Ah no, from these the public fphere requires From thefe impartial heaven demands To fift opinion's mingled mass, Impress a nation's taste, and bid the sterling pass. Happy, thrice happy they, Whofe graceful deeds have exemplary shone With mild effective beams! To join their pleasing dreams! What though nor fabled dryad haunt their grove, Yet all embody'd to the mental sight, Shall there the wife retreat allow, Shall twine triumphant palms to deck the wanderer's brow. And though by faithlefs friends alarm'd, No longer fhall their counsels jar. Near Near Percy-lodge, with awe-ftruck mien, Nature exalt the mound where art shall build; Art shape the gay alcove, while nature paints the field. Begin, ye fongsters of the grove! Let no harfh difonance difturb the morn, Unless her candour not exclude The lowly fhepherd's votive strain, Who tunes his reed amidft his rural chear, Fearful, yet not averfe, that Somerset should hear. ODE to MEMORY. 1748. Memory! celeftial maid! Who glean'ft the flowerets cropt by time; And, fuffering not a leaf to fade, Preferv't the bloffoms of our prime; Bring, bring thofe moments to my mind When life was new, and Lefbia kind. And And bring that garland to my fight, With which my favour'd crook the bound; And bring that wreath of rofes bright Which then my feftive temples crown'd. And to my raptur'd ear convey The gentle things fhe deign'd to fay. And sketch with care the Mufe's bower, That fhines on Cherwell's verdant fide; The fong it 'vails not to recite But fure, to foothe our youthful dreams, Or, by thy foftening pencil fhewn, And paint that sweetly vacant scene, I breath'd in verfe one cordial vow: On thee the drooping Muse attends; As fome fond lover, robb'd of fight, On thy expreffive power depends; Nor Nor would exchange thy glowing lines, But let me chafe thofe vows away Thofe anxious moments, ill repaid : And bring the whistle that I blew. Then will I mufe, and penfive fay, While innocence allow'd to waste! The PRINCESS ELIZABETH: A BALLAD alluding to a ftory recorded of her, when he was prifoner at WOODSTOCK, 1554. hear how once repining Great Eliza captive lay? WILL you Each ambitious thought refigning, While the nymphs and fwains delighted Tript around in all their pride; Envying joys by others flighted, Thus the royal maiden cry'd. "Bred on plains, or born in vallies, Who would bid thofe fcenes adieu? Stranger to the arts of malice, Who would ever courts purfue? Malice never taught to treasure, How can they of humble ftation Which allows them all to love? Love like air is widely given; Power nor chance can thefe reftrain; Peers can no fuch charms difcover, Said to fade when Chloe's near; But the fhepherd is fincere. Hark |