SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked,
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. 80
Their name, their years, spelt by th' unlettered muse,
The place of fame and elegy supply:
And many a holy text around she strews,
That teach the rustic moralist to die*
For who, to dumb Forgetful ness a prey, 85
This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned,
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day,
Nor cast one longing ling'ring look behind?
On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires; 90
E'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries,
E'en in our Ashes live their wonted Fires.
For thee, who, mindful of th' unhonoured Dead,
Dost in these lines their artless tale relate;
If chance, by lonely contemplation led, 95
Some kindred Spirit shall inquire thy fate.
Haply some hoary-headed Swain may say,
'Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn
Brushing with hasty steps the dews away
To meet the sun upon the upland lawn. 100
'There at the foot of yonder nodding beech
That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high,
His listless length at noontide would he stretch,
And pore upon the brook that babbles by.
Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn, 105
Mijtt'ring Ms wayward fancies he would rove r
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