Pipes horrible the gloomy dirge of night,

And shakes the turrets round, with fierce and wild affright.

Thus bard, who trusts the former cave will thrive,
For soon a trap-door swallows him below,
There the poor credulous wretch must ever live,
And bear the stings of penury and woe:
Like image, playful children mould in snow,
Fade his bright hopes and can no more survive ;
Despair stands ever near; ah! ruthless fiend,
With iron fang the harrow'd breast to rive;
And still the demon prompts a sudden end,
And smiles with sallow cheek, and arrogates the
friend.

Here dol'rous shadows stalk across the gloom,
And sweep their moody harps with frantic hand;
Hoar-headed minstrels burst the mould'ring tomb,
And roam sad-hearted here! a hapless band!
Still rancour with severest reprimand,
Doth vex them sore, and justifies their doom;
The canker care their bloomy garland taints,
And breathes pollution o'er the sweet perfume;
Lo! while young Poesy, soft virgin, faints,
The wolf-eyed spirits yell, and goad the suffering
saints.

Here Mulla's minstrel, sweetest Spencer, roves,
And warbles heav'nly his dejected lay;
Too tender Otway seeks the baleful groves;
And laureat Dryden shuns Detraction's day.
But lo! yon infant* soul that fades away!
Erst once so sprightly with the laughing loves;
Why does he walk with melancholy pace,
And sullen eye, that mocks the gay alcoves?
Why does he turn aside his angry face,

And shun of fellow-guests, unkind, the pathway

trace?

No more, my Muse, lest Patronage should hear, And hurl thee headlong to her darksome den ; Phoebus, just now, check'd harsh my wrathful ear, And bade, beware the varying hearts of men ; Should all desert my humble head, what then? Illustrious fame my volumed praise will rear; Illustrious fame will spread her thousand wings, And shed rich glories on my passing bier; Illustrious fame will tune her silver strings,

And place my honour'd bust 'bove Cæsars, chiefs, and kings.

* Chatterton.

Though haughty Burleigh crush'd blithe fancy's son,
Say, whose more godlike name shall longer last?
O! far more glorious than the monarch-crown,
That precious wreath which minstrelsy has placed
On poet's awful brow, sublimely graced.
The diadem with lustrous jewels sown,

Is poorly pilfer'd from the earthy mine;
But Fancy's fair judicious hand alone,

Hath gem'd the tuneful braid with buds divine,

Which shall for ever more with hue ambrosial shine.

149

EDMUND AND ELWINA.

A TALE.

INSCRIBED TO

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE COUNTESS OF MOIRA.

MADAM,

AS ancient songs have been admired for their simplieity and natural elegance, by the most learned as well as by the most illiterate people, I was in some hope that this little imitation might have merit enough, in point of simplicity alone, to attract your notice. As I intended it only for your Ladyship's amusement, and was somewhat assured of that partiality which I have always received, in your flattering critique on any piece of mine, I did not ̧ consequently, write to please others; and if they find out many faults, let them consider that I did not study to gain the commendation of ALL, but of ONE, who, if she could find the least spark of genius, or the most pitiable sign of moving the passions, would, I am certain, pardon the whole. And I shall be superlatively happy in affording the least pleasure to a person whose fine taste, and mental sensibility, are only to be equalled by her unbounded generosity.

MADAM,

I have the honour to be

Your obliged humble servant,

THOMAS DERMODY.

Belmont, July 13, 1790.

EDMUND AND ELWINA.

Fierce war, and faithful love,

And truth severe, by fairy fiction drest.

GRAY'S BARD

"AH! dry, my love, that tender tear,

That bursting sigh restrain,

For Edmund loads the sable bier,

And tears and sighs are vain.

"In me a kinder heart behold,

In me a purer love;

I strove to gain thy hand of old,
But ah! in vain I strove.

"So languid grew thy melting eye,

So heav'd thy panting breast,

That I could ne'er approach thee nigh,

But sigh among the rest.

"Then turn again that eye so blue,

Then let thy bosom beat,

For with a heart so pure, so true,

I kneel before thy feet.