And the sparkles that flash from their eyes! Each a torch in his hand! Those are Grecian ghosts, that in battle were slain Give the vengeance due Behold how they toss their torches on high And glittering temples of their hostile gods. -The princes applaud with a furious joy: And the King seized a flambeau with zeal to destroy ; Thais led the way To light him to his prey, And like another Helen, fired another Troy ! -Thus, long ago, Ere heaving bellows learn'd to blow, While organs yet were mute, Timotheus, to his breathing flute And sounding lyre Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. At last divine Cecilia came, Inventress of the vocal frame; The sweet enthusiast from her sacred store Enlarged the former narrow bounds, And added length to solemn sounds, With Nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown before. -Let old Timotheus yield the prize Or both divide the crown; He raised a mortal to the skies; J. DRYDEN THE GOLDEN TREASURY BOOK THIRD 117 ODE ON THE PLEASURE ARISING FROM VICISSITUDE Now the golden Morn aloft Waves her dew-bespangled wing, New-born flocks in rustic dance, Yesterday the sullen year Saw the snowy whirlwind fly; Mute was the music of the air, The herd stood drooping by : Their raptures now that wildly flow Smiles on past Misfortune's brow While Hope prolongs our happier hour, Still, where rosy Pleasure leads, See the wretch that long has tost And breathe and walk again : T. GRAY 118 THE QUIET LIFE Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Blest, who can unconcern'dly find Sound sleep by night; study and ease Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Steal from the world, and not a stone 119 A. POPE THE BLIND BOY O say what is that thing call'd Light, You talk of wondrous things you see, My day or night myself I make And could I ever keep awake With heavy sighs I often hear Then let not what I cannot have C. CIBBER 120 ON A FAVOURITE CAT, DROWNED IN A 'Twas on a lofty vase's side Her conscious tail her joy declared : Her coat that with the tortoise vies, Still had she gazed, but 'midst the tide. Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue Through richest purple, to the view Betray'd a golden gleam. The hapless Nymph with wonder saw : With many an ardent wish She stretch'd, in vain, to reach the prize- Presumptuous maid! with looks intent |