HOLBAIN . DOWN sunk the sun , nor shed one golden ray , But rising mists shut in the low'ring day : The tides o'erflown ahd drench'd the swampy turf , And drizzling rains bedew'd the dreary earth ; The rising moon a bloody meteor seem'd , And , scarce observ'd , the muffled planets gleam'd ; The winds were hush'd in silence most profound , And night's dim shades hung heavily around . HOLBAIN , a youth benighted in his course , Led o'er the marshy plains his fiery horse ; Involving treacherous mists delude his sight , While lost he wander'd through the dreary night . With speed his blood grew warm , his pulses beat , The spirits to his panting heart retreat ; Where tyrant fear with thrilling horror press'd , Till now a stranger to his daring breast . An unknown , trackless waste before him lay , And boggy marshes intercept his way ; His eager pace is check'd by dangerous swamps , Or stopping he is chill'd by mizzling damps . Alone , his active mind conspir'd with fear , And fancied forms impregnated the air : Lightly he stepp'd , of every sound afraid , And often startled by the steed he led , Which as he curb'd unruly rear'd and neigh'd . Clearing the clouds , a sudden gust arose , Sigh'd through the woods , and shook the wat'ry boughs Alarm'd , his hand his courser's rein forsook , Which free , impetuous o'er the meadows broke ; In bounding circles strove to heave along , Clogg'd 'mid the slimy mud , and fiercely strong ; Snorting with direful rage , he madd'ning flies , Then plung'd , and smother'd in a quagmire dies . Grief pierc'd the youth , while idle terrors flew , And gloomy fancies melted from his view . He look'd around ; - no spectres haunt his sight , ( For rising winds had swept the misty night ) The moon amid the parting vapours rode , And o'er the earth a varying light bestow'd . Mourning his generous friend , while sad he stood , The sound of feet he heard , and turning , view'd Near him a man , quick passing o'er the plain , His aspect peaceful , and his vestments plain ; So thin , he look'd the image of decay , And closely wrapp'd to keep night's chills away . HOLBAIN salutes him , and enquires what care Tempts him through damps to trust the midnight air ? " Say rather , " he replied , " what cause had led " Thy daring feet to cross this dangerous mead , " Where fenny quagmires , shrouded by the night , " Bury the traveller , and delude the sight ? - " But well I know the pass and I will set thee right . " " O'erjoy'd , the youth his proffer'd aid embrac'd , Pepeats his wanderings , and his fears retrac'd ; Tells how 'mid fogs , bewilder'd in his course , He 'mongst the marshes lost his faithful horse ; Then names his destin'd journey , and the road , Which he , mistaking , had unwary trod . " Thou'rt far , alas ! from home , " the senior cried , " The path so intricate I scarce can guide ; " But if you'll be the partner of my way , " And deign beneath my humble roof to stay ; " Soon as to-morrow shall return to light " My son shall tend thy steps , and set thee right . " HOLBAIN his ardent gratitude confess'd , And oft-repeated thanks his joy express'd . Onward together as their course they speed The youth recounts the virtues of his steed ; The other patient listen'd , nor reprov'd , For 'midst his warmth he trac'd a mind he lov'd . Quitting the plains , they pass where awful stood , Grown thick with age , a wild majestic wood , Where lofty trees their solemn branches spread , And winds loud whistling sung around their head ; Th' autumnal blight the wither'd leaves had strow'd , And bright the moon her awful visage show'd : Rugged and long the way , and late the night , But pleasing converse made the journey light . Beguiling time , the elder thus begun , While native sweetness on his accents hung : " Say , youth , to what profession art thou bred ? " By glory fir'd , or by the Muses led ? " Or does philosophy thy mind pervade ? " Or seek you riches in the world of trade ? " " Glory , " reply'd the youth , has spread its charms ; " I caught its rays , and chose to follow arms ; " Impatient grew to signalize my name , " And took the brightest road that led to fame . " " And what is fame ? " the senior calm replies ; " Distinctly speak , that I may prove thee wise . " " Fame , " HOLBAIN cried , " like a celestial light , " Irradiates truth , and makes e'en virtue bright ; " The soul of mighty deeds , whose fires impart , " Beams which through length of ages glorious dart . " " Ardent thou speak'st , " with smiles rejoin'd the sire , " Yet be not dazzled while thou dost aspire ; " Though those whom Fame 'midst her bright glories place " Shine forth examples to the human race , " Whose every act the crowd with transports view , " And indiscriminate their paths pursue , " Whether their tract a noble end displays , " Or splendent vices catch fame's dazzling rays : " But be it thine to check ambition's flame , " And closely link with justice love of fame ; " Which shining with intrinsic lustre bright , " With virtue's beams will dart th' immortal light . " Heroes too long , of human glory proud , " Insatiable have drench'd the world with blood ; " Too loud the bards their frantic deeds resound , " While blinded mortals ravish'd listen round . " Detested race ! yet oft I feel the fire " Which urg'd them on , and mental strength admire ; " For , wanting strength , none e'er can reach the heights " Where Virtue sits , and Genius wings her flights ; " But monstrous crimes in soils luxuriant grow , " Strong powers ill govern'd sink us deep below . " Civilization , as it taught mankind , " To individuals different tasks assign'd : " No more the appetites absorb our cares , " The mind breaks forth , and nobler functions shares ; " The polish'd arts with active fancy rise , " And Nature's mazes draw our wondering eyes ; " Genius finds wider scope , and mounting high " Exploring truth dawns with divinity ! " But shame , deep shame to the inventive mind , " 'Mid heavenly studies still to blood inclin'd , " And , hunting not our food , we hunt mankind ! " Nature has countless wonders strow'd around , " Through air , the pregnant earth , and vast profound ; " Where latent truths , evading common view , " Open pure lessons to the thinking few ; " Who , truly wise , while fiercer passions die , " Learn the frail state of their mortality . " The finer arts my admiration claim , " As inoffensive paths to boundless fame ; " Hence Poesy supreme in glory soars , " Whose searching eye the heavens and earth explores ! " Its rapid flight nor space nor time can bound , " The world of spirits , or the pow'rs of sound . " Nor does the painter vain exert his art , " Who , tracing Nature through each varying part , " Arrests the strongest passions in their course , " And gives us time ot contemplate their force . " Friend to such arts as Nature's works pourtray , " No stormy passions cloud my evening ray : " Sorrow in vain has strove to break a heart " Whose wishes ne'er for simple truth depart ; " The charm of life , its griefs , its date I know , " And from these lights my inward comforts flow ; " For , while my reason Nature's ways explores , " Religion strengthens , and my soul adores ! " They now had reach'd the confines of the wood , Where , girt with trees , the stranger's mansion stood , To which they bend ; the shining moon was gone , And scatter'd stars beam'd through the heavens alone . Soft at the door his stick the sire applies , Which opening quick , light glanc'd against their eyes : His children ran with eager arms t' embrace Their welcome sire , and kiss his much-lov'd face ; Anxious to know what cause could him detain , In a drear night , chill'd by autumnal rain . Answering by turns , in pleasing tones he greets , While he and HOLBAIN 'midst them take their seats . His daughters tend him with assiduous care , And cheerful smiles domestic joys declare ; Artless their forms , with modest plainness dress'd , And education's power their mien confess'd . His eldest son the youthful stranger greets , While he , with smiles , his happy chance repeats ; Two younger boys obey their sister's word , And with refereshing viands spread the board . Now HOLBAIN'S eyes attentively survey Th' instructive partner of his rugged way : Wasted by care , he view'd the placid sire , His large light eyes still beam'd with mental fire ; Submissively serene his pleasing brow , His lips , though pale , with genial smiles could glow ; His manners simple , but his thoughts refin'd , Nor elegance was wanting to his mind . His guest he welcomes , and with pleasing voice Prays him to share his board and homely joys : The artless youth with cheerful smiles partook , Then round the table threw a happy look . As he observes the family by turns His fine eyes sparkle , and his bosom burns ; The elder youth , more silent than the rest , Seem'd with the recent marks of grief impress'd . One daughter near her father took her place , Filial affection beaming in her face ; Her features plain , her cheeks no roses die , No radiance kindles in her modest eye ; But feeling , sense , and purity combine , A powerful charm , and with expression shine : Amid her sister's locks the Graces stray , Soften'd her eyes , and flush'd her cheeks like May . HOLBAIN delighted shar'd the sweet repast , Which filial love , good sense , and beauty grac'd ; Unwilling he at last retir'd to rest , With love for the whole family impress'd . Soon as the beams which chace the glowing dawn Play'd o'er the hills , and mark'd distinct the morn , He sprung from rest , all eager to survey The mansion where so many virtues lay : Delighted he beheld the bless'd retreat , Where useful plainness , taste , and order meet . Neat was the bounteous garden , pal'd around , Which Autumn with her ripening tributes crown'd . As 'mid the thick-grown trees some fruits he sought , The elder youth he met , absorb'd in thought , Perturb'd within , irregular his pace , And gushing tears stream'd o'er his strong-mark'd face : Striving to pass unseen , he met his eyes , Nor could his heaving breast repress deep sighs . HOLBAIN confus'd strove quickly to depart ( Sacred he deem'd the feelings of the heart . ) The other , following , said , " With shame I glow , " To be surpris'd in this unmanly woe : " Serene my father each affliction bears , " But larger griefs impel my copious tears : " Fall'n low from state and envied happiness , " Deeply does grief this sanguine heart impress ; " Bitter remorse 'mid sad reflections rise , " And joy in vain would shine to glad these eyes ; " But listen , while my faultering lips impart " What may excuse this weakness of my heart ; " Just woke from madness , thought astonish'd turns , " Feels the dire hand of fate , and inward burns : - " There stood a fabric , deeply wrapt in woods , " Where hoarse resounded loud impetuous floods , " Which from the hills in rapid torrents gush'd " 'Mid the dark trees , and down the vallies rush'd ; " The ruin'd walls were round with ivy spread , " And gloomy shades wild Gothic grandeur shed . " The aweful ocean's wond'rous space was nigh , " Whose roarings wak'd a deep solemnity ! - " Often , with youth's romantic raptures fraught , " In meditation lost , these scenes I sought ; " Here mus'd , here read ; the Muses courted here , " And strove to draw them from their tuneful sphere : " Thus fir'd , my genius boundless scope employ'd , " Glanc'd o'er all nature , and her works enjoy'd . " My mother ( ever honour'd be her name ! " Warm'd by whose force my spirit burst to flame ; " Whose stronger passions , chasten'd by our sire , " Still fill her children's pulses with her fire ) " Listen'd , whilst I its various beauties told , " And sought the Gothic structure to behold ; " Her breast maternal in my joys took part , " My feelings were congenial to her heart ; " At her request we went , nor mark'd on high " A threatening storm which gather'd o'er the sky . " I led my mother through the devious wood , " To where , involv'd with trees , the fabric stood ; " With equal awe she view'd the solemn place , " While warmly I romantic dreams re-trace ; " The songs I here had tun'd enrapt I read , " And hours upon their swiftest pinions fled : " Nature , in her still warm , diffus'd the fire " Which in her youth loud woke th' harmonic lyre . " I saw her charm'd , and warmly urg'd her stay , " To blend her wisdom with my youthful lay , " Devoting to her son the th' instructive day . " When from her lips a forc'd consent I drew , " I caught her words , and for refreshments flew ; " While she within the tottering castle stays , " And all the grandeur of the scene surveys , " Stupendous clouds were rolling o'er the heav'n , " Strong rush'd large torrents , by quick eddies driv'n . " In curious choice of dainty viands bent , " ( O never pardon'd folly ! ) far I went : " Too far , alas!-a friend partook the way , " With whom in converse thoughtlessly I stray : " Pleas'd with myself , while partial praise I sought , " The best of mothers vanish'd from my thought ; " Till rouz'd by a tremendous storm , which broke " Thro' the vast heavens , and my remembrance woke . " Strong gather'd thro' the trees the whirling gale , " Blew bleak a while , then whistled in the vale ; " Then on it came , and with redoubl'd force " Strove 'midst contending trees to wing its course ; " Driv'n back again , loud roaring it complains , " Or blustering thunders o'er the neighboring plains : " Wildly I heard the stormy ocean roar , " Wave dash'd on wave flew bellowing to the shore ; " Grief for my mother fills my labouring breast : " Precipitate I flew , with fears oppress'd . " The storm with tenfold fury stil persists , " Scarce the strong oak its dreadful power resists ; " Borne by its ravings , tost aloft in air , " Uprooted , torn , the mangled wood lies bare : " Trembling and horror-struck , I rapid flew , " Nor could my friend my hasty steps pursue ; " As I advance th' o'erwhelming tide arose , " Delug'd the plains , and round in surges flows ; " So fierce the winds , my feet were scarcely staid , " While through encroaching waters on I wade ; " My pulses with strong agitation beat , " While present death with thousand horrors threat . " And art thou , O my mother ! 'mid this storm ? " What from the winds shall guide thy sacred form ? " The ruin'd fabric totters at each breath , " Perhaps already has conspir'd thy death ! " Four times I fell , 'midst gushing waters thrown , " Borne on by tides , or dash'd against huge stones ; " Yet strong necessity had giv'n me force , " And , spite of obstacles , I speed my course : " When near advanc'd I stopp'd , and dar'd not go , " Arrested by foreboding sense of woe . " I call'd aloud on her who speaks no more , " Aloud the angry torrents thundering roar ! " Still nearer on , I trembling call'd again ; " Still roar'd the winds , and still my voice was vain ! " Mad with despair , wild tow'rds the spot I rush , " Where all around the bellowing torrents gush ; " No trace of Gothic arch or roof remains , " By winds and waters swept along the plains . " Deep the contending elements resound , " While , lost to thought , my frantic brain turns round : " Still seeking what I knew I could not find , " My dreadful cries concorded with the wind . " Myself I felt the cause ; - grief and dismay " Rush'd on my brain , and snatch my sense away : " My friend preserv'd my life , a thankless load , " And bore me to my father from the wood ; " I knew not how he found me , or where sought , " For long suspended were the powers of thought . " I view my father , though worn down by care , " Sublimely virtuous , keenest sufferings bear ; " His best affections ravish'd from his breast , " And sanguine hopes by penury suppress'd : " The day my mother died , on tempests tost , " Loaded with wealth , his stranded ships were lost ; " Wing'd with our fate one storm relentless blew , " Conspir'd our ruin , and each hope o'erthrew ; " Yet strong within , to every ill resign'd , " Nought shakes the stedfast basis of his mind ; " For pious Faith , and Hope's seraphic eye , " Unfold the joys of immortality ! " Active in all his duties here below , " Strong perseverance blunts the edge of woe . " With industry he heaps our little stores , " And still great Nature's ample page explores ; " T' instruct the children in his Maker's ways , " And shew how all by slow degrees decays ; " That tho' on earth GOD'S hand is strong impress'd , " Yet higher hopes should fill the human breast . " O! bless'd example of a pious mind ! " Yet still my stubborn breast pants unresign'd ; " Not guiltlessly I draw this wretched breath , " Nor tranquilly behold the gulf of death . " Thoughtful he paus'd ; - while HOLBAIN silent pray'd , And with strong sympathy the youth survey'd : " Mysterious do thy ways , O GOD ! appear , " But , born to suffer , man must learn to bear . " Divinely pour religion through the soul , " For that alone the passions can controul ! " Each stood absorb'd , till summon'd to repair Within the hall , the morn's repast to share ; Th' obtrusion gave them pain-a while they stay , Then , walking slow , wip'd the hot tears away . HOLBAIN again the virtuous father meets , And with the morning's salutation greets ; As pensively around his eyes he throws , Strong to his mind their loss and patience rose : Then 'mid the family he took his place , And charm'd beheld the younger daughter's grace : More sweet she looks by day , the lovely die Of her fair cheeks with brightest flowrets vie , Her azure eyes shot forth a lucid ray , O'er her white neck her amber ringlets stray . An anxious wish warm kindled in his breast , Its noble fire his guileless eyes confess'd ; A pleas'd remembrance of his wealth arose , His breast benevolent with rapture glows . Lingering he strove to lengthen out his stay , And tore himself at last by force away ; But first the sire's permission did obtain To visit this delightful spot again ; When friendship strengthening , into union grew , And happier scenes unfolded to their view .