He quits the woods, and tries the beaten ways; Is taught his former folly to deplore ; Whilst his strong limbs conspire to set him free, [Taking a jump through the stage door. STANZAS ON THE TAKING OF QUEBEC. AMIDST the clamour of exulting joys, Which triumph forces from the patriot heart; Grief dares to mingle her soul-piercing voice, And quells the raptures which from pleasure start. O Wolfe, to thee a streaming flood of wo, Sighing we pay, and think e'en conquest dear; Quebec in vain shall teach our breast to glow, Whilst thy sad fate extorts the heart-wrung tear. Alive, the foe thy dreadful vigour fled, And saw thee fall with joy-pronouncing eyes: Yet they shall know thou conquerest, though dead! Since from thy tomb a thousand heroes rise. SURE 'twas by Providence designed 'A SONNET. WEEPING, murmuring, complaining, Myra, too sincere for feigning, Yet why impair thy bright perfection? SONG I. From the Oratorio of the Captivity. THE wretch condemned with life to part, And every pang that rends the heart, Bids expectation rise. Hope, like the glimmering taper's light, Adorns and cheers the way; And still, as darker grows the night, SONG II. Intended to have been sung in the Comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer." AH me! when shall I marry me? Lovers are plenty; but fail to relieve me; But I will rally and combat the ruiner : Not a look, nor a smile shall my passion discover. She that gives all to the false one pursuing her, Makes but a penitent, and loses a lover. SONG III. O MEMORY! thou fond deceiver, To former joys recurring ever,' And turning all the past to pain: Thou, like the world, the oppressed oppressing, Thy smiles increase the wretches wo; And he who wants each other blessing, STANZAS ON WOMAN. WHEN lovely woman stoops to folly, The only art her guilt to cover, THE CLOWN'S REPLY. JOHN TROTT was desired by two witty peers, To tell them the reason why asses had ears? "An't please you," quoth John, "I'm not given to letters, Nor dare I pretend to know more than my betters, Howe'er, from this time, I shall ne'er see your graces, As I hope to be saved! without thinking on asses." Edinburgh, 1753. EPITAPH ON DR. PARNELL. THIS tomb inscribed to gentle Parnell's name, That leads to truth through pleasure's flowery way? And heaven that lent him genius, was repaid. The transitory breath of fame below : More lasting rapture from his works shall rise, EPITAPH ON EDWARD PURDON.* HERE lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery freed, He led such a damnable life in this world,- * This gentleman was educated at Trinity College, Dublin; but having wasted his patrimony, he enlisted as a foot soldier. Growing tired of that employment, he obtained his discharge, and became a scribbler in the newspapers. He translated Voltaire's Henriade. |