I40 EJfay on Majfinger. 



denly acquired : for thofe feeming changes of 

 charadter depend on the fame difpofition varioufly 

 influenced j I mean, on a bafe and feeble mind, 

 incapable of refifting the power of external cir- 

 cumftances. In order, however, to prepare us 

 for the extravagances of this charadler, after he 

 is enriched, the poet delineates his exceflive 

 tranfports on viewing his wealth, in a fpeech 

 which cannot be injured by a comparilbn with 

 any foliloquy in our language. 



'Twas no fantaftic objeft, but a truth, 



A real truth, no dream. I did not flumber. 



And could wake ever, with a brooding eye 



To gaze upon't. It did endure the toilch, 



I faw and felt it. Yet what I beheld 



And handled oft, did fo tranfcend belief, 



(My wonder and aftonilhment pafs'd o'er) 



I faintly could give credit to my fenfes. 



Thou dumb magician [the Key] that without a charm 



Didll make my entrance eafy, to poffefs 



What wife men wifli and toil for; Hermes, Moly, 



Sybillas' golden bough, the great elixir, 



Imagin'd only by the alchemift, 



Compar'd with thee are fliadows ; thou the fubftanca 



And guardian of felicity. No marvel 



My brother made thy place of reft his bofom. 



Thou being the keeper of his heart, a miftrefs 



To be hugg'd ever. In bye corners of 



This facred room, filver in bags heap'd up. 



Like billets faw'd and ready for the fire. 



Unworthy to hold fellowfhip with bright gold 



That flow'd about the room, conceal'd itfelf. 



There needs no artificial light, the fplendour 



Makes a perpetual day there, night and darknefs 



Bv 



