Nor could philosophy divine As each soft strain, each magic line, Then string again your slacken'd lyre Though faction all its rage oppose, STANZAS, ADDRESSED TO PRIOR ON HIS CARMEN SECULARE. WHEN PRIOR'S Muse prepares to sing Some god, or godlike hero's praise, She soars aloft, and on her airy wing High as their high deserts their fame does raise. Thus William's glory scales the sky, Through rolling ages to remain, Which neither brass nor marble can attain, Raised thus above the reach of vulgar destiny. Much we commend the poet's skill, That so exalted sings a theme sublime : Such shades make William's glory brighter shine. O! long as breath inspires this fleeting frame, A. T. FROM THE VILLAGE CURATE. BY HURDIS. How sweet the music of thy happy times, 1 See his Carmen Seculare to the King. up Back to his Albion then, then with stiff wing DEDICATION. TO THE RIGHT HON. LIONEL, EARL OF DORSET AND MIDDLESEX'. It looks like no great compliment to your Lordship that I prefix your name to this Epistle, when, in the Preface, I declare the Book is published almost against my inclination. But, in all cases, my Lord, you have an hereditary right to whatever may be called mine. Many of the following pieces were written by the command of your excellent father, and most of the rest under his protection and patronage. The particular felicity of your birth, my Lord; the natural endowments of your mind, which, without suspicion of flattery, I may tell you are very great the good education with which these parts have been improved, and your coming into the world, and seeing men very early, make us expect from your Lordship all the good which our hopes can form in favour of a young nobleman. Tu Marcellus eris,—our eyes and our hearts are turned on you. You must be a judge and master of polite learning, a friend and patron to men of letters and merit, a faithful and able counsellor to 1 Afterwards created Duke of Dorset. your Prince, a true patriot to your country, an ornament and honour to the titles you possess, and, in one word, a worthy son to the great Earl of Dorset2. It is as impossible to mention that name without desiring to commend the person, as it is to give him the commendations which his virtues deserved. But I assure myself the most agreeable compliment I can bring your Lordship is to pay a grateful respect to your father's memory: and my own obligations to him were such, that the world must pardon my endeavouring at his character, however I may miscarry in the attempt. A thousand ornaments and graces met in the composition of this great man, and contributed to make him universally beloved and esteemed. The figure of his body was strong, proportionable, beautiful; and were his picture well drawn, it must deserve the praise given to the portraits of Raphael, and at once create love and respect. While the greatness of his mien informed men they were approaching the nobleman, the sweetness of it invited them to come nearer to the patron. There was in his look and gesture something that is more easily conceived than described, that gained upon you in his favour before he spake one word. His behaviour was easy and courteous to all; but distinguished, and adapted to each man in particular, according to his station and quality. His civility was free from the formality of rule, and flowed immediately from his good sense. Such were the natural faculties and strength of 2 See Catalogue of Royal and Noble Authors. |