 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
To Mrs. Margaret Woffington.
The humble Petition of Envy,
SHEWETH,
That your hapless Petitioner, wrinkled with age,
Has long been predominant over the stage;
To actors and actresses very well known,
And thinks ev'ry bosom, but yours, is her own;
It grieves her full sore she the honour can't claim,
To dwell in your heart, or attend on your fame.
Has long been predominant over the stage;
To actors and actresses very well known,
And thinks ev'ry bosom, but yours, is her own;
It grieves her full sore she the honour can't claim,
To dwell in your heart, or attend on your fame.
194
Ordain'd the mind's cares to dispel or beguile,
To draw the sad tear, or create the glad smile,
A thousand ways form'd to attract and delight,
Too genteel in person, in beauty too bright,
You boast, worthy madam, such matchless perfection,
That, ah, your petitioner sinks on reflection!
If e'er she endeavour'd aspiring to seem,
She instant was vanquish'd by love and esteem;
She finds 'tis in vain your desert to pursue,
For meteor-like far, you rise out of her view.
To draw the sad tear, or create the glad smile,
A thousand ways form'd to attract and delight,
Too genteel in person, in beauty too bright,
You boast, worthy madam, such matchless perfection,
That, ah, your petitioner sinks on reflection!
If e'er she endeavour'd aspiring to seem,
She instant was vanquish'd by love and esteem;
She finds 'tis in vain your desert to pursue,
For meteor-like far, you rise out of her view.
The world is convinc'd that, devoid of pretence,
You're bless'd with good-nature, with wit, and good sense;
Then, oh, let your suppliant most humbly beseech,
You'd lower yourself, till you come within reach;
And ne'er, in particular, gracefully dance,
To captivate more than the ladies of France.
You're bless'd with good-nature, with wit, and good sense;
Then, oh, let your suppliant most humbly beseech,
You'd lower yourself, till you come within reach;
And ne'er, in particular, gracefully dance,
To captivate more than the ladies of France.
Grant, ma'am, this petition, without more delay;
And Envy, in duty bound, ever shall pray. &c.
And Envy, in duty bound, ever shall pray. &c.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |