Miscellaneous poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

O'er all Defects your Eloquence prevails,
Nor thro' the Subject's want of Merit fails:
To so much Wit and so much Beauty join'd,
The Obstinate must sure be deaf and blind.

When yours appear, Our Reasons quit the Field,
All Hearts submit, and all Opinions yield;
Our best consulted Schemes their Pow'r disarms,
Like Magick Spells undone by stronger Charms:
To them you join the Musick of your Tongue,
Mildly harmonious, and serenely strong:
To awful Sweetness, and majestick Ease,
Add Force to vanquish, Elegance to please.
So from one Cloud (which various Matter fills)
The Lightning flashes, and the Dew distills.

In your fair Face the Graces stand display'd,
In Love's Attire, and Nature's Pride array'd,
The op'ning Blossom, and the rip'ning Fruit,
With blended Charms in friendly Mixture suit.

Such graceful Sweetness coldest Hearts can warm,
Arrest fell Rage, and baneful Envy charm,
Malice destroy, and Prejudice o'ercome,
Make Slander hush'd, and strike Detraction dumb.
In Eden so, the Mother of our Race,
(Such artless Beauty glowing on her Face)
Struck the black Fiend confounded and amaz'd:
He view'd at Distance, and with Rapture gaz'd.
Aw'd by her charming Looks, a-while he stood
Stupidly fond, and indolently good.

With all these Charms, with all this Pow'r supply'd,
You gen'rously assist the weaker Side:
And 'tis but just—that Part alone was fit
To shew your Goodness, and display your Wit.
Then how shall I return what you bestow?
How speak or act the Gratitude I owe?
Thus: As your Wit my threatned Fame secures,
My All shall be employ'd; tho' far, far short of yours.