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EPISTLES AND POEMS.
By the Same.
37
To the Dutchess of Portland on her Marriage.
Fame now has sounded far and wide,That beauteous Harley, the fair Bride
Of generous Portland is to shine,
And Heav'n approves the great Design.
All Joy attend the happy Pair!
O Muse, thy choicest Song prepare,
At once thy just Devoirs to pay,
And aid the Mirth of that great Day.
But what to say?—I can't proceed—
“A pretty Compliment indeed!
“Is Harley's Daughter to be wed?
“And can no handsome Thing be said?
A sharp and just Reproof, I own;
But tell me—What is to be done?
She shines above our highest Praise,
Yet shuns the justest, humblest Lays;
And that's so very odd, you know,
A Poet knows not what to do.
I cou'd, 'tis true, on this Occasion,
Mount up to Heaven, as 'tis Fashion;
Make Goddesses to her submit,
Venus in Beauty, Pallas Wit;
A thousand pretty Things run o'er,
Each said a thousand Times before;
With all the Graces fill my Strains,
And then—be laugh'd at for my Pains.
38
There's no Occasion for it here;
Here Truth in plain and modest Words,
The finest Character affords;
And just to paint her as she is,
Will be the fairest, loveliest Piece.
But I forbear—I dare not try—
Yet give me Leave to prophecy.
“If Beauty, without Affectation,
“A Temper void of Heat or Passion,
“Averse to Censure, free from Pride,
“The Faults of others glad to hide;
“If Modesty, with Sweetness join'd,
“Not over fond, yet ever kind;
“A lively Wit, a Judgment clear,
“A Soul good-natur'd and sincere;
“A Breast with tenderest Passions warm,
“And every modest Art to charm;
“If these are Blessings in a Wife,
“Portland is blest, is blest for Life.
40
To my Lord Beauchamp, with a Collection of Stories.
Receive, my Lord, these virtuous Tales,
Adapted to your Age;
Virtue in noble Minds prevails,
And early will engage.
Adapted to your Age;
Virtue in noble Minds prevails,
And early will engage.
As Time, with Dalton's Care combin'd,
With Strength your Mind endues;
Sublimer Thoughts will Entrance find,
And more extended Views.
With Strength your Mind endues;
Sublimer Thoughts will Entrance find,
And more extended Views.
These little Tales which once you priz'd,
As Trifles then thrown by,
Will lie forgotten, or despis'd;
Alas! and shall not I?
As Trifles then thrown by,
Will lie forgotten, or despis'd;
Alas! and shall not I?
47
To Mrs. Vernon. On her Marriage.
I
Fair Venus, Queen of Female Charms,Calls to her Son one Day;
Come, Cupid, come; to Arms, to Arms;
And leave your childish Play.
II
See'st thou yon blooming tender Fair,Whom every Grace adorn's;
Whose lovely Face, and Shape, and Air,
Surprize and charm by Turns.
III
Good-nature smooths her equal Brow,Love sparkles in her Eyes;
Compassion melts her tender Heart,
She's all that Man can prize.
IV
With such superior Charms she shines,So exquisitely fair,
That all my Graces, by Mistake,
Are fled to wait on Her.
48
V
Haste then, my Dear, your Bow prepare,Chuse out the keenest Dart;
Find one that's worthy of the Fair,
And strike him thro' the Heart.
VI
See that with Merit, Virtue join,To form his manly Breast;
Good-nature with fond Love combine,
To make the Fair one blest.
VII
Enough, enough, young Cupid cries,I'll please you in a Man;
Find one more worthy of the Prize
Than Vernon if you can.
VIII
He spoke; and let an Arrow fly;I bleed, the Lover cry'd:
Hymen stepp'd in, and clos'd the Wound,
Or he had surely dy'd.
38
SONG.
[How gladly we hear the Scandal]
How gladly we hear the ScandalWhich blackens our Neighbour's Fame,
Ill-nature soon takes a Handle
To ridicule and cry Shame;
But when for our own dear Failings,
We meet from the World a Return,
Impatient we curse their Railings,
And swear it is not to be borne.
39
FINIS.
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