But of happier command, And, your wonder vain to shorten, EPITAPH ON MR. CHESTER, OF CHICHELEY [Written April, 1793. Published by Hayley, 1803.] TEARS flow, and cease not, where the good man lies, Till all who know him follow to the skies. Tears therefore fall where CHESTER's ashes sleep; Him wife, friends, brothers, children, servants, weep- And justly-few shall ever him transcend ON A PLANT OF VIRGIN'S-BOWER And deck with many a splendid flow'r Thou cam'st from Eartham, and wilt shade Some future day th' illustrious head Of him who made thee mine. Should Daphne show a jealous frown Affirming none so fit to crown 8 Thy cause with zeal we shall defend, For why should not the Virgin's Friend TO MY COUSIN ANNE BODHAM 16 ON RECEIVING FROM HER A NETWORK PURSE [Written May, 1793. Published by Hayley, 1803.] I danced and fondled on my knee, Gold pays the worth of all things here; I, therefore, as a proof of love, The best things kept within it. INSCRIPTION 12 FOR AN HERMITAGE IN THE AUTHOR'S GARDEN INSCRIPTION FOR A MOSS-HOUSE IN THE [Written 1793 (?). Published by Grimshawe, 1835.] A book or friend bestows; Far from the storms that shake the great, SONNET TO MRS. UNWIN [Written May, 1793. Published by Hayley, 1803.] 4 6 MARY! I want a lyre with other strings; drew! An eloquence scarce given to mortals, new, And undebas'd by praise of meaner things! By seraphs writ with beams of heav'nly light, 10 There all thy deeds, my faithful Mary, shine, And since thou own'st that praise, I spare thee mine. Sonnet to Mrs. Unwin-8 Verse] And 1815. TO JOHN JOHNSON ON HIS PRESENTING ME WITH AN ANTIQUE BUST OF HOMER [Written May 22, 1793. Published by Hayley, 1803. There is a copy among the Ash MSS.] KINSMAN belov'd, and as a son, by me! TO A YOUNG FRIEND ON HIS ARRIVING AT CAMBRIDGE WET, WHEN NO RAIN HAD FALLEN THERE 10 [Written May, 1793. Published by Hayley, 1803.] IF Gideon's fleece, which drench'd with dew he found, While moisture none refresh'd the herbs around, Might fitly represent the Church, endow'd With heav'nly gifts, to heathens not allow'd; In pledge, perhaps, of favours from on high, Thy locks were wet, when other locks were dry. Heav'n grant us half the omen--may we see Not drought on others, but much dew on thee! 8 A TALE! [Written June, 1793. Published by Hayley, 1803.] IN Scotland's realm, where trees are few, Nor even shrubs abound; But where, however bleak the view, Some better things are found :— 1 This tale is founded on an article of intelligence which the author found in the Buckinghamshire Herald, for Saturday, June 1, 1793, in the following words: Glasgow, May 23, "In a block, or pulley, near the head of the mast of a gabert, now lying at the Broomielaw, there is a chaffinch's nest and four eggs. The nest was built while the vessel lay at Greenock, and was followed hither by both birds. Though the block is occasionally lowered for the inspection of the curious, the birds have not forsaken the nest. The cock, however, visits the nest but seldom; while the hen never leaves it, but when she descends to the hull for food" [H.). To a Friend-6 others' 1815. For husband there and wife may boast Their union undefil'd; And false ones are as rare almost, As hedge-rows in the wild :- In Scotland's realm, forlorn and bare, A chaffinch and his mate. The spring drew near, each felt a breast They pair'd, and only wish'd a nest, The heaths uncover'd, and the moors, Long time a breeding place they sought, A ship-could such a restless thing, Or was the merchant charg'd to bring Hush!-silent hearers profit most!— Prov'd kinder to them than the coast, But such a tree! 'twas shaven deal, The tree they call a mast; And had a hollow with a wheel Form'd with materials neat and soft, Within that cavity aloft Their roofless home they fixt; Bents, wool, and feathers mixt. Four iv'ry eggs soon pave its floor, 8 16 24 32 40 The vessel weighs-forsakes the shore, The mother-bird is gone to sea, As she had chang'd her kind; But goes the mate? Far wiser he Is doubtless left behind. 48 15 only wish'd Hayley: would have built 1815. 47 mate] male 1815. No-soon as from ashore he saw Then perching at his consort's side The seaman, with sincere delight, 56 For seamen much believe in signs, Each some approaching good divines, 61 And may ye, sometimes landing here, 80 TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ. IN REPLY TO HIS SOLICITATION TO WRITE WITH HIM IN A LITERARY WORK [Written June 29, 1793, in letter to Hayley. Published by Hayley, 1803. There is a copy among the Ash MSS.] DEAR architect of fine Chateaux en l'air, Than any built with stone, or yet with wood 1 en l'air A.: in air previous edd. 3 with... with A.: of... of previous edd. |