No More Learning

What, if a servile train obey my voice,
Or honors, or length of days, stand round me ?
Can these impart one ray of bliss to mind,
Or spread o'er the breast the glow of virtue,
From a love-sick heart remove the anguish,
Lull our fears to rest, or disperse our doubts ?
413
There, too, was he, who siemm'd nobly the tide
Of corruption foul, with breast undaunted;
Who liv'd for his country, and would have died,
Could he, dying, have seen his country blest.
He pitied its woes, and redress'd its wrongs;
Devoted each successive day to it:
But the iron arm of pow'r oppiess'd him,
Strewing o'er his way the thorns of sorrow.
414
Long-lost Peace, hail! divine dove-ey'd maid, hail
See a suppliant vot'ry bend at thy feet:
Oh ! with an eye benign deign to view him :
So dying Hope shall find a friend in thee.
Ah ! turn not away thy angelic ? ace!
If thou'lt be mine, I'll quit this vale no more,
But sit all the live-long day beside thee,
And list to thy rural tale in silence
There may we live, unseen and unsought for,
By Fortune's train, rude, cold, and fantastic;
Nor let the sons of Comus mark the green,
Nor lounging triflers intrude on our hours
If to. our sylvan shed aught be welcome,
Be it the trav'ler who has lost his way,
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Who knows not where to rest his anxious head,
Who knows not where to lay his weary limbs.
The second and fourth tines to rhime--the others, not.
415
To chase the clouds of gloom, and sooth my grief,
The beauties of the painted vale ! sought.
I often water'ci the flow'rs with my tears,
And loaded the passing gale with my sighs.
s 416. -- A dying Father, to his Children.
Pious offspring ! go, and restrain those tears.
To regions of eternal bliss I fly :
Heav'u bears my dying pray'rs in your favor:
Take, in this clay-cold kiss, iny last blessing.
Iambics of eight syllables; each paragraph to make
two verses, with rhime.
417
Blest spirit! forgive the mournful rites we keep. --
We weep for ourselves.
418
How soothing sweet nature's music to the troubled
mind ! how retin'd !
419
A swain, unvex'd with all the cares of gain, liv'd
remote from cities.
420
1 never overbear in conversation, with important air.
421
IS or would I invade my neighbour's right by stealth,
with felonious slight.
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422
Frail man is ever prone to err: but gen'rous
minds will own their faults.
423
Sweet to rove the tangled thickets of the grove at this
twilight hour.
424
To enrich her cells, the bee sucks honey from
cowslips' golden bells.
425
The drooping Muse, now dropp'd for news and poli-
tics, lay neglected.
426
And the hands, that plough the soil, shall guard
well the produce of their toil.
427
Then let us kneel here on your hallow'd threshold,
while we seal our vows.
428
The earth keeps her richest, proudest treasures within
her cavern'd deeps.
489
Benumbing frosts, which chill'd fair nature's genial
fire, retire at length.
430
Atrides! my Muse, with daring wing, would fain
sing thy glorious deeds.
431
But the melting notes soon again begin to flow in
slow murmurs.
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432
The fav'ring Muse had stor'd his mild bosom with
all her ample views.
433
The surges force their way o'er the labor'd mole,
with resistless sway.
434 .
In the vale below, sparkling 'midst heaps of drifted
snow, I've found thee.
435
The sun has now nearly run his headlong course in
the kindling west.
436
Old Simon, remov'd to the manor-house, now prov'd
ev'ry comfort.
437
Oh! haste! restore the blessings of sweet peace to
this once-favor'd shore.
438
The Muses stray, far, far from Grandeur's noisy way,
to vales and groves.
439
Hence, the ant is found to tread the ground with
anxious steps, ev'ry day.
440
Thus died the wicked, wanton sparrow, in her pride
and cruelty.
441
The hoary swain strove, with cautious steps, to gain
the river's margin.
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442
With anxious bleat, the playful lamb pursues his
dam, and seeks the teat.
443
Contentment, and sincere piety, and truth, lov'd to
shelter here.
444
The river-god, beguil'd by music's trilling notes,
sat up, and smil'd.
445
But see how regular the motion of the heav'nly
spheres appears.
446
A clown took his way across the forest before the
break of day.
' 447
Lo ! a mother, a friend, a wife sleeps, where weeps
this silent marble.
448
The suff'rer, no more oppress'd with earthly cares,
soon sinks to rest there.
449
Haply, some angel whisper'd low in his ear, that his
hour was near.
450
Why should he, whose life is pass'd with fair renown,
fear the tyrant's frown ?
451
Her lovely face, her faultless form, add new grace to
the diadem;
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and Darius, subject to a woman's laws, sees, and
smiles applause.
452. -- Memory.
She flies far from the busy world, to taste that peace
the world'denies.
From youth to age, she sits entranc'd, reviewing life's
eventful page, <
and noting the little lines of yesterday, as they fade
away.
453. -- To Dr. Thornton, on his beautiful represen-
tation of the Agave, or American Aloe *.
Agave, nurs'd by a length of rolling years, rears her
stately form,
with wise delay, still protracting the beauty follow'd
by decay;
till, org'd by time's resistless date, she braves ap-
proaching fate nobly,
and, conscious of impending doom, bursts forth into
bloom, impatient;
while the golden gems profusely shoot, rich, from all
their curving stems;
then the vegetable martyr, fading 'midst admiring
eyes, dies.
But, at thy command thusflow'ring, her finish'd form,
shall stand unchang'd,
and, through ages yet to come, shall smile, glorying
in perennial bloom.
* See the note on Aloe, No. 333, page 134.
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Versification.
Iambics of ten syllables; each paragraph to make two
tierses, with rhime.
454
The Thracian herdsman so stands full in the gap
with his spear, and hopes the hunted bear.
455
And a temple, sacred to the queen of love, was
rais'd above, o'er its eastern gate.
456
The form of Mars, all sheath'd in arms, stood high
on a chariot; and the god look'd gruffly.
457
The huntress Cynthia pursues the deer, with her
nymphs around: the woods resound with horns.
458
Then she preferr'd her chaste request thus lowly,
kneeling with her hands across her breast.
459
The war, and stern debate, and immortal strife,
shall then be the bus'ness of my life.
460
They were scarce seated, when a promiscuous rude
crowd at once rush'd in with loud clamors.
461
But, whither his soul went, let those, who search
the secrets of the future state, relate.
462
But, alas! why do mortal men in vain complain of
Providence, Fate, or Fortune ?
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463
He snor'd secure till morn, his senses bound in slum-
ber, and drown'd in long oblivion.
464
In days of old, there liv'd a valiant prince, of mighty
fame; and his name was Theseus*.
465
Indulgent Heav'n vouchsafes the sweet vicissitudes
of night and day, for our delight.
466
O thou, with whom, from reason's dawn, my heart
was wont to share each care and each pleasure!
467'
Oh ! from our fate and our example learn, ere too
late, learn repentance and wisdom.
468
Thus, always teas'd, always teasing others, to be dis-
pleas'd is his only pleasure. .
469
The rhet'ric they display, like quicksilver, shines, as
it runs, but, grasi,'d at, slips away.
470
To catch from the sight new rapture, angels had
stopp'd, when Mercy's mandate w ing'd their flight,
471
We pay the tributary tear at learning's tomb, with
sincere grief and due rev'rence.
47 2
How much of learning, how much oi know ledge,
* Theseus, two syllables. -- See the note cm Orpheus, No. 247,
page 113. -
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bade the world farewell, when Horatio fell!
473
The careful housewives make an ample cake for mc
at home, rich with almonds and plums.
474
?
Pride of the land ] you largely share wbate'er of fair
or good celestial bounty gives.
475
The fool, who presumes to utter one opposing word
'gainst his sov'reign lord, is rash.
476
Scotia's queen now rose on her couch, and gaz'd away
her soul, as the day faintly dawn'd.
477
Ever working on a social plan, God attaches man to
man by various ties.
478
Yet depend not much upon your golden dream, al-
though it seem feasible and fair.
479
The sage, who late diffus'd the blessings of Britan-
nia's reign o'er India's wide domain.
480
There was a time, when the light wak'd me at morn
cheerfully, and, at night, peace was mine.
481
Ill-fated Greece saw both her taste and her genius
expire beneath a victor's ire.
482
Lo! lame Tyrtaeus wakes slumb'ring Sparta's half-
extinguish'd fire with his martial lyre.
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483
No tongue can express, no pen describe, and no
thought figure poor Orra's dire distress.
" 484
We thank the hand, that points the wholesome lancet
to some morbid part, with gentle art.
485
Theodosius, a youth endu'd with worth of early
growth, woo'd this beauteous virgin.
486
Darius, tir'd with the toilsome pleasures of the day,
now lay reclin'd on his couch.
487
E'en now, e'en now, pale Despair weeps, and writh-
ing Anguish roars, on ydntler western shares.
E'en now fierce Slav'ry stalks in Afric's groves with
hideous yell, and slips the dogs of hell.
488
The prophet spake well, " Let the desert sing: the
spiry fir shall spring where the thorn sprang;
and the luxuriant yew and myrtle shall grow, where
grew rank and unsightly thistles. "
489
Bat these fond dreams of happiness are not confess'd,
? 'till time lias calm'd the ruffled breast.
Heav'n's sweet smile is not reflected on the wave, 'till
the rushing winds forget to rave.
490
Ye careless and supine, from a voice like mine, take
couusel and caution, if you can.
o3
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I would teach truths, which the theorist could never
reach, and observation taught me.
. 491 *' "
Just lleav'n approves the work of gen'rous love and
filial fear, as sincere and honest:
but the omniscient judge scorns, with averted eyes,
the slavish drudge, and the base hireling.
492. -- To Death.
Ah ! why dost thou thus, capricious, still turn aside,
with tyrant pride, from the wretched ?
and why love to stray, an un-invited guest, where
thy presence strikes with wild dismay ?
493. -- The Planet Mercury.
Swift Merc'ry, scorch'd as he moves around the solar
blaze, first displays his vivid orb.
494
Surrender'd, ev'ry hour, to the ruling pow'r of some
ungovern'd passion, the heart
finds the truths that once bore sway, and all their
deep impression, wear away by degrees.
So coin, passM current in traffic, grows smooth, 'till
at last Caesar's image is effae'd. ,
495
I saw thee, thwarted by storms of elemental strife,
cross the troubled sea of life.
I saw thy skiff, on the raging main, maintain unequal
fight with fearful tempests.
I saw the whirlwind's breath heave up the migbtj
billows of the deep, with dreadful sweep.
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496
The Gipsey's faggot blaz'd, at ev'ning, down by yon
hazel copse. -- There we stood, and gaz'd--
gaz'd, with silent awe, on her sun-buin'd face, her
hood of straw, and tier tuttcr'd mantle
As she drew the silver piece o'er my palm, and, with
searching view, trac'd the line of life,
how my flutt'ring pulse throbb'd with fears and hopes,
to learn the color of my future years !
497
Amid the wreck of time, so Tully paus'd, to trace the
sublime truth on the rude stone,
when th' immortal sage of Syracuse, disclos'd in ho-
nor'd dust, repos'd at bis feet.
Iambics of eight and six syllables alternately; each
paragraph to make a line of eight, and one of six--
the first rhiming with the third--the second with the
fourth.
498
Her plaintive strains play'd in mournful accents on
Echo's ear;
and the warbling notes sweetly decay'd on the di-
stant plains.
499
Though my fortune has denied show, pomp, and daz-
zling splendor,
yet content has well supplied more than grandeur
can bestow.
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500
Lo ! impetuous torrents dash down the mountain's
rugged side,
and the tide, with horrid crash, bears down mingled
rocks and trees.
501
Ye verdant groves, adieu! ye plains, where nature
smiles, adieu !
The view no more proves my solace, no more be-
guiles my thought.
502. -- Epitaph on a Child.
With friendly care, Death came, ere sorrow could
fade or sin blight,
convey'd the op'ning bud to heav'n, and there bade
it blossom.
503
Alas! the little victims, regardless of their doom,
play.
They have no care beyond to-day, no sense of ills
to come. ,
504. -- Migratory Birds.
On weary wing, from remote climes, a helpless traia
arrive,
which in vain seek food and rest, low circling in
airy ring.
505
The sons that Britain leads to combat on the main,
are firm,
and firm her hardy race that Ueads the plain in steady
march.
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506
The peaceful eve spread her twilight mantle, with
serene smile;
and Cynthia shed her argent lustre o'er the dewy
green.
507
Fair fountain ! may tufted trees arise on thy greea
margin,
and spreading boughs screen from summer's fervid
skies thy bosom ! *
508
Ah me! what charms the prospect wears to youth's
untutor'd eye!
The op'ning world appears bright as the portals of
the sky.
609
Old chieftains, who knew no refinement, dwelt here
in rude state.
The wants their bosoms felt, were small, and few their
enjoyments.
510
Sure, sacred friendship shall glow, not confiu'd to
life's short span. -
The ardent mind shall know its best delights beyond
the grave.
511
The panting herds repose: the toiling hand of Care
is still:
the busy murmur of iusects glows through the peo-
pled air.
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? lfiG Versification.
512
The swallows compose their useless wing m their
torpid state;
and bees wait the call of early spring as idly in
hives.
513
I ask not, ye great, your repose, laid on swelling
velvet,
while the oak-leaves close their venerable shade o'er
my head.
514
If we saw each inward grief written on man's out-
ward brow,
how many would then draw our pity, whom we
, now envy!
515
In black attire the church was deck'd, the saints ar-
ray'd in black,
and a bloody corpse was laid in the middle of the
choir
and he found the altar stain'd with blood, as he came
nearer;
and there stream'd a crimson flood on the steps, and
all around.
516
O'er the vale I wander'd, while balmy Zephyrs blew
gently.
The blue vi'let and white lily gave fragrance to the
gale.
The feather'd tribes hail'd Sol's refulgent beam with
tuneful song:
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the finny race sail'd down the stream swiftly, in
sportive throng.
In the following stanzas, of the same measure as the
preceding, the rhime is confined to the second and fourth
lines.
517
And they hail'd the bridal day with joy, when it
came at length;
and they went their willing way onward to the house
of God.
518
The day's last splendors shine bright on the moun-
tain's heathy slope,
and gaily gleam o'er the Rhine, rich with many a
radiant hue.
519
Your strong compassion glows, where Mis'ry spreads
her deepest shade:
the balm, that softens human woes, distils from your
blest lips.
520
While the thoughtless many glide down the summer
stream of vice,
you stem the rushing tide, and steer your steady bark
upward.
521
Never durst the fisher cast his net in the lake be-
low ;
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? 1C8 Certification.
nor would ever swallow wet her passing wing in its
waves.
62*
From beneath, th' unfathom'd lake sudden sent forth
strange music;
and the solemn sounds of death sail'd slowly o'er the
waters.
523
Yet the wishes I disclose, arise not from discon-
tent :
my heart o'erflows with gratitude for blessings I
enjoy.
524. -- The double-blossomed Cherry-tree.
How this tree shone lately, array'd in beauty's fairest
vest!
I fondly said, " Thou shalt henceforward be my
garden's pride:"
But now not a vestige of my late fav'rite tree re-
mains.
Ksee its snowy blossoms in scatter'd heaps all
around
I stand rebuk'd, who could turn my eyes thus from
real worth,
and prefer to that worth a flow'r, which only
blooms and dies*.
The double-blossomed cherry-tree produocs nt, fruit.
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? Vtrsification.
169
Iambics of eight syllables, with alternate rhime --
1. e. the first line rkiming with the third -- the second,
with the fourth.
525
Thou object of my mournful tear! when last we met,
thy smiles were glad.
But thy sun is now set in shades, no more to cheer
mine eyes with smiles.
. 526
In our youthful days, how gaily on the vernal plain
we gambol'd,
where the pure streamlet stravs swiftly to the main,
through woodlands and vales !
. 527
Each sabbath morn, duly is seen, with herbs and
flow'rs, a weeping troop
of virgins and youths, to adorn, within the sacred
green, thy grave.
528
To the subjugated mind fell Despotism shows his
giant form,
as the meteor of the storm, the horror, the dread of
mankind, glares.
529
While, with bare bosom, Jessy rov'd, the boist'rous
blast of heav'n roar'd loud :
the fleecy snow was driv'n in heaps: the black'ning
tempest fill'd the air.
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? 170 Versification.
530
Sorrow's child ! tranquil and serene be thy rest! be
thy slumbers soft!
Thy smiles have oft beguil'd my tears, and sooth'd
my agitated breast.
531
Oh ! sue yon chief go to battle. As he flies, the stroke
arrests him.
He falls; and the husband and the father dies, in
that fatal blow.
532
Too full to speak, Laura's fond heart sigh'd a soft
adieu to Arthur.
As Arthur withdrew mournfully, down her cheek
stole love's gentle tear.
533
Now releas'd from the cares of worldly bus'ness,
impatient Arthur
repairs with ardor to the spot where all his cares
ceas'd in rapture.
534
The moon, with pallid beam, shot temporary light
through louring clouds,
on the rippled scream now glitt'ring, now fading from
the sight slowly.
535
What mournful voice sounds sad along the winding
vale with plaintive sighs?
What piercing shrieks of paiguish rise, and float
upon the passing gale ? . "
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536
Each fragrant flow'r, that drinks the dew, shall spring
around my ivied porch ;
and Lucy, in russet gown and blue apron, shall sing
at her wheel.
537
Contending hosts drop the brandish'd blade from
their grasp, in mute surprise,
forget th' affray, and turn on th' angelic maid their
eyes, transported.
53S
At op'ning day, the thrush, high on the thorn, be-
gins his sprightly song;
r. nd the blackbird tunes his varied lay, where the .
streamlet winds along.
539. -- To Friendship.
Men call thpe vain, c hanging, sordid, scarce known,
an 1 'are to see, on earth ;
and <. n thee tiiey lay the heavy blame, when they
feei L. ise treach'ry's |,ain.