Poetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett. Thomas Parnell

Approach, ye minstrels! try the soothing strain,

       Diffuse the tuneful lenitives of pain:

       No sounds, alas! would touch the impervious ear,

       Though dancing mountains witness'd Orpheus near: 270

       Nor lute nor lyre his feeble powers attend,

       Nor sweeter music of a virtuous friend;

       But everlasting dictates crowd his tongue,

       Perversely grave, or positively wrong;

       The still returning tale, and lingering jest,

       Perplex the fawning niece and pamper'd guest;

       While growing hopes scarce awe the gathering sneer,

       And scarce a legacy can bribe to hear;

       The watchful guests still hint the last offence,

       The daughter's petulance, the son's expense, 280

       Improve his heady rage with treacherous skill,

       And mould his passions till they make his will.

      Unnumber'd maladies his joints invade,

       Lay siege to life, and press the dire blockade;

       But unextinguish'd Avarice still remains,

       And dreaded losses aggravate his pains;

       He turns, with anxious heart and crippled hands,

       His bonds of debt, and mortgages of lands;

       Or views his coffers with suspicious eyes,

       Unlocks his gold, and counts it till he dies. 290

      But grant, the virtues of a temperate prime

       Bless with an age exempt from scorn or crime—

       An age that melts with unperceived decay,

       And glides in modest innocence away,

       Whose peaceful day Benevolence endears,

       Whose night congratulating Conscience cheers;

       The general favourite as the general friend:

       Such age there is, and who shall wish its end?

      Yet e'en on this her load Misfortune flings,

       To press the weary minutes' flagging wings; 300

       New sorrow rises as the day returns,

       A sister sickens, or a daughter mourns.

       Now kindred Merit fills the sable bier,

       Now lacerated Friendship claims a tear;

       Year chases year, decay pursues decay,

       Still drops some joy from withering life away;

       New forms arise, and different views engage,

       Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage,

       Till pitying Nature signs the last release,

       And bids afflicted worth retire to peace. 310