ODE ON THE DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by JOSEPH WARTON

NO more of Mirth and rural Joys,
The gay Description quickly cloys,
In melting Numbers, sadly slow,
I tune my alter'd Strings to Woe;
Attend, @3Melpomene,@1 and with thee bring
Thy tragic Lute, @3Euphranor@1's Death to sing.

Fond wilt thou be his Name to praise,
For oft' thou heard'st his skilful Lays;
@3Isis@1 for him soft Tears has shed,
She plac'd her Ivy on his Head;
Chose him, strict Judge, to rule with steady Reins,
The vigorous Fancies of her listening Swains.

With Genius, Wit, and Science blest,
Unshaken Honour arm'd his Breast,
Bade him, with virtuous Courage wise,
Malignant @3Fortune@1's Darts despise;
Him, ev'n black @3Envy@1's venom'd Tongues commend,
As Scholar, Pastor, Husband, Father, Friend.

For ever sacred, ever dear,
O much-lov'd Shade accept this Tear;
Each Night indulging pious Woe,
Fresh Roses on thy Tomb I strew,
And wish for tender @3Spenser@1's moving Verse,
Warbled in broken Sobs o'er @3Sydney@1's Herse;

Let me to that deep Cave resort,
Where @3Sorrow@1 keeps her silent Court,
For ever wringing her pale Hands,
While dumb @3Misfortune@1 near her stands,
With downcast Eyes the @3Cares@1 around her wait,
And @3Pity@1 sobbing sits before the Gate.

Thus stretch'd upon his Grave I sung,
When strait my Ears with Murmur rung,
A distant, deaf, and hollow Sound
Was heard in solemn Whispers round——
"Enough, dear Youth!——tho' wrapt in Bliss above,
"Well-pleas'd I listen to thy Lays of Love."

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