Dying Soliloquy

N APOLEO N ’ S

D Y YI NG SOLI LOQU ,

A N D

QB t h e r 13 0 2 111 5 .

B Y T H O M S W A S T E A R T .

’ — L homme cs ! n é i bre e t a rt o ut l l e st d a n s le s fe rs . J . J . RO USSEAU . l , p

LONDON

JAMES RI DGWAY AN S S P D ON , ICCADILLY.

M DC C C X X XI V.

P R E F A C E .

NO a ccurate estimate of the character of

Napoleon has be e n attempted to ha ve been formed in the subsequent Poem . It is the

a a n d position of the f llen fettered monarch , like

fEsch lus that of Prometheus in the tragedy of y ,

e e that has been mbodied with s ntiment, by the

n . imagi ation of the poet Sublime , although may be the idea of the pe rson iﬁca tion of the son

' of a of I petus and Clymene , that Lucifer Grecian

r W fable , glo ying in his mighty deeds , hile writhing

under the wrath of an avenging Jove ; yet not

of n less grand were the representation Napoleo , (if depicted by abler hands than mine) pourtrayed

as prouder than the son of the Titans disdaining

t o give vent to his sufferings ; whilst he expires

i n of an ex le , abando ed , the Ariadne his empires ,

on — lor a desert isle . Behind him his g y should 0 i v tower like a pyramid ; so lofty that even those

Who saw it reared , could hardly follow with their eyes the progress of the rising pile . Hurled down

its from pinnacle , to beneath the base of the

ﬁ rst- fa bric he himself had built , lies this born of

’ He ﬁre s Cybele s race . has been blasted by the of of Heaven , yet upward turns a gaze proud d e ﬁa n ce upon the hand that smote him . He confesses hi s glorious guilt ; revolts from peni tence ; a n d scoffs at pardon . H e contemplates

. H e futurity with awe , yet not with fear gazes upon death with steadfast eye ; dwells upon its

from horrors , yet shrinks not them then calmly

bares his intrepid bosom to the inevitable dart .

H e is depicted a s expiring friendless ; for a l

though the object of the tenderest regard , and

on most anxious solicitude the part of others , he

n ot o ff w feels that recipr city of a ection , ithout which friendship cannot exist For let it be

re m d so re ﬁn e d me bered , there are min s of highly

a temperament , that they are doomed , in their

- t o fa r painful pre eminence , soar beyond all

. s s human sympathy There are men , who e geniu is too expansive to be con ﬁn e d within those nar

row m b and social li its , y which ordinary passions

and interests are blended and bo unded in the f o . e e common tenor existence Exclud d , as gr at

a be a talent must lmost always , from all comm

nion of feeling , it recoils upon itself, and is com

e lle d a p to create some ide l object , on which it

its i ts f may expend energies , repose a fections ;

whereon it may expatiate , wherewith it may com

bine . Such is the hypothesis , whereby I should

be tempted to explain the formation of the uni

ﬁn i e l . i n t verse Such , although in an y lower

of degree , is the solution of all the problems

human ambition . Napoleon must have been

his either the friend or the rival , had they been

o f l ae o r contemporaries, Alexander , Syl a , C sar ,

of Con stantine . The union of any two such minds would probably have effected the total

extinction of the liberties of mankind , while their

B ut collision must have convulsed the world .

a ole on n N p k ew no equal , and consequently could have no friend .

All allusion to the empress ; or to the offspring vi of the expiring hero, has been purposely avoided

. or in the following soliloquy Conjugal , even

a re paternal tenderness , seldom feelings predo minant in the breasts of those who have expended e xistence on the stern pursuits of philosophy or

ambition . It i s in the common tenor of life that

a a n d those ami ble weaknesses usurp , in some

No r measure supply the place of exalted virtues .

is the absence of such passions from the deathbed .

of or Napoleon improbable , at least without pre

ha s a s cedent . Plato represented Socrates men

t i on i n d e v g , only to esire the r mo al of Xantippe

and her son from his dying presence .

a It is probable , that , when the gradual p

proach of death allows of some space for re ﬂe c t o d i n , the bias which has inclined our min s in

d e the game of life , will yet irect their ne rgie s

d o f uring the last struggles existence . Yet some

b e ma an d casual o stacl y obstruct its progress , the

ball may diverge from its common centre . What ever then might have been the passion that still

reigned in the breast of Napoleon at the hour of

his decease ; or whatever the moralist may W l Sh vii

that it should have been ; the poet is not re strained by any improbability from imagining the

e strongest passion to have been r venge . And

h 1 8 only wit in the limits of probabili ty , poetry ,

h e rson iﬁe s a s Whic p either character , action , or p

con ﬁn e d . e t sion , imperatively L , therefore , the

expiring warrior anticipate the lapse of years ;

the judgment of heaven ; and the vengeance of

mankind . Let him behold the nations a rou sed

from the torpor of their ignominious sloth . Let

' him behold the sceptre wrenched from the e ﬁe minate grasp of enervated despotism exulting that his chains shall be fast rivetted upon his

Oppressors ; or cast as a legitimate inheritance

upon their proscribed and unpitied race .

Audi am e t b ie c mane s v e n ie t mihi ama su im ; f b os .

If ! be , alas he cannot po urtrayed as sy mpa thisin e fo r e g with thos who , struggling fr edom ,

i e advocate the proudest r ghts of r ason , and con sequently the most noble and inalienable posses

n ; e be sions of manki d still , how ver , he cannot ,

1n o m e n t ima in e d to for a , g have entertained any z other feelings t han those of con te mpt for the im be cility of puny despotism . His absolute empire

wa s effected by gigantic conquest ; and sustained

by fa scin a ting glory while the dominion of most

of ho those monarchs w preceded him , and whose

ha s him n sway survived , origi ated in the bar

a n n b rous ig ora ce , and is maintained by the brutal

of . degradation , mankind

In o rder to complete the elucidation of the

o following Poem , it nly remains that some few observations should be subjoined with regard to

fo r i n the religion of Napoleon . Unhappily the

t e re sts o f u tr th , hypocrisy may always be tendered

to the world instead of its prototype ; and will

a readily be accepted as a leg l payment , and per

haps may often pass a s the most current coin .

difﬁcult It becomes therefore , although necessary ,

t o distinguish the profession of a faith grounded

of su e rﬁcia l on motives policy, from a p conviction

’ of n its truth , which puts the believer s si cerity to

n o very trying test . Napoleon professe d himself

t o be a Christian ; he re -established Christi a nity

his it s to in dominions , and called upon ministers i ratify , and sanct on by their authority and their ix

r presence, seve al of the most important actions of

r his his life . Fo whatever might have been phi

loso h sa criﬁce d . p y, it was at the shrine of power

Frederick II . of Prussia , would , most probably , never have legally recalled the worship of the true

a d i t f ith , had he foun , like Napoleon , banished from his empire disregarded by the mass of the nation ; scoffed at by the ribald ry o f the mob ; n e glected by the indifference of the great ; while it was scorned and undermined by the cru de Opinions of an overwhelming maj ority of those who enjoyed

of a . the reputation learning and t lent Yet, when such wa s the state of feeling that pe rv aded his ff empire , the victor of Marengo o ered incense on

o St . the altars f Christ . Genevieve wa s reinstated a s in the protectress of her country , the temples

of St . the capital ; while Napoleon was , with sur

re titious . p piety, introduced into the calendar

t But it is implici ly to be believed , that the recep tion of the saint in heaven was more ﬂattering

his . how than that of religion upon earth Yet, ever God may have been supposed to have directed

the policy which pandered his sanctuary to th e ambition of a conqueror ; France wa s but li ttle

ﬂa tte re d for by the condescension ; and while ,

e diﬁca tion of her greater , the catalogue her saints

was augmented , it is to be feared that the num ber of their votaries wa s decreased . It can hardly be supposed that Napoleon could have formed so erroneous an estimate of

t o public Opinion , as have believed that in France the re -establishment of the Catholic faith could ha ve promoted the consolidation of his empire .

o i wa s Yet when aiming at Eur pean domin on , he aware that in every country , excepting his own polished land , superstition might play a powerful

n . He if not a becomi g part respected , nay even adorned the shrine of Borromeo at Milan a l though he imprisoned , and is accused of having

’ gre atly insulted God s e arthly vicegerent at Fon t a in ble a u . Hypocrisy can a lon e expl a in a n d re

concile actions so contradictory, and conduct so

. d anomalous I am , therefore , force to conclude (however fervently the truth of my conclusion is

to be deprecated) , that the practical tenor of Na

’ ole on s i s an i n ﬁ e l p life that of apparent d . Yet xi

such were his talents, that surely his incredulity must obtain (however unavailing it may be ) the excuse of having sprung from philosophical prin ci le p , and of having been established on deliberate conviction .

Let it not be imagined that this Opinion ha s been hazarded in order to blast the reputation of

the . i s glorious dead It enj oined upon Christians ,

the in sacred volume , not to judge , lest they

d should be judge . I condemn none for their

fo r creed , nor their scepticism ; and only claim

that indulgence for myself, which I so willingly

concede to others . It were desirable that this

sentiment were universal ; and , in a country

i s so ha s where personal freedom highly prized ,

a n d been so dearly acquired , is so courageously

e maintain d , that the trammels which fetter the

understanding should at length be rent asunder ;

and that Britons, while they have provided so

abundantly for the liberty of their bodies , should

not be liable to t he a ccusation of having over

he looked t slavery of their minds .

When another ge neration sh a ll have succeed e d to the present, an historian may perchance arise ,

a n d who may be able to estimate with accuracy,

to delineate with ﬁd e lity the character of Napo

difﬁ cult leon . Yet the task will be , whatever be

of the hands into which it may fall . Master the langua ge in which he writes possessed of patient

research and accurate discrimination ; the histo

rian of this eventful period will still ﬁn d it a trying

o f undertaking, to judge with candour actions,

- s oi rit which have been misrepresented by party l ,

m a n d m exaggerated by the ignorance of so e, di i n ishe d by the jealous incredulity of others . Let him remember , that in historical composition e every epithet must be carefully weigh d , every fact must be fully substantiated ; whilst every

action must be exhibited in its proper position , and With i ts suitable light . Let him beware o f pourtraying dramatic sketches of character ; of instituting i n a pproPri a te comparisons ; or of being betrayed into falsehood by heightening the colours of a contrast . The last of these insidious errors has been fatal to the reputation of many histo

a n d Vol rians, has crept even into the writings of ta ire . Such an author must soar superior to the

a e in ﬂue n ce of . b n ful Opinion , prejudice , and power

o If he aspire t being believed by others, let him begi n by being himself incredulous remembering

E icha rmus with Cicero and p ,

’ ’ N6 £ Ka i e va a cu rwr el v ¢ p p ,

i ' ipﬂpa r a ﬁr a r & v qi pe mby .

He must rise with the hero whom he describes . him But above all things, let beware of reducing

to any standard , on which he may himself have

ﬁxe d o f ﬁlle d , the actions a man whose fame the i world ; whose glory dazzled , whose urban ty con

ciliated , and at length captivated the nations

which he vanquished ; while it exalted, softened ,

and subdued his own .

N a le s A r i l 22 1 3 p , p , 83 .

C O N T E N T S .

‘ Nu o n z o s s D r m a S o mno q ur

AN EPI ST LE m o m AB E LA RD TO E LO I SE

Rxr' mm mxr'

12q O N T H E Ro w s o r S Y R AC USE

Eu o r O H T H E CO NVE M o r r u n G a om o o r AMAL FI

Lo v s , o n T H E GEN I U S o r CR E ATI O N

’ B E LSH A ! ! A R S FE A ST

TH E D YI N G RA PPAE L! T O m s Mi sr' a E s s

T H I a sr A N D SEC OND Anv mrr' s o r m s Ma s su n

NAPOLEON’ S

D Y I N G S O L I L O Q U Y.

D AY sinks ; yon Sun , now all but set ,

’ u Pa ses o er the level wave ,

And ere he plunges , proudly yet

Gilds the darkness of his grave .

‘ se t But shall I , like him , to rise , And stride again those azure skies ?

Or frowns , upon my vacant sight,

t ? A s arless, an eternal night

The buoyant sail , that glory bore

’ ’ un furl d Along , with empire s ﬂag ,

’ da sh d r Lies against a bar en shore ,

B y tempest that convulsed the world . 4

II .

Though once , from Douro to the Don ,

ou Insatiate conquest urged me ,

Till , casting Europe far behind ,

’ All Asia gra sPd my craving mind ;

’ ’ writh d con ﬁn d Then within the world ,

’ Like Philip s godlike son

ow on N mark me this narrow strand ,

Forlorn , the Ariadne of my empires stand ,

’ Aba n d on d and undone .

III .

But more than king, though reft of power ,

’ Still ﬂa she s from this withe r d frame ;

its Proud as in meridian hour ,

A soul not Death himself can tame .

’ Unbent, as though by kings obey d ,

’ ’ swa d This hand Cybele s sceptre y ,

’ ’ ’ ’ rin n ish d Vict r s Or th un d g bra d y blade .

IV .

— for Hopeless hope allures not him ,

’ Who once ca ll d half the world his own ;

The gems of common crowns grew dim

Before the footstool of that throne . — ' ? Fearless fo rsooth ha ve I to fear

Is this not hell ? or a m the ﬁrst

’ ’ That back on he a v n ha s hurl d i ts sneer ;

An d cursing ha s expired accurst ?

V .

t ! Come , Dea h too often we have

r That I should fear thee , or fo get

Thy life -devouring gaze

’ ’ ’ ’ Thy count I ve bala n c d ; tis the

That n ature j ustly pays

My seal upon the bond is se t ;

For thee ou r reckoning stays .

VI .

he But art thou , whose regal shape

’ So well could glory s image ape

Upon the battle -ﬁe ld

I sa w n ot then so ghastly leer

ﬁe shle ss ﬁe n d- The , hollow , like sneer ,

’ Thy gaze has now re v e a l d

I knew thee , when from my career

Re ﬂe cte d rays made thee appear

’ Some demi -god co n ce al d 6

’ a dorn d For then , thy skulking mien

’ a a rra d : Lied , in d zzling mask y

Now s cowling , monstrous , and obscene ,

’ Thy naked horrors fro wn disPla y d .

VI I .

’ Lifts up her voice the ra v n ous grave

Her portals yawn , she cries aloud ,

Behold the guerdon of the brave ,

The crawling worm , and slimy shroud .

I hear thy summons , hence avaunt ;

’ a No more my parting spirit t unt ,

ﬁe n d ! I follow , , away

e We meet at thy appoint d haunt ,

’ It is the de stin d day .

VI II .

’ e Tis not , fell tyrant , I would hid

Thy terrors from me , nor deride My nature ’ s awful doom Yet pant I like a burning bride

Expecting her bridegroom . Though there the very worm shall be

’ ri um ha n t re fe rr d me T p , and p to ,

Yet pant I for the tomb . IX .

t Then hence , prepare for thy repas ;

its Invite the worm , unfold coil ;

’ When gorg d on me thy guest at last

Will yield thee up a second Spoil .

X .

Thou canst no more my spirit freed

Shall gazing back , behold thee feed , Nor envy thee thy feast

As freeborn slave in bondage bent ,

hi s That feels galling fetters rent ,

’ to be re l Exults e a s d .

XI .

’ For Fate could never un compe ll d This Spirit from her womb evoke

While , from her hand , I deem withheld

n The dark , annihilati g stroke .

’ ha s Her plastic power but combin d ,

or e Can but degrade , el vate

a s Eternal herself, the mind

s a . Lives, and can only change its t te 8

Ev ’n in this dying hour I feel New energies within me rise That eloquent from death appeal

Demand admission to the skies .

X II .

Wh ? o y lurk thy terrors , Death c me now ,

’ ’ O e rshadow d by sepulchral night ;

’ low rin Destruction g from thy brow ,

While ﬂy before thee life and light . Place here thy hand upon my heart Ebbs faster ev ’ n one pulse away 7

own - a s Then , all conqueror thou art ,

’ That I at least have scorn d thy sway .

XI II .

But wherefore a m I ? have I been

The Sport of more than human power ;

The pageant of a passing scene ; The tempest of a troubled hour ?

’ As o er the plains the torrent sweeps

As winds bestride the bounding deeps ;

My course wa s with the strong

old The furthest isle Ocean keeps ,

’ - All trembled as I rush d along .

1 0

' C& sa r s n ow Like , an empty sound

Is all that of my power re mains The lord of half the world lies bound

’ In slavery s insulting chains .

XVII .

e Yet ah what victors , that elat ,

Timours of B a a z e t New their j ,

Can mangle thus a prostrate foe

’ f u a Who fear me in my all est te ,

And dread the being they bestow .

For oft in their intemperate sleep , f They feel their lesh around them creep , As grates my clanking chain

No r deem all yon Atlantic deep

My spirit can restrain .

XVII I . If d death have pangs , I har ly know ,

But only feel hi s race is ﬂeet

’ O e rm a n tle d ! woe had his pal , my

- Slept but my vengeance blood replete . — H e leaves my glory but for fame

’ Sufﬁce my laurels , neath their shade See France reclining proudly claim A ’ warrior s rest , and sheathe her blade . l l

X IX . ! ’ France at that sound , in Death s despite ,

Revives again my wonted might ,

That sluggish nature shakes

I feel a s erst I felt in ﬁght ;

’ The ca nnon s roar awakes ;

i of i D sperse around the hues n ght ,

The dawn of glory breaks .

ou My sword , my charger , , away ; Why loiter all my slaves ?

My charger , Speed yet none obey

’ ? Is t then my fancy raves

XX .

Pause , reason , pause one moment more , i And light me t ll I grasp the shore ,

That bounds the gulf of time : h If life wit all thy rays be dark ,

Without thee who shall moor his bark

To y on be nighted clime

From whence n o beacon shines

’ ’ Where wre ck d is all the sailor s art ;

Whe re compass points not where no chart

’ The fa th mle ss port d e ﬁn e s 12

’ Whereto impe ll d by fatal gale

’ d ri v n u Is desperate the str ggling sail , No anchor can retain

’ o Till swept within the whirlpo l s verge ,

’ ’ ’ whe lm d Tis great God , shall it emerge From that fell deep again ?

XXI .

c Land of my love , shall ba k to thee ,

No more to stray , my soul return

If its , from dark dominion free ,

My spirit burst the narrow urn .

’ Land of my glory , ev n in death , For thee still bounds my fainting heart

While wafted on my latest breath ,

Thy name and life at once shall part .

t Land of my power, when thou wer mine , I all but gave the world to thee Opposing elements combine

Fate wrests a way the victory .

XXII . And save yon hell that red arose

mock e To t m from Siberian snows ,

’ ? Had earth beside a v a il d my foe s 1 3

' ha d t cro wn d Then hose puny slaves I ,

Still at my footstool B lin king round

Yet crouchin g kist my feet ;

Nor those my very breath had made ,

’ i la d The Brutus had so v lely p y ,

e Nor fre dom grasped , but love repaid — — B y daggers1 no deceit

XX III . ! Oh God , in this fair world of thine ,

Why should the human heart alone ,

d so Discor ant from great design ,

? Cry up in insult to thy throne

If earth contain an empty name , It surely must be that of friend

’ From he a v n the blest idea came , ﬁ i w n d t e . To , there must ascend

XX IV .

a re w t to What those vo s , hat once me

B n ? y shouting to gues, were loudly sworn

Speaks not the voice of Victory ? Are all a nation ’ s trophies torn ?

’ Those vows are broken ; Vict ry now

’ Ha s luck d p her laurels from my brow . 14

T hat hair ﬂ oa ts stre aming on the wind

con ﬁn d Which once an hundred wreaths ,

’ While gazing o er yon hostile deeps ,

Back to its native realms again ,

My soul on wings of fa ncy sweeps ,

’ Till rous d to drag its galling chain .

Nor gladder sound n ow greets my ear,

’ Than when the sea-bird s piercing cry

Proclaims the raging tempest near ;

Exulting a s he cleaves the sky .

X XV .

’ For ne er upon this ear again ,

’ Shall burst the trumpet s thrilling sound ;

No more upon the tented plain ,

This eye shall revelling roll around .

Oh ! had I in the ba ttle ﬁe ld

low Laid my head upon my shield , And sunk where ev’ n the bravest yield !

For sure the warrior ’ s softest grave

’ Is hollow d in the gory ground

’ Few tears are shed , but tis the brave ,

Who seldom weep, stand mute around . XXVI .

d Yet better suits my darksome moo ,

This ste rn and awful solitude

Than ga ze insulting should obtrude

‘ I ts pity on my parting sigh .

t - If af er ages shall inquire ,

ﬁre When faded from these lids their , If I had learnt to die

Ask it of those who saw me stand

’ Upon Marengo s plain , demand

’ Ev n let my foes reply .

XXVI I .

An d of is it on the bed death ,

8 s tiﬂin When faintly ga ps my g breath ,

“ That I shall lie to God , and crave

’ f o ? Li e s taunting bo n no , not to save A thousand lives , will bend the brave

I die , nor ask the shelter of a grave .

And if my soul a hell await ;

ﬁre Eternal pangs , eternal

o I will not so the , but curse the fate ,

T its hat blasts me in horrid ire . 1 6

XXVI II .

’ la d Say , gods or demons , have I p y

’ ’ ﬁ hts e n sn a r d The lion s part , that g

' e surve d While y , with scornful gaze , y

’ The Sport your bitter jest pre pa r d .

’ ’ ﬁx d Within my arena s bound ,

’ la sh d I , I shook the trembling ground

’ ’ ma rk d he mm d Nor what ramparts me round .

e e While y , uns en , from high beheld

’ ’ curb d im e ll d Now my rage , and now p

My fury on to madness drove , Till singly with the world I strove

’ D e s is d won P a throne already , d ? Undi what who had else undone .

XXIX .

Up up I hear the trumpet sound ! Awakes the world , oh were I free ,

’ Aban do n d d on the reeking groun ,

bu . Expiring , t in liberty

Wave only once , above my brow ,

’ e re Gallia s banner , I die ;

’ e edi Ev n Death , r c ng ; would allow

’ The boon th at ba rb rous foes deny .

XXXII . Behold the nati ons rise anon

Europe reddens with their gore ;

I se e the lofty victor don The mantle that my glory wore

ou But let him , ere he gird it ,

B e all that I have been before .

Else let him not this mantle lift,

’ a s D e a n i ra s That , dread j gift , May torture ere it smite

’ ’ Re me mb ri n in s ir d g that , by Fate P ,

’ Uprose I in this garb a t tir d

’

B . y gods , in man s despite

XXXIII .

’ Then shall I be a ve n g d— of hell

’ he a v n This hope , a more than will make

This dream will shades of death dispel ,

And parching thirst of anguish slake .

’ Then backward turu d again to earth , My soul shall revel in that mirth The damned may enjoy

For vengeance , though of heavenly birth ,

’ Ev n hell cannot destroy . ’ XXXIV . ! But , mark I vengeance ask alone ;

My wrongs the mildest would resent .

I ask not torture , not a groan

’ I could not ev n a worm torment .

An d can God torture ? were not then

’ The M aker by his work e xce ll d I

Can what blasphemes not God , in men

? B e up to execration held

X XXV .

When man , whom nobler nature sways ,

Disdains a prostrate victim , stays

’ His hand impe ll d to smite .

l d e ﬁe d A though a moment past , , For life he with his rival vied

’ And vengeance se e m d his right .

’ ’ No more ; the v a n q uish d lies un ha rm d

’ ’ Vict r disa rm d y , the victor has ;

The brave with equals ﬁght .

XXXVI . Then can God torture ? and prepare To grind an atom in his ire ? Gloat on the horrors of despair ?

’ he a v n r ? Can , f om hell , new bliss acquire 2 0

’ We i h d Can time , can crimes of worlds be g

With an eternity of woe ? Would not such vengeance God degrade

’ While it a bsolv d his wretched foe 7

XXXVII .

’ i n ur d Rise , j God to man restore

of The torch reason , and the grade

Creation granted him , before

Himself b e blind and bruta l made .

Rise , God , and rend the bonds of fate ;

Thy world destroy , or renovate

’ ’ u its ﬁrst For fall tis from estate,

And now ins ults thy might .

’ O r fa ll n if not , thou art not great

And Darkness shares the throne of Light . AN EPISTLE

F RO M

A B E L A R D T O E L O I S E .

Such i he re be who lo es so lon so well , f t , v g,

Le t him our sad our te n d r tor e ll. , e s y t

Po rn .

A LEXA NDE R POPE .

I F e in those r alms , where in Elysian rest

' ua ﬁ a Immortals q the nect r of the blest,

Could human voice on thy once melting ear Pour the faint music of this lower sphere

’ Then thou , the hard that had st me mounting sing

’ In placid skies where soar d thy downy wing , Should ' st hear the notes of thy neglected praise

Ennobling shield these un befriended lays .

is But ﬂed with thee thy Augustan age ,

’ Thy verse unsung , ev n closed thy classic page

ohn l Thy St . J sleeps thy Murray ives no more

’ To list to numbers he so lov d before .

Less softly ﬂows the silver Thames along ,

’ ! lull d Ah not now by thy melodious song .

The Muses , homeless , haunt no more those caves

- Where idly weep his once exulting waves .

But thou , triumphant in thy ﬂight sublime ,

Hast swept beyond the narrow bounds of time . 2 4

This vaunted world , to thee how little now !

How vain the wreath that bound thv lofty brow What though insulting Envy ’ s tainted breath

Would blight thy laurels on the shores of death

The venom back upon himself recoils ,

’ And snares the monster in his hateful toils .

to s If these numbers ome small praise belong ,

’ ’ a ttun d Tis that , to thy immortal song ,

it s My ear has caught echo from on high ,

’ ’ ’ While wa n d ri n g neath Auson ia s cloudless sky ;

’ e c Wh re almly rolls bright Arno s classic stream ,

’ ’ murm rin With g voice that lulls the poet s dream ,

’ Where music ﬂoa ts on every pe rfu m d breeze

’ That show rs down fragrance from the trembling

trees ;

’ e n a mour d of t While still , heir myrtle bowers , The wanton Graces chase the playful Hours

Where Art from Nature half her empire stole ,

To lure the eye , or lift the mounting soul

’ tra ck d There , while I anew thy course sublime ,

’ Mylips inhal d the spirit of the clime .

’ for i v n Forgiving me , thyself to be g ,

’ And taste on earth the happiness of he a v n . Until at length into thy dying ear

Should angels whisper , calming every fear

Ou high to God direct thy drooping eyes ,

Till ﬂoods of light should waft thee to the skies ; With not a sigh to mark thy latest breath ! And still thy smile be eloquent in death !

’ wa s ﬂo a te d o e r Such the dream that my mind ,

’ re si n d When I to God my Eloise g ,

m of No more the victi forbidden love ,

A saint aspiring t o her home above .

’ lull d ﬁre s to se e Still by hope my fancy ,

Her dreams of happiness awake on thee .

Before the cross I seem to see thee bend , l Adore thy God , and supp icate thy friend ;

o t m M re beau eous elting in repentant tears,

Thy virtue heightened by thy guilt appears ;

Thy burning anguish brightens every stain ,

Thy crimes forgotten while thy woes remain .

Those eyes all streaming, and that bosom torn , That once to love and Abelard were sworn

0 m N more with passion heaves that arble breast ,

Each wish forsaken , each desire at rest 2 7

Th y lips all tremble , yet no thrill of bliss

’ ’ Ha s stol n the sweetness of thy lover s kiss ;

’ a rch d But p and pale they move in silent prayer ,

No glowing warmth , no quivering pulse is there .

Around the cross thy arms in anguish thrown ,

Cling cold and li feless to the sculptured stone ;

’ o n Rests thy Saviour s feet thy head reclined ,

And pours out all thy soul to him resigned .

the Such fair saint imagination drew ,

a . Such , Abelard would fondly f ncy you

And couldst thou guilty to thy God aspire ,

? To feed his altar with unhallowed ﬁ re

To break the stillness of that calm retreat, Where deep devotion holds her pensive seat T here , all enraptured with thy love profane ,

To pant with passion through each rising vein ,

u - With s llied lips to join the sacred choir , And melt in transports mortal lusts inspire ?

’ rai s d on the When high vesper hymn ascends ,

What time thy vestal train around thee bends ,

’ un mov d a Canst thou the glad hos nnas hear ,

O r dies the music on thy lifeless ear ?

’ ’ Wakes not thy soul when pe a l d thro many an aisle

’ a e the -o e rsha dowin r Loud org ns shak high a pile , 2 8

’ - Steals no soft tear drop o er thy glistening eye , O r lifts thy bosom no congenial sigh

All cold and pale , what means thy mournful gaze ,

That so impassive all the pomp surveys .

The lifeless languor of that patient woe , That weeps not only for no tears will ﬂow

’ the sa d Alas tis guilt conclusion draws ,

That paints thy Abelard the fatal cause .

’ O n me the wrath of vengeful he a v n descend ( If not thy lover let me be thy friend)

of To me the anguish thy soul resign ,

B e — thou all innocence thy guilt be mine .

a n ow a I d re not , alas I c nnot love ,

Yet may I still a more than lover prove ; I To God may , thy guardian , reconcile

e . His erring child , while saints r joicing smile

Nor will the heaven that ﬂ o a t s before thy eyes

B e less if Abelard partake the prize .

’ o e rthro wn In ﬂoods of j oy thy fainting soul ,

’

own . Thou may st, my Eloise , be yet my ah ! But , how cold these feeble precepts ﬂow

From lips that warm With lingering passion glow ;

More ardent breathes thy deep desponding sigh , ! ﬂ Come , Abelard , ah haste thee , hither y 29

ﬂown — Already , my God forsaken , all

For . thee abandoned , I obey thy call

’ on a lull d Laid that breast th t my life before ,

There let me weeping wake the j oys of yore .

My shame betraying let me dying burn ,

With love whose passion can yield no return .

1 But ah ! what demon ﬁ re s my guilty soul

e . Hence , hence , y visions that around me roll

e e Hear not, y groves , y woods refuse to hear

The guilty sounds that strike your trembling ear . ! Too faithful , hark respondent to that sigh ,

The startled vales and echoing rocks reply .

’ ’ Unwonted here mid nature s deep repose ,

Where sleeps the forest , mute the fountain ﬂows

Where softly dallying with the trees below ,

The breezes whisper and forget to blow ;

Where frozen rocks , the burning sun between , With shades of gloom and terror intervene

’ Wh ile darkness sleeps beneath o e rma n tlin g

woods ,

Whose leafy vault the dying day excludes ;

Where groves within majestic groves recede, And waving forests still to forests lead

e e Where natur deadened in ternal gloom ,

Presents to life a picture of the tomb . 3 0

’ the of he av n e Although for thee joys I los ,

’ he a v n e too u . Dearer than , th e hard Fates ref se i In vain relig on would with pomp appal ,

Or back to God my wandering heart recal ;

’ t on e Yet should st thou only brea he feeble sigh ,

How quickly homeward to thy breast I ﬂy

of In dreams love my frantic soul consume, Awhile forgetti ng my relentless doom

’ fa mish d s i Till pas ion h gh my bosom swells ,

When shame awakening all the dream dispels .

e ! r e Roll back , y years retu n , y joyful hours ,

’ Whose footsteps glided o er a path of ﬂowe rs

le a sure Ere yet to b had thy Spotless mind ,

The calm repose of Innocence resigned ;

’ st ra d While seeking thine , these eyes unbidden y , Nor felt the wound t hat silent looks conveyed

As led by science through her magic grove ,

With careless steps we blameless loved to rove ;

ra ra s Where fanned by f g nt gales that oftly blew ,

’ r Beneath our feet enchanted ﬂow e t s grew .

a Spring g ily wantoned in the fairy scene ,

’ With wi nning smiles that woo d the budding green .

’ ft ‘ h to ric O o er the legends of g lore ,

‘ - Plea se d with . their toil , our eye lids used to pore ’ r Fo love had stol n the garb that learning wears ,

And unsuspected laid his artful snares,

The laughing boy assumed the look of age ,

Kindling his torch , to scan the lettered page

Our eyes bewildered by the tempting glare ,

’ Ga z ed till they caught the ﬁre that q uive r d there .

his Triumphant then mask aside he threw ,

Flutt ered his wings and smiling onward ﬂew ,

To where , reclining in her classic shade ,

The pensive goddess of the lyre wa s laid .

i a n The wild Eol an h rp , the soundi g shell ,

Awoke at interv a ls her echoing cell ;

’ ' While softly an swering bre a th d the murm ring

gale ,

’ whis ri n In dying accents p g down the dale .

There , where the willow hangs his head and weeps

’ u hi s In gracef l anguish o er native deeps ,

Our voices mingling melted in the sound Of falling waters as they dashed around ,

Or more melodious from thy faltering tongue ,

Fe ll the soft strains love -breathing bards had sung ;

’ ’ wa s While o er the lyre whene er this hand thrown ,

its a mmsic Sprang from touch not my own .

In every note the voice of loge arose ,

With real pangs I told ﬁctit ious woes . 3 2

—too Till, ah too fatal , , too fatal day

1 la ( well remember how you listening y) ,

’ wa s of While I reading that lover s bliss ,

Whose lips all trembling stole their fond ﬁrst kiss

’ ’ ! he av n And, oh twas when those sweet lips of thine

All-quivering panted a s they fed on mine

’ v ! wa n d ri n Forgi e me , God these g thoughts forgive,

’

n o t . For thee , and for love , tis mine to live Sister (since now ev ’n Abelard can claim

o From Eloise no m re endearing name) ,

Forget in dreams desce nding from above

our The sad remembrance of hapless love . Perchance in regions of eternal light

May parted lovers once again unite ;

’ Where some glad Eden s never-fading ﬂowe rs

May bloom to grace their hymeneal bowers .

’ t There on my breast thou guiltless may s recline ,

Our human passion changed to love divine .

When time no more shall transient j oy bestow,

B ut love immortal in thy breast shall glow

’ ' cha n e le ss b row While youth shall hover o er thy g ,

B e a s thou art , be all that thou art now ;

La bocca mi io u o re man e —DA NT E I N FE R bac . . t tt t t ,

3 4

wh But y arouse me to awake again ,

‘ ? The ﬂame that feeds my pa ssion a n d my pain

’ n ow se e Ev n I seem to thy tempting form ,

t Thy radiant eyes, thy breast with transpor warm

My heaving heart a dread oppression feels ,

A misty veil the light of day conceals ;

Fast through my lips my panting anguish thrills,

My bursting veins a ﬂood of passion ﬁlls

! e Oh spare , oh spare me , pitying God ; to the ,

ﬂe e . My only refuge , from myself I

e - In vain , y walls , your never changing gloom

Surrounds me with the silence of the tomb .

Back to the tempting world I left behind ,

Strays from its sacred home my wandering mind .

In vain , in vain , this holy garb I wear ;

Falls from my lips polluted ev ery prayer .

- No hymns of mine on seraph wings arise ,

’ Mid clouds of incense wafted to the skies .

God will not share the guilty love that burns ,

For him and thee , within my breast by turns . B y angry angels that surround his throne ,

a re Wide to the winds my idle vows blown .

Say, Eloisa , wilt thou then conspire , To rouse thy vengeful God to jealous ire ? 3 5

! e him Oh rath r come , to my heart resign ;

him e ! I give mor , for ah I give him thine ;

t For him a throne wi hin thy breast prepare ,

For even God might ﬁx his dwelling there .

! r t Ah w i e not to me , think no more of me ,

Thy Abelard no longer lives for thee . ? ’ Come to thee no, ev n love forbids thee now

To ﬁ re le ss . mark my eye , my furrowed brow

Fo r youth has ﬂed , nor left one trace behind ,

To paint that form he has to age resigned .

The glowing picture that thy fancy drew

i s ! . Deep on thy heart , , ah no longer true — But let me come , behold me now no more

The Abelard that ﬁ re d thy breast before

a m G ze on the victi of thy fatal ﬂame ,

Till grief, not passion , rouse thy guilty shame .

too - And learn , late , the dread heart rending doom

O n love attendant ere it reach the tomb .

’ That living death , when age s wasted form

Still burns with all its youthful pa ssion wa rm .

ﬁ re s What can love to light this gaze supply ,

For faintly beams my half-benighted eye ?

’ e Ah now, not ev n those lightening eyes of thin

on e Could strike last , faint , dying spark from mine ; 3 6

a n d s But cold cheerles as pale Dian glows ,

re ﬂec te d Her rays dim from frozen snows ,

ﬂa me Falls mute my glance , that once on wings of

a a s a t . Could waft e ch wish , from my he r it came

For thee glad Youth in all his gallant prime

Sm o oths as they furl the rutﬂe d plumes of Time ; Gilds the bright moments of the sunny hour

That tempts the blossom of the tender ﬂower .

A e To me dull g with chilling hand appears ,

To chain the foots teps of my lingering years .

Bids even death a dreader form assume ,

And scornful points in triumph to the tomb .

So when two ﬂowe rs one stem unites to bring

’ he Fair nature s tribute to t shrine of spring .

ﬁ rs t too n The , early blow , its bloom displays ,

And smiles (how soon away its envious days

s its t To cent the winds wan on fragrance ﬂings ,

s Then fade , but fading to the stem still clings

e t its d Whereon there hangs , y budding by si e ,

i ts The blushing partner of former pride .

So , linked by fate in one unequal chain,

We s ﬂowe rs , like tho e , united now remain . B y love forsaken , God , wilt thou receive,

? The wrec k that his insatiate passions l e ave ﬂ 3 7

o w N worn with care , who will for me assuage

O r share the sorrows of advancing age ?

’ ’ ca n r Tis youth alone friendship s joys impa t ,

T is youth that ﬁ rs t ﬁn ds access to the heart .

’ The boy s gay comrade grows his youthful friend ,

While breasts yet warm uniting pleasures blend .

low Both sinking their aged arms entwine ,

o n on e f . Lean sta f, beneath one tree recline

’ But can I now on love s soft breast repose ,

? T hat fa ithless friend my idle fancy chose

! m e cr outh Ah , my age his blooming y reviles ,

e e w With y that antons, and with lip that

smiles .

Again at thy neglected altar laid ,

ﬂ . Forgiving God , to thee I y for aid ff Home to thy breast thy helpless o spring take , 0 ! e! Forsake not him , God whom all forsak

The world , the wide , wide world contains for me

0 n ow ﬂe e N home , no friend to whom I can ,

e To shar the lonely warfare that I wage , h With guilt , with anguis , with deserted age .

Fa rewell — how much that one short word

contai ns !

the c - ? Adieu to , and what to me remai ns 3 8

se e the No , no ; I groves of Eden rise ,

An Openin g heaven expands before my eyes ;

On - e angel wings I seek their blest abod ,

And lose my Eloise to reach my God . R E T I R E M E T

a worm.

Lo ! he ﬂe e t i n radi an ro un d t y t ,

Years o f le n e a rs of o p ty , y j y

' Sorrow s l o n p ace n o more is f u d!

Care s ha vex or w s h t s ee a clo . t t , t t y

M AT I H A S.

T O T H E

T H I R D E D I T I O E T E E T N O F R I R M N .

TH E following Poem is again presented before the public in an altered , if not an emended form . It differs not less than its author from its former self.

Mutability may be a crime ; but let those who are of a similar Opinion illustrate their theory by anything that remains stationary (their own im pervious ignorance only excepted) in this variable

. u : world Tr th is , indeed , eternal but unhappily the daggers of mankind remain yet drawn and bloody to dispute the limits which ought to a sce r d V tain her peaceful abo e . irtue , reason , and

e e but r ligion are qually immutable ; hypocrisy , 44

m so sophistry , and vice have assumed asks which

o ri cunningly resemble their prototypes, that the ginals are undistingui shable from their port raits in the carnival of nations .

An Introduction has been pre ﬁxe d to the fol lowing Poem and the author fears that the portico may be accused of overshadowing the ff pile . But it will a ord a specimen of the struc ture of the building ; and give to those who object to its materials a warning to recross its threshold .

P i sa Nov . 22 1 , , 83 3 . A R G U M E N T .

— — I O I N The su e ro ose d. T al a re fe rs NT R D UCT O . bj ct p p h i p

t e fore s s o f H & mus the ﬂo ods o f H e bro o f A o n o f h t , , v , — Arn o o r of the M n o t o Ol m us . The re re me n o f , i ci y p ti t

— —Thc woo d the re re a o f the Virgil o f the lo ve r. s t t

- — — a d n f de n e r e o . po e t o f Pan o f O rph e us . Th G E

d v — The an e a the T he re tire me n t of Adam an E e . ch g th t

world un de rwe n — its a n e ss in its r me al s a e t ; h ppi p i v t t ,

a o f n la d w e n a s a a e l me a n d a ar rom the th t E g n h v g c i , p t f

omme r o f uro e —The mar o f e e a e c c e E p . ch vic k pt p c

w me - The o n ours ith tha t o f re ﬁn e me n t in a n cie n t R o . h

ar o f e ﬁn e me n t de cre e d t o war follo we d on the m ch r .

— — he The idola try o f Ambitio n Cice ro in re tire me n t . T — — wo ods a t e ve n ing a t s un rise th e ir con tras t afforde d

i — T he re re me n of by a city adorn e d with troph e s . ti t

n fr m the urmo l f e — a o f the as tro n o Scie ce o t i o citi s ; 7 th t

me r — The re ular f the l om are d w the . g ity o physica c p ith

d so rd l in h m ral w r — Th re me n i e r vis ib e t e o o ld . e re ti t o f

’ the di sa n e d man llus ra e d a o f I la —The o b s . pp i t i t t by th t .

ro e s a n d n ame le ss re o rds o f uman r de s le a t t phi c h p i , vi ib

R me warn th w t ﬂ o r me n — o e se o t e re . Cmsar a n d , i y ti t

An n bal ro ofs o f the e m n e ss of uman re a n e s i p pti h g t s . — T hc wo ods con tain n o trophie s The re tire me n t o f the

e rm — n d e a in r r m - . o an Th h it Gibb R ouss u e ti e e n t . e — m se r o f arle s V. i n s ol ude The a n i y Ch it . h ppi e ss o f

' blame le ss a e— e xe m liﬁe d —The o e s w s for g p . p t i h re tire

m n — i on clu on . e t . C s

INTRODUCTION .

LET him who would by Knowledge dwell

Betake him to her mossy cell ;

’ And pure from nature s liv ing page

Transcribe the wisdom of the sage .

’ ’ e n ra v d For bright , on ev ry leaf g ,

’ ’ Is ﬂow ry mead by knowledge pay d .

All emblematic is e xpre st

’ ’ - l The woodland s many co our d vest .

’ In ev ry bud of rare device

Lurks science of immortal price .

T he tissue of the tender green

’ The blossom of e n a i n e ll d sheen

The vein , wherein ambrosial ﬂows

T he blushing life -blood of the rose ; w Her lips , that Opening s eet at eve ,

’ The balmy tears of he a v n receive ; 48

Or glad at fragrant morn exhale

The laughing burthen of the gale

’ scorn d All , albeit, by vulgar eyes ,

The wisest cannot rightly prize .

’ Hush d is the world , when Knowledge

The golden music of the spheres .

Alike the darkling bird , alone

Awakes their solitary tone .

Disdainful of the common choir ,

Pauses abrupt the heavenly lyre

low Nor mingles in mortal chime , ﬂ ’ i But oa ts o er ts own realms sublime .

’ mu rm ri n Save only g Echo caught ,

’ ra vi sh d ﬁ re of Like godly thought ,

’ fe tte r d That to terrestrial strings,

on Uplifts them her soaring wings .

e But there , where frantic Folly Sp eds

' m a d n in d The dance that g Pleasure lea s , While fast her wanton footsteps suit

Their paces to lascivious lute

ﬁn d Amid like din, can access

’ he a v n 7 The notes of , to vulgar mind

’ Alone , where ne er intrudes ’Folly

Courts Knowledge shady solitudes .

She pierces Chaos , and her gaze

’ Creation s awful dawn surveys .

That calming elemental strife ,

Calls Nature into infant life .

The separated se a and land

’ Asunder , neath her eyes, expand .

’ ’ She sees Cybele t ow ri n g crown d

Hears Neptune lash the quaking ground .

ﬁe rce While his ireful tempest raves ,

’ ’ hu rl d he a v n That on piles waves on waves ,

of She climbs the mountains the deep ,

And rides serene the foaming steep .

’ ﬁrs t She marks Aurora , when strow d

’ B y ﬂowe rs was trae d the sunny road

ﬁrst ﬂ a mi n When immortal , g broke i ’ From curbing N ght, Day s radiant yoke

ﬁe ld When all the incense of the ,

’ re ve al d And balmy groves to life ,

’ un n umbe r d From blossoms of dyes ,

’ oi n d J in the laughter of the skies . Then Knowledge on the chariot springs

Of e Pho bus, clinging by his wings

d e ﬁn e s And like the year her course ,

’ When whe e l d through all the starry signs . 5 l

10 ! More awful , her might invests

’ He a v n J his , and from ove thunder wrests

’ ’ re dd ni n Ev n fearless dares from g hand ,

’ Dart back th ini mitable brand .

’ Before her eyes th historic scroll

Bids Time anew past ages roll ;

J ustice While seated by her side ,

The deeds of men befo re her glide .

At her tribunal proud appears

The good , and high his brow uprears .

’ a ba sh d The bad , his craven mien

sin kin Into the dust is se e n . g '

’ re v e rs d The tyrant then , his doom ,

’ imme rs d Glows red in blood , he shed , .

Earth faithful kept the boon in store ,

And drank but to disgorge his gore .

ua fﬁ l Nor lost one drop of all she q , Again she metes the horrid draught

’ Fo rc d hi s ﬁlls on lips the goblet ,

’ Though fast he swallow , o er it Spills ,

And crimson dyes the loathsome feast ,

’ ’ re l From whence he ne er shall be e a s d .

No more those notes of revel ring ,

Lascivious minstre ls shameless si n g ; 52

’ Lest misery s voice , by clamour rude ,

Migh t on his wanton board in trude

’ him fa mish d And tell from pale , lips , h’ W a s sn a tc d . the cup , he sated sips But other music now complains ’ iﬁ In tragedy s te rr c strains .

Upon his writhing ears accurst ,

’ The groans of to rtur d nations burst ;

The clanking chains that an guish wore

The rending heart-strings that he tore ;

on his All ear tremendous swell ,

of l The blended harmony he l .

Ambition of her bright disguise

Low stript, by Knowledge , shrunken lies , She raises pyramids to hide

Her dust , that substance of all pride ;

ha s Yet scornful Time to the wind ,

’ The treasure in his sport con sign d .

ha s Nor sacred more , Pharaoh slept

Than slave unburied and unwept .

’ ’ What ha s young Ammon s sickle re a p d

’ ste e d From ploughshare tenfold crimson p , What ? but a lesson that the rod

Of s worlds , and altar of a god , 53

his Leave craving still vacant soul ,

Whose grasp may seize on either pole .

’ ’ sha m d Say art not thou , Ambition ,

’ 7 B y hands that have thy sceptre cla im d

B n y clotted hands , that horrid cli g

’ n ? To thy fell scourge , that viper s sti g Say is ’ t then royal to have run The race of Timour or the Hun ?

An d when thy wheels shall ﬂa shin g roll

Reckless around that gory goal ,

The of chariots the world shall mete ,

’ W ok d hose coursers y are human feet ,

Canst thou away no laurels bear, But those thy Att ila must share ? To wreaths unlike that Knowledge wove

’ In hallow d academic grove .

- a Where god like Wisdom awful s te ,

High balancing the scales of fate .

u Once Plato left his blissf l shade ,

’ To royal courts a guest con ve y d .

Upon his neck the tyrant falls ,

’ i sce tr d So v rtue, p vice , appals ; For in the sage the monarch owns

An image of the Lord of thrones . 54

’ ’ Till turu d fa miliar Wisdom s mien

Lost half its bright majestic sheen ,

For clouded in so dark abode ,

’ ’ e li Pale and c ps d it coldly glow d .

to Like the peerless orb , whose light

Darts d re a d e st from i ts loftiest height When all his canopy is rent

Of ﬁlls ﬁ rma me n t clouds , he the ; Nor in excess of might endures

t One s ar beside , but all obscures .

So e Wisdom beams , when far remot

The mists of life below her ﬂoat ;

his As Etna rears placid form ,

Beyond the labour of the storm ;

a t e rriﬁc Beholds her bl ck throes ,

As from her womb the tempest ﬂows .

That ﬂashing awful into life ,

The world below involves in strife .

’ So tow rs Knowledge alone serene ,

Above this sublunary scene .

’ su rv e d Thus Plato shone , afar y ,

Calm i n his academic shade .

But in the Syracusan court ,

His wisdom lost its proud report . 55

’ ? rul d And what though virtue awhile ,

’ ’ Soon vice re ga in d the tyrant s smile .

’ S urn d And Plato, all but only p ,

’ Back to his genial groves re turn d . If vain his sta tely steps forsook

’

The palmy bow r , and amber brook , How then shall lesser wisdom dwell Secure beyond her rugged cell ?

t blithsome Come race her to the woods ,

No r deem her presence joy excludes .

’ on re clin d When her mossy seat ,

Beams from her brow her ardent mind .

Behold her at her tiny board ,

’ That simplest art ha s plenteous stor d

’ Where from her heart o e rﬂowin g springs

a A relish t sted not by kings .

’ r Herself, into her temp ate bowl ,

Inspires the fragrance of the soul ;

u re ﬂe Ca ght from her eyes , cte d shine

of v1n e The sparkling glories the .

Behold her when her eyelids close , Dissolving into soft repose

’ Un ruﬂl d dreams , so live the best ,

Congenial ﬂ utter round her rest . 56

Go mark her at the lively dawn ,

! Valk forth upon the scented lawn ;

’ rous d When , by morn , all nature wakes ,

’ ’ The ﬂow r un ve il d its slumber breaks ;

The forest opes its eyes of bloo m

T he groves exhale their glad perfume

’ Ou ev ry bough , its minstrel bird ,

The morning hymn is chanting heard ;

’ ” oﬂ rin s i i When earth s fair g h gh asp re ,

Pure from one censer , and one choir .

Shall Knowledge then be wanting there ,

’ ’ In Nature s universal pray r ? Say shall her voice be silent When

The woods usurp the tongues of men ?

But noblest when her day declines ,

The front of Knowledge placid shines .

of When kindled , at the torch Hope ,

On brighter worlds her eyelids ope .

At once , concentrate in her gaze ,

The past and future she surveys .

sun two Like between hemispheres ,

’ ois d Who p on either verge appears .

o Warm as though ruddy fr m the heart ,

His beams on climes forsaken dart ;

RE IREME T NT .

TH E peaceful vale , and deep , secluded plain ,

Wherein Ambition never stooped to reign ,

Invite the murmurs of my rural lyre ,

a to To w ke numbers that their woods inspire .

a re Nor the woods, their sages , and their

swains,

Woods where the nightingale alone complains ,

’ Rude song , ungrateful to Thalia s ear ,

For them forsaking oft her starry sphere ; J ’ m From halls , where ove s Oly pian domes expand , F ’ rom dewy cups , at Hebe s roseate hand ,

’ To forest flies that cold o er H aemus wa ves

He bro To groves , with inspiration , laves ;

’ Her plumes by Avon folds , or Arno s tide , Where yet her swans majestically glide 0

’ O r ﬂows lights on vales , where softly Mincio , As rising breasts fond lover’s arms enclose Where still the magic of their Maro’ s strains

’ s Enchants the woods and hover o er the plains,

of Mourns in the murmur the rustling trees ,

O r ﬂo t a s sonorous on the solemn breeze .

When to that vale the beauteous bard retired ,

Warm grew the woods, with life his soul inspired

o The captive ech es bore his notes along ,

Compelling rocks to soften at his song ;

The listening brooks in rapture ceased to ﬂow ,

’ While hushed wa s plaintive Philomela s woe

The lark , descending from its home on high ,

of sk Flew to the grove, forgetful the y ;

While every songster mutely smoothed its wing ;

s e For vanquished Nature heard her ma t r sing . Thrice happy woods to you the blooming fair

C on ﬁde s he r her hopes , unbosoms all care ;

To rocks around , to listening stars above ,

Breathes the ﬁrst whisper of her burning love ;

Starts as she speaks , and blushes though alone ,

’ o To tell a passion tis no shame to wn .

Thrice happy woods ! though not unfading n ow

Falls the frail leaf that clothes the fragile bough 6 1

’ is Though past Eden s evanescent bloom , While haunts the groves a more terrestrial gloom

Yet to your shades impassioned bards retire ,

o r . To sound the shell , strike the lofty lyre

" ‘ I wa s in the fo rests Pan ﬁrst taught the reed

’ To wake the whisp rin g echoes of the mead ;

His rural loves to nymphs and satyrs told ,

O r lulled his ﬂocks within their rustic fold .

Ye ! his sacred woods that , partners of grief, With Orpheus wept from every plaintive leaf

his Heard every moan that from bosom rose ,

Respondent , melting to his tuneful woes ;

his Caught their last sigh as on lips it died , And lost Eurydice ” once more replied

t Wi h joy if redolent your groves appear ,

Though fade their glory with the waning year ; What brilliant hues had dyed the living scene

’ When wave d the groves of Eden s deathless green

When palms arose no conqueror had profaned ; When smiled the cypress yet by grief unstained

When olives , more than emblematic, spread

Their leaves, that showers of healing honey shed ;

When balm Spontaneous on the mountains grew ,

That wept for gladness in the twilight. de w ; 62

n n When one wide paradise u iti g bloomed ,

One Spicy gale the ﬂowery groves perfumed ! As ephyr sweet from blest Arabia sweeps ,

’ O n o e r plumes enamelled , her pearly deeps

the For Nature started from lap of spring ,

As from his eyry soars the feathery king .

’ How fa ll n ! ah me ! what wintry gloom invades

The bowers of Eden , and her verdant glades .

’ fa ll n ! How since issuing from his hand , sublime

Th’ — Eternal paused to mark the birth of Time .

’ A shout of wonder heaven s whole angels raised ,

As dazzled on the rival sphere they gazed .

’ - To God s unsullied throne , his earth new born Pure incense wafted on that fragrant morn w Rose from the oods one universal voice , Till distant planets heard their tongues rejoice

- For every leaf was vocal , every ﬂower

’ Symphonious hymned creation s natal hour ;

Till awe- struck Nature trembled to behold

Her Lord , uprising in ethereal mould ;

Mute grew the woods , the brooks in silence ran ,

’ For God s own image lightened forth from man .

Then infant Time from grove to garden strayed ,

he n d While , u tried , his downy ﬂight essaye ; 63

his Nor yet invidious of wanton power ,

u Forgetf l , sported with the dallying Hour ; ’ n O er Ede blooming in immortal spring ,

Waved the glad plumage of his radiant wing ; h W ere in retirement , only angels broke , To life the parents of mankind awoke

One happysolitude the world— their own

Nor lonely , when , in innocence , alone .

Then golden rolled the blissful days along ,

No fabled dreams of visionary song ;

While harvests waved luxuriant on the plain,

Without the labour of the wearied swain ;

ﬂowe rs Uncultured fruits, and unbidden grew ,

t . For man was blameless , and crea ion new

So dawned the world a moment , and , undone ,

Earth lost her beauty, blushed the darkened sun ; The sterile plain and unproductive wild

so Frowned where an Eden had lately smiled . h m As rut less age usurps some beauteous for ,

Chilling the pallid lips with love once warm , Furrows the marble front where dimly roll

Eyes that have lost the lang uage of the soul

So in our clouded world we faintly trace

e e The fad d featur s of its former grace , 64

The wasted lineaments that serve to te ll

The pride from whence its dazzling glory fell .

Then followed ages still to fame unknown , Ere yet had pealed the trumpet’ s deadly tone While young Ambition scarce aspired to reign

’ a - a A vill ge chieftain , o er the peaceful sw in ;

as i - When in the vale, w th the sunset breeze

’ ’ o e r i ts The hamlet s smoke rose curling trees , Enthroned in his hereditary seat — Reclined their sire his kingdom at his feet ;

T he blooming daughter on her mother leant ,

’ his ff Their father o er kneeling o spring bent,

ﬁxe d With opening lip , eye , and eager ear

Imbibing counsel from the hoary seer ;

As crowned by years in patriarchal pride The blameless sage became his people ’ s guide

From love paternal , not for vain applause,

Obeyed , unhated , gave his village laws . For rugged virtue Wi th primeval sway Taught savage realms to tremble and obey

’ And happier chance , retired , and hardly known , When slumbered valour on her destined throne

Scorned a s an island that old Ocean bore

Far on his wild , extreme , and frozen shore

, n e Till more polluted in each w embrace ,

Expired the Roman in his lifeless race .

With arts coeval red Ambition rose

Arousing nations from more blest repose ;

ﬁrst Bade man deify relentless War ,

Then yoked in madness drag his gilded car ;

ﬁe n d To heaven uplift the gory , and blind , u From hell evoke the sco rge of human kind .

of 10 Armed with the might ages , she brings

of . Beneath her yoke the necks slaves , or kings Her’ s the dread chain no human hand can burst

That binds the world , though by the world accurst .

Roused at her voice whole nations draw the sword ,

Her idol towers in every clime ado red . For ever fed her blazing altar glows

’ Time ne er beheld her ﬂooding portals close .

O n lives of blood , her fell achievements built ,

V t . ir ues become , and lose the brand of guilt

When Freedom fell , and Rome was great no more ,

a . Her slaves not C esar , but his power adore

Nor while their idol in his rod they see,

Would change their golden fetters to be free .

’ a Yet weigh ambition in great C esar s end ,

H e . grasps the world , and falls without a friend 67

’ B ut from the wreaths that con q u ri n g chiefs

obtain ,

the ﬁe lds (Oft all produce of whole of slain) ,

Fly to the sage whose pitying love surveyed

’ M a nkind from Tusculum s retiring shad e ;

o n Whose soul , earth , no lowly dwelling found , But soared majestic o’ er the world around

our Smiling at ills that from nature spring ,

He fo r i wept cr mes Whereto our vices cling ,

a s the a Soft murmur of Hybl ean bees ,

’ At morning wafted o er Sicilian seas ; Sweet as the gale ’ s ambrosial fragrance blows

’ ’ i s From Arno s glades , at autumn even ng s clo e , Melodious melted from his dewy tongue

’ Words , o er whose cadence Rome in rapture hung

’ Thoughts , that by all his country s soul , inspired

the Glow in language of the gods , attired ,

Wherein he still , while empires waste away ,

m . Lives , speaks , com ands, unconscious of decay

’ i o e r l Tread l ghtly , wanderer , that hal owed

ground , Nor wake the dryads in the groves around

’ For once while musing thro those woods I strayed ,

Methought I saw the genius of the shade ; 68

His eye bespoke the freedom of a soul

’ Not earth s united tyrants could control ;

wa s His brow calm , as at his closing breath

He of gazed serenely on the stroke death .

’ How dread the forest when at moonlight ev n ,

A silvery lustre tips the sombre green .

s While black their shadows , from the hills , de cend ,

’ The rocks more awful o er the ﬂoods impend ,

Expanding groves in gradual darkness lost, ’ r e xhau t , Grow on the gaze , and fancy s d eams

a i s s . Fant stic shapes , their ﬂ tting shade as ume

a With Terror sporting in the pe ceful gloom .

i v The brooks , resound ng through the ocal dell ,

’ With deeper cadence o n the list n e r swe ll . The river rolls in more sonorous pride

r hi s O . still by turns , waters deadlier glide

’ T he m urm rin g le aves wi th sadder rustling moan The chirping locust tunes a hoarser tone

’ n While sternly awful , ature s living page

Speaks , at that hour , to every clime and age .

Je w he r con ﬁn e d Not to the jealous cares ,

o n e , Her language , her voice instructs mankind

e d e e Back on its lf repels the inwar y ,

( Reversed the mirror o f its scrutiny) 60

There in the dark recesses of the breast

Bids mortals weigh the measure of their rest . How glad the woods ! when at the dawning morn

’ They ﬁ rst re -echo to the shepherd s horn

‘ l he i r leaves all glittering with the tears ofeve ,

The blushing footsteps of the day receive .

Harmonious choirs salute his smiling rays ,

While life a n d gladness wanton in his gaze

Nature attired in renovated charms, Awakes to clasp him in her opening arms f l The leecy c ouds , irradiate as the glow, Enamoured crown the purple hills with snow

sun The , emerging from the crimson deep ,

’ Gla d n in . g all heaven , ascends the godlike steep

n Who then could deem , whe , laughing , meets his eye

An sk earth embraced by her resplendent y ,

- That reigns , relentless , all triumphant , there

7 Death leagued with guilt , embittered by despair

o But where the city p urs her busy train ,

the Usurps the sky , encroaches on main, How idly toils delusive art to throw

’ A veil of pleasure o er intruding woe Why springs yon arch 7 alas how shall it tell

’ Of con ue r d ? him who q , without those that fell 7 0

Though proud his front yon marble statue rears

The widow pined in unavailing tears ;

a on The mother , childless , g zing that stone ,

’ n — Asked back o e son one surely was her own . e e In silence nurs d , pale Scienc loves to scan

’ The boundless wi sdom of creation s plan

of the a nd a Far from the turmoil proud gre t,

con ye rsa n t a With Heaven , learns the laws of F te

Ou e e wings that leave xhausted worlds b hind , Yet far beyond ascends the soaring mind

To climes of terror and eternal night ,

O r high to regions where theirgod i s light ; d Till awe and lost within the shoreless maze ,

He a - r e gle eye is blinded in its gaze .

’ Hark midnight s yoice admonitory calls To Folly lingering in her festive halls While Galileo to his secret tower

Retires to an imate the lifeless hour .

e Pierc s the starry vault , where quenchless burn

Resplendent orbs that to their goal return

Worlds , that on high their revolutions ran

e Ere yet, perchance , the ﬂight of time b gan

a ’ ke s thre a t n in i t ﬂie s Q e rta the g comet as ,

And ﬁ re s the darkne ss of affrighted skies Measures vast planets that majestic trace

Their mazy circles upon shoreless space ,

e S es each , the path eternal laws prepare ,

Te rriﬁc hold upon the buoyant air ; O ’er trackless realms unerring orbits keep

a s Pensile , yet swift angry lightnings sweep

O r dreams of spheres that endless may expand O ’ er climes that even thought has trembling

scanned ;

1 Worlds , that as stars from distant worlds are seen ,

And suns benighted in the blue serene .

t ’ Yet while those orbs their na ure s laws obey ,

Man, only man , presumes to rush astray .

If in , all but powerless his little sphere ,

He t ranks an anima ed atom here ,

? What in the mighty in ﬁn ite his space

in o r ? Where , eternity , his time place

’ fa th mle ss Yet on the depths of knowledge cast ,

His daring sail uprears its fra gile mast .

’ t re a ch rous A ocean , on whose tempting wave

ﬂoa ts The ‘timid bark but above its grave

Launched boldly forth , some gallant vessel sweeps ,

t Wi h happy winds , along the rising deeps ;

Mounts on the ﬂoods , and lashes into foam

e e The bridled wat rs , that she mak sher home . 7 2

The world of science , in her course , explores Imposes tribute on a thousand shores

Measures the globe and , by a needle led ,

To port returns , with every sail outspread .

Nor only Science to retirement ﬂie s

To swell the narrow circle of the wise

ma d of Thither , his career folly run ,

See Pleasure d rive at length her satiate son ;

Forsake the courts where mirth and riot dwell ,

To ﬁ n d a cottage in the woodland dell .

High in the halls of erst imperial Rome , The young I6las found his lordly home

’ ’ His ﬂe e ce s white n d wide Apulia s hills

His herds exhausted half her sparkling rills . Luxurious grandeur swelled his gorgeous state

With all the Splen dour that deludes the great

’ - w From Parian columns , high o er arching thro n ,

His fretted roofs Sprung like the starry zone .

The gold of Hermus flowed into his halls ;

Where Grecian statues lived along the walls .

! r What though his courts , by scented slaves , we e

fanned , The breezes wake not at a slave ’ s command

’ ! s tra d Fast by their warbling brooks the ephyrs y ,

Sighed in the vale, or slumbered in the shade

7 4

In vain her slaves the ﬂowe ry couch prepare

The roses faded , for he came not there ;

Distant he roved amon g those woods that throw

’ A gloom te rriﬁc o er the gulf below

’ An io s Where loud , old voice majestic seems

Calm , to compose again his frantic streams

At to his once the waves , obedient call ,

Rise , but to ﬂow more softly from their fall .

” Thrice happy swains ! the sad Iiila s cried Thrice happy swains !” the willing groves replied

m n ot Ah dee , no , those lenient fates unkind ,

ﬂocks That you, to tend your happy , consigned

For the you glad breezes wanton in glade ,

For you cool streamlets murmur in the shade ;

’ O er-arching bough s a canopy supply To shield your slumbers from the burning sky Fair Nature ’ s hand the ﬂowery carpet wove

She Spreads beneath you in the spangled grove

Fo r the o a s you lily, dro ping it blooms ,

s ! his The pas ing ephyr , in ﬂight , perfumes ;

! a s The ephyr lightly , he onward Springs ,

Wafts back the perfume from his balmy wings . “ What though the wealth of Avarice may board

The fruits that languish on her costly board , 7 5

For you the horn of laughing Plenty pours

A richer banquet from her boundless stores .

Although for you no sparkling goblets shine ,

No Springing fountains fall in showers of wine ;

’ Ne er from attendance on the great released , l Care comes not , knows not , of your fruga feast What ! though no slaves to distant Ind repair

’ To dig for gems to deck the peasant s hair ;

she ﬁn d Beneath her feet may those myrtles , Whose wreaths the locks of Love ’ s own goddess bind

An d oh ! that love the peasant only knows , When heart may safely upon heart repose While no deceit deludes his artless eyes

With those fair phantoms polished life supplies ;

ﬂowe rs Where Cupids fan the scattered of love ,

As though they blossomed in their bowers above

- l Where love , all cherished for itself a one , l Unrival ed , rears in every breast a throne .

But in the smiles that fawn around the great ,

How oft hypocrisy disguises hate !

Can they from friendship ﬂattery discern ,

Or ? love from lust , that baser passions learn

’ B a m y wealth empoisoned ﬂows life s troubled stre ,

Though gilding sunbeams on its surfa ce gleam 7 6

True love , true friendship , still to wealth denied , And what without them is the world beside ?

R l with Farewell , proud ome you I now resign

Those cares that better slumbered in the mine .

e of of Farewell , y dreams grandeur and power ,

Ye shifting shadows of the changeful hour .

e ! Come to the woods, my Galat a here Thy love will warmer in the woods appear

i ts l Yon cottage wedded to c asping vine ,

’ Whose easements watch the peaceful day s decline ,

Shall , from the bosom of its still retreat , Our joy to all the ’ raptured woods repeat

Till , like two leaves , that spring uniting bound .

An autumn breeze shall waft u s to the ground ;

Then be there carved on our sepulchral st one ,

They lived , they loved , but for themselves alone .

Oh, righteous God how widely from thy plan

Has r ushed the folly of degraded man !

of Urged by the love every mad desire ,

n l lust in S i re The bei g , b indness, fear , and p

His cities, courts , his very tombs , contain

of Proofs the base , and impotently vain .

Behold the Roman all but conq uering time Rear high the records of triumphant crime 7 7

Piles that excite the plaudits of the proud ,

O r wake the wonder of the vapid crowd

Aspiring obelisks , that now proclaim

The power of those who sleep without a name

ha s his l One tomb crushed the monarch and s ave , The prostrate palace hides an empire ’ s grave

r the ﬂ All , to etirement, warns wise to y ,

Teaching the great (could they but learn) to die .

At ’ Pompey s statue let Ambition pause ,

While injured Freedom pleads her righteous cause .

- Behold her daggers bright uplifted shine ,

’ he a v n i . While Brutus gives , and approves the s gn

’ Hark ! tis the world aloud for vengeance cries ;

The rights of man dem a nd the sa criﬁce

And Romans , for there yet were Romans then ,

Outshone themselves , more demigods than men

ff sur a st In one dread e ort all their race p ,

— Then fell that noblest triumph wa s their last .

Go th to the tombs , Ambition ; chide y lust ,

’ Go l uve n a . , weigh , with J , the hero s dust

’ Wa s he not great as sla ughte r d hosts can make H is t e . rival Italy , the world their s ak l Spain , Afric , A ps , all , save the Capitol ,

Shake underneath his footsteps as th e y fall . 7 8

H e — widows Rome could he have made her weep ,

’ Her pride hurl d down from its celestial steep ; Her glory blasted in its godlike sheen

e Had Scipio , Pompey , Cato n ver been .

Nor stamped those letters , whence yet living thrills

Her regal voice from her eternal hills ,

Bidding those time -appalling deeds endure

Whereof eclipsed , art , history had been poor .

So was the Punic warrior to his tomb

’ Go , proud Ambition , ponder o er thy doom .

Bid awful J ustice poise her ample scale

i — n ot Upl ft the marble . Start back so pale

One handful sure 7— nay every chink explore

And eke of Annibal some ounces more . But in the woods no trophied tombs arise

To brave the lightnings of offended skies

’ Nor arches by a nation s blood bedewed

’ Excite the proud to triumph o er the good .

Such rustic records as the forests hold ,

The blameless wars of love and song unfold While of no record will their fates allow

’ But what i s graven on some beechen bough ;

Whose laughing shades delighted used to shield

Those sports , nor hid by love nor all revealed 7 9

For ’mong the woods the wild and winged boy

Grows yet more wanton a s he grows more coy

‘ His infant ﬁn ge rs weave the ﬂo we ry cha in s

of That bind the limbs rude , Herculean swains

t The stem that low benea h the lily bends,

bo w Armed , from his , a living dart he sends

His bow a branch that on the Cyprian shore V The myrtle bowers of laughing enus bore .

The shepherds oft , in happier days of old ,

Were wont the playful urchin to behold ,

When round him Sleep his arms lascivious threw, n ! ' While , scattering fragra ce , ephyrs o er him ﬂew;

As to some ﬂower , the bee reposing clings ,

- When wearied droop her honey laden wings .

But calmest inmate of the lonely dell ,

Yon silvery hermit , scoops his rocky cell

Deep in the still retirement of the grove ,

His trembling hands entwine a green alcove .

’ b o e r its Fast y , low murmuring mossy bed ,

' ’ t liﬂ - c s . His beverage glides , rom cool trickling fed

To healing herbs extends his antique lore ; While milk and fruits compose his temperate

store .

’ Skill d sow in the seasons , when to reap or ,

h o . T ei r seer , to him the wondering peasants g 80

Mysterious gloom his hallowed dwelling guards ;

its d And from precincts wanton steps isca rds .

’ ’ lull d on i Oft , meditat on s mossy sea t , t ff d His s a beside him , rest his travelle fee t !

’ Un cowl d his apart scanty locks , and gre y , The front serene of placid age display

His clasping hands upon his bosom lie ,

s While steadfa t upward turns his glistening eye .

To 10 ! blindness , an inward vision lends i The light , the landscape, faith , exult ng blends ;

a i t Gild the glad picture w th immor al dyes ,

’ Drawn , like the rainbow s , purer from the skies .

Before him Spreads the country of his heart

His sackcloth girt, and longing to depart,

’ - From life s worn threshold , outward turning

stands,

all With , but closed , her portal in his hands .

So , erst created upon canvass , lives (For art a second animation gives)

’ The touch that ﬁre d the dying Jcrome s e ye

’

he a v n t . With light , life , , and immortali y

’ So blissful ignorance chance ill exchan ged d For worlds of knowledge , Gibbon wide had range

his When he retired , from acacian shade ,

’ a n d At once his monument Rome s surveyed ,

a’ When , save Arqu s thrice tender muse alone ,

Love never woke more agonizing tone ;

N or fabled virtue e ver learnt to please

Like vanquished guilt in dying Heloise . Lo ! where the sun of bright Iberia shines

Ou lands that blush below their rosy vines ,

’ There frown a convent s stern and gloomy towers

’ ﬁe ld s O er laughing and labyrinthal bowers ,

Where woods of citron , dipt in living gold ,

At once their blossom and their fruits unfold ;

While yet beyond arise majestic pines ,

On - whose dark boughs the sapphire sky re clines .

hum a n w No oes , no foreign ills assail

The peaceful inmates of that tranquil vale ;

- While , save for what its cypress groves declare , ’Twould seem a Spot that Death himself might

spare .

Fo r like repose , descending from a throne

That deemed the sceptre o f the world its own

Wearied of power , and satiate of renown

’ P a via s victor cast away his crown ;

’ His rod forsook ; on age s reed he bowed

m . A onk , with rosary , a cell and shroud

e d a n d Deeming , by superstition hugg pent ,

To ape Diogenes , and die content . 83

e Though he not half the Macedon had b en ,

Took to the rival tub with crouching mien .

To prove how many worlds shall fettered be

B who y slaves , never have themselves been free ;

o n e o who For b ld Cynic , can kings deride ; — Lord of himself and feel his empire wide .

“ ” Was it for this 7 exclaimed the sack-clothed

king ,

’

his . Spurning garb, I wearied conq uest s wing

to o Peace my b nes , and balsam to my woes ,

e . This idle rob , in impious hour I chose

r the of Yet ha dly girded on pledge rest ,

Before me sprung my naked soul confest .

Ah ! a v inly shrouded in this dark disguise ,

’ ? -fa th min Escapes it God , thy ocean g eyes

Unleashed upon me , lingered ere thy course ,

- 7 Scared by this mail , thou viper fanged Remorse Is there no breastplate can thy sting repel 7

’ No tempered shield un ba rbs the dart of Hell

Not now for worlds my shorn Ambition sighs ,

One hour, oh God , of slumber to these eyes .

From groans absolved of battle in my ear ,

Wild yells of torture , ﬂying shrieks of fear ; 84

’ ’ The famis hed hind s ; or ravished Vi rgi n s woe ;

’ A fa the rfs pangs or widowed mother s throe ;

h ss m a s o the n Her c ildle o n , of many s ns urse ;

’ ’ a A tr itor s blessing or a n orphan s curse .

u eo ! . My d ng ns , hark to light aloud appeal

r - Cries t umpet mouthed , yon agonizing wheel .

a e r so e n r D gg s, hush d , by mid ight never hea d ,

Speak thunders to my soul 1 n every word .

i n f t Naked no more , et ers clad , the West

a t . With sav ge howl , wild impreca es my rest

— 7 u Rest if comm nion closed with Hell be sleep ,

I full rewa rd for all my greatne ss reap .

So baleful terrors solitude and age

’ Relentless stamp upon life s closing page

can When youth no more on waxen wings rise ,

While chased he from pu rsuing reason ﬂies .

' ’ Oﬁe n de d He a v n v its la can well a enge ws ,

’ And guide stern Justic e t o crime s darkes t cause .

Around the guilty toils unse en are spread ;

’ of t o e rhan s his e a . Undrawn , the sword Fa e g h d

ﬂ s his ﬁn d Fly, let him y where hall anguish ? A path whe re Vengea nce follows not behi nd

Fly yet he carries With him in his breast

The pang that ha s annihilated rest .

he When , my friend , (the truest that I know)

Kind Death , shall bid this bosom cease to glow ;

Claim that is his , but leave me wings to soar

o To realms obedient t his might no more .

Yet ere he come , let me in peace retire

To higher stra ins t o tune a nobler lyre .

The world forgetting, by the world forgot ,

’

B e lot . mine reclusion s calm , unenvied

’ So on ha rb ri n moored securely some g shore ,

’ When rides the laden ship , her voyage o er ;

to No more again tempt the wintry gales , i Furls the glad mariner her shattered sa ls . i ’ Fettered in w ld imagination s bond ,

So dark illusion bade my youth despond .

’ No w when ten summers o er me triply shine ,

Land of my birth and freedom , thou be mine .

‘ moun ta in s a n d - Thy purple , blue eddying deeps The gloom that o’er thy forest brooding sleeps All woo me homeward— these Etrurian skies

n No longer fascinate my lo ging eyes .

’ h B i rn a m s But where Macbet , from lordly brow ,

(Land of my Sires) tore down the wizard bough

’ Ga wi n s Where hand , my native hills among ,

’ ’ Woke Albyn s lyre , since Fingal s deeds unstrung 87

There still forgetting, haply and forgot ,

Let calm retirement guard my lonely grot .

Fo r yet to Temperance , and to Science spared , D e my decline with song and friendship shared .

No r may the worm , that gnawed the ﬂowery shoot ,

Grow cankering upward in the ripening fruit . N O T E S .

a e 61 l n e 5 . P g , i

’ T wa s i n t ke fo r e s t s P a n ﬁ r s t t a ug ht t he r e e d .

Pan a ue ui r mus alam s n o n assus n e r e s . q , q p i c o p i t

vm . VI RG . E c.

a e 6 1 l n e 2 1 . P g , i

Whe n o li ve s mor e t ha n e mble ma ti c s re a d , , p T h e ir le a v e s t ha t sho we rs o he a li n hon e s he . , f g y d

’ Allus on is e re made t o the Awo N e laeome li o r i h s y e , ,

’ l - o e on e o f the a n e n s. L Abbé Guén é e i n the iv h y ci t , a ble re a ise w he wro e o n the fe r l of J ude a de t t hich t ti ity , s cribe s the e laao me li t o be a kin d o f man n a tha t was col le ct e d rom the le a e s of the ol e the b alsam a n d alm f v iv , , p

re H do o t e hi a u or for asse r n a t e s . e e s n sta t s th ity ti g th t

was fo un d n the le a e s of ose re e s . l n t o it o v th t P i y , w o se a oun he a e als would ra e r a e ar t o fa our h cc t pp , th pp v the ide a tha t the e lae ome li e xude d from th e ir b ark . Spon te n as citur ole um in Syri z e maritimis quo d e laeome li v o can t ma n a e x a rb oribus n ue crassius me lle re s n a ; t , pi g , , i ” — ° d . N n i a r l & c Hz a . . u t e u us s o e u s t . t 7 . O t e , p ci , xv fe rr n to o s or de s I ﬁn d him s a e a the e lae ome li i g Di c i , t t th t

l fr m th run of the re e Ar s o le s e a s o f a dis ti s o e t k t . i t t p k kin d o f ho n e y tha t e xude d from the tre e s in Lydia a n d an a n e n au o r u o e d b Suidas is o f O n on a ci t th , q t y , pi i th t w the h on e y hich c o mpo s e d a p ortio n o f the fo o d of St .

a e 61 l n e 2 3 . P g , i

Whe n ba lm s on t a n e o us on t he mo un t a i n s r e w p g ,

T ha t wep t fo r g la dn e ss i n t he t wi lig ht d e w.

The balm h olds the s ame ran k amon g plan ts which has b e e n assign e d t o the diamon d a mo n g pre cious s ton e s . It has be e n de n omin a te d the h e aling balm ; an d as its me di

al ro e r e s we re in an e n me s a l e d as a re me d cin p p ti , ci t ti , pp i y for d se as e s of the s would a e b e e n diﬂi cult to a e i ight , it h v h v

e a a al e w l e e d l n e xagg r te d th e ir ccre dite d v u . It as b e i v by P i y an d by Dioscoride s t o have be e n a plan t pe culiar t o Pales

n e . B ut is n ow foun d in Arab a an d is some be ti it i , by

lie v d t o be e re n d e n o A d n t o o se us e us . or J th i ig cc i g ph , it

was o r n all r u ro m a s a f to S olomon igi y b o ght f Egypt gi t ,

b Nica ulis w om he s u o se s to b e the ue e n o f S e a y , h pp Q h b

me n tio n e d by the sa cre d his to rian .

B ochart a e ars w us e to be of o n o n a the pp , ith j tic , pi i th t

H e re w word tse r i or t sori has e e n e rron e ousl ran s b , b y t

l . l ia e n e l d e r m h . 2 l m s s an e . la d ba l J 2 . te G i , x iii , viii x vi

I has b e e n re n de re d b r e si n m in the ul a e 1 1 . a as t y V g t ,

h e a n . e ll d ff r r we ll as t e S ptu gi t E . C ast i e s f om the le arn e d B o chart on this po in t ; but the la tte r author is supporte d

b the a u or of S ra o T e o ras us an d l n who y th ity t b , h ph t , P i y,

a re e in s a n a the alsam lan was ul a e d nl g t ti g, th t b p t c tiv t o y

in the ro al arde n s n e ar J e r o w e re as the e rr or o f y g ich h , t it y

le ad was on the o os e s de of the r e r J ordan an d a t Gi pp it i iv , m Th a con side rable dis ta n ce fro tha t town . e difﬁculty

ma be sol e d b e ar n in m n d a a ord n to l n y v , y b i g i , th t , cc i g P i y ,

the o oba lsa mum was m n le d w a s e e s of re n p i g ith p ci si , 9 1

w ma a e e e n found in the d s r of le ad w le hich y h v b i t ict Gi , hi the al was ul a e d in the n e o d o f e r o b m c tiv t ighb urh oo J ich . T he Empe rors Ve spas ia n a nd T itus bore the pre cio us

lan to o me w e re ra e d e r r um al a e an p t R , h it g c th i t i ph p g t n o t o we e r e fore the Je ws ha d e n de a oure d t o de s ro , h v , b v t y the arde ns in w was ul a e d i n orde r to re e n g hich it c tiv t , p v t the ir con q ue rors from re aping t he golde n h arv e st which it

all u At l n w r a nn u rod e d . e to use the e m a o ds y p c gth , ph tic o f l n was e n sla e d an d asse d al n w its o me r P i y , it v , p , o g ith f r

osse sso rs un de rn e a the ma . p , th R o n yoke

a e 64 l n e 2 3 . P g , i

Sco r n e d a s a n i s la nd t ha t old Oce a n bor e

F a r o n hi s wi l e xt re me a n d r oz e n shor e . d, , f

i Et pe n tus to to di vis os o rbe B rita n n os .

V RG 1 I . E 0 . .

a e 7 8 lin e I . P g ,

Co uld he ha ve ma de her we ep .

Ut tumultum ac tre ida tion e m in ur e tollan t ma ro n as p b , t

u l o arce a n t co n tin e ri ue n ra suum uam ue l me n p b ic , q i t q q i cogan t complorat us fa miliarum coe rce a n t

v i. T rr . L1 . lib . xx1 55 .

a l n 7 e 80 e 1 . P g , i

S o e r s t r e a t e u on a n va ss li ve s . , c d p c ,

Allus io n is he re made to the ce le bra te d picture of the

o mm n o n o fSt Je ro me ome n no i n the a a n C u i , by D ichi , V tic . a e 80 l n e 2 3 . P g , i

F r om hi s a ca cum sha de .

’ Se e Gibbon s own a cco un t of the close of his immortal la bo urs .

a e 84 l n e 1 3 P g , i .

r S e ba leful t e rr o s .

I n o rde r to a o d the most ra n of all sounds or v i g ti g , ra e r ss e s so has be e n su s u e d for su h in the th hi , b tit t c fo re n m go i g po e .

a e 85 l n e 1 7 . P g , i

D e vo t e t o cla s s ic a n d ig n oble e as e .

Studiis ﬂo re n te m ign obilis oti .

E LEG Y

RU S OF THE I N SYRAC USE .

’ Is a ? won d rin this , then , Syr cuse all g cries

’ ’ Pale wand rer halting on Trinacria s shore,

Ou wreck reclined of throne that prostrate lies

’ to e r d Where w the Grecian Cybele of yore .

II .

’ Is this the port where prow on prow impe ll d

’ ’ Cla sh d wa rrm g ﬂeets , till scared from Ocean s caves

’ sta in d Rose Neptune with blood , where scarce beheld

’ Some ﬁshe r s bark now cleaves yon azure waves ?

I I I .

Is this the Syracuse that strove with Greece ,

’ un con ue r d In arts , in arms q to the last ;

wa r Alike her rival or in or peace ,

And but by Rome in majesty surpa st ? 96

IV .

Where now the throng Whose lofty pe an hails

’ Triumphant Gelon from Ime ra s walls ?

For a m his v ls equalled S la is arm pre ai ,

All Carthage trembles and Amilcar falls .

V .

J v Di c in ﬂame k Since o e , lest s ord should the s ies ,

s e of From Athen mulous Syracuse ,

’ Neath the same sun divides the world their prize

ﬁrst . Asia the , Afric the last subdues

VI .

Else Ceres had with Pallas strife engaged ,

High heaven been shaken , hell disclosed again ;

Nor only had celestial wars been wage d

B y gods contending on the Trojan plain .

VI I .

’ Though fall u his fanes of Parian marble built ,

Louder than trophies , hark , mankind proclaim ,

’ Great Gelon s hand un edged the blade that spilt Man ’s blood in rites earth shudders now to

3 :

n a me .

XII .

! Yet ah me , Doris , with her bitter streams ,

as t of Now w tes the wa ers sweet Arethuse ,

GAR G AL L O For thee alone , , purely teems

The cla ssm fount of the Sicilian muse .

XIII .

Nor nobler ﬂo ods from lofty Pindus ﬂow

’ Than thine chaste Nymph . Nor e er yon starry chord

On e e t Hehr heard , while y on earth below

Reaped equal triumph for the Delphic lord ,

X IV .

As Grecian bard , when red her laurels stained ,

Not prostrate Athens soothed the felon -ire

Of u vengef l Syracuse , her captives gained

’ B oth life and freedom from a poet s lyre .

XV .

Such power has genius : and such polished arts

’ ’ te m e r d a dorn d Thy grandeur p , and thy sway , That to these ruins still their fame imparts

The grace , the charm that wasting time have ’d scorn . 99

XVI .

’ ’ o e rwhe lm d While Rome , by an ignoble fate ,

’ ’ V ba rb ro us In vain the andal s rage withstood .

Proud in thy fall , beyond thy victor great ,

But by Marcellus was thy might subdued .

XVI I .

Nor fell but lordly Syracuse alone

’ ’ Trinacria s glory neath thy ruin sleeps .

e Sits sceptred Famine on thy barren thron ,

While vigil round thee Desolation keeps .

XVI I I .

’ ’ ra v ish d From earth , for was thy country s pride ,

’ As from thy shores on En n a s ﬂowery dell

’ wa s Forced from the light Pluto s struggling bride ,

To share the throne of darkness and of Hell .

XIX . And sure again to seek the hapless maid

’ At Etna s caves has Ceres ﬁ re d her brand

’ a ha s stra d Drawn by her dr gons she too long y ,

And why returns not to her favourite land 7 XX .

Ah come again ! abandoned n ow no more

’ ’ Le t o e rwhe lm a s Plenty s horn the teeming pl in ,

Let ﬂe e ts of Commerce crowd the festive shore h ’ Where se nt from e a v n a n e w Augustus reigns .

XXI .

i Let war recede , and these bright climes adm re

Their olives planted by his fos tering hand

Let equal laws , reviving arts acquire

For him the name of Father of the land

XXII .

Such erst wa s Gelon ; and aloud attest

u The pride these r ins of the glorious name ,

’ re a r d so C That such empire , a ountry blest

That envious ages yet adore its fame .

E L E G Y

C O NV E NT O F T H E G RO T T O

M A AkFI .

N M “ ? M m :

1 06

I II .

The lamps adown the convent aisle grew dim ; d While faintly die upon the breathless air ,

The last low murmur of the midnight hymn ,

’ t ra r The Benedicite , the par ing p y

IV .

When rush ’d a sound as though the tempest’ s roar

’ Usurp d the stillness of the drear abode ;

’ Or la sh d the waves their rock - resounding shore

The Heathen swept the heritage of God .

who Lives there tearless could that home forsake ,

’ la u h d Where g his childhood , and reposed his

age ;

His cottage peering through the beechen brake ,

’ ’ Whose trees were graven with his hist ry s page 7

VI .

’ who Then woe s me him , from that cell is torn ,

Where heaven wa s blended with existence here B y man upbraided , and of God forlorn ;

’ Left to the scornful unbeliever s sneer . VII .

’ Un a w d e the spoiler rent , with impious rag , The holy shrine to saintly relics given

’ Profa n d the reverend sanctity of age

’ ’

moc k d un sca th d the of . And , , Majesty Heaven

- VI I I .

te u Rise , righ ous God , with vengef l wrath arise ,

’ sca tte r d Consume thy foes , collect thy fold ;

’ The Heathen s voice insultin g braves the skies

The fai thful feel their trembling hearts wa x

cold .

IX .

Such accents from some hoary father fell ,

’ While a nger ﬂa sh d across his sunken eye

There were that mutely wept their last farewell ,

’ wa n de r d Then forth to languish and to die .

X .

’ ’ de e m d And still tis , along the darksome aisle ,

Steal awful notes of terror and despair ;

n A cla g of arms awakes the desert pile ,

Where restless Spirits walk the midnight air . XI . For human eye with fancy ’ s gifted gaze Can yet again the rend ing scene renew

of a Recall the visions dep rted days ,

Till lives the d ream imagination drew .

X II .

r While graver moralist may , musing he e ,

’ e of of He a v n e The cre ds men , the care surv y ,

e a r Wh re Pagan , Moslem , Christian fanes ppea ,

’ ’ ! i n k Co n s g d in tur n t o moc ry and deca y .

From the Conve n t of the Grotto at Amalﬁ the distant te mple s of

Paes um ma be disce rne d while on a hill ha overhan s the t own are t y , t t g the ru f a r u ins o Sa ace n ic Mosq e .

L O V E ,

O THE GEN I US F CREATION .

’ ’ S E E V ff v e il d enus o spring in human form ,

’ Promethean start from sculptor s chisel warm ,

’ ’ Creation s Genius , Love , neath whose control

e Stars , planets , systems animat d roll

Of magic mould his graceful limbs a ssume

’ The burst ofyouth yet tinged with boyhood s bloom .

’ u Ou lion s Spoil pon his left reclined ,

He holds the ﬂutte rin g emblem of the mind

’ ﬁn e rs Between his g to life s fountain prest ,

Whose soft pulsation lulls his gentle rest .

Pure from that Orient fount all motion Springs ,

n - Conveyed to nature on those i sect wings ,

’ That soon expanding o er the realms of air ,

Creative warmth to distant worlds shall bear .

So d sculpture seized , embodie in that stone m The drea of Hellas rendered all her own . ’ So from the great Creator s bosom drew

The soul z that worlds wide animating ﬂew .

B y Gods inspired alone could sculptor trace

That mould of beauty and those lines of g race .

’ la b ri n Else vainly had the g chisel wrought,

Nor qu ickened marble by the ﬁ re of thought .

e What voice besid would sluggish stone obey , To melt and rival animated clay 7

Could all the efforts of industrious art

Immortal beauty to those limbs impart 7

’ ’ That ne er before in symmetry combin d ,

’ ’ Fill d up the trace that Nature but de sign d

’ m t a nd a Stole fro ear h s fairest forms their life gr ce ,

Then shaped a being of celestial race .

of ﬁre While from that statue in a glance ,

’ The sculptor s soul dart s radiant and entire .

’ Love ! is t t o thee deluded mortals cling 7

Their hopes dependent on thy ﬂa ttering wing .

h ma A me , had but that plu ge never grown ,

’ cha in d a e e our own And to earth h dst thou b n all ,

What were to heaven , and virtue left , if here Were thy extatic thrill of bliss sincere 7

’ But a h the chord ot j oy alone replies To tune Love ’s wings beat as he parting ﬂies

[ 14

’ e n a mour d While round the light as though plays ,

t o New lustre added its dazzling rays . All , all so fair , harmonious , and sublime ,

’ That e v n suspended seems the ﬂight of time ;

The while is nature plunged in deep repose ,

No r sign of motion , nor existence shows ;

Until again those insect-wings shall soar

To on mo re breathless worlds imparting life ce .

10 But ! that calm profound a god declares ,

ﬁxe d Whose mind for action by fate prepares ,

’ O e r o e d j y that soon shall mingling with his own ,

Another soul enlivening worlds have ﬂ own .

For purer spirits all attractive ﬁn d

Their bliss imperfect till they blend combined .

Such union in that insect and that boy , As can but pure intelligence enjoy

’ e x re st Such thrill of passion felt , yet ne er p ,

’ ﬁre d Till in that marble , the sculptor s breast .

of But captive warring With this mould clay ,

His spirit pante d fo r the climes of d a y ; Poised upon parting wings he left behind

This last bright image of his lofty mind . B LS ’ E H A ! ! A R FE AS T.

1 18

II I .

’ iv n For slaves , whose lying tongues seem g

’ he a v n To laud their tyrant up to ,

a The chorus of the reg l choir ,

’ ’ Arous d riv n , with one fell crash , have

’ The strings that tun d their abject lyre .

’ Tis strung again from bondage freed , Execrations loud succeed

’ To l hi lays by adu ation w n d .

U ! e e e p y courti rs , shout , imped

The clamours of mankind .

I V .

Aloud , from dungeons buried deep

Below the level of the main ,

’ ’ to rt u r d ce a s d Where slaves have to weep ,

’ i s Where death ev n implored in vain ,

Bursts abroad a piercing cry,

l on That scales the batt ements high .

’ H e a v n to , that is deaf pompous vows, B l y tremb ing tyrants sworn ,

Unbought to hear the captive bows ,

And list to lips that mourn . ” 9

V .

e B fore my eyes , aloft in air,

Fo rms a é ria l glide along

e Embattled hosts their charge prepar “

Uniti ng reels the clashing throng .

’ Low in the dust Assyria s tribute thrones ,

’ Her trampled crowns and sha t te r d sceptres lie His country ’ s music are the tyrant ’s groans

’ a ﬁ r The brut l end , that neve spar d , must die .

l Blood ﬂows till rol s Euphrates red , And stains afar the troubled main

’ e n cumbe r d Till Death , by the dead , H hi a s struck s dart into the plain .

V I .

Sa y then , deluded lord of earth ,

’ B e eem d y the day should not have birth ,

’ d ud e a s When melte by J cries , Should Vengeance leave her native skies 7

Hear ye not her steeds afar Neig’ h beneath their thundering car 7

’ ! d e ck d e What though thy minions , in prid ,

Uniting menace sid e by side ! Insulted , see them fall 120

r e Their yoke is b oken , men derid

Their abject cries that mercy call .

Their cries , who never heard the prayer Of melting anguish ﬂow

Se well their trumpets rent the air ,

’ And drown d the voice of woe .

VI I .

She comes like pestilential star , That sweeps athwart the trembling air

The clouds in terror ﬂame afar ;

Night shrinking rushes from her glare .

She comes before her stands the slave The writhing tyrant ﬂies

The bondsman bursts his living grave

The ruthless despot dies .

VII I .

Hide now , Belshazzar , rise and hide Stains that with human blood are dyed

’ Ofi n te rce pt the captive s prayer ;

O r drown the groanings of despair

Or b bri e with all thy guilty gold ,

For which the innocent were sold , V Yet engeance will not Spare .

T HE

D Y I N G R A F F A E L E

T H I S M I S R E S S .

1 2 6

IV .

on e Theresa yet other kiss ,

’ Though Death lie on thy lips con ce al d .

Why should I live , if all the bliss

’ Of life be but by death re ve al d .

V .

' Yet never , never may st thou know The price our wild embraces cost I , on thy love , my life bestow ,

’ Nor ev n with life my love exhaust .

— Na r n The re ad e r must be ar i n min d that M ad e died of con s um ion occas ioned b i ole n a achme n to his mis re ss pt , y v t tt t t . T HE

F I R S T S E C O N D AD V E N T S

H T HE MESSIA .

1 3 0

’ Not with the glowing hand that hu rl d

Through pathless space hi s radiant world

’ And o er it spread the purple sky ,

A star -bespangled canopy ;

’ At nature s natal hour ofj oy . Not with the voice that spoke— and light

Sta rted from the womb of night .

He ! comes but in a happier hour ,

’ o utstre tch With hand d to save .

m con ﬁn e s Al ighty , but his power

’ To o e r triumph the grave .

I II .

B ow r bow lowly down , proud Ca mel

h a The palms t at crown thy verd nt brow ,

Let Lebanon his head recline ,

Till sweeps the dust the lofty pine .

’ ’ ! Jord a n s Let ion s rocks , and waves

’ whiS rin Their p g vales , and echoing caves,

The joyful name repeat .

H e comes ! yet upon healing wing

’ To tear from va n q u ish d Death his sting

Let earth her Saviour greet . 1 3 1

I V.

S o f his o soft the music name ,

I ts sound the deaf shall hear ;

’ The dumb with 0 p ni n g lips proclaim

The God who shall appear .

V .

10 re he tic But , p p vision sees,

the Adown dark abyss of time ,

on A snowy steed , that the breeze , i Comes sweeping in ts course sublime .

! Lo with the lightnings of his eyes ,

I ts rider blasts the shrinking skies

’ ’ he a v n s While whole armies , as he ﬂies ,

His ﬂaming path pursue .

‘ ’ B ut ha rk another name is gi v n

’ he a v n To him that rides the winds of .

N 0 more a Saviour he appears

As King of Kings his front he rears .

An angel standing in the sun ,

Proclai ms the feast of wrath begun ;

While nature shudders as she hears ,

And feels her force undone . 1 3 2

VII .

He comes it is the vinta ge -hour

The press prepare a rising ﬂood

Flows crimson from the vi ne - cla d bower

10 a of But it rolls in stre ms blood .

And who the reaper 7 He that trod

Too light to bru ise a broken reed ;

his n — a God Comes in burni g ire , Hi ’ s fe es to trample neath his ste ed .

T HE END .

RMAN A N D S K EE N PRl NT KR S MAI DE N LA N E O’V E NO , , , C NT Gé RD EN c