5j2 annual register, 1812. 



Robbers at land and pirates on the main, 

 Enchanters foil'd, spells broken, giants slain ; 

 Legends of love, with tales of halls and bowers. 

 Choice of rare songs, and garlands of choice flowers. 

 And all the hungry mind without a choice devours. 



From Village children kept apart by pride. 

 With such enjoyments, and without a guide, 

 Inspir'd by feelings all such works infus'd, 

 John snatch'd a pen, and wrote as he perus'd ; 

 With the like fancy, he could make his knight 

 Slay half an host, and put the rest to flight; 

 With the like knowledge, he could make him ride 

 From isle to isle at Parthenissa's side; 

 And with a heart yet free, no busy brain 

 Form'd wilder notions of delight and pain. 

 The raptures smiles create, the anguish of disdain. 



Such were the fruits of John's poetic toil. 

 Weeds, but still proofs of vigour in the soil: 

 He nothing purpos'd, but with vast delight 

 Let Fancy loose, and wonder'd at her flight : 

 His notions of ])oetic worth were high, 

 And of his own still-hoarded poetry ; — 

 T])ese to his father's house he bore with pride, 

 A miser's treasure, in his room to hide ; 

 Till spurr'd by glory, to a reading friend 

 He kindly show'd tiie Sonnets he had penn'd ; 

 With erring judgment, though with heart sincere. 

 That friend exclaim'd, ♦ These beauties must appear.' 

 In magazines they claim'd their share of fame. 

 Though undistinguish'd by their Author's name ; 

 And with delight the young Enthusiast found 

 The muse of Marcus with applauses crown'd. 



This heard the Father, and with some alarm ; 

 ' The boy,' said he, ' will neither trade nor farm ; 

 He for both Law and Physic is unfit, 

 Wit he may have, but cannot live on wit : 

 Let him his talents then to learning give. 

 Where verse is honour'd, and where poets live.' 



John kept his terms at College unreprov'd. 

 Took his degree, and left the life he lov'd ; 

 Not yet ordain'd, his leisure he employed 

 In the light labours he so much enjoy'd ; 

 His favourite notions and his daring views 

 Were cherish'd still, and he ador'd the Muse. 



" A little 



