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ruined, on the other! If this be our cafe, who indeed is fufficient for these things? and how truly may we of the Miniftry, above all men living, apply to ourselves those words of the Apostle, "if in this life only we have hope in Chrift, we are of all men most "miferable!" But our comfort is, that our hope in Chrift" is not only in " this life." Justly might we be reproached, and deferve fome of thofe reflections which in these licentious times are fo plentifully poured upon us, were we not ready to practise the doctrines we preach, of felf-denial, taking up our crofs, and patient fubmiffion to fufferings and afflictions! For my own part, it matters not what becomes of me, nor is my deliverance, or ruin, of any moment to the world; or, if it be, "I am ready not only to be

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bound, but to die +," could I by that do fervice to my Queen, my Church, or my country; "neither count I my life dear, fo "that I might finish my courfe with joy, "and the ministry which I have received of "the Lord Jefus ." But may God fo direct

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your Lordships, that through me a wound may not be given to the doctrines of the Scriptures, and of "the Church, which Chrift "hath purchased with his own blood*!”

And fo, with all humility and refignation, I fubmit myself to your Lordships' judgement. Be it what it will, one thing I am sure it can never take from me, the power of wishing, and praying; and (whether in profperity or adverfity, whether I am acquitted or condemned), I fhall always pray for the Queen my Sovereign, for your Lordships my judges, and for the Commons my accufers; most earneftly befeeching Almighty God, to deliver all orders and degrees of men amongst us, "from all falfe doctrine, herefy, and fchifm. "from hardness of heart, from contempt of "his word and commandment; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitable"nefs."

* Acts xx. 28.

The

The First ECLOGUE of VIRGIL tranflated by BP. ATTERBURY*,

MELIBOEUS.

THOU, Tityrus, laid this spreading beech

beneath,

Mak'ft thy fhrill pipe, taught by thy fingers, breathe

Sweet rural airs, and the pleas'd groves around
With beauteous Amaryllis' name refound;

Whilst we, from our lov'd feat and country torn,
The fate of Mantuan fhepherds wandering mourn.

TITYRUS.

O Melibus, 'twas a God, that bleft My wishes, and indulg'd this envy'd rest, God-like his grace to me, and in return Oft my vow'd lambs fhall to his honour burn: He bid me thus tend my fair herds, and play What pleas'd my mind, fecure of harm, as they.

Printed from a copy obligingly furnished by a worthy Clergyman in Gloucestershire, who tranfcribed it more than forty years ago (when a king's fcholar at Weftminster), from a collection of vérfes in the poffeffion of Dr. Johnson, then under-master of Westminster-school, afterwards Bishop of Worcester; who, from his ftation and connexions, was likely to know it to be genuine. It carries indeed in itself internal marks of authenticity by the claffical caft of the whole,

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MELIBOE US.

Not mov'd by envy, yet I wondering fee,. How all around are vex'd, whilst thou art free : My fainting flock, as faint myself, I drive, And scarce preferve this drooping goat alive, Who two fair kids, the hope and pledge of more, As thus we prefs'd, amidst the alders bore, Then left to perish on the flinty floor. Oft thefe difafters (had my heedlefs, mind Attended) by plain omens were defign'd, When darted lightning riv'd the hollow oak, Or from its blafted boughs hoarfe ravens fpoke, On paft remarks what boots it now to dwell? Do thou the God that bleft thee, Tityrus, tell,

TITYRU S.

The city Rome I innocently thought Like that to which our fatter. flocks are brought: As fimple fwains fmall things to great compare, Kids to their dams, the lev'ret to the hare : But the on other cities looks with fcorn, As the tall cypress to the lowly thorn.

MELIB OE US.

And what the cause that mov'd thy wavering mind To vifit Rome, not fo before inclin'd?

TITYRUS.

'Twas Liberty. which long I ftrove to win, Till the hair whiten'd on my hoary chin:

In

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In vain I fought the good which never came,
Till Amaryllis grew my real flame,
And Galatea nothing but a name.
For, truth to tell, in Galatea's reign,
No hope of Liberty was left or gain;
Though to my craving mistress ample fees,
The fatteft weanlings and the richest cheese,
Did from my folds and dairies conftant come;
The bringing hand return'd ftill empty home.

MELIBOE US.

When mourning Amaryllis long'd to fee For whom her fruits ripe on the loaded tree Still hung, we wonder'd-Tityrus, 'twas for thee, For thee, when abfent, did these waters mourn, These pines, these fhrubs, and chid thy flow return.

TITYRU S.

What else remain'd? propitious Powers in vain I fought for these, nor could I break my chain; But there that youth I faw, of form divine, For whom each month my lighted altars fhine. He gracious anfwer'd, which fuftains me now, "Go, feed the flock as erft, and urge the plow."

MELIBOE U S.

Thrice happy man, poffeffing, free from harm, Thy little, but to thee proportion'd, farm. What though the barren and unfightly ground Does here with flags, and there with flints, abound;

No

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