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90

Adieu, ye vales, ye mountains, ftreams and groves,
Adieu, ye fhepherd's rural lays and loves ;
Adieu, my flocks, farewell ye fylvan crew,
Daphne, farewell, and all the world adieu,

VER. 89, etc.] These four last lines allude to the several fubjects of the four Paftorals, and to the several fcenes of them, particularized before in each. P.

MESSIAH.

A

Sacred Eclogue,

In Imitation of

VIRGIL'S POLLIO

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IN reading feveral paffages of the Prophet Ifaiah, which foretell the coming of Chrift and the felicities attending it, I could not but observe a remarkable parity between many of the thoughts, and thofe in the Pollio of Virgil. This will not feem furprifing, when we reflect, that the Eclogue was taken from a Sibylline prophecy on the fame fubject. One may judge that Virgil did not copy it line by line, but felected fuch ideas as beft agreed with the nature of paftoral poetry, and difpofed them in that manner which ferved moft to beautify his piece. I have endeavour'd the fame in this imitation of him, though without admitting any thing of my own; fince it was written with this particular view, that the reader, by comparing the feveral thoughts, might fee how far the images and defcriptions of the Prophet are fuperior to thofe of the Poet. But as I fear I have prejudiced them by my management, I shall fubjoin the paffages of Ifaiah, and those of Virgil, under the fame disadvantage of a literal translation. P.

MESSI A H.

SACRED ECLOGUE,

In Imitation of VIRGIL'S POLLIO.

E Nymphs of Solyma! begin the song:

YE

To heav'nly themes fublimer strains belong. The mofly fountains, and the fylvan fhades, The dreams of Pindus and th'Aonian maids, Delight no more-O thou my voice inspire Who touch'd Ifaiah's hallow'd lips with fire! Rapt into future times, the Bard begun : A Virgin fhall conceive, a Virgin bear a Son!

From

VER. 8. A Virgin fhall conceive - All crimes hall ceafe, etc.]

VIRG. E. iv. v. 6.

Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna;
Jam nova progenies cælo demittitur alto.
Te duce, fi qua manent fceleris veftigia noftri,
Irrita perpetua folvent formidine terras-

Pacatumque reget patriis virtutibus orbem.

Now the Virgin returns, now the kingdom of Saturn returns, now a new Progeny is fent down from high heaven. By means of thee, whatever reliques of qur crimes remain, fhall be wiped away, and free the world from perpetual fears. He hall govern the earth in peace, with the virtues of his Father.

ISAIAH, Ch. vii. v. 14. Behold a Virgin fhall conceive and bear a Son.—Ch. ix. v. 6, 7. Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; the Prince of Peace: of the increase

D 3

of

From * Jeffe's root behold a branch arife,
Whofe facred flow'r with fragrance fills the skies:
Th'Æthereal spirit o'er its leaves fhall move,
And on its tops defcends the myftic Dove.
Ye + Heav'ns! from high the dewy nectar pour,
And in foft filence shed the kindly show'r!

The fick and weak the healing plant shall aid,
‡
From storms a fhelter, and from heat a fhade.

II

All crimes fhall ceafe, and ancient fraud fhall fail;
Returning Juftice lift aloft her scale;

Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend,
And white-rob'd Innocence from heav'n defcend.
Swift fly the years, and rife th' expected morn!
Oh spring to light, aufpicious Babe, be born!
See Nature haftes her earliest wreathes to bring,
With all the incenfe of the breathing spring:

IMITATIONS.

21

See

of his government, and of his peace, there shall be no end : Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order and to ftablish it, with judgment, and with juftice, for ever and ever. P.

VER. 23. See Nature haftes, etc.]
VIRG. E. iv. v. 18.

At tibi prima, puer, nullo manufcula cultu,
Errantes hederas paffim cum baccare tellus,
Mixtaque ridenti colocafia fundet acantho
Ipfa tibi blandos fundent cunabula flores.

For thee, O Child, fball the earth, without being tillel, produce her early offerings; winding ivy, mixed with Baccar, and Colocafia with fmiling Acanthus. Thy cradle fball pour forth pleafing flowers about thee.

ISAIAH, Ch. xxxv. v. 1. The wilderness and the folitary place shall be glad, and the defart shall rejoice and blofJom

*Ifai xi. v. 1. † Ch. xlv. v. 8. ‡ Ch. xxv. v. 4. · Ch. ix. v. 7.