IMITATION OF CATULLUS. WHY will my wanton maid inquire, Go, count the conscious stars, that see Go, count the loves, that ambush'd dwell Or, fluttering, play on frolic wings Through every tress that drops in rings: That decks thy face, thy form, thy mind; ON LORD NELSON, AT MERTON. RETIR'D from tumult and the public care, And trip up FRIENDSHIP's heels to gain a place. Round Royal mis'ry wav'd his Guardian wing, And snatch'd from chains and fate a trembling King; Bade mournful EGYPT 'midst her bondage smile, Lodg'd in the bosom of his fav'rite shade, How should a venal wish his heart invade, Where FRIENDSHIP, MIRTH, the clouds of And heartfelt pleasure beams from ev'ry eye; Where GENIUS sparkles, and the GRACES bloom? Whom all our youth behold with rapt'rous Whose heart eclipseth e'en thy beauty's sheen, Read PETRARCH's sorrows, and with tears approve : A tear from thee, surpassing all his fame, At PETRARCH's fate the heart with grief mote glow, Who frequent woo'd the Fair, but woo'd in vain: Thy turtle eyen in streames will certes flow At sorrows, that for peerless LAURA plain, When pale entomb'd her lovely limbs were laid, And red breasts sooth'd with ditties sweet her shade. Rash bard! What folly taught thine eyen to gaze On HER, who ne'er could bless thy longing arms? What dæmon urg'd thee midst her beauty's blaze, Bereft of smallest hope to win her charms? Well did thine heart deserve sic mickle woes, That lost in wild romaunce its dear repose. Yet, PETRARCH! like thyself, a BARD betray'd By smiles of Beauty, Wisdom's voice I slight; Hopeless I glote upon as fair a maid As ever charm'd the golden eye of light. Then let me blame no more thy lovelorn line, Perchaunce THY LAURA mote compare with MINE! |