University of Virginia Library


319

SONNET XXXIX.

To Richard Roderick, Esq;
Equally skilful or the Lyric string
To touch, and laugh in many a jocund lay,
Or against vice to rise with bold assay,
And Satire's burning brond with art to fling;
Roderick, why sleeps the Muse, while jolly spring
In frolic dance leads-up the blooming May,
And the sweet Nightingales on every spray
Take the ear prisoner with their carolling?
Or, if thy verse a higher theme demand,
Mark the Mock-patriot, deck'd in proud array
Of borrow'd virtues, which his soul ne'er knew,
Scattering fell poison through the cheated land;
And, while to private power he paves his way,
Dazzling with public good the blinded crew.