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 pleafures, or the vain
Gigantic phantom of the brain

Ambition, breeding monstrous hopes and fears,
Or worthier cares, to youth unknown,
Ennobling manhood, flower of life full-blown,
May never wear the bofom-image faint :

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.

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.

126

E PODE IV.

The fullness of content remains
Above the yet unfathom'd skies,
Where, triumphant, gladnefs reigns,
Where wishes ceafe, and pleasures rife

130

14.2

And we are judg'd where favour is not bought.
By him forewarn'd, thou frantic ifle,
How did the thirst of gold thy fons beguile!
Beneath the specious ruin thousands groan'd,
By him, alas, forewarn'd, by him bemoan'd.
Where shall his like, on earth, be found? oh, when
Shall I, once more, behold the most belov'd of men!
ANTI-

A a 4

146

ANTIS TROPHE V.

Winning afpect! winning mind!

Soul and body aptly join'd!

Searching thought, engaging wit,

Enabled to inftruct, or please,

Uniting dignity with ease,

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

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

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?

150

154

158

162

166

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WILLIAM PULTENEY, ESQUIRE.

MAY 1, 1723.

I.

WHO, much distinguish'd, yet is bless'd?

Who, dignified above the reft,

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 strong,
the beautiful, or young,

Nor to the

gay,

II.

Whom then, fecure of happiness,

Does every eye beholding bless,
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 arise,
And, in the calm, a thoufand ways
Diverfifies his nights and days,
Still elegantly wife;

8

12

16

20

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

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

When moft they vex the state:
Diftinguish'd favourite of the skies,
Belov'd he lives, lamented dies:

Yet, fhall he not to fate

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

V.

Too frail is brafs and polifh'd stone;
Perpetual fame the Mufe 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 prefide ?
In vain would art presume to guide

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

And regularly ftrays,

While Nature does, difdaining aids of skill,

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

28

32

36

40

44

VII. As