Inheritance of long descent!

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,

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

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

A model to his fon! that ages may admire!

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While we behold yon wide-spread azure cope,

With burning ftars thick-luster'd o'er,
Than to enjoy, and to deserve, a store

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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.

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E PODE IV.

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

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And we are judg'd where favour is not bought.

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By him forewarn'd, thou frantic ifle,

A a 4

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-

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ANTIS TROPHE V.

Winning afpect! winning mind!

Soul and body aptly join'd!

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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 still survive,

As plants, remov'd to milder regions thrive,
In one eternal fpring? and we bewail

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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 fhare
Sublimer raptures, unreveal'd,

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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WILLIAM PULTENEY, ESQUIRE.

MAY 1, 1723.

I.

WHO, much diftinguish'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,
Nor to the gay, the beautiful, or young.

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,

the great,

Nor envies, nor is envied by,

Polite in courts, polite in his retreat:

III.

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Whofe unambitious, active foul,

Attends the welfare of the whole,

When public forms arise,

And, in the calm, a thousand ways
Diverfifies his nights and days,
Still elegantly wife;

2Q

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:
Distinguish'd favourite of the skies,
Belov'd he lives, lamented dies:

Yet, fhall he not to fate

Submit entire; the rescuing Muse shall save

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,

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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 prefume to guide

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

And regularly strays,

While Nature does, difdaining aids of skill,

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

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VII. As