EL EGY X. To fortune, fuggefting his motive for repining at her A difpenfations. SK not the cause, why this rebellious tongue Afk not, thus branded in my softest song, Why stands the flatter'd name, which all obey? 'Tis not, that in my shed I lurk forlorn, Nor fee my roof on Parian columns rise; That, on this breast, no mimic ftar is borne, Rever'd, ah! more than those that light the skies. 'Tis not, that on the turf fupinely laid, Not, that my fancy mourns thy ftern command, "Forbear, vain youth! be cautious, weigh thy gold; "Nor let yon rifing column more afpire; Ah! better dwell in ruins, than behold "Thy fortunes mould'ring, and thy domes entire. "HONORIO built, but dar'd my laws defy; "The fruitage ripen'd for more frugal hands." See the fmall stream that pours its murm'ring tide O'er fome rough rock that wou'd its wealth display, Displays it aught but penury and pride? Ah! conftrue wifely what fuch murmurs fay. How wou'd fome flood, with ampler treasures bleft, How muft* VELINO fhake his reedy creft! Fortune, I yield! and fee, I give the fign; At noon the poor mechanic wanders homé Collects the fquare, the level, and the line, And, with retorted eye, forfakes the dome. Yes, I can patient view the fhadeless plains; A river in ITALY, that falls an hundred yards perpendicular, Defcend, ус Loos'd be the whirlwind's unremitting sway; Contented I, altho' the gazer fmile To see it scarce furvive a winter's day. Let fome dull dotard bask in thy gay fhrine, That his rude voice, his grating reed's prefer'd? Let him exult, with boundlefs wealth fupply'd, Gods! must my DELIA, must my DELIA bear? Muft DELIA's foftnefs, elegance, and ease Submit to MARIAN's drefs? to MARIAN'S gold? Muft MARIAN's robe from diftant INDIA please ? The fimple fleece my DELIA's limbs enfold? "Yet fure on DELIA feems the ruffet fair; Ah! what is native worth efteem'd of clowns? He complains how foon the pleafing novelty of life is over. To Mr. J A H me, my friend! it will not, will not last! This fairy-fcene, that cheats our youthful eyes! The charm diffolves; th' aerial music's past; The banquet ceafes, and the vifion flies. Where are the fplendid forms, the rich perfumes, Vain now are books, the fage's wifdom vain! The weaken'd paffions, felf-fubdued, obey. Scarce has the fun fev'n annual courfes roll'd, Since, not the mifer fo carefs'd his gold, As I, for what it gave, was heard to figh, On the world's ftage I wish'd fame sprightly part; And The breathing picture, and the living stone: "Tho' gold, tho' fplendour, heav'n and fate deny, "Yet might I call one Titian ftroke my own!" Smit with the charms of fame, whofe lovely fpoil, Oft too I pray'd, 'twas nature form'd the pray'r, But now 'tis o'er, the dear delufion's o'er! I fcorn the palm, before I reach the goal. O youth! enchanting ftage, profufely bleft! Then glows the breast, as op'ning roses fair; Tender as buds, and lavish as the fpring. Not |