I stand here to date the birth Which shall longest brave the sky, Storm and frost ?-these oaks or I? Pass an age or two away, I must moulder, and decay, But the years that crumble me Spread the branch, dilate its size, Cherish honour, virtue, truth! So shalt thou prolong thy youth: Wanting these, however fast Man be fixt, and form'd to last, He is lifeless even now, Stone at heart, and cannot grow. INSCRIPTION For a Hermitage in the Author's Garden. THIS cabin, Mary, in my sight appears, Built as it has been in our waning years, A rest afforded to our weary feet, Preliminary to the last retreat. STANZAS On the late indecent Liberties taken with the Remains of the great Milton.- -Anno 1790. ME too, perchance, in future days, But I, or ere that season come, So sang in Roman tone and style, Who then but must conceive disdain, Of wretches who have dar'd profane Ill fare the hands that heav'd the stones That trembled not to grasp his bones, *Forsitan et nostros ducat de marmore vultus Nectens aut Paphia myrti aut Parnasside lauri Fronde comas-At ego secura pace quièscam. MILTON. Oh ill-requited Bard! neglect A TALE Founded on a Fact, which happened in January, 1779. WHERE Humber pours his rich commercial stream Black as the mine in which he wrought for bread. A Sabbath-day! (such Sabbaths thousands keep!) To buy a cock--whose blood might win him more; It chanc'd (such chances Providence obey!) Whose heart the same desires had once inflam'd; For all plead well who plead the cause of Grace! Woo'd him to hear a sermon, and prevail'd; His faithful bow the mighty preacher drew, Now farewel oaths and blasphemies, and lies! day Was nigh, when he would swear as fast as they. Now take me to that Heaven, I once defied, A TALE. IN Scotland's realm, where trees are few, Nor even shrubs abound; But where, however bleak the view, Some better things are found: For husband there, and wife may boast And false ones are as rare almost, In Scotland's realm, forlorn and bar, This history of a wedded pair, The spring drew near, each felt a breast They pair'd, and only wish'd a nest, The heaths uncover'd, and the moors, Sea-beaten rocks and naked shores Could yield them no retreat. Long time a breeding place they sought, At length a ship arriving, brought A ship! Could such a restless thing, Hush!-Silent hearers profit most !→ This racer of the sea Prov'd kinder to them than the coast; It serv'd them with a tree. |