40 But thanks to those, whose fond parental care Each calm delight that soothes the studious mind. While genius lasts, his fame shall ne'er decay, To him I owe each fair instructive page, Where Science tells me what her sons have known; Collects their choicest works from every age, And makes me wise with knowledge not my own. Books rightly us'd may every state secure, Should rigid Want withdraw all outward aid, Kind stores of inward comfort they can bring; Should keen Disease life's tainted stream invade, Sweet to the soul from them pure health may spring. Should both at once man's weakly frame infest, And make him quite resign'd to live, or die. For though no words can time or fate restrain; No sounds suppress the call of Nature's voice; Though neither rhymes, nor spells, can conquer pain, Nor magic's self make wretchedness our choice; Yet reason, while it forms the subtile plan, Must deem each fruitless toil, by Heav'n design'd ODE VIII. ON DESPAIR. BY JAMES SCOTT, D. D. SAVE me!-what means yon grisly shade, In foul and tatter'd patches clad, With dirt, and gore, and venom'd dy'd ? And stamps, and raves, and tears the ground, While through her cank'red breast are seen The cursed spawn of self-consuming Care!— 'Twas thus, O poor enamour'd maid, The Stygian fiend approach'd the sea-girt tower, What time, in sad misfortune's evil hour, The faithless lamp, Love's cynosure decay'd. "And why," the ghastly phantom cries, "Wilt thou, deluded Hero, wait "Leander's wish'd return, forbid by fate? “See floating on his watʼry bier he lies; "Pale are his cheeks, where Love was wont to play, "And clos'd those radiant eyes that late outshone the day." The woe-foreboding voice she heard, And wishing, trembling, pray'd for mornWhen lo the bleeding corse appear'd By savage rocks all rudely torn! Where were ye, Nymphs, O tell me where, Daughters of Nereus fresh, and fair? And why, sweet silver-footed Queen, Would'st thou not leave thy coral cave, And sooth the rough remorseless wave, Ere Death had seiz'd thy best, thy boldest swain? With haggard eyes, all-streaming blood, And thrice indignant view'd the guilty main, "And canst thou live, O lost, O wretched maid ? "Forbid it Love !"-Then head-long from the tower Deep in the ruthless flood she plung'd to rise no more! With scenes of woe, O cursed Power, When Heaven's vindictive rod assail'd 44 The Queen of arts?-With giant-stride The virgin-bride unpity'd dies! Clasp'd to his daughter's throbbing breast, The father breathes his soul to rest, And sorrowing sons compose the widow'd mother's eyes! Scar'd by the Damon's spotted hand, Yet ah! they weep, they weary heaven in vain! The wretched few, whom pois'nous Pest'lence spares, These are thy deeds, O fell Despair, Of winds, and waves, and rocks the scorn, For Reason shrinks appall'd, and trembling quits the helm ! |