Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/233

COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA ���95 ���AN EPISTLE �From Ardelia To Mrs. Randolph in answer to her Poem upon �Her Verses Madam, �till pow'rfully convinc'd by you, I thought those Praises never were Their due, Which I had read, or heard bestow'd by Men On Women, that have ventur'd on the Pen. But now must yeild (pursuaded by your stile) That Lesbian Sapho's might all hearts beguile. The vanquish'd Pindar, now I must beleive Might from Corrina's Muse new Laws receive, Since our own Age is happily possest Of such a genius, in a Female Breast, 10 �As gives us Faith for all those wonders told, Producing New, to justify the old. Then we'll no more submitt, but (in your name) To Poetry renew our Ancient Claime; Through itts retirement, we'll your worth persue, And lead itt into Public Rule and View; As the best Monarks, which the Romans made Were forc'd to Thrones, from some beloved shade. Nor, lett itt to your Verse, objected be, That itt has stoop'd so low, to find out me, 20 �Since a mean subject greater skill requires Then one, which of itts self, high thoughts inspires. And twas the Mantuan Poet's boasted praise, Virgil's, who Kings and Heroes best cou'd raise, That if to lowly Plaines, he did repair, His Song, shou'd make 'em worth a Coiisull's care, Thus, have you Madam, by your lines enhanc'd My humble worth, and so, my fame advanc'd, That where-so-ere that Panigerick's shown, ��� �