Qass FK^^ O 1 Book_ 1_ THE HOURS, IN FOUR IDYLLS. H 0%3> HENRY HUDSON, Esq. Les Muses sont des abeilles volages, Leur gout voltige, il fuit les longs ouvrages., Et ne prenant que la fleur d'un sujet, Vole bientdt sur un nouvel objet. Gresset. Ver-veit. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND. 1817. By Transfer Geological Survey DEC 8 1932 G. WOODEALL, PRINTER, ANGEL COURT, SKINNEH STREET, LONDON. PREFACE. At a time when the romance in rhyme so frequently issues from the British press, the fol- lowing poem is offered to the public, in hopes that variety, at least, will recommend its pe- rusal. It is not at present intended to point out the advantages or defects peculiar to de- scriptive poetry, but perhaps it may be worth observing, that the term idyll, here adopted as one of the most unassuming, is not applicable to any kind of poem in particular : by Theo- critus, Statius, Ausonius, and others, it has been Variously used, and, in fact, signifies no- thing more than a picture or representation. IV PREFACE. The change of measure here resorted to for variety, seemed by custom to call for the intro- duction of rhyme, although Collins's beautiful Ode to Evening, and some others in the English language, might perhaps have well warranted the rejection of so trifling an appendage. The subject of a brief story in the third idyll was suggested by the recollection of a tale, read several years ago in some periodical publication. %%t Hours. FOUR IDYLLS. MORNING. IDYLL I. Prologue — Sunrise over an English landscape in the Spring, with the commencement of rural labour — Italian scenery — The dawn unfolding over a desert region of Mount Atlas : over a cultivated Mexican prospect — in the South Seas — Morning described in a city — Rural scene — Scene on the sea-coast — The beautiful ap- pearance of the sky indicative of storms — A tempestuous autumnal morning described — A winter's morning — Variety of sensations affecting man on the developement of this hour — A tale. b2 %ty ^ours?. IDYLL I. vXvQev Hwf, Xptyl. ^'a^ olvTfl KoVgOU \wK\OK EVENING. IDYLL T. B'isk, with invigorated step, inclines To climb the sun-burnt hill. At eve how oft From contemplation woke, the poet strays Around the dewy precincts of thy bow'r, Until the sullen hour of gloom steals on To close thy melody: no sweeter strain, From solitary Philomela flows Through Spring's emblossom'd wilderness, to soothe The lovelorn victim through her sleepless night. Flush'd with inimitable glory sinks The orb of day, but still irradiant, dyes With brightest crimson half the vault of heav'n; At length immerg'd, he slow withdraws his fires, And as th' horizon cools, in orange stole Arrays th' impending cope. The deep grey cloud, In flakes dissolving, points its slender streak Across the bright expanse, which gradual fades, Till in dim shroud the pageant disappears, Leaving the world to night. High o'er the town, Empeopled thick, fuliginous and dark, Sweeps the vast exhalation. Through its verge Twinkles the Northern wain, long ere their sparks Illume the lesser host, and clear discern'd, The Pleiads, hateful to the storm-tost tar, Hang their pale cluster o'er the curling wave. 75 Where more delightful is the prospect seen, Than on Campanian shore, thy precincts fair, Parthenope? While o'er thy placid bay, The gentle land-breeze from exhaling groves Of perfume, wafts sweet odours on its wings; Fanning innumerous sails in devious course O'er its blue bosom, ever on the change Presenting to the eye some novel shape. Bounding the wat'ry sheet, in fullest glare Of occidental glory lights the beam On eastern range of coast; on mountain height Now soft in distance, and on forests green Speck'd with town, village, and hoar convent walls In boscage half- con ceal'd ; immerging there In glittering waves its point extreme, to rise Again to view in Capri's rocky isle. Capri, sequester'd from a noisy world, Delectable retreat, suited to calm The soul to peace and virtue, but erewhile Polluted by a tyrant, and new force Lending to infamy. At length withdrawn To western worlds the radiant eye of heav'n, O'er all her shadowy mantle by degrees Dun Twilight darkens, save the glowing top Of tall Vesevus, still in sunny robe Discern'd', and curling high the smoky wreath 76 EVENING. IDYLL III. Mid amber flakes of thinly scatter'd cloud, Transparent floating o'er the blue serene. Now, with congenial melancholy, seeks The Muse to range amid the silent groves, That 'neath Misenus' promontory stretch Their sable shades; where climbs the mantling vine, And decks the mulberry and poplar with Its pensile garlands; where the shelter'd glade, With cypress gently waving overhead, A calm seclusion for the frequent tomb Affords, as darker grows the pall of eve, Bringing to mind the closing hour of death. Or wanders in the realms of Poesy, By lake, and cave, and wilderness obscure; By drear Avernus, Sibylline retreat, Or black Cimmerian valley, never glad With Titan's golden fires, and communes straight With all the fabled Deities of Hell; Vast stretch of human fancy, wrought sublime Beyond all rivals by the Mantuan bard : Or views of Baiae the deserted shore, Where erst amid magnificence and mirth Hygeia reign'd; now shewing the grey walls Bar'd of their marble crust, haply wherein A Csesar revell'd, or a Tully mus'd. IDYLL III. EVENING. ' 77 Ere the dull chafer roam, or blinkard bat Beside the cloister wing her flippant round, Return we to the rural features that Fair Albion offers. See, from pasture driv'n, Down the green hills the mottled kine wind slow, Deep lowing to the winds. By the near fence, Oft as they stray to crop the closing flow'r, W v ith well-known chaunt to urge them to the pail Th' impatient urchin strives. With looks askance, The smiling milk-maid listens to the jest Of the rude hind, returning from the pool With half-untrammePd team. No more is heard The thrasher's echoing stroke; the village rests, Save where light pastime gambols o'er the green, And the frequented hovel, where the smith Kindles his dusky visage o'er the forge With blaze successive, or with iron din Affrights the peaceful solace of the scene. But oft for joyful holiday reserv'd More boisterous sport; and while to distant fair Now at its height of mirth, or bent on gain To cockpit some repair; while pealing bells In frequent change chime merrily, and shake The Gothic tow'r, loud bellowing from the stake, And wond'ring what the noisy concourse means That round him thickens, stands the bull, and oft. 78 EVENING. IDYLI Throwing a glance of observation round, Indignant blows the grass : then summons up His direst vengeance, as he sees the foe Silent and eager rushing on, or feels Him fix'd, and hanging from his dewlap, while Thrown sprawling o'er his head another falls To ground half-disembowel'd. Thus proceeds The ruthless conflict, and of men and dogs Loudens the rude inseparable din In frequent burst ; until perchance releas'd By rage from durance, dissipates at once Th' infuriate animal the fearful rout, Flying on all sides ; and then lucky he, Who from the arm of neighb'ring elm survey'd The savage scene, to laughable now turn'd. From hence remote, the careful shepherd leaves His flock, and homeward hies ; above his head, Humming aerial music, playful gnats Flit numerous, till against the gentle breeze He turns, then quickly vanish. Little he Thinks on his daily charge ; unlike the hind Of other lands, who in his warning dream Sees the night-prowling wolf beside the fold, And on returning morn beholds, alas, In sad reality, the havoc made In his defenceless pen. Yet not secure 79 From pillagers the swain, for, watchful, now From distant wood the brush-tail'd felon steals Down many a lengthy hedge in silent course, Ere in adjacent brake he lurks to seize Some feather'd straggler ; and there haply waits Until surrounding shades have deepen'd; then To the neglected henroost makes his way Through some time-eaten gap, and, glutless, leaves Of all its habitants not one alive. While brown October's gently-freezing eve With glimmering twilight lights the fowler home ; While Winter in hoar antiquated hall Kindles the frequent taper, and awakes The huntsman's echoing song ; calm Summer leada The pensive angler to swift eddying stream ; And here, intent he plies his ev'ry art For sport, where fluctuating circles shew The rise of eager trout, and many a fly Flaps the light glitt'ring wing; or hence retires With stronger tackle to the quiet nook, By grey-leav'd osiers from the ruffling wind Shelter'd around, where lurks the rav'nous pike, At noon oft near the surface dormant seen, Or sudden darting from thick haunt of weeds Fierce on his scaly prey. Adjacent lies The lotos pillow'd on the gentle wave, 80 EVENING. IDY Expanding its broad leaves with water-drops Bright studded, and from pale unfolding bloom Diffusing fragrance, heighten'd by the sweets Of wild mint hid amongst the trembling flags. On the green margin of cerulean stream, Lost in wild fancies, indolently laid, Each object leads me to some new caprice, Some pleasing reverie. Nor wakes alone The eye, the ear each fine impression feels ; As playful swallows cross on devious wing, And twitter in blythe song, or bending reeds Whisper harmonious to the gentle breeze, Attentive listens to the sweet accord Of this primeval music ; strains that first Taught wond'ring shepherds the strong influence Of melody, and gladden'd hill and grove Ere soft flutes warbled, and responses drew From tuneful echo, soon by poets nam'd A flying nymph, from deep recess unseen, Cheering the weary ploughman in his toil. But hark ! conducted loud along the flood, Solemn, and deep, and slow, the passing bell Strikes on the sense, and then in distant air Dies tremulous away. Inquisitive, Methinks I hear the villagers demand IDYLL III. EVENING. 81 Whom ruthless Fate hath quarried on. Methinks The faint bedridden suff'rer at the sound Raising his head, solicitous, aside His curtain draws, and answer'd, with a sigh Sinks on his pillow, and his doom forebodes. A doom still lamentable, strangely deem'd, Though weak and sapless age hath number'd out His complement of years : but haply marks The brief career of youth untimely clos'd The doleful peal ; by vice or folly driv'n Precipitate from hence some sacrifice, Or by the pow'r of foul example led, And left to cureless sorrow; such as late, Yon hamlet in its simple annals mourn'd. There, in the contests of the village green Was Alan foremost, foremost in the page Of village lore, while yet his boyish heart Beat only for the meed of honest praise: There dawn'd his manhood, and a parent smil'd On wedlock's bond, to bless as bright a maid As e'er imparted happiness to man. Alas ill-fated pair, who thought the world Pure as themselves ! Ere one short summer pass'd, Detested warfare drew him from his home To guilt and wretchedness, but two fond hearts, So lately blended, still refus'd to part. Together to inhuman scenes they went. 82 EVENING. IDYLL III. Where bloodshed less contaminates the soul, Than those corrosive stains of selfish vice, Which startle first, then o'er their victim steal With yet a deeper, more repulsive die. There, in a band to plunder long inur'd, Where shameless appetite, habitual crime, And licence uncontroul'd had scarcely left One virtuous lineament, their guiltless loves Rais'd the loud laugh of scorn ; their theftless hands The hate of infamy. Example taught, Seduction tempted long, subdued at last. In the contagious precincts of a camp Wither'd the once pure partner of his joys, And soon to loss of innocence and shame Disease and death succeeded. Thus bereft Of ev'ry hope, with each endearment gone, Bold desperation urg'd him willing on ; The deeper draught that deadens ev'ry pang Became his last resource, and he who once Had in each gen'rous contest peerless shone, Warp'd to depravity, still found no peer. At length disbanded, to his peaceful home, Half pleas'd, he turn'd his steps. How flush'd his cheek, How beat his heart, when from yon tow'ring hill The well-known landscape broke upon his view; IDYLL III. EVENIS&. 83 The lofty elms still waving o'er the green, Where he so oft had rul'd the boyish sport; The cottage peering through the woodland maze, Where long, where still an aged parent dwelt To bid him welcome. Ah ! the transient spark Of joy was soon extinct; his alter'd mien, And far more alter'd habits now no more Could win the heart : from his unpractis'd hand The tool of industry fell useless. Vain, Too late was each weak effort of reform : Yet would he strive, and ofttimes ponder o'er The brighter prospect of his early years So soon, so sadly clouded; till perchance In shame, despair, he mark'd th' averted eye Of those who once ne'er met him but with smiles, Who pitied, shunn'd him now; or trac'd the scenes, Whose ev'ry object mutely seem'd to ask For her, who once so lovely, once so lov'd, Had with him joy'd so oft to lay the schemes Of future happiness — the mingled pang Burst the full channels of a struggling heart, And clos'd at once the catalogue of woe. To cove returning now, along the coast, That or for health, or pleasure, boasts its throngs Of visitors from far, is frequent seen The tumid sail. Of man's intrusive foot g2 84 EVENING. IDYLL III. No more afraid, in num'rous flocks resort To shelt'ring marsh th' inhabitants of air ; Whence many a shrill wild cry is distant heard Through night. Amongst them, of th' approaching storm Predictive, oft sweeps by the cormorant, Lashing with pennons dark the billows hoar. Freed from the labours of the day, the boy Seeks blithesome his compeers, and frolics wild; Or stops with artless finger his soft flute, Or winds aloud his bugle down the shore, In harmony resounded from the rocks; Far over ocean heard, and haply there, By fancy deem'd cerulean Triton's strain. Upon yon cliff that o'er the western main Hangs a tall land-mark, on whose heathclad brow Turn from the sea-breeze the blue-tufted pines Their bare and furrow'd trunks, let me behold The varying tints departing glory sheds O'er the wide firmament, reflected bright In gentle coruscation from the waves. There, mark the wane of Summer's radiant Eve, Translucent still, relinquishing serene To dun-rob'd Night her realm. In solitude, When dark autumnal tempests gather round, IDYLL III. EVENING. 85 And from the deep ascends the rocklike cloud, Borne heavy on the blast, there musing sit ; Or hear the weather-beaten sea-boy's tale, While yet more sullen murmurs to the storm My waving canopy, and ev'ry gust Dashes a ruder billow on the strand. And charming is the solitary walk By coppice side, when Spring has hither brought The Daulian warbler, and her plaintive song, As poets feign, for Tereus' horrid crime, Or hapless Itys, through the list'ning glade Pours harmony; and pleasant on high down. Reflection o'er a peaceful world beneath, Where nought is heard, save when the sheepbell throw: Its tinkling on the ear. Nor less delights The long arcade of elms whose sables wave Alternate in the breeze, breathing around An awful melancholy : to their tops, Dark harbingers of twilight, haste the rooks s And hoarsely usher in yet deeper shades. From wide excursive flight assembled thick, In full accord combining, the whole choir Resounds ; then fainter with decreasing light Becomes the mournful strain, sinking at last To the low note of but a single voice, 86 EVENING. In seeming plaint, and all is hush'd to rest. Slow from the lake's dim face the mists arise. And o'er the meadow hang their hoary sheet, Unfolding wide its skirts, till all immers'd It's surface sinks from sight. The frequent cough Escapes from wheezing age, and oft betrays The tender victim drooping though unblown In fell consumption's grasp. Beneath her cowl Of vapour shiv'ring, pallid Ague now Chills her lank cheek, and through her livid lip Shews the loose-chattering fang : On mischief bent. Borne, like the night-hag, on the breeze, she strikes The unsuspecting stranger, and defies The dogstar's utmost fury to dissolve Her stubborn spell. But heed not all the bane Of steaming exhalations that draws forth Incipient night, disportive pleasure's throng ; To its half-rural marge, to leafy bow'rs The city pours its crowds, who, 'neath the glare Of bright-illumin'd garden, wander blythe, Mid all the charms of music, dance and song. Its gay admirers draws the mimic scene, Where Farquhar, Macklin, Sheridan excite IDYLL III. EVENING. 87 The frequent smile. Where farce, or broad burlesque By Fielding drawn, from Gravity provoke Th' unwilling burst ; while louder laughter shakes. With never-ceasing roar, the lofty dome. Nor must we pass the hour unheeded by, When peerless Shakspeare, Britain's favor'd bard, His blood-stain'd sceptre wields. From every eye When draws impassion'd Otway the big tear ; In th' estimation of the buskin'd Muse, To none that erst Hellenic chaplets wore Precedence yielding. Though in narrow sphere, And homely garb, their heroes are display'd In British theatre, or lacking means Of splendour meet, or to the tragic strain Unfriendly ; seeking rather to divert With humbler efforts the capricious crowd. With pleasure must we view that distant age Of excellence, when rival candidates Contended fairly for the laureate crown, And what was great and noble gain'd applause : Then, did poetic emanation give The moral lesson to instruct mankind : Then, did the philosophic bard disdain To the too vague opinions of the day 88 EVENING-. IDYLL VII. To bow submissive, or to rest his hopes On some unmeaning actor's broad grimace. And did the scene in grandeur exquisite His purpose aid. Let fancy rest awhile O'er Thebes, beneath the desolating rage Of direst pestilence. Beside her fanes, Along her pillar'd streets, th' infected groupes Sink gasping to the earth ; or vainly raise Their feeble palsied hands to heedless Heav'n, And breathe the falt'ring prayer ; now heard no more, 'Mid the deep sighs of succourless despair, And length en'd moan of death : At intervals, With harmony divine the choral hymn Peals in full chord, soliciting relief From adverse gods ; then in its solemn pause, Deep curses breaking on the startled ear Mark the bold suff'ring victim, whose last breath Dares with injustice charge their dread behest. There, lately stricken, the pale trembling wretch Shrinks back with horror from the bloated corse That rots beneath his eye, and as he thinks On all the foul deformity of death, Sees his own image, when the short-! iv'd hour Has ran its fearful course. Around him throngs, Convuls'd beneath th' unutterable pang, Grin hideous ; satiate with human woe, IDYLL III. EVENING. 89 Till the relenting tyrant deigns at length The fatal stroke, and on a livid heap Of carcases consigns them to repose. Scarce less impressive than th' original, Was the distressful picture that unveil'd The Colonean ; luckless cause of all, While his paternal monarch strove to soothe The gen'ral misery, and on himself Drew wretchedness extreme : scarce less were those, That to admiring thousands offer'd oft The sage of Salamis, ere he drew forth From every breast the sympathetic sigh. Haply when Autumn has brought early on. In canopy of cloud, her moonless eve, In antique hall secure, in solid feast, Assembled greybeards laugh its length away: Or brighter throngs in radiant chamber met, With elegance the splendid banquet grace, As with the gay profusion, lively wit And ladies' courteous smiles combine to raise Convivial transports high. Yet oft alone, As closes thus the day, and shade on shade Condens'd without, in darkness drowns the world, From the glad converse of the social board Let me retire, and shroud me deep in gloom ; Wander awhile upon the lonely heath, 90 EVENING. IDYJ Or promontory's brow, from whence the morn, Breaking refulgent on my dazzled sight, To rapture woke my soul, and meditate On the drear contrast, on the present void, And nullity of objects : where are now The fair pavilion, and hoar-castled cliff, The waving forest, and the verdant hill, That whilom in the glowing landscape mix'd Their many-varied beauties? Sunk to nought, Nor form, nor hue perceptible ; they seem Of a mere day-dream the creation vain, By more substantial night dissolv'd. How poor, How worthless then all human joys, for soon Must ev'ry fond endearment, earthly bliss, Thus vanish at the threshold of the tomb. So thinks the grave contemplatist, so think Those who despise the nought-importing flow Of social merriment ; yet must we now Mark the glad converse, that the sceneful hour Presents to view, and close our varying strain With the full crowded board's convivial roar. There, is it said the soul of inward thought Too fond, too alienated from the world, Should oft relax awhile. 'Twere better far For ever thoughtless, and for ever gay, To hurry through life's scene, than to appear. IDYLL III. EVENING. 91 Though living, to each blythe enjoyment dead, And ever musing on eternity. While here, it is maintain'd, we must unbend For others' pleasure, if not for our own ; Seem, though we are not, with their trifles pleas'd ; Assume dissembling smiles, and welcome in With features bright as theirs the festive throng. Nay, there are times when even Prudence wears A churlish face : Then join we the carouse, As erst did Rome's great censor, in his course Severely wise, yet on occasion meet To lengthen'd mirth resign'd ; who wai'm'd with wine His hoar philosophy. High brimming bowls, Pun, jest, and hum'rous tale, successive heard, Elicit free, and from elate compeer Prompt the loose flow of Bacchanalian song. " Did not wine, o'er ills prevailing, Soothe the soul in solace glad, Human life too soon were failing, And, though short, were always sad. " Calming fears, dissolving sorrows, When its juice the bosom warms, From the grape's dark cluster borrows Beauty more than mortal charms. 92 EVENING. IDYLL III. " Such the strain, with chalice flowing. Gentle Arno's stream beside, Bright with ivy-berries glowing, Bacchus whisper'd to his bride. " Such the strain in silent musing, Overheard by Tuscan sage; Such the secret joy diffusing, Treasur'd in his learned page. " What could erst the festive board, Though deck'd with regal pomp, afford? What the dance, in airy round Disporting o'er the turf-clad ground, But poor half-animating joy? Ere Ampelus, advent'rous boy, Thrown headlong to relentless fate, His comrade left disconsolate, And straight, to grace his hallow'd shrine Beauteous rose a blushing vine. " Can the rose, the garden's pride, With the grape its sweets compare? Can the lily, op'ning wide Petals admirably fair? IDYLL III. EVENING. 9 " Can the flow'r Narcissus grew, Can Adonis' fragile bloom, Hyacinths of ev'ry hue, Breathing exquisite perfume? " Can all Pomona bears, to cheer With plenty the declining year, Such lively joys bestow? Though purple plums in mantle pale Of pearly bloom their blushes veil, The peach its rosy cheek displays, Their leafy crests ananas raise, Or speckled melons glow: " Vines, that court the southern beam On bright Vesevus' lava-streaming side; That fringe the banks of many a bounteous stream, Whose azure waves to Rhine's broad channel glide: That kindle fiercer flames of love In glowing nymphs of Cyprian grove, And oft with snow-cool'd juice impart A secret joy to Moslem's heart; Your gifts, with sorrow- soothing charm, Shall cheer our hopes, our bosoms warm, Shall raise our flowing spirits high, To inspiration, ecstasy. 94 " While flagons foam, and goblets ring, First the social Pow'r we hail, Who bade heart-easing Mirth prevail; Next our supplications rise For all who freely sacrifice ; Then soar we swift on Fancy's wing, In smiles array'd, with roses crown'd, A care-forsaken world around; Muses sweetest influence lending, Laughter-loving Sports attending, Harmless Wit, and Humour free From gall, and brisk Hilarity. " In distant realms of bright Cathay, On reconciling holiday, The tipsy frolic join : In Persia's bard-inspiring land, Associate with the Moslem band Round gentle Hafiz' shrine. " In Italy's romantic bow'rs, Regardless of the waning hours, Glad harmony prolong; And o'er the flask some tribute pay For bold Chiabrera's lofty lay, And Redi's jovial song. LL III. EVENINCx. 95 " Fill the bowl, we rest awhile Where Seine surrounds her temple-crowned isle. " O'er Lutetian revels laughing, Trifles light our minds engage; Romanee and claret quaffing, Roussillon and hermitage. " No intrusive cares impeding, Gaily glad in woe's despite, Thought elate, to thought succeeding, Speeds the hour in rapid flight. " But, ah ! too soon each minute passes, British hearts may well complain, When bright eyes of Gallic lasses Sparkle with the brisk Champaign. " Should gay belles, a neighb'ring nation, Boast the fairer-featur'd face, Yours, in sprightly conversation, Yours, the palm in winning grace. " Fill again, in social glee, We hail the hallow'd land of liberty. 96 EVENING. IDYLL III. " Here, though glows the grape unable With exotic growth to vie, Ample stores to crown the table Lusitanian realms supply. " Vineyards, their rich clusters swelling, That pellucid Bcetis laves, Fam'd Madeira, still excelling, Wafted over Indian waves. " Deeper thought on mirth attending Here the earlier eve beguiles; Dark reserve, at length unbending, Leaves the northern brow in smiles. " Then to deeds of ancient story Straight the rival circle soars, Till in full Thessalian glory Loud the rude carousal roars. " Again, fill high, as hence we fly To scenes of antique revelry, And, retrograde o'er many a dusky age, Drink delight with Grecian sage. " As merry flutes resound, Let old Corcyran sparkle round, IDYLL III. EVENING. 97 Like that, which erst by kind Alcinous stor'd Bestow'd new graces on Ulysses' tongue ; Silenus' choice, whose nursling reign'd ador'd For the rare boon glad Naxian swains among : Chryse's produce, fam'd of old Beyond her richest mines of gold ; Snowy Chios' luscious juice, And Byblos, steaming sweets profuse From ev'ry flow'r that scents the gale In Syria's bloom-embroider'd vale. " Sing the Spartan dame invited O'er the waves by Phrygian swain : Sing the wand'ring boy benighted, Houseless in the chilling rain : Or rest, for hours of lovesick leisure, Nobler themes our joys inspire ; Drown Anacreon's wanton measure In bold sweep of Pindar's lyre. " Hark, how attun'd to Dithyrambic song, In matchless harmony the full chords roll ; Wafting, as wild they peal the roof along, Tumultuous rapture o'er th' exalted soul. 98 EVENING, IDYLL III. " Gods, beneath whose kind direction, Man attains such bliss divine; He borders on your bright perfection, Who with music mingles wine. " Tempted to the streamlet's brink By em'rald mead and sapphire sky, With Roman bard in turn we drink, Dissolv'd in Roman luxury. " Boy, where coolest runnels flow, Plunge the foaming flagon deep ; Round my care-forsaken brow Let the verdant ivy creep ; " Violets be strewn around Scented sweet by noontide show'r, O'er the daisy-speckled ground Mingle ev'ry fragrant flow'r ; " Hither bid the nymph repair, Whose eye rolls in wanton wile ; Lyce, bright with golden hair, Lyce, blythe with willing smile. IDYLL III. EVENING. 99 " In my chrystal goblet pour Such as consuls drank of yore; Alban, that in cave profound Has pass'd a second lustral round ; Nectar drawn from Massic vine ; Ccecuban, and Surrentine; Rough Falern, in Flaccus' lays, And Setin, great in Caesar's praise. " But hence the golden chalice bear, Idly boasting jewels' glare; Here, the ruby's ruddy beam Sparkles in the precious stream ; There, the liquid amber bright Far outshines the chrysolite ; Whilst the cheek with purple glows, Deeper than the damask rose. " Let the fool for wealth or power, In vain schemes his thoughts employ; While in the fast fleeting hour, Such exuberance of joy, With the festive juice inspiring, Mantles o'er the giddy brain ; Wilder still and wilder firing, Triumphs in ecstatic reign. h2 100 EVENING. IDYLL III, " Fill yet a deeper bowl, Till frenzy madden o'er the drowning soul. Io, shall our chorus raise The strain in hallow'd Bacchus' praise ; Bacchus, with his Cretan fair Braiding loadstars in her hair, Rosy, dimpled, young, and free, Flush'd with love and jollity. Hark methinks the hollow drum Thunders on thie list'ning ear; Lo, the jocund couple come ; See, their medley bands appear, Tripping light, green-mantled Dryads, Tipsy Fauns, and frantic Tlryads Howling to the^deep-ton'd horn ; Reeling to fantastic measures, Wing the night with wildest pleasures, With rude uproar wake the morn. iC But soft at length my yielding senses fail, With the strong charm my heavy eyelids close; O'er my faint bosom freshens the cool gale, Pillow'd on roses, fans me to repose." NIGHT. IDYLL IV. Silent gloom-— Moonlight on the sea-coast— Ruins — Storm — Sum- mer and Winter scenes within the polar circle — Sea-scenes in equatorial regions — Night in a city, its diversions— Midnight — Description of a city on fire, &c. — Nocturnal warfare— Retreat of a discomfited army — Superstition— Contemplation — Astro- nomy—Conclusion. NIGHT. IDYLL IV. Descend at length, in drowsy flight, The sable ministers of Night : Now borrowing Cynthia's lucid ray, O'er woods, and rocks, and ruins grey Pale lustre stream : again assume A shroud of deep chaotic gloom, Wide wafting the tumultuous storm ; Or mantle Danger's varying form In dim disguise, or horrid glare Seen distant through the redden'd air : Resuscitate from lowly bed The sullen phantoms of the dead, In silent round, till Chanticleer Scares them to vault and cloister drear, And Phosphor shews the rosy train Of Morn, in blythe advance again. 104 NIGHT. IDYLL IV. Where shall we trace thee ? solemn queen of shades. Mother of fearful dreams, now wrapping all In Chaos' pristine veil ; now shedding soft A pale romantic splendour o'er the world, Serenely beauteous. Over Afric's sands, And mountain-forest, echoing the loud roar Of prowling lions. Over Indian wild, Where sullen tygers, in dread clamour join'd, The moonlight jungle wake ; and subtle steals The keen hyaena through the slumb'ring camp, In dubious haze secure. Or follow thee To trans-Atlantic realm in changeful flight ; O'er Chili gleaming with volcanic blaze Of Andine beacon ; o'er the trackless swamps Of rank Guiana ; or Brazilian shades Speck'd with the fire-fly, bright on devious wing Borne heedless ; where around the stranger's couch, For ever restless, the mosquito hums ; Slow o'er the floor the scolopendra crawls, And dire envenom'd scorpion, black with bane, Chilling with horror the retracted limb. No, let us rather to Europa's shores Adapt our song, and chief o'er Albion rest, Till o'er the closing eyelid slumber steals, And air-drawn visions hold the wand'ring soul. Moor'd on the gentle flood, the lonely bark IDYLL IV. NIGHT. 105 Scarce feels the swelling tide. In deep repose The toil-worn mariners have sunk their mirth ; ' No murmur strikes upon the vacant ear, Save from the measur'd gait of dozing watch Who treads th' accustom'd round, or trickling wave That, by the faintly rising breeze impell'd, Breaks on the bow. In thickest gloom involv'd, Natui'e's fair face presents a hideous void, Till from the parting cloud the moon displays Her ample polish'd orb, with streak of gold Marking the liquid plain, and darting bright A trembling radiance on the full-spread sail. Pale empress of the sky, beneath thy beam How smiles the landscape round ! its umber tints, By thee enlighten'd, peer upon the eye In all their mellow harmony of hue. Yon cliff's hoar brow, whose rugged outline breaks In wild sublimity the distant scene, Glows in full splendour ; while the tow'r-like rocks And gloom-envelop'd brakes that mark its side, Seen through thy chaste and melancholy veil, Wear an enchanted face, and seem th' abode Of beings of some purer, happier race. Now, as a solitary grandeur rests O'er the still prospect, and as man at length, 106 NIGHT. IDYLL IV. So late inflam'd with passion's headlong sway, And the rude cares of life, is lull'd to rest; Again to be arous'd and as before Be fretted by its storms; far from his couch Wanders the wakeful bard, and pausing oft, Gazes on Nature's beauties ; deep involv'd In labyrinth of thought, unless the wing Of some night-scaring bird his mind estrange, Or eddying wind expend its fitful blast, And sink into the deep. Borne on its face, And on the dimpled lake that skirts the shore, The silent sea-fowl rest. Charm'd by the hour From submarine retreat the mermaid steals, To roam in freedom o'er the yellow sands From curious eye remote ; on some bright rock, Or flx'd in admiration,, sits reclin'd, Giving her sea-green tresses to the breeze ; Then by the shadow of the passing cloud Affrighted, hastens to her parent wave. Or to the monument of some dark age, Whose broken buttress and inclining shaft Scarce prop the mould'ring arch, he bends his course; And while unseen the night-hawk shrilly screams, And through the roofless ivy-darken'd aisle The mousing owlet flaps her heavy wing, Holds converse with the saints of other days J 07 Long shrouded in the tomb; or haply marks Some wretched lover with long watching wan, Fixing his hopeless eyes upon the moon, And feeding irremediable woe. O'er the once sacred path the bramble waves Its melancholy stem, and interlaced With many a rank wild shrub, invidious hides Some fallen mass of monumental pride, And time-worn epitaph. The moving shade Of the dark bough loose swinging in the wind Fleets o'er the pillar 5 d wall, and Fancy starts, Appall'd at the vain Phantom she has rais'd. Tintern, what sacred awe thy moonlight pile At this calm hour inspires : yet in thy walls, Sheds Contemplation, to the giddy crowd Averse, a kindly solace o'er the soul, How sweeter far than is the senseless roar Of revelry. Ye desolated tow'rs, That dusky rise o'er Conway's peaceful flood ; As o'er your grassy crest the night-breeze sighs Wild plaintive music, on the ear it breathes A sullen transport, exquisite beyond The sweetest minstrelsy of harps, that erst Your throng'd halls gladden'd with triumphal choir, Lo ! from the mountain-ridge descending slow, 108 NIGHT. IDYLL If. On dark expansive wing the tempest sails In silent progress. From the plain beneath The moon withdraws her many broken rays ; Paler, and paler still, the rippling stream Its polish'd face presents; now seems awhile Total obscur'd, now sudden glows again, As glancing from the silver-skirted cloud She strikes her lustre far, and strong illumes The horrors of the storm. Hark ! distant heard, Winding in hollow tumult through the vale, The deep-ton'd thunder swells; breaking at length Full overhead, quick following the flash, Awful and beauteous, round the welkin thrown. Yet more impenetrable gloom descends,, And closes all from sight; save the bright streak, O'er distant billows drawn, that beauteous shines, Then fades, and disappears. Around in air An awful silence reigns, till the big drop Strikes heavy on the leaf; and falls anon, Down streaming sudden, the loud rattling show'r In dense and copious flood, seen momentary Striping the welkin in the vivid flash, Now still more frequent; for the dazzl'd eye Too brilliant, and by blackest depth of gloom Succeeded sudden; hurtful to the sense By contrast in extreme. There, angular, 109 And there, in line direct shot sudden down, Gleams the swift bolt; and lo! yon ancient tow'r Rent by the stroke, in massy fragments hurl'd, Bounds headlong down the steep, and scatters wide Its ruins o'er the vale. Yet soon relent The warring elements. As it began, At once the rain abates, then ceasing, leaves A purer atmosphere. Retiring slow, And seeming more condens'd, the sable cope Of cloud hangs sullen o'er the waves, long seen At intervals bright flashing, and long heard Rumbling in distance. As before serene, Spreads her effulgence wide th' enliv'ning moon. And rock and mountain, mead, and grove, and flood By turns appear relucent. All around With renovated charms the prospect smiles: Strong to the fresh'ning breeze its fragrance gives The vegetable world, nor aught intrudes To break the quiet, save the whisp'ring leaves Of windswept boscage, and repeated sound Of drops distilling from the moving boughs. Rugged and dark, and as some lengthy chain Of distant rocks, now on the horizon rests The tempest, and there sinking by degrees, Leaves the whole canopy of cloudless hue. Silent and stealthy, from concealing cove 8 110 NIGHT. IDYLL IV. Of th' unfrequented shore, the little boat With lawless freight of rundlets issues forth, And in the drowsy hour confiding, glides Up with the fav'ring tide; nor on her way Strikes hostile observation; only -met By careless fisher from the distant mart Returning, and intent to catch the wind, That flaps at ev'ry tack his limber sail ; Soon laid aslant, and fill'd, and tracing dark Its shadowy semblance on the lucid flood. While thus pale moonshine, or impervious gloom, With us attendant on the lonesome hour, Its character attests; in northern realms That rear o'er glacial seas their headlands hoar, With unremitting flood of solar light The welkin glows transparent, and each plain With wonted splendour. Haply some high ridge Of intercepting crags may trace its line Of deep indented shadow, stretching far, And darker seen contrasted with the glare Wide spread beyond, o'er lake, and serpent stream. Bright'ning the desert with its silver sheet, Or dimm'd alternate by the purple cloud Light wafted o'er its face. In distance seen From the tall eminence, laborious drags Against the eddying current his light skiff IDYLL IV. NIGHT. 1 1 1 Lapponic boatman. Near some wand'rer's tent Sits the lone herdsman watchful o'er his charge Of reindeer, and continual driving in To closer bounds, with ever-active dog The frequent stragglers. Solitary scene, For here no field of cultivated grain, Here no smoke-wreathing cottage glads the mind With social comfort: yet in beauteous robe Is vegetation clad; the varied heath With golden violet and campion deck'd; The dark green waving pasture near the flood With aspen copse diversified. The pine, With sable branch o'erhangs the close defile, From snow-capt mountain-side, whence headlong thrown O'er rocks enormous, ever boiling flows The cataract, whose margin partial shews Trembling in gentle breeze the pensile birch. Hither digressing rare from southern clime, The prospect such by traveller survey'd, To melancholy woke by sweetest plaint Of Arctic Philomel, from willow grove, Pouring her wild notes to the midnight sun. On the drear shores, where in more ample gulf Rolls the wild Ob; o'er distant Samoyede, And Lena's soften'd bank, is Nature seen In undiminish'd splendour, putting forth 112 NIGHT. IDYLL \ Full many a flow'ret grateful to the eye Of sorrowing exile, or untutor'd boor. As in mid-day, beneath the cheering beam Still Zembla and Spitzbergen partial shew The dwarfish plant, and in resplendent dress Of beauteous lichens clad, their rugged steeps. And glowing thus, doth Fancy represent Remotest Greenland's shores; untrodden tracts Extending to the pole, or westerly Stretch'd towards the barrier strait, that now admits Th' advent'rous navigator, and unfolds Some unseen prospect to his curious eye. Continue still their direful sport the fleet, That yearly dare with devious keel to cleave The Hyperborean billows, now awhile Open and navigable, in the chase Of whales high spouting the columnar flood. Mark'd by the watch-boat some dread monster lies Broad floating on the surge, then sudden pierc'd, Immerges, seeking in his lowest haunts To disengage the line: vain effort, soon To sight ascending feels he the fresh wound, And deep retires again ; again upris'n, Lashes horrific the resounding brine, His vast unwieldy strength expending fast In idle rage, then gor*d with num'rous wounds, IDYLL IV. NIGHT. 113 To bold pursuers his huge bulk resigns. While many a broad-wing'd vessel hovers near To bear away the spoil, bound homeward ere September threatens, with huge piles of ice Closing around, to shut out all return. But what a lengthen'd scene of dubious shade Presents hoar winter; yet not destitute Of beauties. Then oftimes pale Cynthia shines, With orb assuming twice its fullest glow Ere morning dawn, and breaking from bright cloud, To silvery show'r of falling flakes imparts Her radiance, and illumes the snowy sheet Spread o'er the waste around; oft striking from The prism of chrystal rock reflected beams Of rich variety, and beauteous strews With countless diamonds the frozen path : Then from ethereal course withdrawing, leaves To lesser luminaries the fair scene, Uninterrupted darting their bright fires From the high zenith, or obliquely seen, And partial, through the snow-encrusted grove. Oft floating on the northern verge of heav'n, Blushing effulgence, gleam the boreal lights In brilliant circle, or sharp changeful form. Filling with novel fantasies the mind 114 tfl^HT. IDYLL TV. Of pleas'd beholders; more tremendous oft, Shoot fierce their blazing spears, and hissing loud, Stealing from covert startle the grim wolf. Beauteous the prospect in our realm, when gleams The yellow moon-light o'er hoar frozen dews, Tipping snow-tufted cottages with flames Of amber paleness : when full influence sheds The keen accretive frost, and starbright skies Long deck with spangles the scarce ruffled flood, Whose stiffening marge shoots forth the chrystal spear To stay the rising wave; while on its bank Studded with pearl hangs heavy the crisp flag, And lofty elms with ice-enwoven bough, And willows, take their richest garb to meet The dawn's slant radiance, o'er the eastern hill Bright glancing. Nor less worthy of the Muse The many, various awe-creating scenes, "When from Atlantic waves loud blust'ring winds Drive swift the flying clouds, and muffle up In their dark mantle the wide arch of heav'n. When flaring candle of prophetic nurse With winding-sheets is pale, and by the gust Shook from his perch, the boding raven flaps The windows of the sick, and croaking death, The feeble wretch appalls; when hollow moans, 115 Along the vaulted passage frequent heard, Mimic the restless ghost, and long preclude Affrighted kitchen malkins from repose. O'er equatorial seas, descending dark The shadows thicken, till long-heaving waves Rear their rough crests gloom. On outward course, The wakeful mariner here contemplates In new magnificence the starry world : Gradual declining, total disappear Those friendly constellations that so oft Have met his eye. Light phosphorescent clouds, Pale scatter'd nebulae, o'er blackest stole, Beauteous invest the sky. Irradiate lights The Ship her distant fires, and seen with joy, Marking the silent hour, the southern Cross. With features dire, diversifies the scene Th' impetuous hurricane. Together pil'd In solid seeming rack, when lurid clouds By livid lightning shewn, portentous hang, And pregnant with vast ruin, threaten long In awful grandeur. On the tempest's wing Gloomy the fiend of desolation seems Collecting all his terrors, and there broods, And reddens into wrath; then launches forth i 2 116 NIGHT. IDYLL His violence resistless. In the glare Of sulphurous sheet seem kindled the wild waves, Or reigns, amid obscurity profound, Uproar unutterable; on the ear Pealing on all sides the protracted roar Of thunder, of successive billows dash'd In deluge o'er the deck, and its whole length Sweeping tremendous ; while the northern blast Through cordage whistles shrill, then fiercer grown Veers sudden, and at once bears helpless down To whelming ruin the devoted bark. And all again is tranquil, with the dawn Scarce a soft zephyr wantons o'er the wave. But be our theme the crowded haunt of man, Where mirth inspires, where dissipation spreads Contagious, as loose Fashion holds her sway; Where woe abounds, and on the lively joys Of social life attendant, dread alarms. Tir'd of the toilsome duties of the day, On relaxation bent, the burgher leaves His close abode; the man of pleasure seeks, With zest augmented, the refulgent halls Of gaiety; and with redoubled charms, Smile o'er the leisure hour the courteous fair. 117 O'er the gay scene Terpsichore, attir'd By the fair graces, leads her airy band In changeful elegance, while Gallic art, And Grecian fable their attractions join To captivate the sense. Thee, sportful nymph, Thy sister Muse shall hail, nor scorn morose Thy love-exciting pow'r. Here too resounds The choral strain of harmony, or soft Lavish in rapid scale their flying notes, The finish'd warblers of Italian school : Lost to th' unpractis'd ear, and by some deem'd But suited to emasculate the mind : As erst, Timotheus, was by Spartan seers Thy many-modulated lay, when spite Of all thy high-prais'd skill, their harsh decree Struck from thy lyre its fascinating strings. But join we not with those of deaden'd ear, Of cold and sullen bosom, who defy The sweet accord of sounds, and will not yield Their close affections to an empty noise. Lament we rather, that no splendid fane, No meet Odeum sacred to the pow'rs Of vocal harmony, of wind and string, Unfolds its portal, where the lofty ode In dignity sublime might raise the soul. 118 NIGHT. IDYLL I Such if there were, the British Muse might rise More daring still; and British audience With scientific ear investigate Of simultaneous, or successive sounds The sweet affinity; their various pow'rs Of imitation scan, and not as now Unmeaning skill in execution praise, 111 tim'd, and of the fluency of verse So oft destructive; should the theme accord, Though charming were the wild capricious strain. Hateful the garish splendour of the Court; Its fulsome flatt'ry ; of plain honest bard Unfit to stain the page: leave we unsung The vain parade, the witless pride that waits On the dull banquet; the magnificence Of gilded domes, where the rich sparkling bands Of beauty shine in blazonry of gems, Wanting but one, but that, the only charm That cureless wounds the heart, simplicity. And 'twere impossible to represent The thousand sprightly scenes that now delight; To note the rapid minutes as they pass, Where Pleasure, fair enchantress, through the group Of motley maskers leads her smiling train ; IDYLL IV. NIGHT. 119 Where fairy-footed ladies twine the dance, Darting delicious anguish from bright eyes, And, kindling inextinguishable flames. But claims regard chill poverty. Now wakes To crime the shameless retinue of vice. Oft in yon portal, houseless and forlorn, Trembles the pallid victim of distress, And sinking helpless, silently upbraids A guilty, thoughtless, and unfeeling world. Prowling for prey, while yet th' expiring lamp But feebly glimmers through the lone obscure, Marks the approaching sound of ev'ry step The lurking robber. From the fatal spot Hurries the dark assassin, and imbrued In blood, already rues his impious deed, And pants and shudders if the idle boy But fix on him his ken. Ah ! whither fly ? Where shun the sight thy fearful eye beheld, Of innocence in agonies of death Struggling beneath thy hand ; distorted turn'd On thee the livid feature ; ever fresh In damning recollection, ever keen, Striking new horrors through thy tortur'd soul. From long-protracted feast, in uproar loud Sallies the wild, intoxicated train 120 NIGHT. IDYLL IV. Of youthful folly. Silent o'er the card In calculation, or in doubt immers'd The graver circle rest; and deep involv'd In Fortune's snares, at once the gamester casts, Determining his doom, the chanceful die. Nor vacant yet is the convivial hall, Where in familiar converse grows mature Philosophy, devoid of the false arts Of public eloquence, of vague harangue, Specious deliver'd to deceive the crowd. And oft in midst of gaiety retir'd, While calm and calmer grows the social stir Beneath, and pauses frequent, is the bard Awake to ev'ry energy of soul. And buoyant on imagination, toss'd In blissful tumult wild. For minutes pass His rapid hours, until the lamp expires; Then hov'ring o'er his pillow kindred dreams Enshroud his senses, and still hold him wrapt In ecstasy, till sunshine o'er the scene Intrudes, and lights him to the doleful change. At length her peaceful empire o'er the world Has Sleep resum'd. Beneath her influence Entranc'd the city lies; its weary guards Have long forgot their charge : no murmur breaks IDYLL IV. NIGHT. 121 Through the lone street, save when the midnight bell Rolls heavily its chimes upon the wind, To mark the slumb'ring hour. Surrounding gloom Hangs thick, till from some fabric deep immur'd, The purple glow ascends, and unobserv'd Through the dun void a strong effulgence sheds. Rising in grandeur now, the fumid clouds Darker and darker still their volumes roll, And in their pitchy mantle from the eye Inwrap the struggling flame; now dusky grown Curl swifter through the air, and bear along Their gleaming spangles high ; then forth at once Breaks the wide-spreading blaze, envelops all, And kindles ether's concave. Nought avails Attention now arous'd, from house to house The conflagration runs, and by the gale ImpelFd, with still increasing vigour pours Dread havoc far. The many pillar'd fane, To check its vehemence in vain uprears Its massive wall ; through molten windows straight It sweeps resistless, and in man's despite, Brings the proud dome loud thund'ring to the ground. Now cow'ring low, as on fresh spoil they feed, Like banners in a blast the torrents wave ; Now darting high their spires, at distance seem Of varying hue a bright continuous flood. Loud through the street the pealing larum sounds, In fearful haste assembling from their homes 122 NIGHT. IDYLL IV. The half-apparel'd throng, in fix'd amaze Whose deep encrimson'd faces gaping wild Block up each avenue. Too late awoke, In lonely chamber, from his couch aghast Starts the deserted wretch, and sees at once Inevitable ruin. Closing fast Round his high turret, roar the glowing flakes ; While from his lattice, through the mingled din, His shrieks strike deep on Pity's wounded ear, Asking that succour which he knows is vain. Oft by the crowd beneath is he beheld In helpless hurry ; desperate at length He rushes on his fate, and leaping forth, At one rude shock disperses life, and lies A black, and mangled carcase on the plain. Keen as the devastation, Rapine scours The half-dismantled street, and makes his gain Of powerless Affright. Officious Zeal With best intention swells the gen'ral woe ; While Contemplation stands aloof, and sees Amid the tow'ring flames, and awful crash Of falling battlements, the fate of Troy ; Or, in resemblance dire, imperial Rome Bending in terror 'neath a tyrant's nod. How terrible, renowned London, how Afflictive was thy doom, when sank involv'd IDYLL IV. NIGHT. ] 23 In the fierce element thine ancient halls ; Last of calamities beneath the sway Of second Charles, that laid thee desolate. Lo ! retrospection rests upon thy streets Branching destruction wide, and kindled, through Successive nights, in long-extended lines Of flame; from redden'd Thames reflected bright, Glaring horrific on his distant shores, And striking full upon the crouded bark Amazement and dismay : now marks the fears, Faint hopes, and dumb despair, alternate fixt On the sad merchant's cheek, from wealth and. ease Plung'd in the lapse of but a few short hours In indigence extreme ; of all bereft The artisan lamenting loud his loss, And, smiling horrid joy mid deepest woe, The villain preying on another's thrift. Such was the scene, consider'd once the worst Of evils shower'd down by angry fate On suff 'ring Britons ; bearing with it yet A boon from fav'ring Heav'n, the remedy Effectual, though severe of pestilence Erst ever lurking in some nook obscure; But banish'd now from airy domes, that rose In tenfold grandeur o'er the smould'ring waste. 124 NIGHT. IDYLL I Alive to all the images of fear, That hides in cowl of shade the guilty hour, What perils, real or imaginary, Strike th' apprehension ! Doubly terrible, When Danger walks in darkness, or half seen, Seems his approach. What plots and dark cabals Nurtur'd at midnight, could the Muse recount, That as old records signify, at once Have swept the slumb'ring monarch from his throne At Usurpation's nod ! What awful scenes Of general rebellion, rais'd so oft By the misdeeds of rulers, to o'erthrow Themselves, and abrogate-perverted pow'r : Of impious persecution, more than all Disgraceful to humanity; suborn'd When brutal soldiers turn their coward blades On unarm'd innocence, and on their way, Crimson with human gore each portal reeks; When by the blazing torch swift hurried through Th' offenceless multitude, are tremulous seen Pale bearded age, and suppliant youth, alike Suing in vain for life ; whilst infants, scar'd At gleaming brands, cling closer to the breast Of shrieking mothers, whose bare arms outstretch'd Would turn the stroke, till both together fall, Transpierc'd, and writhing on the murd'rous steel. 125 Lutetia, fair resort of lib'ral arts. Of thoughtless gaiety, yet oft defil'd With blood and massacre, thy palaces By Medicean Catharine distain'd. Thick strewn with slaughter'd citizens thy streets, Rise to my sight, and mark the dire excess Of Bigotry ; of mad religious Zeal Trampling on ev'ry ordinance of God. Now must the martial feuds of man, that oft So strong a feature to the hour impart, Our brief regard engage ; for while secure Whole legions slumber, and a wakeful voice Scarce murmurs through the camp, are distant bands Arous'd to onset, daring enterprise, Where the breach'd bulwark of the fortress glares The theatre of battle. But not here, With jar of drum, or cornets' swelling blast, With charge of squadron, and loud clash of arms, Begins the mortal fray. Prevails around A deep, continued silence, till the sound Of manifold, and simultaneous steps, From hollow way faint echo'd, strikes alarm To list'ning sentries, and disclosing ray Shed from blue light effulgent, strong illumes The ranks in mute advance ; in lustre glanc'd Beauteous o'er moving bayonet and lance, 126 NIGHT. IDYL And spreading o'er each face along the line A ghastly pallor. Sudden on the sight In all their grandeur burst the flames of war ; Successive volley, never-ceasing round Of deaf'ning ordnance, and bright-gleaming bomb Meteorous on high ; still hast'ning on Th' assault. Soon follows the tumultuous scene Of fierce assailing throngs in escalade From ramparts headlong thrown, or pressing on, Elate, with shout victorious, instant drown'd In the loud thunder of th' exploding mine, Spreading more ample havoc, and anon Down on their comrades pouring the thick show'r Of massy smoking fragments dy'd with gore, And sear'd, and mangled limbs. Still is renew'd The perilous attempt", until beheld O'er a vast ruin, through dispersing smoke, High on the citadel triumphant waves Their ensign, and proclaims the conquest theirs. Hence glory gilds their helms. But yonder see. In full retreat beneath the shelt'ring gloom, Prest by th' impending foe, the midnight march Brings on the cheerless file. The tale of fear. Augmented by each tongue, spreads fast its bane Along the broken rank, and discipline, That o'er the vet'ran's front had long impos'd 127 A shield of safeguard, leaving him serene Amid the dubious conflict, through the hour Of peril ever bold, now faulters with The hasty step ; and from the throbbing heart Is resolution flown. New-kindled fires Gleam on the threat'ned flank, seeming to shew On ev'ry eminence a countless host ; Disorder thickens, and still growing more Subversive, prompts accelerated flight : A lawless multitude by panic wing'd, Scarce knowing whither, now they hurry on : While, a gigantic phantom, swelling still Its unsubstantial form, pale Terror strides Fast on their rear, and brandishing on high A beacon's fire, full blazing o'er their heads, Onward impels them to more certain fate. And sad th' event, where some impeding flood Their way divides. Too narrow for their course, Too fragile for their violence, the bridge Block'd up, invites approach but to deceive, And aggravate still more the fatal strife Self-preservation prompts ; soon broken down, It offers but a wreck, and where the ford Unknown, and where the deeps a passage sought, Beneath the eddying wave battalions sink O'erwhelm'd and succourless. More adverse still, 128 NIGHT. I Seiz'd by the wary foe, the close defile, Assail'd in vain with many a rash attempt Of desperation : wading deep in blood, Here Slaughter indefatigable strikes New victims crowding on her, and in haste Still to augment her quarry, vainly strives To glut with carcases the jaws of death. Worn with discomfiture, of hope bereft, Nought for the small surviving band remains But hard submission. Sullen roll the hours. Till rising morn upon his fellow's cheek Shews each the gloomy image of despair: Scarce lessen'd, by the stipulated terms Of treaty, haply faithless, haply such As the best int'rests of their native land Annuls, and leaves it open to the grasp. The devastation, of a conqueror's hand. Big with poetic horrors nurs'd in gloom, Of Gorgon, or Chimera front, awakes Dread Superstition ; by loose train of birds, Shaking dire omens from their shadowy wings y Attended, and but half discern'd, stalks forth In silence from the mansions of the dead *. Commissions now her ready ministers In human semblance, of approaching fate 129 Prophetic ever held, and from the wave Rises the shrouded spectre to reveal The storm-tost vessel's doom. Irradiate stands, In form as lovely, but with bloodless cheek, Sweetly despondent near her lover's couch The plighted maid, and with alluring smile, Beckons and points out the cold nuptial bed That Death has rais'd. In his accustom'd guise Appears the buried friend, and summons from A scene of misery to realms of bliss, Of pure delightful virtue, him who oft Has with him struggled through the storms of life* And still remains upon its troublous sea, Worn out with sorrow, hopeless and forlorn. And oft, abstracted from all worldly cares^ Delights the soul o'er visionary themes To range uncheck'd, and feign that pleasing awe Of disembodied shapes, the offspring wild Of bard's prolific brain. While through the haze Glimmers the moon-beam faintly o'er the tombs ; While broken shadows from yon blasted yews Change with the varying light, would Fancy now Raise the pale phantom from the yawning grave ; And with her own creation heighten thus The silent solemn scene. In yon drear range Of cloisters, darken'd with their ivy shade, K ISO NIGHT. IDYLL 1 Sullen and sad the spirit seems to glide, Untimely hurried by some guilty hand To his last home, and ever-restless seeks His former haunts. But inconsistent with The tranquil prospect of a future state Were the disheart'ning thought : hateful the change, If like the discontented ghosts of old, In Grecian fable to Leucadian rock Collected driven, or for fisher's bark, To waft them sudden to Britannic isle, Waiting in shrill complaint, with shrieks we fill'd, Like sudden startled bats, some hollow shore. Hateful, if devious hov'ring on the verge Of Acheron, imploring oft in vain The ghastly ferryman, and haply doom'd, Still unattended, ever to remain Solicitous. Ah, rather should we deem Them truly fortunate, from toil releas'd, And miserable bondage, who depart With crime unsullied to another world. Hard were the task of this wide reigning power To scrutinize the source, though Science erst By the illiterate and wond'ring herd Nam'd Magic, hath by many been ascrib'd To Bactrian Zoroaster, who refin'd, Long ere his sacred code gave Hebrew sage, IDYLL IV. NIGHT. i31 Unartful man ; and in pure element, Then Oromasdes call'dj the great good pow'r Ador'd. Whose sect still on the Caspians' shore Bows to the naphtha flame. Yet would it seem That in fresh vigour did th' imposture shoot, When, from connubial love, fond Isis rais'd Excessive honours to her mangled spouse Through Egypt's vast domain ; to lordly pow'r Whence crafty Priesthood rose, and over realms With symbol dark, and mystery absurd, Imposing on a rude unthinking race, Far distant spread its sway : Soon Hellas caught Th' infatuation, by inventive bard With various and inimitable charms Of fable deck'd exuberant, though held In scorn by seers of philosophic school ; And there in early times was cherish'd oft Foul immorality, as now it is In Indian realm, with immolation dire To Juggernaut, and reverence obscene Of Lingam. Hence it probably made way O'er many a barbarous region, deep immur'd In Scythian wild, and changeful as it pass'd O'er Occidental Europe, gave its aid To crown ambition's temples, and confirm Dominion absolute. Retiring far From Pompey's conqu'ring arm, here Fridulph's son, k2 132 NIGHT. IDYLL IV. Assuming to himself the sacred name Of Odin, by his magic fame attain'd Full sovereignty, and left his kindred, gods O'er the believing million ; whose exploits, Bold and miraculous, so oft were sung In wild, terrific strain by Northern scald j And agents fabulous, in countless train Were nurtur'd to intimidate, and keep In servile ignorance the mind of man. And long o'er many a wide extended tract The fraud endur'd, ere Christian lore prevail'd With purer moral and more simple creed, And woke the rude barbarian to the charms Of ev'ry milder virtue. Long o'er the East, ; Ere sage Mohammed through the Sabian world His light diffus'd, and from inhuman tribe Of Kendah and of Koreish banish'd each Unholy rite, and sole obeisance To One eternal sanction'd. Yet ev'n now, Like the delusive flame that oft appears To nightly traveller, doth it mislead From the safe path of reason thoughtless man. No longer now upon the thyme-bank seen* In prankish revel trip the fairy elves ; Nor ring nor roundelaye of theirs upon IDYLL IV. NIGHT. 133 The dewy mead is danc'd. Hence are they flown With Sylphic train, and Genii, to sport In balmy covert of Arabian grove, Knit with their kindred Dives. Scarce ever known, Wand'ring adown the moonlight hedge, where hangs The dusky nightshade its envenom'd bow'r, Where the rank henbane grows, and adderstongue, Potent in hellish charm the wither'd witch. Frightful to rustic's eye, the ghost appears In sole possession of the haunted glade. Whilst all is calm around, let me survey The hoar basaltic cavern on the sea In grandeur op'ning, whose high columns rais'd By Nature's hand inimitable, cast A pearly radiance o'er the lucid face Of waters, wafting the pale visag'd moon In gentle undulation. Through the rocks The snow-white sail fast fleeting, and anon Emerging regular, and on the sight Mashing with silver gleam the feather'd oars. Thence, on the lofty promontory's crest, That backs the light, in dubious veil enwrapt Of shadow, still and sullen seems to sit The giant Spectre, pensive o'er the surge That lashes the dark strand ; long gaz'd upon By wakeful mariner, and ominous 134 NIGHT. IDYLI By fear-struck fancy held. Nor less the ear Amusive charms of fiction there partakes, Fiction that ever to the ravish'd sense Gives keener transport. Sweeping the high vault Resounds the murm'ring breeze, in lengthen'd swell Now loud, now dying tremulous away In mournful melody. Soft dashing waves, With sound by replication sweeten'd, join Th' aerial chant, in symphony divine Of mystic harps now seeming in full choir, And raise the soul to heav'n; now heard alone, Breathing faint whispers, soothe her to repose. But at this solemn hour are other strains Oftimes immingled ; strains of keenest woe. When blust'ring Autumn wraps in shadowy cloud The perilous expanse, and driv'n by storms From Ocean's open field the foreign bark Distressful seeks the cove, and drifting fast Without a pilot, on the fatal reef Strikes sudden. From her deck tumultuous borne Is consternation's voice. Th' impetuous surge, In whelming deluge through her shatter'd side, Imagination sees : increasing still Confusion louder reigns, and straight is heard One helpless, piercing shriek, and all is hush'd. 6 13i Oft to the tow'r or elevated plain, Whence unimpeded, wide the view extends, Her philosophic train let Science lead, To scan the star-bright heaven, where appears Th' eternal godhead infinite in pow'r, Great beyond human thought, by thee reveal'd, Pythagoras, immortal Newton shewn, By thee, sublime, surpassing utmost flight Of bardic emanation. Where shall man The universal Father contemplate In equal glory ? Where shall he so clear Read his own insignificance, as where He sees a bright plurality of worlds ; Imagines systems numberless, the work Of one supreme, directed, and preserv'd Beauteous in never deviating course ? But ere long, glimm'ring o'er the eastern wave Will twilight pale the gloom ; with jocund song, Ere long, will chanticleer salute the dawn, And rouse the tuneful lark. Come gentle Sleep, From silent bow'r, in ebon shades immur'd, Where mandrake and green hemlock knit their leaves, And dew-steep'd poppies hang their heavy heads Beneath the breathless calm, in comfort come, And lull my weary bosom to repose. Banish thy fearful demons to the couch 136 NIGHT. IDYIX IV, Of ever restless guilt; lo ! there reclines The fell despoiler of the orphan's store ; The ruthless miser who would wring the mite From bleeding poverty ; the wretch malign Whose baleful breath was ever prompt to blight The flow'r of innocence ; the flatt'rer there, And fawning sycophant ; their sordid hearts Corrode with all the venom of remorse, Till, in their dreams appall'd, they pine and fade ? Like haggard phantoms hover o'er the grave, And start at keener torments still to come. NOTES. NOTES IDYLL L But let the bard of bright Iran, &c. Hafiz thus commences one of his Gazels, as paraphrased by Hindley, In roses veil'd the mom displays Her charms, and blushes as we gaze ; Come wine, my gay companions, pour, Observant of the morning hour. 140 NOTES TO Then come, your thirst with wine allay, Attentive to the dawn of day. See, spangling dew-drops trickling chase, Adown the tulip's vermeil face; O'er rough Benacus by its mountain blast, The lago di srarda. A recent traveller thus describes a storm on this lake. " We left Sermione after sun-set ; and lighted by the moon, glided smoothly over the lake to Desensano, four miles dis- tant, where, about eight, we stepped from the boat into a very good inn. So far the appearance of the Benacus was very different from the description which Virgil has given of its stormy character. Before we retired to rest, about mid- night, from our windows we observed it still calm and un- ruffled. About three in the morning I was roused from sleep by the door and windows bursting open at once, and the wind roaring round the room. I started up, and, look- ing out, observed, by the light of the moon, the lake in the most dreadful agitation, and the waves dashing against the walls of the inn, and resembling the swellings of the ocean. IDYLL 1. 141 more than the petty agitation of inland waters. Shortly- after the landlord entered with a lantern, closed the outward shutters, expressed some apprehensions, but at the same time assured me, that their houses were built to resist such sudden tempests, and that I might repose with confidence under a roof, which had withstood full many a storm as terrible as that which occasioned our present alarm. Next morning the lake so tranquil and serene the evening before, presented a surface covered with foam, and swelling into mountain billows, that burst in breakers every instant at the very door of the inn, and covered the whole house with spray. Virgil's description now seemed Nature itself, and taken from the very scene actually Under our eyes ; it was impossible not to exclaim, Teque Fluctibus et fremitu assurgens, Benace, marino. Georg. II. Eustace, Classical Tour in Italy. In foam Velino thund'ring down its steep, &c. The height of the fall of the Velino, near Terni, is usually considered about three hundred feet. A particular de- 142 NOTES TO scription of a scene, so frequently visited and admired by travellers, would be here of little utility. And long unus'd To the rude conflict of infuriate war. Unlike Tyrtaeus amongst the Spartans, the immortal Chiabrera seems not to have been very successful in his warlike exhortation, however excellent. Quando ai suoi gioghi Italia alma traea Barbare torme di pallor dipinte, E regie braccia di gran ferri avvinte Scorgeasi a pie la trionfal Tarpea ; Non pendean, pompa dell' Idalia Dea, Sul fianco de' guerrier le spade cinte, Ma d'atro sangue ribagnate e tinte Vibrarle in campo ciascun' alma ardea. Infra ghiacci, infra turbine, infra fuochi Spingeano su' destrier Taste ferrate Intenti il mondo a ricoprir d'orrore ; 143 E noi tra danze in amorosi giuochi, Neghittosi miriam nostra viltate Esser trionfo dell' altrui furore. And here in mitigation, &c. Although, in most savage nations, and in many of those which may be called half-civilized, human sacrifices are not unfrequent, no where do they appear to have been so pre- valent as in Mexico, before the arrival of the Spaniards. Most of her monarchs were warlike and successful, and every prisoner of war was offered up. Robertson thus speaks of some of the followers of Cortes. " The approach of night, though it delivered the dejected Spaniards from the attacks of the enemy, ushered in, what was hardly less grievous, the noise of their barbarous triumph, and of the horrid festival with which they celebrated their victory. Every quarter of the city was illuminated ; the great temple shone with such peculiar splendour, that the Spaniards could plainly see the people in motion, and the priests busy in hastening the preparations for the death of the prisoners. Through the gloom, they fancied they discerned their com- panions by the whiteness of their skins, as they were stripped naked, and compelled to dance before the image of the god to whom they were to be offered. They heard the shrieks 1 44 NOTES TO of those who were sacrificed, and thought they Could dis- tinguish each unhappy victim by the well known sound of his voice. Imagination added to what they really saw or heard, and augmented its horror. The most unfeeling melted into tears of compassion, and the stoutest heart trembled at the dreadful spectacle which they beheld." Kobertson, Hist. Amer. Book v. The same author adds in a note, " The station of Al- varado on the causeway of Tacuba was the nearest to the city. Cortes observes, that there they could distinctly ob- serve what passed when their countrymen were sacrificed. B. Diaz, who belonged to Alvarado's division, relates what he beheld with his own eyes. Like a man whose courage was so clear as to be above suspicion, he describes with his usual simplicity the impression which this spectacle made upon him. " Before," says he, " I saw the breasts of my companions opened, their hearts yet fluttering offered to an accursed idol, and their flesh devoured by their exulting enemies, I was accustomed to enter a battle not only with- out fear, but with high spirit. But from that time I never advanced to fight the Mexicans without a secret horror and anxiety; my heart trembled at the thoughts of the death I had seen them suffer." He takes care to add, that as soon 145 as the combat began his terror went off, and indeed his adventurous bravery on every occasion is full evidence of this. Instructive Bard, in whom Apollo join'd, &c. Dr. Armstrong, author of the justly admired poem on the Art of preserving Health. NOTES IDYLL II. Retract their ill-proportion'd shade. Gia il Sole, in verso mezzo giorno cala, E vien l'ombre stremando, che raccorcia; Dh. loro proportione e brutta e mala, Come a figura dipinta in iscorcia ; Rinforzava il suo canto la cicala, E'l mondo ardeva a guisa d' una torcia ; L'aria sta cheta, ed ogni fronde salda Nella stagion piu dispettosa, e calda. Lorenzo. La caccia col falcone. l2 148 NOTES TO Of vast banyan, &c. After the prints and descriptions of this enormous tree, which have been published, a detail of its peculiarities would be superfluous. It is said to be much frequented by doves, peacocks, boolbuls and other birds. As yet by man untutor'd the baya. Of this little bird an account is given in the Asiatic Re- searches, vol. ii. — " He may be taught with ease to fetch a piece of paper, or any small thing that his master points out to him. It is an attested fact, that if a ring be dropped into a deep well, and a signal given to him, he will fly down with amazing celerity, catch the ring before it touches the water, and bring it up to his master with apparent exulta- tion. It is the popular belief that he lights his nest with fire-flies." Tired of the chase, &c. Ou $£/**?} w KOifji.uv, to jMEo-aju/Sftvov, a S'Eju.tj ajupy Tav»x,» xEJtpjxwj upwuvnou. ThEOC. Id. i. IDYLL II. 14-9 Ev'n the blythe lark, &c. Ov&EmTvixlSiSioi ko^vSkX^zs nXatvovrou. Theoc. Id. vii. By Smyrna's second sad lamented son. Txto, MsXn, viov ocXyoc/ axaiXsTo Tr^avloi 'O/xnfOj, T»JVO TO KaXXt ottoo; yXVKlgOY O-TOfJUX.' x.a,t 0"6 Myovri MygEjOat xaXov viae, 7roXvx.Xa,v<;oi<7i psEflfotf, ITacrav ^WXnaaj <7r&?iV7ro$e fojxote; oj>ucso"«n, IIoju.7rot i9vvso"i o^ojuoi/ xat v»a jcom t%Suv. 'AAA'ote TajjSncrj) o^e^oGev xaxov, sxcr'awTaij £liyEt EOTTfEiJ/aj, <7UV Vii, The author of the Disquisition concerning ancient India notices the affirmation of Strabo, that it was according to some reports seven, to others, twenty days' sail from the southern extremity of the peninsula, and observes the diffi- culty in which the subject is involved by the dubious ac- counts of the ancient geographers. Some writers however assert it to be Ceylon, as if the point had been well ascer- tained, and those too who by no means in other respects can be considered as wishing to give the credulous reader satisfaction, whether on good grounds or not. Ceylon is less than Ireland, and at its nearest coast is about five de- grees north of the line. Where bristly monsters, &c. Ai?t»j ¥tv$VTCiTn jLtEyaQo? WETur h^tyi Je trccvrn K>iT£a §;»£? ix^o'iVf EguOjajs fiora, itovra, Outlaw 7)X»£aT0K7i>' luxorx' tuv ¥ otej cZk^uv Tst§«%ev vwtwv TTEft/xuxETOj oXjcoj a'xav6«j. Au5(x£y£wv to* Taidfj, i?u<7civ pa. E* ©aenoy eve%e*j, uxotuis yem Aicc. Aristoph. Plut. act. iv. sc. 4. Snowy Chios' luscious juice. Chian, so much admired in Greece, seems also to have been much drank in Italy, and to have been much approved of by Horace. He mentions it very often. And Byblos steaming sweets profuse. EuwJ*!, TETOf UV STEWy, O^sJoy teg OiTTO Xavu. Theoc. Id. xv« 168 Hesiod recommends this wine to be drank in some shady retreat in hot weather, uXTvx. tot' Yi$n En? iv TET^atfl te o*i, koci Bv£\wo<; oivo<;, Ma£a t «,ttoXy«m. HeS. Op. & Dl. 588. In Athenaeus, lib. 1. a Thracian wine called B&Xivog is mentioned, and some have thought the above the same, and that it ought to be so written. See the Scholia and notes attached to the word in the two poets, and the conversation in the first book of Athenaeus. Boy, where coolest runnels flow. Quis puer ocyus Restinguet ardentis Falerni Pocula praetereunte lympha ? Quis devium, &c. Ode xi. lib. 2. Hoe„ Alban that in cave profound. Est mihi nonum superantis annum Plenus Albani cadus. Ode xi. lib. 4. Hor» 169 Cras bibit Albanis aliquid de montibus, aut de Setinis, cujus patriam, titulumque senectus Delevit multa veteris fuligine testae. Sat. v. Juv. Nectar drawn from Massic vine. Est qui nee veteris pocula Massici, Nee partem solido demere de die Spernit, nunc viridi membra sub arbuto Stratus, nunc ad aquae lene caput sacrae. Odei. Hon. Absumit haeres Caecuba dighior Servata centum clavibus. Ode xiv. lib. 2. Hor, Caecuba fundanis generosa coquuntur Amyclis : Vitis et in media nata palude viret. Epigr. cxv. lib. 13. Mart. Surrentina bibis? nee myrrhina picta nee aurum Sume : dabunt calices haec tibi vina suos. Epigr. ex. lib. 13. Mart, 170 Rough Falera, &c. At sermo lingua concinnus utraque Suavior, ut Chio nota si mista Falerni est. Sat. x. lib, 1. Hob. But hence the golden chalice bean Heliadum crustas, et inequales beryllo Virro tenet phialas ; tibi non committitur aurum ; Vel si quando datur, custos affixus ibidem, Qui numeret gemmas, unguesque observet acutos. Da veniam, praeclara illic laudatur iaspis ; Nam Virro, ut multi, gemmas ad pocula transfert A digitis. Sat. v. Juv* Howling to the deep ton'd horn. The horrible noise of this frantic rout is usually men- tioned by the Greek poets. As Catullus gives some admirable lines to this subject, we shall subjoin them. At parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus, Cum thiaso Satyrorum, et Nysigenes Silems, 171 Te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus amore : Qui turn alacres passim lymphata mente furebant ; Evas bacchantes, evae capita inflectentes. . Horum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos : Pars e divulso jactabant membra juvenco : Pars sese tortis serpentibus incingebant : Pars obscura cavis celeb rabant Orgia cistis, Orgia, quae frustra cupiunt audire profani : Plangerunt alii proceris tympana palmis, Aut tereti tenues tinnitus asre ciebant : Multi raucisonis efHabant cornua bombis, Barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu. Catull. de nuptiis Pelei & Thetidos, NOTES IDYLL IV. With golden violet, &c. Amongst the flowers mentioned by the author of an in- teresting tour in Lapland, as belonging to that country, are the pyrola uniflora, the lychnis vescaria, the trollius Euro- peus, the parnassia, the viola biflora, entirely yellow, and the sweet-scented linnea borealis. Pine, aspen, birch, and willow in great variety, are the most common woods. Rein- deer moss of a yellowish white gives its hue to large tracts, but delightful spots are also found, where, he says, the flowers of our meadows grow in great luxuriance. At night when the sun shines " in all his brightness," is heard the 174 NOTES TO song of the nightingale of the frozen zone. " The tender plaints of Philomel do not fix the heart with such deep atten- tion as these notes, equally sonorous but more sorrowful than hers. He whose soul has been once pierced by those dreadful blows of fate, which leave for life an impression of melancholy ; he who in the flower of his age has seen what was dearest to him in the world expire ; should avoid hear- ing these funereal chaunts in the silence of nature by the solemn light of a midnight sun." Skiold'ebrand, Picturesque Journey to the North Cape. Noting the silent hour the Southern Cross. " The two great stars which mark the summit and the foot of the cross, having nearly the same right ascension, it fol- lows that the constellation is almost vertical at the hour when it passes the imeridian. This circumstance is known to every nation that lives beyond the tropic, or in the southern hemisphere. It is known at what hour in the night, in dif- ferent seasons, the southern cross is erect or inclined. It is a time-piece that advances very regularly near four minutes a day, and no other group of stars exhibits, to the naked eye, an observation of time so easily made." Humboldt's Narrative of Travels in the Equi- noctial Regions of the New Continent. IDYLL IY. 175 Lutetia fair resort, &c. Voltaire says of St. Bartholo- mew's Night. Je ne vous peindrai point le tumulte et les cris, Le sang de tous cotes ruisselant dans Paris, Le fils assassine sur le corps de son pere, Le frere avec la sceur, la fille avec la mere, Les epoux expirant sous leurs toits embrases, Les enfants au berceau sur la pierre ecrases : Des fureurs des humains c'est ce qu'un doit attendre, Mais ce que l'avenir aura peine a comprendre, Ce que vous meme encore a peine vous croirez, Ces monstres furieux de carnage alteres, Excites par la voix des pretres sanguinaires, Invoquaient le Seigneur en egorgeant leurs freres, Et, le bras tout souille du sang des innocents, Osaient offrir a Dieu cet execrable encens. Henriade. Chant, ii. Like sudden startled bats, &c. 'Cl; 5'ots vvxrsphs /xu%u dvr^x §e&ittjTa kv. 'Hi'o-av. Hom. Od. lib. xxiv. As in the cavern of some rifled den, Where flock nocturnal bats, and birds obscene ; Cluster'd they hang, till at some sudden shock They move, and murmurs run through all the rock. So cow'ring fled the sable heap of ghosts, And such a scream fill'd all the dismal coasts. And now they reach'd the earth's remotest ends, And now the gates where Evening Sol descends, And Leucas' rock, and Ocean's utmost streams, And now pervade the dusky land of dreams. Pope's Trans. The observations of Aristarchus, Eustathius, and many more recent commentators on this white or Leucadian rock are sufficiently well known. Those of Barnes on verse 1693 of the Helena of Euripides, making Britain a receptacle for the dead, are less so ; though they are strengthened, as Gesner observes in his note on Claudian in Rufinum, lib. 1. by the following lines of that poet. IDYLL IV. 177 Est locus extremura qua pandit Gallia littus Ocean i prretentus aquis, ubi fertur Ulysses Sanguine libato populum movisse silentem. Illic umbrarum tenui stridore volantum Flebilis auditur qusestus, simulacra coloni Pallida defunctasque vident migrare figuras. Hinc Dea prostliit, Phoebique egressa sereeos Infecit radios, ululatuque aethera rupit. Terrifico sensit ferale Britannia murmur, Et Senonum quatit arva fragor, revolutaque Tethys Substitit, et Rhenus projecta torpuit urna. Isaac Tzetzes in his scholia on the blessed islands of Ly- cophron 1. 1204, gives the story of the fishermen, who paid no tribute on account of being employed in rowing over the spirits. When awoke to attend them, on getting on board the vessels that were in waiting, they saw no one, but found by their oars that they were not empty. The passage was instantaneous. On arriving they heard the names of their invisible passengers called over, and immediately returned. " 3 A^(X!70-0ju.sv(uy jmet* p.i*gov dicrQuvovTCU twv Qvguv, -/.at fyuvvg dxuscnv lici to Igyov x.a,\xt?n; dvrag, uvcco-rccvrig $e, kqos tov atysaXov /3»0t£«<7*vj ax. stdOTEj 7Toi« ayn aviaq ccvocyKy. ogwcri di dyMTo,q 7raca,o m x.svcci7jJi.svKi; ) aXX'a t«j dvruiv, v.iva.r psvroi avOawTrwv, h ode, IkjeXSovtej jcw/mAa-rao-i, xeu «io-9avovTKJ j3«ayj twv irXoiuv, wj \\ E7ri£«Twv «^ev« os o^ojiti. N 178 NOTES TO poir* di jxica xaT«^y<7tv lij t«v BfErlajnav vyio-ov, fxoX»£> waXiv fe^va bgtutn, Quvns $e ax«s avraq xai 7r«T§o9sv xat jawTfofisv, et» dE kch e| af»a£, xat te^vtic, Jtea ovo/xaToj twv xaG' Eva xaXsvrwv. ot d£ tstoiv S'nQsv aVo^of TJcra^svot, TaAiv iXa^oTEjot? to»j cxa^Etri pa poTro ffgo? Taj oixia; avTwy i/TrojTfs^tfoi. Ere sage Mohammed through the Sabian world, &c. What the Christian religion effected on its diffusion in the North-west of Europe, in lessening superstition, and putting an end to human sacrifices, the Mohammedan did on its progress in the South-eastern regions of the earth. In Chap. 5 of the Koran the superstitious reverence of certain ani- mals is condemned. " God hath not ordained any thing con- cerning ' Bahira, nor Sai'ba, nor Wasila, nor Hami ; but the unbelievers have invented a lie against God; and the greater part of them do not understand." In Chap. 6. is mentioned, concerning the idolaters of 1 These were names given by the Pagan Arabs to certain camels, or sheep, that were exempted from common services in honour of their gods. (Sale's note), also Prel. Disc. sect. v. IDYLL IV. . 179 Mecca, " How ill do they judge ! In like manner have their 'companions induced many of the idolaters to slay their children, that they might bring them to perdition, and that they might render their religion obscure and confused unto them. The fear of being reduced to poverty in providing for their daughters, was also a reason that urged their sacrifice. " Some say that when an Arab had a daughter born, if he intended to bring her up, he sent her clothed in a gar- ment of wool or hair, to keep camels or sheep in the desert ; but if he designed to put her to death, he let her live till she became six years old, and then said to her mother, Perfume her, and adorn her, that I may carry her to her mothers ; which being done, the father led her to a well or pit dug for that purpose, and having bid her to look down into it, pushed her in headlong, as he stood behind her, and then filling up the pit, levelled it with the rest of the ground. But others say, that when a woman was ready to fall in labour, they dug a pit, on the brink whereof she was to be delivered, and if the child happened to be a daughter, they threw it into the pit, but if a son, they saved it alive." Sale, PreL Disc. sect. v. E Interpreted idols. 180 NOTES TO IDYLL IV. The sacrifice of their children in consequence of a vow, should some benefit be received, as that of having a certain number of sons, is said to have been common amongst them. In the history of Northern Europe, 1 Hacon, King of Nor- way, is said to have offered up his son, to obtain of Odin the victory over his enemy Harold. 2 Aune, King of Sweden, devoted to Odin the blood of his nine sons, to prevail on that god to prolong his life. Nor ring nor roundelaye, &c. Witness those rings and roundelayes Of theirs which yet remain ; Were footed in Queen Mary's dayes On many a grassy playne. But since of late Elizabeth And later James came in ; They never danced on any heath, As when the time had been, Cobbet's Old Song. The Fairy's Farewell. 1 Saxo Grammaticus, lib. v. 2 Wovmius, Mon. Danic. lib. 1. mentioned in the Northern Antiq. of Mallet, chap. vii. THE END. O. WOODFALL, PRINTER, ANGEL COURT, SKINNER STREET, LONDON. UOe'33 ^Jle 2?