 | Epithalamium |  |
VIRGINIBUS PUERISQUE CANTO.
1
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DAVID, Viscount STORMONT,
Lord BALVAIRD, LOCHMABEN, &c. &c. ONE OF THE SIXTEEN PEERS OF SCOTLAND,
KNIGHT OF THE MOST ANCIENT AND MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE THISTLE;
ONE OF THE LORDS OF THE MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL;
HIS MAJESTY's AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY TO THE COURT OF FRANCE;
THIS POEM, IS MOST HUMBLY INSCRIBED, IN PUBLIC TESTIMONY OF THAT VENERATION SO JUSTLY DUE
TO THE Worthy FRIEND AND LOVER OF HIS COUNTRY.
2
[Go, happy Muse, with festive song explore]
Go, happy Muse, with festive song explore
The spousal train on Thames's flow'ry shore:
There down the jocund dale, and vocal wood,
Sing with the feather'd choir your sonnet rude.
Simple indeed the strain; not so the theme
Which noble STORMONT consecrates to fame.
The spousal train on Thames's flow'ry shore:
There down the jocund dale, and vocal wood,
Sing with the feather'd choir your sonnet rude.
Simple indeed the strain; not so the theme
Which noble STORMONT consecrates to fame.
Th'
Imperial Pow'r who rules with fair renown,
Adding fresh lustre to the British Crown,
To thee consign'd with delegated state,
In Gallia's Court to prop thy Country's fate:
To bind dread Mars in Peace! thy golden band,
And turn each tempest from thy native land.
Adding fresh lustre to the British Crown,
To thee consign'd with delegated state,
In Gallia's Court to prop thy Country's fate:
To bind dread Mars in Peace! thy golden band,
And turn each tempest from thy native land.
Long may these patriot toils thy zeal employ,
While lovely Partner of thy virtuous joy,
And public cares, sprung from a princely line,
In Cathcart's bloom unfading beauties shine
Of faith, and truth, encharming all, but most
Stormont, who such a precious pearl can boast,
Decking his civic crown. Ye guardian pow'rs!
Who rule their lot, smile on the golden hours
Of virtuous love; still may their fortunes run
In angel harmony, as they begun.
And when the lover, from this sweet repose,
Back to the toils of his high station goes,
Prosper their path: may never cloud nor storm
Their voyage through life's placid sea deform.
But may the sov'reign POW'R who rules the Main,
And stills the winds, each adverse blast restrain.
May his high grace, when mortal toils are o'er,
Conduct their virtue to the heav'nly shore.
While lovely Partner of thy virtuous joy,
And public cares, sprung from a princely line,
In Cathcart's bloom unfading beauties shine
Of faith, and truth, encharming all, but most
Stormont, who such a precious pearl can boast,
Decking his civic crown. Ye guardian pow'rs!
Who rule their lot, smile on the golden hours
Of virtuous love; still may their fortunes run
In angel harmony, as they begun.
3
Back to the toils of his high station goes,
Prosper their path: may never cloud nor storm
Their voyage through life's placid sea deform.
But may the sov'reign POW'R who rules the Main,
And stills the winds, each adverse blast restrain.
May his high grace, when mortal toils are o'er,
Conduct their virtue to the heav'nly shore.
Forgive the muse, unskill'd in courtly phrase,
Who sings your 'spousals in unpolish'd lays;
Though small her fame, O! may this myrtle twine
Around thy garland, woven by the Nine;
This humble shrub would some protection claim
Amongst thy Laurels on the Mount of Fame.
Who sings your 'spousals in unpolish'd lays;
Though small her fame, O! may this myrtle twine
Around thy garland, woven by the Nine;
This humble shrub would some protection claim
Amongst thy Laurels on the Mount of Fame.
R. C.
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