A Lady in the Character of a Nymph. To the Corsican Warrior at Shakespeare's Jubilee. ‘Christian Carstairs’ Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
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Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T76883 Carstairs, Christian. Original Poems. By a Lady, Dedicated to Miss Ann Henderson. A Tribute to Gratitude and Friendships. Edinburgh Andrew Shortrede 1786 pp. 57-60.

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A Lady in the Character of a Nymph . To the Corsican Warrior at Shakespeare's Jubilee . Mr Boswell .
O Warrior ! whence thy rustic arms and dress ? An exile ah ! and Corsica thy place : Yes , stay , and on these flow'ry banks to dwell , With Shakespeare's soul , who freedom lov'd so well . Though I have nought but tears I can give thee , Yet soon I hope thou better days shalt see . Yes ; sure a time when Briton's sons shall rise ; See their white canvas spreading o'er thy seas ; When they shall boldly soon thy right assert . But here , in peace , O ! Warrior , end the night ! I shrink at war ! how many heroes slain , Of friends and kindred , on some distant plain ! I shrink at war ! how many nymphs like me , To soothe their grief by moon-light night you'll see By Avon's stream , and as it silent glides , Bathe their white bosoms , or to hide their heads ! But let no tear the gen'ral joy , to night , No , not a sigh , the general joy to blight .
To the BRIDE . Part I MUTE my lyre to barb'rous sounds , Sullen looks , or pining care , Cruel Envy's blasting breath , Mean design or falser Friendship . Strike aloud a nobler theme , Gen'rous Caesar , virt'ous Cato , Wild ambition yet restrain , Rigid airs but damp the soul . Sweet , melodious , gentle Lyda , To her mournful tale reply , Vibrate soft in lasting sorrow , The forgiving bosom shew . Did his eyes then steal thy fancy , Hide the blush and the neglect , Gen'rous nymph , do music touch thee ? Thou art happy if he's so . Gayer Delia stole the roses , And the lyre was newly strung , Chaster airs , they yet may charm him , And the modest brow regard . Plaintive notes , and rural fancy , Faithless Phillis , Shenstone mourn , Fairy scenes had caught the echo , Erst in happier times reply . Choicest spirits , now assemble , Was it Gray who struck the lyre ? Sweet AEolian airs that tremble , Or the solemn dirge to hear .
To the BRIDE . Part II TUNE my lyre — to happier times , Sweetest Jean , to swell the note ; Happy swain , then prize thy treasure , Youth and innocence to meet . Join the song , and join the dance , Smoother flow , or brisker airs ; Scorn the nymph of fickle passion , Who to riches gives the hand . Gentle heart that feels the blessing , If the modest blush can show , Thy sweet bride in beauty blooming , Friendship to your loves unite .