Elegy 4. To the Same, upon Her Expressing an Unfavourable Idea
To the SAME
Upon H ER EXPRESSING AN UNFAVOURABLE I DEA OF ONE OF The AUTHOR's FRIENDS.
A RE souls congenial? and can Laura's mind,
Accustom'd truth and prudence to revere,
Sink by rash censure, or contempt unkind:
Minds like her own, to truth and prudence dear?
What tho' perchance the seeds of attic taste,
Rich efflorescence, Nature's hand withheld;
Tho' Science ne'er their nighdy vigils grac'd
With wit and sense, like Laura's, unexcell'd.
Deem not the goddess niggard in her stores;
A thousand latent talents are enshrin'd.
She blends, appropriates, contrasts, explores,
And, various as the feature, moulds the mind.
All have their uses. 'Tis to some assign'd,
As sings the sage, a narrow round to tread,
To fill the lowlier uses of their kind
With silent goodness, or with sense unread.
All cannot boast, like thee, a judgment keen
Our course to point, our errors to retrieve:
Yet for fall'n man their task is not too mean,
Who mourn the woes, they know not to relieve.
The regal oak, in air supremely towers,
And amply spreads each grand umbrageous arm:
Yet not neglected glow the vernal flowers,
Whose gay enamel bids the valley charm.
To the tall tree, when lowering storms affright,
We fly for shelter, and its foliage bless.
In fertile vales, when peaceful skies invite,
We praise gay Nature in her humble dress.
In various trials is thy merit shown:
Then to perfection urge thy noble aim.
Worth may exist, albeit to thee unknown;
And Genius, which thy household gods disclaim.
In various trials is thy merit shown:
Then to perfection urge thy noble aim.
Worth may exist, albeit to thee unknown;
And Genius, which thy household gods disclaim.
In me mean deference would my love demean.
Can servile awe thy just esteem retain?
Shall friendship prove an oriental queen,
And fear the impulse of the soul restrain?
No! be reproof her office, and do thou,
Still as thou seest my angry passion blaze,
Teach me my fault with candour to avow,
And make me worthier of thy love and praise.
Yet cautious check my temper's ardent force,
Would'st thou annihilate the honest zeal,
Whose big emotion bursts from Friendship's source,
And which in all its warmth for thee I feel.
Upon H ER EXPRESSING AN UNFAVOURABLE I DEA OF ONE OF The AUTHOR's FRIENDS.
A RE souls congenial? and can Laura's mind,
Accustom'd truth and prudence to revere,
Sink by rash censure, or contempt unkind:
Minds like her own, to truth and prudence dear?
What tho' perchance the seeds of attic taste,
Rich efflorescence, Nature's hand withheld;
Tho' Science ne'er their nighdy vigils grac'd
With wit and sense, like Laura's, unexcell'd.
Deem not the goddess niggard in her stores;
A thousand latent talents are enshrin'd.
She blends, appropriates, contrasts, explores,
And, various as the feature, moulds the mind.
All have their uses. 'Tis to some assign'd,
As sings the sage, a narrow round to tread,
To fill the lowlier uses of their kind
With silent goodness, or with sense unread.
All cannot boast, like thee, a judgment keen
Our course to point, our errors to retrieve:
Yet for fall'n man their task is not too mean,
Who mourn the woes, they know not to relieve.
The regal oak, in air supremely towers,
And amply spreads each grand umbrageous arm:
Yet not neglected glow the vernal flowers,
Whose gay enamel bids the valley charm.
To the tall tree, when lowering storms affright,
We fly for shelter, and its foliage bless.
In fertile vales, when peaceful skies invite,
We praise gay Nature in her humble dress.
In various trials is thy merit shown:
Then to perfection urge thy noble aim.
Worth may exist, albeit to thee unknown;
And Genius, which thy household gods disclaim.
In various trials is thy merit shown:
Then to perfection urge thy noble aim.
Worth may exist, albeit to thee unknown;
And Genius, which thy household gods disclaim.
In me mean deference would my love demean.
Can servile awe thy just esteem retain?
Shall friendship prove an oriental queen,
And fear the impulse of the soul restrain?
No! be reproof her office, and do thou,
Still as thou seest my angry passion blaze,
Teach me my fault with candour to avow,
And make me worthier of thy love and praise.
Yet cautious check my temper's ardent force,
Would'st thou annihilate the honest zeal,
Whose big emotion bursts from Friendship's source,
And which in all its warmth for thee I feel.
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