A THOUGHT IN A GARDEN. WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1704. DELIGHTFUL manfion! bleft retreat! Where all is filent, all is fweet! Here Contemplation prunes her wings, Through airy walks, and museful groves; In this elyfium while I stray, And Nature's fairest face furvey, Earth feems new-born, and life more bright; 15 L3 Sure these are laft night's dreams, no more; For fee, where beauteous Thames does glide 25 30 3.5 Free from extremes of ebb and flow, 40 Not fwell'd too high, nor funk too low: Till, from Time's narrow fhore fet free, JA Since all that 's paft no vows can e'er restore, But joys and griefs alike, once hurry'd o'er, No longer now deserve a smile or tear ; Clofe the fantastic fcenes-but grace With brightest aspects thy foreface While time's new offspring hastens to appear. With lucky omens guide the coming hours, Command the circling seasons to advance, And form their renovated dance, 5 ΤΟ With flowing pleasures fraught, and bless'd by friendły powers. II. Thy month, O Janus! gave me first to know A mortal's trifling cares below; My race of life began with thee. Thus far, from great misfortunes free, Contented, I my lot endure, Nor nature's rigid laws arraign, Nor fpurn at common ills in vain, Which folly cannot fhun, nor wife reflection cure. 15 III. But oh!--more anxious for the year to come, If love rejected add not to its weight, 20 25 To finish me in woes, and crush me down with fate. IV. But if the goddess, in whose charming eyes, Or blaft me with a killing frown; 39 35 If, Janus, this thou feeft in ftore, Cut fhort my mortal thread, and now Take back the gift thou didst bestow! Here let me lay my burden down, And ceafe to love in vain, and be a wretch no more. 40 CAN CANT A T A. Set by Mr. GALLIAR D. WHILE on your blooming charms I gaze, Your tender lips, your foft enchanting eyes, I'm fill'd with pleasure and furprize : How can I bear that fix'd difdain? AIR. Tyrant Cupid! when, relenting, RECITATIVE. But fee while to my paffion voice I give, Th' applauded beauty, doubly bright, Seems in the moving tale to take delight, And looks, as she would let me live; 10 15 And yet the chides, but with fo sweet an air, That while fhe Love denies, the yet forbids Despair. |