Kingdoms by thee, to sickly greatness grown, At every draught more large and large they grow, Till sapp'd their strength, and every part unsound, Down, down they sink, and spread a ruin round. E'en now the devastation is begun, And half the business of destruction done; E'en now, methinks, as pond'ring here I stand, I see the rural virtues leave the land. Down where yon anchoring vessel spreads the sail, Pass from the shore, and darken all the strand. And kind connubial tenderness, are there ; And steady loyalty, and faithful love. And thou, sweet Poetry, thou loveliest maid, Still first to fly where sensual joys invade; Unfit, in these degen'rate time of shame, To catch the heart, or strike for honest fame; Dear charming nymph, neglected and decry'd, My shame in crowds, my solitary pride; ; |