Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Elegy Occasioned by the Death of a Lady

1760

"Why roam abroad? Since still, to Fancy's eyes, / I see, I see thy lovely form arise."

Mild, as the strains, that, at the close of day,
Warbling remote, along the vales decay!---
Yet, why with these compared? What tints so fine,
What sweetness, mildness, can be match'd with thine?
Why roam abroad? Since still, to Fancy's eyes,
I see, I see thy lovely form arise.
Still let me gaze, and every care beguile,
Gaze on that cheek, where all the Graces smile;
That soul-expressing eye, benignly bright,
Where meekness beams ineffable delight;
That brow, where Wisdom sits enthroned serene,
Each feature forms, and dignifies the mien:
Still let me listen, while her words impart
The sweet effusions of the blameless heart,
Till all my soul, each tumult charm'd away,
Yields, gently led, to Virtue's easy sway.
(p. 50, ll. 27-42; cf. p. 42 in 1760 ed.)

Body::Eye::Eye of Fancy

C-H Lion (Poetry); confirmed in ECCO.

At least 12 entries in ECCO and ESTC (1760, 1761, 1770, 1773, 1775, 1776, 1779, 1783, 1789, 1797, 1799). Collected in The British Poets, A Collection of Original Poems. By Rev. Mr. Blacklock, and Other Scotch Gentlemen, The Muse's Pocket Companion, Pearch's A Collection of Original Poems. In Four Volumes, Choice of the Best Poetical Pieces of the Most Eminent English Poets, The English Parnassus, and Bell's Classical Arrangment of Fugitive Poetry.

See Original Poems and Translations. By James Beattie, A.M. (London [i.e. Aberdeen?]: Printed [by F. Douglas, Aberdeen?]; and sold by A. Millar in The Strand, 1760). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>

Also Original Poems and Translations. By James Beattie, A.M. (Aberdeen: Printed by F. Douglas; and sold by him for the benefit of the author, and in London by A. Millar, in the Strand, 1761). <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>

Text from Poems on Several Subjects. By James Beattie, new edition, corrected (London: Printed for W. Johnston, 1766). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>

07/02/2013