The Transmigration of Souls
La Mêtempsycose.
In philosophic mood, last night, as idly I was lying,
That souls may transmigrate, methought there could be no denying:
So, just to know to what I owe propensities so strong,
I drew my soul into a chat — our gossip lasted long
" A votive offering, " she observed, " well might I claim from thee;
For thou in being had'st remained a cipher, but for me:
Yet not a virgin soul was I when first in thee enshrined — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find!
" Yes, " she continued, " yes, of old — I recollect it now —
In humble ivy was I wreathed round many a joyous brow
More subtle next the essence was that I essayed to warm,
A bird's, that could salute the skies, a little bird's my form:
Where thickets made a pleasant shade, where shepherdesses strolled,
I fluttered round, hopped on the ground, my simple lays I trolled;
My pinions grew whilst still I flew in freedom on the wind — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find!
" Medor my name, I next became a dog of wondrous tact,
The guardian of a poor blind man, his sole support in fact;
The trick of holding in my mouth a wooden bowl I knew —
I led my master through the streets, and begged his living too.
Devoted to the poor, to please the wealthy was my care,
Gleaning, as sustenance for one, what others well could spare;
Thus good I did, since to good deeds so many I inclined — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find!
" Next, to breathe life into her charms, in a young girl I dwelt;
There, in soft prison, snugly housed, what happiness I felt!
Till to my hiding-place a swarm of Cupids entrance gained,
And after pillaging it well, in garrison remained
Like old campaigners, there the rogues all sorts of mischief did:
And night and day, whilst still I lay in little corner hid,
How oft I saw the house on fire I scarce can call to mind. — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find.
" Some light on thy propensities may now upon thee break;
But prithee hark! one more remark I still, " says she, " would make
'Tis this — that having dared one day with Heaven to make too free,
God for my punishment resolved to shut me up in thee:
And what with sittings up at night, with work, and woman's art,
Tears and despair — for I for bear some secrets to impart —
A poet is a very hell for soul thereto consigned! — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find.
In philosophic mood, last night, as idly I was lying,
That souls may transmigrate, methought there could be no denying:
So, just to know to what I owe propensities so strong,
I drew my soul into a chat — our gossip lasted long
" A votive offering, " she observed, " well might I claim from thee;
For thou in being had'st remained a cipher, but for me:
Yet not a virgin soul was I when first in thee enshrined — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find!
" Yes, " she continued, " yes, of old — I recollect it now —
In humble ivy was I wreathed round many a joyous brow
More subtle next the essence was that I essayed to warm,
A bird's, that could salute the skies, a little bird's my form:
Where thickets made a pleasant shade, where shepherdesses strolled,
I fluttered round, hopped on the ground, my simple lays I trolled;
My pinions grew whilst still I flew in freedom on the wind — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find!
" Medor my name, I next became a dog of wondrous tact,
The guardian of a poor blind man, his sole support in fact;
The trick of holding in my mouth a wooden bowl I knew —
I led my master through the streets, and begged his living too.
Devoted to the poor, to please the wealthy was my care,
Gleaning, as sustenance for one, what others well could spare;
Thus good I did, since to good deeds so many I inclined — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find!
" Next, to breathe life into her charms, in a young girl I dwelt;
There, in soft prison, snugly housed, what happiness I felt!
Till to my hiding-place a swarm of Cupids entrance gained,
And after pillaging it well, in garrison remained
Like old campaigners, there the rogues all sorts of mischief did:
And night and day, whilst still I lay in little corner hid,
How oft I saw the house on fire I scarce can call to mind. — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find.
" Some light on thy propensities may now upon thee break;
But prithee hark! one more remark I still, " says she, " would make
'Tis this — that having dared one day with Heaven to make too free,
God for my punishment resolved to shut me up in thee:
And what with sittings up at night, with work, and woman's art,
Tears and despair — for I for bear some secrets to impart —
A poet is a very hell for soul thereto consigned! — "
Ah! I suspected, little soul, thus much that I should find.
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