In air self-balanc'd hung the globe below, For Fame, impatient of extremes, decays O'er the wide prospect as I gaz'd around, Thefe ever new, nor subject to decays, days. Or billows murmuring on the hollow shore : Śo Zembla's rocks (the beauteous work of frost) Then gazing up, a glorious pile beheld, Rise white in air, and glitter o'er the coast; And on th' impallive ice the lightnings play; Steep its afcent, and flippery was the way; Eternal snows the growing mass supply, The wonderous rock like Parian marble Thone, Till the bright mountains prop th' incumbent sky And seem'd, to distant fight, of solid stone. 30 As Atlas fix'd, each hoary pile appears, Inscriptions here of various names I view'd, The gather'd winter of a thousand years. 60 The greater part by hostile time subdu'd; On this foundation Fame's high temple stands; Yet wide was spread their fame in ages past; Stupendous pile! not rear'd by mortal hands. And poets once had promis'd they hould last. Whate'er proud Rome or artiul Greece beheld, Some fresh engrav'd appear'd of wits renown'di Or elder Babylon, its frame excell'd. I look'd again, nor could their trace be found. Four faces had the dome, and every face Critics I saw, that other names deface, Of various structure, but of equal grace! The walls in venerable order grace : And legislators seem to think in stone. Westward, a sumptuous frontispiece appear'd, And now unneth great beltes, On Doric pillars of white marble rear’d, Now rivers, now citees, Crown'd with an architrave of antique mold, Now towns, now great trees, And sculpture rising on the roughen'd gold. Now shippes sayling in the see. In shaggy spoils here Theseus was beheld, Ver. 27. High on a rock of ice, &c.] Chaucer's And Perseus dreadful with Minerva's shield: 80 third book of Fame. There great Alcides, stooping with his coi!, It stood upon fo high a rock, Rests on his club, and holds th' Hefperiso spoil : Higher standeth none in Spayne Here Orpheus sings; trees moving to the found What manner stone this rock was, Start from their roots, and form a shade around: For it was like a lymed glass, Amphion there the loud creating lyre But that it shone full more clere; Surikes, and behold a sudden Thebes aspire ! But of what congeled matere It was, I niste redily ; But at the last espied I, IMITATIONS. And found that it was every dele, That they were molte away for heate, A rock of ice, and pot of itele. And not away with formes beate. Ver. 31. Inscriptions here, &c.] Ver. 45. Yet part no injuries, &c) Though saw I all the hill y-grave For on that other side I sey With famous folkes names fele, Of that hill which northward ley, That had been in much wele How it was written full of names And her fames wide y-blow; Of folke, that had afore great fames, But well unneth might I know, Of old time, and yet they were Any letters for to sede As fresh as men had written hem there Their names by, for out of drede That self day, or that houre They wereo almost off-thawen so, That I on hem gan to poure ; That of the letters one or two But well I witte what it made; Were molte away of every name, It was conserved with the shade So uniamous was woze her lame; (All the writing that I lyc) But noen laid what may ever last? Of the castle that floode on high, Ver. 41. Nor was the work impair'd, &c.) And Itood eke in so cold a place, I bougb gan I in myoc basic cast, That hat might is not deface. IMITATIONS, 179 Cytheron's echoes answer to his call, As heaven with ftars, the roof with jewels glows, And half the mountain rolls into a wall : And ever-living lamps depend in rows. There might you see the lengthening fpires afcend, Full in the passage of each spacious gate, The domes (well up the widening arches bend, 90 The fage historians in white garments wait ; The growing towers like exhalations rise, Grav'd o'er their seats the form of time was found. And the huge columns heave into the skies. His feythe revers'd, and both his pinions bound The eaftero front was glorious to behold, Within food heroes, who through loud alarms With diamond flaming, and Barbaric gold. In bloody fields pursued renown in arms. 150 There Ninus fone, who spread th' Assyrian fame, High on a throne with trophies chargd I view'd And the great founder of the Persian name : The south that all things but hinself fubdu'd; There in long robes the royal Magi stand, His feet on fceptres and tiaras trou, Grave Zoroafter waves the circling wand : And his horu'd head bely'd the Libyan god. The fage Challeans rob'd in white appear.d, There Cæfar, grac'd with both Minervas thone; And Brachmans, deep in desert woods rever'd. 100 Cæsar, the world's great matter, and his own; These lopp'd the moon, and callid th' unbody'd Unmov’d, superior itill in every state, shades And scarce detelted in his country's fate. To midnight banquets in the glimmering glades; But chief were chose, who not for empire fought, Made vifionary fabrics round them rife, But with their toils their people's (afecy bought:16 Aad airy fpe&res skim before their eyes ; High o'er the rest Epaminondas stood; Of Talismans and Sigils knew the p: wer, Timoleon, glorious in his brother's blood; And careful watch'd the planetary hour. Bold Scipio, saviour of the Roman fete; Superior, and alone, Confucius stood, Great in his triumphs, in retirement great ; Who taught that useful science to be good. And wise Aurelius, in whose well-taught mind Bat on the loath, a long majestic race With boundless power unbounded virtue join'd, Of Egypt's priests the gilded niches grace, IIO His own triat judge, and patron of mankind. Who mealer'd earth, defcrib'd the starty spheres, Much suffering heroes next their honours claim, And trae'd the long records of lunar years. Those of less noisy, and less guilty fame, High on his car Sefoftris ftruck my view, Fair virtue's filent train : supreme of these Whom scepter'd llaves in golden harness drew : Here ever shines the godlike Socrates; His hands a bow and pointed javelin hold; He whom ungrateful Athens could expell, His giant limbs are arm'd in chains of gold. At all times just, but when he figo'd the shell: Between the ftatues obelisks were plac', Here his abode the martyr'd Phocion claims, And the learn'd walls with hieroglyphics grac'd. With Agis, not the last of Spartan names : Of G thic ftru&ure was the northern side, Unconquer'd Cato shews the wound he tore, O'erwiought with ornaments of barbarouspride. 120 And Brutus his ill genius meets no more. There huge Colossus rose, with trophies crown'd, But in the centre of the hollow'd choir, And Ranic chara&ers were gravid around. Six pompous columns o'er the rest aspire; There late Zamolxis with erected eyes, Around the thrine itself of fame they stand, 18 And Odin here in mimic trances dies. Hold the chief honours, and the same command. There on rude iron columns, smear'd with blood, High on the first, the mighty Homer fhone; The horrid forms of Scythian heroes stood. Eternal Adamant conipos'd his throne, Dreids and Bards (their once loud harps unstrung) Father of verse ! in holy fillets drelt, And youths that dy'd to be by poets suog. His filver beard wav'd gently o'er his breast; These and a thousand more of doub:ful fame, Though blind, a boldness in his looks appears; To whom old fables gave a lasting name. 130 In years he fçem’d, but not impair'd by years. ko ranks adorn'd the temple's outward face; The wall in loftre and effect like glass, Which, o'er each objet casting various dyes, Enlarges fome, and others multiplies : IMITATIONS. Nur void of emblem was the mystic wall, Ver. 179. Six pompous columns, &c.] From the dees many a pillere, Upon a pillere saw I stonde That was of lede and iron fine, The Ebraicke Jofephus the old, &c. Upon an iron pillere strong, The Tholofan that hight Stace, That bear of Thebes up the name, &c. Ver. 132. The walls in laftre, &c.] Ver. 182. It shone lighter than a glass, Full wonder high on a pillere And made well more than it was, Of iron, he the great Omer, As kind of thing Fame is And with him Dares and Titus, &c. 200 The wars of Troy were round the pillar seen : Here smiling Loves and Bacchanals appear, Here, in a shrine that cast a dazzling light, Bold was the work, and prov'd the masters fire ; State fix'd in thought the mighty Stagyrite; A strong expression moft he seem'd e' affect, His sacred head a radiant Zodiac crown'd, And here and there disclos'd a brave neglect. And various animals his sides surround; A golden column next in rank appear'd. His piercing eyes, erect, appear to view On which a fhrine of purest gold was rear’d; Superior worlds, and look all nature through. Finish'd the whole, and labour'd every part, With equal rays immortal Tully shone, Wish patient touches of unwearied art : The Roman roftra deck'd the consul's chrone : The Mantuan there in sober triumph sat, Gathering his flowing robe, he seem'd to stand 240 Compos'd his posture, and his look sedate; In act to speak, and graceful fretch'd his hand. On Homer still he fix'd a reverend eye, Behind, Rome's genius waits with civic crowns, Great without pride, in modeft majesty. And the great father of his country owns. In living sculpture on the sides were spread These mally columns in a circle rise, The Latian wars, and haughty Turnus dead; O'er which a pompous dome invades the skies : Eizá stretch'd upon the funeral pyre, Scarce to the top 1 stretch'd my aching light, Æneas bending with his aged fire : So large it spread, and swellid to such a height. 'Troy flam'd in burning gold, and o'er the throne Full in the midst proud Fame's imperial seat Arms and the man in golden cyphers Thone. With jewels blaz'd, magnificiently great; Four (wans sustain a car of silver bright, 210 | The vivid emeralds there revive the eye, 250 With heads advanc’d, and pinions stretch'd for The flaming rubies New their fanguine dye, fight : Bright azure rays from lively sapphires stream, Here, like some furious prophet, Pindar rode, And lucid amber casts a golden gleam. And seem'd to labour with th' inspiring God. With various-colour'd light the pavement shone, Across the harp a careless hand he flings, And all on fire appear'd the glowing throne; And boldly finks into the founding itrings, The dome's high arch reflects the mingled blaze, The figur'd games of Greece the column grace, And forms a rainbow of alternate rays. Neptune and Jove survey the rapid race. When on the goddess first I cast my light, With her, the Temple every moment grew, Such was her form, as ancient bards have told, The polish'd pillar different sculptures grace; Wings raise her arms, and wings her feet infold; A work outlalting monumental brass. A thousand busy tongues the goddess bears, (Her virgin handmaids) itill attend the thrine : IMITATIONS. With eyes on fame for ever fix'd, they fing; For Fame they raise the voice, and tune the string, There faw I fand on a pillere With time's first birth began the heavenly lays, That was of tired iron clecre, And last, eternal, through the length of days. The Larin pect Virgilye, That hath bore up of a great while The fame of pious Æneis: And nex: him on a pillere was Ver. 259. Scarce seem'd ber Itature, &c. Of copper, Venus' cleske (vide, Methought that she was so lite, That hath sowen wondrous wide That the length of a cubite Was longer than Me seemed be; But thus foone in a while she, Her selle tho wonderly straight, The great poet Dan Lucan, That with her feet the the earth right, That in his shoulders bore up then And with her head me touchyd heaven As hye as •hat thosht see, Ver. 270. Beneath, in order rang'u, &c.] I heard about her throne y-fung That all the palays walls rung, of lu phure, like as he wore wode, So fung the nighty mule, the Dan Cucian, to the for to teil, That ci ped is Csilupe, That bare up all the fame of hcui, &c. And lier leven facis cke IMITATIONS. Around these wonders as I caft a look, Next these the good and just, an awful train, The trumpet sounded, and the temple shook, Thus on their knees address the sacred fane. And all the nations, summon'd at the call, Since living virtue is with envy curs'd, 320 From different quarters fill the crowded hall : And the best men are treated like the worst, of various tengues the mingled sounds were Do thou, just goddess, call our merits forth, heard; 280 And give each deed th' exact intrinsic worth. la various garbs promiscuous throngs appear'd; Not with bare justice shall your act be crown'd, Thick as the bees, that with the spring renew (Said Fame) but high above desert renown's : Their Rowery toils , and lip the fragrant dew, Let fuller notes th' applauding world amaze, When the wing'd.colonies first tempt the sky, And the loud clarion labour in your praise. O'er dusky fields and shaded waters fly, This band dismiss'd, behold another crowd Or, settling, seize the sweets the blofsoms yield, Preferr'd the same request, and lowly bow'd; And a low murmur runs along the field. The constant tenor of whose well-spent days 330 Millions of fuppliant crowds the shrine attend, No less deserv'd a just return of praise. And all degrees before the goddess bend; But straight the direful trump of flander sounds; The poor, the rich, the valiant, and the fage, 290 Through the big domethe doubling thunder bounds; And boasting youth, and narrative old age. Loud as the burft of cannon rends the skies, Their pleas were different, their request the same; The dire report through every region flies, For good and bad alike are fond of Fame. In every ear incesant rumours rung, Some the disgrac'd, and some with honours crown'd; And gathering scandals grew on every tongue. Unlike successes equal merits found. From the black trumpet's rusty concave broke Thus her blind fifter, fickle Fortune, reigns, Sulphureous flames, and clouds of rolling smoke : And undiscerning scatters crowns and chains. The poisonous vapour blots the purple skies, 340 Firft at the fhrine the learned world appear, And withers all before it as it flies. And to the goddess thus prefer their prayer. A troop came next, who crowns and armour Long have we fought t' inftru& and please man wore, kind, 300 And proud defiance in their looks they bore : With fudies pale, with midnight vigils blind; Bat thank'd by few, rewarded yet by none, We here appeal to thy superior throne: IMITATIONS. On wit and learning the just prize bestow, Ver. 318. The good and just, &c.] For Fame is all we must expe& below. Tho came the third companye, The goddess heard, and bade the muses raise And gan up to the dees to hye, The golden trumpet of eternal praise : And down on knees they fell anone, From pole to pole the winds diffuse the found, And faiden : We been everichone That fills the circuit of the world around; Folke that han full truely Not all at once, as thunder breaks the cloud; 310 Deserved fame right-fully, The potes at first were rather sweet than loud : And prayen you it might be knowe By jaft degrees they every moment rise, Right as it is, and forth blowe. Full the wide earth, and gain upon the skies. I grant, quoth she, for now we lift At every breath were balmy odours thed, That your good works shall be wist. Which still grew sweeter, as they wider spread; And yet ye shall have better loos, Less fragrant scents th' unfolding rofe exhales, Right in despite of all, your foos, Than worthy is, and that anone. Out of his trump's mouth smel'd As men a pot of baume held Among a basket full of roses.I heard a noise approachen blive, Ver. 328, 338. Behold another crowd, &c.That far'd as bees done in a hire, From the black trumpet's rusty, &c.] Against her time of out-flying, Therewithal there came anone Right such a manere murmuring, Another huge companye For all the world it seemed me, Of good folke Tho gan I look about and see What did this Eolus, but he That there came entering into th' hall, Took out his trump of brass, A right great company withal ; That fouler than the devil was : And that of fundry regions, And gan his trump for to blowe, Of all kind of conditions, &c. As all the world should overthrowe. Ver. 294. Some the disgrac'd, &c.] Throughout every regione And some of them the granted fone, Went this foul trumpit's foune And some she warned well and fair, Swift as a pellet out of a gunne, And lonie de granted the contrair When fire is in the powder runne. Right as her fifter dame Fortune And such a fmoke gan out wende, is wont to ferve in commune, Out of the foul trumpet's ende--&e 351 For thee (they cry'd) amidst alarms and strife, Ours is the place at banquets, balls, and plays; In fa&, 'eis true, no nymph we could perfuade, And at each blast a lady's honour dies. (prest And cach majestic phantom funk in night. Pleas'd with the ftrange fuccefs, vaft members Then canie the smallest tribe I get had seen ; Around the fhrine, and made the same request : Plain was their dress, and modeft was their mieg. What you (she cry'd), unlearn'd in arts to pleafe, Great idol of mankind! we neither claim Slaves to yourselves, and even fatigued with case, The praife of merit, nor aspire to fame! Who lofe a leogth of undeserving days, But, fafe in deferts from th' applause of men, 360 Would you usurp the lover's dear-boughe praise ? Would die unheard-of, as we liv'd unseen. To just contempt, ye vain pretenders, fall , 400 'Tis all we beg thee, to conceal from fight The people's fable, and the fcorn of all. Thofe acts of goodness which themselves requite: Straight the black clarion fends a horrid found, Olet us still the secret joy partake, Loud laughs burst out, and bitter scoffs fty round, To follow virtue ev'n for virtue's fake: Whifpers are heard, with taunts reviling loud, And live there men, who flight immortal fame? And fcorvful hiffes run through all the crowd. Who then with incenfe mall adore our name? Laft, thofe who boast of mighty mischiefs done, But, mortals! know, 'eis still our greatest pride, Ensave their country, or usurp a throne ; To blaze those virtues which the good would hide. Or who their glory's dire foundation lay'd Rise! muses, rise! add all your tuneful breath ; 370 On sovereigns ruin'd, or on friends betray'd; These must not sleep in darkness and in death. Calm, thinking villains, whom no saith could She said in air the trembling music floats, fix, 410 And on the winds triumphant swell the notes ; Of crooked counfels and dark politics ; So soft, though high, so loud, and yet so clear, Of these a gloomy tribe surround the throne, Ev'n listening angels lean from heaven to hear : And beg to make ch' immortal treasons known. To fartheft shores th' ambrosial fpirit Ales, I ne trumpet roars, long flaky Rames expire, Sweet to the world, and grateful to the skies. With fparks that seem'd to set the world on fire. Next these a youthful train their vows expressid, At the dread found, pale mortais stood aghaft, With feathers crown'd, with gay embroidery And startled nature trembled with the blaft. drefed : This having heard and seen, fome power un. Hither, they cry'd, dire& your eyes, and fee 380 known (the throne. The men of pleasure, dress, and gallantry; Straight chang'd the scene, and soatch'd me from IMITATIONS. IMITATIONS. I saw anone !he fifth route, Whaç, quoth she, and he ye wood ? In his golden clarioune, 'That ther fame was blown aloft. Tho came another companye, That had y-done the treachery, &c. Tho saw I stonde in a valey, |