8 The mariner will trust no winds, although Upon his sails they blow fair flattery; No tides which, with all fawning smoothness, flow Can charm his fears into security; He credits none but thee, who art his bay, To which, through calms and storms, he hunts his way. 9 And so have I, cheered up with hopes at last To double thee, endured a tedious sea; Through public foaming tempests have I passed; Through flattering calms of private suavity; Through interrupting company's thick press; And through the lake of mine own laziness: 10 Through many sirens' charms, which me invited To dance to ease's tunes, the tunes in fashion; Through many cross, misgiving thoughts, which frighted My jealous pen; and through the conjuration Of ignorant and envious censures, which Implacably against all poems itch: 11 But chiefly those which venture in a way That yet no Muse's feet have chose to trace; Which trust that Psyche and her Jesus may Adorn a verse with as becoming grace As Venus and her son; that truth may be A nobler theme than lies and vanity. 12 Which broach no Aganippe's streams, but those Where virgin souls without a blush may bathe; Which dare the boisterous multitude oppose With gentle numbers; which despise the wrath Of galled sin; which think not fit to trace Or Greek or Roman song with slavish pace. 13 And seeing now I am in ken of thee, The harbour which inflamed my desire, And with this steady patience ballas'd[1] me In my uneven road; I am on fire, Till into thy embrace myself I throw, And on the shore hang up my finished vow. [1] 'Ballas'd:' ballasted. MISCELLANEOUS PIECES. FROM ROBERT HEATH. WHAT IS LOVE? 1 Tis a child of fancy's getting, Brought up between hope and fear, Fed with smiles, grown by uniting Strong, and so kept by desire: 'Tis a perpetual vestal fire Never dying, Whose smoke like incense doth aspire, Upwards flying. 2 It is a soft magnetic stone, Attracting hearts by sympathy, Binding up close two souls in one, Both discoursing secretly: 'Tis the true Gordian knot, that ties Yet ne'er unbinds, Fixing thus two lovers' eyes, As well as minds. 3 Tis the spheres' heavenly harmony, Where two skilful hands do strike; And every sound expressively Marries sweetly with the like: 'Tis the world's everlasting chain That all things tied, And bid them, like the fixed wain, Unmoved to bide. PROTEST OF LOVE.