Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Ye generous Arts and Muses join;
While down your Cheeks the streaming Sorrows flow,
Let murm'ring Strings with the soft Voice combine
T'express the Melody of Woe.

179

And thou, AUGUSTA! rise and wait
With decent Honours on the Great;
Condole my Loss, and weep DEVONIO's Fate.

Signiora Margarita.

AIR.

[With Flutes.]
Queen of Cities! leave awhile
Thy beauteous Smile,
Turn to tender Grief thy Joy.
From thy Shore of Thames replying,
Gentlest Echoes fainting, dying,
Shall their Sorrow too employ.
Queen of Cities! leave awhile
Thy beauteous Smile,
Turn to tender Grief thy Joy.
AUGUSTA.

Recitative.

'Tis Fame's chief Immortality,
BRITANNIA, to be mourn'd by thee.
I know the Loss; from midnight Skies
Ill Omens late did strike my Eyes;
Near the radiant Northern Carr
I look'd, and saw a falling Star.

Mrs. Tofts.

180

AIR.

Lands remote the Loss will hear;
From Rocks reporting,
Seas transporting,
Will the wafted Sorrow bear.
Winds that fly,
Will softly sigh,
A Star has left the British Sphere.
Lands remote, &c.
BRITANNIA.

Recitative.

Great GEORGE! whose Azure Emblems of Renown
Are the fair Gifts of Britain's Crown,
Patron of my illustrious Isle!
Thou saw'st thy Order late exprest
With added Brightness on DEVONIO's Breast;
Meet the Companion Knight, and own him with a Smile.

DUETTO for BRITANNIA and AUGUSTA.

Brit.
To shade his peaceful Grave
Let growing Palms extend!

Aug.
To grace his peaceful Grave
Let hov'ring Loves attend!

181

Both.
To shade, &c.
To grace, &c.

Brit.
And wakeful Fame defend,

Aug.
And grateful Truth commend

Both.
The Generous and the Brave!

AUGUSTA.

Recitative.

Now shall AUGUSTA's Sons their Skill impart,
And summon the dumb Sister Art,
In Marble Life to show,
What the Patriot was below.
Here, let a weeping Cupid stand,
And wound himself with his own Dart;
There place the Ducal Crown, the Sword, the Wand,
The Mark of ANNA's Trust and his Command.

AIR.

Lofty Birth and Honours Shining,
Bring a Light on Noble Minds.
Ev'ry Courtly Grace combining,
Ev'ry Gen'rous Action joining,
With Eternal Laurel binds.
Lofty Birth and Honours Shining,
Bring a Light on Noble Minds.

182

BRITANNIA.

Recitative.

Behold fair LIBERTY attend,
And in DEVONIO's Loss bewail a Friend.
See! o'er his Tomb perpetual Lamps she lights,
Then, on his Urn the Goddess writes:

“Preserve, O Urn! his silent Dust,
“Who faithful did obey
“Princes like ANNA good and just,
“Yet scorn'd his Freedom to betray;
“And, hated by all Tyrants, chose
“The Glory to have Such his Foes.

The Duke order'd this Inscription to be placed upon his Monument,

WILLIELMUS, DUX DEVONIÆ,

Bonorum Principum fidelis Subditus,

Inimicus, et Invisus Tyrannis.

AUGUSTA.

Recitative.

Genius of Britain! give thy Sorrows o'er.
A grateful Tribute thou hast paid
To thy DEVONIO's noble Shade;
Now, vainly weep the Dead no more!

183

For see—the Duke and Patriot still survives,
And in his Great Successor lives.

BRITANNIA.

Recitative.

I own the new arising Light,
I see Paternal Grandeur shine,
Descending, thro' th'Illustrious Line,
In the same Royal Favours bright.

Last DUETTO with all the Instruments.

Brit.
Gently smooth thy Flight, O Time!

Aug.
Smoothly wing thy Flight, O Time!

Both.
And as thou flying growest old,
Still this happy Race behold
In BRITANNIA's Court Sublime.

Brit.
Lead along their smiling Hours;

Aug.
Long produce their smiling Hours;

Both.
Blest by all auspicious Pow'rs.

Brit.
Gently smooth thy Flight, O Time!

Aug.
Smoothly wing thy Flight, O Time!

Both.
And as thou flying growest old,
Still this happy Race behold
In BRITANNIA's Court Sublime.