But when the powers of wit combine,
With pleasing force to warm; Where wisdom, genius, honour, shine,
Oh! how resist the charm!
While reason, and reflection's aid,
Can only fan the fire; And strengthen all impressions made,
Not quell the fond desire.
With books I try'd to sooth my pain,
And all my suff’rings ease: Alas! no authors entertain;
No wit but his can please.
If of philosophy they treat,
My passion they renew; The sage, of all the most complete,
Is present to my view.
His image to efface I sought,
And tear it from my breast; But oh! how vain! whilst ev'ry thought
Recalls the fatal guest.
The conflict's o'er, be calm my heart,
And cease thy fate to mourn : By merit gain’d, endure the smart, Tho' hopeless of return.
Original Poems from the French.
Sleep, thy balmy aid apply!
Calm to rest my wakeful woes! Sorrow's cheek, O gently dry!
Sorrow's eye in slumber close!
Fancy, then, shall hold her reign;
Hope shall sooth the pensive mind;. Stella, then, shall smile again;
Stella shall again be kind.
Lost to all we most adore,
What has life that's worth our care ? Sleep, to my fond arms restore
Stella faithful, kind, and fair!
But, tho' once so fair and kind,
Should those dreams of love be past! Ah then! what solace may I find ? · Still let me sleep-and sleep my last.
Cartwright.
ON WILLIAM SHENSTONE, ESQ.
W hoe'er thou-art, with rev’rence tread The sacred mansions of the dead Not that the monumental bust, Or sumptuous tomb here guards the dust Of rich or great; (let wealth, rank, birth, Sleep undistinguis'd in the earth!) This simple urn records a name, That shines with more exalted fame.
Reader! if genius, taste refin'd, A native elegance of mind; If virtue, science, manly sense ; If wit, that never gave offence, The clearest head, the tenderest heart, In thy esteem e’er claim'd a part, Ah! smite thy breast, and drop a tear, For, know, thy Shenstone's dust lies here.
Garrick.
- MR. JOSEPH MITCHELL,
A famous Sportsman. On the grave-stone is delineated a hare run down; from a label at her
mouth proceeds this motto,- “I HAVE FINISH'D MY COURSE.” READER,
If ever sport to thee was dear, Drop on Joe Mitchell's grave a tear; Who when alive with nimble eye, Did myriads of hares descry. He was professor of the art, Those animals to find and start. All arts and sciences beside, This hare-brain'd hero did deride: An utter foe to wedlock’s noose, In which close state appear'd no meuse. Joe scorn'd this earth, he was above it, But only for form's sake did love it; But Joe at length was spy’d by death, And cours'd and run quite out of breath. No shifting, winding turn, could save Joe from the all-devouring grave. As greyhound with superior force Seizes poor puss and ends her course; So stopt the fates this sportsman true, Who now for ever bids adieu To quick soho! and loud halloo!
ON LORD AUBREY BEAUCLERK.
W hile Britain boasts her empire o'er the deep, This marble shall compel the brave to weep; As men, as Britons, and as soldiers, mourn O'er dauntless, loyal, virtuous Beauclerk's urn; Sweet were his manners, as his soul was great; And ripe his worth, tho’iminature his fate : Each tender grace that love and joy inspires, Living, he mingled with his martial fires; Dying, he bade Britannia’s thunder roar, And Spain still felt him, when he breath'd no more.
Young.
A GENEROUS foe, a faithful friend- A victor bold here met his end. He conquer'd both in war and peace; By death subdu’d, his glories cease. Ask’st thou, who finish'd here his course With so much honour ?-'Twas a horse.
Anonymous.
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