 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
55
AN ODE To the Right Honourable the Earl of CADOGAN.
Scriberis Vario Fortis & Hostium
Victor. ------
Hor.
Victor. ------
Hor.
I
Hero! sprung from Antient Blood!CADOGAN, Valiant, Wise and Good!
What golden Lyre, what happy Muse,
To sing thy Praises, shall we chuse?
56
To Welsted only does belong,
Like Ovid soft is he, like Flaccus strong.
II
Vertues! that soar so high, demandThe Touches of a Master-Hand.
Love disdain'd; on Pindar's Wing,
Thee and Conquest he shall sing;
To Times, unborn, transmit thy Praise,
On thy Laurels graft his Bays,
And with thy Triumphs swell his polish'd Lays.
III
Whether, thy Deeds he, backward, trace,With Atchievements past to grace
The numerous Ode, and bring anew
Fields, with Slaughter, stain'd, to view:
Part in Marlb'rough shalt thou claim,
Next to Marlb'rough rise in Fame;
The Strain resounds with each immortal Name.
57
IV
Whether, from a nearer Theme;The tuneful Poet form his Scheme,
And court, with Skill, the ravish'd Ear,
The Glories, which we see, to hear;
Glories unrivall'd! fit alone
By Wit unrivall'd to be shown,
By Harmony inspir'd, and Numbers not his own!
V
If glorious War his Fancy charms,Thy Courage and thy Skill in Arms,
Thy brandish'd Steel, and spreading Wreath,
Bold and sublime the Verse shall breath:
If thy social Life he show,
Soft, the gentler Strain shall flow,
And every Line with Truth and Friendship glow.
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VI
Oh! Thou! whom even thy Foes approve,Whom foreign Nations praise and love!
Darling of the British Court!
Thy Country's Boast, thy King's Support!
Distinguish'd Honours born to wear,
Fav'rite of the Bright and Fair,
The Soldiers Glory, and the Soldiers Care:
VII
Could I boast thy vigorous Mind,Thy sprightly Wit and Judgment join'd;
Were all those Arts and Graces mine,
Which make thy finish'd Merit shine:
Then, wou'd I raise the sounding Strain,
Alarm, around, the list'ning Plain,
And with thy various Praise the Verse sustain.
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VIII
I'd paint Thee then, with matchless Art;The clearest Head, the bravest Heart;
Boldly honest to advise;
Blest Effect of being Wise!
Ever prompt thy Aid to lend:
Swift thy Country to defend:
And doom'd th' Impostor's blasted Hopes to end:
IX
But stay, fond Muse, th' Attempt refrain;The Theme ill suits thy humble Strain;
Welsted, O! begin the Song!
Blooming Poet, bright and young!
Exert thy heav'nly Art anew,
In lofty Verse the Toil pursue,
In Verse to Glory, and CADOGAN due.
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X
His past and present Actions sung,Let thy Lyre again be strung;
Let thy sweet, prophetic, Lays,
Anticipate his coming Praise;
Place the Scene before our Eyes,
That wrapp'd in Clouds and Darkness lies,
The Scene ordain'd in distant Time to rise.
XI
Many Years the Hero give!Lov'd and happy make him live!
Draw him at the Helm of State,
As in Arms, in Council, Great!
Let the God like Portrait shine!
So thou! (for Poets may divine)
Shalt share his Fame, and make his Triumphs thine.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |