Poems on Several Occasions By Thomas Gilbert |
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To the same, on the Ladies Subscription for the English Poems. |
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
162
To the same, on the Ladies Subscription for the English Poems.
How shall the muse a grateful tribute bring,
Or numbers worthy of their favour sing,
Who, touch'd with pity at a friend's distress,
Have by their bounty made his sorrow less?
Since blooming beauties of the British isle
Will condescend to cast on wit a smile,
Let petit maitres languish in despair,
Nor longer boast the favours of the fair.
Or numbers worthy of their favour sing,
Who, touch'd with pity at a friend's distress,
Have by their bounty made his sorrow less?
Since blooming beauties of the British isle
Will condescend to cast on wit a smile,
Let petit maitres languish in despair,
Nor longer boast the favours of the fair.
Now Shakespear's scenes by modern Belle's revive,
And teach the charming sex with taste to live;
Impartial reason will their actions guide,
And make each blushing maid a happy bride.
Gay toasts shall learn to slight embroider'd beaux,
And chuse a husband for his sense,—not cloaths.
In vain mad poets boast the sacred nine,
Implore their aid each sentence to refine;
Except the fair their flowing verse approve,
And learn from moving strains the art of love.
E'en Phœbus' self might wish his lyre unstrung,
Since Daphne would not listen when he sung:
Your muse has met a more auspicious fate,
To please, tho' sinking under fortune's weight;
For sure that book must be secure of fame,
Which bears a Portland's and a Dashwood's name.
And teach the charming sex with taste to live;
Impartial reason will their actions guide,
And make each blushing maid a happy bride.
163
And chuse a husband for his sense,—not cloaths.
In vain mad poets boast the sacred nine,
Implore their aid each sentence to refine;
Except the fair their flowing verse approve,
And learn from moving strains the art of love.
E'en Phœbus' self might wish his lyre unstrung,
Since Daphne would not listen when he sung:
Your muse has met a more auspicious fate,
To please, tho' sinking under fortune's weight;
For sure that book must be secure of fame,
Which bears a Portland's and a Dashwood's name.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |