Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF SHELBURNE, by GEORGE CRABBE


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TO THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF SHELBURNE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah! Shelburne, blest with all that's good or great
Last Line: And yields her shelburne to distress and me! --
Subject(s): Petty, William. 2d Earl Of Shelburne


AH! SHELBURNE, blest with all that's good or great,
T' adorn a rich, or save a sinking state,
If public Ills engross not all thy care,
Let private Woe assail a patriot's ear,
Pity confined, but not less warm, impart,
And unresisted win thy noble heart:
Nor deem I rob thy soul of Britain's share,
Because I hope to have some interest there;
Still wilt thou shine on all a fostering sun,
Though with more fav'ring beams enlight'ning one, --
As Heaven will oft make some more amply blest,
Yet still in general bounty feeds the rest.
Oh hear the Virtue thou reverest plead;
She'll swell thy breast, and there applaud the deed.
She bids thy thoughts one hour from greatness stray,
And leads thee on to fame a shorter way;
Where, if no withering laurel's thy reward,
There's shouting Conscience, and a grateful Bard;
A bard untrained in all but misery's school,
Who never bribed a knave or praised a fool; --
'Tis Glory prompts, and as thou read'st attend,
She dictates pity, and becomes my friend;
She bids each cold and dull reflection flee,
And yields her Shelburne to distress and me! --





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