Title] An ode on the Destruction of the Bastile MS. O. [11] In MS. O stanza iv follows stanza i, part of the leaf being torn out. In another MS. copy in place of the asterisks the following note is inserted: 'Stanzas second and third are lost. We may gather from the context that they alluded to the Bastile and its inhabitants.' [12] long long] live-long MS. O. [32] Shall She, O Freedom, all thy blessings share MS. O erased. LIFE[11:1] As late I journey'd o'er the extensive plain Where native Otter sports his scanty stream, Musing in torpid woe a Sister's pain, The glorious prospect woke me from the dream. At every step it widen'd to my sight-- 5 Wood, Meadow, verdant Hill, and dreary Steep, Following in quick succession of delight,-- Till all--at once--did my eye ravish'd sweep! May this (I cried) my course through Life portray! New scenes of Wisdom may each step display, 10 And Knowledge open as my days advance! Till what time Death shall pour the undarken'd ray, My eye shall dart thro' infinite expanse, And thought suspended lie in Rapture's blissful trance. 1789. FOOTNOTES: [11:1] First published in 1834. LINENOTES: Title] Sonnet II. Written September, 1789 MS. O: Sonnet written just after the writer left the Country in Sept. 1789, _aetat._ 15 MS. O (c). [6] dreary] barren MS. O, MS. O (c). [8] my ravish'd eye did sweep. MS. O, MS. O (c). [12] Till when death pours at length MS. O (c). [14] While thought suspended lies MS. O: While thought suspended lies in Transport's blissful trance MS. O (c). PROGRESS OF VICE[12:1] [Nemo repente turpissimus] Deep in the gulph of Vice and Woe Leaps Man at once with headlong throw? Him inborn Truth and Virtue guide, Whose guards are Shame and conscious Pride. In some gay hour Vice steals into the breast; 5 Perchance she wears some softer Virtue's vest. By unperceiv'd degrees she tempts to stray, Till far from Virtue's path she leads the feet away. Then swift the soul to disenthrall Will Memory the past recall, 10 And Fear before the Victim's eyes Bid future ills and dangers rise. But hark! the Voice, the Lyre, their charms combine-- Gay sparkles in the cup the generous Wine-- Th' inebriate dance, the fair frail Nymph inspires, 15 And Virtue vanquish'd--scorn'd--with hasty flight retires. But soon to tempt the Pleasures cease; Yet Shame forbids return to peace, And stern Necessity will force Still to urge on the desperate course. 20 The drear black paths of Vice the wretch must try, Where Conscience flashes horror on each eye, Where Hate--where Murder scowl--where starts Affright! Ah! close the scene--ah! close--for dreadful is the sight. 1790. FOOTNOTES: