251,00,000@@@@@| <Ann Wharton's verse: text from Harold, already much modernized>
251:01,000['  ]| <SONG>
251:01,001[A  ]| How hardly I concealed my Tears?
251:01,002[A  ]| How oft did I complain?
251:01,003[A  ]| When many tedious Days my Fears
251:01,004[A  ]| Told me I Loved in vain.
251:01,005[A  ]| But now my joys as wild are grown,
251:01,006[A  ]| And hard to be concealed:
251:01,007[A  ]| Sorrow may make a silent Moan,
251:01,008[A  ]| But joy will be revealed.
251:01,009[A  ]| I tell it to the Bleating Flocks,
251:01,010[A  ]| To every Stream and Tree
251:01,011[A  ]| And Bless the Hollow Murmuring Rocks,
251:01,012[A  ]| For Echoing back to me.
251:01,013[A  ]| Thus you may see with how much joy
251:01,014[A  ]| We Want, we Wish, Believe;
251:01,015[A  ]| 'Tis hard such Passion to Destroy,
251:01,016[A  ]| But easy to Deceive.
251:02,000['  ]| <Song>
251:02,001[A  ]| Spite of thy Godhead, powerful Love
251:02,002[A  ]| I will my torments hide;
251:02,003[A  ]| For what avails if life must prove
251:02,004[A  ]| A Sacrifice to Pride,
251:02,005[A  ]| Pride, thou art become my Goddess now
251:02,006[A  ]| To Thee I'll Altars rear;
251:02,007[A  ]| To Thee each morn I pay my Vow,
251:02,008[A  ]| And offer every Tear.
251:02,009[A  ]| But oh! should Philomel
251:02,010[A  ]| Once take your injured part,
251:02,011[A  ]| I soon should cast that Idol down,
251:02,012[A  ]| And offer him my heart.
251:03,000['  ]| <TO MELPOMENE AGAINST COMPLAINT>
251:03,001[A  ]| In soft Complaints no longer ease I find,
251:03,002[A  ]| That latest refuge of a Tortured Mind;
251:03,003[A  ]| Romantic Heroes may their Fancy please
251:03,004[A  ]| In telling of their Griefs to senseless Trees.
251:03,005[A  ]| 'Tis now to me no pleasure to rehearse
251:03,006[A  ]| A doleful Tale in Melancholy Verse!
251:03,007[A  ]| Men are more Deaf than Trees, more Wild than Seas:
251:03,008[A  ]| Complaints and Tears will sooner Storms appease,
251:03,009[A  ]| Than draw soft pity from an Human Breast.
251:03,010[A  ]| All Soothe the Happy, and Despise the Oppressed.
251:03,011[A  ]| Each Man who lives, of sorrow hath his share,
251:03,012[A  ]| Or else of Pride, and cannot pity spare,
251:03,013[A  ]| For those whose weight is more than one can bear.
251:03,014[A  ]| All who are happy, do their Merit boast,
251:03,015[A  ]| Think Heaven owes them more, and Heaven is just.
251:03,016[A  ]| Still they observe the Oppressed with Partial Eyes,
251:03,017[A  ]| And think their Crimes draw Vengeance from the Skies.
251:03,018[A  ]| But were they gentle, pitiful, and mild,
251:03,019[A  ]| Not (as they are) rough, unconcerned and wild.
251:03,020[A  ]| What joy can pity bring on other's Grief?
251:03,021[A  ]| For what I feel, affords me no relief;
251:03,022[A  ]| To see another's Eyes with pity melt,
251:03,023[A  ]| For wretched me, would add to what I felt.
251:03,024[A  ]| Since in Complaints there can no ease be found,
251:03,025[A  ]| For such an Heart as mine in sorrow drowned.
251:03,026[A  ]| Sleep, sleep, Melpomene, thou, mournful Muse:
251:03,027[A  ]| For of my Torments, I will thee accuse.
251:03,028[A  ]| I'll say thou keepest them waking with thy Charms
251:03,029[A  ]| And drives soft slumbers from my Longing Arms
251:03,030[A  ]| Sleep, sleep, my Muse, and let my Cares alone
251:03,031[A  ]| But if thou wilt not, since thy Harp is strung 
251:03,032[A  ]| Attend a while, and, like a dying Swan,
251:03,033[A  ]| My latest Accents shall be sweetly sung.
251:04,000['  ]| <MY FATE.>
251:04,001[A  ]| Raising my drooping Head, over charged with Thought,
251:04,002[A  ]| Having each Scene of Life before me brought;
251:04,003[A  ]| I chid my self because I durst repine
251:04,004[A  ]| At Nature's Laws, or those that were Divine.
251:04,005[A  ]| Throughout the whole Creation 'tis the same,
251:04,006[A  ]| The Fuel is devoured by the Flame;
251:04,007[A  ]| Each peaceful, harmless, unoffending thing
251:04,008[A  ]| Is to the Offender made an Offering:
251:04,009[A  ]| Even God himself. Hold, my aspiring Thought;
251:04,010[A  ]| Descend, my Muse, thy flight too high is wrought;
251:04,011[A  ]| Tell not, how He, all peaceful, and all kind,
251:04,012[A  ]| Was offered for the vilest of Mankind;
251:04,013[A  ]| A Victim for the vilest was designed.
251:04,014[A  ]| Descend, I say, my Muse; low things afford
251:04,015[A  ]| Themes high enough for thee: Touch not the Word,
251:04,016[A  ]| Till he hath touched thy Wings with Grace Divine,
251:04,017[A  ]| Then, only his, thou shalt the World decline.
251:04,018[A  ]| The harmless Dove the Falcon doth betray;
251:04,019[A  ]| The Lamb is to the Wolf become a Prey;
251:04,020[A  ]| And Men to whom free will Heaven doth impart,
251:04,021[A  ]| To follow still the Counsels of his Heart,
251:04,022[A  ]| If racked with doubt; if harmless, he designs
251:04,023[A  ]| Peace to his Heart, and still his Wish confines
251:04,024[A  ]| Justice to Peace, and Love to Quiet joins.
251:04,025[A  ]| Why then the Dove-like Fate will sure be his;
251:04,026[A  ]| Short is his Life, unsettled is his Bliss:
251:04,027[A  ]| Hard Fate; that choice we eagerly pursue,
251:04,028[A  ]| Is, or to be undone, or to undo.
251:05,000['  ]| <Penelope to Ulysses.>
251:05,001[B  ]| Penelope this slow Epistle sends
251:05,002[B  ]| To him on whom her future hope depends;
251:05,003[B  ]| 'Tis your Penelope, distressed, forlorn,
251:05,004[B  ]| Who asks no Answer, but your quick Return.
251:05,005[B  ]| Priam and Troy, the Grecian Dame's just Hate
251:05,006[B  ]| Have long ere this, 'tis known, received their Fate, 
251:05,007[B  ]| For which thy Absence pays too dear a Rate.
251:05,008[B  ]| O ere my Hopes and joys had found their Graves 
251:05,009[B  ]| Why did not Paris perish by the Waves?
251:05,010[B  ]| I should not then pass tedious Nights alone, 
251:05,011[B  ]| Courting with fervent Breath the rising Sun;
251:05,012[B  ]| But all in vain, for Day is Night to me,
251:05,013[B  ]| Nor Day nor Night brings Comfort, only Thee.
251:05,014[B  ]| My tender Hands with weaving would not tire,
251:05,015[B  ]| Nor my soft Thoughts with unobtained Desire. 
251:05,016[B  ]| Still did my Mind new fearful Forms present
251:05,017[B  ]| To kill my Hopes, and raise my Discontent.
251:05,018[B  ]| Love, Jealous Love, has more than Eagles' Eyes
251:05,019[B  ]| To spy out Sorrows, but overlook our Joys;
251:05,020[B  ]| I fancied furious Trojans still were nigh
251:05,021[B  ]| To slay my Lord, and all my Hopes destroy.
251:05,022[B  ]| As there the Arms of Hector still prevail,
251:05,023[B  ]| Here at his very Name my Cheeks grew pale;
251:05,024[B  ]| When told Antilochus by him was slain,
251:05,025[B  ]| My Hopes decayed, my Fears revived again.
251:05,026[B  ]| I wept when young Patroclus was overthrown,
251:05,027[B  ]| To find how weak the Arts of Wit were grown.
251:05,028[B  ]| The Deeds of fierce Tlepolemus alarmed
251:05,029[B  ]| My tender Soul, and all my Spirits charmed.
251:05,030[B  ]| Each fatal Scene Grief to my Heart did show,
251:05,031[B  ]| Whatever they felt, I suffered here for you.
251:05,032[B  ]| But virtuous Love propitious Heaven befriends,
251:05,033[B  ]| My Husband's safe, on whom my life depends;
251:05,034[B  ]| Troy is overthrown, and all our Sorrow ends.
251:05,035[B  ]| The Grecians Triumph, they at large declare
251:05,036[B  ]| The Fall of Ilium, and the Foes' Despair.
251:05,037[B  ]| Old Men and tender Maids with Pleasure hear
251:05,038[B  ]| The fatal end of all their Griefs and Fear.
251:05,039[B  ]| The joyful Wife from soft Embraces now
251:05,040[B  ]| Will hardly time to hear these Tales allow
251:05,041[B  ]| Forgets long Absence, and renews her Vow.
251:05,042[B  ]| Some on the Tables their feigned Combats draw,
251:05,043[B  ]| With sparing Bowls the Victor speaks his Joy,
251:05,044[B  ]| And with spilt Wine describes the famous Troy;
251:05,045[B  ]| Here, says he, Priam's Palace did appear,
251:05,046[B  ]| The far-famed River Simois glided here;
251:05,047[B  ]| Here 'twas Achilles fought, Ulysses too;
251:05,048[B  ]| At that to guard my Heart my Spirits flew:
251:05,049[B  ]| Achilles' mighty Name passed careless by,
251:05,050[B  ]| But at this Name Penelope could die.
251:05,051[B  ]| One shows the Place where mangled Hector lay,
251:05,052[B  ]| To fierce Achilles' Fury made a Prey,
251:05,053[B  ]| Describes the Horses which his Body drew,
251:05,054[B  ]| Taught by an Instinct they before never knew,
251:05,055[B  ]| To fear the Man, who could no more pursue.
251:05,056[B  ]| Breathless on Earth was laid the Soul of Troy,
251:05,057[B  ]| The Army's Triumph and the City's Joy.
251:05,058[B  ]| This Nestor told your Son, whom my fond haste
251:05,059[B  ]| Sent to enquire of Dangers which were past,
251:05,060[B  ]| He told how Resus was with Dolon slain;
251:05,061[B  ]| These tedious Tales did but augment my Pain,
251:05,062[B  ]| I listened still to hear of you again.
251:05,063[B  ]| How truly Valiant were you, though Unkind?
251:05,064[B  ]| You little thought of what you left behind,
251:05,065[B  ]| When in the Night you ventured to invade
251:05,066[B  ]| The Thracian Camp, my Soul was filled with dread. 
251:05,067[B  ]| Assisted but by one their Strength you prove,
251:05,068[B  ]| Too strong your Courage, but too weak your Love. 
251:05,069[B  ]| But what remains to me for Conquests past,
251:05,070[B  ]| If, like that City, still my Hopes lie waste?
251:05,071[B  ]| Your Presence would my springing Joy renew; 
251:05,072[B  ]| Would Troy were glorious still, so I had you.
251:05,073[B  ]| Others I see their Victories enjoy,
251:05,074[B  ]| Driving along the fatted spoils of Troy:
251:05,075[B  ]| The unhappy Beasts compelled turn Rebels now, 
251:05,076[B  ]| And where their Captive Masters mourn, must Plough.
251:05,077[B  ]| Where barren Walls were once, now fruitful Fields 
251:05,078[B  ]| Expect the Sickle, and glad Harvest yield.
251:05,079[B  ]| Still they insult upon the conquered Foes,
251:05,080[B  ]| Raising their buried Limbs with crooked Ploughs; 
251:05,081[B  ]| Even Death to them is not the end of Woes.
251:05,082[B  ]| Grass grows, where once the Towers erected high 
251:05,083[B  ]| Of stately Ilium durst out-face the Sky.
251:05,084[B  ]| But why do I glad Victories relate?
251:05,085[B  ]| I have no Conquest, but the conquered Fate.
251:05,086[B  ]| Thou, mighty Victor, from my Arms art fled, 
251:05,087[B  ]| Despair here triumphs, and my Comfort's dead; 
251:05,088[B  ]| Thy Image still I find within my Heart,
251:05,089[B  ]| But if thou stayest, with that and Life I part.
251:05,090[B  ]| Whatever Stranger lands upon our Shore,
251:05,091[B  ]| Thither I run, winged Hope flies on before;
251:05,092[B  ]| I ask, Where is my Lord? Will he return?
251:05,093[B  ]| Is he in Health? Or must I ever mourn?
251:05,094[B  ]| Then to his Hands a Letter straight I give,
251:05,095[B  ]| And cry, Give this to him in whom I live.
251:05,096[B  ]| But if no quick Reply the Stranger makes,
251:05,097[B  ]| The springing Blood my trembling Cheeks forsakes. 
251:05,098[B  ]| I fear your Death, and more I fear your Scorn,
251:05,099[B  ]| I think Penelope is now forlorn,
251:05,100[B  ]| Ulysses false, and all his Vows forsworn.
251:05,101[B  ]| I sent to Pylos to enquire for thee.
251:05,102[B  ]| But found thee there a Stranger as to me;
251:05,103[B  ]| To Sparta, but could there no Tidings hear:
251:05,104[B  ]| Where art thou, my Ulysses, tell me where?
251:05,105[B  ]| Where dost thou hide thy self to increase my Fear.
251:05,106[B  ]| None of thy Victories to me return,
251:05,107[B  ]| Apollo's City's vanquished, yet I mourn:
251:05,108[B  ]| Ah! would it stood, that Scene of Pomp and Pride,
251:05,109[B  ]| Then I should know where all my Hopes reside;
251:05,110[B  ]| But now, alas! I know not where thou art,
251:05,111[B  ]| My Vows are turned, and help to break my Heart.
251:05,112[B  ]| What may be, though 'tis not, augments my Care,
251:05,113[B  ]| I know not where to limit now my Fear;
251:05,114[B  ]| My Sorrows wander in so large a Field,
251:05,115[B  ]| I fear all Dangers Sea and Earth can yield.
251:05,116[B  ]| Forgive me, dear Ulysses, if sometimes
251:05,117[B  ]| My eager Love dares tax thy Heart of Crimes.
251:05,118[B  ]| I sometimes think some crafty Stranger may
251:05,119[B  ]| Have made thy absent wandering Heart a Prey;
251:05,120[B  ]| Where to make sure the Vows to her are sworn,
251:05,121[B  ]| Penelope each Day is made a Scorn.
251:05,122[B  ]| Thou tellest her, the weak Distaff is my Care, 
251:05,123[B  ]| I know no Art the Conqueror to ensnare, 
251:05,124[B  ]| The homely Duties of a Wife I prove, 
251:05,125[B  ]| But never knew to fix a wandering Love.
251:05,126[B  ]| When thus I think, I'm filled with deep Despairs, 
251:05,127[B  ]| Then straight I rave, and chide away those Fears; 
251:05,128[B  ]| I think thou art true, and were it in thy Power 
251:05,129[B  ]| Ulysses were Penelope's this Hour. 
251:05,130[B  ]| My Father adds to my insulting Fate, 
251:05,131[B  ]| Bidding me quit those Robes and widowed State; 
251:05,132[B  ]| And laughs to hear me feign some weak Excuse, 
251:05,133[B  ]| Rather than all my Vows and Hopes abuse: 
251:05,134[B  ]| But let him laugh, I'm thine and only thine, 
251:05,135[B  ]| Though much I fear Ulysses is not mine;
251:05,136[B  ]| My fixed Resolves at length have conquered him, 
251:05,137[B  ]| He thinks I may be true without a Crime.
251:05,138[B  ]| Slaves I have many who affect to move,
251:05,139[B  ]| But vainly tempt my fixed and constant Love; 
251:05,140[B  ]| Vain, youthful, gay, endued with all those Arts 
251:05,141[B  ]| Which captive and secure less faithful Hearts; 
251:05,142[B  ]| They Lord it here over all, now thou art away, 
251:05,143[B  ]| Thy Wealth is theirs, who bless thy kind delay, 
251:05,144[B  ]| All but thy Wife to them is made a Prey.
251:05,145[B  ]| Why should I reckon up each hated Name, 
251:05,146[B  ]| Hateful to me, and cruel to thy Fame? 
251:05,147[B  ]| Pylander, Polypus and Medon here
251:05,148[B  ]| Are fierce through Power, I feeble through Despair. 
251:05,149[B  ]| Why should I name the sly Eurymachus,
251:05,150[B  ]| The cursed and covetous Altinous?
251:05,151[B  ]| Ulysses, these and more to thy Disgrace
251:05,152[B  ]| Live on thy Riches, while thy Herds decrease; 
251:05,153[B  ]| The mean Melanthus and poor Irus too
251:05,154[B  ]| Are ever in the way to assist the Crew,
251:05,155[B  ]| Whose careless Riots all my Hopes undo:
251:05,156[B  ]| Alone upon thy Succour we depend,
251:05,157[B  ]| We are but Three, and weakly we defend;
251:05,158[B  ]| I am a Woman, and Laertes old,
251:05,159[B  ]| Telemachus too young, the Foe too bold;
251:05,160[B  ]| Telemachus nigh lost the other Day,
251:05,161[B  ]| For he to Pylos had prepared his way
251:05,162[B  ]| Against my Will, who never could have designed 
251:05,163[B  ]| Parting with the only Pledge you left behind.
251:05,164[B  ]| O may he live, that when I'm freed by Death,
251:05,165[B  ]| Ulysses' Soul may in his Bosom breath.
251:05,166[B  ]| The little Family you left behind
251:05,167[B  ]| Thus pray for him, whom all the Gods designed, 
251:05,168[B  ]| Heir to thy Wealth, and to thy richer Mind. 
251:05,169[B  ]| Laertes amongst his Foes is old and weak,
251:05,170[B  ]| His Power decays, in vain his Help I seek.
251:05,171[B  ]| Your Son may live, the Foe may grow less strong,
251:05,172[B  ]| As yet they're powerful, and their Hopes are young.
251:05,173[B  ]| Return, my wandering Lord, the only Scope
251:05,174[B  ]| Of all our Prayers, the End of all our Hope;
251:05,175[B  ]| Return, and teach your Son, like you, to know
251:05,176[B  ]| The Arts to govern, and subdue a Foe;
251:05,177[B  ]| Instruct his tender Years for Learning fit,
251:05,178[B  ]| His Blood is thine, and thine may be his Wit;
251:05,179[B  ]| Return and bless Laertes, ere he dies,
251:05,180[B  ]| With thy dear Sight, then close his willing Eyes;
251:05,181[B  ]| Return, and bless thy Wife, whose Youth decays
251:05,182[B  ]| With shedding Tears at thy unkind Delays,
251:05,183[B  ]| Return, Life of our Hopes, Light of our Days.
251:06,000['  ]| <A Paraphrase on the last speech of Dido in Virgil's Aeneas>
251:06,001['  ]| Now Dido trembles with amaze and rage 
251:06,002['  ]| Not that her fears the following ills presage 
251:06,003['  ]| Fear is a passion only thoughts divide 
251:06,004['  ]| From gentle hope they are so near allied.
251:06,005['  ]| With horror filled, anticipating fear 
251:06,006['  ]| Already reeked of fell despair
251:06,007['  ]| All passions mingled in her bosom strove 
251:06,008['  ]| Tears of disdain of sorrow and of love 
251:06,009['  ]| Do all at once from her swollen eyes distil
251:06,010['  ]| And in her hand she grasps the fatal steel 
251:06,011['  ]| The ghastly King of terrors now appears 
251:06,012['  ]| In all her looks, and all her actions steers 
251:06,013['  ]| In Solemn State and in indecent pride 
251:06,014['  ]| Round her in triumph the cold Conqueror rides
251:06,015['  ]| To the inner part of the fatal house she ran 
251:06,016['  ]| With fury filled and fiercely rushes on 
251:06,017['  ]| Mounting the Pile she unsheathes the Trojan sword 
251:06,018['  ]| Not for this purpose given by its Lord 
251:06,019['  ]| Surveying then the garments brought from Troy
251:06,020['  ]| And last the Bed which every hope destroys ~~ 
251:06,021['  ]| The Bed where born and buried were her joys ~~ 
251:06,022['  ]| She paused a while and stopped those showers of tears 
251:06,023['  ]| The Sun was clouded over but setting clears 
251:06,024['  ]| Then on the Bed she gently lays her down
251:06,025['  ]| And in these words breathes out her dying groans 
251:06,026[B  ]| You, who, when gentle fates and mighty love 
251:06,027[B  ]| Approved my bliss vouchsafed to Crown my Love 
251:06,028[B  ]| You who with them were to my joys agreed
251:06,029[B  ]| Receive my Soul when from my Body freed
251:06,030[B  ]| Free me from all the cares which I sustain ~~
251:06,031[B  ]| End herewith my life and with it end my pain ~~
251:06,032[B  ]| I've lived and finished what the fates ordain ~~
251:06,033[B  ]| Now my great Image must to Earth repair
251:06,034[B  ]| And my Soul wander through unbounded air
251:06,035[B  ]| By me a famous City hath been built
251:06,036[B  ]| Though in its finished walls my blood is spilt
251:06,037[B  ]| My Husband is revenged his foe is dead ~~
251:06,038[B  ]| Though from his tainted veins my blood was shed
251:06,039[B  ]| The debt he owed his forfeit life has paid ~~
251:06,040[B  ]| Thus doth my happiness in death appear ~~
251:06,041[B  ]| Too happy had I been too void of care ~~
251:06,042[B  ]| If the false Trojan never had landed here ~~
251:06,043[B  ]| At this the Sighs burst from her tortured breast ~~
251:06,044[B  ]| And to the pillow where she found no rest ~~
251:06,045[B  ]| Her head overcharged with busy thoughts she pressed
251:06,046[B  ]| But shall we die thus unrevenged she cried
251:06,047[B  ]| Doth it not check our greatness and our pride?
251:06,048[B  ]| Yet thus I must and will for what can be
251:06,049[B  ]| Revenge against the dearest part of me?
251:06,050[B  ]| Yet thus alone it pleases me to go
251:06,051[B  ]| To travel through the dismal shades below
251:06,052[B  ]| And may the cruel cause of this my fate
251:06,053[B  ]| From of the deep behold my wretched state.
251:06,054[B  ]| May these flames glad his eyes and please his heart
251:06,055[B  ]| In which alas I have no longer part
251:06,056[B  ]| May they reveal the Omen of my end
251:06,057[B  ]| On him no more for succour I depend
251:06,058[B  ]| To him the Omen's good to me 'tis ease
251:06,059[B  ]| Since in these flames I can Aeneas please
251:07,000['  ]| <Elegy on John Earl of Rochester.>
251:07,001[A  ]| Deep Waters silent roll, so griefs like mine 
251:07,002[A  ]| Tears never can relieve, nor words define. 
251:07,003[A  ]| Stop then, stop your vain Source weak Springs of grief.
251:07,004[A  ]| Let tears flow from their Eyes, whom tears relieve.
251:07,005[A  ]| They from their head show the light troubles there 
251:07,006[A  ]| Could my heart weep its sorrows it would declare 
251:07,007[A  ]| Weep drops of blood my heart, thou hast lost thy pride
251:07,008[A  ]| The cause of all thy hopes and fears thy Guide 
251:07,009[A  ]| He would have led the right in wisdom's way
251:07,010[A  ]| And 'twas thy fault when ever thou went astray 
251:07,011[A  ]| And since thou strayed when guided and led on 
251:07,012[A  ]| Thou surely wilt be lost when left alone 
251:07,013[A  ]| It is thy Elegy I write not his
251:07,014[A  ]| He lives immortal and in highest bliss
251:07,015[A  ]| But thou art dead, alas; my heart thou art dead 
251:07,016[A  ]| He lives that lovely Soul for ever fled 
251:07,017[A  ]| And thou amongst Crowds on earth art buried. 
251:07,018[A  ]| He led thee up the steep and high ascent 
251:07,019[A  ]| To Poetry the sacred way he went
251:07,020[A  ]| He taught thy Infant Muse, the Art betimes 
251:07,021[A  ]| Though then the way was difficult to climb 
251:07,022[A  ]| Since Daphne prostituted hath her tree 
251:07,023[A  ]| We well may scorn the gift of Poetry. 
251:07,024[A  ]| Then she was his alone, constant and fair
251:07,025[A  ]| And taught us all desire and all despair 
251:07,026[A  ]| But now like other Beauties oft enjoyed 
251:07,027[A  ]| Her charms are gone and all her Lovers cloyed 
251:07,028[A  ]| Great was thy loss which thou canst never express
251:07,029[A  ]| Nor was the insensible dull Nation's less
251:07,030[A  ]| He Civilized the Rude and taught the Young,
251:07,031[A  ]| Made fools grow wise such artful Magic hung
251:07,032[A  ]| Upon his useful kind instructing Tongue.
251:07,033[A  ]| His lively wit was of himself a part
251:07,034[A  ]| Not as of other men the work of art
251:07,035[A  ]| For though his learning, like his wit was great
251:07,036[A  ]| Yet sure all learning came below his wit
251:07,037[A  ]| As God's immediate gifts are better far.
251:07,038[A  ]| Than those we borrow from our likeness here
251:07,039[A  ]| He was ~~ but I want Words, and never can tell
251:07,040[A  ]| But this I know he did mankind excel
251:07,041[A  ]| He was what no man ever was before ~~
251:07,042[A  ]| Nor can indulgent nature give us more
251:07,043[A  ]| For to make him, she exhausted all her store
251:07,044[A  ]| His childhood flamed with that Poetic rage
251:07,045[A  ]| With which he since informed and blessed the age
251:07,046[A  ]| Then when his Limbs were weak his wit was strong
251:07,047[A  ]| Good sense before plain words adorned his tongue
251:07,048[A  ]| No wonder that he left the world so soon
251:07,049[A  ]| The little time he had was all his own
251:07,050[A  ]| No part of it in Childhood stole away
251:07,051[A  ]| And yet this Matchless pattern went astray
251:07,052[A  ]| When such as he can err, and Angels fall
251:07,053[A  ]| What hopes have we ever to climb at all
251:07,054[A  ]| God saw his drooping Star and cast him down
251:07,055[A  ]| That he might raise his Soul to be his own
251:07,056[A  ]| God saw and loved him, saw this chiefest part
251:07,057[A  ]| Of his Creation from his precepts start
251:07,058[A  ]| Blessed him with dying pains and gave him more
251:07,059[A  ]| In that last mournful gift than all before
251:07,060[A  ]| Gave him a Penitence, so fixed so true
251:07,061[A  ]| A greater penitence, no Saint ever knew
251:07,062[A  ]| Which done, the merciful Creator said
251:07,063[A  ]| This Creature of my own is perfect made 
251:07,064[A  ]| No longer fit to dwell with men below ~~
251:07,065[A  ]| He'll be a wonder amongst Angels now ~~ 
251:07,066[A  ]| I'll straight to those Exalted Spirits show 
251:07,067[A  ]| What Stupid men can not enough admire 
251:07,068[A  ]| He stopped and his best finished work expired 
251:07,069[A  ]| And the triumphant Soul to Heaven aspired.
251:07,070[A  ]| To Heaven where everlasting glories shine 
251:07,071[A  ]| To Heaven where Cherubims with Angels join 
251:07,072[A  ]| To welcome him whom we'll no more deplore 
251:07,073[A  ]| Since so well Landed on that happy Shore 
251:07,074[A  ]| He who could here below such wonders sing
251:07,075[A  ]| What will he now to Heaven's eternal King 
251:07,076[A  ]| And since our joys in him were here so great 
251:07,077[A  ]| What will they be when we immortal meet 
251:07,078[A  ]| With ecstasy these thoughts inflame my mind. 
251:07,079[A  ]| Methinks I leave this case of flesh behind ~~
251:07,080[A  ]| And to him winged with joy out fly the wind ~~
251:08,000['  ]| <To Mrs. A. BEHN, On what she Writ of>
251:08,000['  ]| <The Earl of Rochester.>
251:08,001[A  ]| In pleasing Transport rapt, my Thoughts aspire
251:08,002[A  ]| With humble Verse to Praise what you Admire:
251:08,003[A  ]| Few living Poets may the Laurel claim,
251:08,004[A  ]| Most pass through Death, to reach at Living Fame.
251:08,005[A  ]| Fame, Phoenix like, still rises from a Tomb;
251:08,006[A  ]| But bravely you this Custom have overcome.
251:08,007[A  ]| You force an Homage from each Generous Heart,
251:08,008[A  ]| Such as you always pay to just Desert.
251:08,009[A  ]| You praised him Living, whom you Dead bemoan,
251:08,010[A  ]| And now your Tears afresh his Laurel crown.
251:08,011[A  ]| It is this Flight of yours excites my Art,
251:08,012[A  ]| Weak as it is, to take your Muse's part,
251:08,013[A  ]| And pay loud Thanks back from my bleeding Heart. 
251:08,014[A  ]| May you in every pleasing Grace excel,
251:08,015[A  ]| May Bright Apollo in your Bosom dwell;
251:08,016[A  ]| May yours excel the Matchless Sappho's Name; 
251:08,017[A  ]| May you have all her Wit, without her Shame: 
251:08,018[A  ]| Though she to Honour gave a fatal Wound,
251:08,019[A  ]| Employ your Hand to raise it from the ground.
251:08,020[A  ]| Right its wronged Cause with your Enticing Strain,
251:08,021[A  ]| Its ruined Temples try to build again.
251:08,022[A  ]| Scorn meaner Themes, declining low desire,
251:08,023[A  ]| And bid your Muse maintain a Vestal Fire.
251:08,024[A  ]| If you do this, what Glory will ensue,
251:08,025[A  ]| To all our Sex, to Poesy, and you?
251:08,026[A  ]| Write on, and may your Numbers ever flow,
251:08,027[A  ]| Soft as the Wishes that I make for you.
251:09,000['  ]| <On the STORM BETWEEN Gravesend and Dieppe;>
251:09,000['  ]| <Made at that Time.>
251:09,001[A  ]| When the Tempestuous Sea did foam and roar,
251:09,002[A  ]| Tossing the Bark from the long wished-for Shore;
251:09,003[A  ]| With false affected fondness it betrayed,
251:09,004[A  ]| Striving to keep what Perished if it stayed.
251:09,005[A  ]| Such is the Love of Impious Men, where ever
251:09,006[A  ]| Their cruel Kindness lights, 'tis to ensnare:
251:09,007[A  ]| I, tossed in tedious Storms of troubled Thought,
251:09,008[A  ]| Was careless of the Waves the Ocean brought.
251:09,009[A  ]| My Anchor Hope was lost, and too too near
251:09,010[A  ]| On either hand were Rocks of sad Despair,
251:09,011[A  ]| Mistaken Seamen praised my fearless Mind,
251:09,012[A  ]| Which, sunk in Seas of Grief could dare the Wind.
251:09,013[A  ]| In Life, tempestuous Life is dread and harm,
251:09,014[A  ]| Approaching Death had no unpleasing Form;
251:09,015[A  ]| Approaching Death appeases every Storm.
251:10,000['  ]| <THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH.>
251:10,000['  ]| <CHAP. I>
251:10,000['  ]| <The ARGUMENT.>
251:10,000['  ]| <Verse 1. The Miserable Estate of Jerusalem, by reason of her Sin.>
251:10,000['  ]| < 12. She complaineth of her Grief.>
251:10,000['  ]| <18. And confesseth God's Judgments to be Righteous.>
251:10,001[B  ]| How doth the Mournful Widowed City bow? 
251:10,002[B  ]| She that was once so great: Alas, how low? 
251:10,003[B  ]| Once filled with joy, with Desolation now.
251:10,004[B  ]| Tears on her Cheeks, and Sables on her Head;
251:10,005[B  ]| She mourns her Lovers lost, and Comforts Dead.
251:10,006[B  ]| Alas, alas, lost City, where are those,
251:10,007[B  ]| So proud once to be Friends, now turned her Foes?
251:10,008[B  ]| Judah is gone; alas to Bondage gone,
251:10,009[B  ]| Amongst the Heathen Judah mourns alone.
251:10,010[B  ]| Grieved, and in Servitude, she finds no rest,
251:10,011[B  ]| Followed by none but those by whom oppressed.
251:10,012[B  ]| The Feasts of Zion, no one now attends,
251:10,013[B  ]| Unhappy Zion, destitute of Friends:
251:10,014[B  ]| Her Priests still Sigh, and all her Virgins Mourn,
251:10,015[B  ]| Because her Gladness now finds no Return.
251:10,016[B  ]| Her Enemies are great, and ever nigh,
251:10,017[B  ]| Still Fortunate, because her Crimes were high:
251:10,018[B  ]| Her Captive Children, still her guilt upbraid,
251:10,019[B  ]| Who Mourn whilst their Insulting Foes Invade.
251:10,020[B  ]| Her Beauty which excelled, is now no more
251:10,021[B  ]| That brightness which all Nations did Adore;
251:10,022[B  ]| Here Princes are like hunted Harts become, 
251:10,023[B  ]| Breathless and Faint, whilst the Pursuit goes on: 
251:10,024[B  ]| Alas for Zion, all their Strength is gone.
251:10,025[B  ]| Jerusalem then thought upon the Hour
251:10,026[B  ]| When she was Crowned with Peace, Delight, and Power;
251:10,027[B  ]| Thoughts once so joyful, Mournful now and Vain, 
251:10,028[B  ]| The Foe Insults, whilst she no help sustains, 
251:10,029[B  ]| Mocking both at her Sabbaths and her Pains.
251:10,030[B  ]| Her Crimes have caused her to be far removed, 
251:10,031[B  ]| Jerusalem, who was so well beloved.
251:10,032[B  ]| All those who in her Pride admired her Fame, 
251:10,033[B  ]| Despise her now, because they've seen her Shame: 
251:10,034[B  ]| Sighing she turns away, with Shame distressed, 
251:10,035[B  ]| Amazed, Despised, Deserted and Oppressed.
251:10,036[B  ]| Circled with Guilt and Shame, she cannot fly,
251:10,037[B  ]| Her Comforts far removed, her End too nigh;
251:10,038[B  ]| She vainly think, on that 'tis now too late,
251:10,039[B  ]| Behold those Griefs, which no one can repeat,
251:10,040[B  ]| Her Fall is steep, and all her Foes are great.
251:10,041[B  ]| Her Sanctuary is by them betrayed,
251:10,042[B  ]| All her Delights they carelessly invade,
251:10,043[B  ]| Even the Heathen, of whom God had said,
251:10,044[B  ]| They should not in her Holy Temple tread.
251:10,045[B  ]| Her hungry People sigh, and give away
251:10,046[B  ]| For Bread, their Treasures, lest their Lives decay. 
251:10,047[B  ]| Consider, Lord, see her with Cares bowed down, 
251:10,048[B  ]| For I am Vile, and Zion left alone.
251:10,049[B  ]| All you who pass this way behold and see,
251:10,050[B  ]| Are my Griefs small? Do others grieve like me?
251:10,051[B  ]| Are not these Sorrows, under which I bow,
251:10,052[B  ]| With which the Lord hath brought my Soul so low?
251:10,053[B  ]| Turn back and Mourn with me, because my Lord
251:10,054[B  ]| In his fierce Anger doth no Peace afford.
251:10,055[B  ]| He from above hath Flames and Horror sent, 
251:10,056[B  ]| Circling my Soul with Pain and Discontent; 
251:10,057[B  ]| His Snares, alas, my weary Feet betray,
251:10,058[B  ]| Whilst Desolate and Faint, I Mourn all Day
251:10,059[B  ]| For Zion lost, her Glory thrown away.
251:10,060[B  ]| Our Sins have brought those Chains which his Command 
251:10,061[B  ]| Hath fastened now (who can his Power withstand?)
251:10,062[B  ]| Now they are linked by his Almighty Hand.
251:10,063[B  ]| The Lord forsakes, and I am now the scorn
251:10,064[B  ]| Of Enemies, because of God forlorn:
251:10,065[B  ]| He was my Strength, and now, alas, 'tis gone.
251:10,066[B  ]| My Mighty Men are all by him cast down, 
251:10,067[B  ]| They're crushed by numbers, and I'm left alone; 
251:10,068[B  ]| Whilst silently thy Virgin Daughters Mourn, 
251:10,069[B  ]| Unhappy Mournful Judah left Forlorn.
251:10,070[B  ]| For this I Weep, and waste my self in Tears, 
251:10,071[B  ]| Because her Help's far off, and Sorrow's near: 
251:10,072[B  ]| Ah, wretched Judah, where is now thy hope? 
251:10,073[B  ]| Thy Foes still triumph whilst thy Children droop.
251:10,074[B  ]| Zion spreads forth her Arms to be relieved,
251:10,075[B  ]| But who can Comfort whom the Lord hath Grieved? 
251:10,076[B  ]| Her Enemies increase and flourish still, 
251:10,077[B  ]| By his Command, by his all-powerful Will.
251:10,078[B  ]| Ah, wretched City, scorned and shamed by all, 
251:10,079[B  ]| Who can enough lament thy dreadful Fall?
251:10,080[B  ]| Yet he is just, for I am Guilty found,
251:10,081[B  ]| The Lord, with Righteousness, is always Crowned. 
251:10,082[B  ]| Ye that pass by, see me with Sorrows Drowned,
251:10,083[B  ]| My weight of Sin hath pressed me to the Ground. 
251:10,084[B  ]| Who is it now my Freedom can restore?
251:10,085[B  ]| My Youth and Captive Virgins are no more.
251:10,086[B  ]| I called for all my Friends, but they were gone, 
251:10,087[B  ]| Friendship grows cold, when Misery comes on: 
251:10,088[B  ]| With Hunger pined, my Priests and Rulers Died, 
251:10,089[B  ]| Within my Walls perished my Strength and Guide.
251:10,090[B  ]| My Crimes were great, so are my Sorrows now, 
251:10,091[B  ]| Behold my Lord, see the Afflicted bow;
251:10,092[B  ]| Abroad, the unwearied Sword bereaves of Breath, 
251:10,093[B  ]| And Grief at Home, is a more Cruel Death.
251:10,094[B  ]| All round me hear my Sighs, and see my Tears, 
251:10,095[B  ]| Whilst there is none that can relieve my Cares:
251:10,096[B  ]| My Foes hear, and rejoice at what is done:
251:10,097[B  ]| But thou wilt surely, Lord, at last return,
251:10,098[B  ]| And then the Enemy, like me, will Mourn.
251:10,099[B  ]| Their Crimes are great, turn, Mighty Lord, and see, 
251:10,100[B  ]| Afflict them then, as thou Afflictest me.
251:10,101[B  ]| My Griefs are great, turn therefore and Relent;
251:10,102[B  ]| My sighs are many, and my Heart is Faint.
251:10,000['  ]| <CHAP. II>
251:10,000['  ]| <The ARGUMENT.>
251:10,000['  ]| <Verse 1. Jeremiah lamenteth the Miseries of Jerusalem.>
251:10,000['  ]| < 20. He complaineth thereof to God.>
251:10,001[B  ]| How hath the Lord with gloomy Clouds overspread
251:10,002[B  ]| The Face of Zion, and her Glory's hid!
251:10,003[B  ]| How is she now cast down, her Beauty's fled.
251:10,004[B  ]| Her Crimes do all her former Brightness blot,
251:10,005[B  ]| And his past Favours now are quite forgot.
251:10,006[B  ]| The Lord hath brought her Habitations low,
251:10,007[B  ]| Even to the Ground, and made her Princes bow,
251:10,008[B  ]| Her angry Lord would now no Pity show.
251:10,009[B  ]| The Pride of Israel is now no more,
251:10,010[B  ]| Who is it can her Glories past restore?
251:10,011[B  ]| The mighty Lord who did her Foes subdue,
251:10,012[B  ]| Is now her Foe, and doth her Fall pursue.
251:10,013[B  ]| His kindled Wrath destroys like flaming Fire,
251:10,014[B  ]| And in that Flame her Comforts all expire.
251:10,015[B  ]| Her Pleasantness is by the Lord defaced,
251:10,016[B  ]| Who, like an Enemy her Ruin hastes,
251:10,017[B  ]| Her former Glories desolate and waste,
251:10,018[B  ]| His fiery Wrath doth all her Beauties blast.
251:10,019[B  ]| Her mighty Enemy hath now overthrown,
251:10,020[B  ]| Her Strength and all her Palaces cast down.
251:10,021[B  ]| That Strength he gave her, he hath taken away,
251:10,022[B  ]| And with that Strength her Comforts all decay.
251:10,023[B  ]| His Tabernacle, both her Pride and joy,
251:10,024[B  ]| He'll violently in his Wrath destroy;
251:10,025[B  ]| Her bright Assemblies are by him disgraced,
251:10,026[B  ]| Forgotten are her Sabbaths, and her Feasts,
251:10,027[B  ]| Despised and shamed her Princes and her Priests.
251:10,028[B  ]| Even his Altar is by him forlorn,
251:10,029[B  ]| His Sanctuary is become their Scorn.
251:10,030[B  ]| Her Palaces the scornful Foe betrays,
251:10,031[B  ]| Even in thy House so used to Prayer and Praise,
251:10,032[B  ]| The wanton Foe tunes his ungodly Lays.
251:10,033[B  ]| Her swift Destruction, is from Heaven sent,
251:10,034[B  ]| The Lord hath purposed, and will not relent,
251:10,035[B  ]| Her People languish round her sinking Walls,
251:10,036[B  ]| Her Strength decays, and all her Glory falls.
251:10,037[B  ]| Her Bars are broke whereon her Strength depends,
251:10,038[B  ]| So sure his Ruin which the Lord intends.
251:10,039[B  ]| Her Gates are sunk, even to the Ground bowed down, 
251:10,040[B  ]| Her Kings and Princes are to Bondage gone.
251:10,041[B  ]| Her Laws are perished, and her Profits now,
251:10,042[B  ]| (Once powerful and pleased) no Wonders show, 
251:10,043[B  ]| Blinded in Ignorance, no Visions know.
251:10,044[B  ]| See Zion, how thy wretched Elders mourn,
251:10,045[B  ]| The Pride of Nations is become their Scorn, 
251:10,046[B  ]| Overpressed with Grief, they languish on the Ground, 
251:10,047[B  ]| Whilst dismal Silence mournfully goes round,
251:10,048[B  ]| And no Words heard, where can no joys be found. 
251:10,049[B  ]| Their Ornaments are with their Comforts fled, 
251:10,050[B  ]| Sack-cloth they wear, and Ashes on their Head, 
251:10,051[B  ]| Because thy comforts, Zion, all are dead.
251:10,052[B  ]| Daughter of Zion, now with Shame cast down,
251:10,053[B  ]| See, how with Care thy Virgins are overcome.
251:10,054[B  ]| Their mournful Heads with Grief pressed to the Ground, 
251:10,055[B  ]| Whilst Showers of Tears do all their Beauties drowned.
251:10,056[B  ]| My Spirits fail, My Eyes are blind with Tears,
251:10,057[B  ]| My Strength decays, and my Heart sinks with Cares.
251:10,058[B  ]| To see the Fall of this unhappy Land,
251:10,059[B  ]| That swift Destruction which none can withstand.
251:10,060[B  ]| The weeping Children perish at the Breast,
251:10,061[B  ]| The unhappy Mothers captive and oppressed.
251:10,062[B  ]| In Streets they cry for Food from Day to Day,
251:10,063[B  ]| Till wearied out, at length their Strengths decay.
251:10,064[B  ]| Thus the tired mournful Infants pine away,
251:10,065[B  ]| And to fierce Hunger fall the inglorious Prey.
251:10,066[B  ]| Whilst their kind Mothers with just Grief distressed,
251:10,067[B  ]| Receive their Souls into their trembling Breasts.
251:10,068[B  ]| What shall I say, what may allay thy Grief,
251:10,069[B  ]| By what Comparisons thy Cares relieve?
251:10,070[B  ]| Were any grieved like thee, thine would be less,
251:10,071[B  ]| But they can never be likened or expressed.
251:10,072[B  ]| Whilst Seas of Sorrow drowned the unhappy City,
251:10,073[B  ]| She's robbed of Peace, and destitute of Pity.
251:10,074[B  ]| Even those in whom thou trustest to be relieved,
251:10,075[B  ]| Thy Prophets are deceiving and deceived,
251:10,076[B  ]| And never have known the Cause for which thou art grieved, 
251:10,077[B  ]| False Faults they invented and the true ones hid,
251:10,078[B  ]| Alas! their Knowledge with their Freedom's fled.
251:10,079[B  ]| All that pass by rejoice to see her Shame,
251:10,080[B  ]| And scornfully applaud her ruined Fame.
251:10,081[B  ]| Is this, say they, the joy of the whole Earth,
251:10,082[B  ]| From whence all Beauty hath derived its Birth?
251:10,083[B  ]| Unhappy Land! If this Perfection be,
251:10,084[B  ]| None would be perfect, to become like thee.
251:10,085[B  ]| Her Enemies, who long her Ruin sought,
251:10,086[B  ]| Rejoice to see her to Destruction brought.
251:10,087[B  ]| They triumph, whilst they carelessly invade,
251:10,088[B  ]| And her past Glories wantonly upbraid.
251:10,089[B  ]| The Lord hath said his Mercies he would sever, 
251:10,090[B  ]| From this wild Land; his Word endures for ever. 
251:10,091[B  ]| He said, her Foes should triumph whilst she'd mourn 
251:10,092[B  ]| Behold her now, by God and Man forlorn,
251:10,093[B  ]| To each insulting Enemy a Scorn.
251:10,094[B  ]| Call to the Lord, Oh Zion, let thy Tears
251:10,095[B  ]| If possible, express thy mighty Cares.
251:10,096[B  ]| Give Way to Sorrow, and admit no Ease,
251:10,097[B  ]| Till thou the Anger of the Lord appease.
251:10,098[B  ]| Then mayst thou triumph, as thy Foes decrease, 
251:10,099[B  ]| Then shall thy Torments fly, and Sorrows cease, 
251:10,100[B  ]| And once again Jerusalem have Peace.
251:10,101[B  ]| Call to the Lord, and he may Pity show,
251:10,102[B  ]| Let Deluges of Tears the Land overflow,
251:10,103[B  ]| Soon as the Morning glads the World with Light, 
251:10,104[B  ]| Cry to the Lord, from Noon to gloomy Night.
251:10,105[B  ]| Cry for the Infants with wild Hunger pined,
251:10,106[B  ]| The tender Infants with their Tears grown blind. 
251:10,107[B  ]| Cry to the Lord, perhaps he'll yet be kind,
251:10,108[B  ]| And Zion, yet, perhaps may Mercy find.
251:10,109[B  ]| Consider, Lord, to whom this dismal End,
251:10,110[B  ]| Thy Anger hath impartially ordained.
251:10,111[B  ]| Not only the Infants with the Mothers pine,
251:10,112[B  ]| And all the Glories of the Land decline.
251:10,113[B  ]| That blessed Land, which thou once calledst thine, 
251:10,114[B  ]| That Land, which all the World did once outshine! 
251:10,115[B  ]| But upon thee, in vain the Prophets call
251:10,116[B  ]| The mournful Priest no Pity finds at all,
251:10,117[B  ]| Within thy Gates both Priest and Prophet fall.
251:10,118[B  ]| Both Young and Old lie gasping on the Ground, 
251:10,119[B  ]| No Help, no Ease, no Comfort can be found. 
251:10,120[B  ]| Whilst none deplores, and none can Help afford,
251:10,121[B  ]| The Youth and Virgins perish by the Sword.
251:10,122[B  ]| This, mighty Lord, is in thine Anger done;
251:10,123[B  ]| Thy fiery Wrath thy Mercy hath overcome.
251:10,124[B  ]| Thou hast called Terrors round about my Head,
251:10,125[B  ]| And none escaped, none from thy Anger fled.
251:10,126[B  ]| All that was mine, alas! the Foe destroys,
251:10,127[B  ]| My Strength, my Help, my Hope, and all my joys.
251:10,000['  ]| <CHAP. III.>
251:10,000['  ]| <The ARGUMENT.>
251:10,000['  ]| <Verse 1.  The Faithful bewail their Calamities.>
251:10,000['  ]| <22 By the Mercy of God they nourish their hope.>
251:10,000['  ]| <37 They acknowledge God's Justice.>
251:10,000['  ]| <55 They pray for Deliverance.>
251:10,000['  ]| < 64 And Vengeance on their Enemies.>
251:10,001[B  ]| I am the Man so used to Grief and Pain,
251:10,002[B  ]| My weary Eyes can now no Light sustain.
251:10,003[B  ]| The Lord hath done it, why should I complain.
251:10,004[B  ]| He raised himself against me all the Day.
251:10,005[B  ]| My Heart is tired, and my Strengths decay,
251:10,006[B  ]| My Gladness and my Youth are fled away.
251:10,007[B  ]| He hath fortified himself against his Slave.
251:10,008[B  ]| And made my Habitation like the Grave,
251:10,009[B  ]| Dark, and in Solitude, yet still in Pains,
251:10,010[B  ]| The only Proof of Life that yet remains,
251:10,011[B  ]| My Load of Grief is weightier than my Chains.
251:10,012[B  ]| He hides himself from me when I complain, 
251:10,013[B  ]| Yet I renew the miserable Strain,
251:10,014[B  ]| And love to sue to him though 'tis in vain.
251:10,015[B  ]| Within I am enclosed on every Side,
251:10,016[B  ]| Abroad my Paths are desolate and wide.
251:10,017[B  ]| His Terrors fright my Soul wherever I go, 
251:10,018[B  ]| I shun my Lord as I would shun a Foe.
251:10,019[B  ]| He's now my Foe, and hath my Strength cast down,
251:10,020[B  ]| And left me desolate, my Hopes overthrown, 
251:10,021[B  ]| My angry Lord hath left me all alone.
251:10,022[B  ]| I dread the Shafts which from his Anger fly, 
251:10,023[B  ]| They cleave my Heart, and make me wish to die.
251:10,024[B  ]| But Death, when it is sought, is never nigh.
251:10,025[B  ]| To my own People I become a Scorn, 
251:10,026[B  ]| Because by God afflicted, and forlorn.
251:10,027[B  ]| My Sorrows are my Food and Drink each Day.
251:10,028[B  ]| My Health, my Strength, and all my Hopes decay.
251:10,029[B  ]| Peace and Prosperity are fled away.
251:10,030[B  ]| No Health, no Help, no Pity he'll afford, 
251:10,031[B  ]| My Hope and Strength are perished from the Lord.
251:10,032[B  ]| Thus said I, when I thought upon my Pains, 
251:10,033[B  ]| Those bitter Torments which my Soul sustains
251:10,034[B  ]| Those Griefs which ever in my Thoughts remains,
251:10,035[B  ]| Whose Weight hath humbled me beyond my Chains.
251:10,036[B  ]| These Thoughts do oft return into my Mind, 
251:10,037[B  ]| And in those Thoughts alone I Comfort find.
251:10,038[B  ]| The Lord hath Pity yet, as well as Power,
251:10,039[B  ]| Had he not Mercy we were now no more.
251:10,040[B  ]| Who can the Wonders of his Truth repeat,
251:10,041[B  ]| His Mercies still are new, and ever great.
251:10,042[B  ]| The Lord is good, from him my Hope I'll take.
251:10,043[B  ]| For them that seek him he will not forsake.
251:10,044[B  ]| 'Tis good to hope, and patiently attend,
251:10,045[B  ]| That Quiet which the Lord at last may send,
251:10,046[B  ]| 'Tis Patience far overpaid when God's thy Friend.
251:10,047[B  ]| 'Tis good at first to bear the afflicting Rod,
251:10,048[B  ]| For Youth, when prosperous, is vain and proud. 
251:10,049[B  ]| And what is best is still ordained by God.
251:10,050[B  ]| Yet dismal Silence doth my Spirits wound,
251:10,051[B  ]| When neither Peace nor Comfort can be found,
251:10,052[B  ]| I bow my humble Head even to the Ground,
251:10,053[B  ]| To seek for Hope, and am so low become,
251:10,054[B  ]| That even Reproaches are with Patience born,
251:10,055[B  ]| And to the insulting Foe I'm made a Scorn.
251:10,056[B  ]| But yet the Lord will not forsake me ever,
251:10,057[B  ]| And though a while his Mercies he doth sever,
251:10,058[B  ]| At length he will my weary Soul deliver.
251:10,059[B  ]| Unwillingly he punisheth, and slow,
251:10,060[B  ]| But all his Works do his Compassion show,
251:10,061[B  ]| His unexhausted Mercies ever flow.
251:10,062[B  ]| All, who Injustice do, his Soul disdains,
251:10,063[B  ]| Such as add Weight to the weary Captive's Chains.
251:10,064[B  ]| That hardy Fool, who fearless of his Powers,
251:10,065[B  ]| Dares turn aside from Right, the Lord abhors.
251:10,066[B  ]| Whose Strength's like his? whose Word like his is sure?
251:10,067[B  ]| The Lord's Commands for ever will endure.
251:10,068[B  ]| Hath not God Power? whatever he wills is best,
251:10,069[B  ]| Then why complain we when for Sins oppressed?
251:10,070[B  ]| Ah! let us rather seek to find our Fault,
251:10,071[B  ]| And cry to him ere to Destruction brought,
251:10,072[B  ]| We have transgressed, we have rebelled, and thou
251:10,073[B  ]| Dost neither Pardon yet nor Pity show.
251:10,074[B  ]| Thy fiery Wraths against us yet remain,
251:10,075[B  ]| Thou hast not pitied, though we still complain,
251:10,076[B  ]| But hidest thy self, and dost our Prayers disdain.
251:10,077[B  ]| From conquering Foes even Scorn is calmly borne,
251:10,078[B  ]| But we are now to every one a Scorn.
251:10,079[B  ]| Fear and Destruction now is ever near,
251:10,080[B  ]| Yet our swift Men do antidote our Fear,
251:10,081[B  ]| And hardly give us Leisure to despair.
251:10,082[B  ]| For this each Night I drown my self in Tears.
251:10,083[B  ]| For this I waste my self with weary Cares. 
251:10,084[B  ]| Because, even Thought's less swift than is our Snares.
251:10,085[B  ]| And till the Lord look down and Pity send,
251:10,086[B  ]| My Soul will droop, my Sorrows know no End. 
251:10,087[B  ]| To see that swift Destruction which depends, 
251:10,088[B  ]| Thy Daughters, Zion, destitute of Friends,
251:10,089[B  ]| Alas! what Ruin's this the Lord intends?
251:10,090[B  ]| Mine Enemies overtake, I vainly fly.
251:10,091[B  ]| Wearied with Chains, as vainly wish to die.
251:10,092[B  ]| For neither Help, nor Hope, nor Death is nigh.
251:10,093[B  ]| With Griefs overwhelmed: Griefs crueller than Death,
251:10,094[B  ]| I called upon thy Name with fervent Breath.
251:10,095[B  ]| Thou heardest my Cry, at last then, Lord, return,
251:10,096[B  ]| Let not thy afflicted Servant ever mourn.
251:10,097[B  ]| I know thy Mercies, Lord, thou wilt draw near,
251:10,098[B  ]| Thy gracious Pardon I already hear,
251:10,099[B  ]| Which bids my afflicted Soul forget her Fear.
251:10,100[B  ]| Thou pleadest my Cause, and dost excuse my Fault, 
251:10,101[B  ]| And savest my Soul when near Destruction brought.
251:10,102[B  ]| Be thou my judge, Almighty Lord, for thou 
251:10,103[B  ]| Art gracious still, and wilt thy Mercy show.
251:10,104[B  ]| Thou hast seen all their Wrong, and knowest my Grief,
251:10,105[B  ]| And 'tis from thee alone I seek Relief.
251:10,106[B  ]| Thou knowest their secret Thoughts, and heardest their Scorn.
251:10,107[B  ]| All those Reproaches which by me were borne.
251:10,108[B  ]| Give them, O Lord, what they deserve from thee,
251:10,109[B  ]| Thy Curse, and everlasting Misery.
251:10,110[B  ]| Let Sorrows, such as ours, to them be given, 
251:10,111[B  ]| Destroy them, Lord, from underneath thy Heaven, 
251:10,112[B  ]| And from all Comfort let their Souls be driven.
251:10,000['  ]| <CHAP. IV>
251:10,000['  ]| <The ARGUMENT.>
251:10,000['  ]| <Verse 1. Zion bewaileth her pitiful Estate, She confesseth>
251:10,000['  ]| <her Sins. 21 Edom is threatened.>
251:10,000['  ]| <22 Zion is comforted.>
251:10,001[B  ]| How dim and faint thy Glory is become,
251:10,002[B  ]| Even the Pride of the Sanctuary overthrown.
251:10,003[B  ]| Thy Gold is Dross become, its Lights decay,
251:10,004[B  ]| Thy shining Ornaments are fled away,
251:10,005[B  ]| And thou to ignoble Scorn art made a Prey.
251:10,006[B  ]| Even the Monsters which the Ocean yield,
251:10,007[B  ]| By Custom rough, by Nature stern and wild,
251:10,008[B  ]| To their own Young are affable and mild.
251:10,009[B  ]| The Daughter of my People is not so,
251:10,010[B  ]| To her own Children she becomes a Foe.
251:10,011[B  ]| Cruel, and wild, of Pity void, and Shame,
251:10,012[B  ]| Even savage Beasts compared to her are tame.
251:10,013[B  ]| Here, with wild Hunger pined, an Infant grieves, 
251:10,014[B  ]| There, parched with Thirst, whilst none his Thirst relieves.
251:10,015[B  ]| The wanton Epicure, by Hunger taught
251:10,016[B  ]| That was not real Good, which once he sought, 
251:10,017[B  ]| To better judgments by his Sorrows brought,
251:10,018[B  ]| For Bread now pines in Streets, as if he thought, 
251:10,019[B  ]| Such public Penance expiated his Fault.
251:10,020[B  ]| Whilst those, once clothed in Scarlet, now are found, 
251:10,021[B  ]| Bowed with their Weight of Sorrows on the Ground.
251:10,022[B  ]| Thy Punishment is worse than Sodom's was,
251:10,023[B  ]| She in a Moment perished; thou, alas!
251:10,024[B  ]| In lingering Torments dost each Day decrease.
251:10,025[B  ]| Her mighty Ruin in a Moment passed,
251:10,026[B  ]| And even prevented all her Fears with Haste.
251:10,027[B  ]| That perfect Pureness which surpassed the Snow.
251:10,028[B  ]| All that delightful white is sullied now,
251:10,029[B  ]| Who is it now their Brightness can restore,
251:10,030[B  ]| Alas! their shining Beauty is no more?
251:10,031[B  ]| Better from Swords have taken a nobler Death, 
251:10,032[B  ]| Than to fierce Hunger thus resign our Breath.
251:10,033[B  ]| Their Hunger must be sharp, their Wants be great, 
251:10,034[B  ]| When mournful Mothers their own Children eat, 
251:10,035[B  ]| (Unnatural and unbecoming Meat)
251:10,036[B  ]| The mighty Lord hath raised his Anger high, 
251:10,037[B  ]| Desolate, waste, and wild the Nations lie.
251:10,038[B  ]| We know his Strength, and feel his mighty Power, 
251:10,039[B  ]| His kindled Anger doth like Flames devour.
251:10,040[B  ]| The wise, and great, in this were all deceived, 
251:10,041[B  ]| Jerusalem is lost, which none believed.
251:10,042[B  ]| Yet they amazed behold her mighty Fall,
251:10,043[B  ]| And see the Enemy within her Walls.
251:10,044[B  ]| 'Tis for her Sins, the Lord is righteous still.
251:10,045[B  ]| Her Priests and Prophets have deserved this Ill.
251:10,046[B  ]| The Blood of the just which they have blindly slain, 
251:10,047[B  ]| For Vengeance cries, and all their Glories stain.
251:10,048[B  ]| They made themselves a Terror to Mankind,
251:10,049[B  ]| And in their Crimes could no where Shelter find. 
251:10,050[B  ]| All cried, depart from us, approach not near,
251:10,051[B  ]| Even the Heathen blushed betwixt Shame and Fear, 
251:10,052[B  ]| And cried, these Sinners shall not sojourn here.
251:10,053[B  ]| Now they're divided, none his Anger spared,
251:10,054[B  ]| The Lord to Priest nor Prophet had Regard.
251:10,055[B  ]| The Counsels of the Elders all reject,
251:10,056[B  ]| And mock that awful Power which drew Respect 
251:10,057[B  ]| From all Beholders once, now cold Neglect.
251:10,058[B  ]| For us: We watch and waste our selves all Day, 
251:10,059[B  ]| For a lost Land whose Help is fled away.
251:10,060[B  ]| The Enemy still watches to destroy,
251:10,061[B  ]| We cry, our End is near, and wish to die
251:10,062[B  ]| Since we have seen the End of all our joy.
251:10,063[B  ]| Swifter than Eagles our Pursuers are,
251:10,064[B  ]| They persecute and take us every where,
251:10,065[B  ]| No Wilderness can shelter from their Snare.
251:10,066[B  ]| The Lord's Anointed, him in whom we live,
251:10,067[B  ]| In whom we hoped for Help, for whom we grieve. 
251:10,068[B  ]| Is violently from us taken away,
251:10,069[B  ]| In him our Health, our Help, our Hopes decay.
251:10,070[B  ]| We thought under his Shadow we might live, 
251:10,071[B  ]| Even amongst Heathens, and forget to grieve.
251:10,072[B  ]| Rejoice not, Edom, for thy Fall is nigh,
251:10,073[B  ]| The bitter Draught we drank thou canst not fly.
251:10,074[B  ]| Our Griefs now pass away, thy Shame comes on, 
251:10,075[B  ]| Like this despised Land thou shalt become.
251:10,076[B  ]| Insulting Edom, spite of all thy Scorn
251:10,077[B  ]| Thou wilt feel what Weight of Crimes by thee are borne,
251:10,078[B  ]| When like afflicted Zion thou shalt mourn.
251:10,000['  ]| <CHAP. V.>
251:10,000['  ]| <The ARGUMENT.>
251:10,000['  ]| <A pitiful Complaint of Zion, in Prayer, unto God.>
251:10,001[B  ]| Remember, Lord, our Sorrows and draw near,
251:10,002[B  ]| Look on their Scorn, our Ruin, and our Fear.
251:10,003[B  ]| Whilst our Possessions all are given away,
251:10,004[B  ]| And to insulting Strangers made a Prey,
251:10,005[B  ]| With our Inheritance our Hopes decay.
251:10,006[B  ]| Orphans and Widows we are all become,
251:10,007[B  ]| A heartless People, wearied, and undone.
251:10,008[B  ]| Those common Elements which bounteous Heaven 
251:10,009[B  ]| To the whole Universe hath freely given,
251:10,010[B  ]| By us are dearly bought; we know no Rest,
251:10,011[B  ]| But are by every one scorned and oppressed.
251:10,012[B  ]| To Strangers and to Enemies we sue,
251:10,013[B  ]| Even those we ruled once, we petition now.
251:10,014[B  ]| Our Fathers sinned, and we have borne the Blame.
251:10,015[B  ]| Better like them, we had not out-lived our Fame, 
251:10,016[B  ]| Death is a milder Fate than living Shame.
251:10,017[B  ]| In Peril of our Lives our Bread we sought,
251:10,018[B  ]| All we obtain must be with Danger bought.
251:10,019[B  ]| Our Wants are great, and none those Wants supply, 
251:10,020[B  ]| Our Skin with Famine shrunk, is parched, and dry.
251:10,021[B  ]| The Rape of Women, and their tender Cries,
251:10,022[B  ]| Echo each Day to the unmindful Skies.
251:10,023[B  ]| They slay the Princes, and the Elders scorn.
251:10,024[B  ]| Whilst painful Burdens by our Youth are borne.
251:10,025[B  ]| The Infants perish helpless and forlorn,
251:10,026[B  ]| The Elders cease to judge, but not to mourn.
251:10,027[B  ]| The afflicted Youth their Dance and Music cease 
251:10,028[B  ]| Their Help is gone, their Joy, and all their Peace.
251:10,029[B  ]| Alas! we have sinned the Crown from off our Head
251:10,030[B  ]| Is fallen now; our Hearts are faint and dead,
251:10,031[B  ]| Our Eyes are dimmed, and all our Glory fled.
251:10,032[B  ]| Thou, Zion now art desolate become,
251:10,033[B  ]| Thy angry Lord hath left thee all alone.
251:10,034[B  ]| Thy Throne, O Lord, for ever will endure,
251:10,035[B  ]| Thy Power and Glory is for ever sure.
251:10,036[B  ]| But why dost thou so long thy Servants leave?
251:10,037[B  ]| Turn us to thee, and bid us cease to grieve,
251:10,038[B  ]| Renew our Days, that we again may live.
251:10,039[B  ]| But thou art angry still, and we overcome,
251:10,040[B  ]| With Loads of Griefs and Cares are quite overthrown, 
251:10,041[B  ]| Grieved, and despised, distracted, and undone.
251:11,000['  ]| <Elegy on Charles Earl of Rochester>
251:11,001[A  ]| Insatiate grave yield back thy mighty Treasure 
251:11,002[A  ]| Why shouldst thou rob the World of so much pleasure 
251:11,003[A  ]| And why did bankrupt nature heap on one 
251:11,004[A  ]| Her store of charms to be by thee undone 
251:11,005[A  ]| Had he been but the common work of Heaven 
251:11,006[A  ]| And no unusual blessings to him given 
251:11,007[A  ]| We had not wondered then to see him lost 
251:11,008[A  ]| But he was Beauty's pride and nature's boast 
251:11,009[A  ]| On him who seemed on Earth so like a God 
251:11,010[A  ]| We fancied immortality bestowed ~~
251:11,011[A  ]| And that he could not go the common Road 
251:11,012[A  ]| Ah Beauteous Rose why didst thou fade so soon 
251:11,013[A  ]| Thy blooming morning sweets never reached their noon 
251:11,014[A  ]| For scornful death to show his cruel power 
251:11,015[A  ]| Hath underground planted the Lovely flower 
251:11,016[A  ]| Which vainly now we water with our tears 
251:11,017[A  ]| It will not grow again the following years 
251:11,018[A  ]| For cruel death hath robbed us of our pleasure 
251:11,019[A  ]| Insatiate Grave yield back thy mighty treasure 
251:11,020[A  ]| Ah cruel death some truce at least we crave 
251:11,021[A  ]| If all our joys are doomed to meet a grave 
251:11,022[A  ]| We scarce had for his Parents dried our eyes 
251:11,023[A  ]| When thou again didst call for fresh supplies 
251:11,024[A  ]| Fresh tears, fresh grief alas what could we more 
251:11,025[A  ]| So heavy was the blow thou gavest before ~~
251:11,026[A  ]| We thought we had been Marble turned all over.
251:11,027[A  ]| Now thou hast roused us with a new offence 
251:11,028[A  ]| And cruelly awaked each sleeping sense 
251:11,029[A  ]| Now death hath robbed us of our latest pleasure
251:11,030[A  ]| Insatiate grave yield back thy mighty Treasure
251:11,031[A  ]| That wondrous wit which graced his Father's breath 
251:11,032[A  ]| He did to him by Legacy bequeath
251:11,033[A  ]| And though ten winters he had never told
251:11,034[A  ]| He seemed in wit and sacred learning old
251:11,035[A  ]| Slow time admired to see a Spirit reach
251:11,036[A  ]| And grasp at mysteries he did not teach 
251:11,037[A  ]| Nor was this Soul in vulgar Mettle set 
251:11,038[A  ]| The gem was rich, so was the Cabinet 
251:11,039[A  ]| By his fair Mother was the form designed 
251:11,040[A  ]| Copied in him by Heaven's unerring hand
251:11,041[A  ]| Fair was the Original and yet more bright
251:11,042[A  ]| The lovely copy moving more delight
251:11,043[A  ]| But cruel death hath robbed us of our pleasure
251:11,044[A  ]| Insatiate grave yield back thy mighty Treasure
251:12,000['  ]| <To the Lady Ann Coke>
251:12,001[A  ]| Nine times the Spring returned and with it brought
251:12,002[A  ]| Health to each heart and pleasure to each thought
251:12,003[A  ]| Since quitting you I've wandered up and down
251:12,004[A  ]| Treading the Maze of doubtful fate alone ~~
251:12,005[A  ]| Within my breast no spring nor joy was known
251:12,006[A  ]| Frozen despair usurped the abandoned throne ~~
251:12,007[A  ]| At length robbed of all hope almost unsought ~~
251:12,008[A  ]| The treasure which so filled my busy thought ~~
251:12,009[A  ]| Relenting destiny before me brought ~~
251:12,010[A  ]| When for some days the Sun more glad arose
251:12,011[A  ]| Again the nights afforded soft repose
251:12,012[A  ]| My thoughts were calm my heart was filled with joy
251:12,013[A  ]| Pleasure the Sceptre holds her foes destroys ~~
251:12,014[A  ]| And my charmed senses with soft blessings cloys
251:12,015[A  ]| But oh 'twas all a dream which past I found
251:12,016[A  ]| My Soul again in endless Sorrows drowsed
251:12,017[A  ]| 'Tis gone I waked and vanished were the charms
251:12,018[A  ]| The Shadow slided from my folded Arms
251:12,019[A  ]| Why did we meet so soon again to part
251:12,020[A  ]| Though patient as A God would break my heart
251:12,021[A  ]| With greater ease the body might resign
251:12,022[A  ]| Her wedded Soul and grow to earth again
251:12,023[A  ]| 'Tis natural to love as well as live
251:12,024[A  ]| Nature joins them Love does our Union give
251:12,025[A  ]| And much I fear the knot so firm was tied
251:12,026[A  ]| The fatal Sisters do the thread divide
251:12,027[A  ]| Why say I fear joy with my life I'll twine
251:12,028[A  ]| And if one breaks the other I'll resign
251:13,000['  ]| <Thoughts occasioned by her retirement into the Country>
251:13,001[A  ]| All fly the unhappy and I all would fly
251:13,002[A  ]| Knew I but where to go, or how to die 
251:13,003[A  ]| A Tomb of Sorrows is a dreadful sight 
251:13,004[A  ]| No wonder ~~ that a moving grave should fright
251:13,005[A  ]| Abandoned, helpless, and alone, I came 
251:13,006[A  ]| From nothing to this life, from ease to pain 
251:13,007[A  ]| My infant sighs did the small fabric shake ~~
251:13,008[A  ]| As winds pent in, when from the earth they break 
251:13,009[A  ]| Which every one for dismal Omens take ~~
251:13,010[A  ]| 'Twas then, alas, by certain instinct taught ~~ 
251:13,011[A  ]| My Parents fled the World to which I'm brought 
251:13,012[A  ]| As if inspired by some Prophetic thought ~~
251:13,013[A  ]| They feared to see what I was born to prove. ~~ 
251:13,014[A  ]| They fled from youth from pleasure and from love
251:13,015[A  ]| But 'twas to meet again, in groves above ~~
251:13,016[A  ]| An assignation justly timed and kept 
251:13,017[A  ]| The last undaunted went and timely leapt 
251:13,018[A  ]| That Gulf of Death her dearer half had passed 
251:13,019[A  ]| Desire of Liberty her hopes increased
251:13,020[A  ]| Love lent her wings and added to her haste 
251:13,021[A  ]| But all too slow too late she was released 
251:13,022[A  ]| Too late for me for had she sooner fled 
251:13,023[A  ]| She with her own had broke my twisted thread. 
251:13,024[A  ]| That thread which since the Sisters wove so strong
251:13,025[A  ]| As if they meant to prove their art was young 
251:13,026[A  ]| As in the world's bright dawn, when sprightly life 
251:13,027[A  ]| Was proof against diseases, age and grief 
251:13,028[A  ]| Then men could live in spite of every dart 
251:13,029[A  ]| That death could fling, nor feared a broken heart
251:13,030[A  ]| But I who have observed their Art decay 
251:13,031[A  ]| And that each chance could clear to death the way 
251:13,032[A  ]| From grief expected long their mournful ease 
251:13,033[A  ]| And learnt to Smile at every pain's increase 
251:13,034[A  ]| But now alas those fatal hopes decay 
251:13,035[A  ]| In spite of Sorrow I must longer stay 
251:13,036[A  ]| Hard is my Pilgrimage and long the way 
251:13,037[A  ]| In spite of me I find I long must grieve 
251:13,038[A  ]| Ah for what crimes am I condemned to live 
251:13,039[A  ]| Else I might wander through unbounded Air 
251:13,040[A  ]| And learn to comprehend the secrets there 
251:13,041[A  ]| What rules are kept by every spark of light 
251:13,042[A  ]| Which forces day instead of shady night 
251:13,043[A  ]| What makes each day revive and still seem new 
251:13,044[A  ]| And makes the working Sun one track pursue 
251:13,045[A  ]| What makes A gay variety appear 
251:13,046[A  ]| Through all the Seasons of the fertile Year.
251:13,047[A  ]| Some things so prone to change and some there be 
251:13,048[A  ]| So wholly given up to constancy
251:13,049[A  ]| In every thing the Eternal wisdom's shown 
251:13,050[A  ]| Nor does it less excel because unknown 
251:13,051[A  ]| Unknown to man to whom the work was given 
251:13,052[A  ]| Though the prime work and chiefest care of heaven 
251:13,053[A  ]| How should a finite Creature know the store 
251:13,054[A  ]| Of Infinite, who is himself so poor,
251:13,055[A  ]| No wonder that we are filled with deep amaze 
251:13,056[A  ]| When on the glorious work we silent gaze ~~
251:13,057[A  ]| But our ambition we should higher raise ~~
251:13,058[A  ]| Not only to admire but praise ~~
251:13,059[A  ]| Praise is that humble tribute he'll receive 
251:13,060[A  ]| All that he asks and all that we can give 
251:13,061[A  ]| He gave for us the World his life and power 
251:13,062[A  ]| And yet of us never was exacted more 
251:13,063[A  ]| Ah mighty God that ever we should prove
251:13,064[A  ]| That boundless Ocean of mysterious love
251:13,065[A  ]| I would go on but in a strain so high 
251:13,066[A  ]| A Soul buried in Earth can never fly 
251:13,067[A  ]| I feel defects in every faculty
251:13,068[A  ]| My thoughts are wrapped and my enlivened mind 
251:13,069[A  ]| Disdains that clay which keeps her flight behind
251:13,070[A  ]| But if my Soul does the same Spirits hold 
251:13,071[A  ]| When freed by Heaven from this baser Mould 
251:13,072[A  ]| Then in immortal Song (no Earthly verse) 
251:13,073[A  ]| She shall her maker's wondrous praise rehearse 
251:13,074[A  ]| To all the Regions round she shall repair
251:13,075[A  ]| And to give Sounds shall force the yielding air 
251:13,076[A  ]| And then inspired by Heaven the Eternal's praise 
251:13,077[A  ]| Shall round the World, be sung in Heavenly lays 
251:13,078[A  ]| If 'tis his will but who that will can see 
251:13,079[A  ]| That will so darkened over with mystery
251:13,080[A  ]| We know not what his will exacteth here 
251:13,081[A  ]| Less can we know what 'twill command us there 
251:13,082[A  ]| Here I'm lost again never the dead 
251:13,083[A  ]| Returned to tell what was A Soul when fled 
251:13,084[A  ]| Of what we there may do we here may boast
251:13,085[A  ]| But there for ought we know all thought is lost 
251:13,086[A  ]| To live or die then I will now Submit 
251:13,087[A  ]| Neither delay my death nor hasten it 
251:13,088[A  ]| All will be guided right when by his will 
251:13,089[A  ]| That Soul he gave he sure protecteth still
251:14,000['  ]| <A Paraphrase on the 53 of Isaiah>
251:14,001[B  ]| Who hath believed on Earth what we report 
251:14,002[B  ]| Our breath to flying winds became a sport. 
251:14,003[B  ]| Thy wonders Lord can never be concealed 
251:14,004[B  ]| And yet alas to whom was this revealed
251:14,005[B  ]| Just as A tender Plant from parched ground 
251:14,006[B  ]| Shoots up in which no beauty can be found 
251:14,007[B  ]| Sprung from A barren Earth untilled and dry 
251:14,008[B  ]| So without form uncomely to the eye ~~ 
251:14,009[B  ]| Before that he appeared whom when we saw 
251:14,010[B  ]| We found in him no cause of hope or joy
251:14,011[B  ]| The weight of Sorrows he had learnt to bear
251:14,012[B  ]| We hid our faces when he did appear
251:14,013[B  ]| We thought him far unworthy our esteem
251:14,014[B  ]| He was rejected and despised of men
251:14,015[B  ]| Surely it was our griefs that he hath borne
251:14,016[B  ]| We loaded him till he became our scorn
251:14,017[B  ]| And then we thought he was by God forlorn
251:14,018[B  ]| Smitten of God afflicted and distressed
251:14,019[B  ]| When with our weight of sins he was oppressed
251:14,020[B  ]| In us alas nothing but guile was found
251:14,021[B  ]| 'Twas we transgressed but he endured the wound
251:14,022[B  ]| He was chastised that we might be in peace
251:14,023[B  ]| And with his stripes he purchased our release
251:14,024[B  ]| We strayed like Sheep each one forsook his guide
251:14,025[B  ]| Sought his own way and followed none beside
251:14,026[B  ]| On him the fault of all of us was laid
251:14,027[B  ]| And he was punished because we had strayed
251:14,028[B  ]| He was oppressed and grieved but silent still
251:14,029[B  ]| Silently bore the undeserved Ill
251:14,030[B  ]| Just as a harmless lamb to slaughter brought
251:14,031[B  ]| With no resisting no repining thought
251:14,032[B  ]| Or as a sheep when her rich fleece is sought
251:14,033[B  ]| Oppressed by numbers silently undone
251:14,034[B  ]| Patiently bears her loss and yields her own
251:14,035[B  ]| Captive to judgement they have made him bow
251:14,036[B  ]| Who shall declare his generation now
251:14,037[B  ]| Here it must end he is in death laid low
251:14,038[B  ]| Banished the Land of life cut of cast down
251:14,039[B  ]| Because my People's Sins by him are borne
251:14,040[B  ]| No Monument alas for him was made
251:14,041[B  ]| But with the rich and wicked was he laid
251:14,042[B  ]| Because no violence by him was done
251:14,043[B  ]| And in his mouth no falsehood ever known
251:14,044[B  ]| Yet did it please the Lord he should be grieved
251:14,045[B  ]| He bruised him in whom our hopes have lived
251:14,046[B  ]| Yet when for sin he's offered up by thee
251:14,047[B  ]| His Generation he'll rejoice to see
251:14,048[B  ]| 'Twill lengthen out his days and joy command
251:14,049[B  ]| Joy from the Lord shall prosper in his hand
251:14,050[B  ]| The travail of his Soul he shall perceive
251:14,051[B  ]| His knowledge shall no other justice give
251:14,052[B  ]| For by my righteous Servant shall be borne
251:14,053[B  ]| The crimes of others, their reproach and scorn
251:14,054[B  ]| Therefore he with the mighty shall divide
251:14,055[B  ]| And with the strong his portion I'll decide
251:14,056[B  ]| Because his Soul he poured out to death
251:14,057[B  ]| Humbly and willingly resigned his breath
251:14,058[B  ]| Numbered with the transgressors he did stoop
251:14,059[B  ]| And bore the weight of sins that made him droop
251:14,060[B  ]| For their transgressions 'twas his life decayed
251:14,061[B  ]| For Sin he suffered, yet for sinners prayed
251:15,000['  ]| <Mrs. Wharton's PARAPHRASE Upon the 103rd PSALM>
251:15,001[B  ]| Advance my Soul, and all thy Powers incline,
251:15,002[B  ]| To praise the Lord, by whom those Graces shine.
251:15,003[B  ]| Praise him by whom are all those Mercies given, 
251:15,004[B  ]| Forget not him who rules both Earth and Heaven:
251:15,005[B  ]| He who forgives, and heals the wounded Mind; 
251:15,006[B  ]| He who to Mercy ever is inclined.
251:15,007[B  ]| Who saves thy Life, and blesseth it with Food:
251:15,008[B  ]| Who crowns thy Labours with abundant Good.
251:15,009[B  ]| Who makes thy Years renew, and keeps thee Young:
251:15,010[B  ]| Joyful as Health, and, as the Eagle, strong;
251:15,011[B  ]| The Lord who judges between wrong and right:
251:15,012[B  ]| To favour the Oppressed is his Delight.
251:15,013[B  ]| He who to Moses showed his wondrous Ways:
251:15,014[B  ]| And Israel taught to magnify his Praise.
251:15,015[B  ]| The Lord who always is to Peace inclined,
251:15,016[B  ]| Who suffers long, and bears with the humble Mind.
251:15,017[B  ]| Gentle and Mild, unwilling yet to chide;
251:15,018[B  ]| Soon he forgives, long will his Anger hide.
251:15,019[B  ]| Though we offend he will not punish straight:
251:15,020[B  ]| Our Sins are great before we feel their weight.
251:15,021[B  ]| See how the Heaven is far removed from Earth,
251:15,022[B  ]| The Heaven from which his Mercy takes its birth; 
251:15,023[B  ]| So far is his Compassion raised above
251:15,024[B  ]| The feeble Workings of a Mortal Love.
251:15,025[B  ]| Wide is the Space through which the labouring Sun,
251:15,026[B  ]| From East to West his daily course doth run;
251:15,027[B  ]| Yet farther from us he our Sins hath placed,
251:15,028[B  ]| As willing to forget our Errors past.
251:15,029[B  ]| Paternal Kindness still in him remains,
251:15,030[B  ]| And his creating Favours he maintains.
251:15,031[B  ]| With those that fear him he'll not angry grow;
251:15,032[B  ]| For he considers whence our Natures flow.
251:15,033[B  ]| Who made us, knows he took us from the Earth; 
251:15,034[B  ]| Nor much expects to find from such a Birth.
251:15,035[B  ]| The same Original hath every Flower;
251:15,036[B  ]| And they, like us, hath a short glorious Hour.
251:15,037[B  ]| But with the Winds their Glories fly away;
251:15,038[B  ]| They are not Proof against a Stormy Day.
251:15,039[B  ]| Nor we, however high our Hope advance,
251:15,040[B  ]| Are Proof against a Blast of adverse Chance.
251:15,041[B  ]| His Mercy's lasting, and our Life is frail;
251:15,042[B  ]| Which makes the Lord his gracious Gifts entail
251:15,043[B  ]| On Children's Children, where his Laws are known, 
251:15,044[B  ]| To them whose Works assent to Truths they own.
251:15,045[B  ]| From Age to Age his Goodness hath been shown,
251:15,046[B  ]| The mighty Lord, on High hath placed his Throne; 
251:15,047[B  ]| Where he surveys the World which is his own.
251:15,048[B  ]| Too weak am I, to sing the Eternal's Praise:
251:15,049[B  ]| Ye Angels, your Celestial Voices raise!
251:15,050[B  ]| Ye who excel in Strength, Wisdom, and Power, 
251:15,051[B  ]| (Alas! the Life of Man is as an Hour:) 
251:15,052[B  ]| Ye that have privilege to see and hear
251:15,053[B  ]| His wondrous Works, should wondrous Works declare.
251:15,054[B  ]| But yet poor Mortals who are placed below, 
251:15,055[B  ]| May forward Wills by faint Endeavours show. 
251:15,056[B  ]| We who are still in Danger and Alarms,
251:15,057[B  ]| Who against Temptations always are in Arms; 
251:15,058[B  ]| May yet endeavour to advance his Fame,
251:15,059[B  ]| And he'll be pleased while we invoke his Name, 
251:15,060[B  ]| Whilst all his Works his Greatness do proclaim.
251:15,061[B  ]| But thou, my Soul! be never silent found:
251:15,062[B  ]| Above the Clouds let thy loud Music sound.
251:15,063[B  ]| Let all who come to thee, by thee be taught
251:15,064[B  ]| The mighty Works that by thy God are wrought.
251:16,000['  ]| <A Paraphrase on the 145 Psalm>
251:16,001[B  ]| Thy Glory Lord I would for ever raise 
251:16,002[B  ]| Thy name is worthy of eternal praise
251:16,003[B  ]| Each day I would give thanks to thee my King 
251:16,004[B  ]| And every hour thy wondrous mercies sing
251:16,005[B  ]| Thy works indeed are wonderful and great 
251:16,006[B  ]| What mortal can such mighty works relate 
251:16,007[B  ]| Our life is short, thy mercies endless are 
251:16,008[B  ]| What mortal can such endless works declare
251:16,009[B  ]| One generation is of life bereft
251:16,010[B  ]| And to the next the unfinished task is left
251:16,011[B  ]| Thus I my self whilst my few hours remain 
251:16,012[B  ]| Thy Glory praise and goodness will maintain
251:16,013[B  ]| That men hereafter shall by me be taught 
251:16,014[B  ]| What mighty acts have by my God been wrought
251:16,015[B  ]| I will thy famous kindness public make 
251:16,016[B  ]| That men from me, thy wondrous praise may take
251:16,017[B  ]| The Lord is gracious patient kind though just 
251:16,018[B  ]| And pardons all who in his mercy trust
251:16,019[B  ]| Thy works oh Lord thy greatness may declare 
251:16,020[B  ]| Thy Saints give thanks to see thy goodness there
251:16,021[B  ]| They cry what power is this that gives such things 
251:16,022[B  ]| How great must be our God, the King of Kings
251:16,023[B  ]| That we his name for ever may preserve 
251:16,024[B  ]| Let all men know great is the Lord we serve
251:16,025[B  ]| In every Age shall be known to all
251:16,026[B  ]| The Lord who helps the Weak and them that fall
251:16,027[B  ]| All wait on thee and none shall wait in vain
251:16,028[B  ]| Thou feedest the hungry, thou dost life maintain
251:16,029[B  ]| Thou dost but spread thy bounteous hand and straight 
251:16,030[B  ]| The expecting world is satisfied with meat
251:16,031[B  ]| Justice and truth in all his works appear ~~
251:16,032[B  ]| And those that call on him the Lord will hear ~~ 
251:16,033[B  ]| If faith and fear be mingled with their prayer.
251:16,034[B  ]| He will fulfil whatever they desire
251:16,035[B  ]| And will their minds with grateful truth inspire
251:16,036[B  ]| All those who love his ways he saves from harm 
251:16,037[B  ]| But scatters wicked ones with every storm
251:16,038[B  ]| His worthy praises I will still declare 
251:16,039[B  ]| And wish that all would imitate who hear 
251:16,040[B  ]| That all would thanks return and praises give 
251:16,041[B  ]| To him in whom we hope by whom we live
251:17,000['  ]| <Mrs Wharton to Doc: Burnett upon his retirement>
251:17,001[A  ]| If darkest Shades could cloud so bright a Mind
251:17,002[A  ]| Or universal knowledge be confined.
251:17,003[A  ]| Then I should fear, what vainly you pursue,
251:17,004[A  ]| Exiling the offending world from you.
251:17,005[A  ]| Permit this phrase, for theirs the loss would be,
251:17,006[A  ]| To you 'twere gain of ease and liberty;
251:17,007[A  ]| For them alas what is it I would not fear,
251:17,008[A  ]| If banished the rich World of learning here,
251:17,009[A  ]| Within your breast? where knowledge is retired
251:17,010[A  ]| By vain pursuit and false explainers tired
251:17,011[A  ]| Others bring dazing light, and leave us more
251:17,012[A  ]| Oppressed with blindness then we were before.
251:17,013[A  ]| But gently by degrees, like dawning day,
251:17,014[A  ]| The mists that cloud the mind you drive away.
251:17,015[A  ]| If you retire what damps of black despair
251:17,016[A  ]| Must cloud the world, no longer made your care?
251:17,017[A  ]| Who could alas deep Mysteries unfold?
251:17,018[A  ]| Who could instruct the young, or cheer the old?
251:17,019[A  ]| Who could like you in lively colours paint
251:17,020[A  ]| Death's ghastly face to each expiring Saint?
251:17,021[A  ]| 'Tis you and only you can paint him fair
251:17,022[A  ]| To those who life and pleasure make their care
251:17,023[A  ]| 'Tis you make ease less lovely seem than pain
251:17,024[A  ]| 'Tis you bring Heaven down to dying men
251:17,025[A  ]| And raise the drooping minds to Heaven again
251:17,026[A  ]| You choose Heaven's Saints for still the mounting soul
251:17,027[A  ]| Is crowned above whom you on earth enrol
251:17,028[A  ]| Quit not the world because that Monarch's brow
251:17,029[A  ]| So smooth to all seems clouded over to you
251:17,030[A  ]| His Anger like the wrath of heaven is slow 
251:17,031[A  ]| And all his actions his compassion show 
251:17,032[A  ]| Injustice never can his temper suit 
251:17,033[A  ]| Love gentle Love is his blest attribute 
251:17,034[A  ]| A Soul inclined to such a peaceful Charm
251:17,035[A  ]| No fear of danger could his Soul alarm 
251:17,036[A  ]| Plot upon Plot intended or devised 
251:17,037[A  ]| He smiled to see looked over and despised 
251:17,038[A  ]| When every Subject at his danger shook 
251:17,039[A  ]| His thoughts flowed easily as a summer's Brook 
251:17,040[A  ]| He pardoned still and when unruly they
251:17,041[A  ]| Forced him the Sword of justice to display 
251:17,042[A  ]| Unwillingly he punished to obey
251:17,043[A  ]| I say to obey for might he still Command 
251:17,044[A  ]| Garlands of Peace would grow within his hand
251:17,045[A  ]| Then love and wit in which he does excel 
251:17,046[A  ]| With peace and plenty here would ever dwell 
251:17,047[A  ]| But now alas he rules a giddy Crowd 
251:17,048[A  ]| Who Slight their joys and tell their griefs aloud 
251:17,049[A  ]| As fond of troubles as he is of peace
251:17,050[A  ]| To faction Slaves and constant foes to ease 
251:17,051[A  ]| Still forcing fears unnatural and base 
251:17,052[A  ]| At home distracted and abroad despised 
251:17,053[A  ]| The grief of fools and the Laughter of the wise 
251:17,054[A  ]| But hold too far I have mistook my way
251:17,055[A  ]| I would return and yet what can I Say 
251:17,056[A  ]| The subject is so vast to which I'm brought 
251:17,057[A  ]| That I am lost in the abyss of thought 
251:17,058[A  ]| I would persuade and yet I know not how 
251:17,059[A  ]| To make that Theme to my weak Numbers bow
251:17,060[A  ]| Exalt my humble Notions to your height 
251:17,061[A  ]| I'll plainly tell my thoughts raise you their flight 
251:17,062[A  ]| Leave not the world but near that Monarch rest 
251:17,063[A  ]| Who all that's just still harbours in his breast 
251:17,064[A  ]| And when that head so filled with boundless thought
251:17,065[A  ]| To his enlarged heart is near brought
251:17,066[A  ]| What wonders may we not expect should spring
251:17,067[A  ]| From such a Subject and from such a King.
251:18,000['  ]| <The Despair. To D. Burnet by Mrs Wharton>
251:18,001[A  ]| The use of Knowledge is to find it poor
251:18,002[A  ]| We know 'tis less by seeking to know more
251:18,003[A  ]| We seek, and wish but all we can obtain
251:18,004[A  ]| Is to be sure we've sought and wished in vain
251:18,005[A  ]| The life of Man on time's swift wings does fly
251:18,006[A  ]| We snatch at all in haste, but ere we die
251:18,007[A  ]| Can only reach at dark uncertainty
251:18,008[A  ]| In Ignorance the busy World rolls on
251:18,009[A  ]| The Spark of life so soon away is blown
251:18,010[A  ]| We live to doubt and ere that doubt's resolved
251:18,011[A  ]| In Death's dark mists the working Souls dissolve
251:18,012[A  ]| He's happiest who never has reached so far
251:18,013[A  ]| Who blind with ignorance never feared despair.
251:18,014[A  ]| Submits to Guides and thinks their way is clear
251:18,015[A  ]| For if he aims to see it is to find
251:18,016[A  ]| Not only he but all his guides are blind
251:18,017[A  ]| Unhappy then benighted and undone
251:18,018[A  ]| He wildly wanders and himself would shun
251:18,019[A  ]| Courts Death like me, and thinks there may be light
251:18,020[A  ]| Would venture gladly for it through the night
251:18,021[A  ]| But when 'tis near he Starts and fain would know
251:18,022[A  ]| Before he ventures whether he's to go
251:18,023[A  ]| And what it is he to Death's altar brings
251:18,024[A  ]| Asks why Heaven makes these weak Imperfect things
251:18,025[A  ]| And till he knows would pinion time's swift wings
251:18,026[A  ]| All's one murmuring or pleased he still obeys
251:18,027[A  ]| Death Claims his right and weary life decays
251:18,028[A  ]| Then knowledge cannot necessary be
251:18,029[A  ]| For were it so the Almighty Deity
251:18,030[A  ]| Whose will by Mortals cannot be withstood
251:18,031[A  ]| Would give us time enough to reach that Good
251:18,032[A  ]| In bright Obedience 'tis we Should excel
251:18,033[A  ]| And not think ignorance the way to Hell
251:18,034[A  ]| Thus wildly I my trembling Muse Amazed
251:18,035[A  ]| Who fled and round her with distraction gazed
251:18,036[A  ]| To see if none a helping hand would give
251:18,037[A  ]| To Snatch me from despair and bid me live
251:18,038[A  ]| With me resolved her outmost fate to try
251:18,039[A  ]| For Spirits tempting Heaven may learn to Die
251:18,040[A  ]| Scorning the gift of Immortality
251:18,041[A  ]| At length on you She cast her wandering eye
251:18,042[A  ]| And straight She charmed me with a tuneful cry.
251:18,043[A  ]| There said She Knowledge with Philosophy
251:18,044[A  ]| Have raised themselves a Throne, thither I'll fly
251:18,045[A  ]| For only he can Ignorance defy
251:18,046[A  ]| And ask advice for you. Ah no said I
251:18,047[A  ]| Thou my last hope leave me not here forlorn
251:18,048[A  ]| If there thou goest, thou wilt no more return
251:18,049[A  ]| Besides on him there's many Muses wait
251:18,050[A  ]| Thou there canst make up but a part of state
251:18,051[A  ]| To me thou art all. I scarcely this had said
251:18,052[A  ]| When from my Arms the busy wanderer fled
251:18,053[A  ]| Pretending that it was to bring me aid
251:18,054[A  ]| But now over ravished With your matchless strain
251:18,055[A  ]| The careless wanton never will come again
251:19,000['  ]| <To Mr. Waller.>
251:19,001[A  ]| Now I shall live indeed, not by my skill,
251:19,002[A  ]| But wisely you your prophecies fulfil,
251:19,003[A  ]| And, kindly careful of my growing fame,
251:19,004[A  ]| Have twisted it with your immortal name.
251:19,005[A  ]| What brainless critic dares in envy raise
251:19,006[A  ]| To blast a style which you incline to praise?
251:19,007[A  ]| Envy I long have scorned but now defy,
251:19,008[A  ]| Since raised by you to immortality:
251:19,009[A  ]| Once mentioned in your verse, I cannot die.
251:19,010[A  ]| You, with the flame of your poetic fire,
251:19,011[A  ]| Purge off the dross, and leave the sense entire.
251:19,012[A  ]| You praise what's worthy praise, the rest omit,
251:19,013[A  ]| And teach the ill-natured world how to forget;
251:19,014[A  ]| The world, whose peevish memories still strike
251:19,015[A  ]| At what is worst, omitting what they like.
251:19,016[A  ]| If you were not as you are, ever just,
251:19,017[A  ]| Yet to your judgment we might safely trust:
251:19,018[A  ]| You would not wrong us, for all envy's lost
251:19,019[A  ]| In those whose fame is raised too high to boast.
251:19,020[A  ]| Worth cannot lose its due when you are by,
251:19,021[A  ]| The lordly lion scorns to oppress a fly.
251:19,022[A  ]| This 'tis that makes good judgments still commend,
251:19,023[A  ]| Or who amongst the bad would seek a friend?
251:19,024[A  ]| If more were such, but such are hardly found,
251:19,025[A  ]| Then censures would be few, which now abound
251:19,026[A  ]| Parent of English Poesy alone,
251:19,027[A  ]| To you we owe the art we call our own;
251:19,028[A  ]| All who before you came, as hoarsely sung,
251:19,029[A  ]| As if by Mars, Apollo's harp was strung,
251:19,030[A  ]| And tuned to drums loud echoes and alarms;
251:19,031[A  ]| But you have taught us soft and lasting charms.
251:19,032[A  ]| Pride of the past, life of the present age,
251:19,033[A  ]| I'm both inclined by swift poetic rage,
251:19,034[A  ]| And gratitude, to give due praise to you:
251:19,035[A  ]| But I'm too weak to pay the debt I owe.
251:19,036[A  ]| Down haughty Muse! canst thou behold the sun?
251:19,037[A  ]| Ah! no, withdraw; thy threatening danger shun:
251:19,038[A  ]| He, like an eagle used to face the light,
251:19,039[A  ]| Ere he adopts thee, tries thy tender sight;
251:19,040[A  ]| Yet mounted on his wings thou now wilt dare
251:19,041[A  ]| To tempt thy fate, though sure to perish there,
251:19,042[A  ]| (How hard it is to teach a Muse despair!)
251:19,043[A  ]| So the vain fly the gilded flame admires,
251:19,044[A  ]| Approaches, and a sacrifice expires.
251:19,045[A  ]| Think, haughty Muse, think what is now thy theme,
251:19,046[A  ]| What it is thou canst offer worthy him:
251:19,047[A  ]| Worthy of Phoebus and his darling son,
251:19,048[A  ]| Or rather of his master, and thy own;
251:19,049[A  ]| Whose silver hairs more glory to him give,
251:19,050[A  ]| Than from his golden beams he can receive-,
251:19,051[A  ]| Who taught both ages, and with godlike force
251:19,052[A  ]| Has stopped the mighty flood of Folly's source.
251:19,053[A  ]| Whose springing laurels grow more fresh and gay
251:19,054[A  ]| The oftener they salute the sun's bright ray,
251:19,055[A  ]| Their thriving Leaves grow young with every morn.
251:19,056[A  ]| His sprightly wit revives with every dawn,
251:19,057[A  ]| For ever active, and for ever young,
251:19,058[A  ]| His numbers smooth, his sense for ever strong.
251:19,059[A  ]| Cease haughty Muse, in vain thou dost aspire
251:19,060[A  ]| To add thy smoke to his immortal fire;
251:19,061[A  ]| Cease, but if thou no worthier offerings make,
251:19,062[A  ]| I need not silence who wants power to speak.
251:20,000['  ]| <WIT'S ABUSE.>
251:20,001[A  ]| I ask not why Astraea fled away,
251:20,002[A  ]| But wonder more, why any Virtues stay;
251:20,003[A  ]| In such a World, where they are made a scorn,
251:20,004[A  ]| Oppressed by numerous Vice, mangled and torn,
251:20,005[A  ]| Wounded by Laughter, and by Wit forlorn.
251:20,006[A  ]| I mean not here by Wit, what's truly so,
251:20,007[A  ]| But that false Coin which does for Current go.
251:20,008[A  ]| 'Tis certain but a few can judgment make
251:20,009[A  ]| Of such a gift, which but a few partake.
251:20,010[A  ]| Ignorant judges may decide a Cause,
251:20,011[A  ]| Sooner against, than for Concealed Laws.
251:20,012[A  ]| This is Wit's Pledge, but few those Precepts know,
251:20,013[A  ]| Which many false Pretenders over-throw.
251:20,014[A  ]| And yet amongst those very few, there are
251:20,015[A  ]| Some who betray that Glorious Character;
251:20,016[A  ]| Whilst low-born Falsehood goes for Heavenly Wit;
251:20,017[A  ]| How many aim at what so few can hit?
251:20,018[A  ]| The Trade of Hell was never hard to get.
251:20,019[A  ]| Thus these Intruders double ends pursue,
251:20,020[A  ]| Rooting out Wit, they root out Virtue too.
251:20,021[A  ]| Soft pity passes now for Servile Fear,
251:20,022[A  ]| A generous scorn of Life for mean despair.
251:20,023[A  ]| Truth and Sincerity the Fools proclaim,
251:20,024[A  ]| Which witty falsehood always load with shame.
251:20,025[A  ]| An Active Soul affected Notions prove,
251:20,026[A  ]| Out-flying common Thoughts, or private Love.
251:20,027[A  ]| Thus though each Virtue in it self they hate,
251:20,028[A  ]| They love to make it add to a Deceit.
251:20,029[A  ]| Undressed 'tis scorned; but favoured and allowed,
251:20,030[A  ]| When to the Neighbouring Vice it lends a Cloud.
251:20,031[A  ]| Thus the Inconstant Empress of the Night,
251:20,032[A  ]| Though foul, and spotted, clothes her self with Light,
251:20,033[A  ]| And can with borrowed Beams be always bright.
251:21,000['  ]| <From Mrs. Wharton.>
251:21,001[A  ]| Diamonds concealed, their Lustre may retain,
251:21,002[A  ]| But Sacred Wit can never, hid, remain:
251:21,003[A  ]| From what ever darkening Cloud it takes its Birth,
251:21,004[A  ]| It, like the Rising-Sun, glads half the Earth.
251:21,005[A  ]| True Poesy appears with decent Pride,
251:21,006[A  ]| Not puffed with Praise, nor grieved when Fools deride.
251:21,007[A  ]| Free and Secure in its own proper Merit;
251:21,008[A  ]| Scorns Envy (yet spurns back the flattering Spirit.)
251:21,009[A  ]| This makes me wonder you thus long concealed
251:21,010[A  ]| A Talent, which to all should be revealed:
251:21,011[A  ]| And bashfully decline the yielding Boughs,
251:21,012[A  ]| Which Daphne offers to adorn your Brows.
251:21,013[A  ]| Not but that Minds best taught are most afraid,
251:21,014[A  ]| To venture out when they for Glory trade.
251:21,015[A  ]| An humble Mind doth every Path survey,
251:21,016[A  ]| That leads to Fame, and sees how many stray:
251:21,017[A  ]| Observes the steep Ascent to the Sacred Ground,
251:21,018[A  ]| Which Envy guards, and all new-Comers wounds:
251:21,019[A  ]| Sees many when they are arrived so high,
251:21,020[A  ]| They seem to grasp at Fame, and touch the Sky,
251:21,021[A  ]| Whilst swelled with Vanity they all deride;
251:21,022[A  ]| Stumbling themselves upon the Rock of Pride:
251:21,023[A  ]| By some more silent Traveller are crossed,
251:21,024[A  ]| Thrown from the Top, and all their Hopes are lost.
251:21,025[A  ]| But let not this discourage, nor amaze
251:21,026[A  ]| That humble Mind, which frighted flies for ease,
251:21,027[A  ]| Unto the Cordial of reviving Praise.
251:21,028[A  ]| Praise is the sprightly Wine of growing Fame,
251:21,029[A  ]| Adding most Life to the most fertile Brain;
251:21,030[A  ]| (And like that always doth new Thought produce;
251:21,031[A  ]| So when 'tis bad the Wine is its Excuse.)
251:21,032[A  ]| A truly humble Mind knows what is just,
251:21,033[A  ]| When he seeks Praise through Vanity, or Thirst.
251:21,034[A  ]| And as he scorns the Fame that Flattery gives,
251:21,035[A  ]| He values what from Merit he receives.
251:21,036[A  ]| This forces me with grateful Thanks to own,
251:21,037[A  ]| I'm praised by one, whose Lines such Skill have shown,
251:21,038[A  ]| That I now ought to prize what he esteems,
251:21,039[A  ]| And think there is some worth in my dull Rhymes.
251:22,000['  ]| <From Mrs. Wharton.>
251:22,001[A  ]| Small are the poor Returns which you receive,
251:22,002[A  ]| For all the Pleasure which your Verses give;
251:22,003[A  ]| Yet Gratitude obliges me to this;
251:22,004[A  ]| Though for your Pearls, I but return you Glass.
251:22,005[A  ]| This Indian Traffic soon will tire you quite,
251:22,006[A  ]| Unless you're pleased that others you delight.
251:22,007[A  ]| And, if your Generous Thoughts I rightly guess,
251:22,008[A  ]| They aim at pleasing, and they have Success:
251:22,009[A  ]| It is the Business, and the Scope of Wit;
251:22,010[A  ]| Poems are seldom for the Authors writ,
251:22,011[A  ]| But for the Readers; thus they labour still,
251:22,012[A  ]| Like harmless Bees, to serve another's Will.
251:22,013[A  ]| Whilst you I praise, Words flow methinks so fast,
251:22,014[A  ]| As if my working Thoughts were all in haste.
251:22,015[A  ]| Your Style I may commend, whilst you're unknown:
251:22,016[A  ]| No breach of Modesty in this is shown.
251:22,017[A  ]| Your Worth will force this Tribute from my Heart,
251:22,018[A  ]| Nor can I backward be to praise Desert.
251:23,000['  ]| <Mrs. Wharton to Mr. Wolesly>
251:23,001[A  ]| To you, this Generous Task belongs alone,
251:23,002[A  ]| To clear the Injured and Instruct the Town;
251:23,003[A  ]| Where, but in You is found a Mind so brave
251:23,004[A  ]| To Stretch the bounds of Love beyond the Grave?
251:23,005[A  ]| Anger may last, but Friendships quickly die;
251:23,006[A  ]| For anxious Thoughts are longer lived than joy:
251:23,007[A  ]| Yet those, whom active Fancy has misled
251:23,008[A  ]| So far, as to Assault the mighty Dead;
251:23,009[A  ]| Now taught, by your Reproof, a Noble Shame,
251:23,010[A  ]| Will strive by surer ways to raise their Fame.
251:23,011[A  ]| But, from our Sex, what Praise do you deserve?
251:23,012[A  ]| We, by your help, may all our Rights preserve,
251:23,013[A  ]| While others Rob the Deities they serve.
251:23,014[A  ]| (For never Sacrilege could greater be,
251:23,015[A  ]| Than to steal Honour from a Deity.)
251:23,016[A  ]| Such are the Paths to Fame, in which you tread:
251:23,017[A  ]| You baffle Envy; while you nobly Aid
251:23,018[A  ]| The helpless Living, and more helpless Dead.
251:23,000['  ]| <Verses on the Snuff of a Candle made in Sickness.>
251:23,001[A  ]| See there the Taper's dim, and doleful Light
251:23,002[A  ]| In gloomy Waves silently rolls about,
251:23,003[A  ]| And represents to my dim weary sight,
251:23,004[A  ]| My Light of Life almost as near burnt out.
251:23,005[A  ]| Ah Health! Best part and substance of our joy,
251:23,006[A  ]| (For without thee 'tis nothing but a shade)
251:23,007[A  ]| Why dost thou partially thy self employ,
251:23,008[A  ]| Whilst thy proud Foes as partially invade?
251:23,009[A  ]| What we, who never enjoy, so fondly seek,
251:23,010[A  ]| Those who possess thee still, almost despise
251:23,011[A  ]| To gain immortal Glory, raise the weak,
251:23,012[A  ]| Taught by their former want thy worth to prize.
251:23,013[A  ]| Dear melancholy Muse, my constant Guide,
251:23,014[A  ]| Charm this coy Health back to my fainting Heart,
251:23,015[A  ]| Or I'll accuse thee of vain-glorious Pride,
251:23,016[A  ]| And swear thou dost but feign the moving Art.
251:23,017[A  ]| But why do I upbraid thee, gentle Muse,
251:23,018[A  ]| Who for all Sorrows makest me some amends?
251:23,019[A  ]| Alas! our sickly Minds sometimes abuse
251:23,020[A  ]| Our best Physicians and our dearest Friends.
251:24,000['  ]| <LOVE'S MARTYR>
251:24,000['  ]| <ACT FIVE>
251:24,000['  ]| <The Scene is the Princess Julia's apartment.>
251:24,000['  ]| <She is discovered sitting at a Table, Martia singing to her.>
251:24,000['  ]| <Song:>
251:24,001[B  ]| Whilst Strephon with much care suppressed
251:24,002[B  ]| The too aspiring flame
251:24,003[B  ]| Which Love had kindled in his breast
251:24,004[B  ]| And durst not tell his pain
251:24,005[B  ]| His inexperienced eyes betray
251:24,006[B  ]| What he with care concealed
251:24,007[B  ]| His heart no sooner learnt to obey
251:24,008[B  ]| But they the pain revealed
251:24,009[B  ]| Corena soon perceived and Strove
251:24,010[B  ]| His passion to despise
251:24,011[B  ]| But that same power who taught her Love
251:24,012[B  ]| Soon taught her to be wise
251:24,013[B  ]| At first she gave him leave to tell
251:24,014[B  ]| The torment he endured
251:24,015[B  ]| At length her own she would reveal
251:24,016[B  ]| Then both were quickly cured.