The Poetical Works of Mark Akenside Part 15

There sunk the mouldering Gothic reign: New years came forth, a liberal train, Call'd by the people's great decree.

That day, my friend, let blessings crown;-- Fill, to the demiG.o.d's renown From whom thou hast that thou art free.

7 Then, Drake, (for wherefore should we part The public and the private weal?) In vows to her who sways thy heart, Fair health, glad fortune, will we deal.

Whether Aglaia's blooming cheek, Or the soft ornaments that speak So eloquent in Daphne's smile, Whether the piercing lights that fly From the dark heaven of Myrto's eye, Haply thy fancy then beguile.

8 For so it is:--thy stubborn breast, Though touch'd by many a slighter wound, Hath no full conquest yet confess'd, Nor the one fatal charmer found; While I, a true and loyal swain, My fair Olympia's gentle reign Through all the varying seasons own.

Her genius still my bosom warms: No other maid for me hath charms, Or I have eyes for her alone.

ODE XIII.

ON LYRIC POETRY.

I.--1.

Once more I join the Thespian choir, And taste the inspiring fount again: O parent of the Grecian lyre, Admit me to thy powerful strain-- And lo, with ease my step invades The pathless vale and opening shades, Till now I spy her verdant seat; And now at large I drink the sound, While these her offspring, listening round.

By turns her melody repeat.

I.--2.

I see Anacreon smile and sing, His silver tresses breathe perfume: His cheek displays a second spring Of roses, taught by wine to bloom.

Away, deceitful cares, away, And let me listen to his lay; Let me the wanton pomp enjoy, While in smooth dance the light-wing'd Hours Lead round his lyre its patron powers, Kind Laughter and Convivial Joy.

I.--3.

Broke from the fetters of his native land, Devoting shame and vengeance to her lords, With louder impulse and a threatening hand The Lesbian patriot [1] smites the sounding chords: Ye wretches, ye perfidious train, Ye cursed of G.o.ds and free-born men, Ye murderers of the laws, Though now ye glory in your l.u.s.t, Though now ye tread the feeble neck in dust, Yet Time and righteous Jove will judge your dreadful cause.

II.--1.

But lo, to Sappho's melting airs Descends the radiant queen of love: She smiles, and asks what fonder cares Her suppliant's plaintive measures move: Why is my faithful maid distress'd?

Who, Sappho, wounds thy tender breast?

Say, flies he?--Soon he shall pursue: Shuns he thy gifts?--He soon shall give: Slights he thy sorrows?--He shall grieve, And soon to all thy wishes bow.

II.--2.

But, O Melpomene, for whom Awakes thy golden sh.e.l.l again?

What mortal breath shall e'er presume To echo that unbounded strain?

Majestic in the frown of years, Behold, the man of Thebes [2] appears: For some there are, whose mighty frame The hand of Jove at birth endow'd With hopes that mock the gazing crowd; As eagles drink the noontide flame;

II.--3.

While the dim raven beats her weary wings, And clamours far below.--Propitious Muse, While I so late unlock thy purer springs, And breathe whate'er thy ancient airs infuse, Wilt thou for Albion's sons around (Ne'er hadst thou audience more renown'd) Thy charming arts employ, As when the winds from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e Through Greece thy lyre's persuasive language bore, Till towns, and isles, and seas return'd the vocal joy?

III.--1.

Yet then did Pleasure's lawless throng, Oft rus.h.i.+ng forth in loose attire, Thy virgin dance, thy graceful song Pollute with impious revels dire.

O fair, O chaste, thy echoing shade May no foul discord here invade: Nor let thy strings one accent move, Except what earth's untroubled ear 'Mid all her social tribes may hear, And heaven's unerring throne approve.

III.--2.

Queen of the lyre, in thy retreat The fairest flowers of Pindus glow; The vine aspires to crown thy seat, And myrtles round thy laurel grow.

Thy strings adapt their varied strain To every pleasure, every pain, Which mortal tribes were born to prove; And straight our pa.s.sions rise or fall, As at the wind's imperious call The ocean swells, the billows move.

III.--3.

When midnight listens o'er the slumbering earth, Let me, O Muse, thy solemn whispers hear: When morning sends her fragrant breezes forth, With airy murmurs touch my opening ear.

And ever watchful at thy side, Let Wisdom's awful suffrage guide The tenor of thy lay: To her of old by Jove was given To judge the various deeds of earth and heaven; 'Twas thine by gentle arts to win us to her sway.

IV.--1.

Oft as, to well-earn'd ease resign'd, I quit the maze where Science toils, Do thou refresh my yielding mind With all thy gay, delusive spoils.

But, O indulgent, come not nigh The busy steps, the jealous eye Of wealthy care or gainful age; Whose barren souls thy joys disdain, And hold as foes to reason's reign Whome'er thy lovely works engage.

IV.--2.

When friends.h.i.+p and when letter'd mirth Haply partake my simple board, Then let thy blameless hand call forth The music of the Teian chord.

Or if invoked at softer hours, Oh! seek with me the happy bowers That hear Olympia's gentle tongue; To beauty link'd with virtue's train, To love devoid of jealous pain, There let the Sapphic lute be strung.

IV.--3.

But when from envy and from death to claim A hero bleeding for his native land; When to throw incense on the vestal flame Of Liberty my genius gives command, Nor Theban voice nor Lesbian lyre From thee, O Muse, do I require; While my presaging mind, Conscious of powers she never knew, Astonish'd, grasps at things beyond her view, Nor by another's fate submits to be confined.

[Footnote 1: 'The Lesbian patriot:' Alcaeus.]

[Footnote 2: 'The man of Thebes:' Pindar.]

ODE XIV.

TO THE HONOURABLE CHARLES TOWNSHEND; FROM THE COUNTRY.

1 Say, Townshend, what can London boast To pay thee for the pleasures lost, The health to-day resign'd, When Spring from this her favourite seat Bade Winter hasten his retreat, And met the western wind.

2 Oh, knew'st thou how the balmy air, The sun, the azure heavens prepare To heal thy languid frame, No more would noisy courts engage; In vain would lying Faction's rage Thy sacred leisure claim.