EPISTLE то ROBERT Earl of OXFORD, and Earl MORTIMER. S UCH were the notes thy once-lov'd Poet fung, 'Till Death untimely ftop'd his tuneful tongue. Oh just beheld! and loft! admir'd and mourn'd! With softeft manners, gentleft arts adorn'd! Bleft in each science, bleft in ev'ry strain ! Dear to the Mufe! to HARLEY dear-in vain! For him, thou oft haft bid the World attend, Fond to forget the statesman in the friend; For SWIFT and him, defpis'd the farce of state, The fober follies of the wife and great; Dextrous the craving, fawning crowd to quit, And pleas'd to 'scape from Flattery to Wit. Abfent or dead, ftill let a friend be dear, (A figh the abfent claims, the dead a tear) 10 Epift. to Robert Earl of Oxford.] This Epiftle was fent to the the Earl of Oxford with Dr. Parnell's Poems published by our Author, after the faid Earl's Imprifonment in the Tower, and Retreat into the Country, in the Year 1721. Recall thofe nights that clos'd thy toilfome days, 15 Who, careless now of Int'reft, Fame, or Fate, And fure, if aught below the feats divine 20 25 In vain to Deferts thy retreat is made; 30 When Int'reft calls off all her fneaking train, Ev'n now, obfervant of the parting ray, Eyes the calm Sun-fet of thy various Day, 36 40 EPISTLE To JAMES CRAGGS, Esq. SECRETARY of STATE. A Soul as full of Worth, as void of Pride, Which nothing feeks to fhew, or needs to hide, 5 } Which nor to Guilt nor Fear, its Caution owes, Secretary of State] In the Year 1720. 10 15 EPISTLE To Mr. JERVAS, With Mr. DRYDEN'S Tranflation to FRESNOY'S Art of Painting. T HIS Verfe be thine, my friend, nor thou This, from no venal or ungrateful Muse. 5 10 Epift. to Mr. Jervas.] This Epiftle, and the two following, were written fome years before the reft, and originally printed in 1717. |