Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748)/To Mr. Addison on Cato
To Mr. Addison on Cato.
THE mind to virtue is by verse subdu'd,
And the true poet is a publick good:
This Britain feels, while, by your lines inspir'd,
Her free born sons to glorious thoughts are fir'd. 4
In Rome had you espous'd the vanquish'd cause,
Inflam'd her senate and upheld her laws,
Your manly scenes had liberty restor'd,
And giv'n the just success to Cato's sword, 8
O'er Cæsar's arms your genius had prevail'd,
And the muse triumph'd where the patriot fail'd.
And the true poet is a publick good:
This Britain feels, while, by your lines inspir'd,
Her free born sons to glorious thoughts are fir'd. 4
In Rome had you espous'd the vanquish'd cause,
Inflam'd her senate and upheld her laws,
Your manly scenes had liberty restor'd,
And giv'n the just success to Cato's sword, 8
O'er Cæsar's arms your genius had prevail'd,
And the muse triumph'd where the patriot fail'd.