University of Virginia Library

TO HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN JAY,

GOVERNOR, AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

While those by falsehood led, with passion blind,
Fall to decay, nor leave a wreck behind,
Thy fame, ILLUSTRIOUS PATRIOT, will endure,
Firm as thy mind, and as thy motive pure;
A grateful country shall thy triumph see,
And all her muses lift their harps to thee.
Loved, praised, and honoured, by no ill subdued,
Thine is the suffrage of the great and good.
Friends of thy life, by kindred perils tried,
In whom the millions of THE WEST confide.
Though with rude blast the breath of envy blow,
Still lives the laurel on thy tranquil brow,
Still with thy genius shall thy virtues shine,
And the best plaudit of A WORLD be thine.