For thefe refign'd. Beyond the frantic rage
Of conquering heroes brave, the female mind,
When steel'd by love, in love's most horrid way
Beholds not danger, or beholding fcorns.
Heaven take my life, but let it crown my love."
She ceas'd, and ere his words her fate decreed,
Impatient, watch'd the language of his
eye:
There pity dwelt, and from its tender sphere
Sent looks of love, and faithlefs hopes infpir'd.
Forgive me, generous maid, the youth return'd, If, by thy accents charm'd, thus long I bore To let fuch sweetness plead, alas! in vain! Thy virtue merits more than crowns can yield Of folid blifs, or happieft love beftow. But ere from native fhores I plough'd the main, To one dear maid, by virtue and by charms Alone endear'd, my plighted vows I gave; To guard my faith, whatever chance should wait My warring fword: if conqueft, fame, and fpoil, Grac'd my return, before her feet to pour The glittering treasure, and the laurel wreath; Enjoying conqueft then, and fame, and spoil, If fortune frown'd adverfe, and death forbade The blissful union, with my latest breath To dwell on Medway's and Maria's name. This ardent vow deep-rooted, from my soul No dangers tore; this vow my bofom fir'd To conquer danger, and the fpoil enjoy. Her fhall I leave, with fair events elate,
Efteem could warrant, weary'd heaven with prayers
To fhield that tender breaft he left forlorn.
He ceas'd, and to the cloister's pensive scene
Elvira fhap'd her folitary way.
"Auditæ voces, vagitus & ingens, "Infantumque animæ flentes in limine primo." VIRG.
ADVERTISEMENT.
What particulars in Spenfer were imagined moft proper for the Author's imitation on this occafion, are his language, his fimplicity, his manner of defcription, and a peculiar tenderness of fentiment remarkable throughout his works.
H me! full forely is my heart forlorn,
To think how modest worth neglected lies;
While partial fame doth with her blasts adorn
Such deeds alone, as pride and pomp disguise;
Deeds of ill fort, and mifchievous emprize:
Lend me thy clarion, goddefs! let me try
To found the praise of merit, ere it dies;
as I oft have chaunced to efpy,
✓ dreary shades of dull obscurity.
In every village mark'd with little fpire,
Em bower'd in trees, and hardly known to fame,
There dwells, in lowly shed, and mean attire,
A matron old, whom we fchool-mistress name;
Who boafts unruly brats with birch to tame;
They grieven fore, in piteous durance pent,
Aw'd by the power of this relentless dame;
And oft-times, on vagaries idly bent,
For unkempt hair, or task unconn'd, are forely fhent.
And all in fight doth rise a birchen tree,
Which learning near her little dome did stowe;
Whilom a twig of fmall regard to fee,
Though now fo wide its waving branches flow;
And work the fimple vaffals mickle woe;
For not a wind might curl the leaves that blew,
But their limbs fhudder'd, and their pulse beat low;
And as they look'd they found their horror grew,
And thap'd it into rods, and tingled at the view.
So have I feen (who has not, may conceive,)
A lifeless phantom near a garden plac'd;
So doth it wanton birds of peace bereave,
Of sport, of fong, of pleasure, of repaft;
They start, they stare, they wheel, they look aghaft;
Sad fervitude! fuch comfortless annoy
May no bold Briton's riper age e'er tafte!
Ne fuperftition clog his dance of joy,
Ne vifion empty, vain, his native bliss destroy.
Who crown'd mine humblest fortune with her love?
Her shall I leave, who now perchance alone
Climbs the proud cliff, and chides my flow return?
And fhall that veffel, whofe approaching fails
Shall fwell her breast with extafies, convey
Death to her hopes, and anguish to her soul ?
No! may the deep my villain-corte devour,
If all the wealth Iberian mines conceal,
If all the charms Iberian maids difclofe,
If thine, Elvira, thine, uniting all!
Thus far prevail-nor can thy virtuous breast
Demand, what honour, faith, and love denies."
"Oh! happy fhe, rejoin'd the penfive maid,
Who fhares thy fame, thy virtue, and thy love!
And be the happy! thy distinguish'd choice
Declares her worth, and vindicates her claim.
Farewel my lucklefs hopes, my flattering dreams.
Of rapturous days! my guilty fuit, farewel!
Yet, fond howe'er my plea, or deep the wound
That waits my fame, let not the random shaft
Of cenfure pierce with me th' Iberian dames :
They love with caution, and with happier stars.
And oh! by pity mov'd, restrain the taunts
Of levity, nor brand Elvira's flame;
By merit rais'd; by gratitude approv'd;
By hope confirm'd; with artlefs truth reveal'd;
Let, let me fay, but for one matchless maid
Of happier birth, with mutual ardor crown'd.
These radiant gems, which burnish happiness,
But mock misfortune, to thy favourite's hand
With care convey. And well may fuch adorn
Her chearful front, who finds in thee alone
The fource of every transport; but disgrace
My penfive breast, which dcom'd to lafting woe,
In thee the fource of every bliss resigns.
And now farewel, thou darling youth! the gem
Of English merit! peace, content, and joy,
And tender hopes, and young desires, farewcl!
Attend, ye fmiling train, this gallant mind
Back to his native fhores; there sweetly smooth
His evening pillow; dance around his groves;
And, where he treads, with violets paint his way..
But leave Elvira! leave her, now no more
Your frail companion! in the facred cells
Of fome lone cloister let me shroud my fhame:
There, to the matin bell, obfequious, pour
My constant orifons. The wanton Loves,
And gay Defires, fhall fpy the glimmering towers,
And wing their flight aloof: but reft confirm'd,
That never shall Elvira's tongue conclude
Her shortest prayer, ere Henry's dear fuccefs
The warmest accent of her zeal employ."
Thus spoke the weeping fair, whofe artless mind
Impartial fcorn'd to model her efteem
By native customs; dress, and face, and air,
And manners, lefs; nor yet refolv'd in vain.-
He, bound by prior love, the folemn vow
Given and receiv'd, to foft compaffion gave
A tender tear; then with that kind adieu
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