Poetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett - With Memoirs, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory Notes by Thomas Gray;Thomas Parnell;Tobias George Smollett;Samuel Johnson
page 253 of 295 (85%)
page 253 of 295 (85%)
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'Tis Sloth or Pride that finds her gifts too small.
Why sleeps the Muse?--is there no room for praise, When such bright constellations blaze? When sage Newcastle[2], abstinently great, Neglects his food to cater for the state; And Grafton[3], towering Atlas of the throne, So well rewards a genius like his own: Granville and Bath[4] illustrious, need I name, For sober dignity, and spotless fame; 20 Or Pitt, the unshaken Abdiel yet unsung: Thy candour, Chomdeley! and thy truth, O Younge! POET. The advice is good; the question only, whether These names and virtues ever dwelt together? But what of that? the more the bard shall claim, Who can create as well as cherish fame. But one thing more,--how loud must I repeat, To rouse the engaged attention of the great,--Amused, perhaps, with C--'s prolific hum[5], Or rapt amidst the transports of a drum;[6] 30 While the grim porter watches every door, Stern foe to tradesmen, poets, and the poor, The Hesperian dragon not more fierce and fell, Nor the gaunt growling janitor of Hell? Even Atticus (so wills the voice of Fate) Enshrines in clouded majesty his state; Nor to the adoring crowd vouchsafes regard, Though priests adore, and every priest a bard. |
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