Poems on several occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Poems on several occasions

By the late Edward Lovibond

Lovibond, Edward (1724-1775)

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ON THE DEATH OF EDWARD LOVIBOND, Esq;

THE TEARS OF OLD MAY-DAY.

DEDICATION TO THE Rev. Mr. WOODDESON, Of Kingston upon Thames, AND THE LADIES of his NEIGHBOURHOOD.

JULIA's PRINTED LETTER TO LORD ---.

ON REBUILDING COMBE-NEVILLE, NEAR KINGSTON, SURREY,

ON LADY POMFRET's PRESENTING THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD WITH HER COLLECTION OF STATUES.

ON RURAL SPORTS.

ODE TO CAPTIVITY.

IMITATION FROM OSSIAN's POEMS,

ODE TO YOUTH.

TO THE THAMES.

TO Miss K--- P---.

TO Miss K--- P---, WITH ANSON's VOYAGE.

THE COMPLAINT OF CAMBRIA

ON A PRESENT to the AUTHOR OF TWO IMPRESSIONS FROM A Fine Antique Seal of the Head of ALEXANDER;

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE MONUMENT IN ARCADIA.

ON THE SAME.

HITCHIN CONVENT.

TO A YOUNG LADY, A VERY GOOD ACTRESS.

TO AN ACCOMPLISHED LADY.

ADDRESS TO THE THAMES.

TO Mrs. B---, Reading Julia with tears, during a hard frost.

ON Mr. BROWN'S Alterations at Clermont,

TO LADY F---, On her Marriage.

SONG.

VERSES Written after passing through Findon, Sussex, 1768.

TO A LADY.

STANZAS.

TO A YOUNG LADY, Who objected to sup with a Party of both sexes, that met at a Coffee-House.

TO THE SAME, ON HER DRESS.

TO THE SAME.

ON Reading the foregoing VERSES.

SONG.

LAURA's ANSWER.

REPLY TO Miss G---.

TO Miss G---.

TO LAURA, ON Her receiving a Mysterious LETTER from A METHODIST DIVINE.

TO THE SAME. ON POLITICS.

TO LAURA. FAREWELL TO THE ROSE.

SONG TO ****.

On Men being deprived, from Custom and Delicacy, of enjoying social Friendship with the Fair Sex.

TO A YOUNG LADY, Fainting at the News of her Friend's Misfortunes.

ON THE DEATH OF AN INFANT.

TO Miss N---m,

TO THE Mrs.'s R---s,

VERSES WRITTEN AT BRIGHTHELMSTONE.

TO Miss G---,

ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING VERSES.

ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN.

INSCRIPTION FOR A FOUNTAIN.

On the converting the late Mr. WOODDESON's HOUSE, at Kingston, into a Poor-House, and cutting down the great Walk of high Trees before it.

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159

TO Miss G---.

Ah leave, you cry, the harp unstrung,
For Fortune shifts her fickle wind:
Resume thy lyre, on willows hung,
To sing the fair, no longer kind.

No—nearer view my alter'd state,
For fear too high, for hope too low;
Beneath the victor's joyful fate,
Yet far above the captive's woe.

The charms of sense no more beguile;
On Reason's lap I lay me down:
If claiming now no beauties' smile,
Appears it just to meet their frown?

160

Light insects they, of gaudy hues,
Admire the glare of youthful day,
Still bathe in morn's, not evening's dews,
From shades of autumn fleet away.

Behold their train of captains, beaux!
Disdain my breast, disdain to sigh!
To these the fair, the rivals those,
The son of Jove's be my reply:

“Ah why desert th'Olympic games?
“Aspire to victory!” Philip cries:
“I come,” young Ammon fierce exclaims,
“If kings my rivals, thrones the prize.”

Yes, letter'd maid! my soul approve,
The seat no more of vain desires:
Extinguish'd there the flame of love,
Extinguish'd there Ambition's fires!

161

To save from vice, from folly save,
What aid can beauty, power afford?
Unworthy love to call thee slave,
Unworthy crowds to call thee lord!

Pure reason, yes; pure truth—but why,
Ah why! rebellious heart declare,
With flattering pulse and stifled sigh,
That other tenants harbour there?

Go—tranquil Hope, by turns to dwell,
Expelling Reason Pleasures court,
Expelling Passion Wisdom's cell:
Go—Reason's, Passion's mutual sport.

Vain dreamer!—rather both revere,
But neither's sole dominion own:
When Heaven assign'd to each their sphere,
It never meant excluding one:

162

Excluding which?—objections wait
On vain pretensions either forms;
Alike to life's salubrious state
Ye both are fatal—calms and storms.