Thou who shalt stop, where Thames' translucent wave Shines a broad mirror through the shadowy cave; Where lingering drops from mineral roofs distil, And pointed crystals break the sparkling rill, Unpolish'd gems no ray on pride bestow, And latent metals innocently glow: Approach! Great Nature studiously behold! And eye the mine without a wish for gold. Approach: but awful! lo! the Aegerian grot,[70] Where, nobly-pensive, St John sate and thought; Where British sighs from dying Wyndham stole, And the bright flame was shot through Marchmont's soul. Let such, such only, tread this sacred floor, Who dare to love their country, and be poor! VARIATIONS. After VER. 6, in the MS.-- Yon see that island's wealth, where, only free, Earth to her entrails feels not tyranny. --i.e. Britain is the only place on the globe which feels not tyranny even to its very entrails. Alluding to the condemnation of criminals to the mines, one of the inflictions of civil justice in most countries--W. VER. 11, in MS. it was thus-- To Wyndham's breast the patriot passions stole. ROXANA, OR THE DRAWING-ROOM. AN ECLOGUE. Roxana, from the Court returning late, Sigh'd her soft sorrow at St James's gate: Such heavy thoughts lay brooding in her breast, Not her own chairmen with more weight oppress'd: They curse the cruel weight they're doom'd to bear; She in more gentle sounds express'd her care. 'Was it for this, that I these roses wear? For this, new-set the jewels for my hair? Ah, Princess! with what zeal have I pursued! Almost forgot the duty of a prude. 10 This king I never could attend too soon; I miss'd my prayers, to get me dress'd by noon. For thee, ah! what for thee did I resign? My passions, pleasures, all that e'er was mine: I've sacrificed both modesty and ease; Left operas, and went to filthy plays: _Double-entendres_ shock'd my tender ear; Yet even this, for thee, I chose to bear: In glowing youth, when nature bids be gay, And every joy of life before me lay; 20 By honour prompted, and by pride restrain'd, The pleasures of the young my soul disdain'd: Sermons I sought, and with a mien severe Censured my neighbours, and said daily prayer. Alas, how changed! with this same sermon-mien, The filthy _What-d'ye-call-it_[71]--I have seen. Ah, royal Princess! for whose sake I lost The reputation, which so dear had cost; I, who avoided every public place, When bloom and beauty bid me show my face, 30 Now near thee, constant, I each night abide, With never-failing duty, by thy side; Myself and daughters standing in a row, To all the foreigners a goodly show. Oft had your drawing-room been sadly thin, And merchants' wives close by your side had been, Had I not amply fill'd the empty place, And saved your Highness from the dire disgrace: Yet Cockatilla's artifice prevails, When all my duty and my merit fails: 40 That Cockatilla, whose deluding airs