University of Virginia Library

To his own old dear Francis Goldsmith, Esq;

So doth the toiling Husbandman at last,
Feed full his longing mind, his eye, and taste,
When once into his own hands he doth get
That Pear or Plum which the same hands had set.
A modest pride so flatters me, to see
What was my kernell once, now grown a Tree.
So on the Cart, the poor Fly doth out thrust
Its Tiffan wings, as if it rais'd the dust.
I thank'd thee thee for thy Catechisme before,
But Sophompaneas much augments the score:
His Brethren and his Fathers Father he,
Brethren and Father both doth find in thee.
Thou bringst him Spice, Balme, our best English Honey,
And (in thy learned notes) bringst double Money.
Jacob in Syria, and Egypt, made him live,
Another life in Britaine thou dost give.
But how doth Grotius indebted stand
To thee, that mak'st him Denison of our Land?
Go on dear Frank, and let thy pious toil,
Transport, translate, enrich our barren Soil
With all his spoiles, that are (all are) of worth,
His Gallo-Belgick labours have brought forth.
Teach us his Laws of war (but rather peace)
Teach us his Christian Truth, that may encrease,
And here produce of Faith a plenteous breed,
(We have some Indians here stand much in need.)
Teach us by him Gods word to understand:
These Works, my Frank, call for thy worthy hand.
In the mean time though more of thee we crave,
We thankfully accept of what we have.
This Joseph, and thy Catechising us,
Shall stile thee new, rise Francis Grotius.