English

TO THE HON. SIR RICHARD LYTTLETON .

The morn dispensed a dubious light,
A sudden mist had stolen from sight
Each pleasing vale and hill;
When Damon left his humble bowers,
To guard his flocks, to fence his flowers,
Or check his wandering rill.

Though school'd from Fortune's paths to fly,
The swain beneath each lowering sky
Would oft his fate bemoan,
That he, in sylvan shades forlorn,

Blest is the man, whose heart expands,
At melting pity's call,
And the rich blessings of whose hands
Like heav'nly manna fall.

Mercy, descending from above,
In softest accents pleads;
Oh! may each tender bosom move,
When mercy intercedes.

Almighty God! thy influence shed
To aid this good design:
The honors of thy name be spread,
And be the glory thine.

ON HER NOT DANCING . 1743.

Whilst round in wild rotations hurl'd,
These glittering forms I view,
Methinks the busy restless world
Is pictured in a few.

So may the busy world advance,
Since thus the Fates decree:
It still may have its busy dance,
Whilst I retire with thee.

TO THE TRAGEDY OF CLEONE.

Well, Ladies — so much for the tragic style —
And now the custom is to make you smile.
To make us smile! — methinks I hear you say —
Why, who can help it, at so strange a play?
The captain gone three years! — and then to blame
The faultless conduct of his virtuous dame!
My stars! what gentle belle would think it treason,
When thus provoked, to give the brute some reason?
Out of my house! — this night, forsooth, depart!
A modern wife had said — " With all my heart —

Where art thou hidden, only one of mine,
And my desire abiding?
Come, shew thyself and haste to come away
Into my place of hiding.

While yet I may be freed, come thou, redeem me,
Over my fate be queen;
Give back one day of youth which has been stolen
And slay whilst my spring is green.

Thy lips may quench my flame, between thy breasts
I shall usher out my day,
As birds of vineyards, in the evening, pass
Mid flowers of spice away.

Thy name is trembling on my lips, and still

At night I watched beneath thy room,
I saw thee, desolate and still,
With eyes confused gaze through the casement,
Seeking thy soul, thine errant will.

Seeking thy love to come again
As in youth, thou didst not see my love,
My soul that strayed in through the casement,
That fluttered like a trembling dove.

Would you know how Love first came
And through an apple shot its aim?
For 'tis agreed one never knows
Where and where the spirit blows;
Now I'll answer to my name
And tell you how my love first came,
The fault of an old apple tree.

My uncle had a garden fair
A daughter too of beauty rare;
And in the garden was a spring.
Flowing softly, slow and clear
As stolen waters, hidden wines
In this paradise which shines, —
A daughter too of beauty rare.

There hidden nooks for quiet ease

MARTIAL .

O Fortune! if my prayer of old
Was ne'er solicitous for gold,
With better grace thou may'st allow
My suppliant wish, that asks it now:
Yet think not, Goddess! I require it
For the same end your clowns desire it.
In a well made effectual string
Fain would I see Lovidio swing;
Hear him, from Tyburn's height haranguing;
But such a cur's not worth one's hanging.
Give me, O Goddess! store of pelf,
And he will tie the knot himself.

Silent and alone she came
In the gloaming and the shade,
As the day shed forth its last
Gold talents, of the sunset made.

Her arms were folded on her breast,
Bright beams of light played on her face,
Fell to her feet; two glorious shafts
Illumined then her eyes with grace.

And as she stood all motionless
Two glowing embers dipped in flame
Were struck as lightning from the forge.
What have these eyes from me to claim?


Two basilisks, black as the night,

A golden arrow shot to earth
 With tidings from the sky;
Clear flashed the import of its gleam
 “Behold, Spring draweth nigh.”
A new light fills the universe,
 A swift wind rushes by,
Bearing this message far and wide
 “New life is drawing nigh.”
The pools have heard and leap for joy
 And dance with silver glee,
“Awake, awake to greet new life”
 They cry exultantly.
God opens a window in the sky:
 “My little cherubs, go,
Spread through the world and from your wings
 Let life and fragrance flow.”