IMITATION, ETC.

Impervious shades shall be my pensive choice,
That ne'er re-echoed with the hunter's voice,
The beetling mountain and romantic dell,

Where the coy wood-nymph hastens to her cell.
Some soft remembrance ever they recall,

Of that fair object "pride of bower and hall;"
Too soon forgotten by obtrusive care,

Like a light vision of the morning air.

213

IMITATION

OF THE

FIFTH ODE, FIRST BOOK OF HORACE.

OH! say, enchanting yet delusive fair,
What favor'd lover with his flowing hair,
In myrtle bowers is gently sooth❜d to rest,
Dissolv'd in pleasure on thy snowy breast?

Oh! say, for whom thy toilet is display'd,
For whom the Graces all thy ringlets braid?
Tho' now entranc'd in airy dreams he lies,
Soon will he find destruction in those eyes.

IMITATION, ETC.

Too soon, with tears the pitying gods invoke,
Each oath forgotten, and each promise broke;
As some poor Mariner the shore regains,

And from each danger sacred home attains;
Let me an off'ring to great Neptune pay,

And sav'd from shipwreck, own his gracious sway.

215

IMITATION

OF

THIRTEENTH ODE OF FIRST BOOK OF HORACE.

WHEN Mira praises young Alonzo's air,

His manly figure-and his raven hair;
What fierce emotions in this bosom glow!
As my pale cheeks each angry passion show.
While Fancy's pencil, with malignant hue,
Each tort'ring image passes in review;
Paints him as sinking in her arms to rest,
(While stolen pleasures add a keener zest ;)
Oh! happy they whom mutual love retains,
And binds each heart in adamantine chains,
No cares perplex, no fears their peace annoy,
And bliss repeated fires-but cannot cloy.

IMITATION, ETC.

If Fortune frowns, they smile at angry Fate,
Her harmless malice, and her feeble hate;
Explore each wish, scarce rising in the eye,
'Till Death translates them to a kindred sky.

217