The LAND of the MUSES.
[5]MAY we unblamed in theſe faſtidious times
Retreat to Spenſer's allegoric rhimes?
His venturous ſtep thro' fairy bowers purſue,
Till Alma's caſtled dome appears in view?
There ſee, advancing on th' embattled plain,
Guyon and Arthur of heroic ſtrain?
Their martial grace, their valiant deeds admire,
Unwearied arms, and unextinguiſh'd fire;
When the baſe Squadrons who beſieged her rouud,
They forced to quit the field, and ſhun the ſacred ground?
Then view brave Guyon with intrepid heart
Againſt th' enchanted bower of bliſs depart;
While by his preſence check'd, the ſenſual croud
Led by Malaeger, confident and proud
Again inveſt the walls? See Arthur ride
Indignant forth, and (as Antaeus died
[6] By Hercules of yore) the Chief inclaſp,
Who breathed his laſt within his nervous graſp;
Yet, tho' renown's all-envied prize He won,
Eſpy from many a gaſh the crimſon current run?
"There view the Grooms and Squires with tender ſpeed,
"Reſpectful take Him from his foaming ſteed;
"And faireſt Alma coſtly ſpice prepare,
"And wine and balm t' adminiſter with care,
"Eager her lively gratitude t' expreſs,
"And aid her Champion in his deep diſtreſs;
"Then of his armour gently diſarray'd,
"On richeſt Sopha cauſe him to be laid,
"And while his wounds they gird with circling band,
"Cloſe by his ſide behold the Virgin ſtand."
Ah Fools, who think that Temperance will refuſe
Enjoyments ſweet, the ſoul's refreſhing dews,
To Human-kind! or frowningly ſurvey
Their feet proceed in Pleaſure's roſeate way,
[7] See them recline beneath her myrtle bowers▪
Inhale the balmy air, and pluck th' innocuous flowers.
Liberal, and candid, all delights She loves,
Which Taſte deſires, and Elegance approves;
Foſters each genuine bliſs to reaſon dear,
But hates impetuous paſſion's mad career.
Now while the Prince nigh heal'd by Alma's ſkill,
Felt health begin each languid vein to fill,
Exhauſted erſt, when in her cauſe he fought,
And with his blood the well-earn'd triumph bought,
As well She knew the body and the mind
In weal and woe eſſentially combin'd,
United each to each with ſtricteſt ties,
She bent her thought his mind to harmonize.
So to his ear, cloſe-ſeated by his ſide,
In accents duly couch'd her ſpeech applied;
At times of chivalry, war's pureſt flame,
And hardy Knights, who ſcorning abject ſhame,
Trampled on death to gain immortal fame.
[8] Then, as the Powers of Virtue liſtening ſtood,
Of conſcious worth She ſpake, and mental good,
And peace, and civic merit laurel-crown'd,
While He was raviſh'd by the ſoothing ſound.
With Her two Nymphs miniſtrant, came prepared,
And when She pauſed, the grateful labour ſhared.
For ever and anon would Praiſe-Deſire
Open her ruby lips, attune her lyre,
And ſing her penſive notes; the powerful ſtrain
Charm'd the ſenſation of internal pain,
Infuſed ſereneſt ſtedfaſtneſs, and brought
To juſteſt temper each rebellious thought.
It ſeem'd as if an Angel from above,
Melodious glided on the wings of love,
Such ſilver tones th' enamour'd gales prolong,
Her flowing meaſures ſuch, and blandiſhment of ſong.
And often Virgin Baſhfulneſs aſſay'd
The melting lute, and ſweeteſt deſcants play'd:
[9] For She her inſtrument could aptly guide,
Nor wanted in well-doing comely pride.
The Prince's boſom ſecret pleaſure fills,
And every nerve the love of glory thrills;
His ſpirit ſeizes her celeſtial meed,
He meditates th' unutterable deed:
Rapt, and beyond expreſſion moved, He ſighs,
The living fire darts ardent from his eyes,
And drench'd in bliſs unknown to vulgar ſoul He lies.
One evening as theſe Four excurſive tread
Where that majeſtic ſtream is ſeen to ſpread
Whence Guyon launch'd, the country far and wide
Profuſely watering with exhauſtleſs tide,
Arthur beholds the farther coaſt, it's hills
Aſcending ſteep, it's vales, meandring rills,
Woods whoſe thick boughs a ſolemn ſhade diffuſe,
And lawns which now declining Phoebus views,
[10] Beaming the laſt remains of golden day,
Then curious aſk'd what region yonder lay.
That is the Land, replied th' ingenuous Fair,
Apollo's and the Muſes' favourite care;
On which their bleſſings they benignly ſhower
E'en to exceſs: there in immortal bower,
Cloſe by the fount of Hippocrene divine,
Th' unfading wreathe of harmony entwine;
There, all their choral extaſies repeat,
Far from the world there fix their happy ſeat,
And ſcorn its vulgar herd, and taſteleſs Great.
There too is heart-felt Joy with aſpect bright,
And Pain is baniſh'd thence, and Grief is put to flight.
There too a thouſand beauteous Forms reſide,
To which in habit or in ſhape allied
In other place the eye can never find,
Beings inviſible to common mind:
Of pureſt nature, and ethereal race,
Girded with zones by every Siſter Grace;
[11] For there the Graces ſhed their choiceſt rays,
While Liberty with ſmiles before them plays,
And clad in robes of white each ſpotleſs Virtue ſtrays.
May not, rejoin'd the Prince, a Stranger ſue
Thoſe ſcenes thy lively words deſcribe to view?
What bliſs to travel thro that region fair!
What bliſs to mingle with the Natives rare!
Nor ſpeak I urged by boaſtful folly vain,
Yet in my heart is no illiberal ſtain;
Honour hath poured her influence on my mind,
And cheriſh'd paſſions generous and refin'd;
Say, whom muſt I invoke that purer mould
To tread? thoſe Forms Ethereal to behold?
No baſe Intruder, no malicious Spy,
Seeking their hidden myſteries to defery.
Then Alma ſmiled, and ſmiled th' attendant Twain;
O Briton Prince, She ſaid, that bleſt domain
[12] To me by young Apollo's ſelf is given
Freely t'enjoy; to me that earthly Heaven
He grants to range: from Him the power is mine;
All lawleſs wanderers from the ſacred Nine
To keep by force, Riot's wild crew to quell,
And all the Sons of inſolence repell;
But ever modeſt merit to befriend,
Direct his ſteps, and my aſſiſtance lend.
But darkneſs now protrudes her ſhadowy cone,
The fields are trod by wakeful man alone.
Take we our frugal meal, and then to reſt;
The Beaſts their couch, the Birds have ſought their neſt;
All but the Beaſt of prey, with ruthleſs mind
Threatening ſell ſlaughter to the helpleſs kind:
And Philomel, whoſe conſcious meaſures flow,
Feeding th' unſated luxury of woe,
Now paſſionately full, now ſoft, and dying low.
Tomorrow when the Eaſtern clouds diſplay
Their lucid pomp, and crimſon banners gay,
[13] At my requeſt a bark ſhall waft us o'er
Th' expanded ſtream, to yon ſequeſter'd ſhore,
The proſpects which await us there, to paint
Art cannot reach, all language would be faint.
In courtly phraſe the Prince his thanks expreſt,
For every poliſht grace adorn'd his breaſt;
His eyelids, light and tranſient ſlumbers cloſe,
And in the morn with Heaven's firſt beam He roſe.
His gentle Guide not unprepared He found,
For when the Lark ſoar'd upward from the ground,
With joy She heard his ſweetly-warbled ſtrain,
And brake the ſilken bands of ſleep in twain.
Then o'er the humid lawns they took their way,
(The dew-drops glittering with the orient ray)
And to the River's verdant margin ſped,
Where lay th' expecting bark with ſail unſpread,
The Pilot at the helm, of aſpect mild,
And bland, yet piercing eye, Good-Culture ſtiled.
[14] The Knight and Lady He with tranſport warm
Received; then puſh'd far off with nervous arm,
Unfurl▪d his ſail, which gales propitious ſwell'd,
And o'er the waves his eaſy courſe impell'd.
The ſparkling waves like lucid chryſtal gleam,
Or like unclouded Titan's radiant beam;
For not the ſmalleſt ſtain or ſpot they know,
Tho deep the tide, the ſands were ſeen below.
When they approach'd that ſhore's extremeſt bound,
With Spring's eternal ceſtus girt around,
Ambroſial airs mild-breath'd their ſenſes greet,
Diffuſing odours exquiſitely ſweet:
For Zephyr there his ſofteſt plumes indued,
And chid each devious blaſt of pinions rude,
While Flora hung with living gems the bowers,
And deck'd the turf with never-fading flowers,
Bloſſoms and flowers of every various hue
Which once in Eden's happy garden grew.
[15]Now at the Coaſt arrived, they land with ſpeed,
And now along the lilied banks proceed,
Viewing in ſilence with attentive eye
The ſcenes romantic which before them lye.
The Prince at every turn to wonder yields,
At every turn new beauties crown the fields;
Upon his cheeks a warmer glow is ſpread,
His boſom throbs with awe and pleaſing dread,
Such proſpect, frailer mortals ſcarce could bear,
He gazed, and wiſh'd to gaze forever there.
His mild Conductreſs bade him now behold
Where croſſing o'er the velvet-ſhaded mould
Two of the gentle Habitants advance;
He ſees, and quits his viſionary trance.
Their eyes the glittering beams of pleaſure dart,
Their ſmooth brows ſpeak their gayety of heart,
Their virid garlands wanton'd in the wind,
Their nimble feet moved on as chance inclined,
And treading the ſoft turf, no preſſure left behind.
[16] The one was Youthful Prime, of comely grace,
The riſing down began to ſhade his face,
Unchanged by years. The other was his Bride,
Hygeia She, of firm affection tried,
From whom a Son paced ſmiling by his ſide.
Her preſence every thought of time exiled,
So well each hour her converſe ſweet beguiled.
That tender Imp whoſe ſmiles proclaim'd his joy,
He named Content; to whom tho yet a Boy
Is given excluſive power and wondrous might;
For eaſe of mind and ſpirits dancing light
All thoſe inſpire, on whom He caſts his ſight.
The blooming Dame ſuſtain'd an Infant Child,
Simplicity by both his Parents ſtiled,
Well-favour'd, and of lovely hue to ſee,
Stretching his little arms, and telling his tale free.
To whom with bland demeanor Alma ſaid;
Where widely your enchanted feet have ſtray'd
[17] Among the mazes of this flowery green,
Tell me, ye gentle Pair, if ye have ſeen
Where Fancy now reſides? for like the wind
I know the ſudden ſhiftings of her mind,
No certain ſpot She loves, but varies ſoon,
Now the deep ſhade allures, and now the blaze of noon.
To Her with ſwift-wing'd accents Youth replied,
The Nymph ye ſeek, fair Dame, I lately ſpied
In yonder glen, which craggy rocks ſurround,
Whence burſts a torrent forth with roaring ſound.
Then bending decent, with reſpectful eye,
He and his loved Copartner haſted by.
But Alma with the Prince right onward fared,
Who aſk'd her why to Fancy She repair'd?
Without her aid (ſaid She) I want the power
To guide thee, as behoves, a ſingle hour.
Beſides her ſkill hath raiſed a Building high,
Which yonder view, aſpiring to the ſky;
[18] From whence is ſeen diſtinctly, rock, and plain,
And dell, and grot, and ſtream, and woodland reign,
Each goodly object, all the living race,
Which breathe and move, and theſe dominions grace.
To which if thee, O Prince, She will convey,
What elſe would take up many a tedious day,
And many a night in vigils to behold,
In portion ſmall of time She can unfold.
Nor ſhould we haply elſe ſucceed at laſt,
But after much ſojourn, and labour vaſt,
Some thorny glade our tangled feet might chain,
Some wilderneſs miſlead, or ſandy plain:
Or we might ſink beneath ſome foaming bourn,
Or to the place we left unſped return.
Now, where they ſought, the Maid Divine they ſcann'd,
Upon a craggy cliff She took her ſtand;
Forming a gloomy ſhade, above her head
A lofty pine it's ample branches ſpread.
[19] Downward on either ſide, with rapid force,
From rock to rock a ſtrong ſtream bent it's courſe;
Precipitate the daſhing currents flow,
And mingle in one boiling gulph below.
She ſtood enraptured o'er the whirling bay,
And bathed her forehead in the floating ſpray.
Conſcious of ſtranger feet her eyes She rear'd,
Which as th' effulgent ſun-beam bright appear'd,
And quicker than the quivering lightning glanced;
Then t'ward them ſtrait with airy feet advanced.
In prodigal abundance, uncontroul'd,
Wide waved her burniſht locks of tendrill'd gold▪
Brede, or incircling band they never knew,
When moſt diſhevell'd, comelieſt to the view.
In thin habiliment her limbs were dreſt;
A curious robe depended from her veſt,
Of fleecy clouds and goſſimer intwined,
Which on the boſom of the dalliant wind
It's folds ſuſtaining, ſported far behind;
[20] Adorn'd with tints of every various die
Which in Heaven's glorious bow attract the eye:
And every blended hue which e'er was traced,
In complicated beauty there was placed.
Oft in that vale retired She ſate alone,
Where Nature wildly ſtray'd, to Art unknown.
But circumſcribed by no determined bound,
Free and at large She ranged Creation round.
Or thro the brazen gyre would urge her way,
With cheek unblanch'd, and heart without diſmay,
The din of Chaos and Confuſion hear,
Nor all the bickering elements would fear.
There, if She wills, the cold abyſs She warms;
New worlds, and peopled with unnumber'd ſwarms
She bids ariſe; her palace ſtrait they mould,
She mounts her throne, extends her ſcepter'd gold,
While thronging round, her ready ſubjects ſtand,
Or ſtoop ſubmiſs, and wait her high command:
[21] Then in a moment, ſuch her varying ſoul,
On ruin bent, annihilates the whole;
Aſſiſts confuſion, multiplies the jar,
Heightens the tumult, and augments the war.
For She alone, moſt wondrous to relate,
Except Heaven's Sire, is unreſtrain'd by Fate.
Oft to th' empyreal Dome, with boldeſt gaze
Striving to pierce th' impenetrable blaze,
She ſpeeds her courſe, where mid the depth profound
Of ſtrong refulgent glory floating round,
Sits the myſterious Godhead, in his reign
Of trinal unity. But all in vain
She ſtrives to paſs that inexpreſſive light;
Heaven's Sire alone eſcapes her thrillant ſight.
Yet She could bring (ſo potent was her ſway)
Cherubs and Seraphs from the realms of day;
While, gently hovering round, Angelic Quires
Tuned at her will their golden-ſtringed lyres.
[22] Or ſpite of Pluto's horrid flames, would dare
To cleave the earth, and rouſe to upper air
The Furies with their whips of iron dread,
The ſnakes loud hiſſing on each ghaſtly head;
With Them, would Hecate reluctant ſtand,
Her cypreſs wreathe diſplay, and wield her ſparkling brand.
Then would ariſe, on pitchy pinions borne,
Stern-look'd Revenge; Hate by wild frenzy torn,
And each tremendous Peſt which ſhuns the light,
And every Child abhorr'd of ugly Night.
Luſt fierce and reſtleſs, Jealouſy worn blind,
Murther, whoſe features ſhock the generous mind,
And pining Care, which in thick gloomy clouds
The half-ſlain wretch, while yet alive, inſhrouds.
And Woe, by inches deſtined to conſume,
Hanging, with face all pale, o'er her dead Lover's tomb.
And She would call th' unbodied Ghoſts around,
Uttering their dolorous wail with ſhrieking ſound;
[23] And Witchcraft, mumbling forth her rites, might make
The ſtouteſt tremble, and the firmeſt quake.
And Conſcious Fear, who ſteals with ſecret ſtride,
Keeping cloſe watch th' Aſſaſſin's bed beſide;
And when Sleep, long invoked, begins to ſeal
His wearied lids, unfold the poppied veil,
And his tormenting thoughts awhile controul,
Rings her alarum wild, and rends his guilty ſoul.
Yet were no frowns, or ſternneſs in her face;
But amiable, and clad with native grace,
Her bluſhing cheeks confeſs'd a modeſt die,
Blending with ſoftneſs, virgin majeſty.
Love ever view'd her in reſpect array'd;
Enchanting ſmiles o'er all her features play'd;
Her azure veins in winding mazes flow'd,
The ſnow above with living luſtre glow'd.
So, deckt with radiance, deckt with beauty's beams,
The Eldeſt Daughter of the Morn She ſeems.
[24]While cordial joy her winning looks expreſs'd,
To Alma thus her ſpeech She firſt addreſs'd:
Welcome, fair Maid, to this ſecluded place!
(Then ſeal'd the welcome with a warm embrace)
And hail to thee, her Knight! Command the Powers
Who here inherit; thee the light-plumed Hours
Tranſported view: for thee each Grace will twine
The dance: the Virtues chaunt their airs divine:
For thee Apollo's ſelf would tune the lay,
And I, with ready ſtep, thy will obey.
O Paſſing Fair! to her the Virgin ſaid,
This Gentle Knight (He bent his comely head)
No Son of riot, or obſtruſive pride,
To theſe blithe regions follows me his guide.
Let me his earneſt ſuit to thee commend,
My ſtrong Deliverer He, and ſtedfaſt Friend.
Oh, bear him to thy lofty tower with ſpeed,
Or with him thro theſe mazy haunts proceed;
[25] That He each wondrous Inmate may deſcry,
And ſatiate with delight his knowledge-gathering eye.
She anſwer'd not, but lock'd with aſpect ſweet
Her hand in their's, prepared for voyage fleet;
Then ſwift as light, or if with ſwifter force
Aught moves, upbore them in her airy courſe;
Till on th' aſpiring edifice they ſtood,
Whence they ſurvey'd that Iſle, it's circling flood,
The girding Heavens out-ſtretch'd in vaſt array,
And Earth, and Ocean wide, which far beneath them lay.
Rare was the Building, glorious to behold,
It's parts, nor ſteel, nor braſs, nor lead, nor gold,
Nor marble form'd; nor were they knit with lime,
With Roman cement, or Aſphaltic ſlime.
One piece of lucent glaſs compoſed the mound,
In ſhorteſt ſpace She raiſed it from the ground;
Tho ſeeming thin and frail, it braved the rage
Of waſting time, and gain'd new ſtrength from age.
[26] With portraits numberleſs the walls were lined,
Landſcapes, and Hiſtories, by her deſign'd;
For when that tower She left, and ranging wide,
New ſhapes, and forms before unſeen deſcry'd,
Thoſe from her memory's faithful chart, the Maid
Before an Artiſt's ſkilful ſight diſplay'd;
Who every ſtroke with eager rapture ſcann'd,
And all defined with ſwiftly-moving hand;
And ornamented all with colours rare,
Deſcription was her name, a Virgin debonair.
Soft was her pencil, delicately light,
Yet were it's ſketches ſtrong, and glowing bright;
For from the clouds their checquer'd ſpots She drew,
And it's pure eſſence from the morning dew;
Her bluſh when firſt Aurora roſe from ſleep
She took, it's azure from th' unruffled deep;
The ſmiles of Venus, Cynthia's ſilver ray,
Flora's enamell'd robe, the Lord of Day
Pouring his ſplendours in refulgent tide,
And all Dame Nature's works her tints ſupplied.
[27]Each colour mingling juſt, a reverend Eld,
Or ſeperating each, the palette held;
The wrinkles well became his antient face,
Low ſtream'd his hoary beard with decent grace;
His piercing eye his perfect ſenſes told,
Active his ſoul, tho in experience old;
Judgement the Sage was ſtiled; his looks with awe
She view'd; his ſlighteſt hint ſhe deem'd a law.
Full many a time her youthful hand He ſtay'd,
When wanton, or with careleſs touch it ſtray'd.
The Briton Prince with pleaſure view'd the Pair,
Her curious works, and his attentive care,
Till Fancy beckon'd Him; to whom reſign'd,
He left th' enchanting imagery behind;
And now, by Her and Alma ſeated nigh,
Where roſe the glittering battlements on high,
She waved her hand, then bade them look around
And mark the charms of that celeſtial ground.
[28]Wide ſpread the magic ſcene their eyes before;
The laughing meads with flowers were ſprinkled o'er,
There was the crocus, there the harebell ſeen,
The lily fair, the roſe unrivall'd Queen;
The pink, the tulip with embroider'd veſt,
The violet blue, the daiſy meekly dreſt;
The cowſlip drooping down his languid head;
All, which the ſweeteſt livelieſt odours bred;
And all, which Nature's vivid ſtains imbrue,
There ſcorning Art, uncultivated grew.
And mid the valleys lucid rivers ſtray,
Which rolling on, in wild meanders play;
With dimpled ſurface now they calmly glide;
The liſtening Swain hears not the gentle tide;
Now broke by moſſy ſtones ſweet muſic make,
And the thrall'd ſenſe in willing bondage take;
Now ſudden bounding o'er ſome rocky wall,
From rift to rift the daſhing currents fall.
[29]On hills far off the foreſts ſhed their gloom,
Here tufted groves with verdure ever bloom;
Around whoſe trunks the honeyſuckle winds,
And ſcented jeſſamine it's branches binds;
And purple grapes between, thick-cluſtering, hung,
And thouſand, thouſand feather'd Inmates ſung;
Conceal'd from every eye, the Minſtrels raiſed
Their choral notes, and Harmony was pleaſed.
While every leaf more gladly ſeem'd to move,
And every bough conſenting waved above.
As o'er the lawns their eyes delighted paſs,
Fair flocks they ſee, which cropp'd the tender graſs;
Or ſlept reclined beſide each paſtoral ſtream,
Or wanton ſported in the ſunny beam.
And where or rock appeared, or riſing hill,
The goats of antic gambols took their fill.
And jocund Keepers, with their crooks in hand,
Guarded them both, with dogs, a faithful band.
[30] Or in the plain, or hid beneath the ſhade,
On pipes of reed their amorous deſcants play'd.
Soon they beheld the horned Pan draw near,
A merry note he tuned the heart to cheer;
Pleaſant, but rude and ruſtic was the ſtrain;
Him follow'd, dancing trim in frolic vein,
A crowd of Fauns and Satyrs, who with fleet
And active motions ſped their cloven feet.
With them the looſe-robed Dryads, aptly join'd,
Their Partners gay, the mazy round entwined.
With nimble ſtep they beat the hollow ground,
Their hair with oaken wreathes and ivy crown'd.
A pleaſing ſight ſucceeded—Lo! the God
Of Love! a gentle lamb the Power beſtrod.
Not He, for whom Spite tempers ſavage darts,
Teaching thoſe curſed and malignant arts,
His, and his cruel Mother's laſting ſhame,
While juſt reproach indignifies his name;
[31] Arts, by which numerous wretches, firſt his ſlaves,
Have ſunk in torture to untimely graves;
And numerous wretches, who alive remain,
Dwell with deſpair, and ever-racking pain.
This winged Boy a milder boſom proved,
Mild as the beaſt on which He onward moved;
Nor could He ſee th' unhappy drop a tear,
But He ſuſtain'd of grief an eqnal ſhare.
He was not blind: and from his piercing ſight
Fled baſe Deſire, who ſhrunk beneath his might.
Deceit and Calumny his frown diſmay'd,
And by him walked Sincerity the Maid.
A chryſtal vaſe ſhe held before her breaſt,
In which her ſecret thoughts were all expreſt,
Each inward ſentiment reflecting true,
Clad without varniſh in their native hue.
With this ſhe oft can Villainy diſgrace,
And make him, ſtooping, hide his odious face,
Guarded by this, no lurking ill ſhe fears,
And e'en aſſail'd, a ſmiling aſpect wears;
[32] As if defended ſtrong by magic charms,
Or firmly girded in Vulcanian arms.
Cloſe on the left, Fair Innocence ſuſtain'd
A roſy brede, with which that Lamb ſhe rein'd,
And guided him along the flowery way,
Or check'd him if his Rider will'd to ſtay.
Her to behold, on balmy wings upborne,
Angels would oft this lower world adorn;
Bathing in mortal air their limbs divine;
Around her ſuch attractive graces ſhine.
Her other hand a bloated ſerpent rear'd,
Which lick'd her face, for ſhe no venom fear'd.
And now, a Nymph tript o'er the pathleſs green,
Blithe was her look, unequal was her mien,
None could her lineaments exactly ſpy,
The colour of her garment mock'd the eye.
For both each moment chang'd; inconſtant, wild,
That fickle Female, Novelty was ſtiled.
[33] Of Admiration She the heart poſſeſt,
Her frequent change inflamed his youthful breaſt,
With eager look he mark'd her giddy pace,
And every ſhifting feature of her face.
Twiſting a ſilken cord with all his might,
And ſtretching each unyielding fibre tight,
Next came a Swain, and walking by his ſide
One more than kin, tho not in blood allied.
The firſt was Friendſhip, while the other bore
The name of Sans-Self-love in human lore,
Honour's pure beams illumed his faithful ſoul
In true affection ſtedfaſt as the pole:
For he the former to ſecure from pain,
Would naked ruſh on ſpears, or plunge into the main.
And now advanced, the Wight they firſt ſurvey'd,
And with his Spouſe that Boy in ſmiles array'd,
While heightening all the luſtre of her charms,
The little Prattler graced her matron arms.
[34] Behind, with downcaſt eye and motion flow
Trod virgin Chaſtity, a lump of ſnow
In her cold hands; which tho the tepid weſt
Around her breathed, no ſoil, or ſtain confeſt,
Unthaw'd, and ever ſpotleſs as her breaſt.
Long ſince, her modeſt vows, and plighted truth
Fidelity obtain'd, a comely youth;
Her face was his fixt viſion's only ſphere,
But ſuch his looks as raiſed no bluſhes there.
This hand, the flower in living gold diſplays,
Which to the ſun ſtill turns it's conſtant rays;
That, a Cameleon in a diamond chain,
Whoſe magic links his varying hues reſtrain.
And many more from their exalted ſeat
The Prince and Alma ſaw, a Band replete
With all that charms the heart, or feeds deſire,
Stirs the ſoft wiſh, or warm enthuſiaſt fire.
Uncinctured there the Siſter Graces bright,
There Liberty unveil'd her peerleſs light;
[35] Benevolence, and Gratitude conjoin'd,
Beauty all-lovely both in ſhape and mind:
There heart-felt Eaſe, and Leiſure onward paſt,
And happy Indolence and Peace the laſt.
Then Fancy waved again her potent arm,
Th' inverted proſpect own'd the ſudden charm.
Black was the ſky, the bluſtring wind blew rude,
To the gay troop, ſucceeded Solitude.
Inſtead of flowery lawns, a doleful glade,
Which ſeem'd for Grief's afflicted offspring made,
T'ward which no viſionary joy could ſteal;
Alas! ſo ſoon all human glories fail.
Forth came an hundred Nymphs with ſolemn mien,
And flaming torches, then (as ſeem'd) a Queen,
By the pure crown of gold which deck'd her head,
Her awful front, and her majeſtic tread.
Her crimſon veſtment flow'd in ſtately pride,
Like Scythian Tomyris when in ſlaughter died
[36] She bade the Perſian Cyrus thirſt no more;
Or bold Bonduca, drench'd in Roman gore.
Her left hand held a bowl with poiſon fill'd,
Which working quick diſpatch the victim kill'd;
Her right, a dreadful dagger, which to thoſe
Who tired of life, their own relentleſs foes
Became, ſhe gave: or if they aſk'd the bowl,
She bade them drink, and ſatisfy their ſoul.
Impurpled buſkins on her legs ſhe wore,
A golden claſp connected them before.
Behind her was a Wretch with garments rent,
He moved, as if with weakneſs all foreſpent,
Hollow his cheeks, and pale his dreary face,
His eyes ſtill gleaming with a languid grace,
Misfortune He; Adverſity around
His paſſive limbs a brazen chain had bound,
Tho breathleſs, faint, o'erpower'd, and well nigh ſlain,
She ſpared him not, but dragg'd him on amain.
[37]And ever and anon her arm on high
She lifted, ſcouling grim with threatening eye:
And oft his veſture would with fury tear,
And ſcourge him till each vital part lay bare.
No evil word, tho hopeleſs of relief,
But ſighs profound declared his mighty grief.
She heeded not his virtues, or his moan,
Her heart long ſince had been transform'd to ſtone.
With aſpect ſweet and bland, a lovely Dame,
The faireſt, and the beſt, behind him came.
No rarer mixture of Creation's mould,
No purer, human eyeſight could behold.
His ſufferings when ſhe view'd, his dire unreſt,
O God! what anguiſh wrung her tender breaſt!
What would ſhe not relinquiſh to ſet free
From his ſad ſtate the Man of miſery!
To reſcue him ſhe almoſt wiſh'd to die,
Such was the feeling ſoul of Sympathy.
The tears which ſprinkled her celeſtial cheek
With added beauty graced each feature meek,
[38] As for that Wretch beſet with cruel pain
Her eyes let fall the copious drops in vain;
And bluſhing Pudency there ſat inſhrined
With ſilent voice interpreting the mind,
Soft-mantling on the poliſht ſurface play'd,
And the moiſt pearls in orient beams array'd.
So in her Eaſtern temple glowing bright,
Thro a thin cloud Aurora darts her light;
So a ſweet roſy bud attracts the view
Beneath it's lucid veil of ambient dew.
Two Cherubs hover'd mild her ſteps before,
One in his hand a golden cenſor bore,
Intent each precious tear of her's to ſave:
Which fill'd, he ſtraitway to the other gave,
Who to the ſtarry manſions of the ſky
Speeding his purple pinions ſoar'd on high,
Where Jove with might ſuperior reign'd, alone,
Except that Mercy ſtood beſide his throne,
The ſacred offering he received with love,
And ſhook with gracious ſign his nectared locks above.
[39]Next came Remorſe; his eyes with looks profound
In ghaſtly ſilence glared upon the ground,
But ſoon retorted with an eager view
As if to pierce his inmoſt boſom thro.
There tenting to the quick, with direſt pain
Keen anguiſh throbb'd thro every panting vein.
His arms convulſed (ſad object of deſpair)
He toſt aloſt, or wildly beat the air.
Ah Conſcience-ſmitten! in thy ſecret heart
Deep is the ſting, and fixt th' eternal ſmart.
Now Indignation, breathing vengeful ire,
His ſparkling glances darted living fire.
Deep bluſh'd his cheeks with glowing crimſon red,
His manly brow the ſterneſt frowns o'erſpread,
A glittering falchion beam'd above his head.
Yet taught by Reaſon, his emotions flow,
His ire ſhe prompts, and gives his cheeks to glow.
Wielding his blade, a monſter he purſued,
Snaky, and foul, with venom all imbued,
[40] Guilt, who by terror wing'd ne'er ceaſed to fly,
Nor, tho far off, dared turn her craven eye.
Next Horror; nought his ravin could controul,
With harrows dire 'twas his to rend the ſoul,
To tear each finer nerve with fell diſmay,
To rule with ſtrength untamed, and fierceſt ſway.
Then Hopeleſs Love; a ſhaft had pierced her breaſt,
Her tongue to none the rankling wound confeſt,
Beneath her robe ſhe hid the ſmart ſevere,
And pined unwitneſt like the ſtricken Deer.
Such numbers own'd that Queen's majeſtic reign,
The Muſe can ſcarce deſcribe th' attendant train,
In the dark glade they dwelt, their native place,
Till now call'd forth her ſovereign ſtate to grace.
Suſpicion, green and ſickly was his hue,
Exceſs of Grief, whoſe eyes no moiſture knew,
Revenge, who both his hands inſteep'd in blood,
Envy, pernicious foe to all that's good,
[41] Diſſimulation, weeping to beguile
Like the ſcaled Reptile on the Banks of Nile.
Madneſs, wild raving like the ſtormy wave,
And Melancholy, ſilent as the Grave.
There too was Brave Diſdain of worthleſs deed,
And Conſcious Pride from all diſhonour freed,
And Stoic Rigour which reproach defied,
And Bounteous Kindneſs to the Gods allied,
And Seemly Zeal by True Religion dreſt,
And Juſtice, well-ſpring pure of public reſt,
And Emulation ſcorning ſecond place,
And Wedded Love whom wreathes unfading grace,
And Filial Piety to whom is given
A lengthen'd term of years by favouring Heaven.
All that from lethargy could rouſe the ſoul,
All that with potent ſpell could vice controul,
Was there; for Virtue ranged the bands unſeen,
Her Vaſſals they, and e'en their haughty Queen;
[42] From her derived, and bound her laws t' obey,
To whoſe ſupport alone ſhe owes her ſway.
By her ſhe from confuſion, order draws,
And rules the diverſe Croud with ſtricteſt laws.
Now, for ſo Fancy bade, aroſe a blaſt,
And the dark gloom which erſt had overcaſt
The ſun, diſpell'd: and with it all the Crew
Like the ſwift rack, or miſty vapour flew.
His cheering rays more bright illumed the ſkies,
And ſoon a public road before them lyes,
Which t'ward a neighbouring City ſeem'd to lead,
Where many a jovial troop they now ſurvey'd,
Who rode, or laughing walk'd, or ſung, or play'd.
By the frequented path an Archer ſtood,
Black was his lowering brow in angry mood,
Two beauteous Nymphs within a certain gyre
Held him ſoft-ſoothing, and reſtrain'd his fire.
[43] Satire, whom Candour meek, and Truth attend;
They taught him when his threatening bow to bend,
At their command the twanging ſtring he drew,
And with ſure aim the barbed arrow flew.
Thoſe whom with deep and rigorous wound he ſped,
By Vice, an antient Beldam had been bred,
Some in diſguiſes quaint a lurking Peſt,
Others with open force that road t' infeſt,
And unſuſpecting Travellers moleſt.
But now with limping pace they trod awry,
Purſued with flouts by grinning Infamy,
And hated, kept at diſtance from the throng,
Nor join'd in frolic dance, or jocund ſong.
But ever when his two Companions caſt
Their eyes aſide, a ſhaft he ſnatch'd in haſte,
And ſmiling cruel with malicious face,
Struck ſome of ſober mien, and goodly grace.
The Virgins when they ſaw this evil deed,
To their aſſiſtance ran with earneſt ſpeed,
[44] And pour'd in oil and balm with healing hand,
But puniſh'd him with bitter reprimand.
Not far removed, a Female they ſurvey'd,
Her eaſy limbs in flowing robes array'd,
Looſe ſocks adorn'd her feet; of diverſe hue
A vizard hid her features from the view;
An ugly Hag who waved a brand of flame,
Follow'd, her ſteps attending, Secret Shame:
While Ridicule, a Dwarf, ſtill moved before,
And as he moved, a burniſht mirrour bore.
Led on by Vanity, and Folly gay,
The deſultory Croud who paſt that way,
Curious t' obſerve what images were there,
With idle mirth and wantonneſs drew near:
When in the mirrour bright themſelves they ſpied,
But ſo deform'd, the likeneſs they denied;
Till that uncomely Dame forſook her ſtand,
Full in their cheeks ſhe daſh'd her fiery brand,
[45] The ſtrong ſimilitude at once confeſt,
They fled, diſgrace alarm'd each conſcious breaſt.
But oh! what tongue, what language ſhall I find,
What energy, what amplitude of mind,
The ſcenes, which now ſuperbly roſe, to paint!
My numbers fail, my Muſe is all too faint:
When ſhe, the Prince, and Alma fair to bleſs,
Liberal, and kind, and bounteous to exceſs,
Unfolded to their ſight the rich domains
Where in full pomp th' exalted Epic reigns.
As if a man by more than human power
Should in his ſleep be ſnatch'd at midnight hour,
And o'er the ſounding billows ſwift upborne
Behold with wild amaze, at break of morn,
A Country ſtrange; before, with rapid force
The Amazonian ſtream's unrivall'd courſe;
Beyond, an open realm which upward tends,
And gradual, with majeſtic ſwell aſcends,
[46] By the vaſt towering Cordilleras bound;
And on the other ſide, th' Atlantic waſte profound.
So ſtood the Briton Prince in wonder loſt:
For now, down time-worn vallies rough emboſt,
Strong torrents, rolling fierce, his viſion croſt;
Now without ſhore an ocean huge and deep,
On which the lingering breezes ſeem'd to ſleep,
But ſoon dire war conflicting tempeſts wage,
And it's chaſed boſom feels the whirlwinds rage,
With foaming wrath the watery mountains riſe,
And the red lightning fires the blazing ſkies.
Now, on the Champion, or mid ſhady bowers,
Proud caſtles he beheld, and ſtately towers,
And clad in ſun-like armour many a Knight,
With Ladies by their ſides of beauty bright,
To whom they told fair tales of love's delight.
Or in their cauſe, with pointed lance oppoſe
Portentous Monſters, or miſhapen Foes;
[47] Or in round liſts obey the trumpet's blaſt,
And at their feet each meed of victory caſt.
Now heard he clarions numberleſs around,
His heart enkindled own'd the martial ſound:
And now the plain two banner'd armies fill,
They march, they ſhout, they join, they fight, they kill;
Undaunted Heroes lift the ſpear and ſhield,
Pierce the deep ranks, and thin the crouded field.
From ſteeds and men forth ſtreams a mingled flood,
The earth is crimſon'd with the ſmoaking blood.
Then where the diſtant mountains he eſpied,
Moving from rock to rock with giant ſtride
A Form appear'd; his ſtature reach'd the pole;
He graſp'd at Heaven: Sublimity of Soul.
Theſe paſt away: and now of golden light
A cloud He view'd, which floated dazzling bright
Upon a forked hill; his eyes in vain
Strove it's collected radiance to ſuſtain.
[48] And from behind ſuch muſic flow'd, He thought
That airs divine from Heaven above were brought;
And whelm'd with pleaſure ſcarcely breath'd or moved;
Nor was it ſtrange that He ſuch rapture proved,
When Jove himſelf would often ſtoop his ear
From high Olympus top, theſe ſymphonies to hear.
Thro the thin edges of the floating light,
Part of a ſeeming temple ſtruck his ſight
Of gorgeous frame; yet tho he ſtrain'd his eye,
It fail'd the building wholly to deſcry:
Whene'er the central luſtre was aſſay'd,
Each glance recoil'd, confounded and diſmay'd.
With bold attempt repeatedly he gazed,
At every look more ſtrong the radiance blazed.
And now, ſaid She, O Prince, whate'er theſe plains
Can boaſt, whate'er th' extent of my domains,
All that my will can grant, or Thou behold,
Have briefly been diſplay'd; thoſe rays of gold
[49] Thy fair Conductreſs knows the laws of fate
Will not allow thee yet to penetrate.
Unleſs when born Thou hadſt been ſprinkled o'er,
With dews Caſtalian, and on Pindus' ſhore
Been lapt in myrtle, and in laurel green,
And thrice three times been dipt in Hippocrene.
There on his throne, Apollo I ſurvey,
And there the Muſes tune their deathleſs lay.
Yet e'en their manſions ſhalt Thou view in time,
But firſt muſt toil in many a various clime,
And combat with thy Country's deadly Foes,
And cruſh the Saxons with redoubled blows.
Then ſhall Themſelves thy partial Guides become,
By whom conducted to yon lofty dome,
Conſpicuous Thou in Glory's fane ſhalt ſtand,
And thy renown be read in every land.
This ſaying, She a private door unbound,
Which led a winding paſſage to the ground,
[50] For tho 'twere difficult the tower t' aſcend,
Spontaneous and with eaſe they downward tend.
When at it's feet arrived, with grateful breaſt,
The Prince and Alma their due thanks expreſt.
Inſtant She mounted like an arrowy flame;
They backward trod the path by which they came.