On a certain LADY at Court. IK Know the thing that's most uncommon; (Envy be filent, and attend !) I know a reasonable Woman, Handsome and witty, yet a Friend. thro' Pride, or gay thro' Folly, An equal mixture of good Humour, And sensible soft Melancholy. “ Has The no faults then (Envy says) Sir?" Yes, she has one, I must aver ; The Woman's deaf, and does not hear. On his Grotto at Twickenham, COM OSED OF Marbles, Sparrs, Gemms, Ores, and Minerals. TH HOU who shalt stop, where Thames' tranf lucent wave Shines a broad Mirrour thro' the shadowy. Cave; Where ling'ring drops from min’ral Roofs distill, And pointed Crystals break the sparkling Rill, Unpolish'd Gemms no ray on Pride bestow, 5 And latent Metals innocently glow: VARIATIONS. After v. 6. in the MS. You see that Illand's wealth, where, only free, Earth to her entrails feels not Tyranny. i. c. Britain is the only place on the globe which feels not Ty. rinny even to its very entrails. Alluding to the condemnation of Criminals to the Mines, one of the inflictions of civil justice in moft Countries. The thought was exceeding natural and proper in this place, where the Poet was describing a Grotto incrusted and adorned with all forts of Minerals collected, by the means of commerce, from the four quarters of the Globe. NOTES. On his Grotto.] The improving and finishing his Grott was the favourite amusement of his declining Years; and the beauty of his poetic genius, in the difpofition and ornaments of this romantic recess, appears to as much advantage as in his best contrived Poems. Approach. Great NATURE studiously behold! And eye the Mine without a wish for Gold. Approach: But awful! Lo! th’ Ægerian Grott, 9 Where, nobly-pensive, St. Joun fate and thought; Where British fighs from dying WYNDHAM stole, And the bright flame was shot thro’ MARCH MONT's Soui. VARIATIONS. Ver. U. il here Britisnjig?s from dying Wyndham firie.] In bis MS. it was thus, To Wyadham's breast the patriot-pasions stole, which made the whole allu 'e to a certain Anecdote of not much consequence to any but ihe parties concerned. NOTE s. VIR. 9. fgerian Grott] Alluding to Numa's proj ciing his fittom of Polics in this Grott, atlied, as he gave out, by the Guddes scia. TO Mrs. M. B. on her Birth-Day. H be thou bleft with all that Heav’n can fend, and a Friend: years if Life bring nothing new, 5 But like a Sieve let ev'ry blessing thro', Some joy still loft, as each vain year runs o'er, And all we gain, fome sad Reflection more; Is that a Birth-day? 'tis alas ! too clear, 'Tis but the Fun'ral of the former year. Let Joy or Ease, let Affluence or Content, And the gay Conscience of a life well spent, Calm ev'ry thought, inspirit ev'ry grace, Glow in thy heart, and smile upon thy face. Let day improve on day, and year on year, 15 Without a Pain, a Trouble, or a Fear; 10: Till Death unfelt that tender frame destroy, In some soft Dream, or Extasy of joy, Peaceful sleep out the Sabbath of the Tomb, And wake to Raptures in a Life to come. VARIATION S. And oh fince Death must that fair frame destroy, |
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