Classic Poem

On his signifying his intention to lay aside his

Hautboy .

W HAT spurious offspring of low-thoughted care
Assumes the graceful muses winning air,
And bids my Thirsis lay aside his reed,
That dulness may serenity succeed;
This step still onward her dark purpose brings,
For out of dulness, melancholy springs;
Nor here the gloomy phantom ends her care,
For next to melancholy, comes despair:
When fainting virtue makes her slow retreat,
Vice ready stands, to fill the vacant seat.
Oft have I seen the swains assembled round,
With silent awe, till Thirsis led the sound:
Still, as your breath, the cheering pipe inspires,
Conduct the voices of the hymning choirs:
If thou, their leader and support should'st fail,
Slack negligence will o'er the rest prevail;
No more the evenings of the holy-days,
Shall send to Heav'n their well-accepted lays;
But giddy youths to vanities shall run,
Nay, well if darker scenes of vice they shun.