GRATITUDE. ADDRESSED TO LADY HESKETH. THIS cap, that so stately appears, With ribbon-bound tassel on high, Which seems by the crest that it rears Ambitious of brushing the sky: cousin I owe, This to She gave it, and gave me beside, Wreath'd into an elegant bow, The ribbon with which it is tied. This wheel-footed studying chair, These carpets, so soft to the foot, Oh spare them, ye knights of the boot, Secure from collision and dust, At which I oft shave cheek and chin, And periwig nicely adjust: This movable structure of shelves, For its beauty admired and its use, This china, that decks the alcove, Has ne'er been reveal'd to us yet: All these are not half that I owe Benignity, friendship, and truth; Much less could he alter her mind. Thus compass'd about with the goods I indulge my poetical moods Poets' goods are not often so fine ; 1786. LINES COMPOSED FOR A MEMORIAL OF ASHLEY COWPER, ESQ. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH, BY HIS NEPHEW WILLIAM OF WESTON. FAREWELL! endued with all that could engage In life's last stage, (O blessings rarely found!) Marble may flatter, and lest this should seem O'ercharged with praises on so dear a theme, Although thy worth be more than half supprest, Love shall be satisfied, and veil the rest. June, 1788. ON THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO LONDON, THE NIGHT OF THE SEVENTEENTH OF MARCH, 1789. WHEN, long sequester'd from his throne, Then loyalty, with all his lamps New trimm'd, a gallant show! "Twas hard to tell, of streets or squares, Bright shone the roofs, the domes, the spires, To hang their momentary fires Amid the vault of heaven. So fire with water to compare, Had all the pageants of the world And all the banners been unfurl'd That heralds e'er design'd, For no such sight had England's Queen Forsaken her retreat, Where George, recover'd, made a scene Sweet always doubly sweet. Yet glad she came that night to prove, How much the object of her love Darkness the skies had mantled o'er Darkness, O Queen! ne'er call'd before On borrow'd wheels away she flies, And gratify no curious eyes That night except her own. Arrived, a night like noon she sees, As all by instinct, like the bees, Pleased she beheld aloft portray'd, Emblems of health and heavenly aid, Unlike the enigmatic line, So difficult to spell, Which shook Belshazzar at his wine The night his city fell. |