Volume V Part 25 (1/2)

The Labyrinth, and Daedalus and Icarus, from the eighth Book.

Part of the Fable of Cyparissus from the tenth Book.

Most part of the eleventh Book, and The Funeral of Memnon, from the thirteenth Book.

He likewise performed an entire Translation of aesop's Fables.

Subjoined to the Fair Circa.s.sian are several Poems addressed to Sylvia; Naked Truth, from the second Book of Ovid's Fastorum; Heathen Priestcraft, from the first Book of Ovid's Fastorum; A Midsummer's Wish; and an Ode on Florinda, seen while she was Bathing. He is also author of a curious work, in one Volume Octavo, ent.i.tled Scripture Politics: being a view of the original const.i.tution, and subsequent revolutions in the government of that people, out of whom the Saviour of the World was to arise: As it is contained in the Bible.

In consequence of his strong attachment to the Whig interest, he was made archdeacon of Salop 1732, and chaplain in ordinary to his present Majesty.

As late as the year 1750, Dr. Croxall published a poem called The Royal Manual, in the preface to which he endeavours to shew, that it was composed by Mr. Andrew Marvel, and found amongst his MSS. but the proprietor declares, that it was written by Dr. Croxall himself. This was the last of his performances, for he died the year following, in a pretty advanced age. His abilities, as a poet, we cannot better display, than by the specimen we are about to quote.

On FLORINDA, Seen while she was Bathing.

Twas summer, and the clear resplendent moon Shedding far o'er the plains her full-orb'd light, Among the lesser stars distinctly shone, Despoiling of its gloom the scanty night, When, walking forth, a lonely path I took Nigh the fair border of a purling brook.

Sweet and refres.h.i.+ng was the midnight air, Whose gentle motions hush'd the silent grove; Silent, unless when p.r.i.c.k'd with wakeful care Philomel warbled out her tale of love: While blooming flowers, which in the meadows grew, O'er all the place their blended odours threw.

Just by, the limpid river's crystal wave, Its eddies gilt with Phoebe's silver ray, Still as it flow'd a glittering l.u.s.tre gave With glancing gleams that emulate the day; Yet oh! not half so bright as those that rise Where young Florinda bends her smiling eyes.

Whatever pleasing views my senses meet, Her intermingled charms improve the theme; The warbling birds, the flow'rs that breath so sweet, And the soft surface of the dimpled stream, Resembling in the nymph some lovely part, With pleasures more exalted seize my heart.

Rapt in these thoughts I negligently rov'd, Imagin'd transports all my soul employ, When the delightful voice of her I lov'd Sent thro' the Shades a sound of real joy.

Confus'd it came, with giggling laughter mixt, And echo from the banks reply'd betwixt.

Inspir'd with hope, upborn with light desire, To the dear place my ready footsteps tend.

Quick, as when kindling trails of active fire Up to their native firmament ascend: There shrouded in the briers unseen I stood, And thro' the leaves survey'd the neighb'ring flood.

Florinda, with two sister nymphs, undrest, Within the channel of the cooly tide, By bathing sought to sooth her virgin breast, Nor could the night her dazzling beauties hide; Her features, glowing with eternal bloom, Darted, like Hesper, thro' the dusky gloom.

Her hair bound backward in a spiral wreath Her upper beauties to my sight betray'd; The happy stream concealing those beneath, Around her waste with circling waters play'd; Who, while the fair one on his bosom sported, Her dainty limbs with liquid kisses courted.

A thousand Cupids with their infant arms Swam padling in the current here and there; Some, with smiles innocent, remarked the charms Of the regardless undesigning fair; Some, with their little Eben bows full-bended, And levell'd shafts, the naked girl defended.

Her eyes, her lips, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s exactly round, Of lilly hue, unnumber'd arrows sent; Which to my heart an easy pa.s.sage found, Thrill'd in my bones, and thro' my marrow went: Some bubbling upward thro' the water came, Prepar'd by fancy to augment my flame.

Ah love! how ill I bore thy pleasing pain?

For while the tempting scene so near I view'd, A fierce impatience throb'd in every vein, Discretion fled and reason lay subdu'd; My blood beat high, and with its trembling made A strange commotion in the rustling shade.

Fear seiz'd the tim'rous Naiads, all aghast Their boding spirits at the omen sink, Their eyes they wildly on each other cast, And meditate to gain the farther brink; When in I plung'd, resolving to a.s.swage In the cool gulph love's importuning rage.

Ah, stay Florinda (so I meant to speak) Let not from love the loveliest object fly!

But ere I spoke, a loud combining squeak From shrilling voices pierc'd the distant sky: When straight, as each was their peculiar care, Th' immortal pow'rs to bring relief prepare.

A golden cloud descended from above, Like that which whilom hung on Ida's brow, Where Juno, Pallas, and the queen of love, As then to Paris, were conspicuous now.