 | The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq |  |
133
VERSES
Wrote in a blank book which once belonged to Mr. Shenstone the poet, and was given by the Lord Bishop of Worcester.
Come little book, the giver's hand,
Shall add such worth to mine,
That I will hold thee highly priz'd,
And joy to call the mine.
Shall add such worth to mine,
That I will hold thee highly priz'd,
And joy to call the mine.
Come little book; nor in my care,
An humbler lot refuse,
Tho' Worcester own'd thee once, tho' once
Design'd for Shenstone's muse.
An humbler lot refuse,
Tho' Worcester own'd thee once, tho' once
Design'd for Shenstone's muse.
Had Shenstone in thy spotless page
In glowing numbers plac'd,
All that is pleasing great, and, good,
With ev'ry virtue grac'd:
In glowing numbers plac'd,
All that is pleasing great, and, good,
With ev'ry virtue grac'd:
Fill'd thee with gentleness and love,
With piety and truth;
The wisdom of experienc'd years,
The brilliant powers of youth;
With piety and truth;
The wisdom of experienc'd years,
The brilliant powers of youth;
134
With all the condescending ease
Of manners most refin'd,
Then hadst thou been an emblem fit,
Of Worcester's generous mind.
Of manners most refin'd,
Then hadst thou been an emblem fit,
Of Worcester's generous mind.
Come little book; and let me boast
No small, no common fame,
That in thy once so honour'd page,
I write my humble name.
No small, no common fame,
That in thy once so honour'd page,
I write my humble name.
Hartlebury Castle, in Wocrcestershire, 1767.
| The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq | |