Inheritance of long defcent!

The facred pledge, fo dearly priz'd
By that blefs'd spirit we lament:
Grief-eafing lays, by grief devis'd,
Plaintive numbers, gently flowing,
Sooth the forrows to him owing!

STROPHE IV.

Early on his growing heir,

Stamp what time may not impair,

As he grows, that coming years,
Or youthful pleasures, or the vain
Gigantic phantom of the brain

Ambition, breeding monftrous hopes and fears,
Or worthier cares, to youth unknown,

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Ennobling manhood, flower of life full-blown,
May never wear the bosom-image faint:

110

O, let him prove what words but weakly paint,
The lively lovely femblance of his fire,

A model to his fon! that ages may admire!

ANTIS TROPHE IV.

114

While we behold yon wide-spread azure cope,

With burning ftars thick-lufter'd o'er,

Than to enjoy, and to deserve, a store

122

of

Of treasur'd fame, by blameless deeds acquir'd,
By all unenvied, and by all defir'd,

Free-gift of men, the tribute of good-will!
Rich in this patrimony fair, increase it still.

E PODE IV.

The fullness of content remains
Above the yet unfathom'd skies,
Where, triumphant, gladnefs reigns,
Where wishes ceafe, and pleafures rife
Beyond all wish; where bitter tears

For dying friends are never shed;

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And we are judg'd where favour is not bought.
By him forewarn'd, thou frantic isle,

142

How did the thirst of gold thy fons beguile!
Beneath the fpecious ruin thousands groan'd,
By him, alas, forewarn'd, by him bemoan'd.

146

Where shall his like, on earth, be found? oh, when Shall I, once more, behold the most belov'd of men! ANTI

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ANTIS TROPHE V.

Winning afpect! winning mind!

Soul and body aptly join'd!

Searching thought, engaging wit,

Enabled to inftru&t, or please,

Uniting dignity with ease,

By nature form'd for every purpose fit,
Endearing excellence!-O, why

150

Is fuch perfection born, and born to die?
Or do fuch rare endowments ftill furvive,
As plants, remov'd to milder regions thrive,
In one eternal fpring? and we bewail

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158

The parting foul, new-born to life that cannot fail.

Where facred friendship, plighted love,
Parental joys, unmix'd with care,
Through perpetual time improve?
. Or do the deathlefs bleffed share
Sublimer raptures, unreveal'd,
Beyond our weak conception pure
But, while thofe glories lie conceal'd,

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166

The righteous count the promife sure,

Trials to the laft enduring,

To the last their hope fecuring.

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To

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WILLIAM PULTENEY, ESQUIRE.

WH

MAY 1, 1723.

I.

'HO, much diftinguish'd, yet is blefs'd?
Who, dignified above the rest,

Does, ftill, unenvied live?

Not to the man whofe wealth abounds,
Nor to the man whofe fame refounds,
Does heaven fuch favour give,
Nor to the noble-born, nor to the ftrong,
Nor to the gay, the beautiful, or young.

II.

Whom then, fecure of happiness,
Does every eye beholding blefs,
And every tongue commend?
Him, Pulteney, who, poffeffing store,
Is not folicitous of more,

Who, to mankind a friend,

Nor envies, nor is envied by, the great,
Polite in courts, polite in his retreat :

III.

Whofe unambitious, active foul,
Attends the welfare of the whole,

When public ftorms arife,
And, in the calm, a thoufand ways.
Diverfifies his nights and days,,
Still elegantly wife;

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While

While books, each morn, the lightsome foul invite,
And friends, with season'd mirth, improve the night.
IV.

In him do men no blemish fee;
And factions in his praise agree,

When most they vex the state:
Diftinguifh'd favourite of the fkies,
Belov'd he lives, lamented dies:
Yet, fhall he not to fate

Submit entire; the refcuing Mufe shall fave
His precious name, and win him from the grave.

V.

Too frail is brafs and polish'd ftone;
Perpetual fame the Mute alone

On merit can bestow:

Yet, muft the time-enduring fong,
The verfe unrival'd by the throng,
From Nature's bounty flow:
Th' ungifted tribe in metre pass away,
Oblivion's fport, the poets of a day.

VI.

What laws fhall o'er the Ode preside ?
In vain would art prefume to guide

The chariot-wheels of praise,
When Fancy, driving, ranges free,
Fresh flowers selecting, like the bee,

And regularly ftrays,

While Nature does, difdaining aids of skill,

The mind with thought, the ears with numbers, fill.

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VII. As