So, plung'd in pleasure of the pureft kind, Thus fummon'd to new fights th' obedient maid: "Each separate province which these confines hold; Thro' fcenes, that ftill increafing wonder bred. And blifs angelic beams in every eye. "In yonder groups," the leading spirit cried, "My fav'rite females fee, my fairest pride. “The first in rank is that distinguish'd train, "Whofe ftrength of foul was tried by Hymen's chain. "Tho' "Tho' beauty bleft their form, and love their guide, "By coarse upbraiding, and defpis'd reproof: Voluptuous Anthony's neglected bride, "Whose feeling heart, with all a mother's care, "Rear'd the young offspring of a rival fair. "Far other trials rais'd yon lovely crew, "Tho' in connubial fcenes their merit grew : "It was their chance, ere judgment was mature, "When glittering toys the infant mind allure, "Following their parents' avaricious rule, "To wed, with hopes of blifs, a wealthy fool. "When time remov'd delufion's veil by ftealth, "And fhew'd the drear vacuity of wealth; "When fad experience prov'd the bitter fate "Of beauty coupled to a fenfeless mate; "These gentle wives ftill gloried to submit; "Thefe, tho' invited by alluring wit, "Refus'd in paths of lawless joy to range, "Nor murmur'd at the lot they could not change: "But, with a lively sweetness, unopprest "By a dull husband's lamentable jeft, "The "Their conftant rays of gay good-humour spread "Peevifh commands, and undefer v'd complaint; "Turn to this cheerful band; and mark in this, "Spirits who juftly claim my realms of bliss! "Moft lovely thefe! when judg'd by generous truth, "Tho' beauty is not their's, nor blooming youth: "For these are they, who, in life's thorny shade, "Repin'd not at the name of ancient maid. "No proud difdain, no narrowness of heart "Held them from Hymen's tempting rites apart;" "But fair difcretion led them to withdraw "From the priz'd honour of his proffer'd law, "To quit the object of no hafty choice, "In mild fubmiffion to a parent's voice; "The valued lover with a sigh resign, "And facrifice delight at duty's shrine. "With fmiles they bore, from angry fpleen exempt, "Injurious mockery, and coarse contempt: "And all her tender offices fupply, "Tho' bound not by the strong maternal tie : " 'Twas ""Twas their's to bid inteftine quarrels ceafe, "No praise they fought, except that praise refin'd, "Which the heart whispers to the worthy mind. "Such are these gentle tribes, the happy few, "Who share the triumph to their victory due: "Angelic aims their spotless minds employ, "And fill their measure of unchequer❜d joy. "Behold! where fome with generous ardour wait "Around yon Seer, who holds the book of Fate; "Those awful leaves with eager glance they turn, "Thence with celeftial zeal they fondly learn "What dangers threaten, thro' the vale of earth, "Their kindred pilgrims, ere they rise to birth: "To earth they still invifibly defcend, "In that dark scene congenial minds defend," "From Pleasure's bud drive Spleen's corroding worm, "And in my votaries' hearts my power confirm. "Delights more calm yon listening band employ, "Who deeply drink of intellectual joy. "See them around that speaking nymph rejoice, "Their pleasures varying with her varied voice! "What graces in the sweet enthusiast glow! Repeating here whate'er she learns below. "Mem❜ry her name, her charge o'er earth to flit, "Has penn'd, of moral grace and comic power, "Teach "Teach men to cherish their fraternal tie, "And view kind Nature with a filial eye; This active spirit catches in her flight, "Skill'd to retain, and happy to recite. "Here fhe delivers each bright work, and each "Derives new beauty from her graceful speech. "Warpt by no envy, by no love misled, "Equal she holds the living and the dead; "Alike rehearfing, as they claim their turn, “The song of Anfiey, and the tale of Sterne. "But morning calls thee hence.-Yet one feene 66 more "My foftering love fhall lead thee to explore. "This, thy laft fight, with careful eyes furvey, “And mark th' extensive nature of my way." SECT. XXX. HAYLEY. THE LAST SCENE PRESENTED TO SERENA. THUS with fond zeal the guardian spirit faid, The scene she enter'd of the richest state, |