423 ib. In Ignorantem arrogantem Linum On one ignorant and arrogant Prudens Simplicitas Lex Talionis De Ortu et Occasu. Lepus multis Amicus. 1 POEMS. VERSES WRITTEN AT BATH, ON FINDING THE HEEL OF A SHOE, IN 1748. FORTUNE! I thank thee: gentle Goddess! thanks! And bowel-raking pains of emptiness, Nathless she thanks thee, and accepts thy boon, Vain glorious fool! unknowing what he found, B Spurn'd the rich gem, thou gav'st him. Wherefore, ah! Why not on me that favour, (worthier sure!) Conferr❜dst thou, Goddess! Thou art blind, thou say'st: Enough!-thy blindness shall excuse the deed. This pond'rous heel of perforated hide The weighty tread of some rude peasant clown He, who could erst, with even, equal pace, Pursue his destin'd way with symmetry, And some proportion form'd, now, on one side, His prosp'rous way; nor fears miscarriage foul, STANZAS SELECTED FROM AN OCCASIONAL ODE ON THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF SIR CHARLES GRANDISON, IN 1753. To rescue from the tyrant's sword Th' oppress'd;-unseen and unimplor'd, To cheer the face of wo; From lawless insult to defend An orphan's right—a fallen friend, And a forgiven foe; These, these distinguish from the crowd, And these alone, the great and good, The guardians of mankind; Whose bosoms with these virtues heave, O, with what matchless speed, they leave The multitude behind! |