9. Where does the wifdom and the power divine Than when we with attention look Ev'n in a bush the radiant Deity: [b]-flowers of heaven-ftars of carth] A poetical converfion, much to the taste of Mr. Cowley; but the prettier and easier, because many plants and flowers are of a radiate form, and are called ftars, not in the poet's vocabulary only, but in that of the botanist and florist: as, on the other hand, the flars of heaven 66 Blushing in bright diverfitics of day" as the poet fays of the garden's bloomy bed, very naturally present themselves under the idea, and take the name, of flowers. Although no part of mighty nature be God has fo order'd, that no other part 10. We no where art do so triumphant see, It over-rules, and is her mafter here. And changes her fometimes, and fometimes does refine: It does, like grace, the fallen tree reftore To its bleft ftate of Paradife before: Who would not joy to fee' his conquering hand He bids th' ill-natur'd crab produce 7 The The golden fruit, that worthy is That she's a mother made, and blushes in her fruit. II. Methinks, I fee great Dioclefian walk If I, my friends (faid he) fhould to you show Of Galatea's purple kiss] An idea, conceived, and expreffed, in the best manner of Shakespeare. Than 'tis, that you fhould carry me away: Than ever, after the most happy fight, To thank the gods, and to be thought, myself, almost a god VI. OF GREATNESS. "SINCE INCE we cannot attain to greatness (fays the Sieur de Montagne [d]), let us have our revenge by railing at it :" this he fpoke but in jeft. I believe he defired it no more than I do, and had lefs reafon; for he enjoyed fo plentiful and honoura [d] The Sicur de Montagne and Mr. Cowley, are our two great models of effry-writing. Poth have this merit, that they paint themfelves, their own characters and humours: and thus far the refemblance holds. But the French effayift drew his own picture, out of vanity; and a preposterous ore, too, as the likeness does him no honour: our amiable countryman gave us his, out of the abundance of a good heart, which overflowed with all the fentiments of probity and virtue. ble ble a fortune in a moft excellent country, as allowed him all the real conveniences of it, feparated and purged from the incommodities. If I were but in his con dition, I should think it hard measure, without being convinced of any crime, to be fequeftered from it, and made one of the principal officers of ftate. But the reader may think that what I now fay is of fmall authority, because I never was, nor ever fhall be, put to the trial: I can therefore only make my proteftation, If ever I more riches did defire Than cleanliness and quiet do require: [e] If e'er ambition &c.] Why are these verses in every one's mouth, but because they are the language of the heart? If writers would confult their invention lefs, and their hopet affections more, they would be longer-lived, than they generally are. What a great poet faid, dotingly, to his mistress, fhould have been addreffed to one of his own profeffion "Ah, friend, to dazzle let the vain defign; "To raife the thought, and touch the heart, be thine." 03 Pope. Continue |