But all concur his shame to show, And more exasperate the foe.

And now he pensive turns and sad,
And looks like melancholic mad.

He rolls his eyes now off, now on
That wonderful phenomenon.

Sometimes he twists and twirls it round,
Then, pausing, meditates profound:
No end he sees of his surprise,
Nor what it should be can devise:
For never was yet wool or feather,
That could stand buff against all weather;
And unrelax'd, like this, resist

Both wind and rain, and snow and mist.
What stuff, or whence, or how 'twas made,
What spinster which could spin such thread,
He nothing knew; but, to his cost,
Knew all his fame and labour lost.
Subdued, abash'd, he gave it o'er;
'Tis said, he blush'd; 'tis sure, he swore
Not all the wiles that Hell could hatch
Could conquer that superb Mustach.
Defeated thus, thus discontent,
Back to the man the demon went :

"I grant," quoth he, our contract null,
And give you a discharge in full.
But tell me now, in name of wonder,
(Since I so candidly knock under)
What is this thing? Where could it grow?
Pray take it 'tis in statu quo.
Much good may't do you; for my part,
I wash iny hands of 't from my heart."

"In truth, sir Goblin, or sir Fairy,"
Replies the lad, "you're too soon weary.
What, leave this trifling task undone!
And think'st thou this the only one?
Alas! were this subdued, thou'dst find
Millions of more such still behind;
Which might employ, ev'n to eternity,
Both you and all your whole fraternity."

THE

PEASANT IN SEARCH OF HIS HEIFER.

A TALE AFTER M. DE LA FONTAINE,

Ir so befell: a silly swain

Had sought his heifer long in vain ;
For wanton she had frisking stray'd,
And left the lawn, to seek the shade.
Around the plain he rolls his eyes,
Then to the wood in haste he hies;
Where, singling out the fairest tree,
He climbs, in hopes to hear or see.

Anon, there chanc'd that way to pass
A jolly lad and buxom lass:
The place was apt, the pastime pleasant;
Occasion with her forelock present;
The girl agog, the gallant ready;
So lightly down he lays my lady.
But so she turn'd, or so was laid,
That she some certain charms display'd,
Which with such wonder struck his sight
(With wonder, much; more, with delight)
That loud he cry'd in rapture, "What?
"What see I, gods! What see I not!"
But nothing nam'd; from whence 'tis guess'd,
Twas more than well could be express'd.

The clown aloft, who lent an ear, Straight stops him short in mid career; And louder cry'd, "Ho! honest friend, That of thy seeing seest no end; Dost see the heifer that I seek? If dost, pray be so kind to speak."

HOMER'S HYMN TO VENUS. SING, Muse, the force and all-informing fire Of Cyprian Venus, goddess of desire : Her charms th' immortal minds of gods can move, And tame the stubborn race of men to love. The wilder herds, and ravenous beasts of prey, Her influence feel, and own her kindly sway. Thro' pathless air, and boundless ocean's space, She rules the feather'd kind and finny race; Whole nature on her sole support depends, And far as life exists, her care extends.

Of all the numerous host of gods above,
But three are found inflexible to love.
Blue-ey'd Minerva free preserves her heart,
A virgin unbeguil'd by Cupid's art ;
In shining arms the martial maid delights,
O'er war presides, and well-disputed tights &
With thirst of fame she first the hero fir'd,
And first the skill of useful arts inspir'd;
Taught artists first the carving tool to wield,
Chariots with brass to arm, and form the fenceful
shield:

She first taught modest maids in early bloom,
To shun the lazy life, and spin, or ply the loom.
Diana next the Paphian queen defies,
Her smiling arts and proffer'd friendship flies:
She loves, with well-mouth'd hounds and cheerful
horn,

Or silver sounding voice, to wake the Morn,
To wound the mountain boar, or rouse the wood-
land deer;

To draw the bow, or dart the pointed spear.
Sometimes, of gloomy groves she likes the shades,
And there of virgin-nymphs the chorus leads;
And sometimes seeks the town, and leaves the
And loves society where virtue reigns. [plains,

The third celestial power averse to love
Is virgin Vesta, dear to mighty Jove;
Whom Neptune sought to wed, and Phoebus woo'd;
And both wish fruitless labour long pursu'd.
For she, severely chaste, rejected both,
And bound her purpose with a solemn oath,
A virgin life inviolate to lead;

She swore, and Jove assenting, bow'd his head,
But since her rigid choice the joys deny'd
Of nuptial rites, and blessings of a bride,
The bounteous Jove with gifts that want supply'da
High on a throne she sits amidst the skies,
And first is fed with fumes of sacrifice;
For holy rites to Vesta first are paid,
And on her altar first-fruit offerings laid;
So Jove ordain'd in honour of the maid.

These are the powers above, and only these,
Whom Love and Cytherea's art displease;
Of other beings, none in Earth or skies
Her force resists, or influence denies.
With ease her charms the thunderer can bind
And captivate with love th' almighty mind:
Ev'n he, whose dread commands the gods obey
Submits to her, and owns superior sway.

Me to your father and your brothers show,
And our alliance first let them allow:
Let me be known, and my condition own'd,
And no unequal match I may be found.
Equality to them my birth may claim,
Worthy a daughter's or a sister's name,
Though for your wife of too inferior faine.
Next, let ambassadors to Phrygia haste,
To tell my father of my fortunes past,
And case my mother in that anxious state
Of doubts and fears, which cares for me create.
They, in return, shall presents bring from thence
Of rich attire, and sums of gold immense:
You, in peculiar, shall with gifts be grac'd,
In price and beauty far above the rest.
This done, perform the rites of nuptial love,
Grateful to men below, and gods above."
She said, and from her eyes shot subtle fires,
Which to his heart insinuate desires.
Resistless love invading thus his breast,
The panting youth the smiling queen address’d—
"Since mortal you, of mortal mother came,
And Otreus, you report, your father's name;
And since th' immortal Hermes, from above,
To execute the dread commands of Jove,
Your wondrous beauties hither has convey'd,
A nuptial life with me henceforth to lead:
Know, now, that neither gods nor men have pow'r
One minute to defer the happy hour;
This instant will I seize upon thy charms,
Mix with thy soul, and melt within thy arms:
Though Pha-bus, arm'd with his unerring dart,
Stood ready to transfix my panting heart;
Though Death, though Hell, in consequence attend,
Thou shalt with me the genial bed ascend.”

He said, and sudden snatch'd her beauteous hand;
The goddess smil'd, nor did th' attempt withstand :
But fix'd her eyes upon the hero's bed,*
Where soft and silken coverlets were spread,
And over all a counterpane was plac'd,
Thick sown with furs of many a savage beast,
Of bears and lions, heretofore his spoil;
And still remain'd the trophies of his toil.

Now to ascend the bed they both prepare And he with eager haste disrobes the fair.

Her sparkling necklace first he laid aside; Her bracelets next, and braided hair untied: And now, his busy hand her zone unbrac'd, Which girt her radiant robe around her waist; Her radiant robe, at last, aside was thrown, Whose rosy hue with dazzling lustre shone.

The queen of love the youth thus disarray'd, And on a chair of gold her vestments laid. Anchises now (so Jove and Fate ordain'd) The sweet extreme of ecstasy attain'd; And, mortal he, was like th' immortals bless'd, Not conscious of the goddess he possess'd.

[fed,

But when the swains their flocks and herds had And, from the flowery fields returning, led Their sheep to fold, and oxen to the shed; In soft and pleasing chains of sleep profound, The wary goddess her Anchises bound: Then gently rising from his side and bed, In all her bright attire her limbs array'd.

And now her fair-crown'd head aloft she rears, Nor more a mortal, but herself appears: Her face refulgent, and majestic mien, Confess'd the goddess, love's and beauty's queen. Then thus aloud she calls-" Anchises, awake! Thy fond repose and lethargy forsake:

Look on the nymph who late from Phrygia came, Behold me well-say, if I seem the same."

At her first call the chains of sleep were broke, And, starting from his bed, Anchises woke : But when he Venus view'd without disguise, Her shining neck beheld, and radiant eyes; Awed and abash'd, he turn'd his head aside, Attempting with his robe his face to hide. Confus'd with wonder, and with fear oppress'd, In winged words he thus the queen address'd― "When first, O goddess, I thy form beheld, Whose charms so far humanity excell'd; To thy celestial pow'r my vows I paid, And with humility implor'd thy aid: But thou, for secret cause to me unknown, Didst thy divine immortal state disown. But now, I beg thee, by the filial love Due to thy father, ægis-bearing Jove, Compassion on my human state to show; Nor let me lead a life infirm below: Defend me from the woes which mortals wait, Nor let me share of men the common fate: Since never man with length of days was blast, Who, in delights of love, a deity possess'd."

To him Jove's beauteous daughter thus reply'd
"Be bold, Anchises; in my love confide :
Nor me, nor other god, thou need'st to fear,
For thou to all the heav'nly race art dear.
Know, from our loves, thou shalt a son obtain,
Who over all the realm of Troy shall reign;
From whom a race of monarchs shall descend,
And whose posterity shall know no end.
To him thou shalt the name Eneas give,
As one, for whose conception I must grieve,
Oft as I think he to exist began
From my conjunction with a mortal man.

"But Troy, of all the habitable Earth,
To a superior race of men gives birth;
Producing heroes of th' ethereal kind,
And next resembling gods in form and mind.

"From thence great Jove to azure skies conTo live with gods, the lovely Ganymede. [vey'd, Where, by th' immortals honour'd (strange to say!) The youth enjoys a bless'd eternity.

In bowls of gold he ruddy nectar pours,
And Jove regales in his unbended hours.
Long did the king his sire, his absence mourn,
Doubtful by whom, or where, the boy was borne:
Till Jove, at length, in pity of his grief,
Dispatch'd Argicides to his relief;
And more, with gifts to pacify his mind,
He sent him horses of a deathless kind,
Whose feet outstript, in speed, the rapid wind:
Charging withal swift Hermes to relate
The youth's advancement to a heav'nly state;
Where all his hours are past in circling joy,
Which age can ne'er decay, nor Death destroy.
Now, when this embassy the king receives,
No more for absent Ganymede he grieves;
The pleasing news his aged heart revives,
And with delight his swift-heel'd steeds he drives
"But when the gold-enthron'd Aurora made
Tithonus partner of her rosy bed,
(Tithonus too was of the Trojan line,
Resembling gods in face and form divine)
For him she straight the Thunderer address'd,
That with perpetual life he might be bless'd:
Jove heard her pray'r, and granted her request.
But ah! how rash was she, how indiscreet!
The most material blessing to omit;

[plied;

Neglecting, or not thinking to provide,
That length of days might be with strength sup-
And, to her lover's endless life, engage
An endless youth, incapable of age.
Fut hear what fate befell this heav'nly ir,
In gold enthron'd, the brightest child on ir.
Tithonus, while of pleasing youth possess'd,
Is by Aurora with delight caress'd;

Dear to her arms, he in her court resides, [tides.
Beyond the verge of earth, and ocean's utmost
"But when she saw grey hairs begin to spread,
Deform his beard, and disadorn his head,
The goddess cold in her embraces grew,
His arms declin'd, and from his bed withdrew;
Yet still a kind of nursing care she show'd,
And food ambrosial, and rich clothes, bestow'd:
But when of age he felt the sad extreme,
And ev'ry nerve was shrunk, and limb was lame,
Lock'd in a room her useless spouse she left,
Of youth, of vigour, and of voice, bereft.
On terms like these, I never can desire
Thou shouldst to immortality aspire.

"Couldst thou, indeed, as now thou art, remain,
Thy strength, thy beauty, and thy youth, retain,
Couldst thou for ever thus my husband prove,
I might live happy in thy endless love;
Nor should I e'er have cause to dread the day,
When I must mourn thy loss and life's decay.
But thou, alas! too soon and sure must bend
Beneath the woes which painful age attend;
Inexorable age! whose wretched state
All mortals dread, and all immortals hate.

"Now, know, I also must my portion share, And for thy sake reproach and shame must bear. For I, who heretofore in chains of love Could captivate the minds of gods above, And force them, by my all-subduing charms, To sigh and languish in a woman's arms: Must now no more that pow'r superior boast, Nor tax with weakness the celestial host; Since I myself this dear amends bave made, And am, at last, by my own arts betray'd.

Erring, like them, with appetite deprav'd, This bour, by thee, I have a son conceiv'd; Whom, hid beneath my zone, I must conceal, Till time his being and my shame reveal. [adorn, "Him shall the nymphs, who these fair woods In their deep bosoms nurse, as soon as born;

They nor of mortal nor immortal seed
Are said to spring, yet on ambrosia feed,
And long they live, and oft in chorus join
With gods and goddesses in dance divine.
These the Sileni court; these Hermes loves,
And their embraces seeks in shady groves.
Their origin and birth these nymphs deduce
From common parent Earth's prolific juice;
With lofty firs which grace the mountain's brow,
Or ample-spreading oaks, at once they grow;
All have their trees allotted to their care,
Whose growth, duration, and decrease, they share.
But holy are these groves by mortals held,
And therefore by the ax are never fell'd.
But when the fate of some fair tree draws nigh,
It first appears to droop, and then grows dry;
The bark to crack and perish next is seen,
And last the boughs it sheds, no longer green :
And thus the nymphs expire by like degrees,
And live and die coeval with their trees.

"These gentle nymphs, by my persuasion won, Shall in their sweet recesses nurse my son; And when his cheeks with youth's first blushes glow,

To thee the sacred maids the boy shall show. "More to instruct thee, when five years shall end,

I will again to visit thee descend,

Bringing thy beauteous son to charm thy sight,
Whose godlike form shall fill thee with delight;
Him will I leave thenceforward to thy care,
And will that with him thou to Troy repair:
There, if inquiry shall be made, to know
To whom thou dost so bright an offspring owe;
Be sure, thou nothing of the truth detect,
But ready answer make, as I direct.
Say, of a Sylvan nymph the fair youth came,
And Calycopis call his mother's name.

For shouldst thou boast the truth, and madly own
That thou in bliss hadst Cytherea known,
Jove would his anger pour upon thy head,
And with avenging thunder strike thee dead.
Now all is told thee, and just caution giv'n,
Be secret thou, and dread the wrath of Heav'n.”
She said, and sudden soar'd above his sight,
Cutting through liquid air her heav'nward flight.
All hail, bright Cyprian queen! thee first I praise,
Then to some other pow'r transfer my lays.