POEMS
IMITATIVE OF SPENSER.

POEM I.

THE

PROGRESS OF ENVY.

Occasioned by

LAUDER'S ATTACK ON THE CHARACTER OF MILTON.

BY ROBERT LLOYD, M. A. +

Odium bonorum sede me infausta extrahit
Diros scelesta mente versantem dolos.

Grotii Aadamus Exsul.

I.

Ah me! unhappy state of mortal Wight,
Sith Envy's sure attendant upon fame,
Ne doth she rest from rancorous despight,
Until she works him mickle woe and shame;
Unhappy he whom Envy thus doth spoil,
Ne doth she check her ever-restless hate,
Until she doth his reputation foil :

Ah! luckless Imp is he, whose worth elate, Forces him pay this heavy tax for being great,

II.

There stood an ancient Mount, yclept Parnass,
(The fair domain of sacred Poesy)
Which, with fresh odors ever-blooming, was
Besprinkled with the dew of Castaly ;
Which now in soothing murmurs whisp'ring glides,
Wat'ring with genial waves the fragrant soil,
Now rolls adown the mountain's steepy sides,

Teaching the vales full beauteously to smile,
Dame Nature's handy-work, not form’d by lab'ring

toil.

III.

The Muses fair these peaceful shades among,
With skilful fingers sweep the trembling strings;
The air in silence listens to the song,
And Time forgets to ply his lazy wings :
Pale visag'd Care, with foul unhallow'd feet,
Attempts the summit of the hill to gain,
Ne can the Hag arrive the blissful seat;

Her unavailing strength is spent in vain,
Content sits on the top, and mocks her empty pain.

IV.
Oft Phoebus self left his divine abode,
And here enshrouded in a shady bow'r,
Regard!ess of his state, lay'd by the God,
And own'd sweet music's more alluring pow'r.