In vain on father Thames she calls for aid, 195 Nor could Diana help her injur'd maid. Faint, breathless, thus fhe pray'd, nor pray'din vain; 66 Ah Cynthia! ah-tho' banish'd from thy train, "Let me, O let me, to the fhades repair, 66 My native fhades-there weep, and murmur "there." 200 She said, and melting as in tears fhe lay, green, NOTES. VER. 205. Still bears the name] The River Loddon. VER. 209. Oft in her glass, etc.] These fix lines were added after the firft writing of this poem, P. Thro' the fair scene roll flow the ling'ring streams, Then foaming pour along, and rush into the Thames. 220 Thou, too, great father of the British floods! With joyful pride furvey'st our lofty woods; Where tow'ring oaks their growing honours rear, And future navies on thy shores appear. Not Neptune's felf from all her ftreams receives A wealthier tribute, than to thine he gives. No feas fo rich, fo gay no banks appear, No lake fo gentle, and no fpring fo clear. Nor Po fo fwells the fabling Poet's lays, While led along the fkies his current strays, As thine, which vifits Windfor's fam'd abodes, To grace the manfion of our earthly Gods: Nor all his ftars above a luftre fhow, 225 Like the bright beauties on thy banks below; 230 Where Jove, fubdu'd by mortal passion still, Might change Olympus for a nobler hill. Happy the man whom this bright Court approves, His Sov'reign favours, and his country loves: VARIATIONS. VER. 231. It stood thus in the MS. And force great Jove, if Jove's a lover ftill, Happy next him, who to these shades retires, 235 Whom Nature charms, and whom the Muse inspires : Whom humbler joys of home-felt quiet please, Succeffive ftudy, exercise, and ease. 245 He gathers health from herbs the foreft yields, 250 VARIATIONS. VER. 233. Happy the man, who to the fhades retires, Bleft whom the fweets of home-felt quiet please ; But far more bleft, who study joins with ease. P. IMITATIONS. VER. 249, 50. Servare modum finemque tenere, Naturamque fequi. Lucr. Amid her kindred ftars familiar roam, flow) I feem thro' confecrated walks to rove, I hear foft mufic die along the grove : 265 Led by the found, I roam from shade to shade, By god-like Poets venerable made : VARIATIONS. VER. 265. It ftood thus in the MS. Methinks around your holy fcenes I rove, IMITATIONS. VER. 259. O qui me gelidis, etc. Virg. Here his first lays majestic DENHAM fung; There the laft numbers flow'd from CowLEY'S tongue. 270 O early loft! what tears the river shed, Since fate relentless stop'd their heav'nly voice, No more the forefts ring, or groves rejoice; 276 Who now shall charm the fhades, where CoWLEY ftrung His living harp, and lofty DENHAM fung? VER. 273. VARIATIONS. What fighs, what murmurs, fill'd the vocal fhore! NOTES. P. VER. 270. There the last numbers flow'd from Cowley's tongue.] Mr. Cowley died at Chertsey on the borders of the Forest, and was from thence convey'd to Westminster. P. |