x^ ^ \ ^ j? ,■<* c . ^O* ■3* "^^ lK \\^ V ">* °c ^* \\«** t^R ^» PS ^ fl ^ ^ v> % > -Vli "<>>(? :^ ^ H ^ °- * (0 6 Q. & ^ * (i . <£* \ > . * * . ^> \ \ _ Y * '°\% **. .cS> ^ "^ - ^d< s / ^ % ^°- % A<^ ./\ V *> 9 ^„ ^ - VnjF ^.o-f V s ^0' //SO P O E M I BICKLEIGH VALE, WITH OTHER POEMS- S Br NATHANIEL HOWARD. OTIA VITJE SOLAMUR CANTU. Stat, Printed by T. Wilson and R. Spence, High-Ousegate, For Murray, 32, Fleet-Street -, Harding 36, St. James's Street; and Longman & Co. Paternoster-Row, London - ? and for Wilson & Spence, York. 1804. ^P 5 jyc CONTENTS. Page 1 Vale, in Devon 1 On a Friend's Retreat 41 To Want 47 The Rurai Evening 52 A Mother to her Natural Son 57 To a Red-Breast 61 A Mother to her dead Infant , 64 To the Echo of a Grotto 67 To a Swallow 70 To Meditation 72 The Tempest, from Metastasis 77 To a Cricket - 86 AdSpem 89 In Adventum Veris 92 AdSalutem 93 From P Abate Carlo Se veroli Faentino 96 From Zappi 100 From Garcilaso de la Vega 104 To Horror . 110 Inscription for Okehampton Castle , 115 Inscription for Lidford Bridge 117 Notes, &c 121 a Bickleigh Vale is distant from Plymout about seven miles. It is truly romantic, enclosed by mountains; and the river Ply m flows through it, in a very picturesque manner. BICKLEIGH VALE. » Qua latus ingens Dant scopuli, et multa littus se valle receptat. Fenii Sat. VL ver. 7, argument* The Poem describes a walk to the Vale. Approach o€ Morning, ver. 1. Address to the Sun, v. 10. A susceptible mind receives a true delight from the beauties of Nature, v. 28. Advice to those particularly attached to a town- life, v. 65. A woodland picture, v. 9S. Mid-day, v. 150. Insects in sunshine all employed, thence reflections on* man, v. 174. A summer-shower, v. 191. Happiness more apparent among cottagers ; thence reflections on the effect of luxury in large towns, v. 240. A cottage family, v. 271. Rural garden, v. 2S0. Approach to moor-scenery, v. 317.. Edmund and Eliza, a tale, v. 356. Bickleigh-Church, v. 593. View of the Vale, kc. v. 408. Concluding with an Address to Evening. BICK LEIGH VALE, ]N ight's universal gloom retires. The Morn Solemn and still, and faintly glimmering, dawns. Behold ! what orient blushes tinge the mist That bluely floating, hovers round the hills : What tints of tender lustre streak the air, And tip the dusky groves, and onward steal, Till opening all, the dewy landscape, smiles ! B Now, vigorous on his flaming road, upsprings The joyous Sun, enkindling all the sky. Welcome, exhaustless world of genial light ! 10 Refulgent source of life ! that pour'st alike Thy blazing bounty o'er the desert waste, O'er pregnant earth, and ocean's boundless realms. Emblem majestic of thy Maker's power, And matchless goodness? Who with equal hand 15 Sheds general kindness o'er the peopled globe. What rich profusion of enlivening hues Pervades the woodlands ! vernal incense breathes From dew-fed gardens, and irriguous vales. What rapture tunes the wildly warbling shades! 20 What kindred transport rushes on the heart That beats in unison with Nature's joy ! Winds whisper thro' the glades, and gently kiss The bosom of yon dimly gleaming lake. The herds low, various ; whilst the rural sounds 25 Of busy labour animate the scene : Lo ! Beauty, Love, and Harmony, awake ! But chiefly him, what genuine raptures fire, Who dwells with fondness on fair Nature's charms ! Who, lost to world-engagements, and the cares ; 30 The tacit discords*, and the toils of life ; With freedom roves, exploring new delights Each rising day, and drinks the mountain-gales Embalm'd in all the freshness of the morn. *Discordia tacita, et quae inteiligereutur potius quam vide- rentur. Hist. Augus. p. 170, B2 4 Each breezy gust lew-rustling thro' the copse, S5 Each rustic murmur of the pebbly brook Clear-trickling thro* dank herbage, sooths his mind. 'The life-reviving day-beams as they spread, Or stream irradiance thro' refracting clouds, Can light a cheerful sunshine in his breast : 40 Alike in depths of shade, or flowery wilds, He feels the full divinity of Heaven. What time, the pensive twilight sails around, And warns the pjlgrim wandering thro' the dusk ; He homeward turns to dear, domestic peace, 45 Where pleasures chaste, and fond affections live : Where wakeful Fancy to his mental view Unfolds the rich variety of scenes Combin'd, and coloured from his various walk; Presents fair landscapes, fruitage ting'd with gold, 50 Or, spreads a paradise of florid sweets Luxuriant; azure hills, or purple vales; Or, all the pleasing horrors, ail the dread Of deafening cataracts, and untrodden wastes, Or sunless caves, or thought-inspiring groves : 55 And, ever thus, the wizard Fancy vyorks» But, not to all, so innocently fair, Unveils her store of visionary joys. She leads the lover, wan with restless fears, And tender languishment, and fondest hope, 60 To graves, lone ruins, and forsaken glooms : She smites th' ambitious soul with dangerous bliss, And swells the trumpet's clangour, wildly shouts;— Then, whirls her subject- wretch to blood and death. B3 Ye, who amid the smoky breath of towns 65 Immur'd, and pining, load your languid lungs With foul, putrescent vapour- who, reehVd In indolence, relax your toneless nerves, And nurse the latent seeds of slow disease ; Arise, and seek this open, sunny plain : 70 Here climb, where brisk the mighty torrent bursts In ceaseless motion, sprinkling coolness round : Or, while the early fragrance rises full From breathing herbs, and flowers, and widely strays TV enlivening soul of oxygen abroad, 75 Among the devious lowlands, grateful change, Mix with the swains, and join the rural toil. Ye feeling friends, w T ho watch the cheerless couch Of sickness pale, O lead with lenient hand, Lead the wan victim to the green resorts 80 Of health ; conduct him to the vital breeze Blown by the morn : and let his tottering feet Imprint the verdurous pasture. Soon his cheeks . Will gently catch a renovating glow ; New, lambent lustres tremble in his eyes, 85 And fresh, returning vigour swell, his heart : . Warm transport seize his wasted frame, and pay , The parents' cares, the nameless, tender fears, The day's long gloom, and watchful night's fatigue. We tread the heathy plain ; now under shades 90 High-arching, wind : whilst all the feathery race Pour warbling forth their gratulations loud ; Fir'd with the impulse of all-powerful love. Swift from his grajss-built nest, to greet the light, B4. 8 Upsoars the lark, the minstrel of the morn. 95 And, full of wild, ecstatic music, skies, Woods, vales, and shadowy mountain-glens, resound. Gay spreads the prospect. From the stream-fed banks Loose floats the willow- foliage ; alders bend Their leafy locks, and pliant poplars wave. 100 From the brown steep, the graceful ash overhangs In quivering, light luxuriance. Wide the lime A massy shade expands. With silvery trunks Thin airy birch, and swelling maples, rise. Coy aspens shiver all their twinkling leaves 105 To every frolic wind. Fantastic oaks Immense, their knotty boughs entwisting, throw Solidity of deep, incumbent gloom. Below ! what sunny interchange of fields, Of furzy slopes, and moss-clad smoking cots, 1 10 Where plain Content with rustic Quiet dwells ! There basking lies a summer- valley, fresh With vivid verdure, fed by spouting rills. There, thro' the shelving banks, the brawling brook Incessant foams ; or with laborious lapse 115 Smooth wears the pebbles, or with brighter tints The fretted fragments stains : thence, calm it purls Soft-tinkling, till it forms a liquid plain Capacious, on whose broad, and glassy breast, Sleep cool Serenity, and limpid Peace. 120 The scene half-shadowM, half-illumined, spreads; Fair Beauty colours with her glowing hand 10 The woods and distant hills, that change their shapes As smile new tints, or vagrant mists involve. She tempers into smooth ethereal calm, 125 The azure-stretching ocean, faintly seen. Still prodigal of charms, she fondly flings Deep in th' embosomM vale her mingled hues Rich, and exuberant ; while the lucid clouds In floating negligence adorn the sky, 136 And soften, warm, and harmonize the whole* . Here, Painters, throw your radiant beauties forth ; Blend your clear, pearly tints, and melting lines Concordant ; bid your magic canvas beam With life, and richly glowing hues : ye try 135 In vain, to rival nature ; vainly catch 11 The morn's chaste lustre, or the glorious burst Of evening splendour o'er the kindling scene. E'en raptur'd Fancy fails with all her powers Of ardent language, and conceptions strong. 140 Far to the genial west, what mountains rise Romantic, rang'd above th' horizon's verge ! Mark, how th' attracted vapour* shroud their heads, . And cool their sultry sides with thousand streams Of ever-pregnant moisture, flowing down, 145 Till deep below, the fruitful valleys float With lavish Vegetation's cheerful green : Fed with reflected sunshine, and secur'd From all the rigour of the surly winds. Now high, the Sun ascending, scatters wide 150 His mid-day radiance on the dazzling ground 12 Direct, With golden light the meadows glow. Above, beneath, what fluttering life, what joy Now fills created space ! The fertile earth With insect-myriads teems. The mossy chinks 15 j Of jutting rocks hold numbers. Numbers swarm The grass-green streamlets quickened by the rays. The foliage- wavings of the woods, conceal Their little tenants. Nestling in the buds Of roses, some taste nectar'd nurture. Some 16Q Unseen, unknown in blushing fruit, reside. Thus live, and labour, and like mortals 1 die. Mark the dread spider, as he slyly hangs His filmy web, and traitorous, lurks within ; There watches with grim patience, till the fly 1G5 Who, self-enchanting with his sultry hum, Alights ; and tries the fairy texture, swings 13 And flutters on, till tangled more and more, He feels the snare ; while fastening on his back His foe voracious, banquets on his blood. 170 The ant strays diligent. The writhing worm, That creeps along the ground, lives not in vain, And e'en the grasshopper,, that idly chirps. Then, why should Man, majestic o'er the world, Bemain inert, and useless? He, designed 175 To practise virtue, and with reason, rule ? Why sink unnerv'd upon the lap of Sloth Inglorious, languid, slumbering on to death ? Kind Poverty, altho' thy chilling frown Check the fine glow of genius, numb the soul; 180 Yet Laxgour startles at thy threatening voice, And stern Necessity attends thy steps. Thy arm rough strenuous Labour nerves for toil : 14 By thee, the palace tow'rs ; the firm machine In vast, mechanic grandeur, works. By thee, 185 Hewn from the quarry's adamantine loins The figured marble breathes, and golden ore Burnished, and bright, flames on the dazzled eye ; Attractive gold! both universal bane, And source of temperate happiness below. 190 Mild from yon broken pomp of clouds, the shower, The gentle show'r, with warmth prolific, falls ; Now, on the grove's thick umbrage, patters soft \ Now pours refreshment o'er the furrow'd glebe. Alarm'd, the timorous insect tribes reseek J 95 Their tiny shelters ; from the dripping air In wildest fright, the fluttering birds withdraw; 15 Save the loud black-bird piping in his bower. See, crowding close the piteous, woolly breed With panting perturbation, mutely gaze : 200 Whilst gladly round the sturdy farmer eyes The falling bounty of benignant Heaven. The duck, oft-dipping in the bubbling pool, Throws o'er her freckled back, the trickling stream. Shivering her plumes with garrulous joy. 'Tis past : The softer sky resumes its fleecy clouds 206 Bordered with florid light; and high the lark Amid the thinly scattering drops ascends, And blithly sings. The eager cattle crop The sweeter herb ; the sunshine doubly glows. 210. Beneath the bloomy rainbow gleam the hills, The azure pine-groves, and the misty lawns ; Till lovelier colours dress the cherish'd scene. 16 Now hatched to life, about their parent-streams. The dragon-insects* float on glittering wings, 215 In iris-tints all-varied, and all-gay, And chase, in wanton sport, their little loves. Around the primros'd bank, alike in hue, The idly-busy butterfly disports. High up the brook, the grouping heifers plunge, 220 Eending with lengthened necks, and nostrils broad To skim the tempting surface ; whilst above A clustering flight, the stranger-bees descend, Swarming some clefted rock, or hollowed tree ; Or, haply sent by Providence, alight 225 Beneath some lonely widow's thatch, and work Their dulcet nurture for her sole support. * Uhllula tribe. 17 As loitering thus, the flowery wilds among, Among the thousand beauties of the spring Confus'd, and lost ; again the luscious gales, 230 The luscious gales of Eden breathe around, Pregnant with life and joy. This rapid rill, Wild-flashing o'er the foamy pebbles, charms The listening ear. The minstrels of the woods, That ever chide ungrateful silence, pour 235 Their sweet, persuasive melodies at large. Here God's own voice the solemn grove inspires ; Here blameless pleasures lift the kindling heart With grateful ecstacy to bounteous Heaven ! Here, unmolested by the taunts of Pride, 240 Happy, tho' humble in eequesterM shades, 18 Secure the cotters live, remote from towns That breathe pale exhalations and disease ; Where thousands shriek with pangs of conscious guilt; Where thousands droop consumptive to the tomb ; 24-5 Where many a fond, distracted mother feels, As bending o'er the glimmering hearth she weeps, The keen, severest torture, closely prest By starving babes, that ask their bread in vain ; Where thousands fall, by Luxury seduc'd. 250 But ye, whom Fortune lifts above the sphere Of rustic wretchedness and coarse desires, Beware of blandishments, of lawless joys, Of loves, of boasted friendships, all beware, That scarce endure a transient summer's day. 255 Go, search the shameless records of mankind, The page of blood, and scenes of splendid vice 19 'Mid crowding feasts, where erst distraction roarM O'er maddening wine, and death ; thus timely learn How Lux'ry sinks the human soul divine ! 2GO She sappM the strength of once imperial Rome ; She ruin'd Persia, realm of blazing wealth, Where polished arts, and high, heroic worth Once dignified the state, and flourished fair With blooming honours, and with full-blown fame. Close by that fountain's deep, collected flood A smooth blue sheet, diffusive to the brim, Just dimpled where an headlong streamlet drips, The straw^roofd cottage smokes; where cordial love, Domestic temperance, and domestic peace 270 Shed all their blessings on the parent-pair, 20 Blest with their growing sons of clear-bloomM health; To useful labour train'd, to tend the plough, Sow the rich, reddening glebe ; to join the group Heart-happy, clamorous in the harvest fields; 275 With blithe alacrity to climb the trees, And dash the apple-burden from the boughs San-mellow'd, showering on the orchard-ground ; And stream the cider for the coming year. Within the sun-bright garden, fruits and herbs, 2S0 Of potent virtues, thrive. Sweet airs pervade Its cultur'd borders. Spicy odours waft Perpetual health ; and thro' the senses breathe Ambrosial freshness. Lily-bosonVd Spring Pours florid graces on the faithful earth. 2*.5 21 The hardy cowslip smiles ; the crocus glows, And catches mimic radiance from the sun. Fresh polyanthus, freak'd in brilliant hues, And violets flourish. Clustering woodbines deck The myrtle bow'r, where soon the rose will drink 290 Transparence from the smoothly sliding stream. Murmurs the bee-hive near the breathing thyme, With all its insect people at their work Delicious, bent; w T ith liquid honey fast The swarming nation fill the waxen cells. 225 Here, should the snail their golden dome ascend, Poor, hapless wretch ! no more shall he return, Enjoy no more the tender calm of eve, Or balmy show'rs with mingling sunshine warm'd ; But, torturM by the stings of numerous foes, 300 Shall feel the agonizing wounds of death. C3 22 Here, gay and dauntless, struts the flamy cock, Or briskly crowing, wakes the echoing Morn. His startling clarion thro' the village sounds, Calling rough Labour's train to various toil. 305 Here oft he takes his fond, protective stand ; Whilst o'er her eggs, the hen unwearied sits, Or turns, arranges, gives them genial warmth. Lo ! irritable, ruffling all her plumes Disturbed, as in a fluttering fever, forth 310 She leaves awhile her task, and hurrying, pecks The scanty grains Frugality bestows. Bold, and defensive, back again she flies Impatient, and in passive silence, spreads Wide o'er her spacious nest her brooding wings; 315 And, rul'd by instinct, waits the callow birth. 23 The pastoral face of Nature varies. Moors Immensely swelling, stretch around ; distinct With gradual colours, from the barren brown To hazy blue, soft-mingling with the sky. 320 There, warm reflected lustre streams profuse, When Evening shoots aslant her radiant beams, And from the heath, light billowy vapours dance. The sheep partake the wildness of the scene, ShaggM like the hardy breed, that browzing, hang 325 On Snowdon's heights, or Cader-Idris, bieak With ever-blustering gales; away they burst Alarm'd at every stranger's echoing tread. Now, on the eager sight, the summits rise Hill above hill : aloft in rolling clouds 330 C4 24 Aspires yon rustic church, romantic Shaugh ; Whilst in the middle distance, Bickleigh towers. Now, flush'd with fervour thro* green devious lanes We w T ind ; whence briskly leaps from rock to rock Some gurgling streamlet; or foam-flashing, spouts Athwart the path-way. What delicious zest 23d Enrapts our bosoms as we bound along ! Thrice happy they, who shun the faithless form Of fleeting Pleasure, bred in busy life; And court the fairer beauties of the fields, 3+Q Health, Exercise, and heart-dilating Mirth. These, taste the purity of sylvan peace ; These, value the plain comforts they enjoy. While some, enamour'd of th J ungrateful world, 25 Find bliss in riot ; some on sofas sleep 34S Thro* sluggard-life, in ignorance and ease. Others, condemned to labour's toiling hive, Incessant drudge, nor touch the honied store Themselves have made. While some, impairM by vice, Are drifted on the shallows of distress; 350 Or, plungM within the ocean of debauch. Then, happy they, whom Competence secures From mixM society ; the checquer'd source Of sorrow and delight ; if Taste inspire, And Contemplation form for rural joys. 355 Within that simple mansion's roof, retired, Eliza dwells. No soft caress of babes, And now, no tender relative she owns : Lost to the world, and only known to Heaven. 26 Scarce five connubial months had roll'd away 360 In mutual fondness and meridian bliss, When tidings of his mother's sudden death Smote Edmund's startled ear. Grief-struck, he fled Thro' woods, o'er bleak and lengthening heaths, and reach'd The house of woe. There, o'er the lifeless form 365 Wept pious tenderness ; thence saw her borne, Slow, to the dreary silence of the grave. Some painful days elaps'd ere Edmund left The mournful scene : then, every duty paid, Rose with the morn to seek his distant home. 370 But ah ! Eliza felt unwonted fears Rush on her heart, suggesting dreadful harm, As onward fast the gathering storms approach, 27 And solemn-sounding night. Her only care Was absent far, but purposed then return. 375 Alas ! he never more returned ! Nor more In converse sweet she sharM the social hoar : Hapless Eliza ! Pale, she trembling shrunk, Perplex'd, affrighted at the savage winds ! Meantime the faint, disaster^ husband stray M 3$Q The victim of the tempest. Loudly roared The giant oaks, their boughs rude-crashing, drove Before the demon-whirlwind ; scattering flew Profuse, the shatter'd foliage of the ash ; The universal forest groan'd. The ground 385 Lay strew'd with branchy ruin. ThiV the gloom His breathless courser falter'd ; the dank turf 28 Shook faithless to his hoof. A torrent-stream, SwellM by the flooding rains, across his way RollM ; in the depth he plung'd, and down, alas ! 390 He sunk; — and left a weeping widow thrown Distress'd, unfriended on the world's wide range ! Hence, Bickleigh lifts its lichen-gilded tower ; The fretted cross, where kneeling saints ador'd, Fronts the dim dome. Along the shadowy aisles, 395 "V* ith startling steps, we walk ; and calmly read The rustic records on the mouldering walls. But who can mark without the sacred tear, Where rests the pious priest, cut off from life, 399 From youth's full lustre snatch'd ; to whose high worth The swains have rear'd the sculptur'd stone ? Too brief 29 He liv'd with man, and dealt persuasive truths From lips of hallow'd fire. We trace with awe The last retreat of mortals : Friendship here, Departed Virtue, Science, mingling lie. 405 Dark-mantling nettles, and the night shades, knit The baneful verdure o'er their grassy tombs. Hence, let us climb where Ham's soft greensward breathes Wild thymy fragrance ; let the roving eye Shoot from dun granite rocks, to cultur'd slopes; 410 To emerald vales, to black-descending woods, To crowding fields, to brown broad moors, to streams Bright-bursting headlong from the dusky cliffs! "Whilst opening on the skies, the mighty roar Of rough cascades deafens the listening ear, 4)5 And swells the grandeur of the rugged scene ! 30 Immensely rising from the cataract- foam How frowns yon craggy mass*! where shrieking birds Plant their bleak aeries in its shrubby clefts; High sails the hawk, and harsh the heron screams. 420 Below, among the rustling sedge conceaPd, The venomous viper breeds: in thicket-haunts The quick-eyM martin on the feathery game. With fierce destruction, leaps. With ravenous rage The otter banquets on the silvery fry. 425 Here, dark the cavern'd badger skulks from day." Here, stung with famine from his lurking shades, Nightly the fox overlooks the nodding crags, While dread and devastation mark his course. Here, countless, spring the gay botanic tribes, 430 And draw pure nurture from the various soil, werstone. ;#'' 31 More fragrant as the arid turf prevails. Broad waves the feathery fern : while lichens spread Incrusting all the rocks with nameless hues. From every cliff the moss profusely droops, 435 Or, lowly creeping, clothes the fracturM ground. In wild luxuriance stately fox*g!oves rise. The glossy arum folds its ample leaf, Cradling its scarlet fruit, till autumn flings His brilliant colours on the woodlands deep 440 The Coating crimson, and the shadowy brown. The wild-rose, blushing coyly, hangs its wreaths ; And rustic honey-suckle clasps the copse With nectar'd blossoms full. Stellaria bright Its starry lustre sheds : in azure hue 445 The gay veronica unveils its charms* And odorous harebell blows. The orchis paints 32 The streamy dales, and mildly grateful springs The heath-flowVd fragrance of th' untrodden banks* Where bees abroad on light and vagrant wing, 450 Collect their luscious sweets from bloom to bloom. Yet here, amid this deep, sequesterM vale, E'en here, th* unhallowed force of civil war Has rag'd, encrimson'd o'er the shuddering woods With human blood. Away, thou hideous fiend, 455 Who dart'st on all thy pestilential fires, Nor sparest the peasant in his harmless fields ! What ! shall all Nature in her green retreats, Feel thy harsh pow'r? Alas, these lonesome scenes Still bear memorial of thy ruffian sway ! 460 Here from these shades, illustrious Slanning rose 53 With all the hero in his mighty breast; Fierce fell his sword, and like the lightning's flame, Strew'd devastation far as Severn's shore ; Where death arrested his victorious course. 465 And hence the Cad, o'er rocks white-flashing, roars To meet the lucid Plym : now softly flow The mingled streams, now fret and boil, and brawl Thro' arching bridges, moss'd by hoary time, Or, hung with clustering verdure, thro' rich meads*- Till flowing on thro' Saltram's towery groves. It pours its tribute to the restless sea. Beneath these wreathing roots, and stones entwin'd With ivy-network, lurks the sinuous eel ; Nor ventures forth till darkly brooding night 475 D 34 And silence reign. Sly from his shaggy haunt, And, dubious first, he cautiously proceeds : Then, coward*like, where nought of danger threats, He bolder cuts the blackening stream, and oft His native bed forsakes, and, o'er the meads 480 Strays darkling; searchful of his insect-prey. Fain would the muse relate the various fry That tenant all these floods: the sportive trout> The salmon swarming from the ocean-depth To drop their spawn : or those that idling, love 465 The sullen sluggard-tide, and slimy rush ; Or those in swifter waves, of radiant hues Bedropp'd with gold : but endless were ray task* 35 When wrapt in tempest, thro* the howling air, Fierce Winter grimly flings his wildest blast ; 490 Then lead me, Horror, to these cliffs sublime While solid darkness settles round, to hear The battling winds among the crush of rocks* The thunder's giant voice, the cataract vast Catching the lurid lightning's sudden blaze I 495 In some black-gaping cavern let me shroud, And give the awful hour to solemn thought ; Secure, whilst all the raging torrent-rains Rush ponderous down the mountain's murky sides. And all the clamorous wild-birds aid the storm ! 500 Beneath yon precipice of pendent woods Beware that ebon-colour'd depth ; there smile# 1)2 36 Deceitful Stillness on its watery breast : And there, young Rashness trusts the tempting calm ; There victims oft, as village-legends tell, 505 Have plungM to endless darkness. Now, nor gales, Nor fish, light-leaping, crisp the placid flood. Thro 5 glory-streaming clouds, the sun's broad orb Descends: the gilded vapours wave along The verdant vallies, where bright rivulets wind 510 Delicious is the sweetness of the air : The softening distance melts to fluid gold ; While to the east, soft ruddy hues recede Slow-fading to a colder, leaden dye. Meek Evening hail! as o'er the purpling moors 515 The rustic curfew tolls ; and simplest sounds 37 Of bleating ewes, and lowing heifers, swell. Delightful Evening hail ! Thou nurse of thought And holy peace. Oft, lonely, let me stray Along the groves, along the rosy vales, , 520 While dewy coolness rises from the shades, And freshening fragrance wantons all-profuse, Till o'er the hills^ the pensive twilight fades. 1)3 ON A FRIEND'S RETREAT. Solo decir sabre, que aunque rodea En qualquier condicion a los mortaies Tropel de ciertos, 6 aparentes males^ Muchos de ellos ignora, 6 los olvida El que amar sabe la campestre vida, Dn* Francisco Aguith dt Cisnfrtu OS A FRIEND'S RETREAT. Vita rustica sine dubitatione proxima et quasi consanguinea japientiae est. Columel. 1. 1. *V here rural beauties tranquilize the breast You dwell, my Friend, in classic leisure blest. You shun the sphere, where vanities entice, Where syren -pleasures lure to loathsome vice : Where, curst with wealth; some squander life away, 5 Or cherish guilt, or innocence betray/ 42 Some taint the fair simplicity of youth, And poison confidence and candid truth Here Attic ease, and warm, poetic joy By turns relax the mind, by turns, employ. 10 Here varied charms each lovely spot endears, The shade composes, and the sunshine cheers: While, from your shadowy shrub-wood, grayly seen Gleams a broad lake, and slopes a pasture green : Behind, romantic mountains catch the eye, 15 And roughly break the bluely-liquid sky. Brown moors outstretch ; the cottagM glen retires ; And high the sacred tow'r to Heaven aspires. Now genial Spring reanimates the ground, And softly show'rs her clustering blossoms round : 20 43 Fond Hope anticipates the harvest-vale, And Beauty's self unbosoms to the gale. New life, new raptures wake in every grove, All Nature echoes to the voice of Love ! The nascent verdure floats before the breeze, 25 Climbs the rude cliffs, and clothes the rustling trees, In rainbow-hues, your rustic garden glows; Here, rear'd by Taste, the primrose humbly blows : Or, fondly mantling o'er the fountain's side, Sips, unperceiv'd, the Naiad's limpid tide. 30 Fresh tulips swell in florid colours bright, And roses, ripening, drink the blush of light. Here pleasures reign, as prodigal of flowers, Profusion laughs amid her thousand bowers. 44 For peace, Vespasian IovM a simple seat; 35 Meek Zenophon adored his still retreat. Fam'd Scipio from the blaze of glory fled # And calmly died within a Sabine shed. From human toil retirM, St. Bruno trac'd Creation's God amid the mountain waste. 40 Soon as the morn relieves the solemn night, And paints the kindling fields with ruddy light ; You start from slumber, hail the orient ray, And profitably regulate the day. Repeat, with silent joy, the rural toil, 45 To deck the rock, or fertilize the soil ; Clip the green copse ; festoon the floating shade ; Or lead the rippling lymph to meet the glade. 45 Or, hence with rapture-smitten breast, you rove Thro' many a wood-fringM vale, and pathless grove : With skilful eyes each mystic plant inspect ; 51 And beauteous Nature's subtlest forms dissect. Thus, wisely learn from insect, tree or flower, The wond'Vous plan of God's creative power. To you kind Heaven a source of transport spares,, A willing exile from obtrusive cares. From classic landscapes here, you fondly trace A Claude's mild chastity, and tempered grace. From Rosa's dread, romantic scenes, admire The savage wildness, and impassioned fire. 60 Here Alps on Alps, immeasurably rise, The world, the world is open to your eyes ! 46 Here Homer lives, triumphant o'er the tomb, The boast of Greece, the reverence of Rome. Here Milton spreads his bright, celestial page, 65 In all the Iearn'd solemnity of age. Here Shakspeare's Muse, whom ruthless time obeys, His world of intellectual wealth displays. With lingering steps, I' leave your arching glades, Your leisure-seats, and picturesque cascades, 70 The various view, the health-inspiring breeze, This kind retreat of blest, poetic Ease: Where Worth, where grateful Science learns to die, And Faith, enraptur'd, sees a better sky. TO WANT. TlotAo} p\v ycc^ ruv awpvTruv ovn; K'hiiTzo'i flrar/?£oi, UfocTlaa-t xa.xws, xal IIElNfiXIN, fjigrx EOT ts roc irteTr* civsiffiv. ARIST. PLUT, Jjtern scourge of Lux'ry, and imperious Pride, Child of Intemperance blasting human bliss ! How chills the vigorous mind By thy fell pow'r controlled ! Thee, writhing pain, thee, wasting sickness wait, Thee, all the agonizing train of death ; — Thrown on thy freezing bed Thou feePst keen-biting gales ■ 48 Loud ruffian tempests shake thy tottering shed Whilst thou, unsheltered in the savage night, Reprov'st the tardy hours That linger thro' the gloom. Yet not the dewy Day-light sooths thy soul, Nor Eve, who draws her weeping shadows round, Nor sweet, indulgent Spring, With all her fragrant store ; Her whispering airs, and scenes of vernal jo; Her sunny vale, green hill, and babbling brook. Thee, nor brown Summer woos. Fond stripling of desire, 49 Who, breathless, pants across the sultry wilds, Or, seeks the crystal depth, or rustling shade. Where, thro* his glowing sense A cool refreshment breathes. Unblest by thee, dejected Autumn dies; When fading Nature warns us of decay, And, leafless forests howl, Hoarse winds, and storms pursue The boisterous track of Winter ! Driving hail From dun bleak skies, quick-pattering on the cliffs Descends ; while hamlets groan Beneath collected snows. E 50 Then, torrents wild, with deafening clamours, roar, And fearful nights succeed tempestuous days, And Fancy blacker paints Thy frantic, dark despair. By thee depress poor unprotected Worth Shrinks into blind obscurity y s damp cell | There, lingering, and forgot, He meets a silent grave, Beprest by thee, how groans the shipwreck'd wretch,, Cast on loose-hanging, frightful rocks, forlorn, While round him dreadful breaks The foamy billow's rage ! 51 Ah ! grim-brow^d tyrant, mitigate thy wrath, Forbear to blast me with thy withering gaze j With deadly-pressing hand Forbear to chill my heart ! E2 RtJRAL EVENING. Et jam summa procul villarum culmina fumant, Majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae. Virgil, Eel i. JLo ! the Sun enshrinM in light, Sinking from his heavily height Gilds the various clouds that fly Slowly, thro' the blushing sky : Tinges herds, and homeward swains, Wood-side cots, and hills, and plains. 53 Whom shall Indolence withhold From wild heaths, or cataracts bold ? From yon grove, or verdurous steep Whence hoarse checquerM rivlets sweep ? Where the insects, idly gay, Sport, like youth, their lives away. Where the thrush of speckled breast, Sings his callow brood to rest: While the herds, that nearer lie, Mutely mark the bounteous sky, i Now aslant the Sun's broad rays Dim the plough-boy's careless gaze : Wide the glowing prospect spreads, Rich in woods, and rocks, and meads, E3 54 Hence, what objects meet the sight, Gay in magic tints of light, Glittering brooks by Leisure traced, Rustic wells with flowerets graced ; Woodbine-bowers, and cragged cells, Sunless glades, where Quiet dwells ; Where the musing Pleasures stray J)uly at the dusk of day* See ! dun shadows steal around ; Silence lists to every sound ; Echoes wait on every hill Answering to each bubbling rill. Bee-moths at this grey, cool hour. Pilfer every shrinking flower. 55 Distant woods, all dubious lie Mingled in the misty sky. Closed are lids of violets blue ; Roses sleep in limpid dew : And, the glow-worm thro* the night Sheds a chillv, emerald lisrht. Ever thus, thro' vale and grove, May my footsteps widely rove ; While the swallow, child of spring, Skims the lake, on hasty wing; While the woodlark's latest strains Vibrate o'er the twilight plains. While the moon in lucid vest Leans on clouds her silvery breast, 1 56 And, reflect the virgin-streams All the beauty of her beams, Evening solemn thought inspires; Checks the fever of desires ; And, as day's rude tumults cease, Calms the soul to serious peace. A MOTHER TO HER NATURAL SON, JUST BORN. Ah ! weep, thou nursling on Misfortune's breast, Unhonour'd with a father's sacred name ; Born to reproach ; — the villain's cruel jest, Who lur'd thy victim-mother to her shame. Ah ! why would gentle Heaven, to tax my crime, Give thy young eyes to catch the living light ? And, why shouldst thou, ere dawns thy youthful prime, Feel, like some teuder flower, the savage blight ? 58 Condemned to struggle in the storm of fate, With poverty to toil the live-long day ; While thy proud sire, companion of the great. In banquet-pleasure revels life away. Perish his studied eloquence, and charms, His love, that drew me from my blissful home, Ere yet, Corruption wantonM in mine arras, Ere yet, abandoned on the world to roam ! My sister now, whom treachery ne'er beguiPd, Shares the bright hours of fond, connubial joy ; How will she blame my virgin-worth defilM ! How frowu contemptuous on my infant boy ! 59 But cease, my pangs;. ..my parents died serene: Age callM on death, and Heaven was kind to grant; Here, could they witness this distracting scene, This horrid scene of infamy and want } — Perhaps, a mother's pious tears would start, A father's pity tremble in his eyes ; Ah, no ! despair would agonize her heart ! And terrible fo's just resentment rise ! Hence, maddening thought! Come Care, come friendly Woe Benumb the feelings of my tortur'd breast ; Forbid affections in my child to glow, Unfriended let him live, and die unblest 5 60 Ah, no ! let duty all his thoughts control, Let open candour every impulse speak, Let sympathy and friendship warm his soul, Lore light his looks, and flush his ripening cheek. Forbid, kind Heaven, this stigma of disdain • That, guiltless, he for my offence should groan : Oh ! might I fondly share his destined pain, And in his bosom's bliss regain my oven I A RED-BREAST, SEEN IN A CHURCH. \Atto p,rjhv6$ «r* @hcc~ ANaCREON". Sweet visitant, who lov'st the hallowed shrine. Devoid of tremulous fear, who joy'st to flit Athwart dini-colourM lights That Gothic windows shed ; 62 I bless thee, warbler, bless the care of Heaven, That in thy tuneful breast, this instinct breath'd, Here, shelter'd from the blast Thou pour'st thy carols round. Here, hid from fowler's eye, secure thou liv'st, By tabby foes unwatch/d, or wanton death. Meantime, thy hapless mates Or murder'd, stain chaste snows, Or, shivering, die amid the forest-wilds, The swollen victims of keen wintry winds; While sorrowing dirges, here, Thou sing'st o'er many a grave* 63 Sweet care of gracious Heaven ! thy future life Haply the bright celestial fields may glad. There thou in evergreens, May'st thy soft texture weave t There fondly markM by purer eyes than mine, And there, with never-dying warbles blest, Thou may'st the shades enjoy In unmolested bliss. A MOTHER TO HER DEAD INFANT. JDeaii lovely Child ! dear object of my pain, For thee, affection bleeds at every vein ; First pledge of holy love, ah ! doomM to die, And, smile with angels in a kinder sky. No more shall Fondness o'er thy cradle bend, Rock thy soft slumbers, or thy wants attend. No more, with joy-bright eyes, thy sire shall trace His faithful features on thy cherub-face. 65 Ah ! fruitless now my hopes, my tender fears ; Fruitless my prospects for thy future years. Once, smiling Fancy to my mental view Brightened the scenes, that expectation drew : I saw thy youth in all the flush of May ; I saw thy manhood, ripening to the day : Reflection now, must sadden o'er thy tomb, And gather painful knowledge from thy doom. And long, thy fate, shall Innocence bewail ; Thy fate, shall Pity weep, till weeping, fail. Now vain to me, the genial mornings shine ; In vain, the evenings blush with light divine. In vain, the purple spring unfolds her charms, Since death has snatchM my infant from mine arms, F 66 In vain, the summer blooms, the autumn glows, Since grief to me, such pensive joy bestows. Then, scenes of life,. ..ye rosy Hours, depart:.,. For only sacred sorrow sooths my heart. ECHO OF A GROTTO, cui liquidam pater Yocem dedit. V/OY Spirit of the cave ! Sweet Echo, hail ! Responsive to the softly sighing breeze,. As on thy gentle ear Its mournful murmurs swell. Thee oft, perhaps, some lonely virgin haunts To tell her cherishM grief, her slighted vows ; Or, chaunt her vesper-hymn Along these twilight groves. T 2 68 Sequestered Leisure, fondly here retreats From toiling Care, and Folly's idling train ; Retreats with chasten'd Taste, And lovely Science join'd: Here sits, and muses, while young Morning dawns With faintly gleaming lustre ; and the skies l With mild and genial breath, Diffuse refreshment round ; While woods hoarse-rustle to the sighing gales; And, warbling in the dewy shades, the birds With prompted joy, salute The kindling Day's return. 69 Lingering, he loves to catch thy accents clear As Eve looks pensive thro* the fading clouds Or, o'er the glimmering scene Her dusky shadow draws, . Then, distant bleatings from the fragrant fold, Or, sacred chimes from tree-embosom/d tower, His soften'd soul inspire With saintly, calm delight. F3 A SWALLOW. Mtf [as (pvyyq 2u y#g eI (pi?\oq ysttgytiv* ANACKEON. X wittering tenant of the sky, Whither, whither wilt thou fly? Summer blithly frolics round ; Florid beauties grace the ground : Rosy odours, youthful gales Still breathe from bow'rs, and verdurous vales. Whither, fluttering, wilt thou fly, Swiftest courser of the sky ? Still in brook, or fountain-spring, Dip thy never- weary wing ; 71 Sweep along the level mead. Where fragrant herds securely feed. Happy vagrant, ever free, All my fancies follow thee ; Mount with thee, the blue serene. Visit every foreign scene!,.. And, while seasons vary here, With thee, share summer all the year. Whither, whither wilt thou fly* Swiftest courser of the sky ? Stay, O stay, till autumn's hand Purple o'er my native land ; Mildness, health, and beauty, rove*, And fellow warblers charm the grove. I MEDITATION. WRITTEN NEAR A GOTHIC CHURCH. O thou, Companion of the Blest, With steadfast mein, and sainted breast ; i Who stalk'st, at eve, thro'' dusky glades, To muse amid the sullen shades : O guide my feet to twilight bowers, To solemn groves, or hallowM towers, To graves, where kindred statues rise, And hold in trance my raptur'd eyes. 73 Hence Noise;... ye worldly-throbbings, cease, Nor dare profane this cloister'd Peace. Here, when pale moon-beams tinge the glooms That glimmer o'er the mouldering tombs, Here come, thou Sage, devoutly dear, For Silence keeps her sabbath here : Save, when to rouse the dead repose, Aloft, the anthemM organ blows. Divine Companion ! thy control With holy musing rapts my soul, When all thy heavenly visions rise, And hold in trance my raptur'd eyes, TRANSLATION FROM THE ITALIAN. 1 attempted a translation in rhyme of this tender effusion qfMetastasio ; but found, that it lost too much of its sim- plicity : I have now rendered it in a measure more resent* Ming the original. ^ LA TEMPESTA. DEL METASTASIO. JN o, non turbati, o Nice ; io non ritorno A parlati d'amor. So che ti spiace ; Basta cosi. Vedi, che il ciel minaccia Improvvisa tempesta : alle capanne Se vuoi ridurre il gregge, io vengo solo Ad ofFrir Popra mia. Che !..,non payenti ? THE TEMPEST. FROM METASTASIS IN ay, tremble not, nor fear this fond return ; I dare not speak of love.... To you, alas ! I know, 'tis painful now. — Enough. But lo ! All Heaven in darkness, threats a sudden storm ; Collect your wandering flocks, my willing hand Shall lead them to the fold. What !,.. fear you not : 78 Osserva, che a momenti Tutto s'oscura il ciel, che il vento in giro La polve innalza, e le cadute foglie. Al fremer della selva, al volo incerto Begli augelli smarriii, a queste rare, Che ci cadon sul volto, umide stille > Nice, io preveggo...Ah ! non tel dissi, o Nice? Ecco il lampo, ecco il tuona. Or che farai ? Vieni, senti ; ove vai ? Non e piu tempo Di pensare alia greggia. In questo speco Riparati fraitanto ; io saro teco. Ma tu tremi, o mio tesoro ! Ma tu palpiti, cor mio ! Non temer ; con te son io^ Ne d'amor ti parlero. 79 Observe the blackening sky, See ! how the winds in madding whirls, arise,, Scatter the dust, and high the leaves up rear, That darkly withering, strewM the rustling ground, Judge by the sullen roaring of the woods ; The wild, disordered flutter of the birds ; And by the tears, that trickle down our cheeks. Too well presag'd...dear Nice, look ! alas The lightning darts, and deep the thunder rolls ! But haste ; — to seek your fleecy charge, forbear; Haste, — reach the shelter of yon friendly cave, Myself will watch you, as the whirlwinds rave* But still, my angel, still you fear, Still palpitates your throbbing heart: Nay, tremble not, for I am near,... Nor would a thought of love impart. 80 Mentre folgori, e baleni, Saro teco, amata Nice ; Quando il ciel si rassereni, Nice ingrata, io partiro. Siedi, sicura sei. Nel sen di questa Concava rupe in fin ad or giammai Fulmine non percosse, Lampo non penetro. I/adombra intorno Folta selva d'allori, Che prescrive del ciel limiti all'ira. Siedi, beiridol mio, siedi, e respira. Ma tu pure al mio fianco Timorosa ti stringi, e, come io voglia Fuggir da te, per trattenermi annodi Fra le tue lamia man? Rovini il cielo, 81 I mock those flashes, whilst with you, Exult amid the thunder's roar ; And, when subsides the storm, adieu, Ungrateful maid, to meet no more ! Here sit, here rest secure : this cavern deep The lightning never pierc'd : Around, thick groves of pendent umbrage, swell, And numerous laurels stretch Their branching shades to bound the darting fire ! Sit, my fair seraph, calmly here respire. Close-creeping to my side, AlarmM and trembling, to arrest my flight You grasp my hand ; forbear, forbear to doubt ; Tho' Heaven be hurPd in dreadful ruin down, G 82 Non dubitar, non partiro. Bramai Sempre un si dolce istante. Ah ! cosi fosse Frutto delPamor tuo, non del timore. Ah ! lascia, o Nice, ah ! lascia Lusingarmene almen. Chi sa ? Mi amasti Sempre forse fin or, Fu il tuorigore Modestia, e non disprezzo ; e forse queslo Eccessivo spavento E'pretesto alPamor. Parla,...che dici? M'appongo al ver ? Tu non rispondi ? Abbassi Vergognosa lo sguardo ? AiTossisci ? Sorridi ? Intendo, intendo. Non parlar, mia speranza ; Quel riso, quel rossor dice abbastanza. 83 1 would not move. For this delicious hour Oft have I long'd, in vain. Ah ! sacred bliss, Were but your tremors those, of tender love. Ah ! Nice, let me nurse This sweet, this dear delusion. What ! who knows ? But you have ever lovM : your scornful frowns Reluctantly, perhaps, from coyness rose, And, not from cold disdain : and haply, love Now feigns excessive fear. What say you? Answer... ah ! you pause perplexed ? You turn away your tell-tale eyes, abashM ; You blush, you sweetly smile ! Enough ! enough ! what modesty conceals, That angel-look, that virgin-blush, reveals. G2 84 E pur fra le tempeste, La calma ritrovai ; Ah ! non ritorni mai, Mai pid sereno il di ! Questo de'giorni miei, Qaesto e il piu chiaro giorno \ Viver cosi vorrei, Vorrei morir cosL 85 Here, whilst the tempest rules the night, And howls along the waste, Serenest calm I taste, Nor wish the blithe return of light ! Tho* darkness wraps the sky, To me, this shines the brightest day ; Oh ! may my life thus glide away, Thus happy, may I die. «3 A CRICKET. X hrice welcome, little, sportive guest Loud-chirping in thy warm retreat ; The dusk now dims the faded west, And torrents swell, and tempests beat. Here, Peace without a murmur, reigns, And, none shall mar thy harmless mirth ; The redbreast here shall join his strains, And peck his morsel from the hearth. 87 While stiffening to the wint'ry breeze Some insects stretch their dying forms,.. Thou liv'st in sure, domestic ease, Unconscious of the tyrannous storms. Then, chirrup grateful for my care, In transport strike thy vocal wings ; Plain, simple comforts shalt thou share, And honied sweets without their stings. Hi AD SPEM. O lux pectoris ! et Juvenum comes ! Quae dulci miseros fallis imagine, Quae tormenta laborum Lenis : — Te, grave taediurn, Te curae fugiunt, ros veluti brevis Solem, qui tepide purpurat sethera, Terras et rubicunda Vestit luce. Deam invocat Te, Mercator ad Indos avide ruens, Et te, presidium suppliciter rogat. 90 Fama et captus honore Te, Miles sequitur furens Ad bellurm nihil horretque periculi* Te robustus Agrestis colit in solo Dum spargit rude semen, Et venti viduant comis Sylvas, atque laborat Borea nemus, Necnon te ambit Amans, languidus et tremens Inter mille timores^ Et lentis macer ignibus. Te prensat memor ah ! conjugis et domus Exul, dumque tumet triste doloribus Cor, crebroque profusus Humor labitur in genas. 91 Adsis, suave-favens, 6 Dea ! dissipe Mordaces nimium sollicitudines, Large gaudia praebens Heu ! quamvis fugitiva sint ! IN ADVENTUM VERIS. J am gemens interstrepit aura ramo.% Et redit circamvolitans hirundo ; Dumque flumen dulce-loquace, ripas Alluit unda. Fumat aether purpurea salute ; Arbores motante coma, virescunt ; Lene dum tellus reparata, flores Fundit apricos. Nunc, rneam mentem recreat sub umbra Ver, ut in sylvis volucres queruntur, Ut libellis docta Quies in antro, Decipit horas. AD SALUTEM. J am nunc, sol placido surgit ab aequore Ridens, ambrosium et temperat aethera : Alma luce coruscit Ccelum, et splendida floribus Naturae facies vernat j..,et acrius Me febris cruciat, membraque pascitur. Adsis, suaviter adsis O divina Salus, tua Fragranti minues, o utinam, manu Fervorem capitis -> me gelidum ad nemus, 94 Me fontes ad amoenos, Aut, fecuncla rosaria Conducas, ubi blande zephyrus gemit. Spes tecum properet, dulceque Gaudium, Tecum, Iseta Vgluptas Totam concelebret diem. TRANSLATIONS FROM THE ITALIAN and SPANISH. SONETTO. Ouperbetta Pastorella, Cui non cale del mio pianto, Ma ti ridi in grata, e fella Del mio duolo aspro cotanto : A me forse un giorno quella Non sarai gia amabil tanto, E vorrai parermi bella, Ne di bella avrai piu il yanto. Ed io allor, ch'ayro dal core Di gia tratta la saetta SONNET. JDear, little boaster, proud and vain, So cold to Love's delicious glow ; Ungrateful, to deride my pain, And, mock these tears, that burning, flow : But Time shall come, with stealthful pace, Thy seraph-beauty to disarm, To snatch that sweetness from thy face, When thou shalt strive, in vain, to charm. But know, when from this wounded side The festering arrow shall be torn; H 98 Ridero del tuo dolore : E cosi faro vendetta Col rigor del tuo rigore Pastorella superbetta. ABATE CARLO SEVEROLI FAENTINQ. 99 Just vengeance shall repay thy pride, Thy torturing anguish wake my scorn : Then, shalt thou feel my harsh disdain, Thou little boaster, proud, and vain. H SONETTO DEL ZAPPL V^uand'io men vo verso PAscrea montagna Mi si accoppia la gloria al destro fianco ; Ella da spirti al cor, forza al pie stanco, E dice, " andiam, ch'io ti sarb compagna" Ma per la Junga inospita campagna Mi si aggiunge Pinvidia al lato manco E dice; " anch'io son teco : M al labro bianco Veggo il velen, che nel suo cor si stagna. Che far degg'io ? se indietro io volgo i passi, So che Pinvidia mi lassa, e m'abbandona, SONNET FROM ZAPPI. Whene'er I climb th* Ascrean mountain grev, Close at my right, fair glory runs to greet ; She cheers my heart, and aids my lagging feet : u Still follow me, companion of thy way" She cries : — but as, thro* savage wilds, I stray, Pale at my left, vexM envy's form, I meet ; f( On thee I wait," she says; her lips replete With poisons foul, that on her entrails prey.. What can I do?... If back my footsteps turn* Envy, that moment flies, nor heeds renown,. H 3 102 Ma poi fia, che la gloria ancor mi lassi. Con ambe andar risolvo alia suprema Cima del monte. Una mi dia corona E Faltra il vegga, e si contorca, e frema. 105 But then, bright glory leaves my soul to mourn. With both resolv'd, the mountain's brow to gain I go : this shall bestow the precious crown, And, that behold it, frown, and fret in vain. H4 O D A DI LA FELICIDAD DE LA VIDA DEL CAMP"©*. v^uan bienaventurado Aquel puede llararse, Que con la dulce soledad se abraza > Y vive descuidado ! Y lejos de empacharse En lo que al alma impide y embaraza. No ve llena la plaza. Ki la soberbia puerta De los grandes senores, Ni los ad ul adores, A quien la hambre del favor despierta : ODE ON THE HAPPINESS OF A COUNTRY LIFE* 1 h rice happy he, by Heaven inspir'dj, Who lives in solitude, retir'd : Remote from folly, free from cares, His soul unvex'd with human snares. He sees no madfy-pressiug crowd ; No lordly domes supremely proud, Where flattering foes beset the door Athirst for favour, meanly poor. 106 No le sera forzosa Rogar, fingir, temer, y estar quejoso. A la sombra holgando De un alto pi no, 6 robre, O de alguna robusta y verde encina, El ganado contando De su manada pobre, Que por la verde selva se avecina; Plata cendrada y fina, Oro luciente y puro Bajo y vil le parece ; Y tanto lo aborrece, Que aun no piensa que dello est a seguro : Y como esta en su seso, Rehuye la cerviz del grave peso, Convida a un dulce sneno, Aquel manso ruido Del agua, que la clara fuente envia; 107 Whilst he withdraws unskilled to feign, To fawn, to tremble, or complain. There, idly-tranquil in the shade, By pine or oaks umbrageous made ; He counts his flock, in peace serene, That bound across the wooded green. His mind, by temperate joys controlled, Abhors the blaze of cumberous gold. Him, fountain-murmurs lull to rest, While sweetest day-dreams fill his breast; 108 Y las aves sin dueno Con canto no aprendido Hinchen el ay re de dulce harmonia, Haceles compania, A la sombra volando, Y entre varios olores, Gustando tiernas flores La solicita abeja susurrando; Les arboles, el viento, Al sueno ayudan con su movimiento. GARCILAGO DE LA VEGA* 109 While feathery minstrels freely fly, Or sweetly warbling, charm the sky : While neighboring bees in od'rous bowers Drink nectar from the tender flowers. The rustling grove,... the gusty wind,.,. All, all conspire to sooth his mind. TO HORROR. Horror, Tyrant of the throbbing breast Gray. JJread power! in realms of darkness nurst *Midst shrieks of guilt, and groans accurst, Where grins Despair in ghastly pain, And rapturous Madness clanks his chain,... Thee, I invoke !...Gay bowers, adieu ! Where Pleasure leads her bounding crew, Blithe Health, and frolic Youth that roves Thro' gardens and ambrosial groves, Ill Brisk Mirth, whose bright-expanding bloom Ne'er felt the damp of Sorrow's gloom, Adieu ! the surly evening sheds Deep shadows o'er the mountain-heads : Low groan the refted woodlands bleak, The spirits of the cataracts shriek ! Horror ! with strange, delightful fear Lead my fit soul to deserts drear ; To church-yards, where hyenas roam, And tear the body from the tomb ; To vast savannas full of dread, Where human footsteps never tread ; Or, where vex'd Midnight never sleeps Mid torrents hoarse and howling steeps ! 112 Or, where the hoary Andes shroud Their stormy cliffs in many a cloud, Which Danger, heedless of alarms, Upclimbs with lightning-blasted arms ! To damp dark dungeons let me stray Where the lone captive pines away ; Where no warm sun, no summer gale Sheds freshness on his visage pale ; There see him raise his withered head, Deep groaning o'er his flinty bed, Whilst ever-hopeless Silence lowers, And, slow, slow lag the gloomy hours. Stern, awful Horror! thou canst tell What pangs the mother's bosom swell, 113 When bare on distant rocks outcast Her child's corse blisters to the blast, Alone, unnoticM ; — while the surge Hoarse-heaving, moans the mournful dirge ! In sullen silence thou hast sought Black groves, with dark collected thought, Where erst the Druids met thy view, And human victims grimly slew ! Thou heard'st their death-denouncing cries, They bled beneath thy savage eyes. Oh ! lay me oft at gloom of night Where hags perform their direful rite; And, wrapt in terrors, flash on high Their livid lightning thwart the sky ; 114 Or, on some victim's hated form Dart the full fury of their storm ! ... For lightnings shoot, and thunders roll^ Dear, and congenial to my soul. AN INSCRIPTION OKEHAMPTON CASTLE, DEVON. JT a use, stranger, here f and if ENTHUSIAST thou, Ascend this path, and drink the mid-way air. Miid Coolness rises from yon crisped stream Kiss'd by soft gales ; whilst over head,, the sky With azure freckled, breathes of balm. Here view As rapture swells thy heart, the castled steep, And prostrate fragments mouldering on the ground; Then, as thou wind'st within the arch-ways rude 12 116 Behold the self-sown foliage clustering down In wild profusion ; let thy Fancy paint The dark, unutterable deeds of yore ! Here shattered Grandeur checks th/ ambitious soul, And tells the brevity of human pride. Here learn thy sad, inevitable fate, If, stranger, still thy haughty heart contemn Plain Competence, and calm, securest Peace, AN INSCRIPTION LIDFORD BRIDGE, DEVON. In silent caution cross this perilous bridge Where hoarsely-gushing thro* the black abyss Flashes the Lid along : here, dark Despair Full many a victim headlong from the ridge Has flung ; whose dirge, e'en now, the widow'd dove Mournfully sings. Fresh pendulous verdure streams Adown the rocky fissure : stranger, here Awhile contemplate, if thy breast be pure J 3 118 From life's base discords, or long-buried guilt : The genius of the scene will prompt thy joy ; Nor wake the frenzy of Despair in thee,... For guardian spirits watch the virtuous man ! NOTES ILLUSTRATIONS. NOTES, &c. BICKLEIGH VALE, PAGE 10. LINE 193. The ivoods and distant hills, that change their shapes, As smile neiu tints, or vagrant mists involve* Mr. Gilpin has also observed this pleasing effect on distant objects. He says, " It is very amusing in mountainous countries, to observe the appearance, which the same mountain makes under different circumstances. When it is invested with light mists, or even when it is tot illumined, we see its whole summit, perhaps, under 122 one grey tint. But, as it receives the sun, especially an evening sun, we see a variety of fractures and chasms gradually opening, of which we discovered not the least appearance before.** Essays on Picturesque Beauty, p. 136. PAGE 11. LINE 141. Far to the genial west, what mountains rise. It is noticed, that some of the greatest eminences extend generally east and west. " To go no further, says Dr. Nichols, than our own country, all our great ridges of hills in England run east and west ; so do the Alps in Italy, and in some measure the Pyrenees ; so do the mountains of the Moon in Afrie, and so do mount Taurus and Caucasus. This is a wise contrivance to prevent the vapours, which would all run northwards, and leave no rains in the Mediterranean countries.* Confer, with a f heist, part 2. p. 191. 123 FACE 51. LINE 437. In wild luxuriance stately fox-gloves rise. Digitalis purpurea, linn. Sp. PI. 866. Purple fox-glove. This elegant and stately flower is uncommonly abun- dant in Bickleigh Vale. It grows to a very great height. This plant has medicinal properties; it allays irritability, and is found useful in consumptions. It is called by the Italians Aralda ; and they have a proverb concerning it : Aralda tutte piaghe salda, A fox-glove cures all sores. PAGE 31. LINE 458. The glossi/ arum folds its ample leaf, Cradling its scarlet fruit tit I autumn flings His brilliant colours on the woodlands deep. Arum maculatum linn. Sp. PL 1370. Cuckow-pini. Early in the spring this flower shows its glossy green leaves ; afterwards it blows ; and in autumn when both 124 leaves and flowers disappear, there remains only a stalk with a club of scarlet berries. Mr. White says " I had remarked, for years that the root of the cuckow-pint (arum) was frequently scratched out of the dry banks of hedges, and eaten in severe snowy weather \ after observing, with some exactness, myself, and getting others to do the same, we found it was the thrush kind that searched it out. The root of the arum is remarkably warm and pungent." Natural History of Selbome, vol. 1. p. 74» PACE 31. LINE 444, Stellaria briglrf Its starry lustre sheds. Stellaria holostea. linn. Sp. PI. 603. Greater StitchworL This flower by its white starry blossoms is very con- spicuous in spring, among old hedge-rows, and entangled dingles. 125 PAGE 31. LINE 445. in azure hue The gay veronica unveils its charms. Veronica Chamaedrys. linn. Sp. PI. 17. Germander Speedwell. In May and June, this little elegant wild-flower graces every verdant bank, and dry woody hedge. When the weather is mild and clear, it expands its blue corolla in all its brilliancy and beauty ; but closes it at night, and also during rain. Though its flower soon dies, yet there is a constant succession. PAGE 32. LINE 461. Herefrom these shades illustrious Slanning rose. Sir Nicholas Slanning Knight, was Governor of Pendennis Castle in Cornwall ; and was the son of Nicholas Slanning, Esq. of Bickleigh. 126 " He spent some time, says Prince, in the University of Oxford, and became a knowing Philosopher : He was well skilled in that pleasant and useful kind of Phi- losophy, caird Mechanical or Experimental. After this, being Heroically disposed, he w r ent into the Low- Countries, at that time the great Academy of Arms, as the other was of Arts : Here he continued a considerable time, until he was become Master of the Art of War ; so that being of a sober and virtuous inclination, he minded his business, and became an excellent soldier ; whereby he was able to attend as well the Crucible as the Cun, and knew how to improve his Time to ad- vantage in his Study, and in the Field also." c< Thus excellently accomplished, he returned into England, and taking the Court in his way home, he receiv'd the Honour of Knighthood from the gracious hand of King Charles I. for whose Cause afterwards he freely sacriiic'd his dearest blood." " In the Year of our Lord 1643, the Loyal Gentry of these Western Parts enter'd into an Association, to serve 127 and assist his Majesty King Charles I. against his violent and unnatural Enemies his own Subjects, then in Arms against him : They met first in a great Body near Pen* dermis in Cornwall, where Sir Nicholas Slanning joined them with the Forces under his command, and were led by the famous Sir Bevil Grenvile ; passing through Devon (when many eminent Persons engaged with them) they marched into Somersetshire. Sir William Waller, the Parliaments General, met them at Lansdbzvn, a little beyond Bath, where intending to break this Western Association, he was beaten out of his Lines, and forced from an high hill, fortified on all sides, after four des- perate Repulses by these Western Heroes. Sir Nicholas Slanning in this Action, is said to have done Wonders, in advancing from Hedge to Hedge, at the head of his Men, in the Mouth of Musquets, and Cannons ; in- somuch they thought him immortal, as indeed he was at that clay, being July the 5th, 1643. The Royalists having thus gained and kept the Field, (though it had 128 cost them very dear, the Lives of many gallant Men) soon after march'd on towards Bristol, and sat dow before that City, then garrison'd by Colonel Fiennes for the Parliament. Prince Rupert the General for tin King fell to work, and so well succeeded, that after three day's Seige he had that important place surrendered into his hands. Sir Nicholas Skinning w r as engaged in thi action also, whose Courage and Resolution carrying him on a little too far, as he made a brave Assault upon the Town, on the 26th of the same Month of July, he was unfortunately slain, to the great Grief of all the Army.' 1 " He was one of these noble Gentlemen, which were called the four Wheels of Charles's Wain, and all slain at^ or near the same place, the same time, and in the same Cause: according to an Ode made on that sad Occasion, at that time, in which they are mentioned thus." " Tli four Wheels, of Charles s Wain, Grenvile, Godolphin, Trevanion, Shinning, slain. " Worthies of Devon, page 5G8. 129 There is a Monument erected to the Memory of his father in Bickleigh Church. He was slain in a duel by Sir John Fitz, near Tavistock, who after he had killed his Antagonist, desperately fell on his own sword and slew himself. These verses are found on the Altar-tomb where Slanning and his Lady lie in effigy. Idem Cadis erat nostra slmul Author et Ultor r Trux Homicidia mei, mox Homicidia suz, Quemj ; hi me primum, mox in se condidit ensem: ! nostrum summi Judicis arbitrium. PAGE 33. LINE 466. But hence, the Cad o'er crags white-flashing roars To meet ^e Plym, The Cad is a rocky river rushing down under a craggy eminence, which is called by the natives Dewerstone, or Dewerson: the river Plym unites with it at the romantic bridge of Shaugh, and thence roars down the vale in a succession of fine falls. K 130 * c Baxter f derives Plym from Pilim, which in the Erse, or old Scotobrigantine Irish, he says, still signifies •solvere, to roll ; auci thinks the Pilais of the anonymous Rcrcennas should be written Pilmisisc, i.e. convokens aqua, the rolling water ; denoting the impetuosity of its current ." Chappie's Review of Risdon's Devon. *Bast. Gl.p. 196, on A FRIEND's RETREAT. PACE 44. LINE 35, For peace, Vespasian lotfdhis simple seat, fyc. 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