A MONODY, On the sudden and lamented Death of the Marquis of Downshire, September, 1801. BY THE REVEREND HENRY BOYD, TRANSLATOR OF DANTE. 1. THE Dog-star sunk*, and with it drew That gorg'd the grave with hourly prey. To follow the terrific star; We thought his fiery falchion gleam'd Of richest green and gold array'd, "Twas then conceal'd behind the festive pall, As the grim shadow crost the good-man's hall? Alluding to the uncommon mortality of that season, in the Province of Ulster. Alas! the fatal dart, Already reach'd his noble heart, Before Affection's fervent prayer, Could pierce th' incumbent air, Or Pæon's hand employ his usual art! Mild are the glories of * September's moon, And rich the presents which her reign conveys; But she has robb'd us of an heaven-sent boon, Which all her waving wealth but ill repays! Poor are the floating fields of golden grain To such a MIND, that when her chearless beam, Malignant glanc'd upon the niggard plain, Open'd sweet Mercy's heaven-directed stream. 2. On Tamari's ↑ aerial brow, I stood to view the scenes below, A picture of the judgment day. *The munificence of the late Marquis of Downshire, was the means, not only of alleviating the distresses, but prolonging the lives of vast numbers during the famine. + The Western extremity of the mountains of Mourne, from whence the view is so extensive, that large portions of seven counties, can be easily observed by the naked eye. To the harvesters of Heaven, The fwathes and sheaves alternate fell, The deep-ton'd funeral bell: And many a busy hand appear'd To cull the TARES, a task severe, And to their final doom to bear.Ye thoughtless men-prepare to meet your God, And learn to deprecate the lifted rod ! 3. Not such wert THOU, altho' a sudden fate, And ONE that rose to heights divine; Forgiveness, even of deep injuries, formed a conspicuous part of the character of the late Marquis. A remarkable instance which distinguished the last year of his life, is here alluded to; wherein every particular mentioned here, was exhibited in the most amiable light, in his conduct to an individual. And not (we hope) a transient heat, Soon from the torpid breast to fleet. This might seem flattery, while you But flattery now is o'er : liv'd to tell; Hark! to the musick of yon mournful bell; Yon solemn vault has clos'd the door On adulation; ye, attend the call, Whom Heaven, like him allows the means to ease A dread eye views this air-invested ball, A giant arm uplifts the cloudy pall, That shews the realms of Woe, or everlasting Peace. CHORUS*. WHO deserves the civic wreath? Who deserves the chace to join ? And trim his porch with olives green? * From the Corsicans, an unfinished Play, by C. Leftly, Esq. TO A LADY'S BLACKBIRD. BY EDMUND L. SWIFT, ESQ. "I would I were thy Bird!" ROMEO. SAY, happy Bird, when sunk to rest, Say, wouldst thou on that heaven of snow, To bid that heaven more spotless shew, Or half it's beauties envious hide? Too happy Bird, what boundless bliss Too happy Bird, ah vain my prayer, |