 | A collection of original poems and translations |  |
288
To *****
The golden Tripod shou'd thy Worth receive,
The polish'd Brass, and Marble Bust I'd give,
The great Rewards to Grecian Heroes known,
Such as bold Theron gain'd, and Chromius won.
If Phidias' pow'rful Touch I cou'd command,
Or Zeuxis' Pencil grac'd my forming Hand.
The polish'd Brass, and Marble Bust I'd give,
The great Rewards to Grecian Heroes known,
Such as bold Theron gain'd, and Chromius won.
If Phidias' pow'rful Touch I cou'd command,
Or Zeuxis' Pencil grac'd my forming Hand.
But thee the Muses stronger Pow'r delights,
Thy list'ning Ear the flowing Verse invites,
That Phœbus prompts, or tuneful Pope indites.
Me too the Nymphs of Pindus' Grotto's Fire,
Me, tho' the last of all their Train, inspire;
Their mighty lasting Influence I know,
And their immortalizing Pow'r can show.
Not all that Brass, or Stone, or Paint can give,
By which again departed Heroes live;
Great Cæsar's Triumphs still expos'd to View,
Scipio's fair Laurels springing ever new,
Perpetuate not so sure the Warrior's Praise,
As the kind Meed of Heliconian Lays.
Shou'd not auspicious Verse thy Mem'ry guard,
Thy Name, thy Virtue were without Reward.
Thy list'ning Ear the flowing Verse invites,
That Phœbus prompts, or tuneful Pope indites.
Me too the Nymphs of Pindus' Grotto's Fire,
Me, tho' the last of all their Train, inspire;
Their mighty lasting Influence I know,
And their immortalizing Pow'r can show.
Not all that Brass, or Stone, or Paint can give,
By which again departed Heroes live;
Great Cæsar's Triumphs still expos'd to View,
Scipio's fair Laurels springing ever new,
289
As the kind Meed of Heliconian Lays.
Shou'd not auspicious Verse thy Mem'ry guard,
Thy Name, thy Virtue were without Reward.
The Man whose Worth the Civic Wreath has gain'd
By Lands from Slav'ry freed, or Laws maintain'd,
The Muse establishes for e'er the same,
Rescues from Death, and consecrates to Fame.
By Lands from Slav'ry freed, or Laws maintain'd,
The Muse establishes for e'er the same,
Rescues from Death, and consecrates to Fame.
Thus what th' ungrateful Populace deny,
The Muse, to Nassau's Virtue, shall supply.
Long Ages hence in Prior's happy Line
Namur shall blaze, and Purple stain the Boyn.
The Muse, to Nassau's Virtue, shall supply.
Long Ages hence in Prior's happy Line
Namur shall blaze, and Purple stain the Boyn.
Destructive Time may sink proud Blenheim's Dome,
And Woodstock's pleasing Bow'rs forget to bloom;
Yet nought shall Malb'rough's settled Fame survive
The Muses Blenheim shall for ever live.
And Woodstock's pleasing Bow'rs forget to bloom;
Yet nought shall Malb'rough's settled Fame survive
The Muses Blenheim shall for ever live.
| A collection of original poems and translations | |