F46.205I
/
FROM THE LIBRARY OF
REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D.
BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO
THE LIBRARY OF
PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Dittaion
Section
HORjE LTRJtf&fii^
— -
P O E
Chiefly of the Lyric Kind, In THREE BOOKS.
SACRED
I. To Devotion and Piety.
II. To Virtue, Honour and Friendship^
III. To the Memory of the Dead.
By /. WATTS, D. D.
The Tenth Edition, Corrected.
•Si non Uranie Lyram
Ccelejiem cohibit, nee Polyhymnia Humanum refugit tendere Barbiton.
Hor. Od. I. imitat
NEPF-TORK:
Printed and Sold, by HUGH GAIN E, Book- feller and Stationer, at the Bible and Cr9Wn> m Hanover-Square.
M,DCC,LXIL
T HE
PREFACE.
/^"J^^P^ T has been a long Complaint of the vir- Jf j ^ tuous and refined World, that Poefy, whofe & ^ Original is Divine, fhould be enflaved to hjM^iM ^lCQ an(* Profanenefs ; that an Art in- fpired from Heaven, fhould have fo far loft the Memory of its Birth-place, as to be engaged in the Interefts of Hell. How unhappily is it perverted from its mofl: glorious Defign ! How bafely has it been , driven away from its proper Station in the Temple of God, and abufed to much Difhonour ! The Iniquity of Men has conftrained it to ferve their vilefr, Purpofes, while the Sons of Piety mourn the Sacrilege and the Shame.
The eldefl: Song which Hiftory has brought down to our Ears, was a noble Act of Worfhip paid to the God of Jfrael) when his Right Hand became glorious in Power \ when thy Right Hand, O Lord, dajhed in Pieces the Enemy : The Chariots of Pharaoh and his Mojis wen cajl into the Red Sea ; Thou didfl blow with thy Wind) the Deep covered them, and they fank as Lead in the mighty Waters, Exod. xv. This Art was main- tained facred thro' the following Ages of the Church, and employed by Kings and Prophets, by David, Solomon, and Isaiah, in defcribing the Nature and the Glories of God, and in conveying Grace or Vengeance to the Hearts of Men. By this Me- thod they brought fo much of Heaven down to this lower World, as the Darknefs of that Difpenfation would admit : And now and then a divine and poetic A 2 Rapture
iv The P R E F J C E.
Rapture lifted their Souls far above the Level of that OEconomy of Shadows, bore them away far into a brighter Region, and gave them a Glimpfe of Evan- gelic Dav. The Life of Angels was harmoniouAy breathed into the Children of Adam, and their Minds railed near to Heaven in Melody and Devotion at once.
In the younger Days of Heathenifm the Mufes were devoted to the fame Service ; the Language iu which old Hesiod addrefles them is this :
Pierian Mufes, fcrnid for heavenly Lays, Defcend) and ftng the God your Father s Praife.
And he purfues the Subject in ten pious Lines, which i could not bear to tranferibe, if the Afpedt and Sound of fo much Greek were not terrifying to a nice Reader.
But fome of the latter Poets of the Pagan World have debafed this Divine Gift ; and many of the Writers of the firft Rank in this our Age of National Chri/Jians, have, to their eternal Shame, furpalTed the vileft of the Gentiles, They have not only diuobed Religion of all the Ornaments of Verfe, but have em- ployed their Pens in impious Mifchief, to deform her natire Beauty, and defile her Honours. They have expofed her moil facred Character to Drollery, and dreiTed her up in a moll: vile and ridiculousDifguife, for the Scorn of the ruder Herd of Mankind. The Vices have been painted like fo many Goddefles,. the Charms of "Wit have been added' to Debauchery, and the Temptation heightened where Nature needs the ftrong- cft Reftraints. With Sweetnefs of Sound, and Deli- cacy of ExprefTic-n, they have given a Relifh to Blaf- phemies of the harm eft kind \ and when they rant at their Maker in ibnorous Numbers, they fancy them- ienes to have acted the Hero well.
Thus almolt in Vuin have the Throne and the Pul- pit cried Reformation \ while the Stage and licentious Poems have waged open War with the pious Defign of Church and. Stale. The Piefs has ipruad the Poifon
far,
7 he PREFACE.
far, ami fcattered wide the mortal Infection : Unthink- ing Youth have been enticed to Sin beyond the vicious Propenfities of Nature, plunged early into Difeafes and Death, and funk down to Damnation in Multi- tudes. Was it for this that Poefy was endued with all thefe Allurements that lead the Mind away in a pleaf- ing Captivity ? Was it for this, Hie was furnimed with fo many intellectual Charms, that me might feduce the Heart from GOD, the original Beauty and the moil lovely of Beings ? Can I ever be perfuaded, that thole fweet and renftlefs Forces of Metaphor, Wit, Sound, and Number, were given with this Defign, that thev fhpuld be all ranged under the Banner of the great malicious Spirit, to invade the Rights of Hea- ven, and to bring fwift and everlaiting Deitruclion upon Men ? How will thefe Allies of the nether World, the leud and profane Wfifiers, Hands aghaft before the great Judge, when the Blood of many Souls, whom they never faw, fhall be laid to the Charge of their Writings, and be dreadfully required at their Hands ? The Reverend Mr. Collier has ki this awful Scence before them in juft and flaming Co- lours. If the Application were not too rude and un- civil, that noble Stanza of my Lord Roscommon", on Pfalm cxlviii. might be addreffed to them :
Ye Dragons, zvhofe contagious Breath
Peoples the dark Retreats of Death,
Change your dire HiJJings into Heavenly Songsy
And praife your Aiaker with your forked Tongues.
This Profanation and Debafement of fo divine an Art, has tempted fome weaker Chrhlians to imagine that Poetry and Vice are naturally akin ; or at leaft, that Verfe is fit only to recommend Triffles, and en- tertain our loofer Hours, but it is too light and trivial a Method to treat any thing that is ferious and facred. They fubmit, indeed, to ufe it in Divine Pfalmody, but they love the driefl Tranfiation of the Pfalm befr. They will venture to fing a dull Hymn, or two at A % Church,
vi The P R E F J C I.
Church, In Tunes of equal Dulnefs : but full they periuade themielves, and their GhHdren, that the Beauties of Poeiy are vain and dan^cio!^. All that arifes a Degree idSove Air. Sternhold is too airy tor Worfhip, and hardly escapes the Sentence of un- clean and abominable* Tis fhange, thar Perfons that have the Bible in their Hands, (houid be led away by thoughtlefs Prejudices to fo wiid_ and raih an O- pinion. Let me entreat them not to indulge this four, tnis cenforious Humour- too far, leit the Sacred Wri- ters fall under the Lam of their unlimitted and un- guarded Reproaches Let me entreat them to look- into their Bibles, and remember the Style and Way of Writing that is ufed by the antient Prophets. Have they -forgot, or were they never told, that many Parts of the Old Teftainent are Hebrew Verfe ? And the Figures arc flronger, and the Metaphors bolder, and the Images more furprifing and ftrange than ever I read in any profane Writer. When Deborah iings her Praifes to the GOD of Ifrael, while he marched from the Field of Edom, fhe fets the Earth a trembling, the Heavens drop, and the Mountains dijjolve from be- ■fore the Lord. They fought from Heaven, the Stars in i heir Courfes fought againji Sisera : When the River of Kifhon fivept them away, that antient River, the River Kifhon. O my Soul, thou hajl trodden down Strength, Judg. v. cifY. When Eliphaz, in the Book of Job, fpeaks his Senfe of the Holinefs of God, he introduces a Machine in a Vifion : Fear came upon me, Trembling on all ?ny Bones, the Hair of my Flejh flood up ; a Spirit pajjed by and flood fill, but its Form was undifcernible ; an Image before mine Eyes ; and Si- • leme ; Then I heard a Voice, faying, Shall mortal Man f be morejuft than God? Sec. Job iv. When he defcribes " the Safety of the Righteous, he hides him from the Scourge of the Tongue, he makes him laugh at Dejlruc- . tion and Famine, he brings the Stones of the Field into League with him, and makes the Brute Animals enter into a Covenant of Peace, Job v. 21, &c* When Job
fpeaks
The PREFACE. vii
fpeaks of the Grave, how melancholy is the Gloom that he fpreads over it ! It is a Region to which I muft ftorfy go and whence 1 fall not return ; it is a Land of Darknefs it is Darknefs itfelf, the Land of the Sha- dowof Death ; all Confufion' id Diforder/aJwL the Light »™ Darknefs. This is m/Houfe, there Z I made my Bed : I have faidto Corruption, Thou art my Father, and to the Worm, Thou art my Mother and my
WT1 jf°r my P1*'*- who Jhallfe ''t? I andm<; Hope go down together to the Bars of the Pit Tob x 21. and xvii. 13 When he humbles himfelf in CW Plainings before the Almightinefs of GOD, what con- tempt.ble and feeole Images doth he ufe ! Wilt thou
Irf^mf/^r <"**&? J™t thou purfue th* dry Stubble ? I confume away like a rotten thing, i Gar- ment eaten by the Moth, Job Xiii. 25, &c. flu E&
folveftmy Subftance y Job xxiii. 22. Can any Man in-
He^H ZTief7hh( ld/aS, toreWent th/ Scoundrel Herd and Refofe of Mankind, than thofe which Tob nfes ? Chap xxx. and thereby he aggravates his own Sorrows and Reproaches to Amazement: Thy Z are younger than 1 have me in Derifon, whofe Fathers I yould have difdained to have fet with the Dogs If my Fllk- for Want and Famine they were folitary ■ V^ into the Wldernefs deflate and wajle : They out up fallows L the Bujhes, and Jumper-roots for their Meat • Thi were driven forth from among' Men, (they cried a Z them as after a Thief) to dwell in the Cliffslf th eVatZ
Bujhes they brayed, under the Nettles they tvere J/J/d together; they were Children of Fools L rh€ s hafiMen; they were viler thai £&& jfnZ £ I their Song yea , / am their By-word, &c How mournfu and dejected is the Language of his own J:/™"' '"rnedupon hi, Shy purfuThl
Ckud tPnd' and-hiS Wdfar° P^sLayasl
U°f,hts Bones are p,erted within him, and his Sou'
,t poured out; be goes mourniug without the Sun, a b2
A 4- ther
friii 71* PREFACE.
ther to Dragons, and a Companion to Owls ; while his Harp and Organ are turned into the Voiee of them that weep. I mult transcribe one half of this holy Book, if I would mew the Grandeur, the Variety, and the Juftnefs of his Ideas, or the Pomp and Beauty of his Expreflion : I mull copy out a good part of the Writ- ings of David and Isaiah, if 1 would reprefent the poetical Excellencies of their Thoughts and Style : Nor is the Language of the leiler Prophets, efpecially in fome Paragraphs, much inferior to thefe.
Now while they paint human Nature in its various Forms and Circuroftances, if their Defigning be fo juil and noble, their Difpofition fo artful, and their Colouring fo bright, beyond the molt famed human Writers, how much more muft their Defcriptions of God and Heaven exceed all that is pofiible to be fai$ by a meaner Tongue ? When they fpeak of the Dwel- ling-place of GOD, He inhabits Eternity, and fits upon the Throne of his Holinefs, in the midji of Light inac- cejfible* When his Holinefs is mentioned, The Hea- vens are not clean in his Sight, he charges his Angels with Folly : He looks to the Moon, and it fbineth not, and the Stars are not pure before his Eyes : He is a jealous God% and a confuming Fire. If we fpeak of Strength, Z?<v hold, he is Jhong : He removes the Mountain*, and they know it not, He overturns them in his Anger : He Jhakes the Earth from her Place, and her Pillars tremble : He makes a Path through the mighty Waters, he dijcovers the Foundations of the JVorld : The Pillars of Heaven are qftonijhed at his Reproof And after all, Thefe are but a Portion of his Ways : The Thunder of his Power who can under/land ? His Sovereignty, his Knowledge, and his Wifdom, are revealed to us in Language vaffiy fuperior to all the poetical Accounts of Heathen Divi- nity. Let the PotJJjerds ftrive with the Pot/herds of th? Earth ; but Jhall the Clay fay to him that Jo/hi on rth it, iPhat make ft thou ? He bids the Heavens drop down from above, and let the Skies pour down Rightcoufnefs. If- commands the Sun% and it rifetb not, and he fcalcth up ■
-The PREFACE. ix
Ahe Stars. It is he that faith to the Deep, Be dry, and he drieih up the Rivers. Woe to them that feek deep to hide their Counfel from the Lord : his Eyes are upon all their Ways, he under/lands their Thoughts afar off. Hell is naked before him, and Dejhuclion hath no Covering. He calls out all the Stars by their Names, he fru/hateib the Tokens of the Liars, and makes the Diviners mad : He turns wife Men backward, and their Knowledge be- comes foolifh. His tranfeendent Eminence above all Things is moft nobly reprefented, whenheyfo upon the Circle of the Earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as Grajhoppers : All Nations before him are as the Drop of a Bucket, and as the fmall Dujl of the Ballance : Hs takes up the Ifles as a very little thing : Lebanon, with all her Beafts, is not fujficient for Sacrifice to this Gody nor are all her Trees fujficient for the Burning. This GOD, before whom the whole Creation is as nothings yea, lefs than nothing, and Vanity. To which of all the Heathen Gods then will ye compare me, faith the Lor d+ and what Jhall I be likened to. And to which of all the Heathen Poets fhall we liken or compare this glo- rious Orator, the facred Defcriber of the Godhead ? The Orators of all Nations are as nothing before him, and their Words are Vanity and Emptinefs. Let us turn our Eyes now to. fome of the Holy Writings, where GOD is creating the World : How meanly do the beft of the Gentiles talk and trifle upon this Sub- ject, when brought into Comparifon with Mose^, whom Longinus hiu.felf, a Gentile Critic, cites as a Mailer of the Sublime Style, when he chofe to ufe it j: Arid the Lord faid, Let there be Light, and then was Light ; Let there be Clouds and Seas, Sun and Stars > Plants and Animals, and behold they are : He com- manded, and they appear and obey : By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the Hojl of them by the Breath of his Mouth : This is working like a G O D, with infinite Eafe and Omnipotence. His Wonders of Providence for the Terror and R uin of His Adverfai ies, and for the Succour of His Saints, is A 5 kt
x The P R E F A C E*'
fet before our Eyes in the Scripture with equal Mag- • niiicence, and as becomes Divinity. When he arifes cut of his Place, the Earth trembles, the Foundations of the Hills are Jhaken becaufe he is wroth : There goes a Smoke out of his Noflrils, and Fire out of his Mouth de- voured, Coals are kindled by it. He bows the Heavens? and comes down, and Darknefs is under his Feet. The Mountains melt like Wax, and flow down at his Pre- fence. If Virgil, Homer, or Pindar, were to prepare an Equipage for a defcending God, they might ufe Thunder and Lightnings too, and Clouds and Fire, to form a Chariot and Horfes for the Bat- tle, or the Triumph ; but there is none of them pro- vides him a Flight of Cherubs inftead of Horfes, or feats him in Chariots of Salvation. David beholds Him riding upon the Heaven of Heavens, by his Name JAH : He was mounted upon a Cherub, and did fly, he flew on the Wings of the Wind', and II abakuk fends the Pejlilence before him. Homer keeps a mighty Stir with his Nubicogus Jupiter, and Hssiod with his Jupiter Fremitus, Jupiter, that raiies up the Clouds, and that makes a Noife, or thunders on high. But a Divine Poet makes the Clouds but the Duji of his Feet ; and when the Highe/l gives his Voice in the Heavens-, Hail-Jlones and Coals of Fire follow. A Divine Poet difcovers the Channels of the Waters, and lays open the Foundations of Nature ; at thy Rebuke, O Lord, at the Blafl of the Breath of thy Noftrils. When the HOLY ONE alighted upon Mount Sanai, his Glory covered the Heavens : He flood and meafured the Earth : He beheld and drove afunder the Nations, and the ever- laftitig Mountains were fcattered : The perpetual Hills did blow -, his Ways are everlafling. Then the Pro- phet faw the Tents of Cufhan in Affliction, and the Curtains of the Land of Midian did tremble, Hab. iii. Nor did the BlefTed Spirit which animated thefe Wri- ters forbid them the Ufe of Vifions, Dreams, the opening of Scenes dreadful and delightful, and the In- troduction of Machines upon great Occafons : The
Divine
The PREFACE.' x\
Divine Licence in this refpecl: is admirable and furpri- fmg, and the Images are often too bold and dangerous for an uninfpired Writer to imitate. Mr. Dennis has made a noble Eflay to difcover how much fuperior is infpired Poefy to the brighter!: and beft Defcriptions of a mortal Pen. Perhaps, if his Propofal of Criticifm had been encouraged and purfued, the Nation might have learnt more Value for the Word of GOD, and the Wits of the Age might have been fecured from the Danger of Deifm ; while they muft have been forced to confefs at leaft the Divinity of all the poeti- cal Books of Scripture, when they fee a Genius run- ning through them more than human.
Who is there now will dare to afTert, that the Doctrines of our Holy Faith will not endulge or en- dure a delightful Drefs? Shall the. French Poet * af- fright us, by faying,
De la fay d7 un Chretim les Myfteres terrible '$9. .D' Ornemens egayez ne font point fufceptibles f.
(But the French Criticf, in his Reflections upon- Eloquence, tell us, " That the Majefty of our Re- " ligion, the Holinefs of its Laws, the Purity of its- ": Morals, the Heighth of its Myfteries, and the Im- u portance of every Subject that belongs to it requires **' a Grandeur, a Noblenefs, a Majefty, and1 Elevation <£ of Style fuited to the Theme : Sparkling Images " and magnificent Expreflions muft be ufed, and are "beft borrowed from Scripture": Let the Preacher, " that aims at Eloquence, read the Prophets incef- '** fantly, for their Writings are an abundant Source " of all the Riches and Ornaments of Speech." And, in my Opinion, this is far better Counfel than Horace gives us, when he fays,
— Vos examplariu-Gracer
Noffurnd v erf ate Manu^verfate dturna*
A 6 />
* Boiteaw. f Rapin.
xii The PR E F AC E.
As in the. Conduct of my Studies with regard to I)ivinity, I have reafon to repent of nothing more than that I have not perufed the Bible with more Fre- quency ; (o if I were to let up for a Poet, with a De- iign to exceed all the modern Writers, I would fol- low the Advice of Rapin, and read the Prophets Night and Day. I am fure, the Compofures of the following Book would have been filled with much great- er Senfe, and appeared with much more agreeable Or- naments, had I derived a larger Portion from the Holy •Scriptures,
Besides, we may fetch a further Anfwer to MonC Boileau's Objection,, from other Poets of his own Country. What a noble Ufe have Racine and Corneille made of Chriftian Subjects, in fome of their bell Tragedies I What a Variety of Divine Scenes are difplayed, and pious Pailions awakened in thofeFoems ? The Martyrdom of Polyeucte, how doth it reign over our Love and Pity, and at the fame- time animate our Zeal and Dovotion ! May I here be permitted the Liberty to return my Thanks to that fair and ingenious Hand* that directed me to fucli 'Entertainments in a foreign Language, which I had Jong wifhed for, and fought in vain in our own. Yet I mud: confefs, that the Davideis, and the twoe Arthurs, have fo far anfwered Boileau's Objec- tion, in Engtijhy as that the Obfracles. of attempting Chriflian Poefy are broken down, and the vain Pre- tence of its being impracticable, is experimentally confuted}-.
It is true indeed, the Chriftian Myfteries have not. fuch need of gay Trappings as beautified, or rather
compofed,.
* Philomela,
f Sir Richard Blackmore, in his- adrrirable Preface to his laft Poem entitled Alfred, has more copioufly refuted all Boileau\ Arguments on this Subject, and that with great Juft'ce and Elegance. 1713. I am perfuaded that many Per^ firms who defpife the Poem would acknowledge the juft Seiv- t«rtents oi that Preface*
ne PREFACE* xiii
compofed, the Heathen SuperfHtion. But this ftiil makes ferine greater Eafe and furer Succe'fs of the Poet. The Wonders of our Religion, in a plain Narration and a fimple Drefs, have a native Gran- deur, a Dignity, and a Beauty in them, though they do not utterly difdain all Methods of Ornament. The Book of the Revelation? feems to be a Prophecy in the Form of an Opera, or a Dramitic Poem, where Di- vine Art illuftrates the Subject with many charming Glories ; but ftill it mull be acknowledged, that the naked Themes of Christianity have fomething bright- er and bolder in them, fomething more furprifing and celeftial than all the Adventures of Gods and Heroes, all the dazling Images of faife Lullre that Form and garnifh a Heathen Song : Here the very Argument would give wonderful Aids to the Mufe, and the hea- venly Theme wouM fo relieve a dull Hour, and a languimihg Genius, that when the Mufe nods, the Senfe would burn and fparkle upon the Reader, and keep him feelingly awake.
With how much lefs Toil and Expence might a Dryden, an Otway, -a Congreve, or a Dennis,. furniih out a Chriilian Poem, than a modern Flay ? There k nothing amongfl all the antient Fables, or later Romances, that have two fuch Extremes uni- ted in them, as the Eternal GOD becoming an In- fant of Days ;- the Poffeflor of the Palace of Heaven kid to. fleep in a Manger ; the Holy JESUS, who knew no Sin, bearing the Sins of Men in his Body on the Tree * Agonies of Sorrow loading the Soul of Him who was GOD over all, blefled for ever ; and the Sovereign of Life ftretching his Arms on a Crofs, bleeding and expiring : The Heaven and the Hell in our Divinity are infinitely more delightful and dread- ful than the childifh | Figments of a Dog with three Heads, the Buckets of the Betides* the Furies with ihaky Hairs, or all the flowry Stories of Elyjiwn. And if we furvey the one as Themes divinely true, and the other as a. Medley of Fooleries which we
can
xiv The P R E F A C E.
can never believe, the Advantage far touching the Springs of Pafiion will fall infinitely on the Side of the Chriftian Poet ; our Wonder and our Love, our Pity, Delight, and Sorrow, with the long Train of Hopes and Fears, mult needs be under the Command of an harmonious Pen, whofe every Line makes a Part of the Reader's Faith, and is the very Life or Death of his Soul.
If the trifling and incredible Tales that furnifh out a Tragedy, are fo armed by Wit and Fancy, as to become Sovereign of the rational Powers, to triumph over all the Affections, and manage our Smiles and our Tears at Pleafure j how wondrous a Conquer! mi^ht be obtained over a wild World, and reduce it, at leaft, to Sobriety, if the fame happy Talent were employed in dremng the Scenes of Religion in their proper Figures of Majefty, Sweetnefs, and Terror ? The Wonders of Creating Power, of Redeeming Love, and Renewing Grace,, ought not to be thus impioufiy neglected by thofe whom Heaven has endu- ed with a Gift fo proper to adorn and cultivate them ; an Ait whofe fweet Infinuations might almoft convey Piety in refitting Nature, and melt the hardeft Souls to the Love of Virtue. The Affairs of this Life, with their Reference to a Life to come, would mine bright in a Dramatic Defcription ; nor is there any Need or any Reafon why we mould always borrow the Plan or Hiftory from the antient Jews, or primitive Martyrs ; though feveral of thefe would furnifh out noble Mate- rials for this fort of Poefy : But modern Scenes would be better underffood by moft Readers, and the Appli- cation would be much more eafy. The Anguifh of inward Guilt, the fecret Stings and Racks and Scourges of Confcience ; the fweet retiring Hours, and fera- phical Joys of Devotion ; the Victory of a refolved Soul over a thoufand Temptations ; the inimitable Love and Paffion of a dying GOD ; the awful Glo- ries of the laft Tribunal -, the grand decifive Sentence, from which there is no Appeal j and the confequent
Tranfports
The P R
Transports of Horrors or the two eternal Worlds; thefe things may be variously difpofed, and form many Poems. How might fuch Performances, under a Di- vine Blefling, call back the dying Piety of the Nation to Life and Beauty ? This would make Religion ap- pear like itfelf, and confound the Blafphemies of a profligate World, ignorant of pious Pleafures.
But we have Reafon to fear, that the tuneful Men of our Day have not railed their Ambition to fo divine a Pitch ; I fhould rejoice to fee more of this Celeftial Fire kindling within them ; for the Flafhes that break out in fome prefent and paft Writings, betray an in- fernal Source. This the incomparible Mr. Cowley, in the latter End of his Preface, and the ingenious Sir Richard Blackmore, in the Beginning of his, haveTo pathetically defcribed and lamented, that I ra- ther refer the Reader to mourn with them, than detain and tire him here. Thtie Gentlemen, in their Wge and laboured Works of Poefy, have given the World happy Examples of what they wifh and encourage in Profe ; the One in a rich Variety of Thought and Fancy, the other in all the mining Colours of pro- fufe and florid Dicfion.
If fhorter Sonnets were compofed on fublime Sub- jects, fuch as the Pfalms of David, and the holy Tranfports interfperfed in the other Sacred Writings, or fuch as the moral Odes of Horace, and the an- tient Lyricks; I perfuade myfelf, that the Chrijlian. Preacher would find abundant Aid from the Poet, in his Defign to diffufe Virtue,- and allure Souls to GOD* If the Heart was nxft. inflamed from Heaven, and the Mufe were not left alone to form the Devotion, and^ purfue a cold Scent, but only called in as an AfMant to tjie Worihip, then the Song would end where the Infpiration ceafes ; the whole Compofure would be of a Piece, all meridian Light and meridian Fervour; and the fame pious Flame would be propagated, and kept glowing in the Heart of him that reads. Some of the fhorter Odes of the two Poets now mentioned,
and
xvi The' P R E F AC E.
and a few of the Reverend Mr. Norris's EUavs in Verfe, are convincing Inftances of the Succefs of this Propoial.
It is my Opinion alfo, that the free and unconfined Numbers of Pindar, or the noble Meafu res of Milton without Rhime, would belt maintain the Dignity of the Theme, as well 2s give a Loofe to the devout Soul, nor check the Raptures of her Faith and Love. Though in my feeble Attempts of this kind, I have too often fettered my Thoughts in the narrow • Metre of our Pfalm-Tran/lators ; I have contracted and cramped the Senfe, or rendered it obfcwre and feeble, by the too fpeedy and regular Returns of Rhime.
If my Friends expect any Reafon of the following Compofures, and of the firft or fecond Publication, X entreat them to accept of this Account.
The Title afTures them that Poefy is not the Bufi- nefs of my Life ; and if I ftized thofc Hours of Lie- fure, wherein my Soul was in a more fprightly Frame, to entertain them or my kK with a Divine or Moral Song, I hope I mail find an eafy Pardon.
In the Firfi Book are many Odes which were writ- ten to affift the Meditations and Worfhip of vulgar Christians, and with a Defign to be publimed in the Volume of Hymns i which h^ve now pafTed a Second ImprefTion ; but upon the Review, I found feme Ex- prciTions that were not fuited to the plaincft Capacity, and the Metaphors are too bold to pleafe the weaker Chriftianr therefore 1 have allotted them a Place here
Amongst thefe Songs that are dedicated to Divine Lovey I think I may be bold to afTert, that I never compofed one Line of them with any other Defign than what they are applied to here ; and I have endea- voured to fecure them all from being perverted and debafed to wanton PaiTions, by feveral Lines in them that can never be applied to a meaner Love. Are not the nobleft Inftances of the Grace of Chrift re- prefented under the Figure of a Conjugal State, and
defcribed
The PREFACE. xvii
defcribedin one of the fv/eeteft Odes, and the fofteftPa- ftoral that ever was written ? I appeal to Solomon*, in his Song, and his Father David, in Pfal. xlv. if David was the Author : And I am well allured, that I have never indulged an equal Licence : It was dangerous to imitate the Sacred Writers too nearly, in fo nice an Affair.
The Poems /acred to Virtue, &c. were formed wherr the Frame and Humour of my Soul was juir. fuited to the Subject of my Verfe : The Image of my Heart is painted in them ; and if they meet with a Reader whofe Soul is akin to mine, perhaps they may agree- bly entertain him. The Dulnefs of the Fancy, and Coarfenefs of Exprefiion, will difappear ; the Same- nefs of the Humour will create a Pleafure, and in fen- fib] y overcome and conceal the Defects of the Mufe. Young Gentlemen and Ladies, whofe Genius and E- ducation have given therh a Relifh of Oratory and Verfe, may be tempted to feek Satisfaction among the dangerous Diverfions of the Stage, and impure Son- nets, if there be no Proviiion of a fafer kind made to pleafe them. While I have attempted to gratify inno- cent Fancy in this refpecl, I have not forgotten to al- lure the Heart to Virtue, and to raife it to a Difdain of brutal Pleafures. The frequent Interpofition of a devout Thought may awaken the Mind to a ferious Senfe of GOD, Religion, and Eternity. The fame Duty that might be defpifed in a Sermon, when pro* pofed to their Reafon, may here, perhaps, feize the lower Faculties with Surprize, Delight, and Devoti- on at once ; and thus, by Degrees, draw the fuperi- or Powers of the Mind to Piety.' Amongft the infl-. nice Numbers of Mankind, there is not more Differ- ence in their outward Shape and Features, than in their Temper and inward Inclination. Some are more eafily fufceptive of Religion in a grave Difcourfe and
fed ate
* Solnmotii Sotrg was much more in Ufe among Preachers and -Writers of Divinity when thefe Poems were written tjian it is flow. 1736,
xvrii The P P. E F A C E.
fed ate Reafoning. Some are beft frighted from Sin and Ruin by Terror, Threatning and Amazement ; their Fear is the propereft Paflion to which we can addrefs ourfelves, and begin the Divine Work : Ou- tliers can feel no Motive fo powerful as that which applies itfelf to their Ingenuity, and their polifh'd I- magination. Now I thought it lawful to take hold of any Handle of the Soul, to lead it away betimes from vicious Pleafures ; and if I could but make up aCom- pofition of Virtue and Delight, fuited to the Tafte of well bred Youth, and a refin'd- Education, I had fome Hope to allure and raife them thereby above the vile Temptations of degenerate Nature, and Cuftom, that is yet more degenerate. When I have felt a flight In- clination to Satyr or Burlefque, I thought it proper to fupprefs it. The grinning and the growling Mufe are not hard to be obtained j but I would difdain their Afliftance, where a manly Invitation to Virtue, and a friendly Smile may be fuccefsfully employ'd. Could I perfuade any Man by a kinder Method, I fhould never think it proper to fcold or laugh at him.
Perhaps there are fome morofe Readers, that ftand ready to condemn every Line that's written upon the Theme of Love ; but have we not the Cares and: the Felicities of that fort of foci al Life reprefented to us in the facred Writings ? Some Expreffions are there ufed with a Defign to give a mortifying Influ- ence to our fofteft Affections j others again brighten: the Character of that State,' and allure virtuous Souls to purfue the divine Advantage of it, the mutual Af- firmance in the way to Salvation. Are not the cxxviith and cxxviiith Pfalms indited on this very fubjec~t. ? Shall it be lawful for the Prefs and the Pulpit to treat of it with a becoming Solemnity in Profe, and mufl the Mention of the fame thing in Poefy be pronounc'd for ever unlawful ? It is utterly unworthy of a ferious Character to write on this Argument, becaufe it has been unhappily polluted by fome fcurrilous Pens ? Why may I not be permitted to obviate a common
and
Tbf r> « r. f A C E. x\x
and a growing Mifchief, while a thoufand vile Poems of the amorous kind fwarm abroad, and give a vicious Taint to the unwary Reader ? I would tell the World that I have endeavoured to recover this Argument out of the Hands of impure Writers, and to make it ap- pear, that Virtue and Love are not fuch Strangers as they are reprefented. The blifsful Intimacy of Souls in that State will afford fufficient Furniture for the gravel) Entertainment m Verfe ; fo that it need not be everlaftingly drefs'd up in Ridicule, nor afTumed only to furnifh out the lewd Sonnets of the Times, May fome happier Genius promote the fame Service that I propos'd, and by fuperior Senfe, and fweeter Sound, render what I have written contemptible and ufelefs.
The Imitations of that nobleft. Latin Poet of mo- dern Ages, Gasimire Sarbiewski of Poland, would need no Exeufe, did they but arife to the Beau- ty, of the Original. I have often taken the Freedom to add ten or twenty Lines, or to leave out as many, that I might fuit my Song more to my own Defign, or becaufe I faw it impoffible to prefent the Force, the Finenefs, and the Fire of his Expreflion in our Lan- guage. There are a few Copies wherein I borrow'd fome Hints from the fame Author, without the Men- tion of his Name in the Title. Methinks I can al- low fo fuperior a Genius now and then to be lavifh in his Imagination, and to indulge fome Excurfions be- yond the Limits of fedate Judgment : The Riches and Glory of his Verfe make. Atonement in abundance. I wifh fome Englijh Pen would import more of his^ Treafures, and blefs our Nation.
The Infcriptions to particular Friends, are war- ranted and defended by the Practice of almoft all the Lyric Writers. They frequently convey the rigid Rules of Morality to the Mind in the fofter Method of Applaufe. Suftain'd by their Example, a Man will not ealily be overwhelmed with the heavieil Cenfures oi the unthinking and unknowing; efpecially when
there
XX The r xx. jd j* 4 Q E.
there is a Shadow of this Practice in the Divine TJed~ mijl^ while he inferibes to Asaph or Jeduthun his Songs that were made for the Harp, or (which is all one) his Lyric Odes, tho' they are addreiled to GOD himfelf.
In the Poems of Heroic Meafure, I have attempted in Rhime the lame Variety of Cadence, Comma and Period, which blank Verfe glories in as its peculiar Elegance and Ornament. It degrades the Excellency of the beft Verification when the Lines run on by Couplets, twenty together, juft in the fame Place, and with the fame Paufes. It fpoils the nobleft Pleafure of the Sound : The Reader is tired with the tedious Uniformity, or charm'd to deep with the unmanly Softnefs of the Numbers, and the perpetual Chime of even Cadences.
In the EJjays without Rhime, I have not fet up Mil ton for a perfect Pattern ; tho' he fliall be for ever honour'd as our Deliverer from the Bondage His Works contain admirable and unequall'd Inftances of bright and beautiful Diction, as well as Majefty and Serenenefs of Thought. There are feveral Epi- fodes in his longer Works, that {land in fupreme Dig- nity without a Rival ; yet all that vaft ReverenceVith. which I read his Paradife L'jly cannot perfuade me to be charm'd with every Page of it. The length of his Periods, and fometimes of his Parenthefes, runs, me out of Breath : Some of his Numbers feem toor harm and uneafy. I could never believe that Rough- nefs and Obfcurity added any thing to the true Gran- deur of a Poem : Nor will I ever afFect Archaifms* Exoticifms, and a quaint Uncouthnefs of Speech, in order to become perfectly Miltonian. 'Tis my Opi- nion that Blank Verfe may be written with all due Elevation of Thought in a modern Siile, without bor- rowing any thing from Chaucer's Tales, or run- ning back fo far as the Days of Colin the Shepherd^ and the Reign of the Fairy £hteen. The Odnefs ex an antique bound gives but a falfe Pleafure to the
Ear,
The P R E F A C E. xxi
Ear, and abufes the true Relifh, even when it works Delight. There were fome fuch Judges of Poefy a- mong the old Romans, and Martial ingenioufly laughs at one of them, that was pleafed even to Aflo- nifhment with obfolete Words and Figures.
Ationitufque legis terrai fruglferaL
So the ill-drawn Poftures and Distortions of Shape that we meet with in Chinefe Pictures charm a fickly Fancy by their very Aukwardnefs ; fo a diftemper'd Appetite will chew Coals and Sand, and pronounce it guftful.
In ,the Pindarics I have generally conform'd my Lines to the fhorter Size of the Antients, and avoid- ed to imitate the exceflive Lengths to which fome mo- dern Writers have ftretch'd their Sentences, and efpe- cially the concluding Verfe. In thefe the Ear is the trueft Judge ; nor was it made to be enflavcd to any precife Model of elder or later Times.
After all, I muft petition my Reader to lay afide the four and fullen Air of Criticifm, and to aflume the Friend. Let him chufe fuch Copies to read at particular Hours, when the Temper of his Mind is iuited to the Song. Let him come with a Defire to be entertain'd and pleas'd, rather than to feek his own Difguft and Averfion, which will not be hard to find.' I am not fo vain as to think there are no Faults, nor fo blind as to efpy none : Tho' I hope the Multitude of Alterations in this Second Edition are not without Amendment. There is fo large a Difference between this and the former, in the Change of Titles, Lines, and whole Poems, as well as in the [various Tranf- pofitions, that 'twould be ufelefs and endlefs, and all Confufion, for any Reader to compare them through- out. The Additions alfo make up almoft half the Book, and fome of thefe have need of as many Alte- rations as the former. Many a Line needs the File to polifh the Roughnefs of it, and many a Thought wants richer Language to adorn and make it fhine.
Wide
3ddi n* P R E F A C E.
Wide Defects and equal Superfluities may be found, efpecially in the larger Pieces ; but I have at prefent neither Inclination nor Leifure to correct, and I hope I never ill all. 'Tis one of the biggeft Satisfactions I take in giving this Volume to the World, that I ex- pect, to be for ever free from the Temptation of mak- ing or mending Poems again*. So that my Friends may be perfectly fecure againft this Impreilion's grow- ing wafte upon their Hands, and ufelefs as the former has done. Let Minds that are better furnifhed for fuch Performances purfue thefe Studies, if they are convinced that Poefy can be made ferviceable to Reli- gion, and Virtue. As for my felf, I almofl: blufh to think that I have read fo little, and written fo much. The following Years of my Life fhall be more entire- ly devoted to the immediate and direct Labours of my Station, excepting thofe Hours that may be employ'd in finifhing my Imitation of the Pfalms of David, in Chriftian Language, which I have now promis'd the World||.
I cannot court the World to purchafe this Book for their Pleafure or Entertainment, by telling 'em that any one Copy entirely pleafes me. The beft of them finks below the Idea which I form of a Divine or Moral Ode. He that deals in the Myfteries of Hea- ven, or of the Mufes, mould be a Genius of no vulgar Mould : And as the Name Votes belongs to both ; fo the Furniture of both is compris'd in that Line of Horace,
Cm Mens Divinior^ atque Os
Magna Sonaturum
But what Juvenal fpake in his Age, abides true in ours : A complete Poet or a Prophet is fuch a one ;
— ^alem
* Naiuram expellas furca licet, ufque recur ret, Hor.
Will this fhort Note of Horace excule a Man who has refilled Nature many Years, but has been fometimes overcome ? 3736. Edition the 7th.
!j In the year T719 thefe were finifhed and printed.
The PREFACE. xxiii
— 6)uale7n nequeo monflrare^ & feniio iantim.
Perhaps neither of thefe Characters in Perfe&ion fhall ever be feen on Earth, till the feventh Angel has founded his awful Trumpet ; till the Victory be com- plete over the Beaft and his Image, when the Natives of Heaven mail join in Confort with Prophets and Saints, and fing to their golden Harps Salvation* H&nour and Glory to him that fits upon the Throne^ and to the Lamb for ever*
May 14, 1709.
On
On Reading
Mr. WATTS's Poems
Sacred to
Piety and Devotion.
JDEgard the Man voho in Seraphic Lays,
And 'flowing Numbers, Jings his Makers Praife : He needs invoke no fabled Mufe's Art, 1 'he heavenly Song comes genuine from his Heart, From that pure Heart, which GOD has deign' 'd t1 infpiri With holy Raptures, and a facred Fire. Thrice happy Man ! whofe Soul, and guitlefs Breaft, Are well prepared to lodge th* Almighty Guejl ! 'Tis HE that lends thy towering Thoughts their Wing, And tunes thy Lyre, when thou attempt* ft to fing : HE to thy Soul lets in celejlial Day, Ev'n wbilft impriforid in this mortal Clay. By Death's grhn Afpecl thou art not alarm' d, HE, for thy Sake, has Death itfelf di/arm'd', Nor /hall the Gr ive o'er thee a Vicfry boaft ; Her Triumph in th/ Riflng pall be loft, When thou Jhalt join th> angelic Choirs above, In never-ending Songs of Praife and Love.
ElJSEBIA,
HORM
HORjE LTRICjE.
BOOK I.
Sacred to Devotion and PiETy.
--* #*###*### * # # # # # # # # # 4ir
Worjhipping with Fear,
I.
"F"MM^ H ° dapes attempt tn' Eternal Name, ^ ^ With Notes of mortal Sound ?
% 0 -^angers aRd Gl°^es guard the Theme*
"u WW ^ ^-nd fpread Defpair around.
Deflruction waits t'o'bey his Frown,
And Heaven attends his Smile ; A Wreath of Lightning arms his Crown> But Love adorns it Hill.
III. Celeftial King, our Spirits lie, Trembling beneath thy Feet, And wifh, and call a longing Eye, To reach thy lof.y Seat.
IV. When mall we fee the Great Unknown,
And in thy Prefence tfand ? Repeal the Splendors of thy Throne, But fhield us with thy Hand. V. In thee what endlefs Wonders meet ! What various Glory mines !
3 The
2 L V R I C P 0 E M S, Book I.
The croffings JUrs too fiercely beat
Upon our fainting Minds.
VI. Angels are loft in fweet Surprize
If thou unvaii thy Grace ; And humble Awe runs thro* the Skies,
When Wrath arrays thy Pace. ' VII. ^yhen Mercy joins with Majefty
To fpread their Beams abroad, Not all their fairell Minds on high
Are Shadows of a God.
VIII. The Works the flrongefl Seraph fings
In a too feeble Strain, *
^nd labours hard on all his Strings
To reach thy Thoughts in vain. IX. Created Powers, how weak they be I
How fhort our Praifes fall ! So much akin to Nothing We,
And thou.th' Eternal All.
% f * <* * * p * # * $ '* * 4 * . $ * £ * £ f
AJk'ing Leave to fing,
I.
YET, mighty GOD, indulge my Tongue, Nor let thy Thunders roar, Whilft the young Notes and vent'rous Song To Worlds of Glory foar. II. If thou my daring Flight forbid
The Mufe folds up her Wings ? Or at thy Word her fiend er Reed Attempts Almighty Things.
Her flender Reed infpir'd by Thee
Bids a new Eden grow, With hlooming Li.ce .on every Tree,
And fprcadi a Iieav'n below.
IV.
Sacred 1o Devotion, &c. $
IV. She mocks the Trumpet's loud Alarms
Fili'd with thy dreadful Breath ; And calls th' Angelick Holts to Arms,
To eive the Nations Death.
V. !
But when fhe taftes her Saviour's Love,
And feels the Rapture ftrong, Scarce the diviner Harp above
Aims at a fweeter Song.
-#******** ************
Divine Judgment,
I.
NOT from the Daft my Sorrows fpring, Nor drop my Comforts from the lower Skies i Let all the baneful Planets llied Their .mingled Curies on my Head, How vain their Curfes, if th' Eternal King Look thro' the Clouds and blefs me with his Eyes. Creatures with all their boafted Sway Are but his Slaves, and mull obey ; They wait their Orders from above, And execute his Word, the Vengeance, or the Love. II. 'Tis by a Warrant from his Hand The gentler Gales are bound to fieep : The North Wind Mutters, and aflumes Command J
Over the Defert and the Deep j ;*
Old Boreas with his freezing Pov/'rs Turns the Earth Iron, makes the Ocean Glafs, §
Arrefts the. dancing Riv'lets as they pafs,
And chains them movelefs to their Shores; The grazing Ox lows to the gelid Skies, Walks o'er the marble Mead3 with withering Eyes, Walks o'er the folid Lakes, muffs up the Wind, and dks* III. Fly to the Polar World, my Song, And mourn the Pilgrims there, (a wretched Throng !)
Seiz'd and bound in rigid Chains, A Troop of Statues on the Ruffian Plains, And Life Hands frozen in the Purple Veins.
B t AtheifC.
4 L r R I C P 0 E M S. Book 1.
Atheift, forbear ; no more blafpheme : God has a ihoufand Terrors in his Name, A ihoufand Armies. at Command, Waiting die Signal of his Hand, And Magazines of Froir, and Magazines of Flame, Drefs thee in Steel to meet his Wrath ; His fiiarp Artillery from the North Shall pierce thee to the Soul, and make thy mortal Frame. Sublime on Winter's rugged Wings He rides in Arms along the Sky, And fcatters Fate on Swains and Kings :
And Flocks and Herds, and Nations die ; While impious Lips, profanely bold, .,Grow pale; and, quivering at his dreadful Cold, Give their own Blafphernies the Lie.
IV. The Mifchiefs that infeft the Earth, When the >ct Dog-ilar fires the Realms on high*
Drought and Difeafe, and cruel Dearth, Are but the Fiaihes of a wrathful Eye From the incens'd Divinity. In vain our parching Palates thirfl ^For vital Food in vain we cry,
And pant for vital Breath ; The verdant Fields are burnt to Dud", The Sun has drunk the Channels dry,
And all the Air is Death, Ye Scourges of our Maker's Rod, 9Tis at his dread Command, at his imperial Nod You deal your various Plagues abroad.
V. Hail, Whir] winds, Hurricanes and Floods That all the leafy Standards ftrip, And bear down with a mighty Sweep The Riches of the Fields, and Honours of the Woods ; Storms, that ravage o'er the Deep, And bury Millions in the Waves ;
Earthquakes, -that in Midnight-Sleep Tu.-n Cities into Heap?, and make our Eeds our Graves ;
While you difpenfe you mortal Harms, JTis the Creator's Voice that founds your loud Alarms, When Guilt with louder Cries provokes 3 Go js to Arms.
VI.
Sacred to Devotion* - &c. £
VI,
0 for a Mefiage from above To bear my Spirits up !
Some Pledge of my Creator'? Love To calm my Terrors and fupport my Hope !
Let Waves and Thunders mix and roar, Be thou my God, and the whole World is mine : While thou art Sov'reign, I'm fecure ;
1 fhall be rich till thou art poor • (thine. For all I fear> and all I vvifh, Heav'n, Earth and Hell are
Earth and Hcav.m,-
£
"AST thou not feen, impatient Boy f |? Haft thou not read the folemn Truth, That grey Experience writes for giddy Yoa^h On every mortal joy ? P leaf ure mufi be dajb'd <zvitb Pain :■ And yet with heedlefs Haile, The thirfty Boy repeats the Tafre, Nor hearkens to Defpair, but tries the. Bowl again, The Rills of Fleafure never run iincere ; (Earth has no unpolluted Spring) • From the curs7d Soil fome dang'rous Taint they bear ; So Rofes grow on Thorns,, and Honey wears a Sting.
II. In vain we feek a Heaven below the Sky ;
The World has falfe> but fktt'ring Charms -, Its diilant Joys ihow big in our Efleem, But leffen frill as they drawn near the Eye ; In our Embrace the Viiions die, And when we grafp the airy Forms We iofe the pleafmg Dre^m* III. j Earth, with her Scenes of ga*/ Delight, Is but a Land/kip rudely drawn, With glaring Colours, and falfe Light; Diitance commends it to the Sight, For Fools to gaze upon ;
% 3 But
6 LYRIC POEM 6\ Book L
But bring the nanfecus Daubing nigh, Coarfe and confus'd the hideous Figures lie, Diilblve the Pleafure, and offend the Eye.
IV. Look up, my Soul, pant tow'rd th' Eternal Hills;
Thofe Heav'ns are fairer than they feem ; There Pleafures all fincere glide on in Chryflial Rills,
There not a Dreg of guile defiles,
Nor Grief diilurbs the Stream.
That Canaan knows no noxious Thing,
No curs'd Soil, no tainted Spring, Nor Ro&s grow on Thorns, nor Honey wears a Sting.
Felicity above,,
I.
NO, 'tis in vain to feek for Blifs ; For Blifs can ne'er be found 'Till we arrive whore Jesus if, And tread on heav'nly Ground. II. There's- nothing round thefe painted Skies,
Or round this dufty Clod ; •Nothing, my Soul, that's worth thy Joys, Or lovely as thy God.
III.. 'Tis Heav'n on Earth to tarte his Love,
To feel his quickning Grace ; And all die Heav'n I hope above Is but to fee his Face.
IV. V> hy move my Years in flow Delay ?
O God of Ages! why ? Let the Spheres cleave, and mark my Way To the fuperior Sky.
Dear Sov'reign, break thefe vital Strings
That bind me to my Clay ; Take me, Uriel, on thy Wings,
Afld fl retch and four away.
God's
Sacred to Devotion, &C. J
God's Dominion and Decrees*
1.
KEEP Silence-, all created Things, And wait your Maker's Nod : The Mufe flands trembling while Hie iings The Honours of her God. H. Life, Death, and Hell?* and Worlds a-nkaowa
Hang on his firm Decree : Ke fits on no precarious Throne,- Nor borrows Leave to Be. ill. 'Th' Almighty Voice bid ancient Nigh?
Her endlefs Realms refign, And lo, ten thoufand Globes of Light In Fields of Azure mine.
IV. Now Wifdom with fuperisr Sway Guides the vait moving Frame, Whilft- all the Ranks of Beings pay* Deep Rev'rence to his Name. V. He fpafee : the Sun obedient Hood,
And held the failing Day : Old Jordan backward drives his Flood, And difap points the Sea.
VI. £ord of the Armies of the Sky,
He marfhals ail the Stars ; Red Comets lift their Banners high;, And wide proclaim his Wars. VII. Chain'd to his Throne a Volume lies, .
With all the Fates of Men, With every Angel's Form and Size Drawn by th' eternal Pen.
VIII. His Providence unfolds the Book, And makes his Counfeis fnine :
B 4 Eack
8 LYRIC POEM Sr Book L
Each opening Leaf, and every Stroke*-
Fulfils feme deep Defign. JX. IJere he axalts neglecled Worms
To Scepters and a Crown ; .Anon the following Page he turrit,
And treads the Monarch down. X. Net Gahriel a&s the Reafon why,
Nor God the Reafon gives ; '.i^ Nor dares the Favcurite-Angel pry*
Between the folded Leaves. XI. My God, I never long'd to fce
My Fate with curious Eyes, What gloomy Lines are writ for me,
Or what bright Scenes lhall rife. XII. 7r thy fair Book of Life and Grace
rviay I but nnd my Name, Recorded in feme humble Place
Beneath my Lord the Lamb.
Self-Conjecration.
T J.
IT grieves me, Lord, it grieves me fore, That I have liv'd to thee no more, And wafted half my Days ; Ivly inwards Pow'rs mall burn and Hame With Zeal and Paffion for thy Name. (his Praife.
I would not fpeak, but for my God, nor move, but to II. What are my Eyes but Aids to fee The Glories of the Deity
Inicrib'd with Beams of Light On Flow'rs and Stars? Lord, IbeholcT The mining Azure, Green and Gold ; Cut when I try to read thy Name, a Dimnefs veils my Sight. III. Mine Ears are rais'd when Virgil fings- Sia'Iian Swains, or Trojan Kings,
And drink the Mufic in ;
Why
Why mould the Trumpet's brazen Voice,
Or Oaten Reed awake my Joys, And yet my Heart fo ftupid lie when facred Hymns begin f* IV. Change me, O God ; my Fleih (hall be An Instrument of Song to thee, And thou the Notes infpire ; My Tongue mall keep the heav'nly Chime, My chearful Pulfe mall beat the Time, And iweet Variety of Sound fnall in thy Praife confpire,. V. The deareft Nerve about my Heart, Should it refufe to bear a Part, With my melodious Breath, I'd tear away the vital Chord,
A bloody Victim to my Lord, (in Death.
And Jive without that impious String, or mew my Zeal
The Creator and Creatures,
I.
C"^OD is a Name my Soul adores, _J Th' Almighty Three, th' Eternal One 5 Nature and Grace with all their Pow'rs, Confefs the Infinite Unknown. II. From thy Great Self thy Being fprings "y Thou art thy own Original, Made up of uncreated Things, And Self-fufBcience bears them all.
III. Thy Voice produced the Seas and Spheres, Bid the Waves roar, and Planets mine ; But nothing like thy Self appears, Thro' all thefe fpacious Works of thine,
IV, Still reftlefs Nature dies and grows ; From Change to Change the Creatures run ; Thy Being no Succeffion knows, . And all thy vail Defmgs are one,
B5 V.
io L T R I C P 0 E M<$s Book I,
V.
A Glance of thine runs thro' the Globes, Rales the bright World, and moves their Frame ^ Broad Sheets of Light compofe thy Robes } Thy Guards are forrn'd of living Flame.
VI. Thrones and Dominions round thee fall, And worfhip in fubmiffive Forms; Thy Prefence makes this lower Ball, This little Dwelling-place of Worms.
VIL How fhall affrighted Mortals dare- To fing thy. Glory or thy Grace, Beneath thy Feet we lie fo far, And fee but Shadows of thy Face ?
VIII. Who can behold the blazing Light ? Who can approach confuming Flarse ? None but thy Wifdom knows thy Might f None but thy Word can fpeak thy Name.
The Nativity of Christ.
I.
«« QHEPHERDS- rejoice, lift up your Eye?,
1^5 *' ^d fend your Fears away; " News from the Region of the Skies,
" Salvation's born To-day.
jr.
'• jES US, the God whom Angels fear,
4< Comes down to dwell with you; " To day he makes his Entrance here, " But not as Monarchs do. III. ** No Gold, nor purple fw addling Bands,
" Nor royal mining Things : •* A Manger for his Cradle Hands, " And holds the King of Kings. IV. s <c Go, Shepherds, where the Infant lies> 44 And fee his humble Throne j
<« With
Sacred to Devotion, &c. II
" With Tears of Joy in all your Eyes,
" Go Shepherds, kifs the Son." V. Thus Gabriel fang, and flrait around
The heavenly Armies throng, They tune their Harps to lofty Sound,
And thus conclude the Son? :
vis
M Glory to God that reigns above,
" Let Peace furround the Earth ;- " Mortals fhall know their Maker's Love,
" At their Redeemer's Birth." VII. Lord ! and fhall Angels have their Songs*.
And Men no Tunes to raife I O may we lofe thefe ufelefs Tongues
W hen they forget to praife 1 VIII. Glory to God that reigns above,.
That pitied us forlorn, We join to fing our Maker's- Love,
For there's a Saviour born.
God Glorious and Sinners Saved,
I.
FATHER, how wide thy Glory mines ! How high thy Wonders rife ! Known thro' the Earth by thoufand Signs, By thoufand thro' the Skies. II. Thofe mighty Orbs proclaim thy Power,
Their Motions fpeaks thy Skill ; And on the Wings of every Hour,: We read thy Patience ftill. III. Part of thy Name divinely (lands
On ail thy Creatures writ, They Ihew the Labour of thine Hands^ Or Imprefs of thy Feet.
B6 XV.
12 LTRIG POEMS, Book I.
IV.
But when we view thy irrange Defign
To fave rebellious Worms, Where Vengeance and Companion join la their divineft Forms ;
V. Our Thoughts are loll in reverend Awe i
We love and we adore ; The firft Arch-Angel never faw So much of God before. VI. Here the whole Deity is known,
Nor dares a Creature guefs Which of the Glories brighteil lTione, The juilice or the Grace.
VJI. When Sinners broke the Father's Law?,
The dying Son ationes ; Oh the dear Myiteries of his Crofs ! The Triumph of his Groans ! VIII. Now the full Glories of the Lamb
Adorn the heavenly Plains ; "Sweet Cherub's learn bnnianuers Name, And try their choicer! Strains, IX. O may I bear fame humble Part
In that Iximf-rtal Song 1 Wonder and Joy mail tune my Heart, And Love command my Tongue.
The bumble Enquiry. .
A French Sonnet imitated. 1695. Grand Dieu, Us Jvgemens, &c.
I.
GRACE rules below, and fits enthron'd above, How few the Sparks of Wrath ! how flow they move, And drop and die in boundlefs Seas- of Love !
H.
Sacred to- Devotion, &c. 13
IL
Bat me, vile Wretch ! mould" pitying Love embrace Deep in its Ocean, Hell itfeff would blaze, And flaih, and burn me thro' the'boundleis Seas,
HI. Yea, Lord, my Guilt to fuch a Vaftnefs grown Seems to confine thy Choice to Wrath alone, And calls thy Power to vindicate thy Throne.
IV. Thine Honour bids, Avenge thy injured Name, Thy flighted Loves a dreadful Glory claim, While my moid Tears might but incenfe thy Flame;
V. Should Heav'n grow black, Almighty Thunder roar, And Vengeance blaft me, I could plead no more, But own thy Juftice dying, and adore.
VI. Yet can thofe Bolts of Death that cleave the I li od To reach a Rebel, pierce this facred Shroud, Ting'd in the vital Stream of my Redeemer's Blood f
Tlie Penitent Pardoned,
I.
HENCE from my Soul, my Sins depart, Your Fatal Friendihip now I iee; Long have you dwelt too near my Heart, Hence, to eternal Diftance flee.
II. Ye gave my dying Lord his Wound, Yet 1 carefs'd your viperous Brood, And in my Heart-firings iapp'd you round, You, the vile Murderers of my God.
III. Black heavy Thoughts, like Mountains, roll O'er my poor Rreali, with boding Fears, And crufhing hard my tortured Soul, Wring thro' my Eyes the briny Tears,
IV. Forgive my Treafons, Prince of Grace, The bloody Jews were. Traitors too,
Yet
,i4 L T R I C POEMS, Book I.
Yet thou haft pray'd for that curs'd Race, Father they know not what they do.
V. Great Advocate, look down and fee A Wretch whofe fmarting Sorrows bleed ;
0 plead the fame Excufe for me 1. For, Lord, I knew not what I did.
VI. Peace, my Complaints ; Let every Groan Be iiill, and Siknce wait his Love ; Companions dwell amidft his Throne, And thro' his inmolt Bowels move.
V1L Lo5. from the everlafting Skies, Gently,1 as Morning-Dews dHUl, The Dove Immortal downward flies, With peaceful Olive in his Bill.
VIII, How fweet the Voice of Pardon founds ! Sweet the Relief to deep Diftrefs !
1 feel the Balm that heals my Wounds, And all my Pow'ri adore the Grace.
A Hymn of Praife for three great Salvations. VIZ.
1. From the Spanifh Invafion, 158S,
2. From the Gunpowder Plot, Nov. 5.
3. From Popery and Slavery by K. William of' Glorious Memory, who landed, Nov. 5, 1688.
Compofed, Nov. 5, 1695.
I.
INFINITE God, thy Counfels (land Like Mountains of Eternal Brafs, Pillars to prop our finking Land, Or guardian Rocks to break the Seas.
II. From Pole to Pole thy Name is known, Thee a whole Heaven of Angels praife ?
Out
Sacrsd to- Devotion1, &c. 15
©ur labouring Tongues would reach thy Throne With the loud Triumphs of thy Grace..
HI*. Part of thy Church, by thy Command, Stands rais'd upon the Britijh Ides ; There faid the Lord, to Ages Jiand^ Firm as the e<verlafting Hills*
IV. In vain the Spanijh Ocean roar'd ; Its Billows fweli'd againft our Shore,- Its Billows funk beneath thy Word, With all the floating War they bore..
V. Come, faid the Sens of bloody Rome, Let us provide new Arms from Hell : And down they digg'd thro* Earth's dark Womb*, And ranfack'd all the burning Cell.
IV. Old Satan lent them fiery Stores, Infernal Coal, and fulph'rous Flame, And all that burns, and all that roars*. Outragious Fires of dreadful Name-
fe VII.
Beneath the Senate and the Throne,- Engines of Hellifli Thunder lay ; There the dark Seeds of Fire were fownB To fpring a bright but difmal Day.
VIII. Thy Love beheld the black Deiign, Thy Love that guards our Iiland round j, Strange ! how it. quench'd the fiery Mine,. And cruin'd the Tempefl under Ground.
The Second Part*
I.
ASSUME, my Tongue, a nobler Strainy Sing the new Wonders of the Lord ; The Foes revive their Powr's again, Again they die beneath his Sword.
II. Dark as our Thoughts our Minutes roll,. While Tyiaany poifefs'd the Throne,.
And
r6 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
And Murderers of an Irijb Soul
Ran, threatning Death, thro' everv Town.
111. The Roman Frieft and Britijh Prince, joih'd their bell Force, and blacked Charms, And the fierce Troops of neighbouring France Oirer'd the Service of their Arms.
IV. *2Vi done, they cry'd, and laugh'd aloud, The Coarts of Darknefs rang with joy, Th' old Serpent hifs'd, and Hell grew proud. While Zion mourn'd her Ruin nigh.
V. ° But lo, the great Deliverer fails Commifiion'd from Jehovah's Hand, And fmiling Seas, and willing Gales, Convey him to the longing Land.
VT. The happy Day, and happy Year,- \ N ,g&
Eoth in our new Salvation meet : J ' *'
The Day that quench'd the burning Snare, > AW. £> The Year that burnt the invading Fleet, \ 1588.
VII. Now did thine Arm, G God of Holts, Now did thine Arm ihine dazling bright, The Sons of Might their Hands had loit,- And Men of Blood forgot to fight.
VIII. Brigades of Angels lin'd the Way, And guarded W,illiam to his Throne ; There, ye celeltinl Warriors, flay, And make his Palace like your own.
IX. Then, mighty God, the Earth fhall know And learn the Worfhip of the Sky : Angels and Britons join below, To raife their Halhlujahs high.
X. All Hallelujah, heavenly King : Whilft diftant Lands thy ViSory fing, And Tongues their utmoft Powers employ,, The World's bright Roof repeats the Joy.
Sacred to Devotion, Sec. fg£
*-* #' $ * * •-* * * ■•* # % # * * * * '* "'*" ■*»"*•""
7^ InccmprehenJtbU, -
I.
FAR in the Heav'ns my God retires, My God, the Mark of my Deiirea, And hides his lovely Face ; When he defcends within my View, He charms my Reafon to purfue, But leaves it tir'd and fainting in the unequal Cha(e»- II. Or if I reach unufal Height
Till near his Prefencs brought, There Floods of Glory check my Flight, - Gramp the bold Pinions of my Wit,
And all untune my Thought ; Plung'd in a Sea -of Light I roll, Where Wifdom, Juflice, Mercy, mines; Infinite Rays in crpffing Lines (Soulv
Beat thick Confuficn on my Sight, and overwhelm my
IH- Come to -my Aid, ye Fellow- Minds,
And help me reach the Throne :
(What fingle Strength, in vain deiigns,
United Force hath done ;
Thus Worms may join, and grafp the Poles,
Thus Atoms fills the Sea)
But the whole R.ace of Creature- Souls (loft in tfree»
Stretch'd to their laft Extent of Thought, plunge and ars-
IV.
Great God, behold my Reafon lits
Adoring ; yet my Love would rife'
Qn Pinions not her own :
Faith mall direct her humble Flight,
Thro' all the tracklefs Seas of Light,
To Thee, th' Eternal Fair,- the Infinite Unknown.
# * # ###•### m #####.######-
Death and Eternity,
I.
"]% /IT Thoughts, that often mount the Skies, i.T-L Go, fearch. the World beneath*
i3 L r R I C P 0 E M S, Book I,
Where Nature in all Ruin lies, -And owns her Sovereign, Death.
II.
The Tyrant, how he triumphs here !
His Trophies fpread around ! And heaps of Duft and Bones appear
Thro' all the hollow Ground. III. Thefe Skulls, what ghaftly Figures now I
How loathfome to the Eyes ? Thefe are the Heads we lately knew
So beauteous and i'o wife.
IV. But where the Souls, thofe deathlefs Things
That left his dying Clay ? My thoughts, now lire tch out all your Wings,
And trace Eternity.
V. O that unfathomable Sea !
Thofe Deeps without a Shore ! Where living Waters gently play,
Or fiery Billows rOar.
VI. Thus muft we leave the Banks of Life?-
And try this doubtful Sea ; Vain are our Groans, and dying Strife*-
To gain a Moment's StJ^. VII. There we fliall fwim in heav'nly Blifs,
Or fink in flaming Waves, While the pale Carcafs thoughtlefs lies,
Amongfl the filent Graves. VIII. Some hearty Friend (hall drop his Tear
On our dry Bones, and fay, " Thefe once were ftrong, as mine appear,
" And mine mufl be as they." IX. Thus fhall our mould'ring Members teach
What now ourSenfes learn : For Dull and Allies loudeft preach
Man's infinite Concern.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 19
A Sight of Heaven in Sicknefs, I.
OFT have I fat in fecret Sighs, To feel my Fleih decay, Then groan'd aloud with frighted Eye:3 . To view the tott'ring Clay. - II.- But I forbid my Sorrows now,
Nor dares the Flefh complain £ Difeafes bring their Profit too ; The^oy o'ercomes the Pain. III. Mychearful Soul now all the Day.
Sits waiting here and rings ; Looks thro' the Ruins of her Clay, And pradtifes her Wings.
IV. Faith almoft changes mto SightD
While from afar me fpies, Her fair Inheritance, in Light' Above created Skies*
V. Had but the Prifon- Walls been ftrong',
And firm without a Flaw, In Darknefs me had dwelt too long, . And lets of Glory faw.
VI. But now the everlatUng Hills Thro' every Chink appear, And fomething of the joy fiie feels While fhe's a Pris'nerhere, VII. The Shines of Heaven rum fweetly iiv
At all the gaping Flaws ; Virions of endlefs Blifs are feen ; And native Air ihe draws.
VITI. O may thefe Walls frand tott'ring flillj The Breaches never clofe^.
U
ro L T R 1 C PO E M S, Book-IV
If I muft here in Darknefs dwell,
And all this Glory lofe !
IX. Or rather let this Flefh decay,
The Rains wictergrow, Till glad to fee th' enlarged Wavr
I Itretchmy Pinions through.'
The Unherfal Hallelujah. Pfalm cxlviii. Pavapbraf-d.
I.
jRAISE ye the Lord with joyful Tone,-
p1
Ye Povv'rs that guard his Thror,
JESUS the Man mall lead the Song, The God infpire the Tune.
ir.
Gabriel, and all th* immortal Chqir
That fill the Realms above, Sing ; for he form'd you of his Fire,
And feeds you with his Love. III. Shine to his Praife, ye Chryftal Ski«$,
The Floor of his Abode, Or veil your little twinkling Eyes
Before a brighter GOD.
IV. Thou reftlefs Globe of Golden Light,
Whofe Beams create our Days, Join with the Silver Queen of Night,
To own your borrow'd Rays. V. Blum and refund the Honours paid
To your inferior Names : Tell the blind World, your Orbs are fed
By his o'erflowing Flames. VI. Winds, ye fhal! bear his Name aloud
Thro' the Ethereal Blue, For when his Chariot is a Cloud,
He make* his Wheels of vou.
VII.
<
.'■Sacred -to Devotion, %q. £x
VII.
Thunder and Hail, and .Fires .and Storms.,
The Troops of his Command, Appear in all your dreadful Forms,
And (peak his awful Hand.
VTII.
Shout to the.Lo.RD, ye forging Seas,
In your eternal Roar; Xet Vvrave to Wave refound his Praife, And Shore reply to Shore : IX While Monfters {porting on the Flood,
In icaly Silver mine. Speak terribly their Maker-GoD, And iafh the foaming Brine. X. But gentler Things fhall tune his Name
To fofter Notes than thefe, Young Zephyrs breathing o'er the Strears5 Or whifperin? thro' the Trees. XL Wave your tall Heads, ye lofty Pines,
To him that bid you grow, Sweet Clutters, bend the fruitful Vines On every thankful Bough. XII. .Let the fhriil birds his Honour raife,
And climb the Morning-Sky: While groveling Beails attempt his Praife In hoarfer Harmony. "
XIII. Thus while the meaner Creatures ling,
Ye Mortals, take the Sound, Echo the Glories of your Ring Thro' all the Nations round.
XIV.
Th' Eternal Name mull: fiy abroad
From Britain to Japan ; And the whole Race fliali bow to Go»
That owns the Name of Man.
2| L TR I C POEMS, EookL
T§ Aihafis Mtfakc.
r.
LAUGH,- ye Prophane, and Avell and burft With bold Impiety: Yet fliall ye live for ever curVd, 4
And feek in vain to die.
M. TJie Gafp of your expiring Breath Configns your Souls to Chains, By the lait Agonies of Death Sent down to hercer Pains. III. Ye Hand upon a dreadful Steep,
And all beneath is Hell ; Your weighty Guilt w:-iil fink you deep, Where the old Serpent fell. IV. When Iron Slumbers bind your Flefh,
With ftrange Surprize you'll find Immortal Vigour fpring afrefii, And Tortures wake the Mind ! V. Then you'll confefs the frightful Names
Of Plagues you fcorn'd before, 'No more ihali look like idle Dreams, Like foolifh Tales no more. VI. Then mall ye curfe that fatal Day,
(With Flames upon your Tongues) When you exchang'd your Souls away For Vanity and Songs.
Bthold the Saints rejoice to die,
For Heav'n flnnes round their Heads; And Angel-Guards prepard to fly. Attenc their fainting Beds. VIII. Their longing Spirits part, and rife To their Cdeftial Scat \
Above
Sacred to Devotion, '6cc< -2, 3
'Above thefe ruinable Skies
They make their laic Retreat. IX. Hence, ye Prophane, I hate yQur Ways,
I walk with pious Souls ; There's a wide Difference in our Race,
And diirant are our Goals.
The Law given at Sinai.
ARM thee with Thunder, heavenly Mule* And keep th'lbxpecting World in Awe $ :Oft hail thou fung in gentler Mood The melting Mercies of thy Gdo,; Now give thy fierceft Fires a Loofe,
And found his dreadful Law ; To Ifrael firft the Words were fpoke, To Ifrael freed from Egypt's Yoke, Inhuman Bondage ! The hard galling Lead Over-prefs'd their feeble Souls, Bent their Knees to fenfelefs Bul!s3 And broke their Ties to God. II. Now had:they pafs'd the Arabian Bay,
. And march'd between the cleaving Sea ; The riling Waves flood Guardians of their woni'rous Way> But fell with molt impetuous Force,
On the purfuing Swarms, And bury'd Egypt all in Arms, .Blending in watry Death the Rider and the Horfe j -O'er ftruggling Pharaoh roll'd the mighty Tide, And fav'dthe Labours of a Pyramid. Apis and Ore in vain he cries, And all his horned Go;ds befide, He fwallows Fate with fwiinming Eyes* And curs'd the Hebrews as he dy'd. MS,
Ah 1 foolim Ifrael to comply With Mmphian Idolatry !
And
-^ LYRIC TOE M S, Book L
And bow to Brutes, (a ftupid Slave) To Idols impotent to lave ! .'Behold thy God, the Sovereign of the Sky, Has wrought Salvation in the Deep, Has bound thy Foes in Iron Sleep, And rais'd thine Honours high.; Jlis grace forgoes thy Follies pad, Behold he comes in Majeily, .And Sinai's Top proclaims his Law : Prepare to meet thy Gob in hade,; But k^ep an awful Diftance fiiil : La Mojes round the facred Hill The circling Limits draw.
IV.
;.Hark ! The mrill Echoes of the Trumpet roar,
And call the trembling Armies near ;
Slow and unwilling they -appear,
Rails kept them from the Mount before, Now from their Rails their Fear ; 'Twas the fame Herald, and the Trump the fame
Which fhall be blown by high Command,
Shall bid the Wheels of Nature ftand,
And HeavVs eternal Will proclaim, That "[i7heji?all be no more.
V.
"Thus while the labouring Angel fwell'd the Sound,
And rent the Skies, and fhook the Ground, Up rofe th' Almighty ; round his Sapphire Seat
Adorning Thrones in Order fell ;
The lefler Powers at diftance dwell, And cart their Glories down fucceflive at his Feet-.*
Gabriel the Great prepares his way, , Lift up your Heads., Eternal Doors, he cries ;
Th' Eternal Doors his Word obey,
Open and (hoot Celellial Day Upon the lower Skies.
HeavVs mighty Pillars bow'd their Head, As their Creator bid, And down Jehovah rode from the fupcrior Sphere, A thoufand Guards before, and Myriads in the Rear.
VI.
Sacred ^'Devotion,. &c. 25
.VI.
His Chariot was a pitchy Cloud,
The Wheels befet with burning Gems ;
The Wind in Harnefs .with the Flames Fiew o'«r th' Ethereal Road :
Down thro' his Magazines he psfl
Of Hail> and Ice, and fleecy Snow,
Swift roll'd the Triumph, and as fz§. Did Hail, .and Ice, in melted Rivers flow.
The Day was mingled with the Night, His Feet on folid Darknefs trod,
His radient Eyes proclaim 5d the God,, And fcatter'd dreadful Light ; He breath'd, and Sulphur ran, a fiery Stream :
He fpoke, .and (tho' with unknown'Speed he came) Chid the ilow Temped, and the lagging Flame.
Sinai receiv'd, his glorious Flight, With Axle red, and glowing Wheel
Did the winged Chariot light, And rifing Smoke obfcurM the burning HilL Lo, it mounts in curling Waves, Lo, the gloomy Pride out-braves The ftately Pyramids of Fire The Pyramids to Heav'n afpire, And mix with Stars, but fee their gloomy Offspring higher So you have feen ungrateful Ivy grow Round the tall Oa.k that fix fcore Years has flood,
And proud iy moot a Leaf or two Above its kind Supporters utmoft Bough, And glory there to ftand the loftier!: of the Wood, VIII. Forbear, young Mufe, forbear ; The ffow'ry Things that Poers fay, The little Arts of Simile
Are vain and uftlefs here ; Nor mail the burning Hills of Old
With Sinai be compaVd, Nor all that lying Greece has told, Or learned Kerns has heard ;
C * Jfyna
26 LYRIC POEMS, Book L
uEtna mall be nam'd no more, JEtna the Torch of Sicily ; Not half fo high Her Lightnings fty, Not half fo loud her Thunders roar Crofs the Sicanian Sea, to fright th' Italian Shore. Behold the facred Hill : Its trembling Spire Quakes at the Terrors of the Fire, While all below its verdant Feet Stagger and reel under th' Almighty Weight : Prefs'd with a greater than feign'd Atlas* Load Deep groan'd the Mount ; it never bore Infinity before, It bow'd, and iliook beneath the Burden of a God. IX. .Frefh Horror feize the Camp, Defpair, And dying Groans, torment the Air, And Shrieks, and Swoons, and Deaths were there ; The bellowing Thunder, and the Lightning's Blaze
Spread thro' the Hoft a wild Amaze ; Darknefs on every Soul, and pale was every Face : Confus'd and difmal were the Cries, Let Mofesfpeak, or Ifrael dies : Mofes the fpreading Terror feel?, No more the Man of God conceals
His Shivering and Surprize : Yet, with recovering Mind, commands Silence, and deep Attention, thro' the Hebrew Bands. X. Hark ! from the Center of the Flame, All arm'd and feather'd with the fame, Majeftick Sounds break thro' the imoaky Cloud :
Sent from the All-creating Tongue, A Flight of Cherubs guard the Words along, And bear their hery Law to the retreating Crowd. XL •' I am the Lord : 'Tis 1 proclaim " That glorious and that fearful Name, " Thy God and King : 'Twas I, that broke " Thy Bond age* and th' Egyptian Yokfc; " Mine is the Right to fpcuk my Will, " And thine the Duty to fulfil.
" Adore
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 27
" Adore no God befide Me, to provoke mine Eyes ; H Nor worfhip Me in Shapes and Forms that Men devife ; " WithRev'rence ufe myName, nor turn my Words to Jell ; fj Obferve my Sabbath well, nor dare profane my Red ; " Honour, and due Obedience to thy Parents give ; " Nor fpill the guiltiefs Blood, nor let the Guilty live : *' Preferve thy Body chafte, and flee th* unlawful Bed ; M Nor Heal thy Neighbour's Gold, his Garment, or his
Bread ; * Forbear to blaft his Name with Falihood, or Deceit; " Nor let thy Wifhes loofe upon his large Eflate.
Remember your Creator , &c. Ecclef. xii.
I.
CHILDREN, to your Creator God, Your early Honours pay, While Vanity and youthful Blood Would tempt your Thoughts aflray. 11. The Memory of his mighty Name,
Demands your firlt Regard: Nor dare indulge a meaner Flame, 'Till you have lov'd the Lord. III. Be wife, and make his Favour fure,
Before the mournful Days, When Youth and Mirth are known no more, And Life and Strength decays. IV. No more the Bleffings of a Feall
Shall relifh on the Tongue, The heavy Ear forgets the Tafle And Pleaiure of a Son?.
\.
Old Age, with all her difmal Train,
Invades your golden Years With Sighs and Groans, and raging Pain*.
And Death, that never fpares.
C z VI,
?. 8 L T R I C POEMS, Book I.
VI.
What will ye <!o wLen Light departs, A»d le,a?§6 your v/kh^ing Eyes,
■ut 'lie Beam to cluv.r your Hearts, Frdrn the iu^er:or Skies? \ II. JIo,\v will you meet God's frowning Brow, . Or iland before. r> is Seat, Whiie Nature's old Supporters bow, Nor bear t'heir tott'ring Weight I VliJ. Can you expect your feeble Arms
Shall make a ilrong Defence,
When Death, with terrible Alarms,
Summons- the Fris'ner hence ?
IX.
The Silver Bands of Nature burft,
And let the Building fall ; The Flefn goes down to mix with Duff, Its vile Original.
X. Laden with Guilt, (a heavy Load)
Uncleans'd and unforgiv'n, The Soul returns t' an angry God, '1 o be fhut out from Heav'n.
Sun, Moon, and- Stars, praij} ye the Lord.
I.
\ I R Ji-S.T of all the Li.-hts above, Thou Sen, whole Bekns adorn the Sohcjfv umveary'd SwiitftfeTs niove, To form the Circles of our Year? ;
H. Praife the Creator of Mid Skfes, That drei?u thine Orb eri Raya :
Or may the Sun forget to If he forget h:s. Maker's Pranc.
- Thou rejfi : ■ *m,
1 air C^ucen. ti Silence :-.:..■ Rfctoii,
Whofc
Sacred to Devotions &c 29
Whole gentle Beams, and borrow'd Light, Are fofter Rivals of the Noon ;
IV. Arife, and to that Sovereign Pow'r Waxing and waning Honours pay, Who bid thee rule the duiky Hour, And half fupply the a.bfent Day.
Ye twinkling Stars, who. gild the Skies When Darknefs has its Curtains drawn., Who keep your Watch, with wakeful Eyes, When Bufmeff, Cares, and Day are gone:
IV. ' Proclaim the Glories of your Lord, Difpers'd thro' all the heavenly Street, Whofe boundlefs Treafures can afford So rich a Pavement for his Feet.
VJI. Thou Heav'n of Heav'ns, fupremely brigkt, Fair Palace of the Court Divine, Where with inimitable Light, The Godhead condefcends to mine.
VIII. Praife thou thy great Inhabitant, Who fca iters lovely Beams of Grace On every Angel, every Saint, Nor veils the Luftre of his Face.
IX. O God cf Glory, God. of Love, Thou art the- Sun that makes our D-ays ; With all thy mining Works 'above, Let Earth and Dull attepipi! :: y I&aifej
The Welcome Mejfenger.
I.
LORD, when we fee a Saint of thine Lie gafping on his Breath, With longing Eyes, and Looks Divine* Smiliing and pleas'd in Deaths
C 3. II.
3o L YR I C P 0 E M S, Bookl.
IT.
How we could e'en contend to lay
Our Limbs upon that Bed ! We afk thine Envoy to convey
Our Spirits in his Stead. III. Our Souls are rifing on the Wing,
To venture in his Place ; For when grim Death has loft his Sting,
He has an Angel's Face.
IV. ^ y E S U S9 then purge my Crimes away,
'Tis Guilt creates my Fears, •Tis Guilt gives Death its fierce Array,
And all the Arms it bears. V. Oh 1 if my threatping Sins were gone,
And Death had loll his Sting, I could invite the Angel on,
And chide his lazy Wing. VI. Away thefe interpofing Days,
And let the Lovers meet ; The Angel has a cold Embrace, 4
But kind, and foft, and fweet. VII. I'd leap at once my Seventy Years ;
I'd rufli into his Arms, J\nd lofe my Breath, and all my Cares,
Amidit thofe heav'nly Charms. VJII. Joyful I'd lay this Body down,
And leave the lifelefs Clay, Without a Sigh, without a Groan,
And itreich and foar away.
Sincere Praife.
I.
A LM1GHTY Maker, God!
'<kI\> How wondrous is thy Name ! '■
«* *» ' Thy
Sacred to Devotion, &c,
* Thy Glories how diffus'd abroad Thro' the Creation's Frame !
II. Nature in every Drefs Her humble Homage pays, And finds a thoufand Ways t' exprefs Thine undifTembled Praife.
III. In native White and Red The Rofe and Lilly (land, And free from Pride, their Beauties fpread. To mew thy ikiiful Hand. IV. The Lark mounts up the Sky, With unambitious Song, And bears her Maker's Praife on high Upon her artlefs Tongue.
My Soul would rife and fing To her Creator too, Fain would my Tongue adore my King, And pay the Worfaip due.
But Pride, that .buly Sis,
Spoils ajl tflat I perform ; Curs'd Pride, that creeps fecure!y in.
And fwells a haughty Worm, Y1L
Thy Glories I abate,
Or praife thee with Deiign ; Some of the Favours I forget,
Or think the Merit mine. VIII.
The very Songs I frame,
Are faithlefs to thy Caufe, And ileal the Honours of thy Name
To build their own Applaufe. IX.
Create my Soul anew,
Elfe all my Worship's vain ; -This wretched Heart will ne'er be true,
Until 'tis form'd again.
32 LTR1CP0EMS, Book I.
X.
Defcend, Celeflial Fire,
And feize me from above, Melt me in Flames of pure Defire,
A Sacrifice to Love.
XL
Let Joy and Worfhip fpend
Tiie Remnant of my Days, And to my God, my Soul, afcend,
In fweet Perfumes of Praife.
Trus Learning. Partly imitated from a French Sonnet of Mr. Point,
fT A P P Y the Feet that mining Truth has led X With her own Hand to tread the Path fhe ^>kafe, To fee her native Luftre round her fpread,
Without a Veil, without a Shade, All Beauty, and all Light, as in herfelf fhe is.
II. Our Senfes cheat us with the prcfiing Crowds Of painted Shapes they thruft upon the Mind : 'I 'he Truth they mew lies wrapM in fev'nfold Shrouds*
Our Senses calt a Thoufand Clouds On unenlightened Souls, and leave them doubly blind.
III. I hate the Dull that fierce Difputers raife, And lofe the Mind in a wild Maze of Thought : What empty Triflings, and what fubtil Ways,
To fence and guard by Rule and Rote ! Our God will never charge us, That we knew them Not.
IV. Touch, Heavenly Word, O touch thefe curious Souls; Since I have heard but one foft Hint from Thee, From all the vain Opinions of the Schools
(That Pageantry of knowing F«i>l?) I feel my Powers releas'd, and itand divinely free.
Sacred to Devotion &c.
V. 'Twas this Almighty Word that all Things made3 He grafps whole Nature in his fingle Hand ; All the Eternal Truths in him are laid,
The Ground of all Things, and tjieir Head, The Circle where they move, and Center where tfevJiapcL
v i. Without his Aid I have no fure Defence, From Troops of Errors that befiege me round ; But he that refts his Reafon and his Senfe
Fall here, and never wanders hence, Unmoveable he dwells upon unihaken Ground.
VII. Infinite Truth, the Life of my Deiires, Come from the Sky, and join thy felf to me ; I'm tir'd with Hearing, and this reading tires ;
But never tir'd of telling Thee, *Tis thy fair Face alone my Spirit burns to fee*
VIII. Speak to my Soul, alone, no other Hand Shall mark my Path out with deluiive_Art : All Nature fllent in his Pretence Hand,
Creatures be dumb at his Command, And leave his iiugle Voice to whiiper to my Heart. IX.
Retire, my Soul, within thy felf ret,'re?
Away from Senfe and every outward Show :
Now let my Thought;; to loftier Themes afpire, My Knowledge now en W&8flj fii Fire May mount and fpread abo^rc, j^y^'iag all below.
The Lord grows Iaviih of .hiorheav'rly Light, And pours whole Fie: ;ji a Mind! as mis ;
Fled from the Eyes ihe gains a piercing Si^ht, She dives into the Infinite And fees unutterable Things in that uqktiQ/Wj
)-:
I.
Romance him blett, my Mufe, whom Wisdom p-uides- in her (>.v,n Path to fe'er • wn he .ve.ily Seat ; Thro' ail the Storms his Soul fecurely glides,
Nor
34 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
Nor can the Tempers, nor the Tides, That rife and roar around, fupplant his" Heady Feet. II. Earth, you may let your golden Arrows fly, And fcek, in vain, a Paflagc to his Bread, Spread al! your painted Toys to court his Eye, He fmiles, and fees them vainly try To lure his Soul afide from her Eternal Reft. III. Our head-irrong Lufts, like a young fiery Horfe, Start, and flee raging in a violent Courfe ; He tames and breaks them, manages and rides 'em. Checks their Career, and turns and guides 'em, And bids his Reafon bridle their licentious Force. IV. lord of himfelf, he rules his wildeft Thoughts, And boldly acts what calmy he defign'd, Whilil he looks down and pities human Fault ; Nor can he think, ncr can he find A Plague like reigning PaiTions, and a Subject Mind.
JBut oh ! 'tis mighty Toil to reach this Height, To yanquifh Self is a laborious Art; What manly Courage to fuftain the Fight To bear the noble Pain, and part With thofe dear charming Tempters rooted in the Heart i VI. *Tis hard to ftand when all the Paffions move, Hard to awake the Eye that Paflion blinds To rend and tear out this unhappy Love, That clings fo clofe about our Minds, And where th' inchanted Soul fo fweet a Poifon finds. VII. Hard ; but it may be done. Come, Heavenly Fire, Come to my Breafl, and with one powerful Ray Melt off my Lulls, m) Fetters : I can bear A while to be a Tenant here, But not be chain'd and prifon'd in a Cage of Clay. VIII. Heav'n is my Home and I mult ufe my Wings j Sublime £.bove tlie Globe my Flight afpircs : I have a Soul was made to pity Kings,
And
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 35
And all their little glitt'ring Things ; X have a Soul was made for infinite Defires. IX. Loos'd from the Earth, my Heart is upward flown 5 Farewel, my Friends, and all that once was mine; Now, fhould you fix my Feet on Car/ar's Throne, Crown me, and call the World my own, The Gold that binds my Brows could ne'er my Soul confine. X. lam the Lord's, and JESUS is my Love ; He, the dear God, fhall fill my vaft Defire, My Flefh below -, yet I can dwell above, And nearer to my Saviour move ; There all my Soul fhall center, all my Pow'rs confpire, XI. . Thus I with Angels live ; thus half-divine I fit on high, nor mind inferior Joys : FilPd with his Love, I feel that -God is mine, His Glory is my great Defign, That everlafting Projed all my Thoughts employs.
»»£»»»»»»&«£.
A Song to creating TVifdom.
PART I.
I.
ETERNAL Wisdom, thee we prsife, Thee the Creation fings- : With thy Loud Name, Rocks, Hills, and Seas, And Heaven's hio-h Palace rings.
ii.
Place me on the bright Wings of Day
To travel with the San ; "With what Amaze fhall I furvey The Wonders thou hafc done \?- III. Thy Hand how wide it fpread the Sky V
How glorious to behold ? Ting'd with a Blue of heavenly Dye, And t arr'd with fparklin^ Gold. IV. Jhere thou hail hid the Globes of Light Their endkfs Circles run -p '
There
36 LYRICPOE M $> Book L
There the pale Planet rules the Night, And Day obeys the Sun.
PART II.
Downward I turn my wdnd'ring Eyes
On Clouds and Storms below, Thofe under Regions of the Skies
Thy num'rous Glories fhow. VI. The noify Winds fland ready there
Thy Orders to obey, With founding Wings they fweep the Ah9
To make thy Chariot Way. VJI. There, like a Trumpet, loud and flrong^
Thy Thunder fhakes our Coaft : While the red Lightnings wave along,
The Banners of thins Kofi. VIII. On the thin Air, without a Prop,
Hang fruitful Show'rs around : At thy Command they fink and drop
Their Fatnefs on the Ground.
PART IIL
IX.
Now to the Earth I bend my Song,
And call: my Eyes abroad, Glancing the Britijh Hies along ;
Bleft Iiles, confefs your God. X. How did his wondrous Skill array
Your Fields in charming Green „ A thoufand Herbs his Art difplay,
A thoufand Flowers between ! XI. Tall Oaks for future Navies grow,
Fair Albion's beft Defence, While Corn and Vines rejoice below..
Thofe Luxuries of Senfc*
XII.
Sacred to Devotion, Sec. 37
XII. The bleating Flocks his Pa-fture feeds :
And Herds of larger Size, That bellow thro' the Lindian Mead?, His bounteous Hand flip plies.
PART IV.
XIII. We fee the Thames carrefs the Shore,
He guides her filver flood : While angry Severn fwells and roars. Yet hears her. Ruler God. XIV. The rolling Mountains of the Deep
Obferve his ftrcng Command ; His Breath can raife the Billows deep* Or fink, them to the Sand.
XV. Amidft thy watry Kingdoms Lo-rd*
The finny Nations play, And fcaly Moniters, at thy Word, JRufli throy ihe Northern Sea.
P J RT V.. XVI. Thy Glories blaze all Nature round,
And ilrike the gazing Sight, Thro* Skies, and Seaa, and folid GrouncV With Terror and Delight.
XVII. Infinite Strength, and equal Skill, Shine thro' the Worlds abroad. Our Souls with vail Amazemnt fill* Ana fpeak the Builder God. XVIil. But the fweet Beauties of thy Grace
Our fofter PafFions move ;
Fity Divia* in JESUS Fa^re .
We fee, adore, and love.
■# # m m #> # § # #,#;##.## § M #*C# #■
God's Abjoluie Dominion.
L
led
ORD, when my thoughtful SculTurveys Fire, Air end Earth, and Stars aad Seas, Shem all thy Slaves ;
CommirHon'd
38 LYRIC POEMS, Book 1,
OmmifHori'd by my Father's Will, Poifms (hall cure, or .Bairns lhaii kill;
Vernal Suns, or Zepbjr\ Breath, May burn or blaft the Plants to Deatk
That fharp December laves ;
What can Winds or Planets boail
But a precari -us Pow'r ? The Sun is all in Darknefs loft, Froit {hall be Fire, and Fire be Frofr,
When he appoints the Hour. II. Lo, the Norwegians near the Polar Sky
Chafe their frozen Limbs with >no\v,
Their frozen Limbs awake and glow,
The vital Flame touch'd with a Urange Supply Rekindles, for the God of Life is nigh ; He bids the vital Flood in wonted Circles flow.
Cold Steel expos'd to N Tthern Air, Drinks the Meridian Fury of the Midnight Beary
And burns th' unwary Stranger there. III.
Enquire, my Soul, of antient Fame,
L< k ] ack two thoufand Year3, and fee
Th' AJjyrtan Prince transferred a Brute,
For boaiting to be abfolu-te : Once to his Court the God of l/rael came.
A King more abfolute than he.
I < e the Furnace blaze with Rage
Sevenfold : I lee amidlt the Flame
Three Htbrenvs of Immomi Name ; Th y move, they walk acrofs the burning Stage- Unhurt, ana fearlefs, while the Tyrant ftood
A Statue ; Fear congeal'd his Biood :
Nor did the raging Element dare
Attempt their Garments, or their Hair ; It knew the Lord of Nature there. Nature, com pel I'd by a fuperior Caufe,
Niw breaks her own eternal Laws,
Now feems to break tnern, and obeys.
Her Sov'reign K-»ng in different Ways..
Fanef.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 39
Father, how bright thy Glories fhine i
How broad thy Kingdom, how divine ! Nature, and Miracle, and Fate, and Chance are thine, IV.
Hence from my Heart, ye Idols, flee,
Ye founding Names of Vanity !
No more my Lips fha!l fdcririce
To Chance and Nature, Tales and Lies : Creatures without a God can yield me no Supplies.
What is the Sun, or what the Shade,
Or Froils, or Flames, to kill or fave ; His Favour is my Life, his Lips pronounce ms dead ;
And as his awful Dictates bid,
Earth is my Mother, or my Grave,..
Condescending Grace.
In Imitation of the cxivth Pfalm.
I.
WHEN the Eternal bows the Skiess To vifit Earthly Things, With Scorn divine he turns his Eyes From Towers of haughty Kings j II. Rides on a Cloud difdainful by
A Sultan, or a Czar, Laughs at the Worms that rife fo high, Or frowns 'em from afar ; III. He bids his awful Chariot roll Far downward from the Skies* To vifit every humble Soul, With Pieafure in his Eyes, IV. Why mould the Lord that reigns above
Difdain To lofty Kings : Say, Lord, and why fuch Looks of Love Upon fuch worthlefs Things ?
Mortals, be dumb ; what Creature dares Difpme his awful Will?
A&
i
4o L T R I C POEMS, Book I.
Afk no Account of his Affairs,
But tremble, and be itill. VJ. Juft like his Nature is his Grace,.
All Sovereign, and all Free ; Great God, how fearchlefs are thy Ways T
How deep thy judgments be !
The Infinite, I.
SOME Seraph lend your heavenly Tongue, Or Harp of Golden String, That I may raife a lofty Song To our Eternal King.
II. Thy Names, how Infinite they be f
Great Everlasting One ! Boundlefs thy Might and Majefty, And unconhVd thy Throne. III. Thy Glories mine of wondrous Size,.
And wondrous large thy Grace ; Immorra'i Day breaks from thine £yes,. And Gabriel veils hi3 Face. IV. Thine EfTence is a vail Abyfs,
Which Angels cannot (bund, An Oci-an of Infinities
Where all our Thoughts are drown'cL V. The Myfberiea of Creation iie Beneath enlighten'd Minds, Thoughts can afcerid above the Sky, Anu fiy before the Winds. VI. Reaicn may grafp the raafiy Hills,
And ftreteh from Pole to J&le, Bui hall rh; . Soffit tills,.
And overloads our Sou:.
VII.
Sacred. to Devotion, &c. 41
VII. In vain our haughty Reafon ivvells,
For Nothing's found in Thee But Boundlefs Unconceivables,
And vail Eternity.
ConfeJJion and Pardon. I.
LAS, my aking Heart ! Here the keen Torment lies ; It racks my waking Hours with Smart, And frights my flumbring Eyes.
II. Guilt will be hid no more, My Griefs take vent apace, The Crimes that blot my Conscience o'er Flulh Crimfon in my Face. III. My Sorrows, like a Flood, Impatient of Reftraint, Into thy Bofom, O my God, Pour out a long Complaint.
IV. This impious Heart of mine Could once defy the Lord, Could ruih with Violence on te> Sin, In Prefence of thy Sword.
V. How often have I -Hood A Rebel to the Shies, The Calls, the Tenders of a God, And Mercy's loudeft Cries 1 VT. He oifers all his Grace, And all his Heaven to me ; Offers ! but 'tis to fen felefs Brafs, That cannot feel nor iee.
VII. JESUS the Saviour (lands To court me from above,
And
42 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
And lool« and fpreads his wounded Hands,
And fhews the Prints of Love. VIII.
But I, a flupid Fool,
How long have I withftood The BleiTings purchas'd with his Soul
And paid for all in Blood ? IX.
The heav'nly Dove came down
And tcnder'd me his Wings To mount me upward to a Crown,
And bright immortal Things.
Lord, I'm afham'd to fay
That I refus'd thy Dove, And fent thy Spirit griev'd away
To his own Realms of Love. XI.
Net all thine heav'nly Charms,
Nor Terrors of thy Hand, Could force me to lay down my Arms,
And bow to thy Command. XII.
Lord, 'tis againfl thy Face
My Sins like Arrows rife, And yet, and yet (O matchlefs Grace !)
Thy Thunder filent lies.
XIII.
O fliall I never feel
The meltings of thy Love ? Am I of fuch Hell-harden'd Steel
That Mercy cannot move ? XIV.
Now for one powerful Glance,
Dear Saviour, from thy Face! This Rebel Heart no more withitands,
But finks beneath thy Grace* XV.
O'ercome by dying Love I fali,
Here at thy Crofs I lie : And throw my Flefh, my Soul, my Aft,
And weep, and love, and die.
XVI.
Sacred to Devotion,. &c, 43
XVI.
" Rife, fays the Prince of Mercy, rife, " With Joy and Pity in his Eyes ; 4t Rife, and beliold my wounded Veins, " Here flows the Blood to wafh thy Stains.
XVII. " See my Great Father reconcil'd :" He faid. And lo, the Father fmil'd ; The joyful Cherubs clap'd their Wings, And founded Grace on all their Strings.
Young Men and Maidens , Old Men' and Babes , praife ye the Lord, Pial. cxlviii. 12.
SO N S of Adam, bold and young, In the wild Mazes of whofe Veins A Flood of fiery Vigour reigns, And weilds your a&ive Limbs, with hardy Sinews foung ; Fall proftrate at th' Eternal Throne Whence your precarious Pow'rs depend ; Nor fwell as if your Lives were all your own,
But choofe your Maker for your Friend ; His Favour is your Life, his Arm is your Support, His Hand can ftretch your Days, or cut your Minutes fhoit. II. Virgins, who roll your artful Eyes, Ana moot delicious Danger thence ; Swift the lovely Lightning flies, And melts our Reafon down to Senfe ; Boaft not of thofe withering Charms That rnuft yield their youthful Grace To Age and Wrinkles, Earth and Worms | But love the Author of your fmiiing Face; That heavenly Bridegroom claims your blooming Hours : O make it your perpetual Care To pleaie that Everlailing Fair; His Beauties are the Sun, and but the Shade is yours. III. Infants, whofe different Deftinies Are wove with Threads of different Size ;
But
44 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
But from the fame Spring-tide of Tears, Commence your Hopes, and Joy?, and Fears, (A tedious Train !) and date your following Years : Break your firit Silence in his Praiie
Who wrought your wondrous Franve ; With Sounds of tendereft Accent raife
Young Honours to his Name ; And confecrate your early Days To know the Pow'r fupreme.
IV. '
Ye Heads of venerable Age, Juft marching off the mortal Stage, Fathers, whofe vital Threads are fpun As long a3 e'er the Glafs of Life would run,
Adore the Hand that led your Way Thro' flow'ry Fields a fair long Summer's Day ; Gafp out your Soul in Praifes to the Sov'reign Pow*r That fet your Weft fo diliant from your dawning Hour.
Flying Fowl, and Creeping Things, praife ye the Lord,
Pfal. cxiviii. 10.
I.
SWEET Flocks, whofe foft ennamelM Wing Swift and gently cleaves the Sky : Whofe charming Notes addrefs the Spring With an artkfe Harmony. Lovely Miruhch of the Field, Who in leafv Shadows fir, «
And your wondrous Stro&uwa build, Awake you; tuneful Voices with the dawning Light ; To Nature's God your firft Devotions pay,
E'er you falute the rifmg Day, Tis he calls up the Sun, and gives him every Ray. II. Serpents, who o'er the Meadows Aide, And wear upon your mining Back Num'rous Ranks of gaudy Pride, Which thoufaud mingling Colours ma^ke ; Let the fierce Glances of your Eyes Rebate their baleful Fire :
la
Paired io Devotion, &c. 45
In harmlefs Play twirl: and unfold
The Volumes of your fcaly Gold : That rich Embroidery of your gay Attire,
Proclaims your Make: kind and wife. UL
Infects and Mites, of rriean Degree,
That fwarm in Myriads o'er the Land,
Moulded by Wifdom's artful Hand, And cuiTu and painted with a various Die;
In your innumerable Forms
Praife him that wears th' Erhenai Crown,
And bend his lofty Counfels down To defpieable Worms.
The Comptirifon and Complaint.
I.
NFINITE Power, Eternal Lord, How Sovereign is thy Hand ! All Nature rofe t' obey thy Word, And moves at thy Command. II. With Heady Ccurfe thy' fnining Sun
Keeps his appointed Way ; And all the Hours obedient run The Circle of the Day.
III. But ah ! how wide my Spirit flies,
And wanders from her God ! My Soul forgets the heavenly Prize, Ana treads the downward-Road. IV. The raging Fire, and ftormy Sea,
Perform thine awful Will, And every Beafl and every Tree, Thy great Deilgns fulfil : V. While my wild Paffions rage within,
Nor thy Commands obey; And Flefh and Senie, enilav'd to Sin, ■praw.my belt Thoughts away.
¥L
46 LYRIC POEM S. Book I.
VI.
Shall Creatures of a meaner Frame
Pay all their Dues to thee ; Creatures, that never knew thy Name, That never lov'd like me ? VII. Great God, create my Soul anew,
Conform my Heart to thine, Melt down my Will, and let it flow, . And take the Mould Divine. VIII. Seize my whole Frame into thy Hand ;
Here all my PowVs I bring ; Manage the Wheels by thy Command, And govern every Spring.
lAi
Then mall my Feet no more depart,
Nor wandring Senfes rove j Devotion mail be all my Heart,
And all my Paflions Love. »
X. Than not the Sun mail more than I
His Maker's Law perform, Nor travel fwifter thro' the Sky,
Nor with a Zeal fo warm.
God Supreme and Self-fufficient. > I.
WHAT is our God, or what his Name Nor Men can- learn, nor Angels teach ; He dwells conceal'd in radiant Flame, Where neither Eyes nor Thoughts can reach.
The Spacious Worlds of heav'nly Light, Compar'd with him, how fliort they fall ? They are ton dark, and He too bright, Nothing are they, and Gop is All.
III. He fpoke the wondrous Word, and lo Creation rofe at his Command ;
"ML Whirlwinds
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 47
Whirlwinds and Seas their Limits know, Bound in the Hollow of his Hand.
IV. There fefts the Earth, there roll the Spheres, There Nature leans, and feels her Prop : But his own Self-fuHioience bears The Weight of his own Glories up.
V. The Tide of Creatures ebbs and flows, Meafuring their Changes by the Moon ; No Ebb his Sea of Glory knows ; His Age is one Eternal Noon. s VI.
Then fly, my Song, an endlefs Round, The lofty Tune let Michael raife ; All Nature dwells upon the Sound, But we can ne'er foril the Praife.
JESUS the only Saviour.
I.
/ID AM, our Father and our Head
Tranfgreft ; and juilice doom'd us Dead : The fiery Law fpeaks all Defpair, There's no Reprieve, nor Pardon there.
II. Call a bright Council in the Skies ; " Seraphs the Mighty and the Wife, ** Say what Expedient can you give, " That Sin be damn'd and Sinners live ?
III. " Speak, are you ilrong to bear the Load, " The weighty Vengeance of a God ? " Which of you loves our wretched Race, " Or dares to venture in our Place r"
IV. In vain we aik : for all around Stands Silence thro' the heavenly Ground : There's not a glorious Mind above Has half the Strength, or half the Love,
48 L T R I C P 0 E M S9
V. But, O, unutterable Grace ! Th' Eternal Son takes jdamh Place ; Pown to cur World the Saviour flies, Stretches his naked Arms, and dies.
VI. Juftice was pleas'd to bruife the God, And pay its Wror.gs with heavenly Blood ; What unknown Racks and Pangs he bore ! Then rofc : The Law could afk no more.
VIE. Amazing Work ! look down, ye Skies, Wonder and gaze with all your Eyes ; Ye heavenly Thrones, floop from above, And bow to this inyfterious Love.
VIII. See, how they bend ! See, how they look ! Long they had read th' Eternal Book, And ftudied dark Decrees in vain, The Crofs and CWt> ary makes them plain.
IX. New they are ftruck with deep Amaze, Each with his Wings conceals his Face ; Nor clap their founding Plumes, and cry, The Wijdom of a DEITY!
X Low they adore th' Incarnate Son, '
And fing the Glories he hath won ; Sing how he broke our Iron Chains, How deep he funk, how high he reigns.
XI. Triumph and reign, victorious Lord, By all thy framing Hoits ador'd : And fay, dear Conqueror, fay, how long, E'er we fhall rile to join their Song.
XII. Lo, from afar the promised Day Shines with a well diiiinguiih'd Ray ; But my wing'd Paflion hardly bears Thefe Lengths of flow delaying Years.
Sacred to Devotion, &c... 49
XIII. Send down a Chariot from above, With fiery Wheels, and pav'd with Love ; Raife me beyond th' Ethereal Blue, To ling and love as Angels do.
Looking upward*
I.
THE Heavens invite mine Eye, The Stars falute me round ; Father, I blufh, I mourn to lie Thus groveling on the Ground.
My warmer Spirits move,
And make Attempts to fly ; I wilh aloud for Wings of Love
To raife me ftuft and high. III.
Beyond thofe Cryftal Vault?,
And all their fparkling Balls ; They're but the Porches to thy Courts,
And Paintings on thy Walls. IV.
Vain World, farevvel to you ;
Heaven is my native Air : I bid my Friends a fhort Adieu,
Impatient to be there.
V.
I feel my Powers releaft
From their old flefhy Clod ; Fair Guardian, bear me up in hafte
Ana fet me near my God.
Christ Dying, Ri/ing, and Reigning,
I.
HE dies ! the beav'nly Lover dies ! The Tidings ftrike a doleful Sound On my poor Heart-firings : deep he lies In the cold Caverns of the Ground,
53 L T R I C POEMS, Book L
II. Gome, Saints, and drop a Tear or two, On the dear Bofom of your God, He fhed a thoufand Drops for you, A thoufand Drops of richer Blood.
III. Here's Love and Grief beyond degree, The Lord of Glory dies for Men ! But lo ! what fudden Joys I fee ! JESUS the dead revives again.
IV. The rifing God forfakes the Tomb, Up to his Father's Court he flies ; Cherubic Legions guard him Home, .And fhout him welcome to the Skies.
V. Break off your Tears, ye Saints, and tell How high our Great Deliverer reigns ; Sing how he fpoil'd the Hofts of Hell, And led the Monfter Death in Chains.
VI. Say, Live for ever, wondrous King ! Born to Redeem, and ftrong to fave ! Then afc the Monfter, Where's his Sting? J.nd vjhereys thy ViElory, hoofing Grave ?
The God of Thunder,
I.
OTHE Immenfe, th' Amazing Height, The boundlefs Grandeur of our God, "Wiio treads the Worlds beneath his Feet, And fways the Naiicns with his Nod !
II. He fpeaks ; and lo, all Nature makes, Heav'ns everlafting Pillars bow ; He rends the Clouds with hideous Cracks, And (hoots his hery Arrows through.
111. Well, let the Nations Hart and fly At the. b'ue Lightning'? horrid Glare,
AtheiUs
Sacnd to Devqt jo n, &e. ■ O
Atheifts and Emperors fhrink and die,
When Flame and Noife torment the Air. .
IV. let Noife and Flame confound the Skies, And drown the fpaciousRealms below, Yet will we'fing the Thunderer's Praife, And fend our loud Ho/annas through.
V. |
Celeftial King, thy blazing Power Kindles our Hearts to flaming Joys, We fhout to hear thy Thunders roar, And echo to our Father's Voice.
VI. Thus mail the God our Saviour come, And Lightnings round his Chariot play, Ye Lightnings, fly to make him room, Ye glorious Storms, prepare his Way.
The Day of Judgment,
An ODE.
Attempted in Englijh Sapphick.
I.
WHEN the fierce North Wind with his airy Forces Rears up the Baltick to a foaming Fury ; And the red Lightning, with a Storm of Hail come
Rufhing amain down. IT. How the poor Sailors Hand amazM and tremble ! . - While the hoarfe Thunder, like a bloody Trumpet, Roars a loud Onfet to the gaping Waters
Quick to devour them.' III. Such (hall the Noife be, and the wild Diforder, (If Things Eternal may be" like thefe Earthly) ouch the dire Terror when the great Archangel
Shakes the Creation % IV. Tears the ftrong Pillars of the Vault of Heaven, Breaks up old Marble, the Repofe of Prince* j 3ee the Graves open, and the Bones ariiing,
Flames ail around 'em I
5* LTRICPOEMS, Book I.
V.
Hark, the mrill Outcries of the guilty Wretches !
Lively bright Horror, and amazing Anguifh,
Stare thro* their Eye-lids, while the living Worm lies
Gnawing within them. VI. Thoughts, like old Vultures, prey upon their Heart-firings, And he Smart twinges, when the Eye beholds the Lofty Judge frowning, and a Flood of Vengeance
Rolling afore him. VII. Hopelefs Immorta's ! how they fcream and Ihiver While Devils pufh them to the Pit wide-yawning Hideous and gloomy to receive them headlong
Down to the Centre, VIII. Stop here, my Fancy : (all away, ye horrid Doler . Ideas,) come, arife to JESUS, How nt fits God-like ! and the Saints around him
Thron'd, yet adoring !
O may I fit there when he comes Triumphant, Dooming the Nations ! then afcend to Glory, While our Ho/annas all along the PafTage
Shout the Redeemer.
The Song of Angels above,
EARTH has detain'd me Prifoner long, And rm grown weary now : My~ Heart, my Hand, my Ear, my Tongiie, ' There's nothing here for you.
Tir'd in my Thoughts I ftretch me down,
And upward glance mine Eyes ; Upward (my 'Father) to thy Throne,
And to my native Skies.
MI, .. There the dear IVf a n my Saviour fits, .
The God, how bright he mines ! Ana fcatters iniitiire Delights
On ail the happy M hit's,
IV.
Sacred U Devotion, &c. id
IV.
Seraphs with elevated Strains
Circle the Throne around, And move and charm the' ftarry Plains
With an Immortal Sound. *
V. JESUS the Lord their Harps employ;,
JESUS my Love they fing, JESUS the Name of both our joys
Sounds Tweet from every String. VI. Hark, liow beyond the narrow Bounds
Of Time and Space they run, And fpeak in moll MajefHck Sounds,
The Godhead of the S o n. VII How on the Father's Bread he lay,
The Darling of his Soul, Infinite Years before the Day
Or Heavens began to roll.
VIII. And now they fink the lofty Tone,
And gentler Notes they play, And bring th' Eternal Godhead down
To dwell in humble Clay. IX. O facred Beauties of the M a n 1 .
(The God reiides within.) His Flefh all pure, without a Stain,
His Soul without a Sin.
X. Then, how he look'd, and how he fmil'd,
What wondrous Things he laid ! Sweet Cherubs, Hay, dvvejl here a while,
And tell what JESUS did. XI. At his Command the Blind awake,
And feel the gladfome Rays ; He bids the Dumb attempt to fpeak,
They try their Tongues in Praife.
D 3 XIL
54 L T R 1 C P 0 E M $, Book I.
XII. He med a thoufand Bleflings round
When-e'er he turn'd his Eye ; He fpoke, and at the Sovereign Sound
The kellifh Legions fly.
Thus while with unambitious Strife
Th' Ethereal Minftpels rove Thro' all the Labours of his Life, And Wonders of his Love. XIV. In the full Choir a broken String Groans with a flrange Surprize; The reft in Silence mourn their King, That bleeds, and loves, and dies. XV. ^Seraph and Saint, with drooping Wings,
Ceafe their harmonious Breath ; ,!No blooming Trees, nor bubbling Springs While J£SUS fleeps in Death. XVI. Then all at once to living Strains
They fummon every Chord, Break up the Tomb, and burft his Chaimr, And fhew their riling Lord. XVII. Around the flaming Army throngs
To guard him to the Skies, With loud Ho/annas on their TonguftS> And Triumph in their Eyes. XVIII. Jn awful State the conquering Gob
Afcends his fhining Throne, While tuneful Angels found abroad The VicVries he has won.
XIX. Now let me rife, and join their Song,
And be an Angel too ; My Heart, my Hand, my Ear, my Tongue, Here's joyful Work for you.
XX.
Sacred to Devotion, &c* 55
XX.
I would begin the Mufick here,
And fo my Soul mould rife : Oh for fome heavenly Notes to bear
My Spirits to the Skies !
xxi.
There, ye that love my Saviour, fit,
There I would fain have place, Amongft your Thrones, or at your Fect?
So I might fee his Face.
XXII. I am confin'd to Earth no more,
But mount in hafte above, To blefs the God that I adore,
And fing the M a n I love.
Fire9 Air% Earth and Sea, praife yey the Laaj).
I. P JRTH, thou great Footftool of our Goo *~* Who reigns on high ; thou fruitful Source Of all our Raiment, Life and Food ; Our Houfe, our Parent, and our Nurfe % Mighty Stage of Mortal Scenes, Drefl with ftrcng and gay Machines, Hung with golden Lamps around ; (And How'ry Carpets fpread the Ground) Thou bulky Globe, prodigious Mafs, That hangs unpillar'd in an empty Space ! While the unweildy Weight refts on the feeble Air, Blefs that Almighty Word that fix'd and holds thee there* II. Fire, thou fwift Herald of his Face, Whofe glorious Rage, at his Command, Levels a Palace with the Sand, Blending the lofty Spires in Ruin with the Bate : Ye heav'nly Flames, that finge the Air, Artillery of a jealous God, Bright Arrows that his founding Quivers bear
To fcatter Deaths abroad ; Lightnings, adore the fovereign Arm that flings His Vengeance, and your Fires, upon the Heads of King*.
III.
56 LTRICPOEMS, Book I.
III.
Thou vital Element, the Air,
Whofe boundlefs Magazines of Breath
Our fainting Flame of Life repair, And fave the Bubble Man from the cold Arms of Death : And ye, whofe vital Moiiture yields
Life's purple Stream a frelh Supply ; Sweet Waters, wandring thro' the flow'ry Fields,
Or dropping from the Sky ; Confefs the Pow'r whofe all-fufficient Name Nor needs your Aid to build, or to fupport our Frame. IV.
Now the rude Air with noify Force,
Beats up and fwells the angry Sea,
They join to make our Lives a Prey,
And fweep the Sailors Hopes away, Vain Hopes, to reach their Kindred on the Shores !
Lo, the wild Seas and forging Waves
Gape hideous in a thoufand Graves : Be full, ye Floods, and know vour Bounds of Sand,
Ye Storms, adore your Matter's Hands j The Winds are in his Fill, the Waves at his Command. V.
From the Eternal Emptinefs
His fruitful Word by fecret Springs
Drew the whole Harmony of Things
That form this noble Univerfe :
Old Nothing knew his pow'rful Hand,
Scarce had he fpoke his full Command. Fire, Air, and Earth, and Sea heard the creating Call, And leap'd from empty Nothing to this beauteous All ;
And ftill they dance, and ftill obey The Orders they receiv'd the great Creation-Day.
The FareweL I.
DEAD be my Heart to all below, To mortal Joys and mortal Cares ; To fenfual Blils that charms us fo Be dark, my Eyes, and deaf, my Ears.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. . • 57
II. Here, I renounce my carnal Taile Of the fair Fruit that Sinners prize : Their Paradife inall never wafte One Thought of mine, but to defpife.
III. All earthly Joys are over-weigh'd With Mountains of vexatious Care ; And where 's the Sweet that is not laid A Bait to fome deftruclive Snare ?
IV. Be gone for ever, Mortal Things ! Thou mighty Mole-Hill, Earth, Farewel ! • Angels afpire on lofty Wings, And leave the Globe for Ants to dwell.
t. Come Heaven, and fill my vaft Deiires, My Soul purfues the fovereign Good : She was all made of heavenly Fires, Nor can me live on meaner Food.
God only known to kimjelf. I. /
STAND and adore ! how glorious He That dwells in bright Eternity ! We gaze, and we confound our Sight Plung'd in th' Abifs of dazlinp- Light.
II. Thou facred One, Almighty Three, Great Everlailing My steely, What lofty Numbers fhall we frame Equal to thy tremendous Name?
III. Seraphs, the neareft to the Throne,
Begin, and fpeak the Great Unknown : ' •.
.Attempt the Song, wind up your Strings, t To Notes untry'd, and bouadlefs Things. IV. You, whofe capacious Pow'rs furvey Largely beyond cur Eyes of Clay : Yet what a narrow Portion too - ~
Is feen, or known, or thought bv vou ?
V.-
w i& w "at
58 I T R I C P O E M $ Book I
How flat your higher! Praifes fall Below th' imraenfe Original ! Weak Creatures we, that itrive in vain To reach an uncreated Strain ! VI. Great God, forgive, our feeble Lay?, Sound out thine own eternal Praiie ; A bong fo vaft, a Theme 10 high. Calls for the Voice that tun'd the Sky.
Pardon and Salification*
I.
Y Crimes awake ; and hideous Fear Diftracts my reftlefs Mind, Guilt meets my Eyes with horrid GlareK And Hell purfues behind. II. Almighty Vengeance frowns on high,
And Flames array the Throne ; While Thunder murmurs round the SkyK Impatient to be gone.
nr.
Where (hall I hide this roxious Head ;
Can Rocks or Mountains fave ? Or fhall I wrap me in the Shade
Of Midnight and the Grave ? IV. Is there no Shelter from the Eye
Of a revenging God ? JE 8 US, to thy dear Wounds I fly,
Bt dew me with thy Blood. V. T.hofe Guardian Drops my Soul fecure*
And wem away my Sin ; Eternal Juftice fro -.ns no more,
And Conference imjles within. VI. j ■ :. fs that wondrous Purple Stream
Tbai whuens every Stain;
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 59
Yet is my Soul but half redeem'd,
If Sin the Tyrant reign.
VII. Lord, biait his Empire with thy Breath,
That curfcd Throne mult fall ; Ye flattering Plagues that work my Death,
Fly, for I hate you alL
Sovereignty and Grace* I.
THE Lord! how fearful is his Name ? How u. ide is his Command ? Nature, with all her moving Frame, Refts on his mighty Hand. II. Immortal Glory forms his Throne,
And Light his awful Robe ; Whilft with a Smile, or with a Frown, He manages the Globe.
iir.
A Word of his Almighty Breath
Can fwell or fink the Seas ; - - Build the vaft Empires of the Earth,
Or break them as he pleafe,.
IV. -■■"_ .;
Adoring Angel's round him fall
In all their Alining Forms,." ' :
His fovereign Eye looks thro' them all;,
And pities mortal Worms.. V.. His Bowels, to our worthlefs Race, • "
In fweet Companion move ; He cloaths his Looks with fofteft Grace,
And takes his Title, Love. VI. Now let the Lord for ever reign,
And fway us as he will, Sick, or in Health, in Eafe, or Pain,
We are his Favourites fall,
VXL
60 L T R I C P 0 E M S. Book I,
VII. No more fliall peevifh Paflion rife, •
The Tongue no more complain ; ?Tis fovereign Love that lends our Joys,
And Love refumes again.
The Law and GofpeL
" f^i U R S T be the Man, for ever curft, \^j M, That doth one wilful Sin commit ; " Death and Damnation for the Firfc, " Without Relief and Infinite.
II. Thus Sinai roars ; and round the Earth Thunder, and Fire, and Vengeance flings ; But JESUS, thy dear gafping Breath, And Calvary, fay gentler Things.
III. *l Pardon, and Grace, and boundlefs Love, ** Streaming along a Saviour's Blood, *' And Life and Joys, and Crowns above, *l Dear-purchas'd by a bleeding God.
IV. Hark, how he prays, (the charming Sound Dwells on his dying Lips) Forgive ; And every Groan, and gaping Wound, Cries, " Father, let the Rebels live.
V. Go, you that reft upon the Law, And toil, and feek Salvation there, Look to the Flames that Mofes faw, And fhrink, and tremble, and defpair.
VL But I'll retire beneath the Crofs, Saviour, at thy dear Feet I lie ; And the keen Sword that Juftice draws, Flaming and red, fhall pafs me by.
Seeking
Sacred to Devotion, &c, 6i
Seeking a divine Cahn in a reftlefs World,
0 Mens, quae ftabili fata Regis vice, &c.
Cafmire Book III. Od. 28. I.
ETERNAL Mind, who rul'ft the Fates Of eying Realms, and riling States, With one anchang'd Decree, While we admire thy vail Affairs, Say, can our little trifling Cares Afford a Smile to thee r
II. Thou fcatterefl: Honours, Crowns and Gold ; We fly to feize, and fight to hold
The Bubbles and the Oar : So Emmets itruggle for a Grain ; So Boys their petty Wars maintain For Shells upon the Shore.
m.
Here a vain Man his Scepter breaks, The next a broken Scepter takes,
And Warriors win and lofe ; This rolling World will never ftand, Plunder'd and fnatch'd from Hand to Hand,
As Power decays or grov-s. •
• IV' Earth's but an Atom : Greedy Swords
Carve it amongil a thoufand Lords,
And yet they can't agree :
Let greedy Swords Hill fight and flay,
1 can be poor ; but Lord, I pray To fit and fmile with thee.
#$$**$«**-$*'*$*-# * ^ # •& £ * Happy Frailty. I. " T T O W -meanly dwells th' Immortal Mind I
JTjL " How vile thefe Bodies are ! " Why was a Clod of Earth defign'd " T' euclofe. a heaVenly Star I
II.
62 L TR I C POEMS, Book I..
IL
" Weak Cottage where our Souls refide 1
" This Flefh a tott'ring Wall ; M With frightful Breaches gaping wide
" The Building bends to fall. III. " All round it Storms of Trouble blow, * " And Waves of Sorrow roll ; " Coid Wave* and Winter Storms beat through,.
" And pain the Tenant-Soul. IV. " Alas ! how frail our State !" faid I ;
And thus went mourning on, Tili hidden from the cleaving Sky
A Gleam of Glory fhone. V My Soul all felt the Glory come,
And breath'd her Native Air ; Then (he remember'd Heaven her Home,
And ihe a Prifoner here.
VI. Straight (he began to change her Key*
And joyful in her Pains, She fung the Frailty of her Clay
In pleafurable Strains.
VII. u How weak the Pris'n is wnere I dwell t
" Flefh but a tottering Wall, A< The Breaches chearfuliy foretell
" The Houfe mult fnortlv fall. VIII. M No more, my Friends, mail I complain*
" Tho' all my Heart-ftnngs ake ; «* Welcome Difeafe, and every Pain,
" That makes the Cottage make. IX. " Now let the Temper* blovv all round,
** Now fwell the Surges high, «* And beat this Houfe of Bondage dowi>5
" To kc the Stranger fly.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 63
X.
I have a Manfion built above
" By the Eternal Hanxi ; «« And fliould the Earth's old Bails move*
gi My Heay'nly Houfe muft ftand*. XI. f* Yes, for 'tis there my Saviour reigns>
** (I long to fee the God) ** And his immortal Strength fuftains
" The Courts that colt him BI00.&
xir.
Hark, from on high my Saviour calls *
" I come my Lord, my Love :" Devotion breaks the Prifon-Walls,,
And fpeeds my laft Remove*
Launching hits Eternity. T was a brave Attempt ! adventurous He,
1
Who in the firil Ship broke the unknown Sea:. And leaving his dear native Shores behind*. Trufted his Eife to the licentious Wind'. 1 fee the furging Brine : the Tempe ft raves .- He on a Pine- Plank rides acrofs the Waves, Exulting on the Edge of thoufand gaping Graves : He fteers the winged Beat, and (hifts the Sails,, Conquers the Flood, and manages the Gales.
Such is the Soul that leaves this- mortal Land Fearlefs when the great Mafter gives Command.. Death is the Storm, ; She fmiles to heaF it roar, And bids the Tempeir, waft her from the Shore ;; Then with a fkilful Helm ihe fweeps the Seas, And manages the raging Storm with Eafe; (Her Faith can govern. Death) ihe fpreads her Wings Wide to the Wind, and as me fails fne tings* And lofes by Degrees the fight of mortal Things. As the Shores leifen, To her Joys arife, The Waves roll gentler, and the Tempeft dies, Now vaft Eternity fills, aii her Sight, She floats on the broad Deep with infinite Delight,. TJie Seas for ever calm, the Skies for ever bright.
A Profpsgt
\
64 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
A Profptfi of the Refurreftion.
I.
HO W long mail Death the Tyrant reign And triumph o'er the juii, While the rich Bl.-od of ".Viunyrs flain Lies mingled with the Luft ? II. When fhall the teaious Night he gone ?
When will : ur Loud appear? Our fond xJ^.i res w'i uld pray him down, Our Love embrace him here. III. Let Faith arife and climb the Hills,
And from afar defcry How diftant are his Chariot- Wheels, And tell how fall thev fly. IV. Lo, I behold the featuring Shades,
The Dawn of Heav'n appears, The fweet immortal Morning fpreads Its Blulhes round the Spheres. V. I fee the Lord of Glory come,
And flaming Guards around : The Skies divide to make him Room, The Trumpet makes the Ground. VI. I hear the Voice, Te dead arife,
And lo, the Graves obey, And waking baints with joyful Eyes Salute th' expe&ed Day.
VII. They leave the Dud, and on the Wing
Rife to the middle Air, In Ihining Garments meet their Kfing, And low adore him there. VIII. O may my humble Spirit Hand Amongit them cloth'd in White !
The
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 65
The meaneft Place at his Right Hand
Is iniinke Delight.
IX. How will our Joy and Wonder rife,
When our returning King Shall bear us homeward thro' the Skies
On Loves triumphant Wing !
.#########■############
Ad Dominion No/frUm ■'& Servitor em
JESUM CHRISTUM.
O'D A.
I
TE, grande Numen, Corporis Incola, Te, magna magni Progenies Pairis, Nomen verendum noftri J E S U Vox, Cicharas, Calami fonabunt. U. Aptentur auro grandifonae fides, CHRIST I Triumphps incipe Barbite, Fraclofque terrores Averts,
Vi&um Erehum, domitamque Mortem. III. Immenfa vaftos Aecula circulos Volvers, blando dum Patris in finu Toto fruebatur JEHOVAH Guadia mille bibens JESUS', IV. Donee fuperno vidit ab ^Ethere Adam cadentem, Tartara hiantia, Unaque mergendos ruina
Heu nimium miferos Nepotes :
¥:
Vidit minaces Vindicis Angeli Ignes & Enfem, Telaque Sanguine Tingenda noitro, dum rapinse Spe fremuere Erobcea Monftra. VI. Commota facras Viicera portinus Sensere fiammas, Omnipotens furor Ebullit, Immenfique Amoris iEthereum calet Igne Pe&us.
VII,
66 L r R 1 C P 0 E M S, Book fl
VII. " Non tota prorfus Gens Hominum dabit 4< Hofti Triumphos : Quid Patris & Labor 4i Dulcifque Imago r nam puribunt M Funditus ? O prius Aftra caecis. VIII. ■• Mergantur Undis, & redeat Chaos : •' Aut ipfe difperdam Satance dolos, " Aut ipfe difperdar, & ifti
" Sceptra dabo moderanda dextras. IX. •« Tefior paternum Numen, & hoc Caput «* Equate teftor, dixit ; & vEtheria Inclinat ingecs culmen, ako Ddilitque ruens Olympo. X. Mortale corpus impiger induit Artufque noilros, heu tenues nimil Nemifque viles ! Vinpicique Cor da dedit fodienda Ferro. XI. Vitamque Morti ; Proh dolor ! O graves 'Tona-ndis Irae ! O Lex fatis afpera ! Mercefque Peccati fevera Adamici, vetitique truclus. XII. Non Poena lenis ! Quo ruis impotens ! Quo Mufa ! largas fundere lachrymas, Buftique Divini triumphos Sacrilcgo temerare rletu ? XIII. Sepone queflus, la^ta Deum cane Majore Chorda. Pfalle fonorius Ut ferreas Mortis cavernas Et rigidam penetravit Aulam. XIV. Senfere Numen Regna feralia, Mugit Barathrum, contremuit Chaos, Dirum t'remebat Rex Gebenneey Perqae fuum tremebundus Orcum.
XV.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 6^
XV.
Late refuglt. " Nil agis Impie, Mergat vel imis te Phlegethon vadis, " Hoc findet undas Fulmen, inqui£, Et patrios jacuiatus ignes. XVI.
Trajecit hoftem. Nigra filentia Umbrasque flammas ^Ethereas pavent Dudum perofa;, ex quo corufcq Pra?cipites cecidere Ccelo.
xvn.
Tmmane rugit jam Tonitru ; fragor Late ruinam mandat : ab inrimis Le&aque defignata Genti Tartara disjiciuntur antris. XVIII. Heic ftrata paffim Vincula, & heic ja'cent Unci cruenti, Tormina Mentium Invifa ; ploratuque vaflo
Spicula Mors iibi adempta plangit, XIX. En, ut refurgit Vidlor ab ultimo Ditis profundo, curribus aureis A&ridta raptans Monftra no&is Perdomitumque Erebi Tyrannum, XX. Quanta Angelorum gaudia jubilant Victor pater num dum repetit polum ? En qualis ardet, dum beati
Limina fcandit Ovans Olympi ! XXI. Io triumphe pleclra Seraphica, h triumphe Grex Hominum fonet, Dum iaeta quaquaverfus ambos Arlra repercutiant Triumphos.
Sui-ipftus Increpatlo* EPIG R A M M A.
CORP ORE cur haeres, Wattfi? cur Incola Terra? Quid cupis indignum, Mens habha/e lutmn I
TV
68 LYRIC POEMS, Book I
Te Caro mille malis premit; hinc juvenes gravat artus
Languor, & hinc vegetus crimina languis alit. Cura, Amor, Ira, Dolor mentem male diltrahit ; Auceps
Undique adeft Satanas retiafasva ftruens. Sufpice ut ^Ethcrtrum fignant tibi nutibus Afira
Tramitem, & Aula vocat parta Cruore Dei. Te manet Uriel dux ; & tibi iubjicit alas
Stellatas Seraphin officiufa cohors. Te Superum Chorus optac amans, te invitat J E S US,
" Hue ades and noflro tempora conde iinu. Vere amat ille Latum quern nee Dolor aut Saixn aVcet
Itide, nee aliiciunt Angelus, Aitra, Deus. •
Excitatlo Cordis Calum roerfui,
1 69 J
HE U quot secla teris carcere Corporis, Wattji? quid refugis Limen & Exitum ? Nee Mens JE there um Cuimcn, and Atria
Magni Patris anhelitat ? Corpus vile creat mille Moleitias, Circum Corda volant & Dolor, & Metus, Peccatumque malis durius, omnibus
Caecas Infidias ftruit. Non hoc grata tibi Gaudia de folo Surgunt : Christus abefl, de licks tuas, Longe Christus abeit, inter & Angelos
Et picta afira perambulaus. * Ceeli fumma/fto, nee jacuJabitur. Iracunda tonans fulmina : Te Deus Hortatur ; Vacuum tende per Aera
Ptnna s nunc homini datas. * Fide H-orat. Lib. I. Od. 3,
Breathing toward the Heavenly Country,
Cafemire, Book I. Od. 19. imitated.
Urit me Patriot Decor, &c.
TH E Beauty of my native Land Immortal Love infpires ; ' I burn, I burn with irrong Defires, And figh, and wait the high Command. There glides the Moon -her fhining Way, And moots my Heart thro' with a Silver Ray,
Upward
Sacred to Devotion, &cy 69
Upward my Heart afpires : A thoufand Lamps of golden Light Hung high, in vaulted Azure, charm my Sight, \nd wink and beckon with their amorous Fires, 3 ye fair Glories of my heavenly Home, Bright Centinels who guard my Father's Court, Where all the happy Minds refort, When will my Father's Chariot come ? Vluft ye for ever walk the Ethereal Round, For ever fee the Mourner lie An Exile of the Sky, A Prifoner of the Ground ? Defcend fome mining Servants from on high, Bu;ld me a hafty Tomb ; A grafly Turf will raife my Head ; The neighbouring Lillies drefs my Bed ;
And med a cheap Perfume. Here I put off the Chains of Death,
My Soul too long has worn : Friends, I forbid one groaning Breath,
Or Tear to wet my Urn ; Raphael, behold me all undreft, Here gently lay this Flefh to reft ; Then mount, and lead the Path unknown, Swift I purfue thee, flaming Guide, on Pinions of myowi3»
Cafimiri Epigramma 100.
[n Sanctum Ardaliomm qui ex Mimo Chriflianut faclus Martyrium paflus eft.
AR D A L I O Jacros deridit carmine Ritust Fe/taque non aqua --voce Tbeatra quatip, Audit t Omnipotens ; " Non eft opus, inquit, hiidco " Fu'minc ; tarn ' facile;/), Gratia, <vince Virym, Dgferit ilia Polos', lB dsjerit rjie The at rum,
%Et ter'ei'i jatrwn voi-vit in Erife -Saput. f,^Sic,Jzc, 2 n quit, abn nojlra ComaeaiaVita \ '. *' Terra vale, Caelum pi aude, Tjranne feri;
Engli&cd.
7o LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
Englifhed.
On Saint Ardalio, who from a Stage-Player became a Cbri/iian, and fuffered Martyrdom,
/IRD ALIO jeers, and in his Comick Strains The Myfteries of a bleeding God profanes While his loud Laughter fhakes the painted Scenes.
11. Heaven heard, and ftrait around the fmoaking Throne The kindling Lightning in thick Flames fhone, And vengeful Thunder muimur'd to be gone.
Mercy flood near, and with a fmiling Brow
Calm'd the loud Thunder ; " There's no need of you ;
•* Grace fhall defend, and the weak Man fubdue.
IV. Grace leaves the Skies, and he the Stage forfakes, He bows his Head down to the Martyring Ax, And as he bows, this gentle Farewel fpeaks i
u So goes the Comedy of Life away ;
'* Vain Eaith, adieu ; Heaven will applaud to Day;
" Strike Courteous Tyrant, and conclude the Play.
When the Protejlant Church at Montpelier was demo- HJhed by the French King's Order, the Protejtants laid Stones up in their Burying-place, whereon a yefuit made a Latin Epigram,
Englifhed thus :
A Hug' not Church, once, at Montpelier built, Stood ana proclaim'd their Madnefs and their Guilt ; Too long it flood beneath Heaven's angry Frown, Worthy when rifiag to be thundefd down. Leiuisy at laft, th' Avenger of the C-tkies, Commands, and level with the Ground it lies : The Stones difpers'd, their wretched Offspring come, Gather, and heap them on their Father's Tomb. Thus the curs'd Houfe falls on the builder's Head : And tho' beneath the Ground their b ncs art laid, Yet the jutt Vengeance (tfll purfues the guilty Dead
Tbt
\
I
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 71
The Anjwer by a French Proteflant, Englifhed thus :
AChriftian Church once at Montpelier flood, And nobly fpoke the Builder's Zeal for G 0 d. x flood the Envy of the fierce Dragoon, 3ut not deferv'd to be deflroy'd fo foon^ ret Lewis, the wild Tyrant of the Age, Tears down the Walls, a Viclim to his Rage, /oung faithful Hands pile up the facred Stones 'Dear Monument !) o'er their dead Father's Bones ; The Stones fhall move when the dead Father's rife, ?tart up before the pale Deilroyer's Eyes, And teftify his Madnefs to th' avenging Skies.
Two htppy Rivals, Devotion and the Mufe.
WILD as the Lightning, various as the Moon, Roves my Pindaric Song : I Here me glows like burning Noon j In fiercer! Flames, and here fhe plays (Gentle as Star-beams on the Midnight Seas ; Now in a fmiling Angel's Form, Anon me rides upon the Storm, Loud as the noify Thunder, as a Deluge flrong. Are my Thoughts and Wiihes free, And know no number nor Degree? * •
Such is the Mufe : Lo ihe difdains
The Links and Chains, Meafures and Rules of vulgar Strains And o'er the Laws of Harmony aSovereignQueen me reigns, II. If fhe roves By ltrearos or Groves Tuning her Pleafures or her Pains, My ParTion keeps her ftill in Sight, My Pa&on holds an equal Flight Thro' Love's, or Nature's wide Campaigns. If with bold Attempt me fings Of the biggeft mortal Things, Tottering Thrones and Nations flain ; Qr breaks r, he Fleets of warring Kings,
72 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
While Thunders roar From Shore to Shore, My Soul fits fail upon her Wings, And fweeps the crimfon Surge, or fcours the purple Plain J
Still I atrend her as (he flies. Round the broad Globe, and all beneath the Skies. III. But when from the Meridian Star
Long Streaks of Glory fhine, And Heaven invites her from afar, She takes the Hint (he kncws the Sign, The Mufe afcends her heavenly Carr, And climbs the fteepy Path and means the Throne divine. Then fhe leaves my flutt'ring Mind Clogg'd with Clay, and uurerin'd, Lengths of Diftance far behind : Virtue lags with heavy W^.eel ; Faith has Wings, but cannot rife, Cannot rife,— Swift and high As the winged Numbers fly, And faint Devotion panting lies Halfway th'Etherial Hill. IV. O why is Piety fo weak,
And yet the Mufe fo ltrong ? When (hall thefe hateful Fetters break
That have conhVd me long ? Inward a glowing Heat 1 feel, A Spark of heav'nly Day ; But earthly Vapours damp my Zeal, And heavy Flefh drags me the downward Way.
Faint are the Efforts of my Will, And mortal Paffion charms my Soul aftray. Shiue thou fweet hour of dear Releafe, Shine from the Sky, And call me high To mingle with the Choirs of Glory and of Blifs. Devotion there beg:ns the Flight, Awakes the Song, and guides the Way ; There Love and Zeal divine and bright Trace out new Regions in the World of Light, And fcaice the boldeit Mule can follow or ©bey.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 73
I'm in a Dream, and fancy reigns, She fp reads her gay delufive Scenes ;
Or is the Viiion true ? Behold Religion on her Throne,
In awful State defcending down, (View.
And her Dominions vail and bright within my fpacious She fmiles, and with a courteous Hand
She beckons jne away ; J feel mine airy Powers loofe from the cumbrous Clay, And with a joyful hafte obey
Religion's high Command. What Lengths and Heights and Depths unknown ! Broad Fields and blooming Glory fown, And Seas, and Skies, and Stars her own,
In an unmeafur'd Sphere I What Heavens of joy, and Light ferene* Which nor the rolling Sun has feen, Where nor the roving Mufe has been
That greater Traveller !
VI.
A long Farewell to all below, Farewell to all that Senfe can mow. To golden Scenes, and flow'ry Fields, To all the Worlds that Fancy builds,
And all that Poets know. Now the fwift Tranfports of the Mind
Leave the fluttering Mufe behind, (Wind.
A thoufand loofe Pindaric Plumes fly featuring down the Among the Clouds I lofe my Breath,
The Rapture grows too ftrong : The feeble Pow'rs that Nature gave Faint and drop downward to the Grave ; Receive their Fail, thou Treafurer of Death 5 I will no more demand my Tongue, Till the grofs Organ well refin'd Can trace the boundlefs Flights of an unfetter'd Mind, And raife an equal Song.
E The
74 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
m * # # # # # #######***####
The following Poems of this Book are peculiarly de^ dicaiedto Divine Love*.
The Hazard of loving the Creatures, I.
WKERE-E'ER my nVa'ring Paftons rove 1 find a lurking Snarei 'Tis dangerous to let loofe our Love Beneath th* Eternal F^ir.
II. Souls whom the Tye of Frindfhip binds,
And Partners of our Blood, Seize a large Portion of our Minds, And leave the lefs for God, III. Nature has foft but powerful Bands,
And Realon fhe controuls ; While Children with their little Hands Hang clofeit to our Souls. IV. Thoughtlefs they act th' old Serpent's Part ;
What tempting' Things they be ! Lord, how thty twine about our Heart, And draw it off from thee ! V. Cur hafty Wills rufh blincly on
Where riling Paffion rolls, And thus we make our Fitters itrcng To bind our flaviflj 6oulsP
VI. Dear Sovereign, break thefe Fetters off,
And let our Spirits free ; God in himfelf is Blii's enough, For wc have all in Thee.
Deftring
* Different Ays have their different AH and Fajbions of Wri-
It nuas much nore the Fajbion oj the A%e% when thefe Po-
tftti -.'..'•. ■'.:•>. en, to trea^Jpf Divine Subjects in the Style of
feo mon's Song than it is at this Da\> which will afford
fume Apol he Writ;*:, in hisyoungeft Years.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 75
* $ * * * * *.* *"#"# * * **#*^&*&
Defiring to love Christ.
I.
COME, let me love : or is thy Mind Harden'd to Stone, or froze to Ice * I fee the bleiTed Fair One bend And Hoop t' embrace me from the Skies ! II.
0 ! 'tis a Thought would melt a Rock, And make a Heart of Iron move,
That thofe fvveet Lips, that heavenly Look, Should feek and wifh a mortal Love ! III.
1 was a Traitor doom'd to Fire, Bound to fuftain Eternal Pains ;
He flew on Wj&gs of flrong Defire, Affum'd my Guilt, and took my Chains.
IV. Infinite Grace ! Almighty Charms ! Stand in Amaze, ye whirling Skies, J E $ U S the God, with naked Arms, Hangs on a CrOfs of Love, and dies.
V. Did Pity ever ftoop fo low, Drefs'd in Divinity 'and Blood ? Was ever Rebel courted fo In Groans of an expiring God ?
VI. Again he lives ; and fpreads his Hands, Hands that were naii'd to tott'ring Smart; By tbefe dear Wounds, fays he ; and itands And prays to clafp me to his Heart.
VII. Sure I mult love ; or are my Ears Still deaf, nor will my Paffion move ? Thea let me melt this Heart to Tears ; This Heart lhall yield to Death or Love.
*Ihe Heart given away, I.
IF there are Paffion s in my Soul, (And Paffions fure they be)
E 2 Now
76 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
Now they are all at thy Comroul, My JESUS, all for Thee. II. If Love, that pleafmg Po^er, ca& reft
In Hearts To hard as mine, Come, gentle Saviour, to my Breail, For all my Love is thine. III. Let the gay World, with treacherous Art,
Allure my Eyes in vain : I ha-e convey'd away my Heart, Ne'er to return again.
IV. I feel my warmeft Paffions dead
To all that Earth can boaft ; This Soul of mine was never made For Vanity and Dull.
V. Now I can fix my Thoughts above,
Amidfl: their ftett'ring Charms, 'Till the dear Lord that hath my Love Shall Call me to his Arms. VI, So Gabriel, at his King's Command,
From yon Celeflkl Hill, Walks downward to our worthlefs Land, His Soul points upward frill. VII. He glides along my mortal Things,
Without a Thought of Lcve, Fulfils his Talk, and fpreads his Wings re' the R- Ifns ebove
/Meditation in a Grove. 1.
SWEET Mufe, defcend and blefs the Shade, And hlei's the Evening Grove ; Bufinefs, and Noife, and Day are lied, Ajvd every Care, but Love. JI But hence, ye wanton Young and Fair, Mine h a purer Flame ;
No
Sacred to DsvotlON, &c* J J
No Phillis {hall infeft the Air,
With her unhallowed Name. III. JESUS has all my Powers poiTeft,
My Hopes, my Fears, my Joys : He, the dear Sovereign of my Breaft,
Shall Hill command my Voice. IV. Some of the faireft Choirs above
Shall flock around my Song, With Joy to hear the Name they love
Sound from a mortal Tongue. V. His Charms fhall make my Numbers nWj
And hold the falling Floods, While Silence fits on every Bough,
And bends the lift'ning Woods. VI. I'll carve our FafTion on the Bark,
And every wounded Tree Shall drop and bear fome myitic Mark
That JESUS' dy'd for me. VII. The Swains mall wonder wAen they read,
Infcrib'd on all the Grove, That Heaven itfelf came down, and bled
To win a Mortal's Love.
The Faivejl and the Only Beloved, I.
HONOUR to that diviner Ray That firft allur'd my Eyes away From every mortal Fair ; All the gay Things that held my Sight Seem but the twinkling Sparks of Night, And languishing in doubtful Light Die at the Morning-Star.
II. Whatever fpeaks the Godhead great, And fit to be ador'd,
E 3 Whatever
78 LYRIC POEM Sy Book I,
Whatever makes the Creature fweet, And worthy of my Pafiion, meet
Hnrmonius in my Lord. A thousand Graces ever rife
And bloom upon his Face ;
A thoufand Arrows from his Eyes
Shoot thro' my Heart with dear Surprize,
And guard around the Place.
III.
All Nature's Art mail never cure
The heavenly Pains I found, And 'tis beyond all Beauty's Power To make another Wound : Earthly Beauties grow and fade ; Nature heals the Wounds fhe made, But Charms fo much divine Hold a long Empire of the Heart ; What Heaven has join'd fhall never part, And JESUS muft be mine. IV. In vain the envious Shades of Night,
Or Flatteries of the Day WTould veil his Image from my Sight,
Or tempt my Soul away ; J E S V S is all my waking Theme, His lovely Form meets every Dream And knows not to depart : The Pailion reigns Thro' all my Veins, And floating round the crimfon Stream* Still finds him at my Heart. V. Dwell there, for ever dwell, my Love ;
Here I confine my Senfe ; Nor dare my wildeft Wilhes rove
Nor ftir a Thought from thence. Amidit- thy Glories and thy Grace Let all my Remnant-Minutes pafs ; Grant, thou Everlasting Fair, Grant my Soul a Manfion there : My Soul afpires to fee thy Face Tho' Life fhou'd for the Vifion pay ;
Sacred to Devotion, &c» > 79
So Rivers run to meet the Sea,
And lofe their Nature in th' Embrace.
VI. Thou art my Ocean, thou my God; In Thee the Paifions of the Mind With Joys and Freedom unconnVd Exult, and fpread their Powers abroad, Not all the glittering Things on high Can make my Heaven, if thou remove ; I mall be tir'd and long to die ; Life is a Pain without thy Love ;
Who could ever bear to be
Curft with Immortality Among the Stars, but far from Thee ?
Mutual Love Jironger than Death* I.
NO T the rich World of Minds abovs Can pay the mighty Debt of Lovs I owe to Christ my God : With Pangs which none but he could feel He brought my guilty Soul from Hell : Not the firif Seraph's Tongue can tell The Value of his Blood.
II. kindly he feiz'd me in his Arms, From the falfe World's pernicious Charms
With Force divinely fvveet. Had I ten thoufand Lives my own, At his Demand, With chearful Hand, I'd pay the vital Treafure down In hourly Tributes at his Feet.
III. But Saviour, let me tafte thy Grace
With every fleeting Breath ? And thro' that Heaven of Pleafure pafs
To the cold Arms of Death ; Then I could lofe fucceffive Souls
Faft as the Minutes fly ; So Billow after Billow rolls To kifs the Shore, and die.
n$
to LT R I C POEMS, BookL
The Sub/lance of the following Copy, and many of tht Lines, were fent me by an efiee?ned Friend, Mr. W. Nokes, with a Defire that I would form them into a Pindaric Ode ; but I retain* d his Meafures, leji I Jhould too much alter his Sen/e,
A Sight c/Christ.
ANGELS of Light, your God and King furround With noble Songs ; in his exalted Flefh He claims your Worfhip ; while his Saints on Earth, Blefs their Redeemer -God with humble Tongues. Angels with lofty Honours crown his Head ; We bowing at his Feet, by Faith, may feel His diftant Influence, and confefs his Love.
Once I beheld his Face, when Beams divine Broke from his Eye lids, an unufual Light Wrapt me at once in Glory and Surprize. My joyful Heart high leaping in my Breaft With Tranfport cry'd, This is the Christ of Got) ; Then threw my Arms around in fweet Embrace, And clafp'd, and bow'd adoring low, till I was loft in him.
While he appears, no other Charms can hold Or draw my Soul, aftiam'd of former Things, Which no Remembrance now deferve or Name, Tho' which Contempt ; bell in Oblivion hid.
But the bright Shine and Prefence foon withdrew ; I fought him whom I love, but found him not ; I felt his Abfence | and with ftrongeft Cries Proclaimed, Where JESUS is not, all is vain. Whether I hold him with a full Delight, Or feek him panting with extreme Defire, *Tis he alone can pleafe my wondVing Soul °T To hold or feek him is my only Choice. If he refrain on me to caft his Eye Down from his Palace, nor my longing Soul
With
Sacred to DevGTION, &c, 8l
With upward Look can fpy my deareft Lord Thro' his blue Pavement, I'll behold him Hill With fweet Reflection on the peaceful Crofs, All in his Blood and Anguiih groaning deep,
Gafping and dying there ; ■■
This Sight I ne'er can lofe, by it I live : A quick'ning Virtue from his Death infpir'd Is Life and Breath to me ; his Flelh my Food j His vital Blood I drink, and hence my Strength.
I live, I'm ftrong, and now Eternal Life Beats quick within my Breaft ; my vigorous Mind Spurns the dull Earth, and on her fiery Wing$ Reaches the Mount of Purpofes Divine, Councils of Peace betwixt th' Almighty Three Conceiv'd at once,, and iign'd without Debate, •In perfecl Union of th' Eternal Mind With vafl Amaze I fee the unfathom'd Thoughts, Infinite Schemes, and infinite Deiigns Of God's own Heart, in which he ever reits. Eternity lies open to my View ; Here the Beginning and the End of all I can difcover ; CHRIST the End of all,. . And CHRIST the great Beginning ; he my Head;, My God, my Glory, and my All m All.
O that the Day, the joyful Day were come, When the firft Adam from his ancient Dull Crown'd with new Honours fnall revive, and fee JESUS his Son and Lord ; while fhouting Saints Surround their King, and God's Eternal Son Shines in the midft, but with fuperior Beams,/ And like himfelf ; then the myiterious Word Long hid behind the Letter fhall appear- All Spirit and Life, and in the tulieit Light Stand forth to publick View ; and there difcloie His Fathers facred Works, and wondrous Ways : Then Wifoom, Righteoufnefs and Grace divine, Thro' all the infinite Tratifa&ions paft, Inwrought and mining-, fljail with double Blaze Strike our aftc-nifh'd Eyes, and ever reign Admir'd and glorious in triumphant Light.
1 Peatrv
82 LTRIC POEMS, Book I.
Death, and the Tempter, and the Man of Sin Now at the Bar arraign'd, in Judgment cart, Shall vex the Saints no more : but perfect Love And loudeft Praifes perfect Joy create, While ever-circling Years maintain the blifsful State. *
Love on a Crofs, and a Throne.
L
NOW let my Faith grow ftrong, aad rife,. And view my Lord in all his Love ; Look back to hear his dying Cries, Then mount and fee his Throne above.
II. See where he languifh'd on the Crofs ; Beneath my Sins he groan'd and dy'd ; See where he fits to plead my Caufe By his Almighty Father's Side.
If I behold his bleeding Heart, There Love in Floods of Sorrow reigns, He triumphs o'er the killing Smart, And buys my Pleafure with his Pains.
IV. Or if I climb th' Eternal Hills Where the dear Conqueror fits enthron'd.*, Still in his Heart Companion dwells> Near the Memorials of his Wound.
V. How ihall a pardon'd Rebel mow How much I love my dying God? Lord, here I banifh every Foe, I hate the Sins that coil: thy Blood.
VI. 3 hold no more Commerce with Hell, My deareft Lulls ihall all depart j But let thine Image ever dwell 6tampt as a Seal upon my Heart.
A Preparatory
Sacred to Devotion, Sec, 83
######### # # ########## .// Preparatory Thought for the Lord's- Supper \
In Imitation of Ifaiah, lxiii, i, 2, 3.
WHAT heavenly Man, or lovely God, Comes marching downward from the Skies, Array'd in Garments roll'd in Blood, With Joy and Psty in his Eyes.
The Lord 1 the Saviour ! yes, 'tis he, I know him by the Smiles he wares ; Dear glorious Man that dy'd for me, Drench'd deep in Agonies and Tears I
III. Lo, he reveals his mining Breaft ; I own thofe Wounds, and I adore : Lo, he prepares a royal Feaft, Sweet Fruit of the fharp Pangs he bore I
IV. "Whence flow thefe Favours fo divine ! Lord ! why fo lavifh of thy blood ? Why for fuch Earthly Souls as mine, This heavenly Fleih, this facred Food ?
V. Twas his own Love that made him bleed, That nail'd him to the curfed Tree ; *Twas his own Love this Table fpread For fuch unworthy Worms as we.
VL. Then let us tafle the Saviour's Love, Come, Faith, and feed upon the Lord : With glad Conient our Lips mail move And fvveet Hofannas crown the Board.
Converje with Christ, I.
I'M tir'd with Vifits, Modes, and Forms, And Flatteries paid to Fellow- Worms ; Their. CciiVeriation cloys ; Their vain Amours, and em ty Stuff: But I can ne'er enjoy enough Of th/ bsil Company, my Lord, thou Life of iU my Joys,
84 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
II.
When he begins to tell his Love, Through every Vein my Paffions move*
The Captives of his Tongue : In midnight Shades on frofty Ground, I could attend the pleafing Sound, (l°ng--
Nor mould I feel December cold, nor think the Darkneis
III. There, while I hear my Saviour-God Count o'er the Sins ( a heavy Load) He bore upon the Tree, Inward I bluftt with fecret Shame, And weep, and love, and blefs the Name (me.
That knew not Guilt nor Grief his own, but bare it all for IV. Next he defcribes the Thorns he wore, And talks his bloody Paffion o'er,
Ti!l I am drown'd in Tears ; Yet with the Sympathetic Smart There's a ftrange Joy beats round my Heart ; ThecurfedTree has Bleflings in't, my fvveeteit Balm it bears. V. I hear the glorious Sufferer tell, How on his Grofs. he vanquifh'd Hell,
And all the Powers beneath : Tranfported and infpir'd, my Tongue Attempts his Triumphs in a Song; (Death*
HorJO has the Serpent Ujl his Sting, and <whereys thy Vittory* VI. But when he (hews his Hands and Heart, With thofe dear Prints of dying Smart,.
He fets my Soul on Fire : Not the beloved John could reft With more delight upon that Breaft, NorThomas pry into thofe Wounds with more intenfeDefire, VII. Kindly he opens me his Ear, And bids me pour my Sorrow there,
Arid tell him all my Pains : Thus while I eafe my burden'd Heart, In every Woe he bears a Part, • (fuftains.
His Arms embrace me, and his Hand my drooping Head
VIII, /
Sacred to Devotion', &c Sj
VIII.
Fly from my Thoughts, all human Things, And fporting Swains,, and fighting Kings, And Tales of wanton Love :
My Soul difdains that little Snare
The Tangles of Amira's Hair ; (remove,
Thine Arms my GoD.,are fweeter Bands, nor can my Heart
Grace Jhining^ and Nature fainting,
Sol. Song i. 3. & il 5. h vi. 5...
I.
TELL me, fairert of thy Kind, Tell me Shepherd, all divine,. Where this fainting Head reclin'd IMay relieve fuch Cares as mine : Shepherd, lead me to thy Grove; If burning Noon infe£t the Sky The fick'ning Sheep to Covert fly, The Sheep not half fo faint as I, Thus overcome with Love, II,. Say, thoudear Sovereign of. my Breafl^. Where doil thou lead thy Flock to reft 1 Why fhould I appear like one Wild and wandring all alone, Unbeloved and unknown ? O my Great Redeemer,- fay,.. Shall I turn my Feet altray !. Will JESUS bear to fee me rove*- To fee me feek another Love ? HI. Ne'er had I known his deareft.Name,, Ne'er had I felt his inward Flame, Had not his Heart-ftrings firft began the tender Sound ; Nor can I bear the Thought, that He Shou'd leave the Sky, Shou'd bleed and die, Should love a Wretch fo vile as me Without Returns of Paflion for his dying Wound,
IV.
86 L TR I C P O E M S, Book I.
IV.
His Eyes are Glory mix'd with Grace ; In hk Delightful awful Face Sits Majefty and Gentlenefs. So tender is my bleeding Heart That with a Frown he kills ; His Abfence in perpetual Smart Nor is my Soul refin'd enough To bear the Beaming of his Love,.
And feel his warmer Smiles. Where (hall I reft this drooping Head ? ' I love, I love the Sun, and yet I want the Shade,. V. My finking Spirits feebly ftrive
T' endure the Extafy ; Eeneath thefe Rays I cannot live,.
And yet without them die. None knows the Pleafure and the Pain That all my inward Powers fuftain But fuch as fell a Saviour's Love, and love the God again*
VI. Oh why mould Beauty heavenly bright
Stoop to charm a Mortal's Sight, And torture with the fweet Excefs of Light ? Gur Hearts, alas ! how frail their Make ! With their own Weight of Joy they break, Oh why is Love fo ftrong, and Nature's felf Co weak 2? VII. Turn, turn away thine Eyes, Afcend the Azure Hills, and mine Among!! the happy Tenants of the Skies, They can fuftain a Vifion fo divine.
O turn thy lovely Glories from me, The Joys are too intenfe, the Glories overcome mfc. VIII. Dear Lord, forgive myralh Complaint, And love me ftill Againlt my froward Will ; Unvail thy Beauties, the/ I faint.
Send
Sacred to Devotion, &c 87
Send the great Herald from the Sky> And at the Trumpet's awful Roar This feeble State of Things fhaU fly,. And Pain and Pleafure mix no more t Then {hall I gaze with ilrengthned Sight On Glories infinitely bright, My Heart fhaU all be Love, my JESUS all Delight,
Love to Christ prejmt or abjtxL L
OF all the Joys we Mortals know, JESUS thy Love exceeds the reil % Love, the bell: Bleiilng here below,. And nearer* Image of the bleil.
II. Sweet are my Thoughts, and foft my Cares* When the Celeftial Flame I i'td ; In all my Hopes, and all my Fears, There's fome thing kind and pleaftng Hill,
III. While I am held in his Embrace There's not a Thought attemps to rove ^ Each Smile he wears upon his Face Fixes, and charms,, and fires my Love,.
IV. He fpeaks, and flrait immortal Joys Run thro' my Ears, and reach my Heart} My Soul all melts at that dear Voice, And Pleasure moots thro' every Part*
V.. If he withdraw a Moment's fpace, He leaves a facred Pledge behind ; Here in this Breaft his Image ftays, The Grief and Comfort of my Mind,
VI. While of his Abfence I complain, And long, and weep as Lovers do, There's a ilrange Pleafure in the Pain,. And Tears have their own Sweetnefs too,
Vffi
88 LYRIC POEMS, Book 1
VII. When round his Courts by Day I rove, Or afk the Watchmen of the Night For fome kind Tidings of my Love, His very Name creates i)elight.
VIIL. JESUS, my God; yet rather come ; Mine Eyes would dwell upon thy Face ; *Tis belt to fee my Lord at home, And feel the Prefence of his Grace.
The Abfence of Christ. L
COME, lead me to fome lofty Shades Where Turtles moan their Loves ; Tall Shadows were for Lovers made ; And Grief becomes the Groves. II. 'Tis no mean Beauty of the Ground- That has iniiav'd mine Eyes ; I faint beneath a nobler Wound,. Nor love below the Skies. III. JESUS, the Spring of all that's bright,.
The Everlalting Fair, Heaven's Ornament, and Heaven's Delight;. Is my Eternal Care.
IV. But, ah ! how far above this Grave Does the bright Charmer dwell? Abfence, thou keeneft Wound to Love? That fharpeft Pain,. I feel. V. Penfive I climb the facred Hills,
And near him vent my Woes; Yet his fweet Face he ftill conceals,. Yet ftill my Paflion grows. VI. I murmur to the hollow Vale, I tell the Rocks my Flame,
And
Sacred to Devotion, &c, %
And blefs the Eccho in her Cell
That beft repeats her Name. VII. My Paffion breathes perpetual Sighs,
Till pitying Winds mall hear, And gently bear them up the Skies,
And gently wound his Ear.
Dejiring his Defcent to Earth* I.
*2EWS, I love. Come, deareft Name, J Come and polTefs this Heart of mine j I love, tho' 'tis a fainter Flame, And infinitly lefs than thine, IL
0 ! if my Lord would leave the Skfes^ Dreft in the Rays of mildeii Grace,
My Soul mould haften to my Eyes To meet the Pleafures of his Face.
III. How would I feafl on all his Charms* Then round his lovely Feet entwine I Worihip and ho\c3 in all their Forms, Shou'd honour Beauty fo divine.
IV. In vain the Tempter's flatt'rmg Tongue, The World in vain mail bid me move, In vain ; for J mould gaze fo long Till I were all transform'd to Love.
V. Then (mighty God) I'd fmg and fay, *' What empty Names are Crowns and Kings ! " Amongft 'em give thefe Worlds away, *• Thefe little defpicable Things.-'
VI.
1 would not aflc to climb the Sky Nor envy Angels their Abode,
I have a Keav'n as bright and high- ly the bleil Vifion of my G <* u,-
AfarJiug
;o LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
Afcending to him in Heaven* I. >>~|""M S pure Delight, without Alloy,
J[ JESUS, to hear thy Name, My Spirit leaps with inward Joy, I feel the facred Flame.
II. My Pafiions hold a pleafing Reign,
While Love infpires my Breait, Love, the divineff of the Train, The Sovereign of the reft.
III. This is the Grace muft live and fing,
When Faith and Fear fhall ceaie, Muft found from every joyful String Thro' the fweet Groves of Biifs. IV. Let Life immortal feize my Clay ;
Let Love refine my Blood ; Her Flames can bear my Soul away, Can bring me near my God. V. Swift I afcend the heavenly Place,
And haften to my Home, I leap to meet thy kind Embrace, 1 com?, OLord, 1 come. VI. Sink down, ye fepararing Hills, Let Guilt and Death remove ; 'Tis Love that drives my Chariot- Wheels, And Death muft yield to Love.
The Prefence of G o d worth dying for ; Or, the Death of Mofes.
1.
LORD, 'tis an infinite Delight To let thy lovely Face, To ciweli vvhole Ages in thy Sight, And fcei thy vital Rays.
1 h,
Sacred to Devotion, &c> 9*
II;
"his Gabriel knows ; and rings thy Name
With Rapture on his Tongue ; \flcfes the Saint enjoys the fame,
And Heaven repeats the Song. III. While the bright Nation founds thy Praife
From each eternal Hill, Iweet Odours of exhaling Grace
The happy Region fill.
IV. Thy Love, a Sea without a Shore,
Spreads Life and Joy abroad : D 'tis a Heaven worth dying for
To fee a fmiling God!
Shew me thy Face, and I'll away
From all inferior Things ; . Speak Lord, and here I quit my Clay3
And ftretch my airy Wings. VI. Sweet was the Journey to the Sky
The wondrous Prophet try'd ; \Climb up the Mount, fays God, and die |
The Prophet climb'd and dy'd. VII. Softly his fainting Head he lay
Upon his Maker's Breaft, His Maker kifs'd his Soul away,
And laid his Flefh to reft.
VIII. In God's own Arms he left the Breath
That G o d's ewn Spirit gave ; His was the noble!* Road to Death,
And his the fweetefl Grave.
Long for his Return. I. 'TWAS a mournful parting Day ! Fare-ojel, my Spcufe, he fa id ; (How tedious, Lord, is thy Delay ! How long my Love hath ftaid !)
II,
92 LYRIC POEM St Book 1.
II.
Fareivel / at once he left the Ground,
And climb'd his Father's Sky ; Lord, I would tempt thy Chariot down,
Or leap to thee on high.
III. Round the Creation wild I rove,
And fearch the Globe in vain ; There's nothing here that's worth my Love
Till thou return again.
IV. My Paffions fly to feek their King,
Asd fend their Groans abroad, They beat the Air with heavy Wing,
And mourn an abfent God: V. With inward Pain my Heart-firings found,
My Soul difTolves away ; Dear Sovereign, whirl the Seafons round.
And bring the promis'd Day.
Hope in Darknefs*
J694-,
YE T, gracious God, Yet will I feek thy fmiling Face ; What tho' a fhort Eclipfe his Beauties fhrowd
And bar the Influence of his Rays, 'Tis but a Morning Vapour, or a Summer Cloud i. He is my Sun tho' he refufe to mine, Tho' for a Moment he depart I dwell for ever on his Heart,
For ever he on mine. Early before the Light arife I'll fpnng a Thought away to God; The Paffion of my Heart and Eyes Shall fhout a thoufand Groans and Sighs, A thoufand Glances itrike the Skies, The Floor of his Abode.
II.
Sacred to Devotion, &c. 95
n.
Dear Sovereign, hear thy Servant pray,
Btnd the but- Heavens, Eternal King,
Downward thy ch°arfui Graces bring ; Or lhall I breath, in vain and pant my Hours away ? Break, glorious Bright n ess, thro* the gloomy Veil,
Look how die Armies of Defpair
I Aloft their footy Banners rear \
Round my poor captive Soul, and dare Pronounce me Priibner of Hell. But Thou, my Sun, and Thou my Shield, Wilt fave me in the bloody Field ; /Break, glorious Brightness, moot one glimmering Ray, One Glance of thine creates a Day, And drives the Troops of Hell away. III. Happy the Times, but ah ! the Times are gone
When wond'rous Power and radiant Grace Round the tall Arches of the Temple fhone, And mingled their victorious Rays :
Sin, with all its ghaftly Train, Fled to the Deeps of Death again, And fmiling Triumph fat on every Face : Our Spirits raptur'd with the Sight Where all Devotion, all Delight, And loud Ho/annas founded the Redeemer's Praife, Here could I fay, (And point the Place whereon I flood) Here I enjoy'd a Vifit half the Day From my defcending God: I was regal'd with heavenly Fare, With Fruit and Manna from above | Divinely fweet the BlefTings were While mine Emanuel was there % And o'er my Head The Conqueror ipread The Banner of his Love.
IV. Then why my Heart funk down fo low ? Why do my Eyes diilbive und flow,
And hopelefs Nature mourn f Review ray Soul, thofe pleafing Days,
Kea4
94 LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
Read his unalterable Grace Thro' the Difpieafure of his Face,
And wait a kind Return. A Father's Love may raife a Frowa To chide the Child, or prove the Son, But Love will ne'er deitroy ; The Hour of Daiknefs is bat ihort, Faith be thy Life, and Patience thy Support, The Morning brings the Joy.
Cc?ne, Lord JESUS. I. "\ I7HE N mall thy lovely Face be feen ?
V V When mall our Eyes behold our God? What Lengths of Diilance lie between, And Hills of Guilt ? a heavy Load 1
II. " Our Months are Ages of Delay, And flowly every Minute wears : Fly, winged Time, and roll away Thefe tedious Rounds of fluggliih Years."
III. Ye heavenly Gates, loofe all your Chains, Let the eternal Pillars bow ; Bleft Saviour, cleave the fiarry Plains, And make the Cryltal Mountains flovr.
IV. Hark, how thy Saints unite their Cries, And pray and wait the general Doom ; Come, Thou, The Soul of all our. Joys, Thou, The Desire of Nations, come.
V. Put thy bright Robes of Triumph on, And biefs our Eyes, and blefs our Ears, Thou abfent Love, thou dear Unknown, Thou Fairest of ten thousand Fairs.
VI. Our Heart-firings groan with deep Complaint, Our FIcfh lies panting, Lorb, for thee, And every Limb, and every Joint, Stretches for Immortality.
VII.
Sacred to Devotion, Sec, 95
VII.
Our Spirits fftake their eager Wing?, And burn to meet thy flying Throne ; We rile away from mortal Things T' attend thy mining Chariot aown.
VIII. Now let our chearful Eyes furvey The blazing Earth and melting Hills, And iimle to fee the Lightnings play, And iiaih along before thy Wheels. IX.
0 for a Shout of violent Joys
To join the Trumpet's thund'ring Sound ! The Angel Herald makes the Skies, Awakes the Graves, and tears the Ground I
X. Ye flumb'ring Saints, a heavenly Hoft Stands waiting at your gaping Tombs ; Let every facred ileeping Duft Leap into Life, for J E S U S comes.
XL JESUS, the God of Might and Love, New-moulds our Limbs of cumbrous Clay % . r Quick as Seraphick- Flames we move, Active and young, and fair as they.
XII. Cur airy Feet with unknown Flight Swift as the Motions of Defire, Run up the Hills of heavenly Light, And leave the weltring World m Fire.
Bewailing my cam Inconjiancy , L LOVE the Loup; but ah ! how far My Thoughts from the dear Object are ; This wanton Heart, how wide it roves ! And Fancv meets a thoufand Loves.
. 1L If my Soul burn to fee my Got),
1 tread the Courts of his Abode, But Troops of Rivals throng the Place And tempt me off before his Face.
III.
q* LTRIC POEMS, Book I
TIL Would I enjoy my Lord alone, I bid my Paffions all be pone, All but my Love ; and charge my Will To bar the Door and guard it flifl.
IV. But Cares, or Trifles, make, or find, Still new Avenues to the Mind, Till I with Grief and Wonder fee, Huge Crowds betwixt the Lord and me.
V. Oft I am told the Mufe will prove A Friend to Piety and Love ; Strait I begin feme facred Song, And take my Saviour on my Tongue.
VI. Strangely I lofe his lovely Face, To hold the empty Sounds in chafe j At beft the Chimes divide my Heart, And the Mufe fhares the larger part.
VJI. Falfe Confident ! and falfer Breaii ! Fickle, and fond of every Gueft ; Each airy Image as it flies Here finds Admittance truo* my Eyes.
VIII. This foolifh Heart can leave her G o d, And Shadows tempt her Thoughts abroad : How fliall I fix this wandring Mind ? Or throw my Fetters on the Wind /
IX. Look gently down, Almighty Grace,, Prifon me round in thine Embrace ; Pity the Soul that would be thine, And let thy Power my Love confine.
X. Say, when fliall thy bright Moment be That I mall live alone for Thee, My Heart no foreign Lords adore, Ana the wild Mule prove falfe no more ?
Ferjakex,
Sacred to Devotion^ &c. 97
Forfaken^ yet Hoping* I.
HAPPY the Hours, the golden Days, When I could call my JESUS mine, And fit and view his (railing Face, And melt in Pleafures all-divine.
II. Near to my Heart, within my Arms He lay, till Sin defil'd my Breaft, Till broken Vows, and earthly Charms, Tir'd and provok'd my heavenly Gueft.
III. And now He's gone, (O mighty Woe !) Gone from my Soul, and hides his Love ! Curfe on you, Sins, that griev'd Him fo, Ye Sins, that forc'd him to remove.
IV. Break, break, my Heart ; complain, my Tongue £ Hither, my Friends, your Sorrows bring : Angels aflift my doleful Song, If you have e'er a moui ning String.
But, ah ! your Joys are ever high,
Ever his lovely Face you fee ;
While my poor Spirits pant and die,
And groan, for Thee, my God, for Thee.
VI. Yet let my Hope look thro* my Tears, And fpy afar his rolling Throne ; His Chariot thro' the cleaving Spheres Shall bring the bright Beloved down*
VII. Swift as a Roe flies o'er the Hills, My Soul fprings oat to meet him high, Then the fair Conqueror turns his Wheels, And climbs the Manfions of the Sky.
VIII. There fmiling Joy for ever reigns No more the Turtle leaves the Dove }
P FareweJ
§S LYRIC POEMS, Book I.
Farevvel to Jealoufies, and Pains, And all the Ills of abfent Love.
The Conclusion.
God exalted above all Prmje,
I.
ETERNAL Power! whofe high Abode Becomes the Grand' n qi p God ; Infinite Length beyond the Be
Where Stars revolve then little Rounds.
II. The I.) weft Step above thv Scat Rifes t< ■■ high for Gubnel\ Feet, In vaii the tall Arch-Angel tries To reach thine Height with wondring Eyes.
IIL Thy dazling Beauties whilft he fings He hid< s his Face behind his Wings And Ranks of mining Thrones around Fall worfhipping and fpread the Ground.
IV. Lord, what mall Earth and Ames do? We would adore our Maker too ; From Sin and Duiv to thee iv€ cry, The Great,, the Holy, and the High!
V. Earth from afar has heard the Fame, And Worms have learnt to lifp thy Name; But O, the Glories oi the Mind Leave all our foatiflg Thoughts behind.
VI. God is in Heaven, and Men be*ow ; Be iiioit, our Tun«d ; C be few ;
A facred Reverence .:gs,
And Praife fits file>t{ on our Tongues,
The End of the :-:rst Book.
pbi fdst Lisus, 0 Daus, Pfal. tor. i.
H O R M
£ J****^ c^*% e#***%
HO R JE LTRICM.
BOOK II.
Sacred to Virtue, Honour, and Friendship.
TO
i£r MJJESTT.
QUEEN of the Northern World whofe gentle Sway Commands our Love, and charm our Hearts t'obey, Forgive the Nation's Groan when WIL LI AM. Lo, at thy Feet in all the loyal Pride (dy'd •
Of blooming Joy, three happy Realms appear, And WIL L I AMh Urn almoii: without a Tear -, Stands ; nor complains : while from thy gracious Tongue Peace flows in Silver Streams amidfl: the Throng. Amazing Balm, that on thofe Lips was found To footh the Torment of that mortal Wound, And calm the wild Affright ! The Terror dies, The bleeding Wound cements, the Danger flies, And Albion fhouts thine Honours as her Joys arife.
The German Eagle feels her Guardian dead, Not her own Thunder can fecure her Head ;
F* Her
too L T R I C POEMS, Book I
Her trembling Eaglets haflen from afar, And Belgians Lion dreads the Gallick War : All hide behind thy Shield. Remoter Lands Whofe Lives ;ay trufted in Najfcvian Hands Transfer their Souls, arid live ; fecure they play In thy mild Rays, and love the gro.ving Day,
Thy beamy Wing at once defends and warms Fainting Religion, whilft in various Forms Fair Piety mines thro' the Briiijb Ifles : Here at thy Side, and in thy kinccft Smiles* Blazing in ornamental Gold fhe ftands, To bleis thy Councils, and aifiit thy Hands, And Crowds wait round her to receive Commands. There at an humble Diilance from the Fhronef Beauteous me lies ; her Luftre all ner own, Ungarnifh'd ; yet not bluihing, nor afraid, Nor knows Suspicion, nor affeds the Shade : Chearh I and pleas'd fhe not prefumes to fhare 3n thy Parental Gifts, but owns thy Guardian Care, For thee, dear Sovereign, endlefs Vows arife, And Zeal with earthly Wing falute the Skies To Gain thy Safety : Here a folemn Form Of ar.tient Words keeps the Devotion warm, And guides, but bounds our Wifhes : There the Mindj Feels its own Fire, and kindles unconfin'd With bolder hopes : Yet ftiil beyond our Vows, Thy lovely Glories rife, thy fpreading Terror grows.
Princess, the World already owns thy Name : O®, mount the Chariot of immortal Fame* Nor die to be renown'd: Fame's louoefl Breath Too dear is purchas'd by an Angel's Death. The Vengeance of thy Rod, with general Joy, Shall fcourge Rebellion and the Rival-Boy§ : Thy founding Arms his Gallic Patron hears And fpeeds his Flight : not overtakes his Fears ; T;ll hard Dcfpair wring Irom the Tyrants Soul The iron Tears out. Let the Frown controul
Our
* Thr tfyabhfrd Church of England.
| 77 t ProtlilrMt
% The Protejlan't frifer,
I The Pretender.
Sacred to Virtue, &e, IQl
Dur angry Jars at home, till Wrath fubmit
Her impious Banners to thy faced Feet. .
Mad Zeal, and Frenzy, with their murderous Train, 1
Flee thefe fweet Realms in thine aufpicious Reign, S
Envy expire in Rage, and Treafon bite the Chain. j -
Let no black Scenes affright fair Albion's Stage : JThy Thread of Life prolong our golden Age, Long blefs the Earth, and late afcend thy Throne Ethereal ; (not thy Deeds are there unknown, l\Tor there unfung ; for by thine awful Han^s 1
Heaven rules the Waves, and Thunders o'er the Lands, j> Creates inferior Kings*, and gives 'em their Commands.) J Legions attend thee at the radiant Gates ; Fp?thee thy Sifter-Seraph, bleft MARIA, waits.
Bat oh ! the parting Stroke ! fome heavenly Power Chear thy fad Britons in the gloomy Hour $ Some new propitious Star appear on high The faireft Glory of the Wefiern Sky, And ANNA be its Name; with gentle Sway jTo check the Planets of malignant Ray, Sooth the Rude North Wind, and the rugged Bear, Calm rifing Wars, heal the contagious Air, And reign with peaceful Influence to xhsSoutbern Sphere
F 3 PALINODIJ.
* She made Charhs the Emperor's fecond Son Xsng of Spain, who is now Emperor of Germany \
Note, This Poem was written in the Year 1705, in that ho- nourable Part cf the Reign of our laie Queen, when /be bad broke the French Pvwer at Blenheim, ajjerted the right of Charles the prefent Emperor to the Crown oj Spain, exerted her Zeal for the Proteftant Succefficn, and promifed inviolably to maintain the Toleration to the Proteftant Dijfenters . Thus /be appeared the chief Support of the Reformation, and the Patronefs of the Liberties of Europe.
"the latter Fart of her Reign was of a different Colour, and was by no means attended with the Acamplifbrnent of ibofe glori- ous Hopes which we had conceived. Now the Mufe cannot Jatit~ Jy berjelf to publifa this new Edition wit hut acknowledging the Mifake oj her former P. efages ; and while Jhe does the World this Jujlice, jhe does berjelf the Honour of a voluntary Retraclion.
Auguil 1, 1 721,
10% LYRIC POEMS, Book 1
P A L I N 0 D I A.
JDRITONS, forgive the forward Mufe
That dar'd Prophetic Seals to looie, (Unfkill'd in Fate's Eternal Eock) And the deep Characters millook.
GEORGE is the Name, that glorious Star ; Ye faw his Splendors beaming far : Saw in the Eafi your Joys arife, When ANNA funk in Weftern Skies, Streaking the Heavens with Crimfon Gloom, i
Emblems of Tyranny and Rome,
Portendm? Blood and Night to come. J
Twas GEORGE- tiftas'd a vital Ray, And gave the dying Nations Day : His Influence fooths the Ruffian Bear, Cairns ri fmg Wars, and heals the Air ; join'd with the Sun his Reams are harl'd To fcatter Blefiings round the World, Fulfil vvhate'er the Mufe has fpokc, And crown the Work that ANNE forfook. Aug. i, 1 72 1.
T O JOHN LOCKE, Efq; Retired from Bufmefs. I.
ANGELS are made of Heavenly Things, And Light and Love our Souls compofe, Their Blifs within their Bofbm fprings,
Within their Bofom flows, 33ut narrow Minds ftill make Pretence To fearch the Coafts of Flefn and Senfe, And fetch diviner Pleafures thence. Men are akin to Ejhereal Forms, But they belye their nobler Birth, Debafe their Honour down to Earth,
And claim a Share with Worm?.
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 103
II.
He that has Treafures of his own May leave the Cottage or the Throne, May quit the Globe, and dwell alone
Within his fpacious Mind. LOCKE hath a Soul wide as the Sea, Calm as the Night, bright as the Day, There may his vaft Ideas play,
Nor feel a Thought confin'd.
TO
JOHN S HUT E, Efq; (Now Lord BJRRINGTON)
On Mr. LOCK E's dangerous Sicknefs, firm tirfa after be had retired to- fiudy the Scriptures.
June, 1704. I.
AND muft the Man of wondrous Mind (Now his rich Thoughts are jail re^n'd)
Forfake our longing Eyes ? Reafon at Length fubmits to wear The Wings of Faith ; and lo, they rear Her Chariot high, and nobly bear
Her Prophet to the Skies. II. Go, Friend, and wait the Prophet's Flight? Watch if his Mantle chance to light,
And feize it for thy own ; SHUTS is the Darling of his Years, Young S HUT E his better Likenefs bears ; All but his Wrinkles and his Hairs
Are copy5d in his Son. III. Thus when our Follies, or our Fau'ts3 Call for the Pity of thy Thoughts,
Thy Pen fhall make us wife ; The Sallies of whofe youthful Wit Could pierce the Britijh Fogs with Light, Place our true * Interefi in our Sight,
And open half our Eyes.
The Inter eft of England, written by I, S.' Efq,
Tb
104 LYRIC POEMS, Book II
T O Mr. WILLIAM N 0 K E S.
Friend/hip,
FRIENDSHIP, thou Charmer of the Mind, Thou fweet deluding 111, The brighteft Minutes Mortals find, And lharpeft Hour we feeL IL Fate has divided all our Shares
Of Pleasure and of Pain ; In love the Comforts and the Care* Are mix'd and join'd again. III. But whilfl in Floods of Sorrow rolls,
And Drops of Joy are few, This dear Delight of mingling Souls Serves But to fwell our Woe. IV. Oh ! why fhouH Blifs depart in hade,
And Friendship flay to moan ! Why the fond Paflion cling fo fail, When every Joy is gone ? V. Yet never let our Hearts divide,
Nor Death difiblve the Chain : For Love and Joy were once aily'd, And mult be join'd again.
T O
NATHANAEL GOULD, Efq5
NOW
Sir NATHANAEL GOULD.
1704. I. JfT"* I S not by Splendour, or by State, X Exalted Mein, or lofty Gait, My Mufe takes Meafure of a King :
It
Sacred to Virtue, Sec. 105
If Wealth, or Height, or Bulk will do, She calls each Mountain of Peru
A more Majeftic Thing. Frown on me, Friend, if e'er I boafl: O'er Fellow-Minds enflav'd in Clay, Or f»vell when I ihsli have engroit A larger Heap of {hiriing Duft, And wear a bigger Load of Earth than they. [ Let the vain World falute me loud, My Thoughts look inward, and forget The founding Names of High and Great, The Flatteries of the Crowd. II.
When GOULD commands his Ships to run And fearch the Traffick of the Sea, His Fleet o'ertakes the falling Day, And bears the Wejtsm Mines away, Or richer Spices from the rifmg Sun : While the glad Tenants of the Shore Shout, and pronounce him Senator*,
Yet ft ill the Man's the fame : For well the happy Merchant knows The Soul with Treafure never grows, Nor fvvells with airy Fame. III. But trait me, GOULD, 'tis lawful Pride To rife above the mean Controul Of Flefli and Senfe, to which we're ty'd ; This is Ambition that becomes a Soul.
We fteer our Courfe up thro' the Skies ; Farewel this barren Land : We ken the heavenly Shore with longing Eyes, There the dear Wealth of Spirits lies, And beckoning Angels ftand.
T O
p?. THOMAS GIBSON.
The Life of Souls.
I- 1704.
SWIFT as the Sun revolves the Day We haften to the Dead,
Slaves * Member of Parliament for a Port in Suflex,
ic6 LYRIC POEMS, Book
Slaves to the Wind we puff away,
And to the Ground we tread. 'Tis Air that lends us Life, when firft
The vital Bellows heave : Our Flefh we borrow of the Bull ; And when a Mother's Care has nurft The Babe to manly Size, we mull
With Ufury pay the Grave. II. Rich Juleps drawn from precious Ore
Still tend the dying Flame : And Plants, and Roots, of barbarous Name,
Torn from the Indian Shore. Thus we fupport our tott'ring Flefh,
Our Cheeks refume the Rofe afrem, When Bark and Steel play well their Game
To fave our finking Breath, And GIBSON, with his awful Power, Refcues the poor precarious Hour From the Demands of Death. HI. But Art and Nature, Pow'rs and Charms, And Drugs, and Recipes, and Forms, Yield us, at laft, to greedy Worms.
A defpicable Prey ; I'd have a Life to call my own, That mail depend on Heaven alone »
Nor Air, nor Earth, nor Sea %A\x their bafe EfTences with mine, >Tor claim Dominion fo Divine To give me leave to Be. ... IV. Sure there's a Mind within, that reigns O'er the dull Current of my Veins ; 1 feel the inward Pulfe beat high With vig'rous Immortality. Xet Earth refume the Flefh it gave, And Breath diffolve amongft the Winds ; GIBSON, the Things that fear a Grave, That I can lofe, or you can fave, Are not akin to Minds.
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 107
V. We claim Acquaintance with the Skies, Upward our Spirits hourly rife,
And there our Thoughts employ : When Heaven fhall f:gn our Grand Releafe, We are no Strangers to the Place,
The Bufinefs, or the Joy.
############ # # ####### Falfe Greatnefs,
7LfTZ 0, forbear to call him bleft
That only boafts a large Eitate, Should all the Treafures of the Weft Meet, and confpire to make him Great. I know thy better Thoughts, I know Thy Reafon can't defcend ib low. Let a broad Stream with golden Sands
Thro' all his Meadows roll, He's but a Wretch, with all his Lands, That wears a narrow Soul. II. Ke fwclls amidft his wealthy Store, And proudly poizing what he weighs, In his own Scale he fondly lays
Huge Heaps of mining Ore. He fpreads the Baliance wide to hold
His Manors and his Farms, And cheats the Beam with Loads of Gold
He hugs between his Arms. So might the Plough-Boy climb a Tree,
When Crccfus mounts his Throne, And both Hand up, and {mile to fee
How long their Shadow's grown. Alas ! how vain their Fancies be
To think that Shape their own ! III. Thus mingled ftill with Wealth and State, Craefus himfelf can never know ; His true Dimenfions and his Weight. Are far inferior to their Show. Were I fo tall to reach the Pole, Ot grafp the Ocean with my Span,
Inmfl
■168 LTRIC POEMS, BookU
I mull be meafur'd by my Soul : The Mind's the Standard of the Man.
T O
S A R I S S J. An EPISTLE.
BEAR np, SJRISSJ, thro' the ruffling Storms Of a vain vexing World : Tread down the Cares Thofe ragged Thorns that lie acrofs the Road, Nor fpend a Tear upon them. Truft the Mufe» She fings experienc'd Truth : This briny Dew, This Rain of Eyes will make the Briars grow. We travel thro' a Defart, and our Feet Have meafur'd a fair Space, have left behind A thoufand Dangers, and a thoufand Snares Well fcap'd. Adieu, ye Horrors of the' Dark, Ye fininYd Labours, and ye tedious Toils Of Days and Hours : The Twinge of real Smart* And the falie Terrors of ill boding Dreams Vanifh together, be alike forgot, for ever blended in one common Grave.
Farewel, ye waxing and ye waning Moons, That we have watch'd behind the Hying Clouds On Night's dark Hill, or fetting or afcending, Or in Meridian Height : Then Silence reign'd O'er half the World ; then ye beheld oar Tears, Ye witnefs'd our Complaints, our Kindred Groans, (Sad Harmony !) while with your beamy Horns Or richer Orb ye filver'd o'er the Green Where trod our Feet, and lent a feeble Light To Mourners. Now ye have fulftU'd your Round, Thofe Hours are fled, farewel. /Months that are gone Are gone for ever, and have borne away Each his own Load. Our Woes and Sorrows pair, Mountainous Woes, ftill leflen as they fly Far off. So Billows in a flormy Sea, Wave after Wave (a long Succeflion) roll Beyond the Ken of Sight ; The Sailors fafe Look far a-itern till they have loft the Storm, And fnout their boiilerous Joys. A gentler Mufe Sings thy dear Safety, and commands thy Cares
To
Sacred to Virtue,- kt. 109
To dark Oblivion ; bury'd deep in Night Lofe them, S A R I S S A, and affift my Song,
t
Awake thy Voice, img how the flender Line- Of Fate's immortal NOW divides the Pail IFrom all the Future, with eternal Bars (Forbidding a Return. The paft Temptations
• JNo more mall vex us ,* every Grief we feel Shortens the deitin'd Number ; every Pulfe Beat a fharp Moment of the Pain away, And the lait Stroke will come. By Iwift Degrees Time fweeps us off, and we (hall foon arrive At Life's fweet Period : O Celeftial Point
j That ends this mortal Story 1
But if a Glimpfe of Light with fTatt'rfng Raj- Breaks thro' the Clouds of Life, or wandring Fire Amidfi the Shades invite your doubtful Feet, Beware the dancing Meteor ; faithlefs Guide, That leads the lonefome Pilgrim wide aftray To Bogs, and Fens, and Pits, and certain Death t Should vicious Pleafure take an Angel-Form And at a Diftance rife, by flow Degrees, Treacherous, to wind herfelf into your Heart, Stand firm aloof ; nor let the gaudy Phantom Too long allure your Gaze : The juft Delight That Heaven indulges lawful mult obey Superior Powers ; nor tempt your Thoughts too far In Slavery to Senfe, nor Iwell yoar Hope To dang'rous Size : If it approach yotrr Feet And court your Hand, forbid th' intruding Joy To fit too near your Heart : Still may our Souls Claim Kindred with the Skies, nor mix with B\a£L Our better-born Affe&ions ; leave the Globe A Nell for Worms, and haften to our Home.
O there are Gardens of th' immortal Kind That crown the heavenly Eden's rifing Hills With Beauty and with Sweets ; no lurking Mifchief Dwells in the Fruit, nor Serpent twines the Boughs ; The Branches bend laden with Life and Blifs &;pe for the Tafte, but 'tis a fteep Afcent ;
Hold
no LYRIC POEMS, Book "
Hold fail the * Golden Chain let down from Heav'n, 'Twill help your Feet and Wings ; I feel its Force Draw upwards ; faitea'd to the Pearly Gate It guides the Way unerring : Kapp\ Clue Thro' this dark Wild i 'Twas Wifdom's nobleft Work, And joiri'd by Power Divine, and every Link is Love. * Ihe Go/pel.
T O
Mr. T. BRADBURT. Paradife.
Y
I.
170S
O U N G as I am I quit the Stage, Nor will I know th' Applaufes of the Age ; Farewel to growing Frame. I leave below A Life not half worn out with Cares, Or Agonies, or Years ; I leave my Country all in Tears, But Heaven demands me upward, and I dare to go. Amongft Ye, Friends, divide and lhare
The Remnant of my Days, If ye have Patience and can bear A long Fatigue of Life, and drudge thro' all the Race.
Haik, my fair Guardian chides my flay,
And waves his golden Rod : " Angel,' I come ; lead on the Way :
And now by fwift Degrees I fail aloft thro' Azure Seas,
Now tread the milky Road : Farewel, ye Planets, in your Spheres ; And as the Stars are loll, a brighter Sky appears.
In hafte for Paradife I ftretch the Pinions of a bolder Thought ;
Scarce had I will'd, but I was pall Defarts of tracklefs Light and all th' Ethereal Wafte,
And to the facred Borders brought ; There on the Wing a Guard of Cherubs lies,
Each waves a keen Flame as he flies, And well defends Walls from Sieges and Surprize.
III.
Sacred to Virtue, &c. in
III. With pleafing Rev'rence I behold The Pearly Portals wide unfold : Enter, my Soul, and view th' amazing Scenes 5 Sit fait upon the flying Mufe,
And let thy roving Wonder loofe O'er all th' Empyreal Plains. Noon Hands Eternal here : here may thy Sight Prink in the Rays of PrKmogenial Light ; Here breathe Immortal Air : Joy mull beat high in ev'ry Vein, Pleafure thro' ail thy Bofom reign ; The Laws forbid the Stranger, Pain, And baniih every Care. IV. See how the bubbling Springs of Love
Beneath the Throne arife ; The Streams in Cryftal Channels move, Around the golden Streets they rove, And blefs the Mamions of the upper Skies. There a fair Grove of Knowledge grows, Nor Sin nor Death infects the Fruit ; Young Life hangs frefh on all the Boughs,.
And fprings from ev'ry Root ; Here may the greedy Senies feafl While Extafyand Health attends on every Tafte.
With the fair Profpect charm'd I Hood ; Fearl'efs I feed on the delicious Fare, And drink profufe Salvation from the Silver Floods Nor can Excefs be there, V. In facred Order rang'd along
Saints new-releas'd by Death Join the bold Seraph's warbling Breath>
And aid th' Immortal Song. Each has a Voice that tunes his Strings To mighty Sounds, and mighty Things,
Things of everlaiting Weight, Sounds, like the fofter Viol, fweet,
And, like the Trumpet, ftrong, Diviae Attention held my Soul> I was all Ear !
Thro3
ii2 LYRIC POEMS, Book II.
Thro' all my Povv'rs the heavenly Accents roll,
I long'd and wiih'd my B RAD BURT there ; " Could he but hear thefe Notes, I (kid, " His tuneful Soul wou'd never bear " The dull unwinding of Liie's tedious Thread, " But buril the vital Chords to reach the happy Dead.
And now my Tongue prepares to join The Harmony, and with a noble Aim
Attempts th' unalterable Name, But faints, confounded by the Notes Divine : Again my Soul th' unequal Honour fought,
Again her utmoft Force ihe brought, And bow'd beneath the Burden of th' unwieldy Thought,
Thrice I efiay'd, and fainted thrice ; Th' Immortal Labour ftrain'd my feeble Frame, Broke the bright Virion, and diilblv'd the Dream ;
1 funk at once and loll the Skies :
In vain I fought the Scenes of Light
Rolling abroad my longing Eyes, For all around 'em flood my Curtains and the Night.
Strift Religion very rare. L
I'M born aloft, and leave the Crowd, I fail upon a Morning Cloud Skirted with dawning Gold : Mine Eyes beneath the opening Day Command the Globe with wide Survey, Where Ants in bufy Millions play, And tue; and heave the Mould.
s ii.
«c Are thefe the Things (my Paffion cry'd)' " That we call Men I Are thefe ally'd
" To the fair Worlds of Light ? " They have ras'd out their Maker's Name, ** Grav'n on their Minds with pointed Flame " In itrokes divinely brie
III. 4t Wretches ! they hate th \u ,ative Skies ; *' If an Ethereal Thought ariie,
Or
Sacred to ViRTtfE, &C. 113
Or Spark of Virtue Ihine,
With cruel Force they damp its Plumes,
Choke the young Fire with fenfuai Fumes,
" With Bufinefs, Lull* or WTine. IV.
Lo ! how they throng with panting Breath
" The broad defcending Road
That leads unerring down to Death,
" Nor mifs the dark Abode. Thus while I drop a Tear or two On the wild Herd, a noble few Dare to ftray upward, and purfue
Th' unbeaten Way to God. V.
I met Myrttllo mounting hight I knew his candid Soul afar ; Here Dorylus and Tbyrfis fly
Each like a riling Star, Cbarin I faw and Fidea there, I few them help each other's Flight,
And blefs them as they go ; They foar beyond my lab'ring Sight, And leave their Loads of mortal Car?, '
But not their Love below. On Heav'n, their Home, they fix their Eyes,
The Temple of their God : With Morning Incenfe up they rife Sublime, and thro' the lower Skies
Soread the Perfumes abroad. VI. Acrofs the Road a Seraph flew, «« Mark, (faid he) that happy Pai*, " Marriage helps Devotion there : ** When kindred Minds their God purfue " They break with double Vigour thro'
'* The dull incumbent Air. CharnTd with the Pleafure and Surprize
My Soul adores and rings, " Bleft be the Pow'r that fprings their Flight, ** That ftreaks their Path with heavenly Light, u That turns their Love to Sacrifice,
*" And joins their Zeal for Wings.
To
ii4 LYRIC POEMS, Bookll
T O
Mr. C. and S. FLE ETWOO D. I.
VLEETJVOODS, young generous Pair,
Defpif* the joys that Fools purfue j Bubbles are light and brittle too, Born of the Water and the Air. Try'd by a Standard bold andjuft. Honour and Gold and Paint and Dufl ; How vile the lafl is and as vain the firft ?
Things that the Crowd call great and brave,
With me how low their Value's brought ?
Titles and Names, and Life and Breath,
Slaves to the Wind and born for Death ;
The Soul's the only Thing we have
Worth an important Thought.
II.
The Soul ! 'tis of th' immortal kind,
Nor form'd of Fire, or Earth, or Wind, (hind.
Out-lives the mouldring Corps, and leaves the Globe be*
In Limbs of Clay tho' fhe appears, Array'd in rofy Skin, and deck'd with Ears and Eyes,
The Fleih is but the Soul's Difguife, There's nothing in her Frame kin to the Drefs flie wears : From all the Laws of Matter free, From all we feel, and all we fee, She Hands eternally diitinct, and mufr for ever b*. III. Rife then, my Thoughts, on high, Soar beyond all that's made to die ; Lo ! on an awful Throne Sits the Creator and the Judge of Souls,
Whirling the Planets round the Poles Winds off our Threads of Life, and brings our Periods en. Swift the Approach, and folemn is the Day? When this immortal Mind Stript of the Body's coarfe Array To endiefs Pain, or endlefs Joy, Mull be at once confign'd.
Sacred /$ Virtue, &g? 115
IV.
Think of the Sands run down to wafte, We poiTefs none of al] the Pail, None but the Prefent is our own ; Grace is not plac'd within our Power, 'Tis but one fhort, one ihining Hour, Bright and declining as a fetting Sun, See the white Minutes wing'd with hade ; The NOW that flies may be the laft > Seize the Salvation e'er 'tis pail, Nor mourn the Bleffing gone : A Thought's Delay is Ruin here, A clofing Eye, a gafping Breath Shuts up the golden Scene in Death, And drowns you in* Defpair.
T O
WILLI AM BLJCKBOURN, E%
Cafimir. Lib. II. Od. 2. imitated.
Qua tegit canas modo Brumo valks, &c.
I.
MARK how it Snows ! how fail the Valley fills ! And the fweet Groves the hoary Garment wear ; Yet the warm Sun-beams bounding from the Hills Shall melt the Vail away, and the young Green appear.
II. But when old Age has on your Temples fhed Her Silver-Froft, there's no returning Sun ; Swift flies our Autumn, fvvift our Summer's fled, (gone. When Youth, and Love, and Spring, and golden Joys are
III. Then Cold, and Winter, and your aged Snow, Stick fail upon you, not the rich Array, Not the Green Garland, nor the rofy Bough Shall cancel or conceal the melancholy Grey,
IV. The Chafe of Pleafures is not worth the Pains, While the bright Sands of Health run wailing down; And Honour calls you from the fofter Scenes, To fell the gaudy Hour for Ages cf Renown.
V,
n6 LYRIC POEMS, Bo6k ll|
V.
'Tis but one Youth, and fhort, that Mortals have, And one old Age diffolves our feeble Frame; But there's a heavenly Art t' elude the Grave> And with the Hero-Race Immortal Kindred claim.
VI. The Man that has his Country's facred Tears Bedewing his cold Kearfe, has liv'd his Day : (Heirs ;
Thus, BLACKBOURN, we mould leave our Names our Old Time and waning Moons fvveep all the reit away.
"True Monarchy*
I ' 1701.
' > I VHE rifing Year behold th' imperious Gaul
X Stretch his Dominion, while a hundred Towns Crouch'd to the Victor : bat a fteidy Soul Stands firm on its own Bafe, and reigns as wide, As abfolute ; and (Ways ten thoufand Slaves, . Lulls and wild Fancies with a fovereign Hand. J
We are a little Kingdom ; but the Man That chains his Rebel Will to Reafon's Throne, Forms it a large one, whilit. his Royal Mind Makes Heaven its Council, from the Rolls above Draws its own Statutes, and with Joy obeys.
'Tis not a Troop of well-appointed Guard* Create a Monarch, not a purple Robe Dy'd in the People's Blood, not all the Crowns Or dazling Tiars that bend about the Head, Thcr* gilt with Sun-beams and fet round with Stars. A Monarch He that conquers all his Fears, And ireads upon them ; when he Hands alone, Makes his own Camp; four Guardian Virtues wait His nightly Slumbers, and fecure his Dreams. Now dawns the Light; he ranges all his Thoughts In fquare Battalions, bold m meet th' Attacks Of Time and CI ance, himfelf a num'rous Hoft, All Eye, all i.ar, all wakeful as the Day, Firm as a Rock', and movelefs as the Centre.
In vain the Harlot, Pleafure, fpreads her Charms, To lull his Thoughts in Luxury's fair Lap,
To
Sacred U Virtue, &c. UJ
To fenfual Eafe, (the Bane of little Kings,
,4onarchs whole waxen images of Souls
ire moulded into Softnefe) rtill his Mind
Vears its own Shape, nor can the heavenly Form
koop to be modePd by the wild Decrees
3i the mad Vulgar, that unthinking Herd.
He lives above the Crowd, nor hears the Noife . 3f Wars and Triumphs, nor regards the Shouts Df popular Applaufe, that empty Sound ; Sor feels the Hying Arrows of Reproach, Dr Spite or Envy. In himfelf fecure, jjtfiidom his Tower, and Confcience is his Shield^ His Peace all inward, and his joys his own.
Now my Ambition fwells, my Wilhes foar, This be my Kingdom : fit above the Globe My riling Soul, and drefs thyfelf around And Ihine in Virtue's Armour, climb the Heigh| Of Wifdom's lofty Caltle, there refide Safe from the fmiling and the frowning World,
Yet once a Day drop down a gentle Look On the great Mole-hole, and with pitying Eye Survey the bufy Emmets round the Heap, Crouding and buitling in a thoufand Forms Of Strife and Toil, to purchafe Wealth and Fame, A Bubble or a Dull : Then call thy Thoughts Up to thy felf to feed on Joys unknown, Rich without Gold, and Great without Renown.
True Courage 9
HONOUR demands my Song. Forget the Ground, My generous Mule, and fit among the Stars 1 There fmg the Soul, that, confeicus of her Birth, Lives like a Native of the vital World, Amongft thefe dying Clods, and hears her State Jull to her felf: now nobly {he maintains Her Character, fuperior to the Flefh, .She weilds her Paflions like her Limbs, and knows The brutal Powers were only born t' obey.
n8 LY R I C P 0 E M S, Book I
This is the Man whom Storms could never make Meanly complain ; nor can a flatt*ring Gale Make him talk proudly : he hath no Defire To read ins fecret Fate; yet unconcem'd And calm pould meet his unborn Deitiny, In all its charmir^, or its frightful Shapes.
He that unfhrinking, and without a Groan, Bears the firfl Wound, may finifri all the War With meer courageous Silence, and come off Conqueror: for the Man that well conceals
The heavy Strokes of fate, he bears 'em well.
He, tho' tWdtlaniic and the Midland Seas With adverfe Surges meet, and riCe on high Sufpended 'twixt the Winds, they rufh amain Mingled with Flames, upon his firigle Head, And Clouds, and Stars, and Thunder, firm he ftands, Secure of his belt Life ; unhurt, unmov'd ; And drops his lower Nature, born for Death. Then from the lofty Caftle of his Mind Sublime looks down, exulting, and furveys The Ruins of CreatF n ; (Souls alone Are Heirs of dying Worlds ;) a piercing Glance Shoots upwards from between his clofing Lids, To reach his Birth- place, and without a Sigh He bids his batfer'd Fiem lie gently down Amongft his native Rubbilh ; whillt the Spirit Breathes and flics upward, an undoubted Gueft Of the third Heaven, th' unruinable Sky.
Thither, when Fate has brought our willings Souls, No matter whether 'twas a fharp Difeafe, Or a fharp Sword that help'd the Travellers on, And pum'd us to our Home. Bear up, my Friend, Sereneiy, ana break thro' the flormy Brine With ileady Prow ; know, we ihall once arrive At the fair Haven of Eternal Bli&. To which we ever fteei ; whetnef as Kings Of wide Command we've fpread the fpjeious Sea With a broad painted Fleet, or row'd along In a thin Cock-boat with a little Oar.
There
Sawed to Virtue, kc. 119
There let my native Plank fhift me to Land d I'll be happy ; Thus I'll leap afliore yful and fearlefs on th' Immortal Coait, ice all I leave is mortal, and it mufl be loft.
To the much Honour'd Mr. T H O M A S R O TV E,
The Director of my Youthful Studies. Free Philofophy, I. "MJSTOM, that Tyrannefs of Fools, ^j That leads the Learned round the Schools, 1 Magic Chains of Forms and Pvules ! My Genius ilorms her Throne : fo more, ye Slaves, with Awe profound eat the dull Track, nor dance the Round ; iOofe Hands, and quit th' inchanted Ground : Knowledge invites us each alone.
II.- hate thefe Shackles of the Minds Forg'd by the haughty Wife ; Jouls were not born to be confin'd, \nd led, like Sampfon, blind and bound ; But when his native Strength he found
He well aveng'd his Eyes. [ love thy gentle Influence, R O W E, Thy gentle Influence like the Sun, Dnly diiTolves the frozen Snow, Lhen bids our Thoughts like Rivers flow, knd choofe the Channels where they run. III. Thoughts fhould be free as Fire or Wind ; The Pinions of a single Mind '
Will thro5 aii Nature rty : But who can drapr up to the Poles Long fetter'c Ranks of Leaden Souls ? A Genius which no Chain controuls Rove? witrj Delight, cr deep, or high : Swift I fuivey the Glebe around, Dive to the Cent-re 'thro' the fclid Ground, Or travel o'er the Sky.
i^o LT R 1 C POEMS, Book II I
To the Reverend
Mr. BENONIROJV E.
The B'ay of the Multitude.
T) 0 JVE, if we make thef Crowd our Guide
Thro' Life's unce-tain Road, Mean is the Chafe ; and wandering wide
We mifs th' immortal Good ; Yet if my Thoughts could be confin'd To follow any Leader-Mind, Td mark thy Steps, and treau the farne^ .Dre'.t in thy Notions I'd appear Not like a Soul of mortal Frame,
Nor with a vulgar Air.
Ir- «
Men live at Random and by Chance,
Bright Reajfon never leado the Dance; Whiht in the broad and beaten Way
O'er Dales and Hiiis from Truth we ftray, To Ruin we defcend. to Ruin we advance.
Wikicm retires; me hates the Crowd, And v\ith a decent Scorn Aloel me climbs her fteepy Seat, Where nor the grave nor gidd) Feet, Of the learn'd Vulgar or the Rude,
Have e'er a PafTage worn. IJI. Meer Hazard firft began the Track, Where Cuftom leads her Thoufands blind
In willing Chains and ftrong ; There's fcarce one bold, one noble Mind, Dares tread the fatal Error back ; But Hand in Hand our felves we bind
And drag the Age along. JV. Mortals, a favage Herd and loud As Billows on a noify Flood
In rapid Order roll : Example makes the Mifchief good : With jocund Heel we beat the Road,
Unhecdful of the Goal.
M*
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 121
lie let f IthuriePs friendly Wing
natch from the Crowd, and bear fublime
To Wifdom's lofty Tower,. Thence to furvey that wretched Thing, Mankind ; and in exalted Rhime
Blefs the delivering Power.
IthurieUi the Name of an Angel in MiltonV Parsdife Loft.
To the Reverend Mr. JOHN HOWE.
1704,-' I.
GREAT Man, .permit the Mufe to climb And feat her at thy Feet, Bid her attempt a Thought fublime,
And confecrate her Wit. I feel, I feel th' attractive Force
Of thy fuperior Soul : My Chariot flies her upward Courfe,
The Wheels divinely roll. Now let me chide the mean Affairs
And mighty Toil of Men : How they grow grey in triflng Cares, Or wafte the Motions of the Spheres Upon Delights as vain !
II.
A Puff of Honour fills the Mind, And yellow Dull is folid Good ; Thus like the Afs of favage Kind, We muff the Breezes of the Wind,. Or ileal the Serpent's Food. Could all the Choirs That charm the Poles Bat flrike one doleful Sound, ST would be employ 'd to mourn our Souls, Souls that were frarn'd of fprightly Fires
In Floods of Folly drcwn'd. Souls made of Glory feek a brutal Joy ;
How they difclaim their heavenly Birth, Melt their bright Subltance down with droffy Earth, And hate to be refin'd from that impure Alloy.
G HI,
i22 LYRIC POEMS, Book II.
III. Oft has thy Genius rous'd us hence
With elevated Song, Bid us renounce this World of Senfe, Bid us divide th' immortal Prize
With the Seraphic Throng : " Knowledge and Love makes Spirits bleft, " Knowledge their Food, and Love their Reft; But Flelh, th' unmanageable Beaft, Refills the Pity of thine Eyes,
And Mufic of thy Tongue. Then Jet the Worms of groveling Mind Round the fhort Joys of earthy Kind
In reftlefs Windings roam ; BOJVE hath an ample Orb of Soul, Where Aiming Worlds of Knowledge .roll, Where Love the Centre and the Pole
Compleats the Heaven at Home.
The Difappointment and Relief.
VE R T U E, permit my Fancy to impofe Upon my better Pow'rs : She calls fweet Fallacies on half our Woes,
And gilds the gloomy Hours. How could we bear this tedious Round Of waning Moons, and rolling Years, Of flaming Hopes, and chilling Fears, If (where no fovereign Cure appears) No Opiates could be found. II. Love, the moft cordial Stream that flows, Is a deceitful Good : Young Deris, who no Guilt nor Danger knows,
On the green Margin Hood, Pieas'd with the golden Babbles as they rofe, And with more golden Sands her Fancy pav'd the Flood : Then fond to be entirely bkil, And tempted by a fai thief:; Youth, As void of Goodr.ds as of Truth, She plunges in with RejsdJefs Hafle, And rears the rather Mud:
Darkncfs,
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 123
Darknefs, and naufeous Dregs arife O'er thy fair Current, Love, with large Supplies Of Pain to teize the Heart, and Sorrow for the Eyes* The golden Blefs that charm'd her Sight
Is dafh'd, and drown'd, and loft : A Spark, or glimmering Streak at moft, Shines here and there, amidft the Night, Amidft the turbid Waves, and gives a faint Delight, III. Recover'd from the fad Surprize,
Doris awakes at Jaft, Grown by the Difappointment wife : And manages with Art th' unlucky Caft ; When the lowring Frown fhe fpies On her haughty Tyrant's Brow, | With humble Love fhe meets his wrathful Eyes, And makes her Sovereign Beauty bow ; Chearful me fmiles upon her grizly Form ; So fhines the fetting Sun on adverfe Skies,
And paints a Rainbow on the Storm. Anon Hie lets the fullen Humour fpend, And with a vertuous Book or Friend,
Beguiles th* uneafy Hours : Well-colouring every Crofs fee meets, With Heart ferene fhe fleeps and eats, She fpreads her Board with fancy'd Sweets, And ftrows her Bed with Flow'rs.
The Hero's School of Morality,
I. fT'HERON, amongft his Travels, found,
A broken Statue on the Ground ; And fearching onward as he went He trac'd a ruin'd Monument. Mould, Mofs, and Shades had overgrown The Sculpture of the crumbling Stone, Yet e'er he paft, with much ado, He guefs'd, and fpell'd out, Sci-pi-o.
" Enough, he cry'd ; I'll drudge no more " In tuning the dull Stoles o'er y
3?4 LYRIC POEM S9 Book II.
" Let Pedants wade their Hours of Eafe
" To fweat all Night at Socrates ;
•' And feed their Boys with Notes and Rules,
" Thcfe tedious Recipe's of Schools,
" To cure Ambition : I can learn
" With greater Eafe the great Concern
*' Of Mortals ; how we may defpife
" Al] jhe gay Things below the Skies.
" Methinks a mouldring Pyramid •" Says all that the old Sages faid $ " For me thefe fhatter'd Tombs contain <{ More Morals than the Vatican, t: The Duft of .Heroes call abroad, «' And kick'd, and trampled in the Road, " The Relick* of a lofty Mind, ".' That lately Wars and Crowns defign'd, " Toil for a jell from Wind to Wind,. *' Bid me be humble, and forbear " Tall Monuments of Fame to rear, " They are but Cables in the Air. " The tow'ring Heights, and frightful Falls *' The ruin'd Heaps, and Funerals, " Of fmoaking Kingdoms and their Kings, f* Tell me a thcufand mournful Things " In meiancholly Silence.
I
■He
ii That living could net bear to fee
d Equal, now lies torn and dead ; *' Here his pale Trunk, and there his Head; " Great Pcmpey I while I meditate, *' With fclemn Horror, thy fad Fate, u Thy Cvucafc fcatter'd on the Shore " Without' a Name, ir.ilrucls »9 ir,oie " Than my whole Library before.
" LiefiUH, niy'TIfitar'cb, then, and f. " And my good Seneca may i;. " Your Vblun top,
" I have no fu .' r\ou ;
3 feci my Virtjufc full, H ,\: I . . , vail*
« m
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 125
'I I'll take a Turn among the Tombs, 4 And fee whereto all Glory comes : <« There the vile Foot of every Clown " Tramples the Sons of Honour down, " Beggars with awful Allies fporr, " And tread the G&fars in the Dirt.
Frecdo?n.
1697. I.
TEMPT me no more. My Soul can ne'er compote With the gay Slaveries of a Court :
I've an Averfion to thofe Charms, And hug dear Liberty in both mine Arms.
Gov Vafial-Souls, go, cringe and wait, And dance Attendance at Heitonfe Gate, Then run in Tioops before him to compofe his State ? Move as he moves ; and when he loiters, ftand ;
You're but the Shadows of a Man.
Bend when he {peaks ; and kifs the Ground y
Go, catch thr Impertinence of Sound :
Adore the Follies of the Great ; 'Wait till he fmiies : But lo, the Idol frown'd
And drove' them to their Fate.
it
Thus bafe-borh Minds : but as for Me,
I can and will be free : Like a ftrong Mountain, or fome ftately Ticc>
My Soul grows firm upright, And as I Hand, and as I go, It keeps my Body fo ;
No, I can never part with my Creation-Right. Let Slaves and AiTes itoop and bow, »-;>
I cannot make this Iron Knee Bend to a meaner Power than that which fornrd it free, III. Thus my bold Harp profufely play'd Pindarical ; then on a branchy Shade I hung my Harp aloft, my felf beneath it kid.
Nature that liilen'd to my Strain, Refum'd the Theme, and acted it again.
G 3 Sudden
126 LYRIC POEMS, Book II.
Sudden rofe a whirling Wind
Swelling like Honor io proud,
Around the Straws and Feathers crowd, Types of a flavifh Mind ;
Upwards the ftormy Forces rife,
The Duft flies up and climbs the Skies, And as the Tempeft fell th' obedient Vapours funk : Again it roars with bellowing. Sound,
The meaner Plants that grew around, The Willow, and the Afp, trembled and kifs'd the Ground :
Hard by there flood the Iron Trunk Of an old Oak, and all the Storm defy'd ;
In vain the Winds their Forces try'd,
In vain they roar'd ; the Iron Oak Bow'd only to the heavenly Thunder's Stroke.
Un Mr. L O C K E's Annotations upon feveral Parts of the Niw Testament, left behind him at his Death. J
THUS Reafon learns by flow Degrees, What Faith reveals j but ftill complains Of Intellectual Pains, And Darknefs from the too exuberant Light. The Blaze of thofe bright Myfteries Pour'd all at once on Nature's Eyes Offend and clcud her feeble Sieht. II. S Reafon could fcarce Main to fee Th' Almighty One, th' Eternal Three, Or bear the Infant Deity ; Scarce could her Pride defcend to own Her Maker Hooping from his Throne, And drefl in Glories fo unknown. A ranfom'd World, a bleeding God, And Hcav'n appeas'd with flowing Blood, Were Themes too painful to be underftood. III. Faith, thou bright Cherub, fpeak, and fay Did ever Mind of mortal Race Coll thee more Toil, or larger Grace, To melt and bend it to obey.
*Twas
Sacred to Virtue, Uq. 127
'Twas hard to make fo rich a Soul fubmit,
And lay her fhining Honours at thy fovereign Feet,
Sifter of Faith, fair Charity, Shew me the wondrous Man on high, Tell how he fees the Godhead Three in One ; The bright Conviction fills his Eye, His nobleit Powers in deep Proftration lie
At the myfterious Throne, *' Forgive, he cries, ye Saints below, « The wav'ring and the cold Aflent " I gave to Themes divinely true ; " Can you admit the bleffed to repent I
** Eternal Barknefs vail the I/lnes.
" Of that unhappy Book, .'« Where glimmering Reafon with falfe Luitre ibises*
" Where the mere Mortal Pen miilook " What the Celeltial meant !
See Mr, Locke V Anmt&ti&ns. on Rom. iii. 25. and Paraphrafs 9U Rom. ix. 5. vMcb has inclined fame Readers to doubt vubether be believed the Deity and Sat'ufaStion of Christ. Therefore in the fourth Stanza / invoke Charity, that by her Help I may find bun out in Heaven, face his Notes on 2, Cor. v. tilt, and form 0- lber Plates, give me reafon to believe be ivas no Socinian, i.h" he bas darkened the Glory of the Gofpel, and dehafed Lhrif';anityt in the Booh nvhich be calls the Reafonabienefs cf it, and in feme of bis other Works.
True Riches,
I AM not concerned to know What To-morrow Fate will do : 'Tis enough that I can fay, I've porTeft myfelf To-day : Then if haply Midnight-Death 'Seize my Flelh, and ft op my Breath, Yet To-morrow I mall be Heir to the bell Part of Me,
Glittering Stones, and Golden Things, Wealth and Honours that have Wings, Ever fluttering to be gone I could never call my own ;
Riches
ia8 L T R I C POEMS, Book II.
Riches that the World beftows, She can take, and I can lofe ; Bur the Tpeaftires that are mine Lie afar beyond her Line. "When I view my fpacious Soul,. And furvey my fclf awhole,. And enjoy my felf alone, I'm a Kingdom of my own.
I've a mighty Fart within That the World hath never feen, Rich a.% Ed£t?% happy Ground, And with choicer Plenty crown'd. Kere on all the iliining Boughs Knowledge fair and ufelefs grows ; On the lame young flow'ry Tree All the Seafons you may fee ; Notions in the Bloom of Light, Juft difclofing to the Sight ; Here are Thoughts of larger Growth-, Rip'ning into folid Truth ; Fruits reiin'd, of noble Tafte ; ''Seraphs feed on fuch R'epaft. Here in a green and fhady Grove, Streams of Pleafure mix with Love : There beneath the fmiling Skies Hills of Contemplation rile ; •Now upon fome mining Top Angels light, and call me up ; I rejoice to raife my Feet, Both rejoice when there we meet.
There are endlefs Beauties more Earth hath no Refemblance for ; Nothing like them round the Pole, Nothing can defcribe the Soul : 'Tis a Region half unknown, That has Treafures of its own, More remote from publick View Than the Bowels of Peru ; Broader 'tis, and brighter far, Than the Golden Indies are;
Ship*
Sacred to Virtue, &c„ 129
Ships that trace the watry Stage Cannot coaft it in an Age 5 Harts, or Horfes, ftrcmg and fleet, Had they Wings to help their Feet, Could not run it half way o'er In ten thoufend Days- and more.
Yet the filly wandring Mind, Loth to be too much connn'd, Roves and takes her daily Tours, Coafting round the narrow Shores^ Narrow Shores of Flefh and Senfc, Picking Shells and Pebbles thenca i| Or fhe fits at Fancy's Door, Calling Shapes and Shadows to her, Foreign Wits ftili receiving, And t' her feif a Stranger living. Never, never would fhe buy Indian Duft, or Syrian Dye, Never trade abroad for more,. It fne faw her native Store, If her inward Worth were known She might ever live alone. ' „ / >t ,,.,,,
"' The Adventurous Miifi.
I. TJR AN I A takes her Morning Flight ^ With an inimitable Wing :, _ Thro' fifing Deluges of dawing Light She cleaves her wondrous Way,. She tones immortal Anthems to the- growing Day ; (fing. Nor * Rabin gives her Rules to fly, nor f Purtell Notes to II. She nor inquires, nor knows, nor fears .. .
Where lie the pointed Rocks, or where th' ingulpmng Sand Climbing the liquid Mountains of the Skies She meets defcendfng Angels as fhe flies, Nor afk them where their Country -lies,
Or where the Sea-marks Hand. TouchM with an Empyreal Ray She fprings, unerring, upward to eternal Day,
Spreads
* A French Critid. t An Biglifh Mtfv of Mujic,
j3o LT R I C P O E M Sy Book ti.
Spreads her white Sails aloft, and fleers. With bold and fafe Attempt, to the Celeftial Land.
III. While little Skiffs along the mortal Shore*
With humble Toil in Order creep, Coafting in fight of one another's Oars,
Nor venture' thro' the boundlefs Deep.
Such low pretending Souls are they Who dwell inclos'd in folid Orbs of Skull ;
Plodding along their fober Way, The Snail o'ertakes theia in their wildeft Play, While the poor Labourers fweat to be corre&ly dull*
IV. Give me the Chariot whofe diviner Wheels
Mark their own Rout* and unconhVd
Bound o'er the everlafling Hills, And lofe the Clouds below, and leave the Stars behind,
Give me the Mufe whofe generous Force, Impatient of the Reins,
Purfues an unattempted Gourfe, Breaks all the Criticks Iron Chains, And bears to ParadKe the raptur'd Mind. V.
There Wlton dwells : The Mortal fung
Themes not prefum'd my mortal Tongue ;
New Terrors, or new Glories, mine In every Page, and flying Scenes Divine Surprize the wond'ring Senfe, and draw our Souls along,
Behold his Mufe fent out t' explore The unapparent Deep where Waves of Chaos xoar,
And Realms of Night unknown before
She trae'd a glorious Path unknown, Thro' Fields of heavenly War, and Serephs overthrown,
Where his advent'rous Genius led : Sovereign Hie fram'd a Model of her own,
Nor thank'd the living nor the dead The noble Hater of degenerate Rhime Shook off the Chains, and built his Verfe fublime, A Monument to high for coupled Sounds to climb.
He xnourn'd the^Garden loit below ;
(Earth is the Scene for tuneful Woe}
Now
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 131
Now BJifs beats high in all his Veins, Now the loft Eden he regains, Keeps his own Air, and triumphs in unrival'd Strains.
VI. Immortal Bard 1 Thus thy own Raphael &n%Si
And knows no Rule but native Fire : All Heav'n fits filent, while to his fovereign Strings
He talks unutterable Things; With Graces infinite his untaught Fingers rove Acrofs the golden Lyre : From every Note Devotion fprings. Rapture, and Harmony, and Love> O'erfpread the lift'ning Choir.
T O
Mr. N I C H O L A S C L A R K.
The Complaint, I. ^^TH^ WAS in a Vale where Ofiers grow X By murm'ring Streams we told our Woe, And mingled all our Cares : Friendship fat pleas'd in both our Eyes* In both the weeping Dews arife, And drop alternate Tears. IX. The vigorous Monarch of the Day Now mounting half his Morning Way
Shone with a fainter Bright ; Still fickning, and decaying ftill, Dimly he wander'd up the Hill, With his expiring Light. III. In dark Eclipfe his Chariot rolled,
The Queen of Night obfeur'd his Gold Behind her fable Wheels; Nature grew fad to lofe the Day, The flow'ry Vales in Mourning lay, In Mourning flood the Hills. IV. Such are cur Sorrows, CLARK, I cry'd, *
Clouds of the Brain grow black, and hid?
,
132 L T R I C POEMS, Book II.
Our dark'ned Souls behind ; In the young Morning of our Years Diitempering Fogs have climb'd the Spheres,
And choke the lab'ring Mind. V. Lo, the gay Planet rears his Head, And overlooks the lofty Shade,
New-bright'ning all the Skies : But fay, dear Partner of my Moan, When will our long Eclipfe be gone,.
Or when our Suns arife ? VI. In vain are potent Herbs apply'd, Ilarmonius Sounds in vain have try'd
To make the Darknefs fly : But Drugs would raife the Dead as foon} Or clatr/ring Brafs relieve the Moon,. -
When fainting in the Sky. VII. Some friendly Spirit from above, Born of the Light, and hurft with Love.
Aflift our feebler Fires : Force thefe invading Glooms away ; 'jSouls fhould be feen quite thro' their Clay5.
Bright as your heav'nly Choirs. VIII. But if the Fogs muft damp the Flame, Gently, kind Death, diiTolve our Frame,
Rekafe the Prifoner-Mind : Our Souls mall moant, at thy Difcharge, To their bright Source, and mine at large
Nor clouded, nor confin'd.
The Jfflitlicm of a Friend.
3702..
NO W let my Cares all bury'd lie, My Griefs for ever dumb : your Sorrows fwell my Heart fo high, They leave my cwn no room.
* II.
Sacred to Virtue, &c, J 33
II. Sicfcnefs and Pains are quite forgot,
The Spleen it felf is gone ; piURg'd in your Woes I feel them not,.
Or feel them all in one. ,-
Infinite Grief puts Senfc to Flight,.
And all the Soul invades : So the broad Gloom of fpreadmg Nigiu
Devours the Evening Shades.
Thus am I born to be unbleft !
This Sympathy of Woe Drives my own Tyrants from my Brea&
T' admit a foreign Foe.
Sorrows in long Succeffion reign *
Their Iron Rod I feel : Friendfhip has only chang'd the Cham,
Bat I'm the Prisoner ilill. .' V I. Why was this Life for Mifery made ?
Or why drawn out i'o long ?■ " Is there no room amongft the dead?
Or is a Wretch too young ?
VII.
Move fafter on great Nature's Whee!s_ $
Be kind, ye roiling Powers, Hurl my Days headlong down the Hill.
With undoing uim'd Hours. VIII.. Be dufky, all my rifing Suns,
Nor fmile upon a Slave : Darknefs, and Death, make halte at once
To hide me in the Grave.
The Reverfe : Or, The Comforts of a Friend. I.
TH U S Nature tun'd her mournful Tongue, Till Grace U\ up he,r Head,
i34 LYRIC POEMS, Book Il(
Revers'd the Sorrow and the Song,
And fmiling, thus ihe faid : II. Were Kindred Spirits born for Cares ?
Mull every Grief be mine I Is there a Sympathy in Tears,
Yet Joys refufe to join r
HE. Forbid it, Heav'n, and raife my Lovef
And make our Joys the fame : So Blifs and Friendfhip join'd above
Mix an Immortal Flame. IT. Sorrows are loft in vaft Delight
That brightens all the Soul, As Deluges of dawning Light
O'er whelm the duiky Pole. V. Pleafures in long SucceflTon reign,
And all my Powers employ : Friendship but fhifts the pleafing Scene*.
And frefh repeats the Joy. VL Life has a foft and filver Thread,
Nor is it drawn too long ; Yet when my vafter Hopes perfuade*
I'm willing to be gone.
VII. Faft as ye pleafe roll down the Hill,,
And hafte away, my Years ; Or I can wait my Father's Will,
And dwell beneath the Spheres..
vii r.
Rife, glorious, every future Sun,.
Gild all my following Days, But make the laft dear Moment known:
By weU-diflinguinYd Rays.
TO
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 135
To the Right Honourable JOHN Lord CUTS.
At the Siege, of Namur* The Hardy Soldier. I.
OWHY is Man fo though tlefs grow a ? " Why guilty So«ls in haile to die I Vent'ring the leap to the Worlds unknown;,. Heedlefs to Arms and Blood they fly.
II. Are Lives but worth a Soldier's Pay > Why will ye join fuch wi^e Extremes, And ftake Immortal Souls, in play At defperate Chance, and bloody Games I
III. Valour's a noble Turn of Thought, Whofe pardon'd Guilt forbids her Fears : Calmly me meets the deadly Shot Secure of Life above the Stars.. / IV. K But Frenzy dares eternal Fate, " And fpurr'd with Honour's airy Dreams? $ Flies to attack th' infernal Gate, & And force a Pailage to the Flames."
V. Thus hov'ring o'er NJMURIJ's Plains,. Sung heav'nly Lave in Gabriel's Form : Young THRASO: left the moving Strains,. And vow'd to pray before the Storm.
VI. Anon the thundering Trumpet calls t Vows are but Wind, the Hero cries ; Then fwears by Heav'n, and fcales the Walls, Drops in the Ditch, defpairs and dies. ##.###■#*** #■###■ #**##*#*• Burning feviral Poems of Ovid, Martial, Oldham, Dryden, &c.
I. 1708.
I J U D G E the Mufe of lewd Defire ; Her Sow & DarknefsP and fcer Works to Fire,
In
i36 LYRIC POEMS, Book II,
In vain the Flatteries of their Wit Now with a melting Strain, now with an heavenly Flight,
Would tempt my Virtue to approve Thofe gaudy Tinders of a lawlefs Love.
So Harlots drefs : They can appear Sweet, modeft, cocl, divineiy Fair, To charm a Cato\ Eye ; but all within, Stench, Impudence and Fire, and ugly raging Siiu
Die, Flora, die in endlefs Shame,
Thou Profiitute of blacked Fame, Stript of thy falfe Array.
Ovid, and all ye wilder Pens
Of modern Luft, who gild our Scenes*, Poifon the Britifr Stage, and paint Damnation gayr
Attend your Miftrefs to the Dead ; When Flora dies, her Imps mould wait upon her Shade* III.
* Strephon, of noble Blood and Mind* (For ever ihine his Name !)
As Death approach'd, his Soul renn'dr And gave his loofer Sennets to the Flame.
" Burn, burn, he cry'd with facred Rage,
" Hell is the Due of every Page, " Hell be the Fate. (But O indulgent Heaven ! " So vile the Mule, and yet the Man forglv'n !) " Burn en my Songs : For not the Silver Thames
'* Nor Tyler with his yellow Streams *' In endlefs Currents rolling to the Main, " Can e'er dilute the Poifon, or wain out the Stain,.
So Mcfes by Divine Command
Forbid the leprous Hcufe to Hand When deep the fatal Spot was grown. Break do-uon the Timber, and dig up the Stone. * Earl of Rocheft.-r.
Mis. B. B E N D I S H. Againji Tears.
I. 1699.
MADAM, perfur.de me Tears are good To vvalli cur Mortal Carea away ;
Thefe
. Sacred to Virtue, &c. i'Z7
Thefe Eyes fhall weep a fudden Flood, And ftream into a briny Sea-.
II. Or if thefe Orbs are hard and dry, (Thefe Orbs that never ufe to rain) Some Star direct roe where to buy One fovereign Drop for all my Pain,
III. Were both the golden Indies mine,, I'd give both Indies for a Tear : I'd barter all but what's divine : Nor fhall I think the Bargain dear,
" IV. But Tears, alas ! are trifling Things, They rather feed than heal cur Woe ; From trickling Eyes new Sorrow fpring$5 As Weeds in rainy Seafons grow.
V. Thus Weeping urges Weeping on y In vain our Miferies hope relief, For one Drop calls another down, Till we are drown'd in Seas of Grief,
VI. Then let thefe ufeful Streams be ftaid, Wear native Courage on your Face : Thefe vulgar Things were never made' For Souls of a fuDerior Raee.
VII. If 'tis a rugged Path you go, And thoufand Foes your Steps furround, Tread the Thorns down, charge thro' the Foe :' The harder! Fight is higheft crown'd.
Few Happy Matches*
I.
Aug. IJQI:
4 v
mighty Love, and teach my Sovng, } To whom my fweeteft Joys bekng, And who the happy Pairs-
• ■ Whofe
138 LYRIC POEMS, Book II.
Whofe yielding Hearts, and joining Hands, Find Bleflings twilled with their Bands,
To foften all their Cares. JL
Not the wild Herd of Nymphs and Swains That thoughtlefs fly into the Chains,
As Cuftom leads the Way j If there be Blifs without Defign, Ivies and Oaks may grow and twine, And be as bleil as they.
III. Not fordid Souls of earthly Mould Who drawn by Kindred Charms of Gold
To dull Embraces move : So two rich Mountains of Peru May rum to wealthy Marriage too,
And make a World of Love. IV. Not the mad Tribe that Hell infpires With wanton Flames ; thofe raging Fires
The purer Blifs deftroy : On JEtnah Top let Furies wed, And Sheets of Lightning drefs the Bed
T* improve the burning Joy.
Nor the dull Pairs whofe marble Forms None of the melting PafTions warms,
Can mingle Hearts and Hands r Logs of green Wood that quench the Coals Are marry'd juft like Stoic Souls,
With Ofiers for their Bands. VI. Not Minds of melancholy Strain, Still filent, or that ftill complain,
Can the dear Bondage blefs : As well may heavenly Contorts Spring From two old Lutes with ne'er a String,
Or none befides the Bafs.
VII. Nor can the foft Enchantments hold Two jarring Souls of angry Mould,
The Rugged and the Keen :
Santpfon's
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 139
S lamp/on s young Foxes might as well in Bonds of chearful Wedlock dwell, With Firebrands ty'd between. VIII.
Nor let the cruel Fetters bind A gentle to a favage Mind ;
For Love abhors the Sight : Loofe the fierce Tyger from the Deer, For native Rage and native Fear Rife and forbid Delight.
8 IX.
Two kinder Souls alone mult meet,
'Tis Friend fhip makes the Bondage fweet,
And feeds their mutual Loves : Bright Venus on her rolling Throne Is drawn by gentlelt Birds alone,
And Cupids yoke the Doves.
T O
DAVID P O L H I L L, Efq;
An EPISTLE.
December 1702* I.
LE T ufelefs Souls to Woods retreat ,* POL HILL fnould leave a Country Seal When Virtue bids him dare be Great.
II. Nor Kent*, nor Suffix*, mould feave Charms While Liberty with loud Alarms, Calls vou to Counfela and to Arms.
III. Lewis, by fawning Slaves ador'd, Bids you receive a f bafe-bom Lord 1 Awake your Cares ! awake your Sword !
IV. Factions amongft the $ Britons rife, And warring Tongues, and wild Surmife, And burning Zeal without her Eyes.
?.
* His Country-Scat and Dwelling.
f The Pretender, proclaimed King in France,
X The Parliament*
34o LYRIC POEMS, Book II 1
V.
A Vote decides the blind Debate, RefolvM, 'Tis of diviner Weight, To fa=ve the Steeple, than the State.
VI. The * bold Machine is form'd and join'd To flretch the Confcience, and to bind The native Freedom of rhe Mind.
VII. Your Grandfire Shades with jealous Eye* Frcwn down to fee their Offspring lie Carelefs, and let their County die.
VIII. If f Trevia fear to let you Hand Againft the Gaul with Spear in Hand, At leaft \ Petition for the Land.
* The Bill again]} Occafional Conformity, 1702.
f Mrs. Pefhill of the Family of the Lord Trevor.
X Mr. Polhill was one of tboff five zealous Gentlemen tvh)
prefented the famous KentHh Petition to the Parliament, in the
Reign of King William, to haften their Supplies in Order to fup<
pdrt the King in his War with France.
* ;* * *; 4T*' * * I* # 4T$ * # ' * # * * '* ' # #
The celebrated Vittory cf the Poles ruer Ofman the Tur-
kifri Emperor in the Dacian Battle. Trav.Jlated frcm Calimire, B. IV. Od. 4. with large
Additions. r< ADOR the Old, the Wealthy and the Strong,
Cheerful in Years (nor of the Heroic Mufe Unknowing, nor unknown) held fair PoflefiiQfls Where flows the fruitful Danube : Seyentj Springs Smil'd on his Seed, and feventy Harveft Moons Fiii'd his wide Graneries with Autumnal joy : Still he refum'd the Toil : ana Fame reports, "While he broke up new Ground, ana tir'd his Plough In grally Furrows, the torn Earth dikljs'd Helmets, and Swords (bright Furniture cf W ir Sleeping in Rult) and Heaps of might The Sun defcending to the ftfeftcrn Deep Bid him lie down and reft ; he loos'd the Yoke, Yet held his wearied Oxen from their Food With charming Numbers, and uncommon Song.
Sacred to Virtue, See. 141
Go, Fellow-Labourers, you may rove fecure,
)r feed befide me ; tafte the Greens and Boughs That you have long forgot ; crop the fweet Herb, And graze in Safety, while the Victor-Pa/* • .eans on his Spear, and breathes ; yet ftill his Eye ealous and fierce. How large, old Soldier, fay, -low fair a Karveil of the flaughter'd Turks Itrew'd the Moldavian Fields ? What mighty Piles Of vaft Deftrudlion, and of Thracian Dead nil and amaze my Eyes? Broad Bucklers lie A vain Defence) fpread o'er the pathlefs Hills, And Coats of fcaly Steel, and hard Habergeon, Deep-bruis'd and empty of Mahometan Limbs, rhis the fierce Saracen wore, (for when a Boy, I was a Captive, and remind their Drefs :) Here the Poionians dreadful march'd along In auguit Pore, and regular Array, Led on to Conqueit : Here the Turkijb Chief Bjefumptuous trod, and in rude Order rang'd His long Battalions, while his populous Towns Pour'd out frefh Troops perpetual, dreft in Arms.. Horrent in Mail, and gay in fpangled Pride.
O ike dire Image of the bloody Fight Thefe Eyes have feen, when the capacious Plain Was throng'd with Dacian Spears ; when polifh'd Helms And Convex Gold blaz'd thick againil the Sun Reiioring all his Beams 1 but frowning War All gloomy, like a gather'd Tempefl, flood Wavering, and doubtful where to bend its Fall.
The Storm of miflive Steel delay'd a while By wife Command ; fledg'd Arrows on the Nerve.; And Scymiter and Sabre bore the Sheath Reluctant ; till the hollow brazen Clouds Had bcfiowM from each Quarter of the Field Loud Thunder, and difgorg'd their fulph'rous Fire. Then Banners wav'd, and Arms were mix'd with i\rms j Then Javelins -anfwer'd Javelins as they fled. For both fled hilling Death :. With adverfe Edge The crooked Fauchions met ; and hideous Noife From ciamihg Shields, thro' the long Pvanks of War,
Clang'd
i42 L r R I C P 0 E M S, Book II.
Clang'd horrible. A thoufand Iron Storms Roar divcrfe : and in harm Confuffion drown The Trumpet's Silver Sound. O rude Effort Of Harmony ! not all the frozen Store Of the cold North when pour'd in rattling Hail Lam with fuch Madnefs the Norwegian Plains, Or fo torment the Ear. Scarce founds fo far The direful Fragor, when fome Southern Blaft Tears from the Alps a Ridge of knotty Oaks Deep fang'd, and antient Tenants of the Rock : -The rnafly Fragment, many a Rood in Length, With hideous Cram, rolls down the rugged Cliff RefilHefs, plunging in the fubjecl Lake Ccmo, or Lugaine ; th* affii&ed Waters roar, And various Thunder all the Valley fills, Such was the Noife of War : the troubled Air Complains aloud, and propagates the Din .To neighbouring Regions ; Rocks and lofty Hills Beat the impetuous Echoes round the Sky.
Uproar, Revenge, and Rage, and Hate appear In all their murderous Forms ; and Flame and Blood And Sweat and Dull array the broad Campaign In Horror : haity Feet, and fparkling Eyes, And all the favage Paffions of the Soul Engage in the warm Bufinefs of the Day. Here mingling Hands, but with no friendly Gripe, Join in the Fight ; and Breafts in clofe Embrace, But mortal, as the Iron Arms of Death. Here Words auftere, of perilous Command, And Valour fwift t' obey ; bold Feats of Arms Dreadful to fee, and glorious to relate, Shine thro* the Field with more furprifing Brightnefs Than glittering Helms or Spears. What loud Applaufe (Beft Meed of Warlike Toil) what manly Shouts, And Yells unmanly thro* the Battle ring ! And fudden Wrath dies into endlefs Fame.
Long did the Fate of War hang dubious. Here Stood the more num'rous Turk, the valiant Pole Fought here ; more dreadful, tho* with leffer Wings.
But
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 143
Bat what the Dahees or the Coward Soul J3f a CyJonian, what the fearful Crouds Of bafe Ciliaans fcaping from the Slaughter, |3r Parthian Beafts, with all their racing Riders, /Vhat could they mean againft th' intrepid Breaft 3f the purfuing Foe ? Th' impetuous Poles llufh here, and here the Lithuanian Horfe Drive down upon them like a double Bolt Df kindled Thunder raging thro* the Sky Dn founding Wheels ; or as fome mighty Flood lolls his two Torrents down a dreadful Steep Precipitant and bears along the Stream locks, Woods and Trees, with all the grazing Heri, \?A tumbles lofty Forefts headlong to the Plain.
The bold Boruffian fmoaking from afar
> Moves like a Temped in a dufky Cloud, \nd imitates th' Artillery of Heaven, The Lightning and the Roar. Amazing Scene !
I #hat Showers of mortal Hail, what flaky Fires Jurfl: from the Darknefs ! while their Cohorts firm Viet the like Thunder, and an equal Storm, 7rom hoftile Troops, but with a braver Mind. Jndaunted Bofoms tempt the Edge of War, \nd rufh on the Iharp Point ; while baleful Mifchiefs, Deaths, and bright Dangers itew acrofs the Field Thick and continual, and a thoufand Souls ?led murmuring thro' their Wounds. I flood aloof, ?or 'twas unfafe to come within the Wind }f Ruffian Banners, when with whizzing Sound, Lager of Glory, and profufe of Life, They born down fearlefs on the charging Foes, \nd drove them backward. Then the furkijb Moons 'Vander'd in difarray. A dark Eclipie iung on the Silver Crefcent, boding Night, jOng Night, to all her Sons : at length difrobM The Standards fell ; the barbarous Enfigns torn rled with the Wind, the Sport of angry Heav'n : ^nd a large Cloud of Infantry and Horie Mattering in wild Diforder* ijwead the Plain.
144 LYRIC POM M S, Book I
Not Noife, nor Number, nor the brawny Limb, Nor high built Size prevails : 'Tis Courage fights, 'Tis Courage conquers. So whole Forreits fall (A fpacious Ruin) by one fmgle Ax. And Steel well-iharpned : To a generous Pair Of Young-wing'd Eaglets fright a thoufand Doves.
Vaft was the Slaughter, and tse flow'ry Green Drank deep of flowing Crimfon. Veteran Bands Here made their laft Campaign. Here haughty Chiefs Stretch'd on the Bed of purple Honour lie Supine, nor dream of Battle's hard Event, Opprefs'd with Iron Slumbers, and long Night. Their Ghofts indignant to the nether World. Fled, but -attended well : for at their Side Some faithful Ja?uzaries ftvtxs'd the Field, Fall'n in juir. Ranks or Wedges, Lanes or Squares, Firm as they flood : to the Warfo<oian Troops, A nobler Toil, and Triumph worth their Fight. But the broad Sabre and keen Poll Ax flew With fpeedy Terror thro' the feebler Herd, And made rude Havock and irregular Spoil Amongft the vulgar Bands that own'd the Name Of Makcmei, The wild Arabians fled In fwift Affright a thoufand different Ways (tain:!
Thro' Brakes and Thorns, and climb'd the craggy Moun- Bellowing ; yet hafty Fate o'ertook the Cry, And Poltjb Hunters clave the timorous Deer.
Thus the dire Profpecl diftant fill'd my Soul With Awe ; till the lali Relicks of the War The thin Edonians flying had difclos'd The ghaftly Plain : I took a nearer View, Unfeemly to the Sight, nor to the Smell Grateful. What Loads of mangled Flefh and Limbs (A difmal Carnage !) bath'd in reeking Gore Lay weirring on the Ground ; while flitting Life Convuls'd the Nerves ftiil fhivering, nor had loft All Tafte of Pain ! Here an OM Thracian lies Defoim'd with Years, and Scars, and groans aloud Torn with frefh Wounds ; but inward Vitals firm Forbid the Soul's Remove, and chain it down
Sacred to Virtue, &e\ 145
1 By tire hard Laws of Nature, to fuftain J Long Torment : his wild Eye-balk-roll : his Teeth 1 Gnafhing with Anguiih, chide his lingring Fate. j Emblazon'd Armour fpoke his high Command Amongft the neighbouring Dead ; they round their Lord j Lay proftrate ; fome in Flight ignobly flain, I Some to the Skies their Faces upwards turn'd ! Still brave, and proud to die £0 near their Prince.
I mov'd not far, and lo, at manly Length Two beauteous Youths of richer! Ottoman Blood Extended on the Field : in Friendihip join'd, Nor Fate divides them : hardy Warriors both ; Both faithful ; drown'd in ShowYs of Darts they fell, Each with his Shield fpread o'er his Lover's Heart, Jn yain : for on thofe Orbs of friendly Brafs -Stood Groves of Javelins ; fome, alas, too deep Were planted there, and thro' their lovely Bofoms Made painful A venues for cruel Death.
0 my dear native Land, forgive the Tear
1 dropt on their wan Cheeks, when itrong Companion Forc'd from my melting Eyes the briny Dew,
And paid a Sacrifice to hoitile Virtue.
Daciat forgive the Sight that wifh'd the Souls
Of thofe fair Infidels fome awful Place
Among the bleft. " Sleep, fleep, ye haplefs Pair,
*' Gently, I cry'd, worthy of better Fate,
" And better Faith." Hard by the General lay
Of Saracen Defcent, a grizly Form
Breathlefs, yet Pride fat pale upon his Front
Jn Difappointment, with a furly Brow
Louring in Death, and vext ; his rigid Jaws
Foaming with Blood bite hard the Polijh Spear,
In that dead Vifage my Remembrance reads
Raih Caraccas : In vain the boafling Slave
Prcmis'd and footh'd the Sultan threatning fierce
With Royal Suppers and triumphant Fare
Spread wide beneath Warfcvian Silk arid Geld ;
See on the naked Ground all cold he lies
Beneath the damp wide Cov'ring of the Air
Forgetful of his Word. How Heaven confounds
H Iniolting-
146 LYRIC POEMS, Book II
Infulting- Hopes ! with what an awful Smile Laughs at the Proud, that loofen all the Reins To their unbounded Willies, and leads on Their blind Ambition to a fhameful End !
But whirher am I borne ? This Thought of Arms Jires me in vain to fing to fenfclefs Bulls What generous Horie fhould hear. Break off, my Song My barbaroas Mme be itill : Immortal Deeds - JViuit not be thus profand in ruftic Verfe : The Martial Trumpet, and the following Age, And growing Fame, mall loud rehearfe the Fight In Sounds of Giory. Lo, the Evening-Star Shines o'er the Weftem Hill ; my Oxen, come, The well-known Srar invites the Labourer home.
T O
Mr. H E N RY B E JV D Y S H.
Ddar Sir, Aug. 24, 170$.
CT'HE following Seng was yours when jirjt composed : The Muje then defcribd the general fate of Mankind* that is, to be ill match' d ; end now Jhe rejoices that you have efcated the common Mi /'chief y and that your Soul has found its own Mate. Let this Ode then congratulate you Both, Grow mutually in more compleat Likenejs and Love : Ferfe- vere and be Happy.
I perfuade my felf you will accept from the Prefs what the Pen metre privately inferib'd to you long ago ; and lym in no Pain left you fhould take Offence at the fabulous Drefs cf this Poem : Nor would weaker Minds be JcandalinCd at it, if they would give themf elves leave to refieB bow many divine Truths are fpeken by the Holy Writers in Vifion and Images ', Parables and Dreams: Nor are my wifcr Friends *jba;;id to defend it, ftnee the Narrative is grave and the Moral /» juf and envious.
The Indian Philojofber.
Sept. 3, 170X.
r.
WHY fnoukl our Joys transfttnj to Pain ? Why gentle Hymen*? filken Chain A Plague of Fron prove ?
BENDYSH,
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 147
MENDYSH, 'tis Grange the Charm that binds Millions of Hands, mould leave their Minds
At iuch 3 Loofe from Love. II. In vain I fought the wondrous Caule, Rang'd the wide Fields of Nature's Laws,
And urg'd the Schools in vain ; Then deep in Thought, within my Breaft My Soul retir'd, and Slumber drefs'd
A bright inflruclive Scene. III. O'er the broad Land's, and crofs the Tide* On Fancy's airy Horfe I ride,
(Sweet Rapture of the Mind !) Till on the Banks of Ganges Flood, In a tall ancient Grove I flood
For facred Ufe 4efign'd.
IV. Hard by, a venerable Prieft, Ris'n with his God, the Sun, from Reft,
Awoke his Morning Song ; Thrice he conjur'd the murm'ring Stream; The Birth of Souls was ail his Theme,
And half-divine his Tongue. V. b He fang th' Eternal rolling; Flame, « That vital Mafs, that ftill the fame
" Does all our Minds compofe : " But fhap'd in twice ten thoufand Frames 5 " Thence diff'ring Souls of diff'ring Names,
" And jarring Tempers rofe. VI. " The mighty Power that form'd the Mind «< One Mould for every Two defign'd,
" And blefs'd the ne.v born Pair : ** This he a Matzh for this : (he faid) u Then down he lent the Souls he made,
<« To feek them Bodies here : VII. " But parting from their warm Abode %% " They loft then Fellows on the Road,
** And never join'd their Hands :
H 2 "Ah
148 LT.R.IC PO E MS, Book I
" Ah cruel Chance, and croffing Fates ! " Our Eajlern Souls have dropt their Mates
" On Europe's barbarous Lands. VIII. " Happy the Youth that finds the Bride " V/hofe Birth is to his own ally'd,
" The fweeteft Joy of Life : " But oh the Crowds of wretched Souls •* Fetter'd to Minds of different Moulds,
" And chain'd t' Eternal Strife ! IX. Thus fang the wond'rous Indian Bard ; My Soul with vail Attention heard,
While Ganges ceas'd to flow : " Sure then (I cry'd) might I but fee *« That gentle Nymph that twinn'd with me,
*l I may be happy too.
(f Some courteous Angel, tell me where, «' What d'hant Lands this unknown Fair,
" Or diftant Seas detain ? «« Swift as the Wheel of Natare rolls ** I'd fly, to meet, and mingle Souls,
" And wear the joyful Chain.
TJu Ha^y Man,
I.
SERENE as Light, is MTR O N's Soul, . And a&ive as the Sun, yet fteady as the Pole : In manly Beauty mines his Face ; Every Mufe, and every Grace, Makes his Heart and Tongue their Seat, His Heart profufely good, his Tongue divinely fweet. Ml' RON, the Wonder of our Eyes, Behold his Manhood fcarce begun ! Behold his Race cf Virtue run ! Behold the Goal of Glory won ! Not Fame denies the Merit, nor with-holds the Prize ; Her Silver Trumpets his Renown proclaim :
Th(
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 149
Tlie Lands where Learning never flew, Which neither Rome nor Athens knew, Surly Japan and rich Peru, In barbarous Songs, pronounce the Britijb Hero's Name.
«! Airy Blifs (the Hero cry'd) " May feed the Tympany of Pride ; " But healthy Souls were never found " To live on Emptinefs and Sound. II. Lo, at his honourable Feet Fame's bright Attendant, Wealth, appears; She comes to pay Obedience meet, Providing Joys for future Years ; Bleflings with lavifh Hand fhe pours Gather'd from the Indian Coaft ; Noi Danae's Lap could equal Treafures boaft, When Jove came down in golden Show'ra.
He look'd and turn'd his Eyes away, WTith high Difdain I heard him fay3 ** Bli6 is not made of glittering Clay.
III. Now Pomp and Grandeur court his Head With Scutcheons, Arms, and Enfigns fpread ; Gay Magnificence and State, Guards, and Chariots, at his Gate, And Slaves in endlefs Order round his Table wait : They learn the Dictates of his Eyes, And now they fall, and now they rife, Watch every Motion of their Lord, Hang on his Lips with moil impatient Zeal, With fwift Ambition feize th* unfinifh'd Word, And the Command fulfil, Tir'd with the Train that Grandeur bring*, He dropt a Tear, and pky'd Kings:. Then flying from the noify Throng, Seeks the Diversion of a Song.
iv. s ..
Musick defending on a filent Cloud,
Tun'd all her Strings with endlefs Art;.., By flow Degrees from foft to" loud
_ H 3 (Jhanging
150 LYRIC POEM S, Book 3
Changing ihe rofe : The Harp and Flute Harmonious join, the Hero to falute,
And make a Captive of his Heart. Fruits, and rich Wine, and Scenes of lawlefs Leva
Each with utmoft Luxury ftrove To treat their Favourite bell ;
But founding Strings, and Fruits, and Wine,
And lawlefs Love, in vain combine To make hit Virtue fleep, or lull his Soul to re&
V. He faw the tedious Round, and, with a Sigh,
Pronounc'd the World but Vanity.
•« In Crowds of Pleafure ftill I find
** A painful Solitude of Mind. X* A Vacancy within which Senfe can ne'er fopply,
" Hence, and be gone, ye flattering Snares,
«' Ye vulgar Charms of Eyes and Ears,
«4 Ye unperforming Promifers !
•• Be all my bafer Pafiions dead,
** And N^lb "Dziiazi, b'f N-turs mads
*♦ For Animals and Boys : •« Man has a Reliih more refin'd, «* Souls are for focial Blifs defign'd, " Give me a Bleffing fit to match my Mind, " A Kindred- Soul to double and to fhare my Joys* VI. MTRRHA appear'd : Serene her Soul And aeli<ve as the Sun, yet fieady as the Pole: In fofter Beauties Jhone her Face ; Every Mu/e, and ewer Grace, J/Lade her Heart and Tongue their Seaf9 Her Heart profufely good, her Tongue divinely fount 8 MYRRHA the Wonder of his Eyes ; Hi* Heart recoii'd with fweet Surprize,
With Joys unknown before : His Soul diflolv'd in pleafmg Pain, Flow'd to his Eyes, and look'd again,
And could endure no more, « Enough ! (th* impatient Hero cries)
" And feia'd her to his Breaft, «• I feek no more below the Skies, " I give my Slave* the reft.
Sacred to Virtue, Sec. 151
T O
DAVID P 0 L H I L L, Efq; An Anfwer to an infamous Satyr, called, Advice to * Painter ; written by a namelefs Author, againft King IVilliam III. of Gloiious Memory, 1698, SI R, TTfH E N you put this Satyr into my Hand, you gave me the Qccajion of employing my Pen to anfwer J'e deteft- able a Writing ; which might be done much more effectually hy your known 2*eal for the Interejf of his Majefly, your Counfels and your Courage employ* d in the Defence of your King and Country. And fince you provoked me to ivrite, you will accept of thefe Efforts of my Loyalty to the bejl of Kings > fiddrefs'd to one of the mofi xealons of his Subjetfs, hy,
& I H,
Your Moil Obedient Servant,!**
/. w.
# # # * ii###*#ifit#»t###
P A R T II
AND xnuft.th* Hero that redeem'd our Land, Here in the Front of Vice and Scandal {land r The Man of wondrous Soul, that fec^n'd hrs Eafe, Tempting the Winters, and the faithlefs Seas, And paid an annual Tribute of his Life To guard his England from the Irijh Knife, To crufh the French Dragoon ? Mufl William's Name, That brighteft Star that gilds the Wings of Fame, William the Brave, the Pious, and the Juft Adorn thefe gloomy Scenes of Tyranny and Luft ?
POLHILL, my Blood boiU high, my Spirits flame ; ) Can your Zeal fieep ! Or are your Paffions tame ? S Nor call Revenge and Darknefs on the Poet's Name ? 3 Why fmoke the Skies not ? Why no Thunders roll ? Nor kindling Lightnings blaft his guilty Soul ? Audacious Wretch ! to flab a Monarch's Fame, % And Fire his Subjects with a Rebel-Flame -} To call the Painter to his black Defigns, To draw our Guardian's J?ace in JjeJliiK Lines., r
Bafntef*
ij2 LTRIC POEMS, Bookll
Painter, beware ! the Monarch can be fhown Under no Shape but Angel*, or his own, Gabriel, or William, on the Britijb Throne.
O ! could my Thought bat grafp the vaft Derlgn, And Words with infinite Ideas join, Td roufe Apelks, from his Iron Sleep, And bid him trace the Warrior o'er the Deep : Trace him, Apelles, o'er the Belgian Plain fierce, how he climbs the Mountains of the Slain, Scattering juft Vengeance thro' the red Campaign. Then dam- the Canvas with a flying Stroke, 1
Till it be loft in Clouds of Fire and Smoke, (broke. C And fay, 'Twas thus the Conqueror thro' the Squadrons y .Mark him again emerging from the Cloud, Far from his Troops ; there like a Rock he flood His Country** fingle Barrier in a Sea of Blood. Calmly he leaves the Pleafures of a Throne, And his Maria weeping ; whilft alone He wards the Fate of Nations, and provokes his $wn : But Heav'n fecures its Champion ; o'er the Field Paint hov'ring Angels ; tho' they fly conceal'd, Each intercepts a Death, and wears it on his Shield
Now, noble Pencil, lead him to our Ifle, Mark how the Skies with joyful Lultre fmile, Then imitate the Glory on the Strand Spread half the Nation, longing till he Land. Wafh off the Blood, and take a peaceful Teint, All Red the Warrior, White the Ruler paint ; Abroad a Hero, and at Home a Saint. Throne him on high upon a fhining Seat, Luft and Profanenefs dying at his Feet, "While round his Head the Laurel and the Olive meet. The Crowns of War and Peace ; and may they blow With flow'ry Bleflings ever on his Brow. At his Right Hand pile up the Englijh Laws In facred Volumes ; thence the Monarch draws His wifeand juft Commands Rife, ye old Sages of the Britijb Ifle, On the fair Tablet caft a reverend Smile, And blefs the Piece ; thefe Statutes are your own, ■ That fway the Cottage, and direct the Throne ;
People
1
\
\ \ \
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 153
People and Prince are one in Williamh Name, 1 Their Joys, their Dangers, and their Laws the fame.
Let Liberty, and Right, with Plumes difplay'd Clap their glad Wings around their Guardian's Head, Religion o'er the reit her flarry Pinions fpread. Religion guards him ; round the Imperial Queen Place waiting Virtues, each of heav'nly Mein ; Learn their bright Air, and paint it from his Eyes"; The Juft, the Bold, the Temperate, and the Wife Dwell in his Looks ; Majellic, but Serene ; Sweet, with no Fondnefs ; Chearful, but not Vain : Bright, without Terror; Great, without Difdain, His Soul infpires us what his Lips command, And fpreads his brave Example thro' the Land :
Not fo the former Reigns ;
Bend down his Earth to each afflicted Cry,
Let Beams of Grace dart gently from his Eye j
But the bright Treafures of his facred Breaft
Art too divine, too vail to be expreii :
Colours muft fail where Words and Numbers faint,
And leave the Hero's Heart for Thought alone to paint.-
PAR T II.
NO W, Muff, purfue the Satyrift again, Wipe off the Blots of his invenom'd Pen j, Hark, how he bids the Servile Painter draw, In monftrous Shapes, the Patrons of our Law ; "At one flight Dafh he cancels every Name From the white Rolls of Honefty and Fame : This fcribling Wretch marks all he meets for Knave, Shoots fudden Bolts promifcuoiis at the Bafe and Bravey And with unpardonable Malice Iheds Poiibn and Spite on undiftinguilh'd Heads. Painter, forbear; or if thy bolder Hand Dares to attempt the Villains of the. Land, Draw firil this Poet, like fome balefui Star, : With filent Influence fhedding Civil War ; Or factious Trumpeter, w'hofe Magic Sound ' Calls oir the Subjects to the hoftile Ground, And fcatters- helliih Feuds the Nation round,
- Tke'fe
I
*54 LT R 1 C POEMS, Book II.
Thefeare the Imps of Heil, that curfed Tribe
That firfs create the Plague, and then the Pain defcribe*
Draw next above, the Great Ones of our Me, Still from the Good diftinguifhing the Vile ; Seat 'em in Pomp, in Grandeur, and Command, Peeling the Subjects with a greedy Hand : Paint forth the Knaves that have the Nations folc^ And tinge their greedy Looks with fordid Gold. Mark what a felfifh Faction undermines The pioijs Monarch's generous Defigns, Spoil their own native Land as Vipers do, Vipers that tear their Mother's Bowels through Let Great NaJjTaa beneath a careful Crown, Mournful in Majefty, look gently down, Mingling foft Pity with an awful Frown : He grieves \o fee how long in vain, he ftrove To make us bleft, how vain his Labours prove To fave the flubborn Land he condefcends to love.
To the Difcmtented and Unquiet.
Imitated partly, from Cafimire, R. IV. Od. 15.
J? AR I A, there's nothing here that's free
From wearifome Anxiety : And the whole Round of mortal Joys With fhort Pofleffion tires and cloys : 3Tis a dull Circle ihat we tread, juft from the Window to the Bed, We rife to fee and to be feen Gaze on the World awhile and then. We yawn, and itretch to fleep again. ]But Fancy, that uneafy Gueil, Still holds a longing in our Breaft : She finds or frames Vexations Hill, Herfelf the greateft Plague we feel, We take flrange Pleafure in our Pain, And make a Mountain of a Grain, Aflume the Load, and pant and fweat Beneath th' imaginary Weight. With our dear khes we live at Strife, While the moft conflant Scenes of lift
Fro©
I
Saered to VHtTtfg, &c. x%%
From peevim Humours arc not free ;
Still we arFed Variety :
Rather than pafs an eafy Day,
We fret and chide the Hours away,
Grow weary of this circling Sun,
And vex that he ihould ever run
The fame old Track ^ and Hill, and fH!t
Rife red behind yon Eaitern Hill,
And chide the Moon that darts her Light
Thro* the fame Cafement every Night.
We fhift our Chambers, and our Homes, * To dwell where Trouble never come* > Sylvia has left the City Crowd,
Againft the Court exclaims afoud, J
Flies to the Woods ; a Hermit-Saint ! She loaths her Patches, Pins, and Paint, Dear Diamonds from her Neck are torn : But Humour, that Eternal Thorn, Sticks in her Heart : She is hurry'd Hill, *Twixt her wild Paffions and her Will : HauHted and hagg'd where-e'er me roves, By purling Streams, and filent Groves, Or with her Furies, or her Loves.
Then our own native Land we hate, Too cold, too windy, or too wet; Change the thick Climate, and repai£ To France or Italy for Air ; In vain we change, in vain we fly ; Go, Sylvia, mount the whirling Sky, Or ride upon the feather'd Wind In vain; if this difea&d Mind Clings fall, and Aill fits clofe behind. Faithful Difeaie, that never fail* Attendance at her Lady's Side, Over the Defart or the Tide, On rolling Wheels, or flying Sails*
Happy the Soul that Virtue (how* To fix the Place of Her Repofe, Needlefs to move ; for ihe can dwell Jn her old Graadfire's Hall ai wsUt
Y"r.&T?f
i56 L r R I C P 0 E MS, Book II
Virtue that never loves to roam, But fweetly bides her felf at home. And eafy on a native Throne Of humble Turf fits gently down.
Yet mould tumultuous Storms arife, And mingle Earth, and Seas, and Skies, Should the Waves fwell, and make her roll Acrofs the Line, or near the Pole,. Still me is at Peace; for well (he knows To launch the Stream that Duty lliows, And makes her Home, where e'er me goes, Bear her, ye Seas upon your Breaft, Or waft her, Winds, from Eafi to Wejl On the foft Air ; Tfte cannot find A Couch fo eafy as her Mind, Nor breath a Climate half fo kind.
T O
JOHN H A RTO P P, Efq;
NOW
Sir J O H N H A R T O P P, Barf, Cafimire^ Book I. Ode 4. imitated. Vi*ue jucunda metuens juventa, Sec.
July 1700.
LIVE, my dear HJRTOPP, live to Day, Nor let the Sun look down and fay, 44 Inglorious here he lies, Shake off your Eafe, and fend your Name To Immortality and Fame, By cv'ry Hour that flies.
ir.
Youth's a foft Scene, but trull her not : Her airy Minute*,, fwift as Thought,
Slide off the ilipp'r.y .Sphere ; Moons with their Months make haity Rounds, The Sun has pafs'd his .vernal Bounds,
And whirls about the Year,
a.
Sacred to Virtue, "&c. 157
HI. Let Folly drefs in green and red, And gird her Wafte with flowing Gold Knit blulhing Rofes round her Head, - Alas ! the gaudy Colours fade,
The Garment waxes old. H ART O P Pf mark the withering Rofe, And the pale Gold- ho.w dim it fhows.1
IV. 'Bright and lafling Blifs below
Is all Romance and Dream j Only the Joys celeftial flow
In an eternal Stream, The Pleafures that the fmiling Daj
With large Right Hand bellows* Falfely her left conveys away,
And muffles in our Woes- So have I feen a Mother play* P
And cheat her filly Child, She gave and took a Toy away* ,.■ The Infant cry'd and fmil'd„ . V. Airy Chance, and Iron Fate, Hurry and vex our mortal State* And all the Race of Ills create ; Now fiery Joy, now fullen Grief, Command the Reins of .human Life*
The Wheels impetuous roll j The harneft Hours and Minutes drive, And Days with irretching Pinions drive down fiercely on the GoaL VI. Not half fo faft the Gaily flies
O'er the Venetian Sea, When Sails, and Oars, and laboring Skies '
Contend to make her Way. Swift 'Wings for alt the flying Hours
The God of Time prepares,. The reft lie. full yet in their Nefl
And grow for fulure Years..
k TO
t5S LYRIC POEMS, BookH
T O
THOMAS Q U N S TO Ny E%
1700.
Happy Solitude,
Caftmire, Book IV. Od. 12. imitate^
Quid me latentem% &c.
I.
TH E noffy World complains of me That I ihould fhun their Sight, and flee Vifits, and Crowds, and Company. GUNSTONy the Lark dwells in her Ne£
Till ihe afcends the Skies ; And in my Clofet I could reft Till to the Heavens I riie. II. Yet they will urge, «* This private Life ** Can never make you bleft, " And twenty Doors are ftill at ftrife " Tr engage you for a Gueft. Friend, Ihould the Towers of Wind/or or Whitth£# Spread open their inviting Gates To make my Entertainment gay ; I would obey the Royal Call,
But fhort ihould be my Stay* Since a diviner Service waits T* employ my Hours at home, and better fill the IW, III. When I within my Self retreat, I (hut my Doors againft the Great ; My bufy Eye-balls inward roll, And there with large Survey I fee All the wide Theatre of Me, And view the various Scenes of my retiring Soul ; Their I walk o'er the Mazes I have trod, While Hope and Fear are in a doubtful Strife*
Whether this Opera of Life Be atted well to gain the Plaudit of xty God.
IV
Sacred to Virtue, ks+ 159
1Y. ^There's a Day haflning, ('tis an awful Day !) When the great Sovereign mall at large review All that we fpeak, and all we do, The feveral Parts we aft on this wide Stage of. Clay i
Thefe he approves, and thofe he blames, And crowns perhaps a Porter, and a Prince he damns* O if the Judge from his tremendous Seat Shall not condemn what I have done* I fhall be happy tho' unknown, Nor need the gazing Rabble, nor the fhouting Street
I hate the Gloryy. Friend, that fprings From Vulgar Breath and empty Sound ; Fame mounts her upward with a flatt'ring Gale
Upon her airy Wings, Till Envy moots, and Fame receives the Wounds* Then her flagging Pinions fail, Down Glory falls and flrike the Ground, And breaks her batter'd Limbs. Rather let me be quite conceaPd from Fame ;. How happy I ihould lie In fweet Obfcurity, Nor the loud World pronounce my little Name? Here I could live and die alone i Or if Society be due To keep our Tafte of Pleafure newr
GUNS*? ON, I'd live and die with you* For both our Souls are one. VI. Here we could fit and pafs the Hour, And pity Kingdoms, and- their Kings*. And fmile at all their mining Things, Their Toys of State, and Images of Power j. Virtue mould dwell within our Seat, Virtue alone could make it fweeV Nor is her ielf fccure, but in a clpfe Retreat. While fhe withdraws from public PrahV Envy perhaps would ceafe to rail, Mnvy itielf may innocently gaxe h\ Beauty in a Vail a
i6'o LYRIC POEMS, Book I]
But if (he once advance to Light, Her Charms are Jolt in Envy's Sight, And Virtue ftands the Mark of univerfal Spight.
JOHN H A RT O P P, Efq;
NOW
Sir J 0 H N H A R T 0 P Pf Bare.
The Difdain.
TJAR TOPP, I love the Soul that dares Tread the Temptations of his Years
Beneath his youthful Feet : F L E E r W O O D and all thy heavenly Line Look thro' the Stars and fmile divine
Upon an Heir fo great. Young HART OP P knows this noble Theme, That the wild Scenes of bufy Life, The Noife, th* Amufements, and the Strife Are but the Vifions of the Night, Gay Phantoms of delufive Light,
Or a vexatious Dream.
II. Flefh is the vileft and the kail
Ingredient of our Frame : We're born to live above the Beaff,
Or -quit the manly Name. Pleasures of Senfe we leave for Boy a ; Be mining Dutt the Mifer's Food ; Let Fancy feed on Fame and Noife, Souls muft purfue diviner Joys,.
And feize the immortal Good.
T O
M IT 10, my Friend.
An EPISTLE.
pORGIVE mey MITIO, that there fhould he any
mortifying Lines in the following Poems infer ibed to your
fo foon after your Entrance into that State which nuas de-
Jigti'd for the compleateji Happinefs on Earth ."- . But you will
quickly difcovtr, thai the Muft in the firfl Poem only rcpre~'
fentf
I]
Sacred to Virtue, kc. ioi
fats the Shades and dark Colours that Melancholy throws upon Lo<ve, and the Social Life. : In the fecond, perhaps Jhe s# indulges her own bright Ideas a little. Yet if the Accounts ' are but well ballanced at lafi, and things fet in a due Light, I hope there is no Ground for Cenfure. Here you will find a\ At tempt made to talk of one of the mojl impor- tant Concerns of human Nature in Verfe, and that with a Solemnity becoming the Argument. I ha<ve banijhed Grimace and Ridicule, that Perfons of the mojl ferious Character may read without Offence. What was written federal Tears ago to your felf is now permitted to entertain the World ; but you may affume it to your felf as a private En- tertainment filly white you lie concealed behind a feigned Name.
The Mouniing-Piece,
LI F E's a long Tragedy : This Globe the Stage,, Well fix'd and well adorn'd with ftrong Machines,, Gay. Fields, and Skies, and Seas : The A&ors many % The Plot immenfe : A Flight ©f Demons fit On every failing Cloud with fatal Purpofe ; And fhoot acrois the Scenes ten thoufand Arrows Perpetual and unfeen, headed with Pain, With Sorrow, Infamy, Difeafe and Death. The pointed Plagues fly fiient thro' the Air Nor twange the Bow, yet fure and deep the Woand,
Dianthe a&s her little Part alone, Nor wiihes an Affociate. Lo fhe glides Single thro' all the Storm, and more fecure ; Lefs are her Dangers, and her Breait receives The fevveil Darts. " Bat, O my lov'd MariJla, " My Sifter, once my Friend, (Dianthe cries) *' How much art thou exposed! Thy growing Soul *' Doubled in Wedlock, muiciply'd in Children, *■ Stands but the broader Mark for all the Mifchiefs " That rove promifcuous o'er the mortal Stagey " Children, thofe dear young Limbs, thofe tendereft Pieces '* Of our own Fleih, thofe little other Selves, " How they dilate the Heart to wide Dimenfions, " And foften every Fibre to improve f The Mother's fad Capacity of £am !
** I mourn
i62 LYRIC POEM S9 Book II
" I mourn Fidelio too ; tho* Heav en has chofe
" A Favourite Mate for him, of all her Sex
t( The Pride and Flower : How bleft the lovely Pair,
" Beyond Expreflion , if well mingled Loves
4t And Woes well mingled could improve our Blifs J
" Amidft the rugged Cares of Life behold
1 • The Father and the Hufband : flattering Names,
* That fpread his Title, and enlarge his Share
•' Of common Wretched nefs. He fondly hopes
u To multiply his Joys, but every Hour
•* Renews the Difappointment and the Smart.
" There not a Wound affi.i&s the meaneft Joint
*' Of his fair Partner, or her Infant-Train,
" (Sweet Babes !) but pierce* to his inmoft Sou!,
u Strange is thy Power, O Love ! what numerous Veins,
" And Arteries, and Arms, and Hands, and Eyes,
" Are link'd and faften'd to a Lover's Heart,
u By flrong but fecret Strings I with vain Attempt
** We put the Stoic on, in vain we try
Si To break the Ties of Nature and of Blood ;
" Thofe hidden Threads maintain the dear Communion
•' Inviolably firm : their thrilling Motions
u Reciprocal give endlefs Sympathy
" In all the Bitters and the Sweets of Life.
" Thrice happy Man, if Pleafure only knew
** Thefe Avenues of Love to reach our Souls,
'• And Pain had never found *em 1
Thus fang the tuneful Maid, fearful to try The Bold Experiment. Oft Daphnis came, And oft Narcafus, Rivals of her Heart, Luring her Eyes with Trifles dipt in Gold, And the gay filken Bondage. Firm (he flood, And bold repuls'd the bright Temptation itill, Nor put the Chains on ; Dangerous to try, And hard to be diflblv'd. Yet riftng Tears Sate on her Eye-lids, while her Numbers fiow'd Harmonious Sorrow; and t'.e pitying Drops Stole down her Cheeks, to mou n the I aplefs State Of mortal Live. Love, thou b ft jrnt
To foften Life, and make our lr< n C , Eaiy ; But thy own Cares of footer K
r-ivt
Sacred to Virtue, &c» 163
jive ffiarper Wounds : They lodge too near the Heart, Seat, like the Pulfe, perpetual, and create \ flrange uneafy Senfe, a tempting Pain.
Say, my Companion MIT 10, ipeak lincere, For thou art learned now) what anxious Thoughts* What kind Perplexities tumultuous rife, [f but the Abfence of a Day divide Thee from thy fair beloved ! Vainly fmiles- The chearful Sun, and Night with radiant Eye* Twinkles in vain : The Region of thy Soul h Darktiefs, till thy better Star appear. Tell me, what Toil, what Torment to fuftam The roiling Burden of the tedious Hours £ The tedious Hours are Ages. Fancy roves ;Reftlefs in fond Enquiry, nor believes Cbarijfa fafe : Charijfay in whofe Life Thy Life connfts, and in her Comfort thine. Fear and Surmile put on a thoufand Forms Qf dear Difquietude, and round thine Eara Whifper ten thoufand Dangers, endlefs Woes, Till thy Frame lhudders at her fancy'd Death j Then dies my MIT 10, and his Blood creeps cold Thro* every Vein. Speak, does the Stranger Mufe Cad happy Guefles at the unknown Paffion, Or has Ihe fabled all ? Inform me, Friend, Are half thy joys ilncere t Thy Hopes fulfill'd, Or fruftrate t Here commit thy fecret Griefs To faithful Ears, and be they bory*d here In Friendship and Oblivion ; left they fpoii Thy new-born Pleafures with diflafteful Galf^ Nor let thine Eye too greedily drink in The frightful Profpecl, when untimely Death Shall make wide Inroads on a Parent? Heart, And his dear Oitspring to the cruel Grave Are dragg'd in fad SucceiEon, while his Soul Is torn away Piece- Meal : Thus, dies the Wretch A various Death, and frequent, e'er he quit The Theatre, and make his Exit final.
But if his deareft Half, his faithful Mate Survive, and in the fweeteffc iaddeft Air*
m
164 L T R I C POEMS, Book IL
Of Love and Grief, approach with trembling Hand To clofe his fwimming Eyes, what double Pangs, What Racks, what Twinges rend his Heart-firings off From the Fair Bofona of that Fellow-Dove He leaves behind to mourn ? What jealous Cares Hang on his parting Soul, to think his Love Expos'd to wild Oppreffion, and the Herd Of favage Men ? So parts the dying Turtle With fobbing Accents, with fuch fad Regret Leaves his kind feather'd Mate : The Widow Bird Wanders in lonefome Shades, forgets her Food, Forgets her Life; or falls a fpeedier Prey To talon'd Faulcons, and the crooked Beak Of Hawks athirft for Blood
****************************
The Second PART: Or,
The bright Vifiort.
THUS far the Mufe, in unaccuftom'd Mood, And Strains unpleafmg to a Lover's Ear, Indulg'd a Gloom of Thought ; and thus fhe fang Partial ; for Melancholy's hateful Form Stood by in fable Robe : The penfive Mufe Survey'd thef darkfome Scenes of Life, and fought Some bright relieving Glimpfe, fome cordial Ray In the fair World of Love : But while me gaz'd Delightful on the State of Twin-born Souls United, blefs'd, the cruel Shade apply'd A dark long Tube, and a falfe tin&urM Glafe Deceitful ; blending Love and Life at once In Darknefs. Chaos, and the common Mafs Of Mifery : Now Urania feels the Cheat, And breaks the hated Optic in Difdain. Swift vanifhes the Allien Form, and la The Scene lhines bright with Blifs : Behold the Place Where Mifchiefs never fly, Cares never come With wrinkled Brow, nor Anguifh, nor Difeafo, Nor Malice forky-tongu'd. On this dear i>pot, MIT JO, my Love would fix and plant thy Station To aft thy Part of Life, ferene and bleft With the fair Confort htted to thy Heart.
Sure
Sacred io Virtue, &e» 165
Sure 'tis a Vifion of that happy Grove Where the firft Authors of our mournful Race Liv'd in fweet Partnership I one Hour they liv'd, But chang'd the tailed Blifs (imprudent Pair !) For Sin, and Shame, and this walk Wildernefs Of Briars, and nine hundred Years of Pain. The wilhing Mufe new-drefles the fair Garden Amid this Defart- World, with budding Blifs, And Ever-Greens, and Balms, and flow'ry Beauties Without one dangerous Tree : There heavenly Dews Nightly defcending fhall impear! the Grafs And verdant Herbage ; Drops of Fragrancy Sit trembling on the Spires : The fpicy Vapours Rife with the Dawn, and thro* the Air diffus'd Salute your waking Senfes with Perfume : While vital Fruits, with their Ambrofial Juice Renew Life's purple Flood and Fountain, pure From vicious Taint; and with your Innocence Immortalize the Structure of your Clay. On this new Paradife the cloudlefs Skies Shall fmiie perpetual, while the Lamp of Day With Flames unfuily'd, (as the fabled Torch Of Hymen) meafures out your golden Hours Along his Azure Road. The nuptial Moon In milder Rays ferene, mould nightly rife Full orb'd (if Heaven and Nature will indulge So fair an Emblem) big with Silver Joys, And ftill forget her Wane. The feather'd Choir Warbling their Maker's Praife on early Wing, Or perch'd on Evening-Bough, mail join your Worfhip, Join your fweet Vefpers, and the Morning Song.
O facred Symphony ! Hark, thro' the Grove 1 hear the Sound Divine ! I'm all Attention, All Ear, all Extafy ; unknown Delight ! And the fair Mufe proclaims the Heav'n below.
Not the feraphic Minds of high Degree Difdain Converie with Men : Again returning I fee th' Ethereal Hort on downward Wing. Lo, at the Eaftern Gate young Cherubs ftand Guardians, conuniffion'd to convey their Joys
To
i66 LYRIC POEMS, Book II.
To earthly Lovers. Go, ye happy Pair,
Go tafte their Banquet, Jearn the nobler Pleafures
Supernal, and from brutal Drtgs rerin'd.
Raphael foall teach thee, Friend, exalted Thoughts
And intellectual Biifs. 'Twas Raphael taught
The Patriarch of our Progeny th' Affairs
Of Heaven : (So Milton lings, enlighmed Bard !
Nor mifs'd his Eyes, when in fublimeit. Strain
The AngePs great Narration he repeats
To Albion** Sons higa favour'd) Thcu malt learn
Celeilial Leflbns from his awful Tongue ;
And with foft Grace and interwoven Loves
(Grateful Digrrffion) all his Words rehearfe
To thy Chari//ays Ear, and charm her Soul.
Thus with divine Difcourfe, in fhady Bowers
Of Eden, our fiift Father entertain'd
£ve his fole Auditrefs : and deep Difpute
With conjugal Carefles on her Lip
Solv'd eafy, and abftrufeft Thoughts reveaPd.
Now the Day wears apace, now MIT JO comes From his bright Tutor, and finds out his Mate. Behold the dear AlTociates feated low On humble Turf, with Rofe and Myrtle ftrow'd ; But high their Conference ! how felf-fufftVd Lives their Eternal Maker, girt around With Glories : arm'd with Thunders ; and his Throne Mortal Accefs forbids, projecting far Splendors unfufferable and radiant Death. With Reverence and Abafement deep they fall Before his Sovereign MajelTy, to pay Due Worfhip : Then his Mercy on their Souls Smiles with a gentler Ray, but Sovereign frill ; And leads their Meditation and Difcourfe Long Ages backward, and atrofs the Seas To Bethlehem of Judab : There the Son, The filial Godhead, Character exprefs Of Brightnefs inexpreflible, laid by His beamy Robes, and made Defcent to Earth Sprung from the Sons of Adam he became A fecond Father, ftudious to regain Loft Paradife for Men, and purchafe Heav'n.
The
Sacred to Virtue, &c. 167
The Lovers with Indearment mutual thus Promifcuous talk'd, and Queftions intricate His manly Judgment Hill refolv'd, and ftill Held her Attention fix'd : Ihe muiing fat On the fweet mention of Incarnate Love, Till Rapture wak'd her Voice to fofter Strains, *' She fang the Infant God ; (myfterious Theme !) f* How viie his Birth-place, and his Cradle vile ! ** The Ox and Afs his mean Companions; there 9* in Habit vile the Snepherds flock around, " Saluting the great Mother, and adore " I/rad'b anointed K.ing, the appointed Heir " Of the Creation. How debas'd he lies |« Beneath his Regal State; for thee, my M ITIO, *' Debas'd in fervile Form ; but Angels flood P* Miniftring round their Charge with folded Wings *« Obfequious, tho' unfeen ; while lightfome Hours " FulnTd the Day, and the grey Evening rofe. •• Then the fair Guardians htv'rmg o*er his Head " Wakeful all Night, drive the foul Spirits far, ** And with their fanning Pinions purge the Air m From bufy Phantoms, from infectious Damps, " Ana impure Taint ; while their Ambrofial Plume! " A dewy Slumber on his Senfes fhed. " Alternate Hymnc the heavenly Watches fung *l Melodious, foothing the furrounding Shades, u And kept the Darknefs chafte and holy. Then " Midnight was charm'd, and all her gazing Eyes 6i WonderM to fee their mighty Maker deep. " Behold the Glooms difpsrie, the rofy Morn " Smiles in the Eajl with Eye lids opening fair, '« But not fo fair as thine ; O I could fold Thee, c' My young Almighty, my Creator-Babe, " For ever in thefe Arras ! For ever dwell <i Upon thy lovely Form with gazing Joy, " And every Pulle -mould beat Seraphic Love ! " Around my Seat fhould crouding Cherubs come ** With fwift Ambition, zealous to attend, " Their Prince, and form a Heav'n below the Sky.
" Forbear, Chkrifa, O forbear the Thought m Of Female-Fc^ridnefs, and forgive the Maa
/ M Thai
i68 LTRIC POEMS, Book ft
** That interrupts fuch melting Harmony !
Thus M IT I O, and awakes her nobler Powers
To pay juil Worihip to the facred King,
JESUS, the God; nor with Devotion pure
Mix the CarefTes of her fofter Sex ;
(Vain Blandifhment) " Come, turn thine Eyes afide
** From BctMt'em, and climb up the doleful Steep
41 Of bloody Calvary, where naked Sculls
" Pave the fad Road, and fright the Traveller.
M Can my Beloved bear to trace the Feet
•* Of her Rtdeemer panting up the Hill
*< Hard burden'd ? Can thy Heart attend his Crofs ?
41 Nail'd to the cruel Wood he groans, he dies,
41 For thee he dies. Beneath thy Sins and mine
41 (Horrible Load !) the finful Saviour gioans,
*f And in fierce Anguifh of his Soul expires.
" Adoring Angels pry with bending Head
" Searching the deep Contrivance, and admire
•* Thit, infinite Defign. Here Peace is made
" 'Twixt God the Sovereign, and the Rebel Man ;
** Here Satan overthrown with all his Holts
4< In fecond Ruin rages and deipairs;
44 Malice itfelf defpairs. The Captive Prey
41 Long held in Slavery hopes a fweet Releafe,
■' And AAatris ruin'd Offsping fhall revive
44 Thus ranfom'd from the greedy Jaws of Death.
The fair Difciple heard ; her Pafiions move Harmonious to the great Difcourfe, and breathe Refin'd Devotion ; while new Smiles of Love Repay her Teacher. Both with bended Knees Read o'er the Covenant of Eternal Life Brought down to Men ; feal'd by the facred Three In Heav'n ; and feal'd on Earth with God's own Blood. Here they unite their Names again, and fing Thofe peac-eful Articles. (Hail, blett Co-heirs Celeftial ! Ye fhall grow V> manly Age, And fpite of Earth and Hell, in feafon due PofTefs the fair Inheritance above.) With joyous Admiration they furvey The Gofpel Treaiures infinite, unieen By mortal Eye, by mortal Ear unheard,
And
Sacred ''to Virtue, Sec. 169
And unconceiv'd by Thought : Riches Divine And Honours with the Almighty Father-GoD Pour'd with immenfe Profufion on his Son, High Treasurer of Heaven. The Son bellows The Life, the Love, the Bleffing, and the Joy On Bankrupt Mortals who believe and love His Name. " Then, my Charijfa, all is thine. " And thine, my MIT 10, the fair Saint replies. ** Life, Death, the World below, and Worlds on high, " And Place, and Time, are ours ; and Things to comea ** And paft, and prefent, for our Intereft flands " Firm in our myitic Head, the Title fure. " 'Tis for our Health and fvveet Refrefhment, (while 5* We fojourn Strangers here) the fruitful Earth *< Bears plenteous ; and revolving Seafons ft Hi f* Drefs her vafl: Globe in various Ornament. " For as this chearful Sun and chearful Light p Diurnal mine. This blue Expanfe of Sky Hangs a rich Canopy above our Heads Covering our Slumbers, all with Harry Gold Inwrought, when Night alternates her Return. For us Time wears his Wings out : Nature keeps Her Wheels in Motion : and her Fabrick Hands. Glories beyond our Ken of mortal Sight Are now preparing, and a Manfion fair Awaits us, where the Saints unbody'd live. Spirits releas'd from Clay, and purg'd from Sin 5 Thither our Hearts with moil inceffant Wifh Panting alpire ; when fhall that deareft Hour Shine and releafe us hence, and hear us high, Bear us at once unfever'd to our better Home ?
/ O blefl connubial State ! O happy Pair,
Envy'd by yet unfociated Souls
Who feek their faithful Twins I Your Pleafures rife
Sweet as the Morn, advancing as the Day,
Fervent as glorious Noon, ferenely calm
As Summer-Evenings. \ The vile Sons of Earth
Groveling in Duft with all their noify [ars
Reftlefs, fhall interrupt your Joys no more
Than barking Animals affright the Moon
Sublime, and riding in her Midnight Waf «
I Fritttdflup
grow, f
t as they flow, > livinely glow. J
170 LYRI'CPOEMS, Book II.
Friendfhip and Love mail undiftinguifh'd reign
O'er all your Paffions with unrival'd Sway
Mutual and everiafting : Friendfhip knows
No Property in Good, but all Things common
That each poiTefTes, as the Light or Air
Jn which we breathe and- live : There's not one Thought
Can lurk in clofe Referve, no Barriers fix'd,
But every PafTage open as the Day
To one another's Bresft, and inmoft Mind.
Thus by Communion your Delight fhall grow,
Thus Streams of mingled Blifs ftvell higher
Thus Angels mix their Flames, and more divinely
The Third PART: Or,
The Account balanced,
I.
SHOULD Sovereign Love before me ftand, With all his Train of Pomp and State, And bid the daring Mufe relate
His Comforts and his Cares ; MIT 10, I would not aik the Sand P'or Metaphors t' exprefs their Weight, Nor borrow Numbers from the Stars. Thy Care3 and Comforts, fovereign Love, Vaitly cut- weigh the Sand below, And to a larger Audit grow
Thar, all the Stars above. Thy mighty Lofles and thy Gains
Are their own mutual Meafures ;
Only the Man that knows thy Pains Can reckon up thv Plcafares. II.
Say, Dxv.cH, fay, how bright the Scene,
Damon is half-divincly blclr, Leaning his Head on his Florcilo.h. Brealt Without a jealous Thought, or bufy Care between:
Then the f.veet PafTions mix and mare ;
Fhvdla tclis thee all her Heart, Nor can thy Soul's rcmotcil Part C< Ccal 1 Thought cr Wife from the beloved Fair.
Say,
Sacred to Virtue, ka 171
Say, what a Pitch thy Pleasures fly, When Friend (hip all-fincere grows up to Ecftacy Nor Self contracts the Blifs, nor Vice pollutes the Joy*
While thy dear Offspring round thee fit, Or fporting innocently at thy Feet Thy kindeft Thoughts engage :
Thofe little Images of thee,
What pretty Toys of Youth they be, And growing Props of Age ! III. But fnort is earthly Blifs ! The Changing Wind
Blows from the flckly South, and brings Malignant Fevers on its fultry Wings, . Relentiefs Death, fits clofe behind : Now gafping Infants, and a Wife in Tears*
With piercing Groans falutes his Ears, Thro' tvtxy Vein the thrilling Torments roll y
While Sweet and Bitter are at Strife
In thofe dear Miferies of Life, Thofe teudereft Pieces of his bleeding Soul.
The pleafing Senfe of Love awhile Mixt with the Heart-ake may, the Pain beguile,
And make a feeble Fight : rill Sorrows like a gloomy Delage rife,
Then every fmiling PafHon dies,
And hope alone with wakeful Eyes Darkling and folitary waits the flow-returning Light,
Here then let my Ambition reft, May I be moderately bleft When I the Laws of Love obey : Let but my Pleafure and my Pain In equal Balance ever reign, Or mount by Turns and fink again, ^nd ftiare ju-ft Meafures of alternate Sway, So Damon lives, and ne'er complains ; Scarce can we hope diviner Scenes
On this dull Stage of Clay : The Tribes beneath the Northern Bear Submit to Darknefs half the Year*
Since half the Year is Day.
I 2 0«
Tjj» LYRIC POEMS, Book U.
On the Death cf the Duke of Gloucefcer, jujl after Mr. Dryden. 1700.
An EPIGRAM.
T^RTDE N is dead, DRYDEN alone could fmg
The full-grown Glories of a future King. Now GLOSTE R dies : Thus leffer Heroes live By that immortal Breath that Pcets give ; And fcarce revive the Mufe : But WILL 1AM flands, Nor afks his Honours from the Poet's Hands, WILLIAM fhallfhine without a DRTDEN's Praife, His Laurels are not grafted on the Bays.
# # # # # mrm ############## An Epigram of Martial to Cirinus.
Sic tua, Ciriniy promas Epigrammata vulgo r Ut ?nccum pojfis, &c. Infcrib'd to Mr. JOS IAHHORT. 1694. Now. Lord Bifhop of Kilmore in Ireland*
SO fmooth your Numbers, Friend, your Verfe f@ fweet, So fnarp the Jeft, and yet the Turn fo neat, That with her Martial Rome would place Cirine, Rome would, prefer your Senfe and Thought to mine. Yet maceft you decline the public Stage, To fix your Friend alone amidit th' applauding Agef So Maro did ; the mighty Maro fings In vail Heroic Notes of vaft Heroic Things, And leaves the Ode to dance upon his Flaccus Strings. He fcorn'd to daunt the dear Horatian Lyre, Tho' his brave Genius flafrYd Pindaric Fire, And at his Will could filence all the Lyric Quire. So to his Varius he' relign'd the Praife Of the proud Bufkin and the Tragic Bays, When he could Thunder with a loftier Vein, - And fing of Gods aad Heroes in a boldier Strain.
A handfome Treat, a Piece of Gold, or fo, And Compliments will every Friend bellow 1
Rarely
Sacred to Virtue, &c> 173
Rarely a Virgil, a Cirine we meet,
Who lays his Laurels at inferior Feet,
And yields the tendereft Point of Honour, Wit.
E P I S T O L A Fratri fuo dile&o R. W. I IV. S. P. D. T5URSUM tuas, amande Frater, accepi Liter as, eodem fortafe momenta, quo mete ad te pre-venerunt ; idemqtce qui te fcrihentem vidit Dies, meu?n ad Epiftolare munus eX- citavit Caiamum ; non Inane eft inter nos Fraternum Nomeh, aniens enim Spiritus non intiis animat, agitque, iff Concordes in ambclus ejficit mot us : O utir.am crefcat indies, iff <vigefcat mutua Cbaritas ; faxit Deus, ut Amor fui ncftra incendat iff d fcecet pettora, tunc etenim iff alternis fur<e Amicitia: ftammis erg a nos inajicem Divinum in modum ardebimus^ Contemplemur jefum noftrum, Coelefte iliud iff adorandum Exemplar Cbaritatis. Ille eft.
QJJ I quondam aeterno delapfus ab ^there vultus Induit Humanos, ut poffet Corpore noftras (Heu miferas) fuiferre vices ; fponforis obivit Mania, & in (s(q Tabula maledic~ta Minacis Tranftulit, et fceleris posnas hominifque reatum.
Ecce jacet defertus humi, di-Fufus in herbarn Integer, innocuas verfas fua fidera Palmas Et placidu'm attollens vultum, nee ad cffcula Pairis Amplexus fclitofve; Anus nudatus amictu Sideros, et fponte finam patefaiius ad Iras Numinis armati. Pater, hie infige * fagittas, " Kaec, ait, iratum forbebunc Pedlora ferrom, •f Abluat ^Ethereus morialia Crimina Sanguis/'
Dixit, & horrendum frumuere tonitrua Cceli Infenfufque Deus; (quern jam pofuiile pateriium Pvlufa queri veilet nomen, fed 8c ipfa fragores Ad tantos pevefacta filet,) Jam diifiHt viither, Pandumurque fores, ubi duro Carcere regnar, Ira, et Pcenarum Thefauros mille coercet, lade ruunt gravidi vefano Sulphure Nimbi, Centuplicifque volant contorta volumina Flammae
I 3 In
* Job iv. 5.
174 LYRIC POEMS, Book II
In Caput immeritum; diro hie fab Pondere preiTus
Reftat, compreflbs dumque ardens explicat anus
f Purpureo veilcs tindae fudore madefcunt.
Nee tameji infando Vindex Regina labori
Segnius incumbit, fed 1 alios increpat ignes
Acnter, & fomno languentem fufcitat J Enfem :
" Surge, age, Divinum pete Pe&us, & imbue facro
«« Flumine mucronem ; Vos hinc, mea fpicula, late
" Ferrea per to turn difpergite tormina Cbriflum,
«< Immenfum tollerare valet; ad pondere Poena;
H Suitentanda hominem fuiFulciet Incola Numek,
" Et tu facra Decas legum, Violata Tabella,
" Eb>be yindiaam ; vafta fatiabere csde,
" Mortalis Culpae penfabit dedecus ingens
" PermiHus Deitate Cruor."
„ Sic fata, immiti contorquet Vulnera dextra Dilaniatque finus ; fancli penetralia Cordis Fanduntur, f^evis avidas Dolor involat alis, -Asqueaiiqax Mentem fcrutator, & Ilia mordetr Interea Servator * ovat, Viftorque Doloris Eminet, Uluilri f perfufus Membra Cruore, Exultatque mifer iieri ; nam fortius fllum Urget Patns Honos, & non vincenda voluptas Servandi miferos Sontes ; O nobilis Ardor Pcenarum ! O quid non Mortalia Pe&ora cogis Durus Amor ? Quid non Cceleftia ?
At fubftdat Phantafta, <vanefcant Imagines ; nefcio quo mi froripwt amens Mufa : Volui quatuor linias pedibus, aftrin- gere,X3 ecce ! Humeri crefcunt in immenfum ; dumque conci- tato Gemo laxavi fr<enay <verecr ne juvenilis impetus Tbeo- ligium laferit, &f audax nimis Imagination Heri adlata eft ad me Epiftola indicans Matrem meliufcule ft habere, tice$ ignis febrilis nm prorfus deferuit Kortale ejus DomiciUui.i. Plura <vo!ui, fedturgidi fcf ereftentes verjus miner e plura, fcf coarZarunt fcriptionis Limites. Vale amice /rater, b' tnfludto Pietatis & Artis medico ftrenuus decurre.
Datum a Mufaso meo Londini xvto Kalend. Febr. Anno Salutis cidiocxciiu
Tratris
f Luke xxii. 44. x Zecb. xiii. 7. * Col. ii. 15. f Luc. xxii. 24.
I
Sacred, to Virtue, &c. 175
Fratris'lL.'W. olim navigaturo.
Sept. 30, 1 69 1. F E L X, petle profpero I Frater, Trabe pinea Sulces JBquora ccerula Pandas Carbafa flatibus Quae tuto reditura fint* Nun te monftra Natantia Ponti- Carnovorae IncolcS Prasdentur Rate naufraga.
Navis, Tu tibi creditum Fratrem dimidium mei Salvum fer per inhofpita Ponti Regna, per avios Tragus, & liquidum Chaos, Nee te forbeat horrid a Syrtis, nee Scopulus minax Rurnpat roboreum latus. Captent mitia flamina Antennae ; & Zephyri leves Dent Portum placidum tibi.
Tu, qui flumina, qui vagos Fludtus Oeeani regis r Et fevum Boream domas. Da fratri faciles vias, Et Fratrem reducem Cuts.
Ad Reverendum Virum D™ JOHJNNEM PINHQ-RN-E,.
Fidum Adolefcentiae mese Praeceptofem.
Pindaric! Carminis Specimen. 1694,
I.
ET te, PINHO RNI, Mufa Trifantha Salutat, ardens diicipulara tuam Grate fateri : nunc Athenas,
Nunc Latias per amcenitates Tuto pererrans te recolit Ducem, Te quondam teneros & Ebraia per a^pera greiTu-s Non dura duxiiTe manu.
Tuo
176 LYRIC POEMS, Book IL
Tuo patefcunt 1 limine Thefpii Campi atque ad arcem Pieridon iter : En altus afmrgens Hon.erus ' Arma Deofque Virofque mifcens Occupat iEthereum Farnaffi culmen : Homeri
Immenfos flupeo manes
Te, Maro, duke canens fylvas, te bella fonatem Ardua, da veniam tenui veiverare Camcena j Tuaeque accipias, Thebane Vates, Debita Thura Lyrae. Vcbis, magna Trias ! clariflima Nomina Temper Scrinia noftra patent, & Pc&ora noftra patebunt, Quum mihi cunque levum conceflerit otia & horarrt- Divina Mofis pagina,
Flaccus ad hanc Triadcm ponatur, at ipfa pudendas Deponat Veneres : venias fed * purus & infons Vt te cellaudetn, dum Joraes is mala lujlra • '•.'. atusj Venujine, canis 1 ideive. Recife ! ;ac lege acv.cdant Satyrae Juvenalis^ amari '1 errores vitiorum. At longe caecus abeflet Perjlus, obfcuros Vates, nifi lumina circum- -fuia forent, Sphingifque aenigmata, Bonde, fcidifTes. Grande fonans Seneca? fulmen, grandifque cothurni Pompa Sopboclei celfo ponantur eodem Ordine, & ambabos iimul hos ampleclar in ulnis* Tuto, Poets, tuto habitabitis Piftos abacos : improba Tinea Obiit, nee audat fasva caftas Attingere Elatta Camcenas. At tu renidens iceda Epigrammatunt- farrago inertum, itercoris impii Sentina fcetens, Martialhy
In- Barathrum relegandus imum Aofuge, & hinc tecum rapias Catullum Infulse mollem, naribus, auribus Ingrata cadis carmina, & improbi Spurcos Nafonis Amoies. III. Nobilis extrema gradiens Qaledonis ab ara En BucbanavMi adeil. Divini Pialtis Imago-
JeJJtadcc
* Horat. Lib. I. Sat. 6.
Sacred to Virtue^ &c. 177
JtJJjad^e falveto ; potens feu Numinis Iras , Fulminibus mifcere, facro vel lumiRe Mentis Fugare nofles, vel Citharae fono
Sedare fludtus Pectoris. Tu mihi haerebis comes ambulant!, Tu Domi aftabis focius Perennis, Seu levi menfe fimul affidere
Dignabere, feu Leclicse. Mox recumbentis vigilans ad aurem
- Aureos fuadebis in ire fomnos Sacra fepitis fuperinferens ob-
livia curis, Stet juxta * Ca/imirusy huic nee parcius Ignern Natura indulfit nee Mufa armavit Alumnum * Sarbi<vinm rudiore Lyra. Quanta Polonum levat aura Cygnum ! f Humana Hnquens (en fibi devii Mantes recedunt) luxuriantibus
Spatiatur in aere pennis. Seu tu forte virurrt tollis ad sethera,
- Cognatofve Thronos & patrium Polum
Vifurus confurgis ovans, J
Vifum fatigas, aciemque fallis, Bum tuum a longe ftupeo volatum O non imitabilis Ales.
IV. Sarbivii ad nomen gelida incalet Mufa, fimul totus fervefcere Sentio, ftellatas levis fnduor Alas 8c tollor in ahum, jam juga Zicnis radens pede Elato inter fidera radens vertice Longe defpeclo mortalia,. Quam juvat altifonis volitare per aethera pennis, Et ridere procul fallacia Gaudia fecli Terrellae Grandia inania, Quae mortale genus (heu male) deperit, O curas hominum miferas ! Cano, Et miferas nugas Diademata ! Ventofae fortis Ludibrium.
En * M. Cafimirus, Sarbiewiki Poeta infjgni$ Polonis, f Ode V. Lib. a,
;3 L r R 1 C P 0 )£M S9 Book II. '
En mihi fubfidunt terrenae a peclore Faeces, Geftit & effraenis divinum efFtmdere Carmen Mens afflata Deo
■at vos Heroes & Arma
Et procul efte Dii, ludicra Numina. Quid mihi cum veftrae pondere Lances, Pallas ! aut veilris, Dyonv/e, Thyrfis ? Et Clava, & Anguis, & Leo, 8t Hercules, Et brutum tonitru ficlitii Patris, Abftate a carmine noftro. V. Te, Deus Omnipotens ! te noftra forabit J E SU Mufa, nee aflueto coeleftes Barbiton auiu Tentabit nunieros. Vafli fine limits N urn en . &. Immenfum fine lege Deum numeri fine lege ionabunt.
Sed Mufam magna fdlicentem deftituit vigor ; Di-vlrroju- hare perjlringilur oculorum acier. En labsfcit pennis, ire- mit artubus, ruit deorfum per inane uEtheris, jacet <vi3a> sbjlupefcity filet.
IgnofcaSy Reuerende rtf, vano- conamini ; f ragmen hoc rude licet £ff impolitum ettftri boni ccn/ulas, &' gratitudinis jam diu debit <z in partetn reponas.
Voium, feu Vita in terris beata. Ad virum dignifiimum
JOHJNNEM HARTOPPIUM, Bartum.
tf9Z. I.
TJJRTOPPI eximio flemmate nobilis ' Venaque Ingenii divite, fi roges
Quem mea Mufa beat, Ille mihi felix ter Sc amplius, Et fimiles fuperis annos agit 2>ui fibi fufficiens femper adefl fihi. Hunc longe a curis mortalibus Inter agros, fylvafque filentes Se Mufifque fuis tranquilla in pace fmentein Sol oriens videt & recumbens. II. Non fuae Vulgi favor infolentis (Plaufus infani tumid us popelli)
Mentis
Sacred to Virtue, &o. 179
Mentis ad facram penetrabit arcem,
Feriat licet iEthera clamor. Nee Gaza flamraans divitis India, Nee, Tage, veftra falgor Arenulse Dacent ab obfeura quiete Ad laquear radian us Aula?. Ill* O fi daretur (lamina proprii Traclare fuii pollice propria,
Atque meum mihi fiagere fatum ; Candidus vita? color innoeentis Fila nativo decoraret Albo .
Non Tyrid vitiata concha. Non aurum, non gemma nitens, nee purpura tel*e Intertexta forent invidiofa meae. Longe a, Triumphis, & fonku Tubs Longe remotos tranfigerem dies : Abftate fafces (fplendida Vanitas) Et V03 abftate, Corona?. IV. Pro meo te&o Cafa fit, falubres Captet Auroras, procul Urbis atro \ Billet a. fumo, fugiatque longe
Dura Phthiiis mala, dura Tuffis. Difplicet JByr/k & fremitu moleflo Tmba Mercantum ; gratius alvear Demulcet aures murmure, gratius Fojis falientis aqua?.
V. Litigiofa fori me terrent jurgia,, lenes Ad fylvas properans rixofas execror artes Eminus in tuto a Linguis— —
Blandimenta artis fimul a?quus odi, Valete, Cives, & amcena fraudis Verba; proh mores I & inane facri Nomen Amici 1
VL Tuque quse noilris inimica Muii# Felle facratum vitias amorem^ Ab/is sternum, Diva libidinia. Et Phsrepr&e Paer \ '
180 LYRIC POEM S9 Book II.
Hinc, hinc, Cupido, longius avola * Nil mihi cum fcedis, Puer, ignibus ;, ^therea fervent face pe&ora, Sacra mihi Venus eft Urania, Et juvenis Jejpeus Amor mihi.
VII. Ccelefte carmen (nee taceat lyra Jeffiea) laetis auribus infonet, Nee Watfianis e medullis
Ulla dies rapiet vel hora. Sacri Libelii, Deliciae meae, Et vos, Sodales, Temper amabiles,. Nunc fimul adfrtis, nunc viciffim, Et fallite taedia vitas.
T O
Mrs. SINGER.
(Now Mrs. ROW E.)
On the Sight ofjome of her divine Poems, never Printed^
July 19, I7<?£.
I.
V./ N the fair Banks of gentle Thames I tun'd my Harp ; nor did celeftial Themes Refufe to dance upon my Strings : There beneath the Evening Sky 1 fung my Cares afleep, and rais'd my Wifhes high To everlafting Things.
Sudden from Albion's Weftern Coaii
Harmonious Notes come gliding by, The neighbouring Shepherds knew the Silver Sound ; " 'Tis PHILOMELA'* Voice, the nfghb'ring Shepherds
At once my Strings all filent lie*. . (cry 5?
At once my fainting Mufe was loft,
In the fuperior Sweetnefa drown'd. In vain I bid my tuneful Powers unite ;
My Soul retir'd, and left my Tongue, I was all Ear, and PHILOMELAS Song.
Was all divine Delight.
Sirred to Virtus, Sec, i8i
II.
Now be my Harp for ever dumb, My Mufe attempt no more. 'Twas long a^o
I bid adieu to mortal Things,
To Grecian Tales, and Wars of Rome, Twas long ago I broke all but the immortal Strings $ Now thofe immortal Strings have no Employ,.
Since a fair Angel dwells below, To tune the Notes of Heav'n, and propagate the Jpf*
Let all my Powers wito Awe profound While PHIL O MEL J frogs,
Attend the Rapture of the Sound, And my Devotion rife on her Seraphic Wings*.
The End of i
ve Second
'EidL
HO R M
i82 LYRIC POEMS, Book III.
HORjE LYRICJE.
BOOK IIL Sacred to the Memory of the De ad*
An EPITAPH on
King WILLIAM IIL
Of Glorious Memory..
Who died March the 8th, 1 70 1 ..
I.
,ENEATH thefe Honours of a Tomb,. Greatness in humble Ruin lies : (How Earth confines in narrow Room What Heroes leave beneath the Skies !) II. Preferve, O venerable Pile, Inviolate thy facred Trull ; To thy cold Arms the BRITISH Me, Weeping, commits her richeil Dull. III. - Ye gentleft Minifters of Fate» Attend the Monarch as he lies, And bid the fofteft Slumbers waft With filktn Cords to bind hi* Eyes*
IV. Reft his dear Sword beneath his Head ; Round him his faithful Arms fhall Hand; Fix his bright Ensigns on his Bed, The Guards and Honours of our Land.
To the Memory, of ihe Dead. j$L
V.
Ye Siller Arts of Paint and Verse* Place ALBION fainting by his Side, Her Groans arifing o'er the Hearfe, And BELGIA linking when he dy'd,
VI. High o'er the Grave Religion let In folemn Gold ; pronounce the Ground Sacred, to bar unhallowed Feet, And plant her Guardian Virtues round,.
VII. Fair Lieerty in Sables drefr, Write his lov'd Name upon his Urn, WILLIAM., the Scourge \f Tyrants fafa.* And A*we of Princes yet unborn. VIII. Sw^et Peace his {acred Relicks keep,. With Olives blooming round, her Head, And ilretch her Wings acrofr the Deep To blefs the Nations with the Shade.
IX Stand on the Pile, immortal Fame, Broad Stars adorn thy brighter!: Robe, Thy thoufand Voices found his Name In Silver Accents round the Globe.
X. Flattery mall faint beneath the Sounds While hoary Truth infpires the Song ; Envy grow pale and bite the Ground, And Slander gnaw her forky Tongue.
XI. Night and the Grave remove your GIooib £ Darknefs becomes the vulgar^Dead ; But Glory bids the Royal Tomb Difdain the Horrors of a Shade.
XII. Glory with all her Lamps mail burn,. And watch the Warrior's ileeping Clay, Till the laft Trumpet rouze his Urn To aid the Triumphs of the Day,/
3 qm
1 84 LXRICPOEM S, Book III.
On the fudden Death of
Mrs. MART PEACOCK.
An Elegiac Scrng fcnt in a Letter of Condolance to Mr*
N. P. Merchant at Amflerdam.
I.
HARK ! She bids all her Friends adieu ; Some Angel calls her to the Spheres ; Our Eyes the radiant Saint purfue Thro' liquid Telefcopes of Tears.
II. Farewel, bright Soul, a fhort Farewel, Till we mall meet again above In the fweet Groves where Pleafures dwell, And Trees of Life bear Fruits of Love.
III. There Glory fits on every Face, There Friendship fmiles in every Eye, There (hall our Tongues relate the Grace That led us homeward to the Sky.
IV. - O'er all the Names of Christ our King Shall our harmonius Voices rove, Our Karps mail found from every String The Wonders of his bleeding Love.
V. Come, Sovereign Lord, dear Saviour com?; Remqlve thefe feparating Days, Send thy bright Wheels to fetch us home ; That golden Hour, how long it flays !
TI. How long mufl we lie lingring here, While Saints around us take their Flight ? Smiling, they quit this duiky Sphere, And mount the Hills of heavenly Light.
VII. Sweet Soul, we leave thee to thy Reft;, Enjoy thy JESUS and thy God, Till we, from Bands of Clay releaft, Spring out and climb the mining Road.
vwr
To the Memory of the Deau. i§5
VIII.
While the dear Dull Hie leaves behind Sleeps in thy Bofbm, facred Tomb ! Soft be her Bed, her Slumbers kind, And all her Dreams of Joy to eome.
EPITAPHIU M Viri Vencrabilh
Dom. N. MATHER,
Carmine Lapidario confcribtunu
M. S.
Reverend i admodum Viri
NATHAN J EL IS MATHERL
QJJ O D mori potuit hie fuptus depofitum eft, Si quasris, Hofpes, Quantus et Qualis fuit, Fidas enarrabit Lapis.
Nomen a. Familia duxit San<ftoribus fludiis & Evangelic- devota,
Et per utramque Angltam celebri, Americanum fc. atque Eur op team. Et hinc quoque in fancli Miniiterii Spem eduttua Non fallacem : Et hum: utraque novit Anglia Doctum & Docentem. Corpore fuit procero, Forma placide verenda ; At fupra Corpus & Formam fublime eminuerunt Indoles, Ingenium, atq; Eruditio : Supra hsec Pietas, & (fi fas dicere)
Supra Pietatem Modeftia, Casteras enim Dotes cbumbravit. Quoties in Rebus Divinis peragendis Divinitas afflatae mentis Specimina
Prseftantiora edidit, Tories Hominum fedulus occuluit Ut folus confpiceretur Deus : Voluit totus isetere, nee potuit ; Heu quantum tamen ftii nos lalet ! Et majorem Laudis Partem fepukhrale Mariner Invita obtrurt filentio. Gratism JEW CHRISTI falutiferam Quam abunde haulit ipfe, aliis propinavk> Puram ab hamasa fajce.
Yeritatis
186 LYRIC POEMS, Book III
Veritatis Evangelical decus ingens, Et ingens Propugnaculum. Concionatur gravis Afpe&u, Gellu, Voce j Cui nee aderat Pompa Oratoria, Nee deerat ; Flofculos Rhetorices fupervacaneos fecit Rcrum dicendarum Majeftas, & Deus prsfens. Hinc Arma Militia; fuss non infelicia, Hinc toties fugatus Satanas. Et hinc Vicloris Ab inferorum Portis toties reportata; Solers ille ferreis Impiorum Anirnis inrigere
Altum & Salutare Vulnus : Vulneratas idem traclare leniter folers,
Et Medelam adhibere magis falutarem. Ex defaecato Cordis Fonte Divinis Eloquiis affatim fcatebant Labia,
Etiam in familiari Contubernio ; Spirabat ipfe undique Cceleftes fuavitates, Quafi Oleo Lsetitiae femper recens delibutus, Et femper fupra Socios ; Gratumque dilecliffirrii fui JESU Odorem Quaquaversus & late difFudit. Dolores tolerans fupra fidem, ^Erumna^que heu quam afiiduse I Invidlo Animo, Viclrice Patienria Varias Curarum Moles pertulit Et in "Stadio &". in Meta Vitae : Quam ubi'propinquam vidit, Pferophoria Sdei quafi Curru a:ato vc&us
Prqpere & exulrim attigit Natus ell in Agro Lancajirictif. 20° Mar//:, 1630. Jnter Nov- Anglos Thcorogiae Tirocinia feci;. Paftorali Munere diu Buoiinu In Hibcmia functus, ■ Tandem (ut femper) Providcntiam fecutus Ducera, Ccettii fktelium apud Londhienfes prxpofitus eft, Quos Do&rina Precibus, 8: Vita beavit : Ah brevi ! Corpore folutus 260 Juliiy 1697. i£tat, 67. Ecclefiifl Rfcerorem, Theologis Exemplar reiiquit. Probia Piifque omnibus Infandum fui defiderium :
JDuih
To the Memory of the Dead. 187
Dam pulvis CHRISTO charus hie duke dormit Expeclans Stellam matutinam.
£ 0 % % % % ^ ' * % & * * -4 i i& % It & * * ' $
To the Reverend
Mr. JOHN SHOWER, On the Death of his Daughter Mrs. ANNE WARNER. Reverend and dear Sir, TJ O W great foever was my Senfe of your Lofs, yet I did not think my f elf fit to offer any Lines of Comfort : your own Meditations can furnijh you with many a delightful Truth in the midfl of fo heavy Sorrow ; for the Covenant of Grace has Bright nefs . enough in it to gild the mojl gloomy Providence ; and to that fvjeet Covenant your Soul is no Stranger. My own Thoughts vjere much impreft with the Ty dings of your Daughter's Death ; and thof 1 mate many a Reflection on the Vanity of Mankind in its beft Efiate, yet I muft acknovAedge that my Temper leads me moji to the plea- fant Scenes of Heaven, and that future World of Blefednefs : When I recoiled the Memory of my Friends that are deady I frequently rove into the World of Spirits, and fear ch them cut there : Thus I endeavour to trace Airs. Warner ; and thefe Thoughts crouding fajl upon me, I fet them down for my ovjn Entertainment. The Verfe breaks off abruptly , be- caufe I had no Defign to write- a finijhed Elegy ; and be fide sy when I was fallen upon the dark Side of Death, I had no Mind to tarry there. If the Lines! have written be fo hap- py as to entertain you a little and divert your Grief, the Time fpent in compofing them fa all not be reckoned among ?ny loji Hours, and the Review will be more pleafing to,
SIR, Decern. 22. Your affectionate humble Servant,
1707. J. W.
An Elegiac Thought on Mrs. Anne Warner, wh$ died of the Small-Pox, Decern, iS, 1707, at One of the Clock in the Morning ; a few Days after the Birth and Death of her firji Child.
AWAKE my Mu'e, range the wide World of Souls* And leek VERNERJ fled ; With upward Aim Direct rhy Wing ; for me was born from Heaven, Fuhili'd her Viiit, and return'd on high.
The •
188 LYRIC POEMS, Book III.
The Midnight Watch of Angels that patrole The Britijh Sky, have notic'd her Afcent Near the Meridian Scar ; purfue the Track To the bright Confines of immortal Day And Paradife her Heme. Say, my Urania, (For nothing- fcapes thy Search, nor can'rt thou mtfi* So fair a Spirit) fay, beneath what Shade Of Amarant, or chearfu! Evcr-gncn She fit?, recounting to her Kindred-Minds Angelic or Humane, h»r mortal Toil And Travels thro' this howling Wildernefs ; By what divine Protections fhe efcaj Thofe deadly Snares when Youth and Satan leagu'd Jn Combination to aflail her Virtue ; (Snares fet to murder Soul;) but Keav'n fecur'd The Favourite Nymph, and taught her Victory.
Or does fhe feek, or has found her Babe Amongft the i .it- at ion of the Bieft, And clafp'd it to her i 6alt to fetiate there The young Maternal Paffion, and abfoi ie The unfulhJl'd Embrace J Thrice happy Child f That faw the Light, and turn'd its Eyes afide From our dim Regions to th' Eternal Sun, And led the Parent's Way to Glory 1 There Thou art for ever hers, wirh Powers enlarg'd For Love reciprocal and fvveet Converfe.
Behold her Anceftors (a pious Race) Rang'd in fair Order, at her Sight rejoice And fing her Welcome. She along their Seats Gliding lalutes them all with Honours due Such as are paid in Heaven : And lait me finds A Manfton faihionM of diftingulh'd Light. But vacant : This (with fure Prefage fhe cries) Awaits my Father ; ivben will he arrive ? How hng, alas, how long ! (Then calls her Mate) Die, thou dear Partner of my mortal Cares, Die, and partake my Blifs ; we are for ever One.
Ah me ! where roves my Fancy ! What kind Dieams Croud with fvveet Violence on my waking Mind 1 Perhaps lilufions all ? Inform me, Mufc, Chufcs fhe rather to retire apart
T
To the Memory of the Dead. iSg
To recoiled her diffipated Powers,
And call her Thoughts her own : lb lately freed
From Earth's vain Scenes, gay Vifits, Gratulations,
From. Hymen's hurrying and tumultuous Joys,
And Fears and Pangs, fierce Pangs that wrought her Death.
Tell me on what fublimer Theme (he dwells
In Contemplation, with unerring Clue
Infinite Truth puriuing. (When, my Soul,
0 when mail thy Releafe from cumb'rous Fle/h Pals the Great Seal of Heaven ? What happy Hour Shall give thy Thoughts a Loofe to foar and trace The Intellectual World ? Divine Delight !
VE RNER A's lov'd Employ !) Perhaps fhe lings To fome new gciden Harp th' Almighty Deeds, The Names, the Honours of her Saviour-God, His Crofs, his Grave, his Victory, and his Crown : Oh could I imitate th' exalted Notes, And mortal Ears could bear them !• .
Or lies fhe now before th' Eternal Throne Proftrate in humble Form, with deep Devotion O'erwhelm'd, and Self Abaiement at the Sight Of the uncover'd Godhead Face to Face ? Seraphic Crowns pay Homage at his Feet, And Hers amongil: them, not -of dimmer Ore, Nor fet with meaner Gems : But vain Ambition, And Emulation vain, and fond Conceit, And Pride for ever banifh'd flies the Place, Cunt Pride, the Drefs of Hell. Tell me, Urania, How her Joys heighten, and her golden Hours Circle in Love. O fiamp upon my Soul Some blifoful Image of the fair Deceas'd To call my Pailions and my Eye-s afide From the dear breathlefs Clay, dinreifing Sight !
1 look and mourn and gaze with greedy View Of melancholy Fondneis : Tears bedewing That Form lo late defir'd,' fo late bciov'd, Now loathfomeand unlovely. Bale Difeafe,
That leagu'd with Nature's {harper; Pains, and fpoil'd So fweet a Structure ! The impoifoning Taint O'erfpreads the Building wrought with Skill divine, And rums .the rich Temple to the Dull !
Was
190 LYRIC POEMS, Book IIT.
Was this the Countenance, where the World admir'd Features of Wit and Virtue? This the Face^ Where Love triumph'd ? and Jlcauty on thefe Cheeks, As on a Throne, beneath her radiant Eyes Was feated to Advantage ; mild, ferene, Reflecting rofy Light ? So fits the Sun (Fair Eye of Keav'n !) upon a crimfon Cloud Near the Horizon, and with gentle Ray Smiles lovely round the Sky, till rifing Fogs, Portending Nigh*, with foul and heavy Wing Involve the golden Star, and fink him down jrefl with Darknef?.
On the Death cf an Aged a?;d Honoured Relative Mrs, M. W. July ]?, 1693.
i.
I Know the Kindred -Mind. 'Tis (he, 'tis me ; Among the heav'nly Forms I fee The Kindred Mind from flefhly Bondage free ; O how unlike the Thing was lately feen Groaning and panting on the Bed, With ghaflly Air, and languifh'd Head, Life on this Side, there the Dead While the delaying Flefh lay (hivering between.
Long -did the earthy Houfe reftrain In toilfome Slavery that Ethereal Guelt ;
Prifon'd her round in Walls of Pain, And twilled Cramps and Aches with her Chain ; Till by the Weight of num'rous Days oppreil
The earthy Houfe began to reel, The Pillars trembled, and the Building fell ; The Captive Soul became her own again ; Tir'd with the Sorrows and the Cares,
A tedious Train of fourfcore Years,
The Pris'ner frnil'd to be releaft, She felt her Fetters loofe, and mounted to her Reft.
III. Gaze on, my Soul, and let a perfect View
Paint her Idea all anew ; Rafe out thofe melancholy Shapes of Woe That hang around thy Memory, and becloud it fo.
Come
To the Memory of the Dead-. 191
Come Fancy, come, with Effenccs renn'd, With youthful Green, and fpotlefs White ; Deep be the Tincture, and the Colours bright T' exprefs the Besutiea of a naked Mind.
Provide no Glooms to form a Shade ; j/Ul Things above of vary'd Light are made, Sfor can the heav'nly Piece require a mortal Aid. But if the Features too divine Beyond the Power of Fancy mine, Conceal th' inimitable Strokes behind a graceful Shrine. IV. Defcribe the Saint from Heed to Feet, Vfake all the Lines in jtift Proportion meet; But let her Poilure be Filling a Chair of high Degree ; Dbferve how- "near it {lands to the Almighty Seat. Paint the new Graces of her Epes ; rem in her Looks let fprightly Youth arife, And Joys unknown below the Skies. Virtue that lives conceal'd below,
And to the Breaft conhn'd, Sits here triumphant on the Brow, And breaks with radiant Glories through
The Features of the Mind. Exprefs her Paffion flill the fame,
But more divinely fweet ; Love has an everlaiting Flame, And makes the Work complete. V. The Painter Mule with glancing Eye Obferve a manly Spirit nigh*,
That Death had long disjoin'd : '* In the fair Tablet they mail ftand " United by a happier Band :"
le faid, and nVd her Sight, and drew the manly Mind, ecount the Years my Song, (a mournful Round 1)
Since
* My Grandfather,. Mr. Thomas Watts had fuch acquain- nce with the Mathematicks, Painting, Mufick, and Poefy, :. as gave him confiderable Efteem among his Contempo- ries. He was Commander of a Ship of War 1656, and bl- owing up of the Ship rn the Dutch War he was drown'd in 5 Youth.
$92 LYRIC POEMS, Book III.
Since he was feen on Earth no more : He fought in lower Seas and drewn'd ; But Victory and Peace he found On the iup-erior Shore. ; Theie now his tuneful Breath in facred Songs '""Employs the European and the Eca/hm Tongues. Lee th' awful Truncheon and the Flute, The Penc'I and the well-known Lute, Powerful Numbers, charming Wit And every Art and Science meet, (Feet.
And bring their Laurels to his Hand, or lay them at his VI. 'Tis done. What Beams of Glory fall (Rich Varnifli of immortal Art) To gild the bright Original ! *Tjs done. The Mufe has now perform'd her Part, firffig down the Piece, Urania, from above, And let my Ho k c u r and piy Love Drefs it with Chains of Gold to hang upon my Heart.
A
FUNERAL POEM
On the DEATH of
THOMAS GU NSTON, Efq;
Prefented to the'
Right Honourable the Lady A B N E Y, Lad y-
Mayoress of London.
July 1 701. ■ Madam,
Til AD I been a common Mourner at the Funeral of the dear Gentleman deceafed, I /ho u Id have laboured after more of Art in the following Compojition to fupply the Defecl of Nature, and to feign a Sorrow ; but the uncommon Con- defcenfon of his Friend/hip to me, the inward EJleem I pay his Memory, and th"e faf and tender Senfe I ha-ve of the Lofs, make all the Methods of Art needle/}, whilfi natural Grief fup plies more than all.
I had refolded indeed to lament in Sighs and Silence, and frequently checked the too forward Mufe : hut the Importu- nity 'was not to be refjled -, long Lines of Sorrow flowed in
upon
To the Memory of the Dead. 193
upc\ me e'er I was aware, vjhilfi I took many a folitary Walk in the Garden adjoining to his Seat at Newington ; nor^could I free my f elf from the Crowd of melancholy Ideas* Your Ladyjhip will find throughout the Poem, that the fair and unfinished Building which he had jufi raifed for himfelfy gave almijl all the Turns of Mourning to my Thoughts ; for I purfue no other Topics of Elegy than what my Pajjion and my Senfes led me to.
The Poem roves, as my Eyes and Grief did, from one Part cf the Fabrick to the other : It rifes from the Foundation, falutes the Walls, the Doors, and the Windows, drops a Tear upon the Roof, and climbs the Turret, that pleafant Re- treat, where I prcmifed my felf many fweet Hours of his Converfation ; there my Song wanders amongfl the delightful Subjects. divine and moral, which ufed to entertain our happy Leifure-, and thence defends to the Fields and the fhady Walks, where I fo often enjoyed his pleafing Difcourfe ; my Sorrows dijfufe themfelves there without a Limit : 1 hack quite forgotten all Scheme and Method of Writing, till I correcl my felf, and rife to the Turret again to lament that deflate Seat. Now if the Critics laugh at the Folly of the Mufe for taking too much Notice of the Golden Ball, let them conjider that the meanejl Thing that belonged to fo valuable a Perfon fill gave fome frejb and doleful Reflexions : And I tranfcribe Nature without Rule, and reprefent Friendjhip in a mourning Drefs, abandoned to deepefl Sorrow, and with a Negligence becoming Woe unfeigned.
Had I defigned a compleat Elegy, Madam, on your deareft Brother, and intended it for publick View, I ihould have fcllow/ed the ufual Forms of ^Poetry, Jo far at leaf, as to fpe-.td fome Pages in the .Characler and Praifes of the De- ceafed, and thence have taken Occafion to call Mankind ta complain aloud of the univerfal and unfpeakable Lofs : Bui I wrote merely for my felf as a Friend of the Dead, and to eafe my full Soul by breathing out my own Complaints ; 1 knew his Character and Virtues fo well, that there was no need to mention them while I talked only with my felf', for the Image cf them was ever prefent with me, which kept the Fain at the Heart inienfe and lively, and my Tears flowing tvith my Verfa
Perhaps your Ladyjhip will ezpeSi fome Divine Thoughts *td Sacred Meditations* mingled with & Subject fo flemn £ as
194 L T R I C POEMS, Book III.
as this is : Had I formed a Deflgn of offering it to your Hands, I bad competed a more Chriflian Poem ; but it was Grief purely natural for a Death fo fur prizing that drew all the Strokes of it, and therefore my Reflections are chiefly of a moral Strain. Such as it is, your Lady/hip requires ra Copy ef it ; but let it not touch your Soul too tenderly, nor renew jour own Mournings. Receive it, Madam, as an Offering cf Love and Tears at the Tomb of a departed Friend, and Set it abide <v:iih you as a Witnefs of that affeclionate Refpecl and Honour thai J bore him', all which as your Lady/hip's ?nrfl rightful Due, both by Merit and by Swcctffon, is now, humbly offered, by,
Madam,
Tour Ladyflnp^s mojl Hearty
and Obedient Servant,
I. WATTS.
To the dear Memory ot my honoured Friend,
THOMAS GU N S TO N, Etqi
Woo died Nov. u, 1700, when he had jujl fimjhed his Seat at Newington.
OF blafted Hopes, and of fhort withering Joys, Sing, heavenly Mufe. Try thine Ethereal Voice In Funeral Numbers and a doleful Song ; GUNSTON the Juil, the Generous and the Young, GUNSTON the Friend is dead. O empty Name Of earthly Blifs ! 'tis all an airy Dream, All a vain Thought ! Our foaring Fancies rife On treacherous Wings ! and Hopes that touch the Skies X)rag but a longer Ruin thro' the downward Air, AnoTplunge the falling Joy ilill deeper in Defpair.
•How did our Souls Hand flatter'd and prepar'd To ihout him welcome to the Seat he rear'd ! There the dear Man mould fee his Hopes complete, Smiling, and tailing zv\y lawful Sweet That Peace and Plenty brings, while numerous Years Circling delightful play'd around the Spheres : Revoling Suns mould Hill renew his Strength, And draw the uncommon Thread to an unufual Length, But hally Fate thruils her dread Shears between, Cuts the young Life off, and (huts up the Scence.
Thus
To the Memory of the Dead, 19^
Thus airy Pleasure dances in our Eyes,
And fpreads falfe Images in fair Difguife,
T* allure our Souls, till juft witfein our Arms
The Vifion'dies, and all the painted Charms
Flee quick away from the purfuing Sight,
Till they are loll in Shades, and mingle with the Night,
Mufe, ftretch thy Wings, and thy fad journey bend To the fair Fa brick that thy dying Friend Built namelefs : 'twill fuggeft a Thoufand Things Mournful and foft as my Urania fings.
How did he lay the deep Foundations flrong, Marking the Bounds, and rear the Walls along Solid and lafting ; there a numerous Train Of happy GUNSTONS might in Pleafure reign, " While Nations perifh, and long Ages run, Nations unborn, and Ages unbegun : Not Time itfelf mould wafte the bleft Eftate, Nor the tenth Race rebuild the ancient Seat. How Fond our Fancies are ! The Founder dies Childlefs ; his Sifters weep and clofe his Eyes, And wait upon his Hearfe with never-ceafmg Cries, Lofty and flow it moves to meet the Tomb, While weighty Sorrow nocls on every Plume ; A thoufand Groans his dear Remains convey, >
To his cold Lodging in a Bed of Clay, >
His Country's facred Tears well-watering all the Way. J See the dull Wheels roll on the fable Road ; But no dear Son to tread the mournful Load, And fondly kind drop his young Sorrows there, The Father's Urn bedewing with a filial Tear. O had he left us One behind, to play Wanton about the painted Hall, and fay, This was my Father's, with impatient Joy In my fond Arms I'd clafp the fmiling Boy, And call him my Young Friend : but awful Fate, Defign'd the mighty Stroke as lafting as 'twas great,
And muft this Building then, this coftly Frame -Stand here for Strangers ? Muft fome unknown Name, K z PoiTelB
196 LYRIC POEMS, Book III.
PofFefs thefe Rooms, the Labours of my Friend ? Why were thefe Walls rais'd for this haplefs End ? Why thefe Apartments all adorn'd fo gay ? Why his rich Fancy lavifh'd thus away ; Mufe, view the Paintings, how the hovering Light Plays o'er the Colours in a wanton Flight, And mingled Shades wrought in by foft Degrees, Give a fweet Foil to all the charming Piece ; But Night, eternal Night, hangs black around The difmal Chambers of the hollow Ground, And folid Shades unmingled round his Bed Stand hideous : Earthy Fogs embrace his Head, And noifome Vapours glide along his Face Rifing perpetual. Mufe, forfake the Place, Flee the raw Damps of the unwholefome Clay, Look to his airy fpacious Hall, and fay, " How has he chang'd it for a lonefome Cave, " Confin'd and crowded in a narrow Grave 1"
TV unhappy Houfe, looks defolate and mourns". And every Door groans doleful as it turns ; The Pillars languid) ; and each lofty Wall Stately in Grief, laments the Matters Fall. In Drops of briny Dew ; the Fabrick bears His faint Refemblance and renews my Tears. Solid and fquare it rifes from below : A noble Air without a gaudy Show Reigns thro' the Model, and adorns the Whole, Manly and plain. Such was the Builder's Soul.
O how I love to view the ftately Frame, That dear Memorial of the belt lov'd Name ! Then could I wifh for fome prodigious Cave Vail as his Seat, and filent as his Grave, Where the tall Shades flretch to the hideous Roof, Forbid the Day, and guard the Sun beams off; Thither, my willing Feet, fhould ye be drawn At the grey Twilight, and the early Dawn. There fweetly fad mould my foft Minutes roll, Numbring the Sorrows of my drooping Soul. But thefe are airy Thoughts \ fubftantial Grief Grows by thofe Qbjr&s that fhould yield Relief;
' Fond
To the Memory of the Dead. if 7
Fond of my Woes I heave my Eyes around, My Grief from every Profped courts a Wound ; Views the green Gardens, views the fmiling Skies, Still my Heart finks, and ftill my Cares arife ; My wand'rUg Feet round the fair Manfion rove, And there to footh my Sorrows I indulge my Love.
Oft have I laid the awful Calvin by, And the fweet Cowley, with impatient Eye To fee thofe Walls, pay the fad Vifit there, And drop the Tribute of 2n hourly Tear : Still I behold fome melancholy Scene, With many a penfive Thought, and many a Sigh betwe&u Two Days ago we took the Evening Air, I, and my Grief, and my Urania there ; Say, my Urania, how the Weftern Sun Broke from black Clouds, and in full Glory fhone Gilding the Roof, then dropt into the Sea, And fudden Night devoured the fweet Remains of Day ; Thus the bright Youth juft rear'd his mining Head From obfcure Shades of Life, and funk among the Dead The rifmg Sun adorn'd with all his Light Smiles on thefe Wails again : but endlefs Night Reigns uncontroul'd where the dear GUNSTQN lies, He's fet for ever, and mull never rife. Then why thefe Beams unfeafonable Star, Thefe lightfome Smiles defcending from afar, To greet a mourning Houfe ? In vain the Day Breaks thro7 the Windows with a joyful Ray, And marks a mining Path along the Floors Bounding the Evening and the Morning Hours ; In vain it bounds 'em : while vaft £mptinefs And hollow Silence reigns thro' all the Place, Nor heeds the cheerful Change of Nature's Face-. Yet Nature's Wheels will on without Controul, f
The Sun will rife, the tuneful Spheres will roll >
And the two nightly Bean walk round and watch thePole, J
See while I fpeak, high on her fable Wheel Old Night advancing climbs the Ealtern Hill : Troops of dark Clouds prepare her Way : behold, How their brown Pinions edg'd with Evening Gold
K. 3 Spread
I
198 LTRIC POEMS, Book III.
Spread fhadowing o'er the Houfe, and glide away
Slowly purfuing the declining Day ;
O'er the broad Reof they fly their Circuit (till,
Thus Days before they did, and Days to come they will;
But the black Cloud that fhadows o'er his Eyes,
Hangs there unmoveable, and never flies :
Fain would I bid the envious Gloom be gone ;
Ah fruitlefs Wifh I how are his Curtains drawn
For a long Evening that defpairs the Dawn !
Mufe, view the Turret : juft beneath the Skies Xonefome it Hands, and fixes my fad Eyes, As it would a(k a Tear. O facred Seat Sacred to Friendfliip ! Q divine Retreat ! Here did I hope my happy Hours t' employ, And fed before-hand on the promis'd Joy, When weary of the noify Town, my Friend From mortal Cares retiring, fhould afcend .And lead me thither. We alone wou'd fit Free and fecure of all 'intruding Feet : Our Thoughts mould ftretch their longefl Wings, and rife* Nor bound their Soarings by the lower Skies : Our Tongues fhould aim at everlafting Themes, And fpeak what Mortals dare, of all the Names Of boundlefs Joys and Glories, Thrones and Seats Built high in Heaven for Souls : We'd trace the Streets X)f golden Pavement, walk each blifsful Field, And climb and tafte the Fruits the fpicy Mountains yield : Then would we fwear to keep the facred Road, And walk right upwards to that bleft Abode ; We'd charge our parting Spirits there to meet, There Hand in Hand approach th' Almighty Seat, And bend our Heads adoring at our Maker's Feet. Thus fhould we mount on bold advent'rouns Wings In high Difcourfe, and dwell on heavenly Things, Whiic the pleas'd Hours in fweet Succeffion move, And Minutes meafur'd, as they are above, By ever-circlings Joys, and ever-fliining Love.
Anon our Thought fnou'd lower their lofty Flight,
Sink by DegreeV and take a pleafing Sight,
' , 7 A large
}
- Tq the Memory of the Dead. 199
A large round ProfpecT: of the Spreading Plain, 1
The wealthy River/ and his winding Train, >
The fmoky'City, and the bufy Men.- J
How we mould fmile to fee degenerate Worms
Lavifh their Lives and fight for airy Forms
Of painted Honour, Dreams of Empty Sound
Till Envy rife, and fnoot a fecret Wound
At fwelling Glory, ftraight the Bubble breaks,
And the Scenes vaniih, as the Man awakes ;
Then the tall Titles infolent and proud
Sink to the Dull, and mingle with the Crowd.
Man is a reftlefs Thing : Still vain and wild, Lives beyond Sixty, nor outgrows the Child : His hurrying Lulls ftill break the facred Bound To feek new Pleafures on forbidden Ground, And buy them all too dear. Unthinking Fool, For a lhort dying Joy to fell a deathlefs Soul I 'Tis but a Grain of Sweetnefs they can fow, And reap the long fad Harveit of immortal Woe-,
Another Tribe toil in a different Strife, And banifh all the lawful Sweets of Li£s9 To fvveat and dig for Gold, to hoard the Ore, 1
Hide the dear Dull yet darker than before, V-
And never dare to afc a Grain of all the S:ore. ^
Happy the Man that knows the Value juft Of earthly Things, nor is enflav'd to DuA, Tis a rich Gift the Skies but rarely fend To Fav'rite Souls. Then happy thou, my Friendr For thou hadil learnt to manage and command The "Wealth that Heaven beitovv'd with liberal Hand : Hence this fair Structure rofe ; and hence this Seat 1 Made to invite my not unwilling Feet: , f*
In vain 'twas made ! for we mail never meet, J
And fmile, and love, and blefs each other here, The envious Tomb forbids thy Face t' appear, Detains thee, GUNSTON, from my longing Eyes, And all my Hopes lie bury'd, where my GUNSTONlies,
Come hitlier, all ye tendered Souls, that know The Heights of Fondnefs, and the Depths of Woe,
Young
"I
200 L T R I C POEMS, Book III.
Young Mothers, who your darling Babes have found Untimely murder'd with a ghaftly Wound ; Ye frighted Nymphs, who on the Bridal Bed Clafp'd in your Arms your Lovers cold and dead, Come ; in the Pomp of all your wild Defpair, With flowing Eye-lids, and diforder'd Hair, Death in your Locks ; come, mingle Grief with me, And drown your little Streams in jny unbounded Sea,
You facrcd Mourners of a nobler Mold, Born for a Friend, whofe dear Embraces hold Beyond all Nature's Ties ; you that have known Two happy Souk- made intimately One, ■And hh a parting Stroke -, 'Tk you muil tell The Smart, the Twinges, and the Racks I feel : This Soul of mine that dreadful Wound has borne, OiF from its Side its deareft Half is torn, The reft lies bleeeding, and but lives to mourn. Oh infinite Diftrefs ! fuch raging Grief Should command Pity, and defpair Relief. Paffion, methinks, mould rife from all my Groans> Give Senfe to Rocks, and Sympathy to Stones,
Ye dufky Woods and echoing Hills around. Repeat my Cries with a perpetual Sound : Be all ye fiow'ry Vales with Thorns o'ergrown, Affift my Sorrows, and declare your own ; Alas \ Your Lord is dead. The humble Plain Muft ne'er receive his courteous Feet again : Mourn ye gay fmilirg Meadows, and be feen In wintry Robes, inftead of youthful Green ; And bid the Brook, that ftill runs warbling by, Move filent on, and weep his ufelefs Channels dry. Hither methinks the lowing Herd mould come, And mourning Turtles murmur o'er his Tomb : The Oak fhall wither, and the curling Vine 1
Weep his young Life cut, while his Arms untwine > Their amorousFolds,and mixhisbleedingSoul with mine. J Ye ftately Elms, in your long Order mourn*, Strip off your Pride to dref* your Mailer's Urn ;
Here
* There was a long Row of tall Elms then fianding where fomt Tears after the lowtr Garden wus made.
To the Memory of the Dead. 201
Here gently drop your Leaves inftead of Tears :
Ye Elms, the reverend Growth of ancient Years,
Stand tall and naked to the bluftering Rage
Of the mad Winds; thus it becomes your Age
To mew your Sorrows. Often ye have feen
Our Heads reclin'd upon the riling Green ;
Beneath your facred Shade diffus'd we lay,
Here Friendship reign'd with an unbounded Sway :
Hither our Souls their conftant OfPrings brought,.
The Burthens of the Breaft, and Labours of the Thought;
Our opening Bofoms on the confcious Ground
Spread all the Sorrows and the Joys we found,
And mingled every Care ; nor was it known
Which of the Pains and Pleafures were our own ;
Then with an equal Hand and honeft Soul
We mare the Heap, yet both pofTefs the Whole,
And all the Paffions there thro* both our Bofoms roll
By turns we comfort, and by turns complain,
And bear and eafe by turns the Sympathy of Pain.
1
Friendship ! myfterious Thing, what Magic Pow'rs Support thy Sway, and charm thefe Minds of ours ? Bound to thy Foot we boaft our Birth-right ftill, And dream of Freedom, when we've loft our Will^ And chang'd away our Souls : At thy Command We fnatch new Miferies from a foreign Hand, To call them ours ; and, thoughtlefs of our Eafe, Plague the dear Self that we were born to pleafe. Thou Tyrannefs of Minds, whofe cruel Throne Heaps on poor Mortals Sorrows not their own; As though our Mother Nature could no more Find Woes fufficient for each Son me bore, Friendfhip divides the Shares, and lengthens out the Store. Yet are we fond of thine imperious Reign, Proud of thy Slavery, wanton in our Pain, (Chain.
And chide the courteous Hand when Death diffolves the
J
Virtue, forgive the Thought ! the raving Mufe Wild and'defpairing knows not what fhe does, Grows mad in Grief, and in her favage Hours Affronts the Name Ihe Joves and ihe adores,
m
2Q2 L Y.R I C P 0 £ M S9 Book III,
She is thy Vot'refs too ; and at thy Shrine, }
O facred Friendship, offer'd Songs Divine, C
While GUNSTON liv'd, and both our Souls were thine, ) Here to thefe Shade* at folemn Hours we came, To pay Devotion with a mutual Flame, Partners in Blifs. Sweet Luxury of the Mind ! And fweet the Aids of Senfe ! Each ruder Wind Slept in its Caverns, while an Evening-Breeze Fann'd the Leaves gently, fporting thro' the Trses ;. The Linnet and the Lark their Vefpers Tung, And Clouds of Crimfon o'er th' Horizon hung ; The flow-declining Sun with floping Wheels Sunk down the golden Day behind the Weflern Hills.
Mourn, ye young Gardens, ye unfinifh'd Gates, Ye green Inclofures, and ye growing Sweets Lament, for ye our Midnight Hours have known, And watch'd us walking by the fdent Moon In Conference divine, while heavenly Fire Kindling our Breafls did all our Thoughts infpire With Joys almcfl immortal then our Zeal Ulaz'd and burnt high to reach th' Ethereal Hill, And Love refin'd, like that above the Poles, Threw both our Arms round one another's Souls- In Rapture and Embraces. Oh forbear, Forbear, my Song ! this is too much to hear, Too dreadful to repeat ; fuch Joys as thefe Fled from the Eanh for ever !■
Oh for a general Grief! let all Things mare Our Woes, that knew our Loves : The neighbouring &* Let it be laden with immortal Sighs* And tell the Gales, that every Breath that flies Over thefe Fields mould murmur and complain, And kifs the fading Grafs, and propagate the Pain. Weep all ye Buildings, and the Groves around For ever Weep : this is an endlefs Wound, Vaft and incurable. Ye Buildings knew His Silver Tongue, ye Groves have heard it too : At that dear Sound no more mall ye rejoice, And I no more muil hear the charming Voice ,
Woe
To the Memory of the Dead. 203
Woe to my drooping Soul ! that heavenly Breath That could fpeak Life lies now congeal'd in Death ; While on his folded Lips all cold and pale Eternal Chains and heavy Silence dwell.
Yet my fond Hope would hear him fpeak again, Once more at leafl, one gentle Word, and then GUNSTON aloud I call : In vain I cry GUNSTON aloud ; for he mufl ne'er reply. In vain I mourn, and drop thefe Funeral Tears, Death and the Grave have neither Eyes nor Ears : Wandring I tune my Sorrows to the Groves, And vent my fwelling Griefs, and tell theWinds our Loves j While the dear Youth fleeps fail, and hears them not i He hath forgot me : In the lonefome Vault Mindlefs of WATTS and Friendfhip, cold he lies, Deaf and unthinking Clay.— .
But whither am I led ? This artlefs Grief Hurries the Mufe on, obilinate and deaf To all the nicer Rules, and bears her down From the tail Fabrick to the neighbouring Ground : The pleailng Hours, the happy Moments pall In thefe fweet Fields reviving on my Taile Snatch me away reMlefs with impetuous Hafle. Spread thy ftrong Pinions once again, my Song, And reach the Turret thou hall left, fo long : O'er the wide Roof its lofty Head it rears, Long waiting our Ccnverfe ; but only hears The noify Tumults of the Realms on high ; The Winds falute it whittling as they fly, Or jarring round the Windows : rattling Showers Lafh the fair Sides ; above loud Thunder roars ; But Hill the Mailer fleeps ; nor hears the Voice Of facred Friend ihip, nor the Tempeft's Noife : An Iron Slumber fits on every Seme, In vain the heavenly Thunders drive to roufe it thence,
One Labour more, my Mufe, the golden Sphere Seems to demand : See thro' the dufky Air Downward it mines upon the rifmg Moon j And, as ihe labours up to reach her Noon,
-I
204 LTRICPOEMSy Book III.
Purfues her Orb with repercuflive Light,
And ftreaming Gold repays the paler Beams of Night :
But not one Ray can reach the darkfome Grave,
Or pierce the folid Gloom that fills the Cave
Where GUNSTON dwells in Death. Behold it flames
Like fome new Meteor with diffufive Beams
Thro* the Mid-heaven, and overcomes the Stars ;
«« So mines thy GUNSTON 's Soul above the Spheres,
Raphael replies, and wipes away my Tears.
,c We faw the Flefh fink down with doling Eye
,{ We heard thy Grief ikriek out, He dies, He die^
" Miflaken Grief 1 to call the Flefh the Friend \
*' On our fair Wings did the bright Youth afcend,
■' All Heav'n embrac'dhim with immortal Love,
<c And fiing his Welcome to. the Courts above.
*' Gentle Ithuriel led him round the Skies,
"' The Buildings {truck him with immenfe Surprife*
" The Spires all radiant, and the Manfions bright,
M The Roof high-vaulted with Ethereal Light :
*' Beauty and Strength on the tall Bulwarks fat
** In heavenly Diamond ; and for every Gate
" On Golden Hinges a broad Ruby turns,
" Guards off the Foe^ and as it moves it burns ;,
*' Millions of Glories reign through every part ;
** Infinite Power and uncreated Art
'• Stand here difplay'd, and to the Stranger (how
M How it out-fhines the nobleft Seats below.
" The Stranger fed his gazing Pow'rs awhile
*« Tranfported : Then, with a regardlefs Smile,
*' Glanc'd his Eye downward thro' the Cryftal Floor,.
" And tock eternal Leave of what he built before."
Now, fair Urania, leave the doleful Strain ; Raphael commands : AiTume thy Joys again. In everlarling Numbers fing, and fay, " GUNSTON has mov'd his Dwelling to the Realms of Day ; (Groans away."
«• GUNS TO N the Frkad lives full : And give thy
1
An
Tq the Memory cf the Dead. 205
An ELEGY on
Mr. THOMAS GOUGE,
T O
Mr. ARTHUR S HAL LET, Mercht.
Worthy Sir, CTHE Subject of the following Elegy was high in your EJieem, and enjoyed a large Share of your Ajfeclions. Scarce does his Memory need the AJpftance cf the Mufe to make it perpetual ; but when Jke can at once pay her Honours to the 'venerable Dead, and by this Addrefs acknowledge the Favours Jhe has received from the Living, 'tis a double Pkafure to> SIR,
Your obliged Humble Servant,
/. WATTS,
To the Memory of the
Revd. Mr. THOMAS GOUGE,
Who died Jan. 8th, if-*-*-.
I.
YE Virgin Souls, whofe fvveet Complaint PfaL 137. Could teach Euphrates not to flow, Lament, i.
Could Sion's Ruin fo divinely paint. 2, 3.
Array'4 in Beauty and in Woe :
Awake, ye Virgin Souls to mourn, And with your tuneful Sorrows drefs a Prophets Urn.
Oh could my Lips or flowing Eyes
But imitate fuch charming Grief,
Td teach the Seas, and teach the Skies
Wailings, and Sobs, and Sympathies,
Nor fhould the Stones or Rocks be deaf;
Rocks mould have Eyes, and Stones have Ears While GQUGE's Death is mourn'd in Melody and Tears. II.
Heav'n was impatient of our Crimes,
And fent his Minifter of Death
ic6 LYRIC POEMS, Book III*
To fcourge the bold Rebellion of the Times, And to demand our Prophet's Breath ; He came commifTion'd for the Fates Of awful MEAD> and charming BATES ; There he effay'd the Vengeance rirft, Then took a difmal Aim, and broaght great GOUGE to Dull.
III. Great GOUGE to Duft ! how doleful is the Sound ! How vaft the Stroke is ! and how wide the Wound I
Oh painful Stroke ! difixeffing Death ! A Wound unmeafci-pbly wide No vulgar mortal dy'd When he refign'd his Breath. The Mule that mourns a Nation's Fall,. Should wait at GOUGE's Funeral, Should mingle Majefty and Groans, Such as die iings to finking Thrones, And in deep founding Numbers tell, How Sion trembled, when this Pillar fell- Sion grows weak, and England poor, Nature her felf with all her Store, Can furnifh fuch a Pomp for Death no more,.
IV. The Reverend Man let all Things mourn 5-, Sure he was fome ^Ethereal Mind, Fated in Flefti.to be confin'd, And order'd to be born. His Soul was of th' Angelic Frame, The fame Ingredients, and the Mold the fame-. When the Creator makes a Minifter of Flarfte,
He was all form'd of heav'nly Things, Mortals believe what my Urania iings, For me has feen him rife upon his flamy Wings, V. How would he mount, how would he fly Up thro' the Ocean of the Sky,
To*v'rd the Celeftial Coaft ! With what amazing Swiftnefs foar Till Earth's dark Ball was feen no more, And all its Mountains loll ! Scsrce could the Mufe purfue him with her Sight :
r But
To the Memory of the "Dead, 207
Bur, Angels ye can tell, For oft yoa meet his wondrous Flight,
And knew the Stranger well ; Say, how, he paft the radiant Spheres And vifited your happy Seats, And trac'd the well-known 1 timings of the golden Streets, And walk'd kmang the Stars. VI. Tell how he climbM the Everlafrmg Hills
Surveying all the Realms above, Borne on a iircn^-wing'd Faith, and on the fiery Wheels Of an immortal Love. 'Twas there he cook a glorious Sight Of the Inheritance of Saints in Light, And read their Title in their Saviour's Right. How oft the humble Scholar came, And to your Songs he rais'd his Ears To learn the unutterable Name, To view th' Eternal Bsfe that bears,
The new Creation's Frame. The Countenance of God he faw, Full of Mercy ; full of Awe, The Glories of his Power, and Glories of his Grace ; There he beheld the wond'rous Springs
Of thofe Celeftial facred Things, The peaceful Gofcel and the fiery Law
In that Majeitick Face. That Face did all his gazing Powers employ, With moft profound Abafement and exalted Joy3 The Rolls of Fate were half unfeal'd,
He flood adoring by; The Volumes open'd to his Eye, And fweet Intelligence he held With all his mining Kindred of the Sky. VII. Ye Seraphs that furround the Throne, Tell how his Name was thro' the Palace, known, How warm his Zeal was, and how like your own ; Speak it aloud, let half the Nation hear, And bold Blafphemers fhrink and fear * :
Impudent
* Tbo* he was fo great and L . ifom he did not efcape Cenjurst
2o8 LTRICPOE MS, BookUL
Impudent Tongues ! to blaft a Prophet's Name I The Pbifon fure was fetch'd from HelJ,
Where the old Elaiphemers dwell, To taint the purer! Dufl," and blot the white!* Fame! impudent Tongues ! You fhould be darted thro', Nail'd to your own black Mouths, and lie Ufelefs and dead till Slander die, Till Slander die with you,. VI I L " We law him, faid th' Ethereal Throng* " We faw his warm Devotions rife, " We heard the Fervour of his Cries, *c And mix'd his Praiies with our Song : " We knew the fecret Flights of his retiring Mours.,.
" Nightly he waited his inward Powers, " Young 1/rad rofe to wreitte with his God, " And with unconquer'd Force fcai'd the celeflial Towers* ** To reach the BlelTiDg down for thofe that fought liis. Blood. " Oft we beheld the Thunderer** Hand " Kais'd high to crufh the factious Foe ; " As oft we faw the rolling Vengeance Hand
" Doubtful t1 obey the dread Command, " While his afcending Pray'r upheld the falling Blow."
Draw the paft Scenes of thy Delight, My Mufe, and bring the wond'rous Man to fight.
Place him furrounded as he flood
With pious Crowds, while from his Tongue A Stream of Harmony ran foft along, And every Year drank in the flowing Good :
Softly it ran its filver Way, Till warm Devotion rais'd the Current flrong : Then fervid Zeal on the fueet Deluge rode,
Life, Love and Glory, Grace and Joy, Divinely rolPd prcmifcuous on the Torrent-Flood, And bore our raptur'd Senfe away, and Thoughts ancf Souls to God.
O might we dwell for ever there' ! No more return to breathe this grcfler Air, This Atmofphere of Sin, Calamity and Cart.
X. But
To the Memory of the Dead. 209
X.
But heavenly Scenes foon leave the Sight
While we belong to Clay, Paifions of Terror and Delight,
Demand alternate Sway^
Behold the Man whofe awful Voice
Could well proclaim the fiery Law,
Kindle the Flames that Mofes faw,
And fwell the Trumpet's warlike Noife. He (lands the Herald of the threatning Skies, Lo, on his reverend Brow the Frowns divinely rife, All Sinai's Thunder on his Tongue, and Lightning in kid Eyes,
Round the high Hoof the Curfes flew
Diftinguifhing each guilty Head, Far from th' unequal War the Atheift fled,
His kindled Arrows dill purfue,
His Arrows ftrike the Atheift thro', And o'er his inmoft Powers a fhuddering Horror fpredC* The Marble lieart groans with an inward Wound :
Blafpheming Souls of harden'd Steel Shriek out amaz'd at the new Pangs they feel.
And dread the Echoes of the Sound.
The lofty Wretch arm'd and array'd Jn gaudy Pride finks down his impious Head, Plunges in dark Defpair and mingles with the Dead. XI.
Now, Mufe, afTume a fofter Strain,
Now footh the Sinner's raging Smart,
Borrow of GOUGE the wond'rous Art To calm the furging Confcience, and aflwage the Pam j
He from a bleeding God derives
life for the Souls that Guilt had flain,
And ftrait the dying Rebel lives, The dead ariie again ;
The opening Skies almofi: obey
His powerful Song; a heavenly Ray Awakes Defpair to Light, and Iheds a chearful Day,
His wondrous Voice rolls back the Spheres,
Recalls the Scences of antient Years, To make the Saviour known ;
Sweetly the flying Charmer roves
Thro'
210 LYRIC POEMS, Book III.
Thro' all his Labours and his Loves, The Anguifh of his Crofs, and Triumphs of his Throne. XII. Come, he invites our Feet to try The fteep Afcent of Calvary, And fets the fatal Tree before our Eye : See here Celeftial Sorrow reigns ; Rude Nails and ragged Thorns lay by, Ting'd with the Crimfon of Redeeming Veins* In wondrous Words he fung the vital Flood Where all our Sins were drown'd, Words fit to heal and fit to wound,. Sharp as the Spear, and balmy as the Blood- In his Difcourfe divine Afrefh the pcrple Fountain flow'd ; Our falling Tears kept fympathetic Time, And trickled to the Ground, While every Accent gave a doleful Sound, Sad as the breaking Heart-ftrings of th' expiring Goe,
Down to the Manfions of the Dead, With trembling Joy our Souls are led,
The Captives of his Tongue ; There the dear Prince of Light reclines his Head'
Darknefs and Shades among. With pleafmg Horror we furvcy
The Caverns of the Tomb, Where the belov'd Redeemer lay,
And ihed a fweet Perfume, Hark, the old Earthquake roars again In GOUGE's Voice, and breaks the Chain Of heavy Death, and rends the Tombs : The Rifing God ! he comes, he comes, With Throngs of waking Saints, a long triumphing Train.
See the bright Squadrons of the Sky, Downward on Wings of Joy and Hafte they fly, Meet their returning Sovereign, and attend him high. A mining Car the Conqueror fills, Form'd of a golden Cloud ; Slowly the Pomp moves up the azure Hills, Old Satan foams and yells aloud,
And
To the Memory ef the Dead, 2ii
And gnaws th* eternal Brafs that binds him to the Wheels, The opening Gates of Blifs receive their King,
The Father-God fmiles on his Son, Pays him the Honours he has won, The lofty Thrones adore, and little Cherubs ring.
Behold him on his native Throne,
Glory fits faft upon his Head ;
Drefs'd in new "Light, and beamy Robes, His Hand rolls on the Seafons, and the mining Globes, And fways the living Worlds, and, Regions of the Dead,
XV. GCUGE was his Envoy to the Realm below, Vail was his Truff, and great his Skill,
Bright the Credentials he could mow, And Thoufands own'd the Seal,
His hallow'd Lips could well impart
The Grace, the Fromife, and Command : He knew the Pity of ImmanueVs Heart, And Terrors of JEEQVAWs Hand,
How did our Souls Hart out to hear
The Embaffies of Love he bare,
While every Ear in Rapture hung Upon the charming Wonders of his Tongue* Life's bufy Cares a facred Silence bound,
Attention ilood with all her Powers,
With fixed Eyes and Awe profound,
Chain'd to the Pleafure of the Sound, Nor knew the flying Hours. XVI.
But O my Everlafling Grief! Heav'n has recall'd his Envoy from our Eyes^
Hence Deluges of Sorrow rife,
Nor hope th' impombie Relief.
Ye Remnanis of the facred Tribe
Who feel the Lofs, come ihare the Smart? And mix your Groans with mine :
Where is the Tongue that can defcribe
Infinite Things with equal Art, Or Language fo divine ?
Our Paffions want the heavenly Flame, Almighty Love breaths faintly in our Songs, And awful Threatnings Janguifh on our Tongues ;
HOWE,
212 LYRIC POEMS, Book III.
HOWE is a great but fingle Name : Amidft the Crowd he ftands alone ; Stands yet, but with his ftarry Pinions on, Dreft for the Flight, and ready to be gone,
Eternal God, command his Stay,
Stretch the dear Months of his Delay i # we could wifh his Age were one immortal Day !
But when the flaming Chariot's come, And mining Guards, t* attend thy Prophet home,
Amidft a thoufand weeping Eyes, Send an EHJba down, a Soul of equal Size pr burn this worthlefs Globe, and take us to the Skies.
FINIS.
T A B L E
O F T H E
POEMS
Contained in the
FIRST BOOK.
TyOrfiipphg with Fear, Page I
AJking Leave to fng, 2
Divine Judgments, 3
Earth and Heaven, 5
Felicity above, 6
Gob's Dominion and Decrees, 7
Self Confecration, 8
The Creator and Creatures, 9
The Nativity c/*Christ, lo
God glorious and Sinners faved, \ \
The bumble Enquiry, A French Sonnet imitated, 1 2
The Penitent par doned9 13
A Hymn of Praife for three great Salvations, 14
The Incomprehenfble, 17
Death and Eternity, ibid.
A Sight of Henven in Sichnefs, jy
The univerfal Hallelujah, Pfal, cxlviil. 20
The Atheifs Mijlake, 22
The Law given at Sinai, 23
Remember thy Creator, 27
Sun, Moon and Stars, praife ye the Lord, 28
The --welcome Meffenger, 2Q
Sincere Praife, go
True Learning, g2
True Wifdom, n<*
Song to Creating Wifdom, gr
God's abfolute Dominion, *>j
Condefcending Grace, go
The Infinite^ 40
Confejfiai
A Table.
Confefjion and Pardon, ^
Young Men and Maidens, &c. praife ye the Lord, 43
Flying Fowl, Sec. praife ye the Lord, 44
The Comparifon and Complaint, ac
God fupreme and felf-fujficent, 46
Jesus the only Saviour, *j
Looking upward, ajq
Christ dying, rijing, and reigning, ibid.
The God of Thunder, r o
The Day of Judgment, in Englifh Sapphic, r 1
The Seng of Angels above, cz
Fire, Air, Earth and Sea, praife ye Lord, r -
The Farewd, 56
G^ only known to himfef, ry
Pardon and .Sanfiif cation, 58
Sovereignty and Grace, en
The Law and Ge/pel, 60
Seeking a Divine Calm, Sec. Cafimir. B. III. Od. 28. 61
Happy Frailty, ^ ibid.
Launching into Eternity, 6$
A Prof put of the Refurreftion, 64
Ad Dominum Noftrum Jesum Christum: Oda, 65
Sui ipfius Jncrepatio ; Epigramma, 6j
Excitatio Cordis Ccelum verfus, 68
Breathing towards Heaven, , Cafimir. B. I. Od. 19. ibid.
In Sanclum Ardalionem, Sec. Cafim. Epigr. 100. 6g
On the Proteftant Church at Montpelier demolijhed, Two
Latin Epigrams englijhed, 70
T wo happy Rivals, Devotion and the Mufe, 7 1
On Divine Love :
The Hazard of Loving the Creatures, 74
Defring to love Christ, 75
The Heart given away, 1 ibid.
Meditation in a Grove 76
The Fair eft and the Only Beloved, 77
Mutual Love ft ronger than Death, 79,
A Sight of Christ, i 80 Love on a Crofs and on a Throne,
A preparatory Thought for the Lord** Supper, ^ 83
Converfe with Christ, ibid. Grace jhining, and Nature fainting^
Love
A Table,
|
Love to Christ prefent or abfent, |
B-7 |
|
The Abfence of Christ, |
$$ |
|
De firing bis Defcent to Earth? |
89 |
|
Afcending to him in Heaven, |
?9° |
|
The Prefence of G o d tvorth dying for ; or, the Dt |
■>ath of |
|
Mofes, |
ibid. |
|
Longing for his Return, |
91 |
|
Hope in Darknefs, |
92 |
|
Come Lord Jesus, |
94 |
|
Bewailing my own Incovflancy, |
95 |
|
Forfaken, yet hoping, |
97 |
|
The Conclufon, |
93 |
|
In the SECOND BOOK. |
|
|
To her Majefy, |
99 |
|
Palinodia, |
102 |
|
To John Locke, Efq\ retird from Bufinefs, |
ibid. |
|
To John Shute, Efq; on Mr. Locked Death, |
103 |
|
To Mr. William Nokes : Frindjhip, |
104 |
|
To Nathaniel Gould, Efq; |
ibid. |
|
To Dr. Thomas Gibfon : The Life of Souls, |
105 |
|
To Milo : Falfe Greatnefs, |
107 |
|
To SarifTa : An Epiflle, |
108 |
|
To Mr. Thomas Bradbury : Paradife, |
110 |
|
Stricl Religion very rare, |
112 |
|
To Mr. C. and S. Fleetwood, |
114 |
|
To Mr. William Blackbourn : Cafim. B. II. Od. 2, |
"5 |
|
True Monarchy, |
life |
|
True Courage, |
117 |
|
To the Reverend Mr. T. Rowe : Free Philofopby, |
119 |
|
To the Reverend Mr, Benoni Rowe : The Way of the Mul- |
|
|
titude, |
120 |
|
To the Reverend Mr. John Howe, |
121 |
|
The Difappointment and Relief |
122 |
|
The Hero's School of Mortality, |
123 |
|
Freedom, |
125 |
|
On Mr. Locked Annotations, &c, |
126 |
|
True Riches, |
127 |
|
The adventurous Mufe, |
129 |
|
To Mr. N. Clark : The Complaint, |
131 |
|
The Affiiaions of a Friend, |
■\z |
|
The Reverfe ; or, the Comforts of a Friend? |
133 To |
A Table.
To the Right Honourable John Lord Cuts : The hardy Sol- dier, 135 Burning federal Poems of Ovid, Martial, £ffr. ibid. To Mrs. 6. Bendyfh : Again/1 Tears, 136 Fevo happy Matches, 1 37 To David Polhill, Efa; an Epijlle, 1 39 The celebrated Vidory of the Poles, C5V. Cafimir. B. IV. Ode 4. 140 To Mr. Henry Bendylh : The Indian Philofopher, 146 7&? i^/viy iV^tf, • 148
Ma . Polhill, Efq; Jin Anfwer to an infamous Satire ■&ikKft &*vg William, 151
To the Dijonicnted and Unquiet, Cafim. J? . IV. Od. 15.
T^ohn Hartopp, Efq-, Cafim. 5. I. Od. 4. 156
7"o Tho. Gunfton, Efq; Happy Solitude, Cafim. B. IV- 0</. 12. 158
To John Hartopp, J£/J; The Difdain, 1 60
5"<j Mitio, my Friend : The Mourning-Piece, ibid.
The Second Part ; or, the bright Vijion, 1 64
The Third Part ; or, the Accounts balanced, 1 70
Or f£* Death of the Duke of Gloucester, &c. An Epi- gram, ^ 172 An Epigram of Martial to Cirinus, infcribed to Mr, Jofiah Hort, ibid. Epiftola Fratri fuo dile&o R.W. 173 Fratri olim navigaturo, 175 Ad Revcrendum Virum Dominum Johannem Pinhorne : Carmen Pindaricum, ibid. Ad Johannem Hartoppum, Boronettum : Votum feu Vita in Tern's beata, 17 J? To Mrs. Singer ; on the Sight of fome of her Divine Poems unprinted, 180
In the THIRD BOOK.
An Epitaph on King William, \ 1 82
An Elegiac Song on Mrs. Peacock, 184
Epitaphium Domini Nathanielis Matheri, 165
An Elegiac Thought on Mrs. Anne Warner, 187
On the Death of Mrs. M. W. 190
A Funeral Poem on Thomas Gunfton, Efq; *92
An Elegy on the Reverend Mr. Gouge, zo£
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