Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

But chief in Europe, and in Europe's pride,
My Albion's favour'd realms, I rofe ador'd;
And pour'd my wealth, to other climes deny'd,
From 'Amalthea's horn with plenty ftor❜d.

Ah me! for now a younger rival claims
My ravish'd honours, and to her belong
My choral dances, and victorious games,
To her my garlands and triumphal fong.
O fay what yet untafted bounties flow,
What purer joys await her gentler reign?
Do lillies fairer, vi'lets fweeter blow?

And warbles Philomel a fofter ftrain?

Do morning funs in ruddier glory rise?
Does ev'ning fan her with ferener gales?
Do clouds drop fatnefs from the wealthier skies,
Or wantons Plenty in her happier vales?

Ah! no: the blunted beams of dawning light
Skirt the pale orient with uncertain day;
And Cynthia, riding on the car of night,
Thro' clouds embattled faintly wins her way.

Pale, immature, the blighted verdure springs,
Nor mounting juices feed the fwelling flow'r;
Mute all the groves, nor Philomela fings

When Silence liftens at the midnight hour.

Nor

Nor wonder, man, that Nature's bafhful face,
And op'ning charms her rude embraces fear:
Is the not sprung of April's wayward race,

The fickly daughter of th' unripen'd year?

With fhow'rs and funshine in her fickle eyes,
With hollow fmiles proclaiming treach'rous peace;
With blushes, harb'ring in their thin disguise,
The blaft that riots on the Spring's encrease.

Is this the fair invefted with my spoil

By Europe's laws, and Senates' ftern command ?
Ungen'rous Europe, let me fly thy foil,
And waft my treasures to a grateful land:

Again revive on Afia's drooping shore

My Daphne's groves, or Lycia's ancient plain : Again to Afric's fultry fands reftore

Embow'ring fhades, and Lybian Ammon's fane:

Or hafte to northern Zembla's favage coaft,

There hufh to filence elemental ftrife;

Brood o'er the region of eternal Froft,

And fwell her barren womb with heat and life.

Then Britain-here fhe ceas'd. Indignant grief,
And partings pangs her fault'ring tongue supprest;
Veil'd in an amber cloud, fhe fought relief,

And tears, and filent anguish told the reft.

SONG

[ocr errors][ocr errors]

Y

SONG for RANELAGH.

By Mr. W. WHITEHEAD.

I.

E belles, and ye flirts, and ye pert little things,
Who trip in this frolickfome round,

Pray tell me from whence this indecency springs,
The fexes at once to confound:

What means the cock'd hat, and the masculine air,
With each motion defign'd to perplex?

Bright eyes were intended to languish, not ftare,
And foftnefs the teft of your fex.

II.

The girl who on beauty depends for fupport,
May call ev'ry art to her aid:

The bofom difplay'd, and the petticoat short,
Are famples fhe gives of her trade.

But you, on whom Fortune indulgently fmiles,
And whom Pride has preferv'd from the fnare;
Should flily attack us, with coyness and wiles,
Not with open and infolent air.

III. The

[ocr errors]

III.

The Venus whose statue delights all mankind
Shrinks modeftly back from the view,
And kindly shou'd feem by the artist defign'd
To serve as a model for you.

Then learn with her beauties to copy her air,
Nor venture too much to reveal ;

Our fancies will paint what you cover with care,
And double each charm you conceal.

IV.

The blushes of Morn, and the mildnefs of May,
Are charms which no art can procure;
Oh! be but yourfelves, and our homage we pay,
And your empire is folid and fure.

[ocr errors]

But if Amazon-like you attack your gallants,

And put us in fear of our lives,

You may

do very

well for fifters and aunts,

But believe me you'll never be wives.

The BENEDICITE Paraphrased.

By the Rev. Mr. MERRICK.

E works of God, on him alone,

YE

In earth his footstool, heaven his throne,

Be all your praise bestow'd;

Whofe hand the beauteous fabrick made,

Whose eye the finish'd work furvey'd,

And faw that all was good.

II.

Ye angels, that with loud acclaim
Admiring view'd the new-born frame,
And hail'd th' eternal King;
Again proclaim your Maker's praise,
Again your thankful voices raise,
And touch the tuneful Atring.
III.

Praise him, ye blefs'd ætherial plains,
Where, in full majefty, he deigns
To fix his aweful throne:

Ye waters, that above him roll,
From orb to orb, from pole to pole,
Oh! make his praises known!
IV.

Ye thrones, dominions, virtues, pow'rs,

Join ye your joyful fongs with ours,
With us your voices raise;

From age to age extend the lay,

To heav'n's eternal Monarch pay

Hymns of eternal praise.
V.

Cœleftial orb!whofe pow'rful ray

Opes the glad eyelids of the day,

Whofe influence all things own;

Praise him, whofe courts effulgent shine With light, as far excelling thine,

As thine the paler moon.

« ПредишнаНапред »