CANTO I.
Hush'd be the envious tongues that dare
Bright --- to profane
...
Had it pleas'd him, from whom all wisdom flows,
Him, who each good, each perfect gift bestows,
With knowledge to exalt my feeble mind,
...
Dearly beloved Countrymen and Friends,
Accept the verse an half--starv'd Poet sends:
Who scant of paper in these needy times,
...
Parent supreme! whose all discerning mind
Appoints the various portions of mankind,
On me, my country, and on all, bestow
...
Oh! hideous fiend, of form uncouth,
With jaundic'd eye, and canker'd tooth,
Fell Envy, why dost thou profane
...
There are who complain that my verse is severe,
And what is much worse--that my Book is too dear:
The Ladies protest that I keep no decorum
...
Sweet Saint! on thee when pining sickness prey'd,
Thy beauty canker'd, and thy youth decay'd,
'Twas thine with patience meek, to Heav'n resign'd,
...
Must I read it again, Sir?--So--here do I stand,
Like the priest that holds forth with a scull in his hand.
...
As circling ivy works the tree's decay,
Time's cold embraces steal my strength away,
Till like an empty tomb, my aged frame
...
You press me to drink your Champayn, and Tokay
By which you have poison'd four wives, as they say:
I ne'er can believe such a scandalous tale,
...