the Perm ans and Hindus. 



79 



«' things are fpiritual in their feci, all is myftery within myftery ;" confift- 

 ently with which declaration he opens his aftonifhing work, entitled the 

 Mafnavi. with the following couplets : 



Hear, how yon reed in fadly-pleafing tales 



Departed blifs and prefent wo bewails ! 



1 With me, from native banks untimely torn, 



* Love-warbling youths and foft-ey'd virgins mourn. 



* Oh ! let the heart by fatal abfence rent 



1 Feel what I fing, and bleed when I lament ; 



* Who roams in exile from his parent bow'r, 



4 Pants to return, and chides each ling'ring hour. 



* My notes, in circles of the grave and gay, 



* Have hail'd the riling, cheer'd the clofing, day i 



* Each in my fond affections claim'd a part, 

 ' But none difcern'd the fecret of my heart. 



' What though my drains and forrows flow combin'd I 



* Yet ears are flow, and carnal eyes are blind. 



* Free through each mortal form the fpirits roll, 



* But fight avails not. Can we fee the foul ?' 

 Such notes breath 'd gently from yon vocal frame : 

 Breath'd faid I ? no; 'twas all-enliv'ning flame. 

 *Tis love, that fills the reed with warmth divine ; 

 'Tis love, that fparkles in the racy wine. 



Me, plaintive wand'rer from my peerkfs maid, 

 The reed has fir'd, and all my foul betray 'd. 

 He gives the bane, and he with balfim cures % 

 Afflicts, yet fooths ; impaffions, yet allures. 



