INSCRIPTION S.

I. On a Tablet against a Root-House.

HERE, in cool grot and moffy cell,

We rural fays and faeries dwell;

Though rarely feen by mortal eye,
When the pale moon, ascending high,

Darts through yon limes her quivering beams,
We frisk it near these crystal streams.

Her beams, reflected from the wave,
Afford the light our revels crave;
The turf, with daifies broider'd o'er
Exceeds, we wot, the Parian floor;
Nor yet for artful strains we call,
But liften to the water's fall.

Would you then tafte our tranquil fcene,
Be fure your bofoms be ferene ;
Devoid of hate, devoid of ftrife,
Devoid of all that poisons life :

And much it 'vails you in their place,
To graft the love of human race.

And tread with awe these favour'd bowers,

Nor wound the fhrubs, nor bruise the flowers;

So

So may your path with fweets abound;
So may your couch with reft be crown'd!
But harm betide the wayward fwain,
Who dares our hallow'd haunts profane!

II. On an URN.

INGENIO ET AMICITIAE

GULIELMI SOMERVILE.

And on the opposite side,

C

G. S. POSVIT,

Debitâ fpargens lacrymâ favillam

Vatis amici.

III. To Mr. Do DSLEY.

OME then, my friend, thy fylvan taste display, Come hear thy Faunus tune his rustic lay; Ah, rather come, and in thefe dells difown The care of other strains, and tune thine own.

S'

IV. On the Back of a Gothic Seat.

HEPHERD, would'ft thou here obtain
Pleasure unalloy'd with pain?

Joy that fuits the rural sphere?
Gentle Shepherd, lend an ear.

Learn to relish calm delight,
Verdant vales and fountains bright;
Trees that nod on floping hills,
Caves that echo tinkling rills.

If thou canst no charm difclofe
In the fimpleft bud that blows;
Go, forfake thy plain and fold,
Join the crowd, and toil for gold.
Tranquil pleafures never cloy;
Banish each tumultuous joy :
All but love for love infpires
Fonder wishes, warmer fires.
Love and all its joys be thine-
Yet, ere thou the reins refign,
Hear what Reafon feems to fay,
Hear attentive, and obey.

"Crimson leaves the rofe adorn,
"But beneath them lurks a thorn;
"Fair and flowery is the brake,
"Yet it hides the vengeful snake.
"Think not fhe, whofe empty pride
"Dares the fleecy garb deride,

“Think not she, who, light and vain,
"Scorns the fheep, can love the fwain.

"Artless deed and fimple dress
"Mark the chofen fhepherdefs;
"Thoughts by decency control'd,
"Well conceiv'd, and freely told.

"Senfe, that fhuns each confcious air,
"Wit, that falls ere well aware;
"Generous pity, prone to figh
"If her kid or lambkin die.

"Lot

"Let not lucre, let not pride,

"Draw thee from such charms afide; "Have not those their proper sphere? "Gentler paffions triumph here.

"See, to sweeten thy repofe.

"The bloffom buds, the fountain flows
"Lo! to crown thy healthful board,
"All that milk and fruits afford.

"Seek no more-the reft is vain; "Pleasure ending foon in pain:

"Anguish lightly gilded o'er :

"Close thy wish, and seek no more."

V. On the Back of a Gothic Alcove.

You that bathe in courtly blyffe,

Or toyle in fortune's giddy spheare;

Do not too rafhly deem amyffe

Of him that bydes contented here.

Nor yet difdeigne the ruffet ftoale,

Which o'er each careleffe lymbe he flyngs:

Nor yet deryde the beechen bowle,

In whyche he quaffs the lympid fprings.

Forgive him, if at eve or dawne,
Devoide of worldlye cark he stray:
Or all befide fome flowerye lawne,

He waste his inoffenfive daye.

So may he pardonne fraud and strife,

If fuch in courtlye haunt he fee:

For faults there beene in bufye life,

From whyche these peaceful glennes are free.

VI. On a SEAT, under a Spreading Beech.

HOC

OC erat in votis: modus agri non ita magnus, Hortus ubi, et tecto vicinus jugis aquæ fons, Et paulum fylvæ fuper his foret. Auctius atque Dii melius fecere..

VII. On a SEAT.

JOSEPHO SPENCE,

EXIMIO NOSTRO CRITOM;

CVI DICARI VELLET

MVSARVM OMNIVM ET GRATIARUM CHORVS,

DICAT AMICITIA.

MDCCLVIII.

N

VIII. On the Affignation Seat.

·ERINE Galatea! thymo mihi dulcior Hyblæ, Candidior cygnis, hedera formofior alba! Cum primum pafti repetent præfepia tauri, Si quæ tui Corydonis habet te cura, venito.

IX. On