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100

Add, that he varies ev'ry shape with ease,
And tries all forms that may Pomona please,
But what should most excite a mutual flame,
Your rural cares and pleasures are the same:
To him your orchards early fruits are due
(A pleasing off'ring when 'tis made by you),
He values these; but yet (alas) complains,
That still the best and dearest gift remains.
Not the fair fruit that on yon branches glows
With that ripe red th' autumnal sun bestows;
Nor tasteful herbs that in these gardens rise,
Which the kind soil with milky sap supplies;
You, only you, can move the God's desire:
Oh crown so constant and so pure a fire!
Let soft compassion touch your gentle mind;
Think, 'tis Vertumnus begs you to be kind!
So may no frost, when early buds appear,
Destroy the promise of the youthful year;
Nor winds, when first your florid orchard blows,
Shake the light blossoms from their blasted boughs!
This when the various God had urg'd in vain,
He straight assum'd his native form again;
Such, and so bright an aspect now he bears,

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109

114

As when through clouds th' emerging sun appears, And thence exerting his refulgent ray,

Dispels the darkness, and reveals the day.

Force he prepar'd, but check'd the rash design;
For when, appearing in a form divine,
The Nymph surveys him, and beholds the grace
Of charming features, and a youthful face!
In her soft breast consenting passions move,
And the warm maid confess'd a mutual love.

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IMITATIONS

OF

ENGLISH POETS.

DONE BY THE AUTHOR IN HIS YOUTH.

Ar the suggestion of the ingenious Dr. John Hoadly, Mr. Hawkins Brown wrote six little poems, entitled, A Pipe of Tobacco, in imitation of six late English poets, Cibber, Philips, Thomson, Young, Pope, Swift. The second was written by Dr. Hoadly himself. The two best of these imitations are that of Young and Pope, whose manner is exactly characterized. Mr. Hawkins Brown, by his admirable Latin Poem on the immortality of the Soul, shewed he had a genius far above these pleasantries. Dr. Hoadly once shewed me a new Rehearsal, being a comedy written by himself and his brother, the Author of the Suspicious Husband, to ridicule several modern tragedies. I remember they were particularly severe on the Saguntum of Frowde and the Sophonisba of Thomson.