Ela: or The delusions of the heart. A tale, founded on facts. : [Six lines from Rowe] : To which is added, Henry and Emma: a poem. By Mathew Prior, Esq.

HENRY and EMMA, A POEM. Upon the Model of the NUT-BROWN MAID.

BY MATHEW PRIOR, Esq.

TO CLOE.

THOU, to whose eyes I bend; at whose command, (Tho' low my voice, tho' artless be my hand) I take the sprightly reed, and sing, and play: Careless of what the cens'ring world may say: Bright Cloe, object of my constant vow, Wilt thou a while unbend thy serious brow? Wilt thou with pleasure hear thy lover's strains; And with one heav'nly smile o'erpay his pains? No longer shall the Nut-brown Maid be old; Tho' since her youth three hundred years have roll'd. At thy desire, she shall again be rais'd; And her reviving charms in lasting verse be prais'd. No longer man of woman shall complain, That he may love, and not be lov'd again: That we in vain the fickle sex pursue, Who change the constant lover for the new. Whatever has been writ, whatever said, Of female passion feign'd, or faith decay'd; Henceforth shall in my verse refuted stand, Be said to winds, or writ upon the sand. And while my notes to future times proclaim Unconquer'd love and ever-during flame; O fairest of the sex! be thou my muse: Deign on my work thy influence to diffuse.

Let me partake the blessings I rehearse; And grant me love, the just reward of verse. As beauty's potent queen, with ev'ry grace That once was Emma's, has adorn'd thy face: And as her sun has to my bosom dealt That constant flame, which faithful Henry felt: O let the story with thy life agree: Let men once more the bright example see; What Emma was to him, be thou to me. Nor send me by thy frown from her I love, Distant and sad a banish'd man to rove. But Oh! with pity long intreated crown My pains and hopes; and when thou say'st that one Of all mankind thou lov'st, oh! think on me alone

WHERE beauteous His and her husband Tame With mingled waves for ever flow the same: In times of yore an ancient Baron liv'd; Great gifts bestow'd and great respect receiv'd. When dreadful Edward with successful care, Led his freed Britons to the Gallic war; This lord had headed his appointed bands, In firm allegiance to his king's commands; And (all due honours faithfully discharg'd) Had brought back his paternal coat, enlarg'd With a new mark, the witness of his toil; And no inglorious part of foreign spoil. From the loud camp retir'd, and noisy court, In honourable case and rural sport, The remnant of his days he safely past; Nor found they lagg'd too slow, nor flew too fast. He made his wish with his estate comply; Joyful to live, yet not afraid to die. One child he had, a daughter chaste and fair; His age's comfort, and his fortune's heir. They call'd her Emma; for the beauteous dame Who gave the virgin birth, had borne the name. The name th' indulgent father doubly lov'd; For in the child the mother's charms improv'd. Yet, as when little round his knee she play'd; He call'd her oft in sport, his Nut-brown Maid:

The friends and tenants took the fondling word; (As still they please, who imitate their lord) Usage confirm'd what fancy had begun: The mutual terms around the lands were known; And Emma and the Nut-brown Maid were one. As with her stature still her charms encreas'd; Thro' all the isle her beauty was confess'd. Oh! what perfections must that virgin share, Who fairest is esteem'd, where all are fair? From distant shires repair the noble youth, And find report for once had lessen'd truth. By wonder first, and then by passion mov'd, They came; they saw; they marvell'd; and they lov'd. By public praises, and by secret sighs, Each own'd the gen'ral power of Emma's eyes. In tilts and turnaments the valiant strove, By glorious deeds to purchase Emma's love. In gentle verse, the witty told their flame; And grac'd their choicest songs with Emma's name. In vain they combated, in vain they writ: Useless their strength, and impotent their wit. Great Venus only must direct the dart, Which else will never reach the fair one's heart; Spight of th' attempts of force, and soft effects of art. Great Venus must prefer the happy one: In Henry's cause her favour must be shown; And Emma of mankind must love but him alone. While these in public, to the castle came, And by their grandeur justify'd their flame: More secret ways the careful Henry takes; His 'squires, his arms, and equipage forsakes. In borrow'd name, and false attire array'd, Oft he finds means to see the beauteous maid. When Emma hunts, in huntsman's habit drest, Henry on foot pursues the bounding beast. In his right hand his beachen pole he bears: And graceful at his side his horn he wears. Still to the glede, where she has bent her way, With knowing skill he drives the future prey. Bids her decline the hill, and shun the brake: And shews the path her steed may safest take.

Directs her spear to fix the glorious wound; Pleas'd, in his toils to have her triumph crown'd: And blows her praises in no common sound. A falc'ner Henry is, when Emma hawks: With her of tarsels, and of lures he talks. Upon his wrist the tow'ring merlin stands; Practis'd to rise, and stoop at her commands. And when superior now the bird has flown, And headlong brought the tumbling quarry down: With humble rev'rence he accosts the fair; And with the honour'd feather decks her hair. Yet still, as from the sportive field she goes, His down-cast eyes reveal his inward woes. And by his look and sorrow is express'd, A nobler game pursu'd, than bird or beast. A shepherd now along the plain he roves: And, with his jolly pipe, delights the groves. The neighb'ring swains around the stranger throng, Or to admire, or emulate his song: While with soft sorrow he renews his lays, Nor heedful of their envy, nor their praise. But soon as Emma's eyes adorn'd the plain, His notes he raises to a nobler strain; With dutiful respect, and studious fear, Lest any careless sound offend her ear. A frantic gipsey now the house he haunts, And in wild phrases speaks dissembled wants. With the fond maids in palmistry he deals: They tell the secret first, which he reveals: Says who shall wed▪ and who shall be beguil'd; What groom shall get▪ and 'squire maintain the child. But when bright Emma wou'd her fortune know; A softer look unbends his op'ning brow. With trembling awe he gazes on her eye; And in soft accents▪ forms the kind reply; That she shall prove as fortunate as fair, And Hymen's choicest gifts are all reserv'd for her. Now oft had Henry chang'd his fly disguise; Unmark'd by all▪ but beauteous Emma's eyes. Oft had found means alone to see the dame, And at her feet to breathe his am'rous flame:

And oft the pangs of absence to remove, By letters, soft interpreters of love: Till time and industry, (the mighty two That bring our wishes nearer to our view) Made him perceive, that the inclining fair Receiv'd his v••ws with no reluctant ear; That Venus had confirm'd her equal reign, And dealt to Emma's heart a share of Henry's pain. While Cupid smil'd, by kind occasion bless'd, And with the secret kept, the love increas'd; The am'rous youth frequents the silent groves; And much he meditates, for much he loves. He loves: 'tis true; and is belov'd again: Great are his joys; but will they long remain? Emma with smiles receives his present flame; But smiling, will she ever be the same? Beautiful looks are rul'd by fickle minds: And summer seas are turn'd by sudden winds. Another love may gain her easy youth: Time changes thought; and flatt'ry conquers truth. O impotent estate of human life! Where hope and fear maintain eternal strife: Where fleeting joy does lasting doubt inspire; And most we question, what we most desire. Amongst thy various gifts, great heav'n▪ bestow Our cup of love unmix'd; forbear to throw Bitter ingredients in; nor pall the draught With nauseous grief: for our ill-judging thought Hardly enjo••s the pleasurable taste; Or deems it not sincere; or fears it cannot last. With wishes rais'd, with jealousies opprest, (Alternate tyrants of the human breast) By one great trial he resolves to prove The faith of women, and the force of love. If scanning Emma's virtues he may find That beauteous frame inclose a steady mind; He'll fix his hope of future joy secure; And live a slave to Hymen's happy pow'r. But if the fair one, as he fears, is frail; If pois••d aright in reason's equal seale, Light fly her merits, and her faults prevail;

His mind he vows to free from am'rous care; The latent mischief from his heart to tear, Resume his azure arms, and shine again in war. South of the castle, in a verdant glade, A spreading beach extends her friendly shade: Here oft the nymph his breathing vows had heard: Here oft her silence had her heart declar'd. As active spring awak'd her infant buds; And genial life inform'd the verdant woods: Henry, in knots involving Emma's name, Had half express'd, and half conceal'd his flame Upon this tree: and as the tender mark Grew with the year, and widen'd with the bark: Venus had heard the virgin's so•••• address, That, as the wound, the passion might encrease. As potent nature shed her kindly showr's; And deck'd the various mead with op'ning flowr's; Upon this tree, the nymphs obliging care Had left a frequent wreath for Henry's hair: Which as with gay delight the lover found; Pleas'd with his conquest▪ with her present crown'd, Glorious thro' all the plains he oft had gone, And to each swain the mystic honour shewn: The gift still prais'd, the giver still unknown. His secret note the troubled Henry writes, To the known tree the lovely maid invites: Imperfect words and dubious terms express, That unforeseen mischance disturb'd his peace; That he must something to her ear commend, On which her conduct, and his life depend. Soon as the fair one had the note receiv'd; The remnant of the day alone she griev'd: For diff'rent this from ev'ry former note. Which Venus dictated, and Henry wrote; Which told her all his future hopes were laid On the dear bosom of his Nut-brown Maid; Which always bless'd her eyes and own'd her pow'r; And bid her oft adieu, yet added more. Now night advanc'd, the house in sleep were laid, The nurse experienc'd, and the prying maid;

And last that spright, which does incessant haunt The lover's steps, the ancient maiden aunt. To her dear Henry, Emma wings her way, With quicken'd p••re repairing forc'd delay. For love, fantastic pow'r, that is afraid To stir abroad till watchfulness be laid; Undaunted then, o'er cliffs and valleys strays; And leads his vot'ries safe thro' pathless ways. Not Argus with his hundred eyes shall find, Where Cupid goes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••he poor guide is blind. The maiden first arriving sent her eye To ask if yet its chief delight were nigh: With fear, and with desire, with joy and pain▪ She sees, and runs to meet him on the plain. But oh! his steps proclaim no lover's haste; On the low ground his fix'd regards are cast: His artful bosom heaves dissembled sighs; And tears suborn'd fall copious from his eyes. With ease, alas! ••e credit what we love: His painted grief does real sorrow move In the afflicted fair: adown her cheek Trickling the genuine tears their current break. Attentive stood the mournful nymph: the man Broke silence first: the tale alternate ran.

HENRY.

SINCERE O tell me, hast thou felt a pain, Emma, beyond what women knows to feign? Has thy uncertain bosom ever strove With the first tumults of a real love? Hast thou now dreaded, and now blest his sway; By turns averse, and joyful to obey? Thy virgin softness hast thou ere bewail'd, As reason yielded, and as love prevail'd? And wept the potent God's resistless dart, His killing pleasure, his extatick smart, And heav'nly poison thrilling through thy heart? If so, with pity view my wretched state; At least deplore, and then forget my fate:

To some more happy knight reserve thy charms, By fortune favour'd, and successful arms: And only, as the sun's revolving ray Brings back each year this melancholy day: Permit one sigh, and set apart one tear, To an abandon'd exile's endless care. For me, alas! out-cast of human race, Love's anger only waits, and dire disgrace: For lo! these hands in murther are imbru'd; These trembling feet by justice are pursu'd; Fate calls aloud, and hastens me away; A shameful death attends my longer stay; And I this night must fly from thee and love, Condemn'd in lonely woods a banish'd man to rove.

EMMA.

WHAT is our bliss that changeth with the moon? And day of life, that darkens e'er 'tis noon? What is true passion, if unbless'd it dies; And where is Emma's joy, if Henry ••ies? If love, alas! be pain; the pain I bear, No thought can figure, and no tongue declare. Ne'er faithful woman felt, nor false one feign'd The flames, which long have in my bosom reign'd: The god of love himself inhabits there, With all his rage, and dread, and grief, and care, His complement of stores, and total war. Oh! cease then coldly to suspect my love: And let my deed at least my faith approve. Alas! no youth shall my endearments share; Nor day, nor night shall interrupt my care: No future story shall with truth upbraid The cold indiff'rence of the Nut-brown Maid: Nor to hard banishment shall Henry run, While careless Emma sleeps on beds of down. View me resolv'd, where'er thou lead'st, to go, Friend to thy pain, and partner of thy woe: For I attest fair Venus, and her son, That I, of all mankind, will love but thee alone.

HENRY.

LET prudence yet obstruct thy vent'rous way; And take good heed, what men will think and say?

That beauteous Emma vagrant courses took, Her father's house and civil life forsook; That full of youthful blood, and fond of man, She to the wood-land with an exile ran. Reflect, that lessen'd fame is ne'er regain'd: And virgin honour once, is always stain'd: Timely advis'd, the coming evil shun: Better not do the deed, than weep it done. No penance can absolve our guilty fame! Nor tears that wash out sin, can wash out shame. Then fly the sad effects of desp'rate love; And leave a banish'd man thro' lonely woods to rove.

EMMA.

LET Emma's hapless case be falsely told By the rash young, or the ill-natur'd old: Let ev'ry tongue its various censures chuse; Absolve with coldness, or with spite accuse: Fair truth, at last her radiant beams will raise; And malice vanquish'd heightens virtue's praise. Let then thy favour but indulge my flight; O! let my presence make thy travels light; And potent Venus shall exalt my name Above the rumours of censorious fame: Nor from that busy Demon's restless pow'r Will ever Emma other grace implore, Than that this truth should to the world be known, That I of all mankind, have lov••d but thee alone.

HENRY.

BUT canst thou wield the sword, and bend the bow•• With active force repel the sturdy foe? When the loud tumult speaks the battle nigh, And winged deaths in whistling arrows fly; Wilt thou, tho' wounded, yet undaunted stay, Perform thy part, and share the dangerous day? Then, as thy strength decays, thy heart will fail; Thy limbs all trembling and thy cheeks all pale: With fruitless sorrow thou, inglorious maid, Wilt weep thy safety by thy love betray'd: Then to thy friend, by foes o'er-charg'd, deny, Thy little useless aid, and coward fly:

Then wilt thou curse the chance that made thee love A banish'd man, condemn'd in lonely woods to rove.

EMMA.

WITH fatal certainty Thalestris knew, To send the arrow from the twanging yew: And great in arms, and foremost in the war, Bonduca brandish'd high the British spear. Could thirst of vengeance, and desire of fame Excite the female breast with martial flame? And shall not love's diviner pow'r impire More hardy virtue, and more gen'rous fire? NEAR thee, mistrust not, constant I'll abide, And fall, or vanquish, fighting by thy side. Tho' my inferior strength may not allow, That I should bear, or draw the warrior bow; With ready hand the shaft I will supply, And joy to see thy victor arrows fly. Touch'd in the battle by the hostile reed, Should'st thou (but Heav'n avert it!) should'st thou bleed To stop thy wounds, my finest lawn I'd tear; Wash them with tears, and wipe them with my hair; Blest, when my dangers and my toils have shown, That I of all mankind, could love but thee alone.

HENRY.

BUT canst thou, tender maid, canst thou sustain Afflictive want, or hunger's pressing pain? Those limbs, in lawn and softest silk array'd, From sun-beams guarded, and of winds afraid; Can they bear angry Jove? can they resist The parching dog-star, and the bleak north-east? When chill'd by adverse snows, and beating rain, We tread with weary steps, the longsome plain: When with hard toil we seek our ev'ning food, Berries and acorns, from the neighb'ring wood: And find among the cliffs no other house, But the thin covert of some gather'd boughs: Wilt thou not then reluctant send thine eye Around the dreary waste, and weeping try, (Tho' then, alas! that trial be too late) To find thy father's hospitable gate, And seats, where case and plenty brooding sate?

Those seats, whence long excluded thou must mourn: That gate for ever barr'd to thy return: Wilt thou not then bewail ill-fated love, And hate a banish'd man, condemned in woods to rove.

EMMA.

THY rise of fortune did I only wed, From its decline determin'd to recede? Did I but purpose to embark with thee, On the smooth surface of a summer••s sea; While gentle zephyrs play in prosp'rous gales; And fortune's favour fills the swelling sails: But would forsake the ship, and make the shore, When the winds whistle, and the tempests roar? No, Henry, no: one sacred oath has ty'd Our loves; one destiny our life shall guide Nor wild, nor deep our common way divide. WHEN from the cave thou risest with the day To beat the woods, and rouse the bounding prey; The cave with moss and branches I'll adorn, And chearful sit to wait my lord's return. And when thou frequent bring'st the smitten deer; (For seldom, archers say, thy arrows err) I'll fetch quick fewel from the neighb'ring wood, And strike the sparkling flint, and dress the food: With humble duty and officious haste, I'll cull the farthest mead for thy repast: The choicest herbs I to thy board will bring; And draw thy water from the freshest spring: And when at night with weary toil oppress'd, Soft slumbers thou enjoy'st, and wholesome rest; Watchful I'll guard thee, and with midnight pray'r Weary the gods to keep thee in their care; And joyous ask at morn's returning ray, If thou hast health, and I may bless the day. My thought shall fix, my latest with depend On thee, guide, guardian, kinsman, father, friend: By all these sacred names be Henry known To Emma's heart; and grateful let him own, That she of all mankind, could love but him alone.

HENRY.

VAINLY thou tell'st me, what the woman's care Shall in the wildness of the wood prepare: Thou, e'er thou goest, unhappiest of thy kind, Must leave the habit, and the sex behind. No longer shall thy comely tresses break In flowing ringlets on thy snowy neck; Or sit behind thy head, an ample round, In graceful braids with various ribband bound: No longer shall the boddice aptly lac'd, From thy full bosom to thy slender waist, That air and harmony of shape express, Fine by degrees, and beautifully less: Nor shall thy lower garments artful pleat From thy fair side dependent to thy feet, Arm their chaste beauties with a modest pride, And double ev'ry charm they seek to hide. Th' ambrosial plenty of thy shining hair Cropt off and lost, scarce lower than thy ear Shall stand uncouth; a horseman's coat shall hide, Thy taper shape, and comliness of side; The short trunk-hose shall shew thy foot and knee Licentious, and to common eye-sight free; And with a bolder stride, and looser air, Mingled with men, a man thou must appear. NOR solitude, nor gentle peace of mind Mistaken maid, shalt thou in forests find; 'Tis long since Cynthia and her train were there; Or guardian gods made innocence their care. Vagrants and out-laws shall offend thy view; (For such must be my friends;) a hideous crew, By adverse fortune mix'd in social ill; Train'd to assault, and disciplin'd to kill; Their common loves, a lew'd abandon'd pack, The beadle's lash still flagrant on their back; By sloth corrupted, by disorder fed, Made bold by want, and prostitute for bread. With such must Emma hunt the tedious day, Assist their violence, and divide their prey; With such she must return a setting light; Tho' not partaker, witness of their night.

Thy ear, inur'd to charitable sounds, And pitying love, must feel the hateful wounds, Of jests obscene, and vulgar ribaldry, The ill-bred question, and the lew'd reply; Brought from long habitude of bad to worse, Must hear the frequent oath, and direful curse, That latest weapon of the wretches war; And blasphemy, sad comrade of despair. NOW, Emma, now, the last reflection make, What thou would'st follow, what thou must forsake: By our ill-omen'd stars, and adverse heav'n, No middle object to thy choice is giv'n. Or yield thy virtue to attain thy love; Or leave a banish'd man, condemn'd in woods to rove.

EMMA.

O GRIEF of heart! that our unhappy fates Force thee to suffer what thy honour hates: Mix thee amongst the bad, or make thee run Too near the paths which virtue, bids thee shun. Yet with her Henry still let Emma go; With him abhor the vice, but share the woe: And sure my little heart can never err Amidst the worst, if Henry still be there. OUR outward act is prompted from within; And from the sinner's mind proceeds the sin: By her own choice free virtue is approv'd, Nor by the force of outward objects mov'd. Who has assay'd no danger, gains no praise, In a small isle, amidst the widest seas. Triumphant constancy has fix'd her seat: In vain the syrens sing, the tempests beat: Their flatt'ry she rejects, nor fears their threat. FOR thee alone these little charms I drest; Condemn'd them, or absolv'd them by thy test. In comely figure rang'd my jewels shone; Or negligently plac'd, for thee alone: For thee again they shall be laid aside; The woman, Henry, shall put off her pride For thee: my cloaths, my sex exchang'd, for thee, I'll mingle with the peoples wretched lee; Oh! line extreme or human infamy!

Wanting the scissors with these hands I'll tear (If that obstructs my flight) this load of hair. Black soot, or yellow walnut shall disgrace This little red and white of Emma's face. These nails with scratches shall deform my breast, Lest by my look or colour be express'd The mark of ought high born, or ever better dress'd. Yet in this commerce, under this disguise, Let me be grateful still to Henry's eyes: Lost to the world, let me to him be known: My fate I can absolve, if he shall own, That leaving all mankind, I love but him alone.

HENRY.

O WILDEST thought of an abandon'd mind, Name, habit, parents, woman left behind, Ev••n honour dubious thou prefer'st to go Wild to the woods with me; said Emma so? Or did I dream what Emma never said? O guilty error! and oh wretched maid! Whose roving fancy would resolve the same With him, who next should tempt her easy fame; And blow with empty words the susceptible flame. Now why should doubtful terms thy mind perplex? Confess thy frailty, and avow the sex: No longer loose desire for constant love Mistake; but say 'tis man, with whom thou long'st to rove,

EMMA.

ARE there not poisons, racks, and flames, and swords; That Emma thus must die by Henry's words? Yet what could swords or poison, racks or flame. But mangle and disjoint this brittle frame? More fatal Henry's words, they murder Emma's fame. AND fall these sayings from that gentle tongue, Where civil speech and soft persuasion hung, Whose artful sweetness and harmonious strain Courting my grace, yet courting it in vain, Call'd sighs, and tears, and wishes to it's aid: And, whilst it Henry's glowing flame convey'd. Still blam'd the coldness of the Nut-brown Maid.

LET envious jealousy, and canker'd spight Produce my action to severest light, And tax my open day, or secret night. Did e'er my tongue speak my unguarded heart The least inclin'd to play the wanton's part? Did e'er my eye one inward thought reveal, Which angels might not hear, and virgins tell? And hast thou, Henry, in my conduct known One fault, but that which ••s must ••er own, That I of all mankind, have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but thee alone?

HENRY.

VAINLY thou talk'st of loving me alone: Each man is man; and all our sex is one. Fals•• are our words; and fickle is our mind: Nor in love's ritual can we e'er find Vows made to last, or promises to bind. BY nature prompted, and for empire made Alike by strength or cunning we invade: When arm'd with rage we march against the foe; We list the battle-ax, and draw the bow: When fir'd with passion we attack the fair; Delusive sighs and brittle vows we bear: Our f••lsehood and our arms have equal use; As they our conquest or delight produce. THE foolish heart thou gav'st, again receive; The only boon departing love can give To be less wretched, be no longer true: What strives to fly thee, why should'st thou pursue? Forget the present flame; indulge a new. Single the lovliest of the am'rous youth; Ask for his vow, but hope not for his truth. The next man (and the next thou wilt believe) Will pawn his gods, intending to deceive; Will kneel, implore, persist, o'ercome, and leave. Hence let thy Cupid aim his arrows right; Be wise, and false; shun trouble, seek delight, Change thou the first; nor wait thy lover's flight. Why should'st thou weep? let nature judge our case: I saw thee young, and fair; pursu'd the chace Of youth, and beauty: I another saw Fairer, and younger: yielding to the law

Of our all-ruling mother, I pursu'd More youth, more beauty: blest vicissitude! My active heart still keeps its pristine flame: The object alter'd▪ the desire the same, THIS younger fairer pleads her rightful charms: With present pow'r compels me to her arms. And much I fear, from my subjected mind, (If ••eauty's force to constant love can bind) That years may roll, e'er in her turn, the maid Shall weep the fury of my love decay'd: And weeping follow me, as thou dost now, With idle clamours of a broken vow. NOR can the wildness of thy wishes err So wide, to hope that thou may'st h••e with her. Love, well thou know'st, no partnership allows; Cupid averse rejects divided vows. Then from thy foolish heart▪ vain maid, remove An useless sorrow, and an ill-star'd love: And leave with the fair, at large in woods to rove.

EMMA.

ARE we in life thro' one great error led? Is each man perjur'd, and each nymph betray'd? Of the superior sex art thou the worst? Am I of mine the most completely curst? Yet let me go with thee; and going prove, From what I will endure, how much I love. THIS potent beauty, this triumphant fair, This happy object of our diff'rent care, Her let me follow, her let me attend, A servant: (she may scorn the name of friend.) What she demands, incessant I'll prepare, I'll weave her garlands, and I'll pleat her hair: My busy diligence shall deck her board: (For there at least I may approach my lord) And when her Henry's softer hours advise His servant's absence▪ with dejected eyes Far I'll recede, and sighs forbid to rise. YET when encreasing grief brings slow disease; And ••bbing life, on terms severe as these, Will have its little lamp no longer fed; When Henry's mistress shews him Emma dead;

Rescue my poor remains from vile neglect, With virgin honours let my herse be deckt, And decent emblem; and at least persuade This happy nymph, that Emma may be laid Where thou, dear author of my death, where she With frequent eye my sepulchre may see. The nymph amidst her joys may haply breathe One pious sigh, reflecting on my death, And the sad fate which she may one day prove, Who hopes from Henry's vows eternal love. And thou forsworn, thou cruel, as thou art, If Emma's image ever touch'd thy heart, Thou sure must give one thought, and drop one tear To her whom love abandon'd to despair; To her, who dying, on the wounded stone Bid it in lasting characters be known, That of mankind, she lov'd but thee alone.

HENRY.

HEAR, solemn Jove; and conscious Venus, hear; And thou, bright maid, believe, whilst I swear; No time, no change, no future flame shall move The well plac'd basis of my lasting love. O powerful virtue! O victorious fair! At least excuse a trial too severe: Receive the triumph and forget the war. NO banish'd man, condemn'd in woods to rove, Intreats thy pardon, and implores thy love: No perjur'd knight desires to quit thy arms, Fairest collection of thy sexes charms, Crown of my love, and honour of my youth: Henry, thy Henry with eternal truth, As thou may'st wish, shall all his life employ, And found his glory in his Emma's joy. IN me behold the potent Edgar's heir, Illustrious earl, him terrible in war Let Loyre confess, for she has felt his sword, And trembling fled before the British lord. Him great in peace and wealth fair Deva knows; For she amidst his spacious meadows slows; Inclines her urn upon his fatten'd lands; And sees his numerous herd imprint her sands.

AND thou, my fair, my dove, shall raise thy thought To greatness next to empire; shalt be brought With solemn pomp, to my paternal seat, Where peace and plenty on thy word shall wait. Music and song shall wake thy marriage day: And while the priests accuse the bride's delay, Myrtles and roses shall obstruct her way. FRIENDSHIP shall still thy evening feasts adorn: And blooming peace shall ever bless thy morn: Succeeding years their happy race ••hall run; And age unheeded by delight come on: While yet superior love shall mock his pow'r: And when old time shall turn the fated hour, Which only can our well-ty'd knot unfold, What rests of both, one sepulchre shall hold. HENCE then for ever from my Emma's breast (That heav'n of softness, and that seat of rest) Ye doubts and fears, and all that know to move Tormenting grief, and all that trouble love, Scatter'd by winds recede, and wild in forests rove.

EMMA.

O DAY, the fairest sure that ever rose! Period and end of anxious Emma's woes! Sire of her joy, and source of her delight; O! wing'd with pleasure take thy happy flight, And give each future morn a tincture of thy white. Yet tell thy vot'ry, potent queen of love, Henry, my Henry, will he never rove? Will he be ever kind, and just, and good? And is there yet no mistress in the wood? None, none, there is: the thought was rash and vain; A false idea, and a fancy'd pain. Doubt shall for ever quit my strengthen'd heart; And anxious jealousy's corroding smart; Nor other inmate shall inhabit there, But soft belief, young joy, and pleasing care. HENCE let the tides of plenty ebb and flow, And fortune's various gale unheeded blow. If at my feet the suppliant goddess stands, And sheds her treasure with unweary'd hands;

Her present favour cautious I'll embrace, And not unthankful use the proffer'd grace: If she reclaims the temporary boon, And tries her pinions flutt'ring to be gone; Secure of mind I'll obviate her intent, And unconcern'd return the good she lent. Nor happiness can I, nor misery feel, From any turn of her fantastick wheel; Friendship's great law, and love's superior pow'rs, Must mark the colours of my future hours. From the events which thy commands create, I must my blessings on my sorrows date: And Henry's will must dictate Emma's fate. YET while with close delight and inward pride (Which from the world my careful soul shall hide) I see thee, lord and end of my desire, Exalted high as virtue can require; With pow'r invested, and with pleasure chear'd; Sought by the good, by the oppressor fear'd; Loaded and blest with all the affluent store, Which human vows at smokeing shrines implore; Grateful and humble grant me to employ My life, subservient only to thy joy; And at my death to bless thy kindness shewn To her, who of mankind, could love but thee alone.

WHILE thus the constant pair alternate said, Joyful above them, and around them play'd Angels and sportive loves, a numerous crowd; Smiling they clapt their wings, and low they bow'd. They tumbled all their little quivers o'er, To chuse propitious shafts; a precious store: That when their god should take his future darts, To strike (however rarely) constant hearts, His happy skill might proper arms employ, All tipt with pleasure, and all wing'd with joy: And those, they vow'd whose lives should imitate These lover's constancy, and share their fate. THE queen of beauty stopt her bridled doves; Approv'd the little labour of the loves;

Was proud and pleas'd the mutual vow to hear; And to the triumph call'd the god of war: Soon as she calls, the god is always near NOW Mars, she said, let Fame exalt her voice; Nor let thy conquests only be her choice: But when she sings great Edward from the field Return'd the hostile spear and captive shield, In Concord's temple hung, and Gallia taught to yield. And when, as prudent Saturn shall complete The years design'd to perfect Britain's state; The swift-wing'd pow'r shall take her trump again, To sing her fav'rite Anna's wond'rous reign; To recollect unweary'd Malbro's toils, Old Rufus shall unequal to his spoils; The British soldier from his high command Glorious, and Gaul thrice vanquish'd by his hand; L•• her at least perform what I desire; With second breath the vocal brass inspire; And tell the nations in no vulgar strain, What wars I manage, and what wreaths I gain. AND when thy tumults and thy fights are past, And when thy laurels at my feet are cast; Faithful may'st thou like British Henry prove, And Emma-like let me return thy love. RENOWN'D for truth let all thy sons appear; And constant beauty shall reward their care. MARS smil'd, and bow'd: the Cyprian deity Turn'd to the glorious ruler of the sky: And thou, she smiling said, great god of days And verse, behold my deed, and sing my praise. As on the British earth, my fav'rite isle, Thy gentle rays and kindest influence smile, Thro' all her laughing fields and verdant groves, Proclaim with joy these memorable loves. From ev'ry annual course let one great day, To celebrated sports and floral play Be set aside; and in the softest lays Of thy poetic sons, be solemn praise. And everlasting marks of honour paid. To the true lover, and the Nut-brown Maid.