The Works of Horace In English Verse By several hands. Collected and Published By Mr. Duncombe. With Notes Historical and Critical |
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ODE. |
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 | The Works of Horace In English Verse |  |
221
ODE.
To the Right Honourable the Lord Chancellor Cowper.
1
I'm rais'd, transported, chang'd all o'er!Prepar'd, a tow'ring Swan, to soar
Aloft: See, see the Down arise,
And cloath my Back, and plume my Thighs!
My Wings shoot forth; now will I try
New Tracts, and boldly mount the Sky;
Nor Envy, nor Ill-fortune's Spite,
Shall stop my Course, or damp my Flight.
2
Shall I, obscure, or disesteem'd,Of vulgar Rank henceforth be deem'd?
Or vainly toil my Name to save
From dark Oblivion, and the Grave?
No—He can never wholly die,
Secure of Immortality,
Whom Britain's Cowper condescends
To own, and numbers with his Friends.
222
3
'Tis done—I scorn mean Honours now;No common Wreaths shall bind my Brow.
Whether the Muse vouchsafe t'inspire
My Breast with her celestial Fire;
Whether my Verse be fill'd with Flame,
Or I deserve a Poet's Name,
Let Fame be silent; only tell,
That generous Cowper loves me well.
4
Thro' Britain's Realms I shall be knownBy Cowper's Merit, not my own.
And when the Tomb my Dust shall hide,
Stripp'd of a Mortal's little Pride,
Vain Pomp be spar'd, and every Tear:
Let but some Stone this Sculpture bear;
“Here lies his Clay, to Earth consign'd,
“To whom great Cowper once was kind.”
1717.
| The Works of Horace In English Verse | |