Bright plumes of every dye, that round him flow, He speaks Nature is ravish'd at the found, 710 The forests move, and streams stand listening round! Thus he. As incorruption I affum'd, As inftant in immortal youth I bloom'd! Renew'd, and chang'd, I felt my vital fprings, 715 Swifter than thought from world to world I flew, My food was truth—what transport could I miss? Olympia met me first, and, fmiling gay, In voice, and form, beauty more beauteous fhows, 720 725 730 She points out fouls, who taught me friendship's charms, Shone out white-rob'd with saints, a spotless mind! 735 Though Though late, let finners then from sin depart! 740 745 Still as we pafs'd, the bright, celestial throng Know then, if ills oblige thee to retire, 755 760 765 Without Without fuch fcience of the worldly scene, 779 775 So fhalt thou live, as thou may't learn to die; 780 Farewell Nay, stop the parting tear!-I go! THE BASTAR D: INSCRIBED WITH ALL DUE REVERENCE TO MRS. BRETT, ONCE COUNTESS OF MACCLESFIELD. "Decet hæc dare dona Novercam." Ov. Met. PREFACE. ΤΗ HE reader will eafily perceive these verses were begun, when my heart was gayer than it has been of late; and finished in hours of the deepest melancholy. I hope the world will do me the justice to believe, that no part of this flows from any real anger against the Lady, to whom it is inscribed. Whatever undeferved feverities I may have received at her hands, would the deal fo candidly as acknowledge truth, fhe very well knows, by an experience of many years, that I have ever behaved myself towards her, like one who thought it his duty to fupport with patience all afflictions from that quarter. Indeed, if I had not been capable of forgiving a Mother, I must have blushed to receive pardon myself at the hands of my Sovereign. Neither, Neither, to say the truth, were the manner of my birth all, fhould I have any reason for complaintWhen I am a little disposed to a gay turn of thinking, I confider, as I was a Derelict from my cradle, I have the honour of a lawful claim to the beft protection in Europe. For being a spot of earth, to which nobody pretends a title, I devolve naturally upon the King, as one of the rights of his Royalty. While I prefume to name his Majesty, I look back, with confusion, upon the mercy I have lately experienced; because it is impoffible to remember it, but with fomething I would fain forget, for the fake of future peace, and alleviation of my past misfortune. I owe my life to the Royal Pity, if a wretch can, with propriety, be faid to live, whofe days are fewer than his forrows; and to whom death had been but a redemption from mifery. my But I will fuffer my pardon as my punishment, till that life, which has fo graciously been given me, shall become confiderable enough not to be useless in his fervice to whom it was forfeited. Under influence of thefe fentiments, with which His Majefty's great goodnefs has infpired me, I confider my lofs of fortune and dignity as my happinefs; to which, as I am born without ambition, I am thrown from them without repining-Poffeffing thofe advantages, my care had been, perhaps, how to enjoy life; by the want of them I am taught this nobler leffon, to study how to deferve it. RICHARD SAVAGE, |