INEDITED POETRY.
The first piece in the volume of MS. poetry referred to in my communication in Vol. v., p. 387., may perhaps be deemed of sufficient interest to occupy a place in your columns. It is entitled "A Ballad," and appears to me worthy of notice from its quaintness both in style and rhythm.
"A BALLAD.
"Sure glorious Modesty again will rise,
Since she can conquer in bright Marcia's eyes.
Each look of hers creates a lambent fire,
And youth and age concur her virtue to admire.
Hence flow these lines from an unpolish'd hand,
Which thinks her Marcia should the world command.
Go, lovely maid, and let each virgin see
How graceful modesty appears in thee.
That they may all thy imitators be,
And give example to posterity.
1.
"View Marcia's native charms,
She's graceful in behaviour,
By wise advice she steers,
And with all the world's in favour.
No foolish talk slides from her tongue,
Her eyes ne'er wanton seem,
Regards her friends, respects the great,
And is humble to the mean.
2.
"How gentle is her voice,
Not loud with foul detraction,
Good sense guides all her words,
And prudence every action.
Not stiff in dress, or careless she,
But in the graceful mean,
What e'er she wears she still appears
Like some majestic queen.
3.
"Her mind and thoughts still tends [sic]
How to perform her duty;
To her parents' laws she bends,
Which adds more to her beauty.
In conduct she a matron is
With cheerful air and mein, [sic]
The steddiness of sixty years, [sic]
In look she's scarce fifteen.
4.
"In friendship most sincere,
As well as in devotion,
To herself alone severe,
And guards her every motion.
Her conquering eyes give her no pride,
Her charms she will not know,
Nor meaner beautys does deride [sic],
Tho' they their envy show.
5.
"How lovely is that face
Where modesty's adorning,
And Marcia with that grace
Is improving every morning.
She like the glorious sun in spring
Is encreasing every day,
For her Apollo's harp he'll string,
And the Muses sing their lay.
6.
"How happy is this nymph,
Whose noble inclination,
All subtle arts contemns
And sligh made assignation: [sic]
Whose hours are spent in useful works,
Or reading tracts divine,
The young, the grave, the wise, the brave,
Pay homage at her shrine.
And so does
Her humble slave,
"JUBA ISSHAM."
I hope that some of your readers will be able to explain this signature, which is to me inexplicable.
W. SPARROW SIMPSON.