In happy climes, the feat of innocence, There shall be fung another golden age, Not fuch as Europe breeds in her decay; Westward the course of empire takes its way; A fifth fhall close the drama with the day; To Το Mr. MASO N. By WILLIAM WHITEHEAD, Efq; I. ELIEVE me, MASON, 'tis in vain Thy fortitude the torrent braves; Thou too must bear th' inglorious chain; The world, the world will have its flaves. The chofen friend, for converse sweet, The small, yet elegant retreat, Are peaceful unambitious views Which early fancy loves to form, II. But ah! to few has Fortune given Allots the very will to chufe. And why are varying schemes preferr❜d? Man mixes with the common herd, By cuffom guided to purfue Or wealth, or honors, fame, or ease; Nor, from his own peculiar choice, III. How oft, beneath fome hoary fhade Preferr'd to Heav'n thy fav'rite vow; "Nor all thofe vain connections know ""The flave of intereft, or of fhew; Yet fure, my friend, th' eternal plan But man himself for all mankind. Then by th' apparent judge th' unfeen; Το To one great end, howe'er withstood, That bird, thy fancy frees from care, From field to field, from tree to tree: Alarm by turns his anxious breaft; VI. And tell me, has not Nature made Some fpring, fome wheel, which asks thy aid Go then, go feel with glad furprise New blifs from new connections rife ; "Till, happier in thy wider sphere, Thou quit thy darling schemes of ease ; Ev'n wish thy virtuous labours more; Nor 'till the toilsome day is o'er XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX QD E. To INDEPENDENCY. H By Mr. MASON. I. ERE, on my native fhore reclin'd, I woo thee, GODDESS. On my musing mind And bid thefe raffling gales of grief fubfide: my calm'd foul with all thy influence shine; As yon chafte Orb along this ample tide Draws the long luftre of her filver line, While the hufh'd breeze its laft weak whisper blows, 11. Come to thy Vot'ry's ardent prayer, Uufullied |