University of Virginia Library

To his Honor'd Friend, the Author of this Excellent POEM.

I took, Sir, of your Book a short survay,
And swiftly ran it over without stay;
Yet stumbled not, I found the Work to be
So smoothly wrought, and coucht so evenly.
Some Muses seem to gambol and curvet;
But yours, though frolick Feet on Ground she set,
Goes (as she swam in Blood) an easie pace,
Or rather runs a wreath-deserving Race.
Some rave in Verse, as they would seem to be
Full (like the Sibylls) of some Deity,
When Wine inflates them; but you, in your height
Of Fury, give your wing'd Phansies weight,
With Reason temper Rage, and like a strong
Well-fraighted Bark, pass steadily along.
You (as a true bred Stanhop) write in State,
Brave lines compose, yet ne're Luxuriate;
But keep within your sober bounds, most fit
To give restraint to a high-working Wit.
As a Wise King's a Subject of your lines,
So you considerately bring on designs,
Not rush (like Curtius) into th' vastitys
Of danger, but approach by fair degrees,
Relating from what troubled Sourse arose
Th' discord, and what troops of Gallant Foes
Gave Luster to the Field, as kere with fine
Phæbean Phansies your Narrations shine.
Now when brave Metal to the stroke you bring,
Your Verse then sparkles, fervently you sing,
Spur up your Pegasus, and make him fly
A gallant pitch of rare sublimity,
And when his Head into a Cloud doth dash,
Cause it to Thunder, as your Wit doth flash.
Great Mars, when Diomed his Wast did wound,
From his deep Throat sent forth a hideous sound:
But (sure) he bellows not in Homer more
To terror, than your Poem makes him roar.
As your high enterprize did merit Praise,
So for th' atchievement claim your Crown of Bayes.
Your Worth was in the bud, but now 'tis blown
By Fame, and to more Eminency grown,
By this strong work, a work that may defy
The Tooth of Time, and Tongue of Calumny.