Poems to Thespia To Which are Added, Sonnets, &c. [by Hugh Downman] |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. | XXII.
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| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
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 | Poems to Thespia |  |
77
XXII.
[I call no virgin of the nine]
I call no virgin of the nine,
I bend not low at fancy's shrine,
To truth alone these strains belong.
She guides my pen, and prompts my song.
O Thespia, time, which can controul
The wilder fervours of the soul,
Before whom falsehood stands confest,
Of frailty the decisive test,
Hath, while the still-progressive year
Surrounded twice the solar sphere,
Added new strength to tender love,
The passion nicer spirits prove.
Hath tried thy soul, and found it right,
Hath brought new graces forth to light;
Discover'd beauties in the wife,
Which could not bloom in single life.
I bend not low at fancy's shrine,
To truth alone these strains belong.
She guides my pen, and prompts my song.
O Thespia, time, which can controul
The wilder fervours of the soul,
Before whom falsehood stands confest,
Of frailty the decisive test,
Hath, while the still-progressive year
Surrounded twice the solar sphere,
Added new strength to tender love,
The passion nicer spirits prove.
Hath tried thy soul, and found it right,
Hath brought new graces forth to light;
Discover'd beauties in the wife,
Which could not bloom in single life.
How poor is wealth, how low is power,
Compared with thy superior dower!
Thine are the charms of innocence,
Of unaffected, native sense,
From that, springs chaste and humorous mirth,
And this, to decency gives birth,
The band without whose modest tye
Mirth is unmeaning revelry.
Thine is compassion's breath sincere,
Her gentle sigh and generous tear.
Prudential caution, artless ease,
That sweet solicitude to please
Which never fails my soul to bless,
And renders every trouble less.
Compared with thy superior dower!
78
Of unaffected, native sense,
From that, springs chaste and humorous mirth,
And this, to decency gives birth,
The band without whose modest tye
Mirth is unmeaning revelry.
Thine is compassion's breath sincere,
Her gentle sigh and generous tear.
Prudential caution, artless ease,
That sweet solicitude to please
Which never fails my soul to bless,
And renders every trouble less.
Let fortune frown; let friendship fade,
Disown the promises it made;
Let flattery cringe, her baits display,
And leagued with selfish fraud, betray.
Whatever winds across my course
Blow adverse, and whate'er their force,
Thou still shalt soothe my ruffled breast,
With thee peace builds her halcyon nest.
Thou wilt content's pure joys impart,
And calm serenity of heart.
I hate no more, by thee refined,
But only wonder at mankind.
And tho I know my prayer is vain,
And they are fetter'd by the chain
Of folly, malice, pride and pelf,
Wish they were happy as myself.
Disown the promises it made;
Let flattery cringe, her baits display,
And leagued with selfish fraud, betray.
Whatever winds across my course
Blow adverse, and whate'er their force,
Thou still shalt soothe my ruffled breast,
With thee peace builds her halcyon nest.
79
And calm serenity of heart.
I hate no more, by thee refined,
But only wonder at mankind.
And tho I know my prayer is vain,
And they are fetter'd by the chain
Of folly, malice, pride and pelf,
Wish they were happy as myself.
| Poems to Thespia | |