"Here nought but candor reigns, indulgent ease, On others' ways they never squint a frown, hence. "What, what is virtue, but repose of mind, gay. "The best of men have ever lov'd repose: "But if a little exercise you choose, "O grievous folly! to heap up estate, Losing the days you see beneath the Sun; To toil for what you here untoiling may obtain." He ceas'd. But still their trembling ears retain'd By the smooth demon so it order'd was, And his alluring baits suspected han, When this the watchful wicked wizard saw, For whomsoe'er the villain takes in hand, Their joints unknit, their sinews melt apace; As lithe they grow as any willow-wand, And of their vanish'd force remains no trace: So when a maiden fair, of modest grace, In all her buxom blooming May of charms, Is seized in some losel's hot embrace, She waxeth very weakly as she warms, Then sighing yields her up to love's delicious harms. Wak'd by the crowd, slow from his bench arose A comely full-spread porter, swoln with sleep: His calm, broad, thoughtless aspect, breath'd repose; And in sweet torpor he was plunged deep, Ne could himself from ceaseless yawning keep; While o'er his eyes the drowsy liquor ran, Thro' which his half-wak'd soul would faintly peep. Then, taking his black staff, he call'd his man, And rous'd himself as much as rouse himself he can. The lad leap'd lightly at his master's call. Meantime the master-porter 'wide display'd O fair undress, best dress! it checks no vein, Sir porter sat him down, and turn'd to sleep again. Thus easy rob'd, they to the fountain sped, There each deep draughts, as deep he thirsted, drew. It was a fountain of Nepenthe rare. Whence, as Dan Homer sings, huge pleasaunce grew, And sweet oblivion of vile earthly care; Fair gladsome waking thoughts, and joyous dreams more fair. This rite perform'd, all inly pleas'd and still, As thick as idle motes in sunny ray, With all the lodges that thereto pertain ́d, No living creature could be seen to stray; While solitude and perfect silence reign'd: So that to think you dreamt you almost was constrain'd. As when a shepherd of the Hebrid isles Plac'd far amid the melancholy main, (Whether it be lone fancy him beguiles; Or that aërial beings sometimes deign To stand embodied, to our senses plain,) Sees on the naked hill, or valley low, The whilst in ocean Phoebus dips his wain, A vast assembly moving to and fro: Then all at once in air dissolves the wondrous show. Ye gods of quiet, and of sleep profound! Whose soft dominion o'er this castle sways, And all the widely-silent places round, Forgive me, if my trembling pen displays What never yet was sung in mortal lays. But how shall I attempt such arduous string, I, who have spent my nights, and nightly days, In this soul-deadening place, loose-loitering? Ah! how shall I for this uprear my moulted wing? Come on, my Muse, nor stoop to low despair, Thou imp of Jove, touch'd by celestial fire! Thou yet shalt sing of war, and actions fair, Which the bold sons of Britain will inspire; Of ancient bards thou yet shalt sweep the lyre; Thou yet shalt tread in tragic pall the stage, Paint love's enchanting woes, the hero's ire, The sage's calm, the patriot's noble rage, Dashing corruption down through every worthless age. The doors, that knew no shrill alarming bell, Ne cursed knocker ply'd by villain's hand, Self-open'd into halls, where, who can tell What elegance and grandeur wide expand, The pride of Turkey and of Persia land? Soft quilts on quilts, on carpets carpets spread, And couches stretch'd around in seemly band; And endless pillows rise to prop the head; So that each spacious room was one full-swelling bed. And everywhere huge cover'd tables stood, With wines high-flavor'd and rich viands crown'd Whatever sprightly juice or tasteful food On the green bosom of this Earth are found, And all old Ocean genders in his round: Some hand unseen these silently display'd, Ev'n undemanded by a sign or sound; You need but wish, and, instantly obey'd, Fair-rang'd the dishes rose, and thick the glasses play'd. Here freedom reign'd, without the least alloy; Nor gossip's tale, nor ancient maiden's gall, Nor saintly spleen, durst murmur at our joy, And with envenom'd tongue our pleasures pall. For why there was but one great rule for all To wit, that each should work his own desire, And eat, drink, study, sleep, as it may fall, Or melt the time in love, or wake the lyre, And carol what, unbid, the Muses might inspire Our easy bliss, when each thing joy supplied; The woods, the mountains, and the warbling maze Of the wild brooks!-But fondly wandering wide, My Muse, resume the task that yet doth thee abide. One great amusement of our household was, Run bustling to and fro with foolish haste, "Of vanity the mirror" this was call'd. Till it has quench'd his fire, and banished his pot. Straight from the filth of this low grub, behold! Comes fluttering forth a gaudy spendthrift heir, All glossy gay, enamel'd all with gold, The silly tenant of the summer-air, In folly lost, of nothing takes he care; Pimps, lawyers, stewards, harlots, flatterers vile, And thieving tradesmen him among them share : His father's ghost from limbo-lake, the while, Sees this, which more damnation doth upon him pile. This globe portray'd the race of learned men, Still at their books, and turning o'er the page Backwards and forwards: oft they snatch the pen, As if inspir'd, and in a Thespian rage; Then write, and blot, as would your ruth engage. Why, authors, all this scrawl and scribbling sore? To lose the present, gain the future age, Praised to be when you can hear no more, And much enrich'd with fame, when useless worldly store. Then would a splendid city rise to view, A neighbor's fortune, fame, or peace to blight, And make new tiresome parties for the coming night. The puzzling sons of party next appear'd, Th' important shoulder; then, as if to get But what most show'd the vanity of life. Was to behold the nations all on fire, In cruel broils engag'd, and deadly strife. Most Christian kings, inflam'd by black desire, With honorable ruffians in their hire, Cause war to rage, and blood around to pour: Of this sad work when each begins to tire, They sit them down just where they were before Till for new scenes of woe peace shall their force restore. To number up the thousands dwelling here, An useless were, and eke an endless task; From kings, and those who at the helm appear, To gypsies brown in summer-glades who bask. Yea, many a man, perdie, I could unmask, Whose desk and table make a solemn show, With tape-tied trash, and suits of fools that ask For place or pension laid in decent row; But these I passen by, with nameless numbers moe Of all the gentle tenants of the place, There was a man of special grave remark: A certain tender gloom o'erspread his face, Pensive, not sad, in thought involv'd, not dark; As soot this man could sing as morning-lark, And teach the noblest morals of the heart: But these his talents were yburied stark; Of the fine stores he nothing would impart, Which or boon Nature gave, or Nature-painting Art. To noontide shades incontinent he ran, Sauntering and slow. So had he passed many a day! Yet not in thoughtless slumber were they past: But with the clouds they fled, and left no traco behind. With him was sometimes join'd, in silent walk, New light, their twinkling eyes were inward set. The glittering star of eve-"Thank Heaven! the No sooner Lucifer recalls affairs, Than forth they various rush in mighty fret; When, lo! push'd up to power, and crown'd their cares, In comes another set, and kicketh them down stairs. day is done." Here lurk'd a wretch, who had not crept abroad |