One part, one little part, we dimly scan, Through the dark medium of life's feverish dream; Yet dare arraign the whole stupendous plan, If but that little part incongruous seem. Nor is that part perhaps what mortals deem ; Oft from apparent ill our blessings rise. O then, renounce that impious self-esteem, That aims to trace the secrets of the skies: For thou art but of dust ; be humble, and be wise. EXTRACTS FROM COLLINS. ODE TO EVENING. Ir aught of oaten stop, or pastoral song, Thy springs, and dying gales: O nymph reserv'd, while now the bright-hair'd sun O'erhang his wavy bed: Now air is hush'd, save where the weak-ey'd bat, His small but sullen horn, As oft he rises 'midst the twilight path, Now teach me, maid compos'd, To breathe some soften'd strain. Whose numbers, stealing through thy dark'ning vale, May not unseemly with its stillness suit ; As musing slow, I hail Thy genial love return! For when thy folding star arising shows And many a nymph who wreaths her brows with sedge, The pensive pleasures sweet, Prepare thy shadowy car. Then let me rove some wild and heathy scene; By thy religious gleams. Or, if chill blust'ring winds, or driving rain, And hamlets brown, and dim-discover'd spires; While Spring shall pour his showers, as oft he wont, While sallow Autumn fills thy lap with leaves, So long, regardful of thy quiet rule, Thy gentlest influence own, ODE, WRITTEN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 1746. How sleep the brave who sink to rest, By fairy hands their knell is rung; EXTRACTS FROM GRAY. THE BARD. The following Ode is founded on a tradition current in Wales, that Edward I., when he completed the conquest of that country, ordered all the bards that fell into his hands to be put to death. I. 1. 'RUIN seize thee, ruthless King, Though fann'd by conquest's crimson wing, Nor e'en thy virtues, tyrant! shall avail Stout Glo'ster stood aghast in speechless trance: To arms! cried Mortimer, and couch'd his quivering lance. I. 2. On a rock, whose haughty brow Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming flood, 1 Mocking the air with colours idly spread. — Shaks. King John. 2 The hauberk was a texture of steel ringlets or rings interwoven, forming a coat of mail. 3 Dryden's Indian Queen. 4 Snowdon was a name given by the Saxons to that mountainous track which the Welsh themselves call Cragianeryri: it included all the high lands of Caernarvonshire and Merionethshire, as far east as the river Conway. 5 Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hereford, son-in-law to King Edward. 6 Edmond de Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore. They both were Lords Marchers, whose lands lay on the borders of Wales, and probably accompanied Edward in this expedition. Robed in the sable garb of Wo, 'Hark, how each giant oak and desert cave I. 3. 'Cold is Cadwallo's tongue, That hush'd the stormy main; Brave Urien sleeps upon his craggy Mountains! ye mourn in vain Modred, whose magic song bed: Made huge Plinlimmon bow his cloud-topp'd head. Smear'd with gore, and ghastly pale; I see them sit; they linger yet, With me in dreadful harmony they join, And weave with bloody hands the tissue of thy line.' 1 Shone like a meteor streaming to the wind. - Milton's Paradise Lost. 2 The shores of Caernarvonshire, opposite to the Isle of Anglesey. 3 Camden and others observe, that eagles used annually to build their aerie among the rocks of Snowdon, which from thence (as some think) were named, by the Welsh, Craigian eryri, or the Crags of the Eagles. At this day the highest point of Snowdon is called the Eagle's Nest. That bird is certainly no stranger to this island, as the Scots, and the people of Cumberland, Westmoreland, &c. can testify; it even has built its nest in the Peak of Derbyshire. As dear to me as the ruddy drops 4 That visit my sad heart. Shaks. Julius Cæsar. |