Classic Poem

VERSES occasioned by the Honors conferred on the Right Honorable the Earl of H ALLIFAX , 1714. Being that Year installed Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter

P HOEBUS and C ÆSAR once conspir'd to grace
A noble Knight, of ancient Tuscan Race.
The Monarch, greatly conscious of his Worth,
From Books and his Retirement call'd him forth;
Adorn'd the Patriot with the Civic Crown,
The Consul's Fasces and Patrician Gown:
The World's whole Wealth he gave him to bestow,
And teach the Streams of Treasure where to flow:
To him he bad the suppliant Nations come,
And on his Counsels fix'd the Fate of Rome .
The God of Wit, who taught him first to sing,
And tune high Numbers to the vocal String,
With jealous Eyes beheld the bounteous King.
Forbear, he cry'd, to rob me of my Share;
Our common Fav'rite is our common Care.
Honors and Wealth thy grateful Hand may give;
But P HOEBUS only bids the Poet live.
The Service of his faithful Heart is thine;
There let thy J ULIAN Star an Emblem shine;
His Mind, and her imperial Seat are mine.
Then bind his Brow, ye Thespian Maids, he said,
The willing Muses the Command obey'd,
And wove the deathless Laurel for his Head.