SONNET

ADDRESSED TO HENRY COWPER, ESQ.

On his emphatical and interesting delivery of the defence of Warren Hastings, Esq. in the House of Lords.

COWPER, whose silver voice, task'd sometimes hard, Legends prolix delivers in the ears

(Attentive when thou read'st) of England's peers, Let verse at length yield thee thy just reward.

Thou wast not heard with drowsy disregard,
Expending late on all that length of plea
Thy gen'rous pow'rs, but silence honour'd thee,
Mute as e'er gaz'd on orator or bard.

Thou art not voice alone, but hast beside
Both heart and head; and couldst with music sweet
Of Attic phrase and senatorial tone,

Like thy renown'd forefathers, far and wide
Thy fame diffuse, prais'd not for utt'rance meet
Of others' speech, but magic of thy own.

n

Two Poets*, (poets, by report,
Not oft so well agree)

Sweet Harmonist of Flora's court!
Conspire to honour Thee.

They best can judge a poet's worth,
Who oft themselves have known

The pangs of a poetic birth

By labours of their own.

We therefore pleas'd extol thy song,
Though various yet complete,

Rich in embellishment as strong,

And learned as 'tis sweet.

Alfading to the poem by Mr. Hayley, which accompanied

these lines. fer

222

LINES ADDRESSED TO DR. DARWIN.

No envy mingles with our praise,
Though, could our hearts repine
At any poet's happier lays,

They would-they must at thine.

But we, in mutual bondage knit
Of friendship's closest tie,
Can gaze on even Darwin's wit
With an unjaundic'd eye;

And deem the Bard, whoe'er he be,

And howsoever known,

Who would not twine a wreath for Thee,
Unworthy of his own.

THE birds put off their ev'ry hue,
To dress a room for Montagu.

The Peacock sends his heav'nly dyes,
His rainbows and his starry eyes;

The Pheasant plumes, which round infold
His mantling neck with downy gold;
The Cock his arch'd tail's azure show;
And, river-blanch'd, the Swan his snow.
All tribes beside of Indian name,
That glossy shine, or vivid flame,
Where rises, and where sets the day,
Whate'er they boast of rich and gay,
Contribute to the gorgeous plan,
Proud to advance it all they can.
This plumage neither dashing show'r,
Nor blasts, that shake the dripping bow'r,

Shall drench again or discompose, iT
But, screen'd from ev'ry storm that blows,
It boasts a splendour ever new, more to 1)
Safe with protecting Montagu! I DIDOTĀ
To the same patroness resort, ti boA
Secure of favour at her court,
How strz mad?
Strong Genius, from whose forge of thought
Forms rise, to quick perfection wrought,
Which, though new-born, with vigour move,
Like Pallas springing arm'd from Jove
Imagination scatt'ring rounde 90, ÎNA
Wild roses oyer furrow'd ground,
Which Labour of his frown beguile,
And teach Philosophy a smile-
Wit flashing on Religion's side,
Whose fires, to sacred Truth applied,
The gem, though luminous before,
Obtrude on human notice more,
Like sunbeams on the golden height
Of some tall temple playing bright-
Well-tutor❜d Learning, from his books
Dismiss'd with grave, not haughty, looks,
Their order on his shelves exact,
Not more harmonious or compact
Than that, to which he keeps confin'd
The various treasures of his mind-
All these to Montagu's repair,
Ambitious of a shelter there.