University of Virginia Library

To a Gentleman, who requested a Copy of Verses from the Author.

SIR,

I have, before the Time prescrib'd by you,
Expos'd my weak Production to your View;
Which may, I hope, have Pardon at your Hand,
Because produc'd to Light by your Command.
Perhaps you might expect some finish'd Ode,
Or sacred Song, to sound the Praise of God;

---

2

A glorious Thought, and laudable! But then
Think what illit'rate Poet guides the Pen:
Ill suit such Tasks with one who holds the Plough,
Such lofty Subjects with a Fate so low.

Sir, were your Eloquence and Learning mine,
And I, like you, a Fav'rite of the Nine;
I quickly would Parnassus' Summit climb,
And find a Hero worthy of my Rhyme:
Nor should my Muse the Grecian Monarchs trace,
Nor would I celebrate the Trojan Race;
Nor any of those martial Sons of Fame,
Pagans, unworthy of a Christian's Theme.
Far nobler Thoughts my grateful Voice should raise,
In lofty Strains, to great Messiah's Praise:
I'd joyfully resound his wond'rous Birth,
And paint his Godlike Virtues, whilst on Earth;

---

3

Then, with Reluctance, Horror, and Surprize,
I'd mournfully relate his Agonies;
I'd trace the heav'nly Hero to the Tree,
Sing what he suffer'd there for you and me;
Next, in heroic Numbers, would I tell,
How soon he baffled Death, and vanquish'd Hell,
Subdu'd the Grave, and shew'd the glorious Way,
From Realms of Darkness, to eternal Day.
Such noble Subjects should my Lays excite;
And you, my Patron, would in such delight;
Grateful to me, when you, well-pleas'd, should view
Th'accomplish'd sacred Song inscrib'd to you.

But now I must omit Messiah's Praise,
Lest I degrade him with unworthy Lays;
My Fate compels me silent to remain,
For want of Learning to improve my Strain:

---

4

By which no Thought, tho' well conceiv'd, can rise
To full Perfection, but in Embryo dies:
Yet my unpolish'd Genius will produce,
And bring forth something, tho' of little Use.