Classic Poem

When great Alcides had surpass'd his Toils ,
With Conquest sated, and Augean Spoils,
A pious Gratitude , his Soul did move,
To consecrate Olympian Games to Love .
From Pisa , then, and warlike Sparta 's Plain,
The Grecian Chiefs advanc'd the Palm to gain,
And, whilst the Annals of Olympia live,
Choraebus shall, in lasting Fame survive.
Theron and Chromius , shall for ever shine,
In Pindar 's Song, and Cowley 's tuneful Line.
But, active Chromius , nor young Theron 's Name,
Shall be intitl'd to a surer Fame ,
Then thine , (O P ARKYNS !) could I reach that Height,
To sing , like Pindar , or, like Cowley , write:
But thy own Pen , Time's vain Attempts will mock,
Whilst eager Touthts , in future Days, shall look,
Not on my Verse , but thy Gymnastick Book .

When first the bold Pancraticks did engage,
And Greece encourag'd the Olympian Stage;
The use of Wrestling , was a clumsy Sport,
An artless Combat, and a rude Effort;
Till Theseus , (that brave Demi-God!) at length,
Nature improv'd, and added Art to Strength .

Then was the Prize attended with Renown ,
And Palms and Lawrel did the Victors Crown;
Immortal Heroes to the List descend,
And Gods , themselves, for Victory contend.
Thus, when Alcides , for a Foe did call,
And urg'd the trembling Crowd to try a Fall,
His Sire, great Jove , (for so the Poets sing)
In human Shape , descended to the Ring ;
A jolly Bulk ! around the Sand he trod,
And brawny Flesh conceal'd the nervous God .

Long did the Strife , with equal Chance abide,
And undecided, till Jove lay aside
The borrow'd Shape , which had the God bely'd,

Then the bold Champion (who had overthrown)
The huge Antaeus (Earth's Gygantick Son !)
Submitted to the Author of his Birth:
So! harder 'tis to grasp with Heav'n and Earth !

The conquering God bore off th' immortal Palm ,
And, ever since retain'd the Isrestler 's Name.

Thus, Sir, you see, the Gods assume a Part,
And Glory in the Trophies of your Art:
And as Alphaeus , once, beheld his Greece .
Abound in Sports , and useful Arts of Peace,
So may our Thames behold her Chiefs renew,
Their wonted Vigour , when thus taught by Tou .

And Since great Anna had her Monsters too,
Her Hydras , and her Centaurs to subdue,
Let Yearly Wrestlings , sacred to her Name ,
The Toils and Labours of her Reign proclaim.

Then vig'rous Touths will exercise the Field ,
And fam'd Olympia to thy BUNNY yield:
Then new Epocha 's, from thy Sports shall rise,
And future Years be reckon'd from thy Prize ,
And Men shall question where the Date to Place,
To thy new Annals , or to Anna'S Peace .

Then shall an Active, Brave, Heroick Breed,
To this effaeminated Race succeed;
The limber Minuet , and fantastick Shrugg ,
Shall yield the Honour to thy Cornish-Hugg .
Then cheared Damsels shall no more embrace ,
The feeble Off-spring of a Pocky Race;
But quit their Bullies , and discard their Beaus ,
And, from thy Ring , their Lusty Husbands choose.

With Men, like these , our Edward waged War,
With these , he won at Cressy , and Poictier ,
With these , his Queen march'd to the dusty Field ;
And made the stubborn Scottish David yield:
And whilst the Monarch did his Captive bring,
And thro' vast Crowds convey'd the Gallick King ,
His brave Philippa , to compleat the Truce ,
Rode, in the Triumph , with her conquer'd Bruce .

Thus, were our Britains , in the Days of Old,
By Sports made hardy, and by Actions bold,
And were they, now , inur'd to Exercise ,
And all their Struglings were for Virtue's Prize ,
Man against Man , would not for Pow'r contend,
No Lust of Wealth would Hugg a private End ,
Nor Each would Wrestle to supplant his Friend.