P O E T R y. 391
XIX. Ah ! who to pomp or grandeur would afpire ? ^
Kings are noc rais'd above Misfortune's frown. That form fo graceful even in mean attire, Sway'd once a fcepter, once fuftaia'd a crown. From filial rage and ilrife. To fcreen his clofing life. He quits his throne, a father's forrow feels. And in the lap of want his patient head conceals.
XX.
More yet remained but lo ! the pensive Queeh
Appears confeft before my dazzled fight ; Grace in her fteps, and foftnefs in her mien. The face of forrow mingled with delight. Not fuch her noble frame. When kindling into flame. And bold in Virtue's caufe, her zeal afpires To waken guilty pangs, or breathe heroic fires,
XXL
Aw'd into filence, my rapt foul attends-
The Power, with eyes complacent faw my fear; And, as with grace ineffable ihe bends, Thefe accents vibrate on my liftening ear.
- Afpiring fon of art
" Know, though thy feeling heart '* Glow with thefe wonders to thy fancy fliewn,
- Still may the Deiian God thy powerlefs toils difcwn*
XXII. '* A thoufand tender fcenes of foft diftrefs
- ' iVIay fwell thy breaft with fympathetic woes,
•' A thoufand fuch dread forms on fancy prefs,
- As from my dreary realms of darknefs rofe,
•' Whence Shakespear's chilling fears,
- Whence Otway's melting tears
- ' That awful gloom, this melancholy plain,
•■ The types of every theme that fuits the tragic strain.
XXIII. •* But doft thou v.or.^ip Nature night and morni
- And all due honour to her precepts pay ?
- Canft thou the lure of AfFeftation fcorn,
" Pleas'd in the fimpler paths of Truth to ftray ? " Haft thou the Graces fair
- • Invok'd with ardent prayer i
- 'Tis they attire, ns Nature muft impart,
'* The fentimcnt fublirae, the language of the heart.
Cc4 XXIV. "Then
