As earth thy body keeps, thy foul the fky, 375) Ver. 277. For thou shalt make] Our author owned he did not know the perfon on whom he wrote this long panegyric. This must be his excufe for the coldness and infipidity of the piece. Dr. J. WARTON. ON THE DEATH OF AMYNTA S. A PASTORAL ELEGY. "TWAS on a joylefs and a gloomy morn, Wet was the grafs, and hung with pearls the thorn; When Damon, who defign'd to pass the day With hounds and horns, and chase the flying prey, Rofe early from his bed; but foon he found The welkin pitch'd with fullen clouds around, 10 An eastern wind, and dew upon the ground.) 16 Amyntas-oh!-he could not speak the reft, 25 Gave fad affurance that his fears were true; The mother's features, and the father's foul. news: The morning did her chearful light diffuse: But see how suddenly she chang'd her face, And brought on clouds and rain, the day's difgrace; 30 Juft fuch, Amyntas, was thy promis'd race. What charms adorn'd thy youth, where nature fmil'd, And more than man was given us in a child! away, Ere mortals all his beauties could furvey: 40 Juft like the flower that buds and withers in a day. 35 MENALCAS. The mother, lovely, though with grief op- Reclin❜d his dying head upon her breaft. So dire a fadness fat on every look, 46 E'en Death repented he had given the stroke. He griev'd his fatal work had been ordain'd, But promis'd length of life to those who yet remain'd. 50 The mother's and her eldest daughter's grace, DAMON. 55 Such is my wish, and fuch my prophecy, For yet, my friend, the beauteous mould remains ; Long may the exercise her fruitful pains! 60 Equal the may, but farther none can go: MENALCAS. 65 Damon, behold yon breaking purple cloud; Hear'ft thou not hymns and fongs divinely loud ? There mounts Amyntas; the young cherubs play About their godlike mate, and fing him on his way. He cleaves the liquid air, behold, he flies, quire : 76 your Sing you, while endlefs tears our eyes beftow; For like Amyntas none is left below. 81 Ver. 81. For like Amyntas] This pastoral is very unworthy of our author. Dr. J. WARTON. |