Poems on Several Occasions By Samuel Boyce |
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On the intended Academy for the Encouragement of GENIUS,
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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On the intended Academy for the Encouragement of GENIUS,
and the Establishment of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, &c. with the Arts depending.
Doubtful too long, or sway'd by rev'rend zeal,
While the lur'd eye has hush'd the heart's appeal,
Have Britons, for inherent merit known,
Encourag'd alien worth, and damn'd their own.
In vain desert glows bright within its sphere;
The ray of fair indulgence shines not here;
A foreign taste degrades the British-born—
Oh, shame!—to honour realms whose faith ye scorn!
Shall this neglect, this dearth of Arts at home,
Shall incense rise to science but at Rome,
Shall genius perish in its infant state,
Shall this continue?—answer me, ye Great!
While the lur'd eye has hush'd the heart's appeal,
Have Britons, for inherent merit known,
Encourag'd alien worth, and damn'd their own.
In vain desert glows bright within its sphere;
The ray of fair indulgence shines not here;
A foreign taste degrades the British-born—
Oh, shame!—to honour realms whose faith ye scorn!
Shall this neglect, this dearth of Arts at home,
Shall incense rise to science but at Rome,
Shall genius perish in its infant state,
Shall this continue?—answer me, ye Great!
126
Spread by th'industrious hind, the gen'rous grain,
Warm'd by the sun, and foster'd by the rain,
Expands, with plenteous aspect, o'er the land,
And tenfold increase swells the peasant's hand.
Thus nature sows within the human heart,
The seeds of Genius, and the love of Art;
But vain! unless the sun of greatness shine;
Then, like herself, th'effect results divine.
Warm'd by the sun, and foster'd by the rain,
Expands, with plenteous aspect, o'er the land,
And tenfold increase swells the peasant's hand.
Thus nature sows within the human heart,
The seeds of Genius, and the love of Art;
But vain! unless the sun of greatness shine;
Then, like herself, th'effect results divine.
Ye soul-bright few! ye heav'nly-favour'd wise!
Ye Chesterfields! ye Lytteltons, arise!
The æra's come when your approving voice,
Will make the sons of liberty rejoice;
Eternal wreaths shall grace your deathless name,
And unborn ages thus transmit your fame:
“These were the Great who lov'd their native isle,
“Encourag'd Genius, and made Science smile!”
Ye Chesterfields! ye Lytteltons, arise!
The æra's come when your approving voice,
Will make the sons of liberty rejoice;
Eternal wreaths shall grace your deathless name,
And unborn ages thus transmit your fame:
127
“Encourag'd Genius, and made Science smile!”
Oh, fan in other minds your patriot zeal!
Inspirit senates with the warmth you feel!
Then shall the beams of that celestial flame,
Which brighten others in the rolls of fame,
Full on the sight, admit impartial day,
To chace the mists of prejudice away;
And glory soon, with emulation fir'd,
Shall dignify th'admirers to th'admir'd;
Britain shall shine in more refulgent charms,
And reign victoriously in Arts, as Arms.
Inspirit senates with the warmth you feel!
Then shall the beams of that celestial flame,
Which brighten others in the rolls of fame,
Full on the sight, admit impartial day,
To chace the mists of prejudice away;
And glory soon, with emulation fir'd,
Shall dignify th'admirers to th'admir'd;
Britain shall shine in more refulgent charms,
And reign victoriously in Arts, as Arms.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |