The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
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TO THE SAME,
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 | The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop |  |
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TO THE SAME,
ON ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAME DAY. WITH A BRILLIANT HOOP-RING.
“A Ring! again—And is it so?
“Does then Invention run so low?
“What! could not such sincere esteem,
“Find, once a year, some novel Theme?”
“Does then Invention run so low?
“What! could not such sincere esteem,
“Find, once a year, some novel Theme?”
Yes doubtless!—But in my design,
(Each votive Gift, each faithful line,)
Invention never labour'd yet:—
'Twas Truth's prompt praise, 'twas Love's mere debt:
These still I've brought; these now I bring,
The same Heart,—tho' another Ring!
Meant on my Molly's hand to shine,
And the first Pledge of Union join:
That while her Native elegance shows,
How little, grace to splendor owes,
The radiant Circle's friendly plea,
May speak a word or two, for me.
(Each votive Gift, each faithful line,)
Invention never labour'd yet:—
'Twas Truth's prompt praise, 'twas Love's mere debt:
These still I've brought; these now I bring,
The same Heart,—tho' another Ring!
79
And the first Pledge of Union join:
That while her Native elegance shows,
How little, grace to splendor owes,
The radiant Circle's friendly plea,
May speak a word or two, for me.
Perhaps, when there, henceforth she marks,
It's glittering sparks succeed to sparks,
She'll think, how oft my joy confest
Each brighter part her life exprest:
And saw, in such gradation plac'd,
The rays of Genius, Sense, and Taste,
That scarce affectionate applause,
Had known a limit, or a pause!
It's glittering sparks succeed to sparks,
She'll think, how oft my joy confest
Each brighter part her life exprest:
And saw, in such gradation plac'd,
The rays of Genius, Sense, and Taste,
That scarce affectionate applause,
Had known a limit, or a pause!
Perhaps, when she observes how pure,
How glowing, how intense t' endure,
The lustre every point displays,
Whose each new motion beams new blaze,
Her conscious Memory will return,
To similar proofs of my concern;
Attachment, whose perpetual care,
Her interests, merits, comforts share;
Regard, which nothing could transfer,
Ev'n to a wish, estrang'd from her;
Feelings, which Fate's eventful range
Did never chill, shall never change.
How glowing, how intense t' endure,
The lustre every point displays,
Whose each new motion beams new blaze,
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To similar proofs of my concern;
Attachment, whose perpetual care,
Her interests, merits, comforts share;
Regard, which nothing could transfer,
Ev'n to a wish, estrang'd from her;
Feelings, which Fate's eventful range
Did never chill, shall never change.
Perhaps, Reflection's eye will seize
An hint, from Brilliants, hard as these;
Impassive substance; firm to mock,
Assailing pressure's rudest shock:
And thence a kind remembrance cast,
On years of patient effort past;
When her Exertion, Skill, Address,
Made all my Toils and Sorrows less;
Till emulous Perseverance caught
The Spirit, her example taught;
And Hope, thro' pain, suspense, dismay,
Cheer'd by her aid, pursued it's way;
Hope, doubly welcome, when it's aims
Unite my prospects, with her claims.
An hint, from Brilliants, hard as these;
Impassive substance; firm to mock,
Assailing pressure's rudest shock:
And thence a kind remembrance cast,
On years of patient effort past;
When her Exertion, Skill, Address,
Made all my Toils and Sorrows less;
Till emulous Perseverance caught
The Spirit, her example taught;
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Cheer'd by her aid, pursued it's way;
Hope, doubly welcome, when it's aims
Unite my prospects, with her claims.
Perhaps, in short, sometimes by chance,
These Gems may catch her graver glance;
And Thought suggest, how soon may fail
The voice, that loves her worth to hail!
Then, while her silent sighs ascend,
The Ring will bring to mind the Friend;
Th' Admirer, Lover, Husband, Man,
Who glorying in one favorite plan,
Resolv'd t' announce, in Time's despite,
(As long, at least, as Diamonds might,)
That Heav'n's award to him assign'd
The Best and Dearest of her kind!
These Gems may catch her graver glance;
And Thought suggest, how soon may fail
The voice, that loves her worth to hail!
Then, while her silent sighs ascend,
The Ring will bring to mind the Friend;
Th' Admirer, Lover, Husband, Man,
Who glorying in one favorite plan,
Resolv'd t' announce, in Time's despite,
(As long, at least, as Diamonds might,)
That Heav'n's award to him assign'd
The Best and Dearest of her kind!
| The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | |