ODE on SOLITUDE'. APPPY the man, whofe with and care HA A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air, In his own ground. Whofe herds with milk, whose fields with bread, In winter fire. Bleft, who can unconcern'dly find 6 Sound fleep by night; ftudy and ease, Together mixt; sweet recreation: And innocence, which most does please With meditation. Thus let me live, unfeen, unknown, Thus unlamented let me die, Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie. 15 This was a very early production of our Author, written at about twelve years old. P. The dying Chriftian to his SOUL. V OD E3. I. ITAL spark of heav'nly flame : II. Hark! they whisper; Angels fay, Sifter Spirit, come away. What is this absorbs me quite ? Steals my fenfes, shuts my fight, Drowns my fpirits, draws my breath? REMARKS. 5 This ode was written in imitation of the famous fonnet of Hadrian to his departing foul; but as much fuperior to his original in fenfe and fublimity, as the Chriftian Religion is to the Pagan, III. The world recedes; it disappears! Heav'n opens on my eyes! my ears With founds feraphic ring: Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly! O Grave! where is thy Victory? O Death! where is thy Sting? |