Peace guard their dust!—their merits Glory crown! Too far their worth transports the roving Muse, Who kindles at the tale of old Renown, Nor dares the Strain to Liberty refuse. And now- His hopes ne'er rose to emulate the Dead, Whose dear-bought trophies crowd the venal Fane, Where sculptur'd MARS may wreath the Coward's head, Or TRUTH's bright form o'er perjur'd dust complain. Midst Life's gay Scenes your calm Retreats he lov❜d, Your wrested pomp his artless numbers mourn— Where led, by choice, his pensive footsteps rov'd, May Friendship place, and you protect his urn!— Could aught yet more endear your circling Wood, It is ARDELIA! unconstrain'd and free, That here, reflecting on Life's sum of good, My breast first heav'd an anxious sigh for Thee! You too, YE FAIR, of neighb'ring scenes the grace (Whose envy'd praise the Bard advent'rous seeks,) Once deign to visit this sequester'd place, Instruction's voice amidst the Ruin speaks! Whence claim they praise, these piles which strewn on Earth (A steril burthen) mock their former state? 'Tis from remembrance of their youthful Worth ;— They once were beautiful!—they once were great! Those Charms alone survive that deck the Heart, Command respect which growing years increase, Bloom when the Roses from the Cheek depart, And ebbing Life's tumultuous raptures cease! Forgive the Muse, if with presumptuous love For know, your bosoms feed a Flame as bright Oh! trust not then the force of radiant Eyes, Those short-liv'd glories of your sportive band,Pleas'd with its Stars, though laughing Morn arise A steadier beam Meridian Skies demand! Reflect, ere (Victor of each lovely Frame) TIME bids th' external, fleeting Graces fade, 'Tis Reason's Base supports the noblest Claim, 'Tis Sense preserves the Conquests Beauty made! ELEGY V. WRITTEN AMONG THE TOMBS IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. HAIL, hallow'd Fane! amid whose mould'ring shrines, Upon her arm her harrow'd cheek reclines, Hail, awful edifice! thine isles along, In contemplation wrapt, O let me stray! And stealing from the idly busy throng, Serenely meditate the moral lay. Far hence be banish'd every note profane, Attun'd to celebrate Jehovah's praise. Come, heavenly muse, awake the plaintive string, Each vagrant motion of the mind control; Exalt my fancy on thy soaring wing, And with thy pathos pure possess my soul. What pleasing sadness fills my thoughtful breast, What eye can read without a starting tear, Here terminate Ambition's airy schemes, No furious passions here the bosom rend, And the world-weary trav❜ler rests in peace. Approach, vain child of fortune, pow'r and fame, How high each pers'nage once, how honor'd! read; |