LESBIA prefided thus in Roman times,
Thus SACHARISSA reign'd o'er British rhymes,
And present bards to MARGARETTA bow,
For what they were of old, is HARLEY now.
From OXFORD's house, in these dull bufy days,
Alone we hope for patronage, or praise;
He to our flighted labours still is kind,
Beneath his roof w' are ever fure to find
(Reward fufficient for the world's neglect)
Charms to inspire, and goodness to protect;
Your eyes with rapture animate our lays,
Your fire's kind hand uprears our drooping bays;

however it was gazed at, and with great judgment admired by men of virtu and philosophy of our own and foreign nations, yet, when time fhall have done away all traces of its existence, her Grace's unfeigned religion and piety, exact fulfilment of all domeftic duties, fuperior talents of mind, native dignity amongft her equals, a flowing condefcenfion to her inferiors, which made those whom she honoured with her acquaintance forget the difference of their ftations, univerfal benevolence, and the most amiable sweetness of temper, will cause her ever to be remembered amongst the most famous of her sex, whofe fuperior characters reflect a lustre on the British nation.

E.

Form'd

Form'd for our glory and support, ye seem,
Our constant patron he, and you our theme,
Where fhou'd poetic homage then be pay'd?
Where ev'ry verse, but at your feet, be lay'd?
A double right you to this empire bear,
As first in beauty, and as OXFORD's heir.
Illuftrious maid! in whofe fole person join'd
Ev'ry perfection of the fair we find,

Charms that might warrant all her sex's pride,
Without one foible of her fex to hide ;

Good-nature artless as the bloom that dyes

Her cheeks, and wit as piercing as her

eyes.
Oh HARLEY! cou'd but you thefe lines approve,
Thefe children fprung from idleness and love,
Cou'd they, (but ah how vain is the defign!)
Hope to amuse your hours, as once they've mine,
Th' ill-judging world's applause, and critics blame,
Alike I'd fcorn: your approbation's fame.

HORACE,

HORACE,

BOOK II. ODE XVI.

IMITATE D.

VOL. I.

K

I.

HORATII,

LIB. II. OD. XVI.

TIUM divos rogat in patenti

Prenfus geo, fimul atra nubes

Condidit Lunam, neque certa fulgent;

2. Otium bello furiofa Thrace,

Otium Medi pharetra decori,

Grofphe, non gemmis neque purpurâ
venale, nec auro.

3. Non enim gazæ, neque confularis
Summovet lictor miferos tumultus

Mentis, & curas laqueata circum
Tecta volantes.

4. Vivitur parvo bene, cui paternum Splendet in menfâ tenui falinum; Nec leves fomnos timor aut cupido

Sordidus aufert.

I. OR quiet, YORKE, the failor cries,

Fo

When gathering ftorms obfcure the skies,
The ftars no more appearing;

2. The candidate for quiet prays,

Sick of the bumpers and huzzas

Of bleft electioneering.

3. Who thinks, that from the Speaker's chair
The Serjeant's mace can keep off care,
Is wond'roufly mistaken :

4. Alas! he is not half fo bleft

As thofe, who've liberty, and reft,

And dine on beans and bacon.