HANDBOUND AT THE
J*!_
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS
THE
WORKS
OF T PI E
ENGLISH POETS.
WITH
PREFACES,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL,
BY SAMUEL JOHNSON.
VOLUME THE SEVENTY-SECOND.
UBESai
V.
LONDON: > \ J ^/i
^ \^ \ b
ysi^TED BY M. BROWNJ (\ '
fCB J. Bt?CKLA>."D, J. BIVINGTON AND SONS, T. PAfNE AND SJNt, L. OAV:S, B. V.HITE AND SON, T. LCKCh.'AN, B. LA\V, J. DoDSLEY, H. BALDWIN, J. ROBSON, C. DILLY, T. CADELL, J. MCKOLI, J. JCHNSON, C. C. J. AND J, ROBINSON, ?. BAtl-'AIN, H. L. GARDNER, P. EL.NULY, T. EVANS, C. NICOL, LEIGH AND SCTritKY, J. BEW, N. CON ANT, J. MURRAY, J. SEWELL, \> . GOLDSMITH, W. RICHARDSON, T. VKkNcR, W. LCWNDEi, W. PENT, W. OTKIDGE, T. AND J. ECrP.TON, S. HAYES, ?. FAWLDEH, J. EDWARDS, C. AND T. V.ILKIE, W. NICOLL, CGII.VY AND 8PEAf,E, SCATCHIRU AN J 'rtiUTAXlS, \V, rOX, C SlAi-KXR, E. N£',VBk.RV» J7yO,
y
w
THE
SEVENTY-SECOND VOLUME
OF THE
ENGLISH POETS;
CONTAINING
JOHNSON,
AND
PART OF W. WHITEHEAD.
Vol. LXXII,
THE
POEMS
a p
SAMUEL JOHNSON, L.L.D.
Vol. LXXII. B
t 3 1
Dr. J O H N S O N's
OEMS.
LONDON: A POEM-
IN IMITATION OF THE
THIRD SATIRE OF JUVENAL, i-ji^.
•Quis ineptas Tam padens urbis, tarn ferreus ut teneat fe ?'
Juv.
^ 'TpHO' grief and fondnoTs in ray bread rebel,
■*• When injur'd Thales bids the town farewel. Yet Hill my calmer thoughts his choice commend, I praife the hermit, but regret the friend, Refolv'd at length, from vice and London far. To breathe in diilant fields a purer air,
JUV. Sat. III.
* Qyamvis dlgreffa veteris confufus amici ; Laudo, tatnen, vacuis quod fedem figere Cumia Deftinet, accjue unum civem donare Sibyllas,
B 2 Andj
4- JOHNSON'S POEMS.
And, fix'd on Cambria's folitary fhoie. Give to St. David one true Briton more.
^ For who wou'd leave, unbrib'd, Hibernja's land. Or change the rocks of Scotland for the Strand ? There none are fvvept by fudden fate away. But all whom hunger fpares, with age decay : Here malice, rapine, accident, confpire. And now a rabble rages, now a fire ; Their ambufh here relentlefs ruffians lay. And here the fell attorney prowls for prey ; Here falling houfes thunder on your head. And here a female atheill: talks you dead.
^ While TjHALEs waits the wherry that contains Of diffipated wealth th-j fmall remains. On Thames*s banks, in filent thought we flood. Where Greenwich fmiles upon the filver flood j Struck with the feat that gave Eliza * birth. We kneel, and kifs the confecrated earth i I.i pleafmj dreams the blifsful age renew. And call Britannia's glories back to view ; Eshold her crofs triumphant on the main. The guard of commerce, and the dread of Spain,
b _
•Egr> vel Prochytam praepono Suburrs?,
Nam quid tam miferum, tam folum vidimus, ut non Detfciius credas horrere incra^Ja, lapfus Tediorum ailiduos, et miile pericula farvae Urbis, & Augiilto recicantes menfe poetas ?
c Sed, dum tota domusrhedi componltur una, Subftitit ad veteres arcus. —— — ~
* Queen Elizabeth, born at Greenwich.
Ere
LONDON: APOEM* 5
F.re mafquerades debauch'd, cxcife opprefs'd. Or Englilh honour grew a Handing jell.
A tranfient calm the happy fcenes beilow. And for a moment lull the lenfe of woe. At length awaking, with contemptuous frown, Indignant Thales eyes the neighb'ring town.
** Since worth, he cries, in thefe degen'rate diys Wants ev'n the cheap reward of empty praife ; In thofe curs'd walls, devote to vice and gain. Since unrewarded fcience toils in vain ; Since hope but fooths to double my diftrefs. And ev'ry moment leaves my little lefs ; While yet my fteady fteps no ^ ftafFfullains, And life Hill vig'rous revels in my veins ; Grant me, kind heaven, to find fome happier place. Where honefty and fenfe are no difgrace ; Some pleafing bank where verdant oilers play. Some peaceful vale with nature's paintings gay ; Where once the harafs'd Briton found repofe. And fafe in poverty defy'd his foes ; Some fecret cell, ye pow'rs, indulgent give, ^ Let — — live here, for has leara'd to live.
d Hie tunc Umbricius : Quando artlbus, Inqiiit, honeflis Nullus in urbe locus, nulla emolumenta laborum. Res hodle minor eft, heri quani fuit, aroue eadem eras Deteret exlguis aliquid : proponimus illuc Jre, fatigatas ubi Daedalus exuit alasj Dun!i ncva canities »
e ■■ et pedibus ms
Porto rneis, nuUo dextram fubeunte bac'Uo.
f Cedamus patria : vivant Arturius iftic F.t, Catulus : raaneant qui nigrum in Candida vcrtUTt,
B ^ Here
6 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Here let thofe reign, whom penfions can incite To vote a patriot black, a courtier white ; Explain their country's dear-bought rights away^ And plead for * pirates in the face of day ; With flavifh tenets taint our poifon'd youth. And lend a lie the confidence of truth.
s Let fuch raife palaces, and manors buy, CoUeft a tax, or farm a lottery ; With warbling eunuchs fill our f filenc'd flage,^ And lull to fervitade a thoughtlefs age.
Heroes, proceed'! what bounds your pride fhall hold ? What check refcrain your thirll of pow'r and gold ? Behold rebellious \drtue quite o'erthrown. Behold our fame, our wealth, our lives your own.
To fuch, the plunder of a land is giv'n. When publick crimes inflame the wrath of heav'n : ^ But what, my friend, what hope remains for me. Who flart at theft, and blufh at perjury ? Who fcarce forbear, tho' Britain's court he fing. To pluck a titled poet's borrow'd wing ;
g Quels facile eft aedem conducere, flumina, portusj Siccandam eluviem, portandum ad bufta cadaver.— JVlunera nunc edunt.
h Quid Romae faciam ? mentiri nefcio : llbrurrij Si maius eft, nequeo laudare & pofcere,—
* The invafions of the Spaniards were defended in the houfes of purliament,
■\ The licenfing a<^ was then lately made.
A ftatef-
LONDON: A POEM. 7 -
A ftatefman's logick unconvinc'd can hear. And dare to /lumber o'er the * Gazetteer j Defpife a fool in half his penfion drefs'd> And ftrive in vain to laugh at Clodio's jeft.
^ Others with fofter fmiles, and fubtler art. Can fap the principles, or taint the heart ; With more addrefs a lover's note convey. Or bribe a virgin's innocence away. Well may they rife, while I, whofe ruftick tongue Ne'er knew to puzzle right, or varnifh wrong, Spurn'd as a beggar, dreaded as a fpy. Live unregarded, unlamented die.
^ For what but focial guik the friend endears ? Who fhares Orgilio's crimes, his fortune ihares. ^ But thou, Ihould tempting villany prefent All Marlb'rough hoarded, or all Villiers fpent. Turn from the glitt'ring bribe thy fcornful eye. Nor fell for gold, what gold could never buy. The peaceful llumber, felf-approving day, Unfullied fame, and'Conlcience ever gay.
i — — Ferre ad nuptas quae mittlt adulter. Quae mandat norlnt alii ; me nemo miniftro Fur erit, atque ideo nulli comes exeo.
^ Quis nunc diiigitur nifi confcius ? - Carus erit Verri, qui Verrem tempore, quo vult> Accufare potetl:.
I Tanti tlbi non fit opaci
Omnis arena Tagi, quodque in mare volvltur aurum, Ut fomno careas.
* The paper which at that time contained apologies for the court,
B 4 The
t J OHN SON'S POEMS*
»" The cheated nation's happy favVites, fee ! Mark whom the great carefs, who frown on mc t London ! the needy villain's gen'ral home. The common-fewer of Paris, and of Rome ; With eager thirft, by folly or by fate. Sucks in the dregs of each corrupted ftate. Forgive my tranfports on a theme like this, " I cannot bear a French metropolis.
** Illuftrious Edward I from the realms of day. The land of heroes and of faints furvey ; Nor hope tlie Britifh lineaments to trace. The ruftick grandeur, or the furly grace. But loft in thoughtlefs eafe, and empty fhow. Behold the warrior dwindled to a beau ; Senfe, freedom, piety, refin'd away. Of France the mimick, and of Spain the prey.
All that at home no more can beg or fteal. Or like a gibbet better than a wheel ; Kifs'd from the ftage, or hooted from the court;, Their air, their drefs, their politicks import ; F" Obfequious, artful, voluble and gay. On Britain's fond credulity they prey.
m Quae nunc divitibus gens acceptiffima noftrls, Et quos praecipue fugiam, properabo fateri.
n - ' Non poflTum ferre, Qu'rites, Graecam urbem.
o Rufticus il!e tuus fumit trechedipna, Quirlnej Et ceron^atico fert niceteria coUo.
F Ingeaium velox, audacia perdlta, fermo FtompCus..— — —
No
LONDON: APOEM, 9
No gainful trade their induftry can Tcape,
s They fing, they dance, clean Ihoes, or cure a clap :
All fciences a fafring Monfieur knows.
And bid him go to hell, to hell he goes.
r Ah ! what avails it, that, from flav'ry far, I drew the breath of life in Englifli air ; Was early taught a Briton's right to prize. And lifp the tale of Henry's viiflories ; If the gull'd conqueror receives the chain. And flattery prevails when arms are vain ?
• Studious to pleafe, and ready to fubmit. The fupple Gaul was born a parafite : Sail to his int'reft true, where'er he goes. Wit, brav'ry, worth, his lavifh tongue bellows ; In ev'ry face a thcufand graces fhine. From ev'ry tongue flows harmony divine. ^ Thefe arts in vain our rugged natives try. Strain out with fault'ring diffidence a lie, And get a kicli for aukward flattery.
Befides, with juilice, this difcerning age Admu-es their won'drous talents for the flage :
q Augur, fchoenobates, medlcus, magus: omnia novit, Graeculus efariens, in coelum, juflferis, ibit.
r Ufque aieo nihil e.1, quod noftra infantia ccelum Haufit Avendni ? ■•■ ♦
• Q^id ? quod adulandi g?ns prudentifiima, laudat Sermonem indocti, faciem deformls amici ?
t Hsc eadem licet 3c nobis iaudaie ; fed illis Creditur.— — — — •
WeU
,o JOHNSON'S POEMS.
^ Well may they venture on the mimick's art, Who play from morn to night a borrow'd part ; Praftis'd their mailer's notions to embrace. Repeat his maxims, and refled: his face ; With ev'ry wild abfurdity comply. And view each objeift with another's eye ; To fiiake with laughter ere the jeil they hear. To pour at will the counterfeited tear ; And as their patron hints the cold or heat. To fnake in dog-days, in December fweat.
^^ How, when competitors like thefe contend. Can furly virtue hope to fix a friend ? Slaves that with ferious impudence beguile. And lie without a blulli, without a fmile ; Exalt each trifle, ev'ry vice adore. Your tafle in fnuff, your judgment in a whore; Can Balbo's eloquence applaud, and fwear He gropes his breeches with a monarch's air.
For arts like thefe preferr'd, admir'd, carefs'd. They iirll invade your table, then your breall j * Explore, your fecrets with infidious ait. Watch the weak hour, and ranfack all the heart 5
u Katio como?da eft. Rides ? majore cachinno Concutltur, Sec.
w Non fumus ergo pares : mellcr, qui femper & omni Node dieque poteft aiienum fumeie vultum, A facie jactare manus : laudare pararus. Si bene ruftavit, fi redlum niinxit amicus m
^ Scire volunt fecreta domu?, at<iue inde timeri.
Then
LONDON: APOEM. tj,
Then foon your ill-plac'd confidence repay. Commence your lords, and govern or betray.
y By numbers here from fhame or cenfure (rte. All crimes are ialQ but hated poverty. This, only this, the rigid law purfues. This, only this, provokes the fnarling mufe. The fober trader at a tatter'd cloak. Wakes from his dream, and labours for a joke ; With briiker air the filken courtiers gaze. And turn die varied taunt a thoufand ways. » Of all the griefs that harafs the diflrefs'd ; Sure the moil bitter is a fcornful jeft ; Fate never wounds more deep the gen'rous heartj, Than when a blockhead's infult points the dart.
'* Has heaven referv'd, in pity to the poor. No pathlefs wafte, or undifcover'd fhore ? No fecret ifland in the boundlefs main ? No peaceful defert yet unclaim'd * by Spain ? Quick let us rife> the happy feats explore. And bear oppreliion's iniblence no more.
7 Mate n em przebet caufafque jocomm
Omnibus hie idem ? fi fcja & fcifla lacerna, &c»
« Nil habet infelix paupertas durius in fe, Qu^am quod ridiculos homines facie
■Agmine fadlo.
Debuerant olim tenues migrafie Qu'rltes.
* The Spaniards at tills tims were faid to make claim to fome-of tur American provinces.
This
i» JOHNSON'S POEMS.
This moui-nful truth is ev'ry where confefs'd, ^ Slow rises worth, by poverty depressed: But here more flow, where all are flaves to gold. Where looks are merchandife, and fmiles are fold ; Where won by bribes, by flatteries implor'd. The groom retails the favours of his lord.
But hark ! th' affrighted crowd's tumultuous cries Roll through the fl;reets, and thunder to the fkies : Rais'd from fome pleaflng dream of wealth and pow'r. Some pompous palace, or fome blifsful bow'r, Aghaft you ftart, and fcarce with aching fight Suflain the approaching fire's tremendous light ; Swift from purfuing horrors take your way. And leave your little all to flames a prey; c Then thro' the world a wretched vagrant roam. For where can fl:arving merit find a home ? In vain your mournful narrative difclofe. While all negled, and mofl: infult your woes. "^ Should heaven's juft; bolts Orgiiio's wealth confound. And fpread his flaming palace on the ground,
b Haud facile emergunt, quorum vlrtutibus obftat Res angiifta domi, fed Romae durlor illis Conatus,— — — —
Cum prciio.
■Omnia Romae
Coginnur, & cultis augere peculia fervls.
c Ultimus autsm
i^rumna* cumulus, quod nudum, & fruftra rogantem Nemo ciboj nemo hofpitio, tedtoque juvabir.
d Si magna Afturici cecidit domus, horrlda mater, Pullat; proceres.
Swift
LONDON: APOEM. ij
Swift o'er the land the difmal rumour flies. And publick mournings pacify the fides ; The laureat tiibe in venal verfe relate. How virtue wars with perfecuting fate ; ^ With well-feign'd gratitude the peniion'd band Refund the plunder of the beggar'd land. See ! while he builds, the gaudy vaflals come. And crowd with fudden wealth the rifmg dome ; The price of boroughs and of fouls reftore ; And raife his treafures higher than before : Now blefs'd with all the baubles of the great. The polilh'd marble, and the Ihining plate, ^ Orgilio fees the golden pile afpire. And hopes from angry heav'n another fire.
g Could 'ft thou refign the park and play content. For the fair banks of Severn or of Trent ; There might'ft thou find fome elegant retreat. Some hireling fenator's defcrted feat ; And ftretch thy profpefts o'er the fmiling land,^ For lefs than rent the dungeons of the Strand ;
e Jam accurrit, qui marmora donet,
Conferat impenfas : hie, Sec. Hie modium argenti.
^ Meliora, ac plura reponit
Perficus orborum lautiflimus.
g Si potes avelH Circenfibus, optima Sorae, Aut Fabretariae domus, aut Fufinone paratur, Quanti nunc tenebras unum conducis in annum. Hortulus hie.
Vive bidentis amans, & cult! villicus horti, Unde epulum pofljs centum dare Fythagoreis.
There
ki JOHNSON'S POEMS.
There prune thy walks, fupport thy drooping flowers,
Dire<5l thy rivulets, and twine thy bow'rs ;
And, while thy grounds a cheap repaft afford,
Defpife the dainties of a venal lord :
There ev'ry bulh with nature's muficlc rings.
There ev'ry breeze bears health upon its wings ;
On all thy hours fecurity (hall fmile.
And blefs thine evening walk and morning toil.
^ Prepare for death if here at night you roam. And fign your will before you fup from home. * Some fiery fop, uith new conmiiilion vain. Who fleeps on brambles till he kills his man ; Some frolick drunkard, reeling from a feaft. Provokes a b oil, and llabs you for a jeft. ^ Yet ev'n thefe heroes, mifchievoufly gay. Lords of the ftreet, and terrors of the way ; Flufh'd as they are with folly, youth, and wine. Their prudent infults to the poor confine ; Afar they mark the flambeau's bright approach. And fhun the Ihining train, and golden coach.
fe ■ Poflis Ignavus haberi.
Et fubiti cafus improvidus, ad oenana fi Intelhtus eas.
i Ebrlus et petulans, qui nullum forte cecldit, Dat poeiias, noftem patitur lugentis amicuna Peleidae. — — — —
t Bed, quamvis improbus annls,
Atque mero fervens, cavet hunc, quern coccina laena Vitari jubet, ec comitum longlfTinous ordo, Muhum praeterea iiaauiurum, at-^ue snea ianipas.
In
LONDON: APOEM. 15
1 In vaiii thefe dangers pad, your doors you clofe. And hope the balmy bleflings of repofe : Cruel with guilt, and daring with defpair. The midnight murd'rer burfts the faithlcfs bar ; Invades the facred hour of filent reft. And leaves, unfeen, a dagger in your breaft.
»" Scarce can our fields, fuch crowds at Tyburn die, Wiih hemp the gallows and the fieet fupply. Propofe your fchemes, ye fenatorian band, Whofe * ways and means fupport the finking land ; Left ropes be wanting in the tempting fpring. To rig another convoy for the king f .
" A fmgle gaol, in Alfred's golden reign. Could half the nation's criminals contain ; Fair Juftice then, without conftraint ador'd. Held high the fteady fcale, but fheath'd the fword ; No fpies were paid, no fpecial juries known, Bleft age ! but ah ! how diiF'rent from our own I
1 Nee tamen hoc tantum metuas : nam qui fpoliet te Non deerlt : claufis domibus, c'cc.
ni Maximus in vinclis ferri modus j ut timeas, ne Vomer deficiat, ne marrae et farcula defint.
n Felices proavorum atavos, felicia dicas Secula, quae quondam fub regibus atque tribunis Viderunt uno contentam carcere Romara.
* A cant term in the houfe of commons for methods of xalfing money.
•j- The nation was difcontented at the vlfits made by the king to Hanovert
Much
»« JOHNSON'S POEMS.
° Much coiild I add, — but fee the boat at hand. The tide retiring, calls me from the land : P Farewell ! — When youth, and health, and fortune
fpent. Thou fl>'ft for refufe to the wilds of Kent; And tir'd like me with follies and with crimes. In angry numbers warn'ft fucceeding times ; Then Ihall thy friend, nor thou refufe his aid, •Still foe to vice, forfake his Cambrian fhade ; In virtue's caufe once more exert his rage. Thy fa tire point, and animate thy page.
o His aljas poteram, Sc pluries fubnedlere caufxs : SeJ jumenU vacant. ■
Ergo vale noftri memor : & quoties tc
Roma tuo refici properantem reddet Aquino, Me quoque ad Eleufinam Cererem, veflramque Dianam Convelle a Cumis : fatirarum ego, ni pudet illas, Adj^tor gelidos veniam caJigatus in agros.
THB
[ 17 ] THE
VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES,
IN IMITATION OF THE
TENTH SATIRE OF JUVENAL.
T E T * obfervation with extenflve view, ■*— ' Survey mankind, from China to Peru ; Remark each anxious toil, each eager ftrife. And watch the bufy fcenes of crowded life ; Then fay how hope and fear, defire and hate, O'erfpread with fnares the clouded maze of fate. Where wav'ring man, betray'd by vent'rous pride. To tread the drear}' paths without a guide ; As treach'rous phantoms in the mift delude. Shuns fancied ills, or chafes airy good. How rarely reafon guides the ftubborn choice. Rules the bold hand, or prompts the fuppliant voice. How nations fink, by darling fchem.es opprefs'd. When vengeance liftens to the fool's requeft. Fate wings with ev'ry wifh th' afHitflive cart. Each gift of nature, and each grace of art. With fatal heat impetuous courage glows. With fatal fvveemefs elocution flows,
• Ver. I — II. Vol. LXXII. C But
j8 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Jmpeachment flops the fpeaker's pow'rful breath. And refllefs fire precipitates on death.
* But fcarce obferv'd, the knowing and the bold. Fall in the gen'ral mafTacre of gold ; Wide-wafting pcft ! that rages unconfin'd, And crowds with crimes the records of mankind , For gold his fword the hireling ruffian draws, P'or gold the hireling judge diilorts the laws ; Wealth heap'd on wealth, nor truth nor fafety buys. The dangers gather as the treafures rife.
Let hift'ry tell where rival kings command. And dubious dtle fnakes the madded land. When ftatutes glean the refufe of tiie fword. How much more fafe the vafTal than the lord ; Low fculks the hind beneath the rage of pow'r. And leaves the wealthy traitor in the Tow'r, Untouch'd his cottage, and his {lumbers found, Tho' confifcation's vultures hover round.
The needy traveller, ferene and gay. Walks the wild heath, and fmgs his toil away. Does envy feize thee r crulh th' upbraiding joy, Increafe his riches and his peace deftroy. Now fears in dire vicilfitude invade. The ruftling brake alarms, and quiv'ring Ihade, Nor light nor darknefs bring his pain relief. One fhews the plunder, and one hides the thief.
Yet f ftill one gen'ral cry the fides aflails. And gain and grandeur load the tainted gales ;
• Ver, I2~a2. f Vcr, 3-3—27.
Few
THE VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES. 19
Few know the toiling Ilatefman's fear or care, Th' iiifidious rival and the gaping heir.
Once * more, Democritus, arife on earth. With cheerful wifJom and infti-uvTlive mirth. See motley life in modern trappings drefs'd. And feed with varied fools th' eternal jeft : Thou who couldll laugh where want enchain'd caprice, Toil crufh'd conceit, and man was of a piece ; Where wealth unlov'd without a mourner dy'd ; And fcarce a fycophant was fed by pride ; Where ne'er was known the form of mock debate. Or feen a new-made mayor's unwieldy flate ; Where change of fav 'rites made no change of laws. And fenates heard before they judg'd a caufe ; How wouldft thou ihake at Britain's modilh tribe, Dait the quick taunt, and edge the piercing gibe ? Attentive truth and nature to defer}-. And pierce each fcene with philofophick e}-c. To thee were folemn toys or empty fnow. The robes of pleafure and the veils of woe : Ail aid the farce, and all thy mirth maintain, Whofe joys are caufelefs, or whofe griefs are vain.
Such was the fcorn that fill'd the fage*s mind, Renew'd at every glance on human kind ; How jufl that fcorn ere yet thy voice declare. Search every flate, and canvafs ev'ry pray'r.
f Unnumber'd fuppliants crowd Preferment's gate, A thirrt for wealth, and burning to be great;
* Ver. 28—55, t Ver. 56 — 107.
C 2 Delu-
^ JOHNSON'S POEM 5.
Delufive Fortune hears th* inceflant call. They mount, they ihine, evaporate, and fall. On ev'ry ftage the foes of peace attend. Hate dogs their flight, and infult mocks their encL Love ends with hope, the fmking ftatefman's door Pours in the morning worl"hipper no more; For growing names the weekly fcribbler lies. To growing wealth the dedicator flies ; From ev'ry room defcends the painted face. That hung the bright palladium of the place,. And fmoak'd in kitchens, or in auftions fold. To better features yields the frame of gold ; For now no more v/e trace in ev'ry line Heroick worth, benevolence divine : The form diftorted jullifies the fall. And deteftation rids th' indignant wall.
But will not Britain hear the laft appeal. Sign her foes doom, or guard her fav'rites zeal? Thro'' Freedom's fons no more remonftrance rings. Degrading nobles and controuling kings ; Our flipple tribes reprefs their patriot throats. And a^ no queftions bat the price of votes > 'U''ith weekly libels and feptennial ale. Their willi is full to riot and to rail.
In full-blown dignity, fee Wolfey fl:and'. Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand : To him the church, the realm, their pow'rs conflgn. Thro' him the rays of regal bounty fliine, Turn'd by his nod the flream of honour flows, His fmile alone fecurity bellows :
Siill
THE VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES. a,
Still to new heights his reftlefs wiihes tow'r ; Claim leads to claim, and pow'r advances pow'r; Till conqueft unrefiHed ceas'd to pleafe. And rights fubmitted, left him noae to feize. At length his fov'reign frowns — the train of ftate Mark the keen glance, and watch the iign to hate. Where-e'er he turns he meets a Granger's eye. His fuppliants fcorn him, xind his followers fly; Now drops at once the pride of awful Hate, The golden canopy, the glitt'ring plate. The regal palace, the luxurious board. The liv'ried army, and the menial lord. With age, with cares, with maladies opprefs'd. He feeks the refuge of monallick rell. Grief aids difeafe, remember'd folly ilings. And his laft fighs reproach the faith of kings.
Speak thou, whofe thoughts at humble peace repine^ Shall Wolfey's wealth, with WoHey's end be thine f Or liv'ft thou now, with fafer pride content. The wifeft juftice on the banks of Trent ? For why did Wolfey near the fteeps of fate. On weak foundations raiie th' enormous weight ? Why but to fmk beneath misfortune's blow, Wich louder ruin to the gulphs below ?
What * gave great Villiers to th' aifafTin's knife. And fix'd difeafe on Harley's doling life ? What murder'd Wentwortb, and what exil'd Hyde, By kings protected, and to kings ally'd ?
* Ver, ic8— 113*
C 3 What
li JOHNSON'S POEMS.
What but their wifh indulg'd in courts to fhine. And pow'r too great to keep, or to refign ?
When * firrt the college rolls receive his name. The young enthufiafl quits his eafe for fame ; Refirtlefs burns the fever of renown. Caught from the ftrong contagion of the gown : O'er Bodlcy's dome his future labours fpread. And f Bacon's manfion trembles o'er his head. Are thefe thy views ? proceed, illulirious youth, A^nd Virtue guard thee to the throne of Truth 1 Yet fhould thy foul indulge the gen'rous heat. Till captive Science yields her lail retreat ; Should Reafon guide thee with her brightefl: ray. And pour on miity Doubt refilllefs day ; Should no falfe kindnefs lure to locfe delight. Nor praife relax, nor diificuky fright ; Should tempting Novelty thy cell refrain. And Sloth eiFufe her opiate fumes in vain ; Should Beauty blunt on fops her fatal dart. Nor claim the triumph of a ktter'd heart ; Should no Difeafe thy torpid veins invade. Nor Melancholy's phantoms haunt thy fliade ; Yet hope not life from grief or danger free. Nor think the doom of man revers'd for thee : Deign on the pafTing world to turn thine eyes. And paufe a while from learning, to be wife ;
* Ver. ! 14 — I 32.
* There Is a tradilion, that the ftudy of friar Bacon, built on an arch over the biiJ^jC, will fall, when a va^^ greater liian Bacon fiiall pafs under it.
There
TPIE VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES. ^i
There mark what ills the fcholar's life aflail, Toili envy, want, the patron, and the jail. See naiions flov/ly wife, and meanly juft. To buiied merit raife tlie tardy buft. If dreams yet flatter, once again attend. Hear Lydiat's life *, and Galileo's end.
Nor deem, when Learning her lail prize beftovvs. The glitt'ring eminence exempt from foes ; See when the vulgar 'fcapes, defpis'd or aw'd. Rebellion's vengeful talon5 feize on Laud. From meaner minds, tho' fmaller fiaes content The plunder'd palace or fequefter'd rent ; Mark'd cat by dangVous parts he meets the fhock, Aud fatal Learnirp- leads him to the block : Around his tomb let An and Genius Vv'eep, But hear his death, ye blockheads, hear and fleep.
* A very learned divine and mathematician, fellow of Ke'.v Col- lege Oxford, and rcdlor of Okerton near Banbury. Ke wrote, among many others, a Latin Trealife De Natura Cell, Sec. in which he attacked the fentiments of Scaliger and Ariftode; not bearing to hear it urged that fome th-ngs are true in philofophy and falfe in divinity. He made above fix hundred fermnns on the harmony of the Evangelifts. Beir.g unfuccefsful in publ.fhing his works, he lay in the prifon of Bocardo at Oxford, and the king's-bench 5 till bi- fliop Uiher, Dr. Laud, Sir W.liiam Bjfwell, and Dr. Pink, re'.eafed him by pay'ng his debts. Hz petitioned King Charles I, to be fenc into Eihiopia, 'cc. to procure MS3. Hav'ng fpoke in favour of monarchy and bifhop"=, he was plundered by the parliament forces, and twice carried away prlfoner from his rectoiy ; and afterwards had jiot a ihirt to Hiif: h m in three months, without he borrowed it, and died very poor in 1646,
C ± The
24 J OHNS ON's POEMS.
The * feflaJ blazes, the triumphal ihow. The ravilTi'd llandard, and the captive foe. The fenate's thanks, the gazette's pompous tale. With force refilllefs o'er the brave prevail. Such bribes the rapid Greek o'er Afia whirl'd. For fuch the lleady Romans (hook the world j For fuch in diftant lands the Britons fhine. And Hain with blood the Danube or the Rhine ; This pow'r has praife, that virtue fcarce can warm. Till fame fupplies the univerfal charm. Yet Reafon frowns on War's unequal game. Where walled nations raife a fmgle name. And mortgag'd ftates their grandfires wreaths regret. From age to age in everlafting debt ; Wreaths which at lail the dear-bought right convey To rufl on medals, or on ftones decay.
On I what foundation flands the warrior's pride, Kow juft his hopes let Svvedifli Charles decide ; A frame of adamant, a foul of fire. No dangers fright him, and no labours tire ; O'er love, o'er fear, extends his wide domain, Unconquer'd lord of pleafure and of pain ; No joys to him pacifick fcepters yield. War founds the trump, he rufhes to the field ; Behold furrounding kings their pow'r combine. And one capitulate, and one refign ; peace courts his hand, but fpreads her charms in vain ; *' Think nothing gain'd, he cries, till nought remain,
* Ver. 133 — 146. -f Ver. 147 — 167.
" On
THE VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES. %$
" On Mofcow's walls till Gothick ftandards fty,
** And all be mine beneath the polar fky.'*
The march begins in military ftate.
And nations on his eye fufpendsd wait ;
Stern Famine guard:, the folitary coalt.
And Winter barricades the realms of FioR ;
He comes, nor want nor cold his courfe delay ;— .
Hide, blufhing Glory, hide Pultowa's day :
The vanquilh'd hero leaves his broken bands.
And (hews his miferies in diflant lands ;
Condemn'd a needy lupplicant to wait.
While ladies interpofe, and flaves debate.
But did not Chance at length her error mend ?
Did no fubverted empire mark his end ?
Did rival monarchs give the fatal wound ?
Or hoftile miliions prefs him to the ground ?
His fall was deftin'd to a barren ftrand,
A petty fortrefs, and a dubious hand ;
He left the name, at which the world grew pale.
To point a moral, or adorn a tale.
All * times their fcenes of pompous woes afford. From Perfia's tyrant, to Bavaria's lord. In gay hoftility, and barb'rous pride. With half mankind embattled at his fide. Great Xerxes comes to feize the certain prey. And ftarves exhaufted regions in his way ; Attendant Flatt'ry counts his myriads o'er, 7'ill counted myriads Ibcth his pride no more j
• Ver. 168-187,
JFrefh
i6 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Frefli praife is try'd till madnefs fires his mind.
The waves he lalhe^, and enchains the wind ;
New pow'rs are ciaim'd, new pow'rs are idll beflow'd.
Till rude refillance lops the fpreading god ;
The daring Greeks deride tne rnartiai Inow,
And heap their vallies with the gaudy foe ;
Th' infuited fea with humbler thougnts he gains,
A iingle rk.ifr to fpeed his flight remains ;
Th' incumber'd oar fcarce leaves the dreaded coafl
Through purple billows and a floating hoft.
The bold Bavarian, in a luckiefs hour. Tries the dread fummits of Caefarean pow'r. With unexpeded legions burfts away. And fees defencelefs realms receive liis Avay ; Short fway ! fair Aullria fpreads her mournful charms. The queen, the beauty, fcts the world in arms ; From hill to liill the beacons roufinp^ blaze
O
Spreads wide the hope of plunder and of praife;
The fierce Croation, and the v/ild Huflar,
Vv'ith all the fons of ravage crowd the war ;
The bafRed prince in honour's flatt'ring bloom
Of hally greatnefs finds the fatal doom.
His foes derifion, and ah fubjc6ls blame.
And Heals to death from anguiih and from fliame.
Enlarge * my life with multitude of days. In health, in ficknefs, thus the fuppliant prays ; Hides from himfelf his flate, and ftiuns to know. That lite protracted, is protraded woe.
• Ver. 1S8-2S8.
Time
THE VANITY OF HUxMAN WISHES. ^^
Time hovers o'er, impatient to deflroy.
And (huts up all the pafTages of joy :
In vain their gifts the bounteous feafons pour.
The fruit autumnal, and the vernal flow'r.
With liftlefs eyes the dotard views the {lore.
He views, and wonders that they pleafe no more ;
Now pail the taftelefs meats, and joylefs wines.
And Luxury with fighs her Have refjgns.
Approach, ye minftrels, try the fcothing ilrain,
DifFufe the tuneful lenitives of pain :
No founds, alas ! would touch th' impervious ear.
Though dancing mountains v.itnefs'd Orpheus near ;
Nor lute nor lyre his feeble pow'rs attend.
Nor fweeter mufick of a virtuous friend.
But everlafting dictates crowd his tongue,
Perverfely grave, or pofitively wrong.
The ftill returning tale, and ling'ring jeft.
Perplex the fawning niece and pamper'd guefl.
While growing hopes fcarce awe the gath'ring fneer.
And fcarce a legacy can bribe to hear ;
The watchful guells fiili hint the laft offence.
The daughter's petulance, the fon's expence.
Improve his heady rzgo. with treach'rous Ikill,
And mould his paiTiorts till they make his will.
Unnumber'd maladies his joints invade. Lay fiege to life, and prefs the dire blockade ; But unextinguifh'd Av'rice Hill remalr.s. And dreaded loffes aggravate his pains ; He turns, with anxious heart and crippled hands. Mis bonds of debt, and mortgage!) of lands;
Or
iS JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Or views his coffers with fufpicious eyes. Unlocks his gold, and counts it till he dies.
But grant, the virtues of a temp'rate prime Blefs with an age exempt from fcorn or crime j An age that melts with unperceiv'd decay. And glides in modeft innocence away ; Whofe peaceful day Benevolence endears, Whofe night congratulating Confcience cheers ; The gen'ral fav'rite as the genVal friend : Such age there is, and who Ihall wifh its end ?
Yet ev'n on this her load Misfortune flings. To prefs the weary minutes flagging wings ; New forrow rifes as the day returns, A fifter fickens, or a daughter mourns. Now kindred Merit fills the fable bier. Now lacerated Friend (hip claims a tear. Year chafes year, decay purfues decay, iStill drops fome joy from with'ring life away ; New forms arife, and diff 'rent views engage, .Superfluous lags the vet'ran on the flage. Till pit^/ing Nature figns the lafl releafe. And bids afflided worth retire to peace.
But few there are whom hours like thefe await. Who fet unclouded in the gulphs of Fate, from Lydia's monarch fliould the fearch defcend. By Solon caution'd to regard his end. In life's laft fcene what prodigies furprife. Fears of the brave, and follies of the wife ? From Marlb'rough's eyes the flreams of dotage flow. And Swift expires a driy'ler-and a (how.
The
THE VANITY OF HUxMAN WISHES. 29
The * teeming mother, anxiou:! for her race. Begs for each birtli the fortune of a face : Yet \'ane could tell what ills froni beauty fpring ; And Sedley curs'd tlie form that pleas 'd a kirig. Ye nymphs of rofy lips and radiant eyes. Whom Pleafure keeps too bufy to be wife. Whom joys with foft varieties inWte, By day the frolick, and the dance by night. Who frown with vanit}', who fmile with art. And afk the late^ falhion of the heart. What care, what rules your heedlefs charms fiiall fave. Each nymph your rival, and each youth your flave ? Againil your fame with fcndnefs hate ccmbines. The rival batters, and the lover mines. With diHant voice neglected \^irtue calls, Lefs heard and iefs, the faint remonilrancs falls ; Tir'd with contempt, flie quits the flipp'ry reign. And Pride and Prudence take her feat in vain. In crowd at once, where none the pafs defend. The harmleis freedom, and the private friend. The guardians yield, by force fuperior ply'd ; To Int'reil, Prudence ; and to Flatt'ry, Pride. Here Beaut}^ falls betray'd, defpis'd, dilbefs'd. And hilling Infamy proclaims the reft.
Where f then ihaii Hope and Fear their objetfh find ? Mull dull Sufpenfe corrupt the ftagnant mind ? Muft helplefs man, in ignorance fedate. Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate ?
* Ver. 1S9— 345. f Ver. 346—366.
Muil
30 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Mull no diilike alarm, no willies rife.
No cries invoke the mercies of the fkies ?
Enquirer, ceafe, petitions yet remain.
Which heav'n may hear, nor deem religion vain.
Still raife for good the fupplicating voice.
But leave to heav'n the meafure and the choice.
Safe in his pow'r, v.hofe eyes difcern afar
The fecret ambufn of a fpecious pray'r.
Implore his aid, in his decifions reft.
Secure whate'er he gives, he gives the beft.
Yet when the fenfe of facred prefence fires.
And ftrong devotion to the fkies afpires.
Pour forth thy fervours for a healthful mind.
Obedient palTions, and a will refign'd ;
For love, which fcarce colle^ive man can fill ;
For patience, fov'reign o'er tranfmuted ill ;
For faith, thr.t panting for a happier feat.
Counts death kind Nature's fignal of retreat :
Thefe goods for man the laws of heav'n ordain,
Thefe goods he grants, who grants the pow'r to gain
With thefe celelHal V/ifdom calms the mind.
And makes the happinefs ftie does not find.
PRO^
[ 31 ]
PROLOGUE
Spoken by Mr. Garrick,
At the Opening of the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane,
1747-
"ITT" HEN Learning's triumph o'er her barbarous
^ ^ foes
Firft rear'd the flage, immortal Shakefpeare rofe ; Each change of many-colcur'd life he drew, Exhaufted worlds, and then imagin'd new : Exiilence faw liim fpurn her bounded reign> And panting time toil'd after him in vain. His powerful Icrokes preiiding truth imprefs'd> And unrefiHed paffion ftcrm'd the breaft.
Then Jonfon came, inftrufted from the fchool. To pleafc in method, and invent by rule ; His liudious patience and laborious art. By regular approach eifay'd the heart : Cold approbation gave the lingering bays ; For thofe who durft not cenfure, fcarce could praife. A mortal born, he met the gen'ral doom. But left, like iigypt's kings, a lafting tomb.
The wits of Charles found eafier ways to fame. Nor wilh'd for Jonfon's art, or Shakefpeare's dame. Themfelves they ftudied ; as they felt, they writ : Intrigue was plot, obfcenit/ was wit.
Vice
54 JOHNSONS P O E xM S.
Vice always found a fympathetlck friend ;
They pleas'd their age, and did not aim to men^.
Yet bards like thefe afpir'd to lading praife.
And proudly hop'd to pimp in future days.
Their caufe was gen'ral, their fupports were llror.g $
Their flavcs were willing, and their reign was long :
Till fhame regain'd the port that fenfe betray'd.
And inrtue call'd oblivion to her aid.
Then crufh'd by rules, and weakened as refinMi For years the pow'r of tragedy declin'd j From bard to bard the frigid caution crept. Till declamation roar'd whilil: paflion llept ; Yet ftill did virtue deign the Hage to tread> Philofophy remained tho' nature fled. But forc'd, at length, her ancient reign to quiti She faw great Faullus lay the ghoft of wit j Exulting folly hail'd the joyous day. And pantomime and fong confirm'd her fvvay.
But who the coming changes can prefage. And mark the fature periods of the flage ? Perhaps if (kill could diflant times explore. New Behr.s, new Darfeys, yet rem.ain in Here ; Perhaps v^here Lear has rav'd, and Hamlet dy'dj. On flying cars new forcerers may ride ; Perhaps (for who can guefs th' effects of chance) Here Hunt may box, or Mahomet * may dance.
* Hunt, a famous boxer on the ftage ; Mahom3t, a rope-dancer, who had exhibited at Covent-Gardcn theatre the winter before, faid to be a Turk.
Hard
MISCELLANEOUS POExMS. 33
Hard is his lot that here by fortune plac'd. Mult watch the wild viciilitudes of talle ; With every meteor of caprice muil play. And chafe the new-blown bubbles of the day. Ah ! let not cenfure term our fate our choice. The ftage but echoes back the publick voice ; The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give. For we that live to pleafe, mufl pleafe to live.
Then prompt no more the follies you decry. As tyrants doom their tools of guilt to die ; 'Tis yours* this night, to bid the reign commence Of refcu'd nature, and reviving fenfe ; To chafe the charms of found, the pomp of fhow. For ufeful mirth and falutary woe ; Bid fctnick virtue form the rifmg age. And truth diffufe her radiance from the i\.3.ge.
PROLOGUE
Spoken by Mr. G a r Pv i c k, April 5, 1 750, Fefore the MAS QJJ E of C O M U S,
Acted at Drury-Lane Theatre, for the Benefit of Milton's Grand-daughter.
"KT' E patriot crowds who burn for England's fame,
-*• Ye nymphs whofe bofoms beat at Milton's name, Whofe generous zeal, unbought by flatt'ring rhymes. Shames the mean pcnfions of Auguflan time:; ;
Vol. LXXH. D Tmmor-
3-4. J OHNS ON's PaE MS-.
Immortal patrons of fuccecding days.
Attend this prelude of perpetual praife ;
Let wit condemn'd the feeble war to wage.
With clofe malevolence, or publick rage ;
Let ftudy, worn with virtue's fruitlefs lore.
Behold this theatre, and grieve no more.
This night, dilHnguifh'd by your fmiles, fhall tell
That never Britain can in vain excel >
The flighted arts futurity fhall truft.
And rifing ages hallen to be jull.
At length our mighty bard's victorious lays Fill the loud voice of univerfal praife ; And baffled fpite, v.ith hopelefs anguifli dumb;,. Yields to renown the centuries to come ; With ardent hafle each candidate of fame. Ambitious catches at his tow'ring name ; He fees, and pitying fees, vain wealth beflovv Thofe pageant honours which he fcorn'd below, W^hile crowds aloft the laureat buft behold. Or trace his form on circulatino- g-old. Unknown — unheeded, long his offspring lay. And want hung threat'ning o'er her flow decay. What tho' fne fliine with no Miitonian fire. No favouring mufe her morning dreams infpire ^ Yet fofter claims the melting heart engage. Her youth laborious, and her blamelefs age ; Hers the m/ild merits of domellick life. The patient fufferer, and the faithful wife. Thus grac'd with humble virtue's native charms. Her grandfL'-e leaves her in Britannia's arms ;
Secure
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 35
Secure with peace, with competence to dwell. While tutelary nations guard her cell. Yours is the charge, ye fair, ye wife, ye brave ! 'Tis yours to crown defert — beyond the grave.
PROLOGUE
TO THE COMTIDY OF
THE GOOD-NATUR'D MAN. 1760,
T) REST by the load of life, the weary mind
"*' Surveys the general toil of human kind.
With cool fabmiiTion joins the lab'ring train.
And focial forrow lofes half its pain ;
Our anxious bard without complaint may fhare
This bufUing feafon's epidemick care ;
Like Csefar's pibt dignify'd by fate.
Toft in one common ftorm with all the great ;
Diftreft alike the ftatefm.an and the wit.
When one a Borough courts, and one the Pit.
The bufy candidates for power and fame
Have hopes, and fears, and wifhes juft the fame ;
Difabled both to combat, or to fly,
Muft hear all taunts, and hear without reply.
Uncheck'd on both, loud rabbles vent their rage.
As mongrels bay the lion in a cage.
Th' offended burgefs hoards his angry tale.
For that bleft year when all that vote may rail ;
D z Their
36 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Their fchemes of fpite the poet's foes difmifs. Till that glad night when all that hate may hifs.
*' This day the povvder'd curb and golden coat," Says fuelling Crifpin, ** begg'd a cobler's vote ;'* *' This night our wit," the pert apprentice cries, *' Lies at my feet ; I hifs him, and he dies." The great, *tis true, can charm th' eledling tribe,. The bard may fupplicate, but cannot bribe. Yet judg'd by thofe whofe voices ne'er were fold. He feels no want of ill-perfuading gold; But confident of praife, if praife be due, Trufls without fear to merit and to you.
PROLOGUE
TO THE COMEDY OF
A WORD TO THE WISE*,
Spoken by Mr. Hull.
' I "*HI S night prefcnts a play which publick rage,
■^ Or right, or wrong, once hooted from the fiagef . From zeal, or mahce, now no more we dread. For Englifh vengeance war3 not with the dead.
* Performed at Covent-Garden theatre in 1777, for the benefit of Mrs. Kelly, widow of Hagh Kelly, Efq. (the author of the play) and her children.
•J- Vpon the firfi: reprefentation of this play, 1770, a party af- fembled to damn it, and fucceeded,
A gene-
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 37
A generous foe regards with pitying eye
The man whom fate has laid, where all mufl lie.
To wit reviving from its author's dull. Be kind ye judges, or at leafl be jull:. For no renew'd hoftilities invade Th' oblivious grave's inviolable fhade. Let one great payment every claim appeafe. And him v/ho cannot hurt, allow to pleafe ; To pleafe by fcenes unconfcious of offence. By harmlefs merriment, or ufeful fenfe. Where aught of bright, or fair the piece difplays. Approve it only — 'tis too late to praife. If want of ikill, or want of care appear. Forbear to hifs — the poet cannot hear. By all like him mull: praife and blame be found. At beft a fleeting gleam, or empty found. Yet then fhall calm reflexion blels the night. When liberal pity dignified delight ; When pleafure fir'd her torch at virtue's flame. And mirth was bounty with an humbler name.
P 3 SPRING,
JOHNSON'S POEMS.
SPRING,
AN ODE.
O T E R N Winter now, by Spring reprefa'd, ^ Forbears the long continued ftrife ; And Nature, on her naked breaft. Delights to catch the gales of life.
Now o'er the rural kingdom roves
Soft pleafure with her laughing train. Love warbles in the vocal groves.
And vegetation plants the plain.
Unhappy I whom to beds of pain,
Arthritick * tyranny coniigns ; Whom fmilino; nature courts in vain,
Tho' rapture fmgs and beauty fhines.
Yet tho' my limbs difeafe invades.
Her wings imagination tries. And bears me to the peaceful fhades
Where 's humble turrets rife.
Here ftop, my foul, thy rapid flight.
Nor from the pleafmg groves depart. Where firil great nature charm'd my fight.
Where wifdom fiiH inform 'd my heart.
♦ The author beiiig ill of the gout.
Here
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 39
Here let me thro' the vales purfue
A guide — a father — and a friend. Once more great nature's works renew.
Once more on wifJom's voice attend.
Prom falfe carefTes, caufelefs ftrife.
Wild hope, vain fear, alike remov'd^ Here let me learn the ufe of life.
When befl enjoy'd— when molt improv'd.
Teach me, thou venerable bower.
Cool meditation's quiet feat. The generous fcorn of venal power.
The filent grandeur of retreat.
When pride by guilt to greatnefs climbs.
Or raging fadions rufh to war. Here let me learn to fhun the crimes
I can't prevent, and will not fhare.
But left I fall by fubtler foes.
Bright wifdom teach me Curio's art. The fwelling paffions to com.pofe.
And quell the rebels of the heart.
MIDSUMMER,
AN ODE.
r^ PHOEBUS! down the weflern (ky, ^^ Far hence diffufe tliy burning ray. Thy light to diftant worlds fupply. And wake them to the cares ,of day.
D 4 Come
4-3 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Ccme gentle eve, the friend of care. Come Cynthia, lovely queen of night !
Refreiii me with a cooling breeze. And cheer me with a lambent light.
Lay me, where o'er the verdant ground Her living carpet nature fpreads ;
Where the green bower with rofes crown'd. In fiiowers its fragrant foliage fneds.
Improve the peaceful hour with wine. Let mufick die along the grove ;
Around the bowl let myrtles twine. And every flrain be tun'd to love.
Come, Stella, queen of all my heart \ Come, born to fill its vaft defires !
Thy looks perpetual joys impart, . Thy voice perpetual love infpires.
While all my \vi(h and thine complete. By turns we languifh and we burn.
Let fighing gales our fighs repeat.
Oar murmurs — murmuring brooks return.
Let m.s when nature calls to reil:.
And blufhing fkies the morn foretell.
Sink on the down of Stella's breaft. And bid the waking world fajcwell.
AUTUMN,
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. ^i
AUTUMN, AN ODE.
ALAS! with fwift and filent pace. Impatient time rolls on the year ; The feafons change, and nature's face Now fwcetly fmiles, now frowns fevere.
*Twas Spring, 'twas Summer, all was gay.
Now Autum.n bends a cloudy brow j The flowers of Spring are fwept away.
And Summer fruits defert the bough.
The. verdant leaves that play'd on high.
And wanton'd on the v/eilern breeze. Now trod in dull negletflcd He,
As Boreas flrips the bending trees.
The fields that wav'd with golden grain.
As ruflet heaths are wild and bare ; Not moifl with dew, but dreach'd in rain.
Nor health, nor pleafure wanders there.
No more while thro' the midnight fhade.
Beneath the moon's pale orb I flray. Soft pleafmg woes my heart invade.
As Progne pours the melting lay.
From this capricious clime fhe foars, O ! would fome god but wings fupply !
To wiiere each morn the Spring reflores. Companion of her faght I'd fly.
Vain
4i JOHNSON'S POEMS,
Vain wiih ! me fate compels to bear The downward feafons iron reign.
Compels to breathe polluted air. And fhiver on a blafled plain.
What blifs to life can Autumn yield.
If glooms, and Ihowers, and ilorms prev^all ;
And Ceres flics the naked field.
And flowers, and fruits, and Phcsbus fail ?
Oh ! what remains, what lingers yet. To cheer me in the darkening hour ?
The grape remains ! the friend of wit. In love, and mirth, of mighty power.
Hafte — prefs the clufters, fill the bowl ;
Apollo ! fhoot thy parting ray : This gives the funfhine of the foul.
This god of health, and verfe, and day.
Still — flill the jocund flrain fhall flow. The pulfe with vigorous rapture beat ;
My Stella with new charms ftiall glow. And every blifs in wine fhall meet.
WINTER, AN ODE.
NO more the morn, with tepid rays. Unfolds the flower of various hue ; Noon fpreads no more the genial blaze. Nor gentle eve diiliils the dew.
The
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 43
The lingering hours prolong the night,
Ufurping darknefs fhares the day ; Her mifts reftrain the force of light.
And Phcebus holds a donbtfld {way,
"By gloomy twilight half rcveal'd.
With fighs we view the hoary hill. The leaflefs wood, the naked field.
The fnow-topt cot, the frozen rill.
No mufick warbles thro' the grove.
No vivid colours paint the plain ; No more with devious fleps I rove
Thro' verdant paths now fought in vain.
Aloud the driving tempeft roars,
Congeal'd, impetuous fhowers defcend ;
Hafle, clofe the window, bar the doors. Fate leaves me Stella, and a friend.
In nature's aid let art fuppiy
With light and heat my little fphere ; Rouze, rouze the fire, and pile it high.
Light up a conftellation here.
Let muiick found the voice of joy 1
Or mirth repeat the jocund tale ; Let love his wanton wiles employ.
And o'er the feafon wine prevail.
Yet time life's dreary winter brings.
When mirth's gay tale fiiall pleafe no more ;
Nor mufick charm — tho' Stella fin^s : Nor love, nor wine, the Spring reUore,
Catch
44 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Catch then, O ! catch the tranfient hour. Improve each moment as it flies ;
Life's a (hcrt Summer— man a flower. He dies — alas ! how foon he dies !
THE W I N T E R's WALK.
Tn> E H O L D, my fair, where'er we rove, -*^ What dreary profpedls round us rife ; The naked hill, the lealieis grove.
The hoary ground, the frowning ikies \
Not only thought the warted plain. Stem Winter in thy force confefs'd ;
Still wider fpreads thy horrid reign, I feel thy power ufurp my brcaft.
Enlivening hope, and fond defire, Rcfign the heart to fpleen and care ;
Scarce frighted love maintains her fire. And rapture faddens to defpair.
In groundlefs hope, and caufelefs fear. Unhappy man ! behold thy doom ;
Sdll changing with the changeful year. The flave of funfaine and of ?loom.
Tir'd with vain joys, and falfe alarms. With mental and corporeal ilrife.
Snatch me, my Stella, to thy arms. And fcreen me from the ills of life.
To
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 45
To Miss *****
On her giving the Author a Gold and Silk Net-work Purfe of her own weaving *.
'nr^HOUGH gold and filk their charms unite
-*- To make thy curious web delight. In vain the varied work would fhine. If wrought by any hand but thine ; Thy hand that knows the fubtler art. To weave thole nets that catch the heart.
Spread out by me, the roving coin Thy nets may catch, but not confine ; Nor can I hope thy filken chain The glittering vagrants fhall reftrain. Why, Stella, was it then decreed The heart once cau^^ht fhould ne'er be freed ?
To Miss *****
On her playing upon the Harpfichord in a Room hung with Flower-pieces of her own Painting *.
"IXZHEN Stella llnkes the tuneful firing
'^ ' In fcenes of imitated Spring, Where beauty laviHies her powers On beds of never-fading flowers. And pleafare propagates around Each charm of modulated found;
• Printed arr.ons Mrs. Williams's Mifcelbniest
'ft
Ah
46 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Ah ! think not in the dangerous hour. The nymph fidlitious as the flower. But fhun, rafli youth, the gay alcove. Nor tempt the fnares of v^ily love.
When charms thus prefs on every fenfe* What thought of flight, or of defence ? Deceitful hope, and vain defire> For ever flutter o'er her lyre. Delighting as the youth draws nigh. To point the glances of her eye. And forming with unerring art New chains to hold the captii^e heart.
But on thofe regions of delight Might truth intrude with daring flight. Could Stella, fprightly, fair, and young. One moment hear the moral fong, •IniiTuftion with her flowers might fpring. And wifdom warble from her firing.
Mark when from thoufand mingled dyes Thou feeil one pleaflng form arife. How a£live light, and thoughtful fliade. In greater fcenes each other aid. Mark when the different notes agree In friendly contrariety. How paiTions well accorded fl;rife. Gives all the harmony of life ; Thy pidares fliail thy condufl frame, Confiltent ftill, though not the fame ; Thy mufick teach the nobler art. To tune the regulated heart.
EVEN-
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 45
EVENING:
AN ODE,
To STELLA.
T^ V E N I N G now from purple wings •*—' Sheds the grateful gifts {he brings j Brilliant drops bedeck the mead. Cooling breezes fliake the reed ; Shake the reed, and curl the flream Si!ver*d o'er with Cynthia's beam ; Near the chequer 'd, lonely grove. Hears, and keeps thy fecrets, love. Stella, thither let us ftray ! Lightly o'er the dewy way. Phoebus di-ives his burning car. Hence, my lovely Stella, far ; In his ftead, the queen of night Round us pours a lambent light ; Light that feems but jufl to fhow Breaib that beat, and cheeks that glow ; Let us now, in whifper'd joy. Evening's filent hours employ. Silence beil, and confcious ihades, Pleafe the hearts that love invades. Other pleafures give them pain. Lovers ail but love dii'dain.
TO
48 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
to THE SAME.
"^Tl 7'H E T K E R Stella's eyes are found,
^ ^ Fix'd on earth, or glancing round. If her face with pleafure glow. If {he figh at others woe. If her eafy air exprefs Confcious worth, or foft diilrefs, Stella's eyes, and air, and face. Charm with undiminiih'd grace.
If on her we fee difplay'd Pendant gems, and rich brocade. If her chintz wath lefs expence. Flows in eafy negligence ; < -r-i.
Still Ihe lights the confcious flame. Still her charms appear the fame ; If (he ftrikes the vocal Urings, If fhe's filent, fpeaks, or fir.gs. If fne fit, or if fhe move. Still v/e love, and fiill approve.
Vain the cafual, tranficnt glance. Which alone can pleafe by chance. Beauty, which depends on art. Changing with the changing art, Whicli demands the toilet's aid. Pendant gems and rich brocade.
I thofe
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS -^9
1 thofe charms alone can prize. Which from conftant nature rife. Which nor circumflance, nor drefs. E'er can make, or more, or lefs.
To A FRIEND.
"KT O more thus brooding o'er yon heap, **- ^ With Avarice painful vigils keep j Still unenjoy'd the prefent ftore. Still endlefs fighs are breath'd for more. O 1 quit the fhadow, catch the*prize. Which not all India's treafure buys ! To purchafe heaven has gold the power ? Can gold remove the mortal hour ? In life can love be bought with gold ? Are friendfhip's pleafures to be fold ? No — all that's worth a wifh — a thought. Fair virtue gives unbrib'd, unbought. Ceafe then on trafti thy hopes to bind. Let nobler views engage thy mind.
With fcience tread the wond'rous way. Or learn the Mufei' moral lay ; In focial hours indulge thy foul. Where mirth and temperance mix the bowl ; To virtuous love relign thy breaft. And be, by bleffing beauty— bleft.
Vol. LXXII. E Thus
50 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Thus tafte the feaft by nature fpread. Ere youth and all its joys are fled ; Come tafte with me the balm of life. Secure from pomp, and wealth, and ftrife. I boaft whate'er for man was meant. In health, and Stella, and content ; And fcorn ! Oh ' let that fcom be thine ! Mere things of clay, that dig the mine.
STELLA IN MOURNING.
Vt7 HEN lately Stella's form difplay'd
~ ' The beauties of the gay brocade. The nymphs who found their power decline^ Proclaim'd her not fo fair as fine. ** Fate ! fnatch away the bright difguife, *' And let the goddefs truft her eyes." Thus blindly pray'd the fretful fair. And fate malicious heard the pray'r ; But brighten'd by the fable drefs. As virtue rifes in diftrsfs, Since Stella ftill extends her reign. Ah ! how Ihall envy footh her pain ?
Th' adoring youth and envious fair. Henceforth fhall form one common prayer ; And love and hate alike implore The fkies — '^ That Stella mourn no more.'*
To
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 31
To STELLA.
"^T O T the foft fighs of vernal gales »
•*' ^ The fragrance of the flowery vales>
The murmurs of the cryftal rill.
The vocal grove, the verdant hill ;
Not all their charms, tho' all unite, JK^ f
Can touch my bofom with delight.
Not all the gems on India's Ihore, Not all Peru's unbounded flore. Not all the power, nor all the fame. That heroes, kings, or poets claim ; Nor knowledge which the learn'd approve. To form one wiih my foul can move.
Yet nature's charms allure my eyes.
And knowledge, wealth, and fame I prize j
Fame, wealth, and knowledge I obtain.
Nor feek I nature's charms in vain ;
In lovely Stella all combine.
And, lovely Stella I thou art mine.
E 3 V E R S E S>
5*^ JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Verses,
Written at the Requell of a Gentleman to whom a La(Jy had given a Sprig of Myrtle *.
XT THAT hopes — what terrors does this gift create ?
^ ~ Ambiguous emblem of uncertain fate. The myrtle (enfign of fupreme command;^ Confign'd to Venus by MeliflVs hand) Not lefs capricious than a reigning fair^ Oft favours, oft rejedls a lover's prayer. In myrtle fhades oft fings the happy fwain. In myrtle fhades despairing ghofts complain. The myrtle crowns the happy lovers heads. The unhappy lovers graves the myrtle fpreads-.- Oh 1 then, the meaning of thy gift impart. And eafe the throbbings of an anxious heart. Soon muft this fprig, as you fliall fix its doom. Adorn Philander's head, or grace his tomb.
* Thefe verfes were firft printed In a Magazine for 1768, but were written between forty and fifty years ago. Elegant as they are, tiiey were compofed in the fhort fpace of five minutes.
Ta
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. ^j
To Lady F I R E B R A C E *, At bury assizes.
A T length murt SuiFolk beauties fhine in vain,
■*^^ So long renown'd in B n's deathlefs ftrain ?
Thy charnis at leall, fair Firebrace, might infpire Some zealous bard to wake the keeping lyre ; For fiich thy beauteous mind and lovely face. Thou feem'ft at once, bright nymph, a Mvfi and Grace,
To L Y C E, an elderly L a d r.
XT' E nymphs whom Harry rays invert,
-*' By flattering poets given. Who frtine by lavilL lovers dreft.
In all the pomp of heaven ;
Engrofs not all the beams on high.
Which gild a lover's lays. But as your filler of the Iky,
Let Lyce fhare the praife.
* This lady was Bridget, third daughter of Philip Bacon, Efq, of Ipfwich, and relict of Philip Evers, Efq. of that town \ fte be- came the fecond wife of Sir Cordell Firebrace, tht iaft Baronet of that name (to whom fhe brought a fortune of 25,000!.), July 26, 1737. Being again left a widow in 1759, ^" w-as a third time married, April 7, 1762, to William Campbell, Efq. uncle to the prefer.t Duke of Argyle, and died July 3, 1782,
E 3 Her
54 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Her filver locks difplay the moon.
Her brows a cloudy fhow, Strip'd rainbows round her eyes are feen.
And fliowers from either flow.
Her teeth the night with darknefs dyes. She's ftarr'd with pimples o'er ;
Her tongue like nimble lightning plies. And can with thunder roar.
But fome Zelinda, while I fmg.
Denies my Lyce fhines ; And all the pens of Cupid's wing
AttacK: mv gentle lines.
Yet fpitc of fair Zelinda's eye.
And all her bards expr efs. My Lycc makes as good a fky.
And I but flatter lefs.
OiV THE Death of
Mr. ROBERT LEVET A Pradifer in Phyfic.
I
/^ O N D E M N • D to Hope's delufive mine, ^^ As on we toil from day to day. By fudden blaiis, or flow decline. Oar focial comforts drop away.
Well
MISCELI.ANEOUS POEMS. 55
Well try'd through many a vandng year.
See Levet to the grave defcend. Officious, innocent, fincere.
Of every friendlefs name the friend.
Yet ftlll he fills afFedlion's eye,
Obfcurely \\"Xe and coarfely kind ; Nor letter'd arrogance deny
Thy praife to merit unrefin'd.
When fainting nature call'd for aid. And hovering death prepar'd the blow,
His vigorous remedy difplayM
The power of art without the Ihow.
In mifery's darkefl cavern known.
His ufeful care was ever nigh. Where hopelefs anguiih pour'd his groan.
And lonely want retir'd to die.
No fummons mock'd by chill delay.
No petty gain difdain'd by pride ; The modeft wants of every day
The toil of every day fupply'd.
His virtues walk'd their narrow round.
Nor made a paufe, nor left a void ; And fure th' Eternal Mafter found
The fmgle talent well employed.
The bufy day — the peaceful night,
Unfelt, uncounted, glided by j His frame was firm — his powers were bright,
Tho' now his eightieth year was nigh.
E 4 Then
5« JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Then with no fiery throbbing pain.
No cold gradations of decay. Death broke at once the vital chain.
And freed liis foul the nearell way.
EPITAPH
O N
CLAUDE PHILLIPS,
An Itinerant Mufician *.
«
"P H I L L I P S ! whofe touch harmonious could re-»
-*■ move
The pang5 of guilty pow'r, and haplefs love.
Reft here, diilreft by poverty no more.
Find here that calm thou gav'ft fo oft before ;
Sleep undifturb'd within this peaceful Ihrine,
Till angels wake thee with a note like thine.
* Thefe lines are among Mr?. V/illiams's Mifcellanles ; they are neverthelcfs recognized as Johnfon's, in a memorandum of his hand- writing, and were probably written at her requcH-. Phillips was a travelling Fidler up and down Wales, and was greatly celebrated for his performance.
EPL
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 57
EPITAPHIUM
I N
THOMAM HANMER, Baronettum.
Honorabilis admodum Thomas Hanmer,
Baronettus,
Wilhelmi Hanmer armigeri e Peregrina Henri ci
North De Mildenhal in Com: SufFolcis Baronetti forore
et hasrede.
Filius
Jchannls Hanmer de Hanmer Baronetti
Hecres patruelis
Antiquo gentis fuae et titulo, et patrimonio fucceiHc
Duas uxores fortitus ell ;
Alteram Ifabellam, honore a patre derivato de
Arlington comitiflam
Deinde celciffimi principis ducis de Grafton viduam
dotariam
Alteram Elizabetham Thorns Folks de Barton in
Com. Suff. armigeri.
Filiam et hasredem
Inter humanitates ftudia feliciter enntritus
Omnes liberalium artium difciplinas avide arripuit,
Quas morum faavitate haud leviter ornavit.
Poil^
58 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Poftquam exceffit et ephebis
Continuo inter populares fuos fama emlnens
Et comitatus fui legatus ad Parliamentum miiTus
Ad ardua regni negotia per annos prope triginta
Si accinxit
Cumq; apud illos ampliffimorum virorum ordines
Solent nihil temere eiFutire
Sed probe perpenfa diflerte expromere
Orator gravis et preffus
Non minus integritatis quam eloquentiae laude
commendacus
^^que omnium utcunq; inter fe alioqui diffidentium
Aures atque animos attraxit
Annoque demum m.dcc.xiii. regnante Anna
Feliciflima, florentillimasque memorise regina
Ad prclocutoris cathedram
Communi fenatus univerfi voce defignatus eft ;
Quod munus
Cum nullo tempore non difficile
Tum illo certe negotiis
Et varus et lubricis et implicatis diiiicillimum
Cum dignitate fuftinuit.
Honores alios, et onmia, quie fibi in lucrum cederent^
munerg,
Sedulo detreclavit
Ut rei totus inferviret publicas,
Jufti redlique tenax
Et fide in patriam incorrupta notus.
ybi omnibus, qus virum civimque bonum decent
oiriciis fatis fecillet,
Pau,
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 59
Paulatim fe a publicis confiliis in odum recipiens
Inter literarum amoenitates.
Inter ante-a£lce \itx baud infuaves recordationes.
Inter amicorum conviclus et amplexus
Honorificc confenuit,
Et bonis omnibus, quibus churiflimus vixit,
Defideratiffimus obiit.
PARAPHRASE of the above EPITAPH. By Dr. JOHNSON*,
THOU who furvey'ft thefe walls with curious eye, Paufe at this tomb where Hanmer's afhes lie ; His various worth through varied life attend. And learn his virtues while thou mourn'll his end.
His force of genius burn'd in early youth. With thirft of knowledge, and with love of truth ; His learning, join'd with each endearing art, Charm'd ev'ry ear, and gain'd on ev'ry heart.
Thus early wife, th' endangcr'd realm to aid. His country cali'd him from the Iludious fhade i In life's firft bloom his publick toils began. At once commenc'd the fenator and man.
In bufmefs dext'rous, weighty in debate. Thrice ten long years he labour'd for the Hate ;
* This Piraphrafe is Infevted in Mrs. Williams's Mifccllanies. •The Latin is there fald to be written by Dr. Friend. Of the perfoii .whofe memory it celebrates, a copious account may be ff;en in the Appendix to the Supplement to the Biographia Biitannica.
la
$6 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
In every fpeech peffuafive vviidom ilow'd. In every a£l refulgent virtue giow'd : Sufpended faclion ceas'd from rage and llrife. To hear his eloquence, and praife his life.
Refiftlefs merit fix'd the Senate's choice. Who hail'd him Speaker v^ith united voice. Illuibious age ! how bright thy glories flione. When Ha N M E R fiil'd the chair — and An n e the throne !
Then when dark arts obfcur'd each fierce debate. When mutual frauds perplex'd the maze of ftate. The moderator firmly mild appear'd — Beheld with love — with veneration heard.
This tafic performed — ^he fought no gainful poll. Nor wlih'd to glitter at his country's coft ; Strict on the right he fix'd ills Iledfafl: eye. With temperate zeal and wife anxiety ; Nor e'er from Virtue's paths was lur'd afide. To pluck the flow'rs of plcafure, or of pride. Her gifts defpis'd. Corruption blufh'd and fled. And fame purfaed him where Convidion led.
Aee call'd, at length, his adive mind to reft. With honour fated, and with cares oppred ; To Ictter'd eafe retir'd and honeft mirth. To rural grandeur and domeiHck worth : Delighted iHll to pleafe mankind, or mend. The patriot's fire yet fparkled in the friend.
Calm Confcience then, his former life furvey'd. And recoUecled toils endear'd the Ihade, Till Nature call'd him to the general doom. And Virtue's forrow dignified his tomb.
To
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 6i
To Miss H I C K M A N », Playing on the Spinnet.
Ty RIGHT Stella, form'd for univerfal reign, -*^ Too well you know to keep the flaves you gain; When in your eyes refiiUefs lightnings play, Aw'd into love our conquer'd hearts obey. And yield reludlant to defpotick fway : But when your mufick Tooths the raging pain. We bid propitious heav'n prolong your reign. We blefs the tyrant, and we hug the chain.
When old Timotheus ftruck the vocal itring. Ambition's fury iir'd the Grecian king : Unbounded proje<5ls lab'ring in his mind. He pants for room in one poor world confin'd. Thus wak'd to rage, by mufick's dreadful powV He bids the fword deftroy, the flame devour. Had Stella's gentle touches mov'd the lyre. Soon had the monarch felt a nobler fire : - No more delighted with deflrudlive war. Ambitious only now to pleafe the fair ; Refign'd his thiril of empire to her charms. And found a thoufand worlds in Stella's arms,
* Thefe Lines, which have been communicated by Dr. Turton, (on to Mrs. Turton, the Lady to whom they are addrefTed by her maiden name of Hickman, rnult have been written at Icaft as early as the year 1734, as that was the year of her marriage : at how much earlier a period of Dr, Johnfon's life they may have been W.itten, is not known,
PARA-
6s JOHNSON'S POEMS.
PARAPHRASE of Proverbs, Chap, Vf* Verfes 6, 7, 8, 9, lo, ii.
"Go to the Ant thou Sluggard *■ .^^
'TT^URN on the prudent ant thy heedlefs eyes, ■■' Obferve her labours, fluggard, and be wife : No ftern command, no monitory voice Prefcribes her duties, or direds her choice ; Yet, timely provident, fhe haftes away. To fnatch the bleffmgs of the plenteous day ; When fruitful fummer loads the teeming plain. She crops the harvefl, and Ihe ftores the grain. How long ihall floth ufurp thy ufelefs hours. Unnerve thy vigour, and enchain thy pow'rs ? "Wliile artful (hades thy downy couch inclofe. And foft folicitation courts repofe. Amidil the drowfy charms of dull delight^ Year chafes year with unremitted flight. Till want now following-, fraudulent and flow- Shall fpring to fsize thee like an ambufh'd foe.
HORACE, Lib. IV. Ode VII. Translated.
/T^HE fnow diifolv'd, no more is feen,
-*- The fields and woods, behold ! are green. The changing year renews the plain. The rivers know their banks again,
* In Mrs. Williams's Mifcellanies, but now printed from the oilginal in D/, Johnfoa's ov.'n h.md-writing,-
The
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 63
The fprightly nymph and naked grace
The mazy dance together trace.
The changing year's fucceffive plan
Proclaims mortality to man.
Rough winter's blafts to Spring give way.
Spring yields to fummer's fovereign ray ;
Then fummer fniks in autumn's reign.
And winter chUls the world again :
Her lofTes Toon the moon fupplies.
But wretched man, when oPxCe he lies .
Where Priam and his fens are laid.
Is nought but afhes and a fhade.
Who knows if Jove, who counts our fcore.
Will toi^ IS in a morning more ?
What with your friend you nobly fhare
At lead you refcue from your heir.
Not you Torquatus, boait of Rome,
When Minos once has lix'd your doom.
Or eloquence, or fplendid birth.
Or virtue, liiall rellore to earth.
Hippolytus, unjuftiy flain,
Diana calls to life in vain ;
Nor can the mi^lit of Thefeus rend
The chains of hell that hold his friend.
Kov. 1784,
On
64 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
On feeing a BUST of Mrs. MONTAGUE.
T T A D this fair figure which this frame difplays,
"^ "^ Adorn'd in Roman time the brightell days.
In every dcme, in every facred place.
Her ftatue would have breath'd an added grace.
And on its bafis \\'ould have been enroU'd,
«* This is Minerva, caft in Virtue's mould."
^ The foUovjing Translations, Parodies, and Burlesque Verses, moji of them extemporet are taken from Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson, lately pub' Ifnedby Mrs. Piozzi.
A N A C R E O N, ODE IX.
T O V E L Y courier of the fky, '*-' WTience and whither doll thou fly ? Scatt'ring, as thy pinions play. Liquid fragrance all the way : Is it bufinefs ? is it love ? Tell, me, tell me, gentle dove.
Soft Anacreon's vows I bear. Vows to Mvrtale the fair ;
GraeM
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. ^5
Grac'd with all that charms the heart, Biufhing nature, fmiling art. Venus, courted by an ode. On the bard her dove bellovv'd : Veiled with a mailer's right, Now Anacreon rules my flight ; His the letters that you fee. Weighty charge, confign'd to me : Think not yet my fervice hard, Joylefs talk without reward ; Smiling at my mafter's gates> Freedom my return awaits ; But the liberal grant in vain Tempts me to be wild again. Can a prudent dove decline Blifsful bondage fuch as mine ? Over hills and iields to roam. Fortune's gueft without a home ; Under leaves to hide one's head. Slightly fnelter'd, coarfely fed : Now my better lot beftows Sweet repaft, and fof: repofe ; Now the generous bowl I fip As it leaves Anacreon's lip : Void of care, and free from dread. From his fingers fnatch his bread ; Then with lufcious plenty gay. Round his chamber dance and play ; Or from wine as courage failings, O'er his face extend my wings;
Vol. LXXII, F And
it JOHKSON*$ PO£MS.
And wlffA Icttft and froBdc ^i^<^, Drop aietp vpM ki$ hpie. HosisalU be q«kk and JO, Mare tloA all dMMi Gwft MK kMw ; Let ott Qov my fimms ply» I lave dyotaM Bae a p^
LINES wiinai ift lidfeale of ctttm Fociis
PUMNHBCU Bl I
TT WHERESOEVER i tammy xicw,
. •way.
^ .
BARCDY of a TRANSLATION f: ... :h5 17 RR ftaM^keywst, itlio idblne carfare
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 67
Tlicy to the dome where fmokc with curliuo; play Announc'd tlic dinner to the regions round,
Siuunion'd the finger hlytlic, and harper gay, And aided wine with diilcct-ftrcaming found.
The better ulc of notes, or fweet or fiirill. By quiv'ring ftring or modulated wind ;
Trumpet or lyre — to their har(h bofoms chill, Admiflion ne'er had fought, or could not find.
Oil ! fend tl\cm to the fullcn manfions dun. Her baleful eyes where forrovv rolls around ;
Where q;!oom-enamour'd mifchief loves to dwell.
And murder, all blood-bolter'd, fchemti the wound.
When catcs luxuriant pile the l^acious difli. And purple netftar glads the felHve hour ;
The guell, without a want, without a wilh. Can yield no room to mufick's foothing pow'r.
B U R L E S QJJ R of the modern Verfificatlons of ancient Legendary Tales.
An impromptu.
'T^IIE tender infant meek and mild,
•*• Fell down upon the Aone ; The nurfe took up the fquealing clilld, iiut Hill the child fqueal'd on.
Fa T R A N-
68' J OHN S QN's P OEMS.
TRANSLATION of the Two Fiift Stanzas of the Song *' Rio ^erdey Rio 'verde,''^ pnnted in Bilhop Percy's Reliques of ancient Englifh Poetry.
An IMPROMPTU.
f^ L A S S Y water, glafly water, ^^ Down whofe current clear and Ilrong/ Chiefs confus'd in mutual llaughter. Moor and G'hriiHan roll along.
I.M IT A T I O N of the Style of * * * *
E R M I T hoar, in folemn cell -^ Wearing out life's evening grey ; Strike thy bofom fage, and tell What is blifs, and which the way.
This I fpoke, and fp caking figh'd.
Scarce reprefs'd the ftarting tear-. When the hoary fage reply'd,
Gorae, my lad, and- drink feme beer.
SUR^
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 69
B U R L E S QJLJ E of the foUowing Lines of Lopez de Vega.
An impromptu.
O E acquien los leones vence ^^ Vence una muger hermofa O el de fiaco averguen^e O ella di ler mas fariora.
I F the man who turnips cries Cry not when his father dies, 'Tis a proof that he had rather Have a turnip than his father.
TRANSLATION of the following Lines at the End of Baketti's Easy Phraseology.
An impromptu.
I \^ A viva la padrona, Tutta bella, e tutta buona. La padrona e un angiolella Tutta buona e tutta bella 5 Tutta bella e tutta buona ; Viva ! viva la padrona !
LONG may live my lovely Hetty ! Always young and always pretty. Always pretty, always young. Live my lovely Hetty long I Always young and always pretty, J-tOng may live my lovely Hetty !
F3 IM-
V
70 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
IMPROVISO TRANSLATION of the following Diftich on the Duke of Modena's running away from the Comet in 1742 or 1743.
s
E al venir voflro i principi fe n' -v-anno Deh venga ogni di durate un anno.
IF at your coming princes difappear. Comets ! come every day — and flay a year.
IMPROVISO TRANSLATION of the following Lines of Monf. Benserade a fon lit.
4
rr^ H E A T R E dcs ris, et des pleurs,
"*- Lit ! ou j-r nais, et ou je meurs, Tu nous fais voir comment voifms, Sont nos plaifirs, et nos chagrins,
IN bed we laugh, in bed w c cry, A.nd born in bed, in bed we die ; The near approach a bed may fliew Of human blifs to human woe.
EPITAPH for Mr. HOGARTH.
/"OHE hand of him here torpid lies,
-*■ That drew th' efTential form of grace ; Here clos'd in death th' attentive eyes. That faw the manners in the face.
T R A N-
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 71
TRANSLATION of the following Lines written under a Print reprefenting Perfons ikaiting.
O U R un mince chryflal Thyver conduit leurs pas ^ Le precipice eft fous la glace ;
Telle ell: de nos pliifirs la legere furface, GliiTez mortels ; n' appuyez pas,
O'ER ice the rapid Ikaiter flies.
With fport above and death below ; Where mifchief lurks in gay difguife.
Thus lightly touch and quickly go.
IMPROMPTU TRANSLATION of the fame.
O'ER crackling ice, o'er gulphs profound.
With nimble glide the ficaiters play ; O'er treacherous pleafure's flow'ry ground
Thus lightly fkim, and hafle away.
To Mrs. T H R A L E,
On her completing her Thirty-fifth Year.
An IMPROMPTU.
/^ F T in danger, yet alive, ^^ We are come to thirty-five j Long may better years arrive. Better years than thirty-five.
F 4 Could
7a JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Could philofophers contrive Life to Hop at thirty- five. Time his hours fhould never drive O'er the bounds of thirty-five. High to foar, and deep to dive. Nature gives at thirty- five. Ladies, flock and tend your hiveji Trifle not at thirty-five ; For, howe'er we boaft and ftrive. Life declines from thirty- five : He that ever hopes to thrive Muft begin by thirt}''-five ; And all who wifely vvifh to wive Mull look on Thrale at thirty-five.
IMPROMPTU on hearing Mifs THRALE coriuking with a Friend about a Gown and Hat fhe v/as ixicUned to wear.
T ^ 7" ^ ^^ R t'lic gown, and wear the hat.
Snatch th;, pleafures while they lafl | i
Hadft thou rune lives, like a cat.
Soon thofe nine lives would be pall.
IM-
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 73
IMPROMPTU TRANSLATION of an AIR in the Clemenza de Tito of Metastasio, begin- ning, ** Deh fe piacermi <vuoi.^^
"WY O U L D you hope to gain my heart,
^ ^ Bid your teizing doubts depart ; He who blindly trufts, will find Faith from every generous mind : He who ilill experts deceit. Only teaches how to cheat.
TRANSLATION of a Speech of Aquileio, iii the Adriano of Metastasio, beginning, ** Tu chs in Corte iti'vechiajli,'''*
/^ RO WN old in courts, thou art not furely one
^^ Who keeps the rigid rules of ancient honour ;
Well fkili'd to foothe a foe with looks of kindnefs.
To fink the fatal precipice before him.
And then lament his fall with feeming friendiliip :
Open to all, true only to thyfelf.
Thou know'il thofe arts which blaft with envious praife.
Which aggravate a fault with feign'd excufes.
And drive difcountenanc'd virtue from the throne :
That leave the blame of rigour to the prince.
And of his ev'ry gift ufurp the merit ;
That hide in feeming zeal a v/icked purpofe.
And only build upon another's ruin.
\
I 75 ]
P O E M A T A.
[ Jan. 20, 21, 1773. ]
"T 7" I T -^ qui varias vices ^ Rerum perpetuus temperat Arbiter,
La^to cedere lumini Noclis triilitiam qui gelidae jubet,
Acri fanguine turgidos, Obduiflofque cculos nubibus humidls
Sanari voluit meos. Et me, cuncla beans cui nocuit dies,
Luci reddidit et mihi. Qua te laude, Deus qua prece profequar ?
Sacri diicipulus libri Te Temper fludiis utilibus colam :
Grates, fumme Pater, tuis Reifle qui fruitur muneribu-, dedit.
■r^f-r^Esa
[ Dec, 25, 1779. ]
NUNC dies Chrillo memoranda nato Fulfil, in pedlus mihi fonte pururn Gaudium facro fluat, et be.iigni
Gratia Cceli !
Chrifle
76 JOHNSON^s POEMS.
Chrifte da tutam trepldo quietem, Chrille, fpem praefta flabilem timenti ; Da fidem certam, precibufque fidis
Airnue, Chrifle.
[ In Leclo, die Paffionis. Apr. 13, 1781. ]
SUMME Deus, qui femper amas quodcunque crealli ; Judice quo, fcelerum eft psnituiile falus : Da vcteres noxas animo fic flere novato. Per Chriftum ut veniam fit reperire mihi.
[ In Lciflo. Dec. 25, 1782. ]
OPE non inani confugis, ^ Peccator, ad latus meum ; Quod pofcis, baud unquam tibi jNegabitur folatium.
[No^e,
P O E M A T A. 77
[ Node, inter i6 et 17 Junii, 1783 *. ]
Q U M M E Pater, quodcunque tuUm f de corpcre ^ X Numen
Hoc jl ftataat, § precibus Chriilus adefTe velit : Ingenio parcas, nee fit mihi culpa 5[ rogaiTe,
Qua folum potero parte, ** placere tibi.
[ Cal. Jan. in leclo, ante lucem. 1784. ]
O U ?vl M E dator vitas, nature ceteme maglfler, ^ Caufarum feries quo moderante fiuit, Refpice quern fublgit feniam, morbique feniles.
Quern terret vitae meta propinqua fuse, Refpice inatiliter lapli quern pcenitet ^vi ;
Redle ut pceniteat, refpice, magne parens.
* The night above referred to by Dr. Johnfon was that in which a paralytick ft;-oke had deprived him of his voice, and, in the anxiety he felt left it fhould likewife have impaired his underftanding, he compofed the above Lines, and faid concerning theni, that he knew at the time that they were not good, buc then he deemed hii dvf- cerning this, to be fafficieat for the qu'ecing the anx'ety before men- tioned, as it flie-.vcd him that his po.vcr of judging was not dimi- niihe^.
t Al. t'jae. I Al. leges. || AI. ftaruant.
§ Al. votis. ^ Al, precari. ** Al. litare.
PA-
78 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
T) A T E R benigne, fumma femper lenitasi ■*' Crimine gravatam plurimo mentem leva Concede veram poenitentiam, precor. Concede agendam legibus vitam tuis. Sacri vagantes luminis grefias face Rege, et tuere, quae nocent pellens procul ; Veniam petenti, fumme da veniam, pater ; Venkeque fandla pacis adde gaudia : Sceleris ut expers omni, et vacuus metu, Te, mente pura, mente tranquilla colam : Mihi dona morte haec impetret Chriftus fua.
[ Jan. i8, 1784. ]
'%
O U M M E Pater, puro coUuftra lumine peflus ^ Anxietas noceat ne tenebrofa mihi. In me fparfa manu virtutum femina larga
Sic ale, proveniat mefiis ut ampla boni. Nodles atque dies animo fpes laeta recnrfet,
Certa mihi fan£iO fiagret amorc fides. Certa vetet dubitare fides, fpes laeta timere,
Velle vetet cuiquam non bene fanflus amor. Da, ne fint permilfa, pater, mihi prsmia fruftra,
Et colere, et leges femper amare tuas. Hjec mihi, quo gentes, quo fecula, Chriile, piafti.
Sanguine, precanti promereare tuo ! '
[Feb.
POEMATA. i^
[ Feb. 27, 1784. ]
MENS mea quid quereris ? veniet dbi mollior hora. In fammo ut videas numine Iseta patrem ; DivinaiD in fontes iram placavit Jefus ; Nunc eft pro poena pcsnituifle reis.
CHRISTIAN US PERFECTUS.
OU I capit in fanftos Chrifto cogente referri, Abftergat moDdi labem, nee gaudia carnis Captans, nee faftu tumidus, femperque futuro Inftet, et evellens terroris Ipicula corde, Sufpiciat tandem ciementem in numine patrem.
Huic qiKXjue, nee genti nee feft-e noxius ulli. Sit facer orbis amor, miferis qui Temper adefle GelEat, et, nullo pietatis limite claufus, Cunclorum ignofcat vitiis, pietate fruatur. Ardeat huic toto facer ignis peflore, poflit Ut vitam, pofcat fi res, impendcre vero.
Cara placere Deo fit prima, fit ultima, fandlas Irruptum \it2e eupiat fervare tcnorem ; Et fibi, delirans quanquam et peccator in horas Difpliceat, ferret tutum fab pedore redum : Nee natet, et nunc has partes, nunc eligat illas.
Nee
2r JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Nee dubitet quern dicat heruni, fed, totus in uno, Se fidum addicat Chrifio, mortalia temnens.
Sed timeat femper, caveatque ante omnia, turb«e Ne ftolidge finiilis, leges, fibi fegreget audax Quas fervaie velit, kges quas leiitus omittat. Plenum opus cftugiens, aptans juga mollia collo Sponte fua demens ; nih;lum decedere fumm^e Vult Deus, at, qui cunda dedit tibi, cunfta repofcit*
Dei.ique perpetuo contendit in ardua nifu, Auxilicque Dei fretus, jam mente ferena Pergii, et imperils fentit fe dulcibus adlum. Paulatim mores, animum, vitamque refingit, ESigiemque Dei, quantum fervare licebit, Induit, et, terris major, cceleftia fpirat.
Zfj T E R N E rerum conditor, '^^— ' Salutis sternse dator ; Felicitatis fedibus Qui nee fceleftos exigis, Quofcumque fcelerurr pcenitet ; Ba, Ciiriile, pcenitf iam, Veniar:iqje, CLriile, ria mihi ; ^grum trahenti fpiritum Succurre prsfens corpori, Multo Tavatam crimine Alentem benignus alleva.
LUCE
P O E M A T A. 8/
T U C E coJluftret mihi pedus alma, '*— ' Pellat et trifles animi tenebras. Nee finat Temper tremere ac dolore.
Gratia Chrifii :
Me pater tandem rcduccm benigno Summus amplexu foveat, bcato Me gregi fanftus focium beatum
Spiritus addat.
JEJUNIUM ET CI BUS.
OERVIAT ut menti corpus jejunia ferva, ^•^ Ut mens utatur corpore, fume cibos.
URBANE, nullis feffe laborlbus. Urbane, nullis vicle calumnils, Cui fronte fertum in erudita Perpetuo viret, et virebit ;
Quid moiiatur gens imitantiam. Quid et minetur, follicitus parum, Vacare folis perge Mufis, Juxta aiiirno ftudiifque felix.
Lingure pr,ocacis plumbea fplcula, fidens, fuperbo frange filentio ;
Vidlrix per obflantes catervas Scdulitas ani/nofa tendet.
Vol, LXXil. ' Q intende
7S
JO HNS ON's POEMS,
T) A T E R. benigne, fumma Temper lenitasj "*' Crimine gravatam plurimo mentem leva : Concede veram pcenitentiam, precor. Concede agendam legibus vitam tuis. Sacri vagantes luminis grefTus face Rege, et tuere, quae nocent pellens procul ; Veniam petenti, fumme da veniam, pater ; Venkeque fanda pacis adde gaudia ; Sceleris ut expers cmni, et vacuus metu, Te, mente pura, mente tranquilla colam : Mihi dona morte h^ec impetret Chriftus fua.
[ Jan. i8, 1784. ]
Q U M M E Pater, puro coHuftra lumine pedlus, ^ Anxietas noceat ne tenebrofa mihi. In me fparfa manu virtutum femina larga
Sic ale, proveniat mefiis ut ampla boni. Nodes atque dies animo fpes laeta recurfet,
Certa mihi fandlo fiagret amore fides. Certa vetet dubitare fides, fpes Iscta timere,
Velle vetet cuiquam non bene fanflus amor. Da, ne fint permilla, pater, mihi prsmia frullra,
Et colere, et leges Temper amare tuas.
Hsc mihi, quo gentes, quo fecala, Chrifte, piafti. Sanguine, precanti promereare tuo ! '
[Feb.
]? O E M A T A.
^
[ Feb. 27, 1784. ]
MENS mea quid quereris ? venlet tlbi mollior hora. In fammo ut videas numine laeta patrem ; Divinam in fontes iram placavit Jefus ; Nunc eft pro poena posnituifTe reis.
CHRISTIAN US PERFECTUS.
OU I capit in fanftos Chrillo cogente referri, Abftergat mnndi labem, nee gaudia camis Captans, nee fafta tumidus, femperque futuro Inftet, et evelleiis terroris fpicula corde, Sufpiciat tandem clementem in numine patrem.
Huic qnoque, nee genti nee fedse noxius uIH, Sit facer orbis amor, miferis qui femper adefle GelHat, et, nullo pietatis limite claufus, Cundorum ignofcat vitiis, pietate fruatur. Ardeat hoic toto fccer ignis peftore, poflit Ut \itam, pofcat fi res, impendcre vero.
Cara placere Deo fit prima, lit ultima, fandlas Irruptum \'it2e cupiat fervare tenorem ; Et fibi, delirans quanquam et peccator in horas Difpliceat, fervet tutum fub pedore reftum : Nee natet, et nunc has partes, nang eligat illas.
Nee
■v-\
?5 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Nee dubitet quem dicat herum, fed, totus in uno, Se fidum addicat CJiriuO, mortalia temnens.
Sed timeat femper, caveatcjue ante omnia, turbae Ne ftolidas fimilis, leges, fibi fegreget audax Qlias Tervare velit, kges quas lentus omittat. Plenum opus cffugiens, aptans juga mollia collo Sponte fua demens ; nihilum decedere fumm^e Vuk Deus, at, qui cuncta dedit tibi, cundla repofcit.
Dei.ique perpetuo contendit in ardua nifu, Auxilicque Dei fretus, jam mente ferena Pergii, et imperiis fentit fe dulcibus adum. Pauiatim mores, animum, vitamque refingit, Emgiemque Dei, quantum fervare licebit, Induit, et, terris major, coeleftia fpirat.
TT? T E R N E rerum conditor, •^^— ' Salutis seternse dator ; Felicitatis fedibus Qui nee fceleflos exigis, Quofcumque fcelerair. pcenitet ; Da, ChiiHe, pcenitf iam, Veniaraqje, Ciifiile, r^a mihi ; ^grum trahenti fpiritum Succurre prrefens corpori, Multo .?ravatam crimine Mentem bei.i^nus alleva.
LUCE
P O E M A T A. 8/
T U C E collufiret mihi pedlus alma, j*-^ Pellat et trifles animi tenebras. Nee Tinat femper tremere ac dolore.
Gratia ChrifH:
Me pater tandem reducem benigno Summus amplexu foveat, beato Me gregi fanflus focium beatum
Spiritus addat.
s
J E J U N I U ?vl E T C I B U S.
E R V I A T ut menti corpus jejunia ferva, Ut mens utatur corpore, fume cibos.
URBAN E, nullis fcfTz laboribus. Urbane, nullis victe calumniis, Cui fronte fertum in erudita Perpetno viret, et \irebit ;
Quid moliatar gens imitantlam. Quid et minetur, foilicitus parum, Vacare folis perge Mufis, Juxta animo Itudiifque felix.
Lingune procacis piumbea {picula, f idens, fuperbo frange filentio ;
Vidlrix per obilantes catervas Scdulitas ani/rtofa tendet.
yoL, LXXII. ' Q intende
, r
$1 J OHNSON's POEMS,
Intende nervos fortis, inanibus Rifurus olim nifibus emuli ; Intende jam nervos, habebis Participes opera canioenas.
Non ulla Mufis pagina gratlor, Quam qua; feveris ludicra jungere Novit, fatigatamque nugis Utiiibus recreare mentem.
Texente nymphis ferta Lycoride, Rcfae ruborem fic viola adjuvat Immifra, fic Iris refulget y£thereis variata fucis.
L
IN RIVUM A MOLA STOANA LICHFELDIi£ DIFFLUENTEM.
"P R R A T adhuc vitreus per prata virentia rivus, ■*--' Quo toties lavi membra tenella puer; Hie delufa rudi fruftrabar brachia motu,
Dum docuit blanda voce natare pater. Fecerunt rami latebras, tenebriique diurnis
Fendula fecretas abdidit arbcr aquas. Nunc vetcres duris periere fecuribus umbrae,
Longinquifque oculis nuda lavacra patent. Lymoha tamen curfus agit indefeffa perennis,
Tedlaque qua fiuxit, nunc er aperta fluit, Qjid ferat extemi velox, quid deterat aetas,
Tu quoque fecurus res age, Nire, tuas.
rNnei
Ga
^■TT^l'lLJ^
nsm
P O E M A T A.
h
rNr20I SEAYTON". [ Poft Lexicon Anglicanum auflum et emendatum. ]
T EXICON ad finem longo luftamine tandem ■*— ' Scaliger ut duxit, tenuis pertsfus opella?. Vile indignatus lludium, nugafque moleftas, Ingemit exofas, fcribendaque lexica mandat Damnatis, pcenam pro poenis omnibus unam.
Hie quidem rede, fublirais, doftus et acer, Quem decuit majora fequi, majoribus aptum. Qui veterum modo fafta ducum, modo carmina vatum, Gefferat et quicquid virtus, fapientia quicquid, Dixerat, imperiique vices, coelique meatus, Ingentemque animo feclorum volveret orbem.
Fallimur exemplis ; temere fibi turba Icholarum Ima tuas credit permitti Scaliger iras. Quifque fuum norit modulum ; tibi, prime virorum Ut ftudiis fperem, aut aufim par effe querelis, Non milii forte datum ; lenti feu fanguinis obfmt Frigora, feu nimium longo jacuiiTe veterno, Sive mihi mentem dederit natura minorem.
Te frerili fundlum cura, vocumque faiebris Tuto eludatum fpatiis fapientia dia Excipit ^Ethereis, ars omnis plaudit amico, Einguarumque omni terra difcordia concors Multiplici reducem circum fonatore magiftrum.
Me, penii immunis cum jam mihi reddor, inertis pefidiic fors dura manet, graviorque labore
G 2 Triilis
n JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Triftis et atra quies, et tardae taedia vitze.
Nafcuntur curis curae, vexatque dolor um
Iniportuna cohors, vacuze mala Ibmnia mentis.
Nunc clamofa juvant noflurnjE gaudia menfa;.
Nunc loca fola placent; frullra te, Somne, recumbent
Alme voco, impatiens nodlis metuenfque diei.
Omnia percurro trepidus, circum omnia lullro.
Si qua ulquam pateat melioris femita vita?.
Nee quid agam iovenio, mcditatus grandia, cogor
Notior ipfe mlhi fieri, incultumque fateri
Pciflas, et ingenium vano fe robore ja6lans.
Ingenium nifi materiem do6lrina miniftrat,
Ceffat inops re'rum, ut torpet, fi marmoris abfit
Copia, Phidiaci frecunda potentia coeli.
Quicquid agam, quocunque ferar, conatibus obflat
Res angufta domi, et macrse penuria mentis.
Non rationis opes animus, nunc parta recenfeni Confpicit aggeHas, et fe miratur in illis. Nee fibi de gaza praefens quod ^^oftulat ufus Summus adclle jubet celfa dominator ab arce ; Non, operum ferie feriem. dum computat a^vij, Prasteiitis fruitur, Isetos aut fumit honores Ipfe fui judex, aels bene munera vita; ; Sed faa r.egna videns, loca noifLe filentia late Horret, ubi vans Ipecies, umbrasque fugaces, Et rerum volitant rarae per inane figuras.
Quid faciam ? tenebrifne pigram damnare fenedlan? Rertat r an accingar fludiis graviorlbus audax ? Aut, hoc Ti nimium ell, tandem nova lexica pofcam ?
AD
P O E M A T A. t5
AD T H O M AM LAURENCE,
MeDICUM DOCTISSIMUM
Cum fillum peregre agcnttm defiderlo nimis trifli pfo-
fr^queretur.
T7^ A T E R I S ergo, quod populus folet "^ Crepare vsecors, nil fapientiam Prodefle vits, literafque ; In dubiis dare terga rebus
Tu, queis laborat fors hominum, mala, Kec vincis acer, nee pateris plus, Te miile fuccorum potentem Deflituit mcdicina m.ends.
Per caeca noclls t.Tdia turbida;, Pigra3 per horas lucis inutiles, Torpefque, languefcifque, curls Solicitus nimis heu I paternis.
Tandem dolori plus fatis eft datum, Exurge fortii, nunc animis opus,
Tc, docla, Laurenti ; vetuftas, <
Te medici revocant labores.
P^rmitte fummo quicquid habes patrl, Permitte fidens, et muliebribus. Amice, majorem querelis
Rcdde tuisi tibi redde, mentera.
G 3 IN
6 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
IN T H E A T R O, March 8, 1771.
np E R T 1 1 verfo quater orbe luflri, ■*■ Quid theatrales tibi, Crifpe, pompse ? Quam decet canos male Ikeratos
Sera voluptas !
Tene mulceri fidibus canoris ? Tene cantorum modulis ftupere ? Tene per piftas oculo elegante
Currere formas ?
Inter squales, fine felle liber. Codices, veri lludiofus, inter Redlius vives. Sua quifque carpat
Gaudia gratus.
Lufibus gaudet puer otiofis, Luxus obleflat juvenem theatrl. At feni fluxo fapienter uti
Tempore reflate
INSULA KENNETHI, INTER HEBRIDAS,
Yy A R V A quidem regio, fed relligione priorum •*• Clara Caledonias panditur inter aquas. Voce ubi Cennethus populos domuilTe feroces Dicitur> et vanos dedocuiffe deos.
Hue
1
P O E M A T A. «7
^uc ego delatus placido per caeruLa curfu.
Scire locus volui quid daret ifte novi. Illic Leniadei humili regnabat in aula,
Lenlades, mac^nis nobilitatus avis, Una duas cepit cafa cum genitore puellas,
Quas Amor undarum crederet efie deas. Nee tamen inculti gelidis latuere fub antris,
Accola Danubii qualia faevus habet. MoIIia non defunt vacua; folatia vitae
Sive libros pofcant otia, five lyram. Fulferat ilia dies, legis qua dodla fupernae
Spes hominum et curas gens procul && jubet* Ut precibus jufias avertat numinis iras
Et fummi accendat pedlus amore boni. Ponti inter flrepitus non facri munera cultus
CelTarunt, pietas hie quoque cura fiiit. Nil opus eft seris facra de turre fonantis
Admonitu, ipfa fuas nuneiat hora vices. Quid, quod faerifici verfavit femina libros ?
Sint pro legitimis pura labella facris. Quo vagor ulterius ? quod ubique requiritur hie eft>
Hie fecura quies, hie et honeftus amor.
S K I A.
T) O N T I profundis claufa receflibus, ■*- Strepens procellis, rupibus obfita, Quam grata defefTo virentem, Skia, fmum nebulofa pandis !
G4 Hb
U JOHNSON'S POEMS.
His, cura, credo, fedihiis exulat ; His bianda certe pax habitat locis ; Non ira, non moeror quietis Infidias meditatur horis.
At non cavata rupe latefcere, Menti nee aegras montibus aviis Prodeft vagari, nee frementes' In fpecula numerare fluftus.
Humana virtus non fibi fufHcit ; Datur nee asquum cuique animum fih'x Parare pofle, utcunque jaflet Grandiloquus nimis alta Zeno.
Exsefluantis pedloris impetum Rex fumme, folus tu regis, arbiter ; Mentifque, te tollente, fiudus ; Te, refident, moderante fludtus.
ODE, D E S K I A INSULA.
TpERMEO terras ubi nuda rupes •*■ Saxeas mifeet nebulis ruinas, Torva ubi rident fteriles coloni
Rura labcfres.
Pervagor gentes hominum ferorum. Vita ubi nullo deeorata cultu Squallet informis, tigurique fumis
Faeda latefcit.
Inter
P O E M A T A. S9
Inter erroris falebrofa longi. Inter Ignotae flrepitus loquela?, Quot modis, mecum, quid agat, requiro,
Thralia dulcis ?
Seu viri curas, pia nupta mulcet, Seu fovet mater fobolem benigna, S'lvz cum libris novitate pafcit
Sedula mentem.
Sit mcmor noflri, fideique folvat Fida merccdem, meritcque blandum Thralia; difcant refonare nomen
Littora Skia;.
S P E S.
Apr. i6, 17S3.
T T O R A fie peragit citata curfum ; •*■ ■*- Sic diem fequitur dies f jgacem ! Spes novas nova lux parit, fecuada Spondens omnia credulis homullis ; Spes ludit ftolidas, metuque caeco Lux angit, miferos ludens homullos.
$0
JOHNSON'S POEMS.
VERSUS, COLLARI CAPR/E DoMINI BANKS*
INSCRIBENDI.
P
ERPETUI, ambita bis terra premia ladlis Hxc habet, altrici capra fecunda Jovis.
Ad Fceminam quandam Generofam quae Libertads Caufas in Sermone patrocinata fuerat.
T IBER ut eiTe velim, fuafiili, pulchra Maria : **—' Ut maneam liber, pulchra Maria, vale.
JACTURA TEMPORIS.
TTORA perit furtim Isetis, mens temporis segra Pigritiam incufat, nee minus hora perit.
0
UAS navis recipit, quantum fit pondus aquarum> Dimidium tanti ponderis intret onus.
0
UOT vox milTa pedes abit horas parte fecunda ? Undecies centum denos quater adde duofque.
P O E M A T A. 9t
E.? B I P X I O N*.
E»5 TO T53J E Airs HI' f -TTEpt Twj- 'Ovftfwi' "Ajwjaa.
Kywpoj, /x»9d avTH axnTrTfct ^e//>}>>e 0£a»' Ex Aio? er*" Oxzp, 6e?c5 ttot s'7fa4'£i' '0/<c>jpo5,
Zev? yiovvoq (p?^!oiVTt "jto^k; iXTrepcs y.zfocvfof, ''OfjL^a^i AcefCTTfa Ajo? KyTrp? oiVa (pBpsi,
In E L I Z -^ Enigma.
OyiS formx modus imperio ? Venus arrogat audax Omnia, nee curs funt fua fceptra Jovi.
Ab Jove Mreonides defcendere fomnia narrat ; Hasc venlunt Cypris fomnia miiTa De^.
Jupiter unus erat, qui fti-a\'it fulmine gentes ; Nunc armant Veneris lumina tela Jovis.
* The Rev. Dr. Thomas Birch, author of the Hlftory of the Royal Society, and other %vorks of note.
•j- The Lady on whom thefs verfes, and the Latin ones which immediately follow, were written, is the celebrated Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, who tranflated the works of Eri^ctus from the Greek.
MES-
J O HNS ON' s POEMS.
1
M E S S I A.
Ex alieno ingenlo poeta, ex fuo tantum verrificatof*
ScALiG. Poet.
'"T^OLLITE concentum, Solyma^se tollite nymphsef
"*■ Nil mortale loauor : ccelum rmhi carmmis aha Materies ; pofcunt gravius ccelefiia ple6lrum. Mufcofi fontes, fylveftria tedla valete, Aonidefque Des, et mendacis fomnia Pindi : Tu, mihi, qui flam ma mo'vifri pectora lanfli Siderea Ifaise, dignos accende furores !
Immatura calens rapitur per fecula vates Sic orfus — Qualis rerum mihi nafcitur ordo ! Virgo ! virgo parit 1 felix radicibus arbor JefTEis fargit, mulcentefque sthera flores Ccelelles lambunt anims, ramifqvie columba, Nuncia facra Dei, plaudentibus infidct alis. Ne<ftareos rores, alimentaque mitia coelum Pr^^beat, et tacite fcecundos irriget imbres. Hue, fcedat quos lepra, urit quos febris, adefle, pia falutares fpiraut medicamina rami ; Hie requies fefiis ; non facra fssvit in umbra Vis Bores gelida, aut rapidi violentia folis. Irrita vanefcent prifca velligia fraudis Juftitiaeque manus pretio intemerata bilancem Attollet reduciji j bellis prstendet olivas
Com-
P O E M A T A. f 3
Compofitis p?.x alma fuas, ternifque revifcns Sedatas nivco virtus lucebit amivftu : Volvantur celeres anrii ! lux purpuret ortum Expedlata diu ! naturae clauftra refringens, Naibcre, magne puer ! tibi primas, ecce, coroUr.s Depropcrat tellu:, fundit tibi munera, quicquid Carpit Arabs, hortis quicquid frondefcit Eois. Altlus, en ! Lebanon gaudentia culmina tollit. En ! fummo exultant nutantes vertice fylva;. Mittit aromaticas vallis Sarcnica nubes, Et juga Carmcli recreant fragrantia coslum. Deferti la?ta mollercunt albera voce Auditur Deus ! ecce Deus ! rcboantia circum Saxa fonant, Deus ; ecce Deus ! defieclitur ::ether, Deni-ffamque Deuin tellus capit ; ardua cedrus, Gloria fylvarum, dominum inclijiata falutet. Surgite convalles, tumidi fiabndite montes ! Sternite faxa viam, rapidi difcedite fiuiflus : En ! quern turba diu cccinerunt enthca, vates lin ! falvator adeli : vultus aj^nofcite ca:ci Divinos, furdcs facra vox permulceat aures. I!le cutim fpifTam vKus hebet^.re vetabit, Reclufifque oculis infandjt am:ibile lumen ; Obflridaique diu linguas in carmina folvet I lie \ias vocis pandet, Ilexufque liqucntis Harmonirc purgata novos inirabitur auris. Accrcfcunt teneris tactu nova robora nervis : Confuctus fulcro innixus reptare bacilli Nunc faku aipreas, nunc curfu provocat euros. {S'cn plandu-3, nOxi inctfta ionant iufplria ; pc(flus
SIu-
94 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Singultans mulcet, lachrymantes tergit ocellos.
Vincla coercebunt ludlantem adamanrina mortem,
iEternoque Orci doininator vulnere ianguens
Invalid! raptos iceptri plorabit honores.
Ut qua dulce Hrepent fcatebr^e, qua lata virefcunt
Pafcua, qua bland um fpirat puniiimus aer,
Paftor agit pecudes, teneros modo fufcipit agnos
Et gremio fotis feletftas porrigit herbas,
AmilTas modo quserit eves, revocatque vagantes ;
Fidus adeft cuftos, feu nox furat horrida nimbis,
Sive dies medius morientia torreat arva,
Poilera fic paftor divinus fecla beabit,
Et curas felix patrias teflabitur orbis.
Non ultra infeftis concurrent agmina fignis,
Hoftiles oculis ilammas jaculantia torvis ;
Non litui accendent bellum, non campus ahenis
Trifle corufcabit radiis ; dabit hafta recufa
Vomerem, et in faicem rigidus curvabitur enfis.
Atria, pacis opus, furgent, iinemque caduci
Natus ad optatum perducet cnspta parentis.
Qui duxit fulcos, illi teret area mefTem,
St ferae texent vites umbracula proli.
Attoniti dumeta vident inculta coloni
Suave rubere rofis, iitientefque inter arenas
Garrula mirantur falientis murmura rivi.
Per faxa, ignivomi nuper fpelsa draconis,
Canna viret, juncique tremit variabilis umbra,
Horruit implexo qua vallis fente, iigurss
Surgit amans abies teretis, buxique fequaces
Artiiicis frondent dsxtrse ; palmifque rubeta
Afpera,
P O E M A T A.
Afpera, odoratoe cedunt mala gramina myrto. Per valles fociata lupo lafciviet agna, Cumpue leone petet tutus pra?fepe juvencus. Florea manfuetae petulantes vincula tigri Per ludum pucn injicient, et fefTa colubri Membra viatoris recreabunt frigore linguae-. Serpentes teneris nil jam iethale micantes Tradabit palmis infans, motufque trifalcas Ridebit linguae innocuos, fquamafque virentes Aureaque admirans rutilantls fulgura criflas. Indue reginam, turrits f'-ontis honores Tolle Salema facros, quam circum gloria pennas Explicat, incinclam radiate luce tiarse ! En 1 formofa tibi fpatiola per atria, proles Ordinibus furgit denfis, vitamque requirit Impatiens, lenteque fluentes increpat anncs. Ecce peregrinis fervent tua limina turbis ; Barbaras en ! clarum divine lumine templum Ingreditur, cultuque tuo manfuefcere gaudet. Cinnameos cumulcs, Nabathsi munera veris, Ecce cremant genibus tritse regalibas arae ! Solis Ophyrasis crudum tibi moniibus aurum Maturant r^dii ; tibi baliama iudat Idume. iEtheris en portas facro fulgore micantes Coslicolai pandunt. torrentis aurea lucis Flumina prorumpur.t ; non pofthac ible rubefcet India nafcenti, placidsve argentea no6lis Luna vices revehet ; radios pater ipfe dici Proferet archetypes ; cceleilis gaudia lucis Ipio fonte bibes, qua: circumfuia ber-tam
9S
Regiam
96 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Regiam inundabit, nullis ceilura tenebris, Littora dcficicns arentia deferei a^quor ; Sidera fumabunt, diro labL'fa(5la tremore Saxa cadcnt, lol.dique liquefcent robora montis : Tu fecura tamen confula elementa vidcbis, Lstaque Meffia femper dominabere rege, Pollicitis firmata Dji, flabilita ruinis.
* /^ QUI benlgnus crimina ignofcis, pater ^^ Faciliique Temper confitenti ad.'s reo, Aurem faventem precibus O prsbe meis ; Scebrum catena me labcrantem grave Sterna tandem liberet dementia, Ut fimima laus lit, fuxTima ChriHo gloria.
T)ER vita; tenebras rerumque incerta vagantem
"^ Numine prasfenti me tueare pater !
Me ducat lax fancla, Deus, lux fancla fequatur ;
Ufquc regat greflus, gratia fida meos. Sic psragam tua jufTa libens, accinclus ad omne
Mandatum, vivam fic moriarque tibi.
* This and the three following articles are metrical verfions of colle£ts in the Liturgy: the i(}, of that, beginning, ** O God whofe nature and prope ty ;" the ad and 3-J, of the colle£ls for the 17th and 2ift Sundays after Trinity 5 and the 4th, of the ift coir ledl in the comr-iunion fci-vice,
ME,
P O E M A T A. 97
A /T E, pater omnlpotens, de puro rcfpice cixlo, -^^■^ Quern mosrtum et timidum crimina gravant ; Da veniam pacemqae milii, da, mente ferena,
Ut tibi quse placeant, omma promptus agam. Solvi, quo Chrifius cuniftis delicla redemit,
Et pro me pretium, tu patiare, pater.
[ Dec. 5, 1784*. ]
QUMMK Deus, cui caeca patent penetralia cordis ; ^ Quern nulla anxietas, nulla cupido fiigit ; Quern nil vp.fnties peccantum fubdola celat ;
Omnia qui fpcvflans, omnia ubique regis ; Mentibus aiflam terrenas ejice fordes
Divino, fanclus regnet ut intus amor : Eloquiumque potens Unguis torpentibus afFer,
Ut tibi laus omni Temper ab ore fonet : Sanguine quo gentes, quo fecula cun6la piavit,
Ha:c nobis Chriftus promeruilTe velit !
• The day on which he received the facrament for the lad time; stnd eight days before his deceafe.
Vol. LXXir. H ? S A L-
jS JOHNSON'S POEMS,
P S A L M U s cxvir.
A N N I qua volucris ducitur orbita, •^-*- Patrent coelicolum perpetuo colunt Quovis fanguine crctae Gentes undique carmine. Patrem, cujus amor blandior in dies Mortales miferos fervat, alit, fovetj Omnes undique gentes, Sando dicite carmine.
* Q E U te fasva fitis, levitas iive improba fecit,
^ Mufca, mes comitem, participemque dapis. Pone metum, rolmnn iidens immitte culullo.
Nam licet, et toto prclue l?2ta mero. Tu, quamcunque tibi velox indulferit annus,
Carpe diem, fvigit, heu, non revocanda dies ! QujE nos blanda comes, qus nos perdacat ecdem,
Volvitur hora mihi, volvitur hcra tibi ! Una quidcm, fic fata volunt, tibi viritur rcitas,
Eheu, quid dccies plus mihi fexta dedit ! Oiim, pr:i:terit?^ numeranti tempera vitcS,
Sexaginta annis non minor unus erit.
* The above is a verfion of the fong, *' Bufy, curious, thirty fly."
HABEO,
P O E M A T A.
99
TT A B E O, dedi quod alteri ; '*' "■■ Habaique, quod dedi mihi 5 Sed quod reliqui, perdidi.
t E WALTONI PISCATORE PERFECTO EXCERPTUM.
■^^TUNC, per gramma fufi,
^ Densa fronde falidti, Dum defenditur imber, Molles ducimus horas.
Hie,
* Thefe Lines are a verfion of three fentences that are fald in the manufcript to be ** On the monument of John of Doncafterj''* and which are as follow :
What I gave that I have ;
What I fpent that I had j
What I left that I loft.
•j- Thefe Lines are a Tranflation of part of a Song in the Com- plete Angler of Ifaac Walton, written by John Chalkhlll, a friend of Spenfer, and a good poet in his time. They are but part cf the laft ftanza, which, that the Reader may have it entire, is here given at length.
If the fun's exceflive heat
Make our bodies fwelter. To an ofier hedge we get For a friendly {}»elter }
H 2 Where
joo JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Hie, dum debita morti Paulum vita moratur. Nunc refcire priofai Nunc inftare futuris, Nunc fommi prece fanfta Patris numen adire eft. Quicquid qusritur ultra, Caeco ducit amore, Vel fpe ludit inani, Luftus mox pariturum.
Where in a dlkcj Pearch or pike. Roach or dace. We do chafe, Bleak or gudgeon, Without grudging, We are ft ill contented.
Or we fometimes pafs an hour
Under a green willow, That defends us from a fliower. Making earth our pillow j Where we may Think and pray. Before death Stops our breath : Other joys Are but toys. And to be laniented.
QUIS-
P O E M A T A. 101
* /^ U I S QJJ r S iter tendis, vitreas qua lucidus
Nr undas
Speluncas late Thamefis pr^etendit opacae ; Marmorea trepidant qus lentae in fornice guttas, Cryftallifque latex fradlus fcintillat acutis ; Gemmaque, luxuris nondum famulata nitenti Splendet, et incoquitur teftum fine fraude metallum ; Ingredere O ! rerum pura cole mente parentem ; Auriferafque auri metuens fcrutare cavernas. Ingredere ! Egeriae facrum en tibi panditur antrum ! Hie, in fe totum, longe per opaca futuri Tempoiis, Henricum rapuit vis vivida mentis : Hie pia Vindamius traxit fufpiria, in ipsa Morte memor patri^ ; hie, Marmonti pe£lore pruna Coeleilis fido caluerunt femina flammas. Temnere opes, pretium fceleris, patriamque tueri Fortis, ades ; tibi iponte patet venerabile limen.
* The above Lines are a verfion of Pope's verfes on his own grotto, which begin, *' Thou who flialt itop where Thames traaf- iucent wave."
H 3 GR-E-
loz JOHNSON'S POEMS.
GR.^CORUM EPIGRAMMATUM VERSIONES
METRICS.
Pag. 2. Brodsi edit. Baf. Ann. 1549. "XT ON Argos pugilem, non me Meffana creavit;
Patria Sparta milii elli, patria clara virum. Arte valent iHi, mihi robo revivere folo eft, Convenit ut natis, inclyta Sparta, tuis.
Br. 2. QUANDOQUIDEM paffim nulla ratione feruntur, Cunda cinis, cuncla et ludicra, cuncla nihil.
Br. 5.
PECTORE qui duro, crudos de vite racemos
Ventiiri exfecuit, vafcula prima meri, Labraque conftri«^us, femefos, jamque terendos
Sub pedibus, populo prcTtereunte, jacit. Supplicium huic, quoniam crefcentia gaudia Isefit,
Det Bacchus, dederat quale, Lycurge, tibi, Hae poterant uva? isto convivia cantu,
Mulcere, aut pedtus trifte levare malis.
P O E M A T A. 103
Br. 8. FERT humeris claudum valldis per complta cscus. Hie oculos focio commodat, ille pedes.
Br. 10. QUI, mutare vias aufus terrasque marifque,
Trajecit montes nauta, fretumque pedes, Xerxi, tercentam Spart^e Mars obfdtit acris
Militibus ; terris fit pelagoque pudor I
Br. II.
SIT tibi. Calliope, Parnaflum, cura, tenenti. Alter ut adiit Homerus, adefl etenim alter Achilles.
" *^1rff 'ftl^? P-"^' T ^"' ™
Br. 18.
AD Mufa? Venus haec ; Veneri parete puella?.
In vos ne miflus Ipicula tendat amor. HsEC Mufe ad Venerem ; fic Marti, diva, minerls,
Hue uunquam volitat debilis ille puer.
104 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Br. 19. PROSPER A fors nee te ftrepitofo turbine tollat.
Nee menti injieiat fordida cura jagum ; Nam vita inecrds incerta impellitur auris,
Omnefque in partes tri£la, retra(fla fiuit ; Firma manet vircus ; virtuti innitere, tutus
Per tiuclus vitas fic tibi curfus erit.
Br. 24,
HORA bonis quali nune inflet fuprema fruaris, Plura ut vidurus ficula, parce bonis :
Divitiis, utrinque cav^ens, qui tempoie parcit, Tem^-.ore dividis utitur, ille fapit.
.iM^
Br. 24.
NUNQUAM jugera meflibus onufta, aut Qros Gyges c jmulos habebat auri ; Quod \it^ fads eft, peto, Macrine, Mi, nequid iiimis, eft nimis probatum.
Er. 24, NON opto aut precibus pofco ditcfcere, paucis Sit contenta mlhi vita dolore carens.
Br. 24. RECTA ad pauperiem tcndit, cui corpora cordi eft Multa alere, et mukas sdificare domos.
P O E M A T A. 105
Br. 24. TU neque dclce putes alienae accumbere menfa;,
Ncc probrofa avidai grata fit ofFa gulae ; Nee fi(5lo iietu, ficlis folvare cachinnis,
Arridens domino, colJacrj^manfque tuo. Lcetior haud tecum, tecum neque triftior unquam,
Sed Milias ridens, atque dolens Mili^.
Br. 26.
NIL non mortale eft mortalibus ; omne quod eft hi Praetereunt, aut hos praeterit omne bonum.
Br. 26, DEMOCRITE, invifas homines majore cachinno.
Plus tibi ridendum fecula noftra dabunt. Heraclite, fiuat lacrymarum crcbrior imber ;
Vita hominum nunc plus quod mifereris habet. Interca dubito ; tecum me cauia nee ulla
Ridere, aut tecum me lacrimare jubet.
Br. 26.
ELIGE iter vitae ut poflis ; rixifque dolifque Perftrcpit omne forum ; cura molcfta domi eft.
Rura labor laiiat ; mare mille pericula terrent ; Vertc (blum, fient caufa timoris opes ;
Pau,
io6 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Paupertas mifera eft ; multa^ cum conjuge lites Te*5la ineunt ; caelebs omnia fclus ages.
Proles au(5la gravat, rapta orbat, cceca juvents eft Virtus, canities cauta vigore caret.
Ergo optent homines, aut nunquam in luminis eras Veniiie, aut visa luce repente mori.
ELTGE iter vitse ut ma\'is, prudentia laufque
Permeat omne forum ; vita quieta domi eft. Rus ornat natura ; levat maris afpera Lucrum,
Verte folum, donet plena cruniena decus ; Pauperies latitat, cum conjuge gaudia multa
Teda ineunt, cselebs impediere minus ; Mulcet amor prolis, fopor eft fme prole profundus ;
PrjEcellit juvenis vi, pietate fenex. Nemo optet nunquam veniiTe in luminis oras,
Aut periiiTe ; fcatet \dta benigna bonis.
Br. 27. VITA omnis fcena eft ludufque, aut luderj difce Seria feponens, aut mala dura pati.
Br. 27. QUiE fme morte fuga eft vitae, quam turba malorum Non vitanda gravem, non toleranda facit ?
Dulcia
P O E M A T A. 107
Dulcia dat natura quidem, mare, fidcra, terras, Lunaque quas et fol itque reditque vias.
Terror ineft aliis, mcerorqac, et fiquid liabebis Forte boni, ultrices experiere vices.
Br. 27. TERRAM adii nudus, de terra nudus abibo Quid labor einciet ? non nifi nudus ero.
Br. 27.
NATUS eram lacrymans, lacrymans e luce recedo ;
Sunt quibus a lacrymis vix vacat uUa dies. Tale horainum genus eft, infirmum, trifte, mifellum.
Quod mors in cineres folvit, et abdit humo.
Br. 29, QUISQUIS adit leflos elata uxore fecundos* Naufragus iratas ille retentat aquas.
Br. 30, FJELIX ante alios nullius debitor acris ; Kunc fequitur cselebs ; tertius, orbe, venis.
Nee
io8 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Nee male res cefTit, fubito fi funere fponfam Ditatus magna dote, recondis humo.
His fapiens leftis, Epicurum qua^rcre fiuHra Quales fmt monades, qua fit inane, finas.
Br. 31.
OPTARIT quicunque fenex fibl longius asvum, Dignus qui multa in luftra fenefcat, erit.
Cam procul eil, optat, cum venit, quifque fene£lam, Incufat, Temper fpe meliora videt.
Br. 46.
OMNIS vita nimis brevis ell: felicibus, una Nox miferis longi temporis inllar habet.
Br. 55.
GRATIA ter grata eft velox. Cm forte nioretur.
Gratia vix reftat nomine digna fuo.
Br. ^6. SEU prece pofcatur, feu non, da Jupiter omne, Magne, bonum, omne malum, et pofcentibus abnuc
nobis.
P O E M A T A, tG9
Br. 60. ME, cane vita to, cams exciplt a!ter ; eodem
In me aniirio telbs gignit et unda feras. Nee mirum ; refcat lepori confcendere caelum,
Sidereiis tamcn hie territat, eece, canis !
Br. 70. TELLURI, arboribus ver frondens, fidera coelo Grxcix et urbs, urbi efl: iila propago, decus.
Br. 75. IMPIA fa£la patrans, homines fortafTe latebis, Non poteris, meditans prava, latere Decs.
Br. 75. ANTIOPE fatyram, Danae aurum, Europa juven- cum, Et cycnum fecit, Leda pctita Jovem.
Br. 92. ^VI fat novi quam fim brevis ; aflra tuenti. Per cartas ftabili lege voluta vices.
Tan-
tio JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Tangitur baud pedibus tellus : conviva Deoruirt Expleor ambrofiis exliilarorque cibis.
Br. 96. QUOD nimium eft fit ineptum, hinc, ut dixere pri- ores, Et melli nimio fellis amaror ineil.
Br. IC3.
PUPPE gubernatrix fedifli, audacia, prima
Divitiis acuens afpera corda virum ; Sola rates ftruis infidas, et dalcis amorem
Lucri ukifcendum mox nece fola doces. Aurea fecla hominum, quorura fpeftandus ocellis
E longinquo itidem pontus et orcus erat.
Br. 126. DITESCIS, credo, quid reftat ? quicquid habebis
In tumulum tecum, mcrte jubente, trahes ? Divitias cumulas, percuntes negligis horas,
Increinenta <evi non cumulare potes.
P O E M A T A. ,11
Er. 126, MATER adulantum, prolefque pecunia curse, Teque frui timor eft, teque carere dolor.
Br. 126. ME miferum fors omnis habet ; florentibus annis
Pauper cram, nummis diiiluit area fenis ; Queis uti poteram quondam Fortuna negavit.
Quels uti nequeo, nunc mihi praebet opes.
sxSSI^S^
Br. 127. MNEMOSYNE, ut Sappho mellita voce canenteni;, Audilt, irata eft ne nova Mufa foret.
Br. 152,
CUM tacet indotftus, fapientior efle videtur, Et morbus tegitur, dum premit ora pudor.
Br. 155. NUNC huic, nunc aliis cedens, cui farra Mcnippus-
Credit, Achxmenidae nuper agellus eram. Quod null! prcprium verfat Fortuna, putabat
lUe fuum ftoiidus, nunc putat ille fuum.
iia JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Br. 156.
NON Fortuna fibl te gratum tollit in altum ; At docet, exemplo, vis iibi quanta, tuo.
Br. 162. HIC, auram ut repent, Liqueum abjicit, alter, ut
aiirum
Non reperit, nedlit quern reperit, laqueum.
Br. 167. VIVE tuo ex animo, vario rumore loquetur De te plebs audax, bene, et ille male.
Br. 168. YITJE rofa brevis eft, properans fi carpere nolis. Qiiaerenti obveniet mox iine flore rubus.
Br. 170. PULICiBUS morfus, reilinaa lampade, ftultus Exclamat ; nunc me cernere definitis.
P O E M A T A. iij
Br. 202. MENODOTUM pinxit DIodorus, et exit imago, Prster Menodotum, nulliub abfimilis.
Br. 205. HAUD lavit Phido, baud t?etigit, mLhi fcbre ca- len ti In mentem ut venit nominis, interii.
Br. 210. NYCTICORAX cantat kthale, Ted ipfa cane nri Demophilo aufcultans Nyfticorax moritur.
Br. 212.
HERMEM Deorum nincium, pennis levem, C^o rej^e gaudent Arcades, furem bouna, Hujus paleftra; qui \'igil cullos ftctit. Clam node tollit Aulas, et rideniS ait ; Praiftat magiftro fepe difcipulus fuo.
Br. 223. QUI jacet hie, fervus vixit, nunc, Ifcnine cairas. Dario magno non minus ille ppteH, Vol. LXXII. 'i
itV JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Br. 227. FUNUS Alexandri mentitur fama ; fidefque Si Phoebo,' viclor nefcic obire diem.
Br. 241. NAUTA, quis hoc jnceat ne percontere lepulchio, Eveniat tantum midor unda tibi !
Br. 256. CUR opulentus eges ? tua cutidta in fcenore ponis. Sic aliis dives, tu tibi pauper agis.
■■I*
Br. 262. QUI pafcit barbam fi crefcit mente, Platoni, Hirce, parem nitido te tua barba facit.
Br. 266. CLARUS Joannes, reginse affinis, ab alto
Sanguine Anaiiaiii ; cundla fepulta jacent : Et pius, et redi cultor : non ilia jacere
Dicam ; itat virtus non fubigenfla ncci.
P O E M A T A. 115'
Br. 267, CUNCTIPARENS tellus falve, levis eflo pufillo Lyfigeni, fuerat non gravis ille tibi.
Br. 285. NAUFRAGU3 hie jaceo ; contra, jacet ecce co- lonyis ! Idem orcus terras, Tic, pelagoque fubeli.
Br. 301.
QUID falvcra jabes m5, peflime ? Corrips grefTjs ; Ell niihi quod non te rideo, plena falus.
EV Terus eft Timon fcrb terris ; janitor orci> Cerbere, te mcrlii ne, petat ille, cave.
Br. 307. VITAM a terdecimo fcxtus mihi finiet annus,
A lira mathematicoi fi modo vera docent. SulTicit hoc votis ; flos h;c pulcherimus acvi eft,
£t fenium tripkx Neiloris urna capit.
ii6 JOHNSON'S POEMS,
Br. 322. ZOSTMA, qua folo fiiit ol'iin corpora ferva, Corpore nunc etiam libera faCla fuit.
Br. 326. EXIGUUM en ! Priami monumentum ; haud ille meretur Quale, fed hoitiles, quale dedere manus.
Br. 326^.
HECTOR dat gladium Ajaci, dat Balteum et Ajax, Hedlori, et exitio munus utriqae fuit.
Br. 344. UT vis, ponte minax ; modo tres dlfceiTeris ulnas, Jngemina fiuilus, ingeminaque fonum.
Br. 344. NAUFRAGUS hicjaceo; fidens tamen utere velis, Tutuin aiijs xi\aor, me pereunt£> fuit«
P O E M A T A, 117
• Br. 398, HERACLITUS ego ; indoifls r,e I^rdite I'ngua;
Subtile ingenium qusero, capaxque mei, Unus homo mihi pro fexcentis, turba popelli
Pro nullo, clamo nunc tumulatus idem.
Br. 399. AMBRACIOTA, va!e lux alma, Cleombrotus inlit,
Et faku e muro ditis opaca petit : Trilte nihil pailus, animi at de Ibrte Platonis
Scripta iegens. Tola \ivere mente cupit.
Br. 399. SER\TJ3. Epifietus, muti'ato corpcre, VL\i, Pauperieque Irus, coraque {umma Deum.
Br. 445 UNDE h'c Praxiteles ? nudam vidiftls, Adoni, Et Pari, et Anchifa, non alius, Venerem.
13
;rx8 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Br. 451. SUFFLATO accendis quifquis carbone lucernain, Corde meo accendas ; ardeo totus ego.
Br. 486. JUPITER hoc templum, ut, fiquaiido relkiqult Olympum, Atthide non alius dcfit Olympus, habet.
Br. 487. CIVIS et externus grati ; domus hofpita nefcit Q^xrere, quis, cujus, quio pater, unde venio.
P O M P E I I.
Br. 4S7. CUM ingere baud pOiHt, fraffHs Victoria pennis, Te manet imperii, Roma, perenne decus.
Br. 488. LATROXES alibi locapletum quasrite teCla, AiTidet huic cullos ftrenugi pauperies.
P O E M A T A. II)
FORTUN/E malim adverfas tolerare procellas, Quam domini ingeniis ferre fupercilium.
EN, Sexto, Sexd meditatur imago, filente. Orator Itatua eli, llatuxqr.e orator imago.
PULCHRA eft virginitas intadla, at vha periret,
Omnes Ij vellent virginitate frui ; Neqaitiam fugiens, fervata contrabe lege
Conjugiam, ut pro te des hominem patriae.
FERT humeris, venerab'Ie onus, Cythereis heros Per Trcjae fiammas, denfaque tela, patrem.
Clamat et Argivi?, vetuli, ne tangite, vita Exiguum eil Alarti, fed miiii grande lucrum.
FORMA animos homlnum cap't, at, fi gratia defit, Non tenet ; efca natat pulchra, fed hamus abeft.
COG IT AT aut loquitur nil vir, nil cogitat uxor, Fclici thalamo non, puto, rixa ihepit.
1 +
ftzo J O HNS ON^s POEMS.
BUCCINA disjecit Thebarum moenia, ftrnxit Qua; lyra, quam fib'i non concinit harmonia !
MENTE fenes olim juvenis, FaufHne, premcbas. Nunc juvenum terrcs robore corda fenex.
L^Evuni at utrumque decus, juvcni quod prsbuit olim Turba fenum, juvenes nunc tribuere Tcni.
EXCEPTS hofpitio mufc, tribuere libellos Hcrodoto hofpitii praemia, quaeque fuum.
STELLA mea, obfervans Hellas, Pii me jcthera faxint Multis ut te oculis fim potis afpicere.
CLARA Cherone^e foboles, Plutarche, dicavit Hanc ftatuam ingenio, Roma benigna, tuo.
Das bene collatos, quos Roma et Gra^cia ja<5lat. Ad Divos paribus palTibus ir.e duces ;
Sed fimi'em, Plutarcue, tux defc-ibere vitam Non poteras, regio non tulit ulla parem.
P O E M A T A. Ill
DAT tibi Pythagoram pi<flor ; quod ni ipfe tacere Pythagoras maliet, vocem habcilTet opus.
PROLEM Hippi et fua qua meliarem fecula nullum Videre, Archidicen hac tumuia\dt humus ;
Quam, regum ibbokm, nuptam, matrein, atc^ue To- rorem Fecprunt nulii Tors titujique gravein.
m^^SJSSib
CECPvOFIDIS gravis hie por.or, Martique dicatus. Quo tua fignantur geila, Philippe, Inpis,
Spreta jacet Marathon, jacct et Salaminia laurus. Omnia cum Macedum gloria et arma premunt.
Sint Demofth cnica ut jurata cadavera I'oce, Stabo illio qui funt, quique fucre, gravis.
FLORIBU3 in pratis, legi quos ipfe, coronam Contextam variis, doy Rhodr.clea, tibi :
Hie anemone humet, confert narciH'jj odores Cum viclis ; fpirant iilia miila rolls.
His redimita comas, mores depone luperbos, Ha:c peritura nitent ; lu ptrliura nltes !
jix JOHNSON'S POEMS.
MUREM Afclepiades fub teclo ut vidit avarus. Quid tibi, mus, mecum, dixit, amice, tibi.
Mus blaiidum ridcns, rclpondit, pelle timorem; Hie, bone vii-, fcdem, non alimenta, peto.
S^PE tuum in tumulum lacrymarum decidlt imber Quern fund it blando jundcs amore dolor ;
Charus enim cunclis, tanquim, dum vita manebat, Culque efTes natus, culque loda'is, eras.
Heu quam dura preces fprevit, quam furda querelas Parca, juventatem non miferata tuam !
ART! ignis lucem tribui, tamqn artis et ignis Nunc ope, fuppiidi vi<it imago mei.
Gratia nulla homlnum mentes tenet, iila Promethei Munera munerlbas, fi retulere fabri.
ILL A triumphatrix Graiiim confaeta procorum Ante fuas agmcn Lais habere fores,
Hoc Veneri Ipeculum ; nolo me cernere qualis Sum nunc, nee poflam ceniere qualis cram.
P O E M A T A. 1^3
CRETHIDA fabcllas dulces garrire peritam
Profequitur lacrymis fi'.ia mcEila Sami ; Elandam lanifici fcciam fine fine loquacem,
Quam tenet hie, cundlas qase manet, alta qiiies.
DICITE, Caufidici, gelido nunc marmore magnj Mugitum tuniulus comprimit Amphilocl.
SI forfan tumulum quo conditur Eumanis aiiferi Nil iucri fades ; oiTa habec et cinerem.
E P I C T E T I.
/^E, rex deorum, tuque, due, neceHitas, Quo, lege veiira, vita me feret mca. Sequar libentcr, fm reluilari velim, Fiam fcelckub, nee camcn minus fequar.
E T H E O C R I T O.
T) O E T A, lector, h:c quiefcit Hipponax,
Si il? iceleilas, prpcter., procul, inaraior At te bonurn fi nona, et bonis natum, Tutuiu hie i'cdiie, et fi pLcct, L^>or tutus.
124 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
EUR. MED. 193-205.
^^ O N immerito culpanda venit •^ ^ P; oavum vxcoTs inlipientia. Qui convivia iautafque dapes Hilarare fuis jufTere modis Cantum, vitas dulce levamen. At nemo feras iias hominum, ' Domibus claris exitiales. Voce aut fidibus p^llere docuit Queis tamen aptam ferre medelam Utile cundli.s hoc opus elTet ; Namqus, ubi menfas onerant epulae, Qaorfam dulcis laxuria loni ? Sat Isetltia, fine fubfidiis, Pe(5lora molii mulcet dubiae Copia ccenae.
*
* The above is a Verfion of a Lntin Hp'gram on the fanons Jnhii Duke oi Marlborough by the Abbe Sjlvini, M.hjch is ai fol- lows :
Haud alio vultu, fremuit Mars acer in armls : Haud alio, Cypriam perculit ore Deara.
The Duke was, it frems, remarkably hanifome in his perfon, to which the iscjnd iine has refeience.
P O E M A T A. las
SEPTEM iETATES.
T) R I M A parit terras aetas, ficcatque fecunda, "^ Evocat Abramum dein tenia ; quarta reli:iquit .^gyptum ; templo Solomonis quinta fiiperfit ; Cyrum icxta timet ; la^tatar feptiina Chriilo.
* TT I S TempelmaRni numeris dercripferis orbem.
-■■-■' ^ Cum fex centuriis Jud-^o millia feptem. Myrias '^ ^gypto celTit bis fepilma pingui.
* To the above Lines (which are unfini/hrd, and can t!)erefo:-e be only ofll:red as a fragment), in the Do<Stor's manufcript, are pre-^ fixed the words, **^ Geographia Metrica." As we are re^rred, ia the linl of the verfes, to TemLlema*, for halving furnifhed the nu- merical com utations that are the fubjeil of them, his work hjs beei> accordingly confulted, the title of which is, ** A new Surrey of the Globe," and which proteflc; to give an accurate menfuracion of all the err;p;res, kingdoms, and other divifions therenf, in the fquarc miles that thry refpe€ilvely contu'n. On compar'fon of the feverat numbers in thefe verfes w'th thofe fet down by Teir.pleman, it ap- pears that nearly half of them ar* precifely the fame} the reft are nor ^'te io exaftly done.--- - For the convenience of the Reader it has been thought right to fubjoin each number, ai i: ftands in Temple-^ man's work, to that in Dr. Johnfon's verfes which refers to it.
a In this firft article that is ve.-f.fi^rd, there is an accurate confor- mity in Dr Johnfon's number to Ten:plernan's j who fets down the' ^uare miles of Paleftine at 7,60c.
^ The fquare mIle3of .^gypt are, in Tenaplecian, 140,700.
Myria?
126 JOHNSON'S POKMS.
Myrias adfcifcit fibi nonagefiina feptem Jmperium qua Turca c ferox exercet iniquum.
Undecies binas decadas et milii^ ieptem Sortitur ^ Pelopis lellus quae nomine gaudet.
Myriadas decies Icptem numerare jubebit Paftor d Arabs : decies o£lo libi Perfa ^ requirit.
Myriades fibi pulcra duas, duo milUa pofcit Parthenope ''. ^ Novies vult tellus milie SIcana. f Papa fuo regit imperio ter millia quinqae. Cum fsx centuriis numerat fex millia Tuicus s. Ceiituria Ligures ^ sugent duo miiiia quarta. Centuriae oclavam decadem addit Lucca * fecunds;.
Ut dicas, fpatiis quam iads imperet orbi
c The whole Turkifh empire, in Tenjcleman, is computed at 960,037 fquare miles,
d In the four following articles, the number?, in Templeman and in Johnf^n's verfes, are aiilce. — We find, accordingly, the Morea, in Templeman, to be letdown at 7,220 fquare miles.— Arabia, at 700,000.— Periia, at 800,000. — and Naples, at 22,000.
e Sicily, in Templeman, Is put down at O3400.
f The pope's dominions, at i4,36S,
£ Tufcany, at 6,640.
h Genoa in Templeman, as "in Johnfon likewife, is fet down at 2,400.
> Lucca, at 286*
Ruflia,
P O E M A r A. 127
^ Ruflla, myriadas ter denas adde trecentis : * Sardiniam cum fexcentis fex iTiiliia complent.
Cum fexagenis, dum plura reclufciit a^ta^, Myriadas tcr mille homini dat terra ^ colendas.
Vult fibi vicenas milleiima myrias addi, Vicenis quinas, Afiam •• metata ceiebrem.
Se quinquagenis ocftingenteiimi jungit Myrias, ut menti pateat tota Africa ° dodas,
Myriadas feptem decies Europa p ducentis Et quadragenis qucque ter tria miilia jangit.
Myriadas dcnas dat, quinque et mili-.a, fcxque Centurias, et tres decadas Ej^. opa Britannis 1,
Ter tria myriadi conjungit miilia quartan, Centurias quarts decades quiiique ^ Angiia ne^lit
Miilia myriadi Icptem ftscunda fccundae Et quadragenis decades quinque addit J erne*,
k The RuiT:an empire, in the 29th plate of Templeman, is fet down at 3»S03.,4S5 fnuare mlies.
1 Sardinia, in Templeman, as likewife in Johnfon, 6,600.
01 The habitabie world, in Templeman, is computed, in fcjuare miles, at 3c,666,Sc6.
• Afia, ac 10,257,487. o Africa, a: 8,5o6,2cS. P Europe, 312,749.349.
9 The Britiih dominions, at 105, &J4,
f England, as l.liewife in Johfilbns expreilhw of the number, at 49,450.
* Irelaad, at 27;457.
Quin-
128 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
Quingentis quadrageris focialis adauget Millia Belga ' novem.
Ter fex centurias Hollandia ' jadlat opima Undeciinum Camber t vult feptem millibus addi.
t In the three remain'nj inftances, which make the whole that Dr. Johnfon appears to have rendered into Latin verfe, we find the numbers exa£lly agreeing with th</e of Templeinan j who makes the fqu are miles of the United Provinces, 9540 — of the pi uvince of Hol- land, i3oo— and of Wales, 7011,
EPI-
[ 129 ]
EPITAPHS.
I. AT LICHFIELD.
rl. S. E..
Michael J o h n s o k,
V I R impavidus, coni>ans, animofus, periculorum immemor, laborum patientilTimus ; fiducia chriiliana fords, fervidufque, pater-familias apprime llrenuus ; bibliopola admodum peritus ; mente et libris et nego- tiis exculta ; animo ita firmo, ut, rebus adverfis diu confiidlatus, nee fibi nee fuis defuerk : lingua fic tem- perata, ut ei nihil quod aures, vel pias, vel cartas lae- fifiet, aut dolor, vel volaptas anquam exprefferit.
Natus CuWelse, in agro Derbienfi, anno MDCLVL obiit MDCCXXXL
Appofita efl Sara, conjux,
Antiqua Fordorum gente oriunda ; quam domi fedu- Jam, fcris paucis notam ; nulli moleftam, mentis acu- mine et judicii fubtilitatc prEeceilentem ; aliis multum, VPi. LXXil. K. fibi
130 JOHNSON'S POEMS.
fibi parum indulgentem : ^£ternitati femper attentam, omne fere virtutis nomen commendavit.
Nata Nortoniai Regis, in agro Vamcenfi, anno MDCLXIX; obiit MDCCLIX.
Cum N A T H A N A E L E illorum filio, qui natus MDCCXII, cum \'ires, et animi, et corporis multa pollicerentur, anno MDCCXXXVlI, vitam brevcm pia morte finivit.
2. At BROMLEY, in KENT.
Hie conduntur reliquiae
Elizabeths
Antiqua Jarvifiorum gente,
Peatlingae, apud Leicellrienfes, orte ;
Formofe, cults, ingeniofe, piae ;
Uxoris, primis nuptiis, Henrici Porter,
Secundis, Samuelis Johnson;
Qui mukum amatam, diuque defletam
Hoc lapide contcxit.
Obiit Londini, menfe Mart.
A.D. MDCCLIII.
3. IN
EPITAPHS. 131
^. IN WATFORD CHURCH.
J
I N the vault below are depofited the remains of
Jane Bell, wife of John Bell, Efq.
who, in the fifty-third year of her age,
furrounded with many worldly bleffings,
heard, with fortitude and compofure truly great,
the horrible malady, which had for fome time begun to
afflict her,
pronounced incurable ;
and for more than three years,
endured with patience and concealed with decency,
the daily tortures of gradual death ;
continued to divide the hours not allotted to devotion,
between the cares of her family, and the converfe of
her friends ;
rewarded the attendance of dutv,
and acknowledged the offices of affedlion ;
and while (he endeavoured to alleviate by chearfulnefs,
her hu {band's fuffe rings and forrows,
increafed ihem by her gratitude for his care,
and her folicitude for his quiet.
To the memory of thefe virtues,
more highly honoured as more famiharly known,
this monument is erected by
John Bell *.
* She died In the month of OtTlobcr, I771.
K 2 A. I N
%3l JOHNSON'S POEMS.
4. IN STREATHAM CHURCH.
Juxta fepulta ell
Hester. Maria Salisbury,
Thom^ Cotton de Combsi mere,
Baronetti, Ceftrienfis, Filia ;
JoHANNis Salisbury Armigeri,
Flintienfis, uxor ;
Forma felix, felix ingenio.
Omnibus jucunda, fuorum amantiffima.
Linguis, Artibufque ita exculta
Ut loquenti nunquam deeflent
Sermonis nitor, fententiarum flofcun,
Sapientise gravitas, leporum gratia.
Modum ferv'andi adeo perita
Ut domeilica inter negotia Uteris
Obledlaretur,
Et literarum inter delicias rem
Familiarem fedulo curaret,
Muitis illi multos annos precantibus
Diri carclnomatis * veneno contabuit,
Viribufque vita; paulatim refolutis
E terns meliora fperans emigravit.
Nata 1707, Nupta 1739, Obiit 1773-
* Cancer*
:. IN
EPITAPHS. 133
IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
Olivari Goldsmith Poetse. Phyfici. Hifcorici. Qui nullum fere fcribendi genus Non tetigit. Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit Sive Rifus efTent movendi Sive Lacrymae. AfFe£luum potens at lenis Dominator Ingenio fublimis — Vividus Verfatilis
Oratione grandis nitidus Venuflus
Hoc Monumentum Memoriam coluit
Sodalium Amor
Amicorum Fides
Leftorum Veneratio
Natus Hibernia Forniae Lonfordienfis
In Loco cui Nomen Pallas
Nov. Xxix. MDCCXXXI.
Eblana; Liferis inftitutus
Obiit Londini
April iv. MDCCLXXiv,
Kj
t 134 ]
THE
CONTENTS.
LPage
O N D O N : a Poem, . - - 3
The Vanity of Human Wiihes, r 1 7 Prologue fpoken by Mr. Garrick, at the Opening
of the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane, 1747, 31 Prologue Spoken by Mr. Garrick, before the Mafque of Comus, Adl:ed at Drury-Lane Thea- tre, for the Benefit of Milton's Grand-daughter, 33 Prologue to the Comedy of The Good-natur'd Man, 35 Prologue to the Comedy of A Word to the Wife, 36 Spring, an Ode, - - 38 Midfummer, an Ode, r - 39 Autumn, an Ode, r r 41 Winter, an Ode, - r - 43 The Winter's Walk, - - 44 To Mifs *****, on her gi^^ng the Author a Gold
and Silk Net-work Purfe of her own weaving, 45 To Mifs *****, on her playing upon the Harpfi- chord in a Room hung with Flower-pieces of
Jjer own Painting, r - 4^
CONTENTS. J35
V2.0Q
Evening : an Ode, to Stella, _ _ 47
To the Same, - - - 48
To a Friend, - - - 49
Stella in Mourning, - - 50
To Stella, - - - 51 Verles, Written at tlie Requell of a Gendeman to
whom a Lady had given a Sprig of Myrtle, 5 2
To Lady Firebrace, ai Bury Ainzes, - 53 To Lyce, an elderly Lady, - "53 On the Death of Mr. Robert Lcvet, a Pradlifer
in Phyfic, • - - 54 Epitaph on Claude Phillips, an Itinerant Muflcian, 56
F.pitaphium in Thomam Hanmer, Biu-o'iettuiri, 57
Paraphrafe of the above Epitaph, - 59
To Mifs Hickman, Playing on the Spinnet, 6 1 Paraphrafe of Proverbs, Chap. VL ver. 6, 7, 8,
2, 10, 1 1. - - - 62
Horrxe, Lib. IV. Ode Vil. Tranflated, - 62
On feeing a BuH of Mrs. Montague, ^ 64
Anacreon, Ode JX, - - 64 J_ines written in ridicule of certain Poerns pabllfh-
ed in 1777, - - - 66 Parody of a Tranilation from the Medea of Euri- pides, - ~ - 66 Burlefque of the modern Verfifications of ancient
Legendary Tales. An Impromptu, - 67 TranHation of the Two Firft Stanzas of the Sons;
* Rio verde, Rio vcrde,' printed in Biihop Per-
K 4 cy'i
136 CONTENT S.
Page cy*s Rd'ques of ancient Englifh Poetry. An Impromptu, - - - 68
Imitation of the Syle of ****, - 68
Burlefque of the Lines of Lopez de Vega. An Impromptu, - _ _ 69
Tranflation of the Lines at the End of Baretti's Eafy Phrafeology. An Impromptu, 69
Improvifo Tranflation of a Diilich on the Duke of jVIodena's running away from the Comet in 1742 or 1743, - - - 70
Improvifo Tranflation of the Lines of Monf. Ben- ferade a fon lit, - - 70
Epitaph for Mr. Hogarth, - _ 70
Tranfladon of Lines written under a Piint repre- fenting Perfons fkairing, - - 7 1
Impromptu Tranflation of the fame, -. 71
To Mrs. Thrale, on her completing her Thirty- fifth Year, An Im.promptJ, - - 71
Impromptu on hearing Mifs Thrale confulting with a Friend about a Gown and Hat (he was inclined to wear, - - 7^,
Impromptu Tranflition of an air in the Clemenza de Tito of Metailatio, beginning, ' Deh fe pia- cermi vuoi.' - _ _ 7^
Tranflation of a Speech of Aquileio, in the Adri- ano of Metrvftafio, beginning, * Tu che in Corte invechiafli.* - - ^ 73
POE-
CONTENTS. nr
Page
POEMATA. - . . 75
EPITAPHS. - - • 129
— 1. At Lichfield, - - 129 —2. At Bromley, in Kent, - - 130
— 3. In Watford Church, > - 131 —4. In Streatham Church, - - 132 ^^5. In Wellminfler Abbey, « •• 13 j
THE
POEMS
O P
WILLIAM WHITEHEAD, Esq.
[ «4i ]
WHITEHEAD 's
POEM
THE
DANGER OF Writing VERSE.
An epistle. 1741.
•' Qnx poterant unqaam fatis expurgare Cicutae,
" Ni melius dormire putem, quam fcribere verlus ?"
HOR,
'\7' O U afk me, fir, why thus by phantoms aw'd,
-*• No kind occafion tempts the Mufe abroad ? Why, when retirement Tooths this idle art. To fame regardkfs fieeps the youthful heart ?
'Twould wrong your judgment, fhould I fairly fay Diftruft or weaknels caus'd the cold delay : Hint the fmall difF'rence, 'till we touch the lyre, 'Tvvixt real genius and too iirong defire ; The human flips, or feeming flips pretend. Which roufe the cricick, but efcape the friend ; Nay which, though dreadful when the foe purfues,^ You pafs, and fraile, and lUll provoke the Mufe.
Yet,
14* WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Yet, fpite of all you think, or kindly feign. My hand will tremble while it grafps the pen. For not in this, like other arts, we try Our light excurfions in a fummer iky. No cafual flights the dangerous trade admits ; But wits once authors, are for ever wits. The fool in profe, like earth^s unwieldy Ton, May oft rife vig'rous, though he's oft o'erthrown i One dangerous crifis marks our rife or fall j By all we're courted, or we're fhun'd by all.
Will it avail, that, unmatur'd by years, My eafy numbers pleas'd your partial ears. If now condem'd, ev'n where he's valu'd mail. The man mull fuiter if the poet's loft ; For wanting wit, be totally undone. And barr'd all arts for having fail'd in one. When fears like thcfe his ferious thoughts engage. No bugbear phantom curbs the poet's rage. 'Tis powerful reafcn holds the ftreightcn'd rein. While flutt'ring fancy to the dilbnt plain Sends a long look, and fpreads her wings
But grant for once, th' officious Mufe has fhed Ker gentleft influence on his infant head, Let fears lie vanquifli'd, and refounding Fame Give to the bellowing blaft the poet's name. And fee I diftinguifli'd from the crowd he moves. Each finger marks him, and each eye approves I Secure, as halcyons brooding o'er the deep, The waves roll gently, and the thunders flccp,
Cbfe-
rein, -j
in vain. J
The danger of Writing VERSE. 143
Obfequious Nature binds the tempeft's wings. And pleas'd Attention liftens while he fings !
O blifsful Hate, O more than human joy ! What fhafts can reach him, or what cares annoy ? What cares, my friend ? why all that man can know, Opprefs'd with real or with fancy'd woe. Rude to the world, like earth's firll lord expell'd. To climes unknown, from Eden's fafer field; No more eternal fprings around him breathe. Black air fcowls o'er him, deadly damps beneath ; Now muft he learn, mifguidcd youth, to bear Each varying feafon of the poet's year : Flatt'ry's full beam. Detraction's wintry llore. The frowns of Fortune, or the pride of Pow'r. His a6ls, his words, his thoughts no more his own. Each folly blazon'd, and each frailty known. Is he referv'd ? — his fenfe is fo refin'd. It ne'er defcends to trifle with mankind. Open and free ? — they find the fecret caule Is vanity ; He courts the world's applaufe. Nay, though he fpeak not, fomething IHll is feen. Each change of face betrays a fault within. If grave, 'tis fpleen ; he fmiles but to deride ; And downright aukwardnefs in him is pride. Thus muft he fteer through fame's uncertain fcas. Now funk by cenfure, and now puiF'd by praife ; Contempt with envy ftrangely mix'd endure, Fear'd where ca-ef^'d, and jealous though fecure.
One fatal rock on which good authors fpiit li thinking all mankind mull like their wit j
And
14+ WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
And the grand bufmefs of the world ftand Hill To Men to the didates of tlieir quill. Hurt if they fail, and yet how few fucceed ! What's born in leimre men of leifure read ; And half of thofe have fome peculiar whim Their tell of fenfe, and read but to condemn.
Befides, on parties now our fame depends. And frowns or fmiles, as thefe are foes or friends. Wit, judgment, nature join ; you ftrive in vain j 'Tis keen invcdive liamps the current flrain. Fix'd to one fjde like Homer's gods, we fight, Thefe always wron^, and thofe for ever right. And would you chufe to fee your friend, refign'il Each confcious tie which guides the virtuous mind, Embroil'd in facflions, hurl with dreaded ikill The random vengeance of his defp'rate quill ? 'Gainft pride in man with equal pride declaim. And hide ill-nature under virtue's name ? Or, deeply vers'd in flattery's wily ways. Flow in full reams of undiftinguifli'd praife f To Vice's grave, or Folly's bull bequeath The blulliing trophy, and indignant wreath f * Like ^Egypt's priells, bid endlefs temples rife* And people with earth's pells th' offended ikies ?
The Mufe of old her native freedom knew. And wild in air the fportive wand'ier flewj
Qui nefcit qualla demens
^gypcus portenu coUt ? crocodilon aJorat—
jo V. Sat. XV.
On
The danger op Writing VERSE. 145
On worth alone her bays eternal ftrow'd.
And found the hero, ere fhe hymn'd the god.
Nor lefs the chief his kind fupport return'd.
No drooping Mufe her flighted labours moum'd ;
But rtretch'd at eafe fhe prun'd her growing wings.
By fages honour'd, and rever'd by kings.
Ev'n knowing Greece confefs'd her early claim.
And warlike Latium caught the gen'rous flame.
Not fo our age regards the tuneful tongue,
'Tis fenfelefs rapture all, and empty fong :
No Pollio flieds his genial influence round.
No Varus liHens while the groves rcfound.
Ev'n thofe^ the knowing and the virtuous few.
Who noblefl: ends by nobleft means purfue.
Forget the poet's ufe ; the powerful fpell
Of magic verfe, which * Sidney paints fo well.
Forget that Homer wak'd the Grecian flame.
That Pindar rous'd inglorious Thebes to fame.
That every age has great examples given
Of virtue taught in verfe, and verfe infpir'd by heaven.
But I forbear — thefe dreams no longer laft. The times of fable and of flights are pafl:. To glory now no laurel'd fuppliants bend. No coins are ftruck, no facred domes afcend. Yet ye, who flill the Mufe's charms admire. And befl: deferve the verfe your deeds infpire, Ev'n in thefe gainful unambitious days. Feel for yourfelves at leafl:, ye fond of praife,
* Defence of Poefie. By Sir Philip Sidney.
Vol. LXXII. L And
14.6 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
And learn one leffon taught in mylHc rhyme, " 'Tii verfe alone arrefts the wings of Time." * Fall to the thread of life, annex'd by Fame, A fculptur'd medal bears each human name. O'er Lethe's llreams the fatal threads depend. The glitc'ring medal trembles as they bend ; Clofe but the fhears, \\ hen chance or nature calls. The birds of rumour catch it as it falls ; Awhile from bill to bill the trifle's toil. The waves receive it, and 'tis ever loll !
But ihould the meanell fwan that cuts the flream Coniign'd to Phoebus, catch the favour'd name. Safe in her mouth (he bears the facred prize To where bright Fame's eternal altars rife. 'Tis there the Mufe's friends true laurels wear. There great AuguHus reigns, and triumphs there.
Patrons of arts mull live 'till arts decay. Sacred to verfe in every poet's lay. Thus grateful France does Richlieu's worth proclaim. Thus grateful Britain doats on Sommer's name. And, fpite of party rage and human flaws. And Britifh liberty and Britifli laws. Times yet to come fhall fmg of Anna's reign. And bards, who blame the meafures, love the men.
But why round patrons climb th' ambitious bays ? Is interell then the fordid fpur to praife ? -f Shall the famecaufe, which prompts the chatt'ring jay To aim at words, infpire the poet's lay ?
* Bacon de Augment. Scientiarum. - -f Peifius.
And
The danger of Writing VERSE. 147
And is there nothing in the boafted claim Of living labours and a deathleis name ? The piiftur'd front, with facred fillets bound ? The fculptur'd bull with laurels wreath'd around ? The annual rofes fcatter'd o'er his urn. And tears to flow from poets yet unborn ?
lUuftrious all ! but fure to merit thefe. Demands at leaft the poet's learned eafe. Say, can the bard attempt what's truly great. Who pants in fecret for his future fate ? Him ferious toils, and humbler arts engage. To make youth eafy, and provide for age ; While loft in filence hangs his ufelefs lyre. And, though from heav'n it came, faft dies the facred fir«. Or grant true genius with fuperior force Burfts every bond, refiftlefs in its courfe ; Yet lives the man, how wild foe'er his aim. Would madly barter fortune's fmiles for fame ! Or diltant hopes of future eafe forego. For all the wreaths that all the Nine beftow ? Well pleas'd to fhine, through each recording page. The haplefs Dryden of a Ihamelefs age ?
Ill-fated bard ! where-e'er thy name appears. The weeping verfe a fad memento bears. Ah ! what avail'd th' enormous blaze between Thy dawn of glory, and thy doling fcene I When fmking nature allcs our kind repairs, Unftrung the nerves, and filver'd o'er the hairs ; V/hen ftay'd reflec^lion comes uncall'd at lalt. And grey experience counts each folly palt,
L 2 Uft-
148 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Untun'd and harfh the fweetefl ftrains appear. And loudefr Paeans but fatigue the ear.
'Tis true the man of verfe, though born to ills. Too oft deferves the very fate he feels. When, vainly frequent at the great man's board. He Ihares in every vice with every lord : Makes to their tafte his fober fenfe fubmit. And 'gainfl his reafon madly arms his wit ; Heav'n but in jullice turns their ferious heart To fcorn the wretch, whofe life belies his art.
He, only he, fhould haunt the Mufe's grove. Whom youth might rev'rence and grey hairs approve ; Whofe heav'n -taught numbers, now, in thunder roU'd, Might roufe the virtuous and appal the bold. Now, to truth's dictates lend the grac-e of eafe. And teach inftrudlion happier arts to pleafe. For him would Plato change their gen'ral fate. And own one poet might improve his ftate.
Curs'd be their verfe, and blafted all their bays, Whofe fenfual lure th' unconfcious ear betrays ; Wounds the young breafi:, ere virtue fpreads her Ihield, And takes, not wins, the fcarce difputed field. Though fpecious rhet'ric each loofe thought refine. Though mufic charm in every labour 'd line. The dangerous verfe, to full perfedion grown, Bavius might blulh, and Quarles difdain to own.
Should feme Machaon, whofe fagacious foul Trac'd bluHiing nature to her inmoll goal, Skill'd in each drug the varying world provides. Ail earth embofonio, and all ocean hides.
Nor
The danger of Writing VERSE. 14,
Nor cooling herb, nor healing balm fupply,
Eafe the fvvoln breaft, or clofe the languid eye ;
But, exquifitely ill, awake difeafe.
And arm with poifons every baleful breeze :
What racks, what tortures mull his crimes demand.
The more than Borgia of a bleeding land !
And is lefs guilty he, whofe fhamelefs page
Not to the prefent bounds its fubtile rage.
But fpreads contagion wide, and ftains a future age ?
Forgive me. Sir, that thus the moral ftrain. With indignation warm'd, rejects the rein; Nor think I rove regardlefs of my theme, 'Tis hence new dangers clog the paths to fame. Not to themfelves alone fuch bards confine Fame's juil reproach for virtue's injur'd fhrine ; Profan'd by them, the Mufe's laurels fade. Her voice nedeched, and her flame decay'd. And the fon's fon mull feel the father's crime, A curfe entail'd on all the race that rhyme.
New cares appear, new terrors fwell the train. And muft we paint them ere we clcfe the fcene ? Say, muft the Mufe th' unwilHng tafk purfue. And, to complete her dangers, mention you ? Yes you, my friend, ev'n you whofe kind regard With partial fondnefs views this humble bard : Ev'n you he dreads. — Ah ! kindly ceafe to raife Unwilling cenfure, by exafting praife. Juft to itfelf the jealous world will claim A right to judge ; to give, or cancel fame. And, if th' officious zeal unbounded flows. The friend too partial is the worfl of foes.
L 3 B€-
150 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
* Behold th' Athenian fage, whofe piercing mind Had trac'd the wily lab'rinths of mankind. When now condemn'd, he leaves his infant care To all thofe evils man is born to bear. Not to his friends alone the charge he yields. But nobler hopes on jufter motives builds ; Bids ev'n his foes their future fteps attend. And dare to cenfure, if they dar'd offend. Would thus the poet truft his offspring forth. Or bloom'd our Britain with Athenian worth : Would the brave foe the imperfect work engage With honell freedom, not with partial rage. What jufl productions might the world furprife ! What other Popes, what other Maros rife !
But fmce by foes or friends alike deceiv'd. Too little thofe, and thefe too much believ'd ; Since the fame fate purfues by diff'rent ways. Undone by cenfure, or undone by praife ; Since bards themfelves fubmit to vice's rule. And party-feuds grow high, and patrons cool : Since, flill unnam'd, unnumber'd ills behind Rife black in air, and only wait the wind : Let me, O let me, ere the tempefl roar. Catch the firft gale, and make the neareil fhore; In facred filence join th' inglorious train. Where humble peace and fweet contentment reign ; If not thy precepts, thy example own, And fteai through hfe not ufelefs, though unknown.
* Platonis Apologia,
ATYS
[ 151 3
ATYS AND ADRASTUS.
A TALE. J743.
" Infelix ! Nati funus crudele videbis.
** Hi nollri reditus, expedlatique triumphi !
" Hsc mea magna fides ! — Virg.
*#* This ftory is related in the firil book of HerodotUi^s Hiilory. For the additions made to it, and the manner of telling it, the Author of the following Poem is to anfwer.
T N ancient times, o'er Lydia's fertile land ■*' The warrior Croefas held fupreme command. Vaft was his wealth, for conqueft fwell'd his llore ; Nor what enrich'd the prince, had left the people poor.
Two fons he had, alike in outward mien. The tender pledges of a dying queen. But fpeechlefs one ne'er taught his fire to melt With lifping eloquence by parents felt ; And mimic art in vain expedients fought To form the tongue, and free th' imprifon'd thought. Yet blooming Atys well that lofs fupply'd, Atys the people's hope, and monarch's pride.
L 4. Hi?
JS* WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
His beauteous foul thro' every feature glovv'd ; And fi-om his lips fuch foft perfuafion flow'd. As nature had withheld the brother's fhare. Only to pour a double portion there.
But vain thofe graces, fince conceal'd from view They droop in fhades, and wither where they grew. For one dread night, when o'er the weary king The drowfy god had ilretch'd his leaden wing. He feem'd, he knew not where, in wars engag'd. And, while around the doubtful battle rag'd. Saw from fome hoftile hand unerring part A fatal fpear, which pierc'd his Atys' heart. He liarts, he wakes— 'tis night and filence all ! Yet, fcarce confirm'd, he ftill beholds him fall ; Still bleeds in fancy's eye the gaping wound. On fancy's ear the dying groans refcund. Again he fleeps ; the fame fad fcenes return-^ Reftlefs he rolls, and waits the line'rinp- morn.
What can he do, or how prevent a doom. Which heav'n foretels, and fate has faid fhall come ? ** And yet perhaps the gods thefe dreams infpire, ** To fave the guiltlefs fon, and warn the fire, ** Too fond of arms I wander'd far ailray, ** While youth and blind ambition led the way. *' And ravag'd countries may at length demand ** This bleeding facrifice at Croefus hand. ** Then hear me, gods, propitious, while I fwear, *^ i:*eace, only peace, i^ivdiXL be my future care.
*' O would
ATYS AND ADRASTUS. 155
" O would your powers but fave my darling boy,
** No more this breaft (hall glow, this arm dsftroy !
*' Nor ere fhall Atys the dire fport purfue,
" Still in my court, and feldom from my view,
*' In eafe inglorious ihall he pafs his days,
*' Untaught to feel th' inlatiate luft of praife.'*
He fpake, and cautious far away remov'd From Atys, what next Atys moft he lov'd. The pomp of war : no falchions guard the gate. And chiefs unarm'd around his palace wait. Nay farther ftill extends a parent's fear, Ev'n arms themfelves he dreads, and moft the Ipear; Nor leaves of ancient war the weak remains, But ftrips the trophies from the mouldering fanes. Left, fixt too loofdy, from the faithlefs Itone The cafual fteel Ihould drop, and pierce his fon. Thus fome fweet warbler of the fjather'd throng Deep in the thorny brake fecures her young ; Yet, vainly anxious, feels a fancied woe. And ilarts at every breeze that iHrs the bough ; With filent horror hears the whifp'ring groves. And diilant murmurs of the fprin? ihe loves.
Unhappy fire ! but vainly we oppofe Weak human caution, when the gods are foes ; The (lory's fequel muft too farely prove. That dreams, prophetic dreams, defccnd from Jove.
Nor vet fhall Atvs thwart thy fond defio-ns : He moves imphcit as his lire inclines.
On
,54 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
On every look his eager duty hung, And read his wilhes, ere they reach'd his tongue. With fmiles he ftrips his helmet's plumy pride. With fmiles he lays his ufelefs fpear afide ; Nor lets one figh confefs a ktent care, Refer\ing all his griefs for his Adraftus' ear.
Adraftus early did his foul approve. Brave, virtuous, learn'd, and form'd for Atys* love, A Phrygian youth, whom Fate condemn'd to roam. An exil'd wand'rer from a cruel home. For, yet a boy, his inadvertent lance An infant brother flew, the crime of chance. In vain he wept ; the rigid fire demands His inilant abfence from his native lands. Or threatens inilant death ; from death he flew. And loaded with a father's curfe withdrew. Yet nor in vain the gods fuch ills difpenfe. If foft-ey'd Pity takes her rife from hence. If hence we learn to feel another's pain. And from our own misfortunes grow humane. This young Adraftus found j and hence confefsM That mild benevolence, which warm'd his breaft. Hence too his fortune ftretch'd a bolder wing. And plac'd her wand'rer near the Lydian king. There long the favour'd youth exalted ihone. Dear to the fire, but dearer to the fon : J^or pow'rful fympathy their hearts had join'd Jn ftronger ties than gratitude can bind.
With
ATYS AND ADRASTUS. 155
With him did Atys every fport purfue. Which health demands, and earlier ages knew. At morn, at eve, at fultry noon, with him He rov'd the funny lawn, he fwam the ftream ; Befide the brook, which dimpling glides away. Caught the cool breeze, or lur'd the finny prey; Urg'd the light car along th' indented mead. Or hung impetuous o'er th' exulting Heed, Beneath whofe hoof unhurt the fiow'rets rife. And the light grafs fcarce trembles as he flies. But chief he lov'd to range the woods among. And hear the mufic of Adraitas' ton^^ue
o
With graceful eafe unlock the letter'd llore. And that he leara'd from him end ear 'd the knowledge more.
Of Thalcs' wifdom oft the converfe ran. How varying Nature's beauteous frame began. And erft to diiferent forms the waters flow'd. As o'er the Chaos mov'd the breathing God.
Of Solon too he fpake, and laws deflgn'd To guard fair freedom, not enflave mankind — » And hinted oft what mutual duties fpring 'Twixt willing fubjefts and their father king : How clofe connected greatnefs was with pain. What earthly blifs, and who the happy man.
Nor lefs the while his youthful breaft he warms With pivtur'd fights, the theory of arms ;
Left
Ts6 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Left inbred floth fhould taint his future reign. And virtue wake;, and glory tempt in vain. Thee, Homer, thee v/ith rapture they perufe. Expand the Ibul, and take in all the Mufe ; Mix with thy gods, with war's whole ardour burn. Or melt in filent tears o'er Hedor's urn. How oft tranfported would young Atys cry, •* Thus might I fight, 'twere glorious thus to die ! " But why to me are ufelefs precepts giv'n, " Tied down and pinion'd by the vvdll of heav'n ? " No early wreaths my coward youth muft claim, *' No juft ambition warm me into fame ; '* Hid from the world to ruft in lloth, and buy '^ A poor precaiious Hfe with infamy. *' Happy, thrice happy, on each hollile ftrand ** The youths who perifh'd by my father's hand ! ** Their honour ftill furvives, and o'er their tomb " Their country's tears defcend, and laurels bloom. To life alone the conquering fword's confin'd — Would you indeed diftrefs, employ a love too kind."
As oft Adraftus, ftudious to controul With reafon's voice the tumult of the foul, Wou'd hint, to Vvhat excefs foever wrought. Paternal fondnefs was a venial fault. Perhaps, as lenient time ftole gently on. The 'ftorm which threaten'd might be quite o'erblown. And fun-bright honour only be delay'd Awhile, to burft more glorious from the fhade.
" Yet
ATYS AND ADRASTUS. 157
'* Yet think," he cried, " whatever they appear,
" Few are the caufes can excufe a war.
** To raife th' oppreft, to curb th' infulting proud,
" Or fhould your injur'd country call aloud,
*' Rufh, rufh to arms, 'tis glorious then to dare,
*' Delay is cowardice, and doubt delpair.
*' But let not idler views your breaft enflame
** Of boundlefs kingdoms, and a dreaded name.
*' 'Tis yours at home to ftem opprellion's waves,
*' To guard your fubjecls, not encreafe your flaves ;
*' On this juft bafis Fame's firm column raife,
*' And be defert in arms your fecond praife."
'Twas thus in converfe, day fucceeding day. They wore unfelt the tedious hours away. And years on years in downy circles ran Till the boy rofe infenfibly to man. What now fhall Crcefus find, what Syren voice. To make retirement the refult of choice ? No father's Hern command thefe years allow, A chain more pleafing mull detain him now. In rofy fetters fhall the youth be tied. And JVIyfia's captive fair the chofen bride.
Hafle, gentle god, whofe chains unite the globe. Known by the blazing torch, and faiFron robe, , To Lydia hafte, for Atys blames your flay. Nor fair Idalia's blufhes brook delay ; O'er glory's blaze your foft enchantments breathe. And hide the laurel with the myrtle wreath.
And
158 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
And now the king with fecret tranfport found His hopes fucceed, nor fears a martial wound. While loft in love the happier Atys lies. The willing vidim of Idalia's eyes. O thoughtlefs man ! from hence thy forrows flow. The fcheme proje«5led to avert the blow But makes it fure— for fee, from Myfia's land Round lift'ning.Atys crouds a fuppliant band. Their tears, their cries, his eafy breaft affail. Fond to redrefs them ere he hears their tale. *' A mighty boar, the curfe of angry heav'n, ** Had from their homes the wretched fLifPrers driv'n. " Wafte were their viny groves, their rifmg grain, " Their herds, their flocks, th' attendant Iheplierds flain, *' And fcarce themfelves furvive. *' O would but Atys lead the hunter train, *' Again their viny groves, their waving grain " Might rife fecure, their herds, their flocks encreafe, " And fair Idalia's country rell in peace.'*
The youth afl!ents, th' exulting crouds retire ; When thus impatient fpeaks the trembling fire : ** What means my fon ? preferv'd, alas, in vain, '* From hollile fquadrons, and the tented plain ; '* You rufli on death-— recal your rafti defign, " Mine be the blame, and be the danger mine ; " Myfelf will lead the band." The youth return'd. While his flulh'd cheek with mild refentment burn'd : '* Will Croefus lead the band, a hunter now, ** Skill'd in the fight, and laurels on his brow?
" Alas,
ATYS AND ADRASTU8. 159
'* Alas, fuch mockeries of war become
** The loit'rer Atys fearful of his doom.
•' To him at leall thefe triumphs be refign'd,
*' That not entirely ufelefs to mankind
** His days may pafs ; thele triumphs all his aim,
** Thefe humble triumphs fcarce allied to fame.
*^ And yet, dread Sir, if you command his ftay,
*' (O force of duty I) Atys muft obey.
*' Ala?, on you whatever blame fliall fall,
*' A father's fondnefs can excufe it all,
♦* But me, of me, if ilill your power withftands,
" What muft the Lydian, what the Myfian bands>
*' What mull Idalia think ?" Adrallus here
Soft interpos'd. ** Great King, difmifs your fear,
" Nor longer Atys' firft requell oppofe ;
"** War was your dream, no war this region knows :
'* For humbler prey the hunters range the wood,
** Their fpears fly innocent of human blood.
" Had in the fportive chafe fome phantom boar
" Dug deep the wound, and drank the vital gore,
** That dreadful viilon had excus'd your care,
** Nor Atys offer 'd an unheeded prayer.
** I love the prince, and, but I think his life
** Safe as my own, would urge him from the flrife.
" Permit him. Sire — this arm fhall guard him there ;
" And fafely may you truft Adraftus' care,
'* For, fhould he fall, this arm would furely prove
** My bofom feels a more than father's love."
As, when impetuous thro' th' autumnal ficy Urg'd by the winds tli« clouds difparting fly»
0*er
i6o WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
O'er the broad wave, or wide extended mead.
Shifts the quick beam, alternate light and fhade ;
So glanc'd the monarch's mind from thought to thought.
So in his varying face the pallions wrought.
Oft on his fon he turn'd a doubtful eye,
Afraid to grant, nor willing to deny. /
Oft rais'd it, tearful, to the biell abodes.
And fought in vain the unregarding gods.
Then look'd confent. But added, with a grcan,
** From thee, Adraftus, I expect my fon.'*
Why fliould I tell, impatient for the fight, How Atys chid the Ung'ring hours of night ? Or how the rofeat^ morn with early ray Streak'd the glad eaft, and gradual fpread the day, When forth he iffued like the Lycian god ? Loofe to the breeze his hov'ring mantle flow'd, Wav'd the light plume above, behind him hung His rat'ling quiver, and his bow unftrung. He mounts his fteed, the ileed obey'd the rein, Arch'd his high neck, and graceful paw'd the plain. Ev'n Croefus' felf forp-ot a while his fear Of future ills, and gaz'd with tranfport there.
Or why relate, when now the train withdrew. How fair Idalia figh'd a foft adieu ; How Croefus foilow'd with his voice and eyes. Fond to beheld, but fonder to advife. And oft repeated, as they journey'd on, ** From thvie, Adraftus, I exped my fon.'*
SuiHce
ATYS AND ADRASTUS. i6x
Suffice it us, they leave the waves which flow O'er beds of gold, and Tmolus' fragrant brow, 7"hey pafs Magnefia's plains, Caicus' ftream The Myfian bound, whic'ii chang'd its ancient name. And reach Olympus' verge : There defolation fpread her ghaftly reign O^er trampled vines, and dillipated grain. And faw with joy revolving feafons fmile To fwell her pomp, and mock the lab'rers toll. Led by her baleful fteps, the youth explore The dark retreats, and roufe the foaming boar. Hard is the ilrife : hiG horny fides repel Unting'd the plumy fhaft, and blunted fleel. The dogs lie mangled o'er the bleeding plain. And many a Heed, and many a youth was flain. When now his well-aim'd bow Adrartus d;ew, Twang'd the ftretch'd ll;ring, the feather'd vengeance
flew. And ras'd the monfler's neck : he roars, he flies. The croud purfues, the hills refound their cries. Full in the centre of a vale, embrown'd With arching fliades, they clofe the favage round. He wheels, he glares, he meditates his prey, Refolv'd to ftrike, refolv'd to force his way ; But Atys timely flop'd his fierce career. And thro' his eye-ball fent the whizzing fpear. And joyful faw him reel ; with eager fpeed He bares the ifhining blade, he quits his Heed ; *' — Ah ftop, rafh youth, not conqueft you purfue, ** Death lies in ambulh there, the vi(^im you ;
Vol. LXXII. M *« You
35a WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
«* You rufh on fate" — in vain — he reach'd the bead. He rais'd his arm, and now had pierc'd his breail:. When in that moment f, om the adverfe fide His too adventurous prince Adralius fpied. And launch 'd with nervous halle his eager ipear. Alarm 'd, and tremibling for a life fo dear. Glanc'd o'er the falling beall the fated wood. And fix'd in Atys' breaft drank deep the vital flood. The ftruggling prince impatient of the wound Writh'd on the fpear, the crouds enclofe him round. Then funk in death unknowing whence it came. Yet, ev'n in death, he call'd Adraftus' name, ** Where flies Adrailns from his dying friend ? ^' O bear me near." Poor prince ! thy life mufl end Not in thy murderer's arms, he hears thee not ; Like fome fad wretch fix'd to the fatal fpot Where fell the bolt of Jove, nor ear, nor eye. Nor arm to help, nor language to reply. Nor thought itfclf is his. Oblig'd to move As they direct his fleed, he leaves the grove. As they dired to Sardis' towers again Jn filence follows the returning train.
There too we turn, for there the penfive fire Now hopes, now fears, and pines with vain defire. In every dull before the wind that flies. In every diftant cloud which ftains the ikies He fees his fon return : till oft deceiv'd |\o more his eye, the flattering fccne believ'd,
ye
ATVS AND AD-RASTUS. 163
Vet ftill he wander'd, and with looks intent. The fatal road his darling Atys went. There to averted heav'n he tells his pain. And flaup-hter'd hecatombs decrees in vain.
O
There to Idalia, frequent by his fide.
Relates his fears, or fooths the weeping bride
With tales of Atys' worth, and points the place
Where late he parted from their laft embrace.
And now, perchance, in tears thev linger'd there.
When flowly-moving real crouds appear.
** What means," he cried, and fhot a trembling eye—
A youth deputed by the reft drew nigh.
And in fad accents told the dreadful tale.
Rage feiz'd the king : expiring, breathlefs, pale
Idalia fmks ; th' attendant fair convey
With tears, and fhrieks, the lifelefs frame away.
*' Where is the wretch ? — hear, hofpitable Jove ! —
*' Is this, is this thy more than father's love ?
** Give me my fon — why ftare thy haggard eyes
" As fix'd in grief? here only forrow lies" —
And fmote his breaft — " Thy life in blood began
*' A fated wretch, a murd'rer ere a man.
•
*' O fcoliih king 1 by my indulgence ftole
** This ferpent near me, that has ftung my foul.
" This thy return fur all a king could fhower
*' Of bounty o'er thee, life, and wealth, and power — -
*' Bat what are thofe ? How great foe'er they be, .
** I gave thee more, I gave myfelf to thee :
*' I gave thee Atys, link'd in fViendiliip's chain —
'' O fatal gift, if thus return'd again !
IVI 2 " Reach
1^4 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
*' Reach me a fword— and yet, dear bleeding clay, *' Can his, can thoufand lives thy lofs repay?" Then burfl: in tears, *' Heav'n's inllrument I blame, ** Tho' by his hand, from heav'n the vengeance came» *' This ftroke, O Solon, has convinc'd my pride ; ^' O had I never liv'd, or earlier died 1
^' xA.las, poor wretch, whydod thou bare thybreaft, *' And court my fword 1 tho' loll himfelf to rell, *' This curll; of heav'n, this Croefus can forgive ** Th' unhappy caufe, and bids the murd'rer live."
*' Ah flop," he ciied, and write the milder fate ** Here with thy fword, I only liv'd for that. *' Undone, J thought, beyond misfortune's power, ** O do not by forgiyenefs curfe me mere."
While yet he pleaded, to the mourning croud Forth ruih'd Idalia by her maids purfu'd ; Eager fhe feem'd, with light fufpicions fill'd. And on her face heart-piercing madnefs fmii'd.
*' Where is my wand'ring love, ye Lydians fay, " Doe5 he indeed along Meander flray, *' And rove the Afian plain ? — I'll ftek him there. — • " Ye Lydian damfels, of your hearts beware : *' Fair is my love as to the funny beam ** The light-fpread plumage on Cayller's flream, '* His locks are Hermus' gold, his cheeks outfliine '•^ The ivory tinclur'd b^^ your ^rt sli^'ip?.-^
*^ I fee
A T Y S AND A D R A S T U S. 165
" I fee him nov/, in Tmolus' fhacie he lies
** On faffron beds, fofc fleep has feal'd his eyes.
** His breath adds fweetnefs to the gale that blows,
'* Tread light, ye nymphs, I'll Ileal on his repofe.
" Alas, he bleeds, O murder ! Atys bleeds
'* And o'er his face a dying paleneis fpreads !
** Help, help, Adraftas — can you leave him now,
•* In death neMecl him ? once it was not fo.
•* What, and not weep I a tear at lead is due,
** Unkind Adrallus, he'd have wept for you.
*' Come then, my maids, our tears Ihallwaih the gore ;
" We too will die, fince Atys is no more.
** But firft we'll rtrow with flowers the hallow'd ground
*' Where lies my love, and plant the cypreA round;
** Nor let Adraftus know, for fhould he come,
'* New ilreams of blood would ifTue from the tomb ;
** The flowers would wither at his baleful tread,
" And at his touch the fick'ning cyprefs fade.
" Come, come — nay do not tear ms from his fide, ,
'' Cruel Adraftus, am I not his bride ?
" I mufl, — I will — me would you murder too ?'*
At this, unable to fuflain his woe,
" iVIy foul can bear no more," Adraflus cries,
(His eyes on heav'n) ** ye powers who rule the Ikies !
*' If your augufl, unerring, wills decreed,
" That dates, and kings, and families mufl bleed,
*' Why was I Angled to perform the part,
" Unflcel'd my foul, unpetrified my heart ?
M ^ " What
i66 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
'* What had I done, a child, an embryo man, " Ere pailions could unfold, or thought began ? ** Yet then condemn'd an infant wretch I fled, *' Blood on my hands, and curfes on my head. *' O had I perifh'd fo I but fortune fmil'd, *' To mike her frowns more dire. — This vagrant child *' Became the friend of kings, to curfe them all, ** And with new horrors dignify his fall." Then eager fnatch'd his fvvord, ** For murders paft ** What have I not endur'd : — be this my laft," And pierc'd his breaft. *' This fated arm fiiall pour •' Your llreams of wrath, and hurl your bolts no more, *' For pangs fuiUin'd, obUvion's all I crave ; ** O let my foul forget them in the grave !
*' Alas, forgive the wretch your judgments doom : ** Dark are your ways, I wander in the gloom, " Nor fnould perhaps complain. — Be grit f my (hare ; *' But, if your heav'n has mercy, pour it there, " On yon heart-broken king, on yon diftradted fair." He fpake, and drew the fteel ; the weeping train Support him to the bier, he grafps the flain. There feels the lart fad joy his foul defire^. And on his Atys' much-lcv'd breaft expires*
* O happy both, if I, if I could Aied ** Thofe tears eternal which embalm the dead j"
• rortunat! ambo, fi quid mea carmina poffunr, &c. Vjrg.
While
ATYS AND ADRASTUS.
While round Britannia's coaft old Ocean raves. And to her llandard roll th' embattled waves. Fair emprefs of the deep ; fo long your names Should live lamented by her brightefl dames ; Who oft, at evening, Ihould with tears relate The murder'd friend, and poor Idalia's fate ; And oft, enquiring from their lovers, hear How Croefus mourn'd a twice revolving year. Then rous'd at Cyrus' name, and glory's charms. Shook off enervate grief, and Ihone again in arms*
M4 ANN
x68 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
ANN BOLEYN to HENRY the EIGHTH.
An heroic epistle. 1743. " Ne quid inexpertum fruflra moritura relinquat.'*
ViRG.
The principal hints of the following Epiftle are taken from the celebrated laft Letter of Ann Boleyn to Henry the Eighth, publiihed in the Spectator, No. 397. The Author hopes the ad- ditions he has made to it may appear natural in her unfortunate fituation.
IF fighs could foften, or diflrefs cou'd move Obdurate hearts, and bofoms dead to love. Already fure thefe tears had ceas'd to flow. And Henry's fmiles reliev'd his Anna's woe. Yet ftill I write, flill breathe a fruitlefs prayer. The laft fond effort of extremiC defpair. As fome poor (hip-wreck'd wretch, for ever loft. In ftrdng delufion grafps the lefs'ning coaft. Thinks it ftill near, howe'er the billows drive. And but with life refigns the hopes to live.
You bid me live ; but oh how dire the means ! Virtue ftarts back, and confcious pride difdains. Confefs my crime ? — what crime ftiall I confefs ? In what ftrange terms the hideous falfliood drefs ?
A vile
ANN BOLEYN to HENRY -The EIGHTH. 169
A vile adukrefs ! Heav'n defend my fame !
Condemn'd for ailing what 1 fear'd to name.
Blaft the foul wretch, whofe impious tongue could dare
Vv'ith founds like thofe to wound the royal ear.
To wound ? — alas ! they only pleas'd too well.
And cruel Henry fm I'd when Anna fell.
Why was I rais'd, why bade to fliine on high A pageant queen, an earthly deity ? This flower of beauty, fmall, and void of art. Too weak to fix a might}' fovereign's heart. In life's low vale its humbler charms had fpread. While ilorms roll'd harmlefs o'er its (helter'd head : Had found, perhaps, a kinder gath'rer's hand. Grown to his bread, and, by his care fuflain'd. Had bloom'd a while, then, gradual in decay, Grac'd with a tear had calmly pafs'd away.
Yet, when thus rais'd, I taught my chafle defires To know their lord, and burn with equal fires. Why then thefa bonds ? is this that re^ral flate The fair expe(fb whom Henry bids be great ? Are thefe lone walls and ne\'er-varied fcenes The envied manfion of Britannia's queeni ? Where diilant founds in hollow murmurs die. Where mofs-grown tow'rs obftrucl the trav'ling eye. Where o'er dim funs eternal damps prevail. And health ne'er enters wafted by the gale. How curi'd the wretch, to fuch fad fcenes confin'd. If guilt's dread fcorplons lafh his torrur'd mind. When injur 'd innocence is taught to fear. And coward virtue weeps and trembles here \
Nay
170 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Nay ev'n when flecp fhou'.d ev'ry care allay. And Ibftly (leal th' imprilbn'd foul away, Q^ick to my thoughts excurfive fancy brings Long vilionary trains of niartyr'd kings. 1 'here pious * Kenry recent from the blow, I'here ili-llarr'd * Edward lifrs his infant brow. Unhappy prince I thy weak defenfelefs age Might fofcen recks, or footh the tiger's rage ; But not on thefe thy harder fates depend, Man, man purf^es, and murder is his end.
Such may my f child, iach. dire protectors find. Thro' av'rice cruel, thro' ambiiion blind. No kind condolance in her utmort need. Her friends all banifh'd, and her parent dead ! O hear me, Henry, huiljand, father, hear. If e'er thofe names were gracious in thy ear. Since I mull die (and fo thy eafe requires. For love admits not of divided iires)
0 to thy babe thy tend'reil cares extend. As parent cheriin, and as king defend ! Transfer'd to her, with tranfport I refign
Thy faithlefs heart — if e'er that heart was mine. Nor may remofe thy guilty cheek inflame. When the fond prattler iifps her mother's name j No tear ftart confcious when fhe meets your eye. No heart-felt pang extort th' unwi'Hng figh. Left fhe fhould find, and ib'ong is Nature's call,
1 :ell untimely, and lament my fall ;
* H nry VI. and Edward V, bo:h murdered in the Tower. f Arcej-ward Queen Eiizabeth,
For*
ANN EOLEYN to HENRY the EIGHTH. 171
Forget that duty which high Heav'n commands.
And meet itricT; julHce from a father's hands.
No, rather fay what malice can invent.
My crimes enormous, fmall my punifhment.
Pleas 'd will I \"iew from yon fecurer ihore
Life, virtue, love too loll, and v%'eep no more,
J fin your breads the bonds of union grow,*
And undillurb'd tlie ftreams of duty flov/.
— Yet can I tamely court the lifted ileel.
Nor honour's wounds with Urong refentment fed?
Ye Powers 1 that tiicught improves ev'n Terror's king.
Adds horrors to his brow, and torments to his fting.
No, try me. Prince ; each word, each adlion weigh.
My rage could diclate, or my fears betray ;
Each figh, each fmile, each diftant hint that hung
On broken founds of an unmeaning tongue.
Recount each glance of thefe unguarded eyes.
The feats where pailion void of reafon lies ;
In thofe clear mirrcrs every thought appears ;
Tell all their frailties — oh explain their tears.
Yes, try me. Prince; but ah I let truth prevail^ And juftice only hold the equal fcale. Ah ! let not thofe the fatal fentence give. Whom brothels blufli to own, yet courts receive ; Bafe, vulear fouls — and Ihall fuch wretches raife A Queen's concern ? to fear them, were to praife.
Yet oh (dread thought !) oh muil I, mull: I fay, Henry commands, and t/j>e/e conftrain'd obey ? Too well 1 know his faithlefs bofom pants For charms, alas ! which haplefs Anna wants.
Yet
T7* WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Yet once thofe charms this faded face could boad.
Too cheaply yielded, and too quickly loft.
Will * fhe, O think, whom now your fnares purfue.
Will fhe fcr ever pleafe, be ever new ?
Or muft fhe, meteor like, a while be great.
Then weeping fall, and fhare thy Anna's fate ?
Mifguided maid ! who now perhaps has form'd. In tranfport melting, with ambition warm'd. Long future greatnefs in extatic fchemes, Loofe plans of wild delight, and golden dreams ! Alas ! file knows not with how fwift decay Thofe vifionary glories fleet away. Alas ! fhe knows not the fad time will come. When Henr)''s eyes to other nymphs fhall roam : When fhe fhall vainly figh, plead, tremble, rave. And drop, perhaps, a tear on Anna's grave. Eife would fhe fooner truft the wintr)' fea. Rocks, defarts, monflers— any thing than thee : Thee, whom deceit infpires, whofe every breath Sooths to defpair, and every fmile is death.
Fool that I was 1 J faw my rifnig fame Gild the fad ruins of a f nobler name. For me the force of facred ties difown'd, A realm infalted, and a Queen dethron'd. Yet, fondly wild, by love, by fortune led, Excus'd the crime, and fhar'd the guilty bed. With fpecious reafon lull'd each rifmg care. And hugg'd dellrudlon in a form fo fair.
* Lady Jane S-ymour. -f Catharine of Arragon.
»TIs
ANN BOLEYN to HENRY tiif EIGHTH. 173
*Tis juft, ye Powers ; no longer I complain, \'ain be my tears, my boafted virtues vain ; Let rage, let flames, this deiiin'd wretch purfue. Who begs to die — but begs that death trom you. Ah ! why mull Henry the dread mandate feai ? Why muft his hand uninjur'd point the fteel? Say, for you fearch the images that roll In deep recefles of the inmoil foul. Say, did ye e'er amid thofe numbers find One wiih difloyal, or one thought unkind ? Then fnatch me, blafl me, let the light'ning's win? ' Avert this ftroke, and fave the guilty king. Let not my blood, by lawlef^ pafTion Ihed, Draw down heav'n's vengeance on his facred head. But nature's power prevent the dire decree. And my hard Lord without a crime be free.
Still, Hill I live, heav'n hears not what I fay. Or turns, hke Henry, from my pray'rs away. Rejeded, loft, O whither Ihail J fly, I fear not death, yet dread the means to die. To thee, O God, to th^e again I ccme. The fmner's refuge, and the v/retch's home. Since fuch thy will, farewel my blafted fame. Let foul detraction feize my injur'd name : No pang, no fear, no fond concern I'll know. Nay fmile in death, tho' Henry gives xhe blow.
And now, refign'd, my bofom lighter grows. And Hope, foft-beaming, brightens all my woes. Jleleafe me, earth ; "ye mortal bonds, unde ; .Why loiters Jlcrj-y, when I pant to die ?
For
174- WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
For angels call, heav'n opens at the found. And glories blaze, and mercy llreams around. * Adieu, ye fanes, whofe purer flames anew Rofe with my rife, and as I flourifh'd grew. Well may ye now my weak proteclion fpare. The power that fix'd you fhall preferve you there. Small was my part, yet all I could employ. And heav'n repays it with eternal joy.
Thus rapt, O kmg, thus lab'ring to be free. My gentleft pafsport llill depends on thee. My hov'ring foul, tho' rais'd to Heaven by prayer. Still bends to earth, ar.d finds one forrow there; Breathes for another's life its lateft groan — ReCgn'd and happy, might I part alone !
Why frowns my Lord r — ere yet the iiroke's decreed, O hear a filler for a f brother plead. By heav'n he's wrong'd. — Alas ! why that to you ? You know he's wrong'd — you know, and yet purfue. Unhappy youth 1 what anguifh he endures ! — Was it for this he prcfs'd me to be yours. When ling'ring, wav'ring, on the brink I ftood. And ey'd obliquely the too tempting flood ? Was it far this his laviili tongue difplay'd A monarch's graces to a love-fick maid ? Vv^ith ftudied art confenting nature fir'd. And forc'd my will to what it mofl defir.'d ?
* Her marriage with King H^nry was a means of introducing the Proteftant religion, of which ihe was a greit patrunefs. •f George B ;ieyn, Vifcount Rochford.
•' . Did
ANN BOLEYN to HENRY the EIGHTH. 175
Did he, enchanted by the fiattVmg fcene. Delude the filler, and exalt the queen. To fall attendant on that filler's lliade. And die a viclim with the queen he made ?
And, witnefs Heav'n, I'd bear to fee him dif. Did not that thought bring back the dreadful iK-hy : The blaiting foulnefs, that mull flill defame Our lifelefs allies, and united name. — Ah llop, my foul, nor let one thought purfue That fatal track, to wake thy pangs anew. — Perhaps fome pitying bard fhail fave from death Our mangled fame, and teach our woes to breathe ; Some kind hillorian's pious leaves difplay Our haplefs loves, and wain the llains away. Fair Truth (hall blefs them, \'^irtue guard their caufe» And every chafte-ey'd matron weep applaufe.
Yet, tho' no bard fhould ^ingy or fage record, I flill fhall vanquifh my too faithlcfs lord ; Shall fee at lall my injur'd caufe prevail. When pitying Angels hear the mourn fal tale. — And muft thy wife, by Heav'n's fevere command. Before his throne thy fad accufer Hand ? O Henry, chain my tongue, thy guilt atone. Prevent my fufPrings — ah I prevent thy own ! Or hear me, Heav'n, fince Henry's flUI unkind. With llrang repentance touch his guilty mind, AvA oh ! when angnifh tears hi^ lab'ring foul. Thro' his rack'd breall when keeneft horrors roll. When, weeping, grov'ling in the duu he lies, ^n humbled v/retcli, a bltr-jJing ficriilce.
Then
176 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Then let me bear ('tis all my griefs fhall claim. For life's loft honours, and polluted fame) Then let me bear thy mandate from on high. With kind forgivenefs let his Anna fly. From every pang the much-lov'd fuiPrer free. And breathe that mercy he denies to me.
ON
[ 1-7 ]
ON RIDICULE. 1743.
Acrbs^o; 0* a^ sj/uflo ysXu^. HoMER,
5rx^ W A S faid of old, deny It now who can,
-*" The only laughing animal is man. The bear may leap, its lumpiih cubs in view. Or fportive cat her circling tail purfue ; The grin deep-lengthen Pug's half-human face. Or prick'd-up ear confefs the fimp'ring afs : In aukward geilures aukward mirth be fhown. Yet, fpite of gefture, man Hill laughs alone.
Th' all-powerful hand, which, taught yon fun to fhinc, Firft drefs'd in fmiles the human face divine ; And early innocence, unfpoil'd by art. Thro' the glad eye betrayed th' o'erflowing heart. No weak difgufls difturb'd the focial plan, A brother's frailties but proclaim'd him man. Nought perfect here they found, nor ought requlr'd, Excus'd the weakncfs, and the worth admir'd.
Succeeding ages more fagacious grew ; They mark'd our foibles, and would mend them too. Each, ftrangcly wife, fivv what was jufl and bell. And by his model would reform the refl ;
Vol. LXXIL N Th<-
17S WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
The rell, impatient, cr rejed with fcorn The fpecious infult, or with pride return ; Till all meet all with controverfial eyes. If wrong refute them, and if right defpife. Not with their lives, but pointed wits, contend. Too weak to vanquifh, and too vain to mend.
Our mirthful age, to all extremes a prey, Ev'n courts the lafh, and laughs her pains away. Declining worth imperial wit fupplies. And Momus triumphs, while Aftrsea flies. No truth fo facred, banter cannot hit. No fool fo llupid, but he aims at wit. Ev'n thofe, v/hofe breafts ne'er plann'd one virtuous
deed. Nor rais'd a thought beyond the earth they tread : Ev'n thofe can cenfure, thofe can dare deride A Bacon's av'rice, or a Tully's pride ; And fneer at human checks by nature given. To curb perfection ere it rival heaven : Nay, chiePiy fuch in thefe low arts prevail, Whofe v/ant of talents leaves them time to rail. Born for no end, they worfe than ufe-efs grow (As waters poifon if they ceafe to now) ; And pefts become, whom kinder fate defign'd B-t harmlefs expletives of human kind. See with what zeal th' infidious tafk they ply ! Where fhall the prudent, where the virtuous fly ? Lurk as ye can, if they direfl the ray. The veriell atoms in the fun-beams play.
No
On ridicule. 175
No \'enial flip their quick attention 'fcapes ; They trace each Proteus thro' his hundred fhapes; To A'lirth's tribunal drag the caitif train. Where mercy fleeps, and nature pleads in vain.
And whence this lull to laugh ? what fond pretence ? Why Shaftfb'ry tells us. Mirth's the teft of Senfe ; Th' enchanted touch, which fraud and falfhood fear^ Like Una's mirror, or Ithuriel's fpear. Not fo fair Truth — aloft her temple flands The work and glory of immortal hands. Huge rocks of adamant its bafe enfold, Ste-el bends the arch, the columns fwell in gold. No llorms, no tumults, reach the facred fane ; Waves idly beat, and winds grow loud in vain. The fliaft fmks pointlefs, ere it verges there. And the dull hifs but dies away in air.
Yet let me fay, howe'cr fecure it rife. Sly fraud may reach it, and clofe craft farprife. Truth, drawn like truth, muH: blaze divinely bright ; But, drawn like error, truth may cheat the fight. Some aukward epithet, with {kill apply'd. Some fpecious hints, which half their meanings hide. Can right and wrong moft courteouily confound. Banditti like, to dun us ere they wound.
Is there an art, thro' fcience' various flore. But, madly llrain'd, becomes an art no more f
N2 U
i?o WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
Is there a virtue, falihood can't difguiie ?
Betwixt two vices e\'ery virtue lies :
To this, to that, the doubtful beam incline.
Or mirth's falfe balance take, the triumph's thine.
Let mighty Newton with an Augur's hand. Thro' heaven's high concave flretch th' imperial wand.. The vagrant comet's dubious path afTign, And lead from ftar to liar th' unerring line : Who but with tranfport lifts his piercing eye. Fond to be loil in vaft immenfity ! But (hould your * taylor, with as much of thought, Eredt his quadrant, ere he cuts your coat ; The parchment flips with algebra o'erfpread. And calculations fcravvl on every fhred ; Art mifapply'd muil Hare you in the face. Nor could you, grave, the long deductions trace.
Fond of one art, mofc men the reft forego ; And all's ridiculous, but what they know. Freely they cenfure lands they ne'er explore. With tales they learn'd from coailers on the fnore. As Afric's petty kings, perhaps, who hear Of dillant flates from fome weak traveller, ImperfeCl hints with eager ears devour. And fneer at Europe's fiite, and Britain's power.
All arts are ufcful, as all nature good. Correctly known, and temp'rately purfucd,
* '* Your taylor," &c, fee GullJvei's travels, voyage to Laputa.
The
On R I D I C U L E. igi
The ailive foul, that heav'n-born lamp, requires
Still new fupports to feed, and raife its fires;
And Icience' ample flores expanded Hand,
As diiF'rent aids the varying flames demand.
And, as the lylvan chace bids bodies glow.
And purple health thro' vig'rous channels flow :
So fares the infant mind, by nature drawn.
By genius roas'd at reafon's early dawn ;
Which dares fair learning's arduous feats invade.
Climb the tall clifF, or pierce th' entangled fliade ;
New health, new flrength, new force its powers receive.
And 'tis from toil th' immortal learns to live.
Or, if too harfh each boill'rous labour proves.
The Mufe conducts us to more happy groves ;
Where fport her filler arts, with myrtles crown'd,
Expreffive piflure, and perfaafive found ;
Where truth's rough rules the gentleft lays impart.
And virtue fleals harmonious on the heart.
We oft, 'tis true, miftake the fat'rift's aim. Not arts themfelves, but their abufe they blame. Yet, if, Crufaders Hke, their zeal be rage. They hurt the caufe in which their arms engage : On heav'nly anvils forge the temper'd fteel. Which fools can brandiih, and the wife may feel. Readers are few, v/ho nice dilHnclions form, Supinely cool, or creduloufly warm. 'Tis jeft, 'tis earneft, as the words convey Some glimm'ring fcnfe to lead weak heads aflray.
N 3 And
iSi WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
And when, too anxious for feme art afiail'd. You point the latent flaw by which it fail'd ; Each to his bias leans, a fteady fool. And, for tlie part dcfedive, damns the whole.
In elder James's ever-peacefal reign. Who fway'd alike the fceptre and the pen. Had fome rough poet, with fatync rage, Alarm'd the court, and lafh'd the pedant age ; What freights of genius on that rock had fplit ? Where now were learning, and where now were wit ? Matur'd and full the rifing forefl; grows. Ere its wife owner lops th' advancing boughs : For oaks, like arts, a length of years demand. And iliade the lliepherd, ere they grace the land.
Where then may cenfure fall ? 'tis hard to fay ; On all that's wrong it may not, and it may. In life, as arts, it aiks cur niceil care. But hurts us more, as more immediate there.
Refign we freely to th' unthinking crowd Their Handing jell, which fweils the laugh fo loud. The mountain back, or head advanc'd too high, A leg mif-fnapen, or diilorted eye : We pity faults by nature's hand imprefl ; Therfites' mind, but not his form's the jell.
Here then we fix, and iafn without controul Thefe mental pefts, and hydras of the foul j
Acquir'4
On ridicule. 183
Acquired ill -nature, ever prompt debate, A zeal for flander, and delib'rate hate : Thefe court contempt, proclaim the public foe. And each * Ulylles like, fhould aim the blow.
Yet fure, ev'n here, our motives fhould be known : Rail we to check his fpleen, or eafe our own ? Does injur'd virtue ev'ry fliaft fupply. Arm the keen tongue, and flufh th' ere£led eye ? Or do v/e from ourfelves ourfelves difguife ; And acl, perhaps, the Villain we chaftife ? Hope we to mend him ? hopes, alas, how vain ! He feels the laiTi, not lillens to the rein.
}
'Tis dangerous too, in thefe licentious times, Howe'er fevere the fmile, to fport with crimes. Vices when ridicul'd, experience fays. Fir ft lofe that horror which they ought to raife, Grow by degrees approv'd, and almoft aim at praife. When Tully's tongue the Roman Clodius draws. How laughing fa tire weakens Milo's caufe ! Each piclur'd vice fo impudently bad. The crimes turn frolics, and the villain ni,ad ; Rapes, murders, inceft, treafons, mirth create. And Rome fcarce hates the author of her fate.
'Tis true, the comic Mufe, confin'd to rules, Supply'd the laws, and fham'd the tardy fchools ;
♦Iliad ii.
N 4 With
iS4 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
'With living precepts urg'd the moral truth. And by example form'd the yielding youth. The titled knave with honefl freedom Ihown, His perfon mimick'd, nor his name unknown. Taught the young breail its opening thoughts to raife From dread of infamy to love of praife. From thence to virtue ; there perfedlion ends. As gradual from the root the flower afcends ; Strain'd thro' the varying ftems the juices flow. Bloom o'er the top, and leave their dregs below.
'Twas thus a while th' inftruflive flage furvey'd. From breail: to breail its glowing influence fpread. Till, from his nobler tafe by paflions won. The man unravel'd what the bard had done ; And he, whofe warmth had iir'd a nation's heart, Debas'd to private piques tbe gen'rous art. Here funk the Mufe, and, ufelefs by degrees. She ceas'd to profit, as fhe ceas'd to pleafe. No longer wit a judging audience charm'd. Who, rous'd not flr'd, not raptur'd but alarm'd. To well-tun'd fcandal lent a jealous ear. And thro' the faint applaufe be tray 'd the fear.
We, like Menander, more difcreetly dare. And well-bred Satire wears a milder air. Still vice we brand, or titled fools difgrace. But drefs in fable's guiie the borrow'd face. Or as the bee, thro' nature's wild retreats. Drinks the molfi fragrance from th' unconfcious fvveets.
To
On R I D I C U L E. 185
To injure none, we lightly range the ball. And glean from diiFrent knaves the copious gall ; Extradt, compound, with all a chemift's Ikill, And claim the motley characters who will.
Happy the Mufe, cculd thus her tuneful aid
To fenfe, to virtue, wake the more than dead !
But few to fi<rtion lend attentive ears.
They view the face, but foon forget 'tis theirs.
" 'Twas not from them the bard their Hkenefs flole,
" The random pencil haply hit the mole ;
*• Ev'n from their prying foes fuch fpccks retreat ;"
— TJiey hide ihem from themfelves, and crown the cheat.
Or fhould, perhaps, fome fofter clay admit The fly impreffions of indruclive wit ; To virtue's fide in confcious iilence Heal, And glow with goodnefs, ere we find they feel j Yet more, 'tis fear'd, will clofer methods take. And keep with caution what they can't fcrfake ; For fear of man, in his mod mirthful mood. May make us hypocrites, but feldom good. And what avails that feas confefs their bounds. If fubtler infe(ft5 fap the Belgian mounds ? Tho' no wing'd mifchief cleave the mid-day (kies. Still thro' the dark the baleful venom flies. Still virtue feels a fare tho' ling'ring fate. And, ftabb'd in fecrct, bleeds th' unguarded Hate.
Befides, in men have varying palTions made Such nice conful;Qns, blending light with Ihade,
That
i85 WHITEHEAD'S POEMS.
That e2o;er zeal to laugh the vice away
Mav hurt feme virtue's interminclinjr rav.
Ms-n's faults, like Martin's * broider'd coat, demand
The niceft touches of the ftcadieil hand.
Some yield with eafe, while feme their polls maintain ;
And parts defe<^ive will at lait remain.
There, where they beft fucceed, your labours bend;
Nor render ufelefs, what you ftrive to mend.