[The Seasons:] SUMMER.

[ The Seasons : ] SUMMER . FROM yonder fields of aether fair disclos'd , Child of the Sun ! illustrious Summer comes In pride of youth , and felt thro' Nature's depth . He comes , attended by the sultry Hours , And ever-fanning Breezes , on his way ; While , from his ardent look , the turning Spring Averts her blushful face ; and earth , and skies , All-smiling , to his hot dominion leaves . Hence , let me haste into the mid-wood shade , Where scarce a sun-beam wanders thro' the gloom ; And on the dark-green grass , beside the brink Of haunted stream that by the roots of oak Rowls o'er the rocky channel , lie at large , And sing the glories of the circling year . Come , Inspiration ! from thy hermit seat By mortal seldom found : may fancy dare , From thy fix'd serious muse , and raptur'd eye Shot on surrounding heaven , to steal one look , Creative of the poet , every power Exalting to an extasy of soul . And thou , the muse's honour ! and her friend ! In whom the human graces all unite : Pure light of mind , and tenderness of heart ; Genius , and wisdom ; the gay social sense , By decency chastiz'd ; goodness and wit , In seldom-meeting harmony combin'd ; Unblemish'd honour , and an active zeal , For Britain's glory , Liberty , and Man ; O Dodington ! attend my rural song , Stoop to my theme , inspirit every line , And teach me to deserve thy best applause . With what a perfect world-revolving power Were first th' unwieldy planets launch'd along Th' illimitable void ! Thus to remain , Amid the flux of many thousand years , That oft has swept the busy race of men , And all their labour'd monuments away , Unresting , changless , matchless , in their course ; To night and day , with the delightful round Of Seasons , faithful ; not excentric once : So pois'd , and perfect is the vast machine . When now no more th' alternate Twins are fir'd , And Cancer reddens with the solar blaze , Short is the doubtful empire of the night ; And soon , observant of approaching day , The meek-ey'd morn appears , mother of dews ! At first faint-gleaming in the dappled east : Till far o'er aether shoots the trembling glow ; And , from before the lustre of her face , White break the clouds away . With tardy step , Brown night retires . Young day pours in apace , And opens all the lawny prospect wide . The dripping rock , the mountain's misty top Swell on the eye , and brighten with the dawn . Blue thro' the dusk the smoaking currents shine ; And from the bladed field the fearful hare Limps aukward ; while along the forest glade The wild deer trip , and often turning gaze At early passenger . Musick awakes , The native voice of undissembled joy ; And thick around the woodland hymns arise . Rous'd by the cock , the soon-clad shepherd leaves His mossy cottage , where with Peace he dwells ; And from the crowded fold in order drives His flock , to taste the verdure of the morn . Falsly luxurious , will not man awake , And , starting from the bed of sloth , enjoy The cool , the fragrant , and the silent hour , To meditation due , and sacred song . And is there ought in sleep can charm the wise ? To lie in dead oblivion , losing half The fleeting moments of too short a life ? Total extinction of th' enlighten'd soul ! Or else to feverish vanity alive , Wilder'd , and tossing thro' distemper'd dreams ? Who would in such a gloomy state remain , Longer than nature craves ; when every Muse , And every blooming Pleasure wait without , To bless the wildy-devious morning walk ? But yonder comes the powerful king of day , Rejoycing in the east . The lessening cloud , The kindling azure , and the mountain's brim Tipt with aetherial gold , his near approach Betoken glad : and now apparent all , Aslant the dew-bright earth , and colour'd air , He looks in boundless majesty abroad ; And sheds the shining day , that burnish'd plays On rocks , and hills , and towers , and wandering streams , High-gleaming from afar . Prime chearer Light ! Of all material beings first , and best ! Efflux divine ! Nature's resplendent robe ! Without whose vesting beauty all were wrapt In unessential gloom ; and thou , red Sun , In whose wide circle worlds of radiance lie , Exhaustless Brightness , may I sing of thee ! Who would the blessings , first and last , recount , That in a full effusion from thee flow , As soon might number , at the height of noon , The rays that radiate from thy cloudless sphere , A universal glory darting round . 'Tis by thy secret , strong , attractive force , As with a chain indissoluble bound . Thy system rolls entire ; from the far bourne Of slow-pac'd Saturn to the scarce seen disk Of Mercury , lost in excessive blaze . Informer of the planetary train ! Without whose vital and effectual glance , They wou'd be brute , uncomfortable mass , And not as now the green abodes of life ! How many forms of being wait on thee ! Inhaling gladness ; from th' unfetter'd mind , By thee sublim'd , to that day-living race , The mixing myriads of thy setting beam . The vegetable world is also thine , Parent of Seasons ! from whose rich-stain'd rays , Reflected various , various colours rise : The freshening mantle of the youthful year ; The wild embroidery of the watry vale ; With all that chears the sense , and charms the heart . The branching grove thy lusty product stands , Diffus'd , and deep ; to quench the summer noon , And crowd a shade for the retreating swain , When on his russet fields you look direct . Fruit is thy bounty too , with Juice replete , Acid , or mild ; and from thy ray receives A flavour , pleasing to the taste of man . By thee concocted blushes ; and , by thee Fully matur'd , into the verdant lap Of Industry the mellow plenty falls . Extensive harvests wave at thy command ; And the bright ear , consolidate by thee , Bends unwitholding to the reaper's hand . Even Winter speaks thy power ; whose every blast , O'ercast with tempest , or severely sharp With breathing frost , is eloquent of thee , And makes us languish for thy vernal gleams . Shot to the bowels of the teeming earth , The ripening ore confesses all thy power . Hence Labour draws his tools ; hence waving War Flames on the day ; hence busy Commerce binds The round of nations in a golden chain ; And hence the sculptur'd palace , sumptuous , shines With glittering silver , and refulgent gold . Th' unfruitful rock itself impregn'd by thee , In dark retirement , forms the lucid stone ; Collected light , compact ; that polish'd bright , And all its native lustre let abroad , Shines proudly on the bosoms of the fair . At thee the ruby lights his deepening glow , A bleeding radiance , grateful to the view . From thee the saphire , solid aether , takes His hue cerulean ; and , of evening tinct , The purple-streaming amethyst is thine . With thy own smile the yellow topaz burns . Nor deeper verdure dies the robe of Spring , When first she gives it to the southern gale , Than the green emerald shows . But , all combin'd , Thick thro' the whitening opal play thy beams ; Or , flying several from its surface , form A trembling variance of revolving hues , As the site varies in the gazer's hand . The very dead creation , from thy touch , Assumes a mimic life . By thee refin'd , In brisker measures , the relucent stream Frisks o'er the mead . The precipice abrupt , Projecting horror on the blacken'd flood , Softens at thy return . The desart joys Wildly , thro' all his melancholy bounds . Rude ruins glitter ; and the briny deep , Seen from some pointed promontory's top , Reflects , from every fluctuating wave , A glance extensive as the day . But these , And all the much transported muse can sing , Are to thy beauty , dignity , and use , Unequal far , great delegated source , Of light , and life , and grace , and joy below ! How shall I then attempt to sing of him , Who , Light Himself , in uncreated light Invested deep , dwells awfully retir'd From mortal eye , or angel's purer ken ; Whose single smile has , from the first of time , Fill'd , over-flowing , all those lamps of heaven , That beam for ever thro' the boundless sky : But , should he hide his face , th' astonish'd sun , And all th' extinguish'd stars , would loosening reel , Wide from their spheres , and chaos come again . And yet , was every faultering tongue of man , Almighty Poet ! silent in thy praise ; Thy matchless works in each exalted line , And all the full harmonic universe , Would vocal , or expressive , thee attest , The cause , the glory , and the end of all ! To me be nature's volume wide display'd ; And to peruse the broad illumin'd page , Or , haply catching inspiration thence , Some easy passage , raptur'd , to translate , My sole delight ; as thro' the falling glooms Pensive I muse , or with the rising day On fancy's eagle-wing excursive soar . Fierce-flaming up the heavens , the piercing sun Melts into limpid air the high-rais'd clouds , And morning mists , that hover'd round the hills In party-colour'd bands ; till all unveil'd The face of nature shines , from where earth seems , Far-stretch'd around , to meet the bending sphere . Half in a blush of clustering roses lost , Dew-dropping coolness to the shade retires ; And tyrant heat , dispreading thro' the sky , By sharp degrees , his burning influence reigns On man , and beast , and herb , and tepid stream . Who can unpitying see the flowery race , Shed by the morn , their new-flush'd bloom resign , Before th' unbating beam ? So fade the fair , When fevers revel thro' their azure veins . But one , the follower of the sun , they say , Sad when he sets shuts up her yellow leaves . Weeping all night ; and , when he warm returns , Points her enamour'd bosom to his ray . Home , from his morning task , the swain retreats ; His flock before him stepping to the fold : While the full-udder'd mother lows around The chearful cottage then expecting food , The food of innocence , and health ! The daw , The rook and magpie , to the grey-grown oaks ( That the calm village , in their verdant arms , Sheltering , embrace ) direct their lazy flight ; Where on the mingling boughs they sit embower'd , All the hot noon , till cooler hours arise . Faint , underneath , the homely fowls convene ; And , in a corner of the buzzing shade , The house dog , with th' employless grey-hound , lies , Outstretch'd , and sleepy . In his slumbers one Attacks the nightly thief , and one exults O'er hill and dale ; till , waken'd by the wasp , They bootless snap . Nor shall the muse disdain To let the little noisy summer-race Live in her lay , and flutter thro' her song , Not mean , tho' simple ; to the sun ally'd , From him their high descent , direct , they draw . Wak'd by his warmer ray , the reptile young Come wing'd abroad ; by the light air upborn , Lighter , and full of life . From every chink , And secret corner , where they slept away The wintry glooms , by myriads , all at once , Swarming , they pour : green , speckled , yellow , grey , Black , azure , brown ; more than th' assisted eye Of poring virtuoso can discern . Ten thousand forms ! Ten thousand different tribes ! People the blaze . To sunny waters some By fatal instinct fly ; where on the pool They , sportive , wheel ; or , sailing down the stream , Are snatch'd immediate by the springing Trout , Often beguil'd . Some thro' the green-wood glade Delight to stray ; there lodg'd , amus'd , and fed , In the fresh leaf . Luxurious , others make The meads their choice , and visit every flower , And every latent herb ; but careful still To shun the mazes of the sounding bee , As o'er the blooms he sweeps . Some to the house , The fold , and dairy , hungry , bend their flight ; Sip round the pail , or taste the curdling cheese : Oft , inadvertent , by the boiling stream Are pierc'd to death ; or , weltering in the bowl , With powerless wings around them wrapt , expire . But chief to heedless flies the window proves A constant death ; where , gloomily retir'd , The villain spider lives , cunning , and fierce , Mixture abhorr'd ! Amid a mangled heap Of carcasses , in eager watch he sits , O'erlooking all his waving snares around . Within an inch the dreadless wanderer oft Passes , as oft the ruffian shows his front . The prey at last ensnar'd , he dreadful darts , With rapid glide , along the leaning line ; And , fixing in the fly his cruel fangs , Strides backward grimly pleas'd : the fluttering wing , And shriller sound declare extream distress , And ask the helping , hospitable hand . Echoes the living surface of the ground ; Nor undelightful is the ceaseless hum , To him who muses thro' the woods at noon ; Or drowsy shepherd , as he lies reclin'd , With half-shut eyes , beneath the floating shade Of willows grey , close-crouding o'er the brook . Let no presuming impious railer tax Creative Wisdom , as if ought was form'd In vain , or not for admirable ends . Shall little , haughty ignorance pronounce His works unwise ; of which the smallest part Exceeds the narrow vision of his mind ? Thus on the concave of a sounding dome , On swelling columns heav'd , the pride of art ! Wanders a critic fly ; his feeble ray Extends an inch around , yet blindly bold He dares dislike the structure of the whole . And lives the man , whose universal eye Has swept at once th' unbounded scheme of things ; Mark'd their dependance so , and firm accord , As with unfaultering accent to conclude That This availeth nought ? Has any seen The mighty chain of beings , lessening down From Infinite Perfection to the brink Of dreary Nothing , desolate abyss ! Recoiling giddy thought : or with sharp glance , Such as remotely-wafting spirits use , Beheld the glories of the little world ? Till then alone let zealous praise ascend , And hymns of heavenly wonder , to that Power , Whole wisdom shines as lovely on our minds , As on our smiling eyes his servant-sun . Thick in yon stream of light , a thousand ways , Upwards and downwards , thwarting , and convolv'd , The quivering kingdoms sport ; with tempest-wing , Till Winter sweeps them from the face of day . Even so luxurious men , unheeding , pass An idle summer-life in fortune's shine , A season's glitter ! In soft-circling robes , Which the hard hand of Industry has wrought , The human insects glow ; by Hunger fed , And chear'd by toiling Thirst , they rowl about From toy to trifle , vanity to vice ; Till blown away by Death , Oblivion comes Behind , and strikes them from the book of life . Now swarms the village o'er the jovial mead ; The rustic youth , brown with meridian toil , Healthful , and strong ; full as the summer-rose Blown by prevailing suns , the blooming maid , Half-naked , swelling on the sight , and all Her kindled graces burning o'er her cheek . Even stooping age is here ; and infant-hands Trail the long rake , or with the fragrant load O'ercharg'd , amid the soft oppression roll . Wide flies the tedded grain ; all in a row Advancing broad , or wheeling round the field , They spread the tawny Harvest to the sun , That casts refreshful round a rural smell : Or , as they rake the green-appearing ground , And drive the dusky wave along the mead , Rises the russet hay-cock thick behind , In order gay . While heard from dale to dale , Waking the breeze , resounds the blended voice Of happy labour , love , and social glee . 'Tis raging noon ; and , vertical , the sun Shoots thro' th' expanding air a torrid gleam . O'er heaven and earth , far as the darted eye Can pierce , a dazling deluge reigns ; and all From pole to pole is undistinguish'd blaze . Down to the dusty earth the sight , o'erpower'd , Stoops for relief ; but thence ascending streams , And keen reflection pain . Burnt to the heart Are the refreshless fields ; their arid hue Adds a new fever to the sickening soul : And o'er their slippery surface wary treads The foot of thirsty pilgrim , often dipt In a cross rill , presenting to his wish A living draught : he seels before he drinks ! Echo no more returns the sandy sound Of sharpening scythe ; the mower , sinking , heaps O'er him the humid hay , with flowers perfum'd ; And scarce a chirping grashopper is heard Thro' the dumb mead . Distressful nature pants . The desart reddens ; and the stubborn rock , Split to the center , sweats at every pore . The very streams look languid from afar ; Or , thro' the fervid glade , impetuous hurl Into the shelter of the crackling grove . All-conquering heat , oh intermit thy wrath ! And on my throbbing temples potent thus Beam not so hard ! Incessant still you flow , And still another fervent flood succeeds , Pour'd on the head profuse . In vain I sigh , And restless turn , and look around for night ; Night is far off ; and hotter hours approach . Who can endure ! the too resplendent scene Already darkens on the dizzy sight , And double objects dance ; unreal sounds Sing deep around ; a weight of sultry dew Hangs deathful on the limbs ; shiver the nerves ; The supple sinews sink ; and on the heart , Misgiving , horror lays his heavy hand . Thrice happy he ! that on the sunless side Of a romantic mountain , forest-crown'd , Beneath the whole collected shade reclines : Or in the gelid caverns , woodbine-wrought , And fresh bedew'd with ever-spouting streams , Sits coolly calm ; while all the world without , Unsatisfy'd , and sick , tosses in noon . Emblem instructive of the virtuous man , Who keeps his temper'd mind serere , and pure , And all his passions aptly harmoniz'd , Amid a jarring world , with vice inflam'd . Welcome , ye shades ! ye bowery thickets , hail ! Ye lofty pines ! ye venerable oaks ! Ye ashes wild , resounding o'er the steep ! Delicious is your shelter to the soul , As to the hunted hart the sallying spring , Or stream full-flowing , that his swelling sides Laves , as he floats along the herbag'd brink . Cold thro' the nerves , your pleasing comfort glides ; The heart beats glad ; the fresh-expanded eye , And ear resume their watch ; the sinews knit ; And life shoots swift thro' every lighten'd limb . All in th' adjoining brook , that shrills along The vocal grove , now fretting o'er a rock , Now scarcely moving thro' a reedy pool , Now starting to a sudden stream , and now Gently diffus'd into a limpid plain ; A various groupe the herds and flocks compose ; Rural confusion ! On the grassy bank Some ruminating lie ; while others stand Half in the flood , and often bending sip The circling surface . In the middle droops The strong laborious ox , of honest front , Which incompos'd he shakes ; and from his sides The troublous insects lashes with his tail , Returning still . Amid his subjects safe , Slumbers the monareh-swain ; his careless arm Thrown round his head on downy moss sustain'd ; Here laid his scrip , with wholesome viands fill'd ; And there his sceptre-crook , and watchful dog . Light fly his slumbers , if perchance a flight Of angry hornets fasten on the herd ; That startling scatters from the shallow brook , In search of lavish stream . Tossing the foam , They scorn the keeper's voice , and scour the plain , Thro' all the bright severity of noon ; While , from their labouring breasts , a hollow moan Proceeding , runs low-bellowing round the hills . Oft in this season too the horse provok'd , While his big sinews , full of spirits , swell , Trembling with vigour , in the heat of blood , Springs the high fence ; and o'er the field effus'd , Darts on the gloomy flood , with steady eye , And heart estrang'd to fear : his nervous chest , Luxuriant , and erect , the seat of strength ! Bears downth' opposing stream : quenchless his thirst , He takes the river at redoubled draughts ; And with wide nostrils , snorting , skims the wave . Still let me pierce into the midnight depth Of yonder grove , of wildest , largest growth ; That , high embowering in the middle air , Nods o'er the mount beneath . At every step , Solemn , and slow , the shadows blacker fall , And all is awful , silent gloom around . These are the haunts of meditation , these The scenes where antient Bards th' inspiring breath , Extatic felt , and , from this world retir'd , Convers'd with angels , and immortal forms , On heavenly errants bent : to save the fall Of virtue strugling on the brink of vice ; In waking whispers , and repeated dreams , To hint pure thought , and warn'd the favour'd soul , For future tryals fated to prepare ; To prompt the Poet , who devoted gives His muse to better themes ; to sooth the pangs Of dying Saints ; and from the Patriot's breast , ( Backward to mingle in detested war , But foremost when engag'd ) to turn the death ; And numberless such offices of love , Daily , and nightly , zealous to perform . Shook sudden from the bosom of the sky , A thousand shapes or glide athwart the dusk , Or stalk majestick on . Arous'd , I feel A sacred terror , and severe delight , Creep thro' my mortal frame ; and thus , methinks , Those accents murmur'd in th' abstracted ear , Pronounce distinct . " Be not of us afraid , " Poor kindred man , thy fellow-creatures , we " From the same Parent-Power our beings drew , " The , same our Lord , and laws , and great pursuit . " Once some of us , like thee , thro' stormy life , " Toil'd , tempest-beaten , e'er we could attain " This holy calm , this harmony of mind , " Where purity and peace immingle charms . " Then fear us not ; but with responsive song , " Oft in these dim recesses , undisturb'd " By noisy folly , and discordant vice , " Of nature sing with us , and nature's God . " And frequent at the middle waste of night , " Or all day long , in desarts still , are heard , " Now here , now there , now wheeling in mid-sky , " Around , or underneath , aerial sounds , " Sent from angelic harps , and voices join'd . " A happiness bestow'd by us , alone , " On contemplation , or the hallow'd ear " Of Poet , swelling to seraphic strain . " Thus up the Mount , in visionary muse , I stray , regardless whither ; till the stun Of a near fall of water every sense Wakes from the charm of thought : swift-shrinking back , I stand aghast , and view the broken scene . Smooth to the shaggy brink a spreading flood Rolls fair and placid ; till collected all , In one big glut , as sinks the shelving ground , Th' impetuous torrent , tumbling down the steep , Thunders and shakes th' astonish'd country round . Now a blue watry sheet ; anon dispers'd , A hoary mist ; then gathered in again , A darted stream aslant the hollow rock , This way , and that tormented ; dashing thick , From seep to seep , with wild , infracted course , And restless roaring to the humble vale . With the rough prospect tir'd , I turn my gaze , Where , in long vista , the soft-murmuring main Darts a green lustre , trembling thro' the trees ; Or to yon silver-streaming threads of light , A showery radiance , beaming thro' the boughs . Invited from the rock , to whose dark cliff He clings , the steep-ascending eagle soars , With upward pinions thro' th' attractive gleam : And , giving full his bosom to the blaze , Gains on the sun ; while all the feathery race , Smote with afflictive noon , disorder'd droop , Deep in the thicket ; or , from bower to bower Responsive , force an interrupted strain . The stock-dove only thro' the forest cooes , Mournfully hoarse ; oft ceasing from his plaint , Short interval of weary woe ! again The sad idea of his murder'd mate , Struck from his side by savage fowler's guile , Across his fancy comes ; and then resounds A louder song of sorrow thro' the grove . Beside the dewy border let me sit , All in the freshness of the humid air ; There on that rock by Nature's chissel carv'd An ample chair , moss-lin'd , and over head By flowering umbrage shaded ; where the bee Strays diligent , and with th' extracted sweet Of honey-suckle loads his little thigh . And what a various prospect lies around ! Of hills , and vales , and woods , and lawns , and spires , And towns betwixt , and gilded streams ; till all The stretching landskip into smoak decays . Happy Britannia ! where the Queen of arts , Inspiring vigour , Liberty abroad Walks thro' the land of Heroes , unconfin'd And scatters plenty with unsparing hand . Rich is the soil , and merciful the skies ; Thy streams unfailing in the summer's drought ; Unmatch'd thy guardian-oaks ; thy vallies float With golden waves ; and on thy mountains flocks Bleat , numberless ; while , roving round their sides , Bellow the blackening herds in lusty droves . Beneath , thy meadows flame , and rise unquell'd , Against the mower's scythe . On every hand , Thy villas shine . Thy country teems with wealth , And Property assures it to the swain , Pleas'd , and unweary'd , in his certain toil . Full are thy cities with the Sons of art ; And trade , and joy , in every busy street , Mingling are heard : even Drudgery himself , As at the car he sweats , or dusty hews The palace-stone , looks gay . Thy crouded ports , Where rising masts an endless prospect yield , With labour burn , and echo to the shouts Of hurry'd sailor , as he hearty waves His last adieu , and loosening every sheet , Resigns the spreading vessel to the wind . Bold , firm , and graceful , are thy generous youth , By hardship sinew'd , and by danger fir'd , Scattering the nations where they go ; and first , Or in the listed plain , or wintry seas . Mild are thy glories too , as o'er the plans Of thriving peace thy thoughtful sires preside ; In genius , and substantial learning high ; For every virtue , every worth renown'd , Sincere , plain-hearted , hospitable , kind ; Yet like the mustering thunder when provok'd ; The dread of tyrants , and the sole resource Of such as under grim oppression groan . Thy sons of glory many ! thine a More , As Cato firm , as Aristides just , Like rigid Cincinnatus nobly poor , A dauntless soul , erect , who smil'd on death . Frugal , and wise , a Walsingham is thine ; A Drake , who made thee mistress of the deep , And bore thy name in thunder round the world . Then flam'd thy spirit high ; but who can speak The numerous worthies of the maiden reign ? In Raleigh mark their every glory mix'd , Raleigh , the scourge of Spain ! whose breast with all The sage , the patriot , and the hero burn'd . Nor sunk his vigour , when a coward-reign The warrior fetter'd , and at last resign'd , To glut the vengeance of a vanquish'd foe . Then deep thro' fate his mind retorted saw , And with his prison-hours enrich'd the world ; Yet found no times , in all the long research , So glorious , or so base , as those he prov'd , In which he conquer'd , and in which he bled . A Hambden thine , of unsubmitting soul ; Who stemm'd the torrent of a downward age , To slavery prone ; and bade thee rise again , In all thy native pomp of Freedom fierce . Nor can the muse the gallant Sidney pass , The plume of war ! with every lawrel crown'd , The lover's myrtle , and the poet's bay . Nor him of later name , firm to the cause Of Liberty , her rough determin'd friend , The British Brutus ; whose united blood With Russel , thine , thou patriot wise , and calm , Stain'd the sad annals of a giddy reign ; Aiming at lawless power , tho' meanly sunk In loose inglorious sloth . High thy renown In Sages too , far as the sacred light Of science spreads , and wakes the muses' song . Thine is a Bacon form'd of happy mold , When Nature smil'd , deep , comprehensive , clear , Exact , and elegant ; in one rich soul , Plato , the Stagyrite , and Tully join'd . The generous Anthony Ashley Cooper , Earl of Shaftsbury . Ashley thine , the friend of man ; Who scann'd his nature with a brother's eye , His weakness prompt to shade , to raise his aim , To touch the finer movements of the mind , And with the moral Beauty charm the heart . What need I name thy Boyle , whose pious search Still sought the great Creator in his works , By sure experience led ? And why thy Locke , Who made the whole internal world his own ? Let comprehensive Newton speak thy fame , In all philosophy . For solemn song , Is not wild Shakespear nature's boast , and thine ? And every greatly amiable muse Of elder ages in thy Milton met ? His was the treasure of two thousand years , Seldom indulg'd to man ; a god-like mind , Unlimited , and various , as his Theme ; Astonishing as Chaos ; as the bloom Of blowing Eden fair ; soft as the talk Of our grand Parents , and as Heaven sublime . May my song soften as , thy daughters , I , Britannia , hail ! for beauty is their own , The feeling heart simplicity of life , And elegance , and taste : the faultless form , Shap'd by the hand of Harmony ; the cheek , Where the live crimson , thro' the native white Soft-shooting , o'er the face diffuses bloom , And every nameless grace ; the parted lip , Like the red rose-bud , moist with morning-dew , Breathing delight ; and , under flowing jet , Or sunny ringlets , or of circling brown , The neck slight-shaded , and the swelling breast ; The look resistless , piercing to the soul , And by the soul inform'd , when , drest in love , She sits high smiling in the conscious eye . Island of bliss ! amid the subject seas , That thunder round thy rocky coasts , set up , At once the wonder , terror , and delight , Of distant nations ; whose remotest shore Can soon be shaken by thy naval arm ; Not to be shook thyself , but all assaults Baffling , like thy hoar cliffs the loud sea-wave . O Thou ! by whose almighty Nod the scale Of empire rises , or alternate falls , Send forth the saving Virtues round the land , In bright patrol : white Peace , and social Love ; The tender-looking Charity , intent On gentle deeds , and shedding tears thro' smiles ; Undaunted Truth , and Dignity of mind ; Courage compos'd , and keen ; sound Temperance , Healthful in heart and look ; clear Chastity , With blushes reddening as she moves along , Disorder'd at the deep regard she draws ; Rough Industry ; Activity untry'd , With copious life inform'd , and all awake : While , in the radiant front , superior shines That first paternal Virtue , public Zeal , Who casts o'er all an equal , wide survey , And ever musing on the common weal , Still labours glorious with some brave design . Thus far transported by my country's love , Nobly digressive from my theme , I've aim'd To sing her praises in ambitious verse ; While , slightly to recount , I simply meant , The various summer-horrors , which infest Kingdoms that scorch below severer suns : Kingdoms on which , direct , the flood of day Oppressive falls , and gives the gloomy hue , And feature gross ; or worse , to ruthless deeds , Wan jealousy , red rage , and fell revenge , Their hasty spirit prompts . Ill-fated race ! Altho' the treasures of the sun be theirs , Rocks rich in gems , and mountains big with mines ; Whence , over sands of gold , the Niger rolls His amber wave ; while on his balmy banks , Or in the spicy Abyssinian vales , The citron , orange , and pomegranate , drink Intolerable day , yet in their coats A cooling juice contain . Peaceful beneath , Leans the huge elephant ; and in his shade A multitde of beauteous creatures play , And birds of bolder note rejoice around . And oft amid their aromatic groves , Touch'd by the torch of noon , the gummy bark , Smouldering , begins to roll the dusky wreath . Instant , so swift the ruddy ruin spreads , A cloud of incense shadows all the land ; And , o'er a thousand thundering trees at once , Riots with lawless rage the running blaze : But ciefly should fomenting winds assist , And doubling blend the circulating waves Of flame tempestuous ; or directly on , Far-streaming , drive them thro' the forest's length . But other views await ; where heaven above Glows like an arch of brass ; and all below , The brown-burnt earth a mass of iron lies ; Of fruits , and flowers , and every verdure spoilt ; Barren , and bare , a joyless , weary waste ; Thin-cottag'd ; and in time of trying need , Abandon'd by the vanish'd brook ; like one Of fading fortune by his treacherous friend . Such are thy horrid desarts , Barca ; such Zaara , thy hot inhospitable sands ; Continuous rising often with the blast , Till the sun sees no more ; and unknit earth , Shook by the south into the darken'd air , Falls in new hilly kingdoms o'er the waste . Hence late expos'd ( if distant fame says true ) A smother'd city from the sandy wave Emergent rose ; with olive-fields around , Fresh woods , reclining herds , and silent flocks , Amusing all , and incorrupted seen . For by the nitrous penetrating salts , Mix'd copious with the sand , pierc'd , and preserv'd , Each object hardens gradual into stone , Its posture fixes , and its colour keeps . The statue-folk , within , unnumber'd croud The streets , in various attitudes surpriz'd By sudden fate , and live on every face The passions caught , beyond the sculptor's art . Here leaning soft , the marble-lovers stand , Delighted even in death ; and each for each Feeling alone , with that expressive look , Which perfect Nature only knows to give . And there the father agonizing bends Fond o'er his weeping wife , and infant train Aghast , and trembling , tho' they know not why . The stiffen'd vulgar stretch their arms to heaven , With horror starting ; while in council deep Assembled full , the hoary-headed sires Sit sadly-thoughtful of the public fate . As when old Rome , beneath the raging Gaul , Sunk her proud turrets resolute on death , Around the Forum sat the grey divan Of Senators , majestic , motionless , With ivory-staves , and in their awful robes Dress'd like the falling fathers of mankind ; Amaz'd , and shivering , from the solemn sight The red barbarians shrunk , and deem'd them Gods . 'Tis here that Thirst has fix'd his dry domain ; And walks his wide , malignant round , in search Of pilgrim lost ; or on the In the desart of Araoan are two tombs with inscriptions on them , importing that the persons there interr'd were a rich merchant , and a poor carrier , who both died of thirst ; and that the former had given to the latter ten thousand ducats for one cruise of water . Merchant's tomb Triumphant sits , who for a single cruise Of unavailing water paid so dear : Nor could the gold his hard associate save . Here the green serpent gathers up his train , In orbs immense ; then darting out anew , Progressive , rattles thro' the wither'd brake ; And , rolling frightful , guards the scanty fount , If fount there be : or of diminsh'd size , But mighty mischief , on th' unguarded swain Steals , full of rancour . Here the savage race Roam , licens'd by the shading hour of blood . And foul misdeed , when the pure day has shut His sacred eye . The rabid tyger then , The fiery panther , and the whisker'd pard , ( Bespeckled fair , the beauty of the waste ) In dire divan , surround their shaggy King , Majestic , stalking o'er the burning sand , With planted step ; while an obsequious croud Of grinning forms at humble distance wait . These all together join'd from darksome caves , Where o'er gnaw'd bones they slumber'd out the day , By supreme hunger smit , and thirst intense , At once their mingling voices raise to Heaven ; And with imperious and repeated roars , Demanding food , the wilderness resounds , From Atlas eastward to the frighted Nile . Unhappy he ! who from the first of joys , Society , cut off , is left alone Amid this world of death . Ceaseless he sits , Sad on the jutting eminence , and views The rowling main , that ever toils below ; Still fondly forming in the farthest verge , Where the round aether mixes with the wave , Ships , dim-discover'd , dropping from the clouds . At evening , to the setting sun he turns A mournful eye , and down his dying heart Sinks helpless ; while the wonted roar is up , And hiss continual thro' the tedious night . Yet here , even here , into these black abodes Of monstors , unappall'd , from stooping Rome , And haughty Caesar , Liberty retir'd , With Cato leading thro' Numidian wilds : Disdainful of Campania's fertile plains , And all the green delights of Italy ; When for them she must bend the servile knee , And fawning take the blessings once her own . What need I mention those inclement skies , Where frequent , o'er the sickening city , Plague , The fiercest son of Nemesis divine , Collects a close , incumbent night of death ; Uninterrupted by the living winds , Forbid to blow a wholesome breeze ; and stain'd With many a mixture , by the sun suffus'd , Of angry aspect ? Princely Wisdom then Dejects his watchful eye ; and from the hand Of drooping Justice , ineffectual , falls The sword , and balance . Mute the voice of Joy ; And hush'd the murmur of the busy world . Empty the streets , with uncouth verdure clad , And rang'd at open noon by beasts of prey , And birds of bloody beak . The sullen door No visit knows , nor hears the wailing voice Of fervent Want . Even soul-attracted friends , And relatives endear'd for many a year , Savag'd by woe , forget the social tye , The close engagement of the kindred heart ; And , sick in solitude , successive die , Untended , and unmourn'd . While to compleat The scene of desolation , wide around , Denying all retreat , the grim guards stand , And give the flying wretch a better death . Much of the force of foreign Summers still , Of growling hills that shoot the pillar'd flame , Of earthquake , and pale famine , could I sing ; But equal scenes of horror call me home . For now , slow-settling , o'er the lurid grove , Unusual darkness broods ; and growing gains The broad possession of the sky , surcharg'd With wrathful vapour , from the damp abrupt , Where sleep the mineral generations , drawn . Thence nitre , sulphur , vitriol , on the day Steam , and fermenting in yon baleful cloud , Extensive o'er the world a reddening gloom ! In dreadful promptitude to spring , await The high command . A boding silence reigns Dread thro' the dun expanse , save the dull sound , That from the mountain , previous to the storm , Rowls o'er the trembling earth , disturbs the flood , And stirs the forest-leaf without a breath . Prone , to the lowest vale , th' aerial tribes Descend : the tempest-loving raven scarce Dares wing the dubious dusk . In rueful gaze The cattle stand , and on the scouling heavens Cast a deploring eye ; by man forsook , Who to the crouded cottage hies him fast , Or seeks the shelter of the downward cave . 'Tis dumb amaze , and listening terror all ; When to the quicker eye the livid glance Appears far south , emissive thro' the cloud ; And , by the powerful breath of God inflate , The thunder raises his tremendous voice ; At first low-muttering ; but at each approach , The lightnings flash a larger curve , and more The noise astounds : till over head a sheet Of various flame discloses wide , then shuts And opens wider , shuts and opens still Expansive , wrapping aether in a blaze . Follows the loosen'd , aggravated roar , Enlarging , deepening , mingling , peal on peal Crush'd horrible , convulsing heaven and earth . Down comes a deluge of sonorous hail , In the white , heavenly magazines congeal'd ; And often fatal to th' unshelter'd head Of man , or rougher beast . Wide-rent the clouds Pour a whole flood ; and yet , its rage unquench'd , Th' inconquerable lightning struggles thro' , Ragged , and fierce , or in red whirling balls , And strikes the shepherd , as he shuddering sits , Presaging ruin , mid the rocky clift . His inmost marrow feels the gliding flame ; He dies ; and , like a statue grim'd with age , His live dejected posture still remains ; His russet sing'd , and rent his hanging hat ; Against his crook his sooty cheek reclin'd ; While , whining at his feet , his half-slung'd dog , Importunately kind , and fearful , pats On his insensate master for relief . Black from the stroak , above , the mountain-pine , A leaning shatter'd trunk , stands scath'd to heaven , The talk of future ages ; and , below , A lifeless groupe the blasted cattle lie : Here the soft flocks , with that same harmless look , They wore alive , and ruminating still , In fancy's eye ; and there the frowning bull , And ox half-rais'd . A little further , burns The guiltless cottage ; and the haughty dome Stoops to the base . In one immediate flash , The forest falls ; or , flaming out , displays The savage-hunts , unpierc'd by day before , Scar'd is the mountain's brow ; and from , the cliff Tumbles the smitten rock . The desart shakes , And gleams , and grumbles , thro' his deepest dens . Guilt dubious hears , with deeply-troubled thought ; And yet not always on the guilty head Falls the devoted flash . Young Celadon And his Amelia were a matchless twain : With equal virtue form'd , and equal grace , The same , distinguish'd by their sex alone : Hers the mild lustre of the blooming morn , And his the radiance of the risen day . They lov'd . But such their guileless passion was , As in the dawn of time alarm'd the heart Of Innocence , and undissembling Truth . 'Twas friendship , heighten'd by the mutual wish , Th' enchanting hope , and sympathetick glow , Struck from the charmsul eye . Devoting all To love , each was to each a dearer self ; Supremely happy in th' awaken'd power Of given joy . Alone , amid the shades , Still in harmonious intercourse they liv'd The rural day , and talk'd the flowing heart , Or sigh'd , and look'd unutterable things . Thus pass'd their life , a clear united stream , By care unrnffled ; till in evil hour The tempest caught them on the tender walk , Heedless how far . Her breast presageful heav'd Unwonted sighs , and stealing oft a look Of the big gloom , on Celadon her eye Fell tearful , wetting her disorder'd cheek . In vain assuring love , and confidence In heaven repress'd her fear ; it grew , and shook Her frame near dissolution . He perceiv'd Th' unequal conflict , and as angels look On dying saints , his eyes compassion shed , With love illumin'd high . " Fear not , he said , " Fair innocence ! thou stranger to offence , " And inward storm ! He , who yon skies involves " In frowns of darkness , ever smiles on thee , " With full regard . O'er thee the secret shaft " That wastes at midnight , or th' undreaded hour " Of noon , flies hurtless ; and that very voice , " Which thunders terror thro' the conscious heart , " With tongues of seraphs whispers peace to thine . " 'Tis safety to be near thee sure , and thus " To clasp perfection ! " From his void embrace , ( Mysterious heaven ! ) that moment , in a heap Of pallid ashes fell the beauteous maid . But who can paint the lover , as he stood , Struck by severe amazement , hating life , Speechless , and fix'd in all the death of woe ! So , faint resemblance , on the marble-tomb , The well-dissembl'd mourner stooping stands , For ever silent , and for ever sad . As from the face of heaven the shatter'd clouds Tumultuous rove , th' interminable blue , Delightful swells into the general arch , That copes the nations . Nature from the storm Shines out afresh ; and thro' the lighten'd air A higher lustre and a clearer calm , Diffusive , tremble ; while , as if in sign Of danger past , a glittering robe of joy , Set off abundant by the level ray , Inverts the fields , yet dropping from distress . 'Tis beauty all , and grateful song around , Joyn'd to the low of kine , and numerous bleat Of flocks thick-nibbling thro' the clover'd vale . And shall the hymn be marr'd by thankless man , Most-favour'd ; who with voice articulate Should lead the chorus of this lower world ? Shall ho , so soon forgetful of the hand That hush'd the thunder , and expands the sky , After the tempest puff his idle vows , And a new dance of vanity begin , Scarce e'er the pant forsake the feeble heart ? Chear'd by the setting beam , the sprightly youth Speeds to the well-known pool , whose crystal depth A sandy bottom shews . A while he stands Gazing th' inverted landskip , half afraid To meditate the blue profound below ; Then plunges headlong down the circling flood . His ebon tresses , and his rosy cheek Instant emerge ; and thro' the flexile wave , At each short breathing by his lip repell'd , With arms and legs according well , he makes , As humour leads , an easy-winding path ; While , from his polish'd sides , a dewy light Effuses on the pleas'd spectators round . 'Twas then beneath a secret-waving shade , Where winded into lovely solituctes Runs out the rambling dale that Damon sat , Thoughtful , and fix'd in philosophic muse : Damon , who still amid the savage woods , And lonely lawns , the force of beauty scorn'd , Firm , and to false philosophy devote . The brook ran babling by ; and sighing weak , The breeze among the bending willows play'd : When Sacharissa to the cool retreat , With Amoret , and Musidora stole . Warm in their cheek the sultry season glow'd ; And , rob'd in loose array , they came to bathe Their fervent limbs in the refreshing stream . Tall , and majestic , Sacharissa rose , Superior treading , as on Ida's top ( So Grecian bards in wanton fable sung ) High-shone the sister and the wife of Jove . Another Pallas Musidora seem'd , Meek-ey'd , sedate , and gaining every look A surer conquest of the sliding heart . While , like the Cyprian goddess , Amoret , Delicious dress'd in rosy-dimpled smiles , And all one softness , melted on the sense . Nor Paris panted stronger , when aside The rival-goddesses the veil divine Cast unconfin'd , and gave him all their charms , Than , Damon , thou , the stoick now no more , But man deep-felt , as from the snowy leg , And slender foot , th' inverted silk they drew ; As the soft touch dissolv'd the virgin-zone ; And , thro' the parting robe , th' alternate breast , With youth wild-throbbing , on thy lawless gaze Luxuriant rose . Yet more enamour'd still , When from their naked limbs of glowing white , In folds loose-floating felt the fainter lawn ; And fair expos'd they stood , shrunk from themselves ; With fancy blushing ; at the doubtful breeze Arous'd , and starting , like the fearful fawn . The Venus of Medicis . So stands the statue that enchants the world , Her full proportions such , and bashful so Bends ineffectual from the roving eye . Then to the flood they rush'd ; the plunging fair The parted flood with closing waves receiv'd ; And , every beauty softening , every grace Flushing afresh , a mellow lustre shed : As shines the lilly thro' the crystal mild ; Or as the rose amid the morning-dew Puts on a warmer glow . In various play , While thus they wanton'd ; now beneath the wave , But ill conceal'd ; and now with streaming locks Rising again ; the latent Damon drew Such draughts of love and beauty to the soul , As put his harsh philosophy to flight , The joyless search of long-deluded years ; And Musidora fixing in his heart , Inform'd , and humaniz'd him into man . This is the purest exercise of health . The kind refresher of the summer-heats ; Nor when , the brook pellucid , Winter keens , Would I weak-shivering linger on the brink . Thus life redoubles , and is oft preserv'd By the bold swimmer , in the swift illapse Of accident disasterous . Hence the limbs Knit into force ; and the same Roman arm , That rose victorious o'er the conquer'd earth , First learn'd , while tender , to subdue the wave . Even from the body's purity the mind Receives a secret , sympathetic aid . Low walks the sun , and broadens by degrees , Just o'er the verge of day . The rising clouds , That shift perpetual in his vivid train , Their watry mirrors , numberless , oppos'd , Unfold the hidden riches of his ray ; And chase a change of colours round the sky . 'Tis all one blush from east to west ! and now , Behind the dusky earth , he dips his orb ; Now half immers'd ; and now a golden curve Gives one faint glimmer , and then disappears . For ever running an enchanted round , Passes the day , deceitful , tedious , void ; As fleets the vision o'er the formful brain , This moment hurrying all th' impassion'd soul , The next in nothing lost . 'Tis so to him , The dreamer of this earth , a chearless blank : A sight of horror to the cruel wretch ; Who , rowling in inhuman pleasure deep , The whole day long has made the widow pine ; And snatch'd the morsel from her orphan's mouth . To give his dogs . But to the tuneful mind , Who makes the hopeless heart to sing for joy , Diffusing kind beneficence around , Boastless , as now descends the silent dew ; To him the long review of order'd life Is inward rapture , only to be felt . Confess'd from yonder slow-extinguish'd clouds , All aether saddening , sober Evening takes Her wonted station in the middle air ; A thousand Shadows at her beck . First This She sends on earth ; then That of deeper die Steals soft behind ; and then a Deeper still , In circle following circle , gathers round , To close the face of things . A fresher breeze Begins to wave the wood , and stir the stream , Sweeping with shadowy gust the fields of corn ; While the quail clamours for his running mate . His folded flock secure , the shepherd home Hies , merry-hearted ; and by turns relieves The ruddy milk-maid of her brimming pail ; The Beauty , whom perhaps his witless heart , Unknowing what the joy-mixt anguish means , Loves fond , by the sincerest language shown Of cordial glances , and obliging deeds . Onward they pass , o'er many a panting height , And valley sunk , and unfrequented ; where At fall of eve the fairy people throng , In various game , and revelry to pass The summer-night , as village-stories tell . But far about they wander from the grave Of him , whom his ungentle fortune urg'd Against himself to lift the hated hand Of violence ; by men cast out from life , And after death , to which they drove his hope , Into the broad way side . The ruin'd tower Is also shunn'd ; whose hoary chambers hold , So night-struck fancy dreams , the yelling ghost . Among the crooked lanes , on every hedge , The glow-worm lights his lamp ; and , thro' the dark , Twinkles a moving gem . On Evening's heel , Night follows fast ; not in her winter-robe Of massy stygian woof , but loose array'd In mantle dun . A faint erroneous ray , Glanc'd from th' imperfect surfaces of things , Flings half an image on the straining eye . While wavering woods , and villages , and streams , And rocks , and mountain-tops , that long retain'd Th' ascending gleam , are all one swimming scene , Doubtful if seen : whence sudden Vision turns To heaven ; where Venus , in the sterry front , Shines eminent ; and from her genial rise , When day-light sickens , till it springs afresh , Sheds influence on earth , to love , and life , And every form of vegetation kind . As thus th' effulgence tremulous I drink , With glad peruse , the lambent lightnings shoot A-cross the sky ; or horizontal dart O'er half the nations , in a minute's space , Conglob'd , or long . Astonishment succeeds , And silence , e'er the various talk begin . The vulgar stare ; amazement is their joy , And mystic faith , a fond sequacious herd ! But scrutinous Philosophy looks deep , With piercing eye , into the latent cause ; Nor can she swallow what she does not see . With thee , serene Philosophy ! with thee , And thy high praises , let me crown my song ! Effusive source of evidence , and truth ! A lustre shedding o'er th' ennobled mind , Stronger than summer-noon ; and pure as that , Whose mild vibrations sooth the parted soul , New to the dawning of coelestial day . Hence thro' her nourish'd powers , enlarg'd by thee , She soaring spurns , with elevated pride , The tangling mass of cares , and low desires , That bind the fluttering croud ; and , angel-wing'd , The heights of Science , and of Virtue gains , Where all is calm and clear ; with Nature round Or in the starry regions , or th' abyss , To Reason's , and to fancy's eye display'd : The First up-tracing from the vast inane , The chain of causes and effects to Him , Who , all-sustaining , in himself , alone Possesses Being ; while the Last receives The whole magnificence of heaven and earth . And every beauty , delicate or bold , Obvious or more remote , with livelier sense , A world swift-painted on th' attentive mind . Tutor'd by thee , hence Poetry exalts Her voice to ages ; and informs the page With music , image , sentiment , and thought , Never to die ! the treasure of mankind , Their highest honour , and their truest joy ! Without thee what were unassisted man ? A savage roaming thro' the woods and wilds , In quest of prey ; and with th' unfashion'd furr Rough-clad ; devoid of every honest art , And elegance of life . Nor home , nor joy Domestick , mix'd of tenderness and care , Nor moral excellence , nor social bliss , Nor law were his ; nor property ; nor swain , To turn the furrow ; nor mechanic hand Harden'd to toil ; nor sailor bold ; nor trade , Mother severe of infinite delights ! Nothing , save rapine , indolence , and guile , And woes on woes , a still-revolving train ! Whose horrid circle had made human life Than non-existence worse . But taught by thee Ours are the plans of policy , and peace ; To live like brothers , and conjunctive all Embellish life . While thus laborious crouds Ply the tough oar , Philosophy directs , Star-led , the helm ; or like the liberal breath Of urgent heaven , invisible , the sails Swells out , and bears th' inferior world along . Nor to this evanescent speck of earth Poorly confin'd , the radiant tracts on high Are her exalted range ; intent to gaze Creation thro' ; and , from that full complex Of never-ending wonders , to conceive Of the sole Being right , who spoke the word , And nature mov'd compleat . With inward view , Thence on th' ideal kingdom swift she turns Her eye ; and instant , at her virtual glance , Th' obedient phantoms vanish or appear ; Compound , divide , and into order shift , Each to his rank , from plain perception up To notion quite abstract ; where first begins The world of spirits , action all , and life Immediate , and unmix'd . But here the cloud , So wills Eternal Providence , sits deep . Enough for us we know that this dark state , In wayward passions lost , and vain pursuits , This infancy of being , cannot prove The final issue of the works of God ; By Love and Wisdom inexpressive form'd , And ever rising with the rising mind . The END .