 | A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems |  |
138
SONNET
TO JOHN FITZGERALD, ESQ. M.P. ON RECEIVING FROM HIS LADY A PRINT OF CANNING.
Fitzgerald, would that minstrel art of mineCould worthily thy lady's gift repay,
Crowning your honoured friend with deathless bay,
And giving you in glorious verse to shine.
But what beyond the proud emphatic line
Which speaks you Canning's friends! could song convey,
In glowing words, your title to display
To the just homage of the tuneful Nine?
Nor can your favourite need another lyre
Than that by his lamented death unstrung,
Should lend his muse and memory fitting tongue;
Add to the poet's wit the patriot's fire,
And what could e'en your friendship more desire
In celebration of his glory sung?
| A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems | |