MINOR POEMS.

ARCADES.

PART OF A MASK, OR ENTERTAINMENT,

PRESENTED TO THE

COUNTESS DOWAGER OF DERBY,

AT HAREFIELD,

BY SOME NOBLE PERSON OF HER FAMILY

ARCADES.

The Characters appear on the Scene in vastoral habit, moving

towards the scat of state, with this

L SONG.

song:

Look, nymphs, and shepherds, look,
What sudden blaze of majesty

Is that which we from hence descry,
Too divine to be mistook?

This, this is she

To whom our vows and wishes bend:
Here our solemn search hath end.

Fame, that, her high worth to raise,
Seem'd erst so lavish and profuse,
We may justly now accuse
Of detraction from her praise;
Less than half we find express'd;
Envy bid conceal the rest.

Mark, what radiant state she spreads,
In circle round her shining throne,
Shooting her beams like silver threads;
This, this is she alone,

Sitting, like a goddess bright,
In th centre of her light.

Might she the wise Latona be,
Or the tower'd Cybele,

Mother of a hundred gods?

Juno dares not give her odds:

Who had thought this clime had held

A deity so unparallel'd?

As they come forward, the Genius of the wood appears, and, turn ing towards them, speaks:

Gen. Stay, gentle swains, for, though in this disguise,

I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes;
Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung
Of that renowned flood, so often sung,
Divine Alpheus, who, by secret sluice,
Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse;
And
ye, the breathing roses of the wood,
Fair silver-buskin'd nymphs, as great and good;
I know this quest of yours, and free intent,
Was all in honour and devotion meant
To the great mistress of yon princely shrine,
Whom with low reverence I adore as mine;
And, with all helpful service, will comply
To further this night's glad solemnity;
And lead ye where
ye may more near behold
What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold;
Which I full oft, amidst these shades alone,
Have sat to wonder at, and gaze upon:
For know by lot from Jove, I am the power
Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower,
To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove