Perchance contentment had not been my mate,
If in exalted life my feet had trod,
Or my hands borne, in transitory state,
The victor's truncheon, or the ruler's rod.

My curse, perchance, had been one dazzling glare
Of splendid pride, and I in vain had sought
The quiet comforts of this humble sphere,
Rest undisturb'd, and reason's tranquil thought.

But whither roam I? O! forgive, my kind,
My honour'd lord, this undesign'd delay,
Forgive, while in my new-awaken'd mind
A thousand vague ideas fondly play.

Enough!-they're flown-and now my tongue prepares,
Thou source of every good by me possest,
To pour a tale into thy wond'ring ears,

Full three-score years close lock'd within my breast.

Of those care-woven, long protracted years,
Some sixteen summers pass'd obscurely on,
A stranger to the world, its hopes, and fears,
My name, birth, fortunes, to myself unknown.

Plac'd in a rural, soft, serene retreat,

With a deep-learn'd divine I held abode, Who sought, by pious laws and conduct meet, The way to immortality and God.

By him instructed, I attain'd the sweet,

The precious blessings that from learning flow, He fann'd in my young breast the genial heat, That bids th' expanding mind with ardor glow.

He taught me with delighted eye to trace
The comely beauties of the Mantuan page,
Enraptur'd mix with Tully's polish'd grace,
Or catch the flame of Homer's martial rage.

Nor stopt he there, Preceptor excellent,

Nor deem'd that wisdom lay in books alone, But would explain what moral virtue meant, And bid us make our neighbour's woes our own.

Heav'ns genuine pity glist'ning in his eyes,
The sweets of charity he would instill,
And teach what blessedness of comfort lies
In universal mercy and good-will.

So taught this pious man, so thought, so did,
Squaring his actions to his tenets true;
His counsel or relief to none denied,

A general good, like heav'n's all-cheering dew!

Thus guided, thus inform'd, thus practice-drawn, In guileless peace my spring of life was spent, My leisure hours I sported o'er the lawn,

Nor knew what restless care or sorrow meant.

A courteous stranger, ever and anon,
My kind instructor's due reward supplied;
But still my name, my birth, alike unknown,
Wrapt in the gloom of secrecy lay hid.

One autumn-morn (the time I well recall)
That stranger drew me from my soft retreat,
And led my footsteps to a lofty hall,

Where state and splendor seem'd to hold their seat.

Thro' a long range of spacious gilded rooms
Dubious I pass'd, admiring as I went,
On the rich-woven labours of the looms,
The sculptur'd arch, or painted roof intent.

My guide, at length, withdrew; wrapt in suspense
And fear I stood, yet knew not what I fear'd;
When straight to my appall'd, astounded sense,
A man of noble port and mien appear'd.

His form commanded and his visage aw'd,
My spirit sunk as he advanced nigh,
With stately step along the floor he trod,
Fix'd on my face his penetrating eye.

The dancing plumage o'er his front wav'd high,
Thick-studded ribs of gold adorn'd his vest,

In splendid folds his purple robe did fly,
And royal emblems glitter'd on his breast.

I sought to bend me, but my limbs refus'd
Their wonted office, motionless and chill;
Yet somewhat, as the figure I perus'd,

A dubious joy did in my mind instill.

While thus 1 cowr'd beneath his piercing eye,
He saw and strove to mitigate my fear,
Soft'ning the frown of harsh austerity

In his bold brow, which nature grafted there.

With speeches kind he cheer'd my sinking heart, Question'd me much, and strok'd my drooping head: Yet his whole mind he seem'd not to impart,

His looks implied more than his speeches said.

A broider'd purse, which weighty seem'd with gold, He gave me then, and kindly press'd my hand; And thus awhile did stay me in his hold,

And on my face did meditating stand..

His soul word hugely, and his bosom swell'd,
As tho' some mighty thing he yearn'd to say,
But (with indignant pride the thought repell'd)
He started, frown'd, and snatch'd himself away.

My guide return'd, and reconducted me

Tow'rd the abode of my Preceptor kind; A man he seem'd of carriage mild and free,

To whom I thought I might unload my mind.

Without reserve I told him all that pass'd,
Striving by mine his confidence to gain;
Then my enquiries frank before him cast,
Hoping some knowledge of myself t' attain.

I ask'd what wond'rous cause, yet undescry'd,
Urg'd him his time and zeal for me t'employ;
And why that man of dignity and pride

Had deign'd his notice to a stranger boy.

Confus'd, yet undispleas'd, my guide appear'd,
Nought he divulg'd (tho' much he seem'd to know)
Save this, which he with earnest look aver'd,
"No obligation, youth, to me you owe;

"I do but what my place and duty bid,

With me no kindred drops of blood you share, Yet (hard to tell!) your birth must still be hid; Enquire no farther-honour bids, forbear."

Thus he reprov'd, yet did it with a look,
As tho' he pitied my sensations keen;
Patient I bow'd me to his mild rebuke,
And pledg'd obedience, with submissive mien.

He left me at my Tutor's soft abode,

And parting, bless'd me by the holy cross; My heart wax'd sad, as he re-trac'd the road, And seem'd to have sustain'd some mighty loss.