Will damn the goats for their ill-natur'd faults,
And fave the sheep for actions, not for thoughts,
Hath too much mercy to fend men to hell,
For humble charity, and hoping well.
To what stupidity are zealots grown,
Whose inhumanity, profufely shown
In damning crowds of fouls, may damn their own.
I'll err at least on the fecurer fide,
A convert free from malice and from pride.
my Friend Mr. JOHN DRYDEN, on his feveral excellent Tranflations of the ancient Poets.
By G. GRANVILLE, Lord LANSDOWNE.
S flow'rs, tranfplanted from a fouthern sky,
But hardly bear, or in the raifing die;
Miffing their native fun, at best retain
But a faint odour, and furvive with pain:
Thus ancient wit, in modern numbers taught,
Wanting the warmth with which its author wrote,
Is a dead image, and a senseless draught.
While we transfufe, the nimble spirit flies,
Escapes unfeen, evaporates, and dies.
Who then to copy Roman wit defire,
Muft imitate with Roman force and fire,
In elegance of ftyle and phrase the same,
And in the sparkling genius, and the flame.
Whence we conclude from thy tranflated fong,
So juft, fo fmooth, fo foft, and yet so strong,
Cœleftial poet! foul of harmony !
That ev'ry genius was reviv'd in thee.
Thy trumpet founds, the dead are rais'd to light,
Never to die, and take to heav'n their flight;
Deck'd in thy verfe, as clad with rays they shine,
All glorified, immortal, and divine.
As Britain in rich foil abounding wide,
Furnish'd for use, for luxury, and pride,
Yet fpreads her wanton fails on ev'ry shore
For foreign wealth, infatiate ftill of more;
To her own wool the filks of Afia joins,
And to her plenteous harvefts India's mines;
So Dryden, not contented with the fame
Of his own works, tho' an immortal name,
To lands remote fends forth his learned mufe,
The nobleft feeds of foreign wit to choose:
Feafting our fenfe fo many various ways,
Say, is't thy bounty, or thy thirft of praise?
That by comparing others, all might fee,
Who moft excel, are yet excell'd by thee.
Let them not ftill be obftinately blind,
Still to divert the good thou haft design'd,
Or with malignant penury,
To starve the royal virtues of his mind.
Faith is a christian's and a fubject's test,
Oh give them to believe, and they are surely bleft.
They do; and with a distant view I fee
Th' amended vows of English loyalty. And all beyond that object, there appears The long retinue of a profperous reign, A feries of fuccefsful years,
In orderly array, a martial, manly train."
Behold ev'n the remoter shores,
A conquering navy proudly spread;
The British cannon formidably roars,
While starting from his oozy bed,
Th' afferted ocean rears his reverend head
To view and recognize his ancient lord again : And with a willing hand, reftores
The fafces of the main.
REATOR fpirit, by whofe aid
The world's foundations first were laid,
Come vifit ev'ry pious mind;
Come pour thy joys on human kind
From fin and forrow fet us free,
And make thy temples worthy thee.
O fource of uncreated light,
The father's promised Paraclete!
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy facred unction bring
To fanctify us, while we fing.
Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy fev❜nfold energy!
Thou ftrength of his Almighty hand,
Whofe pow'r does heav'n and earth command.
Proceeding fpirit, our defence,
Who do'ft the gifts of tongues difpenfe,
And crown'ft thy gift with eloquence!
Refine and purge our earthly parts;
But, oh, inflame and fire cur hearts !
Our frailties help, our vice controul,
Submit the fenfes to the foul ;
And when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold 'em down.
Chace from our minds th' infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
And left our feet should step aftray,
Protect and guide us in the way.
Make us eternal truths receive,
And practise all that we believe:
Give us thyself, that we may fee
The Father, and the Son, by thee.
Immortal honour, endless fame,
Attend th' Almighty Father's name :
The Saviour Son be glorify'd,
Who for lost man's redemption dy'd:
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to thee.
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