University of Virginia Library

LINES, ON THE EARL OF MOIRA'S PROPOSED BILL OF INSOLVENCY.

Where most high Honor holds her awful seat,
There, gracious too, the gentler virtues meet,
Point the fair purpose, generous warmth impart,
Attune the voice, and ope the liberal heart;

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Hence, nobly ardent in his country's cause,
Whose learning decks, and sword asserts her laws,
Moira, by no mean, partial ties confin'd,
Wide pours the general blessing on mankind:
Nor scorns to visit the deserted cell,
Where hopeless penury is doom'd to dwell,
Where worth, entomb'd, forgets its former deeds,
Or, curst with memory, Misfortune bleeds,
Pleas'd, thro' the gloom to steal Hope's glimm'ring ray,
And wake the wretch to happiness and day!

For thee, oh! Philanthropic Chief! shall rise
Affliction's best, sad incense to the skies,
Th'imprison'd Sire, to heav'n's ambrosial air
Releas'd, shall breathe for thee the silent pray'r,
Thy godlike zeal the duteous wife proclaim,
And teach her darling babe to lisp thy name:
E'en the fond pair, disjoin'd in youthful prime,
Whose mutual wishes curse retarded time,
Blest be thy care, again shall, glowing, meet
To drown their sorrows past in kisses sweet,

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And warm, (what vain Ambition seldom knows,)
From Beauty's lip, thy soft eulogium flows.