58

LINES UPON THE DOGANA AT VENICE.

Should you Ambition's lofty summit dare,
"Grandeur and honours form your only care;"

While Envy's spectre will each step attend,

Haunt you through life, and warp each youthful friend.

Think then no more to raise a Gresham's fame,

Or rival Medici's immortal name;

No longer fancy some Pactolian stream,
(Wild and romantic as a poet's dream);

Strive in the Senate and the Bar to shine,
Or the brave soldier's warlike banner join;
Implore of Heaven your future course to guide,

And o'er your chequer'd path benignantly preside.

A FAREWELL.

UPON THE

BREAKING UP OF AN OLD CONVIVIAL PARTY.

"Singula de nobis anni, prædantur euntes,

"Eripuere Jocos, venerem, convivia, ludum.”

Horat.

"Let Fate do her worst, there are relics of joy,
"Bright scenes of the past which she cannot destroy ;
"Which come in the night-time of sorrow and care,
"And bring back the features, that mirth used to wear."

Moore.

THO' swift as a meteor six lustres have flown,

Since

yon humble roof was transmitted my own;

60

A FAREWELL.

Throughout this fair island, this gem of the wave,

On few, Fancy's wand could more truly engrave;

The line, a misanthropist scarcely could hate,

"None arrive here too early, or quitted too late.” But the Monarch exclaims-(long for wisdom renown'd,) "A time, and a season, for all things is found ;* "Too soon at the fountain the wheel is decay'd, "Or the almond-tree's snow will our tresses invade; "The grasshopper's voice is regarded with pain, "And the cord-tho' of silver, is broken in twain; "E'en the bright golden bowl will soon tarnish and fail, "And the languor of pain, or of sickness assail; "Then age! palsied age! with an aspect of woe, "Feebly whispers—each blessing prepare to forego;' "Close! close! the apartment, bar swiftly the door,

"And let dulness succeed to hilarity's roar ;

"What avails now the Bourdeaux' long cherish'd with care,

"Or still more seductive, each charm of the fair?

"The Corso can neither attract or delight,

"And your Claude-like horizon, seems gloomy as night.

*King Solomon in Ecclesiastes.

A FAREWELL.

61

"Without e'en a murmur, the hint I receive,

"Too resign'd, and too grateful, one moment to grieve;

"And 'vive-valeque' apply to each toy,

"That once my poor bosom with pleasure could buoy ;

"Yet 'vive-valeque' demands a fond sigh,

"As long-vanish'd phantoms pass rapidly by;

"And if stranger or kinsman reign o'er the grey hall,

"A few hasty precepts, let friendship recall.

"Join your guests in the chase o'er yon Box-cover❜d hill, "Or where the coy Mole winds her soft-flowing rill; "Rove! rove! the wide common, and thyme-scented glade, "And the Muses invoke in some hawthorn's green shade, "As delighted you glance over Esher's' fair grove, "Or' St. Anne's,' long devoted to friendship and love ;* "And when the old anthem at Christmas is sung, "Or with holly, the snow-drifted casement is hung; "When the Yule-log' disperses the black northern wind, "And the soft village bells soothe and gladden the mind, "May the 'grave and the gay,' in one harmony blend, "While you shine the protector, the landlord, and friend ;

* St. Anne's Hill, the beautiful and favourite villa of the late Mr. Fox.

62

A FAREWELL.

"May your terrace, your books, and your high-cultur❜d farm,

"With each rural amusement continue to charm;

""Till Nature compels you, at last to retire,

"And dream o'er each object of youthful desire;

"Then, then, may your friends prove as steady and true,

"As those, to whom Gratitude falters-Adieu."