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tions, in its sublime dicțion, in its virtuous sentiments. Its few inaccuracies weigh but as dust in the balance against its general merit. And, in short (if I may be allowed respectfully to differ from the high authority of a preceding note), I am of opinion, that this pastoral drama is both grace

fully splendid, and delightfully instructive.

DR. TODD.

L'ALLEGRO.

L'ALLEGRO.

HENCE, loathed Melancholy,

Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn,

'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy,

Find out some uncouth cell,

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Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous wings,

And the night raven sings;

There under ebon shades and low brow'd rocks,

As ragged as thy locks,

In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell.
But come thou goddess fair and free,
In heav'n, yclep'd Euphrosyne,
And by men, heart-easing Mirth,
Whom lovely Venus at a birth
With two sister Graces more
To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore;
Or whether (as some sager sing)

The frolic wind that breathes the spring,

Zephyr with Aurora playing,
As he met her once a-Maying,
There on beds of violets blue,

And fresh-blown roses wash'd in dew,
Fill'd her with thee a daughter fair,
So buxom, blithe, and debonair.
Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee
Jest and youthful Jollity.

Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles,
Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek;
Sport that wrinkled Care derides,
And Laughter holding both his sides.
Come, and trip it as you go

On the light fantastic toe,

And in thy right hand lead with thee,
The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty;
And if I give thee honour due,
Mirth, admit me of thy crew

To live with her, and live with thee,
In unreproved pleasures free;
To hear the lark begin his flight,
And singing startle the dull Night,
From his watch-tower in the skies,
Till the dappled Dawn doth rise:

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