'Erewhile no shepherd to these woods retir'd, Cheer'd by the sun, HE DESCRIBES HIS VISION TO AN ACQUAINTANCE. Cætera per terras omnes animalia, &c. All animals beside, o'er all the earth, &c. VIRG. ON distant heaths, beneath autumnal skies, While the rude storm alone distress'd mine ear. As led by Orwell's winding banks I stray'd, Where towering Wolsey breath'd his native air, A sudden lustre chas'd the flitting shade, The sounding winds were hush'd, and all was fair. Instant a grateful form appear'd confest ; White were his locks, with awful scarlet crown'd, And livelier far than Tyrian seem'd his vest, That with the glowing purple ting'd the ground. Stranger!' he said,' amid this pealing rain, Benighted, lonesome, whither wouldst thou stray? Does wealth or pow'r thy weary step constrain? Reveal thy wish, and let me point the way. For know, I trod the trophied paths of pow'r, Felt every joy that fair Ambition brings, And left the lonely roof of yonder bow'r To stand beneath the canopies of kings. 'I bade low hinds the towering ardour share, Nor meanly rose to bless myself alone; I snatch'd the shepherd from his fleecy care, And bade his wholesome dictate guard the throne. 'Low at my feet the suppliant peer I saw; I saw proud empires my decision wait; My will was duty, and my word was law, My smile was transport, and my frown was fate.' 'Ah me!' said I, nor pow'r I seek, nor gain; Nor urg'd by hope of fame these toils endure; A simple youth, that feels a lover's pain, And from his friend's condolence hopes a cure. He, the dear youth! to whose abodes I roam, Nor can mine honours nor my fields extend; Yet for his sake I leave my distant home, Which oaks embosom, and which hills defend. 'Beneath that home I scorn the wintry wind; The Spring, to shade me, robes her fairest tree; And if a friend my grass-grown threshold find, O how my lonely cot resounds with glee! 'Yet, though averse to gold in heaps amass'd, 'Too proud with servile tone to deign address; Or Falsehood's treacherous foot beset the way? Say, should I pass through Favour's crowded gate, Must not fair Truth inglorious wait behind? Whilst I approach the glittering scenes of state, My best companion no admittance find? 'Nurs'd in the shades by Freedom's lenient care, Shall I the rigid sway of Fortune own? Taught by the voice of pious Truth, prepare To spurn an altar, and adore a throne? And when proud Fortune's ebbing tide recedes, And when it leaves me no unshaken friend, Shall I not weep that e'er I left the meads, Which oaks embosom, and which hills defend? "Oh! if these ills the price of pow'r advance, Check not my speed where social joys invite!' The troubled vision cast a mournful glance, And, sighing, vanish'd in the shades of night. Ан me! what envious magic thins my föld? To guide his doubtful step, has more to fear. Nor could my G― mistake the critic's laws, Till pious Friendship mark'd the pleasing way: Welcome such error! ever bless'd the cause! Ev'n though it led me boundless leagues astray. Youth's gentle kindred, Health and Love, were met; YOL. I. 1 Written after the death of Mr. Pope, Thou know'st how transport thrills the tender breast Where Love and Fancy fix their opening reign; How Nature shines, in livelier colours drest, To bless their union, and to grace their train. So first when Phoebus met the Cyprian queen, And favour'dRhodes beheld their passion crown'd, Unusual flowers enrich'd the painted green, And swift spontaneous roses blush'd around. Now sadly lorn, from Twit'nam's widow'd bow'r The drooping Muses take their casual way, And where they stop a flood of tears they pour, And where they weep no more the fields are gay. Where is the dappled pink, the sprightly rose? The cowslip's golden cup no more I see : Dark and discolour'd every flow'r that blows, To form the garland, Elegy! for thee Enough of tears has wept the virtuous dead; Ah! might we now the pious rage control! 2 Alludes to what is reported of the bay-tree, that if it is planted too near the walls of an edifice, its roots will work their way underneath, till they destroy the foundation. |