The Works of the Late Aaron Hill ... In Four Volumes. Consisting of Letters on Various Subjects, And of Original Poems, Moral and Facetious. With An Essay on the Art of Acting |
 |
 |
|
To his Muse.
|
 | The Works of the Late Aaron Hill |  |
161
To his Muse.
Thy country! blast it, if it once disdains,
To prop thy virtues, or reward thy pains!
If there I prosper, here was only born,
That claims my duty! this deserves my scorn!
O muse! 'tis mean to stoop to helpless moan!
Try, if no clime is gentler, than thy own!
Offer, on distant shores, a faithful hand,
In vain, not useless, in thy mother land!
When fortune frowns, and care's black harvest springs,
A change of place, a change of prospect brings!
Far off, thy reason's force, uncurb'd, may reign;
But even the prophets preach'd at home in vain.
To prop thy virtues, or reward thy pains!
If there I prosper, here was only born,
That claims my duty! this deserves my scorn!
O muse! 'tis mean to stoop to helpless moan!
Try, if no clime is gentler, than thy own!
Offer, on distant shores, a faithful hand,
In vain, not useless, in thy mother land!
When fortune frowns, and care's black harvest springs,
A change of place, a change of prospect brings!
Far off, thy reason's force, uncurb'd, may reign;
But even the prophets preach'd at home in vain.
Yet, hold! and e'er it quite determin'd grows,
Let me some sudden starts of hope disclose:
E'er, widely wand'ring, led by false distrust,
From my wing'd feet, I shake their native dust!
Perhaps, my doubt clouds some domestic ray:
And hides a prospect, bordering on my way!
Tho' men of title seem exempt from thought,
And pride's assistance is but vainly sought:
Tho' truth, oft try'd, this known advice imparts,
That noble blood may warm ignoble hearts!
Hid in a cloud of pomp, which hems the throne,
There may be greatness, to my hopes unknown!
Howe'er unsought, howe'er unseen, by me,
There may some soul-distinguish'd nature be!
Some gen'rous breast, whose mind, divinely warm,
Has taught him, how uncourted favours charm!
Let me some sudden starts of hope disclose:
E'er, widely wand'ring, led by false distrust,
From my wing'd feet, I shake their native dust!
Perhaps, my doubt clouds some domestic ray:
And hides a prospect, bordering on my way!
Tho' men of title seem exempt from thought,
And pride's assistance is but vainly sought:
162
That noble blood may warm ignoble hearts!
Hid in a cloud of pomp, which hems the throne,
There may be greatness, to my hopes unknown!
Howe'er unsought, howe'er unseen, by me,
There may some soul-distinguish'd nature be!
Some gen'rous breast, whose mind, divinely warm,
Has taught him, how uncourted favours charm!
If such there be, so rich, so strong, a mind!
And thou, blest muse, shall his bright bosom find!
Whisper, in gentle notes, thy master's pray'r:
And, in soft accents, this sad truth declare.
And thou, blest muse, shall his bright bosom find!
Whisper, in gentle notes, thy master's pray'r:
And, in soft accents, this sad truth declare.
There lives, O, brightest gem, of honour's crown!
Thou angel-acted theme of just renown!
There lives, who, skill'd, in Fortune's wanton sports,
Hopes, with such faintness, for regard from courts,
That, tho' not blind to worth, which all men see!
He sends me, half-despairing, even to thee!
No gain-polluted aim inspires his views!
He seeks not office, nor reward pursues!
More nobly fir'd, his thoughts high schemes design,
To stretch dominion, and make empire shine!
Oh! were his wishes blest! and thy kind ear
Wou'd, once, impartial, his conceptions hear!
Th' important moment might resolves produce,
And cloath ideas, with substantial use!
Thou angel-acted theme of just renown!
There lives, who, skill'd, in Fortune's wanton sports,
Hopes, with such faintness, for regard from courts,
That, tho' not blind to worth, which all men see!
He sends me, half-despairing, even to thee!
No gain-polluted aim inspires his views!
He seeks not office, nor reward pursues!
163
To stretch dominion, and make empire shine!
Oh! were his wishes blest! and thy kind ear
Wou'd, once, impartial, his conceptions hear!
Th' important moment might resolves produce,
And cloath ideas, with substantial use!
Stop there, O muse! 'twere needless more to say!
And, with unwilling slowness, glide away:
If, mov'd, he calls thee back, regardful, go!
If not, return, ungriev'd: all vain complaint is low.
And, with unwilling slowness, glide away:
If, mov'd, he calls thee back, regardful, go!
If not, return, ungriev'd: all vain complaint is low.
| The Works of the Late Aaron Hill | |