In thee the fource of ev'ry blifs refign. And now farewel, thou darling youth! the gem Of English merit! peace, content, and joy, And tender hopes, and young defires, farewel! Attend, ye fmiling train, this gallant mind Back to his native fhores; there fweetly smooth His ev'ning pillow; dance around his groves; And, where he treads, with vi'lets paint his way. But leave ELVIRA! leave her, now no more Your frail companion! in the facred cells Of fome lone cloifter let me fhroud my fhame: There, to the matin bell, obfequious, pour My conftant orifons. The wanton loves, And gay defires shall spy the glim'ring tow'rs, And wing their flight aloof: but reft confirm'd, That never shall ELVIRA's tongue conclude Her shortest pray'r, ere HENRY's dear fuccefs The warmest accent of her zeal employ." Thus spoke the weeping fair, whofe artless mind Impartial fcorn'd to model her efteem By native customs; drefs, and face, and air, And manners, lefs; nor yet refolv'd in vain. He, bound by prior loves, the folemn vow Giv'n and receiv'd, to foft compaffion gave A tender tear; then with that kind adieu Efteem could warrant, weary'd heav'n with pray'rs To fhield that tender breast he left forlorn. He ceas'd, an to the cloister's pensive scene ELVIRA fhap'd her folitary way, The The SCHOOL-MISTRESS. In Imitation of SPENSER. Audita voces, vagitus & ingens, ADVERTISEMENT. VIRG. What particulars in Spenfer were imagined most proper for the author's imitation on this occafion, are his language, his fimplicity, his manner of description, and a peculiar tenderness of fentiment remarkable throughout his works. A H me! full forely is my heart forlorn, To think how modeft worth neglected lies; While partial fame doth with her blasts adorn Such deeds alone, as pride and pomp disguise; Deeds of ill fort, and mischievous emprize! Lend me thy clarion, goddess! let me try To found the praise of merit, ere it dies; Such as I oft have chaunced to espy, Loft in the dreary fhades of dull obfcurity. In In ev'ry village mark'd with little spire, For unkempt hair, or tafk unconn'd, are forely fhent. And all in fight doth rife a birchen tree, Tho' now fo wide its waving branches flow; So have I feen (who has not, may conceive,) May no bold Briton's riper age e'er taste ! Ne vifion empty, vain, his native bliss destroy. Near Near to this dome is found a patch fo green, The noises intermix'd, which thence refound, Where fits the dame, disguis'd in look profound, And eyes her fairy throng, and turns her wheel around. Her сар, far whiter than the driven fnow, Emblem right meet of decency does yield : Her apron dy'd in grain, as blue, I trowe, As is the hare-bell that adorns the field : And in her hand, for fcepter, fhe does wield Tway birchen sprays; with anxious fear entwin'd, With dark diftruft, and fad repentance fill'd; And stedfast hate, and sharp affliction join'd, And fury uncontroul'd, and chastisement unkind. Few but have ken'd, in femblance meet pourtray'd, LIBS, NOTUS, AUSTER: these in frowns array'd, The cott no more, I ween, were deem'd the cell, Where comely peace of mind, and decent order dwell. A ruffet A ruffet ftole was o'er her fhoulders thrown 'Twas her own country bred the flock fo fair ģ 'Twas her own labour did the fleece prepare; And, footh to fay, her pupils, rang'd around, Thro' pious awe, did term it paffing rare; For they in gaping wonderment abound, And think,no doubt,fhebeenthegreateftwighton ground Albeit ne flatt'ry did corrupt her truth, yet fo mean could prove, But there was eke a mind which did that title love. One ancient hen she took delight to feed, The plodding pattern of the bufy dame; Which, ever and anon, impell'd by need, Into her school, begirt with chickens, came; Such favour did her past deportment claim: And, if neglect had lavifh'd on the ground! Fragment of bread, fhe would collect the fame; For well she knew, and quaintly could expound, What fin it were to wafte the finalleft crumb fhe found, Herbs |