The Works of the English Poets

Fáir Thames, along thy flowery side,
May those whom truth and reason guide,
All their tender hours improving,
Live like us, belov'd and loving !

TO MR. THOMSON, On his publishing the Second EDITION

of his Poem, called WINTER. / CHarm’d, and infructed, by thy powerful song,

I have, unjust, with-held my thanks too long :
This debt of gratitude, at length, receive,
Warmly incere, 'tis all thy friend can give.

Thy worth new lights the Poet's darken’d name,
And shews it, blazing, in the brightest fame.
Through all thy various Winter, full are found
Magnificence of thought, and pomp of found,
Clear depth of sense, expreffion's heightening grace,
And goodness, eminent in power, and place!
For this, the wise, the knowing few, commend
With zealous joy-for thou art Virtue's friend :
Ev’n age, and truth severe, in reading tliee,
That heaven inspires the Muse, convinc'd, agree.

Thus I dare fing of merit, faintly known,
Friendlesso-supported by its self alone :
For those, whose aided will could lift thee high,
In fortune, see not with Discernment's eye.
Nor place, nor power, bestows the sight resin'd;
And wealth enlarges not the narrow mind.

How

How could'st thou think of such, and write so well ? Or hope reward, by daring to excell? Unskilful of the age ! untaught to gain Those favours, which the fawning base obtain ! A thousand shameful arts, to thee unknown, Falsehood, and Flattery, mult be first thy own. If thy lov'd country lingers in thy breaft, Thou must drive out th' unprofitable guest: Extinguish each bright aim, that kindles there, And centre in thyself thy every care.

But hence that vileness-pleas'd to charm mankind, . Cast each low thought of interest far behind: Neglected into noble scorn-away From that worn path, where vulgar Poets stray: Inglorious herd! profuse of venal lays ! And by the pride despis'd, they stoop to praise! Thou, careless of the fatesman's smile or frown, Tread that ftrait way, that leads to fair renown. By Virtue guided, and by Glory fir'd, And, by reluctant Envy, flow admir’d, Dare to do well; and in thy boundless mind, Embrace the general welfare of thy kind : Enrich them with the treasures of thy thought, What Heaven approves, and what the Muse has taught. Where thy power fails, unable to go on, Ambitious, greatly will the good undone. So fhall thy name, through ages, brightening shine, And distant praise, from worth unborn, be thine ; So shalt thou, happy! merit heaven's regard, And find a glorious, though a late reward.

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