Classic Poem

Who hopes to rival M ILTON'S Flame,
With waxen Pinions fondly flies;
His Fall will give the Sea a Name,
While he attempts to reach the Skies.

M ILTON is like a Flood, whose Tide,
Swell'd with tempestuous Deluge, roars,
Which from some lofty Mountain's Side
Resistless foams, and knows no Shores.

With sacred Laurels justly crown'd,
Whether, in bold, unfetter'd Strains,
His tow'ring Muse the common Bound,
Superior to all Rhyme, disdains;

Whether the Realms of endless Day
He fill with Wars, and rude Alarms;
Or set, in terrible Array,
Seraphic Legions , clad in Arms.

Aloft, with all their Forests, thrown
See Hills, from their Foundations raz'd!
See Angels hurl'd with Vengeance down,
When the M ESSIAH'S Standard blaz'd!

Or leads he to connubial Bow'rs
The new-form'd Pair? The teeming Ground
Smiles with a Wilderness of Flow'rs,
Diffusing Gales of Fragrance round.

Lo! A DAM , with majestic Mien,
For Empire and Command design'd!
Consummate Beauty crowns his Queen,
With Dignity and Sweetness join'd.

While he the charming Scene displays,
Where Innocence and Pleasure reign'd;
Delighted with his sacred Lays,
We hear it lost, and feel it gain'd.

His Lays, inimitably fine,
With Ecstasy each Passion move,
When loud they trumpet War divine,
Or softly warble human Love.

O S TEPHEN ! this Britannic Swan
Surmounts the Clouds with noble Flight,
While I, at Distance, only can
Admire him list'ning to the Sight.

As the poor Bee, with endless Toil,
To suck the Thyme, and blooming Rose,
Skims over Richmond 's fragrant Soil,
Thus I with pleasing Pain compose.

You, with a happy Genius blest,
In bolder Strains shall N ASSAU sing,
When Anna , by the Graces drest,
He to the Nuptial Dome shall bring:

Anna , enrich'd with various Charms
By the indulgent Care of Heav'n;
Than whom, into his longing Arms,
No greater Treasure can be giv'n.

Not, tho' with Riches of the East ,
At His Command, the Ganges flow;
Tho', with full Empire, he possess'd
Whate'er Ambition wish'd below.

Ye N EREIDS , with propitious Gales
The gilded Vessel kindly aid;
Let C UPIDS fan the swelling Sails,
And wast him to the Royal Maid.

When T HAMES , with floating Forests crown'd,
L EANDER safe arriv'd proclaims,
And of tumultuous Joy the Sound
Shall bid A UGUSTA rise in Flames;

Loud Thunder, bursting from her Tow'rs,
Shall signalize the sacred Day;
And Transport to the Belgic Shores,
For Blessings which they lent, convey.

Around while Hymeneals ring,
My Voice to highest Pitch I'll raise;
Thrice happy, if I can but sing
An humble Ode to N ASSAU'S Praise.

You, soaring in heroic Verse
By native Strength of Wing upborn,
His godlike Virtues shall rehearse,
And Beauties, which the Bride adorn.

He in your Lays, shall finish'd rise
For Council, or th' embattled Field;
Immortals the contested Prize
To her superior Charms shall yield.

Then, ravish'd with prophetic Views,
Succeeding Glories shall presage;
And, from the Genial Bed, the Muse
Raise Princes, to improve the Age.

Who, bravely prodigal of Blood,
Shall prove, that to set free Mankind,
And conquer for the Public Good,
The Race of N ASSAU was design'd.

Thus great A LCIDES (Poets seign)
By Labours gain'd the Seats above;
Countries preserv'd, and Monsters slain,
Assert the genuine Son of J OVE .