The Works of the Right Honourable Sir Chas. Hanbury Williams ... From the Originals in the Possession of His Grandson The Right Hon. The Earl of Essex and Others: With Notes by Horace Walpole ... In Three Volumes, with Portraits |
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| I. |
TO
MR. GARNIER
AND
MR. PEARCE OF BATH.
|
 | II. |
| III. |
 | The Works of the Right Honourable Sir Chas. Hanbury Williams |  |
230
TO MR. GARNIER AND MR. PEARCE OF BATH.
A GRATEFUL ODE, In return for the extraordinary kindness and humanity they shewed to me and my eldest daughter, now Lady Essex, 1753.
I
WHAT glorious verse from Love has sprung?How well has Indignation sung?
231
Whilst in her once-belov'd abode
I stray, and suppliant kneel, an ode
To Gratitude refuse?
II
Garnier, my friend, accept this verse,And thou receive, well-natur'd Pearce,
All I can give of Fame:
Let others other subjects sing,
Some murd'rous chief, some tyrant king,
Humanity's my theme.
III
Whilst arts like yours, employ'd by you,Make verse on such a theme your due,
To whom indulgent heav'n
Its fav'rite pow'r of doing good,
By you so rightly understood,
Judiciously has giv'n.
IV
Behold, obedient to your pow'r,Consuming fevers rage no more,
232
The cripple dances, freed from pain,
The deaf in raptures hear again,
The blind, transported, sees.
V
Health, at your call, extends her wing,Each healing plant, each friendly spring,
Its various pow'r discloses;
O'er death's approaches you prevail,
See Chloe's cheek, of late so pale,
Blooms with returning roses.
VI
These gifts, my friends, which shine in you,Are rare, yet to some chosen few
Heav'n has the same assign'd;
Health waits on Mead's prescription still,
And Hawkins' hand, and Ranby's skill,
Are blessings to mankind.
VII
But hearts like yours are rare indeed,Which for another's wounds can bleed,
233
The lover's fear, the parent's groan,
Your natures catch, and make your own,
And share the pains you heal.
VIII
But why to them, Hygeia, whyDost thou thy cordial drop deny
Who but for others live;
Oh, goddess, hear my pray'r, and grant
That these that health may never want,
Which they to others give.
| The Works of the Right Honourable Sir Chas. Hanbury Williams | |