70

MOLLY MOG,

X.

A letter when I am inditing,
Comes Cupid and gives me a jog,
And I fill all the paper with writing
Of nothing but sweet Molly Mog.

40

XI.

If I would not give up the three Graces
I wish I were hang'd like a dog,
And at court all the drawing-room faces,
For a glance of my sweet Molly Mog.

45

XII.

Those faces want nature and spirit,
And seem as cut out of a log;
Juno, Venus, and Pallas's merit
Unite in my sweet Molly Mog.

XIII.

Those who toast all the Family Royal,
In bumpers of Hogan and Nog,
Have hearts not more true or more loyal,
Than mine to my sweet Molly Mog.

50

XIII. Were

A
PANEGYRICAL EPISTLE

TO

Mr. THOMAS SNOW,

Goldsmith, *near* Temple-Bar.

OCCASIONED

By his buying and selling of the Third Subscriptions, taken in by the Directors of the South-Sea Company, at a thousand per Cent.

DISDAIN not' Snow, my humble verfe to hear:
Stick thy black pen a while behind thy ear.
Whether thy compter fhine with fums untold,
And thy wide-grafping hand grow black with gold:

Whether

A PANEGYRICAL EPISTLE

73

Whether thy mien erect, and fable locks,
In crowds of brokers over-awe the Stocks:
Suspend the worldly bufinefs of the day,
And to enrich thy mind, attend my lay.

5

O thou, whose penetrative wisdom found
The South-Sea rocks and shelves, where thousands drown'd.
When credit funk, and commerce gaiping lay,
Thou ftood'ft; nor fent'ft one bill unpaid away.
When not a guinea chink'd on Martin's boards,
And At-well's felf was drain'd of all his hoards,
Thou ftood'ft (an Indian king in fize and hue)
Thy unexhaufted fhop was our Peru.

10

15

Why did 'Change-Alley waſte thy precious hours,
Among the fools who gap'd for golden ſhow'rs ?
No wonder if we found ſome Peets there,
Who live on fancy, and can feed on air ;
No wonder they were caught by South-Sea ſchemes
Who ne'er enjoy'd a guinea, but in dreams ;
No wonder, they their third ſubſcriptions fold,
For millions of imaginary gold :

20

VOL. IV.

H

No

To Mr. THOMAS SNOW.

74

No wonder, that their fancies wild could frame
Strange reafons, that a thing is still the fame,
Tho' chang'd throughout in subftance and in name.
But you (whofe judgement scorns poetic flights)
With contracts furnish boys for paper kites.

25

Let vulture H—ns stretch forth his rufty throat,
Who'd ruin thoufands for a single groat.
I know thou spurn'ft his mean, his fordid mind :
Nor with ideal debts would'ft plague mankind.
Why ftrive his greedy hands to grafp at more ?—
The wretch was born to want, whose foul is poor.

30

Madmen alone their empty dreams purfue,
And still believe the fleeting vifion true;
They fell the treafure which their plumbers get,
Then wake, and fancy all the world in debt.
If to inftruet thee all my reafons fail,
Yet be diverted by this moral tale.—

35

Through fam'd Moorfields extends a spacious feat,
Where mortals of exalted wit retreat :
Where wrapp'd in contemplation and in straw,
The wiser few from the mad world withdraw.

40

There,

A PANEGYRICAL EPISTLE

There, in full opulence a banker dwelt,
Who all the joys and pangs of riches felt :
His fide-board glittered with imagin'd plate ;
And his proud fancy held a vaft eftate.

As on a time he pafs'd the vacant hours,
In raifing piles of ftraw and twifting bow'rs;
A poet enter'd of the neigb'ring cell,
And with fix'd eyes obferv'd the ftructure well.
A ſharpen'd ſkewer crofs his bare shoulders bound
A tatter'd rug, which dragg'd upon the ground.

The banker cry'd, “ Behold my caſtle walls,
“ My ſtatues, gardens, fountains and canals ;
“ With land of twenty thouſand acres round !
“ All theſe I ſell thee for ten thouſand pound.”

The bard with wonder the cheap purchase ſaw,
So ſign'd the contract (as ordains the law.)

The banker's brain was cool'd, the miſt grew clear :
The viſionary ſcene was loft in air.
He now the vanifh'd profpect underſtood,
And ſear'd the fancy'd bargain was not good :

H 2

75

45

50

55

60

Yet

76

To Mr. THOMAS SNOW.

Yet loath the fum entire should be destroy'd;
" Give me a penny, and thy contract's void.

65

The startled bard with eye indignant frown'd.
" Shall I, ye Gods (he cries) my debts compound !"

So faying, from his rug the skewer he takes :

And on the stick ten equal notches makes :
With juſt reſentment flings it on the ground ;

70

" There take my tally of ten thouſand pound."

ON

ON A

MISCELLANY of POEMS,

TO

BERNARD LINTOTT.

*Ipsa varietate tentamus efficere ut alia aliis; quædam fortafpe omnibus placeant.*

PLIN. Epift.

AS when fome ſkilful cook, to pleafe each gueſt,
Would in one mixture comprehend a feaſt,
With due proportion and judicious care
He fills his diſh with different forts of fare,
Fishes and fowls deliciously unite,
To feaſt at once the taſte, the ſmell, and fight.

So, Bernard, mult a miscellany be
Compounded of all kinds of poetry;

H 3

The

78

On a MISCELLANY of POEMS,

The mufes o’lio, which all taftes may fit,
And treat each reader with his darling wit.

10

Wouldft thou for mifcellanies raife thy fame;
And bravely rival Jacob’s mighty name,
Let all the mufes in the piece confpire,
The lyric bard muft strike th’ harmonious lyre;
Heroic ftrains muft here and there be found,
And nervous fense be fung in lofty found;
Let elegy in moving numbers flow,
And fill fome pages with melodious woe;
Let not your am’rous fongs too num’rous prove,
Nor glut thy reader with abundant love;
Satire muft interfere, whose pointed rage
May laſh the madneſs of a vicious age;
Satire, the Mufe that never fails to hit,
For if there’s ſcandal, to be sure there’s wit.
Tire not our patience with Pindaric lays,
Thofe ſwell the piece, but very rarely pleafe:
Let ſhort-breath’d epigram its force confine,
And ſtrike at follies in a ſingle line:
Translations ſhould throughout the work be ſown,
And Homer’s godlike mufe be made our own;

15

20

25

30

Horace

Horace
And
Let
And
His
And
Let
And
Thro
And
Var
From
In
And
W
That
Whe
The
Anac
Retu
’Tis
But
The

TO BERNARD LINTOTT.

79

Horace in useful numbers should be hung,
And Virgil's thoughts adorn the British tongue;
Let Ovid tell Corinna's hard disdain,
And at her door in melting notes complain:
His tender accents pitying virgins move,
And charm the lift'ning ear with tales of love.
Let ev'ry classic in the volume shine,
And each contribute to thy great design:
Through various subjects let the reader range,
And raise his fancy with a grateful change;
Variety's the source of joy below,
From whence still fresh revolving pleafures flow.
In books and love, the mind one end pursues,
And only change th' expiring flame renews.

35

40

Where Buckingham will condescend to give,
That honour'd piece to diffant times muft live;
When noble Sheffield ftrikes the trembling ftrings,
The little loves rejoice, and clap their wings,
Anacreon lives, they cry, th' harmonious fwain
Retunes the lyre, and tries his wonted ftrain,
'Tis he—our loft Anacreon lives again.
But when th' illuftrious poet foars above
The fportive revels of the god of love,

45

50

H 4

Like

So On a MISCELLANY of POEMS,

Like Maro's muse he takes a loftier flight,
And tow'rs beyond the wond'ring Cupid's light.

55

If thou wouldst have thy volume stand the teft,
And of all others be reputed best,
Let Congreve teach the lift'ning groves to mourn,
As when he wept o'er fair Pafiora's Urn.

Let Prior's muse with soft'ning accents move,
Soft as the ftrains of conftant Emma's love :
Or let his fancy chufe some jovial theme,
As when he told Hans Carvel's jealous dream ;
Prior th' admiring reader entertains,

With Chaucer's humour, and with Spencer's ftrains.

60

65

Waller in Granville lives; when Mira fings
With Waller's hand he ftrikes the founding ftrings,
With fprightly turns his noble genius fhines,
And manly fenſe adorns his eafie lines.

On Addifon's ſweet lays attention waits,
And filence guards the place while he repeats;
His muſe alike on ev'ry ſubject charms,
Whether ſhe paints the god of love, or arms :
In him pathetic Ovid ſings again,

And Homer's Illiad ſhines in his Campaign.

70

75

Whenever

TO BERNARD LINTOTT.

81

Whenever *Garth* shall raife his fprightly ſong,
Senſe flows in eafie numbers from his tongue ;
Great *Phæbus* in his learned ſon we ſee,
Alike in phyſic, as in poetry.

When Pope's harmonious muſe with pleafure roves, 80
Amidst the plains, the murm'ring ſtreams, and groves,
Attentive echo, pleas'd to hear his ſongs,
Thro' the glad ſhade each warbling note prolongs;
His various numbers charm our ravish'd ears,
His ſteady judgment far out-shoots his years,
And early in the youth the god appears.

85

From theſe ſucceſſul bards collect thy ſtrains :
And præſe with profit ſhall reward thy pains :
Then, while calves-leather binding bears the ſway,
And ſheep-ſkin to its ſlecker gloſs gives way;
While neat old Elzevir is reckon'd better
Than *Pirate Hill*'s brown ſheets, and ſcurvy letter;
While print admirers careful Aldus chufe
Before *John Morphew*, or the weekly news :
So long ſhall live thy præſe in books of fame,
And Tonſon yield to Li. tott's lofty name.

90

95

BALLAD

B A L L A D.

Of all the girls that e'er were seen,
There's none so fine as Nelly,
For charming face, and shape, and mien,
And what's not fit to tell ye :
Oh! the turn'd neck, and smooth white skin
Of lovely dearest Nelly !
For many a swain it well had been
Had she ne'er been at Calai-.

For when as Nelly came to France,
(Invited by her cousins)
Acrofs the Tuilleries each glance
Kill'd Frenchmen by whole dozens.
The king, as he at dinner sat,
Did beckon to his huffar,
And bid him bring his tabby cat,
For charming Nell to buſs her.

5

10

15

The

BALLAD.

83

The ladies were with rage provok'd,
To see her so respected;
The men look'd arch, as Nelly strok'd,
And pufs her tail erected.
But not a man did look imploy,
Except on pretty Nelly,
Then said the Duke de Villeroy,
Ah! qu'elle eft bien jolie!

20

But who's that great philosopher,
That carefully looks at her ?
By his concern it should appear,
The fair one is his daughter.
Ma foy ! (quoth then a courtier fly,)
He on his child does leer too :
I wish he has no mind to try
What some papa's will here do.

25

36

The courtiers all, with one accord,
Broke out in Nelly's prais'es,
Admir'd her Rose, and Lys fans farde,
(Which are your Termes Francoifes.)

35

Then

84

BALLAD.

Then might you see a painted ring
Of dames that ftood by Nelly;
She like the pride of all the Spring,
And they, like Fleurs de Palais.

40

In Marli's gardens, and St. Clou,
I saw this charming Nelly,
Where fhamelefs nymphs, expos'd to view,
Stand naked in each allée :

But Venus had a brazen face
Both at Verfailles and Meudon,
Or else she had resign'd her place,
And left the ftone she ftood on.

45

Were Nelly's figure mounted there,
'Twould put down all th' Italian :
Lord ! how thofe foreigners would ftare !

But I should turn Pygmalion :

For spite of lips, and eyes and mien,
Me, nothing can delight so,
As does that part that lies between
Her left toe, and her right toe.

50

55

A

86

A BALLAD

II.

Kings, queens and knaves, made up his pack,
And four fair suits he wore;
His troops they were with red and black
All blotch'd and spotted o'er;
And ev'ry house go where you will,
Is haunted by this imp *Quadrille*, &c.

10

III.

Sure cards he has for ev'ry thing,
Which well court-cards they name,
And statesman-like, calls in the king,
To help out a bad game;
But if the parties manage ill,
The king is forc'd to lose *Cedille*, &c.

15

IV.

When two and two were met of old,
They ne'er meant to marry,
They were in *Cupid's* books enroll'd,
And call'd a *Party Quarrée*;
But now meet when and where you will,
A *Party Quarrée* is *Quadrille*, &c.

20

25

V. The

on QUADRILLE.

87

V.

The commoner, the knight, and peer,
Men of all ranks and fame,
Leave to their wives the only care
To propagate their name;
And well that duty they fulfill,
When the good husband's at Quadrille, &c.

30

VI.

When patients lie in piteous case,
In comes the Apothecary;
And to the doctor cries, Alas!

Non debes Quadrillare :

The patient dies without a pill,
For why ? the doctor's at Quadrille, &c.

35

VII.

Should France and Spain again grow loud,
The Muscovite grow louder;
Britain to curb her neighbours proud,
Would want both ball and powder;
Muſt want both ſword and gun to kill :
For why ? the general's at Quadrille, &c.

40

I 2

VIII. The

GO

A NEW SONG

Pert as a pear-monger I'd be,
If Molly were but kind;
Cool as a cucumber could see
The rest of womankind.

10

Like a stuck pig I gaping flare,
And eye her o'er and o'er;
Lean as a rake with fights and care,
Sleek as mouse before.

15

Plump as a partridge was I known,
And soft as filk my skin,
My cheeks as fat as butter grown ;
But as a groat now thin !

20

I melancholy as a cat,
Am kept awake to weep ;
But the infenfible of that,
Sound as a top can fleep.

Hard is her heart as flint or stone,
She laughs to see me pale,
And merry as a grig is grown,
And brisk as bottled-ale,

25

The

OF NEW SIMILES.

91

The God of Love at her approach
Is busy as a bee,
Hearts found as any bell or reach,
Are smit and sgh like me.

Ay me ! as thick as hops or hail,
The fine men crowd about her ;

But soon as dead as a door-nail
Shall I be if without her.

Strait as my leg her shape appears ;
O were we join'd together !

My heart would be foot-free from cares,
And lighter than a feather.

As fine as five-pence is her mien,
No drum was ever tighter ;
Her glance is as the razor keen,
And not the fun is brighter.

As soft as pap her kiffes are,
Methinks I tafte them yet ;

Brown as a berry is her hair,
Her eyes as black as jet :

45

As

92

A NEW SONG

As smooth as glafs, as white as curds,
Her pretty hand invites ;
Sharp as a needle are her words,
Her wit like pepper, bites ;

50

Brisk as a body-loufe she trips,
Clean as a penny dreft ;
Sweet as a rofe her breath and lips,
Round as the globe her breaft.

55

Full as an egg was I with glee ;
And happy as a king.
Good L—d ! how all men envy'd me !
She lov'd like any thing,

60

But falfc as hell, fhe, like the wind,
Chang'd, as her sex muſt do ;
Tho' feeming as the turtle kind,
And like the goſpel true.

If I and Molly could agree,
Let who would take Peru !
Great as an emp'ror ſhould I be,
And richer than a ſew ;

65

Till

Newgate's Garland ;
BEING
A NEW BALLAD,
SHEWING

How Mr. JONATHAN WILD'S Throat was
cut from Ear to Ear with a Penknife,

By Mr. BLAKE, alias BLUESKIN, the Bold
HIGHWAYMAN,

As he ftood at his Trial in the Old-Baily, 1725.

To the Tune of the Cut-purse.

YE gallants of Newgate, whose fingers are nice,
In diving in pockets, or cogging of dice.

Ye sharpers so rich, who can buy off the noose,
Ye honefter poor rogues, who die in your shoes,

Attend and draw near,

Good news you shall hear,

How Jonathan's throat was cut from ear to ear;

How

NEWGATE'S GARLAND.

95

How Bluekin's sharp penknife hath set you at ease,
And every man round me may rob, if he pleafe.

II.

When to the Old-Baily this Bluekin was led,
He held up his hand, his indictment was read,
Loud rattled his chains, near him Jonathan stood,
For full forty pounds was the price of his blood.

Then hopelefs of life,
He drew his penknife,

And made a fad widow of Jonathan's wife.
But forty pounds paid her, her grief shall appeafe,
And every man round me may rob, if he pleafe.

10

15

III.

Some fay there are courtiers of higheft renown,
Who ſteal the king's gold, and leave him but a crown;
Some fay there are peers, and ſome parliament-men,
Who meet once a year to rob courtiers again :

Let them all take their swing,
To pillage the king,

And get a blue ribbon instead of a string.
Now Bluekin's sharp penknife hath set you at ease,
And every man round me may rob if he pleafe.

25

IV. Knaves

96

NEWGATE'S GARLAND.

IV.

Knaves of old, to hide guilt by their cunning inventions,
Call'd briberies grants, and plain robberies penfions;
Physicians and lawyers (who take their degrees
To be learned rogues) call'd their pilfering fees;

Since this happy day,
Now ev'ry man may
Rob (as fafe as in Office) upon the highway.
For Blueſkin's ſharp penknife hath fet you at eafe,
And every man round me may rob if he pleafe.

V.

Some cheat in the cuſtoms, ſome rob the excife,
But he who robs both is eſteemed moſt wife.
Church-wardens, too prudent to hazard the halter,
As yet only venture to ſteal from the altar :

But now to get gold,
They may be more bold,
And rob on the highway, ſince Jonathan's cold.
For Blueſkin's ſharp penknife hath fet you at eafe,
And every man round me may rob if he pleafe.

THE

THE

QUIDNUNKI'S:

A

T A L E.

OCCASIONED

By the Death of the DUKE REGENT of
FRANCE.

HOW vain are mortal man's endeavours?
(Said at * Dame Elleot's, Mafter Tr—)
Good Orleans dead! in truth 'tis hard:
Oh? may all Statefmen die prepar'd!

* A coffee-houfe near St. James's.

VOL. IV.

K

I do

98 THE QUIDNUNKI'S : A TALE.

I do forefee (and for fore-feeing
He equals any man in being)
The army ne'er can be disbanded.
— I wish the King were safely landed.
Ah friends ! great changes threat the land ;
All France and England at a stand !
There's Meroweis—mark ! ftrange work !
And there's the Czar, and there's the Turk—
The Pope—An India merchant by,
Cut short the speech with this reply.

ALL at a stand ? You see great changes ?
Ah, Sir ! you never faw the Ganges.
There dwell the nations of Quidnunki's,
(So Monomotapa calls monkies :)
On either bank, from bough to bough,
They meet and chat (as we may now.)
Whifpers go round, they grin, they shrug,
They bow, they snarl, they scratch, they hug ;
And, juft as chance, or whim provoke them,
They either bite their friends, or ftroke them.

THERE have I seen fome active prig
To fhew his parts, beſtride a twig :

L-d!

THE QUIDNUNKI'S : A TALE.

99

L—d! how the chatt'ring tribe admire,
Not that he's wiser, but he's higher :
All long to try the vent'rous thing,
(For pow'r is but to have one's swing.)
From fide to fide he springs, he spurns,
And bangs his foes and friends by turns,
Thus, as in giddy freaks he bounces,
Crack goes the twig, and in he flounces !
Down the swift fstream the wretch is borne ;
Never, ah never, to return !

30

35

Z—ds! what a fall had our dear brother;
Morbleu! cries one, and damme, t'other.
The nations give a gen'ral screech,
None cocks his tail, none claws his breech;
Each trembles for the public weal,
And for a while forgets to fteal.

40

A WHILE, all eyes intent and fteddy,
Purfue him, whirling down the eddy.
But out of mind when out of view,
Some other mounts the twig anew;
And buſineſs, on each monkey ſhore,
Runs the fame track it went before.

45

K 2

AY

AY and No: a FABLE.

101

STOP, peevish particle, beware !
I'm told you are not such a bear,
But sometimes yield, when offer'd fair.
Suffer yon' folks awhile to tattle ;
'Tis We who must decide the battle.
Whene'er we war on yonder stage
With various fate, and equal rage,
The nation trembles at each blow
That No gives Ay, and Ay gives No;
Yet in expensive long contention,
We gain nor office, grant, or pension.

10

15

Why then should kinsfolks quarrel thus ?
(For, two of you make one of us.)

20

To some wife statesman let us go,
Where each his proper use may know.

He may admit two such commanders ;
And make those wait who served in Flanders.

25

Let's quarter on a great man's tongue,

A traitor's lord, not mafter Y—g.

Obsequious at his high command,
Ay shall march forth to tax the land :

Impeachments, No can beft refift,

And Ay support the civil lift :

30

K 3

Ay !

102

Ay and No: a FABLE,

Ay! quick as Cæsar wins the day;
And No, like Fabius, by delay.
Sometimes in mutual fly disguise,
Let Ay's seem No's, and No's seem Ay's;
Ay's be in courts denials meant,
And No's in bishops give consent.

35

THUS Ay propos'd—And for reply,
No, for the first time anſwer'd Ay!
They parted with a thousand kiffes,
And fight e'er ſince for pay, like Swiffes.

40

THE

104 The LAMENTATION of GRILDRIG.

She furl'd her sampler, and haul'd in her thread,
And stuck her needle into Grildrig's bed;
Then spread her hands, and with a bounce let fall
Her baby, like the giant in Guildhall.
In peals of thunder now she roars, and now
She gently whimpers like a lowing cow:
Yet lovely in her forrow still appears,
Her locks dishevell'd, and her flood of tears
Seem like the lofty barn of some rich swain,
When from the thatch drips faft a show'r of rain.

IN vain she search'd each cranny of the house,
Each gaping chink impervious to a mouse.
" Was it for this (she cry'd) with daily care
" Within thy reach I fet the vinegar !
" And fill'd the cruet with the acid tide,
" While pepper-water worms thy bait supply'd
" Where twin'd the silver eel around thy hook,
" And all the little monsters of the brook.
" Sure in that lake he dropt: My Grilly's drown'd."—
She dragg'd the cruet, but no Grildrig found.

" VAIN is thy courage, Grilly, vain thy boat: 25
" But little creatures enterprife the moft.

" Trembling,

A PASTORAL.

105

“ Trembling, I’ve seen thee dare the kitten’s paw,

“ Nay, mix with children as they play’d at taw,

“ Nor fear’d the marbles, as they bounding flew :

“ Marbles to them, but rolling rocks to you.

30

“ WHY did I truft thee with that giddy youth !

“ Who from a page can ever learn the truth ?

“ Vers’d in court tricks, that money-loving boy

“ To some lord’s daughter fold the living toy ;

“ Or rent him limb from limb, in cruel play,

35

“ As children tear the wings of flies away.

“ From place to place o’er Brobdinag I’ll roam,

“ And never will return, or bring thee home.

“ But who hath eyes to trace the paffing wind ?

“ How then thy fairy footsteps can I find ?

40

“ Doft thou bewilder’d wander all alone,

“ In the green thicket of a mossy stone,

“ Or tumbled from the toadstool’s slippery round,

“ Perhaps all maim’d, lie grovelling on the ground ?

“ Doft thou imbofom’d in the lovely rose,

45

“ Or funk within the peach’s down repofe ?

“ Within the king-cup if thy limbs are spread,

“ Or in the golden cowflip’s velvet head :

“ O fhew

106 The LAMENTATION of GRILDRIG.

“ O shew me, Flora, ’midst thofe sweets, the flow’r
“ Where fleeps my Grildrig in his fragrant bow’r! 50

“ But ah! I fear thy little fancy roves,
“ On little females, and on little loves;
“ Thy pigmy children, and thy tiny fpouſe,
“ The baby playthings that adorn thy houſe,
“ Doors, windows, chimneys, and the ſpacious rooms
“ Equal in ſize to cells of honeycombs.
“ Haſt thou for theſe now ventur’d from the ſhore,
“ Thy bark a bean-ſhell, and a ſtraw thy oar?
“ Or in thy box now bounding on the main?
“ Shall I ne’er bear thyſelf and houſe again?
“ And ſhall I fet thee on my hand no more,
“ To ſee thee leap the lines, and traverſe o’er
“ My ſpacious palm? of ſtature ſcarce a ſpan,
“ Mimic the actions of a real man?

“ No more behold thee turn my watch’s key,
“ As feamen at a capſtern anchors weigh?
“ How waſt thou wont to walk with cautious tread,
“ A diſh of tea, like milk-pail on thy head?

“ How

A PASTORAL.

107

" How chace the mite that bore thy cheeſe away,
" And keep the rolling maggot at a bay ?" 70

SHE faid; but broken accents ſtopt her voice,
Soft as the ſpeaking-trumpet's mellow noife :
She ſobb'd a ſtorm, and wip'd her flowing eyes,
Which ſeem'd like two broad funs in mifty ſkies !—
O ! ſquander not thy grief; thofe tears command 75
To weep upon our cod in Newfoundland :
The plenteous pickle ſhall preſerve the fish,
And Europe taſte thy forrows in a diſh.

MARY

MARY GULLIVER

TO

Capt. Lemuel Gulliver.

## ARGUMENT.

The Captain, some time after his return, being retired to Mr. Sympson's in the Country, Mrs. Gulliver, apprehending from his late Behaviour some Estrangement of his Affections, writes him the following expostulating, soothing, and tenderly complaining Epistle.

WELCOME, thrice welcome, to thy native
place !
—What, touch me not ? What, shun a wife's em-
brace ?

Have I for this thy tedious absence borne,
And wak'd and wif'h'd whole nights for thy return ?

In

MARY GULLIVER, &c.

109

In five long years I took no second spouſe ;

5

What Rotherhithe wife so long hath kept her vows ?

Your eyes, your noſe, inconſtancy betray ;

Your noſe you ſtop, your eyes you turn away.

'Tis said that thou ſhouldſt cleave unto thy wife ;

Once thou didſt cleave, and I could cleave for life.

10

Hear, and relent ! hark, how thy children moan,

Be kind at leaſt to theſe, they are thy own :

Be bold, and count them all; ſecure to find

The honeſt number that you left behind.

See how they pat thee with their pretty paws :

15

Why ſtart you ? are they ſnakes ? or have they claws ?

Thy Chriſtian feed, our mutual fleſh and bone :

Be kind at leaſt to theſe, they are thy own.

* Biddel, like thee, might fartheſt India rove ;

He chang'd his country, but retains his love.

20

There's captain Pannell, abſent half his life,

Comes back, and is the kinder to his wife ;

Yet Pannel's wife is brown, compar'd to me,

And Miſtrefs Biddel ſure is fifty-three.

* Names of the ſea captains mentioned in Gulliver's Travels.

Vol. IV.

L

Not

IIo

MARY GULLIVER TO

NOT touch me! Never neighbour call'd me flut: 25
Was Flimnap's dame more sweet in Lilliput ?
I've no red hair to breathe an odious fume ;
At least thy confort's cleaner than thy groom.
Why then that dirty stable-boy thy care ?
What mean those visits to the forrel mare ? 30
Say, by what witchcraft, or what daemon led,
Preferr'd thou litter to the marriage bed !

SOME say the dev'l himself is in that mare :
If so our Dean shall drive him forth by pray'r ;
Some think you mad, some think you are poſſeſt,
That Bedlam and clean ftraw will fuit you beſt.
Vain means, alas, this phrenzy to appeaſe !
That ftraw, that ftraw would heighten the diſeafe.

MY bed (the ſcene of all our former joys,
Witneſs two lovely girls, two lovely boys)
Alone I preſs ; in dreams I call my dear,
I ſtretch my hand; no Gulliver is there !
I wake, I rife, and ſhiv'ring with the froſt,
Search all the houſe : my Gulliver is loſt !
Forth in the streets I rush with frantic cries ;
The windows open; all the neighbours rife :

Where

LEMUEL GULLIVER.

III

Where sleeps my Gulliver ? O tell me where !
The neighbours answer, “ With the forrel mare.”

AT early morn', I to the market hafte,
Studious in ev'ry thing to pleafe thy tafte ;)
A curious fowl and 'fparagus I chofe,
(For I remember'd you were fond of thofe,)
Three shillings coft the firft, the laft fev'n groats ;
Sullen you turn from both, and call for oats.

OTHERS bring goods and treasure to their houfes, 55
Something to deck their pretty babes and ſpoufes ;
My only token was a cup like horn,
That's made of nothing but a lady's corn.
'Tis not for that I grieve ; no, 'tis to fee
The groom and forrel mare preferr'd to me ! 60

THESE, for some moments when you deign to quit,
And (at due distance) sweet discourſe admit,
'Tis all my pleasure thy paſt toil to know,
For pleas'd remembrance builds delight on woe.
At ev'ry danger, pants thy comfort's breaſt,
And gaping infants ſquall to hear the reſt.
How did I tremble when by thouſands bound,
I ſaw thee ſtretch'd on Lilliputian ground ;

L 2

When

112

MARY GULLIVER TO

When scaling armies climb'd up ev'ry part,
Each step they trod, I felt upon my heart.
But when thy torrent quench'd the dreadful blaze,
King, queen, and nation, staring with amaze,
Full in my view how all my husband came,
And what extinguish'd theirs, increas'd my flame.
Thofe spectacles, ordain'd thine eyes to fave,
Were once my preſent; Love that armour gave.
How did I mourn at Bolgolam's decree !
For when he ſign'd thy death, he ſentenc'd me.

70

75

WHEN folks might see thee all the country round
For fix-pence, I'd have given a thousand pound. 80
Lord! when that giant babe that head of thine
Got in his mouth, my heart was up in mine!
When in the marrow-bone I faw thee ramm'd,
Or on the houſe-top by the monkey cramm'd,
The piteous images renew my pain,
And all thy dangers I weep o'er again.
But on the maiden's nipple when you rid,
Pray Heav'n, twas all a wanton maiden did!
Glumdalclitch too! — with thee I mourn her caſe:
Heav'n guard the gentle girl from all diſgrace! 90

95

O may

LEMUEL GULLIVER.

O may the king that one neglect forgive,
And pardon her the fault by which I live !
Was there no other way to let him free ?
My life alas ! I fear prov'd death to thee.

O TEACH me, Dear, new words to speak my flame! 95
Teach me to wooe thee by thy best lov'd name ;
Whether the style of Grildrig pleafe thee moft,
So call'd on Brobdingnag's stupendous coaft,
When on the monarch's ample hand you fate,
And hallow'd in his ear intrigues of state :          100
Or Quinbus Flestrin more endearment brings :
When like a mountain you look'd down on kings :
If ducal Nardac, Lilliputian peer,
Or Glumglum's humbler title footh thy ear :
Nay, would kind Jove my organs so diffpofe,      105
To hymn harmonious Houyhnhym thro' the noſe,
I'd call thee Houyhnhym, that high founding name,
Thy childrens noſes all should twang the fame.
So might I find my loving ſpouſe of courſe
Endu'd with all the virtues of a horſe.          110

L 3.

T O

( 117 )

VERSES
To be placed under the PICTURE
OF
Sir R— B—, ENGLAND'S ARCH-POET;
CONTAINING
A Compleat CATALOGUE of his WORKS.

SEE who ne'er was nor will be half read :
Who first sang (1) Arthur, then sang (2) Alfred;
Prais'd great (3) Eliza in God's anger,
Till all true Englishmen cry'd, Hang her!
Made William's virtues wipe the bare a—
And hang'd up Marlborough in (4) arras;
Then hifs'd from earth, grew heav'nly quite;
Made ev'ry reader curse the (5) light;

Maul'd

(1) Two Heroic Poems, in folio, twenty books.

(2) Heroic Poem, in twelve books.

(3) Heroic Poem, in folio, ten books.

(4) Instructions to Vanderbank, a tapestry weaver.

(5) Hymn to the light.

(6) Satire

118 VERSES ON SIR R— B—.

Maul'd human wit in one thick (6) fatire,
Next in three books, spoil'd (7) human nature;
Undid (8) creation at a jirk,
And of (9) redemption made damn'd work.
Then took his mufe at once and dipt her
Full in the middle of the Scripture.

What wonders there the man grown old, did!
Sternhold himfelf he out-Sternholded,
Made (10) David feem so mad and freakifh,
All thought him juſt what thought king Achiz.

No mortal read his (11) Solomon,
But judg'd Re'boam his own ſon.

Mofes he ſerv'd as Mofes Pharaoh,
And Deborah, as She Sife-rah:

Made (13) Jeremy full ſore to cry,

And (14) Job himſelf curſe God and die.

(6) Satire againſt wit.

(7) Of the nature of man.

(8) Creation, a Poem, in ſeven books.

(9) The Redeemer, another Heroic Poem in ſix books.

(10) Tranſlation of all the Psalms.

(11) Canticles and Eccleſiaſtes.

(12) Paraphraſe of the Canticles of Mofes and Deborah, &c.

(13) The Lamentations.

(14) The whole Book of Job, a Poem, in ſelio.

What

VERSES ON SIR R—B—.

119

What punishment all this must follow?

25

Shall Arthur use him like king Tollo?

Shall David as Uriah slay him?

Or dext'rous Deb'rah Sifera-him?

Or shall Eliza lay a plot,

To treat him like her sister Scot?

30

Shall William dub his better end *,

Or Marlborough serve him like a friend?

No!—none of these!—heav'n spare his life!

But send him, honest Job, thy wife!

* Kick him on the breech, not knight him on the shoulder.

BOUNCE

BOUNCE to FOP, an EPISTLE.

121

Yet thence to think I'd bite your head off;
Sure *Bounce* is one you never read of.

*Fop!* you can dance, and make a leg,
Can fetch and carry, cringe and beg;
And (what's the top of all your tricks)
Can ftoop to pick up ftrings or fticks;
We country dogs love nobler fport,
And fcorn the pranks of dogs at court.
Fie naughty *Fop!* where'er you come
To fh-t and p-fs about the room,
To lay your head in every lap,
And when they think not of you—fnap :
The worft that envy, or that fpite
E'er faid of me, is I *can* bite;
That idle gypfies, rogues in rags,
Who poke at me, can make no brags;
And that to touze fuch things as *flutter*,
To honeft *Bounce* is bread and butter.

While you and every courtly fop,
Fawn on the devil for a chop;
I've the humanity to hate
A butcher, tho' he brings me meat :

VOL. IV.

M

And

122

BOUNCE to FOP, an EPISTLE.

And let me tell you, have a nofe,
(Whatever ftinking fops fuppofe)
That under cloth of gold or tiſſue
Can ſmell a plaifter, or an iſſue.
Your pilf'ring lord, with ſimple pride
May wear a pick-lock at his ſide :
My maſter wants no key of ſtate,
For Bounce can keep his houſe and gate.

30

35

When all ſuch dogs have had their days,
As knaviſh *Pams* and fawning *Trays* :
When pamper'd Cupids, beaſtly Veni's,
And motly, ſquinting Harlequini's *
Shall lick no more their lady's br—,
Shall die of loofenefs, claps, or itch ;
Fair Thames from either ecchoing ſhore
Shall hear and dread my manly roar.

40

See *Bounce*, like *Berecynthia*, crown'd
With thund'ring offspring all around,
Beneath, befide me, and a top,
A hundred ſons! and not one *Fop*.

45

* Alii legunt *Harvequini's*.

Before

BOUNCE to FOP, an EPISTLE.

123

Before my children fet your beef,
Not one true Bounce will be a thief;
Not one without permiffion feed,
(Tho' fome of J—ns hungry breed)
But whatfoe'er the father's race,
From me they fuck a little grace.
While your fine whelps learn all to steal,
Bred up by hand on chick and veal.

50

55

My eldeft born refides not far
Where fhines great Strafford's glitt'ring ftar;
My fecond (child of Fortune !) waits
At Burlington's Palladian gates;
A third majeftically ftalks,
(Happieft of dogs) in Cobham's walks !
One ufhers friends to Bathurft's door,
One ſuwns at Oxford's on the poor.

60

Nobles whom arms or arts adorn,
Wait for my infants yet unborn.
None but a peer of wit and grace,
Can hope a puppy of my race.
And Oh! would fate the blifs decree
To mine (a blifs too great for me)

65

M 2

70

That

124

BOUNCE to FOP, an EPISTLE.

That two my tallest sons, might grace
Attending each with flately pace

Fülus' fide, as erst Evander's *

To keep off flatt'ers, spies and panders ;

To let no noble slave come near,

And scare Lord Fannies from his ear :

Then might a royal youth and true
Enjoy at least a friend—or two ;

A treasure which of royal kind,

Few but himself deferve to find ;

Then Bounce ('tis all that Bounce can crave)

Shall wag her tail within the grave.

75

80

* Virg. Æn. 8.

A BALLAD

126

A BALLAD ON ALE.

II.

Some folks of Cyder make a rout,
And Cyder's well enough no doubt,
When better liquors fail ;
But Wine, that's richer, better still,
Ev'n Wine itself, (deny't who will)
Muſt yield to nappy Ale.

10

III.

Rum, Brandy, Gin with choicest smack
From Holland brought, Batavia 'Arrack,
All these will nought avail
To chear a truly British heart,
And lively spirits to impart,
Like humming, nappy Ale.

15

IV.

Oh! whether thee I closely hug
In honest can, or nut-brown jug,
Or in the tankard hail;
In barrel, or in bottle pent,
I give the gen'rous spirit vent,
Still may I feaſt on Ale.

20

V. But

A BALLAD on ALE.

127

V.

But chief, when to the chearful glafs
From vessel pure thy streamlets pafs,
Then moft thy charms prevail;
Then, then, I'll bett, and take the odds,
That nectar, drink of heathen gods,
Was poor, compar'd to Ale.

25

30

VI.

Give me a bumper, fill it up.
See how it sparkles in the cup,
O how shall I regale!
Can any taſte this drink divine,
And then compare Rum, Brandy, Wine,
Or aught with nappy Ale.

35

VII.

Inſpir'd by thee, the warrior fights,
The lover wooes, the poet writes,
And pens the pleafing tale;
And ſtill in Britain's isle confefs'd
Nought animates the patriot's breaſt
Like gen'rous, nappy Ale.

40

VIII. High

128

A BALLAD on ALE.

VIII.

High Church and Low oft raife a strife,
And oft endanger limb and life,
Each studious to prevail;
Yet Whig and Tory oppofite
In all things elfe, do both unite
In praigne of nappy Ale.

45

IX.

Inſpir'd by thee, ſhall Crispin ſing,
Or talk of freedom, church, and king,
And balance Europe's ſcale;
While his rich landlord lays out ſchemes
Of wealth, in golden South Sea dreams,
Th' effects of nappy Ale.

50

X.

O bleſt potation! ſtill by thee,
And thy companion Liberty,
Do health and mirth prevail;
Then let us crown the can, the glafs,
And ſportive bid the minutes pafs
In quaffing nappy Ale.

55

60

XI. Ev'n

A BALLAD on ALE.

129

XI.

Ev'n while thefe ftanzas I indite,
The bar-bell's grateful founds invite
Where joy can never fail !
Adieu ! my Mufe, adieu ! I haſte
To gratify my longing taſte
With copious draughts of ALE.

65

AN

XI. E

An ELEGIAC EPISTLE to a FRIEND.

131

II.

Oh ! truly faid !—the diffant landscape bright,
5
Whofe vivid colours glitter'd on the eye
Is faded now, and funk in fhades of night,
As, on fome chilly eve, the cloſing flow'rets die.

III.

Yet had I hop'd, when firſt, in happier times,
I trod the magic paths where Fancy led,
The Mufe to fofter in more friendly climes,
Where never Mis'ry rear'd its hated head.

IV.

How vain the thought ! Hope after hope expires !
Friend after friend, joy after joy is loft ;
My deareſt wiſhes feed the fun'ral fires,
And life is purchas'd at too dear a coſt.

V

Yet, could my heart the ſelſh comfort know,
That not alone I murmur and complain ;
Well might I find companions in my woe,
All born to Grief, the family of Pain !

20

VI. Full

132 AN ELEGIA EPISTLE TO a FRIEND.

VI.

Full well I know, in life's uncertain road,
The thorns of mis'ry are profusely fown;
Full well I know, in this low vile abode,
Beneath the chaft'ning rod what numbers groan.

VII.

Born to a happier state, how many pine
Beneath th' oppreffor's pow'r, or feel the smart
Of bitter want, or foreign evils join
To the fad symptoms of a broken heart !

25

VIII.

How many, fated from their birth to view
Misfortunes growing with their rip'ning years;
The fame fad track, through various fćenes, purfue,
Still journeying onward through a vale of tears.

30

IX.

To them, alas ! what boots the light of heav'n,
While ſtill new mis'ries mark their deſtin'd way,
Whether to their unhappy lot be giv'n
Death's long, fad night, or life's ſhort busy day !

35

X. Me

133

## X.

Me not such themes delight;—I more rejoice,
When chance some happier, better change I see,
Though no such change await my luckles's choice,
And mountains rife between my hopes and me.

## XI.

For why should he who roves the dreary waeſte,
Still joy on ev'ry fide to view the gloom,
Or when upon the couch of fickneſs plac'd,
Well pleas'd ſurvey a hapleſs neighbour's tomb;

## XII.

If e'er a gleam of comfort glads my ſoul,
If e'er my brow to wonted ſmiles unbends,
'Tis when the fleeting minutes as they roll,
Can add one gleam of pleasure to my friends.

## XIII.

Ev'n in these shades, the last retreat of grief
Some tranſient bleſſings will that thought below;
To Melancholy's ſelf yield some relief,
And eafe the breast ſurcharg'd with mortal woe.

VOL. IV.

N

XIV. Long

134 An ELEGIAC EPISTLE to a FRIEND.

XIV.

Long has my bark in rudest tempests tofs'd,
Buffetted seas, and stemm'd life's hoftile wave:
Suffice it now, in all my wishes crofs'd,
To seek a peaceful harbour in the grave.

XV.

And when that hour shall come, (as come it muft,)
Ere many moons their waning horns increafe,
When this frail frame shall mix with kindred duft,
And all its fond purfuits and troubles ceaſe.

XVI.

When thofe black gates that ever open stand,
Receive me on th' irremeable shore,
When Life's frail glafs has run its lateft sand,
And the dull jeſt repeated charms no more.

XVII.

Then may my friend weep o'er the fun'ral hearſe,
Then may his prefence gild the awful gloom,
And his laſt tribute be ſome mournful verſe,
To mark the ſpot that holds my filent tomb. —

XVIII. This

ADVERTISEMENT.

THOUGH we do not pretend to give
the following as the productions of Mr. GAY;
yet as we had them from a person of undoubted
veracity, who affures us that they were found
among his papers after his decease, and as many
marks of correction were made in them, so
there is little doubt that they have undergone
the inspection of that celebrated author.

Confidering these things, and that the
imitation seemed too good to be loft, we have,
on mature deliberation, given these Canto's
a place in this work, and have the greatest
hopes that they will prove agreeable to our
readers.

142

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

2.

He gives him honours, won by merit true,
And praise (most grateful food of worthy minds)
And promise still of empire doth renew,
With vows, dispeirs'd in air by envious winds.

5

Yet deem
And H
A happier
And ho

3.

Him Gondibert with duteous ſpeech addreſs'd,
In loyal rev'rence to the kingly pow'r :—
But cares corrode his ſad and tortur'd breaſt,
Which ev'ry bloſſom of his hopes devour.

10

And oft
Had pl
Or given
To her

4.

The wounds of Love deep in his boſom fix'd,
Immortal Love, that triumphs over all
With conscious worth, and tenderneſs commix'd
For high born Rhodolind, his mind enthral :

15

Birtha—
He pri
Beyond th
Inspires

5.

He thinks on bloody battles vainly ſought,
(For vain is honour gain'd, where peace is loſt,
And rues the ills which blind ambition wrought,
And lovers in their deareſt wishes croſs'd.

20

Each obj
And it
Deck'd in
The fu

6. Yet

GONDIBERT, a POEM. 14

143

6.

Yet deems he Arnold's fate untimely flain,
And Hugo's, refting in the silent tomb,
A happier chance than theirs who live in vain,
And hopelefs wither in their early bloom.

7.

And oft' he wishes that his partial lot
Had plac'd him on some unfrequented shore;
Or given him, tranquil, in the rural cot,
To her whose charms he did with zeal adore,

25

8.

Birtha—whom far beyond ambition's flame
He priz'd;—whose love by him alone poffeſs'd
Beyond the thirtſt of glory or of fame
Inspires his foul, and animates his breaſt.

30

9.

Each objeſt now a ſplendid grace affumes,
And ſtrives to tempt him with the pleafing glare:
Deck'd in their costlieſt robes and richeſt plumes,
The fupple courtiers flatt'ring strains prepare.

35

10. All

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

144

10.

All gay and rich;—but far above the reft,
Imperial Rhodolind in beauty fhone,
As the fair moon, that bright'ning in the East,
Outfhines the stars which deck her ev'ning throne. 40

11.

On Gondibert the fix'd her ardent eye,
On him her thought; on him her foul was bent,
Yet oft' her bosom heav'd an anxious figh,
And oft' her mind prefag'd fome fad event.

12.

But he, ere yet his solemn troth he plights,
Aks a short ſpace to leave Verona's wall,
And while the prieſts prepare the nuptial rites,
To go where vows and pious duties call.

13.

A pilgrimage he feigns, (with eafe believ'd)
As vow'd in youth to a peculiar ſhrine:
The eafy king thus pioufly deceiv'd,
Grants his requeſt, and lauds the juſt deſign.

14. But

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

145

14.

But he, to Birtha conftant, soon withdrew,
To where thick woods a 'lone recefs afford.
A rural mansion rifting to the view,
Receives him there, and hails its ancient lord.

55

15.

'Twas where in early youth he wont retire,
To wooe sweet Solitude, and tafte her charms,
Ere yet his bosom caught the martial fire,
Ere yet his name was great in deeds of arms.

60

16.

From hence he soon dispatch'd a trufty slave
To proud Verona, and the neighb'ring plain,
To summon all his try'd companions brave,
Who in the city or the camp remain.

17.

To Hurgonil, his fifter Orna's knight,
To Tybalt, great of foul, and fam'd afar
For prudent youth;—to Goltho, fierce in fight;
Friends of his houſe and partners of the war.

65

VOL. IV.

O

18. Among

146

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

18.

Among the reft, a chief there was, who late
Return'd from Northern climes, with glory crown'd, 70
Who the rough Vandals follow'd like their fate
And bore the mark of many an honest wound.

19.

He once aspir'd to Rhodolinda's charms ;
But, early flighted, left the cruel fair,
And fought in fighting fields, by glorious arms,
To wooe a kinder miftres in the war.

75

20.

He came, with Hurgonil ;—the reft in vain
Were fummon'd ; fave the loyal, youthful page
Who ſped directly from the Brefcian plain,
With news of ill import and hoſtile rage.

80

21.

But leave we Gondibert, confulting theſe,
And what befel the youthful chiefs declare
What foes did Ulfinore and Goltho ſeize
Caught in the wiles of a deceitful fair.

22. Goltho,

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

147

22.

Goltho, who late had to the palace come,
Revolving Dalga's beauties in his mind,
Perceiv'd his heart had ftray'd too far from home,
To follow which his body soon inclin'd.

85

23.

And when he heard the prince's will declar'd
To quit the court, full glad the news to know,
He vows no motive shall his course retard,
On a more luckles errand bent to go.

90

24.

Black Dalga's houfe he fought, nor fought in vain,
Nor could he long her will'd appearance wait :
So ready did the fair deceiver deign
To give him welcome at her open gate.

95

25.

And much enquir'd she of his health and weal,
And much rejoic'd for his unhop'd return;
Feigning such joys as youthful lovers feel,
And flames which in most constant bosoms burn.

100

O 2.

26. Nor

148

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

26.

Nor wanted fit excuse for that fame flaw
Which Ulfinore had in her story found;
But blames the rigid sentence of the law,
Which (as she pleads) her tongue from truth had bound:

27.

“ I own” said she, (and tears her words succeed) 105
“ That not my mother, but a wealthy youth
“ Found entrance here, whose acts my anguish breed,
“ And for whose fake you must suspect my truth.

28.

“ The wretch once fought me for his wedded wife,
“ My brother still his forward suit withstood, 110
“ But since in fighting fields he lost his life,
“ This hated suitor hath his fiage renew’d.

29.

“ Sprung from one stock, he bears our ancient name,
“ And since by vile devices hath he wrought
“ To our paternal fiefs to lay his claim, 115
“ And by his bribes a cruel sentence bought.

30. “ All

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

149

30.

“ All that my mother or myself did hold,
“ The cruel law hath to this fiend convey'd,
“ And thence his defp'rate fuit hath render'd bold,
“ Againft a widow, and an artleſs maid.

120

31.

“ So, if his visits I refuse, he swears
“ To chace us from our ancient lov'd abode,
“ To give us up to poverty and fears,
“ And feize on all that Fortune hath beſtow'd.

32.

“ No other way alas! for me remains
“ But him to wed whom from my foul I hate,
“ Or quit at once my rich and fair domains,
“ And rove, abandon'd to my evil fate.”

125

33.

Goltho is touch'd;—he swears to plead her caufe
With royal Aribert; whose juſt award
Might ſtand between her and the rigid laws,
And prove her injur'd virtue's ſureſt guard.

130

O 3

34. And

150

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

34.

And now they haften from the crowded town
To rural feats with Nature's bounty fair
Bedeck'd, where Dalga swears his will to crown,
And leads him heedlefs to a fatal snare.

35.

But that the good and virtuous Ulfinore,
(Friend of his heart though rival of his love)
Di'guis'd, attends him at the fatal door,
Their parting fees, and following where they move.

36.

But turn we where the royal bride awaits,
And long-expectant counts the flow-pac'd hours,
While Aribert, unknowing of the fates,
Bids conftant watch attend Verona's tow'rs ;

37.

And these, at length, the duke's approach declare,
Seen from afar, as moving to the gates,
With purple ftreamers waving in the air,
And all the pomp that noble bridegrooms waits.

38. Strait

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

151

38.

Strait to the temple haſte the busy throng,
Some Hymen call, and ſome the god of Love,
While the grave prieſts in far more facred ſong
Addreſs the Mighty Pow'r that reigns above.

150

39.

Now funk the fun ;— with Solemn pace and flow,
Dim night advanc'd ; but not her deepeſt shade
Eclips'd the fires which through the city glow,
And ſecond day by gleaming torches made.

155

40.

These through the gloom fling forth a lengthen'd blaze,
And on the diffant walls and turrets bright,
Shine like the new-ris'n moon, with trembling rays,
Piercing the fable veil of dusky night.

160

41.

The trumpets ſpeak ; the minſtrelſy reply ;
And mingled crowds the clam'rous joy ſe found,
The notes ascending to the heavens high
Thro' vaulted æther ſpread the pealing ſound.

42. And

38. S

152

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

42.

And still on Gondibert the people call;
His name the burden of their grateful song,
To him whose valour wrought proud Ofwald's fall.
A warlike band the echoing trains prolong.

165

43.

While he, far distant, in unhappy plight,
By friends deferted, and by foes oppreſs'd,
Counts the long hours of that diſaſtrous night,
Which now appear'd in fearful horrors dreft.

170

44.

Ev'n where joy, revel'd high without controul,
Rag'd the loud tempeſt, which their clamours drown'd,
The livid lightnings flash from either pole.
And roaring thunders rend the blue profound.

175

45.

Amid this ſtorm, which prodigies enhanc'd,
Seen by the dreadful meteors' bloody glare,
A wounded ſoldier to the walls advanc'd
Whofe looks the import of his ſpeech declare.

180

46. Of

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

153

46.

Of dreadful deeds he told, and dangers near,
No lefs than threat the ancient city's harm,
And fill fair Rhodolind with pallid fear,
Such as of old did Perseus' bride alarm,

47.

When defp'rate Phineus, rushing on his fate,
115
Claim'd fair Andromeda, for whom he burn'd,
And ent'ring where the bidden guefts were fat
The marriage feaft to fćenes of flaughter turn'd.

48.

By him the fair deferted at her need,
From a dread monfter valiant Perſeus won; 190
He claim'd the *Bride* who durſt not claim the *Deed*,
And for th' unjuſt attempt was turn'd to ſtone.

49.

So vain is Joy ; a quickly-fading flow'r,
A cloud ſtill paſſing with each wind away,
A fleeting dream, the pageant of an hour,
A tranſient beam of vifionary day.

195

59. Far,

154

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

50.

Far, far from Gondibert, the phantom hy'd,
Far from the crowd, whose shouts refound his name,
Far from the monarch and the promis'd bride,
To whom too soon the fatal meffage came.

200

51.

But now the city and her train we leave,
To seek the duke, and make his fortunes known;
And how the reſt the dreadful news receive
Shall be in the succeeding cantos' ſhewn.

GONDIBERT,

156

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

2.

At length, his lov'd count Hurgonil he ' spy'd,
Who from the lofty city bent his courfe,
With young Rhodolpho journeying by his fide
Whofe ardent mind outwent his feed's ſwift courfe.

5

3.

A youth he was of high and noble race,
Portly and tall; of inborn worth poſſeſt;
But temp'ring dignity with ſuch a grace
As might have warm'd the tend'reſt female breaſt.

10

4.

And on his brow ſuch awe majefſtic fate,
As ſeem'd to ſpeak him born for high command;
Though now for many a moon the ſport of fate,
A willing exile from his native land.

15

5.

The fair Italian fields and regions bright,
Where Adicé flows ſwiftly to the main,
He left, to climb the rugged Alpine height,
And chace the Vandals on the barren plain.

20

6. Return'd

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

157

6.

Return'd with conquest from the foe subdu'd,
The youthful victor fought his ancient feat,
And Rhodalind again he had purfu'd,
And laid his spoils and trophies at her feet.

7.

But that he heard duke Gondibert had won,
The peerless prince's bright in blooming charms;
Saw fumptuous feasts prepar'd, and rites begun
To give his mistrels to the hero's arms.

8.

And common Fame reported, for her love,
How Gondibert had mighty Oswald flain
And flain'd with noble blood the peaceful grove,
Bestrew'd with heroes from the Brescian plain.

9.

But Gondibert full soon his fears dispell'd,
And ancient leagues of amity renew'd,
His own strange tale the gen'rous hero tells,
And what ill fate his conftant love purfu'd.

VOL. IV.

P

10. And

158

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

10.

And then by solemn pacts the warriors bind
Their mutual vows each other's caufe to aid,
'Till the young chief poſſeſs his Rhodalind,
And Gondibert eſpouſe his fav'rite maid.

40

11.

Meanwhile the duke for other aid delays
The fleeting hours, as fully he intends
All interceſſors he can move to raife,
And try the int'reſt of his ancient friends.

12.

For as he knew the grief and inly rage
Which would his prince and Rhodalind inflame,
He fought all means that might the ſtorm affuage,
And ſtill preferve his loyalty and fame.

45

13.

And now the prey of anxious thoughts he lies,
Contending paſſions lab'ring in his breaſt,
While tow'rds the ſhade the youthful Orgo hies
Whofe looks the tenor of his news exprefs'd.

50

14. He

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

159

14.

He tells how Hubert thither bends his course,
With furious Borgio, and a defp'rate train,
All choſen warriors of experienc'd force
Drawn from the ſquadrons on the Brefcian plain.

55

15.

Ev'n while he ſpoke, loud-burſting ſhouts from far,
Mix'd with the ſhrill-ton'd trumpets dreadful found,
Pronounc'd the prefage of approaching war
Which mov'd on different ſides to hem them round.

16.

And firſt to flight the faithful Orgo mov'd
His honour'd lord; but he the thought diſdain'd,
And brave Rhodolpho the advice reprov'd
And other counsel taught, whilſt other hope remain'd.

17.

“ Not far from hence,” ſaid he “ a choſen few
“ Lie camp'd, my truſty followers in the field ;
“ If theſe the preſent need and danger knew,
“ They would a ſure and ſpeedy ſuccour yield :

P 2

18. “ To

160

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

18.

“ To them let swift-pac'd Orgo instant go
“ Where, by yon grove encamp'd the warriors lye
“ Ere yet th' approaches of the circling foe
“ Cut off that hope, and all acces deny.”

19.

This counsel pleas'd; and swift as fly the darts
When with full strength is strain'd the crooked eugh,
Haftes the brave youth, whose love such speed imparts
As from the bending grafs scarce strikes the pearly dew.

20.

Meanwhile the heroes can with cautious eye
All meafures and advantage of the ground,
And ev'ry pofture of the troops defcry
Whofe crescent form grew verging to a round.

21.

“ Ah! now,” cry'd Hurgonil, “ we want the might
“ Of Tybalt, dreaded chief, and many more,
“ Who in yon' city wait th' approach of night
“ With Goltho brave, and prudent Ulfinore.

“I

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

161

22.

[85]

“ I deem’d” said Gondibert “ these should have grac’d
“ My rural mansion, and our counsels shar’d,
“ But where my strongest confidence was plac’d,
“ My stronger destiny the hope has marr’d.

23.

“ But you, brave chiefs, who in this dang’rous hour
“ To my uncertain fates have link’d your own, 90
“ Be witneſs you if valour yield to pow’r,
“ Or if your friend deferve to fall alone.

24.

“ Ev’n here will we the coming foe abide,
..‘Till faithful Orgo bring the promis’d aid,
“ Then ſhall our fortune in fair field be try’d, 95
“ And wounds with wounds be plenteouſly repaid.”

25.

Thus while he ſpeaks, the deaf’ning ſhouts increafe
’Till from the foe an embaſſy there came,
Borne by a comely youth in robes of peace,
Array’d—and Sibert was the warrior’s name. 100

P 3

26. Of

162

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

26.

Of late aspiring Oſwald’s favour’d friend
While Oſwald Fortune’s lucky enſigns wore,
He now on Hubert’s perſon did attend,
And to duke Gondibert his meſſage bore.

27.

Coop’d in a narrow ſpace the duke he found,
Unlike thoſe proud pavilions where of late
He ſat ſublime, with victor laurels crown’d
And thence to captive chiefs diſpens’d their fate.

105

28.

“ Prince” ſaid the youth “ lord Hubert now demands
“ That you ſurrender up to his diſpofe,
“ Yourſelf and theſe, and wait what new commands
“ He ſhall from high Verona’s tow’rs impoſe.

110

29.

“ For to the city next he bends his way
“ Whither his Brefcians are already gone,
“ And there prefumes before the rifing day,
“ To be declar’d the king’s adopted ſon.

115

30. “ For

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

163

30.

“ For you, your life is safe, and these your train
“ If they submit shall gracious treatment find :
“ Our force is such as makes resistance vain,
“ And you, like chaff, must scatter in the wind. 120

31.

“ 'Tis well,” said Gondibert, “ your speech you frame
“ In artful guise; but for the terms you bear
“ Go tell lord Hubert that my valour fame
“ Makes me reject them, and prefer the war.”

32.

“ Successions prince! when from his eagle-flight 125
“ His ill-farr'd brother fell, who foar'd in vain,
“ Thinks he to match his more unequal might,
“ And win those honours Ofwald could not gain ?

33.

“ Bid him revolve that chief's untimely fate,
" And his own foil, twice conquer'd in the field, 130
“ The train of evils which on war await,
“ And bitter fruits that wild ambition yield.

34. " That

164

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

34.

“ That we are few, it is our pride and boat,
“ Though more than these perhaps shall meet his arms,
“ A worthy conquest for as great an hoist,
“ All train'd to war, and bred amidst alarms.

135

35.

“ And know, whate'er betide; whoever here
“ Should us affault, whoe'er wifft'd aid deny,
“ We fcorn to yield thro' bafe unmanly fear :
“ Too few to conquer, we're enough to die.”

140

36.

Thus anfwer'd, Sibert from the spot withdrew
(His terms rejected) and a sign display'd,
On which the hoftile fquadrons came in view,
And march'd, far stretching from the fylvan fhade.

37.

But as their troops advanc'd in loose array,
Deeming the rural mansion to inveft,
Lo! from the point where glows the fetting day,
Young Orgo ſpeedily his pace addreſſ'd ;

145

38. And

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

165

38.

And cloſe behind, in well-rang'd ſiles were ſeen
Rhodolpho's train, a ſmall but faithful band,
With meaſur'd ſteps ſwift gliding o'er the green,
To aid their gen'ral, and his foes withſtand.

150

39.

No longer Gondibert, nor he remain
Within the limits of their narrow bound ;
But paſs the wood, ſwift iſſuing on the plain,
And leave behind with ſcorn the rural mound.

155

50.

Cloſe follows Hurgonil with ſteady pace,
Who gladly mixes with thofe leaders brave,
That young Rhodolpho's warlike legions grace,
And on their ſhoulders wore the ſcarfs he gave.

160

41.

Among thofe chiefs ſtood Adelmar the ſage ;
Cherbert and Rollo, not unknown to fame,
With many a knight, the flow'r of all that age,
The pride and glory of the Lombard name.

42. On

166

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

42.

On these prince Hubert pour'd his warriors down, 165
Out-numb'ring by the half their scanty band,
But the stout few whom dear bought laurels crown'd,
Abide their fury and the shock withstand.

43.

'Till raging Borgio, barb'rous, fierce and bold,
Gualthierus and gigantic Melador, 170
Through op'ning lines their course refiftles hold,
And mark the road they pafs with fstreams of gore.

44.

First fell two youths, with honest wounds o'erspread
Whom late from Gaul the great Rhodolpho brought,
But now the Tusean land receives them dead, 175
And gives that honour which in life they fought.

45.

Cherbert the next a dang'rous wound receiv'd,
Full on his breast, and there had funk to night
But that Rhodolpho's timely aid reliev'd,
Who ſtrait rufh'd dreadful to the ſcene of fight. 180

46. And

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

167

46.

And near him Gondibert with Orgo ftood,
Who yet in war ne'er flesh'd his maiden fword,
This hour he dy'd it deep in warrior's blood,
And then fell bravely fighting by his lord.

47.

For now as Melador's and Borgio's force
Were join'd, at Gondibert to ftrike amain,
The youth oppos'd his breaft to Borgio's force
While by his lord bold Melador was flain.

185

48.

The Giant funk untimely to his grave
Like fome tall pine, ftruck by cœlestial fires,
While Borgio curs'd the erring blow he gave,
As from the duke he fullynly retires.

190

49.

And, but Gualthierus' ready aid was near,
His father's offspring by a foreign bed,
Here he had run his laft of life's career,
And fwell'd the growing number of the dead.

195

50. But

46. Ad

168

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

50.

But now so variously the combat bleeds,
That Fame though all her tongues should give them
Could not express the bold and warlike deeds,
Of warriors ranging through this field of death. 200

51.

At length, while yet the fun's revolving ray
Wheel'd round the ocean's brim with trembling light,
The battlefwerv'd with the declining day,
And Gondibert succeeded in the fight.

52.

And perfect victor had the duke remain'd,
But that prince Hubert privately retir'd,
And long before the camp at Brefcia gain'd,
When he return'd with double fury fir'd.

205

53.

By secret ways his chosen band he draws
'Till in a snare their enemies they thrall,
Who feel th' effect discerning not the cause,
And die unknowing by what hands they fall.

210

54. But

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

169

54.

But foon Rhodolpho and the duke could tell
The fatal guile and found their struggle vain,
Yet by the first of them had Hubert fell,
But that he fenc'd him with a heap of flain.

170

55.

As thus the chiefs contend, a veil of clouds
(While thunders roll, and gath'ring show'rs descend)
Alike the vanquish'd and the victor shrouds,
Yet in the storm the eager troops contend.

56.

But now a chosen few the duke selects,
With whom he pierces Hubert's thick array,
And while the fav'ring storm his rear protects,
Through all the fighting ranks he wins his way:

175

57.

Nor stops, 'till Bergamo's white tents he flies,
Deck'd with the radiance of ascending morn,
And enters there what time the shepherds rife,
And early huntmen wind the thrill-ton'd horn.

180

VOL. IV.

Q

GON.

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

171

2.

In vain he boafs him of his strength and pow'r,
In vain the image of his Maker wears,
If prone to evil in the dang'rous hour,
He falls a prey to penitence and tears.

5

3.

Who that had seen young Goltho's force in fight,
Who that had known the virtues of his youth,
Had thought he held them both so cheap and light,
To rifque his safety on a harlot's truth.

10

4.

To sacrifice his worth at such a shrine,
To waste his hours in dalliance at her side,
To call her Angel, Goddeſs moſt divine,
Whom Hell's black monarch had so deeply dy'd ?

15

5.

Yet he, forgetful of the counsel ſage
Which Ulfinore so gen'rouſly had giv'n,
Attends on Dalga, through an unknown road,
While the broad fun declin'd the steep of heav'n.

20

Q2

6. Through

172

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

6.

Through winding, mazy paths sometimes they pafs'd,
Sometimes o'er forests wild they held their way,
A spacious dome receives them at the laft
Where all was deck'd for joy and am'rous play.

7.

Blithe as a bridegroom rushing to his love,
Young Goltho haftes to quench his wanton fires,
Whilft other thoughts black Dalga's bosom move,
Intent on other schemes than foft'ring fond desires.

8.

The youth whom Ulfinore had firft defcry'd,
Resort with welcome to her open gate,
That self-fame youth had Goltho ftrictly ey'd,
And fought to work him an untimely fate.

9.

Friend to prince Ofwald, mortal hate he bore
To all that fought duke Gondibert to aid,
And on his brow a dreadful frown he wore,
Till Dalga all her wily tale display'd.

10. “ Think

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

173

10.

“ Think not my love, (said she) that hated race
“ Who with your house hold enmity so great,
“ Shall e’er with me find favour, love or grace,
“ But rather death and fire destruction meet.”

40

11.

Yet let him hither come, and bring his gold,
And jewels store, to purchase evil chance,
No back-returning steps shall you behold
If to my wish the headlong youth advance.

12.

For when again he hither bends his course,
With him will I to lonely seats repair,
So may you him entrap with guile or force,
And take him heedless in an easy snare.

45

13.

The counsel pleas’d; and when young Goltho came,
With eager haste to fate his am’rous fire;
Strait to her paramour the fraudful dame
Dispatch’d the tidings which his haste require.

50

14. And

174

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

14.

And he as soon by Jealousy and Hate
Inspired, and Malice, eldest-born of Hell,
With two bold squires that on his fortune wait,
Rush'd on to meet the stroke by which he fell.

55

15.

They quit Verona's lofty tow'rs behind,
And follows eagerly their evil game
With speed that seems t' outstrip the passing wind,
And leaves behind them honour, truth and fame.

60

16.

Now had they pafs'd the forest's awful shade,
And now in view upon the open plain
Beheld the dome where Goltho, twice betray'd,
Was doom'd black Dalga's captive to remain.

17.

But ere they yet attain'd their destin'd place,
From a deep dell, all clad in green array
Two knights came issuing forth with eager pace,
Then check'd their hafte, and stood acrofs the way.

65

18. Aftolpho

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

175

18.

Aftolpho (so the treacherous youth we name)
Who Goltho's glories fought t' eclipſe ere noon
70
Stopp'd ſhort, ſtarts backward with ſurprize and ſhame,
To find his early progreſs check'd so ſoon.

19.

Yet queſtions with himſelf if theſe be foes,
Or how his deep deſign they e'er could ſcan,
Of which to learn, ſtrait onward ſtill he goes,
And ſoon a fierce and cruel fight began.

80

20.

Him Ulſinore well knowing, nothing ſpoke,
But at him aim'd aloft his Gothic lance,
Which through a faithful ſervant's harneſs broke,
That did in luckleſs hour his aid advance.

85

21.

Stretch'd on the ground when lewd Aſtolpho view'd
His truſty ſquire, he chaf'd with double rage,
And made his ſteel drink deep his rival's blood,
And by his fall his anger ſought t' affluage.

22. But

176

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

22.

But Ulfinore not wounds or blood could tame,
In such a caufe resolv'd to spend his breath,
To fave his friend, to purchase honest fame,
And live victorious, or be great in death.

90

23.

And Sigebert his friend, with courage warm'd,
That other squire whom false Aftolpho brought
Had overpower'd, and on the ground disarm'd,
His death deferv'd had with his poniard wrought.

95

24.

When at that instant Ulfinore wav'd high
His shining blade, which on Aftolpho fell,
And ere brave Sigebert approach'd him nigh,
Had fent his treach'rous foul to deepest hell.

100

25.

These flain, the knights hold strait their onward road
To Dalga's manfion, where their friend they found,
Loft in the seas of joy which round him flow'd,
And rapt in music's foul-dissolving found.

105

26. Faft.

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

177

26.

Faft on a couch befide him Dalga fate,
Her artful head reclining on his breast,
And round about the neat-hand-damfels wait,
Whom now the bids prepare the sumptuous feast.

27.

For grey-ey'd twilight o'er the world had spread 110
Her duſky curtain, and the heavens high
Had loft their laſt remains of parting red,
And dipp'd their mantle in a deeper dye.

28.

Strait in the hall a thouſand glitt'ring fires
Shoot forth like meteors to adorn the night, 115
And bring new day when Phœbus' car retires
On western shores to dart his welcome light.

29.

Ev'n now the forc'reſs rears a maffy bowl,
Replete with juices of the purple vine,
Which hides beneath fell drugs and poisons foul, 120
Mix'd with the ſpirit of the gen'rous wine.

30. Unheeding

178

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

30.

Unheeding Goltho to his lips had rear'd
The dreadful potion with a gentle smile,
When Ulfinore and Sigebert appear'd,
Seiz'd the fell Dalga, and difclos'd her guile.

31.

The bowl they wrefted from their wond'ring friend, 125
To his vile miftrefs inftant they preferr'd,
Who tells them death does on the draught attend,
And owns that death ſhe herself has incurr'd.

32.

For long Aftolpho's coming did ſhe wait, 129
On Goltho's head who ſhould have wreck'd his ire,
But when no ſuch approach'd her open gate,
She doom'd the youth by poifon to expire.

33.

And by that draught (ſo Heav'n divinely wrought)
Which for her gueſt ſhe foully did intend,
By that ſame draught her own fall now is wrought, 135
Which brings her ſoon to an unpity'd end.

34. Her

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

179

34.

Her wicked damfels ſtraitway fled amain,
And the rich houſe and all its bravest ſtore;
The ſpoils of nymphs decoy'd and heroes ſlain,
Remain'd to Goltho and to Ulſinore.

140

35.

But no ſuch baubles charm their longing eyes,
Not wealth they ſeeke, but quit the houſe of guile,
Nor wiſh to make the golden hoards their prize,
Gain'd by the triumphs of an harlot's ſmile.

36.

With haſte the hated mansion did they leave,
And o'er the lawn, and thro' the forest ſped,
Where mazy paths their wand'ring ſteps deceive,
By the faint glimm'ring of the star-light led.

145

37.

While thus perplex'd and unrefolv'd they ſtood,
Seeking in vain ſome human track t' explore,
The South winds whiſtled wildly thro' the wood,
And diſtant thunders roll'd with ſolemn roar.

150

38. Meteors

180

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

38.

Meteors foreboding storms with horrid glare,
Gilt the dun horrors of approaching night,
A difmal radiance darting thro' the air
A dire effulgence and unwelcome light.

155

39.

And nearer still as the rude tempeft drew,
Still farther tow'rds the foreft's checquer'd fhade
The youths approach, while at each ſtep they view
The horrors of the awful ſcene diſplay'd.

160

40.

“ Yet here (faid Ulfinore) let not our hearts
“ Sink in defpair, which erſt amidſt alarms
“ Have never fail'd while ſhow'rs of hoſtile darts,
“ Pour'd like this tempeſt on our ſhatter'd arms.”

41.

Thus while he ſpoke, thick globes of hail defcend,
And all the winds of heav'n their forces try,
Vaſt dreadful ſheets of livid fire extend
From either pole, and blaze along the ſky.

42. To

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

181

42.

To the loud winds the louder thunders roar,
Responsive, while the hail's continu'd found,
With all the storms that from the heavens pour,
The rattling branches thro' the wood refound.

170

43.

And swelling waters bursting from each rill,
In flowing torrents courfing thro' the shade,
With murm'rings hoarſe, the troubled welkin fill,
And the vex'd ear with deaf'ning ſounds invade.

175

44.

“ Methinks the Pow'rs above,” ſaid Goltho then,
“ Refolve to ſhake this globe's ſubftantial bafe,
“ And hurl ſwift ruin on the ſons of men
“ Long try'd an impious and ungodly race.

180

45.

“ Elſe why theſe pealing ſounds, theſe ſheets of ſlame,
“ And Heaven's eternal ſluices open'd round,
“ This heavy gloom that wraps th' æthereal frame,
“ And theſe rude ſhocks that ſhake the ſolid ground.”

VOL. IV.

R

46. For

182

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

46.

For as he spoke the rending glebe gave way,
And fires infernal from beneath broke forth,
Discloving horrid caves unknown to day,
Deep in the bowels of the groaning earth.

185

47.

“ Brave Goltho, (then said Ulfinore the sage)
“ Ev’n ’midst the horrors of this dreadful scene, 190
“ This boistrous strife of elemental rage,
“ The philosophic soul may fit serene ?

48.

“ What if the jarring feeds of nature pent
“ In hollow caves, these dreadful shocks supply,
“ And burting vapours struggling for a vent, 195
“ Blaze in the upper and the nether sky ?

49.

“ Or what if Heav’n’s high power in vengeance rife,
“ To hurl these bolts that set the skies on fire ?
“ What if th’ Almighty mind these strokes devise,
“ And groaning nations in the shock expire ? 200

50. “ Thinkst

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

183

50.

“ Think’ft thou not Virtue can maintain her feat,
“ Offspring belov’d of Heav’ns eternal King?

“ Think’ft thou fuch shocks can reach her bleſt retreat
“ Shelter’d behind the cherub mercy’s wing.

51.

“ No ! Let the coward guilty, only fear                  205

“ Whofe confcious hearts reproach them from within,
“ It is their place alone to tremble here,

“ Who ſink opprefs’d beneath a load of ſin.

52.

“ Believe me, Goltho, not the roaring war
“ Of yonder fiery cope tho’ mov’d etern’

“ Can with the dreadful paſſions ere compare,
“ That raging in unhallow’d boſoms burn.

210

53.

“ For theſe, all in their place the lot fulfil,

“ Which Heav’n to each moſt wifely hath aſſign’d,

“ Whilſt thoſe tempeſtuous paſſions thwart the will 215

“ And croſs the mandates of th’ Almighty mind.”

R 2

54. Touch’d

184

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

54.

Touch'd with the words of one so wife and young,
Regardlefs of the storm brave Goltho walks,
Hangs on the accents falling from his tongue,
And ev'n when silent thinks that still he talks.

220

55.

But now two paths full op'ning to the view,
To right and left; perplex'd the trav'llers stand,
Nor know which road to leave, nor which pursue,
Alike they doubt to turn to either hand.

56.

One track led winding down a shelving dale,
All arch'd with bending branches over-head,
The other op'ning to the Northern gale,
Wide and more wide its greenwood carpet spread.

225

57.

Goltho and Sigebert now firſt descend
The darkling dell, and its reeſs explore,
Whilſt where the wid'ning ſhades more free extend
With prudent ſtep advanc'd brave Ulſinore.

230

58. This

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

185

58.

This done, they all appointed to return
To that fame place where both the ways did meet,
And Ulfinore who early did discern

The open plain, turn'd back, his friend to greet.

235

220

59.

But when the spot he gain'd, in vain he fought
Those friends, for whom a while he patient waits,
Revolving over in his anxious thought

The various perils of uncertain fates.

240

60.

But tir'd at length, he down the darkling dale
 Moves with swift pace, and prudent eye afkance,
Meas'ring the track where scoops the hollow vale,
And his firm steps fupporting on his lance.

225

and,
ue,

read,

61.

So steers some vessel through the boiling deep,

While rocks and shoals, and quicksands are in view,
Such cautious watch the steady pilots keep,
And guide what course to shun, and what purfue.

245

230

tend

58. This

R 3

62. “ And

186

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

62.

And ever and anon the boist'rous surge,
That dwells to meet them carefully avoid,
Then with quick helm the answering vessel urge
To shun its rage, on other billows buoy'd.

250

63.

And now had Ulfinore with weary pace,
Trac'd many a rood of that fame winding way,
Exploring as he went each secret place,
Each dell impervious ev'n to brightest day.

255

64.

At length, emerging from the op'ning glade,
He reach'd the margin of a rising hill,
Whose verdant top was crown'd with leafy shade,
And at its foot there ran a murm'ring rill.

260

65.

The winds were hush'd, and the loud thunder's roar
In feeble, distant mutt'rings dy'd away,
The livid lightnings flashing now no more,
And night, retir'd pierc'd by Aurora's ray.

66. On

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

187

66.

On the hill top, the grey dawn refted high,
265
Which many a wreath of purple did adorn,
Sol's floping beams fhot upward to the fky,
And the lark fang, the herald of the mora.

67.

Glad earth reviv'd, and o'er her face was fpread
The chearful mantle of reviving green,
270
The leafy trees each from his lofty head
Diftill'd big drops which glitt'ring fell serene.

68.

Nature rejoic'd; but ftill with downcaft eye,
And heavy heart, foreboding future woe,
The prudent youth heaves faft the mournful figh,
275
While half fupprefs'd the burfting forrows flow.

69.

Goltho he calls; his manly voice he rears,
Oft to its pitch, which hill and dale rebound,
The much lov'd name each grot and cavern hears,
And Goltho ! echoes thro' the fylvan bound.

280

70. But

188

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

70.

But Goltho hears not, diffant from his friend,
In evil plight he counts the lonely hours,
Doom'd long his fate uncertain to attend,
Coop'd in the durefs of unfriendly tow'rs.

71.

Far had he ftray'd adown the winding track,
Reſolv'd ſome outlet from its maze to find,
Then mounts the hill but haſty turning back,
He ſaw ſurpriz'd, an armed band behind.

285

72.

Theſe by the bloody Borgio's captains led,
Ruſh'd bold and ſudden from the op'ning glade; 290
And now ſo well their evil buſineſs ſped,
The youths muſt periſh, or be captive made.

73.

And they had perifh'd while with desperate force,
They ſtrove to penetrate the thick-rank'd foe,
But that they funk beneath the trampling horſe,
And thus were taken ev'n without a blow.

295

74. Theſe

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

189

74.

These to the Brefcian camp the chiefs convey'd,
Reſolv'd to keep them as a pledge ſecure,
Where they in heavy chains were inſtant laid,
And muſt long pain and tedious bonds endure.

300

75.

But turn we now where Aribert awaits
Th' uncertain illue of diſaſtrous war;
And in Verona's tow'rs th' affembled ſtates
Debating ſage with ſenatorial care.

76.

For on that dreadful night the news was ſpread,
That not the train of Gondibert drew near,
But Hubert's troops by deſp'rate Morcar led,
Which fill'd each bosom with a panic fear.

305

77.

For through all Lombardy was Morcar known,
Of fierceſt guife, diſdaining ſtill to yield,
And oft his dreadful prowefs had he ſhewn,
In death and ruin on the foughten field.

310

78. But

190

GONDIBERT, a POEM.

78.

But still more oft' the town's beleagur'd wall,
Had seen him victor in remoteft lands;
Nought joy'd him more than fome rich city's fall,
With whose fack'd wealth to pay his savage bands.

79.

Nor age nor fex their boiling rage would ſpare,
But ſtill their ſteps were mark'd with ſeas of blood;
Hence ev'ry foe muſt conquer or deſpair,
Where deſp'rate Morcar's haughty enſigns ſtood.

80.

Now well diſſembling with a choſen ſew,
Who wav'd their purple enſigns to the ſky,
He to Verona's lofty turrets drew,
Advancing Gondibert's rich ſtandard high.

81.

For this he deem'd would ſoon admittance gain,
At ſuch a time, when ſeftal mirth went round;
Thus ſtratagem for once might force ſupply,
And Hubert's hopes with wifh'd ſucceſs be crown'd.

82. The