I I've toucht @3each string@1, each muse I have invok't, Yet still the mighty theam, Copes my unequal praise; Perhaps, the @3God of Numbers@1 is provok't. I grasp a Subject fit for none but him, Or @3Drydens@1 sweeter lays; @3Dryden@1! A name I ne're could yet rehearse, But straight my thoughts @3were all transform'd to verse@1. II And now methinks I rise; But still the @3lofty subject@1 baulks my flight, And still my @3muse@1 despairs to do great @3Athens@1 right; Yet take the @3Zealous Tribute@1 which I bring, The early products of a Female muse; Until @3the God@1, into my breast shall @3mightier thoughts@1 infuse. When I with more Command, and @3prouder voice@1 shall sing; But how shall I describe the matchless men? I'me lost in the @3bright labirinth@1 agen. III When the @3lewd age@1, as Ignorant as accurst, Arriv'd in vice and error to the worst, And like @3Astrea@1 banisht from the stage, Virtue and Truth were ready @3stretcht for flight@1; Their numerous foes, Scarce one of eithers Champions ventur'd to oppose; Scarce one @3brave mind@1, durst openly engage, To do them right. Till prompted with a Generous rage; You cop't with all th' abuses of the age; Unmaskt and @3challeng'd@1 its abhorred crimes, Nor fear'd to @3lash@1 the darling vices of the times. IV @3Successfully go on@1, T' inform and bless mankind as you've begun, Till like your selves they see; The frantick world's imagin'd Joys to be, @3Unmanly, sensual and effemenate@1, Till they with such exalted thoughts possest; As you've inspir'd into my @3willing Breast@1, Are @3charm'd@1, like me, from the impending fate. V For ah! @3Forgive me Heaven@1, I blush to say't, I with the vulgar world thought @3Irreligion great, Tho fine my breeding, and my Notions high;@1 Tho train'd in the @3bright@1 tracts of strictest piety, I' like my @3splendid tempters@1 soon grew vain, @3And laid my slighted innocense aside@1; Yet oft my nobler thoughts I have bely'd, And to be ill was @3even reduc'd to feign@1. VI Until by you, With more Heroick sentiments inspir'd, I turn'd and @3stood@1 the vigorous torrent too, And at my former @3weak retreat admir'd@1; So much was I by your @3example fir'd@1, So much the @3heavenly form@1 did win: Which to my eyes @3you'd painted vertue in@1. VII Oh, could my verse; With @3equal flights@1, to after times rehearse, Your @3fame@1: It should as bright and Death-less be; @3As that immortal flame you've rais'd in me.@1 A flame which time: And Death it self, wants power to controul, Not more sublime, Is the @3divine composure of my Soul@1; A friendship so exalted and immense, A @3female breast@1 did ne're before commence. |