CHORUS. And the king seized a flambeau with zeal to destroy; Thais led the way, To light him to his prey, And, like another Helen, fired another Troy. Thus long ago, 7 Ere heaving bellows learned to blow, While organs yet were mute, Timotheus, to his breathing flute And sounding lyre, Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. At last divine Cecilia came, 155 160 Inventress of the vocal frame; The sweet enthusiast, from her sacred store, Enlarged the former narrow bounds, And added length to solemn sounds, 165 With Nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown before. Let old Timotheus yield the prize, Or both divide the crown: He raised a mortal to the skies; She drew an angel down. GRAND CHORUS. At last divine Cecilia came, Inventress of the vocal frame; The sweet enthusiast, from her sacred store, 170 Enlarged the former narrow bounds, And added length to solemn sounds, 175 With Nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown before. Let old Timotheus yield the prize, Or both divide the crown: He raised a mortal to the skies; She drew an angel down. 180 THE CHARACTER OF A GOOD PARSON. IMITATED FROM CHAUCER, AND ENLARGED. A PARISH-PRIEST was of the pilgrim-train; Rich was his soul, though his attire was poor, 5 ΙΟ 15 With eloquence innate his tongue was armed; Though harsh the precept, yet the preacher charmed; 20 And oft with holy hymns he charmed their ears 25 But sweetly tempered awe, and softened all he spoke. 30 To threats the stubborn sinner oft is hard, Wrapped in his crimes, against the storm prepared ; 35 He melts, and throws his cumbrous cloak away. 40 45 (Who grudge their dues, and love to be behind), The less he sought his offerings, pinched the more, And praised a priest contented to be poor. Yet of his little he had some to spare, 50 To feed the famished, and to clothe the bare: A poorer than himself he would not see. True priests, he said, and preachers of the word, Were only stewards of their sovereign Lord, 55 Wide was his parish; not contracted close 60 In streets, but here and there a straggling house: Yet still he was at hand, without request, 65 All this the good old man performed alone, 70 But duly watched his flock, by night and day; And from the prowling wolf redeemed the prey, The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered: Nor to rebuke the rich offender feared. 75 His preaching much, but more his practice wrought; (A living sermon of the truths he taught); For this by rules severe his life he squared: That all might see the doctrine which they heard. 80 85 The prelate for his holy life he prized; 90 These marks of church and churchmen he designed, And living taught, and dying left behind. The crown he wore was of the pointed thorn; The holy father holds a double reign, The prince may keep his pomp, the fisher must be plain. Such was the saint; who shone with every grace, Reflecting, Moses-like, his Maker's face. God saw his image lively was expressed; And his own work, as in creation, blessed. The tempter saw him too with envious eye, 100 105 This Prince, though great in arms, the priest withstood, 110 Near though he was, yet not the next of blood. Had Richard unconstrained resigned the throne, Conquest, an odious name, was laid aside; The people's right remains; let those who dare He joined not in their choice, because he knew 115 120 125 Now, through the land, his cure of souls he stretched. And like a primitive apostle preached. Still cheerful; ever constant to his call; By many followed; loved by most, admired by all. 130 With what he begged, his brethren he relieved! And gave the charities himself received; Gave, while he taught; and edified the more, Because he showed by proof 'twas easy to be poor. 135 But fed us by the way with food divine. In deference to his virtues, I forbear To show you what the rest in orders were: This brilliant is so spotless, and so bright, He needs no foil, but shines by his own proper light. 140 |