VOL. IV.

A

COLLECTION

O F

POEMS

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

BY

SEVERAL HANDS.

LONDON: Printed by J. HUGHS,

For R. and J. DODSLEY, at Tully's-Head in Pall-Mall.

M. DCCLV.

An E LEGY

WRITTEN IN A

COUNTRY CHURCH YARD.

T

By Mr. GRAY.

HE Curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind flowly o'er the lea, The plowman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Now fades the glimmering landscape on the fight,
And all the air a folemn ftillness holds,

Save where the beetle wheels his drony flight,
And drowsy tinklings lull the diftant folds;

Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tow'r
The mopeing owl does to the moon complain
Of fuch, as wand'ring near her secret bow'r,
Moleft her ancient, folitary reign.

Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,

The rude Forefathers of the hamlet sleep.