 | The whole works (1729) |  |
9
TO THE EARL OF SCARBOROUGH.
From my House in Bury St. Edmond's, Octob. 13. 1727.
At Court Unknown, or, what is Worse, I fear
Known only not to have a Patron There;
I Live, My Lord, with an inglorious Fate,
In Country-Quarters Hid, or This Retreat.
Yet when, revisiting my little Nest,
My Wings at liberty, my Cares at rest,
In chearful Innocence I sit and sing;
Methinks I'm Happier than the Happiest King.
But peevish Thoughts, alas! sometimes invade
The soft Recesses of my Fav'rite Shade.
Whoe'er hath Merit, still hath some Design;
And Virtue, when Neglected, will Repine.
The Muse too takes in This Disgrace a Part;
Pretends Her Own, as well as My Desert:
If doubly Arm'd You can't Advance, 'tis Hard:
What! not succeed as Soldier, nor as Bard?
Strait to the Palace She resolves to Hie:
But Heav'n knows how This Stranger must Apply.
Known only not to have a Patron There;
I Live, My Lord, with an inglorious Fate,
In Country-Quarters Hid, or This Retreat.
Yet when, revisiting my little Nest,
My Wings at liberty, my Cares at rest,
10
Methinks I'm Happier than the Happiest King.
But peevish Thoughts, alas! sometimes invade
The soft Recesses of my Fav'rite Shade.
Whoe'er hath Merit, still hath some Design;
And Virtue, when Neglected, will Repine.
The Muse too takes in This Disgrace a Part;
Pretends Her Own, as well as My Desert:
If doubly Arm'd You can't Advance, 'tis Hard:
What! not succeed as Soldier, nor as Bard?
Strait to the Palace She resolves to Hie:
But Heav'n knows how This Stranger must Apply.
If Scarb'rough yet some lucky Hour wou'd Chuse,
(Sure All are not Unlucky to the Muse)
To recommend This Orphan to the Throne;
The Cause can't Fail, which He vouchsafes to Own.
Whilst afar off She Blushing, Trembling, lies,
The King, My Lord, may bid the Virgin Rise,
And She, like Esther, thus, find Favour in His Eyes.
(Sure All are not Unlucky to the Muse)
To recommend This Orphan to the Throne;
The Cause can't Fail, which He vouchsafes to Own.
Whilst afar off She Blushing, Trembling, lies,
The King, My Lord, may bid the Virgin Rise,
And She, like Esther, thus, find Favour in His Eyes.
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