Poems on Several Occasions To which is added Gondibert and Birtha, A Tragedy. By William Thompson |
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
103
To Miss Addison.
On seeing Mr. Rowe's MONUMENT in Westminster Abbey. Erected at the Expence of his Widow.
Late an Applauding People rear'd the Stone
To Shakespear's Honour, and, alike, their Own.
A perfect Whole, where Part consents to part;
The Wonder He of Nature, This of Art.
And now a Wife (ye Wits, no more despise
The Name of Wife) bids Rowe in Marble rise.
Smiling He views her conjugal Regard;
A Nation's Cost had been a less Reward:
A Nation's Praise may vulgar Spirits move,
Rowe more deserv'd and gain'd,—a Sponsal Love.
To Shakespear's Honour, and, alike, their Own.
A perfect Whole, where Part consents to part;
The Wonder He of Nature, This of Art.
And now a Wife (ye Wits, no more despise
The Name of Wife) bids Rowe in Marble rise.
Smiling He views her conjugal Regard;
A Nation's Cost had been a less Reward:
A Nation's Praise may vulgar Spirits move,
Rowe more deserv'd and gain'd,—a Sponsal Love.
O Italy! thy injur'd Marble keep
Deep in thy Bowels, providently deep,
When Fools wou'd force it over Knaves to weep.
But when true Wit and Merit claim a Shrine,
Pour forth thy Stores and beggar every Mine.
They claim Them now: for Virtue, Sense and Wit
Have long been fled, and want thy Succours—Yet:
They claim Them now for One,—yes, One I see:—
Marble wou'd weep—if Addison be He.
Deep in thy Bowels, providently deep,
When Fools wou'd force it over Knaves to weep.
But when true Wit and Merit claim a Shrine,
Pour forth thy Stores and beggar every Mine.
104
Have long been fled, and want thy Succours—Yet:
They claim Them now for One,—yes, One I see:—
Marble wou'd weep—if Addison be He.
O crown'd with all the Glories of thy Race,
The Father's Candour, and the Mother's Grace!
With Rowe, Charlotta! vie, in generous Strife,
And let the Daughter emulate the Wife.
Be justly pious; raise the Honour'd Stone,
And so—deserve a Rowe, or—Addison!
The Father's Candour, and the Mother's Grace!
With Rowe, Charlotta! vie, in generous Strife,
And let the Daughter emulate the Wife.
Be justly pious; raise the Honour'd Stone,
And so—deserve a Rowe, or—Addison!
| Poems on Several Occasions | |