When Troy, or Argos, the dire scene affords, Nor always city-pent, or pent at home, I dwell; but, when spring calls me forth to roam, Like stars of mildest influence, gliding by. Bright locks, Love's golden snare! these falling low, Those playing wanton o'er the graceful brow! Cheeks too, more winning sweet than after show'r Adonis turn'd to Flora's fav'rite flower! Yield, heroines, yield, and ye who shar'd th' em brace Of Jupiter in antient times, give place! Give place, ye turbann'd fair of Persia's coast! Oh city, founded by Dardanian hands, Whose towering front the circling realms com mands, Too blest abode! no loveliness we see In all the earth, but it abounds in thee. The virgin multitude that daily meets, With which Diana gilds thy lofty spires. M Fame says, that wafted hither by her doves, To face once more the warfare of the schools. Meantime accept this trifle! rhimes though few, Yet such, as prove thy friend's remembrance true! ELEGY II. ON THE DEATH OF THE UNIVERSITY BEADLE Composed by Milton in the 17th Year of his Age. THEE, whose refulgent staff, and summons clear, Minerva's flock long time was wont t' obey, Although thyself an berald, famous here, The last of heralds, Death, has snatch'd away. He calls on all alike, nor e'en deigns To spare the office, that himself sustains. Thy locks were whiter than the plumes display'd But thou wast worthy ne'er to have decay'd, Commission'd to convene, with hasty call, The gowned tribes, how graceful wouldst thou stand! So stood Cyllenius erst in Priam's hall, And so Eurybates, when he address'd Dread queen of sepulchres! whose rig'rous laws **And watchful eyes, run through the realms below, Oh, oft too adverse to Minerva's cause! Too often to the muse not less a foe! Chuse meaner marks, and with more equal aim Pierce useless drones, earth's burthen, and its shame! Flow, therefore, tears for him, from ev'ry eye, Assembling, all, in robes of sable dye, Around his bier, lament his endless sleep! h And let complaining elegy rehearse, In every school, her sweetest, saddest verse. |