University of Virginia Library

The Character of a true Patriot, and a good Man.

Hail, happy Man, for public Good design'd,
Whose Tongue declares the Message of thy Mind,
In Language such as ancient Rome might hear,
When Cæsar shook, and Tully thunder'd there!
Lo! awful Courts with solemn Silence bend,
And sacred Senates on your Voice attend,
When there you right the injur'd Orphan's Cause,
Or here promote a Nation's wholesome Laws:
What pleasing Fervour in each Bosom glows,
When, smooth as Boyne, your Elocution flows,
Your Sense as deep, as clear your happy Theme,
Your Stile as strong, yet gentle as its Stream;
Bless'd in each Thought, with every Virtue bless'd,
Which warms the Patriot's or the Parent's Breast.
These sacred Dignities, illustrious Names,
Your Country honours, and your Offspring claims:
To both indulgent, you each Hour employ,
Abroad their Ornament, at home their Joy.
Your firm Integrity is still the same,
No Slave to Prejudice, no Fool to Fame;
Your stedfast Principles the Test abide,
Spurn at Corruption, or Ambition's Pride;
True to your Country, to your King sincere,
Detesting Flatt'ry, and contemning Fear;
Scorning to swim down Faction's head-long Flood;
A Patriot only for the public Good:
In Worth accomplish'd, and to Truth resign'd,
Humane to Failings, and to Merit kind.
Such were the Virtues, such their high Degree,
Which from bright Ancestors beam down on Thee;
Yet shin'st thou not with mere imputed Rays,
The faint Reflection of a borrow'd Blaze;
Each envy'd Dignity you make more known,
Bright'ning their Lustre as you spread your own;
No Gleam shall sink in Time's devouring Gloom,
They'll gild Oblivion, and survive the Tomb.
When falling Monuments their Trust betray,
And Marbles moulder like their Dust away;
When Nature's Frame a dreadful Ruin lies,
And all her Beauty, all her Order dies,
Immortal Virtue shall transcend her Date,
Look down on Death, and triumph over Fate,
And sure if Reason, with exalted Eye,
Pursues her Footsteps to the Realms on high,
Through Life's Vicissitudes still pressing on
With Speed unwearied, till the Prize is won;
That pious Ardour must true Wisdom be,
In those who seek it, and pursue like thee.
Firm to your Purpose, in resolving wise,
By Justice guided to th'important Prize;
Above Misfortune's unexpected Blow,
That Lot of Mortals in this Vale below;
Resign'd to Heav'n when he to bless forbears,
And wisely thankful for the Good he spares:
And let me add, O may it not offend!
The Muse's Fav'rite, and the Muse's Friend.