AST by the banks of Cam was Colin bred : FAST (Ye Nymphs, for ever guard that facred ftream ;) To Wimpole's woody fhade his way he sped: (Flourish those woods, the Mufes endless theme.) As whilom Colin ancient books had read, Lays Greek and Roman wou'd he oft rehearse, And much he lov'd, and much by heart he said, What father Spenfer fung in British verfe. Who reads that bard, defires like him to write, Still fearful of fuccefs, ftill tempted by delight. II. Soon as Aurora had unbarr'd the morn, And light difcover'd nature's chearful face; The founding clarion, and the sprightly horn. Call'd the blythe huntsman to the diftant chace, Eftfoons they iffue forth a goodly band; [air, The deep-mouth'd, hounds with thunder rend the The fiery courfers ftrike the rifing fand: Far thro' the thicket flies the frighted. deer. Harley the honour of the day fupports; His prefence glads the wood; his orders guide the fports. III. On a fair palfrey well equipt did fit An Amazonian-dame; a fcarlet vest For active horsemanship adaptly fit Inclos'd her dainty limbs; a plumed creft Wav'd o'er her head; obedient by her fide Her friends and fervants rode; with artful hand This feeing, Colin thus his Mufe bespake. Or that bright form that pleafeth fo mine eye, That em'lous of his Grecian master's flight, Dan Spenfer makes the fav'rite goddess known s When in her graceful look fair Britomart is shown. V. At noon as Colin to the caftle came, Ope'd were the gates, and right prepar'd the feaft Appears at table rich yclad a dame, The lord's delight, the wonder of the guest. With pearl and jewels was the fumptuous deckt, As well became her dignity and place; But the beholders mought her gems neglect, To fix their eyes on her more lovely face, Serene with glory, and with foftness bright: O beauty fent from heav'n, to cheer the mortal fight! VI. Lib'ral Munificence behind her stood; And decent ftate obey'd her high command ;And Charity diffufe of native good At once portrayes her mind, and guides her hand,. As to each gueft fome fruits fhe deign'd to lift, And filence with obliging parley broke: How gracious feem'd to each th' imparted gift; But how more gracious what the giver spoke ?: Such eafe, fuch freedom did her deed attend,. That ev'ry guest rejoic'd, exalted to a friend. VII, Quoth Colin: Clio, if my feeble fenfe Pours wealthy eafe, and fcatters joyous cheer ;Certes of her in femblant guife I read ; Where Spenfer decks his lays with Gloriana's deed. VIII. As Colin mus'd at ev'ning near the wood; A nymph undrefs'd, befeemeth, by him paft, Down to her feet her filken garment flow'd: A ribbon bound and shap'd her flender waist: A veil dependent from her comely head, Dailies and violets rofe, where'er the trod, Ten thousand Loves around the nymph difported. Of gods and men; great Venus fhe is call'd, When Mantuan Virgil doth her charms rehearse; Belphebe is her name, in gentle Edmond's verfe. X. Heard this the Mufe, and with a smile reply'd, Can we know right, 'till error we remove? Who flights his guide fhall deviate from his way: Me to have afk'd what thou cou'dit not difcern, To thee pertain'd; to me the thing to say. What heav'nly will from human eye conceals. How can the bard aread, unless the mufe reveals? XI. Nor Pallas thou, nor Britomart has feen; When foon at morn the flying deer was chas'd; Nor Jove's great wife, nor Spenser's fairy queen At noontyde dealt the honours of the feaft: Nor Venus, nor Belphebe didft thou spy, The evening's glory, and the grove's delight. Henceforth, if afk'd, inftructed right, reply, That all the day to knowing mortals fight Bright Ca'ndifh-Holles Harley stood confeft, As various hour advis'd, in various habit dreft. VERSES Spoke to the Lady HENRIETTA-CAVENDISH-HOLLES HARLEY, in the Library of St. JOHN's College, CAMBRIDGE, November 9th, Anno 1719. MADAM, INCE Anna vifited the mufes-feat, SIN (Around her tomb let weeping angels wait) In virtues and in arts great Oxford's heir, Writings of men our thought to-day neglects Plato and Tully we forbear to read, And their great foll'wers whom this houfe has bred, To ftudy leffons from thy morals giv'n, And fhining characters, imprefs'd by Heaven. • The feat of this noble family is at Wimplee in Cambridgefhire, |