Poems on Several Occasions by Samuel Wesley. The Second Edition, with Additions |
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An ODE To JAMES OGLETHORPE, Esq.
In the Country. A.D. 1728.
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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An ODE To JAMES OGLETHORPE, Esq. In the Country. A.D. 1728.
I
Arise, and soar, my tow'ring Soul,To Flights of lofty Pindar's Song,
When scorning Laws, his Torrents roll
Their Dithyrambick Tide along:
No Fall like Icarus, I fear,
Who dar'd with artful Pinions fly;
Me stronger Nature shall up-bear,
Nor follower, but a Rival, I.
II
Tho' long extinct Apollo's Rage,And lost is Aganippe's Stream,
Nature, the same in ev'ry Age,
Still shines my unexhausted Theme!
Whether her Favour deign to crown
Some darling Son with Wit refin'd,
Or Wisdom show'r, and Virtue, down,
Those Glories of the human Mind!
III
Or else her Pencil she prepareFor Spring's returning Scene,
To paint inimitably fair
The Fields with living Green:
Her gaudy Bow aloft to spread,
When Clouds their Treasure pour;
Or Earth embroider, for our Tread,
With Beauties of the Flow'r.
128
I
Wisely, from Smoke and Noise remov'd,Each Morn you view, with ravish'd Eye,
The Country sweet, by Poets lov'd,
Which Fancy must to Me supply.
On Breezes vernal Odours float,
The Dew-drops glitter on the Spray,
The feather'd Songsters swell their Note,
And the Sun smiles, and You are gay.
II
Senates, supreme on Earth, we see,Bid new-built Temples threat the Skies;
White-Hall itself, at their Decree,
Improv'd might from its Ashes rise.
But say, would all their Art and Care
One single Vegetable show?
With Cowslips' Scent perfume the Air,
Or teach the Haw-thorn how to blow?
III
Did Fortune answer to my Mind,My Wishes to my Love,
No need of Invitations kind
To lead me to the Grove,
Where Nature's Works I might admire,
Free from the City's Crowd,
And from the Art of Man retire,
To view the Art of God.
129
I
Vast Navies, built by human Skill,The Pilot's wond'rous Art obey;
The Oak deserts its native Hill,
O'er Ocean's liquid World to stray:
Yet vain the Ship-wright's boasted Pride,
The Chart or Compass nought avails,
If Nature joins not with her Tide,
Nor lends Assistance with her Gales.
II
From Pole to Pole our Squadrons go,Excelling antient Fables far,
Of Argo, when a Ship below,
Or when exalted to a Star:
Preserv'd from Rocks and Storms in vain,
Laden with Wealth or Fame they come,
Should erring Counsellors ordain,
They suffer Shipwrack here at Home.
III
Them Virtue rises to defend,In spite of Numbers bold,
See Avarice a-while suspend
Its wonted Thirst of Gold!
What Pride or Fraud may have design'd,
See Reason over-bear!
And Fleets a Port of Safety find,
If Oglethorpe is there.
130
I
The Pious, grateful Duty owesTo the dear Land, where He was born;
A glorious Debt! which Nature knows
With fairest Interest to return.
He merits first his Country's Praise,
Who steers her Helm through Danger on,
And he deserves the second Place,
Who guards her Safety with a Son.
II
'Twas thus the Father of my FriendWisely secur'd a lasting Fame,
Beyond the reach of Death t' extend
His publick and domestick Name.
'Tis single, 'tis imperfect Light,
The World from Worth unwedded shares,
He only shines compleatly bright
Who leaves his Virtues to his Heirs.
III
Oh, thus too may his Offspring haste,His Glory to improve,
And, fir'd by Love to Britain, taste
The Bliss of private Love!
With Joy his Summons I attend,
And fly with speed away;
Let but the Patriot condescend
To fix his Marriage-Day.
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