Yet euphrasy may not be left unsung, That gives dim eyes to wander leagues around, And plantain ribb'd, that heals the reaper's wound. And crown her kerchiefs clean with mickle rare perfume. And here trim rosemarine, that whilom crown'd Ere, driven from its envied site, it found A sacred shelter for its branches here, Where edg'd with gold its glittering skirts appear. Ere this was banish'd from its lofty sphere; Simplicity then sought this humble cell, Nor ever would she more with thane and lordling dwell. Here oft the dame, on sabbath's decent eve, Uphung their useless lyres-small heart had they to sing. For she was just, and friend to virtuous lore, Right well she knew each temper to descry, 'T will whisper in her ear, and all the scene unfold. Lo, now with state she utters the command! THE SCHOOL LET OUT. But now Dan Phoebus gains the middle sky, Enjoy, poor imps! enjoy your sportive trade, But most in courts, where proud Ambition towers; See in each sprite some various bent appear! In pastry kings and queens th' allotted mite to spend. Here as each season yields a different store, Galling full sore th' unmoney'd wight, are seen, Lest smit with ardent love he pine with hopeless care! See! cherries here, ere cherries yet abound, THOMAS GRAY. Born 1716-Died 1771. GRAY was born at London, and was educated at the University of Cambridge, which he entered at the age of eighteen. After remaining here five years, he travelled through France and Italy in company with Horace Walpole, but at Florence the two friends having parted, Gray afterwards continued his journey alone. He returned to England in 1741, and became bachelor of civil law in Cambridge, where, except a short residence at London, he passed the remainder of his life. Poetry was with him only an occasional study, for he believed he could not write but at particular times and in happy moments. He published in 1742 the Ode to Spring, the Prospect of Eton, and the Ode to Adversity. In 1750 he wrote the Elegy in a Country Churchyard, and in 1757 published The Progress of Poetry and The Bard. In 1768 he was made professor of Modern History in Cambridge, but never delivered any lectures, for after some additional study, with alternate travelling to restore his decaying health, he died in 1771, aged 55. Except a volume of admirable letters and a few pieces of exquisite poetry, Gray, who has been called the most learned man in Europe, has left to posterity no record of his extensive literary acquisitions, his refined taste, and his lofty genius. His odes are remarkable for their sublimity, their mingled majesty, softness and melody of versification, and for the elaborate manner in which they seem to have been wrought and polished. He was accustomed to finish every line before committing it to paper. His elegy is a combination of simple beauties, both in natural description and pathetic sentiment, which deeply affect the heart of every reader. His poetry is pure in its moral influence, and abounds in the richest personifications, the noblest images, and often in the sweetest thoughts. all "In order to distinguish the positive merits of Gray from the oftier excellence ascribed to him by his editor," (Mr. Mathias, who speaks of him as "second to none,") "it is unnecessary to resort to the criticisms of Dr. Johnson. Some of them may be just, but their general spirit is malignant and exaggerated. When we look to such beautiful passages in Gray's odes, as his Indian poet amidst the forests of Chili, or his prophet bard scattering dismay on the array of Edward and his awe-struck chieftains, on the side of Snowdon-when we regard his elegant taste, not only gathering classical flowers from the Arno and Ilyssus, but revealing glimpses of Barbaric grandeur amidst the darkness of Runic Mythology-when we recollect his 'thoughts that breathe, and words that burn,' his rich personifications, his broad and prominent images, and the crowning charm of his versification, we may safely pronounce that Johnson's critical fulminations have passed over his lyrical character with more noise than destruction." (Campbell.) ODE ON A DISTANT PROSPECT OF ETON COLLEGE. YE distant spires, ye antique towers, And ye, that from the stately brow Of Windsor's heights th' expanse below Of Grove, of lawn, of mead survey, Whose turf, whose shade, whose flowers among His silver winding way. Ah, happy hills! ah, pleasing shade! Where once my careless childhood stray'd, A stranger yet to pain! I feel the gales that from ye blow A momentary bliss bestow, As waving fresh their gladsome wing, My weary soul they seem to soothe, Say, father Thames, for thou hast seen The paths of pleasure trace; The captive linnet which enthral? While some on earnest business bent "Gainst graver hours, that bring constraint To sweeten liberty: Some bold adventurers disdain The limits of their little reign, And unknown regions dare descry: Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed, And lively cheer, of vigour born; Alas! regardless of their doom Yet see, how all around them wait And black misfortune's baleful train! Ah, show them where in ambush stand, To seize their prey, the murd'rous band! Ah, tell them they are men! These shall the fury passions tear, And shame that skulks behind; Ambition this shall tempt to rise, And grinning infamy. The stings of falsehood those shall try, And hard unkindness' alter'd eye, That mocks the tear it forc'd to flow; |