University of Virginia Library

EPIGRAMS, &c.

[From feasting on Garrick how often we find]

From feasting on Garrick how often we find
Fools feast upon Harlequin more to their mind!
Thus Flies, 'tis observ'd, from a taste as absurd,
On Honey first feed;—then—indulge on a T---d.

[Enthusiasts, Lutherans, and Monks]

Enthusiasts, Lutherans, and Monks,
Jews, Syndics, Calvinists, and Punks,
Voltaire an Atheist call;
Whilst he, unhurt, in placid mood,
To prove himself a Christian good,
Kindly forgives them all.

On Two remarkable Orators, who exhibited Lectures of Elocution alternately the same Night at ------ Theatre.

While Fatuus-like a Madman rants and raves,
And sleeping Spectres rouses from their graves;
Crassus, with dull, unvaried, Nurse-like strain,
Most kindly Lullabies them back again.

On seeing Bufo in the Character of Young Bevil.

A puff'd-up Painter, so says Ancient Story,
Aim'd to pourtray an Angel in full glory;
After much toil bestow'd on what he drew,
A special Devil stood expos'd to view:—
Thus Bufo, in his Portrait of Young Bevil,
Transform'd Steele's Christian Hero to a Devil.

On a Physician and Man-Midwife.

Physician and Man-Midwife join'd in One!
both Life and Death his power unbounded own;
This Hand to Life inducts us from the Womb;
The other gives us, Pill-struck, to the Tomb.

[To please Pygmalion, Heav'n inspir'd with Life]

To please Pygmalion, Heav'n inspir'd with Life
A Tongueless Stone, of which he made a Wife;
Wou'd Heav'n, all-gracious, hear Asino's moan,
His Wife—her Tongue at least—wou'd soon be Stone.

On seeing the Picture of Justice over the Judge's Seat.

While P**e, with brow severe, and formal saw,
From the Learn'd Bench expounds the Mystic Law;
See Justice o'er his Head as Symbol stand,
The Sword and well-pois'd Scale in either hand;
But P**e, to prove the Goddess a meer Farce,
Unmanner'd Brute!—towards her turns his A*se.

On an odd temper'd Gentleman.

“Never was Man like Macro blest,
“So lov'd, so honor'd, so carest,
“Rich too in worldly pelf:”—
“Indeed, Friend Will, you're much mista'en,
“A Trifle gives him endless pain,
“That Trifle is—Himself.”

Written in a Blank Leaf of The Œconomy of Human Life.

Collected in this little Book you see
Wisdom's whole Treasure in Epitome;
Were Angels to turn Authors and indite,
Folios or Quartos they wou'd never write.

Epitaph on Mrs. ------

The Heart that felt for others Woe,
That warm'd with Virtue's sacred Glow,
Is Cold—Clay-cold:—No more her Eyes
Virtue's pure Fount with Tears supplies:
All Cold and silent too that Tongue
Where soft Persuasion ever hung;
Those Lips, where Sweetness still repos'd,
Truth's Portals—now are ever closs'd;
The Mother!—may to bless Mankind,
Children unborn such Mothers find!—
The tender Wife!—but Words are weak,
The Husband's Tears her Worth must speak—
Here lies:—
Be humble, Mortals, learn your Doom,
To this Cold Bed we all must come:
Since Virtue's Favourite lies here,
'Twere Virtue now to shed a Tear.

Epitaph on an Honest Poor Farmer.

Let not the Great indulge a scornful Frown,
When told—“Here lies, what was, an honest Clown:”
Tho' humble, yet his Pride was often seen;
He scorn'd, tho' low, to stoop to what was mean:
To Virtue if Reward above be given,
This Clown on Earth, Ennobled is in Heaven.

On a favourite Actor.

Farewell Horror, Rage, and Love,
Farewell all the Soul can move;
Farewell Humor, Wit, and Joke,
Here Nature's Looking-Glass lies broke.

On ------

With Safety Truth may now appear;
Her greatest Foe lies buried here.

Written over a Burial Vault.

One common Boast attends King, Clown, and Hero,
Contain'd in these few Words—Sum, Fui, Ero.