[Nereides:] Eclogue IV. William Diaper Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
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. T126092 Diaper, William, d. 1717. Nereides: or Sea-Eclogues. London Printed by J. H. for E. Sanger, at the Post-House, at the Middle-Temple-Gate in Fleetstreet 1712 pp. 19-22. x, 69 p.

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[ Nereides : ] Eclogue IV . Muræna . Palæmon . Mur . From this high Cliff is an unusual View , And here our Eyes uncommon Scenes persue . I see the Verdure of yon distant Plains , Where bleating Flocks are fed by tuneful Swains . But ah ! how wretched are those earth-born Slaves , Compar'd with us , who cut thro' shining Waves ? They are expos'd to Cold , expos'd to Heat , In different Seasons mourn a different Fate ; Uneasy still the wretched Caitiff moves To breezy Mountains , or to shelt'ring Groves . While we no cloathing need , no Change of Rules , The Sea in Winter warms , in Summer cools . I've seen the labouring Plowman's daily Toil For a new Crop to fit the stubborn Soil , While Heav'n supplies our Wants without our Sweat , We ne'er are hungry , but we have to eat . Why should we thus by partial Heaven be blest ; With neither Grief , nor Doubt , nor Toil opprest ; While those on Earth of Happiness despair , In Pain , and Anguish die , and live in Care ? Pal . I've heard ( for thus the wise Melampus said ) Two different Kinds of Men by Heav'n were made , The one to swim , and sport in briny Seas , Th'other to range on Earth , or sit at ease , Under the Covert of the shadowing Trees . To each a Guardian Spirit was assign'd To guide their Passions , and inform their Mind : But he on Earth , ingrate ! would wildly rove , Despis'd his Maker , and abus'd his Love . Enraged at this the Guardian Dæmon flew , And bid him his own blinded Will persue ; Thus earthy Men deserted by their Guide Can't rule their giddy Thoughts , nor Stem the coming Tide ; But still are doom'd Slaves to their darling Lust , Are all deceitful , cruel , and unjust ; Restless Desires their wearied Soul distract , They know not what they are , nor , — why they act . While we content with what the Gods approve , Do nought but ever sing , and — ever love . Mur . But see — The Tide swells on the Shore , and forward creeps , And with new Slime besmears the sandy Heaps . What makes this constant Flux , I've often thought The Cause is wond'rous , and in vain I sought . Pal . The Cause is wond'rous plain ; the wise will prove The Nature of a Fluid is to move : In every Liquid there's a constant Rowl ; An Eddy , tho' unseen , disturbs the whole . The gliding Parts with secret Motion flow ; Were they at rest , they would to Hardness grow . As Washings left in Rocks , by Winters Frost Are fixt to solid Ice , and all the Motion's lost . Mur . Happy are those who know the secret Cause Of strange Effects , and Nature's hidden Laws . But leave the Rocks ; for rising Fogs appear , And cold Land-breezes chill the troubled Air .