Of nature, while to my compatriot youth I point the high example of thy fons,

And tune to Attic themes the British lyre.

END OF THE FIRST BOOK.

THE

SECOND BOOK

OF THE

PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION.

ARGUMENT.

THE feparation of the works of imagination from philosophy, the cause of their abuse among the moderns. Profpect of their re-union under the influence of public liberty. Enumeration of accidental pleasures, which increase the effect of objects delightful to the imagination. The pleasures of fenfe. Particular circumftances of the mind. Difcovery of truth. Perception of contrivance and defign. Emotion of the paffions. All the natural paffions partake of a pleasing sensation; with the final cause of this conftitution illustrated by an allegorical vifion, and exemplified in forrow, pity, terror, and indignation.

THE

PLEASURES

OF

IMAGINATION.

BOOK II.

WHEN fhall the laurel and the vocal ftring

Refume their honours? When shall we behold
The tuneful tongue, the Promethéan hand, .
Aspire to ancient praife? Alas! how faint,

How flow, the dawn of beauty and of truth

5

Breaks the reluctant shades of Gothic night

Which yet involve the nations! Long they groan'd

Beneath the furies of rapacious force;

Oft as the gloomy north, with iron-fwarms

Tempestuous pouring from her frozen caves, 10

G

15

Blafted the Italian fhore, and fwept the works
Of liberty and wifdom down the gulph
Of all-devouring night. As long immur'd
. In noon-tide darkness by the glimmering lamp,
Each Mufe and each fair science pin'd away
The fordid hours: while foul, barbarian hands
Their myfteries profan'd, unftrung the lyre,
And chain'd the foaring pinion down to earth.
At last the Muses rofe, and spurn'd their bonds,
And, wildly warbling, fcatter'd, as they flew, 20
Their blooming wreaths from fair Valclufa's bowers
To Arno's myrtle border and the shore

Of foft Parthenope. But ftill the rage
Of dire ambition and gigantic power,

From public aims and from the busy walk

Of civil commerce, drove the bolder train

Of penetrating science to the cells,

Where ftudious ease confumes the filent hour

In fhadowy searches and unfruitful care.

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Thus from their guardians torn, the tender arts 30