Salmagundi (Huddesford, 1791)/Illusions of Fancy
ILLUSIONS OF FANCY.
TO RICHARD WYATT, ESQ.
ON LEAVING HIS MANSION, AFTER ASCOT RACES.
ILLUSIONS OF FANCY.
Congenial to my pensive breast,
O'ershadowing clouds the skies invest;
Fast falling showers deform the glade,
No cheering ray dispels the shade,
No lark's clear carol wakes the morn
That low'ring bids my steps forlorn
Abandon Surry's smiling plains,
Fly the Lov'd Roof where Friendship reigns,
Circling whose hospitable hearth
Fair Freedom, Sense, and liberal Mirth,
Their heart-enlivening influence shed;
Where Time throws off his wings of lead,
And, clad in purple plumage light,
Speeds swifter than the winds his flight.
Thence, as my devious course I steer,
Fancy, in fairy visions clear,
Bids, to beguile my 'tranced eyes,
Past joys in sweet succession rise:
Refreshing airs she bids me breathe
Where, Ascot, thine enchanting Heath,
Impregnated with mild perfume,
Bares its broad bosom's purple bloom:
Gives me to view the splendid croud,
The high-born racer neighing loud,
The manag'd steeds that side by side
Precede the glittering chariot's pride,
Within whose silken coverture
Some peerless Beauty fits secure,
And, fatal to the soul's repose,
Around her thrilling glances throws.
O'ershadowing clouds the skies invest;
Fast falling showers deform the glade,
No cheering ray dispels the shade,
No lark's clear carol wakes the morn
That low'ring bids my steps forlorn
Abandon Surry's smiling plains,
Fly the Lov'd Roof where Friendship reigns,
Circling whose hospitable hearth
Fair Freedom, Sense, and liberal Mirth,
Their heart-enlivening influence shed;
Where Time throws off his wings of lead,
And, clad in purple plumage light,
Speeds swifter than the winds his flight.
Thence, as my devious course I steer,
Fancy, in fairy visions clear,
Bids, to beguile my 'tranced eyes,
Past joys in sweet succession rise:
Refreshing airs she bids me breathe
Where, Ascot, thine enchanting Heath,
Impregnated with mild perfume,
Bares its broad bosom's purple bloom:
Gives me to view the splendid croud,
The high-born racer neighing loud,
The manag'd steeds that side by side
Precede the glittering chariot's pride,
Within whose silken coverture
Some peerless Beauty fits secure,
And, fatal to the soul's repose,
Around her thrilling glances throws.
Hence, Fancy, wing thy rapid flight
O'er oaks in deepest verdure dight,
Whose writhed limbs of giant mould
Wave to the breeze their umbrage bold;
Bear me, embowering shades between,
Through many a glade and vista green,
Whence silver streams are seen to glide,
And towering domes th' horizon hide,
To Leonard's forest-fringed Mound;a
Where lavish Nature spreads around
Whate'er can captivate the sight,
Elysian lawns, and prospects bright[errata 1]
As visions of expiring saints,
Or scenes that Harcourt's pencil paints.
Bear me where, 'midst enamell'd meads,
Redundant Thames his bounty sheds,
Teeming with many a plenteous freight:
Where o'er the vale, in antique ftate
Imperial Windsor's turrets frown,
And massy fanes of old renown.
Give me to gaze with ardent eye
On gorgeous spoils of Chivalry;
To ken aloft the radiant rows
Of banners won from Britain's foes:
Recall the glorious deeds of yore;
Shew the dark mail that Edward wore;
The falchion shew, whose thund'ring stroke
Cressy's pale ranks impetuous broke;
From whose fell glare appall'd with dread
Proud Gallia's trembling chieftains fled,
Or on its edge destruction found,
And dyed with regal gore the ground.
O'er oaks in deepest verdure dight,
Whose writhed limbs of giant mould
Wave to the breeze their umbrage bold;
Bear me, embowering shades between,
Through many a glade and vista green,
Whence silver streams are seen to glide,
And towering domes th' horizon hide,
To Leonard's forest-fringed Mound;a
Where lavish Nature spreads around
Whate'er can captivate the sight,
Elysian lawns, and prospects bright[errata 1]
As visions of expiring saints,
Or scenes that Harcourt's pencil paints.
Bear me where, 'midst enamell'd meads,
Redundant Thames his bounty sheds,
Teeming with many a plenteous freight:
Where o'er the vale, in antique ftate
Imperial Windsor's turrets frown,
And massy fanes of old renown.
Give me to gaze with ardent eye
On gorgeous spoils of Chivalry;
To ken aloft the radiant rows
Of banners won from Britain's foes:
Recall the glorious deeds of yore;
Shew the dark mail that Edward wore;
The falchion shew, whose thund'ring stroke
Cressy's pale ranks impetuous broke;
From whose fell glare appall'd with dread
Proud Gallia's trembling chieftains fled,
Or on its edge destruction found,
And dyed with regal gore the ground.
Give me, fair Fancy, to pervade
Chambers in pictur'd pomp array'd!
Peopling whose stately walls I view
The godlike forms that Raffaelle drew;
I seem to see his magic hand
Wield the wondrous pencil-wand,
Whose touches animation give,
And bid th' insensate canvass live;
Glowing with many a deed divine
Achiev'd in holy Palestine.
The Passions feel its potent charm,
And round the mighty master swarm;
Lo, where Dismay with haggard gazeb
The death-smote Hypocrite surveys;
Beholds his eyes convulsive roll,
And Fate arrest his sordid soul!—
Chambers in pictur'd pomp array'd!
Peopling whose stately walls I view
The godlike forms that Raffaelle drew;
I seem to see his magic hand
Wield the wondrous pencil-wand,
Whose touches animation give,
And bid th' insensate canvass live;
Glowing with many a deed divine
Achiev'd in holy Palestine.
The Passions feel its potent charm,
And round the mighty master swarm;
Lo, where Dismay with haggard gazeb
The death-smote Hypocrite surveys;
Beholds his eyes convulsive roll,
And Fate arrest his sordid soul!—
Lo! Motionless Attention stands,c
Where to the firmament his hands.
Sublime the great Instructor rears!
While Athens, rapt in wonder, hears
Truth's energetic voice proclaim
Her unknown God's tremendous name!—
Where to the firmament his hands.
Sublime the great Instructor rears!
While Athens, rapt in wonder, hears
Truth's energetic voice proclaim
Her unknown God's tremendous name!—
Deep read in superstition's lore,
Behold capricious Zeal adored
(In sublunary weeds array'd)
The fabled Gods her fears have made!
"Those pow'rful sounds," she cries, "I know:
"Hark! from the honied lips they flow
"Of Maia's Son!—Can Man dispense
"Activity to impotence?
"Can energy of mortal hand.
"The shrunk, distorted limb expand?
"Inveterate force of ills confound,
"And bid the lame with transport bound?—
"'Tis Jove's,—the unexampled deed!
"To Jove th' Isaurian Steer shall bleed!
"To Jove the rich libations pour!
"Braid in bright wreaths each blooming flow'r,
"Swell each loud strain of festive mirth,
"To gratulate the Gods on earth!"—
Behold capricious Zeal adored
(In sublunary weeds array'd)
The fabled Gods her fears have made!
"Those pow'rful sounds," she cries, "I know:
"Hark! from the honied lips they flow
"Of Maia's Son!—Can Man dispense
"Activity to impotence?
"Can energy of mortal hand.
"The shrunk, distorted limb expand?
"Inveterate force of ills confound,
"And bid the lame with transport bound?—
"'Tis Jove's,—the unexampled deed!
"To Jove th' Isaurian Steer shall bleed!
"To Jove the rich libations pour!
"Braid in bright wreaths each blooming flow'r,
"Swell each loud strain of festive mirth,
"To gratulate the Gods on earth!"—
Artist supreme! by nature taught
To clothe with life each glowing thought,
Too soon the Destinies conspire
To quench thy pencil's glorious fire;
Too soon the soul that warm'd thy clay
Aspir'd to realms of endless day,
On wings of ecstasy, to join
Sages and saints, a band divine,
Whose awful forms (ere death withdrew
The veil that darkens mortal view)
Heav'n bade thy penetrative eye
Amid her dazzling courts descry;
Thence bade thee trace the faultless line,
Th' expressive grace, the chaste design,
The mien that love and awe inspires,
And wakes Devotion's purest fires.
Thy memory, still to genius dear,
Britain's enlighten'd sons revere;
And grateful hail their Monarch's name,
Whose liberal care thy labours claim:
To heights impervious heretofore
Who bids immortal science soar;
Far seen in venerable pride,
Whose regal seat, expanding wide
Its portals at his high behest,
Hails ev'ry Art an honour'd guest:
Beneath whose mild auspicious reign
The Genius old of Greece again,
Awaken'd from his deep repose,
In Reynolds' living canvass glows;
(Where Grace and Energy divine
With Beauty truly blent combine)
And braids his deathless bays around
The British Raffaelle's brows renown'd.
Lo! by his daring hand pourtray'd,e
The sanguinary scene display'd
Where martial peers, in glittering mail,
Unfold their pennons to the gale;
O'er Normandy's dismantled plains.
Where iron-clad Contention reigns;
And Havoc waits (his tresses wet
With gore) thy nod, Plantagenet!
Wafted from Albion's Isle afar,
Where wake her sons the storm of war;
Where, ravish'd from the parent stem
To grace the Victor's diadem,
Thy Lilies, France, no more assume
The splendour of their wonted bloom;
No more with peerless lustre glow,
But soil with blood their native snow!—
To clothe with life each glowing thought,
Too soon the Destinies conspire
To quench thy pencil's glorious fire;
Too soon the soul that warm'd thy clay
Aspir'd to realms of endless day,
On wings of ecstasy, to join
Sages and saints, a band divine,
Whose awful forms (ere death withdrew
The veil that darkens mortal view)
Heav'n bade thy penetrative eye
Amid her dazzling courts descry;
Thence bade thee trace the faultless line,
Th' expressive grace, the chaste design,
The mien that love and awe inspires,
And wakes Devotion's purest fires.
Thy memory, still to genius dear,
Britain's enlighten'd sons revere;
And grateful hail their Monarch's name,
Whose liberal care thy labours claim:
To heights impervious heretofore
Who bids immortal science soar;
Far seen in venerable pride,
Whose regal seat, expanding wide
Its portals at his high behest,
Hails ev'ry Art an honour'd guest:
Beneath whose mild auspicious reign
The Genius old of Greece again,
Awaken'd from his deep repose,
In Reynolds' living canvass glows;
(Where Grace and Energy divine
With Beauty truly blent combine)
And braids his deathless bays around
The British Raffaelle's brows renown'd.
Lo! by his daring hand pourtray'd,e
The sanguinary scene display'd
Where martial peers, in glittering mail,
Unfold their pennons to the gale;
O'er Normandy's dismantled plains.
Where iron-clad Contention reigns;
And Havoc waits (his tresses wet
With gore) thy nod, Plantagenet!
Wafted from Albion's Isle afar,
Where wake her sons the storm of war;
Where, ravish'd from the parent stem
To grace the Victor's diadem,
Thy Lilies, France, no more assume
The splendour of their wonted bloom;
No more with peerless lustre glow,
But soil with blood their native snow!—
Now o'er the braid from Fancy's loom
The rich tints breathe a deeper gloom;
While, consecrated domes beneath,
Midst hoary shrines and caves of death,
Secluded from the eye of day,
She bids her pensive votary stray:
Brooding o'er monumental cells,
Where awe-diffusing Silence dwells;
Save when along the lofty fane
Devotion wakes her hallow'd strain,
When the vast Organ's breathing frame
Echoes the voice of loud acclaim,
And the deep diapason's sound
Thunders the vaulted iles around.
From the broad window's fretted height
Streams the rich flood of mellow'd light,
That bids the pav'd expanse below
With hues of gold and crimson glow,
Reflected from the gorgeous pane,
Where picture holds her lasting reign:
Where, in translucent glories dight,
Celestial forms arrest the sight;
Th' enraptur'd gazer's pow'rs control,
And bathe in ecstasy the soul.
While rang'd in reverend majesty,
The taper shafts ascending high,
To decorate the crisped roof,
Their mingling branches shoot aloof;
Where, blazon'd in projecting gold,
Flame the proud crests of Barons bold.
The rich tints breathe a deeper gloom;
While, consecrated domes beneath,
Midst hoary shrines and caves of death,
Secluded from the eye of day,
She bids her pensive votary stray:
Brooding o'er monumental cells,
Where awe-diffusing Silence dwells;
Save when along the lofty fane
Devotion wakes her hallow'd strain,
When the vast Organ's breathing frame
Echoes the voice of loud acclaim,
And the deep diapason's sound
Thunders the vaulted iles around.
From the broad window's fretted height
Streams the rich flood of mellow'd light,
That bids the pav'd expanse below
With hues of gold and crimson glow,
Reflected from the gorgeous pane,
Where picture holds her lasting reign:
Where, in translucent glories dight,
Celestial forms arrest the sight;
Th' enraptur'd gazer's pow'rs control,
And bathe in ecstasy the soul.
While rang'd in reverend majesty,
The taper shafts ascending high,
To decorate the crisped roof,
Their mingling branches shoot aloof;
Where, blazon'd in projecting gold,
Flame the proud crests of Barons bold.
Now beams on Fancy's eye no more
The spangled roof, the polish'd floor,
The speaking chrystal's various stain,
Illumining the wondrous fane:
Choirs, altars, shrines, illusive fade.—
Enliv'ning Airs my sense invade;
Encircled by the young and fair,
The blithe Assembly's bliss I share;
Swift o'er the lyre's harmonious strings
His magic hand the minstrel flings;
Obedient to the sprightly sound,
The dancer's quivering feet rebound;
Diffusing wide their silver rays,
Aloft the sparkling lustres blaze;
While milder emanations flow
From love-enkindling orbs below.
Here, peerless Cheshire, I behold
Thy loose robe float in airy fold!
Tall as the pine's cerulean crest,
Encircling plumes thy brows invest,
Amid whose snowy summits high
Insidious Cupids ambush'd lie.
To each enchanting Grace allied,
Here Fancy bids fair Bouverie glide,
Light as the breath of opening morn
O'er beds of unsunn'd violets borne;
And every captive heart surprise,
Unconscious of her victories.
There Townshend threads the pleasing maze:
Ah who can unenamour'd gaze!
How shall my bosom freedom know
Where Law's ingenuous beauties glow!
Fresh as the spring, as Hebe fair,
Where Egham sends a gentle Pair,
And bids the charm'd affections hail
The sister lilies of her Vale;
Whose bloom disdains fictitious aid,
Loveliest amid seclusion's shade.—
The measures cease—her tempting stores
Around prolific Fancy pours;
The sumptuous board, extended wide,
Her visionary viands hide:
Beauty and youth the banquet share—
Hence to the winds intrusive Care!
Fly, haggard Spleen, the glad abode
Where holds his state the Rosy God!
Where Cytherea, hand in hand,
The Graces leads, a blissful band;
Where Comus to his festive rites,
To joy and genial cheer, invites;
Where Frolic, Sport, and Jollity,
Await their queen, Euphrosyne;
And Love, around her hovering,
Beats the light air with sapphire wing;
With lustre shed from Beauty's eyes
Gilds his gay vest of thousand dyes,
Whose undulating folds dispense
Cassia's ambrosial redolence.
Crown'd with each lovely charmer's name,
I see the ruddy nectar flame!
Latent amid th' inspiring draught
Speeds the blind God his subtle shaft;
And, while the flask his votary drains,
Despotic in his bosom reigns;
Whence, for the Nymph his soul admires,
Th' involuntary sigh expires,
And languor steals through every vein.—
Now to the sprightly dance again!
Wing'd with delight and melody,
Swift let the jocund moments fly,
Startling the sombrous reign of Night;
'Till, heav'n's blue arch ascending bright,
Aurora the wide welkin streaks
With roses, such as Chloe's cheeks
Amid encircling snows reveal,
When her soft palms love's pressure feel.
Till Sol his steeds of golden hoof
Drives through revolving spheres aloof;
And wakes the blooms that odours breathe,
Enliv'ning earth and air beneath;
And o'er old Ocean's boundless deeps
His regal robe of glory sweeps.
Then home they hie, and, warm with wine,
Still, as they press the couch supine,
See fairy-visions round them float,
Lift the soft lyre's imperfect note,
Exhaust th' imaginary vase,
Fair forms in faultering measures chase,
Catch from bright eyes the melting beam,
And of Ideal Transports dream.
The spangled roof, the polish'd floor,
The speaking chrystal's various stain,
Illumining the wondrous fane:
Choirs, altars, shrines, illusive fade.—
Enliv'ning Airs my sense invade;
Encircled by the young and fair,
The blithe Assembly's bliss I share;
Swift o'er the lyre's harmonious strings
His magic hand the minstrel flings;
Obedient to the sprightly sound,
The dancer's quivering feet rebound;
Diffusing wide their silver rays,
Aloft the sparkling lustres blaze;
While milder emanations flow
From love-enkindling orbs below.
Here, peerless Cheshire, I behold
Thy loose robe float in airy fold!
Tall as the pine's cerulean crest,
Encircling plumes thy brows invest,
Amid whose snowy summits high
Insidious Cupids ambush'd lie.
To each enchanting Grace allied,
Here Fancy bids fair Bouverie glide,
Light as the breath of opening morn
O'er beds of unsunn'd violets borne;
And every captive heart surprise,
Unconscious of her victories.
There Townshend threads the pleasing maze:
Ah who can unenamour'd gaze!
How shall my bosom freedom know
Where Law's ingenuous beauties glow!
Fresh as the spring, as Hebe fair,
Where Egham sends a gentle Pair,
And bids the charm'd affections hail
The sister lilies of her Vale;
Whose bloom disdains fictitious aid,
Loveliest amid seclusion's shade.—
The measures cease—her tempting stores
Around prolific Fancy pours;
The sumptuous board, extended wide,
Her visionary viands hide:
Beauty and youth the banquet share—
Hence to the winds intrusive Care!
Fly, haggard Spleen, the glad abode
Where holds his state the Rosy God!
Where Cytherea, hand in hand,
The Graces leads, a blissful band;
Where Comus to his festive rites,
To joy and genial cheer, invites;
Where Frolic, Sport, and Jollity,
Await their queen, Euphrosyne;
And Love, around her hovering,
Beats the light air with sapphire wing;
With lustre shed from Beauty's eyes
Gilds his gay vest of thousand dyes,
Whose undulating folds dispense
Cassia's ambrosial redolence.
Crown'd with each lovely charmer's name,
I see the ruddy nectar flame!
Latent amid th' inspiring draught
Speeds the blind God his subtle shaft;
And, while the flask his votary drains,
Despotic in his bosom reigns;
Whence, for the Nymph his soul admires,
Th' involuntary sigh expires,
And languor steals through every vein.—
Now to the sprightly dance again!
Wing'd with delight and melody,
Swift let the jocund moments fly,
Startling the sombrous reign of Night;
'Till, heav'n's blue arch ascending bright,
Aurora the wide welkin streaks
With roses, such as Chloe's cheeks
Amid encircling snows reveal,
When her soft palms love's pressure feel.
Till Sol his steeds of golden hoof
Drives through revolving spheres aloof;
And wakes the blooms that odours breathe,
Enliv'ning earth and air beneath;
And o'er old Ocean's boundless deeps
His regal robe of glory sweeps.
Then home they hie, and, warm with wine,
Still, as they press the couch supine,
See fairy-visions round them float,
Lift the soft lyre's imperfect note,
Exhaust th' imaginary vase,
Fair forms in faultering measures chase,
Catch from bright eyes the melting beam,
And of Ideal Transports dream.
O Fancy! blest Enchantress, deign
Still to prolong thy blissful reign!
Frequent to sooth my languid sense,
Thy visionary balm dispense!
Invest in varying colours bright
Each grateful scene of past delight!
Sweet dalliance let me hold with Thee,
Eftrang'd from sad reality!
Still to prolong thy blissful reign!
Frequent to sooth my languid sense,
Thy visionary balm dispense!
Invest in varying colours bright
Each grateful scene of past delight!
Sweet dalliance let me hold with Thee,
Eftrang'd from sad reality!
O deign to cheer my humble cell!
Thence grave Parochial Cares expel:
Shield me from Swathed Infants' scream,
And clouds of suffocating steam
That from the Gossip's bowl exhale,
Mix'd with Tobacco's potent gale!
From Undertakers' gloomy brows,
From Overseers' important bows,
From ruthless Sexton's lethal face,
And Beadles bristled o'er with lace!
Shield me from puritanic cant
Of faded Maids, who matins haunt;f
And, lowering o'er each lonely pew,
At once their sins and wrinkles rue!
My trembling ears, O Fancy, save
From Sternhold's inharmonious stave!
From the sad Brief's unpitied tale,
From Exposition trite and stale,
And many an opiate Inference!
Shield me from sounds at strife with sense!
From Pedantry of formal port,
And Consequence in Cassoc short!—
Thence grave Parochial Cares expel:
Shield me from Swathed Infants' scream,
And clouds of suffocating steam
That from the Gossip's bowl exhale,
Mix'd with Tobacco's potent gale!
From Undertakers' gloomy brows,
From Overseers' important bows,
From ruthless Sexton's lethal face,
And Beadles bristled o'er with lace!
Shield me from puritanic cant
Of faded Maids, who matins haunt;f
And, lowering o'er each lonely pew,
At once their sins and wrinkles rue!
My trembling ears, O Fancy, save
From Sternhold's inharmonious stave!
From the sad Brief's unpitied tale,
From Exposition trite and stale,
And many an opiate Inference!
Shield me from sounds at strife with sense!
From Pedantry of formal port,
And Consequence in Cassoc short!—
So, Goddess, thy propitious smile[errata 2]
Shall Time's ungenial flight beguile;
Wake into joy my torpid hours,
And strew life's barren path with flow'rs.
Nor shall the kindred Muse decline
To blend her simple blooms with thine;
Blest, if the wreath by Fancy wove
Kind Friendship's partial voice approve;
Nor sigh for unsubstantial bays
If Wyatt's plaudit crown her lays.
Shall Time's ungenial flight beguile;
Wake into joy my torpid hours,
And strew life's barren path with flow'rs.
Nor shall the kindred Muse decline
To blend her simple blooms with thine;
Blest, if the wreath by Fancy wove
Kind Friendship's partial voice approve;
Nor sigh for unsubstantial bays
If Wyatt's plaudit crown her lays.
Errata