University of Virginia Library

To the Memory of David Garrick, Who died in the Year 1779, At the Age of 63.

To paint fair Nature, by Divine command,
—Her magic pencil in his glowing hand,—
A Shakespeare rose—then, to expand his fame
Wide o'er this “breathing world,” a Garrick came.
Though sunk in death the forms the Poet drew,
The Actor's genius bade them breathe anew:
Though, like the Bard himself, in night they lay,
Immortal Garrick called them back to day:
And, till Eternity, with power sublime,
Shall mark the mortal hour of hoary Time;
Shakespeare and Garrick, like twin stars shall shine,
And Earth irradiate with a beam divine.