TO A GENTLEMAN.

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Tho' far other scenes, you are call'd to adorn,

Where our standard is wav'd in the regions of morn;
Where an empire, unrivall❜d for grandeur extends,
And each once haughty Rajah submissively bends;
Where the rose and the myrtle, perfume the soft bower,
In each long-vanish'd seat of Mahometan power;
Yet Hope gently whispers, in language most dear,
You reflect on past moments with sympathy's tear,
Nor forget (while the lamp of existence shall burn,)
The gay seasons, I fear! that can never return.

But Prudence, stern mentor! cries-"Cease to intrude;
"And blushing-these visions of folly conclude;
"Why the warrior enthral, who each danger defies,
"And the syren-strew'd poppies of sloth can despise?
"Who, unlike young Rinaldo, in Armida's grove,
"Or Mark Antony losing an empire for love,

"In Pleasure's soft dream, scorns to slumber away, "But each life-stirring energy calls into play." May all earthly blessings, your steps then attend, While honour and fame in each action must blend, Thro' the spice-grounds of Ceylon, or Hindostan's plain, Or where Jumna's wide current is roll'd to the main ;

44 LINES ADDRESSED BY A LADY TO A GENTLEMAN.

Thro' the stormy monsoon, when no art can avail,

And the direful tornado increases the gale;

May some angel preside, your protector and shield,

In each peril alike, "of the flood and the field;"
And with tears for your bliss, let her offer each pray'r,
Tho' she sinks the sad victim of grief and despair.

YOUTH AND AGE.

"From Pleasure's dream, in silence he retreats,
"And envies ev'ry 'prentice boy he meets;
"Too proud one friendly visit to repay,

"Too thoughtless to endure one lonely day;

"Too indolent to read, too profligate to pray."

"In his own grounds he loves to tread,

"Nor envies on his household bed,

"The couch of Eastern Kings."

S. Jenyns.

Old Ballad.

THE hateful journey, oft deferr'd, or chang'd;

His lacqueys gone-his equipage arrang'd;
His tradesmen paid (in promises of gold);

His loves forsaken, and his hunters sold;

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YOUTH AND AGE.

Tho' young Hilario, ev'ry effort tries,

Mark what reflections in his bosom rise !

"Must I desert each long frequented street,

"Of mirth and gaiety the favoured seat? "Forsake the banquet, theatre, and ball,

"The brilliant court, and decorated hall ? "Nor these alone, should nobler themes delight,

"The feast of reason,' with the Attic night; "Should crowded senates lofty thoughts inspire,

"Or Taste and Genius renovate their fire ?

"Should Painting, Poetry, or Sculpture charm, "Heavens! to exchange them for a swampy farm! "For Hamlet see, with guilty Richard's frown, "The Marionettes' of some provincial town! "View for Almacks-(my languid spirits droop,)

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"The Colin Maliard' of a Christmas group!

"With-oh! ye sisters from Castalia's fount, "That direful sight-a steward's long account. "No;-let grandees, who half a province own,

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Despise our joys in hypocritic tone;

"With poor dependants rule some wild domain,

"Some cringing borough, or obsequious train.

YOUTH AND AGE.

"And till we hail the soft approach of spring,
"Till vernal gales our beauteous exiles bring,
"Let me, fair Dian! (mistress of the chase,)
"Thy once-lov'd image in the forest trace;
"Let thy twin-brother, with his tuneful song,
"In fabled scenes the midnight hour prolong;
"Let Hospitality her form display,

"And cheer the horrors of each wintry day,
"'Till Hope's bright vision is no more o'ercast,
"But Pleasure beckons to her arms at last."
Observe him now, his youthful ardour tam'd,
From all his errors, and his faults reclaim'd;
Each manly feature, furrow'd deep by care,
The long-sought tour, in foreign climes prepare;
With dreams of joy, each lovely daughter fir'd;
Hear his reflections from their mirth retir'd:-
"To-morrow's sun, the odious day reveals,
"And o'er my bosom what emotion steals!
"At quitting thee-my dear paternal seat,
"Of peace, and comfort, long the blest retreat!
"Farewell-a long farewell to each delight,
"The studious morning, or the social night;

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