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So, plung'd in pleasure of the pureft kind,
Serena gaz'd on the maternal mind;
Gaz'd till Sophrofyne's directing aid

Thus fummon'd to new fights th' obedient maid:
"Hafte, my fair charge, for of this ample state
"Traits yet unfeen thy vifitation wait.
"Thy preffing hours forbid me to unfold

"Each separate province which these confines hold;
"But I will lead thee to that blifsful crew,
"Whofe kindred spirits best deferve thy view."
So fpeaking, her attentive guest she led

Thro' fcenes, that ftill increafing wonder bred.
Where'er fhe trod, thro' all her gorgeous feat,
Soft mufic echoed from beneath her feet:
Paffing a portal, on whofe lucid ftone
Emblems of innocence and beauty fhone,
They reach a lawn with verdant luftre bright,
And view the bowers of permanent delight.
No fiery fun here forms a scorching noon,
No baleful meteor gleams, no chilling moon;
But, from a latent fource, one foothing light,
Whofe conftant rays repel the mist of night,
Tho' tender, cheerful, and tho' warm, ferene,
Gives lafting beauty to the lovely scene.
No fenfual thought this paradife profanes;
For here tried excellence in triumph reigns,
Benignant cares eternal joy fupply,

And blifs angelic beams in every eye.

"In yonder groups," the leading spirit cried, "My fav'rite females fee, my fairest pride. “The first in rank is that distinguish'd train,

"Whofe ftrength of foul was tried by Hymen's chain.

"Tho'

"Tho' beauty bleft their form, and love their guide,
"Their nuptial band with happiér omens tied,
"Beauty and love, they felt, may lose the art
"To fix inconstant man's eccentric heart;
"Yet conscious of their Lord's neglected vow,
"No virtue frown'd outrageous on their brow,
"To keep returning tenderness aloof,

"By coarse upbraiding, and defpis'd reproof:
"With forrow smother'd in attraction's fmile,
They ftrove the sense of misery to beguile;
"And, from wild paffion's perilous abyss,
"Lure the loft wanderer back to faithful blifs.
"See mild Octavia o'er this band prefide,

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Voluptuous Anthony's neglected bride,

"Whose feeling heart, with all a mother's care, "Rear'd the young offspring of a rival fair.

"Far other trials rais'd yon lovely crew,

"Tho' in connubial fcenes their merit grew : "It was their chance, ere judgment was mature, "When glittering toys the infant mind allure, "Following their parents' avaricious rule, "To wed, with hopes of blifs, a wealthy fool. "When time remov'd delufion's veil by ftealth, "And fhew'd the drear vacuity of wealth; "When fad experience prov'd the bitter fate "Of beauty coupled to a fenfeless mate; "These gentle wives ftill gloried to submit; "Thefe, tho' invited by alluring wit, "Refus'd in paths of lawless joy to range, "Nor murmur'd at the lot they could not change: "But, with a lively sweetness, unopprest "By a dull husband's lamentable jeft,

"The

"Their conftant rays of gay good-humour spread
"A guardian glory round their idiot's head.
"The next in order are thofe lovely forms,
"Whofe patience weather'd all paternal ftorms;
"By filial cares, the mind's unfailing test,
"Well have they earn'd these seats of blifsful rest:
They, unrepining at severe restraint,

"Peevifh commands, and undefer v'd complaint;
"Bent with unwearied kindnefs to appease
"Each fancied want of querulous disease;
"Gave up thofe joys which youthful hearts engage,
"To watch the weakness of paternal age.

"Turn to this cheerful band; and mark in this, "Spirits who juftly claim my realms of bliss! "Moft lovely thefe! when judg'd by generous truth, "Tho' beauty is not their's, nor blooming youth: "For these are they, who, in life's thorny shade, "Repin'd not at the name of ancient maid. "No proud difdain, no narrowness of heart "Held them from Hymen's tempting rites apart;" "But fair difcretion led them to withdraw "From the priz'd honour of his proffer'd law, "To quit the object of no hafty choice, "In mild fubmiffion to a parent's voice; "The valued lover with a sigh resign, "And facrifice delight at duty's shrine.

"With fmiles they bore, from angry fpleen exempt,

"Injurious mockery, and coarse contempt:
""Twas their's to clasp, each selfish care above,
"A fifter's orphans with paternal love,

"And all her tender offices fupply,

"Tho' bound not by the strong maternal tie :

" 'Twas

""Twas their's to bid inteftine quarrels ceafe,
"And form the cement of domestic peace.
"No throbbing joy their spotless bofom fir'd,
"Save what Benevolence herself infpir'd;

"No praise they fought, except that praise refin'd, "Which the heart whispers to the worthy mind.

"Such are these gentle tribes, the happy few, "Who share the triumph to their victory due: "Angelic aims their spotless minds employ, "And fill their measure of unchequer❜d joy.

"Behold! where fome with generous ardour wait "Around yon Seer, who holds the book of Fate; "Those awful leaves with eager glance they turn, "Thence with celeftial zeal they fondly learn

"What dangers threaten, thro' the vale of earth, "Their kindred pilgrims, ere they rise to birth: "To earth they still invifibly defcend,

"In that dark scene congenial minds defend," "From Pleasure's bud drive Spleen's corroding worm, "And in my votaries' hearts my power confirm.

"Delights more calm yon listening band employ, "Who deeply drink of intellectual joy.

"See them around that speaking nymph rejoice, "Their pleasures varying with her varied voice! "What graces in the sweet enthusiast glow!

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Repeating here whate'er she learns below.

"Mem❜ry her name, her charge o'er earth to flit,
"And cull the fairest flowers of human wit.
"Whatever genius, in his happiest hour,

"Has penn'd, of moral grace and comic power,
"To warm the heart, the fpells of fpleen unbind,
"And
pour gay funshine o'er the mifty mind;

"Teach

"Teach men to cherish their fraternal tie, "And view kind Nature with a filial eye; This active spirit catches in her flight, "Skill'd to retain, and happy to recite. "Here fhe delivers each bright work, and each "Derives new beauty from her graceful speech. "Warpt by no envy, by no love misled, "Equal she holds the living and the dead; "Alike rehearfing, as they claim their turn, “The song of Anfiey, and the tale of Sterne. "But morning calls thee hence.-Yet one feene 66 more

"My foftering love fhall lead thee to explore. "This, thy laft fight, with careful eyes furvey, “And mark th' extensive nature of my way."

SECT.

XXX.

HAYLEY.

THE LAST SCENE PRESENTED TO SERENA.

THUS with fond zeal the guardian spirit faid,
And to new precincts of her palace led;

The scene she enter'd of the richest state,
Where on her voice the fubject paffions wait:
Here rofe a throng of living gems, fo bright
No breath could fully their benignant light;
This, her immortal feat, the gracious guide
Affum'd: her ward stood wond'ring at her fide.
Swift

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