DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %qom 392 Coleridge (S. T.) Poems on Vark Edition, with half-title, and err a leaves at end, sm. 8vo, half calf gil mmim '.ia3 Subjects, First m cLnd advertisement 1796 POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, BY S. T. COLERIDGE, UTS OF JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, BY 5. T, COLERIDGE, LATE OF JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. Felix curarum, cui non HcHcooia cordi Serta, ncc imbelles Parnafli e vertice laurus ! Sed viget ingenium, et magnos accinctus in ufus Fert animus quafcunque vices, Nos triftia vitsc Solamur cantu. Stat. Si Lv. Lib. iv. 4. LONDON: PRINTED FOR C. C. AKD J. ROBINSONS, ANB J, COTTLE, BOOKSELLER, BRISTOL* 796. Tr.R Cfo93PV PREFACE. :>^^z=Sk<^^: XTOEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS written at diffe- rent times and prompted by very different feelings ; but which will be read at one time and under the influence of one fet of feelings — this is an heavy difadvantage : for we love or admire a poet in pro- portion as he developes our own fentiments and emotions, or reminds u^ of our own knowledge. Compofitions refembling thofe of the prefcnt vo- lume arc not unfrequently condemned for their que- rulous egotifm. But egotifm is to be condemned then only when it offends againfl time and place, as in an Hiftory or an Epic Poem, To cenfurc it in a Mo- A3 VI PREfACH. nody or Sonnet is almofl as abfurd as to diflikc a circle for being round. Why then write Sonnets or Monodies ? Becaufe they give me pleafure when per- haps nothing elfe could. After the inore violent emo- tions, of Sorrow, th^ mind demands folace and can find it in- employment alone; but full of its late fufFerings it can endure no employnaeht not conne^ed witfe thof© fufferingsi. FojfQib^y to ti^n away our attention to Qthw fubje^U is a p^ful «ind in genseral an un* availing effort, •*^ Bjiit Oh§\y gr^tefejil t9^^^w(;»^]fided fert Hbb^^alf of mifery t<;> iiApa?^ ; FromolUers ^ye^ bid mi\i^: ferrow^ i|.a\^ And caiifr eiteem upoa tb/& ba& qI \^Qe !" MB#Ace. vii Ike ednuaoiticatwenefs cf our nature leads i^s to deficiibe our- own fbrrows ; in the endeavor to (fefcribe them inteilbftual aftivity is exerted j and by a benevokat law of our nature from, kitelleftual ai^vity a.pleafure refults wMch is gradually affaci-. ated and mingles as a corrcftiAJe with the painful fiibjeft of the dcfcription. True !' it ma^y be an-' fwered, bot \mw are the Pub li c interefted in- your ftarows or your defcription ? We are for ever attributing a perfonal unity to imaginary aggregates* What is the Public but a term for a number of fcat- tered individuals of whom as many will be interefted in. thefe fbrrows as have experienced the fame or fimilar? ^ " Holy be the Lay, Which mourning focrthes the mourner on his w:iy l'*" VIU PREFACE. There is one fpecies of egotifm which is truly difgufting ; not that which leads us to communicate our feelings to others, but that which would reduce the feelings of others to an identity with our own. The Atheift, who exclaims "pfhaw!" when he glances his eye on the praifes of Deity, is an Egotift ; an old man, when he fpeaks contemptuoufly of loyc- verfes, is an Egotift ; and your fleek favorites of Fortune are Egotifts, when they condemn all " me- lancholy difcontented" verfes. Surely it would be candid not merely to afk whether the Poem pleafes ourfelves, but to confider whether or no there may not be others to whom it is well -calculated to give an innocent pleafure. With what anxiety every fafhionable author avoids the PREFACE. IX word // — now he transforms himfelf into a third pcrfon, — " the prefent writer" — now multiplies himfelf and fwclls into " we" — and all this is the watchfulnefs of guilt. Confcious that this faid / is perpetually intruding on his mind and that it mono- polizes his heart, he is prudifhly felicitous that it n»y not efcape from his lips. This difintereftednefs of phrafe is in general com- menfurate with felfiflmefs of feelin? : men old and hackneyed in the ways of the world are fcrupulous avoiders of Egotifm. Of the following Poems a confiderable number arc ftyled " Effufions," in defiance of Churchill's line *' Effufion on EfFuhon pour away,*' X PRIPACl* I could recollc^i no title ma^ ^efcriptive cfth^ manner and matter of th^ Poems ^^ I might indasdl have called the majority of them So^anets --»- but they do not poffes that oneness of thought which 1 deem, indifpenhble in a Sonnet — and (not a very hono>- rable motive perhaps) I was fearful that the title " Sonnet" might have reminded my reader of the Poems of the Rev. W. L.> Bowles — a comparifon with whom would have funk me. bc^ow that medio- crity, on the furface of which I am. at prefent enabled to float. Some of the verfes allude to an intended emigra- tion to America on the fcheme of an abaodonracnt of individual propejty PREFACE. xi 'The Effufions figned C. L. were written by Mr, Charles Lamb, of the India Houfe — ^inde- pendently of the fignature their fupcrior merit would have fufficiently diftinguiftied them. For the rough (ketch of Effufion XVI. I am indebted to Mr. Favell. And the firft half of Effufion XV. was written by the Author of " Joan of Arc,'* an Epic Poem. «.^nk^M.^-i •.^>-i CONTENTS. PAGE, Monody to Chatterton, 1 To the Rev. W. J. H. . 12 Songs of the Pixies, 15 Lines on the Man of Rofs, 26 Lines to a Beautiful Spring, , 28 Epitaph on an Infant, , , 31 Lines on a Friend, . , 32 Xo a Young Lady with a Poem, . 36 Abfcnce, a farewell Ode, . . 40 EfFufion 1, to Bowles, . 45 Effufion 2, to Burke, 46 EfFufion 3, to Mercy, . , 47 EfFufion 4, to Prieflley, . • .48 EfFufion 5, to Erfkine, . • 49 XIV CONTENTS, EfFufion 6, Effufion EfFufion 8, EfFufion 9, EfFufion lo, EfFufion i EfFufion 12, EfFufion 13, EfFufion 14, EfFufion 15, EfFufion 16. EfFufion I'j, EfFufion 18, EfFufion 19, EflFufion ao, EfFufion 21. to Sheridan, , to Siddons, . to Kofciufco, to Fayette, . to Earl Stanhope, written at Midnight, to an Old Man, , to Genevieve, , to the Autumnal Moon, to my own heart, , to Schiller, , on Brockley Coombj CONTENTS. XV To a Friend with an unfinifhed Poem, . Effulion 23, to the Nightingale, . EfFufion 24, in the manner of Spencer, Effuiion 25) to Domeftic Peace, . Effufion 26, on a Kifs, Effulion 2*7, • , , Effufion 28, , Effufion 29, Imitated from Offian, Effufion 30, Complaint of Ninathoma, Effufion 31, from the Welfh, Effufion 32, The Sigh, ..,.- ,. Effufion 33, to a Young Afs, Effufion 34, to an Infant, , Effufion 35, written at Cleveden, Effufion 36, written in Early Youth, -Epiftle 1, written at Shurton Bars, PAGE. 71 73 77 78 80. 82 84 86 88 89 91 94 96 101 111 XVI CONTENTS. . PAGE. Epiftlc 2, to a Friend in anfwer to a me- lancholy Letter, , . 119 Epiflle 3, written after a Walk, . , 122 Epiftle 4, to the Author of Poems pub- lifhed in Briftol, , . 1 25 Epiftle 5, from a Young Lady, . . 1 29 Religious Mufings. . . . 139 MONODY ON THE DEATH OFCHATTERTON. W. HEN faint and fad o'er Sorrow's defart wild Slow journeys onward poor Misfortune's child ; When fades each lovely form by Fancy dreft, And inly pines the felf-confuming breaft ; No fcourge of fcorpions in thy right arm dread. No helmed terrors nodding o'er thy head, B 2 MONODY ON THE Aflume, O DEATH! the cherub wings of PEACE, And bid the heart-fick Wanderer's anguifh ceafe ! Thee, Chatterton ! yon unblefl ft ones prote6l From Want, and the bleak Freezings of neglefl; ! Efcap'd the fore wounds of Affliftion's rod Meek at the Throne of Mercy, and of God, Perchance, thou raifeft high th' enraptur'd hymn Amid the blaze of Seraphim ! Yet oft ('tis nature's bofom-ftaVtling call) I weep, that heaven-born Geniusyb ihould f all -, And oft, in Fancy's faddeft hour, my foul Averted fhudders at the poifon'd bowl. ' Now groans my fickening heart, as ftill I view Thy corfe of livid hue ; DEATH OF CHATTERTON. And now a flafh of indignation high Darts thro' the tear, that gliflens in mine eye ! Is this the land of fong-ennobled line ? Is this the land, where Genius ne'er in vain Pour'd forth his lofty ftrain ? Ah me ! yet Spenser, gentlefl bard divine. Beneath chill Difappointment's fhade. His weary limbs in lonely anguifh lay'd And o'er her darling dead Pity hopelefs hung her head, While " mid the pelting of that mercilefs ftorm," Sunk to the ^old earth Ot way's famifh'd form! B 2 4 MONODY ON THE Sublime of thought, and confident of fame, From vales where Avon winds the Minstrel* came. Light-hearted youth ! aye, as he hafles along, He meditates the future fong, How dauntlefs ^Ua fray'd the Dacyan foes ; And, as floating high in air Glitter the funny vifions fair, His eyes dance rapture, and his bofom glows I Friend to the friendlefs, to the fick man health, With generous joy he views th' ideal wealth ; He hears the widow's heaven-breath'd prayer of praife He marks the fhelter'd orphan's tearful gaze ; Or, where the forrow-fhrivell'd captive lay. Pours the bright blaze of Freedom's noon-tide ray : And now, indignant, " grafps the patriot fleel," And her own iron rod he makes Oppreflion feel. * Avon, a river near Briftol ; the birth place of Chatterton. DEATH OF CHATTERTON. 5 Clad in Nature's rich array, And bright in all her tender hues, Sweet tree of Hope ! thou lovelieft child of Spring! How fair didft thou difclofe thine early bloom, Loading the weft-winds with its foft perfume ! And Fancy, elfin form of gorgeous wing, On every bloffom hung her foftering dews, That, changeful, wanton'd to the orient day ! But foon upon thy poor unfheltered head Did Penury her fickly mildew fhed ; And foon the fcathing Lightning hade thee ftand In frowning horror o'er the blighted land ! Ah ! where are fled the charms of vernal Grace, And Joy's wild gleams, that lighten'd o'er thy face? B3 6 MONODY ON THE Youth of tumultuous foul, and haggard eye! Thy wafted form, thy hurried fteps I view, On thy cold forehead ftarts the anguifh'd dew: And dreadful was that bofom-rending figh ! • Such were the ftruggles of the gloomy hour. When Care, of wither'd brow, Prepar'd the poifon's death-cold power : Already to thy lips was rais'd the bowl. When near thee ftood Affection meek (Her bofom bare, and wildly pale her cheek) Thy fullen gaze fhe bade thee roll On fcenes that well might melt thy foul ; Thy native cot fhe flafh'd upon thy view, Thy native cot, where ftill, at clofe of day. Peace fmiling fate, and liften'd to thy lay; DEATH OF CHATTSRTGN, 7 Thy Sifter's flirieks fhe bade thee hear, And mark thy Mother's thrilling tear ; See, fee her breaft's convulfive throe, Her filent agony of woe ! Ah ! dafh the poifon'd chalice from thy hand ! And thou had'ft dafh'd it, at her foft comman(^ But that Despair and Indignation rofe, And told again the ftory of thy woes ; Told the keen infult of th' unfeeling heart ; The dread dependence on the low-born mind ; Told every pang, with which thy foul muft fmart, Negleft, and grinning Scorn, and Want combin'd ! Recoiling quick, thou bad'ft the friend of pain Roll the black tide of Death thro' every freezing vein ! 8 MONODY ON THE Ye woods ! that wave o'er Avon's rocky fteep, To Fancy's ear fweet is your murm'ring deep ! For here fhe loves the cyprefs wreath to weave ; Watching, with wiftful eye, the fad'ning tints of eve. Here, far from men, amid this pathlefs grove, In folemn thought the Minflrel wont to rove, Like ftar-beam on the flow fequefter'd tide Lone-glittering, thro' the high tree branching wide. And here, in Inspiration's eager hour, When mofl the big foul feels the madning pow'r, Thefe wilds, thefe caverns roaming o'er, Round which the fcreaming fea-guUs foar, With wild unequal fteps he pafs'd along Oft pouring on the winds a broken fong : Anon, upon fome rough rock's fearful brow Would paufe abrupt — and gaze upon the waves below DEATH OF CHATTERTON, 9 Poor Chatterton ! he forrows for thy fate Who would have prais'd and lov'd thee, ere too late. Poor Chatterton! farewell ! of darkeft hues This chaplet caft I on thy unfhap'd tomb ; But dare no longer on the fad theme mufe. Left kindred woes perfuade a kindred doom : For oh ! big gall-drops, fhook from Folly's wing, Have blacken'd the fair promife of my fpring ; And the ftern Fate tranfpierc'd v/ith viewlefs dart The lafl pale Hope, that fniver'd at my heart ! Hence, gloomy thoughts ! no more my foul {hall dwell On joys that were ! No more endure to weigh The fhame and anguifh of the evil day, Wifely forgetful ! O'er the ocean fwell Sublime of Hope I feek the cottag'd dell Where Virtue calm with carelefs ftep may flray; 10 MONODY ON THE And, dancing to the moon-light roundelay. The wizard passions weave an holy fpell ! O, Chatterton ! that thou wert yet alive ! Sure thou would'ft fpread the canvafs to the gale, And love, with us, the tinkling team to drive O'er peaceful Freedom's undivided dale; And we, at fober eve, would round thee throng, Hanging, enraptur'd, on thy ftately fong ! And greet with fmiles the young-eyed Poesy All deftly mafk'd, as hoar Antiquity, Alas vain Phantafies ! the fleeting brood Of Woe felf-folac'd in her dreamy mood ! Yet will I love to follow the fweet dream, Where Sufquehannah pours his untam'd ftream ; DEATH OF CHATTERTON. ll And on fome hill, whofe forefl-frowning fide Waves o'er the murmurs of his calmer tide, Will raife a folemn Cenotaph to thee. Sweet Harper of time-lhrouded Minstrelsy ! And there, footh'd fadly by the dirgeful windj Mufe on the fore ills 1 had left behind. TO THE Rev. W. J. H. WHILE TEACHING A YOUNG LADY SOME SONG-TUNES ON HIS FLUTE. I. H, USH ! ye clamorous Cares ! be mute I Again, dear Harmonift ! again Thro' the hollow 6i thy flute Breathe that paflion-warbled ftrain : TO THE REV. W. J. H. I3 Till Memory each form fhall bringr o The loveliefl of her fhadowy throng ; And Hope, that foars on fky-lark wing, Carol wild her gladdefl fong ! II. O fkill'd with magic fpell to roll The thrilling tones, that concentrate the foul ! Breathe thro' thy flute thofe tender notes again, While near thee fits the chafte-eyed Maiden mild ; And bid her raife the Poet's kindred ftrain In foft impaflion'd voice, corre6lly wild. 111. In Freedom's undivided dell, Where Toil and Health with mellow 'd Love fhall dwell, 14 TO THE REV. J. W. H. Far from folly, far from men, In the rude romantic glen, Up the cliff, and thro' the glade, Wand'ring with the dear-lov'd maid, I fhall liften to the. lay, And ponder on thee far away ! Still, as fhe bids thofe thrilling notes afpire (" Making my fond attuned heart her lyre") Thy honor'd form, my Friend ! fhall re-appear, And I will thank thee with a raptur'd tear. SONGS o F THE PIXIES. The Pixies, in the fuperftition of Devonfhii^ are a race of beings invifibly fmall, and harmlefs or friendly to man. At a fmall diftance from a village in that county, half way up a wood-cover'd hill, is an excavation, called the Pixies' Parlour. The roots of old trees form its cieling ; and on its fides are innumerable cyphers, among which the Author dif- covered his own cypher and thofe of his brothers, cut by the hand of their childhood. At the foot of the hill flows the river Otter. l6 SONGS OF THE PIXIES* To this place the Author conduced a party of young Ladies, during the Summer months of the year 1793 ; one of whom, of ftature elegantly fmall, and of complexion colourlefs yet clear, was pro- claimed the Fairy Queen : On which occahon the following Irregular Ode was written. SONGS OF THE PIXIES. I. VV HOM the untaught Shepherds call Pixies in their madrigal, Fancy's children, here we dwell : Welcome, Ladies ! to our cell. C l8 50NGS OF Here the wren of foftefl note Builds it's neft and warbles well ; Here the blackbird drains his throat ; Welcome, Ladies! to our cell. When fades the moon all fhadowy-pale And feuds the cloud before the gale, Ere Morn with living gems bedight Purples the Eaft with ftreaky light, We lip the furze-flowr's fragrant dews Clad in robes of rainbow hues -Richer, than the deepened bloom, That glows on Summer's lily-fcented plume : Or, fport amid the rofy gleam Sooth'd by the diftant-tinkling team, THE PIXIES. 19 While lufty Labor fcouting forrow Bids the Dame a glad good-morrow. Who jogs th* accuftom'd road along. And paces cheery to her cheering fong. Ill, But not our filmy pinion We fcorch amid the blaze of day, When No o N T I D E 's fiery-trefled minion Flafties the fervid ray. Aye from the fultry heat We to the cave retreat O'ercanopied by huge roots intertwined With wildeft texture, blacken'd o'er with age : Round them their mantle green the ivies bind^ C 2 20 SONGS OF Beneath whofe foliage pale Fann'd by the unfrequent gale We fhield us from the Tyrants' mid-day rage. IV. Thither, while the murm'ring throng Of wild-bees, hum their drowfy fong, By Indolence and Fancy brought, A youthful Bard, " unknown to Famej** Wooes the Queen of folemn thought, And heaves the gentle mis'ry of a figh i Gazing with tearful eye. As round our fandy grot appear Many a rudely fculptur'd name To penfive Mem'ry dear ! Weaving gay dreams of funny-tinftur'd hue We glance before his view : THE PIXIES. 21 O'er his hufh'd foul our foothing witch'ries fhed, And twine our faery garlands round his head. V. When Evening's dulky car ■ Crown 'd with her dewy ftar Steals o'er the fading fky in fhadowy flight ; On leaves of afpen trees We tremble to the breeze Veil'd from the groffer ken of mortal fight. Or, haply, at the vifionary hour, Along our wildly-bow'rd, fequeflred walk, We liften to th' enamour'd ruftic's talk ; Heave with the heavings of the maiden's breaft, Where young-eyedLo ve s have built their turtle neft; Or guide of foul-fubduing power C3 2 2 SONGS OF Th' eleflric flafh, that from the melting eye Darts the fond ^ueftion and the foft reply. VI, Or thro' the myftic ringlets of the vale We flafti our faery feet in gamefome prank ; Or, filent-fandal'dj pay our defter court Circling the Spirit of the Western Gale, Where, wearied with his flower-carefTing fport. Supine he flumbers on a violet bank ; Then with quaint mulic hymn the parting gleam, By lonely Otter's Ileep-perfuading ftream; Or where his waves, with loud unquiet fong Dafti'd o'er the rocky channel froths along ; Or where, his filver waters fmooth'd to reft, The tall trees' (hadow fleeps upon his breaft. THE PIXlES,^ 33 VII. Hence! thou lingerer, Light T Eve faddens into Night, Mother of wildly-working dreams ! we view • The SOMBRE HOURS, that round thee ftswid Witli down-caft eyes (a duteous band ! ) Their dark robes dripping with the heavy dew, Sorc'ress of the ebon threne I Thy power the Pixies own, When round thy raven brow Heaven's lucent rofes glow. And clouds, in watry colours drefl, Float in light drapery o'er thy fable veil : What time the pale moon fheds a fofter day Mellowing the woods beneath its penlive beam : . For mid the quiv'ring light 'tis our's to play, Aye-dancing to the cadence of the ftream. 24 SONGS OF VIII. Welcome, Ladies! to the cell, Where the blamelefs Pixies dwell. But thou fweet Nymph ! proclaim'd our Faery Queen, With what obedience meet . Thy prefence fhall we greet ? For lo ! attendant on thy fteps are feen Graceful Ease in artlefs ftole, And white-rob'd Purity of foul. With Honor's fofter mein : Mirth of the loofely-flowing hair, And meek ey'd Pity eloquently fair, Whofe tearful cheeks are lovely to the view, As fnow-drop wet with dew. THE PIXIES 25 IX, Unboaftful Maid ! tho' now the Lily pale Tranfparent grace thy beauties meek ; Yet ere again along the impurpling vale, The purpling vale and elfin-haunted grove, Young Zephyr his frefh flowers profufely throws, We'll tinge with livelier hues thy cheek ; And, haply, from the neftar-breathing Rose Extracl a Blush for Love ! LINES WRITTEN AT THE KING'S ARMS, ROSS^ FORMERLY THE HOUSE OF THE "MAN OF ROSS." XV.1CHER than Miser o'er his countlefs hoards. Nobler than Kings, or king-polluted Lords, Here dwelt the Man of Ross ! O Trav'ller, hear t Departed Merit claims a reverent tear. Beneath this roof if thy cheer'd moments pafs, Fill to the good man's name one grateful glafs : AT THE king's ARMS, ROSS. 27 To higher zeft fhall Mem'ry wake thy foul, And Virtue mingle in th' ennobled bowl. But if, like me, thro' life's diflrefsful fcenc Lonely and fad thy pilgrimage hath been ; And if, thy breaft with heart-fick anguifh fraught, Thou joiirneyeft onward tempeft-toft in thought ; Here cheat thy cares ! in generous vifions melt, And dream of Goodnefs, thou haft never felt ! LINES TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING IN A VILLAGE. o NCE more, fweet Stream ! with flow foot wan- d'ring near I blefs thy milky waters cold and clear. Efcap'd the flafhing of the noontide hours With one frefli garland of Pierian flowers (Ere from thy zephyr-haunted brink I turn) My languid hand fhall wreath thy mofly urn. TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING* 29 For not thro' pathlefs grove with murmur rude Thou footheft the fad wood-nymph, Solitude : Nor thine unfeen in cavern depths to well, The Hermit-fountain of fome dripping cell ! Pride of the Vale ! thy ufeful ftreams fupply The fcatter'd cots and peaceful hamlet nigh. The elfin tribe around thy friendly banks With infant uproar and foul-foothing pranks, Releas'd from fchool, their little hearts at reft, Launch paper navies on thy wavelefs breaft. The ruftic here at eve with penfive look Whittling lorn ditties leans upon his crook, Or ftarting paufes with hope-mingled dread To lift the much-lov'd maid's accuftom'd tread : She, vainly mindful of her dame's command. Loiters, the long-fill'd pitcher in her hand. 30 TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING. 4 Unboaflful Stream ! Thy fount with pebbled falls The faded form of pafl delight recalls, What time the morning fun of Hope arofe, And all was joy ; fave when another's woes A tranfient gloom upon my foul impreft, Like pafling clouds impiftur'd on thy breaft. Life's current then ran fparkling to the noon Or lilv'ry ftole beneath the penfive Moon. Ah ! now it works rude brakes and thorns among. Or o'er the rough rock burfts and foams along! EPITAPH E ON AN INFANT. I RE Sin could blight or Sorrow fade, Death came with friendly care ; The opening bud to Heaven convey'd And bade it bloffom there. LINES ON A FRIEND WHO DIED OF A FRENZY FEVER INDUCED BY CALUMNIOUS REPORTS. -tiDMUND ! thy grave with aking eye I fcan, And inly groan for Heaven's poor outcaft, Man ! 'Tis tempeft all or gloom : in early youth If gifted with the Ithuriel lance of Truth ON A FRIEND. 3^3 He force to ftart amid her feign'd carefs Vice, firen-hag ! in native uglinefs, A Brother's fate will haply roufe the tear, And on he goes in heavinefs and fear ! But if his fond heart call to Pleasure's bower Some pigmy Folly in a carelefs hour. The faithlefs guefl fhall ftamp th' inchanted ground And mingled forms of Mis'ry rife around : Heart-fretting Fear, with pallid look aghaft, That courts the future woe to hide the pafl ; Remorse, the poifon'd arrow in his fide; And loud lewd Mirth, to Anguifh clofe allied : Till Frenzy, fierce-ey'd child of moping pain, Darts her hot lightning flafh athwart the brain. Reft, injur'd fhade ! Shall Slander fquatting near Spit her cold venom in a dead Man's ear ? D 34 ON A FRIEND. 'Twas thine to feel the fympathetic glow In Merit's joy, and Poverty's meek woe ; Thine all, that cheer the moment as it flies, The zonelefs Cares, and fmiling Courtesies, Nurs'd in thy heart the firmer Virtues grew. And in thy heart they wither'd ! Such chill dew Wan Indolence on each young bloflbm fhed ; And Vanity her filmy net^work fpread, With eye that roU'd around in aflting gaze. And tongue that trafiick'd in the trade of praife. Thy follies fuch ! the hard world mark'd them well — Were they more wife, the Proud who never fell ? Reft, injur'd fhade ! the poor man's prayer of praife On heaven-ward wing thy wounded foul Ihall raifc. As oft at twilight gloom thy grave I pafs. And fit me down upon its' recent grafs. WHO DIED OF A FRENZY FEVER. 35 With introverted eye I contemplate Similitude of foul, perhaps of — Fate ! To me hath Heaven with bounteous hand aflign'd Energic Reafon and a Ihaping mind, The daring ken of Truth, the Patriot's part, And Pity's figh, that breathes the gentle heart — Sloth-jaundic'd all ! and from my grafplefs hand Drop Friendfhip's precious pearls, like hour glafs fand* 1 weep, yet ftoop not ! the faint anguifh flows, A dreamy pang in Morning's fev'rifti doze. Is this pil'd Earth our JBeing's pafslefs mound ? Tell me, cold grave! is Death with poppies crown'd? Tir'd Centinel ! mid fitful ftarts I nod, And fain would fleep, though pillow 'd on a elod ! D 2 Ml TO A YOUNG LADY WITH A POEM ON THE FRENCH REVO LUTION. -..tf>-> <-(5>-«-(5>T M. .UCH on my early youth I love to dwell. Ere yet I bade that friendly dome farewell, Where firft, beneath the echoing cloifters pale, I heard of guilt and wonder'd at the tale ! Yet tho' the hours flew by on carelefs wing. Full heavily of Sorrow would I fmg. Aye as the ftar of evening fl,ung its beam In broken radiance on the wavy flream. 37 My foul amid the penfive twilight gloom Mourn'd with the breeze, O* Lee Boo ! o'er thy tomb. Where'er 1 wander'd, Pity ftill was near, Breath'd from the heart and gliften'd in the tear : No knell that toll'd, but fiU'd my anxious eye, And fuff'ring Nature wept that one fhould die! J Thus to fad fympathies I footh'd my breaft Calm, as the rainbow in the weeping Weft : Whejiflumb'ring Freedom rous'd by high Disdain With giant fury burft her triple chain ! Fierce on her front the blafting Dog-ftar glow'd ; Her Banners, like a midnight Meteor, flow'd ; Amid the yelling of the ftorm-rent Ikies She came, and fcatter'd battles from her eyes ! Da ■* Note 1. X Note 2. 3S ^ Then Exultation wak'd the patriot fire And fwept with wilder hand th' Alcoean lyre : Red from the Tyrants' wound I fhook the lance, And ftrode in joy the reeking plains of France I In ghaftly horror lie th' Oppreflbrs low, And my heart akes, tho' Mercy ftruck the blow. With wearied thought once more I feek the ihade, Where peaceful Virtue weaves the Myrtle braid. And 6 ! if Eyesj whofe holy glances roll, The eloquent meffdngers of the pure foul ; If sMiLE^ more winning, and a gentler Mien, Tlian the love^wilder'd Maniac's brain hath feen Shaping celeftial forms in vacant air; If thefe demand th'empaflion'd Poet's care — If Mirth, and foften'd Sense, and Wit refin'd, The bbmelefs features of a lovely mind ; 39 Then haply fhall my trembling hand aflign No fading wreath to Beauty's faintly (hrine. Nor, Sara ! thou thefe early flowers refufe Ne*er lurk'd the fnake beneath their fimple hues : No purple bloom the Child of Nature brings From Flattery's night-fhade : as he feels, he lings. ".^^ «.^^i-tf>^ v^^ ABSENCE. A FAREWELL ODE. w. HERE grac'd with many a claffic fpoil Cam rolls his reverend ftream along, I hafte to urge the learned toil That fternly chides my love-lorn fong : Ah me ! too mindful of the days lllum'd by Passion's orient rays. When Peace, and Chearfulnefs, and Healtli Enrich'd me \vith the beft of wealth. Ah fair Delights ! that o'er my foul On Mem'ry's wing, like fliadows, fly ! ABSENCE. 4X Ah Flowers ! which Joy from Eden flole While Innocence ftood fmiling by ! — But ceafe, fond Heart i this bootlefs moan, Thofe Hours on fapixl Pinions flown Shall yet return, by Absence crown'd, And fcatter livelier rofes round. The SuNj who ne'er remits his fires . On heedlefs eyes may pour the day : The Moon, that oft from Heav"'n retires, Endears her renovated ray. What tho' fhe leave the fky unblefl: To mourn awhile in murky veft ? When fhe relumes her lovely Light, We BLESS the Wanderer of the Night. Cffusiotts, Content, as random Fancies might infpire, if his weak harp at times or lonely lyre He ftruck with defultory hand, and drew Some foften'd tones to Nature not untrue. Bowles, 45 EFFUSION I. XVJLy heart has thank'd thee, Bowles ! for thofe foft ftrains Whofe fadnefs foothes me, like the murmuring Of wild-bees in the funny fhowers of fpring ! For hence not callous to the mourner's pains Thro' Youth's gay prime and thornlefs paths I went : And when the darker day of life began, And I did roam, a thought-bewilder'd man ! Their mild and manliefl melancholy lent A mingled charm, fuch as the pang confign'd To flumber, tho' the big tear it renew 'd ; Bidding a ftrange myfterious Pleasure brood Over the wavy and tumultuous mind, As the great Spirit erft with plaftic fweep Mov'd on the darknefs of the unform'd deep. 46 1 EFFUSION II. X\. S late I lay in flumber's fhadowy vale, With wetted cheek and in a mourner's guife 1 faw the fainted form of Freedom rife : She fpake ! not fadder moans the autumnal gale. *' Great Son of Genius ! fweet to me thy name, " Ere in an evil hour with alter'd voice *' Thou badft Oppreflion's hireling crew rejoice *' Blafhing with wizard fpell my laurelPd fame. *' Yet never, Burke ! thou drank'ft Corruption's bov " Thee ftormy Pity and the cherifh'd lure ** Of Pomp, and proud Precipitance of foul " Wilder'd with meteor fires. Ah Spirit pure ! " That error's mift had left thy purged eye : ** So might I clafp thee with a Mother's joy !" v<^».<^v,^1..^>-> 47 EFFUSION III. Jl^ OT always ftiould the tear's ambroHal dew Roll its foft anguifti down thy furrow 'd cheek ! Not always heaven-breath'd tones of fuppliance meek Befeem thee, Mercy ! Yon dark Scowler view, "Who with proud words of dear-lov'd Freedom came — More blafting, than the mildew from the South ! And kifs'd his country with Ifcariot mouth (Ah ! foul apoflate from his Father's fame !) Then fix'd her on the crofs of deep diftrefs. And at fafe diflance marks the thirfly lance Pierce her big fide ! But 6 ! if fome ftrange trance The eye-lids of thy ftern-brow'd Sifter prefs, Seize, Mercy! thou more terrible the brand, And hurl her thunderbolts with fiercer hand ! c^^t^^ M^ -<^^ EFFUSION IV. A HO' rous'd by that dark Vizir riot rude Have driven our Priestly o'er the ocean fwell ; Tho' Superstition and her wolfifh brood Bay his mild radiance, impotent and fell ; Calm in his halls of Brightnefs he fhall dwell ! For lo ! Religion at his ftrong beheft Starts with mild anger from the Papal fpelly And flings to Earth her tinfel-glittering vefty Her mitred ftate and cumbrous pomp unholy ; And Justice wakes to bid th' Oppreffor wail Infulting aye the wrongs of patient Folly ; And from her dark retreat by Wifdom won Meek Nature flowly lifts her matron veil To fmile with fondnefs on her gazing fon 1 i„2>T.tf)»v,i>i-<5>-t 49 EFFUSION V. V V HEN Britifh Freedom for an happier land Spread her broad wings, that flutter'd with affright, Erskine ! thy voice fhe heard, and paus'd her flight Sublime of hope ! For dreadlefs thou didft ftand (Thy cenfer glowing with the hallow'd flame) An hirelefs Priefl before th' infulted fhrine, And at her altar pourd'fl the fliream divine Of unmatch'd eloquence. Therefore thy name Her fons fhall venerate, and cheer thy breaft '^ith bleffings heaven-ward breath'd. And when the doom >f Nature bids thee die, beyond the tomb Thy light fliall fliine : as funk beneath the Weft Tho' the great Summer Sun eludes our gaze, Still burns wide Heaven with his diftended bkze. "e 50 EFFUSION VI. XT was fome fpirit, Sheridan ! that breath'd O'er thy young mind fuch wildly-various power ! My foul hath mark*d thee in her fhaping hour, Thy temples with* Hymettian flowrets wreath'd : And fweet thy voice, as when o'er Laura's bier Sad mufic trembled thro* Vauclufa's glade ; Sweet, as at dawn the love-lorn Serenade • That wafts foft dreams to Slumber's lifl'ning ear. Now patriot Rage and Indignation high Swell the full tones 1 And now thine eye-beams dance Meanings of Scorn and Wit's quaint revelry ! Writhes inly from the bofom-probing glance Th' Apoftate by the brainlefs rout ador'd, As erft that elder Fiend beneath great Michael's fwordr * Note^s. i.^>v<^V(^ >-C?» 51 EFFUSION VII, JT-LS when a child on fome long winter's night Affrighted clinging to its Grandam's knees With eager wond'ring and perturb'd delight Liftens ftrange tales of fearful dark decrees K Mutter'd to wretch by necromantic fpell ; Or of thofe hags, who at the witching time Of murky midnight ride the air fublime. And mingle foul embrace with fiends of Hell ; Cold Horror drinks it's blood ! Anon the tear More gentle ftarts, to hear the Beldame tell Of pretty babes, that lov'd each other dear, Murder'd by cruel Uncle's mandate fell : Ev'n fuch the fhiv' ring joys thy tones impart, Ev'n fo thou, SiDDONS ! melteft my fad heart ! E 2 52 EFFUSION VIII. V-X WHAT a loud and fearful fhriek J was therCy As tho' a thoufand fouls one death-groan pour'd I Ah me ! they view'd beneath an hireling's fword Fall'n KOSKIUSKO ! Thro' the burthen'd air (As paufes the tir'd CofTac's barb'rous yell Of Triumph) on the chill and midnight gale Rifes with frantic burft or fadder fwell The dirge of murder'd Hope ! while Freedom pale Bends in fuch anguifh o'er her deftin'd bier, As if from eldeft time fome Spirit meek Had gather'd in a myftic urn each tear That ever furrow'd a fad Patriot's cheek ; And fhe had drain'd the forrows of the bowl Ev'n till fhe reel'd, intoxicate of foul ! t Note 4. <-^ «-^^^.^-<^.tf>^ 53 EFFUSION IX. ^^ jr\ S when far off the warbled ftrains are heard That foar on Morning's wing the vales among, Within his cage th' imprifon'd matin bird - Swells the full chorus with a generous fong : He bathes no pinion in the dewy light. No Father's joy, no Lover's blifs he fhares, Yet ftill the riling radiance cheers his hght — His Fellows' freedom foothes the Captive's cares ! Thou, Fayette ! who didft wake with ftartling voice Life's better fun from that long wintry night, Thus in thy Country's triumphs fhalt rejoice And mock with raptures high the dungeon's might : For lo ! the morning ftruggles into day, i^And Slavery's fpeftres fhriekand vanifh from the ray ! E3 54 EFFUSION X, ]l\ OTj Stanhope ! with the Patriot's doubtful name Imock thy worth— Friend of the Human Race I Since fcorning Faftion's low and partial aim Aloof thou wendeft in thy ftately pace, Thyfelf redeeming from that leprous ftain, . Nobility: and aye unterrify'd Poureft thine Abdiel warnings on the train That lit complotting with rebellious pride 'Gainfl* her, who from the Almighty's bofom leapt With whirlwind arm, fierce Minifter of Love ! Wherefore, ere Virtue o'er thy tomb hath wept, Angels fhall lead thee to the Throne above : And thou from forth it's clouds fhalt hear the voice. Champion of Freedom and her God ! rejoice ! * Gallic Liberty. v^>v.^%i.^ni. 56 EFFUSION XII. IVXETHINKS, how dainty fwcet it were, reclined Beneath the vaft o'er fhadowing branches high Of fome old wood, in carelefs fort to lie, Nor of the bufier fcenes, we left behind, Aught envying ! And, O Anna ! mild-eyed maid ! Beloved! 1 were well content to play With thy free treffes the long fummer day Cheating the time beneath the green-wood fhade. But ah ! fweet fcenes of fancied blifs, adieu I On rofe-leaf beds amid your faery bowers I all too long have loft the dreamy hours ! Befeems it now the fterner Mufe to woo, If haply fhe her golden meed impart To realize the vifion of the heart. EFFUSION XIII. WRITTEN AT MIDNIGHT, BV THE SEA ■■ SIDE, AFTER A VOYAGE. -f- M^'-^>-'^-i7T+- Oh! I could laugh to hear the midnight wind That rufhing on it's way with carelefs fweep Scatters the Ocean waves — and 1 could weep, Ev'n as a child ! For now to my rapt mind On wings of winds comes wild-ey'd Phantafy, And her dread vifions give a rude delight ! 68 O winged Bark ! how fwift along the night Pafs'd thy proud keel ! Nor fhall 1 let go by Lightly of that drear hour the memory, When wet and chilly on thy deck I flood Unbonnetted, and gaz'd upon the flood, And almoft wifli'd it were no crime to die J How Reafon reel'd I What gloomy tranfports rofe t Till the rude dafhings rock'd them to repofe. C. L. i.^^^.^-n.^^^^^>^ 59 ^ EFFUSION XIV. X HOU gentle Look, that didft my foul beguile, Why haft thou left me ? Still in fome fond dream Revilit my fad heart, aufpicious Smile ! As falls on doling flowers the lunar beam : What time, in fickly mood, at parting day I lay me down and think of happier years ; Of Joys, that glimmer'd in Hope's twilight ray, Then left me darkling in a vale of tears. O pleafant days of Hope — for ever gone ! Could I recall you ! — But that thought is vain. Availeth not Perfuaflon's fweeteft tone To lure the fleet-wing'd Travellers back again : Yet fair, tho' faint, their images fhall gleam Like the bright Rainbow on a willowy ftream. i.^^\.^i<.^if-^-^ 6o EFFUSION XV. P ALE Roamer thro' the Night ! thou poor Forlorn' Remorfe that man on his death-bed poffefs, Who in the credulous hour of tendernefs Betrayed, then cafl thee forth to Want and Scorn ! The world is pitylefs : the Chafte one's pride Mimic of Virtue fcowls on thy diftrefs : Thy Loves and they, that envied thee, deride : And Vice alone will fhelter Wretchednefs ! O ! I am fad to think, that there Ihould be CoId-boTom'd Lewd ones, who endure to place Foul offerings on the fhrine of Mifery, And force from Famine the carefs of Love ! May He fhed healing on thy fore difgrace, -He, the great Comforter that rules above ! ^.^^«-tf>n.^nv^^ 6i EFFUSION XVI. )i3 WEET Mercy ! how my very heart has bled To fee thee, poor Old Man ! and thy gray hairs Hoar with the fnowy blaft : while no one cares To cloathe thy fhrivell'd limbs and palfied head. My Father ! throw away this tatter'd veft That mocks thy fhiv'ring ! take my garment— ufe A young man's arms ! I'll melt thefe frozen dews That hang from thy white beard and numb thy breaft. My Sara too fhall tend thee, like a Child : And thou fhalt talk, in our fire fide's recefs, Of purple Pride, that fcowls on Wretchednefs. — He did not fo, the Galilean mild, Who met the Lazars turn'd from rich man's doors, And call'd them Friends, and heal'd their noifome Sores ! .^^^^^ 62 EFFUSION XVII. xVAAID of my Love! fweet Genevieve !* In Beauty's light you glide along : Your eye is like the ftar of eve, And fweet your Voice, as Seraph's fong. Yet not your heavenly Beauty gives This heart with paflion foft to glo^v ; Within your foul a Voice there liv€S ! It bids you hear the tale of Woe. When finking low the SufF'rer wan Beholds no hand outftretcht to fave, Fair, as the bofom of the Swan That rifes graceful o'er the wave, I've feen your breafl with pity heave, And therefore love I you, fweet Genevieve ! * Note 5. ^3 I EFFUSION XVIII. TO THE AUTUMNAL MOON. M. .ILD Splendor of the various- vefted Night! Mother of wildly-working vifions 1 hail ! I watch thy gliding, while with watry light Thy weak eye glimmers thro' a fleecy veil ; And when thou loveft thy pale orb to fhroud Behind the gather'd black nefs loft on high ; And when thou darteft from the wind-rent cloud Thy placid lightning o'er th' awaken'd Iky. Ah fuch is Hope 1 as changeful and as fair ! Now dimly peering on the wiftful light ; Now hid behind the dragon-wing'd Defpair : But foon emerging in her radiant might She o'er the forrow-clouded breaft of Care 'Sails, Itke a meteor kindling in it's flight. h5^ ->i<7' «--> 64 EFFUSION XIX. JL HOU bleedeft, my poor Heart ! and thy diflrefs Reas'ning I ponder with a fcornful fmile And probe thy fore wound flernly, tho' the while Swoln be mine eye and dim with heavinefs. Why didft thou liften to Hope's whifper bland ? Or, lifl'ning, why forget the healing tale, When Jealoufy with fev'rifh fancies pale Jarr'd thy fine fibres with a maniac's hand? Faint was that Hope, and raylefs ! — Yet 'twas fair And footh'd with many a dream the hour of reft : Thou fhould'ft have lov'd it moft, when moft oppreft^ And nurs'd it with an agony of Care, Ev'n as a Mother her fweet infant heir That wan and fickly droops upon her breaft ! «^ ^5 EFFUSION XX. TO THE AUTHOR OF THE « ROBBERS." s CHILLER ! * that hour I would have wifti'd to die, If thro' the fhudd'ring midnight I had fent From the dark dungeon of the tower time-rent That fearful voice, a famifh'd Father's cry Left in fome after moment aught more mean Might ftamp me mortal ! A triumphant fhout Black Horror fcream'dj and all her goblin rout Diminifh'd fhrunk from the more with'ring fcene I Ah Bard tremendous in fublimity ! Could 1 behold thee in thy loftier mood Wand'ring at eve with finely-frenzied eye Beneath fome vaft old tempeft-fwinging wood ! Awhile with mute awe gazing I would brood ; Then weep aloud in a wild extacy ! F * Note 6. EFFUSION XXI. COMPOSED WHILE CLIMBING THE LEFT ASCENT OF BROCKLEY COOMB, IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, MAY, 1795. :v.tf>^C^-> V.^Ti'.-» 73 \J PEACE, that on a lilied bank doft love \ To reft thine head beneath an Olive Tree, »' ■\ I would, that from the pinions of thy Dove One quill withouten pain ypluck'd might be \ For 6 ! I wifh my Sara's frowns to flee, And fain to her fome foothing fong would write, Left fhe refent my rude difcourtefy. Who vov/'d to meet her ere the morning light, But broke my plighted word — ah J falfe and recre- ant Wight ! 74 Laft night as I my weary head did pillow With thoughts of my diffever'd Fair engrofs'd Chill Fancy droop'd wreathing herfelf with willow As tho' my breaft entomb'd a pining ghoft. *' From fomebleft couch, young Rapture's bridal boaft, *' Rejefted Slumber ! hither wing thy way ; *' But leave me with the matin hour, at moft ! *' Like fnowdrop opening to the folar ray, " My fad heart will expand, when 1 the Maid furvey. But Love, who heard the filence of my thought, Contriv'd a too fuccefsful wile, 1 ween : And whifper'd to himfelf, with malice fraught — " Too long our Slave the Damfel'symzYcj hath feen : " To-morrow fhall he ken her alter'd mien !" He fpake, and ambufh'd lay, till on my bed The Morning fhot her dewy glances keen, 75 When as I 'gan to lift my drowfy head — *' Now, Bard! I'll work thee woe !" the laughing. Elfin faid. Sleep, foftly-breathing God! his downy wing Was flutt'ring now, as quickly to depart ; When twang'd an arrow from Love's myilic ftring, With pathlefs wound it pierc'd him to the heart. Was there fome Magic in the Elfin's dart ? Or did he ftrike my couch with wizard lance ? For ftrait fo fair a Form did upwards flart (No fairer deck'd the Bowers of old Romance) That Sleep enamour'd grew, nor mov'd from his fweet Trance ! My Sara came, with gentlefl Look divine ; Bright Ihone her Eye, yet tender was its beam : ^6 I felt the preffure of her Lip to mine ! Whifp'ring we went, and Love was all our theme— » Love pure and fpotlefs, as at firft, I deem, He fprang from Heaven ! Such joys with Sleep did 'bide, That I the living Image of my Dream Fondly forgot. Too late I woke, and figh'd — '" O ! how fhall I behold my Love at even-tide ! " M^ =-C?"'^^^ "-^^ 77 EFFUSION XXV. X ELL me, on what holy ground ^ May Domestic Peace be found ? Halcyon Daughter of the fkies, Far on fearful wings fhe flies, From the pomp of fcepter'd State, From the Rebel's noify hate. In a cottaged vale She dwells Lift'ning to the Sabbath bells ! Still around her fteps are feen Spotlefs Honor's meeker mien, Love, the fire of pleafing fears, Sorrow fmiling through her tears, And confcious of the pall employ Memory, bofom-fpring of Joy. 78 EFFUSION XXVI. V_^UPID, if ftorying* Legends tell aright, Once fram'd a rich Elixir of Delight. A Chalice o'er love-kindled flames he fix'd, And in it Neftar and Ambrofia mix'd : With thefe the magic dews, which Evening brings, Briifh'd from the Idalian ftar by faery wings : Each tender pledge of facred Faith he join'd, Each gentler Pleafure of th' unfpotted mind — Day-dreams, whofe tints with fportive brightnefs glow And Hope, the blamelefs Parafite of Woe. The eyelefs Chemift heard the procefs rife, The fleamy Chalice bubbled up m fighs ; Sweet founds tranfpir'd, as when the enamour'd Dove Pours the foft murm'ring of refponiive Love. * Note 7, 79 The finifhed work might Envy vainly blame, And " Kiffes" was the precious Compounds' name. With half the God his Cyprian Mother bleft, And breath'd on Sara's lovelier lips the reft. >>-(^*-C?^- 80 EFFUSION XXVII. A S late each flower that fweeteft blows I pluck 'd, the Garden's pride ! Within the petals of a Rofe A fleeping Love I 'fpied. Around his brows a beamy wreath Of many a lucent hue ; All purple glow'd his cheek, beneath, Inebriate with the dew. I foftly feiz'd th' unguarded Power, Nor fcar'd his balmy reft ; And plac'd him, cag'd within the flower, On fpotlefs Sara's breaft. 8i But when unweeting of the guile Awoke the pris'ner fweet, He ftruggled to efcape awhile And ftamp'd his faery feet. Ah ! foon the foul-entrancing fight Subdued th' impatient boy ! He gaz'd! he thrill'd with deep delight ! Then clapp'd his wings for Joy, And 6 ! he cried — " Of magic kind " What charms this Throne endear ! " Some other Love let Venus find-— " I'll fix my empire here," <-<5>-n-^-u-<^<-(^ 82 EFFUSION XXVIll. One kifs, dear Maid! I faid and figh'd- Your fcorn the little boon denied. Ah why refufe the blamelefs blifs ? Can danger lurk within a kifs ? Yon viewlefs Wand'rer of the vale, The Spirit of the Weftern Gale, At Morning's break, at Evening's clofe Inhales the fweetnefs of the Rose, And hovers o'er th' uninjur'd Bloom Sighing back the foft perfume. Vigor to the Zephyr's wing Her ne6lar-brea thing Kisses fling ; And He the glitter of the Dew Scatters on the Rose's hue. 83 Baftiful lo I flie bends her head^ And darts a blufh of deeper Red ! Too well thofe lovely lips difclofe The Triumphs of the op'ning Rofe : O fair ! O graceful ! bid them prove As paffive to the breath of Love. In tender accentSj faint and low, Well-pleas'd I hear the whifper'd " No!'* The whifper'd " No" how little meant ! Sweet Falfehood, that endears Confent ! For on thofe lovely lips the while Dawns the foft relenting fmile, And tempts with feign'd dilTuafion coy The gentle violence of Joy. G 2 84 » EFFUSION XXIX. :v(S>i: IMITATED* FROM S S I A N. :<-tf>-'=\.^^: X He ftream with languid murmur creeps, In 'Lvuiin's Jlowery vale: Beneath the dew the Lily weeps Slow-waving to the gale* *'Ceafe, reftlefs gale ! it feems to fay " Nor wake me with thy fighing ! " The honors of my vernal day " On rapid wing are flying. * Note 8. 85 " To morrow fliall the Trav'ller come " Who latfe beheld me blooming : •* His fearching eye fhall vainly roam " The dreary vale of Lumin.'* With eager gaze and wetted cheek My wonted haunts along, Thus, faithful Maiden ! thou fhalt feek The Youth of fimpleft fong. But I along the breeze Ihall roll The voice of feeble power ; And dwell, the Moon-beam of thy foul. In Slumber's nightly hour, G3 66 tnvsiON XXX. THE COMPLAINT OF NINATHOMA^ H. .O W long will ye round me be fwelling, O ye blue-tumbling waves of the Sea ? Not always in Caves was my dwelling, Nor beneath the cold blaft of the Tree. Thro' the high-founding hills of Cathloma In the fteps of my Beauty I ftray'd ; The Warriors beheld Ninathoma, And they bleffed the white-bofom'd Maid ! * Note 9. 87 A Ghost ! by my Cavern it darted! In moon-beams the Spirit was dreft— For lovely appear the departed When they vifit the dreams of my Reft ! But difturb'd by the Tempeft's commotion Fleet the fhadowy forms of Delight — Ah ceafe, thou ftirill blaft of the Ocean ! To howl thro' my Cavern by Night, ^.(P'yt.^w.^t-O^ 88 EFFUSION XXXI. IMITATED FROM THE WELCH, I Fj while my paflion I iinpart, You deem my words untrue, O place your hand upon my heart- Feel how it throbs for you ! Ah no ! rejeft the thoughtlefs claim In pity to your Lover ! That thrilling touch would aid the flame, It wifties to difcover. % EFFUSION XXXII. THE SIGH, W. HEN Youth his faery reign began Ere Sorrow had proclaim'd me man ; While Peace the prefent hour beguil'd, " And all the lovely Profpeft fmil'd ; Then, Mary ! 'mid my lightfome glee I heav'd the painlefs Sigh for thee I And when, along the waves of woe, My harafs'd Heart was doom'd to know The frantic Burft of Outrage keen, And the flow Pang that gnaws unfeen ; Then fhipwreck'd on Life's flormy fea I heav'd an anguifh'd Sigh for thee ! 9° But foon Refleftion's power impreft A ftiller fadnefs on my breaft ; And fickly Hope with waning eye Was well content to droop and die : I yielded to the ftern decree, Yet heav'd a languid Sigh for thee ! And tho* in diftant climes to roam, A Wanderer from my native home, I fain would footh the fenfe of Care And lull to fleep the Joys, that were ! Thy Image may not banifh'd be Still, Mary ! ftill I sigh for thee. JUNE, 1794. t^^Vi^^t.^^1.^^ 9t EFFUSION XXXIII. TO I A YOUNG ASS, it's mother being tethered near it. -}-v.<5>-.=v And Laughter tickle Plenty's riblefs fide! How thou" wouldft tofs thy heels in gamefome play, And frifk about, as Lamb or Kitten gay ! Yea ! and more muiically fweet to me Thy diffonant harfti Bray of Joy would be, Than warbled Melodies that footh to reft The tumult of fome scoundrel Monarch's breaft ! «.tf>*<^>,^%\:^^ 94 EFFUSION XXXIV. TO AN INFANT, x\ H ceaf'e thy Tears and Sobs, my little Life ! I did but fnatch away the unclafp'd Knife : Some fafer Toy will foon arreft thine eye And to quick Laughter change this peevifh cry ! Poor Stumbler on the rocky coaft of Woe, Tutor'd by Pain each fource of Pain to know ! Alike the foodful fruit and fcorching fire Awake thy eager grafp and young defire : Alike the Good, the 111 offend thy fight, And roufe the flormy Senfe pf fhrill Affright ! Untaught, yet wife ! mid all thy brief alarms Thou clofely clingeft; to thy Mother's arms, Neflling thy little face in that fond breaft Whofe anxious Heavings lull thee to thy reft ! 95 Man's breathing Miniature ! ifliou mak'ft me figh — A Babe art thou — ■ and fuch a Thing am 1 ! To anger rapid and as foon appeas'd, For trifles mourning and by trifles pleas'd, Break Friendfhip's Mirror with a tetchy blow, i^ Yet fnatch what coals of fire on Pleafure's altar glow I i" O thou that reareft with celeftial aim The future Seraph in my mortal frame, Thrice holy Faith ! whatever thorns I meet LAs on I totter with unpraftis'd feet, Jtill let me fl:retch my arms and cling to thee, Meek Nurfe of Souls thro' their long Infancy ! «^v.tf^<-^v-t?^ 96 EFFUSfON XXXV. COMPOSED AUGUST 2otk, 1795, AT CLEVEDON, SOMERSETSHIRE, XVXY penfive Sara ! thy foft cheek reclin'd Thus on mine arm, moft foothing fweet it is To lit befide our cot, our cot o'er grown With white-flower'd Jafmin, and the broad-leav'd Myrtle, (Meet emblems they of Innocence and Love !) And watch the clouds, that late were rich with light, Slow-fad'ning round, and mark the ftar of eve Serenely brilliant (fuch fhould Wifdom be) 97 Shine oppofite ! How exquifite the fcents Snatch'd from yon bean-field ! and the world so hufh'd! The flilly murmur of the diftant Sea Tells us of Silence, And that fimpleft Lute Plac'd length-ways in the clafping cafement, hark ! How by the defultory breeze carefs'd, Like fome coy Maid half-yielding to her Lover, It pours fuch fweet upbraidings, as mufl needs Tempt to repeat the wrong ! And now its firings Boldlier fwept, the long fequacious notes Over delicious furges fink and rife, Such a foft floating witchery of found As twilight Elfins make, when they at eve Voyage on gentle gales from Faery Land, H WHere Melodies round honey-dropping flowers Footlefs and wild, like birds of Paradife, Nor paufe nor perch, hov'rjng oh untam'd wing. And thus, my Love ! as on the midway flope Of yonder hill 1 ftretch my limbs at noon Whilft thro* my half-clos*d eyelids I behold The funbeams dance, like diamonds, on the main, And tranquil mufe upon tranquillity ; Full many a thought uncall'd and undetain'd, And many idle flitting phantafies, Traverfe my indolent and paflive brain As wild and various, as the random gales That fwell or flutter on this fubjeft Lute ! And what if all of animated nature Be but organic Harps diverfly fram'd, 99 That tremble into thought, as o'er them fweeps^ Plaflic and vafl, one inteUeftual Biseeze, At once the Soul of each, amd God of all ? But thy more ferious eye a mild reproof Darts,. O beloved Woman ! nor fuch thoughts Dim and unhallow'd do ft thou not rejeft, And biddeft me walk humbly with my God, Meek Daughter in the Family of Chrift, Well haft thou faid and holily difprais'd Thefe ftiapings of the unregenerate mind, Bubbles that glitter as they rife and break On vain Philofophy's aye-babbling fpring. For never guiltlefs may I fpeak of Him, Th* Incomprehensible ! fave when with awe I praife him, and with Faith that inly* feds; Note 10. H 2 ■ lOO Who with his faving mercies healed me, A linful and moft miferable man Wilder 'd and dark, and gave me to poffefs Peace, and this Cot, and Thee, heart-honor'd Maid / w^^(^V^V.<^^ lOl DIFFUSION XXXVI. z'-O^z. WRITTEN IN EARLY YOUTH, THE TIME, AN AUTUMNAL EVENING, l.,^-^— Mi>1=-^^ o Thou wild Fancy, check thy wing ! No more Thofe thin white flakes, thofe purple clouds explore ! Nor there with happy fpirits fpeed thy flight Bath'd in rich amber-glowing floods of light ; Nor in yon gleam, where flow defcends the day, With wefl:ern peafants hail the morning ray ! Ah I rather bid the perifli'd pleafures move, A fliadowy train, acrofs the foul of Love ! H 3 102 O'er Difappointment's wintry dcfart fling Each flower, that wreath'd the dewy locks of S p r i n g, When blufhing, like a bride, from Hope's trim bower She leapt, awaken'd by the pattering fhower. Now fheds the finking Sun a deeper gleam, Aid, lovely Sorcerefs ! aid thy Poet's- dream! With faery wand O bid the Maid arife, Chafte Joyance dancing in her bright-blue eyes v As erft when from the Mufes' calm abode I came, with Learning's meed not unbeftow'd : When, as fhe twin'd a laurel round my brow, And met my kifs, and half returned my vow, O'er all my frame. fhot rapid my thrill'd heart, And every nerve confefs'd the eleflric dart. 103 dear Deceit ! I fee the Maiden rife, Chafte Joyance dancing in her bright blue Eyes, When firft the lark high-foaring fwells his throat. Mocks the tir'd eye, and fcatters the loud note, 1 trace her footfteps on the accuflom'd lawn, I mark her glancing mid the gleams of dawn. When the bent flower beneath the night-dew weeps And on the lake the filver luftre fleeps, Amid the paly radiance foft and fad She meets my lonely path in moon-beams clad. With her along the ftreamlet's brink I rove ; With her I lift the warblings of the grove ; And feems in each low wind her voice to float Lone-whifpering Pity in each foothing note i Spirits of Love ! ye heard her name! Obev The powerful fpell, and to my haunt repair. 104 Whether on clufb'ring pinions ye are there, Where rich fnows bloflbm on the Myrtle trees. Or with fond languifhment around my fair Sigh in the loofe luxuriance of her hair ; heed the fpell, and hither wing your way, Like far-off mufic, voyaging the breeze ! Spirits ! to you the infant Maid was given . Form'd by the wond'rous Alchemy of Heaven ! No fairer Maid does Love's wide empire know, No fairer Maid e'er heav'd the bofom's fnow. A thoufand Loves around her forehead fly ; A thoufand Loves fit melting in her eye ; Love lights her fmile — in Joy's bright neftar dips The flamy rofe, and plants it on her lips ! Tender, ferene, and all devoid of guile, Soft is her foul, as fleeping infants' fmile : 105 She fpeaks ! and hark that paflion-warbled fong — Still, Fancy ! flill thofe mazy notes prolong. Sweet as th' angelic harps, whofe rapturous falls Awake the {bften'd echoes of Heaven's Halls ! I . • O (have I figh'd) were mine the wizard's rod, Or mine the power of Proteus, changeful God ! A flower-entangled Arbour I would feem To fhield my Love from Noontide's fultry beam : Or bloom a Myrtle, from whofe od'rous boughs My Love might weave gay garlands for her brows, AVhen Twilight ftole acrofs the fading vale. To fan my Love I'd be the Evening Gale; Mourn in the foft folds of her fwelling veft, And flutter my faint pinions on her breaft ! On Seraph wing I'd float a Dream, by night, o foothe my Love with fhadows of delight : — io6 Or foar aloft to be the Spangled Skies, And gaze upon her with a thoufand eyes ! As when the Savage, who his drowfy frame Had bafk'd beneath the Sun's unclouded flame, Awakes amid the troubles of the air. The fkiey deluge, and white lightning's glare — Aghaft he fcours before the tempeft's fwcep, And fad recalls the funny hour of fleep : — So tolt by ftorms along Life's wild'ring way Mine eye reverted views that cloudlefs day, When by my native brook I wont to rove While Hope with kiffes nurs'd the Infant Love. Dear native brook ! like Peace, fo placidly Smoothing thro' fertile fields thy current meek ! 107 Dear native brook ! where fir ft young Poesy Star'd wildly-eager in her noontide dream, Where BLAMELESS Pleasures dimple Quiet's cheek, As water-lilies ripple a flow ftream I Dear native haunts ! where Virtue ftill is gay : Where Friendfhip's fix'd-ftar {heds a mellow 'd ray ; Where Love a crown of thornlefs Rofes wears : Where foften'd Sorrow fmiles within her tears ; And Mem'ry, with a Vestal's chafte employ, Unceafing feeds the lambent flame of Joy ! No more your fky-larks melting from the fight Shall thrill th' attuned heart-ftring with delight : — ■ No more fliall deck your penfive Pleafures fweet With wreaths of fober hue my evening feat. Yet dear to Fancy's eye your varied fcene Of wood, hill, dale, and fnarkling brook between ! io8 Yet fweet to Fancy's ear the warbled fong, That foars on Morning's wing your vales among. Scenes of my Hope ! the aking eye ye leave Like yon bright hues that paint the clouds of eve ! Tearful and fad'ning with the fadden'd blaze Mine eye the gleam purfues with wiftful gaze : Sees fhades on fhades with deeper tint impend. Till chill and damp the moonlefs night defcend. t,^^Wtf-.I.^M.^^ poetical Cptgtle0. Good verfe most good, and bad verfe then fcems better Received frotn abfent friend by way of Letter. For what fo fweet can labor'd lays impart As one rude rhyme warm from a friendly heart ? Anon. Ill EPISTLE I. VVRITTEN AT SHURTON BARS, near BRIDGEWATER, SEPTEMBER, 1795, IN ANSWER TO A LETTER FROM BRISTOL. »<5>-.= N, OR travels my meand'ring eye The ftarry wildernefs on high ; Nor now with curious fight I mark the glow-worm, as I pafs, Move with "green* radiance" thro' thegrafs. An Emerald of Light; Note 11 112 evcr-prefent to my view ! My wafted fpirit is with you, And foothes your boding fears : 1 fee you all oppreft: with gloom Sit lonely in that cheerlefs room Ah me ! You are in tears ! Beloved Woman ! did you fly Chill'd Friendfhip's dark difliking eye, Or Mirth's untimely din ? With cruel weight thefe trifles prefs A temper fore with Tendernefs, When akes the Void within. But why with fable wand unbleft Should Fancy roufe within my breaft Dim-vifag'd fliapes of Dread ? 113 Untenanting it's beauteous clay My Sara's foul has wing'd it's way, And hovers round my head ! I felt it prompt the tender Dream, When flowly funk the day's lafl gleam ; You rous'd each gentler fenfe As fighing o'er the Bloffom's bloom Meek Evening wakes it's foft perfume With viewlefs influence. And hark, my Love ! The fea-breeze moans Thro' yon reft houfe ! O'er rolling flones In bold ambitious fweep iM The onward-furging tides fupply The (ilence of the cloudlefs fky With mimic thunders deep, Dark-red'ning from the channel'd* lile (Where Hands one folitary pile Unflated by the blaft) The Watchfire, like a fuUen ftar Twinkles to many a dozing Tar Rude cradled on the mafl, Ev'n there — beneath that light-houfe tower In the tumultuous evil hour Ere Peace with Sara came, * The Holmes, in the Briflol Channel. i»5 Time was, 1 iKould have thought it fweet To count the echoings of my feet, And watch the ftonn-vex'd flame. And there in black foul-jaundic'd fit A fad gloom-pampcr'd Man to (it, And liften to the roar : When mountain Surges bellowing deep With an uncouth monfter leap Plung'd foaming on the fhorc. Then by the Lightning's blaze to mark Some toiling tempeft-fhatter'd bark : Her vain diftrefs-guns hear : ii6 And when a fecond flieet of light Flafh'd o'er the black nefs of the night — To fee no Veffel there I But Fancy now more gaily fings ; Or if awhile fhe droop her wings, As fky-larks mid the corn, On fummer fields fhe grounds her breaft : Th* oblivious Poppy o'er her nefl; Nods, till returning morn, O mark thofe fmiling tears, that fwell The open'd Rofe ! From heaven they fell, And with the fun-beani blend. Bleft vifitations from above, Such arc the tender woes of Love Foft'ring the heart, they bend ! 117 When ftormy Midnight howling found Beats on our roof with clatt'ring found. To me your arms you'll ftretch : Great God ! you'll fay — To us fo kind, flidter from this loud bleak wind The houfelefs, friendlefs wretch ! The tears that tremble down your cheek, Shall bathe my kiffes chafte and meek In Pity's dew divine ; And from your heart the fighs that fteal Shall make your rifing bofom feel The anfw'ring fwell of mine I How oft, my Love ! with fhapings fwcet 1 paint the moment, we ftiall meet ! With eager fpeed 1 dart ii8 1 feize you in tlie vacant air, And fancy, with a Hufband's care I prefs you to my heart ! 'Tis faid, on Summer's evening hour Flafties the* golden-colour'd flower A fair eleftric flame. And fo fliall flafli my lovc-charg'd eye When all the heart's big ecftacy Shoots rapid thro' the frame ! * Note 13. '■^^^■^^fc^*^> 119 EPISTLE II, :i.^-*- TO THE AUTHOR OF POEMS PUBLISHED ANONYMOUSLY AT BRISTOL, IN SEPTEMBER, 1795. : «-^%s;s'-^'i u= NBOASTFUL Bard ! whofc verfeconcifc yet clear Tunes to fmooth melody unconquer*d fenfe May your fame fadelefs live, as " never-fere*^ The Ivy wreathes yon Oak, whofe broad defence imbow'rs me from Noon*5 fultry influence ! 126 For, like that namelcfs Riv'let ftealing by, Your modefl verfe to mufing Quiet dear Is rich with tints heaven-borrow 'd: the charm'd eye Shall gaze undazzled there, and love the foften'd Iky Circling the bafe of the Poetic mount A ftream there is, which rolls in lazy flow It's coal-black waters from Oblivion's fount : The vapor-poifon'd Birds, that fly too low, Fall with dead fwoop, and to the bottom go, Efcap'd that heavy ftream on pinion fleet Beneath the Mountain's lofty-frowning brow. Ere aught of perilous afcent you meet, A mead of mildeft charm delays th* unlabring iect. Not there the cloud-climb 'd rock, fublmie and vaft, That like fome giant king, o'er glooms the hill ; 127 Nor there the Pine-grove to the midnight blaft Makes folemn mufic ! But th' unceaftng rill To the foft Wren or Lark's defcending trill Murmurs fweet underfong mid jafmin bowers. In this fame pleafant meadow, at your will ; I ween, you wander'd — there collefting flow'rs Of fober tint, and herbs of med'cinable powers ! There for the monarch-murder'd Soldier's tomb ■You wove th' unfinifh'd* wreath of faddeft hues^ i And to that holiert chaplet added bloom Befprinkling it with Jordan's cleanfing dews. ;^But lo your j:Henderson awakes the Mufe^ War, a Fragment. + John the Baptift, a Poem. X Monody on John Henderfon. 128 His Spirit beckon'd from the mountain's height ! You left the plain and foar'd 'mid richer views ! So Nature mourn'd, when funk the Frft Day's light, With ftars, unfeen before, fpangling her robe of night ! Still foar my Friend thofe richer vaews among, Strong, rapid, fervent, flafhing Fancy's beam ! Virtue and Truth {hall love your gentler fong ; But Poefy demands th' impafion'd theme : Wak'd by Heaven's filent dews at Eve's mild gleam What balmy fweets Pomona breathes around ! But if the vext air rufh a ftormy ftream Or Autumn's flirill guft moan in plaintive found With fruits and flowers Ihe loads the tempeft honor'd ground. i^-( >-^%^^ t^n 129 EPISTLE V. THE PRODUCTION OF A YOUNG LAiyy, ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHOR OF THE POEMS ALLUDED TO IN THE PRECEEDING EPISTLE. She had lost her Silver Thimble^ and her complaint being accidentally overheard by him, her Friend, he immediately sent her four others to take her choice of. JljLS oft mine eye with carelefs glance Has gallop 'd thro' fome old romance^ K 130 Of fpeaking Birds and Steeds with Wmgs, Giants and Dwarfs, and Fiends and Kings; Beyond the reft with more attentive care I've lov'd to read of elfin-favor'd Fair How if fhe long'd for aught "beneath the fky And fufFer'd to efcape one votive figh, Wafted along on viewlefs pinions aery It lay'd itfelf obfequious at her Feet : Such things, I thought, one might not hope to meet 5ave in the dear delicious land of Faery ! But now (by proof I know it well) There^s ftill fome peril in free wifhing — »• Politeness is a licenc'd spell Andiyou, dear Sir ! the Arch-magician* You much perplex'd me by the various fet : They were indeed an. elegant quartette ! I 13^ My mind went to and fro, and waver'd long ; At length I've chofen (Samuel thinks me wrong) That^ around whofe azure rim Silver figures feem to fwim, Like fleece-white clouds, that on the fkiey Blue, Wak'd by no breeze, the felf-fame fhapes retain ; Or ocean Nymphs with limbs of fnowy hue Slow-floating o'er the calm cerulean plain. Jufl fuch a one, mon cher ami fTh.Q finger fhield of induftry) Th' inventive Gods, I deem, to Pallas gave What time the vain Arachne, madly brave, Challeng'd the blue-eyed Virgin of the fky A duel in embroider'd work to try. And hence the thimbled Finger of grave Pallas To th' erring Needle's point was more than callous. K 2 132 But ah the poor Arachne ! She unarm'd Blund'ring thro' hafty eagernefs, alarm'd With all a Rival's hopes, a Mortal's fears,. Still mifs'd the flitch, and ftain'd the web with tears, Unnumber'd punftures fmall yet fore Full fretfully the maiden bore, Till fhe her lily finger found Crimfon'd with many a tiny wound ; And to her eyes, fufFus'd with watry woe, Her flower-embroider'd web danc'd dim, 1 wift,. Like blolTom'd fhrubs in a quick-moving mift : Till vanquilh'd the defpairing Maid funk low. Bard ! whom fure no common Mufe infpires, 1 heard your Verfe that glows with vellal firc^ ' And I from unwatch'd needle's erring point Had furely fufFer'd on each finger joint- 133 Thofe wounds, which erfl did poor Arachne meet ; While he, the much-lov'd Objeft of my Choice, (My bofom thrilling with enthufiaft heat) Pour'd on mine ear with deep impreflive voice, How the great Prophet of the Defart flood And preach'd of Penitence by Jordan's Flood ; On War ; or elfe the legendary lays In fimplefl mcafures hymn'd to Alla's praife ; Or what the Bard from his heart's inmoft ftores O'er his Friend's grave in loftier numbers nours: Yes, Bard Polite ! you but obeyed the laws Of Juflice, when the thimble you had fent ; What wounds, your thought-bewildering Mufe might caufe 'Tis well, your £nger-fhielding gifts prevent. SARA, K 3 B^eltsiousi iHusinjSS. What tho' firftj In years unfeafon*d, I attun'd the Lay- To idle Paflion and unreal Woe ? Yet ferious Truth her empire o'er my Tong Hath now afferted : Falfhood's evil brood. Vice and deceitful Pleafure, She at once Excluded, and my Fancy's carelefs toil Drew to the better caufe t Akenside. t ARGUMENT. I fntroduBioft. Person of Christ, His Prayer en the Cross, The process of his DoElrines on the mind of the Individual. CharaSier of the Eleci, Superstition, Digression to the present War, 'Origin and Uses of Government and Property, The present State of Society. French Revolution, Millenium, Universal Redemption, Conclusion, I 139 RELIGIOUS MUSINGS A DESULTORY POEM, WRITTEN ON CHRISTMAS' EVE, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, I794. tv5>-: X HIS is the time, when moft divine to hear, As with a Cherub's '* loud uplifted" trump The voice of Adoration my thrill'd heart Roufes ! And with the rufhing noife of wings Tranfports my fpirit to the favor'd fields Of Bethlehem, there in Ihepherd's guife to fit i40 Sublime of extacy, and mark entranced The glory- ftreaming Vision throng the night. Ah not more radiant, nor loud harmonies Hymning more unimaginably fweet i© "With choral fongs around th' Eternal Mind, The confhellated company of Worlds Danc'd jubilant : what time the ftartling Eaft Saw from her dark womb leap her flamy Child ! Glory to God in the Higheft! Peace on Earth ! 15 Yet Thou more bright than all that Angel Blaze, Defpifed Galiltean ! Man of Woes! For chiefly in the opprefled Good Man's face The Great Invifible (by fymbols feen) Shines with peculiar and concentred light, 141 When all of Self regardlefs the fcourg'd Saint Mourns for th' OpprelTor. O thou meekefl Man ! 25 i Meek Man and lowlieft of the Sons of Men ! Who thee beheld thy imag'd Father faw. His Power and Wifdom from thy awful eye Blended their beams, and loftier Love fate there Mufing on human weal, and that dread hour 30 When thy infulted Anguifh wing'd the prayer [ Harp'd by Archangels, when they fing of Mercy • Which when th' Almighty heard, from forth his Throne Diviner light flafh'd extacy o'er Heaven ! Heav'n's hymnings paus'd : and Hell her yawning mouth 35 Clos'd a brief moment. 142 Lovely was the Death Of Him, whofe Life was Love ! Holy with power He on the thought -benighted Sceptic beam'd Manifeft Godhead, melting into day 40 What Mifts dim-floating of Idolatry Split and misfhap'd the Omniprefent Sire : And firfl by Terror, Mercy's ftartling prelude, Uncharm'd the Spirit fpell-bound with earthy lufls Till of it's nobler Nature it 'gan feel 45 Dim recolleftions •, and thence foar'd to Hope, Strong to believe whate'er of myftic good Th' Eternal dooms for his Immortal Sons. From Hope and ftronger Faith to perfeft Love Attracted and abforb'd : and center'd there 50 God only to behold, and know, and feel, Till by exclufive Confcioufnefs of God 14a All felf-annihilated it ftiall make God it's Identity : God all in all ! We and our Father one! 55 And bleft are they, Who in this fleflily World, the eleO; of Heaven, Their ftrong eye darting thro' the deeds of Men Adore with (ledfafb unprefuming gaze Him, Nature's Effence, Mind, and Energy ! 60 And gazing, trembling, patiently afcend Treading beneath their feet all vifible things As fteps, tPiat upward to their Father's Throne Lead gradual — elfe nor glorified nor lov'd. They nor Contempt imbofom nor Revenge : 65 For THEY dare know of what may feem deform The Supreme Fair fole Operant : in whcfe fighl I 144 All things are pure, his ftrong controlling Love Alike from all educing perfeft good, Their's too celeftial courage, inly arm'd -yo Dwarfing Earth's giant brood, what time they mufe On their great Father, great beyond compare ! And marching onwards view high o'er their heads His waving Banners of Omnipotence. Who the Creator love, created might ^5 Dread not : within their tents no Terrors walk. For they are Holy Things before the Lord Aye-unprofan'd, tho' Earth fhould league with Hell! God's Altar grafping with an eager hand Fear, the wild-vifag'd, pale, eye-ftarting wretch, 80 Sure-refug'd hears his hot purfuing fiends M5 Yell at vain di fiance. Soon refrcfh*d from Heaven He calms the throb and tempeft of his heart. His countenance fettles : a foft folemn blifs Swims in his eye : his fwimming eye uprais'd : 85 And Faith's whole armour glitters on his limbs ! And thus transfigured with a dreadlefs awe, A folemn hufh of foul, meek he beholds All things of terrible feeming. Yea, and there, Unfhudder'd, unaghafted, he (hail view go E'en the Seven Spirits, who in the latter day Will fhower hot peftilence on the fons of men. For he fhall know, his heart fhall underfland, 'That kindling with intenfer Deity [They from the Mercy-seat — like rofy flames, 95 From God's celeftial Mercy-seat will flafh, And at the wells of renovating Love L 146 Fill their Seven Vials with falutary wr^th, To fickly Nature more medicinal That what foft balm the weeping good man pours 100 Into the lone defpoiled trav'ller's wounds ! Thus from th* Ele£l, regenerate thro* faith, Pafs the dark Paffions and what thirfty Cares Drink up the fpirit and the dim regards Self-center. Lo they vanifh ! or acquire lOc New names, new features — by fupernal grace Enrob'd with Light, and naturaliz'd in Heaven. As when a Shepherd on a vernal morn Thro' fome thick fog creeps tim'rous with flow foot, Darkling he fixes on th' immediate road 110 His downward eye : all elfe of faireft kind Hid or deform'd. But lo, the burfting Sun ! 147 Touched by th' enchantment of that fudden beam Strait the black vapor melteth, and in globes Of dewy glitter gems each plant and tree: 115 On eveiy leaf, on every blade it hangs I Dance glad the new-born intermingling rays. And wide around the landfeape ftfeams with glorv I There is one Mind, one omniprefent Mind, Omnific. His moft holy name is Love. 12c Truth of fubliming import ! with the whicl^ Who feeds and faturates his conftant foul. He from his fmall particular orbit flies With bleft outflarting ! From himself he flics, Stands in the Sun, and with no partial gaze 1 25 Views all creation, and he loves it all. And blefles it, and calls it very good ! L 2 148 This is indeed to dwell with the mofl High ! Cherubs and rapture-trembling Seraphim Can prefs no nearer to th* Almighty's Throne. 1 30 But that we roam unconfcious, or with hearts Unfeeling of our univerfal Sire, And that in his vaft family no Cain Injures uninjur'd (in her beft-aim'd blow Viftorious Murder a blind Suicide) 135 Haply for this fome younger Angel now Looks down on Human Nature : and, behold ! A fea of blood beftrew'd with wrecks, where mad Embattling Interests on each other rufh With unhelm'd Rage ! 140 'Tis the fublimc of man, Our noontide Majefty, to know ourfelves I U9 parts and proportions of one wond'rous whole : This fraternizes man, this conftitutes Our charities and bearings. But 'tis God 145 DifFus'd thro' all, that doth make all one whole ; This the word fuperftition, him except. Aught to defire, Supreme Reality ! The plenitude and permanence of blifs ! O Fiends of Superstition J not that oft 150 Your pitilefs rites have floated with man's blood The {kuU-pil'd Temple, not for this fhall wrath Thunder againft you from the Holy One ! But (whether ye th' unclimbing Bigot mock With fecondary Cods, or if more pleas'd 155 Ye petrify th' imbrothell'd Atheift's heart, The Atheift your worfl: (lave) I o'er fome plain Peopled with Death, and to the filent Sun L3 150 Steaming with tyrant-murder'd multitudes ; Or where mid groans and fhrieks loud - laughing"' TRADE 160 More hideous packs his bales of living anguifli ; 1 will raife up a mourning, O ye Fiends ! And curfe your fpells, that film the eye of Faith ; Hiding the prefent God, whofe prefence loft, The moral world's cohefion, we become 165 An Anarchy of Spirits ! Toy-bewitch'd, Made blind by lufts, difherited of foul No common center Man, no common fire Knoweth ! A fordid folitary thing, Mid countlefs brethren with a lonely heart I'jo Thro' courts and cities the fmooth Savage roams Feeling himfelf, his own low Self the whole, , When he by facred fympathy might make I The whole ONE self! self, that no alien knows! Self, far difFus'd as Fancy's wing can travel ! 175 Self, fpreading ftill !' Oblivious of it's own, Yet all of all pofleffing ! This is Faith ! This the Messiah's deftin'd viftory ! But fiifl offences needs muft come ! Even now (Black Hell laughs horrible — to hear the feoff!) 180 Thee to defend, meek Galilasan ! Thee And thy mild laws of Love unutterable, Miflrufl and Enmity have burfl the bands Of focial Peace ; and lift'ning Treachery lurks With pioiis fraud to fnare a brother's life ; 185 And childlefs widows o'er the groaning land Wail numberlefs ; and orphans weep for bread ! Thee to defend, dear Saviour of Mankind ! 152 Thee, Lamb of God! Thee, blamelefs Prince of Peace! From ail fides rufli the thirfty brood of war ! 190 Austria, and that foul Woman of the North, The luftful Murd'refs of her wedded Lord ! And he, connatural Mind I whom (in their fongs So bards of elder time had haply feign 'd) Some Fury fondled in her hate to man, 195 Bidding her ferpent hair in tortuous folds Lick his young face, and at his mouth imbreathe Horrible fympathy ! And leagued with thefe Each petty German Princeling, nurs'd in gore ! Soul-harden'd barterers of human blood ! 200 Death's prime Slave-merchants ! Scorpion-whips of FateT Nor leaft in favagery-of holy zeal, Apt for the yoke, the race degenerate, Whom Britain erft had blufh'd to call her fons ! » 153 Thee to defend llie Moloch Priefl prefers 205 The prayer of hate, and bellows to the herd That Deity, accomplice Deity- In the fierce jealoufy of waken'd wrath Will go forth with our armies and our fleets To fcatter the red ruin on their foes ! 210 O blafphemy ! to mingle ficndifh deeds With bleflednefs ! Lord of unfleeping Love, From everlafting Thou ! We fhall not die. Thefe, even thefe, in mercy did ft thou form, Teachers of Good thro' Evil, by brief wrong 215 Making Truth lovely, and her future might Magnetic o'er the fix'd untrembling heart. In the primeval age a datelefs while i The vacant Shepherd wander'd with his flock ^54 Pitching his tent where'er the green grafs wav'd. 220 But foon Imagination conjur'd up An hoft of new defires ; with bufy aim, Each for himfelf, Earth's eager children toil'd. So Property began, twy-flreaming fount, Whence Vice and Virtue flow, honey and gall. 225 Hence the foft couch, and many-colour'd robe. The timbrel, and arch'd dome and coftly feaft With all th' inventive arts, that nurs'd the foul To forms of beauty, and by fenfual wants Unfenfualiz'd the mind, which in the means 230 Learnt to forget the grofsnefs of the end, Befl-pleafur'd with it's own aftivity. And hence Difeafe that withers manhood's arm, The dagger'd Envy, fpirit-quenching Want, Warriors, and Lords, and Priefts — all the fore ills 235 ^55 That vex and defolate our mortal life. Wide-wafting ills ! yet each th' immediate fource Of mightier good. Their keen neceffities To ceafelefs aftion goading human thought Have made Earth's reafoning animal her Lord; 240 And the pale-featur'd Sage's trembling hand Strong as an hoft of armed Deities ! From Avarice thus, from Luxury and War Sprang heavenly Science; and from Science Freedom, O'er waken'd realms Philofophers and Bards 245 Spread in concentric circles : they whofe fouls Confcious of their high dignities from God Brook not Wealth's rivalry ; and they who long Enamour'd with the charms of order hate Th' unfeemly difproportion ; and whoe'er 250 Turn with mild forrow from the victor's car 15^ And the low puppetry of thrones, to mufe On that blefh triumphj when the patriot Sage' Call'd the red lightnings from th' o'er-rufhing cloud And dafh'd the bsauteous Terrors on the earth 25^ Smiling majeftic. Such a phalanx ne'er Meafur'd firm paces to the calming found Of Spartan flute ! Thefe on the fated day, When flung to rage by Pity eloquent men Have rous'd with pealing voice th' unnumber'd tribes26o That toil and groan and bleed, hungry and blind, Thefe hufh'd awhile with patient eye ferene Shall watch the mad careerins: of the ftorm ; Then o'er the wild and wavy chaos rufh And tame th' outrageous mafs, with plaftic might 265 Moulding Confufion to fuch perfe6l forms, As erfl were wont, bright vifions of the day ! 157 To float before them, when, the Summer noon, Beneath fome arch'd romantic rock reclin'd They felt the fea-breeze lift their youthful locks, 2*70 Or in the month of bloffoms, at mild eve. Wandering with defultory feet inhal'd The wafted perfumes, and the flocks and woods And many -tinted {treams and fetting Sun With all his gorgeous company of clouds 275 Extatic gaz'd ! then homeward as they ftray'd Caft the fad eye to earth, and inly mus'd Why there was Mifery in a world fo fair. Ah far remov'd from all that glads the fenfe, From all that foftens or ennobles Man, 280 The wretched Many ! Bent beneath their loads They gape at pageant Power, nor recognize Their cots' tranfmuted plunder ! From the tree 158 Of Knowledge, ere the vernal fap had rifen, Rudely difbranch'd ! O blest Society ! 285 Fitlieft depiftur'd by feme fun-fcorcht wafte, Where oft majeftic thro' the tainted noon The Simoom fails, before whofe purple pomp Who falls not proftrate dies ! And where, by night, Faft by each precious fountain on green herbs 2^3 The lion couches ; or hyaena dips Deep in the lucid ftream his bloody jaws ; Or ferpent rolls his vaft moon-glittering bulk, Caught m whofe monftrous twine Behemoth yells, His bones loud craftiing ! 295 O ye numberlefs, Whom foul Oppreffion's ruffian gluttony Drives from life's plenteous feaft ! O thou poor Wretch, ^59 Who nurs'd in darknefs and made wild by want Doft roam for prey, yea thy unnatural hand 30Q Lifted to deeds of blood! O pale-eyed Form,, The viftim of feduftion, doom'd to know Polluted nights and days of blafphemy ; Who in loath'd orgies with lewd wafTailers Mufl gaily laugh, while thy remember'd Home 305 Gnaws like a viper at thy fecret heart I O aged Women ! ye who weekly catch The morfel toft by law-forc'd Charity, And die fo flowly, that none call it murder ! O loathly-vifag'd Suppliants ! ye that oft 310 Rack'd with difeafe, from the unopen'd gate Of the full Lazar-houfe, heart-broken crawl ! O ye to fcepter'd Glory's gore-drench'd field Forc'd or enfnar'd, who fwept by Slaughter's fcythe. i6o (Stern nurfe of Vultures!) fleam in putrid heaps! 315 O thou poor Widow, who in dreams doft view Thy Hufband's mangled corfe, and from fhort doze St^art'ft with a fhriek : or in thy half-thatch'd cot Wak'd by the wintry night-ftorm, wet and cold, Cow'reft o'er thy fcreaming baby 1 Reft awhile, 320 Children of Wretchednefs 1 More groans muft rife, More blood muft fteam, or ere your wrongs be full. Yet is the day of Retribution nigh : The Lamb of God hath open'd the fifth feal : And upward rufti on fwifteft wing of fire 325 Th' innumerable multitude of Wrongs By man on man inflifted ! Reft awhile, Children of Wretchednefs ! The hour is nigh : And lo ! the Great, the Rich, the Mighty Men, The Kings and the Chief Captains of the World, 330 i6i With all that fix'd on high like ftars of Heaven Shot baleful influence, ihall be caft to earth, Vile and down-trodden, as the untimely fruit Shook from the fig-tree by a fudden ftorm. Ev'n now the ftorm begins : each gentle name, 335 Faith and meek Piety, with fearful joy Tremble far-off — for lo ! the Giant Frenzy Uprooting empires with his whirlwind arm Mocketh high Heaven ; burft hideous from the cell Where the old Hag, unconquerable, huge, 340 Creation's eyelefs drudge, black Ruin, fits Nurfing th' impatient earthquake. O ceturn ! Pure Faith ! meek Piety ! The abhorred Form Whofe fcarlet robe was ftifF with earthly pomp, 345 Who drank iniquity in cups of gold, M 182 Whofe names were many and all blafphemous, Hath met the horrible judgement ! Whence that cry ? The mighty army of foul Spirits fhriek'd, Difherited of earth » For She hath fallen 350 On whofe black front was written Mystery ; She that reel'd heavily, whofe wine was blood ; She that work'd whoredom with the D^mon Power And from the dark embrace all evil things Brought forth and nurtured: mitred Atheism; 355 And patient Folly who on bended knee Gives back the fteel that ftabb'd him; and pale Fear Hunted by ghaftlier terrors than furround Moon-blafted Madnefs when he yells at midnight ! Return pure Faith ! return meek Piety ! 360 The kingdoms of the world are your's : each heart Self-govern'd, the vaft family of Love Rais'd from the common earth by common toil t6s Enjoy the equal produce. Such delights As float to earth, permitted vifitants I ^65 When on fome i'olemn jubilee of Saints The fapphire-blazing gates of Paradife Are thrown wide open, and thence voyage forth Detachments wild of feraph-warbled airs, And odors fnatch'd from beds of amaranth, 370 And they, that from the chryftal river of life > Spring up on frefhcn'd wing, ambrofial gales ! The favor'd good man in his lonely walk Perceives them, and his filent fpirit drinks ' Strange blifs which he fhall recognize in heaven. 375 And fuch delights, fuch ftrange beatitude Seize on my young anticipating heart When that bleft future ruflies on my view I Ma 164 For in his own and in his Fathcr*s might The Sa V 1 o u R comes I While as to folemn drains 380 The THOUSAND YEARS lead up their myflic dance, Old Ocean claps his hands ! the Desert (houts ! And foft gales wafted from the haunts of Spring Melt the primoeval North ! The mighty Dead Rife to new life, whoe'er from earliefl time 385 With confcious zeal had urg'd Love's wond'rous plan Coadjutors of God. To Milton's trump The odorous groves of earth reparadis'd Unbofom their glad echoes : inly hufh'd Adoring Newton his ferener eye 390 Raifes to heaven : and he of mortal kind Wifeft, he* lirft who mark'd the ideal tribes Down the fine fibres from the fentient brain * David Hartley, 1^5 Roll fubtly-furging. PrefTing on his fteps Lo! Prieftley there, Patriot, and Saint, and Sage, 395 Whom that my flefhly eye hath never feen A childifh pang of impotent regret Hath thrill'd my heart. Him from his native land Statefmen blood-ftain'd and Priefts idolatrous By dark lies mad*ning the blind multitude 400 Drove with vain hate : calm, pitying he retir'd, And mus'd expe6lant on thefe promis'd years, O Years J the bleft preeminence of Saints I Sweeping before the rapt prophetic Gaze Bright as what glories of the jafper throne 405 Stream from the gorgeous and face- veiling plumes Of Spirits adoring ! Ye, bleft Years ! muft end, And all beyond is darknefs ! Heights moft ftrange ! M 3 t66 Whence fkfity fullSj fluttering her idle wing. For who df woman born may paint the hour, 410 When feiz*d in his mid courfe the Sun fhall wane Making noon ghaftly ! Who of woman born May image in his wildly-working thought. How the bUek-vifag'd, red-eyed Fiend outfliretcht Beneath th' unfteady feet of Nature groans 415 In feVerifh flumbers — deftin'd then to Wake, When fiery whirlwinds thunder his dread name And Angels (hout, Destruction ! How his arm The mighty Spirit lifting high in air Shall fwear by Him^ the ever-living Oj^e, 420 Time is no mo&s. I Believe thou, O my ibui, Life is a vifion ihadowy of Truth, i6j And vice, and anguifli, and the wormy grave,. Shapes of a dream ! The veiling clouds retire, 425 And lo ! tho Throne of the redeeming God Forth flafhing unimaginable day Wraps in one blaze earth, heaven, and deepeft hclh. Contemplant Spirits ! ye that hover o'er With untir'd gaze th* immeafurable fount 43d Ebullient with creative Deity ! And ye of plaflic power, that interfus'd Roll thro' the groffer and material mafs In organizing furge ! Holies of God ! (And what if Monads of the infinite mind ?) 435 I haply journeying my immortal courfe Shall fometime join your myftic choir! Till then I difcipline my young noviciate thought i68 In miniftcrics of hcart-ftirring fong, And aye on Meditation's heaven-ward wing 440 Soaring aloft I breathe th' empyreal air Of Love, omnific, omniprcfent Love, Whofc day-fpring rifes glorious in my foul As the great Sun, when he his influence Sheds on thefroft-bound waters — The glad ftream445 Flows to the ray and warbles as it flows. »^W^=lM^-,tf>« NOTES ON RELIG lOUS MUSINGS, Line 8. And fuddenly there was with the Angel a multi- tude of the heavenly Hoft, praifing God and faying glory to God in the higheft and on earth peace. Luke 1L 13. Line 27. Philip faith unto him, Lord ! fhew us the Father and it fufEceth us. Jefus faith unto him, Have I been fo long time with you, and yet haft thou not known me, Philip ? He that hath feen mc hath feen the Father. John XIV. 9. 17^ NOTES ON Line 91. And I heard a great voice out of the Temple faying to the feven Angels, pour out the; vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. Revelation XVI. u Line 193. That Defpot who received the wages of an hireling that he might aft the part of a fwindler, and who fkulked from his impotent attacks on the liberties of France to perpetrate more fuccefsful iniquity in the plains of Poland, Line 200. The Father of the prefent Prince of Hefle Cafiell fupported himfelf and his ftrumpets at Paris by the vaft fums which he received from the Britifli Go- vernment during the American war for the flelh of his fubjefts. RELIGIOUS MUSINGS, 1^1 Like 212. Art thou not from everlafting, O Lord, mine Holy One ? We fhall not die. O Lord ! thou haft ordained them for judgment, &c. Habakk.uk. I. 12. Line 235. I deem that the teaching of the goi'pel for hire is wrong -, becaufe it gives the teacher an improper bias in favor of particular opinions on a fubjeft where it is of the laft importance that the mind ihould be perfeftly unbiaffed. Such is my private opinion ; but I mean not to cenfure all hired teachers, many among whom I know, and venerate as the beft and wifeft of men — God forbid that I (iiould think of thefe, when I ufe the word Priest, a name, after which any other term of abhorrence 172 NOTES On would appear an anti-climax. By a Priest I mean a man who holding the fcouige of power in his right hand and a bible (tranflated by authority) in his left, doth neceffarily caufe the bible and the fcouige to be affociated ideas, and fo produces that temper of mind that leads to Infidelity — Infidelity which judging of Revelation by the doftrines and praftices of eflabliihed Churches honors God by rejefting Chrift. See " Addrefs to the People," Page 57, fold by Parfbns, Paternofter-Row. Line 253. Dr. Franklin. Line 288. , At eleven o'clock, while we contemplated with great pleafure the rugged top of Chiggre, to which wc were fall approaching, and where we were to RELIGIOUS MUSINGS. I73 folace ourfelves with plenty of good water, Idris cried out with a loud voice, * Fall upon your faces, * for here is the Simoom.' I faw from the S. E. an haze come on, in colour like the purple part ©f the rainbow, but not fo compreffed or thick. — It did not occupy twenty yards in breadth, and was about twelve feet high from the ground, We all lay flat on the ground, as if dead, till Idris told us it was blown over. The meteor, or purple haze, which I faw, was indeed pafled ; but the light air that ftill blew was of heat to threaten fuffocation; Bruce's Travels, vol. 4. page 557. Line 294, Ufed poetically for a very large quadruped ; but in general it defignates the Elephant. 174 4SrOTES ON Line 324. See the fixth chapter of the Revelation of St. John the Divine. And 1 looked and beheld a pale horfe ; and his name that fat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the Earth to kill with fword, and with hunger, and with peftilence, and with the beafts of the earth, — .—- And when he had opened the fifth feal, I faw under the altar the fouls of them that were flain for the word of God, and for the teftimony which they held : and white robes were given unto every one of them ; and it was faid unto them, that they fhould reft yet for a little feafon, until their fellow fervants alfo, and their brethren, that Ihould be killed as they were fhould be fulfilled. And 1 beheld when he RELIGIOUS MUSINGS, 1 75 had opened the fixth feal, the ftars of Heaven fell unto the Earth, even as a fig tree cafteth her un- timely figs when fhe is fliaken of a mighty wind : And the Kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, &c. Line 335. The French Revolution. Line 343. And there came one of the feven Angels which had the feven vials and talked with me, faying unto me, come hither ! I will fhew unto thee the judgment of the great Whore, that fitteth upon many waters : with whom the Kings of the earth have committed fornication, &c. Revelation of St. John the Divine, chapter the feventeenth. NOTE S. -x.O^- Note 1 Page 37. Lee Boo, the fon of Abba Thule, Princ^ of the Pelew Iflands came over to England with Captain Willbn, died of the fmall-pox, and is buried in Greenwich Church-yard, See Keate's Account, Note 2. Page 37, And fufFering Nature weeps that ont ihould die, Southey*s Retrofpeft. Page 46, Yti never, Burke ! thou drank'st Corruption's bowl I When I compofed this line, I had not read the following paragraph in the Cambridge Intelligencer (of Saturday, November 21, 1795O " When Mr, Burke Jirst crossed over the House of . Ci>mmons from the Opposition to the Ministry^ he^ N 17^ NOTES. received a pension tf laoo^. tL-ytAir charged on the King*s Privy Purse I When he had completed his laborSj it was t]M»\ t qucfti©n whit recompence his ferviec dcfervcd. Mr. Burke wanting a prefent fupply of moncyj it was thought that a penlion of Bbool. per znmim for forty years certain^ would fell for ci|htecn years purchafc, and bring him of courfe 36,0001. But this penficm muft, by the very unfor- tunate a^, of which Mr* Burke was himfelf the author, have come before Parliament. Inftead of this Mr* Pitt fuggeftcd the idea of a penfion of soodl a*ycar/or tkret iives^ to be charged on the King's Revenue of the Weft India 4I per cents* This was tried at the market, but it was found that St would not produce the 36,000!. which were wanted. In confequence of this a peniion of 2500U per annum, for thrte Uvts on the 4! Wefl India MOtES. 179 Fund, tlie lives to be nominateci by Mr. Burke, that he may aiccofnmocUte the purchafers, is Jinally granted to this diiinterefted patriot ! He has thus retir'd from the trade of politics, with penfions to the amount of 3700I. a-year.'* Note 3. n Page 50. Hymettian Flowtets. Hymettus a mountain near Athens, celebrated for its honey. This alludes to Mr. Sheridan's claflical attainments, and the follow- ing four lines to the exquifite fweetnefs and almoft Italian mt a mes yeux «?x faux efpfit ; je puis vivre avee lui asuffit bieia et mieux qiu'avec le devot^ car i| yaifonne davaniage , i»ais. i\ lui saanque ua fensj et mon ame nc fe fond point enticremcnt »V€e la (ienne : il eft froid au fpefiack le pW§ laviffaat, el il ehercheui^ fyUogi&ixe lorfque je reud^ une afliixn dc gjace,, " Appel a riiupartiale poftcrite, par la Citoyenne Holand," troi&eiBC partie, p» 67. Page 105. fkm>€ i ngk'dj uitn mine ths Wizard's r^d f 1 entreat the Public's pardon for having cwelcfly fuliiercd to be printed fuch intolerable iluS as this l54 NOTES. and the thirteen following lines. They have not the merit even of originality : as every thought is to be found in the Greek Epigrams. The lines in this poem from the ayth to the 36th, I have been told are' a palpable imitation of the paffage from the 355th tb the 370th line of the Pleafures of Memory part 3, I do not perceive fo ilriking a fimilarity between the two pafTages ; at all events, I had written the Effufion feveral years before I had fecn Mr. Rogers' Poem; — — It may be proper to remark that the tale of Florio in " the Pleafures of Memory'* is to be found in Lochleven a Poem of great merit by Michael Bruce. In Mr. Rogers' Poem the names are Florio and Julia •, in the Lochleven Lomond and Levina — and this is all the difference* We feize the opportunity of tranfcribing from the Lochleven of Bruce the following exquifite paffage*, NOTES. 185 exprefling the efFefts of a fine day on the human heart. Fat on the plain and mountain's funny fide Large droves of oxen and the fleety flocks Feed undifturbed, and fill the echoing air With Mufic grateful to their Mafter's car. The Traveller flops and gazes round and round O'er all the plains that animate his heart With Mirth and Mufic. Even the mendicant Bow-bent with age, that on the old gray flone Sole-fitting funs him in the public way, Feels his heart leap, and to himfelf he fings. Note 1 1. Page 111. The expreflion " green radiance" is borrowed from Mr, Wordsworth, a Poet whofe vcrfification is occafionally harfh and his diftion too frequently obfcure: but whom 1 deem unrivalled among the i86 NOTES. writers of ihe pi^eibnt day in manly fentiine&tj, UQvel imagery, and vivid colouring. Nofte i3« — — Page iiS. hi cm Jrem plants. In Sweden % very curious phenomenon h%s been observed on certain flowers by M. Haggern, kllurcr in natural hiftory. One even- ing be perceived a faint ilaib of ligbi re|>eatedly dart from a marigold. Surprised at fucb aja uncooiinon appearance, he refolved to c:2(ainine it with attention ; and, to be affured it was no deception f»f the eye, he placed a man near him, with orders to nake a fignal at the moment when he obferved the light. They both faw it conflantly at the fame moment. The light was moft brilliant on marigolds of an orange or flame colour ; but fcarcely viftble on p^e enes« NOTES. 187 The flafli was frequently fecn on the fame flower two or three times in quick fucceffion ; but more commonly at intervals of feveral minutes : and wherv feveral flowers in the fame place emitted their light together, it could be obferved at a confiderable difl:ance. This phenomenon was rerr^arked in the months of July and Augufl; at fun>fet, and fot half an hour, when the atmofphere was clear ; but after a rainy dav^ or when the air was loaded with vapours nothing of it was fcen. The following flowers emitted flafties, more or lefs vivid, in this order : 1. The marigold, galendula ojicinalis, 2. Monk's-hood, tropalummajus, 3. The orange-lily, lilium bulbiferiwi, 4. Th6 Indian pink, tagetes patula & crcda. l88 NOTES, Fromr the rapidity of the flafh, and other circum- ftances, it may be conjeftured that there is fomething •f eleftricity in this phenomenon , FINIS. -ERRATA. -f.VO^^ Page 22. For froths read frothy and oitiit the comma at waves. Page 24. For obedience read obeisance. Page 74. For Like fnowdrop opening to the folar ray read As night-clos'd Flozoret to the orient ray. Page 1 24, For Antic huge read antic small. Page X26. Divide the third from the fecond Stanza. Page 1 27. For the femicolon after at your will ; put a comma. Page 1 28, For Frft read First, Ditto* For tempefl hon©r'd read ternpest^honot'd. Published by the same Author, :v.«?^: I. The WATCHMAN, a Mifcellany publifhed every eighth day, Price 4d, — ^" Parfons, Pater- rlofter-Row. II. CONCIONES AD POPULUM, or AD- DRESSES to THE PEOPLE, Price is. 6d. Parfons, Pater-nofter-Row, - III. A PROTEST AGAINST CERTAIN BILLS, Price gd,— Parfons, Pater-nofter-Row. /