The Argument. The subject propos'd. Address to Mr. Onslow. A prospect of the fields ready for harvest. Reaping. A tale.1) A barvest storm. Shooting and hunting, their barbarity. A ludicrous account of fox-hunting. A view of an orchard. Wall-fruit. A vineyard. A description of fogs, frequent in the latter part of Autumn: whence a digression, enquiring into the rise of fountains, and rivers. Birds of season considered, that now shift their habitation. The prodigious number of them that cover the northern and western isles of Scotland. Hence a view of the country. A prospect of the discoloured, fading woods. After a gentle dusky day, moon-light. Autumnal meteors. Morning: to which succeeds a calm, pure, sun-shine2) day, such as usually shuts up the season. The harvest being gathered in, the country dissolv'd in joy. The whole concludes with a panegyrick on a philosophical country life. ... Variations of the editions of 1744 and 1746: 1) ready for Harvest. Reflexions in praise of Industry rais'd by that View. Reaping. A Tale relative to it. A Harvest-Storm. etc. shiny. 2) Sun AUTUMN. The text given in full (A) is that of first ed. (1730). B = C = ed. 1744. = ed. 1746. The MS. notes, written before the publication of B, were made on A. BP means that P suggests the reading adopted in text B. CROWN'D with the sickle, and the wheaten sheaf, Onslow the muse, ambitious of thy name, B A rowl of periods, sweeter than her song. 14 conduct] Bosom B9 C9 Assumes a bolder note, and fondly tries To mix the patriot's with the poet's flame. When the bright Virgin gives the beauteous days, B23 23 And Libra weighs in equal scales the year; 25 From heaven's high cope the fierce effulgence shook With golden light irradiate, wide invests. 35 Falls from its poise, and gives the breeze to blow. The clouds fly different; and the sudden sun By fits effulgent gilds th'illumin'd field, These are thy blessings Industry! rough Power! And all the soft civility of life: Raiser of human kind! by Nature cast, B43 C43 B 27 irradiate,] enliven'd 31 Unbounded] Extensive 40 wide extended] Heart-expanding 42 Unbounded tossing various Seeds of Art deep in the Mind 50 With MS 40 BP (first heart-delighting) of Ripend Corn) P 42 (O'er waving golden Seas Implanted, and profusely pour'd around. Still unexerted, in th'unconscious breast, Taught him to chip the wood, and hew the stone, Till by degrees the finish'd fabrick rose; B 60 red] bleak MS 60 BP Tore from his limbs the blood-polluted fur, 90 Nor stopp'd at barren, bare necessity; Then gathering men their natural powers combin'd, B96 C96 And form'd a Public; to the general good Submitting, aiming, and conducting all. 100 For this the Patriot-Council met, the full, The free, and fairly represented Whole; For this devis'd the holy guardian laws, Distinguish'd orders, animated Arts, And with joint force Oppression chaining, set 105 Imperial Justice at the helm; yet still To them accountable: nor slavish dream'd Hence every form of cultivated life And happy. Nurse of art! the city rose; B 92 omitted 102 For This they plann'd 114 thus amplified: the City rear'd || In beauteous Pride her Tower-encircled Head; MS 92 deleted by P (T Tovey) 112 wrought] rose P 114 BP B109 C109 |