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178
VERSES,
Written on seeing the celebrated portrait of Mrs. Abington, as the Comic Muse, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, at Knowle, in Kent, the seat of the Duke of Dorset.
As late I wander'd through that ancient pile,
Which Sackville's gen'rous race have long possest;
Amid its worth I saw, with Thalian smile,
The Queen of Comedy, and poignant jest.
Which Sackville's gen'rous race have long possest;
Amid its worth I saw, with Thalian smile,
The Queen of Comedy, and poignant jest.
With careless attitude, and matchless Grace,
She look'd with pleasant scorn on Sorrow's art;
As Cupids, couching in her dimpled face,
Beckon'd the sight to chain its kindred heart.
She look'd with pleasant scorn on Sorrow's art;
As Cupids, couching in her dimpled face,
Beckon'd the sight to chain its kindred heart.
Thrice happy Dorset! to possess a charm,
Whose magic influence can banish Care;
Extatic bliss must ev'ry bosom warm,
In Knowle's domain, when Abington is there.
Whose magic influence can banish Care;
Extatic bliss must ev'ry bosom warm,
In Knowle's domain, when Abington is there.
Thus Persia's chiefs, by Necromancy taught,
(As fabled legends of that nation say,)
Had each a talisman, with wonders fraught,
To keep the ills of human life away.
(As fabled legends of that nation say,)
Had each a talisman, with wonders fraught,
To keep the ills of human life away.
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