Õ A PASTORALå UPON A BANK WITH COWSLIPS COVERED O'ER, WHERE LEVEN'S WATERS BREAK AGAINST THE SHORE; WHAT TIME THE VILLAGE SIRES IN CIRCLES TALK, AND YOUTHS AND MAIDENS TAKE THEIR EVENING WALK; AMONG THE YELLOW BROOM ALEXIS LAY, AND VIEWED THE BEAUTIES OF THE SETTING DAY. FULL WELL YOU MIGHT OBSERVE SOME INWARD SMART, S OME SECRET GRIEF HUNG HEAVY AT HIS HEART. WHILE ROUND THE FIELD HIS SPORTIVE LAMBKINS PLAY'D HE RAIS'D HIS PLAINTIVE VOICE, AND THUS HE SAID: BEGIN, MY PIPE] A SOFTLY MOURNFUL STRAIN. THE PARTING SUN SHINES YELLOW ON THE PLAIN; THE BALMY WEST WIND BREATHES ALONG THE GROUND; THEIR EVENING SWEETS THE FLOW'RS DISPENSE AROUND; THE FLOCKS STRAY BLEATING O'ER THE MOUNTAIN'S BROW, AND FROM THE PLAIN THE ANSW'RING CATTLE LOW; SWEET CHANT THE FEATHER'D TRIBES ON EVERY TREE, AND ALL THINGS FEEL THE JOYS OF LOVE, BUT ME. BEGIN, MY PIPE] BEGIN THE MOURNFUL STRAIN. EUMELIA MEETS MY KINDNESS WITH DISDAIN. OFT HAVE I TRY'D HER STUBBORN HEART TO MOVE, AND IN HER ICY BOSOM KINDLE LOVE: BUT ALL IN VAIN-ERE I MY LOVE DECLARED, WITH OTHER YOUTHS HER COMPANY I SHAR'D; BUT NOW SHE SHUNS ME HOPELESS AND FORLORN, AND PAYS MY CONSTANT PASSION WITH HER SCORN. BEGIN, MY PIPE] THE SADLY-SOOTHING STRAIN AND BRING THE DAYS OF INNOCENCE AGAIN. WELL I REMEMBER, IN THE SUNNY SCENE E WE RAN, WE PLAYED TOGETHER ON THE GREEN. FAIR IN OUR YOUTH, AND WANTON IN OUR PLAY, WE TOYED, WE SPORTED THE LONG SUMMER'S DAY. FOR HER I SPOIL'D THE GARDENS OF THE SPRING, AND TAUGHT THE GOLDFINCH ON HER HAND TO SING. WE SAT AND SUNG BENEATH THE LOVERS'TREE; ONE WAS HER LOOK, AND IT WAS FIXED ON ME. BEGIN, MY PIPE] A MELANCHOLY STRAIN. A HOLIDAY WAS KEPT ON YONDER PLAIN; THE FEAST WAS SPREAD UPON THE FLOWERY MEAD, AND SKILFUL THYRSIS TUNED HIS VOCAL REED; EACH FOR THE DANCE SELECTS THE NYMPH HE LOVES, AND EVERY NYMPH WITH SMILES HER SWAIN APPROVES: THE SETTING SUN BEHELD THEIR MIRTHFUL GLEE, AND LEFT ALL HAPPY IN THEIR LOVE-BUT ME. BEGIN, MY PIPE] A SOFTLY MOURNFUL STRAIN. O CRUEL NYMPH] O MOST UNHAPPY SWAIN] TO CLIMB THE STEEPY ROCK'S TREMENDOUS HEIGHT AND CROP ITS HERBAGE IS THE GOAT'S DELIGHT; THE FLOWERY THYME DELIGHTS THE HUMMING BEES, AND BLOOMING WILDS THE BLEATING LAMBKINS PLEASE; DAPHNIS COURTS CHLOE UNDER EVERY TREE: EUMELIA] YOU ALONE HAVE JOYS FOR ME] NOW CEASE, MY PIPE] NOW CEASE THE MOURNFUL STRAIN. LO, YONDER COMES EUMELIA O'ER THE PLAIN] TILL SHE APPROACH, I'LL LURCH BEHIND THE SHADE, THEN TRY WITH ALL MY ART THE STUBBORN MAID: THOUGH TO HER LOVER CRUEL AND UNKIND, Y ET TIME MAY CHANGE THE PUROSE OF HER MIND. BUT VAIN THESE PLEASING HOPES] ALREADY SEE, SHE HATH OBSERV'D, AND NOW SHE FLIES FROM ME] THEN CEASE, MY PIPE] THE UNAVAILING STRAIN. APOLLOW AIDS, THE NINE INSPIRE, IN VAIN: YOU CRUEL MAID] REFUSE TO LEND AN EAR; NO MORE I SING, SINCE YOU DISDAIN TO HEAR. THIS PIPE AMYNTAS GAVE, ON WHICH HE PLAY'D: BE THOU ITS SECOND LORD, THE DYING SHEPHERD SAID. NO MORE I PLAY, NOW SILENT LET IT BE; NOR PIPE, NOR SONG, CAN E'ER GIVE JOY TO ME. Õ AN ECLOGUEå DAMON MILD FROM THE SHOWER, THE MORNING'S ROSY LIGHT UNFOLDS THE BEAUTEOUS SEASON TO THE SIGHT: THE LANDSCAPE RISES VERDANT ON THE VIEW; THE LITTLE HILLS UPLIFT THEIR HEADS IN DEW; THE SUNNY STREAM REJOICES IN THE VALE; THE WOODS WITH SONGS APPROACHING SUMMER HAIL: THE BOY COMES FORTH AMONG THE FLOW'RS TO PLAY; HIS FAIR HAIR GLIITERS IN THE YELLOW RAY. SHEPHERDS, BEGIN THE SONG] WHILE, O'ER THE MEAD YOUR FLOCKS AT WILL ON DEWY PASTURES FEED. BEHOLD FAIR NATURE, AND BEGIN THE SONG; THE SONGS OF NATURE TO THE SWAIN BELONG. WHO EQUALS CONA'S BARD IN SYLVAN STRAINS, TO HIM HIS HARP AN EQUAL PRIZE REMAINS; HIS HARP, WHICH SOUNDS ON ALL ITS SACRED STRINGS THE LOVES OF HUNTERS, AND THE WARS OF KINGS. MENALCAS NOW FLEECY CLOUDS IN CLEARER SKIES ARE SEEN? THE AIR IS GENIAL, AND THE EARTH IS GREEN; O'ER HILL AND DALE THE FLOWERS SPONTANEOUS SPRING, AND BLACKBIRDS SINGING NOW INVITE TO SING. MELIBOEUS NOW MILKY SHOWERS REJOICE THE SPRINGING GRAIN; NEW-OPENING PEA-BLOOMS PURPLE ALL THE PLAIN; THE HEDGES BLOSSOM WHITE ON EVERY HAND; ALREADY HARVEST SEEMS TO CLOTHE THE LAND. MENALCAS WHITE O'ER THE HILL MY SNOWY SHEEP APPEAR, EACH WITH HER LAMB; THEIR SHEPHERD'S NAME THEY BEAR I LOVE TO LEAD THEM WHERE THE DAISIES SPRING, AND ON THE SUNNY HILL TO SIT AND SING. MELIBOEUS MY FIELDS ARE GREEN WITH CLOVER AND CORN; MY FLOCKS THE HILLS, AND HERDS THE VALES, ADORN, I TEACH THE STREAM, I TEACH THE VOCAL SHORE, AND WOODS, TO ECHO THAT I WANT NO MORE. MENALCAS TO ME THE BEES THEIR ANNUAL NECTAR YIELD; PEACE CHEERS MY HUT, AND PLENTY CLOTHES MY FIELD. I FEAR NO LOSS: I GIVE TO OCEAN'S WIND ALL CARE AWAY, A MONARCH IN MY MIND. MELIBOEUS MY MIND IS CHEERFUL AS THE LINNET'S LAYS; HEAVEN DAILY HEARS A SHEPHERD'S SIMPLE PRAISE. WHAT TIME I SHEAR MY FLOCK I SEND A FLEECE TO AGED MOPSA AND HER ORPHAN NIECE. MENALCAS LEVINIA, COME] HERE PRIMROSES UPSPRING; HER CHOIRS OF LINNETS, HERE YOURSELF MAY SING; HERE MEADOWS WORTHY OF THY FOOT APPEAR: O COME, LEVINIA] LET US WANDER HERE] MELIBOEUS ROSELLA, COME] HERE FLOW'RS THE HEATH ADORN; HERE RUDDY ROSES OPEN ON THE THORN; HERE WILLOWS BY THE BROOK A SHADOW GIVE; O HERE, ROSELLA] LET US LOVE TO LIVE. MENALCAS LEVINIA'S FAIRER THAN THE FLOW'RS OF MAY, OR AUTUMN APPLES RUDDY IN THE RAY: FOR HER MY FLOWERS ARE IN A GARLAND WOVE, AND ALL MY APPLES RIPEN FOR MY LOVE. MELIBOEUS PRINCE OF THE WOOD, THE OAK MAJESTIC TOW'RS; THE LILY OF THE VALE IS QUEEN OF FLOW'RS: ABOVE THE MAIDS ROSELLA'S CHARMS PREVAIL, AS OAKS IN WOODS, AND LILIES IN THE VALE] MENALCAS RESOUND, YE ROCKS] YE LIITLE HILLS, REJOICE] ASSENTING WOODS, TO HEAVEN UPLIFT YOUR VOICE] LET SPRING AND SUMMER ENTER HAND IN HAND; LEVINIA COMES, THE GLORY OF OUR LAND] MELIBOEUS WHENE'ER MY LOVE APPEARS UPON THE PLAIN, TO HER THE WOND'RING SHEPHERDS TUNE THE STRAIN: WHO COMES IN BEAUTY LIKE THE VERNAL MORN, WHEN YELLOW ROBES OF LIGHT ALL HEAVEN AND EARTH ADORN. MENALCAS ROSELLA'S MINE BY ALL THE POW'RS ABOVE; EACH STAR IN HEAV'N IS WITNESS TO OUR LOVE. AMONG THE LILIES SHE ABIDES ALL DAY; HERSELF AS LOVELY AND SWEET AS THEY. MELIBOEUS BY LEVEN'S BANK LEVINIA FEEDS HER FLOCKS, AND IN THE SUNSHHINE COMBS HER YELLOW LOCKS. BE THINE THE PEACE OF HEAV'N UNKNOWN TO KINGS] AND O'ER THEE ANGELS SPREAD THEIR GUARDIAN WINGS] MENALCAS I FOLLOWED NATURE, AND WAS FOND OF PRAISE; THRICE NOBLE VARRO HAS APPROVED MY LAYS; IF HE APPROVES, SUPERIOR TO MY PEERS I JOIN TH'IMMORTAL CHOIR AND SING TO OTHER YEARS. MELIBOEUS MY MISTRESS IS MY MUSE: THE BANKS OF TYNE RESOUND WITH NATURES'S MUSIC, AND WITH MINE; PEGGY THE FAIR, THE BEAUTY OF OUR GREEN, TO ME ADJUDG'D THE PRIZE WHEN CHOSEN QUEEN. DAMON NOW CEASE YOUR SONGS: THE FLOCKS TO SHELTER FLY, AND THE HIGH SUN HAS GAIN'D THE MIDDLE SKY. TO BOTH ALIKE THE POET'S BAYS BELONG, CHIEFS OF THE CHOIR, AND MASTERS OF THE SONG. THUS LET YOUR PIPES CONTEND, WITH RIVAL STRIFE, TO SING THE PRAISES OF THE PASTORAL LIFE: SING NATURE'S SCENES WITH NATURE'S BEAUTIES FIR'D; WHERE POETS DREAM'D, WHERE PROPHETS LAY INSPIR'D. E'EN CALEDONIAN QUEENS HAVE TROD THE MEADS, AND SCEPTR'D KINGS ASSUM'D THE SHEPHERD'S WEEDS: TH'ANGELIC CHOIRS, THAT GUARD THE THRONE OF GOD HAVE SAT WITH SHEPHERDS ON THE HUMBLE SOD. WITH US RENEW'D THE GOLDEN TIMES REMAIN, AND LONG-LOST INNOCENCE IS FOUND AGAIN. THE GREAT, THE GLORIOUS DEED IS DONE] THE FOE HAS BLED] THE FIELD IS WON] PREPARE THE FEAST, THE HEROES CALL; LET JOY, LET TRIUMPH FILL THE HALL] THE RAVEN CLAPS HIS SABLE WINGS; THE BARD HIS CHOSEN TIMBREL BRINGS; SIX VIRGINS ROUND, A SELECT CHOIR, SING TO THE MUSIC OF HIS LYRE. WITH MIGHTY ALE THE GOBLET CROWN, AND HEREWITH ALL YOUR SORROWS DROWN; TO-DAY TO MIRTH AND JOY WE YIELD; TO-MORROW, FACE THE BLOODY FIELD. FROM DANGER'S FRONT, AT BATTLE'S EVE SWEET COMES THE BANQUET TO THE BRAVE; JOY SHINES WITH GENIAL BEAM ON ALL, THE JOY THAT DWELLS IN ODIN'S HALL. T HE SONG BURSTS LIVING FROM THE LYRE, LIKE DREAMS THAT GUARDIAN GHOSTS INSPIRE; WHEN MUSIC SHRIEKS THE HEROES HEAR, AND WHIRL THE VISIONARY SPEAR. MUSIC'S THE MED'CINE OF THE MIND; THE CLOUD OF CARE GIVE TO THE WIND; BE EV'RY BROW WITH GARLANDS BOUND, AND LET THE CUP OF JOY GO ROUND. THE CLOUD COMES O'ER THE BEAM OF LIGHT: WE'RE GUESTS THAT TARRY BUT A NIGHT: IN THE DARK HOUSE, TOGETHER PRESS'D, THE PRINCES AND THE PEOPLE REST. SEND ROUND THE SHELL, THE FEAST PROLONG, AND SEND AWAY THE NIGHT IN SONG; BE BLEST BELOW, AS THOSE ABOVE WITH ODIN'S AND THE FRIENDS THEY LOVE. IN DEEDS OF ARMS OUR FATHERS RISE ILLUSTRIOUS IN THEIR OFFSPRING'S EYES; THEY FEARLESS RUSH'D THROUGH OCEAN'S STORMS, AND DAR'D GRIM DEATH IN ALL ITS FORMS; EACH YOUTH ASSUM'D THE SWORD AND SHIELD, AND GREW A HERO IN THE FIELD. SHALL WE DEGENERATE FROM OUR RACE, INGLORIOUS IN THE MOUNTAIN CHASE? ARM, ARM IN FALLEN HUBBA'S RIGHT; PLACE YOUR FOREFATHERS IN YOUR SIGHT; T O FAME, TO GLORY, FIGHT YOUR WAY, AND TEACH THE NATIONS TO OBEY. ASSUME THE OARS, UNBIND THE SAILS; SEND, ODIN] SEND PROPITIOUS GALES. AT LODA'S STONE WE WILL ADORE THY NAME WITH SONGS UPON THE SHORE; AND, FULL OF THEE, UNDAUNTED DARE THE FOE, AND DART THE BOLTS OF WAR. NO FEAST OF SHELLS, NO DANCE BY NIGHT. ARE GLORIOUS ODIN'S DEAR DELIGHT; HE, KING OF MEN, HIS ARMIES LED WHERE HEROES STROVE, WHERE BATTLES BLED] NOW REIGNS ABOVE THE MORNING STAR, T HE GOD OF THUNDER AND OF WAR. BLESS'D WHO IN BATTLE BRAVELY FALL] THEY MOUNT ON WINGS TO ODIN'S HALL; TO MUSIC'S SOUND, IN CUPS OF GOLD, THEY DRINK NEW WINE WITH CHIEFS OF OLD; THE SONG OF BARDS RECORDS THEIR NAME, AND FUTURE TIMES SHALL SPEAK THEIR FAME. HARD] ODIN THUNDERS] HASTE ON BOARD; ILLUSTRIOUS CANUTE] GIVE THE WORD. ON WINGS OF WIND WE PASS THE SEAS, TO CONQUER REALMS, IF ODIN PLEASE: WITH ODIN'S SPIRIT IN OUR SOUL, WE'LL GAIN THE GLOBE FROM POLE TO POLE. Õ A FABLEå BENEATH THE HORROR OF A ROCK, A SHEPHERD CARELESS FED HIS FLOCK. SOUSE FROM ITS TOP AN EAGLE CAME, AND SEIZ'D UPON A SPORTING LAMB; ITS TENDER SIDES HIS TALONS TEAR, AND BEAR IT BLEATING THRO'THE AIR. THIS WAS DISCOVER'D BY A CROW, WHO HOPP'D UPON THE PLAIN BELOW. "YON RAM," SAYS HE, "BECOMES MY PREY"; AND, MOUNTING, HASTINS TO THE FRAY; LIGHTS ON HIS BACK-WHEN LO, ILL-LUCK] HE IN THE FLEECE ENTANGLED STRUCK; HE SPREADS HIS WINGS, BUT CAN'T GET FREE, STRUGGLING IN VAIN FOR LIBERTY, THE SHEPHERD SOON THE CAPTIVE SPIES, AND SOON HE SEIZES ON THE PRIZE. HIS CHILDREN CURIOUS CROWD AROUND, AND ASK WHAT STRANGE FOWL HE HAS FOUND? MY SONS, SAID HE, WARN'D BY THIS WRETCH, ATTEMPT NO DEED ABOVE YOUR REACH: AN EAGLE NOT AN HOUR AGO, HE'S NOW CONTENT TO BE A CROW. WITH CELIA TALKING, PRAY, SAYS I THINK YOU YOU COULD A HUSBAND WANT; OR WOULD YOU RATHER CHOOSE TO DIE IF HEAV'N THE BLESSING SHOULD NOT GRANT? AWHILE THE BEATEOUS MAID LOOK'D DOWN THEN WITH A BLUSH SHE THUS BEGAN: LIFE IS APRECIOUS THING I OWN, BUT WHAT IS LIFE-WITHOUT A MAN? O FOUNTAIN OF THE WOOD] WHOSE GLASSY WAVE, SLOW-SWELLING FROM THE ROCK OF YEARS, HOLDS TO HEAV'N A MIRROR BLUE, AND BRIGHT AS ANNA'S EYE. WITH WHOM I'VE SPORTED ON THE MARGIN GREEN. MY HAND WITH LEAVES, WITH LILIES WHITE, GAILY DECK'D HER GOLDEN HAIR, YOUNG NAIAD OF THE VALE. FOUNT OF MY NATIVE WOOD] THY MURMURS GREET MY EAR, LIKE POET'S HEAVENLY STRAIN: FANCY PICTURES IN A DREAM THE GOLDEN DAYS OF YOUTH. O STATE OF INNOCENCE] O PARADISE] IN HOPE'S GAY GARDEN FANCY VIEWS GOLDEN BLOSSOMS, GOLDEN FRUITS, AND EDEN EVER GREEN. WHERE NOW, YE DEAR COMPANIONS OF MY YOUTH] YE BROTHERS OF MY BOSOM] WHERE DO YE TREAD THE WALKS OF LIFE, WIDE SCATTER'D O'ER THE WORLD? THUS WINGED LARKS FORSAKE THEIR NATIVE NEST, THE MERRY MINSTRELS OF THE MORN; NOW TO HEAV'N THEY MOUNT AWAY, AND MEET AGAIN NO MORE. ALL THINGS DECAY; THE FOREST LIKE THE LEAF; GREAT KINGDOMS FALL; THE PEOPLED GLOBE, PLANET-STRUCK, SHALL PASS AWAY; HEAV'NS WITH THEIR HOSTS EXPIRE; BUT HOPE'S FAIR VISIONS AND THE BEAMS OF JOY SHALL CHEER MY BOSOM: I WILL SING NATURE'S BEAUTY, NATURE'S BIRTH, AND HEROES ON THE LYRE. YE NAIADS] BLUE-EYED SISTERS OF THE WOOD] WHO BY OLD OAK OR STORIED STREAM NIGHTLY TREAD YOUR MYSTIC MAZE, AND CHARM THE WAND'RING MOON. BEHOLD BY POET'S EYE; INSPIRE MY DREAMS WITH VISIONS LIKE THE LANDSCAPE FAIR, OF HEAVEN'S BLISS TO DYING SAINTS BY GUARDIAN ANGELS DRAWN FOUNT OF THE FOREST] IN THY POET'S LAYS THY WAVES SHALL FLOW: THIS WREATH OF FLOW'RS, GATHER'D BY MY ANNA'S HAND, I ASK TO BIND MY BROW. 'TIS MIDNIGHT DARK: 'TIS SILENCE DEEP, MY FATHER'S HOUSE IS HUSH'D IN SLEEP; IN DREAMS THE LOVER MEETS HIS BRIDE, SHE SEES HER LOVER AT HER SIDE; THE MOURNER'S VOICE IS NOW SUPPREST, A WHILE THE WEARY ARE AT REST: 'TIS MIDNIGHT DARK; 'TIS SILENCE DEEP; I ONLY WAKE, AND WAKE TO WEEP. THE WINDOW'S DRAWN, THE LADDER WAITS, I SPY NO WATCHMAN AT THE GATES; NO TREAD RE-ECHOES THRO' THE HALL, NO SHADOW MOVES ALONG THE WALL. I AM ALONE. 'TIS DREARY NIGHT, O COME, THOU PARTNER OF MY FLIGHT] SHIELD ME TREMBLING TO THINE ARMS: THE DOGS HOWL DISMAL ON THE HEARTH, THE RAVEN CROAKS THE DIRGE OF DEATH; AH ME] DISASTER'S IN THE SOUND] THE TERRORS OF THE NIGHT ARE FOUND; A SAD MISCHANCE MY FEARS FOREBODE, THE DEMON OF THE DARK'S ABROAD, AND LURES, WITH APPARITION DIRE, THE NIGHT-STRUCK MAN THRO' FLOOD AND FIRE. THE HOWLET SCREAMS ILL-BODING SOUNDS, THE SPIRIT WALKS UNHOLY ROUNDS; THE WIZARD'S HOUR ECLIPSING ROLLS; THE SHADES OF HELL USURP THE POLES; THE MOON RETIRES; THE HEAVEN DEPARTS. FROM OPENING EARTH A SPECTRE STARTS; MY SPIRIT DIES-AWAY MY FEARS, MY LOVE, MY LIFE, MY LORD APPEARS] HENRY I COME, I COME, MY LOVE] MY LIFE] AND NATURE'S DEAREST NAME, MY WIFE] LONG HAVE I LOVED THEE; LONG HAVE SOUGHT; AND DANGERS BRAVED AND BATTLES FOUGHT; IN THIS EMBRACE OUR EVILS END; FROM THIS OUR BETTER DAYS ASCEND; THE YEAR OF SUFFERING NOW IS O'ER AT LAST WE MEET TO PART NO MORE] MY LOVELY BRIDE] MY COMFORT, COME] THE RAPID CHARIOT ROLLS THEE HOME. HARRIET NOW, WITHOUT FATHER, MOTHER, FRIEND, ON THEE MY FUTURE DAYS DEPEND; WILT THOU, FOR EVER TRUE TO LOVE, A FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER PROVE? O HENRY]-TO THY ARMS I FALL, MY FRIEND] MY HUSBAND] AND MY ALL] ALAS] WHAT HAZARDS MAY I RUN? SHOULDST THOU FORSAKE ME-I'M UNDONE. HENRY MY HARRIET, DISSIPATE THY FEARS, AND LET A HUSBAND WIPE THY TEARS; FOR EVER JOIN'D OUR FATES COMBINE, AND I AM YOURS, AND YOU ARE MINE. THE FIRES THE FIRMAMENT THAT REND, ON THIS DEVOTED HEAD DESCEND, IF E'ER IN THOUGHT FROM THEE I ROVE, OR LOVE THEE LESS THAN NOW I LOVE] ALTHO' OUR FATHERS HAVE BEEN FOES, FROM HATRED, STRONGER LOVE AROSE; FROM ADVERSE BRIARS THAT THREATENING STOOD, AND THREW A HORROR O'ER THE WOOD, TWO LOVELY ROSES MET ON HIGH, TRANSPLANTED TO A BETTER SKY, AND, GRAFTED IN ONE STOCK, THEY GROW, IN UNION SPRING, IN BEAUTY BLOW. HARRIET MY HEART BELIEVES MY LOVE; BUT STILL MY BODING MIND PRESAGES ILL: FOR LUCKLESS EVER WAS OUR LOVE, DARK AS THE SKY THAT HUNG ABOVE. WHILE WE EMBRACE, WE SHOOK WITH FEARS, AND WITH OUR KISSES MINGLED TEARS; WE MET WITH MURMURS AND WITH SIGHS, AND PARTED STILL WITH WATERY EYES. AN UNFORSEEN AND FATAL HAND CROSS'D ALL THE MEASURES LOVE HAD PLANN'D; INTRUSION MARR'D THE TENDER HOUR, A DEMON STARTED IN THE BOWER; IF, LIKE THE PAST, THE FUTURE RUN, AND MY DARK DAY IS BUT BEGUN, WHAT CLOUDS MAY HANG ABOVE MY HEAD? WHAT TEARS MAY I HAVE YET TO SHED? HENRY O DO NOT WOUND THAT GENTLE BREAST, NOR SINK, WITH FANCIED ILLS OPPREST; FOR SOFTNESS, SWEETNESS, ALL THOU ART, AND LOVE IS VIRTUE IN THY HEART. THAT BOSOM NE'ER SHALL HEAVE AGAIN BUT TO THE POET'S TENDER STRAIN; AND NEVER MORE THESE EYES O'ERFLOW BUT FOR A HAPLESS LOVER'S WOE. LONG ON THE OCEAN TEMPEST-TOST, AT LAST WE GAIN THE HAPPY COAST, AND SAFE RECOUNT UPON THE SHORE OUR SUFFERINGS PAST AND DANGERS O'ER; PAST SCENES; THE WOES WE WEPT EREWHILE WILL MAKE OUR FUTURE MINUTES SMILE; WHEN SUDDEN JOY FROM SORROW SPRINGS, HOW THE HEART THRILLS THRO'ALL ITS STRINGS] HARRIET MY FATHER'S CASTLE SPRINGS TO SIGHT; YE TOWERS THAT GAVE ME TO THE LIGHT] O HILLS] O VALES] WHERE I HAVE PLAY'D; YE WOODS, THAT WRAPT ME IN YOUR SHADE] O SCENES I'VE OFTEN WANDERED O'ER] O SCENES I SHALL BEHOLD NO MORE] I TAKE A LONG, LAST, LINGERING VIEW: ADIEU] MY NATIVE LAND, ADIEU] O FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER DEAR. UPON WHOSE KNEES I'VE SAT AND SMILED, WHOSE GRIEFS MY BLANDISHMENTS BEGUILED; WHOM I FORSAKE IN SORROWS OLD, WHOM I SHALL NEVER MORE BEHOLD] FAREWELL, MY FRIENDS, ALONG FAREWELL, TILL TIME SHALL TOLL THE FUNERAL KNELL] HENRY THY FRIENDS, THY FATHER'S HOUSE RESIGN; MY FRIENDS, MY HOUSE, MY ALL IS THINE, AWAKE, ARISE, MY WEDDED WIFE, TO HIGHER THOUGHTS AND HAPPIER LIFE] FOR THEE THE MARRIAGE FEAST IS SPREAD, FOR THEE THE VIRGINS DECK THE BED; THE STAR OF VENUS SHINES ABOVE, AND ALL THY FUTURE LIFE IS LOVE. THEY RISE, THE DEAR DOMESTIC HOURS] THE MAY OF LOVE UNFOLDS HER FLOWERS; YOUTH, BEAUTY, PLEASURE SPREAD THE FEAST, AND CHEERFUL PEACE THE MORN ASCENDS, IN WINE AND LOVE THE EVENING ENDS; AT DISTANCE GRANDEUR SHEDS A RAY, TO GILD THE EVENING OF OUR DAY. CONNUBIAL LOVE HAS DEARER NAMES, AND FINER TIES, AND SWEETER CLAIMS, THAN E'ER UNWEDDED HEARTS CAN FEEL, THAN WEDDED HEARTS CAN E'ER REVEAL; PURE, AS THE SWEET SYMPATHIES OF LOVE; AND CLOSER CORDS THAN THOSE OF LIFE UNITE THE HUSBAND TO THE WIFE. LIKE CHERUBS NEW-COME FROM THE SKIES HENRYS AND HARRIETS ROUND US RISE; AND PLAYING WANTON IN THE HALL, WITH ACCENT SWEET THEIR PARENTS CALL; TO YOUR FAIR IMAGES I RUN, YOU CLASP THE HUSBAND IN THE SON; O HOW THE MOTHER'S HEART WILL BOUND] O HOW THE FATHER'S JOY BE CROWN'D] Õ AN HISTORICAL BALLADå OF ALL THE SCOTTISH NORTHERN CHIEFS OF HIGH AND MIGHTY NAME, THE BRAVEST WAS SIR JAMES THE ROSS, A KNIGHT OF MEIKLE FAME. HIS GROWTH WAS LIKE A YOUTHFUL OAK THAT CROWNS THE MOUNTAIN'S BROW, AND WAVING O'ER HIS SHOULDERS BROAD HIS LOCKS OF YELLOW FLEW. THE CHIEFTAIN OF THE BRAVE CLAN ROSS, A FIRM UNDAUNTED BAND; FIVE HUNDRED WARRIORS DREW THE SWORD BENEATH HIS HIGH COMMAND. IN BLOODY FIGHT THRICE HAD HE STOOD AGAINST THE ENGLISH KEEN- ERE TWO-AND-TWENTY OP'NING SPRINGS THIS NOBLE YOUTH HAD SEEN. THE FAIR MATILDA DEAR HE LOV'D, A MAID OF BEAUTY RARE, EVEN MARGARET ON THE SCOTTISH THRONE WAS NEVER HALF SO FAIR. LANG HAD HE WOO'D, LANG SHE REFUS'D WITH SEEMING SCORN AND PRIDE; YET AFT HER EYES CONFESS'D THE LOVE HER FEARFUL WORDS DENY'D. AT LAST SHE BLESS'D HIS WELL-TRY'D LOVE ALLOW'D HIS TENDER CLAIM; SHE VOW'D TO HIM HER VIRGIN HEART, AND OWN'D AN EQUAL FLAME. HER FATHER, BUCHAN'S CRUEL LORD, THEIR PASSION DISAPPROV'D, AND BADE HER WED SIR JOHN THE GRAHAM, AND LEAVE THE YOUTH SHE LOV'D. ONE NIGHT THEY MET AS THEY WERE WONT, DEEP IN A SHADY WOOD, WHERE ON THE BANK BESIDE THE BURN A BLOOMING SAUGH-TREE STOOD. CONCEAL'D AMONG THE UNDERWOOD THE CRAFTY DONALD LAY, THE BROTHER OF SIR JOHN THE GRAHAM, TO LIST WHAT THEY WOULD SAY. WHEN THUS THE MAID BEGAN:-MY SIRE OUR PASSION DISAPROVES, AND BIDS ME WED SIR JOHN THE GRAHAM; SO HERE MUST END OUR LOVES] MY FATHER'S WILL MUST BE OBEY'D, NOUGHT BOOTS ME TO WITHSTAND. SOME FAIRER MAID IN BEAUTIE'S BLOOM SHALL BLESS THEE WITH HER HAND. MATILDA SOON SHALL BE FORGOT AND FROM THY MIND EFFACED, BUT MAY THAT HAPPINESS BE THINE WHICH I CAN NEVER TASTE. WHAT DO I HEAR? IS THIS THY VOW? SIR JAMES THE ROSS REPLY'D. AND WILL MATILDA WED THE GRAHAM, THO' SWORN TO BE MY BRIDE? HIS SWORD SHALL SOONER PIERCE MY HEART THAN REAVE ME OF THY CHARMS] THEN CLASP'D HER TO HIS BEATING BREAST, FAST LOCK'D WITHIN HER ARMS. I SPAKE TO TRY THY LOVE, SHE SAID; I'LL NE'ER WED MAN BUT THEE; THE GRAVE SHALL BE MY BRIDAL BED, ERE GRAHAM MY HUSBAND BE. TAKE THEN, DEAR YOUTH, THIS FAITHFUL KISS IN WITNESS OF MY TROTH, AND EVERY PLAGUE BECOME MY LOT THAT DAY I BREAK MY OATH. THEY PARTED THUS; THE SUN WAS SET. UP HASTY DONALD FLIES, AND TURN THEE, TURN THEE, BEARDLESS YOUTH] HE LOUD INSULTING CRIES. SOON TURN'D ABOUT THE FEARLESS CHIEF, AND SOON HIS SWORD HE DREW, FOR DONALD'S BLADE BEFORE HIS BREAST HAD PIERC'D HIS TARTANS THROUGH. THIS FOR MY BROTHER'S SIGHTED LOVE, HIS WRONGS SIT ON MY ARM; THREE PACES BACK THE YOUTH RETIR'D, AN SAV'D HIMSELF FRAE HARM. RETURNING SWIFT, HIS SWORD HE REAR'D FIERCE DONALD'S HEAD ABOVE, AND THRO' THE BRAIN AND CRASHING BONE HIS SHARP-EDG'D WEAPON DROVE. HE STAGG'RING REEL'D, THEN INSTANT FELL A LUMP OF LIFELESS CLAY. SO FALL MY FOES] QUOTH VALIANT ROSS, AND STATELY STRODE AWAY. THRO' THE GREEN WOOD IN HASTE HE PASS'D UNTO LORD BUCHAN'S HALL; AND AT MATILDA'S WINDOW STOOD, AND THUS ON HER DID CALL. ART THOU ASLEEP, MATILDA DEAR? AWAKE, MY LOVE, AWAKE; BEHOLD, THY LOVER WAITS WITHOUT, A LONG FAREWELL TO TAKE. FOR I HAVE SLAIN FIERCE DONALD GRAHAM, HIS BLOOD IS ON MY SWORD; AND DISTANT ARE MY FAITHFUL MEN, THAT WOULD ASSIST THEIR LORD. TO SKYE I WILL DIRECT MY WAY, WHERE MY TWO BROTHERS BIDE, AND RAISE THE VALIANT OF THE ISLES TO COMBAT ON MY SIDE. O, DO NOT SO] THE MAID REPLIED, WITH ME TILL MORNING STAY, FOR DARK AND DREARY IS THE NIGHT, AND DANGEROUS IS THE WAY. ALL NIGHT I'LL WATCH YOU IN THE PARK; MY FAITHFUL PAGE I'LL SEND TO RUN AND RAISE THE BRAVE CLAN ROSS THEIR MASTER TO DEFEND. BENEATH A BUSH HE LAID HIM DOWN, WRAPT IN HIS TARTAN PLAID, WHILE, TREMBLING FOR HER LOVER'S FATE, AT DISTANCE STOOD THE MAID. SWIFT RAN THE PAGE O'ER HILL AND DALE, T ILL IN A LOWLY GLEN HE MET THE FURIOUS SIR JOHN GRAHAM, WITH TWENTY OF HIS MEN. WHERE GO'ST THOU,LITTLE PAGE? HE SAID; SO LATE WHO DID THEE SEND? I GO TO RAISE THE BRAVE CLAN ROSS THEIR MASTER TO DEFEND. FOR HE HAS SLAIN FIERCE DONALD GRAHAM, HIS BLOOD IS ON HIS SWORD, AND FAR, FAR DISTANT ARE HIS MEN THAT CAN ASSIST THEIR LORD. AND HAS HE SLAIN MY BROTHER DEAR? THE FURIOUS GRAHAM REPLIES; DISHONOUR BLAST MY NAME, BUT HE BY ME ERE MORNING DIES] TELL ME, WHERE IS SIR JAMES THE ROSS? I WILL THEE WELL REWARD. HE SLEEPS INTO LORD BUCHAN'S PARK; MATILDA IS HIS GUARD. THEY SPURR'D THEIR STEEDS IN FURIOUS MOOD, AND SCOUR'D ALONG THE LEA, THEY REACH'D LORD BUCHAN'S LOFTY TOW'RS BY DAWNING OF THE DAY. MATILDA STOOD WITHOUT THE GATE, UPON A RISING GROUND, AND WATCH'D EACH OBJECT IN THE DAWN, ALL EAR TO EVERY SOUND. WHERE SLEEPS THE ROSS? BEGAN THE GRAHAM, OR HAS THE FELON FLED? THIS HAND SHALL LAY THE WRETCH IN EARTH BY WHOM MY BROTHER BLED. LAST DAY AT NOON, MATILDA SAID, SIR JAMES THE ROSS PASS'D BY, HE FURIOUS PRICK'D HIS SWEATY STEED, AND ONWARD FAST DID HYE. BY THIS HE'S AT EDINA'S CROSS, IF HORSE AND MAN HOLD GOOD,- YOUR PAGE THEN LY'D, WHO SAID HE WAS NOW SLEEPING IN THE WOOD. SHE WRUNG HER HANDS AND TORE HER HAIR, BRAVE ROSS] THOU ART BETRAY'D, AND RUIN'D BY THOSE VERY MEANS FROM WHENCE I HOP'D THINE AID. BY THIS THE VALIANT KNIGHT AWOKE; THE VIRGIN'S SHRIEK HE HEARD; AND UP HE ROSE AND DREW HIS SWORD, WHEN THE FIERCE BAND APPEAR'D. YOUR SWORD LAST NIGHT MY BROTHER SLEW, HIS BLOOD YET DIMS ITS SHINE, BUT ERE THE SETTING OF THE SUN Y OUR BLOOD SHALL REEK ON MINE. YOUR WORDS SEEM BRAVE, THE CHIEF RETURN'D, BUT DEEDS APPROVE THE MAN; SET BY YOUR MEN, AND HAND TO HAND WE'LL TRY WHAT VALOUR CAN. OFT BOASTING HIDES A COWARD'S HEART; MY WEIGHTY SWORD YOU FEAR, WHICH SHONE IN FRONT OF FLODDEN FIELD WHEN YOU KEPT IN THE REAR. WITH DAUNTLESS STEP HE FORWARD STRODE, AND DAR'D HIM TO THE FIGHT; BUT GRAHAM GAVE BACK AND FEAR'D HIS ARM, FOR WELL HE KNEW ITS MIGHT. FOUR OF HIS MEN, THE BRAVEST FOUR, SUNK DOWN BENEATH HIS SWORD; BUT STILL HE SCORN'D THE POOR REVENGE, AND SOUGHT THEIR HAUGHTY LORD. BEHIND HIM BASELY CAME THE GRAHAM, AND PIERCE'D HIM IN THE SIDE; OUT SPOUTING CAME THE PURPLE TIDE, AND ALL HIS TARTANS DY'D. BUT YET HIS SWORD QUAT NOT THE GRIP, NOR DROPT HE TO THE GROUND, TILL THRO' HIS EN'MY'S HEART HIS STEEL HAD FORC'D A MORTAL WOUND. GRAHAM, LIKE TREE BY WIND O'ERTHROWN, FELL LIFELESS ON THE CLAY, AND DOWN BESIDE HIM SUNK THE ROSS, AND FAINT AND DYING LAY. THE SAD MATILDA SAW HIM FALL: O SPARE HIS LIFE] SHE CRIED. LORD BUCHAN'S DAUGHTER BEGS HIS LIFE, LET HER NOT BE DENIED] HER WELL-KNOWN VOICE THE HERO HEARD, HE RAIS'D HIS HALF-CLOS'D EYES, AND FIX'D THEM ON THE WEEPING MAID, AND WEAKLY THUS REPLIES: IN VAIN MATILDA BEGS THE LIFE BY DEATH'S ARREST DENY'D; MY RACE IS RUN-ADIEU, MY LOVE] THEN CLOS'D HIS EYES AND DIED. THE SWORD, YET WARM, FROM HIS LEFT SIDE WITH FRANTIC HAND SHE DREW; I COME, SIR JAMES THE ROSS] SHE CRIED, I COME TO FOLLOW YOU. SHE LEAN'D THE HILT AGAINST THE GROUND, AND BAR'D HER SNOWY BREAST; THEN FELL UPON HER LOVER'S FACE, AND SUNK TO ENDLESS REST. EUMELIA BRIGHT WITH BEAUTY'S GLOW IN CONSCIOUS GAIETY YOU GO THE PRIDE OF ALL THE GREEN. ATTRACTED GROUPS IN SILENCE GAZE, AND SOFT BEHIND, YOU HEAR THE PRAISE AND WHISPER OF THE LARK. IN FANCY'S AIRY CHARIOT WHIRL'D, YOU MAKE THE CIRCLE OF THE WORLD, AND DANCE A DIZZY ROUND; THE MAIDS AND KINDLING YOUTHS BEHOLD YOU TRIUMPHED O'ER THE ENVIOUS OLD, THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY CROWNED. WHERE'ER THE BEAMS OF FORTUNE BLAZE, OR FASHION'S WHISPERING ZEPHYR PLAYS, THE INSECT TRIBE ATTENDS; GAY-GLITTERING THRO' A SUMMER'S DAY, THE SILKEN MYRIADS MELT AWAY BEFORE A SUN DESCENDS. DIVORCED FROM ELEGANT DELIGHT, THE VULGAR VENUS HOLDS HER NIGHT AN ALIEN TO THE SKIES; HER BOSOM BREATHES NO FINER FIRE, NO RADIACE OF DIVINE DESIRE ILLUMES RESPONSIVE EYES. GODS] SHALL A SORDID SON OF EARTH ENFOLD A FORM OF HEAVENLY BIRTH AND RAVISH JOYS DIVINE? AN ANGEL BLESS UNCONSCIOUS ARMS? THE CIRCLE OF SURRENDERED CHARMS UNHALLOWED HANDS ENTWINE? THE ABSENT DAY; THE BROKEN DREAM; THE VISION WILD; THE SUDDEN SCREAM; TEARS THAT UNBIDDEN FLOW]- AH] LET NO SENSE OF GRIEFS PROFOUND THAT BEAUTEOUS BOSOM EVER WOUND WITH UNAVAILING WOE] THE WILD ENCHANTER YOUTH BEGUILES, AND FANCY'S FAIRY LANDSCAPE SMILES WITH MORE THAN NATURE'S BLOOM; THE SPRING OF EDEN PAINTS YOUR BOWERS UNSETTING SUNS YOUR PROMISED HOURS WITH GOLDEN LIGHT ILLUME. A HAND ADVANCING STRIKES THE BELL] THAT SOUND DISSOLVES THE MAGIC SPELL AND ALL THE CHARM IS GONE] THE VISIONARY LANDSCAPE FLIES: AT ONCE TH'AERIAL MUSIC DIES; IN WILD YOU WALK ALONE] HOWE'ER THE WIND OF FORTUNE BLOWS OR SADLY FEVERING FATE DISPOSE OUR EVERLASTING DOOM; IMPRESSIONS NEVER FELT BEFORE, AND TRANSPORTS TO RETURN NO MORE, WILL HAUNT ME TO THE TOMB] MY GOD] THE PANGS OF NATURE PAST, WILL E'ER A KIND REMEMBRANCE LAST OF PLEASURES SADLY SWEET] CAN LOVE ASSUME A CALMER NAME? MY EYES WITH FRIENDSHIP'S ANGEL-FLAME AND ANGEL'S BEAUTY MEET? AH] SHOULD THAT FIRST OF FINER FORMS REQUIRE THRO' LIFE'S IMPENDING STORMS, A SYMPATHY OF SOUL; THE LOVED EUMELIA OF THE MIND WILL SEND ME ON THE WINGS OF WIND TO INDUS OR THE POLE. HIS SECOND COMING, WHO AT FIRST APPEARED TO SAVE THE WORLD, BUT NOW TO JUDGE MANKIND ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS;-THE TRUMPET'S SOUND- THE DEAD ARISING, THE WIDE WORLD IN FLAMES- THE MANSIONS OF THE BLEST AND THE DIRE PIT OF SATAN AND OF WOE,-O MUSE] UNFOLD. O THOU WHOSE EYE THE FUTURE AND THE PAST IN ONE BROAD VIEW BEHOLDEST-FROM THE FIRST OF DAYS, WHEN O'ER THIS RUDE UNFORMED MASS LIGHT, FIRST-BORN OF EXISTANCE, SMILING ROSE, DOWN TO THAT LATEST MOMENT, WHEN THY VOICE SHALL BID THE SUN BE DARKNESS, WHEN THY HAND SHALL BLOT CREATION OUT,-ASSIST MY SONG] THOU ONLY KNOW'S|, WHO GAV'ST THESE ORBS TO ROLL THEIR DESTIN'D CIRCLES, WHEN THEIR COURSE SHALL SET; WHEN RUIN AND DESTRUCTION FIERCE SHALL RIDE IN TRIUMPH O'ER CREATION. THIS IS HID IN KINDNESS UNTO MAN. THOU GIV'ST TO KNOW THE EVENT CERTAIN: ANGELS KNOW NOT WHEN. 'TWAS ON AN AUTUMN'S EVE, SERENE AND CALM I WALKED ATTENDANT ON THE FUNERAL OF AN OLD SWAIN: AROUND, THE VILLAGE CROWD LOQUACIOUS CHATTED, TILL WE REACHED THE PLACE WHERE, SHROUDED UP, THE SONS OF OTHER YEARS LIE SILENT IN THE GRAVE. THE SEXTON THERE HAD DIGG'D THE BED OF DEATH, THE NARROW HOUSE FOR ALL THAT LIVE, APPOINTED, TO THE DUST WE GAVE THE DEAD. THEN MORALIZING HOME THE SWAINS RETURN'D, TO DROWN IN COPIOUS BOWLS THE LABOURS OF THE DAY, AND THOUGHTS OF DEATH. THE SUN NOW TREMBLED AT THE WESTERN GATE; HIS YELLOW RAY STREAM'D IN THE FLEECY CLOUDS. I SAT ME DOWN UPON A BROAD FLAT STONE; AND MUCH I USED ON THE CHANGEFUL STATE OF SUBLUNARY THINGS. THE JOYS OF LIFE, HOW FRAIL, HOW FLOWING, THUNDERS ON THE ROCKY SHORE; NOW LOWLY EBBING LEAVES A TRACT OF SAND, WASTE, WIDE AND DREARY: SO, IN THIS VAIN WORLD, THROUGH EVERY VARYING STATE OF LIFE, WE TOSS IN ENDLESS FLUCTUATION; TILL, TIR'D OUT WITH SAD VARIETY OF BAD AND WORSE, WE REACH LIFE'S PERIOD, REACH THE BLISSFUL PORT, WHERE CHANGE AFFECTS NOT, AND THE WEARY REST. THEN SURE THE SUN WHICH LIGHTS US TO OUR SHROUD, THAN THAT WHICH GAVE US FIRST TO SEE THE LIGHT, IS HAPPIER FAR. AS HE WHO HOPELESS, LONG HATH RODE TH'ATLANTIC BILLOW, FROM THE MAST, SKIRTING THE BLUE HORIZON, SEES THE LAND, HIS NATIVE LAND APPROACH; JOY FILLS HIS HEART, AND SWELLS EACH THROBBING VEIN:SO,HERE CONFIN'D WE WEARY TREAD LIFE'S LONG, LONG TOILSOME MAZE: STILL HOPING, VAINLY HOPING, FOR RELIEF, AND REST FROM LABOUR. AH] MISTAKEN THOUGHT: TO SEEK IN LIFE WHAT ONLY DEATH CAN GIVE. BUT WHAT IS DEATH? IS IT AN ENDLESS SLEEP, UNCONSCIOUS OF THE PRESENT AND THE PAST, AND NEVER TO BE WAKEN'D? SLEEPS THE SOUL: NOR WAKES EV'N IN A DREAM? IF IT IS SO, HAPPY THE SONS OF PLEASURE; THEY HAVE LIV'D AND MADE THE MOST OF LIFE: AND FOOLISH HE, THE SAGE, WHO, DREAMING OF HEREAFTER, GRUDG'D HIMSELF THE TASTING OF THE SWEETS OF LIFE, AND CALL'D IT TEMPERANCE; AND HOP'D FOR JOYS MORE DURABLE AND SWEET, BEYOND THE GRAVE. VAIN IS THE POET'S SONG, THE SOLDIER'S TOIL] VAIN IS THE SCULPTUR'D MARBLE AND THE BUST] HOW VAIN TO HOPE FOR NEVER-DYING FAME, IF SOULS CAN DIE] BUT THAT THEY NEVER DIE THIS THIRST OF GLORY WHISPERS. WHEREFORE GAVE THE GREAT CREATOR SUCH A STRONG DESIRE HE NEVER MEANT TO SATISFY? THESE STONES, MEMORIALS OF THE DEAD, WITH RUSTIC ART AND RUDE INSCRIPTION CUT, DECLARE THE SOUL IMMORTAL. MAN, FORM'D FOR ETERNITY, ABHORS ANNIHILATION, AND THE THOUGHT OF DARK OBLIVION. HENCE, WITH ARDENT WISH AND VIGOROUS EFFORT, EACH WOULD FONDLY RAISE SOME LASTING MONUMENT, TO SAVE HIS NAME SAFE FROM THE WASTE OF YEARS. HENCE CAESAR FOUGHT: HENCE RAPHAEL PAINTED; AND HENCE MILTON SUNG. THUS MUSING, SLEEP OPPRESS'D MY DROWSY SENSE, AND WRAPT ME INTO REST. BEFORE MINE EYES, FAIR AS THE MORN, WHEN UP THE FLAMING EAST THE SUN ASCENDS, A RADIANT SERAPH STOOD. CROWN'D WITH A WREATH OF PALM: HIS GOLDEN HAIR WAV'D ON HIS SHOULDERS, GIRT WITH SHINING PLUMES; FROM WHICH, DOWN TO THE GROUND, LOOSE-FLOATING TRAIL'D IN GRACEFUL NEGLIGENCE, HIS HEAVENLY ROBE; UPON HIS FACE, FLUSH'D WITH IMMORTAL YOUTH, UNFADING BEAUTY BLOOM'D; AND THUS HE SPAKE: WELL HAST THOU JUDGED; THE SOUL MUST BE IMMORTAL AND THAT IT IS, THIS AWFUL DAY DECLARES: THIS DAY, THE LAST THAT E'ER THE SUN SHALL GILD: ARRESTED BY OMNIPOTENCE, NO MORE SHALL HE DESCRIBE THE YEAR: THE MOON NO MORE SHALL SHED HER BORROW'D LIGHT. THIS IS THE DAY SEAL'D IN THE ROLLS OF FATE, WHEN O'ER THE DEAD ALMIGHTY POWER SHALL WAKE AND RAISE TO LIFE THE SLEEPING MYRIADS. NOW SHALL BE APPROV'D THE WAYS OF GOD TO MAN, AND ALL THE CLOUDS OF PROVIDENCE BE CLEAR'D: NOW SHALL BE DISCLOS'D WHY VICE IN PURPLE OFT UPON A THRONE EXALTED SAT, AND SHOOK HER IRON SCOURGE O'ER VIRTUE, LOWLY SEATED ON THE GROUND: NOW DEEDS COMMITTED IN THE SABLE SHADE OF EYELESS DARKNESS, SHALL BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT; AND EVERY ACT SHALL MEET ITS JUST REWARD. AS THUS HE SPAKE, THE MORN AROSE; AND SURE METHOUGHT NE'ER ROSE A FAIRER. NOT A CLOUD SPOTTED THE BLUE EXPANSE; AND NOT A GALE BREATH'D O'ER THE SURFACE OF THE DEWY EARTH. TWINKLING WITH YELLOW LUSTRE, THE GAY BIRDS ON EVERY BLOOMING SPRAY SUNG THEIR SWEET LAYS, AND PRAIS'D THEIR GREAT CREATOR; THROUGH THE FIELDS THE LOWING CATTLE GRAZ'D; AND ALL AROUND WAS BEAUTY, HAPPINESS, AND MIRTH, AND LOVE- ALL THESE THOU SEEST (RESUMED THE ANGELIC POWER) NO MORE SHALL GIVE THEE PLEASURE. THOU MUST LEAVE THIS WORKD; OF WHICH NOW COME AND SEE THE END. THIS SAID, HE TOUCH'D ME, AND SUCH STRENGTH INFUS'D, THAT AS HE SOARED UP THE PATHLESS AIR, I LIGHTLY FOLLOWED. ON THE AWFUL PEAK OF AN ETERNAL ROCK, AGAINST WHOSE BASE THE SOUNDING BILLOWS BEAT, HE SET ME DOWN. I HEARD A NOISE, LOUD AS A RUSHING STREAM WHEN O'ER THE RUGGED PRECIPICE IT ROARS, AND FOAMING, THUNDERS ON THE ROCKS BELOW. ASTONISHED, I GAZ'D AROUND; WHEN LO] I SAW AN ANGEL DOWN FROM HEAVEN DESCEND. HIS FACE WAS AS THE SUN: HIS DREADFUL HEIGHT SUCH AS THE STATUE, BY THE GRECIAN PLAN'D, OF PHILIP'S SON, ATHOS, WITH ALL HIS ROCKS, MOULDED INTO A MAN: ONE FOOT ON EARTH, AND ONE UPON THE ROLLING SEA, HE FIX'D. AS WHEN, AT SETTING SUN. THE RAINBOW SHINES REFULGENT, METING OUT THE HALF OF HEAV'N- SO STOOD HE; AND, IN ACT TO SPEAK HE RAIS'D HIS SHINING HAND. HIS VOICE WAS AS THE SOUND OF MANY WATERS, OR THE DEEP-MOUTHED ROAR OF THUNDER, WHEN IT BURSTS THE RIVER CLOUD, AND BILLOWS THROUGH THE ETHER. NATURE STOOD SILENT IN ALL HER WORKS: WHILE THUS HE SPAKE: HEAR, THOU THAT ROLL'ST ABOVE, THOU RADIANT SUN] YE HEAVENS AND EARTH ATTEND] WHILE I DECLARE THE WILL OF THE ETERNAL. BY HIS NAME WHO LIVES, AND SHALL FOR EVER LIVE, I SWEAR THAT TIME SHALL BE NO LONGER. HE DISAPPEAR'D. FIX'D IN DEEP THOUGHT I STOOD AT WHAT WOULD FOLLOW. STRAIGHT ANOTHER SOUND; TO WHICH THE NILE, O'ER ETHIOPIA'S ROCKS RUSHING IN ONE BROAD CATARACT, WERE NAUGHT. IT SEEM'D AS IF THE PILLARS THAT UPHELD THE UNIVERSE HAD FALL'N; AND ALL ITS WORLDS, UNHING'D, HAD STROVE TOGETHER FOR THE WAY, IN CUMBROUS CRASHING RUIN. SUCH THE ROAR] A SOUND THAT MIGHT BE FELT IT PIERC'D BEYOND THE LIMITS OF CREATION. CHAOS ROAR'D; AND HEAV'N AND EARTH RETURN'D THE MIGHTY NOISE- THOU HEAR'ST, SAID THEN MY HEAV'NLY GUIDE,"THE SOUND OF THE LAST TRUMPET. SEE, WHERE FROM THE CLOUDS TH' ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, ONE OF THE SEVEN THAT MINISTER BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, LEANS FORWARD; AND THE SONOROUS TUBE INSPIRES WITH BREATH IMMORTAL. BY HIS SIDE THE SWORD WHICH, LIKE A METEOR, O'ER THE VANQUISH'D HEAD OF SATAN HUNG, WHEN HE REBELLIOUS RAIS'D WAR, AND EMBROIL'D THE HAPPY FIELDS ABOVE A PAUSE ENSUED. THE FAINTING SUN GREW PALE, AND SEEM'D TO STRUGGLE THROUGH A SKY OF BLOOD; WHILE DIM ECLIPSE IMPAIR'D HIS BEAM: THE EARTH SHOOK TO HER DEEPEST CENTRE; OCEAN RAG'D, AND DASH'D HIS BILLOWS ON THE FRIGHTED SHORE. ALL WAS CONFUSION. HEARTLESS, HELPLESS, WILD, AS FLOSKS OF TIMID SHEEP, OR DRIVEN DEER. WAND'RING, TH'INHABITANTS OF EARTH APPEAR'D: TERROR IN EVERY LOOK, AND PALE AFFRIGHT SAT IN EACH EYE; AMAZED AT THE PAST, AND FOR THE FUTURE TREMBLING. ALL CALL'D GREAT, OR DEEM'D ILLUSTRIOUS, BY ERRING MAN, WAS NOW NO MORE, THE HERO AND THE PRINCE, THEIR GRANDEUR LOST, NOW MINGLED WITH THE CROWD; AND ALL DISTINCTIONS, THOSE EXCEPT FROM FAITH AND VIRTUE FLOWING: THESE UPHELD THE SOUL, AS RIBB'D WITH TRIPLE STEEL. ALL ELSE WERE LOST] NOW, VAIN IS GREATNESS] AS THE MORNING CLOUDS, THAT, RISING, PROMISE RAIN: CONDENS'D THEY STAND. TILL, TOUCH'D BY WINDS, THEY VANISH INTO AIR. THE FARMER MOURNS: SO MOURNS THE HELPLESS WRETCH, WHO, CAST BY FORTUNE FROM SOME ENVIED HEIGHT, FINDS NOUGHT WITHIN HIM TO SUPPORT HIS FALL. HIGH AS HIS HOPES HAD RAIS'D HIM, LOW HE SINKS BELOW HIS FATE, IN COMFORTLESS DESPAIR- WHO WOULD NOT LAUGH AT AN ATTEMPT TO BUILD A LASTING STRUCTURE ON THE RAPID STREAM OF FOAMING TIGRIS, THE FOUNDATIONS LAID UPON THE GLASSY SURFACE? SUCH THE HOPES OF HIM WHOSE VIEWS ARE BOUNDED TO THIS WORLD: IMMERS'D IN HIS OWN LABOUR'D WORK, HE DREAMS HIMSELF SECURE; WHEN, ON A SUDDEN DOWN, TORN FROM ITS SANDY GROUND, THE FABRIC FALLS] HE STARTS, AND, WAKING, FINDS HIMSELF UNDONE. NOT SO THE MAN WHO ON RELIGION'S BASE HIS HOPE AND VIRTUE FOUNDS, FIRM ON THE ROCK OF AGES HIS FOUNDATION LAID, REMAINS, ABOVE THE FROWNS OF FORTUNE OR HER SMILES; IN EVERY VARYING STATE OF LIFE, THE SAME. NOUGHT FEARS HE FROM THE WORLD, AND NOTHING HOPES. WITH UNASSUMING COURAGE, INWARD STRENGTH ENDU'D, RESIGN'D TO HEAVEN, HE LEADS A LIFE SUPERIOR TO THE COMMON HERD OF MEN, WHOSE JOYS, CONNECTED WITH THE CHANGEFUL FLOOD OF FICKLE FORTUNE, EBB AND FLOW WITH IT NOR IS RELIGION A CHIMERA: SURE TIS SOMETHING REAL. VIRTUE CANNOT LIVE, DIVIDED FROM IT. AS A SEVER'D BRANCH IT WITHERS, PINES, AND DIES. WHO LOVES NOT GOD, THAT MADE HIM, AND PRESERV'D, NAY MORE-REDEEM'D, IS DANGEROUS. CAN EVER GRATITUDE BIND HIM WHO SPURNS AT THESE MOST SACRED TIES? SAY, CAN HE, IN THE SILENT SCENES OF LIFE, BE SOCIANLE? CAN HE BE A FRIEND? AT BEST, HE MUST BUT FEIGN. THE WORST OF BRUTES AN ATHEIST IS; FOR BEASTS ACKNOWLEDGE GOD THE LION, WITH THE TERRORS OF HIS MOUTH, PAYS HOMAGE TO HIS MAKER: THE GRIM WOLF AT MIDNIGHT, HOWLING, SEEKS HIS MEAT FROM GOD. AGAIN TH'ARCHANGEL RAISED HIS DREADFUL VOICE; EARTH TREMBLED AT THE SOUND. AWAKE, YE DEAD] AND COME TO JUDGMENT AT THE MIGHTY CALL, AS ARMIES ISSUE AT THE TRUMPET'S SOUND, SO ROSE THE DEAD. A SHAKING FIRST I HEARD, AND BONE TOGETHER CAME UNTO HIS BONE, THOUGH SEVER'D BY WIDE SEAS AND DISTANT LANDS. A SPIRIT LIV'D WITHIN THEM. HE WHO MADE. WOUND UP, AND SET IN MOTION THE MACHINE, TO RUN UNHURT THE LENGTH OF FOURSCORE YEARS. WHO KNOWS THE STRUCTURE OF EACH SECRET SPRING; ADVANTAGECAN HE NOT JOIN AGAIN THE SEVER'D PARTS, AND JOIN THEM WITH ADVANTAGE? THIS TO MAN HARD AND IMPOSSIBLE MAY SEEM; TO GOD IS EASY. NOW, THROUGH ALL THE DARKEN'D AIR, THE LIVING ATOMS FLEW, EACH TO HIS PLACE, AND NOUGHT WAS MISSING IN THE GREAT ACCOUNT, DOWN FROM THE DUST OF HIM WHOM CAIN FIRST SLEW, AND SCARSE HAD SEEN CORRUPTION; WHETHER IN THE BLADED GRASS THEY CLOTH'D THE VERDANT PLAIN OR SMIL'D IN OPENENG FLOWERS; OR, IN THE SEA BECAME THE FOOD OF MONSTERS OF THE DEEP OR PASS'D IN TRANSMIGRATIONS INFINITE THROUGH EV'RY KIND OF BEING. NONE MISTAKES HIS KINDRED MATTER; BUT, BY SYMPATHY COMBINING, RATHER BY ALMIGHTY POW'R LED ON, THEY CLOSELY MINGLE AND UNITE BUT CHANG'D: FOR, SUBJECT TO DECAY NO MORE OR DISSOLUTION, DEATHLESS AS THE SOUL, THE BODY IS; AND FITTED TO ENJOY ETERNAL BLISS, OR BEAR ETERNA PAIN. AS WHEN IN SPRING THE SUN'S PROLIFIC BEAMS HAVE WAK'D TO LIFE THE INSECT TRIBES, THAT SPORT AND WANTON IN HIS RAYS AT EV'NING MILD, PROUD OF THEIR NEW EXISTENCE, UP THE AIR, IN DEVIOUS CIRCLES WHEELING., THEY ASCEND, INNUMERABLE; THE WHOLE AIR IS DARK: SO, BY THE TRUMPET ROUS'D, THE SONS OF MEN, IN COUNTLESS NUMBERS, COVER'D ALL THE GROUND, FROM FROZEN GREENLAND TO THE SOUTHERN POLE; ALL WHO E'ER LIV'D ON EARTH. SEE LAPLAND'S SONS, WHOSE ZENITH IS THE POLE; A BARB'ROUS RACE] ROUGH AS THEIR STORMS, AND SAVAGE AS THEIR CLIME, UNPOLISHED AS THEIR BEARS, AND BUT IN SHAPE DISTINGUISH'D FROM THEM: REASON'S DYING LAMP SCARCE BRIGHTER BURNS THAN INSTINCT IN THEIR BREAST. WITH WAND'RING RUSSIANS, AND ALL THOSE WHO DWELT IN SCANDINAVIA, BY THE BALTIC SEA; THE RUGGED POLE, WITH PRUSSIA'S WARLIKE RACE: GERMANIA POURS HER NUMBERS, WHERE THE RHINE AND MIGHTY DANUBE POUR THEIR FLOWING URNS. BEHOLD THY CHILDREN, BRITAIN] HAIL THE LIGHT: A MANLY RACE, WHOSE BUSINESS WAS ARMS, AND LONG UNCIVILISED; YET, TRAIN'D TO DEEDS OF VIRTUE, THEY WITHSTOOD THE ROMAN POWER, AND MADE THEIR EAGLES DROOP. ON MORVEN'S COAST, A RACE OF HEROES AND OF BARDS ARISE; THE MIGHTY FINGAL, AND HIS MIGHTY SON, WHO LAUNCH'D THE SPEAR, AND TOUCH'D THE TUNEFUL HARP: WITH SCOTIA'S CHIEFS, THE SONS OF LATER YEARS, HER KENNETHS AND HER MALCOLMS, WARRIORS FAM'D; HER GENEROUS WALLACE, AND HER GALLANT BRUCE. SEE, IN HER PATHLESS WILDS, WHERE THE GREY STONES ARE RAISED IN MEMORY OF THE MIGHTY DEAD. ARMIES ARISE OF ENGLISH, SCOTS, AND PICTS; AND GIANT DANES, WHO FROM BLEAK NORWAY'S COAST, AMBITIOUS, CAME TO CONQUER HER FAIR FIELDS, AND CHAIN HER SONS: BUT SCOTIA GAVE THEM GRAVES] BEHOLD THE KINGS THAT FILL'D THE ENGLISH THRONE] EDWARDS AND HENRYS, NAMES OF DEATHLESS FAME, START FROM THE TOMB. IMMORTAL WILLIAM] SEE, SURROUNDING ANGELS POINT HIM FROM THE REST, WHO SAVED THE STATE FROM TYRAANY AND ROME. BEHOLD HER POETS] SHAKESPEARE, FANCY'S CHILD; SPENSER, WHO, THROUGH HIS SMOOTH AND MORAL TALE, YET POINTS FAIR VIRTUE OUT; WITH HIM WHO SUNG OF MAN'S FIRST DISOBEDIENCE. YOUNG LIFTS UP HIS AWFUL HEAD, AND JOYS TO SEE THE DAY, THE GREAT, TH'IMPORTANT DAY, OF WHICH HE SUNG. SEE WHERE IMPERIAL ROME EXALTS HER HEIGHT] HER SEMATORS AND GOWNED FATHERS RISE; HER CONSULS, WHO AS ANTS WITHOUT A KING, WENT FORTH TO CONQUER KINGS; AND AT THEIR WHEELS IN TRIUMPH LED THE CHIEFS OF DISTANT LANDS. BEHOLD, IN CANNAE'S FIELD, WHAT HOSTILE SWARMS BURST FROM TH'ENSANGUIN'D GROUND, WHERE HANNIBAL SHOOK ROME THROUGH ALL HER LEGIONS: ITALY TREMBLED UNTO THE CAPITOL. IF FATE HAD NOT WITHSTOOD TH'ATTEMPT, SHE NOW HAD BOW'D HER HEAD TO CARTHAGE. SEE, PHARSALIA POIRS HER MURDER'D THOUSANDS] WHO, IN THE LAST STRIFE OF ROME FOR DYING LIBERTY, WERE SLAIN, TO MAKE A MAN THE MASTER OF THE WORLD. ALL EUROPE'S SONS THRONG FORWARD; NUMBERS VAST] IMAGINATION FAILS BENEATH THE WEIGHT. WHAT NUMBERS YET REMAIN] TH'ENERVATE RACE OF ASIA, FROM WHERE TANAIS ROLLS O'ER ROCKS AND DREARY WASTES HIS FOAMING STREAM. TO WHERE THE EASTERN OCEAN THUNDERS ROUND THE SPICY JAVA; WITH THE TAWNY RACE THAT DWELT IN AFRIC, FROM THE RED SEA, NORTH, TO THE CAPE, SOUTH, WHERE THE RUDE HOTTENTOT SINKS INTO BRUTE; WITH THOSE, WHO LONG UNKNOWN TILL BY COLUMBAS FOUND, A NAKED RACE, AND ONLY SKILL'D TO URGE THE SYLVAN WAR; THAT PEOPLED THE WIDE CONTINENT THAT SPREADS FROM ROCKY ZEMBLA, WHITEN'D WITH THE SNOW OF TWICE THREE THOUSAND YEARS, SOUTH TO THE STRAITS NAM'D FROM MAGELLAN, WHERE THE OCEAN ROARS ROUND EARTH'S REMOTEST BOUNDS. NOW, HAD NOT HE THE GREAT CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, ENLARG'D THE WIDE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD, ROOM HAD BEEN WANTING TO THE MIGHTY CROWDS THAT POUR'D FROM EVERY QUARTER. AT HIS WORD, OBEDIENT ANGELS STRERCH'D AN AMPLE PLAIN, WHERE DWELT HIS PEOPLE IN THE HOLY LAND, FIT TO CONTAIN THE WHOLE OF HUMAN RACE- AS WHEN THE AUTUMN, YELLOW ON THE FIELDS, INVITES THE SICKLE, FORTH THE FARMER SENDS HIS SERVAN2T DOWN AND GTS TO CUT DOWN AND GATHER IN THE BEARDED GRAIN: SO, BY JEHOVAH SENT, HIS ANGELS, FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD, LED ON THE LIVING AND AWAKEN'D DEAD TO JUDGMENT; AS, IN TH'APOCALYSE, JOHN, GATHER'D, SAW THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH, AND KINGS, TO ARMAGEDDON-NOW LOOK ROUND THOU WHOSE AMBITIOUS HEART FOR GLORY BEATS] SEE ALL THE WRETCHED THINGS ON EARTH CALL'D GREAT, AND LIFTED UP TO GODS] HOW LITTLE NOW SEEMS ALL THEIR GRANDEUR] SEE THE CONQUEROR, MAD ALEXANDER, WHO HIS VICTOR ARMS BORE O'ER THE THEN KNOWN GLOBE, THEN SAT HIM DOWN AND WEPT, BECAUSE HE HAD NO OTHER WORLD TO GIVE TO DESOLATION; HOW HE DROOPS] HE KNEW NOT, HAPLESS WRETCH] HE NEVER LEARN'D THE HARDER CONQUEST-TO SUBDUE HIMSELF. NOW IS THE CHRISTIAN'S TRIUMPH, NOW HE LIFTS HIS HEAD ON HIGH; WHILE DOWN THE DYING HEARTS OF SINNERS HELPLESS SINK: BLACK GUILT DISTRACTS AND WRINGS THEIR TORTUR'D SOULS; WHILE EVERY THOUGHT IS BIG WITH KEEN REMORSE, OR DARK DESPAIR. BUT NOW A NOBLER SUBJECT CLAIMS THE SONG. MY MIND RECOILS AT THE AMAZING THEME; FOR HOW SHALL FINITE THINK OF INFINITE? HOW SHALL A STRIPLING, BY THE MUSE UNTAUGHT, SING HEAVEN'S ALMIGHTY, PROSTRATE AT WHOSE FEET ARCHANGELS FALL? UNEQUAL TO THE TASK, I DARE THE BOLD ATTEMPT: ASSIST ME, HEAVEN] FROM THEE BEGUN, WITH THEE SHALL END MY SONG] NOW, DOWN FROM TH'OPENING FIRMAMENT, SEATED UPON A SAPPHIRE THRONE, HIGH RAIS'D UPON AN AZURE GROUND, UPHELD BY WHEELS OF EMBLEMATIC STRUCTURE, AS AWHEEL HAD BEEN WITHIN A WHEEL, STUDDED WITH EYES OF FLAMING FIRE, AND BY FOUR CHERUBS LED; I SAW THE JUDGE DESCEND. AROUND HIM CAME, BY THOUSANDS AND BY MILLIONS, HEAVEN'S BRIGHT HOST. ABOUT HIM BLAZ'D INSUFFERABLE LIGHT, INVISIBLE AS DARKNESS TO THE EYE. HIS CAR ABOVE THE MOUNT OF OLIVES STAY'D WHERE LAST WITH HIS DISCIPLES HE CONVERS'D, AND LEFT THEM GAZING AS HE SOAR'D ALOFT. HE DARKNESS AS A CURTAIN DREW AROUND; ON WHICH THE COLOUR OF THE RAINTOW SHONE, VARIOUS AND BRIGHT; AND FROM WITHIN WAS HEARD A VOICE, AS DEEP-MOUTH'D THUNDER, SPEAKING THUS: GO , RAPHAEL, AND FROM THESE REPROBATE DIVIDE MY CHOSEN SAINTS; GO SEPARATE MY PEOPLE FROM AMONG THEM, AS THE WHEAT IS IN THE HARVEST SEVER'D FROM THE TARES: SET THEM UPON THE RIGHT, AND ON THE LEFT LEAVE THESE UNGODLY. THOU, MICHAEL, CHOOSE, FROM FORTH TH'ANGELIC HOST, A CHOSEN BAND, AND SATAN WITH HIS LEGIONS HITHER BRING TO JUDGEMENT, FROM HELL'S CAVERNS; WHITHER FLED, THEY THINK TO HIDE FROM MY AWAKEN'D WRATH, WHICH CHAS'D THEM OUT OF HEAVEN, AND WHICH THEY DREAD MORE THAN THE HORRORS OF THE PIT, WHICH NOW SHALL BE REDOUBLED SEVENFOLD ON THEIR HEADS. SWIFT AS CONCEPTION, AT HIS BIDDING FLEW HIS MINISTERS, OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD. AND, AS A SHEPHERD,WHO ALL DAY HATH FED HIS SHEEP AND GOATS PROMISCUOIS, BIT AT EVE DIVIDING, SHUTS THEM UP IN DIFFERENT FOLDS: SO NOW THE GOOD WERE PARTED FROM THE BAD; FOR EVER PARTED; NEVER MORE TO JOIN AND MINGLE AS ON EARTH, WHERE OFTEN PASS'D FOR EACH OTHER; EV'N CLOSE HYPOCRISY ESCAPES NOT, BUT, UNMASK'D, ALIKE THE SCORN OF VICE AND VIRTUE STANDS. NOW SEPATATE, UPON THE RIGHT APPEAR'D A DAUNTLESS, FIRM, COMPOSED NUMBER: FOYFUL AT THE THOUGHT OF IMMORTALITY, THEY FORWARD LOOK'D WITH HOPE UNTO THE FUTURE; CONSCIENCE, PLEAS'D, SMILING, REFLECTS UPON A WELL-SPENT LIFE; HEAVEN DAWNS WITHIN THEIR BREASTS. THE OTHER CREW, PALE AND DEJECTED, SCARCELY LIFT THEIR HEADS TO VIEW THE HATED LIGHT: HIS TREMBLING HAND EACH LAYS UPON HIS GUILTY FACE; AND NOW, IN GNAWINGS OF THE NEVER-DYING WORM, BEGINS A HELL THAT NEVER SHALL BE QUENCH'D. BUT NOW THE ENEMY OF GOD AND MAN, CURSING HIS FATE, COMES FORWARD, LED IN CHAINS, INFRANGIBLE, OF BURNING ADAMANT, HEWN FROM THE ROCKS OF HELL; NOW TOO THE BANDS OF REBEL ANGELS, WHO LONG TIME HAD WALK'D THE WORLD, AND BY THEIR ORACLES DECEIV'D THE BOINDED NATIONS, OR BY SECRET GUILE WROUGHT MEN TO VICE, CAME ON, RAGING IN VAIN, AND STRUGGLING WITH THEIR FETTERS, WHICH,AS FATE, COMPELL'D THEM FAST. THEY WAIT THEIR DREADFUL DOOM. NOW FROM HIS LOFTY THRONE, WITH EYES THAT BLAZ'D INTOLERABLE DAY, TH'ALMIGHTY JUDGE LOOK'D DOWN AWHILE UPON THE SUBJECT CROWD. AS WHEN A CARAVAN OF MERCHANTS, LED BY THIRST OF GAIN TO TRAVEL THE PARCH'D SANDS OF WASTE ARABIA, HEARS A LION ROAR, THE WICKED TREMBLED AT HIS VIEW; UPON THE GROUND THEY ROLL'D, IN PANGS OF WILD DESPAIR TO HIDE THEIR FACES,WHICH NOT BLUSHES MARK'D BUT LIVID HORROR. CONSCIENCE, WHO ASLEEP LONG TIME HAD LAIN. NOW LIFTS HER SNAKY HEAD, AND FRIGHTS THEM INTO MADNESS; WHILE THE LIST OF ALL THEIR SINS SHE OFFERS TO THEIR VIEW: FOR SHE HAD POWER TO HURT THEM, AND HER STRING WAS AS A SCORPION'S. HE WHO NEVER KNEW ITS WOUND IS HAPPY, THOUGH A FETTER'D SLAVE. CHAIN'D TO THE OAR, OR TO THE DARK DAMP MINE CONFIN'D; WHILE HE WHO SITS UPON A THRONE, UNDER HER FROWN, IS WRETCHED. BUT THE DAMN'D ALONE CAN TELL WHAT 'TIS TO FEEL HER SCOURGE IN ALL ITS HORRORS, WITH HER POISON'D STING FIX'D IN THEIR HEARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. UPON THE BOOK OF LIFE HE LAID HIS HAND, CLOS'D WITH THE SEAL OF HEAVEN; WHICH OP'D, HE READ THE NAMES OF THE ELECT. GOD KNOWS HIS OWN. COME (LOOKING ON THE RIGHT, HE MILDLY SAID), YE OF MY FATHER BLESSED ERE THE WORLD WAS MOULDED OUT OF CHAOS-ERE THE SONS OF GOD EXULTING, SUNG AT NATURE'S BIRTH: FOR YOU I LEFT MY THRONE, MY GLORY LEFT, AND, SHROUDED UP IN CLAY, I WEARY WALK'D YOUR WORLD, AND MANY MISERIES ENDUR'D: DEATH WAS THE LAST. FOR YOU I DIED, THAT YOU MIGHT LIVE WITH ME FOR EVER,AND IN HEAV'N SIT ON THRONES, AND AS THE SUN IN BRIGHTNESS SHINE FOR EVER IN MY KINGDOM. FAITHFULLY HAVE YE APPROV'D YOURSELVES. I HUNGRY WAS, AND THIRSTY, AND YE GAVE ME MEAT AND DRINK; YE CLOTHED ME, NAKED; WHEN I FAINTING LAY IN ALL THE SAD VARIETY OF PAIN, YE CHEER'D ME WITH THE TENDERNESS OF FRIENDS; IN SICKNESS AND IN PRISON, ME RELIEV'D. NAY, MARVEL NOT THAT THUS I SPEAK: WHENE'ER, LED BY THE DICTATES OF FAIR CHARITY, YE HELP'D THE MAN ON WHOM KEEN POVERTY AND WRETCHEDNESS HAD LAID THEIR MEAGRE HANDS, AND FOR MY SAKE, YE DID IT UNTO ME. THEY HEARD WITH JOY,AND SHOUTING,RAIS'D THEIR VOICE IN PRAISE OF THEIR REDEEMER] LOOS'D FROM EARTH, THEY SOAR'D TRIUMPHANT,AND AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE GREAT JUDGE SAT DOWN;WHO ON THE LEFT NOW LOOKING STERN,WITH FURY IN HIS EYES, BLASTED THEIR SPIRITS,WHILE HIS ARROWS,FIX'D DEEP IN THEIR HE
RTS,IN AGONIZING PAIN SCORCHED THEIR VITALS,THUS THEIR DREADFUL DOOM (MORE DREADFUL FROM THOSE LIPS WHICH US'D TO BLESS) HE AWFULLY PRONOUNC'D. EARTH AT HIS FROWN CONVULSIVE TREMBLED; WHILE THE RAGING DEEP HUSH'D IN A HORRID CALM HIS WAVES. DEPART (THESE,FOR I HEARD THEM,WERE HIS AWFUL WORDS]) DEPART FROM ME,YE CURSED] OFT HAVE I STROVE IN TENDERNESS AND PITY TO SUBDUE YOUR REBEL HEARTS; AS A FOND PARENT BIRD, WHEN DANGER THREATENS, FLUTTERS ROUND HER YOUNG, NATURE'S STRONG IMPULSIVE BEATING IN HER BREAST, THUS ARDENT DID I STRIVE: BUT ALL IN VAIN. NOW WILL I LAUGH AT YOUR CALAMITY, AND MOCK YOUR FEARS: AS OFT,IN STUPID MIRTH. HARDEN'D IN WICKEDNESS, YE POINTED OUT THE MAN WHO LABOUR'D UP THE STEEP ASCENT OF VIRTUE, TO REPROACH. DEPART TO FIRE KINDLED IN TOPHET FOR TH'ARCH-ENEMY. FOR SATAN AND HIS ANGELS, WHO, BY PRIDE, FELL INTO CONDEMNATION; BLOWN UP NOW TO SEVENFOLD FURY BY TH'ALMIGHTY BREATH. THERE, IN THAT DREARY MANSION, WHERE THE LIGHT IS SOLID GLOOM, DARKNESS THAT MAY BE FELT, WHERE HOPE, THE LENIENT OF THE ILLS OF LIFE FOR EVER DIES; THERE SHALL YE SEEK FOR DEATH AND SHALL NOT FIND IT: FOR YOUR GREATEST CURSE IS IMMORTALITY. OMNIPOTENCE ETERNALLY SHALL PUNISH AND PRESERVE. SO SAID HE; AND, HIS HAND HIGH LIFTING, HURL'D THE FLASHING LIGHTNING, AND THE FLAMING BOLT, FULL ON THE WICKED: KINDLING IN A BLAZE THE SCORCHED EARTH. BEHIND, BEFORE, AROUND, THE TREMBLING WRETCHES, BURST THE QUIV'RING FLAMES. THEY TURN'D TO FLY; BUT WRATH DIVINE PURSU'D TO WHERE, BEYOND CREATION'S UTMOST BOUND, WHERE NEVER GLIMPSE OF CHEERFUL LIGHT ARRIV'D, WHERE SCARCE E'EN THOUGHT CAN TRAVEL, BUT, ABSORB'D, FALLS HEADLONG DOWN TH'IMMEASURABLE GULF OF CHAOS-WIDE AND WILD, THEIR PRISON STOOD- OF UTTER DARKNESS, AS THE HORRID SHADE THAT CLOUDS THE BROW OF DEATH. ITS OPEN'D MOUTH BELCH'D SHEETS OF LIVID FLAME AND PITCHY SMOKE. INFERNAL THUNDERS, WITH EXPLOSION DIRE, ROAR'D THROUGH THE FIERY CONCAVE; WHILE THE WAVES OF LIQUID SULPHUR BEAT THE BURNING SHORE IN ENDLESS FERMENT. O'ER THE DIZZY STEEP SUSPENDED, WRAPT IN SUFFOCATING GLOOM THE SONS OF BLACK DAMNATION SHRIEKING HUNG. CURSES UNUTTERABLE FILLED THEIR MOUTHS, HIDEOUS TO HEAR; THEIR EYES RAIN'D BITTER TEARS OF AGONIZING MADNESS, FOR THEIR DAY WAS PAST, AND FROM THEIR EYE REPENTANCE HID FOR EVER] ROUND THEIR HEADS THEIR HISSING BRANDS THE FURIES WAV'D, AND O'ER THE WHELMING BRIND IMPETUOUS URG'D THEM. IN THE BOILING SURGE THEY HEADLONG FELL. THE FLASHING BELLOWS ROAR'D; AND HELL FROM ALL HER CAVES RETURNED THE SOUND. THE GATES OF FLINT AND TENFOLD ADAMANT, WITH BARS OF STEEL, IMPENETRABLY FIRM, WERE SHUT FOR EVER: THE DECREE OF FATE, IMMUTABLE, MADE FAST THE POND'ROUS DOOR. NOW TURN THINE EYES, MY BRIGHT CONDUCTOR SAID: BEHOLD THE WORLD IN FLAMES] SO SORE THE BOLTS OF THUNDER, LAUNCH'D BY THE ALMIGHTY ARM, HATH SMOTE UPON IT. UP THE BLACKEN'D A ASCEND THE CURLING FLAMES AND BILLOWY SMOKE; AND HIDEOUS CRACKLINGS BLOT THE FACE OF DAY WITH FOUL ERUPTION. FROM THEIR INMOST BEDS THE HISSING WATERS RISE, WHATEVER DREW THE VITAL AIR, OR IN THE SPACIOUS DEEP WANTON'D AT LARGE, EXPIRES. HEARDST THOU THAT CRASH? THERE FELL THE TOW'RING ALPS, AND, DASHING DOWN, LAY BARE THEIR CENTRE. SEE, THE FLAMING MINES EXPAND THEIR TREASURES] NO RAPATIOUS HAND TO SEIZE THE PRECIOUS BANE. NOW LOOK AROUND: SAY, CANST THOU TELL WHERE STOOD IMPERIAL ROME, THE WONDER OF THE WORLD; OR WHERE THE BOAST OF EUROPE,FAIR BRITANNIA,STRERCH'D HER PLAIN, ENCIRCLED BY THE OCEAN? ALL IS WRAPT IN DARKNESS: AS(IF GREAT MAY BE COMPAR'D WITH SMALL) WHEN ON GOMORRAH'S FATED FIELD THE FLAMING SULPHUR, BY JEHOVAH RAIN'D, SENT UP A PITCHY CLOUD, KILLING TO LIFE, AND TAINTING ALL THE AIR, ANOTHER GROAN] 'TWAS NATURE'S LAST: AND SEE] TH'EXTINGUISHED SUN FALLS DEVIOUS THROUGH THE VOID; AND THE FAIR FACE OF NATURE IS NO MORE] WITH SULLEN JOY OLD CHAOS VIEWS THE HAVOC, AND EXPECTS TO STRETCH HIS SABLE SCEPTRE O'ER THE BLANK WHERE ONCE CREATION SMIL'D: O'ER WHICH, PERHAPS, CREATIVE ENERGY AGAIN SHALL WAKE, AND INTO BEING CALL A BRIGHTER SUN, AND FAIRER WORLDS; WHICH, FOR DELIGHTFUL CHANGE, THE SAINTS, DESCENDING FROM THE HAPPY SEATS OF BLISS, SHALL VISIT. AND, BEHOLD] THEY RISE, AND SEEK THEIR NATIVE LAND: AROUND THEM MOVE, IN RADIANT FILES, HEAVEN'S HOST. IMMORTAL WREATHS OF AMARANTH AND ROSES CROWN THEIR HEADS; AND EACH A BRANCH OF EVER-BLOOMING PALM TRIUMPHANT HOLDS. IN ROBES OF DAZZLING WHITE, FAIRER THAN THAT BY WINTRY TEMPESTS SHED UPON THE FROZEN GROUND, ARRAY'D THEY SHINE, FAIR AS THE SUN WHEN UP THE STEEP OF HEAV'N HE RIDES IN ALL THE MAJESTY OF LIGHT. BUT WHO CAN TELL, OR IF AN ANGEL COULD, THOU COULDST NOT HEAR, THE GLORIES OF THE PLACE FOR THEIR ABODE PREPAR'D? THOUGH OFT ON EARTH THEY STRUGGLED HARD AGAINST THE STORMY TIDE OF ADVERSE FORTUNE, AND THE BITTER SCORN OF HARDEN'D VILLAINY-THEIR LIFE A COURSE OF WARFARE UPON EARTH; THESE TOILS, WHEN VIEW'D WITH THE REWARD, SEEM NOUGHT. THE LORD SHALL GUIDE THEIR STEPS TO LIVING FOUNTAINS, AND SHALL WIPE ALL TEARS FROM EV'RY EYE. THE WINTRY CLOUDS THAT FROWN'D ON LIFE RACK UP. A GLORIOUS SUN THAT NE'ER SHALL SET, ARISES IN A SKY UNCLOUDED AND SERENE. THEIR JOY IS FULL: AND SICKNESS, PAIN AND DEATH, SHALL BE NO MORE. DOST THOU DESIRE TO FOLLOW? DOES THY HEART BEAT ARDENT FOR THE PRIZE? THEN TREAD THE PATH RELIGION POINTS TO MAN. WHAT THOU HAST SEEN FIX'D IN THY HEART RETAIN. FOR, BE ASSUR'D, IN THAT LAST MOMENT-IN THE CLOSING ACT OF NATURE'S DRAMA, ERE THE HAND OF FATE DROP THE BLACK CURTAIN-THOU MUST BEAR THY PART, AND STAND IN THINE OWN LOT. THIS SAID, HE STRETCH'D HIS WINGS, AND IN A MOMENT LEFT MY SIGHT. LO, WINTER'S HOAR DOMINION PAST] ARRESTED IN HIS EASTERN BLAST THE FIEND OF NATURE FLIES; BREATHING THE SPRING THE ZEPHYRS PLAY, AND RE-ENTHRON'D THE LORD OF DAY RESUMES THE GOLDEN SKIES. ATTENDANT ON THE GENIAL HOURS, THE VOLUNTARY SHADES AND FLOWERS FOR RURAL LOVERS SPRING; WILD CHOIRS UNSEEN IN CONCERT JOIN, AND ROUND APOLLO'S RUSTIC SHRINE THE SYLVAN MUSES SING. THE FINEST VERNAL BLOOM THAT BLOWS, THE SWEETEST VOICE THE FOREST KNOWS, ARISE, TO VANISH SOON; THE ROSE UNFOLDS HER ROBE OF LIGHT AND PHILOMELIA GIVES HER NIGHT TO RICHMOND AND TO JUNE. WITH BOUNDED RAY AND TRANSIENT GRACE, THUS, VARRO, HOLDS THE HUMAN RACE THEIR PLACE AND HOUR ASSIGN'D; LOUD LET THE VERNAL TRUMPET SOUND, RESPONSIVE NEVER WILL REBOUND THE ECHO OF MANKIND. YON FORMS DIVINE THAT DECK THE SPHERE, THE RADIANT RULERS OF THE YEAR, CONFESS A NOBLER HAND; THRON'D IN THE MAJESTY OF MORN, BEHOLD THE KING OF DAY ADORN THE SKIES, THE SEA, THE LAND. NOR DID TH'ALMIGHTY RAISE THE SKY, NOR HANG TH'ETERNAL LAMPS ON HIGH ON OUR ABODE TO SHINE; THE CIRCLE OF A THOUSAND SUNS EXTENDS, WHILE NATURES'S PERIOD RUNS THE THEATRE DIVINE. THUS SOME, WHOM SMILING NATURE HAILS TO SACRED SPRINGS, AND CHOSEN VALES, AND STREAMS OF OLD RENOWN; BY NOBLE TOILS AND WORTHY SCARS, SHALL WIN THEIR MANSION 'MID THE STARS, AND WEAR TH'IMMORTAL CROWN. BRIGHT IN THE FIRMAMENT OF FAME THE LIGHTS OF ANCIENT AGES FLAME WITH NEVER-SETTING RAY, ON WORLDS UNFOUND FROM HISTORY TORN O'ER AGES DEEP IN TIME UNBORN, TO POUR THE HUMAN DAY. WON FROM NEGLECTED WASTES OF TIME, APOLLO HAILS HIS FAIREST CLIME, THE PROVINCES OF MIND; AN EGYPT, WITH ETERNAL TOWERS, SEE MONTESQUIEU REDEEMED THE HOURS, FROM LEWIS TO MANKIND. NO TAME REMISSION GENIUS KNOWS; NO INTERVAL OF DARK REPOSE, TO QUENCH THE ETHEREAL FLAME; FROM THEBES TO TROY THE VICTOR HIES, AND HOMER WITH HIS HERO VIES IN VARIED PATHS TO FAME. THE ORB WHICH RULED THY NATAL NIGHT AND USHER'D IN A GREATER LIGHT THAN SETS THE POLE ON FIRE, WITH UNDIMINISH'D LUSTRE CROWN'D, UNWEARIED WALKS TH'ETERNAL ROUND, AMID THE HEAVENLY QUIRE. PROUD IN TRIUMPHAL CHARIOT HURL'D, AND CROWN'D THE MASTER OF THE WORLD, AH] LET NOT PHILIP'S SON, HIS SOUL IN SYRIAN SOFTNESS DROWN'D HIS BROWS WITH PERSIAN GARLANDS BOUND, THE RACE OF PLEASURE RUN] WITH CROSSING THOUGHTS ALCIDES PREST, THE AWFUL GODDESS THUS ADDREST, AND POINTING TO THE PRIZE: BEHOLD THE WREATH OF GLORY SHINE] AND MARK THE ONWARD PATH DIVINE THAT OPENS TO THE SKIES] THE HEAVENLY FIRE MUST EVER BURN, THE HERO'S STEP MUST NEVER TURN FROM YOU SUBLIME ABODES; LONG MUST THY LIFE OF LABOURS PROVE AT LAST TO DIE THE SON OF JOVE, AND MINGLE WITH THE GODS. HAIL, NATIVE LAND] WHERE ON THE FLOW'RY BANKS OF LEVEN, BEAUTY EVER-BLOOMING DWELLS; A WREATH OF ROSES, DROPPING WITH THE DEWS OF MORNING, CIRCLES HER AMBROISAL LOCKS LOOSE-WAVING O'ER HER SHOULDERS; WHERE SHE TREADS, ATTENDANT ON HER STEPS, THE BLUSHING SPRING AND SUMMER WAIT, TO RAISE THE VARIOUS FLOWR'S BENEATH HER FOOTSTEPS; WHILE THE CHEERFUL BIRDS CAROL THEIR JOY, AND HAIL HER AS SHE COMES, INSPIRING VERNAL LOVE AND VERNAL JOY. ATTEND, AGRICOLA] WHO TO THE NOISE OF PUBLIC LIFE PREFERR'ST THE CALMER SCENES OF SOLITUDE, AND SWEET DOMESTIC BLISS, JOYS ALL THINE OWN] ATTEND THY POET'S STRAIN, WHO TRIUMPHS IN THY FRIENDSHIP, WHILE HE PAINTS THE PAST'RAL MOUNTAINS, THE POETIC STREAMS, WHERE RAPTUR'D CONTEMPLATION LEADS THY WALK, WHILE SILENT EVENING ON THE PLAIN DESCENDS. BETWEEN TWO MOUNTAINS, WHOSE O'ERWHELMING TOPS, IN THEIR SWIFT COURSE, ARREST THE BELLYING CLOUDS, A PLEASANT VALLEY LIES. UPON THE SOUTH, A NARROW OP'NING PARTS THE CRAGGY HILLS; THROUGH WHICH THE LOCH, THAT BEAUTIFIES THE VALE, POURS OUT ITS AMPLE WATERS. SPREADING ON, AND WID'NING BY DEGREES, IT STRETCHES NORTH TO THE HIGH OCHIL, FROM WHOSE SNOWY TOP THE STREAMS THAT FEED THE LOCH FLOW THUND'RING DOWN. THE TWILIGHT TREMBLES O'ER THE MISTY HILLS, TRINKLING WITH DEWS; AND WHILST THE BIRD OF DAY TUNES HIS ETHEREAL NOTE, AND WAKES THE WOOD, BRIGHT FROM THE CRIMSON CURTAINS OF THE MORN, THE SUN APPEARING IN HIS GLORY THROWS NEW ROBES OF BEAUTY OVER HEAV'N AND EARTH. O NOW, WHILE NATURE SMILES IN ALL HER WORKS, OFT LET ME TRACE THY FLOWER-COVER'D BANKS, O LEVEN] AND THE LANDSCAPE MEASURE ROUND, FROM GAY KINROSS, WHOSE STATELY TUFTED GROVES NOD O'ER THE LOCH, TRANSPORTED LET MINE EYE WANDER O'ER ALL THE VARIOUS CHEQUER'D SCENE, OF WILDS AND FERTILE FIELDS, AND GLITTERING STREAMS, TO RUIN'D ARNOT; OR ASCEND THE HEIGHT OF ROCKY LOMOND, WHERE A RIV'LET PURE BURSTS FROM THE GROUND, AND THROUGH THE CRUMBLED CRAGS TINKLES AMUSIVE. FROM THE MOUNTAIN'S TOP, AROUND ME SPREAD, I SEE THE GOODLY SCENE] INCLOSURES GREEN, THAT PROMISE TO THE SWAIN THE FUTURE HARVEST; MANY-COLOUR'D MEADS; IRRIGUOUS VALES, WHERE CATTLE LOW, AND SHEEP THAT WHITEN HALF THE HILLS; SWEET RURAL FARMS OFT INTERSPERS'D, THE SEATS OF PAST'RAL LOVE AND INNOCENCE; WITH MANY A SPIRY DOME SACRED TO HEAV'N, AROUND WHOSE HALLOW'D WALLS OUR FATHERS SLUMBER IN THE NARROW HOUSE. GAY BEAUTEOUS VILLAS, BOSOM'D IN THE WOODS, LIKE CONSTELLATIONS IN THE STARRY SKY, COMPLETE THE SCENE. THE VALES, THE VOCAL HILLS, THE WOODS, THE WATERS, AND THE HEART OF MAN SEND OUT A GEN'RAL SONG; 'TIS BEAUTY ALL TO POET'S EYE AND MUSIC TO HIS EAR. NOR IS THE SHEPHERD SILENT ON HIS HILL, HIS FLOCKS AROUND; NOR SCHOOLBOYS, AS THEY CREEP, SLOW PAC'D, TOW'RD SCHOOL; INTENT, WITH OATEN PIPE THEY WAKE BY TURNS WILD MUSIC ON THE WAY. BEHOLD THE MAN OF SORROWS HAIL THE LIGHT] NEW RISEN FROM THE BED OF PAIN, WHERE LATE, TOSS'D TO AND FRO UPON A COUCH OF THORNS, HE WAK'D THE LONG DARK NIGHT, AND WISH'D FOR MORN. SOON AS HE FEELS THE QUICK'NING BEAM OF HEAV'N, AND BALMY BREATH OF MAY, AMONG THE FIELDS AND FLOW'RS HE TAKES HIS MORNING WALK: HIS HEART BEATS WITH NEW LIFE; HIS EYE IS BRIGHT AND BLITHE; HEALTH STREWS HER ROSES O'ER HIS CHEEK; RENEW'D IN YOUTH AND BEAUTY, HIS UNBIDDEN TONGUE POURS NATIVE HARMONY AND SINGS TO HEAV'N. IN ANCIENT TIMES AS ANCIENT BARDS HAVE SUNG THIS WAS A FOREST. HERE THE MOUNTAIN-OAK HUNG O'ER THE CRAGGY CLIFF, WHILE FROM ITS TOP THE EAGLE MARK'D HIS PREY; THE STATELY ASH REAR'D HIGH HIS NERVOUS STATURE, WHILE BELOW THE TWINING ALDERS DARKEN'D ALL THE SCENE. SAFE IN THE SHADE, THE TENANTS OF THE WOOD ASSEMBLED, BIRD AND BEAST. THE TURTLE-DOVE COO'D AMOROUS ALL THE LIVELONG SUMMER'S DAY. LOVER OF MEN, THE PITEOUS REDBREAST PLAIN'D, SOLE-SITTING ON THE BOUGH. BLITHE ON THE BUSH. THE BLACKBIRD, SWEETEST OF THE WOODLAND CHOIR WARBLED HIS LIQUID LAY: TO SHEPHERD SWAIN MELLIFLUOUS MUSIC, AS HIS MASTER'S FLOCK, WITH HIS FAIR MISTRESS AND HIS FAITHFUL DOG, HE TENDED IN THE VALE; WHILE LEVERETS ROUND, IN SPORTIVE RACES, THROUGH THE FOREST FLEW WITH FEET OF WIND; AND, VENT'RING FROM THE ROCK, THE SNOW-WHITE CONEY SOUGHT HIS EVENING MEAL. HERE, TOO, THE POET, AS INSPIR'D AT EVE HE ROAM'D THE DUSKY WOOD, OR FABLED BROOK THAT PIECE-MEAL PRINTED RUINS IN THE ROCK, BEHELD THE BLUE-EYED SISTERS OF THE STREAM, AND HEARD THE WILD NOTE OF THE FAIRY THRONG THAT CHARM'D THE QUEEN OF HEAV'N AS ROUND THE TREE TIME-HALLO'D, HAND IN HAND THEY LED THE DANCE, WITH SKY-BLUE MANTLES GLITT'RING IN HER BEAM. LOW BY THE LOCH, AS YET WITHOUT A NAME, FAIR BOSOM'D IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VALE, AROSE A COTTAGE, GREEN WITH ANCIENT TURF, HALF HID IN HOARY TREES, AND FROM THE NORTH FENC'D BY A WOOD, BUT OPEN TO THE SUN. HERE DWELT A PEASANT, REV'REND WITH THE LOCKS OF AGE, YET YOUTH WAS RUDDY ON HIS CHEEK: HIS FARM HIS ONLY CARE; HIS SOLE DELIGHT TO TEND HIS DAUGHTER, BEAUTIFUL AND YOUNG, TO WATCH HER PATHS, TO FILL HER LAP WITH FLOW'RS, TO SEE HER SPREAD INTO THE BLOOM OF YEARS, THE PERFECT PICTURE OF HER MOTHER'S YOUTH. HIS AGE'S HOPE, THE APPLE OF HIS EYE; BELOV'D OF HEAV'N, HIS FAIR LEVINA GREW IN YOUTH AND GRACE, THE NAIAD OF THE VALE. FRESH AS THE FLOW'R AMID THE SUNNY SHOW'RS OF MAY, AND BLITHER THAN THE BIRD OF DAWN, BUT ROSES' BLOOM GAVE BEAUTY TO HER CHEEK SOFT-TEMPER'D WITH A SMILE. THE LIGHT OF HEAV'N AND INNOCENCE ILLUM'D HER VIRGIN-EYE, LUCID AND LOVELY AS THE MORNING STAR. HER BREAST WAS FAIRER THAN THE VERNAL BLOOM OF VALLEY-LILY OP'NING IN A SHOW'R FAIR AS THE MORN, AND BEAUTIFUL AS MAY, THE GLORY OF THE YEAR, WHEN FIRST SHE COMES ARRAY'D, ALL-BEAUTEOUS, WITH THE ROBES OF HEAV'N AND BREATHING SUMMER BREEZES; FROM HER LOCKS SHAKES GENIAL DEWS, AND FROM HER LAP THE FLOW'RS. THUS BEAUTIFUL SHE LOOK'D; YET SOMETHING MORE, AND BETTER FAR THAN BEAUTY, IN HER LOOKS APPEAR'D: THE MAIDEN BLUSH OF MODESTY; THE SMILE OF CHEERFULNESS, AND SWEET CONTENT; HEALTH'S FRESHEST ROSE, THE SUNSHINE OF THE SOUL; EACH HEIGHT'NING EACH, EFFUS'D O'ER ALL HER FORM A NAMELESS GRACE, THE BEAUTY OF HER MIND. THUS FINISH'D FAIR ABOVE HER PEERS, SHE DREW THE EYES OF ALL THE VILLAGE, AND INFLAM'D THE RIVAL SHEPHERDS OF THE NEIGHB'RING DALE, WHO LAID THE SPOILS OF SUMMER AT HER FEET, AND MADE THE WOODS ENAMOUR'D OF HER NAME, BUT PURE AS BUDS BEFORE THEY BLOW, AND STILL A VIRGIN IN HER HEART, SHE KNEW NOT LOVE; BUT ALL ALONE, AMID HER GARDEN FAIR, FROM MORN TO NOON, FROM NOON TO DEWY EVE SHE SPENT HER DAYS; HER PLEASING TASK TO TEND THE FLOWR'S; TO LAVE THEM FROM THE WATER-SPRING; TO OPE THE BUDS WITH HER ENAMOUR'D BREATH, RANK THE GAY TRIBES, AND REAR THEM IN THE SUN. IN YOUTH THE INDEX OF MATURER YEARS, LEFT BY HER SCHOOL-COMPANIONS AT THEIR PLAY, SHE'D OFTEN WANDER IN THE WOOD OR ROAM THE WILDERNESS, IN QUEST OF CURIOUS FLOW'R, OR NEST OF BIRD UNKNOWN, TILL EVE APPROACH'D, AND HEMM'D HER IN THE SHADE. TO OBVIOUS SWAIN, OR WOODMAN CHANTING IN THE GREENWOOD GLEN, SHE'D BRING THE BEAUTEOUS SPOILS, AND ASK THEIR NAMES. THUS PLY'D ASSIDUOUS HER DELIGHTFUL TASK, DAY AFTER DAY, TILL EV'RY HERB SHE NAM'D THAT PAINTS THE ROBE OF SPRING, AND KNEW THE VOICE OF EVERY WARBLER IN THE VERNAL WOOD. HER GARDEN STRETCH'D ALONG THE RIVER-SIDE HIGH UP A SUNNY BANK: ON EITHER SIDE, A HEDGE FORBADE THE VAGRANT FOOT; ABOVE, AN ANCIENT FOREST SCREEN'D THE GREEN RECESS. TRANSPLANTED HERE BY HER CREATIVE HAND, EACH HERB OF NATURE, FULL OF FRAGRANT SWEETS, THAT SCENTS THE BREATH OF SUMMER: EVERY FLOW'R PRIDE OF THE PLAIN, THAT BLOOMS ON FESTAL DAYS IN SHEPHERD'S GARLAND, AND ADORNS THE YEAR. IN BEAUTEOUS CLUSTERS FLOURISH'D; NATURE'S WORK, AND ORDER, FINISH'D BY THE HAND OF ART. HERE GOWANS, NATIVES OF THE VILLAGE GREEN, TO DAISIES GREW. THE LILIES OF THE FIELD PUT ON THE ROBE THEY NEITHER SEW'D NOR SPUN. SWEET-SMELLING SHRUBS AND CHEERFUL SPREADING TREES, UNFREQUENT SCATTER'D, AS BY NATURE'S HAND, SHADED THE FLOW'RS, AND TO HER EDEN DREW THE EARLIEST CONCERTS OF THE SPRING, AND ALL THE VARIOUS MUSIC OF THE VOCAL YEAR: RETREAT ROMANTIC] THUS FROM EARLY YOUTH HER LIFE SHE LED; ONE SUMMER'S DAY, SERENE AND FAIR, WITHOUT A CLOUD: LIKE POET'S DREAM OF VERNAL LANDSCAPES, OF ELYSIAN VALES, AND ISLANDS OF THE BLEST; WHERE, HAND IN HAND, ETERNAL SPRING AND AUTUMN RULE THE YEAR, AND LOVE AND JOY LEAD ON IMMORTAL YOUTH. 'TWAS ON A SUMMER'S DAY, WHEN EARLY SHOW'RS HAD WAK'D THE VARIOUS VEGETABLE RACE TO LIFE AND BEAUTY, FAIR LEVINA STRAY'D. FAR IN THE BLOOMING WILDERNESS SHE STRAY'D TO GATHER HERBS, AND THE FAIR RACE OF FLOW'RS. THAT NATURE'S HAND CREATIVE POURS AT WILL, BEAUTY UNBOUNDED] OVER EARTH'S GREEN LAP, GAY WITHOUT NUMBER, IN THE DAY OF RAIN. O'ER VALLEYS GAY, O'ER HILLOCKS GREEN SHE WALK'D SWEET AS THE SEASON, AND AT TIMES AWAK'D THE ECHOES OF THE VALE, WITH NATIVE NOTES OF HEART-FELT JOY IN NUMBERS HEAV'NLY SWEET; SWEET AS TH' HOSANNAS OF A FORM OF LIGHT, A SWEET-TONGU'D SERAPH IN THE BOW'RS OF BLISS. HERE, AS SHE HALTED ON A GREEN HILL-TOP, A QUIVER'D HUNTER SPIED. HER FLOWING LOCKS, IN GOLDEN RINGLETS GLITTERING TO THE SUN, UPON HER BOSOM PLAYED: HER MANTLE GREEN, LIKE THINE, O NATURE] TO HER ROSY CHEEK LENT BEAUTY NEW; AS FROM THE VERDANT LEAF THE ROSE-BUD BLUSHES WITH A DEEPER BLOOM, AMID THE WALKS OF MAY. THE STRANGER'S EYE WAS CAUGHT AS WITH ETHEREAL PRESENCE. OFT HE LOOK'D TO HEAV'N, AND OFT HE MET HER EYE IN ALL THE SILENT ELOQUENCE OF LOVE; THEN, WAKED FROM WONDER, WITH A SMILE BEGAN: FAIR WANDERER OF THE WOOD] WHAT HEAV'NLY POWER, OR PROVIDENCE, CONDUCTS THY WANDERING STEPS TO THIS WILD FOREST, FROM THY NATIVE SEAT AND PARENTS, HAPPY IN A CHILD SO FAIR? A SHEPHERDESS, OR VIRGIN OF THE VALE, THY DRESS BESPEAKS; BUT THY MAJESTIC MIEN, AND EYE, BRIGHT AS THE MORNING-STAR, CONFESS SUPERIOR BIRTH AND BEAUTY, BORN TO RULE; AS FROM THE STORMY CLOUD OF NIGHT, THAT VEILS HER VIRGIN ORB, APPEARS THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN, AND WITH FULL BEAUTY, GILDS THE FACE OF NIGHT, WHOM SHALL I CALL THE FAIREST OF HER SEX, AND CHARMER OF MY SOUL? IN YONDER VALE, COME, LET US CROP THE ROSES OF THE BROOK, AND WILDINGS OF THE WOOD: SOFT UNDER SHADE LET US RECLINE BY MOSSY FOUNTAIN-SIDE, WHILE THE WOOD SUFFERS IN THE BEAM OF NOON. I'LL BRING MY LOVE THE CHOICE OF ALL THE SHADES; FIRST FRUITS; THE APPLE RUDDY FROM THE STOCK; AND CLUSTERING NUTS, THAT BURNISH ON THE STEM. WILT THOU BLESS MY DWELLING, AND BECOME THE OWNER OF THESE FIELDS? I'LL GIVE THEE ALL THAT I POSSESS, AND ALL THOU SEEST IS MINE THUS SPOKE THE YOUTH, WITH RAPTURE IN HIS EYE, AND THUS THE MAIDEN, WITH A BLUSH BEGAN: BEYOND THE SHADOW OF THESE MOUNTAINS GREEN, DEEP-BOSOM'D IN THE VALE, A COTTAGE STANDS, THE DWELLING OF MY SIRE, A PEACEFUL SWAIN; YET AT HIS FRUGAL BOARD HEALTH SITS A GUEST, AND FAIR CONTENTMENT CROWNS HIS HOARY HAIRS. THE PATRIARCH OF THE PLAINS: NE'ER BY HIS DOOR THE NEEDY PASSED, OR THE WAY-FARING MAN. HIS ONLY DAUGHTER, AND HIS ONLY JOY, I FEED MY FATHER'S FLOCK; AND, WHILE THEY REST, AT TIMES RETIRING, LOSE ME IN THE WOOD, SKILL'D IN THE VIRTUES OF EACH SECRET HERB THAT OPES ITS VIRGIN BOSOM TO THE MOON. NO FLOW'R AMID THE GARDEN FAIRER GROWS THAN THE SWEET LILY OF THE LOWLY VALE, THE QUEEN OF FLOW'RS; BUT SOONER MIGHT THE WEED THAT BLOOMS AND DIES, THE BEING OF A DAY, PRESUME TO MATCH WITH YONDER MOUNTAIN OAK, THAT STANDS THE TEMPEST AND THE BOLT OF HEAVEN, FROM AGE TO AGE THE MONARCH OF THE WOOD- O] HAD YOU BEEN A SHEPHERD OF THE DALE, TO FEED YOUR FLOCK BESIDE ME, AND TO REST WITH ME AT NOON IN THESE DELIGHTFUL SHADES, I MIGHT HAVE LIST'NED TO THE VOICE OF LOVE, NOTHING RELUCTANT; MIGHT WITH YOU HAVE WALKED WHOLE SUMMER-SUNS AWAY. AT EVEN-TIDE, WHEN HEAV'N AND EARTH IN ALL THEIR GLORY SHINE WITH THE LAST SMILES OF THE DEPARTING SUN; WHEN THE SWEET BREATH OF SUMMER FEASTS THE SENSE AND SECRET PLEASURE THRILLS THE HEART OF MAN; WE MIGHT HAVE WALKED ALONE, IN CONVERSE SWEET, ALONG THE QUIET VALE, AND WOO'D THE MOON TO HEAR THE MUSIC OF TRUE LOVERS' VOWS. BUT FATE FORBIDS, AND FORTUNE'S POTENT FROWN, AND HONOUR, INMATE OF THE NOBLE BREAST. NE'ER CAN THIS HAND IN WEDLOCK JOIN WITH THINE. CEASE, BEAUTEOUS STRANGER] CEASE, BELOVED YOUTH] TO VEX A HEART THAT NEVER CAN BE YOURS THUS SPOKE THE MAID, DECEITFUL: BUT HER EYES BEYOND THE PARTIAL PURPOSE OF HER TONGUE, PERSUASION GAIN'D. THE DEEP-ENAMOURED YOUTH STOOD GAZING ON HER CHARMS, AND ALL HIS SOUL WAS LOST IN LOVE. HE GRASPED HER TREMBLING HAND, AND BREATHED THE SOFTEST, THE SINCEREST VOWS OF LOVE:O VIRGIN] FAIREST OF THE FAIR] MY ONE BELOVED] WERE THE SCOTTISH THRONE TO ME TRANSMITTED THRO' A SCEPTR'D LINE OF ANCESTORS, THOU, THOU SHOULD'ST BE MY QUEEN, AND CALEDONIA'S DIADEM ADORN A FAIRER HEAD THAN EVER WORE A CROWN SHE REDDEN'D LIKE THE MORNING, UNDER VEIL OF HER OWN GOLDEN HAIR. THE WOODS AMONG, THEY WANDER'D UP AND DOWN WITH FOND DELAY, NOR MARKED THE FALL OF EV'NING; PARTED THEN, THE HAPPIEST PAIR ON WHOM THE SUN DECLIN'D. NEXT DAY HE FOUND HER ON A FLOWERY BANK, HALF UNDER SHADE OF WILLOWS, BY A SPRING, THE MIRROR OF THE SWAINS, THAT O'ER THE MEADS SLOW-WINDING, SCATTER'D FLOWERETS IN ITS WAY. THRO' MANY A WINDING WALK AND ALLEY GREEN, SHE LED HIM TO HER GARDEN. WONDER-STRUCK, HE GAZED, ALL EYE, O'ER TH'ENCHANTING SCENE: AND MUCH HE PRAISED THE WALKS, THE GROVES, THE FLOWERS HER BEAUTIFUL CREATION; MUCH HE PRAISED THE BEAUTIFUL CREATRESS; AND AWAKED THE ECHO IN HER PRAISE. LIKE THE FIRST PAIR, ADAM AND EVE IN EDEN'S BLISSFUL BOWERS, WHEN NEWLY COME FROM THEIR CREATOR'S HAND, OUR LOVERS LIVED IN JOY. HERE, DAY BY DAY IN FOND ENDEARMENTS, IN EMBRACES SWEET, THAT LOVERS ONLY KNOW, THEY LIVED, THEY LOVED, AND FOUND THE PARADISE THAT ADAM LOST. NOR DID THE VIRGIN, WITH FALSE MODEST PRIDE, RETARD THE NUPTIAL MORN: SHE FIXED THE DAY THAT BLESSED THE YOUTH, AND OPENED TO HIS EYES AN AGE OF GOLD, THE HEAV'N OF HAPPINESS THAT LOVERS IN THEIR LUCID MOMENTS DREAM. AND NOW THE MORNING, LIKE A ROSY BRIDE ADORNED ON HER DAY, PUT ON HER ROBES, HER BEAUTEOUS ROBES OF LIGHT: THE NAIAD STREAMS, SWEET AS THE CADENCE OF A POET'S SONG, FLOWED DOWN THE DALE: THE VOICES OF THE GROVE, AND EVERY WINGED WARBLER OF THE AIR SUNG OVERHEAD, AND THERE WAS JOY IN HEAV'N. RIS'N WITH THE DAWN, THE BRIDE AND BRIDAL-MAIDS STRAYED THRO' THE WOODS, AND O'ER THE VALES, IN QUEST OF FLOWERS AND GARLANDS, AND SWEET-SMELLING HERBS, TO STREW THE BRIDEGROOM'S WAY, AND DECK HIS BED. FAIR IN THE BOSOM OF THE LEVEL LOCH ROSE A GREEN ISLAND, COVER'D WITH A SPRING OF FLOWERS PERPETUAL, GOODLY TO THE EYE, AND BLOOMING FROM AFAR. HIGH IN THE MIDST, BETWEEN TWO FOUNTAINS, AN ENCHANTED TREE GREW EVER GREEN AND EVERY MONTH RENEWED ITS BLOOMS AND APPLES OF HESPERIAN GOLD, HERE EV'RY BRIDE (AS ANCIENT POETS SING) TWO GOLDEN APPLES GATHERED FROM THE BOUGH, TO GIVE THE BRIDEGROOM IN THE BED OF LOVE, THE PLEDGE OF NUPTIAL CONCORD AND DELIGHT FOR MANY A COMING YEAR. LEVINA NOW HAD REACH'D THE ISLE, WITH AN ATTENDANT MAID, AND PULLED THE MYSTIC APPLES, PULLED THE FRUIT; BUT WISHED AND LONGED FOR THE ENCHANTED TREE. NOT FONDER SOUGHT THE FIRST CREATED FAIR THE FRUIT FORBIDDEN OF THE MORTAL TREE, THE SOURCE OF HUMAN WOE. TWO PLANTS AROSE FAIR BY THE MOTHER'S SIDE, WITH FRUITS AND FLOWERS IN MINIATURE. ONE, WITH AUDACIOUS HAND, IN EVIL HOUR SHE ROOTED FROM THE GROUND. AT ONCE THE ISLAND SHOOK, AND SHRIEKS OF WOE AT TIMES WERE HEARD, AMID THE TROUBLED AIR. HER WHOLE FRAME SHOOK, THE BLOOD FORSOOK HER FACE, HER KNEES KNOCKED, AND HER HEART WITHIN HER DIED. TREMBLING AND PALE, AND BODING WOES TO COME, THEY SEIZED THE BOAT, AND HURRIED FROM THE ISLE. AND NOW THEY GAIN'D THE MIDDLE OF THE LOCH, AND SAW TH'APPROACHING LAND: NOW, WILD WITH JOY, THEY ROW'D, THEY FLEW. WHEN LO] AT ONCE EFFUSED, SENT BY THE ANGRY DEMON OF THE ISLE, A WHIRLWIND ROSE: IT LASHED THE FURIOUS LAKE TO TEMPEST, OVERTURNED THE BOAT, AND SUNK THE FAIR LEVINA TO A WATERY TOMB. HER SAD COMPANIONS, BENDING FROM A ROCK, THRICE SAW HER HEAD, AND SUPPLICATING HANDS HELD UP TO HEAVEN, AND HEARD THE SHRIEK OF DEATH: THEN OVERHEAD THE PARTING BILLOW CLOSED, AND OP'D NO MORE. HER FATE IN MOURNFUL LAYS, THE MUSE RELATES; AND SURE EACH TENDER MAID FOR HER SHALL HEAVE THE SYMPATHETIC SIGH, AND HAPP'LY MY EUMELIA (FOR HER SOUL IS PITY'S SELF) AS, VOID OF HOUSEHOLD CARES, HER EVENING WALK SHE BENDS BESIDE THE LOCH, WHICH YET RETAINS HER NAME, SHALL SADLY DROP A TEAR, IN MEM'RY OF THE HAPLESS MAID, AND MOURN WITH ME THE SORROWS OF THE YOUTH WHOM FROM HIS MISTRESS DEATH DID NOT DIVIDE. ROBBED OF THE CALM POSSESSION OF HIS MIND, ALL NIGHT HE WANDERED BY THE SOUNDING SHORE, LONG LOOKING O'ER THE LOCH, AND SAW AT TIMES THE DEAR, THE DREARY GHOST OF HER HE LOVED; TILL LOVE AND GRIEF SUBDUED HIS MANLY PRIME, AND BROUGHT HIS YOUTH WITH SORROW TO THE GRAVE. I KNOW AN AGED SWAIN, WHOSE HOARY HEAD WAS BENT WITH YEARS, THE VILLAGE CHRONICLER, WHO MUCH HAD SEEN, AND FROM THE FORMER TIMES MUCH HAD RECEIVED. HE, HANGING O'ER THE HEARTH IN WINTER EVENINGS, TO THE GAPING SWAINS, AND CHILDREN CIRCLING ROUND THE FIRE, WOULD TELL STORIES OF OLD, AND TALES OF OTHER TIMES. OF LOMOND AND LEVINA HE WOULD TALK; AND HOW OF OLD, IN BRITAIN'S EVIL DAYS, WHEN BROTHERS AGAINST BROTHERS DREW THE SWORD OF CIVIL RAGE, THE HOSTILE HAND OF WAR RAVAGED THE LAND, GAVE CITIES TO THE SWORD, AND ALL THE COUNTRY TO DEVOURING FIRE. THEN THESE FAIR FORESTS AND ELYSIAN SCENES, IN ONE GREAT CONFLAGRATION, FLAMED TO HEAVEN. BARREN AND BLACK, BY SWIFT DEGREES AROSE A MUIRISH FEN; AND HENCE THE LABOURING HIND, DIGGING FOR FUEL, MEETS THE MOULDERING TRUNKS OF OAKS, AND BRANCH ANTLERS OF THE DEER. NOW SOBER INDUSTRY, ILLUSTRIOUS POWER] HATH RAISED THE PEACEFUL COTTAGE, CALM ABODE OF INNOCENCE AND JOY: NOW, SWEATING, GUIDES THE SHINING PLOUGHSHARE; TAMES THE STUBBORN SOIL, LEADS THE LONG DRAIN ALONG TH'UNFERTILE MARSH; BIDS THE BLEAK HILL WITH VERNAL VERDURE BLOOM, THE HAUNT OF FLOCKS: AND CLOTHES THE BARREN HEATH; WITH WAVING HARVESTS, AND THE GOLDEN GRAIN. FAIR FROM HIS HAND, BEHOLD THE VILLAGE RISE IN RURAL PRIDE, 'MONG INTERMINGLED TREES] ABOVE WHOSE AGED TOPS THE JOYFUL SWAINS AT EVEN-TIDE, DESCENDING FROM THE HILL, WITH EYE ENAMOURED, MARK THE MANY WREATHS OF PILLARED SMOKE, HIGH-CURLING TO THE CLOUDS. THE STREET RESOUNDS WITH LABOUR'S VARIOUS VOICE, WHO WHISTLES AT HIS WORK. GAY ON THE GREEN, YOUNG BLOOMING BOYS, AND GIRLS WITH GOLDEN HAIR, TRIP NIMBLE-FOOTED, WANTON IN THEIR PLAY, THE VILLAGE HOPE. ALL IN A REVEREND ROW, THEIR GREY-HAIRED GRANDSIRES, SITTING IN THE SUN, BEFORE THE GATE, AND LEANING ON THE STAFF, THE WELL-REMEMBERED STORIES OF THEIR YOUTH RECOUNT, AND SHAKE THEIR AGED LOCKS WITH JOY. HOW FAIR A PROSPECT RISES TO THE EYE, WHERE BEAUTY VIES IN ALL HER VERNAL FORMS, FOR EVER PLEASANT, AND FOR EVER NEW] SWELLS TH'EXULTING THOUGHT, EXPANDS THE SOUL, DROWNING EACH RUDER CARE: A BLOOMING TRAIN OF BRIGHT IDEAS RUSHES ON THE MIND. IMAGINATION ROUSES AT THE SCENE, AND BACKWARD, THRO' THE GLOOM OF AGES PAST, BEHOLDS ARCADIA, LIKE A RURAL QUEEN ENCIRCLED WITH HER SWAINS AND ROSY NYMPHS, THE MAZY DANCE CONDUCTING ON THE GREEN. NOR YIELD TO OLD ARCADIA'S BLISSFUL VALES THINE, GENTLE LEVEN] GREEN ON EITHER HAND THY MEADOWS SPREAD, UNBROKEN OF THE PLOUGH, WITH BEAUTY ALL THEIR OWN. THY FIELDS REJOICE WITH ALL THE RICHES OF THE GOLDEN YEAR. FAT ON THE PLAIN AND MOUNTAIN'S SUNNY SIDE LARGE DROVES OF OXEN AND THE FLEECY FLOCKS FEED UNDISTURB'D AND FILL THE ECHOING AIR WITH MUSIC, GRATEFUL TO THE MASTER'S EAR. THE TRAVELLER STOPS, AND GAZES ROUND AND ROUND O'ER ALL THE SCENES, THAT ANIMATE HIS HEART WITH MIRTH AND MUSIC. EVEN THE MENDICANT, BOWBENT WITH AGE, THAT ON THE OLD GREY STONE, SOLE SITTING, SUNS HIM IN THE PUBLIC WAY, FEELS HIS HEART LEAP, AND TO HIMSELF HE SINGS. HOW BEAUTIFUL AROUND THE LOCH OUTSPREADS ITS WEALTH OF WATERS, THE SURROUNDING VALES RENEWS, AND HOLDS A MIRROR TO THE SKY, PERPETUAL FED BY MANY SISTER-STREAMS, HAUNTS OF THE ANGLER] FIRST THE GULFY PO, THAT THROUGH THE QUAKING MARSH AND WAVING REEDS CREEPS SLOW AND SILENT ON. THE RAPID QUEECH, WHOSE FOAMING TORRENTS O'ER THE BROKEN STEEP BURST DOWN IMPETUOUS, WITH THE PLACID WAVE OF FLOWERY LEVEN, FOR THE CANINE PIKE AND SILVER EEL RENOWN'D. BUT CHIEF THY STREAM O GAIRNEY] SWEETLY WINDING, CLAIMS THE SONG. FIRST ON THY BANKS THE DORIC REED I TUN'D, STRETCH'D ON THE VERDANT GRASS; WHILE TWILIGHT MEEK, ENROB'D IN MIST, SLOW SAILING THRO' THE AIR, SILENT AND STILL, ON EVERY CLOSED FLOWER SHED DROPS NECTARIOUS; AND AROUND THE FIELDS NO NOISE WAS HEARD, SAVE WHERE THE WHISP'RING REEDS WAV'D TO THE BREEZE, OR IN THE DUSKY AIR THE SLOW-WING'D CRANE MOV'D HEAV'LY O'ER THE LEE, AND SHRILLY CLAMOUR'D AS HE SOUGHT HIS REST, THERE WOULD I SIT, AND TUNE SOME YOUTHFUL LAY, OR WATCH THE MOTION OF THE LIVING FIRES, THAT DAY AND NIGHT THEIR NEVER-CEASING COURSE WHEEL ROUND TH'ETERNAL POLES, AND BEND THE KNEE TO HIM THE MAKER OF YON STARRY SKY, OMNIPOTENT] WHO, THRON'D ABOVE ALL HEAV'NS, YET EVER PRESENT THROUGH THE PEOPL'D SPACE OF VAST CREATION'S INFINITE EXTENT, POURS LIFE, AND BLISS, AND BEAUTY, POURS HIMSELF, HIS OWN ESSENTIAL GOODNESS, O'ER THE MINDS OF HAPPY BEINGS, THROUGH TEN THOUSAND WORLDS. NOR SHALL THE MUSE FORGET THY FRIENDLY HEART, O LAELIUS] PARTNER OF MY YOUTHFUL HOURS; HOW OFTEN, RISING FROM THE BED OF PEACE, WE WOULD WALK FORTH TO MEET THE SUMMER MORN, INHALING HEALTH AND HARMONY OF MIND; PHILOSOPHERS AND FRIENDS; WHILE SCIENCE BEAM'D WITH RAY DIVINE AS LOVELY ON OUR MINDS AS YONDER ORIENT SUN, WHOSE WELCOME LIGHT REVEAL'D THE VERNAL LANDSCAPE TO THE VIEW. YET OFT, UNBENDING FROM MORE SERIOUS THOUGHT, MUCH OF THE LOOSER FOLLIES OF MANKIND, HUM'ROUS AND GAY, WE'D TALK, AND MUCH WOULD LAUGH: WHILE, EVER AND ANON, THEIR FOIBLES VAIN IMAGINATION OFF'RD TO OUR VIEW. FRONTING WHERE GAIRNEY POURS HIS SILENT URN INTO THE LOCH, AN ISLAND LIFTS ITS HEAD. GRASSY AND WILD, WITH ANCIENT RUIN HEAP'D OF CELLS; WHERE FROM THE NOISY WORLD RETIR'D OF OLD, AS SAME REPORTS, RELIGION DWELT SAFE FROM THE INSULTS OF THE DARKEN'D CROWD THAT BOW'D THE KNEE TO ODIN; AND IN TIMES OF IGNORANCE, WHEN CALEDONIA'S SONS (BEFORE THE TRIPLE-CROWNED GIANT FELL) EXCHANG'D THEIR SIMPLE FAITH FOR ROME'S DECEITS. HERE SUPERSTITION FOR HER CLOISTER'D SONS A DWELLING REAR'D WITH MANY AN ARCHED VAULT; WHERE HER PALE VOT'RIES AT THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, IN MANY A MOURNFUL STRAIN OF MELANCHOLY, CHANTED THEIR ORISONS TO THE COLD MOON. IT NOW RESOUNDS WITH THE WILD-SHRIEKING GULL, THE CRESTED LAPWING, AND THE CLAMOROUS MEW, THE PATIENT HERON, AND THE BITTERN DULL, DEEP-SOUNDING IN THE BASE, WITH ALL THE TRIBE THAT BY THE WATER SEEK TH'APPOINTED MEAL. FROM THENCE THE SHEPHERD IN THE FENCED FOLD, 'TIS SAID, HAS HEARD STRANGE SOUNDS, AND MUSIC WILD; SUCH AS IN SELMA, BY THE BURNING OAK OF HERO FALLEN, OR OF BATTLE LOST, WARN'D FINGAL'S MIGHTY SON, FROM TREMBLING CHORDS OF UNTOUCH'D HARP, SELF-SOUNDING IN THE NIGHT. PERHAPS TH'AFFLICTED GENIUS OF THE LOCH, THAT LEAVES THE WAT'RY GROT, EACH NIGHT TO MOURN THE WASTE OF TIME, HIS DESOLATED ISLES AND TEMPLES IN THE DUST: HIS PLAINTIVE VOICE IS HEARD RESOUNDING THROUGH THE DREARY COURTS OF HIGH LOCHLEVEN CASTLE, FAMOUS ONCE, TH'ABODE OF HEROES OF THE BRUCE'S LINE; GOTHIC THE PILE, AND HIGH THE SOLID WALLS, WITH WARLIKE RAMPARTS, AND THE STRONG DEFENCE OF JUTTING BATTLEMENTS, AN AGE'S TOIL] NO MORE ITS ARCHES ECHO TO THE NOISE OF JOY AND FESTIVE MIRTH. NO MORE THE GLANCE OF BLAZING TAPER THROUGH ITS WINDOWS BEAMS, AND QUIVERS ON THE UNDULATING WAVE: BUT NAKED STAND THE MELANCHOLY WALLS, LASH'D BY THE WINTRY TEMPESTS, COLD AND BLEAK, THAT WHISTLE MOURNFUL THRO' THE EMPTY HALLS, AND PIECE-MEAL CRUMBLE DOWN THE TOW'RS TO DUST. PERHAPS IN SOME LONE, DREARY, DESERT TOWER, THAT TIME HAS SPAR'D, FORTH FROM THE WINDOW LOOKS, HALF HID IN GRASS, THE SOLITARY FOX, WHILE FROM ABOVE, THE OWL, MUSICIAN DIRE] SCREAMS HIDEOUS, HARSH, AND GRATING TO THE EAR. EQUAL IN AGE, AND SHARERS OF ITS FATE, A ROW OF MOSS-GROWN TREES AROUND IT STAND. SCARCE HERE AND THERE, UPON THEIR BLASTED TOPS A SHRIVELL'D LEAF DISTINGUISHES THE YEAR; EMBLEM OF HOARY AGE, THE EVE OF LIFE, WHEN MAN DRAWS NIGH HIS EVERLASTING HOME, WITHIN A STEP OF THE DEVOURING GRAVE, WHEN ALL HIS VIEWS AND TOW'RING HOPES ARE GONE, AND EV'RY APPETITE BEFORE HIM DEAD. BRIGHT SHINES THE MORN, WHILE IN THE RUDDY EAST THE SUN HANGS HOVERING O'ER THE ATLANTIC WAVE. APART, ON YONDER GREEN HILL'S SUNNY SIDE, SEREN'D WITH ALL THE MUSIC OF THE MORN, ATTENTIVE LET ME SIT; WHILE FROM THE ROCK, THE SWAINS, LABORIOUS, ROLL THE LIMESTONE HUGE BOUNDING ELASTIC FROM TH'INDENTED GRASS, AT EVERY FALL IT SPRINGS, AND THUND'RING SHOOTS, O'ER ROCKS AND PRECIPICES, TO THE PLAIN. AND LET THE SHEPHERD CAREFUL TEND HIS FLOCK FAR FROM THE DANG'ROUS STEEP; NOR, O YE SWAINS] STRAY HEEDLESS OF ITS RAGE. BEHOLD THE TEARS YON WRETCHED WIDOW O'ER THE MANGLED CORPSE OF HER DEAD HUSBAND POURS, WHO, HAPLESS MAN] CHEERFUL AND STRONG WENT FORTH AT RISING MORN TO USUAL TOIL; BUT, ERE THE EVENING HOUR HIS SAD COMPANION BORE HIM LIFELESS HOME. URG'D FROM THE HILL'S HIGH TOP, WITH PROGRESS SWIFT, A WEIGHTY STONE, RESISTLESS, RAPID CAME, SEEN BY THE FATED WRETCH, WHO STOOD UNMOV'D, NOR TURN'D TO FLY, TILL FLIGHT HAD BEEN IN VAIN; WHEN NOW ARRIV'D THE INSTRUMENT OF DEATH, AND FELL'D HIM TO THE GROUND. THE THIRSTY LAND DRANK UP HIS BLOOD: SUCH WAS THE WILL OF HEAV'N. HOW WIDE THE LANDSCAPE OPENS TO THE VIEW STILL AS I MOUNT, THE LESS'NING HILLS DECLINE, TILL HIGH ABOVE THEM NORTHERN GRAMPIUS LIFTS HIS HOARY HEAD, BENDING BENEATH A LOAD OF EVERLASTING SNOW. O'ER SOUTHERN FIELDS I SEE THE CHEVIOT HILLS, THE ANCIENT BOUNDS OF TWO CONTENDING KINGDOMS. THERE IN FIGHT BRAVE PERCY AND THE GALLANT DOUGLAS BLED, THE HOUSE OF HEROES, AND THE DEATH OF HOSTS] WAT'RING THE FERTILE FIELDS, MAJESTIC FORTH, FULL, DEEP, AND WIDE, ROLLS PLACID TO THE SEA WITH MANY A VESSEL TRIM AND OARED BARK IN RICH PROFUSION COVER'D, WAFTING O'ER THE WEALTH AND PRODUCT OF FAR DISTANT LANDS. BUT CHIEF MINE EYE ON THE SUBJECTED VALE OF LEVEN PLEAS'D LOOKS DOWN; WHILE O'ER THE TREES THAT SHIELD THE HAMLET WITH THE SHADE OF YEARS, THE TOWERING SMOKE OF EARLY FIRE ASCENDS, AND THE SHRILL COCK PROCLAIMS THE ADVANCED MORN. HOW BLEST THE MAN WHO IN THESE PEACEFUL PLAINS, PLOUGHS HIS PATERNAL FIELD; FAR FROM THE NOISE, THE CARE, AND BUSTLE OF A BUSY WORLD. ALL IN THE SACRED, SWEET, SEQUESTER'D VALE OF SOLITUDE, THE SECRET FLOWERY-PATH OF RURAL LIFE, HE DWELLS; AND WITH HIM DWELL PEACE AND CONTENT, TWINS OF THE SYLVAN SHADE, AND ALL THE GRACES OF THE GOLDEN AGE. SUCH IS AGRICOLA, THE WISE, THE GOOD, BY NATURE FORMED FOR THE CALM RETREAT, THE SILENT PATH OF LIFE. LEARN'D, BUT NOT FRAUGHT WITH SELF-IMPORTANCE, AS THE STARCHED FOOL; WHO CHALLENGES RESPECT BY SOLEMN FACE, BY STUDIED ACCENT, AND HIGH-SOUNDING PHRASE. ENAMOUR'D OF THE SHADE, BUT NOT MOROSE. POLITENESS, RAIS'D IN COURTS BY FRIGID RULES, WITH HIM SPONTANEOUS GROWS. NOT BOOKS ALONE, BUT MAN HIS STUDY, AND THE BETTER PART; TO TREAD THE WAYS OF VIRTUE, AND TO ACT THE VARIOUS SCENES OF LIFE WITH GOD'S APPLAUSE. DEEP IN THE BOTTOM OF THIS FLOW'RY VALE, WITH BLOOMING SALLOWS, AND THE LEAFY TWINE OF VERDANT ALDERS FENC'D, HIS DWELLING STANDS COMPLETE IN RURAL ELEGANCE. THE DOOR, BY WHICH THE POOR OR PILGRIM NEVER PASS'D, STILL OPEN, SPEAKS THE MASTER'S BOUNTEOUS HEART. THERE, O HOW SWEET] AMID THE FRAGRANT SHRUBS AT EV'NING COOL TO SIT; WHILE ON THEIR BOUGHS, THE NESTED SONGSTERS TWITTER O'ER THEIR YOUNG, AND THE HOARSE LOW OF FOLDED CATTLE BREAKS THE SILENCE, WAFTED O'ER THE SLEEPING LOCH. WHOSE WATERS GLOW BENEATH THE PURPLE TINGE OF WESTERN CLOUD; WHILE CONVERSE SWEET DECEIVES THE STEALING FOOT OF TIME. OR WHERE THE GROUND, MOUNDED IRREGULAR, POINTS OUT THE GRAVES OF OUR FOREFATHERS, AND THE HALLOW'D FANE WHERE SWAINS ASSEMBLING WORSHIP, LET US WALK, IN SOFTLY-SOOTHING MELANCHOLY THOUGHT, AS NIGHT'S SERAPHIC BARD, IMMORTAL YOUNG, OR SWEET-COMPLAINING GRAY; THERE SEES THE GOAL OF HUMAN LIFE, WHERE DROOPING, FAINT, AND TIR'D, OFT MISSED THE PRIZE-THE WEARY RACER RESTS. THUS SUNG THE YOUTH, AMID UNFERTILE WILDS AND NAMELESS DESERTS, UNPOETIC GROUND] FAR FROM HIS FRIENDS HE STRAY'D, RECORDING THUS THE DEAR REMEMBRANCE OF HIS NATIVE FIELDS, TO CHEER THE TEDIOUS NIGHT; WHILE SLOW DISEASE PREY'D ON HIS PINING VITALS, AND THE BLASTS OF DARK DECEMBER SHOOK HIS HUMBLE COT. IN WEEDS OF SORROW WILDLY DIGHT, ALONE BENEATH THE GLOOM OF NIGHT, MONIMIA WENT TO MOURN; SHE LEFT A MOTHER'S FOND ALARMS; SHE LEFT A FATHER'S FOLDING ARMS; AH] NEVER TO RETURN] THE BELL HAD STRUCK THE MIDNIGHT HOUR DISASTROUS PLANETS NOW HAD POWER, AND EVIL SPIRITS REIGN'D; THE LONE OWL, FROM THE CLOISTERED ISLE, O'ER FALLING FRAGMENTS OF THE PILE, ILL-BODING PROPHET PLAIN'D. WHILE DOWN HER DEVIOUS FOOTSTEPS STRAY, SHE TORE THE WILLOWS BY THE WAY, AND GAZED UPON THE WAVE; THEN RAISING WILD TO HEAVEN HER EYES, WITH SOBS, AND BROKEN ACCENTS, CRIES: I'LL MEET THEE IN THE GRAVE. BRIGHT O'ER THE BORDER OF THE STREAM, ILLUMINED BY A TRANSIENT BEAM, SHE KNEW THE WONTED GROVE; HER LOVER'S HAND HAD DECK'D IT FINE, AND ROSES MIX'D WITH MYRTLES TWINE, TO FORM THE BOWER OF LOVE. THE TUNEFUL PHILOMELA ROSE, AND SWEETLY-MOURNFUL SUNG HER WOES ENAMOUR'D OF THE TREE; TOUCH'D WITH THE MELODY OF WOE, MORE TENDER TEARS BEGAN TO FLOW. SHE MOURNS HER MATE LIKE ME. I LOVED MY LOVER FROM A CHILD, AND SWEET THE YOUTHFUL CHERUB SMILED AND WANTON'D O'ER THE GREEN; HE TRAIN'D MY NIGHTINGALE TO SING, HE SPOILED THE GARDENS OF THE SPRING, TO CROWN ME RURAL QUEEN. MY BROTHER DIED BEFORE HIS DAY; SAD, THRO' THE CHURCHYARD'S DREARY WAY WE WONT TO WALK AT EVE; AND BENDING O'ER TH'UNTIMELY URN, LONG AT THE MONUMENT TO MOURN, AND LOOK UPON HIS GRAVE. LIKE FORMS FUNEREAL WHILE WE STAND, IN TENDER MOOD HE HELD MY HAND, AND LAID HIS CHEEK TO MINE; MY BOSOM BEAT UNKNOWN ALARMS, WE WEPT IN ONE ANOTHER'S ARMS, AND MINGLED TEARS DIVINE. FROM SWEET COMPASSION LOVE AROSE, OUR HEARTS WERE WEDDED BY OUR WOES, AND PAIR'D UPON THE TOMB; ATTESTING ALL THE POWERS ABOVE, A FOND ROMANCE OF FANCIED LOVE, WE VOWED OUR DAYS TO COME. A WEALTHY LORD FROM INDIAN SKIES, ILLUSTRIOUS IN MY PARENT'S EYES, IMPLORED A MUTUAL MIND; SAD TO MY CHAMBER I WITHDREW, BUT HARRY'S FOOTSTEPS NEVER FLEW THE WONTED SCENE TO FIND. THREE NIGHTS IN DIRE SUSPENSE I SAT ALONE; THE FOURTH CONVEY'D MY FATE, SENT FROM A FOREIGN SHORE:- 'GO WHERE THY WANDERING WISHES TEND, GO, AND EMBRACE THY FATHER'S FRIEND, YOU NEVER SEE ME MORE]'- DESPAIR; DISTRACTION] I OBEY'D AND ONE DISORDER'D MOMENT MADE AN EVER-WRETCHED WIFE; AH] IN THE CIRCUIT OF ONE SUN, HEAVEN] I WAS WEDDED AND UNDONE, AND DESOLATE FOR LIFE] APART MY WEDDING ROBES I TORE, AND GUARDED TEARS NOW GUSHING O'ER DISTAIN'D THE BRIDAL BED: WILD I INVOKED THE FUNERAL YELL, AND SOUGHT DEVOTED NOW TO DWELL FOR EVER WITH THE DEAD. MY LORD TO INDIAN CLIMATES WENT, A LETTER FROM MY LOVER SENT RENEW'D ETERNAL WOES; BEFORE MY LOVE MY LAST WORDS GREET, WRAPT IN THE WEARY WINDING-SHEET, I IN THE DUST REPOSE] PERHAPS YOUR PARENTS HAVE DECIEVED, PERHAPS TOO RASHLY I BELIEVED A TALE OF TREACHEROUS ART; MONIMIA] COULD YOU NOW BEHOLD THE YOUTH YOU LOVED IN SORROWS OLD, OH] IT WOULD BREAK THY HEART] NOW IN THE GRAVE FOR EVER LAID, A CONSTANT SOLITARY SHADE, THY HARRY HANGS O'ER THEE] FOR YOU I FLED MY NATIVE SKY; LOADED WITH LIFE FOR YOU I DIE; MY LOVE, REMEMBER ME] OF ALL THE PROMISES OF YOUTH, THE TEARS OF TENDERNESS AND TRUTH, THE THROBS THAT LOVERS SEND; THE VOWS ON ONE ANOTHER'S ARMS, THE SECRET SYMPATHY OF CHARMS; MY GOD] IS THIS THE END? SHE SAID, AND RUSHING FROM THE BOWER DEVOTED SOUGHT IN EVIL HOUR THE PROMONTORY STEEP; HUNG O'ER THE MARGIN OF THE MAIN, HER FIX'D AND EARNEST EYEBALLS STRAIN THE DASHING OF THE DEEP. WAVES THAT RESOUND FROM SHORE TO SHORE: ROCKS LOUD REBELLOWING TO THE ROAR OF OCEAN, STORM, AND WIND] YOUR ELEMENTAL WAR IS TAME, TO THAT WHICH RAGES IN MY FRAME, THE BATTLE OF THE MIND] WITH DOWNCAST EYE AND MUSING MOOD, A LURID INTERVAL SHE STOOD THE VICTIM OF DESPAIR; HER ARMS THEN TOSSING TO THE SKIES, SHE POUR'D IN NATURE'S EAR HER CRIES, "MY GOD] MY FATHER] WHERE?- WILD ON THE SUMMIT OF THE STEEP SHE RUMINATED LONG THE DEEP, AND FELT HER FREEZING BLOOD; APPROACHING FEET SHE HEARD BEHIND, THEN SWIFTER THAN THE WINGED WIND SHE PLUNG'D INTO THE FLOOD. HER FORM EMERGING FROM THE WAVE BOTH PARENTS SAW, BUT COULD NOT SAVE, THE SHRIEK OF DEATH AROSE] AT ONCE SHE SUNK TO RISE NO MORE; AND SADLY-SOUNDING TO THE SHORE, THE PARTED BILLOWS CLOSE] Õ IN THE MANNER OF HOMER. A FRAGMENTå IN ANCIENT TIMES, ERE TRAPS WERE FRAM'D, OR CATS IN BRITAIN'S ISLE WERE KNOWN; A MOUSE, FOR POW'R AND VALOUR FAM'D, POSSESS'D IN PEACE THE REGAL THRONE. A FARMER'S HOUSE HE NIGHTLY STORM'D (IN VAIN WERE BOLTS, IN VAIN WERE KEYS); THE MILK'S FAIR SURFACE HE DEFORM'D, AND DIGG'D ENTRENCHMENTS IN THE CHEESE. IN VAIN THE FARMER WATCH'D BY NIGHT, IN VAIN HE SPREAD THE POISON'D BACON; THE HOUSE WAS WISE AS WELL AS WIGHT, NOR COULD BY FORCE OR FRAUD BE TAKEN. HIS SUBJECTS FOLLOW'D WHERE HE LED, AND DEALT DESTRUCTION ALL AROUND; HIS PEOPLE, SHEPHERD-LIKE, HE FED; SUCH MICE ARE RARELY TO BE FOUND;. BUT EVIL FORTUNE HAD DECREED (THE FOE OF MICE AS WELL AS MEN) THE ROYAL MOUSE AT LAST SHOULD BLEED, SHOULD FALL-NE'ER TO RISE AGAIN. UPON A NIGHT, AS AUTHORS SAY, A LUCKLESS SCENT OUR HERO DREW, UPON FORBIDDEN GROUND TO STRAY, AND PASS A NARROW CRANNY THROUGH. THAT NIGHT A FEAST THE FARMER MADE, AND JOY UNBOUNDED FILL'D THE HOUSE; THE FRAGMENTS IN THE PANTRY SPREAD AFFORDED BUS'NESS TO THE MOUSE. HE ATE HIS FILL, AND BACK AGAIN RATURN'D; BUT ACCESS WAS DENY'D. HE SEARCHED EACH CORNER, BUT IN VAIN HE FOUND IT CLOSE ON EVERY SIDE. LET NONE OUR HERO'S FEARS DERIDE; HE ROAR'D (TEN MICE OF MODERN DAYS, AS MICE ARE DWINDL'D AND DECAY'D, SO GREAT A VOICE COULD SCARCELY RAISE). ROUS'D AT THE VOICE THE FARMER RAN, AND SEIZ'D UPON HIS HAPLESS PREY. WITH ENTREATIES THE MOUSE BEGUN, AND PRAY'RS HIS ANGER TO ALLAY. O SPARE MY LIFE] HE TREMBLING CRIES; MY SUBJECTS WILL A RANSOM GIVE LARGE AS THY WISHES CAN DEVISE, SOON AS IT SHALL BE HEARD I LIVE. NO, WRETCH]H] THE FARMER SAYS IN WRATH, THOU DY'ST; NO RANSOM I'LL RECEIVE. MY SUBJECTS WILL REVENGE MY DEATH, HE SAID, THIS DYING CHARGE I LEAVE. THE FARMER LIFTS HIS ARMED HAND, AND ON THE MOUSE INFLICTS A WOUND. WHAT MOUSE COULD SUCH A BLOW WITHSTAND. HE FELL, AND DYING BIT THE GROUND. THUS LAMBRIS FELL, WHO FLOURISH'D LONG (I HALF FORGOT TO TELL HIS NAME); BUT HIS RENOWN LIVES IN THE SONG AND FUTURE TIMES SHALL SPEAK HIS FAME. A MOUSE WHO WALK'D ABOUT AT LARGE IN SAFETY HEARD HIS MOURNFUL CRIES; HE HEARD HIM GIVE HIS DYING CHARGE, AND TO THE REST HE FRANTIC FLIES. THRICE HE ESSAY'D TO SPEAK, AND THRICE TEARS, SUCH AS MICE MAY SHED, FILL DOWN, "REVENGE YOUR MONARCH'S DEATH]" HE CRIES, HIS VOICE HALF-STIFL'D WITH A GROAN. BUT HAVING RE-ASSURED HIS SENCES AND REASON , SUCH AS MICE MAY HAVE, HE TOLD OUT ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MANY A STRAIN AND BROKEN HEAVE. CHILL'D WITH SAD GRIEF, TH'ASSEMBLY HEARD; EACH DROPP'D A TEAR, AND BOW'D THE HEAD: BUT SYMPTOMS SOON OF RAGE APPEAR'D, AND VENGEANCE FOR THEIR ROYAL DEAD. LONG SAT THEY MUTE: AT LAST UP ROSE THE GREAT HYPENOR, BLAMELESS SAGE] A HERO BORN TO MANY WOES; HIS HEAD WAS SILVER'D O'ER WITH AGE. HIS BULK SO LARGE, HIS JOINTS SO STRONG, THOUGH WORN WITH GRIEF, AND PAST HIS PRIME, FEW RATS COULD EQUAL HIM, 'TIS SUNG, AS RATS ARE IN THESE DREGS OF TIME. TWO SONS, IN BATTLE BRAVE, HE HAD, SPRUNG FROM FAIR LALAGE'S EMBRACE; SHORT TIME THEY GRAC'D HIS NUPITAL BED. BY DOGS DESTROY'D IN CRUEL CHASE. THEIR TIMELESS FATE THE MOTHER WAILED, AND PINED WITH HEART-CORRODING GRIEF: O'ER EVERY COMFORT IT PREVAIL'D, TILL DEATH ADVANCING BROUGHT RELIEF. NOW HE'S THE LAST OF ALL HIS RACE, A PREY TO WOE HE INLY PINED; GRIEF PICTUR'D SAT UPON HIS FACE; UPON HIS BREAST HIS HEAD RECLIN'D. AND, O MY FELLOW-MICE] HE SAID, THESE EYES NE'ER SAW A DAY SO DIRE, SAVE WHEN MY GALLANT CHILDREN BLED. O WRETCHED SONS] O WRETCHED SIRE] BUT NOW A GENERAL CAUSE DEMANDS OUR GRIEF, AND CLAIMS OUR TEARS ALONE; OUR MONARCH, SLAIN BY WICKED HANDS, NO ISSUE LEFT TO FILL THE THRONE. YET THO' BY HOSTILE MAN MUCH WRONG'D, MY COUSEL IS, FROM ARMS FORBEAR, THAT SO YOUR DAYS MAY BE PROLONGED: FOR MAN IS HEAVEN'S PECULIAR CARE. O THOU WHOSE BEAMS THE SEA-GIRT EARTH ARRAY, KING OF THE SKY, AND FATHER OF THE DAY] O SUN] WHAT FOUNTAIN, HID FROM HUMAN EYES, SUPPLIES THY CIRCLE ROUND THE RADIANT SKIES, FOR EVER BURNING AND FOR EVER BRIGHT WITH HEAVEN'S PURE FIRE, AND EVERLASTING LIGHT? WHAT AWFUL BEAUTY IN THY FACE APPEARS] IMMORTAL YOUTH, BEYOND THE POWER OF YEARS] WHEN GLOOMY DARKNESS TO THY REIGN RESIGNS, AND FROM THE GATES OF MORN THY GLORY SHINES, THE CONSCIOUS STARS ARE PUT TO SUDDEN FLIGHT, AND ALL THE PLANETS HIDE THEIR HEADS IN NIGHT; THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN FORSAKES TH'ETHEREAL PLAIN, TO SINK INGLORIOUS IN THE WESTERN MAIN. THE CLOUDS REFULGENT DECK THY GOLDEN THRONE, HIGH IN THE HEAVENS, IMMORTAL AND ALONE] OR WHO CAN ABIDE THE BRIGHTNESS OF THY FACE? OR WHO ATTEND THEE IN THY RAPID RACE? THE MOUNTAIN-OAKS, LIKE THEIR OWN LEAVES, DECAY; THEMSELVES THE MOUNTAINS WERE WITH AGE AWAY; THE BOUNDLESS MAIN, THAT ROLLS FROM LAND TO LAND, LESSENS AT TIMES, AND LEAVES A WASTE OF SAND; THE SILVER MOON, REFULGENT LAMP OF HER LIGHT: BUT THOU FOR EVER SHALT ENDURE THE SAME, THY LIGHT ETERNAL, AND UPSPENT THY FLAME. WHEN TEMPESTS WITH THEIR TRAIN IMPEND ON HIGH, DARKEN THE DAY, AND LOAD THE LABOURING SKY; WHEN HEAVEN'S WIDE CONVEX GLOWS WITH LIGHTNINGS DIRE ALL AETHER FLAMING AND ALL EARTH ON FIRE; WHEN LOUD AND LONG THE DEEP-MOUTH'D THUNDER ROLLS, AND PEALS ON PEALS REDOUBLED REND THE POLES; IF FROM THE OPENING CLOUDS THY FORM APPEARS, HER WONTED CHARM THE FACE OF NATURE WEARS; THY BEAUTEOUS ORB RESTORES DEPARTED DAY, LOOKS FROM THE SKY, AND LAUGHS THE STORM AWAY. WHAT MAN, WHAT HERO SHALL THE MUSES SING, ON CLASSIC LYRE OR CALEDONIAN STRING? WHOSE NAME SHALL FILL TH'IMMORTAL PAGE? WHO, FIR'D FROM HEAV'N WITH ENERGY DIVINE, IN SUN-BRIGHT GLORY BIDS HIS ACTIONS SHINE FIRST IN THE ANNALS OF THE AGE? CEAS'D ARE THE GOLDEN TIMES OF YORE; THE AGE OF HEROES IS NO MORE; RARE, IN THESE LATTER TIMES, ARISE TO FAME THE POET'S STAIN INSPIR'D, OR HERO'S HEAVENLY FLAME. WHAT STAR ARISING IN THE SOUTHERN SKY, NEW TO THE HEAV'NS , ATTRACTING EUROPE'S EYE, WITH BEAMS UNBORROW'D SHINES AFAR? WHO COMES, WITH THOUSANDS MARCHING IN HIS REAR, SHINING IN ARMS, SHAKING HIS BLOODY SPEAR, LIKE THE RED COMET, SIGN OF WAR? PAOLI] SENT OF HEAV'N TO SAVE A RISING NATION OF THE BRAVE; WHOSE FIRM RIGHT HAND HIS ANGELS ARM, TO BEAR A SHIELD BEFORE HIS HOST, AND DART THE BOLTS OF WAR. HE COMES] HE COMES] THE SAVIOUR OF THE LAND] HIS DRAWN SWORD FLAMES IN HIS UPLIFTED HAND. ENTHUSIAST IN HIS COUNTRY'S CAUSE; WHOSE FIRM RESOLVE OBEYS A NATION'S CALL, TO RISE DELIVERER, OR A MARTYR FALL TO LIBERTY, TO DYING LAWS. YE SONS OF FREEDOM] SING HIS PRAISE; YE POETS] BIND HIS BROWS WITH BAYS; YE SCEPTR'D SHADOWS] CAST YOUR HONOURS DOWN AND BOW BEFORE THE HEAD THAT NEVER WORE A CROWN. WHO TO THE HERO CAN THE PALM REFUSE? GREAT ALEXANDER STILL THE WORLD SUBDUES, THE HEIR OF EVERLASTING PRAISE. BUT WHEN THE HERO'S FLAME, THE PARTIOT'S LIGHT, WHEN VIRTUES HUMAN AND DIVINE UNITE; WHEN OLIVES TWINE AMONG THE BAYS, AND MUTUAL BOTH MINERVAS SHINE; A CONSTELLATION SO DIVINE A WOND'RING WORLD BEHOLD, ADMIRE, AND LOVE, AND HIS BEST IMAGE HERE TH'ALMIGHTY MARKS ABOVE. AS THE LONE SHEPHERD HIDES HIM IN THE ROCKS, WHEN HIGH HEAV'N THUNDERS; AS THE TIM'ROUS FLOCKS FROM THE DESCENDING TORRENT FLEE: SO FLIES A WORLD OF SLAVES AT WAR'S ALARMS, WHEN ZEAL ON FLAME, AND LIBERTY IN ARMS, LEADS ON THE FEARLESS AND THE FREE, RESISTLESS; AS THE TORRENT FLOOD, HORN'D LIKE THE MOON, UPROOTS THE WOOD. SWEEPS FLOCKS, AND HERDS, AND HARVESTS FROM THEIR BASE, AND MOVES TH'ETERNAL HILLS FROM THEIR APPOINTED PLACE. LONG HAST THOU LABOUR'D IN THE GLORIOUS STRIFE, O LAND OF LIBERTY] PROFUSE OF LIFE, AND PRODIGAL OF PRICELESS BLOOD. WHERE HEROES BOUGHT WITH BLOOD THE MARTYR'S CROWN, A RACE AROSE, HEIRS OF THEIR HIGH RENOWN, WHO DAR'D THEIR FATE THRO' FIRE AND FLOOD; AND GAFFORI THE GREAT AROSE, WHOSE WORDS OF POW'R DISARM'D HIS FOES; AND WHERE THE FILIAL IMAGE SMIL'D AFAR THE SIRE TURNED NOT ASIDE THE THUNDERS OF THE WAR. O LIBERTY] TO MAN A GUARDIAN GIV'N, THOU BEST AND BRIGHTEST ATTRIBUTE OF HEAV'N] FROM WHOM DESCENDING, THEE WE SING. BY NATURE WILD, OR BY THE ARTS REFIN'D, WE FEEL THY POW'R ESSENTIAL TO OUR MIND; EACH SON OF FREEDOM IS A KING. THY PRAISE THE HAPPY WORLD PROCLAIM, AND BRITAIN WORSHIPS AT THY NAME, THOU GUARDIAN ANGEL OF BRITANNIA'S ISLE] AND GOD AND MAN REJOICE IN THY IMMORTAL SMILE] ISLAND OF BEAUTY] LIFT THY HEAD ON HIGH; SING A NEW SONG OF TRIUMPH TO THE SKY] THE DAY OF THY DELIV'RANCE SPRINGS] THE DAY OF VENGENCE TO THY ANCIENT FOE. THY SONS SHALL LAY THE PROUD OPPRESSOR LOW, AND BREAK THE HEAD OF TYRANT KINGS. PAOLI] MIGHTY MAN OF WAR] ALL BRIGHT IN ARMS, THY CONQU'RING CAR ASCEND; THY PEOPLE FROM THE FOE REDEEM, THOU DELEGATE OF HEAV'N, THESON OF THE SUPREME] RULED BY TH'ETERNAL LAWS, SUPREME O'ER ALL, KINGDOMS, LIKE KINGS, SUCCESSIVE RISE AND FALL. WHEN CAESAR CONQUER'D HALF THE EARTH, AND SPREAD HIS EAGLES IN BRITANNIA'S SUN, DID CAESAR DREAM THE SAVAGE HUTS HE WON SHOULD GIVE A FAR-FAMED KINGDOM BIRTH? THAT HERE SHOULD ROMAN FREEDOM LIGHT; THE WESTERN MUSES WING THEIR FLIGHT; THE ARTS, THE GRACES, FIND THEIR FAV'RITE HOME; OUR ARMIES AWE THE GLOBE, AND BRITAIN RIVAL ROME? THUS, IF TH'ALMIGHTY SAY, "LET FREEDOM BE," THOU, CORSICA] THY GOLDEN AGE SHALT SEE, REJOICE WITH SONGS, REJOICE WITH SMILES; WORLDS YET UNFOUND, AND AGES YET UNBORN, SHALL HAIL A NEW BRITANNIA IN HER MORN, THE QUEEN OF ARTS, THE QUEEN OF ISLES; THE ARTS, THE BEAUTEOUS TRAIN OF PEACE, SHALL RISE AND RIVAL ROME AND GREECE; A NEWTON NATURE'S BOOK UNFOLD SUBLIME; A MILTON SING TO HEAV'N, AND CHARM THE EAR OF TIME] Õ TO THE TUNE OF THE YELLOW-HAIR'D LADDIEå IN MAY WHEN THE GOWANS APPEAR ON THE GREEN; AND FLOWERS IN THE FIELD AND THE FOREST ARE SEE; WHERE LILIES BLOOM BONNY, AND THE HAWTHORN SPRINGS, THE YELLOW-HAIR'D LADDIE OFT WHISTLES AND SINGS. BUT NEITHER THE SHADES, NOR THE SWEETS OF THE FLOWERS, NOR THE BLACKBIRDS THAT WARBLED ON BLOSSOMING BOW'RS, COULD PLEASURE HIS EYE, OR HIS EAR ENTERTAIN; FOR LOVE WAS HIS PLEASURE, AND LOVE WAS HIS PAIN. THE SHEPHERD THUS SUNG, WHILE HIS FLOCKS ALL AROUND DREW NEARER AND NEARER, AND SIGH'D TO THE SOUND: AROUND AS IN CHAINS LAY THE BEASTS OF THE WOOD, WITH PITY DISARMED, WITH MISIC SUBDU'D. YOUNG JESSY IS FAIR AS THE SPRING'S EARLY FLOWER, AND MARY SINGS SWEET AS THE BIRD IN HER BOWER BUT PEGGY IS FAIRER AND SWEETER THAN THEY; WITH LOOKS LIKE THE MORNING, WITH SMILES LIKE THE DAY. IN THE FLOWER OF HER YOUTH, IN THE BLOOM OF EIGHTEEN, OF VIRTUE THE GODDESS, OF BEAUTY THE QUEEN: ONE HOUR IN HER PRESENCE AN ERA EXCELS AMID COURTS WHERE AMBITION WITH MISERY DWELLS. FAIR TO THE SHEPHERD THE NEW-SPRINGING FLOW'RS, WHEN MAY AND WHEN MORNING LEAD ON THE GAY HOURS: BUT PEGGY IS BRIGHTER AND FAIRER THAN THEY; SHE'S FAIR AS THE MORNING AND LOVELY AS MAY. SWEET TO THE SHEPHERD THE WILD WOODLAND SOUND, WHEN LARKS SING ABOVE HIM, AND LAMBS BLEAT AROUND; BUT PEGGY FAR SWEETER CAN SPEAK AND CAN SING THAN THE NOTES OF THE WARBLERS THAT WELCOME THE SPRING. WHEN IN BEAUTY SHE MOVES BY THE BROOK OF THE PLAIN, YOU WOULD CALL HER A VENUS NEW SPRUNG FROM THE MAIN: WHEN SHE SINGS, AND THE WOODS WITH THEIR ECHOES REPLY, YOU WOULD THINK THAT AN ANGEL WAS WARBLING ON HIGH. YE POW'RS THAT PRESIDE OVER MORTAL ESTATE] WHOSE NOD RULETH NATURE, WHOSE PLEASURE IS FATE; O GRANT ME, O GRANT ME, THE HEAV'N OF HER CHARMS] MAY I LIVE IN HER PRESENCE, AND DIE IN HER ARMS] NO LONGER HOARY WINTER REIGNS, NO LONGER BINDS THE STREAMS IN CHAINS, OR HEAPS WITH SNOW THE MEADS; ARRAY'D WITH ROBE OF RAINBOW-DYE AT LAST THE SPRING APPEARS ON HIGH, AND, SMILING OVER EARTH AND SKY, HER NEW CREATION LEADS. THE SNOWS CONFESS A WARMER RAY, THE LOOSEN'D STREAMLET LOVES TO STRAY AND ECHO DOWN THE DALE; THE HILLS UPLIFT THEIR SUMMITS GREEN, THE VALES MORE VERDANT SPREAD BETWEEN THE CUSHET IN THE WOOD UNSEEN COOS CEASELESS TO THE GALE. THE RAINBOW ARCHING WOOS THE EYE WITH ALL THE COLOURS OF THE SKY, WITH ALL THE PRIDE OF SPRING; NOW HEAVEN DESCENDS IN SUNNY SHOWERS, THE SODDEN FIELDS PUT ON THE FLOWERS, THE GREEN LEAVES WAVE UPON THE BOWERS, AND BIRDS BEGIN TO SING. THE CATTLE WANDER IN THE WOOD, AND FIND THE WONTED VERDANT FOOD, BESIDE THE WELL-KNOWN RILLS; BLITHE IN THE SUN THE SHEPHERD SWAIN LIKE PAN ATTUNES THE PAST'RAL STRAIN, WHILE MANY ECHOES SEND AGAIN THE MUSIC OF THE HILLS. AT EVE, THE FLOWERY PATH ALONG, THE MILKMAID SHORTENS WITH A SONG HER SOLITARY WAY; SHE SEES THE FAIRIES, WITH THEIR QUEEN, TRIP HAND-IN-HAND THE CIRCLED GREEN, AND HEARS THEM RAISE AT TIMES, UNSEEN, THE EAR-INCHANTING LAY. MARIA, COME] NOW LET US ROVE, NOW GATHER GARLANDS IN THE GROVE, OF EVERY NEW-SPRUNG FLOWER; WE'LL HEAR THE WARBLINGS OF THE WOOD, WE'LL TRACE THE WINDINGS OF THE FLOOD; O COME THOU, FAIRER THAN THE BUD UNFOLDING IN A SHOWER] FAIR AS THE LILY OF THE VALE, THAT GIVES ITS BOSOM TO THE GALE AND SWEETER THAN THY FAVOURITE DOVE, THE VENUS OF THE VERNAL GROVE, ANNOUNCING TO THE CHOIRS OF LOVE THEIR TIME OF BLISS BEGUN. NOW, NOW, THE SPRING OF LIFE APPEARS; FAIR IN THE MOURNING OF THY YEARS, AND MAY OF BEAUTY CROWN'D: NOW VERNAL VISIONS MEET THINE EYES, POETIC DREAMS TO FANCY RISE, AND BRIGHTER DAYS IN BETTER SKIES:- ELYSIUM BLOOMS AROUND. NOW, NOW'S THE MORNING OF THE DAY; BUT AH] THE MORNING FLIES AWAY. AND YOUTH IS ON THE WING; 'TIS NATURE'S VOICE, "O PULL THE ROSE, NOW WHILE THE BUD IN BEAUTY BLOWS, NOW WHILE THE OPENING LEAVES DISCLOSE THE INSCENCE OF THE SPRING]" WHAT YOUTH, HIGH-FAVOUR'D OF THE SKIES, WHAT YOUTH SHALL WIN THE BRIGHTEST PRIZE THAT NATURE HAS IN STORE? WHOSE CONSCIOUS EYES SHALL MEET WITH THINE WHOSE ARMS THY YIELDING WAIST ENTWINE; WHO, RAVISH'D WITH THY CHARMS DIVINE, REQUIRES OF HEAVEN NO MORE] NOT HAPPIER THE PRIMAEVAL PAIR, WHEN A NEW-MADE EARTH SUPREMELY FAIR, SMILED ON HER VIRGIN SPRING; WHEN ALL WAS FAIR TO GOD'S OWN EYE, WHEN STARS CONSENTING SUNG ON HIGH, WHEN ALL HEAVEN'S CHORUS MADE THE SKY WITH HALLELUJAHS RING. DEVOTED TO THE MUSES' CHOIR, I TUNE THE CALEDONIAN LYRE TO THEMES OF HIGH RENOWN:- NO OTHER THEME THAN YOU I'LL CHUSE, THAN YOU INVOKE NO OTHER MUSE: NOR WILL THAT GENTLE HAND REFUSE THY BARD WITH BAYS TO CROWN. WHERE HILLS BY STORIED STREAMS ASCEND, MY DREAMS AND WAKING WISHES TEND POETIC EASE TO WOO: WHERE FAIRY SINGERS CHARM THE GROVE WHERE GRECIAN SPIRITS ROUND ME ROVE, ALONE ENAMOUR'D WITH THE LOVE OF NATURE AND OF YOU] A RUSTIC YOUTH (HE SEEKS NO BETTER NAME) ALIKE UNKNOWN TO FORTUNE AND TO FAME, ACKNOWLEDGING A DEBT HE NE'ER CAN PAY, FOR THEE,O MILLAR] FRAMES THE ARTLESS LAY: THAT YET HE LIVES, THAT VITAL WARMTH REMAINS, AND LIFE'S RED TIDE BOUNDS BRISKLY THRO' HIS VEINS; TO THEE HE OWES. HIS GRATEFUL HEART BELIEVE, AND TAKE HIS THANKS SINCERE: 'TIS ALL HE HAS TO GIVE. M'EWEN GONE] AND SHALL THE MOURNFUL MUSE A TEAR UNTO HIS MEMORY REFUSE? FORBID IT, ALL YE POWERS THAT GUARD THE JUST, YOUR CARE HIS ACTIONS, AND HIS LIFE YOUR TRUST, THE RIGHTEOUS PERISH] IS M'EWEN DEAD? IN HIM RELIGION, VIRTUE'S FRIEND, IS FLED. MODEST IN STRIFE, BOLD IN RELIGION'S CAUSE, HE SOUGHT TRUE HONOUR IN HIS GOD'S APPLAUSE. WHAT MANLY BEAUTIES IN HIS WORKS APPEAR, CLOSE WITHOUT STRAINING, AND CONCISE THOUGH CLEAR. THOUGH SHORT HIS LIFE, NOT SO HIS DEATHLESS FAME, SUCCEEDING AGES SHALL REVERE HIS NAME. HAIL, BLEST IMMORTAL, HAIL] WHILE WE ARE TOST, THY HAPPY SOUL IS LANDED ON THE COAST, THAT LAND OF BLISS, WHERE ON THE PEACEFUL SHORE THOU VIEW'ST WITH PLEASURE ALL THY DANGERS O'ER; LAID IN THE SILENT GRAVE, THY HONOUR'D DUST EXPECTS THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST. WINGED WANDERER OF THE SKY] INHABITANT OF HEAVEN HIGH] DREADFUL WITH THY DRAGON-TAIL, HYDRA-HEAD, AND COAT OF MAIL] WHY DOST THOU MY PEACE MOLEST? WHY DOST THOU DISTURB MY REST? WHEN IN MAY THE MEADS ARE SEEN, SWEET ENAMEL] WHITE AND GREEN; AND THE GARDENS, AND THE BOWERS, AND THE FORESTS, AND THE FLOWERS, DON THEIR ROBES OF CURIOUS DYE, FINE CONFUSION TO THE EYE; DID I, CHASE THEE IN THY FLIGHT? DID I, SPOIL THY TREASURE HID? NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, DID. ENVIOUS NOTHING] PRAY BEWARE; TEMPT MINE ANGER, IF YOU DARE. TRUST NOT IN THY STRENGTH OF WING; TRUST NOT IN THY LENGTH OF STING. HEAVEN NOR EARTH SHALL THEE DEFEND; I THY BUZZING SOON WILL END. TAKE MY COUNSEL, WHILE YOU MAY; DEVIL TAKE YOU IF YOU STAY. WILT, THOU, DARE, MY, FACE, TO, WOUND?- THUS I FELL THEE TO THE GROUND. DOWN AMONGST THE DEAD MEN, NOW THOU SHALT FORGET THOU ERE WAST THOU. ANACREONTIC BARDS BENEATH, THUS SHALL WAIL THEE AFTER DEATH. CHORUS OF ELYSIAN BARDS A WASP, FOR A WONDER, TO PARADISE UNDER DESCENDS. SEE] HE WANDERS BY STYX'S MEANDERS] BEHOLD HOW HE GLOWS AMIDST RHODOPE'S SNOWS; HE SWEATS, IN A TRICE, IN THE REGIONS OF ICE] LO] HE COOLS, BY GOD'S IRE, AMIDST BRIMSTONE AND FIRE] HE GOES TO OUR KING, AND HE SHOWS HIM HIS STING; (GOD PLUTO LOVES SATIRE, AS WOMEN LOVE ATTIRE); OUR KING SETS HIM FREE, LIKE FAM'D EURYDICE. THUS A WASP COULD PREVAIL O'ER THE DEVIL AND HELL, A CONQUEST BOTH HARD AND LABOURIOUS] THO' HELL HAD FAST BOUND HIM, AND THE DEVIL DID CONFOUND HIM, YET HIS STING AND HIS WING WERE VICTORIOUS. A WEB I HEAR THOU HAST BEGUN, AND KNOW'ST NOT WHEN IT MAY BE DONE -- SO DEATH UNCERTAIN SEE YE FEAR -- FOR EVER DISTANT,EVER NEAR. SEE'ST THOU THE SHUTTLE QUICKLY PASS -- THINK MORTAL LIFE IS AS THE GRASS -- AN EMPTY CLOUD -- A MORNING DREAM -- A BUBBLE RISING ON THE STREAM. THE KNIFE STILL READY TO CUT OFF EXCRESCENT KNOTS THAT MAR THE STUFF, TO STERN AFFLICTION'S ROD COMPARE -- 'TIS FOR THY GOOD,SO LEARN TO BEAR. TOO FULL A QUILL OFT CHECKS THE SPEED OF SHUTTLE FLYING BY THE REED -- SO RICHES OFT KEEP BACK THE SOUL, THAT ELSE WOULD HASTEN TO ITS GOAL. THINE EYE THE WEB RUNS KEENLY O'ER FOR THINGS AMISS,UNSEEN BEFORE -- THUS SCAN THY LIFE -- MEND WHAT'S AMISS -- NEXT DAY CORRECT THE FAULTS OF THIS. FOR WHEN THE WEB IS AT AN END, 'TIS THEN TOO LATE A FAULT TO MEND -- LET THOUGHT OF THIS AWAKEN DREAD -- REPENTENCE DWELLS NOT WITH THE DEAD. YE VIRGINS] FOND TO BE ADMIR'D, WITH MIGHTY RAGE OF CONQUEST FIR'D, AND UNIVERSAL SWAY; WHO HEAVE TH'UNCOVER'D BOSOM HIGH, AND ROLL A FOND, INVITING EYE, ON ALL THE CIRCLE GAY] YOU MISS THE FINE AND SECRET ART TO WIN THE CASTLE OF THE HEART, FOR WHICH YOU ALL CONTEND; THE COXCOMB TRIBE MAY CROWD YOUR TRAIN, BUT YOU WILL NEVER, NEVER GAIN A LOVER, OR A FRIEND. IF THIS YOUR PASSION, THIS YOUR PRAISE TO SHINE, TO DAZZLE, AND TO BLAZE, YOU MAY BE CALL'D DIVINE: BUT NOT A YOUTH BENEATH THE SKY WILL SAY IN SECRET, WITH A SIGH, "O WERE THAT MAIDEN MINE]" YOU MARSHALL, BRILLIANT, FROM THE BOX, FANS, FEATHERS, DIAMONDS, CASTLED LOCKS YOUR MAGAZINE OF ARMS; BUT 'TIS THE SWEET SEQUESTER'D WALK, THE WHISPERING HOUR, THE TENDER TALK, THAT GIVES YOUR GENUINE CHARMS. THE NYMPH-LIKE ROBE, THE NATURAL GRACE, THE SMILE, THE NATIVE OF THE FACE, REFINEMENT WITHOUT ART; THE EYE WHERE PURE AFFECTION BEAMS, THE TEAR FROM TENDERNESS THAT STREAMS, THE ACCENTS OF THE HEART; AT TIMES, TO VEIL, IS TO REVEAL, AND TO DISPLAY, IS TO CONCEAL; MYSTERIOUS ARE YOUR LAWS] THE VISION'S FINER THAN THE VIEW; HER LANDSCAPE NATURE NEVER DREW SO FAIR AS FANCY DRAWS. A BEAUTY, CARELESSLY BETRAY'D, ENAMOURS MORE, THAN IF DISPLAY'D ALL WOMAN'S CHARMS WERE GIVEN; AND O'ER THE BOSOM'S VESTAL WHITE, THE GAUZE APPEARS A ROBE OF LIGHT, THAT VEILS, YET OPENS, HEAVEN. SEE VIRGIN EVE, WITH GRACES BLAND, FRESH BLOOMING FROM HER MAKER'S HAND, IN ORIENT BEAUTY BEAM] FAIR ON THE RIVER-MARGIN LAID, SHE KNEW NOT THAT HER IMAGE MADE THE ANGEL IN THE STREAM. STILL ANCIENT EDEN BLOOMS YOUR OWN BUT ARTLESS INNOCENCE ALONE SECURES THE HEAVENLY POST; FOR IF, BENEATH AN ANGEL'S MIEN, THE SERPENT'S TORTUOUS TRAIN IS SEEN, OUR PARADISE IS LOST. O NATURE, NATURE, THINE THE CHARM] THY COLOURS WOO, THY FEATURES WARM, THY ACCENTS WIN THE HEART] PARISIAN PAINT OF EVERY KIND, THAT STAINS THE BODY OR THE MIND, PROCLAIMS THE HARLOT'S ART. THE MIDNIGHT MINSTREL OF THE GROVE, WHO STILL RENEWS THE HYMN OF LOVE, AND WOOS THE WOOD TO HEAR; KNOWS NOT THE SWEETNESS OF HIS STRAIN, NOR THAT, ABOVE THE TUNEFUL TRAIN, HE CHARMS THE LOVER'S EAR, THE TREMBLING FRAME, THE LIVING CHEEK, WHERE, LIKE THE MORNING, BLUSHES BREAK TO CRIMSON O'ER THE BREAST; THE LOOK WHERE SENTIMENT IS SEEN, FINE PASSIONS MOVING O'ER THE MIEN, AND ALL THE SOUL EXPREST; YOUR BEAUTIES THESE: WITH THESE YOU SHINE AND REIGN ON HIGH BY RIGHT DIVINE, THE SOVEREIGNS OF THE WORLD; THEN TO YOUR COURT THE NATIONS FLOW; THE MUSE WITH FLOWERS THE PATH WILL STREW WHERE VENUS' CAR IS HURL'D. FROM DAZZLING DELUGES OF SNOW, FROM SUMMER NOON'S MERIDAN GLOW, WE TURN OUR ACHING EYE, TO NATURE'S ROBE OF VERNAL GREEN, TO THE BLUE CURTAIN ALL SERENE, OF AN AUTUMNAL SKY. THE FAVOURITE TREE OF BEAUTY'S QUEEN, BEHOLD THE MYRTLE'S MODEST GREEN, THE VIRGIN OF THE GROVE] SOFT FROM THE CIRCLET OF HER STAR, THE TENDER TURTLES DRAW THE CAR OF VENUS AND OF LOVE. THE GROWING CHARM INVITES THE EYE, SEE MORNING GRADUAL PAINT THE SKY WITH PURPLE AND WITH GOLD] SEE SPRING APPROACH WITH SWEET DELAY] SEE ROSEBUDS OPEN TO THE RAY, AND LEAF BY LEAF UNFOLD] WE LOVE TH'ALLURING LINE OF GRACE, THAT LEADS THE EYE A WANTON CHASE AND LETS THE FANCY ROVE; THE WALK OF BEAUTY EVER BENDS AND STILL BEGINS BUT NEVER ENDS THE LABYRINTH OF LOVE. THE ZONE OF VENUS, HEAVENLY-FINE, IS NATURE'S HANDY-WORK DIVINE, AND NOT TE WEB OF ART; AND THEY WHO WEAR IT NEVER KNOW TO WHAT ENCHANTING CHARM THEY OWE THE EMPIRE OF THE HEART. THE SWEET SEQUESTER'D WALK. THE MUSE WITH FLOWERS THE PATH WILL STREW. SEE SPRING APPROACH WITH SWEET DELAY. O NATURE, NATURE, THINE THE CHARM. THY ACCENTS WIN MY HEART.