Panacea, a poem upon tea in two canto's [sic] / by N. Tate ...

A POEM UPON TEA.

In Two CANTOS.

CANTO I.

BY Avon's Stream (the Muses calm Retreat) Palaemon liv'd in his un-envy'd Seat, None better knew, or practis'd, in his Cell The chast Delights that with Retirement dwell. And thus confin'd to Safety's humble Sphear, Desiring Little, had not Much to fear; 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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Was neither Fortune's Envy, nor her Sport; Free from the servile Arts of Town or Court, The nauseous Task, that gen'rous Souls contemn, Of Knaves Caresses, and Caressing them.

Yet (whether Novelty his Fancy fir'd, Or some Diviner Pow'r the Thought inspir'd,) Through Foreign Climates he resolv'd to roam, And view those Wonders which he read at home. Most strict Survey in every Realm he made Of Men and Manners, Policy and Trade; But none he found, his gentle Soul to please, Like the Refin'd and Civiliz'd Chinese.

Rich in Improvements of his well-spent Time, The Bard returns to his own Native Clime: The Neighb'ring Shepherds, who his Absence mourn'd, Visit with Joy their wandring Friend return'd. Short Salutation past, he feasts their Eyes With pleasing View of Eastern Rarities. Nature and Art's choice Gift, the Goa-stone, With Plants and Herbs to Western Swains unknown.

Yet, more surpriz'd, they found their Senses chear'd, Soon as the Verdant fragrant TEA appear'd; It's Nature, Use, confus'dly they demand, What Name it bore? The Product of what Land? 'Twill Time require to have at full exprest (The Bard reply'd) what you in hast request. Come to my Bow'r, and I'll inform you there, What curious Souls must needs be pleas'd to hear.

He said, and with his willing Guests withdrew, Where a new Scene of Wonders charm'd their View; On burning Lamps a Silver Vessel plac'd, A Table with surprising Figures grac'd, And China-Bowls to feast their Sight and Tast: The Genial Liquor, decently pour'd out, To the admiring Guests is dealt about. Scarce had they drank a first and second Round, When the warm Nectar's pleasing Force they found, About their Heart enliven'd Spirits danc'd, Then to the Brains sublimer Seat advanc'd. (Such Transport feel young Prophets when they Dream. Or Poets slumb'ring by Pirene's Stream.)

With silent Wonder mutually they Trace Bright Joys reflected on each other's Face. Then thus the Bard—Fear no Circaean Bowls, This is the Drink of Health, the Drink of Souls! The Virtues This, and This the Graces quaff, Like Nectar chearful, like Nepenthe safe. Not such the Plant which Bacchus first did nurse, Heav'ns Blessing chang'd by Mortals to their Curse Ah Syren-Pleasure, to Destruction turn'd! Ah woful Mirth to be for ever Mourn'd! How much more blest— You Swains who drink, with Birds, the running Spring, And Innocent, like them, like them can sing. Another Round—Then, if your Patience hold, I shall the Charming History unfold, How this rare Plant at first Divinely sprung, Nor shall its Sov'raign Virtues rest unsung, For which our Phoebus oft his Harp has strung.

While the Chinese remain'd a Virtuous Breed, From Western Vices and Distempers freed; Or but with common Maladies were griev'd, Which common Plants of Nature's Field reliev'd;

TEA was not sprung—reserv'd by friendly Fate, For last Distress of China's suff'ring State. Whose Griefs and wondrous Cure I shall recite, A Tale that may your Patience well requite.

When KI, a Name through Eastern Climes ac∣curst, (Last of his Race, of wicked Kings the First) Prophan'd the Throne, ill-boding Signs foreran, And dreadful Prodigies his Reign began; His monstrous Reign, which justly you may call The most amazing Prodigy of All. Discarding all the Sages of the Realm, Rash unexperienc'd Youth he sets at Helm: Till now, from all its ancient Frame estrang'd, The Government into a Farce was chang'd. Buffoons the Empire's Grand Affairs debate, And Jesters are the Councellors of State. Pert, smatt'ring Youngsters Judges of the Land, And dressing Fops the Martial Troops command, Those for Companion-Fav'rites he admits. Who had for Pleasure most inventive Wits:

These Prodigals ingross the Monarch's Hours, In rev'ling Grotto's, and voluptuous Bow'rs: A Province must be Tax'd when e'er they Dine, In Essences they rowl, and Bathe in Pools of Wine.

This soft Contagion, in the Palace bred, From Court to Town, from Town to Country spred. Old Discipline through China's Empire fails, And upstart Riot like a Plague prevails; Expensive Idleness, for frugal Pains, In ev'ry City, ev'ry Village reigns: Whence Poverty, Fraud, Rapine did ensue, And these attended with a swarming Crew Of dire Diseases, like their Vices, New.

But China's Nobles, the discarded Race Who still did injur'd Virtue's Cause embrace; With conscious silence could no longer view At once their Country's Shame and Ruin too.

An ancient Mandarine, wise, pious, just, Who long had foremost serv'd in Publick Trust,

First Minister in prosp'rous Days of State, Advances first against the Publick Fate: With rev'rend Aspect, and with solemn Grace, He represents the Empire's wretched Case, And reprimands the Tyrant to his Face. The fiery Monarch (with a Jav'lin snatcht And through his kind Adviser's Throat dispatcht)

Crys,— —Formal grave Buffoon your Counsel's wrong, And like your senseless Life spun out too long, I cut 'em short—harranguing Dotard go— The Ghosts have leisure—talk the rest below.

Now Swains receive a Story strange and true, And with Amazement let Fame listen too, Of Graecian Worthies her stale Names give o'er, And boast of Roman Gallantry no more: Hear greater Miracles of Honour, done Beneath the Influence of the Rising Sun. But ah! this Eastern Glory to allay, The changing Scene must frantick Vice display;

Such Pomp of Luxury as ne'er was seen 'Twixt rev'ling Anthony and Egypt's Queen.

While weltring in his Gore one Patriot lies, Another Chief the Tragick Part supplies, And in the Prologue of his Story dies, A Third, scarce enter'd on the bloody Stage, A Victim falls to Arbitrary Rage; Yet boldly to the desp'rate Charge succeed A Fourth and Fifth, who, like the former, Bleed. The Sixth, as if to triumph o'er his Fate, Placing his Hearse before the Palace-Gate, Rushes into the Slaughter-Room of State,

Then thus the Tyrant,— Dull aspiring Fool, Who like a Pedant com'st thy Prince to School, Thou would'st be Chronicled, and have thy Name Distinguisht from thy Brother-Fools of Fame, Recorded to have brav'd thy Monarch's Doom, And then retire, with State, into thy Tomb. But know, thy Plot for Glorious Death is vain, Nor shall that Hearse a Traytor's Corps contain;

A Feast for savage Beasts thou shalt be made— And who dare next their Soveraign's Peace invade, In wretched Torture shall their Treason rue; And from the lingring Rack and Gaunches, view Their Sons to speedier Execution led; To vilest Slaves their Wives and Daughters wed.

This Sentence past, like an Infernal Charm, Honour and Courage did at once disarm; Stunn'd with the Sound, and Thunder-struck, they yield To lawless Vice the execrable Field.

Now Banquets, Musick, Masques and Mimick Sport Are all the Business of th' Imperial Court; From which the Monarch never did remove, But to the dearer Solaces of Love. In ev'ry Passion of his roving Mind A Libertine, but in Amour confin'd: Amira was the first who found the Art At once to conquer and enslave his Heart. One Evening when the wanton Zephyrs Play'd, Repos'd beneath the Myrtle's am'rous shade,

All ravisht in his lov'd Amira's Arms (Brighter than Venus in her new-born Charms.) The Monarch sigh'd and said, Ah fading Ioy! Why should the Transports cease that never cloy? Why are those Eyes, than Stars more heav'nly bright, Condemn'd to shine with Temporary Light? Ah! might their lovely Lustre ever blaze, As on their Glories I cou'd ever gaze! Must all this Bloom be nipt with Death's cold shade! Why should these Lillies, why these Roses fade? Why should th' Elysian Spring for ever last, And Thine be doom'd to Fate's untimely Blast? These pensive Thoughts, like Furies, haunt my Rest; These Harpy-Guests my Feast of Love molest.

The Queen, her weening Lover to beguile; (A Trickling Tear dissembling with a Smile) Replies, Tho' envious Fates your Wish deny, We may forget that we shall ever Die; Our Life to unmolested Pleasure give, And, while the Scene lasts, like Immortals live.

Erect a Palace (than the Sun's more bright) Immur'd from Day, but with more radiant Light Of ever-blazing Lamps and Tapers deckt, And sparkling Gems the Lustre to reflect. Where Change of Seasons we shall never see, To read us Lectures of Mortality. Grief be excluded from that happy Sphere, And Pleasures only have Admittance there; Which trusty Fav'rites, (to secure their sway Abroad) shall Thither in full Tides convey. Of Empire you shall thus enjoy the Spoil, The Fruit, for which your Royal Vassals toil. The Pride of Nature there shall charm your Sight, Her richest Luxury your Taste invite. Earth's scatter'd Blessings shall together meet, And lye in smiling Heaps before your Feet. There Fountain-springs thro' artful Pipes shall move With all the Musick of the Spheres above, To charm our Slumbers in the Bow'r of Love. Thus from the Cares of lower Empire free, Blest, like the First, shall our new Eden be, Where I to You, You all the World to Me.

The Monarch, to indulge the pleasing Cheat, With vast Expence builds this Inchanted Seat; Where the fond Pair, from Vulgar Mortal's sight With chosen Minions, hide themselves in Light.

The Provinces to Villains Hands assign'd, Now, for one Tyrant lost, a thousand find; While he absconds, his lewd Trustees of Pow'r, The bleeding Vitals of the State devour, What Riot wastes with Rapine they supply, And Rapine drein'd, to Sacriledge they fly. The Country's Tillage, and the City's Trade Exhausted, they the Temples Rights invade; Whose injur'd Pow'rs, with just Resentment fir'd, Discarded Chiefs with equal Rage inspir'd, Who, follow'd by a small but zealous Train, In thin Batallion muster on the Plain.

To head their num'rous Troops the Vice-roys Arm, But quit the Field on Danger's first Alarm; With their Beau-Captains—All more Courtly Bred Than to Desert their Gen'rals when they Fled.

Mean while their Troops in Marshal'd Order stand, But know not how to Charge without Command; 'Twixt Shame and Rage, Disdaining and Amaz'd, With silent Looks they on each other gaz'd. The Adverse Party stand in like Suspence, To shew they took not Arms but for Defence. Till now both Hosts, for Publick Good combine, And, tho' they met as Foes, as Friends they join.

This Revolution, on the Wings of Fame, To the Fantastick Lovers Palace came; Whose Fairy-Joys transform'd to dismal Fright, They quit their Mansion of perpetual Light, To sculk in Caves and thickest shades of Night.

The conscious Prince from Empire thus retir'd, And all besides of Royal Race expir'd, The Mandarins assemble, to create A Monarch, to Reform and Rule the State. On Others Merits freely they enlarge, But for Himself each Chief declines the Charge;

O Piety of unexampled strain, All, for their Country's good, prepar'd to drein Their Vital Blood, yet none consent to Reign!

The Lot decides; and strait the gen'ral Voice With loud Applause approves of Fortune's choice, The worthy Heir of him who did engage, And fell first Victim to the Tyrant's Rage.

Thus China's Realms their Ancient Form regain'd; Their Vices cur'd; but their Diseases reign'd; Their Minds restor'd, but still their Bodies pin'd, Where dying Luxury left Stings behind; Whose Smart, enflam'd by Vengeance from above, Too obstinate for Human Help did prove. Consumption, Dropsie, Racking Gout and Stone, (Till then to happy Eastern Climes unknown) All Maladies that could on Nature fall, With Spleen that feels, or thinks it feels 'em All. They Sigh all Day, and Nightly Vigils keep, To shun the Terrors of distracted Sleep.

In Cities dear Society and Trade, In Field the Tillage and the Vintage fade; The Shepherd's Pipe forlorn beside him laid. In vain the Sick to Art or Nature fly, While Sick as they, both Art and Nature lye.

The Wretches now to ev'ry Temple press In sighing Crowds, not to implore Redress, But own the Justice of their Doom, and crave The Favour only of a speedy Grave. Which modest Penitence that Mercy drew, For which the poor Delinquents durst not sue.

The Solemn Day approacht, when China's Court Must to the Great Confucius Cell resort; The Cave in which the Hermit (long retir'd) Compil'd those Laws which Sacred Pow'rs inspir'd With Angel-Visits only entertain'd; And in his Desart wond'rously Sustain'd, Where no Relief of Plant or Herb was found, Nor Spire of Grass through all the barren Ground.

In Solemn Progress, by Devotion drawn, The Pious King prevents the early Dawn;

Leads the Procession, and advancing near, Beholds the Sun and Cell at once appear. But how Surpriz'd to find the Desart Ground, With new-sprung Plants of lovely Verdure Crown'd; There bloom'd the SOUMBLO, there Imperial TEA, (Names then unknown) and Sanative BOHE; All deem'd, in Honour to the Prophet's Shrine, Produc'd, with Virtues, like their Birth, Divine, And sent a timely Cure of Publick Grief; Experience soon Confirming that Belief.

Thus far Tradition, which I oft have heard By Eastern Priests, as Oracles, Averr'd.

Next, how their Poets sing (in bolder Verse) The VIRTUES of this Plant—I shall rehearse How happily their Art they have Express'd, With useful Truth in pleasing Fable drest; That sickly Mortals, by the Tempting Lure Of Fiction, may be drawn to certain CURE.

The End of the First Canto

CANTO II.

WHen first Apollo, in Celestial Bow'rs, Treated with fragrant Tea, th' immortal Pow'rs, (That more than Nectar and Nepenthe pleas'd) The Goddesses with such Delight were seiz'd; They fell to Strife about the foreign Tree, Who should its Patroness and Guardian be: At last the Competition was referr'd To be before the Gods in Council heard; Who Summon'd, at Iove's Palace now were met, And high above the rest the Thund'rer set.

First IUNO thus, with haughty State, addrest, And Looks that angry Majesty exprest, Which, e'er she spake, the Queen of Heav'n confest;

"Let such impose upon their Judges sense, "Sue Favour, who to Right have no Pretence;

"With soothing Arts of Language strive to please: "I come not here to Plead, but Claim and Seize: "Right I demand; and Deities, I know, "Will do me Right—for, Gods I'll have it so. "Shall Subject Goddesses with me contend? "When once Imperial Iuno shall descend "To Competition, Empire's at an End. "Shall Royal Iuno's Claim be disallow'd "To Tea? with Sov'reign Properties endow'd, "And Queen of Plants by Native Right allow'd. "Let that aspiring Goddess, who shall dare "Here to Usurp my Patronage and Care, "Pretend with me the Thund'rer's Bed to share. "The Rival of my Bed, and what I prize "More Dear, my Throne, and Empire of the Skies. "Speak Iove, decide, e'er it begins, this Strife; "Respect the Empress, tho' you Slight the Wise. "Assert, in Mine, your Own Celestial State: "Iove, let us Reign, or let us Abdicate. "Once to Immortals this Example show, "What will your Stubborn Mortals do Below?

"Already grown Impatient of our Yoke, "For seldom now we see our Altars Smoke; "With sparing Hands They offer from the Store "Our Bounty lends, and grudgingly Adore: "But from our Shrines intirely will Remove, "Till Government is better fix'd Above, "And till convinc'd— "That I am Iuno still, and you are Iove. "O Iupiter, a Monarch's Sway maintain; "And shew the doubting World that you deserve to Reign.

Saturnia Thus—whose Eyes, as she withdrew Disdainful Fire back on th' Assembly threw; Which through the Presence awful Terrour strook; And on his Throne the very Thund'rer shook.

MINERVA next, with stately Mien, advanc'd; Her crested Plume in waving Lustre danc'd, And Lightning from her burnish'd Helmet glanc'd. Delightful Terrour in her Aspect play'd, While Thus, with awful Grace, the Goddess said.

"If Merit must to Majesty give place, "Immortals are in Mortals wretched Case, "And Vassals we, tho' of Celestial Race: "Let Nature in this Claim your Council Guide; "Since she for publick Use this Plant suppli'd, "Let Publick Use, ye Gods, the Cause decide. "If by that President you shall Decree, "The Prize must fall to my Learn'd Sons and Me. "Why should I our known Services repeat? "In Athens Name your Justice I entreat. "Or if my Plea of Athens you disclaim, "Regard my Off-Spring more endear'd to Fame, "My greater Sons of Isis and of Cam. "Think how of Life the Pleasures they resign, "To delve, for Publick good, in Learning's Mine. "O Gods, is't thus you treat industrious Wit? "That does whole Years in brooding Study Sit, "From early Dawn till Day forsakes the Sky, "And Mid-night Lamps the absent Sun supply. "O why should they, with Chymick Patience, wait "Their Work's Perfection, to enrich the State?

"Of Antient Arts the craggy Ruins climb, "And backward tread the painful Steps of Time, "Their Senses with long Contemplation wrought "To Element, their Bodies pin'd to Thought, "If you this cheap Relief to Souls deny "Who with Promethean Fire Mankind supply, "To make those Sons of Clay the Gods Allies, "And justifie their Kindred to the Skies.

She paus'd, and frown'd, with such a dreadful Grace, As when she charges on the Plains of Thrace. Then thus renews her Plea—

"Nature for Students this Regale design'd, "Invention's Fountain to repay in Kind, "The vast expences of their gen'rous Mind. "Till the spent Soil shall fresh Idea's yield, "And new Plantations stock wide Fancy's Field. "From this Pirene, this Castalian Spring, "Exclude the Muses, And what Muse will sing? "And when no Poet will vouchsafe to write, "What hardy Hero will vouchsafe to fight.

"'Tis Tea sustains, Tea only can inspire "The Poet's Flame, that feeds the Hero's Fire.

Her Voice and Mien such deep impression strook, The Goddess read Consent in ev'ry Look. Till VENUS, (from her Chariot drawn by Doves, Surrounded by a Troop of smiling Loves) Unveil'd the milder Glories of her Face, With Native Charms, and ev'ry study'd Grace: Which, from her haughty Rivals, heretofore, On Ida's Mount, the Prize of Beauty bore. Nor doubts she, with the same resistless Smile, The Gods, as then the Shepherd to beguile. With lovely Pride She cast her Eyes around, And gave with every pointed Glance a Wound. Which made the sternest in the Presence melt, And sullen Saturn feel what Paris felt. Thus she advanc'd; and, while she urg'd her Plea, She look'd and breath'd the fragrant Soul of Tea,

"In Beauty's Cause I sue—can Gods despise "A Blessing Mortals have the Sense to Prize?

"Tho' in your Looks I read a Senate's Awe, "(How else should you the Publick Rev'rence draw?) "Yet doubt I not the stubborn'st Breast to win, "Having so strong a Party lodg'd within. "Tho' none in open Court appears my friend, "I safely on your private Votes depend. "So shall your Goddesses and Nymphs be kind, "As Love and Beauty your Protection find. "For Beauty's sake, and her resistless Charms, "The desp'rate Soldier rushes to Alarms, "And for a Night of Love serves whole Cam∣paigns in Arms. "To Stars the wakeful Shepherd sings his Lays, "Which he by day compos'd in Phillis Praise, "Hoping the Nymph he does Immortal make, "Will Pity on her dying Lover take. "Look down ye Pow'rs, the British Ladies View, "See there the Effects of this Celestial Dew! "See there how grateful Tea, their choice Delight, "It's gen'rous Patronesses does requite! 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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"Sublimes their Native Charms; and makes 'em shine "As bright, almost, as lasting too as mine. "Who then but Beauty's Goddess, can pretend "A Title to the Plant that's Beauty's Friend? "To me, ye Pow'rs, this Prize you must assign, "For that which thus can Beauty's Charms refine, "And keep them ever young, for ever should be mine.

She said—and reassum'd her Flying Chair; While Cupid's fan, with glossy wings, the Air, And Venus seem'd ey'n more than Venus Fair.

Bright CINTHIA next appear'd with solemn Grace, (A rosie Blush adorns her Virgin-Face) As from the Chase return'd, her Vestments hung With careless Decency, her Bow unstrung, Her Quiver loose behind her Shoulder slung. High on her Front the silver Crescent blaz'd: The hush'd Assembly on her Figure gaz'd, Surpriz'd and pleas'd, Transported and amaz'd.

Her Aspect, Stature, Movement, Shape, and Dress Did such Majestick Modesty express, As when, supported by her Forest Launce, Before her thousand Nymphs she does advance On Cynthus Top, and leads the Solemn Dance. Through ev'ry Breast a thrilling Pleasure ran, While thus the Goddess of the Groves began.

"Love's Queen, despairing this chast Prize to win, "Discreetly call'd the British Ladies in; "And if for Beauty only they excell'd, "The Queen of Beauty's Title must have held; "But since they are no less for Vertue fam'd "Their Votes by me, with nobler right, are claim'd. "If Vertue then (which British Ladies Prize "Above the brightest Glances of their Eyes) "Not quite has lost her Int'rest in the Skies, "To me you must assign the sacred Tree, "To me the sacred Drink of Chastity; "In which the Graces safely may rejoyce, "Of Virgin Innocence the blameless Choice: "Then, Deities, join yours with Nature's Voice.

"Who, with this Chast Nepenthe, would requite "Her Woods kind Patroness, and Queen of Night. "When faint with Toil, through Phoebus scorching Beams, "My Nymphs and I retreat to shady Sreams, "Can the cold Spring a fit Refreshment be? "Which idle Naids drink as well as we; "And Dryads, who in Solitary Bow'rs, "With Sleep or Revels pass their useless Hours. "Let then the Forest-Tyrants safely Reign, "And Mountain-Savages lay waste the Plain: "Till Earth afford your Altars no Supplies "Of hallow'd Fruits; no Flames of Incense rise, "And Moonless Nights affright your guilty Skies.

She ceas'd; and Terror through the Presence strook, Resuming now the same resenting Look, As in her Bathing-Fountain when surpriz'd, Luckless Actaeon's Error she chastisd. Then with a smile (as when she does unshroud Her Lustre, starting from a sullen Cloud)

In milder Accents thus— "No! Sacred Pow'rs, for Cynthia to mistrust "Her Merit or your Honour, were unjust! "It must not, cannot be! (hence idle Fears!) "I still shall Guard your Earth, and Gild your Spheres. "My Cause no Competition can admit, "Where Virtue pleads, and Gods in Council sit.

Diana thus—and, with her Sylvan Train Of Nymphs attended, mounts her Starry Wain.

Scarce had the Court recover'd this Surprize, When a new Scene of Glory charm'd their Eyes; While THETIS and her Nereids they descry'd, Adorn'd in all the Ocean's glitt'ring Pride; Bright Shells and Gems, that with reflected Fire Startled the Skies, and made the Stars retire. Delightful Wonder all th' Assembly seiz'd; But Neptune ev'n to Extasie seem'd pleas'd, Who now display'd the same Pacifick Face That hush'd the Storm, and sav'd the Trojan Race.

In gentle Symphony the Nereids sung To twisted Shells, on which the Tritons rung Loud Peals, that to th' Olympian Confines ran, While thus the Goddess of the Seas began.

"'Tis I that rule your watry World below; "To Mortals I the Arts of Commerce show, "To me your Albion does her Glory owe. "By Me her Fleets to Eastern Climates run, "And spread their Wings beneath the rising Sun. "Thus your Augusta's floating Grandeur's shown "On Seas and Shores to Ancient Fame unknown; "While Rome, the World's fam'd Mistress she excels, "As far as Thames above the Tyber swells. "Both Her's and Nature's Empire I sustain, "By Correspondence 'twixt her Earth and Main: "Her Tributary Streams, to me convey'd, "In just recruits are carefully repay'd: "Those Pastures where her Flocks and Herds are Bred, "Themselves are from my Bounty cloath'd and fed.

"The Plant and Nymph, whose happy Nuptials give "This New-found Nectar, by my Bounty live; "From my fresh Stores the Nymph her cooling Dew, "And from my Salts the Plant his* 1.1 Vigour drew. "When, deep in Briny Cells, my Nymphs and I "The Business of your Ocean-Empire ply, "Gods! Can you then this fresh Regale deny? "Is't thus you treat the Goddess of the Sea, "With Oozy Brine?— "When happy Nymphs at Land rejoyce in Tea? "Of all the Rarities our Waves convey, "Give us but This, our Service you repay: "Else from their dens your prison'd Winds release, "Let Seas and Skies no longer be at Peace, "Destructive Tempests reign, and useful Traffick cease.

Thus Thetis, and resumes her Crystal Wain, As when, surrounded by her Ocean-Train, She rides in Triumph o'er the wond'ring Main.

To Crown the Scene HEALTH's Goddess last appears, Who chearfully her Sanguine Aspect rears; Fresh as the Spring, when by Celestial show'rs To Earth invited, from Elysian Bow'rs: Her sprightly looks the pleas'd Assembly drew; While Spicy Zephyrs hov'ring round her flew, And Odours, sweeter than Ambrosia, threw. Attended by a Troop of Nymphs and Swains, The Pride of Nature, Glory of the Plains; The Youths, like Oaken Plants, all sternly Gay, The Nymphs all Fair, and Mild as blooming May, Then with an Air, that vital warmth display'd, And healthful Fragrancy, the Goddess said—

"Celestial Pow'rs, this Rural Tribe survey; "You have no Vot'ries so sincere as They!

"When Earth of your Astraea was berest, "'Mongst these the Goddess her last Footsteps left. "If Venus's Plea this awful Court can move, "Her Cupids are not better vers'd in Love: "Or if Diana's Title may be pass'd, "They plead her Merit, for their Loves are Chast "But 'tis not for their sakes I chiefly sue, "Who Health enjoy without your healing Dew; "For they from Nature's Cup, the Crystal Spring, "With Birds contentedly can Drink and Sing. "But far, O far unlike to these, a Throng "Of wretched Mortals to my Charge belong; "Who with tormenting restless Sickness griev'd, "About my Altar languish, Unreliev'd: "O, for their Suff'ring sakes, in pity grant "This Panacea, this Reviving Plant; "Relieve their Mis'ry, or revoke their Breath; "Give 'em the Drink of Health, or give 'em Death!

Thus Salus urg'd her Charitable Plea, That soon had Crown'd her Patroness of Tea:

But Fiend Alecto, in a Nymph's Disguise, (Grudging the Sickly Earth so Rich a Prize) Amongst the Goddesses fresh Discord threw, Which into Parties the Convention drew; Mars swagger'd, Aeol bluster'd, Neptune rag'd, Whom Iove with louder Thunder scarce asswag'd.

SOMNUS, whom Tea's delicious Fume had charm'd With golden Visions, by the Dinn alarm'd, Starts up; and, with a Look surprizing Gay, To sudden Pleasure turn'd the sudden Fray. Pleas'd, as a Prophet, from his Dream he woke, And, like a Prophet, Thus, in Rapture spoke—

"O Glorious Prospect! such delightful Fields "Elysium nor our own Olympus yields. "O Sacred Streams and Bow'rs! O Fragrant Seats, "Of Elemental Joys the calm Retreats! "Come wretched Mortals, in this Nectar steep "Your weary Souls, and charm your Cares to Sleep.

"That, while the pleasing slumber lasts, shall drown "Your Griefs; and with success your Wishes crown. "That every dismal Object shall remove, "And your Desires to Extasy improve. "What e'er you want or wish, in Dreams is brought, "(By Tea inspir'd) before your ravish'd Thought; "Visions of Wealth the poor Man's Wants beguile; "The hopeless Lover sees his Mistress smile: "The Voyager, for some rich Coast design'd, "Spreads all his Sail, and runs afore the Wind, "The Pleader, Soldier, Poet, fierce and warm, "Set boldly in, and wond'rously perform: "Thus Human Life, in cruel Fate's despight, "May have its Sorrows checquer'd with delight, "And if such Bliss can Mortal Sense employ, "What Transport, Deities, must you enjoy! "For sure, when sprightly Tea and Fancy join "Their Wond'rous Pow'rs, the Work must be Divine.

"How rich the Figures! how surprising bright! "Wrought on the sable Curtains of the Night.

This strange Discov'ry both surpris'd the Gods, And set the Goddesses again at Odds; Whilst, to secure the Quiet of the Skies, The Thunderer once more was forc'd to rise.

A Plant that can so many Virtues boast, He judg'd too rich a Prize to be Ingross'd; And to no single Goddess Lot should fall, That merited the Patronage of All: Therefore, at once to silence all their Pleas, And yet Oblige his Female Deities; In Common grants what they did singly claim; And strait gives Orders for the Trump of Fame To sound aloud, That* 1.2 GODDESS was its Name.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sal Volatile.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.