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so languid. Frequent consideration and minute scrutiny have at length unravelled the cause; viz. that though Reason is feasted, Imagination is starved; whilst Reason is luxuriating in its proper Paradise, Imagination is wearily travelling on a dreary desert. To assist Reason by the stimulus of Imagination is the design. of the following production. In the execution of it much may be objectionable. The verse (particularly in the introduction of the ode) may be accused of unwarrantable liberties, but they are liberties equally homogeneal with the exactness of Mathematical disquisition, and the boldness of Pindaric daring. have three strong champions to defend me against the attacks of Criticism: the Novelty, the Difficulty, and the Utility of the work. I may justly plume myself

I

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that I first have drawn the nymph Not
Mathesis from the visionary caves
abstracted idea, and caused her to unite
with Harmony. The first-born of this
Union I now present to you; with inter-
ested motives indeed-as I expect to
receive in return the more valuable off-
spring of your Muse.

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Because the point A. is the centre

Of the circular B. C. D.

And because the point B. is the centre
Of the circular A. C. E.

A. C. to A. B. and B. C. to B. A.
Harmoniously equal for ever must stay ;
Then C. A. and B. C.

Both extend the kind hand

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With such high transport every moment flies,

I curse Experience that he makes me wise;

For at his frown the dear deliriums flew, And the changed scene now wears a gloomy hue.

A hideous hag th' Enchantress Pleasure

seems,

And all her joys appear but feverous dreams.

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The vain resolve still broken and still made,
Disease and loathing and remorse invade;
The charm is vanish'd and the bubble's
broke,―

A slave to pleasure is a slave to smoke!'
Such lays repentant did the Muse
supply;

Where first his infant buds appear;
Or upwards dart with soaring force,
And tempt some more ambitious course?
Obedient now to Hope's command,

I bid each humble wish expand,
And fair and bright Life's prospects seem,
While Hope displays her cheering beam,
And Fancy's vivid colourings stream, 11
While Emulation stands me nigh
The Goddess of the eager eye.

With foot advanced and anxious heart
Now for the fancied goal I start :-
Ah! why will Reason intervene
Me and my promised joys between !
She stops my course, she chains my speed,
While thus her forceful words proceed
Ah! listen, youth, ere yet too late, 20
What evils on thy course may wait!

When as the Sun was hastening down To bow the head, to bend the knee,
A minion of Servility,

the sky, In glittering state twice fifty guineas At low Pride's frequent frowns to sigh, And watch the glance in Folly's eye;

come,

His Mother's plate antique had raised To toil intense, yet toil in vain,

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But sounds that variously express, What's thine already-Happiness! 'Tis thine the converse deep to hold With all the famous sons of old; And thine the happy waking dream While Hope pursues some favourite. theme,

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As oft when Night o'er Heaven is spread,
Round this maternal seat you tread,
Where far from splendour, far from riot,
In silence wrapt sleeps careless quiet.
'Tis thine with fancy oft to talk,
And thine the peaceful evening walk;
And what to thee the sweetest are-
The setting sun, the evening star-
The tints, which live along the sky,
And Moon that meets thy raptured eye,
Where oft the tear shall grateful start,
Dear silent pleasures of the Heart!
Ah! Being blest, for Heaven shall lend
To share thy simple joys a friend!
Ah! doubly blest, if Love supply

His influence to complete thy joy,

If chance some lovely maid thou find To read thy visage in thy mind.

'One blessing more demands

care :

90

thy

Once more to Heaven address the prayer:
For humble independence pray
The guardian genius of thy way;

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A CHRISTMAS TALE, TOLD BY A SCHOOL-BOY TO HIS LITTLE BROTHERS AND SISTERS

UNDERNEATH a huge oak tree

There was of swine a huge company,
That grunted as they crunched the mast :
For that was ripe, and fell full fast.
Then they trotted away, for the wind
grew high:

One acorn they left, and no more might you spy.

Next came a Raven, that liked not such folly :

He belonged, they did say, to the witch. Melancholy !

Blacker was he than blackest jet, Flew low in the rain, and his feathers not wet.

ΙΟ

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And with this tree and others they made Thus thro' its silent tenor may my Life

a good ship.

The ship, it was launched; but in sight of the land

Such a storm there did rise as no ship

could withstand.

It bulged on a rock, and the waves rush'd in fast :

Smooth its meek stream by sordid wealth unclogg'd,

Alike unconscious of forensic storms,

And Glory's blood-stain'd palm!

And when dark Age shall close Life's little day,

The old Raven flew round and round, Satiate of sport, and weary of its toils, E'en thus may slumbrous Death my decent limbs

and cawed to the blast.

He heard the last shriek of the perishing

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did meet,

MS.

Compose with icy hand!

AN ODE IN THE MANNER OF ANACREON

As late in wreaths gay flowers I bound,

And he thank'd him again and again for Beneath some roses Love I found,

this treat:

They had taken his all, and REVENGE

WAS SWEET!

[We must not think so; but forget and forgive,

And by his little frolic pinion

As quick as thought I seiz'd the minion, Then in my cup the prisoner threw, And drank him in its sparkling dew: And sure I feel my angry guest

And what Heaven gives life to, we'll still Fluttering his wings within my breast!

let it live!]

? 1791.

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Each social duty and each social How long will ye round me be swelling,

care;

O ye blue-tumbling waves of the sea?

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