FOR THE LUTE. GENTLY, my lute! move every string, In vain she frowns, when I appear; And see, she smiles! through all the groves Clap all your wings, ye little Loves! Ye rocks! and harder hearts! obey. She comes, she comes, relenting fair! Who thus with verse and music charms? HUNTING SONG. BEHOLD, my friend! the rosy-finger'd morn Peeps o'er yon azure hill; Pearls from each bush distil; Arise, arise, and hail the light new-born. Hark! hark! the merry horn calls, Come Break from Amynta's arms; Oh! let it ne'er be said That all, that all her charms, away; Though she's as Venus fair, can tempt thy stay. Perplex thy soul no more with cares below; Thy courser paws the ground, They spend their mouths around, While health and pleasure smiles on every brow. Try, huntsmen! all the brakes, spread all the plain; Now, now, she's gone away, Strip, strip, with speed pursue! The jocund god of day, Who fain our sport would view, See, see, he flogs his fiery steeds in vain! Pour down, like a flood from the hills, brave boys! On the wings of the wind The merry beagles fly; Catch each flying sound, and double our joys. Ye rocks, woods, and caves! our music repeat: The bright spheres thus above, A gay refulgent train, Harmoniously move, O'er yon celestial plain Like us whirl along, in concert so sweet. 31. Ꭰ Ꭰ Now puss threads the brakes, and heavily flies; Old Fidler bears the bell, And aloud rings her knell, Till, forced into view, she pants, and she dies! In life's dull round thus we toil and we sweat; An implacable crew, Till, quite hunted down, we yield with regret. This moment is ours, come live while ye may: Is not in our own power; Take the present kind hour: With wine cheer the night, as sports bless the day. IMITATIONS. HOR. LIB. IV. ODE IX. INSCRIBED TO THE RIGHT HON. JAMES STANHOPE'. BORN near Avona's winding stream, Sublime she mounts the skies, Bow low, ye bards! at his exalted throne, Lo! where the' embattled gods appear, At all the honours we bestow By whom convinced, we own his work divine, Whose skilful pen has done his merit right, And set the jewel in a fairer light. 1 Afterwards Earl Stanhope. See Noble Authors, vol. iv. Enliven'd by his bright Essay, Each flowery scene appears more gay; Nymphs, yet unborn,shall melt with amorous flames And Philips warm the gentle swains Ah! shun, ye fair! the dangerous sounds, And in propriety of dress becomes more fair: Well-chosen gifts bestows; He varies his munificence, And in divided streams the heavenly blessing flows. |