88
ODES.
Inheritance of long descent!
The sacred pledge, so dearly priz'd 98
By that bless'd spirit we lament:
Grief-easing lays, by grief devis'd,
Plaintive Numbers, gently flowing,
Sooth the sorrows to him owing! 102
The sacred pledge, so dearly priz'd 98
By that bless'd spirit we lament:
Grief-easing lays, by grief devis'd,
Plaintive Numbers, gently flowing,
Sooth the sorrows to him owing! 102
STROPHE IV.
Early on his growing heir
Stamp what time may not impair,
As he grows, that coming Years,
Or youthful Pleasures, or the vain 106
Gigantick phantom of the brain
Ambition, breeding monstrous hopes and fears,
Or worthier cares, to youth unknown,
Ennobling manhood, flower of life fullblown, 110
May never wear the bosom-image faint:
O, let him prove what words but weakly paint,
The living lovely semblance of his fire,
A model to his son! that ages may admire! 114
Early on his growing heir
Stamp what time may not impair,
As he grows, that coming Years,
Or youthful Pleasures, or the vain 106
Gigantick phantom of the brain
Ambition, breeding monstrous hopes and fears,
Or worthier cares, to youth unknown,
Ennobling manhood, flower of life fullblown, 110
May never wear the bosom-image faint:
O, let him prove what words but weakly paint,
The living lovely semblance of his fire,
A model to his son! that ages may admire! 114
ANTISTROPHE IV.
Every vertue, every grace,
Still renewing in the race,
Every vertue, every grace,
Still renewing in the race,
Once
