THE SHRINE OF SYMPATHY. MADAM, TO THE HONOURABLE LADY CHARLOTTE RAWDON. To a heart so refined, and a sensibility so exquisite, as you possess, any thing that aims at the delineation of the more elegant passions must be agreeable. To any other than a soul feelingly alive all o'er," it will certainly be uninteresting and unengaging; as the only little tint of merit it can claim, is that of aiming at the fine fibres of the sensitive bosom with some small degree of art. It was the trifle of one day; and that day I should look upon as lost, were it not spent in an attempt to please your Ladyship. That it may pass as the memorial of my gratitude to a personage so worthy of it, is the sincere wish of its author. If it should last, it will proclaim your benevolence to a future age; if it cannot survive, the intention it was written for may. I am, Madam, Your Ladyship's humble and sincere servant, Belmont, Feb. 11, 1790. THE SHRINE OF SYMPATHY. Miserere matris, & preces, placidus, pias Patiensque recipe, quoque ucelsum, altius Superi levarunt, mitius lapsos preme. SENECA IN TROAD, CANTO 1. A TENDER theme I choose. Favoring fair, The cards were gone, piquet and rout no more, And mute the lapdog's bark, and chairman's roar, When sad sighs rending his distracted breast, Henry his guardian spirit thus address'd: "O thou mild minister to all my woe, Whose heav'nly tears with mine congenial flow, "Full well you know the dear relentless fair In midnight mournings, and in sighs by day; Shalt clasp compliant to thy blissful arms; (For sure earth's mold was all too rough to claim · The undulating model of her frame); What though no heiress owns a richer coach ? Think you the jewell'd vest, embroider'd fine, A faithful heart, or a gold coronet ? Some ancient baronet with artful ease; And as the vapours of his age disperse ; CANTO II. Ye airy vassals of my sov'reign sway, Where'er ye wander wild, or sportive stray; Whether the soft gales court your floating forms, Or Pity calls you in the midst of storms; My voice attend; that voice by all obey'd, And wing your flight to this distinguish'd maid. Some through each nerve the thrill of rapture wind, Some point the keen sensations of her mind, Some stretch the filmy texture of her train; The swift blood pours through each meand'ring vein, The roseate tincture of the cheek combine, The eye-glance burnish with a beam divine, |