There industry and gain their vigils keep, skies and suns of fiercer flame springs, By Reason's light, on Resolution's wings, Spite of her frail companion, dauntless goes Not but the human fabric from the birth gain'd? And while their rocky ramparts round they see, The rough abode of want and liberty, (As lawless force from confidence will grow) Insult the plenty of the vales below? What wonder, in the sultry climes, that spread Where Nile redundant o'er his summer bed From his broad bosom life and verdure flings, And broods o'er Egypt with his watery wings, If with adventurous oar and ready sail The dusky people drive before the gale; Or on frail floats to neighbouring cities ride, That rise and glitter o'er the ambient tide. SONNET ON THE DEATH OF MR. RICHARD WEST'. In vain to me the smiling mornings shine, And reddening Phæbus lifts his golden fire! The birds in vain their amorous descant join; Or cheerful fields resume their green attire : These ears, alas ! for other notes repine, A different object do these eyes require : My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine; And in my breast the imperfect joys expire. Yet Morning smiles the busy race to cheer, And new-born pleasure brings to happier men : The fields to all their wonted tribute bear: To warm their little loves the birds complain : the weep in vain. EPITAPH ON MRS. CLARKE?. 1 Only son of the Right Hon. Richard West, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He died June 1, 1742, in the twentysixth year of his age. ? The wife of Dr. Clarke, physician at Epsom, died April 27, 1757; and is buried in the church of Beckenham, Kent. Her infant image here below EPITAPH' ON SIR WILLIAM PEERE WILLIAMS, nown; HERE, foremost in the dangerous paths of fame, There first in blood his infant honour seal'd; From fortune, pleasure, science, love, he flew, And scorn'd repose when Britain took the field. With eyes of flame and cool undaunted breast, Victor he stood on Bellisle's rocky steepsAh, gallant youth! this marble tells the rest, Where melancholy Friendship bends and weeps. This Epitaph was written at the request of Mr. Frederic Montagu, who intended to have inscribed it on a monument at Bellisle, at the siege of which this accomplished youth was killed, 1761; but from some difficulty attending the erection of it, this design was not executed. 2 In the expedition to Aix, he was on board the Magnanime, with Lord Howe; and was deputed to receive the capitulation. STANZAS TO MR. BENTLEY'. A fragment. Half pleased, half blushing, let the Muse admire, While Bentley leads her Sister-Art along, And bids the pencil answer to the lyre. See, in their course, each transitory thought Fix'd by his touch a lasting essence take; Each dream, in Fancy's airy colouring wrought, To local symmetry and life awake! The tardy rhymes that used to linger on, To censure cold and negligent of fame, In swifter measures animated run, And catch a lustre from his genuine flame. Ah! could they catch his strength, his easy grace, His quick creation, his unerring line; The energy of Pope they might efface, And Dryden's harmony submit to mine. But not to one in this benighted age Is that diviner inspiration given, The pomp and prodigality of heaven: The meaner gems, that singly charm the sight, Together dart their intermingled rays, And dazzle with a luxury of light. | Mr. Bentley had made a set of Designs for Mr. Gray's Poems. |