ON ALBANIA.
145
TO THE EDITOR OF ALBANIA,
A POEM,
Addressed to the Genius of Scotland, and dedicated to General Wade.
Known, though unnamed, since shunning vulgar phrase,
Thy muse would shine, and yet conceal her rays;
Think thyself hid, and hope in vain to be
Unseen, like light, that shows us all we see.
But while thy readers are denied thy name,
They feel thy genius, and attest thy flame.
They pity too, in death, thy noteless friend,
Poor by the generous aid thy wealth would lend;
Prefaced by thee, his feeble lights expire;
Even in producing, thou obscurest his fire.
Not but the muse had warmed his youthful song!
Bold were his notes, and his ideas strong;
But where domestic dearness warped his lays,
And partial birth misled the patriot praise;
Wilt thou not join to blame the bounded zeal,
That bids us only for our country feel?
Yes—thou wilt censure this too scanty care,
That shuts out pity, and appropriates prayer.
Thou wilt enlarge affection, till it sees
Beyond itself, and pants for public ease.
Stretch liberty to disengage mankind,
And even from nature's bias free the mind.
What though, we know not why, soft inbred pride,
Makes home seem sweetest, and can choice misguide;
Till native darkness erring taste constrains,
And Lapland deserts rival Persia's plains;
Thy muse would shine, and yet conceal her rays;
Think thyself hid, and hope in vain to be
Unseen, like light, that shows us all we see.
But while thy readers are denied thy name,
They feel thy genius, and attest thy flame.
They pity too, in death, thy noteless friend,
Poor by the generous aid thy wealth would lend;
Prefaced by thee, his feeble lights expire;
Even in producing, thou obscurest his fire.
Not but the muse had warmed his youthful song!
Bold were his notes, and his ideas strong;
But where domestic dearness warped his lays,
And partial birth misled the patriot praise;
Wilt thou not join to blame the bounded zeal,
That bids us only for our country feel?
Yes—thou wilt censure this too scanty care,
That shuts out pity, and appropriates prayer.
Thou wilt enlarge affection, till it sees
Beyond itself, and pants for public ease.
Stretch liberty to disengage mankind,
And even from nature's bias free the mind.
What though, we know not why, soft inbred pride,
Makes home seem sweetest, and can choice misguide;
Till native darkness erring taste constrains,
And Lapland deserts rival Persia's plains;
