Poems on Several Occasions In Two Volumes. By Mr. Joseph Mitchell |
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| I. |
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VERSES To the Right Honourable the Lady
Sommerville,
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| II. |
 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
366
VERSES To the Right Honourable the Lady Sommerville,
On her Marriage.
When
Themes profane the Poet's Choice are made,
The sacred Nine reluctant lend their Aid:
But half inspir'd the Fancy then appears,
And languid Numbers pass for manly Verse.
Not so, when noble Subjects claim their Song—
The Muses then around their Votary throng!
Then, all at once, their tuneful Forces join,
Swell in each Thought, and in each Cadence shine!
The sacred Nine reluctant lend their Aid:
But half inspir'd the Fancy then appears,
And languid Numbers pass for manly Verse.
Not so, when noble Subjects claim their Song—
The Muses then around their Votary throng!
367
Swell in each Thought, and in each Cadence shine!
Devious, of late, amid too light a Strain,
Each of the Sisters was invok'd, in vain;
From my weak Wing, the sweet Supporters fled,
Sunk were my Spirits, and my Numbers dead.
But, soon as Fame reliev'd me with the Sound,
That Sommerville in You his Heav'n had found,
Wrapt, I resolv'd th'inspiring Choice to sing,
And crowding Muses danc'd on every String.
Each of the Sisters was invok'd, in vain;
From my weak Wing, the sweet Supporters fled,
Sunk were my Spirits, and my Numbers dead.
But, soon as Fame reliev'd me with the Sound,
That Sommerville in You his Heav'n had found,
Wrapt, I resolv'd th'inspiring Choice to sing,
And crowding Muses danc'd on every String.
Receive, illustrious Charmer, the Respect
Your Poet pays; and what he writes protect.
While others cold and formal Zeal display,
And wish you Joy, the dull prosaic Way;
Mitchell, distinguish'd, with a livelier Air,
Visits in Verse, nor hails you less sincere.
Your Poet pays; and what he writes protect.
While others cold and formal Zeal display,
And wish you Joy, the dull prosaic Way;
Mitchell, distinguish'd, with a livelier Air,
Visits in Verse, nor hails you less sincere.
368
Reign, wedded Love, on Reason founded strong!
Thou Source of Kindred, and thou Soul of Song!
In Thee, the Lover meets no treacherous Smile;
No faithless Snares his manag'd Heart beguile.
What tho' to One thou do'st Desire confine?
Thy Bounds are Eden, a Restraint divine!
Sweetly associate, He sustains no Care,
That She disarms not by Her Right to share.
Her Joys are heighten'd by the Part He bears,
And all Her Words are Musick to his Ears.
Dash'd on Life's Ocean, when the swelling Waves
Rise over one, th' assisting Consort saves;
Till each at Anchor, 'midst the Tempest, rides,
Nor dreads the Surges, nor obeys the Tides!
Thou Source of Kindred, and thou Soul of Song!
In Thee, the Lover meets no treacherous Smile;
No faithless Snares his manag'd Heart beguile.
What tho' to One thou do'st Desire confine?
Thy Bounds are Eden, a Restraint divine!
Sweetly associate, He sustains no Care,
That She disarms not by Her Right to share.
Her Joys are heighten'd by the Part He bears,
And all Her Words are Musick to his Ears.
Dash'd on Life's Ocean, when the swelling Waves
Rise over one, th' assisting Consort saves;
Till each at Anchor, 'midst the Tempest, rides,
Nor dreads the Surges, nor obeys the Tides!
How greatly blest must this bright Union be,
Where Bodies emulate, and Souls agree!
Where Bodies emulate, and Souls agree!
369
Pride of thy blooming Sex—your Eyes and Air
Have wearied Wonder, and awak'd Despair.
Your Form seems made to match your heav'nly Mind,
And, while on Earth, to leave all Earth behind!
While Sommerville, by Nature form'd to please,
His native Bravery softens into Ease,
And mixes Mildness with his manly Grace.
His warrior Line has triumph'd oft before;
But He, in conquering You, has triumph'd more.
Have wearied Wonder, and awak'd Despair.
Your Form seems made to match your heav'nly Mind,
And, while on Earth, to leave all Earth behind!
While Sommerville, by Nature form'd to please,
His native Bravery softens into Ease,
And mixes Mildness with his manly Grace.
His warrior Line has triumph'd oft before;
But He, in conquering You, has triumph'd more.
May lengthen'd Life your meeting Wishes crown,
And rising Ages spread your wreath'd Renown!
May no first Death your social Hearts divide,
But late, together, be this Knot unty'd!
And rising Ages spread your wreath'd Renown!
May no first Death your social Hearts divide,
But late, together, be this Knot unty'd!
| Poems on Several Occasions | |