Classic Poem

THE birds put off their ev'ry hue
To dress a room for Montagu.
The Peacock sends his heav'nly dyes,
His rainbows and his starry eyes ;
The Pheasant, plumes which round infold
His mantling neck with downy gold;
The Cock his arch'd tail's azure show,
And, river-blanch'd, the Swan his snow.
All tribes beside of Indian name,
That glossy shine or vivid flame,
Where rises, and where sets the day,
Whate'er they boast of rich or gay,
Contribute to the gorgeous plan,
Proud to advance it all they can.
This plumage, neither dashing show'r,
Nor blasts that shake the dripping bow'r,
Shall drench again or discompose,
But, screen'd from ev'ry storm that blows,
It wears a splendour ever new,
Safe with protecting Montagu.
To the same Patroness resort,
(Secure of favour aTher court)
Strong Genius, from whose forge of thought
Forms rise, to quick perfection wrought,
Which, though new-born, with vigour move,
Like Pallas springing arm'd from Jove —
Imagination, scatt'ring round
Wild roses over furrow'd ground,
Which Labour of his frowns beguile,
And teach Philosophy a smile —
Wit, flashing on Religion's side,
Whose fires to sacred Truth applied,
The gem, though luminous before,
Commend to human notice more,
Like sun-beams on the golden height
Of some tall temple playing bright —
Well-tutor'd Learning, from his books
Dismiss'd with grave, not haughty looks,
Their order on his shelves exact,
Nor more harmonious or compact
Than that to which he keeps confin'd
The various treasures of his mind —
All these to M ONTAGU 's repair,
Ambitious of a shelter there.
There Genius, Learning, Fancy, Wit,
Their ruffled plumage calm refit,
(For stormy troubles loudest roar
Around their flight who highest soar)
And in her eye, and by her aid,
Shine safe, without a fear to fade.
She thus maintains divided sway
With yon bright regent of the day;
The plume and poet both, we know,
Their lustre to his influence owe,
And she, the work of Phaebus aiding,
Both poet saves and plume from fading.