Poems on Several Occasions With Imitations from Horace, Ovid, Martial, Theocritus, Bachylides, Anacreon, &c. To which is prefix'd A Discourse on Criticism, and the Liberty of Writing. In a letter to a Friend. By Samuel Cobb ... The Third Edition. To which is added, Poems on the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, the Electoral Prince of Hannover, with other Poems. Never before Printed |
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To Stephen Harvey, Esq;
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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To Stephen Harvey, Esq;
In Imitation of Horace's Ode 3. Book I.
Quem tu, Melpomene, semel
Nascentem placido lumine videris, &c.
Nascentem placido lumine videris, &c.
I.
The Man, whom once the smiling MuseHas nourish'd with Castalian Dews,
Soon as he makes Life's first Essay,
New to the World, and Stranger to the Day,
Must bid a long Farewel to All
Which Happiness by Irony we call.
Nor shall he to the Indies roam
Nor bustle in the Change at home:
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In Chancery or Westminster;
Unless, like HARVEY, He can joyn
The smoother Labours of the Nine
With the rough Study of the Bar.
II.
Unskill'd to guide the foaming Steed,To curb his Rage, or rule his Speed,
When his wing'd Heels scarce print the place,
He shall not Rival in his Race
The flying Coursers of New market Breed.
Him neither clashing Arms nor Camps shall please,
(The Muses court Retirement and soft Ease)
No slaught'ring Weapon shall he wield,
In bloody Wars no Honour gain,
Nor climb the Pyrenœans of the Slain
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Fam'd Hockstet, or Ramillia's Fatal Plain;
Known for Bavaria's Second Fall,
And the swift Flight of the defeated Gaul,
Too impotent in hopes to grasp the Universal Ball.
III.
Nor shall he for Vigovian SpoilsOr more renown'd Brabantine Toils,
On a Thanksgiving-Day repair
To Paul's in a Triumphant Coach;
Nor amidst thund'ring Shouts, which wound the Air,
Make his magnificent Approach.
Nor shall he shine in History,
In Annals or in Poetry,
Because near Barcino, or Calpe's Shore,
120
From Rash Thoulouse's Hand he tore
The TRIDENT of the Sea.
IV.
To bind the Poet's peaceful BrowsNew Laurel in the Forrest grows,
If nigh the Banks of murm'ring Thames,
(Rival in Praise with Heliconian Streams)
In Mantuan Numbers he excel,
Or like Mœonides; describe Campaigns,
Or, skilful in Pindaric Strains,
Strike the Melodious Shell.
O Muse, sweet Empress of the Lyre!
If Thou exalt my chosen Name
Among the Foremost in the List of Fame,
And HARVEY, Great and Good, inspire:
121
Your Votary among the Tuneful Race,
Whose Verse no Teeth of Time, nor snarling Envy, shall Deface.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |