The clouds are now scatter'd-the winds are at peace; The sheep to his pasture inclined: But ah! the fell thicket lays hold of his fleece, His coat is left forfeit behind. My friend, who the thicket of law never try'd, Though judgment and sentence are pass'd on your side, By Joye you'll be fleeced to your skin. Verses by the Author, Written about three Weeks before his death. Dear lad, as you run o'er my rhyme, 'Tis true, the reproof, though severe, However for better for worse,. As Damons their Chloes receive, Even take the dull lines I rehearse They are all a poor friend has to give. The drama and I have shook hands, My sunshine of youth is no more! My mornings of pleasure are fled! 'Tis painful my fate to endure A pension supplies me with bread! Dependant at length on the man Whose fortunes I struggled to raise ! I conquer my pride as I can— His charity merits my praise! His bounty proceeds from his heart; 'Tis principle prompts the supply His kindness exceeds my desert, And often suppresses a sigh. But like the old horse in the song, I am turn'd on the common to grazeTo fortune these changes belong, And contented I yield to her ways! She ne'er was my friend; through the day, Her smiles were the smiles of deceit At noon she'd her favours display, At night let me pine at her feet: No longer her presence I court, No longer I shrink at her frowns! Her whimsies supply me with sportAnd her smiles I resign to the clowns! Thus lost to each worldly desire, And scorning all riches-all fame, I quietly hope to retire When time shall the summons proclaim. I have nothing to weep for behind! JAMES DANCE. 1774. This Author was an Actor at Drury-Lane Theatre, under the assumed name of Love. He was the son of the City Architect, and published a small volume of poems printed at Edinburgh, in 1754. The Wish. When Time and gently creeping age With one dear female, and one friend, And think what mortals most esteem, And pant each year for birth-day praise; All I desire is but CONTENT. EPIGRAM. Janus commends me to my face, By this confest a judging youth, |