564 THE IltLICONTAD. 



And far beyond the shore of Britain sped. 

 But, lingering late, as on the brow she stood. 

 She would reclaim her children — if she could. 



Thalia, 

 O ye who loved to scan the ancient lore. 

 And dabble with light comedie of yore. 

 And thou, O shepherd! whose delight is still 

 To quit the sheeling for the placid rill, 

 Thou ghost of Comus, if thy judging sprite 

 Satan might spare to peep a single night. 

 Pronounce — if in these days of modern pelf 

 Thalia, wrong'd Thalia'd know herself! 

 To teach the soul to rise, the lips to laugh. 

 And at the fount of pleasure deeply quaff, 

 Thalia came — but holding high her mask. 

 With half-told sigh, dissembling life would ask — 

 " Is purient nature banished from' the breast 

 Where once Thalia sought refreshing rest ? " 



Forbid it! never shall a single thought" 



Against Thalia's sovereignty be sought. 



Forbid it ! if 'tis sought far realms around. 



On Britain's shore it never shall be found ! 



Warm in the love that flows, with guardian wand. 



To mortal serf from fair Thalia's hand ; 



Nor chill'd by curst Hypocrisy's cold glance. 



Yclept by all good people Temperance ; 



But, glowing in th'endearing bright sunshine 



Which smiles in sweetness from the Muse divine. 



The mortal, gazing, trusts his fitful fate, 



Thalia, fair, on thy hypothecate. 



Approach her lips, ye tribes, without restraint. 



And kiss the smile ye well might fear to taint ; 



And, if ye love, continue still to love. 



And, mask'd in beauty, with the goddess rove. 



Blest is the man who feels her love him through 



To throb : — but he who scorns, his nonchalance may rue. 



Terpsichore, 

 Terpsichore ! — and dare I greet the theme 

 That Byron sang ? His memory blaspheme ? 

 Immortal bard, forgive ! at each advance 

 Well might I blame my own intemperance. 

 And shrink or stop, nor tarry to enquire 

 What zephyr breeze had fann'd so great a fire. 

 Some ages hence, when ocean quits the sea. 

 Bards shall be bards, and politicians friends. 

 The spendthrift makes his creditors amends. 

 And bays be Justly claimed from Laurestina's tree. 



,rii;i;s 



