A ARMINE AND ELVIRA. A LEGENDARY TALE. IN TWO PARTS. BY MR. CARTWRIGHT.* PART. I. HERMIT on the banks of Trent, If haply from his guarded breaft Should steal the unsuspected sigh, And Memory, an unbidden guest. With former paffions fill'd his eye; Then pious hope and duty prais'd 5 The wisdom of th' unerring fway; 10 And while his eye to heaven he rais'd, Born 17.. Life's gayer enfigns once he bore Ah! what avails the mournful tale ? Suffice it, when the fcene was o'er, 15 He fled to the fequefter'd vale. "What tho' the joys I lov'd fo well, The charms," he cry'd, "that youth has known, 86 Fly from the hermit's lonely cell! "Yet is not Armine still my own? "Yes, Armine, yes, thou valued youth! "Tho' from the world and wordly care, "My wearied mind I mean to free, "Yet ev'ry hour that heaven can spare, "And fure that heaven my hopes shall blefs, "And make thee fam'd for virtues fair, "And happy too, if happiness 20 25 30 "Laft hope of life's departing day, "In whom its future fcenes I fee! "No truant thought shall ever stray "From this lone hermitage and thee.” Thus, to his humble fate refign'd, His breast each anxious care foregoes; And well were all his cares repaid; To fond Affection's anxious view. 35 Of paffions in the youthful breast, He curb'd them not with rigid rein, But ftrove to foothe them into rest. 50 "Think not, my son, in this," he cry'd, "A father's precept shall displease: "No-be each paffion gratify'd "That tends to happiness or cafe. 55 Nor fhall th' ungrateful task be mine “Their native generous warmth to blame, "That warmth if reason's fuffrage join "To point the object and the aim. * This fuffrage wanting, know, fond boy, "That every paffion proves a foe: « Tho' much it deal in promis'd joy, "It pays, alas! in certain woe. Complete Ambition's wildest scheme; Indulge in Fortune's golden dream; "Then ask thy breast if Peace be there. "No: it fhall tell thee, Peace retires "If once of her lov'd friends depriv'd; "Contentment calm, fubdued defires, "And happiness that's felf deriv'd." To temper thus the stronger fires Of youth he ftrove, for well he knew, Boundless as thought tho' man's defires, The real wants of life were few. And oft revolving in his breast Th' infatiate luft of wealth or fame, 60 65 70 75 He, with no common care opprest, To Fortune thus would oft exclaim : O Fortune! at thy crouded shrine "What wretched worlds of fuppliants bow ! "For ever hail'd thy power divine, "For ever breath'd the serious vow. 3 "With tottering pace and feeble knee, "See age advance in fhameless hafte, 85 The palfy'd hand is ftrecht to thee For wealth he wants the power to taste. "See, led by Hope, the youthful train, "Her fairy dreams their hearts have won 90 "She points to what they ne'er shall gain, "Or dearly gain-to be undone. "Muft I too form the votive prayer, "And wilt thou hear one fuppliant more? "His prayer, O Fortune! deign to hear, "O may one dear, one favour'd youth, May Armine ftill thy power disclaim ; "Kneel only at the fhrine of truth, "Count freedom wealth, and virtue fame ! T 95 |