، XX. Along one glittering fky what glory streams! But, in the mental world, what chaos drear! • What forms of mournful, loathfome, furious mein ! • O when all that eternal morn appear, • Thefe dreadful forms to chase, this chaos dark to clear ! XXI. O Thou, at whofe creative fmile, yon heaven, In all the pomp of beauty, life, and light, Rofe from th' abyfs; when dark Confusion, driven • Down down the bottomlefs profound of night, Fled, where he ever flies thy piercing fight! O glance on thefe fad fhades one pitying ray, To blaft the fury of oppreffive might, Melt the hard heart to love and mercy's fway, And chear the wandering foul, and light him on the ' way.' XXII. Silence enfued: and Edwin raised his eyes He faid, and turn'd away; nor did the Sage Nor is the mind with ftartling founds annoy'd, Of groves, and dying gales, and melancholy rills. 6 XXIV. But he from day to day more anxious grew. No more in vain conjecture let ine wear My hours away, but feek the Hermit's cell; 'Tis he my doubt can clear, perhaps my care difpel. XXV. At early dawn the Youth his journey took, An antient mau: his harp lay him befide. XXVI. And now the hoary fage arofe, and faw Who art thou, courteous ftranger? and from whence? Why roam thy teps to this abandon'd dale?' A fhepherd-boy (the youth replied) far hence XXVII. Late as I roam'd. intent on Nature's charms, And, leaning where yon oak expands her arms, Heard thefe rude cliffs thine awful voice rebound, (For in thy fpeech I recognife the found.) • You mourn'd for ruin'd man, and virtue loft, And feem'd to feel of keen remorfe the wound, • Pondering on former days, by guilt engross'd, Or in the giddy ftorm of diffipation tofs d. XXVIII. But fay, in courtly life can craft be learn'd, As thofe which felons, fiends, and furies plan? O teach a fimple youth this mystery to scan. XXIX. Or elfe the lamentable ftrain disclaim, And give me back the calm, contented mind; • Grace, grandeur, and utility combine. Reftore thofe tranquil days, that faw me ftill Well-pleafed with all, but most with humankind; When Fancy roam'd through Nature's works at will, Uncheck'd by cold diftruft, and uninform'd of ill.' XXX. Would thou (the Sage replied) in peace return And indignation make thine eyes o'erflow, XXXI. But let untender thoughts afar be driven And happiness of virtue; nor can they Be free to keep the path who are not free to ftray. XXXII. Yet leave me not. I would allay that grief, Even when exempt from grief, remorfe, and pain : • Amusement, knowledge, wisdom thou may'ft gain: If I one foul improve, I have not lived in vain." XXXIII. And now, at length, to Edwin's ardent gaze Her Chiefs their thirft of power in blood affwage, And languish in the duft, and clasp the abandon'd urn. XXXIV. Ah, what avails (he faid) to trace the fprings • fteel! To thofe, whom Nature taught to think and feel, • Heroes, alas! are things of fmall concern. Could History man's fecret heart reveal, And what imports a heaven-born mind to learn, Her transcripts to explore, what bofom would not yearn! XXXV. This praife, O Cheronean Sage*, is thine. • Lured by the toys that captivate the throng; Spoil, carnage, and the cruel pomp of pride; How tyrant blood, o'er many a region wide, XXXVI. • O who of man the story will unfold, Ere victory and empire wrought annoy, * In that Elysian age (mifnamed of gold) The age of love, and innocence, and joy. When all were great and free! man's fole employ • To deck the bofom of his parent earth; Or towards his bower the murmuring ftream decoy, • To aid the floweret's long-expected birth, And lull the bed of peace, and crown the board of mirth. XXXVII. • Sweet were your fhades, O ye primeval groves, Whofe boughs to man his food and shelter lent, Pure in his pleasures, happy in his loves, His eyes ftill fmiling, and his heart content. Then, hand in hand, Health, Sport, and Labour went. Nature fupplied the wifh fhe taught to crave. None prowled for prey, none watch'd to circumvent. To all an equal lot Heaven's bounty gave: No vafal fear'd his lord, no tyrant fear'd his slave. D 3 *PLUTARCH. |