O'er thefe, but far beyond (a fpacious map Hence the declivity is fharp and fhort, All fummer long, which winter fills again. Admits me to a fhare; the guiltless eye Commits no wrong, nor waftes what it enjoys. * See the foregoing note. Your fate unmerited, once more rejoice That yet a remnant of your race furvives. How airy and how light the graceful arch, Yet awful as the confecrated roof Re-echoing pious anthems! while beneath Brush'd by the wind. So fportive is the light " Shot through the boughs, it dances as they dance, And dark'ning and enlight'ning, as the leaves And now, with nerves new-brac'd and spirits cheer'd, We tread the wilderness, whofe well-roll'd walks, With curvature of flow and easy sweep Deception innocent-give ample space To narrow bounds, The grove receives us next; We may difcern the threffer at his task. Thump after thump refounds the conftant flail, That seems to fwing uncertain, and yet falls By ceaseless action all that is fubfifts. Conftant rotation of th' unwearied wheel That nature rides upon maintains her health, Her beauty, her fertility. She dreads An inftant's paufe, and lives but while fhe moves. Its own revolvency upholds the world. Winds from all quarters agitate the air, And fit the limpid element for use, Elfe noxious: oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams, All feel the fresh'ning impulfe, and are cleans'd By restless undulation: ev'n the oak Thrives by the rude concuffion of the storm: Th' impreffion of the blast with proud disdain, He held the thunder: but the monarch owes More fixt below, the more disturb'd above. The law, by which all creatures elfe are bound, Binds man the lord of all. Himfelf derives No mean advantage from a kindred cause, From strenuous toil his hours of sweetest ease. The fedentary stretch their lazy length When custom bids, but no refreshment find, Not fuch th' alert and active. Measure life By its true worth, the comforts it affords, Good temper; fpirits prompt to undertake, And not foon spent, though in an arduous task; Like a coy maiden, ease, when courted moft, Fartheft retires-an idol, at whofe fhrine Who oft'neft facrifice are favour'd least. The love of Nature, and the fcenes fhe draws, Is Nature's dictate. Strange! there should be found, Who, felf-imprison'd in their proud faloons, Renounce the odours of the open field |