ADVERTISEMENT.

MANY of the following Rhymes were intended to exprefs the Author's fenfe of unmerited civilities, for which it was not in his power to make any other return: if the reader fhould chufe to impute them to adulation or vanity, instead of gratitude, the author can only fay, that he is not confcious of any fuch motives.

THE

LAMENTATION

OF AN

INVETERATE RHYMER.

IN Life's campaign, amidst the battle's rage,
Where fevers, palfies, gouts, and-quacks, engage;
When I, a puny mortal! ftill remain,

While thousands fall around me on the plain;
Have almost brav'd it threescore years and ten,
The age allotted to the fons of men:

When anxious thus I wait heaven's awful doom,
Stand trembling o'er the horrors of the tomb;
Shall I the moments wafte, instead of pray'r,
In jingling rhymes and carolling the fair?
Forgetting, I no longer am a boy,

Shall childish bawbles ftill the man employ?
What penance for fuch trifling can atone?
I feel, and, ah! with fhame my folly own.
But some strange charm by turns my bofom fires,
Or friendship's call with vanity conspires;

Some smiling nymph enjoins her rhyming tasks:
Some friend an epilogue or prologue asks;

And, though I vow and promise, o'er and o'er,
To grow more serious and transgress no more;
I find my strongest resolutions vain:

I write, repent, refolve, and write again.

But, fince fuch rhymes demand no vig'rous powers, And just amufe the idleft of my hours;

When rules of health due exercise require,
Or rains confine me to my parlour fire;

When deaf my ears, and eyes refreshment need,
Debarr'd sweet converse, and forbid to read;
From ferious business, from intrusion free,
(Though age and youthful frolicks ill agree)
Then fancy, leagu'd with cuftom, ftill invades,
And tempts to wanton with th' Aonian maids;
Forgot awhile life's more important cares,
Again I'm caught in their feducing fnares.

With gloom opprefs'd, whene'er the restless mind Attempts in fprightlier fcenes relief to find; When airy vifions thus my thoughts engage, I feel no more th' infirmities of age; Dispell❜d by momentary gleams of joy, Nor anxious fears nor fancied ills annoy: Imagination youthful days renews,

And gilds with orient beams life's evening views.

Yet though these toys at intervals intrude,
They ne'er due thoughts of future hopes exclude.
Awhile I liften to these sportive strains;

But reason ftill, I trust, my fovereign reigns.
Though in my breast amusement claims its part,
I'm yet "a fad, good Chriftian at the heart:"
To virtue and to piety a friend,

Sing on the road-yet mindful of its end.

1786.

PHILOKALUS;

OR,

A PLEA FOR

UNSEASONABLE GALLANTRY.

OFT' by the ladies I am told,

(What long I've known) that I grow old; And ought not thus, at fixty-fix, With giddy, giggling girls to mix:

That ev'n my compliments but teaze them, Though vainly I attempt to please them.

But, Chloe, not to make you proud,
The gilding of yon evening cloud,
Or luftre of the orient fun,

Has oft your brilliant charms outshone.
And, lo! where'er I turn my eyes,
Enchanting objects round me rise:

All which were made for our delight;

And which it were a fin to flight.