In wild disorder mingled, through the gloom. His mighty hands displayed aloft in air, To Jove the hero thus addressed a prayer: 6 Hear me, dread Power, whose nod controls the skies, At whose command the winged lightning flies! And bid thy forked thunder rend this heart. And, aids the fire which wastes me, with its rays. "As thus the hero prayed, the lightning ceased, And thicker darkness all the hill embraced. He saw his suit denied: in fierce despair The rooted pines he tore, and cedars fair; Behold, my friend! the ruler of the skies, In agony invoked, my suit denies. But sure the oracle inspired from heaven, Which in Dodona's sacred grove was given, The truth declared, that now my toils shall cease, Who knew not, sure, the fatal gift he bore. Let heaven decide, which only knows her aim, "This with a hollow voice and altered look, In agony extreme, the hero spoke. I poured a flood of sorrow, and withdrew And soothe, with kindred gloom, my deep regret." THOMAS BLACKLOCK. 1721-1791. A poet whose verse remains little more than an echo of the prevailing fashion in poetry of his time, the venerable Dr. Blacklock keeps name and fame among eighteenth century singers chiefly by reason of one fact. It was he whose prompt recognition of the genius of Burns arrested that poet on the eve of his departure from Scotland, and effected his introduction to Edinburgh and the greater world of letters. His The son of humble parents who were natives of Cumberlandhis father was a bricklayer-Blacklock was born at Annan in Dumfriesshire. When only six months old an attack of smallpox left him blind, and it might have been thought that for the rest of his days he was doomed to the fate of a pauper. spirit, however, proved itself capable of better things, and throughout life his amiability continually secured him friends who did all in their power to help his interests. At the age of twelve he was writing poetry, and though when he was nineteen his father was killed, his promise attracted a patron in the person of Dr. Stevenson, an eminent physician, who carried him to Edinburgh and supported him there for four years at the Grammar School. He found means also to attend the University, and qualify for the church. Among his friends in Edinburgh was David Hume the historian, who went so far as give up to him his salary as librarian of the Faculty of Advocates. Spence, too, the professor of poetry at Oxford, and friend of Pope, took great pains to introduce Blacklock's verse to the English public; while Beattie, the author of The Minstrel, got him the degree of D.D. from the University of Aberdeen. In 1762 Blacklock married, and at the same time was presented to the parish of Kirkcudbright. His settlement was resisted, however, on account of his blindness. For many years subsequently the chief part of his livelihood was gained by the keeping of a better-class boarding-school in Edinburgh. Two years after his death an edition of his poems was published, with a life by Henry Mackenzie, the author of "The Man of Feeling." His work is also included in Chalmers' English Poets, vol. v. ON EUANTHE'S ABSENCE. AN ODE. BLEST Heaven! and thou fair world below! That bids his eyes for ever flow, Consumes his soul, and pines his heart? And will no friendly arm above Relieve my tortured soul from love? As swift-descending showers of rain Ye plains where dear Euanthe strays, Where'er she turns, her eyes pursue! All fair as she let nature shine: |