Classic Poem

Hail mighty Dryden! thou Great King of Wit,
Hail wond'rous Bard! to thee we all submit.
Thy Eagle Muse, unanimous we greet,
And lay our Lawrels at thy conq'ring Feet.
Admire the Man! the Genius more admire!
Blest with his Thoughyt, and ravish'd with his Lyre!
Harmonious are his Numbers, strong his Lines:
Thro' all his Works a brillant Lustre shines,
But in this one, he has for us done more,
Than all the Bards our Isle produc'd before,
Some mangling Pens essay'd, but try'd in vain,
Traduc'd their Author, and were read with Pain.
The mighty Task was kept for him by Fate,
And none but Dryden, Virgil could translate.

Proceed Great Man, immortal Verse pursue,
Bless us with that, while we Bless Fate for you.
For Homer, long defir'd we now implore!
Thank for what's past; and humbly beg for more.
'Tis bold Petitioning, and I must own
We merit not those Favours you have shown
To this ungrateful, undeserving Town:
Yet, like the Sun, you lib'rally dispence
On Good, and Bid, your powerful Influence.