Here still is seen a hermit's cell, Who, fond the haunts of men to fly, Enjoyed his heaven beneath this shade: In mouldering caves so blest to dwell, He sought not from the flowers that die, A verdure, that would never fade. To crowded courts and would-be kings, Where fawning knaves are most caressed, Who would, though oft' invited, go-- When here so many charming things By Nature to perfection dressed, To please the man of fancy, grow? The native of this happy spot No cares of vain ambition haunt: Pleased with the partner of his nest, Life flows--and when the dream is out, The earth, which once supplied each want, Receives him--fainting--to her breast. [92] The earliest trace I can find of this is in the 1795 edition. Text from the 1809 edition. In the table of contents of the latter edition the title is given, "Hermit's Valley, a rural scene on the Schuylkill." [93] "Western."--_Ed. 1795._ TO MY BOOK[94] Unhappy Volume!--doom'd by fate To meet with unrelenting hate From those who can their venom spit, Yet condescend to steal your wit: While Shylock with malicious spirit, Allows you not a grain of merit, While he an idle pomp assumes, Let him return his borrowed plumes, And you will find the insect creeping, With not a feather worth the keeping. [94] This appeared originally as a part of the "New Year's Verses" for 1783. See Volume II, page 199, supra. Text from the 1795 edition, which is the "unhappy volume" alluded to. THE REPUBLICAN GENIUS OF EUROPE[95] Emperors and kings! in vain you strive Your torments to conceal-- The age is come that shakes your thrones, Tramples in dust despotic crowns, And bids the sceptre fail. In western worlds the flame began: From thence to France it flew-- Through Europe, now, it takes its way, Beams an insufferable day, And lays all tyrants low. Genius of France! pursue the chace Till Reason's laws restore Man to be Man, in every clime;-- That Being, active, great, sublime Debas'd in dust no more. In dreadful pomp he takes his way O'er ruin'd crowns, demolish'd thrones-- Pale tyrants shrink before his blaze-- Round him terrific lightnings play-- With eyes of fire, he looks them through, Crushes the vile despotic crew, And Pride in ruin lays. [95] Published in the _Jersey Chronicle_, May 23, 1795, from which the text is taken. It forms the basis of the poem "On the Royal Coalition Against Republican Liberty," in the 1815 edition, but the later form is so greatly inferior that I have not hesitated to reproduce the earlier version. THE RIVAL SUITORS FOR AMERICA[96] Like some fair girl in beauty's bloom, To court her, see what suitors come! An heiress, she, to large estate, What rivals for her favours wait!