Page:The Pleasures of Imagination - Akenside (1744).djvu/90

52 Bent his fix'd eye on heav'n's eternal fires, When first the order of that radiant scene Swell'd his exulting thought, than this surveys A muckworm's entrails or a spider's fang. Next him a youth, with flow'rs and myrtles crown'd, Attends that virgin form, and blushing kneels, With fondest gesture and a suppliant's tongue, To win her coy regard: adieu, for him, The dull ingagements of the bustling world! Adieu the sick impertinence of praise! And hope, and action! for with her alone, By streams and shades, to steal these sighing hours, Is all he asks, and all that fate can give! Thee too, facetious Momion, wandering here, Thee, dreaded censor! oft have I beheld Bewilder'd unawares: alas! too long Flush'd with thy comic triumphs and the spoils Of sly derision! till on every side Hurling thy random bolts, offended truth Assign'd thee here thy station with the slaves Of folly. Thy once formidable name Shall grace her humble records, and be heard In scoffs and mockery bandied from the lips Of all the vengeful brotherhood around, So oft the patient victims of thy scorn. But