For who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing anxious being e'er resign'd, On some fond breast the parting soul relies, For thee, who, mindful of the unhonour'd Dead, Haply some hoary-headed swain may say— To meet the sun upon the upland lawn. "There at the foot of yonder nodding beech, 90 33 100 105 "Him have we seen the greenwood side along, "Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn, Or crazed with care, or cross'd in hopeless love. "Oue morn I miss'd him on the 'custom'd hill, Along the heath, and near his favourite tree: 115 Another came; nor yet beside the rill, Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he: "The next, with dirges due in sad array 120 Slow through the church-yard path we saw him borne. Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay, Graved on the stone beneath yon aged thorn.” THE EPITAPH. HERE rests his head upon the lap of Earth Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere; He gave to Misery (all he had) a tear, 125 130 He gain'd from Heaven ('twas all he wish'd) a Friend. No farther seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, (There they alike in trembling hope repose,) The bosom of his Father and his God. 135 GRAY. ODE ON THE SPRING. Lo! where the rosy-bosom'd Hours, Disclose the long-expected flowers, The Attic warbler pours her throat, Responsive to the cuckoo's note, The untaught harmony of Spring: 5 While, whispering pleasure as they fly, Cool Zephyrs through the clear blue sky Where'er the oak's thick branches stretch A broader, browner shade, Where'er the rude and moss-grown beech O'er-canopies the glade, Beside some water's rushy brink With me the muse shall sit, and think (At ease reclined in rustic state) 10 15 Some lightly o'er the current skim; 30 Quick glancing to the sun. To Contemplation's sober eye And they that creep, and they that fly, Alike the Busy and the Gay In Fortune's varying colours drest: 35 Brush'd by the hand of rough mischance, Methinks I hear in accents low, The sportive kind reply: Poor moralist! and what art thou? Thy joys no glittering female meets, 40 45 50 GRAY. ODE ON A DISTANT PROSPECT OF ETON COLLEGE. YE distant spires, ye antique towers, Where grateful Science still adores * And ye, that from the stately brow Of grove, of lawn, of mead survey, Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among His silver-winding way: Ah happy rills! ah pleasing shade ! Ah fields beloved in vain! • King Henry the Sixth, founder of the College. 5 10 Where once my careless childhood stray'd, I feel the gales that from ye blow A momentary bliss bestow, As waving fresh their gladsome wing, My weary soul they seem to soothe, And, redolent of joy and youth, To breathe a second spring. Say, father Thames, (for thou hast seen Full many a sprightly race, Disporting on thy margent green, The captive linnet which enthrall ? What idle progeny succeed To chase the rolling circle's speed, Or urge the flying ball ? While some on earnest business bent, Their murmuring labours ply 'Gainst graver hours, that bring constraint To sweeten liberty; Some bold adventurers disdain 15 20 25 30 35 |