Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Permit me at Your Royal Feet to lay
This humble Off'ring of a trembling Muse;
Permit me there to pay
This Tribute to transcendent Merit due;
To that transcendent Merit which conspicuous is in You.
Bold is th' Address, and the Presumption high!
But she all meaner Objects does refuse,
To this vast height will fly,
And hopes Your Goodness will th' ambitious Flight excuse.
I strove a while her Ardor to conceal,
Unseen it burnt within my Breast;
But now impetuous grows, and will it self reveal;
'Tis much too strong to be supprest.
What was at first but Warmth, now to a Flame do's rise,
On you she gazes with admiring Eyes,
And ev'ry lower Object does despise:
Pardon her Transports, since from Zeal they spring,
And give her Leave of You to sing;
Of You, the noblest Theme that she can chuse,
Of You, who're with Ten thousand Graces fraught,
Of You, who far exceed the widest Bounds of Thought:
In whom as to their Centre Lines are drawn,

All those bright Qualities in one combine,
Which did till now with scatter'd Glory shine;
Appear'd till now but in their Dawn:
You're the Meridian Splendor of Your Line;
And on Your Sex entail a lasting Fame;
We shall be ever proud of Your illustrious Name.