August Strindberg.
Poems on various subjects: selected to enforce the practice of virtue. And ... online
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SELECT POEMS.
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POEMS
O M
VARIOUS SUBJECTS;
SELECTED TO ENFORCE THE
PRACTICE OF VIRTUE.
AND
IVidi a view in comprlfe m om Fohme the
BEAUTIES
O V
ENGLISH POETRY.
. BY THOMAS TOMKINS.
'-*^fc
The pleafing Art of Poetry'i defign'd
To rsdfe the thoughts and moraHxe the mind;
The chafle delight* of virtue to infpire.
And warm the bofom with feraphic fire ;
5ublime the psflSons^ lend devotion yAngs,
And celebrate the Firfi grtat Caufs of things.
LONDON:
Trinkd fkr the EdiA>r, and
J. WAZ.LIS; AT YORICK'S HEAD, LVDOATS STREET*
M}DCC,LXXX.
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TO TH«
PUBLIC.
Poetry may be fiiid to claini our firft attcn-
doxi, as it was originally intended to exprefa
our gratitude to the Deity, and teach man-
kind the moft important precepts of religion
and virtue; by which the human foul is not
only exalted and refined, but the heart is
fortified againfl all the various aflaults <^ hu-
man calamities, and by which we are taught
to confider happinefs as entirely depending
on the reflections of our own minds. We fhall
be fufficiently convinced of thefe truths, if
we only confider the particular end and dcfign
of the feveral fpecies of poetry.
The Epic Poem was intended to convey
jnfbudUoBS difguifed under the allegory of an
^3
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^1 TO THE PTTBLIC
important and heroic adion. The Ode to
celebrate the exploits of great men, in order
to excite a general imitation in others. Tra-
gedy, to infpire us with a deteflation of guilt,
by painting the fatal confequences that foUow^
it ; and with a veneration for virtue, by re-»
prefenting the rewards and juft prjufes that
attend it. Comedy and Satire, to correiSk
whilft they divert us, and wage implacable
war with vice and folly. £i.£<^y, to wecf^
over the tombs of fudi aa deferve to be la-
mented; and Pastoral, to fing the inno-t
cence and pleafures of rural life.^
To pxomote fuch deiirable ends, the ftudjr
of Poetry has ever met with the faniSion and
encouragement of men the moll eminent for
their wifdom and virtue: and it; is much to be
feared that tho& whoie imaginations are not
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TO THE PUBLIC. Vll
enlivened by the charms of Poetry, jnuft
cither have their affections depraT^d, or be
naturally infenfible of the exquifite pleafure
rcfulting from the proper exercife of them.
To allure thofe who are inattentive to the
excellence of virtue, and direct their thought*
to the nobleft qualifications, induced the Editor
of this fmall volume to feleft fuch poems as
have beien univerfally efteemed the firft orna-
ments of our language, and admired, not only
for purity of fentiment, but for beauty and har*
Hiony of numbers.
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CONTENTS.
HfiALTM, an Edogvie.
Sdwin and.AnK«lma.
Hymn to Hamaaity.
The NightingaU.
Day, a Paftoral.
Hymn» from Che Seafons.
Edwin and Emma.
CoBtemplation on Night.
The Nun, an Elegy.
Kyma on Solitude.
Ode to SenTibility.
Content, a PadoraL
Prayer for Indifference. .
On the Immortality of the SooL
Ode in Elfrida.
Hymn to Contentment.
The Country*Box.
Hymn to AdTertity,
Mefiiah, a 5 acred Eclogue.
An Inquiry after Happineiik
A Thunder Storm.
The Evcniag Walk.
Contemplation.
The Story, of Lavkua.
. Thi ITniverfai .Prayer.
1
PAOI.
Panul â–
t
4
Laitfhomc*
zx
JV.
»5
,Cumuf^Jbam.
x%
Thmf^n.
*4
MaOit.
a8
%.
33
35
Thmfin.
4«
41
45
Gi^miit.
4*
49
.mMOtI*
5»
Parml.
5*
Lloyd.- •
S$
Gray.
60
Pope. •
€t
Carter.
6$
IbuL
61
Ibid.
70
Ibid.
7»
rh^>f^.-
T4
.P^
8#
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CONTENTS,
"'' Trondtnce, an Hymn. AUifin.
^Gratitude. Bid,
Creation. IhiiL
A Winter Piece, ' Thilipu
^he Fire-Side. . Cotton,
Adam's Morning Hymn. Mihon,
A Paftoral Ballad* Shenjhw,
Corydon, a Paftoral. Cunningham.
The i)ay of Judgnient. Thung,
A Father's Advice to his Son.
Ode on a diAant Profpedt of EtoaCollege.
The Country Clergyman.*
Ode to the New Year.
Anftey to Crarrick.
To the Memory of Garrick.
The Friar of Orders Cray.
A Talc.
The Feathered Race.
Ode to Truth.
He6lor and Andromache.
The Wiflu
Ode to Dr. Sq;nire«
Elegy in a Country Church-yard.
Refle^ons on Human Life.
The Beggar's Petition.
Hymn to Benevolence.
J]^ Death of JStella.
. Goldfimth.
Cimningbcm
Mehfutb.
Graves,
Mafon.
Vopc^i Homer,
Marick,
Dodd,
'Gray,
Tbomfon,
PkuUaek.
JbhU
»AOX«
8a
84
86
87
90
93
96
105
107
110
"5
119
JU
125
126
127
13*
134
136
139
144
H5
Z4S
15*
156
158
l6«
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eONTZNTSi
jA
VACB.
An Epitaph.
i6a
Content, a Vifion.
Couon,
164
Happineis.
Pof>e,
171
Sweetneis, an Ode.
MoUrtfau
174
Conjugal Felicity.
Tbomjoru
177
Elegy on an Unfoitunate Lady.
Tape.
179
V Allegro.
MihM.
i8a
11 Penferofo.
Ibid.
188
The Mifer and PlutuSt
%•
194
A Sacred Lyric.
197
Ode to Innocence.
O^ihk.
aoo
Cupid>Benighted.
j^iaaton.
soa
Hjnin in the Oratorio of AbeL
1A4
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sele;.ct poems.
HEALTH.
AN ECLOGUE.
BZ 9 ARN E i. t.
^ O W early (bepbenis o'er the mead<m'f paft^
And print long footll^s oil tht glitt*ring grafs;
The cowfty negleftful of tlwir paflare^ fland,
JBy turns otyfequioos to tht milker^s hand.
When Damon (bftty trod the fliav^ lawn,
Damon a youth from city cares withdrawn %
Long was the pleafmg walk he wander'd thro\igh^
A cover'd arboor clos'd the dillant Tiew j
There refts the youth, and, while the feather'd throng
Raiie their wild mufic, thus contrives afong.
Here, wafted o'er by mild Etefian air.
Thou country Goddefs, beanteons Health! repair, '
Here let my breaft throagh quiv'ring trees inhale'
Thy rofy bleffings with the morning gale. *
' What are ftie fields, or flow'n, or all I fee ?
Ahl taddeis all, if not enjoy'd with thee.
A
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£ SELECT POEMS.
Joy to my foul ! I feel the goddefs nigh.
The face of nature cheers as well as I ;
O'er the flat green refreftiing breezes run.
The fmiling daifies blow beneath the fun,
The brooks run purling down with filver waves.
The planted lanes rejoice with dancing leaves,
The chirping bird§ from, all the coitipafs rove
To tempt the tuneful echoes 'of the grove :
High funny fummits, deeply (haded dales,
Thick moffy banks, and flowery winding vales.
With various proipefls gratify the fight.
And fcatter fix'd attention in delight.
Cornell coontry Goddeis, come, nor thou fuf&ce.
But bring thy mouatain fifter, Exercife :
Call'd by thy lovely voice, fhe turns her pace.
Her winding horn proclaims the finiihM chace$
She mounts the rocks, ihe ikims the level plain,
Dogs, hawks and horfes, crowd her early tr^:
IJcr hardy face repels the tanning wind.
And lines ^d meihes loofely float behind.
All thefe as means of toil the feeble fee,
But thefe are helps to pleafure join'd with thee.
JLet floth lie foft'ning Hill high noon in down.
Or -lolling fan her in the foltry town,
Uunerv'd with reft; and turn her own difeafe,
•Or fofter others in luxurious cafe :
I mount the courfcr, call the deep-mou£h*d hounds^
JY» fox unkennell-d flies to covert. grounds;
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SELECT poems: j
1 lead where ftags through tangled thickets tread,
And fliake the fapiings with th^ branching head j
I make the falcons wing their sutry way>
And foar to feize, or (looping ilrike their prey;
To fnare the fifli I fix the luring bait ;
To. wound the fowl I load the gun with fate.
'Tis thus through change of exercife I range,
And fhnength and pleafure rhe from ev'ry change.
Here beauteous Health for all the year remain,
When the next comes, I'll charm thee thus again^
Oh come, thou Goddefs of my rural fong !
And bring thy daughter, calm Content, alongi
Pame of thy ruddy cheek and laughing eye^
From whofe bright prefence clouds of forrow fly t
For her I mow my walks, I plat my bow'rs^
Clip my low hedges, and fupport my flow'rs}
To welcome her, this fummer-feat I dreft,
And here I court her when (he comes to reit ; '
When (he from exercife to learned eafe
Shall change again, and teach the change to plea(e.
Now friends converfmg my foft hours refine.
And Tully's Tufculum revives in mine :
Now to grave books I bid the mind retreat,
, And fuch as make me rather good than great.
Or o'er the works of eafy fancy rove.
Where flutes and innocence amufe the grove:
The native bard that on Sicilian plains
JFir(t fung the lowly manners of the fwainsj
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Or M«m^ muft that in Kht fiistft Ughe
Paiu^ iur4 profpodU and cht charms of figbti
Thefe foft ainufem^t^ brisg Qootoit alo&g»
And fanoyy void of forrew^ twns to fonf «
Here beauteous Health for all the year remain^
When ttm Pf^ comesy X*ll chaprm chee thus agaui. .
EDWIN AND ANGELINA.
A BALLAD.
** l^u 1^)1, gentle hecxoit of the dale^ â–
" A»d g»de ruiy lonely way,
« To whej:^ yon taper cbeera the TalA^
«* Wi^ h<jfj^tatki ray. .
*' .Iter ^M50>iQrt«m *id laft* I trea^
^< . With laioting ft^ and aow ;
*' Where wildaiiftmeafurably fpreac^
« Sepm lengthentng as I go."
' ** Forbear, my fon," the hermit cnesy,
** .Tq tempt the dangeroius gloom;:
** For yonder fiaithleifi phantom files â–
*^ T9 htttttbee t6 thy doom.
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SELECT POEMS.
<< Here to the houfeleis child of want^
** My door is opea itill;
*' And though n^ portkn is but fcant^
** I give it with goodwill*.
** Then turn to-|iight, and freely fliar*
" Whatever my cell beftows;
** My rufhy couch, and frugal fare»
*' My blefling and repofe.
'* No flocks that range the valley free,
*' To flai^hter 1 condemn :
<' Taught by that power that pitiec me,
<' I learn to pity them.
" But from the mountmn's grafly fide,
" A gmltlefs feaft I bring} -
*' A fcrip with herbf and fruits fupply'd,
" And water from the fpring*
*' Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego}
** All earth-bom .cares are wrong:
** Man wants bi;t little here below,
*« Nor wants that little long."
Soft as the dew from beav'n defceads,
His gentle accents fell :
The modeft ftranger lowly bends^
And follows to the cell.
A3
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$ SELECT 90EMS^
Far in a wild^mefe oblbnrB
The lonely maniioo lay>
A refuge to the neighbouriiig peor^
And itrangers led afivajr.
No ftores beneath its hwnble thatch^
Reqoir'd a maimer's care;
The wicket, opevtag with a latch,
Receiv'd the harnilefp pair.
And now when hofy crowds retire
To take their evening reft.
The hermit trimmM his Uftlto firc^ •
And cheer'd his penfive gvaift;
And fpread hi9 vegBCaMe ftore,
And gayly pref^ ^<l finil^d.
And Ikill'd io legendaiy lore.
The lingering hours 1>lg»il'i}.
Around in l^patihctic mlvfih
Its tricks the ftitten tries.
The cricket chinrupa ii^ the heartlv ^
The crackling £aggot flies.^
But nothing could a charm impart
To footh the ftranger'swoej
For grief was heavy at his heart,^
And tears began to flow*
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SELECT PaEMS,
Hi9 rifing cares the faermit ^'d.
With anfwering care oppveft:
^< And whenceyvobappjeyouthy^hecry'd^
" The forrow* of thy breaA I
** From better habitation Ipuni'd^
** Relu6iant doll thoa wrt;
** Or grieve for friendflup unretum'ti^
<< Or unregarded love?' .
** AlasT the joys that foftime brings/
** Are trifling and decay;
** And thofe who prize the pakry thingsy
** More trifling ftill than tfaeyv
^ And what is friendflup but a name^
<' A chann that luUa tofleep^;
*« A fliade tbac foilkms wtakh or hmtf
*' But leaves the wretchto wef^h
** And love is (till an emptier finind,
^ The modem faur one's jeft,
*' On earth unfee% oy only faund
** To vrarm the turds's naSL
** For ihame, fqad^yooBhy thy ibrfO#9 hulfc^
<< And fpunrtte ibx>'^ be feid:
But> wlule he ^ke/a rifing bhifb
His love-lorn- gneft betvay'd.
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$ SELECT POEMS.
SurprizM he fees new beauties rife
Swift mantling to the view,
Like colours o'er the morning ikiei^
As bright, as tranfient too^
The bafhful look, the riling hmsSkp
Alternate fpread alarms^
The lovely ftranger ftands confeil
A maid in all her charms.
** And, ah ! forgive a ftranger nide,
" A wretch forlorn,'* (he cry'd,
*< Whofe £iet unhaUowed thus intrude
*' Where Heaven and you refide.
** But let a maid thy pity ihare,
'< Whom loye has taught to ftray ^
** Who feeks for. reft, but finds defpak*
*' Companion of her way.
<♦ My father liy'd befide the Tyne,
** A wealthy lord was he ;
** And all his wealth was mark'd as minei
*• He had but only jne :
^ To win me from bis tender arrnr,
<< Unnumber'd fuitors came;
** Who prais'd me for imputed cbanns^
•* And ielt or feign'd a fiame.
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SSLMCr POEMS.
** Each hour ^ maffBemry orowd
" With richoft pnAn Avow:
" Among the reft yoaog Edwin bow'd,
<' But iMvwtaHc'dol lorn
'' In humble rii|i{»leil ha^ clad,
" No wealth nor pMrer had he f
** Wlfdom and vfortfa ivero aU he bad^
^< But thefe were ail to me.
** The blo(5J!m opening to the day
« The dews of heaven refoi'd,
«* Could nought c4f purity difplay,
** To emulate hia mind.
*' The dew, the bloflbm on the tr§Bf
** With charma mcenftanC ^ m w\
« Their charms were his» but woe to me^
*' Their conAaocy was mine.
« For ftiU I try^d eiich fickle art,
<' Importunate and vain ;
^* And while his paffion toudi'd my heart|
** I triumphed in bia pain,
** Till quite dejefted with ray jfcom,
" He left me to my pride j
" And fought a fobfiude forioni,
<< lo fecret, where he died.
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,^ AElSCr FOZMS^
** But mine the forrow, mine the faulty
« And well my life fhall pay,
«< r\\ feek thB folitadehe fovsbt,
" And (tretch me where he lay.— «•
*' And there forlorn, defpahing, hid,
'* ril lay me down and diet
*' 'Twas fo for me that Edwin did,
" AndfoforhimwiUI.''
** Forbid it, Heaven !" the hermit cry'd.
And clafp'd her to his breail :
The wondering fair one tum'd to chide,
'Twas Edwin's felf that preft.
** Turn, Angelina, ever dear,
" My charmer, turn to fee,
** Thy own, thy long loft Edwin here,
** Reftor'd to love and thee.
*' Thus let me hold thee to my hearty
** And ev*i7 care refign :
<« And fli^U we never, never part,
** My life,— my all that's minei»
<' No, never from this hour to part,
*• We'll live and love fo true ;
<< The figh that rends thy conftant heart,
<< Shall break thy Edwin's too."
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sszEcr paEMs. s^
HYMN TO HUMANITY.
SrniL LANGHOKNE.
^ I.
Faremt of viruie, i£ thine ear
Attend not now to forrow's ciy;
If now the pity-ftreaming tear
Should haply on thy cheek be dry;
Indulge my votive itrainy O fweet Humanity T
II.
Come, ever welcome to my breail)
A tender but a cheerful gueft;
Nor alwa3r5 in the gloomy cell
-Of life confuming forrow dwell}
For forrow, long indulged and flow, â–
Is to Humanity a foe;
And grief, that makes the heart its prey^
Wears fenfibility away.
Then comes, fweet Nymph, inAead of thety
The gloomy fiend Stupidhy.
UI.
O may that fiend be baniih'd far^
Though paflions hold eternal war!
Nor ever let me ceafe to know
The pidfe that throbs at joy or woe;
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„ .««jtjCtfr POEMS.
Nor let my vacant cheek be dry.
When forrow fills a brother's eye ;
Kpr may the tear that frequent dow«
From private or from focial woes.
E'er make this pleaiiog ieafe depart.
Ye Cares, O harden not my heart !
IV.
If the fair ftar of fortune ihiiley
Let not it's flatterios power beguile.
Nor, borne along the fav'ring tide,
My full fails fwell with bloating pride.
Let me from wealth but hope content.
Remembering ftill it was but lent 5
To modefl merit; i^ad my ilore,
Unbar my hofpitable door;
Nor feed, with pomp, an idle train.
While Want unpitied piiies in vain,
V.
If Heaven, in every purpofe wife,
The envied lot of -wealth denies;
If doom'd to drag life's painful load
Through poverty's unevqo road.
And, for the due bread of .the dsff^.
Deftin'd to toil as well as pray;
To thee. Humanity, ftill true,
I'll wiih the good I cannot do.
And give the wretch that palles by,
A (bothing word-^— a t^ar-— -a figh*
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VI.
-Howe'cr exalted, or dejn-eft
"Be ever mine the feeUng bi«a£t
From me remove the ftagnant mkid
Of languid indoletice, reelm'd;
The foul that one long iabbath keeps,
And through the fun's whole circle deeps;
Dull peace, that dwells in folly's eye.
And felf-attending vanity.
Alike the fooliih aod the rain
Are Anmgers to the fenfe humane.
VII.
for that fympathetic glow
Which taught the holy tear to flow,
When the prophetic eye furvey'd
Sion in future alhes laid !
Or, rais'd to heaven, ihipkMr'd the bread >
That thoufands in the de£ttt fed !
Or, when the heart o'er fricndfliip's grave
Sigh'd and forgot- its power to lave,
•O for that fympathetic glow
Which taught the holy tear to flow !
VIII. .
It comes: it fills my labouring brcaft j
1 feel my beating heart oppreft.
Oh f hear that lonely widow's wail I
Sec her dim eye ! her afpea pale !
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2^ 9£LScr POEMS*
To heaven (he turns in daep defpair,
Her infants wonder at her frtfer,
And, mingling tears ttkef know not why^
Lift up their little hands» and cry.
O God ! their moving forrows fee I
Support them^ ^«et Humanity I
IX.
Life, fillM with griefs diftrsftfol train^
For ever afks the tear humancw
Beholdy in yon unconfokwB gro^
The viaims of illrf«ted ldv« I
Heard you that agonizing tbroe }
Sure this is not romantia woe I
The golden day of joy is o'er;
And now they part to meet no moie.
AiSfl them, hearts from anguifll free!
Affift them^ fw««t Humai!^ I
X.
Parent of virtue, if thine ear
Attend not now to ferrow't cry;
If DOW the pity-ftreaming tear
Should haply o» thy cheek be dryj
Indole my votive {train> O fweet Humanity!
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tgijter roKUU »s
THE NIGHTINGALE.
As PhoBbtK darted forth hit mikler ntff
And lengthening (hades conlS»ft*d the ihoit'nWig daf }
To Tiber's bimks repair'd an am'rous fwain,
The love and envy of the aeighb*ring plaiiii
To cool hi^ heat, he fought the brsezy grove }
To cool his heat, but mora the heat of lo^ t
To footh his eai«s on the Ibft lute he play'd |
But the foft lute refrelh'd the lovely maid i
Confpiring elms their umbrage fhed around,
Wav*d with applauie, and liften'd to the found.
Sweet Philomel, the chorifter of love,
The mufical enchantreis of the grove.
With vfronder heard the fliepherd as he pda/'d.
And ftole, attentive, to the tuneful fliade;
Perch'd o*er his head the (yivan Syren fate.
With envy boming, and with pride elate;
Ambitioufly ihe lent a U£t*ning ear,
Charm'd with the very footuls ihe d)r*d to hear:
Each Dole, each flowing accent of the ibng,
Sbe footh'd, and fweeten'd whh her fdltef tongue i
Gently refin'^ each inutated ftraiR,
And paid him with his harmony agaia.
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The flicphenl wondcr'd at the juft replie?^
At firft millaken for the vocal breeze ;
But when he found his Iktle rival near
Imbibing mufic both at eye and ear,
With a fublimer touch he fwept the lute,
A fummons to the mufical difpute;
The fummons -0ie-receiv'd, refolv'd to tt^, '
And daring, warbled out a bold reply.
Now fweeteft thoughts thp gentle fwain infpire.
And with, a dying foftnefs tune the lyre.
Echo tlfe vernal, mufic of the wood$.
Warble the murrours of the falling^ floods ;
Thus fwf et he Tings, but fweetly (ings in vain,:
For Philon^ela breathes a fofter ftrain ^
With eafier art fhe modulates each noCe>
More natural mufic melting in her throat :
Much he admired thd magic of her tongue»
But more to iin^ his lute and art outdone.
And now to loftier airs he tunes the ftrings
And now tp loftier auurs bis echo iings;
Though loud as thunder, though as fwift a^ thought,.
She reached the fweUing, caught the flying note ;
In trembling treble, now in folemn bafe.
She Ibow'd how nature could his art furpa£s. ' ■- t
Amaz'd, at longch with rage the. fliephend buni*d^
His admira^oa into: anger tum'df
Inflamed, with emutattf)^ pride be ftooi, .
And thus defyM the fbarmer oC tfan wopd t
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And wilt thou fiiU my anfi« itamuu}
Then fee tli|r folly, and thy tjUk is great:
For, know, more powMul la^ remain infancy
Lays far fu|)erior to thy nm^ toQgue.
If not, this lute, this vanquiih'd lute I fwear
Sfaalt ae«pr mare deiigfat the ravifh'd ear ;
But broke in fcatter'd fragments, ftrew the plain.
And mgurxi the gk>nef *w^c)i it could not gain.
He faid, and as he faid, his foul on fire,
With a difdain&J air he Amck the lyce ;
Qgick to the touch the tides of mufic flow.
Swell into flrength, or melt away in woe :
Now raife the Ihrilling trumpet's clanging jar.
And imitated thunders rouze the war;
Now foft'ning founds, and fadly pleafmg ftrains,
Breathe out the lover's joyi, and lover's pains.
He fung ; and ceas'd her xvnl nocet to hear^
As his dy'd liit'niog in the ambieftt air.
But i^ow, too laC9> ber nebksMly found,
Sad Philomela ftood jTvUu'd by iovnii
Though vanquiih'dy yet with gen'rous ardour fill'd.
Ignobly (till ihe fcecn'd C99»i the fidd s
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>d by Google
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^^
'\.^
1? ^â– ^ e^^-z^ e .
o'
SELECT POEMS.
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POEMS
O M
VARIOUS SUBJECTS;
SELECTED TO ENFORCE THE
PRACTICE OF VIRTUE.
AND
IVidi a view in comprlfe m om Fohme the
BEAUTIES
O V
ENGLISH POETRY.
. BY THOMAS TOMKINS.
'-*^fc
The pleafing Art of Poetry'i defign'd
To rsdfe the thoughts and moraHxe the mind;
The chafle delight* of virtue to infpire.
And warm the bofom with feraphic fire ;
5ublime the psflSons^ lend devotion yAngs,
And celebrate the Firfi grtat Caufs of things.
LONDON:
Trinkd fkr the EdiA>r, and
J. WAZ.LIS; AT YORICK'S HEAD, LVDOATS STREET*
M}DCC,LXXX.
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TC»C93te»v
Digitized by Google
TO TH«
PUBLIC.
Poetry may be fiiid to claini our firft attcn-
doxi, as it was originally intended to exprefa
our gratitude to the Deity, and teach man-
kind the moft important precepts of religion
and virtue; by which the human foul is not
only exalted and refined, but the heart is
fortified againfl all the various aflaults <^ hu-
man calamities, and by which we are taught
to confider happinefs as entirely depending
on the reflections of our own minds. We fhall
be fufficiently convinced of thefe truths, if
we only confider the particular end and dcfign
of the feveral fpecies of poetry.
The Epic Poem was intended to convey
jnfbudUoBS difguifed under the allegory of an
^3
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^1 TO THE PTTBLIC
important and heroic adion. The Ode to
celebrate the exploits of great men, in order
to excite a general imitation in others. Tra-
gedy, to infpire us with a deteflation of guilt,
by painting the fatal confequences that foUow^
it ; and with a veneration for virtue, by re-»
prefenting the rewards and juft prjufes that
attend it. Comedy and Satire, to correiSk
whilft they divert us, and wage implacable
war with vice and folly. £i.£<^y, to wecf^
over the tombs of fudi aa deferve to be la-
mented; and Pastoral, to fing the inno-t
cence and pleafures of rural life.^
To pxomote fuch deiirable ends, the ftudjr
of Poetry has ever met with the faniSion and
encouragement of men the moll eminent for
their wifdom and virtue: and it; is much to be
feared that tho& whoie imaginations are not
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TO THE PUBLIC. Vll
enlivened by the charms of Poetry, jnuft
cither have their affections depraT^d, or be
naturally infenfible of the exquifite pleafure
rcfulting from the proper exercife of them.
To allure thofe who are inattentive to the
excellence of virtue, and direct their thought*
to the nobleft qualifications, induced the Editor
of this fmall volume to feleft fuch poems as
have beien univerfally efteemed the firft orna-
ments of our language, and admired, not only
for purity of fentiment, but for beauty and har*
Hiony of numbers.
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Digitized by Google
CONTENTS.
HfiALTM, an Edogvie.
Sdwin and.AnK«lma.
Hymn to Hamaaity.
The NightingaU.
Day, a Paftoral.
Hymn» from Che Seafons.
Edwin and Emma.
CoBtemplation on Night.
The Nun, an Elegy.
Kyma on Solitude.
Ode to SenTibility.
Content, a PadoraL
Prayer for Indifference. .
On the Immortality of the SooL
Ode in Elfrida.
Hymn to Contentment.
The Country*Box.
Hymn to AdTertity,
Mefiiah, a 5 acred Eclogue.
An Inquiry after Happineiik
A Thunder Storm.
The Evcniag Walk.
Contemplation.
The Story, of Lavkua.
. Thi ITniverfai .Prayer.
1
PAOI.
Panul â–
t
4
Laitfhomc*
zx
JV.
»5
,Cumuf^Jbam.
x%
Thmf^n.
*4
MaOit.
a8
%.
33
35
Thmfin.
4«
41
45
Gi^miit.
4*
49
.mMOtI*
5»
Parml.
5*
Lloyd.- •
S$
Gray.
60
Pope. •
€t
Carter.
6$
IbuL
61
Ibid.
70
Ibid.
7»
rh^>f^.-
T4
.P^
8#
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CONTENTS,
"'' Trondtnce, an Hymn. AUifin.
^Gratitude. Bid,
Creation. IhiiL
A Winter Piece, ' Thilipu
^he Fire-Side. . Cotton,
Adam's Morning Hymn. Mihon,
A Paftoral Ballad* Shenjhw,
Corydon, a Paftoral. Cunningham.
The i)ay of Judgnient. Thung,
A Father's Advice to his Son.
Ode on a diAant Profpedt of EtoaCollege.
The Country Clergyman.*
Ode to the New Year.
Anftey to Crarrick.
To the Memory of Garrick.
The Friar of Orders Cray.
A Talc.
The Feathered Race.
Ode to Truth.
He6lor and Andromache.
The Wiflu
Ode to Dr. Sq;nire«
Elegy in a Country Church-yard.
Refle^ons on Human Life.
The Beggar's Petition.
Hymn to Benevolence.
J]^ Death of JStella.
. Goldfimth.
Cimningbcm
Mehfutb.
Graves,
Mafon.
Vopc^i Homer,
Marick,
Dodd,
'Gray,
Tbomfon,
PkuUaek.
JbhU
»AOX«
8a
84
86
87
90
93
96
105
107
110
"5
119
JU
125
126
127
13*
134
136
139
144
H5
Z4S
15*
156
158
l6«
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eONTZNTSi
jA
VACB.
An Epitaph.
i6a
Content, a Vifion.
Couon,
164
Happineis.
Pof>e,
171
Sweetneis, an Ode.
MoUrtfau
174
Conjugal Felicity.
Tbomjoru
177
Elegy on an Unfoitunate Lady.
Tape.
179
V Allegro.
MihM.
i8a
11 Penferofo.
Ibid.
188
The Mifer and PlutuSt
%•
194
A Sacred Lyric.
197
Ode to Innocence.
O^ihk.
aoo
Cupid>Benighted.
j^iaaton.
soa
Hjnin in the Oratorio of AbeL
1A4
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sele;.ct poems.
HEALTH.
AN ECLOGUE.
BZ 9 ARN E i. t.
^ O W early (bepbenis o'er the mead<m'f paft^
And print long footll^s oil tht glitt*ring grafs;
The cowfty negleftful of tlwir paflare^ fland,
JBy turns otyfequioos to tht milker^s hand.
When Damon (bftty trod the fliav^ lawn,
Damon a youth from city cares withdrawn %
Long was the pleafmg walk he wander'd thro\igh^
A cover'd arboor clos'd the dillant Tiew j
There refts the youth, and, while the feather'd throng
Raiie their wild mufic, thus contrives afong.
Here, wafted o'er by mild Etefian air.
Thou country Goddefs, beanteons Health! repair, '
Here let my breaft throagh quiv'ring trees inhale'
Thy rofy bleffings with the morning gale. *
' What are ftie fields, or flow'n, or all I fee ?
Ahl taddeis all, if not enjoy'd with thee.
A
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£ SELECT POEMS.
Joy to my foul ! I feel the goddefs nigh.
The face of nature cheers as well as I ;
O'er the flat green refreftiing breezes run.
The fmiling daifies blow beneath the fun,
The brooks run purling down with filver waves.
The planted lanes rejoice with dancing leaves,
The chirping bird§ from, all the coitipafs rove
To tempt the tuneful echoes 'of the grove :
High funny fummits, deeply (haded dales,
Thick moffy banks, and flowery winding vales.
With various proipefls gratify the fight.
And fcatter fix'd attention in delight.
Cornell coontry Goddeis, come, nor thou fuf&ce.
But bring thy mouatain fifter, Exercife :
Call'd by thy lovely voice, fhe turns her pace.
Her winding horn proclaims the finiihM chace$
She mounts the rocks, ihe ikims the level plain,
Dogs, hawks and horfes, crowd her early tr^:
IJcr hardy face repels the tanning wind.
And lines ^d meihes loofely float behind.
All thefe as means of toil the feeble fee,
But thefe are helps to pleafure join'd with thee.
JLet floth lie foft'ning Hill high noon in down.
Or -lolling fan her in the foltry town,
Uunerv'd with reft; and turn her own difeafe,
•Or fofter others in luxurious cafe :
I mount the courfcr, call the deep-mou£h*d hounds^
JY» fox unkennell-d flies to covert. grounds;
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SELECT poems: j
1 lead where ftags through tangled thickets tread,
And fliake the fapiings with th^ branching head j
I make the falcons wing their sutry way>
And foar to feize, or (looping ilrike their prey;
To fnare the fifli I fix the luring bait ;
To. wound the fowl I load the gun with fate.
'Tis thus through change of exercife I range,
And fhnength and pleafure rhe from ev'ry change.
Here beauteous Health for all the year remain,
When the next comes, I'll charm thee thus again^
Oh come, thou Goddefs of my rural fong !
And bring thy daughter, calm Content, alongi
Pame of thy ruddy cheek and laughing eye^
From whofe bright prefence clouds of forrow fly t
For her I mow my walks, I plat my bow'rs^
Clip my low hedges, and fupport my flow'rs}
To welcome her, this fummer-feat I dreft,
And here I court her when (he comes to reit ; '
When (he from exercife to learned eafe
Shall change again, and teach the change to plea(e.
Now friends converfmg my foft hours refine.
And Tully's Tufculum revives in mine :
Now to grave books I bid the mind retreat,
, And fuch as make me rather good than great.
Or o'er the works of eafy fancy rove.
Where flutes and innocence amufe the grove:
The native bard that on Sicilian plains
JFir(t fung the lowly manners of the fwainsj
A z
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Or M«m^ muft that in Kht fiistft Ughe
Paiu^ iur4 profpodU and cht charms of figbti
Thefe foft ainufem^t^ brisg Qootoit alo&g»
And fanoyy void of forrew^ twns to fonf «
Here beauteous Health for all the year remain^
When ttm Pf^ comesy X*ll chaprm chee thus agaui. .
EDWIN AND ANGELINA.
A BALLAD.
** l^u 1^)1, gentle hecxoit of the dale^ â–
" A»d g»de ruiy lonely way,
« To whej:^ yon taper cbeera the TalA^
«* Wi^ h<jfj^tatki ray. .
*' .Iter ^M50>iQrt«m *id laft* I trea^
^< . With laioting ft^ and aow ;
*' Where wildaiiftmeafurably fpreac^
« Sepm lengthentng as I go."
' ** Forbear, my fon," the hermit cnesy,
** .Tq tempt the dangeroius gloom;:
** For yonder fiaithleifi phantom files â–
*^ T9 htttttbee t6 thy doom.
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SELECT POEMS.
<< Here to the houfeleis child of want^
** My door is opea itill;
*' And though n^ portkn is but fcant^
** I give it with goodwill*.
** Then turn to-|iight, and freely fliar*
" Whatever my cell beftows;
** My rufhy couch, and frugal fare»
*' My blefling and repofe.
'* No flocks that range the valley free,
*' To flai^hter 1 condemn :
<' Taught by that power that pitiec me,
<' I learn to pity them.
" But from the mountmn's grafly fide,
" A gmltlefs feaft I bring} -
*' A fcrip with herbf and fruits fupply'd,
" And water from the fpring*
*' Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego}
** All earth-bom .cares are wrong:
** Man wants bi;t little here below,
*« Nor wants that little long."
Soft as the dew from beav'n defceads,
His gentle accents fell :
The modeft ftranger lowly bends^
And follows to the cell.
A3
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$ SELECT 90EMS^
Far in a wild^mefe oblbnrB
The lonely maniioo lay>
A refuge to the neighbouriiig peor^
And itrangers led afivajr.
No ftores beneath its hwnble thatch^
Reqoir'd a maimer's care;
The wicket, opevtag with a latch,
Receiv'd the harnilefp pair.
And now when hofy crowds retire
To take their evening reft.
The hermit trimmM his Uftlto firc^ •
And cheer'd his penfive gvaift;
And fpread hi9 vegBCaMe ftore,
And gayly pref^ ^<l finil^d.
And Ikill'd io legendaiy lore.
The lingering hours 1>lg»il'i}.
Around in l^patihctic mlvfih
Its tricks the ftitten tries.
The cricket chinrupa ii^ the heartlv ^
The crackling £aggot flies.^
But nothing could a charm impart
To footh the ftranger'swoej
For grief was heavy at his heart,^
And tears began to flow*
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Hi9 rifing cares the faermit ^'d.
With anfwering care oppveft:
^< And whenceyvobappjeyouthy^hecry'd^
" The forrow* of thy breaA I
** From better habitation Ipuni'd^
** Relu6iant doll thoa wrt;
** Or grieve for friendflup unretum'ti^
<< Or unregarded love?' .
** AlasT the joys that foftime brings/
** Are trifling and decay;
** And thofe who prize the pakry thingsy
** More trifling ftill than tfaeyv
^ And what is friendflup but a name^
<' A chann that luUa tofleep^;
*« A fliade tbac foilkms wtakh or hmtf
*' But leaves the wretchto wef^h
** And love is (till an emptier finind,
^ The modem faur one's jeft,
*' On earth unfee% oy only faund
** To vrarm the turds's naSL
** For ihame, fqad^yooBhy thy ibrfO#9 hulfc^
<< And fpunrtte ibx>'^ be feid:
But> wlule he ^ke/a rifing bhifb
His love-lorn- gneft betvay'd.
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$ SELECT POEMS.
SurprizM he fees new beauties rife
Swift mantling to the view,
Like colours o'er the morning ikiei^
As bright, as tranfient too^
The bafhful look, the riling hmsSkp
Alternate fpread alarms^
The lovely ftranger ftands confeil
A maid in all her charms.
** And, ah ! forgive a ftranger nide,
" A wretch forlorn,'* (he cry'd,
*< Whofe £iet unhaUowed thus intrude
*' Where Heaven and you refide.
** But let a maid thy pity ihare,
'< Whom loye has taught to ftray ^
** Who feeks for. reft, but finds defpak*
*' Companion of her way.
<♦ My father liy'd befide the Tyne,
** A wealthy lord was he ;
** And all his wealth was mark'd as minei
*• He had but only jne :
^ To win me from bis tender arrnr,
<< Unnumber'd fuitors came;
** Who prais'd me for imputed cbanns^
•* And ielt or feign'd a fiame.
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SSLMCr POEMS.
** Each hour ^ maffBemry orowd
" With richoft pnAn Avow:
" Among the reft yoaog Edwin bow'd,
<' But iMvwtaHc'dol lorn
'' In humble rii|i{»leil ha^ clad,
" No wealth nor pMrer had he f
** Wlfdom and vfortfa ivero aU he bad^
^< But thefe were ail to me.
** The blo(5J!m opening to the day
« The dews of heaven refoi'd,
«* Could nought c4f purity difplay,
** To emulate hia mind.
*' The dew, the bloflbm on the tr§Bf
** With charma mcenftanC ^ m w\
« Their charms were his» but woe to me^
*' Their conAaocy was mine.
« For ftiU I try^d eiich fickle art,
<' Importunate and vain ;
^* And while his paffion toudi'd my heart|
** I triumphed in bia pain,
** Till quite dejefted with ray jfcom,
" He left me to my pride j
" And fought a fobfiude forioni,
<< lo fecret, where he died.
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,^ AElSCr FOZMS^
** But mine the forrow, mine the faulty
« And well my life fhall pay,
«< r\\ feek thB folitadehe fovsbt,
" And (tretch me where he lay.— «•
*' And there forlorn, defpahing, hid,
'* ril lay me down and diet
*' 'Twas fo for me that Edwin did,
" AndfoforhimwiUI.''
** Forbid it, Heaven !" the hermit cry'd.
And clafp'd her to his breail :
The wondering fair one tum'd to chide,
'Twas Edwin's felf that preft.
** Turn, Angelina, ever dear,
" My charmer, turn to fee,
** Thy own, thy long loft Edwin here,
** Reftor'd to love and thee.
*' Thus let me hold thee to my hearty
** And ev*i7 care refign :
<« And fli^U we never, never part,
** My life,— my all that's minei»
<' No, never from this hour to part,
*• We'll live and love fo true ;
<< The figh that rends thy conftant heart,
<< Shall break thy Edwin's too."
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sszEcr paEMs. s^
HYMN TO HUMANITY.
SrniL LANGHOKNE.
^ I.
Faremt of viruie, i£ thine ear
Attend not now to forrow's ciy;
If now the pity-ftreaming tear
Should haply on thy cheek be dry;
Indulge my votive itrainy O fweet Humanity T
II.
Come, ever welcome to my breail)
A tender but a cheerful gueft;
Nor alwa3r5 in the gloomy cell
-Of life confuming forrow dwell}
For forrow, long indulged and flow, â–
Is to Humanity a foe;
And grief, that makes the heart its prey^
Wears fenfibility away.
Then comes, fweet Nymph, inAead of thety
The gloomy fiend Stupidhy.
UI.
O may that fiend be baniih'd far^
Though paflions hold eternal war!
Nor ever let me ceafe to know
The pidfe that throbs at joy or woe;
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„ .««jtjCtfr POEMS.
Nor let my vacant cheek be dry.
When forrow fills a brother's eye ;
Kpr may the tear that frequent dow«
From private or from focial woes.
E'er make this pleaiiog ieafe depart.
Ye Cares, O harden not my heart !
IV.
If the fair ftar of fortune ihiiley
Let not it's flatterios power beguile.
Nor, borne along the fav'ring tide,
My full fails fwell with bloating pride.
Let me from wealth but hope content.
Remembering ftill it was but lent 5
To modefl merit; i^ad my ilore,
Unbar my hofpitable door;
Nor feed, with pomp, an idle train.
While Want unpitied piiies in vain,
V.
If Heaven, in every purpofe wife,
The envied lot of -wealth denies;
If doom'd to drag life's painful load
Through poverty's unevqo road.
And, for the due bread of .the dsff^.
Deftin'd to toil as well as pray;
To thee. Humanity, ftill true,
I'll wiih the good I cannot do.
And give the wretch that palles by,
A (bothing word-^— a t^ar-— -a figh*
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SKLECT POEMi. 13
VI.
-Howe'cr exalted, or dejn-eft
"Be ever mine the feeUng bi«a£t
From me remove the ftagnant mkid
Of languid indoletice, reelm'd;
The foul that one long iabbath keeps,
And through the fun's whole circle deeps;
Dull peace, that dwells in folly's eye.
And felf-attending vanity.
Alike the fooliih aod the rain
Are Anmgers to the fenfe humane.
VII.
for that fympathetic glow
Which taught the holy tear to flow,
When the prophetic eye furvey'd
Sion in future alhes laid !
Or, rais'd to heaven, ihipkMr'd the bread >
That thoufands in the de£ttt fed !
Or, when the heart o'er fricndfliip's grave
Sigh'd and forgot- its power to lave,
•O for that fympathetic glow
Which taught the holy tear to flow !
VIII. .
It comes: it fills my labouring brcaft j
1 feel my beating heart oppreft.
Oh f hear that lonely widow's wail I
Sec her dim eye ! her afpea pale !
B
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2^ 9£LScr POEMS*
To heaven (he turns in daep defpair,
Her infants wonder at her frtfer,
And, mingling tears ttkef know not why^
Lift up their little hands» and cry.
O God ! their moving forrows fee I
Support them^ ^«et Humanity I
IX.
Life, fillM with griefs diftrsftfol train^
For ever afks the tear humancw
Beholdy in yon unconfokwB gro^
The viaims of illrf«ted ldv« I
Heard you that agonizing tbroe }
Sure this is not romantia woe I
The golden day of joy is o'er;
And now they part to meet no moie.
AiSfl them, hearts from anguifll free!
Affift them^ fw««t Humai!^ I
X.
Parent of virtue, if thine ear
Attend not now to ferrow't cry;
If DOW the pity-ftreaming tear
Should haply o» thy cheek be dryj
Indole my votive {train> O fweet Humanity!
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tgijter roKUU »s
THE NIGHTINGALE.
As PhoBbtK darted forth hit mikler ntff
And lengthening (hades conlS»ft*d the ihoit'nWig daf }
To Tiber's bimks repair'd an am'rous fwain,
The love and envy of the aeighb*ring plaiiii
To cool hi^ heat, he fought the brsezy grove }
To cool his heat, but mora the heat of lo^ t
To footh his eai«s on the Ibft lute he play'd |
But the foft lute refrelh'd the lovely maid i
Confpiring elms their umbrage fhed around,
Wav*d with applauie, and liften'd to the found.
Sweet Philomel, the chorifter of love,
The mufical enchantreis of the grove.
With vfronder heard the fliepherd as he pda/'d.
And ftole, attentive, to the tuneful fliade;
Perch'd o*er his head the (yivan Syren fate.
With envy boming, and with pride elate;
Ambitioufly ihe lent a U£t*ning ear,
Charm'd with the very footuls ihe d)r*d to hear:
Each Dole, each flowing accent of the ibng,
Sbe footh'd, and fweeten'd whh her fdltef tongue i
Gently refin'^ each inutated ftraiR,
And paid him with his harmony agaia.
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The flicphenl wondcr'd at the juft replie?^
At firft millaken for the vocal breeze ;
But when he found his Iktle rival near
Imbibing mufic both at eye and ear,
With a fublimer touch he fwept the lute,
A fummons to the mufical difpute;
The fummons -0ie-receiv'd, refolv'd to tt^, '
And daring, warbled out a bold reply.
Now fweeteft thoughts thp gentle fwain infpire.
And with, a dying foftnefs tune the lyre.
Echo tlfe vernal, mufic of the wood$.
Warble the murrours of the falling^ floods ;
Thus fwf et he Tings, but fweetly (ings in vain,:
For Philon^ela breathes a fofter ftrain ^
With eafier art fhe modulates each noCe>
More natural mufic melting in her throat :
Much he admired thd magic of her tongue»
But more to iin^ his lute and art outdone.
And now to loftier airs he tunes the ftrings
And now tp loftier auurs bis echo iings;
Though loud as thunder, though as fwift a^ thought,.
She reached the fweUing, caught the flying note ;
In trembling treble, now in folemn bafe.
She Ibow'd how nature could his art furpa£s. ' ■- t
Amaz'd, at longch with rage the. fliephend buni*d^
His admira^oa into: anger tum'df
Inflamed, with emutattf)^ pride be ftooi, .
And thus defyM the fbarmer oC tfan wopd t
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And wilt thou fiiU my anfi« itamuu}
Then fee tli|r folly, and thy tjUk is great:
For, know, more powMul la^ remain infancy
Lays far fu|)erior to thy nm^ toQgue.
If not, this lute, this vanquiih'd lute I fwear
Sfaalt ae«pr mare deiigfat the ravifh'd ear ;
But broke in fcatter'd fragments, ftrew the plain.
And mgurxi the gk>nef *w^c)i it could not gain.
He faid, and as he faid, his foul on fire,
With a difdain&J air he Amck the lyce ;
Qgick to the touch the tides of mufic flow.
Swell into flrength, or melt away in woe :
Now raife the Ihrilling trumpet's clanging jar.
And imitated thunders rouze the war;
Now foft'ning founds, and fadly pleafmg ftrains,
Breathe out the lover's joyi, and lover's pains.
He fung ; and ceas'd her xvnl nocet to hear^
As his dy'd liit'niog in the ambieftt air.
But i^ow, too laC9> ber nebksMly found,
Sad Philomela ftood jTvUu'd by iovnii
Though vanquiih'dy yet with gen'rous ardour fill'd.
Ignobly (till ihe fcecn'd C99»i the fidd s
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