ELEGY TO A YOUNG NOBLEMAN LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY. ERE yet, ingenuous youth, thy steps retire Oh! let thy friend (and may he boast the name) Breathe from his artless reed one parting lay; A lay like this thy early virtues claim, And this let voluntary Friendship pay. Yet know the time arrives, the dangerous time, When all those virtues, opening now so fair, Transplanted to the world's tempestuous clime, Must learn each passion's boist'rous breath to bear. There, if Ambition pestilent and pale, Or Luxury should taint their vernal glow; If cold Self-interest, with her chilling gale, Should blast th' unfolding blossoms e'er they blow; If mimic hues, by Art or Fashion spread, Their genuine, simple colouring should supply; O! with them may these laureate honours fade, And with them (if it can) my Friendship die. -And do not blame, if, though thyself inspire, Cautious I strike the panegyric string; The Muse full oft pursues a meteor fire, And, vainly vent'rous, soars on waxen wing, Too actively awake at Friendship's voice, The poet's bosom pours the fervent strain, Till sad reflection blames the hasty choice, And oft invokes oblivion's aid in vain. Go then, my friend, nor let thy candid breast Condemn me, if I check the plausive string ; Go to the wayward world; complete the rest; Be, what the purest Muse would wish to sing. Be still thyself that open path of Truth, Which led thee here, let manhood firm pursue ; Retain the sweet simplicity of youth, And all thy virtue dictates, dare to do. Still scorn, with conscious pride, the mask of Art ; [power. Of knaves that plot, and fools that fawn for So, round thy brow when age's honours spread, When Death's cold hand unstrings thy MASON'S lyre, When the green turf lies lightly on his head, Thy wealth shall some superior bard inspire: He, to the amplest bounds of Time's domain, VOL III. 16 Mason. A FATHER'S ADVICE TO HIS SON. AN ELEGY. DEEP in a grove by cypress shaded, A swain, tow'rds full-ag'd manhood wending, The father's eyes no object wrested, Till, what his throbbing heart suggested, 'My youth's first hope, my manhood's treasure, My prattling innocent, attend, Nor fear rebuke, or sour displeasure, A father's loveliest name is friend. 'Some truths, from long experience flowing, 'Since, from an ancient race descended, And claim by birthright to be good. 'In love for every fellow-creature 'Be thine the generous heart that borrows "This is the temper most endearing ; Though wide proud Pomp her banners spreads, An heav'nlier power good-nature bearing Each heart in willing thraldom leads. Taste not from Fame's uncertain fountain The peace-destroying streams that flow, Nor from Ambition's dangerous mountain Look down upon the world below. "The princely pine on hills exalted, "Whilst the mild rose, more safely growing "Wish not for Beauty's darling features, 'I saw the pride of all the meadow, 'By noon-tide's heat its youth was wasted, The waters as they pass'd, complain'd: At eve its glories all were blasted, And not one former tint remain'd. "Nor let vain Wit's deceitful glory, 'In yonder mead behold that vapour To guide the traveller on his way; 'But should some hapless wretch, pursuing, In life such bubbles nought admiring, 'There seek the never-wasted treasure, Which mutual love and friendship give, Domestic comfort, spotless pleasure, And bless'd, and blessing, you will live. |