ODE to the Genius of ITALY, occafioned by the Earl of CORKE's going Abroad.

By Mr. J. DUNCOMBE.

THOU that, on a pointless fpear reclin'd,

In dusk of eve oft tak'ft thy lonely way

Where Tyber's flow, neglected waters stray,
And pour'st thy fruitless forrows to the wind,
Grieving to fee his fhore no more the feat
Of arts and arms, and liberty's retreat,

Italia's Genius, rear thy drooping head,

Shake off thy trance, and weave an olive crown, For fee! a noble guest appears, well known To all thy worthies, though in Britain bred; Guard well thy charge, for know, our polish'd ifle Reluctant fpares thee fuch a fon as BOYLE.

There,

There, while their fweets thy myrtle groves difpenfe,
Lead to the Sabine or the Tuscan plain,

Where playful Horace tun'd his amorous ftrain,
And Tully pour'd the ftream of eloquence;
Nor fail to crown him with that ivy bloom,
Which graceful mantles o'er thy Maro's tomb.

At that bleft fpot, from vulgar cares refin'd,
In fome soft vifion, or indulgent dream
Inspire his fancy with a glorious theme,
And point new fubjects to his generous mind,
At once to charm his country, and improve
The laft, the youngeft object of his love.

But O! mark well his tranfports in that shade,
Where circled by the bay's unfading green,
Amidst a rural and fequefter'd scene

His much-lov'd Pliny refts his honour'd head:
There, rapt in filence, will he gaze around,
And ftrew with sweetest flowers the hallow'd ground.

But fee! the fage, to mortal view confest,

Thrice waves the hand, and fays, or feems to say, "The debt I owe thee how fhall I repay? "Welcome to Latium's fhore, illuftrious gueft!

"Long may'st thou live to grace thy native isle, "Humane in thought, and elegant in style!

"While on thy confort I with rapture gaze,

My own Calphurnia rifes to my view: "That blifs unknown but to the virtuous few, "Briton! is thine; charm'd with domestic praise "Thine are those heart-felt joys that sweeten life, “The son, the friend, the daughter, and the wife."

Content with fuch approof, when genial Spring

Bids the fhrill black-bird whistle in the vale, Home may he haften with a profperous gale, And Health protect him with her foft'ring wing;

So fhall Britannia to the wind and fea

Entruft no more her fav'rite ORRERY.

To

FR

Of youth, life's jolly fpring; and now fublim'd
To its full manhood and meridian strength,
Her latest stage, (for friendship ever hale
Knows not old age, difeafes, and decay,
But burning keeps her facred fire, 'till death's
Cold hand extinguifh) at this fpot, this point,
Here P***, we focial meet, and

gaze about,

And look back to the fcenes our paftime trod
In nature's morning, when the gamefome hours.
Had sliding feet, and laugh'd themselves away.
Luxurious feafon! vital prime! where Thames
Flows by Etona's walls, and cheerful fees

Her fons wide fwarming; or where fedgy Cam
Bathes with flow his academic grove,
pace

Pierian walks! -O never hope again,

(Impoffible! untenable !) to grafp

Those

Those joys again; to feel alike the pulfe
Dancing, and fiery fpirits boiling high:
Or fee the pleasure that with careless wing
Swept on, and flow'ry garlands tofs'd around
Difporting! Try to call her back

as well
Bid yesterday return, arreft the flight
Of Time; or mufing by a river's brink,
Say to the wave that huddles swiftly by
For ever, from thy fountain roll anew.

The merriment, the tale, and heart-felt laugh
That echo'd round the table, idle guests,

Must rise, and serious inmates take their place.
Reflection's daughters, fad and world-worn thoughts,
Diflodging Fancy's empire Yet who knows
Exact the balance of our lofs and gain ?
Who knows how far a rattle may outweigh
The mace or fcepter? But as boys refign
The play-thing, bauble of their infancy,
So fares it with maturer years: they fage,
Imagination's airy regions quit,

And under Reafon's banner take the field,
With refolution face the cloud or storm,
While all their former rainbows die away.
Some to the palace with regardful step,