1808.] 
sequently was not very likely to be much 
respected, or relished as a companion. 
- His emaciated, bilious appearance, was 
not calculated to prepossess either sex in 
his behalf: indeed, the ladies could not 
bear him. Johnalways treated him with 
particular consideration ; but when hav- 
ing attempted to Oppose, or to argue 
against him, used briefly to put him 
down with, “ Hold your tongue, Harry; 
you are a puny little fool, and fit for no- 
thing but to bea lord.” Nevertheless, 
John never allowed any person to speak 
disrespectfully of him. 
Harry died of diseases which seemed 
to have beerrrocked with him in his cra- 
dle; while John, though possessed of a 
vigorous constitution, after arriving 
at the acmé of popularity, at least so 
far as related to all with whom he asso- 
ciated, and after performing feats in va- 
rious exercises, which denoted the vast- 
ness of his powers, seemed to descend, 
as it were, down a precipice into his 
grave. He never, indeed, got complete- 
ly better of the pistol-shot in his 
breast ; and, probably actuated by that 
Original Poetry. 
143 
i 
mistaken pride generally urging men 
who have done wonders not to allow their 
decrease of vigour to be noticed or sus- 
pected, he neglected the warnings given 
him by one or two serious attacks on his 
liver, and thus hastened that end which 
we may call untimely ! 
He died in the 40th year of his age, 
beloved and regretted hy a numerous 
circle; I believe, setting aside the dissi- 
pation in which he delighted, he could 
not leave any past reckoning of vices to 
appear against him. His heart was 
formed for friendship; he was warm in 
his attachments, which were, however, 
very select; and, notwithstanding the pe- 
culiar bluntness of his manner, I cannot 
say | ever heard him utter a rude thing, 
or do an uncharitable act. 
Such are the outlines of a man who 
had he been bred in courts, would pro 
bably have been the Rochester of his 
day; for he was inordinately fond of wo- 
men, and seemed, when ill, to regret his 
situation chiefly as depriving him of their 
society. 
<< Oh! whata falling off was there |"? 
To HANDEL. 
SONNET. : 
HANDEL, while Lawes lives in Miltonian 
lays, 
O were it possible a Muse should rise, 
And waft thy Music from its native skies, 
And swell the chord exulting in thy praise ! 
But numbers dwell not in the ample maze 
Of poesy with that divine surprize 
To fill the ear, to lead through mystic 
ways 
Or blissful tone the soul, exalt and har- 
monize, 
Like thee, with hallow’d influence! The 
glow 
Of highest Poetry would speak in vain 
Thy heaven-breath’d melodies ; thy choral 
Strain. 
The awful Organ in sublimest flow, 
And Voice of purest skill and power, at- 
fain 
What Handel is from Handel’s self to shew. 
‘Dec. 27, 1807. | aa 
= 
ODES, 
(For music.) 
WHY is Affection’s draught divine 
Imbitter’d still with tears of sorrow ? 
» Should hearts which now in union twine 
_ _»Be doom’d to sever ere to-morrow ? 
Mong@uty Mac.,, No, 168, 
ORIGINAL POETRY. 
EE 
The eye, at morn; that look'd delight, 
With bliss brimful, with rapture beaming + 
That eye before the fall of night __ 
Was wild with woe, with sorrow streaming ! 
Yet who the lovely rose wouldscorn __ 
Because it smiles, a thorn concealing > 
The rose may long thy breast adora, 
And shed its sweets, no thorn revealing ! 
Or who would shun the dawn of light, 
Lest clouds may Jow’r, the day o’ercasting ? 
Life’s sky is not for ever bright, 
Nor night and darkness everlasting. 
Then let us catch the gleams of joy, 
Ere yet they fade in night and sorrow! 
The hour that passes well employ ; 
Nor dream that cares shall cloud to-more 
TOW. 
II. 
OH! why is Love’s celestial dream 
So sweet and sad, so fair and fleeting ? 
So like the midnight meteor’s gleam ?. 
So like the star of day retreating ? 
So like the life-deluding bowl, 
Which bids us rise on Rapture’s pinion: 
Then, headlong, hurls the giddy soul, 
And gives it to Despair’s dominion! 
U 3° 
