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A little garden, grateful to the eye,
Where a cool rivulet runs murmuring by:
On whose delicious banks a stately row
Of shady limes, or sycamores, should grow.
At the end of which a silent study plac'd
Should be with all the noblest authors grac'd:
Horace and Virgil, in whose mighty lines
Immortal wit, and solid learning shines;
Sharp Juvenal, and amorous Ovid too,

That life may be more comfortable yet, And all my joys refin'd, sincere, and great; I'd choose two friends, whose company would A great advance to my felicity: [be Well-born, of humours suited to my own, Discreet, and men as well as books have known: Brave, generous, witty, and exactly free From loose behaviour, or formality: Airy and prudent; merry, but not light; Who all the turns of love's soft passion knew. Quick in discerning, and in judging right: He that with judgment reads his charming Seoret they should be, faithful to their trust; lines, [joins, In reasoning cool, strong, temperate, and just In which strong art with stronger nature Obliging, open, without huffing, brave, Must grant his fancy does the best excel; His thoughts so tender, and express'd so well: With all those moderns, men of steady sense, Esteem'd for learning and for eloquence. In some of these, as fancy should advise, I'd always take my morning exercise: For sure no minutes bring us more content, Than those in pleasing useful studies spent. I'd have a clear and competent estate, That I might live genteelly, but not great: As much as I could moderately spend, A little more sometimes t'oblige à friend. Vor should the sons of poverty repine Too much at fortune, they should taste of mine. And all that objects of truc pity were, hould be reliev'd with what my wants could

spare:

or that our Maker has too largely given,
hould be returu'd in gratitude to Heaven.
frugal plenty should my table spread;
Ly friends with no luxurious dishes fed:
ough to satisfy, and something more
ofced the stranger and the neighbouring poor.
trong meat indulges vice, and pampering food
reates diseases, and inflames the blood.`
But what's sufficient to make nature strong,
And the bright lamp of life continue long,
'd freely take; and, as I did possess,
The bounteous Author of my plenty bless.
'd have a little vault, but always stor'd
With the best wine each vintage could afford.
Vine whets the wit, improves its native force,
And gives a pleasant flavour to discourse:
By making all our spirits debonair,

Throws off the lees, the sediment of care.
But as the greatest blessing Heaven lends
May be debauch'd, and serve ignoble ends;
io, but too oft, the grape's refreshingjuice.
Does many mischievous effects produce:
My house should no such rude disorders
know,

1s from high drinking consequently flow;
Nor would I use what was so kindly given,
To the dishonour of indulgent Heaven.
If any neighbour came, he should be free,
Us'd with respect, and not uneasy be,
In my retreat, or to himself or me.
What freedom, prudence, and right reason
All men may, with impunity, receive: [give,
But the least swerving from their rule's too
much;

For what's forbidden us, 'tis death to touch.

Brisk in gay talking, and in sober, grave:
Close in dispute, but not tenacious; try'd
By solid reason, and let that decide:
Not prone to lust, revenge, or envious hate;
Nor busy meddlers with intrigues of state:
Strangers to slander, and sworn focs to spite;
Not quarrelsome, but stout enough to fight;
Loyal, and pious, friends to Cæsar; true
As dying martyrs to their Maker too.
In their society I could not miss
A permanent, sincere, substantial bliss. *
I'd be concern'd in no litigious jar;
Belov'd by all, not vainly popular.
Whate'er assistance I had power to bring,
T'oblige my country, or to serve my king,
Whene'er they call, I'd readily afford

My tongue, my pen, my counsel, or my sword..
Law-suits I'd shun with as much studious

care

As I would dens where hungry lions are;
And rather put up injuries, than be
A plague to him, who'd be a plague to me.
I value quiet at a price too great,
To give for my revenge so dear a rate:
For what do we by all our bustle gain,
But counterfeit delight for real pain!

If heaven a date of many years would give,
Thus I'd in pleasure, ease, and plenty live.
And as I near approach'd the verge of life,
Some kind relation (for I'd have no wife)
Should take upou him all my worldly care,
Whilst I did for a better state prepare.
Then I'd not be with any trouble vex'd,
Nor have the evening of my days perplex'd;
But, by a silent and a peaceful death,
Without a sigh resign my aged breath,
And when committed to the dust, I'd have
Few tears, but friendly, dropt into my grave;
Then would my exit so propitious be,
All men would wish to live and die like me.

$195. To my Candle. PETER PINDAR.

HOU lone companion of the spectred night, Twake amid thy friendly watchful light,

To steal a precious hour from lifeless sleepHark, the wild uproar of the windst and

hark,

Hell's genius roams the regions of the dark,
And swells the thund'ring horrors of the

deep

From cloud to cloud the pale moon hurrying | The self-same blade from me must sever

flies;
Now blacken'd, and now flashing thro' her
But all is silence here-beneath thy beam,
I own I labour for the voice of praise-
For who would sink in dull oblivion's stream?
Who would not live in songs of distant days?
Thus while I wond'ring pause o'er Shaks-When hours, without you, seem like years.-

[skies, Sensation, judgment, sight for ever;
All mem'ry of endearments past,
All hope of comforts long to last,
All that makes fourteen years with you
A summer-and a short one too:
All that affection feels and fears,

peare's page,

I mark, in visions of delight, the Sage,
High o'er the wrecks of man, who stands
sublime;

A column in the melancholy waste
(Its cities humbled, and its glories past),
Majestic, 'mid the solitude of time.

Yet now to sadness let me yield the hour-
Yes, let the tears of purest friendship show'r.
I view, alas! what ne'er should die-
A form that wakes my deepest sigh;
A form, that feels of death the leaden sleep-
Descending to the realms of shade,
I view the pale-ey'd, panting maid,

I see the Virtues o'er their fav'rite weep.
Ah! could the Muse's simple pray'r
Command the envied trump of fame,
Oblivion should Eliza spare:

A world should echo with her name.
Art thou departing too, my trembling friend?
Ah! draws thy little lustre to its end?
Yes, on thy frame Fate too shall fix her

seal

O let me, pensive, watch thy pale decay;
How fast that frame, so tender, wears away;
How fast thy life the restless minutes steal!
How slender now, alas! thy thread of fire!
Ah! falling, falling, ready to expire!

In vain thy struggles-all will soon be o'er.
At life thou snatchest with an eager leap :
Now round I see thy flaine so feeble creep,
Faint, less'ning, quiv'ring, glimm'ring-now

no more!

Till that be done (and I'd as soon
Believe this knife will clip the moon)
Accept my present undeterr'd,
And leave their proverbs to the herd.
If in a kiss-delicious treat!
Your lips acknowledge the receipt;
Love, fond of such substantial fare,
And proud to play the glutton there,
All thoughts of cutting will disdain,
Save only cut and come again."

$197. By the same, with a Ring. THEE, Mary, with this ring I wed,” So sixteen years ago I saidBehold another ring! “For what?" "To wed thee o'er again-why not?"

With the first ring I married youth,
Grace, beauty, innocence, and truth:
Taste long admir'd, sense long rever'd:
And all my Molly then appear'd.

If she, by merit since disclos'd,
Prov'd twice the woman I suppos'd,
I plead that double merit now,
To justify a double vow.

Here then to-day (with faith as sure,
With ardour as intense and pure,
As when amidst the rights divine
I took thy troth, and plighted mine)
To thee, sweet girl, my second ring,
A token and a pledge I bring;
With this I wed, till death us part,
Thy riper virtues to my heart;

These virtues, which, before untry'd,
The wife has added to the bride;

Thus shall the sons of Science sink away,
And thus of beauty fade the fairest flow'r-Those virtues, whose progressive claim,
For where's the Giant who to Time shall say,
“Destructive tyrant, I arrest thy pow'r?"

Endearing wedlock's very naine,
My soul enjoys, my song approves.
For conscience sake, as well as love's.
For why?-They shew me hour by hour
$196. Presented together with a Knife by the Honour's bigh thought, affection's pow't,
Rev. SAMUEL BISHOP, Head Master of Mer-Discretion's deed, sound judgment's sentence
chant Taylors' School, to his Wife on her And teach me all things-but repentance.
Wedding Day, which happened to be her Birth
Day and New Year's Day.

A KNIFE, dear girl, cuts love, they say—
Mere modish love perhaps it may;

For any tool of any kind

Can sep'rate what was never join'd.
The knife that cuts our love in two
Will have much tougher work to do : '
Must cut your softness, worth, and spirit
Down to the vulgar size of merit;
To level yours with modern taste,
Must cut a world of sense to waste;
And from your single beauty's store,
Clip what would dizen out a score.

§ 198. The Family Fireside.

BISHOP.

'HOME's home, however homely," wisdea

says,

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d in the romp the future housewife forms.
both perchance to graver sport incline,
dart and genius in their pastime join.
is the cramp riddle's puzzling knot invents,
if rears aloft the card-built tenements.
ink how joy animates intense tho' meek
e fading roses on the grandame cheek,
ten proud the frolic progeny to survey,
feels and owns an interest in their play,

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JNEQUAL to my theme with desperate feet
I sought the Muse's bow'r;
Anxious to see tho'all asham'd to meet
When fleet along the rising gale
Some bland inspiring power;
The queen fair Fancy past;
And thro' her rainbow-tinged veil
A glance benignant cast!
Then beck'ning to a secret glade,
"Come see," she cry'd, the train,
Who own beneath this mystic shade,
"My visionary reign !"

Proud to obey the glad command,
I took with awe my stand:-
Meanwhile, in many a varying vest
Of rich expression aptly dress'd,
Ideal myriads seem'd to rove
Promiscuous thro' the cultur'd grove:
And cach, as inbred impulse led,
From every flow'r-embroider'd bed
Some certain plant, whose blossoins rose
Significantly pleasing, chose.

opts each wish their wayward whims un-With frank, firm look, and light tho' steady

fold,

tells at every call, the story ten times told. food-humoured dignity endears meanwhile narrative grandsire's venerable style. aply feats atchiev'd in prime of youth, pristine anecdote, or historic truth, maxim shrewd, or admonition bland, ctionate attention's ear command. o such society, so form'd, so blest, te, Thought, Remembrance, all impart a

zest,

1 Expectation, day by day, more bright, and every prospect throws increasing light. simplest conforts act with strongest force;

ate'er can give them, can improve, of

course.

this is common-place, you'll tell ine:-true! at pity 'tis not common fashion too. im as we will, plain sense at last will find only seeking-chat we left behind. ndividual good engage our hope, mestic virtues gives the largest scope ; plans of public eminence we trace, mistic virtues are its surest base.

trad
[Rose:
For in the tender rose might best be read
Came Courage first, and cropt a dew-charg'd

His very essence-bloom that gently glows
Impell'd by gentle breath-prone to dispense
To all, sweetness, yet alert to shew,
If rash invasion ruder deeds commence,
That warm resentiment points a thorn below.
Retiring from the public eye
The maiden meek Humility
Was seen to turn with mildest grace
To heav'n her thoughts, to earth her face;
And all unconscious what fair fame

Merit like hers might well assume,
Prefer'd to every juster claim.

The lowly Daisy's simple bloom.
Some bauble each moment arranging,
Admiring, exploding, or changing
The coquette Affectation skimm'd wantonly
On her breast a Narcissus she bore,

As if with Narcissus of yore,
Heedless of the scorner's joke,
Smiling at the ruthian's stroke,

uld great example make these truths more Persevering Patience stood,

clear,

e greatest of examples shall appear.
s there a man who general suffrage owns
honour to the majesty of thrones?
here a man whom general love's acclaim,
eets with each noblest and each dearest
name?
[power,
amidst the glare of state, and pomp of
Jurts the soft sympathies of the family hour;
ot less illustrious at his own fireside,
private merit's sterling standard tried,
han when the cares from royal worth that
spring,

all forth the people's father, and the king.

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Conqu'ring evil still with good;
Binding for her brow the while
Artless wreaths of Camomile,
Hardy plant whose vig'rous shoot
Springs beneath the trampler's foot.
Pure constant Love (whose hallow'd fires
Time still exalts, and truth inspires,

In spite of absence, grief, or pain)
Approv'd the faithful Marigold,
Whose leaves their saffron blaze unfold,

When first the sun asserts his reign,
Hail his glad progress thro' the day,
Close gradual with his parting ray,
Nor open, till he shines again.

Superstition came telling her steps and her And mark how Moore could once display, beads, [green; A scene so varied, and so gay! Like Jack-in-a-Bush hung all over with Beg you, for introduction's sake, Agnus Castus by wholesale she cull'd from A short excursive trip to take, the meads, [tween: O'er one poor plat, unlike the rest, And stuck with due care Holy Thistle be- Which my more humble care hath drest; A chaplet of Monkshood she pluck'd for her Where if a little flowret blows, head, From pure affection's root it grows.

And Rosemary sprigs for the graves of the dead.

Tiptoe o'er the level plain,
Ardent Hope all panting flew ;
Prompt her eager eye to strain

Far beyond the present view;
Quick from hint to hint to stray,
She the Primrose held most dear;
First-born of returning May,

Promise of the future year.

Ill-nature to a corner stole,
And taught her bloodshot eyes to roll,
As if she long'd to blight
Each flower of happier scent and hue,
For none she chose of all that grew
Save pois'nous Aconite.

Hand in hand, for they never asunder are seen,

A virgin rose, in all the pride
Of spring's luxuriant blushes dy'd,
Above the vulgar flow'rs was rais'd,
And with excess of lustre blaz'd.
In full career of heedless play,
Chance brought a Butterfly that way;
She stopp'd at once her giddy flight,
Proud on so sweet a spot to light;
Spread wide her plumage to the sun,
And thus in fancy-strain begun :
"Why but to soften my repose,
"Could nature rear so bright a rose?
Why but on roses to recline,
"Make forms so delicate as mine?
Fate destin'd by the same decree,
Me for the rose-the rose for me!"

66

A tiny Bug, who close between

All cheerful their features, all easy their mien, Th' untolding bloom had lurk'd unseen,
Contentment and Innocence tript it along Heard, and in angry tone address d
By the soft virgin Snow-drop was Innocence This rude invader of his rest:

known:
[own;
Contentment took Heart-ease, and call'd it her
Nor envied the great, nor the gay in the
throng.

The throng! just hint to wild conceit like
mipe;

Why, what a wreathe had I begun to twine!
Indulgent as she was, methinks I hear
Ev'n Fancy's self now whispers in my ear,

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Quit ere 'tis tedious, quit the flowing road, "Nor what was meant a nosegay, make a load."

$200. To a Young Lady, with a Copy
Moore's Falles.
BISHOP.

Books, my dear girl, when well design'd,
Are moral maps of human kind:
Where, sketch'd before judicious eyes,
The road to worth and wisdom lies.
Serene Philosophy pourtrays

The steep, the rough, the thorny ways:
Cross woods and wilds, the learned tribe,
A dark and doubtful path describe :
But Poesy her votaries leads

O'er level lawns, and verdant meads;
And if, perchance, in sportful vein,
Thro' Fable's scenes she guides her train,
All is at once enchanted ground,
All Fancy's garden glitters round.

I, Sally! (who shall long to see,
In you, how good your sex can be,)
Before you range with curious speed,
Where'er that garden's beauties lead;

་་

For thee, consummate fool, the rose!
"No-to a nobler end it blows :—
"The velvet o'er its foliage spread,
"Secures to me a downy bea:
"So thick its crowding leaves ascend
"To hide, to warm me, and defend.
"For me those odours they exhale,
"Which scent at second-hand the gale,
"And give such things as thee to share
"What my superior claim can spare!"

While thus the quarrel they pursu'd,
A Bee the petty triflers view'd;
For once reluctant rais'd her head
A moment from her toil, and said;
of "Cease, abject an'mals, to contest!

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Threy claim things most who use them i "Would nature finish works like these, "That butterflies might bask at ease? "Or bugs intrench'd in splendor he, "Born but to crawl, and dose, and die? "The rose you vainly ramble o'er, "Breathes balmy dews from ev'ry pere; Which yield their treasur'd sweets al To skill and labour like my own: "With sense as keen as yours, I trace Th' expanding blossom's glossy grace; Its shape, its fragrance, and its hue, "But while I trace, improve them 100: "Still taste; but still from hour to hour,

Bear home new honey from the flow`r."

Conceit may read for mere pretence,
For mere amusement, indolence;
True spirit deems no study right,
Till profit-dignify delight.

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In such lov'd spot (if fortune deign'd to smile),

Calm let me live, and ev'ry care beguile;

HAIL! Contemplation! grave majestic dame, Hold converse with the great of ev'ry time,
In thee glad Science greets a parent's The learn'd of ev'ry class-the good of ev'ry

name:

[strain,

Thine is each art of speech, each rapt'rous
The Graces lead, the Virtues fill thy train!
From all of evil, life or dreads or knows,
Its real trifles, and its fancied woes,
O lead thy votary! pensive, yet serene,
To some lone seat, thy favorite, hallow'd
[ploy,
Where his calm breast may every pow'r ein-
Reel self-born peace and independant joy.
And see! the Library my steps invites;
raught with true profit and with pure

scene,

lights:

alls to a feast, which elegance and love,
he man must relish, and the heart approve.
How awful is the spot!-each honour'd

clime.

There better still, as wiser grow; and there
(Tis just ambition, tho' 'tis hopeless pray'r)
Still found, like them, on real worth my claim,
And catch their merit to partake their fame.

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de-isht apisov vowe Pindar sings, That simple Water is the best of things, Would Water-poets were the best of bards! But, Oh! that chance is not upon the cards! Vain were th' attempt such logic to apply; My verse would give my arguments the lie.-Yet what I can I will:-not he whose lyre, ich theme of modern praise, and early fame; Leads on th' Aonian mount the sister choir, rds, statesmen, sages, lov'd, rever'd, ad-(Tho' all the inspiring potions he explore, mir'd, From Water up to Nectar) can do more. From earth's deep womb-for earth their store supplies

name,

[fr'd, hom sense enlighten'd, and whom glory se to my view, still sweet, still great, still bold,

ive in pow'r, and active, as of old.

s! wasteful time! here, here, thy rage is

vain!

Thro' countless pores the moist effluvia rise,
Distinct below, where oozing strata shed
Drop after drop; till from their humid bed
Th' emergent vapours steam; and as they go,
Condense, incorporate, extend, and flow.

ay! fond boaster! Genius scorns thy reign.
The poet here, whom gen'rous transport-Thanks, kind Philosophy! whose lore pro-

rais'd,

vives coeval with the worth he prais'd.
leeds exalted gave his breast to glow,
pity bade him sympathise with woe;
weetly soft he chose the lover's part,
truth to satire urg'd his honest heart;
verse still lives, his sentiment still warms,
lyre still warbles, and his wit still charms.
lere by the past to form the rising age,
grave historian spreads his ample page;
ose faithful care preserves the hero's fame,
damos to infamy the traitor's name;
tose records bid fair virtue ever live,
d share immortal in the life they give.
lere the firm patriot, on whose winning
tongue

snow-soft dews of mild persuasion hung,
10 knew to lead in spirit, and control
ductile passions, and usurp the soul;
pleads, still rules; now lively, now severe,,
Its the purpose, or commands the tear.
Iere the firm friends of science, ard of inan,
10 taught new arts, or open'd nature's plan:
10 each improv'd, or drew from both com-¡
bin'd,

alth to the body, vigour to the mind;
10 bade mankind to nobler aims arise,
re good, more just, more happy, or more
wise;

ne, deathless, as the bliss their toil pro-
cur'd,

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found

Thus helps me bring my Water above ground!
Henceforth to trace it, little will suffice,
Obvious to common sense, and common eyes.

If in the mental calm of joy serene,

I seek, thro' fancy's aid, the Sylvan scene,
There Water meets me, by the pebbled side
Of sedgy-fringed brooks, expanding wide
In dimpled eddies-or with murmurs shrill
Running sweet unisons, where responsive sull
In cadence meet, impending aspens hail
Heav'n's mildest breath, soft quiv'ring to the
gale.

Too charming visions of intense delight!
Why? whither vanish ye? Her eagle flight
Fancy renews; and full athwart mine eye
Throws an enormous cataract :-from on high,
In awful stillness deep'ning Waters glide,
E'en to the rude rock's ridge abrupt, then slide
Pond'rous down, down, the void; and pitch
below
[know

In thunders.—Dash'd to foam, awhile they
No certain current; till again combin'd,
In boiling tides along the waves they wind.
Oh: bear me hence, where Water's force dis-
plays

More useful energy; where classic praise
Adorns the names of chiefs long dead, who
brought
[taught
Thro'channel'd reeks concent'ring streains, and
One aqueduct divided lands to lave,

e mem'ry pays the debt-desert cnsur'd. ¦ And he stile realms to rink, one common wave.

But

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