Poems on several Occasions Viz. Munificence and Modesty. Female Dignity. To Lady Huffy Delaval. Verses from Catullus, after Dining with Mr. Murray. EPITAPHS. On the Dutchess of Cleveland. On Henry Fielding, Esq. On the Rev. James Sheeles. Epitaph from Demosthenes. By Mr. Smart |
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FEMALE DIGNITY, INSCRIBED AND APPLIED TO Lady HUSSEY DELAVAL. |
 | Poems on several Occasions |  |
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FEMALE DIGNITY, INSCRIBED AND APPLIED TO Lady HUSSEY DELAVAL.
I
Whate'er the sense, whate'er the face,Whate'er the beauties all combin'd;
'Tis Dignity, that gives the grace,
And forms the Fair, as first design'd.
Thro' life we have a sterling rule
To make the noblest points our aim;
And Dignity commands the school
Of all that excellence, we claim.
II
O never yet the gift of chance,Or bought by wealth, or forced by pow'r;
For Thee, the Champion grasps his lance,
For Thee, the flights of Fancy tow'r.
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Of fathers kind, and lovers true;
Stern censure smiles thy worth to blaze,
And owns the myrtle wreath thy due.
III
'Tis Dignity, supports the songBy sense to choicest sounds allied;
The Muses do the Graces wrong,
Unless her influence preside.
O Fountain of all Female worth,
That play'st so sweet and so sublime;
To feed the flow of decent mirth,
The pride of PLACE, the life of TIME.
IV
Hail Condescension, heav'nly mild,By which no Majesty is lost;
Thee Faith and Truth their Queen have styl'd,
And still with awful love accost.
On Thee, ten thousand blessings wait,
In bright succession without pause;
If, CHARMER, thou hast found thy mate,
His name is HONOUR and APPLAUSE.
| Poems on several Occasions | |