 | Poems on several grave and important subjects (1719) |  |
An Epistle to Major PACK.
Occasioned by his Translating the select Elegies of Catullus, Tibullus, &c.
While others with unwearied Toil provide
T'indulge our Avarice, and inflame our Pride,
With all the splendid Labours of the East,
And sparkling Juice delicious to the Taste;
With wiser Thoughts inspired, you explore
Neglected foreign Learning o'er and o'er,
And what is useful and refin'd of it,
To serve your Country prosperously transmit.
A pleasing Work, tho' not devoid of Pain,
To raise the Spirit of the Dead again;
And make the Labours of your generous Muse
At once exalt your Fame, and be of publick Use!
T'indulge our Avarice, and inflame our Pride,
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And sparkling Juice delicious to the Taste;
With wiser Thoughts inspired, you explore
Neglected foreign Learning o'er and o'er,
And what is useful and refin'd of it,
To serve your Country prosperously transmit.
A pleasing Work, tho' not devoid of Pain,
To raise the Spirit of the Dead again;
And make the Labours of your generous Muse
At once exalt your Fame, and be of publick Use!
Our
British Bards have often try'd to save
Your darling Authors from the pow'rful Grave;
Yet all Attempts have fail'd of wish'd Success,
'Till you reviv'd them in an English Dress.
Their Beauties suffer'd when aspiring Pens,
With little Art and real Excellence,
Presum'd to bring them over to our Isle;
To shew us Wit, and yet our Hopes beguile.
You all these former Injuries atone,
And give them Charms and Spirit brighter than their own.
Your darling Authors from the pow'rful Grave;
Yet all Attempts have fail'd of wish'd Success,
'Till you reviv'd them in an English Dress.
Their Beauties suffer'd when aspiring Pens,
With little Art and real Excellence,
99
To shew us Wit, and yet our Hopes beguile.
You all these former Injuries atone,
And give them Charms and Spirit brighter than their own.
Who but a Youth, with glowing Warmth possess'd,
Could have so well Catullus' Sense express'd?
Experience is a requisite to tell,
What he compos'd, and you translate so well,
If from his Urn Tibullus could arise.
He'd look at once with Pleasure and Surprize;
And frankly own you cast a Light on all
The shining Beauties of th' Original.
Could have so well Catullus' Sense express'd?
Experience is a requisite to tell,
What he compos'd, and you translate so well,
If from his Urn Tibullus could arise.
He'd look at once with Pleasure and Surprize;
And frankly own you cast a Light on all
The shining Beauties of th' Original.
Oh how I'm charm'd to see a noble Mind,
Dauntless in War, in time of Peace refin'd!
All like a Lion then, and now like Virgins kind.
Go on, brave Major, may your Life be long,
That we may share the Blessings of your Song!
By Sword and Pen in proper Seasons show,
Both Kinds of Laurel should adorn your Brow:
While I your Northern Friend, in humble Verse,
A Brother's Fate, and my own Pains rehearse.
Dauntless in War, in time of Peace refin'd!
All like a Lion then, and now like Virgins kind.
100
That we may share the Blessings of your Song!
By Sword and Pen in proper Seasons show,
Both Kinds of Laurel should adorn your Brow:
While I your Northern Friend, in humble Verse,
A Brother's Fate, and my own Pains rehearse.
| Poems on several grave and important subjects (1719) | |