John Bryant
The author on his own situation
from Verses by John Frederick Bryant
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