If Pegasus will let thee only ride him, And walk on stilts, although she can not fly. DEAR BROTHER, I have often been surprised that Mathematics, the quintessence of Truth, should have found admirers so few and so languid. Frequent consideration and minute scrutiny have at length unravelled the case; viz. that though Reason is feasted, Imagination is starved; whilst Reason is luxuriating in its proper Paradise, Imagination is wearily travelling on a dreary desert. To assist Reason by the stimulus of Imagination is the design of the following production. In the execution of it much may be objectionable. The verse (particularly in the introduction of the ode) may be accused of unwarrantable liberties, but they are liberties equally homogeneal with the exactness of Mathematical disquisition, and the boldness of Pindaric daring. I have three strong champions to defend me against the attacks of Criticism; the Novelty, the Difficulty, and the Utility of the work. I may justly plume myself, that I first have drawn the nymph Mathesis from the visionary caves of abstracted Idea, and caused her to unite with Harmony. The first-born of this Union I now present to you; with interested motives indeed-as I expect to receive in return, the more valuable offspring of your Muse. March 31, 1791. To the Rev. G. C. Thine ever, S. T. C. This is now-this was erst, Proposition the first-and Problem the first. I. On a given finite line Which must no way incline; — A, N, G, E, L, E. Be the given line Which must no way incline; The great Mathematician Makes this Requisition, That we describe an Equi-lateral Tri -angle on it: Aid us Reason-aid us Wit! ·II. From the centre A. at the distance A. B. Describe the circle B. C. D. At the distance B. A. from B. the centre The round A. C. E. to describe boldly venture. (Third postulate see.) And from the point C. In which the circles make a pother Bid the straight lines a journeying go. C. A. C. B. those lines will show To the points, which by A. B. are reckon'd, For Authority ye know. A. B. C. Triumphant shall be An Equilateral Triangle, Not Peter Pindar carp, nor Zoilus can wrangle. III.. Because the point A. is the centre Of the circular B. C. D. And because the point B. is the centre A. C. to A. B. and B C. to B. A. Then C. A. and B. C. Both extend the kind hand To the basis A. B, Unambitiously join'd in Equality's Band. But to the same powers, when two powers are equal, My mind forebodes the sequel; My mind does some celestial impulse teach, And equalizes each to each. Thus C. A with B. C. strikes the same sure alliance, That C. A. and B. C. had with A. B. before; And in mutual affiance None attempting to soar Above another, The unanimous three C. A. and B. C. and A. B. All are equal, each to his brother, Preserving the balance of power so true: The great Mussulman Would stain his Divan With Urine the soft-flowing daughter of Fright. IV. But rein your stallion in, too daring Nine! And Proposition, gentle maid, Who soothly ask'd stern Demonstration's aid, Of Angles three Is shown to be of equal side; And now our weary steed to rest in fine, THE NOSE. YE souls unus'd to lofty verse, Who sweep the earth with lowly wing, As erst Prometheus stole from heaven the fire Thus, with unhallow'd hands, O muse, aspire, * Empress of Russia. B* Light of this once all darksome spot Where now their glad course mortals run, First-born of Sirius begot Upon the focus of the sun I'll call thee · - for such thy earthly nameWhat name so high, but what too low must be? Comets, when most they drink the solar flame Are but faint types and images of thee! Burn madly Fire! o'er earth in ravage run, Then blush for shame more red by fiercer I saw when from the turtle feast The thick dark smoke in volumes rose ! I saw the darkness of the mist Encircle thee, O Nose! outdone! Shorn of thy rays thou shott'st a fearful gleam The furies to madness my brain devote In robes of ice my body wrap! On billowy flames of fire I float, Hear ye, my entrails how they snap? Some power unseen forbids my lungs to breathe! Proboscis fierce! I am calcin'd! I die! Thus, like great Pliny, in Vesuvius' fire, I perish in the blaze while I the blaze admire. MONODY ON A TEA-KETTLE. O MUSE who sangest late another's pain, 1789. And let the melancholy dirge complain (While Bats shall shriek and Dogs shall howling run) I heard the Water issuing from the Wound- O Goddess best beloved, delightful Tea! With thee compar'd what yields the madd'ning vine? No more wilt thou extend thy willing arms, Receive the fervent Jove and yield him all thy charms! Rude urg'd t' ignoble place with plaintive din, When from thy spout the streams did arching fly,-- All the warm raptures of poetic fire! But hark! or do I fancy the glad voice— What tho' the swain did wondrous charms disclose (Not such did Memnon's sister sable drest) Take these bright arms with royal face imprest, 1790. |