Fall'n realms and empires in description view,
Live o'er past times, and build whole worlds anew;
Oft from the bursting tombs, in fancy raise

The sons of Fame, who liv'd in antient days;
Oft listen till the raptur'd soul takes wings,
While Plato reasons, or while Homer sings.

Or when the night's dark wings this globe surround,

And the pale moon begins her solemn round;
When night has drawn her curtains o'er the plain,
And silence reassumes her awful reign;

Bid my free soul to starry orbs repair,
Those radiant orbs that float im ambient air,
And with a regular confusion stray,
Oblique, direct, along the aërial way:
Fountains of day! stupendous orbs of light!
Which by their distance lessen to the sight:
And if the glass you use, t'improve your eyes
Millions beyond the former millions rise.
For no end were they made? Or, but to blaze
Through empty space, and useless spend their rays?
Or ought we not with reason to reply,

Each lucid point which glows in yonder sky,
Informs a system in the boundless space,

And fills with glory its appointed place :

With beams, unborrow'd, brightens other skies,

And worlds, to thee unknown, with heat and life supplies.

But chiefly, O my soul, apply to loftier themes, The opening heav'ns, and angels robed with flames: Read in the sacred leaves how time began, And the dust mov'd and quicken'd into man; Here through the flow'ry walks of Eden rove, Court the soft breeze, or range the spicy grove; There tread on hallow'd ground where angels trod, And rev'rend patriarchs talk'd as friends with God; Or hear the voice to slumb'ring prophets giv'n, Or gaze on visions from the throne of heav'n. Thus lonely, thoughtful, may I run the race Of transient life, in no unuseful ease : Enjoy each hour, nor as it fleets away, Think life too short, and yet too long the day; Of right observant, while my soul attends Each duty, and makes heav'n and angels friends: Can welcome death with Faith's expecting eye, And mind no pangs, since Hope stands smiling by; Nor studious how to make a longer stay,

Views heav'nly plains and realms of brighter day; Shakes off her load, and wing'd with ardent love, Spurns at the earth, and springs her flight above, Soaring through air to realms where angels dwell, Pities the shrieking friends, and leaves the lessning bell."

APPENDIX.

BB

VOL. III.

THE

TABLE OF CEBES:

A DIALOGUE

BETWEEN AN OLD MAN AND A TRAVELLER.

While we were walking in the temple of Saturn, in the city of Thebes, and viewing the votive honours of the God, the various offerings which had been presented to that deity, we observed at the entrance of the Fane, a picture tablet that engaged our attention, as it was a thing entirely new, both with regard to the painting and the design. For some time, we stood considering the device and fable, but still found ourselves unable to guess the meaning. The piece did not seem to be either a city or a camp; but was a kind of a walled court, that had within it two other inclosures, and one of them was larger than the other. The first court opened at a gate, before which a vast crowd of people appeared, impatient to enter; and within a group of female figures was represented. Stationed at the porch without, was seen a venerable form, who looked like some great teacher, and seemed to warn the rushing multitude. Long we gazed at this work, but were not able to understand the design,

till

THE

MYTHOLOGICAL PICTURE OF CEBES:

BY THE REV. AND FAMOUS

JEREMY COLLIER.

As we were taking a turn in Saturn's temple, we saw a great many consecrated presents, remarkable enough for their curiosity. Amongst the rest, we took particular notice of a picture hung over the door; the piece we perceived was all emblem and mythology; but then the representation was so singular and out of custom, that we were perfectly at a loss whence it should come, and what was the meaning of it. Upon a strict view, we found it was neither a city, nor a camp, but a sort of court, with two partitions of the same figure within it, though one of them was larger than the other. The first court had a crowd of people at the gate, and within we saw a great company of women. Just at the entrance of the first gate, there stood an old man, who by his gesture and countenance, seemed to be busy in giving advice to the crowd as they came in. And being long at a stand about the design of the fable, a grave man somewhat in years, making up, begins to discourse us in this manner. Gentlemen,

says