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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