But we, in mutual bondage knit Of friendship's closeft tie, Can gaze on even Darwin's wit With an unjaundiced eye; And deem the Bard, whoever he be, And howfoever known, Who would not twine a wreath for Thee, ON MRS. MONTAGUE's FEATHER-HANGINGS. THE birds put off their every hue To drefs a room for Montague. The Peacock fends his heavenly dyes, His rainbows and his starry eyes; The Pheasant, plumes, which round infold And, river-blanched, the Swan, his fnow. All tribes befide of Indian name, Where rifes, and where fets the day, But fcreened from every storm that blows, To the fame patronefs refort, Strong Genius, from whose forge of thought Obtrude on human notice more, Like fun-beams on the golden height Ambitious of a fhelter there. There Genius, Learning, Fancy, Wit, She thus maintains divided sway VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEX. SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. I. I AM monarch of all I furvey, My right there is none to difpute; I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, Never hear the fweet mufic of speech, I ftart at the found of my own. The beafts, that roam over the plain, My form with indifference fee; They are fo unacquainted with man, Their tamenefs is fhocking to me. III. Society, friendship, and love, How foon would I tafte you again! In the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age, And be cheered by the fallies of youth. IV. Religion! what treasure untold Refides in that heavenly word! More precious than filver and gold, Or all that this earth can afford. But the found of the church-going bell Thefe vallies and rocks never heard, Never fighed at the found of a knell, Or fmiled when a fabbath appeared. V. Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Convey to this defolate shore Some cordial endearing report Of a land, I fhall vifit no more. My friends, do they now and then fend A with or a thought after me? O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to fee. |