Poems and Plays By William Hayley ... in Six Volumes. A New Edition |
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SONNET
TO THE
EARL OF HARDWICKE |
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 | Poems and Plays |  |
161
SONNET TO THE EARL OF HARDWICKE
1779.
Hardwicke! whose bright applause a poet crown'd
Unknown to thee and to the Muse's quire;
Permit his hand with joyous pride to sound
A note of gratitude on freedom's lyre!
And fear not flattery's song from one plac'd higher
Than she has power to raise her menial crew;
From one who, proud of independent fire,
Scorns the base Noble, but reveres the true.
The liberal spirit feels thy generous praise
Fall from pure honour's sphere, like genial dew;
Blest if its vital influence shall raise
A future flower more worthy of thy view!
Blest if in these re-polish'd lays thou find
Some light reflected from thy letter'd mind!
| Poems and Plays | |