The minstrel, Or, the progress of genius in two books, with some other poems
I * »>» $ i ^lOSANGElty AMEUNIVER% .vlOS-ANG[lfj> S: 3 r± SS s ^ ^1-llBRARYQc ^UIBRARYQr :i I ^ ^ ^*-< |p 3 ««rf^ ^$ <tyWNV-S01^ ^a^AINH-a^ A\\EUNIVER% ,vlOS-ANCElfj> i\~& l |^-* E < /•'/•/ '//fr.rnr'rcf. <r THE MINSTREL; THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS; IN TWO BOOKS. WITH SOME OTHER POEMS. JAMES BEATTIE, LL.D. HcnDon : PRINTED BY T. GILLET» roll C. DILLY, IN THE POULTRY, AND W. CREECH, EDINBURGH. M DCC XCYII. PR ;*rt^) MRS. MONTAGU, THESE LITTLE POEMS, NOW REVISED AND CORRECTED FOR THE LAST TIME, ARE, WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OP ESTEEM AND GRATITUDE, MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. '^IfS ADVERTISEMENT, JANUARY, 1777. HAVING lately seen in print some poems ascribed to me, which I never wrote, and some of my own in- accurately copied," I thought it would not be improper to publish, in this'little volume, ail the verses of which I am willing to be, considered as the author. Many others I did indeed write in the early part of my life; but they were in general so incorrect, that I would not rescue them from oblivion, even if a wish could do it. Some of the few now offered to the Publick would perhaps have been suppressed, if in making this collec- tion I had implicitly followed my own judgment. But in so small a matter who would refuse to submit his opinion to that of a friend ? •. It is of no consequence to the reader to know the date of any of these little poems. But some private reasons determine the author to add, that most of them were written many years ago, and that the greater part of the Minstrel, which is his latest attempt in this way, was composed in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight. CONTENTS. PAGE The Minstrel. Book I. i Book ii ,;„ '.. & Retirement , ......».*...... 71 Elegy 76 Ode to Hope Si Pygmaeo-gerano-machia : The Battle of the Pygmies and Cranes 88 The Hares: A Fable 99 Epitaph : being Part of an Inscription for a Monu- ment, to be erected by a Gentleman to the Memory of his Lady i n Ode on Lord H**'s Birth-Day . nz The Hermit 118 PREFACE THE MINSTREL. THE design was, to trace the progress of a Poetical Genius, born in a rude age, from the first dawning of fancy and reason, till that period at which he may be supposed capable of appearing in the world as A MIN- STREL, that is, as an itinerant Poet and Musician; — a character which, according to the notions of our forefathers, was not only respectable, but sacred. I have endeavoured to imitate SPENSER in the mea- sure of his verse, and in the harmony, simplicity, and variety, of his composition. Antique expressions I have avoided ; admitting, however, some old words, where they seemed to suit the subject: but I hope none will be found that are now obsolete, or in any degree not intelligible to a reader of English poetry. To those, who maybe disposed to ask, what could induce me to write in so difficult a measure, I can PREFACE. only answer, that it pleases my ear, and seems, from its Gothick structure and original, to bear fome relation to the subject and spirit of the Poem. It admits both simplicity and magnificence of sound and of language, beyond any other stanza that I am acquainted with. It allows the sententiousness of the couplet, as well as the more complex modulation of blank verse. What some criticks have remarked, of its uniformity grow- ing at last tiresome to the ear, will be found to hold true, only when the poetry is faulty in other respects. THE MINSTREL: OR, THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS. BOOK I, THE MINSTREL: OR, THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS. THE FIRST BOOK. I, AH ! who can tell how hard it is to climb The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar j Ah ! who can tell how many a soul sublime Has felt the influence of malignant star, And waged with Fortune an eternal war ; Checked by the scoff of Pride, by Envy's frown, And Poverty's unconquerable bar, In life's low vale remote has pined alone, Then dropt into the grave, unpitied and unknown ! B* 4 THE MINSTREL. II. And yet, the languor of inglorious days - Not equally oppressive is to all. Him, who ne'er listened to the voice of praise, The silence of neglect can ne'er appal. There are, who, deaf to mad Ambition's call, Would shrink to hear th' obstreperous trump of Fame ; Supremely blest, if to their portion fall Health, competence, and peace. Nor higher aim Had HE, whose simple tale these artless lines proclaim. III. The rolls of fame I will not now explore 5 Nor need I here describe in learned lay, How forth THE MINSTREL fared in days of yore, > Right glad of heart, though homely in array 5 His waving locks and beard all hoary grey : While from his bending shoulder, decent hung His harp, the sole companion of his way, Which to the whistling wind responsive rung : And ever as he went some merry lay he sung. THE MINSTREL. 5 iv*" Fret not thyself, thou glittering child of pride, That a poor Villager inspires my strain j With thee let Pageantry and Power abide: The gentle Muses haunt the sylvan reign 3 Where through wild groves at eve the lonely swain Enraptured roams, to gaze on Nature's charms. They hate the sensual, and scorn the vain, The parasite their influence never warms, Nor him whose sordid soul the love of gold alarms. V. Though richest hues the peacock's plumes adorn, Yet horror screams from his discordant throat. Rise, sons of harmony, and hail the morn, While warbling larks on russet pinions float : Or seek at noon the woodland scene remote, Where the grey linnets carol from the hill. O let them ne'er, with artificial note, To please a tynnt, strain the little bill, But slr.v -v'nat Beavtn inspires, and wander where they will. B3 $ THE MINSTREt. VI. Liberal, not lavish, is kind Nature's hand j Nor was perfection made for man below. Yet all her schemes with nicest art are plann'd, Good counteracting ill, and gladness wo. With gold and gems if Chilian mountains glow ; If bleak and barren Scotia's hills arise ; There plague and poison, lust and rapine grow ; Here peaceful are the vales, and pure the skies, And freedom fires the soul, and sparkles in the eyes. VII. Then grieve not, thou, to whom th' indulgent Muse Vouchsafes a portion of celestial fire ; Nor blame the partial Fates, if they refuse Th' imperial banquet, and the rich attire. Know thine own worth, and reverence the lyre. Wilt thou debase the heart which God refined ? No; let thy heaven- taught soul to heaven aspire, 'To fancy, freedom, harmony, resign'd ; Ambition's groveling crew for ever left behind i THE MINSTREL. VIII. Canst thou forego the pure ethereal soul In each fine sense so exquisitely keen, On the dull couch of Luxury to Joll, Stung with disease, and stupefied with spleen j Fain to implore the aid of Flattery's screen, Even from thyself thy loathsome heart to hide, (The mansion then no more of joy serene), Where fear, distrust, malevolence, abide, And impotent desire, and disappointed pride? O how canst thou renounce the boundless store Of charms which Nature to her votary yields ! The warbling woodland, the resounding shore, The pomp of groves, and garniture of fields j All that the genial ray of morning gilds, And all that echoes to the song of even, All that the mountain's sheltering bosom shields, And all the dread magnificence of heaven, O how canst thou renounce, and hope to be forgiven ! B4 I THE MINSTREL, X. These charms shall work thy soul's eternal health, And love, and gentleness, and joy, impart. But these thou must renounce, if lust of wealth E'er win its way to thy corrupted heart : For, ah ! it poisons like a scorpion's dart ; Prompting th' ungenerous wish, the selfish scheme, The stern resolve unmov'd by pity's smart, The troublous day, and long distressful dream. Return, my roving Muse, resume thy purposed theme. XI. There lived in Gothick days, as legends tell, A shepherd- swain, a man of low degree; Whose sires, perchance, in Fairyland might dwell-, Sicilian groves, or vales of Arcady ; But he, I ween, was of the north countrie *; A nation fam'd for song, and beauty's charms ; Zealous, yet modest ; innocent, though freej Patient of toil; serene amidst alarms ; Inflexible in faith; invincible in arms. pears, but he is characterised, byway of emiiieuce, to liave been " of tte THE MINSTREL, ,, XII. The shepherd -swain of whom I mention made, On Scotia's mountains fed his little flock ; The sickle, scythe, or plough, he never sway'd j An honest heart was almost all his stock ; His drink the living water from the rock : The milky dams supplied his board, and lent Their kindly fleece to baffle winter's shock ; And he, though oft with dust and sweat besprent, Did guide and guard their wanderings, whereso'er they went. XIII. From labour health, from health contentment spring*. Contentment opes the source of every joy. He envied not, he never thought of, kings ; Nor from those appetites sustained annoy, That chance may frustrate, or indulgence cloy : Nor Fate his calm and humble hopes beguiled ; He mourn'd nd recreant friend, nor mistress coy, For on his vows the blameless Phcebe smiled, And her alone he loved, and loved her from a child. tountrie." U is probable, that -^nner thisappelktiin were formerly comprehended «11 the provinces to the north of the Trent. Ste 1'eny's Enay on tte English Minitrtls. jo THE MINSTREL, XIV. No jealousy their dawn of love o'ercast, Nor blasted were their wedded days with strife j Each season looked delightful, as it past, To the fond husband, and the faithful wife. Beyond the lowly vale of shepherd life They never roam'dj secure beneath the storm Which in ambition's lofty land is rife, Where peace and love are canker'd by the worm Of pride, each bud of joy industrious to deform. XV. The wight, whose tale these artless lines unfold, Was all the offspring of this humble pair. His birth no oracle or seer foretold : No prodigy appear'd in earth or air, Nor aught that might a strange event declare. You guess each circumstance of EDWIN'S birth j The parent's transport, and the parent's care ; The gossip's prayer for wealth, and wit, and worth ; And one long summer- day of indolence and mirth. THE MINSTREL, it XVI. And yet poor Edwin was no vulgar boy ; Deep thought oft seem'd to fix his infant eye. Dainties he heeded not, nor gaude, nor toy, Save one short pipe of rudest minstrelsy. Silent when glad ; affectionate, though shy ; And now his look was most demurely sad ; And now he laugh'd aloud, yet none knew why. The neighbours stared and sigh'd, yet.bless'd the lad: Some deem'd him wondrous wise, and some believed him mad. XVII. But why should I his childish feats display? Concourse, and noise, and toil, he ever fled ; Nor cared to mingle in the clamorous fray Of squabbling imps ; but to the forest sped ; Or roam'd at large the lonely mountain's head j Or, where the maze of some bewilder'd stream To deep untrodden groves his footsteps led, There would he wander wild, till Phoebus' beam, Shot from the western cliff, released the weary team. ii THE MINSTREL. XVIII. Th' exploit of strength, dexterity, or speed, To him nor vanity nor joy could bring. His heart, from cruel sport estranged, would bleed To work the wo of any living thing, By trap, or net j by arrow, or by sling ; These he detested, those he scorn'd to wield : He wish'd to be the guardian, not the king, Tyrant far less, or traitor of the field. And sure the sylvan reign unbloody joy might yield. XIX. Lo ! where the stripling, wrapt in wonder, roves Beneath the precipice o'erhung with pine ; And sees, on high, amidst th' encircling groves, From cliff to cliff the foaming torrents shine : While waters, woods, and winds, in concert join, And Echo swells the chorus to the skies. Would Edwin this majestic scene resign For aught the hmvsman's puny craft supplies ? Ah! n':-. heht.^t«i kro-vs yvqi- X ; re p THE MINSTREL. 15 XX. And oft he traced the uplands, to survey, When o'er the sky advanced the kindling dawn, The crimson cloud, blue main, and mountain grey, And lake, dim-gleaming on the smoky lawn ; Far to the west the long long vale withdrawn, Where twilight loves to linger for a while ; And now he faintly kens the bounding fawn, And villager abroad at early toil. But, lo! the sun appears! and heaven, earth, ocean, smile. XXI. And oft the craggy cliff he loved to climb, When all in mist the world below was lost. What dreadful pleasure ! there to stand sublime, Like shipwreck'd mariner on desert coast, And view th' enormous waste of vapour, tost In billows, lengthening to th' horizon round, Now scoop'd in gulfs, with mountains now emboss'd ! And hear the voice of mirth and song rebound, Flocks, herds, and waterfalls, along the hoar profoundl ,4. THE MINSTREL. XXII. In truth he was a strange and wayward wight, Fond of each gentle, and each dreadful scene. In darkness, and in storm, he found delight : Nor less, than when on ocean-wave serene The southern sun diffused his dazzling shene*. Even sad vicissitude amused his soul : And if a sigh would sometimes intervene, And down his cheek a tear of pity roll, A sigh, a tear, so sweet, he wish'd not to control. XXIII. " O ye wild groves, O where is now your bloom!" {The Muse interprets thus his tender thought.) " Your flowers, your verdure, and your balmy gloom, *' Of late so grateful in the hour of drought ! " Why do the birds, that song and rapture brought " To all your bowers, their mansions now forsake ? " Ah ! why has fickle chance this ruin wrought? " For now the storm howls mournful through the brake, " And the dead foliage flies in many a shapeless flake. « flrlghtneM, splendour. The word is used by some late writers, at well as by Milton. THE MINSTREL. IS XXIV, " Where now the rill, melodious, pure, and cool, " And meads, with life, and mirth, and beauty crown'd I ft Ah! see, th' unsightly slime, and sluggish pool, " Have all .the solitary vale imbrownM ; " Fled each fair form, and mute each melting sound. " The raven croaks forlorn on naked spray, *' And, hark! the river, bursting every mound, " Down the vale thunders ; and with wasteful sway " Uproots the grove, and rolls the shattered rocks away. XXV. " Yet such the destiny of all on earth : *' So flourishes and fades majestic man. " Fair is the bud his vernal morn brings forth, " And fostering gales a whale the nursling fan. ** O smile, ye heavens, serene ; ye mildews wan, " Ye blighting whirlwinds, spare his balmy prime, " Nor lessen of his life the little span. " Born on the swift, though silent, wings of Time, c< Old age comes OR apace to ravage all the clime. rf THE MINSTREL. XXVI. " And be it so. Let those deplore their doom, «c Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn. «' But lofty souls, who look beyond the tomb, " Can smile at Fate, and wonder how they mourn. " Shall spring to these sad scenes no more return ? " Is yonder wave the sun's eternal bed ? " Soon shall the orient with new lustre burn, " And spring shall soon her vital influence shed, " Again attune the grove, again adorn the mead. XXVII. " Shall I be left forgotten in the dust, *' When Fate, relenting, lets the flower revive ? " Shall nature's voice, to man alone unjust, " Bid him, though doom'd to perish, hope to live ? *' Is it for this fair Virtue oft must strive " With disappointment, penury, and pain? " No : Heaven's immortal spring shall yet arrive j " And man's majestic beauty bloom again, " Bright thro' th' eternal year of Love's triumphant reigai' THE MINSTREL. 17 XXVIII. This truth sublime his simple sire had taught. In sooth, 'twas almost all the shepherd knew. rCo subtle nor superfluous lore he sought, Nor ever wish'd his Edwin to pursue. " Let man's own sphere (said he) confine his view, " Be man's peculiar work his sole delight." And much, and oft, he warn'd him, to eschew Falsehood and guile, and aye maintain the right, By pleasure unseduced, unawed by lawless might-. XXIX. " And, from the prayer of Want, and plaint of Wo, " O never, never turn away thine earl " Forlorn, in this bleak wilderness below, " Ah! what were man, should Heaven refuse to hear! " To others do (the law is not severe) « What to thyself thou wishest to be done, " Forgive thy foes ; and love thy parents dear, " And friends, and native land ; nor those alone ; " All human weal and wo learn thou to make thine own." C iS THE MINSTREL. XXX. See, in the rear of the warm sunny shower, The visionary boy from shelter fly ! For now the storm of summer-rain is o'er, And cool, and fresh, and fragrant is the sky. And, lo ! in the dark, east, expanded high, The rainbow brightens to the setting sun ! Fond fool, that deem'st the streaming glory nigh, How vain the chace thine ardor has begun ! 'Tis fled afar, ere half thy purposed race be run. XXXI. Yet couldst thou learn, that thus it fares with age, When pleasure, wealth, or power the bosom warm, This baffled hope might tame thy manhood's rage, And Disappointment of her sting disarm. But why should foresight thy fond heart alarm ? Perish the lore that deadens young desire ! Pursue, poor imp, th' imaginary charm, Indulge gay Hope, and Fancy's pleasing fire : Fancy and Hope too soon shall of themselves expire. THE MINSTREL. XXXII. When the long-sounding curfew from afar Loaded with loud lament the lonely gale, Young Edwin, lighted by the evening star, Lingering and listening wander'd down the vale. There would he dream of graves, and corses pale; And ghosts that to the enamel-dungeon throng, And drag a length of clanking chain, and wail, Till silenced by the owl's terrific song, Or blast that shrieks by fits the shuddering isles along. XXXIII. Or, when the setting moon, in crimson dyed, Hung o'er the dark and melancholy deep, To haunted stream, remote from man, he hied, Where Fays of yore their revels wont to keep j And there let Fancy rove at large, till sleep A vision brought to his entranced sight. And first, a wildly murmuring wind 'gan creep Shrill to his ringing ear ; then tapers bright, With instantaneous gleam, illumed the vault of night. C z 20' THE MINSTREL. XXXIV. Anon in view a portal's blazon'd arch Arose ; the trumpet bids the valves unfold ; And forth an host of little warriors march, Grasping the diamond lance, and targe of gold. Their look was gentle, their demeanour bold, And green their helms, and green their silk attire j And here and there, right venerably old, The long-robed minstrels wake the warbling wire, And some with mellow breath the martial pipe inspire. XXXV. With merrimentj and song, and timbrels clear, A troop of dames from myrtle bowers advance 5 The little warriors doff the targe and spear, And loud enlivening strains provoke the dance. They meet, they dart away, they wheel askance ; To right, to left, they thrid the flying maze ; Now bound aloft with vigorous spring, then glance Rapid along : with many-colour'd rays Of tapers, gems, and gold, the echoing forests blaze. THE MINSTREL. XXXVI. The dream is fled. Proud harbinger of day, Who scard'st the vision with thy clarion shrill, Fell chanticleer ! who oft hath reft away My fancied good, and brought substantial ill ! O to thy cursed scream, discordant still, Let harmony aye shut her gentle ear : Thy boastful mirth let jealous rivals spill, Insult thy crest, and glossy pinions tear, And ever in thy dreams the ruthless fox appear. XXXVII. Forbear, my Muse. Let Love attune thy line. Revoke the spell. Thine Edwin frets not so. For how should he at wicked chance repine, Who feels from every change amusement flow ? Even now his eyes with smiles of rapture glow, As on he wanders through the scenes of morn, Where the fresh flowers in living lustre blow, Where thousand pearls the dewy lawns adorn, A thousand notes of joy in every breeze are born. a* THE MINSTREL. XXXVIII. But who the melodies of morn can tell ? The wild brook babbling down the mountain side j The lowing herd ; the sheepfold's simple bell j The pipe of early shepherd dim descried In the lone valley ; echoing far and wide The clamorous horn along the cliffs above j The hollow murmur of the ocean-tide ; The hum of bees, the linnet's lay of love, And the full choir that wakes the universal grove. XXXIX. The cottage, curs at early pilgrim bark j Crown'd with her pail the tripping milkmaid sings j The whistling plowman stalks afield ; and, hark! Down the rough slope the ponderous waggon rings ; Through rustling corn the hare astonish'd springs j Slow tolls the village-clock the drowsy hour ; The partridge bursts away on whirring wings ; Deep mourns the turtle in sequesterM bower, And shrill lark carols clear from her aerial tour. THE MINSTREL. 23 XL. O Nature, how in every charm supreme ! Whose votaries feast on raptures ever new ! O for the voice and fire of seraphim, To sing thy glories with devotion due ! Blest be the day I 'scaped the wrangling crew, From Pyrrho's maze, and Epicurus' sty ; And held high converse with the godlike few, Who to th' enraptur'd heart, and ear, and eye> Teach beauty, virtue, truth, and love, and melody, XLI. Hence ! ye, who snare and stupefy the mind, Sophists, of beauty, virtue, joy, the bane ! Greedy and fell, though impotent and blind, Who spread your filthy nets in Truth's fair fane, And every ply your venom'd fangs amain ! Hence to dark Error's den, whose rankling slhr.e First gave you form ! hence ! lest the Muse should deign, (Though loath on theme so mean to waste a rhyme), With vengeance to pursue your sacrilegious crime. C4- MINSTREL, XLII. But hall, ye mighty masters of the lay, Nature's true sons, the friends of man and truth-? Whose song, sublimely sweet, serenely gay, Amused my childhood, and inform'd my youth. O let your spirit still my bosom sooth, Inspire my dreams, and my wild wanderings guide : Your voice each rugged path of life can smooth ; For well I know, where-ever ye reside, There harmony, and peace, and innocence abide. XLIII. Ah me ! neglected on the lonesome plain, As yet poor Edwin never knew your lore, Save when against the winter's drenching rain,. And driving snow, the cottage shut the door. Then, as instructed by tradition hoar, Her legend when the Beldame 'gan impart, Or chant the old heroic ditty o'er, Wonder and joy ran thrilling to his heart ;. Much he the tale admired, but more the tuneful art. THE MINSTREL. XLIV. Various and strange was the long-winded tale ; And halls, and knights, and feats of arms, display'd; Or merry swains, who quaff the nut-brown ale, And sing, enamour'd of the nut-brown maid ; The moon-light revel of the fairy glade ; Or hags, that suckle an infernal brood, And ply in caves th' ivnutterable trade*, 'Midst fiends and spectres, quench the moon in blood, Yell in the midnight storm, or ride th' infuriate flood. XLV. But when to horror his amazement rose, A gentler strain the Beldame would rehearse, A tale of rural life, a tale of woes, The orphan-babes, and guardian uncle fierce. O cruel ! will no pang of pity pierce That heart by lust of lucre sear'd to stone ? For sure, if aught of virtue last, or verse, To latest times shall tender souls bemoan Those hopeless orphan-babes by thy fell arts undone. * Allusion to Sbakftprare. Mafbctb. How now, yc secret, black, ami midnight hags, What is't you I'D? mtihfi. A drtd id:!:,,n: a name. Xaibttb, AS 1C. Scene ». *6 THE MINSTREL. XL VI. Behold, with berries smear'd, with brambles torn*, The babes now famish'd lay them down to die. Amidst the howl of darksome woods forlorn, Folded in one another's arms they lie ; Nor friend, nor stranger, hears their dying cry: • «' For from the town the man returns no more." But thou, who Heaven's just vengeance darest defy,. This deed with fruitless tears shall soon deplore, When Death lays waste thy house, and flames consume thy store. XLVII. A stifled smile of stem vindictive joy Brighten'd one moment Edwin's starting tear, " But why should gold man's feeble mind decoy, " And Innocence thus die by doom severe?'1 O Edwin! while thy heart is yet sincere, Th' assaults of discontent and doubt repel : Dark even at noontide is our mortal sphere} But let us hope; to doubt is to rebel } Let us exult in hope, that all shall yet be well. • See the fine eld ballad, called, rit Children i THE MINSTREL. ^^ XLVIII. Nor be thy generous indignation checked, Nor check'd the tender tear to Misery given ; From Guilt's contagious power shall that protect, This soften and refine the soul for Heaven. But dreadful is their doom, whom doubt has driven To censure Fate, and pious Hope forego : Like yonder blasted boughs by lightning riven, Perfection, beauty, life, they never know, But frown on all that pass, a monument of wo. XLIX. Shall he, whose birth, maturity, and age, Scarce fill the circle of one summer day, Shall the poor gnat with discontent and rage Exclaim, that Nature hastens to decay, If but a cloud obstruct the solar ray, If but a momentary shower descend ! Or shall frail man Heaven's dread decree gainsay, Which bade the series of events extend Wide through unnumber'd wot Ids, and ages without endi z8 THE MINSTREL. L. One part, one littk part, we dirtily scan Through the dark medium of life's feverish dream j Yet dare arraign the whole stupendous plan, If but that little part incongruous seem. Nor is that part perhaps what mortals deem j Oft from apparent ill our bkssings rise. O then renounce that impious self-esteem» That aims to trace the secrets of the skies : For thou art but of dust 5 be humble, and be wise. LI. Thus Heaven enlarged his soul in riper years. For Nature gave him st length and fire, to soar On Fancy's wing above this vale of tears ; Where dark cold-hearted sceptics, creeping, pore Through microscope of metaphysic lorei And much they grope for truth, but never hit. For why ? their powers, inadequate before, This idle art makes more and more unfit ; Yet deem they darkness light, and their vain blunders wit. THE MINSTREL. 29 LII. Nor was this ancient dame a foe to mirth. Her ballad, jest, and riddle's quaint device Oft cheer'd the shepherds round their social hearth j Whom levity or spleen could ne'er entice To purchase chat or laughter, at the price Of decency. Nor let it faith exceed, • That Nature forms a rustic taste so nice. Ah! had they been of court or city breed, Such delicacy were right marvellous indeed. LIII. Oft when the winter- storm had ceased to rave, He roam'd the snowy waste at even, to view The cloud stupendous, from th' Atlantic wave High-towering, sail along th' horizon blue : Where 'midst the changeful scenery ever new Fancy a thousand wondrous forms descries More wildly great than ever pencil drew, Rocks, torrents, gulfs, and shapes of giant size, And glittering cliffs on qliffs, and fiery ramparts rise. s« THE MINSTREL. LIV. Thence musing onward to the sounding shore, The lone enthusiast oft would take his way, Listening with pleasing dread to the deep roar Of the wide-weltering waves. In black array When sulphurous clouds roll'd on th' autumnal day, Even then he haslen'd from the haunt of man, Along the trembling wilderness to stray, What time the lightning's fierce career began, And o'er Heaven's rending arch the rattling thunder ran. LV. Responsive to the sprightly pipe when all In sprightly dance the village-youth were join'd, Edwin, of melody aye held in thrall, From the rude gambol far remote reclined, Sooth'd with the soft notes warbling in the wind. Ah then, all jollity seem'd noise and folly. To the pure soul by Fancy's fire refined, Ah what is mirth but turbulence unholy, When with the charm compared of heavenly melancholy 1 THE MINSTREL. 31 LVI. Is there a heart that music cannot melt ? Alas ! how is that rugged heart forlorn ! Is there, who ne'er those mystic transports felt Of solitude and melancholy born ? He needs not woo the Muse 5 he is her scorn. The sophist's rope of cobweb he shall twine ; Mope o'er the schoolman's peevish page ; or mourn, And delve for life in Mammon's dirty mine ; Sneak with the scoundrel fox, or grunt with glutton swine. LVII. For Edwin Fate a nobler doom had plann'd j Song was his favourite and first pursuit. The wild harp rang to his adventurous hand, And languish'd to his breath the plaintive flute. His infant muse, though artless, was not mute s Of elegance as yet he took no care ; For this of time and culture is the fruit ; And Edwin gain'd at last this fruit so rare: As in some future verse I purpose to declare. jt THE MINSTREL. LVIII. Meanwhile> whate'er of beautiful, or new, Sublime, or dreadful, in earth, sea, or sky, By chance, or search, was offer'd to his view, He scan'd with curious and romantic eye. Whate'er of lore tradition could supply From Gothick tale, or song, or fable old, Roused him, still keen to listen and to pry. At last, though long by penury control'd, And solitude, his soul her graces 'gan unfold. LIX. Thus on the chill Lapponian's dreary land, For many a long month lost in snow profound, When Sol from Cancer sends the season bland, And in their northern cave the storms are bound ; From silent mountains, straight, with startling sound, Torrents are hmTd ; green hills emerge ; and lo, The trees with foliage, cliffs with flowers are crown'd ; Pure rills through vales of verdure warbling go 5 And wonder, love, and joy, the peasant's heart o'erflow*, « Spring and Autumn are hardly known to the Laplanders. About the time the sun enters Cancer, their fields, which a week before were covered with snow, appear on a siiJdeo full of gnu. and Bowers. Schefftr's Utitorj of Lafland, f. 16. TtiE MINSTREL. 31 LX. Here pause, my Gothick lyre, a little while. The leisure hour is all that thou canst claim. But on this verse if MONTAGU should smile, New strains erelong shall animate thy frame. And her applause to me is more than fame ; For still with truth accords her taste refined. At lucre or renown let others aim, I only wish to please the gentle mind, Whom nature's charms inspire, and love of humankind. THE MINSTREL: OR, THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS. BOOK II. :JJ THE MINSTREL: OR, THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS. THE SECOND BOOK. I. OF chance or change O let not man complain, Else shall he never never cease to wail ; For, from the imperial dome, to where the swain Rears the lone cottage in the silent dale, All feel th' assault of fortune's fickle gaie ; Art, empire, earth itself, to change are doom'd ; Earthquakes have raised to heaven the humble vale, And gulphs the mountain's mighty mass entomb'd, And where th1 Atlantick. rolls wide continents have blcom'd1 3S THE MINSTREL. II. But sure to foreign climes we need not range, Nor search the ancient records of our race, To learn the dire effects of time and change, 'Which in ourselves, alas, we daily trace. Yet at the darken'd eye, the wither'd face, Or hoary hair, I never will repine : But spare, O Time, whatever of mental grace, Of candour, love, or sympathy divine, Whatever of fancy's ray, or friendship's flame is mine. III. So I, obsequious to Truth's dread command, Shall here without reluctance change my Jay, And smite the Gothick lyre with harsher hand j Now when I leave that flowery path for aye Of childhood, where I sported many a day, Warbling and sauntering carelessly along j Where every face was innocent and gay, Each vale romantick, tuneful every tongue, Svreet, wild, and artless all, as Edwin's infant song. THE MINSTREL. 39 IV. *f Perish the lore that deadens young desire" Is the soft tenor of my song no more. Edwin, though loved of heaven, must not aspire To bliss, which mortals never knew before. On trembling wings let youthful fancy soar, Nor always haunt the sunny realms of joy : But now and then the shades of life explore ; Though many a sound and sight of wo annoy, And many a qualm of care his rising hopes destroy. Vigour from toil, from trouble patience grows. The weakly blossom, warm in summer bower, Some tints of transient beauty may disclose} But soon it withers in the chilling hour. Mark yonder oaks! Superiour to the power Of all the warring winds of heaven they rise, And from the stormy promontory tower, And toss thc-ir giant arms amid the skies, While each assailing blast increase of strength supplies, 40 THE MINSTREL. VI. And now the downy cheek and deepen'd voice Gave dignity to Edwin's blooming prime 5 And walks of wider circuit were his choice, And vales more mild, and mountains more sublime. One evening, as he framed the careless rhyme, It was his chance to wander far abroad, And o'er a lonely eminence to climb, Which heretofore his foot had never trode j A vale appear'd below, a deep retired abode. VII. Thither he hied, enamour'd of the scene. For rocks on rocks piled, as by magick spell, Here scorch'd with lightning, there with ivy green. Fenced from the north and east this savage dell. Southward a mountain rose with easy swell, Whose long long groves eternal murmur made : And toward the western sun a streamlet fell, Where, through the cliffs, the eye, remote, survey'd Blue hills, and glittering waves, and skies in gold anay'd. THE MINSTREL. 41 VIII. Along this narrow valley you might see The wild deer sporting on the meadow ground, And, here and there, a solitary tree, Or mossy stone, or rock with woodbine crown'd. Oft did the cliffs reverberate the sound Of parted fragments tumbling from on high ; And from the summit of that craggy mound The perching eagle oft .was- heard to cry, Or on resounding wings to shoot athwart the sky. IX. One cultivated spot there was, that spread Its flowery bosom to the noonday beam, Where many a rose-bud rears its blushing head, And herbs for food with future plenty teem. Sooth'd by the lulling sound of grove and stream, Romantick visions swarm on Edwin's soul : He minded not the sun's last trembling gleam, Nor heard from far the twilight curfew toll j When slowly on his ear these moving accents stok, 4» THE MINSTREL. X. " Hail, awful scenes, that calm the troubled breast, ** And woo the weary to profound repose ; " Can passion's wildest uproar lay to rest, " And whisper comfort to the man of woes ! " Here Innocence may wander, safe from foes, " And Contemplation soar on seraph wings. " O Solitude, the man who thee foregoes, " When lucre lures him, or ambition stings, , " Shall never know the source whence real grandeur springs. XI. " Vain man, is granckwr given to gay attire ? " Then let the butterfly thy pride upbraid : " To friends, attendants, armies, bought with hire ? " It is thy weakness that requires their aid : *' To palaces, with gold and gems inlay'd ? " They fear the thief, and tremble in the storm : " To hosts, through carnage who to conquest wade ? " Behold the victor vanquish'd by the worm ! " Behold, what deeds of wo the locust can perform! THE MINSTREL. 43 *' True dignity is his, whose tranquil mind " Virtue has raised above the things below ; «' Who, every hope and fear to Heaven resign'd, " Shrinks not, though Fortune aim her deadliest blow. This strain from 'midst the rocks was heard to flow, In solemn sounds. Now beamed the evening star j And from embattled clouds emerging slow Cynthia came riding on her silver car ; And hoary mountain-cliffs shone faintly from afar* XIII. Soon did the solemn voice its theme renew ; (While Edwin wrapt in wonder listening stood) •*' Ye tools and toys of tyranny, adieu, " Scorn'd by the wise, and hated by the good 1 " Ye only can engage the servile brood " Of Levity and Lust, who all their days, " Asham'd of truth and liberty, have woo'd, " And hug'd the chain, that glittering on their gaze " Seems to outshine the pomp of heaven's empyreal blaze. 44- THE MINSTREL. XIV. " Like them, abandon'd to Ambition's sway, «« I sought for glory in the paths of guile j " And fawn'd and smiled, to plunder and betray, " Myself betray'd and plunder' d all the while; " So gnaw'd the viper the corroding file. " But now with pangs of keen remorse I rue " Those years of trouble and debasement vile. " Yet why should I this cruel theme pursue ! " Fly, fly, detested thoughts, for ever, from my view. XV. «« The gusts of appetite, the clouds of care, " And storms of disappointment, all o'erpast, " Henceforth no earthly hope with heaven shall share " This heart, where peace serenely shines at last. •' And if for me no treasure be amass'd, " And if no future age shall hear my name, " I lurk the more secure from fortune's blast, '• And with more leisure feed this pious flame,- " Whose rapture far transcends the fairest hopes of fame. THE .MINSTREL. XVI. " The end and the reward of toil is rest. " Be all my prayer for virtue and for peace. " Of wealth and fame, of pomp and power possessed, " Who ever felt his weight of wo decrease! " Ah ! what avails the lore of Rome and Greece, " The lay heaven-prompted, and harmonious string, " The dust of Ophir, or the Tyrian fleece, " All that art, fortune, enterprise, can bring, If envy, scorn, remorse, or pride the bosom wring ! XVII, " Let Vanity adorn the marble tom'b " With trophies, rhymes, and scutcheons of renown, " In the deep dungeon of some Gothick dome, " Where night and desolation ever frown. " Mine he the breezy hill that skirts the down j " Where a green grassy turf is all I crave, " With here and there a violet bestrewn, «' Fast by a brook, or fountain's murmuring wave 5 And many an evening sun shine sweetly on my grave. 46 THE MINSTREL. XVIII. " And thither let tlie village swain repair ; ** And, light of heart, the village maiden gay, " To deck with flowers her.half-dishevel'd hair, " And celebrate the merry morn of May. *' There let the shepherd's pipe the live-long day " Fill all the grove with love's bewitching wo ; " And when mild Evening comes in mantle grey, " Let not the blooming band make haste to go ; " No ghost nor spell my long and last abode shall know XIX. " For though I fly to scape from Fortune's rage, " And bear the scars of envy, spite, and scorn, " Yet with mankind no horrid war I wage, " Yet with no impious spleen my breast is torn : " For virtue lost, and ruin'd man, I mourn. " O Man, creation's pride, heaven's darling child, " Whom nature's best divinest gifts adorn, " Why from thy home are truth and joy exiled, *' And all thy favourite haunts with blood and tears defi f'f/fffr/-/, //f, , .„ j.. •/ //•/// //fitt'f S.t Xvv /fff/fy- ff/.f/rrfr/fY //'/' ' •//,*•/ rr/r/-/y/Sr //ft- ,/ff/Y// j/fcf// f/ . //srt/. — Mi/iff re/. £<p0Jb -2. IY/: \'\ /// ^;,M,L/ a/.',.,/y, /7 /;^4._X^. THE MINSTREL. 47 XX. " Along yon glittering sky what glory streams ! " What majesty attends Night's lovely queen ! «' Fair laugh our vallies in the vernal beams ; " And mountains rise, and oceans roll between, " And all conspire to beautify the scene. " But, in the mental world, what chaos drear! " What forms of mournful, loathsome, furious mien! " O when shall that Eternal Morn appear, These dreadful forms to chase, this chaos dark to clear ! XXI. " O Thou, at whose creative smile, yon heaven, " In all the pomp of beauty, life, and light, " Rose from th1 abyss; when dark Confusion, driven " Down down the bottomless profound of night, " Fled, where he ever flies thy piercing sight ! " O glance on these sad shades one pitying ray, " To blast the fury of oppressive might, " Melt the hard heart to love and mercy's sway, And cheer the wandering soul, and light him on the way." 48 THE MINSTREL XXII. Silence ensued : and Edwin raised his eyes In tears, for grief lay heavy at his heart. " And is it thus in courtly life (he cries) t( That man to man acts a betrayer's part ? 41 And dares he thus the gifts of heaven pervert, *' Each social instinct, and sublime desire? " Hail poverty! if honour, wealth, and art, " If what the great pursue, and learn' d admire, " Thus dissipate and quench the soul's ethereal fire ! XXIII. He said, and turned away ; nor did the Sage O'erhear, in silent orisons einploy'd. The Youth, his rising sorrow to assuage, Home as he hied, the evening scene enjoy 'd : For now no cloud obscures the starry void ; The yellow moonlight sleeps on all the hills*; JMor is the mind with startling sounds annoy'd ; A soothing murmur the lone region fills, Of groves, and dying gales, and melancholy rills. r. 49 THE MINSTREL. 49 XXIV. Hut he from day to day more anxious grew. The voice still seerrTd to vibrate on his ear. Nor durst he hope the Hermit's tale untrue ; For man he seem'd to love, and heaven to fear j And none speaks false, where there is none to hear. " Yet, can man's gentle heart become so fell! " No more in vain conjecture let me wear " My hours away, but seek the Hermit's cell j Lt 'Tis he my doubt can clear, perhaps my care disptl.'* XXV, At early dawn the Youth his journey took, And many a mountain pass'd, and valley wide,. Then reach'd the wild 5 where, in a flowery nook, And seated on a mossy stone, he spied An antient man : his harp lay him beside. A stag sprang from the pasture at his call, And, kneeling, lick'd the witherM hand that tied A wreathe of woodbine round his antlers tall, And hung his lofty neck with many a floweret small. E 5? THE MINSTREL. XXVI. And now the hoary Sage arose, and saw The wanderer approaching : innocence Smiled on his glowing cheek, but modest awe Depress'd his eye, that fear'd to give offence. " Who art thou, courteous stranger ? and from whence " Why roam thy steps to this sequester'd dale?" " A shepherd-boy (the Youth replied) far hence " My habitation; hear my artless talej " Nor levity nor falsehood shall thine ear assail. XXVII. *' Late as I roam'd, intent on Nature's charms, " I reach'd at eve this wilderness profound ; " And, leaning where yon oak expands her arms, " Heard these rude cliffs thine awful voice rebound, " (For in thy speech I recognise the sound.) •' You mourn'd for ruin'd man, and virtue lost, " And seem'd to feel of keen remorse the wound, " Pondering on former days by guilt engross'd, c< Or in the giddy storm of dissipation toss'd. THE MINSTREL. 51 XXVIII. "' But say, in courtly life can craft be learn'd, " Where knowledge opens, and exalts the soul? " Where Fortune lavishes her gifts unearn'd, " Can selfishness the liberal heart control ? " Is glory there achiev'd by arts, as foul " As those that felons, fiends, and furies plan ? " Spiders ensnare, snakes poison, tygers prowl ; " Love is the godlike attribute of man. O teach a simple youth this mystery to scan. XXIX. " Or else the lamentable strain disclaim, " And give me back the calm, contented mind ; " Which, late, exulting, view'd in Nature's frame, " Goodness untainted, wisdom unconfined, " Grace, grandeur, and xitility combined. " Restore those tranquil days, that saw me still " Well pleased with all, but most with humankind ; " When Fancy roam'd through Nature's works at v.-iiJ, ' Unchecked by cold distrust, and uninform'd of ill.1" Ez I THE MINSTREL. XXX. " Wouldst thou (the Sage replied) in peace return " To the gay dreams of fond romantick youth, " Leave me to hide, in this remote sojourn, " From every gentle ear the dreadful truth : " For if my desultory strain with ruth " And indignation make thine eyes overflow, " A:as! what comfort could thy anguish sooth, " Shouldst thou th' extent of human folly know. Be ignorance thy choice, where knowledge leads to wo. XXXI. " But let untender thoughts afar be driven ; " Nor venture to arraign the dread decree. " For know, to man, as candidate for heaven, «« The voice of The Eternal said, Be free : " And this divine prerogative to thee " Does virtue, happiness, and heaven convey ; " For virtue is the child of liberty, " And happiness of virtue 5 nor can they ' Be free to keep the path, who are not free to stray. THE MINSTREL. 53 XXXII. " Yet leave me not. I would allay that grief, " Which else might thy young virtue overpower " And in thy converse I shall find relief, " When the dark shades of melancholy lower} " For solitude has many a dreary hour, " Even when exempt from grief, remorse, and pain : " Come often then ; for, haply, in my bower, " Amusement, knowledge, wisdom thou may'st gain : " If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain." XXXIII. And now, at length, to Edwin's ardent gaze The Muse of history unrolls her page. But few, alas! the scenes her art displays, To charm his fancy, or his heart engage. Here Chiefs their thirst of power in blood asswage, And straight their flames with tenfold fierceness burn : Here smiling Virtue prompts the patriot's rage, But lo, erelong, is left alone to mourn, And languish in the dust, and clasp th' abandon'd urn. E3 54- THE MINSTREX* XXXIV. " Ambition's slippery verge shall mortals tread, " Where ruin's gulph unfathom'd yawns beneath ! " Shall life, shall liberty be lost, (he^said) " For the vain toys that Pomp and Power bequeath ! *' The car of victory, the plume, the wreathe, " Defend not from the bolt of fate the brave; " No note the clarion of Renown can breathe, " T' alarm the long night of the lonely grave, " Or check the headlong haste of Time's o'erwhelming wave. XXXV. " Ah, what avails it to have traced the springs, " That whirl of empire the stupendous wheel ! " Ah, what have I to do with conquering kings, " Hands drench'd in blood, and breasts begirt with steel ! " To those, whom Nature taught to think and feel, " Heroes, alas ! are things of small concern j " Could History man's secret heart reveal, " And what imports a heaven-born mind to learn, " Her transcripts to explore what bosom would not yearn ! THE MINSTREL. SS XXXVI. «« This praise, O Cheronean Sage*, is thine. « (Why should this praise to thee alone belong!) " All else from Nature's moral path decline, " Lured by the toys that captivate the throng ; " To herd in cabinets and camps, among " Spoil, carnage, and the cruel pomp of pride ; " Or chaunt of heraldry the drowsy song, " How tyrant blood, o'er many a region wide, " Roils to a thousand thrones its execrable tide. XXXVII. 