MR. GRAY'S Elegy in the Country Church Yard, before it appeared in print, was handed about in manufcript; and amongst other eminent perfonages who faw and admired it, was the Lady Cobhain, who refided at the Manfion-house at StokePogeis. The performance induced her to wifh for the author's acquaintance; and Lady Schaub and Mils Speed, then at her house, undertook to effect it. These two ladies waited upon the author at his aunt's folitary thanfion, where he at that time refided; and not finding him at home, they left a card behind them. Mr. Gray, furprifed at fuch a compliment, returned the vifit. And as the beginning of this acquaintance wore a little of the face of romance, he foon after gave a fanciful and pleasant account of it in the following copy of verses, which he entitled A LONG STORY.

ALTHOUGH this performance certainly poffeffes great humour, yet it is not immediately perceived; and has not been univerfally relished. The author perceived this himself, and owned it candidly. "The verfes," he writes to Dr. Wharton, " you "fo kindly try to keep in countenance, were writ"ten merely to divert Lady Cobham and her family, and fucceeded accordingly; but being "fhewed about in town, are not liked at all." This laft confideration induced Mr. Gray to reject them in the Collection which he himfelf made of his poems.

66

MR. GRAY'S Executor having thought fit to reftore them, they are retained here.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRAK

ASTOR. LENOX AND.
ILDEN FOUNDATIO.

Published 12 August 1770

Page Sculp

And with a Master's Hand, and Prophet's Fire, Struck the deep Sorrows of his Lyret!? on

A

LONG STORY.

IN Britain's ifle, no matter where,
An ancient pile of building stands :
The Huntingdons and Hattons there
Employ'd the power of Fairy hands.

To raise the ceiling's fretted height,
Each pannel in achievements cloathing,
Rich windows that exclude the light,
And paffages, that lead to nothing.

Full

Full oft within the spacious walls,
When he had fifty winters o'er him,
My grave Lord-Keeper led the Brawls :

The Seal and Maces danc'd before him.

His bushy beard, and fhoe-strings green,
His high-crown'd hat, and fatin doublet,
Mov'd the ftout heart of England's Queen,
Tho' Pope and Spaniard could not trouble it.

What, in the very firft beginning!
Shame of the verfifying tribe!

Your Hift'ry whither are you fpinning?
Can you do nothing but defcribe?

A House there is, (and that's enough)
From whence one fatal morning iffues

*Hatton, preferr'd by Queen Elizabeth for his graceful perfon

and fine Dancing.

A brace