ANSWER TO A POETICAL APOLOGY SENT BY PROFESSOR M'Leod of glasgow, TO SOME LADIES WHO HAD INVITED HIM TO AN OYSTER FEAST. "Thus sung the uncouth nymph to th' oaks and rills.” MILTON. WHEN FINGAL dwelt in windy halls, As mournful OSSIAN tells, 'Midst lofty Selma's shaded walls He spread the feast of shells. Each tuneful bard and warlike chief Where music, sorrow's best relief, The soft harp's many-sounding strings, Excluded from the hero's feast, Dark anguish prey'd on ALDO's breast, Nor war nor hunting more could please, Blest days, when Nature rul'd supreme, Uncheck'd by frozen art, And love and fancy's blended beam Illum'd the artless heart. When hungry herocs sprung with joy Nor nymphs could artifice employ Their heavy locks that wont to fly Their blushing cheek and downcast eye With more coercive force could sway Alas! a mournful proof appears MACALPINE, NEPTUNE'S faithful priest, Well known to beaux and belles, Thrice bow'd adoring to the east, Then spread the feast of shells: There sportive maids, and festive swains, Attend the hallow'd rite, And weave to Music's sprightly strains The dance in mazes light. T Ye echoes hold your tattling tongues, Else busy fame, with brazen lungs The bard of Celtic race renown'd Rude blasts from EoL's airy hall Pierc'd thro' each tender form, While snug behind his cloister'd wall,. He laugh'd to see the storm. Secure, his adamantine heart Repell'd poor CUPID's powerful dart, Had he like ALDO no repast, But what his bow supplied, He'd dare well pleas'd the wint'ry blast When shells were smoking wide. But college sophs of modern times, Will praise the fair in well turn'd rhymes, He talks of gaining hearts of beaux, But whether they have hearts to lose, Ah! sly observer, deeply read In Nature's ample page; Too well you know that beaux well-bred, In this self-loving age, In panoply of lead and brass Their cautious hearts unfold, Which beauty cannot pierce, alas ! The jealous God, from glittering scenes On purple pinions flies, To dwell where Truth and Nature reigns; And victims pure supplies. |