Slay half a host, and put the rest to flight;
With the like knowledge he could make him ride
From isle to isle at Parthenissa’s side;
And with a heart yet free, no busy brain
Form’d wilder notions of delight and pain,
The raptures smiles create, the anguish of disdain.
Such were the fruits of John’s poetic toil -
Weeds, but still proofs of vigour in the soil:
He nothing purposed but with vast delight,
Let Fancy loose, and wonder’d at her flight: