And, where the deluge burst, with sweepy sway Their arms, their kings, their gods were roll'd away. The blue-eyed myriads from the Baltic coast. Her boasted titles, and her golden fields: 50 COMMENTARY. to 58) Why has Asia been, time out of mind, the scat of des NOTES. that of Gallienus. Under the Greek Emperors also, to mention only the years 1053 and 1191, it appears that the Scythians still continued their accustomed ravages. In later times, the like spirit of sudden and destructive invasion has constantly prevailed; and these same Scythians, under their modern name of Tartars, have, at different periods, over-run Asia, and even some parts of Europe: it is sufficient, on this point, to recall to the reader's memory the names of Gingis-Chan, Octaï, and Tamerlane. [The blue-eyed myriads, &c. 1.51]. The different nations of Germans, who inhabited or bordered on this coast, have been always distinguished by their various emigrations in search of a better soil and climate, and of a more commodious settlement. The reader will readily recollect the expedition of the Teutones, who joined the Cimbri, when they invaded the Roman territories to the united amount, it is said, of 300,000 fighting men; the many inroads of the Germans into Gaul, under the conduct of Ariovistus; and the numerous irruptions, into the Roman empire, of the Suevi, the Goths, the Vandals, and lastly of the Lombards; most of which nations came originally from the coasts here mentioned. The epithet "blue-eyed" exhibits a distinguishing feature of the ancient Germans and is particularly remarked by Tacitus and Juvenal. "Truces et cærulei oculi," observes the former, "de Popul. Ger man. cap. 4." and the latter, "Carula quis stupuit Germani lu"mina?" "Sat. 13. ver. 164." With grim delight the Brood of winter view Why yet does Asia dread a monarch's nod, 55 60 Th' encroaching tide, that drowns her lessening lands; And sees far off with an indignant groan Her native plains, and Empires once her own. Can opener skies and suns of fiercer flame O'erpower the fire, that animates our frame; 65 COMMENTARY. potism, and Europe that of freedom? (1. 54 to 64.) Are we from these instances to imagine men necessarily enslaved to the inconveniencies of the climate where they were born? (l. 64 to 72) Or NOTES. [With grim delight, &c. 1. 54.] It may not be improper here, after admiring the noble vein of poetical expression and imagery which adorns this description, to relate an incident in itself curious, which shews the propriety of it. The Normans, who came originally from Norway and Scandinavia, having, after a century of ravages, settled themselves in Neustria (since called Normandy) in 912, were invited into the southern parts of Italy, in the year 1018, by Gaimar prince of Salerno. The Ambassadors, by his particu lar direction, carried with them a quantity of Citrons, and of other rare fruits, as the most alluring proof of the mildness of the climate. He thought (and the event showed he was right in thinking so) that this "Brood of winter," delighted with the taste and fragrance of these delicacies, would the more readily consent to his As lamps, that shed at eve a chearful ray, Need we the influence of the Northern star Must sick'ning virtue fly the tainted ground? 70 What fancied zone can circumscribe the soul, Who, conscious of the source from whence she springs, By reason's light, on resolution's wings, 75 Spite of her frail companion, dauntless goes O'er Lybia's deserts and thro' Zembla's snows? She bids each slumb'ring energy awake, Another touch, another temper take, Suspends th' inferior laws, that rule our clay: 80 COMMENTARY. are we not rather to suppose there is a natural strength in the human mind,that is able to vanquish and break through them? (1. 72 to 84) It is confest, however, that men receive an early tincture NOTES. proposal. [See Leo Ostiensis in his "Chron: Cassin:" and Peta66 vius, Rationarium Temp: pars: prim: lib: viii."] Mr. Gray's judgment, in what remains to us of this essay, is very remarkable. He borrows from poetry his imagery, his similes, and his expressions; but his thoughts are taken, as the nature of the Poem requires, from history and observation. Not but the human fabric from the birth As various tracts enforce a various toil, 85 90 With side-long plough to quell the flinty ground, To turn the torrent's swift-descending flood, To brave the savage rushing from the wood, What wonder, if to patient valour train'd They guard with spirit, what by strength they gain'd? And while their rocky ramparts round they see, The rough abode of want and liberty, (As lawless force from confidence will grow) Insult the plenty of the vales below? 96 COMMENTARY. from the situation they are placed in, and the climate which produces them (1.84 to 88.) Thus the inhabitants of the mountains, inured to labour and patience, are naturally trained to war (1. 88 to 96); while those of the plain are more open to any attack, and softened by ease and plenty (1. 96 to 99). Again, the Egyptians, from the nature of their situation, might be the inventors of homenavigation, from a necessity of keeping up an intercoarse between their towns during the inundation of the Nile (1. 99 to******) Those persons would naturally have the first turn to commerce, who inhabited a barren coast like the Tyrians, and were persecuted by some neighbouring tyrant; or were drove to take refuge on some shoals, like the Venetian and Hollander; their discovery of some rich island, in the infancy of the world, described. The Tar What wonder, in the sultry climes, that spread, 100 Where Nile redundant o'er his summer-bed COMMENTARY. tar, hardened to war by his rigorous climate and pastoral life, and by his disputes for water and herbage in a country without landmarks, as also by skirmishes between his rival clans, was conse quently fitted to conquer his rich Southern neighbours, whom ease and luxury had enervated: Yet this is no proof that liberty and valour may not exist in Southern climes, since the Syrians and Carthaginians gave noble instances of both; and the Arabians carried their conquests as far as the Tartars. Rome also (for many centuries) repulsed those very nations, which, when she grew weak, at length demolished her extensive Empire. **** *The Reader will perceive that the Commentary goes further than the Text. The reason for which is, that the Editor found it so on the paper from which he formed that comment; and as the thoughts seemed to be those which Mr. Gray would have next graced with the harmony of his numbers, he held it best to give them in continuation. There are other maxims on different papers, all apparently relating to the same subject, which are too excellent to be lost; these therefore (as the place in which he meant to employ them cannot be ascertained) I shall subjoin to this note, under the title of detached Sentiments. "Man is a creature not capable of cultivating his mind but in society, and in that only where he is not a slave to the necessities of life. Want is the mother of the inferior arts, but Ease that of the finer; as eloquence, policy, morality, poetry, sculpture, painting, architecture, which are the improvements of the former. The climate inclines some nations to contemplation and pleasure; others to hardship, action, and war; but not so as to incapacitate the former for courage and discipline, or the latter for civility, politeness, and works of genius. It is the proper work of education and government united to redress the faults that arise from the soil and air. |