| | | |
| | | Oft, tho' by Poverty's chill hand depress'd, |
| | | I've felt the charm that warm'd the poet's breast; |
| | | Oft, at the leisure hour, indulg'd my rage |
| | | To turn the borrow'd volume's magic page, |
| 5 | | Where some choice fav'rite of th'inspiring Nine |
| | | Immortal lives in each immortal line; |
| | | As oft, by daring Emulation fir'd, |
| | | Invok'd the muse, and felt myself inspire'd |
| | | But ere quick Fancy snatch'd the heav'n-born strain, |
| 10 | | By Mis'ry seiz'd, I sunk depress'd again. |
| | | Still lur'd by Hope, my wounded genius tries |
| | | On sacred Inspiration's wings to rise, |
| | | Eager to brave the Critic's damning frown: |
| | | But Fate soon brings the wretched soarer down. |
| | | |
| 15 | | Doom'd by diurnal toil and sordid care |
| | | To rub through life, and earn my scanty fare, |
| | | What frenzy urges my aspiring soul, |
| | | That aims among the tuneful spheres to roll? |
| | | Oft wak'd, as from a dream, from strains divine, |
| 20 | | By angry dun, I lack th'appeasing coin - |
| | | It may be, have not wherewithal to dine. |
| | | Ah! then the heart-felt rhapsody is o'er, |
| | | And then I vow to court the muse no more: |
| | | But soon my heart resumes the fond desire; |
| 25 | | Affections long indulg'd but slow expire. |
| | | Again the pleasing prospect I review; |
| | | Again the song descriptive I renew; |
| | | Again divine Urania's voice I hear, |
| | | And all the bright empyreal scenes appear. |
| | | |
| 30 | | O! would some gen'rous patronising friend |
| | | My murth'ring woes and dire vexations end; |
| | | Dismiss each threat'ning dun, each anxious care, |
| | | And bid me eat and sing, devoid of fear! |
| | | Loud should my grateful song proclaim his praise, |
| 35 | | Whose fost'ring hand does friendless genius raise; |
| | | His kind commands my future themes should name; |
| | | His friendly counsel guide my flight to fame. |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
First published 1787.
