8
POEMS.
When shallow politicians fain
Their reasoning powers would show,
Thou bid'st each nerve its strength maintain,
And giv'st the tongue its flow.
And when some witless rhymster tries
His Lesbia's lips, or Chloe's eyes,
In maudlin verse to praise,
Thy hand still mends each limping line,
Attests the work correct, divine,
And wreathes his brow with bays!
Their reasoning powers would show,
Thou bid'st each nerve its strength maintain,
And giv'st the tongue its flow.
And when some witless rhymster tries
His Lesbia's lips, or Chloe's eyes,
In maudlin verse to praise,
Thy hand still mends each limping line,
Attests the work correct, divine,
And wreathes his brow with bays!
Oft when neglected genius drooped,
Crushed by Misfortune's shower,
At thy persuasion Rank hath stooped,
And raised the fading flower.
Oft too, the hand which clenched remained,
While suppliant worth of want complained
In accents sad and sweet,
Soon as thy voice was heard to plead,
Its captive thousands straight hath freed,
And poured them at thy feet.
Crushed by Misfortune's shower,
At thy persuasion Rank hath stooped,
And raised the fading flower.
Oft too, the hand which clenched remained,
While suppliant worth of want complained
In accents sad and sweet,
Soon as thy voice was heard to plead,
Its captive thousands straight hath freed,
And poured them at thy feet.
