58 FURNITURE IN DR. PRIESTLEY'S STUDY. And all, like controversial writing, Were born with teeth, and sprung up fighting. "But what is this," I hear you cry, Born of the air and doomed to flame. ON A LADY'S WRITING. HER even lines her steady temper show, Neat as her dress, and polished as her brow; Strong as her judgement, easy as her air; Correct though free, and regular though fair: And the same graces o'er her pen preside, That form her manners and her footsteps guide. ON THE DESERTED VILLAGE. IN vain fair Auburn weeps her desert plains, Now, Auburn, now absolve impartial fate, Which if it made thee wretched, makes thee great: So, unobserved, some humble plant may bloom, While one —one Poet yet remains like thee ! Nor can the Muse desert our favoured isle, Till thou desert the Muse and scorn her smile. HYMN TO CONTENT. .................................................. natura beatis Omnibus esse dedit, si quis cognoverit uti. CLAUDIAN. O THOU, the Nymph with placid eye! O seldom found, yet ever nigh! Receive my temperate vow: Not all the storms that shake the pole Can e'er disturb thy halcyon soul, And smooth unaltered brow. O come, in simple vest arrayed, To bless my longing sight; Thy mien composed, thy even pace," And chaste subdued delight. No more by varying passions beat, O gently guide my pilgrim feet To find thy hermit cell; Where in some pure and equal sky, Beneath thy soft indulgent eye, The modest virtues dwell. Simplicity in Attic vest, And Innocence with candid breast, And clear undaunted eye; And Hope, who points to distant years, A vista to the sky. There Health, through whose calm bosom glide The temperate joys in even tide, That rarely ebb or flow; And Patience there, thy sister meek, To meet the offered blow. |