An altar on its bank fhall rife, Where oft thy votary shall be found What time pale autumn lulls the skies, And fickening verdure fades around. Ye bufy race, ye factious train, That haunt ambition's guilty fhrine; No more perplex the world in vain, But offer here your vows with mine. And thou, puiffant queen! be kind : To weave for thee the rural bow'r Diffolve in fleep each anxious care; The sweets of friendship and of love. ODE to HEALTH, 1730. HEALTH, capricious maid! Why dost thou fhun my peaceful bow'r, Where I had hope to fhare thy pow'r, And blefs thy lafting aid? Since thou, alas! art flown, It 'vails not whether mufe or grace, Age not forbids thy stay; Thou yet might'ft act the friendly part; Thou yet might'ft raife this languid heart; Thou fcorn'ft the city-air; I breathe fresh gales o'er furrow'd ground, I plunge into the wave; Thou wilt not deign to fave. Amid Where mineral fountains vainly bear Thou hear'ft the sportsman's claim; To drown the mufe's melting voice, Is thought thy foe? adieu Ye midnight lamps! ye curious tomes! Is it the clime you flee? Yet 'midft his unremitting fnows, The poor LAPONIAN'S bofom glows; And shares bright rays from thee. There was, there was a time, When tho' I fcorn'd thy guardian care, Who then more bleft than I? When the glad fchool-boy's tafk was done, To freedom, and to joy? How jovial then the day! What fince have all my labours found, Wert thou, alas! but kind, Methinks no frown that fortune wears, Nor leffen'd hopes, nor growing cares, Could fink my chearful mind. Whate'er my stars include; What other breafts convert to pain, Repair this mouldering cell, Temperance fhould guard the doors; From room to room should memory stray, And, ranging all in neat array, Enjoy her pleafing ftores There let them reft unknown, Is thine, fair queen! alone. To To a LADY of QUALITY, Fitting up her LIBRARY, 1738. A H! what is fcience, what is art, Or what the pleasure thefe impart? What can the tedious tomes bestow, Say, wretched fancy! thus refin'd The polish'd bard, of genius vain, Sages, with irkfome wafte of time, |