"In vain to me the smiling mornings shine, My lonely anguish melts no heart but mine, "And in my breast th' imperfect joys expire; "Yet morning smiles the busy race to cheer, "And new-born pleasure brings to happier men; "The fields to all their wonted tribute bear; "To warm their little loves the birds complain: "I fruitless mourn to him that cannot hear; "And weep the more because I weep in vain." Mr. Gray now applied his mind very sedulously to poetical composition: his Ode to Spring was written early in June to his friend Mr. West, before he received the melancholy news of his death: how our Poet's mind was affected by that melancholy incident, is evidently demonstrated by the lines quoted; the impression, indeed, appears to have been too deep to be soon effaced; and the tenor of the subjects which called for the exertions of his poetical talents subsequent to the production of this Ode, corroborates that observation; these were his Prospect of Eton, and his Ode to Adversity. It is also supposed, that he began his Elegy in a Country Church-yard about the same time. He passed some weeks at Stoke near Windsor, where his mother and aunt resided, and in that pleasing retirement finished several of his most celebrated Poems. From thence he returned to Cambridge, which from this period, was his chief residence during the remainder of his life. In 1742, he was admitted to the degree of Bachelor in the Civil Law. His attention to the classics did not wholly engross his time; for he found leisure to advert to the ignorance and dulness with which he was surrounded, though situated in the centre of learning. There is only a fragment remaining of what he had written on this subject from which it may be inferred, that it was intended as an Hymn to Ignorance; many of the lines are so pointed in signification, and harmonious in versification, that they will be admitted to display his poetical talents with more brilliancy than appears in many of his lyric productions. Hail, horrors, hail! ye ever gloomy bowers, Oh, take me to thy peaceful shade again. Break out, and flash a momentary day, Oh sacred age! Oh times for ever lost! Her rapid wings the transient scene pursue, } ***** In 1744 he seems to have given up his attention to the Muses. Mr. Walpole, desirous of preserving what he had already written, as well as perpetuating the merit of their deceased friend West, endeavoured to prevail with Gray, to whom he had previously become reconciled, to publish his own. Poems, together with those of West; but Gray declined it, conceiving their productions united, would not suffice to fill even a small volume. In 1747 Gray became acquainted with Mr. Mason, then a scholar of St. John's College, and afterwards Fellow of Pembroke-Hall. Mr. Mason, who was a man of great learning and ingenuity, had written the year before, his "Monody on the death of Pope." and his "Il Bellicoso," and "Il Pacefico;" and Gray revised these pieces at the request of a friend. This laid the foundation of a friendship that terminated but with life: and Mr. Mason, after the death of Gray, testified his regard for him, by superintending the publication of his works. The same year he wrote a little Ode on the Death of a favourite Cat of Mr. Walpole's: the following year he produced an effort of much more importance; the Fragment of an Essay on the Alliance of Education and Government. In 1750 he put the finishing stroke to his Elegy written in a Country Church-yard, which was com municated first to his friend Mr. Walpole, and by him to many persons of rank and distinction. This beautiful production introduced the author to the favour of Lady Cobham, and gave occasion to a singular composition, called, A Long Story: in which various effusions of wit and humour are very happily interspersed. The Elegy having found its way into the " Magazine of Magazines," the author wrote to Mr. Walpole, requesting he would put it in the hands of Mr. Dodsley, and order him to print it immediately, in order to rescue it from the disgrace it might have incurred by its appearance in a Magazine. The Elegy was the most popular of all our author's productions; it ran through eleven editions, and was translated into latin by Anstey and Roberts; and in the same year a version of it was published by Lloyd. Gray finished his Ode on the Progress of Poetry early in 1755. The Bard also was begun about the same time; and the following beautiful Fragment on the Pleasure arising from Vicissitude, the next year. The merit of the two former pieces was not immediately perceived, nor generally acknowledged. Garrick wrote a few lines in their praise. Lloyd and Colman wrote, in concert, two Odes, to "Oblivion" and "Obscurity," in which they were ridiculed with much ingenuity, "Now the golden morn aloft "Waves her dew-bespangled wing, "Till April starts, and calls around "The sleeping fragrance from the ground, "New-born flocks, in rustic dance, "Frisking ply their feeble feet; Forgetful of their wint'ry trance, "The birds his presence greet: "But chief the sky-lark warbles high "His trembling, thrilling ecstasy; And, less'ning from the dazzled sight, Yesterday the sullen year "Saw the snowy whirlwind fly; "Mute was the music of the air, "The herd stood drooping by: "The raptures now, that wildly flow, "No yesterday nor morrow know; "Tis man alone that joy descries "With forward and reverted eyes. "Smiles on past misfortune's brow "While hope prolongs our happier hour; "Still where rosy pleasure leads, "The hues of bliss more brightly glow, "See the wretch that long has tost "The simplest note that swells the gale, Our author's reputation as a poet, was so high, that |