Fierce the dispute, whate'er the theme; while she, Perch'd on the sign-post, holds with even hand, 485 Like those which modern senators employ, 490 Whose oath is rhetoric, and who swear for fame! Behold the schools in which plebeian minds, Which some may practise with politer grace, But none with readier skill!-'tis here they learn 495. The road that leads, from competence and peace, Society grown weary of the load, Shakes her encumber'd lap, and casts them out. : To advertise, in verse, a public pest, 500 That, like the filth with which the peasant feeds 505 Drink, and be mad, then; 'ts your country bids ! 510 Her cause demands the assistance of your throats ; Ye all can swallow, and she asks no more. Would I had fallen upon those happier days That poets celebrate; those golden times, And those Arcadian scenes, that Maro sings, 515 And Sidney, warbler of poetic prose. Nymphs were Dianas then, and swains had hearts That felt their virtues: innocence, it seems, From courts dismiss'd, found shelter in the groves. The footsteps of simplicity, impress'd 520 Upon the yielding herbage, (so they sing) Then were not all effac'd: then speech profane, Vain wish! those days were never: airy dreams 525 Sat for the picture; and the poet's hand, Imparting substance to an empty shade, Impos'd a gay delirium for a truth. Grant it :-I still must envy them an age That favour'd such a dream; in days like these $30 Impossible, when virtue is so scarce, That to suppose a scene where she presides, 535 540 Her elbows ruffled, and her tottering form 545 Ill propp'd upon French heels; she might be deem'd (But that the basket dangling on her arm 550 The town has ting'd the country; and the stain Appears a spot upon a vestal's robe, The worse for what it soils. The fashion runs 555 Down into scenes still rural; but, alas, Scenes rarely grac'd with rural manners now! Time was when, in the pastoral retreat, The unguarded door was safe; men did not watch To invade another's right, or guard their own. 560 Then sleep was undisturb'd by fear, unscar'd By drunken howlings; and the chilling tale 565 570 To horrid sounds of hostile feet within. Even daylight has its dangers; and the walk Thro' pathless wastes and woods, unconscious once Or harmless flocks, is hazardous and bold. Lamented change! to which full many a cause 575 580 585 The rich, and they that have an arm to check Perhaps timidity restrains his arm; When he should strike he trembles, and sets free, 600 Himself enslav'd by terror of the band, The audacious convict, whom he dares not bind. Perhaps, though by profession ghostly pure, He too may have his vice, and sometimes prove 605 His milk-white hand; the palm is hardly clean- 610 But faster far, and more than all the rest, 615 . Works the deplor'd and mischievous effect. 620 But his own simple pleasures,-now and then 625 A wrestling match, a foot-race, or a fair,— Sheepish he doffs his hat, and, mumbling, swears To do he knows not what! The task perform'd, 630 That instant he becomes the serjeant's care, His awkward gait, his introverted toes, Bent knees, round shoulders, and dejected looks, Procure him many a curse. By slow degrees, 635 Unapt to learn, and form'd of stubborn stuff, He yet by slow degrees puts off himself, Grows conscious of a change, and likes it well: He steps right onward, martial in his air, 640 His form, and movement: is as smart above As meal and larded locks can make him; wears His hat, or his plum'd helmet, with a grace; 645 650 To swear, to game, to drink; to show at home, The great proficiency he made abroad; To astonish and to grieve his gazing friends; 955 To break some maiden's and his mother's heart; To be a pest where he was useful once; Man, in society, is like a flower Blown in its native bed: 'tis there alone 660 His faculties expanded in full bloom, 665 Like flowers selected from the rest, and bound 670 Hence charter'd boroughs are such public plagues; And burghers, men immaculate, perhaps, In all their private functions, once combin'd, 675 Their nature; and, disclaiming all regard For mercy and the common rights of man, 680 Build factories with blood, conducting trade At the sword's point, and dyeing the white robe Of innocent commercial justice red. Hence, too, the field of glory, as the world Misdeems it, dazzled by its bright array, 685 With all its majesty of thund'ring pomp, Enchanting music and immortal wreaths, Is but a school where thoughtlessness is taught For folly, gallantry for every vice. 690 But, slighted as it is, and by the great 695 But there I laid the scene. There early stray'd My fancy, ere yet liberty of choice Had found me, or the hope of being free. My very dreams were rural; rural, too, 700 The first born efforts of my youthful muse, Ere yet her ear was mistress of their powers. No bard could please me but whose lyre was tun'd 705 |