278 LYRIC POEMS. parables and dreams: Nor are my wiser friends ashamed to defend it, since the narrative is grave, and the moral so just and obvious." ' The Indian Philosopher. September 3, 1701. I WHY should our joys transform to pain ? Why gentle Hymen's silken chain A,.lague of Iron prove? Bendish, 'tis strange the charm that binds [minds Millions of hands, should leave their At such a loose from love. 2 In vain I sought the wond'rous cause, Rang'd the wide fields of nature's laws, And urg'd the schoolsin vain ; Then deep in thought,within my breast My soul retirtd, and slumber dress'd A bright instructive scene. 3 O'er the broadlands,and 'cross thetide, On fancy's airy horse I ride, (Sweet rapture of the mind ! ) Till on the banks of Ganges flood, In a tall ancient grove I stood For sacred use,design'd. 4 Hard by, a venerable priest, Ris'n with his God, the Sun, from rest, Awoke his morning song ; Thrice he conjur'd the murm'ring stream; The birth of souls was all his theme, And half - divine his tongue. 5 ".He sang th' eternal rolling flame, That vital mass, that still the same Does all our minds compose: But shap'd in -twice ten thousand frames [names Thence dili'ring souls of difrring And jarring tempests rose. 6 The mighty power thatform'd the mind Onemould for every two design'd, And bless'd the new-horn pair: This be a match for this; he said, Then down he sent the souls he made, To seek them bodies here:. 7 But parting from their warm abode They lost their fellows on the road, And never join'd their' hands: Ah cruel chance, and crossing fates! Our eastern souls have dropt their mates On Europe's barbarous lands. e Happy the youth that finds the bride Whose birth is to bis own allied, The sweetest joy of life: But Oh the crowds of wretched minis Petter'd to minds of different moulds, And chain'd t' eternal strife !" g Thus sang the wond'rous Indian bard; My sou! With vast attention heard, While Ganges ceas'd to flow: u Sure. then, I ory'd,. might I but see That gentle nymph that twin'd with me, I may be happy tool" 10 Some courteous angel, tell me where, What distant lands this unknown fair, Or distant seas detain ? Swift as the wheel of nature rolls I'd fly, to meet, and mingle souls, Andwear the joyful chain." The Happy Man. i SERENE as light, is Myron's soul, And active as the sun, yet steady as the pole: ' In manly beauty shines his face ; Ev'ry muse, and ev'ry grace, Makes his heart andtonguetheir seat, His heart profusely good, his tongue divinely sweet. Myron the wonder of our eyes, Behold his manhood scarce begun! Behold bis race of virtue run! Behold the goal of glory won ! Nor fame denies the merit, nor with- holds the prize; Her silver trumpets his renown pro- claim : The lands where learning never flew, Which neitherRome norAthensknew, Surly Japan and richPeru, In barbarous songs, pronounce the British hero's name. "Airy bliss, the hero cry'd, May feed the tympany of pride; But healthy souls were never found To live on emptiness and sound." Lo, at his honourable feet- - Fame's bright attendent, wealth, ap- pears ; She comes to pay obedience meet, Providing joys for future years; Blessingswith lavish hand she pours Gather'd from the Indian coast: Not Danae's lap could equal treasures boast, [show'rs. When Jove came, down in golden. He look'd and turn'd his eyes away, , With high disdain I heard him say, "Bliss is not madeof glitt'ring clay." 3 Now pomp and grandeur court his head [spread: With 'scutcheons, arms, and ensigns Gay magnificence and state, Guards, and chariots, at his gate, And slaves in endless order round his table wait, They learn the dictates of his eyes, And now they fall, and now they rise, Watch every motion of their lord, . Hang on his lips with most impatient zeal, With swift ambition seize th' unfi- nish'd word, And the command fulfil. Tir'd with the train that grandeur brings, He dropt a tear, and pity'd kings: Then flying fromthe noisy throng, Seeks the diversion of asong.
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