VERSES, SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. 1. I AM monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute; From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. Oh, solitude! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place. II. I am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, III. Society, friendship, and love, Divinely bestow'd upon man, Oh, had I the wings of a dove, How soon would I taste you again? My sorrows I then might assuage In the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age, And be cheer'd by the sallies of youth. IV. Religion! what treasure untold V. Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Convey to this desolate shore Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. My friends, do they now and then send A wish or a thought after me? O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see. VI. How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compar'd with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift winged arrows of light. Soon hurries me back to despair. VII. But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, And I to my cabin repair. ON THE PROMOTION OF EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ. TO THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLORSHIP OF ENGLAND. I. ROUND Thurlow's head, in early youth,. And in his sportive days, Fair science pour'd the light of truth, And genius shed his rays. II. See! with united wonder, cried III. Discernment, eloquence, and grace, IV. The praise bestow'd was just and wise; ODE TO PEACE. I. COME, peace of mind, delightful guest, II. Where wilt thou dwell, if not with me, For whom, alas! dost thou prepare The banquet of thy smiles? III. The great, the gay, shall they partake That murmurs through the dewy mead, IV. For thee I panted, thee I priz'd, For thee I gladly sacrific'd Whate'er I lov'd before; And shall I see thee start away, And, helpless, hopeless, hear thee say.... Farewell! we meet no more? |