and delicate variations, which he might otherwife have paffed over; and I would not anticipate the pleasure he will receive from his own difcoveries of this kind. An ample ftore of beauties lies open for his infpection, and he will probably find reafon to flatter himself, that in this fpecies of poetry, as well as in every other, the English follow the claffic antients with a bold and vigorous ftep, and ftrain hard for the palm of victory. PAS PASSIONATE AND DESCRIPTIVE SONG S. LEST as th' immortal Gods is he,* B The youth that fondly fits by thee; And fees, and hears thee, all the while, 'Twas this depriv'd my foul of reft, For while I gaz'd, in transport tost, My breath was gone, my voice was loft. My *THOUGH it may feem irregular to begin a collection of English fongs with an ode of Sappho, yet I am tempted to do it on account of the excellence of the tranflation, which has almoft the merit of an original, and that the reader may have fo nearly in his view a pattern of perfection with which he may compare the reft, My bofom glow'd, a fubtle flame Ran quick thro' all my vital frame; In dewy damps my limbs were chill'd, PHILLIPS. T HY fatal fhafts unerring move, I feel the foft refiftlefs flame For while I gaze, my bofom glows, My fault'ring tongue attempts in vain My tongue fome fecret magic ties, Condemn'd to nurfe eternal care, SMOLLETT. A H! the fhepherd's mournful fate! When doom'd to love, and doom'd to languish, To bear the fcornful fair one's hate, Nor dare disclose his anguish. Yet eager looks, and dying fighs, My fecret foul discover, While rapture trembling thro' my eyes Reveals how much I love her. The tender glance, the redd'ning cheek, A thousand various ways they speak A thousand various wishes. For For oh! that form fo heavenly fair, Thy every look, and every grace Low at thy feet to breathe my laft, And die in fight of heaven. HAMILTON. O, tell AMYNTA, gentle fwain, What dying lovers dare not fay. |