THE MUSE. Their path pursue, who, "fall'n on evil days," And bent by frowning fortune's iron rod, Snatch'd from her envious grasp the deathless bays, And Fame's proud eminence sublimely trod. They mock'd the human tempest's idle rage, And, scorning stern adversity's controul, "Chill penury ne'er damped their glowing page, "Nor froze the genial current of their soul." POET. How shall this verse obtain his judging ear, Accustomed to his peerless Homer's strain*; Whose lofty themes his studious hours endear, With all the Grecian muses in his train? *Note I. THE MUSE. What though the soaring herald of the morn Fill with his rapid strains the glowing sphere, The lonely pensive redbreast on his thorn May sing as sweet in musing pity's ear. Upon his rustic reed, the pastoral swain May breathe through hearts with sympathy endu’d, A lay as pleasing as a Pindar's strain, The dulcet" still small voice of gratitude." Haste then thy tributary song to pay,-- And fearless take the long-suspended lyre From yonder dusky willow's leafless spray :-- B 2 POET. Yet, soft Enchantress of the laureat tribe ! Tune with thy magic hands its trembling strings, Give them thy fire ethereal to imbibe, And prompt thy pensive vot'ry while he sings.-- Ardent to shine in glory's bright career, Fresh like the morn, hailing the orient sun, "Flush'd with the spirit of life's vernal year," Lo !---the Patrician's arduous race begun : With classic lore, with lib'ral arts imbu'd, With history's ample stores enrich'd his mind, With genius, as with patriot zeal, endu'd, He leaves each proud competitor behind. See oratory "marks him for her own," And arms his tongue with her resistless fire, And bids him to the chaplet of renown, Like great Demosthenes of old, aspire. Arrived at length at glory's radiant goal, Crown'd with pre-eminence in freedom's cause, New trials then await the steadfast soul, The fickle gales of popular applause. Envy, grim, livid monster, still pursues* The patriot statesman and th' enlighten'd sage; O'er their fair merits sheds her blighting dews, And blots with rancour Time's historic page. * Note II. Sated with fame, wearied with feuds of state, The harass'd mind longs to enjoy repose, And like, in ev'ry age, the truly great, To muse o'er life, and dignify its close. Thoughtful on liberty's declining star, Thus Tully mused in Tusculum's retreats, Exchang'd the Roman senate and the bar Thus, on Salona's oak-clad, tow'ring scite, Th' imperial purple stole aside was laid, And Dioclesian view'd with more delight The rural honours of his native shade*. * Note III. |