Chorus of YOUTHS. Rise to raptures past expressing, Sweeter from remember'd woes; Cyrus comes, our wrongs redressing, Chorus of VIRGINS. Cyrus comes, the world redressing, Chorus of YOUTHS and VIRGINS. Hail to him with mercy reigning, Skill'd in every peaceful art; Who from bonds our limbs unchaining, Only binds the willing heart. Last chorus. But chief to thee, our God, our father, friend, Let praise be given to all eternity; Finis. THE DOUBLE TRANSFORMATION. A TALE.1 SECLUDED from domestic strife, Jack Book-worm led a college life; 1 Printed in the Essays, 1765. I have adopted the improved text which appears in the second edition of the Essays, 1766. Half a dozen couplets were judiciously rejected.-The verses seem to have been written in imitation of Prior, who is commended by our poet as having introduced the "French elegant easy manner of telling a story." A fellowship, at twenty-five, Made him the happiest man alive; He drank his glass, and crack'd his joke, Such pleasures, unalloy'd with care, Could Cupid's shaft at length transfix Or Flavia been content to stop Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then was-married. The raptures of the bridal night? And, though she felt his usage rough, The honey-moon like lightning flew ; The fifth was friendship mix'd with bliss; But still the worst remain'd behind- And, just as humour rose or fell, By turns a slattern or a belle. 'Tis true, she dress'd with modern grace Half-naked at a ball or race; But when at home, at board or bed, Five greasy nightcaps wrapp'd her head. Could so much beauty condescend To be a dull domestic friend? Could any curtain-lectures bring To decency so fine a thing? |