TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERICK, EARL OF CARLISLE, KNIGHT OF THE GARTER, etc. etc. THESE POEMS ARE INSCRIBED, BY HIS OBLIGED WARD, AND AFFECTIONATE KINSMAN, THE AUTHOR. HOURS OF IDLENESS. ON LEAVING NEWSTEAD ABBEY. Why dost thou build the hall? Son of the winged days! Thou lookest from thy tower to-day; yet a few years, and the blast of the desart comes; it howls in thy empty court. OSSIAN. THRO'thy battlements, Newstead, the hollow winds whistle; 2. Of the mail-cover'd Barons, who, proudly, to battle, 3. No more doth old Robert, with harp-stringing numbers, Raise a flame in the breast, for the war-laurelled wreath; Near Askalon's towers, John of Horistan (1) slumbers; Unnerv'd is the hand of his minstrel, by death. (1) Horistan Castle, in Derbyshire, an ancient seat of the Byron Family. 4. Paul and Hubert too sleep in the valley of Cressy; 5. On Marston (1), with Rupert (2) 'gainst traitors contending, Four brothers enriched with their blood the bleak field; For the rights of a monarch, their country defending, Till death their attachment to royalty seal'd. 6. Shades of heroes, farewell! your descendant departing From the seat of his ancestors bids you adieu! Abroad, or at home, your remembrance imparting New courage, he'll think upon glory and you. 7. Though a tear dim his eye at this sad separation, 8. That fame, and that memory, still will he cherish, 1803. (1) The battle of Marston Moor, where the adherents of Charles I were defeated. (2) Son of the Elector Palatine, and related to Charles I. He afterwards commanded the fleet, in the reign of Charles II. EPITAPH ON A FRIEND. Αςτηρ πριν μεν ελαμπεσ ενι ζωοισιν ἑωος. LAERTIUS. OH! Friend! for ever lov'd, for ever dear! What fruitless tears have bath'd thy honour'd bier! The spot where now thy mould'ring ashes lie, Though none, like thee, his dying hour will cheer, |