University of Virginia Library

TO CAPTAIN EARLE.

Dear Sir, I must entreat from you
A boon as friend and schoolfellow,—
That great Sir Robert you would see
For me,—nay, never stare,—for me!
Not that I want his hand to kiss
For pension, place, or benefice;
But should rejoice, could I procure
Some guineas for a father poor.
I shall not put you off with flams
'Bout satires, songs, and epigrams;
Nor, to gain favour, cringe and lie:
I neither own them nor deny.
More generous will his bounty show,
The more he takes me for his foe.
But were I ten times worse than he
Has heard or others fancied me,
Some kindness to my sire be done,
If but for having such a son;
Who, sure, the greater his distress,
Deserves more pity, and not less;
As true to Brunswick and his heirs,
As any He that Britain bears.
When the whole nation seem'd to be
Mad with the losses of South-Sea;
Cato and Brutus, monarchs' foes,
Their country's evil genii rose;
My father then with unpaid hand
For kings and ministers durst stand;
A man that never flatter'd yet,
And ne'er forgot a benefit.
Now, if in vain I should not sue
For what, I think, myself would do,
Could I ascend to high degree,
And Walpole ever sink to me;
I honest gratitude shall show;
No courtier I, as well you know.
My promises shall be but few,
And therefore likelier to be true.
The timely obligation shown
On just occasions I shall own,
And to my power and in my way
With fullest interest will repay.