Ah! could they catch his strength, his easy grace,
His quick creation, his unerring line;
The energy of Pope they might efface,
And Dryden's harmony submit to mine.

But not to one in this benighted age
Is that diviner inspiration giv'n,
That burns in Shakespeare's or in Milton's page,
The pomp and prodigality of heav'n.

As when conspiring in the diamond's blaze,
The meaner gems, that singly charm the sight,

Together dart their intermingled rays,

And dazzle with a luxury of light.

Enough for
me, if to some feeling breast
My lines a secret sympathy impart;

And as their pleasing influence flows confest,

A sigh of soft reflection heave the heart *.

* * * *

*

*

*

*

*

The words in Italic were supplied by Mr. Mason.

SKETCH

OF

HIS OWN CHARACTER.

[This was written in 1761, and was found in one of his PocketBooks.]

Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to im

portune;

He had not the method of making a fortune: Could love, and could hate, so was thought somewhat odd;

NO VERY GREAT WIT, HE BELIEV'D IN A GOD. A Post or a Pension he did not desire,

But left Church and State to Charles Townshend and Squire.

THE

FOUR FOLLOWING POEMS,

ATTRIBUTED TO

MR. GRAY,

WERE NEVER BEFORE COLLECTED.

[The first of these (Lyric Stanzas) might be a hasty performance, to which he thought it not necessary to give the credit of his name. With respect to the other three jeux d'esprit, (undoubtedly his) the reason for their being anonymously sent forth into the world will be obvious to every Reader.]

LYRIC STANZAS.

THYRSIS, when he left me, swore

In the Spring he would returnAh! what means the op'ning flower! And the bud that decks the thorn! 'Twas the nightingale that sung! 'Twas the lark that upward sprung

Idle notes! untimely green!
Why such unavailing haste?
Gentle gales and sky serene

Prove not always Winter past. Cease, my doubts, my fears to move, Spare the honour of my love.

EPIGRAM.

[Mr. Etoph, of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, was a person as remarkable for the eccentricities of his character, as for his personal appearance. A Mr. Tyson, of Bene't College, made an etching of his head, and presented it to Mr. Gray, who wrote under it the following lines:]

THUS Tophet look'd; so grinn'd the brawling

fiend,

Whilst frighted prelates bow'd, and call'd him friend.

Our mother-church, with half-averted sight, Blush'd as she bless'd her grimly proselyte; Hosannas rung thro' Hell's tremendous borders, And Satan's self had thoughts of taking orders,