<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=418931" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>Cyder: Book I</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">-- -- Honos erit huic quoq; Pomo? Virg. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br> What Soil the Apple loves, what Care is due <br> To Orchats, timeliest when to press the Fruits, <br> Thy Gift, Pomona, in Miltonian Verse <br> Adventrous I presume to sing; of Verse <br> Nor skill'd, nor studious: But my Native Soil <br> Invites me, and the Theme as yet unsung. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Ye Ariconian Knights, and fairest Dames, <br> To whom propitious Heav'n these Blessings grants, <br> Attend my Layes; nor hence disdain to learn, <br> How Nature's Gifts may be improv'd by Art. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> And thou, O Mostyn, whose Benevolence, <br> And Candor, oft experienc'd, Me vouchsaf'd <br> To knit in Friendship, growing still with Years, <br> Accept this Pledge of Gratitude and Love. <br> May it a lasting Monument remain <br> Of dear Respect; that, when this Body frail <br> Is moulder'd into Dust, and I become <br> As I had never been, late Times may know <br> I once was blest in such a matchless Friend. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Who-e'er expects his lab'ring Trees shou'd bend <br> With Fruitage, and a kindly Harvest yield, <br> Be this his first Concern; to find a Tract <br> Impervious to the Winds, begirt with Hills, <br> That intercept the Hyperborean Blasts <br> Tempestuous, and cold Eurus nipping Force, <br> Noxious to feeble Buds: But to the West <br> Let him free Entrance grant, let Zephyrs bland <br> Administer their tepid genial Airs; <br> Naught fear he from the West, whose gentle Warmth <br> Discloses well the Earth's all-teeming Womb, <br> Invigorating tender Seeds; whose Breath <br> Nurtures the Orange, and the Citron Groves, <br> Hesperian Fruits, and wafts their Odours sweet <br> Wide thro' the Air, and distant Shores perfumes. <br> Nor only do the Hills exclude the Winds: <br> But, when the blackning Clouds in sprinkling Show'rs <br> Distill, from the high Summits down the Rain <br> Runs trickling; with the fertile Moisture chear'd, <br> The Orchats smile; joyous the Farmers see <br> Their thriving Plants, and bless the heav'nly Dew. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Next, let the Planter, with Discretion meet, <br> The Force and Genius of each Soil explore; <br> To what adapted, what it shuns averse: <br> Without this necessary Care, in vain <br> He hopes an Apple-Vintage, and invokes <br> Pomona's Aid in vain. The miry Fields, <br> Rejoycing in rich Mold, most ample Fruit <br> Of beauteous Form produce; pleasing to Sight, <br> But to the Tongue inelegant and flat. <br> So Nature has decreed; so, oft we see <br> Men passing fair, in outward Lineaments <br> Elaborate; less, inwardly, exact. <br> Nor from the sable Ground expect Success, <br> Nor from cretaceous, stubborn and jejune: <br> The Must, of pallid Hue, declares the Soil <br> Devoid of Spirit; wretched He, that quaffs <br> Such wheyish Liquors; oft with Colic Pangs, <br> With pungent Colic Pangs distress'd, he'll roar, <br> And toss, and turn, and curse th' unwholsome Draught. <br> But, Farmer, look, where full-ear'd Sheaves of Rye <br> Grow wavy on the Tilth, that Soil select <br> For Apples; thence thy Industry shall gain <br> Ten-fold Reward; thy Garners, thence with Store <br> Surcharg'd, shall burst; thy Press with purest Juice <br> Shall flow, which, in revolving Years, may try <br> Thy feeble Feet, and bind thy fault'ring Tongue. <br> Such is the Kentchurch, such Dantzeyan Ground, <br> Such thine, O learned Brome, and Capel such, <br> Willisian Burlton, much-lov'd Geers his Marsh, <br> And Sutton-Acres, drench'd with Regal Blood <br> Of Ethelbert, when to th' unhallow'd Feast <br> Of Mercian Offa he invited came, <br> To treat of Spousals: Long connubial Joys <br> He promis'd to himself, allur'd by Fair <br> Elfrida's Beauty; but deluded dy'd <br> In height of Hopes -- Oh! hardest Fate, to fall <br> By Shew of Friendship, and pretended Love! </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> I nor advise, nor reprehend the Choice <br> Of Marcley-Hill; the Apple no where finds <br> A kinder Mold: Yet 'tis unsafe to trust <br> Deceitful Ground: Who knows but that, once more, <br> This Mount may journey, and, his present Site <br> Forsaking, to thy Neighbours Bounds transfer <br> The goodly Plants, affording Matter strange <br> For Law-Debates? If, therefore, thou incline <br> To deck this Rise with Fruits of various Tastes, <br> Fail not by frequent Vows t' implore Success; <br> Thus piteous Heav'n may fix the wand'ring Glebe. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> But if (for Nature doth not share alike <br> Her Gifts) an happy Soil shou'd be with-held; <br> If a penurious Clay shou'd be thy Lot, <br> Or rough unweildy Earth, nor to the Plough, <br> Nor to the Cattle kind, with sandy Stones <br> And Gravel o'er-abounding, think it not <br> Beneath thy Toil; the sturdy Pear-tree here <br> Will rise luxuriant, and with toughest Root <br> Pierce the obstructing Grit, and restive Marle. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Thus naught is useless made; nor is there Land, <br> But what, or of it self, or else compell'd, <br> Affords Advantage. On the barren Heath <br> The Shepherd tends his Flock, that daily crop <br> Their verdant Dinner from the mossie Turf, <br> Sufficient; after them the Cackling Goose, <br> Close-grazer, finds wherewith to ease her Want. <br> What shou'd I more? Ev'n on the cliffy Height <br> Of Penmenmaur, and that Cloud-piercing Hill, <br> Plinlimmon, from afar the Traveller kens <br> Astonish'd, how the Goats their shrubby Brouze <br> Gnaw pendent; nor untrembling canst thou see, <br> How from a scraggy Rock, whose Prominence <br> Half overshades the Ocean, hardy Men, <br> Fearless of rending Winds, and dashing Waves, <br> Cut Sampire, to excite the squeamish Gust <br> Of pamper'd Luxury. Then, let thy Ground <br> Not lye unlabour'd; if the richest Stem <br> Refuse to thrive, yet who wou'd doubt to plant <br> Somewhat, that may to Human Use redound, <br> And Penury, the worst of Ills, remove? </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> There are, who, fondly studious of Increase, <br> Rich Foreign Mold on their ill-natur'd Land <br> Induce laborious, and with fatning Muck <br> Besmear the Roots; in vain! the nurseling Grove <br> Seems fair awhile, cherish'd with foster Earth: <br> But, when the alien Compost is exhaust, <br> It's native Poverty again prevails. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Tho' this Art fails, despond not; little Pains, <br> In a due Hour employ'd, great Profit yield. <br> Th' Industrious, when the Sun in Leo rides, <br> And darts his sultriest Beams, portending Drought, <br> Forgets not at the Foot of ev'ry Plant <br> To sink a circling Trench, and daily pour <br> A just Supply of alimental Streams, <br> Exhausted Sap recruiting; else, false Hopes <br> He cherishes, nor will his Fruit expect <br> Th' autumnal Season, but, in Summer's Pride, <br> When other Orchats smile, abortive fail. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Thus the great Light of Heav'n, that in his Course <br> Surveys and quickens all things, often proves <br> Noxious to planted Fields, and often Men <br> Perceive his Influence dire: sweltring they run <br> To Grots, and Caves, and the cool Umbrage seek <br> Of woven Arborets, and oft the Rills <br> Still streaming fresh revisit, to allay <br> Thirst inextinguishable: But if the Spring <br> Preceding shou'd be destitute of Rain, <br> Or Blast Septentrional with brushing Wings <br> Sweep up the smoaky Mists, and Vapours damp, <br> Then wo to Mortals! Titan then exerts <br> His Heat intense, and on our Vitals preys; <br> Then Maladies of various Kinds, and Names <br> Unknown, malignant Fevers, and that Foe <br> To blooming Beauty, which imprints the Face <br> Of fairest Nymph, and checks our growing Love, <br> Reign far and near; grim Death, in different Shapes, <br> Depopulates the Nations, thousands fall <br> His Victims, Youths, and Virgins, in their Flower, <br> Reluctant die, and sighing leave their Loves <br> Unfinish'd, by infectious Heav'n destroy'd. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Such Heats prevail'd, when fair Eliza, last <br> Of Winchcomb's Name (next Thee in Blood, and Worth, <br> O fairest St. John!) left this toilsome World <br> In Beauty's Prime, and sadden'd all the Year: <br> Nor cou'd her Virtues, nor repeated Vows <br> Of thousand Lovers, the relentless Hand <br> Of Death arrest; She with the Vulgar fell, <br> Only distinguish'd by this humble Verse. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> But if it please the Sun's intemp'rate Force <br> To know, attend; whilst I of ancient Fame <br> The Annals trace, and image to thy Mind, <br> How our Fore-fathers, (luckless Men!) ingulft <br> By the wide yawning Earth, to Stygian Shades <br> Went quick, in one sad Sepulchre enclos'd. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> In elder Days, e'er yet the Roman Bands <br> Victorious, this our Other World subdu'd, <br> A spacious City stood, with firmest Walls <br> Sure mounded, and with numerous Turrets crown'd, <br> Aerial Spires, and Citadels, the Seat <br> Of Kings, and Heroes resolute in War, <br> Fam'd Ariconium; uncontroul'd, and free, <br> 'Till all-subduing Latian Arms prevail'd. <br> Then also, tho' to foreign Yoke submiss, <br> She undemolish'd stood, and even 'till now <br> Perhaps had stood, of ancient British Art <br> A pleasing Monument, not less admir'd <br> Than what from Attic, or Etruscan Hands <br> Arose; had not the Heav'nly Pow'rs averse <br> Decreed her final Doom: For now the Fields <br> Labour'd with Thirst, Aquarius had not shed <br> His wonted Show'rs, and Sirius parch'd with Heat <br> Solstitial the green Herb: Hence 'gan relax <br> The Ground's Contexture, hence Tartarean Dregs, <br> Sulphur, and nitrous Spume, enkindling fierce, <br> Bellow'd within their darksom Caves, by far <br> More dismal than the loud disploded Roar <br> Of brazen Enginry, that ceaseless storm <br> The Bastion of a well-built City, deem'd <br> Impregnable: Th' infernal Winds, 'till now <br> Closely imprison'd, by Titanian Warmth, <br> Dilating, and with unctuous Vapours fed, <br> Disdain'd their narrow Cells; and, their full Strength <br> Collecting, from beneath the solid Mass <br> Upheav'd, and all her Castles rooted deep <br> Shook from their lowest Seat; old Vaga's Stream, <br> Forc'd by the sudden Shock, her wonted Track <br> Forsook, and drew her humid Train aslope, <br> Crankling her Banks: And now the low'ring Sky, <br> And baleful Lightning, and the Thunder, Voice <br> Of angry Gods, that rattled solemn, dismaid <br> The sinking Hearts of Men. Where shou'd they turn <br> Distress'd? Whence seek for Aid? when from below <br> Hell threatens, and ev'n Fate supreme gives Signs <br> Of Wrath and Desolation? Vain were Vows, <br> And Plaints, and suppliant Hands, to Heav'n erect! <br> Yet some to Fanes repair'd, and humble Rites <br> Perform'd to Thor, and Woden, fabled Gods, <br> Who with their Vot'ries in one Ruin shar'd, <br> Crush'd, and o'erwhelm'd. Others, in frantick Mood, <br> Run howling thro' the Streets, their hideous Yells <br> Rend the dark Welkin; Horror stalks around, <br> Wild-staring, and, his sad Concomitant, <br> Despair, of abject Look: At ev'ry Gate <br> The thronging Populace with hasty Strides <br> Press furious, and, too eager of Escape, <br> Obstruct the easie Way; the rocking Town <br> Supplants their Footsteps; to, and fro, they reel <br> Astonish'd, as o'er-charg'd with Wine; when lo! <br> The Ground adust her riven Mouth disparts, <br> Horrible Chasm, profound! with swift Descent <br> Old Ariconium sinks, and all her Tribes, <br> Heroes, and Senators, down to the Realms <br> Of endless Night. Mean while, the loosen'd Winds <br> Infuriate, molten Rocks and flaming Globes <br> Hurl'd high above the Clouds; 'till, all their Force <br> Consum'd, her rav'nous Jaws th' Earth satiate clos'd. <br> Thus this fair City fell, of which the Name <br> Survives alone; nor is there found a Mark, <br> Whereby the curious Passenger may learn <br> Her ample Site, save Coins, and mould'ring Urns, <br> And huge unweildy Bones, lasting Remains <br> Of that Gigantic Race; which, as he breaks <br> The clotted Glebe, the Plowman haply finds, <br> Appall'd. Upon that treacherous Tract of Land, <br> She whilome stood; now Ceres, in her Prime, <br> Smiles fertile, and, with ruddiest Freight bedeckt, <br> The Apple-Tree, by our Fore-fathers Blood <br> Improv'd, that now recalls the devious Muse, <br> Urging her destin'd Labours to persue. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> The Prudent will observe, what Passions reign <br> In various Plants (for not to Man alone, <br> But all the wide Creation, Nature gave <br> Love, and Aversion): Everlasting Hate <br> The Vine to Ivy bears, nor less abhors <br> The Coleworts Rankness; but, with amorous Twine, <br> Clasps the tall Elm: the Pæstan Rose unfolds <br> Her Bud, more lovely, near the fetid Leek, <br> (Crest of stout Britons,) and inhances thence <br> The Price of her celestial Scent: The Gourd, <br> And thirsty Cucumer, when they perceive <br> Th' approaching Olive, with Resentment fly <br> Her fatty Fibres, and with Tendrils creep <br> Diverse, detesting Contact; whilst the Fig <br> Contemns not Rue, nor Sage's humble Leaf, <br> Close neighbouring: The Herefordian Plant <br> Caresses freely the contiguous Peach, <br> Hazel, and weight-resisting Palm, and likes <br> T' approach the Quince, and th' Elder's pithy Stem; <br> Uneasie, seated by funereal Yeugh, <br> Or Walnut, (whose malignant Touch impairs <br> All generous Fruits), or near the bitter Dews <br> Of Cherries. Therefore, weigh the Habits well <br> Of Plants, how they associate best, nor let <br> Ill Neighbourhood corrupt thy hopeful Graffs. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Wouldst thou, thy Vats with gen'rous Juice should froth? <br> Respect thy Orchats; think not, that the Trees <br> Spontaneous will produce an wholsom Draught. <br> Let Art correct thy Breed; from Parent Bough <br> A Cyon meetly sever; after, force <br> A way into the Crabstock's close-wrought Grain <br> By Wedges, and within the living Wound <br> Enclose the Foster Twig; nor over-nice <br> Refuse with thy own Hands around to spread <br> The binding Clay: Ee'r-long their differing Veins <br> Unite, and kindly Nourishment convey <br> To the new Pupil; now he shoots his Arms <br> With quickest Growth; now shake the teeming Trunc, <br> Down rain th' impurpl'd Balls, ambrosial Fruit. <br> Whether the Wilding's Fibres are contriv'd <br> To draw th' Earth's purest Spirit, and resist <br> It's Feculence, which in more porous Stocks <br> Of Cyder-Plants finds Passage free, or else <br> The native Verjuice of the Crab, deriv'd <br> Thro' th' infix'd Graff, a grateful Mixture forms <br> Of tart and sweet; whatever be the Cause, <br> This doubtful Progeny by nicest Tastes <br> Expected best Acceptance finds, and pays <br> Largest Revenues to the Orchat-Lord. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Some think, the Quince and Apple wou'd combine <br> In happy Union; Others fitter deem <br> The Sloe-Stem bearing Sylvan Plums austere. <br> Who knows but Both may thrive? Howe'er, what loss <br> To try the Pow'rs of Both, and search how far <br> Two different Natures may concur to mix <br> In close Embraces, and strange Off-spring bear? <br> Thoul't find that Plants will frequent Changes try, <br> Undamag'd, and their marriageable Arms <br> Conjoin with others. So Silurian Plants <br> Admit the Peache's odoriferous Globe, <br> And Pears of sundry Forms; at diff'rent times <br> Adopted Plums will aliene Branches grace; <br> And Men have gather'd from the Hawthorn's Branch <br> Large Medlars, imitating regal Crowns. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Nor is it hard to beautifie each Month <br> With Files of particolour'd Fruits, that please <br> The Tongue, and View, at once. So Maro's Muse, <br> Thrice sacred Muse! commodious Precepts gives <br> Instructive to the Swains, not wholly bent <br> On what is gainful: Sometimes she diverts <br> From solid Counsels, shews the Force of Love <br> In savage Beasts; how Virgin Face divine <br> Attracts the hapless Youth thro' Storms, and Waves, <br> Alone, in deep of Night: Then she describes <br> The Scythian Winter, nor disdains to sing, <br> How under Ground the rude Riphæan Race <br> Mimic brisk Cyder with the Brakes Product wild; <br> Sloes pounded, Hips, and Servis' harshest Juice. <br> Let sage Experience teach thee all the Arts <br> Of Grafting, and In-Eyeing; when to lop <br> The flowing Branches; what Trees answer best <br> From Root, or Kernel: She will best the Hours <br> Of Harvest, and Seed-time declare; by Her <br> The diff'rent Qualities of things were found, <br> And secret Motions; how with heavy Bulk <br> Volatile Hermes, fluid and unmoist, <br> Mounts on the Wings of Air; to Her we owe <br> The Indian Weed, unknown to ancient Times, <br> Nature's choice Gift, whose acrimonious Fume <br> Extracts superfluous Juices, and refines <br> The Blood distemper'd from its noxious Salts; <br> Friend to the Spirits, which with Vapours bland <br> It gently mitigates, Companion fit <br> Of Pleasantry, and Wine; nor to the Bards <br> Unfriendly, when they to the vocal Shell <br> Warble melodious their well-labour'd Songs. <br> She found the polish'd Glass, whose small Convex <br> Enlarges to ten Millions of Degrees <br> The Mite, invisible else, of Nature's Hand <br> Least Animal; and shews, what Laws of Life <br> The Cheese-Inhabitants observe, and how <br> Fabrick their Mansions in the harden'd Milk, <br> Wonderful Artists! But the hidden Ways <br> Of Nature wouldst thou know? how first she frames <br> All things in Miniature? thy Specular Orb <br> Apply to well-dissected Kernels; lo! <br> Strange Forms arise, in each a little Plant <br> Unfolds its Boughs: observe the slender Threads <br> Of first-beginning Trees, their Roots, their Leaves, <br> In narrow Seeds describ'd; Thou'lt wond'ring say, <br> An inmate Orchat ev'ry Apple boasts. <br> Thus All things by Experience are display'd, <br> And Most improv'd. Then sedulously think <br> To meliorate thy Stock; no Way, or Rule <br> Be unassay'd; prevent the Morning Star <br> Assiduous, nor with the Western Sun <br> Surcease to work; lo! thoughtful of Thy Gain, <br> Not of my Own, I all the live-long Day <br> Consume in Meditation deep, recluse <br> From human Converse, nor, at shut of Eve, <br> Enjoy Repose; but oft at Midnight Lamp <br> Ply my brain-racking Studies, if by chance <br> Thee I may counsel right; and oft this Care <br> Disturbs me slumbring. Wilt thou then repine <br> To labour for thy Self? and rather chuse <br> To lye supinely, hoping, Heav'n will bless <br> Thy slighted Fruits, and give thee Bread unearn'd? </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> 'Twill profit, when the Stork, sworn-Foe of Snakes, <br> Returns, to shew Compassion to thy Plants, <br> Fatigu'd with Breeding. Let the arched Knife <br> Well sharpen'd now assail the spreading Shades <br> Of Vegetables, and their thirsty Limbs <br> Dissever: for the genial Moisture, due <br> To Apples, otherwise mispends it self <br> In barren Twigs, and, for th' expected Crop, <br> Naught but vain Shoots, and empty Leaves abound. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> When swelling Buds their od'rous Foliage shed, <br> And gently harden into Fruit, the Wise <br> Spare not the little Off-springs, if they grow <br> Redundant; but the thronging Clusters thin <br> By kind Avulsion: else, the starv'ling Brood, <br> Void of sufficient Sustenance, will yield <br> A slender Autumn; which the niggard Soul <br> Too late shall weep, and curse his thrifty Hand, <br> That would not timely ease the pond'rous Boughs. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> It much conduces, all the Cares to know <br> Of Gard'ning, how to scare nocturnal Thieves, <br> And how the little Race of Birds, that hop <br> From Spray to Spray, scooping the costliest Fruit <br> Insatiate, undisturb'd. Priapus' Form <br> Avails but little; rather guard each Row <br> With the false Terrors of a breathless Kite. <br> This done, the timorous Flock with swiftest Wing <br> Scud thro' the Air; their Fancy represents <br> His mortal Talons, and his rav'nous Beak <br> Destructive; glad to shun his hostile Gripe, <br> They quit their Thefts, and unfrequent the Fields. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Besides, the filthy Swine will oft invade <br> Thy firm Inclosure, and with delving Snout <br> The rooted Forest undermine: forthwith <br> Alloo thy furious Mastiff, bid him vex <br> The noxious Herd, and print upon their Ears <br> A sad Memorial of their past Offence. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> The flagrant Procyon will not fail to bring <br> Large Shoals of slow House-bearing Snails, that creep <br> O'er the ripe Fruitage, paring slimy Tracts <br> In the sleek Rinds, and unprest Cyder drink. <br> No Art averts this Pest; on Thee it lyes, <br> With Morning and with Evening Hand to rid <br> The preying Reptiles; nor, if wise, wilt thou <br> Decline this Labour, which it self rewards <br> With pleasing Gain, whilst the warm Limbec draws <br> Salubrious Waters from the nocent Brood. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Myriads of Wasps now also clustering hang, <br> And drain a spurious Honey from thy Groves, <br> Their Winter Food; tho' oft repulst, again <br> They rally, undismay'd: but Fraud with ease <br> Ensnares the noisom Swarms; let ev'ry Bough <br> Bear frequent Vials, pregnant with the Dregs <br> Of Moyle, or Mum, or Treacle's viscous Juice; <br> They, by th' alluring Odor drawn, in haste <br> Fly to the dulcet Cates, and crouding sip <br> Their palatable Bane; joyful thou'lt see <br> The clammy Surface all o'er-strown with Tribes <br> Of greedy Insects, that with fruitless Toil <br> Flap filmy Pennons oft, to extricate <br> Their Feet, in liquid Shackles bound, 'till Death <br> Bereave them of their worthless Souls: Such doom <br> Waits Luxury, and lawless Love of Gain! </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Howe'er thou maist forbid external Force, <br> Intestine Evils will prevail; damp Airs, <br> And rainy Winters, to the Centre pierce <br> Of firmest Fruits, and by unseen Decay <br> The proper Relish vitiate: then the Grub <br> Oft unobserv'd invades the vital Core, <br> Pernicious Tenant, and her secret Cave <br> Enlarges hourly, preying on the Pulp <br> Ceaseless; mean while the Apple's outward Form <br> Delectable the witless Swain beguiles, <br> 'Till, with a writhen Mouth, and spattering Noise, <br> He tastes the bitter Morsel, and rejects <br> Disrelisht; not with less Surprize, then when <br> Embattled Troops with flowing Banners pass <br> Thro' flow'ry Meads delighted, nor distrust <br> The smiling Surface; whilst the cavern'd Ground, <br> With Grain incentive stor'd, by suddain Blaze <br> Bursts fatal, and involves the Hopes of War <br> In firy Whirles; full of victorious Thoughts, <br> Torn and dismembred, they aloft expire. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Now turn thine Eye to view Alcinous' Groves, <br> The Pride of the Phæacian Isle, from whence, <br> Sailing the Spaces of the boundless Deep, <br> To Ariconium pretious Fruits arriv'd: <br> The Pippin burnisht o'er with Gold, the Moile <br> Of sweetest hony'd Taste, the fair Permain, <br> Temper'd, like comliest Nymph, with red and white. <br> Salopian Acres flourish with a Growth <br> Peculiar, styl'd the Ottley: Be thou first <br> This Apple to transplant; if to the Name <br> It's Merit answers, no where shalt thou find <br> A Wine more priz'd, or laudable of Taste. <br> Nor does the Eliot least deserve thy Care, <br> Nor John-Apple, whose wither'd Rind, entrencht <br> With many a Furrow, aptly represents <br> Decrepid Age; nor that from Harvey nam'd, <br> Quick-relishing: Why should we sing the Thrift, <br> Codling, or Pomroy, or of pimpled Coat <br> The Russet, or the Cats-Head's weighty Orb, <br> Enormous in its Growth; for various Use <br> Tho' these are meet, tho' after full repast <br> Are oft requir'd, and crown the rich Desert? </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> What, tho' the Pear-Tree rival not the Worth, <br> Of Ariconian Products? yet her Freight <br> Is not contemn'd, yet her wide-branching Arms <br> Best screen thy Mansion from the fervent Dog <br> Adverse to Life; the wintry Hurricanes <br> In vain imploy their Roar, her Trunc unmov'd <br> Breaks the strong Onset, and controls their Rage. <br> Chiefly the Bosbury, whose large Increase, <br> Annual, in sumptuous Banquets claims Applause. <br> Thrice acceptable Bev'rage! could but Art <br> Subdue the floating Lee, Pomona's self <br> Would dread thy Praise, and shun the dubious Strife. <br> Be it thy Choice, when Summer-Heats annoy, <br> To sit beneath her leafy Canopy, <br> Quaffing rich Liquids: Oh! how sweet t' enjoy, <br> At once her Fruits, and hospitable Shade! </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> But how with equal Numbers shall we match <br> The Musk's surpassing Worth! that earliest gives <br> Sure hopes of racy Wine, and in its Youth, <br> Its tender Nonage, loads the spreading Boughs <br> With large and juicy Off-spring, that defies <br> The Vernal Nippings, and cold Syderal Blasts! <br> Yet let her to the Read-streak yield, that once <br> Was of the Sylvan Kind, unciviliz'd, <br> Of no Regard, 'till Scudamore's skilful Hand <br> Improv'd her, and by courtly Discipline <br> Taught her the savage Nature to forget: <br> Hence styl'd the Scudamorean Plant; whose Wine <br> Who-ever tastes, let him with grateful Heart <br> Respect that ancient loyal House, and wish <br> The noble Peer, that now transcends our Hopes <br> In early Worth, his Country's justest Pride, <br> Uninterrupted Joy, and Health entire. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Let every Tree in every Garden own <br> The Red-streak as supream; whose pulpous Fruit <br> With Gold irradiate, and Vermilian shines <br> Tempting, not fatal, as the Birth of that <br> Primæval interdicted Plant, that won <br> Fond Eve in hapless Hour to taste, and die. <br> This, of more bounteous Influence, inspires <br> Poetic Raptures, and the lowly Muse <br> Kindles to loftier Strains; even I perceive <br> Her sacred Virtue. See! the Numbers flow <br> Easie, whilst, chear'd with her nectareous Juice, <br> Hers, and my Country's Praises I exalt. <br> Hail Herefordian Plant, that dost disdain <br> All other Fields! Heav'n's sweetest Blessing, hail! <br> Be thou the copious Matter of my Song, <br> And Thy choice Nectar; on which always waits <br> Laughter, and Sport, and care-beguiling Wit, <br> And Friendship, chief Delight of Human Life. <br> What shou'd we wish for more? or why, in quest <br> Of Foreign Vintage, insincere, and mixt, <br> Traverse th' extreamest World? Why tempt the Rage <br> Of the rough Ocean? when our native Glebe <br> Imparts, from bounteous Womb, annual Recruits <br> Of Wine delectable, that far surmounts <br> Gallic, or Latin Grapes, or those that see <br> The setting Sun near Calpe's tow'ring Height. <br> Nor let the Rhodian, nor the Lesbian Vines <br> Vaunt their rich Must, nor let Tokay contend <br> For Sov'ranty; Phanæus self must bow <br> To th' Ariconian Vales: And shall we doubt <br> T' improve our vegetable Wealth, or let <br> The Soil lye idle, which, with fit Manure, <br> Will largest Usury repay, alone <br> Impower'd to supply what Nature asks <br> Frugal, or what nice Appetite requires? <br> The Meadows here, with bat'ning Ooze enrich'd, <br> Give Spirit to the Grass; three Cubits high <br> The jointed Herbage shoots; th' unfallow'd Glebe <br> Yearly o'ercomes the Granaries with Store <br> Of Golden Wheat, the Strength of Human Life. <br> Lo, on auxiliary Poles, the Hops <br> Ascending spiral, rang'd in meet Array! <br> Lo, how the Arable with Barley-Grain <br> Stands thick, o'er-shadow'd, to the thirsty Hind <br> Transporting Prospect! These, as modern Use <br> Ordains, infus'd, an Auburn Drink compose, <br> Wholesome, of deathless Fame. Here, to the Sight, <br> Apples of Price, and plenteous Sheaves of Corn, <br> Oft interlac'd occurr, and both imbibe <br> Fitting congenial Juice; so rich the Soil, <br> So much does fructuous Moisture o'er-abound! <br> Nor are the Hills unamiable, whose Tops <br> To Heav'n aspire, affording Prospect sweet <br> To Human Ken; nor at their Feet the Vales <br> Descending gently, where the lowing Herd <br> Chews verd'rous Pasture; nor the yellow Fields <br> Gaily' enterchang'd, with rich Variety <br> Pleasing, as when an Emerald green, enchas'd <br> In flamy Gold, from the bright Mass acquires <br> A nobler Hue, more delicate to Sight. <br> Next add the Sylvan Shades, and silent Groves, <br> (Haunt of the Druids) whence the Hearth is fed <br> With copious Fuel; whence the sturdy Oak, <br> A Prince's Refuge once, th' æternal Guard <br> Of England's Throne, by sweating Peasants fell'd, <br> Stems the vast Main, and bears tremendous War <br> To distant Nations, or with Sov'ran Sway <br> Aws the divided World to Peace and Love. <br> Why shou'd the Chalybes, or Bilboa boast <br> Their harden'd Iron; when our Mines produce <br> As perfect Martial Ore? Can Tmolus' Head <br> Vie with our Safron Odours? Or the Fleece <br> Bætic, or finest Tarentine, compare <br> With Lemster's silken Wool? Where shall we find <br> Men more undaunted, for their Country's Weal <br> More prodigal of Life? In ancient Days, <br> The Roman Legions, and great Cæsar found <br> Our Fathers no mean Foes: And Cressy Plains, <br> And Agincourt, deep-ting'd with Blood, confess <br> What the Silures Vigour unwithstood <br> Cou'd do in rigid Fight; and chiefly what <br> Brydges' wide-wasting Hand, first Garter'd Knight, <br> Puissant Author of great Chandois' Stemm, <br> High Chandois, that transmits Paternal Worth, <br> Prudence, and ancient Prowess, and Renown, <br> T' his Noble Off-spring. O thrice happy Peer! <br> That, blest with hoary Vigour, view'st Thy self <br> Fresh blooming in Thy Generous Son; whose Lips, <br> Flowing with nervous Eloquence exact, <br> Charm the wise Senate, and Attention win <br> In deepest Councils: Ariconium pleas'd, <br> Him, as her chosen Worthy, first salutes. <br> Him on th' Iberian, on the Gallic Shore, <br> Him hardy Britons bless; His faithful Hand <br> Conveys new Courage from afar, nor more <br> The General's Conduct, than His Care avails. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Thee also, Glorious Branch of Cecil's Line, <br> This Country claims; with Pride and Joy to Thee <br> Thy Alterennis calls: yet she endures <br> Patient Thy Absence, since Thy prudent Choice <br> Has fix'd Thee in the Muse's fairest Seat, <br> Where Aldrich reigns, and from his endless Store <br> Of universal Knowledge still supplies <br> His noble Care; He generous Thoughts instills <br> Of true Nobility, their Country's Love, <br> (Chief End of Life) and forms their ductile Minds <br> To Human Virtues: By His Genius led, <br> Thou soon in every Art preeminent <br> Shalt grace this Isle, and rise to Burleigh's Fame. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Hail high-born Peer! And Thou, great Nurse of Arts, <br> And Men, from whence conspicuous Patriots spring, <br> Hanmer, and Bromley; Thou, to whom with due <br> Respect Wintonia bows, and joyful owns <br> Thy mitred Off-spring; be for ever blest <br> With like Examples, and to future Times <br> Proficuous, such a Race of Men produce, <br> As, in the Cause of Virtue firm, may fix <br> Her Throne inviolate. Hear, ye Gods, this Vow <br> From One, the meanest in her numerous Train; <br> Tho' meanest, not least studious of her Praise. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Muse, raise thy Voice to Beaufort's spotless Fame, <br> To Beaufort, in a long Descent deriv'd <br> From Royal Ancestry, of Kingly Rights <br> Faithful Asserters: In Him centring meet <br> Their glorious Virtues, high Desert from Pride <br> Disjoin'd, unshaken Honour, and Contempt <br> Of strong Allurements. O Illustrious Prince! <br> O Thou of ancient Faith! Exulting, Thee, <br> In her fair List this happy Land inrolls. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Who can refuse a Tributary Verse <br> To Weymouth, firmest Friend of slighted Worth <br> In evil Days? whose hospitable Gate, <br> Unbarr'd to All, invites a numerous Train <br> Of daily Guests; whose Board, with Plenty crown'd, <br> Revives the Feast-rites old: Mean while His Care <br> Forgets not the afflicted, but content <br> In Acts of secret Goodness, shuns the Praise, <br> That sure attends. Permit me, bounteous Lord, <br> To blazon what tho' hid will beauteous shine; <br> And with Thy Name to dignifie my Song. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> But who is He, that on the winding Stream <br> Of Vaga first drew vital Breath, and now <br> Approv'd in Anna's secret Councils sits, <br> Weighing the Sum of Things, with wise Forecast <br> Sollicitous of public Good? How large <br> His Mind, that comprehends what-e'er was known <br> To Old, or Present Time; yet not elate, <br> Not conscious of its Skill? What Praise deserves <br> His liberal Hand, that gathers but to give, <br> Preventing Suit? O not unthankful Muse, <br> Him lowly reverence, that first deign'd to hear <br> Thy Pipe, and skreen'd thee from opprobrious Tongues. <br> Acknowledge thy Own Harley, and his Name <br> Inscribe on ev'ry Bark; the wounded Plants <br> Will fast increase, faster thy just Respect. <br> Such are our Heroes, by their Virtues known, <br> Or Skill in Peace, and War: Of softer Mold <br> The Female Sex, with sweet attractive Airs <br> Subdue obdurate Hearts. The Travellers oft, <br> That view their matchless Forms with transient Glance, <br> Catch suddain Love, and sigh for Nymphs unknown, <br> Smit with the Magic of their Eyes: nor hath <br> The Dædal Hand of Nature only pour'd <br> Her Gifts of outward Grace; their Innocence <br> Unfeign'd, and Virtue most engaging, free <br> From Pride, or Artifice, long Joys afford <br> To th' honest Nuptial Bed, and in the Wane <br> Of Life, rebate the Miseries of Age. <br> And is there found a Wretch, so base of Mind, <br> That Woman's pow'rful Beauty dares condemn, <br> Exactest Work of Heav'n? He ill deserves <br> Or Love, or Pity; friendless let him see <br> Uneasie, tedious Days, despis'd, forlorn, <br> As Stain of Human Race: But may the Man, <br> That chearfully recounts the Females Praise <br> Find equal Love, and Love's untainted Sweets <br> Enjoy with Honour. O, ye Gods! might I <br> Elect my Fate, my happiest Choice should be <br> A fair, and modest Virgin, that invites <br> With Aspect chast, forbidding loose Desire, <br> Tenderly smiling; in whose Heav'nly Eye <br> Sits purest Love enthron'd: But if the Stars <br> Malignant, these my better Hopes oppose, <br> May I, at least, the sacred Pleasures know <br> Of strictest Amity; nor ever want <br> A Friend, with whom I mutually may share <br> Gladness, and Anguish, by kind Intercourse <br> Of Speech, and Offices. May in my Mind, <br> Indelible a grateful Sense remain <br> Of Favours undeserv'd! -- O Thou! from whom <br> Gladly both Rich, and Low seek Aid; most Wise <br> Interpreter of Right, whose gracious Voice <br> Breaths Equity, and curbs too rigid Law <br> With mild, impartial Reason; what Returns <br> Of Thanks are due to Thy Beneficence <br> Freely vouchsaft, when to the Gates of Death <br> I tended prone? If Thy indulgent Care <br> Had not preven'd, among unbody'd Shades <br> I now had wander'd; and these empty Thoughts <br> Of Apples perish'd: But, uprais'd by Thee, <br> I tune my Pipe afresh, each Night, and Day <br> Thy unexampled Goodness to extoll <br> Desirous; but nor Night, nor Day suffice <br> For that great Task; the highly Honour'd Name <br> Of Trevor must employ my willing Thoughts <br> Incessant, dwell for ever on my Tongue. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Let me be grateful, but let far from me <br> Be fawning Cringe, and false dissembling Look, <br> And servile Flattery, that harbours oft <br> In Courts, and gilded Roofs. Some loose the Bands <br> Of ancient Friendship, cancell Nature's Laws <br> For Pageantry, and tawdy Gugaws. Some <br> Renounce their Sires, oppose paternal Right <br> For Rule, and Power; and other's Realms invade, <br> With specious Shews of Love. This traiterous Wretch <br> Betrays his Sov'ran. Others, destitute <br> Of real Zeal, to ev'ry Altar bend, <br> By Lucre sway'd, and act the basest Things <br> To be styl'd Honourable: Th' Honest Man, <br> Simple of Heart, prefers inglorious Want <br> To ill-got Wealth; rather from Door to Door <br> A jocund Pilgrim, tho' distress'd, he' ll rove, <br> Than break his plighted Faith; nor Fear, nor Hope, <br> Will shock his stedfast Soul; rather debar'd <br> Each common Privilege, cut off from Hopes <br> Of meanest Gain, of present Goods despoil'd, <br> He'll bear the Marks of Infamy, contemn'd, <br> Unpity'd; yet his Mind, of Evil pure, <br> Supports him, and Intention free from Fraud. <br> If no Retinue with observant Eyes <br> Attend him, if he can't with Purple stain <br> Of cumbrous Vestments, labour'd o'er with Gold, <br> Dazle the Croud, and set them all agape; <br> Yet clad in homely Weeds, from Envy's Darts <br> Remote he lives, nor knows the nightly Pangs <br> Of Conscience, nor with Spectre's grisly Forms, <br> Dæmons, and injur'd Souls, at Close of Day <br> Annoy'd, sad interrupted Slumbers finds. <br> But (as a Child, whose inexperienc'd Age <br> Nor evil Purpose fears, nor knows,) enjoys <br> Night's sweet Refreshment, humid Sleep, sincere. <br> When Chaunticleer, with Clarion shrill, recalls <br> The tardy Day, he to his Labours hies <br> Gladsome, intent on somewhat that may ease <br> Unhealthy Mortals, and with curious Search <br> Examines all the Properties of Herbs, <br> Fossils, and Minerals, that th' embowell'd Earth <br> Displays, if by his Industry he can <br> Benefit Human Race: Or else his Thoughts <br> Are exercis'd with Speculations deep <br> Of Good, and Just, and Meet, and th' wholsome Rules <br> Of Temperance, and aught that may improve <br> The moral Life; not sedulous to rail, <br> Nor with envenom'd Tongue to blast the Fame <br> Of harmless Men, or secret Whispers spread, <br> 'Mong faithful Friends, to breed Distrust, and Hate. <br> Studious of Virtue, he no Life observes <br> Except his own, his own employs his Cares, <br> Large Subject! that he labours to refine <br> Daily, nor of his little Stock denies <br> Fit Alms to Lazars, merciful, and meek. </div><div style="margin:10px 0"> Thus sacred Virgil liv'd, from courtly Vice, <br> And Baits of pompous Rome secure; at Court <br> Still thoughtful of the rural honest Life, <br> And how t' improve his Grounds, and how himself: <br> Best Poet! fit Exemplar for the Tribe <br> Of Phœbus, nor less fit Mæonides, <br> Poor eyeless Pilgrim! and if after these, <br> If after these another I may name, <br> Thus tender Spencer liv'd, with mean Repast <br> Content, depress'd by Penury, and Pine <br> In foreign Realm: Yet not debas'd his Verse <br> By Fortune's Frowns. And had that Other Bard, <br> Oh, had but He that first ennobled Song <br> With holy Raptures, like his Abdiel been, <br> 'Mong many faithless, strictly faithful found; <br> Unpity'd, he should not have wail'd his Orbs, <br> That roll'd in vain to find the piercing Ray, <br> And found no Dawn, by dim Suffusion veil'd! <br> But He -- However, let the Muse abstain, <br> Nor blast his Fame, from whom she learnt to sing <br> In much inferior Strains, grov'ling beneath <br> Th' Olympian Hill, on Plains, and Vales intent, <br> Mean Follower. There let her rest a-while, <br> Pleas'd with the fragrant Walks, and cool Retreat.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=John+Arthur+Phillips">John Arthur Phillips</a><div class=q> <img src="https://www.citatepedia.ro/g/32share.png" style="float:left" alt="Share"> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=418931" data-title="Cyder: Book I de John Arthur Phillips" data-description="-- -- Honos erit huic quoq; Pomo? Virg. What Soil the Apple loves, what Care is due To Orchats, timeliest when to press the Fruits, Thy Gift, Pomona, in Miltonian Verse Adventrous I presume to sing; of Verse Nor skill'd, nor studious: ..."></div> </div> </div>

solid border dashed border dotted border double border groove border ridge border inset border outset border no border blue green red purple cyan gold silver black