The choir's loose fragments, scatter'd round, declare, Insulting TIME, the triumphs of thy power! Shall man, unwarn'd, survey with prescient smile Of long futurity the plann'd abode ? Vain augur, turn!-behold where sinks the pile, A monarch raised in honour of his God! Low lies that sceptred founder's holy head, Whose virtues bade these friendly walls as cend; Applauding angels graced his dying bed, Aud Hope's bright dawn rose cloudless on his end! Lamented prince! for Mercy's task he knew The reins of lengthen'd empire gently sway'd; Heraised the suppliant tribe his sire o'erthrew, And round his bier each grateful convent pray'd. Not so retired fell JOHN's indignant soul, For him no vows the doom of heaven opposed ; Insulted priesthood mix'd the envenom'd bowl, And death his eyes in bowing anguish closed. Unsteady ruler of a nation's helm ! Long struggling freedom own'd thy hard command; Till fierce in arms thy BARONS shook the realm, And tore the CHARTER from thy lingering hand! Peace guard their dust!—their merits glory crown! Too far their worth transports the roving Muse; Who kindles at the tale of old renown, And now, farewell, ye walls, ye roofs sublime, Ye lengthening choirs, a venerable gloom! And when, like you, your Poet bows to time, In yon dim cloister yield his ashes room? His hopes ne'er rose to emulate the dead, Whose dear-bought trophies crowd the venal fane, Where sculptured MARS may wreath the coward's head, Or TRUTH'S bright form o'er perjured dust complain. Midst life's gay scenes your calm retreats he loved, Your wrested pomp his artless numbers mourn: Where, led by choice, his pensive footsteps roved, May friendship place, and you protect his urn! Could aught yet more endear your circling wood, It is, ARDELIA! unconstrain'd and free, That here, reflecting on life's sum of good, My breast first heaved an anxious sigh for thee? You too, ye FAIR, of neighbouring scenes the grace, Whose envied praise the Bard adventurous seeks, Once deign to visit this sequestered place, Instruction's voice amidst the ruin speaks! Whence claim they praise, these piles, which, strown on earth A steril burthen, mock their former state? "Tis from remembrance of their youthful worth; They once were beautiful!--they once were great! Those charms alone survive that deck the heart, Command respect which growing years in crease, Bloom when the roses from the cheek depart And ebbing life's tumultuous raptures cease! Forgive the Muse, if, with presumptuous love, She wooes your ears to attend her moral lays; Lest faithless to themselves your pleasures prove, And useless time steal unimproved away! For know, your bosoms feel a flame as bright Oh! trust not then the force of radiant eyes, Those short-lived glories of your sportive bands Pleased with its stars, though laughing morn arise, A steadier beam meridian skies demand! Reflect, ere, victor of each lovely frame, TIME bids the external fleeting graces fade, 'Tis Reason's base supports the noblest claim, "Tis sense preserves the conquests Beauty made! |