SONNET TO HENRY COWPER, ESQ.
ON HIS EMPHATICAL AND INTERESTING DELIVERY OF THE DEFENCE OF WARREN HASTINGS, ESQ. IN THE HOUSE of Lords.
COWPER, whose silver voice, task'd sometimes hard, Legends prolix delivers in the ears
(Attentive when thou read'st) of England's peers, Let verse at length yield thee thy just reward. Thou wast not heard with drowsy disregard, Expending late on all that length of plea
Thy generous powers, but silence honour'd thee, Mute as e'er gazed on orator or bard.
Thou art not voice alone, but hast beside
Both heart and head: and couldst with music sweet
Of attic phrase and senatorial tone,
Like thy renown'd forefathers, far and wide
Thy fame diffuse, praised not for utterance meet Of others' speech, but magic of thy own.
LINES ADDRESSED TO DR. DARWIN,
AUTHOR OF THE " BOTANIC GARDEN."
Two Poets', (poets, by report,
Not oft so well agree,)
Sweet harmonist of Flora's court!
Conspire to honour thee.
Alluding to the poem by Mr. Hayley, which accompanied
They best can judge a poet's worth, Who oft themselves have known The pangs of a poetic birth By labours of their own.
We therefore pleased extol thy song, Though various yet complete, Rich in embellishment as strong, And learned as 'tis sweet.
No envy mingles with our praise; Though, could our hearts repine At any poet's happier lays,
They would they must at thine.
But we, in mutual bondage knit Of friendship's closest tie, Can gaze on, even Darwin's wit With an unjaundiced eye;
And deem the Bard, whoe'er he be,
And howsoever known,
Who would not twine a wreath for thee,
Unworthy of his own.
MRS. MONTAGU'S FEATHER HANGINGS.
THE Birds put off their every hue,
To dress a room for Montagu.
The Peacock sends his heavenly dyes,
His rainbows and his starry eyes ;
The Pheasant, plumes which round infold His mantling neck with downy gold; The Cock his arch'd tail's azure show; And, river blanch'd, the Swan his snow. All tribes beside of Indian name, That glossy shine, or vivid flame, Where rises and where sets the day, Whate'er they boast of rich and gay, Contribute to the gorgeous plan, Proud to advance it all they can. This plumage neither dashing shower, Nor blasts that shake the dripping bower, Shall drench again or discompose,
But, screen'd from every storm that blows, It boasts a splendour ever new, Safe with protecting Montagu.
To the same patroness resort, Secure of favour at her court,
Strong Genius, from whose forge of thought Forms rise, to quick perfection wrought, Which, though newborn, with vigour move, Like Pallas springing arm'd from Jove; Imagination scattering round Wild roses over furrow'd ground, Which Labour of his frown beguile, And teach Philosophy a smile; Wit flashing on Religion's side, Whose fires, to sacred truth applied, The gem, though luminous before, Obtrudes on human notice more, Like sunbeams on the golden height Of some tall temple playing bright;
Well-tutor❜d Learning, from his books Dismiss'd with grave, not haughty looks, Their order on his shelves exact, Not more harmonious or compact Than that, to which he keeps confined The various treasures of his mind; All these to Montagu's repair, Ambitious of a shelter there.
There Genius, Learning, Fancy, Wit, Their ruffled plumage calm refit, (For stormy troubles loudest roar Around their flight who highest soar,) And in her eye, and by her aid, Shine safe without a fear to fade. She thus maintains divided sway With yon bright regent of the day; The plume and Poet both, we know, Their lustre to his influence owe; And she, the works of Phoebus aiding, Both Poet saves and plume from fading.
DEATH OF MRS. THROCKMORTON'S BULLFINCH.
YE Nymphs, if e'er your eyes were red With tears o'er hapless favourites shed, O, share Maria's grief! Her favourite, even in his cage, (What will not hunger's cruel rage?) Assassin'd by a thief.
Where Rhenus strays his vines among, The egg was laid from which he sprung, And though by nature mute,
Or only with a whistle bless'd, Well-taught he all the sounds express'd Of flageolet or flute.
The honours of his ebon poll
Were brighter than the sleekest mole, His bosom of the hue
With which Aurora decks the skies, When piping winds shall soon arise To sweep away the dew.
Above, below, in all the house, Dire foe alike of bird and mouse, No cat had leave to dwell;
And Bully's cage supported stood On props of smoothest-shaven wood, Large built and latticed well.
Well latticed, but the grate, alas ! Not rough with wire of steel or brass, For Bully's plumage sake,
But smooth with wands from Ouse's side, With which, when neatly peel'd and dried, The swains their baskets make.
Night veil'd the pole: all seem'd secure: When, led by instinct sharp and sure, Subsistence to provide,
A beast forth sallied on the scout,
Long back'd, long tail'd, with whisker'd snout, And badger-colour'd hide.
« ElőzőTovább » |