EPISTLE VI. ARTS were an early gift of heavenly grace, Thy dear difciple's pangs my fpirit pierce, Years have elaps'd, and years that have imprefs'd IO Since, at the fight of malady unknown That prey'd on health far dearer than my own, The lyre, whofe chords should with thy glory fwell, fond hand, by forrow palfied, fell; From my And all my faculties of heart and foul Had but one aim —to make the fickly whole. Fondly he bids his father's falt'ring hand Resume th' unfinish'd work by Friendship plann'd. Weak as he is, may yet thy fame extend! 20 30 The wish of filial excellence diftrefs'd To me is facred as a God's beheft: What joy should execute, with leisure's leave! Here, if these sketches of thy art fucceed, Her ancient reign the fair and young may read ; Her modern empire, and her future power, May form my subject in a happier hour, If happier hours may to that heart be given Which leans, with unexhaufted hope, on Heaven. Whatever lot, excelling friend! is mine, I bend, with gratitude, to power divine I deem a portion of my country's fame— The bards of Greece have twin'd thy laurel crown, And form'd the prelude of thy rich renown: 40 50 Homer and Æfchylus thy mind inspire And Britain, while her naval triumphs blaze The fimple grandeur of her feaman's heart *. O, while with joy to Honour's nobleft height I view, in fancy, thy Dadalean flight! Thy little Icarus I yet must mourn, Soon, from thy fide, by cruel fickness torn, * See NOTE I. 60 For I beheld in thy parental eyes The tear of tender admiration rise,.. 70 When noble labours of his crippled hand, Achiev'd by courage, by affection plann'd, Drew from thy judgment that sweet praise fincere That crippled hand, so skill'd, in early youth, The fuff'rer bleffes Heaven for bounties paft: (Child of thy choice, and pupil of thy heart !) His virtuous wish may yet be known, though vain; See NOTE II. 80 |