That Palliser, like Keppel brave, Yet Keppel with deserv'd applause A TALE, FOUNDED ON A FACT [Written Jan., 1779. Published by Hayley, 1803.] WHERE Humber pours his rich commercial stream, There dwelt a wretch, who breath'd but to blaspheme. In subterraneous caves his life he led, Black as the mine, in which he wrought for bread. When on a day, emerging from the deep, A Sabbath-day! (such sabbaths thousands keep!) The wages of his weekly toil he bore To buy a cock-whose blood might win him more; As if the noblest of the feather'd kind Were but for battle and for death design'd; As if the consecrated hours were meant For sport, to minds on cruelty intent; 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! 10 20 He felt his sins, and wonder'd he should feel. Was nigh, when he would swear as fast as they. THE BEE AND THE PINE-APPLE [Written Sept., 1779. Published, in Unpublished Poems of Of a rich pine-apple in bloom, The flow'rs that blow'd within his reach, No rose could yield so rare a treat, 30 40 10 To those for whom they were design'd. I learn that comfort dwells alone In that which Heav'n has made our own, Than pleasure coveted in vain. THE PINE-APPLE AND THE BEE [Written Sept., 1779. Published 1782. There is a copy among the Ash MSS.] THE pine-apples, in triple row, 10 While Cynthio ogles as she passes The nymph between two chariot glasses, 20 She is the pine-apple, and he The silly unsuccessful bee. The maid who views with pensive air The show-glass fraught with glitt'ring ware, ON THE 30 PROMOTION OF EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ. TO THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLORSHIP OF ENGLAND [Written Nov., 1779. Published 1782.] ROUND Thurlow's head in early youth, Fair science pour'd the light of truth, 7 Urg'd] Push'd 4. 9 still] all 4. 298 PROMOTION OF EDWARD THURLOW See with united wonder cried Discernment, eloquence, and grace, The praise bestow'd was just and wise; Secure of conquest where the prize Attends superior worth. So the best courser on the plain HUMAN FRAILTY 8 16 [Written Nov. (?), 1779. Published 1782. There is a MS. copy in the British Museum.] WEAK and irresolute is man ; The purpose of to-day, Woven with pains into his plan, To-morrow rends away. The bow well bent, and smart the spring, Vice seems already slain ; But passion rudely snaps the string, And it revives again. Some foe to his upright intent Finds out his weaker part; Virtue engages his assent, But pleasure wins his heart. 8 'Tis here the folly of the wise Through all his art we view; And, while his tongue the charge denies, Bound on a voyage of awful length A stranger to superior strength, But oars alone can ne'er prevail To reach the distant coast, The breath of heav'n must swell the sail, Or all the toil is lost. 21 alone can] alas could BM. 16 24 THE YEARLY DISTRESS OR, TITHING TIME AT STOCK IN ESSEX VERSES addressed to a Country Clergyman complaining of the disagreeableness of the day annually appointed for receiving the Dues at the Parsonage. [Written to Unwin, Dec., 1779 (MS. in British Museum). Published in The Gentleman's Magazine Aug., 1783; afterwards in 1800.] COME, ponder well, for 'tis no jest, To laugh it would be wrong; This priest he merry is and blithe He then is full of frights and fears, For then the farmers come jog, jog, Each heart as heavy as a log, To make their payments good. 8 16 In sooth, the sorrow of such days Is not to be express'd, When he that takes and he that pays Are both alike distress'd. Now all unwelcome, at his gates With rueful faces and bald pates- He trembles at the sight. 24 And well he may, for well he knows Instead of paying what he owes, Will cheat him if he can. So in they come-each makes his leg, And looks as if he came to beg, And not to quit a score. 32 "And how does miss and madam do, The little boy and all?" "All tight and well: and how do you, 9 frights BM., 1783: fright 1800, 1803. |