And emulation's noble rage alarm, And the long hours of toil and solitude to charm. And variously combined, he learns to frame Of late, with cumbersome, though pompous show, To his experienced eye a modest grave Tempers his rage he owns her charms divine, [line. Fain would I sing (much yet unsung remains) What sweet delirium o'er his bosom stole, When the great shepherd of the Mantuan plainst His deep majestic melody 'gan roll: Fain would I sing what transport storm'd his soul, Without art graceful, without effort strong, [song Homer raised high to Heaven the loud, th' impetuous And how his lyre, though rude her first essays, Was taught to modulate the artful strain, • See Aristotle's Foetics, and the i-courses of Sir Joshua Reynolds + Virgil. I fain would sing: but ah! I strive in vain. Adieu, ye lays, that Fancy's flowers adorn, And pour my bitter tears. Ye flowery lays, adieu! Art thou, my Gregory, for ever fled! And am I left to unavailing woe! When fortune's storms assail this weary head, No more thy soothing voice my anguish cheers: "Tis meet that I should mourn: flow forth afresh, * This excellent person died suddenly on the 10th of February 1773. The conclusion of the poem was written a few days after. |