XXXV.

Then Merlin with a look benign reply'd, (For he was bred with every courteous thew) "I know to make fair Columbel your bride The blatant-beast you through the lond pursue ;3 The fate of empires now demands my view, And for awhile denys my presence here; Soon in this cell I'll thee again salew,

What most thou lik'st partake withouten fear, Share all my cave affords, nor think I grudge my chear.

XXXVI.

"Yet mark my counsel, open not that door,
Lest thou repent thy follies when too late,

Ten thousand pangs shall make thy heart full sore,
For horror scouls behind that heben gate,
And future ills shall thy dear peace amate ;_32,
There stands a mirror, wrought by magic leer,
In which are read the dark decrees of fate,

And whom you wish to see

will streit appear,

Devoid of art's false mask, to human eye-sight clear.

XXXVII.

"Ah how unlike the godlike man he seem'd
In this my glass the patriot I've descry'd,
By the vile rabblement a saint esteem'd?

He's oft a wretch compos'd of sloth and pride :

With other men their vice and follies share ; 330
And by my mirror if the nymph be try'd,

It will without reserve the truth declare,

Ne flatter head that's crown'd, ne flatter face that's fair.

XXXVIII.

"Once more let me advise thee, gentle Squire,
Forbear to look at this same magic glass;
Do not too rashly into fate enquire—
But I to foreign stronds awhile must pass."
Th' unweeting youth cry'd to himself,
Would I could know the lot to me assign'd!"
"Patience, quoth Merlin, doth all things surpass." 340
Then to his car were winged dragons join'd,

"Alas!

With which he sails thro' air, and far outstrips the wind.

XXXIX.

And now the Squire surveys the lonesome cave,
His wav'ring mind is in a whirlwind tost,

And now the mirror he resolves to brave,
And now he finds his boasted courage lost.
At length determin'd whatsoe'er it cost,
To see the glass, he darts into the cell;
And, lest his eyes by vild retrait be crost,
Thrice he invokes his lovely Columbel.
As Adam fell of yore, the Squire of Dames yfell.

350

XL.

The heben doors full widely he display'd,
And saw the lovely queen of all his heart,
Fair as the lily in the watry glade,

Bright as the morn, and bright withouten art.
Through every vein he feels a thrillant smart :
For the dear Maid lay on her bed undress'd,
And, may I unreprov'd the truth impart,
She hugg'd a lusty stripling to her breast,
Whom she full closely clipp'd, and wantonly caress'd.

XLI.

356

"O faytor false, O wicked imp of night !" Exclaim'd the Squire astound, "ah! wellaway!

Let Erebus in pitchy stóle bedight

With foulest sprites the sons of men affray,

And blot for ever the fair face of day.

Ye haggard sisters, sound my passing-bell;
Oh! ne'er believe, ye youths, what women say.

O losel loose, O impious Columbel!”

Then like a stean to earth full heavily he fell.

XLII.

There shall we leave him, for my leaky boat
Lets in the water, and I must recure

Her much worn hulk, that scarcely now can float,
And moor'd in harbour she shall ride secure ;

Then if I can a pilot wise procure,

Mayhap I may again hoist forth my sail,
And other hardy voyages endure

σ

Through shelves and shallows: now the adverse gale

Gives me some time to rest, and loud with joy I hail.

POEM IV.

SIR MARTYN;

OR,

THE PROGRESS OF DISSIPATION.

BY WILLIAM JULIUS MICKLE.

CANTO I.

The mirthfull bowres and flowry dales

Of Pleasures faerie land,

Where Virtues budds are blighted as

By foul Enchanters wand.

I.

AWAKE, ye West Windes, through the lonely dale,
And, Fancy, to thy faerie bowre betake!
Even now, with balmie freshnesse, breathes the
gale,

Dimpling with downy wing the stilly lake; Through the pale willows faultering whispers wake, And Evening comes with locks bedropt with dew; On Desmonds mouldering turrets slowly shake The trembling rie-grass and the hare-bell blue, And ever and anon faire Mullas plaints renew.