TITYRUS. Alexis, read; what means this mystic thing? An ewe I had, two lambs at once did bring ; The one black as jet; the other white as snow: Say, in just providence how it could be so? ALEXIS. Will you, Pan's goodness therefore partial call, That might as well have given thee none at all? TITYRUS. Were they not both yean'd by the self-same ewe? The gods are ignorant if they not foreknow; ALEXIS. Tityr with me contend, or Corydon ; TITYRUS. Feed where you will, my lambs; what boots it us To watch, and water, fold, and drive you thus. This on the barren mountains flesh can glean, ALEXIS. Plow, sow, and compass, nothing boots at all, TITYRUS. Ill thrive thy ewes if thou these lies maintain. ALEXIS. And may thy goats miscarry, saucy swain. THYRSIS. Fie, shepherds, fie! while you these strifes begin, The lambkins listen, but forget to feed; How love left heaven, and heav'n's immortal King, Love is a son as ancient as his sire;' His mother was a virgin: how could come True faith delights in poor simplicity. He press'd no grapes, nor prun'd the fruitful vine, But could of water make a brisker wine; Nor did he plough the earth, and to his barn The harvest bring; nor thresh and grind the corn. But wore, poor head! a thorny diadem. Feet to the lame he gave; with which they run The blind from him had eyes; but used that light Lastly, he was betray'd, (O sing of this) A torrent of all-flowing balsam went. Run Amarillis, run: one drop from thence (Like fair Aurora from the eastern bay,) And with his beams drives all our clouds away: Good night to all; for the great night is come: Pan's' cornet's blown, and the great sheep-shear 's kept. The Saviour is frequently celebrated, by our elder poets, under the name of Pan. WILLIAM HABINGDON. BORN 1605; DIED 1654. He was author of "Observations on History,' " "History of Edward the Fourth," "The Queen of Arragon, a Tragedy;" and a volume of lyrics, entitled, "Castara." In Mr. Elton's excellent edition, (Bristol, 1812,) this volume is divided into four parts; the first and second consisting of poems in which he celebrates his wife, the Lady Lucia, daughter of Lord Powis, before and after their marriage, in a style honourable alike to the virtue of the lady, and to the chaste but fervent passion of the poet; the third comprising Funeral Elegies; the fourth, Devotional Pieces. The "Castara" is among the most exquisite productions of the kind; whether in regard to the purity of its sentiments, the moral weight and dignity of its thoughts, or the force and sweetness of its language. |