The Poetical Works of the Right Hon. George Granville, Lord Lansdowne/83
TO MY FRIEND DR. GARTH,
IN HIS SICKNESS.
Machaon ſick! in ev’ry face we find
His danger is the danger of mankind,
Whoſe art protecting, Nature could expire
But by a deluge or the general fire.
More lives he ſaves than periſh in our wars,5
And faſter than a plague deſtroys repairs:
The bold carouſer and advent’rous dame
Nor fear the fever nor refuſe the flame:
Safe in his ſkill, from all reſtraint ſet free
But conſcious ſhame, remorſe, or piety.10
Sire of all arts![1] defend thy darling ſon;
O! ſave the man whoſe life ’s ſo much our own;
On whom, like Atlas, the whole world ’s reclin’d,
And by reſtoring Garth preſerve mankind.14
- ↑ Apollo, god of Poetry and Phyſic.