Poems on Several Occasions In Two Volumes. By Mr. Joseph Mitchell |
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 | I. |
| II. |
[Judgment, and Virtue bear my soaring Wing] |
 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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[Judgment, and Virtue bear my soaring Wing]
Judgment, and Virtue bear my soaring Wing,While greater Things with greater Force I sing.
Henceforth to Heav'n and to the Common Weal,
Sacred be all my Energy and Zeal.
God and our Country our whole Ardour claim;
Who serves these best, deserves the highest Fame.
From my right Hand and raptur'd Muse depart
The Gifts of Nature, and the Aids of Art,
When I to Vice an impious Tribute pay,
Or rob fair Virtue of its rightful Lay.
But, if a Verse has e'er escap'd my Pen,
Blush'd at by Virgins, or dislik'd by Men;
If Frailty, Folly, Wickedness, or Wit,
Hath made the Muse a guilty Line commit;
Be candid, good Reformers of Mankind,
And, while you've Faults, to my Transgressions blind.
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To whom the Art and Artist both belong;
Pardon the Sinner, and his Muse inspire,
For nobler Subjects, with more hallow'd Fire:
Be thou his Theme, his Patron, and his Guide;
Approv'd by Thee, what boots the World beside?
Whom thou condemn'st, no finite Power can praise,
Nor sink, whom thou dost condescend to raise.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |