Here Dinah sigh'd as if afraid to speak- TALE y. THE PATRON It were all one, The very root of this hypocrisy, That I should love a bright peculiar star, And think to wed it; she is so much above me: Al's Well thai Ends Well, acti sc. L. Or he would curse her:-saying this, he threw Poor wretches, that depend The hand in scorn away, and bade adieu On greatness' favours, dream as I have done, Wake and find nothing. To every lingering hope, with every care in view. Cymbeline, act v sc. 4. Proud and indignant, suffering, sick, and poor, He grieved unseen; and spoke of love no more And sinceTill all he felt in indignation died, Th' affliction of my mind amends, with which I fear a madness held me. As hers had sunk in avarice and pride. Tempest, act v. In health declining, as in mind distress'd, To some in power his troubles he confess'd, A BOROUGH BAILIFF, who to law was train'd, And shares a parish-gift;-at prayers he sees A wife and sons in decent state maintain'd; The pious Dinah dropp'd upon her knees; He had his way in life's rough ocean steer'd, Thence as she walks the street with stately air, And many a rock and coast of danger clear'd; As chance directs, oft meet the parted pair : He saw where others fail'd, and care had he When he, with thickset coat of badge-man's blue, Others in him should not such failings see; Mores near her shaded silk of changeful hue; His sons in various busy states were placed, When his thin locks of gray approach her braid, And all began the sweets of gain to taste, A costly purchase made in beauty's aid ; Save John, the younger ; who, of sprightly parts, When his frank air, and his unstudied pace, Felt not a love for money-making aris . Are seen with her soft manner, air, and grace, In childhood feeble, he, for country air, And his plain artless look with her sharp meaning Had long resided with a rustic pair; face : All round whose room were doleful ballads, songs It mighi come wonder in a stranger move, Of lovers' sufferings and of ladies' wrongs, How these together could have talk'd of love. Of peevish ghosts who came at dark midnight, Behold them now!—see there a tradesman stands, For breach of promise, guilty men to fright; And bumbly hearkens to some fresh commands ; Love, marriage, murder, were the themes, with He moves to speak, she interrupts him-“ Stay," these, Her air expresses—“ Hark! to what I say :" All that on idle, ardent spirits seize ; Ten paces off, poor Rupert on a seat Robbers at land and pirates on the main, Has taken refuge from the noonday heat, Enchanters foild, spells broken, giants slain ; His eyes on her intent, as if to find Legends of love, with tales of halls and bowers, What were the movements of that subile mind : Choice of rare songs, and garlands of choice flowers How stii! bow earnest is he!-it appears And all the hungry mind without a choice devours His ihoughts are wandering through his earlier From village children kept apart by pride, years ; With such enjoyments, and without a guide, Through years of fruitless labour, to the day Inspired by feelings all such works infused, When all his earthly prospects died away : John snatch'd a pen, and wrote as he perused : ** Had I,” he thinks, “ been wealthier of the two, With the like fancy he could make his knight Would she have found me so unkind, untrue ? Slay half a host and put the rest to flight; Or knows not man when poor, what man when With the like knowledge, he could make him ride rich will do? From isle to isle at Parihenissa's side ; The raptures smiles create, the anguish of disdain. Weeds, but still proofs of vigour in the soil: Some thoughts of pity raised by his distress, He nothing purposed but with vast delight, Some feeling touch of ancient tenderness; Let Fancy loose, and wonder'd at her flight: Religion, duty urged the maid to speak His notions of poelie worth were high, In terms of kindness to a man so weak: And of his own still hoarded poetry ;But pride forbad, and to return would prove These to his father's house he bore with pride, She fel: the shame of his neglected love : A miser's treasure, in his room to hide ; Nor rapt in silence could she pass, afraid Till spurr'd by glory, to a reading friend Each eye should see her, and each heart up He kindly show'd the sonnets he had penn'd: braid; With erring judgment, though with heart sincere, One way remain'd—the way the Levite took, That friend exclaim'd, “ These beauties must ap Who without mercy could on misery look: pear." (A way perceived by craft, approved by pride,) In magazines they claim'd their share of fame, She cross'd, and pass'd him on the other side. Though undistinguish'd by their author's name; And with delight the young enthusiast found Then too his praises were in contrast seen, His glory will descend from sire to son, The Burns of English race, the happier Chatterton." Let him his talents then to learning give, Our poct's mind, now hurried and elate, Where verse is honour'd, and where poets live. Alarm'd the anxious parent for his fate; John kept his terms at college unreproved, Who saw with sorrow, should their friend sucTook his degree, and left the life he loved ; ceed, Nor yet ordain’d, his leisure he employ'd That much discretion would the poet need. In the light labours he so much enjoy'd ; Their friend succeeded, and repaid the zeal His favourite notions and his daring views The poet seli, and made opposers feel, Were cherish'd still, and he adored the muse. By praise (from lords how soothing and how sweet) “ A little time, and he should burst to light, And invitation to his noble seat. And admiration of the world excite; The father ponder’d, doubtful if the brain Thus, when they parted, to the youthful breast Fame shall be mine, then wealth shall I possess, The father's fears were by his love impress'd : And beauty next an ardent lover bless ; • There will you find, my son, the courteous ease For me the maid shall leave her nobler state, That must subdue the soul it means to please ; Happy to raise and share her poet's fate." That soft attention which e'en beauty pays He saw each day his father's frugal board To wake our passions, or provoke our praise ; With simple fare by cautious prudence stored ; There all the eye beholds will give delight, Where each indulgence was foreweigh'd with Where every sense is flatter'd like the sight care, This is your peril ; can you from snch scene And the grand maxims were to save and spare Of splendour part, and feel your mind serene, Yet in his walks, his closet, and his bed, And in the father's humble siate resume Impatient, by the morning mail convey'd, For air composed, screne, and satisfied ; As he had practised in his room alone, And whipp'd severely for a well-known fact; And there acquired a free and easy tone: For while he seem'd to all demure and shy, There he had said, “Whatever the degree Our poet gazed at what was passing by ; A man obtains, what more than man is he?" And e'en his father smiled when playful wit And when arrived—“ This room is but a room ; From his young bard, some haughty object hit. Can anght we see ihe steady soul o'ercome From ancient times the borough where they Let me in all a manly firmness show, dwelt Upheld by talents, and their value know." Had mighty contest at elections felt: This reason urged ; but it surpass'd his skill Sir Godfrey Ball, 'tis true, had held in pay To be in act as manly as in will: Electors many for the trying day ; When he his lordship and the lady saw, But in such golden chains to bind them all Brave as he was, he felt oppress'd with awe ; Required too much for e'en Sir Godfrey Ball. And spite of verse, that so much praise had won, A member died, and to supply his place, The poet found he was the bailiff's son. Two heroes enter'd for th' important race ; But dinner came, and the succeeding hours Sir Godfrey's friend and Earl Fizdonnel's son, Fix'd his weak nerves, and raised his failing Lord Frederick Damer, both prepared to run ; powers; And partial numbers saw with vast delight Praised and assured, he ventured once or twice Their good young lord oppose the proud old knight. On some remark, and bravely broke the ice ; Our poet's father, at a first request, So that at night, reflecting on his words, Gave the young lord his vote and interest ; He found, in time, he might converse with lords. And what he could our poet, for he stung Now was the sister of his patron seen- A lovely creature, with majestic mien; Praised the young poet with such friendly air; He read the satire, and he saw the use Such winning frankness in her looks express'd. That such cool insult, and such keen abuse And such attention to her brother's guest, Might on the wavering minds of voting men pro- That so much beauty, join'd with speech so kind duce; Raised strong emotions in the poet's mind ; 66 the spot. Till reason fail'd his bosom to defend "A waspish tribe are these, on gilded wings, Hear me, my boy ; thou hast a virtuous mind- To give the guilty and the great alarms : Then too in striking at that heedless rate, * Leave admonition-let the vicar give “Our Pope, they say, once entertain'd the whim, But grant they fear'd him, was it further said, That he reformid the hearts be made afraid ? He dared the bard to battle, and was seen Thus lived our youth, with conversation, books, The poet's conquest Truth and Time proclaim, But yet the battle hurt his peace and fame. Strive not too much for favour; seem at ease, All prudence banish'd, all advice forgot And rather pleased thyself, than bent to please : But not ioo near; thou canst not be a friend ; But other talents trusted and beloved. “ The real favourites of the great are they The favourite ill, and o'er the soul preside; If indolent the pupil, hard their task ; Objects for one whom nothing can amuse; Fix'd on their end, with caution they proceed, They seize the honour they should then disclaim : And sometimes give, and sometimes take the lead Hon sur so hurried to the light must fade, Will now a hint convey, and then retire, And let the spark awake the lingering fire; Nor must he quarrel with the tribe that do : It is not safe another's crimes to know, True, and preserve it ready to come forth : 66 : If question'd, fairly answer-and that done, Let others frown, and envy; she the while She has her blandishments, and though so weak, Display no learning, and affect no wit; Her person pleases, and her actions speak : But kindness shown at length will kindness meet : " Thou art religion's advocate-take heed, She hates the vulgar, she admires to look Hurt not the cause, thy pleasure 'tis to plead ; On woods and groves, and dotes upon a book ; With wine before thee, and with wits beside, Let her once see thee on her features dwell, Do not in strength of reasoning powers confide; And hear one sigh, then liberty farewell. What seems to thee convincing, certain, plain, But, John, remember we cannot maintain They will deny, and dare thee to maintain ; A poor, proud girl, extravagant and vain. And thus will triumph o'er thy eager youth, “ Doubt much of friendship: shouldst thou find While thou wilt grieve for so disgracing truth. a friend “With pain I've seen, these wrangling wits Pleased to advise thee, anxious to commend ; among, Should he the praises he has heard report, Faith's weak defenders, passionate and young ; And confidence (in thee confiding) court ; Weak thou art not, yet not enough on guard, Much of neglectful patrons should he say, Where wit and humour keep their watch and And then exclaim— How long must merit stay! ward : Then show how high thy modest hopes may Men gay and noisy will o'erwhelm thy sense, stretch, Then loudly laugh at Truth's and thy expense ; And point to stations far beyond thy reach ; While the kind ladies will do all they can Let such designer, by thy conduct, see To check their mirth, and cry, · The good young (Civil and cool) he makes no dupe of thee ; man! And he will quit thee, as a man too wise “ Prudence, my boy, forbids thee to commend For him to ruin first, and then despise. The cause or party of thy noble friend ; “ Such are thy dangers ;-yet if thou canst steer What are his praises worth, who must be known Past all the perils, all the quicksands clear, To take a patron's maxims for his own ? Then may'st thou profit; but if storms prevail, No more of winds or waters be the sport, Am I so blind ?" "Or thou wouldst surely see Besides, 'tis freedom in a youth like thee That lady's fall, if she should stoop to thee !" To drop his awe, and deal in ecstasy! “ The cases differ.” “ True! for what surprise “ In silent ease, at least in silence dine, Could from thy marriage with the maid arise ? Nor one opinion start of food or wine : But through the island would the shame be spread. Thou know'st that all the science thou canst boast Should the fair mistress deign with thee to wed.” Is of thy father's simple boil'd and roast ; John saw not this ; and many a week had pass'd, The noble friend still condescension show'd, But his grave lady took a silent view Cold grew the foggy morn, the day was brief, Roard with strong blasts, with mighty showers the Its worth well knows each servant in the room. floods : "Hard, boy, thy task to steer thy way among All green was vanish’d, save of pine and yew, That servile, supple, shrewd, insidious throng; That still display'd their melancholy hue, Who look upon thee as of doubtful race, Save the green holly with its berries red, An interloper, one who wants a place : And the green moss that o'er the gravel spread. Freedom with these let thy free soul condemn, To public views my lord must soon attend; Nor with thy heart's concerns associate them. And soon the ladies-would they leave their friend I “Of all be cautious—but be most afraid The time was fix'd-approach'd—was near-was of the pale charms that grace my lady's maid ; Of those sweet dimples, of that fraudful eye, The trying time that fill’d his soul with gloom · The frequent glance design'd for thee to spy ; Thoughtful our poet in the morning rose, The soft bewitching look, the fond bewailing sigb : And cried, “One hour my fortune will disclose come: Terrific hoor! from thee have I to date III brook'd he then the pert familiar phrase, Life's loftier views, or my degraded state ; The untaught freedom, and th' inquiring gaze , For now to be what I have been before Much was his temper touch’d, his spleen provoked, Is so to fall, that I can rise no more." When ask'd how ladies talk'd, or walk’d, or look'd ! The morning meal was past, and all around “What said my lord of politics ? how spent The mansion rang with each discordant sound; He there his time? and was he glad he went ?" Haste was in every foot, and every look At length a letter came, both cool and brief, The traveller's joy for London journey spoke : But still it gave the burden'd heart relief: Not so our youth; whose feelings, at the noise Though not inspired by lofty hopes, the youth Oi preparation, had no touch of joys; Placed much reliance on Lord Frederick's truth; He pensive stood, and saw each carriage drawn, Summon'd to town, he thought the visit one With lackeys mounted, ready on the lawn: Where something fair and friendly would be done The ladies came; and John in terror threw Although he judged not, as before his fall, One painful glance, and then his eyes withdrew; When all was love and promise at the hall. Not with such speed, but he in other eyes Arrived in town, he early sought to know Then came the noble friend—“And will my lord A well known servant came—“A while,” said he, Which though he read, he could not understand : There needs a fire, where minds and bodies freeze. And be a student.-Harry, drive away.” The vast and echoing room, the polish'd grate, Stillness reign'd all around; of late so full The crimson chairs, the sideboard with its plate; The busy scene, deserted now and dull: The splendid sofa, which, though made for rest, Stern is his nature who forbears to feel He then had thought it freedom to have press'd; Gloom o'er his spirits on such trials steal ; The shining tables, curiously inlaid, Most keenly felt our poet as he went Were all in comfortless proud style display'd, From room to room without a fix'd intent. And to the troubled feelings terror gave, * And here,” he thought, “ I was caress'd ; admired That made the once dear friend, the sickening Were here my songs; she smiled, and I aspired : slave. The change how grievous !" As he mused, a Was he forgotten ?" Thrice upon his ear dame Struck the loud clock, yet no relief was near. busy and peevish to her duties came; Each rattling carriage, and each thundering stroke Aside the tables and the chairs she drew, On the loud door, the dream of fancy broke : And sang and mutter'd in the poet's view:- Oit as a servant chanced the way to come, * This was her fortune ; here they leave the poor ; · Brings he a message ?" no! he pass'd the room : Enjoy themselves, and think of us no more : At length 'tis certain : “ Sir, you will attend I had a promise--" here his pride and shame At twelve on Thursday!” Thus the day had end. Urged him to fly from this familiar dame ; Vex'd by these tedious hours of needless pain, He gave one farewell look, and by a coach John left the noble mansion with disdain ; Reach'd his own mansion at the night's approach. For there was something in that still, cold place, His father met him with an anxious air, That seem'd to threaten and portend disgrace. Heard his sad tale, and check'd what seem'd de Punctual again the modest rap declared spair. The youth attended ; then was all prepared ; Hope was in him corrected, but alive; For the same servant, by his lord's command, My lord would something for a friend contrive; A paper offer'd to his trembling hand : His word was pledged ; our hero's severish mind “No more!” he cried ; “disdains he to afford Admitted this, and half his grief resign'd; One kind expression, one consoling word ?" But when three months had fled, and every day With troubled spirit he began to read Drew from the sickening hopes their strength away, That “ In the church my lord could not succeed;" The youth became abstracted, pensive, dull; Who had “ to peers of either kind applied, He utter'd nothing, though his heart was full: And was with dignity and grace denied : Teased by inquiring words and anxious looks, While his own livings were by men possessid, And all forgetful of his muse and books; Not likely in their chancels yet to rest. Awake he mourn'd, but in his sleep perceived And therefore, all things weigh’d, (as he, my lord, A lovely vision that his pain relieved : Had done maturely, and he pledged his word,) His soul transported, hail'd the happy seat, Wisdom it seem'd for John to turn his view Where once his pleasure was so sure and sweet; To busier scenes, and bid the church adieu !" Where joys departed came in blissful view, Here grieved the youth ; he felt his father's Till reason waked, and not a joy he knew. pride Questions now vex'd his spirit, most from those Must with his own be shock'd and mortified : Who are callid friends because they are not foes : But when he found his future comforts placed John!" they would say; he starting, turn'd Where he, alas! conceived himself disgracedaround; (sound; In some appointment on the London quaye, John!" there was something shocking in the He bade farewell to honour and to ease; ܪ |