<< If Heav'n with children crown your dwelling, "As mine its bounty does with you, "In fondness fatherly excelling, "Th' example you have felt pursue." He paus'd-for tenderly careffing Now night, her mournful mantle spreading, When back to city follies flying, 'Midft custom's flaves he liv'd refign'd, His face, array'd in smiles, denying The true complexion of his mind. For feriously around furveying Each character, in youth and age, (Peaceful himself and undefigning) He loath'd the fcenes of guile and ftrife, And felt each fecret wish inclining To leave this fretful farce of life. Yet to whate'er above was fated For, what all-bounteous Heav'n created, DODD. PIOUS MEMORY. Occasioned by seeing the Graves dressed with Flowers, at Brecknock in Wales. "WHITHER away, fair maid!” I cry'd, As on old Hundy's bank I lay, Upon her red but well-turn'd arm The fragrant bay, the mournful yew, The red pink, and the primrose fair. "And why that basket on your arm, "With all thofe fragrant fweets supply'd ?” With blushing look, and penfive air, And voice of meekness, soft she figh'd: "To yonder church-yard do I haste, "To dress the grave where Henry fleeps ; "No maid a truer lover bless'd "No maid more faithful lover weeps. "Stern Death forbade us to unite, "And cut him down with ruthless blow; "And now I fpeed to deck his grave, "As 'tis our weekly wont to do.” The melancholy custom pleas'd: She left me wrapp'd in penfive thought; Ideas fad, but foothing, rofe, When my flow steps the church-yard fought. There, kneeling o'er her Henry's grave, Adorn'd with all her basket's ftore, The rural maiden, fighing, hung, She rais'd thofe eyes, fo full of tears, Which now and then stole down her cheek And much to Heav'n fhe would have spoke, But forrow would not let her fpeak. Yet, though her thoughts could find no vent, There is, who reads each honest mind: And the true heart to Him devote, Shall ample fatisfaction find. Then, gentle maiden! do not fear, Again thy Henry thou shalt meet: Till then thy tender task purfue, And ftrew thy greens and flow'rs so sweet. And you, whom all around I fee, The fame dear mournful task employ : Ye parents, children, husbands, wives, The melancholy blifs enjoy! Oh! 'tis delicious to maintain Of friends deceas'd a due refpect! Then bring me flow'rets-bring me greens, Straight fhall my parents' grave be deck'd; And many a friend's (whom faithful love. Still keeps alive within my breaft) Luxuriously fad, I'll fee With choieeft garlands weekly drefs'd. Come, then, the wicker-basket bring; A mellow tear of foothing woe, Shall o'er the graves spontaneous fall; While Heav'n the heart's ftill wifh fhall hear, And to each other grant us all. MASON. ELEGY, TO A YOUNG NOBLEMAN LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY. ERE yet, ingenuous youth, thy steps retire From Cam's fmooth margin, and the peaceful vale, O let thy friend (and may he boast the name!) And this let voluntary friendship pay. Yet know, the time arrives, the dang'rous time, When all thofe virtues, op'ning now so fair, Transplanted to the world's tempeftuous clime, Muft learn each paffion's boift'rous breath to bear; There, if Ambition, peftilent and pale, Or Luxury should taint their vernal glow; If cold felf-intereft, with her chilling gale, Should blast th' unfolding bloffoms e'er they blow; If mimic hues, by Art or Fashion spread, Their genuine fimple colouring should supply ; The Mufe full oft purfues a meteor fire, Call we the shade of Fope from that bleft bow'r, When St. John's name illumin'd Glory's page. Aík, if the wretch who dar'd his mem'ry stain ; Afk, if his country's, his religion's foe, Deferv'd the meed that Malbro' fail'd to gain; The deathlefs meed he only could beslow : The Bard will tell thee, the mifguided praife Clouds the celeftial funfhine of his breast; E'en now, repentant of his erring lays, He heaves a figh amid the realms of rest. If Pope through Friendship fail'd, indignant view, Yet pity Dryden-hark, whene'er he fings, Q |