Classic Poem

Tho Genius and Fancy hereafter may trace
?The bright pages, commanded by Thee,
Yet early the friend of thy youth has a place
?And Friendship reserv'd it for me—
And here may thine eye with complacence a while
?In tenderness love to repose,
And partially give to the name that pleas'd smile
?Which thy judgement on others bestows—
Ev'n thus in thy breast such a place would I claim
?Tho' others a worthier gain,
Where fix'd in thy Love, tho' thy Judgement may blame
?I securely thro life might remain—
And tho' fonder and closer the ties of delight
?That affection may wind round thine heart,
Ev'n there let thy friend still ask as her right
?Some dear yet unoccupied part—
Tho taught in thy garden with lustre to live
?The more brilliant exotick shall glow,
Yet the primrose which Spring shall spontaneously give
?Still suffer perennial to blow—
And round the tall shrub whose fragrance divine
?Thou hast purchas'd and shielded with care
The wild woodbine its arms shall with confidence twine
?Tho Nature had planted it there—