The mother kindles at the glorious thought, And to her son's renown adjoins her name; Or in the senate, when Britannia's cause 90 With gen'rous themes inspires the glowing mind, While list'ning Freedom grateful looks applause, Pale Slav'ry drops her chain, and sculks behind: With conscious joy the tender parent fraught, Yet then, ascending still with bolder view, Should the blest youth to heav'nly gifts aspire, While with keen eye he pierces nature through, The flame of Genius sets his soul on fire: The Mother yields to Glory's soaring thought, And darts of thrilling transport touch her frame; For at the nurt'ring breast the Poet caught The love of Virtue, and the love of Fame. ELEGY XXX. DELIA. BY MRS. BARBAULD. -----tecum ut longae sociarem gaudia vitae, Tibul. YES, DELIA loves! My fondest vows are blest ; Farewell the memory of her past disdain; One kind relenting glance has heal'd my breast, And balanc'd in a moment years of pain. O'er her soft cheek consenting blushes move, Her tender smiles shall pay me with delight 10 DELIA shall come, and bless my lone retreat; She does not scorn the shepherd's lowly life; She will not blush to leave the splendid seat, And own the title of a poor man's wife. The simple knot shall bind her gather'd hair, By charms alone distinguish'd from the rest. 20 And meek Simplicity, neglected maid, Shall bid my fair in native graces shine : She, only she, shall lend her modest aid, Chaste, sober priestess, at sweet beauty's shrine ! How sweet to muse by murmuring springs reclin'd; Indulge the gentlest feelings of the mind, When DELIA's hand unlocks her shining hair, And o'er her shoulder spreads the flowing gold, 30 Base were the man who one bright tress would spare For all the ore of India's coarser mold. By her dear side with what content I'd toil, Guide the slow plough, or turn the stubborn soil, But softer tasks divide my DELIA's hours; To watch the firstlings at their harmless play; With welcome shade to screen the languid flowers, That sicken in the summer's parching ray. 40 Oft will she stoop amidst her evening walk, And nurse the blossoms of the infant year. When beating rains forbid our feet to roam, What headlong ruin oft involves the great; What conscious terrors guilty bosoms prove; 30 What strange and sudden turns of adverse fate Tear the sad virgin from her plighted love. DELIA shall read, and drop a gentle tear; Then cast her eyes around the low-roof'd cot, And own the fates have dealt more kindly here, That bless'd with only love our little lot. For love has sworn (I heard the awful vow) And what he cannot rule, he scorns to share. My heart in DELIA is so fully blest, It has no room to lodge another joy ; Our silent hours shall steal unmark'd away The proud unfeeling world their lot shall scorn His feeling breast with purer flame shall glow; Where two fond hearts in equal love are join'd. |