> 68 A nation crush'd, a nation of the brave! But oh! this passion planted in the soul, Set up false gods, and wrong'd her high descent. How did my heart with indignation rise! Ambition, hence, exerts a doubtful force, How honest nature swell'd into my eyes ! Of blots, and beauties, an alternate source; How was I shock'd to think the hero's trade Hence Gildon rails, that raven of the pit, of such materials, fame and triumph, made! Who thrives upon the carcasses of wit; How guilty these! Yet not less guilty they, And in art-loving Scarborough is seen Who reach false glory by a smoother way; How kind a patron Pollia might have been. Who wrap destruction up in gentle words, Pursuit of fame with pedants fills our schools, And bows, and smiles, more fatal than their swords; And into corcombs burnishes our fools ; Who stifle nature, and subsist on art; Pursuit of fame makes solid learning bright, Who coin the face, and petrify the heart ; And Newton lifis above a mortal height; All real kindness for the show discard, That key of Nature, by whose wit she clears As marble polish'd, and as marble hard; Her long, long secrets of five thousand years. Who do for gold what Christians do through grace, Would you then fully comprehend the whole, “ With open arms their enemies embrace ;" Why, and in what degrees, pride sways the soul ? Who give a nod when broken hearts repine ; (For, though in all, not equally she reigns) “ The thinnest food on which a wretch can dine :" Awake to knowledge, and attend my strains. Or, if they serve you, serve you disinclin'd, Ye doctors! hear the doctrine I disclose, And, in their height of kindness, are unkind. As true, as if 't were writ in dullest prose; Such courtiers were, and such again may be, As if a letter'd dunce had said, “ 'Tis right," Walpole, when men forget to copy thee. And imprimatur usher'd it to light. Here cease, my Muse! the catalogue is writ; Ambition, in the truly noble mind, Nor one more candidate for fame admit, With sister Virtue is for ever join'd; Though disappointed thousands justly blame As in fam'd Lucrece, who, with equal dread, Thy partial pen, and boast an equal claim : From guilt and shame, by her last conduct, fled : Be this their comfort, fools, omitted here, Her virtue long rebell'd in firm disdain, May furnish laughter for another year. And the sword pointed at her heart in vain ; Then let Crispino, who was ne'er refus'd But, when the slave was threaten'd 10 be laid The justice yet of being well abus'd, Dead by her side, her Love of Fame obey d. With patience wait; and be content to reign In meaner minds Ambition works alone; The pink of puppies in some future strain. But with such art puts Virtue's aspect on, Some future strain, in which the Muse shall tell That not more like in feature and in mien, How science dwindles, and how volumes swell. The God and mortal in the comic scene :* How commentators each dark passage shun, False Julius, ambush'd in this fair disguise, And hold their farthing candle to the Sun. Soon made the Roman liberties his prize. How tortur'd texts to speak our sense are made, No mask in basest minds Ambition wears, But in full light pricks up her ass's ears: And prove my theme unfolded not amiss. Ye vain! desist from your erroneous strife ; How lawyers' fees to such excess are run, The true ambition there alone resides, How one man's anguish is another's sport; Where inward dignity joins outward state; Our purpose good, as our achievement great; How man eternally false judgments makes, Where public blessings public praise attend; And all his joys and sorrows are mistakes. Where glory is our molive, not our end. This swarm of themes that settles on my pen, Wouldst thou be fam'd? Have those high deeds Which I, like summer flies, shake off again, in view Let others sing; to whom my Brave men would act, though scandal should ensue. But sounds a prelude, and points out their prey : Behold a prince! whom no swoln thoughts in That duty done, I hasten to complete flame; My own design, for Tonson's at tho gate. No pride of thrones, no fever after fame : The Love of Fame in its effect survey'd, But when the welfare of mankind inspires, The Muse has sung: be now the cause display'd: And death in view to dear-bought glory fires, Since so diffusive, and so wide its sway, Proud conquesta then, then regal pomps delight; What is this power, whom all mankind obey ? Then crowns, then triumphs, sparkle in his sight; Shot from above, by Heaven's indulgence, came Tumult and noise are dear, which with them bring This generous ardor, this unconquer'd flame, His people's blessings to their ardent king : To warm, to raiso, to deify, mankind, But, when those great heroic motives cease, Still burning brightest in the noblest mind. His swelling soul subsides to native peace ; By large-soul'd men, for thirst of fame renown'd, From tedious grandeur's faded charms withdraws, Wise laws were fram’d, and sacred arts were found; A sudden foe to splendor and applause ; Desire of praise first broke the patriot's rest; Greatly deferring his arrears of fame, And made a bulwark of the warrior's breast; It bids Argyll in fields and senate shine : Till men and angels jointly shout his name. What more can prove its origin divine ? • Amphitryon. weak essay O pride celestial! which can pride disdain ; Thus Nature's self, supporting man's decree, o blest ambition! which can ne'er be vain. Styles Britain's sovereign, sovereign of the sea. From one fam’d Alpine hill, which props the sky, While sea and air,great Brunswick! shook our state, In whose deep womb unfathom'd waters lie, And sported with a king's and kingdom's fate, Here burst the Rhone and sounding Po; there shine, Depriv'd of what she lov'd, and press'd by fear In infant rills, the Danube and the Rhine; Of ever losing what she held most dear, From the rich store one fruitful urn supplies, How did Britannia, like Achilles, weep, Whole kingdoms smile, a thousand harvests rise. And tell her sorrows to the kindred deep! In Brunswick such a source the Muse adores, Hang o'er the floods, and, in devotion warm, Which public blessings ihrough half Europe pours. Strive, for thee, with the surge, and fight the storm! When his heart burns with such a godlike aim, What felt thy Walpole, pilot of the realm ! Angels and George are rivals for the fame; Our Palinurus slept not at the helm ; George, who in foes can soft affections raise, His eye ne'er clos'd ; long since inur'd to wake, And charm envenom'd satire into praise. And out-watch every star for Brunswick's sake : Nor human rage alone his power perceives, By thwarting passions lost, by cares opprest, But the mad winds, and the tumultuous waves.* He found the tempest pictur'd in his breast : E'en storms (Death's fiercest ministers !) forbear, But, now, what joys that gloom of heart dispel, And, in their own wild empire, learn to spare. No powers of language-but his own, can tell; His own, which Nature and the Graces form, * The king in danger by sea. At will, to raise, or hush the civil storm. 3D MARK AKENSIDE. Mark AKENSIDE was born in 1721, at Newcas-practice and reputation increased ; so that, on the tle-upon-Tyne, where his father was a substantial settlement of the Queen's household, he was apbutcher. After receiving an education, first at a pointed one of her Majesty's physicians—an honor grammar-school, and then at a private academy at for which he is supposed to have been indebted to his native place, he was sent to the University of Mr. Dyson. It is affirmed that Dr. Akenside asEdinburgh, for the purpose of being fitted for a sumed a haughtiness and ostentation of manner Dissenting minister. He soon, however, exchanged which was not calculated to ingratiate him with his his studies for those of medicine ; and, after con- brethren of the faculty, or to render him generally tinuing three years at Edinburgh, he removed to acceptable. He died of a putrid fever, in June Leyden, where he took the degree of M. D. in 1744. 1770, in the forty-ninth year of his age. In the same year, his poem “On the Pleasures of Respecting his poem “ On the Pleasures of the the Imagination" made its appearance, which was Imagination," of which Addison's papers in the Specreceived with great applause, and raised the author tator are the groundwork, it would be an injury 10 at once into poetical fame. It was soon followed deny him the claims of an original writer, which he by a warm invective against the celebrated Pulteney, merited by the expansion of the plan of this prose Earl of Bath, in an “ Epistle to Curio." In 1745 original, and by enriching its illustrations from the he published ten Odes on different subjects, and in stores of philosophy and poetry. No poem of so various styles and manners. All these works char- elevated and abstracted a kind was ever so popular. acterized him as a zealous votary of Grecian phi- It went through several editions soon after its aplosophy and classical literature, and an ardent lover pearance, and is still read with enthusiasm by those of liberty. He continued, from time to time, to who have acquired a relish for the conceptions of publish his poetical effusions, most of which first pure poetry, and the strains of numerous blank verse. appeared in Dodsley's collection. Of these, the most The author was known to have been employed considerable is, a “Hymn to the Naiads." many years in correcting, or rather new-modelling, His professional career affords few incidents worth this work; but the unfinished draught of this design recording. He settled for a short time at Northamp- seems to have rendered it probable that the piece ton; then removed to Hampstead; and finally fixed would have lost as much in poetry as it would have himself in London. While his practice was small, gained in philosophy. he was generously assisted by his friend, Mr. Jere- Of his other poems, the Hymn to the Naiads is miah Dyson, who made him an allowance of 3002. the longest and best. With the purest spirit of clasper annum. He pursued the regular course to ad- sical literature, it contains much mythological ingevancement, becoming Fellow of the Royal Society, nuity, and many poetical ideas, beautifully expressed. Physician to St. Thomas's Hospital, Doctor of Physic In his lyric productions, the copiousness and elevaby mandamus at Cambridge, and Fellow of the Lonction of thought does not compensate for the total don College of Physicians. He also published seve-want of grace, ease, and appropriate harmony. The ral occasional pieces on medical subjects, among only sparks of animation which they exhibit , occur which was a Treatise on the Epidemic Dysentery of when they touch on political topics ; and it is in these 1764, written in elegant Latin. By these efforts his instances alone we have ventured to select them. THE The bloom of Nature, and before him turn Oft have the laws of each poetic strain Lay this prime subject, though importing most By dull obedience and by creeping toil Obscure to conquer the severe ascent or high Parnassus. Nature's kindling breath Must fire the chosen genius; Nature's hand Ασεβύσμέν έσιν άνθρωπό τας ωαρά τη θεα χάρθας ατιμάζειν. Must string his nerves, and imp his eagle-wings Epict. apud Arrian. II. 13. Impatient of the painful steep, to soar High as the summit; there to breathe at large Ethereal air; with bards and sages old, Immortal sons of praise. These flattering scenes, To this neglected labor court my song ; Yet not unconscious what a doubtful task To paint the finest features of the mind, And to most subtle and mysterious things Give color, strength, and motion. But the love The subject proposed. Difficulty of treating it Of Nature and the Muses bids explore, poetically. The ideas of the Divine Mind, the Through secret paths erewhile untrod by man, origin of every quality pleasing to the imagina- The fair poetic region, to detect tion. The natural variety of constitution in the Untasted springs, to drink inspiring draughts, minds of men ; with its final cause. The idea And shade my temples with unfading flowers of a fine imagination, and the state of the mind Culld from the laureate vale's profound recess, in the enjoyment of those pleasures which it af. Where never poet gain'd a wreath before. fords. All the primary pleasures of the imagina- From Heaven my strains begin; from Heaven tion result from the perception of greatness, or descends wonderfulness, or beauty, in objects. The plea- The flame of genius to the human breast, sure from greatness, with its final caụse. Pleasure And love and beauty, and poetic joy from novelty or wonderfulness, with its final | And inspiration. Ere the radiant Sun cause. Pleasure from beauty, with its final cause. Sprang from the east, or 'mid the vault of night The connexion of beauty with truth and good, The Moon suspended her serener lamp; applied to the conduct of life. Invitation to the Ere mountains, woods, or streams, adorn'd the globe, study of moral philosophy. The different degrees Or Wisdom taught the sons of men her lore; of beauty in different species of objects: color; Then liv'd th' Almighty One: then, deep retir'd shape ; natural concretes ; vegetables; animals; In his unfathom'd essence, view'd the forms, the mind. The sublime, the fair, the wonderful The forms eternal of created things; of the mind. The connexion of the imagination The radiant Sun, the Moon's nocturnal lamp, and the moral faculty. Conclusion. The mountains, woods and streams, the rolling globo, And Wisdom's mien celestial. From the first His admiration : till in time complete, Unfolded into being. Hence the breath Of life informing each organic frame, My verse unfolds. Attend, ye gentle powers Hence the green earth, and wild resounding waves of musical delight! and while I sing Hence light and shade alternate ; warmth and cold Your gifts, your honors, dance around my strain. And clear autumnal skies and vernal showers, Thou, smiling queen of every tuneful breast, And all the fair variety of things. Indulgent Fancy! from the fruitful banks But not alike to every mortal eye Of Avon, whence thy rosy fingers cull Is this great scene unveil’d. For since the claims Fresh Aowers and dews to sprinkle on the turf Of social life, to different labors urge Where Shakspeare lies, be present: and with thee The active powers of man! with wise intent Let Fiction come, upon her vagrant wings The hand of Nature on peculiar minds Decrees its province in the common toil. The changeful Moon, the circuit of the stars, Which rules the accents of the moving sphere, The golden zones of, Heaven; to some she gave Wilt thou, eternal Harmony! descend To weigh the moment of eternal things, And join this festive train ? for with thee comes Of time, and space, and Fate's unbroken chain, The guide, the guardian of their lovely sports, And will's quick impulse: others by the hand Majestic Truth; and where Truth deigns to come, She led o'er vales and mountains, to explore Her sister Liberty will not be far. What healing virtue swells the tender veins Be present, all ye genii, who conduct of herbs and flowers; or what the beams of morn The wandering footsteps of the youthful bard, Draw forth, distilling from the clefied rind New to your springs and shades: who touch his ear In balmy tears. But some, to higher hopes With finer sounds : who heighten to his eye Were destin'd; some within a finer mould She wrought, and temper'd with a purer flame. That breathes from day to day sublimer things, To these the Sire Omnipotent unfolds And mocks possession ? wherefore darts the mind, The world's harmonious volume, there to read With such resistless ardor to embrace The transcript of himself. On every part Majestic forms; impatient to be free, They trace the bright impressions of his hand : Spurning the gross control of wilsul might; In earth or air, the meadow's purple stores, Proud of the strong contention of her toils; The Moon's mild radiance, or the virgin's form Proud to be daring? Who but rather turns Blooming with rosy smiles, they see portray'd To Heaven's broad fire his unconstrained view, That uncreated beauty, which delights Than to the glimmering of a waxen flame? The mind supreme. They also feel her charms, Who that, from Alpine heights, his laboring eye Enamour'd; they partake the eternal joy. Shoots round the wide horizon, to survey For as old Memmon's image, long renown'd Nilus or Ganges rolling his bright wave By fabling Nilus, to the quivering touch Through mountains, plains, through empires black of Titan's ray, with each repulsive string with shade That murmurs at his feet? The high-born soul Attune the finer organs of the mind : Disdains to rest her heaven-aspiring wing So the glad impulse of congenial powers, Beneath its native quarry. Tir'd of Earth Or of sweet sounds, or fair-proportion'd form, And this diurnal scene, she springs aloft The grace of motion, or the bloom of light, Through fields of air; pursues the flying storm ; Thrills through Imagination's tender frame, Rides on the volley'd lightning through the Heavens; From nerve to nerve: all naked and alive, Or, yok'd with whirlwinds and the northern blast, They catch the spreading rays; till now the soul Sweeps the long tract of day. Then high she soars At length discloses every tuneful spring, The blue profound, and hovering round ihe Sun To that harmonious movement from without Beholds him pouring the redundant stream Responsive. Then the inexpressive strain Of light; beholds his unrelenting sway Diffuses its enchantment: Fancy dreams Bend the reluctant planets to absolve Of sacred fountains and Elysian groves, The fated rounds of Time. Thence far effus'd And vales of bliss: the intellectual power She darts her swiftness up the long career Bends from his awful throne a wondering ear, Of devious comets; through its burning signs And smiles: the passions, gently sooth'd away, Exulting measures the perennial wheel Sink to divine repose, and love and joy Of Nature, and looks back on all the stars, Alone are waking ; love and joy serene Whose blended light, as with a milky zone, As airs that fan the summer. O! attend, Invests the orient. Now amaz'd she views Whoe'er thou art, whom these delights can touch, The empyreal waste, where happy spirits hold, Whose candid bosom the refining love Beyond this concave Heaven, their calm abode ; Of Nature warms, O listen to my song ; And fields of radiance, whose unfading light And I will guide thee to her favorite walks, Has travell’d the profound six thousand years, And teach thy solitude her voice to hear, Nor yet arrives in sight of mortal things. And point her loveliest features to thy view. Even on the barriers of the world untir'd Know then, whate'er of Nature's pregnant stores, She meditates the eternal depth below; Whate'er of mimic Art's reflected forms Till half recoiling, down the headlong steep With love and admiration thus inflame She plunges; soon o'erwhelm’d and swallow'd up The powers of fancy, her delighted sons In that immense of being. There her hopes To three illustrious orders have referr'd ; Rest at the fated goal. For from the birth Three sister-graces, whom the painter's hand, Of mortal man, the sovereign Maker said, The poet's tongue, confesses; the sublime, That not in humble nor in brief delight, The wonderful, the fair. I see them dawn! Not in the fading echoes of Renown, I see the radiant visions, where they rise, Power's purple robes, nor Pleasure's flowery lap, More lovely than when Lucifer displays The soul should find enjoyment: but from these His beaming forehead through the gates of morn, Turning disdainful to an equal good, To lead the train of Phæbus and the Spring. Through all the ascent of things enlarge her view, Say, why was man so eminently rais'd Till every bound at length should disappear, Amid the vast creation ; why ordain'd And infinite perfection close the scene. Through life and death to dart his piercing eye, Call now to mind what high capacious powers With thoughts beyond the limit of his frame; Lie folded up in man; how far beyond But that the Omnipotent might send him forth The praise of mortals, may the eternal growth In sight of mortal and immortal powers, of Nature to perfection half divine, As on a boundless theatre, to run Expand the blooming soul? What pity then 'The great career of justice; to exalt Should sloth's unkindly fogs depress to Earth His generous aim to all diviner deeds; Her tender blossom; choke the streams of life, To chase each partial purpose from his breast ; And blast her spring! Far otherwise design'd And through the mists of passion and of sense, Almighty Wisdom; Nature's happy cares And through the tossing tide of chance and pain, The obedient heart far otherwise incline. To hold his course unfaltering, while the voice Witness the sprightly joy when aught unknown Of Truth and Virtue, up the steep ascent Strikes the quick sense, and wakes each active power of Nature, calls him to bis high reward, To brisker measures : witness the neglect With transport once; the fond attentive gaze |