In folemn Silence, a Majestick Band, While the bright Dames, to whom they humbly fu’d, Still fhow the Charms that their proud Hearts subdu'd. Fain wou'd I Raphael's Godlike Art rehearse, And show th' Immortal Labours in my Verse. Where from the mingled ftrength of Shade and Light Such Heav'nly Figures from his Pencil flow, Here pleafing Airs my ravifht Soul confound How has kind Heav'n adorn'd the happy Land, Her blooming Mountains and her funny Shores, The red'ning Orange and the fwelling Grain: Oh Liberty, thou Goddess Heav'nly bright, And fmiling Plenty leads thy wanton Train! Eas'd of her load Subjection grows more light, And makes her barren Rocks and her bleak Mountains fmile. Others with Tow'ring Piles may please the fight, And in their proud aspiring Domes delight; A nicer Touch to the ftretcht Canvas give, Or teach their animated Rocks to live: 'Tis Britain's Care to watch o'er Europe's Fate, And hold in Balance each contending State. To threaten bold prefumptuous Kings with War, And answer her afflicted Neighbour's Pray'r. The Dane and Swede rouz'd up by fierce Alarms, Blefs the Wife Conduct of her Pious Arms. Soon as her Fleets appear, their Terrors cease, And all the Northern World lies hufh'd in Peace. Th'ambitious Gaul beholds with fecret dread Her Thunder aim'd at his aspiring Head, And fain her Godlike Sons wou'd difunite By Foreign Gold, or by Domestick Spite; But ftrives in vain to Conquer or Divide, Whom Naffan's Arms defend and Counsels guide. Fir'd with the Name, which I fo oft have found The diftant Climes and different Tongues refound; I bridle in my ftruggling Mufe with Pain, That longs to launch into a bolder Strain. But I've already troubled you too long, Nor dare attempt a more advent'rous Song. My humble Verse demands a fofter Theme, A painted Meadow or a purling Stream, Unfit for Heroes; whom Immortal Lays, And Lines like Virgil's, or like yours fhou'd praife. On the Death of AMYNTAS: A Paftoral ELEGY. Written by Mr. DRYDEN. Was on a Joylefs and a Gloomy Morn, } Wet was the Grafs, and hung with Pearls the When Damon, who defign'd to pafs the Day [Thorn; With Hounds and Horns, and chafe the flying Prey, Rofe early from his Bed; but foon he found The Welkin pitch'd with fullen Clouds around, An Eafern Wind, and Dew upon the Ground. Thus while he ftood, and fighing did furvey The Fields, and curs'd th' ill Omens of the Day, He faw Menalcas come with heavy pace; Wet were his Eyes, and chearlefs was his Face: He wrung his Hands, diftracted with his Care, And fent his Voice before him from afar. Return, he cry'd, return unhappy Swain, The fpungy Clouds are fill'd with gath'ring Rain; The Promife of the Day not only cross'd, But ev❜n the Spring, the Spring itself is loft. Amyntas,Oh! he cou'd not speak the reft, Nor needed, for prefaging Damon guess'd. Equal with Heav'n young Damon lov'd the Boy; The boast of Nature, both his Parents Joy. His graceful Form revolving in his Mind; The Mother's Features, and the Father's Soul. In Years fo tender that prevented time: Heav'n gave him all at once; then fnatch'd away, E'er Mortals all his Beauties cou'd furvey: Juft like the Flow'r that buds and withers in a Day. MENAL CAS. The Mother Lovely, tho' with Grief oppreft, Reclin'd his dying Head upon her Breaft. The mournful Family ftood all around; One Groan was heard, one Univerfal Sound: All were in Floods of Tears and endlefs Sorrow So dire a Sadness fate on ev'ry Look, [drown'd. Even Death repented he had giv'n the Stroke. He griev'd his fatal Work had been ordain'd, But promis'd length of Life to those who yet remain'd The Mother's and her Eldest Daughter's Grace, It seems had brib'd him to prolong their space: The Father bore it with undaunted Soul, Like one who durft his Destiny controul: Yet with becoming Grief he bore his part, Refign'd his Son, but not refign'd his Heart.. Patient as Job; and may he live to fee, DAMO N. Such is my With, and fuch my Prophefie. For yet, my Friend, the Beauteous Mold remains, Long may the exercife her fruitful Pains: But, ah! with better hap, and bring a Race More lafting, and endu'd with equal Grace: Equal fhe may, but farther none can go; For he was all that was exact below. MENAL CAS. Damon, behold, yon breaking Purple Cloud; Hear'st thou not Hymns and Songs Divinely loud There mounts Amyntas; the young Cherubs play About their Godlike Mate, and Sing him on his way. He cleaves the liquid Air, behold he flies, And every Moment gains upon the Skies; The new come Guest admires th’Ætherial State, The Saphir Portal, and the Golden Gate; And now admitted in the fhining Throng, He shows the Pafsport which he brought along; His Passport is his Innocence and Grace, "Well known to all the Natives of the Place. Now Sing ye joyful Angels, and admire [Quire: Your Brother's Voice that comes to mend your On the DEATH of a very young Gentleman. By Mr. DRYDEN. E who cou'd view the Book of Destiny, |