V. Gloomy Pluto, King of Terrors, VI. Mournful Cyprefs, verdant Willow, VII. Melancholy fmooth Maander, With thy flow'ry Chaplets crown'd, VIII. Thus when Philomela drooping, Softly feeks her filent Mate, See the Bird of Juno stooping; Melody refigns to Fate. On On a certain LADY at COURT. I Know the thing that's moft uncommon; I know a reasonable Woman, Handsome and witty, yet a Friend. Not warp'd by Paffion, aw'd by Rumour, "Has fhe no faults then (Envy fays) Sir?" When all the World confpires to praise her, Marbles, Spars, Gemms, Ores, and Minerals. HOU who fhalt ftop, where Thames' tranflu THO cent wave Shines a broad Mirrour thro' the fhadowy Cave; VARIATIONS. After v. 6. in the MS. You fee that Ifland's wealth, where, only free, 5 i. e. Britain is the only place on the globe which feels not Tyranny even to its very entrails. Alluding to the condemnation of Criminals to the Mines, one of the inflictions of civil juftice in moft Countries. The thought was exceeding natural and proper in this place, where the Poet was defcribing a Grotto incrufted and adorned with all forts of Minerals collected from the four quarters of the Globe. NOTES. On his Grotto.] The improving and finishing this Grott was the favourite amufement of his declining Years; and the beauty of his poetic genius, in the difpofition and ornaments of this romantic recefs, appears to as much advantage as in his best contrived Poems. 6 Approach. 1 Approach. Great NATURE ftudiously behold! Approach: But awful! Lo! th' Ægerian Grott, 9 Let fuch, fuch only, tread this facred Floor, VARIATIONS. VER. 11. Where British fighs from dying Wyndham fole.] in his MS. it was thus, To Wyndham's breast the patriot-paffions stole, which made the whole allude to a certain Anecdote of not much confequence to any but the parties concerned. NOTES. VER. 9. Egerian Grott,] Alluding to Numa's projecting his fyftem of Politics in this Grott, affifted, as he gave out, by the Goddess Egeria. To H H be thou bleft with all that Heav'n can fend, Not with those Toys the female world admire, Let Joy or Ease, let Affluence or Content, VARIATIONS. VER. 15. Originally thus in the MS. And oh fince Death muft that fair frame destroy, In fome foft dream may thy mild foul remove, 5 10 15 |