So fmiles the furface of the treacherous main, As o'er its waves the peaceful halcyons play; When foon rude winds their wonted rule regain, And sky and ocean mingle in the fray. But let or air contend, or ocean rave; ELEGY ELEGY VI. To a lady on the language of birds. SOME then, DIONE, let us range the grove, CON The science of the feather'd choirs explore; Hear linnets argue, larks defcant of love, And blame the gloom of folitude no more. My doubt fubfides-'tis no Italian fong, Nor fenfelefs ditty, chears the vernal tree: And come, my mufe! that lov'ft the filvan fhade; Penfive beneath the twilight fhades I fate, The flave of hopeless vows, and cold disdain! When PHILOMEL addrefs'd his mournful mate, And thus I conftru'd the mellifluent ftrain. "Sing on, my bird-the liquid notes prolong, At ev'ry note a lover sheds his tear; Sing on, my bird-'tis DAMON hears thy fong; Nor doubt to gain applause, when lovers hear. He He the fad source of our complaining knows; Yon' plains are govern'd by a peerless maid; Ere while no fhepherd to these woods retir'd; Chear'd by the fun, the vaffals of his pow'r, ELEGY He defcribes his vifion to an acquaintance. VIRG. N diftant heaths, beneath autumnal skies, Penfive I saw the circling fhades defcend; Weary and faint I heard the ftorm arife, While the fun vanish'd like a faithlefs friend.. No kind companion led my steps aright; Then the dull bell had giv'n a pleasing found; While the rude ftorm alone distress'd mine ear. As led by ORWELL'S winding banks I stray'd, Where tow'ring WOLSEY breath'd his native air; A fudden luftre chas'd the flitting fhade, The founding winds were hufh'd, and all was fair. Inftant a grateful form appear'd confeft; White were his locks with aweful fcarlet crown'd, And livelier far than Tyrian feem'd his vest, That with the glowing purple ting'd the ground. ,, Stranger, he said, amid this pealing rain, Benighted, lonesome, whither wou'dft thou stray? Does wealth or pow'r thy weary step constrain? Reveal thy wish, and let me point the way. For know I trod the trophy'd paths of pow'r; I bade low hinds the tow'ring ardour fhare; Low at my feet the fuppliant peer I faw; I faw proud empires my decifion wait; My will was duty, and my word was law, My smile was tranfport, and my frown was fate." Ah me! faid I, nor pow'r I feek, nor gain; And, from his friend's condolance, hopes a cure. He, the dear youth, to whofe abodes I roam, Which oaks embofom, and which hills defend. Beneath |