THE

SEVEN FOUNTAINS,

AN EASTERN ALLEGORY,

Written in the Year 1767.

ECK'D with fresh garlands, like a rural bride,

DECK'I

And with the crimson streamer's waving pride,

A wanton bark was floating o'er the main,

And feem'd with scorn to view the azure plain :

Smooth were the waves, and fcarce a whisp'ring gale

Fan'd with his gentle plumes the filken sail.

High on the burnish'd deck a gilded throne

With orient pearls and beaming diamonds shone;

On

On which reclin'd a youth of graceful mien,

His fandals purple, and his mantle green;
His locks in ringlets o'er his shoulders roll'd,
And on his cheek appear'd the downy gold.
Around him stood a train of smiling boys,

Sporting with idle cheer and mirthful toys;

* Ten comely ftriplings, girt with spangled wings, Blew piercing flutes, or touch'd the quiv'ring strings; Ten more, in cadence to the sprightly strain,

Wak'd with their golden oars the flumb'ring main :

The waters yielded to their guiltless blows,

And the green billows fparkled as they rose.

Long time the barge had danc'd along the deep, And on its glaffy bofom feem'd to fleep;

And now a pleasant ifle arose in view,

Bounded with hillocks of a verdant hue:

Fresh groves, and rofeate bow'rs appear'd above,

(Fit haunts, be fure, of pleasure and of love)

The follies of youth.

The world.

And

And higher still a thousand blazing spires

Seem'd with gilt tops to threat the heav'nly fires.
Now each fair ftripling plied his labʼring oar,

And straight the pinnace ftruck the fandy shore.
The youth arose, and, leaping on the strand,
Took his lone way along the filver sand;

While the light bark, and all the airy crew,

Sunk like a mift beneath the briny dew.

With eager steps the

young

advent❜rer ftray'd

Through many a grove, and many a winding glade :

At length he heard the chime of tuneful strings,
* That sweetly floated on the Zephyr's wings;
And foon a band of damfels blithe and fair,
With flowing mantles and difhevel❜d hair,
Came with quick pace along the folemn wood,
Where wrap in wonder and delight he stood:
In loose transparent robes they were array'd,
Which half their beauties hid, and half difplay'd.

The follies and vanities of the world.

A lovely nymph approach'd him with a fmile, And faid, "O, welcome to this blissful ifle! "For thou art he, whom ancient bards foretold, ❝ Doom'd in our clime to bring an age of gold : "Hail, facred king, and from thy fubject's hand, "Accept the robes and fceptre of the land."

"Sweet maid, faid he, fair learning's heav'nly beam "O'er my young mind ne'er fhed her fav'ring gleam;

"Nor has my arm e'er hurl'd the fatal lance,

"While defp'rate legions o'er the plain advance: "How should a fimple youth, unfit to bear

"The fteely mail, that fplendid mantle wear!"

"Ah! faid the damfel, from this happy shore

"We banish wifdom, and her idle lore;

"No clarions here the strains of batde fing,

"With notes of mirth our joyful valleys ring.
"Peace to the brave! o'er us the beauteous reign,
“And ever-charming pleasures form our train.”