[ 337 ] Herbs too she knew, and well of each could speak Fresh baum, and mary-gold of chearful hue; Yet euphrafy may not be left unfung, That gives dim eyes to wander leagues around; And pungent radish, biting infant's tongue; And plantain ribb'd, that heals the reaper's wound; And marj'ram fweet, in fhepherd's pofie found; And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom Shall be, ere-while, in arid bundles bound, To lurk amidft the labours of her loom, Andcrownher kerchiefs clean, with mickle rare perfume. And here trim rofmarine, that whilom crown'd Nor ever would fhe more with thane and lordling dwell. Hymned fuch pfalms as STERNHOLD forth did mete, Righ To t Some And Sweet melody! to hear her then repeat And How ISRAEL'S fons, beneath a foreign king, Ev'n While taunting foe-men did a fong intreat, Whi Fore 'Twill Lo Eftf All, for the nonce, untuning ev'ry string, Uphung their useless lyres-fmall heart had they to fing. For fhe was juft, and friend to virtuous lore, In elbow chair, like that of Scottish stem 3 The Whi To The St. On Kens t ᎪᏂ Of As Oft Sig For To An Fair a Right [ 339 ] Right well she knew each temper to defcry; To thwart the proud, and the submiss to raise; Some with vile copper prize exalt on high, And some entice with pittance fmall of praise; And other fome with baleful fprig fhe 'frays: Ev'n absent, she the reins of pow'r doth hold, While with quaint arts the giddy crowd she sways; Forewarn'd, if little bird their pranks behold, 'Twill whisper in her ear, and all the scene unfold. Lo now with ftate fhe utters the command! Eftfoons the urchins to their tasks repair; Their books of stature small they take in hand, Which with pellucid horn fecured are; To fave from finger wet the letters fair: The work fo gay, that on their back is feen, St. GEORGE's high atchievements does declare ; On which thilk wight that has y-gazing been, Kens the forth-coming rod, unpleafing fight, I ween! Ah lucklefs he, and born beneath the beam As erft the bard by MULLA's filver stream, And down they drop; appears his dainty skin, Z 2 O ruth • SPENSER, O ruthful scene! when from a nook obfcure, demure, All playful as fhe fate, fhe grows Nor longer can fhe now her fhrieks command; On thee she calls, on thee her parent dear! But ah! what pen his piteous plight may trace? Or what device his loud laments explain? The form uncouth of his disguised face? The pallid hue that dyes his looks amain? The plenteous fhow'r that does his cheek distain ? When he, in abject wife, implores the dame, Ne hopeth aught of fweet reprieve to gain; Or when from high fhe levels well her aim, And,thro'thethatch,hiscrieseach fallingstroke proclaim. The [ 341 ] The other tribe, aghaft, with fore dismay, And, from their fellow's hateful wounds, beware; Knowing, I wift, how each the fame may share Till fear has taught them a performance meet, And to the well-known chest the dame repair; Whence oft with fugar'd cates fhe doth 'em greet, And ginger-bread y-rare; now, certes, doubly sweet! See to their feats they hye with merry glee, All but the wight of bum y-galled, he Abhorreth bench and stool, and fourm, and chair; (This hand in mouth y-fix'd, that rends his hair ;) And eke with fnubs profound, and heaving breast, Convulfions intermitting! does declare His grievous wrong; his dame's unjust behest; And scorns her offer'd love, and fhuns to be carefs'd. His face befprent with liquid crystal shines, Yet hence the youth, and hence the flow'r, fhall claim, If so I deem aright, tranfcending worth and fame. |