[]

FUGITIVE POETICAL PIECES, BY MR. JERNINGHAM.

LONDON: PRINTED BY SCOTT FOR J. ROBSON, BOOKSELLER, NEW BOND STREET.

MDCCLXXVIII.

[]

MARGARET OF ANJOU, AN HISTORICAL INTERLUDE.

ADVERTISEMENT.

[]

THIS hiſtorical Interlude is form'd upon the ſame plan that ROUSSEAU compoſed his Pygmalion, which is a new ſpecies of drama⯑tic Entertainment, conſiſting of a Monologue that is often ſuſpended by the interpoſition of Muſic, which muſt ſympathiſe with the paſſions and feel⯑ings of the perſonage who is ſuppoſed to ſpeak.

The following little drama was perform'd by Miſs YOUNGE on her benefit night, and received from that celebrated actreſs all the ſpirit and co⯑louring that excellence of acting can give. The [vi]muſic (the compoſition of Mr. HOOK) was hap⯑pily adapted to the tendency of the poem.

The ſubject is taken from a remakable incident in the life of MARGARET. That unfortunate QUEEN flying with her Son ‘into a foreſt after the Battle of Hexbam, ſaw a robber approach with his naked ſword, and finding that ſhe had no means of eſcape, ſhe ſuddenly embrac'd the re⯑ſolution of truſting entirely for protection to his generoſity. The man whoſe humanity and ge⯑nerous ſpirit had been obſcured, not entirely loſt by his vicious courſe of life, was ſtruck with the ſingularity of the event, and charmed with [vii]the confidence repoſed in him, and he vow'd not only to abſtain from all injury againſt the Queen, but to devote himſelf intirely to her ſafety and protection. HUME, CHAP. xxii.’

N. B. The Aſtericks mark the pauſes that admitted the muſic.

MARGARET OF ANJOU. AN INTERLUDE.

[]
Enter MARGARET with her Son.
THE fierce purſuers will not here perchance
Diſcover us: the thick-inwoven umbrage
Of theſe gigantic trees will ſpread concealment:
Yet as their ſolemn branches wave; ſtrange fear
Poſſeſſes me: yet all is ſtill as night.
No thund'ring tread of horſemen arm'd, no quick
Approaching footſteps ruſh upon my ear.
The ſhourts of rebel victory are loſt
And fade away, ere they can pierce theſe ſhades:
Ah what a victory! He whoſe meek ſway
Solicited his people's grateful love,
My Henry! England's monarch fail'd, and at
The dying groan of ſtern defeat, that panted
[2] Still for conqueſt, he too ſure expired:
While I, a wretched outcaſt of the throne,
Rove deſolate amid theſe ſavage walks,
Of ev'ry comfort, ev'ry hope bereft:
(To her Child)
But thou, my Edward, ſtill art mine! ah lay
Thy weary limbs on yonder bank, and I
Will watch beſide thee.
(Leads him to a Bank)
He ſleeps unconſcious of the dire diſtreſs
That hovers o'er his head, kind Ignorance
That drops her veil before his infant eyes:
Yet as he bloſſoms into youth, the hand
Of Time with-drawing back the veil, ſhall for
The radiant proſpect he this morn was heir to
Shall offer to his view a throne o'erturn'd
[3] And floating in the blood of all his friends:
Ah what a ſight! it urges me to madneſs.
Yet all that courage cou'd effect was done:
When wild Diſſenſion her torn banners rear'd,
Which inſolently wav'd o'er Henry's head
While he beneath their ſhade a captive ſtood,
I, feeble agent, hurried to the field,
And at that moment loſing all the fears
That haunt the female breaſt, I call'd to loyalty
To ſnatch my Henry from Rebellion's arm:
The valiant troops who then encircled me
On Wakefield's day perform'd their duty well,
And on St. Alban's memorable plain
I ſaw defeated Warwick wing his flight
And reſcued Henry haſten to theſe arms.
[4]
Yet what avail theſe momentary triumphs!
Ev'n while I ſpeak perchance my Henry lies
Extended on the plain, deform'd with wounds,
While o'er his ſacred corſe the hoſtile band
Irreverently paſs, and with vile taunts
Upbraid his overthrow: nor was I preſent
To ſolace his laſt moments, catch the accents
Of his departing voice, and cloſe his fading eyes.
Th' illuſtrious youth on whoſe bright armour gleam'd
The morning ſun! of all that valiant train
Not one remains to guard you helpleſs innocent.
[5] —Darkneſs ſpreads: cold deſcending night-air chills
My boſom, while a murm'ring noiſe that tells
The coming ſtorm, ſounds thro' the conſcious branches
Of this wood: Ah where ſhall I betake me!
(Walking in a diſtracted manner)
If at ſome hamlet-door I knock, will not
Theſe robes betray me! and the ſum that's ſet
Upon that Infant's head, ah will it not
Invite the ſimple cottager to treachery!
Yet here to brave the ſtern inclement ſky,
With all the horrors of deſcending night,
My trembling heart refuſes—I will lead
Him hence, vain thought: Ah, to what ſtranger heart
Dare I confide my ſon? Shou'd he be torn
[6] From theſe weak arms, yes, well, too well I know,
This anxious heart wou'd at that moment burſt.
The Pow'r above who ſees into the depth
Of my great ſorrow, knows that not to pride,
That not to Exaltation's gaudy honors
I e'er entruſted my felicity:
Amid the rude misfortunes that encircled me
The pulſe of pleaſure throbb'd within my breaſt
When I embrac'd my ſon: of him bereft,
Calamity's ſharp fangs will tear my heart-ſtrings.
I feel, I feel her now, fell tygreſs, at
My boſom, gorging on my mangled peace:
Ye cruel ruffians give me back my ſon:
Ah me! wild fear foreruns my loſs, and joins
The future moment to the preſent time.
[7] (Kneeling)
Oh thou, all ſeeing Providence, if e'er
The ſcenes on earth attract thy ſacred notice!
Then, let thy knowing clear diſcerning eye,
Whence radiant Pity beams, o'er my misfortune
Pauſe—And, thus humbly as I bend reſign'd,
Let not my falling ruinous ſtate, while it
O'erwhelms the mother, cruſh the child.
(Riſing)
The night encreaſes, I muſt wake my ſon,
(Hanging fondly over him)
How ſleep poſſeſſes him! Perhaps this ſlumber
[8] Is doom'd his laſt—perhaps—what do I ſee
Stretch'd on a bier, methinks I ſee him gaſh'd
With daggers——Ah, 'twas fancy bodied forth
This cruel image, ſtill my Edward breathes,
And theſe fond arms embrace my living child.
PRINCE.

Oh mother lead me hence—

MARGARET,
Say whither ſhall
I lead my Edward?
PRINCE.
Lead me to my Father!
Why do you weep? Ah wherefore not reply?
Say, is my father ſlain?
MARGARET.

I know not that.

PRINCE.
[9]

Whence was that noiſe?

MARGARET.
It was the chiding gale:
Ah no, it is the ſound of hoſtile ſteps.
(Enter Robber)
ROBBER.
Who e'er thou art, I ſee thou'rt in diſtreſs,
I too am well acquainted with misfortune,
And greater ſtill than thine, for at my door
Pale Famine ſits, while ſtarving children ſend
A mournful peal: if ought thou haſt conceal'd
Within this wood, give me the hoarded treaſure.
MARGARET.

Ah here is all my treaſure.

(Pointing to her child)
ROBBER.
[10]
Triſle not,
Give me thy treaſure, or I'll ſlay thy Child.
MARGARET.
Arreſt that impious arm, He is thy Prince!
Talk not of want; of Miſery's ſcourging hand
Complain no more; in me, in me behold
Diſtreſsful Marg'ret, England's vanquiſh'd Queen!
And all the treaſure left her from the field;
The cruel havock of this morning's fight,
Is center'd in this Child.
ROBBER.
Thanks to my God
I'm not ſo loſt in vice, ſo deep-ingulph'd
In woe, but that my Sovereign's diſtreſs
Obliterates my own: forgive the bold
(Kneeling)
[11] The ſavage mode in which I firſt accoſted thee,
And in atonement for my crime accept,
Deign to accept what now my duty offers.
I'll lead thee thro' ſome dark and winding path⯑way
Of this wild foreſt to a neighb'ring river,
Where rides a Bark, whoſe canvaſs courts the gales
That fly to France: where thou, unhappy Queen,
May'ſt find a ſafe retreat from the wild dangers
That ſurround thee.
MARGARET.
Riſe, riſe, I dare confide
Myſelf and my lov'd Child to your protection;
Lead on: amid the horrors of this hour,
Reſt of a crown, a huſband, ev'ry friend,
Amid this mighty ruin, Edward lives,
[12] And wretched Margaret ſtill ſhall be a mother.
This godlike deed of thine, thou gen'rous man,
From out the wond'rous ſtory of this day
Shall ſhine to lateſt time, the moſt illuſtrious.
THE END

FOR THE VASE AT BATH EASTON: UPON DREAMS.

[13]

NOVEMBER 1777.

I
AS Echo's voice returns the pleaſing lay,
So is a Dream the Echo of the day:
The buſy thoughts that round ſome object teem
Oft join in ſleep to form the nightly theme,
Then bright-ey'd Fancy lifts her magic wand
While ſcenes unreal riſe at her command:
Then Comedy, with all her laughing train
Straight iſſues from the porch of Comus' fane,
[14] And bringing with her all her pleaſing wiles,
Her pranks, her gambols, and her winning ſmiles,
She bids her merry troop approach the bed
And beat their airy dance round Anſtey's head.
II
Still when ſome choſen fair commands the heart
Gay Fancy acts at night her mimic part:
With ſkillful hand ſhe decks the living ſcene
And uſhers to the view the boſom's Queen.
Ye lovers anſwer to the truth I ſing;
Say, does not Fancy to your ſtumber bring,
Dreſs'd by each grace in beauty's beſt array,
The welcome fair who charm'd you thro' the day!
Does not her form return to glad the ſight,
Like Cynthia burſting thro' the cloud of night!
How pleas'd each well-known feature we deſcry,
That look of ſenſe—that eloquence of eye—
[15] She ſpeaks—her words beyond vain Muſic's art
Steal on our ſlumber and enchant the heart.
III
Sometimes a dream anticipates the date,
Comes as a prophet to reveal our fate:
And thus, ere Yorick ſunk into the tomb,
The Prieſt of ſentiment foreſaw his doom:
'Twas night—his ſolitary couch he preſs'd,
Till ſorrow▪worn he wearied into reſt;
Eliza then ſoft-gliding on his view,
Thus o'er his ſlumber breath'd her ſad adieu:
'Oh thou my guardian, confident, and friend,
'To what thy hand-maid now reveals attend;
'No longer now the gift of Health implore,
'The curtain drops, and thy ſhort ſcene is o'er;
'Yet ere thy feeling ſpirit takes its flight,
'Yet ere I'm robb'd (of all my bliſs) thy ſight,
[16] Some fond endearment to Eliza ſhew,
'And thy laſt bleſſing on thy Child beſtow,'
The viſion ceas'd—yet then the ſhaul ſhe ſpread *
To raiſe compaſſionate his drooping head,
And (from her eyes as beads of ſorrow fell)
Low on her knees receiv'd his laſt farewell.
IV
Oft playful Fancy ſheds a brighter beam,
And prompts the ſplendid allegoric dream:
Thus late while ſleep my cloſing eyelids ſeal'd
This viſionary ſcene ſhe then reveal'd:
Methought, encompaſs' d by a brilliant train,
I reach'd the ſteps of bright Minerva's fane;
Full in the midſt a myſtic vaſe I view'd,
Round which the Muſes new-blown flow'rets ſtrew'd:
[17] Arm'd with the lyre I ſaw a youthful band
Who wak'd the ſounding chords, with ſkillful hand:
Unnumber'd beauties ſilent ſtood around,
Who grac'd as ſofter prieſts the hallow'd ground:
There Virtue wore her moſt attractive mein,
And in the form of Marlborough was ſeen.
The Graces, ſkill'd the cultur'd mind to win,
Knock'd at the door, and Bamfylde let them in.
This viſionary ſcene by Fancy bred,
Remov'd, and thro' the gates of morning fled.
I care not that the viſion ſought the ſkies
While Miller's dome Minerva's fane ſupples:
Ye Youths! ye Fair! accept the verſe that's due,
The ſplendid Dream is realized in you.

ALBINA.

[19]
WOU'D genius to my fond demand
My earneſt bold requeſt beſtow,
A vivid pencil to this hand,
Dipt in the brilliant vernal bow:
How eager wou'd I then engage
(With faithful and unerring aim)
To paint on the poetic page
Albina's elegance of frame!
Her treſſes—dark with auburn hue:
Her brow ſerene—young Candour's throne:
Her timid eye—whoſe languid blue
Sheds charms peculiarly its own.
[20]
Her cheek—that wears a lively glow:
Not after the freſh morning ſhow'r
Can Italy's rich ſummer ſhew,
On all her banks, ſo bright a flow'r.
Her cherry lip—inviting bliſs,
Where Love deliciouſly repoſes,
Accompanied by many a kiſs
On fragrant leaves of breathing roſes.
Yet who can paint her beauteous mind!
There Innocence has fix'd her ſeat;
There eaſy wit, and taſte refin'd,
And ſentiment and knowledge meet.
Love, who oft whelms the fair in woe,
Soon robb'd her guileſs mind of reſt:
Affection's flame diſſolved the ſnow
That lodg'd within her ſpotleſs breaſt.
[21]
As ſtill the Eaſt the morn-beams ſtreak
And gild the portal of the Day,
So did her morning thought ſtill break
On the ſame Youth with Ardor's ray:
As the laſt glimm'rings of the ſky
Pauſe on the lake, ere they expire,
Each night her thought (as clos'd her eye)
Died on the Youth of her deſire.
The nuptials eager to profane
The bold unfeeling, treach'rous Youth,
Led the chaſte Maiden to the fane
With all the mockery of truth.
There a domeſtic in diſguiſe
The office of a prieſt ſupplied;
While the deceiver, led by Vice,
Religion's dread reproach defied.
[22]
Hypocriſy with down-caſt air,
Profaneſs with an atheiſt eye,
And luſt with a malignant leer,
Remark'd the mock-connubial tie.
No ſooner had the youth prevail'd,
Succeſsful in his impious aim,
He left the drooping fair aſſail'd
By Grief, by Infamy, and Shame.
'Twas then the beauteous mourner woo'd
Meek Quiet in her lonely ſeat,
Where Competency watchful ſtrew'd
Her ſober treaſures at her feet.
I'll not the little pathway tell
That winds to thy ſequeſter'd ſcene;
Where Virtue loves with thee to dwell,
Remote—unſeeing and unſeen.
[23]
Where Reſignation takes her ſtand,
Prompt to perform her friendly part,
And gathers with a trembling hand,
The Fragments of a Broken Heart.

THE INDIAN CHIEF.

[25]

An Engliſh Officer in the late war being taken priſoner by the French Indians, became the ſlave of an old Indian chief, who treated him with humanity. One day the Indian took the Officer up a Hill, and addreſs'd him as follows.

See the Anecdotes of Literature, vol. 5th.

'TWELVE tedious moons haſt thou my captive been,
'I've taught thee how to build the ſwift canoe,
'To chace the boar, prepare the beaver's ſkin,
'To ſpeed the ſhaft, and ſcalp the ſhrieking foe.
[26]
'Say, does thy father ſleep within his grave!'—
'Oh Heav'n forbid, the feeling youth replied!—
'Then do his ſorrows all my pity crave'
The chief return'd!—'Tweve better he had died.
'I was a father once—oh valiant ſon!
'Thy loſs each low'ring morn and eve recall.
'To ſhield my years, to danger's path he run;
'Theſe eyes beheld the gallant warrior fall:
'And glory ſaw him fall with wounds o'erſpread,'
'Bold on his boſom ev'ry wound he bore:
'I rent the forelock from his murderer's head
'And left him breathleſs on the crimſon ſhore
'Since that ſad day my hours no pleaſure ſhare'—
The Indian chief now paus'd with ſorrow fraught,
Wrapt in the awful ſilence of deſpair;
At length in words he cloath'd his mournful thought.
[27]
'Behold that ſun! how bright it ſhines to you!
'Since that ſad day to me it looks a cloud:
'How gay you blooming roſes meet your view!
'To me grief drops o'er Nature's breaſt a ſhroud.
'Go virtuous ſtranger, to thy father go,
'Wipe from his furrow'd cheek Misfortune's tear:
'Go, bid the ſun to him his ſplendor ſhew,
'And bid the flow'r in all her bloom appear.'

ON SEEING Mrs MONTAGU's PICTURE.

[28]
HAD this fair form the mimic art diſplays
Adorn'd in Roman time the brighteſt days:
In ev'ry dome, in ev'ry ſacred place
Her ſtatue wou'd have breath'd an added grace,
Andon its baſis would have been enroll'd
This is Minerva caſt in Virtue's mould.

INSCRIPTION FOR A REED-HOUSE. *

[29]
Say, if to ſhun the noiſy day,
The ſummer ſun's oppreſsive ray,
Thou visit'ſt Contemplation's cell,
Here tarry—she'll repay thee well:
For she can bid each paſsion ceaſe
And ſoothe the troubled heart to peace,
Can to thy ſober wishes yield
Contentment's flow'r and Wiſdom's shield.

THE VENETIAN MARRIAGE.

[30]
THE weſtern ſun's expiring ray
To VENICE gave a milder day;
Till by degrees the ling'ring light
Hung trembling on the verge of night.
CAMILLA then, with fearful ſoul,
To th' Adriatic margin ſtole,
Where in a bark, at Love's command,
PLACENTIO took his faithful ſtand,
Poſſeſſing now his future bride,
He bade the bark ſecurely glide,
Which far unlike that gally ſhow'd
That down the ſilver Cydnus row'd,
[31] Beneath whoſe purple ſails were ſeen,
Proud Oſtentiation's gaudy Queen,
Who ſure of conqueſt, vain of mind,
All languiſhingly lay reclined!
Here Beauty undefil'd by art,
Whoſe boſom own'd a tender heart,
Beneath the ſails from home remov'd,
And truſted to the man ſhe lov'd.
A ſoothing calmneſs lull'd the deep,
And huſh'd each wavy ſurge to ſleep:
The air along the ſultry day,
Scorch'd by the ſummer's fervent ray,
Was freſhen'd by a recent ſhow'r,
While Silence ſolemniz'd the hour.
The ſtill ſolemnity impreſs'd
With awful thoughts CAMILLA'S breaſt,
[32] For now by prompting Love impell'd,
Now by Timidity witheld,
The words which to pronounce ſhe tried,
Recoil'd, and unaccented died.
PLACENTO too alike ſubdued,
They ſail'd along in ſilent mood,
And ſtillneſs reign'd from ſhore to ſhore,
Unbroke—but by the daſhing oar.
At length the fair diſſolv'd the charm—
'Ah, wonder not I feel alarm!
'Confiding in thy love I came,
'And riſk'd for thee my virgin fame:
'Ah tell me to what place we ſail,
'For in my boſom fears prevail:
'Yet anſwer not this idle fear,
'Where'er thou art bright Honour's there'.
[33]
'The plan I form, the youth replied
'To Innocence is cloſe allied
'And fearful of thy virgin fame
'As of her babe the tender dame.
'Theſe waves that wander to the ſea
'Waſh in their pilgrimage a tree,
'Which ſpreads its lowly branches wide,
'And dips them in the paſſing tide:
'There, in a ſhed compos'd of reeds,
'An aged hermit tells his beads:
'He, gen'rous ſage, will join our hands
'In wedlock's unremitting bands.
'Then to VALCLUSA we'll repair,
'Where LAURA's ſoul informs the air:
'Where PETRARCH's ſpirit hovers round,
'The guardian of the ſacred ground,
[34] Forbidding ſtill that fiend of art,
'That ſhrewd perverter of the heart,
'The ſnake, Inconſtancy, to rove
'Within the paradiſe of Love.
'As when chill Winter quits the land,
'The ſnow-drop does her leaves expand,
'So may chill fears your breaſt releaſe,
'Till gently it expands to peace,
'Mild as theſe twilight breezes blow,
'Soft as the waves on which we flow.'
'Ye walls where firſt I drew the air,
'Return'd (aſſur'd) the beauteous fair;
'Ye turrets which but dimly ſeen
'Encreaſe the terrour of the ſcene!
'Ye ſtately tow'rs! and riſing ſpires!
'From you CAMILLA now retires.
[35]
'Thou tomb whoſe pious urn contains
'My ſacred parents' cold remains:
'Ye partners of my tender years,
'Whom youthful ſympathy endears:
'Ye joys that crown my native coaſt,
'Well for PLACENTIO all are loſt.
She ceas'd—and on her penſive ſoul
Agian an awful muſing ſtole,
Such as the twilight ſcene excites,
Such as the feeling heart delights;
For as the coy nocturnal flow'r *
No more its ſweets at eve witholds,
So the meek heart at th' evening hour
Its ſenſibility unfolds.
[36]
See now they reach the ſacred cell
Where Wiſdom, Peace, and Virtue dwell:
There, bent beneath the weight of age,
They find prepar'd th' expecting ſage.
He hail'd them in a friendly tone,
And bade them call his cell their own:
Where roſe an altar form'd of moſs,
Crown'd with a ſimple wooden croſs!
There too a taper, mildly bright,
Supplied a pompous glare of light:
No holy relick rich-enchas'd
This humble low-roof'd temple grac'd.
But flow'rets from the neighb'ring wood,
The unambitious altar ſtrew'd:
For incenſe they exhal'd perfume,
For ornament they gave their bloom.
The hermit ſpoke—'Hail virtuous pair,
May ſorrow now your boſom ſpare:
[37] 'Tho' youth be yours, yet well I know
'You've taſted deep of human woe!
'Control, and art, and baſeneſs join'd,
'To cancel what your hearts deſign'd:
'But now Misfortune's reign is o'er,
'And Pleaſure opens all her ſtore.'
See now the youthful pair unite,
To meet the hymeneal rite:
Pronouncing as they lowly bow,
Warm from the heart, the hallow'd vow:
At length the hermit joins their hands
In willing and unvenal bands,
Unſpotted bands! which mutual Love,
And Confidence and Virtue wove.

THE MEXICAN FRIENDS. *

[38]
SEE to the fane HISPANIA'S troops repair,
Whoſe high aſcending tow'rs are loſt in air:
From whence the MEXICANS with ſpeedy art
Show'r on the foe the death-inflicting dart:
Yet then by CORTEZ led, ſtill undiſmay'd,
The SPANIARD hoſt the loſty fane invade.
[39] Two valiant youths (whom friendſhip's holy hand,
Had join'd with her indiſſoluble band)
Beheld indignant, ſmit with patriot grief,
The great achievements of the hoſtile chief:
And now JANELLAN thus accoſts his friend:
'Firm to no purpoſe, active to no end,
'See from our gallant men you hallow'd tow'r
'Already raviſh'd by th' invading pow'r:
'Muſt this, committed to our mutual care,
'The ſame defeat, the ſame diſhonour ſhare?
'If ſo—the victor ſhall not long ſurvive—
'A thought that bids my fading hope revive:
'A thought—that like the thunder-flaſh of night
'Darts on my darken'd mind a radiant light—
'But ere my veil'd deſignment I unfold,
'Declare, however raſh, however bold,
[40] 'Thou'lt not o'erſhade with Caution's chill con⯑troul,
'The warm, the ſplendid purpoſe of my ſoul.'
VENZULA to his breaſt his hand applied,
And thus beyond the pow'r of words replied.
The youth reſum'd—'From this aerial height,
'Bid thy bold viſion take its deepeſt flight,
'Down to you rock, far ſtretching o'er the ſhore,
'Gainſt which the raging waves inceſſant roar,
'Whoſe claſhing voices into ſtillneſs fade,
'Ere this tremendous diſtance they pervade:
'If Fortune bleſs what my proud counſels urge,
'Yon waves ſhall murmur ſoon the victor's dirge!
'My ſecret project I will now unveil:
'Should CORTEZ o'er this valiant band prevail,
[41]
'Should thro' controulment, and thro' ſtubborn force,
'Pour like a torrent his deſtructive courſe,
'When on this ſummit firſt he ſhall appear,
'I will advance, with well-diſſembled fear,
'And, ſuppliant as I kneel to win his grace,
'I'll dauntleſs lock him in a ſtern embrace,
'Bear him reluctant to you giddy ſteep,
'Where yawns a dreadful opening to the deep,
'And thence—ſelf-ruin'd for my country's good,
'Plunge with her foe into the whelming flood!'
VENZULA anſwered—'Yes, I much admire
'What now thy matchleſs virtue dares inſpire:
'But wilt thou, with an avarice of fame,
'The meed of Glory all excluſive claim?
'Wilt thou to perils cloſe to Death adjoin'd
'Advance, and leave thy fathful Friend behind?
[42] 'In infancy we ſhar'd the glitt'ring toys,
'And in one circle play'd our harmleſs joys:
'And when we quitted childhood's lowly vale,
'Where ſpringing flow'rets ſcent the playful gale,
'Still hand in hand we climb'd youth's arduous height,
'Whence greater ſcences expanded on the ſight,
'Still our purſuits conſenting to one plan,
'Like wedded ſtreams our lives united ran:
'And wilt thou now oppoſe the ſacred tide,
'And bid the friendly waves diſparting glide?'
JANELLAN ſpoke—'Endearing youth forgive:
'The conq'ror of ſome future CORTEZ live!
'Nor mark my fall with Grief's dejected brow,
'View from my death the bright effects that flow:
'Behold the tomb that Gratitude ſhall raiſe,
'Illuſtrious ſignal of my country's praiſe.'
[43]
To this the brave VENZULA made reply,
And as he ſpoke, tears ſtarted from his eye:
'What tho' Felicity thy gift ſhall ſtream
'Sunlike o'er MEXICO with brighreſt beam,
'Not all the ſplendour that her rays impart,
'Will e'er illumine my benighted heart,
'When deſtitute of thee, its only ray,
'Without the hope of kind returning day.
'Yet then to this great argument adjoin'd
'Sublimer motives urge my ſteady mind:
'Recall, recall that joy-diffuſing hour,
'When gay Proſperity adorn'd my bow'r,
'As thy fair ſiſter, half-afraid to ſpeak,
'With down-caſt look, and bluſh-embelliſh'd cheek
'At Love's requeſt affented to be mine:
'Of fleeting bliſs vain momentary ſhine:
[44] 'For ſhe, in flow'r of Youth and Virtue's bloom,
'Was ſwept untimely to the rav'nous tomb:
'As ſorrow-wounded o'er her couch I hung,
'To catch the tones that faded as they ſprung,
'The God, ſhe ſaid, now ſummons me away,
'Far from the confines of th' endearing day:
'Thou of the life I loſe the dearest part,
'Thou choſen ſpouſe! thou ſun-beam of my heart,
'Say, by Affection's glowing hand impreſs'd,
'Shall I not live in thy recording breaſt?
'If ſacred be the ſuff'rer's laſt deſires,
'Revere what now my parting ſoul requires:
'I leave a brother, by bright Honour rear'd,
'By all approv'd, and much to me endear'd:
'Be, for the ſiſter's love, the brother's friend;
'Nor from his ſide depart when ſtorms deſcend:
'The palm of Glory waving in your ſight,
'In council, peril, enterpriſe unite.'
[45]
'Shall I, when danger calls, conſign to air
'The laſt bequeathing wiſhes of the fair?
'Perdition catch the baſe unmanly thought!
'By Love's ſubliming pureſt dictates taught
'Amid the perils that around thee wait,
'View me reſolv'd to ſhare th' impending fate:
'Now to this ſpot the foe impels the war,
'Diſcordance ſcreams, oppoſing lances jar:
'The ſteep aſcent lo CORTEZ now has gain'd,
'Ah, mark his ſpear with ſtreaming gore diſtain'd.'
Th' illuſtrious youths now act their dread deſign,
See at the victor's knee they low incline!
Now claſp with circling force th' incautious foe,
And cloſe adhering to his figure grow:
Their deadly aim his better fate controll'd,
With matchleſs pow'r he burſts their ſtubborn hold:
[44] [...][45] [...]
[46] The heroes, blaſted in their bold intent,
Approach'd (Death hov'ring near) the dire de⯑ſcent:
Then, in each other's circling arms compreſs'd,
The laſt and dear farewell in ſighs expreſs'd:
'Twas Friendſhip burning with meridian flame,
On cauſe—one thought—one ruin—and one fame—
Tremendous moment! See, they fall from light,
And dauntleſs ruſh to never ending night!
Ye ſelf-devoted patriot victims, hail!
Oblivion's gulph ſhall ne'er entomb your tale:
While Hiſtory to Time's extremeſt goal
Her ſtream majeſtic ſhall thro' ages roll,
Like two fair flow'rets on one ſtem that blow
Ye on her margin ſhall for ever glow.
FINIS.
Notes
*
See the Letters to Eliza.
*
At Coſſey, the Seat of Sir WILLIAM JERNINGHAN.
*
The night-ſmelling Geranium.
*
The ſublime inſtance of heroic friendſhip that forms the ſubject of this poem, is recorded by ANTONIO DE SOLIS in his Hiſtory of the conqueſt of Mexico. This is an Epiſode of a more extenſive poem, and being the part that was the moſt favourably receiv'd, I am not unwilling to ſacriſice a few pages for the ſake of rendering my poetical offerings more acceptable to the public.
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Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 4902 Fugitive poetical pieces by Mr Jerningham. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-5C55-E