That eye dropp'd sense distinct and clear, As any muse's tongue could speak, When from its lid a pearly tear Ran trickling down her beauteous cheek. Dissembling what I knew too well, My love, my life, said I, explain This change of humour; prithee tell- That falling tear-what does it mean?
She sigh'd, she smil'd; and to the flowers Pointing, the lovely mor❜list said, See, friend, in some few fleeting hours, See yonder, what a change is made.
Ah me! the blooming pride of May And that of beauty are but one; At morn both flourish bright and gay, Both fade at evening, pale, and gone.
[Abra's Love for Solomon.]
[From 'Solomon on the Vanity of the World."] Another nymph, amongst the many fair, That made my softer hours their solemn care, Before the rest affected still to stand, And watch'd my eye, preventing my command. Abra, she so was call'd, did soonest haste To grace my presence; Abra went the last; Abra was ready ere I call'd her name; And, though I call'd another, Abra came. Her equals first observ'd her growing zeal, And laughing, gloss'd that Abra serv'd so well. To me her actions did unheeded die,
Or were remark'd but with a common eye; Till, more appris'd of what the rumour said, More I observ'd peculiar in the maid. The sun declin'd had shot his western ray, When, tir'd with business of the solemn day, I purpos'd to unbend the evening hours, And banquet private in the women's bowers. I call'd before I sat to wash my hands (For so the precept of the law commands): Love had ordain'd that it was Abra's turn To mix the sweets, and minister the urn. With awful homage, and submissive dread, The maid approach'd, on my declining head To pour the oils: she trembled as she pour'd; With an unguarded look she now devour'd My nearer face; and now recall'd her eye, And heav'd, and strove to hide, a sudden sigh. And whence, said I, canst thou have dread or pain! What can thy imagery of sorrow mean? Secluded from the world and all its care, Hast thou to grieve or joy, to hope or fear? For sure, I added, sure thy little heart Ne'er felt love's anger, or receiv'd his dart. Abash'd she blush'd, and with disorder spoke: Her rising shame adorn'd the words it broke. If the great master will descend to hear The humble series of his handmaid's care; O! while she tells it, let him not put on
The look that awes the nations from the throne! O! let not death severe in glory lie
In the king's frown and terror of his eye! Mine to obey, thy part is to ordain ;
And, though to mention be to suffer pain, If the king smile whilst I my wo recite, If weeping, I find favour in his sight, Flow fast, my tears, full rising his delight. O! witness earth beneath, and heaven above! For can I hide it! I am sick of love; If madness may the name of passion bear, Or love be call'd what is indeed despair.
Thou Sovereign Power, whose secret will controls The inward bent and motion of our souls!
Why hast thou plac'd such infinite degrees Between the cause and cure of my disease! The mighty object of that raging fire, In which, unpitied, Abra must expire. Had he been born some simple shepherd's heir, The lowing herd or fleecy sheep his care, At morn with him I o'er the hills had run, Scornful of winter's frost and summer's sun, Still asking where he made his flock to rest at noon; For him at night, the dear expected guest, I had with hasty joy prepar'd the feast; And from the cottage, o'er the distant plain, Sent forth my longing eye to meet the swain, Wavering, impatient, toss'd by hope and fear, Till he and joy together should appear, And the lov'd dog declare his master near. On my declining neck and open breast I should have lull'd the lovely youth to rest, And from beneath his head, at dawning day, With softest care have stol'n my arm away, To rise, and from the fold release his sheep, Fond of his flock, indulgent to his sleep. Or if kind heaven, propitious to my flame (For sure from heaven the faithful ardour came), Had blest my life, and deck'd my natal hour With height of title, and extent of power; Without a crime my passion had aspir'd, Found the lov'd prince, and told what I desir'd. Then I had come, preventing Sheba's queen, To see the comeliest of the sons of men, To hear the charming poet's amorous song, And gather honey falling from his tongue, To take the fragrant kisses of his mouth, Sweeter than breezes of her native south, Likening his grace, his person, and his mien, To all that great or beauteous I had seen. Serene and bright his eyes, as solar beams Reflecting temper'd light from crystal streams; Ruddy as gold his cheek; his bosom fair As silver; the curl'd ringlets of his hair Black as the raven's wing; his lip more red Than eastern coral, or the scarlet thread; Even his teeth, and white like a young flock Coeval, newly shorn, from the clear brook Recent, and branching on the sunny rock. Ivory, with sapphires interspers'd, explains How white his hands, how blue the manly veins. Columns of polish'd marble, firmly set On golden bases, are his legs and feet; His stature all majestic, all divine, Straight as the palm-tree, strong as is the pine. Saffron and myrrh are on his garments shed, And everlasting sweets bloom round his head. What utter I? where am I? wretched maid! Die, Abra, die: too plainly hast thou said Thy soul's desire to meet his high embrace, And blessing stamp'd upon thy future race; To bid attentive nations bless thy womb, With unborn monarchs charg'd, and Solomons to
Here o'er her speech her flowing eyes prevail. O foolish maid! and oh, unhappy tale!
I saw her; 'twas humanity; it gave Some respite to the sorrows of my slave. Her fond excess proclaim'd her passion true, And generous pity to that truth was due. Well I intreated her, who well deserv'd; I call'd her often, for she alway serv'd. Use made her person easy to my sight, And ease insensibly produc'd delight. Whene'er I revell'd in the women's bowers (For first I sought her but at looser hours), The apples she had gather'd smelt most sweet, The cake she kneaded was the savoury meat: But fruits their odour lost, and meats their taste, If gentle Abra had not deck'd the feast.
Dishonour'd did the sparkling goblet stand, Unless received from gentle Abra's hand; And, when the virgins form'd the evening choir, Raising their voices to the master lyre,
Too flat I thought this voice, and that too shrill, One show'd too much, and one too little skill; Nor could my soul approve the music's tone, Till all was hush'd, and Abra sung alone. Fairer she seem'd distinguish'd from the rest, And better mien disclos'd, as better drest. A bright tiara round her forehead tied, To juster bounds confin'd its rising pride. The blushing ruby on her snowy breast Render'd its panting whiteness more confess'd; Bracelets of pearl gave roundness to her arm, And every gem augmented every charm. Her senses pleased, her beauty still improv'd, And she more lovely grew, as more belov'd.
The 'squire, whose good grace was to open the scene, Seem'd not in great haste that the show should begin; Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart; And often took leave, but was loath to depart. Derry down, &c.
What frightens you thus, my good son? says the priest,
You murder'd, are sorry, and have been confess'd. O father! my sorrow will scarce save my bacon; For 'twas not that I murder'd, but that I was taken. Derry down, &c.
Pough, prithee ne'er trouble thy head with such fancies;
Rely on the aid you shall have from St Francis ; If the money you promis'd be brought to the chest, You have only to die; let the church do the rest. Derry down, &c.
And what will folks say, if they see you afraid? It reflects upon me, as I knew not my trade; Courage, friend, for to-day is your period of sorrow; And things will go better, believe me, to-morrow. Derry down, &c.
That I would, quoth the father, and thank you to boot;
But our actions, you know, with our duty must suit; The feast I proposed to you, I cannot taste, For this night, by our order, is marked for a fast. Derry down, &c.
Then, turning about to the hangman, he said, Despatch me, I prithee, this troublesome blade; For thy cord and my cord both equally tie, And we live by the gold for which other men die. Derry down, &c.
As the Cameleon, who is known To have no colours of his own; But borrows from his neighbour's hue, His white or black, his green or blue; And struts as much in ready light, Which credit gives him upon sight, As if the rainbow were in tail, Settled on him and his heirs male; So the young squire, when first he comes From country school to Will's or Tom's, And equally, in truth, is fit To be a statesman, or a wit; Without one notion of his own, He saunters wildly up and down, Till some acquaintance, good or bad, Takes notice of a staring lad, Admits him in among the gang; They jest, reply, dispute, harangue; He acts and talks, as they befriend him, Smear'd with the colours which they lend him. Thus, merely as his fortune chances, His merit or his vice advances.
If haply he the sect pursues, That read and comment upon news; He takes up their mysterious face; He drinks his coffee without lace; This week his mimic tongue runs o'er What they have said the week before; His wisdom sets all Europe right, And teaches Marlborough when to fight. Or if it be his fate to meet
With folks who have more wealth than wit, He loves cheap port, and double bub, And settles in the Humdrum Club; He learns how stocks will fall or rise; Holds poverty the greatest vice; Thinks wit the bane of conversation; And says that learning spoils a nation. But if, at first, he minds his hits, And drinks champaign among the wits; Five deep he toasts the towering lasses; Repeats you verses wrote on glasses; Is in the chair; prescribes the law; And 's lov'd by those he never saw.
When poets wrote and painters drew, As nature pointed out the view;
Ere Gothic forms were known in Greece, To spoil the well-proportion'd piece; And in our verse ere monkish rhymes Had jangled their fantastic chimes; Ere on the flowery lands of Rhodes, Those knights had fixed their dull abodes, Who knew not much to paint or write, Nor car'd to pray, nor dar'd to fight : Protogenes, historians note, Liv'd there, a burgess, scot and lot; And, as old Pliny's writings show, Apelles did the same at Co.
Agreed these points of time and place, Proceed we in the present case. Piqu'd by Protogenes's fame, From Co to Rhodes Apelles came, To see a rival and a friend, Prepar❜d to censure, or commend; Here to absolve, and there object, As art with candour might direct. He sails, he lands, he comes, he rings; His servants follow with the things: Appears the governante of th' house, For such in Greece were much in use: If young or handsome, yea or no, Concerns not me or thee to know.
Does Squire Protogenes live here? Yes, sir, says she, with gracious air And curtsy low, but just call'd out By lords peculiarly devout,
Who came on purpose, sir, to borrow Our Venus for the feast to-morrow, To grace the church; 'tis Venus' day: I hope, sir, you intend to stay, To see our Venus? 'tis the piece
The most renown'd throughout all Greece; So like th' original, they say: But I have no great skill that way. But, sir, at six ('tis now past three), Dromo must make my master's tea: At six, sir, if you please to come, You'll find my master, sir, at home.
Tea, says a critic big with laughter, Was found some twenty ages after; Authors, before they write, should read. 'Tis very true; but we'll proceed.
And, sir, at present would you please To leave your name.-Fair maiden, yes. Reach me that board. No sooner spoke But done. With one judicious stroke, On the plain ground Apelles drew A circle regularly true:
And will you please, sweetheart, said he, To show your master this from me? By it he presently will know
How painters write their names at Co. He gave the pannel to the maid. Smiling and curtsying, Sir, she said, I shall not fail to tell my master: And, sir, for fear of all disaster, I'll keep it my own self: safe bind, Says the old proverb, and safe find. So, sir, as sure as key or lock- Your servant, sir-at six o'clock.
Again at six Apelles came, Found the same prating civil dame. Sir, that my master has been here, Will by the board itself appear. If from the perfect line be found He has presum'd to swell the round, Or colours on the draught to lay, 'Tis thus (he order'd me to say),
Thus write the painters of this isle; Let those of Co remark the style.
She said, and to his hand restor❜d The rival pledge, the missive board. Upon the happy line were laid Such obvious light and easy shade, The Paris' apple stood confess'd, Or Leda's egg, or Chloe's breast. Apelles view'd the finish'd piece; And live, said he, the arts of Greece! Howe'er Protogenes and I May in our rival talents vie; Howe'er our works may have express'd Who truest drew, or colour'd best, When he beheld my flowing line, He found at least I could design: And from his artful round, I grant, That he with perfect skill can paint. The dullest genius cannot fail To find the moral of my tale ; That the distinguish'd part of men, With compass, pencil, sword, or pen, Should in life's visit leave their name In characters which may proclaim That they with ardour strove to raise At once their arts and country's praise; And in their working, took great care That all was full, and round, and fair.
[Richard's Theory of the Mind.] [From 'Alma."]
I say, whatever you maintain Of Almal in the heart or brain, The plainest man alive may tell ye, Her seat of empire is the belly. From hence she sends out those supplies, Which make us either stout or wise: Your stomach makes the fabric roll Just as the bias rules the bowl. The great Achilles might employ The strength design'd to ruin Troy; He dined on lion's marrow, spread On toasts of ammunition bread; But, by his mother sent away Amongst the Thracian girls to play, Effeminate he sat and quiet- Strange product of a cheese-cake diet! Observe the various operations
Of food and drink in several nations. Was ever Tartar fierce or cruel Upon the strength of water-gruel? But who shall stand his rage or force If first he rides, then eats his horse? Sallads, and eggs, and lighter fare, Tune the Italian spark's guitar; And, if I take Dan Congreve right, Pudding and beef make Britons fight. Tokay and coffee cause this work Between the German and the Turk; And both, as they provisions want, Chicane, avoid, retire, and faint. As, in a watch's fine machine, Though many artful springs are seen; The added movements, which declare How full the moon, how old the year, Derive their secondary power
From that which simply points the hour; For though these gimcracks were away (Quare? would not swear, but Quare would say), However more reduced and plain,
The watch would still a watch remain: But if the horal orbit ceases,
The whole stands still, or breaks to pieces,
I Addwon.
son of an English dean, was born at Milston, Wiltshire, in 1672. He distinguished himself at Oxford by his Latin poetry, and appeared first in English verse by an address to Dryden, written in his twenty-second year. It opens thus
How long, great poet! shall thy sacred lays Provoke our wonder, and transcend our praise! Can neither injuries of time or age Damp thy poetic heat, and quench thy rage? Not so thy Ovid in his exile wrote; Grief chill'd his breast, and check'd his rising thought;
The youthful poet's praise of his great master is confined to his translations, works which a modern eulogist would scarcely select as the peculiar glory of Dryden. Addison also contributed an Essay on Virgil's Georgics, prefixed to Dryden's translation. His remarks are brief, but finely and clearly written. At the same time, he translated the fourth Georgic, and it was published in Dryden's Miscellany, issued in 1693, with a warm commendation from the aged poet on the most ingenious Mr Addison of Oxford.' Next year he ventured on a bolder flight-An Account of the Greatest English Poets, addressed to Mr H. S. (supposed to be the famous Dr Sacheverell), April 3, 1694. This Account is a poem of about 150 lines, containing sketches of Chaucer, Spenser, Cowley, Milton, Waller, &c. We subjoin the lines on the author of the Faery Queen, though, if we are to believe Spence, Addison had not then read the poet he ventured to criticise:
Old Spenser next, warm'd with poetic rage, In ancient tales amus'd a barbarous age; An age, that yet uncultivate and rude, Where'er the poet's fancy led, pursued Through pathless fields, and unfrequented floods, To dens of dragons and enchanted woods. But now the mystic tale, that pleas'd of yore, Can charm an understanding age no more; The long-spun allegories fulsome grow, While the dull moral lies too plain below. We view well-pleased, at distance, all the sights Of arms and palfreys, battles, fields, and fights, And damsels in distress, and courteous knights. But when we look too near, the shades decay, And all the pleasing landscape fades away.
This subdued and frigid character of Spenser shows that Addison wanted both the fire and the fancy of the poet. His next production is equally tame and commonplace, but the theme was more congenial to his style: it is A Poem to His Majesty, Presented to the Lord Keeper. Lord Somers, then the keeper of the great seal, was gratified by this compliment, and became one of the steadiest patrons of Addison. In 1699, he procured for him a pension of £300 a-year, to enable him to make a tour in Italy. The government patronage was never better bestowed. The poet entered upon his travels, and resided abroad two years, writing from thence a poetical Letter from Italy to Charles Lord Halifax, 1701. This is the most elegant and animated of all his poetical productions. The classic ruins of Rome, the 'heavenly figures' of Raphael, the river Tiber, and streams immortalised in song,' and all the golden groves and flowery meadows of Italy, seem, as Pope has remarked, to have raised his fancy, and brightened his expressions.' There was also, as Goldsmith observed, a strain of political thinking in the Letter, that was then new to our poetry, He returned to England in 1702. The death of King William deprived him of his pension, and ap peared to crush his hopes and expectations; but being afterwards engaged to celebrate in verse the battle of Blenheim, Addison so gratified the lordtreasurer, Godolphin, by his gazette in rhyme,' that he was appointed a commissioner of appeals. He was next made under secretary of state, and went to Ireland as secretary to the Marquis of Wharton, lord-lieutenant. The queen also made him keeper of the records of Ireland. Previous to this (in 1707) Addison had brought out his opera of Rosamond, which was not successful on the stage. The story of fair Rosamond would seem well adapted for
« PreviousContinue » |