XXXV. Then Merlin with a look benign reply'd, (For he was bred with every courteous thew) "I know to make fair Columbel your bride The blatant-beast you through the lond pursue; The fate of empires now demands my view, And for awhile denys my presence here; Soon in this cell I'll thee again salew, What most thou lik'st partake withouten fear, Share all my cave affords, nor think I grudge my clear. XXXVI. "Yet mark my counsel, open not that door, Lest thou repent thy follies when too late, Ten thousand pangs shall make thy heart full sore, For horror scouls behind that heben gate, And future ills shall thy dear peace amate; There stands a mirror, wrought by magic leer, In which are read the dark decrees of fate, And whom you wish to see will streit appear, Devoid of art's false mask, to human eye-sight clear. XXXVII. "Ah how unlike the godlike man he seem'd He's oft a wretch compos'd of sloth and pride : And Kesars too, not seldom deify'd, With other men their vice and follies share ; It will without reserve the truth declare, Ne flatter head that's crown'd, ne flatter face that's fair. XXXVIII. "Once more let me advise thee, gentle Squire, Forbear to look at this same magic glass; Do not too rashly into fate enquire— But I to foreign stronds awhile must pass.' Th' unweeting youth cry'd to himself, "Alas! Would I could know the lot to me assign'd!" Patience, quoth Merlin, doth all things surpass." Then to his car were winged dragons join'd, With which he sails thro' air, and far outstrips the wind. XXXIX. And now the Squire surveys the lonesome cave, As Adam fell of yore, the Squire of Dames yfell. XL. The heben doors full widely he display'd, Bright as the morn, and bright withouten art. XLI. "O faytor false, O wicked imp of night !" Exclaim'd the Squire astound, "ah! wellaway! Let Erebus in pitchy stole bedight With foulest sprites the sons of men affray, And blot for ever the fair face of day. Ye haggard sisters, sound my passing-bell; O losel loose, O impious Columbel!" Then like a stean to earth full heavily he fell. XLII. There shall we leave him, for my leaky boat Her much worn hulk, that scarcely now can float, Then if I can a pilot wise procure, Mayhap I may again hoist forth my sail, Through shelves and shallows: now the adverse gale Gives me some time to rest, and loud with joy I hail. POEM IV. SIR MARTYN; OR, THE PROGRESS OF DISSIPATION. BY WILLIAM JULIUS MICKLE. CANTO I. The mirthfull bowres and flowry dales Of Pleasures faerie land, Where Virtues budds are blighted as By foul Enchanters wand. I. AWAKE, ye West Windes, through the lonely dale, And, Fancy, to thy faerie bowre betake! Even now, with balmie freshnesse, breathes the gale, Dimpling with downy wing the stilly lake; Through the pale willows faultering whispers wake, And Evening comes with locks bedropt with dew; On Desmonds mouldering turrets slowly shake The trembling rie-grass and the hare-bell blue, And ever and anon faire Mullas plaints renew. |