74 ODE on the POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS of 



I 



The fhadowy kings of BANQUO'S fated line, 

 Through the dark cave in gleam y pageant pad. 



Proceed, nor quit the tales which, fimply told, 

 Could once fo well my anfw'ring bofom pierce j 



Proceed, in forceful founds and colours bold 

 The native legends of thy land rehearfe ; 



To fuch adapt thy lyre and fuit thy powerful verfe. 



XII. 

 IN fcenes like thefe, which, daring to depart 



From fober truth, are ftill to nature true, 

 And call forth frefh delight to fancy's view, 



Th' heroic mufe employed her TASSO'S art ! 

 How have I trembled, when at TANCRED'S ftroke, 



Its gufhing blood the gaping cyprefs pour'd ; 

 When each live plant with mortal accents fpoke, 



And the wild blaft up-heav'd the vanifh'd fword * ! 

 How have I fat, when pip'd the penfive wind, 



To hear his harp, by Britifh FAIRFAX ftrung. 

 Prevailing poet, whofe undoubting mind 



Believ'd the magic wonders which he fung ! 

 Hence at each found imagination glows ; 

 Hence his warm lay with fofteft fweetnefs flows ; 



Melting it flows, pure, num'rous, ftrong and clear, 

 And fills th' impaflion'd heart, and wins th' harmonious ear f. 



ALL 



* THESE four lines were originally written thus : 



How have I trembled, -when, at TANCRED'S_/&^, 



Like him IJla/i'd, and all his pajjlons felt ; 

 When charm' d by ISMEN, through the foreft wide, 



Bark'd in each plant a talking fpirit dwelt ! 



j- THESE lines were originally written thus : 



Hence, fure to charm, his early numbers flow, 



Though Jlrong, yet fweet 



Though faithful, fuieet ; though Jlrong, of Jimple kind. 



Hence, with each theme, fie bids the bofom glow, 

 While his warm lays an eafy pajjagejind, 



Pour'd through each inmojl nerve, and lull tV harmonious ear* 



