[12:1] First published in 1834, from _MS. O_. LINENOTES: Title] Progress of Vice. An Ode MS. O. The motto first appears in Boyer's _Liber Aureus_. [1] Vice] Guilt L. A. [3] inborn] innate L. A. [9] Yet still the heart to disenthrall L. A. [12] Bid] Bids MS. O. ills] woes L. A. [13] But hark! their charms the voice L. A. [15] The mazy dance and frail young Beauty fires L. A. [20] Still on to urge MS. O. [24] Ah! close the scene, for dreadful MS. O. MONODY ON THE DEATH OF CHATTERTON[13:1] [FIRST VERSION, IN CHRIST'S HOSPITAL BOOK--1790] Cold penury repress'd his noble rage, And froze the genial current of his soul. Now prompts the Muse poetic lays, And high my bosom beats with love of Praise! But, Chatterton! methinks I hear thy name, For cold my Fancy grows, and dead each Hope of Fame. When Want and cold Neglect had chill'd thy soul, 5 Athirst for Death I see thee drench the bowl! Thy corpse of many a livid hue On the bare ground I view, Whilst various passions all my mind engage; Now is my breast distended with a sigh, 10 And now a flash of Rage Darts through the tear, that glistens in my eye. Is this the land of liberal Hearts! Is this the land, where Genius ne'er in vain Pour'd forth her soul-enchanting strain? 15 Ah me! yet Butler 'gainst the bigot foe Well-skill'd to aim keen Humour's dart, Yet Butler felt Want's poignant sting; And Otway, Master of the Tragic art, Whom Pity's self had taught to sing, 20 Sank beneath a load of Woe; This ever can the generous Briton hear, And starts not in his eye th' indignant Tear? Elate of Heart and confident of Fame, From vales where Avon sports, the Minstrel came, 25 Gay as the Poet hastes along He meditates the future song, How Ælla battled with his country's foes, And whilst Fancy in the air Paints him many a vision fair 30 His eyes dance rapture and his bosom glows. With generous joy he views th' ideal gold: He listens to many a Widow's prayers, And many an Orphan's thanks he hears; He soothes to peace the care-worn breast, 35 He bids the Debtor's eyes know rest, And Liberty and Bliss behold: And now he punishes the heart of steel, And her own iron rod he makes Oppression feel.