The Works of Soame Jenyns ... In Four Volumes. Including Several Pieces Never Before Published. To Which are Prefixed, Short Sketches of the History of the Author's Family, and also of his Life; By Charles Nalson Cole |
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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LADY MARGARET CAVENDISH HARLEY,
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 | The Works of Soame Jenyns |  |
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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LADY MARGARET CAVENDISH HARLEY,
PRESENTED WITH A COLLECTION OF POEMS.
The tuneful throng was ever beauty's care,
And verse a tribute sacred to the fair;
Hence in each age the loveliest nymph has been,
By undisputed right, the muses queen;
Her smiles have all poetic bosoms fir'd,
And patronis'd the verse themselves inspir'd:
Lesbia presided thus in Roman times,
Thus Sacharissa reign'd o'er British rhymes,
And present bards to Margaretta bow,
For what they were of old, is Harley now.
And verse a tribute sacred to the fair;
Hence in each age the loveliest nymph has been,
By undisputed right, the muses queen;
Her smiles have all poetic bosoms fir'd,
And patronis'd the verse themselves inspir'd:
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Thus Sacharissa reign'd o'er British rhymes,
And present bards to Margaretta bow,
For what they were of old, is Harley now.
From Oxford's house, in these dull busy days,
Alone we hope for patronage, or praise;
He to our slighted labours still is kind,
Beneath his roof w'are ever sure to find
(Reward sufficient for the world's neglect)
Charms to inspire, and goodness to protect;
Your eyes with rapture animate our lays,
Your sire's kind hand uprears our drooping bays;
Form'd for our glory and support, ye seem,
Our constant patron he, and you our theme.
Where shou'd poetic homage then be pay'd?
Where ev'ry verse, but at your feet, be lay'd?
A double right you to this empire bear,
As first in beauty, and as Oxford's heir.
Alone we hope for patronage, or praise;
He to our slighted labours still is kind,
Beneath his roof w'are ever sure to find
(Reward sufficient for the world's neglect)
Charms to inspire, and goodness to protect;
Your eyes with rapture animate our lays,
Your sire's kind hand uprears our drooping bays;
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Our constant patron he, and you our theme.
Where shou'd poetic homage then be pay'd?
Where ev'ry verse, but at your feet, be lay'd?
A double right you to this empire bear,
As first in beauty, and as Oxford's heir.
Illustrious maid! in whose sole person join'd
Ev'ry perfection of the fair we find,
Charms that might warrant all her sex's pride,
Without one foible of her sex to hide;
Good-nature artless as the bloom that dyes
Her cheeks, and wit as piercing as her eyes.
Oh Harley! cou'd but you these lines approve,
These children sprung from idleness and love,
Cou'd they, (but ah how vain is the design!)
Hope to amuse your hours, as once they've mine,
Th' ill-judging world's applause, and critics blame,
Alike I'd scorn: your approbation's fame.
Ev'ry perfection of the fair we find,
Charms that might warrant all her sex's pride,
Without one foible of her sex to hide;
Good-nature artless as the bloom that dyes
Her cheeks, and wit as piercing as her eyes.
Oh Harley! cou'd but you these lines approve,
These children sprung from idleness and love,
Cou'd they, (but ah how vain is the design!)
Hope to amuse your hours, as once they've mine,
Th' ill-judging world's applause, and critics blame,
Alike I'd scorn: your approbation's fame.
| The Works of Soame Jenyns | |