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And happiness too fwiftly flies.

Thought would destroy their paradise.

No more where ignorance is blifs,

'Tis folly to be wife.

E 2

A LONG

A

LONG STORY.

MR. GRAY'S Elegy in the Country ChurchYard, before it appear'd in print, was handed about in manufcript; and amongst other eminent perfonages who faw and admired it, was the Lady Cobham, who refided at the Manfion-house at StokePogeis. The performance induced her to wish for the author's acquaintance; and Lady Schaub and Mifs Speed, then at her house, undertook to effect it. These two ladies waited upon the author at his aunt's folitary manfion, where he at that time refided; and not finding him at home, they left their names. Mr. Gray, furprised at such a compliment, returned the vifit. And as the beginning of this acquaintance wore a little of the face of romance, he foon after gave a fanciful and pleasant account of it in the following copy of verfes, which he entitled A LONG STORY.

66

ALTHOUGH this performance certainly poffeffes great humour, yet it is not immediately perceived; and has not been univerfally relifhed. The author perceived this himself, and owned it candidly."The verfes," he writes to Dr. Wharton, " you "fo kindly try to keep in countenance, were writ"ten merely to divert Lady Cobham and her fa"mily, and fucceeded accordingly; but being "fhewed about in town, are not liked at all." This last confideration induced Mr. Gray to reject them in the Collection which he himself made of his poems.

MR. GRAY'S Executor having thought fit to refore them, they are retained here.

Α'

LONG STORY.

N Britain's ifle, no matter where,

IN

An ancient pile of building ftands: The Huntingdons and Hattons there Employ'd the power of Fairy hands.

To raise the ceiling's fretted height,
Each pannel in achievements clothing,
Rich windows that exclude the light,
And paffages, that lead to nothing.

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