurl'd 5.

Each from the other's kindred ftate

Avert by turns the bolts of fate ;
And afts of mutual amity endfear
The Tyre and Carthage of a wider fphere,.

When Rome's divided- eagles flewj
And diiferent thrones her empire knew^
The varying language foon disjoin'd.
The boalled maftcrs of mankind :
But here, no ills like thofe we fear.
No varying language threatens here ;
Congenial worth, congenial flame.
Their manners and their arts the fame.
To the fame tongue Ihall glowing themes afFordi,,
And Britilh Heroes ad,, and Britiih Bards recordo

Fly fvvift, je years !; ye minutes halle I
And in the future lofe the pall ;
O'er many a thought-affl:ding tale,.
Oblivion, call thy friendly veil !
liet not Memory breathe a figh.
Or backward turn th' indignant eye 5
Nor the infidious arts of foes
Enlarge the breach that longs to clofe^
But afts of amity alone infpire
Firm faith, and cordial love, and wake the willing

lyre.

PRO-

ko WHITE HE AD ' s POEM S.

B R O L O G U E

TO T H. E

ROMAN FATHER,

SPOKEN BY MR. BARRY, I75O.

BRITONS, to-night in native pomp we come^
True heroes all, from virtuous ancient Rome ;
In thofe far diliant times when Romans knew
The Tweets of guarded liberty, like you;
And, fafe from ills which force or fadi on brings.
Saw freedom reign beneath the fmile of kings.

Yet from luch times, and fuch plain chiefs as tliefej
What can we frame a poliih'd age to pleafe ?
Say, can you liften to the artlefs woes
Of an old tale, which every fchool-boy knows ?
Where to your hearts alone the fcenes apply.
No merit their's but pure firiiplicity.

Our bard has play'd a moft adventurous part.
And turn'd upon himfelf the critic's art ;
Siripp'd each luxuriant plume from Fancy's vvingSj
And torn up fimiles like vulgar things :
Nay ev'n each moral, fentimental, ilroke.
Where not the charader, but poet fpoke.

He

PROLOGUE TO THE ROMAN FATHER. s6r

He lopp'd, as foreign to his chafte defign, ,
Nor fpar'd an ufelefs, tho* a golden line.

I'liefe are his arts ; if thefe cannot atone
For all thofe namelefs errors yet unknown ;
If, fhunning faults which nobler bards commit.
He wants their force to llrike th' attentive Pit ;
Be juil, and tell him fo; he afks advice, .
Willing to learn, and would not afk it twice.
Your kind applaufe may bid hi.m write— beware!'. '
Or kinder cenfure teach him to forbear.

Vol. LXXni. M: B P L

Uz WiriTE HEAD'S POEMS*
EPILOGUE

TO THE

ROMAN FATHER,

SPOKEN Br MRS. ERITCHARD, I75O,

LADIES, by me our courteons author fends
His compliments to all Piis female friends ;
And thanks them from his foul for every bright
Indulgent tear, which they have Ihed to-night.
Sorrow in virtue's caufe proclaims a mind,
And gives to beauty graces more refin'd.

0 v/ho could bear the loveliefi form of art,
A cherub's face, without a feeling heart 1
'Tis there alone, whatever charms we boaft,
Tho' men may flatter, and tho' men will i:oall>
'Tis there alone they find the joy fmcere ;

The wife, the parent, and the friend, are there :
All elfe, the verieft rakes themfelves muft own.
Are but the paltry play -things of the town ;
The painted clouds, which glittering tem.pt the cliace.
Then melt in air, and mock the vain embrace.
Well then ; the private virtues, 'tis confeil.
Are the foft inmates of the female breall.
But then, they fill fo full that crouded fpace,

1 hat the poor public feldom finds a place.

And

EPILOGUE TO THE ROMAN FATHER. 363

And I fufpedl there's many a fair- one here.
Who pour'd her forrows on Horatia's bier.
That Hill retains (o much of flefli and blood.
She'd fairly hang the brother, if fhe could.

Why, ladies, to be fure, if that be all.
At your tribunal he muft ftand or fall.
Whate'er his country or his fire decreed.
You are his judges now, and he muft plead.

Like other culprit youths, he wanted grace ;
But could have no felf-intereft in the cafe.
Had fhe been wife, or miftrefs, or a friend.
It might have anfwer'd fome convenient end :
But a mere fifter, whom he lov'd — to take
Her life away — and for his country's fake 1
Faith, ladies, you may pardon him ; indeed
There's very little fear the crime fhould fpread.
True patriots are but rare among the men.
And really might be ufeful, nov/ and then.
Then do not check, by your difapprobation, .
A fpirit which once rul'd the Britifh nation.
And ilill might rulcr^ would you but fet the fafhion.

Ms P R O^

3C4 WHITEHEAD' s P O E MS;

PR G L O G U E
T a

EVERY MAN IN HIS HUMOUR,

SPOKEN BY MR. GARRICK, I75I.

CRITICS ! your favour is our author's right —
The well-known fcenes we fhali prefent to-night/
Are no weak eiForts of a modern pen.
But the ftrong touches of immortal Ben;
A rough old bard, whofe honelt pride difdain'd
Applaufe itfelf, unlefs by merit gain'd —
And wou'd to-night your loudeit praife difclaim, y
Shou'd his great fhade perceive the doubtful fame, >
Not to his labours granted, but his name. J-

Boldly he wrote, and boldly told the age,
•' He dar'd not proftitute the ufeful ilage,
** Or purchafe their delight at fuch a rate,
*' As for it he himfelf muft juftly hate ;
** But rather begg'd they wou'd be pleas'd to fee
*' From him fuch plays as other plays Ihou'd be ;
*' Wou'd learn from him to fcorn a motley fcene,
•* And leave their monfters, to be pleas'd with men."
I'hus fpoke the bard, — And the' tlie times are chang'd,
Siiice his free Mufe for fools the city rang'd ;

And

PROLOGUE TO EVERY-MAN INHIS HUMOUR. xS^

And fatlre had not then appeared in flate.
To lafli the finer follies of the great ;
Yet let not prejudice iiifeft your mind.
Nor flight the gcld^ becaiife not quite refin^M ;
With no falfe nicenefs this performance view.
Nor damn for low, whate'er is jufl: and true :
Sure to thofe fcenes fome honour fhou'd be paid.
Which Camden patroniz'd, and Shakefpeare play'd »
Nature was Nature then, and ftill furvives ;
.The garb may alter, but the fubftance iiv^es.
Lives in this play—wliere each may find complelca
His pidlur'd felf Then favour the deceit-
Kindly forget the hundred years between ;
• liecome old Britonsj and admire old Ben,

M 3 PRO-

166 WHlT-E'HEA^D's POEMS.

PROLOGUE

T O

C R E U S A,

SPOKEN BY MR. ROSS, I754.

PROLOGUES of old, the learn'd in language fay.
Were merely introdmftions to the play.
Spoken by gods, or ghofts, or men who knew
Vv'hate'er was previous to the fcenes in view;
And comphifahtly came to lay before ye
The feveral heads and windings of the ilory.

But modern times and Bridfn rules are fuch.
Our bards beforehand mull not tell too much ;
Nor dare we, like the neighb'ring French, admit
Ev'n confidants, who might infrrudl the Pit,
By afking quellions of the leading £tWy
And hearing fecrets, which before they knew.

Yet what we can to help this antique piece
We will attempt. — Our fcene to-night is Greece,
And, by the magic of the poet's rod,
This llage the temple of the Delpliic god !
Where kings, and chiefs, and fages came of old.
Like modern fools, to have their fortunes told ;

And

P'liOLOGUE TO C^EtrSA, 167

-And monarchs were enthron'd, or nations freed.
As an old prieft, or wither'd maid, decreed.
Yet think not all were equally deceiv'd,
-Some knew, more doubted, many more believM*
In fhort, thefe oracles and witching rhimes
Were but the pious frauds of ancient times ;
Wifely contriv'd to keep mankind in awe.
When faith was wonder, and religion law !

Thus much premis'd, to ev'ry feeling breaft
We leave the fcenes themfelves to tell the reft.

— Yet fomething fure was to the critics faid.
Which I forget — fome invocation made !

Ye critic bands, like jealous guardians, plac'd
To watch th' encroachments on the realms of tadea
-From you our author would two boons obtain.
Not wholly diffident, nor wholly vain :
Two things he afks ; 'tis modell, fure, from you
Who can do all things, to requcft but tv/o :
Firft to his fcenes a kind attention pay.
Then judge ! — with candour judge — and we oLey*

M 4 fi P I-

i-^S whitehead's poems.

P I L O G U E

T O

C R E U S A,

bPOKEN BY MISS HAUGHTON, WHO ACTED
THE FYTHI.A, 1 754.

A'T length I'm freed from tragical parade.
No more a Pythian prieftefs— tho' a maid ;
At once refigning, with my facred dwelling,
iVly wreaths, my wand, my arts of fortune -telling.

Yet fuperuitious folks, TiO doubt, are here,
"VvTio IHll regard me with a kind of fear.
Left to their fecret thoughts thefe prying eyes
Should boldly pafs, and take them by furprizc.
Nay, tho' 1 difavow the whole deceit.
And fairly own my fcience all a cheat,
Should I declare, in fpite of ears and eyes.
The beaus were handfome, or the critics wife,
I'hey'd all believe it, and with dear delight
Say to themielves at leaft,
*' The girl has -tafte ;" *' The woman's in the right."

Or, Ihould I tell the ladies, fo difpos'd.
They'd get good matches ere the ieafon clos'd,

They'4

-E^PILOGUE TOGREUSA. 16,

They*d fmile, perhaps, with feeming difcontent.
And, fneering, wonder what the creature meant ;
But whifper to their friends, with beating heart,
** S uppofe "there ihould be fomething in-hepart: !"
Grave ftatefmen too would chuckle, fhould I fay.
On fuch a motion, and by fuch a day.
They would be fummon'd from their own affairs
To 'tend the tiatiori's more important cares :
*' Well, if I mull — howe'er I dread the load,
*' I'll -undergo it — for my country's good.'*

All men are bubbles ; in a Ikilful hand.
The ruling paffion is the conjurer's wand.
Whether we praife, foretell* perfuade, advife-,
'Tis that alone confirms us fools or wife.
The devil without may fpread the tempting fm^
tijut the Pjre conqueror is— the devil-within.

A-^ECOND

170 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
A

SECOND EPILOGUE

T O

C R E U S A,

SPOKEN BY MRS. PRITCHARD, I754.

ST A Y, ladies— Tho' I'm almoft tir'd to death
With this long part— and am (o out of breath-
Yet fuch a lucky thought kind Heaven has fent.
That if I die for't, I muil give it vent.

* The men you know are gone. And now fupp(^e.
Before our lords and mailers are rechofe.

We take th' advantage of an empty town.

And chufe a houfe of commons of our own.

What think ye, cannot we make laws ?— and then

Cannot we too unmake them, like the men?

O place us once in good St. Stephen's pews.

We'll fhew them women have their public ufe. :

Imprimis they fiiall marry ; not a man

Pail twenty-five, but what fhall wear the chain.

Next we'll in earneft fet about reclaiming ;

For, by my life and foul, we'll put down gaming :

We'll fpoil their deep deftruclive midnight play ;

The laws v/e make, we'll force them to obey ;

* This Epilogue was fnok-in at the time of a general eleaion.

Unleft

A SECOND EPILOGUE TO CHEUSA. ijt

Unlefs we let them, when their fplrits flag.

Piddle with us, ye know, at quinze and brag.

<' I hope, my dearelt," fays fome well-bred fpoufe,

«' When fuch a bill (hall come before your houfe,

*' That you'll confider men are men—at leaft

" That you'll not fpeak, my dear."^NGt fpeak?-^

the beaft 1
What, would you wound my honour ?— Wrongs like

thefe—
-For this, fir, I ftiall bring you on your knees.
■ — Or, if we're quite good-natur'd, tell the man.
We'll do him all the fervice that we can.

Then for curfelves, what picjcfts, what deiigns !
We'll tax, and double tax, their nafly wines ;
■But duty-free import our bloxnds and laces, •
■French hoops, French filks, French cambricks, and^—
French faces.
In fhort, my fche^neis not completed quite,
But I may tell you more another night.
So come again, come ail, and let us raife
Such glorious trophies to our country's praife.
That all true Britons flmil with one confent
Cry out, '* Lorg live the female parliament I"

P R G-

X7S WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

P R O L O G U E

TO THE

^O R P H A N O F CHI N A,

SPOKEN BY MR. HOLLAND, I759.

EN O U G H of Greece and Rome. Th' exhaufted
flore
Of either nation now can charm no more :
Ev'n adventitious helps in vain we try.
Our triumphs languifh in the public eye ;
And grave proceffions, mufically flow.
Here pafs unheeded— as a Lord Mayor's Show.

On eagle wings the- Poet of- to-night
Soars for frefh virtues to the fource of light.
To China'-a eaftern realms ; and 'boldHy bears ,
Confucius' morals to Britannia's ears.
Accept th' imported boon ; as echoing Greece
Receiv'd from wandering chiefs her golden fleece ;
Nor only richer by the fpoils become,
Butpraife th' advent'rous youth who brings them home.

One dubious charader, we own, he draws,
A patrigt zealous in a monarch's caufe !

Nice

PROLOGUE TO THE ORPHAN OF CHINA. 37.3

Nice is the tafk the varying hand to guide.
And teach the blending colours to divide ;
Where, rainbow-like, th' encroaching tints invade
Each other's bounds, and mingle light with fhade«

If then, afiiduous to obtain his end.
You find too far the fubjeft*s zeal extend ;
If undiftihguifh'd loyalty prevails
Where nature Ihrinks, and ftrong affedion fails^ ^
On China's tenets charge the fond miftake.
And fpare his error for his virtue's fake.

From nobler motives our allegiance fprings, ,
Kor Britain knows, no right divine in kings ;
From Freedom's choice that boafted right arofe, ,
And thro' each line from Freedom's choice it flow?, .
Juftice, with mercy join'd, the throne maintains ; ,
ABdin.his people's hearts* our Monarch reigns*..

FR O-

:;4 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.

PROLOGUE

TO THE

SCHOOL FOR LOVERS,

AS IT WAS INTENDED TO HAVE BEEN SPOKEN,
1762.

SUCCESS makes people vain. —The maxim's true>
We all confefs it — and not over new.
The verieft clown who flumps along the llreets.
And doiFs his hat to each grave cit he meets.
Some twelvemonths hence, bedaub'd with livery lace.
Shall thruil his faucy flambeau in your face.
Not (o our bard : tho' tv/ice your kind applaufe
Has, on this fickle fpot, eipous'd his caufe;
He owns, with gratitude, th' obliging debt ;
Has twice been favour 'd, and is modeft yet.
Plain tragedy, Jiis firft adventurous care.
Spoke to your heart;, ziA found an echo there. ,
Plain comedy to-night, with ftrokes reiin'd.
Would catch the coyell features of the mind;
Would play politely with your hopes and fears.
And fom.etimes fmiles provoke, and fometimes tears.

Your giant wits, like thofe of old, may climb
Olympus high, and Hep o'er fpace and time ;

May

PROLOGUE TO THE SCHOOL FOR LOVERS. 175

May flride, with feven-leagu'd boots, from fhore to (hoie^
And, nobly by tranrgreffing, charm you more.
Alas ! our author dares not laugh at fchools.
Plain fenfe confines his humbler Mufe to rules.
Form'd on the claific fcale his ftrudlures rife.
He Ihifts no fcenes to dazzle and furprize.
In one poor garden's folitary grove.
Like the primaeval pair, his lovers rove ;
And in due time will each tranfadion pafs, ,
— ."Unlefs fome hafty critic Ihakes the glafs* .

P R O.

2U WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,
PROLOGUE

TO THE

S'CHOOL FOR LOVERS,

AS SPOKEN BY MR. GARRICK, I762..

SUCCESS makes people vain. — The maxim's true-^
We all confefs it— and not over new.
The veriefc clown, who ilumps along the fireets.
And doffs his hat to each grave cit he meets.
Some twelve months hence, bedaub'd with livery lace.
Shall thruft his faucy fiambeau in your face.

Not (o our bard— though twice your kind applaufe
Has, on this fickle fpot, efpousM his caufe :
He owns, with gratitude, th' obliging debt ;
Has twice been favour'd, and is modell yet.

Your giant wits, like thofe of old, may climb
Olyn-jpus high, and Itep o'er fpace and time ; '
May ilride, with feven-Ieagu'd boots, from fl.cre to

ihore.
And, nobly by tranfgrelling, charm you more.
Alas ! our author dares not laugh at fchools —
Plain ferde confines his humbler Mufe to rules :
Ke fiiifts no fcenes— But here I ftopp'd him fnort —
*' Not change your fcenes r" faid I — ^'I'mfoiry for't :'*

My

PROLOGUE TO THE SCHOOL FOR LOVERS. 177

<* My conftant friends above, around, below,

<* Have Englifli taftes, and love both change and fhow :

'* Without fuch aids, ev'n Shakefpeare would be fiat

** Our crouded pantomimes are proofs of that. .

" What eager tranfporc flares from every eye,

** When pullies rattle, and our Genii fly I

•' When tin cafcades like falling waters gleam ;

** Ot through the canvas— burlls the real llream,

«* While thirfty Iflington laments in vain

«< Half her New-River rolPd to Drury-Lane.

«' Lord, fir," faid I, '' for gallery, boxes, pit,

" I'll back my Harlequin againft your wit" —

Yet Hill the author, anxious for his play.
Shook his wife head — '^ What will the critics fay ?'*
** As ufual, fiv — abufe you ail they can 1" —
*' And what the ladies:'' — " He's a charming man !
«« A charming piece ! — Onefcarce knows what it means •
" But that's no matter — where there's fuch fweet
" fcenes !"
Still he perftfts — and let him — e;i2tre nous —
I know your taftes, and will indulge 'em too.
Change you lliall have ; fo fet your hearts at eafe :
Write as He will, we'll aifl it as You pleafe.

Vol. LXXIIL N E P I-

j;? WHITEHEAD'S POEMS,

EPILOGUE

T O T H E

SCHOOL FOR LOVERS,

5P0KEN BEFORE THE DANCE, BY MRS. YATES.

AND MR. PALMER, IN THE CHARACTERS OF

ARAMINTA AND MODELY, I762.

ARAMINTA.

WELL, ladies, am I right, or am I not .?
Should not this foolifh paflion be forgot ;
This fluttering fomething, fcarce to be exprell.
Which pleads for coxcombs in each female breaft .'
How mortified he look'd 1 — and looks fo ftill.

[Tur fling to Motkly,
He really may repent — perhaps he will. —

MODELY.

Will, Araminta ? — Ladies, be fo good,
Man's made of frail materials, fleih and blood.
We all ofrend at fome unhappy crifis.
Have whims, caprices, vanities, — and vices.
Your happier fcx by nature was dcfigu'd.
Her lall beii work, to perfei^ humankind.

No

EPILOGUE TO THE SCHOOL FOR LOVERS. 7,

No Ipot, no blemifh, the fair frame deforms,
JVo avarice taints, no naughty paffion warms
Ycur firmer hearts. No love of change in you
E'er taught defire-^to llray.—*

A R A M I N T A .

All this Is true.
Yet flay ; the men, perchance, may call it fneer.
And fome few ladies think you not Sincere.
For your petition, whether wrong or right,
Whate'er it be, withdraw it for to-night.
Another time, if I fhould want a fpoufe, ,
I may myfelf report it to the houfe :
At prefent, let us ftrive to mend the age ; ;
Let jullice reign, at leait upon the'ilage.
Where the fair dames, '^vho like to live by rule.
May learn two leiTons from the Lovers School ;
While Casjia's choice inilrudls them how to chufe.
And my refufal warns them to refufe.

N z PRO.

jSa WHITEHEAD '& PQEMS^

PROLOGUE

T O

A L M I D A,

SF0K2N BY MR. REDDISH, I77I.

R I TI C S be dumb— to-Fiight a lady fucs.
From foft Itaiia's^ ihores, an Englifh Mufejf
Tho' fate there binds her in a pleafmg chain.
Sends to our llage the oitspring of her brain :
True to her birth flie pants for Britiih bays.
And to her country trufts for genuine praile.
From infancy well read in tragic lore.
She treads the path her father trod before ;
To the fame candid judges trulls her caufe.
And hopes the liime indulgence and applaute.
No Salic law here bars the female's claim.
Who pleads hereditary right to fame.

Of love and arms ih.e fngs, the mighty twOi>
Whcfe powers uninng muft the world fubdue ;
Of love and arms ! in that heroic age.
Which knew no poet's, no hiiiorlan's page ;
Eut war to glory form'd the urJctter'd mind.
And chivalry alone taught morals to mankind ;

Kor

PROLOGUE TO ALMIDA. iSi

Nor taught in vain : the youth who dar'd afpire
To the nice honours of a lover's fire,
Obferv'd with duteous care each rigid rule.
Each ftern command of labour's patient fchool;
Was early train'd to bear the fultry beams
Of burning funs, and winter's fierce extremes;
Was brave, was temperate : to one idol fair
His vows he breath'd, his vviflies center'd there :
Honour alone could gain her kind regard ;
Honour was virtue, beauty its reward.
And Ihall not Britilh breads, in Beauty's caufc^
Adopt to-night the manners which Ihe draws ?
Male writers we confefs are lawful prize.
Giants and monfters that but rarely rife !
With their enormous fpoils your triumphs grace.
Attack, confound, exterminate the race ;
But when a lady tempts the critic war.
Be all kuights errant;, and protect the -fair.

N ^ THE

THE

POEMS

O F

SOAME JENYNS, Esq^

i 1^5 )

THE

ART OF DANCING:

A P O E 1^1.

INSCRIBE-P TO THE RT. HON. THE

LADY FANNY FIELDING*,
Jiuejii patuit Dea. Virg,

WRiTTgN IN THE YEAR IJ^O.

CANTO J.

IN the fmooth dance to move with graceful miens
Eafy with care, and fprightly the' Serene,
To mark th' inilrudions echoing llrains convey.
And with juft fteps each tuneful note obey,
I teach ; be prefent, all ye facred choir.
Blow the (eft flute, and lirike the founding lyre :
When Fielding bids, your kind afiiilance bring.
And at her feet the lowly tribute fling ;
Oh may her eyes (to her this verfe is due)
What firil themielves infpii'd, vouchfafe to view !

* Daughter of Bafil fourth Earl of Denbigh. She married
Dariiel Earl oi" WirKlieifea, ami died Sept. 2?, 173-^'

Hail

i%6 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Hail lovelieft art I that can 'ft all hearts infnare.
And make the faireft ftill appear more fair.
Beauty can little execution do,
Unlefs fhe borrows half her arms from you ;
Ffew, like Pygmalion, doat on lifdefs charms.
Or care to clafp a ftatue in their arms ;
But breafts of flint muft melt with fierce defire.
When art and motion wake the fleeping fire :
A Venus drawn by great Apelles' hand.
May for a while our wond'ring eyes command,
B^it rtill, tho' form'd with all the powers of art.
The lifelefs piece can never warm the heart ;
So a fair nymph, perhaps, may pleafe the eye,
Whilft all her beauteous limbs una6live lie.
But when her charms are in the dance diiplay'd.
Then ev'ry heart adores the lovely maid :
This fets her beauty in the faireft light.
And fhews each grace in full perfedlion bright ;
Then, as fhe turns around, from ev'ry part.
Like porcupines, ftie fends a piercing dart ;
In vain, alas ! the fond fpedator tries
To fhun the pleafmg dangers of her eyes,
For, Parthian like, ihe wounds as fure behind,'
With flowing curls, and ivory neck reclin'd :
Whetjier her fteps the Minuet's mazes trace.
Or the flow Louvre's more majeftic pace.
Whether the Rigadoon employs her care.
Or fprightly Jigg difplays the nimble fair.
At every ftep new beauties we explore.
And worfliip now, what we admir'd before ;

THE ART OF DANCING, -t^j

So when ^£neas in the Tyrian grove
Fair Venus met, the charming queen of Love,
The beauteous goddefs, whilft unmov'd ihe flood,
Seem'd fome fair nymph, the guardian of the wood|
But when ihe mov'd, at once her heavenly mien
And graceful -ftep confefs bright Beauty*s queen.
New glories o'er her form each moment rife.
And all the goddefs opens to his eyes.

Now hafte, my Mufe, purfue thy deftin'd way^
What drefTes befl; became the dancer, fay ;
The rules of drefs forget not to impart,
A lefibn previous to the dancing art.

The foldier'sfcarlet glowing from afar.
Shews that his bloody occupation's war;
Whilft the lawn band, beneath a double chin.
As plainly fpeaks divinity within ;
The milk-maid fafe thro' driving rains and fnowSs
Wrapp'd in her cloak, and propp'd on pattens goes ;
While the foft Belle immur'd in velvet <:hair.
Needs but the filken Ihoe, and truils her bofom bare::
The woolly drab, and Engliih broad-cloth warm,
GuarB well the horfeman. from the beating ilorm.
But load the dancer with too great a weight.
And ca'i from ev'ry pore the dewy fweat;
Rather let kim his aftive limbs difplay
In camblet thin, or gioffy paduafoy :
Let no unwieldy pride his fho alders pr&fi.
But airy, light, and eafy be his drefs ;
TL;n be liis yielding foie, and low his heel,
Sd ihall he nimbiy bound, and iafely wheeL

Eut

i[«« SOAME JENYNS's POEMS*

But let not precepts known my verfe prolong.
Precepts which ufe will better teach than fong ;
For why (hould I the gallant fpark command
With clean white gloves to fit his ready hand ?
Or in his fob enlivening fpirits wear.
And pungent falts to raife the fainting fair ?
Or hint, the fword that dangles at his fide.
Should from its filken bondage be unty'd ?
Why ihould my lays the youthful tribe advife,
Lell Ihowy clouds from out their wigs arife :
So (hall their partners mourn their laces fpoii'd.
And Ihining Hlks with greafy powder fcil'd f
Nor need I, fure, bid prudent youths beware.
Left with erefted tongues their buckles ftarc.
The pointed fteel Ihall oft their ftockings rend.
And oft th* approaching petticoat offend.

And now, ye youthful fair, I fing to you.
With pleafing fmiles my ufeful labours view ;
For you the filk-worms fne-wrought webs difplay.
And lab'ring fpin their little lives away.
For you bright gems v^ith radiant colours glow.
Fair as the dies that paint the heavenly bow.
For you the fea refigns its pearly llore.
And earth unlocks her mines of treafur'd ore ;
In vain yet nature thus her gifts bellows,
Unlefs yourfelves with art thofe gifts difpofc.

Yet think not. Nymphs, that in the glitt'ring ball.
One form of drefs prefcrib'd can fuit with all ;
One brighteft Ihines when wealth and art combine.
To ma-ke the finifh'd piece completely fine j

When;

THE ART OF DANCING. iSj

When leafl adorn'd, another fteals our hearts*
And rich in native beauties, wants not arts ;
In feme are fuch refiftlefs graces found.
That in all drefles they are fure to wound ;
Their perfeft forms all foreign aids defpife.
And gems but borrow luftre from their eyes.

Let the fair nymph in whofe plump cheeks are feei>
A conftant bluih, be clad in chearful green;
In fuch a drefs the fportive fea-nymphs go ;
So in their grafTy bed frefh rofes blow :
The lafs whofe Ikin is like the hazel brown.
With brighter yellow Ihould o'ercome her own ;
While maids grown pale v/ith ficknefs or defpair.
The fable's mournful dye Ihould chufe to wear ;
So the pale moon Hill fhines with purell light,
Cloath'd in the duiky mantle of the night.

But far from you be all thofe treach'rous arts.
That wound with painted charms unwary hearts 3,
Dancing's a touchflone that true beauty tries.
Nor fuffers charms that nature's hand denies :
Tho' for a while we may with wonder view
The rofy blufh, and ikin of lovely hue.
Yet foon the dance will caufe the cheeks to gIo\V;>
And melt the waxen lips, and neck of fnow ;
So fhine the fields in icy fetters bound,
Whilil frozen gems befpangle all the ground ;
Thro' the clear cryii.il of the glitt'ring fnow.
With fcarlet dye the blufhing hawthorns glow ;.
O'er all the plains unnumber'd glories rife.
And a new bright creation charms our eyes ;

Til!

19^ SO AM E J E N Y N S • s PO E M S.

Till Zephyr breathes, then all at once decay
The fplendid fcenes, their glories fade away.
The fields refign the beauties not their own.
And all their fnowy charms run trickling down.

Dare I in fuch momentous points advife,
I fhould condemn the hoop's enormous fize :
Of ills I fpeak by long experience found.
Oft' have I trod th' immeafurable round, [wound.
And mourn'd my fliins bruis'd black with many a
Nor fhould the tighten'd flays, too ftraitly lac'd.
In whale-bone bondage gall the flender waift ;
Nor waving lappets fhould the dancing fair,
Nor ruffles edg'd with dangling fringes wear ;
Oft will the cobweb ornaments catch hold
On the approaching button rough with gold, .
"Nor force nor art can then the bonds divide,
When^once th' entangled Gordian knot is ty'do
So the unhappy pair, by Hymen's power.
Together join'd in fome ill-fated hour.
The more they flrive their freedom to regain.
The failer binds th' indiiToIuble chain.

Let each fair maid, who fears to be difgrac'd^
Ever be lure to tye her garters fafl,
Lefl the loos'd firing, amidft the public ball,
A wifh'd-for prize to fome proud fop fhould fall.
Who the rich treafure fhall triumphant fhew.
And v/ith warm blulhes caufe her cheeks to glow.

But yet, (as Fortune by the felf-fame ways
She humbles many, fome delights to raife)

It

1

THE ART OF DANCING, jo,

It happen'd once, a fair illuftrious dame
By fach negled acquir'd immortal fame.
And hence the radiant Star and Garter blue
Britannia's nobles grace, if fame fays true :
Hence ftill, Plantagenet, thy beauties bloom,
Tho' long fmce mouldered in the dulky tomb^
Still thy loft Garter is thy fovereign's Cvire,
And what each royal breaft is proud to wear.
But let me now my lovely charge remind.
Left they forgetful leave their fans behind ;
Lay not, ye fair, the pretty toy afide,
A toy at once difplay'd for ufe and pride,
A wond'rous engine, that by magic charms
Cools your own breafts, and ev'ry other's warms^.
What daring bard ftiall e'er attempt to tell
The pow'rs that in this little weapon dwell ?
What verfe can e'er explain its various parts,

I Its.num'rous ufes, motions, charms and arts ?
Its painted folds, that oft extended wide,

i Th' aftlidted fair-one's blubber'd beauties hide^

! When fecret fbrrows her fad bofcm fill,

' If Strephon is unkind, or Shock is ill :
Jt£ fticks, on which her eyes dejeded pore,

! And pointing fingers number o'er and o'er,

■; When the kind virgin burns with fecret fliame^

I Dies to confent, yet fears to own her flame ;
Its ftiake triumphant, its viiflorious clap.
Its angry flutter, and its wanton tap ?

Forbear, my Mufe, th' extenfive theme to iing.
Nor truft in fuch a flight thy tender wing ;

Rather

192 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Rather do you in humble lines proclaim.

From whence this engine took its form and namd.

Say from v/hat caufe it firft deriv'd its birth.

How form'd in heaven, how thence deduc'd to eai'thv

Once in Arcadia, that i^m*d feat 6f love.
There liv*d a nyntph the pride of all fh6 gr&vty
A lovely nymph, adorn'd with ev'ry grace.
An eafy ihape, and fweetly -blooming face ;-
Fanny, the damfel's name, as challe as fair.
Each virgin's envy, and each fwain's defpair ;
To charm her ear the rival fhepherds fmg.
Blow the foft fmte, and wake the trembling itring- ;
For her they leave their wand'ring Bocks to rove, ^.
Whilll Fanny's name refounds fhro' ev'ry grove, C
And fpreads on ev'ry tree, incias'd in knots of love ; %
As Fielding's now, her eyes all hearts inflame.
Like her in beauty, as alike in name.

*Twas.v,'hen the fummer fun now mounted high.
With fiercer beams had fcorch'd the glowing Iky,
Beneath the covert of a cooling ihade.
To fhun the heat, this lovely nymph- was laid ;
The fultry v/eather o'er her cheeks had fpread
A blulh, that added to their native red.
And her fair breail, as poliih'd marble white.
Was half conceal'd, and half expos'd to fight t
^Eolus, the mighty God whom winds obey,
Obferv'd the beauteous maid, as thus ilie lay ;
O'er all her charms he gaz'd with fond delight,
Aild fuck'd in poifon at the danger^os fight ;

He

THE ART OF DANCING,

He fighs, he burns ; at laft declares his pain.
But Hill he fighs, and Hill he wooes in vain ;
The cruel nymph, regardlefs of his moan.
Minds not his flame, uneafy with her own ;
But flill complains, that he who rul'd the air
Would not command one Zephyr to repair
Around her face, nor gentle breeze to play-
Thro* the dark glade, to cool the fultry day ;
By love incited, and the hopes of joy,
Th' ingenious God contriv'd this pretty toy.
With gales inceflant to relieve her flame ;
And call'd it Fan, from lovely Fanny's name.

193

VoL» LXXIII, O CAN T O

194 SOAME JE??YNS's POEMS^

C A N T O II.

NO W fee prepar'd to lead the fprightly dance.
The lovely nymphs and well-drefs'd youth,
advance ;
The fpacious room receives its jovial guefl.
And the floor (hakes with pleafmg weight opprell :
Thick rang'd on ev'ry fide, with various dyes
The fair in glofiy filks our fight furprize ;
So in a garden bath'd with genial Ihow'rs,
A thoufand forts of variegated flow'rs,
Jonquills, carnations, pinks, and tulips rife.
And in a gay confufion charm our eyes.
High o'er their heads, with num'rous candles bright^,
Large fconces fhed their fparkling beams of light.
Their fparkling beams, that flill more brightly glow,
jlefiefted back from gems, and eyes below :
Unnumber'd fans to cool the crowded fair.
With breathing Zephyrs move the circling air ;
The fprightly fiddle, and the founding lyre.
Each youthful breail: with gen'rous warmth infpire ;
Fraught with ail joys the blifsful moments fly,
WKilil mufic melts the ear, and beauty charms the
eye.
Now let the youth, to whofe fuperior place
It firil belongs the fplendid ball to, grace.

With

THE ART OF DANCING. 195

With humble bow, and ready hand, prepare
Forth from the crowd to lead his chofen fair ;
The fair fhall not his kind requeft deny,
But to the pleaiing toil with equal ardour fly.

But flay, rafn pair, nor yet untaught advance,
Firll hear the Mufe, ere yoa attempt to dance :
* By art diredled o'er the foaming tide.
Secure from rocks the painted vefTels glide ;
By art the chariot fcours the dufty plain.
Springs at the whip, and f hears the ftralt'ning rein ^
To art our bodies mall obedient prove.
If e'er we hope with graceful eale to move.

Long was the dancing art unfixt, and free.
Hence loll in error, and uncertainty ;
No precepts did it mind, or rules obey.
But ev'ry mailer taught a different way :
Hence ere each new-born dance was fully try^d^
The lovely produdl ev'n in blooming dy'd ;
Thro' various hands in wild confuiion toft.
Its fteps were alter'd, and its beauties loft |
Till X Fuillet, the pride of Gallia, rofe.
And did the dance in chara«fters compofe ;

* Arcecltae veloque rat&s remoque nisventur.
Arte leves currus. Ovii>,

f Nee audit currus habenas. Virg.

X Fuillet wrote, the Art of Dancing by CharusTxers, in French,
fmce tranilated by Weaver.

O z Each

396. so A ME JENYKS's POEMS.

Eack lovely grace by certain marks he taught,
And ev^ry i^ep in lafting voiunies wrote :
Hence o'er the world this pleafmg art ihall fpread,-
And ev'ry dance in ev'ry clime be read,
Ey diftant mafters ihall each ftep be feen,
Tho' moantains rife, and oceans roar between ;
Hence, with her filler arts, fhall dancing claim
An equal right to univerfal fame ;
And ifaac's rigadoon fhall live as long
As Raphael's painting, or as V'^irgil's fong.
Wife Nature ever, with a prudent hand;,
Difpenfes various gifts to ev'ry land ;
To ev'ry nation frugally imparts
A genius fit for fome peculiar arts ;
To trade the Dutch incline, the Swifs to afms^
Mufic and verfe are foft Italia's charms ;
Britannia ju illy glories to have found
Larids unexplor'd, and faii'd the globe around y
But none will fure prefume to rival France,
"Whether Ihe form.s, or executes the dance ;
To her exalted genius 'tis we owe
1 he fprightly Rigadoon and Louvre flow.
The Boree, and Courant unpradis'd long,
Th' immortal Minuet, and fmooth Bretagne,
With all thofe dances of illuflrious fame,
^- Which from their native country take their name :
With thefe let cv'ry bail be firft begun.
Nor Ccuntry-Dancs intrude till thefe are done.

* French cfat.ces.

Each

tHfe A^T Ok Dancing, tyj

Each cautious bard, ere he attempts to fing,
•^irft gently flutt'ring tries his tender wings
And if he finds that with uncommon fire
The Mufes all his raptur'd foal infpije>
At once to heav'n he foars in lofty odes.
And jfings alone of heroes and of gods ;
But if he trembling fears a flight fo higlr>
He then defcends to fofter elegy ;
And if in elegy he can't fucceed.
In pa floral he fti'l may tune the oaten reed :
So fiiould the dancer, ere he tries to move.
With care his ftrength, his weight and genius prove ;
Then, if he finds kind Nature's gifts impart
Endowments proper for the dancing art.
If in himfelf he feels together join'd.
An aftive body and ambitious mind.
In. nimble Rigadoons he^ may advance.
Or in the Louvre's flow maje/lic dance :
If thefe he fears to reach, with eafy pace
Let him the Minuet's circling mazes trace :
Is this too hard ? This too let him forbear.
And to the Country-Dance confine his care.

Would you in dancing ev'ry fault avoid.
To keep true time be ^irll your thoughts employ 'd;
All other errors they in vain fhall mend.
Who in this one important point offend ;
For this, when now united hand in hand
Eager to ftart the youthful, couple iland.
Let them a while their nimble feet reftrain^
Aild with foft taps beat time to ev'ry ilrain :

O 3 So

Tc,% SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

So for the race prepar'd two courfers ftand.
And with impatient pawings fpurn the fand.

In vain a mafter fhall employ his care.
Where nature has once fix'd a clumfy air ;
Rather let fuch, to country fports confin'd,
Purfue the flying hare or tim'rous hind :
Nor yet, while I the rural Tquire defpiie,
A mien effeminate would I advii'e :
With equal fcorn I w-ould the fop deride.
Nor let him dance but on the woman's fide.

And you, fair nymphs, avoid with equal care
A flupid dullnefs, and a coquet air ;
Neither with eye^, that ever love the ground,
Afleep, like fpinning tops, run round and round.
Nor yet with giddy looks and wanton pride
Stare all around, and ikip from fide -to fide.

True dancing, like true wit, is bell exprell
By nature only, to advantage drefl;
'Tis not a nimble bound, or caper high.
That can pretend to pleafe a curious eye ;
Good judges no fuch tumblers tricks regard.
Or think them beautiful, becaufe they're hard.

'Tis not enough that ev'ry ftander-by
No glaring errors in your iieps can fpy.
The dance and mufic muft lo nicely meet,
|j".ach note lliould ieem an echo to her feets
A nameleis grace muH in each movement dwell.
Which words, can ne'er exprefs, or precepts tell.
Not to be taug-ht, bat ever.to be feen
in Fiavia's air, and .Chloe's eaf/ mien ;

'Tis

THE ART OF DANCING. tn

^is fuch an air that makes her thoufends fall.
When Fielding dances at a birth -night ball ;
"Smooth as Camilla fhe Ikims o'er the plain.
And flies like her thro' crouds of heroes ilain.

Now when the Minuet, oft repeated o'er,
(Like all terreftrial joys) can pleafe no more.
And ev'ry nymph, refufmg to expand
Her charms, declines the circulating hand ;
Then let the jovial Count ry-^Dance begin.
And the loud fiddles call each 'ftraggler in :
But ere they come, permit me to difclofe.
How firft, as legends tell, this paftime rofe.

In ancient times (fuch times are now no more)
When Albion's crOwn illuftrious Arthur wore.
In feme fair op'ning glade, each fummer*s nightj-
Where the pale moon diilus'd her filver light.
On the foft carpet of a graffy field.
The fporting fairies their alTemblies held :
Some lightly tripping with their pigmy queen.
In circling ringlets mark'd the level green.
Some with foft notes bade mellow pipes refound»
And mulic warble thro' the groves around ;
Oft lonely ihepherds by the foreft fide.
Belated peafants oft their revels fpy*d.
And home returning, o'er their nut-brown ale
Their guefts diverted with the wond'rous tale.
lulbuded hence, throughout the Britiib iHe,
And fond to imitate the pleafmg toil.
Round where the trembling may-pole fix'd on high.
Uplifts its flow'ry honours to the fky,

O4 _ '. The

C.OC SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

The ruddy maids and fun-burnt fwains refort.
And praft.ife ev'ry night the lovely fport ;
On ev'ry fide ^olian artifts fland,
Whofe aflive elbows fwelling winds command.
The fwelling winds harmonious pipes inlpire.
And blow in ev'ry breaft a gen'rous fire.

Thus taught, at firll the Country-Dance began.
And hence to cities and to courts it ran ;
Succeeding ages did in time impart
Various improvements to the lovely art ;
From fields and groves to palaces rem.ov'd.
Great ones the pleafmg exercife appro v'd :
Hence the loud fiddle and Ihrill trumpet's founds
Are made companions of the dancer's bounds ;
Hence gems, and filks, brocades, and ribbons join.
To m.ake the ball v/iLh perfed; luftre ihine.

So rude at firll: the Tragic Mufe appear'd.
Her voice alone by ruftic rabble heard ;
Where twilling trees a cooling arbour made, ^
The pleas'd fpectators fat beneath the fhade .;
The homely ftage with rufhes green was flrew'ds
And in a cart the flrolling aftors rode ;
Till time at leng-th improv'd the wreat defi^n, .
And bade the fcenes with painted 'andfcapes fhine '
Then art did all the bright machines diipcfe.
And theatres of Parian miarbie rofe ;
Then mimic thunder fh-ook the canvas Iky,
And gods defcended from their tow'rs en high.

With caution nov/ let ev'ry youth prepare

To chufe a partner from the mingled fair ;

Yain

XHK ART OF DANCING. z^%

Vain wou'd be here tli' infl;ru6llng Mufe's voice.

If ftie pretended to diredt his choice :

Beauty alone by fancy is expreft.

And charms in diff'rent forms each difF'rent breail: ;

A fnovvy ikin this am'rous youth admires,

Whilft nut-brown cheeks another's bofom fires ;

Small waifts and llender limbs fome hearts ininare,

Whilft others love the more fubftantial fair.

But let not outward charms your judgment fway.

Your reafon rather than your eyes obey ;

And in the dance, as in the marriage noofe,
. Rather for merit, than for beauty choofe :
.Be her your choice, who knows with perfefl Hull

When fhe ihould move, and when fne fhould be liUI;>

Who uninftrufted can perform her ihar e.

And kindly half the pleafmg burthen- bear.
' Unhappy is that hopelefs wretch's fate.

Who fetter'd in the matrimonial ftate

With a poor, - fimpie, unexperieiic'd wife,
- Is forc'd to lead the tedious dance of life ;

And fuch is. hi5, with fuch a partner join'd,

A moving puppet, but without a mind :

Still rauft his hand be pointing out the way.

Yet ne'er can teach fo faf^ as flie can ftray ;

Beneath -her follies he muft ever groan.

And ever blufli for errors not his own.
But now behold united hand in-hand,

Rang'd on each fide, the vvell-pair'd couples ftand !

Each youthful bofom beating v/ith delight,

•Waits the brilk-^gnal for the pleafing -light ;

• . -V/hile

2«i SOAME JENYNS's POEM'S*

While lovely eyes, that flafh unufual rays.
And fnowy bubbles puU'd above the flays.
Quick bufy hands, and bridling heads declare
The fond impatience of the ftarting fair.
And fee, the fprightly dance is now begun !
Now here, now there the giddy maze they run ;
Now with flow fteps they pace the circling ring.
Now all confus'd, too fwift for fight they fpring :
So in a wheel with rapid fury toft,
The undiftinguifli'd fpokesare in the^motion loft.

The dancer here no more requires a guide.
To no flrict fteps his nimble feet are ty'd ;
The Mufe's precepts here would ufelefs be.
Where all is fancy'd, unconfin'd, and free ;
Let him but to the mufic's voice attend.
By this inilruiSled he can ne'er offend- :
If to his fhare it falls the dance to lead.
In well-known paths he may be fure to tread ;
■If others lead^ let him their motions view.
And in their fteps the winding maze purfue.

In every Country-Dance a ferious mind,
' Turn'd for reflection, can a moral find.
In Hunt-the-5quirrel thus the nymph we view.
Seeks when we fly, but flies when we purfue :
Thus in round-dances where our partners change.
And unconfin'd from fair to fair we range.
As fbon as one from his own confort flies.
Another feizes on the lovely prize ;
A while the favorite youth enjoys her charms.
Till the next comer fteak her from his arms ;

New

THE ART OF DANCING. £03

New ones fucceed, the laft is flill her care ;
How true an emblem of th* inconftant fair !

Where can philofophers, and fages wife.
Who read the curious volumes of the fkies,
A model more exa<5l than dancing name
Of the creation's univerfal frame ?
Where worlds unnumber'd o'er th'-sfetherial way
In a bright regular confufion llray ;
Now here, now there they whirl along the 'fky.
Now near approach, and now far diflant fly ;
New meet in the fame order they begun,
And then the. great celelHal dance is done.

Where can the Mor'lifc'find a jailer plan
Of the vain labours, and the life of man ;
A while thro' juftling crowds we toil, and fweat^
And eagerly purfue we know not what;
Then wlien our trifling fhort-liv'd race is run,
vQuite tir'd fit- down, juft where we firll begun.

Tho' to your arms kind- fate's indulgent care
Has given a partner exquifitely fair.
Let not her charms fo much engage your heart.
That you negledl the fkilful dancer's part ;
Be not, when you the tuneful notes would hear.
Still whifp'ring idle prattle in her ear ;
When you fliould be employ'd, be not at play,
Nor for your joys all other fieps delay ;
But when the iinifli'd dance you once have done^
And with applaufe thro' ev'ry couple run.
There reft a while ; there fnatch the fieeiing blifs,
rhe tender wh.ifper, and the balmy kifs j

Kaeh

304 SOAME JENYNS's P O E M So

Each fecret vvifh, each fofter hope confefs.
And her moift palm with eager fingers prefs ;
With Imiles the fair Ihall hear your warm defires-.
When mufic melts her foul> and dancing fires.

Thus mix'd with love, the pleafmg toil purftie*
Till the unwelcome morn appears in view ;
Then, when approaching day its beams difplays.
And the dull candles ftiine with fainter rays ;
Then, when the fun juft rifes o'er the deep.
And each bright eye is almoft fet in lleep ;
With ready hand, obfequious youths, prepare ^

Safe to her coach to lead each chofen fair, >

And guard her from the morn's inclement air : 3

Let a warm hood enwrap her lovely hea-d.
And o'er her neck a handkerchief be fpread ;
Around her Ihoulders let this arm be call,
Whilil that from cold defends her flender waiil ;
With kiffes warm her balmy lips ihall glow,
Unchill'd by nightly damps or wint'ry fnovv ;
While gen'rous white-wine, mull'd with ginger warm.
Safely proteds her inward frame from harm.

But ever let my lovely pupils fear
To chill their mantling blood with cold fmall-beer.
Ah, thoughtlefs fair ! the tempting draught refufe.
When thus fore-warn'd by my expericnc'd Mufe :
Let the fad confequence your thoughts employ.
Nor hazard fut-iire pains for prefent joy ;
Defirudiion lurks within the pois'nous dcfej
A fatal hverj or a pimpled. nofe.

Thus

THE ART OF DANCING. 205

Thus thro' each precept of the dancing art
The Mufe has play'd the kind inftrudlor's part ;
Thro' ev'ry maze her pupils Ihe has led.
And pointed out the fureft paths to tread :
No more remains ; no more the goddefs fiDgs,
But drops her pinions, and unfurls her wings.
On downy beds the weary'd dancers lie.
And deep's filk cords tye down each drowfy eye j
Delightful dreams their pleafmg fports reflore.
And ev'n in ileep they feem to dance once more.

And now the work completely finiih'd lies.
Which the devouring teeth of time defies :
Whilfl birds in air, or iiih in ftreams we find.
Or damfels fret with aged partners join'd ;
As long as nymphs fhall with attentive ear
A fiddle rather than a fermon hear ;
So long the brightefi eyes fhall oft perufe
Thefe ufeful lines of my inftruftive Muie ;
Each belle fnall wear them wrote upon her fan.
And each bright beau ihall read them — if he can.

AN

( 2o6 )

AN

EPISTLE.

\v R I T T E N . I N T H E COUNTRY,

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE

LORD LOVELACE,

THEN IN TOWN.
SEPTEMBER, I735.

IN days, my Lord, when mother Timci
Tho' now grown old, was in her prime,
When Saturn £rit began to rule.
And Jove was hardly come from fchool.
How happy was a country life !
How free from wickednefs and ilrife !
Then each man liv'd upon his farm.
And thought and did no mortal harm ;
On moffy banks fair virgins flept.
As harmlefs as the flocks they kept :
'I'hen love was ail they had to do.
And nymphs were chafte, and fwains were true*

But now, whatever poets write,
'Tis fure the cafe is alter'd quite :
Virtue no more in rural plains.
Or innocence, or peace remains 3

But

AN EPISTLE TO LORD LOVELACE. 207

But vice is in the cottage found.
And country girls are oft unfound ;
Fierce party rage each village fires.
With wars of juilices and 'fquires -,
Attorneys, for a barley llraw.
Whole ages hamper folks in law.
And ev'ry neighbour's in a flame
About their rates, or tythes, or game :
Some quarrel for their hares and pigeons, ,
And fome for difF'rence in religions ;
Some hold their parfon the bell preacher, .
The tinker fome a better teacher ;
Thefe to the Church they fight for Urangers^
Have faith in nothing but her dangers ;
While thofe, a more believing people.
Can fwallow all things— but a Iteeple.

Eut I, my Lord, who, as you know, .
Core little how thefe matters go.
And equally detell the flrife
And ufual joys of country life.
Have by good fortune little Ihare
Of its diverfions, or its care;
For feldom I with 'fquires unite.
Who hunt all day and drink all night 5
Nor reckon wonderful inviting,
A quarter-felTions, or cock-iighting :
But then no farm I occupy
With fheep to rot, and cows to die ;
Nor rage 1 much, or much delpair,
Tho' in my hedge I find a fnare i
(: Nor

2cS SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Nor view I, with due admiration.

All the high honours here in fafliion ;

The great coiDmiffions of the quoruin.

Terrors to all who come before 'em ;

Militia fcarlet edg'd with gold,

Cr the white flaff high -Sheriffs hold ;

The reprefentative's carelTing,

The judge's bow, the bifhop's blefling ;

Nor can I for my foul delight

In the dull feafl of neighboring knight.

Who, if you fend three days before.

In white gloves meets you at the doer.

With fuperfluity of*'breeding

Firil makes you fick, and then with feeding :

Or if with ceremony cloy'd.

You wou'd next time fuch plagues avoid.

And vifit without previous notice,

*' John, John, a coach I — I can't think who 'tis,"

My lady cries, who fpies your coach.

Ere you the avenue approach :

** Lord, how unlucky ! — v/afhing-day !

*' And all the men are in the hay I"

Entrance to gain is fomething hard.

The dogs all bark, the gates are barr'd ;

The yard's with lines of linen crofs'd.

The hall-door's lock'd, the key is loll :

Thefe difficulties all o'ercome.

We reach at length the drawing-room ;

Then there's fuch trampling over-head.

Madam you'd fwear was brought-to-bed ;

Mifs

AN EPISTLE TO LORD LOVELACE. ' 2^

Mifs in a hurry burfls her lock.
To get clean ileeves to hide her fmock ;
The fervants run, the pewter clatters.
My lady drefles, calls and chatters ;
The cook- maid raves for want of butter.
Pigs fqueak, fowls fcream, and green geeCc flutter*
Now after three hours tedious waiting.
On all our neighbours faults debating.
And having nine times view'd the garden.
In which there's nothing worth a farthing,.
In comes my lady, and the pudden :
*' You will excufe, fir, — on a fudden" —
Then, that we may have four and four,.
The bacon, fowls, and cauliflow'r
Their ancient unity divide.
The top one graces, one each fide ;
And by and by, the fecond courfe
Com.es lagging like a diftanc'd horfc;.
A falver then to church and king.
The butler fweats,. the glafTes ring :
The cloth remov'd, the toaih go rounds
, Bawdy and politics abound ;
And as the knight more tipfy waxes.
We damn all miniilers and taxes.
At laft the ruddy fun quite fi:ink, .
The coachman tolerably drunk, ■
Whirling o'er hillocks, ruts, and :flones>
fnough to didocate one's bones.
We home return, a wond'rous token
Of Heaven's kincT care, with limbs unbroken.
Vol. LXXilL B . AiHI^r

2!o SOAME JENTNS^s P 0 E iM S.

Afrlidl us not, ye gods, tho' fmners.
With many days like this, or dinners !

But if civilities thus teaze me.
Nor bulinefs, nor diverfions pleafe me ;
You'll afk, my Lord, how time I fpend ?
i aniwer, with a book or friend :
The circulating hours dividing
^Twixt reading, walking, eating, riding :
But books are ftill my highelljoy,
Thefe earlielt pleafe, and latell cloy.
Sometimes o'er diliant climes I Uray,
By guides experienc'd taught the way ;
The wonders of each region view.
From frozen Lapland to Peru ;
Bound o'er rough feas, and mountains bare^
Yet ne'er forfake my elbow chair.
Sometimes fome fam'd hiilorian's pen
Pvecalls pall ages back agen ;
Where all I fee, thro' ev'ry page.
Is but how men, with fenfelefs rage,.
Each other rob, deftroy, and burn.
To {crve a prieft's, a llatefman's turn ;
Tho' loaded with a diff'rent aim.
Yet always alles much the iame.
b'ometimes I view with much delight.
Divines their holy garpe-couks fight ;
Here faith and works at variance fet.
Strive hard who fhall the vicl'ry get ;
Freibytcry and epifccpacy
'i'hey light fo long, it vvculd amaze ye :

Here.

AN EPISTLE TO LORD LOVELACE. an

Here free-will holds a fierce difpute
With reprobation abiblute ;
There fenfe kicks tranfufaftantiation.
And reafon pecks at revelation.
With learned Newton now I fiy
C'er all the rolling orbs on high,
Vifit new worlds, and for a minute
This old one fcorn, and all that's in it :
And now with lab'ring Boyk I trace
Nature through ev'ry winding maze j
The latent qualities admire
Of vapours, v/ater, air, and fire ;
With pleafing admiration fee
Matter's furprifrng fubtilty ;
As how the fmalleft lamp difplays.
For miles around, its icatter'd rays ;
Or how (the cafe frill more t' explain)
A * fart, that weighs not half a grain.
The atmofphere will oft perfume
Of a whole fpacious drawing-room.

Sometimes I pafs a whole long day
In happy indolence away.
In fondly meditating o'er
Pail pieafures, and in hoping more ;
Or wander thro' the fields and woods.
And gardens bath'd in circling floods ;
There blooming flowers with rapture view.
And fparkling gems of morning dew,
* See Boyle's experiments,

V 2 Whence

€ij SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Whence in my mind ideas rife

Of Cilia's cheeks, and Chloe's eyes.

'Trs thus, my Lord, I free from flrife
Spend an inglorious country life;.
Thefe are the joys I ftill purfue.
When abfent from the tov/n and you ; .
Thus pafs long fummer funs away,
Bufily idle, calmly gay :
Nor great, nor mean, nor rich, nor poors.
Not having much, nor wifhing more ;
Except that you, when weary grown
Of all the follies of the town.
And feeing in all public places
The fame vain fops and painted facesj,.
Wou'd fometimes kindly condefcend
To viHt a dull country friend :
Here you'll be ever fure to meet
A hearty welcome, tho' no treat ;
One who has nothing elfe to do.
But to divert himfelf and you ;
A houfe, where quiet guards the doer.
No rural wits fmoak, drink, and roar ;
Clioice books, fafe horfes, wholefome liquori,, '
Clean girls, backgammon, and the vicar.

A N

A N

ESSAY

O N

VIRTUE.

Jtque ip/a utiUtas jujli prope mater ^ aqui. Hor«

TO THE HONOVRAELE

PHILIP YORKE, Es<^*.

THOU, whom nor honours, wealth, Hor youth
can fpoil
With the leaft vice of each luxuriant foil.
Say, Yorke, (for fure, if any, thou can'ft tell)
What Virtue is, who pradife it fo well ;
Say, where inhabits this Sultana queen ;
Prais'd and ador'd by all, but rarely feen :
By what fure mark her effence can we trace.
When each religion, fadion, age, and place
Sets up fome fancy'd idol of its own,
A vain pretender to her facred throne ?
=^ Now Earl of Hardwickec

P 3 U

114 SO AME" JENYNS's POEMS.

In man too oft a well difTcinbied part,
A felf-denying pride in woman's heart ;
In fynods faith, and in the fields of fame
Valour ufurps her honours, and her name.
Whoe'er their fenle of Virtue wou'd exprefs,
'Tis flill by fomething they themfelves poilefs.
Hence youth good-humour, frugal craft old-age.
Warm politicians term it party-rage.
True churchmen zeal right orthodox ; and hence
Fools think it gravity, and wits pretence ;
To conflancy alone fond lovers join it.
And maids unafe'd to chaftity confine it.

But have we then no law befides our will ?
No juii criterion fix'd to good and ill ?
As well at noon we may obftruft our fight.
Then doubt if fuch a thing exiilsas light;
F cp no lefs plain v/ould nature's law appear
As the meridian fun unchang'd, and clear,
Wcu'd we but fearch for what we were defign'd,
A^nd for what end th' Almighty form'd mankind ;
A rule of life we then Oiould plainly fee,
For to purfue that end muft virtue be.

Then what is that ? Not want of power, or famcj
Or worlds unnumber'd to applaud his name, ^
But a defire his blefiings to diiruie,
And fear left millions fnould exiftence lofe ;
His goodnefs only cou'd his power employ.
And an eternal warmth to propagate his joy.
Hence foul and fenfe diffused thro' ev'ry pkce.

Make happinefi? as infinite as {pace ;

Thoufands

AN ESSAY 'OW VIRTUE. 215

Thoufands of funs beyond each other blaze.

Orbs roll o'er orbs, and glow with mutual rays ;

Each is a world, where, foi-m'd with wond'rous art^,

Unnumber'd fpecies live thro* ev'ry part :

In ev'ry traft of ocean, earth, and fkies.

Myriads of creatures ftill fucceflive rife :

Scarce bads a leaf, or fprings the vileft weed.

But little flocks upon its verdure feed :

No fruit our palate courts, or flovv'r our fmell.

But on its fragrant bofom nations dvv'ell.

All form'd with proper faculties to lliare

The daily bounties of their Maker's care :

The great Creator from his hcav'nly throne

Pleas'd on the wide-expanded joy looks down.

And his eternal law is only this.

That all contribute to the general blifs.

Nature fo plain this primal law difplays.
Each living creature fees it, and obeys ;
Each, form'd for all, promotes thro' private care
The public good, and juflly talles its ihare.
AH underftand their great Creator's will.
Strive to be happy, and in that fulfill ;
Mankind excepted, lord of all befide.
But only flave to folly, vice, and pride ;
'Tis he that's deaf to this command alone.
Delights in others woe, and courts his own ;
Racks and deftroys with tort'ring ileel and flame.
For luxury brutes, and man himfelf for fame ;
Sets Superllition high on Virtue's throne.
Then thinks his Maker's temper like his own :

P 4 - Hence

1

?i6 SOAME JENYNS's !' O E M S.

Hence are his altars ftain'd with reeking gore.
As if he cou'd atone for crimes by more :
Hence whilfl offended Heav'n he ftrives in vain
T' appeafe by fails and voluntary pain,
Ev'n in repenting he provokes again.

How eafy is our yoke ! how light our load !
Did we not llrive to mend the laws of God ;
For his own fake no duty he can afk.
The common welfare is our only tafk :
For this fole end his precepts, kind as.juft.
Forbid intemperance, murder, theft, and lult.
With ev'ry ad injurious to our own
Or others good, for fuch are crimes alone :
For this. are peace, love, charity enjoin'd.
With all that can fecure and blefs mankind.
Thus is the public fafety Virtue*s caufe.
And happinefs the end of all her laws ;
For fuch by nature is the human frame.
Our duty and our intereil: are the fame.

*' Lut hold," cries out fome Puritan divine,
"U'hofe well-ftufF'd cheeks with eafe and plenty Ihine,
'' Is this to fall, to mortify, refrain ?
'* And work falvation out with fear and pain ?'-
V/e own the rigid leilbns of their fchools
Are widely diff 'rent from thefe eafy rules :
Virtu-, Vv'iih rhem, is only to abftain
Prom ail that nature afks, and covet pain ;
pieafure and vice ars ever near a-kin.
And, if we .tiiirlt:, coii water is a fm 4

Heaven's

AN ESSAY ON VIRTUE. 217

Heaven's path is rough and intricate, they fay.

Yet all are damn'd that trip, or mifs their way ;

God is a Being cruel and Tevere,

And man a wretch by his command plac'd here^

In run-(hine for a while to take a turn.

Only to dry and make him fit to burn,

Miftaken men, too pioufly fevere !
Thro' craft mifleading, or milled by fear ;
How little they God's counfels comprehend.
Our uni-verfal parent, guardian, friend !
Who, forming by degrees to blifs mankind.
This glob." our fportive nurfery afllgn'd.
Where for a while his fond paternal care
Feafts us with •ev'ry joy our flate can bear :
Each fenfe, touch, tafte, and fmell difpenfe dclighti,
Mufic our hearing, beauty charms our fight ;
Trees, herbs, and flow*rs to \is their fpoils refign.
Its pearl the rock prcfents, its gold the mine ;
Beafts, fowl, and filh their daily tribute give
Of food and cloaths, and die that we may live :
Seafons but change, new pleafures to produce.
And elements contend to ferve our ufe :
Love's gentle (hafts, ambition's tow'ring wings.
The pomps of fenates, churches, courts, and kings^
All that our rev'rence, joy, or hope create.
Are the gay play-things of this infant ftate.
Scarcely an ill to human life belongs.
But v.'hat our follies caufe, or mutual wrongs ;
Or if feme flripes from Providence we feel.
He lirikes with pity, and but v/ounds to heal ;

Kindly

21-g so A ME JENYNS's POEMS.

Kindly perhaps fometimes afflifts us here.

To guide our views to a fublimer fphere.

In more exalted joys to fix our tafte.

And wean us from delights that cannot laft.

Our prefent good the eafy tafk is made.

To earn fuperior blifs, when this fhall fade ;

For, fcon as e'er thefe mortal pleafures cloy.

His hand fhall lead us to fublimer joy ;

Snatch us from all our little forrowshere.

Calm cv'ry grief, and dry each childifh tear ;

Waft us to regions of eternal peace.

Where blifs and virtue grow with like increafe ;

From llrength to fjrength our fouls for ever guide

Thro' wond'rous fcenes of Being yet untry'd.

Where in e'ach ftage we fhall more perfed grow.

And new perfections, new delights beftow.

Ch ! would mankind but make thefe truths theirf
guide.
And force the helm from prejudice and pride ;
Were once thefe maxims fix'd, that God's our friend.
Virtue our good, and happinefs our end.
How foon mufl reafon o'er the world prevail.
And error, fraud, and fuperflition fail !
None wou'd hereafter then with groundlefs fear
Dcfcribe th' Almighty cruel and fevere,
Predeflinating foirie without pretence
To Keav'n, and fom.e to Hell for no offence ;
Inflicting endlefs pains for tranfient crimes.
And. favouring feds or nations, men or times.

To

AN ESSAY ON VIRTUE. ai9

To pleafe him none would foolifhly forbear
Or food, or reft, or itch in ftiirts of haii'.
Or deem it merit to believe or teach
What reafon contradids, or cannot reach * ;
None would fierce zeal for piety miftake.
Or malice for whatever tenets fake.
Or think falvation to one feci confin'd.
And heaven too narrow to contain mankind

No more then nymphs, by long negledl gmjwn nice^,
Wou'd in one female frailty fum up vice.
And cenfure thofe, who, nearer to the right.
Think virtue is but to difpenfe delight f.

No fervile tenets would admittance find,
Deflrudlive of the rights of human kind ;
Of power divine, hereditary right.
And ncn-refiftance to a tyrant's might :
For fure that all fhou'd thus for one be curs'd^
Is but great nature's edift juil revers'd.

No moralifts then, righteous to excefs,
•Wou'd fhew fair Virtue in fo black a drefs.
That they, like boys, who fome feign'd fpright arrayp
Jirft from the fpeftre fly themfelves away :
No preachers in the terrible delight.
But chufe to win by reafon, not airright ;

* It is apprehended, that genuine Chriflianity requires not the
belief of any fuch proportions.

f Thefe lines mean only, that cenforioufnefs is a vice more
CcTious than unchaftity ; this always proceeding from malevolence,
*hat fomttimes from too much gccd-Piature and compliance.

Not,

i

210 SOAME JE>JYNS's PCEMS»

Not, conjurers like, in fire and brlmftone dwell.
And draw each moving argument from hell.

No more our fage interpreters of laws
^''ou'd fatten on obfcurities and flaws,
Eut rather, nobly careful of their tru ft, 1

Strive to wipe off the long contradled duft, ^

And be, like Hardwicke, guardians of the juft.

No more applaufe would on ambition wait,
Atid laying wafte the world be counted great.
But one good-natur'd aft more praifes gain
Than armies overthrown, and thoufands flain ;
No more would brutal rage difturb our peace.
But envy, -hatred, war, and difcord ceafe ;
Our own and others good each hour employ.
And all things fmik with univerfal joy ;
Virtue with Happinefs her confort join'd,
Wou'd regulate and blefs each human mind.
And man be what his Maker firft dcfign'd.

}

T H E

»

THE

MODERN FINE GENTLEMAN,

WRITTEN IN. THE YEAR I746.

^ale portentttm ntq^ue^militaris
Daunia in latis alit efciihtis^
Nee Jub^ tellus generat, leomim •
Arida nutr'tx.

JUST broke from fchool, pert, impudent, and ravv^.
Expert inTatin, more expert in taw.
Mis Honour pofis o'er Italy and France,
Meafures St. Peter's dome, and learns to dance.
Thence, having quick through various countries flown.'
Glean'd' all their follies and expos'd his own.
He back returns, a thing fo flrange all o'er,.
As ne.ver ages paft produc'd before ;
A monfter of fuch complicated worth,,
As no one fmgle clime cou'd e'er bring forth;
! Half atheiil, papift, gamefter^ bubble, rook,
, Half fiddler, coachman, dancer, groom, and cook,.
i Next, becaufe bufmefs is now ail the vogue,
1 And who'd be quite polite muft be a rogue.

In

22Z- SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

In parliament he purchafes a feat.

To make th' accompliih'd gentleman corapleat.

There fafe in felf-fufficient impudence.

Without experience, honefly, or fenle.

Unknowing in her int'reft, trade, or laws.

He vainly undertakes his Country's caufe :

Forth from his lips, prepar'd at all to rail,

Torrents of nonfenfe burft, like bottled ale,

■*• Tho* fhallow, muddy; briik, tho' mighty dull;

Fierce without ftrength ; o'erHowing, the' not fulL

Now quite a Frenchman in his garb and air.
His neck yok'd down with bag and folitaire.
The liberties of Britain he fupports.
And ftorms at place-men, minifters, and courts ;
Now in cropt greafy hair, and leather breeches.
He loudly bellows out his patriot fpeeches ;
King, lords, and commons ventures to abufe.
Yet dares to Ihew thofe ears he ought to lofe.
From hence to White's our virtuous Cato flies.
There fits with countenance erecl and wife.
And talks of games of whift, and pig-tail pies ;
Plays all the night, nor doubts each law to break,
Himfclf unknowingly has help'd to make ;
Trembling and anxious, flakes his utmoft groat.
Peeps o'er his cards, and looks as if he thought ;

* Parody on thefe lines of Sir John Denham ;

Tho' deep yet clear, tho' gentle yet not dull,
Strong without rage, without overflowing fulL

I

Nra^i

THE MODERN FINE GENTLEMAN. 223

Next morn difowns the lofles of the night,
Becaufe the fool would fain be thought a bite.

Dt \roted thus to politics and cards.
Nor mirth, nor wine, nor women, he regards ;
So far is ev'ry virtue" from his heart.
That not a gen'rous vice can claim a part ;
Nay, left one human pafTion e'er fhould move
His foul to friendfhip, tendernefs, or love.
To Figg and Broughton * he commits his breaft>
To fteel it to the fafhionable teft.

Thus poor in wealth, he labours to no end.
Wretched alone, in crowds without a friend ;
Infenfible to all that's good or kind.
Deaf to all merit, to all beauty blind ;
For love too bufy, and for wit too grave,
A harden'd, fober, proud, luxurious knave ;
By little aftions ftriving to be great.
And proud to be, and to be thought a cheat.

And yet in this fo bad is his fuccefs.
That as his fame improves, his rents grow lefs 5
Gn parchment wings his acres take their flight.
And his unpeopled groves admit the light ;
With his eftate his int'reft too is done.
His honefl borough feeks a warmer fan :
For him, now caih and liquor flows no more.
His independent voters ceafe to roar ;
And Britain foon muft want the great defence
Of all his honefty and eloquence,

*- One, a celebrated prize-fighter j the other, a no Jefs famous
\ fcoxer.
I . Bat

25-4 S O A IM E J E N Y N S ' s POEMS.

But that the gen'rous youth, more anxious grovvn
Por public liberty than for liis own.
Marries fome jointur'd antiquated crone ;
And boldly, when his country is at Hake,
JB raves the. deep yawning gulph, like Curtius, for its
{kke.
Quickly again diflrefsM for want of coin.
He digs no longer in th' exhaufred mine,
But feeks preferment, as the laft refort^
Cringes each niorji at levees, bow£ at court.
And, from the hand he hates, implores fupport.
The minifter, well pleas'd at fmall expence
To filence fo much rude impertinence.
With fqueeze and whifper yields to his demands.
And on the venal lift enrolPd lie ftands ;,
A ribband and a penfion buy the Have :
This bribes the fool about him ; That the knave>
And now arriv'd at his meridian glory.
He fmks apace, defpis'd by Whig and Tcrv ;
C f independence now he talks no more.
Nor fhakes the i'enate with his patriot roar ;
But iilcnt votes, and with court-trappings hung^
Eyes his own glitt'ring ftar, and holds his tongue.
In craft political a bankrupt made.
He flicks to gaming, as the furer trade ;
Turns downright Iharper, lives by fucking blood.
And grows, in fhort, the very thing he wou'd :
Hunts out young heirs who have their fortunes fpent.
And lends them ready cafli at cent, per cent.

Lays

THE MODERN FINE GENTLEMAN. 223

Lays wagers on his own, and others lives.
Fights uncles, fathers, grandmothers, and wives ;
Till Death at length, indignant to be made
The daily fubjeft of his fport and trade.
Veils with his fable hand the wretch's eyes.
And, groaning for the betts he lofes by't, he dies.

Vol. LXXIII.

THE

( ^^ >

THE

MODERN FINE LADY.

Miferi quihus

Intent at a nites. Hor-

WRITTEN IN" THE YEAR I'J^O.

SKI L L ' D in each art that can adorn the fair.
The rprigh'Lly dance, the fofc Italian air.
The tcis of quality and high-bred fleer.
Now Lady Harriet reach'd her fifteenth year :
Wing'd with diverfions all her moments flew.
Each, as it pafs'd, prefenting fovr.cthing new ;
Break fails and auclions wear the morn away.
Each evening gives an opera, cy a play j
Then Brag's eternal joys ail night remain.
And kindly ufher in the morn again.

Forlove no time has ih6, or inclination, '

Yet muu coquet it for the fake of fafiiion ;

For II

THE MODERN FINE L A D T. 22^

For this ihe liftens to each fop that's near,
Th* embroider'd colonel flatters with a fneer.
And the cropt enfign nuzzles in her ear.
But with moft warmth her drefs and airs infplre
Th' ambitious bofom of the landed 'fqulre.
Who fain would quit plump Dolly's fofter charms
For wjther'd lean Right Honourable arms ;
He bows with reverence at her facred fhrine.
And treats her as if fprung from race divine.
Which (he returns with iniblence and fcorn.
Nor deigns to fmile on a plebeian born.

Ere long by friends, by cards, and lovers crofs'd.
Her fortune, health, and reputation loft ;
Her money gone, yet not a tradefman paid.
Pier fame, yet ilie ftill damn'd to be a maid ;
Her fpirits fmk, her nerves are fo unfrrung,
* She weeps, if but a handfome thief is hung.
By mercers, lacemen, mantvia-makers preft.
But mofl for ready calh for play diftreft.
Where can fhe turn ! — The 'fquire mu.'i all repair.
She condefcends to liften to his pray'r.
And marries him at length in mere defpair.

But foon th' endearments of a hufband cloy.
Her foul, her fra me incapable of joy :
She feels no tranfports in the bridal bed.
Of which fo oft ih' has heard, fo. much has read ;

* Some of the brighteft eyss v>?ere at this t'me ^n tears forcne
Maclean, condemned for a robbery on the highway,

CL2 • Then

228 3 GAME JENTNS's P O E M S„

Then vex'd, that fli© fhould be condcmn'd alon€

To fee k in v-ain this philcfophic Hone,

To abler tutors Ihe reiblves t' apply,

A proftitute from curio fity :

Hence men of ev'ry fort, and ev'ry fize,

* Impatient for heaven's cordial drop, ihe tries v

The fribbling beau, the rough unwieldy clown;,.

The ruddy templar newly on the town.

The Hibernian captain of gigantic make.

The brim.ful parfon, and th' exhaufled rake.

But jftill malignant fate her wiih denies.
Cards yield fuperior joys, to cards fhe flies ;
All night from rout to rout her chairmen run,.
Again Ihe plays, and is again undone.

Behold her now in rain's frightful jaws I
Bends, judgments, executions ope their paws;.
Seize jewels, furniture, and plate, nor fpare
The gilded chaiiot, or the tafiel'd chair ;
For lonely feat fne's forc'd to quit the town.
And f Tubbs conveys the wretched exile down.

Now rumbling o'er the ftones of Tyburn-road,
Ne'er preil with a more griev'd or guilty load.
She bids adieu to all the well-known ilreets.
And envies ev'ry cinder-wench fhe meets :

* The cordial drop heav'n in our cup has thrown,

To make the naufeous draught of life go down. Roch.

•j- A perfon well known for fupplying people cf quality with
hired ec^uipages.

And

}

T'H E M 0 D E R N F I N E L AD Y, zif

And now the dreaded country firft appears.
With fighs unfeign'd the dying noife (lie hears
Of diftant coaches fainter by degrees.
Then ilarts and trembles at the fight of treese
Silent and Allien, like fome captive queen,
-She's drawn along unwilling to be feen.
Until at length appears the ruin'd Hall
Within the grafs green moat and ivy*d wall>
The doleful priibn where for ever ihe,
-Bat not, alas ! her griefs, muft bury '4 be.

Her coach the curate and the tradefmen meet,
'Great-coated tenants her arrival greet.
And boys with Hubble bonfires light the ftreet.
While bells her ears with tongues difcordant grate.
Types of the nuptial ty.es they celebrate-:
But no rejoicings can unbend her brow.
Nor deigns fhe to return one aukward bow>
But bounces in., difdaining once to fpeak.
And wipes the>trickling tear from off her check.

Now fee her in the fad decline of life,
A peevifh mifcrefs, and a fuiky v.'ife ;
Her nerves unbraced, her faded cheek growth pale
With many a real, and many a fancy M ail;
Of cards, admirers., equipage bereft.
Her infolence and title only left ;
'Severely humbled to her one-horfe chair.
And the low paflimes of a country fair :
Too wretched to endure one lonely day,
■"oo proud one friendly vifit to repay,
Too indolent to read, too criminal to prav,

0,3 • ■ .V

230 SOAME jENYNSs POEMS.

At length half dead, half mad, and quite conHn'd,
Shunning-, and fhunn'd by all of human kind,
Ev'n robb'd of the laft comfort of her life,
Infuking-the poor curate's callous wife.
Pride, difappointed pride, now flops her breath.
And with true fcorpion rage flie flings herfelf to deaths

A D V E R^

( 231 )

ADVERTISEMENT.

H E following piece is a burlefque imitation : a
fpecies of poetry, whofe ehief excelience con-
fifts in a lucky and humourous application of the words
and fcntinaents of any author to a new fubjedl totally
diiferent from the original. This is what is ufually
forgot both by the v/riters and readers of thefe kind
of compofitions ; the firll: of whom are apt to ftrike
out new and independent thoughts of their own, and
the latter to admire fuch injudicious excrefcencics j
thefe immediately lofe fight of their original, and thofc
fcarce ever caft an eye towards him at all. It is thought
proper therefore to advertife the reader, that in the
following Epiftle he is to expejft nothing more than an "
appofite converiion of the ferious fentiments of Horace
on the Roman poetry, into more ludicrous oneo on the
fubjcvTt of Englifn politics ; and if he thinks it not
worth while to compare it line for line with the ori-
ginal, he will find in it neither wit, humour, nor even
common fenfe ; all the little merit it can pretend to
confiding folely in the clofenefs of fo long, and unin-
terrupted an imitation.

Q4 HORATU

( asa )

HORATIO

E P. I. L I B. IL

A D A U G U S T U M.

* /^>VM tot fufllneas & tanta negotia folus,
^^ Res Italas armis tuteris, moribus ornes,
Legibus cmendes ; in publica commoda peccem.
Si longo fermone morer tua tempera, Caefar.
*■ Romulus, Sc Liber pater, & cum Caftore Pollux,
Poft ingentia fada, deorum in templa recepti,
Eum terras, homimimque colunt genus, afpera bella
Componunt, agros aflignant, oppida condunt ;

-Ploravere

i 233 '^1

THE

FIRST EPISTLE

OF T H E

SECOND BOOK OF HORACE,

IMITATED.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

'PHILIP, LORD H A R D W I C K E,

LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR OF GR E AT-B a IT AIN.
WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1 748.

^TTTHILST you, my Lord, fach various toils

VV fuftain,

Prefide o'er Britain's Peers, her laws explain.
With ev'ry virtue ev'ry heart engage.
And live the bright example of the age.
With tedious verfe to trefpafs on your time,
Js fure impertinence, if not a crime.

'' All the fam'd heroes, ftatefmen, admirals^
Who after death within the facred walls
Of Weftmlnfler with kings have been receiv'd.
Met with but forry treatment, while they liv'd ^
And tho' they labour'd in their country's caufe.
With arms defended her, and form'd with laws,

Yet

234 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Pioravere fuls non refpondere favorem
Speratum meritis : '^ diram qui contudit hydram,
Notaque fatali portenta labor* fubegit,
Comperit invidiam fupremo fine domari,
^ Urit enim falgore fuo, qui pr^gravat artes
Infra fe pofitas : extindus amabitur idem.
* Praefenti tibi matures largimur honores,
Jurandafquetuum per nomen ponimus aras,
' Nil oriturum alias, nil ortum tale fatentes.
^ Sed tuus hie populus fapiens & jullus in uno,
Tenoftris ducibus, te Graiis ante^ferendo,
Castera nequaquam fimili ratione modoque
^ftimat ; & nili quae terrls femota fuifGua
Temporibus defunfla videt, faftidit & odit.
^ Sic fautor veterum, ut tabulas peccare vetantes,
Quas bis quinque viri fanxerunt ; fcedera regum
Vel Gabiis, vel cum rigidis requata Sabinis,
Pontificum libros, annofa volumina vatum,
Diftitet Albano Mufas in monte locutas.
' Si, quia Grsecorum funt antiquifiima qusque
Scripta, vel optima, Romani penfantur eadem

Scriptores

HORATII EPIST. I. LTB. II. IMITATED. 2:

Yet ever mourn'd they till'd a barren foil.
And left the world ungrateful to their toil,
c Ev'n"* He, who long the Houfe of Commons led.
That Hydra dire, with many a gaping head.
Found by experience to his lateft breath.
Envy could only be fubdu'd by death.
^ Great men whilll: living muft expert difgraces,
-Dead they're ador'd— when none defire their places.

« This 00m men fate, my Lord, attends not yoUj,
■ Above all equal, and all envy too ;
With fuch unrivali'd eminence you faine.
That in this truth alone all parties join.
The feat of jufticc in no former reign
i '^Was e'erfo greatly fill'd, nor ever can again,

^ But tho'" the people arefojuft to you,
^o none befides will they allow their due,
\ No miniiler approve, who is not dead,
J Nor till h' has loll it, own he had a head ;
I "*" Yet fuch refped they bear to ancient thingss
' They've fome for former minill:ers and kings j
1 And, with a kind of fuperflitious av/e,
-Deem Magna Charta iiill afacred law.

I ' But if becaiife the government was beft
Of old in France, when freedom fhe pofl'eil,

* Sir Robert Walpole,

In

235 SOAME JE-NYNS's POEMS.

Scriptores trutina ; non eft quod multa loquamur :
Nil intra eft oleam, nil extra eft in nuce duri :
^ Venknus ad fummum fortunas : pingimus atque

* Pfallimus, Sc ludamur Achivis dodlius undlis.

•" Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit,
'Scire velim, pretium chartis quotas arroget annus ?
Scriptcr abhinc annos centum qui decidit, inter
Perfeftos veterefque referri debet, an inter
Viles atque novos? excludat jiirgia finis.
" Eft vetus atque probus centum qui perncit annosf
Quid, qui deperiit minor uno-menie vel anno.
Inter quos referendus erit ? veterefne poetas.
An quos Sc prx-fens Sz poftera refpuet a:tas ?
ifte quidem veteres inter ponetur honefte,
C^i vel menfe brevi, vel toto e.l junior anno.
Utor permiftb, caud.Tque piles u: equina

* Paulatim vello ; Sc demo unum, demo etiam unum,
Dum cadat elufus ratione ruentis acervi.

Qui redit ad faftos, Sc virtutem asftimet annis,
Miraturque nihil, nifi quod Libitina facravit.

P Ennius Sc fapiens & fortls Sc alter Homerus,
Ut critici dicunt, leviter curare videtur
Quo promifta cadant, & fomnia Pythagorea.
^ Naf vius in manibus non eft, & mentibus haeret
Pent recens : adeo fandum eft vetus omne poema,

"■ Ambigitur quotie?, liter utro fit prior ; aufert
Pacuvius doi9;i famam fenis, Accius alti :

Dicltur

HCRATII EPIST.I. LIB. IL IMITATED. 23;

In the fame fcale refolv'd to weigh our own,
England's we judge was To, who then had none ;.
Into mofl: ftrange abfurdities we fall.
Unworthy to be reafon'd with at all.
'■^ Brought to perfeftion in thefe days we fee
All arts, and their great parent Liberty ;

* With MW profound we fmg, eat, drefs, and dance^,
And in each gout polite, excel ev'n France.

^ If age of minifters is then the teft,.
And, as of wines, the oldeil are the bell,.
Let's try and fix fome aera, if we can.
When good ones v/ere extinft, and bad began »
" Are they all wicked fince Eliza's days ?
Did none in Charles* or James's merit praife?
Or are they knaves but fmce the Revolution ?
If none of thefe are fads, then all's confufion ;:
And by the felf-fame rule one cannot fail

* To pluck each hair out fmgly from the tail.

p Wife Cecil, lov'd by people and by prince.
As often broke his word as any fmce :

* Of Arthur's days we almoft nothing know.
Yet fmg their praife, becaufe they're long agOo -

' Oft as 'tis doubted in their feveral ways
I' Which of paft orators bell merit praife,
, We find it to decide extremely hard,
I If Harley's head defer vU the moll regard,

: Of

c'3 SOAME TENYNS's POEMS.

D:r::--T Afrani tcga convenifie Menar.dro ;
F'luius ad exemplar Siculi properare Epkharmi ;
■ \ • r. c f : e C scili us graiatate , T e r e r. :i q s :: r : e .

• I' ':'-". f & Jios arctoHipata ihean-o,

S :,::_: I^:r[i2. pcteas : habet hos numeratque pcetas

Ad no^nim tempos, Lisni fcriptoris ab se^. o.

« Iiiterdam vclgos re^m videc ; eil ubi pecca:.

" Si veteres ita miratur laudatque poetas,

Ut mlul antefenit, nihil illis comparer ; errat.

' Si qaaedam nimis antique, fi pleraque dur&

Dicere credet eos, ignave, multa faretur ;

£: ;'?•:, ^ n:ecam facit, & Jove judica: squo.

7 NcD equidem infedor, delendaque carmir.a Livii
EiTe reor, memini qeae plagcium miki pai^ o
- Orbiliom diftare; fed emend aia \-ideri,
palchraqae, & exadis minijrum diftsr.tia, miror.

• Inter quae verbum eiuicuit il forte decoran), Sc
Si verfus paoHo cor.cinnior unus k alter ;
Jn-M&c toium daci: vendltque pcema.

• Indignorqaidquam reprehendi, ron quia craHe
Ccrrpcfitnm iDepideve putetar, led quia ruper ;
Nee vsr.iazi araiquif, kd hcr.creci i: prsmia poici."

HORATII EPIST. L LIB. II. IMITATED. 235

Or Windham's tongue, or Jekyl's patriot heart,
» Old Shippen's gravity, or Walpole's art.

* I'hefe were ador'd by all with, whom they voted.
And in the fuUelt Houfes flill are quoted ;

Thefe have been fam'd from Anna's days till ours.

When Pelham has improved, with unknown pow'rs.

The art of minillerid eloquence.

By adding honell truth to nervous fenfe.

» Oft are the vulgar wrong, yet fometimes right;

The late rebellion in the truefl light

By chance they faw ; but were not once fo v/ife.

Unknown, unheard, in damning the excife :

*• If former reigns they fancy had no fault,

I think their judgment is not worth a groat :

* B'dt if they frankly own their politicks.

Like ours, might have fome blunders, and fome tricks,,
kWith fuch impartial fentiments 1 jcin.
And their opinions tally jufl with mine.

y I would by no means church or king dellroy,.
And yet the dodtrines taught me when a boy

* By Crab the curate, now feem wond'rous odd.
That either came immediately from God :

' In all the writings of thcfe high-Hown ages,
you meet witli now and uien feme fcatter'd pages
Vrote with fome ipirit and witk (eafe enough ;
Fhefe fell the book, the reft is v.Te:ched iiu^.-
i'm quite provok'd, w^hen principles, tlio' true,
■ ::ii ihnd impeached by feels, becaufe they're rew»

ShcB'd

7AO SOAME JENYNS's P O E M S^»

'' Redle necne crocum florefque perambulet Attze
Fabula, fi dubitem ; clament periiile pudorem
Cundi pene patres : ea cum reprehendere conor.
Quae gravis -^fopus, qu^e doiElus Pvofcius egit.
Vel qjia nil reflum, nifi quod placuit iibi, ducunt^.
^ Vel quia turpe putant parere minoribus, &, quae
Iraberbes didicere, fenes perdenda fateri.

« Jam Sallare Numae carmen qui laudat, & illud
Quod mecum ignora:, folus vult fcire videri ;
Ingeniis non ille favet, plauditque fepultis ;
Noftra fed impugnat : nos noftraque lividus odit.
f Quod fi tam Grsecis novitas invifa fuifTet
Quam nobis, quid nunc elTet vetus ? aut quid habereti
Quod legeret tereretque viritim publicus ufus ?

* Ut primum pofitis nugari Grsecia bellis
Coepit, Sc in vitium fortuna labier aequa,
^ Nunc athletarum fiudiis, nunc arfit equorum ; .
i Marmoris aut eboris fabros aut reris amavit :
Sufpendit pi(5la vultura mentemque tabella: -
^ Nunc tibicinibus, nunc eft gavifa tragcedis : .
1 Sub nutrice puella velut fi luderet infans, •
Quod cupide petiit, mature plena reliquit.
Quid placet, aut odio eft, quod non mutabile credas ?]
^ Hoc paces habuere bona ventique fecundi.

Kom»

HORATII EPIST. L LIB. II. IMITATED. 241

" Shou'd I but queftion, only for a joke.
If all was flow'rs, when pompous Hanmer fpoke, -
If things went right, when St. John trod the ilage,,
How the old Tories all would ilorm and rage 1
^ They (hun convicflix)n, or becaufe a truth
Confeis'd in age implies they errM in youth;
Or that they fcorn to learn of junior wits :
What ; — to be taught by Lyttekons and Pitts.

"= When angry patriots or in profe or rhvme.^
Extol the virtuous deeds of former times,
I'hey only mean the prefent to difgrace.
And look with envious hate en all in place :
^ But had the patriots of thofc; ancient days
Play'd the fame game for profit, cr for pralf?.
The trade, tho' now fo liourifhing and new.
Had long been ruin'd and the nation too.

^ England, when once of peace and wealth poffcil.

Began to think frngality a jeft.

So grew polite ; hence all her well-bred heirs
I »> Gamellers and jockeys turn'd, and cricket-play'rs ;

i Pictures and bulls in ev'ry houfe were feen 3

What fliou'd have paid the butcher, bought FoufTm j
" ^ New operas, now plays v/ere all the failiion.

Then v/hift became the bufinefs of the narion,
i ^ That, like a frcward chiid, in vv'anton play

Now cries for toys, then toiijs them away ;

Each hour we chang'd our pleafares, drels, and diet;

" Thefe were the blell efiects of being quiet.

Vol. LXXill. R Not

242 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS,

" Romae duke diu fuit & folemne reclufa
Mane domo vigilare, clienti promere jura,
Cautos nominibus certis expendere nummos,
* Majores audire, minori dicere, per quai
Creicere res poiTetj minui damnofa libido.

f Mutavit mentem populus levis, & calet uiio
Scribendi fludio, pueri patrefque feveri
s Fronde comas vindi ccenant, & carmina didant,
^ Ipfe ego, qui nullos me affirmo fcribere verfus,
Invenior Parthis mendacior, & prius orto
Sole vigil calamam Sc chartas k fcrinia pofco,

» Navem agere ignarus navis timet ; abrotoiium
asgro
Non audet, nifi qui didicit, dare. Quod medicorum ell,
Promirtunt medici. TraClant fabrilia fabri.
Scribimus indodi dodtique poemata paffim.

t Hie error tamen & levis, hxc infania quantas
Virtates habeat, fic collige : vatis avarus

Non

ilORATII EPIST. I. LIB. H. IMITATED. 2^5

" Not thus behav'd the true old Englifh Yquire,
He fmoak'd his pipe each morn by his own fire.
There julHce to difpenfe was ever willing.
And tor his warrants pick'd up many a fhilling :
' To teach his younger neighbours always glad,
Whtfre for their corn beft markets might be had/
And from experienc'd age as glad to learn.
How to- defraud unfeen the, parfon's barn.

p But now the world's quite alter'd ; all are bent
To leave their feats, and fly to parliament :
Old men and boys in this alone agree..
And vainly courting popularity.
Ply their obitrep'rous voters all night long
With bumpers, toafts, and now and then a fong ,
Ev'n I, who fwear thefe follies I defpife.
Than ftatcfmen, or their porters, tell more lies ;
And, for the failiion-fake, in fpite of nature.
Commence fometimes a-mciL important creature;,
Buly as Car— w rave for ink and quills.
And fluff my head and pockets full of bills.

s Few landmen go to fea unlefs they're preit, .
And quacks in all profeflions are a jeil ;
No.ie dare to kill, except moll learn'd phyficiansj>
Learn'd, or unlearn'd, we all are politicians :
There's not a foul but tliinks, cou'd he be fent,
H' has parts enough to ihine in parliament.

' Tho* m.any ills this modern tafte produces.
Yet itillj my Lord, 'tis not without its ufes ;

K 2 ■ Thcfc

C44 SOAME JENYNS*s POEMS.

- Non temere eft animus ; verfus amat, hoc lludet

ur.um ;
>♦ Detrimental fugas i'ervorum, incendia ridet :
" Non fraudeih focio puerove incogitat uliam
Pupillo ; ^ vivit filiquis & pane fecundo ;
* Militiie quanquam piger & malu^, utiiia urbi.

3 Si das hoc, parvis quoque rebus magna juvarl,
«> Os tcnerum pueri baibumqae poeta figurat ;
" Torauet ab obfccenis jam nunc fermonibus nurem :
** T/lox eti^m pedus rrsceptis format amiciij,
Afperitatis 6c invidiam corrector & irai ;
e Refte fadla relent ; orientia tempera notis
Inllruit exemplis ; f inopem fclatur & atgrum,

£ Cailis campueris ignara puella mariti
Difceret unde preces, vatem ni Mufa dediii^^t ?
Pv^lcit opem chorus, zc prasientia numina fentit ;
^ Cci-kftes implorat aquas do<5la prece blandus^

Avertii

nORATII EPIST. I. LIB. IL IMITATED. h5

« Thefe minor politicians are a kind

Not much to felfilh avarice inclin'd ;

Do but allow them with applaufe to fpeak,

"* They little care, tho* ail their tenants break ;

* They form intrigues with no man's wife or daughter,
y And live on pudden, chicken-broth, and water;

^ Fierce Jacobites, as far as bluft'ring words.
But loth in any caufe to draw their fvvords.

* Were fmaller matters worthy of attention,
A thoufand other ules I could mention ;
For inflance, in each monthly magazine
Their efTays and orations Hill are feen,
^ And magazines teach beys and girls to read.
And are the canons of each tradefman*s creed j
Apprentices they {-crye to entertain,

* Inllead of fmutty tales, and plays profane ;

''• In{lru(fl them how their paflions to command.
And to hate none— but thofe who rule the land :

* Fads they record, births, marriages, and deaths,
'Sometimes receipts for claps, and Hinking breaths,

^ When v^ith her brothers mifs comes up to town.
How for each play can Ihe afford a crown ;
Where find diverfions gratis, and yet pretty,
Unlefs fhe goes to church, or a com.mittee ;
And fare committees better entertain,
«. Than hearing a dull parfon pray for rain,
■ R 3 O:

\

m6 so AME JEN Y NS's POEMS.

' Avertit morbos, metuenda pericula pellit,

^ Impetrat 8c pacem, & locupletem frugibus annum.

1 Carmine Di fuperi placantur, carmine Manes.

^ Agricols prlfcl, fortes, parvoque beati,
" Condita peft frumenta, levantes tempore fello
Corpus, & ipfum animum fpe finis dura ferentem.
Cum fociis operum, '& pueris & conjuge fida ;
Tellurem porco, Silvanum lade piabant,
FIoribus-& vino Genium memorem brevis aevi.
° Fefcennina per hunc inventa iicentia morem
Verfibus altcrnis opprobria ruftica fudit ;
^ Libertafque recunentes accepta per annos
Lufit amabiliter ; donee jam i'asvus apertara
•^ In rabiem verti ccspit jocus, & per honeftas
Ire minax impune domes : doluere cruento
' Dente lacefliti : fuit intaftis quoque cura
.Conditione fuper communi : quin etiam lex,

* FcEnaquelata, malo qu:£ nollet carmine qaenquam
Defcribi : vertere modum, formidine fuftis

Ad bene dicendum de'leftandumque redafli.

* Graecia capta ferum vidlorem cepit, Sc artes
Intulit agrefli Latio: fic horridus ille

^ Defiuxit numerus Satiirnius ; & grave virus
Munditiss pepulere : fed in longum tamen aevum
"* Manferunt hcdieque mansnt veHigia ruris.

Scrus

J

HORATII EPIST. I. LIB. IT. IMITATED. 147

' Or whining beg deliverance from battle.

Dangers, and lins, and ficknefs amongfl: cattle ;

At church (he hears with unattentive ear

^ The pray'rs for peace, and for a plenteous year.

But here quite charm'd with fo much wit and fenfe.

She falls a vidim foon to eloquence :

Well may fhe fall ; fince eloquence has power

' To govern both the Upper Houfe and Lower.

"* Our ancient gentry, frugal, bold, and rough.
Were farmers, yet liv'd happily enough ;
" They, when in barns their corn was fafely lay'd.
For harvell-homes great entertainments made.
The well-rubb'd tables crack'd with beef and pork^
.And all the fupper fhar'd who fhar'd the work :
* This gave freeholders iirft a tafte for eating.
And was the fource of all eleftion-treating ;
^ A wh.le their jefts, tho' merry, yet were wife.
And they took none but decent liberties.
Brandy and punch at length fuch riots bred,
"^ No fober family cou'd fleep in bed :
' All were alarm'd, €v'n thofe who had no hurt
' Call'd in the law, to flop fuch dang'rous fport.
' Rich citizens at length new arts brought down
With ready caih,, to win each country town ;
"" This lefs diforders caus'd than downright drink.
Freemen grew civil, and began to think ;
'" But Hill all canvaffing prcduc'd confufion.
The reli<5ls of its luftic inftitution.

R 4 'Tis

iAS SOAME JENYNS^s POEMS.

"• Serus enim Grscis admovit acumina chartis,
Et poft Punica bella quietus, quasrere ccepit.
Quid Sophocles, & Thefpis, & JEkhylus utile ferrent,
Tentavit quoque rem fi digne vertere poiTet :
y Et placuit libi, natura fublimis & acer.
Nam fpirat tragicum fatis, & feliciter audet :
^ Sed tarpem putat in fcriptis metuitque lituram.
^ Creditur, ex medio quia res arcefTit, habere
'' Sudoris minimum ; fed habet comoedia tanto
Plus oneris, quanto veniae minus ; "" adfpice Plautus
** Quo pidlo p-irtes tatetur amantis ephebi,
= Ut patria attenti, 'lenonii ut infidiofi :
Quantus fit Dcrfennus ^ edacious in parafitis :
^ Quam non adftri<flo percurrat pulpita focco.
' Geliit enim Tiummum in Iccu'os demittere ; poll hoc
Securus, cadat, an redo ftet fabula talo.

-■' Qaem tulit ad fcenam vcntofo gloria curru,
Exanimat kntus fpedator : fedulus inflat.

Sic

HORATII EPISt. I. LIB. 11. IMITATED. 249

" *Tis but of late, fince thirty years of peace
To ufeful fciences have giv'n increafe.
That w' have inqulr'd how Rome's loft fons of old
Bartered their liberties for feafts and gold ;
What treats proud Sylla, Casfar, Crafius gave.
And try'd, like them, to buy each hungry knave :
Nor try'd in vain ; y too fortunately bold.
Many have puchas'd votes, and many fold ;
No laws can now amend this vejial land,

* That dreads the touch of a reforming hand.

Some think an int'reil may be form'd with eaie,

• Eecaufe the vulgar we muft chiefly pleafe ;
^ But for that reafon 'tis the harder tafk.
For fuch will neither pardon grant, nor alk.
' See how Sir W , mafter of this art,

By different methods wins each C n heart.

'^ He tells raw youths, that whoring is no harm,

« And teaches their attentive fires to farm ;

To his own table lovingly invites

' Infidious pimps, and ^ hungry parafites :

*> Sometimes in flippers, and a morning gov/n.

He pays his early vifits round a town.

At every houfe relates his ftcrics over.

Of place-bills, taxes, turneps, and Hanover ;

' If tales will money fave, and bufmefs do.

It matters little, are they faife or true.

^ Whoe'er prefers a clam'rous mob's applaufe
To his own confcience, orhis country's caufe.

Is

nso S O A M E J E N Y N S ' s POEMS.

' Sic leve, fic parvum eft, animum quod laudis avarum
Subruit aut reficit : ^ valeat res ludicra, fi me
Palma negata macrum, donata reducit opimum.

" Ss^pe etiam audacem fugat hoc terretque poetam.
Quod numero plures, virtute & honore minores,
Indocti, ftolidique, & depugnare parati.
Si difcordet eques, media inter carmina pofcunt
" Aut urfum, aut pugiles : his nam plebecula gaudet.
^ Verum equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure volupttis
Omnis ad incertos oculos & gaudia vana,
Quatuor aut plures aul^a premuntur in horas,
^ Dum fugiunt equitum turms, peditumque catervai.
Mox trahitur manibus regum fortuna retortis j
EiTeda feitinant, pilenta-, petorrita, naves :
' Captivum portatur ebur, captiva Corinthus.
Si Foret in terris, rideret Democritus, leu
Diverfum confaia genus panthera camelo,
Sive elephas albus vulgi converteret era.
Spedaret populum ludis attentius ipfiS.
Ut fibi prsbentem mimo fpedacula plura :
Scriptores autem narrare putaret afello

Fabellam furdo : nam qu:E pervincere voces
Evaluere fonum, referunt quern noftra theatra I
Garganum mugire putes nemus, aut mare Thufcura :
lanto cum ftrepitu ludi fpedantur, Sc artes
Divitisque peregrins ; t quibus oblitus a6lor
Cum ftedt in fcena, cor.currit dextera lasvae.
• Dixie adhuc aliquid ? Nil fane. Quod placet ergo ?

Lana

HORATII EPIST. I. LIB. IT. IMITATED, zjr

Is foon elated, and as foon call down

By every drunken cobler's fmile or frown ;

1 So fmall a matter can deprefs or raife

A mind that's meanly covetous of praife :

But if my quiet mult dependent be

On the vain breath of popularity,

A wind each hour to diff 'rent quarters veering,

"> Adieu, fay I, to all Eledioneering.

" The bolden: orator it difconcerts.
To find the many, tho' of meanefl: parts,
Illit'rate, fquabbling, difcontented prigs.
Fitter t' attend a boxing-match at Figg's,
To all good fenfe and reafon {hut their ears.
Yet take delight in S— d— m's ° bulls and bears.

p Young knights now fent from many a diftant fliire
Are better pleas 'd with vvhat they fee than hear ;
Their joy's to view his majeily approach.
Drawn by eight milk-white fteeds in gilded coach,
I'he pageant fhow and bulile to behold,
■^ The guards both horfe and foot lac'd o'er with gold.
The rich infignia from the Tower brought down,
' The iv'ry fcepter and the radiant crown.
The mob huzza, the thund'ring cannons roar.
And bufmefs is delay 'd at leaft an hour ;
The Speaker calls indeed to mind what paiTes,
But might as well read orders to deaf afies.

' But now fee honeft V rife to joke !

The Houfe ail laugh: '-^ ** Vv'hat fays he: Has he fpoke ?'*

No

251 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

I, ana Tarentlno violas imitata veneno.

'■' Ac ne forte putes me, quae facere ipfe recufem.

Cum rede traflant alii, laudare maligne ;

" Ille per extentiim funem mihi poiTe videtur

Ire poeta, meum qui pedus inaniter angit,

'/ Irritat, mulcet, ^ falfis terroribus implet,

* Ut magus i & " modo me Thebis, modo ponit Athenis.

" Verum age, & his qui fe ledlcri credere malunt,
Qnam fpedatoris faflidia ferre fuperbi,
Curam redde brevem ; *^ fi munus Apolline dignum
Vis complere libris, * & vatibus addere calcar,
Ut ftudio majore petant Helicona virentem.
f Malta quidem nobis facimus mala fa^pe poetae,
^ (Ut vineta egomet csedam mea) cum tibi librum
** Sollicito damus, aut feiio ; cum loedimur, unum
' Si quis amicorum eft aufus reprendere verfum,
^ Cum loca jam recitata revolvimus irrevocati ;

Cum lamentamur non apparere labores
Noi^ros, ^i tenui dedudta poemata lilo :

Cum

H-SRATII EPIST. I. LIU. II. IMITATED. 153

No ftot a word ; then whence this fudden mirth ?
His phiz foretells fome jell's approaching birth.

" But left I icem thefe orators to wrong.
Envious becaufe I Ihare no gift of tongue,
* Is there a Man whofe eloquence has pow'r
To clear the fullefl: Houfe in half an hour.
Who now appears to rave and now to weep,
y Who fometimes makes us fwear, and fonietimes fleep,
- Now fills our heads with falfe alarms from France,
^ Then conjurer-like ^ to India bids us dance.
Ail eulogies on him we own are true.
For furely he does all that man can do.

* But whilil, my Lord, thefe makers of our laws
Thus fpeak themfelvesinto the world's applaufe,
■* Let bards for fuch attempts too modell: fhare
What more they prize, your patronage and care,
^ If you would fpur them up the Mufes' hill.
Or afk their aid your library to fill.
'' We poets are in ev'ry age, and nation,
A moil abfurd, wrong-headed generation ;
This in a thoufand initances is (hewn
8 (?>iyicif as guilty as the reii: I own) ;
Aj wlien on you our ncnfenfc we impcfe,
h Tir'd with the nonfcnfe you have heard in profs j
i When w' are offended, if fomc honeft friend
Prefumes one unharmcnious verfe to mend ;
'-^ When undcfir'd our labours we repc^at,
' Grieve they're no r.iore regarded by the Great,

And

254 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

^ Cum fperamus eo rem venturam, ut fimul atque
Carmlna refcieris nos fingere, commodus ultro
Arceffas, Sc egere vetes, & fcribere cogas.

" Sed tp.men eil operre pretium cognofcere, quale*
iEdituos habeat belli fpedata domique
Virtus, indigno non commirtenda poets,
o Gratus Alexandra regi magno fuit ille
Chccrilus, incultis qui verfibus 8c male natis
Reitiilit acceptos, regale numifma, Philippos,
Sed veluti tradlata notam labemque remittunt
Atramenta, fere fcriptores carmine foedo
Splendida fadla linunt. Idem rex ille poema.
Qui tarn ridiculum tarn care prodigus emit,
Edido vetuit ne quis fe, prieter Apeliem,
Pingejet, aut alius Lyfippo duceret sera
? Fortis x^lexandri vultuni iimulantia : quod ii
Judicium fubtile videndis artibus illud
Ad libros & ad hasc Mufarum dona vocares ;
1 Eoeotum in crafib jurares aere natum.

r At neque dedecorant tua de fe judicia, ataue
Munera quse multa dantis cum laude tulerunt,
Dilecti tibi Virgilius Variufque poets.
« Nee magis exprelTi vultus per ahenea figna,'
Qwam per vatis opus mores animique virorum
Clarorum apparent : ^ nee fermones ego mallem
Repentes per humum, quam res ccmponere gcllas,
Terrarumque fitus, & Humina dicere, & arces
Montibus impofitas, & barbara regna, tuifque

Aufpicii*

HORATII EPIST. I. LIB. II. IMITATED. 255

^ And fancy, fhou'd You once but fee our faces,
Vou'd bid us write, and pay us all with places.

" 'Tis your's, my Lord, to form the foul to verfe,
Who have fuch num'rous virtues to rehearfe ;
" Great Alexander once, in ancient days,
Pay'd Chcerilus for daubing him with praife ;
And yet the fame fam'd hero made a law.
None but Apelles Ihou'd his pifture draw ;
p None but Lyfippus call his royal liead
In brafs : it had been treafon if in lead ;
A prince he was in valour ne'er furpafs'd.
And had in painting too perhaps fome tafle ;
But as to verfe, undoubted is the matter,
'^ He mull be dull, as a Dutch commentator.

' But you, my Lord, a favorite of the Mufe,
Wcu'd chufe good poets, were there gccd to chufe;
' You know they pa"nt the great man's foul as like,
i As can his features Kueller or Vandyke.

' Had I fuch pow'r, I never wou'd compofe
I Such creeping lines as thefe, nor verfe, nor rrofe ;
I But rather try to celebrate your praife,
!l And with your juH encomiums fwell my lays :
ii Had I a genius equal to my will,
1; Gladly would I exert my utmoll ikill
I; To confecrate to fame Britannia's land
; Receiving law from your impartial hand ;
1 By your wife councils once mere powerful made^
1 Her fleets rever'd, and fiouriihing her trade j
\ Ex-

156 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

^ Aufpiciis totum confedla duella per orbem :

Clauftraque cuftcdem pacis cohibentia Janum,

' Et formidatam Parthis ,V principe PvOmain ;

^ £i, quantum cupercm, poiTem quo que ^ fed neque

p '•vum
Carmen majeftas recipit tua ; nee meus aadet
Rem tentare pudor, quam vires ferre recufent.
' Sedulitas autem flulie qaem diligit, urget ;
Pra;cipue cum fe numerjs ccmmendat Sc arte.
Difcit enim cltius meminitque libentius illud
Quod quis deridet, quam quod probat 8c veneratur.
Nil moror officium quod me gravat : ac neque ficto
In pejus vaku proponi cereus ufquam,
Ncc prave fadis decorari vcrfibus opto :
Ne rubeam pingai donatus munere ; & una
Cum fcriptore meo, capfa porredlus aperta,
*■ Deferar in vicum vendentem thus & odcre5,
Ec piper, & quicquid cliartis amicitur ineptis.

HORATII EPIST. I. LIB. 11. IMITATED. 25/

* Exhaufted nations trembling at her fword,

» And * Peace long wifti'd-for to the world reIlor*d.

' But your true greatnefs "ffers no fuch praife,

* My verfe would iink the theme it meant to raife ;
Unequal to the tafk wou'd furely meet '^'
Deferv'd contempt, and each prefumptuous Iheet
Could ferve for nothing, fcrawl'd with lines fo iimple^

* Unlefs to wrap up fugar-loaves for Wimple f.

* A general peace was at this time juft concluded at Aix la
ChapcUe. . ■ ■

f Lord Hardvvlcke's feat In Carabrldgeihirc,

Vol. LXXIIL S TO

I ^52 3

TO THE RT. HON. THE

EARL OF CHESTERFIELD.

ON HIS BEING INSTALLED INIGHT OF
THE GARTER *.

THESE trophies. Stanhope, of a lovely dame.
Once the bright objedl of a monarch's flame.
Who with fuch juli propriety can wear.
As thou, the darling of the gay and fair ?
See ev'ry friend to wit, politenefs, love.
With one confent thy Sovereign's choice approve !
And liv'd Plantagenet her voice to join,
Herfelf and Garter both were furely thine.

* He was Inftalled at Wlndfor on the iSth of June 1730, a
the fame time with the Duk« of Cumberland and the Earl 0
ButHngton.

T('

( ^59 )

T O
A LADY IN TOWN,

SOON AFTER HER LEAVING THE COUNTRY.

WHILST you, dear maid, o*er thoufands bora
to reign.
For the gay town exchange the rural plain.
The cooling breeze and ev'ning walk forfake
For ftifling crowds, which your own beauties make ;
Thro' circling joys while you inceffant ftray.
Charm in the Mall, and fparkle at the play ;
Think (if fucceffive vanities can fpare
One thought to love) what cruel pangs I bear.
Left in thefe plains all wretched, and alone.
To weep with fountains, and with echos groan.
And mourn inceffantly that fatal day,
That all my blifs with Chloe fnatch'd away.

Say by what arts I can relieve my pain,
Mufic, verfe, all I try, but try in vain ;
In vain the breathing flute my hand employs.
Late the companion of my Chloe's voice.
Nor Handel's nor Corelli's tuneful airs
Can harmonize my foul, or foothe my cares ;
Thofe once-lov'd med'cines unfaccefsful prove,
Mufic, alas, is but the voice of love !

S 2 In

a6« SOAME J E N Y KI S ' S P O E M Ji

In vain I oft harmonious lines perufe.
And leek for aid from Pope's and Prior's mufe j
Their treacherous numbers but affift the foe.
And call forth fcenes of fympathifing woe :
Here Heloife mourns her abfent lover's charms.
There parting Emma fighs in Henry's arms^
Their loves like mine ill-fated I bemoan.
And in their tender ibrrows read my ov/n.

Reftlefs fometimes, as oft the mournful dove
Porfakes her neft forfaken by her love,
1 fly from home, and feck the facred fields
Where Cnjii's old urn its filver current yields.
Where folemn tovv'rs o'erlook each moffy grove.
As if to guard it from th' affaults of love ;
Yet guard in vain, for there my Chloe's eyes
But lately rtiade vv'hole colleges her prize ;
Her fons, tho' few, not Pallas cou'd defend.
Nor DuUneis fuccour to her thoufands lend ;
Love like a fever with infedious r^ige
Scorch'd up the young, and thaw'd the froil of age
To gaze at her, ev'n Dons were feen to nan.
And leave unnnilh'd pipes, and authors — ftarce begurii

* So Helen look'd, and mov'd with fach a grace,
Vv'hen the grave fcniors of the Trojan race
Were forc'd thofe fatal beauties to admire, '
That all their youth confum'd, and fot their town on fire.

At fam'd Newmarket of: I fpend the day.
An unconcern'd fpedtator of the play ;

* VLd. Kom. II, lib. III. ver. 150.

There

Jl

TO A LADY IN TOWN. aSt

There pitilefs obferve the ruin'd heir
With anger fir'd, or melting with defpair ;
For how ihou'd I his trivial lofs bemoan,
"Who feel one, fo much greater, of my own ?
There while the golden heaps, a glorious prize,
V/ait the decilion of two rival dice.
Whim long difpute"S 'tvvixty^-x'^;? SLndJ^'ve remain.
And each, like parties, have their friends for gain.
Without one wifti 1 fee the guineas ihin-e,
" Fate, keep your gold, I cry, make Chloe mine
Now fee, prepar'd their utmolt fpeed to try.
O'er the fmooth turf the bounding racers fly !
■Now more and more their flcnder limbs they ftrain.
And foaming ftretch along the velvet plain !
Ah i^ay ! fvvift fleeds, your rapid flight delay.
No more the jockey's fmarting lafli obey :
■But rather let my hand direft the rein.
And guide your fteps a nobler prize to gain ;
Then fwiijt as eagles cut the yielding air.
Bear me, oh bear me to the abfent fair.
' Now when the winds are hufli'd, the air -ferene,
; And chearful fun-beams gild the beauteous fcene,
j Penfive o'er all the neighb'ring fields I flray,
j Where'er or choice or chance diredls the way :
, Or view the opening lawns, or private woods,
' Or diftant biuifli hills, or filver floods :
' Now harmlefs birds in filken nets infnare,
I Now v/ith fwift dogs purfue the flying hare :
; Dull fports ! for oh my Chloe is not there 1

S 3 Fatigud'

afis SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Fatigu'd at length I willingly retire
To a fmall ftudy, and a chearful iire.
There o'er fome folio pore ; I pore 'tis true.
But oh my thoughts are fled, and fled to you !
I hear you, fee you, feaft upon your eyes.
And clafp with eaTer arms the lovely prize ;
Here for a while 1 cou'd forget my pain,
Whilfl I 'by dear afllidlion live again :
Eut ev'n thefe joys are too fublime to laft, •
And quickly fade, like all the real ones paft ;
For juft when now beneath fome fiient grove
I hear you tal-k — and talk perhaps of love.
Or charm wit!i .thrilling notes the lift*ning ear.
Sweeter than angels fmg, or angels hear.
My treach'rous hand its weighty charge lets go^
The book falls thund'ring on the floor below.
The pleafmg vifion in a moment's gone.
And 1 once more am wretched, and alone.

So when glad Orpheus from th' infernal fiiade
Had juft recali'd his long-lamented maid.
Soon as her charms had reach'd his eager eyes,
l>oil in. eternal nights again (he dies.

T O

TO

A LADY.

^ENT WITH A PRESENT OF SHELLS AND STOKES
DESIGNED FOR A GROT TO.

WITH gifts like thefc, the fpoils of neighboring
Ihores,
The Indian fvvain his fable love adores.
Offerings well fuited to the dufky fhrine
Of his rude goddefs, but unworthy mine:
And yet they feem not fuch a worthlefs prize.
If nicely view'd by philofophic eyes ;
And fuch are yours, that nature's works admire
With warmth like that, which they themfelves infplre.

To fuch how fair appears each grain of fand.
Or humblell weed as wrought by Nature's hand I
How far fuperior to all human pow'r
Springs the green blade, or buds the painted flow'r !
In all her births, tho' of the meanefl kinds,
A jiift obferver entertainment finds.
With fond delight her low produdlions fees.
And how (he gently rifes by degrees ;
A (hell or ftone he can with pleafure view,
Uence trace her nobleft works, the keav'ns— and you.
S 4 Bshold,

264 SOAME JEl^lYNS's POEMS.

Behold, how bright thefe gaudy trifles fhine.
The lovely fportings of a hand divine !
See with what art each curious fhell is made.
Here carv'd in fretwork, there with pearl inlaid !
What vivid Ibreaks th* enamell'd ftones adorn.
Fair as the paintings of the purple morn 1
Yet flill not half their charms can reach our eyes.
While thus confus'd the fparkling chaos lies ;
Doubly they'll pleafe, when in your grotto plac'd.
They plainly fpeak their fair difpofer's tafle ;
Then glories yet unfeen fhall o'er them n{e.
New order from your hand, new lultre from your eyes.

How fweet, how charming will appear this grot.
When by your art to full perfection brought ;
Here verdant plants and blooming flow'rs will grow.
There bubbling currents thro' the fhell-work flow ;
Here coral mixt with fliells of various dyes.
There polifti'd Hones will charm our wand'ring eyes ;
Delightful bovver of blifs ! fecure retreat !
Pit for the Mufes, and Statira's feat.

But Hill how good muft be that fair-one's mind.
Who thus in folitude can plealure find !
TheMufe her company, good fenfe her guide,
Refiftlefs charms her pow'r, but not her pride ; I

Who thus forfakes the town, the park, and play, I

In fiient fliades to pafs her hours away ; i

Who better likes to breathe frefti country air, '

Than ride iraprifon'd in a velvet chair ;
And makes the warbling nightingale her choice,
Before the thrills of Farinelli's voice ;

. Prefiew

TO A LADY, WITH SHELLS, &c. 265

Prefers her books, and confcience void of ill.
To concerts, balls, affemblies, and quadrille :
Sweet bow'rs more pleas'd than gilded chariot fees.
For groves the playhoufe quits, and beaus for trees.
Bleft is the man, whom heav'n fhall gram one hour
With fuch a lovely nymph, in fuch a lovely, hgw'r i

i

TO

C ^S6 )
T O

A L A D Y.

IN ANSWER TO A LETTER WROTE IN A VER^
FINE HAND.

WHILST well-wrote lines oar wond'ring eyes
command.
The beauteous work of Chlce*s artful hand.
Throughout the finilh'd piece we fee difplayM
Th' exaflell image of the lovely maid ;
Such is her wit, and fuch her form divine.
This pure, as flows the ilyle thro' ev'ry line.
That like each letter, exquifitely fine.

See with what art the fable currents ftain
In wand'ring mazes all the' milk-white plain !
Thus o'er the meadows v.'rapp'd in filver fnow
Unfrozen brooks in dark meanders flow ;
Thus jetty curls in Ihining ringlets deck
The ivory plain of lovely Chloe's neck ;
See, like feme virgin, whofe unmeaning charms
Receive new luflre from a lover's arm?.
The yielding paper's pure but vacant brcaft,
-By her fair hand and flowing pen imprclt.
At ev'ry touch more animated grows.
And with new life and new ideas glows

'Frefti

ANSWER TO -A L A D Y, &c. 267

Frefti beauties from the kind defiler gains.
And fhines each moment brighter from its ftains»

Let mighty Love no longer boaft his darts.
That ftrike unerring, aini'd at mortal hearts ;
Chloe, your quill can equal wonders do.
Wound full as fure, and^t a diltance too :
, Arm'd with your feather'd weapons in your hands,
, From pole to pole you fend yeur great commands ;
To diftant climes in vain the lover flies.
Your pen o'ertakes him, if he: 'fcapcs your eyeej
So thofe who from the fword in battle run.
But perilh viftims to the diitant gun.

Beauty's a Ifecrt-liv'd blaze,- a fading flow'r^
But thel'e are charms no :iges can devour 5
Thefe, far? fuperior to the brighteft face.
Triumph alike o'er time as well as fpace.
When that fair form, which thoufands now adore^,
By years decay 'd, ihall tyrannize no more,
Thefe lovely lines fhall future ages view.
And eyes unborn, like ours, be charm 'd by you.

How oft do I admire M'ith fond delight
The curious piece, and wifn like you to write !
Alas, vain hope! that might as well afpire
To copy Paulo's ftroke, or Titian's lire :
Ev'n now your fplendid lines before me lie.
And 1 in vain to imitate them try :
Believe me, fair, I'm pradifmg this art,-
To ileal your hand, in hopes to fteal _)'0ur heart.

O

TO THE RT. HON. THE

LADY MARGARET CAVENDISH HARTLEY *,

PRESENTED WITH A COLLECTION OF POEMS.

THE tuneful throng was ever Beauty's care.
And verfe a tribute facred to the fair ;
Hence in each age the lovelieft nymph has been,
•By undifputed right, the Mufes Queen ;
Her fmiles have all poetic bofoms fir'd.
And patroniz'd the verfe themfelves infpir'd :
Lefbia prefided thus in Roman times,
-Thus SachariiTa reign'd o'er Britifh rhymes.
And prefent bards to Margaretta bow.
For what they were of old, is Karley now.

From Oxford's houfe, in thefe dull bufy dayS;,
Alone we hope for patronage, or praife ;
He to our llighteft labours ftill is kind.
Beneath his roof w' are ever fure to find
(Reward fufficient for the world's negleft)
Charms to infpire, and goodnefs to protedl ;

* Only daughter and heir of Edward Earl of Oxford ar.d
Mortimer, by Lady Henrietta Cavendifh, only daughter and
heir of John Holies, Duke of NewcalUe. She was afterwards
.-Putchefs of Portland, and died July 17, 17S5,

Your

TO LADY MARG. CAVENDISH HARLEY. 269

Your eyes with rapture animate our lays.
Your fire's kind hand uprears our drooping bays 5
Form'd for our glory and fupport, ye feem.
Our conflant patron he, and you our theme.
Where fhou'd poetic homage then be pay'd ?
Where ev'ry verfe, but at your feet, be lay'd ?
A double right you to this empire bear,
A% firit in beauty, and as Oxford's heir.

Illurtrious maid ! in vvhofe fole perfon join'd
Ev'ry perfedlion of the fair we find ;
Charms that might warrant all her fex's pridc;,
Without one foible of her fex to hide ;
Good-nature artlefs as the bloom that dyes
Her cheeks, and wit as piercing as her eyes.
Oh Harley ! cou'd but you thefe lines approvCi
Thefe children fprung from idlenefs and love,
Cou'd they, (but ah how vain is the defign !)
Hope to amufe your hours, as once they've mine,
Th' ill-judging world's applaufe, and critics blamSir
Alike I'd fcorn : Your approbation's fame.

HO RATH

( ^70- >

HO R ATI I,

LI E. II. O D. XVI.

1. y^TIUPJ DIvDs rogat In patent!
V^ Prenfus iEgso, fimul atra nubes

Condidit Lunam, neque certa fulgent
Sidera nautis :

2. Otium bello furiofa Thrace,
Otium Medi pharetra decori,

Grofphe, non gemmis, neque purpura venale, nec
auro.

3. Non enim gazs, neqae confularis
Summovet lidor miferos tumultus
Mentis, & curas laqueata circum

Teda volantes.

4. Vivltur parvo bene, cui paternum
Splendet in mensa tenui falinum ;
Nec leves fomnos timor, aut Cupido

Sordidus aufert.

Quid

I

i 27i- y

H O R A G E,

B O O K II. ODE XVI.
IMITATE D.

TO THE HONOURABLE

PHILIP YORKE, Es<^

SOON AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION IN I747.

1 . Tp O R quiet, Yorke, the failor cries,
X^ When gathering florms obfcure the Ikies,

The ftars no more appearing ;

2. The candidate for quiet prays.
Sick of the bumpers and huzzas

Of bleft electioneering.

1 3. Who thinks, that from the Speaker's chair
' The Serjeant's mace can keep off care.

Is wond'roufly miilaken :
4. Alas ! he is not half fo bleft

As thofe \vh' have liberty, and refl.
And dine on beans and bacon.

5. Why

^'J^ SOAME JENYNS^s P O E M S^

Quid brevi fortes jaculamur aevo
Multa } Quid terras alio calentes

5. Sole mutamus ? Patriae quis exul

Se quoque fugit ?

6. Scandit seratas vitiofa naves

Cura : nee equitum turmas relinqult, .
Ocyor cerv is, & agente nimbos
Ocyor Euro.

7. Lastus in praefens animus, quod ultra el1>
Oderit curare ; & amara lento
Temperet riiu. Nihil eft ab omni

8. Parte beatum,

9. Abftulit clarum cita mors xAcliillem :

10. Longa Tithonum minuit fenedus :
Et mihi forfan^ tibi quod negarit,

Porrigct hora.

II, T3

I

HORATII LIB, II. ODE XVI. IMITATED. 273

5 . Why fnould we then to London run.
And quit our chearful country fun

For bufinefs, dirt, and fmoke ?
Can we, by changing place, and air,
Ourfelves get rid of, or our care ?

In troth 'tis all a joke.

6. Care climbs proud fhips of mightiell force;,
And mounts behind the general's horfe,

Outftrips huffars, and pandours ;
Far fwifter than the bounding hind.
Swifter than clouds before the wind.

Or ^ before the HighlanderSo

7. A man, when once he's fafely chofe,
Shou'd laugh at all his threat'r.ing foes, .

Nor thmk of future evil :
Each good has its attendant ill ;

8. A feat is no bad thing, but flill

Elections are the devil.

9. Its gifts with hand impartial Heav'n
Divides : to Oxford it was giv'n

To die in full-blown glory ;

10. To indeed a longer date, •

But then with unrelenting hate

Purfu'd by "Whig and Tory,

VOL. LXXIIL T M, The

174 SOAME JEN YNS's POEMS,

II. Te greges centum, Siculaeque circum
Mugiunt vaccas : tibi tollit hinnitum
Apta quadrigis equa : te bis Afro
Murice tindlae

Veftiunt lanae : 13. mlhi parva rura, &
14. Spiritum Graiae tenuem Camoecae
Parca non mend ax dedit & malignum
Spernere vulgus.

HORATII,

HORATII LIB. ir, ODE XVI. IMITATED. 275

1 1 . The gods to you with bounteous hand
Have granted feats, and parks, and land ;

Brocades and iilks you wear ;
With claret and ragouts you treat,

12. Six neighing Heeds with nimble feet

WJiirl on your gilded car :

1 3 .. Ta me they *ve;7gi van a fmall retreat.
Good port and mutton, befl of meat.

With broad-cloth on my Ihoulders,
A foul that fcorns a dirty job,
14. Loves a good rhyme, and hates a mob,
1 mean who a*n't freeholders.

T2 HORACE^

C 276 )

H O RAT I I,

LIB. IV. . O D. VIII.

I
I. T^ ON ARE M pateras grataque commodus,'

-*--^ Cenforine, meis sera fodalibus :

Donarem tripodas, praemia fortium

Graiorum : 2.' neque tu peflima munerum

Ferres ; divite me fcilicet artium,

Quas aut Parrhafius protuHt, aut Scopas ;

3.Hicfaxo, liquidis ille coloribus

Solers nunc hominem ponere, nunc Deum,

( 277 )

H O R A C E,

BOOK IV. ODE Vlil.

I Ivl I T ATE D.

TOTHESAME.

1. T^ID but kind fdte to me impart
Jl--/ Wealth equal to my gen'rous hearty

Some curious gift to ev'ry friend,
A token of my love, I'd fend ;

2. But ftill the choiceft and the bed
Shou'd be confign'd to friends at Wrefl ^.

An organ, which, if right I guefs,
... Wou'd bell pleafe Lady Marchionefs,
Shou'd firll be fent by my command.
Worthy of her infpiring hand :
To Lady Bell of niceft mould
A coral fet in burnifh'd gold :
To you, well knowing what you like,

3. Portraits by Lely or Vandyke,

A curious bronze, or bull antique.

1

* The feat of the Marchionefs of Kent, wife of Lord HaM-.
wicke.

T 3 4. But

.78 SO A ME JENYNS's POEMS.
4. Sed non haec mihi vis, non tibi talium

Res eft aut animus deliciarum egens.

Gaudes carminibus : carmina poiTumus.

Donare, 5. & pretium dicere muneris.

6. Non incifa notis marmora pubKcis,
Per quae fpirilus & vita redit bonis

Pofl mortem ducibus : non celeres fug^e,
R?je6ls:que retrorfum Annibalis minaj,
Non incendia Carthaginis impixs
Ejus qui domita nomen ab Africa
Lucratus rediit, clarius indicant
Laudes, quam Galabrx Pierides : neque

7. Si chartae Jileant quod' bene feceris,
Mercedem tuleris; 8. Qtiid foret His
Mavortifque puer, fi taciturnitas
Obftaret meritis invida Romuli ?
Ereptum Stygiis fluftibus -^cum
Virtus, & favor, & lingua potentium
Vatum divitibus confecrat infulia.

9^. DignuTB

HORATII LIB. IV. ODE Vllt. IMITATED. 279

4. But iince thefe gifts exceed my power.
And you, who need liot wifh for more.
Already bleft with all that's fine.

Are pleas'd with verfe, tho' fach as mine ;
As poets us'd in ancient. times,? lii.'i 3.ri - <^. .
I'll make my prefents all in rhymes ;

5. And left yea liiculd forget their worth.
Like them I'll fet their value forth.

6. Not monumental brafs or ftones.
The guardians of heroic bones.

Not vidories won by Marlbro's fword.
Nor titles which thefe feats record.
Such glories o'er the dead diffufe.
As can the labours of the Mufe.

7. But if ihe fhou'd her aid deny,
V/ith you your virtues all mull die.
Nor tongues unborn (hall ever fay
How wife, how good, was Lady Grey.

8. What now had been th' ignoble doom
Of him who built imperial Rome I

Or him deferving ten times more.
Who fed the hungry, cloth'd the poor,
Clear'd flreams, and bridges laid acrofs.
And built the little church of Rofs ?
Did not th' eternal powers of verfe
From age to age their deeds rehearfe.

T 4. O. The

-So SO AMEJEN YNS's POEMS.

9. Dignum laude virum Mufa vetat mori :
Ccelo Mufa beat. 10. Sic Jovis interell
Optatis epulis impiger Hercules :
Clarum Tyndaridse fid us ab infimis
QuafTas eripiunt aequoribus rates :
Ornatus viridi tempora pampino
- Liber vota bonos ducit ad exitus .

t i)

HORATII LIB. IV. ODE VIII. IMITATED. 2^1

5, The Mufe forbids the brave to die,
Beflowing immortality; :

10. StiJl by her aid in bieft abodes
Alcides feafls among the gods ;
And royal Arthur ilill is able
To fill his hofpitable table
With Englifh beef, and Englifli knights,
And looks with pity down on White's o

T O

( ^-8^ )

TO THE

HONOURABLE MISS YORKE,

ON HER

MARRIAGE TO LORD ANSON,

APRIL 25, 1748.

VICTORIOUS Anfon fee returnr.
From the fubjeded main !
With joy each Britilli bofom burns,

Fearlefs of France and Spain.

Honours his grateful Sovereign's hand,

Conqueft his own bellows,
Applaufe unfeign'd his native land,

Unenvy'd wealth her foes.

*' But ftill, my fon,'* Britannia cries,

" Still more thy merits claim ;
" Thy deeds deferve a richer prize

** Than titles, wealth, or fame ;

*' Twice wafted fafe from pole to pole

** Th' haft fail'd the globe around ;

" Contains it aught can charm thy foul ?
*« Thy fondeft wilhes bound ?

Is

T O T H E H O N, M I S S Y O R K E. 2S3

" Is there a treafure worth thy care

" Within th' incircling Line ?
" Say, and I'll weary Heav'n with prayer,

" To make that treafure thine.'*

1^ Heav*n liflen'd to Britannia's voice,
fP Agreed that more was due :

He chofe the gods appro v'd his choice.

And paid him all in You.

OBLOE

C a«4 )
CHLOE TO STREPHON.

A SONG.

TOO plain, dear youth, thefe tell-tale eyes
My heart your own declare ;
But for heav'n's fake let it fuffice,
Yx3u reign triumphant there.

Forbear your utmoft pow'r to try.

Nor farther urge your fway ;
Prefs not for what I muft deny.

For fear I fhould obey.

Could all your arts fuccefsful prove,

Wou'd you a maid undo,
Whofe greatefl: failing is her love.

And that her love for you ?

Say, would you ufe that very powV
You from her fondnefs claim.

To ruin, in one fatal hour,

A life of fpotlefs fame ?

Ah I ceafe, my dear, to do an ill,

Becaufe perhaps you may ;
But, rather try your utmoll: fkill

To fave me than betray.

Be you ycurfelf my virtue's guard..

Defend, and not purfue ;
Since 'tis a tafk for me too hard.

To fight with Love and you.

( zzs 5

A SONG.

CEASE, Sally, thy charms to expand.
All thy arts and thy witchcraft forbear.
Hide thofe eyes, hide that neck and that hand.
And thofe f.veet flo ving treiTes of hair.

Oh I torture me not, for Love's fake.

With the fmirk of thofe delicate lips.

With that headr's dear fignificant Ihake,

And the tofs of the hoop and the hips.

Oh ! fight flill m.ore fatal 1 look there.

O'er her tucker what murderers peep !

So • now there's an end of my care,

I fhall never more eat, drink, or fleep.

Do you fmg too? Ah mifchievous thought !

1 ouch me, touch me not there any more ;
Who the devil can 'fcape being caught

In a trap that's thus baited all e'er ?

But why to advife fliould I try ?

What Nature ordains we muil prove;
You no more can help charming, than I

Can help being charm'd, and in love.

A SONG:

( 2^55 )

^A SONG.

WHEKTirfl ITought fair Cilia's bVe,
And cv'ry chann was new,
I fwore by all the gods "above.
To be for ever true.

But long in vain did I adore.

Long wept and figh'd in vain.

She ftill protefbed, vow'd, and fwore.
She ne'er would eafe my pain.

At lad o'efcome fhe made me bled.
And yielded all her charms.

And I forfook her when pofleft.
And ned to others arms.

But let not this, dear Cxlia, now
To rage thy bread incline ;

For why, fmce you forget your vow,
Shcu'd I remember mine ?

THE

C 2S7 )

THE CHOICE,

HAD T, Pigmalion-like, the pow'r
To make the nymph I wou'd adore.
The model Ihould be thus defign'd.
Like this her form, like this her mind.

Her ikin Hiould be as lilies fair.
With rofy cheeks and jetty hair ;
Her lips with pure vermilion fpread.
And foft and moifl, as well as red ;
Her eyes fhou'd fhine with vivid light.
At once both languilhing and bright ;
Her fhape ihou'd be exa6t and fmall.
Her Ilature rather low than tall ;
Her limbs well turn'd, her air and mien
At once both fprightly and ferene ;
Befides all this, a namelefs grace
Shou'd be diiFus'd all o'er her face ;
To make the lovely piece complete.
Not only beautiful, but fweet.

This for her form ; now for her mind ;
I'd have it open, gen'rous, kind.
Void of all coquettilh arts.
And vain defigns of conquering hearts.

Not

28S S O A M E J E-N Y>N S ' s POEMS.

Not fvvay'd by any yiews of gain.
Nor fcind of giving others pain ;
But foft, tho' bright, like her own eycs^
Difcreetly y.'itty, gayly wife-.

I'd have her Ikiird in ev'ry art
That can engage a wand'ring heart ;
Know all the fciences of love,
Yet ever willing to improve ;
To prefs the hand, and roll the eye.
And drop fometim-es an amorous figh^
To lengthen out the balmy kifs.
And heighten ev'ry tender blifs ;
And yet I'd have the charmer be
By Nature only taught, — or me.

I'd have her to Uriel honour ty'd.
And yet without one ipark of pride ;.
In company well-drefs'd and fine.
Yet not ambitious to outfnine ; ■
In private always neat and clean.
And quite a ftranger to the fpleen ;
Well-pleas'd to grace the park and play,
And dance fometimes the night away,
But oft'ner fond to fpend her- hours
In folitude and Ihady bow'rs.
And there beneath feme filent grove.
Delight in poetry and love.

THE CHOICE.

Some fparks of the poetic fire
I fain would have her foul infpjre.
Enough, at leaft, to let her know
What joys from love and virtue flow ;
Enough, at leaft, to make her wife.
And fops and fopperies defpife ;
Prefer her books, and her own mufe.
To vifits, fcandal, chat, and news ;
Above her fex exalt her mind.
And make her more than woman-kind.

;ii5

VoL.LXXIII. U TO

I

TO A YOUNG LADY,

GOING TO THE WBST-I NUtES.

FOR univerfal fway defign'd.
To diftant realms Clorinda'flies^
And fcorns, in one fmall iile cofliin'd.

To bound the conqueiis of her eyes.

From oar cold cliraes to India's ihore

With cruel hallefhe wings her wayv,

To fcorch their fultry plains ftill more.
And rob us of our only day.

Whilft ev'ry Hreaming eye overflows

V/ith tender floods of parting tears.

Thy breail, dear caufe of all our woes.
Alone unmov'd, and gay appears.

Eat ftill, if right the Mufcs tell,

The fated point of time is nigh.
When grief Ihall that fair bcfom fwell.

And trickle from thy lovely eye.

Tho' now, like Philip's fon, whofe arms

Did once the vadal world command.

You rove with unrefifted charms.

And conquer both by fea and land ; '

Yet when (as f:;on they mud) mankind

Shall all be doom'd to wear your chain,

Yqj too, like him, will weep to find

No more unccnquer'd worlds remain

C K L O E

I

C 391 )

CHLOE ANGLING.

ON yon fair brook's enamell'd fide
Behold my Chloe {lands !
Her angle trembles o'er the tide.
As confcious of her hands.

Calm as the gentle waves appear.

Her thoughts ferenely flow.
Calm as the foftly breathing air

That curls the brook below.

Such charms her fparkling eyes difclofe.

With fuch loft pow'r endu'd.
She feems a new-born Venus 'rofe

From the tranfparent flood.

From each green bank, and moffy cave-,

The fcaly race repair.
They fport beneath the cryiral wave, >

And kifs her image there.

Here the bright filver eel enrcll'd

In Ihinirg volum-s lies.
There ballcs the carp bedropt with gold

In the funlliins of her eyes.

U 3 With

a^i SOAMEJENYNS's POEMS.

With hungry pikes in wanton play
The tim'rous trouts appear,.

The hungry pikes forget to prey.

The tim'rous trouts to feari

With equal hafie the thoughtlefs crew

To the fair tempter fly, •
Nor grieve they, whilft her eyes they view,.

That by her hand they die*

Thus I too view'd the nymph of late.
Ah finiple fifh, beware ! ■

Soon will you find my wretched fate.
And flruggle in the fnare.

But, fair-one, tho* thefe toils fucceed.

Of conqueft be not vain.
Nor think o'er all the fcaly breed

Unpuniih'd thus to reign ;

Remember, in a wat'ry glafs

His charms NarcifTus fpy'd.
When for his own bewitching face

The youth defpair'd and dy*d..

No more then harmlefs fifh infnare.

No more fuch wiles purfue ;
Lefl, whilft you baits for them prepare.

Love finds out one for you.

C H L O E

( m )

C H L O E HUNTING.

H I L S T thoufands court fair Chloe's lovCi
She fears the dangerous joy.
But, Cynthia-like, frequents the ^rove#
As lovely, and as coy.

w

With the fame fpeed (he feeks the hind*
Or hunts the flying hare ;

She leaves purfuing fwains behind.
To languifh and defpair«

Oh ftrange caprice in thy dear breafl 1
Whence firfl: this whim began ;

To follow thus each vvorthlefs beaft.
And Ihun their fovereign Man I

Confider, fair, what 'tis you do.

How thus they both muil die.

Not furer they, when you purfue.
Than we whene'er you fly.

U 3 ON

( 294 )

0 ?J

LUCINDA'S RECOVERY

FROM T H E

S M A L L - P O X.

BRIGHT Venus long with envious eyes
The fair Lucinda's charms had feen*
«* And fhali Ihe flill," the goddefs cries,

" Thus dare to rival Beauty's Queen !."

She fpoke,, and to th' infernal plains

With cruel hafte indignant goes.

Where Death the prince of terrors reigns
Amidft difeafes, pains, and woes.

To him her pray'rs fhe thus applies :

** O fole in whom, my hopes confide !

" To blall my rival's potent eyes,

** And in her fate all mortal pride ;

*' Let her but feel thy chilling dart ;

*' I will forgive, tremendous god,
'' Ev'n that which pierc'd Adonis' heart :"

He hears, and gives th' afTenting nod.

Then

ON BUCINDA's. RECOVER Y, &c. ^95

Then calling forth a fierce Difeafe

Impatient for the beauteous prey.
Bids him the lovelieft fabric feize

The gods e'er form 'd of human clay.

AfTur'd he meant Lucinda's charms.

To her th' infedious Dsemon flies.

Her neck, her cheeks, her lips difarms ,

And of their lightning robs her eyes i.

The Cyprian queen with cruel joy

Beholds her rival's charms overthrown.

Nor doubts, like mortal fair, t' employ
Their ruins to augment her own.

From out the fpoils of ev^yy grace

The goddefs picks fome glorious prize,

Tranfplants the rofes from her face.

And arms young Cupids from her eyes.

Now Death (ah veil the mournful fcene !)

Had in one moment pierc'd her heart.

Had kinder Fate not llcpt between,

And turn'd afide th' uplifted dart.

'' What phrenzy bids thy hand efTay,"

He cries, ** to wound thy furefl friend,

'' Whofe beauties to thy realms each day

*^ Such num'rous crowds of vidims fend ?

U 4 '' Are

J96 SO A ME JENYNS's POEMS.

<c Are not her eyes, where-e'er they aim,
*' As thine own filent arrows fure ?

" Or who that once has felt their flame,

** Dar'd e'er indulge one hope of cure ?**

Death thus reprov'd his hand reftrains.
And bids the dire.dilkmper fly ;

The cruel beauty lives,. and reigns.

That thoufands may adore, and die.

WR T TT E N

t 297 ^

IVRITTENIN

MR. LOCKE'S ESSAY

, ON

:HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.

LONG had the mind of man with curious art
Search'd Nature's wond'rous plan thro' cv'ry part^
Meafur'd each trad of ocean, earth, and iky..
And number'd all the rolling orbs on high ;
Yet dill, fo learn'd, herfelf fhe little knew,
'Till Locke's unerring pen the portrait drew.

So beauteous Eve a while in Eden ftray'd.
And all her great Creator's works furvey'd ;
By fun, and moon, fhe knew to mark the hour ;
She knew the genus of each plant and flow'r;
She knew, when fporting on the verdant lawn.
The tender lambkin, and the nimble fawn :
But llill a flranger to her own bright face.
She guefs'd not at its form, nor what fhe was ;
'Till led at length to fome clear fountain's fide.
She view'd her beauties in the cryftal tide ;
The Ihining mirror all her charms difplays.
And her eyes catch theijr own rebounded rays.

W R I T"

C 29^ )

WRITTEN IN

A LADY'S VOLUME

OF

TRAGEDIES.

SINCE thou, relentlefs ir.aid, can'll daily hear
Thy ilave's complaints without one figh or tear.
Why beats thy breafi, or thy bright eyes o'erflow
At thefe imaginary fcenes of woe ?
Rather teach thefe to v/eep, and that to heave,
y\t real pains themfelves to thoufands give ; .
And if fuch pity to feign'd love is due,
Confider how much more you owe to true.

CUPID

{ m- )

CUPID R E L I E V E B.

AS once young Cupid went aflray.
The little god I found ;
I took his bow and fhafts away.

And fafl his pinions bound.

At Chlce's feet my fpoils I cafi.

My conqueft proud to Ihew ;

She faw his godihip fetter'd fai!.
And fmil'd to fee him fo.

But ah ! that fmile fuch freih. fupplies
Of arms refifdefs gave I

I'm forc'd again to yield my prize^,
And fall again his ilave.

►

TH E

( 3<^ )

t H E

WAY TO BE WISE,

IMITATED FROM LA FONTAINE,

POOR Jenny, am*rous, young, and gay.
Having by man been led aftray,
To nunn'ry dark retir'd ;
There liv'd and look'd fo like a maid.
So feldom eat, fo often pray'd.
She was by all admir'd.

The lady Abbefs oft would cry.
If any filler trod awry.

Or prov'd an idle flattcrn ;
" See wife and pious Mrs. Jane 1
** A life fo ftrift, fo grave a mien

" Is fure a worthy pattern."

A pert young flut at length replies,

" Experience, madam, makes folks wife,

*' 'Tis that has made her fuch ;
" And we, poor fouls, no doubt, Ihou'd be
«* As pious, and as wife, as Ihe,

" If we had fcen as much.'*

H K

( 3QI )

THE
SNOW-BALL.

FROM PETRONIUS AFRANIUS.

WHITE as her hand fair J ulia threw
A ball of filver fnovv ;
The frozen globe fir'd as it flew.
My bofom felt it glow.

Strange pow'r of love ! whofe great command

Can thus a fnow-ball arm ;
When fent, fair Julia, from thine hand^

Ev'n ice iifelf can warm.

How fhould we then fecure our hearts ?

Love's pow'r we all muft fed.
Who thus can, by ftrange magic arts.

In ice his flames conceal.

'Tis thou alone, fair Julia, know,

Can'il: quench my fierce defire;.;

But not with water, ice, or fnow.
But with an equal fire.

AN AC-RE ON

i -3^^ ,)

AN A C R E O N, ODE XX,

AR O C K on Phxryglan plains we fee
That. once -was beauteous Niobe :
And Progne, too revengeful fair !
Now flits a wand'ring bird in air :
Thus I a looking-glafs wouM be.
That you, dear maid, - might gaze on me ;
Be chang'd to Hays, that ftraitly lac'd,
I might embrace thy flender waifl ;
A filver llream I'd bathe thee, fair.
Or ihirie pomatum on thy hair ;
In a foft fable's tippet's form
I'd kifs thy friowy bubbles warm ;
In fnape of pearl thy bofom deck.
And hang for ever round thy neck :
Pleas'd to be aught that touches you.
Your glove, yqar garter, or your £hoe.

A TRANS.

C 303 X

A

. TRANSLATION OF SOME LATIN VERSES

ON THE

CAMERA OBSCURA.

THE various pow.'rs of blended Ihade and light.
The ikilful Zeuxis of the duiky night ;
The lovely forms that paint the fnovvy plain
Free from the pencil's violating llain j
In tuneful lines, harmonious Phoebus, fmg.
At once of iight.,and vei{Q celeftial king.

Divine Apollo ! let. thy facred f:re
Thy youthful bard's, un&i!ful breail infpire.
Like the fair empty iheet he hangs to view.
Void, and unfurnilVd, nll.infpir'd by you ;
O let one beam,, one kind enlight'ning ray
At once upon his mind and paper play !
llence ihali his breaft with .bright ideas glow,
iience num'rous forms the iiiver field ihall ilrew.

But now the Mufe'suR^ful precepts view.
And with juf]: care the, pleafing work puriue.
Firil xhufe a -window that convenient lye.s.
And to the north idireils the. wand 'ring eyes ;

Darl?

304 SOAME JENYNS's POE M ^.

Dark be the room ; let not a flraggling ray-
Intrude, to chafe the fhadowy forms awav.
Except one bright refulgent blaze convey'd
Thro' a llrait pajTage in the fh utter made.
In which th' ingenious artift firft mufl; place
A little, convex, round, tranfparent glafs.
And juft behind th' extended paper lay.
On which his art fhall all its pow'r difplay :
There rays reflected from all parts fhall meet.
And paint their objects on the filver Iheet ;
A thoufand forms fhall in a moment rife, .
And magic landfcapes charm cur wand'ring eyes ;
'Tis thus from ev'ry objedl that we view.
If Epicurus' dodrine teaches true.
The fubtile parts upon our organs play.
And to our minds th' external forms convey.

Eut from what caufes all thefe wonders flow,
'Tis not permitted idle bards to know.
How thro' the center of the convex glafs.
The piercing rays together tvvifled pafs,
Gr why revers'd the lovely fcenes appear.
Or why the fun's approaching light they fear ;
Let grave phllofoph^rs the caufe enquire.
Enough for us to fee, and to admire.

See then v/hat forms with various colours flain
The painted furface of the paper plain !
Now bright and gay, as fhines the heavenly bow, ,
So late a wide, unpeopled wafte of fnow ;

Here

TRANSLATION OF LATIN VERSES, &c. 305

Here verdant groves, there golden crops of eorn

The new uncultivated fields adorn ;

Here gardens deckt with flowers of various dyes.

There flender tow'rs, and little cities rife :

But all with tops inverted downward bend.

Earth mounts aloft, and fkies and clouds defcend :

Thus the wife vulgar on a pendent land

Imagine our antipodes to Hand,

And wonder much, how they fecurely go.

And not fall headlong on the heav'ns below.

The charms of motion here exalt each part
Above the reach of great Apelles' art ;
Zephyrs the waving harveils gently blow.
The waters curl, and brooks inceiiant how ;
Men, beafts, and birds in fair confufion Ibay,
Some rife to fight, whilft other, pafs away.

On all we feize tnat comes within liur reach.
The rolling coach we Hop, the horfe-man catch ;
Compel the polling traveller to ftay ;
But the Ihort vifit caufes no delay.

Again, behold what lovely profpedls rife !
Now with the lovelieft feaft your longing eyes.
Nor let flrift modefty be here afraid.
To view upon her head a beauteous maid :
See in fmall folds her waving garments flow.
And all her flender limbs flill flenderer grow ;
Contracled in one little orb is found
The fpacious hoop, once five vail ells around :
But think not to embrace the flying fair.
Soon will flie quit your arms unfeen as air.

Vol. LXXm. X In

3o6 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

In this refembling too a tender maidj

Coy to the lover's touch, and of his hand afraigd.

Enough vv' have feen ; now let th' intruding day
Chafe all the lovely magic fcenes away ;
Again th' unpeopled fnowy vvalle returns.
And the lone plain its faded glories mourns ;
The bright creation in a moment flies.
And all the pigmy generation dies.

Thus, when ftill night her gloomy mantle fpreads.
The fairies dance around the flow'ry meads !
But when the day returns, they wing their flight
To diftant lands^ and fliun th' unwelcome light.

THE

C 3^7 >

THE
TEMPLE OF VENUS.

IN her own ifle*s remoteft grove
Stands Venus' lovely Ihrine,.
Sacred to beauty, joy, and love.
And built by hands divine.

The polifli'd llrudlure, fair and bright

As her own ivory fkin.
Without is alabafter white.

And ruby all within.

Above, a cupola charms the view^

White as unfully'd fnow ;
Two columns of the fame fair hue

Support the dome below. •

Its walls a trickling fountain laves,.

In which fuch virtue reigns.
That, bath'd in its balfamic waves.

No lover feels his pains.

Before th* unfolding gates there fpreads

A fragrant fpicy grove.
That v»'ith its curling branches Ihades

The labyrinths of Love.

X 2 Bright

3o8 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Bright Beauty here her captives holds^

Who kifs their eafy chains.
And in the fofteft clofeft folds

Her willbig Haves detains.

Would'H thou, who ne'er thefe feas tall try'd^

Find where this ifland lies.
Let pilot Lov'e the rudder guide.

And ileer by Chloe's eyes*

C N

( 309 )

O N
A NOSEGAY

IN THE

COUNTESS OF COVENTRY'S BREAST.

IN IMITATION OF WALLER.

DELIGHTFUL fcene ! in which appear
At once all beauties of the year !
See how the zephyrs of her breath
Fan gently all the flow'rs beneath !
See the gay flow'rs, how bright they glow,
Tho' planted in a bed of fnow !
Yet fee how foon they fade, and die,
Scorch'd by the funfhine of her eye 1
No wonder if, o'ercome with blifs, ■;

They droop their heads to fleal a kifs ;
Who would not die on that dear breall f
Who would not die to be fo bleft ?

THE

C 5T0 }
THE

'SQJJIRE AND THE PARSON,
AN ECLOGUE.

WRITTEN ON THE CONCLUSION OF THE PEACE,

1748.

BY his hall chimney, where in rufly grate
Green faggots wept their own untimely fat^^
In elbow-chair the penfive 'Squire reclin'd,
Revolving debts and taxes in his mind :
A pipe jull: lill'd upon a table near
Lay by the London-Evening ftain'd with beer.
With half a bible, on whofe remnants torn
Each pariih round was annually forfworn.
The gate now claps^ as ev'ning jull grew dark.
Tray ftarts, and with a growl prepares to bark;
But foon difcerning with fagacious nofe
The well-known favour of the parfon's toes.
Lays down his head, and fmks in foft repofe.
The -dodor entering, to the tankard ran.
Takes a good hearty pull, and thus began :

f

PARSON.

THE 'SQIJIRE AND THE PARSON. 3U

PARSON.

Why fitt'ft thou thus forlorn and dull,, my friendB
Now war's rapacious reign is at an end ?
Hark, how the diiUnt bells infpire delight !
See bonfires fpangle o'er the veil of night 1

'squire.
What peace, alas ! in foreign part5,ito me ?
At home, nor peace nor plenty can I' fee ;
Joylefs I hear drums, bells, and fiddles found,
'Tis all the fame — Four (hillings in the pound.
My wheels, tho' old, are clogg'd with a new tax ;
My oaks, tho' young, mufl groan beneath the axe i
My barns are half unthatch'd, untyl'd my houfe ;
Loft by this fatal ficknefs all my cows :
See there's the bill my late damn'd lawfuit coft 1
Long as the land contended for,— and loft :
Ev'n Ormond's head I can frequent no more.
So fhort my pocket is, fo long the fcore ;
At {hops all round I owe for fifty things.—
This comes of fetching Hanoverian kirgs.

PARSON.

I muft confefs the times are bad indeed ;
No wonder, when we fcarce believe our creed ;
When purblind Reafon's deem'd the fureft guide.
And heav'n-born Faith at her tribunal try'd ;
When all church-pow'r is thought to make men flaves^
Saints, Martyrs, Fathers, all call'd fools and knaves.

X 4 'squire.

312 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

's qui RE.
Come, preach no more, but drink, and hold your
tongue :
I'm for the church ; — but think the parfon's wrong.

PARSON.

See there ! free-thinking now fo rank is grown.
It fpreads infedion thro' each country town ;
DeilHc feoffs fly round at rural boards,
'Squires, and their tenants too, profane as lords.
Vent impious jokes on every facred thing.

'squiRE,
Come drink ;—

PARSON.

—Here's to you then, to church and king.

'SQJJIRE.

Here's church and king; I hate the glafs Ihould
ftand,
Tho' one takes tythes, and t' other taxes land.

PARSON.

Heav'n with new plagues will fcourge this fmful "i
Unlefs we foon repeal the toleration, [nation, >

And to the church reftore the Convocation : J

'SQJJIRE.

Plagues we Ihou'd feel fufficient, on my word,
Starv'd by two Houfes, prieft-rid by a third.
For better days we lately had a chance.
Had not the honell Plaids been trick'd by France.

PARSON.

THE 'SQUIRE AND THE PARSON. 313

PARSON.

Is not moft gracious George our faith's defender ?
You love the church, yet wifli for the Pretender I

*SQJJIRE.

Preferment, I fuppofe, is what you mean ;
Turn Whig, and you, perhaps, may be a dean :
But you mud firft learn how to treat your betters.
What's here ? fure fome (Irange news! a boy with letters :
Oh, ho ! here's one, 1 fee, from parfon Sly :
'* My rev'rcnd neighbour Squab being like to die,
*' I hope, if heav'n ihould pleafe to take him hence,
** To afk the living wou'd be no offence."

PARSON.

Have you not fwore that I ihou'd Squab fucceed ?
Think how for this I taught your fons to read ;
How oft difcover'd pufs on new-plow'd land ; "%

How oft fupported you with friendly hand, [Hand. >
When I cou'd fcarcely go, nor cou'd your worfhip 3

*SQUIRE.

'Twas yours, had you been honeft, wife, or civil ;
Now ev'n go court the bifliops or the devil.

PARSOMi.

If I meant any thing, now let me die ;
I'm blunt, and cannot fawn and cant, not I,
Like that old Prefbyterian rafcal Sly.
I am, you know, a right true-hearted Tory,
Love a good glafs, a. merry fong, or ftory.

'squire,

I

314 SOAME JENYNS's P O E M S<
'squire.
Thou art an honeft dog, that's truth indeed —
Talk no more nonfenfe then about the creed.
I can't, I think, deny thy firft requefl ;
'Tis thine ; but firft a bumper to the beft.

PARSON.

Moft noble 'Squire, more gen'rous than your winCj
How pleafmg's the condition you affign !
Give me the fparkling glafs, and here, d'ye fee.
With joy I drink it on my bended knee :
Great queen ! who governeft this earthly ball.
And mak'll both kings and kingdoms rife and fall ;
Whofe wortd'rous pow'r in fecret all things rules.
Makes fools of mighty peers, and peers of fools ;
Difpenfes mitres, coronets, and ftars ;
Involves far diftant realms in bloody wars.
Then bids the fnaky treffes ceafe to hifs.
And gives them peace again * nay gav'ft us this 5
Wiiofe health does health to all mankind impart.
Here's to thy much-lov'd health : —

's QV IRE, rubbing his hands,

m With all my heart.

* Madam de P— mp— dear.

O N

C 315 )

ON THE

IMMORTALITY

OF THE

SOUL.

TRAKSLATEU FROM THE LATIN OF

ISAAC HAWKINS BROWNE, Esq.

BOOK I,

TO all inferior animals 'tis giv'n
T' enjoy the ftate allotted them by Heav'^n ;
No vain refearches e'er difturb their reft.
No fears of dark futurity molelt.
Man, only Man, folicitous to know
The fprings whence Nature's operations flow.
Plods thro' a dreary walle with toil and pain.
And reafons, hopes, and thinks, and lives in vain ;
For fable Death ftill hovering o'er his head.
Cuts ihort his progrefs, with his vital thread.
Wherefore, iince Nature errs not, do we find,
Thefe feeds of Science in the human mind.
If no congenial fruits af e predefign'd ?

Pot

A

316 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS,

For what avails to man this pow'r to roam

Thro' ages pafl, and ages y,et to come,

T' explore new worlds o'er all th' setherial way,

Chain'd to a fpot, and living but a day ?

Since all mull perifli in one common grave.

Nor can thefe long laborious fearches fave.

Were it not wifer far, fupinely laid.

To fport with Phillis in the noontide fhade ?

Or at thy jovial fellivals appear.

Great Bacchus, who alone the foul can clear

From all that it has felt, and all that it can fear

Come on then, let us feaft ; let Chloe fing.
And foft Neaera touch the trembling firing ;
Enjoy the prefent hour, nor feek to know
What good or ill to-morrow may bellow.
But thefe delights foon pall upon the talle ;
Let's try then if more ferious cannot lail :
Wealth let us heap on wealth, or fame purfue.
Let pow'r and glory be our points in view ;
In courts, in camps, in fenates let us live.
Our levees crowded like the buzzing hive :
Each weak attempt the fame fad leflbn brings !
Alas ! what vanity in human things !

What means then Ihall we try ? where hope to find
A friendly harbour for the relllefs mind ?
Who ftill, you fee, impalient to obtain
Knowledge immenfe, (fo Nature's laws ordain)
Ev'n now, tho' fetter'd in corporeal clay.
Climbs Hep by ftep the profped to furvey»
And feeks unwearied Truth's eternal rav.

No

\

; ftain, J
tin, >

regain ; J

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 317

No fleeting joys flie afks which muft depend
On the frail fenfes, and with them muft end ;
But fuch as fuit her own immortal fame.
Free from all change, eternally the fame.

Take courage then, thefe joys we Ihall attain ;
Almighty wifdom never adts in vain ;
Nor fiiall the foul, on which it has beftow'd
Such pow'rs, e'er perifn like an earthly clod ;
But purg'd at length from foul corruption's ftain.
Freed from her prifon and unbound her chain
She ftiall her native ftrength and native fkies regain
To heav'n an old inhabitant return.
And draw neftareous ftreams from truth's perpetual urn

Whilft life remains, (if life it can be call'd
T' exift in fleihly bondage thus enthrall'd)
Tir'd with the dull purfuit of worldly things,
I The foul fcarce wakes, or opes her gladfome wings,
I Yet ftill the godlike exile in difgrace
I Retains fome marks of her celeftial race ;
' Elie whence from mem'ry's ftore can fhe produce
! Such various thoughts, or range them fo for ufe f
, Can matter thcfe contain, difpole, apply ?
1 Can in her cells fuch mighty treafures lye ?
I Or can her native force produce them to the eye ?

I Whence is this pow'r, this foundrefs of all arts.
Serving, adorning life, thro' all its parts,

[Which names impos'd, by letters mark'd thofe names,
1 Adjufted properly by legal claims,

I I From woods and wilds colledted rude mankind.
And cities^ laws, and governments defign'd?

What

jiZ SOAME JENYNS»s POEMS.

What can this be, but fome bright ray from heav'^i
Some emanation from Omnifcience given ?

When now the rapid ftream of eloquence
Bears all before it, pafiion, reafon, fenfe.
Can its dread thunder, or its lightning's force
Derive their effence from a mortal fource ?
What think you of the bard's enchanting art.
Which, whether he attempts to warm the heart
With fabled fcenes, or charm the ear with rhyme.
Breathes all pathetic, lovely, and fublime ?
Whilft things on earth roll round from age to age.
The fame dull farce repeated on the Hage,
The poet gives us a creation new.
More pleafing, and more perfe<5l than the true j
The mind, who always to perfsdion haftes,
Perfedlion fuch as here fhe never tafies.
With gratitude accepts the kind deceit.
And thence forefees a fyftem more compleat»
Of thofe what think you, who the circling race
Of funs, and their revolving planets trace.
And comets jourHeying th.ro' unbounded fpace
Say, can you doubt, but that th' all-fearching foul.
That now cantraverfe heav'n from pole to pole.
From thence defcending vifits but this earth.
And Ihall once more regain the regions of her birth r

Cou'd fhe thus adl, unlefs fome Power unknown.
From matter quite diftindl and all her own.
Supported, and impeli'd her ? She approves
Self-confcious, and condemns j fhe hates and loves.

Mourns;

.1

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 319

Mourns and rejoices, hopes and is afraid.

Without the body's unrequefled aid :

Her own internal flrength her reafon guides.

By this fne now compares things, now divides ;

Truth's fcatter'd fragments piece by piece coUeds^

Rejoins, and thence her edifice ereds ;

Piles arts on arts, efFedls to caufes ties.

And rears th' afpiring fabric to the ikies ;

From whence, as on a diftant plain below.

She fees from caufes confequences flow.

And the whole chain diiUndUy comprehends.

Which from the Almighty's throne to earth defcends t

And laftly, turning inwardly her eyes.

Perceives how all her own ideas rife.

Contemplates what Ihe is, and whence fhe came.

And almoit comprehends her own amazing frame.

Can mere machines be with fuch pow'rs endu'd,

j Or confcious of thofe pow'rs, fuppofe they cou'd ?

; For body is but a machine alone

' Mov'd by external force, and impulfe not its own.

I Rate not th' extenfion of the human mind

: By the plebeian Ilandard of mankind,

! But by the fize of thofe gigantic few

I Whom Greece and Rome ftill oiFer to our view,

I Or Britain, vt^ell-deferving equal praife,

i Parent of heroes too in better days.

' Why fhou'd I try her numerous fons to name,

i By verfe, law, eloquence confign'd to fame ;

I Or who have forc'd fair Science into fight,

• Long loH in darknefs, and afraid of light ?

O'er

I

3Z0 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS

O'er all fuperior, like the folar ray,

Pirft Bacon ulher'd in the dawning day.

And drove the mills of ibphiftry away ;

Pervaded nature with amazing force,

Followino- experience ftill throughout his courfe.

And finiihing at length his deftin'd \yay.

To Newton he bequeath'd the radiant lamp of day.

lUuilrious fouls ! if any tender cares
Afted ange'.ic breafts for Man's affairs.
If in yaur prefent happy heav'nly ftate.
You're not regardlefs quite of Britain's fate.
Let this degenerate land again be bleft
With that true vigour which fhe once pofiell ;
Compel us to unfold our llumb'ring eyes.
And to cur ancient dignity to rife.
Such wond'rous co\v rs as thefe muft fure be giv'n
For moii impcrtajit purpofes by Hedv'n ; '
Who bids thefe ftars as bright examples ftine,
Befprinkled thinly by the hand divine.
To form to virtue each degenerate time.
And point out to tlie foul i.s origin fublim.e.
That there's a fslf which after death Ihall live,
All are concern'd about, and all believe ;
That fomething's ours, when we from life depart.
This all conceive, all feel it at the heart ;
The wife of learn 'd antiquity proclaim
This truth, the public voice declares the fame ;
No land fo rude h'cX looks beyond the tcmb
For future prcfpsjcis in a v\ crid to come.

Kence

^ ONTMIMMORTAUTY-OFTHESOUL. 32i

Hence, vvitliout hopes to be iii life repaid.
We plant flow oaks pofterity to fnade ;
And hence vaft pyramids afpiring high
. Lift their proud heads aloft, and time defy^
\ Hence is our love of fame ; a love fo flrong.

We think no dangers great, or labours long, '.

By which we hope our beings to extend.
And to remotefl times in glory to defceild.

For fame the wretch beneath the gal'ows lies,
Difowfiing ev'ry crime for which he dies y
Of life profufe, tenacious of a name,
Fearlefs of death, and yet afraid of fhame.
Nature has woye into the human mind
This anxious care for names we leave behind,
T' extend our narrow views beyond the tomb.
And give an earneft of a life to cofne :
For if when dead we are but dull or clay.
Why think of- what poilerity (hall fay ?
Her praife or cenfure cannot us concern.
Nor ever penetrate the (ilent urn.

What mean the nodding plumes, the fun'ral trains
And marble monument that fpeaks in vain,
V/ith all thofe cares which ev'ry nation pays
To their unfeeling dead in difF'r^nt ways !
Some in the fiower-ftrevvn grave the corpfe have lay'd, >
\nd annual obfequies around it pay''d, • >

As if to pleafe the poor departed fhade ;' 3 *

Others on blazing piles the body burn,
;\nd ilore their alhes in the faithful urn ;
Vol. LXXIII. Y But

322 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

But all in one great principle agree.
To give a fancy'd immortality.
Why Ihon'd 1 mention thofe, whofe ouzy foil
Is render'd fertile by the o'erflovving Nile ?
Their dead they bury not, nor burn with fires.
No graves they dig, eredt no fun'ral pires.
But walhing firlt th' embowel'd body clean.
Gums, fpice, and melted pitch they pour within ;
Then with ftrong iillets bind it round and round.
To make each flaccid part compadl and found ;
And lailly paint the varnifh'd furface o'er
With the fame features which in life it wore :
So ftrong their prefage of a future ftate.
And that our nobler part furvives the body's fate.

Nations behold, remote from Reafon's beams.
Where Indian Ganges rolls his fandy Hreams,
Of liie impatient rufli into the fire.
And willing viclims to their gods expire !
Perfuaded the loos'd foul to regions flies,
Blefl: with eternal fpring, and cloudlefs ikies.

Nor is Icis fam'd the oriental wife
For fledfafl virtue, and contempt of life :
Thefe heroines mourn not with loud female cries
Their hufbands loft, or with overflowing eyes ;
But, ftrange to tell ! their funeral piles afcend.
And in the fame fad flames their forrows end ;
In hopes with them beneath the fhades to rove.
And there renew tiieir mterrupted love.

In climes where Boreas breathes eternal cold.
See num'rous nations, warlike, fierce, and bold,

T«

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL; 323J

To battle all unanimoufly run, . :> ;, inii

Nor fire, nor fword, nor inftant death they fhuiur/ oT

Whence this difdain of life in ev'ry breaft, j, ;,j ^y/

But from a notion on their minds impreft, ^1

That all who for their country die, are blefl ? J •

Add too to thefe the once-prevailing dreams ta

Of fvveet Elyfian groves, and Stygian flreams; ^ .;

All Ihew with what confent mankind agree

In the firm hope of immortality.

Grant thefe inventions of the crafty priefl.

Yet fuch inventions never cou'd fubfift,

Unlefs fome glimmerings of a future flate

Were with the mind cozeval, and innate ;

For ev'ry fidlion which can long perfuade.

In truth muft have its firfl foundations laid.

Becaufe we are unable to conceive
How unembody'd fouls can ad, and live.
The vulgar give them forms, and limbs, and faces^
And habitations in peculiar places :
Hence reas'ners more refin'd, but not more wife.
Struck with the glare of fuch abfurdities.
Their whole exigence fabulous fufpedl.
And truth and falfehood in a lump rejed;
Too indolent to learn what may be known.
Or eife too proud that ignorance to own.
For hard's the talk the daubing to pervade
Folly and Fraud on Truth's fair form have laid :
Yet let that tafk be our's ; for great the prize ;
hor let us Truth's celeilial charms defpife,
Becaul'e that prieils or poets may difguife.

Y 2 That

I

324 SOA^IE JENYNS's POEMS.

That there's a God, from Nature's voice is clear ;
And yet what errors to this truth adhere ?
How have the fears and follies of mankind
Now multiply 'd their gods, and now fubjcki'd
To each the frailties of the human mind ?
Nay fuperilition fpread at length fo wide,
Bealls, birds, and onions too were deify'd.

Th' Athenian fage, revolving in his mind
This weaknefs, blindnefs, madnefs of mankind.
Foretold, that in maturer days, tho' late.
When Time fhould ripen the decrees of Fate,
Some God would light us, like the rifmg day.
Thro' error's maze, and chafe thefe clouds away.
.Long fmce has time fulfill'd this great decree.
And brought us aid from this Divinity.

Well worth our fearch difcoveries may be made
By Nature, void of this celellial aid :
Let's try what her conjedtures then can reach.
Nor fcorn plain Reafon, when Ihe deigns to teach.

That mind and body often fympathize.
Is plain ; fuch is this union Nature ties ;
But then as often too they difagree.
Which proves the foul's fuperior progeny.
Sometimes the body in full lirength we find,
Whilil various ails debilitate the mind ;
At others, whilft the mind its force retains.
The body fmks with ficknefs and with pains :
Now did one common fate their beings end.
Alike they'd ficken, and alike they'd mend.

ON THE IMMORTALtI^Y OF THE SOUL. 315

But fare experience, on the flighteft view.
Shews us, that the reverfe of this is true ;
For when the body oft expiring lies.
Its limbs quite fenfelefs, and half clos'd its eyes>
The mind new force and eloquence acquires.
And with prophetic voice the dying lips infpires.

Of like materials were they both compos'd.
Flow comes it that the mind, when fleep has clos'd
Each avenue of fenfe, expatiates wide.
Her liberty reflor'd, her bonds unty'd ?
And like fome bird who from its prifon flies.
Claps her exulting wings, and mounts the fkies.

Grant that corporeal is the human mind.
It mufl: have parts i?i infinitum join'd ;
And each of thefe miuil will, perceive, defignj,
And draw confus'dly in a difF'rent line ;
Which then can claim dominion o*er the reft.
Or ftamp the ruling paffion in the breaft ?

Perhaps the mind is form'd by various arts
Of modelling and figuring thefe parts ;
J lift as if circles wifer were than fquares :
.13 ut furely common fenfe aloud declares
That fite and figure are as foreign quite
Irom mental pow'rs, as colours black or white.

Allow that motion is the caufe of thought.
With what ftrange pow'rs m.uft motion then be

fraught ?
Reafon, fenfe, fcience, muft derive their fource
From the wheel's rapid v/hirl, or pully's force;

y 3 Tops

326 SOAMB JENYNS's POEMS.

Tops whipp'dby fchool-boys fages muft commence.
Their hoops, like them, be cudgel'd into fenfe.
And boiling pots o'erflow with eloquence.
Whence can this very motion take its birth ?
Not fure from matter, from dull clods of earth ;
But from a living fpirit lodg'd within.
Which governs all the bodily machine :
Juft as th* Almighty Univerfal Soul
Informs, direfts, and animates the whole.

Ceafe then to wonder how th' immortal mind
Can live, when from the body quite disjoin'd ;
But rather wonder, if Ihe e'er cou'd die.
So fram'd, fo faihion'd for eternity ;
Self-mov'd, not form'd of parts together ty'd.
Which time can diffipate, and force divide ;
For beings of this make can never die, [lie..

Whofe pow'rs within themfelves and their own eflence

If to conceive how any thing can be
From ihape extrafted and locality
Is hard ; what think you of the Deity i
His Being not the leaft relation bears.
As far as to the human mind appears:.
To Ihape or fize, fimilitude or place,
Cloath'd in no form, and bounded by no fpace*
Such then is God, a Spirit pure, refin'd
From all material drofs ; and fuch the human mind.
For in what part of effence can we fee
More certain marks of Immortality ?
Ev'n from this dark confinement with delight
^he looks abroad, ^nd prunes herfelf for flight ;

Xiike

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 327

Like an unwilling inmate longs to roam

From this dull earth, and feek her native home.

Go then, forgetful of its toil and ftrife,
Purfue the joys of this fallacious life ;
Like fome poor fly, who lives but for a day.
Sip the frefh dews, and in the funlhine play.
And into nothing then diflblve away.
Are thefe our great purfuits ? Is this to live ?
Thefe all the hopes this much-lov'd world can give ?
How much more worthy envy is their fate.
Who fearch for truth in a fuperior ftate ?
Not groping Hep by ftep, as we purfue.
And following Reafon's much-entangled clue,
But with one great and inftantaneous view.

But how can fenfe remain, perhaps you'll fay
Corporeal organs if we take away ? [decay

Since it from them proceeds, and with them muft
Why not ? or why may not the foul receive
New organs, fmce ev'n art can thefe retrieve ?
•The filver trumpet aids th' obftrudled ear.
And optic glafles the dim eye can clear ;
Thefe in mankind new faculties create.
And lift him far above his native Hate ;
Call down revolving planets from the fky.
Earth's fecret treafures open to his eye.
The whole minute creation make his own.
With all the wonders of a world unknown.

How cou'd the mind, did Ihe alone depend
On fenfe, the errors of thofe fenfes mend ?

Y 4 Yet

1
1

' ?

cay. J.

muftJ

348 SOAME jElSrYNS^s POEMS.

Yet oft, we fee, thofe fenfes flie correfts.
And oft their information quite rejedts.
In diHances of things, their fhapes, and fize.
Our reafon judges better than our eyes.
Declares not this the foul's pre-eminence
Superior to, and quite diftind from fenfe ?
For fure 'tis likely, that, fmce now fo high
Clogg'd and unfiedg'd ftie dares her wings to try,
Loos'd and mature fhe fhall her ftrength difplay.
And foar at length to Truth's refulgent ray.

Inquire you how thefe pow'rs we Ihall attain,
'Tis not for us to know ; our fearch is vain :
Can any now remember or relate
How he exifted in the embryo ftate ?
Or one from birth infenfible of day
Conceive ideas of the folar ray ?
That light's deny'd to him, which others fee.
He knows, perhaps you'll fay, — and fo do we.

The mind contemplative finds nothing here
On earth that's worthy of a wifh or fear :
He whofe fublime purfuit is God and truth.
Burns, like fome abfent and impatient youth.
To join the objed of his warm defires ;
Thence to fequefter'd fiiades and ftreams retires.
And there delights his pafiion to rehearfe
In Wifdom's facred voice, or in harmonious verre.

To me moil happy therefore he appears.
Who having once, unmov'd by hopes or fears,
Survey'dthis fun, earth, ocean, clouds, and fiame.
Well fatisfy'd returns from whence he came.

Is

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 329

Is life an hundred years, or e'er fo few,

'Tis repetition all, and nothing new ;

A fair, where thoufands meet, but none can flay ;

An inn, where travellers bait, then poft away ;

A fea, where man perpetually is toft.

Now plungM in bufinefs, now in trifles loft :

Who leave it firft, the peaceful port firft gain ;

Hold then 1 nor farther launch into the main :

Contraft your fails ; life nothing can beftow

By long continuance, but continued woe ;

The wretched privilege daily to deplore

The fun'rals of our friends, who go before ;

Difcafes, pains, anxieties, and cares.

And age furrounded with a thoufand fnares.

But whither, hurry 'd by a gen'rous fcorn
Of this vain world, ah whither am I borne ?
Let's not unbid th' Almighty's ftandard quit ;
Howe'er fevere our poft, we muft fub-mit.

Cou'd I a lirm perfuafion once attain.
That after death no Being would remain ;
To thofe dark (liades I'd willingly defcend.
Where all muft fleep, this drama at an end.
Nor life accept, aitho' renew'd by Fate
Ev'n from its eariiell: and its happieft ftate.

Mieht I from Fortune's bounteous hand receive
Each boon, each bleffing in her povv'r to give.
Genius and fciencc, morals and good fenie,
Unenvy'd honours, wit, and elocjiuence;

A num'rous

330 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

A num'rous offspring to the world well known
Both for paternal virtues, and rheir own ;
Ev'n at this mighty price I'd not be bound
To tread the fame dull circle round and round ;
The foul requires enjoyments more fublime.
By fpace unbounded, undeftroy'd by time.

BOOK

I

ON THE IMMORTALTTY OF THIC SOUL. 331

B O O X II.

GO D then thro' all creation gives, we find.
Sufficient marks of an indulgent mind.
Excepting in ourfelves ; ourfelves of all
His works the chief on this terreftrial ball.
His own bright image, who alone unbleft
Feel ills perpetual, happy all the reft.
But hold, prefumptuous ! charge not Heav'n's decree
With fuch injuftice, fuch partiality.

Yet true it is, furvey we life around.
Whole hofts of ills on ev'ry fide are found .;
Who wound not here and there by chance a foe.
But at the fpecies meditate the blow.
What millions perifh by each other's hands
In War's fierce rage ? or by the dread commands
Of tyrants languifh out their lives in chains.
Or lofe them in variety of pains ?
What numbers pinch'd by want and hunger die.
In fpite of Nature's liberality ?
(Thofe, ftill more num'rous, I to name difdain.
By lewdnefs and intemperance juftly flain)
What numbers guiltlefs of their own difeare
Are fnatch'd by fudden death, or wafte by flow degrees f

Where then is Virtue's well-deferv'd reward?—
■Let's pay to Virtue ev'ry due regard ;

Tiiac

332 S O A M E J E N Y N S ' s POEMS.

That Ihe enables man, let us confefs.
To bear thofe evils which ihe can't redrefs.
Gives hope, and confcious peace, and can afTuage
Th' impetuous tempefts both of luft and rage ;
Yet (he's a guard (o far from being fure.
That oft her friends peculiar ills endure :
Where vice prevails fevereft is their fate.
Tyrants purfue them with a three-fold hate ;
How many ftruggling in their country's caufe.
And from their country meriting applaufe.
Have fall'n by wretches fond to be inflav'd.
And perilh'd by the hands themfelves had fav'd ?

Soon as fuperior worth appears in view.
See knaves and fools united to purfue ! .
The man fo form'd they all confpire to blame.
And envy's pois'nous tooth attacks his fame :
Shou'd he at length, fo truly good and great.
Prevail, and rule with honeil views the Hate,
Then muft he toil for an ungrateful race.
Submit to clamour, libels, and difgracc,
Threaten'd, oppos'd, defeated in his ends.
By foes feditious, and afpiring friends.
Hear this, and tremble ! all who would be great.
Yet know not what attends that dang'rous wretched
flate.

Is private life from all thefe evils free ?
Vice of all kinds, rage, envy there we fee.
Deceit, that Friendlhip's mafk infidious wears.
Quarrels, and feuds, and law's entangling fnares.

But

ON. THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 335

But there are pleafures ftill in human life,
Domeftic eafe, a tender loving wife.
Children whofe dawning fmiles your heart engage.
The grace and comfort of foft- dealing age ;
If happinefs exifts> 'tis furely here ;
But are thefe joys exempt from care and fear ?
Need I the miferies of that ftate declare.
When dift"'rcnt paffions draw the wedded pair ?
Or fay how hard thofe paffions to difcern.
Ere the dye's call, and 'tis too late to learn ?
Who can infure, that what is right, and good,
Thefe children lliall purfue ? or if they fhou'd.
Death comes when leall you fear fo black a day.
And all your blooming hopes are fnatch'd away.

We fay not that thefe ills from Virtue flow ;
Did her wife precepts rule the world, we know
The golden ages would again begin ;
But 'lis our lot in this to fuller, and to fin.

Obferving this, fome fages have decreed.
That all things from tvv^o caufes mull proceed ;
Two principles with equal pow'r endu'd.
This wholly evil, that fupremely good.
From this arife the miferies we endure,
Whilil that adminiilers a friendly cure ;
Hence life is chequer'd Hill with blifs and woe.
Hence tares with golden crops promifcuous grow.
And pois'nous ferpents make their dread repofe
Beneath the covert of the fragrant rofe.

Can fuch a fyflem fatisfy the mind ?
Are both thefe Gods in equal pow'r conjoin'd.

Or

534 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

Or one fuperior ? Equal if you fay.
Chaos returns, fince neitlier will obey :
Is one fuperior ? good or ill muft reign.
Eternal joy or everlalHng pain :
Whiche'er is conquer'd muft entirely yield.
And the vidorious God enjoy the field :
Hence with thefe fiftions of the Magi's brain \
Hence ouzy Nile, with all her monftrous train !

Or comes the Stoic nearer to the right ?
He holds, that whatfoever yields delight.
Wealth, fame, externals all, are ufelefs things ;
Himfelf half-ftarving happier far than kings.
'Tis fine indeed to be fo wond'rous wife !
By the fame reafoning too he pain denies ;
Roaft him, or flay him, break him on the wheel,
Retradl he will not, tho' he can't but feel :
Pain's not an ill, he utters with a groan ;
What then ? An inconvenience 'tis, he'll own :
What vigour, health, and beauty ? are thefe good ?
No; they may be accepted, not purfued :
Abfurd to fquabble thus about a name.
Quibbling with diff'rent words that mean the fame.
Stoic, were you not fram'd of flefh and blood.
You might be bleft without external good ;
But know, be felf-fufficient as you can.
You are not fpirit quite, but frail and mortal man.

But fmce thefe fages, fo abfurdly wife.
Vainly pretend enjoyments to defpife,
Becaufe externals, and in Fortune's pow'r.
Now mine, now thine, the blellings of an hour ;

Why

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 335^

Why value, then, that ftrength of mind they boaft.
As often varying, and as quickly loft?
A head-ach hurts it, or a rainy day.
And a flow fever wipes it quite away.

See * one whofe councils, one f whofe conquering
hand
Once fav'd Britannia's almoft finking land.
Examples of the mind's extenfive pow'r ;
Examples too how quickly fades that flow'r.
Him let me add, whom late we faw excel
J In each politer kind of writing well ;
Whether he ftrove our follies to expofe
In eafy verfe, or droll and hum'rous profe ;
Few years, alas ! compel his throne to quit
This mighty monarch o'er the realms of wit :
See felf-furviving he's an ideot grown I
A melancholy proof our parts are not our own.

Thy tenets. Stoic, yet we may forgive.
If in a future ftate we ceafe to live.
For here the, virtuous fufFer much, 'tis plain;
If pain is evil, this muft God arraign ;
And on this principle confefs we mull.
Pain can no evil be, or God muft be unjuft.

Blind man ! whofe reafon fuch llrait bounds confine.
That ere it touches Truth's extremell line.
It ftops amaz'd, and quits the great defign.
Own you not. Stoic, God is juft and true ?
Dare to proceed ; fecure this path purfue :

* Lord Somers. j- Duke of Marlborough. J Dean Swift.

''Twill

]

3^6 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

'Twill foon condudt you far beyond the tomb.

To future juftice, and a life to come.

This path, you fay, is hid in endlefs night ;

'Tis felf-conceit alone obiirufts your fight ;

You flop ere half your deiHn'd ccurfc is run.

And triumph v/hen the conquefc is not won :

By this the Sophiib were of old milled ;

See what a monftrous race from one miftake is bred 1

Hear then my argument : — Confefs we muft,
A God there is, fupremely wife and juil :
If fo, however things affect our fight.
As fmgs our bard, n.vkate'ver is, is right,
Eut is it right, what here io oft appears.
That Vice ihou'd triumph. Virtue fink in tears ?
The inference then that clofes this debate.
Is, that there mull: exiii: a future Hate.
The wife, extending their enquiries wide.
See how both ilates are by connection ty'd ;
Fools view but part, and not the whole furvey.
So crowd exiftence all into a day.
Hence are they led to hope, but hope in vain.
That Juftice never v.'ill refume her reign ;
On this vain hope adulterers, thieves rely.
And to this altar vile affaiTins fly.
'* But rules not God by general laws divine :
'« Man's vice or virtue change not the defign :'*'
What lavv's are thefe ? InilruiTt us if you can : —
There's one delign'd for brutes, and one for man :
Another guides inafcive matter's cpurfe.
Attracting, and attraded by its force :

Henee

ON THE IMMORtArLfY GF THE SOUL. 337

Hence mutual gravity fubfifts between

Far dillant worlds, and ties the vaft machine*

The laws of life, why need I call to mind*
Obey'd by birds and beafts of ev'ry kind ?
By all the fandy defart's favage brood.
And all the numerous offspring of the flood ;
Of thefe none uncontroui'd, and lawlefs rove,,
But to fome deftin'd end fpontaneous move :.
Led by thatinlHndl Heaven itfelf infpires.
Or fo much reafon as their (late requires :
See all with Ikill acquire their daily food,
AH ufe thofe arms, which Nature has bellowed j.
Produce tlieir tender progeny, and feed
With care parental,, whilll that care they need j
In thefe lov'd offices completely bleil.
No hopes beyond them, nor vain fears moleft*

Man o'er a wider iield extends his views ;
God thro' the wonders of his works purfues j
Exploring thence his attributes, and laws.
Adores, loves, imitates th' Eternal Caufe ;
For fure in nothing we approach fo nigh
The great example of Divinity,
As in benevolence : the patriot's foul
Knows not felf-cencer'd for itfelf to roll.
But warms, enlightens^ animates the whole :
Its mighty orb embraces firil his friends, 'j

His country next, then man ; nor here it ends, >

But to the meaneft animal defcends. J

Wife Nature has this fecial law confirmed
By forming man fo helplefs, and unarm'd ;

Vol. LXXIII. Z His

1

338 SOAME JENYNS's POEMS-

His want of others' aid, and pow'r of fpeech

T' implcre that aid, this lefibn daily teach :

Mankind with other animals compare.

Single, how weak and impotent they are !

But view them in their complicated ilate, [great.

Their pow'rs how wond'rous, and their ftrength how

When fecial virtue individuals joins.

And in one fclid mafs, like gravity, combines !

This then's the firil great law by Nature giv'n,

Stamp'd on our fouls, and ratify'd by Heav'n ;

All from utility this law approve.

As ev'ry private blifs mufi fpring from focial love.

"Why deviate then fo many from this law ?
See paiTions, cuftom, vice and folly draw !
Survey the rolling globe from Ealt to Well,
How few, alas 1 how very few are bleft !
Beneath the frozen Poles, and burning Line,
What poverty and indolence combine
To cloud with Error's mills the human mind ?
No trace of man, but in the form we find.

And are we free from error and diftrefs.
Whom Heav'n with clearer light has pleas'd to blefs ?
Whom true Religion leads ? (for Ihe but leads
By foft perfuafion, not by force proceeds ;)
Behold how vv'e avoid this radiant fun.
This proifer'd guide how oblHnately Ihun,
And after Sophiilry's vain fyftems run !
For thefe as for eflentials we engage
In wars and mailacres with holy rage ;

1

Brothers

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THfi SOUL. 339

Brothers by brothers' impious hands are flain,' • .'- -
Miftaken Zeal, how favage is thy reign 1 ,:■.')'

Unpuni(h'd vices here fo much abound,
AH right and wrong, all order they confound ;
Thefe are the giants who the gods defy.
And mountains heap on mountains to the flcy :
Sees this th' Almighty Judge, or feeing fpares.
And deems the crimes of Man beneath his cares ?
He fees ; and will at laft rewards beftow.
And punifliments, not lefs affur'd for being flow.

Nor doubt I, tho' this ftate confus'd appears.
That ev'n in this God fometimes interferes ;
Sometimes, left man ihou'd quite his pow'r difown.
He makes that pow'r to trembling nations known :
But rarely this ; not for each vulgar end.
As Superftition's idle tales pretend.
Who thinks all foes to God who are her own,
Diredls his thunder, and ufurps his throne.

Nor know I not how much a confcious mind
Avails to puniih, or reward mankind ;
Ev*n in this life thou, impious wretch, mud feel
The Fury's fcourges, and th' infernal wheel;
From man's tribunal tho' thou hop' ft to run,
Thyfelf thou can'ft not, nor thy confcience fhun ;
What muft thou fufFer when each dire difeafe.
The progeny of Vice, thy fabric feize ?
Confumption, fever, and the racking pain
Of fpafms, and gout, and ftone, a frightful train !
When life new tortures can alone fupply.
Life thy fole hope ;hou'lt hate, yet dread to die.

Z 2 Shou'd

340 SOAME J:E'NYNS"s POEMS.

Shou'd fuch a wretch to numerous years arrive.
It can be little worth his while to live :
No honours, no regards his age attend.
Companions fly ; he ne'er could have a friend :
His flatterers leave him, and with wild affright
He looks within, and Ih udders at the fight :
When threatening Death uplifts his pointed dart-
With what impatience he applies to art.
Life to prolong amidfl difeafe and pains !
Why this, if after it no fenfe remains ?
Why ftiou'd he chufe thefe miferies to endure.
If Death cou'd grant an everlafting cure ?
'Tis plain there's fomething whifpers in his ear,
(Tho' fain he'd hide it) he has much to fear.

See the reverfe, how happy thofe we find.
Who knov/ by merit to engage mankind ?
Prais'd by each tongue, by ev'ry heart belov'd.
For virtues praiflis'd, and for arts improv'd ;
Their eafy afpecls fhine with fmiles ferene.
And all is peace and happinefs within :
Their fleep is ne'er dillurb'd by fears or ftrife.
Nor luft, nor wine, impair the fprings of life.
• Him fortune cannot fink, nor much elate,
Whofe views extend beyond this mortal ftate ;
By age when fummon'd to refign his breath.
Calm, and ferene, he fees approaching death.
As the fafe port, the peaceful filent fliore.
Where he may reft, life's tedicus voyage o*er :
He, and he only, is of death afraid,
W^hom his own confcience has a coward made ;

Whilft

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 34.1

Whilfl he who Virtue's radiant courfe has run,
Defcends like a ferenely-fetting fun.
His thoughts triumphant Heav'n alone employs.
And hope anticipates his future joys.

So good, fo bleft th' illuftrious * Hough we find,
Whofe image dwells with pleafure on my mind ;
The Mitre's glory. Freedom's conftant friend,
'In times which aik'd a champion to defend ;
Who after near an hundred virtuous years.
His fenfes perfeQ:, free from pains and fears.
Replete with life, with honours, and with age.
Like an applauded adlor left the llage ;
Or like fome vidor in th' Olympic games.
Who, having run his courfe, the crown of Glory claims.

From this juft contrail plainly it appears,
I Tow confcience can infpire both hopes and fears :
But whence proceed thefe hopes, or whence this dreads
If nothing really can afFed: the dead ?
See all things join to promife, and prefage
The fure arrival of a future age 1
Whate'er their lot is here, the good and v/ife
Nor doat on life, nor peeviihly defpife.
An honeft man, when Fortune's ftorms begin.
Has confolation always fure within ;
And if Ihe fends a more propitious gale,
He^s pleas'd, but not forgetful it may fail.

Nor fear that he who fits fo loofe to life,
Shcu'd too much ihun its labours, and its ftrife ;

* Bilhop of Worcefter^

And.

34^ SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.

And fcorning wealth, contented to be mean.

Shrink from the duties of this buftling fcene ;

Or, when his country's fafety claims his aid.

Avoid the fight, inglorious and afraid :

Who fcorns life molt mull furely be mofl: brave,

Andjhe who pow'r contemns, be leafr a Have :

Virtue will lead him to Ambition's ends.

And prompt him to defend his country and his friends.

But IHII his merit you can not regard.
Who thus purfues a pofthumous reward ;
His foul, you cry, is uncorrupt and great.
Who, quite uninfluenc'd by a future ftate.
Embraces Virtue from a nobler fenfe
Of her abilraiSed, native excellence.
From the felf-confcious joy her efience brings.
The beauty, fitnefs, harmony of things.
It may be fo : yet he deferves applaufe.
Who follows where inftrudive Nature draws ;
Aims at rewards by her indulgence giv'n.
And foars triumphant on her wings to heav'n.

Say what this venal virtuous man purfues ;
No mean rewards, no mercenary views ;
Not wealth ufurious, or a num'rous train.
Not fame by fraud acquired, or title vain !
He follows but where Nature points the road,
Rifmg in Virtue's fchool, till he afcends to God.

But we th' inglorious common herd of Man,
Sail without compafs, toil without a plan ;
In Fortune's varying ftorms for ever toft.
Shadows purfue, that in purfuit are loft ;

Mere

ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. 343

Mere infants all till life's extremeil day.

Scrambling for toys, then toffing them away.

Who refts of Immortality affur'd

Is fafe, whatever ills are here endur*d :

He hopes not vainly in a world like this.

To meet with pure uninterrupted blifs ;

For good and ill, in this imperfeft ftate.

Are ever mix'd by the decrees of fate.

With Wifdom's richeft harveft Folly grows.

And baleful hemlock mingles with the rofe ;

All things are blended, changeable, and vain.

No hope, no wifli we perfedly obtain ;

God may perhaps (might human Reafon's line

Pretend to fathom infinite defign)

Have thus ordain'd things, that the reftlefs mind

No happinefs complete on earth may find ;

And, by this friendly chaftifement made wife.

To heav'n her fafeft beft retreat may rife.

Come then, fmce now in fafety we have pall
Thro' Error's rocks, and fee the port at laft ;

Let us review and recoiled the whole.-

Thus (lands my argument. The thinking foul

Cannot terreftrial, or material be.

But claims by Nature Immortality ;

God, who created it, can make it end.

We queilion not, but cannot apprehend

He will ; becaufe it is by him endued

With ilrong ideas of all perfedl Good ;

With wond'rous pow'rs to know and calculate

Things too remote from this our earthly Itatc 5 '

With

344 S O A IvI E J E N Y N S • s POEMS.

With fure prefages of a life to come ;
All falfe and ufelefs, if beyond the tomb
Our beings ceafe : we therefore can't believe
God either ads in vain, or can deceive.

If ev'ry rule of equity demand?.
That Vice and Virtue from the Almighty's hands
Shou'd due rewards and punilhments receive.
And this by no means happens Vvhiiit we live ;
It follows, that a time mull furely come.
When each fhall meet their weli-adjufted doom :
Then ihall this fcene,-vv'hich now to human fight
Seems fo unworthy Wifdom Infinite,
A fyilem of confumm^ate ikill appear.
And ev'ry cloud difpers'd, be beautiful and clear.

Doubt we of this i What folid proof remains.
That o'er the world a wife Difpofer reigns ?
Whilll all Creation fpeaks a pcw'r divine.
Is it deficient in the main dcfign ?
Not fo : the day flrall come, (pretend not now
Prefumptuous to enquire or when, or how.
But) after death ihali come th' important day,
Wlien God to all his julHce fhall difplay ;
Each aftion with impartial eyes regard.
And in a jufi properties puniih and rewards

THE

( 345 )

THE

P I N.

CR O W N 'D be the man with lalling praifc.
Who firil contriv'd the Pin
To loofe macl horfes from the chaife.
And fave the necks within.

See how they prance, and bound, and fkip^

And all controul difdain !
They bid defiance to the whip.

And tear the filken rein.

Awhile we try if art or flrength

Are able to prevail ;
But hopelefs when we find at length

That all our efforts fail.

With ready foot the fprlng we prefs.

Out jumps the magic plug ;
Then, difengag'd from". all diihefs.

We fit quite fafe and fnug.

The pamper'd deeds, their freedom gain'd.

Run off full fpeed together;
But, having no plan afcertaia'd.

They run they know not whither.

VoL.LXXUI. A a Beys,

346 SO A ME JENYNS's POEMS-

lioys, who love mifchief, and of courfe.

Enjoying the difaller.
Bawl, " Stop 'em, ilop 'em !" till they're hoaffe.

But mean to drive them falter.

Each claiming now his nat'ral right.

Scorns to obey his brother ;
So they proceed to kick and bite.

And worry one another.

Hungry at length, and blind and lame.

Bleeding at nofe and eyes.
By fufF'rings made exceeding tame.

And by experience wife ;

With bellies full of liberty.

But void of oats and hay.
They both fneak back, their folly fee.

And run no more away.

Let all who view tli' inftruftive fcene.

And patronize the plan.
Give thanks to Glos'ter's worthy Dean,

For Tucker^thou'rt the man.

O K

( S+7 )

ON THE

EARL OF CHESTERFIELD

BEING AT BATH, JULY IJJZ*

IN times by felfifhnefs and faflion four'd.
When dull importance has all wi devour'd ;
When rank, as if t' infult alone deiign'd,
Exadls a proud feclufion * from mankind ;
And greatnefs, from all focial commerce fled,
Eileems it dignity to be ill bred ;
See Chellerfield alone refills the tide,
Above all party, and above all pride 1
Vouchfafes each night thefe brilliant fcenes to grace..
Augments, and (hares the pleafures of the place ;
Admires the fair, enjoys the fprightly ball,
Deigns to be pleas'd, and therefore pleafes all.
Hence, tho' unequal now the tafk to hit.
Learn what was once politenefs, eafe, and wit.

* Alluding to the fuperclllous airs of fome of cur people of
quality, who atfeft to avoid frequenting the public rooms.

C O N T E N T S

•OF T Pf E

SEVENTY-THIRD VOLUME-.

WHITEHEAD Continued.
^^T^O Her Grace the Duchcfs of QueenlLury Page 5
^ VenHS attiring the Graces - - 5

Oi\ a Mefiage Card in Verfe - - 9

On the Bilth-day o^f a young Lady four Years old 1 1
The Je ne r9ai quoi'. A Song - - 13

The Double Conqueft, A Song - - 13

Song for Ranelagh ~ - 14.

An Infcription in the Cottage oi" Venus, at Middleton-
Park, Oxfordllnre - - 16

The fame in Englifli - ^ 17

Hymn to \^enus. On 2. great Variety of Rofes being
planted round her Cottage - 19

In a Hermitage, at the fame Place - - 20
infer iption for a Cold Bath - - 21

Jnfcription on an Oak^, at Romely, in Derbyfliire 22
Infcriptian for a Tree on the Terrace at Nuneharn,
Oxford ihi re - - - 23

Infcription on the Pedefcal of an Urn erccled in the
Elower-garden at Niuieham, by G. S. Harcourt,
and the Hon. Elizabeth Vernon, Vifcount and
Vifcountefs Nuneham. Sacred to the A'Icinory of
Frances Poole, Vifcountefs Palrnerilon • 25
A a 3 An

350 CONTENTS.

An Epitaph - - - 26

Epitaph in Weftminller Abbey, to the Memory of

Mrs. Pritchard - - 27

On the late Improvements at Newnham, the Seat of

the Earl of Harcourt - - 28

To Lady Nuneham, on the Death of her Sifter, the

Hon. Catherine Venables Vernon, June 1775 31
The Battle of Argoed Llwyfain - - ,3^

The Sweepers - - - 36

Fatal Conflancy; or. Love in Tears. A Sketch of a

Tragedy in the Heroic Tafte - - 43

Ode I. for his Majefty's Birth-day, Nov. 10, 1758 53

n. for the New Year 1759 - - 58

HL for his Majefty's Birth-day, Nov. 10, 1759 61

IV. for the New Year 1760 _ - 63

V. for the New Year 1761 - -65
XL for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1761 6S

VII. for the New Year 1762 - - 71

VIII. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1762 74

IX. for the New Year 1763 - - 76

X. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1763 79

XI. for ike New Year 1765 - 81

XII. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 176- 83

XIII. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1766 85

XIV. for the New Year 1767 - - 87

XV. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1 767 90

XVI. for the New Year 1768 - - 92

XVII. for his Majefty's Birth-day, J une 4, 1 768 94

XVIII. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, i y6g 96

XIX. for the Ncv/ Year 1770 - - 99

Ode XX.

CONTENTS. 351

Ode XX. for his Majefty*s Birth-day, June 4, 1770 lOl

XXI. for the New Year 1771 - - 103

XXII. forhi.sMajelly'sBirth-day,June4,i 77 1 105

XXIII. for the New Year 1772 - - 107

XXIV. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1772

109

XXV. for the New Year 1773 - - ill

XXVI. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1773

"3

XXVII. for the New Year 1774 - - 115

XXVIII. for his Majeily's Birth-day, June 4>
1774 - - - 117

XXIX. for his Majcih's Birth-day, June4, 1775

119

XXX. for the New Year 1776 - - 121

XXXI. for his Majeily's Birth-day, June 4, 1776

123

XXXII. for the New Year 1777 - - 125
.XXXIII. for his Majeily's Birth-day, June 4,

1777 - - - 127

XXXIV. for the New Year 1778 - - 129

XXXV. for his Majeily's Birth-day, June 4,

1778 - - - 131

XXXVI. for the New Year 1779 - - 133

XXXVII. for his Majeily's Birth-day, June 4,

^119 - - - 135

XXXVIII. for the New Year 1780 - 137

XXXIX. for Jiis Majefty's Birth-day, June 4,
1780 - - - »39

XL. for the New Year 1781 - - 141

Ode XLI.

351 CONTENTS-.

Ode XLI. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4., 178*

H3
XLII. for the New Year 1782 - - 145
XLIII. for his Majefty's Birth-day, June 4, 1782

H7
XLIV. for the New Year 1783 - - 150
XLV. for his Majerty's Birth-day, June 4, 1783

152

XL VI. for the New Year 1784 - - 154

XL VII. for his Majefty's Birth-dav, June 4, 1 784

15^

XLVIII. for the New Year 1785 - - 158
Prologue to the Roman Father, 1750 - - i6o
-Epilogue to the fame, 1750 - - 162

Prologue to Every ?4an in his Humour, 175 1 164
Prologue to Crcufa, 1754 - -- ^^^

Epilogue to the fame, 1754 - - ^^^

A fecond Epilogue to the fame, 1754 - 170

Prologue to the Orphan of China, 1759 - 172

Prologue to the School for Lovers, as it was intended

to have been fpoken, J762 - - 174

Prologue to the fame, fpoken by Mr, Garrick, 1762 176
Epilogue to the fame, 176.2 - - . 178

Prologue to Almida, 1771 - - iSo

SOAME JENYNS's POEMS.'

The Art of Dancing. A Poem, 1730 - 185

An EpilHe written in the Country to the Right Hon.

Lord Lovelace, then in Town, 1755 " 206

An EfTay on Virtue - - 213

Th€

C 0 K T E N T S. 355

The Modern Fine Gentleman, 1746 - - 22*
The Modern Fine Lady, 1750 - - 226

The Firft Epiftle of the Second Book of Horace imi-
tated, 1748 - - - 233
To the Right Hon. the Earl of Chefterfield, on his be-
ing inllalled Knight of the Garter, 1730 - 258
To a Lady in Town, foon after her leaving the
Country _ _ _ 259
To a Lady, fent with a Prefent of Shells and Stones
defigned for a Grotto - - 263^
To a Lady, in Anfwer to a Letter wrote in a very
fine Hand - - - 266
To the Right Hon. Lady Margaret Cavendilli Harle}',
prefented with a Colledion of Poems - 268
Hcrace, Book 11. Ode XVI. imitated - 271
Book IV. Ode VIH. imitated - 277
To the Hon. fv'IIfs Yorke, on her Marriage to Lord
Anfon, 1748 - - 282
Chloe to Strephon. A Song. -> - 284
A Song - - - 285
A Song - - - 286
The Choice - - - 287
To a Young Lady going to the Weft Indies - 290
Chloe Angling - - - 291
Chloe Hunting - - - 295
On Lucinda's Recovery from the Small-Pox - 294
Lines written in Mr. Locke's ElTay on Human -Under-
flanding _ > . 297
Lines written in a Lady's Volume of Tragedies 298
Cupid relieved - - - 299

The

354 CONTENTS.

The Way to be Wife - - - 300

The Snowball - - - ^ai

Anacreon, Ode XX. - - 302

Tranflation of fome Latin Verfes on the Camera Ob-

fcura _ - . 303

The Temple of Venus - - 307

On a Nofegay in the Countefs of Coventry's Breall: 309
The Squire and the Parfon. An Eclogue. 1748 310
On the Immortality of the Soul. Tranilated from tlie

Latin of Ifaac Hawkins Browne, Efq. - 315
The Pin _ - _ -^|-

On the Earl of Cheilerficld being at Bath, July 1772

347

THE END OF VOL, LXXIII,

"A

( 335 )
O N 1' E N T

OF THE

SIXTY-SIXTH VOLUME.

rpHE Rofciad

-

-

Pages

-■- The Apology.

Addreffed to the Critical Re-

viewers

-

4^

Night. An Epiftle to

Robert

Lloyd

56

Tiie Prophecy of Famine

-

70

An Epillle to William

Hogarth

9a

The Ghoft. In four Books.

Book L

113

Book II. -

131

Book III.

- 159

Book IV.

202

The Conference

^

-

z6^

The Author

-

28*

The Duellift. In Three Books. Book I.

296

Book II.

- 305

Book III.

- 31^

i\\r.i\\^.\

^ii