The Works of John Hall-Stevenson ... Corrected and Enlarged. With Several Original Poems, Now First Printed, and Explanatory Notes. In Three Volumes |
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The Works of John Hall-Stevenson | ||
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BOOK IV. ODE IX.
To LOLLIUS.
Though born in an ungenial clime,
Where T. with brawls his tribute pays,
'Tis possible, my lord, for Time
To fancy these uncommon lays.
Where T. with brawls his tribute pays,
'Tis possible, my lord, for Time
To fancy these uncommon lays.
If Shakspeare every Muse inspire,
Sole sovereign of the tuneful throng,
Praise still is due to Cowley's lyre,
And Gray's sweet melancholy song.
Sole sovereign of the tuneful throng,
Praise still is due to Cowley's lyre,
And Gray's sweet melancholy song.
Prior shall live with laughing eye
Amongst the vivid sons of fame;
Maids ever weep, and widows sigh,
And burn with Eloisa's flame.
Amongst the vivid sons of fame;
Maids ever weep, and widows sigh,
And burn with Eloisa's flame.
Not Sparta's queen alone has tripp'd,
Charm'd with fine breeding and fine clothes;
Other fair princesses have slipp'd
,
And troubled the whole world's repose.
Charm'd with fine breeding and fine clothes;
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And troubled the whole world's repose.
Teucer is not the only prince
Famous for shooting the long bow .
Troy has been lost before, and since,
By cunning, with a patriot shew.
Famous for shooting the long bow .
Troy has been lost before, and since,
By cunning, with a patriot shew.
Heroes have bled as well as Hector,
Both for their minions and chaste wives;
Else how had Cromwell been protector,
Or Charles and Edward lost their lives?
Both for their minions and chaste wives;
Else how had Cromwell been protector,
Or Charles and Edward lost their lives?
Pitts with the same aspiring mind
In dark oblivion are gone down;
But they have not the luck to find
Churchills to hand them to renown.
In dark oblivion are gone down;
But they have not the luck to find
Churchills to hand them to renown.
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Worth, undistinguish'd by applause,
But equals sloth; nor shall the chief
In livid silence guard our laws,
Forgotten like a mouldy brief.
But equals sloth; nor shall the chief
In livid silence guard our laws,
Forgotten like a mouldy brief.
Supremely wise when wisdom's wanted,
Prudent where caution is a merit,
Upright, inflexible, undaunted,
Pure and enlighten'd like a spirit.
Prudent where caution is a merit,
Upright, inflexible, undaunted,
Pure and enlighten'd like a spirit.
Sworn enemy to falsehood base,
Against corruption firm and steady,
Not for one single heat or race,
But always booted, always ready.
Against corruption firm and steady,
Not for one single heat or race,
But always booted, always ready.
You rose at Freedom's sacred call,
Snatch'd her from th' invading great,
Added new trophies to her hall,
And fix'd the goddess in her seat.
Snatch'd her from th' invading great,
Added new trophies to her hall,
And fix'd the goddess in her seat.
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'Tis the wise use, not the possessing,
The smiles of fortune or of kings,
That can make wealth a real blessing,
Or take from poverty her stings.
The smiles of fortune or of kings,
That can make wealth a real blessing,
Or take from poverty her stings.
That dignifies the virtuous man,
Scorning, though poor, to flinch or faulter,
Who for his prince or his dear clan
Despises the impending halter.
Scorning, though poor, to flinch or faulter,
Who for his prince or his dear clan
Despises the impending halter.
The Works of John Hall-Stevenson | ||