Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/54

40 That sorrow sheds upon a brother's grave, But the dumb palsy of nocturnal fear, Or those consuming fires that gnaw the heart Of panting indignation, find we there To move delight?—Then listen, while my tongue Th' unalter'd will of heav'n with faithful awe Reveals; what old Harmodius wont to teach My early age; Harmodius, who had weigh'd Within his learn'd mind whate'er the schools Of wisdom, or thy lonely-whisp'ring voice, O faithful nature! dictated of the laws Which govern and support this mighty frame Of universal being. Oft the hours From morn to eve have stole unmark'd away, While mute attention hung upon his lips, As thus the sage his awful tale began.

"Twas in the windings of an ancient wood, When spotless youth with solitude resigns To sweet philosophy the studious day, What time pale autumn shades the silent eve Musing I rov'd. Of good and evil much, And much of mortal man my thought revolv'd; When starting full on fancy's gushing eye, The mournful image of Parthenia's fate, That hour, O long belov'd and long deplor'd! When blooming youth, nor gentlest wisdom's arts, Nor Hymen's honours gather'd for thy brow, Nor