STANZAS On the late indecent Liberties taken with the Remains of the great Milton.Anno 1790. ME too, perchance, in future days, But I, or ere that season come, So sang in Roman tone and style, Who then but must conceive disdain, Of wretches who have dar'd profane Ill fare the hands that heav'd the stones That trembled not to grasp his bones, *Forsitan et nostros ducat de marmore vultus Nectens aut Paphia myrti aut Parnasside lauri Fronde comas-At ego secura pace quiescam. MILTON, Oh ill-requited Bard! neglect A TALE Founded on a Fact, which happened in January, 1779. WHERE Humber pours his rich commercial stream Black as the mine in which he wrought for bread. A Sabbath-day! (such Sabbaths thousands keep!) To buy a cock-whose blood might win him more; Whose heart the same desires had once inflam'd; For all plead well who plead the cause of Grace His faithful bow the mighty preacher drew, Now farewel oaths and blasphemies, and lies! day, Was nigh, when he would swear as fast as they. "No" said the Penitent :-"Such words shall share This breath no more; devoted now to prayer. Oh! if Thou seest, (thine eye the future sees!) Now take me to that Heaven, I once defied, A TALE. IN Scotland's realm, where trees are few, Nor even shrubs abound; But where, however bleak the view, Some better things are found: For husband there, and wife may Their union undefil'd! And false ones are as rare almost, boast In Scotland's realm, forlorn and bare, This history of a wedded pair, The spring drew near, each felt a breast The heaths uncover'd, and the moors, Could yield them no retreat. Long time a breeding place they sought, At length a ship arriving, brought A ship!-Could such a restless thing, Hush!-Silent hearers profit most !This racer of the sea Prov'd kinder to them than the coast; It serv'd them with a tree. But such a tree! 'twas shaven deal, And had a hollow with a wheel, Through which the tackle pass'd. Within that cavity aloft Their roofless home they fixt; Form'd with materials neat and soft, Bents, wool, and feathers mixt. Four ivory eggs soon pave its floor, The mother bird is gone to sea, No!-Soon as from ashore he saw The winged mansion move; He flew to reach it, by a law Then perching at his consort's side, The seaman, with sincere delight, Scarce less exulting in the sight, Than when he tows a prize. |