Dryden's genius was of that sort which catches fire by its own motion; his chariot wheels got hot by driving fast.—Coleridge.

For the Southern Literary Messenger.

LINES

Written in Mrs. ——'s Album.

Give me a subject! O! propitious fate!
That by collision with my frigid brain
Shall strike out fire!1 Love? Honor? Friendship? Hate?
The jaded ear doth loathe the hackneyed train!
Give me a subject! thus a Byron sang—
And from the Poet's mind in perfect form
Like brain-born PALLAS, forth Don Juan sprang,
A captivating Demon—fresh and warm.
Give me a subject! Alexander raved,
A world to conquer!—and the red sword swept—
No truant Planet sought to be enslaved,
And bully Ellick disappointed wept!
A theme, ye stars! that with yon clouds bo-peep—
They wink, sweet Madam!—but, alas! are dumb:
"I could call spirits from the vasty deep"
To freeze thy gentle blood! But would they come?
There are no themes in this dull changeless world!
Spinning for aye on its own icy poles—
Forever in the self-same orbit whirled,
A huge TEE-TOTUM with concentric holes!
Ev'n Heaven itself had not poetic been
Though filled with seraph hosts in guiltless revel,
Had not one bright Archangel changed the scene—
Unlucky wight! to play himself the Devil!
Then came the tug of Gods! for rule and life—
The unmasked thunders shook the stable sky—
But MILTON sings of the immortal strife,
And lived much nearer to the times than I.
Prythee! go seek him, if thou would'st be told
A graphic story, pictured to the ear
With matchless art, by one who did behold,
So thou wouldst think—the war storm raging near.
Hast read the Poem, Ma'am? So have not I,
But I have heard that what I say is true—
And by my faith I'm much disposed to try
And give the Devil's bard and Devil his due!
But I am modest—and do not intend
To outsoar Milton in his lofty flight—
Nor would my Muse poor Byron's ghost offend,
He hated rivalry—and so—good night!

1 A familiar suggests that an "oaken towel" might produce the desired effect. No doubt; and hence the expression "cudgel thy brains."

For the Southern Literary Messenger.