[Page 205]

A Description of a Journey To Marlborough, Bath, Portsmouth, &c.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount PALMERSTON.

1 WHILE some, my Lord, the Roman Coast explore,
2 Survey the Fanes, and trace their Beauties o'er,
3 Studious of Arts, by which ingenious BOYLE
4 Now draws the Plan, or now erects the Pile;
5 More bounded in my Fancy, and my Purse,
6 I, o'er domestic Plains, pursue my Course;
7 And ev'ry pleasing Object in the Way,
8 The Muse shall sing, if you accept her Lay.
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9 WHEN CANCER fiercely glow'd with PHOEBUS' Heat,
10 And Clouds of Dust flew ev'n in Brentford-street;
11 O'er Hounslow-heath my early Course I steer,
12 For Robbers fam'd; but I no Robbers fear:
13 Let Gold, like Guilt, increase the Miser's Grief;
14 A Poet's Purse, like Virtue, dares a Thief.
15 Colebrook I quickly pass, and soon my Eyes
16 Survey the Royal Tow'rs of Windsor rise:
17 Charm'd with the Theme of POPE's harmonious Song,
18 I check my Steed, and slowly move along;
19 As ling'ring Mariners contract their Sails,
20 To feast on Odours of Arabian Gales.
21 But lest, my Lord, your Patience should accuse
22 The dull Narration of a tedious Muse,
23 I will not sing each Trifle that occurr'd,
24 How much I eat, and drank, and whipp'd, and spurr'd:
[Page 207]
25 How oft my Palfry stumbled in the Way,
26 Till
* A little Village, near Farringdon in Berks.
Hatford ends the Travel of the Day;
27 Where kind
A Farmer, once the Author's Master, and still his Friend.
MENALCAS, Partner of my Soul,
28 Revives me with his friendly, flowing Bowl;
29 Yet forces no intemp'rate Bumpers round,
30 Except when DELIA's Health the Glasses crown'd.
31 A thousand Labours past, we now run o'er,
32 What Scenes we acted, and what Toils we bore:
33 No Party Feuds, nor Politics we name;
34 The Joys of Friendship mostly were our Theme.
35 Warn'd by the Clock, we now retire to Rest,
36 Till rising PHOEBUS streak'd the purple East.
37 Breakfast soon o'er, we trace the verdant Field,
38 Where sharpen'd Scythes the lab'ring Mowers wield:
39 Straight Emulation glows in ev'ry Vein;
40 I long to try the curvous Blade again.
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41 AS when, at Hockley-hole, old Gamesters view
42 Young Combatants their Martial Sports renew,
43 A youthful Vigour fires their ancient Soul,
44 Nor former Wounds their Courage can controul;
45 Again they mount the Stage, again they play,
46 Again they bear the noble Prize away:
47 So with Ambition burns my daring Breast;
48 I snatch the Scythe, and with the Swains contest;
49 Behind 'em close, I rush the sweeping Steel;
50 The vanquish'd Mowers soon confess my Skill.
51 NOT long at this laborious Sport I stay;
52 But, with my Friend, to
* Where the Author liv'd a Thresher.
Charlton take my Way:
53 'Twas there, my Lord, induc'd by potent Ale,
54 Swains leave their Ploughs, and Threshers quit their Flail:
[Page 209]
55 Your
* Money which his Lordship sent to treat the Threshers.
Bounty soon provokes the Bells to ring;
56 Clowns dance, Boys hollow, and hoarse Coblers sing.
57 Not greater was the Joy in ancient Greece,
58 When AESON's Son produc'd the Golden Fleece,
59 Than now appear'd in ev'ry Thresher's Breast,
60 Soon as your Gold sung Prologue to the Feast.
61 WHY should the Muse recite our Bill of Fare,
62 And with a long Description tire your Ear?
63 None can your gen'rous Treat with Want reproach;
64 All eat enough, and many drank too much:
65 Full twenty Threshers quaff around the Board;
66 All name their Toast, and ev'ry one, my Lord.
67 No Cares, no Toils, no Troubles now appear;
68 For Troubles, Toils, and Cares are drown'd in Beer;
69 Till soon the chol'ric Fumes of Liquor rise,
70 Flush in their Face, and sparkle in their Eyes:
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71 They now the rustic Feats of Manhood boast,
72 Who best could reap, or mow, or thresh the most:
73 Contention doubtful! All with Anger burn,
74 While each appears a Hero in his Turn:
75 Hard Words succeed; so far can Beer prevail,
76 That Blows are menac'd, ev'n without the Flail;
77 Till thus our Landlord, rising from his Chair,
78 Like prudent NESTOR, stops impending War:
79 "WHAT Madness, Friends, what Madness can engage
80 " Your Minds to burn with this unseemly Rage?
81 "For Shame, stain not with Blood our grateful Chear;
82 " Desist from Blood or else desist from Beer.
83 "Are these the only Thanks you give my Lord?
84 " And is it thus his Favours you reward?
85 "If no Respect you pay this chearful Feast,
86 " Yet pay the noble Founder some, at least "
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87 HE said: Abash'd the conscious Heroes stood,
88 Shook Hands, and thirsted more for Beer than Blood:
89 Another Glass to TEMPLE's Health they pour;
90 And praise their Liquor much, his Bounty more.
91 OFT as this
* 30th of June, on which his Lordship treats the Threshers every Year.
Day returns, shall Threshers claim
92 Some Hours of Rest sacred to TEMPLE's Name;
93 Oft as this Day returns, shall TEMPLE chear
94 The Threshers Hearts with Mutton, Beef, and Beer:
95 Hence, when their Childrens Children shall admire
96 This Holiday, and, whence deriv'd, inquire;
97 Some grateful Father, partial to my Fame,
98 Shall thus describe from whence, and how it came.
99 "HERE, Child, a Thresher liv'd in ancient Days;
100 " Quaint Songs he sung, and pleasing Roundelays;
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101 "A gracious QUEEN his Sonnets did commend;
102 " And some great Lord, one TEMPLE, was his Friend:
103 "That Lord was pleas'd this Holiday to make,
104 " And feast the Threshers, for that Thresher's sake. "
105 THUS shall Tradition keep my Fame alive;
106 The Bard may die, the Thresher still survive.
107 NEXT, over Pewsey's fertile Fields I haste,
108 Fields with the bearded Crops of CERES grac'd!
109 While pleasing Hopes my grateful Bosom chear;
110 But soon they vanish'd
* Rev. Mr. Stanley, Rector of Pewsey, who first encourag'd the Author.
STANLEY was not here.
111 FROM hence the Muse to silver Kennet flies,
112 On whose green Margin Hertford's Turrets rise.
113 Here often round the verdant Plain I stray,
114 Where
Mr. Thomson compos'd one of his Seasons here.
THOMSON sung his bold, unfetter'd Lay;
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115 Or climb the winding, mazy
* Marlborough Mount.
Mountain's Brow;
116 And, tho' I swiftly walk, ascend but slow.
117 The spiral Paths in gradual Circles lead,
118 Increase my Journey, and elude my Speed:
119 Yet, when at length I reach the lofty Height,
120 Towns, Vallies, Rivers, Meadows meet my Sight;
121 A thousand grateful Objects round me smile,
122 Whose various Beauties overpay my Toil.
123 So may you often see the studious Youth
124 Begin the long, laborious Search for TRUTH;
125 How slow his Progress, but how great his Pain!
126 How many mazy Problems vex his Brain!
127 Before he o'er the Hills of Science rise,
128 Where, far from vulgar Sight, the Goddess lies:
129 Yet, there arriv'd, he ends the happy Chace;
130 Reflects, with Pleasure, on his glorious Race;
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131 Sees the bright Nymph so many Charms display,
132 As crown the Labours of the lengthen'd Way.
133 WITHIN the Basis of the verdant Hill,
134 A beauteous Grot confesses HERTFORD's Skill;
135 Who, with her lovely Nymphs, adorns the Place;
136 Gives ev'ry polish'd Stone its proper Grace;
137 Now varies rustic Moss about the Cell;
138 Now fits the shining Pearl, or purple Shell:
139 CALYPSO thus, attended with her Train,
140 With rural Palaces adorns the Plain;
141 Nor with more Elegance her Grots appear,
142 Nor with more Beauty shines th' Immortal Fair.
143 THE Muse her Journey, next, to Bath pursues;
144 Bath, fix'd by Nature to delight the Muse!
145 Where flow'ry Shrubs, and curling Vines unite;
146 Hills, Vales, and waving Woods attract the Sight;
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147 A vary'd Scene! For Nature here displays
148 A thousand lovely Charms, a thousand Ways:
149 ALLEN attends, to dress her beauteous Face,
150 With Handmaid Art improving ev'ry Grace;
151 Now forms the verdant Walk, or sunny Glade,
152 Or pours the Waters o'er the steep Cascade;
153 Or now contracts 'em with judicious Skill,
154 And leads 'em, gently murm'ring, down the Hill.
155 A Son of AESCULAPIUS here I meet;
156 Polite his Manners, and his Temper sweet:
157 His sage Discourse, with soft, persuasive Art,
158 Charm'd the pleas'd Ear, till it improv'd the Heart:
159 Bright Truth, and Virtue, were his lovely Theme;
160 Which seem'd more lovely, when describ'd by him.
161 VARIOUS Diversions here employ the Fair;
162 To Dancing some, and some to Play repair:
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163 Not
* Mrs. Stanley, who desir'd the Author to write the Shunammite.
MUSIDORA so consumes her Days,
164 The Dame who bad me sing JEHOVAH's Praise:
165 Uncharm'd with all the flutt'ring Pomp of Pride,
166 Heav'n, and domestic Care her Time divide:
167 In her own Breast she seeks a calm Repose,
168 And shuns the crowded Rooms of Belles and Beaux;
169 Where COQUETILLA oft her Eyes has roll'd,
170 Oft won a worthless Heart, and lost her Gold.
171 FROM Bath, I travel thro' the sultry Vale,
172 Till Sal'sb'ry Plains afford a cooling Gale:
173 Arcadian Plains, where PAN delights to dwell,
174 In verdant Beauties cannot these excel:
175 These too, like them, might gain immortal Fame,
176 Resound with CORYDON and THYRSIS' Flame;
177 If, to his Mouth, the Shepherd would apply
178 His mellow Pipe, or vocal Music try:
[Page 217]
179 But, to his Mouth, the Shepherd ne'er applies
180 His mellow Pipe, nor vocal Music tries:
181 Propt on his Staff, he indolently stands;
182 His Hands support his Head, his Staff his Hands;
183 Or, idly basking in the sunny Ray,
184 Supinely lazy, loiters Life away.
185 Here, as I pass'd the Plains, (a lovely Scene,
186 Array'd in Nature's Liv'ry, gaily green!)
187 On ev'ry Side the wanton Lambkins play'd,
188 Whose artless Bleatings rural Music made;
189 Too harsh perhaps to please politer Ears,
190 Yet much the sweetest Tune the Farmer hears.
191 SOON as the Plains are ravish'd from my Sight,
192 New diff'rent Prospects equally delight;
193 Where
* Earl of Pembroke's Seat at Wilton.
PEMBROKE's Turrets charm my gazing Eyes,
194 And awful Statues solemnly surprize:
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195 Bards, Sages, Heroes, Patriots, Princes stand,
196 A mixt, majestic, venerable Band!
197 Here mighty HOMER, PHOEBUS' eldest Son,
198 Or sings, or seems to sing, in breathing Stone.
199 See Martial PHOCION silently persuade,
200 And smooth tongu'd CICERO, in Marble, plead:
201 Here shines great POMPEY, greater JULIUS there,
202 With daring BRUTUS, honestly severe:
203 Friendship, and Freedom in his Soul contend;
204 Forgive him, CAESAR, if he wrong'd his Friend!
205 Tho' BRUTUS' Dagger pierc'd thy Bosom thro',
206 'Twas Liberty, not Malice, struck the Blow.
207 Unhappy BRUTUS, destin'd to withstand
208 Thy Friend's Ambition with a fatal Hand!
209 Unhappy CAESAR, whose Ambition mov'd
210 That fatal Hand, to murder whom it lov'd!
211 Hadst thou, like Britain's MONARCH, strove to save
212 Expiring Nations, not the World enslave;
[Page 219]
213 Thy Laurels then had still unblasted stood,
214 Nor BRUTUS e'er been stain'd with CAESAR's Blood.
215 NOT far from hence, old Sarum's Ruins stand,
216 High on a bleak and barren Tract of Land;
217 A Mount, which once sustain'd a City's Weight,
218 And lofty Tow'rs adorn'd its awful Height;
219 Till Want of Water forc'd the thirsty Crowd
220 To seek the Vale, where crystal Rivers flow'd.
221 There
* Bishop Poore, who built the Cathedral.
POORE the first auspicious Work began;
222 First, for a Temple, drew the glorious Plan;
223 Then quickly makes the sacred Columns rise,
224 And bids the lofty Spire invade the Skies.
225 The prudent People too, with equal Haste,
226 New Dwellings built, which far their old surpast:
227 Cautious of Thirst, they make the docile Tide,
228 In winding Currents, thro' the City glide:
[Page 220]
229 In ev'ry Street the wanton NAIADS play,
230 To ev'ry Door their liquid Urns convey;
231 In which the lately thirsty Peasant spies
232 At once the cooling Draught, and scaly Fries;
233 Scenes, which, before, the lofty Mount deny'd!
234 Hence let Ambition learn to check its Pride:
235 High Stations often bring a Weight of Cares;
236 True Happiness is found in humble Spheres:
237 This useful Truth let Sarum's Glory show,
238 Which faded when on high, but flourishes below.
239 I next to BATHURST's
* Clarendon Park.
rural Seat ascend,
240 BATHURST, my infant Muse's gen'rous Friend!
241 And, as around his spacious Park I stray'd,
242 Charm'd with the Prospect, which the Fields display'd,
243 Musing on Verse, the willing Numbers came,
244 My Song began, and Clarendon my Theme.
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245 What sweeter Subject could I wish to chuse?
246 What Scenes more lovely can delight a Muse?
247 See, FLORA paints the Ground with vary'd Dyes,
248 And fragrant Shrubs with Odours fill the Skies!
249 Here curling Vines their luscious Sweets disclose,
250 There fair POMONA loads the blushing Boughs:
251 See, fruitful CERES crowns the Vales with Corn,
252 And fleecy Flocks the verdant Hills adorn!
253 Here waving Trees project a cooling Shade,
254 Where BATHURST oft converses with the Dead;
255 Reads over what the ancient Sages wrote;
256 Nor only reads, but acts as Sages taught;
257 Improves the present Hour, that Fortune gives;
258 Nor trusts To-morrow, but To-day he lives.
259 As thus my careless Lay, unlabour'd, flows,
260 Before my Eyes a
* King-Manor, where the Constitutions of Clarendon were made. See Camden of Wiltshire.
Pile of Ruins rose;
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261 Whose rugged Walls, like native Rock-work, shone;
262 For Time had turn'd the Cement into Stone.
263 Our Second HENRY here, if Fame be true,
264 Measur'd the Prince's Right, and People's Due;
265 Made Laws to bound the Priests and Barons Claim
266 Nor ev'n those Laws did haughty BECKET blame;
267 BECKET! true Tyrant of the Roman State,
268 Curs'd with Religion just enough to hate;
269 Whose stern, ambitious Zeal his King defy'd,
270 And damn'd all those, who dar'd oppose his Pride.
271 O Thou Supreme! whose Mercy ever shone
272 The best, the brightest Jewel in thy Crown!
273 Never let me such cruel Faith approve,
274 Which bids me hate, whom Heav'n commands to love!
275 Let Christian Charity incline my Mind
276 To wish the Happiness of all Mankind!
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277 In social Friendship always let me live,
278 Slow to be angry, easy to forgive!
279 PAULTONS affords me next a kind Retreat,
280 Where crowding Joys my grateful Heart dilate;
281 To see the Friend, who first my Lays approv'd,
282 Who loves the Muse, and by her is belov'd;
283 Who taught her tender Pinions how to fly,
284 Told when she crept too low, or soar'd too high.
285 O STANLEY! if, forgetful of thy Love,
286 I e'er to Gratitude rebellious prove;
287 Still may I want a Friend, but never find;
288 May FORTUNE, PHOEBUS, STANLEY, prove unkind!
289 HERE often thro' the gloomy Woods I rove,
290 Pleas'd with the silent Horror of the Grove.
291 And now the Lawn, and winding Walks delight;
292 And now the Memphian Turret charms my Sight:
[Page 224]
293 Here conic Firs in graceful Order stand;
294 Tall Cedars there, the Growth of Syrian Land.
295 Lead me, ye sacred DRYADS! leads me thro'
296 Your sylvan Scenes, where future Navies grow;
297 Where lofty Oaks their branching Arms extend,
298 And tow'ring Pines to kiss the Clouds ascend;
299 Where op'ning Glades admit the sunny Ray,
300 Or venerable Groves exclude the Day.
301 There let me Knaves, and Fools, and Fops despise,
302 And think of Actions worthy of the Wise.
303 MY Friend and me, Southampton next receives;
304 Southampton, wash'd with THETIS' silver Waves:
305 Upon whose sandy Margin
* Mount Bevis, Seat of the Right Honourable the Earl of Peterborough, who was then living.
Bevis rears
306 His Head, on which a stately Dome appears;
307 Where British SCIPIO, crown'd with Martial Bays,
308 In Solitude enjoys his ancient Days:
[Page 225]
309 Yet, still inclin'd to conquer, wages here,
310 With stubborn Woods and Wilds, innoxious War;
311 Subdues the native Rudeness of the Soil,
312 And makes the barren Sand with Verdure smile;
313 Bends the young Plant obedient to his Will,
314 Or thro' the Vally leads the crystal Rill;
315 Sublimes the Mount, or bids the Mole subside,
316 To stretch the Prospect o'er the lucid Tide:
317 The Foils of Art illustrate his Design;
318 And make the Di'mond NATURE brighter shine.
319 CHARM'D with the Beauties of the silver Sea,
320 We board a Ship, and skim the watry Way:
321 Blown with propitious Gales, we quickly view
322 BRITANNIA's Strength, her Guard, and Glory too;
323 Where
* Spithead.
GEORGE's dreadful Eagles waiting stood,
324 To bear his fatal Thunder o'er the Flood.
[Page 226]
325 The wondrous Scene delights my gazing Eyes,
326 At once imparting Pleasure and Surprize:
327 Intrepid Sailers, swarming in the Sky,
328 Intent on Bus'ness, diff'rent Labours try:
329 Some stride the Yard, or tow'ring Mast ascend;
330 Some on the Ropes, in airy Crowds, depend;
331 Thick as the Insects, round the Poplar, play,
332 When PHOEBUS gilds 'em with a Western Ray.
333 BUT unexpected Dangers oft deceive
334 The daring Man, who tempts the foamy Wave:
335 While on the Fleet we all delighted gaze,
336 The sudden Winds arise, and sweep the Seas;
337 With rapid Force they fly, and from the Ship
338 Disjoin the Boat, and drive it o'er the Deep:
339 Our cautious Pilot quickly shifts the Sails,
340 Reverts his Course against the furious Gales.
[Page 227]
341 O CHLOE! then what ruthless Pains distrest
342 Thy dizzy Head, and rack'd thy tender Breast!
343 How often did the Bard thy Fate bemoan!
344 How often did he wish thy Pains his own!
345 How did the TRITONS, mov'd with Pity, gaze
346 On thy fair Face, distorted twenty Ways!
347 Yet, tho' distorted, still thy Features show
348 Bright in Distress, and innocent in Woe.
349 So VENUS oft her silver Light displays,
350 Thro' Ev'ning Mists, that rise to cloud her Rays.
351 BUT NEPTUNE now, who pity'd CHLOE's Pain,
352 Returns the Boat; we steer our Course again,
353 At Six, we safely land at Port smouth Key,
354 And soon forget the Dangers of the Sea.
355 Straight to some hospitable Inn we haste,
356 Revive our Spirits with a sweet Repast:
[Page 228]
357 The smiling Glass, with rosy Liquor crown'd,
358 Sacred to friendly Healths, goes chearful round;
359 While Time, in mirthful Converse, sweetly flows,
360 Till gentle Sleep invites us to Repose.
361 THE Morning come, we to the Wharfs repair,
362 Survey the mighty Magazines of War:
363 Tremendous Rows of Cannon meet our Eyes;
364 And Iron Deaths, in massy Mountains, rise:
365 Store-house of MARS! where, rang'd in Order, lay
366 Ten thousand Thunders for some fatal Day.
367 DEPARTING hence, the Dock we travel round,
368 Where lab'ring Shipwrights rattling Axes sound:
369 Some bend the stubborn Planks, while others rear
370 The lofty Mast, or crooked Timber square;
371 Some ply their Engines, some direct the Toil,
372 And carefully inspect the mighty Pile;
[Page 229]
373 See ev'ry Chink securely stopt, before
374 The winged Castle ventures from the Shore.
375 So, when the youthful Crane intends to fly
376 Her first long Journey thro' the spacious Sky;
377 Before she rears herself sublime in Air,
378 She ranges ev'ry Plume with prudent Care;
379 Tries if her Pinions can her Flight sustain;
380 Then springs away, and soars above the Main.
381 BUT see! the smoking firy Forge appears;
382 Vulcanian Sounds surprize our list'ning Ears:
383 See! busy Smiths around their Anvils sweat;
384 Their brawny Arms the glowing Anchor beat;
385 Alternately the chiming Hammers fall,
386 And loud Notes echo thro' the sooty Hall.
387 Such, haply, on the sounding Anvil rung,
388 When first the Harp melodious TUBAL strung:
[Page 230]
389 As TUBAL-CAIN the ductile Metal wrought,
390 And VULCAN's heav'nly Art to Mortals taught;
391 The Brother, pleas'd to hear his Hammers chime,
392 Soon harmoniz'd their Notes to proper Time:
393 Man's Bosom then sonorous Organs warm'd,
394 The softer Lyre his gloomy Sorrows charm'd;
395 While Tyrants Hearts unusual Pity found,
396 And savage Tempers soften'd with the Sound.
397 'TWAS now the Time, when PHOEBUS' piercing Ray
398 Shot down direct, and measur'd half the Day:
399 A bold
* Captain Reddish, Commander of the Amelia.
Commander luckily we meet,
400 Who courteously invites us to the Fleet:
401 A Table elegantly spread we found,
402 And loyal Healths the Captain pushes round;
403 AUGUSTUS first, and all the Royal Line,
404 Give sweeter Flavour to the sparkling Wine;
[Page 231]
405 WAGER, and NORRIS, next, who boldly reign,
406 In floating Castles, Monarchs of the Main.
407 BUT now again our winged Sails we spread,
408 Again we visit Paulton's sylvan Shade;
409 Where, parting from my Friend, I mount my Steed,
410 And, o'er the Wilds of Wellow, urge his Speed:
411 Wilds, which were lately sterile, as the Coast,
412 Where patient CATO march'd his fainting Host!
413 Nor could the Swain explore a cooling Shade,
414 When fervid PHOEBUS burnt his glowing Head;
415 Till CHANDOS bad the dreary Desert smile
416 With verdant Groves, and beautify'd the Soil:
417 He said; ten thousand Trees adorn'd the Plain,
418 Ten thousand Shades, delightful to the Swain.
419 HENCE, o'er the Plains, and fruitful Fields I pass,
420 Full forty Miles, till Witney ends my Race.
[Page 232]
421 I visit here an elegant
* Reverend Dr. Freind.
Divine,
422 In whom the Scholar, Friend, and Critic join;
423 Who freely judges of an Author's Thoughts,
424 Improves his Beauties, and corrects his Faults;
425 Severely kind, and candidly severe;
426 Polite, as Courtiers; and, as Truth, sincere;
427 Who, in MINERVA's Temple, taught our Youth
428 The Path to Wisdom, Virtue, Honour, Truth;
429 Till having, with a gen'rous Mind, bestow'd
430 The Flow'r of all his Years in doing Good;
431 Fatigu'd with Labours, and with Age decay'd,
432 Retires, with Honour, to the rural Shade.
433 SO, when the Prince of Rivers, fruitful Nile,
434 Has flow'd, and fatten'd all the Memphian Soil,
435 Spent all the Richness, that his Waves contain,
436 Back to his Banks, he draws his humid Train.
[Page 233]
437 I pay my Off'rings next at PHOEBUS' Shrine,
438 Oxford, the Seat of all the tuneful Nine.
439 Forgive me, God of Verse, who daring greet
440 Thy sacred Temples with unhallow'd Feet!
441 As pious Mussulmen to Mecca roam,
442 Zealous to worship at their Prophet's Tomb;
443 So comes the Poet to thy rev'rend Fanes,
444 Invoking thee to aid his humble Strains.
445 O! might a Spark of thy celestial Flame
446 But raise my Numbers equal to my Theme,
447 ALFRED immortal in my Page should shine;
448 ALFRED, the Monarch, Hero, and Divine!
449 Who, having bravely all his Foes o'erthrown,
450 Advanc'd thy Kingdom, and confirm'd his own;
451 Water'd his Realm with the Pierian Spring,
452 Recall'd the banish'd Arts, and bad the Muses sing.
[Page 234]
453 Then should my Numbers sound with
* Founder of New College.
WICKHAM's Praise;
454 Nor less should
Founder of Corpus-Christi College, where the Author was kindly entertain'd.
FOXE's Fame adorn my Lays,
455 Whose pious Care the decent Fabric rear'd,
456 Which kindly shelter'd the unworthy Bard;
457 Nor the unworthy Bard should leave unpaid
458 The grateful Debt, contracted while he stay'd:
459 Thy Favours, chiefly, WINDER, should be known,
460 In lasting Numbers, tuneful as thy own.
461 Thee, BODLEY, would I sing; who can refuse
462 A Verse to BODLEY, Patron of the Muse?
463 Whose letter'd Bounty to the World declares
464 The treasur'd Wisdom of three thousand Years.
465 Nor should the Muse forget the
§ Wainflet, Bishop of Winchester, Founder of Magdalen College, where Mr. Addison writ a Panegyric on Mr. Dryden, the first English Verses he ever made public.
Prelate's Fame,
466 Who grac'd the River with a stately Frame,
[Page 235]
467 Known by the flow'ry Meads, which round it lie,
468 And beauteous Walks, that charm the Student's Eye;
469 Where courtly ADDISON attun'd his Lays,
470 And rais'd his own, by singing DRYDEN's Praise.
471 Hail, happy Bard! whose Genius still could shine
472 In ev'ry Art; for ev'ry Art was thine:
473 Whether thou didst the Critic's Pen engage,
474 The Critic's Pen improv'd the Poet's Rage;
475 Whether thou didst the Hero's Deeds rehearse,
476 The Hero's Deeds shone brighter in thy Verse:
477 Or did thy tragic Muse sublimely tell,
478 How stubborn CATO for his Country fell;
479 Parties no more retain'd their factious Hate;
480 All pity'd CAESAR's, honour'd CATO's Fate:
481 Nor less thy soft diurnal Essays please,
482 That Glass, where ev'ry Fool his Folly sees;
483 Where Virtue shines with such attractive Grace,
484 She tempts the Vicious to her chaste Embrace.
[Page 236]
485 O! may thy Labours be a Star to guide
486 My Thoughts and Actions o'er Life's devious Tide!
487 If Pride, or Passion check my doubtful Sail,
488 Let thy Instructions lend a friendly Gale,
489 To waft me to the peaceful, happy Shore,
490 Where thou, immortal Bard! art gone before:
491 Then those who grant me not a Poet's Name,
492 Shall own I left behind a better Fame.

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Title (in Source Edition): A Description of a Journey To Marlborough, Bath, Portsmouth, &c. To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount PALMERSTON.
Author: Stephen Duck
Themes: travel
Genres: heroic couplet; occasional poem; address

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Source edition

Duck, Stephen, 1705-1756. Poems on several occasions: By Stephen Duck. London: printed for the author, 1736, pp. 205-236. xl,334,[2]p. ; 4⁰. (ESTC T90234; OTA K073280.000)

Editorial principles

The text has been typographically modernized, but without any silent modernization of spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. The source of the text is given and all editorial interventions have been recorded in textual notes. Based on the electronic text originally produced by the TCP project, this ECPA text has been edited to conform to the recommendations found in Level 5 of the Best Practices for TEI in Libraries version 4.0.0.

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