The Rolliad Part 20

Meanwhile, with softest smiles and courteous bows, 150 He, graceful bending, greets their ardent vows.

"Thanks, generous friends," he cries, "kind Templers, thanks!

Tho' now, with LANSDOWNE's band your JEKYLL ranks, Think not, he wholly quits _black-letter_ cares; Still--still the _lawyer_ with the _statesman_ shares." 155 But, see! the shades of night o'erspread the skies!

Thick fogs and vapours from the Thames arise.

Far different hopes our separate toils inspire: To _parchment_ you, and _precedent_ retire.

With deeper bronze your darkest looks imbrown, 160 Adjust your brows for the _demurring_ frown: Brood o'er the fierce _reb.u.t.ters_ of the bar, And brave the _issue_ of the gowned war.

Me, all unpractis'd in the bashful mood, Strange, novice thoughts, and alien cares delude. 165 Yes, _modest_ Eloquence! ev'n _I_ must court For once, with mimic vows, thy coy support; Oh! would'st thou lend the semblance of my charms!

Feign'd agitations, and a.s.sum'd alarms!

'Twere all I'd ask:--but for one day alone 170 To ape thy downcast look--my suppliant tone: To pause--and bow with hesitating grace-- Here try to faulter--there a word misplace: Long-banish'd blushes this pale cheek to teach, And act the miseries of a _maiden speech_. 175

PROBATIONARY ODES FOR _THE LAUREATSHIP:_ WITH A PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE, BY SIR JOHN HAWKINS, KNT.

PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE, BY THE EDITOR.

Having, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-six, put forth A HISTORY OF MUSIC, in five volumes quarto (which buy), notwithstanding my then avocations as Justice of the Peace for the county of Middles.e.x and city and liberty of Westminster; I, Sir John Hawkins, of Queen-square, Westminster, Knight, do now, being still of sound health and understanding, esteem it my bounden duty to step forward as Editor and Revisor of THE PROBATIONARY ODES.

My grand reason for undertaking so arduous a task is this: I do from my soul believe that Lyric Poetry is the own, if not twin sister of Music; wherefore, as I had before gathered together every thing that any way relates to the one, with what consistency could I forbear to collate the best effusions of the other?--I should premise, that in volume the first of my quarto history, chap. i. page 7, I lay it down as a principle never to be departed from, that, "_The Lyre is the prototype of the fidicinal species_." And accordingly I have therein discussed at large, both the origin, and various improvements of the Lyre, from the Tortoise-sh.e.l.l scooped and strung by Mercury on the banks of the Nile, to the Testudo, exquisitely polished by Terpander, and exhibited to the aegyptian Priests.

I have added also many choice engravings of the various antique Lyres, viz. the Lyre of Goats-horns, the Lyre of Bullshorns, the Lyre of Sh.e.l.ls, and the Lyre of both Sh.e.l.ls and Horns compounded; from all which, I flatter myself, I have indubitably proved the Lyre to be very far superior to the shank bone of a crane, or any other Pike, Fistula, or Calamus, either of Orpheus's or Linus's invention; ay, or even the best of those pulsatile instruments, commonly known by the denomination of the drum.

Forasmuch, therefore, as all this was finally proved and established by my History of Music, I say, I hold it now no alien task to somewhat turn my thoughts to the late divines specimens of Lyric Minstrelsy.

For although I may be deemed the legal guardian of MUSIC alone, and consequently not in strictness bound to any farther duty than that of her immediate Wardship (see Burn's Justice, article Guardian), yet surely, in equity and liberal feeling, I cannot but think myself very forcibly incited to extend this tutelage to her next of kin; in which degree I hold every individual follower of THE LYRIC MUSE, but more especially all such part of them, as have devoted, or do devote their strains to the celebration of those best of themes, the reigning King and the current year; or in other words, of all Citharistae Regis, Versificators Coronae, Court Poets, or as we now term them, Poets Laureats.--Pausanias tells us, that it pleased the G.o.d of Poets himself, by an express oracle, to order the inhabitants of Delphi to set apart for Pindar one half of the first fruit offerings brought by the religious to his shrine, and to allow him a place in his temple, where, in an iron chair, he was used to sit and sing his hymns in honour of that G.o.d. Would to heaven that the Bench of Bishops would, in some degree, adopt this excellent idea!--or at least that the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, and the other Managers of the Abbey Music Meetings, would in future allot the occasional vacancies of Madame Mara's seat in the Cathedral Orchestra, for the reception of the reigning Laureat, during the performance of that favourite const.i.tutional ballad, "May the King live for ever!" It must be owned, however, that the Laureatship is already a very kingly settlement; one hundred a year, together with a tierce of Canary, or a b.u.t.t of sack, are surely most princely endowments, for the honour of literature and the advancement of poetical genius. And hence (thank G.o.d and the King for it!) there scarcely ever has been wanting some great and good man both willing and able to supply so important a charge.--At one time we find that great immortal genius, Mr. Thomas Shadwell (better known by the names of Og and Mac Flecknoe), chanting the prerogative praises of that blessed aera.--At a nearer period, we observe the whole force of Colley Cibber's genius devoted to the labours of the same reputable employment.--And finally, in the example of a Whitehead's Muse, expatiating on the virtues of our gracious Sovereign, have we not beheld the best of Poets, in the best of Verses, doing ample justice to the best of Kings!--The fire of Lyric Poesy, the rapid lightening of modern Pindarics, were equally required to record the Virtues of the Stuarts, or to immortalize the Talents of a Brunswick.--On either theme there was ample subject for the boldest flights of inventive genius, the full scope for the most daring powers of poetical creation; from the free, unfettered strain of liberty in honour of Charles the First, to the kindred Genius and congenial Talents that immortalize the Wisdom and the Worth of George the Third.--But on no occasion has the ardour for prerogative panegyrics so conspicuously flamed forth, as on the late election for succeeding to Mr. Whitehead's honours. To account for this unparalleled struggle, let us recollect, that the ridiculous reforms of the late Parliament having cut off many gentlemanly offices, it was a necessary consequence that the few which were spared, became objects of rather more emulation than usual. Besides, there is a decency and regularity in producing at fixed and certain periods of the year, the same settled quant.i.ty of metre on the same unalterable subjects, which cannot fail to give a particular attraction to the Office of the Laureatship, at a crisis like the present.--It is admitted, that we are now in possession of much sounder judgment, and more regulated taste, than our ancestors had any idea of; and hence, does it not immediately follow, that the occupancy of a poetical office, which, from its uniformity of subject and limitation of duty, precludes all hasty extravagance of style, as well as any plurality of efforts, is sure to be a more pleasing object than ever to gentlemen of regular habits and a becoming degree of literary indolence? Is it not evident too, that in compositions of this kind, all fermentation of thought is certain in a very short time to subside and settle into mild and gentle composition--till at length the possessors of this grave and orderly office prepare their stipulated return of metre, by as proportionate and gradual exertions, as many other cla.s.ses of industrious tenants provide for the due payment of their particular rents? Surely it is not too much to say, that the business of Laureat to his Majesty is, under such provision, to the full as ingenious, reputable, and regular a trade, as that of Almanack Maker to the Stationer's Company. The contest therefore for so excellent an office, having been warmer in the late instance than at any preceding period, is perfectly to be accounted for; especially too at a time, when, from n.o.bler causes, the Soul of Genius may reasonably be supposed to kindle into uncommon enthusiasm, at a train of new and unexampled prodigies. In an age of Reform; beneath the mild sway of a British Augustus; under the Ministry of a pure immaculate youth; the Temple of Ja.n.u.s shut; the Trade of Otaheite open; not an angry American to be heard of, except the Lottery Loyalists; the fine Arts in full Glory; Sir William Chambers the Royal Architect; Lord Sydney a Cabinet Minister!--What a golden aera!--From this auspicious moment, Peers, Bishops, Baronets, Methodists, Members of Parliament, Chaplains, all genuine Beaux Esprits, all legitimate heirs of Parna.s.sus, rush forward, with unfeigned ardour, to delight the world by the united efforts of liberal genius and const.i.tutional loyalty.--The ill.u.s.trious candidates a.s.semble--the wisest of Earls sits as Judge--the archest of Buffos becomes his a.s.sessor--the Odes are read--the election is determined--how justly is not for us to decide. To the great Tribunal of the public the whole of this important contest is now submitted.--Every doc.u.ment that can ill.u.s.trate, every testimony that tends to support the respective merits of the Probationers, is impartially communicated to the world of letters.--Even the Editor of such a collection may hope for some reversionary fame from the humble, but not inglorious task, of collecting the scattered rays of Genius.--At the eve of a long laborious life, devoted to a sister Muse (vide my History, printed for T. Payne and Son, at the Mews-Gate), possibly it may not wholly appear an irregular vanity, if I sometimes have entertained a hope, that my tomb may not want the sympathetic record of Poetry--I avow my motive.--

It is with this expectation I appear as an Editor on the present occasion.--The Authors whose compositions I collect for public notice are twenty-three. The odds of survivorship, according to Doctor Price are, that thirteen of these will outlive me, myself being in cla.s.s III. of his ingenious tables.--Surely, therefore, it is no mark of that sanguine disposition which my enemies have been pleased to ascribe to me, if I deem it possible that some one of the same thirteen will requite my protection of their harmonious effusions with a strain of elegiac grat.i.tude, saying, possibly (pardon me, ye Survivors that may be, for presuming to hint the thought to minds so richly fraught as yours are) saying, I say,

Here lies Sir John Hawkins, Without his shoes or stockings![1]

[1] Said Survivors are not bound to said Rhime, if not agreeable.

[The Following excellent observations on the LYRIC STYLE, have been kindly communicated to the EDITOR by the REV. THOMAS WARTON.--They appear to have been taken almost verbatim from several of the former works of that ingenious author; but chiefly from his late edition of _Milten's Minora_. We sincerely hope, therefore, that they may serve the double purpose of enriching the present collection, and of attracting the public attention to that very critical work from which they are princ.i.p.ally extracted.]

THOUGHTS ON ODE WRITING.

O?? ???p? Carmen, Cantus, Cantilena, Chanson, Canzone, all signify what, Anglice, we denominate ODE--Among the Greeks, Pindar; among the Latins, Horace; with the Italians, Petrarch; with the French, Boileau; are the principes hujusce scientiae--Tom Killegrew took the lead in English Lyrics; and, indeed, till our own Mason, was nearly unrivalled--Josephus Miller too hath penned something of the Odaic, _inter_ his _Opera Minora_. My grandfather had a M.S. Ode on a Gilliflower, the which, as our family had it, was an _esquisse_ of Gammer Gurton's; and I myself have seen various Cantilenes of Stephen Duck's of a pure relish--Of Shadwell, time hath little impaired the fame--Colley's Bays rust cankereth not--Dr. Casaubon measures the Strophe by Anapaests--In the Polyglott, the epitrotus primus is the metrimensura.--I venture to recommend "Waly, waly, up the Bank," as no bad model of the pure Trochaic--There is also a little simple strain, commencing "Saw ye my father, saw ye my mother;"

which to my fancy, gives an excellent ratio of hendecasyllables.--Dr.

Warton indeed prefers the Adonic, as incomparably the neatest, ay, and the newest ??p?? et???----A notion too has prevailed, that the Black Joke, or ?e?af???a? ?af?a? is not the "Cosa deta in prosa mai, ne in rima;" whereas the _Deva Cestrensis_, or Chevy Chase, according to Dr.

Joseph Warton, is the exemplar of

Trip and go, Heave and hoe, Up and down, To and fro.

Vide Nashe's Summer's Last Will and Testament, 1600.

I observe that Ravishment is a favourite word with Milton, Paradise Lost, B. V. 46. Again, B. IX. 541. Again, Com. V. 245.--Spenser has it also in Astrophel. st. 7.--Whereof I earnestly recommend early rising to all minor Poets, as far better than sleeping to concoct surfeits. Vid. Apology for Smectymnuus.--For the listening to Throstles or Thrushes, awaking the _l.u.s.tless_ Sun, is an unreproved or innocent pastime: As also are _cranks_, by which I understood cross purposes. Vid. my Milton, 41.--"_Filling a wife with a daughter fair_," is not an uncla.s.sical notion (vid. my Milton, 39), if, according to Sir Richard Brathwaite, "She had a dimpled chin, made for love to lodge within" (vid. my Milton, 41). "While the _c.o.c.k_," vid. the same, 44.--Indeed, "My mother said I could be no _lad_, till I was twentye," is a pa.s.sage I notice in my Milton with a view to this; which see; and therein also of a shepherdess, "_taking the tale_."--'Twere well likewise if Bards learned the Rebeck, or Rebible, being a species of Fiddle; for it solaceth the fatigued spirit much; though to say the truth, we have it; 'tis present death for Fiddlers to tune their Rebecks, or Rebibles, before the great Turk's grace. However, _Middteton's Game of Chess_ is good for a Poet to peruse, having quaint phrases fitting _to be married to immortal verse_. JOSHUA POOLE, of Clare-hall, I also recommend as an apt guide for an alumnus of the Muse.--Joshua edited a choice Parna.s.sus, 1657, in the which I find many "delicious, mellow hangings" of poesy.--He is undoubtedly a "sonorous dactylist"--and to him I add Mr. Jenner, Proctor of the Commons, and Commissary of St. Paul's, who is a gentleman of indefatigable politeness in opening the Archives of a Chapter-house for the delectation of a sound critic. _Tottell's Songs and Sonnets of uncertain Auctoures_ is likewise a _butful_, or plenteous work. I conclude with a.s.suring the Public, that my brother remembers to have heard my father tell his (i.e. my brother's) first wife's second cousin, that he, once, at Magdalen College, Oxford, had it explained to him, that the famous pa.s.sage "His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff," has no sort of reference to verbal criticism and stale quotations.

RECOMMENDATORY TESTIMONIES.

[According to the old and laudable usage of Editors, we shall now present our Readers with the judgments of the learned concerning our Poets.--These Testimonies, if they proceed from critical pens, cannot fail to have due influence on all impartial observers.

They _pa.s.s_ an author from one end of the kingdom to the other, as rapidly as the pauper Certificates of Magistracy.--Indeed, it were much to be wished, that as we have no State Licenser of Poetry, it might at least be made penal, to put forth rhymes without previously producing a certain number of sureties for their goodness and utility; which precaution, if a.s.sisted with a few other regulations, such as requiring all Pract.i.tioners in Verse to take out a License, in the manner of many other Dealers in Spirits, &c.

could not fail to introduce good order among this cla.s.s of authors, and also to bring in a handsome sum towards the aid of the public revenue.--Happy indeed will be those Bards, who are supplied with as reputable vouchers as those which are here subjoined.]

_Testimonies of Sir_ JOSEPH MAWBEY'_s good Parts for Poetry_.

MISS HANNAH MORE.

"Sir JOSEPH, with the gentlest sympathy, begged me to contrive that he should meet _Lactilla_, in her morning walk, towards the Hot-Wells. I took the proper measures for this _tete-a-tete_ between my two _naturals_, as I call this uneducated couple.--It succeeded beyond my utmost hopes.--For the first ten minutes they exchanged a world of simple observations on the different species of the brute creation, to which each had most obligations.--Lactilla praised her Cows--Sir Joseph his Hogs.--An artless eclogue, my dear madam, but warm from the heart.--At last the Muse took her turn on the _tapis_ of simple dialogue.--In an instant both kindled into all the fervors--the delightful fervors, that are better imagined than described.--Suffice it to relate the sequel--_Lactilla_ pocketed a generous half-crown, and Sir Joseph was inchanted! Heavens! what would this amiable Baronet have been, with the education of a curate?"

_Miss Hannah More's Letter to the d.u.c.h.ess of Chandos._

OF THE SAME.

_By_ JONAS HANWAY, _Esq_.

"In short, these poor children who are employed in sweeping our chimnies, are not treated half so well as so many black Pigs--nor, indeed, a hundredth part so well, where the latter have the good fortune to belong to a benevolent master, such as Sir Joseph MAWBEY--a man who, notwithstanding he is a bright Magistrate, a diligent Voter in Parliament, and a chaste husband, is nevertheless author of not a few fancies in the poetical way."

_Thoughts on our savage Treatment of Chimney-sweepers_.

_Testimonies in Favour of Sir_ CECIL WRAY, _Bart_.

DR. STRATFORD[1].

ALCANDER, thou'rt a G.o.d, more than a G.o.d!

Thou'rt pride of all the G.o.ds--thou mount'st by woes-- h.e.l.l squeaks, Eurus and Auster shake the skies-- Yet shall thy barge dance through the hissing wave, And on the foaming billows float to heaven!

_Epistle to Sir Cecil Wray, under the Character of Alcander_.

[1] Author of 58 Tragedies, only one of which, to the disgrace of our Theatres, has yet appeared.

OF THE SAME.

_By_ MRS. GEORGE ANNE BELLAMY.